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THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF THE CITY & COUNTY OF CARDIFF
The County Council of the City & County of Cardiff met at City Hall, Cardiff on Thursday 20 October, 2011 to transact the business set out in the Council Summons dated 14 October 2011.
Present: County Councillor Delme Bowen, Lord Mayor (in the Chair); County Councillor Jayne Cowan, Deputy Lord Mayor.
County Councillors Ali, Aubrey, Aylwin, Berman, Bowden, Bridges, Burfoot, Burns, Carter, Chaundy, Clark, Ralph Cook, Richard Cook, Cox, Kirsty Davies, Finn, Foley, Ford, Furlong, Goddard, Goodway, Gordon, Grant, Greening, Griffiths, Clarissa Holland, Martin Holland, Hooper, Howells, Hudson, Hyde, Ireland, Islam, Jerrett, Brian Jones, Margaret Jones, Jones-Pritchard, Joyce, Kelloway, Lloyd, Macdonald, McEvoy, McKerlich, Montemaggi, David Morgan, Derrick Morgan, Elgan Morgan, Linda Morgan, Page, Jacqueline Parry, Keith Parry, Patel, Pickard, Piper, David Rees, Dianne Rees, Robson, Rogers, Rowland-James, Salway, Singh, Smith, Stephens, Wakefield, Walker, Williams and Woodman.
Apologies: County Councillors Gasson, Pearcy and Walsh
(Prayers were offered by County Councillor Freda Salway)
79 : MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman
80 : DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
The Chairman reminded Members of their responsibility under Article 16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct to declare any interest, and to complete Personal Interest forms, at the commencement of the item of business.
(Councillor Aubrey declared a personal interest in Item 10 - Notice of Motion as an employee of a licensed conveyancing firm)
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81 : LORD MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
(a) Microphone System, Webcasting and recording of proceedings
Members were reminded of a decision of the Constitution Committee on 10 July, 2008 to webcast the Council meeting. Members were also reminded that the Constitution Committee had previously agreed that Council proceedings be recorded for administrative purposes.
Formal approval to record the proceedings was granted.
(b) Awards
The Lord Mayor was pleased to advise Council of the following Awards received by Cardiff Catering (Education) in-house catering team during the last few months.
• The successful Schools’ initiative ‘Live ‘N’ Cooking’ was announced as the ‘Catering Management Team of the Year’ at the Local Authority Caterers Association Wales Awards; • Live ‘N’ Cooking was also shortlisted for the ‘Catering Business of the Year’ award at the Local Authority Caterers Association National Awards 2011; • ‘Live ‘N’ Cooking’ was also shortlisted for the Educatering Magazine ‘Innovation Award’; • Ms Yvonne Nelson from Moorland Primary School was shortlisted for the Educatering Magazine ‘Primary School Caterer of the Year’ award; • Moorland Primary Catering Team was shortlisted for the Association for Public Service Excellence ‘Best Service Team of the Year’ award; and • Cardiff Catering (Education) has been awarded the Good Egg Award and The Good Chicken Award from Compassion in World farming (RSPCA freedom eggs and RSPCA freedom chickens).
(c) Macmillan Cancer Research Coffee Morning
Members were invited to join the Lord Mayor and special guests at the Macmillan Cancer Research Coffee morning in the Members Lounge, County Hall, on Friday 21 October 2011. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 211
82 : PETITIONS
The following petitions were submitted:
Councillor Elgan Morgan – 840 signatories calling on the Council to substantially increase the number of shopper two hour parking spaces in the side streets off Albany Road.
Councillor Kate Lloyd – 80 signatories requesting the re-instatement of the agreement reached between three church representatives and the Council’s Tree Officer to remove a tree branch overhanging Christ Church, Lake Road North, Cardiff from adjoining Council land
Councillor Derrick Morgan – 1382 signatories calling on the Executive of Cardiff County Council to fulfil their obligations with regard to the refurbishment of the Eastern Leisure Centre at the earliest opportunity.
Councillor Mohammed Sarul Islam – 89 residents of Riverside & Pontcanna calling on the Cardiff Council Executive to install a pay and display machine with new parking scheme for Tudor Street area for the shoppers and visitors.
Councillor Mohammed Sarul Islam – 56 members of the Muslim community and residents of Cardiff calling on the Cardiff Council Executive to bring forward the proposals of same day burial service for deceased Muslims.
Councillor Gavin Cox - 39 residents requesting for Dunsmuir Road in Tremorfa to have a new road surface.
Councillor Dianne Rees – 32 residents of Ty-To-Maen Close both owners & tenants requesting that concerted action is undertaken to address all of the problems caused by Council Tenants who knowingly, wilfully and continually, fail to comply with the obligations detailed in the Conditions of Tenancy.
83 : DESIGN GUIDANCE FOR SHOP FRONTS AND SIGNAGE SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING GUIDANCE
The draft Supplementary Planning Guidance on Shop Fronts Design and Signage revised previous guidance set in December 1994, and had been County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 212 subject to detailed consultation with all Members, stakeholder groups and interested parties.
The Executive Member – Environment advised that the aim of the revised guidance was to provide a clear understanding of the Council’s expectations for shop front design and signage; to ensure good standards of design when shop fronts and associated signs are replaced or put in place across the city, including in the city centre; arcades; district shopping areas and shopping centres; and individual shops. The guidance is robust policy framework against which planning applications will be assessed, and it aims to raise the quality of design within the context of the built environment and wider street scene in Cardiff. .
Council was commended to approve the draft guidance as attached to the report.
RESOLVED – That the Design Guidance for Shop Fronts and Signage Supplementary Planning Guidance be approved
84 : REPORT OF THE POLICY REVIEW & PERFORMANCE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE REGARDING THE GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS OF CALL-IN OF EXECUTIVE DECISIONS
Following the meeting of the Policy Review & Performance Committee on 7 October 2011 on the Call-in of the Executive Decision 11038 made on 28 September 2011, the Committee decided not to refer the decision back for reconsideration, but raised concern about the Council’s own governance arrangements, the detail of which was set out in a letter to the Executive Member - Finance and Service Delivery dated 17 October 2011. Members were advised that the Executive Member’s response to that letter had been circulated in advance of this meeting.
The Lord Mayor invited the Chairperson of the Policy Review & Performance Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Dianne Rees to make a statement.
Councillor Rees addressed Council on governance issues, and referred to the role of Scrutiny and the Call-In process. She stated that the report to the Executive on 15 September 2011 on Single Status, Pay, Grading and Terms and Conditions Proposals was one of the single most important decision to be taken by the Executive this year with implications for the County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 213
Council’s finances; its fiduciary duty to the Council Taxpayer; and its reputation as an employer.
The Committee had underlined concerns about the Council’s governance arrangements in dealing with this matter, particularly that a decision marked as ‘red’ risk had not been afforded the opportunity of pre-decision scrutiny in accordance with the Council’s own Constitution, which states that those decisions flagged as red are defined as decisions relating to high level functions, primarily, relating to policy formulation within the Policy and Budgetary Framework, where the Executive would usually make a proposal to Council. For such decisions, the engagement of Scrutiny is required before the Executive recommendation is made. The Committee made the point that owing to the restrictions of the Call-In process there had neither been an adequate opportunity for Scrutiny to benchmark the proposals against other Authorities or examine them in depth in an unpressured manner.
The Chair welcomed the acknowledgement by the Executive Member - Finance and Service Delivery that in hindsight he should have involved Scrutiny in pre-decision scrutiny, and that useful lessons could be learnt from the process. The Chair indicated that these lessons and the recommendations included in the report on the Future of Scrutiny should be re-examined.
The Lord Mayor invited further discussion on matters raised in the statement and the report. A number of comments were made on procedures and processes followed in this instance, and the need for the Constitution Committee to clarify arrangements for the future.
RESOLVED – That Council noted the statement by the Chair of the Policy Review & Performance Scrutiny Committee and the range of views given on matters of governance.
85 : AMENDMENT OF DELEGATION
Council was requested to amend its Scheme of Delegations in light of recent changes in senior management responsibilities. The Scheme of Delegations within the Council’s Constitution, Part 3 Section 4F currently provides that the Corporate Director – Environment has power “to make compulsory purchase orders in respect of single houses under Part II of the Housing Act 1985 and/or the Acquisition of Land Act 1981”. The County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 214 responsibility for the relevant compulsory purchase orders now lie with the Corporate Chief Officer: Communities, and it is therefore necessary to amend the relevant delegation to reflect that position
RESOLVED – That the Council’s Scheme of Delegations be amended by reference to ‘the Corporate Chief Officer- Communities’ in relation to the power to make compulsory purchase orders in respect of single houses under Part II of the Housing Act 1985 and/or the Acquisition of Land Act 1981
86 : COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Council noted that County Councillor John Dixon had been appointed to the Corporate Parenting Panel
87 : APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF LEA SCHOOL GOVERNORS
The Council was recommended to approve the appointment of LEA School Governors as listed in the appendix to the report.
RESOLVED - That the following appointment of School Governors be approved:
(a) Appointment and Removal of LEA School Governor
School Ward Start of Applications Vacancy Cathays High Gabalfa 28/09/2011 Councillor S School Wakefield Llandaff C/W Llandaff 02/05/2011 Mrs A Cartwright Primary Riverbank Special Caerau 01/09/2010 Ms A Dallimore Ysgol Glan Llandaff 01/11/2011 Councillor J Ceubal North Hooper Ysgol Glan Llandaff 01/11/2011 Mr E L Havard Ceubal North Ysgol Pen Y Pil Trowbridge 01/11/2011 Mr H Phillips Ysgol Pen Y Pil Trowbridge 01/11/2011 Mrs A J Gale Ysgol Pencae Llandaff 01/08/2011 Mr O Owen
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(b) Future LEA Governor Vacancies
School Ward Start of Applications Vacancy Received Adamsdown Adamsdown 29/10/2011 Councillor J Dixon Primary Llanrumney High Llanrumney 29/02/2012 Mr J Marshall Roath Park Plasnewydd 25/01/2012 Mr G Brown Primary Stacey Primary Adamsdown 29/10/2011 Councillor J Dixon Tongwynlais Whitchurch 25/01/2012 Miss J Jenkins Primary Windsor Clive Ely 23/11/2011 Mr P Griffin Primary Woodlands High Caerau 10/12/2011 Mrs A Cocchiara Ysgol Mynydd Gabalfa 25/01/2012 Mr P Jeffries Bychan
(Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Jayne Cowan in the Chair)
88 : NOTICE OF MOTION
(Councillor Aubrey declared a personal interest in this item as an employee of a licensed conveyancing firm. Councillor Aubrey left the meeting during the consideration of this item )
It was moved by Councillor Mohammed Sarul Islam and seconded by Councillor Singh
The Local Authority Mortgage Scheme has been developed by number of local authority in Wales in recognition of the difficulty that many first time buyers have accessing the property market, often because they are unable to raise the deposits that a 70% loan to value mortgage requires.
