11 September 2022

The county proclamation of the accession of His Majesty, The King was read by the High Sheriff of Powys, Mr Tom Jones OBE, at County Hall, Llandrindod Wells this afternoon.

This was followed by similar ceremonies at Brecon’s Guildhall, the Shire Hall in Presteigne and Welshpool Town Hall.

You can read the county proclamation speech in full here:

FORM OF PROCLAMATION FOR PROCLAIMING THE NEW SOVEREIGN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call to His Mercy our late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second of Blessed and Glorious Memory, by whose Decease the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is solely and rightfully come to The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George: We, therefore, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of this Realm and Members of the House of Commons, together with other members of Her late Majesty’s Privy Council and representatives of the Realms and Territories, Aldermen and Citizens of London, and others, do now hereby with one voice and Consent of Tongue and Heart publish and proclaim that The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now, by the Death of our late Sovereign of Happy Memory, become our only lawful and rightful Liege Lord Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to whom we do acknowledge all Faith and Obedience with humble Affection; beseeching God by whom Kings and Queens do reign to bless His Majesty with long and happy Years to reign over us.

Given at St. James’s Palace this tenth day of September in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-two.

GOD SAVE THE KING

9 September 2022

Books of condolence are open in Powys so people can pay tribute to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, whose death was announced to the nation yesterday evening.

These give Powys residents the opportunity to pay their respects to The Queen and share their thoughts, feelings and memories about her 70-year reign.

Books of condolence are open at the following locations:

• Y Gaer, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7DW
• County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5LG
• Newtown Library, Park Lane, Newtown, Powys, SY16 1EJ

The book of condolence at County Hall in Llandrindod Wells will be open from 9am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday and will remain open until 4:30pm on the day following the funeral.

The council has extended the opening hours at y Gaer and Newtown Library while the book of condolences is open.  The opening times are:

Y Gaer:

• Monday: 9:30am to 5pm
• Tuesday: 9.30am to 6.30pm
• Wednesday: 9.30am to 6.30pm
• Thursday: 9.30am to 6.30pm
• Friday: 9:30am to 5pm
• Saturday: 10am to 4:30pm
• Sunday: 10am to 4:30pm

Newtown Library

• Monday: 9am to 6.30pm
• Tuesday: 9am to 6:30pm
• Wednesday: 9am to 4:30pm
• Thursday: 9am to 6:30pm
• Friday: 8am to 4:30pm
• Saturday: 9:30am to 4:30pm
• Sunday: 10am to 4:30pm

The books of condolence will remain open at y Gaer and Newtown Library until 4:30pm on the day following the funeral.

If you would prefer to sign an online book of condolence, this can be found here: https://www.royal.uk/

The Chair of Powys County Council, Cllr Gareth Ratcliffe, has paid tribute to Her Majesty, which can be read in full here..

8 September 2022

The Chair of Powys County Council has paid tribute to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II following the announcement of her death today.

“On behalf of Powys County Council, and the people of Powys, I would like to express our great sadness on hearing the news of the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II,” said Cllr Gareth Ratcliffe.

“Alongside many other communities in Wales and around the world, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family at this difficult time.

“Queen Elizabeth II has been a constant in the life of the British nation and Commonwealth, dedicating her entire adult life to serving the country.

“The Queen was greatly respected by the people of Powys as well as across the UK and abroad, and will be sadly missed. It is with great sadness that our county will now join the rest of the UK in mourning the end of her remarkable life and reign.”

8 September 2022

Powys County Council joined neighbouring local authorities in Wales to show support for the LGBT+ community and help promote equality and diversity.

The authority took part in the Pride Cymru event for the first-time last month, as part of the ‘Proud Councils’ network, which is designed to enable councils throughout the region to work together while promoting services and offering their support.

Representatives of Powys County Council travelled to Cardiff for the event alongside colleagues from Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend, Newport, Swansea, Caerphilly, Torfaen, and Blaenau Gwent.

Staff, councillors, and associated community groups joined hundreds of people who marched through the streets of Cardiff together to demonstrate each council’s commitment and support for the LGBT+ community in Wales.

As well as holding Pride banners and flags, they were also present at the Proud Council’s stall to encourage visitors to discuss how councils can improve issues such as service delivery, access and inclusion and preventing discrimination against residents and employees.

Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Powys County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys, said: “It’s fantastic to see Powys County Council attending the Pride Cymru event in Cardiff for the first time this year.

“I’m incredibly proud to have been there representing Powys alongside many others from the Council and across Wales, under the banner of the ‘Proud Councils’ network.

“It was great to attend and show our commitment and support for the LGBT+ community in Wales.”

8 September 2022

Powys County Council has pledged its support for Gas Safety Week (12 – 18 September 2022).

Gas Safety Week is now into its second decade of keeping people safe and organisations from across the UK are working together to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

This year, Gas Safety Week focuses on the steps consumers can take to ensure they stay safe, including not attempting DIY on gas appliances and being aware of the warning signs of unsafe appliances, such as dark or sooty staining around an appliance. 

