Latest news with #JamiePritchard
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bro classroom expansion finished!
Caerphilly council has announced the completion of a new extension at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bro Allta in Ystrad Mynach. The project forms part of the authority's wider commitment to expanding Welsh medium education, aligned with its Welsh in Education Strategic Plan and the Welsh Government's vision of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050. The scheme, fully funded through a Welsh Government grant for Welsh medium provision, includes a modern four-classroom extension and the removal of outdated demountable buildings. Staff and pupils outside the new extension at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bro Allta in Ystrad Mynach. (Image: Caerphilly Council) The development increases the school's capacity by 50 additional places, significantly enhancing opportunities for learners to access high-quality Welsh medium education in the area. Bro Allta is one of five schools across the county borough benefitting from strategic investment aimed at increasing and improving Welsh medium provision. Other projects include developments at YGG Y Castell, Ysgol Ifor Bach, YGG Cwm Derwen and YGG Penalltau. Councillor Jamie Pritchard, Deputy Leader of Council commented: 'The expansion of Ysgol Bro Allta is an example of our Place Shaping programme in action. "This investment has significantly improved the provision we are able to provide to pupils for years to come and helps the council encourage more children to embrace the Welsh language.' Councillor Carol Andrews, Cabinet Member for Education and Communities, said: 'We are incredibly proud of this investment, which reflects our ongoing dedication to the Welsh language and the communities we serve. "The extension at Bro Allta ensures more children can thrive in a Welsh medium environment.' Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Allta in Ystrad Mynach. (Image: NQ) Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bro Allta continues now with the facilities to support even more young learners on their educational journey. Headteacher Meinir Jones commented: "This fantastic new extension is a real boost for our school. "It allows us to welcome more pupils into a vibrant, supportive environment where the Welsh language and culture are at the heart of everything we do." According to the Welsh Government there are a total of 440 Welsh medium schools in Wales which educate 23% of the total school population in the country. It plans to increase this number under the 2050 plan.
South Wales Argus
16-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Caerphilly space for businesses and community initiatives
Y Banc, located in the former Barclays Bank on Cardiff Road, will be the new hub for creative programmes and community-driven projects. The opening is part of a wider initiative by Caerphilly County Borough Council to transform disused spaces across the region. The council has been working with Urban Foundry, specialists in repurposing empty spaces for community and business use, for more than a year. They have already successfully revitalised a location on the High Street in Bargoed, allowing small businesses to test-trade, network, and access support through workshops delivered by industry experts. Following the success in Bargoed, the initiative moved to Ffos Caerffili, where a number of workshops were held in one of the retail shipping containers. The sessions were created to meet the needs of local businesses, covering everything from funding advice to TikTok marketing strategies. Cynefin Caerffili CIC, a creative community-led social enterprise working to transform Caerphilly through collective cultural activity, will be the first to move into Y Banc and director Ceri Davies called Y Banc a 'real game-changer for us'. Jamie Pritchard, deputy leader and cabinet member for prosperity, regeneration, and transformation, said: "Putting empty buildings to use in our town centres and offering opportunities for community-driven projects and businesses to flourish is a great mix and brings new opportunities to the high street. "We want this space to be active and full of ideas." Tara Tarapetian, director of Urban Foundry, said: "It's not just about creating a place to work – it's about creating an environment where people feel empowered to grow their ideas. "Confidence in the high street, increased footfall, and supporting local businesses to grow the economy are all big outcomes." The project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will contribute to long-term regeneration efforts in the county. There are plans to further expand the project. To stay up to date with upcoming events at Y Banc or to find out how to get involved, visit the Cynefin Caerffili website.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Caerphilly residents 'devastated' as libraries set to close
People have expressed concern after the "devastating decision" was made to close libraries and leisure centres in a Welsh council said it was facing a £29m budget gap over the next three years meaning "financial challenges" were a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, a local resident told councillors the closures amounted to "shutting down opportunities, connections and hope for the future".It comes after Welsh government ministers drew up plans last year to prepare for the possibility that some councils could go bust. Ten libraries will close across the borough at the end of August under the cost-cutting of the public shouted "disgusting" as they left the council chamber, with one resident adding that it would "take away" opportunities from young the decision, Caerphilly council said it would set up hubs based on a pilot model in Jamie Pritchard said the library staff had seen an "almost doubling" of people visiting since the change. Larger hubs will open in Bargoed, Blackwood, Caerphilly and Risca meanwhile smaller hubs will open in Newbridge and Ystrad library closures are expected to save the council £507,000 Caerphilly branch secretary Lianne Dallimore said it was a "very sad day" for added the decision taken by the Labour-run council had "left the door wide open for Reform" at next years Senedd election. Leisure centres have also been impacted but councillors have compromised on plans following "robust" Fforest and New Tredegar leisure centres will remain open, but with reduced the leisure centre in Bedwas will close when a new site opens in Caerphilly £38m project is expected to be completed in Beynon, who uses Cefn Fforest leisure centre, said the facility had "profoundly shaped" her added that the facility was a "sanctuary for countless families in our community".The council's deputy leader Jamie Pritchard defended the proposals adding that the cuts were shaped by "reducing budgets coupled with a large number of ageing sites".He said the council understood that the changes would be "difficult" for those that use the council currently operates more leisure centres than any other local authority in Wales. Have other councils been affected? The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) has warned that funding shortfalls could "significantly impact" councils' ability to deliver essential BBC has identified a budget shortfall of at least £540m across Wales by council saw a 4.5% rise in its funding following the latest announcement from the Welsh council leaders argued at the time that they were concerned that more was needed to prevent essential services from Audit Wales report recently warned that the financial position of local government was "unsustainable" in the medium-term unless action was taken.
