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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: The Council AGREED to note the ‘Stronger, Fairer, Greener’ policy statement.
RESOLVED: Council AGREED to approve the Welsh Language Standards Annual Report 2021-22 for formal publication in accordance with the Welsh Language Standards (Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011)
RESOLVED: Council AGREED that the Budget Timetable Framework set out in Appendix 2 be adopted, and that the work outlined is progressed with a view to informing budget preparation.
RESOLVED: The Council AGREED to: 1. The acceptance of an Executive Delegation from Torfaen County Borough Council to carry out their Procurement Functions, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of the Delegation Agreement referred to in 2 below. 2. Delegate authority to the Corporate Director Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Modernisation to conclude a Delegation Agreement in a form to the satisfaction of the Council and complete all arrangements to carry out the delegated procurement functions. 3. Subject to the conclusion of the proposed Delegation agreement in 2 above, agree that the day-to-day responsibility for carrying out the delegated procurement functions is to sit with the Operational Manager, Commissioning and Procurement.
RESOLVED: The Council AGREED to receive nominations and appoint to the vacancies on Committee’s in accordance with Party Group wishes.
RESOLVED: The Council AGREED to: (1) approve the programme of Full Council meeting dates for August 2022 to May 2023 set out in paragraph 9 of this report; (2) note the proposed schedule of Cabinet meeting dates during the period August 2022 to May 2023 in paragraph 10; (3) approve the calendar of proposed Committee meetings for the period August 2022 – May 2023 in Appendix A (to be published on the amendment sheet); and (4) delegate authority to the Director of Governance and Legal Services in consultation with the Leader and the Committee Chairs to make any necessary alterations to the provisional programme of meetings which may be required.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Saleh Ahmed, Brown Reckless, Latif, Moultrie, Owen, Simmons, Shimmin and Thomson
The following declarations of interest were received in accordance with the Members Code of Conduct: Councillor Item Nature of Interest McEvoy Cabinet Statements – Social Services Personal Interest
The minutes of the Council meeting of the 30 June 2022 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson subject to an amendment to minute no 30. The appointment to the Outside Body, Care & Repair should reflect the Social Services Job Share Portfolio, and should appoint Councillors Mackie & Lister as the Council’s representative.
Public Question from Mr Ruben Kelman to Councillor Bradbury How is the council engaging with Youth organisations such as the Welsh Youth Parliament, Cardiff Youth Council and UK Youth Parliament? Reply – Cllr Bradbury Thank you for your question, its an important one and welcome to the Chamber this afternoon. The Cardiff Youth Council Executive includes members of Cardiff Youth Council and young people who are also members of the UK Youth Parliament and the Child Friendly City Advisory Board. They meet decision makers and engage in discussions through a variety of approaches, including meeting regularly with the Director of Education, the Leader of the Council and other Cabinet Members. Youth representatives sit on a number of strategic boards and committees, such as scrutiny committees where they help scrutinise the work of the Council and the Cabinet. They are also invited to take part in consultations and help inform the Council’s plans and actions in key policy areas. Previous examples include the Transport White Paper, the Cardiff 2030 Education Strategy and our One Planet Cardiff strategy. It was great to see the outgoing Chair and Vice Chair of Cardiff Youth Council hosting the launch of our Stronger, Fairer, Greener policy statement earlier this week, which we will be debating here later on today and youth representatives also hosted an inter-generational event held earlier this month focusing on how young people are portrayed in the media. These young people are supported in carrying out this activity by officers from the Council’s Child Friendly City Team. My door, my Cabinet colleagues doors and I am sure every member of this Council doors are open and are happy to meet with you, other Youth Parliament representatives or Youth Council members and, indeed, any other young person in Cardiff who wishes to engage with the Council, or their representatives, on specific issues that affect them or their local community. Supplementary Question – Ruben Kelman I would like to take up the offer of a meeting but I can tell the Cabinet Member that is simply not true in my case. I am the Youth Parliament member for Cardiff North, I am democratically elected by young people to represent them. So far I have had no correspondence from this Council and my attempts to get in contact have been ignored. Many other constituents have also tried to get in contact with the Council about a wide variety of issues they are observing or facing in their communities, but they have simply been ignored or replied to with a copy and paste answer. This means the views of my constituents are not being fed into the decision making and young people are not being heard which is a serious concern and should be for all of us. But it isn’t just young people who are not being heard it is adults too. Therefore would the Cabinet Member agree with me that the Council wants to silence not just young people but all Cardiffians, their views do not matter to this administration and consultation is only carried out to make this Council look like it really cares. Reply – Cllr Bradbury No, I don’t and I have done a bit of research on Mr Kelman beforehand and I’m not surprised by the partisan nature of his question given that he is a member of Plaid Cymru and has spent a lot of time on Twitter criticising this administration. However the points that he makes on meeting Council Members and Cabinet Members simply doesn’t match facts when this week, not only was the outgoing chair and vice chair hosting the launch of the strategic direction of the council but we also asked them to not only host it but mediate the entire event and decide which questions were asked to the Leader of the Council but also I have spoke to many of my Cabinet colleagues in the lead up to this question and we have all had dealings with the Cardiff Youth Council. I attended Children and Young Persons Scrutiny Committee last month where some of the most difficult questions I faced were from your Cardiff Youth Council colleague. I am very happy to meet with yourself or any other member of the Cardiff Youth Council to deal with legitimate concerns of residents, but the point that we don’t listen to the general public, young people from 16 and onwards had a real opportunity to take part in the consultation that happened in May and they elected the Council that you see here today. So happy to meet with you and your youth colleagues and will do so in a open and honest approach, but I have to say I am disappointed with the partisan nature of your supplementary question when after all Cardiff Youth Council is not a party political organisation, it represents all young people across the city including areas like mine where young people really need a voice in the Southern Arc of the City.
The following petition was received: Councillor Number of Relevant Signatures Nature of Petition Hopkins 84 Calling on the Council to install appropriate traffic calming measures on Cyncoed Avenue, Cardiff.
The Lord Mayor referred to his duties and events during the last month including the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall and congratulating Charmaine Riley who was named as the Teacher of the Year in a Primary School at the Professional Teaching Awards Cymru 2022. The Lord Mayor thanked Councillor Bradbury and Michael for arranging the annual Lord Mayors cricket and golf days; and welcomed all members to participate in the fun and to help raise much needed funds to help visually impaired people. The Lord Mayor also congratulated Councillor Stubbs and his wife Holly on the birth of their baby daughter Emmeline Silvia
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: The Council AGREED to note the ‘Stronger, Fairer, Greener’ policy statement.
