Author: Rhys Gregory

A package of measures – designed to improve the lives of young people and the local community in the Cardiff estates of Ely and Caerau – has been agreed by Welsh Government and Cardiff’s Public Services Board. The Plan – aimed at addressing the concerns and improving the lives of residents in the area – was created by the local community, working with the Public Services Board (PSB), which includes Cardiff Council, South Wales Police, and Cardiff and Vale Health Board. Action for Caerau and Ely (ACE) – a local organisation with a long record of supporting the local community…

Pembrokeshire County Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey has this week named his Cabinet. Cllrs Joshua Beynon and Jacob Williams join the Cabinet for the first time. Cllr Alec Cormack who served as Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance under former Leader Cllr David Simpson has decided to step down from Cabinet duties. Cllr Beynon will be responsible for the Corporate Finance and Efficiencies portfolio while Cllr Williams will be responsible for Planning and Regulatory Services. Cllr Paul Miller will continue as Deputy Leader. Council Leader, Cllr Harvey said: “I am delighted to announce my Cabinet which retains a strong mix of…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has secured £6.94m funding support from Welsh Government across its Active Travel and Safe Routes in Communities funds for 2024/25 – to help progress and deliver several schemes this year. The two funds are available for councils in Wales to bid to each year, with officers putting forward local schemes for consideration. The Active Travel Fund supports projects that contribute to a shared vision that walking and cycling is the natural mode of choice for people’s short, everyday journeys. With a similar aim, the Safe Routes in Communities Fund supports ‘school streets’ schemes that improve pedestrian…

A new timeframe for introducing the Sustainable Farming Scheme has been confirmed today by Climate Change and Rural Affairs Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies. Speaking at a press conference at Sealands Farm in Bridgend, the Cabinet Secretary said that the change of timings was part of his ‘commitment to meaningful engagement with the farming sector’. He said: “Since the first day of taking up this role I have been out and about meeting and listening to our farmers, hearing their views and taking on board what they have to say. “My commitment to meaningful engagement with the farming sector, Plaid Cymru colleagues…

Three flagship Swansea developments are now close to being completed. The Albert Hall is due to reopen next month, construction work is due for completion at 71/72 Kingsway in the coming months, and a sensitive overhaul of the Palace Theatre is expected to lead to its reopening this year. The 136-year-old Palace Theatre is being brought back to life, thanks to funding from the council and the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme. Specialist businesses involved include R&M Williams Ltd and GWP Architecture. The Welsh business due to manage the building once construction work is complete is the successful Tramshed Tech,…

The Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay 10K returns on Sunday and is set to bring a lot of excitement in its Elite Field. The flat and fast race around Cardiff’s historic Bay is the second fixture of the R4W 10K Series and is likely to see a re-match of the top three athletes from the ABP Newport 10K on the men’s side. Women’s race winner Hannah Irwin and CDF 10K Champion Alaw Evans will also return. Omar Ahmed (28:35) is a three-time winner here and is the course record holder with a time of 28:42. He was also the victor in…

Proof of shifts between extreme drought and heavy rainfall before a major climate tipping point has been found for the first time in ancient lake sediments. The new study by a team including Professor Henry Lamb, from Aberystwyth University’s Department of Geography and Earth Sciences reveals for the first time that the sudden tipping point from humid to arid conditions in northern Africa 6,000 years ago was preceded by climatic ‘flickers’. These flickers are a series of alternations between extremely wet periods and droughts, each lasting between 20 and 80 years, over a thousand-year period. Published in the journal ‘Nature Communications’, the researchanalyses several…

The Vale of Glamorgan Council is working with local agencies to keep the Vale safe this summer. Following the success of the 2023 campaign, the Council’s Community Safety, Enforcement Service, Tourism, and Neighbourhood Services teams will work closely under the umbrella of the Safer Vale Partnership with South Wales Police, RNLI, the Coastguard, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the ARC CCTV Control Room, British Transport Police, Welsh Ambulance Service and Cardiff Council to keep residents, businesses, and visitors safe this summer. The Safer Vale Partnership’s Operation Elstree aims to tackle crime, safety concerns and anti-social behaviour across the County’s…

A North Wales-based engineering, environmental, and planning consultancy’s ambitious growth goals have been accelerated by a key appointment joining its new-look board. Caulmert, which has offices in St Asaph, Bangor, Altrincham, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Kent, has welcomed Ffrancon Williams as it bids to double its £3.85m turnover in the next five years. Ffrancon, who is the former group chief executive of North Wales’ largest housing association, Adra, takes up the role of non-executive director and business development manager. Lending his considerable leadership expertise to Caulmert’s board, Ffrancon will join Mike Caulfield (founder and managing director), Donna Milne (director), Paul Saville (director of…

ONE of the most respected names in the North Wales commercial and health sectors has joined the team at an acclaimed care organisation. Following almost 20 years in media and advertising, the mum-of-two switched to medical recruitment during the pandemic and is now spearheading a campaign to attract more clients and carers following a successful first three years for the Colwyn Bay-based agency. Originally from Rhyl, she has already secured customers from Anglesey to Chester and is pleased to join a business with a “clear and caring vision” for the future having been given a warm welcome by founder Chanel…