
ARCHIVE 2009 - END OF 2010
RIVERFRONT FUNDING BOOST
Dec 28 -
Subject to confirmation in
February of the Welsh Assembly Government’s draft budget, a new portfolio of
71 organisations will share funding of just over £24.25million in 2011/12
and The Riverfront in Newport has been awarded £125,000 of that, an increase
of £65,000 on 2010. With this funding, The Riverfront can build on the
development of audiences for a range of work that is unique to Wales and
essential viewing for the people of Newport, increasing attendances and
attracting more audiences from outside the City. The Riverfront will be able
to continue to develop as the hub of performing arts creativity in Newport,
initiating and supporting exciting projects that build audiences, offer
professional development opportunities to artists and continue to build a
creative base for Newport. The Riverfront will continue to build long term
relationships with locally and UK-wide significant companies. There will be
more development work with companies with whom The Riverfront has short term
or more ad hoc relationships with and continued and additional support for
emerging artists and companies. In the medium term, the increase will allow
The Riverfront to venture into fully-fledged production of performances
aimed at engaging young people with live events.
The news was welcomed by the Theatre “When
The Riverfront opened just six years ago, it was an iconic building with
great spaces to create and present work within, and ambitious plans to
develop its programme and audiences. Six years later, when it has exceeded
expectations in terms of numbers of people through the building by 49% and
contributed hugely to this auspicious Ryder Cup year, we are delighted that
the Arts Council has made such a positive decision in relation to our future
funding. Their support, on top of impressive levels of commitment from
Newport City Council, will enable us to contribute further to the cultural
and economic life of the City and to create more for the audiences of
Newport and beyond.” Nicolas Young, Theatre and Arts Director at The
Riverfront.
The benefits include ensuring a broad range
and variety of work is available for the people of Newport. These
developments will go alongside the continuation of comedy, music,
family-friendly, film and other strands of the professional programme, as
well as on-going development of opportunities to participate in activities
and make use of the facilities.
Increasing the amount of work produced in
Newport will have knock-on effects both on the financial viability of The
Riverfront through increased use of the café and other ancillary features of
the Centre, and ultimately on the City as a whole as it encourages arts
practitioners to live and work here. Councillor Mike Hamilton, cabinet
member for continuing learning and leisure "This is a wonderful announcement
by Arts Council Wales which will enable The Riverfront Theatre and Arts
Centre to continue and build on the excellent work that is done there. It is
a tribute to the Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre, director Nicolas Young
and all the staff. People from across the city and beyond, from young
musicians and emerging artists to ballet lovers and film fans, have
benefited from all that it has to offer."
TWO ARRESTS AFTER
CHRISTMAS DAY ROBBERY
Dec 26 - Police have arrested
two people in connection with the robbery of a taxi driver early on
Christmas Day. Officers attended a report of a robbery at 0149 GMT on
Saturday morning outside the Royal Gwent Hospital in Cardiff Road, Newport.
Taxi driver Irfan Latif, 38, who works for
Globe Taxis in Newport, had his car stolen in the incident. Gwent Police
confirmed their investigation was continuing. A force spokesman said: "We
received a report from a taxi driver saying he had been robbed outside the
Royal Gwent Hospital on Cardiff Road, Newport. Two people have been arrested
in connection with this incident and enquiries are ongoing."
MORRISONS' SNOW HERO
LAUDED
Dec 26 - Dalton Philips,
Morrisons' Chief Executive has lauded an employee at the company's
Rogerstone store in a Daily Telegraph interview. A 73-year-old baker from
the storecalled Imi abandoned her car and walked five miles to get to work
during the recent snowstorm.
COUNCIL DELIGHTED WITH
RESPONSE TO RETAIL SCHEME
Dec 26 - Newport City Council
is now preparing to move to the next important stage in its plans for a
multi-million pound new city centre shopping scheme. Officers will spend the
next couple of weeks considering the formal expressions of interest it has
received from developers.
A shortlist will be drawn up and submitted
to the cabinet sub-group for approval in January. “We are delighted with the
level of interest shown in this project which is a key priority for the
council,” said Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of the council. “We have
done everything we can to get a developer on board as quickly as possible
following strict European regulations. However, we are confident that we
will be able to take a partner on in July. We know the Newport scheme is an
attractive proposition because so much of the groundwork has already been
done – the council has acquired all the properties in the development area
and much of the infrastructure, such as road improvements, are in place.”
COUNCIL TO PROVIDE GRANT TO COMPLETE ART
COLLEGE WORK
Dec 23 - A £44,000 grant from Newport City
Council has been approved to assist with the completion of work on the
former Art / Technical College building in Clarence Place. The renovation of
the building is currently on hold with the previous owners now in
receivership. The receivers, Alder King, are seeking a quick conclusion to
the outstanding work in order to that the conversion of the building in to
66 apartments can be completed. The Civic Enhancement Scheme grant will
contribute just under half of the funding required to complete the windows
and doors of the upgraded building.
COUNCIL WINS AID FOR
ENERGY SCHEME
Dec 23 - Newport City Council
has been successful in its bid to secure up to £615,000 from the Welsh
Assembly Government’s Arbed scheme, to help improve the energy performance
of hard to insulate properties in the city.
Arbed, the strategic energy performance
investment programme, has been established to help fund home energy and
renewable measures to fuel poor and low income households in Wales. The
scheme is due to run until March 2011 and is aimed at privately owned homes
in designated areas of the Bettws and Ringland. These areas were chosen due
to high levels of fuel poverty and the number of non-traditional build
houses. Jason Gunter, Housing Manager said “The council has an affordable
warmth strategy and the aims of the Arbed scheme fit well with this. The
strategy aims to reduce the number of households in fuel poverty, tackle
climate change and improve people’s lives in the city.”.
LIB DEMS BLOW £30K IN
FAILED BID TO WIN NEWPORT EAST
Dec 12 - It will come as no
surprise to Newport East electors to discover the Liberal Democrats
out-spent Labour by three to one in their failed bid to win the seat at the
recent General Election. In fact some electors are still using the publicity
dumped through their letter boxes to keep themselves warm or , more likely,
amused during the long winter evenings. Figures published by the Electoral
Commission reveal Ed Townsend's campaign spend amounted to £30,617.11,
whereas successful Labour candidate Jess Morden paid out only £9,036.34. In
all likelihood given the plight of the Lib Dems this is the only opportunity
they will ever have to win in Newport East. In Newport West, a Labour - Tory
marginal, Paul Flynn's campaign cost £8,461.79 but was out-spent by Matthew
Williams' £12,967.97 for the defeated blues.
STUDY REVEALS NEWPORT'S
CLOSE LINKS WITH ENGLAND RATHER THAN VALLEYS
Dec 11 - New research
highlights that major Welsh conurbations including Newport still retain
their strongest links with England. A group of researchers at Cornell
University in the USA and University College London have used one of the
world's largest databases of telecommunications records to redraw the map of
Great Britain. The research is based on the analysis of 12 billion
anonymized records representing more than 95% of Great Britain's residential
and business landlines. More than half of Newport's calls are made to
English areas.
David Blackaby, a professor of
economics at the University of Swansea, who specialises in labour
markets told Wales Online: “The geography of Wales means the
connections are east west rather than north south. What you tend to
find is young people move from rural areas to cities. The more
highly educated move out of Wales, their first job will often be in
London.”Swansea-based
cultural historian Peter Stead said historic links and ease of
travel also influenced people’s movements. He said: “People from
Lancashire have always gone to the North Wales coast, in a way the
North Wales Coast is an extension of Lancashire. The big English
cities are quite near the Welsh border..
The other thing I think is
rugby. There’s a very strong English premier league with
teams like Bristol, Bath and Gloucester, they should be
playing in Wales all the time. Broadcasters have been making
efforts to pull north east Wales into the devolved Wales. In
some ways it may have been better if north east Wales had
developed its links to Manchester and Liverpool.”
NEWPORT population - country
of origin 2001 census - Wales 81.12 per cent, England 13.43,
Northern Ireland 0.26, Republic of Ireland 0.59, Scotland
0.79, other EU countries 0.90 (biggest group - Germany 428
persons), outside of EU 2.91 (biggest group - Pakistan 731
persons). Of those working 8,400 travel more than 20 km to
go to work.
COUNCIL TO DISPLAY NEW
SHOPPING SCHEME PROPOSAL
Dec 11 - Residents and
visitors to Newport’s city centre will be able to see plans
for how the city’s shopping area could be transformed at a
special exhibition at Newport Indoor Market from 11am – 3pm
next Wednesday (15 December). Newport City Council will
unveil publicly how it would like the new multi-million
pound city centre shopping scheme to look. The concept
design, which is set to transform John Frost Square into a
vibrant shopping area, will be simple and modern.
Leader of Newport City
Council, Cllr Matthew Evans, said: “The exhibition is the
chance for people to see the kind of quality, high-end
shopping scheme we would like in Newport. We want a vibrant
development to entice people back to shop in the city and
for major retailers to have a presence in the heart of the
city. “Visitors to the exhibition will see what we are
aiming for and hopefully be encouraged and see that we are
pulling out all the stops to attract a developer. The people
of Newport have been waiting a long time for this and we
hope to make it a reality soon.” The exhibition will provide
information and show images of how the proposed city centre
development could look. Visitors to the exhibition will able
to learn more about the scheme which is a key component of
the 2020 master plan for the regeneration of Newport.
Officers from Newport City Council as well as Newport
Unlimited will be at the exhibition to discuss the scheme in
more detail as well as answer any questions. The council is
currently inviting interest from potential developers with
the deadline 20 December. Those who meet the required
criteria will be invited to tender at the end of January
2011, and it is anticipated that the preferred developer
will be chosen by the end of July 2011.
CITY STATION CRITICISED
Dec 9 -
Newport's £22 million station has been
heavily criticised by passengers. After a string of complaints about the
station, city council and regeneration bosses are demanding a meeting with
Network Rail to end problems dogging the Assembly Government-funded site –
which publicity posters insisted make the industrial city look like a
futuristic Tokyo.
Gareth Beer, chief executive of Newport Unlimited,
the company responsible for regeneration of the area, said: “There are
concerns that have been expressed about some aspects of the station, from
members of the public themselves who use the station.” Some have been
unimpressed the cafe is still located by the old station and that they have
to go to the back of the new premises to visit the relocated WHSmith. On
platform one the electronic sign announcing when the next train is due is
still outside the old station building. Staff sources at the site have
admitted to Wales Online that they dislike it.
6500 CAUGHT BY M4 SPEED CAMERAS
Dec 9 - More than 6,500 drivers have been caught
speeding since average speed check cameras were introduced on the M4 in
Newport figures show. The cameras between Junctions 24 (Coldra) and 28
(Tredegar Park) trigger penalty notices when the 50mph limit is exceeded.
Forty three million vehicles - 110,000 a day - have
driven through the stretch since September 2009. The body which polices it
said a "tiny fraction" were flouting the law. Jim Moore, manager of the
Wales road casualty reduction partnership said: "It is encouraging to see
that, on the whole, motorists are complying with the reduced speed limit of
50mph while important roadworks take place. "We hope that this compliance
continues over the next few months while work is completed for the safety of
motorists and the roadworkers, who are operating day and night." The
intention is to replace the average speed cameras with a variable speed
limit like that on the M25 near London.
SWEDISH BANK OPENS BRANCH
IN BUSINESS PARK
Dec 9 -
Robert Hitchins Limited has leased 1,800
sq ft at its new, high-quality courtyard development at 24 Severn in
Langstone Business Park, Newport, to Handelsbanken, one of Sweden’s leading
banks. Cooke & Arkwright and M4 Properties acted as joint agents on behalf
of the landlord in the deal. The Handelsbanken branch will be one of more
than 90 opened in the UK so far as part of the bank’s expansion programme.
Handelsbanken first began operating in the UK in 1982 and was ranked top for
customer satisfaction and loyalty in 2009 and 2010. Its decentralised
network, where decisions are made at branch level has proved popular,
setting it apart from the more centralised model familiar in most of the
banking sector. The Newport branch is the third in Wales, with others
situated in Cardiff and Swansea.
LARGE SALT ORDER TO ARRIVE
IN CITY
Dec 9 - In order to meet the
demand from local authorities an import of 12,000 tonnes of salt is
scheduled to arrive in Newport from Sweden in late December. The Welsh Local
Government Association and the Assembly Government are building up an order
list from authorities for a second import order, which they hope will arrive
in January.
CABINET BACKS FREE PARKING
PROPOSAL
Dec 8 - Newport City Council
has backed an innovative measure to provide free parking in all Council car
parks for the first two hours. The intention is to assist the trading
position of the city centre. In addition, buses from Chepstow Road and
Caerleon Road will stop on the Queensway for a trial period up to 8 January
2011. The cost to the City Council of loss of car parking income is put at
£700,000.
TORIES SELECT CANDIDATE IN
NEWPORT EAST
Dec 5 - Newport East
Conservatives met on Tuesday night to select a candidate to fight the seat
at next year's Welsh Assembly election. They chose Nick Webb, a public
affairs consultant and political analyst with a specialism in PR for
planning and development matters. The Conservatives start in third place,
although at the 2007 election were less than 1,900 votes behind the
incumbent Labour Assembly Member, John Griffiths.
APPEAL OVER ASSAULT
Dec 2 -
Gwent
Police is appealing for information following a serious sexual assault that
is reported to have occurred in Newport city centre in the early hours of
this morning, Thursday 2nd December. The
incident occurred between the hours of 3am and 5am in the Old
Green/Riverfront area of Newport.
The victim, a 21 year old local female, is described as 5 feet 2 inches
tall, of slim build, with long mousy coloured hair. She was wearing a light
coloured body warmer with a fur hood and blue jeans. Police are appealing
for anyone who may have seen her within the timeframe specified to contact
them. Officers are also interested in speaking to a man and the occupants of
a vehicle that were seen in the area during that time.
The man is described as being of mixed race and approximately 28/29 years
old. He is tall, of thin build but with big/muscular arms. He was wearing
dark clothing. The vehicle is a dark coloured Ford Fiesta which was seen on
High Street at 4.55am this morning.
COUNCIL URGED TO TAKE
IMMEDIATE ACTION OVER CITY CENTRE
Nov 13 - A meeting of city
centre traders has urged the City Council to take immediate action to
prevent the loss of major retailers. Next and M&S recently announced their
intention to relocate away from Commercial Street.
Ken Ellis, chief executive of the
city’s Chamber of Trade, said the situation was serious. “Action
needs to be done in lots of different ways,” he said. He proposed
cuts to business rates as a potential way forward for trade in the
area, and said planners needed to start thinking “outside the box”.
He said the proposed closure of Newport’s Passport Office would have
a significant impact on footfall in the city centre. Newport East AM
Mr Griffiths acknowledged Newport is facing a worrying time, but
pointed to the city’s historic market, traditional architecture and
revamped university campus as reasons to be optimistic. “Though it
has always been difficult being squeezed between Cardiff and
Bristol, with the need to find a distinctive identity for Newport a
challenge and nearby Cwmbran another rival, there are pluses for
Newport," he told Wales Online.
Newport City Council recently launched
its search for a replacement developer for the centre. Council
leader Matthew Evans, said: "We are confident that we will find a
partner who will help us deliver a first class scheme that will
revitalise the city centre. We expect to be able to draw up a
short-list of potential developers early next year." Paul Flynn,
Labour MP for Newport West, said it was a "serious crisis" but there
were good signs. He said he and Mr Evans had been in talks with
Marks and Spencer to try and change their mind. He added: "Losing
the development was atrociously bad luck but it was nobody's fault.
There is a danger that by talking the city down we make things
worse. We need to halt the spiral of decline and reverse it into a
spiral of improvement." An assembly government spokesperson said:
"Despite the UK government's proposed closure of Newport passport
office, the Welsh Assembly Government is committed to doing all it
can to support the city."
Details of the city centre shopping
scheme
here
CITY CENTRE REMEMBRANCE
Nov 13 - Newport will remember
those who have given their lives for their country at a service at
the Cenotaph on Sunday morning (14 November, 2010). Organisations
taking part in the parade will assemble outside the Kings Hotel in
High Street at 10.15am. Leaving at 10.35am, the marchers will go
over Town Bridge and to the Cenotaph in Clarence Place where Newport
Borough Band will be playing. They will be joined by Newport’s mayor
Councillor Bill Langsford, his party and the clergy. A two minute
silence will follow the Last Post, played by a bugler from the Royal
Welsh Regiment, and the firing of the guns. After reveille is
sounded, wreaths will be laid and there will be a short service
before the parade marches back to High Street. In the evening the
Mayor and Mayoress will attend the Mission to Seafarers service of
remembrance in the Chapel of St Peter, Newport Docks.
ONLY 30 PASSPORT JOBS TO BE
SAVED
Nov 12 - The number of workers retained at the
passport office in Newport could be as few as 30, MPs have been told. Sarah
Rapson, of the Identity and Passport Service (IPS), told the Welsh Affairs
Committee between 30 and 45 jobs would remain. She confirmed to the
committee at Westminster that it could be "as low as 30". More than 250 jobs
are expected to go if plans to close the existing office are approved.
Home Office minister Damian Green is also
due to give evidence to the committee. The meeting was called after Mr
Green, the minister who is in charge of passports, announced at the
beginning of October that consultation was to begin on the closure of the
Newport office. The decision sparked an angry response from unions,
opposition politicians and staff, with hundreds taking to the streets of the
city in protest.
Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan later
announced up to 45 jobs would be safeguarded. Giving evidence to the Welsh
affairs committee, Ms Rapson said: "We are looking at a range of between 30
and 45." When asked by the Newport East MP Jessica Morden if that meant the
number of staff retained could be as few as 30, Ms Rapson said: "It may be
as low as 30, yes."
APPEAL AS BIKES RECOVERED
Nov 6 -
Police
in Maindee are appealing for anyone who has lost or had bikes stolen after
three were recovered from an address in St Julians yesterday.
The three bikes are described a BMX Magna Acid in
blue and silver; an Apollo XL in Blue and silver and a Silver Badmax
mountain bike.
Three males, aged 14, 15 and 16 from the St Julians area have been arrested
on suspicion on being found on an enclosed premises and have been bailed
pending further enquiries. If anyone has information they are asked to call
Gwent Police on 01633 838111 or
crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
FRIARS WALK 2 PLAN
Oct 22 - Developers are being
sought for a multi-million pound scheme which would transform part of
Newport city centre. The aim is to turn John Frost Square into a "modern,
vibrant" shopping centre as soon as possible. Advertisements inviting
interest from developers will be put out next month.
A previous £200m scheme to build a shopping
centre in the same area was scrapped last year after developers pulled out.
Newport council said developers had already indicated that the latest scheme
was "very attractive". "We will be expecting potential partners to meet our
high specifications as we want a quality development that will encourage
shoppers back and persuade major retailers to stay in the city centre," said
Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of Newport City Council. "The people of
Newport have been waiting a long time for a new shopping scheme and we are
determined to do everything in our power to make it become a reality. A lot
of the groundwork has already been done so when a new development partner is
chosen, work can begin very quickly and officers have been working around
the clock to ensure we can go to the market next month."
MORDEN SLAMS SPENDING
REVIEW IMPACT ON CITY
Oct 21 -
Jessica Morden, MP
for Newport East has said the Chancellor's spending review will have a
negative impact upon Newportonians and fears further job losses "The Tory
and Lib Dem spending cuts today will be cold comfort for constituents in
Newport East. There was nothing today about a plan for jobs and growth which
must be the starting point. As a community we are already fighting the
proposed closure of the Passport Office in Newport and today was absolutely
no comfort for those public sector workers (and other workers who rely on
them for their livelihoods) who are worried about their jobs, homes and
children’s future. There’s also no answer from the Government to the
question where their much trumpeted new private sector jobs are going to
come from. Its just bad news on top of bad news with the announcements
about the Passport Office, the Defence Training Academy at St Athan, and no
mention of the electrification of the Great Western main line. "
Newport City Council issued a
statement saying "Newport City Council is facing extremely difficult
economic conditions and one of the toughest budgets it has ever seen, having
to make savings in the region of £40m over the next four years. At present
we do not know how the review will directly affect Newport and the impact
will become clearer when the Welsh Assembly Government publishes its own
draft budget in mid-November. The council has prepared for the anticipated
budget reductions and has spent the past few months making budget
projections and proposals for improvements to ensure we are in a position to
deal with the cuts in the best way possible. The decisions that have to be
made will be difficult but to protect and continue to deliver first class,
front line services these need to be tackled head on. "
CALL OVER CATHEDRAL VAT
TAX BREAK
Oct 21 -
Newport West AM Rosemary Butler says that a
decision to scrap the grant which is helping with urgent repairs to the roof
of Newport Cathedral must be reconsidered by the UK Government. The
cathedral authorities are currently eligible for a grant which covers VAT on
repairs to listed places of worship. If the grant is lost next March it
could lead to a loss of £200,000 - money which the roof restoration fund
badly needs. She urged Culture Minister Alun Ffred Jones to put
pressure on the UK Government to change its mind. "Those who are
responsible for the upkeep of listed places of worship in England and Wales
are facing a major problem next March, because the grant which currently
helps congregations to carry out repairs to roofs and other maintenance work
by refunding VAT will be axed.
COUNCIL BACKS PASSPORT
OFFICE CLOSURE CAMPAIGN
Oct 18 - Members of the
public and council employees will now be able to sign the petition to save
the Passport Office in some council-owned buildings. Copies of the petition
can be found in the reception areas of the Civic Centre, Newport Central
Library in John Frost Square, The Riverfront and Newport Centre. Council
Conservative leader Matthew Evans urged people to sign the petition which
calls on the Home Secretary to abandon the proposal to close Wales’ only
passport office. “The city council is fighting hard to keep this valuable
service in our city and retain the jobs in Newport which economically makes
sense,” said Councillor Evans.


|
CITY MARCHES FOR JOBS AND TO
SAVE ITSELF Oct 16 -
Newport rang out to the cries of 'save our jobs..save our city'
after a devastating couple of weeks following the announcement of
the proposed closure of the Passport Office.
More than 245 jobs face the axe in
the planned closure, with a further 27 to go as four local offices
are shut.Trades union members and politicians joined the public to
march through the city centre to a rally. The UK Government's
passport service says closure of the Newport office would achieve
the greatest reduction in spare capacity in its operations. It
announced on 8 October that it would begin 90-days consultation on
the closure of the main passport office with the loss of 300 jobs.
Labour MP for Newport West, Paul
Flynn, said the cuts amounted to "butchery" of the passport service
and would hit the city hard. He said: "The message must get across
to Government - this is not a cut, this is butchering jobs. There's
nothing rational about this - it's unfair, it's brutal, it's cruel
and cuts away jobs from Wales in a way only Tories can do. Any party
that supports this will be political pariahs in Newport and Wales
for a generation. Newport's economy was rebuilt from the ashes of
the decline of industry and now we're seeing those replacement jobs
that came in being undermined in this crude way by government."
Speaking at the rally, John
McInally, vice-president of the Public and Commercial
Services (PCS) union, said: “I want to make it absolutely
clear that we will pour our resources into defending jobs in
Newport and across the country. And I want to thank the
people of Newport for turning out in such numbers to this
absolutely magnificent protest this morning."
COMMENT - I joined the rally
this morning. This is the sort of event that makes me proud
to be a Newportonian. Many of the marchers were women, kids
had made placards 'save my dad's job' it was spontaneous,
spirited and resolute. We have been targeted before but the
city is indomitable and will fight back, we just need
proper, unified political leadership to harness the
incredible will and spirit of our people. If you have never
been political get in to politics, influence matters, let
your opinions be heard, there has never been a more
important time for our city or our country.
|
CITY CUSTOMER CENTRE MOVES
NEARER
Oct 16 - A face to face
customer centre for Newport's public service bodies including the City
Council has moved a step closer with Cabinet approval for the occupation of
the entire former railway station building on Queensway.
APPEAL FOLLOWING DRAIN
COVER THREATS
Oct 15 -
Gwent
Police is appealing for information and urging people to be vigilant
following thefts of drain covers from a number of streets in the Newport
area. A total of 14 drain covers have been
stolen since Saturday 9th October from Comfrey Close, Sorrell Drive,
Salisbury Close and Bideford Road.
It's believed they are being stolen for scrap metal. The thefts cause a
public safety issue with drains being left open and there are also cost
implications. The force has an ongoing operation to target scrap metal
thefts which includes visting scrapyards. If you see anyone acting
suspiciously, removing drain covers, even if they seem to be wearing high
visibility clothing please contact the police and officers will check they
are legitimate. Anyone with any information regarding scrap metal thefts is
asked to contact Gwent Police on 01633
838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800
555 111.
M&S MOVES IN BODY BLOW TO
CITY CENTRE
Oct 12 - Newport city centre
was today hit by another body blow with news that Marks and Spencer will be
leaving their Commercial Street store in early 2012 and relocating to
Newport Retail Park. Staffing levels will increase from 70 to 100 as the
store moves to a bigger site.
MINISTER CLAIMS OFFICE
CLOSURE 'NOT INEVITABLE'
Oct 10 - Welsh Secretary
Cheryl Gillan says the threatened closure of the passport office in Newport
is not inevitable. Speaking on the Politics Show Wales, Mrs Gillan said that
no decisions had been taken yet and that she was lobbying ministerial
colleagues.
Ms Gillan has
condemned the union for the "irresponsible" way she said it revealed details
on Friday of the threatened closure, but said she could not rule out job
losses at the office. Speaking on the Politics Show Wales, she said: "The
Identity and Passport [Service] is looking at their operations right across
the board and I understand they will be starting a period of formal
consultation about the Newport office on 19 October. No decisions have been
taken yet and that is why I've invited the chief executive to a meeting in
my office next week. I was already talking to ministers when this news came
out sadly on a Friday afternoon - I don't think that is really a very good
time for people and families to learn about the proposed talks."
FURTHER BODY BLOW TO CITY
CENTRE
Oct 10 - In another body blow
to Newport City Centre it has been confirmed that two city centre stores
will close. Next and Monsoon will both close their doors by January 2011 as
their current leases come to an end.
FIRST MINISTER'S FURY OVER
CLOSURE
Oct 9 - First Minister Carwyn
Jones is to write to David Cameron over the decision to close the passport
office in Newport, open since 1967. Mr Jones said the assembly government
had been given no warning about the closure which could see 300 staff lose
their jobs. Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan has said no final decision has
been made and she would lobby the workforce's case. But Mr Jones said the
government had "completely lost the plot on this one".
He told BBC Wales: "It's unbelievable to
think that out of seven passport offices there should be nothing in Wales
but passport offices in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. They seem to
think its acceptable that Wales and the west of England in fact shouldn't
have a service and that people should have to travel to either London or
Peterborough." He criticised the lack of consultation, saying the
announcement had come "completely out of the blue". "I want to know first of
all when the Wales office knew about this? I'd like to know what the Wales
Office plan to do about it? And certainly the workers in the passport office
will have my full support in trying to save their jobs," Mr Jones said.
Paul Flynn MP
stated "Closure of Newport Passport Office is a theft of Welsh jobs by
London - the reverse of 40 years of relocating jobs to Wales from London."
PASSPORT OFFICE TO CLOSE
WITH LOSS OF 300 JOBS
Oct 8 - The passport office
in Newport is set to close with the loss of 300 jobs. The Public and
Commercial Services Union (PCS) said the move would have a "devastating"
impact on the local economy. There are also fears passport interview offices
in Swansea, Wrexham, Newport and Aberystwyth could close. The Identity and
Passport Service (IPS) confirmed it was consulting on closing the Newport
office. The PCS union said: "The closure of the Newport office will leave
Wales with a vastly inferior service to the rest of the UK."
CITY CLAIMS RYDER CUP
SUCCESS
Oct 6 - Newport can look back
with satisfaction at having hosted a memorable, exciting and above all
successful 38th Ryder Cup, according to the City Council.
While crowds of people watched the golf at
the Celtic Manor, more than 5,000 people descended on the city centre to
watch the golf live on the big screen in John Frost Square. A record
television audience also tuned in to watch the action. Leader of Newport
City Council, Cllr Matthew Evans, said: "Newport can look back with
satisfaction and knowledge that they hosted the most memorable and
successful Ryder Cup ever that was full of drama, history and excitement.
Everyone left feeling upbeat and singing the praises of Newport." Being host
city to The Ryder Cup has left legacies for residents with improvements to
the city centre, regeneration projects changing the landscape of Newport and
residents able to enjoy festivals and events. Youngsters flavoured the
atmosphere of The Ryder Cup with schools invited to the final practice day
and opening ceremony having followed The Ryder Cup-themed curriculum while
more youngsters have been introduced and taken up golf. Celebrations will
continue this weekend with the culmination of the Big Splash events with the
Fire Finale at Rodney Parade at 7.30 on Saturday 9 October. There will be
live music, special effects, dancing dragons, fire trapezes, flame-wielding
performers and fireworks.
Newport Unlimited stated "The Ryder Cup was
televised in more than 200 countries, each day (Friday to Sunday) 45,000
visitors came to the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport - and Europe won! For the
first time in the cup's 83-year history, the tournament had to be completed
on a Monday - the result of more than half the average rainfall for October
falling in just two and a half days - and 35,000 spectators came back for
the thrilling conclusion. It was clear that an enormous amount of effort
went into making sure this fantastic opportunity to promote the whole of
Wales
to the world was fully exploited. The spotlight on Wales and Newport across
the world has shown it as a dynamic business and leisure location, and a
capable host for world-class events."
WEATHER DISRUPTS GOLF
Oct 1 - The first day of the
Ryder Cup was disrupted by the weather with less than four hours play
possible due to heavy rain. Play was suspended between 9.45am and 5pm as the
course was deluged. The Foursomes resumed at 5pm with Europe up in one, down
in two and level in the other match. Tournament officials were looking to
re-jig the schedule on Saturday, when better weather is expected, to prevent
play slipping in to an unprecedented fourth day on Monday.

Katherine Jenkins sings at the
ceremony |
RYDER CUP
OPENS!
Thousands of
people have attended the opening ceremony of the Ryder Cup in
Newport. First Minister Carwyn Jones led proceedings at Celtic Manor
and said it was a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to put Wales
firmly on the map.
He was joined by singers Rhydian
Roberts and Katherine Jenkins. European team captain Colin
Montgomerie and his United States counterpart Corey Pavin also named
their line ups for the first day on Friday.
Welsh male choir Only Men Aloud
sang a rendition of the Welsh national anthem, members of the Welsh
Guards, complete with distinctive bear skins, raised the Stars and
Stripes and the various European flags as the national anthems rang
out. |
OFFICE SPACE POTENTIAL
HIGHLIGHTED
Sep 30 - The Newport region can offer businesses a
fresh alternative to taking up office space in Cardiff, according to a
review by property consultants Lambert Smith Hampton. The report covered
office space running along the M4 corridor and discovered that the stock of
offices in Newport is one-sixth the size of Cardiff. However, it
successfully managed to attract big name companies in both the public and
private sector such as Lloyds TSB, HSBC and the Office for National
Statistics due to its close proximity to the Welsh capital and the business
hub of Bristol. Robert Carew-Chaston, of chartered surveyors Hutchings &
Thomas said: “Newport has a much bigger catchment area than either Cardiff
or Bristol, but does not have the associated costs”. “We need to use the
magnets of Bristol and Cardiff to our advantage. They both have a lot going
for them, such as Cardiff’s Millennium stadium. Newport will never be the
capital of Wales, but it can use Cardiff’s amenities to benefit people in
Newport”.
The report highlighted that the biggest office space
site in the locality is Celtic Springs Business Park, which can be found
next to junction 28 of the M4 motorway, followed by Gwent Europark and
Queensway Meadows. Rents within and just out of the city centre stood at a
competitive £16 and £15 per square foot respectively. Still, the area hasn’t
been able to escape the effects of the recession. Brian McDougall of
relocation consultants OMIS said: “Newport’s business base is broad but
weak, with too much dependence on vulnerable industry sectors and a handful
of large employers. The local unemployment rate has nearly doubled since the
downturn in 2008 and shop vacancies in Newport are now the highest in
Wales”.
CITY POLICE TO TOLERATE
SEX TRADE DURING CUP
Sep 26 - A senior police
officer in Newport, the host city of golf's Ryder Cup, says his force
tolerates brothels as long as they follow strict criteria. Supt Julian
Knight says it is better to work closely with those in the sex industry to
enable proper monitoring. He told BBC Radio Wales' Eye on Wales that the law
on prostitution created a dilemma, but he had to be pragmatic.
Supt Knight told the programme: "You have
to be pragmatic about this. It is illegal. "Society has a very Victorian
moral code around this, as a result of which we find ourselves between a
rock and a hard place. The law on prostitution says that while it is not
illegal to sell sex for financial gain, certain activities relating to it
are. These include two or more people selling sex from the same
premises.....I have a list of 12 premises," he said.
"We know not only where they are, but also
the type of individuals that are there, the type of services they offer, and
the gender. That allows us, with our partner agencies, to monitor them
closely and to try to develop appropriate ways to get out of this
lifestyle."
BAKERY TO CLOSE WITH 114
JOBS LOST - BRACES EXPRESS INTEREST
Sep 23 - Warburtons has confirmed 114 jobs could be
lost at its Newport bakery and the site might be shut altogether. The
family-owned breadmaker is considering proposals to close its facility at
Rogerstone for "operational reasons". Warburtons appreciated it was a
"difficult period" for staff. Meanwhile, Brace's Bakery said it had
contacted the firm, unions and assembly government about taking over the
site and saving jobs. Employees have been briefed and a decision on the
future of the Newport bakery will be made next January.
A formal consultation began on Wednesday
and will last for a minimum of 90 days. David Williams, general manager of
bakeries in Newport and Bristol, told BBC Radio Wales that the decision had
been taken because of surplus capacity at the two bakeries he managed. He
said the company had been forced into efficiency savings as a result. "It is
purely in line with demand. The total bread market and in the south west is
not growing in line with our original estimates and forecasts," he said.
CITY SOLDIER KILLED IN
AFGHANISTAN
Sep 21 -
Sergeant Andrew James
Jones of the Royal Engineers, serving as part of Combined Force Lashkar Gah,
was killed in action during a vehicle patrol in the Bolan district of
Lashkar Gah on Saturday 18 September 2010 alongside Trooper Andrew Martin
Howarth of Fondouk Squadron, The Queen's Royal Lancers.
He was serving as part of Fondouk
Squadron, The Queen's Royal Lancers, and was providing security to the
people of Helmand province by denying insurgents' freedom of movement.
Sergeant Jones was born in Newport, South Wales, on 8 January 1975, and
attended Lliswerry Comprehensive School before choosing to join the Royal
Engineers. He completed basic training at the Army Training Regiment
Bassingbourn in February of 1998, before passing out of the Royal Engineers
Combat Engineering Course in August of the same year.
He deployed to Kosovo with 31 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 32 Engineer
Regiment, before being posted to the Royal Engineers Armoured Trials and
Development Unit in Bovington Camp, Dorset. After this Sergeant Jones was
posted to D Squadron, The Queen's Royal Lancers, as an Engineer
Reconnaissance Troop Sergeant in February 2009. His service with D Squadron
saw him conducting demolition on ranges in Scotland, leading a team over the
Yorkshire Three Peaks in 24 hours and overseeing the site reconnaissance and
placing of bridges for The Queen's Royal Lancers Battle Group in British
Army Training Unit Suffield, Canada, in 2009. For his deployment to
Afghanistan earlier this year he was placed in 1st Troop, Fondouk Squadron,
The Queen's Royal Lancers, and immediately made a name for himself as a
tirelessly efficient, sharp-witted and boundlessly enthusiastic individual.
His wife said in a statement:
"Andrew was a happy, funny and caring man. He was a loving husband, father
and son, and he will leave a gaping hole in our lives."
MASKREYS TO CLOSE
Sep 21 - Furniture chain
Maskreys is to close after 112 years of trading. Chairman Robert Maskrey is
retiring and the firm's three stores in Cardiff, Newport and Bristol will
shut at the end of November. The move will lead to a phased redundancy of
the firm's 87 staff, including 75 based in Wales. The Cardiff-based
distribution centre will also close but the company is to operate until the
end of the financial year to honour its commitments. The family firm, with a
history spanning three generations,was founded in 1898 by John Maskrey,
Robert Maskrey's grandfather, who died in 1925. Mr Maskrey stated: "We are
categorically not going into liquidation. While trading has certainly been
tough during the recession, as it has been with every other independent
furniture retailer in the country, this is not the reason for Maskreys
shutting."
BODY OF CITY MAN FOUND IN
RIVER
Sep 19 - The body of a man
found in the River Usk at Newport, has been identified as father-of-four
John Le-Sauteur. The 31-year-old, from the Maesglas area of the city was
last seen at Newport Town Bridge on Clarence Place in the early hours of
Sunday, 12 September.Gwent Police said his body was discovered at 1245 BST
on Friday.
Officers said the death is not being treat
as suspicious and the coroner has been informed. The discovery of Mr Le-Sauteur's
body follows a week long search after he was seen entering the water at
around 0100 BST at the Town Bridge on Sunday. His family had issued an
appeal for him to contact them, saying: "We all love John and we miss him."
Gwent Police have also confirmed that Mr Le-Sauteur went into the River Usk
of his own accord.
TORY FALLOUT OVER ASHGAR
NOMINATION
Sep 16 - A Newport Tory
Councillor has accused the party of the worst sort of tokenism over the
selection of the parties regional list in south east Wales for next year's
Assembly elections. David
Fouweather claims he was told he could be suspended from the party unless he
backed the selection of Mohammad Asghar, the only AM from an ethnic
minority, who defected to the Tories from Plaid Cymru after spending years
in the Labour Party. Mr Asghar, 64, an accountant who was born in Pakistan,
announced last December that he was quitting Plaid to join the
Conservatives. In recent months, as the time approached to select regional
list candidates in South Wales East for next year’s Assembly election, it
became clear that some local members were unhappy with Mr Asghar’s
performance and wanted to deselect him. Last month, however, the party’s
South East Wales Area Council voted to endorse both Mr Asghar and fellow AM
William Graham for the top two slots on the regional list. A postal ballot
to decide which of the two will be placed at the top of the list will take
place next week.
The Western Mail has obtained a copy of a letter
sent last week by Mr Fouweather to Catrin Edwards, who chairs the
Conservative Party in Wales. It states: “I am writing to you to express my
concerns regarding the adoption of the two area Assembly list Members for
South East Wales. From the outset this process was interfered with by people
who had little or no connection with the area. There were numerous telephone
calls made to myself by a representative of the party chairman’s office in
London. These calls made it quite clear to me that Mohammad Asghar had to be
re-adopted at all costs because of the embarrassment that it would create
for the party."
APPEAL OVER CITY ROBBERY
Sep 15 -
Gwent
Police is appealing for information following a robbery that occurred at
approximately 11.30am on Monday 13th September.
An 80 year old female was pulled to the floor on Somerset Road by a male who
made off with her handbag. The female suffered cuts and bruises and was
taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital, she was released later the same day.
The offender is described as white, aged
between 30 and 35 years old, approximately 5'8" - 5'11" tall, and of thin
build. He is bald, has a thin face and was clean shaven. He was wearing
faded blue jeans and a jacket. Following enquiries officers have established
that the offender had followed the female out of the Post Office on Caerleon
Road onto Somerset Road before committing the robbery. In investigation is
currently underway and officers are appealing for anyone with information or
anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact them on
01633 838111 or to call
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
SEXUAL ASSAULT IN SOMERTON
Sep 15 -
Gwent Police is appealing
for information following a report of a sexual assault in Newport in the
early hours of this morning, Monday 13th September.
A male approached a female in the lane off Somerton Park Road
which goes towards St Patricks Church at approximately 12:20am.
The 29 year old female was pulled to the floor and sexually assaulted, she
struggled free and the offender made off in the direction of Corporation
Road. The female suffered bruising and scratches but did not require
hospital treatment. She is currently being supported by specially trained
police officers. The offender is described as white, approximately 6 feet
tall, possibly in his thirties, wearing white trainers, a black hooded top
and a black zip up jacket with a white piping and white emblem on the back.
Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact Gwent
Police on 01633 838111 or
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
STATION OPENS ON TIME
Sep 13 - The new £22m railway
station in Newport has opened for the first time to passengers. The
futuristic station, which features a roof built with the same material as
the Eden Project in Cornwall, is almost twice the size of the old building.
Its concourses opened to passengers on Monday morning, and the new
footbridge will be in use later this month. Network Rail said the station
opened on schedule ahead of the Ryder Cup at the nearby Celtic Manor Resort
from 1-3 October.
Thirty-one air-filled plastic cushions are
being used in the concourse of the redeveloped station. The design embraces
the divide between the two distinct halves of the city, caused by the
bisecting railway tracks. Passenger facilities, ticket offices and platform
access are split equally between the two concourses either side of the
tracks. Alongside the revamp, Network Rail and Newport City Council have
done extra work to spruce up the existing platform canopies and refurbished
the taxi rank outside the station.
CITY TO REAP LIMITED
BENEFITS FROM RYDER CUP
Sep 11 - A number of
economists and local business people expect Newport to reap little or no
benefit from the Ryder Cup between October 1 and 3. The world's third
largest sporting event will attract over 250,000 visitors to the area and a
television audiences of millions.
Paul Byett, managing partner
of chartered accountancy firm UHY Peacheys told Wales Online "Blame
cannot be apportioned to either Newport businesses, Newport City Council,
the Celtic Manor Resort or the Ryder Cup organisation for this. The simple
fact is that Newport is not an attractive retail or leisure centre due to
years of under-investment. Plans for new hotel and retail developments were
shelved due to the credit crunch so the reality is that Newport does not
have an infrastructure to allow itself positive long-term benefit."
SAINSBURY TO CREATE 120
JOBS
Sep 8- Sainsbury’s new store
is set to create an additional 120 jobs in Newport. The
Sainsburys store in Crindau is scheduled to
open for business on September 22 on the former Crindau gasworks site,
replacing the existing store in Shaftesbury. The retailer said all 250 staff
at the old store will be transferred to the new supermarket where they will
be joined by over 100 new recruits. According to reports, Sainsbury’s has
received around 500 applications for the 120
jobs that have been created by the new
store.
The Newport supermarket includes a
restaurant, a 670-space car park, and a
petrol station, as well as a number of
eco-friendly features such as rainwater-harvesting equipment and the use of
natural light. The site of the current Sainsbury’s store will be used to
build
houses,
flats and a
hotel after outline planning permission was
granted by the council last November.
INCREASE IN KINGSWAY
LETTINGS
Sep 6 - Newport's Kingsway
Shopping Centre will see an increase in lettings over the next few weeks. In
addition to B&M Bargains (occupying the former Woolworth store), jewellers F
Hinds and Aura are taking new stores opposite Peacocks as is stationer
Paperbox. The Centre claims a 35 per cent increase in footfall during August
due to promotions and free parking incentives.
PARTIES COMPLAIN OVER
MISSING SUBMISSIONS
Sep 4 - Newport City
Council's Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties have called for a
boundary commission report to be scrapped after some submissions sent to it
went astray. The Local Government Boundary Commission for
Wales
this week published a report on electoral arrangements in Newport in which
changes to ward boundaries were recommended, as well as a reduction in the
number of councillors from 50 to 45. But submissions from local
Conservatives and Liberal
Democrats
went astray and were not considered by the team of Commissioners. Councillor
Ed
Townsend,
the Lib Dem deputy leader of Newport council, said: “This is incompetence
and we believe the report should be scrapped."
Edward Lewis, secretary of the Local
Government Boundary Commission for Wales, said he accepted that the two
parties’ submissions had not been considered. He said: “I have now sent the
report and the missing submissions to the Local Government Minister. The
decision is his as to whether he reads the submissions in addition to the
report or uses his power to ask for a new report.”
MAN CHARGED AFTER BRIDGE
CLIMB
Sep 2 - The man who climbed
the Transporter Bridge in Newport yesterday (Wednesday September 1st) has
been charged with two offences under the Highways Act 1980 (Wilfully
obstructing the Highway and Depositing an item on the Highway). He has been
bailed to appear before Newport Magistrates on 11th October. The man - a 49
year old from the Streatham area of London named as Achan Ssan - has been
arrested following a Fathers for Justice demonstration.
Yesterday's protest got under way at 6.30am
when Mr Ssan climbed the 242 foot structure in Newport. He was supported
from below by a number of fellow fancy-dress campaigners — including
Nigel Ace. Mr Ace from Gower added "Currently the courts are highly biased
towards the mother, and are able to get away with this as they are closed to
the public. We want an open transparent family courts system brought into
line with the crown and magistrates courts. This will prevent corruption,
bias and implement a culture of accountability with the judiciary."
TIGHTROPE WALKER DRAWS
CROWDS TO BIG SPLASH
 |
A Frenchman
ended the Bank Holiday walking tall after being involved in what was
claimed to be the UK's highest wire-walk across Newport's river
footbridge. The stunt by Olivier Roustan, 45, from Toulouse was part
of the city's events to mark golf's Ryder Cup in October. At the
highest point he was more than 76m (250ft) above the River Usk, in a
distance covering 90m (295ft). He was at the riverfront's Big Splash
event with other circus performers.
One of his biggest challenges was
walking a 20 metre incline during the feat, which was watched by
hundreds of people. The aerialist spent two days in Newport in
February assessing the safety issues involved in tackling the
challenge.
He was helped into position for the
attempt by three highly trained industrial climbers, one of whom had
flown over from Chamonix especially. Roustan had previously scaled
the Cathedral of Albi near his home city, which is over 500 years
old and the largest brick building in the world. Other previous
walks included between the masts of a ship and over burning
braziers. See it on
YouTube. |
NEW CITY STATION TO OPEN
ON SEPT 13
Aug 30 - Newport's new £22m
railway station will open in time for one of golf's biggest events, it has
been confirmed. Network Rail said the futuristic station, featuring a roof
built with the same material as the Eden Project in Cornwall, will open on
13 September. Visitors attending the Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort in
Newport from 1-3 October will be among the first to experience the new-look
station. The new development is almost twice the size of the old building.
Up to 100 workers
will be putting the finishing touches to the station over the next two
weeks, building pavements, tiling floors and fitting out the interior.
Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of Newport council, said: "I'm looking
forward to the opening of the new railway station, which I believe will
create a lasting legacy for the benefit of all Newport residents as well as
further enhancing the city's position as the main transport gateway for
south Wales."
There are two new concourses, with improved
information points and more shops, and an additional new entrance to serve
passengers from the northern side of the city. The station will also have
three lifts, CCTV and new waiting shelters. Mark Langman, area general
manager for Network Rail, said: "Work continues on schedule to meet our
deadline and we will keep working hard over the next two weeks to deliver
this scheme for passengers. " Network Rail said the station had been
developed with the environment in mind, with the "bubble wrap" roof built
using a material, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, used by the Eden Project.
The material is said to be recyclable and does not degrade under
ultra-violet light or atmospheric pollution. The station can also capture
and re-use rain water, and the space in the public concourses is naturally
ventilated. The designers said a "key consideration" was how to minimise the
building's energy demands and carbon emissions. The old station building is
set to become a contact centre for the City Council.
ASHGAR NOMINATED
Aug 30 - Mohammed Ashgar,
former member of Plaid Cymru and Labour, has been selected as a Conservative
nominee for next year's Welsh Assembly elections. The 64-year-old AM was
selected, along with current South Wales East Conservative AM William
Graham, as a candidate at a meeting of the South East Conservatives on
Friday night. There will now be a postal vote for the preferred candidate.
Commentary from Wales Online
"The defection of Mr Asghar – the first and only ethnic minority AM – was
seen initially as a coup by the Conservatives. Soon, however, the accountant
made it clear that a major reason for leaving Plaid was that party’s refusal
to approve his wish to employ his daughter, a former Plaid candidate who
defected to the Tories at the same time as her father. A Conservative source
told the Western Mail: “The party hierarchy is desperate to ensure that
Oscar is endorsed for next year’s election. Concern apparently goes all the
way to the top of the party. They are worried that deselecting an ethnic
minority AM will send out all the wrong signals and be embarrassing to the
party at the time of the conference."
SEX ASSAULT - POLICE
APPEAL
Aug 26 - Gwent Police are
appealing for information following a serious sexual assault that took place
in the early hours of Sunday morning (August 22nd). The victim, a 46 year
old woman from the Newport area, was seen to leave the Cross Keys Public
House in Market Street Newport at around 1.05am. She was with a man at the
time. He is described as in his late 40s, mixed race, approximately five
feet six inches to five feet eight inches tall, stocky build and had a
shaved head. He was wearing a checked shirt and walked with a pronounced
limp. It is believed they caught a taxi from outside the Capitol Taxi Office
in Upper Dock Street, to the Maesglas area of Newport. Police are appealing
for the man to come forward, for anyone who recognises his description or
was in the Cross Keys Public House on Saturday night to contact Gwent Police
on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers
on 0800 555 111.
PRAISE FOR GCSE
PERFORMANCE
Aug 26 - This year’s
provisional GCSE results from the Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC)
show that 97.9 per cent of exams entered by Newport pupils were graded at
A*-G. At the higher grades A*-C the pass rate was 64.2 per cent which is an
improvement on the previous year’s excellent results and brings the
authority closer to the Welsh average. The proportion of entries achieving
the top A*-A grades was 19.2 per cent which is equal to the Welsh average.
Brett Pugh, Chief Education Officer, said: “The consolidation shown in this
year’s results are a wonderful example of the continued hard work of our
students and teachers. These results will help to further the opportunities
for young people in the current economic climate."
CITY HOSTS DISASTER RELIEF
EVENT
Aug 22 - The charity Islamic Relief
has hosted a fundraising events in Newport for the victims of the Pakistan
floods. A dinner and charity auction was held in Newport Centre yesterday,
with a event at Cardiff City Hall today. Both events included a
witness account from Habib Malik, Scottish director of the charity. Islamic
Relief is working with the
UK Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to
provide aid. Organiser Fatehullah Tahir said the
dinners were the first in Wales to raise money for the Pakistan flood
victims and followed similar fundraising events. He said around 170 people
attended Saturday's event in Newport, and around 500 people were due to
attend Sunday's event in Cardiff.Tickets for both three-course dinners were
priced £10 and would be followed by a charity auction and other fundraising
activities, he said.
EXAM SUCCESS CLAIMED FOR
CITY
Aug 19 - Newport City Council is today
congratulating students and school staff on their 2010 AS and A2 results as
the performance of Newport schools has improved yet again. Newport schools
maintained their high performance in A Level examinations with results
consistently above the Welsh averages. The number of students attaining the
newly introduced A* grade in Newport is 8.5 per cent, this is 2 per cent
higher than those who achieved A* grades in Wales and is higher than those
who obtained the grade in England of 8.1 per cent.
Students achieving a pass grade (Grades
A*-E) is 98.1 per cent and is above the Welsh average of 97.1 per cent. In
Newport, the percentage of students achieving WJEC Grades A* or A was 32.1
per cent this is considerably higher than the national average of 24.4 per
cent. Passes at Grade A*-C were 79.1 per cent. In the AS examinations, 88.2
per cent of Newport students achieved a pass grade (Grades A-E) this is
above the Welsh average of 86.9 per cent. The percentage of Newport students
awarded the highest grade (Grade A) was 19.5 per cent and is 3 per cent
higher than Welsh average of 16.3 per cent.
More students than ever entered WJEC exams
at both A and AS Level in Newport – 3 per cent and 9 per cent up from last
year. For A Levels this is the reverse of the all Wales trend with lower
numbers entering A Level examinations. Chief Education Officer, Brett Pugh,
said: “These results are a great testament to the ability of our students
and the capability of our schools. I wish the students every success for the
future and pass on my appreciation and thanks to the staff in our schools.”
STEEL INVESTMENT BOOST
Aug 17 - Business leaders,
politicians and unions have welcomed the news that there is to be a huge
investment at Corus' Port Talbot steelworks. £185m will be spent
refurbishing a blast furnace at the plant raising hopes that production will
continue at the site for several more decades. The rebuild will extend the
life of the furnace by 20 years. The investment is also a boost for the
Corus plant at Llanwern, Newport, which rolls steel produced at Port Talbot.
The Port Talbot furnace is to undergo a rebuild, starting in July 2012,
which will equip it with technology to improve its safety, environmental
performance and reliability. The project will yield the additional benefit
of balancing the iron and steel making capacities at Port Talbot, increasing
the capacity of the two blast furnaces by up to 400,000 tonnes per year.
RODNEY PARADE REGENERATION
ON THE WAY

 |
Newport Rugby Club and
the Newport Gwent Dragons can today announce their intention to
start work on the first phase of the ambitious scheme to transform
Rodney Parade into a 21st Century stadium.
NGDs Chairman, Martyn Hazell
said “We are delighted to have reached a
position where we are confident we can make a start to the
redevelopment of the stadium early in the New Year. The last year
has been difficult economically but now the plans are in place, the
finance is available and our contractors are preparing their final
plans and materials.”
The first phase will see the
demolition of the Argus Terrace and the development of a new
grandstand that will include hospitality boxes and seat up to 2,700
spectators. The Rugby Club is also looking to introduce temporary
facilities to improve the match day experience for spectators
pending the completion of subsequent phases of the overall
redevelopment scheme.
Hazell went on to say
“We are very conscious that some spectators who
currently use the Argus Terrace may prefer to stand and so we are
planning to re-introduce terracing behind the goal area at the Club
House end of the ground. We are also planning to improve overall
access to the spectator areas and to offer dining facilities for
those who wish to have a meal before the games.”
Plans for new terracing have been
lodged with the City Council and a planning application for the
dining area will be made shortly. These are seen as temporary
arrangements pending the redevelopment of the Club House end of the
ground which will be the final phase of the overall scheme.
Will Godfrey, Chairman of
Newport Rugby Club said “Given the
economic uncertainties at the moment we know that it will take
several years to complete the scheme in its entirety and we have to
do it step by step.In the interim we are putting in temporary
facilities to improve those parts of the stadium that will be
redeveloped at a later date.”
In addition, the Rugby Club is
working with the City Council to explore ways of improving the
external appearance of the existing Hazell stand on Rodney Road,
pending its redevelopment under the third phase of the overall
scheme. Designs are currently being developed to re-clad the outside
of the stand in order to brighten up this part of Rodney Road.
Depending on cost implications there is also the possibility of a
mural depicting the history of rugby in the city.The second phase of
the scheme will be a new stand at the south end of the ground and
this will include a much needed community centre. No timescales are
available for this at the present time but the Club hopes to start
planning for this once the phase 1 works have become established. |
FIRE DAMAGES HISTORIC TEA
HOUSE
Aug 13 - Fire seriously
damaged the 100-year-old Grade ll rustic tea house in Newport’s Belle Vue
Park in the early hours today. “Having viewed the damage, I am extremely
upset and disappointed about this act of wanton vandalism,” said Councillor
Mike Hamilton, cabinet member for leisure and continuing learning. This
charming building, built in 1910, was returned to its former glory as part
of the major restoration of the park which was completed in 2006. For
visitors to the park, the tea house was a pleasant place to sit and rest for
a while and it was also used for various activities such as story-telling
sessions for children. We would appeal to anyone who has information about
the fire to contact Gwent Police.”
CITY CENTRE 'BEHAVIOUR'
IMPROVES
Aug 13 - Calls to Gwent
Police relating to antisocial behaviour in Newport City Centre have reduced
significantly since a dispersal order was introduced in June. In the six
month period prior to the dispersal order being introduced, police received
165 calls reporting antisocial behaviour in the affected areas – an average
of 28 calls per month.Since the order was introduced just 26 calls have been
made to Gwent Police – equating to less than 13 each month. Officers have
dispersed around 20 adults in the area for alcohol-related disorder since
the dispersal order came into action. Three men – aged 66, 43 and 30 – have
been arrested for breaching the order by returning to the area within 24
hours of being dispersed.
VIDEO REMOVED AFTER
COPYRIGHT CLAIM
Aug 10 - You are probably
sick of it all but...the music video parody paying tribute to Newport which
became an internet hit has been removed from YouTube following complaints by
a music publisher. Newport State Of Mind has been taken down by YouTube due
to a copyright claim by EMI Music Publishing Ltd. Director MJ Delaney and
friends rewrote Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind with Newport in place of New
York. The spoof prompted another version by Newport rappers Goldie Lookin
Chain who claimed it lacked local knowledge.
Although the originally posted video has
been removed from YouTube following the copyright claim, other versions
remain online. These include footage of the live performance at the
Transporter Bridge and Goldie Lookin Chain's response.
NEW PLAYGROUND OPENS IN MAINDEE
Aug 10 - Children are able to enjoy playing
on some new equipment after a refurbished play ground in the Maindee area of
Newport re-opens. Councillor Mike Hamilton, cabinet member for leisure and
lifelong learning, cut a ribbon at Jubilee Gardens to mark the new start.
Playground manufacturer SMP donated free footballs which were shared by
children at the opening ceremony. Improvements include new equipment, a
baseball hoop and safety surfaces.
CALL FOR CITY RYDER CUP
AMBASSADORS
August 6 - Newport City
Council is currently looking for local people who have a passion for the
city to be voluntary ambassadors and to ensure the city is portrayed in the
best light. The City Council states "A key part of the role of an
ambassadors is to ensure people leave with a positive impression of the city
and have an enjoyable experience while visiting Newport. Volunteers will
need to commit to a minimum of two days between September 28 – October 3."
If you are interested
in becoming an ambassador go along to the open day on either August 5 or 12
anytime between 2pm – 8pm at the Riverfront in Newport to find out how you
can get involved. For more information please contact Kerry Richards on
01633 656 656 or email
newport.festival@newport.gov.uk
MP LAUDS RETURN OF OUR BRIDGE
August 3 -
Jessica
Morden MP joined hundreds of other people from across Newport at the
reopening ceremony of one of Newport’s most famous landmarks, the
Transporter Bridge.
At the
ceremony, the people of Newport were treated to performances from
Newport Male Voice, Côr Casnewydd (the Newport community children's
choir) and the YouTube sensations Alex Warren and Terema Wainwright
playing Newport (Ymerodraeth State Of Mind), their take on Jay-Z's
New York State of Mind.
Jessica
said “It is just brilliant to see this iconic landmark in full
working order. I have to thank the Welsh Assembly, the Council and
Cadw for the money they have ploughed in to restore the bridge. The
reopening ceremony was professionally organised and the acts were
outstanding. It was, of course, nice to see Alex and Terema perform
their YouTube hit; their live performance sounded exactly like their
YouTube video. What a great day for Newport.”
The bridge was closed in December 2007
due to worries over the bridge’s safety. However, with restoration
money amounting to £1.2 million, most of it, £800,000, coming from
the Welsh Assembly Government, and the huge promotional backing from
the Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge, the bridge is once again
able to transport passengers.
Following the development of
the east side of the river and the construction of the Orb Steel
Works in 1897, Newport Corporation decided to build a Transporter
Bridge. Newport Pictorial 1906 explains that“A most important work
is now in progress and approaching completion. This is a Transporter
Bridge, intended to improve cross-river traffic and thus to
supplement, and of course relieve the existing Town Bridge, which
even with the bracketed widening of the footpaths, is no longer
equal to the great and increasing public requirements.”
Parliamentary approval was obtained in 1900, construction started in
1902 and was completed by 12 September 1906 when the new bridge was
opened by Viscount Tredegar.
The Newport Transporter
Bridge
is arguably the finest of its kind, the towers standing 645 feet
apart and rising 242 feet above road level It is electrically
powered, the gondola being pulled across by a cable wound round a
drum in the motor house on the East bank at a maximum speed of 10
feet per second.
The 1959 film 'Tiger Bay'
was filmed partly on the Bridge (though artistic licence somehow
moved it to Cardiff docks!). The film starred a young Hayley Mills
who is now Honorary Life Vice President of the Friends of the
Bridge. |

Jess Morden, Labour MP, Newport East,
Alex Warren, Matthew Evans, Conservative City Council Leader, Terema
Wainwright, John Griffiths, Labour AM, Newport East |
 |
CITY WINS WALES IN BLOOM AGAIN
Aug 2 - Newport has won the city
category of Wales in Bloom for the fifth year running - beating off
Cardiff, Wrexham and Swansea. This is the 12th time Newport has
emerged victorious, but it may be the last due to the lack of
future funding for the competition attributable to public
expenditure cuts.
The Milton Hotel in Llanwern picked
up the silver medal for the best hotel / public house frontage with
its spectacular display of hanging baskets. City Council leader
Matthew Evans professed himself 'absolutely delighted' and offered
his thanks to all those who had supported this year's winning
effort.
Left - the panda display at Malpas
Road forming part of the Newport in Bloom presentation this year |
DEAL OVER FARMHOUSE
July 31 - A deal has been
struck between Celtic Manor Resort, Newport City Council and CADW, the
historic monuments trust, with respect to Little Bulmore Farmhouse. The
farmhouse was at the centre of controversy recently when Newport City
Council planning committee rejected an application by the Celtic Manor to
re-site the building. According to the South Wales Argus "the three parties
have reached a compromise to carry out a “clean up” of the building,
removing the modern extension from the outside of the house while leaving
the original 16th century building untouched. Work has now started and will
be finished in time for the Ryder Cup in October."
TRANSPORTER RE-OPENS
 |
July 30 -
Newport's transporter bridge has reopened after a £1.2m restoration
with a performance of a hit song about the city which has won
acclaim on YouTube. The bridge was closed in December 2007 because
of safety concerns.
But work which started in January
this year has now been completed in time for the Ryder Cup in
Newport in October.
The reopening featured Alex Warren
and Terema Wainwright playing Newport (Ymerodraeth State Of Mind),
their take on Jay-Z's New York State of Mind. The transporter bridge
features in the song and video, which has had more than 1.8m views
on YouTube since it was posted on 20 July.
Some 300 people turned up for the
ceremony and to see the pair perform their song which affectionately
name checks many of the sights and sounds of Newport. |
DYKE ATTACKS 'SHIT'
NEWPORT YOU TUBE VIDEO
July 28 - Regular
correspondent of thisisnotgwent.co.uk, O.Dyke, has slated the 'cymricised
shit' of the You Tube Video parodying the Alicia Keyes' song 'Empire State
of Mind. Dyke told our reporter "Accents too Welsh, Gavin Henson, Bellamy,
Mill Stad, Bassey, Tom Jones, that long place name 'gogogoch. GWENT dragons.
What have these things got 2 do with the 'port". Dyke said the video's
authors were presenting a Welsh stereotype as Newport. "Newport is a border
team, with strong English roots. This is cymricised shit."
By contrast, Conservative Newport
City Council leader Matthew Evans stated "This video is witty, gritty, imaginative and
creative and I think this is great publicity for Newport. It’s making us the
talk of the town. I have been inundated with emails from people sending me
the link and I’ve already posted it on my Facebook page.”
The song includes 'Head out
to Caerleon, off-white Transit, Febreze on the dash for the stain where my
nan sits' and 'On the dancefloor raving, pack of 16 Benson, some fighting
bouncers… turns out it's Gavin Henson.' In place of the original
homage-to-New-York chorus, the Welsh version has: 'Newport: concrete jungle,
nothing in order, not far from the border.' 'When you're in Newport, chips,
cheese, curry makes you feel brand new, washed down with a Special Brew.'
At least the nonsense song
has inspired some discussion about the city. BBC Wales correspondent
James McClaren stated "One of the things I like very much about Newport is
that it feels real - sometimes raw. It doesn't have the same shininess that
the 21st century Cardiff has. There's a studied cool to Cardiff that makes
it great for leftfield music - indie music thrives. Newport is more rock 'n'
roll, less concerned with the trimmed edges of its beard than the AC/DC
patch on its rucksack. It is - and I mean in the best possible way - is less
Cool but more cool. A lot of Newport's culture thrives under the radar;
while Cardiff's music and arts scenes get the press coverage, Newport just
gets on with it. There's a gentle rivalry which pretty much boils down to
Newport thinking Cardiff takes itself too seriously.'
One blogger backed O.Dyke
stating "Seriously what do Craig Bellamy, Gavin Henson, the Milliennium
Stadium, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Steve Jones, Catherine Zeta Jones,
Llanfair PG and "big leeks" have to do with Newport? What is this "Big up to
Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Assembly" all about? The majority of Newportonians
didn't even want the Welsh Assembly and Plaid Cymru regularly come stone
cold last in any election. Whoever wrote these lyrics just threw together a
bunch of stuff relating to "Wales" and then tries selling it as somehow
related to the "small Welsh town of Newport". They can't even get that
right.'
Today the makers of the hit internet video
announced they are planning to release the song as a single. The team behind
Newport (Ymerodraeth State of Mind) – which has clocked up almost 1.4m
YouTube views – are meeting record label Universal in London today and are
hoping the song will be available in a fortnight. They even aim to stand
in front of the Transporter Bridge on Friday to put on a public performance,
to celebrate the re-opening of the Bridge!
Frank Barrett, The Mail on Sunday's travel
editor and Newport native, said: 'Why isn't Visit Wales using this video as
its tourism promotion campaign? 'There are all sorts of fantastic reasons
for visiting Newport - I'll think of them in a couple of minutes: oh yes,
this is where Courtney Love met Kurt Cobain, honestly. And the Passport
Office is pretty good.' The Mail on Sunday goes on to state 'With its close
proximity to the Brecon Beacons and a few sights of its own, including
Newport Castle and Britain's best preserved Roman amphitheatre in nearby
Caerleon, it certainly does not lack appeal....The city is already braced
for visitors from all over the world in October, when it hosts the Ryder
Cup, the gold competition that pits US teams against Europe.'
Visit Wales did set up a tweet to include
the following 'facts' about the 'Port "
- Joe Strummer studied in Newport
and frequented the now legendary TJ’s
- Johnny Morris (Animal Magic) was
born in Newport
- Jools Holland wrote a song about
an after-gig experience in Newport
- Kurt Cobain is said to have
proposed to Courtney Love in TJ’s
- Goldie Lookin Chain are from
Newport
- Christian Malcolm and Jamie Baulch
(athletes) are both from the ‘Port
- Newport will host 2012 Olympic
events in its Velodrome
- The 60ft Dolls, Feeder, Skindred
(and lead singer Benji’s prior band Dub War) and The Darling Buds
all have Newport roots
- Michael Sheen, the actor, was born
in the city
- Desmond Llewelyn (Q from the Bond
Movies) was born in Newport"
Positive Energy website stated
"The core of the idea was to make it positive, not to go with the
negative energy that many focus on but to celebrate the town of Newport
and have fun making the video ... and it shows, brilliant. The whole
production was done for an investment of less than £100 plus the time
and energy of people with great talent that will fly in their chosen
directions of the back of this.
First job I’d suggest is for Newport council is to find £100,000 of EU
funding to give to these guys as this summer 2010, tourists from New
York to London will making a d-tour via Newport to see if for
themselves, especially if Boris sends an email to his pals in NYC. Then
hopefully these guys will then put some money into a programme to
encourage those with no brass to just give it a go. To come up with
ideas that celebrate their communities and make some noise. You might
not get heard the first time but keep on trying and the most surprising
things will happen."
PRODUCTION RETURNS TO
NEWPORT STEEL PLANT
July 27 - Steel production at
the former Alphasteel plant in Newport has resumed.Mir Steel UK said 80
employees began a partial re-start on Monday and the firm had plans to take
staff numbers to 140, dependent on demand and orders.Union Community said it
would be a "bittersweet moment" for former workers who tried to keep the
site going. Around 400 workers were sent home days before Christmas 2007
when the site's former owners went into administration.The hot strip mill at
the plant has capacity for a million tonnes a year.
MAN ARRESTED OVER ASSAULT
Jul 25 - A 27 year old man
from the Newport area has been arrested in connection with an incident in
Newport in the early hours of Sunday morning, 18th July, where a man was
assaulted. He is currently in custody being questioned.
POLICE REQUEST HELP OVER
ASSAULT
Jul 22 - Police investigating
the assault that occurred in Newport in the early hours of Sunday morning
(July 18th) are appealing for any possible witnesses caught on CCTV to come
forward.
A man in his fifties was walking along Shaftsbury Street (not Wyndham Street
as previously thought) at approximately 5am when he was approached by a man
who asked for money. The offender punched and kicked him causing extensive
facial injuries. The victim was also sexually assaulted.
Police are searching through CCTV from different locations close by and
would like people who were in the vicinity between the hours of 3am and
7.30am to come forward to identify themselves and speak to detectives about
anything they could possibly have seen. Specifically, police want people who
were caught on CCTV at the Shell garage Malpas Road; Sainsburys Garage and
Macdonalds on Lyne Road to come forward.
Police are very keen to speak to a man who was seen in the Tewkesbury Walk
area between 5am and 6am that morning. He is described as a white male,
approximately six feet tall, with dark short or shaved hair. He was wearing
a white top and walked in the direction of the Rising Sun Public House.
COMPROMISE HOPE OVER RYDER
CUP FARMHOUSE
Jul 22 - According to Wales
Online talks are under way to
strike a compromise over the future of a dilapidated farmhouse on the Ryder
Cup course. With just 72 days to go until Wales hosts the world’s third
biggest sporting event, it is hoped a deal can be struck between the Celtic
Manor Resort and Newport council that would see the Grade II-listed building
“cleaned up”.
Meanwhile, there were assurances yesterday that
Newport’s two major infrastructure projects, a new train station and the M4
roadworks, would be completed ahead of the competition. Celtic Manor’s
billionaire owner, Sir Terry Matthews, said earlier this month he would pull
future investment from Newport after city councillors vetoed plans to remove
the derelict farmhouse overlooking his flagship Ryder Cup course.But talks
over its future could yet see a compromise agreed. A source said: “If common
sense prevails we will come to some kind of an arrangement to clean it up,
but it is going to be there for the Ryder Cup.” One proposal is for the
unsightly shattered windows, plastic roof and breeze block-built extensions
to be removed, leaving the core of the historic building untouched.
CITY TO SET UP 'FANZONE'
July 20 - Newport, host city
of the 2010 Ryder Cup, has announced plans to stage a Fanzone in the city's
John Frost Square for the duration of the competition.
With tickets for all three days of the
competition at the Celtic Manor sold out, the Fanzone will give supporters a
chance to savour all the excitement as Europe and the USA golf teams go head
to head. Spectators heading to the Fanzone over the weekend of October 1 to
3 will be able to watch all the drama unfold on the big screens.Live music,
food stalls and mini-golf will also help to capture the spirit of the Ryder
Cup as Newport seeks to unite families and golf fans from around the world.
It will be free-to-access and has a total capacity of 2,000 people. As Colin
Montgomerie and his European team aim to recapture the trophy they lost at
Valhalla two years ago, the Fanzone is expected to reach fever pitch come
the conclusion of the final pairings on Sunday afternoon. Councillor Matthew
Evans, leader of Newport City Council, said: "It's an exciting year for
Newport and we want to make the Ryder Cup experience as enjoyable as
possible for locals and visitors alike. The Fanzone is going to be a great
place to take in the golf and the atmosphere will be electric".
NO DECISION ON RAIL LINK
UNTIL 2011
July 19 - No decision on whether an Ebbw Vale to Newport rail line will
go ahead will come before next year, the assembly government has confirmed.
Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones is waiting on a feasiblity study from
Network Rail into its economic and logistical viability. The findings are
not expected before March 2011. Meanwhile, an extra £21m in European funding
is going to a scheme to help improve railway stations across Wales. Dozens
of stations could benefit from improvements such as new waiting facilities
and better security under the Wales Enhanced Station Improvement Plans. The
funding from the Convergence European Regional Development Fund will go
towards improving access and security at stations across Wales. "We know
modern stations are important to passengers in Wales and we want to achieve
even more successes for them," said Chris Rayner, route director at Network
Rail. The National Transport Plan published by the assembly government in
March committed to examining the viability of an Ebbw Vale to Newport line.
The leader of
Newport City Council, Matthew Evans, told
the Argus that the situation over the Ebbw Valley line link to Newport was
“absolutely disgraceful”, while Assembly Member Rosemary Butler said pushing
for the line has been like “beating your head against a brick wall”.
SUPER DRAGONS VANDALISED
July 18 - Newport City
Council is calling on residents to look after our SuperDragons after five of
them were badly damaged on the opening weekend of the trail.
The SuperDragons are situated across
Newport creating a trail for people to follow and on the weekend they were
put in different locations with the trail officially starting today
(Monday), however, over the weekend five of them were attacked by vandals.
Leader of Newport City Council, Cllr Matthew Evans, said: “It is extremely
disappointing that at this early stage of the SuperDragons project the
mindless acts of a few individuals has meant that some of the dragons have
had to be removed from the trail. The SuperDragons project is for the people
of Newport and local artists have spent many hours working on their
SuperDragon and they have already brought pleasure to a lot of people. For
them to be damaged on the opening weekend of the trail is totally
unacceptable. The project is part of the Newport Festival 2010 which is
about taking pride in our city; it is a shame that not everyone who lives in
our city shares this sentiment.”
The SuperDragons that have been damaged
were situated at Tredegar House, the Wave, the Footbridge, Barrack Hill and
High Street. Four of them have been so badly damaged that they have had to
be removed from the trail and are currently being repaired. They are
expected to go back on the trail in the next few weeks.
POLICE APPEAL OVER ASSAULT
July 18 - Police are appealing for
information after a man in his fifties was assaulted in the Wyndham Street
area of Newport early yesterday morning (Sunday July 18). At approximately
5am the victim was making his way along Wyndham Street when he was
approached by a man who asked for money. The offender punched and kicked the
victim causing extensive facial injuries. The victim was also sexually
assaulted.
The offender is described as a white male, between 20 and 30 years old, five
feet eleven inches to six feet tall wearing a white t shirt and black
trousers. Detective Chief Inspector Ruth Price is leading the investigation:
'This kind of unprovoked physical violence is rare. The victim has been
brave in coming forward and providing officers with as much detail as he
could. The victim is described as in his mid fifties, six feet tall, of very
slim build and wearing a dark green jacket. We would appeal to anyone who
has any information to contact us' Forensic investigations and house to
house enquiries have been ongoing and additional patrols are taking place in
the area.
'IMPAIRED' DOCTOR ALLOWED
TO PRACTISE
July 17 - A doctor suspended after two
patients died in her care will be allowed to continue to practise. The
General Medical Council (GMC) said Dr Salawati Abdul-Salam's fitness to
practise medicine remains "impaired". She was suspended in March after she
misdiagnosed baby Aleesha Evans, of Newport, who died of blood poisoning
after being discharged. Dr Abdul-Salam can now only practise if she adheres
to a raft of conditions and must be reassessed within 15 months.
ICELAND BATTLE CONTINUES
FOR COUNCIL
July 17 - The battle between
Newport City Council and Iceland Foods will come to a head in Cardiff but
the hearing will not be before August. Iceland wants a judicial review on
the council's plan to re-use its original compulsory purchase order. The
firm said it wants the matter resolved.
The council began compulsory purchase
proceedings for properties in the square, including one owned by Iceland,
four years ago. Iceland objected at the time but, after a public inquiry, an
independent inspector backed the council's position. However in March this
year, just days before before the completion date of the compulsory purchase
order, Iceland applied for a judicial review on the matter. The company
lodged its application in London, where last week a judge decided the case
should be heard in Cardiff because of the significance of the issue to the
people of Newport. The council, which had agreed a process for re-tendering
the shopping centre scheme to a new developer, has now learned that the
hearing to see if a review will be held will not take place before 10
August.
DROP IN NIGHT-TIME CITY
CENTRE CRIME
July 15 - The Safer Newport
Partnership has reported a significant drop in late night crime and
antisocial behaviour in Newport City Centre so far this year. Gwent Police
figures comparing the first six months of this year with the same period in
2009 (January to June) show that incidents between the hours of 6pm and 6am
in the city centre are down by 20.5% - or 254 fewer incidents than the
previous year. When the figures are broken down further, violent crime is
down 6.4% (13 fewer crimes) and antisocial behaviour is down a massive 34.7%
(180 fewer incidents).
One of the biggest challenges police
officers face in Newport is keeping people safe in the city centre at night.
As well as providing extra officers at peak times, Gwent Police has been
working closely within the Safer Newport partnership to encourage people to
drink responsibly. Comment - this is not as good as it seems as night time
trade in Newport has fallen considerably in the past year.
BRYNGLAS SCHOOL CLOSURE THREAT
July 15 - The spectre of closure is again
hanging over Brynglas Primary School. Newport City Council Cabinet has voted
to start formal consultation on the proposal to close the school and to
develop a facility for dealing with autism.
The Cabinet was told of the continuing decline in numbers at
the school and of the resultant financial pressures which had led to
concerns about the economic viability of the school. Cabinet was told that
such pressures are likely to mean that in time, the school will be unable to
fulfill its duty in delivering the full breadth of the curriculum, where
they may be unable to afford sufficient numbers of staff with appropriate
expertise to deliver all subjects.