The Council received a report setting out the administration’s policy agenda for Cardiff during the current municipal term, from 2022 to 2027; and how that will be translated into the Council’s strategic policy, partnership, and budgetary framework. There were two amendments to the report as follows: Amendment 1 - Councillor Robson proposed and Councillor Williams, seconded that the report be referenced back to the Cabinet in order for additional detail around targets, metrics and indicative Council Tax levels be included. Amendment 2 – Councillor Taylor proposed and Councillor Berman seconded that report be referenced back to Cabinet and calls for it to be amended in order to include additional proposals that will: · Commit to delivering a significantly increased number of public electric vehicle charging points across the city · Ensure the 15-minute city concept is embedded across the council’s transport and economic development strategies in addition to the LDP and strategic planning policies · Provide more extensive plans to drive forward the city’s economic development beyond the current heavy focus on both the city centre and the Bay · Focus greater efforts on reducing inequalities between the southern arc and the rest of the city · Deliver improved bus services to those parts of the city that are currently less-well served · Provide clear detail on what the administration intends with regards to road user charging so full information is provided to councillors before they are asked to vote on any such proposals” The Lord Mayor opened the item for debate. The Lord Mayor called a vote on the first amendment. The vote was LOST. The Lord Mayor called for a vote on the second amendment. The vote was LOST. The Lord Mayor called for a vote on the recommendations. The recommendations were APPROVED. RESOLVED: The Council AGREED to note the ‘Stronger, Fairer, Greener’ policy statement.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: Council AGREED to approve the Welsh Language Standards Annual Report 2021-22 for formal publication in accordance with the Welsh Language Standards (Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011)
This report sought Council’s agreement and approval of the content of the Welsh Language Standards Annual Report 2021-22, prior to formal publication in accordance with the Welsh Language Standards, under the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011. Councillor Huw Thomas, Leader of the Council proposed the report, which was seconded by Councillor Owen Jones. The Lord Mayor opened the item for debate. The Lord Mayor called for a vote on the recommendations. The recommendations were APPROVED. RESOLVED: Council AGREED to approve the Welsh Language Standards Annual Report 2021-22 for formal publication in accordance with the Welsh Language Standards (Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011)
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: Council AGREED that the Budget Timetable Framework set out in Appendix 2 be adopted, and that the work outlined is progressed with a view to informing budget preparation.
The Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance proposed the report agreed by Cabinet on 14 July 2022. The proposal was seconded by the Leader Councillor Huw Thomas. Its purpose was to provide an update in relation to the 2023/24 Budget Gap, Medium Term Financial Plan and Capital Programme; to outline the budget time table that will be followed in order to present the 2023/24 Budget to Council in February/March 2023; and to provide an update in relation to the Council’s financial resilience. One amendment to the report was received. Councillor Berman proposed an addition to the Cabinet Proposal, namely: “Council further requests that a report is presented for its consideration before the end of the calendar year which provides a more detailed and externally-assessed analysis of the overall financial risks posed by the proposed forward capital programme, and the plans to significantly increase borrowing to support it. This should consider the affordability of the programme, the justification for different elements of the programme, the risks to future revenue budgets and the risks posed by economic factors which may be beyond the council’s direct control such as increasing interest rates.” The proposal was seconded by Councillor Taylor. The Lord Mayor opened the item for debate. The Lord Mayor called a vote on the amendment. The vote was LOST. The Lord Mayor called for a vote on the recommendations. The recommendations were APPROVED. RESOLVED: Council AGREED that the Budget Timetable Framework set out in Appendix 2 be adopted, and that the work outlined is progressed with a view to informing budget preparation.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: The Council AGREED to: 1. The acceptance of an Executive Delegation from Torfaen County Borough Council to carry out their Procurement Functions, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of the Delegation Agreement referred to in 2 below. 2. Delegate authority to the Corporate Director Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Modernisation to conclude a Delegation Agreement in a form to the satisfaction of the Council and complete all arrangements to carry out the delegated procurement functions. 3. Subject to the conclusion of the proposed Delegation agreement in 2 above, agree that the day-to-day responsibility for carrying out the delegated procurement functions is to sit with the Operational Manager, Commissioning and Procurement.
The Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance proposed the report, which sought the approval of Council to authorise acceptance of an Executive Delegation from Torfaen County Borough Council to deliver their Procurement Function. The proposal was seconded by the Leader, Councillor Huw Thomas. RESOLVED: The Council AGREED to: 1. The acceptance of an Executive Delegation from Torfaen County Borough Council to carry out their Procurement Functions, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of the Delegation Agreement referred to in 2 below. 2. Delegate authority to the Corporate Director Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Modernisation to conclude a Delegation Agreement in a form to the satisfaction of the Council and complete all arrangements to carry out the delegated procurement functions. 3. Subject to the conclusion of the proposed Delegation agreement in 2 above, agree that the day-to-day responsibility for carrying out the delegated procurement functions is to sit with the Operational Manager, Commissioning and Procurement.
Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings
Leader Statement – Councillor Huw Thomas The Leader responded to questions relating to: - Support for conflicts in Yemen and Palestine. - Shared Prosperity Fund – District Shopping Centres, local Member engagement. - Stronger, Fairer Greener – request to meet Radyr & Morganstown local development group. Transport & Strategic Planning Statement – Councillor De’Ath The Cabinet Member responded to questions relating to: - Zero Carbon Road Resurfacing - Cycling training for adults - 20 mph communication and enforcement strategy - A470 visual improvements - 20 mph introduction– Council’s power to keep some roads at 30 mph - LDP engagement with young people - Planning public engagement work in Grangetown Deputy Leader & Education Statement - Councillor Merry The Deputy Leader responded to questions relating to: - Insulation at Fitzalan and Cantonian developments - Free School Meals – reducing stigma and supporting schools with tailor made solutions on capacity problems - Cathays High School – excellent ESTYN report - Energy Efficiency – Investment and Engagement at Llanishen High School Climate Change Statement – Councillor Wild The Cabinet Member responded to questions relating to: - City Centre cleansing - Education around litter in parks - Flooding mitigation works across the city - Sustainable garden in Llanishen High School Culture, Parks & Events Statement - Councillor Burke-Davies The Cabinet Member responded to questions relating to: - Destination skate parks and Skateboarding Strategy - Victoria Park Splash Park – relaxed sessions - Quality of Parks improvement works Finance Modernisation & Performance Statement – Councillor Weaver The Cabinet Member responded to questions relating to: - Additional Voluntary Contributions to the Pension Scheme - Social Services Statement - Councillors Mackie and Lister Councillor Lister responded to questions relating to: - Ministerial visit to Children’s Services in relation to Children looked after. Tackling Poverty, Equality & Public Health Statement - Councillors Bradbury and Sangani Councillor Sangani responded to questions relating to: - Inequality of vaccination programme across the ethnic minority communities in the city. Councillor Bradbury responded to questions relating to: - Support for people to access benefits such as Pension Credits where language and digital exclusion is an issue. - Youth Services post 16 support and engagement - Cost of Living Discretionary Scheme
The Lord Mayor noted that a Notice of Motion proposed by Councillor Carter and seconded by Councillor Taylor had been received for consideration. The Lord Mayor invited Councillor Carter to propose the motion as follows: ‘Council notes that the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act enabled local authorities to move from First Past The Post to Single Transferable Vote if two thirds of councillors agree a resolution before 15 November 2024 Council believes that First Past The Post is an outdated electoral system that denies thousands of people representation of their choosing. Our residents are excluded not only from having their voice heard locally, but from holding the cabinet to account. This isn't just bad for democracy; it's bad for our entire politics and our city. Council calls on the cabinet to bring forward a paper to the October 2024 full council meeting so councillors can vote to change the electoral system for the 2027 local elections’. The Motion was formally seconded by Councillor Taylor The Lord Mayor invited debate on the motion. The Lord Mayor invited Councillor Carter to respond to the issues raised during the debate. The Lord Mayor called for a Vote on the Motion as moved by Councillor Carter and seconded by Councillor Taylor. The vote on the Motion was LOST.
