Powys Liberal Democrats have accused the Powys Conservative
council group of descending into chaos over its school closure programme. The
accusation comes after the Conservative group lost both cabinet member and
councillor Iain McIntosh; and Cllr (also MS) James Evans in shock resignations
over the Administrations school closures. The events have left the Conservative
group on 13 councillors, meaning the Welsh Liberal Democrats are now the
largest political party (and second largest group) in the council with 14
councillors.
Powys Council as of January 2, 2022 (The ruling
administration is an Independent-Conservative Coalition)
The Powys Conservative Group has now lost four members in
the last year, with Cllr Gwilym Williams and Cllr Les Skilton defecting over
the council tax rise supported by the party earlier this year. The group also
lost Cllr Claire Mills in May 2020 when she defected to the Abolish the Welsh
Assembly Party and lost a by-election in North Llandrindod to the Liberal
Democrats in 2019.
Liberal Democrat Group Leader & Leader of the Opposition
Cllr James Gibson-Watt
Commenting on the
latest developments Liberal Democrat Group Leader & Leader of the
Opposition Cllr James Gibson-Watt said:
“The recent developments within Powys Conservatives shows
what a divided party they are. Their rural school closures are threatening the
hearts of our communities at a time they are urgently trying to rebuild
following the pandemic.
“We are in the extraordinary situation where Brecon &
Radnorshire Conservatives are now rapidly trying to distance themselves from
decisions they have contributed towards while simultaneously the Leader of
Powys Conservatives is writing to local papers praising the apparent success of
their policies.
“Meanwhile, despite attempts by Cllr McIntosh and James
Evans to distance themselves from the poor decision making of the Cabinet and
ruling group, their resignations only open up more questions. If they were that
unhappy over the direction of the education programme why has it taken them
this long to say and why was the same anger not expressed over the closure of
Castle Caereinion? Cllr McIntosh's suggestion the Cabinet was mislead over the
ability of small schools to deliver the curriculum also raises serious
questions.
“With Powys County Council Cabinet recently ‘pulling’ a
proposal to merge three primary schools that might have severely embarrassed
Conservative Group Leader Aled Davies in his own ward, it is clear that the
Conservative portfolio holder for education Phyl Davies has lost the trust of
his own political group and it appears Conservative Group Leader Aled Davies
may be in the same position.
“Compared to the early days of Powys County Council’s
schools transformation process and the promise of multi-site cluster schools it
is clear we have now gone back to a position of just closing small schools,
rather than producing a diverse, environmentally sustainable education network,
which would underpin rural communities for the next several generations.
“Making matters worse, at a time when clarity is needed the
proposals before us are in disarray.
“While the local Conservative Party and Independent Group
tear themselves apart over this failed schools closure programme and their 26
per cent council tax rise, the Welsh Liberal Democrat group stand united as the
largest opposition group holding this administration to account and sticking up
for our communities who are taken for granted by the Conservatives and
Independent Group.”
ENDS
Notes:
The Independent & Conservative Administration has raised
council tax in Powys by 26 per cent since 2017. This was after all Conservative
councillors stood on an election commitment in 2017 not to raise council tax at
all during the term 2017-2022.
Conservative
candidates also stood on a commitment not to close rural schools.
The make-up of Powys Council is now: The Independent Group
23; the Welsh Liberal Democrats 14; the Conservative Party 13; Welsh Labour 8;
Action for Powys 6; Non-aligned 2; Plaid Cymru 3; New Powys 2; AWAP 1; Vacant
1.
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