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Cardiff Council approved its 2025/26 accounts, an interim Section 151 Officer (the officer legally responsible for the council's finances) and the Annual Wellbeing Report. It passed motions on tackling illegal trading on high streets and on declaring Cardiff a Human Rights City. It also agreed budget principles for 2027/28, where the council estimates a gap of £45.0 million.
Apologies were received from Cllrs Gunter and Parry.
The following declarations of interest were received in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct. Councillor Agenda item Nature of interest Reason for interest Emma Reid-Jones 12 Personal Husband is partner in a firm consulted on workplace parking levy. Bernie Bowen-Thomson 13 Personal Runs a charity that works with partners to disrupt exploitation. Joe Carter 13 Personal Work for a charity campaigning against smoking. Ed Stubbs 15 Personal Wife chairs a charity which provides Welsh-language childcare in Splott, as mentioned in question 21. Anny Anderson, Lee Bridgeman, Jen Burke, James Caruana, Bob Derbyshire, Daniel Naughton, Joel Williams 16 Personal Family member/s work for the council. Sean Driscoll 16 Personal and prejudicial Mother-in-law in receipt of care.
The minutes of the 16th July meeting were approved as a correct record and signed by the Lord Mayor.
There were no public questions.
Council received three petitions: Presented by Signatures Nature of petition Evie Lawson 279 Calling on the council to replace the pedestrian crossing on Western Avenue at the junction of Insole Grove East, and to install a new crossing on Fairwater Road at its junction with Pwllmelin Road. Cllr Calum Davies 52 Calling on the council to remediate pavements and treat them for weeds in North Radyr. Cllr Jayne Cowan (on behalf of Martyn Webb) 61 Calling on the council to stop the train horn noise at the pedestrian crossing, between Pen-y-dre and Caedelyn Park, near Whitchurch station.
A full list of mayoral engagements had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting. The Lord Mayor added that he had particularly enjoyed attending the Cardiff 10k, and congratulated Cllr Lloyd Jones on finishing second in her age group.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: Council AGREED: 1. To approve the audited Statement of Accounts 2025/26 – Cardiff Council and Cardiff Harbour Authority (Appendix 1); 2. To approve the Annual Governance Statement 2025/26 (Appendix 3); 3. To note the Audit of Accounts Reports (ISA 260) from Audit Wales on the Statement of Accounts of Cardiff Council and Cardiff Harbour Authority for the year ending 31 March 2026 (Appendices 3 and 4); 4. To approve the Cardiff Port Health Authority Annual Return 2025/26 (Appendix 5); 5. To note the final Letters of Representation for Cardiff Council and Cardiff Harbour Authority included within Appendices 3 and 4; 6. To note that the following documents will be signed following the conclusion of the meeting: · Statement of Accounts for Cardiff Council – Lord Mayor and the Section 151 Officer · Statement of Accounts for Cardiff Harbour Authority – Section 151 Officer · Annual Return of Cardiff Port Health Authority – Lord Mayor and Section 151 Officer · Annual Governance Statement – Leader of the Council and Chief Executive · Audit Certificate for the Cardiff Council and Cardiff Harbour Authority – Appointed Auditor, Audit Wales · Letter of Representation for Cardiff Council - Lord Mayor and Chief Executive · Letter of Representation for Cardiff Harbour Authority – Lord Mayor and Chief Executive.
Council was asked to consider the Statement of Accounts for 2025/26, which were presented to meet the requirement of the Accounts and Audit (Wales) Regulations 2014 (as amended), and to approve the Annual Governance Statement. The report was proposed by Cllr Thomson and seconded by Cllr Weaver. The Lord Mayor invited debate on the report, before moving to the vote. FOR (69) Cllrs Abdul-Sattar, Ali Ahmed, Ali, Anderson, Ash-Edwards, Berman, Boes, Bradbury, Bridgeman, Brown-Reckless, Burke, Carr, Carter, Caruana, Chowdhury, Cowan, Davies, De’Ath, Derbyshire, Driscoll, Ebrahim, Ferguson-Thorne, Gauci, Gibson, Goodway, Green, Hopkins, Humphreys, Hunt, Jenkins, Lloyd Jones, Jackie Jones, Keith Jones, Owen Jones, Kaaba, Lancaster, Latif, Lent, Lewis, Lister, Littlechild, Livesy, Mackie, McGarry, Melbourne, Merry, Molik, Moultrie, Naughton, Owen, Palmer, Proctor, Reid-Jones, Robson, Sangani, Shimmin, Simmons, Singh, Stubbs, Taylor, Thomson, Thorne, Waldron, Weaver, Wild, Williams, Wong, Wood and Youde. AGAINST (0) ABSTAIN (2) Cllrs Elsmore and Topham. RESOLVED: Council AGREED: 1. To approve the audited Statement of Accounts 2025/26 – Cardiff Council and Cardiff Harbour Authority (Appendix 1); 2. To approve the Annual Governance Statement 2025/26 (Appendix 3); 3. To note the Audit of Accounts Reports (ISA 260) from Audit Wales on the Statement of Accounts of Cardiff Council and Cardiff Harbour Authority for the year ending 31 March 2026 (Appendices 3 and 4); 4. To approve the Cardiff Port Health Authority Annual Return 2025/26 (Appendix 5); 5. To note the final Letters of Representation for Cardiff Council and Cardiff Harbour Authority included within Appendices 3 and 4; 6. To note that the following documents will be signed following the conclusion of the meeting: · Statement of Accounts for Cardiff Council – Lord Mayor and the Section 151 Officer · Statement of Accounts for Cardiff Harbour Authority – Section 151 Officer · Annual Return of Cardiff Port Health Authority – Lord Mayor and Section 151 Officer · Annual Governance Statement – Leader of the Council and Chief Executive · Audit Certificate for the Cardiff Council and Cardiff Harbour Authority – Appointed Auditor, Audit Wales · Letter of Representation for Cardiff Council - Lord Mayor and Chief Executive · Letter of Representation for Cardiff Harbour Authority – Lord Mayor and Chief Executive.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: Council AGREED: - To note the Treasury Management Annual Report 2025/26 (Appendix 1).
Council was informed of the council’s treasury management activities between 1st April 2025 and 31st March 2026. The Lord Mayor reminded Members that Annexes B & C to Appendix 1 of the report were not for publication as they contained exempt information of the description in Paragraph 14 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and any discussion related to them would need to take place in exempt session. The report was proposed by Cllr Thomson and seconded by Cllr Weaver. The Lord Mayor invited debate on the report, before moving to the vote. FOR (68) Cllrs Abdul-Sattar, Ali Ahmed, Ali, Anderson, Ash-Edwards, Berman, Boes, Bradbury, Brown-Reckless, Burke, Carr, Carter, Caruana, Cowan, Davies, De’Ath, Derbyshire, Driscoll, Ebrahim, Ferguson-Thorne, Gauci, Gibson, Goodway, Green, Hinchey, Hopkins, Humphreys, Hunt, Jenkins, Lloyd Jones, Jackie Jones, Keith Jones, Owen Jones, Kaaba, Lancaster, Latif, Lent, Lewis, Lister, Littlechild, Livesy, Mackie, McGarry, Melbourne, Merry, Molik, Moultrie, Naughton, Owen, Palmer, Proctor, Reid-Jones, Robson, Sangani, Shimmin, Simmons, Singh, Stubbs, Taylor, Thomson, Thorne, Waldron, Weaver, Wild, Williams, Wong, Wood and Youde. AGAINST (0) ABSTAIN (3) Cllrs Chowdhury, Elsmore and Topham. RESOLVED: Council AGREED: - To note the Treasury Management Annual Report 2025/26 (Appendix 1).
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: Council AGREED: 1. To designate the Chief Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer as the Council’s statutory Section 151 Officer on an interim basis for a period of up to 12 months; 2. Subject to approval of recommendation 1, for the same interim period of up to 12 months, to: (a) approve the associated changes to the post title and role profile of the Chief Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer, as shown in Appendix A; (b) approve the variation of salary spot point of the current Chief Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer to Director level, based on the independently reviewed role profile; (c) delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, to amend the Finance Procedure Rules to reflect the change of designation of the Council’s Section 151 Officer.
Council was asked to approve the interim designation of the Chief Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer as the council’s statutory Section 151 Officer. The report was proposed by Cllr Weaver and seconded by Cllr Merry. The Lord Mayor invited debate on the report, before moving to the vote. FOR (69) Cllrs Abdul-Sattar, Ali Ahmed, Ali, Anderson, Ash-Edwards, Berman, Boes, Bradbury, Brown-Reckless, Burke, Carr, Carter, Caruana, Chowdhury, Cowan, Davies, De’Ath, Derbyshire, Driscoll, Ebrahim, Elsmore, Ferguson-Thorne, Gauci, Gibson, Goodway, Green, Hinchey, Hopkins, Humphreys, Hunt, Jenkins, Lloyd Jones, Jackie Jones, Keith Jones, Owen Jones, Kaaba, Lancaster, Latif, Lent, Lewis, Lister, Littlechild, Livesy, Mackie, McGarry, Melbourne, Merry, Molik, Moultrie, Naughton, Owen, Palmer, Proctor, Robson, Sangani, Shimmin, Simmons, Singh, Stubbs, Taylor, Thomson, Thorne, Waldron, Weaver, Wild, Williams, Wood and Youde. AGAINST (0) ABSTAIN (0) RESOLVED: Council AGREED: 1. To designate the Chief Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer as the Council’s statutory Section 151 Officer on an interim basis for a period of up to 12 months; 2. Subject to approval of recommendation 1, for the same interim period of up to 12 months, to: (a) approve the associated changes to the post title and role profile of the Chief Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer, as shown in Appendix A; (b) approve the variation of salary spot point of the current Chief Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer to Director level, based on the independently reviewed role profile; (c) delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, to amend the Finance Procedure Rules to reflect the change of designation of the Council’s Section 151 Officer.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: Council AGREED: - To approve the Annual Wellbeing Report 2025/26.
