Latest news with #GayleMarsh
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Politics
- Wales Online
Two of Wales' most senior councillors bite back against MSs who want to change the system
Two of Wales' most senior councillors bite back against MSs who want to change the system Councils are already collaborating and Senedd members with a 'cushy' job should keep out, according to local authority leaders Andrew Morgan is leader of the Welsh Local Government Association (Image: WalesOnline/ Gayle Marsh ) Cutting the number of councils in Wales would likely not save money as authorities are already collaborating to save money, a senior Welsh council leader has said – while taking a pop at any Senedd members who suggest otherwise. The Welsh Local Government Association – the body which represents Wales' 22 councils – is currently meeting for its annual conference in Llandudno. Ahead of that some of its most senior members spoke to journalists about the challenges facing councils and were asked if the long-discussed topic of local government reorganisation remained on the table. The answer was an emphatic and defiant 'no'. The current local government structure in Wales was established in 1996 and the debate about whether the number of councils in Wales needs to change has been ongoing for years since. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. After the 2016 Assembly election current finance minister Mark Drakeford was given responsibility for councils and said while 22 authorities could remain as the "front door" to which people would access key services there would be an "enhanced level of mandatory and systematic regional working" with the aim of ensuring greater resilience and better planning and delivery of services regionally Article continues below A year later, following a cabinet reshuffle, Alun Davies was appointed to the local government role and indicated he wanted to see 10 local authority areas. However he then rowed back and said he was no longer pursuing compulsory mergers, making him the third Welsh Government minister to abandon reorganisation plans. You can recap all that here. When, this week, a question about whether the number of councils should be cut from 22 was put to the head of the WLGA and leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf council Andrew Morgan, because the topic continued to be discussed by some Senedd members, he bit back. "Some of the people, sometimes, who say about local government organisation, perhaps maybe they should just try spend some time as a councillor. Maybe if they understood what day to day goes on in a all very well a backbencher in the Senedd [saying that] but I think they've got a cushy life compared to most council leaders and the work and effort has to be put in. "I also would say maybe sometimes they don't speak from a point of evidence." Cllr Morgan said slashing staff and setting up large super-councils could make initial savings and he accepted there was an element of "spend to save" but said there is a £1bn-plus shortfall predicted over the next three years for local government. "If you could make £200m saving over the long term, that doesn't cover the shortfall in funding for one year," he said. Cllr Morgan said there were now plenty of examples of different councils working together. For example Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, and Bridgend share regulatory services while RCT and Merthyr have shared youth services and community safety resources. "Every local authority can identify lots of savings where we reduced officers and we are now covered in a bigger geographical area in terms of our services," he said. "We're constantly trying to reduce down those savings. If you go back a decade and say a decade ago that £200m could be saved – although we questioned at the time it was feasible – I would argue an awful lot of those savings have already been made through the changes and the collaborations we've done. "I would say to anybody who thinks that local government reorganisation is a silver bullet – I would suggest it's like putting a plaster on someone who has just lost their arm. It really isn't going to save us long-term. I would really question those people who think that this is the way forward." Mark Pritchard, the leader of Wrexham council, said he believed reorganisation was "a vanity project – one of many from the Welsh Government". He said: "Whether you have 11 local authorities in Wales, or 15 or 18 or 22, you still have to fund them accordingly. "Is there a possibility of savings? Maybe. I don't do knee-jerk reactions, I never have, but there has to be a strong business case." He said there was little evidence of how money would be saved. "If you're going to change something you have to change it for the betterment of the services and if you can save money at the same time why wouldn't you want to do it? Absolutely," he said. But he added: "Wales is a very diverse place, different cultures – different languages, different understandings. It's not a Manchester, it's not a Birmingham or London. Article continues below "Look at the health board [here] – big is not always better. The reason why the health board is in a mess, in my opinion, is because they've created a monster. It's too big and the sooner we reduce it the better". Of Senedd members advocating reorganisation he said he was "against throwaway remarks", adding: "It's a little bit rich when they're increasing the MSs to 96 when we don't need them."
