Loading
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.
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: to approve the draft report.
None received.
Cllr Brown-Reckless declared a personal interest in Item 4 as family members have attended Cardiff Riding School.
The minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2025 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson.
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 item enabled them to undertake pre-decision scrutiny, particularly considering the consultation process, the proposed procurement process and disposal of open space as well as testing the risks and implications for the Council and how these are being mitigated. For this item, the Chairperson welcomed Cllr Burke, Cabinet Member, Culture, Sport and Parks, who joined remotely, Jon Maidment, Head of Parks & Cardiff Harbour Authority, Chris Hadfield, Operational Manager, Culture and Venues, and Sarah Stork, Client Services Manager. The Chairperson invited questions and comments from Members. Members asked questions around data on service user demographics. Officers explained that there was a wide spread of users, but acknowledged that there was a lack of specific data around protected characteristics. Officers advised that the service specification would protect existing provision especially for protected characteristics, including existing provision for EOTAS and people with disabilities. Members were informed that the Financial and Legal Implications sections of the report to Cabinet contain standard clauses and that more detailed advice specific to proposals will be provided in a future report to Cabinet. Members were informed that the timeline is to invite tenders in February/ March 2026, evaluate these and bring a further report to Cabinet in July 2026, with the intention to have an alternative operator in place from April 2027. The evaluation criteria will be based on price and quality. Use will be made of Riding Centre staff and British Horse Society knowledge to appropriately word clauses regarding animal welfare and care of horses. The centre will be required to remain an approved BHS centre, and the specification will include appropriate clauses regarding operator responsibility for repairs and maintenance. Members were advised that the Council will have an intelligent, slim client role to ensure obligations are met. Members were informed that ‘disposal’ is a legal requirement for enabling a long-term lease and that the length of lease is anticipated to be circa 25-30 years, but this could vary depending on what emerges through the procurement process. Officers advised a long-term lease will provide an alternative operator with security of tenure. Members were advised that officers believe the proposal to be an attractive offer, with commercial opportunities and more details provided than at the PIN stage, making it easier for potential alternative operators to understand the proposition. Members were advised that the service area has a successful track record of delivering innovative joint partnerships, and that if the Council were not able to identify a suitable alternative operator, it would have to consider the way forward. Members were assured by officers that they have no concerns about enabling a lease for the site due to the existence of covenants in place; the site is public open space and so there are opportunities for operators to put forward commercial opportunities alongside maintaining the Riding Centre, such as a café. 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 item presented an opportunity to carry out policy review scrutiny of the Council’s planning for hosting Euros 2028 and the community benefits flowing from this. The Committee carried out pre-decision scrutiny in March 2023, and this item enabled Committee to understand the progress made since, how implications for the Council have been managed, and whether there are any issues arising. For this item, the Chairperson welcomed Cllr Burke, Cabinet Member, Culture, Sport and Parks, who joined remotely, Ruth Cayford, Operational Manager, Creative Industries and Cultural Development, and Jon Day, Operational Manager, Investment and Tourism. The Cabinet Member was invited to make a statement, following which officers gave a presentation. The Chairperson invited questions and comments from Members. Members were informed that the Euros 2028 will be the biggest event hosted by Cardiff to date and provide an opportunity to showcase Cardiff as a successful event city. Officers advised that there will be the opportunity to have a Welsh flavour to the Opening Ceremony, reflecting Welsh culture and the look and feel of Cardiff. Members were advised that a project lead will be appointed shortly to manage the host city budget. Members were informed that the overall predicted economic impact for UK and Ireland is £4bn, with Wales predicted to benefit from £250m GVA and 5,000 jobs demand. It was clarified that this does not include any Visitor Levy income, which would need to be focused on areas of additional spend such as marketing Cardiff and cultural activities to increase the length of stay of visitors. Members were keen to hear how officers and partners are looking to maximise the economic impact for Cardiff, so not only the hospitality sector but other sectors such as retail benefit, working with businesses on how to increase staying visitors, footfall and spend. Members were told the Council is aiming to present a month-long festival, with fan zones, viewing zones and cultural experiences