Council was asked to consider the council’s annual performance report, providing an assessment of the progress made in the delivery of the administration’s priorities as set out within the Corporate Plan 2025-28. The report enabled the council to discharge a number of statutory obligations, including a self-assessment of performance as required by the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 and the publication of a statutory Annual Wellbeing Report, as required by the Well-Being of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015. The report was proposed by Cllr Weaver and seconded by Cllr Merry. The Lord Mayor noted that an Amendment to the report had been received from the Liberal Democrat group. The Lord Mayor called upon Cllr Berman to move the Amendment as follows: “Council is concerned that the Annual Wellbeing Report 2026/26 as drafted does not sufficiently meet many of the key challenges the city faces, and recommends that it is referred back to Cabinet to be strengthened through further consideration of the following issues: - Carbon emissions - the report refers to a 16% reduction in operational carbon emissions against a 2019/20 baseline. However, this excludes procurement activity, which if added would show a 38% increase in emissions above baseline. These figures represent a worsening position compared to last year's report and there is insufficient mention of how this situation could be turned around in future. - School budget deficits - the report notes that 57 of the city's 128 council-maintained schools were in deficit at the end of 2026/26 and that 59 have applied to operate a deficit budget in 2026/27, but it fails to provide detail on how the authority believes this situation can be turned around moving forward. - Litter and fly tipping - the report notes that whilst street cleanliness improved in 2025/26, the council failed to meet its target for cleanliness in three of the city's wards. The report does not make clear how the administration intends to address this in future years. - Recycling - whilst the report refers to progress being made towards statutory recycling targets, it also acknowledges that the council failed to meet the 70% statutory recycling target set by the Welsh Government for 2026/26. - Buses - Whilst there are references to the development of bus corridors and bus priority measures, the report lacks a clear vision to restore lost bus services and increase passenger numbers across the network.” The Amendment was seconded by Cllr Carter. The Lord Mayor invited debate on the report and Amendment. The Lord Mayor called for a vote on the Amendment as Moved by Councillor Berman and seconded by Councillor Carter. FOR (26) Cllrs Ali Ahmed, Berman, Brown-Reckless, Carter, Chowdhury, Cowan, Davies, De’Ath, Driscoll, Gibson, Green, Hopkins, Keith Jones, Lancaster, Latif, Melbourne, Molik, Naughton, Owen, Proctor, Robson, Shimmin, Waldron, Williams, Wood and Youde. AGAINST (40) Cllrs Abdul-Sattar, Ali, Anderson, Ash-Edwards, Bradbury, Bridgeman, Burke, Carr, Caruana, Derbyshire, Ebrahim, Ferguson-Thorne, Gauci, Goodway, Hinchey, Humphreys, Hunt, Jenkins, Lloyd Jones, Jackie Jones, Owen Jones, Kaaba, Lent, Lewis, Littlechild, Mackie, McGarry, Merry, Moultrie, Palmer, Reid-Jones, Sangani, Simmons, Singh, Stubbs, Thomson, Thorne, Weaver, Wild and Wong. ABSTAIN (2) Cllrs Elsmore and Topham. The Amendment was LOST. The Amendment having been lost, the Lord Mayor moved to the vote on the recommendations in the report. FOR (44) Cllrs Abdul-Sattar, Ali Ahmed, Ali, Anderson, Ash-Edwards, Bradbury, Bridgeman, Burke, Carr, Caruana, De’Ath, Derbyshire, Ebrahim, Ferguson-Thorne, Gauci, Goodway, Green, Hinchey, Humphreys, Hunt, Jenkins, Lloyd Jones, Jackie Jones, Owen Jones, Kaaba, Lent, Lewis, Littlechild, Mackie, McGarry, Merry, Palmer, Proctor, Reid-Jones, Sangani, Simmons, Singh, Stubbs, Taylor, Thomson, Thorne, Weaver, Wild and Wong. AGAINST (0) ABSTAIN (24) Cllrs Berman, Brown-Reckless, Carter, Chowdhury, Cowan, Davies, Driscoll, Elsmore, Gibson, Hopkins, Keith Jones, Lancaster, Latif, Melbourne, Molik, Naughton, Owen, Robson, Shimmin, Topham, Waldron, Williams, Wood and Youde. RESOLVED: Council AGREED: - To approve the Annual Wellbeing Report 2025/26.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: Council AGREED: - To note the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2025/26.
Council was asked to consider the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2025/26. The report was proposed by Cllr Molik. The Lord Mayor invited debate on the report, before the report was noted. RESOLVED: Council AGREED: - To note the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2025/26.
Leader’s Statement Cllr Weaver responded to questions in relation to: - the Minister for Local Government, Housing & Planning; - the flooding incident at Gwaelod-y-Garth; - democratic accountability on the Public Services Board; - council houses lacking remedial work; - safeguards against AI risks; - support for Cardiff’s Pakistani community. Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport Statement Cllr De’Ath responded to questions in relation to: - the Workplace Parking Levy consultation; - traffic enforcement near Springwood Primary School; - the replacement of the Nextbike cycle hire scheme; - broadening the School Streets scheme. Social Justice, Cohesion & Digital Statement Cllr Proctor responded to questions in relation to: - resolution rates of issues raised by residents; - the Safer Places Partnership Fund; - access to digital council services. Deputy Leader and Education Statement Cllr Merry responded to questions in relation to: - the Cardiff Youth Service Update delivery plan; - school holidays; - Eastmoors Youth Centre in Splott. Waste, Street Scene & Environmental Services Statement Cllr Stubbs responded to questions in relation to: - fly tipping enforcement and prevention; - kerbside collections of soft plastics; - highway maintenance in Cyncoed; - the flooding incident in Gwaelod-y-Garth and the council’s response; - the 10th birthday of Keep Splott Tidy. Culture, Leisure & Tourism Statement Cllr Burke responded to questions in relation to: - the UEFA Women’s Champions League final and Fury-Joshua fight; - access to play spaces for children and young people; - Christmas preparations; - the return of the National Eisteddfod in 2028. Finance, Modernisation & Performance Statement Cllr Thomson responded to questions in relation to: - supporting local SMEs within the procurement process; - staff wellbeing. Housing & Communities Statement Cllrs Bridgeman and Thorne responded to questions in relation to: - the Summer Reading Challenge and Lisvane Bookfest; - Rhiwbina Library; - working with the private rental sector to lower rents; - the self-service portal of the new housing repairs management system; - the backlog of housing repairs. Investment, Employment & Inclusive Growth Cllrs Bradbury and Goodway responded to questions in relation to: - Welsh independence; - expanding the Youth Mentoring Team across Cardiff. Social Services Statement Cllr Mackie responded to questions in relation to: - dialogue with the Welsh government on expanding childcare; - possible Welsh government changes to Flying Start; - ensuring active travel routes are age-friendly.
The Lord Mayor noted that a Notice of Motion proposed by Cllr Owen Jones and seconded by Cllr Gauci had been received for consideration. The Lord Mayor noted that Amendments to the Motion had been received from the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Cardiff Independent groups. Prior to the debate, Cllr Owen Jones explained that he wished to incorporate the Conservative and Cardiff Independent Amendments into a Composite Motion in accordance with Procedure Rule 22Q. The Conservative and Cardiff Independent Amendments were therefore withdrawn. The Liberal Democrat Amendment was not withdrawn. The Lord Mayor invited Cllr Owen Jones to propose the Motion as follows: “Tackling Illegal Activity on Cardiff’s High Streets and Strengthening Enforcement Against Rogue Retailers This Council notes: - Recent enforcement action against multiple premises selling illegal tobacco and vaping products, including shops in Adamsdown and Llanrumney, following repeated breaches identified through test purchases undertaken by Shared Regulatory Services. - That the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products is frequently linked to wider organised criminal activity, with proceeds often used to fund further offending. - That this issue is not unique to Cardiff, but forms part of a wider national trend whereby vape shops, convenience stores, barber shops and similar premises are increasingly being used as fronts for criminal activity on high streets across the United Kingdom. - That Cardiff’s high streets should support legitimate enterprise and investment, not provide opportunities for organised criminal networks to establish and expand their activities. This Council further notes: - That too many commercial units across Cardiff experience long-term vacancy, decline, or an unmanaged proliferation of single-use outlets, including vape shops, barber shops, and other repetitive low-footfall businesses, partly as a consequence of restrictive or outdated planning frameworks. - That local residents and business owners consistently express frustration at the lack of local influence over changes to the composition and diversity of their high streets. - That the Prime Minister Andy Burnham upon taking office made further planning controls of such premises a priority. - That the Welsh Government has made no equivalent commitment, creating a risk that Wales becomes an increasingly attractive environment for the unchecked proliferation of vape shops and similar businesses. This Council believes: - That the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products is not a minor regulatory matter, but is often associated with organised crime, exploitation, tax evasion, and the sale of unsafe or unregulated goods. - That high streets should not become dominated by businesses that serve as fronts for illegal or exploitative activity, undermining public health, community confidence, and the local economy. - That while enforcement teams and partner agencies are working effectively, the current enforcement framework can be too slow and cumbersome to respond swiftly to repeat offenders and organised criminal operations. - That Cardiff residents would welcome planning measures similar to those being promoted elsewhere in the UK to provide greater local control over the concentration of vape shops and other potentially problematic uses. This Council resolves to: 1. Strengthen Local Enforcement and Use of Existing Powers - Review how Cardiff Council utilises its full range of powers, including Trading Standards, licensing, waste enforcement, planning enforcement, Anti-Social Behaviour Closure Orders, and landlord engagement powers, to enable faster and more coordinated intervention. - Explore opportunities to adopt a more proactive and intelligence-led enforcement approach, reducing reliance on lengthy reactive processes. - Work closely with South Wales Police, HMRC and other relevant agencies to prioritise and deliver a coordinated multi-agency response aimed at organised criminal networks rather than solely individual premises. - Ensure that repeat offending premises are identified, escalated and challenged at the earliest opportunity. 2. Address Businesses Acting As Fronts for Criminal Activity - Undertake a review of high streets and local centres where there is evidence of, or concern regarding, clusters of businesses operating as fronts for unlawful activity. - Develop a clearer local framework for identifying patterns associated with organised criminality, including repeated regulatory breaches, suspicious business models and links to wider offending. - Work with landlords and property owners to discourage the letting of premises to businesses engaged in persistent unlawful activity. - Establish a cross-council enforcement task force, bringing together all relevant enforcement functions, to coordinate action against premises identified as persistent offenders. 3. Protect High Streets and Legitimate Businesses - Ensure that enforcement action supports compliant businesses by tackling unfair competition from operators engaged in illegal activity. - Work with Business Improvement Districts, local traders and community stakeholders to maintain diverse, vibrant and lawful high streets. - Review the use of planning, regeneration and economic development powers to encourage a broader mix of businesses on Cardiff’s high streets, reduce the over-concentration of single-use premises, and support the occupation of long-term vacant units by legitimate local enterprises. 