Nicholas Thomas

United Kingdom

Local Democracy Reporter at Caerphilly Observer

Email: [email protected] Local Democracy Reporter (LDR) covering council matters in Caerphilly and Newport. More on the LDR service 👇

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Articles

Bar owner claims he is facing ‘prejudice’ in bid to open rooftop terrace

1 week ago | southwalesargus.co.uk | Nicholas Thomas

Caerphilly County Borough Council officials have recommended councillors turn down the application for The Project bar (formerly Brew Monster) in Lon Y Twyn. Project boss Glenn White told the authority’s licensing committee he was “extremely disappointed” his proposal had been recommended for refusal, and felt officers were “biased” against his business.
Decision to cut leisure centre opening hours is 'not democracy'

1 week ago | caerphilly.observer | Nicholas Thomas

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that mattersFrom just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member todayCaerphilly County Borough Council is “acting like a dictatorship” by preventing further talks on the future of Cefn Fforest Leisure Centre. The allegation, by independent group leader Cllr Nigel Dix, comes after cabinet members agreed to slash the centre’s opening hours.
Bar owner claims he is facing 'prejudice' in bid to open rooftop terrace

1 week ago | caerphilly.observer | Nicholas Thomas

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that mattersFrom just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member todayA Caerphilly brewery owner has alleged he is facing “prejudice” in his battle to open a rooftop terrace above his town-centre bar. Caerphilly County Borough Council officials have recommended councillors turn down the application for The Project bar (formerly Brew Monster) in Lon Y Twyn.
Bowls club wins booze sales bid despite noise worries

1 week ago | caerphilly.observer | Nicholas Thomas

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that mattersFrom just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member todayA bowls club in Caerphilly town has won permission to sell alcohol in its clubhouse. Members of Morgan Jones Bowling Club will be able to enjoy a drink with their teammates and opponents inside the venue and on its veranda between midday and 9pm.
Traffic and job fears raised over new Newport school plan

1 week ago | southwalesargus.co.uk | Nicholas Thomas

2 1/2 Plans for a new 630-place school in the Bettws area of Newport have drawn a mixed reaction from the community. The city council wants to merge Millbrook and Monnow primaries from September 2026 and start work on building a new £18m school a year later. The new school has been earmarked for the vacant Millbrook Primary site, which was demolished after safety inspectors found structural problems in the main building.
Council leader facing no-confidence motion over 'short-sighted' library closures

1 week ago | caerphilly.observer | Nicholas Thomas

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that mattersFrom just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member todayCritics of “short-sighted” library closures are planning a no-confidence motion against Caerphilly County Borough Council’s leader, Cllr Sean Morgan. Cabinet members agreed earlier this month to shut ten libraries and develop “hubs” offering a wider range of services at fewer locations.
Community group ‘eager’ to open gym at disused council building after handover

2 weeks ago | southwalesargus.co.uk | Nicholas Thomas

2 1/2 A community group in Rhymney will take over a disused council building to set up a new gym. The building, near the St Clare’s sheltered housing complex, was formerly a meals on wheels kitchen, but has been used for storage since 2008. JM Fitness, a community interest company, will open the new gym after securing a Community Asset Transfer of the building from Caerphilly County Borough Council.
Caerphilly meals on wheels costs to rise for majority of customers

2 weeks ago | southwalesargus.co.uk | Nicholas Thomas

The local authority argued the new move will make Meals Direct “a sustainable service” after it was saved from the axe last autumn. Customers currently pay a lower rate of £4.18 a day for a main meal and dessert delivered to their homes, if they were referred to Meals Direct by social services. According to the council, 228 people (79% of all recipients) pay this lower rate.
Community group ‘eager’ to open gym at disused council building after handover

2 weeks ago | caerphilly.observer | Nicholas Thomas

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that mattersFrom just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member todayA community group in Rhymney will take over a disused council building to set up a new gym. The building, near the St Clare’s sheltered housing complex, was formerly a meals on wheels kitchen, but has been used for storage since 2008.
Support for 'significant and much-needed investment' in borough's public spaces

2 weeks ago | caerphilly.observer | Nicholas Thomas

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that mattersFrom just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member todaySenior councillors have welcomed a “significant and much-needed investment” in Caerphilly’s public spaces – promising more street cleaning, weeding and overgrowth clearing. The county borough council has approved a new programme of “cleaning and greening enhancements” backed by £1.3 million of funding from a UK Government policy.