The Scheme allows first time buyers to access 95% loan to value mortgages subject to full financial status checks and local authority specific criteria.
The Scheme is administered by the lender not the Local Authority, however the latter takes the risk of first time buyer defaulting for a period of five years on the difference between the 70% and 95% mortgage. The County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 216
Local Authority either places a deposit with the mortgage lender in respect of the 25% for which it receives interest, or it provides a guarantee to the mortgage lender for which it receives a payment premium. This interest or premium should then be set aside as the first call on the Council's funds should a default occur.
It should be noted that a legal agreement would need to be put in place between the lender, the Council and Sector (the treasury advisor company that developed the product) and that the Council's ability to help first time buyers would be matched to the size of scheme it agrees to.
This Council calls on the Executive to bring forward a report enabling a £1m Bond (LAMS) for first time buyers to be set up that would take effect from the start of the 2012-13 financial year.
Amendment to Motion
It was moved by Councillor Craig Williams and seconded by Councillor Brian Griffiths that the motion be amended as follows:
Deletion of the following words in the last paragraph
‘….to bring forward a report enabling a £1m Bond (LAMS) for first time buyers to be set up that…’ to be replaced with the words highlighted in bold italics so that the last paragraph reads;
‘This Council calls on the Executive to look at best practice from other local authorities across the United Kingdom currently operating similar schemes, in order to ensure the maximum uptake by first time buyers, then allocate a viable bond. This scheme would take effect from the start of 2012 - 2013 financial year.’
The amendment was carried
The substantive motion, as amended was carried as follows:
The Local Authority Mortgage Scheme has been developed by number of local authority in Wales in recognition of the difficulty that many first County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 217 time buyers have accessing the property market, often because they are unable to raise the deposits that a 70% loan to value mortgage requires.
The Scheme allows first time buyers to access 95% loan to value mortgages subject to full financial status checks and local authority specific criteria. The Scheme is administered by the lender not the Local Authority, however the latter takes the risk of first time buyer defaulting for a period of five years on the difference between the 70% and 95% mortgage.
The Local Authority either places a deposit with the mortgage lender in respect of the 25% for which it receives interest, or it provides a guarantee to the mortgage lender for which it receives a payment premium. This interest or premium should then be set aside as the first call on the Council's funds should a default occur.
It should be noted that a legal agreement would need to be put in place between the lender, the Council and Sector (the treasury advisor company that developed the product) and that the Council's ability to help first time buyers would be matched to the size of scheme it agrees to.
This Council calls on the Executive to look at best practice from other local authorities across the United Kingdom currently operating similar schemes, in order to ensure the maximum uptake by first time buyers, then allocate a viable bond. This scheme would take effect from the start of the 2012-13 financial year.
89 : CORPORATE STATEMENT (County Councillor Berman)
Contemporary Art & Design Gallery
On Tuesday 4 October, the Leader hosted the launch at the Wales Millennium Centre of a new initiative to establish Cardiff as Europe’s largest Contemporary Arts & Design Gallery. This exciting project aims to open up the city as a blank canvas for skilled artists and help ensure that the city’s talent can thrive. It will result in art installations and activity throughout our city – in parks, public places, city squares, civic buildings, shops and businesses. The launch brought together key stakeholders to share the findings of a report produced by Stevens & County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 218
Associates and Holder Mathias detailing the concept, and enabled discussions to begin on how we can turn the concept into a reality.
Iris Prize
On Saturday 8 October, the Leader presented the award for best UK short film at the 2011 Iris Prize Festival awards show. The Iris Prize – Cardiff’s international gay and lesbian short film prize – continues to be the world’s largest short film prize offering a talented film maker the chance to make a new short film. The Iris Prize Festival has become a key player for LGBT film-makers and allows Cardiff to be showcased on an international stage.
Cardiff Design Festival
The Leader gave a welcome address at a business breakfast held at UWIC on Tuesday 11 October as part of the Cardiff Design Festival. This community-led festival is in its seventh year and going from strength to strength, with over 70 events this year. For the first time, this year’s Cardiff Design Week was also part of the @CreativeCardiff showcase, which is supported by Cardiff Council.
@CreativeCardiff is showcasing festivals, exhibitions and events, as well as the cultural life of the city, to an external audience. It aims to strengthen the city’s economic growth and make Cardiff an exciting, dynamic and creative European capital.
Cities of the Isles Conference
On 11–12 October, Cardiff hosted the 2011 Cities of the Isles Conference, involving representatives from Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh and Glasgow. This year’s theme was New Economic Profiles: Financing Future City-Region Development and involved presentations from all partner cities. It also afforded delegates the opportunity to visit the new Porth Teigr development in Roath Basin, including the new 170,000 sq foot drama production studio complex for BBC Wales at Roath Lock.
Executive Portfolio Responsibilities
The Leader announced an amendment to Executive Portfolio responsibilities with immediate effect. Councillor Neil McEvoy would County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 219 assume responsibility for Transport & Economic Development matters; with Councillor Lisa Ford continuing with responsibility for Highway related matters.
Members will be aware of the growing importance of the economic development of the city region and the vital role that transport infrastructure plays in this. This realignment of responsibilities will strengthen the Council’s approach to the coordination of strategic policy in these areas and facilitate a more streamlined approach to collaborative working across the city region.
Highways Portfolio
Highways Operations & Maintenance Street lighting Flood Risk Management Winter Maintenance Drainage Streetscape (including street furniture, street naming & highway adoption
Transport & Economic Development Portfolio
Economic Strategy & Employment Transport Policy & Development Public Transport Parking Management Cycling
Forthcoming Executive Business
The next scheduled Executive Business Meeting will be held at 2.00 pm on Thursday 3 November 2011. In accordance with the usual arrangements, Members are advised that reports on the matters set out below will be coming forward for consideration by the Executive in the near future. The consideration of each item of business will be subject to the Council’s established business arrangements and timetabling constraints. In accordance with legal requirements, the papers for Executive Business Meetings will be circulated at least three clear days prior to each meeting and posted on the website prior to the meeting taking place.
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The following items are currently scheduled to be considered on 3 November 2011:
Transport & Economic Development: Councillor Neil McEvoy
• World Boxing Council Convention 2013 (WBC)
Education & Lifelong Learning: Councillor Freda Salway
• Executive Response to the Scrutiny Report on Literacy of children and young people in Cardiff
Environment: Councillor Margaret Jones
• Cardiff Local Development Plan
Finance & Service Delivery: Councillor Mark Stephens
• Category Management Central Transport Services – Fleet Procurement • Flaxland Allotments Gabalfa • Appropriation of land at South Rise Allotments, Llanishen, Cardiff
Highways: Councillor Lisa Ford
• Executive Response to the Report of the Environmental Scrutiny Committee Entitled “Council Approach To Highway Defect Management”
Health, Social Care & Wellbeing: Councillor Kirsty Davies
• Asylum Seekers Service - Cardiff Council Tender proposal.
Sport, Leisure & Culture: Councillor Nigel Howells
• Citizen Focussed Services • Renewal of Cardiff Story Museum’s Acquisition and Disposal Policy
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90 : CORPORATE QUESTIONS
Question: County Councillor Walker
Has the Leader examined this year’s provisional summary of Secondary Schools Performance of the city’s schools?
Assuming that he has, does he share my concern that, while some schools show improvement at KS4, a number of schools achieved the level 2 threshold (five A* to C grades) including a GCSE pass in English or Welsh and Maths at levels as low as 14% and 12%?
What initiatives will he take to recognise and encourage improving schools and challenge those who appear to be failing their pupils?
Reply: County Councillor Berman
The provisional key stage 4 data suggests an improvement of between 1% and 2% compared with the previous year for Cardiff as a whole and a narrowing of the gap with the Wales averages in some areas. Some individual schools have recorded dramatic improvement while, in some others, performance has fallen back. At present, the pattern of improvement is not as consistent or has rapid as we need it to be.
As you will be aware, all secondary schools have received provisional information this term concerning their school’s banding position based on the 2010 data. This will be re-assessed shortly on the basis of the 2011 data and will be in the public domain in December.
All schools in bands four and five will be required to submit an action plan setting out how they intend to improve significantly the outcomes achieved by pupils in the current year 11 and in succeeding year groups thereafter.
At my request, and that of the Executive Member for Education & Lifelong Learning, the Council commissioned an independent report from Isos Partnership analysing secondary performance in Cardiff and proposing improvement actions. The findings of this report have been presented to, and accepted by, headteachers.
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The Chief Executive has also spoken to secondary headteachers at a recent conference on schools performance where he outlined the Council’s new approach to improving performance in our schools. One of the strands of the Council’s Estyn response action plan is also addressing this specific issue. However, these issues are not exclusive to Cardiff. Improving schools performance is a Wales-wide priority and that is why the development of regional working will also give us the opportunity to make further appointments of system leaders to support improvement in our schools.
Officers have been visiting schools during the first half of this term to discuss the most recent performance data, and to support and challenge each school’s leaders to improve performance. The response from headteachers to the setting out of much higher ambitions for the city’s children has been very positive. We are appointing some experienced headteachers as system leaders to further improve standards by supporting proven strategies. This will mean that the core of our work with schools will be focused on facilitating improvement in learner outcomes.
