Latest news with #JamesGibson-Watt
Powys County Times
20-05-2025
- Powys County Times
Powys communities improve public toilets with £40,000
Two Powys communities have benefitted from £40,000 of funding from the Welsh Government towards new public toilet facilities. Berriew and Crickhowell have revamped the public toilets via funding secured by Powys County Council from the Welsh Government, with Berriew receiving £22,500 towards improving the 50-year-old toilets in the centre of the village and Crickhowell getting £18,000 towards a revamp of the toilets at the Crickhowell Resource and Information Centre. The funding was secured by the council's economy and climate service to cover 80 per cent of the project costs, while the improvements were managed by by Crickhowell Town Council and Berriew Community Council. Councillor James Gibson-Watt, Powys County Council's cabinet member for a more prosperous Powys, said: 'It's great that visitors to Crickhowell and Berriew now have access to better toilet facilities. 'I hope more people will now be encouraged to stop off and see what both places have to offer and spend more than just a penny.' Crickhowell Town Council used its funding, along with a Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Sustainable Development Fund grant, to install new water-saving toilets, waterless urinals, 8kWp PV solar panels and battery, and low energy light fittings. Crickhowell town councillor Tony D'Anna said: 'This project took over six months to complete, but the hard work will pay off in the end. The town council and CRiC should save £5,000 per year on the operating costs for the toilets – currently more than £23,000 – and we will reduce our carbon footprint by over one tonne. 'Its success will be down to terrific partnership work with Powys County Council's tourism team, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and CRiC staff.' Berriew Community Council used its funding, along with a National Lottery Awards for All grant, to create two modern public toilet compartments, accessible to all, including those in wheelchairs and families needing baby change facilities. Councillor Phil Bettley, chair of Berriew Community Council added: 'This major refurbishment was long overdue and entailed us buying the freehold from the landlord for £1 to secure the facilities into the future. "We now have two modern, self-contained, private spaces with hygienic facilities which are frequented regularly by locals, tourists and those passing by. 'This couldn't have achieved without the Brilliant Basics grant and the National Lottery, Awards for All, scheme and we are very grateful to both bodies for their tremendous support.'
Powys County Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Outgoing Powys Council chief says he ‘felt pressure'
The outgoing leader of Powys County Council has assured his fellow members that he did not take the decision to quit "lightly". Addressing the council at its annual general meeting on Thursday (May 15), Councillor James Gibson-Watt gave a farewell speech before member held a vote to elect his successor. Speaking to the council chamber, Cllr Gibson Watt said: 'It's been an absolute privilege and thank you for entrusting me with this role. 'I apologise for landing the council in this situation where you're having to elect a new leader three-fifths of the way through council. 'I can assure you I haven't taken this decision lightly. 'But I do think it's the best thing for council that this happens because I'm not confident that I can fulfil the role over the next couple of years as well as I would want to.' 'I have felt that pressure for the last few months.' Cllr Gibson-Watt told councillors that he was one of only two current councillors who had been elected in the first election of the new version of Powys County Council following the reorganisation of Welsh local authorities in 1995/1996. He said that he has seen a 'dramatic change' in the role of councillor and council over the last 30 years. Cllr Gibson-Watt continued: 'You need to understand the constraints that we have operate in, and you don't really understand that until you become leader of the council.' He added: 'I would ask members to be sympathetic to the next leader as a lot of these constraints are unseen and are for regulatory purposes, which is extraordinarily onerous, it eats up vast amounts of officer and member time, and is very expensive. 'It constrains the degree to which a local authority and administration of any colour can make its own sovereign decisions. 'Local government in Wales is a delivery arm of the Welsh Government. Frustrating as it is that is just the reality of life.' He added that he believed local authorities in Wales had a better relationship with the Welsh Government than their counterparts in England have with the UK Government where there are some 'acute tensions.' 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 But Cllr Gibson-Watt is not completely stepping away from the top table yet. Later in the meeting, when his successor was named as Councillor Jake Berriman, Cllr Gibson-Watt was entrusted with a cabinet position to push on with the 'initial engagement phase' of reorganising post-16 education in Powys. This is part of the cabinet brief for a more prosperous Powys, which he will carry out until the end of September while mentoring Cllr Glyn Preston to eventually take on that role.