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
'Forever' chemical that is toxic to humans found in five Welsh rivers
'Forever' chemical that is toxic to humans found in five Welsh rivers Research suggests the chemicals could have an affect on human reproduction TFA is what's known as a "forever chemical" (Image: WalesOnline/Gayle Marsh ) A chemical that scientists worry might have an impact on human reproduction has been found in rivers across the UK, including five rivers in Wales. York University analysed samples from 32 rivers across Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and found traces of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in all but one of their test locations. TFA is what's known as a "forever chemical" which means that it breaks down extremely slowly in nature, and so accumulates over time. As with other "forever chemicals", also known as PFAS, just how much a threat to human health and at what concentrations is still being researched. Though what we do know is that scientists in Germany say having looked at the impact of TFA on animals they want it to be classed as "toxic for reproduction." TFA forms when synthetic chemicals from other "forever chemicals" such as those found in pesticides and refrigerants are partially broken down. "This molecule (TFA) is everywhere," Alistair Boxall, professor of Environmental Science at the University of York who carried out the research, told the BBC. "We will all be drinking water containing TFA every day - so we'll be exposed throughout our lifetime. It's that long-term, low level exposure that is the big concern." Article continues below The study was funded by environmental charity Fidras and involved sampling in five rivers in Wales, three in Northern Ireland, 14 in Scotland and 10 in the north of England. The highest concentration of TFA was recorded on the River Kelvin in Glasgow and the River Ness, which flows from Loch Ness to the Moray Firth, was the only river sampled not to show traces of the molecule. Recent studies in the EU have found TFA to be widespread, including being found in wine and food, human blood and breast milk. Citing scientific studies that showed TFA affecting rabbit and rat foetuses, the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has, external applied to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA, external) for TFA to be classified as toxic for reproduction and harmful to the environment. "Currently, there are no expected adverse health effects from consuming water or food contaminated with TFA," said Andreas Hensel, president of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). "The new classification is an important step in preparing further measures to ensure that this remains the case in the future". There are not any regulations in place to identify or reduce the concentrations of TFA either in the environment or in drinking water supplies in the UK. A spokesperson for Water UK said: "We want to see PFAS, including TFA, banned and the development of a national plan to remove it from the environment which should be paid for by manufacturers." Aware of concerns, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, which monitors and regulates drinking water quality in England and Wales, has just commissioned its own research. It will look at how much TFA is already in drinking water and what risk it poses, if any. Article continues below "The information signposted by the University of York suggests that TFA can be formed from the degradation of PFAS-containing pesticides," Ann Bunting, Principal Inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, told the BBC. "It is important that the fate of pesticides and other chemicals in the environment is understood, in order to protect drinking water sources."
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Climate
- Wales Online
Met Office thunderstorms warning in place in Wales with threat of flooding
Met Office thunderstorms warning in place in Wales with threat of flooding Wales is at risk of seeing thunderstorms for much of Saturday, with a yellow Met Office weather warning in place until 6pm A significant amount of heavy rain means river levels are rising (Image: WalesOnline/Gayle Marsh ) A yellow Met Office weather warning for thunderstorms is in place across all of Wales until 6pm on Saturday, June 14. After multiple days of heavy rain, the wet and unsettled weather is set to continue, posing a risk of flooding for parts of the country. During the early hours of Saturday morning, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) issued six flood alerts with river levels rising due to the poor weather conditions. The NRW alerts warned that "flooding of low-lying land and roads is expected" and covered areas including parts of the Rhondda, Bridgend and Neath. These NRW alerts are no longer in place but the Met Office's yellow weather warning says that there is a continued risk of flooding and disruption due to the thunderstorms. Its website says that spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions, there is a chance that small communities will be cut off by flooded roads and a "small chance" that homes and businesses could flood quickly. The weather warning also states: "There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life". The forecasters also say that there is a risk of public transport being cancelled as well as power cuts. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Article continues below The Met Office has said that during the thunderstorms, there is the potential for 20mm of rain to fall in an hour and 30-40 mm to fall in three hours or less in a few places. It comes after a week of significant rainfall, with a month's worth of rain being recorded in just 12 hours in the Gower on Thursday, according to BBC forecaster Derek Brockway. The rain is set to continue for much of Saturday according to weather experts. The Met Office forecast reads: "Heavy outbreaks of rain move gradually northwards, bringing a risk of hail, thunderstorms, and gusty winds. "Brighter spells developing in the afternoon, though further heavy showers also likely across the south." Sunday is looking slightly better, with rain becoming more patchy and turning into showers. The forecast for Sunday is: "Cloudy in the north with patchy rain spreading eastwards. Drier and brighter further south, though a few showers may pop up through the afternoon. Feeling cooler with near-average temperatures. Maximum temperature 20 °C." Article continues below As we head into next week, the weather is expected to become more settled and temperatures are also expected to rise as an area of high pressure builds from the southwest. The Met Office said that Monday to Wednesday would be "widely dry" and temperatures would "feel warm".
