Will a scheme to provide more classroom space at Crickhowell High School ever be built?

The question was raised at Full Council last week as the Liberal Democrat member for the town, Cllr John Morris, wondered why nearly £700,000 for the scheme was being rolled over into next year’s budget.

Finance portfolio holder, Cllr Aled Davies, said that the £692,000 virement needed to be pushed into the 2019/20 budget as the project was being delayed by “planning issues”.

Virement is an official transfer of money from one account to another.

Cllr Morris said: “This is becoming an annual event I’m afraid.

“This money was given well over three years ago. The school has over 900 pupils including over 200 in the sixth form and is bursting at the seams.

“In that time Brecon have had money allocated to them and the planning application’s going through. What is the planning hold up?

“I don’t know what’s going on, it seems that we have been forgotten.”

“it’s not acceptable that three years down the road, there is something here that we need to get to the bottom of. What is the planning issue?”

Cllr Pete Roberts, (Liberal Democrat – Llandrindod South), said: “It’s only right for members in considering making this virement to have an understanding of what the reason is.

“It’s a significant question being asked, surely this is something that should be at the tips of the portfolio holder’s fingers.”

Council chairman, Cllr David Meredith (Labour – Brecon St David Within), suggested that the Cllr Morris submitted a formal question as the discussion was supposed to be kept to the virement and not the project.

But, Portfolio holder for assets, Cllr Phyl Davies (Conservative – Blaen Hafren), said: “The issue is we wanted to site temporary cabins there for the capacity that’s required but the Brecon Beacon National Park, refused the planning application. That’s the planning issue.”

Cllr Morris thanked him for the information.

Brecon Beacons Planning Authority told the Local Democracy Service that Powys County Council had not submitted a formal planning application and had only “sought advice” for the scheme.