MAY 2017. Edition 10......

Labour retained This time it will be to vote for a control of Newport member of the UK parliament. City Council following NEW COUNCIL ELECTED the On 8 June, a general election is elections on 4 May. taking place. The city has two MPs representing Newport Residents in Newport went to the West and Newport East. polls to elect their 50 councillors to represent them across 20 wards. To see the full results of the city NM council elections and to find out NEWPORT The count took place in the more about the general election visit National Velodrome www.newport.gov.uk/elections MATTERS during the night and the result was as follows – Labour 31 seats, Messages about the general election Conservatives 12, Newport will also be available on Newport Independents Party 4, Liberal City Council’s social media accounts Democrats 2 and Independent 1. in the run-up to 8 June – The official newspaper of Newport City Council Twitter @NewportCouncil People living in Newport and and Facebook the rest of the UK will go to www.facebook.com/ the polls again next month. NewportCityCouncil

AMBITIOUS BID TO REVAMP THE TRANSPORTER BRIDGE

Improving the visitor experience The Friends of Newport the Edwardian gondola, which dates five remaining operational The formal process in securing the at Newport’s iconic Transporter Transporter Bridge are backing back to 1906, and to create a bigger transporter bridges worldwide. funding has started and there will Bridge is a top priority for the council’s plans and have and better visitor centre which will be an opportunity for residents to Newport City Council. been involved in discussions on include improved facilities at the site. Significant maintenance and repairs get involved and help raise funds for how the project can progress. to the bridge have taken place over the works. This type of community The council is backing an ambitious Newport Transporter Bridge the years, the last being replacement connection and engagement is bid to secure the future of the They are hoping to extend opening opened in 1906 and was built traveller rails and comprehensive important for funding bids which bridge by applying for around hours, create more parking and to help steel workers living on repainting carried out in 2010. attract third sector support. £8 million of support from maybe house a visitor café which the Pill side of the River Usk the Heritage Lottery Fund. could see even more people visiting get to the Lysaght factory on A report on the Heritage Lottery The bridge, which has won a than the 20,000 it attracts each year. the other side, saving them Fund bid says if the Transporter Certificate of Excellence on The money will be used to fund a long a four mile walk to work. Bridge is to thrive as a visitor Trip Advisor several times, is term programme of improvements, The Heritage Lottery Fund support attraction then investment is open Wednesday to Sunday maintenance and repairs required to is needed to carry out essential on- The bridge dominates the also required in interpretation and on all bank holidays from keep it in pristine operational condition. going repairs to the bridge, improve city skyline and is one of only and visitor facilities. 10am to 5pm until 1 October.

