Author: Rhys Gregory

The HR in Wales Awards has honoured the top HR and people development talent in Wales at its first ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel in Cardiff. Launched by Lesley Richards, independent HR consultant and former head of the CIPD in Wales, with support from industry experts, Louise Price (Hugh James), Mera Mann (Human Resourcing), and Paul Harris (Skylite Associates), the HR in Wales Awards celebrate the achievements of HR and people development professionals from across Wales. Nine organisations, and five individuals were recognised for their remarkable contributions to the people profession, highlighting the crucial role that HR plays in…

A sixth person has been charged in connection with the murder of Joanne Penney in Talbot Green. The 40-year-old died on Sunday March 9 after being shot in Llys Illtyd. Jordan Mills-Smith, 32, from Pentwyn, Cardiff, has been charged with murder. The 32-year-old was arrested on Friday evening (March 14) in the Suffolk area. He is due to appear at Merthyr Magistrates’ Court today (Monday, March 17). Joanne’s family has been updated, and they continue to be supported by family liaison officers. Detective Chief Superintendent Ceri Hughes said: “Our team of detectives and specialist staff are continuing to piece together…

A man caught in possession of hundreds of thousands of indecent images has been jailed. In June 2023, North Wales Police were alerted to an indecent image that had been uploaded to a social media platform. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of 68 year old Paul Roberts, from the Bontnewydd area of Caernarfon. When Roberts’ digital devices were analysed, they revealed he had stored almost four hundred thousand indecent and extreme pornographic images, many including the sexual abuse of children. Roberts was charged with several offences including making indecent photographs / pseudo-photographs of a child, and, in a first…

Thanks to £200,000 financial support by the Welsh Government, Urdd Gobaith Cymru is pleased to confirm that free entry will be offered to lower income families to Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2025, which will be held in Margam Park, Neath Port Talbot. Cllr. Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Councils Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing said: “I think it’s really important that lower-income families will be offered free entry to Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2025. This initiative ensures that everyone has the opportunity to experience this fantastic event and celebration of our rich cultural heritage. The fact that Eisteddfod yr Urdd…

Planning permission has been granted for the Council to build a brand new 3-19 school for pupils with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) – a key milestone towards the delivery of this modern and exciting development in 2026. Last year, Cabinet agreed to establish the County Borough’s fifth ALN school in an investment that responds to increasing learner numbers and the growing complexity of pupils’ needs. All the options to expand the four existing ALN schools have been explored, and it was concluded that the only feasible alternative to provide extra capacity is by building a new school. Its location was…

A rise in the number of visitors to the city centre was reported in both January and February, maintaining the trend seen last year. This was against a background of decreasing footfall nationally, both in Wales and the UK. Newport has some fantastic small traders encompassing retail, hospitality and leisure and they make up more than two thirds of the city centre outlets. More events are also being held which draw in visitors who can discover for themselves the diverse offer including great food places, lively music places and bespoke retailers. Councillor James Clarke, Newport City Council’s cabinet member for…

Demolition work is soon to begin in preparation for the redevelopment of Caerphilly’s former indoor market site. The project, delivered as part of the Caerphilly Town 2035 masterplan, will see the current disused buildings on Pentrebane Street demolished and a modern apartment complex with some commercial units built in their place. In preparation for the demolition of the current buildings, a partial closure of the footpath in front of numbers 8 to 20 Clive Street will begin from March 17th onwards. A closure of the lane connecting Pentrebane Street and Clive Street, behind properties on Bradford Street, will be in…

The Welsh Government has reallocated £2.2m to the Disabled Facilities Grant to support housing adaptations for older and disabled people, enabling them to live more independently and safely in their own homes for longer. All local authorities in Wales have been offered the grant funding to spend on housing adaptations in their regions this financial year. The grant is designed to help older and disabled people make necessary adaptations to their homes to improve accessibility and safety. Adaptations can be tailored to meet the specific needs of an individual to improve mobility and access throughout the home, including modifications such as grab…

New and improved classrooms and equipment for children and young people with additional learning needs (ALN). A £20 million investment in schools will create inclusive learning environments such as quiet or sensory areas, upgrade facilities to improve accessibility, and enable schools and other settings to purchase new equipment. Last year the funding supported 249 schools in Wales to improve their facilities to support learners with ALN. In Conwy, nearly £700,000 has already helped transform schools over the past year, including new specialist facilities at Ysgol Craig y Don, a primary school in Llandudno. They have received £50,000 to: upgrade their…

Paving the way for the National Finals of WorldSkills UK later this year, Skills Competition Wales 2025 will be a launchpad for future champions. With Wales gearing up to host the WorldSkills UK national finals for the first time later this year, a leading skills competition has kicked off this year’s competitive calendar for 2025 with outstanding results. Skills Competition Wales – run by the Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales project – is a launchpad for participants to compete in national and international events such as WorldSkills UK and International, and EuroSkills. Funded by the Welsh Government, the project looks…