Author: Rhys Gregory

In a cabinet meeting which took place on Wednesday 1st May 2024, Caerphilly County Borough’s Youth Forum (Youth Service) informed Cabinet of the issues raised by young people within the Borough and highlighted their priority issue for the year. The Youth Forum enables young people aged 11-25 to have a voice on issues that affect them. Each year, young people’s ideas and issues are identified in a borough wide consultation, structured and organised around five themes: Prosperous Caerphilly; Safer Caerphilly; Learning Caerphilly; Healthier Caerphilly; and Greener Caerphilly. Following the Annual Youth Forum Conference in January 2024, young people within CCBC…

Landmark proposals to make the Senedd more modern and effective has been agreed by the Welsh Parliament. Members of the Senedd voted to pass the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill in the week that marks 25 years of devolution in Wales. The Bill, which forms part of Welsh Government’s Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru, aims to create a modern Senedd, better able to represent people in Wales, with increased capacity to scrutinise, make laws, and hold government to account. Following Royal Assent, the legislation will mean that from the 2026 Senedd election: There will be 96 Members of the…

The Cabinet Secretary for Education has set out how she will ensure additional learning needs (ALN) reforms are being implemented consistently in Welsh schools and local authorities. She will also announce a further £20m for schools to improve facilities for learners with ALN as part of a debate on ALN reforms this afternoon. Education Secretary Lynne Neagle said: “Excellent work is happening to support learners with additional learning needs across Wales. I have made it my job in the first few weeks to listen to parents, schools, local authorities and the health sector to see what is happening on the ground.…

Everyone must play their part in preventing one of the world’s biggest killers, Wales’ Chief Medical and Veterinary Officers have said as they launch the next stage of a 20-year plan to reduce resistance to antibiotics In 2019, there were an estimated 7,600 deaths directly from infections resistant to antibiotics (similar to the number of deaths in the UK due to stomach cancer), as well as 35,200 deaths as an indirect result of infections resistant to antibiotics. Even if the patient survives, resistance makes infections far more serious and difficult to treat successfully. But simple steps to prevent infections and…

Dear Editor, Moving regularly and being active is important to nurture and protect good mental health but many of us are not moving enough.  That’s why ‘Movement: moving more for our mental health’ is the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week which is taking place from 13 to 19 May. We know that it can be difficult to be physically active when you’re busy with work, childcare or caring responsibilities.  We know it can be tougher still if you’re living with a long-term health condition or struggling financially. That’s why we’re sharing information and advice throughout the week…

A Brecon fish and chip shop frying for the last time after more than forty years is  looking to be wrapped up by a new owner at auction. The former Watergate Fish Bar is being sold after the owner retired after four decades of serving customers in Brecon.  The corner shop, which is being sold by Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions,  has a guide price of £143,000-plus. Debra Bisley, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “After more than forty years trading the owners of this well established premises are finally putting away their fish fryers, hanging up their aprons and retiring making…

In a time of economic uncertainty and shifting travel preferences, are multigenerational family holidays still a priority? Legal & General surveyed over 2,000 UK adults, aged 18 and over, to shed light on how family holidays are changing.  Are Brits still taking multigenerational family holidays? While the landscape of travel has changed a lot in recent years, it appears most families remain eager to book getaways. Nearly half (46%) of respondents consider it crucial to go on multigenerational family trips, including both immediate and extended family members. Over half (54%) of families are also planning to take a trip in…

AN historic multi award winning south Wales valleys pub at the centre of its community for decades which has hosted stars of screen and politics is looking for a new role. Treorchy’s imposing Pencelli Hotel, reputed to have been a favoured haunt of Hollywood megastars Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, called last orders a couple of years ago. But now the Rhondda valley pub, which can trace its history back to the eighteenth century, is looking for a new lease of life under fresh ownership. The former hostelry, on Pencai Terrace, next to the town’s Pengelli Bowls Club and pristine…

Newport-based Harding Evans Solicitors has announced its latest round of promotions, which includes three new partners. The new partners are Residential Conveyancer Jamie Beese, Commercial Litigator William Watkins and Leah Thomas, who was recently appointed as the head of the Family & Matrimonial team. Their promotions see Harding Evans’ partnership grow to seventeen. Clinical Negligence specialist, Ashleigh Hill, has also been promoted to Senior Associate. The promotions come off the back of a period of continuous growth for the firm. Chairman Ken Thomas commented “Jamie, William, Leah and Ashleigh are fantastic solicitors who all work tirelessly for their clients. It…

AN EDUCATION and industry partnership created a pioneering ‘data dashboard’ for an engineering solutions company. Medru – a joint initiative between Coleg Cambria, Bangor University, and The Open University in Wales – teamed up with AMRC Cymru to create the system for Hawarden-based LCA Group Ltd. The project highlights the synergies between academia, industry, and technology in driving forward digital transformation in North Wales. They developed a proof-of-concept data dashboard that showcases the power of real-time data analysis and visualisation. Medru’s commitment to leveraging advanced data integration, adaptive design, comprehensive analytics, and stringent security measures promises a transformative impact on…