Latest news with #JakeBerriman
Business News Wales
20 hours ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Council Leader Calls for Collaboration at Powys Business Awards Launch
Business leaders attending the launch of this year's prestigious Powys Business Awards were encouraged to collaborate with Powys County Council to grow the economy and create jobs. Council leader Councillor Jake Berriman declared 'Powys is open for business' and outlined the investment made by the authority. 'If we want Powys to grow then we need to invest in businesses like yourselves so that we can continue to provide employment for a healthy economy,' he told the awards launch at Themes Restaurant, NPTC Newtown Campus. 'The more we do together, the better.' He revealed that the council's £1 million Powys local business growth grant fund had generated £10 million in investment and had created 200 jobs. He also revealed that a field alongside NPTC Newtown Campus will be developed as an advanced manufacturing centre which he described as 'a place for innovation and learning'. 'When you come into Newtown and see what is happening here, it's so dynamic,' he added. This year's Powys Business Awards will have a dozen categories, including the new Business-Education Partnership Award Sponsored by Mid Wales Regional Skills Partnership. This award recognises best practice and collaboration between employers and educational establishments. The existing partnership must have been created in the last three years, have made a significant impact on student achievement and the school and demonstrate sustainability and innovation Teresa Peel-Jones, Mid Wales Regional Skills Partnership employer engagement officer, said businesses across Powys and Ceredigion were keen to engage with school pupils much earlier so that they can make informed career choices. 'The employer link is crucial and that's why we are going to develop that relationship with schools,' she added. 'There is going to be a consistent approach from now on.' The other categories are: Start-up Business Award, sponsored by EvaBuild, Entrepreneurship Award, sponsored by Welshpool Printing Group, Micro Business Award (less than 10 employees), sponsored by Myrick Training Services, Growth Award, sponsored by WR Partners, Small Business Award (under 30 employees) sponsored by BCRS Business Loans, Social Enterprise/ Charity Award, sponsored by RWE, Technology & Innovation Award, sponsored by Aberystwyth University, People Development Award, sponsored by NPTC Group of Colleges, Sole Trader Award, sponsored by The County Times, Business in the Community Award, sponsored EDF and Excellence in Sustainability Award, sponsored by the Wesh Government. The overall Powys Business of the Year is sponsored by Powys County Council, whilst the Judge's Award is sponsored by the awards organiser, Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG). Ceri Stephens, group manager of MWMG, said the award categories had been selected to showcase the diverse range of successful enterprises across Powys. 'There is something for everyone regardless of size or sector, to highlight and celebrate the excellent businesses that we have here in Powys,' she said. Closing date for entries is July 27. Visit for more information. The award ceremony will be held at The Hafren, Newtown on October 17.
Powys County Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Call for firms to enter Powys Business Awards 2025
Business leaders attending the launch of this year's prestigious Powys Business Awards were encouraged to collaborate with Powys County Council to grow the economy and create jobs. Council leader Councillor Jake Berriman declared 'Powys is open for business' and outlined the investment made by the authority. 'If we want Powys to grow then we need to invest in businesses like yourselves so that we can continue to provide employment for a healthy economy,' he told the awards launch at Themes Restaurant, NPTC Newtown Campus on Friday. 'The more we do together, the better.' He revealed that the council's £1 million Powys local business growth grant fund had generated £10m investment and had created 200 jobs. He also revealed that a field alongside NPTC Newtown Campus will be developed as an advanced manufacturing centre which he described as 'a place for innovation and learning'. 'When you come into Newtown and see what is happening here, it's so dynamic,' he added. This year's Powys Business Awards will have a dozen categories, including the new Business-Education Partnership Award Sponsored by Mid Wales Regional Skills Partnership. This award recognises best practice and collaboration between employers and educational establishments. The existing partnership must have been created in the last three years, have made a significant impact on student achievement and the school and demonstrate sustainability and innovation. Teresa Peel-Jones, Mid Wales Regional Skills Partnership employer engagement officer, said businesses across Powys and Ceredigion were keen to engage with school pupils much earlier so that they can make informed career choices. 'The employer link is crucial and that's why we are going to develop that relationship with schools,' she added. 'There is going to be a consistent approach from now on.' The other Powys Business Awards categories are: Start-up Business Award, sponsored by EvaBuild Entrepreneurship Award, sponsored by Welshpool Printing Group Micro Business Award (less than 10 employees), sponsored by Myrick Training Services Growth Award, sponsored by WR Partners Small Business Award (under 30 employees) sponsored by BCRS Business Loans Social Enterprise/ Charity Award, sponsored by RWE Technology & Innovation Award, sponsored by Aberystwyth University People Development Award, sponsored by NPTC Group of Colleges Sole Trader Award, sponsored by The County Times Business in the Community Award, sponsored EDF Excellence in Sustainability Award, sponsored by the Wesh Government. The overall Powys Business of the Year is sponsored by Powys County Council, whilst the Judge's Award is sponsored by the awards organiser, Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG). Ceri Stephens, group manager of MWMG, said the award categories had been selected to showcase the diverse range of successful enterprises across Powys. 'There is something for everyone regardless of size or sector, to highlight and celebrate the excellent businesses that we have here in Powys,' she stressed.
