CITY AND COUNTY OF DINAS A SIR CAERDYDD

COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL 19 July 2001

CABINET PROPOSAL AGENDA ITEM:

Cabinet Policy Statement: Ambitions For Cardiff

Background

1. Due to the onset of the general election campaign, no Lord Mayor’s Address was delivered at the Annual Meeting of the County Council on 10 May 2001. It is still important to outline the Administration’s priorities and policy agenda, particularly in the view of the new government’s manifesto commitments.

2. Consequently, I am proposing Cabinet agrees the attached statement on the Administration’s policy commitments and aspirations until 2004 (ie. the lifetime of this Administration). Follow-up statements will be published annually to take account of legislative, budgetary and other developments.

Issues

3. The Administration’s believes that the current agenda for Cardiff should address the following strategic issues:

· and Europe;

· Social Inclusion and Neighbourhood Renewal;

· Strong Communities;

· Education and Lifelong Learning;

· Enterprise and Economic Growth;

· Environment and Health;

· Culture and Sport;

· Transport;

· Modern Local Government.

Page 1 of 3 4. The budget-setting process already provides resources to contribute towards addressing our priorities during 2001-2002. Further details of the Council’s programme for 2002-2004 will be reflected in the Cabinet Policy Statements of 2002 and 2003 respectively.

Page 2 of 3 ADVICE

This report has been prepared in consultation with Corporate Managers and reflects their collective advice. It contains all the information necessary to allow Members to arrive at a reasonable view, taking into account the advice contained in this section.

The Chief Executive is responsible for dealing with this report.

Legal Implications

The proposals in this report set policy priorities. Legal advice will be provided as proposals are developed to implement the policy objectives.

Achievability & Financial Implications

The implementation of the Cabinet Policy Statement will have financial implications for the Council and for its Best Value Performance Plan. These will need to be considered before the measures announced in the Statement are fully implemented. Policies relating to 2002-2004 will need to be considered in the context of the budget process for those years.

Consequences

The Cabinet Policy Statement outlines the Council’s policy commitments and aspirations for the lifetime of the current Administration and will provide the strategic policy framework for the development of the Council’s services between 2001-2004.

BYRON DAVIES Chief Executive 4 July 2001

Background Papers: None

CABINET PROPSAL

Committee of the Council approve the attached Cabinet Policy Statement as the Council's policy objectives for the period 2001 to 2004.

The following appendix is attached:

Cabinet Policy Statement, 2001: Ambitions for Cardiff

Page 3 of 3

CONTENTS

AMBITIOUS FOR SUCCESS 2

SIGNPOSTS TO THE FUTURE 3

EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING 4

SOCIAL INCLUSION AND NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL 6

STRONG COMMUNITIES 9

E-GOVERNMENT 11

ENTERPRISE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 12

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH 14

CULTURE AND SPORT 16

TRANSPORT 18

WALES AND EUROPE 20

MODERN LOCAL GOVERNMENT 22

1 AMBITIOUS FOR SUCCESS

Cardiff is an outstanding city. A decade of development has led to an almost palpable sense of confidence and expectation that the City will continue to deliver opportunities for people to prosper. But success can never be taken for granted. New times mean new challenges. Successful cities will be those that innovate and embrace change; that develop a clear vision of future prosperity; that are drivers of the regional economy; that benefit from strong and accountable local government.

Successful cities are also ambitious cities. The Council wants Cardiff to become the most successful regional in Europe, excellent in every respect, and the best place to live and work anywhere in the UK. We want the people of Cardiff and Wales to share fully in the City’s success and to be able take full advantage of the opportunities created by a diverse and buoyant local economy. We want prosperity to be enjoyed by all citizens and not just by the privileged few.

Our ambitions reflect what is best about Cardiff. The City has one of the longest established minority ethnic communities in the UK, with a diversity and multiculturalism that characterises vibrant and progressive cities throughout the world. Local communities have a strong tradition of caring for the vulnerable. Local businesses have the entrepreneurial flair to succeed in a competitive, knowledge-based economy. The creativity of our young people promises a great deal for the future.

