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Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Powys County Council urged to stop closure of day centres
Powys County Council has been urged to stop the process of closing some day centres as part of plans to reorganise services for adults with additional needs. Some day centres for people with learning disabilities, including Sylfaen in Llanidloes, are at threat of closing under a new model where services will be provided either through supported living providers or from alternative venues which are being developed. However, Powys County Council says that 'none of the locality-specific day opportunities plans are public yet'. READ MORE | Parents call for rethink over fears for future of 'life-changing' day centre Plaid Cymru councillor Elwyn Vaughan has called on the council to carry out a 'proper' impact assessment before making any changes to services which affect the county's most vulnerable people. 'The Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) (Wales) Regulations 2011 is perfectly clear in its expectation that a full impact assessment is done before any attempts to change a service is implemented,' Cllr Vaughan said. 'Yet here we are with Lib Dem-led Powys Cabinet deciding to close this and another two valuable centres without such an impact assessment specifically for these centres and only after taking the decision consulting with families, those using Sylfaen and staff. READ MORE | Multiple day centres across Powys face the axe under new council plans 'The process should involve working with all parties in identifying needs before taking any decision not after. All that's happening is consulting now after the horse has bolted to justify a decision they've already done, hence the only fair and transparent step that should be taken is to stop the process, take stock and work honestly with families before taking any further steps. 'Additionally, we're being told that they want to save £277,000 yet I've been told by some in charge of the process it's not about saving money. Which is it, therefore? 'It seems to me they're trying to rush this process through now during the summer in the hope that everyone is away and it won't be noticed. 'The reality is this is a valuable, important facility and if we can't look after some of the most vulnerable in society then what the heck are we trying to do? What are the values one is pursuing. Let's stop it now and conduct the process in the correct way.' In response, Powys County Council's Cabinet for a Caring Powys, Cllr Sian Cox, said: 'None of the locality-specific day opportunities plans are public yet. 'When we are able to make them public, I will write direct to town and community councils and to all of those organisations which have engaged with me during the review process; they will be the first to know'.
Powys County Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Powys councillors vote to pause controversial farm sales
COUNCILLORS have voted to scrap a £10 million annual asset sales target and pause the sale of county farms in Powys. At a meeting of Powys County Council on Thursday, July 10 a cross-group motion was placed before councillors to debate the future of the county farms estate. Cllr Gareth D Jones (Powys Independents group, Llanfair Caereinion and Llanerfyl) put forward the motion to and was backed by Plaid Cymru group leader Cllr Elwyn Vaughan officially seconded the motion. Cllr Benjamin Breeze (Conservative) reminded councillors that a meeting organised by Kerry community council in May and held in Sarn near Newtown had discussed concerns about the sale of council farms and the idea for the motion came from that meeting. Council leader Liberal Democrat Cllr Jake Berriman said: 'We would love to be in a position to make grand statement about keeping our farm estate as it is and invest properly in it. "We're not in that position and let's not kid ourselves, we've not been in that position for a long time. 'We are operating a policy that stems from 2018 and that's prior to this administration.' He said that in 2000 there were 216 tenanted farms, 2010 there were 154 and currently there are 133. Cllr Berriman continued: 'The farms are not being sold more quickly under this administration than in the past. 'We do not have a target in terms of farm receipts. 'Previously from 2015 to 2018 there was a specific target." He explained that they formed part of an 'overarching' target of £10 million and that assets were not being sold off for 'laughs and chuckles' but to invest in education and roads and other building projects. Cllr Gwynfor Thomas (Conservative) said: 'I will be supporting this (motion) because we need to take stock. 'I don't think we've explored it enough, I think there's an opportunity for green investment. 'We can have biodiversity schemes and attract green grants from Welsh and UK Governments. 