Welsh Ambulance Service volunteers honoured at National Volunteer Conference
Welsh Ambulance Service volunteers have been recognised at the National Volunteer Awards 2026. This year’s National Volunteer Awards, held at the International Convention Centre, Newport, on 17th October, saw several volunteers from the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST) receiving awards. The ceremony was held as part of the WAST’s National Volunteer Conference, celebrating the…
Education Tribunal for Wales erred in law in dealing with expert evidence, Upper Tribunal finds
The Upper Tribunal has allowed an appeal brought by a local authority, after finding the Education Tribunal for Wales “materially erred in law” in the way in which it dealt with expert evidence. The case in Swansea City And County Council v DE [2026] UKUT 398 (AAC) (19 October 2026) concerned a teenage child with…
Public invited to have their say on future plans for Afan Forest
NRW is inviting people to have their say on the future management of Afan Forest. The draft Forest Resource Plan (FRP) outlines how NRW proposes to manage Afan Forest over the next 10 years, balancing sustainable timber production with nature recovery, climate resilience and recreation. It covers the Afan, Pelenna, Corrwg and Drysiog catchments and…
First phase of the annual Budget consultation to get underway shortly
Residents will soon have the opportunity to take part in Phase One of the Council’s annual consultation for next year’s Budget (2027/28). This phase of the process during autumn will focus on investment priorities – and residents will be able to take part online, via post, and at face-to-face local events. Each year, the Council…
JASON O’CONNELL MS: UK BUDGET FAILS TO DELIVER FOR MERTHYR
The UK Budget has fallen short of delivering the economic rescue plan needed to support working families, protect Welsh agriculture and unlock economic growth in Merthyr, Jason O’Connell MS has warned. While the Chancellor announced measures to ease some household costs, Jason says the Budget does not go far enough to tackle the pressures facing…
Air Ambulance thanks ‘hidden heroes’ during International Control Room Week
Wales Air Ambulance is marking International Control Room Week by thanking the teamsresponsible for coordinating its crews.A dispatch team and critical care practitioners work on a dedicated Wales Air AmbulanceCritical Care Hub based at the Welsh Ambulance Service clinical contact centre in Cwmbran.The Hub is operational 24 hours a day and teams operate in 12-hour…
Lancashire man who travelled to South Wales and committed sexual offences jailed
A man who travelled from Lancashire to Treherbert and committed sexual offences has been jailed, following a South Wales Police investigation. Samuel Hyde, 35, from Lancashire, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment with an extended licence period of four years following his conviction. The sentencing took place at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Thursday, October…
NRW data shows mixed picture for water company environmental performance
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has published its 2025 annual environmental performance reports and storm overflow spill data for Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy. The results show progress alongside ongoing challenges. Hafren Dyfrdwy continues to perform strongly in several areas, while Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has shown improvements in some measures but remains a…
Regulators publish first joint report on water industry performance
The Drinking Water Inspectorate, Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales and Ofwat have today published the first Water Industry Performance Insights report. The four regulators have brought their evidence together, giving the public, governments and industry a single, clear view of how the water industry is performing. The report reflects a shared commitment by regulators to…
Budget fails to deliver for Wales
Commenting on the Chancellor’s Budget, Darren Millar MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: “Today’s Budget was an opportunity to deliver the investment Wales needs through a pro-Union approach that backs our economy, improves our transport infrastructure and creates skilled jobs. “Instead, growth has been downgraded, national debt continues to rise and welfare spending is…