For more news visit www.newport.gov.uk...... NEWPORT MATTERS MAY 2017 1 NEW CHAMPIONS TAKES UP VELOTHON LEAGUE FINAL OFFICE CONGESTION – RIDES BACK TO PLAN AHEAD NEWPORT The venue for the 2017 UEFA Champions League final, on Saturday 3 June 2017, is the Principality Photo: Peter Ellis Stadium in Cardiff – the National Stadium of Wales. Councillor David Fouweather became Newport’s latest It will be the biggest sporting event first citizen on 16 May and in the world this year, drawing Paula Fouweather took on visiting fans from across the globe, the chains of the Mayoress. and will be the most watched programme on television. They took over from last year’s Mayor Councillor David Atwell The UEFA Champions Festival and Mayoress Carole Atwell. will also take place on 1 - 4 June in Cardiff Bay and is See July’s Newport Matters for expected to attract over 200,000 more details about the new Mayor people over the four days. and his chosen charities for the year – St David’s Hospice, Amazing Road closures needed around Grace Spaces and MPTC. Cardiff city will be more extensive and longer lasting Councillor Richard White and than for other sporting events Pamela White are the new Deputy and security measures may Mayor and Deputy Mayoress. necessitate lane closures on Thousands of cyclists are In addition to the sportive, local services will be publicised some city centre routes. The council’s annual general expected to take part in this Velothon Wales also welcomes on the council website and social meeting took place following the year’s Velothon Wales on Sunday a UCI sanctioned professional media as the event approaches. As a result, Cardiff and the mayor making ceremony when the 9 July, taking in some of the race, attracting some of the surrounding towns and cities will new cabinet and appointments to most beautiful and challenging world’s best teams and riders. For more information see: be much busier during the week council committees and outside roads around South Wales. www.velothon.com/wales of the event and particularly bodies were confirmed. In order for the event to take place Facebook: @VelothonUK on the day of the men’s final. New for 2017 will be a choice safely, there will be closures on some Twitter: @Velothon The Mayor’s Civic Sunday and of either a 110km or 140km Newport roads so residents are Email: [email protected] Event organisers have identified Armed Forces service takes course which will take in a advised that personal travel may be where and when they anticipate place at stretch of Newport’s coastal restricted in some parts of the city. the congestion ‘hotspots’ at 10.30am on 18 June. roads and the SDR. Cyclists, residents and businesses can being. The M4, M48, A48 visit www.velothon.com/wales to and A449 are expected to be From seasoned sportive riders, view the full road closure details. particularly busy, especially to charity fundraisers and cycling before and after the men’s final newbies, the routes will offer Every effort will be made to limit which kicks-off at 7.45pm. all ambitions and abilities an any disruption on the day. Further QUEENS BATON unforgettable experience. information on any changes to Rail and bus services will be RELAY affected and airports are also expected to be busy. Newport’s annual walking One walker last year said: event is set to return on Newport residents are advised ANOTHER Saturday 9 September and “I had not realised how much to put Saturday 3 June in their Newport is to welcome the CHANCE TO you can sign up online. brilliant scenery there was so close diary and think about their plans Queen’s Baton as it visits to town” and another said they and travel arrangements. Even communities around the UK WALK Even with challenging weather had enjoyed “discovering parts of local journeys are likely to take as part of the celebrations conditions to contend with, over 100 Newport we didn’t know existed”. longer, with trips west to Cardiff leading up to the opening THE PORT people took part in the first Walk the and beyond subject to delays. ceremony of the Gold Coast Port event last year and it is hoped this Newport City Council and 2018 Commonwealth Games. year will be even bigger and better. Newport Live are working with For more information on Let’s Walk Cymru, walking groups, the events, services affected The Queen’s Baton will be There will be a series of walks volunteers and partnership and hotspot areas visit in Newport on Wednesday, including short walks suitable for organisations to ensure Walk the www.Cardiff2017.Wales 6 September 2017. families with younger children and Port 2017 is a great success. longer routes for those looking for more of a challenge ranging from 1.5 This year’s event will be supporting to 16 miles. All routes will again start the Alzheimer’s Society charity. and end at the Active Living Centre in Bettws, and promise stunning For more information surroundings that let walkers enjoy and to sign up visit Newport’s varied countryside. www.newport.gov.uk/walktheport

2 For more news visit www.newport.gov.uk...... NEWPORT MATTERS MAY 2017 Plans to raise the city’s profile, A Purple Flag partnership BUY WITH encourage more visitors working group, which includes and boost the night-time key council services, Gwent AWARDS FOR CONFIDENCE RAISING THE economy have been agreed Police, South Wales Fire and by Newport City Council. Rescue Service, Aneurin Bevan EXCELLENT FLAG FOR SAFE Health Board, Street Pastors, NEWPORT Newport City Council’s NIGHTS OUT This will be achieved by applying the Business Improvement trading standards has joined for Purple Flag status and District, Pub Watch and SCHOOLS the national Buy with putting in place a pavement Newport Live, has been set up. Confidence scheme which café licensing policy. awards a trading standards The council also want to ‘approval’ of businesses who Obtaining Purple Flag status shows encourage and support Primary School meet a strict level of service. a town or city’s night time economy pavement cafès as they can and Ysgol Gymraeg Ifor Hael offers a clean and safe environment, help to maximise the use of have been recognised for Good references are required has great bars and clubs, a variety public spaces, aid the local their excellence by Estyn, from previous customers and of arts and cultural attractions economy and add to the facilities the education and training applicants must agree to abide by and excellent transport links. offered to people who visit, inspectorate for Wales. the scheme’s code of conduct, live and work in Newport. which requires them to follow If successful, Newport will join The awards recognised 28 schools, the letter and spirit of the law. Swansea to become one of only The policy to achieve this colleges and other education two Welsh cities to have this award. was agreed in April. settings in Wales that were Pure Vans Ltd is the first member judged to be excellent for one or to join the scheme followed both of the overall judgements, closely by Japonica, a landscaping Inspirational, amazing and for current performance and firm from . brilliant – these were just prospects for improvement in some of the words used by the academic year 2015-2016. those who attended the recent PopUp Business Representatives from the FOOD AND DRINK School in Newport. POPUP BUSINESS schools received a certificate and congratulations from Meilyr Rowlands, FESTIVAL DATE Of the participants, 39 per cent Estyn’s the Welsh Government’s made their first trade within a SCHOOL WAS Chief Inspector and Kirsty Williams, CONFIRMED fortnight, and 37 businesses started cabinet secretary for education. within the two weeks of the school. “INSPIRATIONAL” Meilyr Rowlands, said: At the same time, Newport City This year’s Tiny Rebel Newport Council – in collaboration with “Celebrating the excellence achieved Food and Drink Festival will take Newport Norse – ran a competition by hard work and commitment within place on Saturday, 7 October to find great business ideas. Welsh education is important.” from 9am to 5pm in the High Street. The first prize was a stall in for a year while the two More than 80 stalls selling a host runners-up each won a stall for six LIBRARY of the finest produce Wales months. However, the judges were and the West has to offer will so impressed by all the finalists REVAMP give visitors the chance to enjoy that they were to be offered speciality food and drinks. incentives for their businesses.

