James Evans is calling on Powys County Council to provide some certainty on whether Gwernyfed High School will receive funding to redevelop the building.

Last month, Powys County Council’s Liberal Democrat/Labour Cabinet signed off on a Strategic Outline Programme (SOP) which would see around £300 million invested in building new schools in the county over the next decade.

The Welsh Government has asked local authorities to submit their proposals to their Sustainable Communities for Learning’s programme.

This scheme asks councils to outline a “rolling programme” of proposals for up to nine years.

But the list of proposals from Powys made no mention of Gwernyfed High School.

During the previous Independent/Conservative council administration plans to redevelop Gwernyfed - including a new building - had been mooted.

This proposal was shelved as the money earmarked for the scheme was moved and spent to complete school building projects in the north of Powys.

Mr Evans, MS for Brecon and Radnorshire said: “It’s about time the Lib Dem/Labour councillors came clean on just why Gwernyfed High School are not getting the new state of the art facilities they were promised, and explain why it’s been left out of their investment programme for our schools.

“I feel particularly passionate about this as if it wasn’t for the high standard of learning I received myself at this school, I would likely not be in politics and where I am today.

“Yet again, this is another failed promise from the Lib Dems and Labour, leaving an entire area feeling like they’ve been forgotten about.”

Mr Evans’ call follows Liberal Democrat Powys County councillor for Hay, Gareth Ratcliffe, who is a governor at Gwernyfed High, who asked for assurances that there is a long term future for the school.

According to Cllr Ratcliffe this led to the feeling in the area that Gwernyfed is “forgotten.”

Education portfolio holder, Liberal Democrat Cllr Pete Roberts told him that that officers are currently drafting a report for CLT (Corporate Leadership Team) and Cabinet’s consideration which outline the works required and the estimated cost.

“The appropriate funding route will be agreed following this,” said Cllr Roberts.