Author: Rhys Gregory

The headline NatWest Wales Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – registered 53.6 in June, down from May’s reading of 56.1. Latest survey data signalled a sixteenth consecutive month of Welsh private sector expansion. Some firms linked growth in business activity to sustained improvements in demand conditions. That said, the rate of growth eased to a six-month low amid reports of supply constraints and a slowdown in new order growth due to the rising cost of living. Overall, the rate of increase…

A new Welsh horse health scheme aimed at reducing the need for antibiotics has held its 100th clinic – just five months after its launch. The Equine Health Clinics are part of Arwain DGC – a project designed to help combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria in animals and the environment in Wales. There has been an enthusiastic and positive welcome from horse owners and vets to the equine scheme, which is already halfway to its target of completing 200 health clinics by the end of June 2023. A hundred clinics have been completed and are able to offer one-to-one free advice and…

Ambitious plans to increase the number of pupils at Pentyrch Primary School and establish 32 places in a new nursery unit for three-year-olds have moved a step closer. After a wide-ranging public consultation process on the proposed changes took place in the winter, the plans were published in May. Now the Council’s Cabinet is to review objections at its meeting on Thursday 14 July and has been recommended to approve the works going ahead. Cllr Sarah Merry, the Council’s Cabinet member for Education, Employment and Skills, said these were exciting times for Pentyrch. “The Cardiff Local Development Plan means that…

Even more tourism businesses in Swansea now have the chance to apply for funding to improve the quality of their visitor offer. Applications are open for small accommodation providers based in rural or semi-rural parts of the city that employ 25 people or less. It’s the second round of Swansea Council’s tourism support fund, with grants of up to £8,000 available for successful applicants. Eight tourism businesses benefitted from the first round of the scheme, which is part of the council’s overall £25m economic recovery fund. Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Investment and Tourism, said: “Our…

An engineer’s report has confirmed the structure of an earth bank forming part of earthworks at the front of Abbey Primary School in Longford, Neath, is stable. Concerns were raised on social media after heavy rain led to a run-off of some topsoil from the bank on Wednesday, June 29th , onto the school access road and footpaths. The school was not closed and the contractors carrying out the works cleaned up the soil and have been working with Neath Port Talbot Council to prevent any further topsoil run-offs. This was an isolated event. The school has also implemented an…

embrokeshire’s Cabinet has been recommended to approve an ambitious ten-year plan to provide Welsh-medium education to more children in Pembrokeshire than ever before. Known as WESP (Welsh in Education Strategic Plan), the plan sets out in detail how the expansion of Welsh-language teaching in the County will be achieved over the next decade, in line with Welsh Government targets. It follows 12 months of consultation with members of the public, schools, statutory bodies and scrutiny committees. Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said the education authority is proud of its achievements in Pembrokeshire to date,…

he current temporary traffic arrangements at High Street in Llantrisant will change from Sunday evening. This follows a request from local businesses to improve access, and is made possible with the school exam season now over. The Council continues to undertake essential, emergency repairs to the large wall at High Street, following its deterioration. Specialist contractors are working to partially rebuild and repair the wall – a time-consuming process that is complicated by the presence of other structures in close proximity. A one-way traffic system (southbound, down the hill) has been in place to ensure safety, particularly for pedestrians walking…

Three key visitor locations in Powys are set for boost after the county council secured Welsh Government funding to carry out improvement works. Powys County Council has been successful in securing £210,400 from the Welsh Government’s Brilliant Basic scheme for its Powys Visitor Experience Project, which will see a total of £268,000 spent improving the visitor welcome in Powys. The project focuses on key visitor locations in Brecon, Llandrindod Wells and Lake Vyrnwy. The council has recently completed visitor experience development plans to assess the impact of existing infrastructure on the current visitor offer and wider experience. The improvements…

The Welsh Government’s £7 million Summer of Fun returns for a second year to support children and young people across Wales. Building on the success of last year’s Summer of Fun and Winter of Wellbeing, the scheme will run from July 1st until September 30th to support children and young people to take part in a range of sporting, cultural and play based activities. The activities will be free and inclusive for children and young people aged 0-25, from all backgrounds and all parts of Wales, available in Welsh, English or bilingually. Last summer over 67,500 children took part in…

If you believe that someone has committed civil recovery fraud against you, you have the right to file a civil lawsuit against them. This type of fraud includes activities like embezzlement, money laundering, and racketeering. If you’re successful in your lawsuit, you’ll recover damages from the person or entity that committed the fraud. Filing a civil lawsuit can be complicated, so it’s important to understand the basics before you start. This guide will provide an overview of how to file a suit for civil recovery in the UK. Research the Different Types of Civil Fraud There are many types of…