Author: Rhodri Jones
Monmouthshire Community Learning programme receives glowing report
Monmouthshire County Council’s Community Learning programme, which is part of the Greater Gwent Adult Learning Partnership, led by Coleg Gwent, received a glowing commendation after a recent Estyn inspection. The…
MonLife Museums ensures collection holds relevance to local history
In 2020-2022, MonLife museums took part in a Collection Review Project. This allowed our museums to discover more about the objects within their collections and their connections, if any, to…
Have your say on new sports and recreation facilities in the Magor with Undy area
Monmouthshire County Council is looking to create new sports provisions in the Magor with Undy area. Currently, there is a significant shortfall of outdoor sport and recreation provision to serve…
Abergavenny Museum’s 2024 exhibition – the Big Fish
Abergavenny Museum has unveiled a new exhibition to celebrate the largest salmon caught in Wales. In 1782, a record-breaking fish was hauled from the River Usk, just a few miles…
Monmouthshire County Council awarded Transport Grants
Monmouthshire County Council is pleased to announce that it has been awarded up to £8.4 million in transport funding across the county to deliver its projects. The funding includes contributions…
Monmouthshire County Council celebrates inaugural creative arts event
Artists from in and around Monmouthshire took part in the first ever council-led Celebration of the Arts in the county last week (Friday, 19 April). Inspired by the council leader,…
Chepstow Community Hub and Library to hold a dementia awareness and information day
On Wednesday, 15th May, Chepstow Community Hub and Library will host a dementia awareness and information day. The event, which will be held between 10am and 2pm, will allow residents to learn…
Chepstow Museum celebrates 75 years of community heritage
On Tuesday, 9 April, MonLife Heritage and the Chepstow Society came together to commemorate a significant milestone: the 75th anniversary of Chepstow Museum. The museum is rooted in the community,…
Wellness made accessible through MonLife’s ‘Passport to Leisure’
MonLife’s Passport to Leisure Scheme (PTL) is designed to make fitness and wellness accessible and affordable for residents of Monmouthshire. If you are in receipt of benefits, you may be…
Borrowing a laptop as easy as borrowing a library book with Monmouthshire County Council
Residents in Monmouthshire can now borrow laptops from their local library to help with everyday tasks. The laptops are available through Monmouthshire County Council’s Community Hubs and Library Service, and…
Innovative Severn View Park Care Home opens
Monmouthshire County Council’s brand-new care home, Severn View Park, has opened. Severn View Park Care Home will innovate how care is delivered to people with dementia, allowing them to live…
Monmouthshire County Council to host two job fairs
Monmouthshire County Council’s Economy, Employment & Skills Department will host two job fairs in April. On the 11th of April at Abergavenny Market Hall and the 18th of April at…
Council holds its second Ramadan Iftar at County Hall
For only the second time ever, Monmouthshire County Council threw open its doors to an important multicultural Muslim celebration on Friday (15 March 2024) The Iftar, part of the Ramadan…
Easter arrives early in Monmouthshire
The Easter bunny made an early appearance at the Council’s Children’s Services this week, as Monmouthshire Building Society delivered 200 Easter eggs. The kindness of the Monmouthshire Building Society staff,…
Monmouthshire County Council host Leadership Academy Conference
On Friday, March 8th, 60 pupils from the Monmouthshire County Council Leadership Academy Scheme attended the Leadership Academy Conference at County Hall in Usk. The young ambassadors, who came from…
Take a sneak peek at the plans for Ysgol Gymraeg Trefynwy
As Monmouthshire County Council celebrates St David’s Day, we are pleased to share a sneak peek into the plans of the new Welsh Medium primary school that will shortly be…
Monmouthshire County Council’s set Budget for 2024-25
Monmouthshire County Council has approved the Budget for 2024-25 in a full council meeting held on February 29th. We will now work to provide continuity of services for the people…
Council calls on Rt Hon Mark Harper MP and National Highways to prioritise A40 works
Minister visits Dewstow Primary School
Monmouthshire’s progressive approach to school meals has attracted the attention of a Welsh Government Minister. Jeremy Miles MS, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language, visited Dewstow Primary School in…
