Author: Rhys Gregory

Consultation is under way to gauge people’s views on some potential measures the council could consider in future to drive up recycling figures. Neath Port Talbot Council will also ask residents what they usually recycle, and what can be done to help them recycle more of their household waste. Cllr Scott Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene, said: “With the help of our residents, Neath Port Talbot now has a creditable recycling rate approaching 68%. However, there is no certainty that the new Welsh Government target of recycling 70% of all our waste will be met this…

Richard Cook of Haverfordwest, had been issued with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) following repeated incidents where refuse and household waste was left outside the property. The situation reached a level where it was considered to be a risk to public health, safety and welfare and the rubbish was attracting rats. Despite visits from Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) Environmental Services staff to educate and offer advice, plus warnings from Public Health officers and Mr Cook’s landlords ATEB, the situation remained unchanged. The CPN was issued on November 29th 2023, requiring Mr Cook to remove all refuse and household waste from…

Work will soon get underway to improve local pedestrian facilities and the safe routes to school in Hawthorn – to complement the major investment in modern education facilities being delivered for the community later this year. The Hawthorn Safe Routes in Communities scheme will begin from Monday, May 13, with the likelihood of some minor advanced works commencing the week before. The investment will be focused on Cardiff Road, School Lane and Ynyslyn Road – which are key routes for pupils and families walking and cycling to Hawthorn Primary School and Hawthorn High School each day. From September 2024, the…

The draft plan sets out how the council will work to mitigate the risks to residents and communities from localised flooding over the next six years. It sets out how we will manage flooding in the city, how we assess flood risk, and what preventative measures can be taken to manage this risk. It also sets out potential sources of flooding and who is responsible for managing them. These include things like flooding from ordinary watercourses, surface water, ground water, coastal flooding and sewer flooding. The consultation on the strategy, launched today, asks residents for their views on flooding in…

In a cabinet meeting which took place on Wednesday 1st May 2024, Caerphilly County Borough’s Youth Forum (Youth Service) informed Cabinet of the issues raised by young people within the Borough and highlighted their priority issue for the year. The Youth Forum enables young people aged 11-25 to have a voice on issues that affect them. Each year, young people’s ideas and issues are identified in a borough wide consultation, structured and organised around five themes: Prosperous Caerphilly; Safer Caerphilly; Learning Caerphilly; Healthier Caerphilly; and Greener Caerphilly. Following the Annual Youth Forum Conference in January 2024, young people within CCBC…

Landmark proposals to make the Senedd more modern and effective has been agreed by the Welsh Parliament. Members of the Senedd voted to pass the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill in the week that marks 25 years of devolution in Wales. The Bill, which forms part of Welsh Government’s Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru, aims to create a modern Senedd, better able to represent people in Wales, with increased capacity to scrutinise, make laws, and hold government to account. Following Royal Assent, the legislation will mean that from the 2026 Senedd election: There will be 96 Members of the…

The Cabinet Secretary for Education has set out how she will ensure additional learning needs (ALN) reforms are being implemented consistently in Welsh schools and local authorities. She will also announce a further £20m for schools to improve facilities for learners with ALN as part of a debate on ALN reforms this afternoon. Education Secretary Lynne Neagle said: “Excellent work is happening to support learners with additional learning needs across Wales. I have made it my job in the first few weeks to listen to parents, schools, local authorities and the health sector to see what is happening on the ground.…

Everyone must play their part in preventing one of the world’s biggest killers, Wales’ Chief Medical and Veterinary Officers have said as they launch the next stage of a 20-year plan to reduce resistance to antibiotics In 2019, there were an estimated 7,600 deaths directly from infections resistant to antibiotics (similar to the number of deaths in the UK due to stomach cancer), as well as 35,200 deaths as an indirect result of infections resistant to antibiotics. Even if the patient survives, resistance makes infections far more serious and difficult to treat successfully. But simple steps to prevent infections and…

Dear Editor, Moving regularly and being active is important to nurture and protect good mental health but many of us are not moving enough.  That’s why ‘Movement: moving more for our mental health’ is the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week which is taking place from 13 to 19 May. We know that it can be difficult to be physically active when you’re busy with work, childcare or caring responsibilities.  We know it can be tougher still if you’re living with a long-term health condition or struggling financially. That’s why we’re sharing information and advice throughout the week…

A Brecon fish and chip shop frying for the last time after more than forty years is  looking to be wrapped up by a new owner at auction. The former Watergate Fish Bar is being sold after the owner retired after four decades of serving customers in Brecon.  The corner shop, which is being sold by Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions,  has a guide price of £143,000-plus. Debra Bisley, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “After more than forty years trading the owners of this well established premises are finally putting away their fish fryers, hanging up their aprons and retiring making…