Author: Rhys Gregory

The latest study into air pollution in Cardiff shows that residents enjoyed cleaner air across the city throughout 2021 when compared with pre-pandemic figures in 2019, a new report has revealed. The improvement in air quality during 2021 as reported in the Councils 2022 Annual Progress Report, was seen across the city and the data collected from monitoring stations showed that the council was compliant with all ‘limit vales’ for pollutants, which are set out in legislation. Air quality is monitored on an annual basis across a full 12-month period to ensure figures are representative across a full year. The…

Close to £27m has been invested in projects to help Swansea recover from the economic impact of the pandemic. Projects forming part of Swansea Council’s economic recovery fund include grants to help local businesses improve the look of their properties, a pop-up energy advice centre giving tips to local residents, and the upgrading of many play areas across the city. A paid work placement and training project has also been introduced at the council, along with a resource to provide direct welfare benefits advice and guidance to residents. In total, the economic recovery fund has invested in 120 projects since the summer…

Neath Port Talbot councillors have approved a £4.2m programme of ‘clean-up and green up’ improvements to towns, valleys and villages over the next 18 months.​​​​​​ Members of the Environment and Regeneration Streetscene Cabinet Board gave the go ahead for the £4.2m additional works programme at their meeting on Friday, December 2nd, 2022. The programme will now see £200,000 spent on improvements at public toilets, £445,000 on cleanliness (involving new electric street vacuums and sweepers), £142,000 on improved grass mowing, £800,000 on improved playgrounds and green spaces and £300,000 on improved bus shelters. A further £344,000 will go on footbridge maintenance,…

Narberth Library is closed until further notice for essential building maintenance. Library members who currently have books on loan will not be charged any fines during the closure (their books will be automatically extended during this time). “We apologise for any inconvenience caused to library users,” said Mike Cavanagh, Head of Cultural Services. “The library is likely to be closed for a number of weeks until the work is completed. “We will keep customers updated on progress via our web pages and social media.” Library members are welcome to use other local libraries while Narberth is closed (membership automatically enables…

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet has unanimously approved a new education strategy – ‘Pursuing excellence together’. The strategy was developed following a rigorous self-assessment process and consultation with key stakeholders, including staff and learners across educational settings. Included within the strategy are twelve key objectives for the next three years.  These include providing robust approaches to safeguarding, enhancing leadership, accelerating the progress of vulnerable learners, increasing attendance, and reducing exclusions, improving post-16 provision, and closing the attainment gap between learners from different backgrounds. Cllr Carol Andrews, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Communities, said “We recognise the impact of…

Monmouthshire County Council has taken another step forward in developing its proposals for a Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP). The Council agreed to publish its new Preferred Strategy for public consultation and engagement from 5th December 2022 to 30th January 2023. Comments are also invited on the Candidate Sites Register, which lists all of the sites put forward by landowners, developers and other groups for potential inclusion in the RLDP. The new strategy makes provision for up to 2,200 new homes by 2033 in addition to the 3,700 homes already in the pipeline or completed since 2018.  On new site…

A £3m funding scheme to support the fisheries, marine and aquaculture sectors is now open for expressions of interest, Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths has announced. The funding is available over two years and replaces the previous European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. The aim of the Welsh Marine and Fisheries Fund is to support seafood producers, coastal communities and the marine environment to thrive, by investing strategically for the long-term benefit of the sector. In this first funding round of the scheme the focus is on assisting with finding new markets for fishery and aquaculture products, promote the quality…

Statistics published this week show that over a million people in Wales have now received their COVID-19 booster vaccination this autumn. Public Health Wales’s weekly data, published today, shows the number of people who have now received their booster reached 1,023,594 last week. It has also been confirmed that all eligible people in Wales should by now have received an invitation for their latest booster vaccine. The Welsh Government has urged anyone who is eligible for a booster, but has not received an invitation, to check with their local health board. This year’s autumn vaccine programme has been offered to…

he retail sale of peat in horticulture will end in Wales, Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has announced. The announcement follows a public consultation which shows 92% of Welsh respondents supported an overall ban of the sale of peat compost. Whilst there is no current peat extraction in Wales, today’s action will be crucial in protecting Welsh peatlands in the future. Preventing sales of peat containing products is also in line with the Well-being of Future Generations Act commitment to be globally responsible. Peatlands are the UK’s largest stores of carbon, support key habitats and species, and can hold large…

Christmas is fast approaching, and it’s set to be the most wonderful time of the year for many families around the UK. But the festive season can pose a few additional problems for our four-legged friends, and the change of routine and new experiences can be worrying to dogs. It’s estimated that six out of 10 households now include a canine companion, so dog welfare charity Dogs Trust has issued its top ten tips so the nation’s dogs can enjoy Christmas too.  Decorations hanging on a tree are incredibly tempting toys for our canine friends, but tree decorations can be…