31 August 2022

Business leaders and economic experts are being sought by the Mid Wales Regional Skills Partnership (RSP) to express an interest to become Chair of the RSP Board. The RSP Annual Meeting is to be held on Monday 12 September where the new Chair will be announced.

Co-chairs of Growing Mid Wales, which the RSP sits under, Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of Ceredigion County Council and Councillor James Gibson-Watts, Leader of Powys County Council said: “It is an exciting time for Learning and Skills in Mid Wales. The Regional Skills Partnership works with business leaders and stakeholders across the region to understand the skills provision and labour market needs in order to drive investment that meets the requirements of both employers and the workforce.”

“We are looking to appoint a suitably qualified and inspirational person from the private sector to Chair the group. This will be a business person (private company) with business interests in Mid Wales who has a cross county and sub-regional interest and influence. It is expected that the business interests of the Chair will be that of a significant local employer which has an impact on and use of local, regional and national supply chains.”

The Chair of the Mid Wales Regional Skills Partnership will play a key role in helping to drive the region’s vision for learning and skills, representing the voice of the private sector in the region to influence and support regional decision-making and to champion the region at a national level.

This will require an individual that can demonstrate:

• They are an Industry Leader, particularly from the sectors identified in the Growing Mid Wales vision. The vision can be viewed on the Growing Mid Wales website, http://growingmidwales.co.uk/strategicgrowthpriorities
• Knowledge and experience of the different industry sectors in Mid Wales;
• Strong private sector experience;
• Strong leadership and partnership ethos;
• An understanding of the wider strategic environment and take account of this when making recommendations.

The post is a voluntary position with an approximate commitment of 12 days a year.

Candidates are asked to complete the details outlined in the form found under the RSP documents section of the Growing Mid Wales website, http://growingmidwales.co.uk/documents and return the form to [email protected] by midnight on Monday 05 September.

For further information about the role or to discuss the opportunity further, please contact the RSP Partnership Manager: Aggie Caesar-Homden, [email protected]  / 01597 826713

31 August 2022

If you are struggling with the cost-of-living and are on a low income, did you know that you could get help to pay for your child’s school meals?

This applies to all learners in full time education and could save you up to £400 a year for each primary school age child, help your child’s school benefit from extra funding and help you qualify for other support and assistance.

Due to the payment method used in Powys schools, other pupils will not know that your child is receiving free school meals.

In addition, free school meals are to be extended to all primary school pupils in Wales by September 2024. This will apply to the youngest children first, meaning that in Powys all children in Reception will receive them from the start of the autumn term, in September 2022, while those in years 1 and 2 will receive them no later than the start of the summer term, in April 2023.

If you are on a low income, please continue to claim for free school meals via the Powys County Council (PCC) website Free school meals as you may also be entitled to other support such as the PDG Access grant for uniform and other school clothing.

The application window for school clothing grants, for the academic year September 2022 to June 2023, is now open. If you are eligible, you should have received a letter from PCC with a pupil reference number/numbers to use.

Parents of children, who are eligible for free school meals, may also be able to apply for a PDG Access grant (sometimes called the Uniform Grant), which can be used to help with school costs such as uniforms and equipment. This year the grant is £225 per learner or £300 for those entering year 7 (£100 more than it usually is).

The Childcare Offer for Wales provides up to 30 hours of government-funded early education and childcare to eligible working parents of three- and four-year-olds for 48 weeks of the year. This builds on the existing commitment, which provides all three- and four-year-olds with a minimum of 10 hours per week of early education provision known as Foundation Phase Nursery.

Powys Family Information Service can also provide guidance on financial help with childcare costs: http://www.childcareinformation.wales/fis/W06000023 Phone: 01597 826058 or email: [email protected]

Period products are also available for learners, to collect for free, in all Powys schools, either from the school office, a designated staff member or a coin-free vending machine (secondary schools only). For more information on period dignity support for pupils in Powys schools, email: [email protected]

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

30 August 2022

Powys residents struggling with the cost-of-living are being advised to check they are receiving all the support that is available to them.

The county council is currently administering the Cost of Living Support Scheme, on behalf of the Welsh Government, and its own Discretionary Cost of Living Support Scheme, which are both worth £150 to households or individuals who are eligible.

The council has written to everyone who it thinks is eligible for these two schemes, but if you need help to apply or need benefits advice, please call 01597 826345 or visit the benefits page on the Powys County Council (PCC) website: Benefits

Many unpaid carers, in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, are also able to apply for the Unpaid Carers Financial Support Grant, worth £500, up until 5pm on 2 September, which is again being administered by PCC on behalf of the Welsh Government.

