Author: Rhys Gregory

Powys County Council has approved new measures to support owners of Powys self-catering holiday accommodation who have been transferred from Business Rates to Council Tax following changes to national eligibility criteria. At its meeting last week (9 July), Full Council approved a new discretionary Council Tax discount classification for eligible self-catering properties that have moved from the Business Rates list to the Council Tax list. The discount will remove the additional 75% premium charge for the backdated period, with effect from 1 April 2023. Council also approved that the estimated £1 million cost of implementing the discount will be met…

The First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth will set out the first phase of the Welsh Government’s new legislative programme in a statement to the Senedd this afternoon. Among the planned legislation will be a bill to strengthen the rights of people living in private rented accommodation. As part of its wider ambition to ensure adequate housing for all, the Welsh Government plans to introduce further legislation over the four-year Senedd term to improve housing affordability and restrict no-fault evictions by private landlords. Legislation to create a Community Right to Buy scheme will also be introduced, to enable local groups to…

A 21-year-old man has been jailed for raping and sexually assaulting a woman while she slept. Joel Hookings, of Pwllheli, recorded videos of the assault and stored them in a hidden folder on Snapchat. He appeared for sentencing at Mold Crown Court on Monday, 13 July after admitting rape and sexual assault by penetration at a previous hearing. He also admitted making indecent images of children, including 11 Category A images, one Category B image and three of Category C. Hookings was jailed for a total of eight years and four months. He was also ordered to register as a…

A man has been jailed after being found with a Kinder Egg full of cocaine. Corey Sutton, 19 from Tonyrefail was sentenced to two years and four months in a Young Offenders Institute following his conviction. The sentencing took place on Wednesday July 8 at Swansea Crown Court where Sutton was found guilty off being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine and possession of cocaine. This follows officers being on a mobile patrol in Tonyrefail when they came across a car known to be involved in drug dealing. Officers spoke to Sutton who was…

Transport for Wales (TfW) is supporting the return of Operation Lion, a joint initiative aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour (ASB) in Tenby and across the wider Pembrokeshire area during the busy summer season. First launched in 2015, Operation Lion is an annual partnership between TfW, Dyfed-Powys Police and British Transport Police (BTP). The initiative addresses the significant increase in visitors to the region and aims to create a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment for both residents and visitors. The operation will run throughout the six-week school summer holiday period, with dedicated cover every Friday to Sunday. BTP officers will patrol the area across the duration of the campaign, working closely with Dyfed-Powys Police.…

An independent opticians in Cardiff recently reopened following a recent merger, relocation, and full refurbishment to improve the standards of eye care available to the local community. Chalmers. The Opticians has been at the centre of the Cardiff community since 1940, hosting a team of experienced professionals who have built strong ties with patients in and around the local area over the years. The practice recently joined forces with neighbouring independent, Beresford Opticians, with the Chalmers team making the move to new premises on Wellfield Road and collectively taking the new name of ‘Chalmers. The Opticians’. Between the 30th April and 6th May,…

Creating a safe bathroom environment is especially important for seniors, where slip prevention becomes a top priority. Modern flooring solutions now combine safety, durability, and style, making it easier to design a secure bathroom without compromising aesthetics. Safe Flooring Options for Bathrooms Choosing anti-slip bathroom floors is one of the most effective ways to reduce accidents in wet areas. These floors feature textured surfaces or special coatings that enhance grip, even when exposed to water. Popular materials include vinyl, textured tiles, and rubber-based flooring, all offering different levels of comfort and safety. Preventing Slippery Bathroom Surfaces Many homeowners search for…

Drivers are being urged to allow extra time for their journeys this afternoon as severe congestion continues to build following an ongoing incident on the M4 between Junction 33 Capel Llanilltern and Junction 34 Miskin. According to Traffic Wales, the disruption is now affecting several key routes across south Wales, with long queues reported on: The A4232 northbound from Leckwith The M4 westbound from Junction 32 Coryton The M4 eastbound from Junction 35 Pencoed The incident between Junctions 33 and 34 has led to significant delays in both directions on the motorway, with congestion spreading onto surrounding roads. Traffic Wales…

Motorists are being urged to allow extra time for their journeys this morning after congestion built up on the A470 southbound between Nantgarw and Coryton. Traffic Wales has issued a congestion alert for the busy route, warning of delays for traffic heading towards Cardiff. The disruption has been classed as moderate, with delays possible for drivers using the stretch of road. The A470 is one of the main commuter routes into the Welsh capital and regularly experiences heavy traffic during peak travel times. Drivers travelling southbound from Nantgarw towards Coryton are advised to plan ahead and allow additional time for…

It’s 10 years since Jordan Hone last contested the Nicky Grist Stages, but that didn’t stop him leading this year’s event from start to finish and scoring a magnificent surprise victory in his Premier Car Parts Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. His stage times were considerably faster this year compared to when Jordan contested the Builth Wells-based event in 2016 in a 1.4-litre Proton Satria. He went on to become BTRDA Bronze Star champion that year and has continued to rise through the rally rankings, returning to the host town of Builth Wells this year as the reigning Northern Ireland Forest…