Monmouthshire County Council listens to residents and stakeholders on the Draft Budget Proposals 2024-25
Monmouthshire County Council is making changes to the draft budget proposals, many of them as a result of the successful public consultation process. As a council we are fully committed…
Gwent Research “stepping-stone” to tackling racism in Wales
A powerful and moving report into racism in schools will change the way local authorities tackle anti-racism. Gwent Safeguarding Board’s education race subgroup commissioned research into the issue which was…
Media Statement: King Henry VIII 3-19 School
The delivery of the new King Henry VIII 3-19 school building will be delayed due to manufacturing issues that are beyond the control of the Local Authority and our contractor,…
Media Statement: Wonastow Active Travel Scheme
The contractor working on Monmouthshire County Council’s Wonastow Active Travel Scheme has accidentally damaged a shallow mains water pipe at the Wonastow mini roundabout in Monmouth. This incident occurred due…
Monmouthshire School Swimming Programme makes a splash at the 2024 Swim Wales Annual Awards
Monmouthshire School Swimming Programme has won the ‘School Swimming and Water Safety’ award at the 2024 Swim Wales Annual Awards. The awards held on the 20 January saw the MonLife…
Monmouth Cemetery to re-open for burials
Monmouth Cemetery will be re-opening for burials after significant infrastructure improvements carried out by Monmouthshire County Council and Monmouth Town Council. The work funded by Monmouth Town Council has created…
Age-Friendly Monmouthshire
At last week’s Monmouthshire County Council’s Full Council meeting, councillors voted to work towards Monmouthshire becoming an Age-Friendly County and joining the World Health Organisation’s global network of Age-Friendly Communities. Monmouthshire…
New Exhibition at Shire Hall Museum
Throughout January, a new exhibition has been displayed at the Shire Hall to celebrate its 300-year history. This exhibition is the first of many new displays showcased at the new…
Media Statement: Cllr Rachel Garrick
Cllr. Rachel Garrick, Cabinet Member for Resources (Job share with Cllr Ben Callard) and representative of Castle Ward, Caldicot, has resigned from the Cabinet due to the significant expansion of…
Work progesses on Williams Field Lane to Monnow Bridge Active Travel Route
Starting from 22nd January, Monmouthshire County Council will begin work on a new active travel route, the Williams Field Lane to Monnow Bridge Active Travel Route. This project is funded…
Strategic Equality Plan Consultation Launched
Monmouthshire County Council has launched a consultation on its Strategic Equality Plan for 2024-28. Communities are now asked to help us shape our work over the next four years. Monmouthshire…
Monmouthshire Town Centre Property Improvement Grants now available
Monmouthshire County Council is committed to ensuring that town centres remain vibrant and welcoming places that meet the needs of the local communities, businesses and visitors. The Monmouthshire Town Centre…
Monmouth: Flooding update
SWFRS, together with multi-agency partners (Gwent Police/NRW/MCC/DC), are continuing to respond to significant flooding around Monmouth Leisure Centre and Old Dixton Road. Although the River Wye in Monmouth peaked overnight…
The Spirit of Giving is Alive in Monmouthshire
The spirit of giving is alive and well in Monmouthshire this Christmas. Thanks to generous donations from residents and local companies, almost 450 of the county’s most vulnerable and needy…
Monmouthshire County Council Cabinet Approves Foster Friendly Policy
On Thursday, 13 December, Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet approved a new Foster Friendly Policy. The new policy will apply to all employees who foster directly through our Council’s Foster Wales…
Proposals for Community Nature Spaces in Abergavenny
The Monmouthshire Local Nature Partnership, which Monmouthshire County Council hosts, will be delivering the Community Nature Spaces Project in Abergavenny this winter and next spring, following on from similar projects…
Welsh Government set out provisional core funding for Monmouthshire County Council
Monmouthshire County Council today received confirmation from the Welsh Government of the provisional 2.3% increase in core funding it will receive next year. The average for the whole of Wales is 3.1%. …
Families come together to remember loved ones
On Saturday, 2nd December, young people and families who have experienced grief came together at Caldicot Castle for a Remembering Event. The annual event has been organised since 2016 and…