The festival’s hub is on High Cherish Clothing Boutique, run Visitors to Rogerstone Library Street, leading into the city’s by Catherine Farmer and Ffion will notice a difference to historic Newport Market, Cox, beat off stiff competition the inside of the building the scene for the popular to be named the overall winners following a two week teen chef competitions and after making their pitch. refurbishment programme. demonstrations from some of the country’s top chefs. The two women, who describe The layout has changed to give themselves in their competition visitors a better environment in If you would like more submission as ‘having a passion the lending library, one of the information visit for fashion’, are keen to attract most popular in Newport. www.newportfoodfestival.co.uk younger customers into the market with their business idea. Younger readers also have more space in which to enjoy events The two runners-up, who won Alan Donegan, of the PopUp Housing following the work carried out FRIENDLY WI-FI licence-free units for six months, Business School, said: Association and Jobcentre Plus on behalf of Newport City are Jacki Tyler who wants to run to bring the school to the city. Council’s library service. IN NEWPORT a beauty/complementary therapy “It was brilliant. We have been stall offering nail care treatments, helping people to see you don’t Find out what some of the While the work was ongoing facials, massages, aromatherapy need money to start a business. participants thought of the users visited Newport’s public Wifi network and reflexology, and Pattarika By day three, they are building event, and some of their library which extended its hours has been given accreditation Bankluay who wants to offer their free websites and by day five enterprising businesses and to accommodate extra users. from a scheme created in customers Thai food ready-meals. they are making their first sale ideas on our website collaboration with the UK – it’s a life changing moment.” Council for Child Internet Safety. Many of those who entered You can also find out more the competition also took part Newport City Council also about the range of support The Friendly WiFi symbol helps in the PopUp Business School worked with Newport City and advice available from children, young people and adults find which was one of the initiatives Homes, Business Wales, the council’s business services venues where WiFi has been filtered supported by a special fund set Communities First, Newport team at www.newportgov.uk/ to try and block inappropriate material. up by the council last year. Now, Charter Housing, business

Follow us on facebook newportcitycouncil...... NEWPORT MATTERS MAY 2017 3 IMPROVING CYCLING & WALKING ROUTES

Newport City Council is works road, taking users almost to network from the completed ‘city steadily improving its cycle the boundary with Monmouthshire centre circular’ off-road network and walking routes across the with plans to extend in the future. and the northern routes. city as part of its commitment to increasing healthy lives And in March over £1 million was This will include routes identified through active travel. allocated to help continue the through the active travel work on the northern corridor network map development, A series of workshops were scheme, a continuation of the that need to be brought up held around the city to get work which started in 2015 as to active travel standard. feedback from residents about the part of a three year programme. integrated network map which will These routes connect residential be used to plan our active travel The active travel improvements areas to a variety of local schemes for the next 15 years. will connect areas such as Pilton service destinations including Vale in Malpas, Bettws and schools, local shopping hubs So far the council, with funding and residential areas and employment areas. from the Welsh Government, has of the city such as , completed a series of projects Shaftesbury and Barrack Hill to taking in part of the Gwent Levels the city centre via connections and on the 6km section of an ‘intercity’ extensions to the NCN route 49, cycle route between Newport 88 and other established paths. and Cardiff. An off-road route for walking and cycling linking the M4 The funding allocation will be and the SDR via the former steel used to extend and improve the

Residents should ensure they This happened to a resident and costs to Newport City are paying licensed operators who used a ‘man in a van’. Council totalling nearly £600. BANK HOLIDAY FLY-TIPPING to take rubbish away, warns who dumped the rubbish. WARNING Newport City Council. Staff in the Pride in Newport The team also successfully COLLECTIONS team went through it to find brought evidence to court You could face being prosecuted evidence which traced it back which saw a fly-tipper fined through the courts if the to the resident. The resulting £1,000 plus a £30 victim Newport City Council will be person you give your waste court case saw him having surcharge and costs of £175. collecting refuse and garden to then dumps it illegally. to pay a victim surcharge waste on the usual days in the The incident was witnessed by week beginning Monday 29 May. police who saw the culprit dump rubbish on a lay-by off Heidenheim Traditionally, collections are Drive, Newport in July last year. made one day later than normal following a bank holiday. However, If anyone does witness fly-tippers in what is expected to be a one- in action details can be left on off, collections will not be affected the Pride in Newport hotline by this spring bank holiday. number 07973 698582 and Fly-tippers will be caught and the team will investigate and For more information visit prosecuted prosecute the perpetrators. www.newport.gov.uk/recycling