Wales Online
06-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Latest plans to transform what was once the biggest public sector housing scheme in Wales
Latest plans to transform what was once the biggest public sector housing scheme in Wales Trivallis expects to submit an application for 150 homes in Penrhys this month which are part of wider regeneration plans for the area (Image: WalesOnline/ Gayle Marsh ) An application for 150 houses as part of plans to regenerate what was once the largest public sector housing scheme in Wales could be submitted this month. Housing association Trivallis intends to submit a planning application in June for what they call phase 1A of the Penrhys regeneration proposals in the Rhondda which involves an area in the northwest of the site with this phase involving the construction of up to 150 new homes with a mix of affordable housing, including new homes for existing residents, and homes for sale with demolition of existing buildings in this area already underway. It is expected that an outline planning application for the development of the wider masterplan area will be submitted in early in 2026. A report to cabinet on Wednesday, June 11 also recommends that authority be given to the director of corporate estates to negotiate the sale and transfer of the land within the existing estate area that is currently in council ownership to Trivallis. It is also recommended that cabinet members agree that the council owned land to south is included in the wider masterplan now and also be transferred at an appropriate time. The Penrhys Estate was first developed in 1966 as a modern housing development and on opening in 1968 with 951 new homes was at the time the largest public sector housing scheme in Wales. Article continues below The report says that during the late 1970s and 1980s, for a range of reasons, the estate gained a poor reputation and has been in decline ever since but a strong, small community still exists in Penrhys. In 2007 the site transferred ownership from the council to RCT Homes, now Trivallis. As of today, there are around 230 tenanted homes left at the site, there are several streets where the housing condition is poor and current estimates show that a repair programme to acceptable standards is likely to be uneconomical. To get all the latest Rhondda news straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here. The report said that the 'high level of voids impacts adversely on the overall environment at the estate.' In 2021, cabinet agreed the principle of developing a regeneration plan for Penrhys and since then Trivallis has assembled a design team and has carried out site investigation work with a view to developing a site-wide masterplan that will feed into future planning applications. In March this year, cabinet received an update on the council's Sustainable Communities for Learning (SCfL) nine year rolling programme and the latest strategic outline programme which included approval for a new school at Penrhys to replace the poor quality existing buildings on the Penrhys Primary School site. The cabinet report said that the spend on the new school will act as 'a major facilitator in the wider regeneration aspirations for the site.' Trivallis has already held a series of engagement sessions with residents to explain their ideas and gather the views of the community and it is expected that these sessions will continue as plans develop. The report says that the council will also engage with the community as part of its normal process for developing the new school at the site. The regeneration of Penrhys is a key site in the development of the council's new local development plan (LDP) and the site is set to be included in the council's preferred strategy for the revised LDP and will be taken forward to the next stage of the preparation of the plan. The report said that Trivallis and their agents are currently in the process of procuring a development partner/housebuilder for the wider regeneration proposals and it is expected that the majority of the new homes will be advertised for sale on the open market with the remainder being offered as affordable housing and new homes for the existing community. The council still owns several parcels of land throughout the estate and the wider masterplan area, including a significant area of land to the south of the main roundabout. The report says: 'Taking a comprehensive and coherent approach to the development of the site should result in a successful and sustainable outcome and to this end it is considered that this will be best achieved with all the available land within the existing estate area sitting with Trivallis and their development partner. 'As such, it is recommended that this report gives authority to the director of corporate estates to negotiate the sale/transfer of the land within the existing estate area that is currently in council ownership to Trivallis, subject to our usual legal and financial procedures. 'It is also recommended that members agree to the council owned land to south being included in the wider masterplan now and also be transferred to Trivallis/developer at an appropriate time in the best interests of the council and the wider community.' On the new school, the council has carried out a feasibility and options appraisal to build the new school on the existing school site, and further work to take this project forward will happen over the next few months. It is currently expected that the planning process for the new school will start next year. The report said: 'Works will be developed in collaboration with the school and local community to make sure that this project remains at the heart of the wider regeneration proposals, making it a true community school. Article continues below
Wales Online
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
DIY SOS looking for a project in Cardiff
DIY SOS looking for a project in Cardiff Nick Knowles and his team of purple shirts are back and they want to help the people of Cardiff Nick Knowles and the team from DIY SOS want to head to Cardiff (Image: WalesOnline/ Gayle Marsh ) The BBC's long-running renovation programme DIY SOS is heading to the Welsh capital and the production team is currently looking for local projects to feature in its next series. Producers are appealing to homeowners, families, and community organisations in the Cardiff area who are in urgent need of major building or renovation work. Whether it's a house that no longer meets a family's needs or a vital community space that's fallen into disrepair the team is inviting applications from those who could benefit from their support. DIY SOS is one of the BBC's flagship programmes. Since its debut in 1999 the show has built a reputation for delivering large-scale and often emotional renovation projects with the help of a dedicated team of tradespeople and volunteers. Led by presenter Nick Knowles and his familiar crew in the purple shirts DIY SOS has spent years helping people across the UK by carrying out transformative construction projects — many in just a matter of days. Now the call has gone out to Cardiff for stories that need to be told and spaces that need to be rebuilt. On top of searching for suitable projects the team is also encouraging local tradespeople and volunteers to get involved. As always,the show relies on the skills and generosity of local communities to bring each project to life. Article continues below "We're currently casting for a brand-new series and are looking for deserving homeowners in the Cardiff area who are in real need of our help," a spokesperson from DIY SOS said. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here. Applications and nominations can be submitted through the DIY SOS website or via the show's social media channels. Applications close on December 19, 2025, and applicants must be 18 and over.