It will be crucial that we work collectively in the period ahead to ensure that young people in Cardiff’s schools, wherever they are educated, have the best of opportunities to succeed. As part of the Executive’s early consideration of its budget proposals for the next financial year, the possibility of providing additional investment that will be focused on improving those schools in Cardiff serving the most disadvantaged communities is currently being given consideration. That could help in targeting additional resources at some of the city’s most challenged schools. Hopefully, we will be able to make an announcement soon on this and consult on any proposals with the Schools Budget Forum as a statutory consultee.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Walker
It is very clear from the conversation the Leader and the Chief Executive have had with the business community in Cardiff, that the skills of school leavers is one of their major concerns. Is it also a concern of the Leader and will he now place the whole education dilemma that some schools perform well in some parts of the City, while others are doing extremely poorly by comparison at the top of his agenda for the future right away, and until the next election at least? County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 223
Reply: County Councillor Berman
Undoubtedly we will continue to put education right at the top of our agenda. I think our record on education is quite clear. We have, for instance, as an administration either spent or committed to spending £180 million in school building improvements. We’ve continually prioritised improving the funding going to schools - such as the fact that we are now the second highest spender in schools per pupil in delegated budgets of any Local Authority in the whole of Wales. We are spending £313 per pupil more than the Welsh average.
A lot is made, for instance, in the Assembly about the fact that Wales as a whole is spending £604 per pupil below the Welsh average. Well, here in Cardiff, because of the actions of this administration, we have closed that gap by 50%. And we want to go on - we want to close it even further.
So Education has always been a priority for us. I agree with Councillor Walker that we need to look at some of the mechanisms for challenging performance; that we also need to look at some of the mechanisms to ensure that those in our schools are getting the absolute very best of out of our pupils; that they are delivering the right results.
I don’t think we can necessarily be accused of not having given a priority to education. And yes, I agree, we will continue to give it top priority.
Question: County Councillor Derrick Morgan
How many times have 'wellbeing' powers been exercised by the Council since 2004?
Who were the beneficiaries and in which Wards were they exercised?
Reply: County Councillor Berman
Wellbeing powers have been exercised by the Executive eight times since 2004. These decisions were taken in relation to:
• The disposal of the former Hawthorn Junior School (Llandaff North); • The disposal of public open space via a ground lease at a peppercorn rent to Rhiwbina RFC for changing facilities (Rhiwbina); County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 224
• Funding a building and associated works at Roath Basin for the housing of the Doctor Who Experience (Butetown); • The disposal, at an undervalue, of land at Barmouth Road Rumney for the purposes of development of a Primary Care Centre and Pharmacy (Rumney); • Proposals In Relation To Remaining Development Sites At The New Cardiff City Stadium (Canton); • The disposal of Rare and Antiquarian Books to Cardiff University (not ward specific); • The disposal of approximately 0.45 acres of land at Bute Park to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama for a peppercorn rental (Cathays); • The acceptance of a lower bid from the highest tenderer for the conversion and refurbishment of Grangetown Library (Grangetown).
The new Localism Bill also includes the proposal for local authorities in England to be given a power of general competence, which will enable them to do anything apart from that which is specifically prohibited. This is expected to result in greater innovation and support a new entrepreneurial approach which should, in turn, lead to greater efficiencies, improved partnership working and the ability for local authorities to help their communities in ways previously outside their remit. However, the Welsh Government has decided not to apply this provision in Wales, which would have allowed us to go even further in supporting local wellbeing here in Cardiff.
Question: County Councillor Walker
The ‘one off’ grant from the UK government to Wales is intended to be passed on to hard pressed families. Local Authorities in England are expected to keep council tax in 2012 at current levels. Most Councils in England already receive lower annual settlements than their equivalents in Wales. Is it your intention to pass on this additional funding to hard pressed Cardiff families and freeze Council tax in 2012
Reply: County Councillor Berman
Despite representations from myself and other Members of the WLGA that this extra cash should be given to Welsh councils, our understanding is that the Welsh Government has decided not to pass on this additional ‘one off’ funding from the UK Government to local authorities here in Wales. As far as the Council is currently aware, the Welsh Government County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 225 instead proposes to use this additional funding for measures that will support jobs and the wider Welsh economy. If the money is not being passed to us, then we will clearly not be in a position to pass it on to anyone.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Walker
I would be interested in having your response, so my question is, what is the Leader’s opinion of the decision by the Welsh Government to withhold the £40 million additional funding from the Prime Minister and the Government in Westminster to Wales, from Local Government?
Reply: County Councillor Berman
Well obviously I am greatly disappointed if that money doesn’t in the end doesn’t come to Local Government. Our understanding is what I’ve outlined in my response, but I am not sure that I have had it in concrete that it is not coming to Local Government. I am not 100% sure of that position. At the recent Consultative Forum on Finance meeting I was lobbying along with other Members of the WLGA for it to come to Local Government.
One of the issues of concern is that it’s one-off funding. So there is a bit of concern, and I know some colleagues in England have a concern, that if you put it into keeping Council Tax down, you are effectively putting one-off funding into recurrent expenditure and that gives you a problem the following year.
One of the points I have made to the Welsh Ministers is maybe they can find someway of giving it to us so that we can spend it on one-off increased expenditure. But the key point we made was that it should be coming to Local Government as it is a consequence of extra money going to Local Government in England, and we will continue to make that case. And if it doesn’t come to Local Government, I will be deeply disappointed.
Question: County Councillor Gordon
If the Neighbourhood Management Area structure still functions, please may I have an update on how it operates, and in what way elected members are included in its work?
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Reply: County Councillor Berman
I would refer you to the report on Area Based Working in Cardiff that was considered by the Executive on 14 July 2011. This report outlined the Council’s successful approach to neighbourhood management in Cardiff to date, which continues to form an important part of our multi- agency service delivery mechanisms.
The report considered by the Executive acknowledged that there was a need for a more systematic approach to Member involvement in neighbourhood management matters within Cardiff. As a result, the Executive has agreed that formal briefing meetings with Ward Members will be introduced within each Neighbourhood Management Area. These briefings will have a standard format, include updates on key issues by the chair of the relevant Neighbourhood Management Team and involve partner representatives, as appropriate.
I understand that relevant officers are currently in the process of arranging the first of these Member Briefings, which are expected to take place within the next six weeks.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Gordon
This is about Neighbourhood Management and the process of organising them. I applaud the more systematic approach to Member involvement in Neighbourhood Management matters, but my question is how are we as Ward Councillors going to be truly and properly involved as we should be?
I am sorry to say, but being invited to sit at briefing sessions is just not good enough. We are not there just to be told this is what we think is going on in your area. How are we, as Ward Councillors going to be involved meaningfully in a two way process in Neighbourhood Management matters?
Reply: County Councillor Berman
Well, I hope, by utilising these briefings when they do happen as effectively as possible. I do think the onus is on you as a Ward Member, as with all Ward Members, to lobby for what you want to see done.
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We do have an issue which goes back - and I have discussed it many times in this Chamber - to the Local Government Act 2000, brought forward by the Blair Government at the time, which took a lot of the decision making out of the hands of Ward Members and instead it has to be done by the Executive. So about 85% of the decisions we take as a Council are taken by the Executive alone. We can’t do anything about that unless we have a change of legislation. And that means sometimes we have to find other ways of engaging with Ward Members, rather than having them actually taking decisions.
But hopefully we can make this meaningful. Hopefully we can make sure that these meetings happen in a way that allows you to have input and allows you to have influence. But, you know, I have always taken the attitude as a Ward Member that it is up to me to just keep lobbying for improvements - and I do that.
Earlier today Councillor Morgan handed in a petition from some traders in my ward. Well, actually, we have already acted on that. We had a site visit, which I called for with Officers, yesterday. We looked into the feasibility of what the traders were asking for. We have agreed in principle that the extra parking spaces they are after can go in by changing single yellow lines over to two-hour parking bays.
That is how you have influence. It is just by taking the initiative to call meetings; to ask Officers for meetings; to ask Officers for site visits. If you take the initiative then you can achieve for your electorate. But what you need to be able to do is to do so in an informed manner. And that is why we need these briefings so that Members can be properly informed of what the Council is doing in their areas. And then, when they are informed, it gives them more power to influence.
91 : TRANSPORT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS
Question: County Councillor Pickard
Now that the fantastic new Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) extension has been opened, can you inform me what plans there are for the following:
• the former parking spaces to the north of the building between the RWCMD and the Corbett Road entrance to Bute Park;
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• installing a continuation of the cycle lane parallel to North Road in front of, and to the south of, the building;
• installing cycle racks outside the RWCMD.
Reply: County Councillor McEvoy
The former parking spaces to the north of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama are currently unused. There are currently no plans in place to utilise the land following the cessation of its use for car parking.
The designated cycle route which follows the eastern edge of former car park has remained in place following the completion of the College developments.
The development of the new College building has included a number of works to facilitate cycling. These include:
• the resurfacing of the footway and cycleway in front of the building, and;
• the resurfacing and widening of the footway between the existing pedestrian cycle/crossing on North Road and the car park entrance south of the building, which has been widened and resurfaced to a minimum of 3 metres to allow the provision of a shared use foot/cycleway.
The Council’s transport officers are currently working on the design of a small scheme to facilitate the continuation of this route from the car park entrance south to the Bute Park North Gate entrance.
This scheme would involve installing two dropped-kerbs at the bus stop south of the car park, and lining/signing an advisory route through the car park and then over the footway to the North Gate.
A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) will be required for the conversion of the pavement to shared use and this will be subject to public consultation.
Cycle parking for staff and visitors has been provided between the southern end of the main building and the adjacent Raymond Edwards building.
County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 229
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Pickard
I wasn’t going to ask a supplementary question, but seeing as Councillor McEvoy has taken on new Portfolio responsibilities just to be asked more questions then here’s my question. It does seem a bit odd doesn’t it, that there is a patch of land that is on the most prominent corridor into Cardiff and nothing has been thought to be done about it. It is reassuring that this may be used for some cycle stands at the other side of the building. I don’t know the area well enough, but in case they are not undercover, is there opportunity to look at this patch of car park and perhaps think about how you might use it better for promoting cycling or even just be landscaped?
Reply: County Councillor McEvoy
Yes, we can certainly look at that.
Question: County Councillor Ralph Cook
On 29th September Trowbridge Members received a letter (dated 28th September 2011), informing us that “it is proposed that a scheme to raise the speed limit on Cypress Drive from its junction with Newport Road to the approach to the Sandbrook Road roundabout be prepared and implemented as soon as funds are available.”
We were then requested to indicate our agreement with the proposal which I have not done and regard as very unlikely to be forthcoming.
The proposal is to increase the speed limit on Cypress Drive, St. Mellons from 30mph to 40mph and the review has apparently been prompted by enquiries from local businesses, via the police “about the appropriateness of the current speed limit following police enforcement using a mobile speed camera.”
