Latest news with #CaerphillyCouncil
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Councillor on Caerphilly asylum seeker spend being unknown
Caerphilly Council is unable to state the amount currently spent, and I am flabbergasted at this especially when Caerphilly CBC state we have 63 housed so far in the borough. Newport City Council is unable to confirm how many are residing within the authority. Submitting an FOI, Cllr Etheridge said: 'I find it unacceptable they have not given me the number of asylum seekers in the county borough of Newport and referred me to the Home Office. "Does each authority interpret the FOI legislation differently, even though they are next door? 'Perhaps they need to be more joined up as Newport and Islwyn are one constituency come the Senedd election ' I think it's disgusting we have hundreds and hundreds of people on the housing register in both boroughs and others seem to take priority over our own residents. This is unacceptable. Cllr George Etheridge, Blackwood
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New 3G all-weather pitch opens in Caerphilly borough town
The new 3G pitch at Risca Leisure Centre is available to the public in the evenings and on weekends (Image: Caerphilly County Borough Council) A new 3G all-weather pitch has officially opened in Risca. Located at Risca School and Leisure Centre, the facility will serve both Risca Community Comprehensive School students during the day and the wider community in the evenings and on weekends. Advertisement Councillor Chris Morgan, cabinet member for leisure, said: "This development reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, accessible facilities that support both education and lifelong participation in sport. "The 3G pitch enhances our ability to deliver the aims of the sport and active recreation strategy, ensuring that more people can enjoy the benefits of physical activity close to home." The floodlit pitch replaces the previous AstroTurf surface and is designed to accommodate both football and rugby. Its durable artificial surface allows for year-round use by schools, clubs, and community groups. Advertisement The project supports Caerphilly County Borough Council's Sport and Active Recreation Strategy 2019–2029 and forms part of the authority's wider Place Shaping programme. Councillor Carol Andrews, cabinet member for education and communities, said: "This facility is an excellent example of how we can maximise the use of school sites for the benefit of both learners and the wider community. "It is a clear demonstration of our Place Shaping principles in action, creating shared spaces that improve education, health, and community wellbeing." The pitch was funded through the Welsh Government's Community Focused Schools capital grant programme. Advertisement It is part of a broader investment in modern, accessible sports infrastructure across the borough. The 3G surface is designed to handle frequent use and provide a safe environment for a range of sports and activities. Bookings for the facility are now being taken in line with the council's pitch allocation policy. For more information or to check availability, contact Risca Leisure Centre at lcrisca@ or call 01633 600940.
South Wales Argus
13-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Minister visits Blackwood to discuss employment and welfare
The event was led by the UK Government's employment minister, Alison McGovern MP, who visited the venue last week. Organised by Ruth Jones MP, the discussion was part of nationwide feedback on Government proposals to "Get Britain Working". These plans include fortifying workers' rights and a comprehensive reform of Jobcentres. The consultation is open to public input until June 30. Representatives from various organisations, as well as customers, participated in the roundtable discussion alongside Caerphilly Council's Employment Support Team. The team, which uses the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund and Welsh Government funding, offers community-based employability support. Their mission is to promote sustainable employment and tackle inequality by targeting support at the most disadvantaged in the labour market. They provide comprehensive one-to-one support, fully-funded training, and dedicated mentors to help individuals overcome employment barriers. Councillor Jamie Pritchard, the deputy leader, said: "Here in Caerphilly county borough, we are taking great strides to support people into employment. "Our Employment Support Team are working with employers daily, with the ambition to support over 1,000 underemployed and unemployed people over the coming year. "The roundtable in Blackwood Miners' Institute was an important opportunity to listen, learn, and explore practical ways to help people overcome barriers and build brighter futures." Minister for employment, Alison McGovern, said: "It has been fantastic to be here in Blackwood today with Ruth Jones MP and the deputy council leader Jamie Pritchard, to hear from people and organisations with lived experience of the welfare system." To learn more about the initiatives undertaken by the Caerphilly County Borough Council's Employment Support team, visit the council's website.
