Author: Rhys Gregory

A new one-stop-shop website been made available to support many thousands of Swansea families looking to save money during the cost of living crisis. Put together by Swansea Council, the website at swansea.gov.uk/costoflivinghelp includes information on payments local people may be entitled to, as well as energy saving tips and advice for residents struggling with debt. Job vacancies and guidance for people searching for work is also included on the website, along with information on where people can find help to access food and other essential items. Since it went live at the start of September, the website has already…

​​​​​​​Families looking for free fun this month can visit the city centre’s Castle Square which is set to host a spectacular spooky Saturday. Swansea Council’s annual Spooks in the City event on October 29 will appeal to residents of all ages in the big build-up to Halloween. It’ll feature family entertainment, games and dance performances – and a pumpkin parade supported by Brace’s Bakery. Cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “Castle Square will be transformed for Spooks in the City in line with the Halloween theme. “The activities will have a family-friendly feel and will help generate footfall to provide a…

Neath Port Talbot councillors are being recommended to keep Trem Y Glyn residential care home in Glynneath open until March 31st, 2024. The home, which provides residential care and support for people aged 65 and older, including those with dementia, has been managed for many years by Pobl (formerly Gwalia) on behalf of Neath Port Talbot Council. The building was constructed in 1974 and while an extensive programme of refurbishment has been undertaken including a new roof, upgraded bedrooms and updated communal areas, it is accepted it is coming towards the end of its operational life. On October 11th, 2022,…

RCT Council has secured significant funding from Welsh Government towards a major £1.4m flood alleviation scheme at Glenboi Road, that will upgrade the existing pumping station and reduce flood risk in the community. Welsh Government has recently confirmed its approval for the scheme, to vastly increase the capacity of the surface water pumping station at Glenboi Road, designed to accommodate surface water and overland flows generated in the local area. It is intended to provide long-term resilience to the community. Advanced investigatory works are anticipated in late autumn, ahead of the main construction programme which is expected to start in…

The Disability Six Nations Rugby Festival was back last week at the Centre for Sporting Excellence after a two year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Over 300 young people from 25 schools took part giving them the opportunity to experience the thrills of rugby, develop new skills and make new friends. The popularity of the event has grown over the years with only six schools taking part at the start. Sport Caerphilly and Trinity Fields School hosted the event with Dragons RFC joining in and offering their long-standing support making the day a huge success. This is the 16th…

Works to remove an old kissing gate and improve the access between the Berriew Street carpark and Oldford Lane in Welshpool, will begin shortly. The new and improved access will be wider and fully accessible for everyone, allowing pedestrians, disabled users, and parents with pushchairs to be able to fully utilise the existing pathways. Staggered barriers will be installed to ensure that vehicle access is restricted and to deter children from running into, and out of the car park. The upgrade to this entrance and path will vastly improve access to the old school which has been recently refurbished into…

Powys residents are being urged to be on their guard against energy rebate scammers. Reports of scam emails and text messages are increasing, with fake communications often claiming to be about energy rebates from Ofgem, the independent energy regulator, or the UK Government. The messages claim that the recipient is due an energy rebate payment or discounted energy bill as part of a government scheme and provide links for the recipient to follow to apply for the rebate. The links lead to malicious websites designed to steal personal and financial information. “It’s really sad to see scammers trying to cash…

A Pontadawe resident has been fined £400 for dumping rubbish on the highway outside the Household Waste Recycling Centre in Lower Cwmtwrch. Having arrived at the centre in South Powys and realising it was closed that day, instead of retuning during normal opening hours, the offender decided to dump all the waste from the back of their van outside the locked gates of the site. Disposing of rubbish in a public place in this way is classed as fly-tipping and not only posed an environmental risk to road users, other members of the public and the local area but it…

First Minister Mark Drakeford faced a different kind of grilling this week as he took questions from school pupils in an online Q&A session. The Leader Dialogue sessions are facilitated and hosted by The Politics Project, a not-for-profit, non-partisan, democratic education organisation and funded by Welsh Government. These sessions give opportunities for schools to support learners in realising one of the four purposes of the Curriculum for Wales, becoming “ethical informed citizens of Wales and the World.” The four Senedd party leaders are all taking part in these Leader Dialogue sessions with 14-18 year olds from nine schools across Wales.…

Plans are in place to deal with the potential impact of winter storms on HGVs travelling to and from Anglesey while there are weight restrictions on the Menai Suspension bridge. In severe storms, when the wind exceeds a certain speed, the Britannia Bridge is closed to high-sided vehicles. Vehicles are normally diverted to the Menai Suspension Bridge, however this will not be possible while weight restrictions are in place. The closure of the Britannia Bridge to high-sided vehicles only happens in exceptional circumstances. In the last five years, the bridge has been closed to high-sided vehicles on average seven times…