Stronger, Fairer, Greener Powys: Transformation delivering real improvements for local people

12 March 2026

Transformation work across Powys is continuing to make a real difference for local people, with changes delivered between October and December helping residents into secure homes, easing pressure on families, supporting young people, reducing living costs and making everyday services easier to use.

By focusing on what matters most to communities, the council is helping people live safer, healthier and more secure lives - while ensuring public money goes where it makes the biggest impact.

Residents are already seeing real, measurable improvements, including:

• More families moving into stable, long‑term homes and fewer people stuck in emergency accommodation - reducing disruption for children and giving families the security they need.
• 32 brand‑new flats in Newtown completed ahead of schedule, allowing individuals and families to move into warm, modern, energy‑efficient homes sooner than planned.
• 14 former right‑to‑buy homes brought back into council ownership, increasing the supply of affordable homes in local communities.
• 133 families receiving essential support, including clothing, household items and food - providing immediate relief during a time of rising costs.
• More than £10,000 in additional benefits secured through targeted money advice campaigns, putting extra money in residents' pockets.
• 11 more children placed with in‑house Powys foster carers, keeping them closer to their schools, friends and support networks.
• Over £1.6 million in cost avoidance through the Fostering Framework, helping the council protect frontline services and reinvest in support for children and families.
• Adults with support needs accessing personalised, community‑based day opportunities, helping them build confidence, friendships and independence.
• Major school developments progressing, with projects at Sennybridge, Ysgol Bro Hyddgen and Ysgol Calon Cymru reaching key approval stages.
• Welsh‑medium immersion expanded in both North and South Powys, giving more learners the chance to become confidently bilingual.
• Solar and LED upgrades across public buildings, reducing carbon emissions while cutting future energy costs by tens of thousands of pounds.
• Nine Local Places for Nature projects strengthening community green spaces, supporting wellbeing and boosting local pride.
• Digital improvements making services quicker and easier to access, including clearer highways reporting, tools that speed up consultation analysis, and the rollout of Magic Notes - giving social care staff more time with residents by reducing paperwork dramatically.

Cllr David Thomas, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Transformation, said: "Every transformation must answer a simple question: what difference does it make for residents? The improvements delivered over the last few months show exactly that.

"People are moving into secure homes more quickly, children are staying closer to their communities, families are getting support when they need it most, and schools and services are becoming more efficient and effective.

"This is how we protect services, support our communities and build a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Powys - not through big announcements, but through practical changes that improve daily life for people across the county."