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The Chair, County Councillor Jake Berriman welcomed everyone to the Mid Wales Corporate Joint Committee Formal Meeting.
The annual transition of leadership was formally enacted. This followed the established practice of rotating the Chair position between the constituent local authorities. The leadership transitioned from the Leader of Ceredigion County Council to the Leader of Powys County Council. Councillor Jake Berriman was formally proposed and appointed as the new Chair of the MWCJC for the 2025–26 municipal year. The nomination was supported and seconded by Councillor Bryan Davies, reflecting cross-authority consensus. In accordance with committee procedure, the outgoing Chair nominated the incoming Vice Chair. The Vice Chair was appointed to support the Chair in fulfilling the statutory and strategic responsibilities of the Committee. The Monitoring Officer, Clive Pinney, confirmed the procedural correctness of the appointments and endorsed the nominations. This leadership transition marked a continuation of collaborative governance between Powys and Ceredigion, ensuring balanced representation and shared oversight of regional priorities. The appointments were made in the context of broader discussions around officer capacity, statutory compliance, and the evolving role of the MWCJC within the Welsh Government’s regional framework.
The Committee confirmed the appointment of its Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive for the 2025–26 period. Councillor JB formally proposed the appointment of EE as Chief Executive Officer, with the motion seconded by Councillor BD. This appointment marked the transition from EP, who had voluntarily undertaken the role over the previous year in addition to her substantive duties as CEO of Powys County Council. Members of the Committee expressed their gratitude to EP for her dedication and contribution, particularly noting that Mid Wales remained the only Corporate Joint Committee in Wales without a formally appointed executive officer. It was acknowledged that EP had fulfilled the role without additional remuneration, despite the significant workload involved, and her efforts were commended as exemplary. EE, upon appointment, publicly recognised EP’s service and highlighted the disparity in executive arrangements across Wales, noting that other CJCs had appointed full-time executives with higher levels of remuneration. He emphasised the importance of acknowledging the additional responsibilities shouldered by officers in Mid Wales and the need for equitable recognition and support. The appointment of the Deputy Chief Executive was also confirmed, with EO continuing in the role. His support and guidance over the past year were noted with appreciation, particularly in relation to legislative compliance and regional coordination. This leadership arrangement was agreed in the context of broader discussions around officer capacity, funding pressures, and the unique challenges faced by the Mid Wales region. The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to collaborative working and recognised the need to address structural disparities to ensure sustainable governance moving forward.
Apologies for absence were received from County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe Vice Chair of BBNPA (GR), Rhodi Llwyd, Corporate Lead Officer Highways and Environmental Services (RL), Diane Reynolds, Director of Economic Development and Growth (DR), Sarah Groves-Phillips, Strategic Lead, Strategic Development Plan/Policy Manager (SGP) and Jonathan Aldred, Project Officer (JA).
There were no declarations of interest from Members relating to items for consideration on the agenda.
The minutes of the last meeting held on 6th May 2025 were agreed as a correct record.
JF provided an update on the Regional Transport Plan (RTP), which was approved by the CJC on 6 May and submitted to Welsh Government on 23 May. A response was expected by the end of July. Officers highlighted the importance of maintaining momentum during this interim period, with informal collaboration continuing despite the formal pause of the RTP Sub-Committee. The allocation of £200,000 by Welsh Government for 2025/26 was welcomed, but discussions revealed underlying concerns about capacity and delivery. The Chair and Vice-Chair both emphasised the challenges of sustaining transport infrastructure in rural areas, advocating for a ministerial visit to Mid Wales to witness these issues firsthand. The suggestion to host such a visit on public transport, such as the Trans Cambrian bus, was both symbolic and strategic, aiming to ground policy discussions in lived rural realities. This segment of the meeting reflected a broader tension: while strategic planning is progressing, the operational bandwidth to implement these plans remains limited, and the region continues to advocate for equitable recognition of its rural context.
CJE delivered a comprehensive update on economic development, framed within the Growing Mid Wales partnership. The Regional Skills Partnership was highlighted as a key mechanism for aligning workforce development with Growth Deal projects, particularly in advanced manufacturing and food production. A significant portion of the discussion centred on energy innovation. Five projects funded under Phase 2 of the WSRID (Whole Systems Research and Innovation in Decarbonisation) programme were presented as exemplars of rural decarbonisation and community-led energy systems. These included smart local energy systems, hydrogen and wind integration, and nutrient recycling for biochar production. The ambition to secure Phase 2 funding for these initiatives illustrated the region’s proactive stance on climate resilience and technological innovation. However, the conversation took a more cautious tone when addressing the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). While the region had successfully delivered over £42 million in projects with minimal underspend, officers expressed deep concern about the post-2026 funding landscape. The lack of clarity from UK and Welsh Governments regarding future frameworks, coupled with fears of reduced flexibility and increased administrative burdens, was seen as a major strategic risk. The Chair and others stressed the need for Mid Wales to have a strong voice in national discussions, particularly to avoid being marginalised in funding allocations. The political undertone was clear: without robust advocacy, rural regions risk being sidelined in favour of more populous areas.
The financial report for 2024/25 revealed underspends in both the general and strategic planning budgets, attributed largely to lower-than-expected charges from Powys County Council for democratic services. However, the Regional Transport Plan had exceeded its grant allocation, requiring a £38,000 draw from reserves. DH’s analysis highlighted a critical insight: the CJC’s core operational costs, excluding project-specific consultancy, amount to over £200,000 annually. This figure, while modest in public sector terms, underscores the cost of maintaining even a minimal regional governance structure. The discussion also touched on the implications of shared officer time, with concerns raised about fairness and sustainability if other CJCs are not contributing equivalently.
The Annual Report was approved with minimal amendment, but the discussion around strategic planning revealed deeper frustrations. Councillors voiced concern about the potential impact of a proposed new National Park in North Powys, which could trigger a full review of the Local Development Plan (LDP) and disrupt progress on the Strategic Development Plan (SDP). There was a shared sentiment that national planning policy had become overly complex and misaligned with local realities. The CJC’s call for a simplification of the planning framework, supported by the Welsh Local Government Association, reflected a desire for more coherent and locally responsive governance.
The Risk Register was reviewed with a strong emphasis on political uncertainty. Members agreed to elevate several risks, particularly those related to future funding, political change, and officer capacity, to the highest category. The upcoming 2026 elections were seen as a potential inflection point, with concerns that a change in government could lead to the dissolution or restructuring of CJCs. EP and others highlighted the disproportionate burden on Mid Wales, which comprises only two local authorities. The discussion underscored the need for continued engagement with Welsh Government and proactive mitigation planning to ensure the region’s voice is heard and its governance structures remain viable.
None. Chair thanked all attendees for their contributions.
8 October 2025 (09:00–10:00) 29 January 2026 (14:00–16:00)
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