4. Call on the Welsh Government to: - Provide additional resources to local authorities to strengthen Trading Standards and wider enforcement capacity, enabling more rapid intervention against rogue operators. - Review and enhance the powers available to local authorities to enable quicker and more effective action against premises engaged in persistent illegal activity. - Amend planning regulations to require dedicated planning permission for vape shops. 5. Call on the UK Government to: - Continue and build upon its recent national crackdown on criminal businesses operating on high streets, ensuring sustained funding, coordination and intelligence-sharing between agencies. - Introduce stronger measures to disrupt illicit tobacco and vaping supply chains, including enhanced border enforcement and import controls. - Explore further reforms to enable quicker sanctions, closure powers and other interventions against repeat offending businesses. 6. Reporting Back Request that Cabinet reports back to Council within 6 months on: - actions taken to strengthen the use of local enforcement powers. - progress made in multi-agency working and intelligence sharing. - evidence of improved response times and reductions in illegal activity on Cardiff’s high streets. - measures taken to improve transparency through regular communication of enforcement outcomes to local communities, thereby reinforcing public confidence that illegal activity is being tackled and compliant businesses are being supported. The Motion was formally seconded by Cllr Gauci. The Lord Mayor called upon Cllr Berman to move the Liberal Democrat Amendment as follows: In section headed: "1. Strengthen Local Enforcement and Use of Existing Powers", add the following additional bullet point at end: - Work with relevant partners, including South Wales Police, to tackle the nuisance posed by the inappropriate and illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters. In section headed: "4. Call on the Welsh Government to", add the following additional bullet point at end: - Honour the commitment made by Plaid Cymru at the 2026 Senedd election to reform business rates to level the playing field for businesses on our high streets, and redress the existing imbalance that advantages out-of-town shopping over hospitality, leisure and retail in our town centres – recognising the role this can play in assisting the development of legitimate local businesses on Cardiff's high streets and shopping streets. In section headed "6. Reporting Back", add the following additional second-level bullet point at end: - The publication of a clear strategy aimed at revitalising Cardiff's high streets and shopping streets, including within local and district shopping centres across the city. The amended motion would read as follows: Tackling Illegal Activity on Cardiff’s High Streets and Strengthening Enforcement Against Rogue Retailers This Council notes: - Recent enforcement action against multiple premises selling illegal tobacco and vaping products, including shops in Adamsdown and Llanrumney, following repeated breaches identified through test purchases undertaken by Shared Regulatory Services. - That the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products is frequently linked to wider organised criminal activity, with proceeds often used to fund further offending. - That this issue is not unique to Cardiff, but forms part of a wider national trend whereby vape shops, convenience stores, barber shops and similar premises are increasingly being used as fronts for criminal activity on high streets across the United Kingdom. - That Cardiff’s high streets should support legitimate enterprise and investment, not provide opportunities for organised criminal networks to establish and expand their activities. This Council further notes: - That too many commercial units across Cardiff experience long-term vacancy, decline, or an unmanaged proliferation of single-use outlets, including vape shops, barber shops, and other repetitive low-footfall businesses, partly as a consequence of restrictive or outdated planning frameworks. - That local residents and business owners consistently express frustration at the lack of local influence over changes to the composition and diversity of their high streets. - That the Prime Minister Andy Burnham upon taking office made further planning controls of such premises a priority. - That the Welsh Government has made no equivalent commitment, creating a risk that Wales becomes an increasingly attractive environment for the unchecked proliferation of vape shops and similar businesses. This Council believes: - That the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products is not a minor regulatory matter, but is often associated with organised crime, exploitation, tax evasion, and the sale of unsafe or unregulated goods. - That high streets should not become dominated by businesses that serve as fronts for illegal or exploitative activity, undermining public health, community confidence, and the local economy. - That while enforcement teams and partner agencies are working effectively, the current enforcement framework can be too slow and cumbersome to respond swiftly to repeat offenders and organised criminal operations. - That Cardiff residents would welcome planning measures similar to those being promoted elsewhere in the UK to provide greater local control over the concentration of vape shops and other potentially problematic uses. This Council resolves to: 1. Strengthen Local Enforcement and Use of Existing Powers - Review how Cardiff Council utilises its full range of powers, including Trading Standards, licensing, waste enforcement, planning enforcement, Anti-Social Behaviour Closure Orders, and landlord engagement powers, to enable faster and more coordinated intervention. - Explore opportunities to adopt a more proactive and intelligence-led enforcement approach, reducing reliance on lengthy reactive processes. - Work closely with South Wales Police, HMRC and other relevant agencies to prioritise and deliver a coordinated multi-agency response aimed at organised criminal networks rather than solely individual premises. - Ensure that repeat offending premises are identified, escalated and challenged at the earliest opportunity. - Work with relevant partners, including South Wales Police, to tackle the nuisance posed by the inappropriate and illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters. 2. Address Businesses Acting As Fronts for Criminal Activity - Undertake a review of high streets and local centres where there is evidence of, or concern regarding, clusters of businesses operating as fronts for unlawful activity. - Develop a clearer local framework for identifying patterns associated with organised criminality, including repeated regulatory breaches, suspicious business models and links to wider offending. - Work with landlords and property owners to discourage the letting of premises to businesses engaged in persistent unlawful activity. - Establish a cross-council enforcement task force, bringing together all relevant enforcement functions, to coordinate action against premises identified as persistent offenders. 3. Protect High Streets and Legitimate Businesses - Ensure that enforcement action supports compliant businesses by tackling unfair competition from operators engaged in illegal activity. - Work with Business Improvement Districts, local traders and community stakeholders to maintain diverse, vibrant and lawful high streets. - Review the use of planning, regeneration and economic development powers to encourage a broader mix of businesses on Cardiff’s high streets, reduce the over-concentration of single-use premises, and support the occupation of long-term vacant units by legitimate local enterprises. 4. Call on the Welsh Government to: - Provide additional resources to local authorities to strengthen Trading Standards and wider enforcement capacity, enabling more rapid intervention against rogue operators. - Review and enhance the powers available to local authorities to enable quicker and more effective action against premises engaged in persistent illegal activity. - Amend planning regulations to require dedicated planning permission for vape shops. - Honour the commitment made by Plaid Cymru at the 2026 Senedd election to reform business rates to level the playing field for businesses on our high streets, and redress the existing imbalance that advantages out-of-town shopping over hospitality, leisure and retail in our town centres – recognising the role this can play in assisting the development of legitimate local businesses on Cardiff's high streets and shopping streets. 5. Call on the UK Government to: - Continue and build upon its recent national crackdown on criminal businesses operating on high streets, ensuring sustained funding, coordination and intelligence-sharing between agencies. - Introduce stronger measures to disrupt illicit tobacco and vaping supply chains, including enhanced border enforcement and import controls. - Explore further reforms to enable quicker sanctions, closure powers and other interventions against repeat offending businesses. 6. Reporting Back Request that Cabinet reports back to Council within 6 months on: - actions taken to strengthen the use of local enforcement powers. - progress made in multi-agency working and intelligence sharing. - evidence of improved response times and reductions in illegal activity on Cardiff’s high streets. - measures taken to improve transparency through regular communication of enforcement outcomes to local communities, thereby reinforcing public confidence that illegal activity is being tackled and compliant businesses are being supported. - The publication of a clear strategy aimed at revitalising Cardiff's high streets and shopping streets, including within local and district shopping centres across the city. The Liberal Democrat Amendment was formally seconded by Cllr Naughton. The Lord Mayor invited debate on the Motion and Amendment. The Lord Mayor invited Cllr Owen Jones to respond to the issues raised during the debate. He confirmed that the Liberal Democrat Amendment was not accepted. The Amendment not having been accepted, the Lord Mayor moved to the vote on the Liberal Democrat Amendment proposed by Cllr Berman and seconded by Cllr Naughton. FOR (21) Cllrs Abdul-Sattar, Berman, Brown-Reckless, Carter, Davies, Driscoll, Hopkins, Keith Jones, Lancaster, Latif, McEvoy, Melbourne, Molik, Naughton, Owen, Shimmin, Taylor, Topham, Waldron, Williams and Wood. AGAINST (41) Cllrs Ali Ahmed, Ali, Anderson, Ash-Edwards, Bowen-Thomson, Bradbury, Bridgeman, Burke, Carr, Caruana, De’Ath, Derbyshire, Ebrahim, Ferguson-Thorne, Gauci, Gibson, Goodway, Green, Humphreys, Hunt, Jenkins, Jackie Jones, Owen Jones, Lewis, Littlechild, Mackie, McGarry, Merry, Moultrie, Palmer, Proctor, Reid-Jones, Sangani, Simmons, Singh, Stubbs, Thomson, Thorne, Weaver, Wong and Youde. ABSTAIN (1) Cllr Chowdhury. The Liberal Democrat Amendment was LOST. The Amendment having been lost, the Lord Mayor moved to the vote on the composite Motion as proposed by Cllr Owen Jones and seconded by Cllr Gauci. FOR (62) Cllrs Abdul-Sattar, Ali Ahmed, Ali, Anderson, Ash-Edwards, Berman, Bowen-Thomson, Bradbury, Bridgeman, Brown-Reckless, Burke, Carr, Carter, Caruana, Davies, De’Ath, Derbyshire, Driscoll, Ebrahim, Ferguson-Thorne, Gauci, Gibson, Goodway, Green, Hopkins, Humphreys, Hunt, Jenkins, Jackie Jones, Keith Jones, Owen Jones, Lancaster, Latif, Lewis, Littlechild, Mackie, McEvoy, McGarry, Melbourne, Merry, Molik, Moultrie, Naughton, Owen, Palmer, Proctor, Reid-Jones, Sangani, Shimmin, Simmons, Singh, Stubbs, Taylor, Thomson, Thorne, Topham, Waldron, Weaver, Williams, Wong, Wood and Youde. AGAINST (0) ABSTAIN (1) Cllr Chowdhury. The composite Motion was CARRIED. Composite Motion The composite Motion incorporated the following Amendments: Conservative Group Amendment: In section headed ‘This Council further notes’, add: - That councillors and residents appreciate the hard work of Shared Regulatory Services officers in enforcing the law in Cardiff alongside widening legislative expectations. - The findings of the Economy & Culture Committee’s Task & Finish Group report “IMPROVING CITY CENTRE DAYTIME USERS’ EXPERIENCES” published in June 2026, which included the stated objective to tackle anti-social behaviour in the city, which is clearly associated with the illegal activities SRS are working to tackle. Cardiff Independent Group Amendment: In section headed ‘This Council resolves to’: 1. Strengthen Local Enforcement and Use of Existing Powers Review how Cardiff Council utilises its full range of powers, Insert including examining how licensing requirements can be tightened, Trading Standards, Delete licensing waste enforcement, planning enforcement, Anti-Social Behaviour Closure Orders, and landlord engagement powers, to enable faster and more coordinated intervention. 