Author: Rhys Gregory

Legislation to further suspend evictions until 31st March 2021 will come into force from Monday 11 January the Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James has confirmed. The Welsh Government had already agreed measures to suspend evictions, from social and private rented accommodation between December 11 and January 11 this year as part of its response to tackling the spread of Coronavirus and protect public health. The legislation introduced today will extend these measures to protect renters during the pandemic by preventing evictions except in cases of anti-social behaviour or domestic violence. Housing and Local Government Minister Julie James…

Cardiff Council continues its work to address the issue of digital deprivation and over the next few weeks a further 2,340 Chromebook devices will be delivered to schools to assist in the delivery of online and remote learning, whilst schools are closed due to COVID-19. This is in addition to the 12,775 new digital devices and 2,000 new 4G broadband devices already provided to schools since the start of the pandemic. Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said: “Ensuring that all children and young people are presented with the same opportunities to engage with remote learning…

There is still time to enrol in one of almost 40 free online courses being run in the spring term by Swansea Council’s Lifelong Learning Service. Starting next week, there is a wide range of subject areas to choose from including IT, Art & Craft, Music, Family Learning and Essential Skills, Cookery, Yoga and Digital Photography. As well as learning new skills the courses provide an opportunity for participants to meet fellow learners online and stay connected whilst Wales is in lockdown. The Spring Term runs from January to April and to take part learners will need access to a…

Swansea businesses are being put on stand-by to share in millions of pounds more in grants to help tide them through the latest lockdown. Swansea Council has already handed out around £115m in grants to thousands of local small and medium-sized businesses to help them protect jobs and livelihoods. Just before Christmas more than £2m was paid automatically to hospitality businesses which had to close to help keep people safe and slow the spread of the virus. In the coming days the council hopes to hand over another £4m in Welsh Government grants automatically to temporarily closed retail businesses which…

Neath Port Talbot Council is reminding parents that while education in Wales will now continue with online learning until at least February half term unless coronavirus cases fall, its schools will remain open for children of critical workers and vulnerable learners. Also, the council’s special schools will remain open, subject to risk assessment, as will the council’s Learning Support Centres. These settings may need to modify their opening arrangements to respond to local circumstances. In a letter to parents and carers across Neath Port Talbot, the council’s Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning, Aled Evans, said: “Schools remain safe…

A walk-through coronavirus testing facility is to open at Milland Road Car Park in Neath as part of the drive to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing in the area. Testing at Milland Road started on Saturday 9 January, and the facility will be open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. It will play a key role in helping to protect communities from the spread of coronavirus by providing more tests within the region, and helping to cut down on the distance that people who need a test have to travel. Anyone with coronavirus symptoms, however mild, must…

Applications are opening on Monday 11 January, for children eligible for a full-time nursery place in September 2021 or a part-time nursery place from January or April 2022. Parents and carers can simply sign up to My Account on Bridgend County Borough Council’s website using their computer, tablet or mobile to fill in their application. The deadline for forms to be submitted is Friday 26 March, 2021. Councillor Charles Smith, Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, said: “The easiest way for parents and carers to apply for local authority-run school places is online, which makes the process faster and more…

All GP practices across Bridgend county borough have offered to take part in delivering the coronavirus vaccine programme. The AstraZeneca vaccine, which is easier to use in care homes and GP surgeries as it is stored at normal fridge temperatures, began to be rolled out in the county borough this week with some of the first doses given at Oak Tree Surgery in Brackla. Other surgeries will soon start to give the vaccine to priority groups, which initially includes residents aged over 80. Residents and staff at Picton Court Care Home in Porthcawl and Brocastle Manor Care Home have also…

Hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses across Merthyr Tydfil are being urged to act quickly to apply for grants of up to £20,000 to help them bounce back from Covid-19. Pubs, restaurants, cafés, hotels and B&Bs, and sports and leisure, religious and other community building owners can apply for a share of £3 million Welsh Government funding being made available to local authorities to support smaller town centres within the Valleys Taskforce boundary to respond to pandemic regulations. Funding from the Transforming Towns Programme will cover up to 100% of project costs – but it must be applied for before 20…

RCT Council is consulting residents about a proposed scheme to improve road safety throughout Cilfynydd – and those interested in sharing their views are invited to do so before the process closes on January 15. The proposed Safe Routes in Communities scheme for Cilfynydd could include a number of improvements – including the upgrade and relocation of the pedestrian crossing at Cilfynydd Road, alterations to footways to improve walking provision, and a 20mph speed limit introduced throughout the village. Local residents received a letter on December 21 to inform them about the proposals, share details about the consultation and explain…