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Wales Online
3 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
North Wales council to benefit from £136m social care investment
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Conwy Council will benefit from a £136m investment in social care across Wales as part of an IT systems upgrade – but future funding for the expensive scheme is yet to be confirmed for the authority. Conwy councillors will this week be updated on the rollout of 'Mosaic' - a system designed to make it easier for social care workers to support residents. The new IT system will also improve the service and how information is shared with other health services. The system is being brought in as part of the Connecting Care programme - a Welsh Government-backed scheme aimed at modernising social care systems in all local authorities. A business case was submitted in the autumn on behalf of all Welsh councils for £136.8m to fund the programme for the next eight years. But whilst Welsh Government funding has been approved retrospectively for 2024/2025, funding for 2025/2026 and beyond is yet to be confirmed for Conwy. Sign up for the North Wales Live newslettersent twice daily to your inbox. According to the report, the council has estimated an 'actual capital cost' of over £500K (£508,454.45), with the 'in house costs – additional staff resource' totalling at £623,454. A capital cost of £815K was agreed last year 'to allow Conwy to participate in the national procurement of a Connecting Care system, recognising that this may not be needed, in part or in full, if funded from Welsh Government'. The new system will also handle case files and manage payments, such as those that are made to foster carers, as well as day care and domiciliary care. The authority signed up with the Access Group software supplier in January after a tendering process at the end of last year. Conwy has been 'twinned' to work with Wrexham in the rollout. The matter is set to be discussed on Wednesday at a social care and health overview and scrutiny committee at the council's Coed Pella HQ. Public notices in your area
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
North Wales council to benefit from £136m social care investment
Conwy Council will benefit from a £136m investment in social care across Wales as part of an IT systems upgrade – but future funding for the expensive scheme is yet to be confirmed for the authority. Conwy councillors will this week be updated on the rollout of 'Mosaic' - a system designed to make it easier for social care workers to support residents. The new IT system will also improve the service and how information is shared with other health services. The system is being brought in as part of the Connecting Care programme - a Welsh Government-backed scheme aimed at modernising social care systems in all local authorities. A business case was submitted in the autumn on behalf of all Welsh councils for £136.8m to fund the programme for the next eight years. But whilst Welsh Government funding has been approved retrospectively for 2024/2025, funding for 2025/2026 and beyond is yet to be confirmed for Conwy. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox. According to the report, the council has estimated an 'actual capital cost' of over £500K (£508,454.45), with the 'in house costs – additional staff resource' totalling at £623,454. A capital cost of £815K was agreed last year 'to allow Conwy to participate in the national procurement of a Connecting Care system, recognising that this may not be needed, in part or in full, if funded from Welsh Government'. The new system will also handle case files and manage payments, such as those that are made to foster carers, as well as day care and domiciliary care. The authority signed up with the Access Group software supplier in January after a tendering process at the end of last year. Conwy has been 'twinned' to work with Wrexham in the rollout. The matter is set to be discussed on Wednesday at a social care and health overview and scrutiny committee at the council's Coed Pella HQ.
