Author: Rhys Gregory

A renowned Marvel Comics artist has created an action figure of Neath Port Talbot Council refuse worker Richard Brace as part of a campaign by public services union UNISON to raise awareness of the role councils play in providing vital everyday services. Richard, 33, lives in Neath and has worked for the council for more than nine years. He began as a litter picker, moved into the recycling team and after getting his HGV licence four years ago, went on to bin collections. He said: “I think people just take council workers for granted and it’s like we’re working in…

Pembrokeshire County Council has a new Member Champion for Armed Forces. Cllr Simon Hancock has taken up the role previously held by Cllr John Cole. The Armed Forces Champion provides a voice for serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families to ensure that group are taken into account when Council policy is being developed and decisions are made. Cllr Hancock, the Councillor for Neyland East, said: “I am deeply honoured to be appointed the new Armed Forces Champion for Pembrokeshire, a county with a long and glorious association with the nation’s armed forces. “I am determined to support the…

Newport City Council has welcomed the publication of the UK Government’s National Semiconductor Strategy. The strategy sets out the UK Government’s commitment to supporting the nation’s semiconductor industry, with a vision to grow the domestic sector with up to £1bn in investment earmarked over the next ten years. The strategy also sets out plans to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruptions and protect the UK’s semiconductor assets. Councillor Jane Mudd, leader of the council and cabinet member for economic growth and strategic investment, said: “Newport’s compound semiconductor cluster is a major employer within both our city and the wider…

Caerphilly County Borough Council is collaborating with a number of expert partners to explore opportunities for the generation and use of green hydrogen across its activities in support of delivering its commitment to be net zero carbon by 2030. Hydrogen is generated by splitting water (H2O) into its constituent parts, hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis – passing an electrical current through the water.  The term green hydrogen is used when the electricity used in the electrolysis is generated from renewable sources such as wind or solar.  Projects being explored by the Council will consider the use of ethical water sources…

The sun was shining as hundreds of runners descended on Caerphilly for the annual Bryn Meadows 10K and 2K run on Sunday 14th May. The course set in the shadows of the spectacular Caerphilly Castle led over 2000 runners in and around the town centre, passing iconic landmarks such as the Tommy Cooper statute and the giant cheese sculpture. The day began with a one minute silence in memory of Ethan Hamer who won the 2K race in 2022 and sadly lost his battle to cancer at the beginning of this year. An avid sportsman, Ethan ran for Cardiff Archers,…

Around 50 children and young people across Powys got involved in a competition to design a new library card, the county council has said. Powys Library Service recently hosted a competition for Powys children aged 4-16 years old to design the new library membership card. The theme for the competition was ‘What do Libraries in Powys mean to you?’ and it was split up in to two age categories: primary school (aged 4-11), and secondary school (aged 11-16). Winner of the primary school category – Life Taranenko, Ysgol Dolafon Winner of the secondary school category – Poppy Thomas, Brecon High…

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has announced a new funding round worth £10m over two years (2023-24 & 2024-25) for the internationally recognised Sêr Cymru programme to help build a “strong and dynamic” scientific research base in Wales. The Sêr Cymru programme was set up to ensure science plays its full part in supporting the economic and national development of Wales. Over the past 11 years the Sêr Cymru programme has adapted to align with changing research, development & innovation drivers, which in turn have responded to economic and health issues such as the aftermath of leaving the EU and impacts…

Every local authority in Wales now has an Older People’s Champion to help deliver the Welsh Government’s ambition to create an Age Friendly Wales, the Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan has announced. Wales is the only country in the world where every local authority is fully supported in one nationwide mission to become Age Friendly. The Deputy Minister met the Age Friendly team at Swansea Council and the elected councillor acting as its Age Friendly Champion on a walk to encourage socialising and reduce loneliness for older people in the city and wider area. It also served as…

All Further Education colleges are to benefit from a share of £4m funding for mental health and wellbeing support, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles has announced at a visit to Coleg Cambria during Mental Health Awareness Week. The £4m will increase the capacity of welfare teams in all FE Colleges in Wales including recruitment of wellbeing support officers and will build on the success of previous Welsh Government funded mental health and wellbeing initiatives such as counselling support, early intervention training, recruitment of staff to encourage outdoor activity and projects working with mental health charities. Coleg…

Building a more resilient retail sector that delivers for communities, business and workers is at the heart of a new Retail Sector Action Plan is being launched by the Welsh Government and the Wales Retail Forum. ‘Together for Retail: a Wales Retail Forum Action Plan’ sets out actions – shared by all social partners – that will also ensure the sector offers fair, secure and rewarding work. The retail sector is one of the largest private sector employers in Wales, providing jobs to 139,000 people (2021) and with a reach into communities across Wales. It is a diverse sector that…