24 January 2023

Following Welsh Governments approval of the county’s Active Travel Network Maps (ATNM), work has started to develop designs for improving active travel provision on Severn Street, in Welshpool.

Identified on the ATNM by the community and stakeholders, this would form the first phase of a wider project to create a local active travel network – enabling more journeys to be undertaken by foot or bicycle within the town.

The proposed route would run along the north side of Severn Street, from the train station to the bridge over the canal. The project would see the existing path widened to become a shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians, and improvements made to the surface and drainage, enhancing safety for all users – but particularly for families and pupils going to and from Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng, the new Welsh medium primary school, and commuters using the train station. As part of the design work, consideration is also being given to the road crossings.

“Welsh Government have made it clear that walking and cycling must be the natural mode of choice for short everyday journeys, or as part of a longer journey in combination with other sustainable modes, and the continued investment into practical active travel routes within Powys will help us achieve this vision.” Says Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys.

“Not only do these routes improve road, pedestrian and cyclist safety, they also provide us with the opportunity to increase our health and wellbeing by being more active, as well as contributing to reducing emissions and combating the current climate emergency by enabling us to prioritise walking and cycling, rather than using the car, for short, local journeys.”

Local councillor and Cabinet Member for a Safer Powys, Cllr Richard Church is encouraged by all the planned improvements to the area. “There’s lots happening around Severn Steet which will bring more people to the area. The new Extra Care home at Neuadd Maldwyn, the new Welsh medium school and work to improve the library and the museum by the canal. These improvements, along with the development of the active travel provision, will make it a safe route for young and old people alike, by linking these new facilities to both the town centre and the railway station.”

Once design work has been completed a funding application will be submitted to Welsh Government (Active Travel fund) and if successful, work to begin the construction phase would begin soon after.

All designs and updates will be made available online.

23 January 2023

A revised business case to construct a replacement building for a north Powys all-through school has been approved by the Welsh Government, the county council has announced.

Powys County Council has been working on plans to build a new school for Ysgol Bro Hyddgen since 2017, but the project faced an unforeseen delay due to the collapse of the main contractor, Dawnus Construction Ltd.

A new Strategic Outline Case/Outline Business Case was prepared by the council for a new 540-place all-age school at Ysgol Bro Hyddgen’s secondary school site to replace the current primary and secondary school buildings.

When built, the replacement building will incorporate early years facilities, areas for primary, secondary and post-16 education, a community room, an additional learning needs centre, wellbeing areas as well as external areas and a 3G pitch. 

The design could also include a space for a public library if required. This would be subject to public engagement which will take place in February. 

The building will have excellent environmental credentials and will be the council’s first all-through school Passivhaus building, with the aim of achieving Net Zero in operation and with a target of <800kg/CO2m2 of embodied carbon, and it is expected that the new school will be open to pupils in 2026.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “I’m delighted that the Welsh Government have approved our plans for a replacement building for Ysgol Bro Hyddgen.

“We believe that the preferred option will provide excellent education facilities for the next generation of learners. This option remains affordable within the current available funding envelope and protects the planned investment in other school sites elsewhere in the county.”

23 January 2023

Building new council homes while continuing to maintain the existing housing stock will be supported by a below-inflation rent increase, the county council has said.

Last week (Tuesday, January 17) Powys County Council’s Cabinet has agreed to increase council house rent by 5.36%, which equates to an average of £5.16 per week.

The increase is necessary to fund the service as well as allow the council to continue with its maintenance investment plans for the existing 5,500 council homes and to support a growing programme of building new council homes.

The rent increase will come in from April 2023.

Cllr James Gibson-Watt, Leader of Powys County Council, said: “Our growing programme of building new council homes and our maintenance investment plans for our existing council homes will help us build a stronger, fairer, greener Powys.

“This below-inflation rent increase will ensure that we can invest in our housing stock and while increasing the number of council houses in our communities by building high-quality council homes.

“The council would also like to acknowledge the Tenant Scrutiny Panel, who were consulted on the proposals and made a valuable contribution to the decision-making process.

“Council rents in Powys remain amongst the lowest of any landlord working in the county yet offer tenants the most security.”

