May 2019. Edition 22 ............................................................................................................................. Newport Food Festival, one selection of local ales and ciders. of the biggest annual events NEWPORT FOOD FESTIVAL organised by Newport City Previous years have attracted RETURNS FOR ITS 9TH YEAR Council, will take place this the talents of top chefs, year on Saturday 5 October. including Newport-born and Michelin star chef Hywel Jones, Last year’s event saw more Mark Sargeant and Masterchef than 18,000 people flock to finalists, Ping Coombs, Larkin the city to sample delights Cen and Dale Williams who NM from local producers, watch have all shown their support NEWPORT chef demonstrations, take part for the city and for the event. in masterclasses and soak up MATTERS the fabulous entertainment Newport Food Festival would and festival atmosphere. not be possible without the support of sponsors, friends The Food Festival, held in the and volunteers. If you would city centre, attracts more than like to be involved in this The official newspaper of Newport City Council 75 wonderful food and drink fantastic city centre event, producers ranging from organic please find out more at dairy products to gourmet www.newportfoodfestival. meats, through to an exciting gov.uk CIVIL PARKING ENFORCEMENT If you park on double yellow lines you could receive a £70 PCN July 1 2019 is an important double yellow lines are updated or taking over from the next day. priority for the local authority, trained in readiness for the big day. date in Newport City replaced in readiness for the big day. However, the responsibility of with significant resource being And in the two weeks in the run Council’s calendar – it is enforcing other traffic related involved to make a positive up to us taking on CPE our team the day we take over civil The council has also recruited legislation, particularly for more difference within communities.” will be issuing warning notices to parking enforcement (CPE) a team of 12 civil enforcement serious offences or where it is motorists who park illegally, after from Gwent Police. officers who will be patrolling the necessary in the interests of public Newport City Council’s CPE 1 July this will be an offence and streets across the city to ensure safety, remains with Gwent Police. campaign to remind motorists motorists will face a £70 penalty. The decision was made in drivers are not breaking the rules. of the rules of the Highway September 2018 after it became A spokesperson for Gwent Police Code in relation to parking has “We will constantly be reminding obvious residents wanted If a vehicle is found to be said: “We will continue to work in been running for several weeks our residents of parking legislation, action over the number of parked unlawfully the officers partnership with our colleagues at with a #ParkRight message. which is outlined in the Highway motorists choosing to ignore will have the power to issue a Newport City Council to ensure the Code, in the next few months the rules of the road. penalty charge notice (PCN) city is a safe place to work and live, Councillor Roger Jeavons, with our #ParkRight campaign. however we will no longer be the lead Newport City Council’s cabinet In recent months council staff have The council is taking over CPE from agency regarding parking offences. member for Streetscene, said: “There is little excuse for people been double checking traffic orders Gwent Police who will withdraw to say they are unaware of the and ensuring the necessary parking from parking enforcement on “We welcome the fact that civil “Staff taking on the duties of civil changeover from Gwent Police enforcement signs and single and 30 June 2019 with the council parking enforcement will be a parking enforcement will be fully to Newport City Council.” For more news visit www.newport.gov.uk ................................................................................................................................................................ NEWPORT MATTERS MAY 2019 1 PROJECT HUB WILL PROVIDE RIGHT BREXIT HELPING PATIENTS SUPPORT, IN RIGHT PLACE RETURN HOME We don’t yet know what the precise impact of Brexit will be on people living in Newport, on businesses Home First is a new scheme operating in our city or on the bringing together health and public services we all rely on. social care to ensure patients receive the right care, in the However, the council has right place, at the right time. been taking practical steps and considering mitigations to It is transforming the way ensure the continued delivery people are assessed when of services in Newport. they first arrive in hospital. We are working closely with The scheme involves either a social Welsh Government, the Welsh worker or occupational therapist Local Government Association, working with hospital staff on neighbouring authorities and pre-admission wards in the Royal other organisations to ensure Gwent and Nevill Hall Hospitals. we are aware of the most Work is progressing well on services, Families First, Resilient access services or possibly missing up-to-date developments. They identify patients from across the the transformation of Ringland Communities, libraries, Flying Start out on support that could make five council areas who do not need to community centre into and other partner organisations. a real difference to their lives. For the latest information be admitted but may need additional Newport’s first neighbourhood visit www.newport. information, advice, assistance and hub to put residents at the At the moment these services “By bringing the management of gov.uk/brexit support so they can be discharged. heart of service delivery. are managed across a number of those services into the hub, there buildings across the city. When will be one point of contact for For many people, being admitted Last year, the city council agreed complete, these services will be families and individual that will to hospital is sometimes inevitable to develop the hub concept managed in the neighbourhood ensure they are given the right but they can face difficulties in going to enhance and integrate the hub but they will still be delivered support, in the right place.” back home and Home First means delivery of support services. to residents in Alway, Somerton, that some of these patients can now Moorland Park (East Newport Councillor David Mayer, be discharged home more quickly. Ringland was chosen as the first community centre) and St cabinet member for community location to pilot the model before Julians (the Beaufort Centre). and resources, said: it is rolled out to other areas. The Glutton machine is used by Council leader Councillor Debbie “Ringland Library will have an Newport City Council cleansing team. Local company TPS won the Wilcox said: “We want to provide enhanced environment and partners It acts as a giant vacuum cleaner contract to reconfigure and a much more effective way of are also planning to join us in the and can pick up litter, leaves and modernise the community delivering services to benefit residents hub. It will create a local ‘one stop most importantly cigarette butts centre which will become home who most need support. At the shop’ for residents and will make from under benches, other street to many community services moment, that can mean going sure they are getting the assistance furniture and hard to reach places. such as Work & Skills, youth to a number of different sites to they need to lead fulfilling lives.” Loans of £1,000 to The council does not have NEWPORT £25,000 are for a maximum its own housing stock but it SAFE, WARM AND SECURE HOMES period of five years. does have a small portfolio of WEST properties leased from private Newport City Council has a owners. Leases are normally BY-ELECTION contract with the Robert Owen for three to five years and Long-term empty homes can to qualifying criteria. Community Banking Fund to properties are fully managed reduce the housing supply and administer the owner-occupier by the council throughout that The by-election for the cause problems for neighbours The loans, which can be used loans although the authority period. Anyone interested in Newport West parliamentary so the Welsh Government to renovate and improve single will still be the lender. leasing to the council should call seat took place on Thursday 4 wants councils to return such properties or convert buildings 01633 656656 and ask for the April 2019, following the death properties to use. into a number of residential The fund, based in Powys, private sector leasing team. of Labour Party MP Paul Flynn. units, are for up to £25,000 per provides ethical investment From April this year, the council self-contained flat or house. opportunities for businesses, An overnight count took place no longer allows a discount There is an overall maximum of charities and local authorities at the Geraint Thomas National on the council tax payable for £250,000 per borrower, subject and brings affordable finance Velodrome of Wales, Newport empty homes unless it falls into to the availability of funding. to local communities. International Sports Village. one of the exempt categories. As part of the safe, warm and For more information about the The seat was held by Labour with It does, however, offer interest secure scheme, the council also council’s housing improvements Ruth Jones elected as the new MP. free loans to owners to help offers interest free loans to loans or its empty homes bring empty properties back eligible homeowners to carry out strategy visit www.newport. Turnout was 37.1 per cent. into beneficial use, subject essential property improvements. gov.uk/emptyhomes 2 For more news visit www.newport.gov.uk ................................................................................................................................................................ NEWPORT MATTERS MAY 2019 university in the country for won the award for Cyber University NIGHT SHELTER providing cyber education.