Author: Rhys Gregory

Millions of leaseholders will be given the right to extend their lease by a maximum term of 990 years at zero ground rent, the Housing Secretary Robert  Jenrick has announced today (7 January 2021). Today’s measures come as part of the biggest reforms to English property  law  for  forty years, fundamentally making home ownership fairer and more secure. Under the current law many people face high ground rents, which combined with a mortgage, can make it feel like they are paying rent on a property they own. Freeholders can increase the amount of ground rent with little or no benefit seen to those faced…

For the first time in its eight-year history, Independent Venue Week will this year be represented by four ambassadors – one for each of the Home Nations – who will lead the way in championing independent venues, and their communities, across their respective countries in the build-up to IVW 2021. Gruff Rhys is the second ambassador to be announced following Arlo Parks and will represent his home country, Wales. IVW takes place from Monday 25 January to Sunday 31 January 2021. Having shot to fame as the lead singer and songwriter in Cardiff rock band Super Furry Animals, Gruff Rhys…

A new project initiated by Swansea’s Centre for African Entrepreneurship (CAE) aims to help Swansea-based refugees from all ethnic backgrounds find jobs or start their own businesses. The project, titled Refugee Women Empowerment, aims to help 60 women refugees into employment in the coming two years. Supported by the European Social Fund through Welsh Government and managed through WCVA’s Active Inclusion scheme, it is led by respected job coach Saskia Volders, who has been helping people find work for 11 years. Refugee Women Empowerment is open to female refugees aged 25 or older who are long term unemployed. It will…

The RSPCA has renewed calls for local authorities to consider easing some locally-imposed rules on where dogs can be exercised to help dog walkers comply with lockdown rules and stop the spread of Covid-19. Many Councils across England and Wales have previously introduced Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), which often include strict rules on where dogs cannot be walked. There have long been fears that this can restrict suitable dog walking spots in some local communities. As England enters another national lockdown, and with Wales already under national Tier 4 restrictions, the RSPCA has renewed its calls for Councils to…

Cat owners in Flint have been warned to be vigilant following a suspected poisoning incident over the Christmas period. RSPCA Cymru was contacted by the owner of Gizmo – a black and white domestic shorthair cat – after it was thought that he had been poisoned by antifreeze just before Christmas in the Bryn Onnen area in Flint. The cat was taken to a local vet on Christmas Eve after he became unwell with the vet confirming acute renal failure. Sadly he deteriorated rapidly and was put to sleep by the vet to prevent any further suffering on Boxing Day.…

One of Swansea’s most historic buildings is to benefit from a £64,200 grant lifeline. The money has been awarded to Morriston Tabernacle to help it with the challenges of the pandemic. It will assist with the loss of income suffered as community groups have temporarily stopped meeting there. It will fund essential maintenance work on the building and the installation of broadband there. The grant was secured by Swansea Council officers working to make the Tabernacle a community focal point for future generations. It was awarded under the Welsh Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund for the heritage sector. Robert Francis-Davies, the…

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has confirmed new arrangements for mobile coronavirus testing facilities in Bridgend County Borough. A new mobile testing facility will open tomorrow (Thursday, January 7) in the Richard Price Centre in Llangeinor. This will be a walk-in site only and booking is not required. It will be open for a 7 day period, until January 13, between the hours of 9am and 4pm. The drive-through facility currently available at the site of the former Revlon / Cosi factory off Oakwood Drive in Maesteg will close at the end of tomorrow (Thursday, January 7). Instead, a…

Non-essential retail businesses occupying premises in Bridgend county borough that were forced to close due to alert level four restrictions can now apply for a grant from the Restrictions Business Fund. The Welsh Government launched the fund to support businesses that have been directly impacted by the additional restrictions put in place on 4 December to control the spread of Covid-19. Applications opened for hospitality firms before Christmas and are now open to other eligible businesses. The Non Domestic Rate Grant is available to businesses that occupy a business premises and are liable to pay business rates. It can be…

More than 500 applications have been received to bring empty homes back in to use through Welsh Government’s £10 million Valleys Taskforce Empty Homes Grant Scheme, Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport Lee Waters has announced. Phase One of the initiative was launched a year ago by the Deputy Minister, and Chair of the Valleys Taskforce, after a successful roll-out across Rhondda Cynon Taf. The scheme is open to home owners across the extended Valleys Taskforce, which runs from Carmarthenshire in West Wales to Torfaen in East Wales. Its boundaries were also extended last year to include the Gwendraeth and…

The subject of administering drugs to animals is a very sensitive topic for many pet owners. This is a major issue as they seek the best way to ensure that their felines, canines, horses, exotic animals, or livestock are in the right shape mentally and physically. But beyond using the right drug, the dosage has to be appropriate. This is because it can be ineffective if it is too little, and can complicate things if it is too much. In this article, we will discuss factors revolving around how CBD oil should be administered on cats, dogs, and other animals.…