Wales Online
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
2,400 potholes to be fixed on two of Wales' main roads
2,400 potholes to be fixed on two of Wales' main roads The first of 22 major projects is set to get underway with repairs to part of the A470 and A494 in Mold Roads across Wales are set to see a major revamp (Image: Submitted ) Drivers on two of Wales' main roads could soon see smoother journeys as a major programme to repair thousands of potholes and upgrade key roads gets underway. A £25 million road repair blitz is now underway across Wales, aiming to fix or prevent around 30,000 potholes on some of the country's busiest routes. The Welsh Government-backed scheme will see 22 major projects rolled out, resurfacing over 100 kilometres of road and tackling years of wear and tear. The programme includes resurfacing works, bridge repairs, and footway improvements in towns and communities across the country. Work is already underway in places like the M4 between Junctions 37 and 38, where five bridges are being refurbished. In Caersws, more than 1,000 potholes are being dealt with along a 3.4-kilometre stretch of the A470. Meanwhile, on the A494 Mold Bypass, crews are working to fix over 1,400 potholes across nearly five kilometres. This national effort is in addition to a separate scheme announced in March, which allows local councils to borrow up to £120m to speed up road repairs in their areas. According to government figures, over £81 million has already been spent resurfacing 321 kilometres of trunk roads since 2021. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here Article continues below With this latest round of funding and further investment planned for next year, total spending is expected to hit £118 million by the end of the Senedd term — enough to repair more than 500 kilometres of road. Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: "Fixing our roads is a key priority. "The comprehensive programme of works that are being delivered as part of our £25 million investment will help improve the future resilience of our strategic roads network and prevent potholes. Article continues below "I am pleased to hear that some of this work has already started with more to follow in the coming months. I look forward to seeing some of the end results." More roadworks are expected to begin in the coming weeks, with full details of locations and timelines yet to be released.
Wales Online
02-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Funding for tourism businesses helps put Wales on the map
The Development Bank of Wales is supporting some of our top-rated visitor attractions, bringing value to local economies and communities throughout Wales. The Development Bank offers various funds for businesses in the tourism industry, including the dedicated Wales Tourism Investment Fund. What's more, it works closely with Visit Wales so certain projects may also be eligible for grant funding of up to 20%. Flexible loans between £100,000 and £5million with payback terms of up to 15 years are helping business owners to start-up, scale-up and upgrade visitor experiences, flagship attractions, and places to stay. You just need to be based in Wales and demonstrate how your business idea or project will stimulate growth in new and existing markets and create and/or safeguard jobs. (Image: Development Bank of Wales) Starting or buying a business? Kathryn Donovan set up Môr a Sawna by the sea in Barry with the help of a loan from the Development Bank. As the first mobile sauna to be permanently sited in the Vale of Glamorgan, Môr a Sawna overlooks the sea at Barry Yacht Club and is available for booking in 55-minute slots. Kathryn said: 'Môr a Sawna is benefiting local people and tourists alike, but it wouldn't have been possible without the support of the Development Bank. 'They have been so helpful and enthusiastic, finding solutions rather than barriers to funding and taking the time to help me through the application process.' Funding to grow and diversify your business The Crown at Pantygelli near Abergavenny is a thriving pub and restaurant that is popular with tourists and the local community alike. A £90,000 loan from the Development Bank has allowed owners Amy Norvill and Nicholas Clayton-Ford to invest in three new high-specification lodges. Amy and Nick said: 'The hospitality sector is tough, but we are fortunate to have the space and the opportunity to diversify so our customers can drink, dine, and stay. 'It is all about thinking differently, and the support from the Development Bank has really helped us to evolve our offering.' (Image: Development Bank of Wales) Looking to go green? Based in Narberth, Pembrokeshire, Wild Lakes is Wales' first wake park and draws thousands of visitors each year. A new 20kWh solar array has allowed the owners to switch from powering the cables that create artificial surf with a diesel engine to clean solar energy. It has been funded by a loan of £40,700 from the Development Bank via the Welsh Government-backed Green Business Loan Scheme. Mark Harris, co-founder, said: 'As an outdoor business in one of Wales' most impressive natural environments, our environmental impact is at the forefront of everything we do. 'We know that this is also really important to our customers, who love our environment and want to work with businesses and attractions that are working hard to preserve it.' An economic, social and cultural asset Clare Sullivan, a Regional Manager with the Development Bank, said: 'Tourism is an economic, social and cultural asset, which is why we want to grow tourism for the good of Wales. 'We're here to help more tourism businesses get the funding that they need to invest in new and existing projects that are helping to put Wales on the map. 'Our message is simple - if you want to invest in the tourism sector in Wales, then come and talk to us.' Find out more For further information and full terms and conditions, visit the website.
