Wrthi'n llwytho
Does dim crynodeb o'r cyfarfod hwn eto. Caiff un ei ysgrifennu pan fydd y cyngor yn cyhoeddi'r cofnodion. Mae'r agenda a'r papurau isod.
Councillor Sterry asked: Leader, a number of city centre businesses have contacted councillors expressing serious concerns about the continued decline of Newport city centre. Among the issues raised are low footfall, anti-social behaviour, crime, business closures and the impact of long-standing traffic restrictions on access to the city centre. Businesses have also questioned whether the current pedestrianisation and vehicle access arrangements, many of which have remained largely unchanged for almost 30 years, are still appropriate in light of changing economic conditions and the challenges facing the city centre today. Will the Leader confirm: Whether the Council intends to undertake a comprehensive review of the current traffic restrictions and pedestrianisation arrangements in the city centre, including their impact on accessibility, footfall and business viability. What evidence the Council is relying upon when assessing the health of the city centre, particularly in relation to footfall and business performance. Whether the Council will commit to meeting directly with city centre businesses and representative groups to hear their concerns and work collaboratively on measures to improve Newport city centre. Given the number of businesses expressing concern, does the Leader accept that maintaining the status quo is not enough, and what specific actions will the Council take over the next 12 months to restore confidence in Newport city centre? Councillors Batrouni, R Howells and Clarke responded: There has been a Prohibition of Driving order in place in the City Centre since 1997. These where reviewed and consulted on in November 2022. The Cabinet are very supportive of city centre businesses, and you will be aware that the Leader announced at the last Cabinet meeting that the Council will be supporting city centre businesses with a reduction in business rates for eligible businesses. This continues the financial support the Council has provided for city centre businesses since the Covid 19 Pandemic. With nearly 70% of all businesses in the city centre being ‘independents’, this Council administration recognise the importance of supporting our local businesses. Alongside this, the Council has offered grants to new and expanding businesses, as well as facilitating access to external funding including Welsh Government regeneration funding and UK Government funding. However, the Council do not have access to the accounts of individual businesses and can therefore only measure the vibrancy of an area through data which it does own and manage. This includes the new footfall cameras which were installed in April 2025 and give us a clearer picture of movements across the city centre at various times of the day and week. We also monitor commercial unit vacancy levels twice per year and have seen overall reduction from 23% in September 2024 to just over 18% in February 2026. We also actively engage with businesses at both officer level and as a Cabinet. Indeed, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth is a Board member of the Newport Now Business Improvement District (BID) which represents more than 600 businesses. The Leader also attended a recent open meeting facilitated by the BID to discuss current issues. However, what the Council is not responsible for is the amount of money residents and visitors choose to spend in the city centre. The range and quality of businesses and the services they offer are a matter for the businesses themselves.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
Caiff datganiadau eu darllen o'r cofnodion unwaith y byddan nhw wedi'u cyhoeddi.
Dyw'r cyngor ddim wedi cofnodi presenoldeb ar gyfer y cyfarfod hwn.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.