Powys County Council Report- February 2026

I have asked for more details about this from the County Council citing the two main issues as the lack of familiarity with the area of contractors who are not local, and their need to do a whole area rather than address specific issues as they arise. Please see responses below.

1) the contractors are not always familiar with the area so often miss ditches as they don’t know where they are. The current contract being undertaken is to ensure that all CC areas have all the ditches, grips, drainage crossings checked and emptied within their wards. This is a large project as we probably only have enough budget to probably be able to carry out around a fifth of what is required. Hopefully, the continued additional budget given to highways this year will continue for the next couple of years to enable highways to complete the full cycle of cyclic works that used to be undertaken before budgets were cut back. This would then allow a more proactive approach with targeted areas every couple of years. I would encourage residents to report any flooding, ditching requirements through the PCC website to allow the inspector to plan where these contractors are required.

(2) they are not able to be reactive and identify an issue as it arises, instead waiting for the whole area to be done rather than addressing one bad patch as needed. As above this needs to be reported via the website to allow issues to be resolved. Reactive works can be seen as the most dangerous way of resolving problems and that is where we have to ensure we manage this correctly.

Procurement rules have recently changed and there are a lot more checks now in place to ensure PCC comply with these. We are introducing a new financial system in April, and I would need to check with procurement colleagues around his approach.

Currently this is not progressing but as per my previous response I am happy to investigate this further. Contractors would currently require CHAS accreditation and Constructionline Silver as a minimum to allow them to work on our behalf at present although I don’t think that is what you are suggesting here as most residents would never have this.

I have asked a couple of my officers to explore this discussion further to see what options we have around this and what we can and can’t do and how we go about this safely.

20mph speed limit review

Welsh Government have released their speed limit review for the 20mph changes. The full details can be found at the link below.

Review of 20mph and 30mph speed limits on trunk roads | GOV.WALES

In Glangrwyney the proposed changes are A40 Glangrwyney – Increase to 30mph on part of the A40. Consider if pedestrian crossing is needed.

Powys Council News

ECO funded schemes

Powys Residents seeking support and information following the collapse of a Welsh company delivering ECO funded schemes have been advised to contact Warm Wales if they have any concerns.

The advice has been issued by Powys County Council following the news that South Wales based CES went into administration last week.

A spokesperson for the county council said: “The advice to residents will depend upon their position along the ECO Flex retrofit journey but they should contact Warm Wales 0800 0911786, email – information@warmwales.org.uk or website – Powys Eco Agents – Warm Wales who will be able to provide advice and support and guidance.

“Anyone with work part completed will need to make contact with CES administrators or City Energy Network who may be able to arrange completion via one of their alternative installation companies. Warm Wales will assist with this process where possible”

“Those with work approved but not yet completed by CES will unfortunately need to find an alternative installer (unless City Energy Network have already arranged or are in the process of arranging this). Alternatively, they may consider making a fresh application via the Warm Powys scheme.

“Our advice to Powys residents will always be to first consider the Warm Powys Scheme – Warm Powys – Powys County Council as this provides lower qualification criteria and enhanced products and services for residents when compared to all other ECO funded schemes,” he added

Leader welcomes Tour De France to Powys

News that the Tour De France is coming to Powys in July 2027 has been welcomed by the Leader of the County Council.

The county was named as host to the third and final day of the tour’s Grand Départ in 2027 was welcomed as a historic opportunity to showcase the county and provide a massive injection to its economy.

Powys farmer fined for causing unnecessary suffering to 80 sheep

A Powys farmer has pleaded guilty for causing unnecessary suffering to 80 sheep and failing to provide them with sufficient levels of care.

The court heard that the defendant purchased a group of more than 80 lambs and, in November 2024, when the animals were over six months old, he applied elasticated rings to their tails in order to facilitate tail docking.

Rubber rings may not be applied to any sheep over seven days old, and any sheep over three months of age may only be tail docked by a veterinary surgeon using appropriate pain relief and anaesthesia.

Additional Levelling Up Funding secured for Powys projects

News that Powys is to receive more than £17.7 million UK Government Levelling Up funding to support transport investment, has been welcomed by the council.

Earlier this year the county council announced it was receiving £11 million from the UK Government to invest in capital projects aimed at promoting recreational tourism in the county through transport investment but that a decision on a further £6m would be made later.

Following a spending review, the Department for Transport have now confirmed that Powys will receive it’s full Levelling Up Fund (LUF) allocation of up to £17,714,498.