Monmouthshire pupils get hands-on experience at Langtons Farm
Primary school pupils learned about farming and agriculture first-hand at Langtons Farm as part of the Welsh Veg for Schools project. Ten primary schools are part of the pilot project…
Foster Wales Monmouthshire looking for new Foster Carers
Christmas can be a magical time for children, but this is not the case for every child. There are children in Monmouthshire now who will be in a children’s home…
MonLife host Christmas Celebration for valued Volunteers
Volunteers play a crucial role in MonLife services and are essential to the local communities. They help officers deliver opportunities and events to residents of Monmouthshire. On Wednesday, 13 December,…
Monmouthshire County Council Recognition Award for Abergavenny Town of Sanctuary Group
Monmouthshire County Council is committed to becoming recognised as a County of Sanctuary. On November 29, during an Asylum and Refugee training session, the council recognised the Abergavenny Town of…
New Members wanted for Monmouthshire Local Access Forum
Monmouthshire County Council is recruiting new members for the Monmouthshire Local Access Forum. The Local Access Forum advises the Council, Natural Resources Wales and other organisations on improving public rights…
MonLife becomes ‘Centre of Excellence’ for the Leadership Skills Foundation
The MonLife Sports Development team has been named a Centre of Excellence by the Leadership Skills Foundation for delivering the PlayMaker Award for Year 5 pupils across all primary schools…
Important Notice: Pwll Ddu Road, Gilwern Closed
Due to recent landslips at Pwll Ddu, the foundation of the road adjacent to the quarry has been severely damaged, posing a risk to public safety. As a result, the…
Access Improvement Grants are now available
Applications are now open for two new Access Improvement Grant schemes aimed at improving access at Monmouthshire’s visitor attractions or visitor related events. The two grant schemes are funded under…
Monmouthshire County Council supporting the Indian Malayali community
With the help of Monmouthshire County Council’s Strategic Partnerships Teams Cohesion lead, people are coming together to create the Abergavenny Meghala Malayali Association (AMMA) to connect the Indian Malayali residents…
Monmouthshire County Council sign groundbreaking cross-border partnership
Monmouthshire County Council has today (10 November) signed a groundbreaking agreement with three other English and Welsh local authorities. The Marches Forward Partnership became a reality at an official event…
Gypsy and Traveller pitches in Monmouthshire
Following a full council meeting on the 26th of October, Monmouthshire County Council will proceed with the Cabinet’s decision to undertake a public consultation on the proposed council owned sites…
Apply for your child’s place at primary school today
From today, 6th November 2023, parents can apply for their children to start school in September 2024 Children born between 1st September 2019 and 31st August 2020 are eligible to…
Green space to be improved in Monmouth
Plans to enhance the riverside by the historic Monnow Bridge and improve basic infrastructure in Monmouth are under way. The project is a partnership between Monmouthshire County Council and Monmouth…
Black History Month celebrated across Monmouthshire
Throughout October, Monmouthshire County Council celebrated Black History Month. Across the county, the council celebrated the contributions black people have made in shaping the history of the county and the…
Stay safe on bonfire night
As the 5th of November approaches, Monmouthshire County Council reminds people to stay safe. Across the county, organised events will take place, which provides a safe environment for people to…
New sports facilities at Caldicot Leisure Centre.
Monmouthshire County Council held an official opening of the Caldicot Leisure Centre’s new basketball, netball and tennis courts on the 1st of November. The dual-use site will cater for both…
Monmouthshire Food Partnership Community Grants awarded
Seven community groups have been awarded between £550 and £2,000 for their work within the good food movement. This year’s applicants showed how they work within their community to promote…
Council hold Dog Fouling Awareness Day
Monmouthshire County Council, along with Town and Community Councils, have held a dog fouling awareness day at Abergavenny and Goytre to reinforce the messages for dog owners to clean up…
Don’t let this Halloween be a wasteful one
The spookiest night of the year is nearly here, and a frightening amount of waste is created, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Get creative with Halloween costumes…