The Lord Mayor noted that a Notice of Motion proposed by Councillor Bowen-Thomson and seconded by Councillor Ebrahim had been received for consideration. One Amendment had been received from the Conservative Group. The Lord Mayor invited Councillor Bowen-Thomson to propose the motion as follows: Istanbul Convention - Ending Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Motion In 2012, the UK signed the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, known as the Istanbul Convention. The Convention compels states to prevent violence against women, protect its victims and prosecute the perpetrators, whilst establishing robust monitoring to ensure the effective implementation. This Council welcomes the UK Government’s commitment to ratify the Istanbul Convention by 31st July 2022. This has taken over 10 years, but is a welcome step toward ending all forms of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. However, it is extremely concerning that this UK Government is not ratifying all aspects of the Istanbul Convention. The UK Government have refused to include provisions aimed at protecting migrant women and children. The reservations that come with this Government’s proposed ratifications will undermine the safety of migrant survivors. This motion calls on the Council to recognise that: The protection from violence against women applies to all women The protection from domestic violence applies to all victims The reservations that this UK Government have attached with the proposed ratifications is contrary to the work undertaken through the Cardiff Race Equality Taskforce and the Community Safety Partnership that is supported by this Council The inclusion of the reservations placed on article 4(3) and 59, whereby a migrant survivor would be excluded from life-saving support, goes against the principles of equality and non-discrimination Further, that this Council will: Write to the UK Government requesting full ratification of the Istanbul Convention Write to Welsh Government requesting support for full ratification of the Istanbul Convention reflecting Wales’s ambition to become the world’s first Nation of Sanctuary Commit to use its full powers to prevent and combat all forms of violence against women, domestic violence and sexual violence. The Motion was formally seconded by Councillor Ebrahim. An amendment to the motion had been received from the Conservative Group. The Lord Mayor called upon Councillor Lancaster to move the amendment as follows: Istanbul Convention - Ending Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Motion In 2012, the UK signed the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, known as the Istanbul Convention. The Convention compels states to prevent violence against women, protect its victims and prosecute the perpetrators, whilst establishing robust monitoring to ensure the effective implementation. This Council welcomes the UK Government’s commitment to ratify the Istanbul Convention by 31st July 2022. This has taken over 10 years, but is a welcome step toward ending all forms of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. Delete However, it is extremely concerning that this UK Government is not ratifying all aspects of the Istanbul Convention. The UK Government have refused to include provisions aimed at protecting migrant women and children. The reservations that come with this Government’s proposed ratifications will undermine the safety of migrant survivors. And replace with: The UK Government is committed to tackling violence against women and girls, as seen in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which already meets or exceeds almost all the articles in the Istanbul Convention. The Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Review of 2020 found key barriers to migrant victims accessing support. The Government consequently launched the £1.5M Support for Migrant Victims (SMV) scheme in order to address gaps in funding and support further research into future solutions. This motion calls on the Council to recognise that: The protection from violence against women applies to all women The protection from domestic violence applies to all victims Delete The reservations that this UK Government have attached with the proposed ratifications is contrary to the work undertaken through the Cardiff Race Equality Taskforce and the Community Safety Partnership that is supported by this Council The inclusion of the reservations placed on article 4(3) and 59, whereby a migrant survivor would be excluded from life-saving support, goes against the principles of equality and non-discrimination And replace with: Articles 4(3) and 59 of the Istanbul Convention are recorded as being “under review” pending the evaluations and findings of the SMV scheme. Further, that this Council will: Delete Write to the UK Government requesting full ratification of the Istanbul Convention Write to Welsh Government requesting support for full ratification of the Istanbul Convention reflecting Wales’s ambition to become the world’s first Nation of Sanctuary Commit to use its full powers to prevent and combat all forms of violence against women, domestic violence and sexual violence. The Amended Notice of Motion to read: Istanbul Convention - Ending Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Motion In 2012, the UK signed the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, known as the Istanbul Convention. The Convention compels states to prevent violence against women, protect its victims and prosecute the perpetrators, whilst establishing robust monitoring to ensure the effective implementation. This Council welcomes the UK Government’s commitment to ratify the Istanbul Convention by 31st July 2022. This has taken over 10 years but is a welcome step toward ending all forms of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. The UK Government is committed to tackling violence against women and girls, as seen in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which already meets or exceeds almost all the articles in the Istanbul Convention. The Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Review of 2020 found key barriers to migrant victims accessing support. The Government consequently launched the £1.5M Support for Migrant Victims (SMV) scheme in order to address gaps in funding and support further research into future solutions. This motion calls on the Council to recognise that: The protection from violence against women applies to all women. The protection from domestic violence applies to all victims. Articles 4(3) and 59 of the Istanbul Convention are recorded as being “under review” pending the evaluations and findings of the SMV scheme. Further, that this Council will: Commit to use its full powers to prevent and combat all forms of violence against women, domestic violence and sexual violence. The amendment was formally seconded by Councillor Reid-Jones The Lord Mayor invited debate on the motion and amendment. The Lord Mayor invited Councillor Bowen-Thomson to respond to the issues raised during the debate. Councillor Bowen-Thomson responded to the issues raised and confirmed the Amendment was not accepted. The Lord Mayor called for a Vote on the Amendment as moved by Councillor Lancaster and seconded by Councillor Reid-Jones. The vote on the amendment was LOST. The Lord Mayor called for a vote on the Motion as proposed by Councillor Bowen-Thomson and seconded by Councillor Ebrahim. The vote on the Motion was CARRIED.
