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New members needed for the Powys Local Access Forum

New members needed for the Powys Local Access Forum

28 February 2023

Image of local access forum members enjoying a walk

Powys County Council is inviting residents to put themselves forward to become a member of the Powys Local Access Forum (LAF) and play an important role in influencing the councils work looking after public rights of way and greenspace in the county.

If you have an interest in countryside access – whether that’s in getting out and about, land management or nature conservation – your experience and understanding can help the council to shape its countryside access work. Powys has an important network of footpaths and rights of way which everyone should be able to access easily.

Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys explains what is involved. “The Local Access Forum is a statutory group that advises Powys County Council, Natural Resources Wales, Welsh Government and other partners and organisations, in matters related to open-air recreation in the county’s countryside.

“There are up to 15 members of the forum at any one time, made up from all walks of life, and the whole group is reappointed every three years. The current members are nearing the end of their term and the council is looking for enthusiastic people who would like to make a difference and be a part of the Local Access Forum for the next three years, starting in April 2023. It is important to have a diverse group of interested citizens who are able to capture the needs of everyone wanting to access the countryside.”

The forum meets between two and four times a year and attendance can be in person or virtual Over the last three years, the Local Access Forum has helped the council shape its annual work programme, supported by a variety of grants and taken an advisory role in a number of countryside access projects, including:

  • The Canals, Communities and Wellbeing project, due for completion in summer 2023 and funded through the Welsh Government Enabling Natural Resources and Well-being (ENRaW) grant.
  • A Shared Prosperity funded project, to enhance signage on public rights of way with volunteer support, running until March 2025.

Current Local Access Forum member, Kath Shaw, would encourage interested individuals to volunteer to become a member from April 2023. “As a keen hill walker and farmer, I felt it was important to have a voice on the Powys Local Access Forum. Over the last three years I have gained a good insight into the work Powys County Council does to maintain our footpaths and byways.

“I feel that Local Access Forums are a good way for interested parties to share their views and concerns about access to the countryside.”

If you would like to receive an application pack, please contact the Secretary to the Local Access Forum:

Sian Barnes
Powys County Council
Gwalia Offices, Ithon Road, Llandrindod Wells, Powys. LD1 6AA
01597 827500
[email protected]

More information can also be found online: Local Access Forum

The deadline for applications is 30 March 2023.

Cradoc C.P. School and Judicial Review

Cradoc C.P. School and Judicial Review

28 February 2023

Image of a primary school classroom

A legal challenge over a decision to close a small school has been unsuccessful, Powys County Council has said.

The High Court considered a Judicial Review application to challenge the decision to close Cradoc C.P. School, which was made on Friday, 11 March, 2022.

The permission to apply for judicial review was refused by Mr Justice Lane.

The decision to close Cradoc C.P. School is part of the council’s Transforming Education plans for the Brecon catchment area, which would see a new primary school created by merging Cradoc with Mount Streets Infants School, Mount Street Junior School.

At the time of the decision, the target date for establishing the new primary school, which would operate on the three existing school sites was September 2023. However, a 12-month delay was agreed last December as the courts had still not considered the application for judicial review.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: Although this will be disappointing news for the Cradoc school community, the judgement shows that the Council followed the correct procedures that were in line with the Welsh Government’s School Organisation Code when the original decision was reached.

“The council will now continue the implementation work to ensure that the new school on the three existing school sites is open from September 2024.”

Social Worker Recruitment Events – Powys County Council

Social Worker Recruitment Events – Powys County Council

28 February 2023

Powys County Council are hosting a series of recruitment events for qualified social workers to find out about the job opportunities across children and adult services.

The recruitment events will take place from 4pm until 7pm at:

  • The Holiday Inn, Shrewsbury on Tuesday 21st March (SY2 6LG)
  • Lion Quays, Oswestry on Monday 27th March (SY11 3EN)
  • The Bear, Crickhowell on Tuesday 28th March (NP8 1BW)
  • Nant Ddu Lodge, Cwm Taf on Wednesday 29th March (CF48 2HY)

It will be a great opportunity to meet some of our senior and team managers to find out about our current social work job opportunities.

There are some great benefits of working for Powys County Council, including manageable caseloads, flexible working, dedicated business support, relocation package of up to £8,000, and a market supplement for some specific roles.

