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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting at this point during consideration of this item as the Committee discussed exempt information of the description contained in paragraph 14 of Part 4 and paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Action 1972. The public may be excluded from the meeting by resolution of the Committee pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 during discussion of this item. AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
RESOLVED to: i. Note the update on correspondence ii. Endorse the ‘Filming in Cardiff’ task group report for submission to the Cabinet Note the verbal update provided on the scrutiny of the RLDP Deposit Plan.
None were received.
The Chair declared a personal interest in Item 4 ISV Update as a governor of Cathays High School, and a personal interest as familiar with Michael Bawden. Cllr Owen Jones declared a personal interest as familiar with Michael Bawden. Cllr Peter Huw Jenkins declared a personal interest as familiar with Michael Bawden. Cllr Brown-Reckless declared a personal interest as family members have cycled with and may join Maindy Flyers.
The minutes of the meeting on 19 November 2024 were approved as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
Members were advised that this report provided an update on the progress in establishing and operating the Central South Active Partnership Limited (CSAP), the Regional Sports Partnership that includes Cardiff. For this item, the Chairperson welcomed; • Councillor Jennifer Burke (Cabinet Member – Culture, Sport and Parks) • Steve Morris (Operational Manager, Sport, Leisure & Development) • Laura Williams (Assistant Director Sport Physical Activity and Health – Cardiff Metropolitan University) • Professor Leigh Robinson (Chair – Central South Active Partnership) The Cabinet Member was invited to make an opening statement after which Members were provided with a presentation from Officers. The Chairperson invited questions and comments from Members. Members were eager to understand the purpose of CSAP and noted its mission to reduce inequality in access and opportunities for sport, physical activity, and health. The vision is to ensure equal opportunities for all in these areas. Members acknowledged that work will be undertaken to develop a strategic plan and performance metrics, which will be open for consultation before final approval. They also noted the goal to achieve full compliance with Sport Wales’s capability framework by the end of the year. Members recognised the importance of the Managing Director role in shaping, guiding, and leading these efforts and wished success in the recruitment process for this crucial position. Members were pleased to hear about CSAP's ambition to share good practices across the region. They noted that Cardiff can act as an influencer and learn from successes elsewhere. The idea of a regional conference to focus on this was supported. Members were particularly interested in understanding the governance arrangements for CSAP. They noted that CSAP will report its spending to Sport Wales but has the autonomy to decide how to allocate its resources. Additionally, CSAP will be accountable to local authorities and health scrutiny for local spending and activities within their jurisdictions. Members were advised that CSAP will provide regional oversight while maintaining a focus on local delivery. In Cardiff, local delivery will continue to be monitored through the Council’s performance framework, which includes Directorate Delivery Plans, Corporate Plans, and the performance framework underpinning these, as well as the Annual Sports Plan and its performance framework. Members reviewed the funding available to CSAP and noted that the 2025/26 budget remains at the same level and distribution as 2024/25. Members noted that from 2026/27, CSAP will have the autonomy to allocate funds independently from Sport Wales. CSAP plans to establish an innovation fund and seek external investors to increase funding and investment, aiming to address unequal access to sport, physical activity, and health. Members were interested in understanding the criteria CSAP will use to allocate funding and noted that CSAP will utilise data and insights to identify opportunities, challenges, and barriers to equal access to sport, physical activity, and health. This information will be used to develop a plan, which will be consulted on with local authorities and partners. Members further noted that CSAP will adopt a place-based approach, listening to local needs and requirements to develop accessible opportunities. AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
Decision as recorded
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
