Author: Rhys Gregory

Exciting plans to transform Swansea’s landmark Civic Centre building on the seafront have taken a major step forward. Cabinet at Swansea Council has now given the green light for more work to take place to inform the detail of a planning application due for submission in the coming months. Led by the council’s regeneration partners Urban Splash, plans include cafes, bars, shops, apartments, workspaces, and areas for leisure and events. Proposals include 15 commercial units on the ground and lower ground floors, as well as around 140 apartments on the upper floors and the inclusion of an aquarium and a…

The 2026-2027 budget for Ceredigion County Council has been approved in a Council meeting held on Monday 02 March 2026. Ceredigion County Council’s Budget for 2026-2027 has been set at £221.499m. This results in a Council Tax increase for County Council Services of 4.75% (equating to a monthly £7.47 increase for a typical Band D property). This includes a 0.10% Council Tax increase required to fully fund the Fire levy of £5.9m set by Mid and West Wales Fire Authority. In setting the Council’s Budget, despite facing financial cost pressures totalling some £9.3m (equivalent to an inflation rate of 4.4%), Councillors agreed to…

One of the world’s largest shared singing events is coming to Wales, as Young Voices partners with Kilimanjaro Live to launch the Land of Song Festival at the Principality Stadium in May 2027. The two day celebration will bring together choirs from across the globe for what is set to be a landmark moment in Welsh cultural history. Organisers are calling on all choirs, no matter how big or small, to take part in the groundbreaking choral experience at the iconic Cardiff stadium. Two events. One festival. One shared voice. The Land of Song Festival will feature two major participatory…

Two former Gwent Police officers would have been dismissed had they still been serving, following an Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation into discriminatory, offensive and derogatory messages shared on WhatsApp. At the end of a one day misconduct hearing, former PCs James Heley and Simon Lewis, who resigned three days before the hearing, were found to have breached police standards of professional behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy, equality and diversity, and discreditable conduct. Both former officers have now been placed on the police barred list. Gwent Police made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police…

Wales’ first ever floating sauna is set to launch at Penarth Marina this month, offering locals and visitors an immersive wellness experience unlike anything else in the country. Sauna Flô will offer an electric sauna and ice bath experience onboard a floating venue moored directly on the water. Founded by Welsh entrepreneur and former Team GB skier Rory Heslop, the project promises to establish Penarth Marina as a destination for relaxation, recovery and wellbeing. Sauna Flô is fully equipped, allowing precise temperature changes to tailor the experience to relaxation, recovery or performance. Comfortably accommodating up to eight people, the sauna…

New data released by Start Up Loans, part of the British Business Bank, reveals there has been a surge in entrepreneurship amongst Gen Z in Wales, with the number of loans taken out by young founders increasing by 11% in 2025, as more young people look to start their own businesses. In 2025, Gen Z founders in Wales secured £623,600 in funding, up from £572,850 in 2024. Research published late last year by KPMG found Gen Z workers are increasingly leaving corporate careers in pursuit of entrepreneurial opportunities, with 42% leaving to work in start-ups and 35% going freelance or…

Ahead of the Welsh election, the CBI has challenged party leaders to transform Wales into one of Europe’s most competitive and sustainable small economies by 2035 – and put a new Welsh Industrial Strategy at the heart of pro-business policies. Launching ‘Made in Wales: A manifesto to support firms & create jobs 2026-30,’ the CBI calls on the leaders to drive forward technology and innovation, remove planning system bottlenecks, drive forward investment in infrastructure and bring down Wales’ high youth unemployment levels by giving young people access to skills, opportunities and mental health support. The CBI prioritises a new Welsh…

A man from Neath who established a huge Hollywood legacy is to be honoured with a commemorative Blue Plaque. Ray Milland starred alongside the likes of John Wayne and Grace Kelly and was once Paramount’s highest-paid actor during a career which spanned more than 50 years. Neath Port Talbot Council will be unveiling the plaque at a special event to coincide with the 80th Anniversary of Ray Milland winning an Oscar – the first Welsh actor to do so. 1946 was a very special year for Ray Milland as he won three prestigious awards in total. In addition to the…

The people of Powys are being invited to help shape a new long-term Economic Strategy for Powys, the county council has said. Public engagement on its draft GROW / TYFU Powys Economic Strategy, which sets out a vision for growing a stronger, fairer and greener local economy through to 2040 has begun this week. The draft strategy focuses on seven key growth sectors, including advanced manufacturing, energy, rural and foundational economies, tourism and events, and skills development. It also places strong emphasis on sustainability, resilience, and creating better paid opportunities for people who live and work in Powys. Cllr Glyn…

Welsh communities are set to benefit from a share of £10 million to generate local renewable energy and reduce energy bills. The Welsh Government today announced the third round of the Ynni Cymru Grant Capital Scheme for 2026-27 which opens for applications this month. The scheme deploys Smart Local Energy Systems (SLES) – helping communities use clean energy to cut costs, create jobs and build stronger local infrastructure. This can include installing solar panels, heat pumps, EV charging points and battery storage, and is open to community energy organisations, social enterprises, public sector bodies and SMEs. It builds on the…