2. Address Businesses Acting as Fronts for Criminal Activity Establish a cross-council enforcement task force, Insert drawing on intelligence from frontline officers, bringing together all relevant enforcement functions, to coordinate action against premises identified as persistent offenders. Amended Composite Motion: Tackling Illegal Activity on Cardiff’s High Streets and Strengthening Enforcement Against Rogue Retailers This Council notes: - Recent enforcement action against multiple premises selling illegal tobacco and vaping products, including shops in Adamsdown and Llanrumney, following repeated breaches identified through test purchases undertaken by Shared Regulatory Services. - That the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products is frequently linked to wider organised criminal activity, with proceeds often used to fund further offending. - That this issue is not unique to Cardiff, but forms part of a wider national trend whereby vape shops, convenience stores, barber shops and similar premises are increasingly being used as fronts for criminal activity on high streets across the United Kingdom. - That Cardiff’s high streets should support legitimate enterprise and investment, not provide opportunities for organised criminal networks to establish and expand their activities. This Council further notes: - That too many commercial units across Cardiff experience long-term vacancy, decline, or an unmanaged proliferation of single-use outlets, including vape shops, barber shops, and other repetitive low-footfall businesses, partly as a consequence of restrictive or outdated planning frameworks. - That local residents and business owners consistently express frustration at the lack of local influence over changes to the composition and diversity of their high streets. - That the Prime Minister Andy Burnham upon taking office made further planning controls of such premises a priority. - That the Welsh Government has made no equivalent commitment, creating a risk that Wales becomes an increasingly attractive environment for the unchecked proliferation of vape shops and similar businesses. - That councillors and residents appreciate the hard work of Shared Regulatory Services officers in enforcing the law in Cardiff alongside widening legislative expectations. - The findings of the Economy & Culture Committee’s Task & Finish Group report “IMPROVING CITY CENTRE DAYTIME USERS’ EXPERIENCES” published in June 2026, which included the stated objective to tackle anti-social behaviour in the city, which is clearly associated with the illegal activities SRS are working to tackle. This Council believes: - That the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products is not a minor regulatory matter, but is often associated with organised crime, exploitation, tax evasion, and the sale of unsafe or unregulated goods. - That high streets should not become dominated by businesses that serve as fronts for illegal or exploitative activity, undermining public health, community confidence, and the local economy. - That while enforcement teams and partner agencies are working effectively, the current enforcement framework can be too slow and cumbersome to respond swiftly to repeat offenders and organised criminal operations. - That Cardiff residents would welcome planning measures similar to those being promoted elsewhere in the UK to provide greater local control over the concentration of vape shops and other potentially problematic uses. This Council resolves to: 1. Strengthen Local Enforcement and Use of Existing Powers - Review how Cardiff Council utilises its full range of powers, including, including examining how licensing requirements can be tightened, Trading Standards, waste enforcement, planning enforcement, Anti-Social Behaviour Closure Orders, and landlord engagement powers, to enable faster and more coordinated intervention. - Explore opportunities to adopt a more proactive and intelligence-led enforcement approach, reducing reliance on lengthy reactive processes. - Work closely with South Wales Police, HMRC and other relevant agencies to prioritise and deliver a coordinated multi-agency response aimed at organised criminal networks rather than solely individual premises. - Ensure that repeat offending premises are identified, escalated and challenged at the earliest opportunity. 2. Address Businesses Acting As Fronts for Criminal Activity - Undertake a review of high streets and local centres where there is evidence of, or concern regarding, clusters of businesses operating as fronts for unlawful activity. - Develop a clearer local framework for identifying patterns associated with organised criminality, including repeated regulatory breaches, suspicious business models and links to wider offending. - Work with landlords and property owners to discourage the letting of premises to businesses engaged in persistent unlawful activity. - Establish a cross-council enforcement task force, drawing on intelligence from frontline officers, bringing together all relevant enforcement functions, to coordinate action against premises identified as persistent offenders. 3. Protect High Streets and Legitimate Businesses - Ensure that enforcement action supports compliant businesses by tackling unfair competition from operators engaged in illegal activity. - Work with Business Improvement Districts, local traders and community stakeholders to maintain diverse, vibrant and lawful high streets. - Review the use of planning, regeneration and economic development powers to encourage a broader mix of businesses on Cardiff’s high streets, reduce the over-concentration of single-use premises, and support the occupation of long-term vacant units by legitimate local enterprises. 4. Call on the Welsh Government to: - Provide additional resources to local authorities to strengthen Trading Standards and wider enforcement capacity, enabling more rapid intervention against rogue operators. - Review and enhance the powers available to local authorities to enable quicker and more effective action against premises engaged in persistent illegal activity. - Amend planning regulations to require dedicated planning permission for vape shops. 5. Call on the UK Government to: - Continue and build upon its recent national crackdown on criminal businesses operating on high streets, ensuring sustained funding, coordination and intelligence-sharing between agencies. - Introduce stronger measures to disrupt illicit tobacco and vaping supply chains, including enhanced border enforcement and import controls. - Explore further reforms to enable quicker sanctions, closure powers and other interventions against repeat offending businesses. 6. Reporting Back Request that Cabinet reports back to Council within 6 months on: - actions taken to strengthen the use of local enforcement powers. - progress made in multi-agency working and intelligence sharing. - evidence of improved response times and reductions in illegal activity on Cardiff’s high streets. - measures taken to improve transparency through regular communication of enforcement outcomes to local communities, thereby reinforcing public confidence that illegal activity is being tackled and compliant businesses are being supported.
The Lord Mayor noted that a Notice of Motion proposed by Cllr Jackie Jones and seconded by Cllr Humphreys had been received for consideration. The Lord Mayor invited Cllr Jackie Jones to propose the Motion as follows: Declaring Cardiff a Human Rights City This Council notes that: 1. Human rights belong to everyone and are essential to creating a fair, just, and inclusive society where every resident of Cardiff can live with dignity, equality, and respect. 2. The Human Rights City model, recognized globally and supported by the United Nations, provides a framework for local authorities to protect, promote, and fulfil human rights through local government policy, budgeting, and service delivery. 3. Cities across the UK, including York and Swansea, and initiatives in other cities such as Edinburgh, have already declared themselves Human Rights Cities, demonstrating a clear commitment to putting people first in local decision-making. 4. Cardiff has shown its commitment to human rights by being a UNICEF Child-Friendly city, Age-Friendly City, Anti-Racist city and the first City for CEDAW in Europe. 5. Cardiff has a proud history of diversity, sanctuary, and social justice, and as the capital city of Wales, is uniquely placed to lead on the human rights agenda in alignment with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. This Council believes that: 1. Local government is the closest level of democracy to the people and has a fundamental duty to ensure that human rights are realized practically in everyday life—including the rights to housing, education, health, a clean environment, and freedom from discrimination. 2. Becoming a Human Rights City will strengthen Cardiff’s communities, help tackle deep-rooted inequalities, improve public services, and give residents a greater voice in how their city is run. 3. This declaration should not be a symbolic gesture, but a driving principle that actively informs the Council’s Corporate Plan, budgets, Third sector and strategic partnerships. This Council resolves to: 1. Formally declare Cardiff a Human Rights City, pledging to place human rights at the core of all Council decision-making, policy development, and service delivery. 2. Establish a cross-sector Cardiff Human Rights Taskforce within six months, bringing together representatives from the Council, public services, voluntary organizations, academia, and marginalized communities to co-produce a Human Rights Strategy and Action Plan for the city. 3. Integrate Human Rights Impact Assessments (HRIAs) into the Council’s formal decision-making and reporting processes to ensure all new policies and budget proposals explicitly protect the rights of residents. 4. Develop a public awareness campaign and educational initiatives to ensure that all citizens of Cardiff understand their rights and know how to claim them. 5. Instruct the Chief Executive to report back to Full Council annually on the progress made against the Human Rights Action Plan, ensuring transparency and accountability to the people of Cardiff. The Motion was formally seconded by Cllr Humphreys. The Lord Mayor noted than an Amendment to the Motion had been received from the Liberal Democrat group. The Lord Mayor called upon Cllr Carter to move the Amendment as follows: Declaring Cardiff a Human Rights City This Council notes that: 1. Human rights belong to everyone and are essential to creating a fair, just, and inclusive society where every resident of Cardiff can live with dignity, equality, and respect. 2. The Human Rights City model, Delete recognized Insert recognised globally and supported by the United Nations, provides a framework for local authorities to protect, promote, and fulfil human rights through local government policy, budgeting, and service delivery. 3. Cities across the UK, including York and Swansea, and initiatives in other cities such as Edinburgh, have already declared themselves Human Rights Cities, demonstrating a clear commitment to putting people first in local decision-making. 4. Cardiff has shown its commitment to human rights by being a UNICEF Child-Friendly city, Age-Friendly City, Anti-Racist city and the first City for CEDAW in Europe. 5. Cardiff has a proud history of diversity, sanctuary, and social justice, and as the capital city of Wales, is uniquely placed to lead on the human rights agenda in alignment with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. This Council believes that: 6. Local government is the closest level of democracy to the people and has a fundamental duty to ensure that human rights are Delete realized Insert realised practically in everyday life—including the rights to housing, education, health, a clean environment, and freedom from discrimination. 7. Becoming a Human Rights City will strengthen Cardiff’s communities, help tackle deep-rooted inequalities, improve public services, and give residents a greater voice in how their city is run. 8. This declaration should not be a symbolic gesture, but a driving principle that actively informs the Council’s Corporate Plan, budgets, Third sector and strategic partnerships. This Council resolves to: 9. Formally declare Cardiff a Human Rights City, pledging to place human rights at the core of all Council decision-making, policy development, and service delivery. 10. Establish a cross-sector Cardiff Human Rights Taskforce within six months, bringing together representatives from the Council, public services, voluntary Delete organizations Insert organisations academia, and Delete marginalized Insert marginalised communities to co-produce a Human Rights Strategy and Action Plan for the city. 11. Delete Integrate Human Rights Impact Assessments (HRIAs) into the Council’s formal decision-making and reporting processes to ensure all new policies and budget proposals explicitly protect the rights of residents. Insert Integrate Human Rights Impact Assessments (HRIAs) into the Council’s formal decision-making and reporting processes to ensure all new policies, land transactions and budget proposals explicitly protect the rights of residents. 