LEARNING lessons to use for future funding bids should be the way forward, rather than moaning about missed opportunities.

Cabinet Secretary for the Economy Ken Skates AM announced the details of funding for the “Arfor” (coastal in Welsh) pilot scheme for four of Wales’ Western Counties, Anglesey, Carmarthen Ceredigion and Gwynedd.

They will receive £2 million for piloting entrepreneurship in Welsh speaking areas and encouraging businesses to use the language.

The money was part of a deal between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru to push through the government’s budget and was designed to help Plaid run county councils.

As it happens Powys County Council is not qualified to receive any funding from the scheme.

But that did not stop senior council officers wondering why PCC had not received a penny?

Director of Environment Nigel Brinn, now one of the most senior figures at County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, said:; “Great initiative but surely there are a number of areas of Powys CC that could have/should have been included such as Machynlleth?”

A spokesman for Powys County Council confirmed: “The funding is the result of discussion between the leaders of the councils and Welsh Government.

“Gwynedd co-ordinated the work which unfortunately Powys were not part of.”

Plaid Cymru leader, Cllr Elwyn Vaughan (Glantwymyn), believed it had been a lost opportunity.

Cllr Vaughan, said: “There are many traditional Welsh speaking communities in North Powys in particular which should also benefit from such an initiative.

“I highlighted this opportunity to Powys Council 12 months ago.

“It is imperative that Powys grasp the potential and ensure that this type of initiative forms a integral part of the Mid Wales Growth deal.

“There are numerous lessons to be learnt about economic development and bilingual communities from the Basque Country and Catalonia which could give practical ideas and assistance to communities such as Machynlleth, Banwy and Llanfyllin.”

While Arfor might not be available there will be other pots of Welsh Government funding that PCC could bid for in future.

A Welsh Government spokesman said:  “There will be opportunities for every area of Wales to bid into our £1.5million Foundational Economy fund which,  when launched, will test new ways of nurturing and growing the everyday parts of Wales’ economy.”