The LUF aims to address regional disparities across the UK by investing in vital local infrastructure projects to increase pride in place and bring people closer to opportunity. The investment will enable the council to engage with communities and stakeholders to develop and deliver projects within the county, which aim to boost recreational tourism and contribute to local economic growth. These include:

Resurfacing – will improve access to tourist hotspots and support the National Cycle Network, facilitating better journey quality for residents and visitors.
Active travel – will provide improved access between key towns and the surrounding tourist destinations, making it easier for visitors to explore Powys using active modes and improve accessibility to key locations for residents. In particular, the schemes will include those planned for Llandrindod Lake, Brecon promenade, the next phase of the Llandrindod Wells to Howey route and a section of the Crickhowell to Llangattock route.
Rights of Way refurbishment – will enable and improve visitors’ accessibility to Powys’ diverse and valued Rights of Way network. This will include work to the Pont y Milgy footbridge in Ystradgynlais, Fron footbridge in Berriew, Festival footbridge options appraisal, Black Bridge in Berriew, Llangadfan footbridge and the Trans Cambrian Cycle Links Project.

Tourism has long since been identified as a key strength to support economic growth and prosperity in Powys. The localised Levelling Up funded projects, will collectively boost recreational tourism and contribute to local economic growth by:

improving accessibility and journey quality to key services and tourist locations;
widening the labour pool with improved connectivity to provide opportunities for local businesses and employers;
promoting active travel to contribute towards Powys’ Net Zero targets in reducing its carbon emissions; and developing an improved sense of place and enhanced attractiveness, where people are proud to live and visit Powys

Scores of people learn about emerging plan for water management at Powys drop-ins

The Severn Valley Water Management Scheme (SVWMS) was pleased to welcome scores of people at our recent drop-in sessions in Powys to learn more about the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme’s emerging plan.

For more information, including consultation materials and feedback forms, visit: www.severnvalleywatermanagementscheme.commonplace.is

Enquiries can be directed to: SVWMS@environment-agency.gov.uk

Do you have a question about council services?

People who live, work or study in Powys are being invited to submit a question to the next full meeting of the county council on Thursday 5 March.

They must relate to the county and the services the council provides, and if accepted by the Chair of Powys County Council they will be added to the agenda in the order in which they are received.

The council provides a 20-minute slot at the start of all full council meetings for public questions and only four valid questions will be considered in the order that they were received.

If the council receives more than four questions, other valid questions will be held over until the full council meeting in July.

To submit a question for the March full council meeting, email publicquestions@powys.gov.uk by 5pm on Tuesday 10 February.

The meeting at County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, which are attended by some councillors in person and by others over Zoom, can be viewed via the council’s website.

More information on public participation at council meetings is available here: https://powys.moderngov.co.uk/ecSDDisplay.aspx?NAME=SD672&ID=672&RPID=9845814

Council to write to 110 homes about extra help with winter energy costs

More than 100 Powys residents are to receive a letter from the county council inviting them to claim a one-off £100 cash payment to help with winter energy bills.

The funding, from Welsh Government, is for low-income households with a disabled resident.

The council is writing to those it thinks are eligible, and asking them to confirm or supply bank details, so it can pass on the money.

There are no restrictions on how the £100 Low-Income Disabled Household Winter Payment (Wales) can be spent.

“This payment is intended to help households with higher winter energy costs, reduce financial pressure, and ease stress, so if you are eligible and we contact you, please be assured this is a genuine request to supply or confirm your bank details,” said Councillor Matthew Dorrance, Powys County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Fairer Powys. “We want to help you access every bit of support that is available.”

Council Tax records are being used to identify eligible households, as recipients will need to have already applied for, or be getting discounts through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and the Disabled Band Reduction.

Anyone with queries about the payments should contact the Money Advice Team:

Phone: 01597 826618
E-mail: money advice@powys.gov.uk
Website: https://en.powys.gov.uk/moneyadvice

These details can also be used to request free and confidential money advice at any time.

Leader raises serious concerns as NRW continues with National Park proposal

Bin collection days changing in March

Most households in Powys will have a new waste and recycling collection day starting from Monday 2 March 2026.

