This would be an ideal role for someone with experience supporting transformation processes within a clear legal framework either in education or the wider public sector.

https://en.powys.gov.uk/view-job?id=832320ZviU&lang=USA&&cid=6566890zHU

The team that runs the schools transformation program here in Powys is looking for a new member with project management, analytical, and report-writing skills. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing several transformation projects often across a school catchment. The team has an established methodology that you would work within that has stood up to several requests for judicial review and you will receive support from the existing staff.

https://en.powys.gov.uk/view-job?id=832320ZviU&lang=USA&&cid=6566890zHU

Outside the Cabinet, I hosted the first formal visit from a deputy Education Minister since coming to power. This also saw us launch our young careers education policy with one of the primary age contributors sharing his experience with the group of councilors and officers before presenting a copy to the deputy minister to take back to Cardiff with her.

Also in Cabinet, I finally dealt with the Catchment review paper that redefined the catchment area for admission purposes of all our schools. This was the last major consultation left over from the last administration and opens up the options for a streamlined admissions processes in coming years.

That was a busy month. The political high point was getting the budget though with 41 councilors voting in favour. Thank you to Plaid, Action for Powys, and non-aligned members for your support. The same meeting saw the adoption of the #Powys Corporate Plan "stronger, fairer, greener" developed with full cross-chamber input not just imposed by us as the ruling group.

and to reduce the level to 0 would involve axing the money advice service and cutting other provisions that this section of the community is absolutely reliant on.

So instead we have balanced the budget, passporting all the additional education funding into the service, investing in energy efficiency, and continuing to build new council houses.

We now have to deliver and prepare for a very challenging settlement in 25-6 but we do so from a firm base and clear Liberal principles

Despite 3 of our councillors being absent we were still able to rely on 41 councilors from across the chamber to get our budget through. Only the Conservatives and a couple of independent councillors voted against it.

Several suggested that the council tax rise was too high, claiming it would hurt those in poverty.

In reality, those in poverty are generally eligible for full rebates on their payments.

My main focus in Jan was helping finalise the draft annual budget of #Powys Council. But as important was the establishment of a new funding formula for Powys High #Schools. This means we have a fair way of allocating funding and assessing how that funding is being spent by governing bodies. In particular, the cover supervisor element should lead to significant savings by reducing the need for external supply staff.

First of 2 sets of #photography from #IndependantVenuesWeek 2023 The Bug Club at the Lost Arc in #Rhayader #Powys1/2/23

https://pixelfed.de/p/Pete_Roberts/527978355813408700

Thanks to @davidoclubb for the prompt I've opened an account on pixelfed and will use that for photoposts with a link and image from the sets here,

https://pixelfed.de/p/Pete_Roberts/521266000238262388

@davidoclubb Aware but haven't had a chance to look at it. I have used Flickr for over a decade as an online storage backup.

On politics, I think there are about a dozen of us (cross-party) on here from Wales and about 50 elected Lib Dems nationally.

Slow but growing as the extra characters make for better (and less toxic ) discussion here compared to Twitter

A bit later than normal but here is my December Monthly report.

#Powys #LocalGovernment #politics #wales

@davidoclubb thanks been here for a couple of months now, but sorting the budget and three school transformation papers has taken up time of late so its mainly been used for photos

It's been a challenging few months but at this morning's Cabinet meeting, we approved the Powys Draft Budget that will see council tax pegged at 5% for this year. With service delivery maintained at the front line pending a root and branch review of service delivery over the next 18 months

#Powys #Wales #LocalGovernment

@Maxima Ennobled?

Clywedog Dam and Bryn Y Tail Mine buildings - Jan 15 2023

#Powys #photography #Wales #water

#ClywedogDam and Bryn y Tail mine buildings #photography - 15th January.
Water still overtopping the dam but less than photos from others earlier in the week. (more to follow)

#Photography the #ElanValley #powys

@Hypx on domestic energy needs, at least in the short term, he may be right but for travel, EV is a dead end, and green H2 linked to solar/wind/water generation is a way forward in the longer term.

#Photography from a short walk around the Claerwen Dam and Craig Cwplau. #ElanValley #Powys