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Powys County Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Powys County Council receives grant to tackle child poverty
Over £100,000 has been awarded to Powys County Council to tackle child poverty. The council received a £125,000 grant from the Welsh Government which 'supports bold, collaborative approaches by public and third sector organisations to tackle child poverty and improve outcomes for children and families'. Powys County Council is one of 25 organisations across Wales to receive a share of the £1.495 million awarded through the Welsh Government's Child Poverty Innovation and Supporting Communities Grant Scheme. Last year, the council secured £90,000 through the same grant scheme, enabling the delivery of support and initiatives that supported more than 3,000 people. Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys, said: 'Securing this Welsh Government funding is a powerful endorsement of our bold and innovative approach to tackling child poverty. 'This investment enables us to take urgent action while laying the foundations for lasting change. By listening to those with lived experience and working closely with our partners and communities, we are not just addressing poverty – we are building a stronger, fairer, greener Powys where every child has the chance to thrive.' This new funding will see the council and its partner Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO) continue to work together on initiatives to tackle child poverty in the county. The latest funding will be used to support a new project called 'Speak Truth to Powys' which will be delivered under the umbrella of the Powys Child Poverty Task Force. The project will fund a Young Persons' Engagement Officer, a dedicated officer who will engage directly with children and young people across Powys, both online and in person, to ensure their experiences shape future support. It will also fund a Poverty Truth Commission which will 'bring together people with lived experience of poverty and decision-makers to explore the root causes of poverty in Powys and co-create solutions'. The grant will also fund the 'Essential Support Scheme', a practical support scheme which 'will provide one-off payments to families in urgent need, helping them access essentials such as food, clothing, electricity, and transport'. 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 Cllr Joy Jones, Powys County Council's Anti-Poverty Champion, said: 'Behind every statistic is a child, a family, a story. This funding gives us the opportunity to listen more closely, act more compassionately, and respond more effectively to the real challenges people are facing. 'By working together and putting lived experience at the heart of our approach, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.' Clair Swales, Chief Executive of Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO), said: I'm pleased we can continue building on the work we started last year to tackle child poverty in Powys and I look forward to continued collaboration with Powys County Council. 'This funding gives us a valuable opportunity to improve the lives of children and young people experiencing poverty across the county, by listening to their voices and placing them at the heart of our work."
Powys County Times
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Long-standing Powys anti-poverty champion set to keep role
Long-standing Powys County Council's anti-poverty champion, Cllr Joy Jones is set to keep the role. At the council's annual meeting on Thursday, May 15 councillors will receive a report to find out who expressed an interest in becoming one of the three council member champions. Back in December the council agreed that the anti-poverty, disability, and armed forces member champions roles would be kept, at least until the end of this council term in May 2027. But instead of being appointed to the role by the council leader as had been the case in the past, those interested have had to go through an application process. The report said: 'Documents relating to the roles, responsibilities, support and governance arrangements and the expression of interest form were emailed to all councillors asking for submission of an expression of interest form. 'The closing date was February 7.' Out of a possible 68, only three 'expressions of interest' were received for the member champion roles. Two were for the anti-poverty champion role. These were by the incumbent Cllr Joy Jones (Powys Independents) and Cllr Little Brighouse (non-aligned). One expression of interest was shown in the armed forces champion role, by deputy council leader Cllr Matthew Dorrance (Labour) who is also the incumbent. The report added that no councillor had applied for the disability member champion role. The report said: 'The council chair (Cllr Jonathan Wilkinson – Conservative), leader (Cllr James Gibson-Watt – Liberal Democrat), deputy leader and cabinet member for a fairer Powys (Cllr Dorrance) were consulted on the expressions of interest received for the anti-poverty member champion and it is recommended that Cllr Jones be appointed. 'The chair and leader were consulted on the armed forces member champion, and it is recommended that Cllr Matthew Dorrance is appointed." If councillors agree the recommendations details of the member champions including their description of the role and how to contact them will be published to the council website. They will also be expected to present annual report on their work to a council meeting. Following a review, last year the Democratic Services committee decided to scrap the member champion roles, and this recommendation was put to all councillors at a full council meeting last July. But councillors voted to reject the recommendation, and it was sent back to the committee for further discussion.
Powys County Times
02-05-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Powys communities encouraged to mark VE Day anniversary
Communities in Powys are being encouraged to unite for the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day. VE Day, which falls on Thursday, May 8, will be commemorated with various events next week, while VJ Day, on Friday, August 15, will be marked later in the year. The upcoming VE Day events in Powys include street parties, live music, parades, and church services. Councillor Matthew Dorrance, Powys County Council's deputy leader and armed forces champion, said: "I'm really keen to see Powys communities come together to mark these significant anniversaries. "Next week presents an opportunity to celebrate our victory over the fascist forces in Europe in 1945 and to honour and remember the sacrifices made by family members and friends, who were alive during the Second World War. "VE Day marks a pivotal point in our history and without their victory 80 years ago, Britain would have faced a very bleak and brutal future." The council will also host a flag-raising ceremony at County Hall in Llandrindod Wells on Thursday, May 8, with members of the 160th (Welsh) Brigade, Royal Signals, Royal Army Nursing Corps, and Llandrindod Wells Royal British Legion Branch in attendance. The public is invited to attend the event at 12.30pm. Mr Dorrance added: "Enjoy your celebrations and tag the council in your pictures on social media, if you would like us to share them." Event organisers are encouraged to add their events to the official UK Government website or the VE Day 80th Anniversary website. Additionally, there will be a VE Day procession and flypast in London on Monday, May 5.