This abundance of talent and energy needs to be harnessed for the benefit of all. This is the central theme of Ambitions for Cardiff. It outlines the County Council’s policy framework and aspirations in the wake of the recent general election, and is supported by targets in the Community Strategy and Best Value Performance Plan. Follow-up statements will be published annually to take account of legislative, budgetary and other developments, forming the basis of a rolling programme setting out the Council’s agenda until 2004.

2 SIGNPOSTS TO THE FUTURE

Cardiff ranks among the most successful and enterprising cities in the UK. Few cities can claim so many strengths. is an internationally significant regeneration project, and a hub of commercial and cultural activity. The is acclaimed as one of the best sports stadiums in the world. A thriving arts and cultural scene, focusing on a network of facilities and events, will allow Cardiff to mount a powerful challenge to become European Capital of Culture 2008. The city centre is among the top ten centres in the UK.

Major events have secured Cardiff’s reputation as a thriving European Capital City. In 1998 the European Summit and visit of President Nelson Mandela meant that images of Cardiff and Wales were conveyed to a worldwide audience of billions. The , Network Q Rally and FA Cup Final confirmed Cardiff’s pre-eminence as a location for world-class sport. People and businesses throughout the world now associate the City with high profile events.

Recent developments take their place in a proud history of civic achievement. In the late nineteenth century Cardiff was one of the -exporting springboards of the world economy and was transformed by the combined efforts of civic leaders and local people. The modern transformation is equally startling and has also been based on local authority-led partnership working. One academic commentator recently wrote of ‘a burst of civic activity that has transformed this community in a short period. And what is even more remarkable is that this happened twice in the city’s recent history first in the late 19th century and again at present.’1

Recent achievements are signposts to still greater success and greater prosperity in the future. But there is still a tremendous amount to do. For example, deprivation continues to affect too many communities. Educational standards need to be further improved. Anti-social behaviour continues to undermine communities. Local transportation links need to be improved. Sometimes local services fall short of the standard people expect and deserve.

Many of these issues are not the responsibility of the Council alone and public services remain under-funded by the National Assembly for Wales. But the Council’s democratic mandate means that it is the only organisation capable of taking an overall view of local needs and responding to those needs in partnership with others. The following framework and aspirations reflect our belief in the capacity of local government to exercise community leadership and create opportunities for people to prosper.

1 Mike Ungersma, Cardiff: Celebration for a City (2000), p.4.

3 EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING

Education remains the Council’s number one priority. It is a crucial part of Cardiff’s agenda for success. The continued development of Cardiff as a city of learning is vital in order to ensure local prosperity - a decent education is still the main pathway to individual self-betterment and achievement.

Cardiff’s success in the next decade is dependent on achieving success in creating a genuinely inclusive education system, a system that recognises that learning is for everyone, and where schools, colleges, training providers and universities work together to meet the skill needs of local employers.

As well as valuing high-level academic achievements, the Council supports the creation of a qualifications system that gives everybody the chance to achieve their true potential. This means high standards in the key skills – and also more vocational education and more opportunities for some students to follow alternative curricula as they get older with a parity of esteem between academic and vocational qualifications.

The Council is committed to providing first-class schools for the children of Cardiff and reaffirms its commitment to increase investment in schools, year-on-year, over and above the level provided by the National Assembly for Wales during the lifetime of the present administration. On top of this, we are committed to making lifelong learning a reality, working with Cardiff’s colleges, universities, and employers to bring about a step change in learning opportunities across the community.

In 2001-2002 we will:

· continue to raise the standards of pupils’ achievements at key stages 2, 3 and 4;

· improve opportunities and outcomes for children from disadvantaged families;

· develop a Post-16 Training and Development Plan - a crucial step towards meeting the challenge of lifelong learning.

