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Full Council met on 25 November 2025. It approved the annual reports of the Governance and Audit Committee, the Democratic Services Committee and the Head of Democratic Services, the 2024/25 Corporate Plan self-assessment and the 2025-27 Corporate Plan update, the 2024/25 Strategic Equality Plan report, and a new Public Spaces Protection Order for dog control. It also supported two notices of motion, one opposing the Digital ID scheme and one asking the Welsh Government to link HMO licensing with planning, agreed governing body appointments, and changed some polling places.
Councillor Whitehead informed the Council that Mike ‘Spikey’ Watkins, former Wales national rugby union captain and Newport RFC legend, died earlier this day. The Presiding Member led Council in a moment of silence in Mike’s memory. Councillor Mudd. Councillor Adan declared an interest under Item 8: Annual Corporate Plan Self-Assessment Report 2024/25 and Corporate Plan 2022-27 (2025-27 Update) as an LEA Governor of Pillgwenlly Primary School.
The Minutes of the last meeting held on 23 September 2025 were accepted as a true record. This was proposed by Councillor Batrouni and seconded by Councillor Evans. Councillor M Howells mentioned that at the last meeting, a debate took place where he challenged a point made by the Leader, as he wanted the facts to be made clear. Councillor M Howells wanted to clarify that his intervention was not intended to suggest that the Leader was deliberately misleading the Council and wanted to put on record that this was not his intention. Councillor M Howells went on to say that whilst he and Councillor Batrouni sometimes had political differences, he still respected the role the Leader and, indeed, the role that all councillors played as elected members. Councillor M Howells’ aim was to ensure accuracy in a highly emotive discussion. Councillor M Howells noted that he has worked constructively with the Leader in the past and looked forward to working with the Leader in the future. Item 14: Questions to Cabinet Member, Question 5, to the Cabinet Member for Communities and Sport. Councillor Adan advised that in his response, Scorpion Taxis, should have read Scorpion FC.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: That the following appointments be agreed. Governing Body Appointments Governing Body Appointments / Resignations / Disqualifications Name Clytha Primary School Resignation Chris Carter Clytha Primary School Appointment Councillor Fouweather Bassaleg School Resignation David Williams Bassaleg School Appointment Howard Mason Marshfield Primary School Resignation John Tobutt Marshfield Primary School Appointment Suzanne House Ysgol Gyfun Gwent is Coed Resignation Janice Dent Ysgol Gyfun Gwent is Coed Appointment Jodie Williams Ysgol Bryn Derw Resignation Christopher May Ysgol Bryn Derw Appointment Amy Llewellyn St Andrews Primary School Resignation Kevin Howells St Andrews Primary School Appointment Meryl Echeverry
Councillor Clarke moved the appointments set out in the report. Councillor Clarke also announced that Councillor Reeks would be standing down as Chair of Performance Scrutiny Committee: People and Councillor Routley would take over as Chair. Councillor Mogford seconded the proposal. Resolved: That the following appointments be agreed. Governing Body Appointments Governing Body Appointments / Resignations / Disqualifications Name Clytha Primary School Resignation Chris Carter Clytha Primary School Appointment Councillor Fouweather Bassaleg School Resignation David Williams Bassaleg School Appointment Howard Mason Marshfield Primary School Resignation John Tobutt Marshfield Primary School Appointment Suzanne House Ysgol Gyfun Gwent is Coed Resignation Janice Dent Ysgol Gyfun Gwent is Coed Appointment Jodie Williams Ysgol Bryn Derw Resignation Christopher May Ysgol Bryn Derw Appointment Amy Llewellyn St Andrews Primary School Resignation Kevin Howells St Andrews Primary School Appointment Meryl Echeverry
The Presiding Member advised Council colleagues that there would be no Police Issues on the agenda, however, Chief Superintendent Jason White would provide an interim update which would be circulated to Councillors.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: That Council: 1. Noted the contents of the Governance and Audit Committee Annual Report for 2024/25 2. Agreed that the Council met its statutory responsibilities as set out in this report. 3. Approved the Committee’s Annual Report.
The Presiding Member invited Mr D Reed, Governance and Audit Committee Vice Chair, to present the report. This report was presented to the Governance and Audit Committee at its September 2025 meeting. Councillor Perkins proposed the report. Councillor Mogford seconded the report. To access a full recording of the debate please refer to the Council’s YouTube channel. Democratic Meetings / Cyfarfodydd Democrataidd Resolved: That Council: 1. Noted the contents of the Governance and Audit Committee Annual Report for 2024/25 2. Agreed that the Council met its statutory responsibilities as set out in this report. 3. Approved the Committee’s Annual Report.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: That Council supported the motion.
