PRAISE has been heaped on Powys Council Council staff who organised a seminar to explain what “transformation” means for the authority.

On Monday, April 1, councillors were told by newly appointed corporate director of transformation, Vanessa Young, what the path is for the next five years and where the changes will be taking place.

Following a presentation on the areas that PCC senior management are looking to transform, councillors were split into groups and met staff from various departments to discuss.

PCC chairman, Cllr David Meredith, (Labour, St David Within, said: “It was a very useful day and more productive than other member days we have had.”

Members of PCC’s cabinet took to social media to praise the work which will underpin the Independent/Conservative’s Vision 2025 for Powys.

Portfolio holder for Young People and Culture, Cllr Rachel Powell (Independent – Beguildy), said: “Well done to all officers and departments for preparing, demonstrating, ongoing and future projects with vision to benefit the communities of Powys.”

Portfolio holder, Education and Welsh Language, Cllr Myfanwy Alexander, (Independent – Banwy) added: “It was really interesting and so many brilliant insights from members.”

Following the seminars, Council Leader, Cllr Rosemarie Harris, said: “I could see some really animated conversations going on, there has not been time today to cover everything that’s going on.

“There’s much, much more. There are some projects like the Growing Mid Wales deal where I would like to have more members involved.”

“There will be a great deal going on and it would be good to have an input of a wide group of members.”

Corporate Director for Transformation, Vanessa Young summed up the day: “We had a really interesting morning, looking at th breadth of the projects proposed under the transformation programme.

“There have been key consistent themes coming out in discussion I have been listening to which are really positive.

“It’s come through very strongly that we should learn lessons from what has been happening elsewhere.

“Governance is a key issue that’s come through for these projects, we need to be really clear on the scope of these programmes, how they are going to be delivered and accountability.

“And that shows to me a desire for members to be engaged through the development and delivery of these programmes.

“The cost of these projects also came up, and it’s important when we think of return on investment.

“Notes have been taken in each of the sessions so we will have richer data and we will reflect on that as we continue to develop this programme.”

Ms Young also added that collecting and understanding data on the projects would also be a key area.

More seminars were suggested to take place to update councillors on the transformation projects and could happen in the autumn.

The major projects under the microscope are:

Mid Wales Growth Deal

Digital Transformation

Community Hubs – library reorganisation

Affordable Homes

21st Century Schools – coming to an end of Band A

Brecon Co-Location project