· take further steps to link learning with technology. We will increase IT provision in local libraries and improve IT facilities for adult learning by replacing 100 PCs in adult education centres;

· provide 350 alternative learning programmes for young people.

4 Between 2002 and 2004 we will:

§ make fundamental progress towards achieving our vision of making Cardiff a city of learning, a city that provides accessible opportunities and progression routes for learning at all levels from basic skills to excellence. This will involve a detailed audit of current post-16 provision and progression opportunities; the implementation of the Post-16 Education and Training Plan; and the development of a library service equal to the challenge of the digital age;

· complete a fundamental review of the formula for funding schools and, in the process, consult fully with schools via our planning in partnership mechanism;

· improve the condition of school buildings in Cardiff by implementing a Schools Service Asset Management Plan based on individual schools’ asset management plans and making progress towards reducing the surplus of places in schools.

5 SOCIAL INCLUSION AND NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL

Cardiff is Europe’s fastest growing capital city. The City’s economic growth, as outlined in the Council’s Economic Development Plan for 2001-2002, has demonstrated the potential of urban regeneration to create meaningful employment opportunities and many local residents have made the transition from welfare into work.

Nevertheless, social exclusion remains a significant challenge and Cardiff, like other urban areas, features significant numbers of people struggling to make ends meet. Pockets of deprivation continue to exist in some parts of the City. is the 14th most deprived electoral division in Wales in terms of income, and the 8th most deprived in terms of child poverty. In Ely nearly a quarter of people of working age are economically inactive due to unemployment or sickness.

Deprived communities are also particularly affected by crime and disorder issues. Tackling crime and the fear of crime is essential if people are to participate fully in society and achieve their full potential. Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Cardiff – and community safety is one of the key objectives of modern local government.

The Council seeks to remove the barriers that prevent people from leading full and rewarding lives. We will develop a comprehensive social inclusion agenda that gives deprived citizens a helping hand and reflects our aspiration to create a decent, tolerant society, open to all people regardless of their background or origin. Socially inclusive communities are also safer communities. We aim to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour through the joint action of the Council, Police, Probation Service, Safer Cardiff and other organisations.

In 2001-2002 we will:

· progress Cardiff’s reputation as a tolerant, multicultural city in which diversity is celebrated and racism is abhorred. We will actively promote race equality as part of our obligations under the new Race Relations (Amendment) Act; combat race hate in the context of the Cardiff Community Safety Partnership; develop the Race Equality Action Forum as an integral part of the community planning process; and host a keynote conference of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia;

2 Brian Robson et al., The State of English Cities (DETR, London, 2000), p.15. 3 Ibid., p.33.

6 · continue to show strong commitment to the interests and concerns of asylum seekers and refugees, building on a long tradition of local communities providing sanctuary for oppressed people from throughout the world;

· implement the first phase of the Communities First initiative, tackling social exclusion through effective coordination of services, multi-agency working and the targeting of resources on deprived neighbourhoods. The initial focus of the scheme will be on Ely and Caerau, and , and the black and minority ethnic community;

· develop and act on a Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, linked to the Cardiff Community Strategy. The strategy will seek to assess and respond to the needs of neighbourhoods throughout Cardiff with the support of community planning partners;

· work with a range of voluntary organisations in support of Communities First and the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy objectives to create personal development opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds;

· increase benefit take-up. We will identify target groups for increased take-up of benefit and take steps to ensure the effectiveness of the campaign;

· increase the availability of decent and affordable housing in Cardiff securing 175 new social rented homes, and 25 community improvement projects and renewal schemes. We recognise that housing has a major impact on health and well-being and should be a right, not a privilege;

· initiate a programme to upgrade blocks of flats designated for the elderly with extra security measures and improved communal areas;

· secure a significant reduction in the time council properties are vacant prior to letting;

· develop the Cardiff Youth Forum within the framework of the community planning process so that a real opportunity is provided for young people to influence local decision-making;

· seek to prevent young people from turning to crime and anti-social behaviour, working in partnership to provide services and support to ensure they develop as decent, law-abiding citizens;

· use anti-social behaviour orders when appropriate to do so and expand the CCTV coverage on local estates.