Cllr Richard Church, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a Safer Powys, said: “We’re proud to be supporting Gas Safe Week 2022 and helping to keep our communities safe.

“I urge all Powys residents, especially during the current energy crisis, to be vigilant and follow the guidance from Gas Safe Register to help ensure your gas appliances are free from leaks and other hazards and safe to use. If something doesn’t look right, please contact Gas Safe Register who will be able to support you.”

Jonathan Samuel, chief executive for Gas Safe Register, said: “During these difficult times it’s important to stay aware of the warning signs of an unsafe gas appliance and contact a Gas Safe registered engineer if you’re worried something’s wrong, as well as having your annual gas safety check. We’re delighted to see so much support for this year’s Gas Safety Week, and by working together we can keep the public informed of gas safety and help reduce the risk of dangerous gas appliances across the UK, helping the whole nation to stay gas safe.”

Keep up to date with Gas Safe Register’s updates and advice throughout Gas Safety Week by following @GasSafeRegister on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and search #GSW22 and #GasSafetyWeek. 

To keep you and your family safe, follow Gas Safe Register’s top tips: 

• Know the symptoms of CO poisoning; headaches, nausea, breathlessness, dizziness, collapse, and loss of consciousness.
• Look out for warning signs your appliance may be unsafe, such as dark or sooty stains around the appliance, increased condensation and pilot lights frequently going out.
• Make sure you leave vents unblocked as these are there to help your appliance work safely and efficiently.
• If you smell gas or think there might be a gas leak, call the free 24-hour national gas emergency number immediately on 0800 111 999.
• Never attempt to work on a gas appliance yourself, always seek the help of a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer.
• If you’re having your annual safety check, only employ a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer to carry it out. 
• Always ask to see your engineer’s Gas Safe ID card. Make sure you check the back of the card, which will state which gas appliances they are qualified to work on.

Gas Safe Register is the official register for legally qualified engineers. You can find a registered engineer in your area by visiting the Gas Safe Register website at GasSafeRegister.co.uk.

6 September 2022

A framework to assess potential development sites has been prepared as part of work on a strategy that will guide the scale and location of new development in the county.

Powys County Council has started a three-and-a-half-year process to prepare a new development plan which will cover all of Powys, excluding the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The Replacement Local Development Plan (2022-2037) will be drawn up to take effect from March 2026 when the current Local Development Plan ends.

The council is now seeking views on the framework, called the Candidate Sites Assessment Methodology, which will be used to help determine which sites are most suitable for development.

Later this year (November), the council will call for potential development sites as well as sites which can be utilised for other needs such as green infrastructure, which will be collectively known as Candidate Sites, to be submitted for consideration.

The framework will then be used to consider whether these Candidate Sites are in an appropriate location, are likely to come forward within the next 15 years and are likely to be viable.

The council is now seeking views on the framework and all comments must be submitted by Monday, 10 October, 2022 by going to Planning Policy and clicking Replacement Local Development Plan (2022-2037).

Cllr Jake Berriman, Cabinet Member for a Connected Powys, said: “To people unfamiliar with the process of putting together a new Local Development Plan this may all seem to be very complicated, but in very simple terms we are consulting on what we think is a fair and robust methodology to test possible sites which landowners may seek to have specifically included in the new plan.

“For anyone who wishes to more generally follow the progress of the plan I would like to remind them that a link to register their interest can be found on the council’s website.  Visit Planning Policy and click Replacement Local Development Plan (2022 – 2037).”

The council has also published initial information on two assessments – the Integrated Sustainability Appraisal and the Habitats Regulations Assessment – that will be undertaken alongside the Replacement Local Development Plan (LDP).

These assessments are legal requirements to ensure that the Replacement LDP delivers sustainable development, promotes well-being, and meets equality, health, Welsh language and environmental needs.

Introductions to these assessments, which can also be viewed and commented on at Planning Policy, set out how the council plans to structure the two assessments.

To view paper copies of all the documents and to obtain comment forms for postal return please visit one of the following 12 libraries:

Brecon, Builth Wells, Llandrindod Wells, Llanfyllin, Llanidloes, Llanwrtyd Wells, Machynlleth, Newtown, Presteigne, Rhayader, Welshpool and Ystradgynlais.

5 September 2022

A new all age school has opened its doors to learners for the first time today, ushering in a new era of education in a part of north Powys.

Ysgol Bro Caereinion in Llanfair Caereinion is the latest school to be established by Powys County Council.

It becomes the county’s third all age (4-18) school and has been established following the merger of Llanfair Caereinion C.P. School and Caereinion High School. The school will provide Welsh-medium and English-medium education on the current sites of the of the primary and high school.