'I think these are important considerations when we are looking at the management policy of the farm estate.' He recalled that when he was chairman of the Place scrutiny committee in the past and the current policy came before the committee around eight years ago there had been talk about investing in renewable energy scheme in partnership with tenants. Cllr Thomas said: 'It wasn't done, and I wonder where we would be today if it had.' Former council leader and cabinet member for more prosperous Powys, Cllr James Gibson-Watt said: 'There is a new rural enterprise policy which is being drafted and will be presented to the farm estates advisory group.' He wanted councillors to vote to keep the status quo until the new policy could be studied by them in the autumn. Cllr Jones was brought back in to sum up and said: 'I didn't bring this motion forward for laughs or chuckles. 'I went to that meeting in Sarn and made a pledge to everyone there that I would do everything in my power to stop this and that's what I'm doing. 'I agree 100 per cent that previous administrations got this wrong. 'Let's not get it wrong now.' He added that he looked forward to seeing the new policy
Wales Online
10-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
The hardest place to buy a house in Wales where the average price is £257,318
The hardest place to buy a house in Wales where the average price is £257,318 House prices across Wales have risen sharply, but local wages haven't kept up Colourful houses in Aberaeron, Ceredigion (Image: Getty ) You have probably noticed that property prices have soared over recent years, which might be good news to some home owners, but makes things slightly tricky if you're a first time buyer. Wales is also now home to some of the least affordable places in the UK for first-time buyers, with five Welsh areas appearing in the top ten hardest places to get on the property ladder according to the Skipton Group Home Affordability Index 2025. In Ceredigion and Powys, only 2.7% of people can afford the average first-time buyer home which is even less than in parts of London. Affordability is also proving to be a widespread issue across both rural and urban parts of Wales with Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, and Monmouthshire also featuring on the list. This is significant because house prices in Wales have risen sharply, but local wages haven't kept up. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here As a result, many people who live and work in these areas will likely be priced out of their own communities. In Ceredigion, house prices have sold for an overall average of £257,318 over the last year. Article continues below Currently, there is a 25% extra charge on top of the normal level of council tax for second homes and long-term empty properties in the county, which locals have said for many years has been a recurring problem. And in 2023, Ceredigion County Council consulted with residents and stakeholders on what level of council tax premiums should be charged on long-term empty properties and second homes in Ceredigion. However, it was found that 'increasing Council Tax premiums would not result in the desired outcomes' was a prevalent theme throughout the comments. Just over half of these comments noted that an increase would not improve the availability or affordability of homes according to the council. And in Powys, houses have sold for an overall average of £273,537 over the last year according to Rightmove. It was described as "virtually impossible" in 2021 for first time buyers to purchase a property here, and judging by the data it looks as though little has shifted. The Powys County Times reported: 'Plaid Cymru councillor for Glantwymyn Elwyn Vaughan noted that issues such as rising second-home ownership in Mid-Wales beauty spots are making it virtually impossible for first time buyers from Powys to own their own home, after new figures provided by HM Land Registry and the Office for National Statistics showed the average property price in the county is now £206,656, a huge 8.2 times greater than the average median salary of £25,197.' The Home Affordability Index notes: 'First-time buyers face a particularly challenging situation, with only 11.5% of potential first-time buyers able to afford to get onto the property ladder based on their own financial situation, and in certain local authority areas the challenge is far more acute. 'The Home Affordability Index shows that upcoming reforms to first-time buyer stamp duty relief and the continued freezing of LISA thresholds are limiting the ability of first-time buyers to benefit from these policies. 'This report provides important new analysis that can help shape the policy debate around the design of these policies.' Support available for first-time buyers in Wales The Help to Buy Wales scheme serves as a valuable support option, providing an equity loan of up to 20% of the cost of new-build homes priced up to £300,000. The Tai Teg scheme also aims to increase access to affordable housing, including properties available for purchase, and may offer help with buying homes on the open market. Another useful option is a Lifetime ISA (LISA) which is a government-backed savings account designed to help first-time buyers save for a home. You can deposit up to £4,000 each year and the government adds a 25% bonus on top - up to £1,000 annually. The funds including the bonus can be used towards the purchase of your first home worth up to £450,000. Have you got a story you want to share about buying your first home in Wales? Feel free to get in touch: Article continues below