This sounds to me as if someone, having been caught exceeding the current speed limit, has complained and somehow obliged the Council to fritter away its limited and ever depleting resources in pursuit of an anti- social agenda – an increase in the speed limit on a road serving a residential estate that has seen five fatal road accidents since 2003 (four involving minors) – simply so they can get to work about 2.5 seconds earlier than they would by adhering to the current limit. Whilst this County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 230 apparent enthusiasm for “the work ethic” is perhaps commendable, I would appreciate your advice as to whether opposition to the proposal by all three Local Members is sufficient to prevent it being implemented.
Could you detail the number, origin and nature of the communications received via the police (local officers say they are unaware of any such communications) and any other avenues that led to this review being undertaken?
Reply: County Councillor McEvoy
With regard to correspondence on this issue, there have been several enquiries from the public over the years concerning the speed limit on Cypress Drive.
On 30 April 2011, the Council received an enquiry from a member of the public asking if we could explain how the speed limit on Cypress Drive in St Mellons was calculated, noting the difference between the speed limit on Newport Road which is 40 mph.
Further correspondence dated 27 May 2011 was also received from Councillor Woodman conveying the views of South Wales Police and members of the local community, including businesses, regarding concerns about the appropriateness of a 30 mph speed limit applying to this section of dual carriageway.
I am advised that Council Officers dealing with this matter have arranged to meet with you and your fellow Ward Members on 26 October 2011 to discuss this proposal and also speed management schemes in the Willowbrook Drive area. At this meeting, officers will present the findings of their investigation of the technical matters relating to this proposal. It will also be an opportunity for Members to ask officers questions about the work they have carried out.
I can assure you that the decision on whether to proceed with this proposal will take full account of the views of the local Ward Members.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Ralph Cook
I am very curious about this. I do not really know how I’m going to resolve this issue so I thought I’d ask your advice. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 231
Could you advise me how I can explain to the people of St Mellons who have lost four children and one adult on our road since 2003,making this road in St Mellons the most dangerous, over the length involved, in Wales, how I would explain the Council’s rationale to the people of St Mellons if this proposal to increase the speed limit from 30 mph to 40 mph has goes through.
I do not feel this answers my question about exactly how much pressure does someone who has been caught speeding have to put before the Council actually can spend lots of money conducting a review of the speed limit?
Reply: County Councillor McEvoy
Thank you Councillor Cook, I share your concerns with road safety obviously. The last paragraph says that you will be consulted. As far as I understand there are no residential areas to be included, and I understand that there were representations from the business community, so on balance I am happy to look at this and take your vies into account, and come back with a solution which importantly puts the Road Safety Act as a priority also.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Rogers
First of all I fully endorse all that Councillor Cook has actually said, Cypress Drive is close to residential properties; young people and old also walk along that route to access into the St Mellons Golf Club and other areas, and can I, and my fellow Councillors, Dianne Rees, Councillors from Rumney, Councillors from Llanrumney please be invited to the meeting on 26 October 2011 to actually discuss and address this issue which we have not been consulted about, and this actually area links into Newport Road some of it is 30 mph, some of it is 40 mph, it should all be 30 mph or less?
Reply: County Councillor McEvoy
Yes, very happy to invite you all to that meeting.
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Question: County Councillor Rogers
What criteria has to be met in order to provide resident only parking bays and access only signs?
Reply: County Councillor McEvoy
The new Resident Permit Parking Policy was approved at 15th September 2011 Executive Business Meeting and the criteria for providing new schemes are outlined in that document. As the document is quite complex I have asked officers to contact you to discuss the subject with you. In the meantime you may wish to take a look at the document that was considered at the EBM meeting and which was circulated to all Members with the other reports for that meeting on 9 September 2011.
The provision of “access only” signs requires a Road Traffic Regulation Order to be put in place for enforcement to be undertaken. All enforcement would be undertaken by the Police who have stated that they would not support such an Order as enforcement is almost impossible. I am informed by officers that rather than introduce access orders alternatives are always sought. It is difficult to give a more precise answer than this as each situation is dealt with on its own merit.
Question: County Councillor Gordon
At September Council, in your absence, Cllr Neil McEvoy told me a meeting between the relevant officers, yourself and the Riverside and Canton Councillors would be arranged to agree improvements to the car parks in Riverside and Canton. Why has this not been arranged?
Reply: County Councillor McEvoy
As you know my council colleague Lisa Ford has been unwell recently. I am pleased to say that she is fit and well now.
You will note the new arrangements and the meeting is now being arranged, though I am already well aware of the issues, given the strong representations put forward by Councillors Islam and Singh.
County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 233
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Islam
Councillor McEvoy I just wanted to advise that due to last year when I handed in a petition on behalf of the residents, traders and shoppers of Cowbridge Road East, officers, yourself and Councillor Ford have put this car park forward for improvements.
I would like to ask you if you could look into the car park behind Riverside Health Centre for refurbishment as well please?
Reply: County Councillor McEvoy
Absolutely.
Question: County Councillor Rogers
What are the opening hours of the Eastern Park and Ride facility, and how many vehicles now park there on a daily basis?
Reply: County Councillor McEvoy
Cardiff East Park & Ride is open at the following times:
07.00-20.30 Monday to Friday 08.00-19.00 Saturdays 10.00-17.00 Sundays
The opening times are published on the Council’s website.
The daily average number of cars parked at the facility in the current financial year is as follows:
Monday-Friday 213 Saturday 364 Sunday 113
This represents an increase on the daily average for last financial year 2010/11 which was:
Monday-Friday 199 Saturday 316 Sunday 111 County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 234
In December 2010, the peak usage was as follows:
Weekday 645 Saturday 647 Sunday 355
These figures show how important the park and ride facility is to the economy of the city. However, I would also like to stress how important this facility is as a component of Cardiff’s Sustainable Travel City project in order to reduce traffic demand in the City Centre. For instance, since the inception of the Sustainable Travel City project in 2009, traffic flow in Cardiff City Centre has decreased by 4.5%, whilst cycling movements through the area have increased by16%.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Rogers
First of all the data shown is incredibly disappointing. What is the Council going to do to improve upon these figures and really seriously try to solve the parking problems, not only throughout the City but throughout Pontprennau and Old St Mellons which are absolutely dire? Thank you.
Reply: County Councillor McEvoy
I think we all need to encourage everyone to use the Park & Ride as often as possible, and if you have any particular suggestions to make for your ward in terms of making improvements, then I am very willing to meet to discuss them.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Bowden
I just wondered Councillor McEvoy, can you just tell me what the daily capacity at the Park & Ride is? Thank you.
Reply: County Councillor McEvoy
1,000 cars.
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92 : HIGHWAYS QUESTIONS
Question: County Councillor Rogers
During 2010/11, requests have been made for salt containers to be placed within Ruperra Close, Melville Avenue, Old Newport Road, Runcorn Close, Eurwg Crescent, Blackbirds Way, Cranbourne Way, Lovage Close, Clos Nant Mwlan, Wexford Court, Nasturtium Way and Claverton Way. When will the grit bins be sited at the aforementioned locations? Reply: County Councillor Ford
You will be aware that following the independent review of the Council’s winter maintenance performance in the lead up to, during and immediately after the December 2010 snow event, which was Cardiff’s worst snow event since 1983, and the period of coldest weather for the city in over 100 years, the Council’s Winter Maintenance Policy and Implementation Plan were reviewed and updated. The updated documentation, upon which comments were invited from all Members and key stakeholders before finalisation, now includes a Salt Bin Assessment Form. This is now being used to assess all requests received for new salt bins.
The assessment of the salt bins referred to in your question is ongoing and is due to be finalised by the end of this week. However, I can confirm that a salt bin will be provided at Ruperra Close, Wexford Court, Melville Ave, Blackbird Way, Clos Nant Mwlan, Runcorn Close and 2 salt bins in Cranbourne Way. In response to other requests received, salt bins will also be placed at the following locations in your Ward:
• Bluebell Drive; • Hazelwood Drive; • Heathcliffe Close; • Heol Ty Ffynnon; • Oakleafe Drive.
Salt bins will be installed at these locations by Sunday 30 October.
The traffic count assessment in relation to the salt bins requested at Old Newport Road, Eurwg Crescent, Lovage Close, and Nasturtium Way will be completed by the end of this week. I can confirm that you will be advised of the outcome of these assessments next week.
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With respect to your request for a salt bin at Claverton Way, I can confirm that 8 salt bins provided by the Developer are already located along this street. Hence, an additional salt bin is not deemed necessary.
Finally, I can confirm that prior to the end of the month, all Members will be provided with a Winter Maintenance Pack which will include:
• A Ward Map showing salting routes and salt bin locations; • An alphabetical list of salting routes, and • An alphabetical list of salt bin locations.
These lists will also be added to the Council’s website.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Rogers
Thank you for the comprehensive answer, and I am really thrilled that we are getting a number of extra grit bins throughout our ward. However, when will all the other Councillors be given the full details about all the salt and grit containers which have been ordered or installed throughout their wards?
Reply: County Councillor Ford
With regard to the list, all Members will be having the list sent out to them about the grit bins in their area and there will be maps supplied as well as information of where they are actually situated, and this will be coming to you shortly.
Question: County Councillor Robson
Many of the schools and other organisations in Cardiff have decided not to purchase a snow kit. Will this affect the level of support the Council offers to them in the event of heavy snow?
Reply: County Councillor Ford
As I have outlined in my answer to Councillor Rogers, the Council’s Winter Maintenance Policy and Implementation Plan has been reviewed and updated.
These documents set out the Council’s approach to winter maintenance and how it will respond to a future snow event. In the case of snow, the County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 237
Council will aim to restore all carriageways within the city to normal conditions on a priority basis to ensure that they can be used in reasonable safety. This means that Principal Routes and core bus routes throughout the city will be prioritised. Once the Principal Routes and core bus routes are clear, the other roads located on the pre-salting routes will be attended to and subsequently other areas of the Adopted Highway.
The intention of offering snow kits to schools and other organisations was to provide these with an opportunity to improve their resilience during future snow events. The fact that a school or other organisation has not bought a snow kit does not affect the level of support the Council offers. However, the Council’s priorities will be to restore the adopted highway on a priority basis as I have just described.
I can confirm that a further reminder was sent to the School Head Teachers in September. In addition, the Council’s Emergency Management Unit has done a significant amount of work with Cardiff Schools and over half of the Head Teachers have been provided with appropriate training regarding resilience planning in respect of incidents such as snow fall that could that affect their operation. Similar work is also currently being undertaken with the six Community Councils in Cardiff.
