Author: Rhys Gregory

Bridgend County Borough Council has set out a new Empty Homes Strategy to further reduce the number of long-term empty residential properties and bring them back into use. The strategy for 2025-2030 has now been approved by the council’s Cabinet and was shaped through public consultation with input from residents, landlords and property owners. It builds on the progress made under the previous plan and focuses on early engagement, financial support and stronger enforcement. It also includes a detailed Empty Property Action Plan, ensuring delivery through a coordinated approach across council departments and external partners. The strategy also contributes to…

A collaborative project between Cardiff’s Curriculum Team, Theatr na nÓg and the Arts Council of Wales will see more than 2000 Cardiff pupils attend The Fight, a powerful and inspiring story which explores themes of racism, social justice, identity, and resilience. The production by Theatr na nÓg tells the true story of Cuthbert Taylor, a gifted Black boxer from Merthyr Tydfil who, despite his Olympic-level talent, was denied the chance to fight for a British title purely because of the colour of his skin. Set in the South Wales Valleys of the 1930s, The Fight connects deeply with the values and learning expectations…

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Trading Standards Team has obtained four closure orders against vape shops trading in the county borough. A District Judge at Swansea Magistrates Court approved the three-month closures of the following shops under Section 80 Of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014: Vape Land, Commercial Road, Taibach Vape Zone, Queen Street Neath Classic Vape, Station Road, Port Talbot Pontardawe Vape, James Street Pontardawe It is the second time Vape Land has been issued with a closure order in the last 6 months. These premises had been found to be selling counterfeit and illicit (non-tax paid)…

Families across Caerphilly County Borough can look forward to a week full of fun, fitness and creativity this October half term, with a packed line-up of activities from Leisure Lifestyle, Sport Caerphilly and Caerphilly Play. Leisure Lifestyle – Family fun at the swimming pool Leisure centres across the county are offering plenty of ways to stay active during the school break. The half term swim programme includes sessions for all ages and abilities, from family swims to swimming lessons and fun inflatable sessions. You can view the full timetable on the Leisure Lifestyle App or visit caerphillyleisurelifestyle.co.uk for more details.…

The £200,000 refurbishment of Cwm Youth Centre was celebrated at a special launch event last night. Thanks to Community Focused Schools funding from the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, the centre has undergone a transformation which includes new windows, floor, roof, toilets, front door, electrics, fire alarms, security alarms, kitchen and broadband. The funding has also enabled Blaenau Gwent Youth Service to purchase new resources and digital equipment, including a radio station setup and podcasting tools. These additions have supported the development of popular and impactful digital offers, enhancing how young people engage with creative media and communication.…

People who need to lose weight quickly because they have a serious medical condition will have access to weight loss drugs on the NHS in Wales. People who are waiting for time-sensitive surgery or organ transplants, women seeking fertility treatment, and people with conditions such as severe asthma, severe obstructive sleep apnoea, or cancer where weight loss would improve treatment outcomes or access to therapies will have access to the weight-loss drug tirzepatide (Mounjaro). Previously, the weight loss medication was only available on the NHS through specialist weight management services. The new arrangements ensure people with urgent clinical needs can…

The Menai Suspension Bridge will reopen fully to two-way traffic from 7am Friday, October 24 following the successful completion of temporary works to address an issue in a number of bolts on the bridge The bridge will open with a 7.5-tonne weight limit in place, as engineers have advised the previous 3-tonne weight limit can now be lifted following the installation of additional strengthening. Inspections of the temporary works  will take place every Wednesday at 10am and traffic will be managed on the bridge with stop/go signs at this time. The reopening coincides with the Menai Bridge fair, allowing traffic…

Ambulance handover delays have fallen to their lowest level in more than four years. Overall, people are waiting less time in ambulances outside hospitals, with handover delays now at their lowest since July 2021. The latest NHS performance figures, which are published today, show the time the Welsh Ambulance Service lost to handover delays at emergency departments fell by 40% in September compared to September 2024. Response times are also improving as a result – the average response time to reach people in the “amber” 999 category was 25 minutes faster in September. Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said: “We have…

Plaid Cymru has secured a significant victory in the Caerphilly Senedd by-election, with Lindsay Whittle elected as the constituency’s new Member of the Senedd. The result marks a major upset for Welsh Labour, which had held Caerphilly since devolution in 1999. The full result was: 15,961 – Lindsay Whittle, Plaid Cymru 3,713 – Richard Tunnicliffe, Welsh Labour 12,113 – Llyr Powell, Reform UK 690 – Gareth Potter, Conservatives 709 – Roger Quilliam, UKIP 516 – Gareth Hughes, Green Party 497 – Steve Aicheler, Liberal Democrats 117 – Anthony Cook, Gwlad Turnout reached 50.43%, making it the first Welsh Parliament by-election…

Last year (2024-25) Powys County Council added 22 extra homes to its council housing stock. It bought four new builds off a private developer in Ystradgynlais (Parc Brynygroes) and 18 older properties. The 18 had all previously been council houses, before they were bought by their tenants through the right-to-buy scheme. They are in Newtown, Ystradgynlais, Llandrindod Wells, Knighton and Llanspyddid. Councillor Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys said: “Buying ‘off-the-shelf’ properties is a great way of expanding our council housing stock quickly, to help meet the demand for affordable homes, and in the future,…