Author: Rhys Gregory

The Vale of Glamorgan Council will soon begin a programme of engagement with residents, local businesses and community stakeholders to help shape the future use of the former Wilko superstore on Holton Road, Barry. The Council purchased the prominent town centre building as part of its wider commitment to rejuvenating Barry and supporting thriving, sustainable high streets. While some initial visual work was carried out under license to improve the appearance over the Christmas Period, more extensive works form part of the next stage of the process. These works are now being carried out inside the building to ensure it…

Cardiff Council has unveiled its 2026/27 Budget proposals, prioritising no cuts to frontline services, investment in schools, services for vulnerable children and adults, neighbourhoods and cleaner streets, while managing rising costs and growing demand. The budget proposals include significant investment in frontline services: Education & Schools £14.1m increase to delegated school budgets (a 4.2% rise) £4.1m increase for retained education budgets (including ALN and home-to-school transport) Expanding the number of additional learning needs places in special schools and specialist resource bases Social Services £8.9m additional funding for Children’s Services (8.3% increase) £8.6m additional funding for Adult Services (4.9% increase) The…

Swansea Council is set to invest nearly £70m in the coming year building, maintaining and improving thousands of council homes across the city. Millions of pounds are being earmarked to insulate and weatherproof hundreds of existing homes making them warmer and more efficient to help reduce the cost of heating. Tenants will also see millions spent on improving the look and feel of their communities in places including West Cross, Sketty, Fforesthall and Clydach. The spending is part of the biggest ever investment in council-owned homes for affordable rent in the city which will see £267m spent over the next four…

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council has supported the delivery of 27 new affordable, energy-efficient homes on the former Penygraig Junior School site, marking a new chapter for a well-known community location. The development, now known as Clos Yr Ysgol, has welcomed its first tenants in January 2026. The site, which had remained unused since the school’s closure in 2018, has been transformed into high-quality homes designed to meet local housing need. The scheme has been delivered by Trivallis with funding support from the Welsh Government’s Social Housing Grant (SHG), which is managed locally by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. Through…

Changeable and very mild conditions are set to dominate the week across Wales, according to the Met Office, with rain, fog and breezy spells all in the mix. Today will start bright for many, with a few blustery showers around. It should turn dry for a time through the morning, but rain is expected to push in from the south west later on, leading to a damp afternoon. Some fog patches may also develop. Despite the unsettled feel, it will stay mild with a maximum temperature of 12C, although it will remain breezy. This evening will be cloudy with outbreaks…

From breath-taking castles to tranquil religious sites and industrial titans that forged the industrial revolution, entry to 17 historic places in the care of Cadw – which normally charge admission – will be free this St David’s Day [Sunday 1 March]. Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, cares for some of Wales’ most loved history-filled places that have shaped the nation. In lieu of payment to these sites, Cadw is asking visitors to consider a voluntary donation to Wales Air Ambulance. The pan-Wales charity provides critical care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to those in urgent…

The historic Royal Alexandra hospital is to be transformed by a major £33m investment by Welsh Government that will improve NHS services for people living in Rhyl. The new purpose-built facility will include a minor injuries unit capable of treating more than 20,000 people a year and will ease pressure Ysbyty Glan Clwyd’s emergency department, nearby. A 14-bed ready-to-go-home reablement unit will also be part of the new building. It will bring together NHS and social care teams to provide care for people returning home after medical and surgical treatment in hospital. Radiology services will be expanded in Rhyl and…

A North Wales biotech firm has pioneered a new robotic dispensing system for diagnostic devices that test for conditions such as cancer, with Welsh Government support. Biofortuna, in Deeside, secured £225k SMART Flexible Innovation Support, to develop its BeadBot™ system, which is set to help the company achieve international growth ambitions. The project is one of 140 initiatives to receive SMART funding as part of a £20 million programme launched in 2023 to invest in cutting-edge research and innovation that will improve people’s lives. So far £17.9m in innovation grants have been allocated to companies such as Biofortuna, to design…

Thousands of pets and animals across Wales will benefit from improved welfare protections as the Welsh Government confirms £1 million in continued funding for Animal Licensing Wales.  The funding for 2026/27 enables Animal Licensing Wales to maintain its specialist team supporting local authorities to regulate animal activities, tackle illegal breeding, and prosecute offenders. A central online portal now streamlines applications for dog breeders, with plans to expand to other licensed activities. Since launching in 2020, Animal Licensing Wales has become a vital national resource. The initiative has secured significant prosecutions and improved welfare outcomes through consistent, expert enforcement. They have helped train animal welfare inspectors across Wales, raising professional standards. Veterinary professionals have also received training to conduct health…

Passenger numbers on the Cambrian line have seen a significant boost in the past year with more local people and tourists using the improved service. Recent figures show that, in every month from January to November 2025, the number of train passengers on the Cambrian line was larger than in the same month in 2024. In total, the line has seen around 150,000 more journeys compared to the previous year – the equivalent to a 13% rise in total. Responding to the news, Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, Ken Skates MS, said: “The increase in passenger numbers on…