Author: Rhys Gregory

A budget which safeguards schools and education, supports social services, and protects the most vulnerable – has been revealed by Cardiff Council – as it faces up to a ‘public sector funding crisis’ affecting local authorities across the UK. Rising costs and demand for services like social care has left the council with ‘extremely difficult decisions to make’ if it is to bridge a £30.3m gap in its budget. Earlier in the year the council consulted citywide with residents who were asked for their views on several cost-saving proposals and money-generating ideas. More than 9,000 people – a record amount…

Thirty-three essential bus services in Swansea that provide public transport routes to and from city hospitals, leisure venues and the city centre are being protected for the next five years.  Swansea Council has approved plans to invest more than £1 million into local bus services for 2024, ensuring vital bus journeys for the travelling public do not disappear. Routes including city centre to Morriston hospital, regular buses between Pennard and the city centre, along with city-wide bus services during Sunday evenings are all part of the Council’s plans to maintain services from 2024 – 2028. Every year, the Council subsidises…

A project aimed at bridging the digital divide and supporting residents through improved access to digital resources is inviting residents to attend its community drop-in events. Neath Port Talbot Council’s Digital Inclusion and Enablement Project focuses on reducing digital inequality for disadvantaged groups. By increasing access to digital technologies, the project aims to enhance daily living, support ageing well, and enable digitally excluded residents to access essential services. The project offers support in two ways: Digital Drop-in Sessions: Digital Inclusion Officers hold regular drop-in sessions at various community venues across Neath Port Talbot, providing free support to anyone wanting to…

Residents can now view draft proposals for Phase Four of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route, as part of a public consultation exercise. The shared path for pedestrians and cyclists could run along the old railway line in Ferndale. The overall Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route will create a 10km shared pedestrian and cycle path between Maerdy and Tylorstown, to be delivered across five main phases of work. Welsh Government funding has been secured by the Council to construct the first two phases – and also to design and develop the remaining three phases for their construction in the future.…

Representatives of a range of groups and organisations across the County gathered to discuss tackling poverty in Pembrokeshire at a special summit this month. The aim was to shine a light on some key issues related to poverty, particularly in Pembrokeshire and the collective response to support some of the most vulnerable members of our communities Pembrokeshire County Council’s inaugural Tackling Poverty Summit welcomed senior leaders in Pembrokeshire, along with speakers from national bodies including The Bevan Foundation and National Energy Action (NEA), to Pembrokeshire College. Head of Policy Dr Steffan Evans was invited to speak about how The Bevan…

Pembrokeshire County Council has launched a new scheme to support town centres by helping property owners to revitalise and revive their properties. The Streetscape Paint Scheme is being launched in Charles Street, Milford Haven this month (February 2024) before it is widened to include other town centres in Pembrokeshire – details of which will be published accordingly. Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF), the scheme is part of the Council’s Street Enhancement Programme. It enables property-owners in eligible areas to apply for grants to paint the outside of their properties. The grant will provide 80% of the total capital…

A man has been charged with the murder of 64-year-old Ibrahim Yassin in Belmont Walk, Butetown, Cardiff. Mujeeb Rahman Hassani, 38, from Butetown, will appear in Cardiff Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday, February 22). Mr Yassin’s family has been updated and continue to be supported by specially trained family liaison officers. Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Matt Davies, said: “The death of Mr Ibrahim Yassin has caused immense grief and distress to his family and the close-knit community of Butetown. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. “There has been a considerable police presence in…

A programme that provides young people the skills, qualifications and experience they need to get a job, continue their training or return to education is to receive an extra £2.5m in funding. Jobs Growth Wales+ offers 16–19-year-olds access to advice, training and education so that they are empowered to make informed choices to find and secure training, fair work or start a business. Young people get tailored support to boost their confidence, ensuring they have all they need to access opportunities – including flexible training hours, as well as help with travel, childcare costs and specialised equipment. On-the-job training is…

The next round of funding for the Coetiroedd Bach/Tiny Forest scheme is now open, the First Minister Mark Drakeford announced today while visiting Ysgol Pendalar in Caernarfon. The Tiny Forest grant aims to create very small woodlands, encouraging biodiversity and nature, with all sites becoming part of the National Forest. To date 10 Cortir Bach/Tiny forests have been supported. Ysgol Pendalar’s Coetir Bach/Tiny forest includes well-established trees, while additional features include a tarmac path to enable wheelchair access and a larger seating area around a fire pit. The school’s tiny forest is used as an outdoor classroom by all pupils…

Swansea Council Trading Standards has carried out a raid as part of its ongoing ‘Operation Thor’ actions, tackling the sale of illegal vapes in the city. Its latest actions involved raids on a number of business premises in the Greater London area. Officers from Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police supported Trading Standards during the operation. More than 120,000 illegal vapes were confiscated with an estimated street value of £1.5 million. The raids follow on from a recent successful prosecution against a Swansea-based business man who was recently jailed for selling illegal vapes in the city. Rhys Harries, Swansea Council’s…