Author: Rhys Gregory

Free public access Wi-Fi has been switched-on in Bargoed and Ystrad Mynach helping people to access local and national public services and economic opportunities. Rhymney and Risca High Street were the first town centres to ‘go live’ with free public Wi-Fi earlier this year as part of Caerphilly Council’s ongoing Council’s ongoing support to regenerate our town centres. With funding from the Welsh Government Transforming Towns Fund and the former Rhymney Valleys Task Force Fund, the project to install Wi-Fi infrastructure began in 2020 and has seen the preparatory works completed in 7 key towns. The initiative forms a key…

A new 3G multi-purpose sports pitch has been officially opened at Brynmawr Foundation School by Wales & Dragons rugby star Elliot Dee. The pitch is the result of an investment of over half a million pounds, thanks to partnership working between the school; Blaenau Gwent Council and Welsh sport agencies. The new development at Brynmawr means all of Blaenau Gwent’s secondary/all through schools now have access to such provision. The school is overjoyed at the chance to be able to deliver enhanced physical education and sporting opportunities for pupils on site. As well as being used by the pupils of…

Planning permission has today been granted for a glass bottle manufacturing facility in Ebbw Vale, which aims to bring around 600 jobs to the local area when it opens. CiNER Glass Property Ltd, which already operates a facility in Turkey, was formally granted permission for the construction and operation of a purpose-built glass manufacturing facility, and associated development at Rassau Industrial Estate. The first part of the facility, which will be called ‘Dragon Glass’, is expected to be operational late in 2024. The application was granted subject to a number of detailed planning conditions imposed by Blaenau Gwent Council’s Planning…

Wales & West Utilities is working to upgrade part of the gas network in the Newport Road area of Caldicot. The work, which starts on 20 June, will keep the gas flowing safely and reliably to local homes and businesses, keeping people warm for generations to come. The overall scheme is expected to be complete by the end of the year. The gas emergency and pipeline service has liaised with Monmouthshire County Council to plan the work and it has been agreed that rolling two-way traffic lights will be in place along Newport Road whilst work is ongoing. Some side…

Plans to build 32 one-bedroomed flats for council rent in a north Powys town have been given the go-ahead, the county council has announced. A planning application for the flats on the site of the former Robert Owen House in Newtown was approved by Powys County Council’s Planning, Taxi Licensing & Rights of Way Committee today (Thursday, June 16). The energy efficient flats will be managed by the council’s Affordable Housing Team. The new homes will be owned and managed by the council and allocated to applications on the Powys Common Housing Register. Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet…

Climate change poses a ‘serious health risk’ to the most vulnerable in Wales, Chief Medical Officer Frank Atherton has warned in his annual report. The report looks at the second year of the pandemic, as well as looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. The report is made up of four chapters focusing on: how climate change will become a pressing public health issue increasingly dominating our lives; Wales’s population continuing to grow and becoming a predominantly ageing population with a decreasing working-age population; the impact of the pandemic on the most deprived areas of Wales, mortality rates and…

Better pay and conditions, greater job security, improving career progression and a commitment to creating a skilled future workforce are at the heart of a new vision to revitalise Wales’ retail sector being launched today by the Welsh Government. The Shared Strategic Vision for the Retail Sector sets out how the Welsh Government, the sector and trade unions will work together in social partnership to ensure retail has a bright and sustainable future in Wales, which provides fair and rewarding career opportunities for its current and future workers. The retail sector is hugely important to the Welsh economy. It is…

Pupils across Wales have been getting creative to spread colourful safety messages this Clean Air Day. The learners were taking part in a series of workshops organised by the Welsh Government that focus on air pollution sources and the impact they have on health. Bedwas High was one of 40 schools to take part in the initiative which was delivered by Engineering Education Scheme Wales/STEM Cyrmu on behalf of the Welsh Government. As part of the workshop, pupils were challenged to design a road sign to encourage drivers to slow down in order to reduce nitrogen dioxide pollution and help…

Owning a franchise is appealing. You don’t need to establish a brand, you don’t need as much money, and technically, the store is yours. By definition, being part of a franchise gives an individual the right to market a product or service using the brand name or trademark. In the UK, there are approximately 48,000 franchise units. That’s an increase of nearly 25% since 2011. That increase is attributed to the growing number of businesses franchising their brand – McDonald’s, Dominos, Starbucks, and Pizza hut are amongst the most common franchises. But it’s not all plain sailing – despite having…

Buying a property in your home country can be costly enough, but if you want to purchase a property overseas in a country such as Singapore, then you may need to factor in several different extra costs. This is especially true if your main purpose for buying the property is to live and work in a different country as an ex-pat. Along with the cost of putting down your down payment on the property, legal fees, and commissions to agents, you will also need to think about the cost of moving, finding a new job, and getting yourself set up…