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The Committee scrutinised the Cardiff Road User Payment Scheme business case, which proposes a Workplace Parking Levy, and the Cabinet portfolio for waste, street scene and environmental services. For both, it agreed that the Chairperson will write to the Cabinet Member with the Committee's observations and recommendations. It also approved the Scrutiny Annual Report 2025/26, subject to any necessary amendments, and noted the work programme and correspondence reports.
Apologies were received from Councillor Parry.
The following declarations of interest were made in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct: Cllr Ash-Edwards Item 4 Personal Non-executive Director Cardiff Bus Cllr Lloyd-Jones Item 5 Personal Chair of Cardiff National Park City Initiative
The minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2026 were approved by the Committee 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.
The Committee received a report providing Members with an overview of the Road User Payment Scheme Outline Business Case and the proposal to progress a preferred option to Full Business Case (WelTAG Stage 3) and public consultation, and to identify key issues for scrutiny consideration ahead of Cabinet. Members were advised that Cardiff has benefited from approximately £154.5 million of transport investment over the last ten years, largely funded through Welsh Government grants. This investment has supported the South Wales Metro, Cardiff Bus Interchange, active travel schemes, bus priority measures and other sustainable transport projects. Despite these investments, the report identifies several challenges: • Population growth has increased demand on the transport network. • Bus patronage remains below 2019 levels while road traffic has recovered to pre-pandemic volumes • Car ownership continues to increase • Congestion is affecting journey times and economic productivity • Existing funding sources are considered insufficient to deliver the scale of transport improvements required • The report states that delivering a significant enhancement to Cardiff's public transport network may require investment of £100 million or more, compared with recurring transport capital funding of approximately £7 million per year Members were asked to note that towns and cities around the UK are examining Workplace Parking Levies and other Road User Payment mechanisms to better fund sustainable transport. The report provided examples of developed schemes and those under consideration in Nottingham, Bristol, Leeds and Glasgow. The Workplace Parking Levy is recommended to Cabinet as the preferred option as it is considered less burdensome on residents and drivers; simpler and quicker to implement; less expensive to establish and operate; more likely to achieve public and business acceptability; and capable of generating a substantial revenue stream for transport investment. The report estimates the Workplace Parking Levy would generate approximately £10 million annual net revenue. The report proposed that revenue generated through a Workplace Parking Levy would be ring-fenced and reinvested in transport improvements. The Chairperson welcomed Councillor Dan De’Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning and Transport, Andrew Gregory, Assistant Director Planning and Transport and Jason Dixon, Operational Manager for Transport Development and Network Management. Councillor De’Ath was invited to make a statement following which the Officers delivered a presentation on the Cardiff Road User Payment Scheme Outline Business Case. The Chairperson opened the debate on this item. Members were invited to comment, raise questions or seek clarification on the information received. Those discussions are summarised as follows: • A Member sought clarification of the revenue forecast to be raised. The Assistant Director stated that until the final modelling is completed there is a range forecast for the revenue to be raised. An estimate of between £10 million and £12 million is reasonable depending on the level of discounts and exemptions to be agreed. Furthermore, the cost of running the workplace parking level is considerably lower that other options. • A Member noted that Cardiff has received approximately £154 million in transport grant from Welsh Government over the past 10 years. The Member questioned whether Welsh Government were likely to reduce the grant funding available to Cardiff by an amount equivalent to the income generated. The Assistant Director stated that in the current year transportation grant received from Welsh Government was reduced to approximately £5 million as the Welsh Government’s priorities have changed. There is less clarity around which active travel schemes will be supported by Welsh Government. It was anticipated that the level of funding would be reduced in future years but the income generated by the Workplace Parking Levy would provide some additionality. It would also be possible to borrow against future income which would provide an opportunity to transform the bus network in the city. The Assistant Director stated that under the current arrangements the Council has to bid for grant funding. There is no certainty and it was not possible to plan major transport schemes for the city that way. The Cabinet Member stated that the Cabinet is insistent on any scheme providing additionality were it to proceed. Nottingham Council was able to