Powys County Council have secured further Welsh Government funding to extend and improve the active travel routes within the county.

Committed to improving facilities for residents wishing to make short journeys on foot or by bike, the council have been working with communities to find potential active travel routes across Powys. Through engagement exercises and consultations, active travel routes which could either be improved or introduced have been identified and added to the councils Active Travel Network Maps (ATNM).

The latest Welsh Government Active Travel funding will support continued work on the following two Newtown schemes:

• Continuing development of active travel provision in Treowen, Newtown.In 2021/22 an active travel route was established to improve walking and cycling access between Dolfor Road and Treowen Primary School. Funding has now been awarded to extend this route by constructing a path from Brimmon Lane, crossing the road after Colwyn and continuing down the hill to Kerry Road. This will not only significantly enhance active travel provision and access for residents, it will also expand the local active travel network.
• Following a successful planning application, the funding for the long-awaited Newtown Bridge has been secured. This cycle and pedestrian bridge will span the River Severn and connect the riverside path and Pool Road in Newtown, creating a safe active travel link between the communities, businesses and amenities on each side of the river.

The council has also been awarded Safe Routes in Communities funding to improve the walking and cycling route to Llanelwedd Primary SchoolfromBuilth Wells.

Following discussions with the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency and landowners, the scheme will widen the path along the road from Llanelwedd Primary School, include a safe crossing point across the highway and improve the path within field behind Jewsons yard. With this active travel provision, the route between Llanelwedd and Builth Wells will be safer for all users, particularly for families and pupils going to and from school.

“The active travel routes throughout the county are already making a real difference to our communities.” Explains Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys.

“By ensuring we have the facilities in place we are endeavouring to make it possible for everyone in Powys to make short journeys such as our commute to work, school or local shops, by physically active means, like walking or cycling.

“The Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 aims to make Wales a walking and cycling nation and we are really pleased to have secured this latest instalment of Welsh Government funding, allowing us to begin work on the next set of active travel projects that will improve road, pedestrian and cyclist safety.”

More information and confirmation of start d.ates for the works will be released shortly

27 June 2022

A legal challenge over a decision to close a small school has been unsuccessful, Powys County Council has said.

On Wednesday, 22 June 2022, the High Court considered the Judicial Review application at a hearing in Cardiff and Mrs Justice Steyn refused permission for a Judicial Review to be held to challenge the decision made on Tuesday, 8 February, 2022 to close Llanfihangel Rhydithon C.P. School.

The Judge ruled that it was unarguable that the Council had:

1. failed to apply the presumption against the closure of rural schools required by the Welsh Government’s School Organisation Code, or;
2. failed to conscientiously consider a federation with Llanelwedd Church in Wales School.

The Judge also rejected an argument that the Council was in breach of its duty under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

The application for Judicial Review was dismissed and the Claimant was ordered to pay £5,000 towards the Council’s costs

Cllr James Gibson-Watt, Leader of Powys County Council, said: “Although this will be disappointing news for the Llanfihangel Rhydithon school community, the judgement shows that the Council followed the correct procedures that were in line with the Welsh Government’s School Organisation Code when the original decision was reached.

“However, Cabinet has decided to revisit the proposal to close Llanfihangel Rhydithon C.P. School as we need to carefully consider the wider implications if the proposal is implemented.

“Cabinet will be considering a report about the school on Tuesday, July 5. It will also be considered by the Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday, June 29.”

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “This decision will be warmly welcomed by council staff, judicial review in this case was about how officers implemented a decision not the decision itself. I am therefore pleased that the processes followed by staff have been confirmed as compliant and that they can move forward with other proposals with increased confidence.”

23 June 2022

Plans to close two small primary schools could be delayed by 12 months, if recommendations put forward are accepted by Powys County Council’s new Cabinet.

Llanbedr and Llanfihangel Rhydithon primary schools were due to close at the end of August. However, the council’s Cabinet has decided to revisit the proposals.

Cabinet will be asked to delay implementation of the proposal to close Llanbedr Church in Wales School for 12 months to 31 August 2023 and to start a review of all schools in the Crickhowell catchment area.

Cabinet will also be asked to delay implementation of the proposal to close Llanfihangel Rhydithon C.P School for 12 months to 31 August 2023. It is also being recommended that the council identify steps it could take to mitigate the impact of the closure on the community and to explore the viability of establishing a Welsh-medium primary school at Llanfihangel Rhydithon.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “The new Cabinet has decided to revisit the proposals to close these two schools as we need to carefully consider the wider implications if the proposals are implemented.