Question: County Councillor Rogers
What date was the review of all routes to be salted undertaken prior to the winter of 2011 and what routes have been amended?
Reply: County Councillor Ford
As I have outlined in my previous answer to you, the Council’s Winter Maintenance Policy and Implementation Plan has been reviewed and updated.
The Council’s pre-salting routes have been reviewed taking into account comments received from key stakeholders, specifically from Cardiff Bus and the Emergency Services.
In response, I confirm that a number of amendments have been made to the Council’s pre-salting routes. The following roads have been added: County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 238
• Cobal Road; • Porth Teigr and Harbour Drive; • Pentwyn Park and Ride; • Malvern Drive, Smith Road, and Ffordd Morgraig; • Thornhill Crematorium;
Salting along the following roads has been extended:
• Fountain Lane; • Ffordd Treforgan, and • Woolaston Avenue
Question: County Councillor Rogers
How many street lights in Pontprennau and Old St. Mellons are now or are planned to be either switched off or dimmed late at night?
Reply: from County Councillor Ford
I can confirm that there has been no switching off of streets lamps and similarly there are no plans to switch off any street lights across the city.
The dimming of existing street lighting equipment is considered to offer significant energy saving potential to the Council and therefore, plans are currently being developed to undertake dimming trials at several locations across the city. I can confirm that the relevant Ward Members will be consulted prior to the trials commencing. I can also confirm that at the current time, no street lamps within the Pontprennau and Old St. Mellons ward are dimmed late at night.
It should also be noted that some LED lighting unit trials are also currently being undertaken at a few locations across the city, but not in the Pontprennau and Old St Mellons Ward. Plans to undertake further trials are being developed and the relevant Ward Members will be consulted prior to the trials commencing in anti-social behaviour.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Ralph Cook
It is probably true that none of the lights in St Mellons are dimmed deliberately, but currently there are two out in Heritage Park. Any chance that you can get them sorted out Councillor Ford please? County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 239
Reply from County Councillor Ford
Yes, I will look into that matter for you.
93 : COMMUNITIES, HOUSING AND SOCIAL JUSTICE QUESTIONS
Question: County Councillor Cox
What is the Council doing to prevent its properties being sublet on the black market?
Reply: County Councillor Woodman
With the pressure on social housing, it is essential that illegal subletting is prevented and that legal action is taken where necessary.
The Council’s Tenancy Team within Housing & Neighbourhood Renewal is responsible for undertaking this function. This year, an additional visit to new tenants has been introduced six months after they move into the property. This enables officers to check the identity of the occupant to ensure that it is the tenant who is in occupation and also to carry out a check on the condition of the property.
Officers work closely with colleagues in the Council’s council tax and benefits teams and they share information on potential subletting. Information is also obtained from the Department of Work & Pensions’ data matching service.
All accusations of subletting are investigated promptly and enforcement action is taken where appropriate. The Tenancy Team works closely with Internal Audit to investigate and prosecute individuals where there is evidence that they have sublet their property. At present, there is one such case proceeding to prosecution.
Good practice from other local authorities has been reviewed recently and there are proposals to set up a hotline in the near future for reporting illegal subletting and abandoned properties. This would provide members of the public with an easy way to provide information about this kind of abuse.
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Similar schemes have proved very successful in other local authorities and the publicity associated with launching this kind of scheme would also help to raise awareness of this important issue. Until the new hotline is in place, any cases of suspected subletting can be reported to the Council’s Tenancy Team by emailing: [email protected]
Question: County Councillor Page
What steps is this Council taking to counteract the bad impression of Cardiff created by the film ‘Cardiff After Dark’ screened at an international festival which showed images of drunken behaviour in our streets?
Reply: County Councillor Woodman
I am aware that the photographs in question are several years old now. I also understand that the person who took these photos is reported to have acknowledged that Cardiff is safer than many other cities in the UK. Nevertheless, these photos reflect an unattractive side of our wonderful city and, indeed, an unattractive side of the UK as a whole.
The fact that these photos were taken in Cardiff puts us in the limelight for all the wrong reasons, but I am clear that, sadly, the same photos could have been taken in virtually any city in the UK, as other cities experience exactly the same challenges that Cardiff has to respond to.
I am not, however, in any way complacent about this, but would emphasise that Cardiff has put in place a number of successful initiatives in recent years to address the kinds of problems seen in these photos and to ensure that Cardiff is, above all, a safe place for both local residents and visitors to the city.
In terms of the Council’s existing policies, from a licensing perspective, our use of licensing controls and, in particular, the traffic light scheme means that Cardiff has a good reputation for the way in which licensed premises are managed. Consequently, incidents of crime or disorder inside licensed premises are minimal.
The problems occur mainly on-street where licensing has little or no controls, with issues being dealt with by the Police via their ‘after dark County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 241 strategy’. To supplement this approach, the Council’s Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) team works closely with all agencies to tackle identified issues of ASB. In the City Centre, this includes targeting street drinkers and beggars by providing both support and enforcement interventions. On weekends, we also have teams working to manage the taxi ranks in the City Centre and to minimise problems at these locations.
From a planning perspective, the Police Crime Prevention Design Unit are consulted on all new planning applications for food and drink uses or applications to change the hours of existing outlets within the city centre. Their response is critical in the consideration of planning applications and has resulted in several cases of applications for food and drink uses in St Mary Street either being refused or the application being withdrawn.
You will be aware that the Council’s Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee recently published a report on Cardiff’s Night Time Economy, which highlighted the importance of the city’s night time economy. It also identified a range of challenges for the Council and its partners and made a number of recommendations to improve the image of Cardiff after dark. The report was considered last month by the Executive and officers are preparing a response to it.
Question: County Councillor Page
As part of the review of the Council’s Housing Allocation Scheme, and the questionnaire asking for people’s views, will the Council now agree to give the highest priority to wounded members of the Armed Forces who have links to Cardiff and want to come back to the city?
Reply: County Councillor Woodman
I have already responded to a previous question from you on this matter in March of this year, in which I made clear that any member of the Armed Forces returning to Cardiff who has no accommodation to return to is currently a priority for re-housing in the city and will remain so. This priority is afforded to former servicemen by the Homelessness legislation and includes not only wounded ex-members of the Armed Forces, but also all ex-service personnel. Any new or amended Allocation Policy will adhere to this principle.
County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 242
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Page
Thank you. The question I asked was very simple, ‘will you give the highest priority to returning serviceman in the allocation of Council houses’. I will repeat that, the highest priority; not just priority; the highest .
If you cannot give that highest priority why not?
Reply: County Councillor Woodman
They are not having the highest priority because how do you define highest priority over someone else who is severely overcrowded, and their children and themselves have severe health issues as well. They have a priority, I cannot put any one particular group above any other under equalities and I will not do so.
94 : SPORT, LEISURE AND CULTURE STATEMENT (County Councillor Howells)
The Cardiff Story
The Cardiff Story was listed alongside other new UK museums in the Observer's "20 things that are Great about Britain”. The Cardiff Story was also given a first-round pass from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Museum’s application for £650,000 of funding towards Phase 2 of its development. A first-round pass means the project meets the HLF criteria for funding. T he Museum team are working hard to submit a further, more developed proposal to compete for a firm award and continue the development of this highly successful project.
Sport.Cardiff
Looking to 2012, the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) has reached an agreement with Sport.Cardiff and UWIC regarding their Pre- Games Training Camp Volunteer requirements. The APC will be based at the Hilton Hotel and training at a variety of sporting venues in Cardiff from the 1st to 29th August 2012, before heading to London to compete in the Paralympic Games. The APC require 50+ volunteers to fulfil a variety of roles from Administrative Assistants; to Team Attaché’s; to support their training camp. Sport.Cardiff will manage the recruitment County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 243 and training of all volunteers through the new Volunteer Sport Bureau, while UWIC have agreed to target sport students completing a volunteer module and encourage them to volunteer to support the APC. The Executive Member had no doubt that the APC will be suitably impressed with the quality of support offered by UWIC and our own Sports Development Team
On Sunday the deaf senior football team, created as part of the 'Every Player Counts' programme in partnership with Cardiff City FC, competed in the British Deaf Cup. Their opponents were Barnet Deaf FC. The fixture was played at Pentwyn Leisure Centre. Cardiff City Deaf FC were victorious with a 5-3 win. Their next opponents in the competition’s quarter finals will be Newcastle which will take place in February 2012 – The Executive Member on behalf o Council wished the team good luck.
Clearly we were all disappointed at the result last Saturday – but ever optimistic we look to the future and Members will be encouraged to learn that The Welsh Ruby Union (WRU) has announced the creation of 14 new Rugby Participation Officer posts across Wales. This major new input into Community Rugby in Wales will see the newly appointed Officers tasked with growing participation numbers and delivering a variety of commercial rugby programmes. Sport.Cardiff Officers are in discussion with the WRU and Cardiff Blues regarding the deployment of the new staff within Cardiff.
Events Calendar
It’s been another busy event month starting with The Great British Cheese Festival which took place in Cardiff Castle (23-25 September) attracting over 9,000 food lovers to the event. The British Cheese Awards Ceremony and dinner took place on the Friday at City Hall attracting around 300 industry experts, food writers and cheese makers to see the supreme champion title awarded to the Irish, Knockdreena Cheese.
Sunday 2 October saw the Men’s Health Magazine – Survival of the Fittest race return to Cardiff Bay. The city’s events team provided logistical and site management support as 2,000 runners took on a series of challenging obstacles over the 10K race.
County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 244
On Sunday 16 October 15,000 runners took to the streets for the Lloyds TSB Cardiff Half Marathon raising many thousands for good causes. This is the 9th year that the event has been held in the city and as a measure of its growing popularity the race entry sold out in record time this year. The Events Team provided Barnados (the event promoters) with substantial logistic and production support with 160 stewards supporting the route and a production team of 14 overseeing the race build and operating in the start / finish area.
Intensive planning is also underway for a series of events happening in November including the exciting new Step into Christmas (10 November), Wales Rally GB (11-13 November) and the opening of Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland (17 November)
The Executive Member encouraged councillors to take the opportunity to join him on Thursday 10 November to enjoy the Capital’s new Christmas curtain raiser - Step into Christmas. Our newly refurbished public realm will provide the fitting backdrop to a glittering spectacle as the Lord Mayor switches on the Queen Street Christmas Tree Lights and over 70 magical Christmas performances animate the heart of our retail offer from Queen Street to the Hayes; from the Castle Quarter to High Street and St John Street.