Question - Councillor Reid-Jones I read with interest the Stronger, Fairer Greener report outlining the policy for the 2022-2027 term. Public transport improvements are referred to 11 times in the report, they are referenced in sections regarding climate emergency, the Council’s Active Travel Plans, neighbourhood improvement, subsidised public transport for harder to reach areas of Cardiff and the need to link our communities. Could the Cabinet member please give his assurances that improvement to public transport will be prioritised throughout this administration’s term? Reply – Councillor De’Ath Absolutely, public transport is very important to us, high quality public transport really important. I recognise the edges of the city in the suburbs need high-quality services so people don't have to use their cars and so they can get around when they don’t own cars in in the first place, but I would stress that Cardiff Council doesn’t control all the levers of public transport in the city and if we take the bus service for example which I think is where this question is going, power was taken away from local councils by Thatcher's 1985 Transport Act and as much as we would like to we can't subsidise every commercial decision we don't agree with. Obviously, Welsh Government is looking to re-regulate the bus service which would require much more money injected into it and we made that clear in our response to their White paper so that's where improvements will come from, not always necessarily from the Council. Supplementary Question – Councillor Reid-Jones Stagecoach's contract to run the 86 bus in Lisvane is due to end this Sunday. A new contract has been agreed however we understood that the service was to be cut from every 60 minutes to every 90 minutes and that the route was changing due to increased costs. Following pressure from Ward Members we have just received confirmation from the transport department that additional funding has been found from the bus emergency fund, I'm happy to report that the service can continue to run every 60 minutes until March 2023, this is great news and I want to thank the Council on behalf of Lisvane residents for listening and delivering. Can I ask the Cabinet Member to please ensure at least this current level of service is maintained past March 2023 and what he intends to do to ensure Lisvane service better fits with a stronger fairer greener strategy? Reply – Councillor De’Ath That is great news, the situation with the bus service at the moment is it's been on life support, without intervention from Welsh Government Cardiff Bus and the private bus operators would literally have collapsed so that money from Welsh Government allows us to do things we wouldn't normally be able to do. I want a good service for your residents absolutely I mean if there is something we can do to keep that service going we will strain every sinew to try and make that happen. Question - Councillor Berman Do you consider it acceptable for key non-confidential information relating to a proposed cabinet decision to only be contained within the confidential appendices attached to a cabinet report? Reply – Councillor Thomas You'll appreciate that the arrangements which the Council adopts to safeguard confidential and specifically commercially confidential information is exactly the same that applied during the period of your administration. Nothing's changed, it sounds like you have a specific example in mind so perhaps you might want to narrow in on that. Supplementary Question – Councillor Berman Firstly, can I just say that that isn't true because when I was Leader the Council we gave a clear directive to officers that they should just restrict the confidential appendices as far as possible to only the confidential information and we made effort to put the non-confidential information into the main body of the report. Now we recently had an example of a report that went to Cabinet about acquiring some land to reconfigure the intended footprint for the multi-storey car park to serve the new indoor arena and information within that report which said what the new footprint on which the multi-storey car park would be built and who the council would have to acquire land in order to achieve that was only contained within the confidential appendices. So, when I read that I assumed this information was confidential. When we go to Scrutiny to discuss it, we were actually then told this information in open session and therefore the response I got was that all the confidential appendices contain a mixture of non-confidential and confidential information. Do you consider this is appropriate in the interests of openness and transparency and will you take steps to remedy this in future reports? Reply – Councillor Thomas The Council always seeks to ensure that as far as practically possible as much relevant information required to inform a decision as possible is released publicly. Only when reports contain commercially sensitive information or other exempt information are they marked confidential and it is not practical I’m advised to review documents that contain confidential information and redact them in order for them to be released into the public domain not only would that be extremely time consuming but it does also significantly increase the risk of sensitive information inadvertently entering the public domain. You'll appreciate though that scrutiny committee members have access to all information including confidential and exempt information and that Cabinet relies on to inform its decision and you would therefore have the opportunity to fully interrogate reports and to challenge cabinet members and officers during scrutiny committee meetings closed sessions when need be. Question - Councillor Ferguson-Thorne It is pleasing to see that Welsh Government has provided funds to expand the Flying Start offer, and I am personally very pleased to see that this will now cover the whole of the Adamsdown ward which I represent. Families in Adamsdown, along with the other areas the expansion covers, already face many challenges which have only been heightened by the current economic climate in the UK and this expansion will go some way to addressing these issues and families, I am sure, will be keen to take up this offer. Could the cabinet member therefore advise what measures the Council is taking to ensure families who are no included in the programme through the expansion are made aware of the same and be encouraged to be able to access the support and provision? Reply – Councillor Lister Officers are currently working with colleagues in health boards to phase in the extension of Flying Start in the areas agreed in Cabinet last week. The plan is to bring services into the lowest Super output areas in both Adamson and Splott for the first two weeks in September and then move on to the other areas as agreed by Cabinet including my own ward of Grangetown, Cathys, Pentwyn and Fairwater. Flying Start officers across the Council and within the health board are working together to recruit new staff so that we can deliver this first phase of expansion and families will be contacted by the health visitor to advise them if they are their eligible or not and just to make sure that everyone who is eligible is reached, the Council will be putting the postcode checker online again and updating it with the new postcodes. Question - Councillor Robson Could the cabinet member provide an update on progress following the January 2022 Cabinet Report on Community Engagement and Safety in Parks? Reply – Councillor Burke-Davies Recognising the importance of these issues, the Council has responded positively to the recommendations that were set out in the report considered by Cabinet earlier this year. A comprehensive consultation exercise undertaken by one of our partners into locking arrangements for Roath Park, Roath Pleasure Gardens and Parc Cefn Onn was completed before the local elections. Since then I have met with appropriate Ward Members to let them know the actions we are taking and there have been further discussions to make sure that all stakeholders are happy. As part of the 2022/23 budget process, a sum of £250k was allocated for lighting in parks as part of the Financial Resilience Mechanism, and a shortlist of schemes for implementation has been identified using the criteria set out in the report. The policy and design guide documents are also in development with input from other services. In addition, permanent base budget revenue growth of £197,000 was allocated for staffing, enabling the creation of 4 new, full-time permanent posts, linked to community engagement and safety in parks. Supplementary Question – Councillor Robson As you know sadly there have been a number of recent incidents in a few parks across the city some very serious unfortunately. I just want to flag this up because with the start of the new administration I want to make sure that the work that this Council did prior to that does not slow, so I welcome your statement and I urge you please to get on with it, its now six months since the Cabinet took a decision with a series of recommendations, so we should be in a position where really as a council we should be lighting our parks pretty quickly so I urge you and the officers to get on with it. Question - Councillor Hopkins In relation to the 20-mph speed limit, does the administration support exemptions for significant bus routes? Reply – Councillor De’Ath That is a good question to be honest with you, we are obviously in regular dialogue with Cardiff Bus and they have suggested some routes they would like to be exempt and we are investigating and considering those proposals although I think it needs to be stressed that your average urban bus journey in the main is below 20 miles an hour in the most part anyway. Supplementary Question – Councillor Hopkins I am not sure whether that is a yes or a possible. Clearly we have some significant bus routes like Northern Avenue and in my own ward Cyncoed Road is a significant route. I would be interested in knowing at the appropriate point whether there are any specific plans for routes such as that and does Councillor De’Ath agree that if we are to achieve the hope for modal shift away from the car we need to avoid a situation where bus journeys are made slower and less reliable? Reply – Councillor De’Ath The intention of these changes isn't to negatively impact on the bus service I mean with some of these routes it hasn't been determined what we're going to do, there is some work going on but as soon as we know we will share the information