Author: Rhys Gregory

A Magor-based transport company has begun its journey to net zero with a £55,000 green loan from the Development Bank of Wales. Established by Director James Hill in 2006, Jaga Brothers Transport employs 44 people and operates 45 trucks and 130 trailers from its base at Gwent Euro Park. Clients include Celsa Steel UK. With a commitment to reducing carbon footprint, the company has invested in 68 solar panels that will save 5.14t of CO2 emissions and reduce annual energy costs by £25,000. The 28kW system has been installed by Tewdric Energy. Director James Hill said: “This investment in solar…

A brand-new visitor attraction in North Cardiff is celebrating a successful opening season, welcoming over 100,000 visitors in its first nine weeks. Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs opened to the public in July 2023 as a hub for health and wellbeing and a haven for wildlife and offers a range of water and land activities and a café with stunning views – making it a great place to visit at any time of the year. Built in the late-19th century, Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs are a Victorian landmark – covering 110 acres of green and blue space and home to amazing…

Cardiff Council can proudly announce the city has been officially declared a UNICEF Child Friendly City -the first of its kind in the UK. The prestigious and internationally-acknowledged status has been awarded to Cardiff in recognition of the steps the council and its partners have taken over the past five years to advance the human rights of children and young people across the city. Cardiff Council and its partners joined the UK Committee for UNICEF’s (UNICEF UK) Child Friendly Cities & Communities programme in 2017 as part of a pioneering cohort. Since then, it has been implementing strategies to embed…

Social Services Community Options team have recently opened a new community café at Blaina Institute. The café is a partnership with Blaina Community Institute Limited and offers adults with disabilities valuable work placements and volunteering opportunities to develop invaluable life, social and future work skills within the world of catering and hospitality. Mary Welch, Community Options Manager within Social Services said: ‘’This exciting venture has given us an opportunity to work with a community group in Blaina so that we can breathe life into one of our historic Blaenau Gwent buildings alongside showcasing the catering talents of the staff within…

RCT Cabinet has received a report on the progress made during the first year of the updated RCT Empty Homes Strategy. Focused activities and interventions have helped bring a further 258 properties back into use since October 2022. The Council is committed to reducing the number of empty homes as they are a financial expense and a wasted resource that could provide much-needed affordable housing. Their appearance can be unsightly, and they attract anti-social behaviour. Following Cabinet’s approval a year ago, an updated Empty Homes Strategy (2022-2025) introduced objectives to continue the good work carried out from 2018 to 2021,…

Young people from across Swansea were saluted for their passion for books. They were honoured by Swansea Council’s libraries service after excelling in the city’s annual Summer Reading Challenge. Others were honoured for volunteering at libraries around Swansea. Council cabinet member Elliott King said: “Our library staff are at the heart of their communities – and they were delighted to highlight the fact that young people love reading and books.” The challenge, presented by The Reading Agency and supported by Welsh Government and Book Council of Wales, is the UK’s biggest reading for pleasure programme for primary school aged children. In…

Following an investigation by officers from Tarian, the regional organised crime unit for southern Wales a 27-year-old man from Canton in Cardiff has been sent to prison for five years. On May 31 this year officers from Tarian’s regional disruption team attended an address in Canton as part of an intelligence led operation working with partners in the UK Border Force. Three days earlier a parcel had been intercepted entering the country from the USA containing a kilogram of cannabis, addressed to Shawn Martin at his home address. When officers entered the property Martin was found surrounded by wholesale amounts…

Paul Jenkins, aged 39, has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 20 years, for murdering his friend at his home. 61-year-old David Green was found dead at his home in Orchard Court, New Orchard Street, Swansea by officers on Sunday 9th April 2023. On the 15th of September 2023 Paul Jenkins appeared in court and pleaded guilty to the murder of David Green sometime between the 6th and 9th April 2023, together with an offence of possession of a bladed article in Swansea on Friday 7th April. On the afternoon of Sunday 9th April 2023, Paul…

Well-attended Democracy Matters Question Time events at County Hall saw some tough questions put to a panel of Councillors by young people from Pembrokeshire. Two events were organised by Electoral Services and the Children and Young People’s Rights Office with representatives from secondary schools, youth groups and Pembrokeshire College attending. Chairing both the morning and evening sessions was Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman Cllr Thomas Tudor who said it had been an honour to be involved. “These amazing events give young people a voice to question elected councillors and officers of the authorities on issues that they are concerned with, and…

Last year, as part of the wider commitment to end homelessness in Wales, the Welsh Government announced a number of steps to support people in social rented accommodation as part of an agreement with local authorities and Registered Social Landlords. This week, Climate Change Minister Julie James has announced a continuation of that support from social landlords as well as a new maximum social rent uplift cap of 6.7% from April 2024. The Minister said: “Last year, I made the decision to cap the social housing rent uplift below the level of inflation to provide additional support to our social…