use their additional income to provide matched funding for grants from UK Government and, in addition, the instruction of their levy resulted in less congestion which benefited Nottingham’s bus services. • A Member noted that there have already been considerable efforts made to improve bus services, but patronage remains approximately 20% below pre-covid levels. The Member considered that there were some underlying reasons for this such as commuters now working from home or consumers shopping from home. The Member asked how a Parking Place Levy would reverse that trend and whether there was a risk that funding would be going into providing services that people were no longer using. The Operational Manager for Transport Development and Network Management stated that because patronage has reduced there has been a corresponding reduction in bus services and the level of service is not the same as pre-covid. If extra funding was provided to increase the level of service then there would be a significant increase in patronage and buses would provide an attractive alternative to car use. It was accepted that there are other underlying trends that also affect patronage. The Assistant Director considered that providing a transport network for cars, buses, cycling and pedestrians was complex and difficult, particularly on Victorian streets where space is limited. Schemes to date have not been fully integrated and lessons have been learned. The new scheme which is to be implemented in Castle Street, Dumfries Place and Newport Road will be the first fully integrated scheme. The Cabinet Member stated that public feedback has indicated that bus reliability and frequency are the priorities in terms of bus services. • A Member asked whether the benefits of moving beyond consultation on a pre-defined option and working with residents, businesses and commuters in problem-solving have been considered. The Member also expressed an interest in learning what residents, businesses and commuter in Nottingham would want to see done differently. The Operational Manager for Transport Development and Network Management stated that the consultation exercise will be extensive and will including community drop in sessions and stakeholder meetings in order to get their input on the pros and cons of the options. The aim is to understand what investment they would like to see to enable their sustainable transport journeys easier to make. In response to a second point made by the Member, an undertaken was given to consult with colleagues in Nottingham to gain a better understanding of what their residents, businesses and commuters would have done differently. Members were advised that Cardiff officers are meeting with colleagues from Nottingham in the near future and lessons learned will be picked up during those discussions. The Cabinet Member stated that Cardiff’s scheme may look different to Nottingham’s as it will be based on the consultation feedback received in Cardiff. The Council was open to having meaningful conversations on the challenges faced and the Council would like businesses in Cardiff to potentially speak to businesses in Nottingham in order to get an understanding of their experiences. • A Member questioned the principles underpinning the Council’s intention to bring forward a road user charging scheme and in particular reference made in the report to introducing a scheme to was ‘fair’. The Member considered that fairness was a subjective term and everyone has a different idea what fairness means. The Cabinet Member was asked to explain what ‘fairness’ was the Council seeking to achieve. The Cabinet Member stated that the Council was aiming to not unfairly penalise people on low incomes. It is recognised that some people have no other option but to drive a car. However, it was important to consult meaningfully to understand what people in the city considered fairness to means, which would include feedback from people who don’t drive. • A Member noted that the report indicated that the impact of the workplace parking levy would reduce the number of trips made by car by approximately 400 whereas the introduction of a congestion charge would reduce the number of car journeys by 22,000. The Member raised concerns that buses would still be affected by congestion if a workplace parking levy was introduced and asked whether a congestion charge would be more beneficial in terms of reducing congestion. The Cabinet Member stated that congestion is a major problem for Cardiff Bus. However, bus patronage would change if the funding raised was allocated towards bus service improvements. Borrowing against the funding raised could lead to significant improvements and would revolutionise bus travel in the city. • A Member noted that whilst bus patronage was decreasing, rail patronage was increasing. Satisfaction with bus services is also increasing. • A Member asked whether it would be possible to introduce a workplace parking levy and, if necessary, introduce a further road user charging scheme in the future. The Cabinet Member stated the authority is only currently looking at introducing a workplace parking levy and developing the business case for that. No other schemes are planned. • A Member noted the commitment to consult with women, disabled people and carers about safety concerns. The Member asked how the authority would ensure that feedback from these groups. The Operational Manager for Transport Development and Network Management