The following motion was proposed by Councillor Mogford and seconded by Councillor Routley: Council notes the recent announcement by Keir Starmer’s Labour Government of plans to introduce a mandatory Digital ID scheme for all UK residents. Council further notes that the Government’s plan has the adverse potential to: · require every resident to obtain a Digital ID to access public services and entitlements. · risk criminalising millions of people, particularly older people, those on lower incomes, or those without access to digital technology. · result in an estimated £4.6 billion of taxpayers’ money being wasted on a massive IT project, with no clear benefit or safeguards. · do nothing to address the real priorities facing communities such as the lack of economic growth that our country is facing, the cost-of-living crisis that residents in Newport are experiencing, or the problems within public services that have been refused the investment that they need to deliver. · raising significant privacy and civil liberties concerns for the residents of Newport that this council would have to deal with at some level. · formally oppose the Labour Government’s Digital ID plans. · request the Leader of the Council writes to the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Minister for Digital Infrastructure expressing this council’s firm opposition to Labour’s mandatory Digital ID system and calling for the plans to be scrapped. · work with local voluntary, digital inclusion, and civil liberties groups to ensure that no resident of Newport is penalised or excluded as a result of any national Digital identification scheme. Councillor Mogford spoke to the motion. The Leader moved an amendment to the motion, which was seconded by Councillor Corten. At this point of the meeting, Council was briefly adjourned to give elected members the opportunity to read the amendment to the Motion at 17:25. Council resumed at 17:43. The Leader then spoke to the following amendment: Council notes the recent announcement by the Labour Government plans to introduce a Digital ID scheme that will be available to all UK residents and will be mandatory for Right to Work checks by the end of the Parliament. This Council further notes that the Government’s plan have been subject to misinformation, including: require every resident to obtain a Digital ID to access public services and entitlements. · risk criminalising millions of people, particularly older people, those on lower incomes, or those without access to digital technology; result in an estimated £4.6 billion of taxpayers’ money being wasted on a massive IT project, with no clear benefit or safeguards. Will do nothing to address the real priorities facing communities such as the lack of economic growth that our country is facing, the cost-of-living crisis that residents in Newport are experiencing, or the problems within public services that have been refused the investment that they need to deliver. · support the Labour Government’s Digital ID consultation plans; request the Leader of the Council writes to the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Minister for Digital Infrastructure expressing his council’s concern about the misinformation being circulated and asking them to address those concerns work with local voluntary, digital inclusion, civil liberties groups and with local MPs to ensure that no resident of Newport is penalised or excluded in any national Digital identification scheme. The amendment was debated. Councillor Morris sought clarification on the debate. The Monitoring Officer advised that the substantive motion and amendment to the motion were intrinsically linked and allowed the debate to continue. The Monitoring Officer explained that the Leader proposed the amendment and had a right to speak to the amendment in his closing statement. The Leader proposed that the amendment be voted on. The Presiding Member asked for Council to take a vote on the amendment. The vote was carried by the majority; therefore, the amendment became the substantive motion from this point in proceedings. The Leader then proposed that the vote now be taken on the substantive motion, which was seconded. Councillor Mogford spoke on the motion. The vote was taken and the motion, as amended, was carried. To access a full recording of the debate please refer to the Council’s YouTube channel. Democratic Meetings / Cyfarfodydd Democrataidd Resolved: That Council supported the motion.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: That Council supported the motion. At this point of the meeting, there was a recess at 18:38. Council resumed at 18:52.
The following motion was proposed by Councillor M Howells and seconded by Councillor Batrouni: Council notes: That the licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) under the Housing Act 2004 is a separate legal regime to planning control under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. That the current legislative framework allows an HMO licence to be granted even where no planning permission is in place for use of the property as an HMO. That this disconnect can result in properties operating as HMOs in breach of planning control, potentially undermining community confidence, local planning policy, and enforcement efforts. That while Environmental Health and Planning teams liaise in practice, statutory limitations mean they don’t condition one process on the outcome of the other. That this situation has led to the granting of HMO licences in circumstances where planning breaches exist, damaging public trust and creating a perception of regulatory failure. Council believes: That better integration between planning and licensing decisions is essential for transparency, public confidence, and effective housing regulation. That individuals who deliberately operate outside the planning system should not be deemed “fit and proper” to manage HMOs without further scrutiny and consideration. That Newport City Council have commissioned an independent review into our HMO policy and look forward to receiving that report. Council resolves to request that the Leader of the Council writes to the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant MS, asking the Welsh Government to bring forward legislative reform to: · Mandate linkage between HMO licensing and planning status; Provide clear powers to withhold or revoke licences where planning breaches exist; Enhance enforcement tools where landlords operate HMOs in deliberate breach of planning law. Councillor M Howells spoke to the motion. Members debated the motion. Councillor M Howells gave his closing statement. The vote was carried by the majority. To access a full recording of the debate please refer to the Council’s YouTube channel. Democratic Meetings / Cyfarfodydd Democrataidd Resolved: That Council supported the motion. At this point of the meeting, there was a recess at 18:38. Council resumed at 18:52.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: That Council: 1. Approved the annual Corporate Plan Self-Assessment report 2024/25 in Appendix 1 2. Approved and adopted the updated version of the Corporate Plan for 2025-27 as shown in Appendix 2.
The Presiding Member invited the Leader, Councillor Batrouni to present the report. This year’s Annual Report 2024/25 provided an overview of the Council’s achievements, opportunities and challenges faced by the Council as well as reporting on the effectiveness of its performance and governance arrangements. Councillor D Davies seconded the report. Resolved: That Council: 1. Approved the annual Corporate Plan Self-Assessment report 2024/25 in Appendix 1 2. Approved and adopted the updated version of the Corporate Plan for 2025-27 as shown in Appendix 2.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: Council agreed the Strategic Equality Plan Annual Report 2024-25.