“The Welsh Government’s School Organisation Code does allow the council to delay proposals and I will be recommending to Cabinet that we delay the implementation of both closure proposals to 31 August 2023.

“Delaying the closure of Llanbedr Church in Wales School would allow for an area review of the Crickhowell catchment to take place so that a preferred way forward for the whole catchment is identified. If this is approved by Cabinet, a further paper outlining the proposed way forward will be brought to a future Cabinet meeting.

“If the delay of Llanfihangel Rhydithon C.P School is approved by Cabinet, it will allow the council identify steps it could take to mitigate the impact of the close on the community – this could potentially include the transfer of the school to the community for their use.  The delay would also provide an opportunity to explore the viability of establishing a Welsh-medium primary school in Dolau, as suggested by the previous Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee.”

Cabinet will be considering the proposals on Tuesday, July 5. They will also be considered by the Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday, June 29.

23 June 2022

Together with volunteers and staff, Powys Nature Partnership have helped to create a new community wildlife and sensory garden at the Knighton and District Community Centre and Library as part of the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature scheme.

With the Welsh Government funding and the help and support of the community, the garden at the centre has been extended to develop a wildlife haven in the centre of Knighton where everyone can come together and engage with nature. Trees, shrubs and thousands of bulbs have been planted to help attract pollinators and other wildlife, along with a new native wildflower meadow, not forgetting space for growing fruit and vegetables.

The project has received lots of support from the community. A local garden designer, Michelle Brinkhurst, designed the garden and provided advice. The Knighton Men’s Shed, the Rotary Club, the Teme Valley Environmental Group and various members of the community have also kindly donated planters, seeds, and tools to help the project alongside the green house, shed, benches, pergola, planters, water butts and gardening tools purchased with the Local Places for Nature scheme funding.

“This wonderful garden project has been a real community affair.”‘ Explains Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys. “Seeing volunteers and community groups working together with the Powys Nature Partnership to develop such an outstanding sanctuary for nature is really inspiring and we are very grateful for all their efforts.

“The Local Places for Nature scheme focuses on engaging communities to actively create and enhance places for nature, and this is exactly what has happened here. With evidence suggesting that spending time in nature benefits our mental and physical wellbeing, we are certain that the whole community will reap the benefits of this amazing new wildlife and sensory garden.”

With the warmer weather the garden has now started to spring to life so people using the community centre and library, known locally as ‘The Comm’, can sit and enjoy nature during their visit.

Local county councillors, Cllr Corinna Kenyon-Wade and Cllr Ange Williams are keen to encourage everyone to get involved and benefit from the new garden: “There are loads of opportunities for people to get stuck in with the gardening club and to have a go at growing their own fruit and veg.

“The Stay and Play and the Nature and Science children’s groups based at The Comm will also be using the garden to learn about nature and will be helping to attract more wildlife to the garden by making bug hotels, bird feeders and habitat piles.

“We would love to see as many people as possible using the garden and enjoying being outside and surrounded by nature.”

22 June 2022

Brecon’s showpiece attraction y Gaer will continue to include Sunday as part of its opening week thanks to a generous grant from the town council.

Brecon Town Council has provided a further £40,000 to support recreation activities and exhibitions at y Gaer to help promote tourism and encourage visitors to the town.

Cllr David Selby, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, said: “y Gaer is an important cultural and historic attraction in Brecon with an impressive library and museum.  As the tourist season reaches its peak, we want to maximise use of our facility and our thanks go to Brecon Town Council for providing this generous grant.

“The funding will be used to support events and activities, and extra staff for Sunday opening so that as many visitors as possible can enjoy the unique town centre attraction.”

Cllr David Meredith, Mayor of Brecon, said: “Brecon Town Council, in recognising the significant importance of such a fantastic facility in the centre of town, agreed to made a significant contribution to ensure that it could be open on Sundays for not only the benefit of the local residents, but for visitors to the town.”

y Gaer is busy planning for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge for children and communities as well as delivering a programme of activities that support innovation and creativity through the theme of “Gadgeteers”.

Last month (May) saw the welcomed return of the popular storytime sessions for young children, which will be complemented by messy play activities later this month.

This summer will also see lots of family engagement events with the Summer of Fun at y Gaer.

A very special touring exhibition from Amgueddfa Cymru National Museum Wales, CELF AR Y CYD on Tour, will also visit y Gaer and will feature the public’s favourite works of art from Wales’ national collection.

22 June 2022

A dog owner from Newtown has been fined £75 as they didn’t clean up after their dog had fouled on a green space in the town, Powys County Council has said.