Powys County Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
£4m Powys business fund is launched at Abermule event
A £4 million pot has been launched to help businesses in Powys to expand. The Mid Wales Commercial Property Investment Fund, launched through the Mid Wales Growth Deal (Growing Mid Wales), aims to help businesses invest in new or expanded premises. The issue is considered by officials to be one of the key challenges facing growing businesses in the region. A launch event held at CMD Ltd - part of yacht parts company Makefast Group and based at Abermule Business Park - brought together businesses from across the region to highlight the fund. Businesses heard how CMD had expanded into its new home backed by Powys County Council and Welsh Government in 2022. Councillor Bryan Davies, leader of Ceredigion County Council, and Councillor James Gibson-Watt, leader of Powys County Council, co-chairs of the Growing Mid Wales Board, said: "This fund is a significant step in supporting business growth across Mid Wales. "By providing targeted investment in commercial premises, we are helping businesses expand, create jobs, and strengthen the regional economy. Ensuring access to suitable infrastructure is vital for sustainable development." CMD managing director Jack Miller added: 'We were delighted to host the launch of this important initiative. "The Mid Wales Commercial Property Investment Fund presents a valuable opportunity for companies in the region to expand and thrive, contributing to the overall prosperity of our community.' Welsh Government cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, Rebecca Evans, said: 'By addressing the critical infrastructure needs of growing enterprises, we are not just supporting individual businesses but strengthening the entire regional economy. "This investment, through a £55m Welsh Government contribution into the Mid Wales Growth Deal, will help unlock potential, create quality jobs, and build a more resilient economic future for communities across Mid Wales.' The launch event was fully booked. but a follow-up webinar will be held on Thursday, May 15, from 2.30pm until 4pm, providing the same information about the fund, including how to apply. To register email growingmidwales@ Eligible applicants must be private businesses that are formally constituted as a company or a partnership, and operate in specific sectors including construction, electrical and plumbing, information and communications, manufacturing, professional services, real estate, and wholesale, retail and motor trade. The fund is not open to speculative property developers, public bodies, or charities.
Business News Wales
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Mid Wales Commercial Property Fund Launches to Boost Business Growth
A brand-new capital investment fund to support business growth and expansion across Mid Wales has been launched. The Mid Wales Commercial Property Investment Fund, launched through the Mid Wales Growth Deal (Growing Mid Wales), aims to help businesses invest in new or expanded premises – tackling one of the key challenges facing growing enterprises in the region. It is a limited fund of £4 million at this stage. The launch event at CMD Ltd (part of the Makefast Group), Abermule Business Park, brought together businesses from across the region to learn more about the fund. During the event, businesses heard how CMD successfully expanded into their new home through the support of Powys County Council and Welsh Government. Attendees also took a tour of their site, which they moved into in 2022, to see first-hand how investment in commercial premises can support business growth in Mid Wales. Speaking at the event, Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of Ceredigion County Council, and Councillor James Gibson-Watt, Leader of Powys County Council, Co-Chairs of the Growing Mid Wales Board, said: 'This fund is a significant step in supporting business growth across Mid Wales. By providing targeted investment in commercial premises, we are helping businesses expand, create jobs, and strengthen the regional economy. Ensuring access to suitable infrastructure is vital for sustainable development.' Jack Miller, Managing Director, CMD Ltd added: 'We were delighted to host the launch of this important initiative. The Mid Wales Commercial Property Investment Fund presents a valuable opportunity for companies in the region to expand and thrive, contributing to the overall prosperity of our community.' Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: 'The Commercial Property Investment Fund shows our commitment to creating the right conditions for businesses to flourish in Mid Wales. By addressing the critical infrastructure needs of growing enterprises, we are not just supporting individual businesses but strengthening the entire regional economy. This investment, through a £55 million Welsh Government contribution into the Mid Wales Growth Deal, will help unlock potential, create quality jobs, and build a more resilient economic future for communities across Mid Wales.' Wales Office Minister Dame Nia Griffith said: 'I'm delighted that money from the UK Government funded Mid Wales Growth Deal is being used to help businesses expand and find new premises via the Commercial Property Investment Fund. The UK Government has made economic growth the key mission of our Plan for Change, and we are driving that forward in every part of Wales, helping remove barriers to growth and supporting businesses to create new jobs.' Due to high demand, the launch event was fully booked. However, a follow-up webinar will be held on Thursday, 15th May, from 2:30 to 4:00pm. This online session will provide the same key information about the fund, including how to apply, and is open to all interested businesses. To register for the webinar, email: growingmidwales@ The fund is targeted at specific business sectors. Eligible applicants must be private businesses that are formally constituted as a Company (Limited Company or Limited by Guarantee) or a Partnership (with a Partnership Agreement), and operate in specific sectors including Construction, Electrical and Plumbing, Information and Communications, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Real Estate, and Wholesale, Retail and Motor Trade. The fund is not open to speculative property developers, public bodies, or charities. Further information about the fund is available here .
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Schools failing on site safety
Schools in mid Wales need urgent improvements to site security, better leadership, and more pupil success, the national inspection body has found. Estyn raised "significant concerns" about Powys council's education services after an inspection in February, calling for "important school site security issues" to be "urgently addressed". Despite bringing in a new chief executive and director of education, Estyn said "leadership at all levels has had a limited impact on securing important improvements in education services or in improving outcomes for children and young people." Powys council "pledged to strengthen education services and improve outcomes for learners", describing the report as "disappointing". Inspectors also highlighted concerns about the quality of support for schools and pupils with additional learning needs (ALN), and post 16 provision. Inspections of secondary schools in Powys have been "poor over time", Estyn added. Teacher shortage limiting school subjects on offer Maths classes of 60 pupils amid teacher shortage Five things inspectors say about Wales' schools Since February 2021, Estyn has inspected three secondary schools and placed all of them into review, which means the inspectors re-visit them to check on improvement progress. Primary schools have faired better over that period, but the county still has more primaries placed in follow-up measures than is usual across Wales. Estyn says that there is positive work being done by early years education team, and also that there are more opportunities for pupils to access their education in Welsh. On site security at schools, Estyn found that there has been investment to address a range of identified site management issues in targeted schools across Powys. Despite this, inspectors said "when compared to other local authorities, a notably higher proportion of schools in Powys still have important site security issues that give cause for concern." Although Powys council often identifies these risks, inspectors added, too often they do not address them. After security, Estyn made three more recommendations: Strengthen the quality and impact of leadership, including political leadership, at all levels Strengthen the quality of support and challenge to schools to improve outcomes for all learners, including those with ALN Work with partners to rapidly develop and implement a model for 16-19 education that is financially viable and sustainable, and meets the needs of all learners, and considers Welsh-medium and ALN provision Powys council said it accepted the recommendations and would "double down to drive education improvements" with an action plan and monitoring. Council leader James Gibson-Watt said: "We are committed to delivering exceptional education services that support our schools so that they can give our young people the best foundation for their future". "Despite the need for improvement, Estyn has recognised a number of positive areas such as our work to strengthen relationships and trust with our schools and our Welsh in education strategic plan. He said the council would work with inspectors to make the improvements. "By working with our schools and their governing bodies, I'm confident that we will deliver the necessary improvements and to ensure that we provide the education and opportunities the children and families of Powys deserve and expect." Children's reading standards 'a lottery' in Wales Exclusion for knives 'too simple', says Estyn chief Schools urge Welsh-speaking teachers to come home
