Author: Rhys Gregory

A long-awaited community facility in Rhymney has officially opened its doors, following the successful Community Asset Transfer of the former Meals Direct building to JM Gym Fitness CIC. The building, which previously served as a meals on wheels depot before being used for council storage, has been transformed into a thriving community gym after Caerphilly County Borough Council agreed to transfer the asset to the community organisation. The project forms part of the council’s wider programme to support local groups to take on and revitalise unused buildings for community benefit. On Friday 6th March, a delegation including Nick Smith MP…

The Senedd has voted in favour of protecting greyhounds in Wales from the harms of racing. The Bill will prohibit greyhound racing in Wales. A transition period to allow the industry to wind down responsibly, strengthen rehoming arrangements for retired greyhounds, and prepare enforcement bodies and local authorities for the change which will see the prohibition brought into effect between 1 April 2027 and 1 April 2030. The Bill reflects a clear policy choice: that the injuries, fatalities, and poor post-racing outcomes associated with greyhound racing can no longer be justified. Despite efforts within the industry, harm to greyhounds has remained a consistent reality. Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy…

A new deal has been launched to ensure Wales meets its renewable energy targets, whilst maximising the benefits for communities. The Renewable Energy Sector Deal will be a strategic partnership between Welsh Government and industry, focused on unlocking the full economic potential of Wales’ renewable energy future. It coincides with the publication of the latest Energy Generation and Energy Use in Wales report, which shows renewable electricity generation in Wales in 2024 was equivalent to 54% of its electricity consumption. The target is for renewable electricity generation to meet 70% of our consumption by 2030 and 100% by 2035, whilst…

The Senedd has passed a Bill to support the development of tourism in Wales and improve visitor accommodation. Providers of visitor accommodation – beginning with self-contained, self-catering accommodation like holiday cottages and flats – will need a licence. To get a licence, providers will need to prove their accommodation is fit for visitors, by showing they have gas and electrical safety certificates, carbon monoxide alarms, public liability insurance, and that they have both conducted a fire safety risk assessment and taken relevant precautions. Over 80% of people planning trips in the UK said they would be more likely to book…

Avid viewers of House of the Dragon may, once again, recognise key Welsh locations when the new series reaches screens later this year, after HBO spent June and July filming at several locations across Anglesey, Conwy and Gwynedd. Filming locations included Beaumaris Pier on Anglesey, Craig Yr Undeb (Union Rock) in Gwynedd and Ffynon Llugwy, a stunning lake in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. The second and third seasons of the drama received Production Funding from Creative Wales, with £674,600 provided for season three, the investment is expected to generate £6.7 million for the Welsh economy. Behind the camera, 12 trainees…

The Senedd has taken a significant step to further strengthen democratic accountability by passing the Senedd Cymru (Member Accountability and Elections) Bill. For the first time, the people of Wales will be able to remove their Member of the Senedd between elections. The legislation includes a recall system with two clear triggers: automatic recall for any Member who receives a prison sentence of any length (including a suspended sentence); and discretionary recall where the Standards of Conduct Committee recommends removal for serious misconduct, subject to a majority vote of the whole Senedd. The existing Senedd standards system will also be…

Funding to deliver modern, sustainable integrated transport systems across Wales has been announced this week. The £115.9m of funding has been awarded to local authorities, via the Welsh Government’s Regional Transport Fund (2026-7), to make local transport more accessible for everyone and help people get around more easily. The funding will help create more inclusive streets to make it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle (£58.5m); improve the condition of local roads through investment in highway schemes (£24.1m); create better access to public transport (£20.9m); improve road safety (£7m) and make infrastructure enhancements to electric vehicle charging points…

Welsh businesses have secured £436 million in new export sales as a direct result of Welsh Government export support over the past five years, Cabinet Secretary for Economy Rebecca Evans told the Explore Export Wales conference in Llandudno today (18 March). Accounting for over a third of Wales’ GDP, exports are a key to the Welsh Government’s ambition to grow the economy and create new jobs. Since the Export Action Plan launched in 2020, the Welsh Government has supported nearly 1,500 businesses supported to export for the first time or expand into new markets and delivered 89 trade missions, with…

Level 1 teaching assistants in Wales will be moved to level 2 roles from September 2026. This move will benefit up to 3,350 current level one teaching assistants, who will receive a pay rise of up to £1,350. Teaching assistants play a vital role in supporting teaching and learning in our schools and settings. Working with local authorities and unions, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle has today (March 18) confirmed that the Welsh Government will fund the salary increase for level 1 teaching assistants to move to level 2, subject to local consultation*. Future teaching assistant roles will…

A driver has had their vehicle seized in Machen after tailgating an unmarked police car and committing a series of traffic offences. The incident took place on Commercial Road, where officers in an unmarked vehicle noticed a car following dangerously close behind them. Police said the driver then proceeded to drive on the wrong side of the road before parking on double yellow lines at the corner of a junction. Officers stopped the vehicle and quickly established that the driver was working as a food delivery driver at the time. However, further checks revealed the driver was not insured for…