Brecon and Radnorshire MS James Evans has quit his role as a Powys County Councillor to focus on his position as a Senedd Member.

Mr Evans, who announced his resignation on New Year’s Day - Saturday, January 1 - said that the council’s current direction of closing rural schools was a factor in his decision.

The Conservative, who had been a Powys councillor for Gwernyfed since 2017, described it as “the biggest honour and privilege” of his life.

He said: “Being elected in May 2017 to be a County Councillor for my home community was the biggest honour and privilege of my life.

“It has given me the opportunity to represent the area where I was born and raised along with my family who have lived in the community for generations. During my time in Powys County Council, I have championed our community and done my upmost to represent you to the best of my abilities both locally and on wider issues.”

In May 2021, Mr Evans won the Brecon and Radnorshire seat - previously a Liberal Democrat stronghold - in the Senedd with a majority of 3,820 votes over Lib Dem opponent William Powell who is the Powys councillor for Talgarth.

However since his election, Mr Evans said he has struggled to balance the work between the Senedd and Powys.

The Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and Mid Wales said that his increased presence at Cardiff Bay meant that his attendance at council meetings fell.

Writing on his social media accounts, he said: “Since the election in May I have found it to be a difficult balancing act between attending meetings in the Senedd and in Powys causing my attendance at Powys Council meetings to fall. The current direction of the council in closing small rural schools is also 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 Gwerynfed Ward from Powys County Council yesterday [December 31, 2021].”

The Senedd Member is not the first Powys council member to resign over the closure of rural schools as Yscir ward councillor Iain McIntosh reigned from the Welsh Conservative Group within the council as well as the cabinet over the decision to close Cradoc Primary School so that it could be merged with Mount Street Infants and Mount Street Juniors schools.

Mr Evans, who previously stepped down from his role on Powys council’s cabinet in November 2020 due to work commitments, has reassured residents in mid Wales that he will continue to support the community.

He said: “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.

“The community 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 & Radnorshire with the same high standards that I know the people of the Gwernyfed Ward set for their elected officials.

“If you need any help or assistance please contact my office on: Tel: 01874 793142; Email: [email protected]s.”

When approached for a comment, a spokesman for Powys council said that while Mr Evans’ resignation would trigger an election within 35 days of the notice or vacancy being posted.

However the spokesman said that a snap election will not be taking place due to the Senedd Member’s resignation coming within six months of the upcoming local government elections in May this year..

The spokesman said: “Councillor James Evans, who represents the Gwernyfed Ward on Powys County Council has announced he has stepped down from the county council.

“A member of the Conservative Group and former cabinet member, Councillor Evans announced he was resigning as from the county council effective from December 31, 2021. Cllr Evans is Member of the Senedd for the Brecon and Radnor constituency.

“Under normal circumstances a resignation would trigger an election within 35 days of the notice of vacancy being posted. However, under Section 89(3) of the Local Government Act 1972 an election shall not be held if the vacancy has occurred within six months of the date of an ordinary election unless one third of the total membership is vacant.

“The seat will therefore remain vacant until the election in May and neighbouring councillors will be asked to assist with any ward work until the election.”