Author: Rhys Gregory

People in North Wales are being urged to help draw up a new blueprint for the way the region is policed and help decide where 20 extra PCSOs should work. North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin and Chief Constable Carl Foulkes are asking local communities, groups and representative bodies to tell them what they think is most important and what they are most worried about. Mr Dunbobbin is preparing to write his first Police and Crime Plan after being elected in May and is keen for as many people as possible to have a voice in the process.…

The Royal Mint, the Original Maker of UK coins, has unveiled the official commemorative coin to celebrate the life and legacy of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The £5 coin features an original new portrait that was personally approved by The Duke of Edinburgh in 2008. The Duke of Edinburgh was the longest serving consort in British history, and for decades provided steadfast support to Her Majesty The Queen and The Royal Family. The memorial coin bears the inscription “HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 1921-2021” and was designed by the acclaimed artist Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS. In…

Neath Port Talbot Council has published proposals to use up to £5 million of its reserves to kickstart the county borough’s recovery from the Covid pandemic. A report due to be considered by the council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 30 June, outlines additional investments in activities to assist local businesses, support local communities and ensure clean and safe neighbourhoods. Up to £260,000 worth of grants for small businesses are available to help them succeed into 2022 and beyond; £135,000 to improve the appearance public spaces across the county borough and £300,000 to boost a programme that helps people stay strong, safe…

Cabinet members at Caerphilly County Borough Council have approved an investment to the tune of £20,000 to take forward a regeneration project in Llancaiach Fawr Manor (LFM). The latest project approved by Cabinet at a virtual meeting that took place on Wednesday 23rd June will allocate £10,000 Licence to Innovate Funding towards the provision of A Feasibility Study for Accommodation at LFM and a further £10,000 for a 12 month commercial training plan, as approved by the Regeneration Project Board. In February 2021, the Licence to Innovate Assessment Panel considered a proposal to locate a number of bell tents and…

RCT Council has provided an update on the progress made towards delivering significant 21st Century Schools investment for the Greater Pontypridd area, following recent consideration by Cabinet Members. At their meeting on June 17, Cabinet received a report in relation to the future education investment across Cilfynydd, Hawthorn, Rhydyfelin and Beddau. The initial proposals were extensively consulted upon and then approved by Cabinet in July 2019, in accordance with the School Organisation Code – with the exception of sixth form plans for Cardinal Newman RC Comprehensive School which, in adhering to the Code, were referred to Welsh Government. Since Cabinet’s…

Site investigations, that could pave the way for a brand new integrated health and wellbeing facility for the west of the city, will start next week. The Council and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB) are keen to work together to develop a new Health and Wellbeing Hub for the communities of Ely and Caerau, similar to the integrated facility under construction at the Powerhouse Hub in Llanedeyrn. While the concept is still at a very early stage, the facility would bring health and community services closer together, making it easier for local people to access services they need.…

eople living in Wales who have received the Covid vaccine will be able to access their vaccination status via the internet from Friday [25 June] to generate an NHS COVID Pass for urgent outbound international travel. Vaccine certificates have been available in Wales since May for those who need to urgently travel internationally and provide proof of their vaccination status, with certificates being sent in the post.  The paper certificates will continue to be issued only for people who are unable to access the digital Pass. Access to the NHS COVID Pass in Wales means that proof of vaccination will…

Despite losing to Italy in the Olimpico in Rome, Wales have made it through to the knockout stages of Euro 2020, where they will face Denmark in the Round of 16. Many wondered how Wales would fare at this year’s tournament, particularly since they reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and hold the title for highest average goals per match. Off-the-field issues with manager Ryan Giggs hardly helped their preparation, and the form of star duo Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey had been brought into question numerous times in the build-up to their first match. In their first group match,…

RSPCA Cymru has launched an appeal for information after a fatal herring gull shooting in the Rhyl area. The animal welfare charity was contacted after a member of the public saw the gull fall from a rooftop in the Frederick Street area of the town. Unfortunately, the bird had a badly injured and blood-splattered wing, and an X-ray at a local veterinary practice found three air gun pellets. The incident took place on 10 June. Sadly, the gull’s injuries were so severe that vets decided the kindest option was to put the bird to sleep to prevent him further suffering.…

Family Housing Association has unveiled an exciting collaboration with ASW Property Services to install state-of-the-art solar panels on housing stock in Carmarthenshire as part of the Government-funded Optimised Retrofit Programme – a move that will reduce the carbon footprint of its social housing stock and help tackle fuel poverty. The Optimised Retrofit Programme was introduced by Welsh Government to test a new approach to decarbonising Welsh homes, after identifying the urgent need for ‘immediate action’ to begin the process of decarbonising Wales’ existing 1.4m housing stock. The programme will set the standard for retrofit schemes across Wales and link with…