31 October 2022

Political rivals in Powys are putting their differences to one side to help combat violence against women and girls through sport.

Councillors from across the political spectrum are to play together as a football team in a charity match to mark White Ribbon Day 2022 which this year falls on the same date (Friday 25 November) that Wales will face Iran at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

To mark both events, a Powys County Council team, mostly made up of members of its White Ribbon steering group, will take on Caersws FC Reserves at the Recreation Ground in Caersws at 1pm on Sunday 20 November.

The event is in support of White Ribbon UK, which is part of the global White Ribbon movement seeking to end men’s violence against women. It will also act as a curtain-raiser to the World Cup which kicks-off later the same afternoon, at 4pm, with a match between Qatar and Ecuador.

Lining up on the left-wing for the council will be Labour’s Cllr Matthew Dorrance, who is also its Deputy Leader and one of its White Ribbon Lead Ambassadors, while on the right will be Conservatives Group Leader Cllr Aled Davies.

There will be a duo of Liberal Democrats in the centre, including Council Leader and team goalkeeper Cllr James Gibson-Watt and the Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys Cllr Pete Roberts.

Completing the rainbow coalition against domestic abuse will be Cllr Gareth E. Jones (Independents for Powys).

They will be joined by fellow White Ribbon steering group members and ambassadors Matt Perry (Head of Highways, Transport and Recycling and Lead Ambassador) and Marc James (Work-based Learning Manager).

“We invite everyone to come along and watch the councillors and officers of Powys County Council take on Caersws FC, quite possibly with hilarious results,” said Cllr Matthew Dorrance, whose portfolio includes supporting the White Ribbon movement. “We will also be encouraging as many people as possible, especially men and boys, to make the White Ribbon promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women and girls.

“We will be aiming to have a bit of fun on the day ahead of the World Cup but will also be promoting the very serious and damaging issue of violence against women and girls which sadly tends to increase around major sporting events.”

Members of the council’s White Ribbon steering group will also be supporting members of Caersws FC to become White Ribbon champions and plan to encourage players and officials at other sports clubs in Powys to do the same.

Anthea Sully Chief Executive of White Ribbon UK added: “This year White Ribbon Day is focusing on the attitudes and behaviours men and boys can adopt to move away from associations to violent and abusive behaviour.

“Men and boys are now expecting better from their colleagues, friends and family to ensure women and girls are safe.”

Powys County Council has also organised three walks which will take place on White Ribbon Day (Friday 25 November), starting at 2pm from Park Street Family Centre in Newtown, County Hall in Llandrindod Wells and Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon. People of all genders are encouraged to take part.

The council is a White Ribbon accredited organisation which means it has made a commitment to ending violence against women in Powys communities, improving its own workplace culture and ensuring the safety of its female employees.

PICTURE: Some of the key players for Team Powys as football stickers including Cllr James Gibson-Watt, Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Cllr Pete Roberts, Cllr Aled Davies, and Cllr Gareth E. Jones.

31 October 2022

Powys residents and businesses can now suggest a topic for discussion by the county council’s scrutiny committees through its 
website.

Anyone can do this as a guest, or if they have a My Account, they can login and parts of the online form will be filled in automatically for them, if they have added their address and contact details to their profile.

Not every suggestion can be discussed, but all will be considered, and it will be for the individual scrutiny committees to decide if a submission is relevant.

The website can also be used in the same way to comment on agenda items for any of Powys County Council’s scrutiny committees.

Owners of a My Account will also be able to return and view details of their requests at any time and see updates on their progress. And if they phone the council about a request, it will be possible for officers to access those details quickly.

The scrutiny committees assist the development and review of policies, monitor performance and budgets, review council services and matters affecting Powys, and make recommendations to the cabinet or council. They are an integral part of making sure the council is operating effectively, but they do not take decisions.

Powys County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for an Open and Transparent Powys, Cllr James Gibson-Watt said: “If you have a topic that you are really passionate about and think it deserves to be discussed in more detail, then please do get in touch with us through the website.

