Author: Rhys Gregory

Neath Port Talbot Council has taken possession of two brand new street sweeping machines as part of its ongoing ‘Clean Up and Green Up’ commitment. Members of the Rainbow Coalition running the council made improving ‘the public realm’ in Neath Port Talbot one of their early priorities and in December last year the Coalition Cabinet approved a £4.2m programme of work to get it done. The money comes from additional Welsh Government funding and the council’s approved spending programme. The Clean Up and Green Up programme is designed to make improvements in areas including public toilets, improved grass mowing, the…

The Pembrokeshire County Show is back once again – and this year’s event on 16th and 17th August will see Pembrokeshire County Council provide a one-stop-shop of support and information. For the first time, the Council will have one marquee, hosting teams from across the authority including social services, recruitment, waste and recycling, and many more. Visitors will also have the chance to meet Cabinet Members and the Chief Executive and find out about a host of interesting and innovative projects happening across the county. The marquee will be located opposite the showjumping and equestrian rings in Zone A (pitch…

Accepting the Italian Trophy, on behalf of next year’s host county, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE announced that next year’s festival will be held in Pontypridd. Ynysangharad Park in the centre of the town will provide a focus for most activities and pavilions, and the Maes will also include parts of the town itself, creating an urban, alternative and exciting Eisteddfod, combining the local area with the festival itself. Can’t wait to welcome you! Now the news is out and Pontypridd has been confirmed as the home of the 2024 Rhondda Cynon Taf…

Residents can now have their say on a draft Aberdare Town Centre Strategy, which includes proposed areas for future investment. Six public events will take place in the coming weeks, while residents can also take part online. Last month, RCT Cabinet agreed to consult residents on a draft Strategy which sets out a future vision for Aberdare Town Centre by setting several goals and outcomes. The Strategy was compiled following early engagement with local residents and businesses – and a summary of its strategic objectives, future vision and key investment themes are included at the bottom of this update. The…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has now been accredited as a Living Wage Employer. Our Living Wage commitment will see no one working at the council paid below the current minimum hourly wage of £10.90, higher than the government minimum for over 23s, which currently stands at £10.42 per hour. This announcement of accreditation follows on from agreement by Cabinet in 2021, in which all of our contracted adult independent social care workers, as well as all direct payment recipients, received the Real Living Wage from 2021. The Council was already providing the Real Living Wage to in-house social care workers…

n a groundbreaking move that promises to transform the landscape of affordable housing in Blaenau Gwent, Tai Calon Community Housing, the largest provider of homes in the region, has achieved an extraordinary milestone. The organisation recently finalised a £105 million long-term debt refinancing partnership with NatWest Group. This landmark agreement, concluded on Friday, 28th July 2023, ushers in a new era of growth and progress for Tai Calon and the communities it serves. This refinancing deal allows Tai Calon to access a level of funding flexibility typically associated with developing housing associations. Until now, the organisation had only ventured into…

Monmouthshire’s Young Carers Forum organised a Family Fun Day at Caldicot Castle on Monday 31st July. It was a fantastic opportunity for young carers to meet, have fun and find support. Throughout the day, young carers and their families took the opportunity to relax and enjoy fun activities, including a five-a-side football pitch, a bucking bronco ride and a pancake stand. The fun day allowed families to come together in the wonderful grounds of Caldicot Castle. The Monmouthshire Young Carers team are in place to support, provide guidance and social activity opportunities to all young carers across the county. To…

As the Llŷn and Eifionydd National Eisteddfod is held in Boduan, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language is encouraging new community projects to apply for funding. The Welsh Government is inviting community groups to apply for small grants to help set up new or support the growth of community-led co-operatives, social enterprises, and housing projects. The funding, known as Project Perthyn Small Grants, is part of the Welsh Language Communities Housing Plan. The grant is aimed to help create economic opportunities, provide affordable housing, and support Welsh-speaking communities with a high density of second homes. This is the second…

A Registered Sex Offender who engaged in conversation with what he believed to be a 12-year-old female, has been sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court last week (Wednesday 2nd August). Steven Baker, 57 from Ely, Cardiff was sentenced to 22 months in prison after being found guilty of online sexual offences for engaging in sexual communications with a child and several breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Officers from South Wales Police and Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit identified and arrested Baker in June 2023. He was subsequently charged and remanded into custody to await trial. Such was the extent…

Owning a home is a significant milestone and a dream cherished by many. However, for individuals with bad credit, the prospect of securing a mortgage can feel daunting and seemingly out of reach. Bad credit can indeed present challenges when it comes to obtaining a home loan, but it is essential to understand that it is not an insurmountable barrier. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of getting a mortgage with bad credit, shedding light on the challenges borrowers may face and exploring the various options available to overcome these obstacles. Whether you have experienced financial setbacks…