5 October 2022

Knighton & District Community Centre and Library are pleased to offer the perfect space for co-working for anyone looking for a quiet, calm space to work locally with like-minded others.

The four desk co-working room is part of a digital community hubs pilot project, funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund and managed by the Library Service, working in partnership with the Community Centre Management Committee.

Co-working at the Comm is enhanced by a range of bookable interview, meeting, conference, and training facilities in the centre, including a digital pod for 1-1 or solo virtual meetings, coffee making facilities and a wonderful garden area.

Portable virtual and hybrid meeting equipment means that meetings in all rooms can be face to face, virtual, or blended. 

Cllr David Selby, Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, said: “I am delighted to see the community centre and Library working together to provide these facilities for the residents of Knighton and the surrounding district.

It is wonderful that they are supporting the local economy by providing co-working, meeting, and conference facilities, and preventing CO₂ emissions through unnecessary travel.”

Chair of the Knighton & District Community Management Committee, Michael Harding, commented:”The new co-working facilities complement all of the activities that take place at the Comm, which is a busy, thriving hub with something to offer for everyone in the area.

“We work extremely hard to provide a warm welcome to anyone who needs it, and it is encouraging to broaden the offer to include digital meetings and modern workspaces. These will complement the regular Tuesday morning cafes and Thursday lunches, meaning that people can get hot drinks and food on site too.”

For further information and to book, please contact Knighton Library on 01547 528778 or email [email protected] or contact Knighton Community Centre on 01547 428088 or email [email protected].

3 October 2022

Parents in the Welshpool area considering a bilingual education for their child will have an opportunity to tour the new Welsh-medium school that is being built in the town.

Powys County Council is building a new 150-place school for Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng which will include early years and community facilities.

The school has organised an open day on Friday, October 14 where there will be a chance to tour the new school building as well as speak to parents who have chosen a Welsh-medium education for their child. School leaders will also explain the benefits and experiences that Welsh-medium education can offer.

The open day, which will be held between 1:30-4pm, is aimed for parents who have children starting primary school in September 2023 and are considering Welsh-medium education.

Places are limited so booking is required. To book your place at the open day contact Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng by emailing [email protected] or call 01938 552005.

The new school, which is being constructed by Wynne Construction, combines the old and the new which will provide the pupils of Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng and the community of Welshpool with fantastic facilities whilst maintaining the presence of the iconic Ysgol Maesydre.

Cllr Pete Roberts, 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.

“I’m delighted that this open day has been arranged as it will provide a great opportunity for parents considering Welsh-medium education for their child to see the new school and to hear from parents and teachers at Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng talking about the benefits and experiences Welsh-medium education can offer.”

Angharad Davies, Headteacher of Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng, said: “Across Wales more and more parents are choosing a Welsh-medium education for their children so that they can become bilingual and fluent in Welsh and English.

“Although parents don’t need to be able to speak Welsh for their children to attend Welsh-medium education, we understand that parents will have many questions about Welsh-medium education and how schools will support them as well as their children.

“This open day is a fantastic opportunity to hear from staff and parents about Welsh-medium education and the benefits that a bilingual education can provide.”

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

3 October 2022

Applications are now open for children starting primary and junior school in September 2023, Powys County Council has said.

Parents or carers have until Friday 6 January 2023 to complete their application.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “All parents/carers are encouraged to complete this application as soon as possible for a place in a primary or junior school in September 2023.

“If it is not completed in time, then this has the potential to jeopardise their child’s place at their preferred school.”

Parents/Carers need to complete an online application at Applying for a School Place by Friday 6 January 2023.

If you are unable to apply online please contact [email protected]

If you don’t live near a school, your children may be eligible for free transport. The criteria are different for different types of school, so please check carefully to see if you qualify by checking the Home to School Transport Policy which is available on the following webpage:  Apply for school transport

3 October 2022

Grants for helping with fuels cost are now available from Powys County Council and eligible residents are being encouraged to apply online.

Any households getting certain benefits may be entitled to a one-off payment of £200 from Powys Council to provide some support towards paying fuel bills as part of the Welsh Government Fuel Support Scheme.

In addition, as part of the council’s Discretionary Cost of Living Support Scheme, some of these households may also be entitled to a further one-off payment of £150 if they are responsible for paying off-grid heating fuel bills.

For more information about the schemes and to check eligibility, please visit Fuel Support Scheme 2022/23 and Discretionary Cost of Living Support Scheme

To ease the application process, the form to apply for both schemes is combined with applicants eligible for both payments automatically identified.

“With rising costs and a cold winter ahead of us, the prospect of heating our homes is undoubtable a worrying thought for many of us.” Says Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys. “We strongly encourage all eligible households to get in touch and apply for the grants available to help with the cost of heating our homes this winter.

Cllr David Thomas, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Transformation, added “Along with these grants to help with fuel costs, the council’s main Cost of Living Support Scheme and the discretionary Cost of Living Support Scheme has other one-off payments which may help during this time of austerity.

“We are in the process of writing to households we know are eligible for these schemes, but if anyone else wants to find out more information about what help is available, please just take a look at the council website: Grants and Community Support“

30 September 2022

Work to refurbish the Oldford infant school site in Welshpool to create an Integrated Family Centre in the area is now complete. 

The Welshpool Integrated Family Centre opening on 10th October 2022 will be a “one stop shop” providing services and support to children, young people and their families. The centre will provide activities such as parent and toddler groups, baby massage, information and advice, Incredible Years Parenting Training programmes, health advice, family support and counselling. 

The refurbishment of the building situated in the heart of a Flying Start catchment was funded by Welsh Government Flying Start Capital funding.  

