The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales has announced that universities and colleges have set aside more than £29 million for student bursaries, scholarships and hardship funding for the 2017/18 academic year.

If the Welsh economy is to grow then we need a strong and learned workforce readily equipped with the knowledge and skillset needed to make Wales a hotbed of entrepreneurialism and a place where people want to do business.

The money set aside by Higher Education institutions and colleges will help ensure that those whose ambitions are not matched by their means can be afforded the same opportunities as those who are better off.

The more skilled and educated people are the higher their earning potential will be, which can only be a boon to the economy.

This sector wide increase in student support is a welcome move and should be applauded.

I recently wrote to CADW to ask they take action to save the former Caerleon Training College building which is currently part of the University of South Wales.

Caerleon Training College is to be sold by the university.

This is a handsome and iconic building was designed by Alfred Swash & Son of Newport and begun in 1912. I understand it to could be demolished and replaced with housing if it is not economically viable.

This would, in my opinion, be a tragic waste of a fine building. I recognise the need for new homes but surely the façade and some internal features could be preserved in the change of use.

I have received confirmation that a bypass for Hafodyrynys in under consideration by Caerphilly Council.

In a letter Caerphilly CBC state:

“A bypass option was discussed at the air quality Steering Group meeting on 25 July 2016 and it is something that will be considered as part of the proposed actions for inclusion within the Air Quality Action Plan for Hafod-yr-ynys.”

I am pleased that a bypass is under consideration as a means of improving air quality in this community.

Current air pollution levels present a real threat to public health and all options must be considered to return them to acceptable levels.