Latest news with #NigelGeorge
South Wales Argus
11-08-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
'Superb response' to Caerphilly Council community asset call
The council has expanded its use of Community Asset Transfers (CATs) to try and streamline its estate and save money on maintaining disused assets. CATs allow community groups to take over the responsibility for such buildings if they can prove they have a sustainable plan for them. Senior councillors have promoted the policy as a way to improve the local authority's finances, and also help communities preserve buildings they do not want to see the council close down. At a recent cabinet meeting, Cllr Nigel George, the cabinet member for corporate and highways, said the council's 'refreshed proactive approach' to CATs was 'an opportunity to deliver savings whilst safeguarding valued community assets and in some cases services'. He told colleagues 'the council is facing significant financial challenges and simply cannot afford to deliver everything which it currently does'. The council said it received a 'superb response' to its latest round of CAT offerings, in which 11 expressions of interest were submitted for various assets. Those applicants will now have until the end of September to submit their business cases, and the council said it 'looks forward to reviewing these proposals and working collaboratively with groups committed to making a difference in their communities'. Recent CAT success stories include agreements to hand over two council assets in Caerphilly. For one project, a community group plans to transform a disused public toilet building in the town's Tredegar Grounds into a a new site providing refreshments, play equipment hire, and a unisex toilet with baby-changing. Supporters said the project would breathe new life into a 'local eyesore' and 'improve dignity and safety' for residents. The other project in Risca will give a patch of council land, in Dan y Graig, to a cooperative of local groups, with plans including a honey farm and support for veterans. The council has also agreed a CAT of a former depot in Rhymney, where a local group plans to open a community gym. Planning permission for the redevelopment was also granted recently. However, the move to expand the council's use of CATs has drawn some criticism from opponents of the move to shut down several libraries across the borough. The council has encouraged groups to pursue CATs if they wish to save their local library, but the notion of communities stepping in to provide library services risked sending parts of the borough 'back to Victorian times', the secretary of Caerphilly Trades Union Council said previously. Among the council assets eligible for CATs during the most recent round of offerings are the libraries in Abertridwr, Nelson and Llanbradach – which are among the ten sites due to close down by the end of August as part of the recent cost-cutting decision.
South Wales Argus
06-08-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Caerphilly County Borough Council announces £5m road works
Caerphilly County Borough Council has announced a £5 million programme of resurfacing and surface dressing across more than 50 locations as part of a new highways scheme. The project began in late July and is expected to run until September 2025, depending on weather conditions. Councillor Nigel George, cabinet member for corporate services and highways, said: "Maintaining and investing in our road network is a top priority, and this programme clearly demonstrates our continued commitment to improving the condition and safety of our highways. "These works will extend the life of our roads, improve driving comfort, and reduce the need for more disruptive and costly repairs down the line." The scheme includes a mix of treatments based on road conditions, including Finagrip surface dressing, which replaces worn surface layers while preserving the underlying structure, and inlay resurfacing, which involves milling and replacing sections of the road with new asphalt. Key routes across the county borough are included in the schedule for August and early September, with various types of closures and traffic management in place. Work began on Commercial Road in Machen on August 4 and will continue until August 20. Other sites include Mountain Road in Caerphilly and Thornhill (August 5–12), and Pontlottyn Link Road in Rhymney (August 6–20), all with stop-and-go traffic management. New Road in Pontllanfraith and Gellihaf is set for works from August 7 to 15, while Carn-y-Tyla Terrace and surrounding roads in Abertysswg will be treated from August 14 to 27, excluding weekends. Ludwigsburger Strasse in Ystrad Mynach will have a lane closure on August 15 and 18. Other roads scheduled for work later in the month include Waterloo/Southend Terrace in Pontlottyn (August 20–28), Woodland Place in Cefn Hengoed (August 25), and Groveside in Oakdale (August 25–26). Full closures will also be in place on Rudry Road in Rudry (August 26–27), St Gwladys Avenue in Bargoed (August 26–27), and Silver Street in Pontywaun (August 28–29). The council is reminding residents to move vehicles from affected roads ahead of scheduled works. Failure to do so could delay operations, increase costs, and result in repeat visits and further closures. Residents are encouraged to stay informed by following the council's official social media channels or signing up for its email bulletin service. The council has thanked the community in advance for its cooperation. The investment is part of the council's wider commitment to improving infrastructure, reducing future maintenance costs, and ensuring safer, smoother journeys for all road users. Further updates will be provided as the programme progresses, with additional locations and dates to be announced. The council has said it will aim to minimise disruption wherever possible and complete the works efficiently and on schedule. For more information, visit