We offer flexible working opportunities, so you will be able to work from a location that suits you and your business needs. This could be from home, our offices, or community buildings near where you live. Find out more at a recruitment event near you!

For more information contact: [email protected]

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Working in our Services

Powys positive parenting roadshow marks a year since the landmark children’s rights legislation in Wales

Powys positive parenting roadshow marks a year since the landmark children’s rights legislation in Wales

27 February 2023

Parents spending time with their children

It is almost a year since physical punishment, like smacking, became illegal in Wales. It was a historic moment for children’s rights as children received the same legal protection from common assault as adults for the first time.

As part of the ongoing support for parents, three Parenting. Give it time roadshows will take place across Wales in March. The second roadshow in the series will visit Tesco Newtown on Thursday 9 March from 9.30am to 12.30pm. 

Parenting isn’t always easy; the Welsh Government’s Parenting. Give it time campaign wants to help by providing positive parenting information, advice and support for parents with children up to the age of 18. The roadshows will offer informal public drop-in sessions at supermarkets, providing practical advice on positive parenting techniques and an opportunity to find out more about the new law on physical punishment. 

Reresentatives from local authority parenting and family support services and Parenting: Give it time will be on hand to talk all things parenting.

Sue Layton, Chair of the National Parenting and Family Support Strategic Leads Network, which supports practitioners to deliver quality family/parenting support services, said, “Now the law is in force in Wales there has never been a better time to find out about positive ways to manage children’s behaviour.  Raising children is incredibly rewarding but can also be challenging at times!

“For those who are unable to attend, the Parenting. Give it time website has lots of information and resources to help and support parents or contact your local authority direct to find out what parenting support is available locally.”

Cllr Susan McNicholas, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for Future Generations said, “We’re delighted the roadshow will be visiting Powys. We look forward to talking to families about Parenting. Give it time and what it has to offer. We want to help share our knowledge and look forward to attending the roadshow in Newtown to meet parents and children face-to-face and answer any questions they may have.”

Wiggle & Giggle sessions – Powys County Council

Wiggle & Giggle sessions – Powys County Council

27 February 2023

Toddler with music

Sessions are being held at two Powys libraries to help boost child communication skills, the county council has said.

Funded by a grant from the Child Development Fund, Newtown and Ystradgynlais libraries are hosting free Wiggle & Giggle sessions for parents, grandparents or carers to attend with their babies & toddlers, filled with rhymes, stories and songs.

The sessions in Newtown library are held every Friday from 2-3pm and the sessions in Ystradgynlais library are held every Monday from 10:30 – 11:30am and will both run until the end of March.

Cllr David Selby, Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, said, “These sessions are a perfect opportunity for families to bond with their babies and toddlers and to help boost their skills.

“By using rhythmic language and repetition, children can learn how words are formed, supporting the early stages of language development. These sessions can also be of value to families who’s second language is English.

“I would like to encourage families in Newtown, Ystradgynlais and further afield, to come along and join us for these sessions, or alternatively, to take a listen to our podcasts when they are available. They will no doubt be fun for all.”

Powys Library Service will also be creating podcasts for individual rhymes. Many parents and families are no longer familiar with nursery rhymes and songs, so being able to go back to the podcasts at any time will help to boost confidence among parents.

Booking is not required. For more information, please contact Newtown or Ystradgynlais library.

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Newsroom

Specialist help, support and advice to help with the cost of living and other matters is available at each of our customer service Hwbs in Ammanford, Llanelli and Carmarthen. Hwb advisers will be available every day, along with housing officers and employability advisers, to provide tailored packages of support to residents. Visitors to the Hwbs can also access information on the services available to support them as the cost of living increases. For further help, support and information visit our Cost of Living Advice page.

County Voice –

County Voice –

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County Voice –

As part of Round 1 of UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF), the Council has been successful in their joint application with Wrexham County Borough Council for the Clwyd South Constituency.

The Levelling Up Fund is intended to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK. The fund supports town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets.

The Levelling Up funding allocated to Denbighshire amounts to £3.8m and will benefit the communities of Llangollen, Llantysilio, Corwen and surrounding areas.

There are a number of exciting projects being delivered in these communities, which you will start to see evidence of early in 2023, with all project delivery expected to be completed by March 2024.

What is planned?

