Author: Rhys Gregory

A project that helps local people to develop skills and qualifications and support them to achieve their full potential has ended the year on a high. Skills Futures celebrated learners’ hard work and determination to succeed at the Achievement Awards 2022. The event also recognised the team who helped to inspire, enthuse and support learners to achieve their full potential. Skills Futures, delivered by the Council’s employability and skill service, Futureworks, helps local people on their career journey, either into work or to progress whilst in work. Learners and their loved ones, partners, employers and the Futureworks’ team gathered on…

Cabinet will shortly receive a draft Budget Strategy for the Council that sets out the financial position for Rhondda Cynon Taf in 2023/24, following the provisional Local Government Settlement announced by Welsh Government in December. At their meeting on Monday, January 23, Cabinet Members will consider the draft Budget Strategy report that will outline recommendations of the Council’s Senior Leadership Team in relation to setting a legally-balanced budget for next year. If agreed, phase two of the budget consultation process will ask residents for their feedback on the draft Budget Strategy. The budget process for 2023/24 is set against the…

Caerphilly County Borough Council recently endorsed a report outlining the successes and challenges in delivering social services during the last financial year. The Annual Report of the Director of Social Services and Housing, which was endorsed at a full Council meeting on Tuesday 17 January, reflects on performance during 2021/22 as well as outlining priorities for the future. Key achievements listed in the report for 2021/22 include: The establishment of a group of parents of people with autism to help inform services. Supporting staff to further develop their knowledge and skills by undertaking a Social Work Degree. Support for unpaid…

The footbridge adjacent to Pwll Y Pant Roundabout in Caerphilly will be re-installed on Friday 20th January. A road closure and diversion route is scheduled to start from Friday night at 8pm and will remain in place until 6am Saturday morning. To undertake these works, the A468/A469 will be closed between Pwll Y Pant and Trecynedd Roundabouts. A diversion route will be in place to take account of this closure. The proposed diversion route will take traffic away from Nantgarw Hill via The A470 to Abercynon roundabout, Through Nelson and Ystrad Mynach ( A472) Then back onto the A469 toward…

Residents are being asked to share their views on whether Monmouthshire County Council should charge a council tax premium to people who own long-term empty properties and second homes in the county. A consultation has now been launched following an agreement by the council’s Cabinet to explore this. The legislation, which has been in place since 2017, allows councils in Wales to charge a premium of up to 300% (100% prior to April 2023) on top of the standard rate of council tax, on long-term empty properties and second homes. The proposals come as Monmouthshire currently faces extremely high levels…

Motorcyclists are invited to sign up to the DVSA free Enhanced Riders Scheme which aims to help improve riding skills and safety on Powys roads. With funding from the Welsh Government, Powys County Council’s Road Safety Unit provides the ERS course free of charge to any motorcyclist who lives in Powys or uses Powys’ roads. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Enhanced Rider Scheme is suitable for full motorbike licence holders who would like to improve their riding skills, for those returning to riding after a break, riders who have just passed their test, people upgrading to a more…

The Welsh Government will increase student maintenance support by 9.4% for the 2023/24 academic year, subject to regulations being made. The average full-time Welsh student can claim £10,710 in maintenance grants and loans, which will rise to £11,720 thanks to this increase. This will apply to full-time and part-time higher education students from Wales, who began a course on or after 1 August 2018. Living costs support is rising in line with the National Living Wage, which is unique to Wales. Living costs support is rising in line with the National Living Wage, which is unique to Wales. In contrast,…

The MOT test was introduced in 1960 in a bid to ensure that all vehicles on the UK’s road network were roadworthy and less likely to be the cause of, or worsen, any road traffic accidents. It is now established in law that all vehicles over the age of three must have their annual MOT certificate as proof of their roadworthiness. Traffic can be tricky in areas like London, Wales and Scotland. If you are driving with an expired MOT certificate, you will no longer be able to drive your car as you would be doing so illegally. Here are…

The most important thing for any online gambler is safety. With so many casinos out there, it can be easy to feel a little hesitant about signing up for a new one amid safety concerns. Of course, the vast majority of online casinos are perfectly safe, and as long as you stick to licensed operators, you can rest assured your money and your data are in safe hands. How does safety at an online casino actually work though? Let’s take a look through some of the technology that helps keep you safe while you’re spinning the reels.  The Power of…

This is the first professional tour of a stage production of Alan Parker’s wonderful, 1976 musical comedy film Bugsy Malone – and if it doesn’t go on to tour over and over, like other West End classics, I’ll eat my Bugsy fedora. This, after all is an Olivier Award-nominated stage production, and it’s clear to see why. Curtain is already up on a suitably dark and moody split-level set, all-age – though mainly young – and excited audience surges into WMC’s Donald Gordon Theatre. This is prohibition era New York and rival mobsters Fat Sam and his calamity-ridden crew and…