Local authorities work together as Mid Wales Education Partnership established

CEREDIGION and Powys councils will continue to work together when it comes to schools having left the regional educational consortium ERW.

A number of local authorities in Wales have left ERW and Ceredigion’s plan is to work with Powys County Council as the Mid Wales Education Partnership and agreed ways of working have been established.

It already works on a number of other partnerships with the local authority linked to the Mid Wales Growth Deal and economic regeneration as well as new Corporate Joint Committees (CJC) to be established overseeing strategic planning, transport and economic well-being.

A report to Ceredigion County Council’s cabinet next week is asking for approval of that recommendation, as well as allowing officers to collaborate on local and national priorities and ensuring the partnership is represented on cross-regional parties.

This aims to “ensure equity of provision for schools in Powys and Ceredigion,” a report to the meeting on Tuesday, January 11 states.

“Although education isn’t a policy area that must be governed via a CJC, Ceredigion shares many similarities and challenges with Powys, particularly those related to rurality. It is therefore natural that Ceredigion and Powys continue to work closely on the education agenda,” it adds.

Collaboration focus is currently on leadership development, deprivation and rural poverty, Curriculum for Wales, improving pedagogy and other areas linked to early teaching careers.

Cabinet members are recommended to approve that the council enters into a “Memorandum of Understanding” with Powys County Council regarding the plans.