Author: Rhys Gregory

Wales is set for a mixed week of weather, starting with dry and bright conditions before turning more unsettled with rain, wind and even wintry showers in places. According to the Met Office, Monday will begin on a positive note, with a dry start and some bright or sunny spells across much of the country. Cloud will gradually increase through the day, although it is expected to remain dry with light winds. Temperatures are forecast to reach highs of around 14°C. Conditions will become cloudier overnight, with a strengthening southwesterly breeze developing. Despite the increased cloud cover, temperatures are expected…

Residents across Wales are being urged to make sure they are registered to vote ahead of the upcoming Senedd election, with just five weeks remaining until the deadline. The election will take place on 7 May, but anyone wishing to take part must be registered by midnight on Monday 20 April. Research has shown that certain groups, including young people, students and those who have recently moved home, are less likely to be registered, raising concerns that many could miss out on having their say. Registering to vote can be completed online in just five minutes via the UK Government…

Blaenau Gwent Council will be offering flood gates to residents living in properties identified as being most at risk in the communities affected by previous storms. Through a combination of Welsh Government and Council funding, the homes which are identified in Llanhilleth and Cwm will be offered the gates and associated fitting works free of charge. The Council will be in touch with those living in eligible properties over the next few months. The scheme has been made possible through a successful bid for £97,750 to the Welsh Government’s Small Grants Scheme, together with a contribution from the Council’s budget…

Treharris Library in Merthyr Tydfil has been officially re-opened following refurbishment – 117 years after it was originally opened in 1909. The event on Friday 20th March saw The Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff of Mid-Glamorgan and Dawn Bowden MS, join local Councillors and officers for the opening, with pupils from Edwardsville Primary School serenading those in attendance. Councillor Brent Carter, Leader of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, said: “When the library closed in November 2021, the building was falling into a state of disrepair, so to see it now following extensive internal and external refurbishment is just wonderful. “It…

Unrecorded historic place names are being collected and recorded through community gathering sessions, adding to a national record of more than 715,000 entries. Sessions have taken place across Eryri, in partnership with the National Park Authority, and Ynys Môn, adding over 7,000 names to the list. Work has now extended to Bannau Brycheiniog and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park with further sessions planned across Wales over the coming year. Alice Thorne, Heritage Officer for Bannau Brycheiniog, said: “Place names carry generations of knowledge about how people have understood and shaped the landscape and are an important part of our shared heritage.…

£25m for seven projects to kick-start the Anglesey Freeport and drive economic growth across the island and North Wales has been announced. The Welsh Government, UK Government, Isle of Anglesey County Council and Stena Line UK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalising how the freeport will be governed and delivered. This agreement unlocks the first tranche of £25m seed capital funding, from the UK and Welsh governments, for projects that will improve infrastructure, attract inward investment and create employment opportunities. Anglesey Freeport is a designated zone where businesses benefit from tax reliefs and other incentives designed to attract investment and create high-quality…

The Welsh Government has today set out its plans for the £547m Local Growth Fund, which will be used to boost the Welsh economy. On a visit to Ebbw Vale today, the First Minister will announce details of the Investment Plan, endorsed by the Welsh and UK governments, over the next three years, which sets out the financial allocations for each priority area and for each of the four Welsh regions. The Local Growth Fund will be allocated across three priorities – supporting productive and competitive businesses, increasing skills and helping people into work, and building infrastructure. The Fund is designed to empower Wales’ regions and target areas with the greatest need to increase productivity, help businesses grow and create better paid jobs. Following the funding agreement with the UK Government, money will be allocated based on tailored spending plans which…

Cardiff Council is inviting applications for an independent Chair to lead a new Neighbourhood Board that will oversee the delivery of the Pride in Place programme in Ely and Caerau. Pride in Place is a long‑term initiative that will see up to £20 million invested over the next 10 years to support community‑led regeneration in the area. The UK Government programme is designed to put decision‑making power directly into the hands of local people, helping communities shape projects, strengthen neighbourhoods and create places where residents can thrive. The Neighbourhood Board will bring together residents, community representatives, businesses, local councillors and…

St Mellons Church in Wales Primary School will officially join All Saints’ Church in Wales Primary School and St David’s Church in Wales Primary School as part of the existing The Saints Federation from June 2026. The move to formalise the federation is set to provide long‑term leadership stability, sharing expertise and enhancing educational opportunities for pupils across all three schools, whilst supporting the school’s ongoing improvement journey and help address recommendations made by Estyn. Following consultation with staff, governors, parents and the wider community, the proposal received broad support, with stakeholders recognising the benefits of collaboration, stronger leadership and…

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has said it is set to approve a new Placemaking Plan alongside Barry Town Council this month. Placemaking focuses on working together to improve the places where people live, work and spend time. It involves listening to local communities and using new ideas to make towns and neighbourhoods more welcoming, vibrant and useful for everyone. The Council said the plan will be the fourth to be developed in partnership with Town Councils in the Vale and is expected to help unlock future funding opportunities for the town centre and beyond. Work to develop the Barry…