Members were advised that this report provided an update on the workforce planning efforts of the Shared Regulatory Services (SRS) and highlights the challenges and strategies related to recruitment and retention. For this item, the Chairperson welcomed Cllr Norma Mackie (Cabinet Member – Waste, Street Scene and Environmental Services) and Helen Picton (Head of Shared Regulatory Services). The Cabinet Member was invited to make an opening statement after which Members were provided with a presentation from Officers. The Chairperson invited questions and comments from Members. Members wished to commend Shared Regulatory Services for consistently providing a first-class service, responding promptly to queries, and ensuring community safety. They acknowledged the importance of maintaining this high standard and thanked Officers for their inclusive and proactive approach to workforce planning. Members were pleased with the progress in establishing a Level 4 regulatory apprenticeship in Wales and noted the following: • Apprentices will be paid the Real Living Wage. • Apprenticeships will be available in each professional area of SRS for the first three years, with further placements to be reviewed thereafter. • While there is no job guarantee at the end of the apprenticeship, SRS is considering career grade structures to aid progression. • The Welsh Government has not yet set a 'go live' date, but SRS and its partners are ready to start as soon as it is determined. • The Welsh Government covers the training costs of the apprenticeship, making it a more attractive option compared to undergraduate studies that incur tuition fees and high student debt. Members were also interested in the development of Level 6 apprenticeships in Wales, equivalent to an undergraduate degree, and hoped this would be implemented more quickly than the Level 4 apprenticeships. Members were pleased that there are no age restrictions for the apprenticeships, making them accessible to all. Officers provided examples of successful apprenticeships in England filled by career changers in their thirties and forties. Regarding SRS's wider recruitment practices, Members noted that the Vale of Glamorgan's neurodiverse-friendly process is used, which supports under-represented groups. Members were curious about the impact of vacancies on service delivery and staff morale. They were reassured to hear there is currently only one vacancy, which is manageable and not affecting performance or budget. However, they noted that multiple vacancies in the past led to increased workloads, delayed responses, and budget underspends. Currently, no additional resources are deemed necessary. Members inquired about how staff handle bureaucratic frustrations, such as court backlogs and legislation allowing sequential illegal businesses. Officers responded that they focus on achieving results and securing closure orders. Members commend the resilience shown by the staff. AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting at this point during consideration of this item as the Committee discussed exempt information of the description contained in paragraph 14 of Part 4 and paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Action 1972. The public may be excluded from the meeting by resolution of the Committee pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 during discussion of this item. AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
The Chair introduced the report, which was to seek approval to dispose of the former Toys R Us and Retail 3 site, to set out proposed new temporary parking arrangements on the ISV site and approval to engage with local residents and landowners on the ISV site regarding options for the area around the boardwalk. The Chair welcomed Neil Hanratty, Director of Economic Development; Cllr Huw Thomas, Leader of the Council; Chris Barnett, Operational Manager for Major Projects; Michael Bawden, Communications Officer, Major Projects; Eirian Jones, Operational Manager, Strategic Estates; and Joanne Phillips, Project Manager, to the meeting. The Leader was invited to make an opening statement after which Members were provided with a presentation from Officers. The Chairperson invited questions and comments from Members. Members acknowledged the Council's need to balance the lived experiences of ISV residents, commercial viability, and the goal of promoting public and active transport. They noted that approximately 1,200 temporary car parking spaces will be provided, an increase from the current provision, to help manage event-day parking and reduce the inconvenience to local residents. Regarding the long-term parking solution, Members noted that the business case for a Multi-Storey Car Park is currently not viable due to the impact of free car parking for leisure users on the income stream. During discussions, Members questioned this assumption and requested clarification on why it is included in the business case modelling—whether it is due to a council policy decision, a contractual obligation, or another reason. Members also noted that subterranean car parking on the ISV site is not feasible due to prior site contamination, which makes the remediation costs prohibitive. Members recognised that the long-term car parking solution will be driven by the business case and that a further report on this will be presented at a future Cabinet meeting and will therefore be available for scrutiny. Members acknowledged the Leader’s comments that it is unfair for residents to bear the burden of boardwalk repair and maintenance. Members appreciated the Council's willingness to meet with local residents to explore collective solutions, noting that the Council lacks the funds to address these issues independently. Members welcomed the commitment to collaborate with residents to find a solution that does not place the financial burden on them. They noted that the consultation with residents will cover the boardwalk, road adoption, and traffic management issues. Members suggested that the consultation also address public realm and unfinished landscaping that is affecting the area. Members noted the proposal to the Cabinet to enter an 18-month lease agreement with Top Golf for the