Cllr Jake Berriman Elected New Leader of Powys County Council
Cllr Berriman takes over from Cllr James Gibson-Watt, who announced earlier this month that he was to stand down after three years.
Having first been elected to the county council as councillor for the Llandrindod North ward in October 2019, Cllr Berriman was appointed Cabinet Member for a Connected Powys in May 2022.
'I'm honoured to be elected the new leader of Powys County Council and I'm deeply aware that this council's strength lies in its diversity and collaboration,' said Cllr Berriman.
'No one group holds all the answers, and every voice and vote matters. I see a chamber united by a shared commitment to serve our communities, and I believe we can build on that to deliver better outcomes together.
'My leadership will be visible, accessible and rooted in listening. We must work together, with mutual respect, to tackle the challenges ahead – especially in education, social care, and the cost of living.
'I'm committed to inclusive decision-making, fair budget planning, and maintaining strong frontline services. Together, we can shape a stronger, fairer, greener Powys.
As part of his acceptance speech, Cllr Berriman paid tribute to his predecessor for his work as Leader during challenging times and for championing Powys locally and nationally.
Cllr Berriman said:
'I'd like to take this opportunity to thank James for the steady hand he has brought to the role since 2022, and for the support he has shown me as I step forward at this time. He has laid strong foundations both within the council and across Wales through his collaborative approach.
'James has played a major role in the political life of Powys, and his name is synonymous with dedicated public service. He is a hard act to follow, and I am truly grateful for the confidence and support he has given me.
'I am really pleased that James has agreed to continue to play a key role within the council as Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys until the end of September and I look forward to continuing working with him.'
Following his election, Cllr Berriman confirmed the membership of his new Cabinet: Cabinet Member Portfolio Cllr Jake Berriman
Leader and Cabinet Member for People, Performance and Partnerships Cabinet Business
Developing and maintaining partnerships including Corporate Joint Committee and the Public Service Board
People Services – Workforce and Member development and support
Corporate Health & Safety incl. joint Chair of JCNC
Corporate Performance Management
Strategic and Local Development Planning
Property including County Farms Cllr Matthew Dorrance
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys Housing Service, including Gypsies and Travellers
Tackling Poverty including Money Advice Service
Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence, incl. White Ribbon Pledge
Equality & Diversity
Armed Forces Partnership and Champion
Refugees Cllr James Gibson-Watt (up to 30 September 2025)
Cllr Glyn Preston (from 1 October 2025)
Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys Developing Strategic Economic Framework for Powys, identifying sustainable growth and regeneration opportunities
Securing economic investment opportunities across Powys Localities to support sustainable place making, urban regeneration and rural renaissance
Supporting the Mid Wales Growth Deal and Regional Skills Partnership to create and deliver economic and learner opportunities
Post-16 Learning and skills development, partnerships with HE, FE, WBL & Community-based providers Cllr David Thomas
Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Transformation Delivering Sustainable Powys Transformation programme
Finance
Procurement, Income & Awards & Integrated Business Planning
Risk management Cllr Sian Cox
Cabinet Member for a Caring Powys Adult Social Care & Commissioning
North Powys Wellbeing Programme
Integration of Care System with Powys Teaching Health Board
Developing Community Engagement to support locality working Cllr Richard Church
Cabinet Member for Legal and Regulatory Services Environmental Health and public protection
Trading Standards
Emergency Planning and Community Safety
Development Management and Building Control Services
Legal Services
Ombudsman, Coroner & Registrar Services Cllr Pete Roberts
Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys Education
Schools' Transformation Programme Cllr Jackie Charlton
Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys Climate Change and decarbonisation
Highways and Recycling
Transport, including home to school transport
Countryside Services
Environmental matters Cllr Sandra Davies
Cabinet Member for Future Generations Children's Services
Youth Justice
Youth Services
Future Generations Act
Welsh Language Cllr Raiff Devlin
Cabinet Member for Customers, Digital and Community Services Customer Services & Information Governance
Digital Powys Programme
Leisure and Culture, including Theatres, Libraries, Museums and Archives
Supporting the Sustainable Food Partnership for Powys including Catering & Cleaning
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