Author: Rhys Gregory

Millions of pounds of extra spending on education and social care as well as funding for vital community services like the pioneering free bus initiative and cleansing are planned for the coming year in Swansea. Schools will get an extra £12m and social services an extra £14m as part of an overall extra £30m being injected into Swansea Council services this year. An extra £400,000 has been set aside for this year’s free buses initiative that has seen more than 700,000 free rides enjoyed by local residents over the last three years. Rob Stewart, leader of the council, said: “In…

A 42-year-old woman has been sentenced for her role in the supply of drugs in Bridgend. On Sunday, November 26, 2023 officers attached to our Organised Crime Unit (ICU) executed a Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act warrant at an address on Heol Loveluck, Bridgend. Whilst officers were inside Karen Louise Amos attempted to discard bags of Class A drugs by ripping them open and throwing the contents around the living room. A number of items were recovered and seized by officers which were consistent with possession with intent to supply (PWITS) offences. Karen Amos was sentenced on…

Cardiff Council has agreed tough new measures to help bring long-term empty houses in the city back into use. At a meeting of the Council’s Cabinet last night, councillors agreed recommendations to raise the council tax premium on some empty properties to as much as 300%. In 2019 the Council introduced a 50% Council Tax premium for homes left unoccupied and unfurnished for a year, and last March increased this to 100%. The change to policy will see the premium increase incrementally the longer the house has been left, meaning homes that have lain empty for two years face a…

Swansea’s coastal park has been officially named the Amy Dillwyn Park in memory of one of the city’s most accomplished novelists and businesswomen. It was done to coincide with International Women’s Day – a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. On Wednesday councillors formally approved the naming of the park next to Swansea Arena in honour of the accomplished Victorian novelist, businesswomen and philanthropist. Born in Sketty in 1845 to the prominent Dillwyn family, she wrote six novels on themes including feminism and social reform and following her father’s death she personally managed the…

On Friday, March 8th, 60 pupils from the Monmouthshire County Council Leadership Academy Scheme attended the Leadership Academy Conference at County Hall in Usk. The young ambassadors, who came from the four secondary schools in the county, received leadership training and inspirational talks to help them with their volunteering work in their schools and communities. They participated in workshops to further develop their skills and had the opportunity to network with other ambassadors and learn from each other. Various partners from the sector held workshops, including the Youth Sport Trust, which delivered a workshop on ‘The Role of a Young…

The recently launched Streetscape Paint Scheme is being extended from Milford Haven to Haverfordwest town centre. Property owners in Charles Street, Milford Haven, have been able to apply for grants to paint the exterior of their properties and this will now be widened to include Quay Street, Bridge Street and High Street in Haverfordwest. The scheme is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) and is part of the Council’s Street Enhancement Programme. Grants will provide 80 per cent of the total capital expenditure on one property Local Member Cllr Thomas Tudor said: “As the County Councillor for the…

“Partnership working is key if child poverty is to be tackled in Powys” – that was message to those who attended a child poverty conference hosted by the county council. The second Child Poverty Task Force Conference, which was hosted by Powys County Council, took place at the end of February. During the conference, attendees heard from the council as well its partners in the public, voluntary and charity sectors about the work that has been undertaken to tackle child poverty in the county. Key activities to support children and young people in Powys that were highlighted during the conference…

The Education Minister, Jeremy Miles, has today announced new capital funding of more than £12.5m to improve school and college buildings throughout Wales. The funding package will include £2.56m to cover the costs of remedial works to all schools where reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has been identified. A further £10m will be available for large scale capital maintenance work focused on energy efficiency measures. This includes replacing roofs, windows, heating and ventilation works and electrical systems. Five schools – Ysgol David Hughes and Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi on Ynys Môn; Ysgol Maes Owen in Conwy; Ysgol Trefnant in Denbighshire and…

A new website has been launched by The Open University in Wales and Wales TUC to support more people into lifelong learning. unionlearning.wales gives information on OU degrees and free courses, as well as funding available for all workers in Wales. The new site contains descriptions of OU courses which are popular with people looking to upskill or change their career. These include undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as Access courses which can help people take a step into higher education for the first time. Users can also find out about the Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF), which has…

MWT Cymru, an advocate for tourism businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Meirionnydd, has announced a leadership change with the appointment of Zoe Hawkins as new chief executive. With 14 years of dedicated service within the organisation, coupled with her first-hand experience as a business owner, Zoe has a wealth of experience and a keen understanding of the complexities faced by tourism businesses. Zoe, who lives in Newtown, is looking forward to leading MWT Cymru, also known as Mid Wales Tourism,  into a new era of growth and collaboration. She takes up her new post next month. “I am immensely proud…