October’s Budget saw a record £22 million Levelling Up investment from the UK Government, with Powys being successful in their submitted bids. Investment in Llandrindod Wells will see the redevelopment of the Auto Palace. This project will provide affordable, energy efficient homes to meet local demand and in Brecon funding for two projects; a planning and multi agency hub bringing together public, private and third sector organisations which will release land and buildings to provide affordable housing and social care sites so badly needed. Investment in Theatre Brycheiniog will also be used toward redevelopment.
Six further projects have been successful in their bids under the UK Community Renewal Fund. The Fund supports projects that invest in skills, local business or communities and places which support people into employment. Enterprise Powys, Powys Community Skills Initiative, Powys Localities Initiative, Powys County Council - Go Green to Get Clean, Green Heart of Wales/Zero Carbon Mid Wales and Montgomery Canal restoration feasibility study have received a combined £2.7m. We look forward to sharing more about these projects as they develop.
In recent weeks The Environment Bill has featured heavily in Fay’s inbox. Discharging sewage into our rivers is unacceptable and we are glad the UK Government is rising above the opposition’s game playing and taking tough action against those responsible. Water companies will now have a legal duty to reduce the harm caused by storm overflows and the Government has stronger enforcement powers to force them to comply. This is a bolder, tougher step than the Welsh Government has ever taken. Their approach to solely blame farmers is wholly wrong and we are glad the U.K. Government is showing determined leadership in tackling this practice once and for all.
James continues his fight for answers from the Welsh Government over phosphate regulations. Current guidance has put the planning system across Brecon and Radnorshire in gridlock. New builds and building development are at a standstill. This badly affects the development of social and affordable homes. There are 3700 households waiting to be housed on the local authority housing list in Powys alone. Water pollution needs to be tackled but decision making is taking too long, steps need to be taken to provide a solution.
James has also called for the matching of Welsh Business Rates with those in England. For too long Welsh businesses in border constituencies such as Brecon and Radnorshire have been at an unfair advantage with other businesses just over the border. The Welsh Government are ignoring opportunities for helping economic recovery; this change to Business Rates could revitalise many of our struggling highstreets and small businesses.
This year Small Business Saturday will be held December 4th. In the approach to Christmas please whenever possible shop local and support our high streets and our independent and small businesses. Let us also remember to shop locally for life, not just for Christmas.
We are both desperately disappointed by the announcement of the decision to close Llanbedr Church in Wales Primary and Llanfihangel Rhydithon school. We have met the parents and Governors a number of times and agree with them that the case for closing both schools are weak. We both want to commend the campaign team who have fought vigorously and will be in touch with the local community to see how we can continue to support them going forward.
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