Author: Rhys Gregory

Work has commenced on the demolition of the former HMRC office building at Tŷ Glas in Llanishen. Following the securing of prior planning permission with conditions for demolition in August last year, these conditions have now been discharged and full structural demolition has started. The Council acquired the Tŷ Glas site in October 2021 to provide a clear site to bring forward strategic education proposals under the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. There are currently no specific plans for the site and any future proposals would be subject to community engagement as well as consultation via the planning process. Now,…

A VEAT (Voluntary Ex-Ante Transparency) notice providing details of the draft contract negotiated with Academy Music Group (AMG) Ltd to lease and operate St David’s Hall has been published. The publication of the VEAT notice allows a 28-day opportunity for the offer made by AMG to be challenged and follows a six-week marketing exercise inviting offers from theatre, arts and venue services organisations interested in becoming custodian of St David’s Hall. The process, which aimed to ensure best value was achieved, concluded with no formal bids being made. The VEAT notice confirms that: The proposed arrangement will involve the grant…

It has three new permanent stalls offering goods ranging from rugs to smoothies and takeaway meals. They join dozens of other traders providing a vast range of goods and services. Rugs Central offers wide selection quality rugs, mats and runners and also offers online sales via www.rugs-central.com. Owner Vivian Presgrave said: “I want to expand my business and a new stall at Swansea Market is a great opportunity. “Customers here have already been giving me great feedback and I look forward to getting to know many more over the coming months and years.” Smoothie Den sells a range of fresh smoothies,…

A Milford Haven couple have been fined after failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice relating to the removal of rubbish outside their home. Gavin and Marie Danielle James of Vicary Crescent, were prosecuted at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court having continuously accumulated household waste and refuse outside their home since the Summer of 2020. Pembrokeshire County Council had served Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 (PDPA 1949) Notices on three occasions and private contractors were employed to clean up when these were not acted upon. Due to the continued generation of household waste and refuse, which in turn attracted…

A year-long focus on improving the outdoor environment for the Tenby community and learners at Ysgol Greenhill culminated with the launch of a new outdoor gym. Coordinated by a committee of School Governors, the Greenhill Outdoor Improvement plan included the planting of 6,000 spring bulbs and the creation of a vegetable growing area with several raised beds, fruit trees, habitat boxes, wildflower areas and greenhouse outside the Learning Resource Centre. Enhancing Pembrokeshire grant funding enabled the project, led by Friends of Greenhill, and supported by Tenby Town Council, to make a real difference to the outdoor offer. The outdoor gym…

The Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Cllr Wendy Lewis, was appointed to the role at the Council’s recent Annual General Meeting. Cllr Lewis has chosen four charities for her year in office, and is looking forward to raising awareness and funding for them. Cllr Lewis, Elected Member for Llwynypia Ward, said she is delighted to take on the role previously held by Cllr Wendy Treeby, of Mountain Ash, and is looking forward to her time as Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf, a place she has lived all her life. Born and raised in the Rhondda Valley, Cllr Lewis says she…

The much-anticipated Caerphilly Interchange proposal has entered its third and final phase of public consultation and engagement. Drawing upon the success of the previous Stage 2 consultation, which was centred around gathering insights regarding the site’s design and functionality, significant progress has been made in refining the proposal. This progress has been guided by the invaluable feedback provided by residents during the previous engagement process. The latest phase of the consultation is once again asking for resident’s views on the refined proposals for the new interchange. For the duration of this consultation, there will be a model of the proposed…

Householders in Powys are being urged to be on their guard if they are approached by traders offering to install home energy products. A number of companies are operating across the county to install measures to help make homes more energy efficient at reduced or no cost through the availability of funding or grants. These companies often send letters or call households and arrive at homes unannounced. Now Powys County Council’s Trading Standards Team is urging residents to ask questions, check if they qualify for funding before agreeing to have the work carried out and never sign an agreement without…

The Welsh Government will invest £15m to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points across Wales. The funding, confirmed today by Deputy Climate Change Minister Lee Waters, will be used to help local authorities increase the number of charging facilities ahead of fossil fuel vehicles being phased out in 2030. The new funding follows the £26m already invested in charging infrastructure across Wales since 2021 which has created more than 1,600 charging points – enough for one in six battery electric vehicles. Deputy Minister for Climate Change, with a responsibility for transport, Lee Waters said: “Drivers need to have…

A former shopkeeper has been sent to prison for 12 years after being convicted of child sex offences which happened more than a quarter of a century ago. Nazir Ahmed, 73, employed a teenaged girl as an assistant at his shop in Ely, Cardiff. Ahmed has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. Showing incredible bravery, over 25 years later, the female contacted South Wales Police to report that she had been subject to repeated sexual abuse. Ahmed used his position of power as the store manager to prey on a young, vulnerable female for an extended period of time.…