Monkey Man (above) Darling Buds warm
up gig at Le Pub (below) |
CROWDS THRONG CITY TO PAY
TRIBUTE TO TJ's July 11 -
More than 4,000 people attended a gig in John Frost Square Newport
city centre yesterday in memory of John Sicolo, who ran the city’s
most famous music venue, the Legendary TJ’s.
Goldie Lookin Chain headed a
line-up of bands from the 1990s for the show in the city’s John
Frost Square, which saw the Darling Buds play together for the first
time in more than a decade.
Other bands playing together for
the first time in years included Novocaine, Doctor Bison, Flyscreen,
Rollerco, Varispeed and Disco. Mr Sicolo opened TJ's in 1971, and it
developed a reputation as a place for up-and-coming bands to make a
name for themselves after it was championed by BBC DJ John Peel.
The all-day gig saw local bands and
new acts take to the stage, before slots from a number of hit acts.
Andy Barding, one of the organisers, said they were inundated by
bands. "Everyone wanted to play - the difficulty was choosing which
bands would get a slot on stage," he said.
"With the overspill we've got some
other gigs happening around the town the night after - a lot of the
bands were just desperate to play in tribute to their old friend
John."
Mr Barding said the venue's
reputation was largely down to Mr Sicolo himself. "He was a very
magnetic character and very well known across the world, especially
in America and Canada, for his hospitality," he said.
"Every band that would come in on
tour would get a nice meal home cooked by John and most times they'd
be staying in his spare room. |
BUSINESS BACKS MATTHEWS
July 10 - Newport City
Council has been forced on to the defensive following the decision by
councillors to refuse a planning application to demolish and resite the
Little Bulmore Farmhouse. City businesses have thrown their weight behind
Celtic Manor boss Sir Terry Matthews. Neil Underwood chairman of City of
Newport Business Club said the councillors' decision was "simply
staggering". He said "The ramshackle building amounts to little more than a
dilapidated farmhouse with an unsightly breeze block extension tacked onto
the side. Just what will the visiting Americans and mainland Europeans make
of it when they arrive at Celtic Manor or see this blot on the landscape in
their newspapers and on TV screens as they most surely will - I just can't
begin to imagine. Wales, and Newport in particular, will simply be regarded
as an international laughing stock. Is that what Newport City Council wants?
I think not."
David Russ, managing director of South
Wales Chamber of Commerce said: "Newport City Council cannot afford for a
decision this small to affect the long-term economic prospects of Newport if
Terry Matthews, a man of his stature, and a brand as powerful as the Celtic
Manor leave Newport. We therefore urge Newport City Council to re-think its
decision in declining the proposal."
MATTHEWS FALLS OUT WITH
COUNCIL
July 9 - Sir Terry Matthews,
the owner of the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, says he will pull the plug
on his future investment plans for the city, after a planning row. Matthews
says city councillors have "blown it", after refusing permission to move an
old farmhouse at the Ryder Cup venue. But Newport councillors rejected the
plea as the 17th Century property is a listed building. Sir Terry said it
was a "slap in the face". Members of the City Council's planning committee
decided on Wednesday to reject an appeal to dismantle the 400-year-old
property that lies on the edge of the 18th hole on the course. It would have
been rebuilt at a nearby location. Council planning officers had advised
council members to approve the application to move the farmhouse, stating
that they felt it was the best solution. Council leader Matthew Evans
expressed his concern at the decision taken on Wednesday. "I am bitterly
disappointed and mystified by the planning committee's decision," he said.
The Committee report states "The Committee felt there was a requirement to
retain the building in its present state and location, and supported the
comments of specialists (Glamorgan Gwent Archeological Trust).
Councillors attending
Planning Committee on Wednesday - Councillor White (in the Chair), Dudley,
Knight, Ron Jones, Poole, Richards, Kellaway, Fortey, Delahaye and C
Townsend.
CITY OPTS FOR PART-NIGHT
LIGHTING
July 9 - Newport City Council
has taken a different route to other local authorities in the area by opting
to save money but switching off street lights on industrial and principal
roads at night. They did considered but did not back the option to turn off
streetlights at night as is the case in Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent.
ROYAL MAIL MISSES TARGET
IN CITY
July 9 - The Royal Mail
missed first class delivery targets in every region in Wales last year,
annual results show. The group failed to hit its 91.5% next-day delivery
target during 2009/10 due to industrial action and bad weather. Newport was
named as the worst-performing area, missing its target by more than 3% with
an 88.2% achievement rate.
WORK STARTS AT NEW
RECYCLING FACILITY
July
7 - Construction has started on one of the first commercial anaerobic
digestion facilities in Wales at the factory of one of the largest suppliers
of ready meals to Marks & Spencer. Welsh
environment minister Jane Davidson today (July 7) attended a ground-breaking
ceremony at the RF Brookes plant in Rogerstone near Newport for the
facility, which is being developed by energy and waste management firm
InSource Energy. The 10,000 tonnes-a-year capacity facility is expected to
cost £5 million to construct and benefited from a £500,000 grant from Welsh
Assembly Government.
TOP AWARD FOR CITY SCHOOL
BUILDING
July 5 - Newport High School
was named project of the year at the Wales Constructing Excellence Awards
2010. Mayor Councillor Bill Langsford and council leader Councillor Matthew
Evans were presented with the award in a ceremony at the SWALEC stadium.
After being chosen from five finalists, the
scheme will now go forward to the UK awards which take place in London later
this year. Councillor Evans said: “I am delighted that this landmark scheme
was recognised with this prestigious award and would like to thank all those
in the council and our partners who were involved in the building of this
new school which is providing 21st century educational
facilities.” Officially opened by the Princess Royal, Newport High School
was the first to be completed in the council’s major secondary school
redevelopment programme. Ironically, the Cllr Evans's Government has pulled
the plug today on the Labour flagship Schools For the Future programme in
England.
RECYCLING IMPROVEMENTS
July 2 - Wastesavers have confirmed that Newport
residents can now put out breakfast cereal boxes for recycling in the blue
kerbside box. This extension has been made possible due to changes in the
way Wastesavers paper re-processors recycle the newspapers and magazines
sent to them. Over the past 12 months requirements have been relaxed, and
Wastesavers can now take a range of paper related products including
envelopes, greetings cards and now breakfast cereal boxes for recycling.
Once recycled, your paper products come back to life as newsprint. In fact
the paper you are reading right now could have once been an envelope or even
a take-away menu.
Items that you can put in your blue box for
recycling are: Newspapers, magazines, office paper, junk mail,
envelopes, greetings cards, breakfast cereal boxes, clothes, shoes, mobile
phones and toner cartridges.
TREDEGAR HOUSE TO CLOSE
DURING RYDER CUP
June 30 - One of Newport's
top tourist attractions is to close for the period of the Ryder Cup. Newport
City Council has entered into an agreement with Ryder Cup Limited to enable
Tredegar House and Grounds to be used as a park and ride facility for the
Ryder Cup. This agreement grants exclusive use of the site to Ryder Cup from
Monday 27th September to Monday 4th of October inclusive. The Council states
"It will therefore be necessary to close the site to the public for this
period. The regular users of the park will be made aware of availability of
Tredegar Park and other open spaces for their use and enjoyment during this
week."
APPEAL OVER CASHPOINT
THEFT
June 30 - Gwent Police is
appealing for information after an ATM machine outside the Asda store on
Pencarn Way, Duffryn, Newport was attacked and a substantial amount of money
stolen. It happened sometime between 11.45pm and midnight on Sunday 27th
June. The cashpoint was totally destroyed and approximately £20,000 worth of
damage was caused. If anyone has any information about the incident they are
asked to call Gwent Police on 01633 838111
or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
RETAIL NEWS
June 30 - The former Barratts
shoe shop is to be occupied by discount book retailer, the Works.
POLICE UNCOVER MASSIVE
DRUGS FIND IN ALWAY
June 28 - Police in Alway
have arrested two people for possession of drugs with intent to supply,
money laundering and benefit fraud. On Wednesday (23rd June) at 7.30am
officers raided a house in Mount Bax, Alway after receiving intelligence
from members of the local community. Newport East Neighbourhood Policing
team coordinated the raid, which also involved the Gwent Police Support
Group, Dog Section, and Financial Investigation Unit.
Officers forced entry to the property and arrested a 29-year-old man and
30-year-old woman after a trained drugs dog located £15,000 in a tumble
drier and a small amount of cannabis. Investigations continued at the scene
and a rucksack was later found containing 6kg of uncut amphetamine, with a
potential street value of £500,000. The drugs were sent for forensic
analysis while the cash and a number of expensive items found in the house
were seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The two arrested individuals have been bailed pending further investigation.
Sergeant Dave Morgan, of Newport East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:
“This is a great result as we have stopped a massive amount of drugs from
reaching the streets and causing harm to the community. “Drug dealing is a
PACT priority for the Alway ward and we constantly gather information from
members of the public regarding drug-related activity taking place in the
area. “We will continue to work closely with the public to reduce crime and
make the area a better place to live.” Anyone with information on drug crime
in their area can call Gwent Police on 101,
or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
WORK TO START ON NEW
SCHOOL
June 28 - A ceremony was held
today to mark the start of work on a new £29 million state-of-the-art
building to replace the present Hartridge High School.
Mayor Councillor Bill Langsford, Newport
City Council leader Matthew Evans and Councillor David Atwell, cabinet
member for young people’s services, were among those attending the event. “I
am delighted that we are able to make progress on this beacon project.
Providing top-class schools and improving Newport’s already high educational
standards are important priorities for the authority,” said Councillor
Matthew Evans.
“As we have seen from the new Newport High
School, which opened last autumn, pupils, staff and the community will all
benefit from the superb new facilities when the building opens its doors.”
Councillor David Atwell, cabinet member for young people’s services, said:
“This is a major step towards to seeing our vision of a new, fit-for-purpose
school become a reality. Pupils and staff will now be able to see the
building taking shape and look forward to the day when they are able to move
in.” Hartridge High is the second school being built as part of the
council’s major secondary school redevelopment programme and has been
selected as a demonstration project by Constructing Excellence under the
themes of sustainability, procurement and consultation. Construction will be
completed by the Leadbitter Group, who successfully delivered Newport High
School, Bettws Lane, for Newport City Council.
NEW BUSINESS PARK OPENS
June 26 - A new business park has been
officially opened in a joint venture between the Welsh Assembly Government
and the Centre for Business. Phoenix Park in Newport was completed in 2008
and is Wales’ newest industrial park, with 45 purpose-built industrial units
providing a total of 43,000 sq ft of workspace.
The park was officially opened by Deputy
First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones. David Russ, managing director of Centre for
Business and South Wales Chamber of Commerce, said: “The launch was a great
way to celebrate the opening of a brand new project, post recession, that
will ultimately boost the Newport economy.”The gated estate will lease new,
high-specification units and the development benefits from links to two
junctions of the M4 and other major distribution routes to the rest of Wales
and the Midlands.
PRIVATE CHARTER TRAINS FOR
RYDER CUP
June 26 - The Train
Chartering Company is supplying three private charter trains for travel to
the 2010 Ryder Cup for Ryder Cup Limited. The trains will operate one return
journey daily, Friday 1st, Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd October, on the
route: London Paddington via Reading, Swindon and Bristol Parkway to
Newport. There is a coach transfer service between the station and the
course as there is no pedestrian access.
LAPTOP THIEF CHARGED
June 26 - A thief from Newport who stole
two laptop computers from a store in Salisbury, Wiltshire was behind a
series of thefts across the country, a court heard. Christopher
Spence, 41, appeared before magistrates in Salisbury on Thursday charged
with stealing two laptops worth £679 from the Currys store, Southampton
Road, on February 10. The court heard he was caught after a supervisor at
the store became suspicious and took down the registration number of his car
before reviewing CCTV footage. Spence, from Newport pleaded guilty to theft
and admitted he had later sold the laptops in a pub for £250. He was given a
12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £339 compensation and £85
costs.
PARENTS DEMO AGAINST DOCTOR
June 26 - The parents of a nine-month-old
girl who died after being misdiagnosed have handed in a petition of nearly
8,000 signatures demanding that the doctor who treated her is struck off.
Aleesha Evans, from Newport died after Dr Salawati Abdul Salam failed to
diagnose she was suffering from blood poisoning. Instead, the doctor said
Aleesha had a viral infection and discharged her.
Less than 24 hours later, Aleesha died at
Cardiff's University Hospital from multiple organ failure, triggered by
blood poisoning from a meningococcal infection. Following the baby's death
in August 2006, the General Medical Council launched an investigation and in
March this year found Dr Abdul Salam's care of Aleesha "demonstrated a
complete lack of attention to detail and a serious degree of carelessness".
The doctor was suspended from practising for four months, a decision which
angered Aleesha's parents, Craig Evans and Shiree Hanbury. Mr Evans and Miss
Hanbury were joined by 47 supporters outside the GMC's offices in London on
Friday. Wearing yellow T-shirts claiming "Justice 4 Aleesha", they chanted
"Dr Salawati out". They then handed Ben Jones, assistant director of
strategy and planning at the GMC, a petition of nearly 8,000 signatures from
their supporters in Newport demanding the doctor be permanently struck off.
SEVEN ARRESTS AFTER CITY
CENTRE BRAWL
June 24 - Police are investigating an
assault on a woman both inside and outside a city nightspot. Gwent
Police said the woman was attacked at the Meze Lounge, Market Street,
Newport, on Tuesday night. Police also said two people were in custody
after a man was assaulted outside the Crosskeys pub on the same evening.
Fifteen officers attended as a crowd spilled out into the street, and
CCTV cameras were used to monitor them. Police said five other people
were arrested for being drunk and disorderly.
POLICE CRIME 'LOCK DOWN' IN PILL
June 24 - Newport West Neighbourhood
Policing Team coordinated a ‘lock-down’ of Pill on Monday (June 21st) in
a drive to reduce crime in the area. While neighbourhood officers
patrolled the area on foot, the Gwent Police ANPR (Automatic Number
Plate Recognition) Unit covered the main route into and out of Pill. The
police vehicles used were fitted with ANPR technology, which scans
number plates and checks them against police records. Any vehicles
connected with a range of offences - from no insurance to firearms
incidents - were stopped while officers investigated and searched
vehicles where necessary.
The ‘lock-down’ was carried out as part of Operation Prudent, a
continuing Gwent Police drive to reduce crime in Pill and reassure
law-abiding members of the local community. A similar initiative was run
in Pill in November 2009.
The results of the ‘lock-down’ on Monday are as follows:
• 202 Police National Computer checks completed
• Three arrests (for possession of cannabis, an assault, and a wanted
person)
• Two fixed penalty fines were issued for possession of cannabis
• Two vehicles were seized for no insurance
• 22 fixed penalty notices were issued for a variety of motoring
POLICE SORT OUT TROUBLE ON
THE BUSES
June 22 - A Gwent Police
operation in Newport has been launched to prevent antisocial behaviour along
bus routes in the city. A team of four PCSOs sponsored by the city’s main
bus operator Newport Transport carried out Operation Bust on May 21st, June
4th and June 5th in hotspot areas of Lliswerry and Ringland.
The operation, which also involved Newport East Neighbourhood Policing team,
was launched in reaction to complaints received from Newport Bus drivers and
residents regarding antisocial behaviour.
During the operation officers stopped 30 people aged between 13 and 40, two
arrests were made and one caution was issued. The team confiscated 21 cans
of lager, six bottles of lager and three cans of cider from underage
teenagers. One youth on an off-road motorbike was issued with a warning
notice for riding illegally.
The PCSO team have sent antisocial behaviour warning letters to the homes of
25 teenagers who were stopped during the operation. PCSO Owen Reynolds, who
helped coordinate the operation, said: “In the past Newport transport have
had to pay out thousands of pounds to repair damage caused to their vehicles
on bus routes. “Antisocial behaviour can cause distress to bus drivers and
slow services down, so we conducted Operation Bust to highlight the issue
and show it will not be tolerated. We will continue to ensure the bus routes
in Newport are patrolled regularly and anyone caught causing offences will
be dealt with appropriately.”
Since the team of PCSOs, funded by Newport Transport, was formed in February
2008 the bus company has seen instances of criminal damage to its vehicles
reduce dramatically. Chris Blyth, Managing Director of Newport Transport,
said: “The safety of our customers is paramount to us and the work of our
dedicated team of PCSOs is testament to this belief. As a company we are
delighted that the team’s recent operation targeting antisocial behaviour
was such a success and that our customers can remain confident that their
safety is our top priority when they travel with us.” To report incidents of
antisocial behaviour please call Gwent Police on
101.
CITY CENTRE DEVELOPMENT
EDGES FORWARD
June 21 - Newport's approach
to a new city centre development has taken a few tentative steps forward
with the establishment of a Cabinet sub committee aimed at giving strategic
direction to the project and developing an effective relationship with the
preferred development. The new city centre shopping and leisure development
is the key regeneration project as far as city residents are concerned. The
City Council leader Matthew Evans has indicated that a preferred developer
should be selected by the end of this calendar year.
POLICE APPEAL OVER MARKET
STREET SEX ASSAULT
June 21 - Gwent Police
is appealing for witnesses and information following a serious sexual
assault that occurred in Newport overnight on Friday 11th June. The
incident occurred at around midnight. A 32 year old woman engaged in
conversation with a man on Upper Dock Street. Together, they walked towards
Market Square Car Park which is where the sexual assault took place.
The offender is described as an Asian male in his early 20s with black
hair. He was wearing a light coloured jacket and top and light coloured
trousers. Police are particularly keen to trace three females who may have
witnessed the incident. It is believed they were using a silver car, and
spoke to the victim and suspect following the assault between the hours of
00.45 and 01.00 on Saturday 12th June.
Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to contact Gwent
Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800
555 111.
FIVE TREATED AFTER PILL
HOUSE FIRE
June 20 - Five people
were treated for smoke inhalation after a fire at a house in Newport on
Saturday morning. They managed to escape the blaze in the three storey house
on Commercial Road at around 0730 BST. A fire investigation has started.
SOMERTON MAN JAILED FOR
FIVE YEARS
 |
June 19 - A Somerton
man has been jailed for five years after his 15-year-old stepson
accidentally shot himself in the head while posing for photos with a
gun. Michael Hole, 50, earlier admitted charges of child cruelty and
possessing an illegal firearm. He failed to check it was loaded
before asking Lewis Bailey to put the weapon against his head for
the pictures. Lewis made a "remarkable recovery" but may suffer
future medical problems, Cardiff Crown Court heard.
Hole, a father-of-four, saw his
stepson having a fit on the bedroom floor and dialled an ambulance.
The court heard he told the operator: "A little boy has shot himself
in the head. Hurry up - he's dying." He then fled the family home
before paramedics arrived to find Lewis in a pool of blood but still
conscious. |
CITY'S INNOVATIVE
TV RECYCLING SCHEME
June 19 - A new free TV recycling service
is being offered to all Newport residents as of 17 June 2010, following the
huge success of a scheme which collected TVs from older and housebound
residents earlier this year. The scheme recycled over 400 televisions and
monitors in the April 2010 campaign, so is now being rolled out to everyone
in the city. The door-step collection service is run by environmental
company Footprintmatters2u.
Tim Hourahine, FootPrintMatters2U Technical
Sales Director,said: "The launch of the TV recycling collection scheme for
older and housebound residents had a response far exceeding expectations. We
collected over 12 tonnes of TVs and monitors, around 400 sets, and still the
phone keeps ringing with requests for collections.”
Many Newport residents have taken to
upgrading their TVs because of the recent digital switch over or to watch
the World Cup in all its glory. Tim Hourahine said: “Don’t leave your old TV
gathering dust in the garden shed, spare room or loft. Give it a new lease
of life, it can be recycled and end up as a new product.“With the
change-over to digital television and the start of the World Cup, anyone who
has changed their TV will be able to recycle their old set by calling us to
collect or of course by taking it for recycling to the City’s C.A. site”.
Newport environmental company FootPrintMatters2U will collect unwanted TVs
for free from any Newport home. They will then be recycled by European
Recycling Platform (ERP), one of the UK’s largest electronic waste recycling
schemes. TVs are taken to a recycling plant in the UK to be specially
treated, so that all hazardous materials are safely removed and the valuable
metals and other materials in them can be used to make new products.
DRUGS SEIZED IN DUFFRYN -
THREE ARRESTS
June 17 - Neighbourhood
police officers have arrested three people after finding drugs in a van
parked in Duffryn, Newport. On Friday (11th June) at around 9pm Newport
neighbourhood support officers stopped and searched a car in Schooner Way,
Duffryn. Suspicious behaviour by three men travelling in the car triggered a
police investigation and later the same evening officers found more than 2kg
of white powder, believed to be pure amphetamine, in the back of a van
parked in Duffryn. The three men, all in their 20s and from the Newport
area, were subsequently arrested by Officers for possession of Class A drugs
with intent to supply. The two vehicles were seized and properties in
Ringland and Duffryn were searched by specialist Gwent Police search
officers and neighbourhood policing teams. Although the uncut drugs have
been sent for forensic analysis, officers estimate that the street value of
the stash could run into tens of thousands of pounds. The three men arrested
have been bailed pending further investigation.
TOWN PLANNER PRAISES
'OUTSTANDING' CITY REGENERATION
June 17 - Ann Skippers,
President of the Royal Town Planning Institute, visited various regeneration
projects in Newport, including the new university campus and riverfront, and
described what she saw as “outstanding”.
“I was amazed by Newport - there is a great
deal going on. I was particularly impressed with the new University campus;
it is a state-of-the-art facility which not only combines fantastic
resources for teaching and learning, but will be a landmark building that
the local community can use as well. The quality of thought that has gone
into the long-term planning of the area is outstanding. The area next to the
riverfront is taking shape and already it is clear that the development
schemes along the river will ensure that the people of Newport have a city
that they can be very proud of. Newport is a real hidden gem and I can't
wait to return."
Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of Newport
City Council said:” A transformation is taking place along Newport's
waterfront with once derelict industrial areas becoming areas where people
will enjoy living, working, studying and visiting. Among the many exciting
projects are the new university campus, an iconic building which will
introduce a new atmosphere to the city centre, and the eco-friendly
Mariner's Quay development at Old Town Dock in Newport, which is being built
to Code Level Five of the Code for Sustainable Homes. The Riverside Park
will complement these developments with pedestrian and cycle paths running
alongside the River Usk and will provide another valuable asset for the
city. I was delighted to welcome the President of the Royal Town Planning
Institute (RTPI), Ann Skippers, to visit these schemes in Newport, as they
run very near to completion."
POLICE ENFORCE DISPERSAL
ORDERS IN ROGERSTONE
June 17 - Gwent Police
received just one call relating to antisocial behaviour in Rogerstone on the
weekend two dispersal orders were introduced. The Gwent Police Support
Group, whose main role is to deal with very serious crime and public
disorder, helped Newport West Neighbourhood policing Team patrol the area to
enforce the dispersal orders in the Afon Village and Thornbury Park areas.
Officers dispersed 20 teenagers aged between 13 and 17 for making excessive
amounts of noise, swearing and unruly behaviour on the weekend. Those
dispersed had their names and addresses taken and warning letters will be
sent to their parents. The Support Group and neighbourhood officers will
again enforce the dispersal orders this weekend and their patrols will
continue for the duration of the dispersal orders.
POLICE SEIZE OFF ROAD
BIKES
June 15 - Police are tackling
the illegal use of off-road motorcycles in Bettws and Malpas, seizing 13
bikes since April.Newport West Neighbourhood Policing Team took action after
residents attending PACT meetings in April told officers that off-road bikes
were being ridden in an antisocial manner. The issue has been made a PACT
policing priority by local people and patrols have been stepped up in
hotspot areas.
So far officers in Bettws and Malpas have confiscated 13 bikes and issued
five warning notices to illegal riders, ranging in age from young teenagers
to adults. After receiving one Section 59 Police Reform Act warning notice,
people who continue to ride an off-road motorcycle on the streets, or in an
antisocial manner, may have their bikes seized under Section 165 of the Road
Traffic Act. Two riders who had their bikes seized were arrested and
subsequently charged with drink driving. A further four riders have been
summoned to court for serious traffic offences and could face
disqualification from driving.
COUNCIL CABINET TO DISCUSS
FUTURE OF LADYHILL
June 14 - The City Council's
Cabinet will consider the future of Ladyhill Day Centre in Alway at it's
meeting tomorrow. The report is entitled 'Transforming Day Services' . It
proposes that the Ladyhill service will be spread around other providers.
The closure of the Centre is described as 're-provision' in the report. The
Council states that it needs to save £200,000 from its 2010/11 budget and
cam achieve this by the closure of Ladyhill. The report states "Discussions
have already taken place with Seren, Fairlake Properties, Linc Cymru and
Abbeyfield Cymru Ltd. In addition we have discussed the adjacent land with
Newport City Homes. We are exploring the potential for high quality housing
for older people, available on a mixed tenure basis, for rent and
purchase/leasehold and assessing the need for a small provision of supported
housing again on mixed tenure basis for young people with learning
disabilities. This would be likely to be no more than eight units of
accommodation."
At Ladyhill all current
service users have been assessed by the Council's Social Services
department. Of the people re-assessed 71 will transfer to Extra Care, 24
will transfer to either Hillside or Spring Gardens, 4 will go to Kensington
Court Day Centre, 14 will access the (proposed) day activities centre at
Parklands. There were 113 service users registered on 21 May 2010. In
addition, the Deaf Club will re-locate to Beechwood House, subject to a
lease agreement. Those currently working at Ladyhill will be offered the
opportunity to work elsewhere in a 'job match' exercise.
Labour opposes the closure. "The centre is a
crucial front-line service which caters for some of Newport's most
vulnerable people from across the city." Jessica Morden MP and John
Griffiths AM are backing the campaign to save the centre.
THEATRE AWAITS FUNDING
REVIEW
June 13 - The Riverfront
Theatre is awaiting the outcome of a review of funding by the Arts Council
for Wales (ACW). ACW chief executive Nick Capaldi said the review had been
"difficult" and some are bound to be disappointed. The assembly government
is due to announce the ACW's budget in December. Some have welcomed the
reorganisation, but others say the arts world is currently "in limbo".
The exercise started before the recession
hit home but the squeeze on public finances will obviously make an impact,
said Mr Capaldi. In its current £24m porfolio are 97 Welsh arts
organisations, ranging from small community projects to large organisations
like Welsh National Opera.
Nicolas Young, director of the Riverfront
in Newport, said the £60,000 the council-owned theatre current complex
receives made a "huge difference to the nature of our programme". He said
many groups were "in limbo" and unable to make decisions and unable to
commit to developmental projects until the review is made public.

 |
STUDENTS
TOUR 'AWESOME' NEW CAMPUS SITE
June 12 - “Awesome” and “amazing” were
among the reactions of students who had a guided tour of the new
City Campus being built for the University of Wales, Newport and
treated to a preview of the state-of-the-art facilities that will be
available to them when they become the first to study there in
January.
The students, from the University’s
Business School and School of Art, Media and Design, were the first
to explore the new campus which will feature an innovative Hothouse
at its core where artists, business researchers and entrepreneurs
will work together to create new commercial ideas and help drive
entrepreneurship and creativity as part of the city’s
regeneration.“It was great to be given a glimpse inside the new
campus and see how it’s shaping up,” said 23-year-old Pablo Riesco
who is studying Economics and Accounting.
“It’s a very eye-catching, visually
exciting building and I’m sure we’ll get a lot more students wanting
to come to Newport when this new campus opens. It’s well located in
the city centre and as well as being very accessible for trains and
buses, provides great access to all the amenities in the city.
Fashion Design students Khadijah
Eniafe and Sophie Mason were also enthusiastic about the new
campus.“The building is very modern with lovely views across the
river. It has much bigger lecture theatres and a lot more space,”
said 21-year-old Khadijah who comes from Nigeria. “The fashion space
is bigger than we currently have and all three years of fashion
students will be sharing it, enabling us to help each other and
exchange ideas.” |
MAINDEE BURGLARY BLITZ
BRINGS FOUR ARRESTS
June 10 -
Four
youths believed to be part of a Newport burglary gang were arrested
yesterday in morning raids (9th June). The
Operation Conifer team, who are dedicated to solving and preventing
burglaries in Newport, deployed more than 30 officers trained in forced
entries and specialist searches to carry out the raids on the burglary
suspects.
Officers executed the four search warrants in the Maindee area of the city
at 7am and arrested three of the male suspects, two aged 17 and the other
16. The other male suspect, aged 16, was not at home at the time, although
officers caught up with him later in the morning and arrested him. All four
suspects remain in custody for questioning. Another two search warrants were
carried out later in the day, although no arrests were made as the suspects
concerned are currently serving prison sentences. Officers recovered a large
quantity of electrical items from the searched premises, mainly digital
cameras and flat screen televisions. Work will now begin to determine if the
items seized can be matched to property stolen in burglaries.
AMBITIOUS CITY COUNCIL
CUSTOMER PROJECT
June 10 - Newport City
Council is unveiling an ambitious customer project aimed at making public
services more accessible to its citizens. At present City residents are
required to call its Call Centre or trudge up to the Civic Centre if they
want a service but in a year's time they will be able to deal face to face
with the Council's officers. The new face to face centre is yet to be
decided with the present railway station a favoured location. The centre
will cover a range of services including Benefits, Council Tax, Planning,
Highways and Homelessness. In addition, the centre will provide the ability
to use other services including registration for a GP, tax and pensions, and
housing. The report to the City's Cabinet quotes "A family is moving into
Newport: they could obtain & access social housing, obtain school places and
register the family with a GP and Dentist all in one visit to the Face to
Face Centre." The report also proposes that the Council purchases a document
management system to assist its Housing Benefits service in order that
paperwork and claims for customers are digitally scanned.
BURST WATER MAIN AFFECTS
SPORTS VILLAGE
June 10 - Emergency repairs
were carried out this afternoon to a burst water main near the Newport
International Sports Village. Welsh Water was carrying out the work and has
said the water supply to the village, which includes the South East Wales
Regional Pool and Newport Tennis Centre, would be cut off for a maximum of
two hours at around 4pm.
POLICE CLAIM TO BE WINNING
THE FIGHT AGAINST BURGLARY IN NEWPORT
June 9 -
A team
of Police detectives dedicated to solving and preventing burglaries in
Newport are celebrating a successful first year.
Since Operation Conifer began 12 months ago, work by the
detectives has led to 384 arrests of suspected burglars. Nine detectives and
four police officers are currently working on the Operation Conifer team.
Some of their most recent work will culminate in a day of action on
Wednesday (9th June) in Newport, where a number of early morning search
warrants will be executed. The Operation Conifer team will deploy officers
trained in forced entries and specialist search teams to carry out the raids
on burglary suspects.
Since the beginning of April 2010, the Operation Conifer team have
introduced a traffic light system to target suspected offenders as low,
medium or high priority.
Using the traffic light system the team have targeted and arrested five
prolific offenders, who have all been either recalled to prison or given new
prison sentences in court. The team of detectives then work closely with
their partners in probation and the youth offending team in Newport to
ensure burglars are offered an alternative crime-free lifestyle when they
are released from prison.
Since the traffic light system was introduced, burglary numbers in Newport
for April dropped by 28% in May. Detectives now expect numbers to fall
further when more prolific burglars are arrested and put behind bars, or
into the courts system. Detective sergeant Matt Sedgebeer, who is leading
Operation Conifer, said: “We have adopted a zero tolerance approach and
compiled comprehensive files of evidence against the most prolific burglars
to ensure the courts put them behind bars.
“By using the traffic light system we have been able to identify the worst
offenders in Newport and concentrate our investigative resources on them.
Our proactive team of detectives has proved to be very successful and I want
to reassure the residents of Newport that we know who most of these
criminals are and we will stop those who haven’t already been put behind
bars from offending.” Detective Inspector Chris Watts added: “We are using a
number of methods and reacting quickly to reduce burglaries in Newport. Our
team is working very hard to find additional witnesses to burglaries and to
gather forensic evidence to bring charges against suspected culprits. I can
reassure people that those responsible for the majority of burglaries in
Newport have already been stopped.” Residents are reminded to keep their
homes secure at all times and report anything suspicious, no matter how
small, to Gwent Police. One third of burglaries in Gwent are committed when
residents have left doors or windows open or unlocked.
Operation Conifer is ongoing and anyone with information that may help
burglary investigations should call Gwent Police on
101, or Crimestoppers anonymously
on 0800 555111.
UNI CHIEF'S PAY RISE
CRITICISED
June 9 - The vice-chancellor
of a Newport University was given an 8% pay rise last year, it was confirmed
yesterday – 16 times higher in percentage terms than ordinary staff. Dr
Peter Noyes, the top academic at University of Wales, Newport, saw his
salary rise from £172,000 to £186,000. The previous year he had a rise of
11%. Last night the University and College Union (UCU) condemned the latest
increase, saying it was wholly inappropriate at a time when the higher
education sector is facing serious cutbacks.
DATA CENTRE TO RUN ON
RENEWABLE ENERGY
June 8 -
The massive new data centre in Celtic
Springs, Newport operated by Next Generation Data has become the first in
Europe to be run entirely on renewable energy. NGD Europe has committed to
purchase 100% renewable energy from SmartestEnergy for the 70,000 m2
facility, which includes BT and Logica among its tenants.
“In an industry which consumes over 2% of the UK’s
total power supply, it is a significant step to ensuring our operations are
as competitive, efficient and environmentally-friendly as possible,” says
Nick Razey, CEO of Next Generation Data. Mark Larard, director of the Data
Centre Advisory Group for global real estate advisors, Jones Lang LaSalle,
says that the IT industry is in a “state of flux” over how to address the
power issue. “NGD continues to challenge industry expectations, and it will
be interesting to see if others try and follow,” he adds.
SURVEY LABELS CITY WITH DIRTY STREETS
June 8 - For what it's worth Newport has among the
dirtiest streets in Wales according to a survey by the GMB union.
Blaenau Gwent has the dirtiest streets for the fourth year running with a
quarter of its highways ranked below “acceptable”. Newport and Wrexham are
just above them. Neighbouring Torfaen was rated the cleanest.
Allan Garley, GMB Wales Secretary, said: “The next
thing that failed politicians may come out with is that people, as well as
paying their council tax, should clean the streets themselves.” Mr Garley
said clean streets are perfectly feasible everywhere, it’s just a matter of
ensuring there are enough properly trained and equipped street cleaners to
do the job.
CITY TEEN NAMED
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
June 7 - Seventeen-year-old
Ashley Pyke from Newport, has been named the Co-operative StreetGames Young
Volunteer of the Year 2010. The announcement was made at a special youth
conference held by the Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteers programme
as part of National Volunteers Week.
The awards, now in its second year,
recognise the outstanding work being carried out by young people involved in
the Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteers initiative. The programme,
which operates throughout Wales and England, was established to help young
people from disadvantaged areas gain sports coaching and community
leadership skills by volunteering at their local neighbourhood sports
project. Ashley volunteers at the Newport Positive Futures project which
delivers sport to young people throughout Newport.
MAGISTRATES COURT PLAN MAY
BE HIT BY SPENDING CUTS
June 4 - A £10 million plan
for a new Magistrates Court in the George Street district of Newport could
be one of the first victims of the new Conservative-Liberal Government's
£6.2 billion spending cuts. An £81 million development for Birmingham
Magistrates Court has been 'postponed indefinitely' as major capital
programmes are shelved to save money.
Paul Rynsard, managing partner at Supreme
Court architect Feilden & Mawson, which is developing the Newport scheme
told bdonline.co.uk he had deep concerns about the entire Court
programme’s future. “We have been given no indication that [our project] is
not proceeding,” he said. “It is a small scheme, less than £10 million.
However, I do not think anybody is anticipating that the programme will be
taken forward. It will always be sensible to cut capital rather than
revenue. People have put a staggering amount of effort into learning the
processes, and all that knowledge is going to wilt. What they were trying to
do was to come into the 21st century and make court buildings less
aggressive. They had really worked hard to do that, but court buildings are
pretty well down the pecking order when you compare them to hospitals or
schools.”
OFFICERS RECOMMEND REFUSAL
OF MEGABOWL RETAIL PROJECT
June 3 - With an appeal
already pending for the site the City Council's planning committee is set to
consider the proposal for the Megabowl site in Newport Retail Park. The
application relates to the conversion and alteration of the unit to create a
5,117sqm convenience retail store. There is no named operator associated
with this application. The design year identified is 2011. The unit has been
empty since 2005 and is symptomatic of Newport's dreadful leisure offer. The
City Council's Planning Officers state "The applicants in this case have
lodged an appeal against the failure of the Council to issue a decision on
this application within the 8 week time period. The lodging of the appeal
means that responsibility for determining this proposal now rests with the
Planning Inspectorate and not the Council. Therefore, this report is being
presented to inform Members of issues arising from this case and material
considerations." Officers recommend refusal of the scheme.
TWO MEN FOUND DEAD IN
ALWAY
June 3 - Two men were found
dead in a flat in Arthur Bliss Road in Alway yesterday afternoon. More
details to follow.
CITY AND WALES WARNED OF
ONE OFF BENEFITS OF RYDER CUP
June 2 - As steel balls
appear in John Frost Square and the City Council commits a further £225k to
the Newport Festival Wales has been warned the 2010 Ryder Cup could be the
only time the nation hosts golf's showpiece tournament. The Celtic Manor
will stage October's event between Colin Montgomerie's Europe and United
States as the Ryder Cup comes to Newport and Wales for the first time. Jim
McKenzie, Celtic Manor's director of golf courses, has told us to enjoy this
"one-off" as golfing chiefs should share the Ryder Cup around. "I believe
this will be a one-off opportunity," said McKenzie. "There are five or six
countries who attended the symposium for the 2018 bid, all of whom have made
a big contribution to the Ryder Cup, all of whom deserve the Ryder Cup and
all of whom will get the Ryder Cup at some point."
And Ryder Cup Wales chief executive Rob
Holt hopes Wales impress to ensure the golf's crown jewel returns. "The
European Tour have said they won't stage a Ryder Cup in the UK until 2030,"
admitted Holt. "But let us be positive and hope we have a fantastic event
with wonderful weather and is such a success that the tour thinks let's go
back there again." The Ryder Cup is only eclipsed by the football World Cup
and the Olympic Games in worldwide audience terms as it is expected to
attract an audience of two billion people in 195 different countries.
63 JOBS SET FOR
ADMIRAL LANGSTONE OFFICE
June 1 - The Newport office
of Admiral Insurance is set to expand with 63 additional jobs set to be
recruited by end of June. The workforce in the base at Langstone Business
Park will expand to 460.
 |
CITY HONOURS WELSH REGIMENT
An infantry battalion which has
completed two tours in Afghanistan - losing three soldiers - has
exercised its right to march through Newport. The Royal Welsh
regiment was given the freedom of Newport in 2001. Their freedom of
the City was re-affirmed by Mayor Bill Langsford (left).
Among those attending was Sarah
Adams, the mother of Private James Prosser, from Cwmbran who was
killed in an IED blast whilst driving a Warrior vehicle last
September.
Members of the public and
ex-servicemen also lent their support, which was welcomed by Major
General Roddy Porter.
|
REVIEW CLAIMS CITY PRE-RYDER CUP BOOST
May 28 - Poised to maximise the economic
boost from the Ryder Cup 2010, Newport has benefited from an estimated 1,600
new jobs and around £98 million to the local economy since 2003, according
to an independent review.
These key findings have been published in a
report, Newport Unlimited Interim Evaluation, which looked at the
performance of the Urban Regeneration Company Newport Unlimited in its first
five years from 2003 to 2008. The report was based on an independent review
by economists at AECOM. The review stated: "Newport URC has made a positive
economic impact on Newport and has acted as a catalyst in bringing about
impacts that would not have occurred had the URC not been established. It is
clear also that this impact would have been significantly greater had we not
entered a national economic downturn and recession during 2008." The
independent review, commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government, found
that Newport Unlimited has made a positive economic impact on the city,
helping to drive up employment, raising the city’s profile as an investment
location, delivering regeneration projects such as the George Street office
district, the new City Centre University Campus, and exemplary developments
such as the Code 5 Sustainable Homes development in Old Town Dock.
Newport Unlimited Chairman Grant Watson
said: "It must be noted that the review covered 2003-2008 and therefore does
not take account of the recession and the change in market conditions, which
resulted in a number of major regeneration projects being put on hold. We
have been working to achieve a more balanced programme, which will involve
local people and local businesses, focusing on training and skills, as well
as focusing on developments and infrastructure."
FIRST MINISTER PRAISES YOUNG VOLUNTEER
May 27 - Newport’s Ashley Pyke has been
named as the 2010 Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteer of the Year for
Wales and was praised by First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones for his
outstanding contribution to delivering sport in his community.
The awards, now in their second year,
recognise the outstanding work being carried out by young people involved in
The Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteers initiative. The programme,
which operates throughout Wales and England, was established by The
Co-operative and youth sports development charity StreetGames, to help young
people from disadvantaged areas gain sports coaching and community
leadership skills by volunteering at their local neighbourhood sports
project. The volunteers, who joined Carwyn Jones for a special presentation
at the Senedd, had all been nominated for the awards which look at a number
of factors including skills and qualifications gained, general attitude,
impact on other young people and their community, as well as their personal
journey and achievements.
Ashley, aged 17, volunteers at the Newport
Positive Futures project which delivers sport to young people throughout
Newport. Despite having a turbulent family history and arriving in Duffryn
without knowing anyone, Ashley has become an integral figure in the
community. As well as leading sports session for local young people, Ashley
has also mentored other volunteers experiencing troubles, is involved with
attracting funding to the project and has pushed himself to gain
qualifications which have meant that the project has been able to extend the
activities it offers. He has also gone on to use his new found skills and
confidence to gain employment with a local ‘Soccer Tots’ programme for under
six year olds. First Minister, Carwyn Jones, said: “I’m pleased to be here
today to recognise the achievements of these young people who provide an
important and useful service to their local communities at the same time as
gaining a wide range of skills which will stand them in good stead in the
future.”
COUNCIL TAKES ACTION OVER LANDLORDS
FALSELY RECEIVING BENEFIT
May 26 - Newport City Council awarded first
ever Housing Benefits Rent Repayment Order to be issued in Wales. Following
a Residential Property Tribunal on 5 May, two Newport landlords have been
ordered (on 24 May) to pay Wales’ first ever Rent Repayment Order to Newport
City Council for falsely receiving housing benefits. The order is for the
sum of £1120.63 with 14 days to pay. The landlords, Mr Brian Boddy and Mr
James Carroll have also been issued with a formal caution from Newport City
Council for unlawfully operating their premises, 79 Alexandra Road, as a
House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). Investigations showed the house had been
in operation as a HMO since July 2009 and that the landlords were receiving
the housing benefit payments as well as tenant’s rent at the property, for a
total sum of £1120.63. The council applied to the Residential Property
Tribunal for a Rent Repayment Order under the Housing Act 2004 and was
awarded the total sum on 24 May.
CRIME PREVENTION ORDER SET FOR
ROGERSTONE
May 26 - The Safer Newport Partnership is
set to introduce two new dispersal orders in the Rogerstone area of Newport
to reduce levels of antisocial behaviour.
Safer Newport decided to take action after receiving complaints from
residents about large groups of youngsters gathering in the area on Friday
evenings and into the early hours of Saturday mornings. During one night in
February this year Gwent Police received 19 calls from residents reporting
antisocial behaviour including underage drinking, shouting and swearing,
urinating, littering, and the intimidation of residents, businesses and
passers-by. After gathering information and evidence, Newport West
Neighbourhood Policing Team and Newport City Council authorised the
implementation of two dispersal orders - one covering Afon Village and the
other Thornbury Park and surrounding streets. Both orders will run from
Tuesday 8th June 2010 until Tuesday 7th December 2010 and the powers will be
enforced on every Friday and Saturday during this period.
Dispersal orders give police officers and PCSOs the power to direct any
groups of two or more people, or vehicles, to leave a specified area. Anyone
who refuses to leave, or returns to the area within 24 hours, when ordered
to do so can be arrested under the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003. The only
exclusions to the order will be any prearranged public events that may be
held in the area.
TOILETS RE-OPEN AFTER CAMPAIGN
May 26 - After a determined campaign by
traders and shoppers the public convenience in Austin Friars will re-open
immediately. The City Council report states "The 2010-2011 Council Budget
made a number of reductions to budget which required service changes in
order that budgets could be met. As part of these cuts, it was decided that
one of the City Centre toilets would close. Austin Friars public toilets
were chosen as they are underground giving poor access downstairs and are
also located close to the main City Centre public toilets in the Bus
Station. Since the closure of Austin Friars public toilets in April 2010, it
has become evident that there is a demand for the facilities. As a result,
it is proposed to reopen these facilities." However, the Council warns
"Reduced staffing levels means Cardiff Road and Austin Friars public
conveniences will be more liable to vandalism."
FIRST MINISTER WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORTS
CITY REGENERATION
 |
May 25 - The University of Wales, Newport is a vital partner in much
of the regeneration taking place in the area, according to the First
Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government, Carwyn Jones AM.
Talking about the exciting prospect of
the Ryder Cup coming to Newport in October, he said, “The University
has a partnership with the Celtic Manor through its Golf School, and
I congratulate the students at the University’s Golf School in
reaching the semi-final of the UK Universities’ Golf Cup.
“Just as the Rugby World Cup helped to
kick-start the regeneration of Cardiff, the Ryder Cup can do the
same for Newport, and help to make Newport a destination for people
from all over the world,” he added.
Welcoming the First Minister, Chris
O’Malley, Chair of Institute of Welsh Affairs Local Branch and Pro
Vice-Chancellor of Newport’s University, spoke about the many major
developments happening in the area, and particularly in Newport.
|
SEX TRAFFICKING CONCERN OVER RYDER CUP
May 25 - It's Newport not Amsterdam but a
Welsh Assembly Government is concerned about sex trafficking as a result of
the Ryder Cup in our city later this year. The Ryder Cup golf tournament is
"highly likely" to increase the number of women trafficked to Wales for the
sex trade, it is claimed. A report by assembly members said evidence from
other countries suggested trafficking increased significantly for major
sporting events. They recommended setting up a new post of trafficking
director to deal with the problem in Wales. The Ryder Cup takes place at the
Celtic Manor Resort, Newport from 1-3 October. The Knowing No Boundaries
report said: "Greece licensed a large number of additional brothels in the
months leading up to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, and mega-brothels
were installed near the German football stadia during the football World Cup
in 2006. It is therefore highly likely that the Olympics as well as other
major sporting events to be held in Wales, such as golf's Ryder Cup in
Newport this October, will attract a significant increase in the number of
women and children trafficked for the sex trade as demand increases."
 |
FATHER
FACES JAIL FOR SHOOTING SON
May 25 - A
father was warned he faces jail after his teenage stepson
accidentally shot himself in the head while posing for a photograph
with his illegal handgun. Mike Hole, 50, of Somerton, Newport,
dialled 999 fled the scene, thinking the boy would die, and hid his
semi-automatic gun, Cardiff Crown Court was told.
Lewis Bailey, 15, had emergency
surgery and has since made a full recovery. Hole pleaded guilty to
child cruelty and admitted a charge of possessing a prohibited
firearm. |
ROYAL WELSH FREEDOM PARADE
May 24 - Soldiers from the 2nd
Battalion The Royal Welsh will exercise their right to march through Newport
City Centre on Saturday (May 29). A short ceremony will be held outside the
civic centre at 12 noon to reaffirm the freedom of the city upon The Royal
Welsh.
Newport’s mayor Councillor Bill Langsford
will present a copy of the reaffirmation scroll to the Colonel of the
Regiment Major General Roddy Porter MBE. It says the ceremony is taking
place in recognition and appreciation of the famous record and glorious
traditions of The Royal Welsh as well as the long association between
Newport and the Regiment in which many citizens have been proud to serve.
Freedom of the city gives The Royal Welsh the “right, honour and distinction
of marching through the streets of the of the City of Newport, on all
ceremonial occasions with drums beating, bands playing, colours flying and
bayonets fixed”.
Following the ceremony, the soldiers will
step off at 1pm from Commercial Street (outside Wetherspoon’s Tom Toya Lewis
public house) to the D-Day Memorial Statue in High Street. They will be led
by the mascot, Billy the Goat, and the RW Band. During the parade, the
Colonel and the Lord Lieutenant will take the salute in Westgate Square.
HOTEL SITE UP FOR GRABS AGAIN
May 23 - A 1.3 acre hotel development site
on the Old Town Dock is up for grabs after Ramada pulled the plug on their
plans for the area. EJ Hales has been instructed by Newport Unlimited to
advertise the sale of the site adjacent to the Southern Distributor bridge
with proposals for a -
Ancillary conference and
meeting facilities if appropriate
Ancillary restaurant
facilities if appropriate
Complementary commercial uses where
appropriate
NEWPORT BASED FIRM SPONSORS CARDIFF
AGAIN
May 21 - The Cardiff Blues has extended its
shirt sponsorship deal with technology solutions provider EADS for an
additional three years, from 2010-11 to 2012-13. EADS, which employs 1,200
people at its £35 million technology centre in Newport, has been the
principal commercial partner of the team since 2008-09. “We're really
proud of our sponsorship of the Cardiff Blues which reflects EADS'
commitment to Wales and the further development of the Welsh knowledge-based
economy,” said Robin Southwell, CEO of EADS UK.
EBBW VALE RAIL LINK STATEMENT SOON
May 20 - The Welsh Assembly Government has
promised a statement on the long delayed Newport - Ebbw Vale rail link
'soon'. Ieuan Wyn Jones, Transport Minister stated: "It states quite clearly
in our National Transport Plan that it is our intention to ensure that there
is a train service from Ebbw Vale to Newport and work is underway to allow
that to happen. The plan commits to improvements to Gaer Junction by 2011,
followed by detailed feasibility work for hourly services from Ebbw Vale to
both Newport and Cardiff."
ACCIDENTAL DEATH VERDICT IN BOURNEMOUTH
CRASH CASE
May 19 - The driver of a petrol tanker
involved in a fatal crash in East Dorset in November was exceeding the speed
limit for his vehicle, an inquest heard yesterday. Ian Netherway, 44,
escaped injury but teacher Wendy Rumbold, 70, from Bournemouth, who drove
into his path, died from multiple injuries. Mr Netherway from Newport, told
Bournemouth Coroner’s Court: “I’m being prosecuted for exceeding a class of
vehicle speed limit; not the road speed limit.”
On legal advice, he exercised his right not
to answer any questions at the hearing which could later incriminate him.
Police collision investigator Sgt James Allmond assessed Mr Netherway’s
speed, before the accident on the A31 near the Coventry Arms pub on November
12, as 57mph and 54mph before emergency braking was applied. Although the
limit for that section of road is 60mph, the maximum speed for the
articulated goods vehicle is 40mph. No defects were found on either vehicle
and assistant deputy coroner Brendan Allen recorded an accidental death
verdict.
ADMIRAL INCREASES NUMBERS
May 18 - Specialist car insurer Admiral
will have taken on more than 750 people by the end of June at its offices in
Newport, Swansea and Cardiff, it says. The only Welsh firm in the FTSE 100 -
the list of the UK's top companies - it already employs more than 3,000
people in Wales and another 800 elsewhere. The firm has recruited 490 people
this year and plans to add further 261. "Car insurance is compulsory. The
recession isn't hitting us like other industries," said a company spokesman.
The firm said its recruitment drive - Admiral's workforce will have grown by
11% in the first half of 2010 - was in large part due to the record growth
it is experiencing.
DRESSING NEWPORT UP
May 18 - Leading city dressing company SLS
is busy adding more colour and passion to Newport for the Newport Festival
2010. SLS (which counts dressing Liverpool during its year as Capital of
Culture 2008 among its claims to fame) is using temporary flagpoles;
lamppost banners, catenary banners, tree wraps, hoardings, building wraps,
shop window displays, screens, event displays and lighting to add sparkle to
the city, in a year-long dressing programme which is funded by the Welsh
Assembly Government and aims to echo community spirit and reflect the events
that are taking place.
Local artists will be contributing to the
artwork used in dressing the city to capture the spirit of Newport and their
work will be displayed in Bettws, St Julian’s, Hartridge, Lliswerry, Duffryn,
Bassaleg, Caerleon and Underwood. The launch of the Festival 2010 in January
saw the first touches of dressing being added, with flagpoles around The
Riverfront Theatre. In March more flagpoles were added to other parts of the
city centre, on Bridge Street, High Street and Westgate Square.
NEW MAYOR FOR NEWPORT
May 18 - Councillor Bill Langsford today
became the mayor of Newport. The latest in a long line of mayors dating back
to the 14th century, Councillor Langsford received his chains of
office in a ceremony in the civic centre. His wife, Sue, was also made
mayoress. The couple have been married for 39 years and have a son, Damian.
Councillor Langsford was brought up in Somerset and moved to Newport in 1966
where he met his wife when they were both working for British Rail.A keen
sports fan, he is season ticket holder at Somerset and Glamorgan County
Cricket Clubs as well as Newport RFC and Newport Gwent Dragons. Councillor
Langsford was first elected to the Council for Labour in 1995 and has
represented Malpas since 1999.
IF YOU VOTE LIBERAL YOU GET TORY RULE -
MORDEN TELLS LOCAL LIB DEMS
May 17 - Newport East MP Jessica Morden
has challenged local Lib Dems to back Nick Clegg's decision to hand the
keys to 10 Downing Street to David Cameron's Tories. "During the
campaign in Newport East, the Lib Dems were trying to get people who
usually vote Labour to vote for them by claiming to be a left of centre
and saying that they'd fight for social justice. Today, the Lib Dems
have betrayed these people and shown their true colours by agreeing to
prop up a Tory Government. From now onwards, voters in Newport will know
that they have a simple choice: if you don't want a Tory Government,
vote Labour - you can't trust the Lib Dems with your vote. If you
believe in social justice and Labour values, only Labour will stand up
for you. I therefore look forward to welcoming centre-left voters in
Newport back to Labour. Already, across the country large numbers of
people have been applying to join the Labour Party - the only opposition
to the Tories in Parliament."
PUB FINED FOR SELLING CIGARETTES TO
UNDER AGE PERSON
May 17 - On 11 May, Goldcroft Inn Ltd
(trading as the Goldcroft Inn, Goldcoft Common, Caerleon) was fined £2,500
at Abertillery Magistrates Court and ordered to pay £530 costs and a £15
victim surcharge to Newport City Council. The court case stemmed from an
operation carried out by Newport City Council’s Trading Standards officers,
involving 16-year-old volunteer who was able to purchase cigarettes from a
vending machine at the pub without being asked for identification. A
spokesperson for the council said “Newport Trading Standards is committed to
tackling the availability of tobacco products to children. Such sales are
irresponsible and have a detrimental effect on the health of the city’s
children. Traders who break the law will be dealt with robustly, so if you
doubt the age of a customer then always ask for identification.”
GRIFFITHS CRITICISES COUNCIL OVER TOILET
CLOSURE
May 17 - John Griffiths, Newport East AM,
has criticised Newport City Council for their decision to close public
toilets in Austin Friars. The Conservative - Lib Dem coalition closed the
facility on April 1 in the latest in a long line of service closures and
cuts. Griffiths is backing the 5,500 strong public petition to re-open it
saying the coalition should do more to encourage shoppers to visit Newport.
BUS COMPANY INTRODUCES SMART CARD FOR
TRAVELLERS
May 16 - Newport Transport users are to
become the first outside London to use pre-paid smart cards to travel. The
passes, which are similar to London’s Oyster cards, will be introduced
tomorrow. They will be available in weekly, monthly and annual card types
and will work by being held against the bus ticket machine. In addition, a
top-up card allowing passengers to add a minimum of £5 credit to their cards
via mobile phone will be launched next month, the company said. Chris Blyth,
managing director of Newport Bus, said the move was intended to encourage
more people to use buses. “We are delighted to be the first bus operator in
the UK to launch this kind of commercially available smart card."
Later this month Newport Bus is also to
launch a top-up payment card for less frequent bus users. Adults taking up
the Passport card can expect to pay £12 for unlimited use over a week of
Newport Bus's four dozen or so services in the city and to and from Cardiff
and Cwmbran. The monthly rate is £46.80. The annual rate is £561.60.
Concessionary rates are available for students and children.
CITY WOMAN FOUND SAFE AND WELL
May 16 - 53 year old Susan Bishop who had
gone missing from her Newport home, and hadn't been seen since Monday 10th
May, has now been found safe and well.
NEWPORT MAN ARRESTED OVER STABBING
May 13 - A 58-year-old woman
has been stabbed during a mid-morning walk. Gwent Police recovered a knife
and arrested a man after the attack on Hereford Road in Abergavenny,
Monmouthshire, at about 1010 BST. The woman suffered stab wounds to her body
and was taken to nearby Nevill Hall Hospital. It is understood her condition
is not life-threatening. Police have increased patrols in the area, and are
carrying out house-to-house inquiries. Officers are also speaking to a
number of witnesses. The arrested man is aged 39 and from the Newport area.
DRIVER CHARGED WITH SLEDGER'S DEATH
May 11 - A driver has been charged over the
death of a teenager whose toboggan ploughed down a hill and was in collision
with a car, police has said. Anthony Farley, 19, died after sliding down a
snow-covered hill on to a main road. Mr Farley, from Bettws, who had a baby
son, was pronounced dead at the scene. His 23-year-old friend, who was also
on the toboggan, was taken to Nevill Hall Hospital with head injuries. The
accident happened at the bottom of Armoury Hill, near Ystrad Deri, on
February 21. A 34-year-old man, who has not been named, has been charged
with causing the death of Mr Farley. He is also charged with driving other
than in accordance with his licence, not having insurance and failing to
stop at the scene. The man is due before Caerphilly Magistrates' Court on
May 25.
FLYNN LAUDS HIS 'BEST VICTORY'
May 10 - Paul Flynn MP has lauded his
victory in Newport West as the best of his tenure, owing to the difficult
political and eonomic circumstances. He stated "It's the best victory
because of the odds against us. The Tories had a bottomless pit of cash.
Their leaflets outnumbered ours by three to one. Happily they were
insultingly patronising and poor quality. Ours were smarter and prettier.
The Murdoch microphone left in Gordon's pocket did not help. The daily
Cameronian lies on every other billboards in the city were disconcerting
and paid for by Lord Ashcroft's tax evasion cash." But he warned supporters
to prepare for another general election soon "A
word to all Newport West Labour supporters. Don't throw away or re-cycle
your party signs or unused leaflets. We will need them for re-use in the
near future."
CRUISE SHIP MAY BE RYDER CUP
ACCOMMODATION OPTION
May 8 - Newport City Council has confirmed
that it is awaiting the success of a marketing campaign that could see the
City's Dock area as a base for Ryder Cup visitors with accommodation aboard
a luxury cruise ship. The Diamond Cruise Ship is being marketed as an
accommodation option for the Ryder Cup, however, final confirmation of the
Ship coming to Newport will depend upon sales. If it confirmed that the
Cruise Ship will be visiting, the approach routes will be considered in
partnership with Associated British Ports. Outside the Ryder cup
preparations, the Council is working with Associated British Ports on
promoting Newport’s attractions and including them in itineraries. Work is
currently being undertaken on future itineraries for 2 cruise ship
companies.
LABOUR CLAIMS CITY DOUBLE
May 7 - Newport retained its two Labour
MP's following the outcome of yesterday's General Election. Jessica Morden
fought off a huge effort by the Liberal Democrats to snatch Newport East. Ed
Townsend, Deputy Leader of Newport City Council, managed an 8.3 per cent
swing but Ms Morden held on by 1,650 votes. Ms Morden stated ""The Liberal
Democrats put a lot of resources into Newport East, but we had a very
home-grown group of supporters who have worked tirelessly to bring about
this result," she said. In Newport West, veteran MP Paul Flynn easily beat
off a challenge from Conservative Matthew Williams, the Tory swing of 3.2
per cent was well below the national average.
Newport East
- Jessica Morden Labour
12,744 37.0% -8.2 Ed Townsend Liberal
Democrat 11,094 32.2 +8.5 Dawn Parry
Conservative 7,918 23.0 -0.5 Keith Jones
British National Party 1,168 3.4 +3.4
Fiona Cross Plaid Cymru 724 2.1 -1.7 David
Rowlands UK Independence Party 677 2.0 -1.0
Liz Screen Socialist Labour Party 123 0.4
-0.5 Majority 1,650 4.8 Turnout 34,448 63.6% +5.7%
Newport West -
Paul Flynn
Labour 16,389 41.3 -3.6
Matthew Williams Conservative
12,845 32.3 +2.8 Veronica German
Liberal Democrat 6,587 16.6 -1.3 Timothy
Windsor British National Party 1,183 3.0 +3.0
Hugh Moelwyn Hughes UK Independence Party
1,144 2.9 +0.5 Jeff Rees Plaid Cymru 1,122
2.8 -0.8 Pippa Bartolotti Green 450 1.1
-0.4 Majority 3,544 8.9 Turnout 39,720 64.8 +5.5
NISV POOL CLOSURE
May 7 - Due to essential maintenance the
South East Regional Swimming Pool at Newport International Sports Village
will be closed from Monday 17 May and will reopen on Monday 24 May. For
information on other swimming pools and opening times in Newport call 01633
656656
POLICE APPEAL OVER CITY SEX ASSAULT
May 6 - Gwent Police are appealing for help
after a woman, 31, was sexually assaulted in Newport after a night out in
the city centre. Police say her movements remain unclear on the night, but
after leaving High Street she was attacked, and ended up in the Brynglas
area hours later.
Detectives say the assault took place
between 0150 BST and 0330 BST on Saturday 17 April. A 36-year-old man
arrested on suspicion of sexual assault has been released. Police said the
victim was seen on CCTV cameras walking along High Street on the night of
the attack, at the end of a night out socialising. However, she disappears
from view, and it is thought she may have walked along Malpas Road, and may
have entered a vehicle in the area. She arrived in the Brynglas area at 0330
BST. It was during this missing time that the assault is reported to have
taken place. Police are appealing for anyone who may have information about
the assault or witnessed the victim during those hours to contact officers.
The victim is described as white, 5ft 7in tall (1.7m), slim with short dark
hair and wearing black jeans and a white collared "Henley" t-shirt.
STOP THE TORIES BANDWAGON STARTS IN
NEWPORT
May 5 - Labour's Welsh leader Carwyn Jones
and Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain were in Newport to encourage
voters in the City to stop the Tories. The partnership was hoping to shore
up Labour support as they campaigned to stop a Tory Government. Mr Hain
said: "I'm asking everybody in Wales to come out and vote Labour, including
those who may not be Labour supporters, aren't necessarily in agreement with
everything we do. We've got to make sure the Tories do not run Wales again,
and I'm confident that Wales can win under Labour and it's vital that we do.
I'm asking every voter - Labour supporter, Plaid Cymru, Liberal Democrat, an
independent or just fed up, to come and support Labour, especially in
constituencies where there is a close Labour-Conservative fight."
Kirsty Williams, Liberal Democrat leader in
Wales, was in Newport yesterday campaigning with Newport East parliamentary
candidate Ed Townsend.
CITY RESIDENTS INVITED TO FIND OUT MORE
ABOUT RYDER CUP
May 5 - Newport residents are invited to
find out more about the Ryder Cup. Four roadshow events have been planned
for May and will provide an opportunity to find out more about The Ryder Cup
as well as the many events and activities that are planned for 2010. The
first roadshow will be held on Tuesday 11 May at the Newport Centre and
every Tuesday until June 1, roadshows will be held in different venues
across the city.
Dates and venues are as follows:- Tuesday
11 May - Newport Centre, Castle Room / Tuesday 18 May - Caerleon Golf
Course, Clubhouse / Tuesday 25 May - Ringland Community Centre / Tuesday 1
June - Newport Centre, Castle Room / The roadshows will run from 5.30pm
until 7.30pm. There will be a presentation at 5:30pm and then an opportunity
for informal questions and answers.
TORIES PLAY THE IMMIGRATION CARD IN NEWPORT
EAST
May 4 - Newport East's Conservatives have
controversially played the immigration card in their attempt to maximise votes
ahead of Thursday's General Election. A four page leaflet to voters in
Newport East is headed "Immigration - Too Much?" The leaflet claims the
Conservatives will 'reduce immigration by 75%' without any substantiation
and claims that Labour 'gave 200,000 immigrants British passports during 2009'. The
latter is also unsubstantiated. The clear pitch for the white working class
vote includes vehement criticism of Liberal Democrat policy stating they
"would open the floodgates, allowing further expansion of the EU, and even
more foreign workers". The leaflet from Dawn Parry's campaign is a sign
perhaps of their desperation that the Conservative campaign in Newport East
has not made significant inroads and that the Lib Dems, more active on the
ground, have been more prominent opposition to Labour than the Tories.
Ms. Parry recently complained that
Conservative posters and billboards had been removed in Newport and some
outlying areas. In addition, the Conservatives temporary HQ in Church Road
had been defaced with the message 'burn this building....all welcome to
Wales, except Tories'. The parliamentary candidate told the Argus last week
some garden boards and large boards on Chepstow Road in Newport had been
defaced with what she said were “little Hitler moustaches” drawn on to her
face. Originally from the Rhondda, Ms. Parry is a Councillor in
Weston-super-Mare and owns a bed and breakfast establishment in the Somerset
town.
BASSALEG PUPIL WINS ANTI-RACISM AWARD
May 3 - A student from Bassaleg School
attended a prize-giving ceremony for Show Racism the Red Card’s Anti-Racist
School Competition 2010, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Thursday 29
April. Yasu Patel was runner-up in the Year 7-9 category. Her prizes were
tickets for a Newport Gwent Dragons game and the chance to be a team mascot.
EVESWELL HOSPICE DEVELOPMENT REFUSED
May 2 - Newport City Council Planning
Committee has turned a planning application by St. David's Hospice to build
a new facility in the east of Newport. This application sought planning
permission for the erection of a new day centre and chemotherapy out-reach
clinic at land to the north of Kensingston Court Day Centre off Eveswell
Park Road. Due to the topography of this site the proposed building would
need to be split-level, being two storeys on the rear and three storeys on
the front. The building would provide 1,100sqm of floor space having a
footprint of 675sqm. A large number of local residents wrote both in support
of the scheme and against it. Those in favour stated that St
Davids Hospice undertake valuable work in support of cancer patients, that
the existing chemotherapy clinics in Newport are heavily subscribed and the
alternative facilities are over 30 minutes drive from Newport. Those against
criticised the loss of a green space in the Beechwood ward and the traffic
potentially created by the development. Planners turned the proposal with
particular regard to its negative impact on a largely residential area. The
decision is a blow to the Hospice as the Welsh Assembly Government had
offered a grant of £2 million for the development of a palliative care
centre in the City.
CITY VIZION TO INCORPORATE RESTAURANT
UNITS
May 2 - Newport's restaurant and leisure
sector may receive a much needed boost from proposals for the latest phase
of City Vizion. The City has none of the major restaurant chain boasted by
neighbours but this may change with approval for units to be incorporated in
to the revised development in the Rodney Parade area of the city.
It is proposed that the ‘entrance’ to the development from
across the bridge would comprise a public plaza area framed by a curved
6-storey feature apartment block (with café/restaurant/retail uses on the
ground floor) on the southern side of the boulevard and two 4-storey
apartment blocks on the northern side including a smaller
café/restaurant/retail unit in part of the ground floor area. The inclusion
of the café/restaurant/retail uses is considered appropriate in order to
enhance the vitality of the location which is at a key junction between the
riverside walkway/cycleway and the axis created by the footbridge and
proposed boulevard running through the site.
MARCHERS CALL FOR DOCTOR TO BE
STRUCK-OFF
Apr 30 - Over 150
demonstrators have walked through the centre of Newport calling for a
hospital doctor to be struck-off following the deaths of two patients in her
care. Dr Salawati Abdul-Salam was suspended by the General Medical Council
for four months in March. The hearing was told in 2006 she had wrongly
diagnosed a nine-month-old girl, Aleesha Evans, of Newport, who died of
blood poisoning the next day. Dr Abdul-Salam said she would not comment due
to patient confidentiality. Protesters were wearing yellow T-shirts with the
slogan "Justice for Aleesha". The march ended outside the Royal Gwent
Hospital where Dr Abdul-Salam was working at the time. During the hearing in
March she admitted making errors with four patients in her care and said she
was "sorry" for her actions. She had sent Aleesha home from the Royal Gwent
Hospital in Newport saying she had a viral infection that needed only Calpol
and Nurofen.
VIRTUAL MUSEUM FOR NEWPORT SHIP
Apr 29 -
Local residents and history enthusiasts will now have the opportunity to
explore Newport’s medieval past and see how the medieval castle and ship may
have looked in the 15th Century, by visiting an online virtual museum.
The University of Wales, Newport will
this week reveal an interactive visualisation of the ship that allows people
to walk around the ship’s underwater remains and visit a 3D museum
containing historical information and publications.Visitors will be able to
"walk" around the ship's underwater remains and see it in its medieval
landscape.
Matt Chilcott, development director at the
university's Institute of Digital Learning, said: "This innovative digital
approach enables Newport to share its rich heritage with a range of
audiences all over the world in a new and exciting way. "For example,
tourists planning to visit Newport can now have fun exploring the area's
history before they even arrive in Wales." He continued: "This cutting-edge
project in the field of digital heritage is an example of the work we are
doing here at the university to explore how online 3D technologies can be
used to help visualise history, and bring it to life as an effective
learning, teaching and public engagement medium."
ROWECORD SIGN UP TO JOBS CHARTER
Apr 29 - Rowecord has become the latest
company to sign up to the Newport Construction Initiative Charter (NCI). Ben
Hoppe, OBE and chairman of the family business, and Newport’s mayor
Councillor Glyn Jarvis signed the Charter at the firm’s headquarters next to
the famous Transporter Bridge.
NCI is a groundbreaking business
partnership led by the city council which is designed to encourage
construction employers to recruit and train local people. “As a company
which is committed to its employees, customers and the communities in which
we operate, we are delighted to sign up to the Newport Construction
Initiative Charter,” said a spokesman for Rowecord. “We want to provide
products and services which are the best in the market and product segment
in which we compete and our workforce is an important element of that
objective.”
COUNCIL WARN OVER NOISE NUISANCE
Apr 29 - People who play their music too
loud risk having their equipment seized and destroyed by Newport City
Council. This is just one of the penalties facing those who cause a noise
nuisance. Figures released by the council to mark Noise Action Week
highlight the misery that can be caused by such behaviour. In Newport in
2009/10 there were 1,322 complaints about loud music or televisions and
another 528 in relation to animals, usually barking dogs. Persistent
offenders could end up in court facing fines of up to £5,000 or even
imprisonment.
REVIEW IN TO DEATH CHILD CONCLUDES THAT
EVENT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN PREDICTED OR PREVENTED
Apr 29 - Following the death of a
four-year-old child on 19 June 2009, Newport Safeguarding Children Board
conducted a Serious Case Review which has been published today. The report
was conducted following guidance from the Welsh Assembly Government to
establish what lessons could be learned about the way local professionals
and agencies work together in relation to this case and make recommendations
accordingly.
Newport City Council is one of the agencies
involved in the report which concludes, ‘the death of child 1 would appear
to be a sad, tragic event, which could not have been predicted or prevented
by any specific action or intervention from any of the agencies.’
Chair of Newport Safeguarding Children
Board, Stewart Greenwell, said: “The death of this four-year-old in June
2009 was a tragic event and once again I would like to express my
condolences to the family. These were clearly a set of unfortunate
circumstances that no one could have foreseen. There were some shortcomings
from a number of services in their contact with the family but it is
encouraging that all agencies have accepted the recommendations and are
already implementing the necessary changes.”
The report identifies that there were a
number of good practices with the family during their time in Newport. The
report states that even if the child’s mother had received a full
psychiatric assessment in the autumn of 2006 followed by appropriate
diagnosis and treatment, it is impossible to state in retrospect whether
this would have reduced the likelihood of the mother harming her child.
START TO FOURTEEN LOCKS RESTORATION WORK
Apr 28 - Next week (on 7 May at 10am) Mayor
of Newport Councillor Glyn Jarvis will be joined by students from Pill
Primary School at the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre, to celebrate restoration
work on two pairs of locks on the Cefn Flight of Fourteen Locks, as part of
the Education through Restoration project. Newport City Council and the
Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust secured over £1million
funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other funding bodies to restore
the locks on the Scheduled Ancient Monument and provide an education
programme. The contractors, Cuddy, began on site in March 2009 and the
restoration works are scheduled to last six months. Canals Trust Chairman
Bernard Illman said: “The Trust is delighted that work has now started on
four of the locks of the Cefn Flight and we are looking forward to the
autumn when our trip boat will make its first passage through the restored
structures.”
GLAN USK SCHOOL OPENS
Apr 27 - Pupils and staff were among those
celebrating a special day at Newport’s newest primary school building today.
Construction of the long-awaited replacement school for Durham Road Juniors
and Infants began in March 2008. Now called Glan Usk Primary, the new
building in the Glebelands opened to pupils in January this year and today
Newport’s mayor Councillor Glyn Jarvis officially opened the new school.
Invited guests were treated to performances
by pupils before Councillor Jarvis unveiled a plaque. Glan Usk Primary,
which also includes a nursery, has integrated formal and informal teaching
areas, a drama studio, two halls, a kitchen and extensive additional
facillties. Pupils also have access to outdoor areas such as an all-weather
pitch, multi-use games area, a pond for nature study, gardening zones and an
outside classroom. Facilities are also available for community use.
The new building incorporates many
sustainability features, such as natural lighting and ventilation, and an
under floor heating system.It is a far cry from the cramped and crumbling
Victorian buildings – and concrete playground - used by the school
previously. Children had to walk to a canteen in a nearby street, to local
churches for school concerts and to the Glebelands for sports events. Head
teacher Jeff Beecher said: “Both staff and pupils are delighted with our new
surroundings and we are grateful to the people who planned, designed and
built this superb accommodation." The project is a Public Finance Initiative
contract, partially funded by Welsh Assembly Government PFI credits, between
Newport City Council and Newport School Solutions Limited which includes the
provision of support services to the school for 25 years.
PLANNING UPDATE
Apr 27 - Among planning applications
published today are a proposal from Tesco to erect two wind turbines
adjacent to their distribution centre near Llandevenny and a plan to convert
the Drovers Arms public house on Goldcroft Common in Caerleon in to
residential accommodation.
COUNCIL TRUMPETS ROAD MAINTENANCE
STRATEGY
Apr 26 - Newport City Council has been
trumpeting the positive progress made by their Project 21 strategy today.
Project 21 was a three year £21 million plan to resurface all the city's
roads.
The scheme, which began in June 2009, will
see the entire network of roads and footways in Newport being resurfaced,
and corroded lampposts replaced. After heavy snowfall earlier this year the
council said it had seen a "significant" reduction in the number of reports
of potholes, compared to the first 10 days after the snow the previous year.
Leader of the council, Councillor Matthew
Evans said: "Co-ordinated and prioritised road improvements have seen an end
to the expensive and illogical 'patchwork quilt' approach. Project 21, the
largest of its kind in Wales, has been designed to tackle the backlog of
repairs in the city and reduce the number of liability claims thanks to the
improved condition of the city's streets." Meetings have now been lined up
with councils keen to learn more about the Newport strategy.
LEAFLET CLAIM IS LAUGHED OFF BY LIB DEMS
Apr 26 - A leaflet mistakenly claiming that
Lib Dem candidate Ed Townsend is the MP for Newport East has been laughed
off by his party. Labour criticised the presumptuous leaflet requesting an
apology. In it Townsend stated "I’ve always put local people first as
our MP." Mr Townsend’s office told the Argus it "was a genuine typing error
and that the letters stopped being sent out as soon as the error was known".
ELECTION FOCUS ON CRIME IN NEWPORT EAST
Apr 25 - The muted election campaign in
Newport stepped up a gear with the focus on crime and anti-social behaviour
in the east of the City. Gwent Police has admitted that burglary rates in
Newport and the area are at the same level as London this week. Dawn Parry,
Conservative candidate, has produced a leaflet castigating the Government
for being 'soft on crime'. Jessica Morden, sitting Labour MP stated she
wanted earlier intervention to prevent crime, action to tackle the problems
caused by problem families, and a right to legal injunctions for repeat
victims, funded by the police or council who let them down. She said only
Labour was providing the resources to properly fund the police. Ms Parry
stated that more needed to address anti-social behaviour "I believe that
local action teams set up to combat anti-social behaviour will work. It
places responsibility in the hands of local community residents who are best
placed to identify where the problems stem from." Ed Townsend the Liberal
Democrat candidate, who is trumpeting his party as the only one who can beat
Labour said , "More police officers would help, but we need a solution that
is wider than just policing. The only way we can make things better is
through partnership - with police, schools, councillors, community workers,
churches, parents and local residents all working together."
Plaid Cymru's candidate Fiona Cross told
the BBC: "Plaid Cymru is committed to restorative justice and community
sentencing, where appropriate. We call for a national community safety
strategy for Wales, more drug rehabilitation places and programmes, drug and
alcohol education in every school in Wales and better amenities for young
people in their communities."
NEWPORT EAST candidate list is as follows -
Fiona Cross (Plaid Cymru)
Keith Jones (British National Party)
Jessica Morden (Labour)
Dawn Parry (Conservative)
David Rowlands (UK Independence Party)
Ed Townsend (Liberal Democrat)
COUNCIL COMMISSIONS KEY RETAIL STUDY
Apr 23 - Newport City Council and Newport
Unlimited have commissioned Colliers CRE to carry out a study of retail
provision in the city and area. The study, commissioned by Newport
City Council and Newport Unlimited Urban Regeneration Company, will provide
an evidence base and inform the retail policies and proposals of the Newport
local development plan 2011-2026. It will also assist the council in
assessing retail planning applications. The research will include a
household telephone survey to establish shopping patterns and an assessment
of the need for additional floorspace. The final report will be delivered in
June.
Colliers CRE head of research consultancy Dr Richard Doidge said: "The study
comes at a crucial time for Newport, since it has to compete ever harder for
retail sales against the nearby regional shopping destinations of Cardiff
and Bristol, both of which benefited from major new shopping centre openings
during 2008/09. New retail provision in Newport city centre is likely to be
a key driver of the city’s regeneration and economic transformation over the
next decade."
LATEST SECTION OF CYCLE ROUTE OPENS
Apr 23 -
The latest section of the Newport to
Caerleon cycle route has been opened by Newport's Mayor , Councillor Glyn
Jarvis, with a supporting speech by Rosemary Butler AM.
Pupils
from Caerleon Comprehensive School and representatives from Newport City
Council, Sustrans, Capita Symonds and local cycle groups attended the
launch. The new path is now open to cyclists and walkers and forms
an important section of the cycle route which will eventually link central
Newport with Wentwood Forest and beyond. It’ll provide a safe route to
schools in Caerleon, and a link between the two University campuses at
Caerleon and Newport’s riverfront. Funding has been made available by the
Welsh Assembly Government (£480,000), Sustrans and Newport Unlimited. A
further £549,000 has now been allocated by the Welsh Assembly Government for
next year’s section between Home Farm and Caerleon Comprehensive School. Mrs
Butler stated "This is a very important section because it shows how an
imaginative use of natural surroundings can encourage people to cycle. It’s
the first genuinely rural part of the route and local people have already
shown a tremendous amount of interest in it. It’s a tribute to all those who
have worked so hard on the design and the funding and gives us a foretaste
of what can be achieved as the route progresses into and beyond Caerleon."
WOMAN DIES AT HOSPITAL GIVING BIRTH -
REPORT
Apr 22 - A new mother has died at the Royal
Gwent Hospital after giving birth, according to Wales Online. The unnamed
women died in intensive care at the Hospital in Newport 10 days ago.
The case has been referred to the coroner, but the report claims "tragedy
will once again put the spotlight on maternity services provided by Aneurin
Bevan Health Board". The exact cause of her death has not yet been
confirmed, but it is thought she suffered a secondary postpartum
haemorrhage.
CITY BUS COMPANY INCREASES PASSENGER
NUMBERS
Apr 22 - Newport's municipal bus service,
Newport Bus, increased its patronage by 100,000 in 2009/10. Its fleet of 90
buses carried 7.6 million passengers. Chris Blyth, Managing Director,
claimed "Major investments have been made in staff, vehicles and the
services we operate and this will continue throughout 2010. In a time of
recession we have resisted the approach of adopting fare increases to
balance profits in favour of a investment strategy focused upon our
customers. By improving our buses and services, despite the difficult
financial climate, our customers have shown their satisfaction with the
positive increase in bus user numbers.”
The company will later this month also
launch a website where customers will be able to plan their bus journeys
online and book tickets.Mr Blyth said: “We believe these new improvements
and investments will continue to help passenger numbers grow during the
current financial year.” The company employs 250 people including more than
145 bus drivers.
UNI SCOOPS GREEN AWARD
Apr 22 -
A unique approach to waste reduction and sustainability has
scooped a prestigious environmental award for the University of Wales,
Newport and earned it the accolade of being “a great example of how the
public sector can make cost savings during this difficult economic climate".
The University won the Envirowise
Innovation Award 2010 for its innovative on-site bio-diesel project which
turns waste oil generated on campus into fuel for powering vehicles.
MAYOR MAKING CEREMONY SET FOR CELTIC
MANOR
Apr 21 - Cost cutting Newport City Council
will be holding their mayor making ceremony at the Celtic Manor Hotel this
year. The event in the Manor Suite on May 18 will be attended by all
members, their partners or guests and other invited individuals. The hire of
the hotel suite will cost £4300 with other costs edging the budget for the
event up towards the £8000 limit. The choice of venue is change from last
year at Newport Centre but the Council states "This event allows the Council
and the city to celebrate the new Mayor taking up his or her new role as
Newport’s First Citizen. This is attended by all elected members and their
partners or guests. It currently concludes with a lunch at which about 150
individuals attend. It is considered that this is an important occasion and
an opportunity for the new Mayoralty to be celebrated by the Council and the
city."
ODDS NARROW IN CITY SEATS
Apr 21 - Bookmakers odd have narrowed in
the two Newport parliamentary constituencies reflecting the close battle in
the opinion polls and the unexpected surge by the Liberal Democrats. In
Newport East Labour's Jess Morden remains clear favourite to win the
constituency but odds on the Liberal Democrats Ed Townsend have improved
significantly with the Conservatives well behind in third place. In Newport
West it is nip and tuck between incumbent Paul Flynn and Conservative
Matthew Williams with bookmakers evenly divided as to the leading candidate.
The Lib Dems are not expected to register. In the absence of opinion polls
in the area and in Wales generally the only indication of voter choice has
come from the polls in marginals and national opinion polls, all seem to
indicate an above average swing away from Labour in south Wales.
COUNCIL REVIEWS SCHOOL SNOW CLOSURES
Apr 20 - A review of Newport school
closures in the past winter due to severe weather has concluded that the
primary responsibility for making the decision to close a school should
remain with the Head Teacher and the School's Governing Body. However, a
number of important changes are proposed to ensure schools staff report to a
place of work to assist the City Council's education service.
Responses to the consultation from parents, in particular
staff working in other sections of Newport City Council, voiced
dissatisfaction that this meant school staff had been treated differently
from other Council employees – many thought that school staff should have to
attend the school nearest to their home in the event of adverse weather, as
is required of other Council workers, or be required to take leave. The
review by the City Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes that more
must be done by schools staff to attend work or to report to their nearest
open school. Initial feedback from Head Teachers questioned whether this was
possible given the security issues and requirements for CRB checks. However,
it was confirmed by Child Protection and Human Resources Officers that it
would be possible for a member of school staff to attend another school on a
temporary basis during times of snow.
Members discussed the different health and safety
considerations in opening a site to staff or pupils, and that it could be
possible for a site to be reasonably safe for staff to access, but not
suitable for access by large numbers of children. If a school was open to
staff only, they would have been able to undertake other non-pupil contact
duties during that time. The Forum also agreed that the costs incurred by
the Council's Grounds Maintenance in clearing school sites of snow should be
recharged to the schools.
TJ's TO SHUT
Apr 19 - Following the death of owner John
Sicolo it has been confirmed that Newport music venue, TJs, will close. Mr
Sicolo's daughter Leanne posted a message on Facebook to music fans that
after looking at the books the venue's financial problems proved more
serious than they thought. "My dad was TJ's and Clarence Place is just a
building but it is very hard for me to except that TJ's will be finally gone
after it has been in my family for nearly 40 years," she wrote. "I am
so sorry because I know the club meant a lot to all of you ... we all have
very good memories, everyone different, so I want you to keep those memories
and when you think of them or my dad it puts a big smile on your face.
My dad will never be forgotten if we all do this because he is in
everyone's heart, and we all miss him so much."
CITY DATA CENTRE IS FOURTH LARGEST IN
WORLD
Apr 16 - The new Next Generation Data
Centre opened in the former LG Hynix building in Coedkernew is the fourth
largest in the world and the largest in Europe according to Data Centre
Knowledge. The Centre covers 750,000 square feet. The main users of the data
centre opened in March are multi-national companies including Logicalis and
BT. The huge facility was built to house an LG semiconductor plant, but was
vacated shortly after it was completed in 1998. NGD has converted the site
into a three-story data centre facility that will feature more than 375,000
square feet of technical space, enough capacity for more than 19,000
cabinets of servers and storage. The data centre is designed to accommodate
private data centre pods, and also has shell space to accommodate data
centre container installations.
1. 350 East Cermak / Lakeside Technology
Center (Digital Realty): 1.1 million sqft/ 2. Metro Technology Center,
Atlanta (Quality Technology): 990,000 sqft with 560,000 sqft of data centre
space 3. The NAP of the Americas, Miami (Terremark): 750,000 sqft / 4. NGD
Europe, Newport Wales (Next Generation Data): 750,000 sqft, 375,000 sqft
data centre space / 5. Container Data Centre, Chicago (Microsoft): 500,000
sqft / 6. Microsoft Dublin (Microsoft): 550,000 sqft / 7. Phoenix ONE,
Phoenix (i/o Data Centres): 538,000 sqft / 8. CH1, Elk Grove Village, Ill.
(DuPont Fabros): 485,000 sqft 9. 9A and 9B. Microsoft Data Centres in Quincy
Washington and San Antonio: 470,000 sqft / 10. The SuperNAP, Las Vegas
(Switch Communications): 407,000 sqft
COUNCIL TO MOVE ON JOHN FROST SQUARE
DEVELOPMENT
Apr 15 - The City Council Cabinet has set
out plans to move forward the redevelopment of John Frost Square,
considering procurement options for the re-tendering of the opportunity to
the market. After considering the options available, the Cabinet was advised
that the restricted tendering procedure was considered to be the most
appropriate method for selecting a preferred development partner in this
case. This will allow the Council to invite the most appropriate developer
to work with it on the much-needed project. In a separate development the
City Council has set aside a significant sum for the legal fight with
Iceland Foods concerning the Compulsory Purchase Order of its stores near
Austin Friars.
WORK TO BEGIN ON NEW HARTRIDGE SCHOOL
Apr 15 - Work will begin on the enabling
works for the new Hartridge School next month (May 2010). The school
building is expected to be completed in March 2012, the City Council were
advised of the proposed timescale this week by design partner HLM
Architects.
SIMS GROUP PROSECUTED OVER SCRAPYARD
DEATH
Apr 14 - The owners of a
scrap metal yard have been fined £200,000 after a lorry driver was killed by
a crushed car. Adrian Turner, 50, from Wolverhampton, was hit by a metal
bale which rolled off a heap at the yard in Newport Docks in April 2008. The
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted yard owners Sims Group UK Ltd,
of Stratford upon Avon.
In a statement Mr Turner's family said the
financial penalty handed down offered them little comfort. They stated "It
should be an absolute priority to ensure death and injury to employees and
others on site is avoided. We have been torn apart by Adrian's death and
wish that no other family has to endure the loss of a loved one in the
manner we did."
While delivering scrap to the site on 28
April, 2008, Mr Turner was told to deliver his load to the metal shredder
area of the yard. He left his cab and was opening the rear doors to his
trailer when the one-and-a-half tonne metal bale on the scrap pile came
loose and rolled down into him.
QUEENSWAY ROAD PURCHASE WILL BRING NEW
ROAD SCHEME
Apr 14 - A plan to ease M4 congestion has
been heralded following confirmation that the Welsh Assembly Government has
purchased Queensway Road from Corus for £7.7 million. The road links the
Newport entrance to the Corus steelworks site in Lliswerry with junction 23A
of the M4 at Magor. Plans will now be drawn up to see how the road can be
improved to allow public traffic to use the route. The aim is to upgrade the
road to a dual carriageway. Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: “The
M4 is a vital economic artery through South Wales and we are taking action
to make sure it is improved and that traffic flows smoothly. I announced
last year that a new M4 relief road was simply too costly on economic and
environmental grounds. Since then we have been working tirelessly to look at
every option available to improve the road and address safety and capacity
issues. Buying the Queensway Road is the latest step in our plans."
According to the press release the first phase of road construction is set
to start "immediately" when the Welsh Assembly Government and Newport City
Council begin to upgrade the road. Traffic management arrangements will be
put in place to carry out the necessary work and a specific communication
will be issued closer to the start of the works.
CIVIC RECEPTION FOR FOOTBALL HEROES
Apr 13 - A civic reception will be held for
Newport County AFC this Sunday, April 18, to celebrate the club’s success in
winning the Conference South Championship. Before and after the ceremony,
the players will board an open top bus which will tour the city’s streets.
Newport’s mayor Councillor Glyn Jarvis will
present a crystal football to the club in recognition of their outstanding
success this season which has won them promotion to the Blue Square Premier
League. The open top bus will leave Newport Stadium at 11.30am and travel
along Corporation Road, Clarence Place, Queensway and to the main entrance
of the civic centre. Following the reception, the players will again board
the bus to make their way back to the stadium via Queensway, Clarence Place,
Chepstow Road, Somerton Road and Nash Road. On Sunday 18th April the City
will host a Civic reception for Newport County AFC to celebrate their
success in winning the Conference South Championship here at the Civic
Centre.
ROYAL VISITOR IN CITY TOMORROW
Apr 13 - HRH Prince Edward, The Earl of
Wessex and trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, will undertake a
day-long visit to Newport, South Wales on Wednesday 14 April. The visit will
see Prince Edward visit numerous Duke of Edinburgh’s Award projects
throughout Newport and his first visit will be to the Rivermead Centre in
Rogerstone.
Prince Edward will then visit the Info Shop
in the city centre where he will meet a group of young mum’s who have
completed the Duke of Edinburgh’s award alongside caring for their children.
Following the visit to the city centre, the next stop on the journey will be
to Bisley Office Furniture Factory before Prince Edward finishes his tour at
the Wales National Velodrome for an afternoon of activities. At the
Rivermead Centre, HRH Prince Edward will meet the Mayor Councillor Glyn
Jarvis and Mayoress Glenys Jarvis along with Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
director for Wales and Newport as well as gold participants before viewing
the facilities the centre offers. At Bisley Office Furniture factory there
will be a private lunch and a presentation by an inspirational gold award
holder. Prince Edward will also meet key figures from local and national
businesses. The final stop of the visit will be to the Velodrome where young
people from across Newport (approx 300) will participate in a Duke of
Edinburgh’s challenge event.
POLICE RE-APPEAL OVER SDR FALL INCIDENT
Apr 12 - See details
here.
POSTAL VOTE REMINDER
Apr 12 - Newport residents wishing to use a
postal vote for the General Election on May 6 are being reminded that the
last date for registration and applying for a postal vote is April 20.
Contact 01633 232134; email
uvote@newport.gov.uk
or call in person at Entrance 3 in the civic centre during office hours.
EASTERN SUBURB PLAN SET TO START ON SITE
 |
Apr 9 - Work is expected to start
soon on Newport's Eastern Suburb, Glan Llyn, on the site previously
occupied by the Llanwern Steelworks. A leading regeneration
specialist, St. Modwen, has signed an agreement with Newport City
Council, allowing plans for the redevelopment of the former Corus
Llanwern steelworks into a £1 billion urban community to commence.
It is understood the first 140 homes will be built on the area as
the development gets under way.
Glan Llyn, owned by St. Modwen, will
see 4,000 new homes built over the next 20 years, creating 6,000 new
jobs, as well as a business park, three lakes, a railway station, a
retail area and primary school. The site will be divided by an
upgraded link road from Junction 23 of the M4 all the way through to
the Southern Distributor Road. Developer St Modwen has been involved
in "remediation works" for the last four years, clearing the site.
Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of
Newport City Council, said: “I am delighted that St Modwen and the
council have been able to move this important regeneration project
forward. It has a significant strategic part to play in the future
of Newport. We look forward to seeing a new community taking shape
on this brownfield site and welcome the many new employment
opportunities which are due to be created. St Modwen has shown
confidence in Newport and that speaks volumes particularly in the
current economic climate.” |
25% OF M4 SPEEDSTERS FINED
Apr 8 - Only a quarter of drivers caught
exceeding the speed limit on controversial new 50mph zone on the M4 have
been fined, Wales Online has revealed. Since October, more than 16.5million
vehicles have negotiated speed check cameras between junction 24 and
junction 29 in Newport. But Gwent Police revealed just 2,031 speeding
offences were recorded in those six months – partly because drivers can
clock 56mph without being prosecuted, or can slow down in between cameras to
bring their average speed down. And of those, just 524 had been issued with
fines – equivalent to around three a day. A Gwent Police spokesperson told
us: “Current prosecution guidelines state that an allowance is given for the
Association of Chief Police Officers to prosecute when exceeding the limit
by 10% + 2. This is to allow for manufacturing differences in vehicle
speedometers.”
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
DEMONSTRATES GREEN CREDENTIALS
 |
Apr 8 - The Waste and Resources
Action Programme (WRAP) initiative Halving Waste to Landfill
received a boost with the decision of one construction company to
not only join the scheme but also to publicise its good working
practice and commitment to reducing waste by displaying the HWTL
logo on its hoardings. This is the first time a contractor has
produced panels with the logo for its hoardings, a precedent WRAP
hopes others will now wish to follow. The new panels were first
placed at Leadbitter's Mariner’s Quay development and will now be
rolled out to other company construction sites across the country.
Mariners Quay, Newport, is the largest sustainable new housing
development in Wales—and one of only a handful across the UK to
achieve a Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) Level Five rating—and it
is also a site where exceptional measures have been taken to reduce
waste. WRAP had been keen to develop site hoardings incorporating
its logo for some time and worked closely with the company to do
this. It is now intended that these hoardings will be used
nationwide to demonstrate the work being done to reduce the amount
of waste produced from construction work. The unveiling of the new
hoardings coincided with a visit to the project by Dr Mike Watson,
Head of Construction at WRAP, who wanted to see how the contractor,
one of the first signatories to WRAP’s halving waste to landfill
initiative, had embraced the challenge. Dr Watson said "I am
delighted with Leadbitter’s drive to curtail the amount of
construction waste sent to landfill. Since signing the voluntary
agreement in 2008, and then engaging with their own supply chain,
they have been directly responsible for adding more than 30 new
signatories to the 320 total list". |
SIGNIFICANT CUTBACKS TO
CITY LIBRARY SERVICES
Apr 7 - Newport City
Council's Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition has agreed significant
reductions in the City's library services. All branch libraries will be
closed on Saturday afternoons. The main City library will shut at 4pm with
its cafe replaced by vending machines. In addition, the music and DVD
facilities provided will be withdrawn gradually. Bizarrely, the plans also
include the introduction of lone working in a number of branch libraries.
The proposals will save £49,000. Alway Councillor Ray Truman (Labour)
has criticised the decision by Lib Dem Cabinet Member Mike Hamilton "The
proposed decision to close branch libraries on a Saturday afternoon is
counterproductive. For example on a Saturday afternoon in Ringland Library
the building is packed with young people using the various facilities on
offer. Surely any decision to deny them of this service does not make sense?
It makes more sense to me to have people using the facilities in the library
rather than be locked outside the building with nothing to do. I'm sure its
the same with some other branch libraries. The proposal to extend lone
working in libraries is something that comes with a risk. I have serious
reservations about this.....In the past we in Newport have taken great pride
in our libraries and the service that they provide. However the above
proposals will seriously challenge the service and there is a risk that we
will fall behind on the standards of what we offer our citizens."
ABOVE INFLATION INCREASE
FOR CARE CHARGES
Apr 7 - The City Council's
coalition has implemented an inflation busting increase in charges for
domiciliary, day care and residential services. The average increase is 4
per cent with some charges rising by up to 39 per cent. The Council argues
that the increases have not been sufficient in the past but Councillor
Langsford (Labour, Malpas) has criticised the proposals stating "I think
that we are hitting the vulnerable once again and I am against any increase
in charges that is above inflation."
COUNCIL SLAMMED OVER
MANSION HOUSE PLAN
Apr 7 - Proposals by Newport
City Council to build a car park on the east lawn of the City's Mansion
House to pave the way for its use as a registry office have been
criticised by a vocal group of local residents and councillors. They have
formed a Facebook site calling for the Council to consider a safer option of
using existing entrance and exit ways for vehicles. One resident of Stow
Park Circle states on the site ""I have been privileged to live in the
Circle for fifty years- it being one of the few parts of Newport to remain
unspoilt by development. The Mansion House has always been a special place
for the people of Newport to visit and enjoy. To allow the Council to
desecrate the gardens would be the final nail in the coffin of Newport's
heritage." See the site
here.
NEWPORT HOUSING EXPANSION
UNDER WAY
Apr 6 - Despite the
interruption caused by the recession there are significant signs of
development activity with the City Centre. Alongside the new University
Campus and Railway Station a swathe of residential developments are on site.
The former Technical College
in Clarence Place will provide 66 residential units when it opens later in
2010. The Persimmon development near the Southern Distributor on the former
British Dredging site is nearing completion with 85 houses and 50 flats
available now. Taylor Wimpey are shortly to recommence work on the City
Vizion site near Rodney Parade creating 486 residential units. On the former
Orb Steelworks the same company are onsite building 176 properties in
Lysaghts Village. The Parc Lysaght development opposite will include 69
residential properties (57 houses, 12 flats) adjacent to the new Morrison's
supermarket as part of Linc-Cymru's new scheme for the area including a
refurbished Institute building. Redrow are building 120 properties on their
Alexandra Gate development on the west side of the Distributor bridge, part
of a development of 399 properties. Fairlake are currently building 101
homes along the riverfront in their Mariner's Quay scheme. Westmark are
completing block 2 of their 154 flat Newhaus development in the Old Town
Dock.
Despite the recession the
scale of this development will provide a major boost to Newport's economy
over the coming year with other developments ongoing in areas such as
Langstone and Duffryn as well as a number of plans for the Caerleon area.
The major scheme waiting in the wings from St. Modwen involving the building
of over 4000 homes, schools, parks and lakes on the western end of the
Llanwern steelworks is imminent with an outline statement already approved
by the City Council.
BNP ANNOUNCE NEWPORT
CANDIDATES
Apr 5 - The
British National Party’s Welsh regional organiser, Brian Mahoney, has
announced two General Election candidates to stand in Newport, bringing the
total number of contested seats in Wales to twelve, with more to follow.
“Keith Jones will stand in Newport East, and Timothy Windsor will stand in
Newport West, said Mr Mahoney. Newport was subjected to an Islamic march
through its streets, led by Mohammed Ashgar, AM for Plaid Cymru. Treacherous
Plaid Cymru’s vision for Wales in cultivating the taxpayer funded ‘Operation
Black Vote’ took a bit of a knock recently when their very own Mohammed
abandoned them and jumped ship to the Conservatives, who had to allow him to
employ members of his own family at taxpayers’ expense. Mohammed has openly
declared his ambition to establish a family based Muslim political dynasty
in South East Wales with his daughter Natasha Ashgar (another Muslim Plaid
Cymru candidate, although her current allegiance is not known),” continued
Mr Mahoney.“We have other ideas.” The BNP did not stand in either Newport
seat in the 2005 General Election.
TREDEGAR HOUSE VW SHOW
CANCELLED
Apr 2 - The Volkswagon Show
scheduled for Tredegar House over the Easter holiday weekend has been
cancelled by the City Council. The popular event scheduled to run until
Monday was shelved due to the poor weather. The organisers stated "We have
been contacted by the country house and area council, and have been told
that due to the up and coming weather conditions the grounds in and around
the area where the show was to take place would not be suitable.It seems a
clause in the contract between the country house and ourselves stipulated
this, and the decision to cancel this event was not down to the organizers
but the council themselves.There is no one more disappointed and unhappy
with this decision than ourselves, and have been in talks with the council
to try to rectify the situation, but after exhausting all options we have no
option other than to inform you now of the cancellation."
THEATRE SHUTS FOR EASTER
BREAK!
Apr 2 - Newport's Riverfront
Theatre and Arts Centre will be closed for the entire Easter break! The
city's premier venue will also not be able to take bookings from customers
for up and coming events. It reopens on Wednesday April 7.
CITY RESIDENTS CUT THEIR
CARBON EMISSIONS
Apr 2 - Residents of Newport helped to
reduce carbon emissions by 13440.68 tonnes last year by recycling over 10
and a half thousand tonnes of dry recycling, along with 609.61 tonnes of
food waste. Dry recycling is collected weekly at the kerbside in the green
and blue boxes from every household in Newport. Residents can put out
textiles (clothes and shoes), magazines, junk mail, newspapers, envelopes,
directories (i.e yellow pages), mobile phones and printer cartridges for
recycling in the blue box.
The green recycling box can be used to
recycle aerosol cans (e.g.hairspray, deodorant), drink cans, foil, glass,
plastic bottles (type 1 and 2) and food tins/cans. Wastesavers Chief
Executive, Penny Goodwin said: ”Recycling is such an easy way to reduce our
carbon emissions, and Newport residents are doing a great job. We need all
Newport residents to continue recycling if want to reduce our carbon
emissions significantly and lead the way in Wales.”
 |
POLICE SEEK HELP WITH BIKE
THEFT
Apr 1 -
Gwent Police is appealing for information to locate
items stolen in a burglary in the Malpas area overnight on 17th-18th
February 2010. A garage at an address
on Grove Park Drive was broken into and rare and customised bikes to
the value of approximately £20,000 were stolen.
The stolen bikes are described as follows:
1 x 'INTANSE' mountain bike frame
1 x 'COVE' chrome mountain bike
1 x 'SPECIALIZED SX TRAIL' full suspension mountain bike - red in
colour fading into black
1 x 'ORANGE' full suspension mountain bike - grey in colour
1 x 'GENESIS ALTITUDE' titanium mountain bike - grey in colour
1 X 'YALE' tool box blue in colour containing 'SHIMANO HOLLOWTACH2'
tools
An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Police would appeal
to anyone who may have been offered the items or has information
about the incident to contact them on
101. Alternatively they
can call Crimestoppers anonymously on
0800 555 111.
|
BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENT COULD
BRING NEWPORT JOBS BOOST
Mar 31 - Newport's growing
reputation as a centre for public sector jobs could be boosted by the Budget
announcement recommending the move of 15,000 civil service jobs out of
London. Writing in today's Western Mail Robert Carew-Chaston of chartered
surveyors Hutchings & Thomas puts the case for relocation to Newport. He
stated "Newport recently came third in a list of the 28 best office
locations in the UK in the highly-regarded Lambert Smith Hampton Office
Location Index. The chart, which placed Newport on almost maximum points,
listed centres on criteria of rental cost, quality of premises available,
labour costs, availability of skilled workforce and the potential to recruit
staff locally. Major office expansion in Newport is possible due to its
enormous labour catchment area. Newport is at the centre of the South Wales/Severnside
area which, with a population of some 1.5m within 45 minutes drive of the
centre of Newport, is the second largest conurbation in the UK." The Patent
Office, the Office for National Statistics and the Prison Service have had
highly successful relocations to Newport creating a significant public
sector cluster in the west of the City adjacent to M4 junction 28.
LIMITED AMBITIONS OF
ASSEMBLY TRANSPORT PLAN
Mar 30 - The Welsh Assembly
Government has revealed very limited ambitions for the south east Wales and
the Newport area in its five year transport plan published yesterday. Major
projects that would aid the area's infrastructure such as the M4 relief road
and Severnside Airport are completely ignored in favour of the following
threadbare aspirations
Complete the works at Newport rail
station to improve transport interchange facilities for passengers.
Complete the improvement to Gaer
Junction by 2011, and as the next stage complete the detailed
feasibility work to provide hourly services from Ebbw Vale to both
Cardiff and Newport.
In line with the regeneration of Ebbw
Vale, appraise the feasibility of a new rail station in the town centre.
Deliver a package of measures designed
to improve the efficiency of the M4 in south-east Wales, including
public transport enhancements, making the best possible use of the
motorway and improving the resilience of the network.
Integrate the development of cycle
routes in south-east Wales that are supported under EU Convergence
funding through the Heads of the Valleys, Valleys Regional Park and
Valleys Cycle Network projects.
POLICE RENEW APPEAL OVER
INJURED MAN
Mar 29 - Gwent Police is re-appealing for information
following a man being located on the side of the Southern Distributor Road (SDR)
in Newport with serious head injuries. The
20 year old man from the Lliswerry
area was found at approximately 11.30pm on Saturday 27th March on the side
of the SDR outside Carcraft. Police believe the man, who had been out
socialising in the Maindee area of Newport earlier that day, left Maindee
Square at approximately 11.15pm in a dark coloured people carrier with a
sliding door.
The man was seen exiting this vehicle on the SDR and then the vehicle
continued to travel along the road down towards the slip road to Stephenson
Street. The injured man was conveyed to the Royal Gwent Hospital and later
transferred to the University of Wales Hospital where he remains in a
critical condition. Police inquiries are continuing to establish the
circumstances of the incident and officers are renewing their appeal for the
driver of the vehicle to come forward.
Officers are also particularly interested in speaking to anyone who may have
seen the man getting into the vehicle on Saturday night in Maindee Square at
approximately 11.15pm. He is described as 6 feet 1 inch tall, of
medium/stocky build with short dark brown hair. Both his arms are heavily
tattooed. His right arm has tattoos of hearts, tribal patterns and a skull
with chequered flags and a red spider's web coming out of it and his left
arm has tattoos of Japanese flowers and a koi carp fish. He was wearing a
blue and white striped t-shirt and blue jeans. Anyone who witnessed the man
in Maindee Square/getting into the vehicle or can offer information to
identify the vehicle or driver is asked to contact Gwent Police as soon as
possible on 01633 838111.
FOOD WASTE COLLECTIONS TO
BE EXTENDED
Mar 29 - Newport City
Council’s successful food waste collection service is set for another
expansion. Throughout April 6764 homes will be added to the scheme, with
another roll out planned in June. All the streets involved in the roll out
will be formally notified and will receive caddies, liners and a detailed
guide on how to use the new service. The service will be extended to streets
in Bassaleg, Rhiwderin, Alway, Caerleon, Pontfaen and Marshfield.
POLICE FIND INJURED MAN ON
SDR ROADSIDE
Mar 28 - A 23-year-old man is in a critical condition in hospital after
falling from a moving vehicle in Newport. Police are trying to trace the
driver of a dark coloured people carrier or Land Rover type vehicle involved
in the incident in Newport on Saturday night. Part of the A48 southern
distributor road near Carcraft, where he was found lying at 2330 GMT, has
since reopened. Gwent Police said they are "keeping an open mind" over how
he came to "exit" the passenger side of the vehicle. Detectives believe he
was socialising in the Maindee area of the city and had bought a kebab prior
to getting into the vehicle in Maindee Square. He was found later lying by
the roadside and police said following the incident, the vehicle continued
to travel along the distributor road towards the slip road to Stephenson
Street.
CITY COUNCIL TO SHARE
SERVICES WITH NEIGHBOURING AUTHORITIES
Mar 26 - Newport City Council
has agreed to formalise shared working with two neighbouring authorities as
part of its drive to reduce costs. Newport's Chief Internal Auditor will
provide a similar role for Monmouthshire on a formal basis from now onwards
as part of a new agreement between the two Councils. In addition, Newport's
Student Services function will be transferred to Cardiff City Council from
April.
MEMBERS ALLOWANCES FROZEN
Mar 26 - Members allowances
for Newport City Council are set to be frozen for the 2010/11 financial year
to reflect the difficult economic circumstances being experienced by
residents. Members currently receive a salary of £13,030 per annum. The
Leader receives an additional £30,591 and Cabinet Members £15,396. The
Leader of the Opposition receives an additional £9,236.
NEWPORT PAYS RESPECTS TO
TJ'S OWNER
Mar 25 - Newport paid her
respects today to John Sicolo, the inspiration behind the TJ's music venue
in Clarence Place. Sicolo died on Sunday March 14. A massive turnout at St.
Paul's Church in the city centre commemorated the life of a merchant seaman
from Pill who became a leading figure in Newport's rough and ready
independent music scene. The funeral cortege started its route with a slow
drive past TJ's greeted by a round of applause from those gathered to
remember Mr Sicolo. This evening many people were still gathered at TJ's as
a number of bands played in his memory.
A tribute issue of the Frug
zine has also been produced.
See here.
Donations will go towards a possible memorial for John Sicolo in Newport.
FIREARMS DISCOVERED IN
RINGLAND POLICE RAID
Mar
24 - A high voltage stun gun, pepper spray and small quantity of cannabis
has been seized after a police raid in Ringland, Newport.
Gwent Police officers executed a warrant issued under the
Firearms Act and the Misuse of Drugs Act in Howard Close, Ringland, at
10.15am on March 18th. After the weapons and drugs were discovered by a
search team, one 41-year-old man was arrested. The man was questioned and
bailed pending forensic analysis of the seized weapons.
Sergeant Dave Morgan, of Newport East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We
received intelligence that illegal activity was taking place in the area and
we acted on it quickly. This coordinated police response - involving
officers from across the Newport East Neighbourhood Policing Team, response
offices and firearms team - stopped dangerous weapons from potentially
getting onto our streets. We want to reassure people living in the area
that we are taking tough action on crime." Anyone with information on crime
in their area can call Gwent Police on 101,
or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800
555111.
CAR WRITTEN OFF IN M4
CRASH
Mar 24 - A Citroen C1 was
left wrecked and straddling the central reservation of the M4 this morning
after crashing with an HGV, according to Wales Online. The smash happened
between the red hatchback and the lorry between the Coldra Roundabout and
Brynglas Tunnels in Newport at 7.45am this morning. Remarkably, no-one was
injured in the crash, though the car is believed to have been written off. A
spokeswoman for the Police said: “Lane one was temporarily closed while car
was recovered.” Tailbacks stretched along the three-lane carriageway for
more than a mile in both directions. The road was cleared by 9.10am.
YOUNGSTERS URGED TO HELP
WITH ST. JULIAN'S CLEAN UP
Mar 24 - Police in St Julians,
Newport, are appealing for youngsters to help them tidy the local area at a
special clean-up day during the Easter holidays. Newport East Neighbourhood
Policing Team joined forces with Church of Christ minister Paul Halliday to
organise the St Julians Clean-up Day on Wednesday 31 March.
Newport City Council, local councillors,
Newport City Homes and Keep Wales Tidy are also involved. Car company
Vauxhall have offered to supply the transport on the day. High school pupils
under the age of 16, particularly those living in the Old Barn Estate area,
are invited to take part on the day. The day will involve two-hour morning
and afternoon sessions and lunch will be provided for all helpers at the
Church of Christ on East Usk Road. Youngsters who take part will also be
rewarded with a high street shopping voucher. St Julians ward police officer
Alex Jones said: “The clean-up day promises to be a fun event, which will be
rewarding for youngsters who take part in a number ways.Helpers will see a
visible difference to their local neighbourhood, but they will also be
rewarded with a shopping voucher and a tasty meal for lunch."
CITY COUNCIL IN LEGAL BATTLE WITH
ICELAND FOODS
Mar 24 - Newport City Council is set to be
embroiled in a legal battle with Iceland Foods over plans for the Compulsory
Purchase of their stores near John Frost Square. The City Council were
seeking to obtain the order as part of their plans for the redevelopment of
the City Centre. The process due to be completed on March 8 was halted
following a legal challenge from the supermarket chain.
JOJO MAMAN BEBE BOSS IS
BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Mar 23 - The owner of a
nursery retail firm who cycles to work and encourages her staff not to take
a "jobsworth" approach to work has won a top business award. Laura Tenison,
founder and managing director of Newport-based JoJo Maman Bebe, has been
named the Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of The Year. She started the company,
which sells mother and baby clothes and products, from scratch in 1993. It
now employs 280 people and has an annual turnover of £21m. She said "I
encourage staff to pursue their dreams in life and offer flexible shifts,
school hour shifts and the chance to work from home. We have husbands and
wives working for us who swap babies over in the car park as they arrive and
leave for work."
CITY LAUNCHES RYDER CUP
BASED EDUCATION INITIATIVE
Mar 23 - Newport City Council Local
Education Authority and The European Golf Tour have joined forces to launch
a new, bilingual Ryder Cup-themed curriculum to pupils from years 2 to 8 in
schools across Newport. In a world first, teachers, head teachers and
education officers in Newport have embraced being the host city for The 2010
Ryder Cup and created an exciting curriculum using golf and The Ryder Cup as
a theme. Via this curriculum, children from across Newport will be taught
new skills from literacy and numeracy to equalities, sustainable
development, ICT and technology.
Newport schools St Julian’s Primary and
Langstone Primary have both been trialling the new curriculum, which is due
to fully launch into schools across the city in September and will run for
seven weeks, coinciding with The Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor Resort.
Schools across Wales will be able to access curriculum materials via an
online resource as part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s National Grid for
Learning Cymru initiative.
COUNCIL GRANTS £7.5K TO
CATHEDRAL
Mar 23 - In a further grant
to support Newport Cathedral the City Council is providing £7,500 towards
the repair and maintenance of boilers in the building. The Headley Trust
have announced that they are making a grant of £50,000 to the Newport
Cathedral Campaign to carry out a £2 million restoration project. The
Cathedral has raised approximately £1 million so far. The Cathedral has
appointed Davies Langdon as Quantity Surveyors to join the team of
professionals who along with the Cathedral Architect Michael Davies of
Davies Sutton (Architects) in order to draw up the required plans for the
restoration work.
POLICE APPEAL OVER
GEMELLI'S BURGLARY
Mar 23 -
Gwent
Police is appealing for information and witnesses following a burglary at
Gemelli's Italian Restaurant on Bridge Street, Newport.
The incident occurred on Tuesday 16th March at approximately 5am. Forced
entry was gained and a small quantity of cash was stolen. The offenders were
seen making off from the scene in a red rover 5 door saloon. Three men have
been arrested in connection with the incident, they have since been released
on police bail pending further enquiries. Anyone who may have witnessed the
incident or has any information that could assist officers with their
enquiries is asked to contact Gwent Police on 101 or Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT GRANT UP
Mar 22 - The Welsh Assembly
public transport grant for Newport has been increased for the first time in
two years. The allocation to the City Council will increase from £395k to
£411k for 2010/11. The funding is used to subsidise economically
unviable routes.
RESIDENTS LACK PRIDE IN
CITY - SURVEY
Mar 21 - A City Council
survey of 300 Newport residents has revealed a mixed view of the City. The
survey revealed that 69 per cent of those questioned felt that Newport was a
good place to live. 53 per cent stated that they felt that Newport was
improving and had become a better place to live recently. However, only 44
per cent of those surveyed felt proud of Newport. The survey will be carried
out on a regular basis by the Council's contact centre, particularly to
review residents' opinions of the City's role in the Ryder Cup.
BELLWAY APPEAL HURRANS'
DECISION
Mar 21 - Developer Bellway
has appealed the decision by Newport City Council not to grant permission
for the building of 60 homes on the former Hurrans Garden Centre in
Langstone. The City Council Planning Committee split five votes to four,
overturning an officer recommendation for approval, when it agree the
decision on February 10. Bellway's appeal will be heard by the Planning
Inspectorate for Wales.
The plan attracted a wide range of objections
from Langstone residents. They included the following
"the village of Langstone is being destroyed by the on-going building of
new homes; the area already suffers from electricity supply problems
due to overburdening of the system; primary and Infant schools in
Langstone are full with some classes taking place in terrapins; there is no
state Nursery in Langstone. It should be linked to the school and
established on the application site; Langstone has no facilities for
residents such as shops, post office and community centre. The Council think
they can put more houses in Langstone without providing any facilities for
residents; - there is no dedicated doctors surgery for a community of 2770+
residents. The development is unsustainable in a rural area; the provision
of social housing is out of character for the area and will have a negative
effect on the resale value of properties."
NEWPORT PERFORMS POORLY IN
TRAVEL SURVEY
Mar 19 - Newport has come out
of fifth in a Travelodge survey revealing Britain's ten least visited
cities. The city that came out top,
Bradford, has been branded ''dangerous, ugly and boring'' and
where travellers least want to go. Wakefield was seen as 'dull and
depressing'. Other locations high on the do-not-visit list were Dundee, due
to bad weather there, Sunderland (nothing to offer with dislikeable local
accents) and Newport itself, which was seen as having a high crime rate.
''We live in a world of misconceptions, and often don't realise it," said
Travelodge spokeswoman Shakila Ahmed.''A significant proportion of the
images of cities we have in our minds may be biased, out of date and not in
tune with reality.'' The full list 1. Bradford 2.
Wakefield 3. Dundee 4. Sunderland 5. Newport 6. St David's 7. Wells 8. Ely
9. Ripon 10. Lichfield
DOCTOR SUSPENDED AFTER
FATAL ERRORS
Mar 19 - A doctor with a
"disregard" for patient safety has been suspended for four months by the
General Medical Council. Dr Salawati Abdul-Salam wrongly diagnosed
nine-month-old Aleesha Evans, of Newport, who died of blood poisoning the
next day, a hearing was told. She admitted making errors with four patients
in her care and said she was "sorry" for her actions.
The hearing had been told that in 2006, Dr
Abdul-Salam had sent Aleesha home from the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport
saying she had a viral infection that needed only Calpol and Nurofen. The
trainee specialist registrar had not examined the baby, noting her condition
was "unremarkable". But she was suffering from meningococcal septicaemia,
blood poisoning, and died the following day.
AUSTIN FRIARS TOILET TO CLOSE
Mar 19 - Another public toilet in Newport
is to close as part of expenditure cuts by the City Council. The Facility at
Austin Friars is underground and has poor access downstairs. The City
Council states "Having regard to this factor and the alternative provision
nearby (in the bus station), closure of this Facility is recommended as the
way to meet the Council’s budget." This will save £25,000 per annum. It will
close on 26 March.
UNEMPLOYMENT STILL ON THE
RISE
Mar 18 - The latest detailed
unemployment statistics show joblessness in Newport still on the rise
despite a national / UK trend showing a reduction. National Statistics
figures show the number of Jobseekers Allowance recipients in the Newport
East constituency has increased from 2570 (in January) to 2605 a month
later, 5.8 per cent of the workforce. In the neighbouring Newport West
constituency the numbers increased from 2710 to 2759, 5.5 per cent of the
workforce. The UK's claimant count rate stands at 4.9 per cent of the
workforce.
MAN CHARGED WITH 2008
MURDER
Mar 17 - A 27-year-old man
has been charged with murdering a woman in Newport almost two years ago.
Aleksandra Lipska, born Kaczmarska, 27, was found dead after police were
called to a house in the Maindee area of the city on 13 May 2008. A
man was arrested this week and Gwent Police said on Tuesday evening that he
had been charged with murder. He is due to appear before Newport
Magistrates' Court tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.
FLYNN/MORDEN TABLE COMMONS
TRIBUTE TO COUNTY
May 17 - Newport's two MP's,
Jessica Morden and Paul Flynn, have tabled a Commons motion congratulating
Newport County on their promotion from the Conference South
"That this
House warmly celebrates Newport County AFC's phenomenal 24 points lead at
the top of their division which secured their promotion into big time
football after 21 years of difficulties and exile: congratulates Dean
Holdsworth, the rest of the squad and management and the record number of
Amber Army faithful for their brilliant achievement: looks forward
confidently to even greater triumphs in future."
WAG REPORTS RECOMMENDS
NEWPORT UNLIMITED CHANGES
Mar 16 - A review
commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government has recommended changes to the
way Newport Unlimited, the City's regeneration company, is run. Formed
in 2003 urban regeneration company Newport Unlimited was tasked as being the
engine room for change in Newport working alongside WAG and the City
Council. The review, however, warns that Newport Unlimited is "very
disconnected from the people, businesses and communities in Newport". This
needs to change so that local people are better informed and see Newport as
a 'city of change'. The organisation's website has not been updated since
December! The review recommends a review of Newport Unlimited's Masterplan
for Newport and a 'reality check' on the developments planned and the dates
for delivery. It concludes "This interim evaluation has concluded that
the URC approach has proved to be a powerful and effective mechanism for
driving forwards the physical regeneration and economic change needed in
Newport. To date much still needs to be done which will require the
continued co-ordination and direction of partnership efforts and resources."
ARREST OVER 2008 MURDER OF
POLISH WOMAN IN MAINDEE
Mar 15 - Police investigating
the murder of a woman almost two years ago have arrested a 27-year-old man.
Aleksandra Lipska, born Kaczmarska, 27, was found dead at a house on Dewstow
Street, Maindee, Newport, in May 2008. The suspect, who is from Cardiff, is
being questioned by detectives at Ystrad Mynach police station in Caerphilly
county.
Police are appealing for anyone with
information to contact them on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Det
Supt Paul Griffiths said: "This investigation has been ongoing for nearly
two years and I am appealing to anyone not previously approached by police
who has any information with regards to Aleksandra's death to come forward."
Police and the ambulance service had been called to the house in Dewstow
Street in the early hours of Tuesday, 13 May where they found Ms Lipska's
body. At the time of the murder, detectives appealed to the Polish community
in Newport for any information that could help the investigation. Detectives
distributed posters in Polish and set up a telephone line with a Polish and
English voicemail message.
MINISTER OPENS WIND
TURBINE DEVELOPMENT
Mar 15 - Wales’ environment minister Jane
Davidson has officially opened two wind turbines developed, constructed and
now operated by Wind Direct at the site of Solutia Chemicals, Newport. The
Wind Direct project, which is the largest of its kind in Wales, was also
chosen as the background to the launch of the Welsh Assembly Government’s
Energy Policy Statement - A Low Carbon Revolution. The two Nordex N90 2.5MW
wind turbines will supply up to a third of the facility’s electricity
requirements; aligning closely with the Welsh Assembly’s vision of a low
carbon future.
TJ's OWNER DIES IN
HOSPITAL

