Author: Rhys Gregory

Ambitious plans to progress two flagship school proposals in the Caerphilly county borough took a major step forward yesterday (Wednesday 9th Dec) following Cabinet’s agreement to proceed to the next phase of the statutory process. The council has submitted a bid to Welsh Government as part of its ‘21st Century Schools Band B’ programme for two exciting schemes: Trinity Fields School in Ystrad Mynach – The expansion of the existing Trinity Fields School and Resource Centre with a new building extension and outdoor play space Ysgol Gymraeg Cwm Gwyddon in Cwmcarn – The relocation and expansion of the school to…

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet approve plans for the temporary suspension of car parking charges until 31st March 2021. A report was considered by Cabinet at a virtual meeting on 9th December where they have approved the suspension of charges for council owned car parks across the borough until the 31st March 2021 when it will be subject to further review. The economic climate remains extremely challenging for town centres. A key message in the fight against Covid-19 has been to “stay local”. Caerphilly Council support this message so will reduce the financial burden on residents by continuing to offer…

A BUSINESS organisation that has helped play a critical role in seeing Swansea city centre through the Covid-19 pandemic is set to ballot its members for a fourth term next year. Swansea’s Business Improvement District (BID),  has been an ever-present organisation supporting businesses in the city centre for the last 15 years. Car parking promotions, rangers by day, taxi marshals by night and graffiti removal are among the many practical projects it has put in place since it started in 2006. Now, with the current BID term of office about to come to an end, Swansea Council’s Cabinet is being…

Shutting schools in Swansea early would likely increase the spread of coronavirus and lead to even higher infection rates, more people having to isolate, more hospital admissions and more deaths, the Leader of Swansea Council has warned. Rob Stewart said the rate of infections among pupils is below that of the general population in Swansea and schools have strict procedures in place to protect both learners and staff. The clear medical advice is that if pupils are not in a supervised environment in schools they are likely to be mixing with young people from outside their bubbles and form groups…

Following latest meetings with headteachers and governors, Bridgend County Borough Council has agreed that local schools can now close on Wednesday 16 December, and that pupils will receive online learning opportunities at home on 17 and 18 December instead. The new date will apply to all schools, including nurseries, apart from Heronsbridge and Ysgol Bryn Castell which will both close as planned on 18 December. Each school will also be able to decide if they need to close ahead of 16 December should it prove to be necessary in order to keep pupils, teachers and staff safe. Councillor Charles Smith,…

Work on Merthyr Tydfil’s new bus station is almost complete, with the building on schedule for its planned spring 2021 opening. The imposing structure is now clearly visible above the town centre skyline as it edges closer to becoming the finished article – a 21st century bus station that will be the hub of transport communications across the county borough. The external cladding, glazing, stonework and zinc sheeting have all been completed. The construction of the roads, footways, retaining walls and kerbs and tarmac are progressing at pace, as are internal works including the décor, concourse timber, joinery items such…

The Welsh Grand National at Chepstow is one of the highlights of the National Hunt horse racing programme at Christmastime. Traditionally run on the 27 December it has been a launchpad for great staying steeplechasers. Former winner Native River went on to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup later in his career, for example. Who are some of the leading contenders for the 2020 Welsh Grand National? If you were to look at a leading horse racing betting exchange, the runners below would all feature among the favourites. Let’s take a look at why. Secret Reprieve https://twitter.com/tatts_ireland/status/1335238216350371840 Nothing makes the nation prouder than a Welsh…

Brecon Carreg today announced plans to open a new warehouse near its existing facility in Trap, South Wales. The company, founded in 1978, produces natural mineral water for a large number of retailers and wholesalers across Wales and the UK. The new warehouse, based in Pen Y Banc, will give the company greater flexibility to sell directly to the public with the introduction of a shop front and a van sales operation. The introduction of the warehouse will move the company into a position to sell in smaller quantities to customers and small businesses in and around South Wales. The…

Cardiff Capital Region’s Regional Cabinet have  agreed its latest investment as it seeks to boost the south-east Wales economy in the wake of Covid-19. £4.4m has been awarded to Zip World in the form of a 5 year repayable loan to replicate their successful North Wales adventure business on the CCR Tower Colliery site. This investment will preserve and regenerate one of the most iconic sites in the region whilst creating significant economic benefits for the whole region. The Zip World Tower Project will create an anchor visitor destination in the City Region and, in so doing, will complement and…

With the busy festive season approaching, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is calling on Wales’ 410,000 Self Assessment customers not to miss the 31 January deadline. The 2019-20 tax return can be finalised at any time up to the deadline but HMRC is encouraging customers to complete it early to allow for more time to pay their tax bill or set up a payment plan. Customers must complete a Self Assessment return if: they’ve earned more than £2,500 from renting out property they’ve received, or their partner has received, Child Benefit and either of them had an annual income of…