Llandinam Primary School could close under Powys plans
Powys County Council is proposing to close Llandinam C.P. School, which currently has 33 pupils.
Plans to consult with the public on closing the primary school will be considered by Cabinet later this month.
On Tuesday (July 15) Cabinet will consider the plans and will be asked to start the statutory process, which could see the school close from the end of the next school year on August 31 2026.
Should the school close, pupils would 'need to transfer to other schools within the wider catchment area'.
If Cabinet approve the recommendation to start the statutory process, it is anticipated that consultation will start in September.
Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: 'We are committed to securing the best possible start for our learners and we believe that our Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys will achieve this.
'As part of the strategy, we need to address the high proportion of small schools in the county, decreasing pupil numbers and the high number of surplus places.
'The historic and projected pupil numbers for Llandinam C.P. School suggest that the school will remain one of the smallest schools in the county for the foreseeable future.
'It is currently ranked the third highest school in Powys by budget share per pupil – £7,424 per pupil compared to the Powys average of £5,214."
Help support trusted local news
Sign up for a digital subscription now: www.countytimes.co.uk/subscribe
As a digital subscriber you will get
Unlimited access to the County Times website
Advert-light access
Reader rewards
Full access to our app
The school has already been spared closure once, after a backlash against a previous set of plans in 2013.
But Cllr Roberts said that the small class sizes were causing complications to the education of the children as the school.
He added: 'The small pupil numbers at the school mean that pupils are taught in whole key stage classes with foundation pupils in one class and older pupils in another.
'As pupil numbers in each year group are very small, it is more challenging to meet the needs of all pupils, and the opportunities for pupils to work with pupils of similar age and ability are more limited.
'The proposal before Cabinet in respect of Llandinam C.P. School has not been reached lightly and has been reached following a light touch review of the wider catchment but we believe that it is needed to address the low numbers at the school and reduce the council's overall surplus capacity in primary schools.
'It will also ensure that pupils are taught in classes with peers of similar ages and attend a larger school which could provide a wider range of educational and extra-curricular activities.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
a day ago
- Powys County Times
Plans to expand operations at recycling facility in Powys
A planning application will be put in to expand the operations of a recycling facility in Powys, as the county council appeals to the community to take a look at the site. The controversial North Powys Bulking Facility in Abermule has been fully operational since September 2023 and Powys County Council has now said it plans 'to fully utilise the capacity of the site'. The council said the change is being made 'in a bid to lower costs, reduce our carbon footprint and ensure the council's waste and recycling service remains sustainable for the future'. It said it 'will shortly be submitting a planning application under section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to accept and bulk residual waste (waste collected in wheeled bins and purple bags) from the north of the county at the site, before it is transferred to a waste treatment facility'. Powys County Council is holding an open evening at the site on Tuesday September 2, between 5pm and 7pm, where 'visitors will be able to have a tour of the site and a chat with staff about how the facility currently operates and find out more information on the plans to accept residual waste at the site.' 'We are looking forward to welcoming the local community to our open evening for a face-to-face chat about the plans, and a chance to see for themselves how the site is operated and how any potential impacts are controlled,' said Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys. 'The site is already working well and has enough capacity to accept residual waste without having to make any changes to how it is operated, meaning the local community shouldn't notice any changes at all. Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app 'The site will continue to be run to the highest standards and monitored in accordance with the strict requirements of the NRW environmental permit. 'Currently residual waste from the north of the county is taken to a third-party transfer station at a considerable cost to the council as well as resulting in additional travelling time and carbon emissions from the fleet of collection vehicles. 'By utilising the site to its full potential, we can run our waste and recycling service more sustainability, reducing costs and minimising our carbon footprint.'
Western Telegraph
13-08-2025
- Western Telegraph
'Invasive' Himalayan balsam spreading in Haverfordwest
Himalayan balsam, known for its explosive seed capsules, has been seen spreading along the riverbanks in the town centre, between the John Phillipp Bridge and the area near the Bristol Trader pub. John Roberts, a former parks trainee who was taught about the dangers of such plants in the 1950s, has warned the town could be in for 'seven years of weeding' due to the plant's rapid proliferation. Despite its attractive appearance, the Himalayan balsam is legally recognised as an invasive plant due to its rapid spreading nature. Mr Roberts said some attempts have been made to control the plant, possibly by volunteers, but said the plant is proving challenging due to difficult access. He called for professional intervention to prevent the plant from spreading further downstream. In an open letter, Mr Roberts said: "Himalayan balsam, Impatiens glandulifera, is an invasive watercourse weed. "In the town centre, it is being allowed to proliferate along the river, between the two bridges. "This is despite the fact that the Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) 'Short River Walk' website states that, 'The project includes management of the invasive Himalayan balsam.' "Some attempt has been made to control the weed by bashing. "Possibly by volunteers? "However, access is difficult and control of this weed needs professional attention before the weed spreads down river to the open area opposite the Bristol Trader. "I would remind PCC of their stated intentions regarding invasive weeds, such as Himalayan balsam." The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) website provides guidance on how to manage Himalayan balsam, stating it is important to preserve and promote indigenous flora and fauna. Mr Roberts acknowledged the current efforts by the Pembrokeshire County Council in wilding, but urged for a balance to ensure that wilding does not become neglecting.
Powys County Times
11-08-2025
- Powys County Times
Builth Wells nurse Joy presented with Silver Kite award
A BUILTH Wells woman who has nursed hundreds of local people has been presented with a special award ahead of her retirement later this year, after more than 40 years of dedicated service. Joy Groves, who will be retiring from nursing after 42 years in September, was recognised for her efforts by the chair of Powys County Council last month. She was presented with a Silver Kite award by Councillor William Powell during a ceremony at the Royal Welsh Show on Thursday, July 24. Joy began her nursing career in 1983, working at the former Builth Wells Cottage Hospital, which has since closed down and been converted into homes in the town. She then moved on to work at Llandrindod Wells War Memorial Hospital for a short period. Following this, Joy became a community nurse in Builth, where she went on to complete her Master's degree in district nursing. Joy has nursed many hundreds of local people and has served with grace, compassion and commitment to excellence. She will be retiring in September after 42 years of service. She is an inspiration to her colleagues and has had a huge impact on the success of many nursing students and newly qualified nurses. 'It was a real privilege to meet Joy and to present her with the first Silver Kite award of my term of office,' said Cllr Powell, chair of Powys County Council. 'Joy's commitment to her community of Builth Wells, to high quality care and to lifelong learning and development single her out for recognition. 'I am also grateful to my colleague, Cllr Jeremy Pugh, for his nomination, thus bringing Joy to our attention.' Silver Kite awards are civic accolades presented to people who live in Powys and have gone above and beyond in their community or achieved something exceptional in their field or sport. Nominations are made to the chair of the council throughout the year by councillors and awarded at the discretion of the chair.