Powys County Council’s Cabinet member for Future Generations, Cllr Susan McNicholas says; ‘The new centre will help children, young people and their families access support from a wide range of early help and intervention services all on the same site. These services will work together to meet the family’s needs.   

“In the heart of the community the site is an opportunity to have services in one place. It will provide childcare as well as office and community spaces.” 

The Flying Start team who include Health Visitors and Speech and Language professionals will move from the Maesydre Offices in Welshpool to the site. They will be joined by Powys County Council’s Children’s Early Help Team and Youth Services. The council’s Adult Services staff, along with colleagues from agencies such as Montgomeryshire Family Centre, will also share the office space within the building. 

Flying Start childcare and Foundation Phase provision is now available to families at the site. 

Local families can find out more on the Facebook page @Welshpool0-5

30 September 2022

Work to explore the possibility of establishing Welsh-medium education at a new location in mid Powys has begun, 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 has produced a questionnaire 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.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “Within Scrutiny before the election, I called for an analysis of the viability of using the Dolau site as a new Welsh-medium school for East Radnorshire.

“Following the election, the new Cabinet has delayed the implementation of the proposal to close Llanfihangel Rhydithon C.P School for 12 months to 31 August 2023 to ensure this proposition has been thoroughly considered and an opportunity for developing the language is not lost.

“As part of this work, we have produced this questionnaire to assess possible demand for Welsh-medium education in East Radnorshire and whether this provision would be viable or not in Dolau.

“I would urge parents of primary and pre-school aged pupils living in Llandrindod Wells, Knighton and Presteigne to fill in this questionnaire to help the council have the most detailed picture of the potential for a Welsh medium (bilingual for all) school in the area.”

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

Parents have until Thursday, October 27 to submit their responses.

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

29 September 2022

The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 requires all local authorities to prepare a Public Participation Strategy setting out how they will encourage local people to participate in decision-making.

Powys County Council believes all stakeholders, including residents, partners, and businesses should have opportunities to participate and engage, so their voices influence future decisions and service provision across Powys.

The drafted strategy, which has been prepared in accordance with Welsh Government guidance, sets out the vision for public participation in Powys.

As part of the development process of preparing the public participation strategy, the Council is asking for feedback.

Cllr James Gibson-Watt, Leader and Cabinet Member for an Open and Transparent Powys, said: “We want to work in the best interests of Powys and put residents and communities at the heart of all we do. This strategy will guide both council staff and elected members towards a more collaborative culture of participation and engagement with our local communities.

“I encourage as many people as possible to have their say on the draft document and help us ensure the final document meets the everyone’s needs.”

To view a copy of the draft strategy and provide your feedback, please visit: https://www.haveyoursaypowys.wales/public-participation-strategy

Feedback can be submitted online, or a feedback form is available to download and can be returned by email to [email protected] or handed in at any Powys Library.

The closing date to submit any feedback is Sunday 18 December 2022.

26 September 2022

Surging inflation and rocketing energy costs will have a significant impact on Powys County Council’s financial planning for this and future financial years, the Cabinet has been warned.

The County Council approved a Medium-Term Financial Strategy in March setting out its spending plans until 2027 but recent world events have meant that plans will have to be re-assessed and revised plans put in place for the next five years. 

Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr David Thomas said; “The world has changed since our last medium-term financial plan was adopted with a significant impact on the economic climate both home and abroad.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had major repercussions for the global economy, almost immediately gas and oil prices peaked over 200 and 50 per cent above their end-2021 levels respectively. Prices have since fallen back but remain well above historical averages.

“Pressure on energy prices has had immediate impact on the UK’s economy with inflation rising to above 10 per cent and predicted to stay at higher levels into next year.  Interest rates have increased as the Bank of England looks to address rising inflation and significant uncertainty remains.

“Taken together the impact on the County Council’s budget and its ability to deliver local services cannot be overstated. We must review our medium-term financial plans and take account of increasing costs in this financial year and for the coming years.

“We will have to implement changes to manage these cost pressures, as soon as possible and the cabinet in the coming months will be setting the direction and developing objectives that will shape the council over the next five years.

“When finalised those plans will result in an updated Medium-Term Financial Strategy which will set out how the council will deliver services to our residents within available resources.

22 September 2022

Are you aged over 65 and living in Powys? 

Mature drivers are being given the opportunity to revise and improve their road knowledge by taking advantage of a free, online driver theory course, organised by the county council. The newly updated course will cover the recent changes to the Highway Code and how these effect road users.

Powys County Council’s Road Safety Unit will be holding its Driver Theory Refresher workshop on the following days:

Wednesday 19th October 2022
Wednesday 16th November 2022
Wednesday 14th December 2022

The course is a two-hour, online informal workshop designed to update your knowledge of the road in an ever-changing environment, thus helping improve your driving skills and keep you driving safely. 

As well as covering the changes to the Highway Code, the course also includes ‘The Fatal Five’; what to do when encountering vulnerable road users such as motor and pedal cyclists, and equestrians, eyesight requirements, medication and alcohol laws, what to do in the event of an accident, and much more.

Attendees will also be given information and contact details about going on one of the free, one hour ‘Drive-On’ assessments with a local Advanced Driving Instructor.

Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, said: “Ensuring that our roads and the people of Powys are safe is hugely important to us. I would urge mature drivers across Powys to take advantage of this fantastic scheme. These free workshops are so important because they will remind us of the recent Highway Code changes, refresh and update our essential driving skills and could ultimately help save lives.”

For more information and to book a place on our up-and-coming courses, please contact Miranda Capecchi, Road Safety Project Officer on:

Phone: 01597 82 6924
Email: [email protected]