The county council can also help with Discretionary Housing Payments, which are intended to support people in exceptional circumstances and for a short period of time to get through financial hardship. These payments can be used to cover housing costs, such as: a rent shortfall, rent deposits or rent in advance if you need to move home, essential furniture if you are homeless, help to move house if it’s to improve your rental situation or in some cases a payment towards rent arrears if you are facing eviction.

If you are homeless, or threatened with homelessness in the next 56 days (two months) the council is required by law to find out more about your situation and work with you to prevent or relieve your homelessness: Seek help about homelessness

Powys is also one of 13 councils taking part in the Leasing Scheme Wales, which aims to increase access to, and the affordability of, renting privately. Tenants housed under the scheme will have longer term, secure and affordable accommodation as well as access to a high-level of support to help maintain their tenancy.

If your household is on a low income, you could also receive support towards some, or all, of your Council Tax bill through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

PCC’s Money Advice Service can also help you with benefits, budgeting, debt or fuel cost queries. There is an online form available on the PCC website: Need help with Benefits, Budgeting, Debt or Fuel Costs? Or you can call 01874 612153 or email: [email protected] to get advice.

It also works in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to provide specialist money and benefit support to cancer patients, and their carers, in Powys.

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#:~:text=Cost%20of%20Living%20Support%20Scheme,of%20their%20council%20tax%20band

26 August 2022

Businesses and organisations across Powys are invited to share their thoughts to inform the council’s Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy.

Working on behalf of Powys County Council, Atkins are conducting the survey to investigate local business plans regarding the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure (also known as charge points), and if relevant, plans for electrifying business fleets.

Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, said: “This survey will help us to understand how many Powys businesses already use electric vehicles, what might be blocking the adoption of electric vehicles, and what can be done to overcome these barriers.

“The responses will be used in the development of our new strategy, which will provide direction in the efficient deployment of charging infrastructure across the county, enabling the adoption and use of electric vehicles by more businesses, residents and visitors”

The survey is open until Friday 9th September.

To have your say, please visit: https://www.haveyoursaypowys.wales/electric-vehicle-charging

25 August 2022

Powys learners who have received their GCSE and Level 2 qualification results today (Thursday, August 25) have been congratulated on their achievements by the county council.

Powys County Council is very pleased to hear of the many learners who have achieved the results that they needed to take the next step on their career path be it in education, training or an apprenticeship.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “We send our warmest congratulations to our pupils who have received their GCSE and Level 2 qualification results today.

“We recognise the challenges faced by both learners and schools, including the transition back to examinations for the first time in three years. Which means we’re extremely proud of the achievements of all our learners and are delighted to hear the stories of their success.

“We want to thank everyone at schools who have supported their learners through their exams and also thank the families who have played a vital role in supporting and encouraging their children throughout their education.

“Looking forward, we would encourage all learners to seek advice and guidance on the wide range of post-16 learning opportunities available to them including the Chweched Powys Sixth form options.

“We wish all our learners the very best in their chosen next steps.”

To find out about the Chweched Powys Sixth form options, visit www.powys6.cymru

24 August 2022

The Leaders of Powys County Council have welcomed reassurance from Wales Air Ambulance that statutory partners will be consulted before a final decision on the service’s future in Welshpool.

Powys Leader, Cllr James Gibson-Watt and Deputy Leader, Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Cllr Richard Church, Cabinet Member for Safer Powys and Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys met with Wales Air Ambulance Chair of Trustees, David Gilbert and Chief Executive, Dr Sue Barnes to discuss leaked plans to close the service’s Welshpool base and move operations to North Wales.

“We were assured that no formal decision had been made and that key partners such as Powys County Council would be consulted before a final decision was made,” they said after the meeting.

“The Air Ambulance is held in high regard by Powys residents, as demonstrated by the high levels of funds raised in the county and plays a vital role in getting patients to medical facilities from the country’s largest rural county.

“At the meeting we asked to see the source data used as evidence for their initial proposals and pressed for assurances that any future proposals will demonstrate an improvement to the level of service provided to the people of Powys.

“Air ambulance is a lifeline for all of Powys and it is essential that if changes go ahead, they improve provision for everyone. Getting patients in an emergency treated and then to hospital as quickly as possible is the crucial factor. It will need independent and rigorous scrutiny to assure us and the people of Powys that a proposal to move the base for helicopters will provide a better service,” they added.

More families in the Ystradgynlais area can now access Flying Start support.

Flying Start is a Welsh Government funded Programme and is available in targeted areas supporting families to give 0-4year olds a Flying Start in life. 

The scheme is available for certain postcode areas in Welshpool, Newtown, Brecon, Llandrindod Wells, and Ystradgynlais.

Families can check if they are eligible and apply for a place on the Powys County Council website.  

