Latest news with #AmandaJenner
Cambrian News
08-08-2025
- General
- Cambrian News
Home schooling in Powys more than doubles since pandemic
Committee chairwoman, Cllr Amanda Jenner pointed out that a part of the report said that one of the 'challenges' faced by Powys social workers since the Covid-19 pandemic is the increasing number of families who are home educating their children.
Powys County Times
08-08-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Changes to how Powys councillors scrutinise social services
Changes will be made to how councillors scrutinise the regular performance of Powys council's social services. In September last year the Powys County Council's Health and Care scrutiny committee saw the introduction of monthly performance reports for both Adult and Children's Social Services placed on the agenda. But these items remained a secret to the press and public as the reports were supposed to be looked at and discussed in a confidential session towards the end of meetings. At the committee's latest meeting on July 30, chairwoman Cllr Amanda Jenner (Trelystan and Trewern, Conservative) said: 'I want to give the public an update on what was going to be an exempt item which is our standing item to consider the monthly performance reports. 'Also, there's so much documentation that we're looking at and our questions are operational. 'So, we are going to set up two working groups one for adults and one for children's that will consider and look at those on a quarterly basis offline and in a non-public setting.' She added that councillors on the groups would be able to see if any themes emerged from the data that needs to be looked at in more depth. 'So that's where we want to go with that,' said Cllr Jenner. At the committee meeting in December the cabinet members that cover both Social Services departments, were quizzed to find out if they read the performance reports and if they did, how they used the information. All the while the actual reports remained confidential. At the time Cllr Sandra Davies (Cwm-twrch, Labour) the cabinet for children's services said: 'I look for anything that has changed and that comes through on the amber (risk traffic light system) and I ask questions on that. 'I have weekly meetings and if there is anything of concern they are highlighted to me.' Cabinet member for adult services Cllr Sian Cox (Llangors with Bwlch, Liberal Democrat) added: 'I tend to look at all of it and have a think if anything stands out and ask questions.'
Powys County Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Powys Council reviews controversial recycling centre changes
A REVIEW into the new booking system and charges at recycling centres all over Powys is to take place this autumn. At a Powys County Council meeting on Thursday, July 10, Conservative councillors tabled a motion calling for a review of the controversial scheme to take place within six months of its introduction. This would allow the council to decide whether the system should continue. The changes caused uproar and the council's anti-poverty champion Cllr Joy Jones (Powys Independents) organised a petition in opposition to them, signed by 4,200 people. Cllr Amanda Jenner (Trelystan and Trewern) who put the the motion forward pointed to a U-turn months into a similar scheme in Shropshire this year. ' Shropshire listened and I hope that you will too,' said Cllr Jenner. Conservative group leader, Cllr Aled Davies seconded the motion and called for a 'full review' taking in cross-border recycling centre issues. He pointed out that residents in his ward of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant and Llansilin have a 20-mile trek to the recycling centre in Welshpool, despite Oswestry being only six miles away. Cllr Peter Lewington (Conservative) said: 'Here in Newtown we're experiencing more and more fly tipping in our green spaces. ' Residents are regularly reporting rubbish being dumped in different parts of the town and their parkland. 'Indeed, the body that leases and manages 130 acres of town and county council parkland here is having to consider installing CCTV to identify the fly tippers.' But others said they had their minds changed on the booking system. Cllr Liz Rijnenberg (Labour) said: 'There are different experiences across the county and the one I've had in Brecon is that it's been very good and positive. 'Review is a key part of the process, it's a basic standard in service delivery.' She wondered why Cllrs Jenner and Davies had not approached the cabinet to find out about the upcoming and called the motion an 'ineffectual use of council time'. Cllr Amanda Jenner Transport and recycling chief Cllr Jackie Charlton said: 'Because we have the booking system in place we can do a review. 'We couldn't do one before because we had no statistics or data and didn't know what was happening in our sites." She added that enforcement action would be taken against people caught fly-tipping. Cllr Jenner said: 'There was a huge level of concern expressed by people at the outset and I think they would appreciate us discussing this openly. 'It's important that we get a public assurance that the review will take place which we have had, and I would really appreciate a date for that.' Cllr Charlton answered: 'We are committed to doing the review in October' A vote saw 32 councillors back the motion, 12 oppose it, and 11 abstentions.
