Powys County Councillor Report for Vale of Grwyney- SeptEMBER 2025


Report by Powys County Councillor Chloe Masefield

Contents

Powys County Councillor Report for Vale of Grwyney. 1
Powys news. 1
New Day Opportunities Model 1
Help others stay independent – return unwanted equipment today. 2
Postal voters in Powys urged to reapply ahead of 2026 deadline. 3
£300k secured for tourism projects across Powys. 3
Secondary school applications now open. 4
Powys County Council Leader announces Cabinet reshuffle. 4
New Powys public transport network. 5
Powys Council is seeking views on a new draft policy concerning its farm estate. 5
Powys is supporting Gas Safety Week 2025. 5
Help us bring homes back to life – council calls on residents to report empty properties. 6
Parents of more than 1,000 children could be missing out on free childcare. 7
Cases. 9

Powys news

New Day Opportunities Model  

A new Day Opportunities model will be implemented throughout Powys using a locality-based approach, the Council has confirmed.

A review was undertaken into day opportunities for older adults and adults with learning disabilities. Public engagement was conducted, with 34 public events held, attracting 357 participants, and a survey which received 472 responses. The engagement revealed that there is a vibrant community offer across the county with a wealth of day opportunities offered between the statutory and third sectors. 

The new model is flexible, focussed on increasing independence, resilience and community connectedness. It will deliver a tiered approach to support, focusing on:

Preventative Support: This tier provides information, advice, and assistance to encourage and support the building of skills, independence and social connection. The development of local area co-ordination is a key feature, where co-ordinators will proactively build relationships with people, their support networks and service providers to develop connection and cohesion.  

Personalised Support: This tier offers individualised assistance to enable access to community services and activities through targeted intervention and support. The model takes a strengths-based approach, focusing on the person’s strengths and supporting them to build their confidence and independence at their own pace, to their own abilities, within inclusive and supportive communities.

Specialist Support: This tier provides high-quality, specialist day opportunities for people with complex and profound care and support needs. It recognises the need for building-based support where the environment, appropriately trained staff, and specialist equipment are integral to meeting the needs of individuals

We are reconfiguring the buildings used for day opportunities, with a focus on maximising use of co-location in community assets. We are currently working with people who use the service and their families to explore alternative options that would meet their needs. The timeline that has been agreed is to have new arrangements completed by March 31st 2026. No changes to current provision will occur until the new provision is in place, with a focus on seamless and supportive transitions.

Currently our plans for the future provision of day opportunities in Brecon would include: Arosfa would become an integrated centre for older people and adults with learning disabilities.

The new model includes:

  • Redesigned day opportunities based on the engagement outcomes, focusing on community facilities and integrated centres.
  • Local Area Co-ordinators to deliver information, advice, and assistance, and help to build community capacity and resilience.
  • Supported Employment Advisers to enhance employment support.
  • The development of Home Support to more areas across the county. 
  • Supported living providers to deliver daytime opportunities for the people they support where appropriate to do so.

Everyone with an assessed care and support need will have their needs met, and those moving to a new arrangement will be fully supported throughout the process. The transition to new venues or new ways of doing things will be supportive, person-centred and needs led.

The proposed changes aim to increase voice, choice, and control for service users while ensuring sustainable, high-quality support.

Help others stay independent – return unwanted equipment today

Residents in Powys are being urged by the county council to return any unwanted community equipment they no longer need, even if it carries an NRS Healthcare sticker.

From walking frames and wheelchairs to beds and chairs, returning unwanted community equipment can make a real difference – helping others across Powys stay independent and safe in their own homes. Much of this equipment can be recycled and reused, which also saves money for Powys County Council and Powys Teaching Health Board, and helps reduce waste.

Residents should not worry if the equipment they have is marked with a NRS sticker – a former supplier that no longer operates – it can still be returned to the council’s current Community Equipment Service provider – Millbrook Healthcare.

To return equipment, residents can:

  • Call Millbrook Healthcare on 0345 123 6350 to arrange collection.
  • Or drop off items directly at: Unit 64, Mochdre Industrial Estate, Newtown, Powys, SY16 4LE (opening hours: 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday)

Postal voters in Powys urged to reapply ahead of 2026 deadline

Residents in Powys who vote by post are being contacted to let them know that they must reapply for their postal vote to continue doing so, following changes introduced by the UK Government.

Under the Elections Act 2022, postal vote arrangements now last for a maximum of three years. This means that anyone who applied for a postal vote before 31 October 2023, will be required to submit a new application by 31 January 2026, to ensure they can continue voting by post at certain elections.

To reapply, voters will need to provide their date of birth, National Insurance number, and a handwritten signature. Applications can be made online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote or by paper form, which can be downloaded from Powys County Council website.