Cllr Susan McNicholas, Cabinet Member for Future Generations said: “The increase of Flying Start support to more postcodes in the Ystradgynlais area is a really positive step. More families can now access funded childcare, enhanced health visiting, parenting support, and speech and language support.”

Cllr Sandra Davies, Cabinet Member for Future Generations and local County Councillor for Cwmtwrch said: “The expansion of Flying Start support to the Cwmtwrch area is an excellent boost for our community. I am thrilled that more families can benefit from additional support. I urge families with children aged 0-4 years to check if they are eligible as it will make a great difference to the lives of many families.”

23 August 2022

A series of free guided canal walks taking place every Thursday at 11am throughout September on the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal for people living with cancer have been organised as part of an initiative between a Canals, Communities and Wellbeing project and the Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) in Powys programme.

The canal project is an Enabling Natural Resources and Wellbeing (ENRaW) programme via the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government’.  It’s partners include Powys County Council, Glandŵr Cymru, the Canal & River Trust in Wales, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust and Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.

The aim is to bring together key partners to deliver on joint projects that boost community wellbeing using the canal networks in the county.

The ICJ programme – funded by Macmillan Cancer Support – aims to better support people closer to home following a cancer diagnosis. This support starts with the offer of a personalised conversation with a trained link worker.  Some residents living with cancer have shared how being able to get out into nature can be beneficial for their wellbeing so the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority are offering such an opportunity during September as part of the wider canal project.

Councillor Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys said: “This Welsh Government funded project aims to improve access to both the Montgomery and Monmouthshire and Brecon canals to enable people in those areas to enjoy the beauty of walking alongside the water whilst also feeling better in themselves. We’ve been running walks for different groups across the county and are delighted to be working with the Improving the Cancer Journey in Powys programme to offer these walks throughout September on the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal.”

Richard Pugh, Macmillan Partnerships Manager for Macmillan Cancer Support said:”At Macmillan, we know that for people living with cancer, being able to step outside their front door and get back into nature can be really beneficial for their well-being.  Our Powys programme is all about improving a person’s quality of life in whatever way matters to them. I hope these walks appeal to both residents who have a diagnosis and their family members and loved ones who are included in the invitation. The emphasis is on the enjoyment of a gentle stroll in the beautiful Powys countryside whilst building friendships with others who are also on their cancer journey.”

The first walk will take place on the Brecon towpath on Thursday 1st September meeting outside the theatre at 11am. The walk will take up to an hour in total and will be tailored to the needs of the group including opportunities to stop, rest and admire the views. Future walks will take place from villages along the canal including Pencelli and Talybont. Interested residents living with cancer are asked to book a place by contacting Leonie Gittins, Project Support Officer via email [email protected]  or by calling her on 01597 826754.

If a resident living with cancer or a family members wants to find out more about support available under the Improving the Cancer Journey in Powys programme the webpage provides details: https://www.powysrpb.org/icjpowys 

19 August 2022

The national recruitment crisis is hitting the local authority across all sectors, but it is the front facing service areas, such as the weekly waste and recycling collections, which are most noticeable for our residents.

For some time, as a local authority, we have been struggling to recruit staff and cover absences due to illness and continued cases of covid 19.

The depots have been working hard with our recruitment team to have a rolling recruitment programme running for a number of months which includes advertising on local web-based media outlets, utilising social media and using posters in the local communities to advertise the vacancies. Furthermore, we have made several of our agency staff permanent, utilised highways crews when we can and given our current staff the opportunity to upskill and train as HGV drivers, but all this takes time.

In the meantime, our crews have been working very hard to collect the waste and recycling from residents through working additional hours, catching up on rounds and collecting extra recycling where weeks have been missed.  They have had to be adaptable in the extreme heat and have gone above and beyond to keep the collections going.

Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, says “We make every effort to get our workforce up to full capacity.  However, the struggle to provide a normal waste and recycling collection service across the county will continue to be a challenge in the short term.

“Please continue to put your bins and boxes out for collection on the normal collection day. If a collection cannot be completed, we ask that black wheeled bins remain out (we will be back to empty asap), but recycling boxes are taken back in again for another week. If you have not received a collection by 5pm, please check online for details of when we will be returning to collect: Bin collection day

“All our staff continue to do their best to ensure that recycling boxes do not go longer than a fortnight without being emptied, and additional separated recycling left in bags alongside the boxes will be accepted.   

“Please be assured that we are giving this our full attention and hope that things settle down and we can resume our normal service soon. We would like to thank the people of Powys for their patience during these challenging times.”

If you would be interested in working in a rewarding role that really makes a difference, not only to the people of Powys, but also to helping combat the climate crisis, please go to our website and apply: Jobs and Training