Author: Rhys Gregory

Thousands of residents in Swansea will see support this winter thanks to £500k funding from Swansea Council. Groups and organisations providing free food for school aged children during the holidays, free or subsidised activities, or are opening their doors to offer a warm welcome to residents, were invited to apply for grants funded by the council. The new Enabling Communities Grant aims to build on successful programmes that have made a real difference to people’s lives in recent years. Letters have gone out this week to let applicants know whether they have been successful. Thanks to the funding, 51 schemes…

Caerphilly Council has secured £1m from Welsh Government’s Community Focussed Schools capital grant for the installation of a full size dual use rugby and football 3G pitch replacing the existing Artificial Turf Pitch (ATP) at Risca Comprehensive School and Leisure Centre. The current ATP and supporting infrastructure are coming to the end of its life and is not currently fit for purpose but is still used during the day by the Comprehensive School to support curriculum delivery, and at evenings and weekends by a range of community sports clubs. Cllr Chris Morgan , Cabinet Member for Waste, Leisure & Green…

Newport City Council’s trading standards officers have recently organised food allergen training courses to local businesses. Funded by the Shared Prosperity Fund, the three sessions proved very successful and were attended by 137 people from 87 businesses. Councillor James Clarke, cabinet member for strategic planning, housing and regulation, said: “People who suffer from food allergies have to be careful that they don’t eat anything that will cause a reaction. The results can be extremely serious and even, on occasions, life-threatening. “Businesses have a legal duty to make clear what is in any food they are selling and ensure it does not…

Despite soaring energy costs, inflation-related pay pressures and unprecedented demands on services, Neath Port Talbot Council hopes to deliver a balanced 2024/25 budget with no significant cuts to services and no substantial staff job losses. In setting its 2024/25 budget, the council faces one of the most difficult financial situations in its history –  £20m in new cost pressures due to inflation, cost of living and other factors but the prospect of only an estimated extra £8m in Welsh Government funding. Welsh Government funding will be announced next week as part of the Provisional Local Government settlement. As a result,…

Transport for Wales have awarded Elite Clothing Solutions a £2.5 million contract for four years to produce and deliver staff uniform. Based in Ebbw Vale, Elite Clothing Solutions is a social enterprise providing employment for local people, opportunities in the supply chain and training for people with disabilities or those at a disadvantage. With over 2,000 operational staff needing uniform, the long-term contract awarded by TfW will support the circular economy within Wales and will also help those with a disadvantage gain vital vocational skills and improve their overall well-being. Elite have established a consortium of Welsh businesses to support…

Drug dealer Kya Evans has been jailed after an off-duty officer detained him following a crash. Evans, 21 from #Careau crashed his suron bike while riding it illegally on October 15 on #Pentrebane Road. An off duty officer who was on his way to work detained Evans who was then found in possession of a crack and heroin, a large amount of cash, and two phones. Another man was arrested for affray after repeatedly threatening to physically assault the officer whilst brandishing weapons. On 11 December at Cardiff Crown Court Evans pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply crack…

Mark Drakeford has today announced Kai Lloyd as the winner of the annual First Minister’s Christmas card competition. Ten-year-old Kai is a pupil at Ysgol Ty Coch in Pontypridd. This year’s competition was open to primary aged children who attend special schools in Wales. The theme for this year’s Christmas card was ‘A Christmas wish’. The winning design was chosen by the First Minister and will be used as his official Christmas card for 2023. The First Minister sends a card to thousands of people around the world every Christmas, including to world leaders. The First Minister said: “One of…

The Welsh Government is providing funding to Trading Standards Wales to help tackle illegal vaping in Wales, the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lynne Neagle, has announced. The funding will build on a previous operation to tackle illegal tobacco, which saw more than 840,000 illegal cigarettes and more than 400kg of illegal hand rolling tobacco seized from commercial premises in Wales. Trading Standards Wales officers will be cracking down on illegal vapes by: undertaking test purchasing, dog detection to identify rogue retailers, intelligence gathering, checks at ports to ensure illegal and possibly dangerous products are removed from sale…

After narrowly avoiding relegation to Football League One during each of the past two seasons, Cardiff City has bounced back nicely to begin the 2023-2024 campaign, sitting near the top third of the league with more than half a season to play. Last season, the Bluebirds needed help from Reading F.C. to maintain their position in the second flight of English Football. Reading was deducted six points after they breached the terms of a previously-agreed upon business plan — itself stemming from a prior rules breach — which caused them to fall to the No. 22 spot in the table…

In today’s fast-paced world, making informed financial decisions is crucial for securing a better future. Whether it’s managing your expenses, saving for retirement, or investing wisely, being financially savvy can lead to long-term stability and success. In this article, we will explore 11 tips to help you make informed financial decisions that will set you on the path to a brighter financial future. 1. Set Clear Financial Goals Setting clear financial goals is the first step towards making informed financial decisions. By defining your objectives, you can create a roadmap to achieve them. Whether it’s saving for a down payment…