Author: Rhys Gregory

Property or business owners in Bridgend town centre are being invited to apply now for grants of up to £250,000 to improve the appearance of their buildings. Bridgend County Borough Council is working in partnership with the Welsh Government on the property enhancement project. The grants are up to 70 per cent of the total eligible costs, up to a maximum of £250,000. The Urban Centre Property Enhancement Fund can be used for: Renovation of vacant properties Shopfront and signage Windows and doors Internal and external structural works Improved accessibility Utilities and services Welfare facilities In return, business and property…

Caerphilly’s Trading Standards team is encouraging residents to be extra vigilant, after receiving reports of rogue traders in the area. These criminals will offer a low a price for work, then vastly increase this, once the job begins. They have been operating specifically in the Caerphilly and Aber Valley areas. Remember, when entering into a contract at your home for any type of building work, you are entitled to receive proper paperwork. This will include the full details of the trader you are contracting with, a comprehensive list of the work that is to be done and the estimated time…

A Pontllanfraith based company is gearing up to begin manufacturing vital ventilator connectors to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Motion29, based at Newbridge Road Industrial Estate in Pontllanfraith, has secured a grant of £6,811 from Caerphilly County Borough Council to purchase equipment enabling them to be ready to react at short notice in supplying connectors for ventilator projects. The funding has been granted from the council’s Caerphilly Enterprise Fund and is match funded by Motion29.  In addition to supporting the Government’s response to COVID-19, the funding will also help to safeguard 11 existing jobs at the company. Andrew Wilkinson,…

Households across Cardiff will receive a one-off green garden waste collection in May, Cardiff Council has announced. The additional collections have been arranged to help residents dispose of some of their grass cuttings and garden waste, which has built up since the service was halted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents must, however, only put out garden waste for collection in their green wheelie bin or their reusable garden sacks. Any additional garden waste, which is put in any other container, including plastic bags, will not be collected. We have been working to update the calendar information for residents across…

Health Minister Vaughan Gething has confirmed that financial support of £60,000 will be provided to an eligible beneficiary of frontline staff working in the NHS and Social Care, should they die in service as a result of Covid-19. The scheme will see eligible beneficiaries receive a one off sum of £60,000 and will apply particularly to those working in frontline roles and locations where personal care is provided to individuals who may have contracted Covid-19. The scheme is non-contributory and there are no additional costs to employers. The payment will be made in addition to any existing benefits already earned…

The Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, will today set out her five key principles which will determine how education will be phased in at schools in Wales. Ahead of her appearance at the Children, Young People and Education Committee, the Minister will explain her plans for a phased approach in allowing more pupils to return to school. Schools are currently only open to children of critical workers and vulnerable children, with many local authorities adopting a hub approach rather than opening all schools in their area. School provision will gradually adapt and extend further during the next phase, in line with…

Vital supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline health and care workers in Wales have today been flown into Cardiff Airport. A chartered flight carrying 200,000 fluid resistant gowns will arrive from Cambodia. Today’s flight has been arranged through Welsh contacts and is the first of two due to arrive this week, which will replenish vital supplies of gowns for the NHS and social care staff in Wales. In total, 660,000 gowns will be flown in to Cardiff Airport on the flights, from Phnom Penh, in Cambodia and Hangzhou, in China. First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Since the start…

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board now has 384 extra beds available and ready for patients, should they be needed during the Coronavirus outbreak. Contractors building the new Grange University Hospital at Llanfrechfa, Cwmbran, handed over a number of finished ward areas this week (Monday 27th April) – months ahead of schedule. Laing O’Rourke and Gleeds worked around the clock to get the extra capacity at the new hospital ready in just four weeks. Fortunately the Health Board has not yet seen the surge in cases it expected so the beds do not need to be opened at present. Chief Executive…

Two people have been arrested following an attempted armed robbery in Bryncethin, Bridgend. Officers were called to Blackmill Shop on Blackmill Road shortly after 7pm yesterday (Monday, April 27). A shop worker suffered minor injuries after she was struck by a missile – believed to have been from a crossbow – during the incident. A man and a woman, both aged 34, were arrested in the area a short time later. They are currently in custody, having been arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery. The man has also been arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink or drugs.…

Following a fatal road traffic collision that occurred in Barry on Sunday, the family have released a tribute. Alan Jones, 62 years old, from Penarth was travelling on his silver Yamaha motorbike, westbound on the A4050 Port Road East, Barry when the collision happened. His family have said: “Alan was a husband, father and devoted grandfather and was well known as a postman in the local area. The family are devastated by his sudden, tragic passing and this will leave a massive void in all of our lives.” Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 11.15am following the…