Author: Rhys Gregory

Caerphilly county borough council has unveiled its draft budget proposals for 2023/24, along with details of plans to plug a projected £48million gap in finances over the following two years. The council’s Cabinet will consider a draft budget report next week (Wed 18th January) ahead of a period of public consultation to gather feedback from the local community. “Caerphilly, like all local authorities across Wales, is facing significant financial challenges at the moment due to ongoing budget pressures caused by a number of unprecedented factors,” said Cllr Sean Morgan, Leader of Council. “We have endured over ten years of UK…

The Deputy Minister for Social Partnership, Hannah Blythyn, has today (Tuesday, January 17) announced a group of experts will work together to advise Welsh Government on actions to ban conversion practices in Wales for all LGBTQ+ people. It fulfils a commitment from the Minister to form a working group which brings together representatives from faith communities; the health and social care sector; and children and young people’s representatives, alongside LGBTQ+ people to advise on key elements of the work. Members include Jayne Ozanne, who underwent nearly 20 years of conversion practices, which resulted in her being hospitalised twice. Now she…

The UK Government must urgently provide a stable, long-term strategy to tackle the urgent economic challenges facing Wales and the UK, Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething will say today. The Minister made the call ahead of the first UK Interministerial Group for Business and Industry meeting of 2023 – which will bring together ministers and senior officials from the Welsh Government, UK Government, Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive. Following the meeting, the Minister will update the Senedd later this afternoon. The Welsh Government is working constantly to prioritise the long-term action needed to create better jobs in stronger businesses, narrow…

COLEG CAMBRIA has launched free courses in leadership, management and the creative, digital and environmental sectors for 2023. The college’s Northop Business School unveiled new programmes in association with partners such as NEBOSH, Prince2 and the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). Cambria will roll out the fully funded qualifications as part of the Personal Learning Account (PLA) Zero Net Skills scheme which is available until the summer for anyone aged 19 and over, living in Wales and in employment. Jane Keys, Assistant Principal for Employer Engagement, said the courses are designed to support Continuing Professional Development (CPD) across a…

Electric vehicle consumers are set to benefit from lower energy bills and cheaper motoring thanks to a landmark plan to unlock the potential of smart electric vehicle charging. The Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Action Plan, published today (17 January) by the Government and Ofgem, sets out steps being taken to seize on the significant potential of smart charging and make it the preferred method of long duration charging by 2025. Smart charging harnesses the potential of energy use data and the latest energy innovations to deliver significant benefits for consumers, including allowing motorists to charge electric vehicles when electricity is…

A new Penderyn whisky visitor attraction and a state-of-the-art city centre office development with space for 600 tech workers are among the Swansea projects set for completion in 2023. Led by Swansea Council, the projects at the Hafod Morfa Copperworks and former Oceana nightclub sites are among those forming part of a £1bn city-wide regeneration programme that’s continuing at pace. They follow-on from major progress in 2022, which included the opening of Swansea Arena, the new bridge over Oystermouth Road and the coastal park. A £3m improvement of Wind Street was also completed, including new paving, seating and greenery, with…

A residents car parking discount scheme is set to be launched in Swansea to help provide lower parking charges for residents in the city. The plans are part of Swansea council proposals to introduce new parking charges for car parks in the city which will ensure they can be maintained in the coming years and the new discount scheme will mean residents of Swansea will get cheaper parking than those living outside the city at all car parks operated by the Council. The plans will mean an increase on the existing £2 all-day parking offer which was introduced to help…

A fresh milkshake vending machine business that made UK-wide headlines for innovation during the pandemic now has a new base in Swansea city centre. Run by Hendy-based Llaeth Beynon Dairy, the vending machines are located in the area of the former St David’s Shopping Centre towards the bottom of the new bridge over Oystermouth Road. Swansea Council has let the site to the business, pending the area’s regeneration in the longer term. Customers have the option of either milk or 12 flavours of milkshake, which can be poured in free takeaway cups or reusable glass bottles. It’s the third vending…

The new Hope House children’s hospice shop in Wrexham will be opening this month with the charity asking for potential volunteers and or those with donations to come forward. The new shop at Island Green will officially open on Saturday 21st January at 10am, with the old shop on Charles Street closing. There will be some special guests to open the shop and there will be goodie bags and balloons handed out, along with a mystery prize for the shop’s 100th customer. Shop manager Becky Hemmings said:  “We are delighted to be able to open our Island Green shop in…

BUSINESSPEOPLE have their houses in order after completing a prestigious leadership programme. Former Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow was among the first to pay tribute to 26 delegates graduating from the ION Leadership ILM Level 3 and Level 5 qualifications at Bangor University this week. Previously MP for Buckingham and now a Professor of Politics and author, he congratulated attendees at the University’s Reichel Hall in his own inimitable style. “Order! Order! ION Leadership graduates, congratulations on all your hard work in completing the programme,” said Mr Bercow. “I am proud to hear of what you’ve achieved,…