Advice and friendship at Veterans Support Hub
The Monmouthshire Veterans’ Support Hub held an official Opening Ceremony on Monday 2nd October 2023, at the St John Ambulance Hall, Fairfield Car Park, Abergavenny. Two Royal Air Force Veterans…
Monmouthshire County Council Celebrates Black History Month
Throughout October, Monmouthshire County Council is celebrating the contributions black people have made in shaping the history of the county and country. MonLife Heritage Learning has worked with staff and…
Proposed Public Spaces Protection Order consultation launched
Monmouthshire residents and businesses can now comment on the new proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) on dog controls in the county in a new consultation, which opened on the…
Development of Severn View Park Care Home continues
Work continues on the development of Monmouthshire County Council’s brand new care home in Portskewett that will open its doors in March 2024 to provide long-term support for people living…
All welcome to help shape the future of visual arts in Monmouthshire
Following a successful application to Cardiff University Centre of Creative Economy by Monmouthshire County Council, SumnerMcIntyre have been appointed as Freelance Project Arts Producers to lead an exciting project to…
Get more from your journey when you active travel in Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire County Council is celebrating 10 years since the Active Travel Act was launched in Wales. Although the concept of active travel has been around for a while, not everyone…
Monmouthshire County Council Leader welcomes Cllr Callard onto Cabinet
Council leader Cllr. Mary Ann Brocklesby has announced that the position of Cabinet Member for Resources will be a job-share between Cllr. Rachel Garrick and Cllr. Ben Callard. Cllr. Garrick…
Have your say – Rogiet to Undy Active Travel Route
Monmouthshire County Council would like to hear from residents on the proposed Active Travel scheme design to improve journeys between Rogiet and Undy. Members of the local community will have…
Monmouthshire Food Partnership grants – Last chance to apply
Monmouthshire Food Partnership is inviting applications from third-sector organisations and community groups that are contributing to Monmouthshire’s good food movement. Applicants can submit for grants of up to £2,000 to…
Thanks from Foster Wales Monmouthshire
Foster Wales Monmouthshire and colleagues from across Foster Wales Gwent would like to thank everyone who visited their stands at the Usk Show and Abergavenny Food Festival across the events….
Council marquee was buzzing with activity at the Usk Show
The annual Usk Show on Saturday 9th September saw thousands turn up for a wonderful family day out. During the spectacularly sunny day, Monmouthshire County Council’s marquee was a hive…
Caldicot Links Active Travel Project work commences
From Monday, 4 September, tree felling and scrub clearance works along the old ex-MOD railway line between the Cornfield (Portskewett) and Caldicot Castle Country Park are planned to commence. The…
Monmouthshire County Council set to sign groundbreaking cross border partnership
Monmouthshire County Council is set to confirm a groundbreaking agreement with other English and Welsh local authorities at its Cabinet on Wednesday 6th September. The proposed Marches Forward Partnership would…
Monmouthshire students collect their GCSE results
Staff across the county’s four schools; Caldicot School, Chepstow School, King Henry VIII and Monmouth Comprehensive, welcomed students and their families as they discovered the outcome of the hard work…
The benefits of fostering with not-for-profit Foster Wales Monmouthshire
As Welsh Government moves ahead with plans to remove profit from the care of looked-after children, Foster Wales Monmouthshire highlights the benefits of fostering with a local authority. Monmouthshire County…
Celebrate diversity and inclusion at Pride in Usk
Put on your most colourful and expressive outfit and embrace the love and unity at Pride in Usk on Saturday 26th August. Owain Glyndwr Park will be the location for…
Students Take Their Next Step
Today hundreds of Monmouthshire students have collected their AS Level, A-Level and BTEC results. This is a key day for learners as they plan their next steps in their lives…
Minister visits Abergavenny summer programmes
Minister for Finance and Local Government Rebecca Evans MS visited Monmouthshire County Council’s summer programmes in Abergavenny recently. Accompanied by Monmouthshire County Council Leader Cllr. Mary Ann Brocklesby and Cllr….
