Minister opens Welshpool Integrated Family Centre
17 February 2023
A new Family Centre, in the Oldford area of Welshpool was officially opened yesterday by Deputy Minister for Social Services, Julie Morgan.
The Welshpool Integrated Family Centre opened its doors in October last year as a “one stop shop” providing services and support to children, young people and their families.
The centre provides activities such as parent and toddler groups, baby massage, information and advice, Incredible Years Parenting Training programmes, health advice, family support and counselling.
The work to refurbish the building situated in the heart of a Flying Start catchment has been completed with the support of £700,000 of Welsh Government Flying Start Capital funding.
The Deputy Minister for Social Services, Julie Morgan said: “I am thrilled to attend the launch of the new Family Centre which has been funded through our Flying Start programme. By offering such a wide range of activities, including childcare and advice, all in one place it makes it easier for families, children and young people to access the support they need.
“It was great to see first-hand the positive impact this new facility is having on the local community and I look forward to seeing similar sites open across Wales.”
Councillor James Gibson-Watt, Leader of Powys County Council says; “We were delighted to welcome the Minister to our new family centre today. It gave us the opportunity to showcase some of the excellent partnership and support work that is already taking place and also to thank her for the Welsh Government’s support for this project.
“The new centre in the heart of the community is enabling children, young people and their families to access services all in one place. It provides childcare as well as office and community spaces and it’s good to see these early help services all working together to meet families’ needs.”
The Flying Start team who include Health Visitors and Speech and Language professionals are based at the site. Powys County Council’s Children’s Early Help and Adult Services staff along with colleagues from agencies such as Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre, also share the office space within the building.
This is the second Integrated Family Centre to open in the county and is part of a wider ambition to develop a series of similar sites across the county.
Flying Start childcare and Foundation Phase provision is now available to families at the site. Local families can find out more on the Facebook page @WelshpoolIntegratedFamilyCentre or visit https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/13657/Welshpool-Integrated-Family-Centre
St David’s celebration concerts return to Theatrau Sir Gâr
The popular St David’s Celebration Concerts will make a welcome return to Theatrau Sir Gâr this year with two special events announced. Following a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, this year’s events will take place at the Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli and Ammanford’s Glowyr Theatre, plus there will also be the option to live stream the concert from home.
The Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli will host its St David’s concert on Tuesday 28th February, 7pm. The award-winning Côr Meibion Pontarddulais will perform along with international harpist Dylan Cernyw. Pupils from Ysgol Gymraeg Llangennech choir will also showcase their talents as well as two Loud Applause Rising Stars singers, soprano Lauren Elizabeth Williams and tenor James Oakley. The evening will be hosted bilingually by the broadcaster, Garry Owen.
For anyone unable to make the concert in person, the Ffwrnes concert will be live streamed from Llanelli to audiences at home. Care homes across the county can access the live stream for free. To register for the free live stream, care homes are asked to contact the theatre by emailing or calling the box office on 0345 226 3510.
Ammanford’s celebration will take place a few days later on Friday 3rd March, 7pm. The concert features a stellar line-up and will include musical performances from star of the West End, Samuel Wyn-Morris, Côr Lleisiau’r Cwm, Ensemble Lleisiol Ysgol Dyffryn Aman. Heddyr Gregory will present the evening.
This year’s concert will be the ninth year that Theatrau Sir Gâr have partnered with Loud Applause Productions to produce the theatres’ St David’s Day celebrations. The annual event attracts audiences from across Carmarthenshire, and even outside the county. This will be the second time the concert has also been made available for audiences virtually, as the 2021 concert was only available to watch online due to restrictions at the time.
Samuel Wyn-Morris is a Carmarthenshire-bred West End star. Born and raised in Llanelli, he’s has just completed a 14-month tour of Les Misérables, playing the leading role of Enjolras. Sam played the role to great acclaim and took his final bow in ‘Les Miz’ on home turf at Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre. He’s delighted to be returning to his home county for the St David’s celebrations.
Tickets for both concerts and the live stream are on sale now. Book online or by calling the box office on 0345 226 3510
Shared Prosperity Fund programme to open soon in Powys
15 February 2023
An exciting funding programme which could help Powys communities build pride in place, increase life chances for residents and drive good economic growth is set to be launched in a few weeks’ time.
The Powys Shared Prosperity Fund Local Partnership, which will decide how over £23m of UK Government funding is spent across the county, met at the beginning of the February in preparation for the launch of the county’s Shared Prosperity Fund programme.
Cllr David Selby, Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys and Chair of the Powys Shared Prosperity Fund Local Partnership, said: “The main objective of the Shared Prosperity Fund is to build people’s pride in their communities and to increase opportunities for residents and businesses.
“The partnership will look at how it can best support these aims across the four investment priority areas and it will be sharply focused on extracting the maximum value from this funding for individuals, communities and businesses across Powys.
“Our plan is to officially launch the funding programme for Powys within the next few weeks, where we will announce details of the programme and to invite funding applications that fit with criteria set by the partnership.”