across the city, tying in with other events, such as those linked to Cardiff Music City, with officers working with partners and the cultural sector to map out and coordinate these for maximum impact. Officers advised that, whilst there has been an increase in bed stock/hotel spaces in recent years, with additional supply projected, there is still a shortfall and officers are working to market Cardiff for investment in bed stock, supported by this event, events linked to the Indoor Arena and other key scheduled events. Officers also highlighted that demand may be met in local and regional bed stock, including Airbnb, and that the Metro will assist with this by improving transport provision. Members were interested to hear there is national modelling taking place regarding transport and travel flows for this event, with dedicated resource for planning work and for required interventions. Members were informed that officers and partners are working with national football associations and that a Transport Plan will be in place, designed to ensure capacity for event days. Members sought confirmation that the Council’s contribution is capped and officers advised that exposure is limited and that they would wish to check the precise wording of the agreement to ensure Members received the correct information. Members welcomed work to increase inclusion in football, including girls and women’s football, support cohesive communities, and build economic opportunities. Members were told that officers are making the case for the benefits and legacy to be inclusive across Cardiff, ensuring deprived communities such as those in the Southern Arc benefit from this event. 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 item enabled them to undertake pre-decision scrutiny, particularly considering the consultation process, the proposed procurement process and disposal of open space as well as testing the risks and implications for the Council and how these are being mitigated. For this item, the Chairperson welcomed Cllr Bridgeman, Cabinet Member, Housing and Communities, Jon Day, Operational Manager, Tourism and Investment, and Rebecca Hooper, Operational Manager, Regeneration. The Cabinet Member was invited to make a statement, following which officers gave a presentation. The Chairperson invited questions and comments from Members. Members were informed that Cardiff Research Centre is managing the consultation, with online surveys as well as hard copies in hubs & libraries, with posters and social media use to advertise the survey, as well as targeted focus groups and workshops. The Youth Council representative highlighted the opportunities to engage with young people. Officers advised that the Strategy provides a basis for securing funding, existing and new, setting out clear evidence of needs and opportunities and detailing a proven placemaking approach. Areas selected for regeneration will be determined by available funding criteria and how the needs of areas match with these. Committee discussed existing and possible new funding. Members were advised that Welsh Government set the criteria for Transforming Towns funding, which includes that the area put forward has to include a District Centre and be able to evidence placemaking needs, such as poor connectivity, low levels of greenery etc. It is not a Welsh Government requirement for the area to be in the lowest 10% WIMD ranking, not least because most District Centres would not meet this criterion. Members were informed that Cardiff has been allocated £20m Pride in Places funding by the UK Government, whose criterion is that this funding is focused on the most deprived neighbourhood that is a single contiguous area of between 5,000 and 15,000 residents. This criterion is met by Ely and Caerau, and a report is scheduled to go to the Cabinet meeting on 8 January 2026, in time to meet the UK Government deadline of 9 January 2026. Members are scheduled to look at regeneration in Ely at the next committee meeting on 20 January 2026. Officers advised that the strategy enables the Council to be able to respond quickly to opportunities as they arise, by providing an evidence base and clarity around placemaking principles. The strategy enables the Council to develop a pipeline of schemes so it can move quickly when different funding becomes available. Members were informed that a strategy for the city centre is at the formulation stage. This will include reflecting on the existing Recovery Action Plan and the Regeneration Strategy, exploring how resources are used to support the city centre. Officers confirmed that there is an opportunity for the Committee’s proposed City Centre Users’ Experiences Inquiry to inform the Strategy. 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 Committee was given an update on the meetings and activities of the Corporate Joint Committee and the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Part of an issue followed across 11 meetings
Decision as recorded
AGREED: to approve the draft report.
The Chairperson thanked Cllrs Anderson, Lewis and Reid-Jones for their support and commitment in undertaking the inquiry. The Committee was given an outline of the key findings and recommendations contained in the draft report. AGREED: to approve the draft report.
The Committee was given an update on correspondence received and awaited.
There were none.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday 20 January 2026 at 4.30pm.
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.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.