Plans to invest nearly £114m in Powys schools over the coming years have been supported by the county council’s cabinet.
The ambitious plans which could see major improvements to primary, secondary and special school services across a wide part of the county, as part of a joint Local and Welsh Government 21st Century Programme running from 2019-2025/26.
Meeting in Llandrindod Wells on Tuesday (November 7) the cabinet backed the latest stage in the school renewal programme.
A key part of the of the application will be a major investment in the educational infrastructure in the Newtown area in order to improve the facilities for vulnerable pupils at Ysgol Cedewain and Ysgol Brynllywarch, Kerry. There will also be investment in some of the town’s primary schools, as well as plans to develop a 2A Welsh-medium all-through 4-18 school in the town – building on the strength of the town’s successful Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd.
Cabinet Member for Schools, Councillor Myfanwy Alexander said: “This is the first stage of a major investment for learners, especially in Newtown, aiming to provide fairness and quality learning environments for all, including the learners in our Special Schools whose needs are a priority.”
The programme also includes funding to improve primary school buildings in Brecon, and also to support the development of Welsh medium education in Mid Powys. Funding to refurbish or remodel schools in other areas of the county, based on level of need is included in the plans.
The development in Newtown, the county’s largest town, could feature exciting capital projects with public partners including Powys Teaching Health Board with potential for improved health and social care provision in the town and surrounding area as part of a major building programme.
The news comes just weeks after the county council agreed one of the largest land transfers in the county with Newtown Town Council to strengthen a £1m lottery bid to improve sports and recreation facilities in the town.
A joint statement issued by the two councils said the transfer of more than 110 acres of land on both sides of the River Severn, including Dolerw Park, the riverside sports pitches and Trehafren Hill, to the town council’s control would pave the way for a lottery bid to support exciting sport and recreation development. More stories