7 Between 2002 and 2004 we will:

· as part of our commitment to public housing, work with partner organisations to build 100 new council houses in the city. We will explore avenues of funding the modernisation of council properties and aim to complete the Council’s window replacement programme;

· work with local universities and registered social landlords to develop a strategy for student housing;

· maintain the momentum of the Council’s regeneration programme seeking wherever possible to reduce opportunities for crime and anti-social behaviour. We will rigorously assess the outcomes of local renewal initiatives – incorporating what works into mainstream service delivery whenever appropriate;

· review and revise the Council’s Social Inclusion Action Plan to ensure that it remains an up-to- date, action-oriented response to the causes of deprivation and discrimination in Cardiff;

· develop and support a comprehensive network of advice agencies complementing the social inclusion objectives of the Council. This will help to ensure local people have access to impartial and relevant advice through the community legal services partnership framework;

· work to achieve the aims of the UK Government’s Welfare Reform Bill by extending and consolidating closer working relationships with the Employment Service and Benefits Agency. This will include further collaboration among local enterprise centres, benefits services and statutory agencies to modernise the delivery of benefits while ensuring that the potential for fraud is minimized;

· demonstrate full compliance with the Race Relations (Amendment) Act and work with local people and organisations to ensure that Cardiff is at the forefront of moves to promote race equality;

· build upon the actions and targets achieved in the Cardiff Crime and Disorder Strategy 1999- 2002 to develop an effective strategy for the following three years.

8 STRONG COMMUNITIES

Strong communities are the mainstay of Cardiff’s success as a European Capital City. In a competitive world people require the support provided by families, neighbourhoods, local organisations, and public services more than ever. Solidarity is crucial. We have a basic obligation to support the vulnerable and those who fall on hard times. We also have a moral and civic duty to support the young people of Cardiff. Investment in children is an essential part of our commitment to creating strong communities.

The Council’s social care function will be subject to a joint review in the autumn of 2001, and the Council will formulate and act on a detailed action plan arising from this exercise.

The Council is committed to providing quality services and facilities for the vulnerable – the elderly, the young, people with mental health problems and disabled people. Children within our care will be given every opportunity to succeed in life and enjoy a prosperous future.

In 2001-2002 we will:

· launch the Cardiff Carers’ Strategy, which has been developed in conjunction with carers of elderly and vulnerable people, and will provide increased support for carers;

· maximise the opportunities for vulnerable people to lead full and rewarding lives. This will include improved assistance for people with disabilities to live independently and faster procedures for homeless people enabling them to have access to new homes as soon as possible;

· through the Supporting People framework, bring forward proposals to ensure that vulnerable people benefit from security of tenure and access to appropriate levels of support from local services;

· improve awareness of the needs of children with disabilities and learning difficulties and the quality of services that the Council provides to meet those needs;

· develop a range of specialist foster placements to enhance choice and ensure children grow up with the support of caring families.

9 Between 2002 and 2004 we will:

· respond to the Care Standards Act by focusing on improving the qualifications of our own care staff and actively promoting higher quality in the services we purchase from others on behalf of vulnerable people;

· respond positively to government proposals to modernise adoption services and increase significantly the number of children looked after by the Council who are adopted;

· use the new flexibilities in the NHS Act to improve the co-ordination of health and social care services through an integrated and constructive partnership with local health organisations;

· establish a range of new services for care leavers to support their transition to adulthood;

· improve physical access to the Council’s buildings in the context of the Disability Discrimination Act.

10 E-GOVERNMENT

Technology is a key agent for change in the modern world. Over recent years computers have transformed the way we work and live. In future the pace of change will, if anything, increase as the full potential of Information and Communication Technology is realised. Cardiff needs to meet this challenge. Crucially, the City is well placed to adopt new technologies – already some 80% of homes are covered by cable. As a compact modern European capital, Cardiff will be able to develop highly focused citizen and business services based upon electronic delivery.