stated that Cardiff Research Centre have excellent contact arrangements with these groups and there is also an Accessibility Users Group. The consultation exercise would seek to go further and consult directly with service users. The Cabinet Member stated that there was also an opportunity to consult with colleagues in Bristol and Nottingham. • A Member asked whether consultation has been undertaken with individual businesses on the preferred option and whether any concerns have been identified. The Operational Manager for Transport Development and Network Management advised that stakeholder engagement has focussed on the full scope of options available and refining the objectives. Good feedback was received and it was recognised that there was a need to improve transport. More detailed consultation specifically on the preferred option will be undertaken. • A Member raised concerns that the preferred option was ‘timid’. Most other local authority highlighted in the presentation has introduced measures aimed at curbing pollution and Nottingham was the only other authority with a workplace parking levy. The Member asked whether the amount of additional funding was sufficient and whether other options were likely to be considered in the future. The Cabinet Member considered that pursuing any kind of levy was not a timid option given the level of pushback. The benefits of the workplace parking level will form part of the business case. In Nottingham the benefits for the city and the people living there have been transformational and most businesses are supportive. • A Member stated that naturally people will pushback against any charges. Businesses such as hospitals and schools would pushback and this would likely gain public support. The amount of funding raised with then be reduced even further. The Cabinet Member stated that the projection is that the scheme would raised £10-12 million with exemptions built in. Blue badge holders would not be charged and in Nottingham the NHS is exempt. The Council would actively seek to exempt some groups, but others would not be, and the evidence base around how people are affected will be set out in the business case. • A Member referred to the comments received during the feedback session highlighted in the report. A Member considered that residents may be aggrieved to pay to use roads that were in a poor condition, particularly if the additional funds raised were not put towards improving the condition of the highway network. The Operational Manager for Transport Development and Network Management stated that repairs to the highway require capital investment. • A Member asked whether any of the additional funding raised would be put towards making other active travel options such as cycling or trains more accessible. The Cabinet Member stated that there has been massive investment made into rail services which have seen an uptick in usage. The administration is also fully committed to improving cycling infrastructure in the city. • A Member asked whether if the working place parking levy proved to be successful would consideration be given to introducing other schemes, such as a congestion charge, in the future. The Cabinet Member stated that the focus is only on the workplace parking level and there were no plans to introduce other schemes. • A Member questioned what other measures could be introduced to aid bus services other than the introduction of bus priority lanes. The Cabinet Members suggested that prices could be subsidised and service frequency could be increased. The Cabinet Member stated that there were legal implications to be considered but the administration are confident that meaningful improvements can be introduced prior to franchising. The Operational Manager for Transport Development and Network Management stated that currently around £4 million is invested in subsidising bus services to provide services that are not commercially sustainable. That figure could potentially be increased which overtime could increase patronage and result in the level of subsidy reducing. • A Member asked why no city other than Nottingham has introduced a similar scheme. The Assistant Director considered that other cities have introduced charging schemes aimed at addressing clean air issues. Those schemes were grant supported by UK government and cities followed that trend. Cities are now looking at alternatives which maximise benefits and are deliverable. A number of other cities are looking at introducing workplace parking levy schemes currently. • A Member noted the data provided in the report relating to which sectors of the economy are going to be most impacted. Officers were asked which of the sectors that do not qualify for exemption will be most affected. The Operational Manager for Transport Development and Network Management stated the surveys have been undertaken with around 70 businesses and this have provided a good indication of the types of parking and how much parking they have, including the Council’s own parking supply. This data will be looked at in more detail. Additionally, data obtained through UK Business Tax data has also been studied, though this contains a number of gaps and anomalies. Members were asked to note that it was the use of the parking that was available and it was not necessarily around the number of spaces available. 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 3 meetings
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.
