Mayor of Brecon

Councillor John Powell is the Mayor in Office for 2021/22 

John Powell – Biography

Hello! My name is John and I live in Beechgrove in Brecon. I have lived in Breconshire all of my life, and have been a resident in St John’s Ward in Brecon for the past 40 years.

Educated in the area, undertaking my Secondary Education at Brecon High School and Further Education at Coleg Howell Harris/Coleg Powys and working locally in the MOD, NHS, Powys County Council and Further Education. I currently work in Communications & Engagement for the NHS. I remain a huge supporter of education, and recently obtained a BSc (Hons) degree in Combined Professional Studies: Health Informatics via the Open University, and possess a PGCE/Cert Ed teaching qualification in Further and Adult Education and Training.

My personal interests and leisure pursuits include researching local history; genealogy; walking; mountain biking; charity fundraising; reading; writing; information technology; graphic design; art; photography; video production; scriptwriting; stand-up comedy and music.

Having been actively involved in working for people in our community for many years, I am pleased to offer the town my wealth of local experience, knowledge, good reputation and appetite for hard work.

Council Career

On May 4^th 2017, I stood as a candidate in the By-Election for St John’s East Ward to gain my place as a Councillor on Brecon Town Council. It has been an honour to be elected as a representative for the local area on Brecon Town Council, Deputy Mayor during 2020/21 followed by the new rewarding challenge to be Mayor for 2021/22. I am very pleased that our two newly co-opted Youth Representatives will be commencing during my Mayoral Year after proposing this initiative myself.

Since being elected as a Brecon Town Councillor, I have continued to work hard in this position and other voluntary roles around the local community and have been the town council’s representative on various organisations (e.g. Dementia Friendly Brecon; Brecknock Access Group; Brecon Saline Twinning Association, etc.) and a member of the various council committees and working groups. Additionally, I have been an active member of PLAN Brecon; Brecon 20:20 Town Plan working group; and helped to organise and run various events and activities such as the annual Christmas “Brecon With Bells On” event, the free community festival “PromFest”, etc.

I organise and promote local activities and events by liaising with individuals, organisations and venues with similar aims of supporting community development, and have organised regular litterpicking sessions around Brecon for community group PLAN Brecon to help “Keep Brecon Tidy”. We have appeared as dragons, Wombles, and mysterious caped crusaders the “Litter Heroes” whilst litterpicking. It is a lovely enthusiastic group and new volunteers are always welcome. I have also helped plan Brecon Frazz Parade during the Jazz and Fringe Festivals, started a weekly Board Games Night, and re-introduced the ancient Mari Lwyd and wassailing traditions back to Brecon.

I am proud to live in Brecon with a genuine passionate interest in wanting to create a better Brecon, and concerned about supporting the best interests of our local community. I love where we live and care about looking after the town’s past, present and future. It’s great to contribute towards creating a brighter and better Brecon, and help to improve our community, but there is still lots more that can be done.

I hope to enable more to be done to help improve our town and local area. There are so many important local issues affecting our region. We need to ensure the prospects of our town improves to enhance the lives of current and future generations. I would like to hear your opinions and views about any local issues and concerns regarding matters you feel are important and what you think will be the best way forward for successfully developing Brecon and the surrounding areas.

It is important we support our local shops and businesses. The current economic climate presents many challenges, and continued austerity measures will result in further cuts to services that impact on our community which people value and depend upon. We cannot afford to remain in the past and do nothing, and must keep Brecon moving forward.

My intentions are to work to serve and represent for the benefit of the best interests of the diverse community of Brecon to improve the local quality of life and environment. I love the town of Brecon and believe that I can help to make it a better place to live, work and visit. We need to support those who love, care and back Brecon, and not bash it when a helping hand is required. As such, I abide by the town motto: ‘Canmol dy fro a thrig yno‘ (‘Praise your area and dwell there’).

For the year 2021/22 the Mayor’s Charities are: Brecon Foodbank; Brecon Volunteer Bureau; Credu; Homeless Hope.

Brecon Foodbank

WWW: brecon.foodbank.org.uk

Facebook: breconfoodbank
Twitter: BreconFoodbank

Brecon Volunteer Bureau

Facebook: BreconVolunteer

Credu

WWW: www.carers.cymru

Facebook: creducarers
Twitter: CreduCarers
Instagram: creduconnectingcarers_

Homeless Hope

WWW: www.homelesshope1.org

Facebook: Homeless Hope
Twitter: HomelessHope1
Instagram: homelesshopegroup

Mayor’s Chaplain: The Revd Canon Dr Mark Clavier