Free attractions will include a spectacular giant puppet show, globe walking gymnastic elves, a festive fire show, dancing fairies, a real life- sized polar bear and Santa and his reindeer – of course!! Ben and Holly from the Little Kingdom will also be on hand to meet and greet families throughout the evening. Full details can be found at www.cardiffswinterwonderland.com
95 : SPORT, LEISURE AND CULTURE QUESTIONS
Question: County Councillor Pickard
Can you provide Council with an update on the progress made on drawing up and delivering a Live Music Strategy to support and promote live music in Cardiff?
Would you agree that following the closure of the Millennium Music Hall in May, and the previous closures of The Point and BarFly, any Strategy urgently needs to address the lack of medium-sized live music venues? County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 245
Reply: County Councillor Howells
As I outlined to you at Council in June 2011, the creative industries are recognised as a key sector in the Council’s Economic Development Strategy and small venues, like the former Millennium Music Hall, play a very important role within the local economy by providing jobs, contributing to the local music scene, attracting visitors to the city, and helping to promote Cardiff in general.
The development of a buoyant live music scene is an important element of any city's offer, and there is a real need to progress the development of a live music strategy that will support this area over coming years. In this context, the Council is currently working with the Welsh Music Foundation, which has recently commissioned the Cardiff School of Creative Industries to undertake a critical analysis of the live music industry within Wales.
The Welsh Music Foundation had hoped to launch the Wales Music Manifesto at this week’s SŴN Festival, but due to the workload and resources associated with the development of this Wales-wide manifesto and the resources required to deliver the successful Womex 2013 bid, this has been delayed. However, in parallel with the completion of the Manifesto, we will be using the preparations for, and delivery of, Womex 2013 as the catalyst for developing and supporting a sustainable and innovative music economy and allied creative industries sector.
In order to ensure that this issue continues to move forward, I am pleased to confirm that the Council has already held an inaugural Cardiff Music Committee meeting, which involves both planning and licensing officers, together with representatives of the Welsh Music Foundation. It is our intention to meet quarterly in order to work on the development of a Cardiff Music Manifesto that will reflect both the opportunities identified from the wider all-Wales research, as well as those raised by Cardiff- based music businesses.
Question: County Councillor Ireland
Now the proposed new school for Cardiff East is not being built on Rumney Recreation Ground, can you give me a date as to when the refurbishment of the leisure centre will start?
County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 246
Reply: County Councillor Howells
A report on the redevelopment of Eastern Leisure Centre as a stand alone site is expected to be considered by the Executive in January 2012. Subject to approval of the revised scheme, a new planning application would then be submitted in late February 2012.
I am aware that local Members have previously commented favourably on the proposed design and layout of the redeveloped leisure centre. Some revisions to these plans are required and consultation with local Members on any modifications will take place before any new planning application is submitted.
The associated planning and procurement processes would then take place during the remainder of 2012 and, if there are no subsequent delays, the earliest date when construction work could commence on site would be February 2013.
Eastern Leisure Centre has been an important facility for the local community for almost 30 years and I’m confident that work to refurbish and modernise the leisure centre will be completed by mid 2014.
Question: County Councillor B Jones
Can I draw your attention to a protest organised by the "Welsh Senate for Older People" to be held on November 16th in Cardiff to bemoan the lack of Public toilets in Wales?
What plans do you have to address this inconvenient problem, particularly as we encourage tourist visitors to our City?
Reply: County Councillor Howells
I am aware that the protest in question will bemoan the lack of public toilets in Wales, but not necessarily here in Cardiff.
In recent years, Cardiff has made some significant improvements in its public conveniences across the city. In 2008, the Council invested approximately £200,000 in the rebuilding of the Roath Park Public Conveniences adjacent to Lake Road East. Likewise, in 2009, approximately £200,000 was invested in the refurbishment of the public County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 247 conveniences in The Hayes. A similar amount was also invested in the rebuilding of Roath Park Public Conveniences adjacent to Lake Road West in 2010.
In addition, within the last few years, new facilities have also been provided within the St. David’s 2 development, the new Central Library, the Old Library building and the new Penylan Library and Community Centre.
The Council is currently working with the Welsh Government to promote its Community Toilets Scheme here in Cardiff, which aims to improve the provision of safe, hygienic and accessible toilet facilities within the city. The scheme involves the establishment of a partnership between the Council and local businesses that are willing to allow the general public to access their toilet facilities free of charge. In return for joining the scheme and opening up their facilities to the general public, the Council pays the local business a grant on an annual basis. The value of this grant is up to £1000 per year, with the amount payable being dependent on the standard, type, number and opening hours of the facilities.
To date, 15 local businesses have signed up to the Community Toilets Scheme here in Cardiff and the Council will continue to promote the scheme to local businesses with the objective of increasing the number of toilets that are publicly accessible across the city. I will forward details of which businesses have joined the Community Toilets Scheme to all Members following this meeting.
I am pleased to confirm that a draft Public Convenience Strategy for Cardiff is due to be considered by the Environmental Scrutiny Committee in December 2011. This strategy will propose that Cardiff, as a European Capital City, should focus on providing high quality toilet facilities to a uniform standard. It will also advocate the provision of a ring-fenced budget to support a strategic programme of refurbishment; future collaboration with other landmark Council buildings, and community partnership with commercial operators. Above all, it will require the Council to develop creative solutions to attain the standard of toilet facilities that is expected of an international city by residents and visitors alike.
County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 248
Supplementary Question: County Councillor McKerlich
Councillor Howells, have you given any thought to implementing the outcomes from very thorough task and finish group into public toilets which was delivered about 2½ years ago and is as yet waiting for any of the recommendations to be implemented? Reply: County Councillor Howells
I would refer the Member to the last paragraph of my answer which says “I am pleased to confirm that a draft Public Convenience Strategy for Cardiff is due to be considered by the Environmental Scrutiny Committee in December 2011”
Question: County Councillor Derrick Morgan
Could you please give me a progress report on the refurbishment of the Eastern Leisure Centre and can you give me an assurance that this long overdue work will be commenced at the earliest opportunity?
Reply: County Councillor Howells
I refer you to my earlier answer to Cllr Ireland on this issue.
Question: County Councillor Carter
How many times has the Parks Department worked with the Probation Service to clear woods in Llanedeyrn and Pentwyn over the last 12 months?
Reply: County Councillor Howells
I can confirm that, from October 2010 to date, the Probation Service has supported the Parks Service in clearing the woodland areas throughout Llanedeyrn and Pentwyn on 20 occasions.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Walker
Can I ask you how the Probation Service work teams are allocated to locations and tasks in the City?
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Reply: County Councillor Howells
They are drafted in following discussions between Parks Officers and the Probation Services as to the suitability of the location and how easy it is to supervise etc., It hasn’t exclusively been in Pentwyn and Llanedeyrn and I know for a fact that the Probation Service has been working in clearing allotments in Pengam Green, in the Splott ward of the City, and I am happy to provide you with a list of other locations in the City where they have been active.
Question: County Councillor Kelloway
Can you clarify the position with regard to cycling in Cardiff’s parks?
Reply: County Councillor Howells
A byelaw came into operation on 9 March 1983, which applies to Pleasure Grounds and Open Spaces, stating that:
“A person shall not, except in the exercise of any lawful right or privilege, ride any bicycle, tricycle or other similar machine in any part of the pleasure grounds:
Provided that this prohibition shall not apply to any road, path or track within the ground as may be fixed by the Council and described in a notice board affixed or set up in some conspicuous position alongside such road, path or track”.
In the period since the introduction of the byelaw, there have been significant changes in people’s lifestyles and in public attitudes to health and transportation issues. One effect of these changes has been the marked growth in the popularity of cycling as a both a leisure activity and a means of daily travel.
Cycling is permitted in some parks where designated routes have been provided and signposted. These include the Taff Trail, which runs through Hailey Park in Llandaff and Pontcanna Fields, and the section of cycle route which runs through Bute Park between the Millennium Bridge and North Road.
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In September 2011, the Council approved its plan for the development of Cardiff’s Strategic Cycle Network. This plan sets out the Council’s proposals for a comprehensive network serving all parts of the city and reflects the significant contribution that cycling can make towards encouraging sustainable travel and promoting healthy lifestyles in Cardiff.
With these matters in mind, I do believe that there is an opportunity to review the Council’s position in respect of cycling in parks and the byelaw that applies and that is why I have raised this matter with officers and have also requested that the relevant Scrutiny Committee should look at this matter.
96 : ENVIRONMENT QUESTIONS
Question: County Councillor Greening
Could you please explore the possibility of expanding the Tidy Text service to be available in other languages?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
When Officers designed the Tidy Text service, full consideration was given to numerous future applications. The option for alternative languages has been considered.
The use of alternative languages is important to reaching all sectors of Cardiff’s diverse communities when encouraging recycling and the correct presentation of waste.
Following the success of the Tidy Text scheme in the local student community, our priority in 2011 was to use the scheme to support the city wide collection changes which were introduced in September 2011.
The scheme is funded by the Welsh Government’s Tidy Towns initiative and it is hoped that further funding will be available in 2012/13 which will permit the expansion of the service to alternative languages. I am unable to commit any further at this moment in time.
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Supplementary Question: County Councillor Greening
Thank you Councillor Jones for your positive response.
Can I ask, should the Welsh Government funding not be available, that we look to allocate from our own resources to maintaining and expanding this service? My ward in Butetown is one of the most culturally diverse in Cardiff, with many residents having first languages other than English or Welsh. A service of their own language would be very welcome.
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
If we do not get the funding we will look at it, but as I said in my answer Councillor Greening, it is a priority for us, but I can’t give you any hope at the moment.
Question: County Councillor Rogers
Are there any plans to increase the number of graffiti officers in order to tackle the constant problem of graffiti throughout the city?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
At the current time, there are no plans to increase the number of Graffiti Officers working for the Council.
You will be aware that the Council currently employs a dedicated Graffiti Officer within the City Services and their primary role is to work with communities and other stakeholders with the objective of reducing the occurrence of graffiti through education and prevention, and where graffiti is reported to the Council, arrange for its removal as soon as practically possible.