Ysgol Bro Caereinion has also named is senior leadership team ready for its first day of education.  The new team is:

• Huw Lloyd Jones – Headteacher
• Edward Baldwin – Deputy Headteacher
• Laura Jones – Assistant Headteacher
• Michael Humphreys – Assistant Headteacher
• Rhian Mills – Assistant Headteacher
• Ceri Harris – Additional Learning Needa Co-ordinator

The new school will help the council deliver its Strategy for Transforming Education, which sets out to improve learner entitlement and experience. The strategy was updated in July 2022.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “This is an exciting time for pupils, staff, governors and parents at Ysgol Bro Caereinion and I wish them all the best as they start this new era.

“The council is committed to improving the education provision and entitlement for all the young people in Powys by delivering its Strategy for Transforming Education. The establishment of Ysgol Bro Caereinion is a key step in the first phase of delivering this strategy.

“I look forward to working with the senior leaders at Ysgol Bro Caereinion as we work together to improve outcomes for our learners as well as develop and enhance the Welsh-medium provision in Llanfair Caereinion.  I wish everyone associated with the school the very best.”

Cllr Gareth Jones, Chair of Temporary Governing Body of Ysgol Bro Caereinion, said: “The opening of Ysgol Bro Caereinion today signifies an important milestone on our journey to transform education in Llanfair Caereinion and the surrounding catchment area.

“We have made significant progress to get to this stage and I want to thank everyone involved including the senior management team and all staff at the new school, together with Cabinet Members and officials from Powys County Council.

“I also want to thank members of the Temporary Governing body for their commitment and hard work over very many months and to parents/guardians and the wider community for their on-going support. 

“I wish the new school and its learners every success as we take forward this exciting and important plan to help realise our ambitions for the future of learning at the school.”

For more information about Transforming Education in Powys, visit Transforming Education

5 September 2022

All Powys households are to receive £400 towards their energy bills this winter, through an expansion of the UK Government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme.

This grant will be deducted from what you owe by your energy supplier, over six months from October, if you are a direct debit or credit customer; or it will be applied to your electricity meter or paid via a voucher if you have pre-payment meters.

Households on a range of means tested benefits will also receive a payment of £650 this year, made in two instalments; while pensioner households will receive an extra £300; and people getting disability benefits will receive a one-off payment of £150 from September.

You can also get help if you are struggling to pay your energy bills, or topping up your pre-payment meter, by speaking to your energy supplier. This could include help through the Warm Home Discount Scheme, which is due to reopen again in November.

If you were born before 26 September 1955, you are also likely to be able to claim a Winter Fuel Payment, an annual one-off sum of between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills.

Cold Weather Payments are also available to help pay for extra heating costs when it is very cold, if you already get Pension Credits, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit.

The Welsh Government is also offering a one-off £200 payment towards paying winter fuel bills, which is in addition to the support being offered by the UK Government. The scheme is due to open on 26 September and households receiving a wider range of benefits will be eligible.

If you are having difficulty paying your water bill, you should contact your supplier. Help could include a £230 reduction, if you are a family receiving means-tested free school meals or a Cost of Living Support Scheme payment.

If you are concerned about paying your broadband or mobile phone bill, you should contact your supplier, as they may be able to put a payment plan or other support in place to help you stay connected.

If you are unable to keep up with your credit card, loan or mortgage repayments, your creditors may agree to a short-term payment holiday, or if you talk to a professional debt advisor you may be able to access Breathing Space – when no enforcement action can be taken or charges added – through the Debt Respite Scheme. Powys County Council’s Money Advice Service can help with debt queries, through an online form: Need help with Benefits, Budgeting, Debt or Fuel Costs? Or you can call 01874 612153 or email: [email protected]

Debt advice is also available from:

Further advice on help with the cost-of-living is also available on the Welsh Government’s website: https://gov.wales/get-help-cost-living

31 August 2022

To streamline recycling services, the glass and paper recycling banks will soon be removed from the community recycling sites across the county. 

When the community recycling sites were first introduced, they provided Powys people with a way to recycle household items locally. However, with the weekly kerbside recycling service now available for all properties, both glass and paper can now be easily recycled from home. Recycling banks for other materials, such as cardboard or textiles, will remain at the community recycling sites.

“The decision to remove these two materials from the community recycling sites was agreed by the cabinet earlier this year.” Explains Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys.

“Although initially identified as a budget saving, it is also a duplication of service, the removal therefore allows us to concentrate our stretched resources on fulfilling the weekly kerbside collections.

“We appreciate there are some regular users of the glass and paper recycling banks, but now that these items can easily be recycled each week from home, the removal of these banks from the community recycling sites shouldn’t be an issue.

“If anyone is struggling to fit all their recycling into their kerbside containers, they can request additional boxes online. Of course, both glass and paper can also still be taken to any of the five Household Waste Recycling Centres across Powys.”

The removal of these banks also ensures they can no longer be abused by fly-tippers contaminating the material and used illegally by businesses. Businesses needing a recycling collection service can contact the Powys Commercial Recycling team for a free quote.