Powys County Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Stopping Powys farm sales could hammer council coffers
Finance chiefs have urged Powys councillors to oppose a motion calling for a halt to sales of council-owned farms. A cross-party motion going before the full council this Thursday (July 10) will call for a moratorium on the sale of council-owned farms. Put forward by Powys Independents Cllr Gareth E Jones (Llanelwedd) and seconded by Plaid Cymru group leader, Cllr Elwyn Vaughan (Glantwymyn), it will ask the council to: 'Recognise the valuable contribution that council-owned farms play in supporting food production and enabling young entrants into farming. 'Regrets that selling council-owned farms risks reducing Powys food security and traditional farming practices. 'Calls on the council to impose a moratorium on the sale of its council-owned farms, until a sound County Farms management policy is agreed by Council. 'Scrap the arbitrary £10 million a year asset sales target.' But the financial assessment explains that the capital receipts target is a central plank of the budget which was agreed by councillors back in February. The assessment said: 'Every £1 million reduction of capital receipts from the sale of council owned farms, would increase the borrowing requirement in order to fund the capital programme.' This would mean an extra £50,000 to £60,000 each year on every £1 million the council needs to borrow to fund its building and maintenance projects. The assessment continued: 'If £10 million of capital receipts is not available to fund capital investment and this resulted in additional borrowing, this would result in an additional annual revenue cost. 'If approved, this motion will prevent the release of up to £10 million of capital receipts while also not reducing the council's liability for these properties, their backlog maintenance and other investment requirements. 'It should be noted that this motion goes against the council's Corporate Asset Policy (CAP) which states: to assist the council in delivering the priorities of the Corporate Improvement Plan, the council is committed to prompt and ongoing rationalisation of its buildings and land. "The financial challenge facing the council in the next few years cannot be underestimated and to change policy independently now without considering the wider implications on the council's Medium Term Financial Strategy is not advised.' The future of the estate has long been a bone of contention due to plans to sell parts of it off in a bid to raise £10 million a year in 'capital receipts' which could be used by the council to fund its building projects such as new schools. In April council leader, Cllr Jake Berriman (Liberal Democrat) apologised in his previous cabinet role to fellow senior councillors at a cabinet meeting after it was revealed that the council had only managed to make just over £1 million of the £10 million target as the 2024/2025 budget stood at the end of February.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Last-minute vote sees £1.3m for key bus routes
Powys County Council will provide an extra £1.3m for key bus services, but the last-minute nature of the decision has been criticised. The money will help connect five hub towns in Wales' biggest local authority area to larger cities, as well as providing longer hours and weekend services. An extraordinary meeting of council members on Friday agreed to find £1.349m from internal budgets, as the new service needs an extra £2.354m on top of the basic £5.442m set aside. This was the last possible date to sign paperwork that would allow the seven-year contract to come into force on 1 September and the timing angered opposition councillors. Council still waiting on £6m in levelling up funds Farmer's 'world ended' after getting tenancy axe The services are seen as crucial to help residents in the largely rural area access health, education and other services that are not available in the county. "It's highly unfortunate and some would say unprofessional that we're having such an important discussion on multimillion-pound contracts at the very last minute," said Plaid Cymru group leader Elwyn Vaughan. Jackie Charlton, Liberal Democrat cabinet member for highways, transport and recycling, responded: "I think it's been one of the most professional processes I have seen in this authority. "It's been through the full democratic process, it's been through scrutiny, cabinet and has been out to engagement." Independents councillor Gareth E Jones believed that funding could result in a 2% increase in council tax. Liberal Democrat cabinet member for legal and regulatory services Richard Church said: "We should be shouting from the rooftops the fact that we are bringing back Sunday and evening services." The move was backed by the Labour-Liberal Democrat cabinet last month, and in Friday's vote by 25 councillors, with 21 against, and one abstaining. This article was written by a trusted journalist and then edited for length and style with the help of AI, before being checked again by a BBC Journalist. It's part of a pilot.
