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South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Chepstow Town Council funds Dell play park redevelopment
The council agreed to allocate £54,800 for the Dell destination play park during its latest meeting. The funds will be used to help develop the park, which will include a large play structure known as "the ship." This comes as part of the council's previous pledge of £100,000, aiming to transform the Dell into an "inclusive destination park" for families and visitors. The council's chair, Councillor MacTaggart, said the initiative marked a "landmark step" towards creating a dynamic space for future generations. Despite the absence of a scheduled update from the project's working group, the council pushed forward in support of the infrastructure investment. In addition to the Dell project, the council covered several other community developments. A feasibility study for Bulwark public toilets was discussed, with the report being referred to the Environment & Amenities Committee for further investigation into a potential location for the new facilities. The council also announced a follow-up meeting for the Thornwell community garden project. This will take place on July 3 and aims to further involve local stakeholders in the garden's development. The council finalised its Annual Governance Statement, Statement of Accounts, and Annual Return for the financial year ending March 31. It also received the Internal Audit Report, which raised no major concerns. In a bid to boost transparency and public engagement, the council will distribute its 2024–2025 Annual Report to all households in Chepstow. A total of 4,300 copies will be delivered via Royal Mail at a cost of about £3,500. The council also approved four new Sunday markets on Chepstow High Street. These will be held on September 14, October 12, November 9, and December 14. The council confirmed its participation in the Wales National Armed Forces Day event on June 28 at Caldicot Castle. A donation of £165 from the Chepstow Thursday Fellowship was accepted and directed to the Mayor's Charities. The council also acknowledged multiple community contributions and grants received during May, including support for the Bulwark Community Centre and Chepstow Male Voice Choir. Chepstow Town Council is continuing its efforts to enhance the social infrastructure, amenities, and cultural life of the town. Residents are encouraged to participate in forthcoming consultations and attend council meetings. The council stated its commitment to fostering community spirit and improving facilities for all Chepstow residents.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
What to know about the Royal Mail changes effective from now
Major changes to Royal Mail 's delivery services have commenced, allowing second-class letters to be delivered on alternate weekdays and no longer on Saturdays. Delivery targets for both first and second-class post have been relaxed, though Ofcom has introduced a new enforceable backstop to ensure 99% of mail arrives within two days of the target. Regulator Ofcom states these reforms are crucial for Royal Mail's survival, aiming to cut annual costs by £250 million to £425 million due to declining letter volumes. The changes follow Royal Mail's £348 million loss in 2023-24 and recent fines for poor performance, with a review into stamp prices also planned. While criticised by consumer and business groups, the overhaul comes after Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group completed its £3.6 billion takeover of Royal Mail owner IDS.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Major changes to Royal Mail delivery times take effect today
Major changes to Royal Mail's delivery times and targets have come into effect as regulator Ofcom looks to cut costs and modernise the service. From today, Royal Mail can start delivering second-class letters on alternate weekdays, instead of six days a week. The target to deliver these letters will remain within three working days of collection, but the letters will no longer ever be delivered on Saturdays. First-class post will retain its Monday to Saturday delivery. The change comes alongside a slackening of Royal Mail 's existing delivery targets. The service will now aim for 95 per cent of second-class mail to be delivered within three days, down from 98.5 per cent. Meanwhile, the delivery target for first-class post has dropped from 93 per cent delivered next-day to 90 per cent. Ofcom has said that the looser targets come with a new, enforceable backstop target to ensure that 99 per cent of mail has to be delivered no more than two days later. This is to crack down on an issue experienced by 'many people' where 'letters have taken weeks to arrive,' the regulator said. It is not expected that the reforms to second-class deliveries will take effect in all locations immediately, but will be rolled out over the next 12 to 18 months. Royal Mail has already launched pilots in 37 of its 1,200 delivery offices. The changes come after a lengthy consultation, and will help Royal Mail cut costs by between £250 million and £425 million a year, according to Ofcom. The plans met with criticism from consumer and businesses groups, alongside concerns from trade unions. Ofcom said reform of the service was needed to help Royal Mail 'survive', as people send far fewer letters and as the cost of stamps has been soaring. It added that it is launching a review of the price of stamps amid concerns over affordability, with a consultation set for next year. Natalie Black, Ofcom's group director for networks and communications, said: 'These changes are in the best interests of consumers and businesses, as urgent reform of the postal service is necessary to give it the best chance of survival. 