£300k secured for tourism projects across Powys

Work is underway on 16 tourism projects across Powys, aimed at delivering a better visitor experience, after the county council was successful in securing £300,000 in funding.

The money from Welsh Government, supplied as part of its Brilliant Basics programme, is covering 80% of the cost, with the organisations delivering the schemes meeting the remaining 20% and investing £75,000.

The 16 projects, which must all be completed by the end of March 2027, are:

  • New 3.5-mile Dragon Trail (local partnership project) – Rhayader Town Council: £34,400 grant
  • Re-purpose a wildlife hide and provide interpretation – Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust: £24,000 grant
  • New walking routes in Llansilin, Carreghofa and Llanwrtyd Wells – Powys County Council’s Countryside Services: £24,000 grant
  • Brecon Canal picnic areas – Glandŵr Cymru: £23,600 grant
  • Solar panels on the public toilets, pay gates, benches, shower facility, chemical waste disposal and flower beds – Machynlleth Town Council: £22,800 grant
  • Signage and interpretation project – Knighton Tourism Group: £21,316 grant
  • Local signage, orientation and compostable toilet – Talgarth Regeneration Group: £19,115 grant
  • Re-route a section of the Heart-of-Wales Line Trail and provide offroad access – Friends of the Heart-of-Wales Line Trail: £18,502.94 grant
  • Install a section of boardwalk and a new footbridge – Elan Valley Trust: £17,280 grant
  • Llanfyllin Wetland access, including disabled access – Llanfyllin Town Council: £17,040 grant
  • Newtown Castle Motte: clear site, redevelop it, and provide access and interpretation – Newtown Town Council: £16,000 grant
  • Went’s Meadow access and accessible paths – Presteigne Town Council: £12,000 grant
  • New bins in key destinations – Powys County Council Highways: £8,000 grant
  • Historic town QR code-linked guide, book bench, signage, town boards and flags – Hay Town Council: £7,680 grant
  • Powys Food Trails in Welshpool and Brecon – Cultivate (Newtown): £6,937.60 grant
  • River bathing signal system – Knighton Woodland Tots: £1,552 grant

Any questions about tourism in Powys and support for the sector, from the county council, should be directed to: tourism@powys.gov.uk

Secondary school applications now open

Applications are now open for children starting secondary school in September 2026, Powys County Council has said.

Parents or carers of children who are now in Year Six have until Friday 31 October 2025 to complete their application.

Parents/carers need to complete an online application by Friday 31 October 2025 by visiting www.powys.gov.uk and searching Applying for a School Place.

If you are unable to apply online please contact admissions@powys.gov.uk

Powys County Council Leader announces Cabinet reshuffle

Cllr Jake Berriman: Leader and Cabinet Member for People, Performance and Partnerships

Cllr Matthew Dorrance: Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys

 Cllr Glyn Preston: Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys

 Cllr David Thomas: Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Transformation

 Cllr Pete Roberts: Cabinet Member for a Caring Powys

 Cllr Richard Church: Cabinet Member for Legal and Regulatory Services

 Cllr James Gibson-Watt: Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys

 Cllr Jackie Charlton: Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys

 Cllr Sandra Davies: Cabinet Member for Future Generations

 Cllr Raiff Devlin: Cabinet Member for Customers, Digital and Community Services

New Powys public transport network

Changes and upgrades to the Powys public transport network take affect from today, Monday 1 September.

“Along with improved public transport provision, we are delighted that the young people of Powys will also now benefit from the extension of the Welsh Government young person’s travel concession (MyTravelPass), allowing them to travel on buses within Wales for just £1.”

Details of the new services can be found online: www.powys.gov.uk/localbuses

To check timetables and plan your journey, please use the Traveline Cymru Journey Planner: www.traveline.cymru 

Powys Council is seeking views on a new draft policy concerning its farm estate 

A consultation on a new Powys County Council Farm Estate Policy – Supporting Sustainable Rural Futures – has begun, it has been announced.

The draft policy which sets out the proposed strategic vision, management objectives and working practices for the council rural estate, will replace the existing 2018 County Farm Estate Policy and Delivery Plan and will be the subject of six-week consultation.

The draft policy will be available to view and comment on here: www.haveyoursaypowys.wales/farm-estate-policy

The closing date for responses is Sunday 12th October 2025.

Powys is supporting Gas Safety Week 2025

Powys County Council has pledged its support for Gas Safety Week (8-14 September 2025).

Gas Safety Week is here to remind the public and businesses how to keep themselves gas safe, and organisations across the nation are working together to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained and badly fitted gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

This year for Gas Safety Week, the theme is ‘Looking after your home, friends, family’, emphasising that everyone has a part to play in keeping each other safe, whether that is looking after, or simply sharing advice with, immediate family, extended family, friends, neighbours or tenants – we can all do our part to keep the nation safe.