with you. Question - Councillor Singh We are deeply concerned about the latest government report showing South Riverside as having some of the highest rates of child poverty in Wales. Can you outline the different actions the council could take in supporting people living in these communities? Reply – Councillor Bradbury I note and share your concerns about the latest figures on poverty and the increasing need caused by the cost of living crisis. We are fortunate in Cardiff to have strong support in place for families across the city through our own Advice Services and also from our key partners. Our Advice Teams are providing support from more locations than ever, including all our Hubs and from foodbanks, some schools, including in your Ward Councillor, supported accommodation settings, and youth clubs. We recognise however that we need to do more to tackle the current crisis. Future plans include increasing the number of advice sessions held in Primary and Secondary Schools across the city, concentrating on those areas with the highest levels of need. We need to expand our ‘Team around the School’ provision so parents can access help right on their doorstep. Our Advice Team can help people to apply for lots of different schemes, including Free School Meals, Healthy Start Vouchers, the Pupil Development Grant, Discretionary Housing Payments and support with childcare costs. Our Into Work Advice Team can also help people to secure employment, as well as access funding for training and for the removal of barriers to employment such as childcare or travel costs. The team is also working with local and regional employers to secure job opportunities for local people. As well as being available face-to-face in a wide range of venues, support is also provided over the phone via our Advice Line. It’s really important that everyone should be able to access the help and advice they need during this difficult time. Supplementary Question – Councillor Singh It is great to see the support available for people struggling in the current cost of living crisis. Can I just ask in this strategy that we really focus on working with young people in the area? We really need a comprehensive youth engagement strategy ideally driven by local youth workers that know the area, there is a sense we need to be more proactive in our approach in engaging with young people at the right time in their life so that we can address other associated impacts of poverty, addressing issues such as mental health issues, knife crime, anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, drug abuse as well as driving up aspirations and outcomes so that's just really an ask if you can really engage with young people in the area. Reply – Councillor Bradbury We are currently undertaking an independent review of youth services and looking at how we can spend the additional resources that we put in the budget in the last couple of years to good use. As I've stated in the answer that I gave to Councillor Hopkins earlier on and in Scrutiny I believe that yes it's important to be doing well in Estyn reports and yes it's important that kids who are engaged in youth services are enjoying it, however, a real measure of success for me is to ensure that we are giving kids in hard to reach areas or people who have not been found by our youth service the opportunity to engage with our youth service and deliver top quality outcomes. The more kids that are engaging with us at an early stage the more chance we have working with schools and working with other public sector bodies ensuring that those kids are not going into knife crime not into drug dealing as you have stated but into education and training and that is a route out of all evil and hopefully a route out of poverty in a lot of cases so I couldn't agree more with the statement that you've just made thank you. Question - Councillor Williams The Welsh Government recently proposed changes to legislation to covert existing 30mph limit roads to 20mph limit roads. The Senedd has now approved these changes with the legislation coming into effect in 2023. Local Authorities have the power to disapply the legislation to current 30mph roads to ensure the speed limit remains at 30mph. It is important arterial roads into and out of the City Centre remain at 30mph to minimise the risk of added congestion. Given the above, can the Cabinet Member provide a statement to the Council on the Council’s approach to these changes? Reply – Councillor De’Ath Transport for Wales has developed an exceptions mapping process, which gives guidance to all authorities on how to identify the roads which will default to a 20mph speed limit, and those roads which will be an 'exception' and remain at 30mph. This guidance considers factors such as proximity to schools, community facilities, hospitals, bus corridors, etc., together with the residential and retail density criteria alongside the highway. It is important that all local authorities across Wales follow this guidance to ensure that the exceptions mapping process is implemented in a consistent way across the country. During our technical review, it was identified that the majority of roads within Cardiff are residential roads and, therefore, will default to a 20mph speed limit when the change takes place nationally in Wales. However, a few roads that are major routes into the city will remain at 30mph. Supplementary Question – Councillor Williams I really like the answer and as you know Councillor De’Ath I prefer directness so a direct answer is always appreciated. So I am now going to drill you down and confirm to me that Newport Road which goes from my ward right the way into the city centre then into Castle Street, that those roads get to remain at 30 miles per hour. Can you just confirm that to the Chamber? Reply – Councillor De’Ath I am not going to go through at this point what routes will or will not be 20 mph or which will be 30 but I think what I've said indicates a flavour of our direction of travel. Question - Councillor Waldron Is the cabinet member content with the visual appearance of Roath Park Lake? Reply – Councillor Burke-Davies I'm delighted with the work done around the park to remove litter and debris in and around the lake but I think that your question refers specifically to the water itself. Open waters throughout the city are experiencing increased weed growth due to the current climate conditions, this is both an annual and naturally occurring event so unfortunately nature will do what it does and I think it was Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park 1 that said life finds a way. It might look unsightly but it does do a job is not an indicator of poor water quality and is not harmful to aquatic life so there are two issues within Roath Lake specifically obviously we've got the blue algae there's congregating or collecting around the top of the slip that has obviously been identified by natural Resources Wales as being blue-green algae and then the rest of the algae that's sort of around the rest of the water again is naturally occurring it doesn't affect the water quality is not affecting the wildlife even though we all might agree that it doesn't look great but it is naturally there anyway and if we were to clear it up it will just come back year on year. Supplementary Question – Councillor Waldron I think we all agree that algae is naturally occurring so we cant argue that one. The truth is that is half the equation it is equally weather conditions but the other half of course is nutrients and that comes from the silt build up in the lake but also from the large quantity of guano that is produced by the birds in the lake. Can you articulate what long-term mitigation actions the Council take to remedy this reoccurring issue that has happened over many many years? Reply – Councillor Burke-Davies I'm not an ecologist so I'd have to go to my officers and to be able to make sure that I give you the right answer and one that's specific to what's happening within the Lake. What I will say is we are aware, and there are conversations ongoing, obviously this question come up time and time again within Council and when I come back with information I want to make sure that it is the right information and we come up with a plan that works. Question - Councillor McEvoy Could the Council give an update of the lease and situation of the Newbridge Inn, in Trowbridge? Reply – Councillor Goodway During the pandemic, which proved to be an exceptionally difficult time for Brains Brewery, the Council agreed to acquire the leasehold interest of five Brains properties, as part of a wider restructuring exercise designed to address the challenges facing the company. The acquisition will result in the freehold reversion for each of the properties as the Council already owns the freehold interest in all five. Brains no longer operates out of any of the properties. Four of the properties are sub-let on short term leases as public houses and one is sub-let on a longer lease as a restaurant. The Council will acquire the four public houses with vacant possession and will then seek to dispose of the sites in order to recover its investment, for which there is no specific capital allocation, but also to progress other elements of the Council’s agenda such as building more council homes and to generate the match funding needed to fund the 21st century schools programme. It is possible that the Council will seek short term arrangements whilst plans are being developed. I am aware that my colleague, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities met with local members for Trowbridge earlier this week. The local Members asked if the Council was open to local members sharing ideas about the potential to assemble land in the ward to improve facilities in the area. The Cabinet Member confirmed that the council is willing to engage in those conversations over the coming months. I will, of course, ensure that the nature of any development on all five sites are discussed with the relevant local members. Supplementary Question – Councillor McEvoy In my ward Fairwater, The Bulldog, The Quarry, Fairwater social Club have all closed with a very negative impact on the local community so when I was invited to Trowbridge by members of the community there I was pleased to go along and just give my experience really. The question is to Councillor Goodway, I wasn't too happy with the answer really, you seemed to be saying that the sites are going to be taken for housing because you have an opportunity here. So will you take the opportunity owning the freehold owning the