The Council is a technology-driven local authority. We will develop the “e-government” agenda and support moves to make services accessible via the channel of choice, including traditional telecommunications, digital television, information kiosks, mobile technology and the home PC.

In 2001-2002 we will:

· launch the Council’s innovative contact centre (Connect 2 Cardiff) as part of a concerted shift towards 24 hour local government;

· develop an eTechnology strategy that will map out Cardiff’s transition to an e-enabled city in which local people, organisations, schools, businesses, universities and colleges are supported by a broadband digital infrastructure that will give Cardiff a decisive technological lead over competitor cities.

Between 2002 and 2004 we will:

· move the Council towards achieving the Government's target that 100% of appropriate public services should have the potential to be electronically accessible by 2005;

· further develop the contact centre initiative to cover all appropriate services, linked to user- friendly public service access points throughout the City;

· develop a strategy for developing and maximising the potential of broadband telecommunications in Cardiff as an effective mechanism for attracting investment, providing job opportunities and removing the barriers which exclude disadvantaged groups from the advantages of electronic service delivery;

· commence the implementation of the Council’s eTechnology Strategy.

11 ENTERPRISE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

Cardiff’s unemployment rate currently stands at 3.1%. This is one of the lowest rates in Wales and reflects the long term success of local regeneration initiatives, based on private-public cooperation to improve the City’s infrastructure, transforming Cardiff Bay into an increasingly important role as a focal-point of commerce and culture, and establishing the city centre as one of the UK’s foremost commercial centres. In this respect, Cardiff can play its part in contributing to the UK Government’s commitment to achieve full employment by 2010. The City will need to continue to attract well-paid, skilled jobs to generate prosperity and opportunities for people to maximise their potential as citizens. It must remain a centre of enterprise and Wales’s economic powerhouse.

The Council will encourage enterprise and promote the development of a productive, entrepreneurial and diverse local economy, supporting the UK Government’s commitment to create a full employment economy by 2010.

In 2001-2002 we will:

· progress a dynamic, flexible and globally competitive economy for the City through the promotion of high tech, high value added sectors including the expansion of the Council's family of technology centres;

· support the creation and safeguarding of 1100 jobs;

· implement European Structural Fund Objective 2 and 3 programmes and other UK government schemes to maximise economic and job opportunities for the citizens of Cardiff;

· enhance Cardiff’s potential as a tourists’ and visitors’ destination through effective promotion of the Cardiff ‘brand’, partnership working with local and regional organisations, an outstanding events programme, major national and international conferences, and further improvements to the City’s tourism and leisure infrastructure;

· support the establishment and growth of businesses by securing 40 projects that create or safeguard jobs and investment programmes through a variety of business support schemes.

12 Between 2002-2004 we will:

· continue to draw down European Structural Fund Objective 2 and 3 programmes and other UK Government schemes. The target is to secure on average £5 million of grant paid per annum for Cardiff initiatives over the duration of the 6 year programme period;

· seek to enhance ties and promote technology transfer and links between the business community and higher education institutions within the City;

· progress the aims of the World Cities Alliance Initiative partnership to provide a global platform to develop and share economic intelligence, analysis, resources and best practice to meet the diverse business development needs of customers worldwide;

· improve access to employment advice and training in areas of high unemployment through, for example, the new Dumballs Road Training Centre;

· bring forward measures to create employment opportunities for local people and to encourage local businesses to contribute fully towards such initiatives;

· support and implement proposals in the Government’s Enterprise Bill to strengthen local authorities’ ability to champion consumer interests and take effective and rapid measures against rogue traders.

13 ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

The well-being of local communities is dependent on the environment in which people live and work. The Council plays an important role in promoting a healthy and clean environment through its enforcement powers, and is determined to protect all the citizens of Cardiff and, in particular, the most vulnerable sections of society.

Clean streets and public areas, along with effective waste management, are important issues for all cities. The Council will work towards a reduction in litter by developing and implementing improved cleansing and waste management arrangements, while placing emphasis on the importance of local pride. Communities themselves will be encouraged to take an active interest in the maintenance of clean streets. This reflects the Council’s commitment to sustaining the quality of life of local people.

Well-being depends on healthy communities. A key challenge facing the Council and the local health authorities is the poor health that disproportionately affects citizens living in deprived communities. As the Better Health – Better Wales document pointed out, there is “a close correlation between patterns of deprivation and of illness and disease”.

The Council will promote a healthy and clean environment aiming to ensure a better quality of life in Cardiff than any comparable city in the UK.

In 2001-2002 we will:

· work in partnership with other members of the Local Health Alliance, particularly the Local Health Group and the Cardiff and the Vale NHS Trust, to improve the health of local people and especially those living in deprived communities;

· develop the implementation of the Cardiff Sustainability Strategy, reflecting the importance of sustainable development as one of the Council’s key objectives;

· launch a comprehensive Keep Cardiff Tidy campaign and establish a litter action forum as part of the Cardiff Community Planning process. This will serve to mobilise support and resources across the community in support of the campaign;

· explore fully the development of ‘waste to energy’ initiatives that will further enhance Cardiff’s potential as an efficient and sustainable city;

14 · implement various measures to improve street cleansing and waste management. These will include the development of an effective waste management strategy, in line with legislative and environmental requirements, and drawing on the advice of a cross-sectoral working group; the introduction of a pilot scheme for wheeled bins, including proposals to increase the recovery of waste and reduce street litter; and a cleansing regime that minimises the impact of major events on residents and businesses in the city;

· make efforts to maintain and enhance the natural environment.

Between 2002 and 2004 we will:

· continue to work in close partnership with local health authorities securing the benefits that will accrue from the forthcoming reorganisation of the National Health Service in Wales;

· underpin our emphasis on healthy communities by supporting community health developments such as Healthy Living Centres; further development and promotion of the GP referral scheme; enhanced access to the countryside through the Countryside Strategy Partnership; a ‘walking the way to health’ project; and continued development of active lifestyle and nutritional advice programmes in the Council’s leisure facilities;

· ensure that Cardiff develops as a sustainable city mindful of the environmental consequences of economic growth and physical development;

· increase the proportion of household waste recycled or composted from 4.8% in line with the targets set by the National Assembly for Wales.

15 CULTURE AND SPORT

Sport is an essential part of the Cardiff agenda and plays an important role in the health, culture and economy of local communities. The Indoor Centre of Cricket Excellence, the National Indoor Athletics Centre, the Millennium Stadium and other facilities mean that the City is a regional centre of sporting excellence. The Council is committed to grassroots sport that encourages people regardless of their background, or where they come from, to compete and succeed on their own terms.

Cardiff also has a growing range of facilities to support cultural activities and performers. The Singer of the World Competition and the Welsh Proms are just two examples of the City’s ability to sustain high profile cultural events. This vibrant arts and cultural scene, powered in particular by the creative talent of our young people, reflects the diversity of the City and has established the basis of a significant cultural industry that promises much in the future.

This range of artistic and sporting activity indicates Cardiff’s potential to become European Capital of Culture 2008. As a culturally rich city with a track record of hosting international events, Cardiff possesses what the Department for Culture, Media and Sport describes as ‘the exceptional qualities’ needed to go forward as the UK’s nomination for the title of European Capital of Culture.

The Council is committed to the development of Cardiff as a pre-eminent cultural and sporting centre in which participation is encouraged and excellence celebrated.

