An “ambitious” Corporate and Strategic Equality Plan to drive Powys County Council priorities for the next two years – which also includes a strengthened focus on education – will be debated by the local authority.
The refreshed plan sets out a “bold and inclusive” vision for a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Powys and will be presented to a meeting of the full council on July 10, after being worked on by the council’s Joint Scrutiny Committee and approved by the Cabinet.
Covering 2025–2027, the plan outlines the council’s commitment to improving the lives of residents by putting equality, sustainability, and community resilience at the heart of everything it does. It brings together the council’s well-being objectives and equality duties into a single, integrated plan.
A key enhancement in this latest version is the strengthened focus on education – ensuring that all learners, regardless of their background or circumstances, have equal access to quality education and opportunities for success.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Jake Berriman, said:
“This plan is more than a document – it is a promise to the people of Powys. It reflects our shared ambition to build a county where everyone can thrive, where services are accessible and inclusive, and where we take bold action to protect our environment for future generations.
“Education is central to this vision. By investing in inclusive, high-quality learning environments, we are laying the foundation for a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
“As we plan, we must recognise the challenges that the council, the people of Powys and our partners, face. We will have to operate within increasingly restricted budgets with financial modelling forecasting a funding gap of £39millin in our budgets by 2029.
“Inevitably, this means difficult decisions will need to be taken, and that the council will have to adapt to ongoing financial and demographic challenges. We will operate as efficiently as we can, but we know the council faces a challenging future.”
Deputy Leader, Cllr Matthew Dorrance, added:
“Fairness is at the core of this plan. We are committed to reducing inequality, supporting our workforce, and ensuring that no one is left behind – especially those facing hardship or discrimination.
“The plan introduces a robust set of performance measures to track progress and ensure transparency, with annual reviews and regular public reporting.
“We know we will face financial challenges over the life of the plan, but we remain committed to delivering inclusive, sustainable services that meet the needs of the people of Powys.”
Key priorities include:
- Improving access to services and empowering residents to make informed choices.
- Supporting good quality, sustainable employment and becoming a Real Living Wage accredited employer.
- Tackling poverty and inequality, with a focus on child-friendly policies, affordable housing, robust targets for improving education and having a clearer connection between the well-being objectives, integrated business plans and individual employee actions.