Pay your tributes to John Sicolo
here |
Mar 14 - One of the
leading lights of the music scene in Newport for 40 years and owner
of TJs, John Sicolo, has died in hospital aged 66.
One of TJ's staff told BBC Wales
that Mr Sicolo had died at 0600 GMT on Sunday at the Royal Gwent
Hospital, Newport. "The cause of death is not yet known," he said,
adding, "Rest in peace, mate." The TJ's Facebook site has received
many messages of condolence. John's daughter Leanne Jane Sicolo said
in response to them "thank
you everyone for your kind messages my dad died early hours of this
morning he passed away in his sleep he will be sadly missed by
everyone who knew him love you dad x."
Mr Sicolo was a
former merchant navy seaman, where he served as a cook. He is
described on the club's website as 'half Welsh, half Seychellean'.
He founded the club in 1971, first christening it El Sieco's before
renaming it TJ's Disco. The late BBC DJ and presenter John Peel
dubbed the venue "the legendary TJs" on his radio shows. Oasis, Echo
and The Bunnymen, Catatonia, Manic Street Preachers, the Buzzcocks
and Primal Scream were among the thousands of bands who appeared
there.
Paul Flynn MP for
Newport West stated TJ's gave Newport fame, excitement and musical
chutzpah. "It was TJs that won for Newport the title the New
Seattle. A generation of Newportonians relished the buzz of hearing
top World groups on their own doorstep. They fondly remember TJ's at
it's thrilling best, robust, loud and bursting with talent." The
future of the club had been shrouded in uncertainty and Mr. Sicolo
had planned to sell off some of his memorabilia to keep things
afloat. In the next month there was a busy schedule of events
including the return home to Newport of Skindred. |

Joe Strummer play one of his last gigs
at TJ's. Strummer was fond of the club and of Newport. |
PLAN TO LINK FOOTBRIDGE TO
JOHN FROST SQUARE

 |
Mar 13 - A plan to
link the Usk Footbridge to John Frost Square has been put forward by
the City Council. At present pedestrians from the footbridge access
the shopping areas of Newport via the bus station. The walkway from
the bus station to John Frost Square is dark and unpleasant. The
City Council is intending to put in place a steel staircase between
Llanarth Street, adjacent to the Kingsway Centre entrance and the
walkway from the footbridge creating a continuous link between the
river and the city centre. At this stage the staircase is intended
to be temporary until new proposals come forward for the City's new
shopping centre.
The application seeks consent for the erection of
steel public steps, realignment of 2.4m high hoarding and
reconstruction of public footpath at land to east of John Frost
Square to Llanarth Street, John Frost Square. The improved footpath
and staircase is intended "to create a strategic route and vision
between the City Centre and the riverside whilst also stimulating
interest in the new adjacent Kingsway Shopping Centre units
resulting from the increased passing trade". The total length of the
site being redeveloped would measure 29m with the staircase being
6.125m of this length. The footpath and staircase would span a width
of 2.65m. The staircase would bridge a gap in levels of 2.34m and
would be constructed from a hot dipped, galvanised steel and would
be finished with etching primer and a gloss coat. The staircase
would be enclosed by a balustrade measuring 1.1m in height, the
balustrade would consist of galvanised steel support poles infilled
with a mesh panel welded to the inside frame, the top of the
balustrade would be act as a handrail, these would run down either
side of the staircase and also through the middle creating
additional support.
The steel staircase structure can be easily
dismantled for use elsewhere if a more permanent scheme should be
implemented. The application states the proposed scheme "would
create a strategic route and an additional point of pedestrian
access to the riverfront and also the City Centre Footbridge pending
a more comprehensive scheme as part of the future redevelopment of
Friars Walk". It is expected to receive planning permission shortly
from officers though Newport Civic Society expressed concerns about
how 'temporary' this structure would actually be.
Left - the walkway (top) near the Usk Footbridge and
the view from the Llanarth Street end near Clarks towards John Frost
Square and the proposed location of the new staircase adjacent to
the former Co-operative Bank. |
TROOPS RECEIVE ROUSING
RECEPTION
Mar 12 - The 1st Battalion of
the Welsh Guards received a rousing reception from hundreds of shoppers and
office workers as they marched the length of Commercial Street in Newport
this afternoon. The homecoming parade marks the end of their campaign in
Afghanistan.
Afterwards they went to the Civic Centre
where Major Terry Harman said: “Thank you for the reception we have just
received in your wonderful city.” He then gave a presentation, in the
council chamber, on their work in Afghanistan. He explained that as well as
fighting the Taliban, the Welsh Guards were involved in reconstruction and
partnering the Afghan National Army. Major Harman also spoke of the
importance to the soldiers of the support they received back home. Referring
to the youth of some of the Welsh Guards he said: “They ask for nothing and
give everything. They are men among men.” Councillor Glyn Jarvis, the Mayor
of Newport, said: “It is a very proud day for us today, to welcome the Welsh
Guards to Newport.
MAN IN WHEELCHAIR ROBBED
IN CITY CENTRE
Mar 12 - A man in a
wheelchair has been robbed at a car park in Newport. The 41-year-old was
approached by a man in his mid 20s in the city centre on Wednesday night and
wheeled into the car park on Bridge Street. A bag containing cash, bank
cards and personal items was stolen before the offender fled the scene. The
offender is described as a white male, about 5ft 7ins (1.7m), slim, and
wearing a green jacket with a hood. Police are appealing for information.
The victim was travelling along Commercial Street into Bridge Street in his
wheelchair when he was approached by a man who offered to help him.
Despite saying he did not need help, he was
wheeled into a nearby car park and his black cloth bag was taken, some time
between 2230 and 2300 GMT. Gwent Police said the victim, who is from west
Wales but was staying in Newport, was not injured. He called to two men for
help and they ran after the offender but were unable to catch up with him.
The two men returned to check the victim was okay but left before police
arrived. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Gwent
Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
£200 MILLION DATA CENTRE
OPENS
Mar 11 - One of the largest
data centres in the world has opened in Newport following a two-year
construction project. The facility, located in the former Hynix semi
conductor building has a 750,000 sq ft tier 3 data centre and has cost £200
million to complete. Owned and operated by Next Generation Data, it has
triple-skipped walls, bomb-proof glass and is surrounded by prison grade
perimeter fencing quipped with state of the art security.
Welsh Assembly government minister for science, innovation and skills Lesley
Griffiths said: "For a highly respected company such as Next Generation Data
to locate and develop this site here in Newport sends out a strong, clear
message. Next Generation Data will provide opportunities for higher level
skills, including the technician base required to ensure the company, and
economy, remains competitive far into the future." Next Generation Data, the
owner and operator of the new data centre which has worked closely with the
Welsh Assembly Government on the project, is now making available a wide
range of custom built co-location data halls to large UK and international
organisations. Contracts totalling over £20 million have already been
concluded with BT and Logica which began moving their extensive data centre
IT operations into the high security NGD Europe facility last month.
HOMECOMING PARADE FOR
TROOPS
Mar 11 - Soldiers from the 1st
Battalion Welsh Guards who have served in Afghanistan will parade in the
city centre tomorrow. It will start at 2pm outside Weatherspoon’s in
Commercial Street and proceed through Commercial Street. As they pass
Westgate Square, the Lord-Lieutenant of Gwent Simon Boyle and Regimental
Adjutant Colonel (Retd) Tom Bonas will take the salute in the presence of
the Mayor and Mayoress, the High Sheriff of Gwent and the leader of Newport
City Council. The parade will proceed through Bridge Street before ending in
Cambrian Road. In the summer of 2009, the Welsh Guards took part in some of
the fiercest fighting ever seen in Helmand supporting 19 Brigade during
Operation Panther’s Claw.
CAMBRIAN CENTRE COULD BE
SUPERMARKET LED DEVELOPMENT
Mar 10 - Yet another
supermarket could re-open on the site of a former shopping centre in Newport
that had been due for a £90m facelift. A plan to demolish the Cambrian
Centre to build shops and a 100-metre tower was scrapped last year when
developer Modus went into administration. New owners Scarborough Development
Group are now considering building a supermarket on the land, believing it
is more economically viable. There have been plans to regenerate Cambrian
Centre going back to 2004.
Mark Jackson, managing director at
Scarborough Development, said: "The food store market is understandably
proving to be one of the more robust in this recession, and is a great
sector in which to be investing and in which to found our new business." The
Cambrian Centre used to house a Somerfield supermarket before it was closed
down to pave the way for regeneration.
Welcoming the news of the acquisition
Robert Carew- Chaston, director of Newport- based Hutchings & Thomas
Chartered Surveyors told Wales Online : “I’m keen to know more about
Scarborough Development Group’s plans for Newport but on the face of it this
is fantastic news for our city. This could well be the first sign of hope
generally and for the city that the private sector is now ready to act and
get back into the marketplace and take up what are in the case of the city
of Newport ‘oven ready’ development sites such as the one worked up by Modus
for the centre of Newport." Rosemary Butler AM stated ""I
was ...glad to hear that the Modus subsidiary company which originally set
out to develop the Cambrian site, has now been acquired by the Scarborough
Development Group. That's another piece of good news and I hope that the
Friars Walk redevelopment will also get back on track . All this, as well as
the Ryder Cup in October, means that Newport is still very much on the map."
CAERLEON CYCLE ROUTE BOOST
Mar 10 -
Newport West AM Rosemary
Butler has welcomed the news that another crucial section of the
Newport-Caerleon Connect 2 cycle route has been given the necessary go ahead
by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The Pillmawr Road to
Home Farm section is due to open in April, and the Assembly Government has
now agreed to provide £549,000 from its National Transport Grant fund to
help build the next section of the route from Home Farm to Caerleon
Comprehensive School. A major feature of this section will be a railway
bridge near St Cadoc's Hospital as part of the Assembly's Safe Routes in
Communities programme for 2010/11. There are plans to extend the cycle route
eventually through Caerleon and the Celtic Manor Resort to Wentwood Forest .
Other partners in the scheme include the transport charity Sustrans, Newport
Unlimited, Newport City Council, Newport University and transport
consultants Capita Symonds.
EVENTS BOOST CITY CENTRE
TRADE
Mar 9 - A City Council report
has revealed the City Centre is increasingly dependant on events for its
sustainability. The report to the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Forum
notes that retailers welcomed the events organised by the City Council
throughout the pre-Christmas period and the boost to trade provided by the
free parking initiative. However, the report notes the need to do more
particularly during Newport Festival year. The report paints a downbeat
picture of retail trade in the centre "From July 2009 to November 2009
footfall in Newport City Centre showed a gradual decline, this is in line
with other towns and cities across the UK with an average 5% decline during
these months. This would reflect the economic climate. November to December
showed an increase in footfall in Newport reflect the pattern across the UK
as a whole which saw an average increase of 11.2%, however, year on year
figures compared to 2008, showed a steady decline."
PLANNERS BACK CHANGES TO
CITY BUILDINGS
Mar 9 - Changes to a number
of well known City buildings are backed by Council planning officers in
their report to the Council's Planning Meeting tomorrow. Councillors will be
asked to consider -
-
The conversion of the
former Chicago Rock Night Club at the top of High Street into offices
for the Seren Housing Group.
-
The conversion of the
former Corporation Hotel in to sixteen one-bedroom flats.
-
The conversion of the
former Floors 2 Go building in Philip Street in to twelve dwellings.
DEVELOPMENT COMMEMORATES
STEEL MILL OWNERS
Mar 8 - Taylor Wimpey has
this week revealed the name for its new development in Newport, Lysaght
Village. The developer has named the site, which is being converted into 549
new homes, after the city’s steel mill owners, the Lysaght family.
Born in Ireland in 1832, John Lysaght inherited the Temple Backs factory, a
modest ironworks enterprise in Bristol, in 1857. Starting out with just six
employees, John Lysaght recognised the increasing demand for sheet iron
usage in construction and built the factory into a profitable trade.
John’s eldest son, Frederick Percy Lysaght, took over management of the
family business in 1895 and it was thanks to his success that sheet mills
were first brought to South East Wales from Wolverhampton along with many
workers from the Black Country. As demand for galvanised steel increased,
Frederick Lysaght chose to build a new ironworks factory on farmland
bordering the River Usk in Newport. He chose this site because of its close
proximity to plentiful coal supplies and its accessibility via the river and
nearby train lines. Construction started in 1896 and in October 1897 the new
factory was named The Orb Works after John Lysaght’s ORB trademark, which he
had established in 1857. Some of the buildings constructed using his
corrugated iron included the market halls in Swansea and Llanelli and a
concert pavilion at Aberystwyth Pier.
Sara Taylor, regional sales and marketing director, commented: “Located in
the city where steel works originated in South Wales, our sales team felt
that Lysaght Village was a fitting name for Taylor Wimpey’s latest
development in Newport. Over 3,600 people were employed by the Lysaght
family during the Second World War and their steel works heralded the city’s
expansion onto the east bank of the River Usk – where our other development,
City Vizion, is situated."
MAN REMANDED IN CUSTODY
AFTER SHOOTING STEPSON
Mar 6 - A 50-year-old man has
been remanded in custody in Newport charged with child neglect after his
stepson aged 15 suffered a gunshot wound to the head. Michael Hole also
faced charges of possessing a prohibited weapon and perverting the course of
justice, when he appeared before city magistrates.Lewis Bailey is in a
serious condition in the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, after
Tuesday's incident. Mr Hole of Hawthorne Avenue, Newport will next appear in
court on Tuesday. He spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of
birth.
SKATE EXTREME BADLY
DAMAGED BY BLAZE
Mar 6 - Fire crews have been
tackling a fire at a skateboarding and biking centre in Newport. They were
called to Skate Extreme in Herbert Road at 0415 GMT. Five fire crews and a
hydraulic platform were originally at the blaze, which caused substantial
damage to the building. Fire investigators, along with two fire crews, are
still at the scene. The centre includes ramps and pipes for skaters.
GRANT FOR STOW PARK CHURCH
Mar 5 -
Stow Park Church in Newport is to benefit
from a major £98,811 funding boost, thanks to a grant from the Welsh
Assembly Government. Rosemary Butler AM (Labour, Newport West) has
welcomed the news as a shot in the arm for community life and the local
economy. The Assembly's Community Facilities and Activities Programme
funding will lead to the construction of a new community centre at Stow Park
to replace the existing hall. The church's congregation formerly the
Newport United Reform Church has now amalgamated with the congregation of
the Stow Park Presbyterian Chapel and it was decided that the old church
hall was too old and unusable and that a modern multi-purpose building was
needed to replace it.
LIB DEMS OPPOSE BANKSIDE
PROPOSAL
Mar 5 - Victoria Lib Dem
councillors are opposing a development at the Bankside Industrial Units near
George Street Bridge. An application has been submitted to the City Council
to close the site and replace it with a residential development. Victoria
Ward Councillor Mike Hamilton said: "The site is home to 14 local businesses
employing around 58 people. These include a range of small businesses from
catering, online companies to manufacturing. Many of these businesses have
been supported by council grants whilst others have offered training to
local people.Given the present economic climate it seems to be crazy to be
thinking about closing local businesses. In this area, more flats are
already on the way including the Taylor Wimpy City Vizions Project, the
reopened Art College site and the riverbank development in neighbouring
Lliswerry ward. It is difficult to see the market for more flats in the
ward."
FLOOD DEFENCE GRANT AGREED
Mar 5 - A £4.8 million plan to
improve flood defences in the Riverside area has been announced. Newport
City Council applied for the funding after an Environment Agency showed the
existing flood wall near Bond Street and Frank Street was not strong enough
to withstand high tidal river levels. Gaps between East Usk Road and
Clarence House also increase the chance of flooding and the problem is made
worse by a 70 year river wall supporting the pavement in Riverside.
HOSPITAL SALMONELLA
ALL-CLEAR
Mar 4 - Eight patients at
Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital initially thought to have salmonella have now
tested negative. Health officials say it was likely they did not have a
"true" salmonella infection and the original results were a "false
positive." Three others, two of them hospital patients, previously found to
be provisionally positive have now been confirmed and will have further
tests. GPs have been contacted to alert them the bug may be present in the
area. Salmonella is usually associated with eating contaminated foods. The
eight people are said to be recovering well. The cases were investigated by
Aneurin Bevan Health Board, Public Health Wales and Newport City Council's
environmental health department.
POLICE INVESTIGATE
SHAFTESBURY ROBBERY
Mar 4 - Gwent Police is appealing for information following a
robbery which occurred on Thursday 25th February in the Sainsbury's car park
on Wyndham Street, Newport. The incident
occurred at approximately 3.30pm when an 81 year old lady was loading her
shopping into the back of her car. The lady was approached from behind,
pushed out of the way and her handbag was grabbed off the back seat. The
offender ran off through a fence along Pugsley Street in the direction of
Shaftesbury Park.
The lady did not sustain any injuries. The offender is described as being a
white male, in his late teens-early 20s, of medium build and approximately 5
feet 9 inches tall. He was wearing a dark coloured baseball cap, dark
trousers, and a dark jacket with two light coloured stripes down the back of
it which divided it up into 3 panels. Police believe the same individual may
have been seen in the Shaftesbury Park area at approximately 3.45pm. Anyone
with information, or anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to
contact police on 01633 838111 or
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
MAN ARRESTED AFTER
TEENAGER IS SHOT
Mar 4 update - A 50
year old man has remained in custody today following the shooting incident
in Somerton on Tuesday.
Mar 3 - A 50-year-old man is
being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder after a teenage boy was
shot. Gwent Police were called to a house in Somerton, Newport, on Tuesday,
where they discovered a 15-year-old boy alone and suffering from a head
injury. The boy, named locally as Lewis Bailey, was transferred to the
University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where he is in a serious condition.
Police have confirmed the arrested man and the teenager know each other.
Officers were called to the house in Hawthorne Avenue at about 1620 GMT on
Tuesday by ambulance staff. It is not known who made the initial 999 call. A
Gwent Police spokesman said: "Officers attended and found a 15-year-old boy
alone in the house. He was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital with a head
injury." The 50 year old man is understood to be the boy's father Michael
Hole.
Specially trained family liaison officers are supporting the
family of the young boy. Officers from Gwent Police Major Incident Team
remain in the local area this evening to establish the circumstances around
the incident and to locate the firearm used in the incident, which they
believe at this time to be a type of handgun. If a member of the public
discovers a firearm they are advised not to touch it but to contact police
immediately.
Anyone who with any information or concerns should contact Gwent Police on
101 or Crime-stoppers on
0800 555 111.
DIGITAL SWITCHOVER
STARTS
Mar 3 -
Viewers in Cardiff, Newport and south east
Wales have begun the switch to digital that will make Wales the UK's first
digital nation. Forty-six years after BBC Two was launched, the channel's
last remaining analogue signal in Wales was turned off permanently at the
Wenvoe transmitter, and engineers started switching on digital signals at 75
relay transmitters serving more than 280,000 homes. The changes also affect
existing Freeview viewers who may find their BBC TV channels are missing.
These services have moved to new frequencies and can be restored by retuning
Freeview TVs and boxes. The second and final stage of switchover at the
Wenvoe transmitter group takes place on 31 March, when the remaining
analogue channels will be switched off permanently. On this date, further
Freeview channels from ITV, S4C, Channel 4 and Five will also become
available from relay transmitters for the first time.
SAFER ROUTES FUNDING
FOR CAERLEON COMP
Mar 2 -
Newport City Council has received a Welsh
Assembly Government Safe Routes in Communities Transport Grant of £549k to
further extend the walking and cycle path which links the city centre to
Caerleon. A new route is set to be constructed between Home Farm and
Caerleon Comprehensive School with a new footbridge crossing the railway,
offering major potential for cycling and walking in Caerleon. It will also
link the University of Wales campuses and provide safe routes to and from
school for the students at Caerleon Comprehensive School. This scheme is
also an important element of the Sustrans Newport Connect2 project.
COVETED AWARD FOR CITY
BUSINESS SCHOOL
Mar 2 -
Newport
Business School at the University of Wales, Newport has been awarded the
‘Public Sector Accountancy College of the Year Award 2010’ at a prestigious
award ceremony at St James’ in London, hosted by PQ Magazine.
The Award follows on from recent good news that the
University’s students have achieved pass rates significantly in excess of
national averages in the final ACCA (Association of Certified Chartered
Accountants) examinations. Members of the Newport Accountancy teaching team
travelled to the awards ceremony, which was attended by representatives of
all the main accounting bodies.
UNSUNG HEROES RECEIVE
RECOGNITION
Mar 1 -
Unsung heroes from the city were honoured by
the City Council at a ceremony in Parc Golf Club. Council employees who went
beyond the call of duty were also recognised in the first ever Extra Miles
Awards. Newport City Council joined with the South Wales Argus to call for
readers to nominate citizens who they believed deserved an award for their
achievements, dedication and bravery.
Awards were given to nearly 40 individuals
and organisations. Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of the council, said:
“The Extra Mile Awards is a new initiative which has given us the
opportunity to formally recognise the many individuals and groups of people
who have done something extraordinary, or not quite so extraordinary, in
their everyday lives but have clearly gone the extra mile." Winners included
- Diana Fode Bakary fled Africa to
escape political prosecution and worked as a volunteer for Newport
Wastesavers for 15 months before being offered a paid job when his
asylum application was approved. Despite having one of the dirtiest
jobs, he gets on with it and never complains. Wastesavers describes him
as a valued employee and an extremely hard worker.
- Stephen Beaumont, Marco Guy, Lyndon
Jarvis, John Donaghey and Craig Beresford rescued children from a house
fire in Kestrel Way, Duffryn. They coaxed two youngsters to jump to
safety and one of the men entered the house to make sure no-one else was
inside while the others checked on neighbouring houses.
- Bettws in Bloom is an organisation set
up by residents to improve their area and the initiative has helped the
city win and retain the Wales in Bloom trophy. It has gone on to be the
hub of the community.
- James Bufton, James Tonks, Jay Rowe
and Lewis Richards are four pupils from Lliswerry High School who helped
a woman injured while out sledging in the snow. The boys used their
first aid training, gained as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards
scheme, and directed emergency services to the scene, helping to save
her life.
- Paul Chambers is a box office
assistant at the Riverfront Theatre, he came into work on crutches on
his day off to supervise the venue’s first ever party booking to make
sure it went off without a hitch and has since looked for ways of
improving future bookings.
HOMECOMING PARADE FOR
WELSH GUARDS
Mar 1 - The First Battalion of the Welsh
Guards are to parade through Newport on March 12th (from 2pm) as part of a
series of homecoming parades. The Guards were part of Operation Panther's
Claw in Afghanistan designed to clear Taliban strongholds. The Battalion
undertook its first operational tour to Helmand Province in June 2009 as
part of 19 (Light) Brigade. In
the summer of 2009 as the national elections in Afghanistan approached,
thousands of British, American and Afghan soldiers conducted a joint
operation to clear the Taliban from an area north of Lashkar Gah, the
provincial capital of Helmand. The Panther's Claw offensive cleared the
insurgency from that area of Helmand province, freeing 90,000 local
residents from Taliban control.
WOMAN FINED FOR
FLOSSING WHILST DRIVING
Feb 28 - Gwent Police state they have fined a
36 year old woman for careless and unattentive driving for flossing her
teeth while at the wheel of her car on the M4 near the Coldra Junction in
Newport. The unnamed woman was
fined £60. Police warned that many drivers put lives at risk out of vanity.
A spokesman advised Sun Online said: "We've caught women applying lipstick
and make-up and men using an electric razor on their way to work. But this
is the first time we've seen someone flossing their teeth."
BOOST FOR CITY CENTRE
SHOPPING SCHEME
Feb 27 - The Financial Times reports that
Scarborough Development Group,
part of Sheffield United FC chairman Kevin McCabe’s property empire, has
bought some of the failed Modus group from its administrators.
Ernst & Young sold the assets of Modus
Properties and eight retail developments to Scarborough for £37m ($57m).
They were called in to 15 Modus companies in June 2009. Brendan Flood Modus’
founder and a co-owner of Burnley FC, said he had been in talks with Mr
McCabe before its collapse. Tom Jack, joint administrator, said: “This is a
significant deal to have completed, particularly given the current
challenges in the property market for developers and investors. The sale
will ensure commercial, retail and leisure schemes will now be completed in
a number of key locations, including the North-West and Wales.” According to
the article cities and towns that should now get new shopping areas include
Newport, Congleton, Boston and Wigan.
Update - February 28 - the companies
and sites sold include the Cambrian Centre in Newport. The former Friars
Walk development does not seem to be part of the acquisitions by
Scarborough.
CITY POLICE IN
ORGANISED DRUGS BUST
Feb 26 -
Seven people have been arrested for drug
trafficking offences following raids on homes in Bettws, Newport.
Thirty-five police officers raided eight homes on Friday morning, where they
discovered amphetamines and cannabis with a street value of £5,000. Large
amounts of cash, weighing scales and other drug-dealing paraphernalia were
also seized, police said. Four men and three women, aged between 19 and 40,
remain in custody while investigations continue. The raids took place after
information was received from the local community, Gwent Police said. Four
flats in Bettws Shopping Centre, as well as homes in Monnow Way, Helford
Square, Welland Crescent, and Tone Close were raided.
NEWPORT FIRM'S PETITION
AGAINST CARDIFF CITY
Feb 26 - A small Newport
business has taken out a second winding-up petition against Cardiff City.
Shine Food Machinery has been fighting the football club through the county
court in Cardiff over a debt of more than £750,000. The company, which
installs commercial kitchens, fitted out the catering kitchens at the
Bluebirds’ new stadium. According to Wales Online it is a relatively small,
family firm based on a Newport industrial estate which made a loss of
£123,000 in its last published accounts for 2008 on a turnover of £10m after
being hit by rising fuel costs, the falling value of the pound and the
collapse in public spending. Shine took out a winding-up petition in the
county court in Cardiff on December 21 last year against Cardiff City
Stadium Limited, a sister company of the football club for whom it carried
out the work on the stadium.
SALMONELLA OUTBREAK
ALERT
Feb 25 - Health officials in
Newport are investigating eight cases of salmonella at the city's Royal
Gwent Hospital. A hospital spokesman said it was not yet clear whether those
suffering from the bacterial infection had caught it in the community or in
hospital. GPs in the area have been contacted to alert them to the
possibility the bug may be present in the community. Salmonella is usually
associated with eating contaminated foods. The eight people are said to be
recovering well. Some showed symptoms of the illness when they came into
hospital but others did not, the spokesman said. The cases are being
investigated by Aneurin Bevan Health Board, Public Health Wales and Newport
council's environmental health department. In a statement, the health board
said: "We are contacting local GPs to alert them to the possibility of
salmonella in patients presenting from the community with symptoms. "
Salmonella is a
type of bacteria. It is usually found in poultry, eggs, unprocessed
milk and in meat and water. It may also be carried by pets. The
salmonella bacteria attacks the stomach and intestines. In more
serious cases, the bacteria may enter the lymph tracts, which carry
water and protein to the blood, and the blood itself. The bacteria
attack all age groups and both sexes. Children, the elderly and
people who are already ill are much more likely to get a serious
infection. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhoea,
fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The
illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without
treatment. |
SCHOOL MEAL PRICES UP
Feb 25 - Newport City Council has upped its
standard school meal charges by 10 per cent for secondary schools by 20
pence to £2.20. Prices for junior and infant are increased by 20 pence and
10 pence respectively to a set price of £1.90. The Council state "As
part of the budget setting process for financial year 2010/2011, an increase
in income is required to meet the Council’s guideline adjustment of 1% for
other and adult meal income."
PRINCESS ROYAL OPENS
NEWPORT HIGH
Feb 25 -
The Princess Royal today officially opened the
new Newport High School, Bettws Lane. As well as meeting pupils, staff and
community leaders, Her Royal Highness was introduced to the architects and
builders responsible for the building. After a tour of the building, The
Princess congratulated all those who had been involved with the new school.
“Enjoy the facilities and make the best possible use of them to give you a
terrific start in life,” she told a hall full of pupils and guests. Council
leader Councillor Matthew Evans said: “We were delighted to welcome The
Princess Royal to Newport High School."
CITY COUNCIL CLAIMS
RYDER CUP IS REWARDING NEWPORT
Feb 25 - Newport City Council is claiming
significant and lasting benefits will accrue to the City from this year's
Ryder Cup. Their latest publicity claims "As
host city, Newport has been able to access funds that would not have
otherwise been available to us. This welcome investment has enabled us to
bring forward a programme of regeneration works which will ensure that
hosting the Ryder Cup in Newport leaves a permanent legacy that will remain
long after the golf has finished." The publicity states a host of
Welsh companies have also benefited by being awarded contracts linked to The
2010 Ryder Cup, including the design and construction of the Twenty Ten
Course and Clubhouse at Celtic Manor Resort. Companies that have secured
contracts include Alun Griffiths Construction (Abergavenny), Hansons of
Bedwas, Inturf of Bridgend, HLN Architects, Lewis and Lewis of Newport,
Whitehead Electrical, Paramount Office Interiors and Afan Landscapes. Local
company Asbri Golf has also secured a lucrative license agreement within the
Welsh market to design and supply official merchandise for The 2010 Ryder
Cup. Jim Davies Civil Engineering of Blackwood and The Cuddy Group who are
based in Neath have been appointed to construct the park and ride sites at
Tredegar House and Llanwern. The Tredegar House project itself will create a
lasting legacy for Newport providing improved facilities for the future
events. A £3.8 million public realm enhancement programme, dedicated
education programmes and improved road networks will enhance Newport's
future. However, sceptics will point to failed developments in the centre of
Newport and the lack of facilities may mean neighbouring locations benefit
equally from the presence of the event here.
ADMIRAL CITY JOBS
BOOST
Feb 24 -
Admiral Group has announced plans to more than
double its claims department by hiring over 200 new members of staff The
insurer currently employs 188 people at the site in Newport and said the new
positions would span a range of roles at all levels-from registering claims
through to management positions.
Ceri Assiratti, people services manager at
Admiral, said the decision was due to the group's customer base growing by
16% to 1.8m by the end of Q3 2009. She added: "Growth in the business is
expected to continue over 2010. We need to grow our number of employees to
service those customers." Admiral said its original target was to reach full
employment by the end of 2011. It now plans to appoint 30 new employees per
month until the positions are filled, which it said could be as early as
September this year. The claims department was Admiral's third site, opening
in October 2008 with 30 new recruits who joined 39 staff that had relocated
from Cardiff and Swansea.
Ms Assiratti said: "Newport has proved a
huge success and we will continue to expand here. It was initially projected
the site would be full by the end of 2011, but we have found a wealth of
talent in the area." Admiral, which launched in 1993, said it had around
2,900 members of staff across South Wales and more than two million
customers worldwide.
LLANMARTIN MAN ARRESTED OVER BIKE THEFTS
Feb
- 24 Gwent Police is appealing for the owners of 4 stolen bikes that were
recovered following a spate of burglaries across Gwent over the Christmas
period to come forward and identify them. The
burglaries took place in several areas including, Llanmartin, Langstone and
Machen.
Police officers recovered the stolen bikes from an address in the Magor area
on February 5th 2010. A 36 year old man from Llanmartin has been arrested on
suspicion of burlgary and has since been released on police bail pending
further enquiries.
The bikes are described as follows:
-Yellow and black SPECIALIZED "HARDROCK" mountain bike
-Black GIANT "BOULDER" mountain bike
-Navy ADAMS trailer bike
-Pale green "GT BIKES"
-BMX - custom made
Anyone who identifies any of the bikes as one
of their own is asked to contact Newport CID officers on 01633
838111.
GREEN BUILDING PLAN
FOR RIVERFRONT
Feb 23 - More than 100 green homes are
being planned for Newport's river front. Newport based housing provider,
the Seren group, is currently developing new homes for Mariners Quay in
the Old Town Dock. This will be a total of 86 one and two bedroom
apartments and 15 two, three and four bedroom houses. The first homes
are expected to be completed in June or July this year.
Once built, the properties at Mariners Quay
will be available on a tenure neutral basis. This means that the homes will
both be available to rent through Seren’s housing arm, Charter Housing, and
to buy through the shared equity scheme operated by their development arm
Fairlake. Whether the resident chooses to buy or rent is dependent on their
individual circumstances. This builds on what is described as 'the cutting
edge work Seren Group and Newport City Council have undertaken to implement
the Assembly’s vision of neutral tenure in Wales'. The new homes will use
green technology including triple glazing and maximum insulation, water
efficient fittings and rainwater harvesting to reduce water usage, an on
site biomass fuelled central heat and electricity generating boiler using
locally sourced woodchips, and sun boxes to catch the warmth of the sun.
Residents will receive a ‘green guide’ and a meeting about how to get the
best out of their new homes. The buildings will be so efficient that utility
bills could cost as little as £5 per week.
MORE CONFIDENCE IN POLICE APPROACH TO
CRIME-FIGHTING
Feb 23 -
More than half of people living in Newport are confident that the police and
their partners in community safety are dealing with anti-social behaviour
and the crime issues that matter to them.
More than three thousand people, living in the
five local authority areas which the force serves, were surveyed. In Newport
57% are confident that the police and partners are tackling anti social
behaviour and the things that matter in the community. A spokeswoman stated
"We have invested heavily in neighbourhood policing, with more officers than
average devoted to local beat work. They engage with communities in all
sorts of ways to make sure they know about the work we are doing to tackle
anti social behaviour and other crime."
BETTWS MAN KILLED IN
TOBOGGANING ACCIDENT
Feb 22 - A 19-year-old man
has died from Bettws and another man was injured after they crashed into a
car while tobogganing on a plastic sheet in Tredegar.Anthony Farley and a
relative slid onto a main road from a grass bank at around 1610 GMT on
Sunday. Gwent Police say the driver of the car they collided with did not
stop and the men were found by a member of the public off Armoury Hill in
the town. A man, 34, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous
driving. Mr Farley was pronounced dead at the scene in the Ystrad Deri area
of Tredegar. He leaves an eight month old son, Ieuan Meek.
CITY COIN ROBBERY SUSPECT
IS BAILED
Feb 22 - A 54-year-old man from the Northampton area
arrested on Sunday in connection with a robbery at a security depot in
Newport has been released on bail. A four-figure sum made up of coins was
stolen from the Loomis UK depot in Queensway Meadows industrial estate on
Friday evening.
Gwent Police officers have found two of the
three vehicles used in the raid, and have appealed for more information. All
three vehicles were described as having distinctive markings. The vehicles
were driven into the area some time before the robbery at 1910 GMT on
Friday, said police. Det Supt Geoff Ronayne said: "I am still appealing to
anyone who was is the vicinity of the Queensway Meadows Industrial Estate on
Friday and might have seen anything suspicious or out of the ordinary to
contact police by dialling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
I am also very keen to speak to anyone who saw any of the vehicles used by
the offenders to contact the police. The lorry had some distinctive markings
on the cab and the Volkswagen Transporter is not that common, members of the
public may recall seeing two or three of these vehicles together travelling
in convoy or parked up."
WALKING STICK ALARMS
FITTED FOR CITY OAPs
Feb 21 -
Walking sticks are being fitted with personal
attack alarms by police in Newport as elderly people raised fears about
their personal safety. 400 alarms have been fitted to walking aids and
motability vehicles for people living in sheltered housing schemes in the
city, the idea originated following discussions with pensioners at the
Shaftesbury Court housing complex. The alarms can also be fitted to
crutches, walking frames and wheelchairs. Police hope the high pitched
alarms will reassure and give confidence to elderly people who have them.
The alarms are loud and high pitched and can be activated easily with the
push of a button in times of danger or distress.
EDUCATION ALLIANCE FORMED
Feb 21 -
In what is
described as "a far reaching and innovative initiative" the Governing Bodies
of Coleg Gwent, The College Ystrad Mynach and the University of Wales,
Newport have agreed to enter into talks exploring future strategic
alliances. The governors of the three
institutions state they are clear that such an alliance would be a step
change towards achieving the vision of an integrated post-16 further and
higher education learning network in South East Wales. The talks will
investigate the possibility of a merger between Coleg Gwent and The College
Ystrad Mynach and innovative ways of planning for further Higher/Further
Education development between the University of Wales, Newport and the
merged college. This could lead to a further merger embracing all three
organisations in the longer term or other approaches to working together.
CITY AWARDS PLAN
Feb 19 -
The City Council is sponsoring its first
awards evening at which staff and members of the Newport community will be
recognised for exceptional work, acts of bravery, fundraising and many other
activities which have either been of benefit to a council service or
local community. The Council Leader, Matthew Evans, agreed maximum
expenditure of £5,000 for this event.
Throughout the past year research has been undertaken to
identify people within Newport who have in some way have given of themselves
for the benefit of others. In addition since the start of the New Year a
campaign has been run in association with the South Wales Argus who have
invited nominations from the public to find other unsung heroes within the
City. Internally an initiative has been launched to find staff who have gone
the extra mile within their field of work. The Council are to host all
winners of the Extra Mile Awards at a Presentation Evening and Dinner to be
held at the Parc Golf Club on Thursday 25th February 2010 at 7.00pm. The
Mayor, Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council along with 2 Cabinet Members
and the Council Directors will act as hosts for the evening.
UNI'S GREEN
CREDENTIALS RECOGNISED
Feb 19 - The University has been declared an outstanding
study in sustainability after winning a prestigious environmental award.
The University is celebrating after
being awarded the Envirowise Innovation Award 2010 for its unique approach
to waste reduction. Judges selected the University for its strong
commitment to sustainability and for the significant and original steps it
has taken towards improving its environmental performance. The University is
one of the first in the UK to create its own bio-diesel project, producing
its own bi-diesel from waste oil generated on site and using the fuel in
their vehicles. In the last three years the University has recycled around
5200 litres of waste vegetable oil and reduced emissions by 85% which
amounts to approximately 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
SNOWFALL IN CITY
Feb 18 - Snow fell in Newport for most of the
day as it brought a covering to many areas particularly in the east of the
City. No significant disruption was reported and with minor exceptions
services were unaffected. Conditions are expected to worsen this evening as
the temperature falls below freezing with the risk of significant ice. The
Met Office has issued an early warning for further snow in much of Wales and
central England for Monday.
CLOSE ENCOUNTER
REVEALED
Feb 18 -
Previously classified papers released by the
Ministry of Defence reveal a Newport funeral director had an otherworldly
experience whilst driving towards Ebbw Vale. We can all identify with that,
I hear you say. But the driver claimed his car was surrounded in a beam of
light for five terrifying minutes, during which his radio and mobile phone
stopped working. According to the report, the man at first saw what he
thought was a "massive star" moving towards his vehicle as he drove in Ebbw
Vale. Having stopped the vehicle, he was able to get out and walk about in
the light, which was described as being very bright. There was no sound,
although the car emerged from the incident covered in "dust and dirt". The
driver, who was left feeling frightened and sick, developed a skin condition
the next day.
FIRE AT TIMBER WORKS
BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL
Feb 17 - Firefighters from
seven stations across south Wales have tackled large fire at a Newport
timber merchants. The blaze, said to involve a large amount of timber,
started at 0320 GMT at the Terry Howell timber and builders merchants on the
Maesglas Retail Park, Newport. Firefighters from Duffryn, Maindee, Malpas,
Cwmbran, Aberdare, Caerphilly and Barry responded to the call. A spokeswoman
said they had the fire surrounded and under control and the operation was
being scaled down by 0750 GMT.
COUNCIL LAUDS NEW
BUDGET FOR CITY
Feb 16 - Newport City Council's new budget
agreed at today's Cabinet has been lauded by its political leadership.
Councillor Matthew Evans,
leader of the council, said: “Our priority is to deliver services in the
best way possible and to protect our most vulnerable residents and frontline
services. The proposal to raise council tax, coupled with the ongoing
improvements, will help us ensure a robust budget and safeguard the services
most important to our residents.Newport will continue to offer one of the
lowest council tax rates in the UK as well as driving forward some
considerable improvements to services.” A 3.95 per cent increase in the
Council Tax was agreed, although inflation-busting the Council states the
increase is eight pence per day in an average Band D property. Other
highlights from the Budget selected by the Conservative-Liberal coalition.
Extra money for schools
Within the budget, schools were already one
of only a few areas to receive a real cash increase. Councillors recognised
that this was a very important area and committed a further £500,000 to
ensure that education in Newport remains among the best in Wales and that
our young people are given the best possible start in life.
Leisure maintenance
An additional £50,000 was committed to the
leisure premises maintenance budget. Newport boasts some excellent
facilities and this money will ensure that they are well maintained and that
residents are encouraged and supported to live a healthy and active
lifestyle.
Support for small businesses
An additional £20,000 has been allocated to
support small businesses. This will be via a grants scheme.
Supporting the city centre
The Christmas free parking initiative
proved very popular and supported city centre businesses. £50,000 has been
set aside for similar promotional schemes that will encourage footfall in
the city centre throughout the year.
POLICE APPEAL TO ROBBERY WITNESS
Feb 16 -
Gwent Police is re-appealing
for information to trace a witness to a robbery that occurred on Monday 25th
January in Newport. At approximately 5.30pm a
female, who was walking from Fields Park Road into Saint Marks Crescent, was
approached from behind by a man who tried to grab her bag, off her shoulder.
The female tried to keep hold of it and there was a struggle which led to
the female being dragged onto Fields Park Road.
The offender ran off towards the Shaftsbury area. A man who witnessed the
the incident assisted the victim and chased the offender, recovering the bag
which had been discarded when the offender ran off. Officers want to trace
this man as he could hold vital information that could assist the
investigation. He was driving a large 4x4 which was dark in colour and there
was also a teenage boy and another child in the vehicle. The 50 year old
female was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital - she suffered cuts and
bruises. The offender is described as white, approximately 20 years old,
5'10" tall of a medium build with short blonde hair, wearing a blue top and
light blue jeans. The male who witnessed the incident and anyone else with
any information about this case is asked to call Gwent Police on 101 or
Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
FILM PROMOTES CITY IN
RYDER CUP YEAR
Feb 15 - Newport's self promotion during Ryder
Cup year is the basis for a new film pushing the attributes of the City to
residents and to visitors. See the film
here.
WORK IS UNDER WAY AT
SAINSBURY'S SITE
 |
Feb 15 - Work is under way at the site of Sainsbury's landmark
'Gateway to Wales' in Crindau. The new superstore will be just two
minutes from the M4 with its own designated slip road linking the
dual carriageway (Heidenheim Drive) with the site. Sainsbury's
acquired the former Gas Works site from the National Grid in April
2008. A new bridged
road access is being built from the A4042 Heidenhiem Drive to
connect with a new roundabout on Albany Street. This new access from
the A4042 will serve the Sainsbury’s store and the wider Crindau
area. A dedicated access route to the store is formed from this
roundabout. An 8 pump petrol filling station (PFS) complete with jet
and car wash is located from a mini roundabout on the access road.
The access to the customer car park passes through a box culvert
bridge to face the main entrance elevation to the store.
The store will comprise the following:● A sales area of 7063 sq m
incorporating general merchandise and food sales.● Back of house
facilities extending the full length of the store with general goods
delivery at one end and goods on line (GOL) at the other.● The main
entrance lobby facing on to the car park.● Public WC and baby change
facilities located near the John Sainsbury's Restaurant (JSR) - A
new Goods Online delivery facility to serve the surrounding area is
also provided in a dedicated service enclosure. - In total 670
parking bays are provided including 29 disabled bays and 28 parent &
child bays all with safe and easy access to the store. |
COUNCIL TAX TO RISE
BY 3.95 PER CENT
Feb 14 - Newport's Council Taxpayers face a
rise in their charges of 3.95 per cent. The Revenues Budget for 2010/11
before the City Council Cabinet on Tuesday proposes the increase, is
significantly ahead of the rate of inflation - currently 2.4 per cent.
Despite the increase in funding from the central taxpayer Newport continues
to be affected by a fall in come from capital receipts and the downturn in
the property market. The current administration argues that it is trying to
improve the financial position of the Council and is reducing reliance on
reserves.
BIG INCREASES IN
COUNCIL LEISURE FEES
Feb 13 - The cost of using City Council
leisure facilities is set to rise significantly following the decision by
the Conservative-Liberal coalition to implement a new charging structure
from April 2010. Most of the increases proposed are way ahead of
inflation at a time of rising unemployment in Newport. Some of the worst
examples include
-
a 20 per cent increase in the cost of
adult swimming sessions at the new Active Living Centre from £2.40 to
£2.90
-
a 15.4 per cent in swim instruction
classes for adults up to £45 from £39 (for 10 weeks) on the premise
that 'price differential
to grow to work towards adults paying 100% more than children'.
-
a 63 per cent increase in
pitch hire (with changing facilities) for Newport and District Football
League clubs
-
a 73.64 per cent for the
same clubs (without changing facilities)
Charges for wedding receptions at Belle Vue
Park will rise from £395 to £445. The Council's Fitness Solutions membership
will increase to £32 placing it ahead of Torfaen and Cardiff. The Council
argues it must find budget savings towards its £9 million deficit. The
decision has been criticised by Councillor Mark Whiticutt (Labour). He said
"Charges are being increased
when facilities such as those at Lliswerry, which are needed by the
community are being closed. In other words ordinary people are being asked
to pay more for less at a time when people need to use these facilities more
to cope with the stresses and demands of the recession. I call for a
reconsideration of the increase in these charges."
DRUGS GANG JAILED
Feb 11 -
The last seven members of a twenty-strong
drugs gang who conspired to transport heroin with a street value of £700,000
into the Newport area have been sentenced. The men were charged as a result
of an 18-month police operation codenamed Rebus. Between July 2007 and
September 2008, Gwent Police recovered 7kg of heroin brought from Birmingham
to Newport. Supt Julian Knight of Gwent Police told the BBC it was "an
excellent result" for "a complex operation". In last of three trials at
Newport Crown Court, Garry Rabjohns, 21, and Benjamin Brown, 26, both of
Newport, were given prison sentences of six years and six and a half years
respectively. Ofe Ahmed, 31, of Birmingham, was sentenced to five years and
Tariq Hussain, 37, of Newport, was given four years. Abdul Mohib, 23, from
Birmingham, received 15 months in prison. Shah Hussain, 27, of Birmingham,
and Amir Ali, 31, of Newport, were both given nine months suspended
sentences and ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid community work.
MANSION HOUSE PLANS
APPROVED
Feb 11 - Work could begin
this month on converting a historic building into a new Registry Office for
Newport. Planning permission was granted for the proposal in the former
Mansion House. Originally built as a private home, the building was used for
many years as the official residence of the mayor.But a decision was made in
2008 to cease using it for that purpose and a number of different proposals
were put forward. After an "in-depth investigation" by the overview and
scrutiny forum for resources, which included asking the public for their
views, the favoured option was to relocate the present registrar service
from Goldtops to the Mansion House. Tory Councillor Peter Davies, cabinet
member for resources, said: “I’m delighted that the proposal has been
approved and I hope that work might be able to start later this month.”
NIMBY DECISION OVER
LANGSTONE PLAN
Feb 11 - The public outcry
over a proposed development in Langstone has won opponents a short lived
reprieve. The City Council Planning Committee split five votes to four,
overturning an officer recommendation for approval of a 60 home development
by Bellway Homes on the former Hurrans' garden centre site.
CARPENTERS ARMS RE-OPENS
Feb 11 - Reversing the trend
for public houses to close, the Carpenter's Arms in Newport is re-opening
its doors after it was bought and fully refurbished by pub chain J.W.
Bassett Pubs and Bars.
BE-WISE BUILDING
TARGETED FOR CITY CONTACT CENTRE
Feb 10 - The former B-Wise building at the
lower end of Commercial Street adjacent to Park Square car park has been
identified by the Council as an ideal location for its new face to face
contact centre. Although funding barriers have still to be overcome the
refurbished building could provide an ideal location for the City Council's
customer centre. A Welsh Assembly Government Invest to Save bid has already
been approved and a Project Manager has been appointed with effect from
February 1. The new centre will act as a 'one stop shop' for most enquiries
relating to the City Council and also provide an outlet for other service
providers and advice services.
RESIDENT CRITICISES
COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Feb 10 - A Ringland resident criticised the
Council's priorities at a recent Ringland Neighbourhood Meeting. The
resident was extremely upset about
the closure of Ladyhill Centre and the proposal to cease delivery of hot
meals. It was felt that monies being spent on the Ryder Cup should go to
these causes rather than providing banners etc. "People should come before
the Ryder Cup."
UNIVERSITY BEGINS
TRANSITION TO NEW CAMPUS SITE
Feb 9 - University of Wales, Newport has
started to address the transition of several thousand students to the new
City Centre campus site. University managers recently met with students
affected by the move. Immediately, students have been made aware of severe
constraints relating to parking at the new Campus site. Only 18 disabled
spaces will be available with the possibility of subsidised parking at the
nearby Kingsway Car Park and a park and ride scheme from Newport Stadium.
The lack of parking will act as a planning incentive as the University
demonstrates its 'green' credentials in order to facilitate the extension of
the campus to include a new research facility on adjacent land between the
current site and Castle Bingo, subject to negotiations over the land with
Newport City Council. Students have been advised that security will be
paramount with swipe cards enabling access to lecture theatres and other
facilities, but public access to the open main area of the building will
also be encouraged. (We are grateful
to a first year student for supplying this information).
MAN CHARGED WITH
TESCO ROBBERY
Feb 8 - A 29 year old man has been charged in
connection with three robberies:
- on 16 October 2009 at Tesco, Harlech Retail Park, Cardiff Road, Newport.
- on 4 November 2009 at B and A Cash and Carry on Hadfield Road, Cardiff
- on 13 November 2009 at Tesco Pengam Green, Cardiff
He appeared at Cardiff Magistrates Court on Saturday 6 February. A man and
woman have also been arrested and bailed in connection with the above three
robberies.
FIREMAN INJURED BY
APPLIANCE
Feb 8 - A firefighter from
Malpas on an early morning emergency call was seriously hurt when an
appliance accidentally rolled forward and hit him. South Wales Fire Service
said he hurt his leg and shoulder in the incident at Henllys, Cwmbran.
Ambulance crews and colleagues treated him, before he was taken to the Royal
Gwent Hospital in Newport. An investigation has been carried out by police,
the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and the fire service. The injured
firefighter had been called to help after a car overturned outside the
Castell-y-bwch Inn in Henllys at 0345 GMT.
PROSPECTS BLEAK FOR
PROPOSED KINGSWAY STORE
Feb 8 - Prospects appear
bleak for the proposed Kingsway outlet for Ethel Austin and Au Naturelle as
the chain went into administration over the weekend. The retail chain also
has a store in Commercial Street.
FIRE-FIGHTERS BRING
BLAZE UNDER CONTROL
Feb 7 -
South Wales fire crews have tackled a blaze in
a large number of wooden pallets in Newport. The fire service were called to
the Norbert Dentressangle haulage company in Corporation Road on Saturday
night. A total of eight fire engines and four water bowsers were in
attendance at the height of the blaze, and they were damping down on Sunday
morning. A lorry was also destroyed in the blaze.
POLICE DRUG
INTERVENTION PROGRAMME EXTENDED
Feb 6 -
In an extension to the ‘Tough Choices’
programme, which aims to reduce offending by drug users by forcing them to
choose between drug treatment and assessment or punishment by the courts,
Gwent Police is now one of a number of police forces in Wales and England
that will be trialing the testing of people arrested for violent crime and
public order offences for the presence of Class A drugs. This will focus on
the Newport area. Tough Choices, which is an expansion of the Drug
Intervention Programme, was introduced in April 2009 and has previously
enabled the testing of people suspected of drugs offences or other trigger
offences such as acquisitive crime on arrest. Gwent Police was the first
Welsh force to carry out the testing last year. Those who fail to take the
test are charged with failure/ refusal to provide a sample for a Class A
drug and are placed before the court.
During February and March, anyone over 18 years who is arrested for a wide
variety of offences related to violence and public order in Newport will be
screened whilst in custody. If they have any history of using, or being
suspected of using, heroin, cocaine or similar substances they be required
to take a test to see if these drugs are present in their systems. Anyone
who refuses can be charged with a separate offence and will have to appear
in court . Those testing positive will be seen and assessed by a Drugs
Referral Worker, either whilst they are still in custody or at an
appointment after they are released and offered help and encouragement to
address their habit.
COUNCILLORS TO
CONSIDER PLAN FOR HURRANS SITE
Feb 6 - City Councillors will be considering
an application this week from Bellway Homes to develop the former Hurrans'
Garden Centre in Langstone. The decision is a politically sensitive one as
the area is represented by two Conservative Councillors. Bellway intend to
build 60 houses on the site in a locality with a significant number of
executive-style estates. The proposal is recommended for approval by
officers but it has attracted a wide range of objections from Langstone
residents. They include the following, an insight into the views of locals
"the village of Langstone is being destroyed by the on-going building of
new homes; the area already suffers from electricity supply problems
due to overburdening of the system; primary and Infant schools in
Langstone are full with some classes taking place in terrapins; there is no
state Nursery in Langstone. It should be linked to the school and
established on the application site; Langstone has no facilities for
residents such as shops, post office and community centre. The Council think
they can put more houses in Langstone without providing any facilities for
residents; - there is no dedicated doctors surgery for a community of 2770+
residents. The development is unsustainable in a rural area; the provision
of social housing is out of character for the area and will have a negative
effect on the resale value of properties."
The Planning Committee report confirms that Langstone is not a
village "The site is not considered a Village and lies within
the urban settlement boundary of Newport and accordingly Policy H2 states
that such development is acceptable in principle." £366k will be sought from
the developer towards local play facilities, £206k will be required as a
contribution to local schools and 12 homes will be made available for rent
to be managed by a registered social landlord.
POLICE CAMPAIGN
BRINGS REWARD
Feb 5 - This week the Police has been
focussing on a high intensity, high visibility enforcement campaign to
locate and apprehend prolific and priority offenders, known offenders and
wanted people for offences such as burglary, car crime, assaults and drug
offences. There were twenty six arrests in Newport (Burglary
x 1, Theft x 5, Drug offences x 5, Assault x 1, Fraud offences x 1, Criminal
damage x 3, Drink driving x 2, Actual Bodily Harm x 3. No bail warrants x
5).Detective Chief Inspector Ian Roberts said; “Gwent Police is determined
to protect the public from harm by relentlessly pursuing criminals and
ensuring that they are brought to justice. This two-day operation focussed
specifically on identifying offenders committing the type of crimes that can
most affect the everyday lives of people..We maintain our promise to protect
and reassure the public and they can be confident that police resources and
activity will focus on addressing the issues that matter most to them.”
CITY MPs REPAY
EXPENSES
Feb 4 - Newport's two Members of Parliament
have repaid over-claimed expenses after an audit of all claims made going
back to 2004. According to the information released today
from the investigation by Sir Thomas Legg
across the UK, 389 MPs, more than half the current and past MPs reviewed,
were recommended to repay £1.3m.
Paul Flynn Newport West Labour, was
overpaid a total of £2,625.61 for mortgage interest (£404.49 for 2004-05,
£499.09 for 2005-06, £53.89 for 2006-07, £1,487.99 for 2007-08 and £180.15
for 2008-09). This total includes a duplicate payment for £1,359.52 covering
April to June 2007. Total - £2,625.61 - paid. Mr Flynn said there was no
financial gain as the amounts under-claimed were far greater than sums
overpaid. He said: "The discrepancies are due to accounting anomalies in
claiming on existing rules and being judged on new ones. For instance, my
claim for a TV licence in 2006 was made in early 2007. No claim in 2006 and
two in 2007 was acceptable under the existing rules. My claims on second
homes allowance have been modest - last year less than half the permitted
allowance, this year less than a quarter. I no longer claim the allowance
and I do not expect to claim it in the future." Jessica Morden, Newport East, Labour was paid
£380.55 twice for household goods in January 2006. Total repayment made by
Ms Morden £380.55.
TRANSPORTER BRIDGE
WORKS EXTENDED
Feb 4 - Refurbishment work on Newport's
Transporter Bridge has been extended following a decision by the City
Council. The bridge's two towers will now be repainted by T.I. Protective
Coatings, the company carrying out the refurbishment. The
2009/10 and 2010/2011 Capital Programme includes an allocation of £350,000
which together with an £800,000 Welsh Assembly Government Grant through the
City Enhancement Framework and a Grant from CADW of £75,000 provides
the £1.225 million budget estimated to be necessary for the urgent
refurbishment works, set to be complete in time for the Ryder Cup.
17 YEAR OLD CHARGED
WITH RAPE
Feb 3 - The 17 year old male from Newport
who was arrested in connection with a serious sexual assault which occurred
on Bailey Street, Newport in the early hours of Saturday morning (January
30th) has been charged with rape and appeared at Cwmbran Magistrates Court
this morning.
POLICE WARN OVER BOGUS CALLERS
Feb 3 - Police are urging
residents to be vigilant following an incident of a bogus official calling
at a household in Newport purporting to be a gas meter reader.
The incident,
which happened during the morning of Wednesday 27th January occurred at a
property on Margaret Avenue, Newport. The homeowner stayed with the caller
for the duration of his visit. Nothing was stolen.
It was only later, when she was contacted by her genuine gas supplier and
asked them about the previous visit that she realised that he was in fact a
bogus official. The man is described as being white, in his mid 30s,
approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and of slim build. He had short dark hair
and was wearing a dark sweatshirt, a reflective jacket and blue jeans.
Anyone who may have seen this man or hold information about this incident
that could assist enquiries is asked to contact Gwent Police on
101.
DATA CENTRE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
Feb 3 - Next Generation Data Ltd announced
today that two large-scale custom built data halls for BT and Logica have
been completed in record time at its new NGD Europe tier 3 mega data centre
in Newport allowing both anchor tenants to commence managed services
operations ahead of schedule. This follows Next Generation Data winning
long-term contracts from BT and Logica last autumn worth over £20million for
the provision of space and infrastructure at NGD Europe which at 75,000 sq
metres is one of the world’s largest data centres.
Build outs for both client organisations
were finished in less than 16 weeks compared to the industry average of 24
weeks and in spite of the challenging weather conditions during late
December and early January. “Making these halls ready in record time for BT
and Logica was largely down to excellent planning and project management by
our resident and highly experienced operations team, the calibre and
professionalism of our chosen infrastructure partners and sheer hard work by
all concerned,” said Simon Taylor, Chairman of Next Generation Data. He
added: “Demand for space at NGD Europe is growing fast from corporate,
government and cloud computing organisations which are fast realising that
our out-of-town facility offers them much more scale, power, resilience,
connectivity and security at far less cost compared to the traditional data
centre locations in London and the South East. We are already preparing two
further custom halls for client occupation very soon.” NGD Europe, sited in
the former LG building, is being used by BT to deploy hundreds of server
racks to deliver increased capacity for IT and communications services
provided to business customers in the UK and globally; Logica is using the
facility to help manage the IT requirements of its government clients.
CAERLEON LIBRARY SET TO RELOCATE
Feb 3 - The City Council is seeking grant
funding from CyMAL (the advisory body for Museums, Archives and Libraries)
within the Welsh Assembly Government in order to relocate Caerleon Library.
The Library has been situated in the Comprehensive School for a number of
years.
The grant aid would be aimed at delivering modern library
facilities in order to attract more people to benefit from the enhanced
range of education and learning opportunities now offered by public
libraries. The Council would take up grant funding to relocate the library
in Caerleon into the Town Hall working with the Youth and Community Service
to provide a wider range of community facilities in an existing building
within Caerleon. The grant aid up to a maximum of £300k would be used to
install lift access to the first floor where the library would be located,
create an entrance area for the library, install public access PC’s and
equip a small learning space. Local Councillor Gail Giles (Labour) has
expressed concern "Whilst I fully support maintaining and improving the
library facilities in Caerleon, and accept that the present site is not
ideal, I have considerable concerns about the implications that a move to
the Caerleon Town Hall would have on access to this facility for other
users, both regular and occasional."
ARREST AFTER SEX ATTACK
Feb 2 - A 17-year-old youth has been
arrested in connection with a serious sex assault on a woman aged 22 outside
a Newport nightclub, say Police. The assault is alleged to have happened
outside the city centre Fire and Ice club in the early hours of Saturday.
Officers said the woman reported she had been approached by a man, who it is
believed later attacked her in Bailey Street, a short distance from the
club. The arrested teenager is from the Newport area, officers said. The
victim of the attack is receiving continuing support from specialist Gwent
Police officers. Det Ch Insp Ian Roberts, who is leading the investigation.
said this kind of incident was rare in Newport.
"We have strong links with licensees and
retailers who work very closely with our officers to ensure people have as
safe a night as they possibly can," he said. "However, we are investigating
a serious incident and we need information from the public to assist us in
solving this case. "We are appealing for anyone who might have seen any
suspicious activity in the area of Bailey Street between 3am and 5am on
Saturday morning to come forward as they might hold vital information that
could assist our investigation. Mr Roberts said anyone with information can
approach officers patrolling the area and speak to them, call police on 101,
or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
NEW LIBRARY OPENS AT TREDEGAR
HOUSE
Feb 1 - A library and learning centre is
now available for the Duffryn area. Situated at the entrance to Tredegar
House, it is part of the newly-refurbished library and visitor.Funding of
£223,000 was secured from CyMAL to carry out the renovation work.Visitors to
the library will be able to access the extensive stock. They can borrow up
to 20 items including books, audio books and large print items as well as
using the PCs. Opening hours are as follows: Winter / Tuesday, Thursday and
Friday 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-4pm - Summer / Tuesday 10am-12.30pm;
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am-5.30pm.
SEXUAL ASSAULT IN CITY CENTRE -
POLICE APPEAL
Jan 30 - Police are hunting a
man in his 20s after a woman was seriously sexually assaulted outside a
nightclub. Gwent Police said the 22-year-old woman was assaulted outside
Fire and Ice in Newport between 0200 and 0500 GMT on Saturday.The male
attacker is described as of Asian appearance and approximately 5ft 8in
(1.7m) tall. He was of slim build with short black hair brushed forward and
he was wearing jeans and white trainers.
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Roberts, who
is leading the investigation said: "The victim is currently being supported
by specialist officers and we are appealing for anyone who might have seen
any suspicious activity in the area between 0200 and 0500 GMT, to come
forward as they might hold vital information that could assist our
investigation. "I would like to reassure visitors to Newport city centre and
local residents that we have set up a dedicated team to investigate this
incident, and whilst serious sexual assaults remain a rare occurrence in
Gwent police patrols in the area have been increased." Anyone with any
information is asked to approach officers that are patrolling the area, call
Gwent Police on 101, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111.
NEWPORT ROBBERIES - MAN CHARGED
Jan 29 - A 26 year old man
from the Newport area who was arrested in connection with robberies in
Newport has been charged with two offences of robbery.
It relates to two incidents - one on Saturday 23rd January on Ledbury Drive,
near to its junction with Glastonbury Close and the other on 11th December
in Pugsley Street. He has been bailed in connection with a number of other
robberies in the Newport area and is due to appear before Newport
Magistrates tomorrow morning.
CAERLEON PUB BREACHES LICENCE
Jan 29 - The proprietors of the Goldcroft
Inn in Caerleon pleaded guilty to breaching their licensing conditions at
Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court on 22 January. In a prosecution brought by
Newport City Council, Goldcroft Inn Ltd and Company Director/Premises
Supervisor Samantha Jane Starbuck were each fined £1000 for three offences
under the Licensing Act, with council costs of £375 awarded against each
defendant. On two separate occasions, in November and December 2008,
licensing officers found fire exits in the pub bolted shut or otherwise
obstructed, in breach of licensing conditions. In August 2009, noise levels
from the pub had been so loud that officers considered another licensing
condition – causing unreasonable disturbance to the neighbourhood – had been
breached. The Council will now review the pub’s licence, on the basis of
preventing public nuisance and ensuring public safety. This hearing will
take place on 25 February in front of a licensing sub-committee.
STUDENT BUS LEFT UNATTENDED
Jan 29 - Newport Students Union is
reporting that drivers of the bus service for students to travel to and from
Newport to the University are leaving the buses unattended with passengers
on board in order that they purchase snacks and drinks. The Students Union
website reports that in one instance "The driver pulled up on Caerleon High
Street, outside Piper's Newsagents, leaving the bus engine running and the
doors fully open as he got off without explanation leaving the students on
board puzzled. The driver then entered the store and returned a short while
later with several cans of drink, he joked with a passenger that he wished
the soft drinks "were lager", before continuing the journey as normal."
COUNCIL SLAMMED OVER DETERIORATING CITY
CENTRE
Jan 28 - Opposition Labour councillors have
criticised the Council's policy towards the City Centre at this week's full
Council meeting. Councillor Ray Truman was concerned that action needed to
be taken fast to improve the position as to shopping in the city centre. He
was concerned that there were few new shops and that some businesses were
moving out. Out of town shopping was faring better. He said it was important
for the Council to act quickly to address the situation. Matthew Evans, the
Leader of the Council, referred to previous decisions that had impacted on
the position, such as the provision of out of town shopping and previous
unsuccessful attempts to develop the city centre. City and town centres
across the UK were struggling and the current administration was trying
initiatives for the city centre such as the city enhancement programme and
the decision to provide free parking at Christmas.
Councillor Richards was concerned that if Iceland Foods were
to pursue the Judicial Review they had threatened, that it would impact on
the Council’s ability to complete the Compulsory Purchase Order process in
the timescale. The Leader stated that the General Vesting Declaration had
been served on all interested parties. There had been no further action from
Iceland Foods to date and work was being done to secure alternative premises
for the company. Negotiations were continuing with all interested parties
and work was being done to achieve the transfer of all interests to the City
Council on 8 March 2010.
LIB-TORY CITY COUNCIL FACING MASSIVE
CUTBACKS AND JOB LOSSES
Jan 27 - Newport City Council's Liberal -
Conservative coalition has announced cutbacks in service and the potential
for a significant reduction in its staffing. The Council has been proudly
boasting of its expenditure of roads (funding out of prudential borrowing)
at the same time as giving consideration to service cuts in key service
areas. Among the targets are meals on wheels for the elderly and the
Ladyhill Day Centre in Labour held Alway. At yesterday's full Council
meeting local councillor Ray Truman asked the Lib-Tory coalition to think
again, he stated "You will be dammed by the vulnerable people of Newport.”
DOG CONTROL ORDERS GET COUNCIL BACKING
Jan 27 - Newport City Council has voted in
favour of a Dog Control Orders proposal in three of the city’s cemeteries:
St Woolos, Caerleon and Christchurch. This means when they are within the
cemeteries’ grounds, dog walkers must keep their dog on a lead (with a
maximum length of 1.5 metres) and must remove their dog’s faeces. Failure to
do so can result in a fine of up to £1000. Cabinet Member for the
Environment and Community Safety, Councillor David Fouweather said: “There
was a unanimous vote in favour of this and I believe it was a good, sensible
decision. The orders are necessary because some irresponsible dog owners
allow their dogs to foul on graves or throw a ball, resulting in the dog
trampling over graves. It is a pity the council has had to resort to this
kind of enforcement because of the actions of a minority of people.”
FLYTIPPER PROSECUTED BY COUNCIL
Jan 26 - Newport City Council’s waste
enforcement officers, working in partnership with Gwent Police, have
successfully prosecuted a Cardiff businessman for depositing waste within
the Newport Authority. The businessman, a Mr Khan, was witnessed on the 31
May 2009 depositing a quantity of waste at a well known local fly tipping
hot spot in Newport. Two police officers from Newport’s neighbourhood
policing team approached a commercial vehicle at Pencarn Lane Newport after
witnessing the driver depositing waste onto a public highway. Following an
investigation by the authority, the defendant attended Cwmbran magistrate’s
court on Monday 18 January 2010. Magistrates determined that it was Mr Khan
intention to deposit the waste unlawfully. Upon conviction Mr.Khan was
issued a fine of £1000 and ordered to pay an additional £800 in court costs.
Cabinet member for the Environment and Community Safety, Councillor David
Fouweather said: “The council and Gwent Police both work hard to keep the
environment of Newport as clean and green as possible for residents.
Therefore we are delighted that Mr.Khan was brought to justice as we want to
show the residents of Newport that we will not put up with flytipping.”
WOMAN ROBBED IN FIELDS PARK ROAD
Jan 26 -
Gwent Police is appealing
for information to a robbery that occurred on Monday 25th January in
Newport. At approximately 5.30pm a female,
who was walking from Fields Park Road into St. Marks Crescent, was
approached from behind by a man who tried to grab her bag, off her shoulder.
The female tried to keep hold of it and there was a struggle which led to
the female being dragged onto Fields Park Road. The offender ran off towards
the Shaftesbury area.
A witness to the incident assisted the victim and chased the offender,
recovering the bag which had been discarded when the offender ran off. The
50 year old female was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital - she suffered cuts
and bruises. The offender is described as white, approximately 20 years old,
5'10" tall of a medium build with short blonde hair, wearing a blue top and
light blue jeans. Officers want to trace the witness who helped the female
as he could hold vital information that could assist the investigation. He
is asked to call Gwent Police on 101 and anyone else with any information
about the incident is also asked to call the police or Crimestoppers on
0800 555 111.
RECORD YEAR FOR CELTIC MANOR
Jan 26 - Venue of the 2010 Ryder Cup, the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport
has announced a record year for leisure visitors. The five-star, 400 bedroom
resort sold 20,000 more room nights to leisure visitors in 2009 than it did
in 2008. There was also a 58% increase in green fee income, a 26% rise in
bar and restaurant revenue and an 18% increase in spa business. However,
corporate business was down by 29% on the previous year and 60 staff were
made redundant at the beginning of 2009. The boost in leisure business
resulted from a combination of Celtic Manor’s increased international
profile as home of this year’s Ryder Cup, which resulted in a 45% rise in
the number of overseas visitors, and the introduction of competitive
packages for leisure travellers.
POLICE APPEAL OVER SHAFTESBURY INCIDENT
Jan 26 - Gwent Police is appealing for
information following a robbery which occurred at approximately 3pm on
Saturday 23rd January.
A 70 year old lady was walking down Ledbury Drive, near to its junction with
Glastonbury Close in the Shaftesbury area of Newport, when she was
approached from behind. The offender grabbed her shopping bag and by doing
so pulled the lady to the floor. As a result of the fall the lady sustained
head and arm injuries as well as cuts, swelling and bruising to her face.
She was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital and released later that day. The
offender made off from the scene in the direction of Glastonbury Close with
the shopping bag containing a purse and a mobile phone.
The offender is described as male, thought to be in his late twenties/early
thirties. He was approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, of medium build. He had
dark wavy hair and facial stubble. He was wearing a three quarter length
light-weight jacket that had dark coloured shoulder panels and a red lower
half, mid-blue jeans that appeared slightly worn and a grey woollen hat
(possibly with tassels on the side). Gwent Police is appealing for anyone
who may have witnessed this incident or who thinks that they may be able to
help identify the offender to contact Dc 1368 Benton at Newport Central
Police Station on 01633 244999. Alternatively please contact Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111.
NEW HEAD TAKES REINS AT HARTRIDGE
Jan 25 - Peter Jenkins is relishing the
exciting challenges he faces in his new role as head teacher of Hartridge
High School, according to Newport City Council. Working alongside him is new
deputy head teacher Rob King. Both have taken over the top posts as
Hartridge prepares for future changes, including a much-needed replacement
school building. The 51-year-old has joined the school after nine years as
head at Ferndale community school where official inspectors described his
leadership as dynamic and of high quality. Mr Jenkins said the opportunity
to be part of a new team taking the school forward was one he could not
ignore.“Schools are going through transition to a skills-based curriculum
which offers a lot of opportunities in terms of developing our
youngsters.”Mr Jenkins was also enthusiastic about the new school building
with work due to start this summer. “It will give the children the very best
facilities in Wales.”
NEWPORT STILL ATTRACTIVE TO BUSINESS -
FIRST MINISTER
Jan 25 -
Newport West AM Rosemary
Butler was given assurances by First Minister Carwyn Jones today that
Newport is still a place where investment is taking place, despite a report
from a firm of leading economic analysts which suggested that Newport is one
of the worst affected cities in the UK during the current recession.
The
Centre for Cities think tank said recently that Newport was near the bottom
of the league table when it came to new business start ups and lost private
sector jobs. Mrs Butler raised the findings of the report during questions
to the First Minister Carwyn Jones.
Rosemary
Butler, Newport West:
Will the First Minister comment on yesterday's report from the independent
think tank "Centre for Cities" which suggests that Newport is one of the
UK's biggest victims in the current recession. It's clear that more new
businesses and more private sector jobs are needed, as well as a higher
level of skills for the local workforce. Will the Welsh Assembly Government
make a special effort to make sure that Newport doesn't get left behind once
the recession ends?
First
Minister: Newport is in
quite a favourable position in terms of its geography - its proximity to the
M4 and of course the main railway line. Even when we have gone through
difficult times, there have been significant investment projects that have
been secured in Newport - Admiral Insurance for example, the HSBC insurance
services sector, the new power station, the new railway station, the new
university campus of course, the city centre and of course Bettws School. So
roughly 2,000 jobs have been created across the city between April 2008 and
September 2009.It shows that Newport is still very much a place where
investment is taking place and very much a place which is attractive for
business.
LIGHT RAIL NEEDED IN NEWPORT - ASSEMBLY
REPORT
Jan 25 - Newport and Wales
needs massive investment in its rail infrastructure with new tram lines in
it major cities, direct connections between the north and south of the
country and a high-speed line between South Wales and London, a report has
said. The Welsh Assembly Government’s
Enterprise and Learning Committee’s raft of recommendations includes light
railway systems for Cardiff, Newport and Swansea and improved services
between North and South Wales. New trains on the Valley Lines, a Severn
Tunnel upgrade and the electrification of key diversionary routes is also
needed, according to the report published today.
 |
DISTRACTION
BURGLARY APPEAL
Jan 25 - Gwent
Police is appealing for information and issuing advice following a
distraction burglary in the Gaer on Sunday 24th January.
At approximately 12 noon a man, purporting
to be a window cleaner, called at a house on Drinkwater Close
offering to clean inside and outside windows. When the man had left
the resident discovered their purse had been stolen.
The male is described as white, approximately 30-40 years old, with
dark hair. He was wearing dark bottoms and a dark jacket.
Anyone with any information
regarding this incident is asked to call Gwent Police on 101 or
Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. |
NEW UNI BUILDING WILL NOT OPEN UNTIL 2011
Jan 24 - The new Newport University City
Centre Campus will not start receiving students until January 2011. The
detail is tucked away in a set of frequently asked questions on the
University's website. It states "The target
for completion of the build is November 2010. The building will then be
fitted out with equipment and furniture throughout December 2010 and the
first students will be moving in in January 2011." This is slightly later
than was previously revealed as it had been anticipated that the campus
would open on site in October 2010. 2,700 students will study at the site.
TORY CANDIDATE'S TWITTER BLUNDER
Jan 23 - Newport East's Conservative
candidate has criticised the policy of allowing working class the
opportunity to go to University. Dawn Parry stated on twitter.com that "It's
Labour's fault for dropping exam standards so every Tom, Dick and Harry goes
to university." Parry, a councillor in Weston-super-Mare was a surprise
selection for the seat, having failed selection contests in St Ives, Bristol
South and Plymouth. Jessica Morden, the Labour Newport East MP who will
fight Ms Parry for the seat at the general election, said: "This shows the
Tory Party is still as elitist as ever. Dawn Parry wants to make university
a closed shop. Thousands of students across Wales from less advantaged
backgrounds have been able to attend college and university and gone on to
have successful careers because of Labour’s investment in further
education.It’s ridiculous to suggest Labour has ‘dropped exam
standards’. What we have done is driven up educational standards and made
university more accessible." Ms Parry, who did not go to university, runs a
guest house in Banwell, North Somerset. She told Wales Online "“I’m not
elitist at all. I’m a Valleys girl through and through.....When I was
growing up in the Rhondda, we only had an outside toilet." Ms. Parry's bed
and breakfast has a website
here. It
states "Although being in the countryside, The Elms is just 8 miles from
Bristol International Airport and only 7 miles from Weston-Super-Mare
mainline train station. We can collect guests by seperate (sic) negociation
(sic) from the airport or train station if required."
NEWPORT FESTIVAL 2010 LAUNCHED
Jan 22 - Newport’s Riverfront Theatre and
Arts Centre played host yesterday to VIP guests, celebrities, press, city
councillors and 50 five foot tall dragons, as the plans for the Newport
Festival 2010 were launched. Leader of Newport City Council, Cllr Matthew
Evans, welcomed guests including award-winning actress Virginia McKenna and
golf journalist and children’s author Lauren St.John.
Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of Newport
City Council, said: “2010 will be one of the most exciting years Newport has
ever seen. It is a year which promises to unveil a new era for Newport, with
a legacy the city and its residents can enjoy for many years to come. There
is an action-packed calendar of events from September’s Big Splash event –
with a circus and a funfair staged on the banks of the River Usk to the Fire
Spectacular in October when the city’s skies will be illuminated by some
impressive fireworks. And of course, hunting down the SuperDragons in the
city will be a major pursuit for Newport residents and tourists throughout
the summer months. Every community will have its own individual legacy from
an event or project that is launched in 2010. Young people will have a
chance to take part in some of our most memorable events, leaving lasting
memories that will stay with them forever, and plenty of vivid tales to tell
to future generations.”
At the launch, the festival plans were
outlined and residents can look forward to parades, circus acts, water
sports, bands, fairgrounds and aerial artistes who will perform above the
suspension bridge. One of the highlights is set to be the SuperDragons who
will take over Newport in the summer. The statues gathered at the Riverfront
for the launch and businesses are being asked to sponsor a dragon which a
local artist will paint and decorate. The dragons will then form a trail
across the city and residents and tourists will be encouraged to follow the
trial and visit where the dragons are situated. The dragons will be
auctioned after the trial with proceeds going to charity. Born Free is one
charity that will benefit from the auction and actress Virginia McKenna was
a special guest at the launch.
SOMERTON'S TARDIS GAINS £10K GRANT
Jan 22 - A former police box,
called the Tardis by locals, has been awarded £10,500 towards its repair.
The community had been trying to raise money to preserve the old box in
Somerton. It is one of a dozen conservation projects to share £410,000 in
Welsh assembly government funding via Cadw.
CITY HAULAGE FIRM FORCED TO CLOSE
Jan 21 - Two haulage firms have been left
reeling by the closure of packaging firm Western Corrugated while a third
has had to close. Western, with plants in Cwmbran and Wolverhampton, went
into administration on 4 January with KPMG appointed to handle its closure.
Long standing Rogerstone haulier Ellis Morgan has been forced to close as a
result of the bad debt, believed to be a six-figure sum, caused by Western's
failure. Another City haulier JP Bull has been badly affected. A spokesman
for JP Bull told roadtransport.com the company had been working for Western
since April 2009 and is now owed approximately £165,000, "which the
administrator said we are unlikely to see a penny of". As a result of the
failure, JP Bull is winding down its Cwmbran operation and has made 12
redundancies.
Ellis Morgan's website states "Founded
in 1820 with just one horse & cart by the great-great-grandfather of the
present day proprietors, the company is now in its 6th generation of the
Morgan family. "
KINGSWAY DWP OFFICE TO BECOME CALL
CENTRE
Jan 21 - Massive changes are taking place
at Newport's Benefit Delivery Centre in Kingsway. The Department for Work
and Pensions made a major announcement prior to Christmas indicating that
instead of processing claims staff in Newport would be re-trained as call
centre operators. Work has now begun to move the processing of Income
Support and other benefits away from the Centre where currently over 400
civil servants are employed. The Newport telephony centre will deal with
callers and enquiries from all over Wales as of April 1.
END FOR CITY CENTRE RANGER SERVICE
Jan 21 - The City Council will be bringing
an end to its City Centre ranger service following the redeployment of the
rangers to its CCTV service monitoring the main areas of central Newport. A
Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Environment Report of 18 March 2009
and a Leader’s Report of 29 March 2009 approved the temporary suspension of
the City Centre Ranger Service and the transfer of the two Rangers in post
to "meet some of the staffing needs of the City Centre CCTV Section". The
first report of 21 October 2009 concluded that there were significant
benefits to enhancing the CCTV Section that outweigh the penalties of
maintaining the City Centre Ranger Service and supported the suspension of
the Ranger Service. That report recommended a further review to confirm the
findings. This report has reviewed the situation and confirms that the
suspension is still more beneficial to the CCTV Section. A review of the
Community Safety Warden Service has also been completed and resulted in two
Wardens working in the City Centre in the afternoon undertaking
environmental enforcement.
FLYNN SLATES CITIES REPORT
Jan 20 - Newport West MP Paul Flynn has
slated yesterday's report doubting Newport's ability to pull out of
recession. Flynn describes the group as 'unknown' and claims the City has
huge advantages "They claim Newport will be hit hard by the recession
because our business base is not as strong as other cities. True, but our
public sector base is far stronger that almost every other city of our
population. Yes Newport is way down on the set of criteria adopted. But
if the city had been judged on the most successful in attracting public
sector jobs, we would have been on the top of the table. Newport is
home for the Intellectual Property Office (formerly the Patent Office), the
shared services of all UK Prisons, the Office for National Statistics and a
main Passport Office. These are permanent offices of high repute that
required highly skilled staff. It is hoped that other public sector jobs will
be attracted to the city."
NEWPORT'S RECOVERY FROM DOWNTURN WILL TAKE
LONGER - STUDY
Jan 19 - A study by the Centre for Cities
in to the UK's 64 leading cities has classed Newport as vulnerable and
likely to take longer than other cities to recover from the recession. The
report states "Cities such as Stoke, Burnley, Barnsley, Newport and
Doncaster, with their weaker business base, have a much tougher outlook.
These cities all lost private sector jobs over the pre-recession decade.
Their rate of business start ups is low and many of their residents have no
qualifications." By contrast it states "Brighton, Milton Keynes, Reading,
Cambridge and Edinburgh have the right ingredients to succeed after the
recession has passed. They have strong private sectors, high levels of
entrepreneurship, highly educated workforces and large shares of
knowledge-intensive jobs. " Between 1998 and 2008 Newport has lost 13.3 per
cent of its private sector workforce amounting to 6700 jobs. Despite the
intervention of Newport Unlimited set up following the partial closure of
the Llanwern Steelworks economic change in the city has been slow.
APPEAL OVER MAINDEE CASHPOINT THEFT
 |
Jan 19 -
Police is appealing for information
following a theft which occurred in Lloyds TSB Bank on Chepstow Road
in Maindee. The
theft occurred on Wednesday 30th December 2009 between 3.35pm and
3.45pm.
The victim, a 77 year old man, was withdrawing cash from an ATM
inside the Lloyds TSB branch. As the money was being dispensed a
man, who was behind him in the queue, reached in front of the victim
and took the money from the machine. He then ran out of the branch
in the direction of Glebe Street and the Godfrey Morgan Wetherspoons
public house.
The offender was described as a white male, aged between 25 and 30
years old and approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall. He was of thin
build with short fair hair and a pale complexion. He was wearing
black tracksuit bottoms with an orange stripe, a black nylon
tracksuit top and black woollen gloves.
Gwent Police is appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this
incident or anyone who knows the identity of the offender to contact
them on 101 or to call
Crimestoppers |
ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY FOR RYDER CUP
Jan 17 -
Ryder Cup Europe has selected IFM Sports
Marketing Surveys to undertake Economic Impact Studies on The Ryder Cup
contests between Europe and the United States at The Celtic Manor Resort,
Newport in 2010 and at The Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland, in 2014.
The survey, undertaken on behalf of Ryder Cup
Europe, Ryder Cup Wales, Event Scotland and UK Sport, will include
investigating actual expenditure on the event by spectators, sponsors,
organisers, facility providers, local businesses, media providers and
international visitors to measure the impact on the venues and the regions
and the overall economies of Wales and Scotland. It has been determined that
hosting major sporting events delivers benefits to a venue and the region in
a multitude of ways. This includes increasing awareness, generating local
and national pride and enhancing the possibility of a venue or nation to be
considered for other sporting events in the future.
The biennial Ryder Cup contest is recognised
as one of the top ten global sporting events which is followed by hundreds
of millions of people around the world. Richard Hills, the European Ryder
Cup Director, said: “The next two home matches will superbly showcase Wales
and Scotland as significant sporting destinations. To monitor every aspect
of the next two contests we wanted a company recognised for being well
versed in economic impact evaluations and with genuine knowledge of the golf
industry in terms of research and insight, which is why we have appointed
IFM Sports Marketing Surveys.”
WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANT SET FOR NEWPORT
Jan 14 -
Waste management firm Waste Recycling Group has revealed its proposal to
build an energy from waste plant. Currently in procurement, the
project will eventually decide on a preferred bidder to provide five local
authorities with a solution to deal with their waste over a 25-year period.
The local authorities include Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Caerphilly,
Newport and Monmouthshire. WRG hopes to build the plant at chemical company
Solutia UK’s headquarters in Newport. The waste management firm has entered
into an exclusivity deal to use the land to generate electricity from
residents’ waste. The EfW facility also has the potential to support a
district heating scheme using the steam created when burning the waste.
Additionally, the plant may supply Solutia with electricity and steam once
it is built. A Solutia spokesman said: “Anything which helps reduce our
operating costs in this difficult economic climate will also clearly
contribute to the security of employment on the site. So, while it is still
very early days, there are many good reasons for being excited about the
potential of this project.” WRG aims to submit a planning application in
summer 2010 for the facility, which is expected to begin operating in 2014.
Solutia and WRG intend to carry out a full public consultation with local
residents and stakeholders. Solutia, which has already installed two 2.5 MW
wind turbines on the Corporation Road site, welcomed the WRG proposal.
NEW BRIDGE FOR NEWPORT STATION
 |
Jan 14 - Contractor Galliford Try
Rail erected a new footbridge at the site of the new £13M
Newport station for Network Rail over Christmas as part of the
redevelopment of the station.
The 45m long, 180t bridge was
hoisted in by a 600t crawler crane during a 56 hour possession from
10.30pm on Christmas Eve. Three main bridge sections and five
precast sections that formed the stairs and landings were
lifted.Designed to link buildings on either side of the track, the
steel bridge is clad in a steel facade and glass panels while its
roof is steel and ETFE plastic. Lifts had to be coordinated with the
work of 12 engineering trains which were laying track and installing
new signalling. |
 |
SCHOOL CLOSURE
Jan 14 - St Patrick’s RC
Primary will be closed tomorrow because of a heating failure.
DISRUPTION CAUSED BY HEAVY
SNOWFALL
Jan 13 - Another eight to ten
centimetres of snow fell in Newport overnight and this morning disrupting
some services, leading to the closure of most schools in the City. In
addition, a number of libraries, all day centres and some leisure
facilities were closed. Newport Bus maintained a service on all main roads
but some side roads were hazardous. The Civic Amenity Site was closed this
morning. The City Council's emergency planning was again at full stretch
"Gritting and snow clearance continues to operate at 100%. All primary
routes are clear and some resources are now being applied to the clearance
access routes into secondary schools and side roads and footpaths." Gwent
Police is continuing to advise people to drive with extreme care over the
next few days and to also look out for friends and neighbours, particularly
those who are vulnerable or elderly. Motorists should only travel if
absolutely necessary, and to use their common sense. The conditions mean
that any snow, or water, on the roads will freeze over and even if roads
have been gritted they can still be very hazardous.
MORE SNOW HEADS IN
Jan 12 (7pm) - A band of
heavy and persistent snow is moving in to south east Wales tonight. With
very cold surfaces and temperatures just above freezing it is expected
to produce a moderate fall of snow in Newport. The band of snow is part of
push from the Atlantic to break the mass of cold air sitting over northern
Europe. The front is expected to lose its strength as it slowly moves north
in to the Midlands. The snow is expected to clear by the end of the rush
hour tomorrow. School closures on January 13 will be listed
here.
CIVIC MEETINGS CANCELLED
Jan 12 - A number of public meetings due to
be held this week have been postponed or cancelled because of the adverse
weather forecast. A meeting of the Alway Neighbourhood Committee, which was
due to be held today (Tuesday) at 6.30pm in Somerton Primary School, has
been cancelled. The planning committee scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday)
will now take place at 2pm on January 19 in the council chamber. In
addition, Malpas Neighbourhood Committee, due to take place on Thursday at
6.30pm in Malpas Church in Wales School, has also been cancelled.
CITY MAN FOUND SAFE AND
WELL
Jan 12 -
38 year old
Timothy Weekes who had been reported missing from his Newport home has now
been found safe and well.
DUFFRYN HIGH SCHOOL OFF
THE CRITICAL LIST
Jan 11 - Duffryn High School
is off the critical list of schools requiring significant improvement by Her
Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales. A report
received by the City Council details the outcome of the re-inspection of
Duffryn High School which took place 19 -21 May 2009.
The report shows the progress made by Duffryn High School in
response to the judgements made following the initial inspection. At that
time following a section 28 inspection the school was judged as requiring
significant improvement. The new report shows the school to have made good
progress in relation to the recommendations for improvement made in February
2008. As a result of this Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and
Training in Wales is removing the school from the list of schools requiring
significant improvement. Comments within the report against each
recommendation were:
Recommendation 1 Satisfy statutory requirements for the
daily act of worship - “The school has addressed this recommendation”.
Recommendation 2 Continue to raise standards in all subjects
- “The school has implemented a good range of appropriate strategies that
are helping to improve standards and examination results in key stages 3 and
4”.
Recommendation 3 Continue to raise standards of teaching and
learning - “The school is making good progress in improving the quality of
teaching”.
Recommendation 4 Continue to seek ways of reducing students’
high level of absenteeism - “The school has introduced new strategies to
improve pupils’ attendance”.
Recommendation 5 Continue to seek ways of improving pupils’
behaviour - "The school’s procedures to improve pupils’ behaviour are very
good."
Recommendation 6 Improve students’ key skills - The school
has made good progress in improving pupil’s key skills.
The verbal feedback to the school by HMI was very positive.
They indicated that they considered the school to be “good and improving.”
It is a mark of how well the school has moved forward that HMI did not use
all of the time allotted for inspection, feeling able to make their
judgements on the evidence collected on the first two days of the
inspection.
ALL SCHOOLS TO OPEN ON
TUESDAY - COUNCIL
Jan 11 - All schools in
Newport are expected to be fully open on Tuesday 12 January apart from
Bassaleg School which will only be open for years 10, 11, 12 and 13,
according to the City Council. It is expected that Bassaleg School will be
fully open to all pupils on Wednesday 13 January.
 |
POLICE APPEAL OVER MISSING CITY
MAN / TEENAGERS SAFE AND WELL
Jan 11 - Gwent
Police is appealing for information to find a Newport man who has
gone missing. 38 year old Timothy
Weekes was last seen at his Newport home at 8.10am on Friday 8th
January. He is described as white, approximately 6'1" tall, of a
stocky build, with short receding light brown hair. He's clean
shaven with blue eyes and a Newport accent.
When he was last seen he was wearing a dark blue tracksuit with
white trainers. He has a tattoo of a star on on his right upper arm.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call
Gwent Police on 101.
17 year old Talia Nicholas
and 14 year old Tyler Williams who had gone missing from their home
in the Rogerstone area of Newport have now been found safe and well. |
SCHOOL CLOSURES
Jan 10 - School closures in
Newport tomorrow will be listed
here.
CAMERON DESCENDS ON
NEWPORT
Jan 8 - Conservative leader
David Cameron descended on Newport to cast doubt on the Government's
approach to the cold weather. Cameron was at Newport gritting depot as part
of a strategy by the Tories to capitalise on unease created by the media
about local authority resources, in particular the grit available to keep
roads clear. 1500 tonnes of salt have been used by the City Council since
the start of the winter. Cameron stated "I think there are questions to ask
and there are obviously lessons to learn. To be fair this is a very long and
a very deep cold snap, so I think we have to be fair about that. But we are
going to see more extreme weather events and we have to prepare for them
better and we probably do need to have larger stocks to make sure councils,
not just in Wales but up and down the country, have larger stocks so they
can cope with longer sessions.It tends to be the case councils are told to
have six days of supplies. This snap is going to be lasting for maybe 10
days or more. "We have to reassess and learn lessons from this." Newport
City Council had done a great job, "but it's very testing times for them".
Light periods or showers of
snow are heading for Newport this evening. The snow may give a further
dusting.
APPEAL OVER MISSING
NEWPORT TEENAGERS
 |
Jan 8 -
Gwent Police is appealing for information to locate
two teenage girls who have gone missing from their home in the
Rogerstone area of Newport. The two
girls, who are friends, haven't been seen since 5.15pm on 3rd
January 2010. 17 year old, Talia Nicholas (left in the picture) is
described as white, with straight shoulder length dark brown hair,
of a slim build, and is approximately 5'4" tall. When she was last
seen she was wearing a purple t-shirt, dark blue jeans, boots and
could be wearing either a black or white coat. 14 year old Tyler
Williams (right in the picture) is described as white, with straight
shoulder length blonde hair, of a slim build and is approximately
5'5" tall. When she was last seen she was wearing a white t-shirt,
light blue jeans, possibly wearing a grey cardigan and black boots.
They both have contacts in the Newport area and are known to
frequent the city centre area - anyone with information regarding
their whereabouts is asked to call Gwent Police on
101.
There was a possible sighting of the
two girls in Bristol at about 5.30pm yesterday, Thursday 7th
January, getting off a bus in the Doncaster Road area, by Southmead
Hospital. The two girls, who are friends, haven't been seen since
5.15pm on 3rd January 2010. |
EXTERNAL EXAMS SET TO GO
AHEAD
Jan 8 - Newport’s eight
secondary schools are making arrangements for students due to take external
examinations on Monday, January 11. Students who are sitting external exams
should make every effort to make their own way to school on Monday even if
there is a general notification that the school is closed. The City Council
states "It should not be assumed there will be regular home to school
transport is available." Bassaleg, Caerleon Comprehensive, Duffryn High,
Hartridge High, Lliswerry High, Newport High, St Julians, St Joseph’s RC
High will be open for external examinations irrespective of the weather.
CITY BATTLES AGAINST
ADVERSE CONDITIONS
Jan 7 - Temperatures remained
below freezing throughout the day in Newport today as people battled to get
in to work in icy conditions. Tonight it is expected that temperatures will
be up to eight degrees centigrade below freezing. Newport City Council
states "Front line services e.g. road gritting and snow clearance have and
will continue to operate at 100 per cent. All primary routes are clear and
greater resources are now being applied to the clearance of side roads and
footpaths which should yield improvements over the next few days."
Most schools were closed
today and will remain closed tomorrow. The full list of closures is
here. Closures include Caerleon Comprehensive School (not currently
listed). The City Council states refuse collection will continue today and
Friday, although, due to difficult working conditions, at a slightly reduced
level. Saturday working is now planned in order to catch up on delayed
collections. Main council civic buildings operating with only slightly
reduced opening hours. All leisure facilities are subject to ongoing health
and safety reviews. A number of facilities are currently closed or are
operating reduced hours. Tonight’s performance of “Men Who Stare at Goats”
at The Riverfront is cancelled because of the adverse weather conditions.
Full refunds will be given.
Newport Transport state "We
are trying to maintain a full service on main roads avoiding hilly areas and
estates in the interests of the safety of our customers".
CHANGES TO RINGLAND BUS
SERVICES
Jan 7 - Newport Bus is
introducing "improvements" to service frequencies in the Ringland area from
January 11 onwards.
The current flagship 8A / 8C
service will change. The new service 8 will run along Chepstow Road,
Llanwern Road and part of Hendre Farm Drive. Buses will take the roundabout
of the SDR and complete the route in reverse back to Newport Bus Station.
The new service will run at 10 minute intervals from 0650 to 1800 weekdays
and at fifteen intervals on a Saturday in the peak. Unfortunately, long
intervals remain in the evening and Sunday services with gaps of twenty
minutes normally and forty minutes on a Sunday morning! Last bus services
still run from Newport at 11 o'clock. The current 6/19 service to Alway has
been changed to number 6 and 7 with the same frequency as the previous
service. A new service has been introduced between the City Centre and
Langstone Business Park running along Chepstow Road, Ringwood Avenue, Hendre
Farm Drive and on to Langstone Business Park. The new service runs half
hourly from 0605 to 2005 Monday to Saturday.
4PM - FORECASTERS WARN OF
DROP IN SIGNIFICANT TEMPERATURES
Jan 6 - Weather forecasters
are warning of a significant drop in temperatures tonight following the
heavy snowfall experienced overnight and during today. Temperatures are
expected to drop six degrees below freezing in Newport with the figure
likely to be even lower in rural areas. The temperature is not expected to
get above freezing tomorrow. The Met Office issued a warning this afternoon
"Following recent snow with further snow showers expected in western parts
overnight, widespread ice is expected on roads and pavements. The public are
advised to take extra care and refer to Traffic Wales for further advice on
road conditions."
11AM - SNOW STOPS AND
LIMITED SERVICES RESUME
Jan 6 - The snow has stopped
for the time being allowing some services in Newport to resume. However,
most schools are closed. The full list is
here. All refuse and waste collections are suspended. The Council's
civic amenity site is currently closed. Limited bus services are running in
Newport provided by Newport Transport. The Stagecoach X24 operating between
Newport, Cwmbran and Pontypool is running but not via Sebastopol and
Griffithstown. A further period of snow is expected early this afternoon as
a small front moves across the West Midlands and south east Wales (this has
just reached Gloucester). The main area of prolonged snowfall has
transferred to central southern England.

