First Minister Rules Out Wales-Wide Mobile Phone Ban In Schools
The First Minister has ruled out a Wales-wide ban on mobile phones in schools and says he will instead “empower schools” to set their own approach. In England, the government intends to pass a law so that schools must adhere to the guidance that all schools should be free of smartphones throughout the day. Additionally,…
Welsh council in breach of duty in 2014 Act over provision of respite care, High Court finds
The High Court has allowed a judicial review claim brought by the sister of a man who requires full-time care, finding that the local authority was in breach of its duties to provide care and support under the Social Services Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. In BNF v Newport City Council [2026] EWHC 1212 (Admin) (20 May 2026),…
The outdoor gym at Aberdare Park,
The outdoor gym at Aberdare Park, designed for teenagers as part of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Play Area Investment Scheme, is complete! Staff have been on site installing the equipment and it is set to be complete by the start of next week. The outdoor gym is the third and final phase of improvements at…
Rhondda Cynon Taf part of nationwide call for Tour de France volunteers
Residents in the County Borough can now register their interest in volunteering at next summer’s Tour de France, when the Grand Départ visits Rhondda Cynon Taf on July 4, 2027! Today marks the launch of a nationwide search to find 9,000 volunteers across Scotland, England and Wales, as the application portal officially opens. Officially known…
Welsh Conservatives: Plaid Government Must Act As Welsh Farmers Face ‘Perfect Storm’ Of Soaring Costs
The Welsh Conservatives have warned that dairy and beef farmers need support because of falling returns and increased costs for fuel and fertilisers, urging the Welsh Government to provide urgent support to safeguard the future of family farms. Responding to reports from the Farmers’ Union of Wales highlighting a “perfect storm” of rising input costs,…
Natasha Asghar Calls For Wales-Wide Investigation Into GP Contract Failings
Natasha Asghar has called for a Wales-wide investigation into health board contracts after Audit Wales highlighted a lack of due diligence in the awarding of GP contracts by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. The Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Health and Social Care has written to the new Cabinet Minister for Health and Care, Mabon…
Modern industrial park continues to thrive as final unit occupied
The Council’s modern business unit development in Robertstown continues to go from strength to strength, with all 20 units now occupied by a total of 15 local companies – illustrating the demand for the scheme in the Cynon Valley. When completed in late 2022, the major investment brought a large area of unused land off…
Glorious sunshine this bank holiday weekend has seen thousands head for popular beaches and parks across south Wales.
Glorious sunshine this bank holiday weekend has seen thousands head for popular beaches and parks across south Wales. Unfortunately, a number of children have been reported missing to us by worried parents and guardians. We’re pleased to add that all children reported missing have been reunited with them and are safe. But it’s a distressing…
“It will not be quick” — Heledd Fychan MS responds on school bus cuts, but families in RCT face a long wait
The Plaid Cymru MS acknowledges the situation is “clearly unacceptable” — but warns that bringing buses back will be complex, and that the 2026 council elections will be crucial. After AberdareOnline contacted Heledd Fychan MS ahead of publishing our investigation into the school transport cuts in Rhondda Cynon Taf, we received a reply from her…
Vandals Destroy Nature Discovery Post at Cwmbach Community Wetlands — Just 26 Days After Installation
A community nature initiative in the Cynon Valley has been dealt a devastating blow after a specially installed educational feature was ripped out by vandals less than a month after it was put in place. Down to Zero, the climate action subsidiary of Cynon Taf Community Housing Group, installed a wooden Magpost on the path…