The partnership, which brings together a diverse range of local stakeholders, is responsible for the strategic management and overseeing the implementation of the Shared Prosperity Fund programme in Powys. It will decide how the county’s Shared Prosperity Fund allocation of £23m is invested across the following investment priority areas:
a) Communities and Place
b) Supporting Local Business
c) People and Skills
d) Multiply (improving people’s numeracy skills across the county).
For more information see our regional investment plan go to Mid Wales Regional Investment Plan or email [email protected]
Go on a canal safari!
15 February 2023
A new app will provide those visiting Wales’ Montgomery Canal with a real walk on the wild side this winter.
Just launched this month [January 2023], the free app, ‘Canal Safari’, has been developed by local conservation charity, Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust (MWT). Part of a collaborative project called Canals, Communities and Wellbeing, the app aims to enhance the visitor experience by bringing them closer to the waterway’s wealth of wildlife.
“We’re so lucky to have the Montgomery Canal on our doorstep. Not only is it a vital resource for wildlife, it’s also a fantastic space for people to get closer to nature and boost their mental wellbeing in beautiful surroundings,” says Carla Kenyon, MWT Head of Health & Wellbeing. “Canal Safari is an exciting tool that will enhance a visit to this wonderful waterway by enabling users to discover about the birds, mammals and other wildlife that calls it home.”
Once downloaded to a smartphone, Canal Safari uses GPS signal to plot a user on an illustrative ‘map’ of the Welsh section of the canal, from Llanymynech to Newtown. As you walk along the towpath, your location changes accordingly. The app notifies you of nearby nature-themed points of interest, complete with fascinating facts and fabulous photography, for a fun, interactive experience.
Designed to enable people to spot, identify and record the wildlife found here, the app boasts at-a-glance facts and more detailed information on over 60 of the plants and animals most associated with the canal. It also signposts users to the nine Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves located just off the towpath or nearby. There are quizzes perfect for children and families to test their newfound knowledge, while access points that link up with Google maps make planning trips to different spots on the canal a breeze.
Photography lovers will be able to share pictures of the canal’s wildlife on Facebook and Instagram, and to involve others in the adventure, you will be able to invite friends to join you on a Canal Safari. What’s more, you can clock up your miles on each visit and keep logging your sightings to progress from Scout to Adventurer.
If that wasn’t enough, the app also has a strong conservation function at its heart. The Montgomery Canal in Powys is one of the best places in the world for a rare aquatic plant called Floating Water-plantain, Kingfishers are frequently seen here and it’s also a stronghold for Otters, a species currently experiencing worrying declines. Anyone using the app is able to record a sighting and these valuable records will help build up important data across the county and the UK as a whole.
It has been created thanks to a partnership project called Canals, Communities and Wellbeing, which aims to improve opportunities for access, recreation and nature-connectedness within the Montgomery Canal corridor in north Powys and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal in the south. Led by Powys County Council’s Countryside Access and Recreation Team, it’s a collaboration between Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, Glandŵr Cymru, Canal & River Trust in Wales and the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority. Running until May 2023, it includes towpath improvements, enhancements to nature reserves, new visitor interpretation signage, promotional aerial films of the canals and guided wildlife walks.
The Canals, Communities and Wellbeing project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.
To download Canal Safari, for Android or iPhone, visit www.montwt.co.uk/canals-communities-and-wellbeing-project
Pre-school admissions round opens in March
15 February 2023
An admissions round for children to start pre-school in 2024 will open next month, Powys County Council has said.
On Wednesday, March 1, parents or carers of children born between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2021 will be able to apply for a place in an early year setting ready to start in 2024.
Applications must be completed and submitted by Friday, March 31, 2023.
The Welsh Government funds the council to ensure that all children in Powys have access to free part-time early years education from the beginning of the term following the child’s third birthday.
Each qualifying child can receive a maximum of 10 hours per week of funded early years education if they attend an approved, funded pre-school education setting.
Children eligible for free part time education will only receive the funded place if they are attending an approved funded pre-school education setting.
Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “I would encourage all parents and carers to complete this application as soon they can after the admissions round opens to ensure that their child has the best opportunity of a place at their preferred early years / pre-school setting next year.
“If it is not completed in time, this may put at risk their child’s place at their preferred setting if it is a very popular one.”
Parents / carers will need to complete an online application form which can be found at Apply for Pre-School (3 and 4-year-olds) Early Years Education.
If you have any queries or are having problems completing or submitting the application, please contact the Admissions Team on 01597 826449 or email [email protected]
First ever Child Poverty Task Force Conference held
14 February 2023
A task force that will tackle child poverty in Powys has held its first ever conference.
The Child Poverty Task Force Conference was hosted by Powys County Council in Llandrindod Wells last week (Wednesday, February 8).
During the conference, attendees heard about the work of the Child Poverty Task Force, which was formed last July.
Since its formation, the task force has been mapping the support that is currently being provided to families across the county by the council and its partners and address any gaps that are found.
