Conservative Assembly candidate Gary Price has criticised Powys County Council for not engaging with local businesses.

It follows a Business Rate Payers’ meeting on Tuesday January 19 in Llandrindod Wells - that attracted just THREE people.

Gary, a Powys County Councillor, said, “It is a statutory requirement of Powys County Council to hold business rate meetings. These should be seen as an ideal opportunity for the authority to seek the views of the business community on issues that are vital to them – such as car parking and waste charges.

“That just three people attended the latest meeting at County Hall on Tuesday speaks volumes and should be a loud wake-up call to the council.”

On Monday, Gary travelled around Brecon and Radnorshire with Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies speaking to local business people.

“It was disappointing, to say the least, that none of the business people we spoke to during the leader’s visit were aware that a Business Rate Payers’ meeting was even being held,” he said.

“This was a lost opportunity, and what it tells me is that Powys County Council must start communicating in a more meaningful way with the hard working business rate payers of Brecon and Radnorshire.

“That is why I am urging the authority to carry out an urgent review of the way they engage with business.

“Local businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. They need all the help they can get, and the very least they can expect is to have their views and concerns heard.”