On Christmas Day 2015 one he was not in trade, the council of the hoverboards started investigation proved otherwise. BIG BELLY HOVERBOARD to smoke after a period of BINS EAT UP SELLER SENT TO being on charge. Luckily, the The Fake Free Newport consumer took it immediately campaign is all about targeting MORE RUBBISH PRISON outside where it burst into such unsafe items and this case flames and exploded. is an unfortunate example of just how dangerous falsely The consumer contacted described goods can be. Have you seen the Bigbelly A man who sold a Newport City Council’s trading bins around the city? hoverboard which burst standards team who investigated For more information into flames was given the matter. Examination of the about Fake Free Newport Newport City Council has trialled a custodial sentence hoverboard chargers by an expert and who to contact about the use of the solar powered units following a successful electrical engineer revealed that the sale of counterfeit which compact litter so they can Newport City Council they failed a number of aspects goods and services, visit hold up to eight times more rubbish investigation. of electrical safety regulations. www.newport.gov.uk/fakefree than a normal bin, generating an email to tell staff it is full. In November 2015 a consumer Despite the defendant stating bought three hoverboards he was unable to say who he Data will now be analysed to see from an eBay shop as Christmas had purchased the hoverboards if the bins are cost effective. presents for her children. from and further claiming that

4 For more news visit www.newport.gov.uk...... NEWPORT MATTERS MAY 2017 FLAGSHIP SCHEME FOR MORE HELP FOR MUMS ADULTS WITH

LEARNING A new service is Newport, along with Blaenau DISABILITIES supporting women at risk Gwent, Torfaen, Monmouth of having their children and Caerphilly are working taken into care. with Barnardo’s Cymru to Tŷ Eirlys deliver the project. Reflect provides one-to-one Residents have moved into a (both part of Pobl Group), Newport 13 individual apartments for people help for women who have Liz Baker, Barnardo’s Cymru’s health, housing and support City Council, Welsh Government and referred through the council’s already had a child or children assistant director for children’s development for adults with local builders Willis Construction. Common Housing Register. removed and will give them services in south east Wales, said: learning disabilities in Newport. the intensive support they need “It’s about women understanding their Tŷ Eirlys represents a significant Located in the area of to improve their lives and break past, overcoming the problems in their Leading the way in Wales, re-modelling of supported Newport, the converted Victorian the cycle of care proceedings. current lives and achieving a better Tŷ Eirlys provides a much-needed accommodation for adults style specialist accommodation future by transforming their lives.” pathway between supported with learning disabilities and is a has been designed for individuals’ They will be offered emotional and independent living. departure from the traditional needs both now and for the support alongside practical It is hoped that the project, which provision of small group homes. future. It is designed to enable help including contraceptive has also received funding from It is the result of a successful people to live independently while advice and access to Welsh Government, will reduce the collaboration between Newport-based The bespoke accommodation is of the accessing individually tailored housing, education and emotional, social and financial costs care provider Reach, Charter Housing highest modern standard and provides packages of support if needed. employment services. of children being taken into care.

FACELIFT BOOST FOR CITY CENTRE BUSINESSES

Two long established Viable Places (VVP) programme has come down from properties National Buildings which benefitted Kaspa’s in Commercial Street. It public houses and a row has given a boost to a number of in Commercial Road including from the VVP programme. has breathed new life into a former of restaurants and shops landmark buildings in the city centre. The Alma Inn, to reveal them clothes store that had been empty opposite Mariner’s Green are restored to their former glory. Nassa Travel also received a shop for some time and also received drawing admiring glances after From High Street to Cardiff subsidy grant from a fund set up by help from the VVP programme. receiving a facelift thanks to Road, key properties have been A number of new businesses the council to assist new ventures. a council-led programme. transformed into new homes, have set up in that part of the businesses and modern spaces. city centre since the regeneration Another new business which is For three years, the Welsh programme got under way already proving a big hit with visitors Government-funded Vibrant and More recently, the scaffolding including Nassa Travel in the to the city centre is dessert house