Applications are now open for nursery places in Monmouthshire
Parents can now register their children to start nursery from September 2024. Parents must complete the application process by 15th September. Applications are open for children born between 1st September…
Family fun day at Caldicot Castle for young carers
Monmouthshire’s Young Carers Forum organised a Family Fun Day at Caldicot Castle on Monday 31st July. It was a fantastic opportunity for young carers to meet, have fun and find…
Time is running out to claim Winter Fuel payment
Monmouthshire County Council is calling on people to submit their applications for the Winter Fuel payment scheme before 5pm on Tuesday 28th February 2023. Residents in Monmouthshire are being urged…
Latest improvement plans for Monnow Street unveiled as consultation launches
A new plan for Monnow Street in Monmouth has been unveiled as a consultation launches for residents to share their views on the proposed ideas. The Monnow Street project builds…
Monmouthshire’s inspirational ‘Changemakers’ recognised for commitment to future generations
Monmouthshire County Council is delighted to congratulate three Monmouthshire colleagues who have been named on the Future Generations Changemakers 100 list. Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, Cllr Catherine Fookes,…
Press release – Monmouthshire committed to delivery of recommendations of Burns report
Monmouthshire County Council has issued a statement following the publication of the Burns report. Cllr. Catrin Maby, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment said: “We remain committed to…
From trash to treasure: why vintage books saved from the tip are helping tackle climate change
Household recycling centres are not usually the first place someone would visit if they were looking for something antique or valuable. But a recent find of vintage books are sending…
Work on state-of-the-art Magor and Undy community hub officially begins with ground-breaking ceremony
Work has officially begun on the new £2.9m state-of-the-art community hub earmarked for the communities of Magor and Undy. On Tuesday 24th January, representatives from Monmouthshire County Council, Kier Construction…
Holocaust victims remembered at memorial event at Caldicot Hub
Millions of people who lost their lives in the Holocaust during the Second World War and in genocides around the world have been remembered with a special memorial event at…
Views sought on introduction of council tax premium for long-term empty properties and second homes in Monmouthshire
Residents are being asked to share their views on whether Monmouthshire County Council should charge a council tax premium to people who own long-term empty properties and second homes in…
Monmouthshire’s Youth Service gears up for successful 2023 after receiving Welsh Government accolade
MonLife’s award-winning Youth Service is gearing up for another successful year after recently securing a Bronze Quality Mark for Youth Work in Wales. The Youth Service received the Welsh Government…
Calls for projects aimed at building thriving and inclusive communities to access funding
Monmouthshire County Council is wanting to hear from people who may have an idea for a project in their community that will bring people together and help build thriving and…
Monmouthshire woman who spent three weeks in coma praises MonLife referral scheme for helping change her life
A Monmouthshire woman has described how an exercise referral scheme operated by MonLife has helped change her life following a serious health condition that put her into a three-week induced…
Improvement Masterplan for Usk given greenlight
Improvement Masterplan for Usk given greenlight A masterplan for Usk, which will focus on future improvement projects and opportunities for the town, has been approved by Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet…
Residents invited to share views on new walking and cycling route proposals in Monmouthshire
Residents are being invited to have their say on proposals for improvements to the local walking and cycling network between Caldicot, Portskewett and Caerwent/Crick. Monmouthshire County Council is currently working…
Series of briefing sessions to be held for prospective candidates running in 2022 Monmouthshire elections
A series of online sessions are being held aimed at giving prospective candidates all the information they need to run in the next local Welsh elections. The briefings, which include…
Gwent Heads of Service appeal to residents in light of increasing pressures to health and social care
Heads of Service for Social Care and Health across Gwent have issued a joint statement and appealed to residents in light of increasing pressures on health and social care services….
Bake-off star shares fostering journey for Gwent local authority foster carer recruitment campaign: ‘A great thing to do in 2022’
Foster Wales Monmouthshire has partnered up with Great British Bake-off finalist, Jon Jenkins, to support a new regional campaign; ‘A great thing to do in 2022’. The campaign, which is…
Monmouthshire pulls out all the stops to support council’s Christmas Wishes campaign
Monmouthshire’s residents, staff and companies have pulled out all the stops and come together in true Monmouthshire style to support the council’s Christmas Wishes appeal for 2021. The campaign, which…
Monmouthshire museums project ensures relevance of its collections to the community
A project to review Monmouthshire’s extensive museum collections, started in April 2020, has been moving forward apace. It comes as similar projects looking ensure collections are relevant to local communities…
Council launches Alexa skill to help residents with waste and recycling queries
A new service which allows residents to check when their waste and recycling will be collected and help to log a missed collection has been launched. Monmouthshire County Council’s new…
Council’s Community Night Support Team ‘Highly Commended’ at prestigious local government awards
An initiative to support vulnerable residents during some of the most lonely and isolating hours of the night has been recognised at the 2021 LGC Awards – a prestigious event…
Council looks to update climate change plan
Monmouthshire County Council will meet on Thursday, 4th November to consider an action plan to update the council’s Climate and Decarbonisation Strategy – its response to combatting climate change, originally…
Highly-anticipated new inclusive play park in Monmouth officially opens to families
A highly anticipated nature-friendly play park has officially opened in Chippenham Fields in Monmouth, providing a new accessible and safe place for families to enjoy. The new play park officially…
New facility in Abergavenny welcomes Muslim community to practice faith in significant milestone for residents
A new facility in Abergavenny where the Muslim community of Monmouthshire can practice their faith has been hailed a significant milestone for Muslim residents. The venue located in St. Michaels…