Author: Rhys Gregory

Empty home owners can take advantage of a free matching service with potential developers. Denbighshire County Council is running a matching service to put empty property owners in touch with potential investors to increase the chances of the property being transformed into a home.  There are potential investors ready to take forward opportunities. It is part of the Council’s work under its Corporate Plan to reduce the number of empty properties in the county and to create more housing for residents. Cllr Tony Thomas, the Council’s Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “The Council has been working hard to…

Redrow customers at Great Milton Park in Newport are beginning their journey to net zero with the introduction of air source heat pumps as a trial alternative to traditional gas heating. Air source heat pumps are much more energy efficient than a traditional gas boiler because they extract heat from the environment. They also reduce local air pollutants like nitrogen dioxide that is emitted by boilers. Supplied by Mitsubishi Electric, an air source heat pump has been installed in an Oxford house type with a traditional radiator system. The house was handed over to its new owner James Bailey in…

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s Primary Care Optometry Team recently held its first optometry service for homeless citizens in Cardiff. Having teamed up with local Dispensing Opticians and Optometrists and being supported by suppliers, Cardiff Council and the South East Locality Team, the service held its first session in November, with the intention to make this monthly, supporting local people to receive eye examinations and subsequent care. The pilot scheme was inspired by Vision Care for Homeless People and local Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians volunteered their time to provide clinical sessions for patients who may not be accessing the…

Cabinet members have agreed to bring Neath Port Talbot Council’s leisure services back under the council’s management (in-house). A decision to outsource was taken in 2002 leading to the not-for-profit trust Celtic Leisure being appointed to run leisure services in 2003. The Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr. Ted Latham said: “There are a number of advantages to bringing these facilities back to in-house and this decision will enable us to continue supporting many more people to live healthier lives. “The council will have full control of leisure centres and other facilities, enabling us to determine the approach to…

A north Powys catering establishment has been sanctioned by Powys County Council for commercial waste ‘duty of care’ offences, after waste from the business was found at the community recycling site in Back Lane car park, Newtown. After an investigation and inspection of the businesses waste transfer notes, our waste enforcement team served the company with a £300 Fixed Penalty Notice and offered them appropriate remedial advice on how to ensure they lawfully dispose of their commercial waste in the future. Every business, organisation and charity have a duty of care by law (Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section 34), to…

The Welsh budget will be nearly £1 billion worse off by 2024 as a result of the UK Government’s failure to honour its commitment that Wales would not lose “a single penny” as a result of the UK leaving the EU, Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, has revealed today. Speaking ahead of the imminent publication of the UK Government’s Levelling Up White Paper, the Minister is today calling on the UK Government to respect devolution and replace Wales’ missing £1 billion. The Minister said the ‘drift and indecision’ that has characterised UK Government Levelling Up plans is now costing Wales jobs…

Welsh food and drink producers will be showcasing their products in Dubai in February at Gulfood, one of the world’s largest food and drink trade exhibitions. The event marks a significant opportunity for Welsh businesses in the sector to travel to a major global event. Gulfood is a five-day event held between 13-17 February at the Dubai World Trade Centre. It will feature international brands displaying their latest food and drink products and services. The exhibition attracts over 5,000 suppliers from 198 countries around the world keen to discover new market opportunities, meet with suppliers, sample new foods and learn…

The Welsh Government is investing almost £1.3m to make it easier for people in valley communities and those without access to digital technology to benefit from new and improved public transport, Ministers have announced. The two projects, which include the extension of the Fflecsi bus scheme contact centre and the Western Valleys Transport pilot, will not only help improve transport links, connect communities and provide solutions that are accessible to all, but also help tackle the climate emergency – with the introduction of new electric buses and the development of options to travel more actively. The Western Valleys Transport Pilot…

The Welsh Government has stepped in to purchase a commercial property in Llanfyllin in Powys, paving the way for automotive parts manufacturer Marrill Group Ltd to take over the plant – securing 102 jobs and future expansion opportunities at the site, Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, has announced today. The company has also secured a seven figure loan facility from the Development Bank of Wales and an offer of non-repayable finance of £700,000 from the Welsh Government towards planned capital investment in new plant and machinery, which will support the creation of further new jobs at the facility. The arrangement between…

The final countdown to a moment of Welsh music history has begun as In It Together Festival’s much anticipated debut event is just around the corner. Taking place on 3rd – 5th June 2022 at Old Park Farm, Margam, the festival has now announced huge new additions including chart topper John Newman, house legend Green Velvet and scouse rising-star Jamie Webster, completing one of the biggest and most diverse line-ups ever to land in Wales, with no noise restrictions and a wealth of entertainment, food and culture. In It Together comes from festival titans Escape Records, real experts in their…