Author: Rhys Gregory

Swansea Council’s cabinet has approved the construction cost and the award of the construction contract. In light of the UK’s financial market instability, it also approved detailed discussions for the council to secure funding guarantees from the Welsh Government. The council will now present its final business case to the Welsh Government for their approval. If that’s approved, the council-driven project – which has undergone several years of careful planning and consultation – will then move towards construction, a phased approach from late this year to around summer 2024. The council plans to name the contractor publicly in the coming…

Neath Port Talbot Council has become the first employer in Wales to achieve People Development Partner status from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the professional body for HR and people development. This recognises the council as an organisation with a real commitment to championing better work and working lives. For more than 100 years, the CIPD has been setting professional standards for HR and people development, as well as driving positive change in the world of work. With hubs in the UK, Ireland, Middle East and Asia, it is the career partner of choice for almost 160,000…

Members of Neath Port Talbot Council have unanimously declared a climate emergency. Although the council has previously agreed to support the Welsh Government’s climate emergency declaration, a Notice of Motion by the Wales Green Party’s Cllr Nathan Goldup-John that the council should do so in its own right, was passed by a full meeting of the council on Wednesday, September 28th, 2022. Under the Notice of Motion, the council is now committed to: •    Calling on the UK and Welsh governments to provide the necessary powers and resources to ensure Neath Port Talbot becomes carbon neutral by 2030. •    Publicising…

To mark Shwmae Day on October 15th, Pembrokeshire County Council and Menter Iaith Sir Benfro have come together to create a Shwmae rock trail, this time for learners and their families to explore locations linked to significant people or fantastic tales from Pembrokeshire. There is plenty to discover about our unique county, from the first man to fly to a present Wales football player; and from a life-saving mermaid to the Twrch Trwyth – a wild boar hunted through the Preseli Hills. Shwmae Day is a celebration of the Welsh language and is celebrated annually on the 15th of October.…

RCT Council’s Cabinet received an update on proposals to build a new special school in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The school will significantly help relieve existing capacity pressures and prepare for further demand for school places in the future. A report to Monday’s Cabinet meeting presented an updated data set highlighting increasing pressures on four existing schools (Maesgwyn Special School, Park Lane Special School, Ysgol Hen Felin and Ysgol Ty Coch). Cabinet Members agreed to an adjusted funding programme being submitted to Welsh Government. This new funding programme reflects new expected costs, while Cabinet Members also agreed to receive a future report outlining…

Newport’s Flying Start programme is growing to include even more children from this autumn. It is the first phase of the Welsh Government’s plan to expand early years provision for all two-year-olds and includes all four elements of Flying Start: Part-time, high quality childcare for two-year-olds Parenting support Enhanced health visitor support Support for speech, language and communication In Newport, more than 2,000 children are already eligible for Flying Start and the expansion means another 187 children will qualify. Newport City Council, in partnership with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, will be contacting families in three new parts of the…

Cyfarthfa High School has been congratulated for the support it offers students whose parents are either serving or have served with the British Armed Forces. The school has achieved the Armed Forces Friendly Schools (AFFS) Cymru bronze status in recognition of the level of support and the range of activities offered to eligible students. Headteacher Lyndon Brennan said: “We are delighted to be celebrated in this way for the tireless work undertaken by our staff to support service children. It is our intention to continually provide a positive environment for service children and would encourage other schools to become more…

Work to refurbish the Oldford infant school site in Welshpool to create an Integrated Family Centre in the area is now complete. The Welshpool Integrated Family Centre opening on 10th October 2022 will be a “one stop shop” providing services and support to children, young people and their families. The centre will provide activities such as parent and toddler groups, baby massage, information and advice, Incredible Years Parenting Training programmes, health advice, family support and counselling. The refurbishment of the building situated in the heart of a Flying Start catchment was funded by Welsh Government Flying Start Capital funding. Powys…

Work to explore the possibility of establishing Welsh-medium education at a new location in mid Powys has begun, the county council has said. Powys County Council is investigating the viability of establishing Welsh-medium education in the current Llanfihangel Rhydithon C.P. School building in Dolau near Llandrindod Wells. A key element of the work includes assessing the possible demand for Welsh-medium education across East Radnorshire. To help with the assessment, the council has produced a questionnaire for parents of primary and pre-school aged pupils and those considering starting a family in the Llandrindod Wells, Knighton and Presteigne areas to complete. Cllr…

The UK devolved governments are seeking an urgent meeting with Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng to discuss immediate action to reverse the damaging effects of the mini-budget. Finance Minister Rebecca Evans is joined by Finance Ministers from Scotland and Northern Ireland in highlighting the profound impact of “the largest set of unfunded tax cuts for the rich in over 50 years” stating it is “a huge gamble on public finances and the health of our economy” In a joint letter, they warn against being condemned to another decade of austerity and express deep concern over reports that UK Government departments will be…