Author: Rhys Gregory

A disciplinary hearing was held yesterday (Tuesday 2nd February), in respect of allegations concerning the conduct of Police Constable David Kingdom. The hearing, held at Police Headquarters in Bridgend, considered breaches of professional standards by PC Kingdom after he failed a drugs test. The officer, who resigned prior to the hearing, was accused of discreditable conduct arising from a positive substance misuse test conducted during November 2020. Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan, who chaired the hearing, was presented with the facts of the case by the force’s Professional Standards Department. The hearing found that the officer’s actions amounted to gross misconduct…

Denbighshire County Council used £312,000 of funding through the European Regional Development Fund and the Welsh Government to create the office accommodation at the semi-derelict Costigan’s building on Bodfor Street, Rhyl. Accommodation for around 20 business start-ups in flexible accommodation has been created with space to host events and a coffee shop on site. Startup and coworking experts, TownSq has been chosen by Denbighshire County Council to take on the building which is expected to be used to support businesses, create jobs and grow the local economy. Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “We are pleased…

The Welsh Government has today announced a new funding package for the National Library of Wales and Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales. The package includes £6.2m over financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22, providing the Library with £2.25m and the Museum with £3.95m to safeguard jobs and deliver new strategic priorities. The funding for the Library also includes £0.75m to accelerate the implementation of the findings of the recent Tailored Review. Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas said: “I am pleased to announce this funding which will safeguard and support two of our most important cultural institutions…

Mobile catering and coffee company Handlebar Barista has been awarded a contract to operate catering concessions in Bute Park, Cardiff. Proud to call themselves Cardiff’s most eco-friendly coffee company, they will soon be serving up their top-secret blend of artisan coffee from a newly refurbished solar powered tuk-tuk, or one of their vintage pedal-powered coffee trikes. Chris Garrett, Co-Owner at Handlebar Barista: “We can’t wait to bring our coffee to Bute Park. Our eco-friendly vehicles and company ethos of sustainability fit perfectly with its wildlife and natural setting, and it’s going to be a real honour to be able to…

RCT Council has provided an update on the state-of-the-art Cwrt yr Orsaf Extra Care development in Pontypridd – with the building’s roof and façade now complete and the scheme progressing towards delivery later this year. Cwrt yr Orsaf is being built on the former Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court site at Union Street in Graig, in a joint scheme between the Council and Linc Cymru (Linc). The development will comprise 60 new apartments (56 one-bed and 4 two-beds) and also include dining and lounge areas, communal kitchen, hair salon, 31-space car park, communal landscaped gardens and a day care unit – while…

A new shuttle bus service has been set up to help residents without easy access to cars to get to the Bay hospital for their vaccinations or blood tests. From February 1 a new 51 service will be running between the Swansea bus station and selected stops along the way to the mass vaccination centre at the Bay hospital on Fabian Way. It’s being paid for by Swansea Council so it will be free for those attending the hospital. It will operate only on those days when experts from Swansea Bay NHS are delivering vaccinations or taking blood tests at…

Port Talbot based civil engineering firm Andrew Scott Ltd has been praised for donating a steel storage container in which to house the many items such as clothes, food and blankets which have been donated to victims of the Skewen flooding incident. Neath Port Talbot Council has been working with partner agencies including South Wales Police, the Coal Authority and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service since the incident began on January 21st. Neath Port Talbot Council Leader, Cllr Rob Jones, said: “It says a lot about the community spirit in Neath Port Talbot that so many people…

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board will operate mobile Covid-19 testing units for the next two weeks in the Lliswerry and Ringland areas of Newport. If you have any symptoms of Coronavirus (Covid-19) – a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss of taste and/or smell please book a test as soon as possible. If you have symptoms, you and any household members should isolate immediately. Your whole household should continue to isolate until the test result is received. If the test is positive, all household members and close contacts should continue to isolate for 10 days as per current guidance. Even…

Many SMEs face struggles in recent times that they might never have imagined when they started their business. How long the company has been running, and the backup plans in place, will dictate the resilience available and overall customer base that comes with moving forward. Some businesses will thrive during the next year, and others will struggle. But even though this is usually the case for most companies, how a business and the team face challenges will make all the difference. One important thing to focus on as a business owner, though, is how visible you are. And whether or…

Use of innovative, new video technology has been helping elderly residents in the South Wales valleys to become more involved in decisions regarding their own care.  Attend Anywhere is an online system, being used daily across Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, to enable hospital and GP patients to have a consultation with their doctor via electronic tablet or phone, allowing them to access the care they need from the comfort of their own home. While this technology is used daily by GP surgeries and patients, a pilot project has also been underway to use the technology in care homes…