Author: Rhys Gregory

The new tech is part of a new Litter Bin Strategy set for approval by Swansea Council which includes a range of measures to improve litter bin provision in the city and also deal with litter problems. Special sensors installed in the litter bins will send a signal to the Council’s Cleansing Service, letting them know they need to be emptied. The trial of the bin sensors is currently planned for the city’s Marina. The Council is also looking to survey existing locations of litter bins and dog bins to assess their use, condition and if they need to be…

One of the biggest changes in the social and private rented housing sectors will be introduced in December with the implementation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. The Act comes into force on December 1, 2022 and will apply to councils, housing associations, supported housing and private accommodation and has major implications, including giving greater security to tenants and placing new responsibilities on landlords. Cardiff Council’s Cabinet will discuss the implications of the new Act for the Council at their meeting on Thursday, October 20 and are recommended to approve the proposed approach to implementing the changes required, including…

Neath Port Talbot’s Youth Justice Service (YJS) has been praised for making major improvements over the past few years in supporting young people and their families who are on the fringes of or involved in crime and anti-social behaviour. The service has made “significant progress” going from a low rating at its last inspection to recently achieving “good” status according to HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) and JICPA (The Joint Inspection of Child Protection Arrangements). Also, Neath Port Talbot’s Youth Justice Service is the only one in Wales to have commissioned a groundbreaking Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) programme. The programme, in…

Newport City Dogs Home has won gold in two categories at the 2022 RSPCA Cymru PawPrint Awards for their work with stray dogs. This is the eleventh year that the team has been recognised with gold in the stray dog award category for their hard work looking after the dogs in their care. Plus, this year, they have also been awarded gold in the kennelling category. PawPrints is an annual award scheme that recognises good practice from public bodies in relation to animal welfare. There are number of categories including recognition for stray dog provision, animal licensing work, contingency planning…

A review of education in a south Powys catchment area has begun, the county council has announced. Powys County Council is carrying out an area review of education in the Crickhowell catchment to identify how education will be delivered in the catchment in the future. To help with the review, the council has produced an initial questionnaire and wants parents, school staff, headteachers and governors to contribute their ideas. Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys said: “Earlier this year, Cabinet agreed to delay the proposed closure of Llanbedr Church in Wales School by 12 months to August…

As Wales’ Chief Veterinary Officer, Christianne Glossop, stands down after 17 years in the role, the Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has thanked her for her outstanding contribution to animal health and welfare. Professor Glossop is Wales’ first Chief Veterinary Officer following the devolution of animal health and welfare powers in 2005.  She was appointed after spending time in the State Veterinary Service, now known as APHA, dealing with the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak of 2001 and then bovine TB. Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said: “Christianne’s contribution to animal health and welfare in Wales is immense.  During…

New high quality, free, diversity and anti-racist professional learning (DARPL) is now available to all education professionals across Wales, as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic histories and experiences become a mandatory part of the Curriculum for Wales. The Welsh Government is committed to creating an Anti-Racist Wales by 2030, which calls for zero tolerance of racism in all its guises. In order to achieve this, our education system must broaden pupils’ understanding and knowledge of the diverse cultures which have built our past and present. This new professional learning will help achieve our ambition. Wales’ first Black headteacher, Betty Campbell…

More than 15,600 Welsh farms will receive a share of over £161m when Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2022 advance payments are being made today (Friday 14 October), Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has announced. This means 97% of claimants will receive a BPS advance payment worth 70% of their estimated claim value. This is the second year Rural Payments Wales (RPW) is making automatic BPS advance payments in October. Before 2021, BPS payments commenced from 1 December annually. Regulation changes made by the Minister following the end of the EU Exit Implementation Period simplified the requirements for BPS. This sees…

We live in an era when one factor stands out and is the most common when you move from one person to the next: options. With this, there is always the freedom of making a choice and embracing one or various courses of action. Online casinos have made the most of this to significantly improve players’ overall experience. Among the many options that players are offered on online gambling platforms is the freedom to either play for free or engage in real money gambling. Both provide players with the chance to enjoy a quality gaming experience. For this reason, it…

The Development Bank of Wales has confirmed its third equity investment in Wagonex, the UK’s leading mobility subscription platform provider – just one week after the announcement of a first strategic investment by Admiral Pioneer. Launched in 2016, Wagonex designs, builds, and manages flexible, all-inclusive technology automotive subscription platforms, which enable vehicle suppliers to offer subscription options direct to consumers. They provide a seamless end-to-end customer journey, with an automated credit decision engine, creating flexible contracts inclusive of road tax, insurance, breakdown cover, and servicing. Wagonex has delivered more than 120 per cent year-on-year growth since relocating to Cardiff in…