“We are always keen to hear what residents and businesses think about the work of the council, so that we can make improvements to our services. And we also know that good ideas, which have the power to improve lives and communities, can come from anywhere.”

Scrutiny committees cannot consider individual complaints, grievances or areas of concern, or any regulatory matters such as planning, taxi licensing, trading standards or licensing. Topics suggested must affect a group or community of people living or working in Powys, relate to a service, and have not been dealt with by another committee.

To suggest a topic for discussion or to comment on an agenda item go to the Powys County Council (PCC) website and search ‘scrutiny committees’. Or if you want to become the owner of a My Account first, search ‘My Account’.

These changes have been made because of feed-back from Audit Wales, which aims to give residents an opportunity to contribute to the work of scrutiny committees. It is also part of the council’s Transformation Programme to deliver aspirations in our corporate improvement plan.

Suggested topics can also be submitted in writing, by emailing them to PCC’s Scrutiny Manager and Head of Democratic Services, Wyn Richards: [email protected]

27 October 2022

A questionnaire that has been developed to help assess the possible demand for Welsh-medium education across East Radnorshire has had its deadline extended, the county council has said.

Powys County Council is investigating the viability of establishing Welsh-medium education in the current Llanfihangel Rhydithon C.P. School building in Dolau near Llandrindod Wells.

A key element of the work includes assessing the possible demand for Welsh-medium education across East Radnorshire.

To help with the assessment, the council launched a questionnaire last month (September) for parents of primary and pre-school aged pupils and those considering starting a family in the Llandrindod Wells, Knighton and Presteigne areas to complete.

The deadline for responses has now been extended until Sunday November 6.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “Since the launch of the questionnaire, the council has received a number of questions from non-Welsh speaking parents about the support they would have to help their child in Welsh-medium education.

“The council has a dedicated information page called Destination Bilingual which provides parents with the latest information about Welsh-medium education and the benefits of bilingualism which answers many of these questions.

“I would encourage parents to visit the Destination Bilingual information page so that they have all the information they need before completing our questionnaire.

“In light of these specific questions, we have taken the decision to extend the deadline so it ensures parents have the best opportunity to learn about Welsh-medium education before they submit their responses to our questionnaire.”

To find out more about Welsh-medium education in Powys, visit Destination bilingual.

To fill in the questionnaire visit www.haveyoursaypowys.wales/dolau-wm

Parents have until Sunday, November 6 to submit their responses.

Further information about the questionnaire is available by emailing [email protected]

27 October 2022

Residents are urged to enjoy Bonfire Night and to be considerate and responsible, said the county council.

Powys County Council want to raise awareness of the unintended effects loud fireworks can have on animals, as well as people suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

While many look forward to Bonfire Night, others are filled with anxiety in the lead up to it. Reports from the RSPCA in 2022 state that among pet/animal owners, almost two thirds (63%) report signs of distress during the firework season.

Loud noises and sudden flashes of bright light can startle farm animals and horses and cause them to injure themselves on fencing and farm equipment.

Fireworks can also leave vulnerable people feeling scared and anxious and trigger the symptoms of people with PTSD.

Cllr Richard Church, Cabinet Member for a Safer Powys, said: “As much as fireworks night is a time for fun and celebrations for some, it is a very difficult time of the year for others, and we all need to be respectful of that.

“If you are planning on holding your own event, please think about how this may affect the people and animals in your community.

“Enjoy yourselves this Bonfire Night, but please be considerate so that everyone else can enjoy themselves also.”

Here are some tips to stay responsible:

• Attend an organised display instead of holding your own
• If you are planning an event, give your neighbours and community plenty of notice so they can be prepared for the event
• Never set off fireworks near livestock, as frightened animals – especially horses – can injure themselves when frightened.
• Buy fireworks from a registered retailer, ensure they carry the CE mark
• Consider using low noise fireworks as they can reduce the stress that is normally caused by loud fireworks where animals as well as people are concerned

Please remember these considerations not just on Bonfire Night but at any other time throughout the year when you might be planning to set off fireworks.