lease to make The Newbridge Inn a - for the community. You give a peppercorn rent, it's profitable the profits go back into the community and be redistributed back into the community, basic decentralised socialism as I see it. In terms of peppercorn rents and let’s just clear up one thing because the local member for Trowbridge did have a peppercorn rent for a pound a year so if it's good enough for the Councillor I think it should be good enough for the community, who can pay just like Councillor Michael did a small premium of maybe ten thousand pounds as he did back in 2003 although you got it back very quickly Michael from a taxi firm. Reply – Councillor Goodway Why the community in Trowbridge turns to the Councillor for lost causes just bewilders me. I mean, is the Councillor saying that he is against building more Council houses for people on waiting lists I mean this is the Councillor who criticises building on greenfield sites saying he wants building on brownfield sites in order to provide housing but as soon as we come forward with a mechanism of improving the number of properties that we can have on brownfield sites he stands up and opposes it. I'm sorry his credibility is shot and I am not going to bother the Council with any further comment other than that. Question - County Councillor Reid-Jones Shortly after my election I was contacted by one of my constituents, Molly Fenton, a local activist and founder of the Love My Period Campaign. During 2019 Molly campaigned to have accessible sanitary products in all schools in Wales. The Welsh Government supported the campaign and have been providing products directly to Welsh schools ever since. Do you support this Welsh Government initiative? Reply – Councillor Merry Yes, I do support this initiative and the Council has been providing a range of period products to schools since 2019 funded by the Welsh Government’s Period Dignity grant. A survey was carried out with secondary-aged learners in 2018/19 to establish the types of products they would like to be able to access and how they would like to be able access them which shaped how we used the grants. Products, including single use pads, are provided regularly to primary schools, with single use pads, tampons, reusable pads, period pants and menstrual cups also being provided to secondary schools. Special schools receive a bespoke order appropriate to the needs of their learners and, for several years, the Council has also provided 100% eco-friendly and reusable products. In addition to providing period products to schools, period dignity workshops are being offered to secondary schools to enable learners to increase their knowledge around menstruation and reusable period products. Supplementary Question – Councillor Reid-Jones Sadly, Molly and I have learned from students in Cardiff schools that products are inaccessible, teachers don't know where the products are kept, they are locked in cupboards and in some schools their availability has not been communicated to the students. Students have told us the only way to ensure products are available for them to use is to have them in the toilet. It's no good telling students the products are available but you need to ask for them. For those members here who have experienced periods please put yourself in those students shoes. We know if we need a product we need it now. Approximately half of the students at our secondary schools have periods every month which can without access to suitable products have a significant impact on their attendance and learning. We really do need to do better, we need to ensure we treat our students with the dignity and the respect they deserve. As a Council I believe we should implement a policy for all Cardiff schools making sanitary products available at point of use as a matter of urgency does the Cabinet Member support my suggestion? Reply – Councillor Merry I think my earlier answer was clear that actually we have provided the products, we surveyed the pupils to find out how they wanted to access the products and schools were told that they needed to be accessible without going through a third party and I will say to you as I said to Councillor Jones who raised this issue separately, if there are schools that are not following the guidance that was given, and on receipt of a complaint from Councillor Jones I asked officers to pursue this they were reminded of what they had been given as guidance for the supply of the products and I've also listed the range of products that were provided for schools. If people have an issue at a particular school they need to contact me with the name. Question - County Councillor Carter Could the council consider reviewing and expanding youth services in Pentwyn and Llanedeyrn? Reply – Councillor Bradbury The Youth Service is currently subject to a full independent review and a report following this review is due to be published imminently for the whole of Cardiff. The Youth Service currently has open access provision at the Powerhouse and has recently added provision at Pentwyn Leisure Centre. Provision is also supported by our street based and mobile youth teams. Any further decisions on expanding existing services are expected to be taken after recommendations arising from the review have been considered. Supplementary Question – Councillor Carter Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the review, I quite enjoyed being able to air my views at the time. Would you agree with me that with the opportunity that we have with the reopening of the hall at Pentwyn Leisure Centre that the current and previous Councillors pushed hard for, we do have an opportunity to expand the coverage particularly in the Pentwyn part of my community. Will you therefore continue to work through the review and take opportunity to use the empty space for the advantage of local people. Reply – Councillor Bradbury I had a huge interest as a Councillor in the reopening of the hall at Pentwyn leisure centre but I mean I will say to him I met with Councillor Moultrie, his ward colleague, who raised several opportunities she feels that could be in place in Pentwyn and Llanedeyrn and I'd be very happy to look at them, I've said to hear I'd be very happy to look at them and to meet with Councillor Naughton and Councillor Carter similarly. In my statement today, although no Pentwyn Councillor asked me a question about it, we mentioned CF23 in his ward and what's going on in the Powerhouse there so we are having a good focus on Pentwyn as much as we possibly can as well as Llanedeyrn. I note his points about the Pentwyn side of his ward and take that on board and let's see what happens after the independent review and what we can do to help not just his ward be other people and other Members wards as well. Question - County Councillor Hunt It has recently been reported that 1.3 million children in 359,000 households in the UK are now subject to the Government’s two children benefit cap. This means that 1 in 12 children now live in families affected by this piece of legislation that cuts household incomes by at least £2,800 per year. Could the Cabinet Member confirm how many children and families in Cardiff are affected thus? Reply – Councillor Bradbury According to the most recent Department of Works and Pensions data, just over 1,300 families in Cardiff are currently affected by the two children cap on Child Benefit payments. Our teams provide a wide-ranging package of support for these families. The Into Work Advice Team provides bespoke help supporting parents back to work and utilises Discretionary Housing Payments to help with their rent payments while they are actively seeking employment. This scheme has been incredibly successful with 172 parents affected by the cap supported into work since April 2019. Officers have recently written to families known to be subject to the cap, encouraging them to be proactive and apply for the direct payment of £150 they are eligible for under the Council’s new Cost of Living Discretionary Scheme. Teams are also working with local job centres to prompt these families to contact our Money Advice Team. Our Money Advisors are able to identify additional grants, discounts and benefits that will really support these families to make ends meet. I would urge any family that is struggling currently to contact our Money Advice Team by calling the Advice Line or dropping into any Hub including Llanishen. Supplementary Question – Councillor Hunt I recently had the opportunity to hand in my notice from my employer, 42 years I spent working on welfare benefits. The organisation I left was a sorry one I must admit morale was at quagmire like levels and I had become increasingly concerned about the things that I had to say to people in the course of conducting my duties as a lot of my colleagues were. It's a sorry state of affairs and we have heard a lot of talk; this is not just recent inflation; this is not just the war in Ukraine; and this is not just prices going up for fuel and various other things. This is legislation that has been in place now for 10 years brought in by Conservative government abetted by Liberal Democrats. I'd like to ask the Cabinet Member if he thinks that this is a way to run a welfare benefit system and whether this is the way that we should treat people. Reply – Councillor Bradbury Just listen to their reaction when this is raised in this Chamber, just listen to the reaction of Councillor Williams who thinks that tackling poverty is a cabinet role is a demotion just, I mean, unbelievable. I’ll say it to you right now, we told you 10 years ago what this would do 10 years ago in this Chamber when motions were brought forward. My Council colleague here set up the into work team and money advice team and stuff like that to deal with these issues because we knew it was coming and the fact is that you sit there heckling a member who is raising 13 hundred children in this city who are being made to lose funding, shame on you that's my view. Question - County Councillor Davies Will the Cabinet Member respond to the Don’t Divide Us report “Who’s in charge?” on the councils’ anti-racist policies for schools? Reply – Councillor Merry Education is devolved in Wales, which means that we follow guidance issued by the Welsh Government. As part of its Race Equality Action Plan, the Welsh Government has announced the goal of being an ‘Anti-Racist Wales by 2030’. We support this objective and aim to deliver this at a local level, as well as being fully supportive of the introduction of Black and Minority Ethnic history into the school curriculum here in