12. Insert Engage with the Welsh Government’s review of Future Wales (national development plan) on incorporating a human rights-based approach to planning. 13. Insert Review Supplementary Planning guidance documents to ensure that the human rights of citizens are protected in planning decisions. 14. Develop a public awareness campaign and educational initiatives to ensure that all citizens of Cardiff understand their rights and know how to claim them. 15. Instruct the Chief Executive to report back to Full Council annually on the progress made against the Human Rights Action Plan, ensuring transparency and accountability to the people of Cardiff. The amended motion would read as follows: Declaring Cardiff a Human Rights City This Council notes that: 1. Human rights belong to everyone and are essential to creating a fair, just, and inclusive society where every resident of Cardiff can live with dignity, equality, and respect. 2. The Human Rights City model, recognised globally and supported by the United Nations, provides a framework for local authorities to protect, promote, and fulfil human rights through local government policy, budgeting, and service delivery. 3. Cities across the UK, including York and Swansea, and initiatives in other cities such as Edinburgh, have already declared themselves Human Rights Cities, demonstrating a clear commitment to putting people first in local decision-making. 4. Cardiff has shown its commitment to human rights by being a UNICEF Child-Friendly city, Age-Friendly City, Anti-Racist city and the first City for CEDAW in Europe. 5. Cardiff has a proud history of diversity, sanctuary, and social justice, and as the capital city of Wales, is uniquely placed to lead on the human rights agenda in alignment with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. This Council believes that: 6. Local government is the closest level of democracy to the people and has a fundamental duty to ensure that human rights are realised practically in everyday life—including the rights to housing, education, health, a clean environment, and freedom from discrimination. 7. Becoming a Human Rights City will strengthen Cardiff’s communities, help tackle deep-rooted inequalities, improve public services, and give residents a greater voice in how their city is run. 8. This declaration should not be a symbolic gesture, but a driving principle that actively informs the Council’s Corporate Plan, budgets, Third sector and strategic partnerships. This Council resolves to: 9. Formally declare Cardiff a Human Rights City, pledging to place human rights at the core of all Council decision-making, policy development, and service delivery. 10. Establish a cross-sector Cardiff Human Rights Taskforce within six months, bringing together representatives from the Council, public services, voluntary organisations, academia and marginalised communities to co-produce a Human Rights Strategy and Action Plan for the city. 11. Integrate Human Rights Impact Assessments (HRIAs) into the Council’s formal decision-making and reporting processes to ensure all new policies, land transactions and budget proposals explicitly protect the rights of residents. 12. Engage with the Welsh Government’s review of Future Wales (national development plan) on incorporating a human rights-based approach to planning. 13. Review Supplementary Planning guidance documents to ensure that the human rights of citizens are protected in planning decisions. 14. Develop a public awareness campaign and educational initiatives to ensure that all citizens of Cardiff understand their rights and know how to claim them. 15. Instruct the Chief Executive to report back to Full Council annually on the progress made against the Human Rights Action Plan, ensuring transparency and accountability to the people of Cardiff. The Amendment was formally seconded by Cllr Naughton. The Lord Mayor invited debate on the Motion and Amendment. The Lord Mayor invited Cllr Jackie Jones to respond to the issues raised during the debate. She confirmed that the Amendment was accepted. The Amendment having been accepted, the Lord Mayor moved to the vote on the Motion as amended by Cllr Carter and seconded by Cllr Naughton. FOR (51) Cllrs Ali Ahmed, Anderson, Ash-Edwards, Berman, Bowen-Thomson, Bradbury, Bridgeman, Burke, Carr, Carter, Caruana, Chowdhury, De’Ath, Derbyshire, Ebrahim, Elsmore, Ferguson-Thorne, Gauci, Gibson, Goodway, Green, Hopkins, Humphreys, Hunt, Jenkins, Jackie Jones, Keith Jones, Owen Jones, Latif, Lewis, Mackie, McGarry, Merry, Molik, Moultrie, Naughton, Palmer, Proctor, Sangani, Shimmin, Simmons, Singh, Stubbs, Taylor, Thomson, Thorne, Waldron, Weaver, Wong, Wood and Youde. AGAINST (1) Cllr Ali. ABSTAIN (9) Cllrs Brown-Reckless, Davies, Driscoll, Lancaster, Littlechild, Melbourne, Reid-Jones, Topham and Williams. The Amended Motion was CARRIED.
There were 25 oral questions. 1. Cllr Berman to Cllr Merry, Cabinet Member for Education When repairs began at Albany Primary School over the summer to repair dry rot, I understand that structural problems were subsequently identified which were more extensive than previously known about. This led to the school buildings being judged as unsafe to be used, and this has meant that pupils from the school are having to be temporarily taught within other school buildings around the city from the start of the current school year, a scenario which may have to be in place for some considerable time until appropriate repairs can be undertaken. Albany Primary is, however, just one of a number of heritage schools across the city which, for a period of years, have had scaffolding up to prevent bits of their structure from falling off. Will the council now commit to undertaking a full condition survey of all of these affected heritage schools to determine if any other school buildings also have structural issues of similar magnitude to those recently discovered at Albany Primary? Reply – Cllr Merry I can confirm that the issues at Albany Primary School came to light during investigations connected with planned works to address dry rot within the building. During those investigations, separate structural concerns were identified relating to elements of the building's original construction and alterations made over many years. There was no way of us knowing about those condition issues until extensive exploratory works began for the dry rot. Those structural concerns remain under investigation and are the reason why the school has not reopened. As a precaution, the council has begun reviewing other schools of a similar age and construction. The work is ongoing and where further investigations are considered necessary, these will be undertaken while minimising disruption to pupils in school operations. And I would like to finish by acknowledging the work of the headteacher and the staff at Albany Primary School, they've been outstanding. They've dealt with a very difficult situation that nobody could have anticipated with grace and determination to show true leadership. Supplementary – Cllr Berman One of the other heritage schools is Marlborough Primary, which is in my ward, and I’m a governor on that governing body, and I declare an interest in that regard. But I don't know that we've been appraised that there's going to be any condition survey undertaken there, so can you just please make sure that if you are going to be doing condition surveys of the other schools, as I think you alluded to in your answer there, it's difficult to hear everything you said, can you keep ward councillors informed, and can you make sure that the schools are also being informed? Reply – Cllr Merry I can assure you that schools will be informed before they are inspected, as they are whenever we survey our school estate, and Members will be informed as appropriate on the outcome of any surveys and concerns raised. I'd just like to underline actually just how much investment has gone into the actual school estate over the last few years, which included a £106m just covering the period 21/22 to 25/26, and £24m in the last year alone. And I'm mentioning that those sums because that actually underlines the importance of the issue around the school estate. But I am glad that you were listening when I referred to our heritage schools during the Cabinet meeting. 2. Cllr Davies to Cllr Merry, Cabinet Member for Education Can the Cabinet Member provide an update on the programme of works to reopen the swimming pool at Radyr Comprehensive School? Reply – Cllr Merry Work is currently ongoing and a new air handling unit is due to be installed, which is the final piece of the project. It is anticipated that the works will be completed by mid-December, which will therefore mean that the pool could be reopened after the Christmas school holiday period. Supplementary – Cllr Davies I'm pleased to hear that news, because during my unsuccessful yet spirited Senedd campaign, I met parents across Cardiff West who were really frustrated about that lengthy closure of the pool and the uncertainty about its reopening. And obviously I had that response to a written question back in the summer that said it should have been open by now, but I am glad that we actually have a date for that final refurbishment. It brings to mind a question about the fact that the school derives an income from the pool, and its closure naturally caused a dent in its finances. So with school budgets increasingly squeezed, evidenced in the year-on-year rise and the number of schools in deficit in Cardiff, does the Cabinet Member agree with me that works for school estates that provide an income stream to those schools should be given a level of priority? Thank you. Reply – Cllr Merry I'm glad that you're glad with the first part of the question. I have to say, though, that I do reject the second question that you asked. The work that we do on our schools will be prioritised by need and the impact on the main core business of a school, which is teaching its pupils, and that is always the criteria that we will be using. Question 3 was ruled out of order as it related to a live planning application. 4. Cllr Abdul-Sattar to Cllr Proctor, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Cohesion & Digital Residents of Taffs Mead Embankment and Pentre Gardens have raised serious concerns about persistent antisocial behaviour, kerb-crawling, prostitution, theft and a lack of CCTV coverage, with many feeling unsafe in their own community. Can you tell us what action Cardiff Council is taking to address these ongoing issues, and what measures Hafod Housing is putting in place at the former Track 2000 development to help improve safety, deter crime and reassure residents? Reply – Cllr Proctor Yes, I can, thank you for the question. The council continues to work closely with South Wales Police through Operation Red Swan to address the longstanding concerns in the area. Ongoing work includes targeted enforcement activity, neighbourhood policing patrols, safeguarding interventions and outreach work, as well as engagement with local residents. South Wales Police have confirmed that the area remains a priority and are committed to delivering sustainable improvements. Hafod Housing Association has also advised that the former Track 2000 site development has been designed to Secured by Design standards and includes secure access arrangements and CCTV. A dedicated Tenancy Support Coach has been appointed, and Hafod will maintain a visible presence on site to support residents and identify issues early. Hafod will continue to work with the council and South Wales Police to monitor concerns and respond where necessary. I also understand that Hafod have been in touch with local councillors about meeting on site to view the development and review the safety measures being implemented. 