Author: Rhys Gregory

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has provided an update on its inspection of tips across South Wales after Storm Dennis and the further heavy rainfall which has followed.  Unprecedented weather conditions hit the County Borough causing flooding in local communities on Sunday, February 16 – and further heavy rainfall has followed, including Storm Jorge (February 28-29). These severe weather events have caused a significant landslip at Tylorstown Upper Tip, along with a number of minor landslips at several other mountainside locations. Disused tips are regulated by the Mines and Quarries (Tips) Act 1969. Some tips are owned by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council…

Wales & West Utilities has been announced as one of the core supporting organisations of the newly-launched Wales Hydrogen Trade Association. The gas emergency and pipeline service played a leading role at the Association’s launch in Cardiff Bay, alongside other organisations, which are jointly looking to advance the hydrogen economy in Wales. The Wales Hydrogen Trade Association has launched at a time of surging global interest in hydrogen to help combat climate change and to decarbonise society and the economy. As a zero-emission fuel, hydrogen is widely recognised as a key tool in decarbonising heat, power and transport, as well…

Working with Welsh cryptocurrency startup Coincover, Lloyd’s of London has launched a new insurance policy to protect cryptocurrency held in online wallets against theft or other malicious hacks With the significant support of Development Bank of Wales and Welsh Angel Investors, Coincover is a FinTech/Insurtech start-up in Cardiff, enabling the safest way for businesses and consumers to buy, hold, accumulate, transfer and spend cryptocurrency. The company is the latest contribution to Wales’ booming £8.5bn tech sector. After strong pick up in the beta testing phase, Coincover this week formally launched their cryptocurrency insurance product to the market, backed by a consortium…

Welsh Army veteran Jonathan Congreve, 57, from Gelligaer was honoured by Caerphilly County Borough Council at a meeting of full council at Penallta House on Tuesday March 3. Mr Congreve has been selected to represent Team UK at the Invictus Games in May and will be competing in archery, swimming and rowing events. Jon served in the army for 22 years, leaving the service as a Staff Sergeant in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers. Accompanied by his wife Debbie, Jon was thanked for representing the county by Mayor Cllr Julian Simmonds and Cllr Nigel George, and wished well for his…

Health Minister Vaughan Gething has welcomed confirmation that the emergency powers sought by Wales to tackle Coronavirus (COVID-19) will be introduced by the UK Government. News of the emergency powers comes as the Chief Medical Officer for Wales confirmed two new cases of COVID-19 in Wales, bringing the total number to four. The Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton, confirmed that two further patients in Wales have tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID -19) yesterday. The patients, who are from the same household, are resident in the Pembrokeshire local authority area and have recently returned from Northern Italy. The…

GP surgeries across Wales will receive packs of face masks, gloves and aprons for their personal protection as they treat people with suspected Coronavirus, Health Minister Vaughan Gething announced today. Packs were prepared over the weekend, and will be distributed to the 640 GP surgeries in Wales this week. The Minister also authorised Personal Protection Equipment to be released from stockpiles for use by front line NHS and social services staff, should it become necessary. Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: “These packs are part of robust infection control measures that we have in place, and I want to reassure people that we…

A South Wales college has unveiled a new female mentorship programme aimed at supporting and empowering the next generation of young women to fulfil their education and career potential. Coleg y Cymoedd, which has four campuses in Nantgarw, Ystrad Mynach, Aberdare and Rhondda, has officially rolled out its mentoring scheme, following a successful two-year pilot. Originally trialled on a smaller scale, the scheme proved to be a success with learners and has now transitioned into a permanent programme at the college. Designed to coach female, trans and non-binary identifying learners to help them reach their personal and professional goals, the…

MANY Welsh businesses are under-achieving because of a failure to adopt performance-improving measures in their organisations, a study by leading academics at Cardiff Metropolitan University has found. The Productivity Report, which used funding from the Hodge Foundation, found of those surveyed: 60pc are achieving a profit below the average ratio for their sector Only 37pc have a strategic plan 75pc do not have a formal staff reward scheme in place to promote and encourage innovation. The report comes as new ONS figures show that Wales is once again propping up the productivity league table and remains the least productive region…

The winners of the highly anticipated Welsh Business Awards were announced at the annual awards ceremony, attended by over 360 people, at City Hall in Cardiff on Thursday 5 March. Businesses from across Wales came together to celebrate their achievement and success through 2019 across 10 categories including ‘Welsh Business of the Year’, and the President’s Award. The South Wales Chamber of Commerce welcomed Minister for the Economy, Transport and North Wales Ken Skates AM to address guests at the event. The Minister said: “The award winners tonight represent the best of Welsh business in 2020.  We’ve seen some of…

Eastern Airways, which operates flights from Cardiff Airport, now has its scheduled routes on sale and are bookable through its own website. Following the demise of Flybe, the full existing Eastern Airways network has continued to operate as normal, and the airline has honoured tickets on Flybe services operated by Eastern Airways for the past few days. It will continue to do so until the end of Tuesday 10 March as recognition of customers’ valued and continued support. To mark the airline going independent again, Eastern Airways is offering fares from £19.99* one way, including taxes and charges. Complimentary on-board…