The snowfall radar
at 7.30 last night showing cloud moving towards south east Wales around a
developing low pressure area centred south of Swindon |
7AM - DISRUPTIVE
SNOWFALL HITS NEWPORT
Jan 6 - Heavy and
prolonged overnight snow has caused the expected disruption to
public services and transport in Newport this morning. At present
most if not all City schools are likely to be closed, the fully up
to date list will be on the Newport City Council website. Newport
Bus services are not running as yet. The City Council will be
ploughing priority routes and will then clear some bus routes.
Arterial routes such as Chepstow Road and Malpas Road are passable
with care. Main routes such as the M4 are also passable with care.
There are a number of cancellations to rail services including
services to London Paddington (see our link on the front page to
Newport railway station).
The snowfall of
between 10 and 15 centimetres started at approximately 9.30 last
night and is still continuing. It is expected to gradually die out
from the north by mid-day although there could be a further 5
centimetres of snow in the interim. The lying snow is blowing in the
increasing north easterly wind. |
CITY PREPARES FOR NEW
SNOWFALL
Jan 5 - Newport was preparing
for fresh snowfall tonight after a couple of hours of snow earlier in the
day led to widespread school closures. Snow fell between 11 and 2 leading to
the closure of the following -
Queens Hill Education Centre, Marshfield
Primary, Llanmartin School, Maes Ebbw School, Millbrook Primary School,
Hartridge High School, Ysgol Gymraeg Ifor Hael, Langstone Primary School,
Monnow Primary School, Don Close Nursery, Bassaleg School, Caerleon
Comprehensive School, Gaer Infants School, Kimberley Nursery School.
Gritting lorries are out in force tonight
with snowfall predicted for south east Wales. Disruption is expected to
transport and council services. Brian Kemp, the City Council Director
responsible for highways stated on BBC Wales that Newport has plentiful
supplies of grit and that provision would be made to prioritise services for
the vulnerable and elderly during the cold spell.
SIGNAL WORKERS STRIKE AGAIN
Jan 5 - Signalling staff in Wales and the
Marches area including from Newport are striking for six days this week
against the imposition of rosters at the South Wales Control Centre. Network
Rail wants to impose an eight-hour roster over the existing 12-hour one.
Newport RMT branch secretary Steve Richards said, “We want other signal
workers around the country to see the strike and think ‘we can do this
too’.” But Network Rail hit back at the claims saying the new shifts would
benefit passengers. A spokeswoman said it had invited the union for talks
after a first round of strikes last month but they walked away from them and
launched another strike. She added: “They are holding the passengers hostage
but we have worked hard to ensure no services have been affected.”
MET OFFICE ISSUE SNOW
ALERT
Jan 4 - The Met Office has
issued a severe weather advisory warning for south east Wales ahead of a
developing weather situation tomorrow. Weather forecasters are warning that
a small low pressure system in the south of the UK will pivot around the
Bristol area creating the potential for heavy snow tomorrow night and into
Wednesday morning. The Met Office warning issued at 4pm today states "There
is a moderate risk of severe weather affecting parts of southern England and
east Wales. There is a potential for a period of heavy snow during Wednesday
morning with locally large accumulations. The location of the heavy snow is
uncertain and will be kept under review." In addition, a period of light
snow is expected to arrive in Newport by the morning rush hour tomorrow
giving light accumulations of snow. Temperatures are expected to dip
significantly tonight before the cloud arrives and are not expected to rise
above one or two degrees centigrade tomorrow.
APPEAL OVER MAN FOUND
INJURED IN CITY CENTRE
Jan 4 -
Gwent
Police is appealing for information following an incident which occurred
outside a nightclub in Newport in the early hours of Thursday December 17th
2009. A 22 year old male from Cwmbran was
found with serious head injuries between 1am and 1.30am outside Reflex
nightclub on Cambrian Road in Newport. He was taken to hospital and has
since been released. Police are investigating what happened leading up to
the male sustaining these injuries and are particularly keen to trace two
men who were in the area at the time who may be potential witnesses. Anyone
with information about the incident that they think could assist officers
with their inquiries is asked to contact Gwent Police on
101.
HOUSE PRICES EDGE UPWARDS
House prices in
Newport continue to increase but still have some way to go to
recover the position they were at twelve months ago according to the
Land Registry. The latest figures as at end of November
(illustrated by the table opposite) show prices slightly up by 0.6
per cent in November following an increase of 2.7 per cent in
October. However, the average
value of properties sold is at £119,499 some way short of the
average price in November 2008 (£125,943). Average prices for
England and Wales as a whole are just below values twelve months
ago, the market in Newport is under-performing despite the
availability of new property. Wider economic factors are having a
major impact.
The main constraining factor is
undoubtedly the higher than average level of unemployment. The
claimant count, the numbers of economically active people claiming
Jobseekers Allowance has risen from 3.6 per cent of Newportonians to
5.6 per cent, up from 3,035 to 4,713, in the period between November
2008 and November 2009. |
 |
FURTHER SNOWFALL IN CITY
Dec 29 - Snow has been
falling in Newport for several hours despite the fact that the Met Office
has not forecast it for the City. The snow started falling at lunchtime and
has been heavy and persistent for nearly three hours. However, the Met
Office severe weather warning has excluded Newport from the wider snowfall
forecast for Wales for today and tomorrow. As the latest rain band from the
south west met cold air it has started to turn readily to snow but
temperatures are still just above freezing. At present the snowfall is not
expected to be disruptive and may die out later this evening.
 |
SCHOOLGIRL WINS ANTI BULLYING
POSTER COMPETITION
A Newport schoolgirl
will see her winning anti-bullying poster displayed around the
Shaftesbury area of the city. Year
Five Brynglas Junior School pupil Shayma Webb won a competition
organised by Newport City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team to
improve the relationship between the police and local children. Head
teacher Linda Facey was pleased to support the competition designed
to ensure pupils feel comfortable talking to police and to highlight
Anti-Bullying Week. |
POLICE APPEAL OVER
INCIDENT IN BAR
Dec 26 - Police are seeking
witnesses to an assault in a bar in Newport city centre in which a
36-year-old woman suffered serious leg injuries. Officers say she became involved in a dispute
with a man in his late teens who tripped her and pushed her over. The
incident took place about 2330 GMT in Lloyds Bar on Bridge Street on 16
December. Police say the man was white, of skinny build, about 6ft tall,
with short brown hair which was scruffy and gelled. He had jeans and a blue
and white large checked shirt with long sleeves. He was clean shaven and
spoke with a Newport accent. Anyone with information is asked to call Gwent
Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
RAIL ENGINEERING WORKS
REMINDER
Dec 24 - Rail users are reminded that they
will face disruption after Christmas from a number of planned engineering
works in a £100m programme organised by Network Rail. There will be no
services between Bristol and Newport from December 27 to January 3.
MARSHFIELD SMALLHOLDER
FINED FOR MISTREATING PIGS
Dec 23 - On 22 December 2009 Abergavenny magistrates
court found Anthony George Hayes guilty of three charges of leaving three
pigs inside a disused lorry container with insufficient drinking water, at
his small holding in Marshfield. Unemployed Hayes, 59, represented himself
at court and denied the charges. But the evidence given by three Newport
City Council Animal Health Inspectors from the Council’s Trading Standards
Section was accepted by the court and Hayes was convicted.
On 7 May 2009 Animal Health Inspectors visited
Hayes’ small holding and found that two heavy porcelain sinks which were
inside the pen and should have contained water, were empty with dry mud and
faeces inside. Hayes claimed the pigs had turned the sinks over; spilling
the water, though the sinks were upright when the inspectors visited. Hayes
had received previous advice regarding a similar incident in March 2009.
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 a person commits an offence if he does not
take such steps as are reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that
the needs of an animal for which he is responsible are met to the extent
required by good practice. Hayes was fined £300, ordered to pay a
contribution towards costs of £300 and a £15 victim surcharge. He escaped a
banning order on keeping animals as and the magistrates considered the
matter to be a low level animal welfare issue. Hayes has since sold the
pigs.
SWIMMING POOL CLOSED FOR
MAINTENANCE
Dec 23 - The swimming pool at
the Newport Centre is closed between Saturday 19 December 2009 and Sunday 10
January 2010, due to essential maintenance.
CITY COUNCIL FAILS IN
LEGAL CHALLENGE OVER RECYCLING
Dec 22 -
Newport
City Council has failed in its legal challenge over a Welsh Assembly
Government (WAG) decision to revise landfill allowances downwards. Newport
claims this could cost it thousands of pounds in fines. According to
letsrecycle.com the legal ruling means that,
from 2010/11, Newport will have to reduce the amount of biodegradable
municipal waste it sends to landfill by around 1,600 tonnes a year more than
it has in previous years. Newport claimed that it is being "penalised" for
being one of three councils in Wales to have "genuinely" reduced its waste
arisings, and stressed that it had focused its recycling and reduction
efforts on reaching the initially calculated figures.
FALLING ICE CLOSES SEVERN
CROSSING
Dec 22 - The second Severn
crossing between south Wales and south west England has been closed because
of falling ice. The old Severn Bridge has also been closed eastbound for the
same reason although it is still open westbound. Both motorway crossings
were also shut during wintry weather last February, when car windscreens
were smashed. The latest closure is causing traffic problems, with queues
forming eastbound around Newport as vehicles are diverted off the M4 at the
Coldra roundabout. Update - 3pm - the bridge and all lanes of the M4 and M48
are now open.
SCHOOL CLOSURES (DEC 22)
Dec 22 - Schools closed in
Newport today due to the weather conditions are as follows - Duffryn High School,
Duffryn Infants and Juniors, Hartridge High School,
Lliswerry Primary School, Maesglas Primary School, Pillgwenlly Primary School, St
Andrew’s Infants, St Andrew’s Juniors, St Gabriels RC, St. Mary's RC, Ysgol Gymraeg
Casnewydd.
TRUANTS CAUGHT SHOPPING
WITH PARENTS
Dec 21 -
A Safer
Newport initiative has caught out eight children skipping school to go
Christmas shopping with their parents in the city centre.
This month school liaison officers from Gwent Police and education welfare
officers from Newport City Council joined forces to apprehend the pupils and
tell them to return to school. During three days of patrols in the city
centre 46 children were stopped in Newport City Centre, 43 of whom were with
their parents. Most had valid excuses for being out of school, but eight
were found to be truanting and they were sent back to school with the
promise of a warning letter to their parents.
PC Richard Thomas, a school liaison officer in Newport, said: “At this time
of year, parents are sometimes tempted to let their children miss school to
go Christmas shopping. But this should not be happening as it is illegal to
take your children out of school unnecessarily. We caught a good number of
pupils who should have been in school. The truanting pupils were advised to
return to their schools and letters will be sent to their parents reminding
them of their responsibilities.” Research shows that children who attend
school regularly are likely to be more successful than those who frequently
miss school. A pupil who misses a day of school each week misses the
equivalent of two years in their school life, leading to huge gaps in their
knowledge base that become difficult to fill. Recent surveys have indicated
that 70% of children who do not attend school regularly admit to committing
at least one criminal offence.
SCHOOL CLOSURES
Dec 21 - The following
schools were closed due to ice and snow -
Duffryn High School, Hartridge High School,
Lliswerry Primary School, Maesglas Primary School, Milton Infants School,
Pillgwenlly Primary School, Ringland Primary, Rogerstone Nursery School, St
Andrew’s Infants, St Andrew’s Juniors, St Joseph’s RC High, Ysgol Gymraeg
Casnewydd.
The City Council also state "Residents are
reminded to place their refuse and recycling boxes out for collection as
usual during the snow and ice. Collection crews are working hard to collect
refuse and recycling as normal, however some collections may occur later
than usual. Missed collection may occur in some rural areas due to dangerous
driving conditions; however these areas will have collections as soon as
possible".
FIRST SNOW OF WINTER
Dec 21 - The first snow of
winter gave Newport a light covering overnight. A series of showers blew in
across the Bristol Channel bringing snow towards the end of yesterday
evening. The showers from this source would normally fall as rain but met
the very cold air sitting over the mainland and turned readily to snow. The
Met Office states that motorists could face difficult conditions this
morning as the showers have now cleared and were followed by freezing
conditions. The cold spell has been marked by low temperatures day and night
with the lowest minimum recorded minus four degrees centigrade on Saturday
night. The cold weather is expected to last until Christmas Eve in the
Newport area and after a brief milder interlude it is expected to return by
the end of December.
DEAL BOOST CITY COMMERCIAL
PROPERTY SECTOR
Dec 20 - The commercial
property sector in Newport has been given a boost by one of the biggest
industrial deals in the city this year, according to Wales Online. Advised
by Hutchings & Thomas, Collingbourne Properties has acquired a 90,175 sq ft
industrial unit premises from Inductotherm Group Europe in a deal brokered
with Cooke & Arkwright. The property in Church Street is situated in a
prominent location on Usk Way with high visibility and excellent access from
the M4. Jonathan Collingbourne of Collingbourne Properties told the website:
“The purchase of this site is an important acquisition for us as it is
adjacent to other sites within our ownership in this area. It also offers
excellent potential for lets and office space given its size and location,
and we are currently in the process of dividing this large area into a
number of smaller, more versatile units. We have already secured four new
tenancies during our short period of ownership and haven’t even advertised
the letting space available yet.”
Robert Carew-Chaston of Hutchings & Thomas
said: “The proximity of the premises to the River Usk and its location
within the scope of Newport Unlimited’s 2020 Master Plan makes this a
strategic addition to our client’s portfolio. While the current climate
hasn’t helped in the shorter term, there is no doubt that this is an
up-and-coming area of the city which will offer a host of opportunities for
redevelopment in the medium to longer term. In the interim period we will be
letting the property on behalf of our client.”
KINGSWAY UPDATE
Dec 19 - Two new retailers
are confirmed for the Kingsway Shopping Centre in Newport. Contrary, to
reports locally Poundland will not occupy the former Woolworths store. In
fact they will occupy two units immediately adjacent to the Wilkinsons store
in the mall. The Woolworths site will be occupied as reported here by a new
store combining the Ethel Austin and Au Naturelle chains.
WEATHER DISRUPTS SPORTING
FIXTURES
Dec 18 - Freezing
temperatures has led to the disruption of sporting fixtures this weekend.
Newport has escaped the fifteen centimetre snowfalls in the south east of
England but temperatures plummeted yesterday evening and are expected to
fall well below freezing tonight. Newport Gwent Dragons' fixture against
Biarritz at Rodney Parade has been postponed. Following a pitch inspection
by match referee Alain Rolland (Ireland) and officials of both teams, the
game was called off due to a partially frozen pitch. It will take place at
13.35 tomorrow in Llanelli. The match will still be broadcast live on Sky
Sports interactive from Parc y Scarlets. Newport's home fixture against
Swansea also scheduled for live television coverage at 6.30 tomorrow night
is in serious doubt. A pitch inspection will take place tomorrow morning at
9. Newport County's match against Staines Town at Spytty will also face a
pitch inspection during the mid-morning.
TRADER FOUND GUILTY OF
SELLING COUNTERFEIT GOODS
Dec 18 - A City Centre trader has been
found guilty of trading in counterfeit goods. On 15 December 2009 at
Abergavenny Magistrates Court, Stephen Pumford pleaded guilty to selling
counterfeit floor cushions, duvet sets, curtains, beanbags and lampshades,
as well as selling unsafe furniture and displaying a sign that restricted
consumers’ statutory rights. All of the dangerous and fake items subject to
the charges displayed the logos of top premiership football teams including
Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC.
Pumford was fined £1,040, and ordered to
pay costs of £100 and a victim surcharge of £15. Trading Standards Officers
at Newport City Council had been investigating this case since May 2009 and
had bought a number of items, including a cushion and a duvet set, from
Pumford’s shop in John Frost Square, Newport, South Wales. The items were
confirmed as counterfeit by the brand owner, Manchester United. Later in the
month a raid was carried out at Pumford’s shop where in total 80 Liverpool
FC and 51 Manchester United FC products were seized using powers under the
Trade Marks Act 1994.
EMERGENCY SERVICES READY
FOR 'BLACK FRIDAY'
Dec 17 - Safer Newport is urging people to be responsible
while out celebrating on the last Friday before Christmas.
Dubbed “Black Friday”, it is traditionally one of the busiest
nights of the year. Gwent Police have increased officer numbers to reduce
alcohol-fuelled disorder in Newport throughout the run-up to Christmas and
New Year. Inspector Bob Thompson, of Newport Local Policing Unit, said: “Our
officers will be out in force on busy nights to help keep everyone safe, but
we also want people to take responsibility for the amount they drink and
their own actions.” Councillor David Fouweather, Newport City Council’s
cabinet member for environment and community safety, said: “Together, with
our partners we have a range of initiatives aimed at reducing crime and
disorder this Friday, and other nights, and to try and ensure everyone has
an enjoyable, but safe, time.”
- The police will be in constant communication with door staff, CCTV
operators, street pastors and taxi marshals to target their resources
effectively.
- Street pastors: local church member volunteers who help the emergency
services by providing a friendly, non-threatening presence to prevent people
under the influence of alcohol causing trouble or hurting themselves.
- City Centre CCTV suite with 46 cameras, operational 24 hours a day
365 days a year, helps to detect and prevent crime
- Cab Safe: Anyone in need of a taxi can text
CAB to
83222 to receive a text back with
the numbers of three randomly-picked and regulated private hire/hackney
carriages closest to their location
NEWPORT TRANSPORT OFFERS
FREE HOLIDAY SERVICES
Dec 17 - Newport Transport is
running free services on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve for all travellers
to assist city centre trade and to encourage people out of their cars in the
busy holiday period. Director Chris Blyth stated "A record 7.5 million
customers have chosen Newport Bus to get them to their chosen destinations
in comfortand on time this year. And to say thank you we are making all of
our buses – including the X30 Cardiff service – free to travel on during
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. We’ll also be extending the times buses
run on both days until 9pm meaning you can enjoy all of this year’s
festivities while leaving your car at home. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
to all our customers from everyone at Newport Transport."
Holiday services are as follows - Sunday 20 December
Normal Sunday service / Monday 21 December Normal service / Tuesday 22
December Normal service / Wednesday 23 December Normal service /Thursday 24
December Extended Saturday service with last departures from Newport Bus
Station at 21.00 hours, all buses free to travel on./ Friday 25 December and
Saturday December 26 No service / Sunday 27 December Normal Sunday service /
Monday 28 December Normal Saturday service / Tuesday 29 December Normal
Saturday service / Wednesday 30 December Normal Saturday service / Thursday
31 December Extended Saturday service with last departures from Newport Bus
Station at 21.00 hours, all buses free to travel on / Friday 1 January No
service / Saturday 2 January Normal Saturday service / Sunday 3 January
Normal Sunday service
POLICE ARREST FIVE ON DRUG
OFFENCES
Dec 16 -
Police in Alway have arrested five
people for possession of drugs with intent to supply. On Friday (11th
December) at around 6pm officers simultaneously raided five houses in Alway
after receiving intelligence from members of the local community. Two of the
addresses were in Elgar Circle, one in Vaughan Williams Drive, one in Sims
Square, and another in Byrde Close.
Drugs found in the raids included bags of
amphetamine and wraps of cannabis - and one kilo of amphetamine was found in
the boot of a car belonging to one of the occupants. Large amounts of cash,
scales and other drug dealing paraphernalia were also seized from some of
the houses. At one address amphetamine was discovered in a kitchen sink
after the occupant tried to flush away the drugs as police entered. Five
people were arrested and police have issued a warrant for the arrest of
another. The five arrested individuals are on police bail pending forensic
analysis of the drugs seized. In addition, one person was given a caution
for possession of cannabis for personal use.
POET'S CLOCK TO BE
RETURNED TO CITY
Dec 16 - A Grandmother clock given to poet WH Davies by the residents of
Newport- the city of his birth - is to be returned there from his old house
in Nailsworth according to the Stroud News and Journal. A ceremony is
planned in which Cllr Steve Robinson, deputy mayor of Nailsworth, will give
the clock back to Cllr Glyn Jarvis, mayor of Newport. The clock was given as
a tribute to WH Davies by Newport residents in 1930. Nailsworth resident
Norman Phillips is the present owner of the clock and is the great nephew of
the poet and his only remaining descendent in the UK.
CAMERAS TO PATROL ACCIDENT
AND EMERGENCY WARDS
Dec 15 - A £300,000 CCTV pilot to tackle
violent and aggressive behaviour towards NHS workers is being launched today
(15 December) by the Welsh Assembly Government. The one-year scheme will see
CCTV cameras installed in four accident and emergency departments across
Wales including the Royal Gwent in Newport and five ambulances in Cardiff.
Images from the cameras will be used to help prosecute people who are
violent and aggressive towards NHS staff. This pilot is one of 54 measures
contained in a report commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government earlier
in the year to crack down on violence and aggression against health-care
workers.
The Assembly Government’s health minister,
Edwina Hart, said: “It is unacceptable that NHS staff face wilful violence
and aggression while going about their day-to-day duties caring for
patients. The introduction of CCTV cameras will help provide more evidence
to support prosecutions and act as a deterrent, making people think twice
before abusing staff.”
TRAINS RUNNING NORMALLY DESPITE STRIKE
Dec 15 - Trains are running virtually to
normal normal despite this week's signal workers strike. 95 per cent of
trains ran normally yesterday according to Network Rail. The company has
drafted in signal workers from across the country until the strike is due to
officially end on Saturday.
DOG CONTROL ORDERS FOR
CITY CEMETERIES
Dec 15 - Following problems
in the three Newport Cemeteries at St.Woolos, Christchurch and Caerleon the
City Council is introducing Dog Control Orders as irresponsible owners have
allowed their dogs to foul areas of the cemeteries and to run without the
restriction of a lead. The Orders being introduced by the Council after
public consultation will regulate this. Breaching a Dog Control Order is a
crime. The penalty for which is a maximum fine of Level 3 on the Standard
Scale – currently £1,000. Alternatively, the opportunity to pay a Fixed
Penalty may be offered in place of prosecution.
DIABETES EVENT COMING TO
NEWPORT
Dec 14 - People in Newport can check if they
are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes as the Diabetes UK Measure Up
Roadshow arrives in the City this week. The Diabetes UK Measure Up Roadshow
will be in John Frost Square, Newport, between 9am and 5pm on Thursday 17
and Friday 18 December. It will be welcomed to the city by South Wales East
AM Mohammad Asghar at 10.30am on 17 December. People who visit the roadshow,
which is travelling across Wales, can have a free Type 2 diabetes risk
assessment. The roadshow also encourages people to measure their waistline
to see if they are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Having a larger
waist means you are up to 12 times more likely to get the condition. At risk
waist measurements are 37 inches or more for men, or 35 for South Asian men,
and 31.5 inches or more for women.
Diabetes UK staff will
also be on hand to give more information about diabetes and advice about
other risk factors for developing the condition.
AM WELCOMES SUPPORT FOR
CITY POST OFFICE
Dec 13 -
Rosemary
Butler, the Assembly Member for Newport
West, says that the inclusion of Bridge Street Post Office in the latest
round of Assembly grants to help Welsh sub-post offices develop their
businesses, is a welcome shot in the arm for the local community.
The Post Office is one of 75 across Wales to be awarded part of
approved grants of £1.55m over two financial years to help sub-postmasters
and sub-postmistresses diversify and improve their facility.
The fund aims to help
with business and marketing advice, advertising, training and some set-up
costs for new services. Funding can also be applied for improvements such as
creating better access to buildings, upgrading computer equipment, improving
security or providing better signs for the outside of premises. Rosemary
Butler said: "I am delighted that Bridge Street is to benefit from this
fund. Post Offices are often a lifeline for vulnerable people. It's a real
shot in the arm for the local community. This money will help us to keep
Post Offices open by ensuring that sub postmasters and sub postmistresses
have sustainable and viable businesses.
CHRISTMAS RAIL DISRUPTION
CONFIRMED
Dec 11 - Some major sections
of the rail network including the area around Newport will be shut down over
the Christmas and new year period because of engineering work, Network Rail
(NR) has said. There will be 28 separate pieces of engineering work on
Sunday December 27 while there will be 21 on December 28, then 16 on
December 29 and 15 on December 30. But NR said that 8,000 more trains will
run over the festive period than in the Christmas/new year 2008/09 period
and that there will be 33% fewer replacement buses.Rail customer watchdog
Passenger Focus welcomed the promise of less disruption this Christmas but
said it was "regrettable" that the work affecting travel to and from South
Wales was taking place over the festive period.
The Network Rail press
release states "Bristol to Newport - 27/12 to 03/01 - the first phase of the
£150m Newport area improvement scheme, which will deliver more reliable
services for passengers throughout the region, will be completed over the
Christmas break. The job entails modernising signal equipment, extensive
rebuilding of tracks around Severn Tunnel Junction station and the building
of a new platform. Preparatory work for the redevelopment of Newport
Station ready for the Ryder Cup is also taking place. As a result the rail
route into South Wales from Bristol and Gloucester will be closed over the
Christmas / New Year period although four other routes into Wales from
England remain open".
MOTHER OF TWO DIED FROM
UNDIAGNOSED MENINGITIS
Dec 10 - A mother-of-two died of meningitis
after she was diagnosed with an ear infection, an inquest heard today. Gwent
Coroner’s Court heard how Sarah Stitt, 36, of Magor visited numerous
doctors over the course of a month complaining of severe earache. Mrs Stitt
was admitted to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, on February 8, 2009,
after she and her husband Sean insisted that she be kept in because the pain
was so bad, but she died within hours.A post-mortem examination revealed
that she died of meningitis as a complication of infections in her inner ear
and the bone behind her ear. Gwent Coroner David Bowen recorded a narrative
verdict, describing the events that led to Mrs Stitt’s death. He said the
treatment which partially resolved the inner ear infection had masked the
fact there was an underlying infection of the bone behind her ear which, if
diagnosed, would have raised the suspicion of meningitis.Meningitis, he
said, was not diagnosed until after her death and so the opportunity to
treat it was missed. She died after being in constant pain for a month, he
said.
CITY COUNCIL IN DISPUTE
WITH ICELAND FOODS
Dec 10 - Newport City Council
could be faced with a difficult and costly dispute following a decision by
Iceland Foods to challenge (via judicial review) the Compulsory Purchase
Order (CPO) of two of its stores in the Austin Friars area of the city
centre. The CPO was originally served in 2007.
The Cabinet of the City Council stated it was very concerned
about the basis of the challenge by Iceland Foods who appeared to be putting
self interest before the opportunity to develop the city centre to the
benefit of their own business and of all other businesses in the city
centre. The Deputy Leader Ed Townsend stated that he hoped that Iceland
would come to the table and work with Council officers who could facilitate
the identification of a suitable alternative site near the original
premises. It was confirmed that under the terms of the CPO, Iceland Foods
would be subject to compensation for losses.
Iceland Foods contend that the decision to proceed with the
implementation of the CPO at the present time is “unlawful” because
• The Council is effectively acting ultra vires by using the
CPO powers for a different purpose to that originally intended
• The Council has failed to reconsider the alternative
proposals that they put forward at the original CPO Inquiry and has failed
to have regard to their “Human Rights”.
RAIL PASSENGERS DELAYED BY
CARDIFF RAM RAID TRAGEDY
Dec 9 - Rail passengers in
Newport and Cardiff were delayed following a robbery in the Rumney area of
Cardiff this morning. Two men were killed when a quad bike were hit by a
train fleeing the scene of a shop burglary. Two hundred men's specialist
outdoor jackets worth £40,000 were stolen from Go Outdoors in Newport Road,
Cardiff. Police officers were called to the store just after 0400 GMT -
around the time the men, both in their 20s, were hit on tracks in Rumney
nearby.
British Transport Police said the quad
bikes had been travelling east towards Newport when they were struck from
behind. The passenger train involved was not carrying members of the public
at the time, and had been making its way from the Canton depot in Cardiff to
Cheltenham for servicing. The crash led to four rail lines being closed for
some hours, disrupting morning commuters. Three have since been reopened but
continuing delays are likely. A spokesperson for Network Rail said: "There
was some damage to the track in the area of the collision".
A spokesman for South Wales Police said:
"The line runs directly behind the store and is normally very quiet at
night. It seems somebody came up with the idea of using quad bikes for the
raid and to get away. Two people have paid with their lives and two others
will have it on their conscience." The store backs onto the railway line
which is used by quad bikers as an unofficial race track.
FLYNN NAMED WELSH MP OF THE YEAR
Dec 9 - Paul Flynn Newport West Labour MP
has been named MP of the Year in the Welsh Yearbook Welsh Politician of the
Year Awards. The award was given to Flynn “for being unafraid of speaking
his mind on issues like the war in Afghanistan”.
FARMER PROSECUTED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY
Dec 9 - Farmer Darren Matthews has been
found guilty of six different charges relating to bovines on his farm at
Caerphilly Magistrates Court.On 30 November 2009, Matthews pleaded guilty to
the charges, brought under the Cattle Identification (Wales) Regulations
2007 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Matthews was investigated and
prosecuted by Newport City Council Trading Standards for causing a bovine
unnecessary suffering, and failing to adhere to procedures regarding the
identification of cattle.In April 2008, the farmer was investigated for an
alleged animal welfare issue on a farm in Llanwern, Newport, this led to the
discovery of six bovines in an adjacent field, and one bovine carcass.
Owners of livestock have to keep records of all animals, and for bovines,
passports. The investigation by Trading Standards found he failed to keep
up-to-date records on livestock movement and retain passports. He also
failed to notify the authorities of the death of a bovine. Matthews pleaded
guilty and was ordered to carry out 270 hours of unpaid work, and pay costs
of £3,000. In addition, he was disqualified from keeping cattle for 10
years.
NEWPORT BASED AM JOINS
CONSERVATIVES
Dec 8 - In a bizarre
political twist Newport based AM Mohammed Ashgar has left Plaid Cymru and
joined the Conservatives. Mr Asghar, the assembly's only ethnic minority AM,
said he felt "out of tune" with Plaid policies, in particular its desire for
an independent Wales. "I very much look forward to playing an important role
in the shadow team in the national assembly and to helping to shape the
policies for the Assembly elections in 2011," said Mr Asghar. Asked why he
had stood for Plaid Cymru when he was opposed to independence for Wales, he
said his voice had been that of "a little parrot in a jungle", with little
chance of changing Plaid's stance on the issue. In January 2008 in an
interview with Socialist Unity Ashgar stated "Central to our vision is the
creation of a proper Parliament with the ability to pass its own laws and
with the power to achieve the aspirations of the people of Wales. More
powers would mean that we could follow a distinct path with the best
policies for Wales, decided in Wales and unhindered by any interference from
the UK Government ."
Ashgar was a Newport City
Councillor for Plaid in the traditional Labour Victoria Ward between 2004
and 2008. He was elected via the South Wales East party list to the Welsh
Assembly in 2009. Standing in the constituency of Newport East in the 2003
Assembly elections he polled 9.1 per cent of the vote. In the 2005 General
Election he polled just 3.8 per cent.
BETTWS MAN ON HUNTING
CHARGE
Dec 8 - Wiltshire Police have
charged a Bettws man following an investigation into hunting and hare
coursing in the area. Michael Poyner, 27, from Lambourne Walk, Newport, was
charged with daytime trespass in pursuit of game. The crack down on crimes
associated with hare coursing led to 14 arrests in less than two months.
CORPA HOTEL RESIDENTIAL
PLAN
Dec 8 - Newport City Council
planners are considering an application from the owner of the Corporation
Hotel, Mr Mahmood Ali, to change the use of the building. He proposes to
change use from a public house to a residential development comprising 19
units including a two storey side and rear extension. The building on
Corporation Road was recently deliberately damaged by a fire (October 29)
and has been boarded up since the end of September.
MORE HOMES PLANNED FOR ALWAY
Dec 7 - A total of 64 new
homes could be built in an area of Alway as part of plans to regenerate the
area. Bellway Homes Wales wants to build 46 two, three and four bedroom
houses and 18 one and two bedroom flats north of Aberthaw Road. The plan,
submitted to Newport Council, covers the lower Alway Regeneration Site which
was set up in 2006.
GOOD INSPECTIONS FOR CITY
SCHOOLS
Dec 7 - Two Newport schools received impressive reports
following recent inspections by Welsh Education Inspectorate, Estyn. In the
inspection summary, the inspectors described St David’s RC Primary School
as, “A good school where standards are generally good with some outstanding
features.” Teaching was described as “Highly effective” and the curriculum
as having “Significant and innovative aspects.” The inspection team
considered that Rockfield (Glan Usk) Nursery‘is a good school with many
outstanding features. It is a happy, stimulating and well managed learning
environment for all its children.
STUDENTS WARNED OF DANGERS OF TEXTING WHILST DRIVING
Dec 7 - A graphic film
highlighting the dangers of texting whilst driving has been shown to
students at Coleg Gwent's City of Newport Campus. PCSO Deke
Williams of Newport East Neighbourhood Policing Team, who is based at the
campus in Nash, decided to screen the Cow film to the students during their
Road Safety Week. Hundreds of students aged between 15 and 60 turned up to
watch the widely acclaimed film, which has received millions of viewers on
YouTube and was shown on BBC Two Wales last month. Cow, which stars young
actors from south Wales, shows a teenager killing four people in a collision
when she uses her mobile phone to send a text.
BATTLE AGAINST RAIL CRIME
See Feature
Here.
NEW WELSH LABOUR LEADER
PLOTS ELECTION PLAN
Dec 5 - New Welsh Labour
leader Carwyn Jones was in Newport today to plot the party's plan for next
year's general election campaign.Welsh Secretary Peter Hain and First
Minister Rhodri Morgan also took part in the Welsh Labour election planning
event in Newport. It aimed to help Labour activists from across Wales
prepare for an expected general election in spring next year. The theme of
the day was what Wales would be like under the Conservatives. Carwyn Jones AM was announced as the winner of
the election for the new Leader of Welsh Labour earlier this week. The
Bridgend AM polled 51.9751% of the votes in the first round of counting in
Welsh Labour's electoral college.
RAIL SIGNALMEN VOTE TO
STRIKE
Dec 4 - Hundreds of railway signalling
workers are to take six days of strike action in a row over rosters,
threatening "massive disruption" to services, it has been announced. Members
of the Rail Maritime and Transport union based in South Wales and the
Marches will walk out from Monday December 14 until December 19 in protest
at the "imposition" of rosters at a new control centre. The workers, who
voted 2-1 in favour of strikes in a ballot, are based in areas including
Cardiff, Newport, Port Talbot, Vale of Glamorgan and the Rhymney Valley.
SUPPORT FOR CITY CREDIT UNION
Dec 4 - Newport Credit Union
has been given £36,000 by the Welsh Assembly to help with internal
renovations and the purchase of IT and office equipment as part of a £40,000
refurbishment project. The new funding has been welcomed by Newport West AM
Rosemary Butler.
She said: "Many people are still finding it
difficult to borrow money from High Street banks, and anything which the
Welsh Assembly can do to ease the situation is very welcome. I'm urging
residents of Newport West to join their local credit union and take
advantage of the facilities which are on offer."
 |
TORIES SELECT CANDIDATE FOR
NEWPORT EAST Dawn Parry
has been selected by the Conservatives to fight Newport East at next
year's general election. She won a four-cornered final (against
three men) to win the nomination for the seat held at the last
election for Labour by Jessica Morden with a majority of 6,838 over
the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives (who were separated by less
than 100 votes in second and third place).
She said "“It
is an honour to have been selected to be the PPC for Newport East at
the next General Election. I am very proud indeed to represent this
constituency for the Conservatives. I grew up in South Wales and we
have been so badly neglected here by Labour. The electorate are
ready for change. I will work very hard to ensure they entrust me
with their vote for that change so badly needed here."
2005 General Election result - Jessica Morden (Labour)
14,389, Ed Townsend (Lib Dem) 7,551, Matthew Collings (Conservative)
7,459, Mohammad Ashgar (Plaid) 1,221, Roger Thomas (UKIP) 945, Liz
Screen (Socialist Labour) 260 |
RESIDENTS TO LOSE BUS
SERVICES
Dec 2 - Residents of Ringwood
Avenue will see a significant deterioration in bus services in changes
proposed in the new year. Currently, this area has an eight minute frequency
service in the peak Monday to Friday and ten minute frequency on a Saturday.
In the off peak services including those on a Sunday are generally every
twenty minutes. Newport Transport will offer a half hourly Monday to Friday
service covering the area as part of a new service 9 between the City Centre
and Langstone Business Park. Following a review by the City Council they
have agreed to support a half hourly peak time service on a Saturday. The
City Council states "Many of the residents in Ringwood Avenue and
neighbouring Bishpool Lane are elderly and would find it difficult to walk
to bus stops on Chepstow Road and Ringland Circle." However, the area will
no longer be served on a Sunday.
Newport Transport will be
extending services this year until 9pm (instead of 7pm) on Christmas Eve and
New Years Eve.
 |
POLICE APPEAL OVER FATAL
COLLISION
Dec 2 - Gwent Police is
appealing for witnesses following a single vehicle road traffic
collision which occurred at approximately 11.20am on Wednesday 25th
November. The collision took place in Newport on the A4042
between Grove Park roundabout and the Caerleon Road M4 intersection.
It involved a silver Mazda Xedos with one male and one female
occupant. As a result of the collision the passenger, 84 year old
Sheila Howells from Newport, was conveyed to the Royal Gwent
Hospital. She later died on Sunday 29th November.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Royal Gwent Hospital
and said that Sheila will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her.
Officers are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the
collision to contact the Gwent Police Collision Investigation Unit
on 01633 642 404.
|
BT HEADS FOR NEWPORT
DATA CENTRE
Dec 1 - BT, one of the world’s leading telecommunications companies, has
become the first announced customer of one of Europe’s newest, largest and
most technically advanced data centre NGD Europe at Coedkernew in Newport.
Under a seven-year contract, BT will occupy 380 racks at NGD Europe, Next
Generation Data Limited’s 800,000-square-foot centre. BT will begin
operations there in February. This secure facility will allow customers of
BT Business, BT Engage IT and BT Global Services to increase their
computing, network, and electrical capacity on demand. With the agreement,
BT Global Services now has 38 customer-facing data centres worldwide. NGD Europe opened earlier this year. The
owners are investing more than $320 million over five years. The site offers
a highly secure environment including triple-skinned walls, bomb-proof
glass, prison grade perimeter fencing, infrared detection, biometric
recognition and ex-special forces security guards. It is an excellent
disaster recovery site for companies with critical data applications. The
site has a direct connection to an electrical sub station, assuring
uninterrupted power.
MARINERS QUAY ON SHOW
Dec 1 - A public presentation
of a new Newport housing development drew a positive reaction yesterday.
Mariners Quay is part of the Old Town Dock, working started on the site on
East Dock Road in July. It will be one of the largest schemes in Wales to
achieve Level 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, with energy costs to
residents of less than £3.00 per week. Mariners Quay is a high profile
development for Charter Housing, in partnership with Newport City Council,
Newport Unlimited and Leadbitter, and will provide 101 homes along Newport’s
riverfront. Properties will include a mix of rented and affordable homes.
Completion is due June 2011.
CORONER EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER HOME
HOIST SYSTEM
Dec 1 - A severely disabled man died after
he became trapped and suffocated in a hoist system designed to help him move
around his home, a Newport coroner's inquest heard yesterday. Coroner
David Bowen said he would be writing to the City Council that installed the
hoist urging it to issue emergency call buttons to disabled people using
such systems without carers. The inquest heard that Michael Powell, 55, of
Pontfaen Road, Newport, lost the use of his legs in a speedway accident in
the 70s. His brother, Nicholas, told the court that Mr Powell was fiercely
independent and the hoists were installed in the bedroom and bathroom of his
home by Newport City Council in 2000. He said he found him hanging in the
hoist in his bedroom on January 21 last year.
FREE PARKING INITIATIVE
EXTENDED
Nov 30 - Free weekend and
late night Thursday Christmas parking is to be extended until 2 January
2010. Newport City Council is offering free parking in all council-owned car
parks across the city every Saturday, Sunday and late night Thursdays until
2 January 2010. Leader of Newport City Council, Councillor Matthew
Evans said: “Car parking fees can certainly add up for shoppers over the
festive season, so Newport City Council has introduced this initiative to
ease the financial pressures for shoppers and encourage them to use the
facilities we have on offer in our city centre. This is a win-win situation
to boost footfall and assist traders.” Participating council car parks
include Cambrian Multi-storey, Park Square, Emlyn Street, Faulkner Road,
Hill Street, Riverfront, Market, Maindee and Stow Hill. Privately owned car
parks including Kingsway and Queensway are excluded.
PROCUREMENT FOR RECYCLING
CONTRACT BEGINS
Nov
30 - A group of five South Wales councils has formally begun the procurement
process for one of Wales' largest ever waste treatment deals, with a
projected value of £1.1 billion over 25 years.
The 'Prosiect Gwyrdd' partnership issued a notice on the
Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) last week (November 24),
inviting anyone interested in bidding for the public private partnership
(PPP) deal to contact them and complete a pre-qualification questionnaire.
The partnership - which is being led by Cardiff Council but also involves
Caerphilly County Borough Council, Monmouthshire County Council, Newport
City Council and Vale of Glamorgan council - is looking to procure
facilities to treat the 30% to 35% of its waste that it believes will be
left after recycling and composting in the future.
COUNCIL PROVIDES EMERGENCY
FUNDING TO PILL MILLENNIUM CENTRE
Nov 27 - Newport City Council
has stepped in to provide sufficient funding to run the Pill Millennium
Centre for three months to allow the centre to stave off financial problems.
At its meeting held on 17 November 2009, the Cabinet was informed of
difficulties being faced by the Pillgwenlly Millennium Centre which is
operated by a Trust as a company separate to the Council. The Council had
provided three years revenue assistance with the proviso that the Trust
should stand alone financially at the end of three years, as stipulated in
the Service Level Agreement between the Trust and Newport City Council. The
three year support was to cease at the end of November. The Cabinet was also
informed of difficulties which meant that the Trust may not be in a position
to run as a stand - alone organisation effective from 1 December 2009.
Cabinet expressed concern about the matters raised which had led to the
position but wanted to explore ways in which it could assist the Trust to
safeguard this community facility if at all possible and within financial
constraints.
TAXI DRIVERS WIN COURT
BATTLE WITH COUNCIL
Nov 27 - Justice Beatson, a
Cardiff High Court judge has ruled in the favour of taxi drivers in Newport,
who challenged a council decision to impose age limits on vehicles. A new
rule had said Hackney cabs must be less than 12 years old, and private hire
cars less than eight from 2010. The judge said Newport Council failed to
consult properly, a ruling which drivers said would save jobs. The authority
said it was "obviously disappointed" and would reconsider the issue "as
quickly as possible". In a statement, the council said it would "amend our
proposals taking into consideration the comments of the judge". "Our
priority has always been the safety of people using taxis in the city and we
will continue to tackle this matter," the statement added. The taxi driver's
association claimed 59 of the current 135 Hackney drivers in the city would
be put out of business by the rule change. Back in March a demonstration was
staged in the city centre over the planned changes.
RAIL PASSENGERS STRANDED
BY SIGNAL FAULT
Nov 27 - Rail passengers were left stranded
for over an hour this evening due to a signalling failure on the South Wales
main line. Trains between Cardiff Central and Newport were stopped after a
vital cable was reportedly struck by lightning. Network Rail said it was
made aware of the problem shortly before 4pm and halted engines between the
two cities for around an hour.
BONUS PAYOUT FOR NEWPORT
TRANSPORT STAFF
Nov 27 - Staff at municipal bus operator
Newport Transport will each receive a windfall of more than £150 in December
after bosses announced details of another strong year for the business.
Turnover at the company grew by more than £1m in the last financial year
(08/09) to £10.15m, while pre-tax profits broke £180,000 thanks to passenger
numbers of more than 7.5m. As part of its Performance Related Pay Scheme
staff will share 10% of the company’s overall profits.
CITY CENTRE ROAD CLOSURE
Nov 27 - Following a
collapsed sewer on Charles Street in Newport city centre, the road has been
closed to vehicular traffic between its junctions with School Lane, Talbot
Lane and Commercial Street. Work to repair the sewer will start on Monday 30
November 2009.
MISSING TEEN SAFE AND WELL
Nov 26 -
Sixteen year old Victoria Cox who was
reported missing on Monday November 23rd has been located safe and well.
POLICE SEEK NEWS OF
MISSING TEENAGER
Nov 25 -
Gwent
Police is appealing for information to locate 16 year old Victoria Cox from
the Llanmartin area. Victoria was reported
missing to police on Monday 23rd November and was last seen that day
in the Ringland area. Victoria is described as white, approximately 5 feet 2
inches tall, of slim build with long black hair. She is thought to be
wearing a dark coloured hooded jumper. Anyone having seen Victoria or know
of her whereabouts is asked to contact Gwent Police on
101.
MP CONCERN OVER POLICE
STATION CLOSURE RUMOURS
Nov 25 - Jessica Morden MP
for Newport East has expressed concern about the possible closure of
Llanmartin police station as part of a rationalisation by the police. She
said "“I will be seeking clarification from the Chief Constable of Gwent
Police on the proposals to close down Caldicot and Llanmartin police
stations. We must ensure that the public feel secure in their homes, meaning
we must maintain a visible police presence in their local communities.”
CITY RESIDENTS WARNED OF
COUNCIL TAX SCAM
Nov 24 - Although Newport City Council has
warned that some council tax payers in Wales have been contacted by bogus
callers claiming to represent their local council. The caller explains to
the person who has been contacted that they have overpaid their council tax
and then asks for their bank details to arrange the refund. Council staff
will never contact taxpayers by phone in these circumstances. Written proof
of an overpayment will always be sent, along with a refund claim form.
Taxpayers are advised not to give out their bank details and to contact
either the council or the police if they believe that they have received one
of these bogus calls.If you have any concerns or would like more advice,
please contact Newport City Council on 01633 656656.
BOUNDARY CHANGES CRITICISED
Nov 24 - The Welsh Local
Government Association has criticised proposed boundary changes to Newport's
electoral wards. A Welsh Local Government Association spokesperson said:
“Councillors have expressed concerns about the Boundary Commission’s first
three reviews covering Denbighshire, Neath Port Talbot and Newport. In
particular, there is concern that the proposals combine a number of existing
wards creating artificial communities which are not recognised locally, a
number of which are large rural wards or a merger of existing rural wards
with urban wards.”
CARDIFF CENTRE HITTING
NEWPORT - TRADE CHIEF
Nov 23 - Ken Ellis, president of Newport Chamber of
Trade, claimed the new Cardiff development, St. David's 2, was drawing
shoppers away from stores in his city. Newport’s new £222m Friars Walk
shopping development was put on hold in June after developers Modus Corovest
pulled out. Mr Ellis said: “The situation here is very difficult. Friars
Walk would have been a tremendous boost, but the developer pulled out due to
the economic climate.
“Things have been tough enough in Newport in the
past 12 to 18 months anyway, but the opening of St David’s in Cardiff
obviously hasn’t helped the situation. Some stores are doing reasonably
well. Traditionally, in the last couple of weeks before Christmas, people
can’t be bothered to travel and tend to shop locally. We have benefited from
that in past.”
UNIVERSITY HELP FOR NEW
BUSINESS IDEAS
Nov
23 - The University of Wales, Newport has launched a new initiative which
will see entrepreneurial students and recent graduates given the opportunity
to pitch for money to develop their business skills and ideas and turn them
into a reality. The Bright Ideas Den (BID) uses the popularity
of the ‘Dragons Den’ concept to move away from the traditional business plan
competition, encouraging more students to come forward with their ideas to
start up and support new businesses.
One such example of a successful ‘bid’ is Paper Giant Studios, whose
submission impressed the Den panel. Set up by recent Computer Games Design
graduates Codey Dyer and Jamie Evans, Paper Giant Studios was founded with a
unique vision; to offer a compelling alternative to the challenge and
goal-based game play that dominates the casual games market, by developing
innovative, high quality games that emphasise creation, exploration and
player choice.
The success of ideas such as the Bright Ideas Den
has attracted the backing of entrepreneurs such as Dr Alf Gooding, who has
pledged support for the Den to the sum of £10,000. Dr Peter Noyes, Vice
Chancellor of the University of Wales, Newport said, “this innovative
initiative is attracting attention from business people who have been there
and done that, which proves that the Bright Ideas Den stands out in the
spirit of entrepreneurship".
MAINDEE POOL BUILDING UP
FOR AUCTION AGAIN
Nov 21 - Another sad
testimony to Newport's handling of its historic past the former Maindee
Swimming Pool building is up for auction on December 3. The Grade II listed
art deco building has a reserve price of £52,000 and is described as having
"multiple
re-development opportunities (subject to necessary planning permissions)".
The pools, between Victoria Avenue and
Albert Avenue, opened in 1938, and finally closed in December 2005, being
replaced by the new pool at Spytty. Listed status means the building’s front
facade and internal foyer cannot be changed. Now boarded up to prevent more
vandalism, Maindee Baths were bought at auction from the City Council last
May with an attached three-bedroomed house for £76,000. The house is no
longer included in the property for sale. The building has suffered from
vandalism and fire damage from some of the bright people who live in the
vicinity.
The description in the catalogue from Paul Fosh Auctions is
as follows - Ground Floor: Main entrance hall, reception area, various inner
halls (with access to all other floors), Main pool room with two swimming
baths and full circle gallery above, third pool to rear room, pump room,
office’s, w.c.’s, changing rooms. Lower GF: Various rooms for sun beds, main
changing rooms, w.c.’s and offices, machine rooms. First Floor: Landing, and
various gym rooms. Tenancies: To be sold with vacant possession. Tenure:
Advised Freehold. If you are interested in buying it, go to the Park Inn
Hotel in Cardiff at 5pm on 3rd December. And if you do buy it, do something
tidy with it, preferably something for all the people of Newport.
NEW APPEAL OVER SDR COLLISION
Nov 21 - Police have renewed an appeal for information about
a road crash involving a 12-year-girl in Newport. The girl is in a critical
condition at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff after being hurt
while she was walking near the transporter bridge. She was involved in an
incident with a black VW Bora car on the A48 Usk Way on Wednesday night and
was initially taken to hospital in Bristol. The car was travelling toward
Spytty Road at 2012 GMT on 18 November. Anyone with information should call
101 or 01633 642404.
CITY FIGHTS BACK WITH FREE
PARKING INITIATIVE
Nov 20 - In a drastic step to
avert a further decline in Newport City Centre the City Council is offering
free car parking to shoppers from now until Saturday December 19.
Participating City Council car parks include Cambrian Multi-storey, Park
Square, Emlyn Street, Faulkner Road, Hill Street, Maindee and Stow Hill.
Leader of Newport City Council, Councillor Matthew Evans said: “Car parking
fees can certainly add up for shoppers over the festive season, so Newport
City Council has introduced this initiative to ease the financial pressures
for shoppers and encourage them to use the facilities we have on offer in
our city centre. This is a win-win situation to boost footfall and assist
traders.” The initiative will be welcomed by retailers struggling to compete
with new shopping developments in Cardiff and Bristol and the free parking
offered at retail parks in Newport, at Cwmbran Shopping and Cribbs Causeway.
In better news for the
Kingsway Centre it is reported that Poundland, the cut price retailer will
be taking up a 9000 square foot store in the mall and a number of other
deals are likely to be closed out with new retailers prior to Christmas.
GIRL 12, SERIOUSLY INJURED
IN ROAD COLLISION
Nov 19 - A 12-year-old girl
has been seriously injured in a road collision near the Transporter Bridge
in Newport. Police said the incident, involving a black VW Bora car,
happened on Wednesday evening at the A48 Usk Way. The girl, a pedestrian who
is from Newport, is in a critical condition at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Gwent Police on
01633 838111 or the collision investigation unit on 01633 642404. Officers
said the car was travelling toward Spytty Road when the collision took place
at around 2012 GMT.
LANDFILL CREDIT TO FUND
CANAL AND CATHEDRAL RESTORATION
Nov 19 - The credit accrued
from the landfill - the landfill tax - will once again be spent by the
Council on major projects in Newport. For active waste such as that,
collected by the Council, the tax is currently set at £40 a tonne. The
Council, as Landfill Tax Operator, is allowed to give a small proportion of
this tax to organisations – Environmental Bodies, registered with ENTRUST,
the Landfill Tax Regulator, for projects that ENTRUST has confirmed meet the
objectives of the scheme. Whilst landfill tax can be used for awards, the
tax is only 90% of the award, the Council making up the 10% balance. At the
end of the year, any money that could be used for the scheme, but which has
not been expended, is returned to the Government. The City Council will be
donated £50,000 to aid the restoration of the Fourteen Locks and £10,000
towards work to clear source of the debris in the Canal between the
Caerphilly Boundary and Fourteen Locks to better improve water flow. In
addition, £50,000 will be contributed towards the renovation of Newport (St.
Woolos) Cathedral subject to matched receipts from the Cathedral renewal
fund by the end of the financial year.
NEWPORT CITY HOMES
SUPPORTS JOBLESS YOUNGSTERS
Nov 19 - Newport City Homes (NCH) will
shortly be welcoming seven new members of staff for six-month positions in
its building trade and community involvement teams, as part of the Future
Jobs Fund Project. In partnership with Newport City Council, NCH has created
a total of 30 placements for 18-24 year olds who have been claiming Job
Seekers Allowance for between 39 and 51 weeks. The positions, which will
take place over the next 18 months, will allow the young person to gain work
experience that delivers community benefit, to enhance their CV. At the end
of the six-month placement, extra support will be offered to help the
employees find permanent work. In Newport, the Future Jobs Fund was launched
in October and a total of 472 placements will be delivered across the city
over the next 18 months. The first phase of recruitment for the positions
with NCH involved both staff and residents taking part in the interview and
decision-making process.
WASTE SITE TO CLOSE ON BOXING DAY
Nov 19 - The Civic Amenity Site in Maesglas
will close for the first time on Boxing Day this year. The only other days
it is closed are Christmas Day and New Years Day. The Council report
approved yesterday states "Over the past five years many neighbouring
Authorities have reduced the opening hours of their facilities and now close
Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year. Due to the close proximity of major
retail outlets anecdotal evidence shows that many of the Users of the site
on Boxing Day are from outside the Newport area. As refuse and recycling do
not operate on Boxing Day most residents do not expect the site to be open.
Staffing the site over Boxing Day means less resources are available on the
ramp for the remainder of the holiday period when the site is far busier
between 27 December and 31 December between 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m."
The City bus station public convenience
will open on a Sunday from 12.45pm to 5.45pm from January 2010 onwards. The
automated toilet facility will no longer be available from this date.
BUTLER CONDEMNS SCHOOL
VANDALISM
Nov 18 -
Two incidents
of vandalism occur every day at Newport schools, new statistics have
revealed. A school-by school log obtained by Labour Assembly Members John
Griffiths and Rosemary Butler show nearly 1,500 incidents of vandalism at
Newport schools have occurred over the past two financial years. In total
1,485 acts of vandalism took place at Newport Schools costing the taxpayer
£263,089.
Rosemary Butler AM branded thugs who
committed vandalism as "mindless" while John Griffiths said the attacks were
destroying a crucial learning environment for children. Duffryn High School
is the school most frequently vandalised with 183 attacks since 2007 costing
£21,189. Bettws High School cost the most to repair from vandalism with more
than £24,000 of damage. Earlier this year, the South Wales Argus
reported that former Newport School, Westfield, had been targeted by vandals
and even set on fire.
Rosemary
Butler said: "What our research shows is that thousands of pounds
are being spent on repairing damage caused by criminals. I am gobsmacked by
these figures. I have every sympathy with Gwent Police and the school
authorities on this matter and I offer my complete support. Labour has
invested millions of pounds into schools in Wales so our children can enjoy
a first class education system. Earlier this year, the Welsh Assembly
Government announced an investment of £15 million to help improve the
condition of school buildings in Newport through refurbishment or
reconstruction. I don't want that ruined by mindless thugs."
NEWPORT TRANSPORT STEPS IN TO RUN
THREATENED SERVICES
Nov 18 - Newport Transport has stepped in
to run two services affected by the withdrawal of Francis Drake bus company.
Service 51 from Rhiwderin and the 5 to Foxgloves were back into action
yesterday.
 |
APPEAL REGARDING MISSING MAN
Nov 17 - Police in Newport are appealing for
information regarding the whereabouts of 37 year old Jason Kerr, who
lives at an address in the City Centre. Jason was last seen in the
Cwmbrân area on Monday November 9th.
Jason is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall, of medium build with
short dark hair and hazel eyes. When he was last seen he was wearing
a black hooded top with gold writing on it, light blue denim jeans
and a Manchester United top.
It's believed he could be in the Maindee area of Newport where he
has connections but he also has connections in the Senghenydd area.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call Gwent
Police on 101.
|
TANKER DRIVER IN COLLISION
Nov 17 - A tanker driver from Newport was
involved a collision last week that ended with the death of a Dorset woman.
The woman who died when her car was involved in a collision with a petrol
tanker in East Dorset has been named as 70-year-old teacher Wendy Rumbold of
Bournemouth. The collision between a silver coloured Vauxhall Corsa and a
white Scania petrol tanker happened at Mill Street, at the junction of the
A31 near the Coventry Arms pub and the B3074 at 7.50pm on Thursday. The
woman died of multiple injuries. The tanker driver, a 44-year-old man from
Newport, was shocked but uninjured. Police are appealing for witnesses.
113 ARRESTED IN PILL DRUGS CRACKDOWN
Nov 16 - Story
here.
MAJOR RAILWAY UPGRADE MAKING PROGRESS
Nov 14 - The first phase of an upgrade in
our local railways is nearing completion. The £150 million Newport area
re-signalling scheme will mark a brand new start for thousands of passengers
at Severn Tunnel Junction. For the first time in 25 years, passengers will
be able to embark on their rail journey from the restored Platform 4, which
was abandoned during a cutback in the 80s. In addition, the revamped
railway, complete with new track, new layout and modernised signalling
technology, is set to improve performance, significantly cutting delays. The
revamp should allow for the development of new stations utilising the new
track capacity. New stations are proposed for Llanwern (to serve the new
eastern suburb), Caerleon, Coedkernew and at Newport West Central (to serve
the new development proposed for Whiteheads / Mon Sidings). In addition, the
upgrade will allow for Ebbw Vale services to be linked directly to Newport.
Chris Rayner, Western route director,
Network Rail said: “The Newport area re-signalling scheme is set to deliver
a 21st century railway to South Wales and will also reverse the history of
Severn Tunnel Junction. The railway around Severn Tunnel Junction suffered
years of decline after it was bombed in World War II. While this work will
significantly boost performance, it will also provide the potential for more
trains to travel through in the future.”
Signalling equipment between Severn Tunnel
Junction and East Usk Junction in Newport will also be completely modernised
with new technology, which will be controlled – for the first time in Wales
– from the new signalling centre in Cardiff. This move has created 11 new
jobs for the region and six additional signallers are set to join in the
later part of next year.
This pattern of work will carry on over the
next two months and engineers will also make use of the quiet period during
the Christmas period to continue the improvement work into New Year’s Eve,
in time for time-table change on 4 January.
Rail services between Newport and Bristol and Newport and Gloucester will be
replaced by coach services on 27 December 2009 – 3 January 2010.
Replacement bus services are:
- Hourly through services between
Bristol Parkway and Newport,
- Hourly service calling at Bristol
Parkway, Patchway and Severn Tunnel Junction
- Two hourly services calling at
Newport, Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow, Lydney and
Gloucester
- Hourly through services between
Gloucester and Newport
SAINSBURY'S PLAN APPROVED
Nov 12 - Plans for the present Sainsbury's
Supermarket at Wyndham Street, Shaftesbury have been approved by City
planners. The supermarket is set to relocate to Crindau. The outline plans
approved yesterday are in relation to access to a mixed redevelopment
including a five storey hotel and a mix of residential properties including
120 one and two bedroom flats.
LANDSLIP CLOSES RAIL LINE
Nov 12 - Commuters have been
among those affected as heavy rain has brought disruption. Up to two tonnes
of rock fell on the railway line near Chepstow, leading to the closure of
the line between Newport and Gloucester. An Arriva Trains Wales spokesperson
said the rockslide near Chepstow, including large boulders, was due to heavy
rainfall.
The site was considered too dangerous to be
assessed by engineers. The line is closed until further notice, expected to
be for at least the next 24 hours. Arriva Trains Wales has organised
replacement buses between Newport and Gloucester and advised passengers to
allow more time for their journeys. Those travelling to and from Caldicot
are advised to use the Severn Tunnel Junction as an alternative.
NO COLD CALLING ZONE IN BISHPOOL AND
TREBERTH
Nov
12 - The Safer Newport Partnership has launched a ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ in
an area of Ringland to put a stop to bogus callers.
Residents of the Treberth and Bishpool area will soon see an end to unwanted
callers at their front doors after a ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ was authorised
by the Safer Newport partnership with input from Gwent Police, Newport
Housing Trust and Newport City Council. Action was taken after Newport East
Neighbourhood Policing Team listened to concerns from residents on the
estate complaining about suspected rogue traders and distraction burglars.
Every resident of Treberth and Bishpool will now be given an information
pack on the ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ and a window sticker to deter unwanted
callers. Signs marking the zone will also be displayed on lampposts around
the estate. A Neighbourhood Watch group has recently been set up in the area
and PCSOs have spoken to residents who are predominantly elderly and
vulnerable to make them aware of how to deal with bogus callers on their
doorsteps.
Pc Leanne Pole, of Newport East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Many of
the residents in the area are elderly and vulnerable and this ‘No Cold
Calling Zone’ gives them a clear authority to turn people away from their
doorsteps. It’s not designed to stop legitimate callers such as the milkman
or gas board representative - it’s to stop bogus callers. People should
always check the identity of people who call at their home and if that means
shutting the door on them while you call the company they work for, so be
it. The zone is a result of residents calling us, reporting suspicious
behaviour and expressing their concerns.”
CITY UNEMPLOYMENT UP
Nov 11 - Newport's unemployment picture
continues to worsen. The claimant count, those claiming Jobseekers Allowance
has risen to 5.5 per cent of the working population, well above the Welsh
average of 4.3 per cent. The total number of claimants is up to 4,685, an
increase of 1,951 in the past year. Claimant count unemployment is 5.6 per
cent in Caerphilly, 5 per cent in Torfaen, 4.4 per cent in Cardiff and only
2.9 per cent in Monmouthshire.
LOTTERY WINNERS REVEALED
Nov 10 - A couple from
Newport have been revealed as winners of £45.5m on the Euromillions lottery.
Les Scadding, 58, and Samantha Peachey-Scadding, 38, from Caerleon shared
the £91m jackpot with a syndicate of IT workers from Liverpool. They
celebrated with lunch washed down with champagne at the Priory restaurant on
Sunday. When he bought his ticket, Mr Scadding, who survived cancer five
years ago, was £68 overdrawn at the bank. A grandfather of six, has been out
of work as a mechanic and haulage driver since Christmas. He bought the
winning ticket - one of two lucky dip lines - at the Tesco store in Spytty
Road, Newport, while doing his grocery shopping last Friday.
When he went back to the supermarket the
next night he decided to check his Euromillions tickets. "When I asked
the people behind the counter to check the numbers the machine just
printed out a pink slip telling me to contact Camelot. I thought I might
have won around £50,000 and I rushed home to tell Samantha." After
frantic double checking online, he said: "It was a very funny couple of
minutes. We just looked at each other while it sunk in before we got on
the phone to Camelot." It is the UK's largest-ever lottery prize and the
couple are picking up their £45,570,835.50 cheque for half the jackpot.
Mr Scadding, who is originally from
Bristol, has spent £2 a week on the Euromillions since its launch in
2004. The Spytty Road Tesco supermarket is the same one at which
Ringland woman Jenny Southall bought her £8.3million ticket in 2007.
CITY COUPLE HIT EUROMILLIONS JACKPOT!
Nov 9 - A group of IT workers and a couple
from Newport have become the UK's biggest ever Lottery winners, after
scooping £91m between them. The married couple from Newport and a syndicate
of seven or eight people from Liverpool each won £45.5m after matching the
numbers in Friday's Euromillions draw. The
Newport couple will be presented to the public in
St David's Hotel and Spa in Cardiff
tomorrow morning at 10am.
HIGH DEFINITION FREEVIEW BY MARCH
Nov 9 - Newport residents will have the
option of high definition television via their rooftop aerial from March.
The service is already available via satellite and cable but the intention
is to get 20 terrestrial transmitters beaming out high-definition
free-to-air pictures in time for the 2010 World Cup. The local transmitter (Wenvoe)
is one of those selected.
NEW AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVES ARRIVE IN
NEWPORT
 |
Nov 9 - The first American GE
PowerHaul locomotives for rail freight carrier Freightliner have
arrived at Newport Docks.
The two are the first of an
eventual fleet of 30 of Class 70s. Four more should leave the US
within the next month, but further deliveries are not due until
later in 2010. |
OFFENDERS PLACED IN NEWPORT BY VALE OF
GLAMORGAN COUNCIL
Nov 8 - A report by Vale of Glamorgan
Borough Council has revealed that the authority places hardened offenders in
bed and breakfast accommodation in Newport. The information was part of a
report by the Council into the way hardened criminals are housed when they
are released from prison. The review of the Prolific and Priority Offender
(PPO) Scheme in the Vale of Glamorgan comes amid growing concern that
nationally about 10% of such offenders are responsible for committing 50% of
all crime. The idea is that by providing housing and support for such
offenders the likelihood that they will re-offend is reduced. The main area
of bed and breakfast for homeless families is on Chepstow Road between the
Cenotaph and Maindee railway bridge.
NEW STORE IN KINGSWAY
Nov 7 - The first of a number of new stores
set to add to the line up in the Kingsway Shopping Centre opened its doors
today. Calendar Club is adjacent to the former Woolworths store, the latter
set to be occupied by a new Ethel Austin / Au Naturelle store. Another new
unit opposite is also being fitted and will open soon.
Calendar Club was formed in
1993 in the US and has since opened in many other countries in the world,
including New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Calendar
Club UK was started in 1998 (with 12 stores) and has proven a huge success.
Last year they traded from 257 prime sites across the UK and this year they
are planning to expand further. Currently they have sites locally at the St
David's Shopping Mall in Cardiff and Cabot's Circus in Bristol.
POLICE APPEAL AGAIN OVER TESCO ROBBERY
Nov 6 -
Gwent Police is reappealing for information following a cash in transit
robbery which occurred outside the Tesco store on Harlech Retail Park,
Cardiff Road, Newport on Friday 16th October at around 7.45pm.
Officers are specifically looking for information in relation to the vehicle
thought to have been used to make off from the scene. A dark blue, five
door, Mazda 3 was found abandoned on Clodien Avenue, off Whitchurch Road in
Cardiff on October 17th. Officers believe this may be the same vehicle that
was used by the offenders on the night of the robbery. Gwent Police is
appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the Clodien
Avenue area around this time or anyone who may hold information relating to
this vehicle or who abandoned it, to contact them on
01633 838 111 or Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111.
PLANS FOR CITY'S LARGEST REGENERATION SITE
DRAWN UP
Nov 6 - Plans for the largest regeneration
site in Newport have been drawn up by the City Council and Newport
Unlimited. The 90 acre site covering the former Whiteheads steelworks and
the Monmouthshire Sidings was identified previously as an area to be
developed for a new regional hospital. However, the City has now produced a
Draft Planning Framework stipulating that a large portion on the site should
be reserved for health care use adjacent to the existing hospital and
Cardiff Road. The report states "The City Council is anxious to retain the
full range of healthcare functions within Newport; these are currently
provided through the nearby Royal Gwent/St Woolos Hospitals. Newport City
Council has called for work on the business case for a new critical care
unit for the area to include a reappraisal of the clinical implications of
building the unit at the two available sites in public ownership - the
former Whiteheads steelworks site in Newport and at Llanfrechfa Grange in
Torfaen".
The report proposes a mix of land uses and specifically
identifies an allocation for up to 850 residential units based on 450 units
on Monmouthshire Bank and 400 units on Whiteheads site.
The draft framework promotes the comprehensive regeneration
of the site to ensure that the benefits of remediation, sustainable
infrastructure and highway/pedestrian/cycling connections through the site
to important destinations such as the City Centre, Royal Gwent Hospital,
Belle Vue Park, adjoining Retail Parks and the potential Newport West Centre
Rail Station at Maesglas are fully delivered. It sets aside 5.1 acres for
open spaces and space for a health centre and primary school.
DECEASED IDENTIFIED - FATAL ROAD TRAFFIC
COLLISION ON THE M4
Nov 5 - Gwent Police has now confirmed the identity of the
deceased female who was involved in the fatal road traffic collision which
occurred on Saturday 31st October on the M4.
The collision occurred at approximately 10pm on the westbound carriageway at
the Caerleon road intersection when a Heavy Goods Vehicle struck the female
pedestrian - who was from the Newport area.
CITY FIRM PROSPERS FROM
MAIL STRIKE
Nov 4 - Major companies such as TNT and UK
Mail say they have received 20,000 extra calls from potential customers in
the wake of the Royal Mail strikes, resulting in a 10% rise in business. The
business boost isn't confined to the big companies either; Chris Watts,
owner of CWS Courier Services in Newport, he has seen
a 25% rise in business.
NEW 'CHARTIST CHARTER'
LAUNCHED
Nov 3 - Welsh Assembly cabinet minister John Griffiths will lead the
launch of the People's Charter in Wales tomorrow - exactly 170 years after
the Chartist uprising in Newport. The Newport Labour AM will be joined by
Plaid Cymru AM Leanne Wood and union representatives for a rally at the Pen
and Wig public house on Stow Hill at noon, followed by a march on the
Westgate where the original Chartists were shot at by troops and over 20 of
them killed. The modern-day charter has been endorsed by individual unions,
this year's TUC conference and high-profile public figures such as Stephen
Lawrence's mother Doreen Lawrence, film director Ken Loach and veteran
socialist Tony Benn. The six-point document calls for a fairer tax system,
investment in council homes and sustainable jobs, an end to privatisation
and for the banking system to be brought under state control, as well as an
increase in benefits and cultural facilities for all.
CITY DIRECTOR APPOINTED
Nov 3 - Newport City Council has announced
the appointment of Mr Alasdair Bovaird as Corporate Director (Young People
and Performance). Mr Bovaird replaces Ms Tracey Lee following her
appointment as Managing Director. Ms Tracey Lee, Managing Director, stated:
“Newport has an exciting future ahead, but we are not without our
challenges. We were looking for, and have found a strong candidate who can
support us in making changes that will benefit the people of Newport.” Mr
Bovaird currently lives in Essex and will be relocating to the area. He is
expected to take up post with Newport City Council in mid November. Boivard
was Chief Executive of Uttlesford District Council between 2004 and 2008 and
was a Corporate Policy Officer for Argyll and Bute.
POLE DANCING GYM ASKED TO REMOVE FROSTED
GLASS
Nov 3 - A gym owner has claimed that
a City Council order to remove frosted glass from her property 'could cause
traffic accidents as male drivers peer through the windows'. Charlene
Elliott, 27, installed the windows at the front of her shop in Clarence
Place to protect the privacy of her pupils from passers-by on the busy
street in Newport. She told the Daily Telegraph "I really feel like I am
doing something good in Newport for a lot of women. My dancers include
police ladies, social workers, and they all think this is not right. Pole
dancing is great exercise for the upper body and the lower body and a lot of
my pupils get confidence from doing it. I am afraid that if we lose the
glass people will be too worried to come to classes, the point is that they
can enjoy themselves and get fit in private in a safe atmosphere."
 |
TRAFFIC ORDER TO CURB
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN WENTWOOD
Nov 3 - A new traffic order has been
approved by the City Council aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour
in Wentwood Forest. A report commissioned by the Forestry Commission
and Woodland Trust states "The Wentwood area has, unfortunately,
suffered from anti-social behaviour in various forms including
fly-tipping, abandoned burnt-out cars, vandalism and illegal vehicle
use. This behaviour both severely detracts from the amenity value of
the area and dissuades other people from making use and enjoying all
forms of quiet recreation within the forest. The City Council order
will restrict motor vehicle access on two routes within Wentwood. A
letter from Police Inspector Smith states "the person who
contravenes a traffic Order, such as the one being proposed, commits
an offence and the duty to prosecute rests with the Police. In
conjunction with the physical barriers – which can only be provided
with the associated Order – the local Inspector believes that the
metal barriers to be provided will significantly reduce the
instances and levels of anti-social behaviour, thereby reducing the
Police’s need to attend such instances". |
M4 PEDESTRIAN DEATH -
POLICE APPEAL
November 2 - Following a fatal road traffic collision which
occurred on Saturday 31st October, Gwent Police is appealing for assistance
because so far they have been unable to establish the identity of the
deceased. The collision occurred at
approximately 10pm on the westbound carriageway of the M4 at the Caerleon
road intersection when a Heavy Goods Vehicle struck a female pedestrian.
The ambulance service attended and pronounced the female dead at the scene.
The woman is described as being in her thirties, white, approximately 5 feet
6 to 5 feet 8 inches tall and of heavy build (size 18-20). She has hazel
eyes and shoulder length brown hair and a mole on her forehead above her
right eye. She was wearing a green "Berghaus" waist length waterproof
jacket, a black cotton long sleeved top with sequins around the neckline and
blue Marks and Spencer denim jeans. She had on grey socks and size 6 and a
half black trainers. She has pierced ears but was not wearing any earrings
and wore a "Lorus" silver bracelet watch on her right wrist. She also wore a
yellow gold ring with three clear gemstones in a line on her right ring
finger.
Police officers are asking members of the public who are concerned about a
friend or member of their family matching this description and haven't seen
them since Saturday or are unable to contact them to call Gwent Police on
01633 838 111.
BOUNDARY CHANGES WARNING
November 2 - Rosemary
Butler AM has warned that the latest proposals
for local government boundary changes in Newport could threaten democracy.
The Local Boundary Commission have published draft recommendations which, if
implemented, would reduce the number of council wards in Newport from 20 to
12, and the number of councillors from 50 to 45. Responses to the
recommendations have to be in by December 22.
The Newport West AM
says:
"It was quite clear from my discussions with constituents
before these latest proposals came out, that they would be extremely unhappy
with a wholesale merging of wards. I'm disappointed that that prospect is
now in danger of becoming a reality and I think there are many communities
who would feel a serious loss of identity. Democratic representation will
suffer, and I believe that citizens of Newport may feel less inclined to
vote. It's ironic that this is coming out on the eve of the 170th
anniversary of the Chartist march to Newport, when men laid down their lives
for the sake of democracy."
NOVEMBER ANTI-CRIME
INITIATIVE UNDER WAY
November 1 - Newport Police
will be kicking off November with a city-wide clamp down on crime and
anti-social behaviour. Not in My Neighbourhood Week, runs from 2-6 November
and is a national week of action aiming to encourage local communities to
work with the police to combat crime and anti-social behaviour.
On Monday 2 November Newport residents can
see the film COW before it’s screened on BBC Wales later that night. The
hard-hitting story, which shows the dangers of using a mobile phone while
driving will be shown in front of the Tesco Superstore on Leeway Industrial
Estate at 6pm.
The Safer Newport partnership will be
working together, directing offenders to clean up litter and graffiti as
part of Community Payback, and throughout the week the police will be
targeting drug suppliers and burglars based on hot intelligence from the
people of Newport. Gwent Police Assistant Chief Constable Jeff Farrar said:
“Anyone concerned about criminal and anti-social behaviour should call us on
our new non-emergency number 101 and in an emergency they should dial 999.”
POLICE TARGET HALLOWEEN
AND BONFIRE NIGHT CRIME
Story here
PROTEST BUILDING WINS
ASSEMBLY GRANT
October 30 - The building at
the centre of a recent controversy has won a substantial grant from the
Welsh Assembly Government. The United Reformed Church will be updated using
a £135,000 grant from the historic buildings fund. The nineteenth century
chapel will be developed by the Islamic Society. The move has been
criticised by right wing activists from the English and Welsh Defence
League, they pulled out of a threatened demonstration last Saturday.
Fida Hussain Shah, of the Islamic Society
for Gwent, said they had bought the old United Reformed church in Newport's
Victoria Road more than a year ago, and were looking to create a community
hall for use by young and old in the area, as well as a prayer room, which
could be used by different religious denominations. "There's a lot of work
to be done and alterations inside - there's a big crack in the wall that
needs to be repaired, " said Mr Shah. "But the old look of the building is
being conserved and there won't be any external changes at all."
KILLING COULD HAVE BEEN
AVERTED
October 29 - The killing of a
44-year-old man may have been averted if his mentally ill attacker had
received proper care and treatment, a report says. Kevin Price, 45, stabbed
former school friend James Fortey five times in Newport in August 2007. A
Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) report expressed concern over the care
provided to Mr Price. The Aneurin Bevan Health Board and Newport City
Council both said lessons had been learnt. They said systems had been
improved to do everything possible to ensure such an incident did not happen
again. Nobody has been disciplined. HIW said there were "important lessons"
to be learned from the case.
Price, 45, of Stockton Close, Newport, is
now indefinitely detained in a secure unit, where he was diagnosed with
schizophrenia after the stabbing on Caerleon Road, Newport on August 4,
2007. He was four when he was first referred to Welsh mental health services
and was living at home with his parents before the killing. But, said the
report, the parents "were not provided with appropriate support", despite
the fact they were his primary carers.
Stewart Greenwell, corporate director for
care and customers for Newport City Council, said: "This was a tragic case
which has obviously had a profound effect on all those involved. "We would
like to reassure all those who require mental health services, and the wider
public, that many changes have already been made to mental health provision
in the Gwent area and we will continue to review our services."
FOOD WASTE COLLECTIONS TO
BE EXTENDED
October 29 - Newport City
Council recycling services are set for expansion, as we extend our weekly
food waste collection scheme to another 7,000 homes. Councillor David
Fouweather, cabinet member for community safety and environment, has
approved the extension of the scheme, which is a key part of the drive to
boost recycling rates across the city. Newport is currently recycling about
40 percent of our waste, but we still have to work to do if we are to meet
strict recycling targets. With the support of our residents, we are
confident we can reach our goal. All the streets involved will be formally
notified later in the year and will receive caddies, liners and a detailed
guide on how to use the new service. Food waste is collected weekly from the
kerbside using a specially designed Wastesavers lorry.Households already
involved in the scheme are recycling 60 tonnes of food waste a month. If
every house in Newport was doing the same, the City could collect over 7,000
tonnes of left over food a year – reducing out it’s carbon footprint by a
staggering 2,940,000 kilogrammes.
FIRE AT CORPA HOTEL
BUILDING
October 29 - An unoccupied
hotel is on fire in Newport, say South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. Three
fire engines, two water bowsers and an aerial appliance were sent to the
Corporation Hotel in Corporation Road in the city at 1416 GMT. A fire
service spokesperson said the fire is on the first floor of the building. A
fire officer is also at the scene. Some appliances have now left the scene
but the fire has not been put out. The western end of Corporation Road
between George Street and Cromwell Road was closed to traffic.
SIGNS OF LIFE IN KINGSWAY
October 27 - Five stores in
the Kingsway Shopping Centre look set to be let as interest in the new mall
increases. Footfall has increased in recent weeks due to the opening of the
new Boswells cafe and a free car parking campaign during October. The former
Woolworths store is now under offer (we believe it set to become a combined
Ethel Austin / Au Naturale store). The four other potential lets are two
units adjacent to Wilkinsons, one next to the former Jessops store, the
other is next door to Claire's Accessories.
CRACKDOWN ON ROGUE TRADERS
Story here
COUNCIL TO SUE WELSH
ASSEMBLY OVER LANDFILL
Story
here

