Author: Rhys Gregory

Two teens have been arrested following a fire in Port Talbot town centre. Officers investigating the fire, at Bethany English Calvinistic Methodist Chapel in Station Road last Thursday evening, April 24, arrested the two teenagers on suspicion of arson. A 14-year-old boy from Sandfields, Neath Port Talbot, and a 15-year-old boy from Bryn, Neath Port Talbot, were arrested on suspicion of arson. The investigation is ongoing.

A UK Government Minister with responsibility for high streets and growth supported a £20m vision to regenerate a popular seaside resort. Minister of State for Building Safety, Fire and Local Growth Alex Norris MP met with Rhyl Neighbourhood Board on Thursday, 24 April, the group tasked with developing a strategy that will enhance the coastal town, create employment, and improve infrastructure over the next decade. The Minister – whose portfolio includes local and regional growth, and high streets and Investment Zones – held a forum with Board members at the Youth Centre on East Parade. They highlighted priorities and challenges…

Farms based within the Gower National Landscape (formerly Gower AONB) are set to work with Swansea Council to help improve the region and boost biodiversity. The Council has received funding through the Welsh Government ‘Ffermio Bro’ programme – a national scheme that supports farming projects across Wales’ National Parks and National Landscapes, that make improvements for nature and the environment. The Ffermio Bro programme will operate over three years until 2028 across all designated landscapes in Wales and will benefit from an investment of £1.5million. In Swansea, a grant of more than £100,000 will be invested in the first year…

A new shop frontage grant scheme for commercial properties is being launched via the Street Enhancement Scheme within the 2025 Shared Prosperity Fund programme. This new grant scheme will run alongside the existing paint scheme which will be continuing. The new grant scheme is aimed at business premises in the town centre zones of Fishguard and Goodwick, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Pembroke, Pembroke Dock and Tenby. Eligible owners and tenants/leaseholders with written consent from the property owner can apply for a grant of 80 per cent, up to a maximum grant value of £24,999, towards to total expenditure of upgrading external…

A former tourist information centre (TIC) in Builth Wells is enjoying a new lease of life as a community hub, thanks to funding secured by Powys County Council. The council awarded £45,860 towards the cost of refurbishing the site on the Groe Car Park, to turn it into a well-being centre for Builth Wells Community Support, and other charities and voluntary groups, to use. The funding was provided as a Welsh Government Placemaking Grant, through its Transforming Towns programme, and has been used to: Create a new fully equipped kitchen area. Refurbish the toilet and create more suitable facilities for…

A series of changes, recommended by a group of independent experts in a milestone report designed to strengthen the NHS, are being taken forward by the Welsh Government. Health Secretary Jeremy Miles has accepted the 29 recommendations made by the Ministerial Advisory Group on NHS Performance and Productivity, which was set up in October to look at the effectiveness of current NHS Wales arrangements. The review, led by Sir David Sloman, focused on planned care, diagnostics, cancer performance and urgent and emergency care and considered ways to improve productivity and performance, including digital and data and improving regional working. The…

A new Community Food Strategy aims to strengthen local food systems, improve healthy eating, and create more sustainable communities across Wales. The strategy, a key commitment in the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government, focuses on connecting Welsh producers with consumers, supporting community-led food projects, and ensuring healthier food is accessible to all. Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies said: “Food lies at the heart of all our lives. The land in Wales with its beauty and magnificence, brings many opportunities which is why our produce is some of the finest in the world. “What we eat…

Applications for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for 2025-26 are now open. EMA in Wales provides eligible learners aged 16 to 18 with £40 per week to help with education related costs such as transport, meals, and learning materials. EMA is retained at a lower rate of £30 in Scotland and Northern Ireland and was ended in England in 2011. More learners can now benefit from the scheme as income thresholds have been raised: Households with one dependent child are now eligible if their income is £23,400 or less. Households with two or more dependent children are now eligible if their…

Leading UK Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Heat Pump (RACHP) wholesaler, TF Solutions, part of Travis Perkins plc, officially opened its doors in Cardiff on the 3rd of March 2025, marking its first branch in Wales. The new branch represents a significant investment in the local economy, bringing new jobs, enhanced customer choice, and a commitment to superior service. Located at Units 3A and 3B, Stuart Close, Penarth Road, CF11 8QF, the 11,500 square foot facility is set to become a cornerstone for RACHP professionals throughout Cardiff and the surrounding region. With a sizeable investment, including branch setup and initial stock,…

As Spain considers implementing a 100% tax on property purchases by non-EU nationals—a move aimed at addressing its housing affordability crisis—real estate investors are evaluating alternative markets within Europe. Croatia, with its favorable investment climate, emerges as a promising destination for those seeking lucrative opportunities in the Mediterranean region. Understanding Spain’s Proposed Tax Reform In early 2025, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced plans to impose a 100% tax on homespurchased by non-EU residents. This proposal is part of a broader strategy to alleviate housing shortages and curb rising property prices, particularly in tourist-heavy regions like Madrid and Barcelona .…