The Presiding Member invited the Cabinet Member for Communities and Sport, Councillor Hughes to present the report. This Annual Report outlined progress made during the first year of delivery (2024–25). The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee considered the report, and their feedback was incorporated. Councillor D Davies seconded the report. Councillor L James spoke in support of the White Ribbon Ambassadors and Champions Scheme initiative. Councillor James signed up to be a Champion and added that she would like to see all councillors signing up to be ambassadors to this scheme, as it was everyone’s responsibility. The Leader was happy to support Councillor James’s comments. To access a full recording of the debate please refer to the Council’s YouTube channel. Democratic Meetings / Cyfarfodydd Democrataidd Resolved: Council agreed the Strategic Equality Plan Annual Report 2024-25.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: Council unanimously approved the making of the Newport City Council Public Spaces Protection (Dog Control) Order 2025.
The Presiding Member invited the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Waste and Recycling, Councillor Forsey to present the item. The existing dog control order expired in November 2025, this new report outlined the processes that was followed, including a full and thorough public consultation and presentation to Performance Scrutiny Committee - Partnerships to enable the renewal of the existing order. Councillor D Davies seconded the report. To access a full recording of the debate please refer to the Council’s YouTube channel. Democratic Meetings / Cyfarfodydd Democrataidd Resolved: Council unanimously approved the making of the Newport City Council Public Spaces Protection (Dog Control) Order 2025.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: That Council: 1. Noted the contents of the Democratic Service Committee Annual Report for 2024/25 2. Agreed that the Council has met its statutory responsibilities as set out in this report. 3. Approved the Committee’s Annual Report.
The Presiding Member invited the Chair of Democratic Services Committee, Councillor John Jones to present the report. The Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 requires each council to establish a Democratic Services Committee. The Measure prescribes the functions of the committee and requires the committee to make a report at least annually to the Council. Councillor Hourahine seconded the report. Resolved: That Council: 1. Noted the contents of the Democratic Service Committee Annual Report for 2024/25 2. Agreed that the Council has met its statutory responsibilities as set out in this report. 3. Approved the Committee’s Annual Report.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: That Council: 1. Noted the contents of the Head of Democratic Services Annual Report 2. Agreed that the Council met its statutory responsibilities as set out in this report. 3. Approved the Head of Democratic Services Annual Report.
The Presiding Member invited the Chair of Democratic Services Committee, Councillor John Jones to present the report. Under the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, the Democratic Services Committee was required to keep under review the provision of staff, accommodation and other resources made available to the Head of Democratic Services. This ensured that adequate resources were provided for the responsibilities of the post. This annual report provided an outline of the resources made available in support of these functions, so that the Democratic Services Committee could fulfil its responsibilities. under the Measure. Councillor Hourahine seconded the report. Resolved: That Council: 1. Noted the contents of the Head of Democratic Services Annual Report 2. Agreed that the Council met its statutory responsibilities as set out in this report. 3. Approved the Head of Democratic Services Annual Report.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: Council made the proposed changes to polling places as set out in Appendix A.
The Presiding Member invited the Cabinet Member for Communications and Culture, Councillor Corten to present the report. The Council had a duty regularly review polling districts and designated polling places to ensure all electors have reasonable facilities for voting. Following consultation with stakeholders and a review of current arrangements, changes to certain polling places were proposed to address issues of accessibility, convenience, or suitability that had arisen since the last full review. Councillor Batrouni seconded the report. To access a full recording of the debate please refer to the Council’s YouTube channel. Democratic Meetings / Cyfarfodydd Democrataidd Resolved: Council made the proposed changes to polling places as set out in Appendix A.
The Leader presented his announcements to Council colleagues. To access a full recording of the Leader’s announcements, please refer to the Council’s YouTube channel. Democratic Meetings / Cyfarfodydd Democrataidd Once the Leader had concluded, Councillors put their questions to the Leader, in line with Standing Orders arrangements. Councillor Evans asked: In 2008 we set about introducing an awards ceremony to celebrate the achievements of staff and residents across the city. The first year was a tremendous success and I can recall sitting next to the lady who had cleaned the toilets in Newport Market for over 30 years and had never received anything. By 2012 the event was held at the Celtic Manor, fully sponsored by local businesses only too pleased to recognise excellence. Sadly, when Labour came back into power, they first downgraded the event and then stopped it altogether. It was a real shame as it was a non-political function which bought out the best in people. I am sure we could all think of staff and members of our community who go the extra mile to nominate. So, will the Leader of the Council give serious consideration to bringing back the “Extra Mile Awards“? Response: For a number of years, we have supported the celebration and recognition of Newport businesses, many of which are owned and operated by Newport residents. For staff recognition, Members will be aware of the employee value awards designed to recognise and reward those who exemplify our values and behaviours in their roles working for the Council. They offer staff the chance to nominate teams or individuals who consistently demonstrate that our values are integral to their work. Whilst the Leader supported celebrating the achievement of staff and residents, during these times of austerity, and scrutiny of public spending or even private sponsorship, it was felt that a three-course meal at the Celtic Manor was probably not the most appropriate setting. Supplementary: Councillor Evans felt that the Leader misunderstood the point. To have a three-course meal in a luxury place for residents and staff who would like an evening to remember, was a rewarding experience and therefore asked the Leader to reconsider. Response: The Leader was happy to meet with Councillor Evans to discuss a way to celebrate members of the community in an affordable way. Councillor Reeks asked: Newport City Council has a record of supporting businesses into the city centre, bringing in many big names over the years as well as facilitating and being involved with popular events to support the traders such as the Food Festival and the recent Christmas