Author: Rhys Gregory

For the sixth year running, Principality Building Society has been voted the Best Building Society for Customer Service in the What Mortgage Awards. Principality received the accolade after a 22-week voting period where customers were able to rank all the building societies in the UK. Vicky Wales, Chief Customer Officer at Principality Building Society, said: “It is such a great achievement to receive this award for the sixth consecutive year. It is especially meaningful as it is voted for by our members and customers. We are proud that they value our customer service and this award is a testament to…

Students from Cardiff Metropolitan University have returned from a visit to a school in Rwanda where they got to teach children in Welsh and also learn about the history, culture and different styles of education internationally. During the two week visit, BA (Hons) Primary Education Studies students worked with children from the Educational and Cultural Parents’ School (ECPS) in Rwanda. ECPS first opened in 2009 and was set up by parents who wanted their children to receive a better education than the state funded schools in the area. The school receives no state funding and relies on funding from parents…

This year’s Business Barometer report published by The Open University and the British Chamber of Commerce shows that three quarters (75%) of Welsh business leaders are still experiencing skills shortages, a statistic unwavering since last year’s report findings. The annual report, which provides a temperature check on the UK skills landscape and surveys 130 Welsh employers, also highlights growing concern for staff morale and wellbeing in Wales, with almost three quarters (70%) of employers in Wales reporting an increase in workload for existing staff. The report suggests that employers must now rely on the opportunity to ‘grow your own’ talent…

Cardiff Council is developing plans to reduce flood risk from Whitchurch Brook. The Greener Whitchurch project will explore a range of solutions including green infrastructure, a network of multi-functional green spaces, to reduce surface water run-off and manage local drainage network capacity issues, while enhancing parts of Whitchurch’s public space. The project is part of Cardiff Council’s overarching strategy to ensure the city is ‘stronger, fairer and greener’. The study area includes the part of Whitchurch Brook that flows from Caedelyn Park in Rhiwbina through Whitchurch to its outfall at the River Taff at Lydstep Park, Gabalfa. Flooding has affected…

Cardiff Council has been awarded Civil Project of the Year Award for 2023/24 for the Central Square Transport Scheme. The award relates to the transformation of Wood Street, which includes a new road layout; new bus lanes; rain gardens to manage surface water drainage; improvements to the public realm and a highway network which gives priority to buses ready for when the new Transport Interchange opens to the public. The scheme is also the first of its kind in Wales, with a pedestrian crossing built specifically to accommodate blind and partially sighted people, with additional planting and ‘bee bus stops’…

Pembrokeshire residents and visitors are reminded of road closures in the south of the County this weekend as part of the Long Course Weekend event. The event runs Friday 30th June to Sunday 2nd July and those planning to travel are urged to plan accordingly. The Croft in Tenby will be closed on Friday between 4.30pm and 6.30pm for the Wales Swim although access will be maintained for residents who live on The Croft. Road closures are in place for the Wales Sportive cycle event (Saturday 1st July) and the Wales Marathon (Sunday 2nd July). For the Wales Sportive, there…

Caerphilly County Borough Council have outlined plans to boost recycling rates and create a greener county borough in line with Welsh Government targets. Local authorities are required to meet strict Welsh Government recycling targets and Caerphilly is working hard to ensure it reaches the current target of 70%, as well as even higher rates for the coming years. Caerphilly had historically performed well achieving 66.7% recycling in 2017-18 but has since declined with a projected recycling rate of 60.76% for 2022-23. The Council has outlined a seven-year route map to ensure Caerphilly meets and exceeds statutory performance targets. The route…

A section of Avenue de Clichy will be closed to the public for one day on 16 July to allow a crane to remove the old River Taff footbridge linking Merthyr Leisure Village, Rhydycar and the town centre. The new bridge has been in place for several weeks but has been unable to be opened until Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water diverted sewers attached to the old bridge. The former bridge, which had height restrictions and was too narrow for pedestrians and cyclists to pass one another, is being replaced as part of the Council’s Active Travel improvements programme funded by…

Education and Welsh Language Minister Jeremy Miles has announced extra financial support for youth work organisations. The Welsh Government has expanded its support to help youth work organisations respond to an increased demand in services, higher operational costs and a shift in the support needed by young people as a result of the cost of living crisis. Youth work organisations help young people live rewarding lives, providing places and relationships within which they can enjoy themselves, feel secure, supported and valued. For many vulnerable young people, these organisations offer safe places with trusted adults to listen. The unique opportunities offered…

Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has said she wants Wales to be viewed as the best place to practice veterinary medicine. Speaking at the British Veterinary Association (BVA) dinner in Cardiff, the Minister thanked vets across Wales for their hard work in ensuring high standards of animal health and welfare. This was also the first BVA dinner Dr Richard Irvine attended as Wales’ Chief Veterinary Officer. In her speech, the Minister highlighted the importance of the vet-animal-owner relationship in delivering good animal health and welfare. The Welsh Government’s Animal Health and Welfare Framework has a key principle of “prevention is…