Author: Rhys Gregory

Digital innovation has helped a Welsh Community Bank transform the service it gives its Members, a Technology forum in Abertillery has been told. The Digital Technology Learning Support Network, which aims to promote digital education in schools, heard that Smart Money Cymru Community Bank had seized the opportunity of down-time during Lockdown to upgrade and modernise. Smart Money Cymru, which is also a Credit Union, moved from being, in the words of its CEO Mark White, “paper-led” to offering a digitised experience to its members. Mr White described the digital journey to the forum in Abertillery. “The starting point for Smart Money was…

BHF Cymru and Cardiff & Vale Health Charity’s Prop Appeal have thanked family and friends of Claire Nokes, an inspirational young woman who passed away following a cardiac arrest five years ago. Claire would have turned 30 on Monday 20th June. Her parents, Len and Sarah Nokes, organised an emotional fundraising event at Whitchurch Golf Club, followed by a celebrity auction, raising £18,888 which was split between the two charities at a presentation at Llandough Hospital attended by some of the NHS staff who had cared for Claire. Claire collapsed suddenly in 2016 following a cardiac arrest which was subsequently…

2021 was a record year for equity investment in Wales’s smaller businesses according to the British Business Bank’s annual Small Business Equity Tracker 2022 published this week (June 22). The report outlines how the investment value of announced equity deals in Wales rose by 44% on 2020 values to £83m, despite the volume of deals falling by 22% on the previous year, indicating deal sizes increased in Wales in 2021. Momentum has continued into Q1 2022, with £26m equity investment in smaller businesses in Wales. Across the UK the strong equity picture was mirrored, with equity investment in smaller UK…

Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) welcomed Catalonia’s Trade and Investment Agency to Cardiff for two days of constructive talks on commercial collaboration, especially focused on innovation and cluster expertise, which will lead to increased regional wealth and job creation.  Three senior members of Catalonia’s Trade and Investment Agency (ACCIÓ) spent two days in the Welsh capital exploring ways of working together with CCR on cluster development, innovation and knowledge transfer, focusing particularly on the creative and compound semiconductor clusters. Oscar Martí, Jesus Buenafuente and Oriol Vidal Bayés were welcomed by Kellie Beirne and Colan Mehaffey, CCR’s Director and Head of and…

Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet were presented with an update on the Hydrogen Demonstrator project and were told the plan could bring an investment of £26 million into the county borough. The proposed project means Bridgend would have the opportunity to demonstrate its leadership in green technology advancement. It was previously announced that Japanese renewable energy specialists Marubeni Europower had selected Bridgend County Borough as its preferred UK location for a green hydrogen demonstrator project, which could see plans such as generating clean fuel for fleet vehicles ranging from council gritters to recycling and refuse collection lorries. The project could…

A project which provides young people with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) with the support and training necessary so that they can successfully go onto employment has launched in Cardiff. In joint partnership between Cardiff Council, the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Project Search provides training and work experience placements to young people with additional learning needs and/or autism, with the aim of preparing and supporting them in their transition from school to full time employment. Since its initial pilot in September 2021, the scheme has been supported by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board…

Hundreds of Swansea businesses will come together next week to promote decarbonisation as the city’s drive towards net zero continues. Taking place at the Brangwyn Hall, the Green Recovery Business Conference on Monday June 27 is being organised by 4 The Region in partnership with Swansea Council. Including speakers and exhibiting stalls, the conference will showcase Swansea businesses of all sizes helping build the city’s green economy. Lasting from 9.30am to 3pm, the conference will also help point businesses in the direction of financial support, understand the obstacles some businesses may face, and give practical tips on how businesses can…

Ffiliffest, an event held in Caerphilly which celebrated the Welsh language and heritage, saw a five year Welsh Language Strategy for 2022-2027 launched. Local authorities in Wales are required to produce a local Welsh Language Strategy that sets out how they will promote the use of the Welsh language and increase the number of Welsh speakers in their area. The Strategy and associated actions have been developed in conjunction with members of the Caerphilly Welsh Language Forum, key stakeholders and council service areas and schools. The stakeholders involved in the development of the revised Five year Welsh Language Strategy 2022-2027…

laenau Gwent Council is looking for residents’ feedback on how natural areas within the county are managed, as green spaces across Blaenau Gwent are being left to grow during spring and summer months to benefit ecosystems as part of the Nature isn’t Neat project. The grassland management approach has been piloted in several locations across the county over the past few years. Now all five Gwent Local authorities are committed to managing more green spaces for nature as part of the Nature isn’t Neat project, helping to combat the biodiversity and climate crisis. By letting areas of grassland grow, more…

Plans to close two small primary schools could be delayed by 12 months, if recommendations put forward are accepted by Powys County Council’s new Cabinet. Llanbedr and Llanfihangel Rhydithon primary schools were due to close at the end of August. However, the council’s Cabinet has decided to revisit the proposals. Cabinet will be asked to delay implementation of the proposal to close Llanbedr Church in Wales School for 12 months to 31 August 2023 and to start a review of all schools in the Crickhowell catchment area. Cabinet will also be asked to delay implementation of the proposal to close…