Powys County Council is introducing new and improved collection routes to make the recycling and waste service more efficient. These changes mean that many households will see their collection day change

What you need to know:

New collection days start from: Monday 2 March 2026
Recycling and food waste: Collected weekly
Non-recyclable waste: Collected every three weeks
Put bins out by: 7:30am on your collection day
More information: www.powys.gov.uk/binday

Residents will receive a letter in the coming weeks confirming their new collection day and information about how to make the most of their recycling collections. More information and details on collection day and dates can also be found online at: www.powys.gov.uk/binday, we will also be briefing your local county councillors and town and community councils.

Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, said: “Collecting waste and weekly recycling from over 69,000 properties across 2,000 square miles is challenging. We regularly review our collection routes to improve efficiency, target cutting carbon emissions and reduce costs.

“We consider many things when reviewing or creating new collection routes, including where new homes are being built, changes made to roads, new or upgraded vehicles, changes to environmental laws, pressure on the council’s budget, and how our service affects carbon emissions.

“By taking all this into account and using specialist route optimisation software and the experience of our operational teams, the rounds have been made more efficient. This means many households will see a change in their collection day.”

More information and details on collection day and dates can also be found online at: www.powys.gov.uk/binday

From Powys with Love – landlords invited to Powys Bond Forum

Landlords across Powys are invited to accept a mission that could change lives – helping people at risk of homelessness secure safe and stable housing through the Powys Bond Scheme.

Powys County Councill will be hosting its Bond Scheme Landlord Forum, which will give landlords across the county an opportunity to find out about the Powys Bond Scheme.

The council-managed scheme offers landlords a Paper Bond instead of a traditional cash deposit. This covers damage and rent arrears, while tenants save towards their own deposit over two years in a Credit Union account, supported by the Bond team.

The forum takes place on Wednesday, 25 February, 2026 from 10am to 1pm at County Hall in Llandrindod and online via Microsoft Teams. In-person places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

The forum is designed for landlords who want to learn more about scheme and hear from expert speakers including representatives the council’s Bond team, the National Residential Landlords Association and Rent Smart Wales.

Those who attend will have the opportunity to engage in collaborative discussions with other landlords, share experiences and best practice and submit questions to an expert panel.

The Powys Bond Scheme also provides comprehensive support, including property inspections, tenancy agreements, and ongoing advice.

To register for the forum or request more information, please email privatesectorhousing@powys.gov.uk

Confirmation will be sent if your in-person place is secured.

For more details about the Powys Bond Scheme, visit https://en.powys.gov.uk/Private-Rents-and-Bonds

Major Welsh Government grant to boost culture across Mid and West Wales

Communities across Mid and West Wales are set to benefit from a major cultural investment, as the region secures a grant awarded under Welsh Government’s new funding stream for its Priorities for Culture.

The project, worth £239,609, will run until October 2026, and aims to strengthen cultural opportunities shaping a shared vision for the future whilst aligning with the Welsh Government’s recently published National Priorities for Culture.

The funding will support a collaborative programme between Powys, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Ceredigion, focusing on creating a long-term cultural vision for the region, ensuring local voices shape future plans.

Each county will also deliver a project from April 2026, designed to reflect local needs and priorities. A Project Manager will coordinate delivery and seek further funding to continue regional collaboration beyond 2026.

This ambitious programme will strengthen cultural collaboration across the region, ensuring that local priorities are embedded within a shared strategic vision. It represents a significant investment in the cultural future of Mid and West Wales.

Service for hospitals and care homes looking after vulnerable adults moves online

Applications relating to some of Powys’ most vulnerable adults, and the way they are cared for, have moved online.

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) forms must now be submitted directly through the county council’s website.

The change is expected to halve the time it takes to review and process applications made by hospitals and care homes looking after Powys adults, who lack the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves.

These are often people with dementia, a learning disability, or someone experiencing an episode of mental health crisis, while the decisions being checked are about where they are living and any restrictions being used to keep them safe. This could include stopping them from leaving the place where they are staying.

When restrictions like this are in place, the law states that whoever is looking after them – usually a hospital or a care home – should let the county council or health board know, so that their decisions can be checked.

The council has already received nearly 800 DoLs applications during the current financial year (2025-26) that must all be processed and checked. The online forms, and more information, can be found on the council’s website: https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/14784/Mental-Capacity-Act-and-Deprivation-of-Liberty-Safeguards

Applicants completing a form online will receive an automatic confirmation email and be able to download a copy of it for their records.