The scene in John Frost Square this
morning |
PEACEFUL PROTEST PASSES OFF
WITHOUT INCIDENT Oct 24 -
A planned counter protest against the Welsh Defence League went
ahead in Newport today overseen by a massive and no doubt costly
police presence in the City. Gwent Police issued a statement this
afternoon thanking organisers for the peaceful atmosphere at the
demonstration and for the carnival atmosphere created in John Frost
Square. Assistant Chief Constable Jeff Farrar of Gwent Police
confirmed there had been no opposition from the Defence League. See
his statement via the following link. Three hundred protestors
attended, as well as 50 members of Newport's neighbourhood policing
team.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hu4nptrop8 |
NO MARCH BUT VIGIL GOES
AHEAD
Oct 23 - A vigil is due to
take place in Newport on Friday organised by people opposed to the Welsh
Defence League (WDL). The WDL had planned to protest in the city on Saturday
but has told Police the event has been cancelled. Supported by the Muslim
Council of Wales and Cytun (Churches Together), protesters will gather to
sing songs and listen to speakers. A WDL demonstration against Islamic
extremism in Swansea last weekend was met with a larger counter protest.
David Phillips, chief executive of the South East Wales Racial Equality
Council, said the aim of the vigil at 1900 BST at Westgate Square was to
show the WDL was not welcome in Newport. "It's an opportunity for people who
would not normally dream of going to a demonstration to come along and show
their solidarity," he said.
The WDL made the following
statement on their social network site ""Newport
demo is now OFF spoken to the police and they expect a lot of violence from
local blacks, who it seems are convinced we are the klan or whatever, as we
dont want to be responsible for a riot, by people we would expect to support
what we are doing, we are cancelling until we are able to get message out
there that we are not a racist group. "
CITY LIBRARIES PRAISED
Oct 23 - Newport’s library
services are one of the best performing library services in Wales, according
to results from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Welsh Public Library
Standards. Along with public libraries across Wales, the city’s libraries
were measured for quality of service delivered. Standards measured included
levels of stock purchased, opening hours, accessibility and customer
satisfaction.
Newport City Council and its library
service achieved outstanding performances in the majority of assessment
frameworks and the council made the decision to include performance against
the Welsh Public Library Standards as one of the key elements within the
Performance Improvement Grants. Performance against the Standards has also
been designated as a key performance indicator for Newport City Council.
Although libraries in Newport are high-achieving the service continues to
seek opportunities for development and to strive for improvement. 2010 will
see the launch of a new service within the Tredegar Park area of the City.
ACCIDENTAL DEATH VERDICT
IN STUDENT CASE
Oct 21 - A 19-year-old student hanged
himself with a tie after a night out socialising with friends in Hampshire
an inquest in Portsmouth heard today. David Harris, of Newport had just
completed a set of
exams for his
business degree at the University of
Portsmouth when he was found dead in his bedroom in Southsea, on January 24.
The inquest held at Portsmouth heard that Mr Harris, described as a ''larger
than life character'' had been out to a pub with friends the previous
evening and they had continued drinking at home until the early hours. A
verdict of accidental death was recorded.
EBBW VALE LINK STILL ON A PROMISE
Oct 21 - The Ebbw Vale - Cardiff line
carried its millionth passenger today but a new service linking the Western
Valley and Newport still seems some way off. Local Conservative AM William
Graham has urged that it is running by the time golf's Ryder Cup is held in
Newport in 2010. Last year the assembly government announced a £2.6m
investment for improvements at Gaer Junction, as an "essential prerequisite
to any future regular passenger rail service between Ebbw Vale and Newport".
Ieuan Wyn Jones, Assembly Transport Minister claims that the Gaer Junction
work will be complete during 2010 and infrastructure work at Newport station
will allow the line to become a reality by 2011.
HOUSE SIEGE - MAN ARRESTED
Oct 20 - Police arrested a
man this evening after a lengthy siege at a house on Chepstow Road adjacent
to Harrow Road in Maindee. A section of Chepstow Road was sealed off late
this afternoon while a large number of police including armed assistance
sought to remove the man from the house. The siege started at approximately
11am this morning.
ATTEMPTED BURGLARY IN
ROGERSTONE - POLICE APPEAL
Oct 20 - Police are appealing for information following an
attempt burglary in the Rogerstone area of Newport.
The incident occurred sometime between 5.45pm and 6pm on 5th
October 2009 at an address on Cefn Road. The owner of the property arrived
home and disturbed a man attempting to gain entry into the rear of the
property. The man then ran off along Cefn Road in the direction of Risca.
The offender is described as being a white male, approximately 5 feet 6
inches tall and of slim build. He was wearing a dark beanie and a navy
sports jacket. Police are interested in speaking to anyone who may have
witnessed the incident particularly a man who stopped and spoke to the
homeowner immediately after the offender made off. This man was driving a
white car, believed to be a Ford Fiesta with a blue/green company logo on
the side. Anyone with information is asked to contact Gwent Police on
101 or Crimestoppers anonymously
on 0800 555 111.
NEW SCHOOL TO BE HANDED
OVER TO COUNCIL
Oct 20 - The keys to Newport
High School and Active Living Centre will be handed to the leader of Newport
City Council Councillor Matthew Evans at 4pm on Friday 23 October. The
handover will take place in the school’s reception by director of
construction company the Leadbitter Group, Steve Burgess. The landmark new
development, which will replace Bettws High School and leisure centre, will
open its doors to pupils on 9 November to offer advanced teaching
facilities, including 34 general classrooms, eight science labs, eight ICT
suites, a fully-equipped design technology wing, six SEN areas and a
vocational training learning and resource centre. The new Active Living
Centre with its state-of-the-art leisure facilities, including a new 25m
swimming pool, fitness suite, full size artificial turf pitch, multi-use
games areas and sports pitches will be open for community use outside of
school hours for residents from all over the city from 9 November.
Councillor Evans said: “We are committed to
providing high quality, modern education facilities for Newport, and I
believe this school will offer many generations of children the best
education environment to ensure they reach their full potential. I’d like to
thank everyone who has worked so hard on this project to ensure it has been
a success.”
FLYNN BLASTS DAVIES FOR
INCITING CITY DEMO
Oct 19 - Newport West MP Paul
Flynn has launched a vociferous attack on Newport City Councillor Peter
Davies for inciting a demonstration in the City this weekend. The English
and Welsh Defence League still state that they have plans to carry out a
demonstration against a recent Newport City Council planning decision to
allow the United Reformed Church in Victoria Street to become a Mosque and
"multi-faith community centre". Flynn states on his website "Responsibility
for this ugly conflict rests firmly on the shoulders of one Tory councillor.
Peter Davies made a mischievous and inflammatory statement on
the change of use of a closed church. After seeking maximum attention for
his untrue claim of 'desecration' he did not attend the meeting where his
allegations were exposed as falsehoods. I have seen no apology from him for
his 'error. Remarkably he has put out an e-mail on the Council web-site
which could be seen as an incitement to the marchers to parade near the
mosque. This is not responsible behaviour.
Newport is run by a Conservative- LibDem coalition. Does Peter Davies
reflect the coalition's views in his rabble rousing? Do they support his
e-mail which fails to apologise and suggest a a long route for the racists'
march ending with a 'last Hurrah' for the marchers near the mosque?" Flynn
calls on Newportonians to support "our city in building a harmonious
community of many faiths and ethnic groups".
PROPOSAL TO REDUCE NUMBER
OF CITY COUNCILLORS
Oct 19 - The Local Government
Boundary Commission for Wales has published draft proposals to reduce the
number of councillors in Newport from 50 to 45. The reduction involves the
creation of a number of new multi-member constituencies as follows (numbers
of councillors in brackets) - Allt-yr-yn and Shaftesbury (5), Alway and
Ringland (5), Beechwood and St.Juilan's (5), Bettws and Malpas (5), Gaer and
Tredegar Park (4), Graig and Marshfield (4), Langstone and Llanwern (3),
Pillgwenlly and Stow Hill (3). The number of Lliswerry members reduces to
three under the proposals, Caerleon retain three and Victoria two. The final
date for the submission of representations regarding the proposals is 22
December2009.
APPEAL OVER TESCO ROBBERY
Oct 19 -
Police
are appealing for witnesses following a cash in transit robbery outside the
Tesco store on Harlech Retail Park, Cardiff Road, Newport on Friday 16th
October at around 7:45pm. Officers
specifically want to trace three people who were in the area when a security
guard delivering money to the store was approached by a man, wearing dark
clothing and white trainers, pushed to the ground and a box containing money
was taken. It is believed that the robber had two or possibly three
accomplices and they left the scene in a dark (possibly blue) 4 door car. On
leaving the Harlech Retail Park they drove towards the Tredegar Park
roundabout.
Officers want to trace the following people who were in the area at the time
of the incident;
- A lady who told a security guard she saw the offenders run off and throw
the cash box at the side of the Tesco store which they then recovered. She
is described as white, with dark hair, aged 25 - 30 years old, possibly
wearing a white top.
- A man who may have been using the ATM at the store and got into a maroon
coloured Ford Escort. He is described as aged between 60 - 70 years old, of
a slight build, 5'7"-5'8" tall, balding with grey hair at the side.
- A man, reported to be of chinese appearance, who was sat on a box full of
store catalogues near the entrance to the store. He had silver rimmed
glasses and it's believed he may have had a child with him. Anyone who was
in the area at the time of the incident or has any information that could
assist officers with their enquiries is asked to call Gwent Police on
101 or Crimestoppers on
0800 555 111.
ANTI-FUNDAMENTALIST DEMO
UNCERTAINTY
Oct 17 - A BBC report states
that the proposed demonstration against Islamic fundamentalism in Newport by
the Welsh Defence League has been postponed. It was scheduled to take place
next Saturday in John Frost Square. Update This has been denied by
organisers who say it will go ahead. Further update (Oct 20) - Police
state the march is off.
DATA CENTRE READY TO ROLL
Oct 17 - One of Europe's
largest and most technologically advanced data centres is now open for
business following completion of the essential phases of a £200 million
project to convert and upgrade the former LG semiconductor plant in
Coedkernew, Newport. Next Generation Data Ltd., the owner and operator of
the new data centre, is making available a wide range of large scale
wholesale space solutions and has already agreed long term contracts with
several major blue chip organisations. These will begin moving in their data
centre operations from early next year.
NGD Europe is described as tier 3 data
centre facility and is one of the biggest and best equipped of its kind.
Among NGD Europe's many unique features is a high capacity power supply
direct from the super grid as well as on-site high-speed, low latency fibre
connections from the major telecoms carriers. Inside the massive three-floor
75,000 sq metre building there are a number of separate data halls of
varying sizes available all with independent services, resilient power
supply and cooling systems. Capable of housing up to 19,000 server racks,
NGD Europe has been purpose built to support the high level technology
infrastructure.
POLICE CALL HALT TO
ILLEGAL USE OF BUS LANES
Oct 16 -
Five
people were arrested and 188 drivers given fixed penalty tickets during a
two-day police operation to stop the illegal use of bus lanes.
A team of four PCSOs sponsored by bus company Newport Transport launched
Operation Freeflow last month to deal with an increasing number of drivers
using bus lanes illegally to skip traffic queues. Police are now warning
drivers in Newport that similar operations will take place across the city
in the future. Operation Freeflow ran between September 16 and 20. Police
officers from Newport Central Neighbourhood Policing Team, as well as those
from traffic and response teams, assisted the PCSOs in dealing with vehicles
committing a range of driving offences, primarily in the Stow Hill area.
The results of the operation saw 188 drivers given £30 fixed penalty notices
for breaching traffic orders. In addition, five cars were seized for having
no insurance and four people were given £60 fixed penalty notices for not
wearing their seatbelt. One man was arrested for drink driving, two men were
arrested for obstructing police, and another two men were arrested for
possession of cannabis. PCSO Chris Burge, who helped coordinate the
operation, said: “Bus drivers have reported that other road users have
obstructed them by driving in designated bus lanes, particularly in Stow
Hill and Skinner Street. Vehicles can legally use this route into the city
centre for the purposes of loading and unloading, but many drivers are
illegally using the roads as a shortcut and this is what we are trying to
stop.
CITY TO BRING IN NEW
PARKING ORDERS
Oct 16 - The City Council's
Cabinet has agreed a new system of parking orders as the current orders are
regarded as unenforceable by the Police. The Cabinet approved the revocation
of existing Residents Parking Orders and confirm the making and
implementation of new Orders with effect from 1st December 2009. Agreement
has now been reached with the Police regarding the legality and enforcement
of the Residents Parking Orders. It is proposed that all the existing Orders
are repealed and replaced with new Orders under Section 45 of the Road
Traffic Act. The Orders will contain specific exemptions for disabled
drivers (to ensure that they comply with the Disabled Drivers Regulations)
and also an exemption for visitor parking in accordance with the Council’s
approved voucher scheme.
BACKING FOR NEWPORT SHIP
MUSEUM
Oct 14 - Newport City Council
Cabinet has backed the proposal for a museum to host the Newport Ship and
other artefacts of the City's maritime past. That Cabinet agreed in
principle that the Ship should be displayed in a new Museum and that this
new museum should be a key feature of the City, provided substantial
external funding be secured. The Cabinet authorised the Cabinet Member to
actively seek external funding for the project to enable the Ship to "be
protected and displayed for the best advantage of the people of Wales."
FUND HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE TO FIND JOBS
Oct 14 - The Newport Future Jobs Fund was
launched yesterday at Malpas Court in Newport. The government-funded scheme,
which has been led by Newport City Council’s Community Development team and
its partners, has been a great success – creating 472 six-month contract
jobs in Newport, in a period of just 18 months. A number of the scheme’s
first employees and employers were present at the launch, along with Cabinet
Members from Newport City Council.
Cabinet Member for Housing and Community
Services, Cllr Richard White, said: “It is very encouraging that the Council
has been able, together with our partner organisations, to create these
opportunities for employment. I hope this will lead to permanent long-term
employment for those involved. I wish all the participants success in
achieving this aim”. The Future Jobs Fund was announced in the 2009 Budget
and is run by the Department for Work and Pensions in partnership with the
Department for Communities and Local Government, collaborating with
Jobcentre Plus, Regional Government Offices and the Welsh Assembly. The £1
billion programme aims to provide employment for at least six months to
young people aged between 18-24 who live in unemployment ‘hotspots’ and
haven’t worked in the previous 12 months.
CITY WINS BIG INCREASE IN
FUNDING
Oct 13 - Newport City Council
looks like being granted a big increase of funding from Welsh Assembly
Government following publication of the draft local government funding
settlement. The Council will receive an increase in funding from the
taxpayer of 3.1 per cent, well ahead of the rate of inflation, for 2010/11.
CANAL SIDE ROBBERY -
POLICE APPEAL
Oct 13 -
Gwent Police is appealing for information following a robbery
which occurred in Newport yesterday, Monday 12th October.
A 34 year old man was riding his push bike along Bettws Lane,
the path that runs alongside the canal near Kimberley Park, at approximately
10pm last night when he was approached by two men. The two men engaged the
victim in conversation and then punched him to the face causing him to fall
into the canal. They made off from the scene in the direction of Malpas
having stolen his push bike and mobile phone. The victim was able to get him
self out of the canal and to safety and did not sustain any serious
injuries. The offenders were both white males. The first is described as
being of stocky build, approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall and in his 30s.
He was wearing a grey coloured beanie hat and an unzipped jacket. The second
offender is described as slightly shorter than the first, with black hair
and was wearing a white top. Any witnesses or anyone holding information
about this incident that could assist police with inquiries is asked to
contact DC Andy Dabinette on 101
or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555
111.
MOBILITY SCOOTER RECHARGE
POINT IN CITY CENTRE
Oct 13 - City disability
activists have welcomed the installation of a charging point for electric
wheelchairs and scooters in the City Centre.
The charging point is the first
to be
installed by a council in the UK and was donated by Rookwood Hospital in
Cardiff, thanks to campaigning from Newport group Disabled Open Opportunity
Ringland Social (D.O.O.R.S.),
The new charger point will
allow users of mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs to recharge the
battery
while they are out in the city centre. Founder of DOORS Bernard Allen said:
“We would like to say thank you to Councillors John Fortey, Richard White
and Hugh Clark, who have all helped to push this forward. This is a
wonderful thing for disabled people in Newport – it will allow them much
more freedom.”
AIRPORT STYLE SNIFFER DOGS
USED IN PILL
Oct 12 - Specially-trained drug dogs led 28 police
officers through the streets of Pill on Saturday (October 10) between
12.30pm and 6pm. A large-scale drugs crackdown was carried out as part of
Operation Prudent, which aims to address concerns raised by members of the
Pill community and to restore pride in the area. Local people have voted to
make drug supply and use a policing priority in Pill at PACT (Partners and
Communities Together) meetings.
Two passive drug dogs - a Labrador and Spaniel - and
their trainers were loaned from South Wales Police to be used for the first
time in Newport. Passive drug dogs, like those usually seen in airports, are
trained to sniff out drug aromas on people as they walk past. The two dogs
were alternated every 20 minutes to rest their sensitive noses, which become
tired after concentrated periods of work. When the dogs indicated they could
smell drugs on a person by sitting in front of them, officers stopped and
searched them. A large van followed the police group to provide somewhere
for people to be searched in private.
Of the 13 people stopped and searched, two were
arrested and cautioned for possession of small quantities of cannabis.
Another person was given an £80 fixed penalty notice for possession of
cannabis. As well as enforcing the law, officers gathered a number of
intelligence logs for Operation Prudent. Sergeant Sarah Davies, who
coordinated Saturday's operation, said: “We are aiming to stop the supply
and use of drugs in Commercial Road and surrounding streets. I would like to
thank South Wales Police for lending us the passive drugs dogs and for
helping us to use this tactic during Operation Prudent".
BUS SERVICE CONTRACTS
AWARDED
Oct 12 - New bus service
contracts have been awarded for the following bus services - service 61
Magor to Newport (via Redwick and Llanwern), service 73 Chepstow to Newport
(via Penhow and Langstone), service 74 the evening service from Chepstow to
Newport (via Caldicot and Magor). All contracts have been awarded to Veolia
Cymru (owned by Bebb Travel). The subsidy for service 61 will be £43,000 per
annum for the cross boundary service running in to Monmouthshire the City
Council will be contributing just over £14,000. The new services will take
effect from 15 November 2009.
JOBS SECURED BY SALE OF
FIRM
Oct 11 - Forty six jobs have
been secured by the sale of a firm manufacturing aluminium castings,
administrators say. Precision Cast-Components, of Usk Way, Newport, went
into administration in September 2008. The company has been acquired by a
new business created by former management and supported by private
investment. Alistair Wardell of Grant Thornton said the firm was "a leading
business of its kind" with strong relationships with a number of blue chip
rail customers. The company has been involved in major refurbishments of the
Circle and Metropolitan lines of the London Underground. Mr Wardell said
administrators had worked "extremely hard to secure a sale and secure the
future of a considerable number of the workforce".
M4 RELIEF ROAD DECISION
CRITICISED BY BUSINESS
Oct 11 - A survey of three
hundred Welsh businesses undertaken by Deloitte and the Western Mail reveals
a large number of those questioned feel the decision to ditch the M4 Relief
Road will not help the local economy. 32.1 per cent of those surveyed said it
will have “large implications” for their businesses.
ASSEMBLY AGREES ADDITIONAL
NEWPORT FUNDING
Oct 10 - The Welsh Assembly
Government has agreed funding of £1 million towards Newport's City
Enhancement Framework. The Framework will enable a range of additional
projects to be undertaken and complement the existing programme of work that
includes a range of physical and environmental improvements to the city’s
gateways, landmark structures and key buildings. £2 million of taxpayers
money has been committed by Newport Unlimited and £800,000 has already been
received from the Assembly towards getting the Transporter Bridge up and
running by the time of the Ryder Cup.
In addition to these works, Newport City
Council is committing £1m towards a programme of additional projects during
the year. Leighton Andrews, Deputy Minister for Regeneration, said the city
enhancement programme supported the on-going regeneration of the city and
would help create a positive image and bring benefits to residents. “Newport
will be in the media spotlight in the run-up to and during the Ryder Cup and
it’s important that we are able to present a positive image of the city
which is why I am pleased to announce this additional funding. A
considerable amount of investment and work has already been made in the
regeneration of Newport and we hope to capitalise on and benefit from the
high profile associated with the Ryder Cup."
NEW MUSEUM PROPOSED FOR
THE NEWPORT SHIP
Oct 8 - Newport City
Council's Cabinet will next week discuss a report proposing that the City
develops a new museum to host the discovery of the Newport Ship. The Newport
Ship was found during excavation work for the Riverfront Theatre on the west
bank of the Usk in 2002.
In 2006/7 a steering group
was set up at the request of the Welsh Assembly’s Minister for Culture Media
Welsh Language and Sport to examine the future of the Ship Project. The
working group comprised representatives of the Welsh Assembly
Administration, Cadw, the National Museum of Wales, Cymal, the Friends of
the Newport Ship and Newport City Council. This group examined a range of
options for the ship and concluded that the greatest benefit would be gained
if the ship was fully conserved and reassembled in a new museum that
interpreted the find within a wide local history context. The working group
also recommended that the display of the ship should be used as a catalyst
for renaissance of the Newport’s Museums Service and that this new museum
should be at the centre of Newport’s regeneration aspirations in the next
decade. The Medieval Ship project has provided Newport with considerable
positive publicity since its discovery in 2002. Bringing the project to a
successful conclusion will provide lasting benefit for the City, and
provides a unique asset to support the future ongoing regeneration of the
city.
The report states "A dedicated museum for the ship is an important
aspiration and would enable the internationally important find to be
showcased in an appropriate setting. Much debate has focussed on the type of
Museum that should be created to tell the story of the Newport Ship. This
was particularly so in the months following the Ship’s discovery when
supporters of the ship called for a new Maritime Museum. There are also
other significant maritime and estuarine archaeological finds including the
Barland’s Farm Boat and the Magor Pill Boat which are available to be
displayed."
TESCO WIND TURBINE
CONTROVERSY
October 7 - Newport City
planners will consider a planning application from Tesco next week to place
a 100 metre high wind turbine adjacent to its distribution centre near
Llandevenny. The plan has attracted widespread criticism from the
communities in the area. Neighbouring Monmouthshire County Council object
stating "the tall turbines would comprise obtrusive vertical features in an
otherwise extensive flat landscape. The existing and approved buildings at
Gwent Europark, although large, have a horizontal emphasis. The pylons are
much smaller and have a horizontal element in the alignment of the pylons
and the overhead transmission lines which link them; the site adjoins a
registered landscape of historic interest and the turbines would dominate
and/or punctuate views of the Levels over a considerable distance, causing
harm to the character and appearance of the flat historic landscape,
contrary to conservation interests." Thirty one letters of objection have
been received from local residents "the proposal is a PR
stunt with Tesco trying to be ‘green’." The Community Councils at Magor,
Redwick, Goldcliff and Bishton all object to the development as does Upfield
Farm Aerodrome and the Wildlife Trust. However, Newport City Council
planning officers recommend approval "By the nature of their scale and
height it is accepted that all wind energy developments will have some
degree of visual effect. However, the setting and visual impact is
considered acceptable. It is the role of the Authority to weigh up the
visual effect and ecological impact of the turbines against the need for and
benefits of clean energy. The Government and Welsh Assembly Government have
recognised that such development make an important contribution to meeting
renewable energy targets. It is considered that the impact of the turbines
can be suitable mitigated and on this basis it is recommended that planning
permission is granted."
NEW STORE TO OPEN
October 7 - A store combining
discount clothes Ethel Austin and home-ware supplier Au Naturale is set to
open in Newport. A number of managerial job opportunities are being placed
on retail employment websites for the new store. Although the location of
the new store is not specified Ethel Austin and Au Naturale have recently
taken over a number of former Woolworth stores in Scotland, Kent and the
East Midlands.
POLICE SEARCHING FOR
ABSCONDER
 |
October 6 -
Police are appealing for
information to locate 26 year old Paul Samuel Morrisey who failed to
appear at Cwmbran Magistrates on September 4th. Paul
Morrisey from Newport was convicted and sentenced (in his absence)
for an assault which occurred on Chepstow Road, Newport in June this
year. He received a six month sentence and a warrant was issued for
his arrest.
He is described as slim, of wiry build, five feet nine, short fair
hair and is known to spend time in the Spytty and Lliswerry areas of
Newport.
Police are asking that if any members of the public see Morrisey
they should call 999 or
for anyone who has seen or has knowledge of his whereabouts to call
01633 838 111 or
101. |
ASDA OPENS NEW STORE
Oct 6 - Asda has opened their new store in Pill
claiming it is creating 350 new jobs for the area. Together with food, a
customer cafe, the store has George clothing and an electronics section and
is within walking distance of Newport's struggling city centre. Mandy
Womack, community champion, was a special guest at the opening, with around
300 people queueing to see the new store. Mandy helped raise £850,000 for
the Leukaemia Research Fund, and together with Newport Mayor, Glyn Jarvis,
opened the store, with Eveswell Primary School Choir providing music. Mrs
Womack said she was 'thrilled' to be the first person to have a tour around
the store before the opening at 10am to the general public. The supermarket
is situated on the former cattle market site.
CITY STATION PROJECT
GATHERS PACE
October 5 -
Here.
THREE ARRESTS FOLLOWING
BETTWS RAIDS
October 5 - Police have arrested three people for drugs
offences after simultaneously raiding four homes in Bettws.
On Friday (October 2) 28 Gwent Police officers forced their
way into four houses in Crouch Close, Bettws. After finding small amounts of
cannabis and amphetamines, officers arrested one 23-year-old man and two
women, aged 38 and 43, for drug possession. Another woman, aged 45, was
arrested for cruelty to an animal and a malnourished dog was taken away by
the RSPCA.
The raids came after a Safer Newport antisocial behaviour investigation
carried out by Newport West Neighbourhood Policing Team, Charter Housing,
and a victim support officer from Newport City Council. A total of 31
incidents of antisocial behaviour in Crouch Close were reported between
August 1st and October 1st 2009. These included three incidents of serious
disorder. Sergeant John Davies, of Newport West Neighbourhood Policing Team,
said: “This action was planned to show the minority of problem residents in
the Crouch Close area that antisocial behaviour and the victimising of
people is not acceptable."
POLICE APPEAL AFTER
CAERLEON BURGLARY
October 5 -
Gwent
Police is appealing for information following a burglary that occurred in
Newport on Thursday 1 October. Forced entry
was made to a property on Parkwood Close, Caerleon between 12.45pm and 6pm.A
number of items were stolen from the address including a silver Panasonic
Lumix digital camera, a charcoal grey Sony PM55 camcorder, a Nintendo Wii
and two 3ft tall mahogany wood Castle speakers. The camera and camcorder are
of particular value to the victim because they hold sentimental photographs
and footage.Police are investigating this incident and appealing for anyone
who may have been offered any of the items listed or holding any information
that could assist with inquiries to contact them on
101 or Crimestoppers anonymously
on 0800 555 111.
BUS SERVICE IMPROVEMENT TO
BUSINESS PARK
October 5 - Newport Transport
has announced an improved frequency to bus service 36 between the
City Centre and Celtic Springs Business Park. The service runs along Emlyn
Street and Cardiff Road before taking in Pont Ebbw Roundabout and Duffryn
Drive. Running from Monday to Saturday the service will run at a 12 minute
frequency throughout. Monday to Friday the first bus leaves Newport leaves
Newport Bus Station at 0630, with the last bus from the Business Park at
1952. On Saturdays the start of the 12 minute frequency kicks in slightly
later with the first bus at 0650 and the last bus returning to the City at
1952. Adult single fares are £1.20, with day tickets set at £2.50 (including
services to Cardiff and Cwmbran). Elsewhere, the contracted service 61
to Bishton and Redwick could be under threat. The heavily subsidised
service has had a number of operators over the last three years since the
contract was taken away from Country Bus Services. Local councillor Martyn
Kellaway (Conservative) presented a 300 name petition to the recent full
Council meeting calling for the service to be retained.
PEDESTRIAN HURT IN CRASH
October 4 - A pedestrian is
being treated for serious injury after an accident in Duffryn. A woman and a
car collided in Lighthouse Road, Duffryn, on Saturday morning at about 0915
BST.
ANTI-FUNDAMENTALIST
PROTEST HEADS FOR NEWPORT
October 2 - The English and
Welsh Defence League is heading for Newport according to web publicity. The
organisation states that it is has two aims - "Remove Islamic
Fundamentalists from our streets, and Remove ALL practice of Shari'ah Law in
England." It objects to a recent Newport City Council planning decision to
allow the United Reformed Church in Victoria Street to become a Mosque and
"multi-faith community centre". It's Facebook site is headed for the Newport
protest with various badges including the Welsh FA and Newport County with a
giant fist over a black and amber flag. On the site they criticise the
planning decision stating "SHALL WE
SIT BACK WHILE POLITICALLY CORRECT TRAITOR COUNCILLORS HAND OVER OUR
CHURCHES AND DESECRATE WORLD WAR ONE MEMORIALS TO APPEASE MILITANT ISLAM?"
The Welsh Defence League
plans to demonstrate against the plan at John Frost Square on Saturday
October 24 between 1pm and 4pm. At this week's Council Meeting the Leader of
the Council Matthew Evans stated he was concerned about the demonstration
and that all agencies were working to keep disruption to a minimum. Whilst a
peaceful protest could be facilitated any disorder or violent activities
would be dealt with. Superintendent Knight of Gwent Police stated that the
police would facilitate lawful demonstration but criminal activity would not
be tolerated. Police leave had been cancelled and a multi - agency group was
looking at policing proposals and the prospect of counter demonstrations.
Councillor Truman stated individuals who wanted to stir up unrest have no
place ion the city. Newport was a multi -cultural society and any activity
to stir racial tension should be condemned. Pillgwenlly Labour
Councillor Ibrahim Hayat stated that the proposed march was the biggest
crisis of his lifetime spent in Newport.
A piece about the Church on
Newport City Council's website states "The church was built for
Congregationalists in 1859 by A.O Watkins of Newport. The original layout of
this large church still stands, with galleries on three sides and the pulpit
at the further short end. The church itself can hold around 1000 people and
features beautiful timber pews, piers and choir stalls. A number of
beautiful stained glass windows depict images from the New Testament.
Interior redesigned by A Swash with carving by Mageston of Bristol as First
World War Memorial."
The building has not been
used since 2007. At the Council's site planning meeting on July 16
Councillors considered the issues raised concerning the impact of the
proposed alterations on the architectural and historical integrity of the
listed building. Lengthy discussion ensued concerning the war memorial
plaque and what constituted the memorial. The minute states "It was noted
that the War Memorials Trust had been consulted in relation to this matter
and that their response was awaited."
CITY HOUSE PRICES SHOW
SMALL INCREASE
October 2 - Latest Land
Registry figures show another small increase in house prices in Newport. The
figures for August just published show average prices increasing to
£119,312, an increase of 1 per cent on July. However, when compared to
August 2008, the figures still show a reduction in house prices of 14.1 per
cent. Neighbouring Torfaen saw a reduction of 3 per cent, Monmouthshire saw
a 2.1 per cent increase. In a separate survey from Nationwide Building
Society they claim house prices across the UK are now nearing the levels
they were in September 2008, this is not borne out by the Land Registry
figures based on actual sales.
TRUANCY ON THE INCREASE
October 2 - Unauthorised
absences from Newport schools increased in 2008/9 according to Welsh
Assembly Government statistics. 2.2 per cent of days were lost due to
unauthorised absences, up from 2 per cent in the previous year. The Welsh
average is 1.7 per cent. 9.4 per cent of school days were lost due to
authorised or explained absences, the Welsh average is 9 per cent.
LABOUR CRITICISES PROPOSED
DIRECTOR APPOINTMENT
October 2 - The City
Council's Labour Group is refusing to co-operate with a decision to fill the
position of Corporate Director (Young People and Performance). Group Leader
Bob Bright criticised the decision at this week's Council Meeting stating
that in the light of the Leader of the Council’s remarks at the previous
Council meeting the Labour Group could not support the appointment of a
further Corporate Director which would cost over £100,000. The Leader of the
Council had described the need to reduce the budget by £10 million over
three years and given the potential austerity being faced by the Council the
appointment could not be justified. He also claimed that the previous
Managing Director Chris Freeguard had confirmed the structure of an Managing
Director and two Corporate Directors as now was sustainable. The Leader of
the Council Matthew Evans countered that Newport’s was a very small
management team. It was the smallest in Wales and likely to be among the
smallest in the UK. The new team would break down barriers between service
areas and improve and rationalise services.
THE RYDER CUP - JUST ONE
YEAR AWAY
October 1 - The Ryder Cup is
just one year away from arriving in Newport. The 2010 event, between October
1 and 3, will be marked by the sporting contest at the Celtic Manor and an
attempt to bring a sense of celebration to the City.
The City's Newport Festival 2010 promises
daring tightrope walkers high above the city, breathtaking fire shows
lighting up the river, fairground rides along the riverside, and big names
in music, arts and comedy heading to Newport. Thousands of residents will
have the chance to take part in hundreds of events which could include
Wales’s largest ever community arts project and to "catch some exhilarating
shows that will live long in the memory".
Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of Newport
city council, said: "The next 12 months promise to be among the most
memorable in Newport's modern history and a once in a lifetime opportunity
to raise our profile on a global stage and create a long lasting legacy
feeling good about the city. Clearly the eyes of the world will be in
Newport as we build up to the Ryder Cup and the fact that we are a city
capable of hosting one of the world’s great sporting occasions should give
everyone in the city a huge amount of pride.
David Russ, managing director of South
Wales Chamber and Centre for Business stated "In fairness, I think Newport
City Council and the assembly have done everything practical to give the
Ryder Cup the best chance of success, it's just a shame that it looks as
though it's going to come in the teeth of one of the worst recessions in a
generation.We need to make sure that the whole city puts on an event which
will fix Newport in people's minds as a place that they want to visit," he
told the BBC "Speaking to people at the K Club in Ireland, they reckon that
there's a 10 year window of opportunity in which to exploit the Ryder Cup,
tailing off towards the end".
Research by accountancy firm Deloitte shows
that almost £100m was pumped into the Irish economy when the Ryder Cup was
last held in Europe in 2006 at the K-Club in County Kildare. Spectators
spent more than £230 each per day on average, while in the corporate sector
the guests spent well over £300 and those from the United States almost
£400.
SPEEDWAY SET TO CONTINUE
Sep 30 -
See here.
ASSEMBLY U-TURN ON CANCER
PATIENT'S COSTS
Sep 29 - A cancer patient
from Newport says he is "relieved" after an assembly government U-turn to
pay for the costs of travelling for specialist treatment in Switzerland.
Lloyd Evans, 27, faced a bill of up to £7,000 in costs while undergoing
proton beam treatment for a rare type of spinal bone cancer. He got NHS
funding for therapy not available in the UK. But unlike English patients he
was told those from Wales must pay for travel and accommodation. Edwina Hart
decided on Friday to treat him as an "exceptional case" and was
"disappointed" he had not been told. She said his costs would be funded by
Health Commission Wales (HCW). The assembly government had previously said
it did not fund travel expenses associated with NHS treatment. Such costs
for patients in England are NHS-funded, based on an approved accommodation
list and travel guidelines, according to Department of Health guidelines.
Mr. Evans told the BBC prior to the decision "I live in Newport which is a
stone's throw away from the English border. So if perhaps I lived a 30 or 45
minute's drive over the Severn Bridge fundraising wouldn't be an issue,
putting it on my credit card wouldn't be an issue. And you hear the term
postcode lottery. Until you are faced with having to raise multiple
thousands of pounds to go for treatment which is effectively life-prolonging
at the age of only 27, it goes beyond frustration. It really stinks."
 |
BUTLER BECOMES CYCLING
'CHAMPION'
September 29 - By agreeing to take cycling lessons later in life
Rosemary Butler AM has become one of Sustrans Cymru's cycling
champions. The sustainable transport charity has been trying to get
more people, especially women, to take up cycling. Sixty seven per
cent of women in Wales never cycle at all.
The Newport West AM
and her personal assistant Katie O'Brien both agreed to take part in
a course run by Sustrans, and they were named as cycling champions
at a special conference in Cardiff on September 22, where they were
joined by Jane Davidson, the Assembly's Environment Minister.
Rosemary
Butler said: Having never cycled before I was very keen to become a
Sustrans champion. I'm hoping I can lead by example by taking my
bike out on the new Sustrans Connect2 route in Caerleon - showing
that it's never too late to learn! It will also be great to be able
to cycle with my grandchildren."
Sustrans have
made it a priority in 2009 to encourage more women to take up
cycling, and they hope that women like Rosemary Butler and Katie
O'Brien will set a good example. |
CITY COMMENDED IN BRITAIN
IN BLOOM AWARDS
September 28 - Newport was
presented with a Royal Horticultural (RHS) Silver Gilt last week as one of
the winners of the Britain in Bloom City category. The judges visited
Newport earlier in the year, and were impressed with the garden competitions
that take place. The criteria used to assess Newport included horticultural
achievement, environmental responsibility and community
participation.Stephen Davison, head of public protection and environment
services said: “Winning this award is a huge achievement for Newport and its
residents and demonstrates how proud and hard working everyone is within the
city. By working together the standard of our floral displays does not only
help to attract visitors and economic benefits to Newport, they provide a
source of joy for our residents”.
REVIEW OF COMMUNITY WARDEN
SERVICE
September 28 - Newport Councillors are
holding a meeting, which is open to the public, on 2 October 2009 at 10:30
in the Civic Centre as part of their review of the role of the council’s
Community Safety Warden Service. Gwent Police will be addressing Newport
Councillors as part of the Scrutiny Review. Councillors have asked
Superintendent Julian Knight to meet them to discuss the level of policing
which Newport will receive in the future, and how anti social behaviour will
be tackled.
DEAN WARNS NEWPORT
CATHEDRAL MAY CLOSE
September 27 - In a letter in
today's Sunday Telegraph the Dean of Monmouth the Very Reverand Richard
Fenwick has warned that Newport Cathedral may have to close at the end of
this year. He says that the cathedral requires £1.5 million to repair its
entire roof. He states "Unless the task is begun by the end of this year, we
may well have to close the cathedral – one of Wales’s great pilgrimage
churches since AD500."
Madame Penelope Fillon, wife of the French
Premier, visited Newport Cathedral last Saturday to lend her support for the
Cathedral’s Emergency Campaign to restore its medieval roof. Mme. Fillon is
a native of Llanover which falls within the diocese covered by Newport
Cathedral. The daughter of an Abgergavenny Solicitor Colin Clarke, she
married the French Premier in the 17th-century church of St Bartholomew,
Llanover in June 1980.
Newport Cathedral Emergency Campaign is
focused on raising at least £1.5m for urgent restoration and repair work.
The roof of Newport Cathedral is reaching a critical stage and work must
begin as soon as possible. There are also other repairs needed to ensure the
Cathedral can be enjoyed now and for future generations of worshippers and
visitors. The cathedral has set up a
Fundraising Team that is dedicated to reach
the target of £1.5m needed. For more information go to
http://www.newportcathedral.com/.
NEW ALWAY POLICE STATION
OPENED
September 26 - A new police station in Alway, Newport, was
officially opened by His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, this week (on
Wednesday). Chief Constable of Gwent Police
Mick Giannasi and Superintendent Julian Knight of Newport Local Policing
Unit welcomed the Prince and showed him around the new station. Prince
Edward then unveiled a plaque inside the station to mark the official
opening. The new station is part of the Alway Regeneration Housing Scheme,
which also includes the replacement of Alway Parade shops, a new community
facility, the building a multi-use games area, and accommodation for older
people.
Chief Constable Mick Giannasi said: “We are committed to providing a
policing service which meets the needs of our citizens by providing
facilities like this one which lie at the very heart of our local
communities.What is pleasing about this particular station is that it has
been developed in a partnership between the police authority, Newport City
Council, and Bellway Homes as part of the regeneration of the area. It has
been particularly welcomed by local residents and is already making a
difference in terms of restoring pride and confidence in the community.”
COMMUNITY LINK FUNDS PARK PATROL BY BIKE
September 26 - Neighbourhood police officers have been gifted
two new bicycles to help them patrol the Tredegar Park area more
effectively. The Tredegar Park Ward policing
team, based at Duffryn Police Station, previously had to share one bicycle
between them. Pc Darren Morgan and PCSO Rod Caddy approached local
councillor Mike Brunnock for funding and they were given £500 to spend
through the Duffryn Community Link. PCSO Rod Caddy said: “Bicycles allow us
to better police the ward as we can cover large areas more quickly than on
foot. “We can also get to incidents and pursue criminals much quicker on two
wheels. “I’d like to thank Councillor Brunnock and Duffryn Community Link
for buying these new bicycles for us. I’d also like to thank Halfords in
Newport for giving us a discount on the bikes, which made it possible for us
to fund bike lights and repair warranties.”
45 JOBS CREATED AS
DISTRIBUTION CENTRE IS OPENED
September 26 - Llanelli-based
Owens Road Services has opened a 90,000ft2
warehouse, which it will operate as a regional distribution centre for a
major brewery, creating an estimated 45 jobs. The company will run the
facility - which features a transport yard and vehicle servicing facility -
at Reevesland Industrial Estate in Newport. Ian Jarman, environmental and
legislation manager at Owens Road Services, says: "Due to the continued
growth of the company, we had been searching for additional, suitably large
warehouse accommodation with good access to the road network, which is vital
to the operation due to ever increasing fuel costs. He adds: "It is hoped
this will attract further business to the company."
DRIVER JAILED FOR
STEPDAUGHTER'S DEATH
September 25 - A 41-year-old
Llanmartin man who crashed his car into a bollard at speed, killing his
stepdaughter as he tried to frighten his passengers, has been jailed for
eighteen months. He was sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving.
Edward Goddard, of Llanmartin, Newport, lost control of his speeding Ford
Scorpio, killing mother-of-two Kaylee Goddard, 20. Newport Crown Court heard
Goddard was so affected by the tragedy that he has taken to self-harm. The
judge, Roderick Denyer, said the 18-month sentence was as low as he could
make it. Goddard was so angry at being called out late to pick up his
stepdaughter and her two friends in April 2008 that he pretended to drive at
bollards at speeds of up to 110mph.
NEW BUILDS SET TO INCREASE
September 25 - Newport has
seen a dramatic increase in the number of new builds according to the
National House Building Council. The NHBC states that the number of new
building certificates issued has increased by 163 per cent when comparing
the summer of 2008 and 2009. The total number of certificates received by
the NHBC reflects the total number of applications to build new homes, and
registrations of properties submitted to the organisation. James Groombridge,
managing director of Barratt South Wales, said: “This provides good evidence
that there are signs of recovery in the region's housing market.”
POLICE APPEAL AFTER
ROGERSTONE BURGLARY
September 25 -
Gwent
Police is appealing for information following a burglary that occurred in
Newport on Tuesday 8th September 2009.
The burglary was at a property on Bethesda Close sometime between 8.20am and
6.10pm. A number of items were stolen including some distinguishable items
of jewellery: White gold double butterfly ring / Yellow gold oval emerald
and diamond ring / Welsh gold ladies wedding band. These items have
sentimental value to the owner.
Other stolen items include: An Advent laptop - grey keyboard and black
casing / An Acer netbook laptop - navy blue keyboard and black casing / A
black Hewlett Packard laptop / A blue Ipod Shuffle / Black Motorola V3
mobile phone / Samsung D600 mobile phone / A money box with a picture of Jim
Royle from the “The Royle Family” on it. Police are investigating this
incident and appealing for anyone who may have been offered any of the items
listed or holding any information that could assist with inquiries to
contact them on 101 or
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
SAINSBURY'S STORE GETS
GO-AHEAD
September 25 - The proposed
Sainsbury's store in Crindau has been given the initial green light by
Newport City planners. The plans require final clearance from the Welsh
Assembly Government. Planning officer Mr Hand told the committee plans will
be coming before them for a residential development and hotel on the site
now occupied by Sainsbury.
 |
BUTLER WELCOMES TRANSPORTER
BRIDGE CASH BOOST
Newport's iconic Transporter Bridge
is to be given £800,000 by the Assembly Government, to help it
reopen by the time the Ryder Cup starts.
Restoration
work will start in January and the work should be completed in
August.
Newport West AM Rosemary Butler
has been pressing Ministers for some time to find extra cash for the
bridge. Shortly after the announcement she and Pill Councillor Ron
Jones showed Deputy Regeneration Minister Leighton Andrews the site,
along with other projects in the area.
"This is fantastic news for
the people of Newport," she said. "It will bring a much needed boost
to the city." The bridge originally opened in 1906, and closed in
December 2007 for safety reasons.
The refurbishment work will
form part of the £3.6 million city enhancement scheme prior to the
Ryder Cup. |
COUNCIL TO CALL FOR RETHINK ON HOSPITAL DECISION
September 23 - Newport City Councillors are being
asked to support a motion calling on the Welsh Assembly Government to give
further consideration to their decision in principle to site the new
regional hospital in Llanfrechfa. The Councillors tabling the motion (David
Williams and Ed Townsend) are calling for the two available sites (Llanfrechfa
and Whiteheads in Newport) to be used for the development as there is likely
to be a ten year wait for the new facility.
The motion tabled for the full Council meeting on
September 29 states
‘This Council notes:
1: the health minister has indicated it could be as
much as 10 years before the Gwent Clinical Futures project is implemented;
2: that the Royal Gwent Hospital buildings no longer
meet the health requirements of the people of the area.
3: that additional money will have to be spent on
short term changes to the Royal Gwent Hospital to cover the expected 10-year
delay in implementing Clinical Futures This Council calls for work on the
business case for a new critical care unit for the area to include a
reappraisal of the clinical implications of building the unit at the two
available sites in public ownership - The former Whiteheads steelworks site
in Newport and at Llanfrechfa Grange in Torfaen - bearing in mind an
expected opening date as late as 2019.’
POLICE APPEAL AFTER FATAL RHIWDERIN CRASH
September 23 -
Gwent Police is investigating a fatal road traffic collision which occurred
on the A468, Bassaleg to Machen Road in Rhiwderin. The incident
occurred at approximately 9.25pm on the evening of Tuesday 22nd September
2009 and involved a green coloured Citreon Saxo and a silver coloured KA
car. A twenty year old local man was killed as a result of the collision.
Another male is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. His
injuries are described as not being life-threatening and he is described as
being in a stable condition. Gwent Police is appealing for any witnesses to
contact them using the non-emergency contact number,
101 or to contact the Collision
Investigation Unit direct on 01633 642404.
NEW 'FOOD FESTIVAL' FOR CITY
September 23 - A new 'Food Festival' heads for
Newport, this Friday, 25th September. This is part of an attempt to attract
new visitors to the City.
The
Festival is an extension of the regular Newport Farmers Market which is run
in
John Frost
Square
on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month by the same people who run the
award-winning Riverside Real Food Market in
Cardiff.
The event is supported by Newport City Council.
MATERNITY SERVICES MOVED OFF CRITICAL LIST
September 22 - Maternity services
which were previously deemed "unacceptable" have improved enough to be taken
out of special measures. The move to monitor Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust was
announced in May 2008 because of inspectors' concerns about the safety of
women and babies.
A new report by Health Inspectorate Wales said
although the trust has made progress - enough progress to be removed from
special measures - its maternity services will be monitored again in 2010.
"We will, however, continue to keep a watching brief on maternity services
in the trust to ensure that the further improvements required take place and
are embedded," HIW chief executive Dr Peter Higson said. Concerns had been
raised in 2008 that there were not enough midwives to provide a safe service
after the Royal Gwent Hospital had to turn away high-risk pregnancies. The
special measures intervention came after an investigation by Wales' chief
nursing officer into the services, including unannounced visits to both
Nevill Hall hospital in Abergavenny and the Royal Gwent in Newport. Two
areas were found to require special attention - an acknowledged shortage of
staff and a lack of leadership and management.
CAFE PROVIDES BOOST FOR STRUGGLING KINGSWAY
 |
September 21 - The struggling
Kingsway Shopping Centre has been given a welcome boost with the
opening of the new Boswell's cafe and restaurant. The publicity for
cafe states that it offers "all day food favourites from paninis,
wraps and jackets to pastries and salads as well as a selection of
hot and cold drinks." It is hoped the cafe situated opposite the
entrance to the new car park will increase footfall and attract new
retailers. The shopping centre was recently refurbished by owners
UBS Triton. Its main anchor store Wilkinson is popular with shoppers
but the loss of retailers Woolworths and Jessop has affected its
popularity. There are twenty nine empty brand new units in the
centre including two and three level stores fronting John Frost
Square. However, it seems the centre may have turned the corner. The
24,651 square foot former Woolworths store is now under offer and
four other smaller units are described as 'in discussions' with
property agents. |
INTERIM REPLACEMENT ONLY FOR BURROWS
September 19 - The Welsh Assembly Government has
confirmed that Newport Unlimited, the regeneration company charged with
transforming Newport by 2020, will remain without a permanent Chief
Executive. As previous Chief Executive John Burrows returned to a post in
the Welsh Assembly bizarrely no publicly stated arrangements have yet been
made for a replacement. His departure comes just a year before the City
hosts the 2010 Ryder Cup. In a statement the Welsh Assembly Government state
that Gareth Beer, its head of strategic regeneration, would be joining
Newport Unlimited as its interim chief executive while the search continues
for a permanent replacement. In a statement on Friday the Assembly
Government said that despite the current economic climate “the future of the
city is positive with many regeneration projects under way”. Matthew Evans,
leader of Newport City Council, said: “2010 is going to be a very exciting
year for us and Newport Unlimited will continue to play a major role in
creating a modern, progressive and successful city.” Mr Evans said: “John
has lead his team in admirable fashion and ensured his expertise has been
used to benefit Newport. We wish him well for future ventures. We welcome
Gareth and look forward to forging a relationship that will support
Newport’s development.” A Newport Unlimited Board Meeting note on July 17
states "A discussion took place
regarding the future management arrangements for the Company in the light of
the Chief Executive’s secondment from the Welsh Assembly Government expiring
at the end of August 2009."
SAINSBURY SCHEME SET
TO GET THUMBS UP
September 19 - The major new
Sainsbury's store proposed for Crindau has been recommended for approval by
Council planning officers subject to referral to the Welsh Assembly
Government. The supermarket chain states it will create 200 additional jobs
and it is hoped act as a catalyst for the Crindau Gateway regeneration
scheme. The new store will be double the size of the current outlet at
10,347 square metres (the current store in Shaftesbury Street is 5,037
square metres). As part of its scheme Sainsbury's states it will fund a new
link road from Heidenheim Drive to the new site, the link road will be 300
metres from the current junction 25A roundabout near the M4. In addition, it
will provide other local road, pedestrian and public transport enhancements.
The store will include a total of 670 parking spaces and act as a hub for
the Sainsbury's home delivery service.
BURROWS MOVES ON
September 18 - John Burrows, Chief Executive of
Newport Unlimited has left the company after three years in charge. Mr
Burrows took over responsibility from Graham Moore in 2006. A statement from
the company said that Mr Burrows was returning to the Welsh Assembly in a
new role.
CITY COUNCIL CLOSES LLISWERRY LEISURE CENTRE
September 17 - Newport City Council's
Conservative-led coalition has taken the decision today to close Lliswerry
Leisure Centre from 31 October 2009. The decision from Cabinet Member for
Leisure Mike Hamilton comes in the face of a defiant campaign from centre
users and local residents to keep the facility including swimming pool open.
The report states that "the condition of the Lliswerry
Leisure Centre had deteriorated over the last two decades with very limited
investment in updating the facility to such an extent where large capital
investment was now required to repair and renovate the facility." The
statement is contested by local councillor Allan Morris "I have never read a
report that opens by blaming the previous administration for two decades of
under investment, During part of this time I was chair of Leisure and do not
recall anyone ever bringing a lack of investment at Lliswerry Leisure centre
to my notice during my time in office."
Hamilton stated in June that over £300,000 was required to
renovate or develop the facility to allow the Centre to compete with private
leisure providers in the City. Critics argue that the figures quoted are
wildly exaggerated by the Council for political purposes. The Council 's
report states that even if it was believed that the capital to refurbish the
facility was found, it was extremely unlikely that new users would be
attracted to use the Leisure Centre due to the fact that the Newport
International Sports Village was in the ward of Lliswerry and offered all of
the leisure provision that the current Lliswerry Leisure Centre offered.
However, opponents state that the swimming pool and other facilities at the
Sports Village are for more serious sportsmen and women rather than the
community facility provided in Lliswerry. In 2009/10, 27,212 visits had been
recorded from April to August compared to 82,645 in 2008/09 and 119,225 in
2007/08 thus demonstrating an apparent downward trend in participation.
However, the Council's report also cites a high level of
participation at the centre in swimming lessons. 495 individuals participate
in learn to swim programmes at the Centre, more than Newport Centre. It is
claimed that the pupils could be accommodated at the new Active Living
Centre at Newport High School in Bettws on the other side of Newport! The
funds released by this will in part be released to provide additional
funding for Underwood Leisure Centre, which is under a different management
arrangement and has
much lower levels of participation than Lliswerry. Underwood is in a
Conservative held ward, Lliswerry is held by Labour.
"TORY COUNCIL IS LOOKING AFTER ITS OWN" - LABOUR
September 17 - Councillor Paul Cockeram (Labour - Malpas)
has slammed the closure of another Council-owned facility by the new
administration "Here again we have an administration hell bent on closing
our facilities,without really having a full and open discussion on the
issue. The facts in my opinion are not correct and do need challenging. When
are the present administration going to put an end to these cuts (Mansion
House, Health Suite and now Lliswerry Leisure Centre). I remember they found
£100,000 to repair the Underwood Centre which we do not even own. It is so
obvious to me and speaking to others they are looking after their own. I
just hope the people in Newport East at the next election realise who closed
their Leisure Centre, not us."
Local Councillor John Richards stated "Spot polls carried
out on small sections of the public are not the way to implement the
democratic process and I question the use of these methods to arrive at
decisions that affect the lives and leisure of thousands of people. I
believe the financial figures that have been quoted by the cabinet member
need more detailed examination in the best interests of the democratic
process."
Councillor Giles (Labour - Caerleon) stated "In response to
this consultation the questionnaire shows that whilst people may be aware of
other facilities in Newport, they prefer to go Lliswerry Leisure Centre, and
are loyal, very regular visitors. I also note that the majority travel by
car. The report does not specify where they travel from, however, a number
may well be from Caerleon, which lacks a swimming pool. I note that
respondents identified that the temperature of the pool at Lliswerry was
more comfortable than at other Newport pools. It is stated that the warmer
temperatures are of benefit to older people but then dismisses their needs
as the remit is to provide 'recreational opportunities'."
Councillor Ron Jones (Labour) stated "I wonder what pressure
has been put on officers to portray this concept of the needs of Lliswerry
pool ,this is not the officers that i worked with for a few years ,they were
people who fought for Leisure and all its needs, aware of the fact that the
fight was hard enough to get the initial provision and not destroy it. I am
really sorry that finances are now more important than the people who put us
where we are."
Councillor Whiticutt (Labour) states "The report seems
desperate to overcome some of the facts of the survey - that over 80% use
the facility daily - which seems an extraordinarily successful user rate!
That the vast majority (over 70%) would use the centre more if it was
up-graded - the fact that a relatively small minority of 28% indicated they
did not know or or would not use the centre more if it were refurbished.
This is clearly something of a misrepresentation to put it mildly some might
say a distortion of the figures."
CITY SEEKS FUNDING FOR FOOD WASTE PLANT
September 16 - Newport City Council is seeking
funding from the Welsh Assembly Government to build a food waste plant in
the City as it expands its food waste collection trials. The City Council
requires the Anaerobic Disgestion Plant to meet European Community
biogradeable waste standards.
ROADS PROJECT ON TARGET
September 16 - The City Council's highway
maintenance entitled Project 21 is on target according to a report to the
Cabinet. Contractors have been appointed and works on phase 1 have
been underway since June 2009. A major coordination effort has been made,
not only between the various contractors working in each zone, but also with
all of the statutory undertakers, to ensure works are planned and programmed
now, and newly laid footways and carriageways are not dug up needlessly.
Phase 1 of the £21 million project included twelve zones across the city,
based on need and litigation levels. It is anticipated that by the end of
March 2010 year one will be approximately 90% complete. A further 8 zones
are planned for phase two starting in June 2010, again with a 12 month
construction period. It was reported that recently returned questionnaires
from the Underwood area were positive about the work carried out in the
area.
FIRE DESTROYS LLANWERN WORKS CLUB
September 15 - A disused sports and
social club in Newport has been damaged in a fire which broke out overnight.
At its height, nearly 40 fire-fighters tackled the fire at the building in
Spytty Road, the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said. The Llanwern
Sports and Social club was severely damaged in the blaze which was reported
at 0032 BST and there is to be an investigation. The fire service called in
crews from Maindee, Duffryn, Cwmbran, Caerphilly, Caldicot and New Inn.
Crews used a hydraulic platform and one jet, and a crew from New Inn
remained at the scene on Tuesday morning to relieve colleagues and damp
down. No-one was injured.
PONTFAEN TO GET NEW DISPERSAL ORDER
September 15 - The
Safer Newport Partnership is set to introduce a new dispersal order in the
Pontfaen area of Lliswerry to reduce levels of antisocial behaviour.
Safer Newport decided to take action after receiving complaints
from residents about youngsters gathering in a number of streets. Since
August 2008 police received 140 calls from residents reporting antisocial
behaviour, criminal damage and underage drinking. After gathering
information and evidence, Newport East Neighbourhood Policing Team and
Newport City Council authorised the implementation of a dispersal order.
Dispersal orders give police officers and PCSOs the power to direct any
groups of two or more people, or vehicles, to leave a specified area. The
order in Pontfaen will run from October 18th 2009 until April 18th 2010. It
will cover Pontfaen Shopping Centre, Pontfaen Road, Fallowfield Drive,
Hillview Crescent, Mulcaster Avenue, Eastmoor Road, Westmoor Close, Fosse
Close, and Fosse Road. Anyone who refuses to leave, or returns to the area
within 24 hours, when ordered to do so can be arrested under the Anti-social
Behaviour Act 2003. The only exclusions to the order will be any prearranged
public events that may be held in the area. Neighbourhood officer Pc Leanne
Pole said: “We applied for this dispersal order after listening to the
concerns of the public. Residents who attended PACT meetings in recent
months voted to make antisocial behaviour a policing priority. The
introduction of the order will give us the power to break-up groups of
people hanging around on the streets and causing trouble.”
BETTWS MAN LOCATED SAFE AND WELL
September 15 -
Forty year old Gino Lear, who had been missing from his Bettws home since
September 10th, has been located safe and well.
M4 OVERNIGHT CLOSURES TO START
September 14 - A series of overnight closures of the
M4 around start this week "to ensure the safety of drivers and workers
during upcoming construction work" according to Traffic Wales. The M4
between junction 24 and 26 westbound is shut from 8pm tonight until 5.30am.
Tomorrow the section between 23A (Magor) and 24 is closed during the same
time frame. On Friday night the eastbound section is shut overnight between
junction 26 and 24. The closures will allow for the full implementation of
the new average speed cameras. Drivers are asked to check the Traffic Wales
website, the Welsh Assembly Government's traffic information service.
 |
POLICE APPEAL OVER MISSING
BETTWS MAN
September 14 - Gwent
police is appealing for information to help locate a man who’s gone
missing from the Bettws area of Newport.
40 Year old Gino Lyndon Lear, has been missing from
his home since the 10th of September 2009 but is thought to still be
in the Newport area.
He is described as white, of a slim
build, slightly balding with dark curly hair and brown eyes. He is
believed to have been wearing a blue jacket. Anyone with any
information concerning his whereabouts is asked to call Gwent Police
on 101 or on
01633 838 111. |
UNIVERSITY SATISFACTION RATING AHEAD OF CARDIFF -
SURVEY
September 13 - Student satisfaction with University
of Wales, Newport is ahead of Cardiff University according to the Sunday
Times University Guide 2010. The definitive guide to universities and
colleges within the UK states that 75.8 per cent of students are satisfied
with all aspects of the education offered by Newport's university (Cardiff
is 74.6 per cent). However, the University ranks well behind on other
indicators and overall is ranked 109th out of 127 institutions assessed,
although this is ten places up on last year's ranking. The rate of drop out
from Newport's courses amounts to 22.4 per cent (11th in the UK). It
is well placed for graduate starting salaries with students from Newport
achieving £19,290 (52nd in the UK). The university has 3783 students and 196
teaching staff and will benefit in September 2010 from a £35million city
centre set to house its business school and a large part of its school of
art, media and design.
CITY ENHANCEMENT PLAN TAKES SHAPE
September 11 - The City Council is preparing plans
for £3.6 million in physical and environmental improvements throughout
Newport in the lead up to the Ryder Cup. The Enhancement Programme will
focus on the City’s key gateways/entrances and routes into the centre, which
will ensure the City, provides a positive image both up to and beyond the
Ryder Cup. The works will be funded through Welsh Assembly Government (WAG)
support. The report to next Tuesday's Council Cabinet states "A key factor
to the Framework will be the delivery of a strong legacy of improvement to
the City of Newport. These ‘themes’ will tackle the most pressing issues in
terms of the City’s image to visitors and the local community, including
gateway entrances into the City from the M4, unsightly buildings and key
landmark structures."
£800,000 has been set aside by WAG for the
refurbishment of the Transporter Bridge, Newport's iconic structure. In
addition, designs are being developed for Gateway Projects at Coldra,
Tredegar Park, Heidenheim Way , and the Abernant junction into Celtic Manor,
a New Railway Station Footbridge (£457,000) and the refurbishment of the
former Rising Sun building near the Harlequin Roundabout (£150,000). The
Action Plan also includes
- A Newport Festival 2010 (£250,000)
- Physical improvements to the bus station
(£50,000)
- John Frost Square enhancements (£160,000)
- Refurbishment of the old Odeon Cinema building
(£100,000)
- A Countdown Clock (£25,000)
RYDER CUP LEGACY FOR TREDEGAR HOUSE
September 11 - An improved and extended car park
will be created at one of Newport’s most high profile and historic tourist
attractions thanks to the Ryder Cup. The city council’s planning committee
has granted planning permission for the new car park and coach facilities at
Tredegar House which will act as a park and ride location during next year’s
tournament. The works, which are being funded by the Welsh Assembly
Government, will see the main car park resurfaced and a new coach area
created, providing much needed improvements to the historic venue’s parking
facilities. Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of the council, said: ”The new
car park at Tredegar House will be a great asset for one of our most high
profile and popular tourist attractions and is a prime example of how
hosting the Ryder Cup in Newport will leave a permanent and positive legacy
in our city. It is the latest in a range of infrastructure projects in our
city ahead of the Ryder Cup next year. Projects such as the works at
Tredegar House, improvements to the Coldra and the refurbishment of the
Transporter Bridge will leave a lasting legacy for Newport residents and
businesses that will have benefits way beyond 2010.”
BIO-FUEL PLANT TURNED DOWN
September 10 - Newport City Council planning
committee turned down a planning application from the Vogen Group to build a
biofuel power plant at Alexandra Dock despite the advice of officers to
grant approval.
CITY PRESSES AHEAD WITH PLANS FOR NEW RETAIL
SCHEME
September 9 - Newport City Council Cabinet will
consider proposals for preparatory work for a new retail development
following the collapse of the previous Modus deal. The City Council intends
to take the lead in preparing the site for the development. In addition, it
will be seeking to take control of the property assets in the area including
the substantial amount currently in the hands of administrators operating on
behalf of Modus.
Officers have commenced negotiations with the Administrators
regarding the purchase of their land interests but, failing this, they will
be acquired compulsorily under a General Vesting Declaration, together with
all the other remaining properties within the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO)
boundary including John Frost Square. The Declaration will vest all of the
property interests in the Council with 28 days of the Order, but this will
also trigger entitlement to CPO compensation. The report states the Council
should get on and prepare the site "The acquisition of the property
interests, the development of a detailed scheme and the commencement of
preparatory demolition works by the Council would go a long way towards
"de-risking" the project for any future development partner and make it more
attractive to the market. It would also simplify and accelerate the process.
"
The report, to be considered next week, calls on the Council
to act quickly "As there appear to be no clear signs of the dire state of
the investment market improving in the short term, the Council, if moving
quickly, could maximise this opportunity and secure the property interests
in the re-development area whilst property values remain depressed,
particularly now that key ‘larger’ owners/interested parties have gone into
administration."
NEW SPEED RESTRICTIONS IN NASH
September 9 - The City Council is introducing orders
to restrict speed on roads in Nash. The single carriageway Nash Road and
Broadstreet Common will be subject to 40 mph restrictions if the orders are
passed after public consultation.
FUND TO BOOST CITY PROJECTS
September 8 - Newport citizens are being encouraged
to contact the City if they want to stage an event or launch a project in
your community but need some support to get it started. The Newport 2010
Community Chest is a unique fund for the city, set up to help make a
difference and bringing communities together and get people feeling good
about Newport. It could range from a community arts event, a concert, an
exhibition, a mural or volunteering project, an open day, an even for
children - anything that will bring people together in your community. The
Council has a fund of at least £125,000 with grants available from £210 to
£2010.
POWER PLANT PROTEST GOES AHEAD
September 7 - Up to 100 people have
held a second demonstration over the use of foreign labour at the
construction site of the new Uskmouth gas fired power station. Unemployed
construction workers from the Unite and GMB unions gathered at the plant.
The unions are calling on employers to honour a commitment to find 80% of
staff from among local jobless people. Site contractor Siemens called the
protest "inappropriate" and said 81.5% of employees were British or Irish.
It said it made every effort to attract local applicants. The protesters
blocked the road to the construction site from early on Monday morning,
according to the BBC. A 'mass meeting' was called before protesters
dispersed just after 0900 BST. The first protest involving around 40 people
was held three weeks ago early in the morning at the plant site.
RECYCLING EXTENDED
September 7 - Newport Wastesavers will now collect
envelopes and greeting cards in the blue boxes provided to residents. This
extension to the kerbside collection service means that residents can
recycle more than ever. With the ever increasing recycling services being
made available to residents, there should not be a great deal of waste
ending up in the general refuse bin going to landfill. The City Council
state "We would like to thank residents for doing a fantastic job of
recycling during the past few months, as we have recently hit a recycling
rate over just over 40%. This is a major achievement and clearly shows that
we are all taking the recycling message seriously."
Wastesavers would also like to remind residents
about the junk mail recycling scheme they have in place. Any mail that
residents receive through the post which is not addressed directly to a
resident within the household is classed as junk mail. This can include
flyers; take away menus, free newspapers, sales leaflets. These items can
also be put in the blue recycling box.
USKMOUTH PROTEST PLANNED
September 4 - Workers at Uskmouth Power Station in
Newport are to stage a protest because they say local workers are being
denied the chance to apply for jobs. The demonstration will take place on
Monday next week in a repeat of the row which saw widespread strikes at oil
refineries and related sites across the UK. They have urged workers
throughout the country to attend the protest. A spokeswoman for Siemens,
which is managing the design and construction of the plant, said local
companies had been invited to tender for work and encouraged to attend local
supplier days. She said 81.5% of employees that were currently safety
inducted to work on the Uskmouth site were British or Irish.
HOMES PLAN FOR HURRAN'S SITE
September 2 - Newport City Council has received a
planning application for 60 homes of the former Hurrans Garden Centre site
in Langstone. In addition, Taylor Wimpey has submitted plans for 122
dwellings on the former Robert Price Builders Merchants in Rodney Road at
the eastern end of the Usk Footbridge.
ORCHESTRATED CAMPAIGN AGAINST BIOFUEL PLANT
September 2 - City Council planners have confirmed
that there has been an orchestrated campaign by the group biofuelwatch
against the proposed Vogen Energy Plant proposed for the Alexandra Dock
area. City planners are recommending approval but the campaign group has
drummed up significant opposition - 23 letters, 223 e-mails and 331
postcards have been received from objectors stating that the plant will
damage the ecology of Indonesia and Malaysia and local air quality.
A public exhibition and information event was held on 25
August 2009 in the Newport Centre providing information about the proposed
development, an opportunity to ask the applicant questions or discuss
concerns, and an opportunity to record comments on the proposals. 35
comments supporting the proposals, 6 against, 2 undecided, 10 businesses
wishing to provide business support, and 183 people interested in employment
opportunities. Ultimately, the latter may be the deciding factor.
BANK HOLIDAY RETAIL GLOOM FOR CITY CENTRE
September 1 - The need for urgent action to save the
retail offer in Newport City Centre was emphasised by yet more gloom from
the representative of the city's retailers. Ken Ellis, president of the
Newport Chamber of Trade, told Wales Online retailers were suffering in the
city as the result of the collapse of the Friar’s Walk shopping development,
making already tough trading conditions considerably worse. “Retailers are
suffering very badly from lack of footfall,” he said “The Bank Holiday
doesn’t help matters – because people are off for a longer period they tend
to travel and will go to Cardiff and Cribbs Causeway rather than into
Newport. I’m very concerned about how Newport is going to fare over
Christmas. It’s struggling week by week as it is.”
ALWAY SCHOOL CLOSED FOR EXTRA DAY
September 1 - Due to extensive works being carried
out over the summer break, Alway Primary School is having to close for an
additional day. This means that school will not re-open to pupils until
Monday 7 September. "We are extremely sorry for any inconvenience this may
cause" said Richard Hughes, Headteacher.
CITY 'MOST AFFORDABLE UNIVERSITY TOWN'
August 31 - Story here.
ARGUS CIRCULATION FIGURES FALL 5.6 PER CENT
August 30 - Sales of the Newport and south east
Wales regional newspaper the 'South Wales Argus' have fallen to a historical
low. The latest Audit Bureau of Circulation figures show daily sales of the
paper are now averaging 26,667 a fall of 5.6 per cent on the same period in
2008. Overall sales of regional dailies dropped eight per cent overall from
a total of 3,126,756 in the six months to June 2008 to 2,868,544 in the
first half of this year. The most popular regional paper, the Wolverhampton
based Express and Star averages nearly 129,000 readers. From its first
publication in 1892 until 7 March 2008 the paper was an evening paper
printed in Newport. From 10 March 2008 the paper was a morning paper printed
in
Oxford or
Worcester.
LITERACY AND NUMERACY TESTS FOR TAXI DRIVERS
August 29 - Newport City Council is introducing
basic literacy and numeracy tests for taxi drivers as part of their
commitment to ensure that those with licences meet set customer service
standards and also have a knowledge of the City and an understanding of the
types of enquiries likely to be made by customers. Prospective applicants
for a Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Driver Licence are required to
successfully pass the basic English and numeracy test prior to them making
an application for a Driver Licence.
At the start of the test, the applicants are required to
produce a photograph and also photographic ID to verify their identity.
Cross-reference with the photograph produced at the test is then made when
the applicant submits the application for the Private Hire or Hackney
Carriage Driver Licence.
EXAMPLE QUESTIONS
Look at the questions below which give some fares and
some change required. Circle the correct answer from the four given.
11. A fare is £5.70. You are given a £10.00 note. How
much change would you give?
A) £3.40 B) £4.30
C) £4.20 D) £3.30
You will hear five road or street names, in Newport.
Using the map provided, write down the map page number and grid
reference for the roads and streets that you hear. 10 minutes will be
allowed for this section.
Your passenger says “can you drop me by the train
station?” You say :-
A) By train B) In the bus station
C) Of course D) Two pounds
ASDA CREATING 350 JOBS WITH NEW STORE
August 28 - A new branch of Asda opening on the old
cattle market site in Newport will provide locals with 350 jobs, the
supermarket chain claims, spanning from management posts to warehouse
operatives to sales assistants. The firm has received over 1,000
applications for these jobs, and feels this reflects despite the recession
this reflect their popularity as a business and an employer. The new store -
one of two to be opened in Wales this year - will take up an impressive
40,000 sq ft, and will be in business from October. Asda is creating 7,000
new jobs this year in the UK, and 3,000 of these are targeted at those who
have been out of work for a long time. In more positive news semi
conductor company International Rectifier has taken on 70 new members
of staff at its Duffryn plant following an upturn in demand.
TEENAGER ILL IN KENYAN HOSPITAL
August 28 - Newport teenager on a
charity work trip to Kenya has been airlifted to hospital after falling ill.
Chris Morrone, 17, from St. Julian's, complained of chest pains and
breathing difficulties while on safari. He is under sedation in a Nairobi
hospital while doctors investigate what is wrong with him. He was near the
end of a trip with 39 other youngsters from St. Julian's High School working
for the charity Moving Mountains. His parents have flown out to be at his
bedside. Andy Hunt, one of the leaders of the trip which worked with street
children, said he was in a critical condition.
HOUSE PRICES INCREASE
August 28 - Newport house prices increased during
July 2009 according to figures reported by the Land Registry. The average
price rose by 0.9 per cent to £117,823 but was still down by 15 per cent on
the figure for July 2008 (£138,027).
DECISION TIME FOR BIOFUEL PLANT
Aug 27 - UK-based Vogen Energy is planning to bring
online a biomass-fuelled power station in Newport. The City Council is
currently deliberating permission for the 25 megawatt power station which
will power around 44,000 homes from sustainably sourced vegetable oils. The
operators are hoping to house the plant on a 4.7 acre brown field site near
the city’s South Dock creating 70 jobs, 40 during the initial construction
and 30 permanent jobs following completion of the plant. The £30 million
project could be completed as early as 2011 if the council gives it the go
ahead next week. Haven Energy and Biogen energy plants are already operating
in the area, and a third plant would attract other sustainable energy
businesses to the area, which could create even more employment
opportunities, the company says. Local environmental campaigners claim city
air pollution will worsen and will contribute to climate change.
Foodnotfuel.org claims "Biofuel production releases more greenhouse
gases through land conversion and chemical fertiliser use than the fossil
fuels they replace." So far there are no biofuel power stations in the UK
although planning permission has been granted to build one in East London.
CITY APPLAUDS GCSE PERFORMANCE
Aug 27 - Newport City Council is congratulating GCSE
students and school staff on their 2009 results today. This year’s GCSE
results from Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC) have matched our best
ever results which were achieved last year. The provisional results show
that 96.5 per cent of Newport pupils achieved an overall pass rate of A*-G.
At the higher grades A*-C the pass rate was 62.6 per cent. The proportion of
children achieving the top A*-A grades was 20.7 per cent (1.8 per cent above
the Welsh average). Brett Pugh, Chief Education Officer said: “The
consolidation shown in this year’s GCSE results is a wonderful example of
the continued hard work of our students and teachers. These results will
help to further the opportunities for young people in the current economic
climate.”
CHARITY SHOP WITH A DIFFERENCE OPENS
Aug 27 -
The British Heart Foundation opened a new second-hand store in Commercial
Street Newport on 26th August to provide quality affordable furniture and
electrical items. All money raised will go towards helping the charity raise
funds to fight heart disease.
FURTHER PROTESTS PLANNED AT USKMOUTH
August 26 -
Construction workers have been protesting for two weeks outside the Uskmouth
power station site at Newport. This is because the contractor Siemens is
refusing to give many unemployed local construction workers work on the
site, preferring instead to bus workers in from abroad to breach union
agreements. Subsequent protests have been smaller but the anger has not
dissipated. The Newport Socialist Party claims "Workers are gearing up for a
big protest on 7 September, when workers from all over the country will be
rallying at Uskmouth. This day of protest must be built for to show Siemens
and all the other construction contractors that this attack on union
organisation will be resisted and workers will force them to adhere to the
agreements."
JOBS TO GO AT LLOYDS
August 25 - Banking giant Lloyds is to axe another
200 jobs, taking the total to 7,500 this year, it has been announced. The
latest cuts will hit the bank's general insurance arm, hitting offices in
Newport (with up to 50 jobs set be affected) and West Yorkshire. Union
leaders attacked the move, accusing the bank of having a "confused"
management style following last week's surprise decision to review the
planned closure of Cheltenham & Gloucester branches. Lloyds said it was
combining the support functions of the Lloyds TSB and HBOS general insurance
division into one integrated business, including sales, marketing, actuarial
and underwriting operations. Staff affected by the cuts were briefed by
their line manager, and Lloyds said it was committed to working through the
changes "carefully and sensitively".
MINISTER TOPS OUT AT UNIVERSITY -
here
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BURGLARY AT MAN OF GWENT
August 25 - Gwent Police is investigating a burglary
at the Man of Gwent Public House on Chepstow Road, Newport and
appealing for members of the public to come forward to help identify
a man caught on CCTV at the premises.
The break-in occurred sometime overnight from the 4th-5th August
2009.
A cigarette machine was stolen, along with a quantity of cash from a
charity box.
Police are undertaking enquiries and are appealing to anyone who has
any information that may assist or can identify the man in the CCTV
stills to contact Gwent Police on
01633 838 111 or Crimestoppers anonymously on
0800 555 111.
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£15 MILLION WASTED ON FAILED ROAD PROJECT
August 24 - More than £15
million was spent on the M4 Relief Road Project. Long-standing plans for the
toll road to ease congestion on the M4 near Newport were dropped by the
Assembly Government last month because of the spiralling cost. Deputy First
Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones announced the scrapping of the project stating the
bill for the relief road had soared from £340 million to £1 billion. Now,
figures obtained by Newport-based AM William Graham reveal £15.57 million
had already been spent on the design development of the route between Magor
and Castleton between 1998 and 2008. But the Assembly Government said the
money had not been wasted as much of the work it paid for could be used in
the delivery of cheaper, alternative schemes. The Welsh Conservatives
described the decision to abandon the project as limiting the prospects for
economic growth in the region.
Mr Graham said: "The proposed M4 relief road was one
of two major strategic requirements for the transport network in south east
Wales. It is clear that even as recently as last year the Assembly
Government was committed to its development and was spending millions on
turning it into a reality. While we accept that major projects such as this
inevitably require careful planning over a number of years, £15 million has
effectively been wasted by the Assembly Government's decision to abandon
it."
POLICE MAKE TWO ARRESTS IN SEX ATTACK ENQUIRY
Two men have been arrested in
connection with a serious sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl in the
grounds of a community centre. Officers had appealed for information after
the attack at the Brynglas Community Centre in Newport, in the early hours
of Wednesday, 19 August. They state the arrested men are aged 19 and
20 and are both from Newport. They have been released on police bail pending
further enquiries. Anyone with information should contact Gwent Police on
01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 111 555.
CITY SCHOOLS POST STRONG A-LEVEL PERFORMANCE
August 22 - With more students than ever sitting the
A and AS Level exams, the performance of Newport schools continues to
improve.The overall pass rate (grades A-E) in Newport was 98.2 per cent,
which is 0.6 per cent higher than the overall pass rate for Wales. In
Newport, the percentage of students achieving a WJEC grade A has increased
to 32.1 per cent. This is an increase of 2.1 per cent from last year’s
results, and is 7 percent above the Welsh average. Passes at Grade A – C
have also increased to 82.2 per cent, which is a 2 per cent rise from last
year’s results. In the AS examinations, 23.9 per cent of Newport students
achieved an A grade. This is 7 per cent higher than the Welsh average of
16.9 per cent. Students achieving a pass grade (Grade A – E) has decreased
slightly (3.7 percent) from last years results to 88.7 per cent. Yet, this
still remains above the Welsh average of 86 per cent. The Welsh average has
dropped this year by 2.5 per cent.
SERIOUS SEXUAL ASSAULT - POLICE ISSUE URGENT
APPEAL
August 22 - Police are appealing for information
following the serious sexual assault of a 14 year old girl near the
Harlequin roundabout, Newport in the early hours of the morning, Wednesday
19th August 2009. The teenager was walking along Malpas Road near the
Harlequin roundabout when she was approached by two men who engaged her in
conversation. They then all walked into the grounds of the Brynglas
Community Centre where she was sexually assaulted. The first offender is
described as male, approximately 18 years old with an olive complexion and
short dark hair. He was wearing a dark top, three quarter length trousers
and white trainers. He had a tattoo on his left arm and spoke with a foreign
accent. The second offender is described as a white male, approximately 18
years old and 5 feet 1 inch tall. He was of stocky build and had sandy brown
hair and facial stubble. He was wearing a white t-shirt, dark tracksuit
bottoms and white trainers. He spoke with a local accent. Gwent Police are
keen to speak to anyone who knows the identity of these men or anyone who
may have seen them in the vicinity of the Harlequin Roundabout or Brynglas
Community Centre in the early hours of this morning. Officers would also
like to speak to anyone who was in these areas between 10pm on the 18th
August and 2am on the 19th August as they could hold information that could
assist in inquiries. Anyone with information is asked to contact Gwent
Police on 01633 838 111 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 111 555.
POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED IN BLACKMAIL CASE
August 22 - Former police officer Ray Clark was sent
to prison yesterday for his role in a conspiracy to blackmail thousands of
pounds from two different victims. Clark was sent to prison today for 26
months. Clark, from Western Avenue, Newport, had previously admitted two
counts of conspiracy to blackmail. He went on to become a prosecution
witness in the case against his co-accused Allan Cole, Simon Somers and
Anthony Holwell. Cole 45, of Cae Brynton Road, Newport, and Holwell, also
48, from Coedkerknew, Newport, were both sentenced to a total of seven
years’ imprisonment after they were found guilty by jury.
CORPORATION ROAD STREET ROBBERY APPEAL
August 22 - Police
are appealing for information following a robbery which occurred on
Corporation Road, Newport in the early hours of Thursday 20th August.
Between 4am and 4.20am, a 45 year old man was approached on
Corporation Road by three people, 2 men on bicycles and a woman on foot. He
was verbally threatened and pushed to the floor. A quantity of cash was
stolen from him. The three offenders left the scene in the direction of the
Cenotaph on the junction of Corporation Road and Caerleon Road. The victim
sustained minor injuries.
Police are interested in speaking to anyone who was in the area of
Corporation Road around 4am. They are asked to contact DC Andy Dabinette on
01633 245 495 or Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111.
PRODUCTION AT LLANWERN TO
RESTART
Aug 19 - In another positive
sign for the economy steel production at the Corus hot strip mill at
Llanwern near Newport is to restart next month. It has been mothballed since
January, but the company says there has been some growth in orders and it
wants to satisfy this increasing demand. However, Corus say the restart will
not reverse any of the 528 job losses at the plant. Tim Rutter, head of
communications for Corus Strip Products UK, told the BBC the hot strip mill
at its Port Talbot steelworks is now working "flat out" and senior managers
have taken the decision to restart Llanwern to increase capacity.Steel union
Community welcomed the move and said it would be seeking a meeting with
Corus to discuss the long-term implications.
UNION CAMPAIGNS AGAINST
FOREIGN WORKERS AT POWER PLANT
Aug 18 - Protestors are calling for local
engineering jobs to be created at a gas-fired power plant in Newport. It is
claimed up to 40 unemployed engineers gathered at Newport's Severn Power
yesterday (August 17th), calling on contractor Siemens to employ more local
people. Allan Card, regional officer of the Unite union, said that the
protestors want to have equal employment opportunities. "Commitments have
been given that local people will be employed but concerns are growing that
the opportunity is being missed," he commented. Siemens, which is building
the Danish-owned facility, tried to assure the protestors by saying that it
employed local contractors wherever it could. According to Unite, there are
161 British and Irish people in engineering jobs at the site, which compares
to 150 foreign engineers.
A spokeswoman for Siemens, which is managing the
design and construction of the plant, said local companies had been invited
to tender for work and encouraged to attend local supplier days. She said
81.5% of employees that were currently safety inducted to work on the
Uskmouth site were British or Irish. "We fully support and abide by the
National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI)
2007-2010 and as such, Siemens has an explicit policy of using local
contractors wherever possible and recruits individuals depending on who we
believe is most suitable to perform the tasks in question. We actively work
with local job centres throughout the UK to conduct independent job searches
and hire locally based skilled workers. We insist our contractors do the
same." She said Siemens held regular meetings with Newport job centre and
advertised any vacancies through them. Severn Power's Newport power station
was given the green light two years ago. It will have an energy capacity of
850MW and employ approximately 650 people.
NEW SCHOOL WINS COVETED AWARD
Aug 18 - Newport High School (formerly Bettws
School) has become the first secondary school in Wales to be awarded a
BREEAM Excellent rating. Developed for optimum efficiency, the building
exploits natural ventilation and has been designed to be air tight. The
school's heating and power needs will be met using low carbon and renewable
technologies, such as a combined heat and power (CHP) system, solar water
heating and thermal storage. The result is a 20% improvement over and above
the required performance on CO2 emissions. The new facility, which opens its
doors to pupils in November 2009, boasts some of the most advanced teaching
facilities in the country. Pupils and teachers will benefit from
state-of-the art resources including 34 general teaching rooms, eight
science labs, eight dedicated ICT suites and six SEN areas, plus a
vocational training and learning resource centre.
Richard O'Neil, Director at HLM Architects, said: “This is an outstanding
achievement for the client and the entire project team. Through
collaboration and partnership with the school from the outset, we have set a
new standard in Wales, which we hope will set the benchmark for future
secondary school development.” The school's extensive on-site sports
facilities will include a gym, swimming pool, fitness suite and café,
together with MUGA sports pitches.
BIOFUEL PLAN CONSULTATION
August 17 - Energy company VO-Gen Energy
Ltd has applied to Newport City Council in South Wales to build a
power station to run off virgin vegetable oil. The power station would burn
up to 40,000 tonnes of vegetable oil per year. It would be built south of
the Alexandra Docks and it will rely on imports of palm oil and possibly
soya. This is the second company applying to build such power stations in
the UK, taking advantage of increased government subsidies for so-called
“clean electricty” under the Government's Renewable Obligation. The Council
has set up a public event on 25th August 2-7pm in Castle Room at Newport
Leisure Centre, letting the public know more about the development and
giving the opportunity to ask any questions.
It is anticipated that up to 30 full time,
long term jobs will also be created to run the operation, in addition to
those required during the 12 month construction phase. Vogen also intends to
establish its corporate headquarters at the facility creating a further 10
to15 jobs. Harvey West, Vogen Energy’s chief executive, said: “It’s an
exciting time for bio-energy at the moment and we are committed to
developing a flagship renewable energy plant in Newport, using only bio oil
from accredited sustainable sources.
BODY IN RIVER USK
IDENTIFIED
Aug 17 -
The body that
was discovered in the River Usk on 7th August 2009 has now been formally
identified as missing person 85 year old Basil Oliver from St Julian's in
Newport.
CITY BAKER INVESTS AS
BUSINESS GROWS
Aug 15 - Newport bakery D Gibbon and Sons
has invested £100k in new machinery for its factory, to cope with
increased business. The manufacturer and wholesale bakery supplies its
own breads, rolls, cakes and confectionery, including its Gibbons Family
Bakers brand, as well as national brands such as Hovis, across South
Wales and areas of the UK.The money has been spent on two single-rack
ovens, as well as a flow-wrapper and an additional van for its fleet.
"The new ovens are less labour-intensive, but we will need to take on
more staff because production has gone up," said bakery manager Julian
Owen. "One of our major customers is Aldi and, in time, we're looking to
set up separate distribution in Swindon. At the moment, we supply around
25 stores local to Newport, but we hope to expand on that."
SCOTTISH AND SOUTHERN BUYS
USKMOUTH POWER STATION
Aug 13 - Major utility
company Scottish and Southern Energy PLC (SSE) said Thursday it has acquired
Uskmouth Power Company Ltd. from Welsh Power Group Ltd. for £27 million,
taking SSE's electricity generation capacity over 11,000 megawatts. Uskmouth
Power Company owns and operates the 363-megawatt Uskmouth coal-fired power
station in Newport. The power station comprises three independent power
generating units of 121 MW capacity each. The power station dates from the
1960s and was substantially refurbished in 2000, including the fitting of
flue gas desulfurization equipment and is one of the cleanest coal plants in
the U.K. The plant also uses biomass fuels along with coal.
"It is generally accepted that the U.K.'s
current portfolio of coal-fired power stations still have a crucial role to
play in keeping the country's lights on and Uskmouth has the flexibility to
help meet demand for power over the next few years," said SSE Chief
Executive Ian Marchant. SSE intends to examine a range of options to ensure
Uskmouth remains an important part of its electricity generation portfolio,
including opportunities to develop new lower carbon generation assets
alongside the existing generation assets.
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DRAGONS APOLOGISE FOR E-MAIL
BLUNDER Aug 13 - Newport
Gwent Dragons has 'unreservedly' apologised for a potential breach
of the Data Protection Act. The Dragons provided sponsor Motorpoint
with a list of e-mail addresses for Dragons and Newport RFC
supporters including former season ticket holders. The list was used
by Motorpoint to advertise an event on August 22 (see left). A
number of recipients expressed their displeasure that their e-mail
address had been passed on without their permission.
Charlotte Moriarty, Media and
Events Managers wrote to all recipients confirming the potential
breach of the Act "Regarding
an email sent out by our partners, Motorpoint, yesterday (Wednesday
12 August.). Newport Gwent Dragons supplied Motorpoint with a
mailing list which should have filtered out any person not wishing
their emails to be shared with a third party. Motorpoint have only
used this email list to send out press releases directly related to
their partnership with the Dragons. Please be assured that
Motorpoint have erased this mailing list and you email addresses
have not been shared with other parties.Newport Gwent Dragons and
Motorpoint apologise unreservedly for this error and any distress it
may have caused."
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COUNCIL CONFIRMS CAPITOL CAR PARK
CLOSURE
Aug 13 - Newport City Council has confirmed
the closure of the Capitol Car Park. They state "the old Capitol car park
has now closed to the public. There is signage at the Capitol advising
people of the closure although there will be some limited parking for
council staff only with a valid permit." This follows the opening of the new
1,050 space Kingsway car park, which includes 30 disabled spaces and parent
and child spaces, is located in the heart of city next to the library and
Newport Centre. The Kingsway car park allows direct access to the newly
refurbished Kingsway shopping Centre anchored by Wilkinson and where
Peacocks have just re-opened their new larger store. It is open between 8am
and midnight providing Newport with modern, secure and accessible parking.
DISPERSAL ORDER PLAN FOR
MAESGLAS
Aug 12 -
Residents of Maesglas will soon see police officers engaging with youths to
reduce antisocial behaviour in the area. The
Safer Newport Partnership is set to introduce a new dispersal order in
Maesglas to reduce levels of antisocial behaviour. Dispersal orders give
police officers and PCSOs the power to direct any groups of two or more
people, or vehicles, to leave a specified area. Youngsters aged under 16 can
also be taken home to their parents if they are found unsupervised in the
designated area after 9pm. Police officers and council wardens will also
work closely with Community First, Team Challenge, the Youth Offending
Service, and Out-reach to involve youngsters in constructive activities. The
order in Maesglas will run from September 3rd 2009 until February 4th 2010.
It will cover Maesglas Avenue, Maesglas Road, Maesglas Crescent, Maesglas
Grove, Maesglas Close, Maesglas Street and all associated walkways and lanes
open spaces. The order also includes Bideford Road, Bideford Close, Buxton
Close, Winchester close and all associated walkways, lanes and open spaces.
Anyone who refuses to leave, or returns to the area within 24 hours, when
ordered can be arrested under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003. The only
exclusions to the order will be any prearranged public events that may be
held in the area. Safer Newport decided to take action after receiving
complaints from residents about youngsters causing a nuisance and committing
crime in the area.
NO COLD CALLING ZONE SET
UP IN CAERLEON
Aug 11 - Residents of the
Home Farm area will soon see an end to unwanted callers at their front doors
after a ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ was authorised by the Safer Newport
partnership, with input from Gwent Police and Newport City Council.Action
was taken after Newport East Neighbourhood Policing Team received a number
of calls from residents on the estate complaining about suspected rogue
traders and distraction burglars. Every resident Home Farm will be given an
information pack on the ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ and a window sticker to deter
unwanted callers. Signs marking the zone will also be displayed on lampposts
around the estate.
Pc Leanne Pole, of Newport East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Many of
the residents in the area are elderly and vulnerable and this ‘No Cold
Calling Zone’ gives them a clear authority to turn people away from their
doorsteps.It’s not designed to stop legitimate callers such as the milkman
or gas board representative - it’s to stop bogus callers."
ANALOGUE TELEVISION SWITCH
OFF GETS UNDER WAY
Aug 11 - The switch off of
analogue television received via aerial in Wales is now under way with the
switch off of the analogue transmitter in Kilvey Hill serving Swansea and
Port Talbot. This will allow for the permanent switch to digital television
or Freeview as it is better known. The last analogue switch off in Wales
will be Wenvoe, serving Cardiff, Newport and south east Wales, on 3 March
2010 with the whole process completed by April.
BODY PULLED FROM RIVER
Aug 11 - Police say the body
of a man has been recovered from the River Usk in Newport. Officers were
called to a site close to the Orb Electrical Steels plant just before 1930
BST on Friday, after a report of a body in the water. It is understood that
the body may have been in the water for some time. A spokesperson for the
Police said circumstances surrounding the death are now being investigated.
The man has not yet been formally identified. The discovery follows a
two-day search in July for a 83 year old man named Basil Oliver thought to
have fallen in to the River Usk at Caerleon on July 25. That search was
later scaled down without the individual being found.
CITY WINS WALES IN BLOOM
AWARD AGAIN
Aug 10 - Newport has once
again put aside its regeneration woes to carry off the Wales in Bloom title
- for the eleventh time. The city beat off the challenge from Cardiff and
Swansea. Wrexham finished second. Llanmartin received a merit in the small
village trophy and the Milton, Llanwern won the category for pubs, hotels
and restaurants for the second successive year.
BARRAGE COULD LEAD TO
FLOODING RISK