lights switch on which saw the streets packed with people. However, there are many small businesses outside of the city centre which also need support for various reasons in these challenging times. For example, the Dwr Cymru drinking water pipes upgrade project in Rogerstone with its temporary road closures has led to significant reductions in passing trade for two local businesses, the 14 Locks Canal Centre and the Premier Store, both of whom have seen a reduction in footfall of over 50%. When previously asking about support for these struggling businesses from the council I was told that “we haven’t done anything like this before.” Whilst acknowledging that we haven’t supported businesses affected like this before, it is important that we look to support all of our businesses across the city to ensure growth and the betterment of the local and wider community. Can I ask the leader to set up a process where local businesses affected by circumstances out of their control such as the ones in Rogerstone can discuss their situation and agree, if possible, a mechanism of direct support, thereby showing all the businesses of Newport that we as a council are serious about promoting the growth of the city as a whole? Response: The Council does support all businesses, including those not in the city centre but the question asked is whether the Council would compensate businesses affected by works carried out by utilities companies. If any Council did this, then in effect businesses affected by gas, electricity, water, and internet suppliers would be seeking support from the taxpayer as an insurance policy to utility suppliers. The Council would need to be very cautious of a direct support mechanism of this kind. On some occasions, utilities companies dig up roads without contacting the Council which is frustrating for businesses as it affects footfall. We are proud and supportive of Newport businesses and provide a package of support for all businesses across the city. This includes an easily accessible advice service where officers are able to provide support and guidance to businesses located anywhere in the city and signpost to other advisors and potential grant funding. If, however, the signposting to the advice and support available for businesses were not clear, then we would work on this. Supplementary: Companies did have the mechanisms in place, however, could businesses be looked at on a case-by-case basis to be seen as a listening council. Response: The Leader would sit down with Councillor Clarke and Cllr Reeks to discuss further; however, the Leader would not wish to make the taxpayer the insurance policy for the actions of utility companies. Councillor Fouweather asked: Does the leader agree with the UK Government’s decision to abolish Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). Response: Yes, it’s part of a wider landscape of police reform. This did not diminish the great work of the current incumbent and previous PCCs. The local PCC has been an integral part of our partnership work, providing grant funding that supports programmes of work within Safer Newport, ensuring that work is prioritised on local need and working with charities. The Leader did support overall reform. Supplementary: What is the way forward, should we return to a Police Authority, or should we find Councillor Mudd, the current PCC a new job as the Mayor for Southeast Wales. Response: There should be a Welsh solution where Police were held to account. The guidance issued so far indicates that Local Authority Leaders would take on the role where non-elected Mayors were in place. A proper mechanism was needed to be put in place, and the Council would be working with the PCC on a solution.
Councillor Evans asked: Is there in any truth in the rumour that some Newport schools have had pork products removed from their menus? If so, can you please give this Council the details, and any action you have taken to stop this? Response from Councillor Davies: The answer is straightforward. Pork was a meal option on the school menus only last week, and I would argue that processed foods such as ham, which contain so many chemicals and preservatives, should be reduced as part of our offer, as we are prioritising healthy eating and a nutritious menu in our schools. In the current climate, some might find a hidden inference behind this question, which I am sure wasn’t intended. I feel that I need to remind the chamber that we do not tolerate division or intent to undermine community cohesion. Going forward, let’s choose our words carefully when asking questions. And perhaps we also need to treat rumours and misinformation with the scepticism they frequently deserve. Supplementary: This issue was being discussed in public because of the rumours on social media. Councillor Evans referred to a school in Sutton Coldfield where pork was taken off the menu as a human error. This also happened in a school in Cardiff, where pork was taken off the menu. As these were cases he had seen in the media, Councillor Evens felt that it was important to have this discussion. Councillor Evans hoped that these issues should be debated in public, so that the Council could be united against these rumours on social media to dispel them and asked if the Cabinet Member agreed with this. Response: Councillor D Davies reiterated that pork was not off the menu and suggested contacting education services direct would be a way of confirming these facts. Councillor Mogford asked: I understand that yourself (as Cabinet Member covering Education) and the Leader have taken the opportunity to visit every Primary school in Newport during 2024/2025. Having spoken to a number of primary school staff and parents in my role as school governor/ward councillor I have been asked to establish the outcomes of the exercise and any follow up actions raised as a result of these primary school’s visits. Question What specific data and information have you gleaned from this extended exercise relating specifically to primary schools? Is there a report you could share or point to that captures the observations, outcomes, and actions from this extended exercise? Response from Councillor D Davies: As Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years, it's very much within my remit and role to visit schools. I am dismayed and in fact bemused by such a strange question. Surely if I were failing to visit schools, you would be standing here this evening holding me to account? To be effective in my role it is critical that I am familiar with schools and the context they are working in. Visiting school sites allows me to see best practice and understand the challenges school leaders and their staff face on a daily basis. I have systematically visited schools across the city for many years, and its only in the last year that the leader has joined me. Headteachers have consistently told me and the Leader that they appreciated this contact. They said that they felt listened to and supported through our visit schedule. Visiting schools is not about collecting data, which is the information that is collated by officers utilising sophisticated systems and processes that are in place to ensure I can consider education data trends and how individual schools perform within Newport. This happens in frequent Cabinet Member briefings and, in turn, allows me to consider strategic priorities with my fellow cabinet colleagues. School visits provide context and insight. It