Author: Rhys Gregory

Orbis Education and Care has appointed Danielle Coakley as Head of Education at its Brecon service Ty Bronllys. The appointment comes after Danielle, from Pontypridd, recently received her own autism diagnosis, which she believes gives her a unique understanding of the needs of the children and young people at Ty Bronllys. Orbis is one of the UK’s leading providers of specialist schools and homes, supporting children and adults with complex needs associated with autism. Thirty-five year old Danielle, who is also a mother-of-one, says being autistic herself allows her to have a distinctive insight into supporting children and adults with…

New legislation from Welsh Government means that from 17 September 2023, the national speed limit will fall from 30mph to 20mph on restricted roads. The move aims to reduce road injuries, offer a safer environment to encourage cycling or walking, as well as lower noise pollution. The council has identified some roads in Bridgend County Borough that may retain the existing 30mph speed limit. These roads will then be exceptions to the Welsh Government 20mph scheme. Bridgend County Borough Council is looking to gather feedback for the roads that are proposed as exceptions. An online public engagement is currently underway,…

A ‘soft marketing’ exercise inviting offers from experienced and qualified theatre, arts and venue services organisations, interested in leasing and operating St David’s Hall has begun. The exercise follows a Cardiff Council Cabinet decision to agree in principle an offer from Academy Music Group (AMG) Ltd, to take over the running of the National Concert Hall of Wales, and is an additional process aimed at ensuring best value is achieved. If the AMG offer remains the best option following the completion of the six-week marketing exercise, a Voluntary Ex-ante (VEAT) notice of intent providing details of the draft contract negotiated…

Following an investigation by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Trading Standards department, the director of a Resolven landscaping company, “Total Landscaping Solutions Ltd”, Nicholas REES, who preyed on vulnerable consumers and made false claims has been sentenced to 8 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years and ordered to pay £9000 compensation at Swansea Crown Court for offences of fraud and theft. In December 2020 the department received a complaint about Total Landscaping Solutions Ltd which had entered into a contract locally with an elderly couple to renovate their garden so they could access and enjoy it during their retirement. The initial…

Experienced operator for Haverfordwest’s Palace Cinema is set to give the venue a new lease of life. Independent cinema operator Sinema Palace Ltd has signed a lease with Pembrokeshire County Council to run the venue and aims to be open before the end of the Easter holidays. Sinema Palace Ltd owner Alejandro Whyatt, based in Essex, is working with his father Ashley and their team, to improve the sound and picture quality at the cinema ready to screen the new Super Mario Bros. Movie. Further work to refurbish and improve the Grade II listed building, that opened in 1913, originally…

One of the oldest Armed Forces veterans in Wales, the oldest in Rhondda Cynon Taf, is celebrating his 100th birthday this week surrounded by family, friends and former Servicemen and women at a special event held in Pontypridd. Gordon White, known all his life as Pop, was born on April 2, 1923, one of eight children born to Alfred and Alice White. He attended Pwllgwaun Infants School and Maesycoed Boys School before starting work underground at Pwllgwaun Colliery, Pontypridd, at just 14 years of age. Councillor Maureen Webber, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Deputy Leader and Armed Forces Champion, said: “On…

People across the country and the Commonwealth will be celebrating the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort over a weekend of special events. Newport is planning a Coronation Big Lunch, street parties and a day dedicated to good causes will bring communities together. The Coronation will take place on Saturday 6 May at Westminster Abbey and on Sunday 7 May a Coronation Concert will take place at Windsor Castle. The weekend of celebrations will end with the Big Help Out on Monday 8 May  – a special Bank Holiday proclaimed by the Prime Minister…

Almost £1million funding will be made available to progress long-awaited highway improvements on the A469 between Pontlottyn and New Tredegar. The road, at Troedrhiwfuwch, has been impacted by significant ground movement following an initial landslip back in 2014. Single lane traffic restrictions have been in place since 2020, causing disruption and inconvenience to the local community. The council has undertaken a lot of preliminary works over recent years and further investigation and design work is now required. This will culminate in a final design and selection of a contractor to undertake the works necessary to fully re-open the road. This…

Caerphilly County Borough Council is proposing to develop the largest publicly owned solar farm in Wales. The 20MW solar farm at Cwm Ifor Farm in Penyrheol, Caerphilly marks the first time the Council may invest into the energy sector and the Council has submitted a Development of National Significant (DNS) application to the Welsh Government. The development of a publicly owned solar farm will provide an opportunity for the Council to directly tackle carbon emissions by decarbonising electricity, as well as also providing the opportunity to generate an additional income to support local public services. Cllr Jamie Pritchard, the Council’s…

The Cyfarthfa Foundation, the charity set up to transform Cyfarthfa Castle and Park into an international cultural and heritage destination, is asking local residents and community groups to help it decide how to prioritise future plans. Participants in a survey are being offered the opportunity to win a £50 gift voucher, and to also take part in drop-in consultation sessions in four Merthyr Tydfil venues on April 18 and 19. The Foundation has been approached by Welsh Government to enter a competition for the Castle to become the possible ‘anchor site’ of a new National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales.…