Latest news with #SusanJones
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Single councillor will go into battle in row over plan to build 216 homes
Two Swansea councillors will no longer defend a decision to oppose a major housing development at an appeal hearing but it is because they wish to raise other issues and better represent their constituents. Cllrs Susan Jones and Dai Jenkins opposed plans for up to 216 homes in their Gowerton ward, off Fairwood Terrace, and the proposal was turned down by the council's planning committee despite officers recommending approval. The committee met again to firm up its reason or reasons for refusal and said the scheme would cause extra congestion and periods of queuing outside other people's homes. The applicants, Persimmon Homes West Wales and Urban Style Homes, appealed and Cllrs Jones and Jenkins agreed to defend the refusal when the matter was heard by a Welsh Government-appointed planning inspector from Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW). Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here READ MORE: DWP staff 'terrified' as another glass sheet falls from Welsh office READ MORE: Woman who walked out of jewellers with £5k ring had spent every penny of £70k inheritance windfall There have been nearly 600 submissions from people locally to PEDW as well as dozens of statements from the main groups involved - and now a member of the planning committee, Cllr Peter Black, will defend the traffic refusal decision at the hearing. Speaking at a planning committee meeting on August 5 a council officer said: "What has become apparent during the appeal process is that the ward members (Cllrs Jones and Jenkins) are unable to reflect their constituents' views. "They can only defend the decision of the council, they can't introduce additional reasons and, I think, from the correspondence I have seen and discussions with the ward members they do want to raise issues which they would be entitled to do as ward members but not as the local planning authority." A report before the committee said if they introduced other issues in their defence of the decision it would expose the council to potential extra costs. Committee members agreed to release Cllrs Jones and Jenkins from this role and Cllr Black was nominated in their place. He will get some support from planning officers. Persimmon Homes West Wales and Urban Style Homes will argue at the appeal there is an "overwhelming case", according to their main submission, for the outline application to be allowed as it complied with the council's local development plan and would provide much-needed housing, among other things. An appeal for costs has also been submitted.
Cision Canada
23-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
WebMax Co-Founders Log 4,200 KM to Hear Directly from Small Business Owners
VICTORIA, BC, June 23, 2025 /CNW/ - As AI reshapes how Canadians search online, one Canadian digital agency is marking its 10-year milestone with a message: small business owners don't need to navigate this alone. | founded in 2015, celebrates a decade of building affordable, fully managed websites and helping businesses stay visible online. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, the company supports clients across Canada and the U.S., blending trusted web expertise with modern AI-aware tools. To mark the milestone, Co-Founders Susan Jones and Mike Rothe travelled over 4,200 kilometres across Canada to hear firsthand from business owners. "From building contractors to family-run shops, the message was consistent—they're overwhelmed," said Jones. "They don't want more platforms or tools. They want someone to handle the website, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), and AI." Their road trip reaffirmed a growing concern: as search engines prioritize AI-generated and voice search content, many websites risk falling out of view. In response, WebMax is strengthening its human-powered, fully managed model—focused on reducing workload for Canadian small businesses while keeping them visible across new and emerging search formats. WebMax's Human-Led, AI-Aware Model Includes: Affordable, custom mobile-ready websites built in Canada Strategic SEO, AEO, and GEO for local and AI-driven search Ongoing diagnostics using WebMax's in-house tools Fully managed services—no DIY required Clients have reported up to 22% improvements in local visibility, with WebMax-written content already appearing in Google AI Overviews—all without any added effort on their part. "This isn't just about websites anymore," said Rothe. "It's about ensuring hardworking small businesses are still found online—no matter how the tech changes." The company thanks its clients and supporters, including the Better Business Bureau, local Chambers of Commerce, Vancouver Board of Trade, and the Vancouver Regional Construction Association. About | Founded in 2015, | is a Canadian-owned agency offering fully managed websites and SEO services tailored to small businesses. Headquartered in Sooke and Victoria, BC, WebMax blends AI-ready tools with human insight to help clients stay competitive online. Contact: Susan Jones, Co-Founder Western Canada: 604-670-7796 | 250-217-5340 Eastern Canada: 647-930-6996 | TF: 800-478-1030