Toys R Us and Retail 3 Site, which could add to the sporting provision on the site and potentially create around 300 jobs. Members recognised that this means the previously proposed velodrome will not be delivered on this site and that there are no other suitable locations on the ISV site. Members also noted that the costs of the velodrome have increased due to inflationary pressures and that the financial contribution from Education is no longer available, making the velodrome unaffordable. Members appreciated the efforts to communicate this position as early as possible, given the need for confidence that the UK Government property arm supports the proposal to relocate staff from Companies House, freeing that site for Cathays High School. Members noted the continued ambition to deliver a closed loop circuit, and that work is ongoing with track designers to explore possible sites. They appreciated that local members and residents will be consulted on suitable sites and that the aim is to find a site with less complicated and costly infrastructure needs. Members were pleased to hear that the governing bodies of cycling, athletics, and triathlons are supportive of these proposals. Members acknowledged the statement that the Council is fully committed to completing the ISV and realising the vision for this site. They also appreciated and welcomed the repeated assurances from the Leader and Officers, recognising the disruption and uncertainty faced by local residents and the various issues they continue to encounter. Members sought clarification on the basis for the comment in the report to Cabinet, at point 8, that "Public engagement undertaken by the developer with existing local residents in advance of the submission of the planning applications has been largely supportive of their plans for the site." They noted officers' responses that this comment is based on feedback received from the developer following public sessions and from council officers. Members discussed that this feedback differs from what they have received from local residents and therefore requested a copy of the evidentiary basis for point 8 of the report to Cabinet. Members noted that it is up to planning officers to invite the Design Commission for Wales to comment on proposals for the ISV as part of the planning process. Given the significance of the ISV development to the local area, the city, and the region, Members believed it would be beneficial for the Design Commission for Wales to be involved at the earliest possible stage and throughout the planning process. This involvement would allow the development to benefit from their knowledge and expertise, as was the case in earlier stages of the ISV. Members also requested clarification on whether the Council can involve the Design Commission for Wales before a planning application process, as part of master planning, and if so, whether economic development officers could involve them in preparing future masterplans for similarly important sites where Economic Development is the lead directorate. Members noted that the provision of affordable housing will be addressed through the planning application process. Members noted the ambition to improve active travel provision across the ISV site and its connections to the wider active travel network, in line with Council policies such as One Planet Cardiff. The delivery of an improved boardwalk will assist in achieving this goal. RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting at this point during consideration of this item as the Committee discussed exempt information of the description contained in paragraph 14 of Part 4 and paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Action 1972. The public may be excluded from the meeting by resolution of the Committee pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 during discussion of this item. AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to: i. Note the update on correspondence ii. Endorse the ‘Filming in Cardiff’ task group report for submission to the Cabinet Note the verbal update provided on the scrutiny of the RLDP Deposit Plan.
Members were provided with an update on the correspondence sent and received since the last meeting. Members discussed the draft report on the Filming in Cardiff Inquiry, which aimed to explore income generation and reducing costs associated with filming in Cardiff. The task group, consisting of Councillors Wong, Jenkins, and Shimmin, gathered evidence from various stakeholders and reviewed the operations of the Cardiff Film Unit. There were no suggested amendments to the draft report. Members wished to thank Officers for their hard work on the inquiry and preparing the report. An update was provided on the scrutiny of the Cardiff Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) 2021-2036. The Environmental Scrutiny Committee and the Policy Review and Performance Scrutiny Committee held a joint meeting on 16 January 2025 to consider the RLDP Deposit Plan before its presentation to the Cabinet on 23 January 2025. Councillor Wong attended the joint meeting and provided a verbal update to Committee. RESOLVED to: i. Note the update on correspondence ii. Endorse the ‘Filming in Cardiff’ task group report for submission to the Cabinet Note the verbal update provided on the scrutiny of the RLDP Deposit Plan.
None received.
25 February 2025, 3pm, Budget Scrutiny meeting.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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