Wales. Cardiff has a long and proud multicultural reputation and history, and the Council is eager to continue to support these thriving relationships between all residents of Cardiff, without fear of discrimination in any form. We listen to and value the lived experiences of those who have suffered racial discrimination, victimisation and harassment. This is evidenced by our work locally in forming the Cardiff Race Equality Taskforce, which looked to address racial inequalities in our city. We want every child in Cardiff to have the best education possible, including learning to respect and celebrate our city’s people and its long-established culturally diverse history. Supplementary Question – Councillor Davies The report found that of the 11 Welsh councils the reply to don't divide us 8 were risk of deploying anti racist policies using terms such as structural racism white privilege and an unconscious bias. One in Wales was declared as biased, Cardiff. Dr Tony Sewell, Chairman of the Commission on race and ethnic disparities who produced the report last year for the prime Minister that found no evidence that the UK was institutionally racist, commended this report and thus implicitly the judgment that Cardiff Council is bias saying councils are enabling discussions of race in schools to be dominated by one ideology. It is increasingly apparent that a single contentious interpretation of anti racism has taken hold across many of our country's institutions. Does the Cabinet Member believe it is right for the council to tell children Britain is institutionally racist when the Committee Commission said it wasn't and will then show that critical race theory is not taught in our schools. Reply – Councillor Merry I think I have made my position clear I do not accept a position where stating that you are anti racist is seen as breaking down community cohesion, I see it as strengthening community cohesion. Some of the other phases in that report that drew the suspicion of the commission included things like promoting mutual understanding, respect and harmony was one of the suspect sentences singled out in that report. I wouldn't call it a report it talks about the importance of research and the absence of bias. I would say it was report that clearly started from a stated position, conducted virtually no systemic research and is no use whatsoever and no contribution to the education of our children here in Cardiff and anybody in doubt read it because I'll tell you what I wouldn't take advice from somebody who is a candidate for Brexit on building cohesion within any community. Question - County Councillor Molik Is there a recognition that pension bus pass users actually need a bus service to use their passes on in Cardiff? Reply – Councillor De’Ath Absolutely. Supplementary Question – Councillor Molik I expected a short answer and I expect another short answer. Is there a commitment to have bus services back on Lake Road West and Celyn Avenue? Reply – Councillor De’Ath As I outlined to Councillor Reid-Jones it is a very difficult situation I am more than happy to discuss it with officers and see if there's anything we can do. Question - County Councillor Robinson I would like to ask about Grangemoor park in my own ward of Grangetown. As you are aware, the park has been closed since January for extensive remediation work and is due to be closed until December due to the wide-ranging nature of the essential work required. This vital green space is much loved and valued by residents, particularly given the proportion of housing in the ward without access to gardens or green space. Access to Grangemoor Park was a mental health saviour for many during lockdown, and the community is understandably keen to see the park restored to its former glory when it is re-opened. Unfortunately, facilities at the park are tired and in dire need of a refresh, partly because how people use the space has evolved over the years. For example, barbecues are popular there now but they can cause issues for wildlife and grassland when appropriate stands and tables aren’t provided. On the basis that the people of Grangetown deserve green spaces that serve their needs, can the cabinet member commit to a consultation exercise to scope what facilities Grangetown residents would like to see at the park when it is reopened please? Reply – Councillor Burke-Davies I'm sure the residents of Grangetown will be really pleased to see you flying the flag you have really admirably bent my ear about this and I'm so pleased actually to see a new Councillor come in strong for their ward. I understand the importance of our parks and green spaces and the multiple benefits that you have listed that your local community gets to use out of Grangemoor park. As you are aware the remediation works to the former landfill site are scheduled for completion by the end of December 2022 and from that point on the park will be reopened. Unfortunately at the moment there's no funding available, I'm really happy to sit down and have a chat with you and your ward colleagues about the potential for consultation overall site provision and management and indeed funding opportunities for future improvements to Grangemoor park. Question – Councillor Robson to the Chair of the Policy Review and Performance Scrutiny Committee Will you meet with the Leader of the council to ensure that as few cabinet and officer decisions as possible are exempt from call-in? Reply – Councillor Williams I have a constructive and positive working relationship with the Leader of the Council and I am delighted to announce that we have agreed to meet to discuss this important item. Supplementary Question – Councillor Robson I know we are having a laugh but I'm asking one of my colleagues a question in his capacity as Chair of the Committee and as Chair representing the Chairs of the scrutiny committees to be honest because what happened at Cabinet in relation to the item on the provision of additional affordable housing in the way that it was taken through, not the actual issue itself I hasten to add, I have no problem with that but the way it was taken through whereby there was no scrutiny, decisions were made to purchase properties at very short notice, there's no checks or balances, we do not know and no one else looks to be on the Council and the officer machinery as to whether it's undervalued overvalued or anything else. I felt that that was a very poor way of taking this through in that short notice and therefore I ask Councillor Williams and any other Scrutiny Chairs to make sure that a situation like that doesn't happen again so perhaps a Scrutiny Committee can be called at short notice or such other mechanism by which way it can be scrutinised properly. Reply – Councillor Williams In relation to the item he raises my understanding is that in order for an item to be deemed urgent and therefore disapplying call in and Davina is going to give me the thumbs up if I've got this right, a statutory officer, so a senior officer, if they believe that it is in the public interest and in consultation with the relevant Scrutiny Chair who also believes that the matter is urgent can disapply call in so it's my understanding that this is used sparingly, rightfully so, it is important that we have robust scrutiny arrangements in place and this is something I'll pick up with the Leader of the Council. Reply – Leader To make a point of information really for the for the benefit of the Chamber, Councillor Williams is absolutely correct, this power is used sparingly. There was a particular set of circumstances applying to the cabinet report that required swift action in order to secure a series of properties for use in a housing context. The engagement took place between the Cabinet Member and Councillor Molik, I have already thanked Councillor Molik for her cooperation on that matter in a very pragmatic fashion. I would reiterate there is no grounds to cast aspersions about the process behind this decision as has been said it is used sparingly and with good reason. Cardiff has a very well resourced scrutiny function, 5 committees which myself and all Cabinet members attend diligently and I think that also needs to be recognised thank you. Question - Councillor Taylor What steps are being taken to make district shopping areas safer and more welcoming for residents and visitors? Reply – Councillor Thorne Our ‘Stronger, Fairer, Greener’ policy statement commits to expanding the Neighbourhood Regeneration programme and publishing a new strategy to support district and local centres, based on the 15-minute city placemaking principles. A new Regeneration Strategy to support district and local centres will align with funding sources, such as the Transforming Towns Programme and the Shared Prosperity Fund, and will join up schemes and themes across the Council. The overarching principles that will underpin individual plans for each district and local centre include ensuring a strong, thriving and sustainable retail and hospitality offer; connectivity to a network of active travel or segregated cycle routes, walking routes and public transport, as well as public realm improvements. We aim to set out a prioritised list of centres and future projects, with enhancing community safety and making the centres welcoming and attractive to visit, being at the heart of our future regeneration initiatives. Supplementary Question – Councillor Taylor Please can I make an early bid for Whitchurch Road to be on that list. We just have a really concerning issue with pavement parking what can be done to tackle pavement parking on Whitchurch Road I had a car reversed at me and my son in a pushchair on Whitchurch Road today. There are a number of complaints received over many months so looking see what we can do urgently to tackle pavement parking on Whitchurch Road. Reply – Councillor Thorne I'm not aware that there was a parking problem there and if you have issues it is best to raise it with the cabinet member outside of the Council, you cant expect me to answer that question here. Question - Councillor Ali It's really pleasing to see the re-cladding work has begun at Lydstep Flats. Do you have a timescale for completion and, once completed, would you also consider renaming the individual blocks? Reply – Councillor Thorne After much planning and an extensive procurement exercise, I am also very pleased that the project to re-clad the 3 blocks at Lydstep Flats in Llandaff North is well underway. This is a very significant project and will take some time to complete; however, I can confirm that project delivery timelines are currently being