Professor Haslett joins Griff Rhys
Jones on Rivers on BBC1 tonight at 9pm to discuss the Severn
Estuary |
Aug 7 - The proposed Severn
Barrage could lead to flooding in Cardiff and Newport, a leading
Welsh coastal scientist has warned according to Wales Online.
Professor Simon Haslett, director of the Centre for Excellence in
Learning and Teaching at the University of Wales, Newport, said a
barrage would be on a “losing curve” of energy production and was
not a “sustainable solution” because it is likely to create more
problems than it solves. However, Professor Haslett believes that
the Severn Estuary is an ideal location for generating electricity
from tidal energy because of its tidal water, which comes in and out
twice daily, and has a range between low and high water of nearly 15
metres (45ft). It seems that academic opinion is moving in favour of
tidal lagoons rather than a barrage solution.
Bur Prof Haslett said: “The barrage is
designed to create electricity and to stop sea floods. But its
development will lead the sea level to rise by three metres in the
estuary and that’s going to drown a lot of tidal mudflats that are
currently exposed. It will also increase groundwater levels around
Newport and Cardiff, causing a higher risk of localised flooding."
“As well as the barrage option,
which will change the environment considerably, I would also like to
see other technologies such as submarine turbines which are like
undersea windmills that are hidden from view and have minimal
impact,” he added. |
THREE ILLEGAL WORKERS
DEPORTED AFTER RAID
Aug 7 - Three immigration
offenders, caught by UK Border Agency officers during a crackdown on illegal
working in Newport, have been removed from the United Kingdom. Acting on
intelligence, officers visited Dragon Palace takeaway, 472 Chepstow Road,
Newport, on Saturday, 18 July. Officers sealed all exits before searching
the premises and checking the identity documents of staff to find out
whether they had the legal right to live or work in the United Kingdom.
Three members of staff from Malaysia - a 27-year-old woman and two men aged
28 and 33 - were found to have overstayed visitors' visas to the United
Kingdom and were therefore in the country illegally. The woman was serving
customers while the two men were working in the takeaway's kitchen. The
illegal workers were taken into immigration detention and have now been
removed from the United Kingdom. The business was issued with an on-the-spot
penalty notice for employing illegal workers and may now face a fine of up
to £30,000 - up to £10,000 per illegal worker. To avoid a heavy fine, the
business must prove to the UK Border Agency that they carried out the
correct right-to-work checks to employ workers from outside the European
Union such as asking for their passports or work permits. Jane Farleigh, the
UK Border Agency's regional director for Wales and the South West, said: 'We
are working hard to pull the plug on the illegal jobs which lure illegal
immigrants to come to the UK in the first place. Illegal working is unfair
on honest employers who recruit staff with the right to work in the UK and
who pay them a proper salary. Our officers carry out regular visits to
businesses in Newport and when we find immigration offenders, we look to
remove them from the country.'
A tough new civil penalty system was
brought in last year to provide a fast and effective way of tackling
employers who fail to carry out proper checks on workers from outside
Europe. A fine of up to £10,000 per worker can be imposed for every illegal
worker found at a business. If you are an employer and you are unsure of the
steps you must take to avoid employing illegal workers, you can visit
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers or call the UK Border Agency
employers' helpline on 0845 010 6677.
RESIDENTS CRITICISE POLICE
INACTIVITY IN BEECHWOOD
August 6 - Residents in the
Beechwood area of Newport have rounded on the police for their poor response
to anti-social behaviour and burglaries in the area. At a recent Beechwood
Neighbourhood Committee meeting the note of the meeting states there was a
heated discussion about policing in the area and in particular residents
stated they were " angry with the lack of response from the Police in
respect of the burglaries and ASB from youths in and around Beechwood Park.
Despite reporting incidents the Police had not attended nor had they
received feedback. This was not good enough they wanted some commitment from
the Police".
DC Skillet from the Police CID branch reported that there
had been an increase in the number of dwelling burglaries in the area over
the past few weeks. As a result a dedicated team has been set up to run an
operation. Residents were urged to be vigilant and continue to report
incidents. He stated the Response Team will attend for 999 calls. Monitoring
of anti-social behaviour in Woodland Park, Christchurch Road and Eveswell
Court will be prioritised by police. Residents asked if the Council could
review its policy of closing Beechwood Park at dusk, the Council officer
present stated that this has been discussed but it was felt more serious
damage occurred when the gates were locked. There was also the added problem
of youths climbing over the gates and the possibility of causing injury to
themselves.
UNUSUAL ANTIQUITY RETURNS
TO TREDEGAR HOUSE
 |
August 6 - An eighteenth
century antiquity with ties to the Morgan family who lived in
Tredegar House, Newport for five centuries, has been returned to its
original home thanks to grants from independent charity The Art
Fund, the MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, Friends of Tredegar House and
the Beecroft Bequest. The miniature walnut cabinet went on display
at Tredegar House last week. According to the Arts Daily website it
was acquired at a Bonhams auction for £69,600, of which £34,140 came
from The Art Fund and £24,360 from the MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund.
The Friends of Tredegar House raised £6,100 with the Beecroft
Bequest funding the remaining £5,000.
Emily Price, Curator at Tredegar House, said: "We were extremely
excited when we saw that this pretty cabinet was coming up for
auction, and knew that we had to try to raise the money to bring it
back to Tredegar House permanently. Such distinctive and attractive
pieces of furniture from the House’s original collection do not come
onto the market very often, so last month’s auction was a rare
opportunity to enrich our displays. The new acquisition will help us
to give visitors a taste of how opulent the House was when the
Morgan family lived here." The cabinet appears to have been created
c 1720, during the reign of George I. It is thought to have been
commissioned especially for Sir William Morgan (1700 – 1731), part
of the Morgan family who lived in the House for over 500 years.
Elegantly shaped and attractive in its warm, golden colour, the
cabinet is particularly rare because of its diminutive size. The
body is made from walnut, inlaid with boxwood and ebonised lines.
Sir William Morgan was an extravagant spender and had an avid
interest in fine craft. |
BUTLER WELCOMES EXTRA
FUNDING FOR NEWPORT HOSPICES
August 5 - Newport West
AM Rosemary Butler has welcomed the news that £450,000 of Assembly money has
been allocated to hospices in the Newport area. St Anne's and St David's
Hospices will receive £170,000 and £280,000 respectively. "It's great news
for patients and their families and we mustn't forget the staff and
volunteers who work so hard to raise additional money," she said. "Thousands
of people in Newport have cause to be grateful for the services provided by
their local hospices and this is a tribute to all those involved. I
thoroughly endorse the way in which this money will now be spent on hospices
in Wales", she added. " It will provide, amongst other things, better
computerised clinical records, an improved out of hours service and extra
support for patients at home". The allocations are based on the
recommendations of an expert group headed by Baroness Finlay, a consultant
in palliative care. The group aims to provide a fairer funding system for
hospices in Wales.
KNIFE ROBBERY IN SKINNER STREET
August 5 - Police are appealing for
witnesses to an incident in the middle of Newport city centre on Friday
evening (July 31). An attempted robbery occurred at the junction of Skinner
Street and Corn Street, Newport between 8.20pm and 8.30pm when a 13-year-old
boy was approached and threatened with a knife. The robber demanded money
from him. The robber is described as a black male, about 15 years old, with
short black spikey hair. He was wearing a black tracksuit with a white tick
on the chest. Police are appealing for anyone with information about the
incident as a local club was running a musical event in that area of the
city centre at the time and there were a large number of people and event
stewards in and around the vicinity. Please call Police on 101 or
Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
 |
COUNCIL PUTS FORWARD STRATEGY
FOR STATION YARD AREA
August 3 - The City Council has put together a 'design framework'
for the Station Yard area near Newport railway station. The
development site is a key part of the new station and will provide
the opportunity for offices and retail space as well as car parking
linked to the development. The City Council mindful of critical and
influential members such as Peter Davies (Con. Stow Hill) proposes
to limit the scale of high rise development to six storey in this
area in order that the 'dominance' of the Civic Centre building and
St. Marks Church on the City skyline remains intact. The report
states "The scale of development should respond to the local
character and context. This is anticipated to result in 3-4 storey
high development along Godfrey Road and Devon Place, rising to
approximately 6 storeys where appropriate." It also states that it
aims to create a " sustainable, cohesive and integrated new
office-led mixed use neighbourhood which fulfils the needs of the
new and existing communities." |
MAN CONVICTED OF CAUSING DAUGHTER'S DEATH
August 1 - Edward Goddard, from Llanmartin, Newport,
has been found guilty of causing his daughter's death. He was convicted of
causing death by dangerous driving at Newport Crown Court and told that he
faces a jail sentence. The jury was told that Goddard had been angry at
being called out late to pick up his daughter with her friends in April
2008. The 41 year old's Ford Scorpio skidded in to a lamppost, before
rolling over several times and coming to rest on its roof. Mother-of-two
Kaylee Goddard was not wearing a seat belt and was flung from the car,
suffering catastrophic head injuries.
POLICE WARNING OVER INDECENT EXPOSURE INCIDENTS
August 1 - Police
are appealing for information following two recent incidents of indecent
exposure in the Newport area. The first took place on Wednesday
15th July in the subway near Sainsbury’s on Wyndham Street, Newport at
approximately 12pm. The 34 year old female victim was walking through the
subway when a man approached and indecently exposed himself to her. The
offender is described as a white male, between 17 and 20 years old,
approximately 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 5 inches tall and of slim build. He
had brown hair, a pale complexion and his teeth were in a bad condition. He
was wearing a white hooded jumper. The second incident took place on Monday
20th July at 8.50am. The 26 year old female victim was walking over George
Street Bridge when a man approached her and indecently exposed himself. He
is described as a white male, approximately 20 years of age and around 5
feet 5 inches tall. He was clean shaven with pale skin and wavy hair. In
both incidents the offender propositioned the victims before indecently
exposing himself. Police are investigating both incidents and at this stage
are not ruling out the possibility that they may be linked. Anyone who may
have witnessed either incident or has any information that could assist
police officers with their enquiries is asked to contact Gwent Police on 101
or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555
111.
DOG CONTROL ORDERS TO BE INTRODUCED IN CITY
CEMETERIES
August 1 - Following problems in the three Newport
cemeteries and due to the sensitive nature of these sites, the City Council
is proposing to take tough action against dog owners who allow their animals
to foul or cause a nuisance. In recent months, the Council's catchily titled
Overview and Scrutiny Forum - Environment and Community Safety has been
examining the issues surrounding the control of dogs in parks and
cemeteries. There have been complaints of dogs fouling on graves and dogs
out of control in the cemeteries, chasing about and urinating on headstones.
Following the Forum’s concerns, a report to Cabinet Member David Fouwether
states there is a need to address the problem in Newport’s three cemeteries:
St Woolos, Caerleon and Christchurch. The report states "There are dog
control issues in the three cemeteries which need addressing: the new
regulations offer a new, clearer system." Public consultation will now be
undertaken on the proposal to introduce Dog Control Orders in the three
Cemeteries ( St Woolos, Caerleon and Christchurch) to control the failure to
remove dog faeces, and the failure to keep a dog on a lead (leads to be at a
maximum length of 1.5m).
CAR PARK OPENS
August 1 - The new 1050 space Kingsway Car Park has
now opened to shoppers. The completion of the multi-storey car park, the
newest of it's kind in South Wales, provides a safe and well-lit environment
and will be the main shopper car park for Newport City Centre, linking
directly into the Kingsway Centre. Directions to the car park are included
on new electronic signs which are located on the major routes into Newport.
It will be open between 8am and 12 midnight seven days per week. Car park
charges are £2 for up to two hours on a normal shopping day, increasing to
£10 for five hours or more. In the evening the charge will be £2 or £1 all
day on a Sunday or bank holiday. It is hoped the new car park will provide a
much needed boost for the refurbished and modernised Kingsway mall.
RESIDENTS INVITED TO RYDER CUP PRESENTATION
July 29 - Newport residents are invited to come
along and hear more about the city’s planning for the Ryder Cup 2010 at a
special meeting taking place this week. The Ryder Cup 2010 seminar will take
place in the council chamber at the Civic Centre on Wednesday 29 July at
10am. Council members will receive a presentation from the chief executive
of Ryder Cup Wales, Rob Holt, a representative of Gwent Police and relevant
council officers who will answer questions from councillors about the
preparations for the tournament and Newport 2010.
HOUSE PRICE FALL LEVELLING OFF
July 28 - House prices fell slightly in Newport
again in June 2009 but the trend appears to be for prices to level off. The
average price of a dwelling in Newport according to latest Land Registry
figures is £115,470 in June 2009 compared to £141,141 in June 2008, a fall
of 18.2 per cent. House prices were at their peak in October 2007 with
average prices at £145,039. Newport seems to have been badly hit by the fall
in house prices - neighbouring authorities have seen falls but not at the
level felt here (Torfaen -8.7 per cent, Monmouthshire -14.2 per cent,
Cardiff -12.7 per cent).
MORE DETAILS OF CITY STATION REVAMP
 