brings the data to life and enables clarity of thought and understanding of the issues I am asked to consider. At various points during the last year, I was able to share my school visit experiences with senior leaders in Education Services. Officers in Education Service followed up each of my requests with individual Headteachers. This is one of the reasons why the Leader and Cabinet gave additional funding £1.2 million pounds to schools last year. This additional funding allowed individual schools to be able to complete some of their maintenance work, improve the environment for learners or to support other priorities aligned to their specific needs. This was a highly successful ‘you said, we did’ scenario. The visits also allowed me to acquire first-hand information to present to colleagues in the Senedd who could provide much needed funding across the country. There is one very important report that I would like to draw to your attention to. This is the December 2025 Local Authority Education Services Estyn Report which clearly articulates how well leaders in Newport know their schools, recognising that this enables them to support in the most appropriate way. I believe this captures everything you need to know about the value of those visits. Councillor B Davies asked: How is Newport continuing to promote good attendance in schools’ post-covid? Is this working? Response from Councillor D Davies: All Newport schools work in full collaboration with Education Services, maintaining a strong and highly successful approach to supporting attendance at every level. Attendance remains a key priority for Newport City Council and all schools, and this commitment is reflected in the robust systems in place. The Education Welfare Service provides a tiered model of support—universal, targeted, and intensive—based on individual school needs. Thanks to additional Welsh Government funding, the service operated without a waiting list throughout the academic year 2024-25. A range of effective strategies underpin this success, including first-day response protocols, family engagement initiatives, cluster-wide attendance policies, rigorous data tracking, timely referrals to the Education Welfare Service, and the appropriate use of legal sanctions where necessary. Attendance figures have continued to improve since the pandemic, with unverified Welsh Government data for 2024/25 placing Newport 7th in Wales. Verified data is due for publication in the spring term 2026. Furthermore, All-Wales data for the first half of the current academic term shows Newport ranked 2nd in Wales, an exceptionally strong performance that we are determined to sustain. Councillor Drewett asked: It is suggested that pupil behaviour is more challenging than ever – what does this look like for Newport schools and how are they being supported to manage this? Response from Councillor D Davies: Across Wales, schools are reporting increasingly complex behaviour needs and Newport reflects this trend. Despite these challenges, Newport continues to perform strongly compared to national averages in terms of rates of exclusion. Welsh Government national data released last week (on 11/11/25) for the academic year 2023-24 confirms that Newport schools have the lowest fixed-term exclusion rates for over 5 days in Wales, demonstrating the effectiveness of our proactive and collaborative approach. The data also demonstrates Newport’s performance being lower than the Welsh average for the number of permanent exclusions for the last three years- again demonstrating the strong commitment to maintaining pupil placements in schools across the LA. Behaviour challenges in schools present in a range of ways, including incidents of physical assault and disruptive behaviour, but our systems and partnerships ensure these issues are addressed swiftly and proportionately. Key strategies and support include: · A clear and consistent graduated response model: A tiered approach focusing on early intervention and prevention, enabling schools to manage emerging needs effectively and reduce escalation. · Managed Move Process: Newport has a well-established managed move protocol, embedded for over 15 years, providing alternatives to permanent exclusion and supporting pupils to maintain engagement in mainstream education. · Harmful Behaviour Guidance for schools: Updated and supported by a wide range of partners including Gwent Police, this guidance ensures robust, multi-agency responses to serious incidents, prioritising pupil safety, and wellbeing. · Rapid Response Systems: Robust processes are in place to respond to and support schools with managing more serious incidents – these include follow up safety planning meetings and coordinated support from within Central education services, Education Safeguarding and Youth Justice. · Expansion of EOTAS Provision: We are currently increasing local capacity for specialist intervention programmes to re-engage pupils in learning and providing a more appropriate curriculum offer for our most vulnerable pupils. · Youth Violence Prevention: Newport is one of only two local authorities in Wales to recently secure £75,000 through the UK wide National Youth Endowment Fund Education Catalyst Pilot Programme, enabling evidence-based strategies to be developed in Newport schools in order to reduce youth violence and embed restorative practices across secondary schools and alternative providers within the city. · Outstanding School Leadership: Recognition must go to our dedicated school-based staff and leaders, who work tirelessly to maintain placements and support pupil wellbeing, working collaboratively with Local Authority officers and other key partners. · Estyn also highlighted Newport’s success in minimising exclusions over five days—the lowest rate in Wales—and praised the strong partnership working between the Local Authority and schools. Our approach remains data-driven, collaborative and focused on sustaining inclusive education and positive outcomes for all learners. Councillor Perkins asked: Can the cabinet member tell me what you are doing to support specialist places for children with Additional Learning Needs (ALN)? Response from Councillor D Davies: The need for specialist school places is clear. We see this in our local and national data. This was also one of the important messages we heard from school leaders when the leader and I visited schools this year. This year we opened our first Welsh Medium Primary Learning Resource Base (LRB) within the city. This is situated in Ysgol Gymraeg Nant Gwenlli which is in the heart of the Pillgwenlly community. This provides a ten-place specialist unit for primary aged children from across the city. In addition, we have successfully expanded our Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) provision through the opening of a 40-pupil place satellite provision in the former Lodge Hill Infants school in Caerleon. The satellite model allows the superb leadership and expertise of the original Ysgol Bryn Derw school to be shared in a new community setting. Ysgol Bryn Derw is one of the strongest Special Schools in Wales. We are enormously proud of the school. Despite growing these two new provisions, there remains a demand for places. This is why I am especially pleased to announce the investment of two new Primary Learning Resource Bases (LRBs) which will open in Spring 2026. These will be based at Tredegar Park Primary School and Maesglas Primary School. In recent