Author: Rhys Gregory

Residents can now have their say on a draft Aberdare Town Centre Strategy, which includes proposed areas for future investment. Six public events will take place in the coming weeks, while residents can also take part online. Last month, RCT Cabinet agreed to consult residents on a draft Strategy which sets out a future vision for Aberdare Town Centre by setting several goals and outcomes. The Strategy was compiled following early engagement with local residents and businesses – and a summary of its strategic objectives, future vision and key investment themes are included at the bottom of this update. The…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has now been accredited as a Living Wage Employer. Our Living Wage commitment will see no one working at the council paid below the current minimum hourly wage of £10.90, higher than the government minimum for over 23s, which currently stands at £10.42 per hour. This announcement of accreditation follows on from agreement by Cabinet in 2021, in which all of our contracted adult independent social care workers, as well as all direct payment recipients, received the Real Living Wage from 2021. The Council was already providing the Real Living Wage to in-house social care workers…

n a groundbreaking move that promises to transform the landscape of affordable housing in Blaenau Gwent, Tai Calon Community Housing, the largest provider of homes in the region, has achieved an extraordinary milestone. The organisation recently finalised a £105 million long-term debt refinancing partnership with NatWest Group. This landmark agreement, concluded on Friday, 28th July 2023, ushers in a new era of growth and progress for Tai Calon and the communities it serves. This refinancing deal allows Tai Calon to access a level of funding flexibility typically associated with developing housing associations. Until now, the organisation had only ventured into…

Monmouthshire’s Young Carers Forum organised a Family Fun Day at Caldicot Castle on Monday 31st July. It was a fantastic opportunity for young carers to meet, have fun and find support. Throughout the day, young carers and their families took the opportunity to relax and enjoy fun activities, including a five-a-side football pitch, a bucking bronco ride and a pancake stand. The fun day allowed families to come together in the wonderful grounds of Caldicot Castle. The Monmouthshire Young Carers team are in place to support, provide guidance and social activity opportunities to all young carers across the county. To…

As the Llŷn and Eifionydd National Eisteddfod is held in Boduan, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language is encouraging new community projects to apply for funding. The Welsh Government is inviting community groups to apply for small grants to help set up new or support the growth of community-led co-operatives, social enterprises, and housing projects. The funding, known as Project Perthyn Small Grants, is part of the Welsh Language Communities Housing Plan. The grant is aimed to help create economic opportunities, provide affordable housing, and support Welsh-speaking communities with a high density of second homes. This is the second…

A Registered Sex Offender who engaged in conversation with what he believed to be a 12-year-old female, has been sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court last week (Wednesday 2nd August). Steven Baker, 57 from Ely, Cardiff was sentenced to 22 months in prison after being found guilty of online sexual offences for engaging in sexual communications with a child and several breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Officers from South Wales Police and Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit identified and arrested Baker in June 2023. He was subsequently charged and remanded into custody to await trial. Such was the extent…

Owning a home is a significant milestone and a dream cherished by many. However, for individuals with bad credit, the prospect of securing a mortgage can feel daunting and seemingly out of reach. Bad credit can indeed present challenges when it comes to obtaining a home loan, but it is essential to understand that it is not an insurmountable barrier. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of getting a mortgage with bad credit, shedding light on the challenges borrowers may face and exploring the various options available to overcome these obstacles. Whether you have experienced financial setbacks…

The front door of a home serves as its welcoming gateway, setting the tone for the entire property and offering a glimpse into the style and personality of its occupants. Over time, wear and tear can take a toll on a front door, affecting its functionality and aesthetics. When the time comes for a replacement, homeowners often wonder about the cost implications of such a project. This price guide aims to shed light on the factors that can affect the cost of front door replacement. Understanding the factors that influence front door replacement cost is essential for making informed decisions…

Thousands of runners descended on Barry Island on Sunday for the 2023 ABP Barry Island 10K, with recently unsettled weather making way for blue skies and sunshine. The 10K took runners on a scenic tour of the town with highlights including Whitmore Bay, Romilly Park, the Knap and Watch House Bay. Over 3,200 runners had registered to take part across the 10K and junior races, with elite race wins from Lily Partridge, Shaun Antell and Ron Price. Lily Partridge confidently took the women’s title and a new course record of 34:32. It was the Birchfield Harrier’s second victory of the…

Gwrych Castle has been given a lifeline of £2.2m by the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) as part of their Covid-19 Response Fund. The impressive Grade I listed building is one of Britain’s most important castellated mansions and has been identified by Cadw as an irreplaceable cultural asset. In more recent years, the castle has gained new public attention by becoming the home of ITV’s ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’ for 2020 and 2021. The funding from NHMF will enable the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust to rescue the Castle’s corps de logis from imminent collapse by undertaking…