The council’s Environmental Protection Team was able to take the enforcement action after a member of the public witnessed the incident take place on the green space at Union Street on April 21 and reported it.

Thanks for the information provided by the member of the public, the council issued the dog owner with the fixed penalty notice.

Now the council is reminding dog owners in the county that they must clean up after their dog has fouled and properly dispose of the waste.

It is an offence to allow a dog in your control, even if you’re walking someone else’s dog, to foul in a public place and to fail to clean it up immediately after it has fouled.  Public places include footpaths, playing fields, parks, car parks, churchyards and cemeteries.  If you fail to clean up then you could be issued with a £75 fixed penalty notice or face prosecution.

Cllr Richard Church, Cabinet Member for a Safer Powys, said: “It’s an offence to allow a dog in your control, even if you’re walking someone else’s dog, to foul in a public place and fail to clean it up immediately after.

“If you are out walking your dog, always carry a plastic bag to pick up the mess as soon as your dog has fouled and place it in the nearest dog waste or litter bin or dispose of it at home.”

Residents in the county are also being urged to report any incidents of dog fouling or particular problems in their area to the council.

The council wants residents to email or telephone any dog fouling related problems so that a healthy and safe environment can be provided for residents, children and holidaymakers.

By reporting any incidents, the council can then arrange for the mess to clean up, investigate the incident or take enforcement action against the dog owner.  Requests for ‘No Fouling’ signs and a combined litter/dog waste bin can also be made to the council.

“We live in a beautiful county and we want to keep it that way but dog fouling impacts on the way communities look,” added Cllr Church.

“The majority of dog owners are responsible but there is a minority who let their communities down by allowing their dogs to foul in public.  By asking residents to report any dog fouling related problems, they can help us tackle this issue in their community.”

If you would like to report a dog fouling incident, report it online at Report dog fouling

If you want to advise the council of a particular problem in your area then email [email protected] or telephone 01597 827465 or 0845 602 7035.

22 June 2022

A south Powys primary school that has created a positive environment for Service children has received a prestigious award from the Minister for Education and Welsh Language.

Mount Street Junior School in Brecon has become the first school in Wales to achieve SSCE Cymru Armed Forces Friendly Schools Bronze Status.

The school received their certificate from the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, On Monday, June 13.

Funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, the Armed Forces Friendly Schools Status aims to:

1. Embed good practice for supporting Service children
2. Create a positive environment for Service children to share their experiences
3. Encourage schools to become more engaged with their Armed Forces community.

The status demonstrates a school’s commitment to the Armed Forces community.

The Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, said: “Mount Street Junior School is leading the way in providing a warm and friendly welcome to Service children, while building really important relationships with the local Armed Forces community. Congratulations to Mount Street on becoming the first school in Wales to attain the Armed Forces Friendly School Bronze Award.”

Cllr Pete Roberts, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “To become the first school in Wales to achieve bronze status is a great achievement and I would like to congratulate everyone at Mount Street Junior School for their success.”

Mr Julian Hopkins, Headteacher of Mount Street Junior School, said: “The Award is indicative of the inclusive ethos of the school.  The life of service families can be challenging and it is fundamental to our approach as a Community School, that all new members of the community are welcomed and receive the best possible support to settle in.

“The wonderful thing is that Service pupils assimilate quickly into school. That is great credit to the other children and staff. The school recognises that transition for Service families is a way of life, and this is not only a challenge, but also to be celebrated, as children from diverse backgrounds join our roll.

“We are very proud of the Award and working with SSCE Cymru has provided us a clear strategy in developing this provision. To be the first school in Wales to receive this is a great honour.”

Brigadier Andrew Dawes CBE, Head of the Army in Wales, said: “On behalf of the military community based or settled in Wales, I’m thrilled that this scheme recognises the vital support our children receive in the wonderful schools that we are blessed with right across Wales. Thank you for your amazing support and for continuing to nurture the education of our children as a Forces Friendly School. Congratulations for this special recognition.”

Millie Taylor, SSCE Cymru Programme Manager, said: “The launch of Armed Forces Friendly Schools Cymru has been a huge success and a fantastic way to recognise the growing collaboration between education and the Armed Forces community. The SSCE Cymru team work closely with school across Wales to support them in understanding the needs of Service children, celebrating their experiences and engaging with the Armed Forces.

“Congratulations to Mount Street Junior School on being the first school in Wales to achieve their Bronze status. This achievement is well deserved and we look forward to sharing examples of their good practice with many more schools in Wales.”