'But changing Royal Mail's obligations alone won't guarantee a better service – the company now has to play its part and implement this effectively.' Royal Mail made a loss of £348 million in 2023-24, despite raising the cost of a first-class stamp to £1.70 following several hikes in recent years. The changes also follow recent hefty fines against Royal Mail for poor performance, with an investigation launched in May after it only delivered just over three-quarters of first-class post on time last year. The overhaul come after the recent £3.6 billion takeover of Royal Mail owner IDS by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group, which completed in June after being cleared by the Government at the end of 2024. Mr Kretinsky – named as the new chairman of Royal Mail after the deal – has pledged to stick to the Universal Service Obligation (USO) after the takeover.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Equality street! The suburban road where identical homes on one side are 'worth £100k more' than the other
Homeowners have called on Royal Mail to adopt the postcode of a neighbouring suburb where average house prices are significantly higher. A cluster of locals in Thornbury, a Bradford suburb straddling the city's eastern edge, have launched a bold bid to trade in their postcode to increase their house prices by £100k. They say they are being 'penalised' by having the city's undesired BD3 postcode despite technically falling in the council jurisdiction of neighbouring Leeds. Instead, they want to adopt the LS28 postcode of Pudsey, which carries a more desirable reputation. But neighbours on Gain Lane, the vast majority of whom are covered by Bradford council, have branded the move 'snobbish' and a thinly veiled attempt to 'pretend they don't live where they do.' One resident, firmly living in the BD3 postcode plagued by high crime rates, said: 'They're desperate to keep up appearances. 'Just because you buy a few hanging baskets and call your house 'The Willows' doesn't mean you live in Pudsey or Leeds. 'You're still in Bradford at the end of the day.' Bradford's BD3 postcode covers some of the city's most troubled and poverty-stricken communities. It ranks among the worst postcodes in the country related to car theft and dangerous driving offences. Whereas the neighbouring LS28 postcode covers the gentrified Leeds suburbs of Farsley, Calverley and Pudsey - represented in parliament by chancellor Rachel Reeves. House prices in the well-heeled commuter hubs are tens of thousands of pounds higher than in Bradford. Campaigners say they are being unfairly punished for having a BD3 suffix, despite technically falling under Leeds City Council's jurisdiction. They say that they are having to pay out for higher car and home insurance policies as a consequence, while also having to ensure deflated house prices. Lynda Berry, 59, admitted she wanted the LS28 postcode because it was 'posher'. She said: 'We're paying more in council tax and then getting hit again with higher car and home insurance. 'And we don't even get the benefits of being in Leeds, even though we technically are. 'It's frustrating. I understand there has to be a border somewhere, but we're getting penalised for being in BD3.' Russell Robinson, 69, who has lived in the area for over six decades, says the postcode saga has dragged on for years - despite multiple attempts to get it changed. He said: 'If you're in BD3, you're paying hundreds more for car insurance because it's one of the worst postcodes in the country for car crime and bad driving. 'When I used to go to an insurance broker, they'd look at my postcode and say, 'If you lived in LS28, it'd be £200 cheaper.' 'For my Freelander I have to pay £595, fully comprehensive. For my other Defender quite a few companies wouldn't insure it all. 'It's not like I'm going Trans-European or up mountains in it. It's just the Bradford postcode.' Mr Robinson, a retired council worker, revealed that when he sold his father's house - which also technically fell under Leeds but still carried a Bradford postcode - it sold for less than equivalent houses with an LS28 address. He said: 'We got £190,000 for it, something like that. It was a well-built stone house. 'They're paying £200,000 for much less in Pudsey - small gardens, one car on the drive. 'It's just the LS postcode.' According to Rightmove data, house prices in BD3 had an overall average of £120,323 over the last year. In leafier LS28, the average was £262,061 over the last year. Gurvinder Singh, 59, has lived in Gain Lane since 1989. He said he had pleaded with the council to swap his postcode to Leeds. He said: 'Our house prices are low. Our insurance is high. 'There a difference of around £100,000. If our house was in LS28 it would go for £260,000. Here there's a limit of about £160,000. 'Because of BD3, the prices are not high. We keep spending money on the house but we're not going to get the full benefit.' Asked if he tells people he is from Leeds or Bradford, Mr Singh, who works for Bradford-based baker Hovis, added: 'Leeds. Sorry to say, but Leeds. 'Bradford has a very bad reputation, especially BD3. 'I've caught drug dealers right outside the front of my house. I've had drugs thrown in my garden during a police chase. 'LS28 is like a different world. It's much better. The people are sensible, there are no idiot drivers on that side.' One resident further down Gain Lane, firmly within Bradford Council's boundaries, said the campaign was 'classist'. The woman, who would not be named for fear of riling neighbours, said: 'My house is in Bradford and I'm proud to be from Bradford. 'I think it's people trying to pretend they don't live where they do, to make them look and feel better. 'It's still Bradford, love.' Priyan Welikandu, 56, said his car insurance premiums had soared simply because of the BD3 postcode - despite paying all his bills to Leeds. He said: 'The car insurance is very high for no real reason. I've had this smaller car for 20 years, no claims, no accidents - and I'm still paying £700 a year. 