Plan deadline for council criticised over Mid Wales schools

Powys County Council has been criticised by inspection body Estyn, which has been monitoring the council since February 2011.

A team of six inspectors carried out a follow-up visit to the council last month and will carry out another inspection on the school services within the next 12 months.

Jeremy Patterson, chief executive of Powys County Council has been put in charge of the education service and has been written to by Estyn. The letter, which has also been sent to the Welsh Assembly and Wales Audit Office says key councillors and officials are aware of what needs to be done.

"However, progress is slow and at a very early stage," the letter said. It added: "As a result of these findings, and the slow progress against recommendations, the authority will move from Estyn monitoring and be placed in the category of an authority in need of significant improvement."

The authority's self-evaluation was 'too positive' and did not identify shortcomings or a lack of progress towards inspectors' recommendations.

Powys has four schools requiring 'significant improvement' and three needing special measures – more than any other authority in Wales.

Despite closing 14 primary schools and removing 180 surplus places from secondary schools, Estyn said attempts to 'modernise' the education service have been too slow.

Council leader David Jones said decisive action is being taken to address the shortcomings. He said: "Our first action was to appoint the council's most senior officer, the chief executive, to take on the statutory role of chief education officer with immediate effect and lead our response to the report."

The recovery plans will need the approval of Education Minister Leighton Andrews.