Latest news with #Berriman
Powys County Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Sale of historic Gwalia building in Llandrindod collapses
THE sale of a prominent Powys council building in Llandrindod Wells has fallen through, councillors were told. The admission came at a Powys County Council meeting on Thursday, July 10 during a fiery debate on a motion to scrap a £10 million annual asset sales target and putting a pause on selling off county farms – the motion was supported by the majority of councillors following a vote later on. As he sought to defend the £10 million annual sales target council leader Cllr Jake Berriman (Liberal Democrat) told councillors that the expected sale of the Gwalia had fallen thorough. The historic Grade II (two) building had been for sale with an asking price of £250,000 and had been used by the council as a library, registration services and an office. In April in his previous cabinet role Cllr Berriman had apologised as the capital receipts received for the last financial year would be just over £1 million, well short of the target. Cllr Berriman said: 'You know we're not meeting that target, only this week I heard the sad news that the Gwalia which we had secured a sale on, has fallen through. 'We have difficulties of moving properties on and we're actively looking at all our assets, we're doing that to invest in education and highways projects etc.' He warned that not hitting the sales target would put an extra 0.5 per cent on the council tax bills annually which amounts to 2.5 per cent over a five-year period. Cllr Berriman said: 'That £10 million is worth £560,000 of not borrowing money a year.' Cllr Gareth D Jones (Powys Independents group – Llanfair Caereinion and Llanerfyl) who brought the motion to council, said that this was an even greater reason to vote to pause the sale of farms and scrap the £10 million target. Cllr Jones said: 'What makes these county farms more vulnerable is that you have just said that the Gwalia sale has fallen through, so we still need to get this money under the current policy we have. 'That means a wealthy person can come forward and put in a bid for one of our prime assets. 'That has happened and was accepted previously.' Cllr Jones was alluding to the deal to buy 218 of farm estate land near Welshpool for £5million which had been agreed in by the Liberal Democrat/Labour cabinet in a confidential session in September 2023. The sale had caused uproar amongst opposition councillors and in January councillors were told that deal had fallen thought. Also, in January Cllr Berriman said that the the deal for the Gwalia was being finalised and would shave off £140,000 from this year's council budget. The Gwalia Hotel opened in 1902 and was a fashionable spa venue in the early Edwardian years. It was sold at auction to Radnorshire County Council and the council officers and their departments, moved into the former hotel in 1950. In 1974, the building became the headquarters of Radnorshire District Council and became a customer service point for Powys council in 1996.
Powys County Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Which Powys projects get £11million in Levelling Up funds
Resurfacing works, active travel routes and a new footbridge are among the projects in Powys set to benefit from £11million of Government cash. Powys Council has revealed which projects in Mid Wales will be backed with the latest cash from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund for the 2025/26 financial year. The council says there is a focus on delivering projects that aim to boost recreational tourism and contribute to local economic growth, specifically ones aimed at transport investment. Among these projects is a resurfacing scheme to improve access to tourist hotspots and support the National Cycle Network. Another is active travel projects in Llandrindod Lake, Brecon promenade, the next phase of the Llandrindod Wells to Howey route and a section of the Crickhowell to Llangattock route, designed to improve access between towns and surrounding tourist destinations, which the council hopes will make it easier for visitors to explore Powys using active modes and improve accessibility for key locations. Replacing the Pont y Milgy footbridge in Ystradgynlais will be the first project in a wider scheme to improve visitors' accessibility to Powys' Rights of Way network. Cllr Jake Berriman, Leader of Powys County Council, said: 'This latest contribution of Levelling Up Funding from UK Government will allow us to begin making the improvements needed to the county's transport infrastructure. 'Through this timely investment, we aim to improve accessibility to key services, encourage active travel and support recreational activities, providing better journeys for everyone and improve connectivity to tourist hotspots. 'We are hopeful to receive confirmation of additional Levelling Up Funding to enable us to complete further projects in the future.' The Levelling Up funding 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. Cllr Berriman added: 'This latest contribution of Levelling Up Funding from UK Government will allow us to begin making the improvements needed to the county's transport infrastructure. 'Through this timely investment, we aim to improve accessibility to key services, encourage active travel and support recreational activities, providing better journeys for everyone and improve connectivity to tourist hotspots.'