Work begins on site |
July 27 - News was released today concerning the
multi-million pound revamp of Newport Railway Station. The 11 month project
will see the venue almost double in size with a platform extension to cope
with longer trains and an entrance on the northern side. The new look
station will be clad in a material developed for the space industry and used
on the Eden Project. Arriva Trains Wales head of stations Peter Northcott
stated that the new space-age station would be a "landmark building
for the city". Engineers have begun the initial work recently. The plans
state it will increase the station's size to 2,100 sq m (22,500 sq ft). Network Rail claims accessibility and safety are at
the heart of the new design, with two new terminals and an additional new
entrance to serve passengers from the northern side of the city. A station
footbridge will connect passengers to all platforms while the station will
also have three lifts, CCTV, a modernised customer information system and
new waiting shelters. Both terminals will also have improved ticketing and
information points and more shops. There will also be a new and expanded car
park with 250 spaces and platform 4 will also be extended by 50
metres to accommodate longer trains in the near future. Mike Gallop,
route enhancement manager, Network Rail said: “This is the beginning
of a new chapter for people in Newport and for rail passengers
travelling into Wales. There is still much to do and we have a big
task ahead, we will continue to work hard to make the new station
happen. By 2010, passengers will be greeted with a stunning station
that is bigger, eco-friendly and an icon for the city of Newport and
the railway in Wales.”
Newport City council leader, Councillor
Matthew Evans, said the development would "act as a springboard to attract
further regeneration in this part of the city centre. The modern and unique
design of the new station will create an improved first impression for
visitors arriving in the city for the Ryder Cup, but more importantly will
create a lasting legacy which will benefit all Newport residents." Newport
is the third busiest railway station in Wales, passenger use is exceeded
only by Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street.
|
RETAIL UNIT TO BECOME
CHURCH
July 26 - The City Council has approved a
request from Newport City Church Trust to use unit 14 of the Cambrian Centre
as a Church. The premises are located
on the second floor of the Cambrian Centre (formally The Designer Room) and
are currently vacant.
NEW CAFE RETAILER SET
FOR KINGSWAY CENTRE
 |
July 25 - There are welcome signs
of life in the Kingsway Centre - upmarket cafe retailer Boswells has
taken over unit 8 in the shopping centre, opposite the entrance to
the mall from the new car park (due to open in early August).
The Didcot based cafe group describe themselves "as a
fast moving counter service operation specialising in shopping
malls, located in the South and South West of the UK.
We offer a great value, satisfyingly
extensive menu, served by friendly staff in relaxing and comfortable
restaurants. We open early, serving breakfasts, pastries and
coffees, followed by an extensive lunch menu of freshly made
sandwiches and salads, toasted panini, pasties & pies, jacket
potatoes and grills. Our afternoon offer includes cakes, patisserie
and sweet treats."
They currently have a number of
stores in southern England (including Reading left), this will be
their first store in Wales, it's scheduled to open in September. |
CITY RAIL STATION UPDATE
July 25 - Newport Station's redevelopment is the
main focus of interest currently for the city's transport infrastructure.
However, there is no sign of significant work commencing on this project as
yet - fourteen months away from the project deadline! The £13 million
contract was awarded to Galliford Try in April. The most recently published
minutes from Newport Unlimited's Board Meeting (June 16) state "Work
on the concourse started in April and visible signs of activity should be
apparent by July 2009."
According to Newport Unlimited
negotiations are continuing with Network Rail and Welsh Assembly Government
about:
-
the new footbridge and closure
of the subway (although this part of the project is now being handled by
the City Council);
-
the exact details for
refurbishing the Victorian parts of the railway station, including the
historic and rare 1878 twin tower footbridge, the buildings and canopies
on Platforms 1, 2 and 3;
-
the development of Station Yard
and the multi-storey car park. The Board noted that it was vital at this
stage that the proposals for the building of the multi-storey car park
are progressed to ensure the development of Station Yard on which 50% of
the office jobs outputs for the city centre are based; and
- the best solution for the bus-rail interchange
in front of the station.
START OF UNI TERM DELAYED FOR RYDER CUP
July 25 - As a one-off University of Wales, Newport,
are delaying the start of the academic year to maximise income from the
Ryder Cup. The 2010-11 academic year will start on October 25. This will
allow the University to avoid the anticipated disruption to roads and to make
accommodation available for the event scheduled between October 1 and 3.
Presumably, this will also allow additional time for the completion of the
city centre campus.
COUNCIL LEADER SLAMS CONFUSION OVER HOSPITAL
ANNOUNCEMENT
July 23 - Newport City Council leader Matthew Evans
has slammed the Welsh Assembly Government for the confusion regarding the
site of Specialist Critical Care Centre, the proposed replacement for the
Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport. Torfaen County Borough Council are
reporting that the hospital will be sited in Llanfrechfa, Cwmbran. Their
press release states "At a meeting with Executive Members for Torfaen County
Borough Council yesterday, Health and Social Services Minister, Edwina Hart,
emphasised her commitment to the Specialist Critical Care Centre (SCCC), as
part of the Gwent Clinical Futures plan, and confirmed the centre will be
located at the Llanfrechfa Grange site in Cwmbran". She said; "The SCCC
remains an integral part of the redesign of health services in the Torfaen
area. We know that the future lies in making sure that as many services as
possible are provided in primary and community care - close to where people
live and avoiding unnecessary admissions to hospital, which is why we have
chosen the Llanfrechfa site." However, there is no equivalent press
statement on the Gwent Healthcare Trust website. Matthew Evans, commenting
on the release, questioned the way the information had been released and
stated he would be seeking urgent clarification. In any case the £292
million new venture is on hold, due to the Assembly's chronic funding
problems, and may not be built for a considerable period of time, wherever
it is sited.
BETTWS HIGH COMES OFF THE CRITICAL LIST
July 23 - Following a re-inspection by the schools
inspectorate Bettws High School has been removed from a Welsh Assembly
Government critical list. The school had a re- inspection following a full
inspection in November 2007 when it was then judged as requiring significant
improvement. As part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s requirements for
schools requiring significant improvement, Estyn undertook a follow-up
inspection in February 2009 focusing on the key issues identified in the
Section 28 inspection. Bettws High School is judged to have made good
progress in relation to the recommendations for improvement identified in
the Section 28 inspection in November 2007. As a result of this progress Her
Majesty’s Inspector of Education and Training in Wales is removing the
school from the list of schools requiring significant improvement.
The report states that overall there are signs of
improvement in teaching. There is greater consistency of routine and
expectation. The school is working hard to improve attendance. The whole
school attendance figure for 2007- 08 of 88.4% continues to be below the
average for similar schools but is nearly two percentage points higher than
the figure for the school for the previous year. Referrals for serious
behaviour have reduced by 25% since last year; the number of fixed-term
exclusion days have been reduced significantly. Key Stage 3 teacher
assessment results in the core subjects have improved since 2006. The
results compare well with similar schools.
ROBBERIES - POLICE APPEAL FOR INFORMATION
July 23 - Gwent
Police is appealing for information with respect to the following incidents
that occurred yesterday.
A 42 year old man was walking along Factory Road
when he saw a group of males. One of them walked over to him, sprayed an
unidentified liquid from a bottle into his face and stole his briefcase. It
is believed he then made off towards the train station. The victim received
no injuries but was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital as a precaution. The
briefcase was later recovered by police nearby. The offender is described as
a white male, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and of slim build. He had
short dark hair which was possibly spiked and was wearing a grey hooded
sweatshirt with a pattern design on the front.
The second robbery occurred on Rugby Road at
approximately 12.40pm. The 21 year old male victim was walking along Rugby
Road when he was approached by the offender. He was verbally threatened and
assaulted. The offender stole a mobile phone and some tools and then made
off over the public footbridge towards Newport City Centre. The victim was
taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital with minor facial injuries. The offender
is described as a white male, approximately 22 years old and between 5 feet
7 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall. He was of small build and had a tattoo on
his neck which is believed to be a female's name beginning with "Ch". He was
wearing a lime green polo neck t-shirt, blue jeans and black shoes. He spoke
with a local accent.
A distraction
burglary occurred at approximately 4.15pm yesterday, Wednesday 22nd July.
A man called at a house on Edward VII Avenue in Newport stating he
was working for the Water Board and needed to check the water pressure. The
male is described as white in his early twenties, of a medium build, with
thick black hair, a navy top and black trousers. It’s believed while this
male was in the house another man entered. When the man left the owner
discovered money had been stolen from her purse.
PAIR FACE JAIL OVER BLACKMAIL PLOT
July 22 - Two men from Newport have
been found guilty of conspiring with a police officer to blackmail two
victims. Allan Coe, 45, and Anthony Holwell, 48, were told they faced
lengthy jail terms. Ray Clarke, 40, an ex-South Wales Police constable, had
already pleaded guilty to two counts of blackmail and gave evidence at
Cardiff Crown Court. Mark Brogan, 37, of Newport, has also admitted
conspiracy to blackmail. They will all be sentenced on 21 August. Holwell
and Cole had denied two counts of blackmail against builder Mark Griffiths
and gaming machine businessman Ronald Hancock in October 2008.
CITY HAS HIGHEST DIAGNOSIS RATE OF INFLUENZA
July 22 - Latest statistics suggest the number of
cases in Wales have quadrupled over the past week, with an estimated 2,000
people now suffering flu-like symptoms. The highest rate of diagnosis is
143.8 per 100,000 people in Newport, and the lowest 25.9 per 100,000 in
Neath Port Talbot. The National Public Health Service (NPHS) said not all of
these people would have swine flu and not everyone with flu-like symptoms
would contact their GP. But officials expect that the proportion of cases
will increase as the virus spreads in Wales. The Chief Medical Officer for
Wales, Dr Tony Jewell, estimated that up to 30% of the population could
catch swine flu at some point over the next 12-18 months.
CITY PLANNING NEWS
July 22 - In anticipation of their new
store in Crindau, Sainsburys has submitted an outline planning application
for a residential development and hotel for its existing Shaftsbury site.
New planning applications have been placed with respect to the Technical
College building in Clarence Place as its conversion in to 66 flats gets
under way. On Commercial Street, the former Stationery Box store, currently
boarded up, looks set to be let to a new retailer. In Treberth a new
sheltered housing development is proposed by Newport Housing Trust including
plans for 52 apartments.
CANAL RESTORATION WORK AHEAD OF FESTIVAL
July 21 - A section of a canal in Newport is being
restored to make it navigable in time for a national waterways event next
year. The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal is to host the inland waterways
trailboat festival in May 2010, at Malpas, Newport. Volunteers are working
at Bettws Lane Lock and Ty Ffynnon Lock on the lower section of the Crumlin
Arm. They have been putting in slipways and mooring posts, as well as
learning "heritage skills" to re-point lock walls with lime mortar. The
section is not navigable but the Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) and the
Monmouthshire, Brecon & Abergavenny Canals Trust hope work by their
volunteers over the next months will enable this section to be used for the
Welsh Waterways Festival. The festival will be sited at Kimberley Park at
Malpas, with visitors able to use more than two miles (3.2km) of open water
canal.
POLICE APPEAL OVER MALPAS ARSON INCIDENT
 |
July 20 - Gwent Police is appealing for information
following a serious arson incident in Newport.
Liquid was poured, from a red can, over the front
door of a property which was subsequently set alight. Officers are
treating it as arson with intent to endanger life. It happened on
Moxon Road in the Malpas area at approximately 10:39 on Monday 15th
June 2009.
The incident, which was caught on CCTV, involved a white male
approximately 25 - 35 years of age with short dark brown hair and a
large tattoo on his left forearm. He was wearing a white t-shirt,
dark blue knee length shorts and yellow 'timberland style' boots.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has any
information is asked to contact Gwent Police on
101 or anonymously on
Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
|
COUNCIL AND POLICE CONTINUE TAXI CRACKDOWN
July 20 - The City Council and police are continuing
with their ongoing crack-down on taxis operating illegally in Newport. Last
month, officers from the council’s licensing team and Gwent Police carried
out a joint enforcement operation in the city centre, Caerleon and Maindee
targeting the illegal practice of drivers plying for hire in unlicensed
vehicles. Seven drivers were found to be breaking the law. Only
council-licensed ‘Hackney Carriage’ black taxis may lawfully pick up
passengers in the street without the journey having been booked in advance.
Private hire drivers who pick up people that have not pre-booked are not
only committing an offence, but are also putting passengers at risk as their
insurance becomes invalid – also an offence.
The council and police have run a number of joint
enforcement exercises over the past year. On June 30 at Abergavenny
Magistrates’ Court, a number of successful prosecutions were made against
five private hire drivers caught illegally plying for hire during an
operation in Caerleon in November 2008. Taslim Ali, Pervez Ahmed Khan and
Sajawal Khan all pleaded guilty by post and were ordered to pay between £350
and £385 each in fines and council costs. Full credit was given in respect
of their early guilty plea. Two other drivers, Ramzan Ali and Anwar Ali,
failed to respond to the summons and the case was proved in their absence.
They were ordered to pay £516 and £581 respectively in fines and council
costs. From October, Newport’s private hire cabs will have to display
triangular door stickers which will clearly identify them as licensed
vehicles for private hire purposes.
CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON THE FUTURE OF AVIATION
 |
July 20 - Visitors to the UV
Europe conference, running from Wednesday to Thursday at Celtic
Manor in Newport, will get a glimpse of aviation’s future. The
conference which has previously tended to focus on defence
applications will draw attention to the growing use of unmanned air
vehicles in civil applications. The conference programme has been
expanded to address military and civil unmanned systems operating in
all 3 environments - air, land and sea. For military systems it will
look in detail at the strategic, operational and tactical levels,
and for civil systems. |
POLICE DROP OPPOSITION TO SIGNIFICANT
COMPENSATION IN PAEDOPHILE CASE
July 18 - The family of a Cardiff three-year-old
girl assaulted by a paedophile say police have apologised and stopped
opposing a civil claim for negligence. The youngster was snatched from her
home by Craig Sweeney, 24, who was on early release for another attack. Her
family said a series of errors by South Wales Police meant Sweeney was only
caught several hours later in January 2006, by another police force. South
Wales Police said: "We did not do everything we could have done".
Sweeney - who was known to the family - had snatched
the girl from her home after she had returned home from a shopping trip and
while her mother made a telephone call. He drove her to his Newport flat in
Caerleon Road where he was living after being released early from a
three-year sentence for indecently assaulting a girl aged six. The
Independent Police Complaints Commission later criticised South Wales Police
saying that part of the child's ordeal could have been prevented by prompt
action. The family subsequently launched a civil action against the force
claiming negligence and failing to protect their child from inhuman and
degrading treatment. The child's father told BBC Wales online: "We are
pleased that South Wales police have recognised that they failed our
daughter on the night of 2 January 2006 and that she should be compensated
for that failure. Had it not been for the officers of Wiltshire police, our
daughter would probably not be alive today."
NEW SWINE FLU CASE IN CITY
July 17 - The latest swine
flu information from the National Public Health Service Wales confirms
another case in Newport. A fourteen year old caught the illness from contact
with another confirmed swine flu case and is now recovering at home.
Dr Roland Salmon, Director of the
Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, National Public Health Service for
Wales, said: “The rise in numbers of people contacting their GP with flu
like symptoms illustrates the spread of the disease across Wales. Not
everyone however who has contacted their GP with flu like symptoms will have
swine flu and not everyone with swine flu contacts their GP so it is
difficult to accurately record the spread of the virus across Wales."
QUEEN'S HOTEL REOPENS
July 17 - JD Wetherspoon is re-opening the former Walkabout in Newport as
a pub and hotel with 29 en-suite bedrooms today. The company has spent
£900,000 redeveloping the site during a ten-week building project. The pub
is managed by Russell Sorrell and the hotel side of the operation, known as
the Wetherspoon Lodge, is managed by Jon Lee. Wetherspoon has retained the
original name of the premises, The Queen’s Hotel. The pub features two bars
on two floors, as well as a dance floor. The hotel also has a reception
area, a function room with its own bar (which is available for hire), as
well as five training rooms. Manager Russell Sorrell said: “The Queen’s
Hotel is a well known building and I believe that it will once again play an
important part in Newport’s social scene.” The site is one of a number of
cheaper leasehold venues the company is picking up in the marketplace.
Wetherspoon used the strength of its covenant to persuade the property’s
landlord to drop the rent from £135,000 to £100,000 per annum.
MEN DENY BLACKMAIL CHARGE
July 16 - Two men accused of
conspiring with a serving police officer to blackmail thousands out of two
different victims have denied the charges against them. Anthony Holwell and
Allan Cole, from Newport, told Cardiff Crown Court they had no idea of plots
by Ray Clarke, 40, also of Newport. Clarke was with a police firearms unit
when he offered to protect a gaming machine businessman from a fake threat
of being "robbed by Gypsies". He has pleaded guilty to blackmail. He has
since been dismissed by South Wales Police. A fourth man, Simon Somers, 48,
of Newport, was acquitted after Judge Roderick Denyer QC ruled there was
insufficient evidence to show he had knowledge of the conspiracy.
COUNCIL LEADER SLAMS
ASSEMBLY OVER M4 RELIEF ROAD DECISION
 |
July 16 - City Council leader
Matthew Evans has criticised the announcement by the Welsh Assembly
Government that they have dropped the M4 relief road scheme. He told
the South Wales Argus "We are bitterly disappointed with this
announcement, which is a severe blow for businesses and residents in
Newport, but also along the whole M4 corridor in Wales. The proposal
for a M4 Relief Road has always had cross party support in Newport,
with our residents and businesses bearing the brunt of this totally
inadequate stretch of motorway and its inability to cope with the
volume of traffic travelling along it." |
ASSEMBLY DROPS M4 RELIEF
ROAD PLAN
July 15 - The Welsh Assembly
Government has dropped the proposal to build a relief motorway to the south
of Newport. The measure designed to improve traffic flows around the city is
said to have increased in cost from £340 million to £1 billion since the
original estimate in 1998. The CBI Wales said: "This is a bad day for the
economy in Wales." Conservative assembly members called the decisions
"depressing and disturbing". The environment campaign group Friends of
the Earth Cymru said the six-lane motorway scheme through the Levels was a
"victim of its own price tag in a credit crunch". Ieuan Wyn Jones, Deputy
First Minister presented the information as part of a five year Welsh
Transport Plan. He had announced updated plans for the 14-mile (22.5km) M4
relief road in September 2007, saying the scheme, proposed to run from Magor
to Castleton, could open in 2013.
He said the assembly government would
instead spend between £64m and £110m improving the existing M4 network
Measures would include improvements around Tredegar Park junction, the
Brynglas tunnels and the Coldra roundabout, bringing into public use a
seven-mile dual carriageway through the Corus site in Newport from Magor to
Queensway Meadows and improving the southern distributor road through
Newport.
NEWPORT - EBBW VALE LINK BY 2011
July 15 - The Assembly Government Transport
Plan contains the following commitments -
-
To complete the redevelopment of Newport
rail station to increase capacity and improve the quality and
reliability of services.
-
To complete the improvement to Gaer
Junction to enable direct rail services between Ebbw Vale and Newport,
by 2011.
NEW WELSH LANGUAGE PRIMARY SCHOOL OPENED
July 15 - The mayor of Newport, Councillor Glyn Jarvis officially opened
the city’s new Welsh medium primary school today. Ysgol Gymraeg Ifor Hael is
the city’s second Welsh-medium primary school and is located in Bettws, on
the site of the former St David Lewis RC Primary School. Guests at the
opening were treated to musical performances by children from Ysgol Gymraeg
Ifor Hael, Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd and Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw.
CITY'S GREENEST SCHOOLS
CELEBRATE SUCCESS
July 15 -
Some of Newport’s greenest schools are
today celebrating their Green Flag success.Over the last few years, Newport
has excelled in the international Eco Schools program with 77 per cent of
schools now having achieved a Green Flag – the highest percentage in Wales.
Coordinated by the council and Keep Wales Tidy, the
international Eco Schools programme makes environmental education an
important part of school life – the green flag award is the highest
achievement in the campaign. And in another first for Wales, Newport has
achieved two eco-clusters – both Bassaleg High and St Josephs RC
Comprehensive were joined by all their feeder schools in attaining the
required standard. This year has also seen 12 schools raise the banner for a
second time and Duffryn High School has become the first secondary school in
Newport to do so. Minister for the Environment, Jane Davidson and the Mayor
of Newport, Councillor Glyn Jarvis, Leader of the council and cabinet
members, joined over 300 pupils at Duffryn High School to celebrate the
successes.
Cllr Matthew Evans, leader of the council said:
“These excellent results are testament to the hard work of our pupils and
staff. All our schools are busy tackling key environmental issues including
litter, recycling, sustainable energy, healthy living, school grounds and
global citizenship, and there is much that we can learn from this
commitment.
INCREASE IN POST-GRADUATE
COURSE APPLICANTS
July 14 - University of
Wales, Newport, is reporting an upsurge in applications for post-graduate
courses. In a BBC study the University indicated it had seen a 59 per cent
increase in applications, reflecting the uncertainties in the labour market.
HIGHER INCIDENCE OF SWINE
FLU IN CITY
July 14 - Newport is
reporting a higher incidence of swine influenza than any other area of
Wales. According to the NHS Wales Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report out
of 60 cases in Wales, 11 were in Newport. Flu consultations in Newport GP
surgeries have increased to 54.2 per 100,000 population.
Symptoms of swine influenza are similar to
those of seasonal influenza, usually a feverish illness accompanied by one
or more of a cough, sore throat, headache or muscle aches.If you have
flu-like symptoms and have returned from an area where swine flu is
circulating or have been in close contact with a confirmed case, stay at
home, phone your GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647. You will be
assessed and receive treatment if necessary.
CAMPAIGN GROUP OFFERS ALTERNATIVE
TO M4 RELIEF ROAD
July 14 - A campaign group has launched a
package of alternatives to an M4 relief road in advance of forthcoming
consultation on the Welsh national transport plan.
The Campaign Against the Levels Motorway (CALM)'s
prospectus highlights the options for cheaper, more sustainable alternatives
to a motorway proposal. The group is concerned about the potential
environmental damage to communities and wildlife across the Levels and the
road's contribution to climate change in encouraging increased car use.The
prospectus details a combination of favoured options. These are based on
integrated local transport planning for Cardiff, Newport and surrounding
areas, making better use of existing road capacity and traffic demand
management. Alarmingly, it proposes the closure of junction 27 of the M4.
Read the full prospectus here.
CALM chairman Julian Branscombe said: "The
proposal to build a new motorway cutting across the Levels to the south of
Newport is unsustainable and unaffordable for the foreseeable future." He
added: "The prospectus is intended to remove this impasse by offering a set
of alternative resolutions to the issues that construction of a new motorway
is designed to tackle."Recognising the group's concerns, Welsh Assembly
Government deputy first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones responded: "The business
case for the proposed M4 relief road will be submitted to the minister for
economy and transport later this year to inform the national transport
plan."
CRUISE SHIP CALLS IN AT
NEWPORT
July 13 - As promised 200
metre long cruise ship ms Prisendam called in at Newport Dock today. 800
tourists, mostly from the United States, disembarked to enjoy local tourist
highlights including Cardiff Castle. The Holland America line cruise ship,
which has 428 crew members, will continue her voyage to Falmouth in Cornwall
after leaving Newport.
The vessel is on a Round Britain cruise,
and her previous port of call was Waterford in Ireland. Following its
historic docking the Prinsendam's master, Captain Albert Schoonderbeek,
welcomed the mayor of Newport, Glyn Jarvis, on board, along with the
mayoress and deputy mayor. Matthew Kennerley, ABP port director, south
Wales, said: "While cruise ships are no strangers to some of our other Welsh
ports, such as Cardiff and Swansea, we are very pleased that Newport is
handling a cruise ship for the first time." Many of the tourists on board
have ancestral links to Wales, Ireland, Scotland or England. Associated
British Ports spokesman James Champness said: “It’s a great feather in the
cap of Newport and another sign that Wales is now well on the map.”
COUNCIL STOPS PAYMENTS TO RACE BODY
July 13 - Newport City Council has halted
payments to ges of race equality workers after the body that employed them
ran up debts of more than £180,000. Previously the Council has paid
the salaries of employees at Sewrec (the South East Wales Racial Equality
Council), a group which provides advice and support to members of ethnic
minority communities and gives policy advice and training to public and
voluntary sector bodies. Under the terms of an agreement between the council
and the organisation, the latter received an annual grant, currently
standing at £40,000. Sewrec was meant to repay excess salary costs to the
council with money received from other sources.
A spokeswoman for Newport City Council
said: “We are no longer providing payroll services to Sewrec.We are
currently in discussions regarding their current financial situation and a
resolution to outstanding payments owed to the council.” Councillor Peter
Davies, City Council cabinet member for resources, told Wales
Online he was surprised that the debts had mounted up to such a degree.
MORE JOB LOSSES AT
LLANWERN
July 10 - One hundred and
forty nine jobs at two Corus sites in south Wales are under threat following
a 'functional review'. The steel giant said the cutbacks will be split
across the sites in Port Talbot and Llanwern in Newport. The positions
affected are business roles that support manufacturing in the strip products
division, such as human resources, finance and laboratories. A consultation
period is to begin on Monday, but unions said the cuts will be
"devastating". The functional review was announced at the start of the year
at the same time as 528 redundancies at the Llanwern site, due to the
mothballing of the hot mill. Community union general secretary Michael Leahy
said: "This is more bad news for Welsh steelworkers, coming as it does on
the back of heavy job losses, particularly in Llanwern. We understand these
jobs are in business support functions and it will be devastating for those
affected and their families. "
TEN PROJECTS DOMINATE
CITY'S THINKING
July 9 - The City Council's
Conservative led administration has outlined ten projects that will dominate
their policy agenda in the period between now and 2012. Council
leader Matthew Evans will take a lead in many of the projects as he seeks to
energise the City's approach to modernisation of services, regeneration and
the economic downturn. The report entitled 'Major Strategic Projects'
presented by new Chief Executive Tracey Lee to the Council's Cabinet on July
14 outlines the areas -
Project 21 (Prudential Borrowing for Highway Maintenance) - The
report states that the aim of the project is that "the roads and pavements
of the city are repaired and brought up to a high standard, residents are
more satisfied with the city council, local firms and people benefit from
the programme".
New schools for new buildings - "The education provided by our
secondary schools is amongst the best in the UK, local firms and people
benefit from the regeneration programme. This project involves the rebuild
of Bettws and Hartridge High Schools, design and planning work for Duffryn
High school and feasibility work for the remaining secondary school stock.
In addition, the project scope includes the City Council’s involvement in
the refurbishment of Gwynllyw."
City Centre Regeneration - "The City Council and Newport Unlimited
will lead the agreed programme of actions necessary to complete the CPO and
acquire properties in the City Centre in readiness for the major
redevelopment of the Riverfront and Commercial Centre."
Support for the City in the economic downturn - "The City Council
leads the local action to help tackle the recession, local firms and people
benefit from regeneration, the regeneration programme for the city
continues."
Implementation of a face to face centre - "Services are improved
and costs reduced through effective partnering with the public sector,
residents are treated with respect, key partners come together to join up
services for the most vulnerable."
The Ryder Cup - "Wales and Newport host a successful Ryder Cup."
Long term stability of the general fund - "The Council continues
to balance its budget and maintain a sensible level of reserves."
Review of Local Service Board and associated partnerships - "The
City Council works with partners to help all its communities develop and
thrive, ensuring that key programmes concerned with tackling crime and
disorder, improving the life chances for the City’s young people, and
community empowerment more generally are at the centre of decision-making."
Development and Implementation of new relationship with Health -
"A large scale restructure of health services is underway in Wales which
will mean that the current Local Health Boards and Health Trusts are
disbanded and replaced with 7 new Local Health Boards. It is important that
we ensure there is continuity for residents during times of change, that
Newport is able to influence Health Board policy and ensure services are
delivered in a way that meets resident’s needs and make sense locally."
Project Gwyrdd - "Five local Councils in the region – Newport City
Council, Cardiff, Monmouthshire, Caerphilly and The Vale of Glamorgan have
set up Project Gwyrdd to procure a long term solution for dealing with
residual waste. The project is designed to take advantage of economies of
scale whilst keeping complexities of partnership working to a minimum."
NEWPORT PLAYS HOST TO ITS FIRST CRUISE SHIP CALL
July 9 - On
Monday, 13 July, the luxury cruise ship ms Prinsendam will visit Newport –
according to ABP, owners of the docks, this is the first cruise ship to call
at the port in its history. The elegant vessel is operated by Holland
America Line, and, at over 200m in length, is capable of carrying almost 800
passengers. Prinsendam is due to enter Newport Docks at 11.00am.
NEWPORT MAN LOCATED SAFE
AND WELL
July 9 - Nicky Harris, who was last seen at
his Newport home on Friday July 3rd, has been located safe and well,
according to Gwent Police.
PAPER BOY WINS LIFESAVER
AWARD
July 8 - A Newport teenager
who went to help a seriously injured pensioner who had collapsed on her
floor has won a top accolade. Daniel O'Brien, 16, a pupil at Bassaleg
School, has been awarded the St John Ambulance in Wales' Young Lifesaver of
the Year ward. Daniel was on his paper round with his sister Lauren when
they heard the woman's cries of agony from inside a house on their route.
After hearing her cries, Daniel shouted through the door and the injured OAP
told him she had been lying on the floor for two hours, unable to reach her
emergency button. The teenager ran to a neighbour, who managed to get in to
the property so Daniel could tend to the woman. He found her shivering on
the floor, and her legs had turned purple. Daniel wrapped his coat around
her and called the emergency services, who gave him first aid guidance and
told him how to apply pressure to an open cut the woman had suffered. He
stayed with the woman until the arrival of an ambulance.
COUNCIL APPROVES SPEED
RESTRICTIONS
July 8 - Newport City Council
has approved two speed restrictions on roads in the eastern area. The B4237
(Chepstow Road) will see an extended 30 mile per hour zone from Treberth to
Royal Oak ending near the southern entrance to the Celtic Manor. It has been
suggested that the existing maximum speed limit of forty miles per hour is
too high due to the presence of amenities, including a Tesco Express store
and public house, and the general residential nature of the area. This could
contribute to an increase in risk associated with a high level of vehicular
turning movements and pedestrian flows. There have been 3 personal injury
collisions on the B4237 within the last three years. In the 40 mph zone
traffic surveys were undertaken the following mean traffic speeds were
obtained:
a) Near Tesco Express - 31.1mph eastbound, 33.1mph westbound
b) Adjacent to 17 The Coldra - 36.8mph eastbound, 36.5mph
westbound
The recorded speeds are still noticeably lower than the
existing posted speed limit, indicating that drivers do not perceive forty
miles per hour to be a safe speed at which to proceed.
In addition, a speed limit of 30mph is being introduced in
the Llanmartin and Underwood on the B4245 road between Langstone and Magor.
The speed limits approved are subject to formal consultation with the public
prior to introduction.
ANOTHER NEWPORT MAN HAS
SWINE FLU
July 8 - A 66-year-old
Newport man is in hospital with swine flu.The man has underlying health
conditions but is recovering. His illness is linked to travel from New
Zealand.
NEW PLAN FOR CITY
MAGISTRATES COURT
July 7 - Newport City Council
planners will be asked to consider plans submitted by HM Courts Service for
a new magistrates court for the City. The Magistrates Court is currently
situated adjacent to the Crown Court at the Civic Centre. The new court will
join other landmark buildings in the City's George Street office district,
also home to Newport City Homes, Yell and the Red Cross. The planning
application is for "ERECTION OF NEW 3
STOREY COURT BUILDING AND OPEN TOP ROOF PLANT AREA, CONTAINING 4
MAGISTRATES' COURTS, PUBLIC AREAS, CUSTODY PROVISION AND EXTERNAL PUBLIC
SQUARE."
DEMOLITION MARKS NEW ERA
FOR STEELWORKS SITE
 |
July 7 - Lawson Demolition Ltd,
part of Lawson Group Ltd, has commenced the clearance of part of the
30 hectare Orb steelworks site in Newport as part of a redevelopment
project being carried out by Taylor Wimpey South Wales to provide a
mix of affordable and private residential properties. Lawson is
working to clear 21 buildings on the northeast section of the site,
including office blocks, a training centre, gate office, conference
and medical centres, in addition to an old air raid shelter.
Demolition will include all hard standings and foundations. In
addition, they will also carry out asbestos removal and disposal,
with other waste from the demolition being crushed and reused on
site. Demolition work began in June and is expected to last until
October 2009, with housing construction on the site being completed
during 2010. |
POLICE APPEAL OVER
INDECENT EXPOSURE INCIDENT
July 7 - Police in Newport are appealing for information
regarding an indecent exposure, which occurred on Tuesday 30th June 2009.
They state "The victim, a 44 year old local
female was walking through Black Ash/Kemp Park off Commercial Road, Newport
between 4.30pm and 4.45pm when she passed a man who was stood by the toilet
block. The man dropped his trousers, indecently exposing himself. The victim
then quickly left the park."
The man is described as white, in his early 50s, of average height and plump
build . He had fair hair, balding on top. He was wearing a dark green
t-shirt and carrying a black rucksack.Anyone who may have witnessed the
incident or holds information that could assist officers with their
enquiries is asked to contact Gwent Police on
101 or Crimestoppers anonymously
on 0800 555 111.
Police officer in blackmail plot
July 7 - A former police
officer told Cardiff Crown Court he emerged from bushes with a replica gun
in a bid to blackmail a man to hand over thousands of pounds. Ray Clarke,
40, of Newport, was with a police firearms unit when he offered to protect
Ronald Hancock from the fake threat of being "robbed by Gypsies." He has
pleaded guilty to blackmail and been dismissed by South Wales Police. He is
giving evidence against Anthony Holwell, Allan Cole and Simon Somers, all of
Newport, who all deny blackmail.
Clarke told the court: "I got the handgun
out and said 'how far do you want me to go? He got upset then and said he
didn't want to be robbed. He cried as well. put my arm around him and
said 'we will get this sorted out for you'." Mr Holwell, 48, and Mr Cole,
45, deny two counts of blackmail against builder Mark Griffiths and gaming
machine businessman Ronald Hancock.
EYESORE CAR PARK TO CLOSE
July 7 - The Capitol Car Park is to close
when the new Kingsway Car Park opens in early August.
NEWPORT AUCTIONS SCOOP
UNTAXED MOTORCYCLE CONTRACT
July 6 - The Government announced today that
quality bikes seized on behalf of the DVLA for road tax evasion will no
longer be automatically scrapped, but will be auctioned off instead. NSL Ltd
seizes more than 100,000 untaxed vehicles every year. They are held at
impound yards around the UK for up to 14 days. Until now, all vehicles that
are not claimed within that time have been sent to the crusher, regardless
of their value. Following a successful eight-month trial, Newport Auctions,
the independent auction house at Usk Way has now scooped the nationwide
contract to save the most valuable vehicles from the scrap heap. Starting
tomorrow the fortnightly auction will feature approximately 150 of their
most valuable cars, motorbikes and commercial vehicles.
Jon Collingbourne, managing director for
Newport Auctions, says that this will be great news for those who cannot
afford a new bike, and a real shot in the arm for the UK's used bike market.
“When we started the trial last year, we didn't know what to expect. Since
then, we have been staggered at the quality and variety of the stock
available to us,” he says. “We have access to all makes and models, and the
majority of stock is clean, tidy and less than eight years old. Each vehicle
is fully valeted and supplied with a V5 document. The majority will also be
supplied with a new set of keys. “Obviously, many people cannot justify a
trip all the way to Newport, so we have made everything available online.
Our catalogues are updated continually with information and multiple
photographs of each vehicle. People can review each vehicle in detail before
placing an online bid. “We do not want feed the problem of unlicensed bikes
on the roads, so every successful bidder must provide us with full
photographic and address identification, so that we can register the bike in
their name before releasing it,” he says.
Tim Cowen, of NSL, commented: “There is no
excuse for not taxing your vehicle, and we are delighted to be able to
assist DVLA in clamping down on vehicle tax evasion. “Some of the untaxed
vehicles we seize are in very good condition, and we are very pleased to be
working with Newport Auctions to help make these available to law-abiding
motorists,” he says. The first of the fortnightly auctions for seized
vehicles will take place at 11am at Newport Auctions tomorrow (7 July) and
then on alternate Tuesdays.
THREE FURTHER SWINE FLU
VICTIMS CONFIRMED
July 5 - Three further swine
flu victims have been confirmed in Newport bringing the total to five. The
three new cases include a 56 year old man. There are now more than 7,500
laboratory confirmed cases in the UK: 50 in Wales, 6,162 in England, 1,325
in Scotland and 43 in Northern Ireland. Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr
Tony Jewell, said: "We knew that there would be an increase in the number of
cases and we have robust plans in place to deal with it. Scientific advice
now is that there will continue to be a rise in the number of cases across
the UK and, knowing the infection is circulating we should move to treatment
rather than trying to slow the spread of disease."
'NO MONEY FOR NEW
HOSPITAL'
July 5 - Mike German, South
East Wales AM has asked the Assembly Government to come clean about their
plans for healthcare in the locality and in particular the proposed
Specialist and Critical Care Centre, which would mean the closure of the
Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport. It appears from briefings to the Health
Minister Jane Hutt recently published that there is no new money available
for the new development due to other more significant constraints on the
health service in Wales. In addition, the Health Minister has stated there
is a lack of robust evidence on how the scheme would be structured and
supported by local health boards. Given the parlous state of public finances
over the next five years it is unlikely this project will go ahead. The
Minister has asked for interim investment to be made in the Royal Gwent
Hospital.
 |
THOUSANDS SUPPORT MAINDEE
FESTIVAL July 4 -
Thousands supported Newport's main multicultural festival today. The
Maindee Festival has been running for fourteen years and attracts
widespread support from the City's many different communities. Mayor
Glyn Jarvis officially opened the festival flanked by Council leader
Matthew Evans and AM, John Griffiths. The opening ceremony followed
a street procession of colourful costumes and vibrant music
including all participants of ages. The procession started at
Newport rugby ground, heading along Corporation Road, Harrow Road
and then on to Maindee Primary School. In the grounds of the school
there were a host of events and stands including a stage with live
music presentations, starting with a performance from a Bangladeshi
group. Our slideshow is here. |
CITY DEVELOPMENT PARTNER PARENT COMPANY IN
ADMINISTRATION
July 2 - Shopping centre developer Modus
Ventures has been placed in administration with KPMG appointed as
administrator. Modus Ventures was at the heart of a web of companies the
entrepreneur Brendan Flood used to hold his property and retail
interests. Modus Ventures is a parent firm of Modus Corovest who were
involved in the development of Friars Walk, another part of Modus (Modus
Cambrian Ltd.) also owns the Cambrian Centre in Newport.
As many as nine
other companies holding individual sites, including schemes in
Wakefield and Wigan, have also gone into administration. KPMG has
warned the collapse is likely to be the first of many in the
commercial property sector. Richard Fleming, KPMG’s head of
restructuring, said: “It is a large and complex group, with many
lending institutions funding both completed and part-completed
developments. We believe it will be one of the first in a long line
of commercial real estate casualties.”
SAINSBURY PLANS
SUBMITTED
July 2 - The plan
for a huge new Sainsbury's store at the former Crindau Gas Works
site has been submitted to the City Council's planners. The
application states it is for the
erection of a
retail supermarket with ancillary restaurant, car parking,
servicing, landscaping, petrol filling station and car wash and new
vehicular access off the A4042. It will form part of the proposed
Crindau Gateway development, see the details
here.
 |
ROGERSTONE TORIES
SHAMED IN TO ALLOTMENT U-TURN
July 2 - A Tory-run Community
Council in Newport which threatened to take away a
pensioner's allotment because she was growing flowers has
changed its mind. Edith Avery, 89, of Rogerstone, Newport,
was told she could lose her plot of 30 years because she
must grow mostly vegetables. But after media coverage and
pressure from her local MP, Mrs Avery, 89, said Rogerstone
Community Council had had a change of heart.
Mrs Avery, of Cefn Road,
said: "I had a letter delivered by hand at 7.20am saying
they've allowed me to stay and have given me my tenancy
back." The widow, who was an RAF Coastal Command teleprinter
operator during the World War II, added: "They said it was
because of my age and my war record. Perhaps they felt a bit
guilty.
Paul Flynn MP slated the
community Council "The jobsworths on Rogerstone Council were
forced to climb down in the face of a gale of public anger.
The report I have had from tonight's meeting suggests that
their about turn was anything but graceful. One councillor
tried a sideswipe at me saying that I should be involved in
more important matters.There are few issues more important
than defending a vulnerable lady of mature years against the
small-minded bullying of puffed-up dictators. The leading
members of this council should consider whether they are fit
persons to hold public office. Clearly their judgement is
hopeless."
He went on to say "The Council should
apologise for the unnecessary distress and worry they have
caused. Perhaps a gift of flowers for Mrs Avery's allotment
would be an appropriate gift. I am sure the rates could
afford that."
|
TWO SWINE FLU CASES CONFIRMED
July 1 - Two swine flu cases have been
confirmed in Newport. A 21-year-old woman has received hospital treatment
with her illness linked to travel to Spain. She has now been discharged from
hospital. A nine-year-old boy also from Newport has been confirmed with the
virus which is also linked to travel to Spain.
MOTHER CHARGED WITH MURDER OF HER DAUGHTER
July 1 - A 34-year-old woman has been
remanded in custody "for her own protection" after appearing in court
charged with the murder of her daughter. The body of four-year-old Zoey Anne
David, was found in her bedroom in the Maesglas area of Newport on 19 June.
The girl's mother, Zoe David, was also found nearby with serious injuries.
She had been taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital. The 34-year-old was remanded
into a psychiatric clinic for 28 days and her case was sent to Cardiff Crown
Court.
Paul Latner, prosecuting, asked that Ms David be remanded in custody for her
own protection. David Leathley, defending, made no application for bail. An
inquest into Zoey Anne's death will be opened by the Gwent coroner later at
the Newport Civic Centre. According to Gwent Police, the provisional cause
of death is consistent with suffocation. Deputy Gwent Coroner Wendy James
adjourned the inquest to allow Zoey-Anne's body to be released for her
funeral.
An inquiry is to examine the decision to
take the four-year-old girl off the child protection register two years
before she was suffocated at home. A spokesman for the Newport Safeguarding
Children Board said a review will see if there are any "lessons to be
learnt" from the case. "Following a meeting of the serious case review
sub-group of Newport Safeguarding Children Board, it was recommended that a
serious case review should be conducted into this tragic case," he added.
"This review will establish whether there are any lessons to be learnt about
the way in which agencies work together to safeguard children."
POLICE DISMANTLE INTERNATIONAL
PROSTITUTION RING
Jul
1 - Members of an Eastern European organised gang have been sentenced to
more than 30 years in prison for operating an International Prostitution
ring. It follows an investigation which
involved a number of forces and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA)
but began when police officers located and rescued a young woman from the
Maindee area of Newport in October 2007. The victim was 18 when she came to
Manchester in July 2007, having been promised work as a cleaner or in a
shop. She was handed over to a Member of the gang Xhevdet Cikaj who told her
she would have to work as a prostitute. When she refused and asked to return
to Lithuania he imprisoned her, terrorised her and forced her to comply.
When she attempted to escape she was beaten and threatened by Xhevdet Cikaj
and Lavdrim Cikaj (no relation).
After being forced to work as a prostitute in Manchester she was then 'sold
on' to two other members of the gang in South Wales for £2,000. Edita
Tavoraite and Tafil Kadria told the victim she would pay off her 'debt' by
working as a prostitute. Operation Adject began in September 2007 following
a co-ordinated national search for the victim. She was rescued by Gwent
Police officers who worked closely with the SOCA Vulnerable Persons Team to
ensure that the victim was safe and well cared for. As a result of the
information and evidence provided by the victim and other investigation
work, SOCA officers arrested and charged the gang members in September 2008.
Passing sentence at Preston Crown Court on June 19, His Honour Judge Brown
told the three men and one woman, that their victim would never be able to
return home because of the shame she feels from her ordeal.
Mick Layton, Deputy Director of SOCA, said:
"This was a terrifying position for a young woman to find herself in. She
had no friends in the UK and was entirely dependent on the people who abused
her. She was deceived, exploited, and treated as a commodity. It is a
tribute to the bravery and determination of the victim in this case that we
have been able to identify and successfully prosecute the people
responsible.”
HIGHWAY CONTRACTS AWARDED
Jul 1 - According to Contract Journal
five firms are on board so far for a £20m highways maintenance deal in
Newport. The work for Newport City Council is divided into four lots.
Lot One covers carriageway resurfacing and will be tackled by Tarmac and
Hanson.Lot Two involves footway reconstruction tasks and will be carried
out by Alun Griffiths. The third package of work, street-wide
improvements, includes both carriageway resurfacing and reconstruction,
plus associated footway projects such as kerbs and highway drainage but
the contractor(s) awarded the work is not stated. The final package, Lot
Four, covers carriageway surface dressing and footway slurry sealing,
but a contractor has not yet been appointed to the job. The
term-maintenance contracts will run for three years, with work on site
starting this summer.
COUNCIL CALLS ON CITIZENS TO CELEBRATE
2010
Jun 30 - Newport City Council has set aside
£1 million for events to mark the coming of the Ryder Cup to the City. They
state "We want to make 2010 a year that everyone remembers, where special
events across the city bring together communities and get people feeling
good about Newport."
To mark the year that one of the world’s
greatest sporting occasions comes to Newport, the council wants to ensure
that as many people as possible have the chance to take part in celebrating
their community by supporting a programme of events and projects, large and
small, taking place right across the city. To make this happen, they are
setting up a Community Celebrations Chest – a fund for people in Newport to
create a lasting impression in their community. It may be for a community
event or a project to brighten up your area – something to bring people
together and create a lasting impression for 2010 and beyond. The Council
believes there is plenty to be proud of in Newport; the city boasts a rich
sporting and cultural heritage; thousands of years of fascinating history;
stunning countryside and a strong community spirit "This is your opportunity
to be part of a city-wide programme of community events that celebrates
Newport in 2010." In addition, to this the City Council is planning a major
programme of high profile events that will offer something for everyone and
will making an announcement on some of the exciting plans for this later in
the year.
NEW POLICE POWERS TO TACKLE ANTISOCIAL
BEHAVIOUR IN CITY CENTRE
Jun 29 -
The Safer Newport
Partnership is set to introduce a new dispersal order in Newport City Centre
to reduce levels of antisocial behaviour.
Safer Newport decided to take action after receiving complaints from
residents about youngsters gathering in a number of city centre streets.
Between June 2008 and June 2009 police received 467 anti-social behaviour
calls to Skinner Street, compared with 325 calls to the same location the
previous year - a 44% rise. After gathering information and evidence,
Newport Central Neighbourhood Policing Team and Newport City Council
authorised the implementation of a dispersal order.
Dispersal orders give police officers and PCSOs the power to direct any
groups of two or more people, or vehicles, to leave a specified area. The
order in the city centre will run from August 1st until January 31st. It
will cover Skinner Street, Skinner Lane, Upper Dock Street, Corn Street,
Commercial Street (from Corn Street to Stow Hill), High Street, Griffin
Street, Market Street, and the pedestrianised area between Stow Hill and
Cambrian Road. Anyone who refuses to leave, or returns to the area within 24
hours, when ordered can be arrested under the Anti-social Behaviour Act
2003. The only exclusions to the order will be any prearranged public events
that may be held in the area.
Neighbourhood officer for Newport City Centre, PC Nicola Williams, said: “We
applied for this dispersal order after listening to the concerns of the
public. Residents who attended PACT meetings in recent months voted to make
antisocial behaviour a policing priority. The introduction of the order will
give us the power to break-up groups of people hanging around on the streets
and causing trouble. We will move people on if they are behaving
inappropriately in the city centre and anyone who breaks the conditions of
the order will be firmly dealt with.”
COUNCIL SETS ASIDE GRANTS
TO REDUCE NUMBER OF EMPTY SHOPS
Jun 29 - Newport City Council
has set aside £150,000 for businesses and retail premises in the city in an
attempt to assist with regeneration. The new regeneration fund has been
reserved as an initiative to support businesses through the current economic
downturn and also in recognition that the City Centre retail sector is
suffering particularly badly at the present time with many vacant shop
units.
The Council has decided to allocate £100k for City Centre
businesses through the Commercial Improvement Area Grant scheme prioritising
the following areas of high shop vacancies: Lower Commercial Street /
Charles Street / Cardiff Road / Market and Newport Arcades / Clarence Place.
In addition, the City Council has decided to allocate £50k for manufacturing
businesses throughout Newport through the Economic Development Grant scheme.
This will benefit businesses experiencing difficulty securing finance for
expansion in the current economic climate. The Council claims "During the
last 3 months business enquiries have started to increase and include a
range of business start ups, some manufacturing businesses planning to
expand but short of funds to do so, and several city centre based enquiries
regarding property improvements and bringing back into use vacant
buildings." The measure was supported by Labour Councillor John Guy, he
stated, "“I appreciate that we have limited resources but I am glad to see
that we are doing what we can with the available funds to help small local
business to propagate and also some to survive in economic circumstances
which are very testing and which they have no personal control”.
FOOTBALL FAN 'OPENED DOOR
ON PURPOSE' - INQUEST
Jun 28 - A football fan from Newport
deliberately opened the emergency door on a coach before falling to his
death on the M5 motorway near West Bromwich, an inquest heard. Daniel
McFarlane, aged 22, from St. Julian's died on January 31 after he opened the
emergency door of the 49-seater vehicle while it was travelling south at
more than 60mph near Junction 1 of the M5. Daniel was part of a 37-strong
unofficial coach party of fans returning to Newport after attending the
Manchester United v Everton match at Old Trafford.
The inquest heard that before opening the
door an argument had taken place after glass was broken on the coach.At
Smethwick Council House yesterday, trip organiser Darren Wallis told the
hearing he had asked Daniel, who had been drinking all day, to clean up the
glass but he refused. The inquest also heard an argument broke out between
Daniel and another passenger and as a result of this row Daniel had been
told he would have to get off the coach at the next service station.
Mr Wallis said: “He walked down the stairs
and I said “oi stupid, get off the door” and he said “you want me off the
bus, I’ll get off here”.Witness Lee Nicholas of Humber Road, Newport, said
he saw Daniel jump out of the door and saw a car swerve to avoid hitting
him, but he was then hit by a second car. A post mortem revealed Daniel, who
worked as a shutter installer, died of serious multiple injuries, which
included multiple fractures, haemorrhages in both lungs, his kidneys and his
brain.It also showed he had taken cocaine. Pc Stephen Pearson said there was
nothing the car driver or coach driver could have done to prevent the death
and Daniel would have known he was opening the exit door and not the toilet
door.He said: “In order to open the door in the first place a concerted
effort must have been made to do so.”Black Country coroner Robin Balmain
adjourned the inquest and issued two arrest warrants for two witnesses who
had failed to attend the hearing.
Following his death friends and family had left dozens of roadside
tributes for a Manchester United fan who died when he fell from a coach on
his way back from a match. More than 30 bouquets, three Manchester United
shirts signed by family and friends, a football scarf and a framed
caricature drawing were among the tributes placed beside the St. Julians
roundabout.
COUNCIL REVEALS £3.2
MILLION UNDER-SPEND
June 26 - Despite the
economic downturn Newport City Council has revealed a £3.2 million
under-spend in 2008/9 budget. A statement of accounts to the Council for
consideration on June 28 notes "Restrictions on all non essential spending
remained in place throughout the year. This was on supplies and services and
staffing where that could be achieved without affecting front line services.
Those instructions have again had a significant effect and remain as a
management action plan to improve the Council’s overall financial position
in the light of potential cuts in central funding." The Council realised a
£1.7 million windfall from the transfer of its housing stock to Newport City
Homes.
 |
WESTGATE CHAMBERS
REDEVELOPMENT
June 26 - Prospective
purchasers and inquisitive Newportonians will have their first
opportunity to view the new Westgate Chambers development in
Commercial Street, Newport.
The development and
refurbishment by London Newport Ltd. offers one bedroom properties
from £90,000 and two bedroom penthouse apartments from £130,000.
Some properties are available to let via Martin and Co. of Station
Street. There are 24 flats / apartments within this stunning new
development. There is also a lift facility for this four storey
development. Viewings will be available throughout the day on
July 4 and 5. |
FLYNN CALLS FOR
COMMONSENSE FROM COMMUNITY COUNCIL
June 26 - Paul Flynn MP has
called for Rogerstone Community Council to show some commonsense in their
dealings with a 90 year old constituent. Mrs Doris Avery has been asked to
grow only vegetables on the allotment near the back gate pf her house. He
states on his website "For
thirty years Mrs Avery has tended a four perch allotment situated a few feet
from the back door of her cottage in my constituency at Rogerstone. Once
she grew vegetables. Now it is mainly flowers and shrubs. The allotment is
the delightful view from her kitchen window. Even on a wet day such as today
it is a well-tended pleasing sight. Next Monday is the day that the petty
dictators of Rogerstone Community Council have threatened to 'clear' the
allotment.
They have returned Mrs Avery’s rent. They have
put the phone down on her telephone calls. Her offence is that she is
growing flowers. There are some vegetables. I
have appealed to the Council to show a little common sense and flexibility.
Destroying her work of 30 years would be a cruel and heartless act."
 |
NEW CITY MANAGING DIRECTOR
APPOINTED June 25 -
Newport City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of
Tracey Lee as Managing Director. Ms Lee joined the authority in
August 2008 as a Corporate Director and has led the young people and
performance portfolio.
Matthew Evans, Leader of the
council, said: “Since joining Newport, Tracey has demonstrated a
strong vision for improvement and a clear ability to deliver. I am
confident that as Managing Director she will help drive forward both
the council and our city. These are both exciting and challenging
times for us and we look forward to working with Tracey to achieve
our goals.” Tracey Lee said of her appointment: "I am thrilled to be
taking up this position and look forward to working with colleagues
and partners across the city.” Married with a son and daughter,
Tracey relocated to the area last year. She came to Newport from
Ipswich Borough Council where she held the post of Corporate
Director for over seven years. |
NEWPORT TEENAGER LOCATED
SAFE AND WELL
June 25 -
Fourteen year
old Alex Jones who had been missing from his Newport address since Sunday
June 21st has been located safe and well.
JOBS TO GO AT EADS
June 24 - It is being
reported that up to 75 jobs may be lost at EADS Defence and Security
Systems, based in the west of Newport at Celtic Springs Business Park.. The
company, which has 1,200 people at its £35m technology centre in Newport, is
creating next-generation technology solutions and services, principally in
the areas of secure IT, communications and cryptography.
HOME DISCOUNT OFFER TO
SERVICEMEN
June 24 - Military servicemen
and women are being offered special incentives to help them get their feet
on the property ladder. Personnel employed by the Army, Royal Navy or Royal
Air Force as well as anyone who served in the wars in Afghanistan or Iraq
all qualify for Barratt South Wales’ Armed Forces Discount Scheme. Anyone
set to retire from the forces this year will be eligible until the end of
2009. They will be offered a £500 discount for every £25,000 or part thereof
on the cost of the property they are buying. For example, on a home costing
£126,000 they would qualify for a reduction of £3,000. The launch of the
country-wide offer will coincide with the first ever National Armed Forces
Day on 27th June. The offer applies to Barratt Homes developments in
Newport.
GIRL WAS PREVIOUSLY ON 'AT
RISK REGISTER'
June 23 - A four-year-old
girl found suffocated at her home had once been on a child protection
register, it has emerged. Newport's Safeguarding Children Board said it
understood Zoey-Anne was on the register in 2007 and may now carry out a
serious case review as a result. It has already begun considering if lessons
could be learnt from a review. On Tuesday, it emerged the Zoey was placed on
the child protection register by the Newport Safeguarding Children Board
when her family moved to the area in 2007 from London. By the end of that
year the board - which comprises Newport City Council, Gwent Police and the
local health board - took the decision to take Zoey Anne off the register. A
spokesman for the board said: "Following the tragic death of a young child
on 19 June 2009, the Newport Safeguarding Children Board has already begun
the process of considering a serious case review."
SHOCKING RESULTS IN POLICE
TAXI CAMPAIGN
June 22 - A police clampdown on taxi services in Newport has
revealed some disturbing results including a number of taxis operating with
defects, one without insurance, some in breach of their licence
conditions and others committing driving or motoring offences. Gwent Police
carried out a one-day operation on Friday 19th June to identify offences
being committed by taxi drivers in Newport.
Their officers teamed up with representatives from the Licensing Department
of the Local Authority, Department for Work and Pensions, VOSA and HM
Revenue and Customs to target offences committed by both Hackney Carriage
and Private Hire drivers. During the 12 hour operation officers stopped
taxis to check that drivers were complying with their license conditions,
vehicles met the required standards and all drivers were in possession of
the correct documentation. Further checks were also made for fuel offences,
benefit fraud and vehicle defects.
Results included the following:
90 vehicles stopped and checked by HM Revenue & Customs for revenue evasion
24 vehicles checked by VOSA, 9 prohibited for vehicle defect offences
13 fixed penalty notices issued for various offences including speeding, and
not wearing a seatbelt
1 vehicle seized for no insurance
1 driver reported for driving licence and insurance offences
9 drivers reported for plying for hire in breach of their taxi licence
The operation was formulated following intelligence received by police and
concerns being raised by members of the public about the standard of taxi
services in Newport. PC Andy Wiltshire who co-ordinated the operation said:
“The vast majority of the taxi drivers in Newport operate to a high
standard, prioritise passenger safety and adhere to road safety legislation.
However, there are a number of taxi and private hire drivers who breach
their licensing conditions and flout road traffic law. Through pro-active
operations such as this one we hope to improve taxi driving standards and
reassure members of the public that the service offered to them is safe and
legal. Let there be no doubt, if you breach your conditions or break the law
you will be prosecuted and may lose your taxi licence or even your driving
licence.”
POLICE RELEASE STATEMENT
IN CHILD DEATH CASE
June 22 - Gwent Police
released a statement today regarding the death of four year old child in
Maesglas
"Gwent Police can confirm the identity of the victim of the
incident that occurred at Bideford Close, Newport on Friday 19th June 2009
as Zoey Anne David, aged 4. All of Zoey's
family have now been informed and her grandparents will be releasing a
tribute tomorrow. Initial indications from the post mortem examination show
that death was caused by suffocation. A 34 year old female remains under
arrest and is currently still in hospital."
FATHERS4JUSTICE PROTEST IN
CITY CENTRE
June 21 -
Two men from the group New Fathers 4
Justice (NF4J) have staged a Father's Day protest by climbing cranes dressed
as Banana Man and Captain America. David Hodge and Sean Wheeler scaled the
cranes beside the new Newport University campus at 0700 BST on Sunday to
highlight fathers' rights. Part of Usk Way was closed down for a brief time
this morning as police dealt with the protest.
Mr Hodge came back down at around 1000 BST and Mr
Wheeler followed at 1045 BST and both were arrested by police. Matthew
Starmore from NF4J said both wanted changes in the law. Mr Hodge, who was
dressed as Captain America, had been apart from his three children for 15
years, said Mr Starmore. "He's not been a part of their growing up and he's
gone through a great deal of psychological trauma because of it," he said.
Mr Wheeler broke up with his partner last year and has full access to his
son but decided to protest because he feels so strongly that the justice
system is unfair, said Mr Starmore. He said he did not know what they had
been arrested for but suspected it was for trespass. He said both men were
taken to Newport central police station.
POLICE STILL WAITING TO QUESTION MURDER SUSPECT
June 21 - Zoe David, remains in
hospital awaiting psychiatric tests after being arrested for killing her
four-year-old daughter. The 34-year-old from Maesglas in Newport has
not yet been questioned by police. She was taken to hospital on Friday with
serious but not life threatening injuries after officers found the body of
her daughter Zoe-Anne in their home. A post mortem examination is due to be
carried out on Monday.
MOTHER IN CHILD DEATH CASE
TO HAVE PSYCHIATRIC TESTS
June 20 - A
woman suspected of murdering a four-year-old girl is to have a psychiatric
evaluation. She is under police guard in hospital as community leaders
called for calm following the death in the Maesglas area of Newport. The
youngster, named locally as Zoe-Ann David, was found dead at her home on
Friday lunchtime. A 34-year-old woman, named locally as Zoe David, was lying
nearby with serious injuries. She was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital
where she remains. Police said questioning of the woman would not begin
until she was released from hospital. Psychiatric evaluation to determine
the woman's state of mind would also take place, a police spokesman
confirmed. Newport City Council Chief Education Officer Brett Pugh
commenting on yesterday's incident stated "We are shocked and saddened and
offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to everyone affected by this
tragic news. We will ensure that staff, children at the school and parents
are provided with every possible support."
PAIR FOUND GUILTY OF DRIVING TEST SCAM
June 20 - Two men living in Newport
charged people hundreds of pounds to take their driving theory tests,
Cardiff Crown Court heard yesterday. The pair charged £230 for booking
the theory test and £200 for their time.Fraud investigators for the
Driving Standards Agency believe their operation was just one part of an
ongoing, widespread fraud involving hundreds of customers every year. In
2008-09, the team investigated more than 600 cases of reported
impersonations with people willing to pay from £600 for a car theory
test up to £3,500 for the test for a lorry.
The two men, Dinesh Kumar, 28 from West
Bromwich, and Lovedeep Lovedeep, who has since flown to India, were
caught on April 17 last year at a test centre in Merthyr Tydfil. Kumar
went in to try the test and was arrested coming out, certificate in
hand, and Lovedeep was arrested nearby. Cardiff Crown Court heard
investigators became suspicious when their two credit cards were used to
book a number of tests with Pearson Vue, the organisation responsible
for arranging theory tests, at centres around the country. “Their
computer system discovered an inordinate number of theory tests had been
booked with two credit cards,” said Hywel Hughes, prosecuting. At the
time, the two were living in a property in Newport and when it was
raided by police they found a number of provisional driving licences,
and a parcel retrieved from the Royal Mail depot, addressed to the
property, contained four further licences. Kumar was sentenced to 36
weeks in prison, suspended for two years, was disqualified from driving
for 12 months and ordered to do 250 hours’ unpaid work. The court was
told that Lovedeep had been allowed to go back to India for a funeral
but had not returned.
SHOCK AS FOUR YEAR OLD
GIRL IS FOUND DEAD - MOTHER ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF MURDER
|
June 19 - A
34-year-old woman is under police guard in hospital on suspicion of
murdering her four-year-old daughter. The woman was discovered with
serious injuries by Gwent Police at a house in Bideford Close in
Maesglas on Friday lunchtime. Officers found the little girl dead in
her bedroom. It is understood a 12-year-old boy was in the house at
the time of the killing.
According to the
Telegraph newspaper the girl Zoe-Ann David "was discovered on Friday
with her mother Zoe David lying beside her seriously injured with
wounds to her arms. Her son Wesley, 12, is believed to have
discovered the scene after coming home from school at lunchtime."
Officers were called to the house
at around 12pm by the ambulance service. A forensic examination of
the property is being carried out and a post mortem on the girl is
due to take place on Monday. Police say they are not looking for
anyone else in connection with the incident.
People in the community have spoken
of their shock, and governors at a local primary school have been
called to an emergency meeting on Saturday. The arrested woman has
been taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital where her injuries are not
thought to be life threatening. A forensic examination of the
property is being carried out and a post mortem examination will be
held on Monday. A Newport City Council spokeswoman said: "The little
girl went to the local primary school. Letters were handed to
parents at the school gates when they arrived to pick up their
children explaining there had been an incident involving one of the
pupils." |
NEW FOOTBRIDGE IS
PART OF RAIL PROJECT
June 19 - The City Council
has confirmed that a new footbridge will be part of the redevelopment plan
for Newport railway station. Work on the station is underway and will be
complete by September of next year. The footbridge will mean the closure of
the subway linking the Queensway with Mill Street on the other side of the
railway.
NEW PLANNING APPLICATION
EXPECTED FOR CAMBRIAN CENTRE
June 19 - The most recent
published minutes of the Board meeting for City regeneration company Newport
Unlimited reveal a number of important developments. The Old Town Dock Hotel
Site is no longer expected to be the site of a Ramada Encore hotel, Newport
Unlimited state the area will need be re-advertised. The note of the meeting
(in mid April) confirms that the long awaited new Magistrates Court building
(in George Street) was still at the design stage and that tenders had been
invited. Interestingly, the meeting was also advised at the Cambrian Centre
"an outline
planning application for retail use was expected in the next few months".
The Board noted that this would need to be carefully considered, presumably
given the failure of the City Spires development.
CITY COUNCIL TAX
COLLECTION RATE DOWN
June 18 - Newport City
Council is below the Welsh average when it comes to Council Tax collection.
Welsh Assembly Government figures show the Council collected only 95.8 per
cent of Council Tax in 2008/9 placing it 17th out of the 22 Welsh local
authorities. The City has £2.44 million arrears in unpaid Council Tax as at
the end of the last financial year. Newport has the second lowest level of
Council Tax in Wales.
INCREASE IN NUMBER OF NEW
HOMES
June 18 - Newport led the way
in Wales for the number of new homes being built between January and March
2009. 115 starts were recorded (primarily in the private sector) compared to
96 in neighbouring Cardiff and 33 in Monmouthshire. The number of home
starts may be an early indication of improving economic conditions. However,
in the same period property sales in Newport slumped with only 104
properties sold in January and February 2009 as compared to 229 for those
months in 2008. According to the Land Registry property prices have fallen
by 17.5 per cent in the last ten months in the City.
CITY UNIVERSITY IN DRIVE
TO SET UP VALLEYS INSTITUTE
June 17 -
The
creation of a new University of the Heads of the Valleys Institute is part
of an innovative initiative being proposed to combat the skills shortage
among people in the region and play a key role in the area’s regeneration.
The proposed new Institute, which is a
collaborative venture between the University of Wales, Newport and the
University of Glamorgan, will provide people with access to a diverse range
of courses at all levels of expertise, from basic skills to postgraduate
degrees. The two universities are in discussion with the Welsh Assembly
Government about the proposal, and the Minister for Education, Jane Hutt AM,
has already publicly indicated that a University Heads of the Valleys
Institute is a government priority.
COUNCIL CABINET BACKS
FRIARS WALK DECISION
June 17 - The City Council's
Cabinet reaffirmed their commitment to the Friars Walk development despite
the cancellation of their contract with Modus. The Cabinet backed the recent
decision by Leader Matthew Evans not to accept a scaled down version of the
plan and to re-tender for the scheme. The failure of the scheme has thrown
Newport's regeneration plans into chaos and dealt a serious blow to the
credibility of regeneration company, Newport Unlimited.
BALFOUR BEATTY WINS
£15MILLION NEWPORT M4 PROJECT
June 16 - Balfour Beatty’s
regional civil engineering arm has secured the £15 million M4 Newport
controlled motorway contract for the Welsh Assembly Government. Work will
cover installation of controlled motorway technology on the M4 between
junctions 23 and 28 in South Wales. Balfour Beatty Regional Civil
Engineering Managing Director (Southern) Hector MacAulay said: “We will use
our experienced and dedicated local resources and supply chain partners to
work closely with our customer to ensure the successful delivery of this
project, whilst minimising disruption to the travelling public.” With an
initial ground investigation and detail design phase underway, construction
is due to start next month. Works include the detailed design and
construction of 32, MS4 variable message signs, five new superspan gantries
and refurbishing 13 existing gantries, together with associated technology
equipment. Scheduled for completion in 2010, the scheme will enable the
implementation of mandatory variable speed limits on each lane of the
motorway, introducing active traffic management to reduce congestion and
improve safety on one of the busiest sections of motorway in Wales.
UNIVERSITY LAUNCHES
FOUNDATION TO HELP BUSINESSES BEAT RECESSION
June 16 - A bold new
initiative has been launched to help businesses use innovation and
creativity to counter the economic downturn. The University of Wales,
Newport, unveiled The Entrepreneurship Foundation at Creative Capital, an
event showcasing the latest thinking in the challenging and changing worlds
of media, business, design, regeneration, technology and the creative
industries. The aim of the Foundation is to develop innovative
managers who can combine senior leadership and entrepreneurial skills and
power future business growth, even in the current economic climate. Creative
Capital was a free event organised by Newport’s University and sponsored by
Newport Unlimited and the Study Group. Held at the spectacular East
Wintergarden building in Canary Wharf, it featured an impressive programme
of interactive workshops, launches, work from the latest fashion and
photography talent, and speeches from senior industry figures.
CHURCH IN THE CAMBRIAN CENTRE?
June 16 - Newport City Council planners
will be considering a remarkable planning application from Newport City
Church to turn unit 14 of the Cambrian Centre in to a church or charitable
establishment. The unit is currently disused following the delay to the
development of the Centre following the scrapping of the City Spires
project.
SAINSBURY TO THE RESCUE
June 16 - Newport's Sainsbury store in
Wyndham Street came to the rescue of the City's Royal Gwent Hospital on
Monday. The hospital was without water for seven hours from mid-afternoon.
But the store provided 1500 litres of bottled water for patients, free of
charge.
 |
Council and Fairlake bring empty
property back into use
June 15 - Newport City Council and Fairlake Properties – the development arm of Charter Housing
Association – have worked in partnership to renovate a disused
property in Pillgwenlly. The house on Mendalgief Road had been empty
for some time, and despite working closely with the owner, had
remained in a poor state.
Newport’s empty home strategy
targets privately owned properties that have been empty on a
long-term basis and works to bring them back into use for the
benefit of the community.
Empty properties are not only an
eyesore, but can attract crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
This can impact on the police and fire services, and require
intervention by various council departments including environmental
health, planning and housing. They quite simply cost the taxpayer
money. This property had become littered with fly-tipped waste, had
attracted squatters and had been boarded up.Councillor Richard
White, cabinet member for housing and community services, said:
“Empty properties are a blight on our communities. They can cost the
local authority and its partners money, when the private owners
should be taking responsibility. |
EURO ELECTION ANALYSIS
PUTS NEWPORT SEATS ON A KNIFE-EDGE
June 13 - A detailed analysis
carried out by the BBC of the votes cast in the recent European Election
reflects the poor nature of the Labour performance on the day. Based on this
performance Labour would lose Newport West to the Conservatives but just
about retain Newport East. Although unlikely to be repeated in a General
Election the results do reflect that Labour voters were perhaps voting for
other parties for the first time or not voting at all. In particular, the
figures generally reflect a further move away from the traditional parties.
Detailed figures - Newport
West (Total votes cast 18443 - Conservative 4913 - 26.6 per cent, Labour
4437 - 24.1 per cent, UKIP 2502, Liberal Democrats 1740, Plaid Cymru 1309,
BNP 1175 - 6.4 per cent, Green 984, Christian 471, Socialist Labour 382,
No2EU 328, Jury 128) Newport East (Total votes cast 15484 - Labour
3198 - 20.7 per cent, Lib Dems 3022 - 19.5 per cent, Conservative 2966, UKIP
2473, Plaid Cymru 1152, BNP 1020 - 6.6 per cent, Green 609, Christian 328,
Socialist Labour 322, No2EU 233, Jury 101).
NEWPORT UNLIMITED DEFENDS
FRIARS WALK DEBACLE
June 11 - City regeneration
company Newport Unlimited has launched a fight back today after the stunning
blow it suffered yesterday following the demise of the £200 million Friars
Walk retail scheme. The flagship project was intended to be the centre piece
of the regeneration of the City but Newportonians seem destined to wait at
least another five years for a retail centre fit for purpose. The
regeneration company's website which has lay dormant for most of the last
six months was alive today with a statement on Friars Walk and another
Newport's regeneration programme. John Burrows Newport Unlimited Chief
Executive tried to raise expectations again "With the roads infrastructure
in place, a new multi-storey car park practically completed, and necessary
planning permissions granted much of the groundwork that needs to take place
for a scheme of this scale to start, has been completed....This is still an
exciting time for Newport. With four tower cranes at work in the heart of
the City and numerous building projects underway around the city centre and
inner areas it is clear that regeneration in Newport is moving forward
despite global market difficulties affecting The Friars Walk project....I am
confident that a replacement retail scheme will enhance the City Centre in
the future". The regeneration company was set up to deliver this key project
amongst others but its credibility has been severely tested by this failure
to deliver.
COUNCILLOR CRITICISES
BULKY WASTE COLLECTION PRICE HIKE
June 11 - Malpas Councillor
Bill Langsford has criticised a decision by the City Council to retain a
price increase for the collection of bulky waste items. In January 2009 the
price of such items was increased from £3 to £5. He stated "It is noted that
the number of pick ups has decreased slightly and the reason given is
because of the economic climate. I do not disagree with this but I am sure
that St David's Foundation, Wastesavers, and Raven House Trust are
increasing their collections for these types of goods. I did feel that it
was unnecessary to increase the charge for this service by 66.66% at a time
of economic downturn and still do. I sincerely hope that another increase
isn't in the pipeline because of the number of pickups decreasing. Has there
been an increase in fly tipping of bulky items?" The Council claims that the
price hike has not led to an increase in fly tipping and that the revenue
for the service has increased by 26 per cent since the price increase.
However, a report to the City Council notes that in the period September to
December, 2008 before the price increase they received 2,976 bookings
compared to 2,554 bookings in the period January to April, 2009 after the
price increase.
FRIARS WALK SCHEME SHELVED
BY CITY COUNCIL
June 10 - Newport City Council is set to go
out to tender for a new city centre development after Modus Corovest, the
developers of Friars Walk, revealed they are not in position to deliver the
proposed scheme. The action proposed by the cabinet will also see it taking
greater control of the development site as part of plans to complete the
ongoing compulsory purchase scheme around John Frost Square. The council
will be re-marketing the site and seeking a new development partner for a
new retail scheme.
With the roads infrastructure in place, a
new multi-storey car park practically completed, and necessary planning
permissions granted much of the groundwork that needs to take place for a
scheme of this scale to start, has been completed. Councillor Matthew Evans,
leader of Newport City Council, said: “As far as the council is concerned we
have reached the stage where a definite decision needs to be taken on the
future of Friars Walk.We have done all we can as a council to get this
scheme to the stage where the developers had to come up with the funding and
go on site. They have failed to do this and have now told us that because of
the economic downturn they are currently not in a position to deliver the
intended scheme. Such is the importance of this project for Newport we are
not prepared to accept a scaled down version and will therefore open up the
scheme to other interested parties. “Businesses and investors know the huge
potential that the city has, and there was no lack of interest in the Friars
Walk scheme which was 75 per cent pre-let. The banking crisis has had a huge
impact on the commercial property market and unfortunately Modus and Friars
Walk have been caught up in the middle of this. We will be taking decisive
action at a difficult time. I know that there will be huge disappointment,
but we will be failing the people and businesses of Newport if we just
allowed the current situation to drift on indefinitely.”
John Burrows, chief executive of the urban
redevelopment company Newport Unlimited, is optimistic about the chances of
finding another developer. "It takes about eight to 10 years to get shopping
centre schemes completed. Only two to three years of that is the
construction stage," he said. "Already about four years of that has been
successfully undertaken. Unfortunately there aren't new shops opening next
year for the people of Newport." However, the loss of the scheme is a
massive blow to Newport's regeneration plans and the credibility of Newport
Unlimited. There were extensive delays to the development prior to the
economic downturn which led to its eventual demise. In other areas, notably
Bristol and Cardiff, shopping developments have forged ahead despite current
circumstances. The proposal will be put to the next cabinet meeting on
Tuesday.
KINGSWAY CAR PARK TO OPEN IN JULY
June 10 -
Kingsway Shopping Centre, owned by UBS Triton Property Fund, will open its
new state of the art car park in the centre of Newport in July. The 1,050
space car park, which includes 30 disabled spaces, parent and child spaces,
is located in the heart of the city adjacent to the city centre, Library and
Newport Centre. The car park allows direct access to the newly refurbished
Kingsway shopping Centre anchored by Wilkinson and where Peacocks have just
re-opened their new larger store. Kingsway car park will be open between 8
am and midnight providing Newport with modern, secure and accessible
parking, the best car parking environment in the City. 40 spaces are
available for annual permit holders. Further information can be obtained
from the Centre Manager, Michael Hine on 01633 258151.
SAFER NEWPORT URGES PUBS AND CLUBS TO USE
PLASTIC BOTTLES
June
10 - The Safer Newport partnership has called for plastic bottles to be
introduced in every pub and club in the city centre.
From July, city club Escapade will only serve plastic bottles
to customers and police are trying to encourage others to follow suit. It is
hoped the new toughened plastic bottles will stop “glassing” injuries and
make revellers feel safer in licensed premises.
Many pubs and clubs in Newport already use polycarbonate glasses, which have
proved successful in reducing injuries. The “unbreakable” polycarbonate
glasses and bottles bounce off floors rather than smash and are strong
enough for a car to park on them. PC Rachael Honey, licensing officer for
Newport, is working with city centre pubs and clubs to encourage them to
introduce the polycarbonate bottles at night. She said: “This is a major
step forward for reducing the potential for serious incidents to occur in
Newport city centre. We would like to see every licensed premises in the
city centre to get on board and exclusively use plastic bottles and glasses
at night. People want to enjoy themselves in a safe and secure environment
and if everyone uses these new plastic bottles then glass attacks in Newport
could be wiped out altogether.” Manager of Escapade, Simon Hughes, said:
“We’re looking to make our club, and Newport as a whole, a safe and
enjoyable environment for people to visit at night.Glassing isn’t a big
problem in Newport, but these plastic bottles can stop it happening
altogether."
£3.8 MILLION FOR CITY 'ENHANCEMENTS'
June 10 - Newport has received £3.8 million
in funding from the Welsh Assembly Government to carry out 'enhancements' to
City gateways as part of the preparation for the Ryder Cup. A report to the
City Council's Cabinet next Tuesday states "An opportunity now exists to
undertake some timely physical and environmental enhancements to the
gateways, key routes and to visually prominent vacant/derelict properties,
that will greatly improve the image of the City to both visitors and
residents alike. As the majority of these works are permanent, not only will
the delivery of them compliment perfectly the plans for preparing for the
Ryder Cup in October 2010, but will provide a longer lasting legacy for the
City. In total, £3.8m has been provisionally secured from WAG to implement
these works. A multi-disciplinary Project Team has been established to lead
and deliver this, who will prioritise and cost a range of key works covering
environmental enhancements, planting, painting, cleaning, and physical
improvements to buildings." Gateways include entrances to the City such as
the Coldra, Caerleon and Pencarn Way. They also include streets and
buildings nearer the city centre including John Frost Square and the Old
Technical College.
MOTORCYCLIST DIES
FOLLOWING COLLISION
June 9 - The 24 year old motorcyclist
injured during a collision which occurred on Friday 29th May on Caswell Way,
Reevesland Industrial Estate, Newport, has died. The motorcyclist
collided with a parked car. Police are still appealing for any witnesses to
the collision, which occurred at approximately 8.50am, to come forward on
101 or
01633 642 404.
POLICE TAKE ACTION AGAINST
SPEEDING IN DUFFRYN
June 8 - Police in the
Duffryn area of Newport have taken action against speeding motorists
recently. The Tredegar Park Neighbourhood Committee heard local officer PC
Morgan advise them that over a 16 day period, at different times, 80 drivers
had been dealt with for speeding. 77 of the vehicles showed speeds of under
35 mph the other 3 were over 40 mph. Literature rather than tickets was
given to drivers at this stage. A record is being kept and checked for
repetitive drivers and tickets will be issued at some point. PC Morgan said
he would also carry out speed checks during the evening. Six warnings have
been given to off-road bikers and two bikes have been seized.
RINGLAND VANDALISM COSTS
£3K
June 8 - A recent spate of
vandalism at the Ringland library and centre over the half term period has
cost local taxpayers £3,000. Councillor Jim Fortey has held a meeting with
the Police to discuss a way forward. It was agreed that Police would do a
survey of the area and look at how to stop youths accessing the roof of the
building. Fortey commented that it was important that this behaviour was
stopped and residents were urged to take control and report any anti-social
behaviour to the Police.
'AVERAGE SPEED' CAMERAS
SET FOR M4 IN NEWPORT
June 6 - Average speed checks
are on the way for Welsh drivers for the first time, BBC Wales has revealed.
New mobile cameras would monitor speed between two points, then issue
penalty notices if the limit is exceeded. BBC Wales Dragon's Eye has learnt
the cameras are likely to be introduced on a stretch of the M4 motorway
around Newport, where there is now a 50mph limit. The system works by
monitoring a stretch of road with linked cameras that continually capture
images of passing cars, regardless of which lane they are in. The cameras
note a car's number plate, and the average speed of the vehicle between two
points, often miles apart, is then calculated. If the driver's speed exceeds
the limit, an offence is automatically recorded, along with images of the
offending car, ready to issue a speeding ticket. The controversial 50 mph
speed limit between junctions 24 and 28 has been widely criticised by
business and motoring organisations including the CBI and by the Institute
of Advanced Motorists.
MAINDEE DRUGS ARREST
 |
June 4 -
A man has been arrested after 25 cannabis plants were
found in a Maindee house. Maindee
Neighbourhood Policing Team executed a drugs warrant at an address
on Morris Street, near George Street Bridge in Newport on Monday.
Officers found a hydroponics set-up along with 25 very mature
cannabis plants.A 29-year-old man was arrested at the address on
suspicion of cultivation and the supply of cannabis. He has been
bailed pending forensic examination of the recovered items.
PC Andy Lewis, of Maindee Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We
were very pleased to find these cannabis plants before they could be
harvested and sold on the streets. We will act quickly on any
information offered to us by members of the public to keep drugs
away from our communities.” If you have any suspicions relating to
drugs offences, call Gwent Police on
101, or Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111.
|
DISPERSAL ORDER PLAN
TO CUT CRIME IN PILL
June 4 - The Safer Newport Partnership is set to introduce a
new dispersal order in Pill to reduce levels of antisocial behaviour and
criminal damage. Safer Newport decided to
take action after receiving complaints from residents about youngsters
gathering in a number of streets in the Pill area. After gathering
information and evidence, Pill Neighbourhood Policing Team and Newport City
Council authorised the implementation of a dispersal order.
Dispersal orders give police officers and PCSOs the power to direct any
groups of two or more people, or vehicles, to leave a specified area. The
order in Pill will run from July 1st until December 31st. It will cover
Williams Close, Francis Drive, Francis Street, Alma Street, Capel Close,
Capel Crescent, Raglan Court, Coulson Close, Lewis Street, and the part of
Commercial Road from the junction of Alma Street to, and including Princes
Gate Gardens (junction of Commercial Road and Frederick Street). Anyone who
refuses to leave, or returns to the area within 24 hours, when asked can be
arrested under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003. The only exclusions to
the order will be any prearranged public events that may be held on the
site.
Neighbourhood officer for Pill, PC Chris Back, said: “The introduction of
this dispersal order will make us better equipped to break-up groups of
people hanging around on the streets and causing trouble. We will only
implement the order when we feel people are up to no good and anyone who
breaks its conditions will be firmly dealt with. Pill Neighbourhood Policing
Team is working closely with residents and partners to make Pill an area to
be proud of once again.” The dispersal order in Pill will help a Gwent
Police campaign recently launched to tackle criminal damage. Even though
incidents of criminal damage decreased by 2.5% compared to the previous
year, of the 49,219 total recorded crimes in Gwent in 2008-9, there were
12,196 offences of criminal damage - almost a quarter. It is known that most
of these incidents are due to graffiti or damage to vehicles. Police have
joined with local authorities to ensure that all areas suffering from
criminal damage are identified and proactively targeted as well as
implementing a publicity campaign highlighting the consequences of
committing criminal damage to the culprits.
Minister Praises Creativity at Newport University

Fine Arts student Natalie Gibbs’
installation, 'Invasion of a lateral matter' was inspired by the
Constructivist movement and features the sculptural forms of perspex
mirrors interfaced with video projections.

|
June 4 - The creativity of the designers, film-makers and artists of
tomorrow was praised by Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Education,
Lifelong Learning and Skills when she visited the annual Graduate
Show at Newport School of Art, Media and Design.
The major exhibition, held at the Caerleon Campus of the University
of Wales, Newport, features a dazzling display of diverse and
innovative work – including photography, fine art, animation,
graphics and multimedia – which complements innovative avante garde
installations with more traditional art such as oil paintings.
Amongst other work animation student
Stewart Paton (bottom, right) made a film about evolution with
characters drawn from early Victorian text books similar to the ones
made Darwin. ‘Please See Label For Instructions’ is a series of
portraits that depict school children that are affected by learning
difficulties created by Documentary Photography student Emma Borrow.
“The children I photographed each have a learning difficulty that
may affect their experience in primary and secondary school, and my
aim was to highlight the concept of labelling children in schools,”
said 21-year-old Emma.
Emma (bottom left) enjoyed her time
at Newport. “I came here because there’s no other course like it in
the country,” she said. |

Matt Needle focused on creating a
series of posters for the work of his favourite film-maker, Alfred
Hitchcock.

|
CITY MAN LOCATED SAFE AND
WELL
June 3 - Thirty six year old
Jason Kerr who was reported missing on May 31st has been located safe and
well.
COUNCIL TO TAKE ACTION ON
MARLBOROUGH ROAD
June 3 - The City Council has
decided to take out action to acquire the area of land at Marlborough Road
devastated by fire in August 27. If the land cannot be acquired by agreement
the Council has stated it will obtain a Compulsory Purchase Order to secure
the site. The Council has set aside £400,000 for this procedure.
The devastation in the area was caused when a fire broke out at a local
joinery business. Sadly this resulted in five houses in Marlborough Road
being destroyed. These properties had subsequently been demolished. Four
more are fire damaged. One of which has already been partially demolished.
The factory was also destroyed by the fire. To date, although the site is
secured with fencing, much of the rubble from the demolished properties
remains where it fell, acts as a reminder to those directly affected by the
fire and to those who still reside in the Street. The site has also been
subject to fly tipping which adds to the harm caused to the amenity of the
surrounding area and this has been reflected in the number of complaints
received by the Council.
 |
POLICE SEEK HELP TO FIND
MISSING MAN
June 2 - Gwent
Police is appealing for information to locate a man who has gone
missing from his Newport home. 36
year old Jason Kerr was reported missing to police on 31st May, he
hasn't contacted anyone since Friday 29th May. He is described as
white, of a medium build, approximately 5'9" tall, with cropped dark
brown hair. He has a moustache, an ear ring in his left year and was
last see in a white rolled up shirt.
He has a number of tattoos; the name Diane tattooed on his left arm,
"MUFC Champions" tattooed on his right forearm, the three feathers
tattooed on his left forearm, a sun tattooed to his right upper arm
and a large "V" shaped tattoo on his back. It's believed he may be
in the Cardiff or Gwent police force area where he has contacts. If
anyone has any information regarding where Jason Kerr may be they
are asked to contact
Gwent Police on 101.
|
BOY SUSTAINS
'NUMEROUS' INJURIES IN LLISWERRY ACCIDENT
Jun 1 - A road accident in Lliswerry on Friday
evening has left an eight year old boy with 'numerous' injuries.
Police are appealing for information after a collision
occurred on Lliswerry Park Drive, Newport, at approximately 7.35pm. The
police state the collision occurred between a
Renault Clio car and an eight year old boy. Neighbours assisted to remove
the boy from underneath the vehicle. The injured boy was taken to the Royal
Gwent Hospital where he is in a stable condition. The Police are conducting
a full investigation and are appealing for witnesses, specifically they need
to identify any vehicles parked near the scene at the time. Anyone with
information should call Gwent Police on 101
or the Collision Investigation Unit on
01633 642404.
TOP CITY POST TO BE
RE-ADVERTISED
Jun 1 - The post of Newport
City Council's leading officer, Managing Director, is to be re-advertised.
The person selected for the post, following the recent interview procedure,
has turned the job down for personal reasons. The position comes with a
salary between £117,000 and £134,000.
POLICE APPEAL OVER
INDUSTRIAL ESTATE ACCIDENT
MAY 31 - Gwent Police is appealing for information following a
collision which occurred at approximately 8.50am on Friday 29th May.
A motorcyclist collided with a parked car on Caswell
Way, Reevesland Industrial Estate, Newport. He has been taken to the Royal
Gwent Hospital where he is described as critical. There was a male driver in
the parked car who was not injured. Anyone with information is asked to call
Gwent Police on 101 or the
Collision Investigation Unit on 01633
642404.
ANOTHER DAYLIGHT
STREET ROBBERY IN CITY CENTRE
May 28 - Gwent Police is appealing for
information following a robbery which took place, Tuesday 26th May, on
Christchurch Road, Newport.
The incident occurred between 5.40pm and 5.50pm. Two 17 year old females
were walking along Clarence Place when they were approached by two males who
asked for the time. They then walked behind them along Caerleon Road,
Church Road and onto Christchurch Road where they engaged them in
conversation for a second time. They then forcibly took each of their mobile
phones. No injuries were sustained. The offenders are both described as
being white males, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and around 17 years
old. Offender 1 is described as being of slim build with short cropped light
hair. He was wearing black tracksuit bottoms and a black t-shirt with a
multi-coloured square pattern on the front. Offender 2 was wearing a plain
black hooded top and black tracksuit bottoms. Gwent Police is appealing for
anyone who may have witnessed or have information about this incident to
contact them on 101 or call
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
TT ELECTRONICS WINS
SIGNIFICANT NEW CONTRACT
May 28 - A new troubled Newport based
electronics company has received a significant boost.
TT electronics in Rogerstone has
signed a contract in excess of £2.5 million per year to supply PCB
manufacturing services to Crowcon Detection Instruments.
Crowcon, a Halma company has the most
robust and reliable range of gas detection products in the industry,
including fixed and portable instruments for detection toxic and flammable
gases. Its instruments are used worldwide by oil, gas and petrochemical
companies, public utilities, clean water and sewage treatment companies,
fire brigades, construction companies and other organisations where
accidental leakage of gas or vapour can become a toxic or explosive danger.
John Molloy, Divisional Director for TT electronics integrated manufacturing
services commented, "Crowcon Detection Instruments is a significant win for
the Rogerstone site. The contract is a challenging one, involving the
manufacture of a very high mix of complex electronic assemblies, to rigorous
standards of reliability and quality. We are proud that we have been able to
meet the exceptionally exacting requirements of this contract, and are
looking forward to a productive relationship with Crowcon."
USKMOUTH FACES
OWNERSHIP BY CREDITORS
May 27 - Uskmouth the coal fired power
plant owned by Welsh Power, could be
owned by its creditors for the second time in its history. An article in the
Financial Times today states that at the end of March, Uskmouth was
due to repay £120m of debt raised to fund its acquisition in 2006. Instead,
the company and its shareholders decided to hand the plant over to creditors
as the 363-megawatt coal-fired power station near Newport in South Wales –
like other plants – faces a slump in power prices.
“The collapse in power prices means that in
the long term, Uskmouth Power Company would not be able to service its
current debt,” Alex Lambie, chief executive of Welsh Power, told the FT.
“The company is in constructive talks with creditors with the view to them
either taking over the company or selling the company to a third party.” Mr
Lambie also added that the company had negotiated a standstill in debt
repayments until the end of June to allow a conclusion of talks with
bondholders. Uskmouth is not in default, he said. It is unclear what the
changes in ownership and financial solvency mean for those employed at the
plant. Mr. Lambie indicated that company was in “advanced talks” with
several interested parties with respect to its sale.
Uskmouth (or Uskmouth Power as it is
formally known) has been owned by Welsh Power Group Limited since 2004. It
is a coal-fired power station that can generate around 360MW, enough for
360,000 homes, sufficient to meet the needs of Newport and its surrounding
area. It is reputedly one of the cleanest coal-fired plants in the UK. Welsh
Power also owns Dragon Generation - this company plans to build the plant on
a 10-acre brown-field site at Newport Docks, a designated area for
industrial works, with an investment of more than £140 million.
POLICE APPEAL OVER
GEORGE STREET BRIDGE ROBBERY
May 26 - Gwent Police is appealing for information
following a robbery that occurred in Newport this morning, Tuesday 26th May.
The robbery took place between 8.30am and 8.45am on George Street Bridge. A
woman was approached from behind, knocked to the floor and her handbag
containing her wallet and jade green scarf were stolen. She sustained minor
head injuries and was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital as a precautionary
measure.
The offender ran off over the bridge in the direction of Castle Bingo and
across the road to the car park leading onto Canal Parade. He is described
as a white male, approximately 35 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall and of
medium build. He had short brown hair and was wearing jeans, a navy bomber
jacket and white trainers. Police are interested in speaking to anyone who
may have witnessed the incident or may have information that could assist
with enquiries. Please contact Gwent Police on
101 or Crimestoppers anonymously
on 0800 555 111.
BUTLER WELCOMES EXTRA
SCHOOL FUNDING
May 26 -
Rosemary Butler has welcomed the Welsh Assembly Government's decision to
revise its allocation to sixth forms in Newport, bringing more than half a
million pounds in extra funding to the area since an initial announcement in
January. At the time local schools complained
that they were losing out, but it was then discovered that inaccurate data
about the volume of learning had been provided to the Assembly - hence the
shortfall. The latest allocation means that courses and budgets which might
have been threatened will now be protected. Rosemary Butler said: "I'm
particularly pleased that Duffryn High School, Bettws High School and
Caerleon Comprehensive School have benefited from this increase. Their
excellent sixth forms are very popular and this latest Assembly allocation
will help them to carry on providing a first class education for local
students."
NEWPORT UNLIMITED
REPORT SHOWS NEW LIMIT OF CITY'S AMBITIONS
May 25 - In marked contrast to previous years
Newport Unlimited's Business Plan for 2009 indicates scaled back ambitions
for the City's regeneration programme. The City Council's Cabinet will
consider the report tomorrow. There is scant mention of the Friars Walk
retail development and ironically new supermarket developments from
Sainsbury and Asda are given prominence despite the negative impact they
will have on the city centre. In addition, the report mentions the
Travelodge Hotel on Bridge Street as an achievement even though Newport
Unlimited had little to do with it. Other hotel developments associated with
Friars Walk, City Spires and the Alexandra Gate housing scheme have all
stalled.
The following projects will be
completed in 2009 -
- Kingsway New Car Park – 1,050 spaces
- Travelodge Bridge Street – 60 Beds
- City Vizion First Phase – 50 Apartments
- River East Housing Developments – 500
Apartments & Houses
- Gateway Projects on key roundabouts
- River Defence Works
|
The following projects are
on site in 2009
- Railway
Station new western concourse
- Newport University’s City Centre Campus
- Left Bank walkway and East Bank walkway / Riverside Park, and
walkway and cycleway
- Alexandra Park (Redrow) residential – 400 apartments & houses
/ Newhaus (Westmark) residential Development – 139 apartments /
Riverside North (Fairlake) – 104 apartments & houses
- Sainsbury development of Crindau Gas Works site
- Whiteheads Steelworks site – reclamation works
- Preparing Newport for 2010 (2009 schemes)
|
The report states only 56 per cent of Newport
Unlimited's 160 projects will be under way or have been completed by the end
of 2010. In addition, out of 11,413 new homes planned, 11 per cent have been
built. The report claims in excess of 4,000 jobs have been created by the
initial programme and associated projects.
POLICE APPEAL OVER
FRIARS ROAD BURGLARY
May 22 - Gwent Police is appealing for information following
a burglary which occurred between 12pm and 5pm on Wednesday 20th May 2009 on
Friars Road, Newport. It is believed two men
entered the home of an 85 year old lady and stole a flat screen television.
The men are described as white, in their early 20s, of slim build with short
cropped hair. They were both wearing tracksuits. Its is believed they may
have been walking in the St Woolos direction at approximately 4.45pm. Police
are appealing for anyone who may have seen two men in the area between these
times carrying a cardboard box/TV or anyone who may hold information about
this incident to contact them on 101
or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555
111.
VIRGIN MEDIA DEALS
NEWPORT ANOTHER JOBS BLOW
May 21 - More than 200 staff
at a contractor for Virgin Media in Newport face moving to a site in Swansea
under new plans. The cable group said staff at Fujitsu, which supports
Virgin Media's broadband fault management, were to be consulted. It said it
was proposing to transfer staff from Fujitsu to IBM in Swansea, and to bring
some work back in-house. In a separate announcement, Virgin Media said it
was also proposing to merge its two sites in Newport and one in Cardiff into
one location. In a statement Virgin Media said: "Fujitsu currently support
Virgin Media's National broadband fault management and we will be working
with them to determine whether any of their staff wish to transfer to IBM.
We are also proposing to move some Network Fault Management and customer
care work back in-house to our offices in Manchester and Newport. "
FIRE CREWS BRING DOCKS
BLAZE UNDER CONTROL
May 20 - Firefighters spent
over three hours this afternoon tackling a large fire which broke out on a
rubbish pile which contained old computers and plastics. The blaze broke out
at Sims Metal Recycling Centre, Alexandra Dock in Newport. It is understood
between 20 and 30 tonnes of computer equipment and waste plastic were alight
at the site. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service received the call at 1300
BST and crews from Duffryn, Maindee, Malpas, Barry and New Inn were sent to
the scene. They used a high volume pump and four jets. There were no
evacuations and no one was injured, and crews started leaving the scene
around 1615 BST.
POLICE IN MARSHFIELD MAKE
SURE KIDS GET TO SCHOOL SAFELY
 |
May 20 - Police officers have
teamed up with Marshfield Primary School to support national Walk to
School Week. The Walk to School Campaign is run by the charity
Living Streets with funding from Department for Transport and the
BIG Lottery fund. It asks parents, pupils and teachers to think
about their journey to and from school and the many benefits of
making it on foot.
Marshfield’s neighbourhood officers, Pc Adrian Walters and PCSO Kim
Weare, have agreed to accompany a ‘walking bus’ of around 70
children to school. As well as keeping the children safe as they
walk, the officers hope to raise awareness of the dangers drivers
can pose. Marshfield residents have set speeding as one of the
neighbourhood policing team’s priorities and Marshfield Primary
continually warn parents not to park inappropriately when picking up
their children. Pc Adrian Walters, neighbourhood officer for
Marshfield, said:
“Although the aim of the walk is to help the environment, we are
also hoping to highlight the problems that schools face with illegal
parking and irresponsible driving. Motorists need to realise that
driving and parking irresponsibly can put schoolchildren in danger.
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FORMER REFEREE SLAMS WALES
FA OVER CARDIFF BIAS
May 19 - Former referee
Graham Poll has hit out at the Football Association of Wales after their
decision not to take further action against Cardiff in relation to the
coin-throwing incident that left referee Mike Dean with a cut to his
forehead last month.
Poll said: "There seems to be a reluctance
to act with strength, to act to say... 'this is not acceptable'." Poll says
the FAW's actions are in stark contrast to the punishment meted out to
Newport County following an incident in November 2006. On that occasion the
FAW fined Newport £3,000 for failing to control their fans and were also
found guilty of failing to control then-boss Peter Beadle, who was sent off
in the match. Poll said: "All too often referees are accused of behaving
differently with the biggest clubs... and yet it seems that the FAW have
fallen into that trap as well." He added: "They [Newport] were fined heavily
and yet Cardiff City - once again - escaped."
Following the match David Roberts, 24, from
Pontypridd, appeared before Cardiff Magistrates' Court over the incident at
Ninian Park and admitted the charge of ''throwing a missile towards the
pitch.'' He was fined £200 and given a three-year banning order, although Mr
Roberts denied throwing the coin which injured referee Dean, instead
insisting he threw a piece of chewing gum. There is no evidence that
he was the perpetrator of the coin throwing incident. Some of the
Cardiff-based media have tried to suggest that he was in their attempts to
support Cardiff City at all costs.
COUNCIL CONSIDERS SELLING OFF MORE OF
'THE FAMILY SILVER'
May 19 - Councillor Peter Davies
(Conservative, Stow Hill) has confirmed that the City Council is considering
the sale of land at the Mansion House in order to fund a move by the
Registry Office from their current premises at Gold Tops. Despite this being
the worst property slump in living memory Councillor Davies stated that two
building plots could be provided to a developer. Councillor Allan Morris
(Labour, Lliswerry) criticised the plan and stated it was a case of the new
administration selling off Newport's family silver.
SEX OFFENDER COMPLAINT IS
UPHELD
May 18 - The police watchdog
has upheld a complaint about a police force's management of a sex offender.
Malcolm Hewitt, from Newport, was found guilty in August 2007 of sexually
assaulting a four-year-old girl. The Independent Police Complaints
Commission (IPCC) found "organisational failings within the force's
management of sexual offenders". Gwent Police said the findings of the
investigation had been fully addressed before the report was published. A
complaint against Gwent Police was made in November 2007 by the child's
mother, who alleged the force had failed to take appropriate action relating
to a registered sex offender. IPCC
commissioner for Wales Tom Davies said: "Gwent Police's policies and
procedures for dealing with the management of sex offenders at that time
were clearly not good enough and the force took action to put this right.
ADMISSIONS ERROR
DISAPPOINTMENT AT BASSALEG SCHOOL
May 15 - It has
been revealed that 34 pupils and their parents were informed initially that
their children had been admitted to Bassaleg School, only to be told shortly
afterwards that there had been an error and they were not admitted.
Councillor Herbie Thomas (Labour, Gaer) told this week's Council meeting he
was very concerned about error. He did not believe the remaining option to
appeal would satisfy the disgruntled parents. David Hando, the Cabinet
Member for Young People Services, described the error as 'a disgrace'. It
was an administrative error that had led to these events which should simply
not have happened. All parents had been approached with an apology and had
been invited to meet officials. The cause of the error was under
investigation. He said he had great sympathy for the parents but the
admission of an additional 34 pupils at the school was not an option for the
local education authority. The appeals procedure, however, was independent
and each case would be considered on its merits. The Cabinet Member stated
that if any of these specific parents had incurred any expense for uniforms
and the outcome was that the child would not be admitted to Bassaleg School,
the cost of uniforms would be reimbursed.
CONCERN OVER COPPER
THEFTS FROM STEELWORKS SITE
May 15 - Gwent Police is appealing for information following
a number of thefts from the Corus steelworks site at Llanwern.
Since the 1st April there have been five reports of
incidents where copper and other metals have been stolen. Cutting equipment,
being used to commit these crimes, has also been found on site. Inspector
Geraint Evans said; "The local neighbourhood policing team is working
closely with Corus to try and identify those committing these crimes and
have increased patrols in the area. The theft of metal is not only a serious
crime, it brings with it serious dangers. We know lives have been lost by
people embarking on this type of criminality before and it really isn’t
worth the risk. Anyone with information about anyone involved in such
activity is asked to call Gwent Police on
101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on
0800 555 111." Stephen Pearce,
Health and Safety Manager at Corus says;"We are concerned that these thieves
are putting themselves at great danger. Whilst some units are idle at the
moment, there is significant activity on site."
KITCHEN WASTE COLLECTION
SERVICE TO EXPAND
May 15 - Newport City Council is to expand its new weekly
food waste collection service. The existing trial (in the Chepstow Road
area) has proven to be very popular and collection rates are even higher
than predicted; to further enhance the trial it is proposed to add an
additional 3,500 properties at the earliest opportunity.
MORE DELAYS TO FRIARS WALK
May 14 - City Council Leader
Matthew Evans has admitted that he believes it is unlikely that the Friars
Walk developers will be on site later this year as promised. The £200
million scheme seems increasingly unlikely to happen. Evans said that the
economic situation had badly affected the scheme. Unfortunately, for Newport
both Cardiff and Bristol have expanded their retail developments within
recent months and near neighbour Cwmbran will also see a new Morrison's
supermarket. This is the latest in a series of Newport City Centre schemes
to flounder but Evans insisted it still could happen and 75 per cent of
retail space has been pre-let.
Laura Buchanan Smith, vice president of the
city's chamber of trade and a former councillor, said traders are
demoralised by the building delays. She told the BBC "Traders are going out
of business and I really see that some people are not going to survive, your
small independent trader can't survive. We've got the university on the go,
we've got the railway station on the go... all the riverfront is done, all
the old town dock regeneration in my old ward Pill, and there's nothing in
the centre.
Mr Evans said: "I'd far prefer to justify
to people that we have got a scheme progressing which is worth while for the
long term benefits of the residents in Newport and to see the cranes moving
rather than talk about a golfing event, which is clearly very important for
the city. But the city centre regeneration is not about one golf tournament.
It's about the long term benefit of all the residents in the city."
 |
POLICE TEACH NEWPORT SCHOOL PUPILS
HOW TO STAY SAFE
May 13 - This year’s Crucial Crew event, organised by Gwent Police,
has received glowing feedback from pupils and teachers in Newport.
Crucial Crew is a multi-agency event that has been running in
Newport for more than 15 years.
The annual event informs and educates schoolchildren aged 10 and 11
about personal safety and citizenship issues which form part of the
National School Curriculum. Newport’s Raglan Barracks hosted this
year’s three-week event, which finishes on Thursday (May 14th).
Primary schools from across the city participated in activities run
by each of the agencies involved.
Each agency has its own “station” and approximately 120 pupils per
session will visit each station in groups of 12 on a rotational
basis over the course of a morning or afternoon session.
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LIB DEMS TARGET ETHNIC MINORITY
VOTES IN CITY
May 13 - The Liberal Democrats bid for the
support of Wales’ Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities yesterday as the
party launched its European election campaign. While UK leader Nick Clegg
met students at Newport’s Coleg Gwent, former party leader Paddy Ashdown met
ethnic minorities at the city’s Poppadoms and Dilshad restaurants.
COUNCIL CLAIMS IT HAS AVERTED
LIBRARY CLOSURE
May 12 - Newport City Council's
Conservative led administration claims an 'efficiency drive' has averted the
possible closure of one of the City's libraries. The closure of one library
in the city and a re-provision of its services was identified as a possible
way of meeting the difficult budget pressures that arose from this year’s
poor financial settlement from the Welsh Assembly Government. However the
success of other efficiency savings across the council has meant that this
option no longer needs to be considered. Councillor Mike Hamilton, Lib Dem
cabinet member for leisure and continuing learning, said: “Following the
excellent news about our successful grant application to develop a new
library at Tredegar House to serve West Newport, I am delighted that we have
been able to identify other efficiency savings across the council which will
enable us to protect our full range of library services. We had considered
whether the service in Caerleon, which is located in the school site, could
be provided in a more cost effective manner as there are ongoing issues with
its suitability."
STREET PASTORS HEAD FOR CITY NIGHT LIFE
May
12 - The first ever ‘Street Pastors’ will take to the streets of Newport
City Centre later this year to help late-night revellers.
Police hope the street pastors will make Newport a safer
place at night by helping people under the influence of alcohol before they
can cause trouble or hurt themselves. The innovative project, which also has
the support of Newport City Council and local churches, has already been
hailed a success in more than 60 other towns and cities in the UK.
Around 20 church ministers and leaders in the city will soon begin a
comprehensive training programme to fully equip them to respond to the needs
of people they speak to on the streets. The training will take place over a
period of 12 days spread over the next few months and the new street pastors
will begin roaming the city centre on Friday and Saturday nights in late
summer. The Street Pastor Scheme was initiated in Jamaica in 2001 as a
Christian response to violent crime. Brixton realised the benefits of this
initiative and launched the first UK scheme in 2003 to combat the urban
problems encountered in towns and city throughout the country. Safer Newport
Partnership Sergeant Bernie Dawson, of Newport Central Police Station, said:
“Experience in other towns and cities have shown crime levels to have
dropped where Street Pastors are operating.
DOG OWNER ORDERED TO COMPENSATE
INJURED BOY
May 12 - A Somerton woman has been ordered
by Newport Magistrates to pay compensation to a boy after a pit-bull type
terrier dog in her possession ripped his ear off. Raqia Hussain must give
12-year-old Rakib Ali £1,000 after she admitted being in possession of the
dog that savaged him at the end of March. Mrs Hussain, a 40-year-old
mother-of-five from Hawthorne Fosse, pleaded guilty to being in possession
of the pit-bull type dog contrary to the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 at a
previous hearing at the City’s Magistrates’ Court.
COUNCIL REJECTS SHARED SERVICES
PLAN
May 11 - Three councils in
south east Wales including Newport have rejected plans to deliver shared
services with other local authorities. Welsh councils have been urged
by the assembly government to work together more closely to deliver savings.
However, Newport, along with Cardiff and Caerphilly, has decided against
providing joint personnel, training and payroll services.
The councils which have decided against
taking part in the shared service scheme have raised questions about its
financial planning. With all 10 councils on board it would cost anything up
to £32m to put the scheme together. But the project's own consultants
estimate it would not provide any savings for councils until around 2016.
UNIVERSITY RESEARCHES NEW CLOTHING
FOR THE AGEING POPULATION
May 10 - Hi-tech clothes which merge technology with textiles
to improve the quality of life for the ageing population will be created in
a ground-breaking research project launched at the University of Wales,
Newport. The New Dynamics of Ageing
(NDA) research programme will be carried out at the University’s Smart
Clothes and Wearable Technology Research Centre which has successfully
attracted major research funding for the three year project from the UK’s
joint research council. “We are at the beginning of a new industrial
revolution as textiles and electronics merge, and this collaborative
research project will bring together design and technology to investigate
the application of smart textiles in clothing to enhance the well-being and
quality of life of the active ageing population,” said Jane McCann, Director
of the Research centre and leader of the project
CALL FOR
SCHOOLGIRL TO RETURN HOME
May 9 -
Police are appealing for a vulnerable schoolgirl to return home after her
disappearance three days ago. Shauna Payne, 14, was last seen on Tuesday
morning at her home in Newport. Gwent Police said it is believed she may be
staying with friends in the area and are urging her to make contact. “Police
believe she is staying with friends in the Newport area and urge them or
Shauna herself to make contact,” a spokesman said. “Shauna is considered
vulnerable because of her age.” He added: “If you have seen Shauna or have
information about her whereabouts please contact Gwent Police.”
POLICE APPEAL OVER ATTEMPTED
SUBWAY ROBBERY
May 8 - Gwent Police is
appealing for information following an attempt robbery in the Newport City
Centre area on Saturday morning.
A 57 year old female was walking through
Queensway Subway, from the city centre in the direction of the train
station, at 11.30am when a male grabbed her from behind and attempted to
take her handbag.
The male offender punched the victim in the face twice, but failing to
obtain the handbag made off empty handed in the direction of the city
centre. The victim was left shaken with a facial cut and swelling. The
offender is described as a white male, 17/18 years old, approximately
5'1"/5'2" tall and of slim build. He was clean shaven and wearing a black
beanie hat and a black waist length jacket. Police officers are interest in
speaking to 3 people who were walking in the area at the time who may have
seen the offender make off from the scene. A man and woman who were walking
together, both white and in their early 30s. The female was wearing a pink
blouse. A man, white and in his late 30s/early 40s, wearing a pink shirt and
carrying a briefcase. This passer-by walked with the victim through the
subway to the train station after the incident. These people may be able to
provide further information that could assist officers with their
investigation. If they or anyone else has any information relating to this
incident they are asked to contact Gwent Police on
101 or Crimestoppers anonymously
on 0800 555 111.
Wind turbines to power chemicals factory
May 7 -
Chemicals manufacturer Solutia is to source electricity for its Newport site
from two large wind turbines later this year.
Construction begins this month on the project,
with industrial on-site wind developers Wind Direct set to build, own and
operate the 2.5MW machines, which secured planning permission back in 2007.
Solutia, a US-owned company spun off from biotechnology giant Monsanto in
the late nineties, emerged from bankruptcy last year and produces chemicals
and plastics used to make products including washing powders, floor
coverings and safety windows. It could source more than a third of the
Newport site's electricity from the planned Nordex N90 turbines, which are
expected to generate around 10,000 kWh of power each year - the equivalent
of electricity for around 2,000 homes.
RALLY EVENT SIGNS THREE
DEAL WITH CITY
May 6 - A major car rally,
Rally Evolution 2009, has signed a three year deal with Newport City
Council. The rally takes in 1300 miles of terrain across Wales in a four day
period from November 12 to 15. It will start and finish at Tredegar House.
120 cars will take part all with a maximum engine size of 1.4 litres.
Organisers describe it as Britain's hardest rally. It was formerly known as
the Lombard Rally and last year drew a crowd of 4,000 to its final stage in
Harrogate. For the route and schedule see the map attached
here.
NEW INITIATIVE TO CUT
CRIME AT RETAIL PARK
May 1 - The police are
launching a new initiative to cut crime at Newport Retail Park. The Retail
Park has seen a number of incidents recently including a foiled raid on a
mobile business. Police officers from Newport East Neighbourhood Policing
Team are now working with retailers and the retail park’s security firm
Akita to gather intelligence on crimes and criminals in the area. The aim of
the new Business Against Crime partnership is to keep crime to a minimum on
the very busy site, which welcomes between 40,000 and 50,000 shoppers each
week.
Shop managers, security guards and police officers will now meet regularly
to discuss suspected and convicted shoplifters, antisocial behaviour and any
other crimes that may occur. CCTV footage, photographs and other information
relevant to keeping the retail park safe will also be shared among the
partners. Newport East Neighbourhood Policing Team will also carry out
regular high-visibility patrols at the park.
ASSEMBLY QUIETLY SHELVES
RELIEF ROAD PROJECT
Apr 30 - The Welsh Assembly Government has
kicked yet another project proposed for the Newport area in to the long
grass. According to BBC Wales the £1 billion M4 relief road project is
unlikely to go ahead due to the current economic climate. Industry sources
have indicated that financially the M4 relief road project no longer "stacks
up" because of a combination of soaring costs of up to a billion pounds and
a lack of public or private capital. John Griffiths, Labour AM for Newport
East, and a deputy minister in the assembly government said in the current
circumstances he found it difficult to imagine this amount of money being
found. "It was very hard to see the scheme being given the go ahead in the
near future" he added. The Assembly has already pent nearly £20m on
preparatory work for the project. In September 2007 Deputy First Minister
Ieuan Wyn Jones stated "There will be a business case looked at this year,
and if that is a robust business case then there's a possibility of a
business inquiry in 2009 then hopefully we could start the work in 2010,
with an anticipated completion date of 2013."
LLISWERRY COUNCILLORS SEEK ASSURANCES
OVER LYSAGHTS SITE
Apr 30 - New owners of the former Lysaghts site on
Corporation Road have confirmed their intention to regenerate the site.
Lliswerry Councillor Roger Jeavons advised local residents at this week's
Neighbourhood Committee Meeting that Councillors have met with Linc Cymru
who now own the site. Their intention was to develop it with houses, sa
uperstore, a hotel and to possibly refurbish the Institute. The new owner
has also paid for the final piece of flood defence work. No planning
application had been submitted and Councillors would request a public
meeting before any plans went ahead.
WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY IN
DANGEROUS DOG CASE
Apr 29 - A woman has admitted being in possession of
a pit bull-type terrier dog which tore off a boy's ear in March. Rakib Ali,
11, was attacked as he played in a friend's garden in the Somerton area of
Newport. The mauling only ended when the boy passed out, despite the efforts
of neighbours to pull the dog off. Mother-of-five Raqia Hussain, 40, pleaded
guilty to a single charge contrary to the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 at
Newport Magistrates' Court.
Rakib was playing with one of the defendant's sons
in her front garden when the attack began. Nerve and sinew damage was also
caused to his left arm during the attack. He was taken to the Royal Gwent
Hospital in Newport but was later transferred to Morriston Hospital in
Swansea which houses a centre for burns and plastic surgery. Mike Sage,
defending, said she was Mrs Hussain was concerned about the boy's injuries
and extended "a full apology for what has taken place". Mr Sage said his
client was in receipt of benefits and had little income. Sentencing was
adjourned until 11 May for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
COUNCIL LEADER WELCOME RYDER CUP MILESTONE
Apr 29 - The leader of Newport City Council has
welcomed the opening of the Ryder Cup 2010 ticket ballot ahead of next
year's tournament at the Celtic Manor Resort. Councillor Matthew Evans,
said: “This is a hugely important milestone as we move ever closer to the
tournament and I am sure people share our sense of excitement and pride that
one of the world’s great sporting occasions is being hosted here in
Newport. It is great to see that a record number of tickets are being made
available to local golf clubs and for charity, and that the practice day
tickets will give the opportunity for young golf fans to gain a once in a
lifetime experience to see the world’s best golfers from USA and Europe
competing in their home city.
LAND SELL OFF TO PART-FINANCE NEW SCHOOLS
DEVELOPMENT
Apr 29 - Newport City Council has authorised the
disposal of significant parcels of land in Bettws and Ringland as part of
its finance arrangements for new secondary schools in the area. Land at
Hartridge Farm Road (22 acres) and on the current site of Bettws School
(14.2 acres) will be sold off to make way for new residential developments.
PATENT OFFICE JOB LOSSES
REDUCED - MP
Apr 28 - Newport West MP Paul
Flynn has been advised that the level of job losses feared for the Patent
Office has been significantly reduced. Originally, 100 redundancies were
forecast at the site near Tredegar Park. On his blog the MP states that
Minister David Lammy informed him on Friday that the Patent Office are
seeking to transfer 45 staff to other public service jobs in South Wales and
offering voluntary redundancy to 20 others. Flynn hopes to have will have
further discussions with the head of the Intellectual Property Office in the
near future.
SKILLS PROGRAMME LAUNCHED
IN NEWPORT
Apr 28 - Newport's Pink Ladies met with Deputy
Minister for Skills and Newport East AM, John Griffiths, today to mark the
launch of a unique £16 million initiative which will help thousands of
people across Wales improve their chances of finding a job. The Pink Ladies
scheme - aimed at young women learning new skills in the construction
industry - is an example of just one of many projects in Wales which could
benefit from the EU-backed Life Skills initiative aimed at tackling the
barriers people face when trying to improve their skills and find a job.
Made possible with £8 million from the European Social Fund through the
Welsh Assembly Government, the Life Skills project matches Big Lottery Fund
money with European Structural Funds for the first time. The Pink Ladies
Scheme, which provides construction taster sessions in a specially adapted
mobile unit, has so far enabled around 100 women to juggle family life with
access to skills opportunities while increasing confidence and motivation.
Through the Life Skills project many more training schemes like this will be
delivered across Wales to help almost 2,000 people into work.
One person who has benefited from a similar
programme is 24-year-old Sarah Gorey from Bettws. The single mother of two
wanted to do up her home, but could not afford to pay for any outside help.
She signed up to The Pink Ladies project, a series of construction taster
classes run from a mobile classroom. After redecorating and improving her
home - doing everything from building walls to laying carpet - she has now
decided to focus on getting a career in the construction industry. "The
sessions have been a real eye opener and I can't get enough of them," she
said "While my youngest child is being cared for in the crèche [provided as
part of the course], I learn new skills."
NEWPORT TRUCKER FOUND
GUILTY OVER DRUGS HAUL
Apr 27 - Customs chiefs have
welcomed the 16-year jail sentence for a lorry driver who was found with
165kg (363lbs) of ecstasy tablets, worth £2.44m. Leong Paul, 56, from
Newport picked up the drugs from a service stop near Antwerp in Belgium, HM
Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said. He then attempted to smuggle them into the
UK through Dover, Kent, hidden in his vehicle, but the haul was found. He
denied smuggling but was found guilty at Canterbury Crown Court. HMRC said
it began an investigation after staff discovered the drugs stash as Paul
returned from a trip to Gottingen, Germany, in April 2007 . Paul denied any
knowledge of the drugs but evidence was collected, including a mobile phone
and doctored vehicle tachograph records. After being found guilty by a jury,
Judge Adele Williams told Paul that he had attempted to smuggle a drug
capable of causing serious harm, and on rare occasions even death.
 |
POLICE SEEK MAN WHO
BREACHED LICENCE CONDITIONS
Apr 27 - Gwent
Police is appealing for information to locate 36 year old Miles
Doran who breached his licence conditions after being released from
prison on 7th January 2009. Miles
Doran was serving an 16 month prison sentence for burglary after
being convicted at Cardiff Crown Court on 23rd May 2008.
Due to the fact that Doran, who was released on licence, breached
his licence conditions he has been recalled to prison. It is
believed he may have links to the Newport area. He is described as
white, 5 feet 9 inches tall of medium build with dark brown facial
hair. He speaks with an Irish accent. If you recognise this person
and think you may have information that could assist police with
locating him please contact Gwent Police on
101 or Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111.
|
PoLICEMAN ON BLACKMAIL CHARGE
Apr 25 - A police officer in the South
Wales force appeared at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday accused of
blackmail.PC Raymond Clark, 40, of Newport, was charged with conspiracy to
blackmail after being arrested by Gwent Police. The case was adjourned until
May 22. Clark is suspended from duties by South Wales Police while further
investigations are carried out. An Independent Police Complaints Commission
spokesman told Wales Online: “The IPCC is managing the misconduct
investigation for the professional standards department at South Wales
Police. This will also look at the reasons why the identification of PC
Clark as a serving police officer in South Wales was not confirmed at an
earlier stage in the inquiry.”
CCTV TO BE INSTALLED IN A&E AT THE ROYAL
GWENT
Apr 25 - In response to the growing number
of attacks on emergency healthcare staff the Welsh Assembly Government is
launching a CCTV trial at four hospitals in Wales including the Royal Gwent
Hospital in Newport. CCTV cameras will be installed in accident and
emergency units at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil, Royal Gwent in
Newport, West Wales General in Carmarthen and Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor. The
camera will also be installed in some ambulances. The move is bound to be
controversial, especially as the cameras will be installed in both clinical
and non-clinical areas. Health minister Edwina Hart said she was
"determined" to address the issue. "Violence and aggression against staff is
totally unacceptable and I am determined to stamp out this behaviour," said
the minister "I have made clear that the perpetrators of attacks on staff
should be prosecuted".
Food waste to power Marks and Spencer ready meals factory
Apr 23 - One of the makers of
Marks and Spencer ready meals is to use its own food waste to power its
factory in Newport. RF Brookes, part of Premier Foods plc, has been awarded
£500,000 by the Welsh Assembly government towards its own £5 million
anaerobic digestion plant at its Rogerstone site. The facility is expected
to be in operation by the end of next year, turning the company's waste
material into biogas, which would be used to generate heat and electricity.
It is expected to produce about 10% of the factory's power, reducing carbon
emissions by about 8,500 tonnes a year. Announcing the funding award
yesterday, Welsh Assembly environment minister Jane Davidson said: "This
project will be a wonderful example of turning food waste into clean,
renewable energy."
STUDENT TV STATION SCOOPS AWARD
Apr 23 - A
TV station being developed by the Students' Union at Newport’s University
has scooped its first award. Newport Television (NTV), an online, on-demand
TV channel made by Newport students for Newport students, won the Highly
Commended category for the Documentary film ‘Becoming Neil’ at the annual
NaSTA (National Student Television Association) Awards.
Commenting on the success of the film, by Documentary
Film students Alexander O’Toole and Ezra Birne, Newport SU’s Entertainments
& Media Officer, Jonny Roberts, said, “We were really proud to see the high
quality of NTV's work being recognised and we are determined to come back
and win even more awards next year. For an example of their output see
here.
TWO CHARGED AFTER SOMERTON
RAID
Apr 22 - Following the execution of a drugs warrant in the
Somerton Park area of Newport on Monday, a 29 year old man has been charged
with being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs and firearms offences
and a 34 year old man has been charged with being concerned in the supply of
controlled drugs. The two men appeared before
Newport Magistrates Court this morning (Wednesday April 22nd, 2009) and were
remanded in custody. A 34 year old man, a 22 year old man and a 30 year old
woman arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of controlled
drugs have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
CITY CLAIMS REGENERATION
PROGRESS DESPITE RECESSION
Apr 22 - Newport City Council
says that the regeneration of the city is still progressing despite the
recession. It claims that more than £100 million of regeneration projects
are due for completion in Newport during the next 18 months, bringing new
jobs and more opportunities for investment as the city prepares to host the
Ryder Cup next year. Despite the current economic downturn, major
regeneration projects are underway across the city, ranging from new housing
schemes, a new university campus in the city centre to new retail and
business developments. It states negotiations are also continuing to bring
forward the Friars Walk development.
In the city centre the new £35m university
campus and the £25m Kingsway Shopping Centre refurbishment and 1,000 space
new car park are on site and making excellent progress. The car park will
complement the refurbished Kingsway Shopping Centre and is due to open later
this year. The £2.3m Travelodge Hotel in the former City Cinema is now open
providing much needed new hotel accommodation for visitors to the city.
The first phases of both the City Vizion
and Newhaus residential developments have been built while other housing
schemes which will provide affordable housing around Old Town Dock are due
on site this year. On the east side of the River Usk around 500 new
properties will have been completed by the end of the year. Around George
Street, the flagship £8m Orb office development is complete and its glazed,
curved design has created an attractive new city landmark as people approach
the city centre from the south. The speculative development will soon have
its first tenants, Newport City Homes, who themselves will be creating
hundreds of new jobs and investment opportunities for the city.Network
Rail’s £25m redevelopment of the railway station is also due on site in
April, with its plans for a new concourse at a key gateway into the city.
Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of the
council, said: “The huge scale and diversity of the projects on site in
Newport is testament to the enormous potential that the city has. There will
be few locations in the UK with such an active and ongoing regeneration
programme, particularly during the current economic climate."
NEW FARMERS MARKET FOR JOHN FROST SQUARE
Apr 22 - Newport’s new farmers’ market will
take up home in John Frost Square this week.Over 20 stalls will offer a wide
range of goods including bread, dried meats, free range products, cheese and
fish, as well as hot, lunchtime food. The market makes its debut this Friday
(April 24) and runs from 10am to 2pm. To mark the occasion, stall holders
will be giving away cotton bags, fridge magnets and offering a wide range of
tasters. Music also accompanies the launch.
The market will then run the second and
fourth Friday of the month and will accommodate a variety of different
traders on each visit.The organisers of successful markets in Riverside and
Roath, Cardiff, have taken on the project. Steve Garrett, Chair of the
Social Enterprise in Cardiff, has worked closely with the city centre
manager in Newport to revitalise the site and bring an excellent range of
locally sourced and produced food and drink to the city centre.
UNFINISHED CIVIC MURALS TO BE COVERED UP
Apr 22 - The City Council has decided to
cover up unfinished murals within the Civic Centre. It commissioned the new
murals for the ground floor of the foyer to celebrate its new City Status at
the time of the millennium. The murals were not finished because the
commissioned artist unfortunately died before their completion. The City
Council's Culture and Recreation Overview and Scrutiny Forum considered
options to either commission a new artist to finish the murals, obliterate
the work by painting over and redecorating the space or to cover the murals
in a way that would leave the option of finishing the works at some future
date open. This process concluded that covering the murals was the best
option. An alternative method of using lining paper has now been explored
and according to the Council "offers a second option that is cheaper, will
do less damage to the concealed work and does not interfere with the
architecture of the space. This method is a cost effective approach and
offers reversibility and will not damage the murals." The lining of the
murals will cost in the region of £1500.
FIVE ARRESTS FOLLOW
SOMERTON PARK DRUGS RAID
Apr 21 - Five people have
been arrested on suspicion of supplying drugs following a raid on a Newport
housing estate. Officers from Gwent Police swooped at a property on Somerton
Park and recovered what is believed to be illegal drugs.Detective Inspector
Paul Evans urged residents to contact police if they have concerns about
possible drug activity in their area.
HOTEL PLAN FOR PARC GOLF
CLUB SITE
Apr 21 - Newport City Council
planners has received a planning application request for a 50 bed hotel at
the Parc Golf Club in Coedkernew in the west of the City.
BUTLER WELCOMES EXTRA
COLLEGE FUNDING
Apr 21 - Rosemary Butler AM
has welcomed the news that an extra £3.45m will now be available to Further
Education colleges and sixth forms in South East Wales, with the probable
effect that Coleg Gwent (with a major campus site in Newport) will not
experience any cuts in its budget this year.
The Welsh Assembly Government has announced that almost every Further
Education college and sixth form in Wales will be funded at or above the
same level for 2009/10 as they were for 2008/09.
"Coleg Gwent originally
faced a cash reduction of £300,000. I wasn't happy about that, but I was
even less happy about the College's proposal to cut 74 jobs, which I
considered excessive. Now that Coleg Gwent is apparently getting the same
funding in 2009/10 as it did in the previous year, I appeal to the college
authorities to review their plans as quickly as possible. There is even less
excuse now for taking such draconian measures. "
SIGN OF HOPE IN CITY
HOUSING MARKET
Apr 20 - Property website
Right Move has recorded an increase in the asking price for properties
across South Wales. In Newport the asking price for properties is up by 5.1
per cent compared to a year ago. Estate agents Peter Allan are also
reporting their best sales performance for two years.
PATENT OFFICE FACING
CUTBACKS
Apr 18 - Around 100 posts are
under threat at the Newport civil service office where patents, trade marks,
copyright and designs are registered. The Intellectual Property Office, near
Tredegar Park, formerly the Patent Office, blamed a fall in patent
applications, the weak pound and the recession. It said no decision had been
made on where the cuts would fall at the office, which employs around 1,000
and has a turnover of £60m annually. A statement said: "Nobody is immune to
the current financial situation."
 |
POLICE APPEAL FOR MISSING
ALWAY WOMAN
Apr 17 - Gwent
Police is appealing for information to locate Susan Bishop who was
last seen at her home in the Alway area of Newport.
The 52 year old hasn’t been seen since 10am yesterday
morning, Thursday 16th April. She is described as white,
approximately 5’6”, with short auburn hair. She was last seen
wearing a white coat.
Anyone with any information
regarding her whereabouts is asked to call Gwent Police on 101.
|
FREAK WIND HITS TWO ST.
JULIAN'S PROPERTIES
Apr 17 - A freak wind
possibly resembling a tornado has damaged the roofs of two houses in the St.
Julian's area of Newport. The semi-detached houses in Haisbro Avenue in the
city were hit at about 1610 GMT on Thursday. According to the BBC Veronica
Stacey said a neighbour saw the sky turn dark and then watched as the tiles
were ripped off the roofs. The BBC Weather Centre faid they believed heavy
rainfall "at the top of the scale" had fallen in Newport, which can bring
mini-tornadoes. Mrs Stacey, who returned home from work in the pathology lab
at the Royal Gwent Hospital to view the damage, said: "Some of the tiles
were found five or six gardens down the road."
 |
POLICE SEEK MAN WHO BREACHED
LICENCE CONDITIONS
Apr 16 - Gwent
Police is appealing for information to locate 33 year old Mark
Porretta (left) who breached his licence conditions after being
released from prison on 5th December 2008.
Mark Porretta was serving an 18 month prison sentence
for burglary after being convicted at Newport Magistrates Court on
26th March 2008.
Due to the fact that Porretta, who was released on licence, breached
his licence conditions he has been recalled to prison. He is
originally from the Newport area. He is described as white, 5'6", of
a slim build, with brown eyes and short dark brown hair. He has the
name 'Kade' and a heart tattooed on his left forearm and also dots
tattooed on his knuckles on his left hand. He also has a scar from
his ear to his chin on the right side of his face. If you recognise
this person and think you may have information that could assist
police with locating him please contact Gwent Police on 101 or
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. |
CITY CONSIDERS
SOLAR OPTION
Apr 16 - Solar
photovoltaic cells could be installed on a variety of council
buildings in Newport to reduce electricity costs. The City Council's
Development and Transport suggests that developers carrying out
street lighting work should be required to install solar
photovoltaics. According to the report the photovoltaics would help
cover some of the costs of running the street lights. At current
rates, which could rise when feed-in tariffs are introduced next
year, the report estimates a 200 watt photovoltaic panel generates
£75 worth of electricity, while a 100 watt street light uses £41
worth of electricity per annum.
Under recommendations from the Renewable Energy Association, the
scheme would prove even more favourable as photovoltaics would earn
up to 50p per unit of electricity instead of the 10p used in the
calculations. Among the buildings considered is the Civic Centre,
the Wales National Velodrome, other parts of the international
sports village and various community centres. A scheme has recently
been installed at the new Moorland Park community centre.
In 2004 with the help of SolarGen
Solutions, Newport City Council has installed Wales' first
solar-powered Variable Messaging Sign (VMS) on the A48 between
Langstone and Chepstow. Drivers travelling above the speed limit
will trigger the sign, which flashes 'Slow/Araf' & 60-speed roundel
as a warning to slow down. A pioneer in the use of 'green' energy,
Newport City Council was also the first local authority on UK
mainland to install solar powered street lighting schemes linked to
the National Grid.
Right - A Solar photovoltaic
'tree' in Styria, Austria |
 |
18 PER CENT OF NEWPORT
PROPERTIES ON SALE FOR YEAR
Apr 12 - 18 per cent of
properties advertised for sale in Newport have been on the market for over
twelve months. According to website globrix.com the stagnation in the market
is even more pronounced in other areas of the country including towns such
as Aberystwyth, Shrewsbury and Rochdale but it states that Newport is among
the worst. Across the UK nearly a third of flats and more than a quarter of
houses up for sale have been on the market for more than six months,
research has shown.
Daniel Lee, chief executive of Globrix,
told the Press Association: "On the surface these figures make pretty grim
reading. However, there is far more optimism. Estate agents are reporting
that buyer interest has picked up over the last couple of months. The
problem is that this activity in the market isn't yet converting into
tangible sales." He said the next couple of months were likely to provide a
strong indicator of the current state of the property market, as early
spring is traditionally a buoyant time for property sales.
  |
MP CRITICISES COUNCIL OVER FIRE
SITE CLEARANCE PLAN Apr
11 - Newport East MP Jessica Morden has slammed the City Council for
asking residents in Marlborough Road in Maindee to pay for the
clearance of their fire damaged properties. The damage occurred in
July 2007 after a fire broke out in the nearby Limebright Joinery.
However, a Health and Safety Executive report found that the
business was not responsible for the blaze that destroyed or damaged
six homes in Marlborough Road. It is estimated by the Council that
the residents contribution to the clear up of the site should amount
to £55,000. In a comment reported by Wales Online Jessica
Morden stated she was appalled residents were being asked to dip
into their pockets. She said: “It is absolutely tragic how long it
has taken to sort this matter out. I have been pressing the council
to resolve this issue for some time. I am disappointed that
residents who have lost their homes, and have already suffered great
financial hardship, are now being asked to find £55,000 between
them. I will be contacting the council to see if anything can be
done to help them.”
However, a Council spokesperson
stated "Everyone wants to see the site cleared and in our view this
is the fairest and cost-effective way that the council can assist.
We are aware that some of the homeowners did not have insurance –
this is not an issue for the council and the local taxpayer should
not have to pick up the costs. It should be the responsibility of
all homeowners to have proper house insurance. However, in order to
ensure this issue does not hold up the process any further, a local
land charge could be placed on the land so costs could be recovered
in the future.” |
JURY OUT ON BUS LANE
REMOVAL
Apr 10 - The jury is out on
Newport's decision to remove bus lanes in parts of the city centre. A new
report in to traffic patterns by the City Council's transport department
reports some improvement to city centre congestion but states this is
attributable to new traffic schemes and alternative routes available rather
than bus lane removal. City centre does not appear to have increased
significantly and in some areas has reduced dramatically. The report notes
that new traffic signals including those at the Old Green Roundabout and
Harlequin have improved traffic flows.
On bus lanes it states "As
far as we know the removal of selected bus lanes has in itself not had a
detrimental effect on bus services on those routes. However, managing
traffic demand and bus priority measures needs to be carefully balanced and
indiscriminate removal of bus
lanes is not the answer." The Managing Director of Stagecoach comments in
the report “We have noticed the reliability of the services using Malpas
Road being affected detrimentally. However we cannot say whether or not this
has been caused by the removal of the bus lane or the introduction of
traffic lights at the Harlequin Roundabout. The situation was initially bad
enough for us to consider routing the buses away from Malpas Road and onto
the A4042. We have resisted this at the moment and have noticed since
Christmas some improvement in the reliability (compared to the situation
since the bus lanes were initially removed on 8th December - not when the
bus lanes were in place).
COUNCIL INVESTIGATES DOCK
STREET IMPROVEMENT DELAYS
Apr 10 - Newport City
Council's Scrutiny Committee is investigating why there was a significant
over-run in the scheme to improve Lower Dock Street. The street forms a link
between Kingsway and George Street Bridge. Its aim was to improve the
physical environment of the Lower Dock Street ‘gateway’ to the city centre.
This included new paving, trees, street furniture and artwork. However, the
£600,000 scheme was due to be completed in December 2006. In fact, work on
site did not start until December 2007 and they were not complete until July
2008. The Scrutiny Committee will be reviewing the reasons for the delay in
the delivery of this work.
OFFERS SET TO ENTICE FIRST
TIME BUYERS
Apr 9 - A number of
innovative schemes are being used by property developers in Newport to boost
the housing market and encourage first time buyers. At The Square, a David
Wilson Homes development on Willenhall Street off Corporation Road
properties include includes a one-bedroom coach house priced at £100,950 and
two-bedroom apartments priced from £115,500. They are offering a scheme
called Dream Start. With this scheme, first-time buyers only need to secure
a mortgage for 75 per cent of the asking price and there is no deposit. The
other 25 per cent is covered by David Wilson Homes and repayable interest
free, either within 10 years or on the resale of the property. Bernice
McKenna, sales director of David Wilson states ".We’ve successfully helped a
number of first time buyers get onto the property ladder with the Dream
Start scheme. It’s a great incentive for people eager to buy their first
home." At Redrow's Alexandra Gate near Usk Way first time buyers are offered
a similar scheme four properties remain in their Debut range. One and
two-bedroom accommodation, are available with prices from an initial outlay
of just £64,958 and £74,958 respectively using their "easi-buy" deal. The
major plus point is that purchasers only have to apply for a 75% mortgage –
potentially giving them access to some of the best interest rates around -
and they will receive an interest free loan from Redrow for the remainder.
They might not even require a deposit. New homes/apartments below £100,000
are also available at two developments not yet built, City Vizion and the
Edge in the City Centre.
MP'S SITE GOES OFF-LINE
Apr 9 - The official website
for Newport East Labour MP Jessica Morden is no longer available. The site
has not been properly updated for some time. Ms. Morden was recently
embroiled in a row about the expenses she claimed in connection with her
duties in 2007-8. She received extra expense allowances of £167,060. She
states “In this particular year, the fees office allowed me to transfer
money I didn’t spend in the previous year so I could use it on extra office
provision, following the birth of my child. The money was spent on staffing
and extra office provision. I take great pride in both as they are there to
serve the people of Newport East, and I want my constituents to benefit from
the best service I can give them.” She has recently been active in support
of redundant Llanwern steelworkers meeting the Prime Minister to discuss
their plight and has called on the City Council to adopt a common sense
approach to its plans for age limits on taxis, saying they should be delayed
until the economy improves.
BUTLER QUERIES FURTHER
EDUCATION JOB LOSSES
Apr 8 - Newport West AM
Rosemary Butler has queried the need for the latest jobs cuts at Coleg
Gwent. The college has started a 90 day consultation period after a decision
to make 74 redundancies at various campuses including Newport. Hundreds of
people in her constituency rely on Coleg Gwent for vocational education and
retraining, at a time when the jobs market is becoming increasingly
difficult. She said: "Obviously I regret any funding cuts at Coleg Gwent. I
would point out however that there has been a relatively modest cash
reduction of less than one per cent at Coleg Gwent, whereas some colleges in
Wales have seen a much bigger cut. I fail to see why the management has
taken such draconian steps in response, and I seriously wonder whether
there's another agenda here. I would like to see a robust analysis being
carried out as part of the consultation process."
GAER PARK ROAD BUS SERVICE
REINSTATED
Apr 8 - Parts of the Gaer
have won reinstatement of their bus service following representations to the
bus company and City Council. The 32 and 33 services through Gaer Park Road
were withdrawn in January as part of a wider review as buses were frequently
hindered by parked vehicles on the road. Now the decision has been taken by
Newport Bus and Newport City Council to provide a bus service to Gaer Park
Road/Parade on 6 month trial period. The Cabinet Member David Atwell had
considered a report advising of the receipt of a petition from residents of
the Gaer, forwarded by Newport Transport, requesting a review of the recent
bus service changes to the Gaer and the reinstatement of a bus service to
this area.
NEW M4 SPEED RESTRICTION
THROUGH CITY SECTION
Apr 8 - New speed restrictions were
introduced along a stretch of the M4 around Newport on April 6. To improve
traffic flow and safety, motorists will now have to abide by a 50mph speed
limit between junction 24, Coldra, and junction 28, Tredegar Park, until
next year, when a new variable speed system will be introduced. Signs
warning motorists of the change were put in place over the weekend and from
the summer of 2010, electronic gantries will be used to update drivers about
the speed limit in force along the stretch, as well as its varying
conditions. The Assembly Government, which is implementing the change said
it was essential to alter the speed on the road due to work to replace the
central reservation safety fence and widening works between junctions 29 and
30.
ACCIDENTAL DEATH VERDICT
IN DROWNING CASE
Apr 7 - A Newport
holidaymaker who drowned after getting into difficulty while swimming in the
sea in Devon failed to spot nine red warning flags, an inquest in Exeter has
heard. Nigel Hunt, 41, from was off Teignmouth coast when the incident
happened on 24 July 2008. He was swimming with his teenage son when the pair
were caught by a strong current and 10ft (3m) high swells. Mr Hunt was
airlifted to hospital but died. South Devon Coroner Ian Arrow recorded a
verdict of accidental death.
MEALS ON WHEELS PRICES TO
INCREASE
Apr 7 - Meals on wheels
prices will increase from September by ten pence to £2.20 following a
decision by the City Council today.
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR NEW
RAILWAY STATION
Apr 6 - Construction company
Galliford Try is poised to take up a £13m contract from Network Rail to
upgrade Newport station ahead of the Ryder Cup golf tournament in 2010. The
contractor beat two other firms to clinch the deal to carry out a second
phase of work on Platform 4 to ensure it can handle 12-car inter-city trains
and is fully accessible to passengers with the installation of new lifts.
The first phase Platform 4 extension was completed by Network Rail at a cost
£5.5m in summer 2007.
According to Transport Briefing other works to be carried out by
Galliford Try include installing a new footbridge and creating a new
concourse facing on to Queensway. Cosmetic improvements will enhance the
appearance of the station, achieve greater links between all modes of
transport and create a new gateway into Newport, improving pedestrian access
between the station and the city centre. The contract forms part of the £22m
Newport Station Regeneration project funded by Network Rail and the Welsh
Assembly Government.
WETHERSPOON TO TAKE OVER
WALKABOUT SITE
Apr 4 - The lease for the
former Queen's Hotel site on Bridge Street currently occupied by the
Walkabout has transferred to JD Wetherspoon. JD Wetherspoon plan a £600,000
refit of the building and following its closure tonight will reopen it in
six months time. There are three Wetherspoon pubs in Newport, on
Cambrian Road, Commercial Street and Maindee.
The lease has been on the market with
Christie and Co. for £45,000. It is understood that Wetherspoon has not paid
a premium and has negotiated a new lease with the landlord. The venue has 22
en-suite letting rooms and five conference rooms. It has a capacity of 330
in the main bar and 660 in the basement. Takings were £845,462 in the most
recent year, with a rent per annum of £135,000, offset by rent collected
from two sub-let retail units. The company has been buying a number of
second-hand pubs and has reported that development costs are running at 36%
less per square metre than last year.
 |
AMBULANCE CRASHES ON EMERGENCY
CALL Apr 3
- Two ambulance workers on their way to a 999 call were themselves
taken to hospital after their vehicle crashed into a lamp post.
The ambulance driver
and the paramedic were taken in another ambulance to the Royal Gwent
Hospital in Newport suffering with minor injuries. The incident
happened in Cardiff Road at four o'clock yesterday afternoon. It is
believed that the ambulance had swerved to avoid a car.
A third ambulance was
sent to the original 999 call. Gwent Police are investigating the
crash. |
CITY COUNCIL BACKS WASTE
POWER PLANT
Apr 3 - A new gasification
plant is set to be built in Newport after planning permission was granted to
BioGen Power. The facility will have the capacity to process 120,000 tonnes
of waste and will generate 12 MegaWatts of electricity. BioGen Power will
work with Energos to provide the technology for the plant near West Way Road
in Newport Docks.
BioGen Power chief executive Christian Reeve said: “This is a highly
suitable location with good electricity connection, direct links to the
highway, high potential for heat recovery and close proximity to waste
customers. As such, there were no objections from statutory consultees or
the general public. “We have plans to develop 12 gasification from waste
plants in the UK and conducted a worldwide search to identify Energos as the
best technology provider. Critically, this means we can offer a commercially
proven, financially viable process that sets new standards of emissions
performance and is a best practice alternative to incineration and
landfill.”
RESTRICTED ACCESS TO CIVIC
AMENITY SITE
Apr 3 - Visitors to Newport’s
busy Civic Amenity Site on Docksway can expect delays next week due to
improvement works. To allow construction to be carried out safely, access to
the site will be restricted on April 7 and 8 to residents bringing small
amounts of recycling and refuse sacks. Residents planning a visit to the site
on these dates would be advised to delay their trip if at all possible. Cars
with trailers will be unable to access the site during this period. To
extend recycling facilities further, the council is creating new skip bays
and resurfacing the site to improve traffic flow and increase the amount of
materials that can be recycled.
LABOUR CONCERN OVER STEVEN
APPOINTMENT
Apr 3 - A political row has
broken out over the appointment of the City Council's former Director of
Finance Joyce Steven to the board of Newport Transport. Prior to the
appointment of Mrs Steven, the Council's Monitoring Officer explained to
Labour Councillor Paul Cockeram that any former employee of the Council
could not join the Board of any company within which the Council has an
interest as an independent Member within three years of him or her
terminating their employment with the Council. Any former Members could,
however, be appointed to serve as a Council nominated representative on such
bodies even if their employment had terminated in a shorter timescale. The
Monitoring Officer agreed to confirm the position in writing to Councillor
Cockeram. Following a request from the Leader of the Opposition Bob Bright a
formal vote was taken on the proposed appointment to the Newport Transport
Board. Following the vote, appointment was confirmed.
CUTBACKS AT NASH COLLEGE
Apr 2 - Newport's further
education college at Nash, part of the Coleg Gwent institution, faces
cutbacks following a new financial plan announced today. A standstill
position in 2008/09 and a 7.43% cut for further education in Wales in
2009/10 means the College has been forced to find cost savings of up to £3.5
million. The College is also required to give its lecturers a 2.3% pay
increase to match that awarded to school teachers. The scale of these cuts
has forced Coleg Gwent to consider drastic changes to its operations,
including the closure of The Hill Education and Conference Centre in
Abergavenny and the relocation of A Level courses from Pontypool to Cross
Keys.19 courses at Usk, Newport and Ebbw Vale campuses will close at the end
of this academic year in July. Most jobs will be lost at Abergavenny but 23
redundancies will affect staff spread across the six sites. South Wales East
AM William Graham said: "These redundancies are a direct result of the
reckless cuts being forced on further education colleges."
CITY COUNCIL REVIEWING
FUTURE OF NEIGHBOURHOOD MEETINGS
Apr 2 - Newport City Council
are reviewing the usefulness of their Neighbourhood Committee Meetings. The
meetings were introduced by the previous administration as a way of allowing
members of the public to engage with officers and councillors of the
Council. But an official at a recent meeting between the City Council and
the local Community Councils serving many of the rural wards in the city has
confirmed that the Neighbourhood Meetings are under review. He stated that
"Newport City Council under the new administration, were looking into
the future of Neighbourhood Committees."
CCTV CENTRE OPENS
Apr 1 - Newport’s new £300,000 state of the
art CCTV centre is now open, providing an improved deterrent to would-be
criminals and reassurance to visitors, shoppers and workers in the city
centre. The new CCTV suite includes state of the art monitoring and
recording equipment covering 50 cameras in the city centre and another 80
cameras in council properties around the city. The technology also allows
for extra capacity for expansion to accommodate even more systems.
The new system will also allow the council
to consolidate its other existing CCTV systems around the city into one
centre of excellence, improving the service and making it more efficient.
Controversially, the City Council made a decision to suspend its own city
centre ranger service. It is claimed that the opening marks a new era for
the council’s CCTV section, which was one of the first of its kind in the
country when it was formed in 1994. A decision to upgrade the system and
move the unit from its cramped accommodation in Corn Street was made by the
previous Labour administration in 2007.
STORMY EXCHANGE AT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Apr 1 - Opposition leader Bob Bright has
criticised the City Council leader Matthew Evans for remarks made leading to
an investigation by the Managing Director and by the Local Government
Ombudsman. Evans alleged alleged inappropriate behaviour by a previous Mayor
at a Mansion House function. The allegations have proved unfounded.
According to www.walesandwest.com
Bright stated: "The subsequent investigation by the managing director
(Mr Freegard) said there was no improper behaviour. Your behaviour was
despicable and disgraceful and you caused a lot of embarrassment." But Cllr
Evans said all the squabbling should be put aside for the good of Newport.
HOUSING ASSOCIATION CARE
HOME TO CREATE 90 JOBS
Mar 31 - In a welcome boost
for the local employment market Housing Association Linc Cymru has announced
plans to create 90 jobs at a new care home in Newport. The £6.5m 70-bed Glyn
Anwen scheme is the fifth of its kind from Linc-Cymru Housing Association.
Linc is in the process of recruiting staff for the community nursing home,
located within walking distance of the Royal Gwent Hospital.
The home will open in phases and Linc is
recruiting for 25 nursing, care and domestic positions. A recruitment open
day is being held on April 6 at the YMCA Conference Centre, Mendalgief Road,
Newport (from 10am). A further 35 positions will be created later this year
with an additional 30 staff in place by June 2010. The scheme, which is due
to open in July, is being built next to Linc’s Capel Court project in
Pillgwenlly. It will incorporate features such as a sensory garden and
sensory room aimed at stimulating residents as much as possible; a general
secluded garden; in-house cinema and activity rooms.A proportion of its 70
beds will be dedicated to people with dementia and memory loss. All other
beds within the scheme will be geared towards general nursing.
CITY FARMERS MARKET SET TO
EXPAND
Mar 31 - A new farmers market
is coming to Newport. The new market
will be relocating to John Frost Square and be run by well established
operators who work on the Riverside and Roath Food Markets in Cardiff. The
stall holders working with the new managers will be bringing to Newport a
wide range of fresh and home-made produce. The market runs between 10am-2pm
and everyone is invited to the launch on the 24th April.
WOMAN BAILED AFTER DOG
ATTACK
Mar 30 - A woman has been
bailed after questioning by police after an 11-year-old boy's ear was torn
off in an attack by a pit bull-type terrier. Officers are carrying out
further investigations into the incident in Somerton. The boy has also has
to undergo surgery to repair damaged nerves in his left arm after the attack
last Wednesday. Gwent Police said the 40-year-old woman has been arrested on
suspicion of possessing or keeping a dangerous dog. A spokeswoman for the
force said she had been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
ALWAY REGENERATION SET FOR
LANDMARK EVENT
Mar 30 - A multi-million pound regeneration
scheme in Alway reaches a watershed in April with the opening of a brand new
community centre, retail premises and police station. An open day will be
held on April 7 (between 1pm and 6pm) for local residents to see first hand
the new facilities. It will showcase the achievements made on the estate
over the last nine years, while exhibition stands will show images of Alway
past and present.
The new community centre combines the
features of the existing centre, plus Alway Community Association offices
and youth facilities. There is a main hall, meeting rooms, offices, a
training/computer suite and a base for the Flying Start initiative – an
Assembly funded scheme to provide quality childcare.More than 250 homes will
eventually be built as part of the regeneration of Alway, including 50 for
rent or assisted purchase through the Newport City Living scheme.
ROCKFIELD NURSERY SCHOOL TO CLOSE
Mar 30 - Newport City Council has decided
to close Rockfield Nursery School in St. Julians subject to statutory
consultation. Nursery provision will be transferred to the new Glan Usk
Primary School at the Glebelands currently under construction. The change
will take effect from January 2010.
SEVERN BARRAGE WILL 'BURY
OUR HISTORY' CLAIMS SCIENTIST