5. Cllr Shimmin to Cllr Burke, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure & Tourism We were assured that an update on St David’s Hall would be provided before the summer, but this has not been forthcoming. Could the Cabinet Member now provide that update, including the current position regarding planning and other necessary permissions, and confirm the expected timetable for works and the estimated reopening date? Reply – Cllr Burke I’ve got good news for you, all required permissions are in place. A detailed report is scheduled to be presented to Cabinet by the end of the year, which will provide an update on progress with the refurbishment works and the timetable for reopening St David’s Hall. Supplementary – Cllr Shimmin Thank you, good to see that it’s going to be coming. Cardiff Singer of the World is one of the city’s most prestigious international cultural events, and there is growing concern among residents and audiences alike about its future. Can the Cabinet Member confirm the latest date by which decisions, approvals and works relating to St David's Hall must be completed to allow the next competition to proceed on schedule, and outline the specific consequences for the event, the city and Cardiff's cultural reputation if those deadlines are not met? Reply – Cllr Burke Unfortunately, I don't have an answer for you on that one. When I last spoke to Live Nation around February time, I was informed that that conversation was going on between the BBC and Live Nation themselves. It's not a conversation that we as the council have been privy to, and that's the only information I can provide you, that conversation that's happening between those two. 6. Cllr Williams to Cllr De’Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport Residents in St Edeyrn’s pay full council tax while also facing substantial and rising management charges for the maintenance of open spaces, roads and play area that would ordinarily be maintained by the council. This creates an unjust system in which residents effectively pay twice for essential local services, with a significant proportion of their charges also absorbed by management fees. Will the Cabinet Member acknowledge this inequity, commit to preventing similar arrangements in future developments and commit the council’s support in working with me and St Edeyrn’s residents to explore every available route to bring these services under public adoption and end this unfair burden? Reply – Cllr De’Ath It's common practice in Cardiff and across the UK to use companies to manage and maintain infrastructure and community facilities in new developments. The alternative commuted sums can have issues around viability and the amount of money released for affordable housing and other infrastructure. That being said, in this particular instance there are some issues that have been brought to my attention which are concerning, and I know you and I often have a bit of banter but I would like to work constructively with you to understand precisely what's happening and then to meet with our officials, and if we can assist residents we would be more than willing to do that. Supplementary – Cllr Williams I really do appreciate the answer, I don't think that this can or should be a political issue, because residents have worked so hard to buy a home and then there's this two-tier system where a house down the road in a different development doesn't have to have a management company and pay costly management fees. So we've got an issue with the roads because they're not perhaps built to the standard that the council requires them to be for adoptable standards, we've got the play area that residents are paying for, which really council tax should be covering, and then the same with the open green spaces. So perhaps if I could propose, Cllr De’Ath, maybe a meeting between ourselves and officials just to just run through the issue and just see if there's anything we can do as a council to approach the management company, with a view to maybe adopting some of those areas and then get those costs that are facing residents down. I'd be most grateful if that could take place. Reply – Cllr De’Ath I’d be more than happy to meet with you to discuss this further. Question 7 was ruled out of order as it related to a live planning application. 8. Cllr Humphreys to Cllr De’Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport Concerns about congestion at the junction of Cowbridge Road West and Amroth Road, and the resulting unlawful use of the adjacent road, has been constantly reported with no prospect of a resolution. Would you meet with local members from both Ely and Caerau to explore how we can finally identify and implement a solution? Reply – Cllr De’Ath I would be more than happy to meet with members of the two wards you've mentioned, Councillor, no problem. 9. Cllr Carter to Cllr De’Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport What discussions has the council had with the new UK government to push for the full Barnett consequentials of HS2, including new railway stations in Cardiff? Reply – Cllr De’Ath Thank you for your question, we obviously advocate for Cardiff, we lobby for the most money and resources we can get. I don't directly negotiate with the UK government around Barnet consequentials, that's the role of the Welsh government, but obviously the UK government are providing a substantial amount of money for new stations in Wales in the spending review, I think there's £500m investment in Crossrail. But we work with them and the Welsh government to get everything we can for our citizens. Supplementary – Cllr Carter I fully appreciate this is a UK government issue rather than a council, but your role advocating for us is really important. And I think while it was pleasing to see a reshuffle in that new government and the departure of our previous Secretary for Wales, who clearly did not want to see us get the full £4bn that we were owed, we've had various promises from the new Prime Minister to invest in local projects in England, and I think most of us across this chamber would support all the stations that have been earmarked across Cardiff, but no funding actually attached to them at this time. So my supplementary would be, would you use what influence you have in this Cabinet, in this administration, to lobby our new Secretary of State of Wales to push for that £4bn investment in Wales, including Cardiff, so this great train robbery doesn't continue? Reply – Cllr De’Ath I certainly will. Myself and officials engage with the UK and Wales government on a regular basis, but I would say part of the reason that we have the investment we've got for the city, which is really substantial, is thanks to Jo Stevens, who has advocated very, very powerfully for the people of Cardiff. She's been an absolute bonus, rather than what you've just listed. Cllr Brown-Reckless was unable to ask question 10 due to technical difficulties. Question 11 was ruled out of order as it related to a live planning application. 12. Cllr Humphreys to Cllr Stubbs, Cabinet Member for Waste, Street Scene & Environmental Services The service road on Cowbridge Road West has major issues with both fly tipping and waste collection. This is mainly due to cars parking illegally on both sides of the service road where larger vehicles are unable to pass them. Cars not only use the service road as a shortcut to bypass the lights but to also dump their rubbish. Would you again be willing to meet with local councillors and local residents in Ely, together with council officers and a representative from South Wales Police, to see what can be done to alleviate these issues? Reply – Cllr Stubbs Thanks, Councillor. Yes, happy to meet. I’ll ask my colleague Dan to come as well, so perhaps we can car share. 13. Cllr Elsmore to Cllr De’Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport Locations in my ward of Canton are included in the third phase of the residential cycle hangar programme. Indeed, hangars were installed in Canton locations in phases one and two despite significant opposition from residents, and fierce advocacy from myself advancing cases of individual location sensitivity. I was struck by one sentence in the recent resident briefing that ‘specific locations are currently being reviewed and will be finalised based on safety, accessibility, parking considerations, and overall suitability.’ Can you confirm the veracity and dependability of this statement as something upon which residents can rely? Reply – Cllr De’Ath I can, Cllr Elsmore, yes. Supplementary – Cllr Elsmore Notwithstanding significant public opposition, fierce member advocacy and fulsome evidence of overall unsuitability, your administration continues to install hangers. Is this an example of things being forced through regardless, or one of a democratic deficit, as democracy dies in darkness, I ask very respectfully? Reply – Cllr De’Ath No, it certainly is not, Cllr Elsmore. The reason we're installing these hangars in the locations we are is because members of the public have asked for them, that's how we've determined where they go. The reason why there are so many in Canton is because it has such a preponderance of cyclists. We installed hangars in Canton and within a week they were full, and people contacted me and said I can't get a space because the hangars full, so we've installed another one. So I recognise that there are a few people who don't like them, but people tend to regard the public highway as their own private parking space, which it isn't, it belongs to everyone. And these are being used for parking bikes, you know people have as much right to park their bike on the public highway as people driving a motorcar. I appreciate some people have got an issue about this, but in Canton, which has the highest density of cyclists probably in the city, there are lots and lots of people who really welcome this and I think, looking at the usage of the hangars in your ward, I think that really backs that up. 14. Cllr Topham to Cllr Merry, Cabinet Member for Education Does Cardiff Council agree that Cardiff should remain a child friendly city, building on Cardiff's UNICEF recognition? Reply – Cllr Merry The council remains fully committed to Cardiff continuing to be a Child Friendly City and to building on the city’s recognition and reaccreditation by UNICEF. Improving outcomes for babies, children and young people is a key priority for the council. Putting children’s rights, their voices and their lived experiences at the heart of decision-making is central to how we want to develop policies, services and places across Cardiff. Using children’s rights as a framework helps the council to deliver high-quality, inclusive and responsive services, ensuring that decisions consider the best interests of children and the impact they may have on their lives. Cardiff has established itself as a leader in children’s rights, both within the UK and internationally. We want to continue building on that leadership, sharing our learning, as well as learning from others, while ensuring that children and young people continue to have a meaningful role in shaping the future of their city. Supplementary – Cllr Topham Does Cardiff Council believe the time has now come for a fully independent, Cardiff-specific, non-statutory inquiry into current and historical grooming gangs, ensuring that every allegation is properly investigated and any institutional failures are identified, and most importantly that the victims receive the justice and the answers that they deserve. Inquiries have been launched in other parts of Britain, however the specific social, cultural and institutional factors unique to Cardiff need to be properly investigated and addressed. Former barrister David Spicer, who led the case review into Operation Sanctuary, said that if other UK authorities didn't think that grooming gangs existed in their areas, they simply weren't looking hard enough. Reply – Cllr Merry Cllr Topham, I had hoped that you were going to actually ask a question about your ward, and about what we were doing in Trowbridge to help the children and young people of that area. I think you slightly misunderstand the actual meaning of the words ‘child friendly city’, but part of that child friendly city, if you were looking holistically about what it actually means, is not presuming that because of somebody's race or somebody's religion that they are more likely to be pursuing a criminal activity, and that is what you are clearly implying. Of course, anybody in this chamber would want action taken against grooming gangs, and the council does significant work and works with charities like Cllr Bowen-Thomson in that area. But what I will not agree with, and I will not be mealy-mouthed about, is anybody who tries to pretend that people living in Cardiff are more likely to be involved in grooming gangs than other people. But I will tell you one thing, that the most likely people to be involved in grooming gangs are men. 15. Cllr Carter to Cllr Stubbs, Cabinet Member for Waste, Street Scene & Environmental Services Could the council consider rolling out CCTV in fly-tipping hot spots? Reply – Cllr Stubbs Yes, we’ve invested FRM funding this year to do exactly that. Supplementary – Cllr Carter Would you meet with us to consider allocating some of this to Pentwyn and Llanederyn? We have particular problems in our area, particularly the bin stores around flats where such cameras will be very helpful. Thank you. Reply – Cllr Stubbs Yes, happy to come out there and meet with you. 16. Cllr Driscoll to Cllr De’Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport At the end of the public consultation in September 2022 for the Cycleway 4.2 into Llandaff, the Cycleway, option D, was said will provide a key active travel connection for employment sites, residential zones, educational centres and visitor destinations in the central and northwest of the city. And that the route will connect the City Centre, Bute Park, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Llandaff Cathedral & village, several schools and eventually