Cabinet also approved new charges for services such as grounds maintenance, communal cleaning, heating, washing lines, tv aerials, sewerage treatment and fire safety work.

Rent for council garages will also increase by 84p per week.

23 January 2023

An energy efficiency installer advertising grants for air source heat pumps and solar panels on Facebook are using Powys County Council’s logo without permission, the county’s residents are being warned.

Birmingham-based iEnergy Limited has been using the Powys logo to promote the availability of grant funding for household energy efficiency measures through sponsored adverts on Facebook.

The use of the logo by iEnergy wrongfully suggests that the council has given endorsement and is in partnership with the installer.

The logo is a registered trademark that belongs to Powys County Council and has not given iEnergy Limited permission to use it. The council also does not endorse the services the company provides.

The council has written to iEnergy Limited demanding that they stop using the Powys logo on adverts that appear on Facebook and other social media platforms.

Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys, said: “We understand that there are numerous companies across the UK that provide and install a range of energy efficiency measures as part of the government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO).

“However, iEnergy Limited’s use of our logo has given the impression to those Powys residents who have seen this advert on Facebook that the council has endorsed their company.

“We have not given permission to this company to use our logo and we do not endorse the services they provide.

“If the company continues to use our logo, we will take appropriate legal action against them.”

The council does have a scheme to help tackle fuel poverty in Powys. The ECO4 Flex scheme will enable home energy improvements and is being delivered on behalf of the council by Warm Wales, a community interest company specialising in delivery of programmes designed to address fuel poverty in Wales.

Warm Wales will provide a fully managed scheme, field enquiries, undertake assessment of client eligibility and work directly with energy providers and agents obligated to deliver measures under the scheme.

“ECO4 Flex is considered a key driver in assisting the council in their aim of reducing fuel poverty, whilst simultaneously contributing towards reducing carbon emissions from domestic homes, owned or occupied by those unable to pay for improvements themselves,” said Cllr Dorrance.

“I would urge anyone in the county that living in fuel poverty to contact Warm Wales.”

To find out more about the Warm Wales Powys Energy Saving Scheme, visit https://www.warmwales.org.uk/powys-energy-saving-scheme-2/ or call 01656 747 622.

20 January 2023

Developers working for Powys County Council are using artificial intelligence (AI) to make sure those needing cost-of-living help receive it as quickly as possible.

They have been refining the process over the last 12 months, as part of the Digital Powys programme, and now believe they have created one of the fastest and easiest to use systems anywhere in local government in the UK.

It is being used to automatically approve many of the Powys applications to the Welsh Government’s Fuel Support Scheme 2022/23, which is open until the end of February and is delivering an additional one-off payment of £200 to households on low incomes across Wales.

The system is delivering faster processing times, meaning those applying and meeting the low-income criteria are getting help quicker.

It is also proving popular with customers, who are finding the online application process simple.

One applicant to the Fuel Support Scheme told the council through a feedback form: “I just want to say how much I appreciated the way the application form was set up with small explanations after many of the questions. This was so reassuring that I was giving the correct answer and made the whole process less anxiety inducing.”

The council has been trialling the use of AI for processing grant payments, after previous investment in IT infrastructure and systems allowed this additional work to take place. It is being used to auto-approve many of the applications, where the criteria are clearly being met and can be checked against government records and to reject a small number that are duplicates or for addresses outside the county.

It is also being used to prepare all cases for fraud checking and to automatically upload details ready for the council’s payment system, but it is not being used to make decisions on anything requiring a more subjective judgement. Nor on incomplete applications as these cannot be submitted.

AI has automatically approved around 62% of the 8,941 Fuel Support Scheme 2022/23 applications received to date and if these rates continue it is expected to save the council around £36,400 in administration costs.

Those that aren’t approved are sent to grant officers to review.

“We know that when people apply for grant support, they like to receive that help as quickly as possible,” said Cllr Jake Berriman, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a Connected Powys, “so, that is why we are using automation to speed up the process as much as possible.

“This is particularly important during the cost-of-living crisis, but the improvements being made by our digital team will benefit residents and businesses for many years to come. They are also helping us reduce costs as our own income as a council is also being squeezed by rising inflation and freeing up our grant officers to review the more complex cases.”