Professor Simon
Haslett and John Craven pictured at Goldcliff |
A Newport University scientist has
warned that the proposed Severn Barrage will have a damaging impact
on the archaeology of the estuary burying potential finds under silt
and mud forever. Leading coastal scientist and oceanographer,
Professor Simon Haslett states "We know from models that the
construction of a barrage would cause the sea-level upstream to rise
by 3 metres (10 ft), which will have the effect of submerging all
the archaeological sites that occur in the low part of the tidal
window, such as stone age and ice age deposits.A barrage would also
reduce the speed of the tidal currents and prevent waves from the
ocean entering the estuary, resulting in the mud and silt covering
most of the foreshore and blanketing all archaeology in a layer of
mud that will make future excavations very difficult. Although some
claim that the settling out of mud will produce clearer water that
could allow diving for shipwrecks, the water will still be cloudy
and the wrecks will now be covered in a layer of mud!”
Professor Simon Haslett was filmed
talking to presenter John Craven on the foreshore at Goldcliff, for
the Countryfile programme to be screened today Sunday (29th March). |
DANGEROUS DOG ATTACKS BOY
IN SOMERTON
Mar 27 - An 11-year-old boy
is in hospital after being seriously injured in an attack by a dog. He was
taken to hospital after the attack by a pit bull-type terrier in the
Hawthorn Fosse, Somerton on Wednesday afternoon. Gwent Police said the boy
suffered "puncture and tear" injuries which were serious but not life
threatening. The boy is now on the high dependency ward at Morriston
Hospital in Swansea where police say he is in a serious but stable
condition. Last night, the hospital refused to comment on whether the boy
had undergone surgery to re-attach the boy's left ear. The dog has since
been destroyed and police are continuing to investigate the incident.
TRIGG TO RESIGN FROM
LABOUR PARTY
Mar 27 - Councillor Noel
Trigg, current Mayor of Newport, has announced his intention to resign from
the Labour Party at the end of his term in office and to sit as an
independent. The 78 year old has cited the divisions on the Council as one
of his reasons alongside disillusionment with the Government.
GRAFFITI AFFECTS "40 PER
CENT" OF CITY'S STREETS
Mar 26 - Graffiti affects
almost 40% of streets in Newport according to a campaign group. Keep Wales
Tidy has released a survey of graffiti across Wales and called for councils
to get tough on those caught defacing communities. Newport City Council said
its Graffiti Busters project made offenders remove graffiti from
communities. Keep Wales Tidy said graffiti increases the fear of crime,
devalues property prices and discourages investment.
Newport City Council said tackling the
graffiti issue was a priority. "An increasing focus on enforcement has
already led to a number of successful prosecutions for environmental crimes
like fly-tipping and litter," said a spokesman. "As with anyone who blights
our local landscape and community, we will look to prosecute these vandals
whenever possible.
COUNCIL SET TO REFUSE TESCO DEVELOPMENT?
Mar 26 - Newport City Council could be set
for a battle with supermarket giant Tesco if Councillors back a
recommendation from their planning officers. The latter are recommending
refusal of plans to redevelop the run down Black Horse pub off Somerton Road
in the east of the city. Tesco is proposing to build two retail units as
part of an Express convenience store development with limited car parking.
Four petitions containing nearly 500 signatures are against the development
as are an additional nineteen individual letters of objection. One letter
states "small businesses will be unable to survive and will be more victims
of Tesco’s domination of the retail sector. Another Tesco will damage the
spirit of the local community and if allowed will be unfair treatment of
local shopkeepers, many of whom have been a dedicated and important part of
the community. If allowed there would be 2 Tesco stores within a mile of
each other which can quite possibly provide Tesco with a monopoly due to
their sheer tenacity in the market place and the closing down of its
competition." A letter in favour of the development states "for a
considerable period the area has been suffering from gradual social and
economic decline and a number of vibrant retail and trade outlets have been
lost. The community badly needs a boost to provide the stimulus of
progressive positive regeneration....The development will provide full time
employment in the short term and long term for predicted 30 full time
workers." Refusal is recommended by planning officers on the basis that a
convenience store would not fit in with the development plan for the City
and insufficient parking is provided at the site.
BETTWS KNIFE INCIDENT -
POLICE APPEAL
Mar 26 - Police are appealing
for information following an incident which occurred in the Bettws area. At
approximately 9.30pm on Monday 9th March, a 43 year old man was making
repairs to his vehicle on the side of the road close to Malpas Cricket Club,
Bettws Lane, Newport when two youths entered his vehicle. As the man pulled
one of the youths from the drivers seat, the youth cut the man on his leg
using a small craft knife. The youths made off over the cricket club
grounds. The man received a minor injury. The youths are described as five
feet eleven inches tall, wearing dark tracksuits and one of them was wearing
a white baseball cap with a New York Yankees logo on it. If anyone has
information they are asked to call Gwent Police on
01633 838 111 or call
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
CCTV OPERATORS TO REPLACE
CITY CENTRE RANGERS!
Mar 26 - The City Council has
acted quickly to publicise its plans to offset the loss of the City Centre
Ranger service. The service will be replaced by that two additional CCTV
operator posts created for a period of 6 months. The Council Leader, Matthew
Evans asked that position be reviewed in six months to determine whether it
was a better use of Council resources in the fight against anti-social
behaviour and crime in the centre of Newport. He asked the Cabinet Member
for Environment and Community Safety to ensure that in August 2009 he
carefully reconsiders the decision to suspend the service and that he
reinstates the service unless "it can be ascertained that the new
arrangements have proved beneficial and have enhanced the sense of security,
good order and well being of visitors and traders within the City Centre
when compared to the provision of a visible presence provided by the City
Centre Rangers".
NEWPORT POLICEMAN HONOURED
Mar 26 - Chief Superintendent
Kevin Price will be awarded the Queens Police Medal (QPM) by Her Majesty the
Queen at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Friday March 27th. The QPM is
awarded to police officers in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for
gallantry or distinguished service. It was created on 19 May 1954, when it
replaced the King's Police and Fire Services Medal (KPFSM), which itself
replaced the King's Police Medal (KPM) in 1940.
Chief Superintendent Price was born in Newport in 1962. He joined the Gwent
Constabulary in 1980, having previously served as a police cadet. He served
in various roles throughout his career in uniform and detective posts, the
majority of which have been in Newport. In 2001, as Chief Superintendent, he
took command of the Newport City Basic Command Unit (BCU). Since taking up
this post he has been responsible for a number of significant achievements.
To reduce violence in the City he worked closely with the Local Authority
and introduced, among other things, wardens and a scheme of licensing door
staff at licensed premises. The Newport BCU has recently achieved the best
detection rate in the UK for house burglary and performs well in all other
areas of crime detection and reduction.
HSBC TO SHUT CALL CENTRE
Mar 25 - Banking giant HSBC
is to shut its Newport call centre operation as part of huge job cuts across
the UK. 90 jobs will be lost at the site in Cleppa Park. The losses come as
part of sweeping redundancies across the business with 1200 staff affected.
The Unite union has already called for the plans to be scrapped, saying the
move is "unjustifiable". Derek Simpson, Unite joint general secretary, said:
"To slash 2,900 jobs demonstrates the insincerity of the claim by HSBC to be
'the world's local bank'.
Welsh Assembly member for Newport West Rosemary Butler said: "We were so
pleased when HSBC announced their expansion plans in Newport only last year.
I still get shocked when jobs which were considered safe only a few months
ago are overtaken by events."
CYCLE GRANT MONEY WELCOMED
Mar 25 -
Newport
West AM Rosemary Butler has described the Welsh Assembly Government's recent
£425,000 grant for the Newport- Caerleon cycle route as a "shot in the arm"
for the project. The money will be used to
complete the Pillmawr Lane to Home Farm section of the the route over the
next six months, and the plan is to eventually link up with the centre of
Caerleon and Wentwood.
COUNCIL MAKES CIVIC EVENTS
SAVING
Mar 24 - The City Council is
to reign back expenditure following a recent review. The Leader of the
Council, Matthew Evans has decided to remove a number of corporate events
including the Council's Civic Dinner, the Councillor's Christmas Buffet and
Chief Officers Dinner. He is proposing a civic ceremony to recognise the
achievements of citizens and council employees at a cost of £5000.
The list of dinners / events
being removed is as follows -
Civic Dinner £7,532
Annual Councillors Buffet - £2,000
Combining the Emergency Services event - £1600
Chief Officers Dinner - £1600
Civic Heads Dinner - £1600
Evans has also proposed
substantial savings to the Council's Mayor Making procedure and also to the
so-called Civic Sunday where the new Mayor is presented to Newport citizens.
The total savings identified amount to £12,558. Commenting on the report
Councillor Martyn Kellaway (Conservative, Llanwern) stated "I welcome the
report, but would go further and deduct the "cost per head "cost of the
Councillor attended functions from the Councillor’s allowance, and or
councillors spouse/partner should pay the market rate for the hospitality."
The Council Leader stated that "The proposed savings are in recognition of
the need for efficiencies in the revenue budget following the poor
settlement from
the Assembly Government and the work done by all service areas to contribute
to efficiencies and savings...I am conscious of the need to examine
expenditure on corporate events to ensure that we as elected members also
play our part in identifying savings which do not impact on
front line services whilst at the same time achieving value for money for
these events."
GIRL, AGED 10, SERIOUSLY
INJURED IN ACCIDENT
 |
Mar 23 - Gwent Police is
investigating a Road Traffic Collision that occurred at 4:15pm on
Saturday 21st March in Ross Street, Newport. A 10 year old girl was
in collision with a car and was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital
with serious head injuries where she is in a serious but stable
condition.
Police are not looking for anyone
in connection with the incident. They are, however, seeking
witnesses and anyone with information should contact Gwent Police
Collision Investigation Unit on
01633 643 019 or Gwent Police on
01633 838 111.
|
BUS PLUNGES OFF ROAD NEAR
TO RAILWAY LINE
Mar 23 - Gwent Police are
appealing for information after a single vehicle collision occurred at
approximately 2.05pm this afternoon. The collision occurred as a bus was
travelling along Western Valley Road between Rogerstone and Newport . The
bus left the road, went through some fencing and travelled approximately 30
feet down a railway embankment. Only the driver was on board and he is not
seriously injured. There has been no disruption to train services. Gwent
Police Collision Investigation Unit, along with Vehicle and Operator
Services Agency, will be carrying out an investigation into the cause of the
collision. The road is closed to enable the investigation to be carried out
and for the recovery of the vehicle.
CITY TRANSPORT SAFETY
INITIATIVE IS WORKING
Mar 23 - A team of Police Community Safety Officers
responsible for policing Newport’s bus network are celebrating a host of
successes after their first year in the job.
The four PCSO's are sponsored by travel company Newport Bus in a three-year
deal with Gwent Police, with an option for both parties to extend the deal
at the end of the term.Last March, Newport Bus announced
they will pay £180,000 over the three years for the PCSO's and services from
police officers when required.Gwent Police has managed
and additionally funded the project with the help of Home Office grants.
The PCSO team provides a reassuring presence on Newport’s bus network with
the aim of reducing crime and antisocial behaviour.
They can also use traffic enforcement powers, similar to those of a traffic
warden, to help with the smooth running of roads used by buses in the city.
Since their appointment in March 2008 the Newport Bus PCSO team has:
• Assisted 55 arrests
• Issued 343 fixed penalty tickets
• Stopped and searched 202 people
• Made 32 seizures of alcohol
• Significantly reduced criminal damage to buses
A passenger survey carried out by Newport Bus last month revealed that 44%
of people feel safer on the bus network since the beginning of the PCSO
initiative, 83% have seen a PCSO on the bus network, and 34% have spoken to
one of the PCSO's during their journey. Inspector Colin Prosser, of Newport
Central Police Station, said:"The PCSO's have worked hard with bus drivers
and Community Safety Wardens to eradicate problems on the transport network
in Newport."
MORGAN VISITS NOVELIS
WORKERS
Mar 23 -
First Minister Rhodri Morgan,
accompanied by Rosemary Butler, Islwyn AM Irene James and Deputy Skills
Minister John Griffiths has visited the stricken Novelis Plant in Rogerstone
to discuss alternative employment prospects for the workforce.
The plant is due to close at the end of
April, and the Welsh Assembly Government wants to see maximum use made of
the ReAct scheme, under which redundant workers become eligible for
retraining. Careers Wales will be providing advice. Four hundred and forty
workers are due to lose their jobs at the aluminium plant because of a
massive downturn in orders. Most will be made redundant towards the end of
April, but between 20 and 30 will be kept on for a while to help clear up
the site. First Minister Rhodri Morgan
said: "This isn't going to be easy but it helps to concentrate
everybody's minds"I think between now and April 30 there's going to be a lot
of work done."
COUNTY RESPOND TO RACISM
ALLEGATION
Mar 22 - Newport County has
responded to allegations by former player Kevin Stephens that he left the
club due to racist taunts aimed at him by Exiles supporters recently
including at the home match against Bath City on Wednesday. A statement
attributed to County manager Dean Holdsworth states "Kev
Stephens has, by request left the club. An allegation of racism has been
documented. Newport County will not tolerate any such behaviour, and any
person(s) found guilty of such will be banned from the football club with
immediate effect. We will do our very best to prevent this allegation
arising again. Such behaviour will not help us attract players to the club
nor will it promote players wanting to stay. Kev Stephens was a popular
player at the club in and out of the dressing room, his loyalty and
commitment has never been questioned and everyone associated with the club
from Directors, Management, Staff and Players are upset to see him leave
under such awful circumstances and we thank him for his contributions during
his time with us and wish him well for his future." The response from
Newport County fans since the story broke recently has been mixed but it
seems some still corroborate that there is a significant disruptive element
that still exists in the club's fan base. Some deny, however, that County
fans have been involved in racist chanting.
The journalist who broke the story, Michael Pearlman, called on fans to deal
with racist supporters who are undermining the image of Newport County. In a
recent article he states "..surely it
is the fans who have to take action over what Stephens says took place on
Wednesday? The moron who threw the coin against Swansea was never identified
and unless he is the Invisible Man, that means others protected him who knew
his identity. The only way to avoid headlines such as yesterday’s is to
identify those responsible and report them to club officials." Stephens told
Pearlman that Bath striker Stuart Douglas was subjected to monkey noises and
racist terms during Wednesday’s clash. Stephens also insists it isn’t the
first time this season he’s heard racist abuse from a small section of
County supporters, described by Stephens as a “small minority of idiots”.
Braintree player Louis Riddle also made a complaint of racism against County
fans earlier in the season.
80 JOBS AT RISK AT TT
ELECTRONICS
Mar 22 - Up to 80 jobs could be axed at
Rogerstone’s TT electronics plant, it has emerged. Staff at the Tregwilym
Industrial Estate site have been warned that a downturn in trade could see
their posts lost in around a month’s time. As a result, a 30-day
consultation is currently taking place between workers, company bosses and
union officials.
HI-TECH FACILITY WILL
CREATE 27 JOBS
Mar 20 - Identigen, an Irish
company which has developed a DNA system to ensure meat entering the food
chain is safe is establishing its UK headquarters and a hi-tech laboratory
at Newport. Backed by the Assembly Government’s Single Investment Fund,
Dublin-based Identigen is creating a new laboratory centre at Newport’s
Imperial Park to service the UK market. Identigen will employ 27 staff when
the laboratory is fully fitted.
The company's
area of expertise is in genetic identification, giving retailers, meat
processors, producers and local governments the ability to trace meat back
to source. Its core business is in helping food firms to ensure that foods
are either GM free or comply with food labelling legislation.
CITY CENTRE RANGER SERVICE
SUSPENDED
Mar 19 - Newport's
Conservative-led City Council has decided to suspend the City Centre Ranger
service. The original service was set up to assist to minimise crime and
anti-social behaviour in the central area. The Council report on the
decision confirms that "the City Centre Rangers Service be suspended,
recognising that whilst a fully resourced rangers service could have a
meaningful role in the City Centre, the salary of the two remaining rangers
would be better spent in addressing the staffing short fall in the City
Centre Closed Circuit TV Unit. There is no funding available
within Environmental Services and Public Protection to fully resource the
Rangers Service."
UNEMPLOYMENT RISES
DRAMATICALLY
Mar 19 - Statistics released
yesterday by National Statistics reveal the claimant count of the number of
unemployed in Newport has risen from 2400 in January 2008 to 3787 in January
2009, 4.5 per cent of the working age population. Unemployment is 6.7 per
cent among men and 2.1 per cent among women.
TRACES OF THE SILURES
FOUND IN LANGSTONE
Mar 19 - Rare Iron Age artefacts buried as
part of a religious offering have been unearthed by an amateur treasure
hunter. According to the Western Mail two bronze bowls and a bronze wine
strainer, described by an expert as of “great importance for the UK,” were
found by Craig Mills in the Langstone area in December 2007, only nine
months after he took up metal detecting. The paper states "It is believed
the objects were used by ancestors for eating or drinking and were
deliberately buried intact as a religious offering." The items are believed
to have been made around AD 25-60 and were buried at the time of the Roman
army’s campaign against the Iron Age Silures tribe of South Wales, between
AD 47 and 75.
TAXI RULES ARE PUSHED
THROUGH
Mar 18 - New rules aimed at
taxis in Newport have been agreed by the City Council, despite protests.
Hundreds of taxi drivers staged a demonstration in Newport on Saturday,
bringing traffic to a standstill. The drivers oppose regulations insisting
that private hire vehicles are no older than eight years. Hackney cabs must
be under 10-years-old. The council says it is a safety issue, but some
cabbies say it is prompted by next year's Ryder Cup golf tournament.
The city is hosting the event, and it is widely seen as a way of
putting Newport and Wales on the international map. The council said taxi
drivers had been consulted extensively on the plans and it was an issue of
public safety. Speaking after the demonstration on Saturday, Lionel Morris,
chairman of Newport Hackney Drivers Association, said: "We're not against
the age proposition but we're saying it's the wrong time to put such an
expense on us during the recession." Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East,
has supported the taxi drivers stance.
All Hackney Carriage and private hire
vehicles in Newport will now be subjected to strict age restrictions to help
ensure the safety of passengers and other road users. The cabinet member for
environment and community safety, Councillor David Fouweather, authorised
the stringent new licensing conditions, following extensive consultation
with the trade and members of the public. This consultation period was also
extended for two months on the request of taxi owners. Only 13 responses
were received during the extended consultation process. Councillor
Fouweather said: “This is an issue of public safety. These vehicles are
subjected to extremely high-usage and mileage in a city environment."
RJ MASON GOES INTO
VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION
Mar 18 - Newport-based haulier RJ Mason
Transport has entered voluntary liquidation following a 40% fall in turnover
and downward price pressure from customers. The firm appointed
Begbies Traynor as liquidator on 27 February, but says it ceased
trading at the end of January, with debts of approximately £600,000 and 40
redundancies. "At our peak, we were running 40 trucks, but over the past 12
months that got down to 22. Turnover was running at around 40% lower and we kept throwing money into the
company," says director Chris Mason. He added "We experienced a bleak
December and customers were still looking to lower costs further. It was
just not sustainable for us."
NEW HOUSING ASSOCIATION
FINDS HOME AT THE ORB
Mar 17 - New Housing Association Newport
City Homes has taken 24, 264 sq ft at the Orb in Newport in a major
property deal. The new organisation running Newport's former council
properties will establish its headquarters at the building, which is
being developed by the Welsh Strategic Investment Partnership – a
partnership between the Welsh Assembly Government and Babcock and Brown.
It is the first deal at the Orb building in the George Street office
district and has been agreed on a fifteen year lease. The rent was
undisclosed. Matt Phillips, managing partner of Knight Frank’s Cardiff
office, said: ‘The building is a good fit for our client who wanted an
existing building in the city centre.’ GVA Grimley advised the
landlords. Knight Frank and Morgan Cole advised Newport City Homes.
ASSEMBLY INSPECTOR STATES CITY'S
SOCIAL SERVICES ARE 'EFFECTIVE'
Mar 17 - Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister
for Social Services, has welcomed the publication today [Tuesday, 17
March] of a report into the way Newport City Council provides social
services.Carried out jointly by the Care and Social Services
Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) and the Wales Audit Office, the focused
review found the services examined were considered to be effective
overall and that the Council is in a good position to 'continue its
journey of improvement'. Mrs Thomas said: "The Council has demonstrated
competent strategic planning and effective leadership in social
services. In particular the review has found that the authority has
evidenced its commitment to promoting the independence of adult service
users and to supporting older people and younger disabled adults in
their own homes.It is noted that further development and improvement is
needed in some areas, particularly around workforce recruitment and
retention, effective commissioning and some areas of assessment and care
management in both adults and children’s services. The authority must
continue on this improvement pathway in order to build on improvements
already achieved and recognised."
CARDIFF PLAN TO PREVENT 'CAR-PORT'
EFFECT
Mar 17 - Cardiff City Council's Local
Development Plan proposes a green belt around the outside of the city
“to manage the long-term strategic growth of Cardiff and to prevent
coalescence between Cardiff and Newport”. In order to prevent the
so-called 'Car-port' effect the capital city is proposing to form a
“settlement boundary” to define the countryside of Cardiff and encourage
development within the already urbanised area inside. In the report,
officials warn that as the most populous urban area in Wales, further
growth “is likely to continue to place pressure on undeveloped land
within the county and adjoining areas”. To ensure that Cardiff and
Newport do not eventually merge, a large flat area of land north of the
St Mellons business park and a south-facing hillside north of the A48(M)
have been designated green belt to prevent further development.
The first statutory
Green Belt in Wales is already in place between Newport and Cardiff
including the Newport City Council boundary and
the villages of Marshfield, Castleton and Michaelstone-y-Fedw.
SEVEN CLAIMANTS FOR EVERY
JOB IN CITY
Mar 16 - A new analysis by
the Trade Union Congress (TUC) illustrates the sudden depth of the
unemployment problem. The TUC used figures from Jobcentre Plus in January to
establish that there were seven Jobseekers Allowance claimants for every
vacancy in Newport. The position is not as bad as across the United Kingdom
where the figure is one in ten or Wales as a whole where it is one in
twelve. Neighbouring Torfaen has one job for every twenty claimants.
Unemployment in Wales is currently seven per cent of the workforce.
BUTLER CRITICISES LACK OF
RAIL / BUS STATION LINK
Mar 16 - Rosemary Butler, AM
for Newport West has criticised poor
transport links between Newport's bus and railway stations. She
said pensioners and others in Newport were frustrated by poor connections
between the bus and railway stations. People were having to walk at least
half a mile, often with luggage. She asked the First Minister "Could you or
your deputy please use your influence with Newport Transport, the City
Council or SEWTA - the South East Wales Transport Authority - to provide
this very much needed bus service as soon as possible?"
The First Minister Rhodri Morgan
said that he had first been made aware of the problem when he was a young
civil servant in the Welsh Office 43 years ago. The first issue he was asked
to look at was why there was no proper connection between the buses running
into Newport bus station and the railway station half a mile away. Nothing
had happened for 43 years, and he wondered why there wasn't now a shuttle
service. " I think we need to look at that", he said. "We don't run the bus
services in Newport but I am amazed that what you say is still true today.
Really that is a matter for the Newport Bus Company to think about."
ATKINS TO CARRY OUT
SIGNALLING UPGRADE
Mar 16 - Network Rail has
awarded the principal contractor role for the Newport area signalling
upgrade to Atkinse. The work involves designing, installing, testing, and
commissioning of 400 signalling units along 35 miles of track between
Bristol and Cardiff. The work is due for completion in 2011, and aims to
boost service performance allowing for an increase in line speeds and
provision of local rail stations and additional services.
CITY'S SOCIAL RENTED
SECTOR HAS REDUCED BY 13 PER CENT
Mar 16 - The Welsh Assembly
Government has revealed that Newport's social rented sector including former
council houses (now owned by Newport City Homes) reduced by 13.4 per cent
during the period from 1997 - 2007. The number of properties reduced in this
sector largely due to sale of council houses from 14668 to 12706.
RECRUITMENT COMPANY
RECEIVES FUNDING BOOST
Mar 16 - Newport based specialist search
and selection company Agg Jones Search and Selection has secured equity and
debt co-investment from Finance Wales, HSBC and the Welsh Assembly
Government as part of a £475,000 expansion. The company provides recruitment
services to the financial, professional services, technology and private
equity/venture capital sectors through its offices in Newport, London and
Manchester. Finance Wales has taken an equity stake in the company and HSBC
is providing debt investment. The management team has also secured a Single
Investment Fund grant from the Welsh Assembly Government. Commenting on the
investment, David Jones, one of the co-founders of the company, says: “This
round of funding will allow us to further develop our offering across the UK
by continuing to invest in highly experienced consultants operating in their
respective niche markets.”
COPPER THEFT PROMPTS
POLICE WARNING
Mar 13 - Following the theft
of two metres of copper earthing conductor from Shaftesbury Pumping sub
station in Newport, Gwent Police would like to warn the public about the
dangers of metal theft. The theft was discovered on Wednesday (March 11th,
2009). Inspector Terry Davies from the Community Safety Department said:"The
theft of metal is not only a serious crime, it is also a serious risk to
lives. The thieves in this instance have got away with it but we know there
have been those who are not so lucky and have tragically lost their lives
embarking on this type of criminality. I would say to those who want to
embark on this type of crime that it is just not worth the risk. If anyone
knows anyone taking part in this type of activity they should call police
immediately, they might just be saving lives." If anyone has any information
about this incident or any other incidents, they should contact Gwent Police
on 01633 838 111 or Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111.
TAXI DRIVERS PROTEST OVER
AGE LIMIT
Mar 13 - Some of Newport's
taxi drivers have staged a demonstration against plans for age limits on
their vehicles. Taxis were driven slowly around Newport in protest this
afternoon. The City Council proposes that private hire vehicles should be no
older than six years, and Hackney carriages no more than 10 years, from 1
August 2010. Drivers believe the plan is motivated by the city hosting the
Ryder Cup golf tournament in September 2010. Taxi drivers are concerned they
will not be able to afford to finance newer vehicles in the recession,
although some cab firm owners have backed the plans. In a conciliatory
gesture Lionel Morris, chairman of Newport Hackney Drivers Association,
said: "We're not against the age proposition but we're saying it's the wrong
time to put such an expense on us during the recession. If the proposals are
agreed by the City Council on March 18 from August this year newly-licensed
cars would have to be brand new if private hire, or less than three years
old if a hackney carriage.
GREEN LIGHT FOR NEW RODNEY
PARADE
Mar 11 - The redevelopment of
Newport's rugby ground has been granted planning permission by the city's
councillors. Rodney Parade will be transformed into a 15,000 capacity rugby
stadium and private and student flats will help to fund the stadium
expansion. The plans have been opposed by a small number of residents who
fear the new properties will dwarf their homes. The planning committee voted
6-4 in favour of the £40m scheme, subject to over 50 planning conditions.
Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of Newport city council, said: “I think
every rugby fan, myself included, wants to see the Newport Gwent Dragons and
Newport RFC playing in a centrally located, modern stadium with first class
facilities for supporters, players and visitors. Will Godfrey, Chairman of
Newport Rugby Club said “We are delighted to be given the go-ahead and look
forward to working with the Council and the other stakeholders, including
our neighbours in the local area, to bring these plans to fruition. We are
excited by the prospect of getting closer to our local community and indeed
becoming a focal point for it in terms of the facilities that will be
provided by this scheme. Our intention is to encourage use of the facilities
by local residents and to expand the community and educational initiatives
that we currently offer. This requires modern and up to date facilities that
we now hope to be able to offer.”
Gethin Jenkins, Chief Executive of Newport Gwent Dragons added “Today’s
decision is a significant step in achieving a dream which is not just to
benefit the Dragons and Newport RFC, but the community as a whole. We have
amended the plans over the last nine months or so to meet the Council’s
requirements and we are confident that the student accommodation and
residential development will provide the funding to make these plans a
reality".
HOMES TRANSFER GOES AHEAD
Mar 10 - Newport has become Wales’ first
city to successfully transfer its housing stock. Newport City Council and
Newport City Homes have signed agreements that will see 9,750 rented homes,
leaseholders and shared-ownership properties and 300 staff transferred to
the not-for-profit social landlord.
The move will unlock £240 million of
investment in the city’s homes. Work will be carried out on properties to
bring them up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard and the transfer will
also act as a catalyst for local businesses boosting skills development,
regeneration, employment, education and investment. Leader of Newport City
Council, Matthew Evans, said: “This is great news for the tenants and indeed
many local contractors who will benefit significantly from the substantial
cash injection.“This has been a challenging project but we are pleased that
we have now been able to finalise the agreements and make sure everything is
in place for a smooth and successful transfer."
COUNCIL 'DISAPPOINTED' AT BUTLER
CRITICISM
Mar 10 - Newport City Council has expressed
disappointment with remarks attributed to Rosemary Butler in yesterday's
article 'Butler slams housing grant under-spend'. Ms Butler stated that the
Council was failing to pass on Assembly grant funding to social landlords
for affordable housing schemes. The Council's spokesperson strongly refutes
the claim "The
Assembly Member for Newport West has clearly been misinformed as the council
has not lost any money at all. Newport submitted two bids to the Strategic
Capital Investment Fund (SCIF) – one for the purchase of 14 houses, the
other for the purchase of available land. Unfortunately the two bids
exceeded our allocation, which was one of the lowest in Wales. However, we
were able to find alternative funding to purchase the land so that scheme
was secure and we were granted the SCIF money to purchase the 14 houses.
SCIF money is allocated over a three year period and therefore no money is
lost, and we will be able to allocate the remaining
£239,353
to next year’s allocation of £740,716 and the 2010/11 funding of £509,242. "
The City Council claims
it has been well prepared for the downturn and has taken an innovative
approach to the provision of affordable and social housing, over and above
the specific grant aid Ms. Butler made reference to
“The
Assembly has also just approved ....the affordable housing scheme at Old
Town Dock, at a cost of approximately £14million, which will provide 101
affordable homes for rent or low cost purchase. Start on site will be this
July, all homes will exceed the Assembly standard and will achieve
sustainable homes level 5 which will mean they will be very economical for
residents to heat and will have a limited impact on the environment. We are
therefore disappointed with the Assembly Member’s comments and would be more
than happy to explain to her some of the innovative and successful
partnership schemes that have been established between the council, social
landlords and developers to ensure we are increasing the city’s affordable
housing stock at a time when demand is at its highest.”
OFFICERS RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF RUGBY
STADIUM SCHEME
Mar 10 - City planners will be considering
revised proposals for the redevelopment of Rodney Parade at tomorrow's
Planning Committee. Officers recommend approval of the plans, now revised to
take in to account public consultation. The new stadium will have an
increased capacity of 15,000. There are plans for 110 student flats (with
546 bedrooms!), a training barn, conference facilities, bars and
restaurants. Writing in support of the development Newport Unlimited state
"Supports very strongly the objective of retaining and improving the rugby
ground in central Newport as this is consistent with the objectives of the
City Centre Master-plan relating to increasing the vitality of the City
Centre and developing cultural and sporting facilities close to the
principal transport connections for the region which converge on Newport
City Centre. The development of both sides of the River Usk in central
Newport would be strengthened enormously by the building of a new rugby
stadium at Rodney Parade which would be connected to the City Centre and the
new car park and the bus station by the Newport City Footbridge. The whole
riverfront strategy would be significantly enhanced by the improvement of
the rugby ground 'in situ' in central Newport. Other towns and Cities have
let their rugby grounds go outside the Centre and this has not been
successful for the central areas. The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff is
regarded as being one of the best located stadiums in the UK because it is
in the City Centre and brings life and vitality to the City Centre as well
as a good visitor experience."
Forty one letters of objection have been
received by the Council, twenty four in favour. The local councillors
(Hamilton and Hussain) predictably object to the scheme even offering the
following bizarre and ill founded reason "living next to students is worse
than living next to a prison due to anti-social behaviour." The Sports
Council for Wales backs the project but the Design Council for Wales regard
it as a 'gross over-development' of the site.
BUTLER SLAMS HOUSING GRANT
UNDER-SPEND
Mar 9 - Newport West AM
Rosemary Butler has criticised Newport City Council leaders for failing to
make full use of Welsh Assembly Government housing grants.
Newport is one of six local authorities in
Wales who failed to pass on money to social landlords - including housing
associations - for the purchase of affordable housing.
The Welsh Assembly Government allocated
£694,421 to Newport for 2008/09, but the city council has only taken up
£455,068.The money is part of the Assembly's Strategic Capital Investment
Fund, which was set up to increase the social housing stock in Wales and
help builders through the current economic crisis.
Rosemary Butler said:
"I think it's particularly galling that the
unclaimed money will now be handed over to other Welsh local authorities who
have managed to find a use for it. Newport should have used every penny
they were given. Housing in Newport, like everywhere else, is badly affected
by the recession. The last thing we want to see is local authorities
handing back badly needed money. At a time when Newport is transferring the
ownership of its council housing stock to Newport City Homes it doesn't
look good if social landlords, housing associations and builders aren't
being given all the help that's available to them."
Newport City Council's transfer of its
housing stock to new registered social landlord, Newport City Homes, was set
to go ahead today. Initially, the new organisation will be based in
Malpas depot before transferring to new offices near George Street in the
near future.
GRIFFITHS CALLS FOR CONGESTION ACTION
NOW
Mar 9 -
The M4 Relief Road is unlikely to happen.
That's the view of Newport East AM John Griffiths following a meeting with
Ieaun Wyn Jones, Deputy First Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government
including responsibility for transport. The Newport AM raised concerns that
congestion and the spate of accidents around the Brynglas Tunnels must be
dealt with now, and not wait for the Relief Road which may never be built.
He was told work is ongoing to put better traffic management in place and
consider an alternative approach. Following the meeting, Mr Griffiths
stated, “Given the very substantial cost of a relief road and the
expectation that it would be met in large part by private finance, there are
ever growing doubts that a funding package can be put in place. Public
spending is facing challenging times and the recession makes private finance
much scarcer. The Welsh Assembly Government should now press on with a
different strategy – better public transport alternatives, smarter traffic
management and looking at how the existing M4 can be remodelled to increase
capacity”.
"STATION WILL BE COMPLETE
FOR RYDER CUP" SAY ASSEMBLY
Mar 8 - The Welsh Assembly
Government has again reaffirmed that the major redevelopment of Newport
railway station will be complete by the Ryder Cup in September 2010. The
credit crunch has hit plans for the £22 million proposal to redesign the
station. In January regeneration company Newport Unlimited described as a
'major issue'. The proposal promised new buildings, access arrangements, a
light and airy concourse and 250 additional parking spaces, due to a
multi-storey car park. However, Network Rail has not stated when work will
start or whether key aspects of the plan including the car park will be
delivered. However, a Welsh Assembly Spokesperson has told Modern
Railways magazine "The funding for the regeneration of Newport stadium
(£8 million) is still available and the project represents good value for
money. Network Rail has assured us that the project will be complete before
the Ryder Cup commences".
MAN CHARGED WITH GBH
FOLLOWING STABBING
Mar 6 - The 25 year old man
arrested following an incident at West Park Road in Newport on Thursday 5th
March where a man received a stab wound to his chest has been charged with
grievous bodily harm.He is due to appear before Newport Magistrates tomorrow
morning (Saturday 7th March). The 28 year old male who was injured has been
transferred from the Royal Gwent Hospital to the Heath Hospital in Cardiff
where his condition is described as stable.

Vice Chancellor Dr Peter
Noyes(centre) with the certificate presented to him by the Mayor of
Newport, Cllr Noel Trigg, and Cllr Ibrahim Hayat. |
UNIVERSITY'S CONTRIBUTION TO CITY ACKNOWLEDGED
The University of Wales, Newport was praised for its excellent
facilities and the major contribution it makes towards the health
and education of the people of Newport by the city’s Mayor when he
presented a certificate to the Vice Chancellor.
“I’m delighted to be here today to see the
wonderful facilities you have and to present a civic thankyou for
the excellent service the University provides for the people of
Newport,” said Councillor Noel Trigg. Opening the presentation
ceremony, Councillor Ibrahim Hayat, said, “I wanted to make sure the
University, with Dr Peter Noyes at the helm, is recognised for its
many achievements and the major contribution it makes to the health
and education of the local community.
“I’m a great fan of this University
– and the campus here is almost like a sacred place because it
changes people’s lives.I grew up in Pill, one of the most deprived
areas in Wales, and believe it’s important that we promote the
University and its courses and facilities which are second to none.
Our aim is to make sure that the young people of Newport are aware
of just how good a University they have on their doorstep – and to
make sure they put Newport down as the first choice on their UCAS
application forms.” Thanking the Councillors for the award, Vice
Chancellor Dr Peter Noyes, said, “It’s wonderful to be recognised by
our host city, as the future of the university and the city is
inextricably linked.” The University is playing a key role in the
regeneration of Newport with its new £35m City Centre Campus
starting to take shape on the banks of the River Usk. |
ARREST FOLLOWS STABBING
INCIDENT IN WEST PARK ROAD
Mar 5 - At approximately
5.30am this morning, Thursday 5th March 2009, Gwent Police were called to a
report of an incident of disorder involving two men and one woman at West
Park Road in Newport. A 30 year old male received a stab wound to his chest
and has been taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital where his condition is
described as stable.A 25 year old man has been arrested in connection with
the incident and remains in police custody being questioned. The woman
didn’t suffer any injuries. Bassaleg Road and West Park Road, which were
closed this morning, have now been reopened. Anyone who witnessed the
incident in the early hours of this morning, or has any information that
could assist the enquiry is asked to call Gwent Police on
01633 838 111 or Crimestoppers on
0800 555 111.
MUSEUM / CENTRAL LIBRARY
SET FOR TEMPORARY CLOSURE
Mar 5 - Newport Museum and
Library will close for an extended period shortly. The Kingsway Shopping
Centre redevelopment scheme included providing the Museum and Central
Library building with an enlarged foyer. This change was necessary as part
of a scheme to harmonise the frontage of the improved shopping centre and
also to increase the footprint of those retail units opening onto John Frost
Square. The Kingsway redevelopment had been slower than originally planned
and the project had been delayed. However, work to fit out the new foyer was
soon to commence and would be completed in 16 weeks. The City Council report
states the Council intends "To close the building for the minimum time
required to lay the new foyer floor as part of the Museum/Central Library
foyer refurbishment works being undertaken from 2 March 2009 for 16 weeks."
MANSION HOUSE SET TO BE
REGISTRY OFFICE
Mar 5 - Following a
controversial review of the use of the Mansion House the City Council
Cabinet Member Peter Davies has accepted the recommendation of the forum of
members that the relocation of the Registration Service is the only
potentially viable alternative use of the Mansion House and agreed to
implement their preferred options.
They include to undertake a detailed appraisal into the relocation of the
existing Register Office from Gold Tops to the existing Mansion House, and,
subject to the outcome of this, put in place arrangements to relocate the
Register Office to the existing Mansion House. In a major backtrack Davies
has agreed to consider the practicality of continuing to hold occasional
mayoral events at the Mansion House in conjunction with its substantive use
as a Register Office.
DRUG DEALER ARRESTED IN
RAID
Mar 5 - Police swooped on two
houses in Ringland last Friday evening (February 27th) and arrested two men
after finding drugs and cash. At 6.15pm officers from Alway Neighbourhood
Policing Team simultaneously raided the two properties on Hendre Farm Drive
to execute search warrants.
A 41-year-old man was arrested at one house after large quantities of skunk
cannabis was found, estimated to be worth more than £1,500 if sold on the
streets. Equipment used for weighing and packaging drugs was also
discovered. The man’s car, computer and television were seized under the
Proceeds Of Crime Act, together with cash found inside the house. A
27-year-old man occupying the other house was arrested after drugs, believed
to be crack cocaine, and cash were discovered. A television was also seized
at this address under the Proceeds Of Crime Act. Both men were questioned
and have been bailed pending further enquiries. Sergeant Dave Morgan, of
Alway Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:
“These arrests represent another success for Operation Carousel, which we
launched last year to target drug users and dealers in the Alway and
Ringland area. The public have told us they want us to target drug misuse,
so we have made the issue a priority and our work is ongoing. I can reassure
people that drug dealers have no place to hide in this area and I would urge
anyone with information to get in touch with me by calling
01633 838 111, or Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
ANOTHER MASSIVE BLOW TO
NEWPORT ECONOMY - NOVELIS TO CLOSE
Mar 4 - Novelis said its aluminium sheet
mill in Rogerstone, Newport, will close by the end of April with 440 job
losses. The company said there had been a "significant decline in orders".
Aluminium giant Novelis said a viable plan for keeping open its UK rolling
mill had not emerged despite a 90-day consultation with staff. General
manager Oliver Picht said the "goalposts have continued to move" as the
workforce "prepared to take far-reaching steps" to adapt to a "significant
decline in orders". He said: "The order book is still dropping and the
proposed measures can't address that sufficiently." The leader of Newport
City Council, Councillor Matthew Evans, said the announcement was a
"devastating blow for all those who work at Novelis and their families".
"The factory has been a major employer in Newport for many years and has
benefited enormously from the first-class service its loyal employees have
given it," he said. Paul Flynn MP stated "This is not a mothballing or a
temporary shut-down it is a full closure that destroys the jobs of 440
workers.All who have commented today paid tribute to the work of the Novelis
Rogerstone workers over the past three quarters of a century. In recent
years they have excelled in increasing the productivity and profitability of
the plant. They deserve better. This is a bitter blow. "
JURY FAILS TO REACH VERDICT
Mar 4 - Judge Stephen Hopkins QC discharged
the jury after it failed to reach a verdict in the 'Reen Crash Case' (see
story below). A hearing will be held at Cardiff Crown Court next week to
consider whether or not there will be a retrial.
JURY RETIRES IN REEN CRASH
CASE
Mar 3 - A jury is considering
its verdict in the case of a man accused of killing his friend by dangerous
driving. Jamie Linton, 22, was one of five passengers being driven by Marc
Vacara in a Vauxhall Corsa nicknamed "The Death Trap", Cardiff Crown Court
heard. It is claimed Mr Vacara, 20, was showing off to girls when the car
overturned in Redwick but he said he was driving "perfectly properly." Mr
Linton drowned when the car plunged into a reen.
Mr Vacara, of Bettws, Newport, denies causing death by dangerous
driving. The court heard one of the teenage girl passengers was travelling
in the boot of the car. Mr Vacara and four of the passengers in the Corsa
escaped without serious injury, but Mr Linton was trapped and drowned.
GO AHEAD FOR NEW HARTRIDGE
SCHOOL
Mar 3 - At a special meeting today, Newport
City Council’s Cabinet agreed plans that, it claims, will revitalise the
city’s school redevelopment programme. Councillors agreed the proposals put
forward by the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, and work on the new
Hartridge High School will now start in July 2010. Leader of the council,
Matthew Evans, said: “This announcement and our plans for Hartridge are good
news. We are delighted to be able to bring this important project back on
track. Our new plans will deliver a much-needed school in the short-term,
while ensuring that the council are not burdened with unmanageable costs in
the long-term." The new building will be completed in spring 2012.
The planned capacity of the
new Hartridge School is 1450 places. In September 2008, the number on roll
was 1028. A significant amount of new housing development is planned for
both Hartridge and Lliswerry catchment areas. Due to the present economic
downturn however, new house
builds have been delayed and are estimated to begin again in 2011/2012. This
will impact on projected pupil numbers. It is estimated that 36% of children
from the Hartridge catchment cluster, choose not to attend their catchment
high school.
• 16% of Hartridge cluster attend St Julian’s School
• 7% of Hartridge cluster attend Lliswerry Comprehensive School
• 13% of Hartridge cluster attend a High School out of County
Once the new school is built, it is expected these pupils will return to
Hartridge High School over a 4 year period.
The Council's Chief Financial
Officer has warned "delivery of savings to offset borrowing costs and the
earmarking of further receipts to repay prudential borrowing should allow
the programme to be delivered. If additional receipts are not forthcoming
within the next five years then
additional revenue budget savings would need to be identified to offset the
impact on the revenue budget." The Council has used additional borrowing to
get this project under way.
TODDLER HURT IN CRASH
Mar 2 - A two-year-old girl
has been seriously injured after a collision with a taxi in Newport. Police
are appealing for witnesses to the incident which happened at around 1453
GMT on Sunday in the Ringland area and involved a Nissan Primera. The girl
is being treated at the Royal Gwent Hospital. Gwent Police said a man was
released on police bail today after being arrested yesterday in connection
with the road traffic collision person. Any witnesses should contact them on
01633 838111.
HOSPITAL A&E DEPARTMENT TO
BE EXTENDED
Mar 2 - £3.4 million has been
allocated by the Welsh Assembly Government to the Royal Gwent Hospital to
carry out a much needed extension of a key facility. NHS trusts were asked to bid for a share of
the money and the successful schemes include the refurbishment of the busy
accident and emergency department and emergency assessment unit at the
hospital. A spokesman for Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the
hospital said: “We welcome the Minister’s announcement which will enable the
trust to develop services in key areas.“Emergency care in particular is a
top priority at the Royal Gwent where improvements have already been made
and can now be extended further. The investment in new equipment will
directly benefit both patients and staff.”
SURVEY FINDS 'COCAINE
TRACES' AT RIVERFRONT AND CINEMA - REPORT
Mar 1 - A survey carried out
by the Wales on Sunday newspaper has found cocaine residue in the
toilets of Newport's Riverfront Theatre and the Cineworld cinema in Spytty.
The venues were among several in the South Wales area that tested positive
for the substance, found using professional testing and swab kits. The tests
are claimed to have a higher than 90 per cent accuracy rate. A spokesman
from Newport City Council, who own the Riverfront, said: “We take this issue
very seriously and if staff discover any evidence of people being involved
in drug taking it is immediately reported to the police. We have regular
cleaning and inspection processes in place to maintain high levels of
cleanliness, however we are deeply concerned that our facilities appear to
have been abused in this way.”
OPPOSITION CALLS FOR NO
COUNCIL TAX INCREASE
Feb 27 - A call by Newport's
Labour opposition for a zero Council Tax increase was rejected by the full
Council on Tuesday. The Labour Group proposed that the regeneration company
Newport Unlimited be wound up and the scrapping of a proposal to extend the
provision of free school transport to children living two miles or more from
school (it's currently three). Bob Bright, Opposition Leader stated that the
Opposition Group was fully committed to the city centre regeneration but
with this investment in mind he now considered that Newport Unlimited could
be wound up and the annual investment from the council invested in a more
focussed manner on regeneration within the city centre led by the new
Corporate Director. This would allow £1million from the reserve to be used
over three years. Opposition Group Members considered that the proposed 0%
rate rise was justified owing to the extraordinary economic conditions faced
by residents at this time. The proposals, they stated, would benefit
everyone in the city and the additional use of balances was sustainable over
three years. The Deputy Leader of the Council, Ed Townsend, was disappointed
that the amendment was politically motivated. He said the administration’s
proposals presented an opportunity for a balanced budget, reducing reliance
on balances. The Opposition amendment was defeated by the Conservative-Lib
Dem coalition.
DISPERSAL ORDER TARGETS
CAR CRUISERS IN CAERLEON
Feb 27 - Police in Caerleon
will enforce a new dispersal order for an area used by antisocial drivers.
For years Caerleon residents have complained to police about youngsters
gathering in the Coldbath Road and Broadway area of the village and driving
cars at speed late at night. After gathering information and evidence, Gwent
Police and Newport City Council authorised the implementation of a dispersal
order. The order will run from March 1st until August 31st and gives police
officers the power to ask any groups of two or more people, or vehicles, to
leave the area. Anyone who refuses to leave, or returns to the area within
24 hours, can be arrested or given a fixed-penalty notice under the
Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.
The only exclusions to the order will be any prearranged public events that
may be held on the site. Crime and Disorder Reduction Officer Pc Leanne Pole
said: “Over the years there have been problems with youths gathering in the
area and drivers using Coldbath Road and Broadway into the small hours,
disturbing the peace of local residents. The action we have taken by
introducing this dispersal order shows that we are listening to the public
and tackling their concerns head-on.”
ALL WALES CONVENTION HEADS
FOR NEWPORT
Feb 26 - The All Wales
Convention, set up to prepare the ground for a possible referendum on full
law making powers for the National Assembly, heads for Newport on June 4th.
Its aim is to engage widely with the public across Wales, to facilitate a
debate about:
- the success of the powers already
available to the National Assembly, and about
- the potential case for moving towards
full lawmaking powers for the National Assembly.
As part of that engagement, the convention
will be holding a series of public events across Wales. The meeting is on
June 4th at Newport Centre at 6.30pm. Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East
stated "The convention is compiling recommendations which will set out the
future progression of Wales as a nation. I feel, given the stakes, it is
vital people of Wales have their say. I want to encourage people from
Newport East to attend this event, if they can. If not, other events are
being held across South East Wales. Make sure they hear your voice."
More than half of people in
Wales would vote for the Welsh assembly to have full law-making powers,
according to an exclusive BBC Wales / ICM poll. A total of 52% said they
would vote for full law-making powers in a referendum, 39% said they would
vote against. But only 34% want the Welsh Assembly to have tax raising
powers. 19% want to see the Assembly abolished and only 5% want to see an
independent Wales.
GRAHAM RESIGNS AS CHIEF
WHIP
Feb 26 - Newport based AM
William Graham has resigned his position as Chief Whip for the Welsh
Assembly's Conservatives following his disagreement with a reshuffle of
responsibilities within the Group by Party Leader Nick Bourne.
ARREST AFTER BUS STATION
INCIDENT
Feb 25 - A 28 year old man
has been arrested and will appear before Newport Magistrates tomorrow
following a knife incident at Newport Bus Station on Monday. He faces a
charge of attempted murder. A 39 year old man suffered injuries following
the stabbing on Monday evening, although they are not considered life
threatening.
SCHOOL WILL GO AHEAD -
EVANS
Feb 24 - The replacement for
Hartridge High School will go ahead next year. Matthew Evans, Leader of the
Council claims that the City Council will again use its borrowing powers
plus £15 million in additional taxpayers money from the Welsh Assembly
Government to fund the new £30 million school. The local paper marked the
announcement with yet another photo opportunity for Evans and his deputy Lib
Dem Ed Townsend. Evans will now put forward the proposals to a special
meeting of the cabinet on March 3. Prior to Christmas local MP Jess Morden
and AM John Griffiths criticised the Council's failure to get on with the
work following confirmation of the new funding.
DEATH TRAP CAR WAS GOING
TOO FAST - COURT TOLD
Feb 23 - A young father
drowned after a car nicknamed 'The Death Trap' careered off a track and
landed in a ditch, Cardiff Crown Court has heard. Jamie Linton, 22, was one
of five passengers, including a girl in the boot, being driven by Marc
Vacara down the pot-holed track at Redwick near Newport. The BBC reports it
was claimed in Court that Mr Vacara, 20, was showing off to young girls in
the car before the fatal crash in May 2008.
Mr Vacara, of Bettws, Newport denies
causing death by dangerous driving.
The group of three men and three teenage girls were heading in the
Vauxhall Corsa towards the sea wall, the court was told. Despite pleas to
slow down, Vacara was driving so fast that he lost control on a bend,
causing the car to plunge into the ditch, the prosecution claims. Mr
Linton lost his life despite efforts to save him. A back seat passenger
Fallon Whaltby, 17, said the car was going "too fast" and told police: "I
knew something was going to happen". The third girl, Samantha Giles,
17, was in the car boot as she was the smallest. The case was adjourned.
BARRATTS SHOP CLOSES
Feb 21 - Barratt's shoe shop
on Commercial Street has closed, a victim of the closure and administration
of the parent company responsible, Stylo. The new Peacocks store in the
Kingsway Centre is now open.
PANASONIC JOBS AT RISK
Feb 20 - The economic gloom
continued today. The Japanese electronics company Panasonic said 209 jobs
could go at its Welsh plants. The company said 139 jobs in Newport and 70 in
Cardiff could be lost. Panasonic said it would cut 15,000 jobs worldwide
earlier in February. Trade union Unite confirmed the company had told it
about restructuring plans at the Newport plant, which employs 413 people
making telephone systems. Bryan Godsell, of Unite, said workers were
"extremely shocked" by the scale of the possible redundancies.
The Welsh Assembly Government said it was "very disappointing news"
and would be meeting the company early next week. In a statement, Panasonic
said 139 positions at its Newport plant where 413 people are currently
employed are likely to go.
SECURITY GUARD INJURED AS
HE FOILS RETAIL PARK BREAK-IN
Feb 18 - Police are appealing for information after an
attempted theft at Newport Retail Park, Spytty at 12.30am this morning,
Wednesday 18th February 2009. A man described
as six foot, of a slim build, wearing black tracksuit bottoms, a black
tracksuit top (with some silver detail on the shoulder) and a black beanie
hat, that was worn as a balaclava, attempted to break into a burger van. A
male security guard on site tackled the offender and was assaulted. He
attended the Royal Gwent Hospital with a minor shoulder injury and has since
been released - he didn't suffer serious injuries. Nothing was stolen during
the incident. The offender ran off towards the Broadmead Estate. If anyone
has any information about the incident they are asked to call Gwent Police
on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers
on 0800 555 111.
 |
CITY
STUDENTS AIM TO RAISE £6K IN FUN RUN TO CARDIFF
Newport students
sprinted off to a flying start to raise money for charity by taking
part in a fun run from Caerleon to Cardiff. The students, from the
University of Wales, Newport, did the run as part of the Students’
Union’s rag week, with the aim of raising over £6000 to beat the
amount raised at the last rag week held eight years.
Photographic Art student Daryl
Wood, who dressed up as Batgirl for the run, has so far raised over
£400 in sponsorship for her chosen charity, the Beatrice Tate School
for Children with Cerebral Palsy. I saw her myself on the central
reservation of the Southern Distributor Road near the Transporter
Bridge on Monday evening presumably fighting crime in our own
version of Gotham City. |
COUNCIL TAX INCREASE
LIKELY TO BE 3.95 PER CENT
Feb 17 - Newport City
Council's Cabinet has recommended a 3.95 per cent Council Tax increase for
2009/10. The increase has yet to be approved by the full Council but this is
regarded as a formality. The initial proposal was for a 5 per cent increase
but the report of today's meeting states that Matthew Evans, Leader of the
Council felt there "was also a need to consider what impact a significant
rise in Council Tax would have on Newport’s citizens, particularly at this
difficult time." He has therefore decided to recommend the use of £400,000
from the City Council's balances to fund a reduced increase. Although this
was supported by all members of the Cabinet there is an indication that
there were doubts about the idea. Perhaps significantly the Deputy Leader Ed
Townsend (Lib Dem) expressed "concern about the potential impact on future
budgets should the financial strategy continue to rely on use of balances".
2009/10 Band D Council Tax will, therefore, be £743.21 for the City Council
part of the charge, if the increase is approved. The increase proposed is
still likely to be well ahead of the rate of inflation for the coming
financial year.
CITY BORROWS TO CARRY OUT
IMPROVEMENTS IN ROADS AND HIGHWAYS
Feb 17 - Newport City
Council‘s cabinet has approved what they claim is 'the largest highways
maintenance programme of its kind in Wales'. Proposals for the creation of a
three-year £21million improvement programme were presented to the Council’s
Cabinet today. It is stated "The initiative will address the backlog of road
and pavement repairs in the city, as well as replacing one thousand of the
city’s street lights." The Conservative leader of the council, Councillor
Matthew Evans, said: “This radical and innovative project will benefit every
resident in Newport. It is the most ambitious project of its kind in Wales
and it is excellent news for everyone in our city." The money for this will
be raised by a scheme known as 'prudential borrowing' , basically a
significant increasing in the Council's borrowing to fund capital schemes.
The Council claims the extra borrowing will result in longer term savings as
insurance claims due to injury or accidents reduce.
Prudential borrowing
- From 1 April 2004
controls on the level of Council borrowing have been reduced, and the City
Council has the power to enter into borrowing over and above the level that
is supported by either its Revenue Support Grant or Capital Grant from the
Welsh Assembly Government. This is termed ‘prudential’ borrowing and can be
entered in to as long as the Council can demonstrate that the revenue
consequences of such borrowing (i.e. the cost of the debt) are sustainable,
prudent and affordable in the medium to long term.
JESSOPS TO CLOSE NEWPORT
STORE
Feb 17 - Photographic retailer Jessops has confirmed
that it is to close 17 stores - including the store in Newport's Kingsway
Shopping Centre. A spokeswoman said the stores were no longer "financially
viable" and a consultation was under way with staff. She would not confirm
how many jobs would be lost but the figure is likely to exceed 100. This is
another blow to the mall where Woolworths closed in late December. A new
Peacocks store is scheduled to open on Thursday of this week.
POLICE PROBE FIRE
Feb 16 - Police are
investigating a blaze at a former Vauxhall garage and showroom in Turner
Street, situated near the main rail line to Manchester and Caerleon Road.
The disused building was destroyed as was an adjacent office block.
Fire-fighters were called out at 10 o'clock on Sunday evening.
PLAN FOR SIGNIFICANT
COUNCIL TAX RISE
Feb 13 - Conservative-run
Newport City Council is planning for a 5 per cent increase in Council Tax in
April - significantly ahead of the likely inflation rate for the coming
year. This would increase the City Council element of a Band D property by
£36 to £751 per annum. A large increase in the police element of the
tax is also expected (£175 on an average band D). This will be unwelcome
news as the full of the credit crunch starts to impact on the City. In
addition, Newport has been reeling from a succession of job cuts not least
at Llanwern Steelworks where 528 workers will be without a job. Although
some will qualify for a rebate on their Council Tax most do not, out of
60,000 households in the City only 25 per cent receive some form of rebate.
The rise will be more than five times the cost of living for the coming
year. The cost of other household expenses including food, high street
goods, mortgage payments and petrol prices have been falling with the rate
of inflation predicted to be negative by July or August.
The City Council states that
only 17 per cent of its finance is raised via Council Tax. The vast majority
comes from central taxation and it claims it has not received a fair
settlement from the Welsh Assembly Government. Despite this the proposed
Revenue budget for 2009/10 proposes above inflation increases for key
service areas including education. There is little or no mention of City
Centre developments in the plan.
POLICE APPEAL OVER ROBBERY
Feb 13 - Police in Newport
are appealing for information following a robbery which occurred on Ebenezer
Terrace near Kingsway at approximately 8pm last night, Thursday 12th
February 2009. Two men entered the home of an elderly and vulnerable male
resident and threatened him with a concealed object. The men left in the
direction of Granville Lane with an item of clothing which has since been
recovered by police officers. The first offender is described as
approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall and of skinny build. He was dressed all
in black, wore a hood, and had a dark scarf covering most his face. The
second offender is described as a white male and of a stocky build. He had
light hair and was wearing a beige tracksuit. They are both believed to be
in their late teens. Newport CID officers are currently following several
lines of enquiry but ask that anyone who may have seen the offenders or has
any information they think would assist the investigation to call Gwent
Police on 01633 838 111 or
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
COMMUNITIES FIRST FUNDING
BOOST
Feb 12 - Communities First
Partnerships in Newport are to benefit from almost £7.89 million of
Communities First funding over the next three years says Welsh Assembly
Deputy Minister for Regeneration, Leighton Andrews. In Newport West the
money will be used in the communities Bettws, Pill, Duffryn, Malpas, Maeglas,
Tredegar Park and Gaer, while local racial equality and voluntary
organisations will also benefit. Local AM
Rosemary Butler said: "This is brilliant news for those who live
and work in the more hard pressed communities in my constituency. The Welsh
Assembly is very conscious of its responsibility for disadvantaged areas and
works constructively with the local authority. This new funding means that
local Communities First partnerships, which have already done so much to
tackle poverty and provide a new sense of purpose in places like Bettws,
Stow Hill and Pill, have been given a big vote of confidence."
CITY COUNCIL MISSES
HOUSING TRANSFER DEADLINE
Feb 11 - Newport City Council
tenants face a further delay in their transfer to new organisation Newport
City Homes. The deadline has been extended from its original date on
February 16 in to March. Current economic conditions are blamed for the
delay.
 |
Research Takes Students
on Life-Changing Trip to Help India’s People Portrayed in “Slumdog
Millionaire” Film
Feb 11 - Newport
students who visited India were so affected by what they saw of the
people there - whose plight is highlighted in the BAFTA-winning and
Oscar- nominated film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ - that some are
determined to go back and help those who live in extreme poverty.
Seventeen staff and students from the University of
Wales, Newport visited the sub-continent to find out more about its
religion, culture and people as a result of a lecturer’s research
into the worship of goddesses that revealed India to be a diversely
rich country with a strong spiritual centre.
The visit affected student Brett
Western-Jones so much that she now wants to take her two young
children to live in India to try to do what she can to help the
people there. “I wanted to be a teacher but the trip really opens
your eyes to what is going on and made me stronger in my own faith.
Now I really want to help the people in India in some way,” said
26-year-old Brett, a former retail manager who is now studying for a
degree in Religious Studies and Philosophy. |
POLICE APPEAL OVER MAINDEE
SEX ASSAULT