Since the Graffiti Officer post was established in 2008, a significant amount of progress has been made with respect to addressing graffiti across the city. In particular:
• Two Operational Graffiti Removal Teams have been established; • Since establishment of the Graffiti Teams, nearly 4000 items of graffiti have been removed across the city; • Anti graffiti coating has been added to surfaces in ‘hard hit’ areas to allow the teams to remove graffiti more easily; County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 252
• Graffiti removal has been promoted in Ward Clean Ups, for example, the ‘Splotless’ campaign in Splott; • Many graffiti removal kits and graffiti wipes have been issued to Ward Councillors and other Stakeholders, for example Residents Groups, to tackle graffiti in their areas. • Graffiti tags identified by the Graffiti Removal Teams have been shared with the Police to help them catch serial offenders; • Effective working relationships with many of the statutory undertakers have been established with respect to the removal of graffiti from their property
As a result of these measures, according to independent reports prepared by Keep Wales Tidy, the percentage of streets with graffiti has reduced from 39% in 2008 to 24% in 2011.
In summary, I believe that the resources already in place for tackling graffiti are performing effectively and whilst I agree it would be beneficial to further reduce the amount of graffiti, taking into account the budget pressures currently faced by the Council, further investment in this area is not planned at the current time.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Rogers
First of all it is good to actually see that graffiti is down from 39% in 2008 to 24%, but I would like to know how many serial offenders have actually been caught since 2008 to the current date with the help of the Graffiti Teams and the Officers how many actual serial offenders have been caught?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
I don’t have any information tonight Councillor but I will get it to you.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Salway
Just for clarification Councillor Jones, surely that is matter for the Police. Councillor Rogers can get that answer from the Police.
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Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
Yes we could get some information from the Police, but our Enforcement Officers will also be able to give us some answers as well.
Question: County Councillor Cowan
Please can you advise of the following:
1. The number of complaints about bins and bags not being collected on time since the inception of the new scheme;
2. Breakdown on a ward by ward basis;
3. Breakdown on a week by week basis.
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
In response to your question, a table which summarises the number of complaints regarding bins and bags not being collected on time since the roll out of the new waste collection schedules is provided below. This table provides information both on a ward-by-ward and week-by-week basis for the five-week period since the changes were implemented on 12 September 2011.
12/09 – 19/09 – 26/09 – 03/10 – 10/10 – Ward 18/09 25/09 02/10 09/10 16/10 Total Adamsdown 1 1 1 0 5 8 Butetown 3 4 1 4 10 22 Caerau 5 3 2 3 2 15 Canton 0 1 0 3 6 10 Cathays 1 1 3 4 2 11 Creigiau/St. 0 1 3 1 1 Fagans 6 Cyncoed 3 3 3 2 11 22 Ely 0 5 1 4 2 12 Fairwater 2 0 4 5 7 18 Gabalfa 0 4 0 4 5 13 Grangetown 1 1 2 6 7 17 Heath 1 2 2 7 1 13 Lisvane 1 1 8 9 1 20 Llandaff 1 4 1 9 8 23 Llandaff North 0 2 1 4 3 10 Llanishen 2 3 7 13 12 37 County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 254
Llanrumney 4 3 2 19 3 31 Pentwyn 0 8 3 16 7 34 Pentyrch 0 1 6 3 4 14 Penylan 0 9 3 4 5 21 Plasnewydd 0 1 9 7 9 26 Pontprennau/ Old St. Mellons 0 7 4 8 9 28 Radyr 1 5 1 8 14 29 Rhiwbina 1 1 1 4 1 8 Riverside 0 2 5 4 4 15 Rumney 3 4 6 9 5 27 Splott 0 4 5 10 4 23 Trowbridge 3 6 12 11 4 36 Whitchurch and Tongwynlais 2 2 6 8 8 26 Unknown 1 0 2 0 0 3 Total 36 89 104 189 160 578
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Dianne Rees
Can you give any reasons as to why the volume of complaints are increasing as the weeks go by?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
I don’t think you’ll find that they are increasing. The last two weeks they have decreased, I think it’s down by half actually.
Question: County Councillor Jerrett
Some years ago this Council had a condition which was placed on the license of every bar and nightclub in this city which prevented illegal fly posting. What action has this Council taken to prevent illegal fly-posting, since the last government’s licensing act prevented this condition from being used to stop illegal fly posting being put up around the city?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
The Council has continued to encourage bars and nightclubs to advertise events and gigs at their premises through the use of the official poster advertising sites that the Council has provided.
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These ‘drums’ are situated in key locations around the City Centre and are also used by major leisure operators and concert arenas such as Motorpoint Arena and the Wales Millennium Centre. In addition, the areas around the poster advertising drums are kept clean and poster free by the advertising operators on behalf of the Council.
Currently, illegal fly posting is removed by cleansing operatives. If there is a growing issue with a specific promoter or posters of an offensive nature, the poster will be photographed in situ with the information being passed to the Council’s enforcement teams to enable them to contact offenders. Where those responsible for the illegal fly posting can be identified, warning letters are issued and instructions given to remove any illegal posters with immediate effect. Historically, City Services have had good responses from this course of action and have not had to take further legal prosecutions against promoters.
Fixed penalty notices can also be issued to those witnessed putting up illegal posters, although it is rare that they are seen in action as they often operate late at night and as covertly as possible.
In the adopted Local Environmental Quality Strategy (which was published with the Waste Management Strategy in January 2011), illegal fly posting and leafleting is one area which has been highlighted. As a result, fly posting in the city is currently being monitored to establish the extent of the problem and whether specific promoters can be identified. In addition, discussions are ongoing with the students’ unions in an effort to identify and tackle irresponsible promoters. Further potential initiatives such as the introduction of by-laws, licensed zones and a comprehensive multi-agency approach policy are also being explored.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Jerrett
One of the problems we have in Roath is illegal fly posting on shops. One way we have of resolving that is by making the owners of the shops apply for planning permission for the advertising. Can I suggest that that gets added to the way of removing fly posting?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
This is a very hard nut to crack and any suggestions are valued.
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Question: County Councillor Walker
What plans are in place to monitor green bin waste volumes and make appropriate changes to regimes following the busy autumn period for garden waste?
Will you be in a position to cope with high current demand for this service in some areas and ensure that all waste management teams are productively employed when green waste reduces seasonally in volume?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
The participation monitoring will be undertaken by Recycling Education Teams and the tonnage data for garden waste will be closely monitored over the forthcoming months. Specifically, the amount of green waste collected will be monitored on a round-by-round basis.
In the light of the information collected, appropriate adjustments will be made to the levels of resources deployed to ensure that waste management resources are effectively deployed on a round-by-round basis. This monitoring will be an ongoing process and further adjustments will be made as and when required in line with Service Redesign efficiency programme – for example, during the spring when the demand for garden waste collections will increase again across the city.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor David Walker
Can I ask Councillor Jones, in looking at the reply this was the sort of answer I hoped to receive, how can we as Councillors monitor whether this is actually happening in practice? Is there some simple mechanism for us to know whether these practices, which are sensible ones. are taking place?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
We will be looking at it in Scrutiny
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Supplementary Question: County Councillor Ralph Cook
My green bin, which is presumably outside my house at this present moment, is stuffed full of vegetation and a few slugs who have found their way in there; unfortunately I have a little pile of green waste sitting on the concrete at the side of my housing waiting for the bin to be emptied; and then it is going to sit there for 14 days and I am going to have built up a big pile; my compost bin is unfortunately full; and I think most gardeners agree with me on this, that certainly at peak periods there should be more bin collections.
Can you explain therefore what you expect gardeners that don’t have compost bins to do with all their rubbish, now that you have built up their belief in the system over the last few years you are now taking it away from them?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
There are numerous ways in which the Council will support residents if a fortnightly garden waste collection is not sufficient Councillor Cook. Home composting bins are available at a reduced rate - and I know that you have got one. As you know waste minimisation is always the Council’s first priority, an additional green wheeled bin can be provided to those that find the single bin inadequate; also the Council’s four household waste recycling sites are and will continue to be available to accept garden waste throughout the year. Can I just say that up until 2008 we only had one collection a fortnight anyway, it has only been in the last couple of years when we were collecting food waste with the garden waste that we actually had a weekly collection. You have all these opportunities, and if you are having a problem, if you would like to get in contact with one of the Officers, I am sure that they would be very glad to help you.
Question: County Councillor B Jones
How many requests have there been for a second green wheelie bin this year?
How many requests have been approved, and how many rejected?
What has been the cost? County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 258
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
Supporting residents to recycle and reduce waste to landfill is our priority; therefore, the importance of providing households with the right tools for the job is a key part of the strategy. As such, since 1st January 2011, a total of 997 requests for an additional green bin have been received.
Of these, 977 have been approved and 20 not approved.
The current purchase cost of a green bin is approximately £17.80. Therefore, the cost of the additional bins approved and provided is approximately £17,390.
With the potential threat from the Landfill allowances scheme, plus the new statutory recycling targets, each carrying a £200 per tonne fine for every tonne the Council potentially exceeds the legal limits, the cost of supporting residents to recycle more soon pales into insignificance when you calculate the potential fines the Council could face.
Supplementary Question: Councillor Dianne Rees
Can citizens pay for an additional green wheelie bin if they need one and if not why not?
Reply: Councillor Margaret Jones
That is one of the things we offer, they don’t have to pay for a second green bin.
Question: County Councillor Walker
It is noticeable that fewer households appear to make use of the brown food caddies than other waste disposal methods. What steps are in place to educate and communicate with non users of this service to justify and make full use of the expensive food collection system now in place?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
The early participation rates on the weekly kerbside caddy have been very high and feedback from residents is very positive. There will always be a County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 259 minority that don’t make full use of all the recycling services. However, we will continue to promote food waste collection and recycling through city wide advertising, media coverage and most importantly face-to-face interaction with the public.
The Recycling Education and Enforcement Team has been working hard to help residents understand the changes and this work will continue over the forthcoming weeks. Both C2C and Recycling Education Officers are on hand to provide advice to residents on the new service and how to make the best use of their comprehensive recycling service.
