Author: Rhys Gregory

A new Independent Chair has been appointed to drive forward the community-led Pride in Place programme in Ely and Caerau, which will oversee residents shaping the priorities for this UK Government funding. Kevin Gardiner has been selected as Chair and Joseph Goode as Vice Chair of the soon to be formed Neighbourhood Board that will oversee the delivery of the Pride in Place Programme in Ely and Caerau. Together they will lead the Board, which will bring together the local MP Alex Barros-Curtis, residents, community organisations, businesses and partners to develop and deliver a shared vision for the area. The…

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg has been praised by Estyn for its caring community and rich curriculum following a recent inspection. Inspectors found that the Barry school provides a broad range of valuable learning experiences, with pupils demonstrating positive attitudes to learning and taking pride in their Welsh identity. The development of pupils’ speaking and listening skills in Welsh was identified as a key strength, helping learners to communicate confidently and supporting their progress across the curriculum. Inspectors also praised the school’s inclusive approach, particularly its support for pupils with additional learning needs, and recognised its commitment to professional learning and…

Coety Primary School is celebrating a highly positive outcome following its recent Estyn inspection, with inspectors praising the school as a welcoming and nurturing community where pupils thrive, make strong progress and feel safe, happy and ready to learn. Estyn, the education and training inspectorate for Wales, praised the school’s leadership as “dynamic and innovative” and highlighted its consistently effective teaching, strong culture of inclusion and clear vision of helping pupils to “be the best that they can be”. The report noted that most pupils, including those with additional learning needs (ALN), make strong progress from their starting points and…

Two Cardiff business owners have been ordered to pay a total of £7,800 after repeatedly failing to comply with legal requirements to control noise. Keith and Caroline Munro were successfully prosecuted by Shared Regulatory Services (SRS) after repeatedly breaching noise abatement notices. These notices had been issued following multiple complaints from local residents about noise originating from Kings Road Yard, 183A King’s Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff, CF11 9DF. The noise abatement notices required the defendants to take appropriate steps to control excessive noise emanating from their premises. This included amplified music as well as noise from customers congregating at the premises.…

Sporting opportunities, a cooking school and a community café – just a few of the projects to be delivered in Duffryn funded by the Newport Council’s no-one left behind scheme. An event was held recently in Dufftyn community centre where residents were able to find out more about 16 initiatives from the organisations that will be delivering them. Councillor Jason Hughes, cabinet member for communities, said: “We asked residents what services and opportunities they wanted to see in their neighbourhood. It was also important that new activities did not duplicate what was already available. “Applications were carefully assessed against those…

Plans to invest £20million in Tredegar have taken a positive step forward with the appointment of a Chair to the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board. Rev’d Matt Davis will lead the board, which will be made up of local residents and partners and will decide how the money is spent locally to help regenerate and revitalise the area. Matt, the vicar at St George’s Church, Tredegar, was appointed following a recruitment process. He is already very active in the local community through church services and activities including luncheon clubs and toddler groups. Matt says: “I am incredibly passionate about Tredegar…

A chairperson has been selected to lead an expert panel shaping the new development agency to boost Wales’ economy and create better jobs. Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, Adam Price, told the Senedd of the appointment this week as he outlined the first steps towards creating the agency which will be a key driver in reducing Wales’ productivity gap with the UK within 10 years. Jonathan Lewis will steer the independent advisory panel established to shape the design and remit of the new economic development agency for Wales. Mr Lewis has extensive business and leadership experience across major…

Seven coastal community projects across Wales will receive a share of more than half a million pounds to improve marine environments, strengthen local economies and build long-term resilience for coastal communities and our fishing industry. The projects – spanning Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Flintshire, Gwynedd and Ynys Môn – range from establishing a purpose-built native oyster spatting pond in Laugharne to a new community-led marine observatory programme across the Menai Strait. The funding supports work that includes citizen science monitoring in Cardigan Bay, a sustainable seafood trail in Conwy, harbour safety improvements at Connah’s Quay and Amlwch Port, and enhanced marine…

The Welsh Government is turning ambition into action to secure a stronger future for the Welsh language, the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language told the Senedd yesterday. From the early years through to post-16 education, the Welsh Government will build an integrated Welsh-medium pathway across the education system. The Welsh Language and Education Act will be fully implemented to ensure that every child has a fair opportunity to become an independent and confident Welsh speaker. An urgent review of Welsh in Education Strategic Plans is already under way. The findings of the review will inform a national…

A clear pathway to devolve rail services and infrastructure that benefits Welsh passengers has been set out by Deputy Minister for Transport, Mark Hooper. Wales makes up around 10% of the British rail network by track length yet has received only 1.5% of total UK rail investment over the past 15 years. As promised in its 100-day plan, the Welsh Government is now taking action to change this with negotiation talks with the UK Government underway to secure fairer funding, stronger decision-making powers, and better services for passengers. Three immediate steps that are being taken to move towards this vision…