met. It is anticipated that Block 1 will be completed early in April 2023; followed by Block 2 in mid-June and Block 3 at the end of July next year. There are no current plans to rename the blocks, but I would be happy to discuss this further with ward members. We would, of course, want to involve tenants in any change to the names of the blocks. Question - Councillor Ali Can you provide an update on the pilot project for EV chargers on street lampposts? Reply – Councillor Wild The idea of getting them in lampposts seems fairly simple but it’s a bit more complex than that in terms of the grid and other health and safety aspects so we are just looking into those. I have been advised that the plan is that there will be 5 or 10 going in as a test later this year in the autumn and of course that's on top of the 59 already in place and another 20 coming in as well so that zap map that you'll now rely on should be getting busier across Cardiff with more places to use. Supplementary Question – Councillor Ali Inaudible due to technical difficulties Reply – Councillor Wild I mean I have to be honest the focus will be on areas where there aren't as many drives around and people if they're going to move to electric vehicle will really need something in those kind of dense residential areas so would have thought it will be inner city first in terms of the reach certainly looking at widening it out as they are doing with other types of charges but for the street ones on a lamppost likely to be inner-city first. Question - Councillor Ebrahim Can the Cabinet Member outline what has been put forward by the developers of the arena as a plan to ensure local people are given the opportunity, and particularly young people, from the communities in Butetown and around the new arena are able to access jobs related to the development, and what is the council doing to push this further? Reply – Councillor Goodway I know that the councillor is a massive supporter of the arena project, not least because he recognises the potential opportunities that it presents for young people living in his ward who for too long have not benefitted from the massive developments that have taken place around them. I am determined that this will change and that the new Indoor Arena project will be an important project for Butetown, as well as for Cardiff and the region. The project will deliver annual GVA in excess of £100m, which compares to the £30m delivered by the current arena. There will be 2000 jobs created during the construction phase and around 500 jobs needed to operate the arena. I am working with the developer to ensure that local people identify ways in which local people can take advantage of all of these job opportunities. In addition, the Council has secured a social value package of benefits from the developer with an estimated value of around £5m. This is unprecedented. This will focus on a range of initiatives to help local people in to work with an estimated value of some £2.5m and an additional £300k worth of initiatives specifically focused on supporting young people from across the southern arc into employment. Question - Councillor Parry In February this year I wrote to you enquiring about the proposed retfit of the BISF houses in Rumney and you advised that the WG funding vehicle (ARBED) had expired which meant the scheme had stalled. You also advised that you had been asked to submit a “business case” for them to consider funding the scheme. Can you confirm that you have submitted the business case and what the outcome of that bid is please? Reply – Councillor Thorne I can confirm that a business case to fund the scheme to install external wall insulation to these steel-framed, non-traditional build properties has been submitted to Welsh Government. Officers were initially expecting a formal response by the end of last week, but, unfortunately, the Welsh Government was unable to meet this deadline due to some delay with input from their external consultants. Officers have now been advised that a decision is expected next month. The Council maintains regular contact with Welsh Government officials and continues to reiterate the importance of progressing this scheme, which will significantly improve the energy efficiency of 153 homes in Rumney and 99 homes in Llandaff North. I am pleased to say the proposed improvements will include both public and private properties in these two wards and will therefore benefit the whole community. Supplementary Question – Councillor Parry Do you think this will be a positive answer do you expect it to go through and we will have this refurbishment of the SEAL houses? Reply – Councillor Thorne I am expecting it to be a positive answer Jackie, but you can never say that until you get the answer. I was born and brought up in a BISF house, my mother when she lived there benefited from retrofit, they're lovely houses, amazing size and they are lovely when they're done so fingers crossed we'll get it. Question - Councillor Derbyshire Can you please issue an update on the situation for residents following the terrible fire in the flats on Greenway Road? Reply – Councillor Thorne I can confirm that a block of 8 flats in Greenway Road, Rumney was recently badly damaged by fire. Thankfully, no one was hurt in the incident. The South Wales Fire & Rescue Service has indicated that the fire started in a shed in the communal courtyard and that it then spread to the roof of the building. Four of the flats were occupied by council tenants and the remainder were sold properties and were occupied by leaseholders or their sub-tenants. All were offered emergency accommodation; however, they were all were able to stay with family or friends in the short-term. Work is underway to find alternative accommodation for the council tenants. Two tenants have already been offered a property and the remainder are being assisted through the application process, with the aim of rehousing them as soon as possible. The leaseholders have been advised to contact the Council’s insurance provider who will let them know their options. All residents have been offered support from the Housing Options Service and are aware that further help is available if needed. Supplementary Question – Councillor Derbyshire Following on from that then, many of the residents are concerned about access to help for replacing the lost possessions that many of them have and as we know not everybody gets contents insurance and even when they do they can't always get the full amount so could you check whether or not officers are able to give advice to these residents or whether they already have given advice about how they can access any funding and also whether or not you're aware of how the fire started. Reply -Councillor Thorne As I said, it started in the shed, apparently the shed was full of flammable materials including aerosol so I guess it may have been to do with the heat but I will get a report back on that. In terms of help for residents and I can understand it must be very distressing they had to leave with nothing at all. Tthe officers will be working and have said that they are working with everybody and that help is there and each individual would probably need a different type of help so the officers will be there to support them and if you find there is somebody who needs help that's not getting it please get in touch. Question - Councillor Chowdhury Will the Cabinet Member for Transport & Strategic Planning, Councillor Dan De’Ath, join me in congratulating Canton's Radnor Primary on its Active Travel School Gold Award, only the second school in Wales to receive this accolade, and would he outline the support the council can provide Radnor so that it can share this best practice across Cardiff? Reply – Councillor De’Ath It was an absolute genuine pleasure to visit Radnor with yourself and Councillor Elsmore a week or so ago to celebrate the schools really fantastic achievement in securing the Sustrans Gold award for mainstreaming active travel into practice and culture as a school and there's lots of learning from them our active travel team have picked up to try and share but really the service they are providing is showing other schools what's possible. Radnor took their Active Travel rate from 70% to 94% and are still going, and they're still pushing and showing this is achievable with the right leadership and I absolutely commend their head teacher who cycles to school herself every day on a bike and to local councillors, several of whom are governors at the school, for showing what can be done with the right will and the right effort.
Part of an issue followed across 11 meetings
There was no urgent business.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: The Council AGREED to receive nominations and appoint to the vacancies on Committee’s in accordance with Party Group wishes.
RESOLVED: The Council AGREED to receive nominations and appoint to the vacancies on Committee’s in accordance with Party Group wishes.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: The Council AGREED to: (1) approve the programme of Full Council meeting dates for August 2022 to May 2023 set out in paragraph 9 of this report; (2) note the proposed schedule of Cabinet meeting dates during the period August 2022 to May 2023 in paragraph 10; (3) approve the calendar of proposed Committee meetings for the period August 2022 – May 2023 in Appendix A (to be published on the amendment sheet); and (4) delegate authority to the Director of Governance and Legal Services in consultation with the Leader and the Committee Chairs to make any necessary alterations to the provisional programme of meetings which may be required.
RESOLVED: The Council AGREED to: (1) approve the programme of Full Council meeting dates for August 2022 to May 2023 set out in paragraph 9 of this report; (2) note the proposed schedule of Cabinet meeting dates during the period August 2022 to May 2023 in paragraph 10; (3) approve the calendar of proposed Committee meetings for the period August 2022 – May 2023 in Appendix A (to be published on the amendment sheet); and (4) delegate authority to the Director of Governance and Legal Services in consultation with the Leader and the Committee Chairs to make any necessary alterations to the provisional programme of meetings which may be required.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 17(f) Written Questions received for consideration together with the responses will be included as a record in the minutes of the meeting.
Part of an issue followed across 11 meetings
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