Keep up to date with Gas Safe Register’s updates and advice throughout Gas Safety Week by following @GasSafeRegister on Facebook, X and Instagram and search #GSW25.

The theme changes each year, but the gas safe messages remain the same.  As ever, here are some simple tips and checks that you can do at home and share with your friends, family, colleagues, neighbours, and tenants:

  • Arrange your annual gas safety check. Gas appliances should be safety checked once a year and serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Tenants, make sure your landlord arranges this.
  • Check your engineer is Gas Safe registered. Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer and ensure they’re qualified for the work that needs doing via the Gas Safe Register website and the engineer’s ID card.
  • Look out for warning signs that could indicate your gas appliances are not working correctly. Signs may include lazy yellow/orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance, a pilot light that keeps going out, too much condensation in the room, or error messages on the appliance’s control panel.
  • Ensure your home’s vents and/or flues are not blocked. Vents and flues are there to ensure your gas appliances work safely. Blocking them could prevent this.
  • Check your knowledge. Remember the six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse, and loss of consciousness.
  • Purchase and regularly test an audible carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. Regular testing ensures that alarms are operational and capable of alerting you to the presence of deadly CO. Also, check they are marked to standards EN50291 and still in date (if applicable).
  • Never DIY gas work. Before drilling or hammering, check that there is no risk of hitting a gas pipe. Never DIY on a gas appliance; if you suspect there is something wrong with your appliance or it is not working correctly, call a Gas Safe registered engineer. You can find one at GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.

Gas Safe Register is the official register for legally qualified engineers. You can find a registered engineer in your area by visiting the Gas Safe Register website at GasSafeRegister.co.uk.

Help us bring homes back to life – council calls on residents to report empty properties

Residents in Powys are being encouraged to help bring long term empty properties back into use to help tackle the housing emergency in the county.

Powys County Council is calling on residents to use its Empty Property Referral Form to report any empty homes they are aware of, especially those causing damage or damp to neighbouring properties.

Launched in April 2024, the online form has already led to dozens of investigations and is helping bring unused homes back into use.

12 empty properties have been successfully brought back into between April and July this year, with more expected in the coming months.

These efforts are part of a wider strategy to reduce housing shortages, improve neighbourhoods, and ensure that properties make a positive contribution to local communities and services.

Latest figures show that 1,550 properties in Powys have been empty for more than 12 months, with 887 of these subject to a premium long-term empty charge.

Residents can report empty properties by visiting www.powys.gov.uk and searching Report an Empty Property.

All referrals are investigated using Council Tax and Land Registry data, and priority is given to cases where neighbouring homes are affected.

Parents of more than 1,000 children could be missing out on free childcare

The parents of more than 1,000 Powys children, aged four and under, who could be claiming free or reduced cost childcare are missing out, the county council believes.

It has used data analytics to identify the relevant households and will be writing to all of them over the next few weeks to encourage them to check if they are eligible.

If they are, they could reduce their bills or increase their income, if getting more free childcare allows them to work more hours.

The council believes 48 households with children aged three to four, 150 with children aged two, and 218 with children aged 18-months to two could all be missing out.

The letter from the council explains what childcare costs support is available in Powys, and offers to help with applications, if needed.

  • Parents and guardians can check their postcode to see if they live in a Flying Start area, which could make them eligible for 12-and-a-half hours of free childcare a week, for two to three-year-olds, for 39-weeks-a-year: https://en.powys.gov.uk/flyingstart
  • Working parents and guardians, with children aged three to four, could be eligible for up to 30 hours of free childcare and early education, for 48-weeks-a-year: https://www.gov.wales/get-30-hours-childcare-3-and-4-year-olds
  • Parents and guardians, with children aged 11-or-under, could be eligible for tax-free childcare, worth up to £2,000-a-year for each child (or up to £4,000-a-year if a child is disabled): https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare

Anyone with queries about childcare support in Powys, or needing help to apply, can phone the Family Information Service on 01874 612419 or email: powyschildcareteam@powys.gov.uk

The council also believes 331 Powys households, who are eligible, could be missing out on Healthy Start support for 768 children.

This scheme helps with the cost of buying healthy food and milk for expectant mothers and children under four: https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/how-to-apply/

Powys County Council has invested in intelligent data analytics software for a year called LIFT (Low Income Family Tracker), to help identify people in need of help.

In June it wrote to nearly 900 Powys households, it believed could be struggling financially as bills and other prices rise. And earlier this month it wrote to 700 people it thought could be missing out on Personal Independence Payments.

Free and confidential money advice is available at any time.

Get help as a council tenant:

For all other households: