Author: Rhys Gregory

Next week, councillors in Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen will be asked to approve the appointment of Stephen Vickers as the permanent Joint Chief Executive for both Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent County Borough councils. Torfaen councillors will be asked to approve on Tuesday, 21st January, and Blaenau Gwent councillors on Thursday, 23rd January. The report to both councils follows a 7 month ‘discovery phase’ during which both councils agreed to share the Chief Executive role, while exploratory work took place to understand the opportunities and risks of closer working. The review supported by Local Partnerships has now concluded following engagement with…

With the port of Holyhead due to partially reopen today (16 January) the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates has emphasised the Welsh Government will continue to work with all partners. Stena have announced repairs have been carried out to the port which was badly damaged by Storm Darragh in December last year meaning ferries can now sail at full capacity with the first ferry scheduled to set sail at 01:30 on 16 January from berth 5. The Welsh Government has been working closely with the Irish Government since the temporary closure of the port.   This has…

The public will have the opportunity to see and discuss the options for a replacement for the A494 River Dee Bridge crossing at an event to be held on Tuesday, 21 January at St Andrew’s Church, Garden City, The event is part of the WelTAG Stage 2 public consultation which runs until Tuesday 4 March on a shortlist of options to replace the bridge which is a vital link for cross-border traffic between North Wales and the North West of England. The public exhibition is open between 10am and 7pm on Tuesday 21 January. Stakeholders and the public will be…

Wales is the first in the UK to have set up a group bringing government, employers and trade unions together to improve ways of working for staff in the social care sector. The Social Care Workforce Partnership will be important in helping representatives of employers and workers learn from each other and make working conditions better and fairer for staff. The Partnership has already consulted with the social care workforce and providers to determine what matters to them and ensure their voices are heard when determining the priorities for the Partnership. The group will focus on three main areas over…

A relaxing soak in a hot tub can be the perfect way to unwind after a day of exploring new destinations. Imagine immersing yourself in warm, bubbling water, while your muscles relax and your mind finds peace. Hot tubs have long been associated with luxury, but they’re much more than just a treat for the senses—they offer a range of health and relaxation benefits, especially during holidays. Stress relief and mental rejuvenation When you’re away from the hustle of daily life, a hot tub provides an ideal environment to de-stress. The soothing effects of warm water can help lower your…

Business representatives from the nation’s flagship high streets have come together to launch High Streets UK, a new partnership which aims to tackle the most pressing issues facing high streets and unlock fresh opportunities for growth. The group’s core objective is to develop programmes and policy recommendations which will enable flagship UK high streets to drive local and national growth, aligning with the Government’s focus on creating a productive and sustainable economy. Founding members of High Streets UK include leading Business Improvement Districts from Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Leeds and London. Collectively, the high streets involved represent over 5,000…

The chairman of the independent membership organisation representing tourism and hospitality businesses across Mid Wales is standing down next week after eight years in the role. Rowland Rees-Evans, a director of Penrhos Park, Llanrhystud, near Aberystwyth, will remain a member of the MWT Cymru (Mid Wales Tourism) board. However, he has recently been appointed chairman of the Wales Tourism Alliance, of which MWT Cymru is a member. He officially stood down at MWT Cymru’s annual meeting at Nanteos Hall, Aberystwyth on Tuesday, January 14 at 10am, having succeeded Anne Lloyd-Jones, of Tywyn, as chairman in 2016. Rowland has been the…

Groundbreaking judge Lady Justice Nicola Davies DBE has been appointed the new Chancellor of Aberystwyth University. Dame Nicola Davies was born and brought up in Wales and grew up in Llanelli and Bridgend.  She attended Bridgend Girls’ Grammar School and was the first in her family to attend university. She worked in the City as an investment analyst, before being called to the Bar in 1976. She specialised in medical law encompassing clinical negligence, crime, regulatory work and inquiries and acted in a number of notable cases including Sidaway v Board of Governors of the Bethlem Hospital, the Cleveland Child…

Three young entrepreneurs have secured their first investment thanks to the Development Bank of Wales and M-SParc’s Angel Network. The investment marks the first major step for Pelly and its platform for managing sporting talent. Led by lead investor Robert Williams, the syndicate of ten angels has invested £ 124,5 00 in Pelly Group L imi t e d, a tech company set up to provide a cutting-edge platform for sports operations management. The investment has been part-matched with a further £12 4 ,500 from the Development Bank’s Wales Co-investment Fund. Private investment completed the round taking the total to…

Six horses rescued by the RSPCA were found without bedding, food and living in filthy conditions. Lee Vivian Nicholas of Merthyr Tydfil, pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act and he was sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 8 January. The offences were that he caused unnecessary suffering to a grey welsh cob stallion called Bertie and a welsh chestnut stallion called Harry by failing to provide hoof care and maintenance and that he caused unnecessary suffering to a chestnut thoroughbred mare called Diva and a chestnut welsh cob gelding called Elvis, by failing to…