The task force has also co-produced its Child Poverty Task Force Action Plan, which was officially launched at the conference.
In addition, conference attendees also saw presentations from The Bevan Foundation and Children in Wales.
Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys, said: “I was delighted to Chair the first ever Child Poverty Task Force Conference, which saw our action plan officially launched.
“The action plan, which was endorsed at the conference, reaffirms our commitment to working with communities, partners and colleagues across the county to tackle child poverty and improve opportunities for children and families here in Powys.
“It’s a really important piece of work that builds on the work that has been carried out by the Child Poverty Task Force since it was formed last year.
“I’m proud of the efforts that we’ve made so far but there is more to do. Together we can tackle child poverty and build a stronger, fairer, greener Powys.”
Cllr Joy Jones, the council’s Anti-Poverty Champion, said: “I was pleased to attend the first ever Child Poverty Task Force Conference and it was great to hear how partners have come together to look at different ways to tackle child poverty in our communities.
“It is extremely important that we work together and look at the best ways to tackle child poverty and make a real difference for children and families across the county.”
Local businesses wanted to help with new school build
14 February 2023
A construction company that will build a new special school in north Powys are looking for local businesses to help with the project.
ISG Construction will design and construct the new school for Brynllywarch Hall School on behalf of Powys County Council.
The school, located in Kerry near Newtown, provides education for pupils from 8 to 19-year-olds, with a wide range of complex emotional, behavioural and social difficulties.
The company are now looking for suitably experienced and capable construction businesses in the county to help them deliver this purpose-built and flagship community focused school.
Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “The new building for Brynllywarch Hall School is a vital step to ensuring we deliver education in a safe and stimulating environment for all our pupils. This project will provide modern facilities for our pupils and teaching staff and help them to deliver an enjoyable and fulfilling education experience for everyone.
“This also provides a great opportunity for local construction businesses of all sizes to work with ISG Construction on this exciting project, which will transform education for vulnerable learners in Powys.”
ISG’s Operations Director, Kevin McElroy, said: “Modernisation and improvement of the education estate is an investment in skills, aspiration and regional prosperity.
“The Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme is transforming community education assets and outcomes, while setting a high environmental bar in the delivery of facilities that are net zero carbon in operation.
“A revitalised Brynllywarch Hall School will create an enduring positive legacy for students and supports Powys County Council’s strong commitment to investing in assets that deliver real value to communities.”
The school, which is being funded by the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme and the council, will include:
- Specialist support and provision to pupils with challenging behaviour, emotional and social difficulties in a modern and innovative learning environment
- Appropriate learning spaces to deliver the new national curriculum
- Specialist equipment, including IT facilities, to support teaching and learning outcomes which will help to ensure all learners maximise their potential
- A fully equipped class base, with breakout space and hygiene facilities, together with an individual outdoor learning area including a farm and animal unit.
Community groups will also be able to access the facilities out of school hours.
If you feel that you or your business could help the team deliver this school and you can demonstrate how you have contributed to similarly schemes previously, then register your interest by emailing [email protected]
ISG Construction will also be meeting interested businesses at Powys County Council offices during the project.
Council launches new Transformation Programme
Carmarthenshire County Council has launched its Transformation Programme which will change the way the authority uses many of its resources to be able to continue to provide high quality services.
The ambitious programme, which builds on the transformation work already undertaken by the authority over the last 10 years, was approved by Cabinet Members today (February 13).
The programme will outline how the authority plans to move forward to provide more value and benefits to residents and businesses in the county and will also aim to further accelerate the process of modernisation across the council, allowing it to deliver high quality, cost-effective services in a challenging environment.
Over the next five years, the programme will further invest in the authority’s staff, buildings and technology to create more modern working practices and speed up process.
Amongst the priorities included within the programme are: to develop a commercial strategy for the organisation; implement a range of projects designed to modernise processes, improve productivity and reduce paper, printing and postage; further rationalise the Council’s accommodation portfolio and modernise and improve the working environment within the remaining core buildings and continue to support schools in identifying potential efficiencies and smarter ways of working.
The Transformation Programme will feed into the council’s new Corporate Strategy – the council’s vision for the next five years under the new administration – which was also today ratified by Cabinet Members. The Corporate Strategy will now go to Full Council for final approval on March 1, 2023.
Cllr Philip Hughes, cabinet member with responsibility for organisation and workforce said: “I welcome this Transformation Programme, which will help the way we run and work, ensuring we continue to be forward-thinking and improve and modernise our services, not just for residents and businesses in the county but also our staff.”
St. David’s Day parade returns to Carmarthen
Organisations, schools and residents from across Carmarthenshire are being urged to come together to celebrate our Patron Saint at the annual St David’s Day parade on Saturday, March 4.
The parade will start at St Peter’s Church, continue down King Street and end at Guildhall Square, where everyone will take part in a rousing sing-along of Dafydd Iwan’s ‘Yma o Hyd’.
All those taking part in this year’s parade are being asked to meet at St Peter’s Church at 11am.
There will also be free parking on the day in all council carparks in the town.