the new housing developments in the northwest of Cardiff too. Now that this scheme has been shelved, leaving Llandaff with little and in some locations no cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, especially between Western Avenue and Llandaff Rowing Club, what plans are there to improve pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and install lighting where there is none along the footway alongside Llandaff Cemetery and Bishops Playing Fields that runs from Llandaff Cathedral and Llandaff Rugby Club onto Western Avenue? Reply – Cllr De’Ath I can assure you that Cycleway 4.2 has not been shelved, we've discussed this a few months ago. It's a complicated piece of design work, but it's still going ahead, it's not been scrapped. I don't know where you've got that piece of misinformation from. I mean, the pace of the work has slowed down because we’re now relying on the region rather than receiving money directly from the Welsh government. So it has slowed down, I will admit that, but still it's still absolutely going ahead, I can assure you, we've got our top guy on it. I mean we can look at the suggestions you have indicated, widening paths by the river. I think there's limited space to do that, but I wouldn't want anything to slow it down further, but we'll see if we can take your suggestions on board. Supplementary – Cllr Driscoll Going back to Caro, he said that we’d be shovels in the ground a long time ago and we haven't seen it, and you did indicate to me in a previous statement that you knew it wasn't going to happen, so I’m sorry if I misunderstood what you said, but we still haven't seen it. I have got a supplementary, Lord Mayor. During the winter months, we haven't got any infrastructure there, knee-deep in mud and so the path can’t go alongside the river, we're talking about the path down to the rugby club and there's no lighting whatsoever, it's the main commuter route for the students to Plas Gwyn. There's conflict with pedestrians because it's not wide enough, and cyclists. Yet the Deliveroo lanes in the town centre and elsewhere, which are hardly used, I see that we're making investments to formalise them, and yet the ones on Boulevard de Nantes, as I say, they're already coned off, they're already in place, we don't need to spend all this additional money formalising them because they're working, not many people use them, but any money you can spend there, we'd love it in Llandaff. We've done the work in Hailey Park, which already had infrastructure, we've done Llandaff Fields, which already had infrastructure, and we've done Sophia Gardens again. Yet we're still light in Llandaff of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, we need to quit that, thank you. Reply – Cllr De’Ath I'm always delighted to see members advocating for active travel infrastructure in there, that’s serious, I’m not being cute. I share your impatience, I mean, the funding envelope I'm operating in compared to Caro Wild is very, very different, much less money in the systems, that's why these things aren't progressing as quickly as we would like. The infrastructure we're replacing around the city centre like Castle Street, that was temporary, that was pop-up cycleways that weren't designed to last years and years and years. And there were obviously issues around floating bus stops and all kinds of concerns there. But we pressed the region for more funding, as we do for the UK government. Our officers literally lobby them, literally there's a Dragon's Den style scenario where we pitch projects and we fight to get money from underspends from other local authorities. It's not for lack of trying, I can genuinely assure you, and when we get the money for this scheme we will deliver it and it will be all good. 17. Cllr Lewis to Cllr Stubbs, Cabinet Member for Waste, Street Scene & Environmental Services Following frequent calls from residents in council flats in Butetown regarding the repeated dumping of waste by non-residents, does the Cabinet Member agree that management companies that fail to secure communal bin stores are contributing to fly-tipping problems, and what specific steps is the council taking to challenge those companies and require improvements, rather than leaving residents to endure the mess, health concerns and environmental impact of waste dumped by non-residents? Reply – Cllr Stubbs Thanks for that question Councillor, this is a really important issue. It's an important issue in Butetown, but it's an important issue in Splott and Tremorfa, it's an important issue in many of our more central wards and elsewhere. Management companies that fail to secure their bin stores are committing antisocial behaviour, it can't be clearer than that. They are preventing bins being collected, and it's unacceptable to standards of behaviour to the residents living there. And we are taking action, we are contacting those management companies, we are speaking to them, but further to that, I'm very clear that I will not shy away from using other instruments such as community protection notices. Supplementary – Cllr Lewis Given the repeated complaints from residents who are unfairly living with the consequences of waste dumped by outsiders, other than the sanction you just mentioned, are there any other enforcement options or partnership arrangements that the council currently have available to hold private management companies accountable for poor security of communal bins? Reply – Cllr Stubbs I think in the main, community protection notices are our main tool. I think we've got to use them more aggressively, to be honest, in order to hold these companies to account. They are a mechanism that essentially combats persistent antisocial behaviour. And that is why I used that phrase at the top of my first answer. What I would encourage you to do is, happy to meet with you, happy to talk about specific examples and where you feel like we have to go further. We will be led by you, no one knows your ward and your communities better than you. 18. Cllr Berman to Cllr Stubbs, Cabinet Member for Waste, Street Scene & Environmental Services How can the council ensure that when residents are being asked to document evidence, such as for a complaint of noise nuisance or environmental pollution, they are given the means to do so in a way which is accessible to all and does not lead to some residents in such circumstances being subject to digital exclusion? Reply – Cllr Stubbs Shared Regulatory Services employ a range of measures to investigate complaints, with the approach tailored to each individual circumstances. These include electronic requests, but also we can use phone calls and written diary sheets as well. But what's really key is that these are very, very individual complaints and we will treat them like that, and we will treat them on what is in the best interests of the resident who comes to us. Supplementary – Cllr Berman Can we just check that we are making it clear to residents that other options may be available, because I've had one resident who's contacted me about a noise complaint, ongoing issue, and I said, did you not get information about completing a diary, and she said, what's been sent to me is too small, I can't access it, so I think she's probably only accessing her email on her phone, she's probably been sent a form to fill in that way. So what I would just ask is that you double check with Shared Regulatory Services to make it clear to people that if you can't cope with filling something in this way, that they could provide other means such as a written diary, so that residents do know that there are other options they can make use of. Reply – Cllr Stubbs We will check that, Councillor, if you want to share the details of the specific individual. I want to quote my colleague, Cllr Proctor, from earlier in the meeting: we are digital first, not digital only. 19. Cllr Lewis to Cllr Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing & Communities Residents in council-owned apartment blocks, including in Butetown, have raised concerns about communal bin stores where overflowing waste, fly-tipping, unpleasant odours and the risk of vermin have left some areas below the standard residents should reasonably expect. Can the Cabinet Member set out the expected cleaning and inspection arrangements for communal bin stores in council-owned and -managed apartment blocks, explain how the council monitors completed visits and responds when cleaning is missed or complaints persist, confirm whether relevant performance information will be made available, and clarify who residents should contact to report problems? Reply – Cllr Thorne The council recognises the impact that these problems can have and is committed to improving standards and responding promptly. Communal bin stores in council-owned blocks are inspected as part of scheduled caretaking visits. Low-rise blocks are inspected every two weeks, whilst high-rise blocks are inspected daily by static caretakers. Staff should inspect and clean bin stores, remove side waste where possible and report issues such as fly-tipping, contamination, bins not being emptied, bins being left outside stores and access problems. Significant waste accumulations are referred to the Clean and Clear Team for removal. To help address ongoing concerns, we’ve introduced additional inspections, app-based recording of visits so supervisors can monitor completed work, better alignment with waste collections, extra support from the Clean and Clear Team, improved signage and security, CCTV where appropriate, and closer joint working with Waste Management and enforcement teams. Complaints are managed centrally and investigated by supervisors and monitored where issues persist. So while routine ward-level performance reports would require significant resources in order for them to be produced consistently, specific concerns can be raised through the Estates team or directly with the service lead, whose details I would be happy to share with you. Officers would also be happy to meet with local ward members to discuss further if that would be helpful. 20. Cllr Caruana to Cllr De’Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport Please can the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning and Transport give an update on the rollout of EV charging in Splott, Tremorfa and Pengam Green? Reply – Cllr De’Ath Thank you for your question, Cllr Caruana. At the moment, we're rolling out an EV lamppost scheme. There's 80 units going across the city, several are in Splott, two on Marion Street, one on Carlisle Street and one on Ordell Street. We’ve also put some infrastructure in at the STAR Centre. Supplementary – Cllr Caruana I’ve had several requests for those lamppost chargers, which is great. I’ve noticed that the council has said that our capacity is full for our ward, but for streets that don’t have lampposts that are close to the pavement they are impractical, and most of our residents don’t have drives. So I just wanted to know whether there is any plan to roll out any chargers that go through the pavement, basically. Reply – Cllr De’Ath That's a great question, it's something Cllr Berman has raised several times in the past. There are plans to do that: not only is it convenient for people who live in your kind of archetypal South Wales terrace, it's also cheaper because obviously there are issues around VAT and that kind of thing. So we will be announcing plans in the coming weeks that will be approved by Cabinet and they will be going to scrutiny, not the next meeting, the meeting after, so yes, we do. 21. Cllr Caruana to Cllr Lister, Cabinet Member for Social Services Please can the Leader provide an update on the positive impact Flying Start has had for parents and children in Splott, Tremorfa and Pengam Green? Reply – Cllr Weaver (on behalf of Cllr Lister) Thank you, Cllr Caruana. I was able to have a chat with Cllr Lister beforehand and he gave me some detail for the update. Flying Start continues to have a significantly positive impact on children and families across the areas of the Splott ward. I understand just under 700 children currently receive Flying Start support, including enhanced health visiting, speech and language therapy, dietetic services and specialist constant support amongst other services. There's also over 100 children accessing Welsh government-funded childcare through five high quality settings, including Welsh-medium provision, all rated good or excellent by the Care Inspectorate Wales. These environments support children's learning, their development, their wellbeing, and give them the best start in life. And the families also benefit from the wider range of programmes that come with Flying Start: baby massage, stay and play sessions, community events, tailored one-to-one support, services that help parental wellbeing, they support their child's development. Many parents as well have been encouraged to return to learning too through the Flying Start programme, building confidence and resilience within families and within communities across Splott. So, a substantial amount of positive work going on in Flying Start in your ward. Supplementary – Cllr Caruana Obviously, Flying Start is absolutely transformational for parents and children in communities like mine. Like Cllr Berman said in his question earlier today, I'm deeply concerned that the Plaid Cymru government is unable to confirm the future of the project. What conversations is the Cabinet having with Welsh government partners to ensure that children in Splott, Tremorfa and Pengam Green continue to have the support that they deserve and need? Reply – Cllr Weaver (on behalf of Cllr Lister) I entirely agree, the evidence that Flying Start has a positive impact on families and their communities is absolutely overwhelming, and it's hugely significant in wards like Splott with a significant level of deprivation needs they’re tackling in support. Flying Start is much more than just childcare, that wraparound support, that additional support is absolutely crucial. Whilst of course programmes can develop and change over time, we understand the Welsh government has its commitment to meet childcare, we're very clear that this must not come at the expense of these programmes that are helping some of the families most in need in this city. We will fully be supporting the continuation of the programmes that Flying Start have delivered in wards like yours. That conversation will be ongoing with the Welsh government, but I can assure you, having spoken to Cllr Lister and the rest of the Cabinet, this council sees the value of Flying Start, and whatever form it takes and whatever additional services can be provided, we want to support those services that are proven to work for families in wards like yours. 