Author: Rhys Gregory

There is welcome news for parents, pupils and schools in Bridgend County Borough Council’s proposed budget for the year ahead. Despite facing a challenging financial climate and the need to find £2.4 million in savings, the council has confirmed that school budgets will be protected. As it launches its annual Time to Talk budget consultation for 2026 to 27, the authority says it is no longer planning any cuts to education funding, following a better than expected draft budget settlement from the Welsh Government. This reassurance comes as the council works to balance its budget while continuing to fund essential…

One hundred businesses and organisations have joined a new initiative committing to work alongside schools in Swansea to provide real-world experiences that inspire young people and help them to develop skills for work and for life. The Swansea Pledge was launched during an event at Y Storfa last week bringing together businesses, schools, and other key stakeholders to create opportunities for learners. It was also used to showcase how education and enterprise are already giving young people real and meaningful skills. Whether through work placements and internships, industry talks and guest speakers or workshops and masterclasses, businesses provide young people…

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet has recommended the Upper Afan Valley to receive up to £20 million in UK Government funding over a ten-year period as part of the Pride in Place Programme (PiPP). The targeted investment aims to benefit disadvantaged neighbourhoods by focusing on areas with the highest deprivation and weakest social infrastructure. In Neath Port Talbot, the Upper Afan Valley has the highest average rank of deprivation. The criteria to be considered for the Pride in Place Programme is set by the UK Government and takes a range of factors into consideration, including population, employment prospects, health, economic…

he Council will complete the essential replacement of the pictured traffic signals at A4059 Hirwaun Road, near Trenant, requiring some traffic management over the next week. The scheme is required as the signals are reaching the end of their intended design life. Improved LED signals will be installed, which are also more environmentally-friendly. The Council has appointed Centregreat Ltd to deliver the works, which will last around a week from Monday, January 12. Please note it is possible that the works could be pushed back if required, if the cold weather that is forecast impacts upon progress. The contractor will maintain…

Thousands of people across Wales are missing out on financial support they’re entitled to, and a single phone call could change that. Around £1 billion in benefits goes unclaimed in Wales every year, and the Welsh Government’s Claim What’s Yours campaign is urging people to check what they can claim, with free, confidential support from Advicelink Cymru. Since 2020, more than £10.5 million has been returned to people across Wales thanks to previous winter campaigns, including Welsh and UK benefits, pensions, help with care costs, and council tax reductions. Even people already receiving some benefits could be eligible for more.…

Welsh Government funding of £2.1m will see dedicated support made available to help SMEs across Wales adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and maximise the benefits of its potential. The funding will empower Welsh SMEs, entrepreneurs and microbusinesses to integrate AI into their business practices ethically and effectively, enhancing productivity, innovation, and competitiveness. The Business Wales service will receive £600k to develop and deliver an AI awareness and adoption support programme – implementing recommendations from recent short-term reviews on SME productivity and AI adoption. A further £500k will be provided to significantly enhance both the tourism and the events sectors in Wales…

The First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, has presented a commemorative Newport County football shirt to the Bilbao team Athletic Club, during a visit to the Basque Country today. The red and white striped VX3 x Lover’s F.C kit, launched by Newport County for the 2025–26 season in Athletic Club’s famous colours, celebrates the longstanding links between the two cities. Newport’s historic links with Bilbao originate from the settlement of 56 Basque children in Caerleon, just outside Newport, during the Spanish Civil War in 1937. The children were supported by members of the local community, including Maria Fernandez, a Bilbao-born…

Cardiff-based electric vehicle (EV) provider, FleetEV is celebrating victory at the Transport + Energy Awards 2025, after taking home the award for Best Public Sector Fleet Partnership. FleetEV was recognised for its work under the Welsh Government Procurement Framework for Electric Vehicles. The 2025 Transport + Energy Awards is the third edition of the industry awards which recognise achievements in the transport and energy sectors. Hosted by presenter, screenwriter and author Konnie Huq, a total of 13 awards were presented, four of them for the first time this year. The Best Public Sector Fleet Partnership award recognises a partnership which…

DPP Planning, one of the UK’s leading independent planning consultancies which is headquartered in Cardiff, has appointed Alice Gardener as a Principal Planner. Alice is a graduate of the University of West England where she studied BA (Hons) Geography and Planning. She then undertook a MSc in Spatial Planning and Development at Cardiff University, before starting her career at Barton Willmore. She also worked at Savills as a Senior Planner before joining DPP in late 2025. Alice is also a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and currently Co-Chair of Young Planners Cymru. Alice said of her appointment: “I…

Businesses will focus on customer and client experience and see new markets as an opportunity to recover in 2026, according to Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid’s Quarterly Economic Survey for Q4 2025. In the final quarter of last year, businesses in Wales reported significant shifts in trade in both domestic and overseas markets. Half of respondents (50%) stated that UK sales had decreased in the past three months, while orders and advance bookings had also fallen. Likewise in overseas markets, 48% shared that export sales had decreased, with orders and advance bookings also decreasing. The trade landscape led to an increase in businesses in Wales citing new markets and new international markets…