JAMES Evans has quit his role as a Powys county councillor, citing the local authority’s pursuit of closing small rural schools in the county as a major factor.

Mr Evans says he has also found it increasingly difficult to represent his ward of Gwernyfed, near Hay-on-Wye, while being a Member of the Senedd.

Mr Evans has represented Gwernyfed on Powys County Council (PCC) since 2017, but in May last year he won the vacant Brecon and Radnorshire seat in the 2021 Senedd elections, after incumbent Kirsty Williams announced her departure from politics after more than 20 years.

Previously a Liberal Democrat stronghold, Mr Evans won the Brecon and Radnorshire seat with a majority of 3,820 votes over Lib Dem opponent William Powell.

Ms Williams had retained her seat at the previous election by 8,170 votes, with the seat was won by the Welsh Conservatives for the first time.

Mr Evans's ward covers areas on the Herefordshire border such as Three Cocks and Glasbury, just outside Hay-on-Wye.

Mr Evans, previously a cabinet member for PCC, relinquished that role in October 2020, and soon after it was announced he would be running for the Senedd. But since beating Mr Powell, he says he has found it difficult balancing both roles.

His increasing presence in Cardiff Bay has led to falling attendance at council meetings in Powys, while he says he does not support the council’s continued closure of primary schools – even though the council’s cabinet is governed by a coalition of Mr Evans’ own Conservative party and Independent councillors.

He announced his resignation as Gwernyfed’s representative in a letter sent out to his constituents over the Christmas period – a copy of which has been obtained by Hereford Times sister title the County Times.

“As most of you are aware in the recent Senedd elections in May, I was elected to represent Brecon and Radnorshire,” said Mr Evans.

“The support I had from the community was overwhelming. However, since the election, I have found it to be a difficult balancing act between attending meetings in Cardiff and in Powys, causing my attendance at Powys meetings to fall.

“The current direction of the council in closing small rural schools is something I personally cannot support.

“In light of the above I have decided to take one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make and tender my resignation as county councillor for the Gwernyfed Ward from Powys County Council this week.”

Mr Evans, the shadow minister for mental health, wellbeing and Mid Wales, insists he will continue to represent and support his local community in his role as MS.

“Being elected in May 2017 to be your county councillor was the biggest honour and privilege of my life,” he added.

“It has given me the opportunity to represent the area where I was born and raised along with my family who have lived in Felindre for generations.

"During my time in Powys County Council, I have championed our community and done my utmost to represent you to the best of my abilities, both locally and on wider issues.

“I will continue to support and represent the community as I have done for the last four-and-a-half years but through my role as your Senedd Member.

"Your support and help over the last four years has been truly humbling and I will do all I can to continue to represent our community and the constituency of Brecon and Radnorshire with the same high standards that I know the people of the Gwernyfed ward set for their elected officials.”