Powys council education head resigns after nine months

Powys's head of education has resigned from his post just nine months after being appointed following a cut in senior management roles at the council.

Alec Clark took over running education after the post of director of education was scrapped, in favour of a new role of director overseeing both education and social services.

The council cut eight of 24 leadership posts last year to save £1.3m.

The previous director left the council after failing to get the top job.

Ian Budd had been Dr Clark's boss when the two of them went for the new head of education role after the post of director was deleted.

Dr Clark is to take a new job as director of an education trust in southern England.

The leader of the Liberal Democrat and Green group, James Gibson-Watt, called for a crisis meeting of all group leaders with chief executive Caroline Turner to discuss the future of the schools' service.

He said there were a number of schools falling into serious budget deficit positions, especially at secondary level, and a "general deterioration" in the financial position of schools across the county.

"The council needs to establish a cross-party approach to create a coherent strategic vision for the Powys education system that can command support across the council," he said.

Dr Turner confirmed Dr Clark would be leaving at the end of August, adding: "I will want to discuss future arrangements with the appointments panel as soon as possible.

"Alec has only been with us for a short time, but has made an important contribution to the work of the council and to supporting our schools over the past nine months."

Jane Dodds - Aberpergwm Coal Mine Expansion Must be Stopped

he Welsh Liberal Democrats have reiterated their opposition to the expansion of Aberpergwm Coal Mine in Neath Port Talbot Council. Addressing a protest in front of the Senedd Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds stated that if we are to stand any hope of tackling climate change before it’s too late, the coal must be left in the ground. The protest in front of the Senedd in Cardiff saw multiple Welsh climate groups attend. The expansion of Aberpergwm Coal Mine has been at the centre of a row between the UK and Welsh Governments, with the Welsh Government claiming it does not have the legal authority to block the mine’s expansion, while the UK Coal Authority has insisted that the Welsh Government could in fact stop the development. The new license, which was approved by the Coal Authority in January will allow Aberpergwm Mine to extract another forty million tonnes of coal. The development could release up to 1.17 million tonnes of very strong greenhouse gases, in

New Zealand Trade Deal Will Damage Rural Communities

Responding to the news that the UK Government has concluded the signing of a trade deal with New Zealand, removing trade barriers between the two countries, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have said the deal will cause damage to rural communities and the Welsh agricultural industry. Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and Senedd Member for Mid & West Wales Jane Dodds said: "The UK Government has negotiated a trade agreement that will actively damage Welsh farming communities and will bring next to no tangible benefits to our local economies. "The Conservatives have proven that they are utterly unable to negotiate trade deals that boost the UK economy and unfortunately this agreement is no exception. The economic benefits are a drop in the ocean, and they will do nothing to mitigate the damage from the red tape and paperwork caused by Boris Johnson's shambolic EU trade deal. "Instead of delivering Global Britain, this Government is selling Welsh farmers

,Lib Dems demand Cardiff Council removes Russian investments

Lib Dems demand Cardiff Council removes Russian investments Following the horrific news of Russia invading Ukraine, Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Rhys Taylor has written to Cardiff Council to ask that it’s pension fund sell any shares it may hold in companies that have invested in Russia. “Like so many other local people, I am sickened by what is happening on the streets of Ukraine and our own pension fund should make its feelings clear by divesting any assets it holds in companies with Russian investments. “I believe our council’s pension fund should also take a stand, and if it does hold any shares in Russian companies – or those who have invested in Russia - to divest without delay. “Others have taken action – the Church of England is divesting its £20 million in shareholdings in Russian companies and BP is selling its 19.75% stake in Russian oil giant Rosneft, and Shell is divesting from Gazprom. I encourage local government pension schemes to divest any shares they hol

Welsh Liberal blogs

Search This Blog