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Powys County Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Jake Berriman voted in as leader of Powys County Council
LIBERAL Democrat nominee Cllr Jake Berriman has been named the new leader of Powys County Council after seeing off a challenge from the county's Conservative group leader. Ahead of the council's annual meeting on Thursday, May 15, Cllr Berriman had received the backing of his Liberal Democrat group to take the helm at county hall and lead the coalition which includes Labour and Green Party to the next local elections in May 2027. But at the meeting a rival candidate emerged to succeed outgoing leader Cllr James Gibson-Watt, as Conservative group leader Cllr Aled Davies also threw his hat in the ring. In a pitch to councillors, Cllr Berriman said: 'My group may be the largest, but this administration has no overall majority, and, in this fragility, I think lies our strength it means that every voice and vote counts for something. 'There can be no room for complacency and every vote earned if we are to take the tough decisions that lie ahead of us. 'We have more in common than separates us and that is a solid platform on which we can build better collaborative approaches for what remains of our term in office. 'I'm talking about harnessing our collective experience and knowledge, working in communities to make every penny count. 'Neither I nor the administration have the answers to all the difficulties we face in delivering our ambitions and meeting the pressing needs of those we serve.' He said he would try to strengthen his relationships with all councillors and be a 'listening leader'. Cllr Davies appealed to councillors by saying that there is a need to 'accelerate' the council's transformation of services. Cllr Davies said: 'When resources are tight, we need to focus on the council's core business and deliver true value for money at all times, my priorities are our highways, social services and on top of that list our schools. 'We must not pour resources into unachievable targets such as Net Zero by 2030 and other environmental targets unless there is a clear financial case that benefits the residents of Powys. 'Education is number one, Estyn's recommendations are crystal clear, we must get back on track, all our learners deserve an excellent education experience here in Powys, but we are asking our school heads to do the impossible, limited resources are spread too thinly.' Cllr Davies said that he had 'struggled' with some of the decisions taken by the cabinet over the last couple of years, and was 'frustrated' that progress had been too slow. But he pointed out successes by the cabinet, with social services, housing and homelessness and planning services singled out for praise. Cllr Davies said: 'We are all passionate about delivering the best services we can, but we must not shrink away from change. 'It's time to put our communities first, I will lead from the front and want to put together a coalition of the willing and the able and a strong team together from across the council.' Following the speeches both councillors left the chamber as the vote took place.
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.'
