William Powell
Assembly Member for Mid & West Wales
William Powell was elected an Assembly Member for Mid & West Wales in May 2011.
Williams is the Shadow Minister for Environment, agriculture and rural affairs.
He attended Talgarth School and Gwernyfed High School, gaining a scholarship to read Modern Languages (French and German) at Pembroke College, Oxford. He graduated in 1986 and now lives with his family on their organic farm in the Black Mountains near Talgarth, Powys.
A qualified teacher, he has taught French and German at a number of schools in Wales and the Marches. He was latterly Head of German at Hereford Sixth Form College, where he was also the European Officer.
William has served as County Councillor for Talgarth since 2004 and has been active in rural regeneration projects, including the restoration of Talgarth Mill, one of six projects across the UK to win financial support from the BIG Lottery in association with the BBC's Village SOS programme.
William is a former member and Audit Scrutiny Chair of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority. Whilst on that body he was active in the campaign for direct elections to the National Park Authorities in Wales.
William was also a founding board member of Wales in Europe and currently serves as Chair of the Wales Council European Movement. In addition, William is a Council Member of the European Liberal Democrats (ELDR) and works closely with Liberal sister-parties across the continent.
He is a member of the FUW and was until recently Vice Chair of Tourism Partnership Mid Wales, which is based in Machynlleth. He is a Governor of Talgarth CP School and Gwernyfed High School. William is a member of the Lloyd George Society, where he also serves on the committee.
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Article: Apr 27, 2012William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, has given his backing to the National Assembly for Wales' Environment and Sustainability Committee report into the business case for a single environment body for Wales.
William Powell, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales and Welsh Liberal Democrat representative on the Committee, said:
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Article: Mar 30, 2012
William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, has called on the Welsh Government to intervene to protect Llandeilo town centre from a potentially devastating and rushed planning decision.
Carmarthenshire County Council Planning Committee is scheduled to pass an application to build a new J Sainsbury's supermarket on the banks of the Afon Tywi tomorrow, following last minute alterations to the plans. As a result of the late changes it is clear that potential objectors have not had the opportunity to fully scrutinise the plans and therefore it is essential that the Welsh Government steps in to prevent rushed pre-election decisions from damaging the future of the town.
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Article: Mar 22, 2012
William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Rural Affairs, has welcomed the Food Standards Agency's (FSA) decision to lift 26 year old Chernobyl restrictions on sheep across North Wales.
William Powell, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, said:
"This is great news for Welsh sheep farmers. Such a decision is long overdue and should be welcomed by everyone here in Wales. Such produce is known across the world for its quality, and I am glad to see assurances finally confirmed at the highest level.
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Article: Mar 14, 2012
William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, has called on the Welsh Government to deliver on years of un-fulfilled commitments to provide a long-term sustainable future for Wales, following the First Minister's 'Energy Wales: A Low Carbon Transition' document.
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Article: Mar 2, 2012
William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesman on Rural Affairs, has today reiterated his support for Bronglais District General Hospital following the highly successful demonstration at the Senedd this week.
William Powell, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, said:
"Wednesday's demonstration on the Senedd steps was a huge success and one of the largest in the history of the National Assembly for Wales. The estimated 800 plus who travelled to Cardiff have done Mid Wales very proud indeed and it was an honour to address the crowd and continue my longstanding support.
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Article: Feb 28, 2012
William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, Environment and Sustainable Development, will today be speaking in the National Assembly for Wales to ask the Welsh Government to detail and explain what preparations have been made to prevent and treat the Schmallenberg virus.
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Article: Feb 8, 2012
William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson, has called on the Welsh Government to use the opportunity presented by the 'Working Smarter' report to reform fundamentally the Glastir Scheme.
William Powell, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, said:
"Despite there being around 14,000 expressions of interest, fewer than 2,000 farmers have so far signed up to Glastir. By any measure, this is far below the levels expected and the numbers required to make the scheme a success.
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Article: Nov 29, 2011
William Powell AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for the Environment and Sustainability has given a cautious welcome to the statement issued today by Environment Minister John Griffiths that the Environment Agency, Countryside Council for Wales and Forestry Commission Wales will be merged into a new Wales wide Environmental body.
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Article: Nov 17, 2011
William Powell AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, has once again reiterated his call for Welsh political parties to present a united front around which they can criticise the UK Government's proposals to cut FITs rates while their own consultation is still going on.
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Article: Nov 3, 2011
William Powell AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, has today reiterated his call for a detailed review of Welsh energy planning regulations in the wake of Scottish Power's admission that investors are threatening to turn away from Wales.
William Powell said:
