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Cardiff Council's Economy & Culture Scrutiny Committee met on 20 January 2026. Members questioned the Central South Active Partnership about its progress and funding, and began a short review of the council's allotments with officers. Members also approved the terms of reference and membership of a new inquiry into city centre users' daytime experiences.
Apologies were received from Cllr Green who is on paternity leave. The Committee sent congratulations to Cllr Green and his partner.
There were none.
The minutes of the meeting on 16 December 2025 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 Committee had carried out scrutiny of this in January 2025, and that this item enabled them to understand the progress made since then, how implications for the Council have been managed, and whether there are any issues arising. For this item, the Chairperson welcomed Steve Morris, Operational Manager, Sport, Leisure and Development; Laura Williams, Assistant Director, Sport Physical Health and Health, Cardiff Metropolitan University; and Gavin Hawkey, Managing Director, Central South Active Partnership, who attended remotely. Cllr Burke, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Parks, had been invited but was unable to attend due to another commitment and sent her apologies. Gavin Hawkey and Laura Williams gave presentations, after which the Chairperson invited questions and comments from Members. Committee was advised that the climate for external funding was challenging, and that CSAP is working with partners to make better use of the existing investment within the system as well as looking for new opportunities for funding. It is likely that the scoping exercise being undertaken will identify several small pots of funding rather than one large source of income that can be used. Members were advised that a finance plan for the forthcoming 2026/2027 financial year has been submitted to the Active Partnership. Inflationary pressures are managed through budgetary efficiencies, and other funding sources are being levered in from external bodies, e.g. FAW. A wide consultation has not been carried out as the partnership is under close scrutiny by Sport Wales; however, there is wide engagement with external stakeholders and the Move More partnership are reviewing an action plan for the next 2/3 years and their feedback will be used to inform future spending plans. Members discussed the use of public transport to help schoolchildren access swimming during the school day and also heard that the 21st Century Schools programme is investing in high standard sports facilities in use by schools during the day and accessible to the community outside school hours. Committee Members highlighted the success of local Park Runs and other running clubs in attracting all ages and all abilities and wondered what support the Council offered to sports clubs. Officers explained that there has been investment in all-weather facilities to allow residents to take part in sporting activities despite inclement weather. Refurbishment and modernisation of sporting facilities such as 3G pitches and tennis courts is allowing greater use to be made of them. Major events such as the Tour de France and Euros 2028 are used to get maximum benefit for residents, as well as community assets to make communities active. A facility audit is being undertaken as part of the Move More partnership work to assist in ensuring community assets are used effectively. Officers advised that the Council works with governing bodies to help sports clubs become more independent and able to access grant funding; the Council provides leadership, safeguarding, and other training to build capacity in clubs. Members discussed the withdrawal of PCC funding and heard how place-based teams are continuing to use their relationships with community providers to ensure opportunities for young people. Members heard about GLL funded programmes around over-60’s provision, discounted and free activities in leisure facilities, disability and inclusivity programmes run across the city with partners, and work with the University Health Board on an activity finder listing activity opportunities. Officers discussed the use of School Health Research Network data on participation levels, with the National Survey of Wales and Central South Active Partnership, working with data analysts to assess the information against the Wales Index of Multiple Deprivation to understand differences in participation on a ward-by-ward basis, and reveal where targeted efforts might have the most impact. Members asked what metrics and targets are in place to measure change in activity levels and to understand whether targeted efforts are working. Members heard that CSAP uses a systems-based approach so is looking for system change, how work is shifting the dial, rather than specific metrics/ KPIs. There is focus on behaviour change. The CSAP is interested in understanding how to identify and evaluate small changes in the system that deliver population level change. 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 was the start of Committee’s Short Scrutiny on Cardiff Council Allotments and enabled members to hear officers’ views on the current position and to explore whether there are any issues with current and/or future service delivery, and the reasons for these. For this item, the Chairperson welcomed Jennie Judd, Operational Manager, Parks; and Rhodri Edwards, Parks Strategy and Technical Manager. Cllr Burke, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Parks, had been invited but was unable to attend due to another commitment and sent her apologies. Jon Maidment, Head of Parks & Cardiff Harbour Authority, was unable to attend due to illness, and Committee wished him a speedy recovery. Mr Maidment being due to retire shortly, the Chairperson on behalf of the Committee thanked him for all his support and assistance over the years, which has enabled robust and constructive scrutiny to the benefit of Cardiff’s residents. Officers gave a presentation, after which the Chairperson invited questions and comments from Members. Members were advised that the Council has a standard for the provision of allotments within the LDP, via the Open Space Technical Guidance Note SPG, which sets out a requirement to provide 40 plots per 1,800 housing units which is more generous than the wider UK standard. Officers explained this has resulted in new allotment sites as a result of the Strategic Housing Sites, including for North West Cardiff where 2x50 plots are required. In addition, Officers explained that the Council seeks s106 contributions for non-strategic sites, using the Open Space requirements of 2.4hectares per 1,000. Committee discussed what additional resources might be needed to get the service back on track. It is recognised that there are pressures in the service area and frustration among allotment holders. The allotment service has been flagged up as being under-resourced in the APSE review. Officers advised that establishment and capital needs will become clearer once allotment site assessments have been completed and that it is important to liaise with sites to understand their priorities. In the meantime, Officers are aware of plenty of work needed that can be put forward for grant funding and for s106 funding when this is available. Regarding staffing, Officers advised that at least 1 additional officer is needed, as an assistant to the Allotment Officer. Committee discussed how improved ward member awareness of maintenance issues at allotment sites might allow them to influence how Section 106 funding is allocated. There was discussion around allotment holders’ frustration with the Orchestrate software frustrating. Officers recognise there have been teething problems in setting the system up. Additional training and support have been offered, and officers are engaging with users and the developer to address the issues. It was confirmed that users can only access Orchestrate on Council hardware due to Council IT security restrictions. Members were interested to hear about social prescribing and were told how officers work with Community Park rangers to provide volunteering opportunities, and with charities such as Cardiff Salad Garden and Grow Cardiff re accessing plots and sites. People signposted to allotment gardening for social prescribing usually access this through shared sites. Officers advised that they engage with allotment committees to try to ensure that when allotments are handed back they are free of dumped rubbish. Committee discussed the difficulty of finding a new allotment site near Llantrisant Road or Pentrebane Road. Members were advised that the Council is holding £171,000 in Section 106 funding generated from 2 developments in the Pentyrch and St Fagans wards, for boosting allotment capacity for new residents of Plasd?r. The current proposal is to extend allotment capacity at Forest Farm; this is subject to further due diligence and ecological assessment and Officers are also checking to see if other Council land is available that could be suitable Officers advised that some plot holders are responsible for more than one plot, and that as soon as plots become available they are offered out to encourage people to take up allotment gardening. 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 approved the terms of reference and membership of the proposed ‘Improving City Centre Users’ Daytime Experiences’ Inquiry.
There were none.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 24 February at 4:00pm, for scrutiny of the Corporate Plan and Budgetary Proposals.
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.
The minutes record no declarations of interest.
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