years Llanwern High School established a 20 place ASD unit for secondary aged pupils. I am also very pleased to announce that this will expand by a further ten places in Spring 2026. The Bridge Achievement Centre which acts as our Education Other Than at School setting will also receive a significant investment to broaden its excellent provision. The Bridge Achievement Centre offers a wide range of experiences to children and young people who are unable to access mainstream education. As a Cabinet we are absolutely committed to prioritising the needs of the most vulnerable learners. The Bridge Achievement Centre has been celebrated by Estyn for its innovation and best practice, and I am delighted to support this expansion. Of course, this is not the end of our strategic planning for specialist provision. It must grow to provide the right support at the right time for our ALN learners. The strategic direction is clear; all new schools being developed across the city will also include LRB classes to ensure that we are able to manage future demand and support children and their families right across our expanding city. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our excellent specialist staff in Learning Resource Bases, Learning Support Centres, Special Schools, and the Pupil Referral Unit who do such an amazing job as well as our mainstream teachers and teaching assistants who provide such high quality universal ALN support. Your professionalism, care and commitment do not go unnoticed. You are incredible. Councillor Mogford asked: The Government provides data on E-bike and e-scooter fires on its web page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fires-in-e-bikes The Cabinet member is now aware that e-scooters are being ridden to and from a number of schools. If e-scooters are being stored or left within the school boundary what risk assessments if any have been made by the school and does this include fire risks? Response from Councillor D Davies: Can I reiterate that no schools in Newport are allowed to store E-scooters or E-bikes within the school boundary. Additional information on this subject has been shared with all school leaders across the city. Headteachers have committed to sending out additional information to the school community making it clear that E-scooters and E-Bikes are prohibited on school site. As noted in my previous answer, if you are aware of any specific schools where these have been seen on school site, please contact the Headteacher of that school directly or Chief Education Officer as a matter of urgency. Councillor Mogford asked: As a Governor of two primary schools in Bishton & Langstone I am made aware of issues relating to ‘persistent absence.’ All children have a right to education, indeed the best education that the authority can provide given its resources. Rights that in some cases are being blocked. Question Regarding the issue of absence and impact on attendance figures. · Could the cabinet member clarify what definition of ‘persistent absence’ the Authority uses? · Under that definition how many primary school children in Newport are currently classed as being ‘persistently absent’ and how does this number translate as a percentage of primary school pupils? · In attempting to manage and resolve these situations Is the cabinet member aware of the onerous procedures and processes relating to persistent absence and in particular the challenges that fall on the schools’ senior staff in trying to resolve these challenging situations · Is there scope at the Cabinet Member level to review and tighten up the procedures and help relieve where appropriate our schools of the responsibilities they currently endure with respect to persistent absence? Response from Councillor D Davies: The Authority defines persistent absence in line with Welsh Government guidance as any pupil whose attendance falls below 90% across the academic year. This threshold is used consistently across all Newport schools to monitor and address attendance concerns. Under this definition, monthly data reports are received by Education and shared with Headteachers, which highlight the percentage of persistently absent pupils in each school. Unverified data at the end of October shows that 20.6% of Newport Primary pupils are persistently absent from school. And this matters, and it's this that keeps me awake at night, and I believe the same applies to every headteacher and teacher in Newport. Persistent absenteeism can potentially put a child at risk, not just in relation to safeguarding, but at risk of coercion into criminal activities or other appalling concerns that don’t bear thinking about. The safest place for a child is in school and it’s a joy to see children arrive safely in school when you’ve been tracking their attendance for days. The question states that I needed to consider whether this is onerous? The definition of onerous is a task or responsibility that involves a great deal of trouble or difficulty. And I do not believe this is onerous. I agree it is a task; however, it is a necessary task because our guiding principles are that every child matters in Newport, every child has a right to an education, every child has the right to be safe, and we are all held to account when the systems fail our children. We are proud of what our schools do to reduce the gap and ensure learning opportunities are available for all. Children not in school will not learn, will miss out on these opportunities, and they are set up for a future of failure. Hence, the work undertaken to monitor attendance, working with parents, and utilising every available strategy. I am committed to working with Education Services and schools, supporting the current procedures. I regularly receive a formal briefing from the Education Welfare Service Manager outlining procedures and early interventions to reduce challenges, as described in the Council’s Attendance Strategy. Importantly, teachers are best placed to work with children and families to reduce persistent absenteeism, as they are best placed to develop and broker those vital relationships that will make a difference. Consequently, I see it as a positive that 60 school staff attended professional learning in improving attendance last year, and professional learning is also available to all governors. I am confident that the procedures in operation in Newport are more robust than those required nationally by the Welsh Government, reflecting our aim to intervene early with family support and reduce the likelihood of pupils becoming persistently absent. The Education Welfare Service ensures schools receive the right level of support without compromising statutory requirements or the quality of interventions. And I reiterate our shared priority remains clear: every child has the right to access education, and we will continue to work collaboratively to remove barriers and improve attendance across Newport. Councillor Fouweather asked: Will the council be investing heavily in the city centre, similar to that seen in other UK cities such as Wind Street in Swansea within the next eighteen months. Response from Councillor Clarke: Town and city centre regeneration is a priority for not just Newport or Swansea, but all towns and cities centre across the country. The decline in demand for retail on the High Street due to online shopping and the consequences of the early 1990s policy towards out-of-town retail parks is a national issue and