Llangollen / Llantysilio

  • Access improvements around the historical Four Great Highways (Canal, Railway, River Dee & A5)
  • Enhancing the visitor experience at Plas Newydd improving access to various areas of the attraction
  • Accessible paths at Wenffrwd nature reserve including linking the canal towpath to the nature reserve.  One path has already been delivered linking the nature reserve to the health centre.   
  • Improvements to the visitor experience at Horseshoe Falls and measures to protect the natural environment
Horseshoe Falls

Corwen

  • Installation of a platform canopy to complete the new Corwen Station, delivered by Llangollen Railway Trust
  • Improvements to the appearance of Corwen High Street including a refresh of benches, bins, and public realm along the high street. Also included within this is external renovation work to Llys Owain (the former HSBC bank), this element being delivered by a local social enterprise organisation, Cadwyn Adfywio
  • Improvements to Green Lane Car Park which will include the installation of EV charging points and refurbishment of the toilet block
  • A 1km active travel route from Green Lane up to the A5.
Improvement of toilet block at Corwen

Share your ideas….

The Four Great Highways Engagement Approach 

Burroughs and The Urbanists have now been appointed by the Council to develop the design of the Four Great Highways Project. The project will seek to reconnect key parts of the town through various public realm improvements such as better signage and interpretation of the local heritage, natural play opportunities / experiences, seating and easier to access spaces for all. The priority will be to improve access between the canal, town centre, River Dee and railway station.

Given the rich heritage of Llangollen, we will be seeking feedback from a wide range of the local community from school children through to local businesses, people from across the age groups within the community and visitors alike.

Key dates and information on how you can take part will be shared on Denbighshire’s website and via posters within the community and will look to connect with local schools, public events, and targeted workshops, both in person and on-line, to give all members of the community a chance to have their say.

For further information on the projects, please go to: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/levelling-up-fund

If you have any questions regarding the Clwyd South Levelling Up Fund projects, please contact [email protected].

County Voice –

County Voice –

With the arrival of winter, we are urging people to be a good neighbour and keep an eye on the elderly and vulnerable.

Councillor Elen Heaton, Cabinet Lead Member for Health and Social Care, said: “We are asking people to take care of our most vulnerable by keeping an eye on them and making sure they are safe and well.

“If people have neighbours, friends or relatives that are unwell, they are encouraged to visit, making sure they have everything they need and to offer with any daily tasks such as shopping. It is also important to check they are eating properly and keeping their property warm.

“You may be the only visitor they will have so it is a question of being kind and considerate. The severe weather is getting closer and is likely to last for another two to three days, so we want to make sure people do not feel vulnerable or isolated.

“Showing care and compassion towards the elderly or vulnerable will really make a difference to their quality of life”.

“This message is very poignant at this time of day, especially around Christmas when it can be a lonely time for those living on their own.

If you have any concerns about a vulnerable person, please call the Single Point of Access, on 0300 456 1000, or for out of hours, the Emergency Duty Team, on 0345 0533116. 

We also have lots of useful information on our website.

     

 

County Voice –

County Voice –

Have you ever considered working in social care in Denbighshire?

Over recent times, the Council has seen an increase in the number of social care vacancies, especially during Covid when demand for social care increased.

The Gwnewch i Bobl Wenu/ Make People Smile campaign was launched earlier this year to raise the profile of careers in social care and to advertise the current vacancies that exist in the county.

You may well have seen our adverts on public transport, banners in community locations, adverts in the local media, social media activity and branding on some of the Council’s vehicles. The Council has also been out and about at various events and locations hosting recruitment roadshows and workshops.

The Council has also revamped its information on the Council’s website and has included case studies as videos, in an attempt to encourage more people into the profession. A frequently asked questions section has also been provided to provide answers to some of the most regular questions received.

Councillor Elen Heaton, Cabinet Lead Member for Health and Social Care, said: “This campaign is very much about selling the benefits of working for the Council and for starting a career in social care.

“Working in social care and making a real difference every day is a true privilege and our teams do make people smile every single day. It’s in their DNA to want to help people live as independently as possible but having the care and support they need in a variety of settings.

“Qualifications are not always needed and there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills and complete qualifications through the workplace.  The Council has put in place a programme of support for all employees and there are significant benefits to working for the Council. They include family friendly policies and a flexible approach to shift patterns.

“What’s needed more than anything is the ability to make people smile, to have empathy and to have a caring nature. The rest will fall into place”.

Anyone interested in a career in social care should visit the website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/care-jobs

 

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