22. Cllr Gauci to Cllr Merry, Cabinet Member for Education What work is the council doing to support families with costs around the start of school term, in particular school uniform? How can the council and members as governors work with third sector groups to support families? Reply – Cllr Merry Thank you, Councillor, an important question at this time of year. The council supports families with back-to-school costs in several ways. We promote free school meals and the Welsh government’s School Essentials Grant, which can help eligible families pay for uniforms, shoes, PE kits, school bags and other essential items. Our Money Advice Team also supports residents with benefit checks, advice on maximising household income and budgeting, and referrals to other sources of financial help. This support is available through all community hubs and is promoted by schools. Many schools also help families by running pre-loved uniform schemes and uniform swap events. But the council is also actively exploring ways to support families by working with community and third sector organisations, such as FreeSchoolClothes.com, which was founded by a parent at Ysgol Treganna, and A Better Fit School Uniform Donation, a local charity that has provided free uniform and essentials to over 1,800 families in Cardiff. Both very different schemes, but complementing each other, and details of such schemes can be shared with any Members in the chamber who would be interested in finding out more by officers in the education services. And of course, as well as helping families, they prevent usable items ending up in rubbish. 23. Cllr Gauci to Cllr De’Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport Can the Cabinet Member clarify whether, under the current proposals for the new bridge connecting Llanrumney with the A48 Pentwyn area, cars and other private vehicles will be permitted to use the bridge? Reply – Cllr De’Ath Thank you for your question, Cllr Gauci, I know there's been lots of speculation about this issue in the public arena. I've heard it claimed that private cars will be completely banned from using the bridge, which is absolutely not the case, never had been. Cars will be able to use the bridge, with some restrictions, and people living in Llanrumney will have unfettered access to the bridge. There might be some restrictions around cars belonging to non-residents at peak time, because obviously we don't want issues around rat-running, on Ball Road for example, but for clarity, people living in Llanrumney will be able to use the bridge and I commend yourself and Cllr Bridgeman for your fierce advocacy on behalf of your residents on this issue. 24. Cllr Abdul-Sattar to Cllr Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing & Communities I understand that Local Lettings Initiatives are sometimes used on new housing developments to help create balance between communities and provide opportunities for people with a local connection to benefit from new homes. Will such an initiative be applied to the Hafod development, and how will local residents be considered within the allocation process? Reply – Cllr Thorne A Local Lettings Initiative has been agreed for the Hafod development in Grangetown. The Local Lettings Initiative has been developed to reflect both local priorities and the wider demand for housing across Cardiff, helping to create a balanced and sustainable community while ensuring that homes are allocated to those in greatest housing need. Local residents who meet the agreed criteria and have expressed an interest in the area will be considered for the new homes through the Common Housing Waiting List. All allocations will be made in accordance with the Cardiff Housing Allocation Scheme, taking account of applicants' housing need, local connections and waiting time. We encourage registered social landlords to share agreed Local Lettings Initiatives with local ward members so that there is a clear understanding of the purpose of the scheme and how the allocation arrangements have been designed to balance local priorities with the wider housing need across the city. Supplementary – Cllr Abdul-Sattar Could you contact Hafod Housing and enquire about the letting policy for this block, please? Reply – Cllr Thorne I certainly will, Councillor. 25. Cllr Ali Ahmed to Cllr De’Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport How many cycle hangars have you installed in Cardiff, and in which parts of Cardiff have you installed them? Reply – Cllr De’Ath Thank you for your question, Cllr Ahmed. There's obviously a scheme for the city centre and district shopping centres, but in terms of residential cycle hangars, we've installed 50 across the city. 30 have already been installed, there's 15 in Canton not to everyone's taste of course. Five in Riverside, five in Plasnewydd, with three in Splott and two in Cathays. A further 20 hangars have been installed during October: two in Canton, two in Riverside, eight in Plasnewydd, three in Butetown, three in Grangetown, one in Splott and one in Cathays. Supplementary – Cllr Ali Ahmed Thank you for the information, it’s quite popular in our ward as well as far as I know. My supplementary will be, how many cycle hangars are you planning to install in Cardiff within the term of this council, and how many residents have applied for spaces to install those cycle hangars? Reply – Cllr De’Ath I’m terribly sorry, I didn’t catch the end of your question. I mean, after this phase of 50, we’re going to get these 50 in, if we can get some more in before the election we will do. It’s going to be a rolling programme, also more in the city centre, also more in Cowbridge Road East, these other district shopping centres. If you would like one, Joel, in Pontprennau and Old St Mellons, I will strain every sinew to make that a reality.
Part of an issue followed across 9 meetings
There was one urgent item. Budget 2027/28 and the Medium-Term Financial Plan: Update Report Council was asked to consider an update on budget preparation for 2027/28, including the most recent estimate of the 2027/28 budget gap; an update in relation to the Medium-Term Financial Plan and Capital Programme; an outline of the budget timetable that would be followed to present the 2027/28 Budget to Council in March 2027; and an update in relation to the Council’s financial resilience. The report was proposed by Cllr Thomson and seconded by Cllr Weaver. The Lord Mayor invited debate on the report, before moving to the vote. FOR (32) Cllrs Abdul-Sattar, Ali Ahmed, Ali, Anderson, Bowen-Thomson, Bradbury, Bridgeman, Burke, Carr, Caruana, De’Ath, Ferguson-Thorne, Gauci, Humphreys, Hunt, Jenkins, Jackie Jones, Owen Jones, Kaaba, Lewis, Mackie, McGarry, Merry, Moultrie, Proctor, Sangani, Simmons, Stubbs, Thomson, Thorne, Weaver and Wong. AGAINST (12) Cllrs Berman, Brown-Reckless, Carter, Davies, Hopkins, Lancaster, Naughton, Shimmin, Taylor, Waldron, Williams and Wood. ABSTAIN (1) Cllr Youde. RESOLVED: Council AGREED: 1. that the budget principles as set out in the report, on which the Budget Strategy will be based and the approach to meeting the Budget Reduction Requirement both in 2027/28 and across the period of the Medium-Term Financial Plan, be agreed; 2. that Directorates work with the relevant Portfolio Cabinet Member(s), in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance to identify potential savings to assist in addressing the indicative budget gap of £45.0 million for 2027/28 and £163.7 million across the period of the Medium-Term Financial Plan; 3. that authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance, the authority to implement any saving proposal in advance of 2027/28 where no policy recommendation is required or where a policy decision has already been taken; 4. that it be noted that work will continue to update and refresh the MTFP and that this will be reported to Members as appropriate; 5. that the consultation on the 2027/28 budget proposals will take place when the detail of options is available in order to inform the preparation of the draft 2027/28 Budget; 6. 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; 7. the pressures and timescales associated with the recommissioning of Care Home Placements for Older People as set out at paragraph 39-41 be noted, and to the inclusion within the Council’s Budget of the estimated additional costs of up to a maximum of £4.0 million in 2027/28 (being the impact of estimated framework rates plus inflation), and £0.200 million in 2028/29. Funding must be addressed as part of the Council’s overall Budget Strategy and will include finalisation by the commissioning directorate of phased implementation arrangements.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: Council AGREED: - That, in accordance with the recommendations of the Local Authority Governor Panel, the Council approves the new appointments of Local Authority governors to the school governing bodies as set out in Appendix 1, each for a term of 4 years from the date of the appointment.
Council was asked to appoint Local Authority School Governors to fill vacancies. RESOLVED: Council AGREED: - That, in accordance with the recommendations of the Local Authority Governor Panel, the Council approves the new appointments of Local Authority governors to the school governing bodies as set out in Appendix 1, each for a term of 4 years from the date of the appointment.
In accordance with Council procedure Rule 17 (f), the Written Questions received for consideration and their responses were attached to the minutes.
Part of an issue followed across 9 meetings
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.
Emma Reid-Jones: Personal interest on Cabinet Statements
Her husband is a partner in a firm that was consulted on the workplace parking levy.
Bernie Bowen-Thomson: Personal interest on Notice of Motion - 1
She runs a charity that works with partners to disrupt exploitation.
Joe Carter: Personal interest on Notice of Motion - 1
He works for a charity campaigning against smoking.
Ed Stubbs: Personal interest on Oral Questions
His wife chairs a charity that provides Welsh-language childcare in Splott, as mentioned in question 21.
Anny Anderson: Personal interest on Urgent Business
A family member or members work for the council.
Lee Bridgeman: Personal interest on Urgent Business
A family member or members work for the council.
Jennifer Burke: Personal interest on Urgent Business
A family member or members work for the council.
James Caruana: Personal interest on Urgent Business
A family member or members work for the council.
Bob Derbyshire: Personal interest on Urgent Business
A family member or members work for the council.
Dan Naughton: Personal interest on Urgent Business
A family member or members work for the council.
Joel Williams: Personal interest on Urgent Business
A family member or members work for the council.
Sean Driscoll: Personal and prejudicial interest on Urgent Business
His mother-in-law is in receipt of care.
Berman: Interest on Oral Questions
During question 1, Cllr Berman said he is a governor of Marlborough Primary School and declared an interest in that regard.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.