Thankfully after informing the portfolio holder of the councils right to veto BT’s proposals to close 194 phoneboxes across Powys, the council has now decided that they have due reason to oppose the closure of 157 phoneboxes. This follows a public consultation with Town and Community Councils and County Councillors. The portfolio holder decided not to veto them en-bloc as this would have given BT the opportunity to appeal against the veto and this could have led to more being closed.

 I opposed the closure of the nominated phoneboxes in Bronllys Ward due to the often poor mobile signal in the area. I also had the opportunity to speak on this issue at last weeks Breconshire Committee. Members welcomed the news that I had informed the portfolio holder of the councils right to Veto the proposals under BT’s Universal Service Obligation (USO) and many members joined me in calling upon the Board to veto as many of the propsed closures as necessary.

 We will now wait for the response from BT.