Author: Rhys Gregory

Denbighshire County Council has started the recruitment process for a new Chief Executive. This is a key position within the Council, responsible for the delivery of quality services for Denbighshire residents and the Council is looking to appoint a purposeful leader who will share its ambitions to continue to be one of the best performing local authorities in Wales. Candidates are being invited to apply for the role which involves working closely with elected members in preparing, developing and delivering strategic direction as well as implementing, monitoring and reviewing Council policies. Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council said: “As…

The 2025-2026 funding cycle of Enhancing Pembrokeshire is open for Expressions of Interest. Following Pembrokeshire County Council’s initiation of the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant – funded by second home council tax premiums – more than £5.5million has been shared with communities. The grants aim to support areas greatly impacted by second home ownership. The 2025-2026 funding cycle offers circa £167,000 sourced from the council’s second home council tax premium, for small grants up to £15,000. Expressions of Interest are being invited between 1st September 2025 and 26th September 2025. All Expressions of Interest must be received by 11am on the 26th…

Caerphilly County Borough Council will move forward with its new Library Service strategy from 8 September, after the High Court refused to grant an interim injunction that would have delayed the plans. The strategy will see the creation of seven new community Hubs, offering library facilities alongside a wide range of other council services. Residents in the Caerphilly county borough will soon be able to access a wide range of council services within seven new community ‘Hubs’ which are being developed across the area. A brand-new network of Hubs will officially open on 8th September, marking a bold new chapter…

The Welsh Government is advising the public ahead of a national emergency alert test on 7th September, with particular guidance for those who may keep a hidden mobile phone for safety reasons. On that date, a test emergency alert will be sent to all mobile phones across the UK. The alert will produce a loud sound and vibration on all compatible devices, even if they are set to silent, unless emergency alerts have been disabled beforehand. This may present a safety risk to individuals experiencing domestic abuse who keep a hidden phone for emergency use. If such a device sounds…

Olav Kooij (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) stormed to victory on stage one of the Lloyds Tour of Britain from Woodbridge to Southwold, after a nail-biting uphill sprint finish. Tord Gudmestad (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team) was a surprise runner-up, having launched his sprint early, while Hugo Hofstetter (Israel – Premier Tech) finished third. Sam Watson (INEOS Grenadiers) was the first British rider to cross the line in sixth place, while his teammate Geraint Thomas recovered from a late puncture to finish with the main field in his final race before retirement. The win, Kooij’s fifth career stage victory…

The leaders of Ceredigion and Powys County Councils have received a progress update on the Centre for Alternative Technology’s flagship capital development project, Cynefin, which is being supported by the Mid Wales Growth Deal. During the visit to the centre near Machynlleth, Councillors Bryan Davies and Jake Berriman met with CAT’s co-chief executive Eileen Kinsman to discuss recent milestones in the development of ‘Cynefin: Geen Heart of Wales’. The project aims to transform CAT’s facilities and strengthen its role as a nationally important centre for sustainability education, innovation and community action. Cynefin seeks to support a just transition to a zero-carbon…

There are now less than three weeks left to vote for a small, much-photographed birch tree at the edge of Llyn Padarn in Llanberis to be crowned the Woodland Trust’s UK Tree of the Year 2025. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Eryri and perched over lakeside pebbles, the Lonely Tree of Llanberis has become a cherished North Wales landmark and a favourite of walkers and photographers alike. Its striking silhouette in mirror-like reflections on the lake have made it one of the most photographed trees in Wales. This year’s competition celebrates trees that are ‘Rooted in Culture’, spotlighting how they…

Work is taking place to breathe new life into several more historic buildings in Swansea city centre. Under plans led by the Elysium Gallery, the former JT Morgan building on Belle Vue Way – which has been empty since 2008 – will soon become home to a community arts centre and hub for creative professionals. Funding from Swansea Council through the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund is helping to fund the internal works and strip out, as well as improvements to the roof structure. The project has also secured funding from the Welsh Government as part of its Transforming…

A GROUNDBREAKING gym equipment company is making significant gains within weeks of launch. Based in Llandudno and Mochdre, gym2me was founded by entrepreneur Andy Boyd, who had spent almost two decades in the banking sector before taking the leap and starting his own business. The busy dad-of-twins wanted to explore the circular economy and develop a company borne from his own exercise experiences — and the realities of modern life. gym2me is built for “real people with real lives” who have purchased expensive equipment in the past and found that just weeks or months later it was “gathering dust” in…

Newport-based business finance provider Hexa Finance has announced a strategic realignment within its commercial team alongside a key new hire. The move strengthens both its direct and indirect customer channels as the business continues its rapid growth. Effective 1 September, Daniel Barton will transition from his role as Head of Invoice Finance to become Head of Direct. In his new position, Dan will take full responsibility for the company’s direct channel, working alongside Adrian Monger, who continues to lead the indirect (supplier) channel. In addition, Hexa has welcomed Phil Smith to its commercial team as Senior Growth Advisor. Phil brings…