"I would hope that the merger would benefit Mid Wales students by broadening the range of educational opportunities open to them, as well as benefiting local staff by increasing opportunities for progression and development.
"Although the proposed new college will cover a larger geographical area, I’m keen that there should be a stronger regional focus at the Newtown site and I will be pressing that proposal with the Principal of Coleg Powys in the near future.
"Of course there will now be a detailed consultation and due diligence period to ensure that all views are taken into account and any concerns aired and where appropriate, mitigated."