Author: Rhys Gregory

Newport City Council’s cabinet will consider a second round of budget proposals for 2025/26 at its January meeting next Monday (13 January). At the meeting, a report will be presented which details the current financial situation, along with proposals for a range of savings and investments. The report will reflect the fact that Newport was awarded a proposed 5.6 per cent increase in its annual revenue budget grant when Welsh government announced their draft 2025/26 budget in December. The report sets out a number of proposals to meet budget challenges and invest in key services. This includes investing just under…

Ffos Caerffili has been celebrated on the national stage, receiving a prestigious Highly Commended accolade at the REVO Gold Awards in the Best Repurposing & Placemaking Project category. The recognition comes as part of REVO’s mission to honour outstanding achievements in the retail, leisure, property, and placemaking sectors across the UK. This commendation is a significant milestone for Ffos Caerffili, which has quickly risen to prominence since its recent opening. Known for its innovative design and dynamic offerings, the venue was previously highlighted by The Sunday Times and featured on Escape to the Country as one of the UK’s top…

Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) has taken a significant step towards combating climate change and protecting biodiversity by becoming the world’s first Deforestation Free Champion Council. This initiative recognises the impact of the council’s procurement practices, such as school meals, on tropical deforestation, which contributes to climate change and threatens the lives of Indigenous Peoples. By signing the Deforestation Free Charter, MCC commits to finding alternatives to products which pose a deforestation risk, including promoting local food, buying fair trade products and using its platform to advocate for reducing our global deforestation footprint among partners, communities, and suppliers. This initiative aligns…

Wales has had a long and close relationship with Japan since the first investments in Wales by Japanese companies in the 1970s. Now, First Minister Eluned Morgan will today launch ‘Wales and Japan 2025’, a year-long campaign and the fifth in a series of country-focused campaigns by the Welsh Government. Wales and Japan 2025 aims to stimulate new economic and cultural partnerships between the two nations, bringing long-lasting benefits to both countries. Parallel to the official launch in Cardiff, hosted by the First Minister and the Japanese Ambassador, Hiroshi Suzuki, there will also be a launch event taking place in…

A new Swansea University-led project has been awarded £3m to develop and manufacture sustainable perovskite solar modules (PSM) in Africa, empowering local communities and promoting sustainable energy. REACH-PSM (Resilient Renewable Energy Access Through Community-Driven Holistic Development in Perovskite Solar Module Manufacturing) aims to establish the continent’s first full-scale demonstration of next-generation solar manufacturing. Funded by the UKRI Ayrton Challenge Programme, REACH-PSM is a collaboration with universities, businesses, and local communities in Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, and South Africa. The project builds on existing programmes at Swansea University, including TEA@SUNRISE and UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Energy Technologies, which focus on sustainable solar…

COLEG CAMBRIA designed a new strategy aimed at flexible higher education for workers and adult learners. The Higher Technical Skills Strategy will be launched in January with the aim of enhancing access and participation, encouraging curriculum development and innovation, and forging partnerships within multiple industries to plug gaps in expertise and experience. Cambria’s Dean of Access and Higher Education (HE) Emma Hurst said providing more opportunities to communities in north east Wales and beyond – particularly under-represented groups – allows the college to give prospective students a platform to pursue or progress in their chosen careers. “Widening access and participation…

An increase in the final quarter of the year saw the take up of industrial property over 50,000 sq ft in Wales reach just over 2.2 million sq ft in 2024, up from the 1.8 million sq ft in 2023, according to research from Knight Frank. The global property consultancy reported that 10 deals totalling 850,000 sq ft were transacted in Wales in Quarter 4 (Q4), compared with 420,000 sq ft in the final quarter of last year. Of these, six were leasehold and four were freehold. Neil Francis, head of Logistics & Industrial at Knight Frank in Cardiff, said:…

A locomotive that entered service at Corris Railway in 2005, bringing the sound of a steam engine at work back to the Dulas Valley after 50 years, is having its second 10 year major overhaul. Corris Railway Society began fundraising to build locomotive Number 7, a modern version of the Kerr Stuart “Tattoo” class locomotive – similar to Talyllyn Railway’s No. 4 ‘Edward Thomas’ – on February 1, 1995. This year marks the 20th year of service on the railway by No. 7 and the expiration of her boiler ticket. Since the last 10 year overhaul, the locomotive has completed…

Ceredigion Actif, Ceredigion County Council’s leisure services has been awarded the Investors in Carers Bronze Award in recognition of their commitment and support for carers and staff members of all ages who attend wellbeing and leisure centres in the county. Ceredigion Actif is the first leisure and wellbeing setting to recognise that unpaid carers also benefit from attending centres to give them a break, some time for themselves as well as improving their overall wellbeing. The Investors in Carers is a regional partnership quality standards scheme, which is delivered through Hywel Dda University Health Board, with Ceredigion County Council and…

Tax and accountancy specialist Kilsby Williams has begun the new year with a senior appointment. Anne Smith, former tax partner at Watts Gregory LLP, has joined the Newport-based independent firm as a partner. Anne began her career with KPMG, qualifying as a chartered accountant and later as a chartered tax adviser. A committee member of the local south Wales branch of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Anne has become well known in the market for her expertise and experience in tax planning specialisms such as corporate sale, purchase and reorganisation transactions, fiscal share valuations, international business restructuring, expatriate tax planning…