In 2001-2002 we will:

· lead the development of an outstanding bid for Cardiff to become European Capital of Culture 2008 supported by the people of Wales;

· press for the establishment of the – a pivotal element in any Cardiff bid for Capital of Culture status that would establish Wales at the forefront of the international arts and cultural scene;

· host the Special Olympics UK National Summer Games;

· build on Cardiff’s success in attracting major events, including the holding of the inaugural International Festival of Musical Theatre. We will seek to retain the Network Q Rally in Cardiff for a further 3 years to 2005;

16 · develop a public art strategy that maximises the positive and beneficial role that can be played by art in urban areas;

Between 2002-2004 we will:

· progress the development of the £240 million International Sports Village as the centrepiece of Cardiff’s plans to become a regional capital of sporting excellence;

· expand Cardiff’s position as an events destination, building on the success of the recent FA Cup final;

· develop our vision of Cardiff as a city of sport providing accessible opportunities and progression routes for sport at all levels from participation to excellence;

· further enhance opportunities for participating in sport and leisure in Cardiff Bay and the river corridors, including the development of an enhanced water activities centre;

· continue to promote Cardiff as a city where people are able to develop as creative individuals, and participate and engage in a diversity of artistic and cultural activities.

17 TRANSPORT

The Council has launched the Local Transport Plan and aims to meet the challenge posed by a projected 30% increase in the number of cars on the road nationwide over the next ten years. The Council recognises that Cardiff’s full potential will only be maximised with the development of a first class transportation system. We envisage a new travel infrastructure based on the principles of universal access, freedom of movement, and enhanced public transport.

The Council supports the creation of an integrated, sustainable and efficient transport system in which people freely choose to use public transport because of the quality public transport offers.

In 2001-2002 we will:

· seek to establish an innovative public-private partnership to lever investment into the modernisation of the local transportation infrastructure;

· develop and implement policies that accelerate the shift from private cars to public transport. These will include more real time information displays in bus shelters and the first ‘quality partnership’ arrangements that will aim to bring about a real improvement in the performance of local bus services.

Between 2002-2004 we will:

· progress the establishment of an integrated public transport system in Cardiff, including smart card use, integrated ticketing and innovative transport solutions;

· support improvements to regional and local rail and bus services, in partnership with operators and public sector agencies;

· make bus services more effective through the further development of bus priority measures and bus ways, particularly in the city centre and along the waterfront;

· press for the completion of the Cardiff rail circle line from Coryton to ;

· seek to take forward the establishment of an investment partnership that will enable significant infrastructure improvements and pave the way for projects such as the Eastern Bay Link Road;

18 · explore opportunities to develop the transportation infrastructure by maximising related revenue streams, such as workplace charging and road tolls;

· consider the opportunities afforded by the decriminalisation of parking offences in Cardiff;

· explore opportunities for the provision of increased cycle ways in the City.

19 WALES AND EUROPE

There is growing awareness of the benefits cities can bring to regional regeneration. According to a recent report published by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR), “Cities are increasingly seen as propulsive or generative in their broader regional context”;4 “The relationship between cities and regions is crucial, they cannot and must not be separated.”5

The importance of city-regions needs to be recognised by the National Assembly. As a major commercial hub, Cardiff generates wealth that benefits people throughout the Nation. The economy of Cardiff and adjacent areas makes up nearly 20% of Welsh GDP. Nearly 40% of business rates contributed by businesses in Cardiff (some £40 million) is used to support the rest of Wales. Approximately 40% of the people working in Cardiff live outside the City. Major events, such as the FA Cup final, serve to advertise to the rest of the world that Wales is open for business. Since 1991 more than half the population growth in Wales has been in Cardiff.

Like other regional dynamos, Cardiff recognises the importance of city networks as a means of forging strategic alliances with ambitious, like-minded cities. The City’s involvement with the Cities of the Isles and the Conference of Atlantic Arc Cities indicates the potential for developing a robust pro-cities agenda in Western Europe, and Cardiff can and should play a leading role in this project.

The Council will enhance Cardiff’s reputation as a confident, dynamic European Capital City creating opportunities for the people of Wales.