something which is recognised through Welsh Government’s ‘Town Centre First’ policy. The new Placemaking Plan, developed in cross-party collaboration, sets out the Council’s 15-year strategy for the city centre and less than 6 months after its adoption I am pleased to see schemes already being delivered. In the city centre today, commercial occupancy is at its highest level in a decade, we have strong footfall driven by a year-round calendar of quality events, and nearly 150 additional small businesses have chosen to make the city centre their home since we exited the pandemic. These are striking figures which Newport can be proud of. The Placemaking Plan aims to continue to broaden and grow the city centre economy. Leisure, culture, and housing are realistic alternatives for underused buildings and land in our city centres, and the regeneration and business support teams work daily to support and complement our valuable small and independent businesses and provide the advice and funding they need to sustain. Regeneration isn’t quick, it isn’t easy, and it isn’t cheap. There is a real cost to delivering big hitting projects and capital funding needs to be balanced with demands in providing new schools and social care for our ever-growing population, but we are doing a good job. I think we are quick to forget the multi-million-pound investments which have been undertaken and are in development in Newport. I have already mentioned the very successful Newport Market which has put Newport on the map and draws people in from far and wide to experience everything it has to offer. Market Arcade received over £1.2m of Welsh Government grant funding, and the Council and Welsh Government have supported with the delivery of the 4* Mercure hotel in the city centre. Development is already underway on the new leisure centre project which has seen over £10m of Welsh Government Transforming Towns grant funding awarded. This development has unlocked the former Newport Centre site where plans are advancing for a new City Centre campus for Coleg Gwent which will see the delivery of a scheme worth in excess of £80m and bring thousands more people into the city every day. We have just re-opened our Placemaking Grant scheme to allow smaller projects to bid for capital funding, this has already enabled a third phase of development at the former Kings Hotel. In summing up, what I can say at this point in time is that we are listening and Newport is delivering and will continue to deliver the transformational city centre projects over the coming eighteen months and beyond, and we are already seeing the benefits of these investments in the improvements in footfall and wider commercial occupancy. Supplementary: Wind Street in Swansea received a £3million upgrade in 2021, this included things that we missed out on within our city centre, such as decent granite paving, new open green spaces with trees and, street furniture, to make the city centre a more attractive place to visit, rather than dressing up empty shop units. Would more investment be made within the city centre to make these improvements? Response: This was a valid point and Councillor Mogford mentioned at a previous Council that he found the work in the city centre positive and reassuring. If Councillor Fouweather had also seen the improvements this was a good starting point. Councillor Jenkins asked: I understand there are new footfall cameras in the city centre. Can you tell me more about the benefits of this new camera system and update me on footfall figures for the city centre? Response from Councillor Clarke: In March, this year new footfall cameras were in installed in 10 locations across the city centre, capturing footfall data in key locations. These new cameras were funded by Shared Prosperity Funding and enable us to not only track pedestrian footfall, but the cameras can also differentiate between bicycles and different types of vehicles. We can extract data on an hourly basis, for a specific date or monitor data across a whole month. For example, footfall data from the recent food festival was just under 206,000, the ABP Newport Marathon in April was 207,500, and the countdown to Christmas was just under 164,000 – this was up over 50,000 from a previous Saturday in November. Monthly footfall figures average around 1.85 million, with April seeing a figure of over 2 million. Over the first half of the current financial year, the data shows over 11 million pedestrian movements around the city centre. Whilst we are unable to compare these figures with previous years due to the change in system, these figures are impressive and evidence that people are visiting and using Newport city centre. Councillor Fouweather asked: The Westgate Hotel in Newport is a powerful symbol of democracy and working-class struggle in Wales, because of its central role in the Newport Chartist Uprising of 1839. The building is - without question - an important part of Newport’s great history and heritage. Can the Cabinet Member outline what actions have been taken by the council to ensure the building is protected from any potential disrepair, damage, or neglect? Response from Councillor Clarke: As we are all aware, the Westgate hotel is in private ownership. I don’t disagree that the hotel is an important part of the city’s heritage, and we would all love to see it brought back into use. The building needs significant investment, and the condition of this listed building is regularly assessed by planning officers. Minor repairs and improvements to the building have usually been achieved through negotiation, but you may recall a report which was taken to Planning Committee in January 2024, which authorised the issuing of an Urgent Works Notice. This notice was intended to address water ingress and open access to the building. Fortunately, the repair works were undertaken without the need to serve the notice, but we are all aware that enforcement action cannot be used to secure the re-use of the building, nor fundamental renovation of it. The Westgate has been recognised as an important part of the Placemaking Plan which was adopted earlier this year, and I can confirm that I have been in lengthy discussions over recent months with both the freeholder and leaseholder of the building regarding their future plans. I am expecting to continue these discussions into the new year. Councillor Bright asked: This year’s city centre events have been great so far. Can the cabinet member tell me what else is planned for this year and if there is anything new planned for 2026? Response from Councillor Corten: Thank you, Cllr Bright. It’s been a brilliant year in the city centre, with some genuinely exciting firsts – the Festival of Words, the Live Act Trail, and the Newport Music Trail. I’m pleased to say that all of these events will return next year. The Music Trail is set to expand, taking in more locations and venues, including our city’s beautiful cathedral. The line-up for the Trail should be announced within the next few days – and it’s cracking. I’ve also had a sneak peek at some of the Festival of Words programme, and that’s looking just as exciting. This week, we announced Comedi Casnewydd, a one-day, free-entry comedy festival taking place at the end of January. I’ve already had some teasers about the acts, with the official line-up coming out just after Christmas – a lovely way to start the New Year. That will be swiftly followed by the fabulous Lunar New Year