Author: Rhys Gregory

Between 6-18 November world leaders are meeting in Egypt for the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP27 between. In celebration of COP being held in Africa, the Low Carbon Energy an Environment Research Network Wales have compiled a set of case studies highlighting Wales – Africa climate focussed research collaborations which include four case studies from Bangor University. “Man made climate change is creating significant challenges for everyone on the planet” says Julia Jones, a professor at Bangor University and Director of the research network. “We’re very proud of the work being done by researchers at Bangor and…

Plans to build a replacement Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr school have moved a step closer, after the council’s Cabinet heard the outcome of a statutory notice, which received no objections.  The replacement school is due to be ready for the beginning of autumn term 2025 and will be located on land off Ffordd Cadfan, which is just a short distance away from the existing site in Brackla.  The new site will create more opportunities for learners to access a Welsh medium education by increasing the capacity of the school from 378 to 525 pupils, aged between 4 and 11 years. …

Members of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee have voted to support a decision to appropriate land in Sandy Bay and Griffin Park necessary for delivering the next phases of regeneration within Porthcawl, and to provide Cabinet with a report outlining their recommendations and suggestions. The committee reached its decision after receiving further information and clarification on concerns such as whether sufficient consideration had been given to the project, whether the requirements of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 had been taken into account, and why the land appropriation was held as a separate process to the compulsory purchase…

Wales will be taking on Argentina on Saturday November 12that Principality Stadium. With the kick-off taking place at 5.30pm – there will be a full city centre road closure from 1.30pm until 9.30pm to ensure all ticket holders can get into and out of the stadium safely. The M4 motorway is expected to be very busy – please plan ahead – and avoid the congestion in Cardiff by using the park & ride at County Hall in Cardiff Bay. Gates open at 3pm, those attending the rugby match are strongly advised to plan their journey and get in early. Please pay…

A four-wheel drive mobility service will launch at Parc Cefn Onn next year as work on a £660,000 project to conserve the parks heritage and improve access and facilities for visitors reaches completion. The new ‘Tramper’ service, is the final piece of the “Into the garden and beyond” project, part funded by a £454,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, that has delivered a range of improvements to the Grade 2 listed park in north Cardiff, including: a new boardwalk to improve accessibility. works to the ponds and waterways. improved signage and wayfinding. upgraded toilets and disabled changing facilities.…

A near £550m programme to modernise council homes in Swansea has seen thousands of tenants get new kitchens, bathrooms, home insulation and other energy-saving support. The 20-year Wales Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) programme has featured upgrades for 13,000 homes and local communities, creating and supporting hundreds of local jobs and apprenticeships. And the ambitious modernisation programme is set to enter a new phase in the coming years, aiming to make council houses even more energy-efficient and fit for a carbon net zero future. Andrea Lewis, Cabinet Member for Homes and Energy, said the achievements of the WHQS programme over the…

Plans for a £250m adventure resort in Port Talbot’s Afan Valley with a 50-bed hotel, spa, restaurant, viewing area, 570 lodges and biking and walking trails have taken a major step forward. On Tuesday (November 8th), members of Neath Port Talbot Council’s Planning Committee, which has already granted the project outline planning permission, approved a reserved matters application from developers Wildfox Resorts Afan Valley Ltd. The reserved matters involve outstanding details not covered in the original outline planning application including those relating to access, layout, landscaping, scale and appearance. The committee also approved a discharge of conditions application from Wildfox…

Applications for nursery aged placements starting in January 2023, and reception age placements starting in September 2023 at a new Welsh language primary school in Neath are now open. The newly refurbished Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tregeles is located at the premises previously occupied by Neath Abbey Primary School at St John’s Terrace, Neath Abbey. Placements will open in a phased approach with nursery pupils starting at the school first in January 2023. Full capacity of the school will be reached in September 2029. When fully established, the school will have capacity for up to 210 full-time primary pupils and 45…

Caerphilly County Borough Council is appealing to residents, staff and local businesses for donations to support local foodbanks this festive season. Foodbanks provide emergency food and support to families and individuals who find themselves in financial crisis. They rely heavily upon donations, particularly over Christmas, and have seen demand for their support increase throughout the pandemic and as a result of the current cost of living crisis. The council is collecting cash donations as part of this year’s appeal to enable foodbanks to purchase the supplies they desperately need. Donations can be made online, via the Council’s website. For more…

Apprentice Evan Coombs, Laboratory Technician at PCI Pharma Tredegar, who has been shortlisted in the finals of the prestigious Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2022. Evan joined the leading pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical global solutions business through the Aspire Blaenau Gwent Shared Apprenticeship Programme. Evan, 19, from Blaenavon, was a gold medallist in the Laboratory Technician category at the Skills Competition Wales earlier this year and has saved his employer time and money with the data he gathered for a continuous improvement project. Now Evan has been shortlisted for the Tomorrow’s Talent Award at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2022. Winners will be announced…