Nicholas Thomas

Newport City Council leader Dimitri Batrouni defended the council’s participation in the Bloomberg LSE European City Leadership Initiative after Conservative councillor Ray Mogford requested evidence of tangible benefits. Batrouni said the programme, attended by himself, the council’s chief executive and senior officers, had helped develop approaches to supporting young people entering the labour market and was being integrated into the council’s skills, youth progression and anti-poverty strategies. The initiative is also informing a review of the council’s project-management methods, while its work includes the No One Left Behind fund being trialled in Duffryn.

Councillors approved retrospective planning permission for a secure, pre‑booked dog‑walking field near Penhow, with limits on visitor numbers and operating only in daylight hours. Planning officers said the land, currently unused for agriculture, could return to farming in the future. Committee member Will Routley endorsed the project as an example of beneficial diversification. The decision was unanimous and subject to conditions.

A Caerphilly councillor called for more flexible swimming pool hours during heatwaves to give residents a safe alternative to rivers and reservoirs. The proposal includes opening unused school pool sessions for families. Council leaders expressed openness but noted potential cost implications. Other councillors supported pool use on safety and hygiene grounds, while the council said additional public sessions had already been added where possible. Welsh Water warned against reservoir swimming due to hidden dangers.