event, St David’s Day celebrations, the marathon… I could go on. The Food Festival was once again a huge success this year, with a huge footfall of nearly 206,000. We look forward to welcoming that back, along with the Sea Shanty Festival, which I’m told has 50 bands lined up to perform across the city centre in May. There are also more exciting events that I, along with our excellent culture and events officers, am currently in talks about. I look forward to sharing details as soon as we can, along with other events throughout the year. But before we get to next year, on December 6th we’ll be hosting a celebration of Small Businesses in the city centre, with giveaways and lots of other things going on. I hope everyone in this room will get into the city centre and shop from one of our 300 plus small, indie businesses in Newport ahead of Christmas. We understand that these events are vital for reinvigorating the city centre, and alongside Cllr Clarke we will keep pushing for more, working with partners to bring more events to the city where we can. But what’s important about these events – and about our whole approach to the city centre – is that we’re not doing this for ourselves. The city centre isn’t about Cllr Clarke, the Leader or me. It’s not political. Revitalising the city centre is about supporting the hundreds of retailers who rely on footfall and listening to residents to give them the events they want to see. So yes – we are unapologetically going to keep cheerleading the city centre, while working hard with colleagues from other agencies and with business owners to tackle the challenges that remain. And let’s hope that over Christmas, some of our colleagues across this chamber have a Scrooge-like epiphany and make a New Year’s resolution to get into the city centre, pop into a Newport retailer, buy themselves some pom-poms, and join us in supporting the retailers, the venues and the events – rather than constantly damaging those businesses by using the city centre as a political football. You see, it is possible to celebrate the good and support the problem solving. Huge thanks to all our partners, the retailers who get involved and to all the brilliant officers who work so hard to make these events happen. Our city centre is all the better for you being around. Councillor D Fouweather asked: In October Newport was named the fly tipping capital of Wales. What are your thoughts on this and as the cabinet member do you believe that you should take responsibility for this terrible slight on our city. Response from Councillor Forsey: NCC proactively encourages and facilitates reporting by residents and in addition log all proactive removals that our crews deal, unlike many other councils. Whilst this will generate a higher headline number, it provides better data to allow targeting. In the first full year of 3 weekly waste collection, we saw a 10% reduction in fly tipping, this downward trend is continued into 2025, with a reduction of 24% in the period July to September this year when compared to the same period in 2024. Newport is now the best performing authority for enforcement action in Wales, based on 24/25 data, this has been driven by the improved intelligence and use of new technologies. We also regularly monitor correct waste presentation from households. Supplementary: There were unlicensed companies offering to dispose of extra waste and this added to the issue of fly tipping. Councillor Fouweather referred to a news article regarding Pottery Terrace in Pillgwenlly. Some residents were therefore having issues with disposing of extra waste. Councillor Fouweather suggested that the Cabinet Member should revisit the policy regarding the size of the bins. Response: The Cabinet Member reiterated that in the first full year of three weekly bin collections there was a 10% reduction in waste. The policy in place was driving an improvement in recycling. In relation to Pottery Terrace, there was increasing enforcement, however at this stage, no further information could be disclosed. Councillors should encourage residents to recycle. A huge litter pick took place recently and what was collected could have been put in red bags and collected at the curb side, and there was no need for excess waste. Councillor Screen asked: A few months ago, the Leader announced that approximately £250,000 of revenue funding would be made available for road safety schemes. Firstly, please can I wholeheartedly welcome this funding, which I believe will make a big difference within communities and address their road safety concerns year on year. Secondly, please could I ask for an update on the next steps for how this fund will be rolled out? Response from Councillor R Howells: We requested and received a significant response from Members on areas of concerns within their wards, which I would like to thank them for. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the Leader for making this funding stream available. A particular benefit of this scheme is whereas most road scheme funding is tied to strict third-party funding criteria and so often excludes many worthy road schemes, the Leader and I were keen to ensure with this fund that there could be more flexibility in progressing schemes in areas of concern. This is a big advantage of this scheme. To this end, officers have worked on a prioritisation criterion that allows for wider community benefits to be considered. We are currently finalising the prioritisation of the potential schemes, a lot of work from officers. Once that is complete, we will be able to confirm what schemes will be taken forward and I’m expecting to be able to confirm this within the next week or so. Councillor M Howells asked: Could the cabinet member please provide an update on George Street bridge weight restriction. The impact on residents on Corporation Road due to the diversion is significant. Response from Councillor R Howells: Thank you for your question regarding the weight restriction on George Street Bridge. Colleagues will recall this was unfortunately necessary as a result of surveys showing some evidence of concrete degradation with us needing to reduce the load on the bridge to keep it open for most traffic. We have been progressing with the more detailed investigations that are necessary, and the on-site structural testing was completed on the 20th of November. These results need to be collated with the interpretation of the testing being undertaken and a report to be provided to us. This report is anticipated to be completed mid to late January and will provide us with the information we need to consider the next steps. I fully appreciate the comments regarding Corporation Road being used as a diversion route. We have not received significant concern from residents but will continue to monitor the situation. If there were particular concerns to raise, the Cabinet Member would be happy to meet with Councillor M Howells and Officers. Supplementary: This was also raised at the Lliswerry Ward meeting last week and Councillor M Howells asked did the weight restriction apply to Council and Wastesavers lorries. Response: This would be looked into, and the information would be passed on to Councillor M Howells. Councillor Fouweather raised the time limit on Cabinet Member Questions and the Presiding Member suggested that this might be considered during the revision of the Constitution.
20 January 2026.
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