Opening times and service changes during Christmas and the new year. Includes bin collections, leisure centres, libraries, parks recycling centres and social services.

If you experience an emergency outside of the opening hours provided above, please call:

• 01443 875500 for general emergencies.
• 0800 328 4432 for social services related emergencies. 

A festive appeal co-ordinated by Caerphilly County Borough Council has raised £19,368 for foodbanks and community groups.

The appeal saw residents, Council staff, contractors, and suppliers make online cash donations. All donated funds will be distributed directly to groups across the Caerphilly food network, which is supported by the Council’s Caerphilly Cares team.

Caerphilly County Borough Council has approved ambitious plans to transform secondary education provision for pupils at two of the last single-sex schools left in Wales.

The council’s Cabinet have agreed to close Lewis Girls School in Ystrad Mynach and change the status of nearby Lewis School Pengam from single sex to co-education with effect from September 2025.

Caerphilly is the last council in Wales to still operate single sex comprehensive schools. A special board, made up of a wide range of stakeholders, was established in 2019 to develop a series of recommendations for change in terms of Post 16, Single Sex and Surplus Places.

As the festive season brings people together, Heolddu Comprehensive in Bargoed, has truly exemplified the spirit of giving.

In a community where 38% of pupils qualify for free school meals, the school has taken remarkable steps to combat food poverty and provide support to local families through its Christmas Hamper Appeal.

With the extraordinary backing of local businesses, community groups, and kind-hearted individuals, this initiative has been a resounding success. Over 30 families have received hampers packed with essentials, spreading warmth and joy during a time that can be challenging for many.

The annual school battery recycling competition hosted by CCBC’s Waste and Recycling Team in partnership with European Recycling Platform UK (ERP) has seen a total of 1,746.1kg of batteries being recycled by participating schools in 2023/24.

This year’s winner of the competition is Llanfabon Infants School. Not only did the school win the Small Schools category, but they were also the overall winners collecting an impressive 203.4kg of batteries.

The much-anticipated Jacob’s Fish and Chips Shop officially opened its doors in March 2024, bringing a delightful dining and takeway experience to the community of Cefn Fforest.

Supported by a £30,000 grant from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and facilitated by Caerphilly County Borough Council, the restaurant is dedicated to the memory of owner Ross Turner's late son, Jacob.

2024 has seen the programming of 15 events and 7 lantern making workshops across the Caerphilly County borough. 13 of the planned events and 6 lantern making workshops were deemed a huge success.

These well supported events brought over 71,000 visitors to our town centres throughout the year and a total of 720 lanterns were made in our host of lantern making workshops.

The benefits to our town centres and local businesses from our large events programme is huge, bringing increased footfall and spend as well as raising the profile of the businesses and towns.

A partnership working to address hoarding in the Caerphilly borough has been recognised with a UK Housing Award.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Supporting People and Holistic Hoarding received ‘Partnership of the Year’ at the prestigious annual event, hosted by Inside Housing.

Judges commented "This innovative and uniquely deep partnership tackles hoarding: a challenge that affects every housing provider, but one that can be hidden from sight. 

Virginia Park Youth Centre have opened a dedicated space to give young people opportunities to improve their overall wellbeing.

The wellbeing room, named ‘The Back Room’ by the young people, serves as an oasis to take time out and recharge. The safe space for all young people has wellness focused décor, mindful colours, a calming nature and comfortable furnishings to aid wellbeing.

‘The Back Room’ can be used by all young people that attend the centre, partner agencies to meet young people i.e. PCHAMS and one to one support. It can also be utilised by staff for wellbeing breaks.

The Twisted Chimney (Welsh: Simnai Ddirdro) will be restored after a community survey showed a majority of people were in favour of renewing the weather-damaged structure.

The works are possible thanks to Caerphilly County Borough Council's allocation of £114,395.28 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) under the W4 intervention. Funds spent under this intervention must be used to refurbish or restore local cultural and heritage assets.

The decision to fund the project follows a community survey undertaken in February 2024. 55% of respondents said they would prefer for the sculpture to be maintained and renewed.

I can’t see the reason to drive so far, when we have this on our doorstep” … and we couldn’t agree more!

The South Wales Valleys is home to some breathtaking landscapes and greenspaces — including the inspiring Cwmcarn Forest

Watch the Cwmcarn Forest VIDEO. 

Caerphilly Cares is proud to highlight the incredible achievements of the Caerphilly Miners Group, whose dedicated volunteers have made an extraordinary impact in the community this year.

Over 100 handmade blankets have been lovingly created and distributed, with volunteers contributing a staggering 3,000 hours of their time to this initiative.