Newport City Council’s cabinet £300k will be added to facilities grants and initiatives recently approved an additional the streetscene budget for targeting anti-social behaviour. FURTHER spend of £2.5 million to support projects including cleaning INVESTMENT nine key areas of work. and improving subways and An exhaustive trawl of councils additional grass cutting. finances identified the additional FOR KEY In a further boost for schools, an funds from a projected underspend, PRIORITY extra £1.1 million has been allocated Money will also go towards savings achieved through the to a renovation fund and a £300k supporting traders in the indoor adoption of a new minimum revenue AREAS revenue investment in a community market, library and museum provision method and a release from delivered skills-based project will services, play facilities, maintenance reserves following a review of the be used to secure match funding of grants to the voluntary council tax reduction scheme and increasing it to around half a million. sector, the delivery of disabled the general legal claims reserve.

Follow us on twitter newportcitycouncil...... NEWPORT MATTERS MAY 2017 5 CHANGES TO NURSERY APPLICATIONS WHAT’S ON

Applying for a nursery place in 31 March, with a nursery start Newport is about to get simpler. date of January or April 2018.

For nursery places in Newport Once a nursery application has been schools in 2018, the application made, if a Rising 3 place is available, process and timetable is changing parents will now automatically be with the aim of making the notified and offered that place. process easier for parents. CITY CENTRE Children born between 1 6 June Children are eligible for a nursery April and 31 August are not D-Day anniversary service organised place in the term following their third eligible for a Rising 3 place. by Royal Welsh Comrades birthday and in Newport this can be KEY DATES Association, City of Newport in a maintained nursery class/school The council is responsible for Branch. Parade leaves Cambrian or in a non-maintained setting (a admission to community nursery 3 July – 18 September 2017 Road at 12.45 a service of playgroup or private day nursery). schools but for a nursery place remembrance, including the laying of in a voluntary aided school or • Application period for all 2018 nursery places wreaths, at memorial in High Street. For a September 2018 nursery non-maintained setting, enquiries place (maintained nurseries only), should be made directly to 30 November 2017 NEWPORT CATHEDRAL applications can be made between the school or provider. 16 and 17 June 3 July and 18 September 2017. • Decisions issued for September 2018 places Noye’s Fludde: Both Welsh and English- A children’s opera by Benjamin However, in a change to previous medium places are available. • January 2018 Rising 3 places offered (if available) Britten. years, there is no need for parents Tickets on the door or in advance to submit a separate application For more information and to make 2 March 2018 – telephone 07933627594 or email for a Rising 3 place. Rising 3 an application visit [email protected] places can be offered to children www.newport.gov.uk/ • April 2018 Rising 3 places offered (if available) born between 1 September and schooladmissions RIVERFRONT THEATRE www.newportlive.co.uk/riverfront 27 May Mark Thompson’s Spectacular Science Show (age 6+) ROYAL ARTILLERY PARADE 17 June Bach to Baby: Festival 19-23 June Apocalypso: Tinshed Theatre

TREDEGAR HOUSE www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ tredegar-house 27-29 May EXPLORE Captain Henry Morgan’s Pirate NEWPORT Weekend MARKET www.rspb.org.uk Proud to serve you since 3 and 4 June the 1800s Binocular and telescope demo weekend High Street, AND ART GALLERY Proud soldiers from the 104th Regiment Royal Artillery marked their 50th anniversary www.newport.gov.uk/heritage by taking part in a Freedom Parade through Newport City Centre on 1 April. 17 June MWYNHAU Lunchtime talk: Looking after museum collections The parade will mark the MARCHNAD OFFICERS OF last time the ship docks DOLMAN THEATRE in Newport before being CASNEWYDD www.dolmantheatre.co.uk HMS SEVERN decommissioned later this year. Yn falch i’ch gwasanaethu 24 and 25 May TO PARADE ers y 1800au A Broadway Rhapsody – an evening HMS Severn is a River-class of entertainment with STC Musical THROUGH offshore patrol vessel of the High Street, canol dinas Casnewydd Society British Royal Navy and is 13-17 June NEWPORT one of a trio that plough the The Government Inspector – seas around the UK almost Newport Playgoers Society will be every day of the year. performing this satirical play The Captain and crew of 18 and 19 June HMS Severn will be taking She has been affiliated with www.newport.gov.uk/market Bugsy Malone – fun musical by part in a Freedom Parade Newport since 2003 and Sharon Higgins Musical Theatre Class through Newport city was awarded the freedom 23-25 June centre on Saturday 15 July. of the city in 2006. West Side Story

6 For more news visit www.newport.gov.uk...... NEWPORT MATTERS MAY 2017