Residents are to be reminded that fireworks cannot be let off between the hours of 11pm and 7am. Bonfire Night has an exception to this rule, when the cut off is midnight.

You can find resources to download and support firework safety at http://www.gov.uk/guidance/my-safety-fireworks

21 October 2022

Parents of prospective pupils have had the chance to tour the development of a new Welsh-medium school in Welshpool as they consider educational options for their children.

Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng played host to an open day highlighting the benefits of a bilingual education at the modern facility.

The day, organised by the school, Powys County Council, and main contractor Wynne Construction, gave interested parents the opportunity to tour the new site and speak to school leaders on the topic of Welsh-medium education.

The school is currently undergoing a wide-scale redevelopment to accommodate 150 pupils as well as provisions for early years and community facilities, with the design also preserving elements of the historic Ysgol Maesydre building.

Bodelwyddan-based Wynne Construction are leading on the build project, which began in November 2021 after being appointed by Powys County Council.

Alison Hourihane, social value manager at Wynne Construction, said: “Wynne is thoroughly committed to delivering strong socio-economic opportunities to the areas we build in, which is why we were thrilled to work with Powys on this great step forward for education in the region.

“It was our pleasure to welcome prospective parents onto the site to highlight the value of a modern and first-class Welsh-medium education as well as showcase the excellent work of our team to date.

“Work on site to deliver a high-quality and sustainable space for education in the area is progressing well, and we look forward to welcoming students into the new facilities in the near future.”

As part of Wynne’s and Powys’ commitment to achieving net zero on its builds, the redevelopment of the school has incorporated numerous Passivhaus standards into the build aimed at reducing energy usage and retaining heat.

The modern facility, which will also incorporate the historic Grade II-listed site of Ysgol Maesydre, is on course to be among the first certified Passivhaus-hybrid projects in the UK.

Angharad Davies, headteacher of Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng, said: “The value of a Welsh-medium education for children is becoming more recognised by parents who wish to ensure their children can enjoy the benefits of being bilingual and the endless opportunities associated with Welsh education.

“It was our pleasure to welcome interested parents who are looking to help their children take that first step into Welsh-medium education and answer the pressing questions about the system and how we are best placed to support their children.

“The discussions between current parents, pupils, and interested parents was extremely beneficial. Thank you to all involved.”

The project, which has been part backed through the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, will help the council deliver its Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys, which was updated earlier this year.

The programme aims to transform the learning experience of pupils to ensure they are taught in modern facilities needed to support the delivery of the Welsh curriculum.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “We are committed to improving access to Welsh-medium provision across all key stages of education in Powys and want to increase the opportunities for children and young people in the county, and those who move into the county, to become fully bilingual.

“The new build for Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng is an important project to help us achieve this and help deliver our Welsh in Education Strategic Plan.”

To find out more about Welsh-medium education in Powys, visit Destination bilingual.

For more information about Wynne Construction, visit www.wynneconstruction.co.uk

25 October 2022

The findings of an informal engagement exercise on plans to transform secondary school in mid Powys have been published, the county council has said.

Powys County Council wants to address issues with the current operating model of Ysgol Calon Cymru, a dual stream secondary school operating campuses in Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells.

In 2021 the council had identified a preferred way forward that could address these issued which included:

• A new 11-18 English-medium campus in Llandrindod Wells; plus
• A remodelled 4-18 Welsh-medium all-through campus in Builth Wells.

Last year, a questionnaire was launched to help the council understand what people thought about the preferred way forward.

A report outlining the findings of this engagement exercise has now been published.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “I would like to thank all those who gave their views on the preferred way forward suggested by the council during this informal engagement exercise.

“The purpose of the initial engagement exercise was to test the council’s future plans for education in the area with local residents. The feedback received as part of this exercise will be invaluable in helping the council to shape the future direction for the school in the context of the challenging circumstances we now face.

“Alongside the informal engagement exercise, further work is ongoing to test the plans, including work to assess the feasibility of remodelling Ysgol Calon Cymru’s Builth Wells campus to accommodate an all-age school.