The Committee invited the Cabinet Member for Waste, Street Scene and Environmental Services to provide an overview of portfolio responsibilities, current priorities, performance, and emerging issues, and to enable Members to undertake effective scrutiny. The Chairperson welcomed Councillor Ed Stubbs, Cabinet Member for Waste, Street Scene and Environmental Services and Graham Harris, Director of Frontline Services to the meeting. Following a statement from the Cabinet Member the Committee received a brief presentation. The Chairperson then opened the debate on this item. Those discussions are summarised as follows: • A Member commended the high rate of recycling in Cardiff. However, concerns were raised regarding the general cleanliness of the city, in particular problems getting street cleansing vehicles to follow waste collection vehicles and litter enforcement in the city centre. The Cabinet Member supported the statement made regarding street cleansing following waste collection and stated that the directorate was working hard to co-ordinate these efforts. The Director stated that the Cleansing Team restructure went live on 1 April 2026. As part of that restructure is to have cleansing teams to follow waste collection crews and this will be rolled out in inner-city wards. The aim is for street cleansing teams to attend the same wards on the same day as their waste collection. They will not follow waste collection vehicles as waste is being collected. Responding to comments regarding litter enforcement in the city centre. The City Centre Cleansing Team will no longer be responsible for district shopping centres. Larger segregated waste bins are being provided in the city centre and there are fewer reports of overflowing bins due to their larger capacity. This continues to be monitored with a view to providing larger capacity bins in parts and some other areas of the city. The Director accepted that waste accumulating around litter bins is a problem in the city. In terms of enforcement, the Director stated that it was difficult to take enforcement action against a person guilty of dropping of litter in the city centre as Enforcement Officers would need to witness the incident. However, enforcement action can more often be taken against fly tipping as it can be linked back to a business or individual. The Cabinet Member stated that enforcement will be a priority and there was a role for everyone in this. Poor behaviour from a few people can cause major problems and this will not be accepted. • A Member anecdotally described witnessing cleansing taking place in their ward on a Monday when waste is collected on Tuesdays. The Member asked how accurate the digital data stored regarding waste collections. The Director stated the digital system went live on 1 April 2026 and there is still some development taking place. There is no historical data at present but intelligence will be fed into the system from Member Enquiries, C2C, via Cardiff app etc. When there is enough data this will allow resources to be redirected and become more streamlined. Cleansing taking place ahead of waste collections was an issue the directorate is seeking to address, and Members were invited to email the Cabinet Member or the Director direct of they are aware of any further instances. • Officers were asked whether waste operative receive training on data entry for the digital system and Member were aware of many instances where the system have recorded that waste is collected where collections were missed. The Director stated that there were two different system – a new digital system for street cleansing and a well-established system for waste collections. Drivers have an option to mark streets as being completed but assisted lift and hygiene collection have to be manually recorded. It was accepted that there may be instances were drivers are informed the street has been completed where collections have been missed. Staff receive on-going training and specific training has been provided regarding how containers are returned to households following collection. The Cabinet Member stated that the intention it to provide an information driven service and for Members to have that information readily available. All Members have been invited to contact the Cabinet Member regarding waste issues in their ward and in the near future Ward Members will be receiving regular emails providing waste collection data from their wards which will include missed collection statistics. • Responding to a question regarding the data collection around overflowing bins in parks, the Director advised Members that there was some rebalancing on the rounds required but there has also been a change in how people use the authority’s parks and open spaces. Parks are more popular than ever, and residents are staying longer and later into the evening. The service area needs to respond to this changing environment. Officers are aware of the issues and are adjusting shift patterns and the frequency of collections accordingly. • A Member referred to the recent Scrutiny Inquiry on the city centre which established that most littering in the city centre is not carried out by individuals but resulted as a consequence of how trade was being treated. The Member asked what steps are being taken to address this. The Cabinet Member accepted that trade waste is problematic in the city centre and across the city as a whole. The Cabinet Member considered that some businesses do not have the correct mechanisms in place to presented their waste