Social Value Ideas for Powys County Council

Cenyddbridge to Welsh medium

Cabinet endorsed consultation feedback and approved the next stage of the proposal to change Cenyddbridge CP School to Welsh-medium teaching, with implementation pushed back to September 2028. This is…

“This report is to report back on the consultation process that has been carried out on the proposal to make a regulated alteration to change the mediu…”

Close Glaestry school consultation

Cabinet agreed to commence the statutory consultation process to close Glaestry Church in Wales School from 31 August 2027, with pupils transferring to alternative schools. This is a major education t…

“The recommendation in 10 .1 is to commence the statutory process on the following proposal. To close Glaesterie Church and Wales School on the 31st of…”

Critical Pupil Enrollment Decline at Irvine Valley School

Irvine Valley County Primary School facing critical pressure due to drastically low pupil numbers. Currently has 19 pupils with only 5 in Year 6, resulting in projected enrollment of approximately 14 …

“the case for change with this school is basically the low pupil numbers, with the school having 19 pupils currently. 5 of those are in Year 6, therefo…”

Declining Primary School Pupil Numbers & Capacity Issues

Ysgol Golub Ka-Penllyfan (Cradock campus) has experienced dramatic pupil decline from 71 in September 2024 to 39 in September 2025. The school has 215 surplus places representing 53% of overall capaci…

“the number of pupils in the school has fallen quite dramatically, actually. And in terms of the Crown Campus itself, the pupil numbers have decreased …”

Homelessness Presentations Surge

Homelessness presentations increased 39.4% since December 2019. Housing waiting list registrations increased 110% over same period. Temporary accommodation placements increased 394%. Driven by cost of…

“the number of homelessness households over that same period has increased by 39.4%, and the households that we've needed to place in temporary accommo…”

Bed and Breakfast Homelessness Costs

Council currently spending over £4 million per year on bed and breakfast accommodation for homeless households. Cost partly offset by Welsh Government and DWP grants. Significant financial pressure id…

“You'll see from the report that we're spending over £4 million a year in B&B costs around homelessness. We are very lucky that we get that down becaus…”

Armed Forces Local Connection Policy

Policy amendment recognizing Armed Forces service in determining local connection for social housing allocation. Acknowledges personnel stationed in Brecon, Sennybridge, Newtown and surrounding areas …

“those changes are to enable us to support quicker resolution of homelessness and to prove that time served in the British Armed Forces counts as local…”

Housing Revenue Account Rent Increases 2025/26

Housing rents will increase by 2.7% (CPI + 1%) from 1st April 2025, bringing the average rent to £111.09 per week for all 5,548 council-owned homes excluding service charges. This is the maximum allow…

“with effect from April 1st, 2025, the average renting price will increase by 2.7%. That is to say, the average rent being £111.09 per week for all of …”

Consult on stepped empty homes premium

Cabinet agreed to consult on potential changes to the council tax premium for long-term empty properties, including a stepped premium approach linked to how long a dwelling has been empty and unfurnis…

“Item 2 is formal declarations of interest in the item we are discussing. Are there any declarations? I'm not seeing any either in the chamber or at ho…”

Report consultation results back

Cabinet formally resolved that the consultation outcomes on long-term empty property premiums will be reported back to members for consideration before any decision on changing the premium is made.

“Yes, leader, it's recommended that cabinet approves the undertaking of a public consultation on council tax premiums for long -term empty properties, …”