Author: Rhys Gregory

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet is set to consider plans for phase 1 of improvements being delivered as part of a £78 million investment through the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Band B programme. A report will be considered by Cabinet at a virtual meeting on 22nd July; if approved, the council will begin consultation on plans for the expansion of Trinity Fields School and Resource Centre, Ystrad Mynach, along with the relocation and expansion of Ysgol Gymraeg Cwm Gwyddon in Cwmcarn. Proposals for Trinity Fields, the only special school in the Caerphilly county borough, include building a new extension…

More homes and businesses are set to benefit from the Welsh Government’s rollout of fast fibre broadband in partnership with Openreach. The vast majority of homes and businesses in Wales – 95 per cent – already have access to superfast broadband, following the completion of Superfast Cymru. As part of a package of measures to reach the remaining premises, the Welsh Government has an agreement with Openreach which will now increase from 26,000 premises to 39,000.The extension will be funded by £30m from the Welsh Government and European Union, with additional investment from Openreach. The extension to the project will…

People will be asked to phone first before going to A&E as emergency services are remodeled to respond to coronavirus, Health Minister Vaughan Gething announced today. The telephone triage service will direct to people to the right service for their condition or injury instead of everyone automatically seeking care at their local A&E department. The changes, which will be trialled at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, are modelled on a successful Scandinavian scheme, and are part of a new approach to delivering safe, person-centred health and care services. The emergency 999 service will not be affected by the changes.…

For people across Wales, these are challenging times. Only now are households no longer being asked to stay local. The coronavirus restrictions have put a lot of things into perspective – from the role of key workers to the leisure activities we once took for granted. But it is also a chance for many to take stock of their financial situation and manage their money more effectively. Keeping track of your finances is something that is a good habit to get to in ‘normal’ times. The recent lockdown restrictions, however, now make that point much louder and clearer. There are…

In light of the cancellation of events like Wimbledon, Euro 2020, The Open, and many other events this summer, it has to be said that broadcasters like the BBC did a pretty good job of making up for the lack of live sport in the schedules. The Euros Rewind show, for example, was excellent, showing the full coverage of classic games from the tournament’s history, including Wales’ incredible victory over Belgium at Euro 2016. But if we are honest, even reliving Gareth Bale and Co dismantling one of the world’s best teams cannot compare with live sport. And, while the…

A new skate park and play park are being developed in Penllwyn, along with improvements to the surrounding area. The improvements are being funded by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) environmental improvement programme. Over the term of the WHQS programme over £260 million will have been invested into the homes of council tenants and their local communities. Around £467k will be invested into environmental improvements in Penllwyn, with £131k being invested into the skate park and play park. Works to the skate park are underway, with Bendcrete completing this. Approximately £109k worth of work has already…

A drug-dealer from Liverpool found with more than £100k cash in his car during an intelligence-led vehicle stop has been jailed for 15 years. Neil Croston was stopped as he travelled along the A470 towards Brecon in his BMW on May 28, 2019. Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales, had received intelligence that the 45-year-old was involved in the supply of Class A drugs and that he was believed to have travelled to the south Wales area on that day to complete a drug deal. After being stopped by a South Wales Police traffic officer on behalf…

Swansea Council is working on plans to offer hospitality businesses around the city the chance to do more business outdoors. This could see more of them expanding to set up café and bar operations on existing paved areas and others setting up new collective outdoor seating areas. Restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs could be among those to benefit. The plan, a response to the pandemic and social distancing measures, aims to make the permissions process simpler, swifter and less costly for businesses whilst helping keep anti-social behaviour in check. The needs of those with disabilities, other pedestrians, local residents and…

Ceredigion Museum’s ground-breaking ‘Sheep’ exhibition has been shortlisted for the Museums & Heritage Awards 2020 ‘Temporary or Touring Exhibition’ category.  Ceredigion Museum is the only museum of the six shortlisted that’s located outside London. The Museum will be up against stiff competition, including the Royal Collection Trust’s ‘Leonardo da Vinci: Life in Drawings’ and Tate’s ‘Steve McQueen Year 3’ exhibitions. The winner will be announced at a virtual ceremony on the 22 September. Catrin Miles, Councillor Catherine Hughes, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Porth Ceredigion, Early Intervention, Well-being Hubs and Culture said: “I am delighted that Ceredigion Museum have been…

The much loved animals of Swansea’s popular Plantasia welcomed back the public, re-opening its doors on Saturday. They include Rainbow the macaw, a long-standing member of the Plantasia collection, Asian leopard cats Nala and Aneurin – the newest of the attraction’s star animals, and playful crowd pleasers Onesie and Joe the meerkats. The facility, managed by Parkwood Leisure for Swansea Council, opened for the first time since lockdown in March. The reopening took place in line with government restrictions so the Parc Tawe facility. Pre-booking is recommended, a one-way system is in operation along with social distancing guidance and hand sanitising…