A county councillor has responded to a population wellbeing assessment by Powys Teaching Health Board which placed the Llanfair Caereinion area as one of the poorest performing areas in north Powys.

Cllr Gareth Jones (Independent, Llanfair Caereinion) said: “I feel proud of what we have achieved which is why I feel so strongly that the picture painted by this report, is misleading and does no justice to the achievements of the town be that in sport, culture, education and economy.”

He added that Llanfair Caereinion is a “fantastic place to live, with a strong thriving community, made up of hardworking, passionate people who want the best for the town.”

A new health centre in Llanfair Caereinion, which will serve one of the most sparsely populated areas in Wales, is set to be completed by the summer of 2021. Cllr Jones said he welcomes the investment which will be a “great benefit” to younger and older generations.

The wellbeing assessment in the ‘Case for Change’ report published by the local health board in December 2019, claimed that the Llanfair Caereinion area, which has 6,228 residents, has the joint largest number of energy inefficient properties in Montgomeryshire. Cllr Jones has asked constituents to contact him for advice on Welsh Government schemes such as NEST which provides up to 100 per cent funding towards central heating, double glazing and insulation.

In response to claims that the area has the joint highest percentage of obese children in north Powys, Cllr Jones said the community is committed to securing funding for a new 3G sports pitch, the cost of which will run into six figures.

“Despite several knock backs they are determined to bring the best sporting facilities to our community,” he said.

“The sporting achievements of our youngsters, is a credit to us all with a record number recently representing Wales. As a town we have always punched above our weight in sporting achievements.

“Let’s continue to work together and grow stronger as a community, and use this opportunity to rewrite the future headlines that celebrate Llanfair’s positive achievements.”

Powys Teaching Health Board has been asked to comment.