“Once this work is complete, the council will need to consider how to move forward, to ensure that in the future, learners across the catchment can access educational opportunities of the highest quality across the broadest range of subjects.

“As this work continues there will be further opportunities for residents to give their views on any plans that emerge before they are taken forward.”

To read the findings of the engagement report visit https://www.haveyoursaypowys.wales/ysgol-calon-cymru

25 October 2022

An information hub with advice and support about dealing with the cost of living has been launched, the county council has said.

Powys County Council has worked closely with local partner organisations to pull together a wide range of information in one place to ensure people know what help is already available and how to access it.

The online hub, which can be found at Cost of Living Hub, has been created to offer as much advice as possible to those in Powys who may need it during this time.

The hub has also been divided into sections for ease of access to information.  Those sections are:

• Household energy advice
• Health and wellbeing
• Money, benefits and debt advice
• Powys foodbanks
• Support with your household utility bills
• Support for businesses
• Support for families with children

Each section has useful information, guidance and advice that may help with a cost of living related problem. Phone numbers and webpage links to other services across Powys and the UK that may be able to help should you need more information on a specific issue are also available.

The council is also creating a network of warm spaces across Powys. These are places that can offer Powys people a warm welcome this winter and a chance to socialise, work or take part in activities whilst keeping warm. Details of these spaces will be added to the online cost of living hub shortly.

Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys, said: “As the cold winter months get closer, the impact of the cost of living crisis will be felt more now than before.

“Our new hub has been created to provide residents and communities with the latest information and advice to help them get through this difficult period.

“We want to make sure people in Powys can get the most up to date information about help, support and funding easily and quickly.  Our hub will be updated regularly, and we will continue to work with residents and our communities to mitigate the impacts of the cost of living crisis.”

To find out more about what help is available, visit Cost of Living Hub.

24 October 2022

The spookiest night of the year is nearly here but it’s a time to scare your friends, not the planet! There’s plenty of recycling to be done around Halloween and lots of ways you can reduce the scary amount of waste generated by the fearsome festivities.

Here are a few frighteningly good tips on how to go green this Halloween (they’ll save you a few pennies too):

• Don’t be scared of the pumpkins! Make sure you scoop out the flesh before carving and turn it into something delicious. There are plenty of ideas for some taste treats on the Love Food Hate Waste website for you to choose from.
• Get creative with your ghoulish costumes and buy second-hand, reuse old outfits, or make your own from old clothes, left over bits of material or recycled rubbish.
• Use face paints to create your own scary faces, rather than buying plastic masks.
• Make your own spooky party decorations – paper bunting tied to string, coloured in pictures of spiders and skeletons, you could even try making your own paper-mâché pumpkins.
• Ditch the evil disposable partywear and just use real plates, glasses, and cutlery.
• Offer your trick or treaters some homemade treats such as pumpkin shaped biscuits – it makes a change from all the sweets and cuts out the horrible plastic wrappers going to waste.
• Make sure to recycle as much of your Halloween waste as possible, especially if you have any leftover food, cans, plastic and glass bottles from your frightful parties… just add them all to your recycling boxes.
• Although they can’t be recycled from home, most plastic wrapping, including sweet wrappers, can be recycled at collection points in your local supermarket. Just remember to bundle them all up and take them with you next time to go shopping.
• Once they’ve had their day, your old pumpkin shells can be added to your compost heap or cut up and popped into your food caddy. If they are really big (and not too rotten) they can be left on top of your kerbside food caddy for a one-off post-Halloween collection by our crews. Please remember to remove any candles first.

Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, Cllr Jackie Charlton, said: “Most people in Powys are already doing a great job of making sustainable choices and recycling each week. But we can all do a little bit more, especially during these seasonal celebrations.

“Making an effort to be ‘greener’ is becoming easier with more and more of us choosing to reduce, reuse and recycle more than ever. The added bonus of these more environmentally friendly options is that they often save us money too… particularly important in these times of austerity.”

For more information on recycling, please visit: What do I do with my recycling and rubbish (household)