Local authorities in Wales have spent more than £56 million in recent years on external consultancy fees, according to a Freedom of Information request by Janet Finch-Saunders AM. The Aberconwy AM and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Local Government asked all 22 local authorities to outline external consultancy spend in each of the last five financial…
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has announced plans to build a new mountain bike skills area at its popular Mid-Wales visitor centre. Bwlch Nant yr Arian, near Aberystwyth, already provides trails for walking, mountain biking, running, orienteering and horse-riding. Now, this new purpose-built track will be a chance for locals and visitors of all ages to practise…
The Welsh International is one of the longest standing Internationals in Europe and has been running since 1927. The 270 players entered in this year’s event is testimony to it one of the best run tournaments on the BWF and Badminton Europe circuits. It is a world ranking qualifying event for the Olympic Games, Commonwealth…
As this years remembrance period has come to and end, we would like to thank all the volunteers and business and organisations throughout Aberdare that have been collecting on behalf of the Poppy Appeal. Our Poppy Appeal Shop located at Aberdare Embroidery is now closed and we again thank Graham Marsh for allowing us to use the…
The Welsh Government have announced that they are starting a pilot scheme offering 30 hours a week free childcare for three to four years old in six areas across Wales, including part of Rhondda Cynon Taff. The details of the scheme are not yet known, but it does raise several questions. The Labour party in RCT last…
RCT Council are currently consulting on possible reductions to car parking charges in the county. The six week consultation began on 21st October and can be accessed here. The press release quoted Council leader Andrew Morgan stating: "Earlier this year I met with a number of traders from our town centres to discuss car parking. This was…
The legal basis for setting and managing charges is complex and local authorities in Wales are not always strategic in their approach to charging, the Wales Audit Office has said. In a report, Charging for services and generating income by local authorities, the watchdog suggested that Welsh local authorities “generally have a good awareness of the…
Sixteen heroes of grassroots sport in Wales have been selected to contest the Wales Sport Awards 2016. They were shortlisted after being nominated for their outstanding contributions to community sport, following a nationwide search. The winners will be revealed at the Wales Sport Awards ceremony at Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff Bay on Monday 5…
Remembrance Day is always an important occasion at St John’s, but for the past 2 years, we have been trying to make it that little bit more special. Following on from the success of last year’s event, a group of us decided to invite local veterans back to our school following the service at the cenotaph for…
Too many children under the age of five have poor oral hygiene, according to a survey published by charity Action for Children. The polling of 2,000 parents across the UK (115 in Wales) found that 19% children under five in Wales brush their teeth just once a day or less frequently, even though baby teeth,…