Business News Wales
6 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
£11m Funding Boost for Powys Recreational Tourism Projects
Powys County Council have received a contribution of almost £11 million from the UK Government Levelling Up Fund to invest in capital projects aimed at promoting recreational tourism through transport investment. The Levelling Up funding aims to address regional disparities across the UK by investing in vital local infrastructure projects to increase pride in place and bring people closer to opportunity. This latest payment will be spent within 2025/26 financial year, delivering projects within the county which aim to boost recreational tourism and contribute to local economic growth. These include: Resurfacing – will improve access to tourist hotspots and support the National Cycle Network, facilitating better journey quality for residents and visitors. Active travel – will provide improved access between key towns and the surrounding tourist destinations, making it easier for visitors to explore Powys using active modes and improve accessibility to key locations for residents. In particular, the schemes will include those planned for Llandrindod Lake, Brecon promenade, the next phase of the Llandrindod Wells to Howey route and a section of the Crickhowell to Llangattock route. Rights of Way refurbishment – will enable and improve visitors' accessibility to Powys' Rights of Way network. The initial project will include the replacement of Pont y Milgy footbridge, Ystradgynlais. 'This latest contribution of Levelling Up Funding from UK Government will allow us to begin making the improvements needed to the county's transport infrastructure,' said Cllr Jake Berriman, Leader of Powys County Council. 'Through this timely investment, we aim to improve accessibility to key services, encourage active travel and support recreational activities, providing better journeys for everyone and improve connectivity to tourist hotspots. 'We are hopeful to receive confirmation of additional Levelling Up Funding to enable us to complete further projects in the future.'
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Which Powys projects get £11million in Levelling Up funds
Resurfacing works, active travel routes and a new footbridge are among the projects in Powys set to benefit from £11million of Government cash. Powys Council has revealed which projects in Mid Wales will be backed with the latest cash from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund for the 2025/26 financial year. The council says there is a focus on delivering projects that aim to boost recreational tourism and contribute to local economic growth, specifically ones aimed at transport investment. Among these projects is a resurfacing scheme to improve access to tourist hotspots and support the National Cycle Network. Another is active travel projects in Llandrindod Lake, Brecon promenade, the next phase of the Llandrindod Wells to Howey route and a section of the Crickhowell to Llangattock route, designed to improve access between towns and surrounding tourist destinations, which the council hopes will make it easier for visitors to explore Powys using active modes and improve accessibility for key locations. Replacing the Pont y Milgy footbridge in Ystradgynlais will be the first project in a wider scheme to improve visitors' accessibility to Powys' Rights of Way network. Cllr Jake Berriman, Leader of Powys County Council, said: 'This latest contribution of Levelling Up Funding from UK Government will allow us to begin making the improvements needed to the county's transport infrastructure. 'Through this timely investment, we aim to improve accessibility to key services, encourage active travel and support recreational activities, providing better journeys for everyone and improve connectivity to tourist hotspots. 'We are hopeful to receive confirmation of additional Levelling Up Funding to enable us to complete further projects in the future.' The Levelling Up funding aims to address regional disparities across the UK by investing in vital local infrastructure projects to increase pride in place and bring people closer to opportunity. Cllr Berriman added: 'This latest contribution of Levelling Up Funding from UK Government will allow us to begin making the improvements needed to the county's transport infrastructure. 'Through this timely investment, we aim to improve accessibility to key services, encourage active travel and support recreational activities, providing better journeys for everyone and improve connectivity to tourist hotspots.'
Powys County Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Powys County Council leader James Gibson-Watt to resign
LIBERAL Democrat councillor James Gibson-Watt the leader of Powys County Council will step down from the role at next week. Cllr Gibson-Watt who represents the ward of Glasbury is expected to announce his resignation at the council's annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday, May 15 after three years of leading the minority Liberal Democrat/Labour administration. Cllr Gibson-Watt said: 'To be the leader of a Welsh local authority is a rare privilege enjoyed by relatively few politicians and is one I have relished. 'However, I have decided that the time is right for me to step aside and allow another member to take on the role and take forward the council's corporate vision of stronger, fairer, greener, on which we have made good progress over the past three years.' Rumours that Cllr Gibson-Watt was intending to resign have been swirling around the corridors of county hall for several months with the expectation that planning portfolio holder, Liberal Democrat Cllr Jake Berriman will be put forward to take his place. Cllr Gibson-Watt confirmed that this is the expected succession. Cllr Gibson-Watt said: 'My group has elected Cllr Jake Berriman as my replacement as group leader and will be the group's nomination to be the new council leader at the AGM on May 15. RECOMMENDED READING: 'Jake has my full and unqualified support, he will make an excellent council leader.' Cllr Gibson-Watt added: 'It has been a difficult and turbulent time, with continued financial restraint and the challenges of inflation and the ongoing cost of living crisis.' 'But, despite that, significant progress has been made in improving the social care system, the transformation of Powys's education system, developing the economy and making progress towards the council becoming a 'net zero' organisation. 'I am particularly pleased with the way the council has developed partnerships across the Mid Wales region and the counties bordering Powys in England. 'The future operation of our public services depends on successful partnership working and sound foundations have now been laid to ensure that collaboration can and will develop further.'