South Wales Argus
13-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Planning committee refuses permission for Fleur de Lis home
Applicant Adam Cavender told Caerphilly County Borough Council's planning committee he had served 18 years in the army, including in Afghanistan and Iraq, and had 'lost my hearing for this country'. He resubmitted his bid to build a detached home and garage on 'disused' and 'overgrown' land near Summerfield Terrace, after a previous attempt proved unsuccessful. Mr Cavender questioned why planning permission for an 'extremely large' home had been approved nearby, and said he would 'just want to be treated fairly' by the council. Cllr Teresa Heron, Caerphilly Council's 'Armed Forces champion', told the committee there was a 'clear precedent' for development in the area, and argued Mr Cavender's plans should be supported. She explained the Armed Forces Covenant, to which the council has signed up, states serving or former members of the military should 'not be disadvantaged when accessing public services'. 'This is not about special treatment, it's about ensuring equality,' Cllr Heron added. Council planner Joshua Burrows said officers had recommended the application be rejected because the site is 'outside the settlement limits' set by the council, and within a so-called 'green wedge' of agricultural land. The proposed new home would be considered an 'unduly large structure', he added. But committee member Cllr Shane Williams said there are 'quite a lot of large houses in that area'. Cllr Kristian Woodland asked about Mr Cavender's claims of fairness, given another home had been approved nearby. Senior planning officer Carwyn Powell said planning permission for that property had been granted before the council published its current Local Development Plan – a strategic blueprint setting out where homes can and cannot be built. It was therefore 'not possible to compare' the two cases, he explained. Mr Powell also defended the officers' recommendations in light of the Armed Forces Covenant, which he said had been respected in this case. 'We would refuse an application for any other member of the public' for the proposed development, he said, adding: 'The person is not being treated differently to anyone else.' It ultimately took intervention from the committee chairman for a decision to be reached, after no committee members initially backed the officers' recommendation to refuse planning permission. Cllr Roy Saralis, the committee chairman, told colleagues 'the Armed Forces Covenant has been taken into account'. Planning permission was refused by a majority vote.
South Wales Argus
06-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Caerphilly scheme helps young people at risk of homelessness
Caerphilly Council's youth service is working with schools and other organisations to support young people aged 11 to 18 who are at risk of being not in education, employment or training (NEET), or of becoming homeless. Their preventative approach focuses on early identification of risk and information sharing with schools, colleges, Careers Wales, and third sector organisations. This is to help young people build a positive future. John Poyner, the engagement and progression co-ordinator at Caerphilly youth service, brings together organisations to support around 400 young people. The intervention comes as tailored support to help young people transition into education, employment or training after leaving school. Mr Poyner works closely with the youth homelessness co-ordinator, Nichola Davies, to identify and support those young people who might also be at risk of homelessness. Kaide, aged 18, is now studying for his Level 1 qualification in sports at MPCT Sports and Exercise College in Caerphilly after receiving support from the service. He said: "I didn't really enjoy school, I was struggling academically and didn't know what I wanted to do. "After joining the summer camp at the Virginia Centre I started using the gym and socialising, which built my confidence. "I realised I could train to be a personal trainer, something I never thought I'd be doing. "I'm a new person now, physically and mentally stronger." Mr Poyner said: "Where a young person in Year 11 has been identified as at risk of becoming NEET, I meet with them to establish relationships and explain available support. "The key to our success is the positive relationship they build with our service and with lead workers assigned to support them." The programme is supported through the Youth Engagement and Progression Framework and Welsh Government funding for youth work and youth support services. Lynne Neagle, the Welsh Government's cabinet secretary for education, said: "We want our children to have the support they need to thrive and achieve their potential. "This initiative showcases the power of organisations coming together to provide that network of support for young people."