Finally, I would like to correct your last statement that this is an “expensive food collection system”. The new service that provides weekly food and weekly recycling collections was afforded through service efficiencies. As outlined in the February Budget report, the implementation of the new waste collection schedules which provides residents with 6 waste collections per fortnight (an increase on the previous 5 collections per fortnight) at a relatively small additional cost of £174,000. That equates to a little over £1 per household. In addition, the new service was introduced to avoid £10m per year additional costs in taxation and legal penalties and is driving out significant efficiencies.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Walker
Quite clearly with the brown bins unless somebody is away the brown bin should be out every week because everybody has food waste, and yet even in a highly recycling ward like my own, I notice quite a decent proportion are not doing this, so is there a monitoring system in place and will you be proposing some educational intervention to try and encourage more use of the brown bins and the food recycling?.
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
We will continue to encourage through education. I was not sure, but was it Lisvane you were talking about in the question, you didn’t actually make that clear.
My response Councillor Walker is that I am surprised that Lisvane residents are not putting out their brown bins, and we will monitor the area.
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Supplementary Question: County Councillor Ralph Cook
Can you tell me how many brown bins have been stolen, if at all and are there any records?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
I am not aware of any brown bins that have been stolen. I can find out for you.
97 : FINANCE AND SERVICE DELIVERY QUESTIONS
Question: County Councillor Pickard
Last year Cardiff Council committed to reducing its own carbon emissions by at least 10% as part of the highly publicised national 10:10 campaign. Can you provide Council with an update on the progress that was made to meet this target?
Reply: County Councillor Mark Stephens
I am encouraged by the positive data we have received from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, as outlined at Council last month, which reflected a significant decrease of 21% in per capita CO2 emissions between 2005 and 2009. However, the data we are required to report in relation to the 10:10 campaign is still being collected. It is anticipated that this exercise will be completed within the next month or so, at which point it will be possible to report on the Council’s progress towards meeting this target.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Pickard
Thank you for the response Councillor Stephens, could your Officers also let us know the financial savings the CO2 emissions cut has led to for this Council because sometimes there are critics in this Chamber who don’t see the value of energy efficiency and work related to climate change so just to emphasise that it also has financial savings as well.
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Reply: County Councillor Mark Stephens
Of course we always report financial savings, but some people choose to ignore them.
Question: County Councillor Robson
When does the Council normally expect to receive lists of officially registered students from the Universities in Cardiff so that they can be confirmed as exempt from paying Council Tax?
Reply: County Councillor Mark Stephens
We liaise closely with all the Universities in the city regarding information about students. We expect to receive the lists by mid November at the latest. If there are any outstanding queries regarding entitlement to student exemption, then the lists are used to help resolve the query.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Robson
Councillor Stephens, thank you for the reply. I have examples where students have been required to prove exemptions before the mid November list comes out, and yet when they go to the University to ask for individual exemption certificates, the University is not in a position due to work and other matters to issue them at that point.
How does Council assist the students in squaring that circle so that they are not billed for Council Tax from which they are exempt?
Reply: County Councillor Mark Stephens
As a Member of the Plasnewydd Ward, I am very aware of the difficulties in isolating student and non-student houses and the technical fact which can exempt certain houses from Council Tax, and those that are not exempt. It is a very complex area.
It is a large piece of work we undertake every year with the Universities and we are very grateful for their co-operation. We are due to take that forward in the middle of November and through that process can identify any issues that come to light, any Members who find issues over student County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 262 exemption which they want to take forward should contact the necessary Officers and we can assist in that process where we can, but I hope you will understand it is a huge undertaking. In my ward alone probably 20% of the population are students, and in Cathays it is even bigger, and we have continual problems on that score. So if Members can be patient. I will also give these details to the Officers and we will take the necessary action.
Question: County Councillor Hyde
With regard to the potential for a Local Authority Mortgage Scheme, has the Council considered how much would be at risk as a result of default?
Reply: County Councillor Mark Stephens
The Council has been aware of the Local Authority Mortgage Scheme for some months and has been gathering information in relation to the Scheme and its operation. Under such a Scheme, the Council would guarantee the difference between a 75%, compared to a 95%, loan-to- value mortgage. Mechanisms vary between lenders but, usually, the guarantee the Council offers is placed with the mortgage lenders as a deposit for five years, which earns interest.
The Council’s risk of default is in relation to the 20% guarantee. The Council’s exposure to this risk is managed by establishing a Council reserve account which holds interest earned above the “normal rate” on funds deposited with the mortgage lender is held.
Whilst, in theory, the total sum guaranteed is at risk, evidence shows that the number of repossessions was 0.3% of all mortgaged properties in 2010. Allowing for the increased risk associated with first time buyers and higher loan-to-value mortgages, our Treasury Advisors, Sector, have estimated that the risk of default is currently around 1% to 2%.
If the Council were to invest £1 million as a guarantee, then a 2% risk of default would equate to £20,000. This default would then be met from the reserve described above.
The matter is still under consideration. However, the debate which Members will conduct elsewhere on today’s agenda may be helpful in County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 263 raising a number of relevant issues which would need to be addressed if we were to proceed with the work we have undertaken.
98 : QUESTION TO THE CHAIR OF PLANNING COMMITTEE
Question: County Councillor Lloyd
In view of contractors’ vehicles damaging pavements, can we return to the practice of photographs being taken of pavements in the vicinity of building works so that a condition of restitution can be added to all planning approvals?
Reply: County Councillor Burfoot
Planning powers should not encroach on matters which are covered by other legislation. In this respect, it would not be appropriate to attach planning conditions regarding highway reinstatement as there are other powers available under the Highway Act that could be utilised.
I understand that the practice of taking photographs was a proactive action taken by the Highway Inspectors at the time when planning applications were received. I understand that as a result of resource prioritisation, the practice has been stopped at present. However, as part of Service Redesign, it has been included on the list of practices that need to be reintroduced as it does bring positive benefits and provides a very good data set for the Highway Inspectors to have when they visit site when the works are in progress.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Lloyd
I am not actually sure who to direct the supplementary question to as it would appear it is not a Planning Committee related question, however, it says at the end of the first paragraph that ….”conditions regarding highway reinstatement as there are other powers available under the Highways Act…” If that is the case, my question would be why aren’t they using them because our pavements are in a dire state? Thank you.
Reply: County Councillor Burfoot
I am sorry I cannot answer that question, as you say, it is not really within my remit but if Councillor Lloyd would like to write to me stating her County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 264 concerns, I will pass it on to the relevant department. That is all I can do sorry.
99 : QUESTIONS TO THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE POLICE AUTHORITY
Question: County Councillor McEvoy
Why are police officers in the South Wales area allowing themselves to become involved in strictly civil matters concerning non resident fathers?
How many welfare checks have been carried out by the South Wales Police in 2008, 2009, 2010? How many have resulted in causes for concern?
How many prosecutions have taken place or fixed penalty notices within the South Wales Police area for wasting police time in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011?
What training is carried out for officers in relation to non resident parents?
Reply: County Councillor Tim Davies
I understand that South Wales Police has written to you personally in relation to these matters, which you raised in an email that was sent last week to the Chief Constable. Officers from the Public Protection Department at Police Headquarters will be investigating these matters and you should receive an update in the near future.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor McEvoy
What we have in all of South Wales and all over Wales, and in fact all over the UK, are many non-resident parents being harassed, being abused in some way. Very often the mechanism used to meet out this harassment is actually the Police Force.
The problem is that Police Officers don’t know the law; they are involving themselves in civil cases. I had one case yesterday of this again. Would you agree that it’s time the Police were trained and stopped interfering in civil matters, and also when it’s proven, the people who County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 265 have made false allegations, that those people are dealt with through fixed penalty notices for wasting Police time, because it does happen at present? Reply: County Councillor Tim Davies
I find some of the comments by Councillor McEvoy rather surprising because he is accusing the Police Force of harassment, now I am not aware of that, and if he has any evidence, I suggest he produces it and writes to the Chief Constable and send me a copy as well. Some of the other comments he has made I think in fact, he should wait until he gets the reply from the Public Protection Department, and then he should comment, it would be only fair for him to read that first and then make further comments, but not to comment at this stage.
Question: County Councillor Ralph Cook
As you are aware domestic violence is a serious problem in several parts of the city and particularly so in St. Mellons (police sector 36) in the Trowbridge Ward. Here in September alone, according to information recently provided to us there were 15 reported incidents of domestic violence. Between August and mid October the figure was 32 reported incidents. Many cases of domestic violence dealt with by the police in my Ward are repeat offences by a relatively small number of perpetrators.
We have been told by the police at Rumney that frequently in such cases the Crown Prosecution Service decides no further action should be taken due to the lack of evidence. This must be extremely frustrating for the police officers called to the scene and extremely damaging to the confidence and self esteem of the victims and any children present in the households at the time. Given that arrests were made on all 15 cases in September, a huge amount of time and energy and the expense involved in investigating the incidents must ultimately be wasted as well.
We have been told that sector officers at Rumney Police Station have lodged a bid for some £15,000 with South Wales police for the purchase and subsequent use of body cameras (used almost routinely these days by many police forces in the UK and world wide), in the certainty that these indispensable tools will capture images of the crime scene just as responding officers witness them, immediately upon their arrival. Elsewhere, the evidence captured by body cameras has been instrumental in increasing both the number of cases that progress to court and the County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 20 October 2011 266 number of successful prosecutions of perpetrators. They can of course also be used successfully in other chaotic circumstances such as where public order offences are being committed. May I ask you to convey to the South Wales Police the absolute need for this bid to be successful and for these cameras to be available as soon as possible to officers in Sector 36 officers, bearing in mind that sadly St. Mellons experiences more reported domestic violence than any other area of the city?
Reply: County Councillor Tim Davies
Superintendent Williams from the Communities & Partnerships Team in Cardiff Bay is personally reviewing the use of body cams, particularly in respect of the positive effect that they will have on victimless prosecutions. At present, the technical issues are being worked through and also issues arising in respect of adherence and compliance with legislation. The costs involved in this process are currently being pursued.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Ralph Cook
Thank you for the answer. I was actually aware of the answer; which is why I didn’t ask for the answer. What I actually asked, was may I ask you to convey to the South Wales Police the absolute need for this bid to be successful, and for these cameras to be available as soon as possible to Officers in Sector 36 so that they can tackle domestic violence in a modern way, unfortunately you haven’t answered the question. That was the question I was putting to you, and I wonder if you can now answer it by saying you will convey that urgently to South Wales Police, that’s what I hope you will say anyway?
Reply: County Councillor Tim Davies
I can’t disagree with Councillor Cook, with such a reasonable request.