Powys County Times
07-06-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Powys: Fletcher Homes plan for 25 properties near Welshpool
An update may help to bring a new housing development near Welshpool to fruition, more than seven years since the original application was approved. The proposal for 25 homes on the outskirts of Middletown received outline planning permission in 2018, while reserved matters, which detail how the development might look, were submitted in February 2021. However, questions were raised over the second part of the proposal by officials in public rights of way, water drainage, highways, and the Welsh Government. In particular, there were concerns about the impact the site, adjacent to The Fron, would have on the A458, with the potential that traffic could back up from the site onto the trunk road. Earlier this year, Nigel Thorns Planning Consultancy, submitted an updated planning statement on behalf of applicants Fletcher Homes Ltd and E M & A R Paddock that "seeks to resolve any outstanding planning issues". Nigel Thorns noted that the update was "a significant amount of information to digest." He added: "It is our view that there are no outstanding issues raised by any of the internal or external consultees and all detailed matters are deemed acceptable. "In addition, there have been no objections from any members of the public. "If there is any concern regarding the layout or design of the scheme in planning terms, or there are any other issues raised, then we would appreciate an opportunity to review these points in line with Planning Policy Wales." Since then, responses have come back from the Welsh Government, which removed its holding direction for the proposal, while the local county councillor, Amanda Jenner, has cancelled her request to call in the application. If approved, the development will feature two, three, four and five-bedroom homes, and would include an attenuation pond in the centre. It would also create off-road parking and a pedestrian footpath for the neighbouring All Saints Church.
What's On
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
Baby Expo returns to Dubai this weekend
Parenting is hard… especially for new parents who don't know what to expect when the little one comes around. If you want advice or want to save some money on the (seemingly never-ending) baby items you need, head to the Baby Expo. It returns to Dubai for its second edition this weekend on Friday, May 16 and 17, 2025. This year, the Baby Expo is presented by Blaura, and families and expectant parents can explore a wide range of products from more than 250 world-renowned brands, resources, activities, and over 100 expert speakers. The expo takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Ticket prices start from Dhs70, which is the general pass for one day; however, if you want to attend both days, it's Dhs130. A general admission pass for one day plus a goody bag is Dhs230, and for both days, Dhs290. You can view other ticket prices and make your purchase here. What to expect? The Baby Expo will bring together brands from the baby, toddler, and maternity sectors all under one roof. Expect to see some of the world's most trusted brands and services, including Blaura, Stokke, Cybex, Baby Brezza, Nanit, Tommee Tippee, Doona, Lansinoh and Maxi Cosi. This also means that parents will be able to compare products and specifications across brands and decide what's best for their babies and little ones. And yes, the items will be discounted specially for the Expo. Want to relax your feet? There will be dedicated mum and baby chill-out zones, plus entertainment for all the family. Mums will also be able to relax at the dedicated Mother & Baby Relaxation Lounge where they can enjoy some much-needed me-time. You will even get some much-needed tips and insights from leading industry experts addressing every stage of early childhood development, from newborn care and sleep routines to feeding options, pregnancy and post-partum wellness and positive parenting techniques. Some of the names on the panel include Dubai's go-to sleep consultant from Nurture 2 Sleep – Julie Mallon, the UK's leading potty training expert and founder of My Carry Potty – Amanda Jenner, and more. You can also expect a host of celebrity interviews presented by Kris Fade. Take note fam, Blaura Wellness Centre isn't just sponsoring the expo, but it will be opening a family wellness centre in the summer of 2025. So stay tuned. Blaura Wellness Centre is a state-of-the-art holistic wellness sanctuary for women, children, and families that blends world-class expertise with a nurturing, luxurious environment. Want to learn more? Head to the official website, Images: Supplied and Unsplash > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
