Author: Rhys Gregory

HOUSEHOLDERS in Swansea could face a £300 fixed penalty notice for arranging for someone to take away their waste who then ends up illegally dumping it. The proposal is being considered as part of efforts to deter people from thinking it is OK to arrange to have their waste taken by someone who might disfigure the countryside and communities by dumping rubbish rather than using a licensed waste site. Householders in Swansea can take their waste to council recycling centres in the city for free. A number of councils across Wales have already been issuing householder ‘duty of care’ FPNs…

Licensing policies and guidelines that help keep people safe in Swansea’s thriving night-time economy are set for a major review. Two reports to Cabinet next week highlight how the current system has helped reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in recent years and supported measures to keep night-time revellers safe. Now it is being asked to endorse how licensing arrangements for city centre pubs, clubs and restaurants are updated and monitored. One report is reviewing the council’s licensing policy which is up for renewal after five years. The other report considers a cumulative impact assessment (CIA) of the city centre, which is…

A public consultation event will be held at Pembroke Town Hall on Monday, 30th January between 3.30pm and 6.30pm on redevelopment plans for the South Quay site in Pembroke. A previous event scheduled for 12th December was postponed due to icy weather conditions. New images, plans, timelines, and detailed project information will be available to view at the engagement event. Architects, contractors and Council officers will also be on hand to chat about the project and answer questions, and there will be the opportunity to provide comments and feedback. The South Quay redevelopment project, led by Pembrokeshire County Council, has…

A brand-new 3G pitch at a north Powys sports centre is now open, Powys County Council and Freedom Leisure has announced. Bookings are now being taken for the new 3G pitch that has been installed at Llanfyllin Sports Centre. Work to install the new pitch, including an improved floodlighting scheme, drainage works and perimeter fencing, finished last month (December).  The installation was carried out by Pave Aways Ltd. The 3G pitch will be suitable for football, hockey and a wide variety of other outdoor sports for the communities and visitors in and around the Llanfyllin area to use. The…

A new £5m Innovation Fund is to be established to support Further Education (FE) colleges look at new ways to support learners, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles has announced. The fund will invest in projects which aim to support learners in key areas including skill development, wellbeing and resilience and adaptability while helping FE colleges work together. Supporting creative solutions is at the heart of the fund; encouraging colleges to explore new ways of working and continuing to ensure Wales is a place where people of all ages receive a high-quality education. Colleges have already implemented…

An internationally recognised research chemist, Professor Jas Pal Badyal FRS, has been appointed as the Welsh Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser. As the new Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales, Professor Badyal will provide science advice to the First Minister and Welsh Ministers. He will also be responsible for developing the Welsh Government’s science capability and supporting the growth of a strong and dynamic science and research base in Wales. Professor Badyal is currently Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Durham University. He is renowned for his pioneering research on the functionalisation of solid surfaces and deposition of functional nanolayers for…

More than 100 Swansea school pupils have been trained to encourage classmates to get active – and improve their health. They were mentored by Swansea Council sport and health officers and now have the title young ambassador for sport in their schools. The scheme has been run by the council for more than a decade and inspires young people aged nine to 14. The young leaders can deliver sports activities, games and physical literacy sessions in schools and local sports clubs Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “I’m delighted that high numbers of young people across Swansea are taking on…

IT’S game on for a cutting-edge college course that has moved through the levels since being launched a year ago. The popular Esports programme at Coleg Cambria has grown in popularity and is attracting learners from across the region to a bespoke, state-of-the-art facility in Deeside. As well as completing modules in areas such as Games Design, Live-Streamed Broadcasting, Producing an Esports Brand, and Video Production as part of the Level 2 Diploma, a further Level 3 Diploma in Esports – Digital Marketing and Enterprise has been developed. Esports is a booming multi-billion dollar sector, and with their squad the…

Wales Air Ambulance Charity is flying high after being chosen as the charity of the year by Swansea Bay Business Club for 2023. The Charity, which provides vital 24/7 emergency air cover for those who face life-threatening illness or injuries across Wales, will benefit from all funds raised by the networking group as its President’s Chosen Charity this year. Fundraising collections will take place at all Swansea Bay Business Club celebration events, which bring together hundreds of leading businesspeople from across south and west Wales. The networking group will also support Wales Air Ambulance by encouraging its members to engage…

Local school children have created eye-catching artwork to decorate the hoardings of Cardiff’s newest care home. Students from St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School were invited by Care UK to get creative with a piece of artwork around the theme of ‘who do you care about?’ to decorate the hoardings surrounding the new Llys Herbert care home, on Ty-Draw Road. The purpose-built care home – which is expected to welcome the first residents in July 2023 – will provide full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care for up to 75 older people, with facilities including its own cinema, hair salon, café…