'They told me it's because of the BD3 postcode. It should be around £300 or £400, but they said nothing counts for anything in BD3.' Mr Welikandu admitted he tells people he is from Pudsey, not Bradford. He added: 'If I say to my work colleagues, Bradford, they get the wrong idea - like it's dodgy. Pudsey is a bit more civilised.' The postcode lottery has also hit businesses landed with a BD3 postcode, despite administratively falling in Leeds. Mohammed Saqid, 20, who runs the Shandar takeawy on Gain Lane, said his business insurance premium had risen to £10,000. He said: 'If this was LS28 it would be £2,500. So having a Bradford postcode is four times more expensive for us. 'We pay our rates to Leeds council, we're right by the sign that says 'welcome to Pudsey'. It doesn't make any sense to us.' Conservative local councillors have backed the residents in their attempts to be reclassified by Royal Mail. Councillor Andrew Carter said: 'I am supporting local residents, and they are in contact with Royal Mail. Every possible obstacle has been put in the way of progress. Residents want to be in LS28 and they are right.' Cllr Craig Timmins said the postcode had also caused confusion for emergency services and council services. He added: 'These streets are an important part of our community and should be able to identify that way with their postcode, instead of constantly being frustrated by it.' Royal Mail said postcodes are designed to support deliveries, not to reflect geographies. A spokesperson said: 'Postcodes are designed to support the efficient sorting and delivery of mail, not to reflect geographic or administrative boundaries. Each one is based on the delivery route and the local delivery office, which means the postcode may not always match the actual geographic identity of the area. 'We have previously reviewed the arrangements and given the structure of the local network and the needs of the nearby delivery office, we do not believe a change is appropriate for our operations. 'It is important to note that postcodes typically cover groups of addresses delivered together.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Huge change to Royal Mail deliveries from TOMORROW as part of massive shake-up
The major change is set to come into effect tomorrow - so be sure to read below to see how it could impact you SENDING A MESSAGE Huge change to Royal Mail deliveries from TOMORROW as part of massive shake-up Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ROYAL Mail is making a huge change to deliveries as part of a massive shake-up. Starting from tomorrow, Monday, July 28, second class letters will be delivered on alternate weekends and not on Saturday's. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 This table can help you understand what the change will look like Under current one-price-goes-everywhere USO rules the postal service has to deliver post six days a week, from Monday to Saturday. The Universal Service Obligation (USO) requires Royal Mail to deliver letters and parcels to all UK addresses at a uniform price, regardless of location. It also must drop off parcels on five days from Monday to Friday. The shake-up was revealed earlier this month, after Ofcom said reform was needed as people are sending less post. As a result, stamp prices keep rising and the cost of delivering letters goes up. The industry regulator said first-class mail should land on doorsteps six days a week. But starting from July 28, second-class letters will be delivered on alternate weekends. Letters will still be delivered within three working days of collection - Monday to Friday. The change follows a consultation with thousands of people and businesses from various organisations. Speaking at the time, Natalie Black, Ofcom's group director for networks and communications said reform of the postal service was "necessary". eBay Parcel Surprise: Rare Stamps Galore! It comes after a series of changes at the British postal service. In April, the cost of a first-class stamp went up by 5p, now costing £1.70. Second-class stamps rose by 2p to 87p. Meanwhile, posting a first-class large letter up to 100g now costs £3.15, up from £2.60. And first-class small parcels weighing up to 2kg rose from £4.79 to £4.99, while second-class jumped from £3.75 to £3.90. WHAT DO THE CHANGES MEAN? Ofcom has previously said affordability and reliability are more important to Royal Mail customers than the speed of delivery. But they do value having a next-day service for when they need to send the occasional urgent item. Ofcom will therefore continue to require the Royal Mail to deliver First Class letters the next working day, Monday to Saturday. It will also continue to cap the price of a second class stamp. But Ofcom said customers have told it that most letters are not urgent so they do not need six days a week delivery for the majority of letters. Ofcom believes that the changes will save Royal Mail between £250million and £425million a year. NO SERVICE DAYS ROYAL Mail operates round the clock throughout most of the year. But there are a handful of days when no delivery and collection services are offered: New Year's Day Good Friday Easter Monday Early May Bank Holiday Spring Bank Holiday Summer Bank Holiday Christmas Day Boxing Day The regulator is also making a small change to Royal Mail's existing delivery targets. Currently it needs to deliver 93% of all first class post the next day but this will be reduced to 90%. Meanwhile, 95% of all second class mail will now need to be delivered within three days - down from 98.5%. But many people have said they have experienced long delays where letters have taken weeks to arrive. To tackle this, Ofcom has set Royal Mail a new backstop that 99% of all mail has to be delivered no more than two days late. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
