Author: Rhys Gregory

Fire crews will be carrying out training exercises at two locations in Cardiff on Wednesday 18 February. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that firefighters will be taking part in a planned exercise at the Wolfscastle Free House in Llanishen between 10am and 1pm. A second exercise will take place later in the evening at The SET Building on Penarth Road from 7pm onwards. Residents and motorists in the area are being advised not to be alarmed if they see emergency vehicles, fire crews or smoke. The activity is part of a scheduled training operation designed to ensure…

Michelle Deere, 53, from Bridgend has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison following her conviction for being concerned in the supply of cocaine. The sentencing took place on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Cardiff Crown Court, where Deere pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession of cocaine and possession of amphetamines. The case stems from a South Wales Police investigation which started when officers from the organised crime unit were looking into drug supply coming from the Britannia Hotel in Pencoed. Following this investigation Deere was identified as potentially being involved in…

Police officers in North Wales stopped almost 50 drivers – including HGV and van drivers, over five days last week as part of an ongoing operation to protect motorists on the region’s busiest roads. Using an unmarked heavy goods vehicle, officers from the Roads Crime Unit took part in Op Tramline – a national roads policing operation using a HGV tractor unit provided by National Highways. The unit is regularly used by police forces across the country to carry out patrols across strategic road networks targeting all drivers including HG drivers and commercial vehicles. The elevated position of the HGV…

The Gŵyl Gymreig will be held on Thursday 26 February 2026 from 12pm to 4pm, bringing together families, local businesses and community organisations for an afternoon of music, learning and celebration. The event has been coordinated through the community benefits programme associated with the construction of the new Ysgol Iolo Morganwg building in Cowbridge. It aims to promote Welsh-medium education in the Western Vale, celebrate Welsh culture, and strengthen links with local businesses in Cowbridge. Designed to create a lively, marketplace-style atmosphere, the event will feature stalls from Cowbridge’s local businesses and representatives from the town’s popular farmers’ market. Visitors…

The Cabinet of Bridgend County Borough Council has agreed its final budget proposals for 2026-27. Developed following the analysis of feedback from a thorough public consultation and scrutiny process, the proposals will now go forward for final approval at a meeting of Council on 25 February 2026. If approved by Council and after taking into account budget pressures of £13.6m as well as necessary reductions totalling just over £2.3m, the net revenue budget for providing local communities with more than 800 services during 2026-27 will be £408m. Of this figure, at least £164m will be invested into services provided by…

Businesses in Port Talbot and the surrounding area can now apply to a new £11.78 million fund to create high-quality jobs and attract long-term investment. The newly-opened Economic Growth and Investment Fund is designed to support companies that offer skilled, well-paid employment opportunities and help them grow. The fund is made up of £6.78 million from the UK Government and £5 million from Tata Steel UK and will complement the work of the Welsh Government and Neath Port Talbot Council to strengthen the local economy. The funding is the latest from the Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board, chaired…

Cardiff Council and national developer Wates Residential have celebrated the topping out of Block A at Channel View, marking another milestone in the transformation of the Grangetown estate. Block A – or Tŷ y Dorlân – comprises 102 Community Living apartments over 15 storeys designed to support older residents, alongside extensive communal facilities, a rooftop terrace and a community café. The apartments have been designed to Happi standards (Housing our Ageing Population Panel for Innovation), focussing on generous open plan space, natural light, outdoor areas including balconies for all apartments, adaptable layouts for future care needs and community-focused spaces. Block…

Swansea Council has formally asked the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to investigate the proposed takeover of Cardiff Rugby which could lead to the loss of professional men’s rugby in Swansea. Y11, the owners of Swansea-based Ospreys, are currently in discussions with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to acquire Cardiff Rugby. The Council’s concerns focus on the proposed reduction of professional teams from four to three, the process for allocating licences, and the potential for one ownership group to control two Welsh clubs. It believes the proposals risk unfairly restricting competition, reducing choice for supporters, and damaging Swansea’s economy. The…

Every Neath Port Talbot Council ward is now eligible for up to £25,000 of funding for projects that boost pride in the community. The Pride in Place Impact Fund (PiPIF) is a £1.5 million UK Government programme designed to help local authorities across Wales to make visible improvements’ to high streets, local facilities and public spaces. The long-term aim of PiPP investment is to increase the prosperity of the area by reducing poverty and improving long-term wellbeing in a community. How will the money be distributed? Each elected member will receive an allocation of £25,000. If a project will benefit…

Citizens Assembly members met for the final time last weekend to help shape the principles behind the new Blaenau Gwent Deal. The Deal is a new way of working between the council, communities and partner organisations, with the aim of building a fairer, more resilient county borough, improving health and well‑being, and reducing inequalities. The residents, selected at random, have given their time to participate in three sessions where they have heard how the Blaenau Gwent Deal could look and work in practice, and about the five main missions of the Council: Early Years: Building a Brighter Future Lifelong Learning,…