properly Members were advised that these businesses will be visited and asked to provide evidence of what waste collection contracts they have in place for the nature of their business. The Director stated that the trade waste contact for businesses have recently been adjusted to allow collections to start at 0500 hours. Engagement is also being undertaken with businesses in order to ensure that they are aware of the set period of time that they are permitted to present waste in and that they cannot put waste out at any time. Duty of care audits will ensure that businesses have the correct contracts in place to dispose of their waste correctly. • A Member asked the Cabinet Member to explain his ambition for all the service and how the digital transformation agenda will be used to get ahead of the problems. The Cabinet Member stated that it was his ambition to meet the Welsh Government’s 70% recycling target and to have the cleanest city possible. This would require an holistic approach and, though waste services are on the frontline, all service areas will have a role to play. For example, during a recent visit to bin stores in Butetown it was apparent that bollards were required to prevent cars being parked in front of the bins store. • A Member asked whether there were any specific initiatives or measures relating to waste collections that are specifically aimed at addressing climate change. The Cabinet Member stated that the recent heat wave has presented additional challenges to waste collection operatives and tribute was given to the efforts made. Collections have started earlier and finished later but a certain points during the day staff have been asked to stand down because the conditions were simply dangerous. The public have been supportive and understanding. There are a number of measures being taken to addressing climate change and the service will adapt to the challenges in partnership with the workforce. • A Member asked whether the LEAMS reporting system was a true reflection of the city in terms of its cleanliness. The Cabinet Member considered that the LEAMS reporting system probably did not reflect the actual picture but a more accurate picture is being developed. Some wards present particular challenges and there is more to do in some of the inner-city wards. The Director stated that the new GLAN reporting system assesses the litter in more detail and provides evidence for policy development and targeted action plans. 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 – That the Scrutiny Annual Report 2025/26 be approved, subject to any necessary amendments. Work Programme 2026/27 The Committee received a report enabling Members to consider the approach to developing and agreeing the Committee’s Work Programme for 2026/27. Members were asked to note that in July 2025 the Council’s first PPA assessment required the Scrutiny function to address two areas: a) The balance of scrutiny activity, with a view to shift from pre-decision scrutiny to more thematic approaches. b) How to embed diversity within scrutiny review work. Measures including in the action plan aimed at addressing these recommendations were set out in paragraph 10 of the report. Members were advised that the Work Programme will be agreed at the September meeting of the Committee. Members were asked to consider the range of topics attached to the report in the interim and identify items for consideration and provide feedback via email. RESOLVED – That the report be noted. Correspondence Report RESOLVED – That the report be noted.
Scrutiny Annual Report 2025/26 Members received a report seeing the Committee’s approval for the combined Scrutiny Annual Report 2025/26, prior to consideration by Full Council on 24 September 2026. Members were invited to comment or suggest amendments to the report prior it approval at Council. RESOLVED – That the Scrutiny Annual Report 2025/26 be approved, subject to any necessary amendments. Work Programme 2026/27 The Committee received a report enabling Members to consider the approach to developing and agreeing the Committee’s Work Programme for 2026/27. Members were asked to note that in July 2025 the Council’s first PPA assessment required the Scrutiny function to address two areas: a) The balance of scrutiny activity, with a view to shift from pre-decision scrutiny to more thematic approaches. b) How to embed diversity within scrutiny review work. Measures including in the action plan aimed at addressing these recommendations were set out in paragraph 10 of the report. Members were advised that the Work Programme will be agreed at the September meeting of the Committee. Members were asked to consider the range of topics attached to the report in the interim and identify items for consideration and provide feedback via email. RESOLVED – That the report be noted. Correspondence Report RESOLVED – That the report be noted.
No urgent items.
To review the evidence and information gathered during the meeting, agree Members comments, observations and concerns to be passed on to the relevant Cabinet Member by the Chair.
Members were advised that the next Environment Scrutiny Committee is scheduled for 10 September 2026.
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.
Ash-Edwards: Personal interest on Road User Payment Scheme
Non-Executive Director of Cardiff Bus.
Lloyd-Jones: Personal interest on Cabinet Portfolio: Waste Street Scene and Environmental Services
Chair of the Cardiff National Park City Initiative.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.