Business News Wales
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Business News Wales
Cllr Jake Berriman Elected New Leader of Powys County Council
Cllr Jake Berriman has been elected as the 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
Powys County Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Powys cabinet member steps down for medical reasons
A SENIOR councillor has stepped down from Powys County Council's Cabinet due to medical reasons. Cabinet member for a more prosperous Powys, Cllr David Selby (Liberal Democrat) announced his decision at the council's annual general meeting on Thursday, May 15. A visibly emotional Cllr Selby said: 'The reason I'm standing down is because I've developed a medical condition which means that I cannot continue to provide the energy required as a cabinet member. 'However, I am very much committed to continue my role in Newtown (Newtown Central) as an active councillor. 'I owe it to my family and myself to take a bit of extra time to tackle what I need to tackle.' Outgoing council chairman Cllr Jonathan Wilkinson (Conservative) said: 'I would like to thank on behalf of Powys County Council for your service as a cabinet member. ' Following Cllr Berriman's election as leader he unveiled changes to the cabinet portfolios which sees a blend of fresh faces and continuity at the top table. It was revealed that former council leader Cllr James Gibson-Watt (Liberal Democrat) would take over the prosperous Powys brief until September 30 when he is expected to pass the role on to Cllr Glyn Preston (Liberal Democrat). Cllr Berriman will take over the briefs for performance, people services and partnerships, while continuing to be responsible for property and strategic planning. Deputy council leader Cllr Matthew Dorrance (Labour) will have responsibility for refugees added to portfolio as cabinet member for a fairer Powys. Cllr Raiff Devlin (Liberal Democrat) is brought into cabinet to take over responsibility for customers, digital and community services, leisure, and cultural services. Cllr David Thomas (Labour) the cabinet member for finance and corporate transformation is now responsible for delivering the sustainable Powys programme. Liberal Democrat Cllr Sian Cox continues as cabinet member for a caring Powys (Adult social services). Liberal Democrat Cllr Richard Church will be looking after legal and regulatory services and due to this his job title as cabinet member for a safer Powys is set to change. Cllr Peter Roberts (Liberal Democrat) continues as cabinet member for a learning Powys. Cllr Jackie Charlton (Liberal Democrat) continues as cabinet member for a greener Powys.
Powys County Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Jake Berriman voted in as leader of Powys County Council
LIBERAL Democrat nominee Cllr Jake Berriman has been named the new leader of Powys County Council after seeing off a challenge from the county's Conservative group leader. Ahead of the council's annual meeting on Thursday, May 15, Cllr Berriman had received the backing of his Liberal Democrat group to take the helm at county hall and lead the coalition which includes Labour and Green Party to the next local elections in May 2027. But at the meeting a rival candidate emerged to succeed outgoing leader Cllr James Gibson-Watt, as Conservative group leader Cllr Aled Davies also threw his hat in the ring. In a pitch to councillors, Cllr Berriman said: 'My group may be the largest, but this administration has no overall majority, and, in this fragility, I think lies our strength it means that every voice and vote counts for something. 'There can be no room for complacency and every vote earned if we are to take the tough decisions that lie ahead of us. 'We have more in common than separates us and that is a solid platform on which we can build better collaborative approaches for what remains of our term in office. 'I'm talking about harnessing our collective experience and knowledge, working in communities to make every penny count. 'Neither I nor the administration have the answers to all the difficulties we face in delivering our ambitions and meeting the pressing needs of those we serve.' He said he would try to strengthen his relationships with all councillors and be a 'listening leader'. Cllr Davies appealed to councillors by saying that there is a need to 'accelerate' the council's transformation of services. Cllr Davies said: 'When resources are tight, we need to focus on the council's core business and deliver true value for money at all times, my priorities are our highways, social services and on top of that list our schools. 'We must not pour resources into unachievable targets such as Net Zero by 2030 and other environmental targets unless there is a clear financial case that benefits the residents of Powys. 'Education is number one, Estyn's recommendations are crystal clear, we must get back on track, all our learners deserve an excellent education experience here in Powys, but we are asking our school heads to do the impossible, limited resources are spread too thinly.' Cllr Davies said that he had 'struggled' with some of the decisions taken by the cabinet over the last couple of years, and was 'frustrated' that progress had been too slow. But he pointed out successes by the cabinet, with social services, housing and homelessness and planning services singled out for praise. Cllr Davies said: 'We are all passionate about delivering the best services we can, but we must not shrink away from change. 'It's time to put our communities first, I will lead from the front and want to put together a coalition of the willing and the able and a strong team together from across the council.' Following the speeches both councillors left the chamber as the vote took place.