In 2001-2002 we will:

· press the National Assembly to give greater recognition to the role and responsibilities of Cardiff as the Capital City of Wales, with the cost of this role being given appropriate weight in the distribution of public expenditure;

· commence preparations for the celebration of Cardiff’s role as the Capital City of Wales in the City’s centenary year in 2005;

· develop Cardiff’s involvement with strategic city networks and alliances.

4 Brian Robson et al., The State of English Cities (DETR, London, 2000), p.15. 5 Ibid., p.33.

20 Between 2002 and 2004 we will:

· develop and enhance the positive image of Cardiff as Europe’s youngest capital;

· continue to ensure Cardiff develops as Wales’s cultural and economic powerhouse in partnership with private, public and voluntary sector organizations;

· host a major international conference of the Atlantic Arc Cities in line with Cardiff’s position as one of Europe’s most successful regional capitals;

§ through the Unitary Development Plan and City Centre Strategy, drive forward the development of Cardiff as a dynamic, vibrant city, with a quality of life that befits a cosmopolitan European Capital;

· integrate world sporting events such as the FA Cup Final and Network Q Rally into a Team Cardiff support and planning framework that ensures the full economic benefits of those events are retained in the region and that the brand image of a dynamic European Capital City is advanced.

21 MODERN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Council will continue to take a lead in the modernisation of local government in Wales. Since 1999 we have introduced new decision-making structures, new corporate management arrangements, and a new and innovative community planning process involving over two hundred organisations.

This represents a radical departure from the Council’s old committee system and will ensure Cardiff benefits from strong and accountable local government in the future. But this is only a start. For this Council, modernisation is a continuous process and will not end with the implementation of the Local Government Act 2000.

As a modern local authority, the Council will support the ongoing modernisation of local government, and embrace change where it will lead to improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of our services.

In 2001-2002 we will:

· implement the relevant provisions of the Local Government Act 2000 in accordance with the Government’s timetable. This will include a citywide consultation exercise concerning the Council’s political management arrangements, and the submission of the Council’s new constitution by 31 January 2002;

· continue to develop the community planning process in conjunction with private, public and voluntary sector partners, with a second Capital Congress taking place on 5 December 2001 to consider the final draft of the Cardiff Community Strategy;

· explore fully the potential of using section two of the Local Government Act 2000 to promote the economic, social and environmental well being of local communities;

· contribute to the forthcoming strategic review of the Welsh Local Government Association and seek to ensure the Association represents the interests of Welsh local authorities;

· complete a comprehensive review of the Council’s senior management arrangements, in the light of operational experience and the requirements of modern and effective local government;

22 · sign a policy agreement with the National Assembly for Wales committing the Council to improved performance across key services between 2001-2004, in return for a Performance Incentive Grant of £1.1 million. At the same time, we will continue to press for a revised national policy agreement framework that places more emphasis on locally-driven targets;

· develop a democratic renewal strategy to strengthen the links between local people and the democratic process;

· maximise the Council’s capital receipts in order to provide a full capital programme to meet the requirements of the people of Cardiff. This will include the exploration of the possibility of developing a programme of disposal of surplus land and property to generate additional receipts;

· work with the Police, Local Health Group, universities and other organisations to develop agreements for effective joint use of premises as community facilities;

· further develop the Council’s Best Value framework to ensure continuous and real improvement in our services as experienced by local people.

Between 2002 and 2004 we will:

· respond proactively to the evolving modernisation agenda, including implementation of the Local Government 2000, and continue to argue the case for well-funded, strong local government with the capacity and powers to identify and solve local problems;

· progress the implementation of the objectives of the Cardiff Community Strategy in partnership with local organisations and communities;

· explore the capacity of the community planning process to deliver a more strategic and cost- effective approach to local service delivery through a detailed assessment of the roles and responsibilities of public, private and voluntary sector organisations;

· substantially complete our programme of Best Value reviews of our services to ensure that we continue to improve performance against our local and national targets;

· achieve the targets outlined in our policy agreement with the National Assembly to qualify for the maximum Performance Incentive Grant during 2003-2004.

23