Cllr David Thomas, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Transformation added: “There have been some glitches along the way, including the duplicate Fuel Support Scheme payments made in error to some claimants in October, but this was not caused by using AI.

“We are confident that in the long-term the use of automation can help us to improve the service offered to Powys residents and help us deliver grants, benefits and awards to them at a lower cost.”

The Fuel Support Scheme is open until 5pm on Tuesday 28 February 2023, with households in receipt of a range of benefits eligible: Fuel Support Scheme 2022/23

Powys residents may also be able to claim an additional £150 through the council’s own Discretionary Cost of Living Support Scheme: Discretionary Cost of Living Support Scheme

The automation work on grant applications has been carried out as part of the county council’s Digital Powys programme which aims to improve customer experience by using new technologies.

Powys residents with questions about the Fuel Support Scheme and the Cost-of-Living Support Scheme can now use an online chat, on the council’s website, to speak to an adviser.

They can also call 01597 826345 for advice on grants, benefits or awards.

19 January 2023

The proposed precept for Dyfed Powys Police will be put under scrutiny at the first meeting of the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel in 2023.

Panel members will meet on January 27 to discuss the precept and challenge Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn on his budget plans for the coming year.

The panel, made up of members nominated by the four councils in the force area plus two independent members, has the power to approve or veto the proposed police precept.

Local policing is funded from a Home Office grant, as well as contributions from the public via the Council Tax, known as the police precept.

During the meeting Mr Llywelyn will inform the panel of the findings of a recent public consultation on police funding.

Panel Chair, Professor Ian Roffe, said: “We look forward to meeting with the Commissioner to discuss his proposed precept. Households across the country are feeling the strain of the cost of living crisis, therefore any increase in their taxes must be coupled with a reassurance that they will have good value for their money.”

Visit www.dppoliceandcrimepanel.wales for more information about the Panel, its membership, forthcoming meeting dates, agendas and webcasting links, as well as submitting questions for the Panel to put to the Commissioner.

Questions can be submitted online, or in writing at [email protected] at least 10 days before a meeting.

18 January 2023

Motorcyclists are invited to sign up to the DVSA free Enhanced Riders Scheme which aims to help improve riding skills and safety on Powys roads.

With funding from the Welsh Government, Powys County Council’s Road Safety Unit provides the ERS course free of charge to any motorcyclist who lives in Powys or uses Powys’ roads.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Enhanced Rider Scheme is suitable for full motorbike licence holders who would like to improve their riding skills, for those returning to riding after a break, riders who have just passed their test, people upgrading to a more powerful motorcycle, and/or those who want to check their riding standard.

The course consists of an online evening theory session and a half-day, on-road, practical weekend ride with a qualified trainer. There is no test, but riding skills are assessed, and appropriate training given. Participants who achieve all ‘greens’ on all modules receive a DVSA certificate of competence on completion of the course.

“Keeping Powys roads safe is paramount” says Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys. “We appreciate that our large, expansive county, with its network of picturesque roads is a mecca for motorcyclists. Which is why we not only offer this course to all riders living in Powys, but also to all riders who use Powys’ roads.

“Tourism plays an important role in the local economy in our beautiful and attractive county, and we welcome careful drivers and riders to enjoy our scenic roads, but we must all remember that road safety is vital.

“We are lucky to have an experienced team of road safety officers within Powys County Council who work on many schemes and projects, including offering these courses for motorcyclists wishing to improve their riding skills.”

Course dates for Winter/Spring 2023:

Mid Powys:

Online theory: 9 February
On-road rides: 11 or 12 February

Online theory: 9 March
On-road rides: 11 or 12 March

Online theory: 13 April
On-road rides: 15 or 16 April

South Powys:

Online theory: 2 February
On-road rides: 4 or 5 February

Online theory: 2 March
On-road rides: 4 or 5 March

Online theory: 30 March
On-road rides: 1 or 2 April

Spaces for these free courses are limited and fill up quickly. Please get in touch to reserve your places as soon as possible: 01597 826924 or [email protected]

Please see this video for more information on the DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme: https://youtu.be/9OjLHO-ASmk