To contact the council’s DoLS team email: dols.admin@powys.gov.uk or call: 01597 826843

First step towards boosting manufacturing with new research centre and technology park

A deal has been struck to pave the way for a state-of-the-artadvanced manufacturing centre (AMC) for Mid Wales, and business park, to be built on the edge of Newtown.

Powys County Council (PCC) is buying 14 hectares of land next to Newtown College from NPTC Group of Colleges for the landmark infrastructure project.

Farmers urged to take precautions during lambing season to reduce health risks

Farmers across Powys are being reminded to take simple but important precautions this lambing season to protect themselves, their families, and the wider community from potential health risks.

Powys County Council, Powys Teaching Health Board and Public Health Wales are working together to raise awareness – particularly among pregnant women, women of child‑bearing age, people with weakened immune systems, and those living on or visiting farms – about infections that can be associated with lambing.

Infections such as Toxoplasma and Listeria can be passed on through contact with newborn lambs, birthing fluids, afterbirth, or contaminated materials including bedding, fences or equipment. These infections can be harmful and, in some cases, may lead to miscarriage or other serious complications.

If you live with someone who is pregnant, trying for a baby, or has a weakened immune system, extra care should be taken when carrying out farm work. Recommended precautions include:

Changing and washing clothing at 60°C or higher
Wearing appropriate protective clothing
Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling animals or equipment

Further guidance on reducing risks and staying safe during lambing is available at: https://en.powys.gov.uk/lambingsafety

Get ready for spring: 2026 garden waste recycling collections subscriptions open

Residents are being encouraged to get ready for spring, as subscriptions for the 2026 garden waste recycling collections are now open, with collections starting from early March.

Early subscribers who sign-up for the 2026 garden waste collections before the end of March will be able to do so for the same price as last year (£60 for a 240-litre wheeled bin, or £55 for a 140-litre wheeled bin or compostable sacks). From April, following approval of the council’s budget, it is anticipated that the costs will rise with the rate of inflation to £62 and £57 respectively.

Previous subscribers have already been contacted and given the opportunity to re-subscribe. Anyone who still needs to sign up – or who is joining the service for the first time – can subscribe at any time by visiting www.powys.gov.uk/gardenwaste or by calling 01597 827465.

The garden waste recycling service offers a convenient, clean and simple way to dispose of garden waste, with fortnightly collections from 2 March to 27 November. The subscription cost includes the hire of a wheeled bin or, for residents who have their non-recyclable waste collected in purple bags, a supply of compostable garden waste sacks instead.

Councillor Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, said: “With spring just around the corner, many of us will soon be spending more time in our gardens. This easy, clean and simple collection service is a great way to get rid of garden waste conveniently, safe in the knowledge that it is being recycled into compost.”

“In a bid to keep price rises minimal, the cost of the service is anticipated to rise by £2 from April, which is in line with the rate of inflation. However, those who sign-up before the end of March can take advantage of the 20 fortnightly collections in 2026 for the same cost as last year.

“The easiest and most efficient way for new or existing customers to subscribe for the 2026 season is online: www.powys.gov.uk/gardenwaste”

Residents who re‑subscribe will receive a sticker to place on their green wheeled bin, helping collection crews identify which households have signed up. New subscribers will have their green bin delivered within 10 working days, so residents are encouraged to sign up early to make the most of the season’s collections.

After subscribing, residents are also reminded to check their collection day, as this may have changed from previous years, at https://en.powys.gov.uk/binday

Those who choose not to subscribe can still compost garden waste at home or take it to one of Powys’s five Household Recycling Centres.

Footpath widening works to begin in Llandrindod Wells and Llangattock

Footpath widening works in Llandrindod Wells and Llangattock, delivered as part of the Active Travel initiative, are due to begin on Monday 23 February 2026.

In Llangattock, the works will take place between the northern edge of Llangattock Village and Crickhowell Bridge. The scheme forms part of a wider active travel scheme which aims between Crickhowell High School and Llangattock. At this stage, the work does not include any further sections within the Llangattock village.

Both projects are funded through the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund and will include widening and resurfacing pavements to improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, alongside upgrades to junctions and road crossings to enhance visibility and safety for all road users.

Brecon town centre improvements

Brecon is set to benefit from a major uplift this year, as plans for a refreshed and revitalised town centre move into the construction phase.

Following extensive engagement with the local community, plans for the redevelopment of Brecon Town Centre have now been finalised, with work anticipated to begin at the end of February / beginning of March.

For updates on the plans, the construction work and key dates, please visit: www.powys.gov.uk/brecontown

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