Cardiff Council Updates

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Cardiff Council Update: 25 October 2024 / Cymraeg

Here is your Friday update, covering:

• Construction officially commences on the new Willows High School
• Rare ‘Gabalva’ apple trees once grown on the Bute Estate to be reintroduced to Cardiff
• Record-breaking ‘Cemetery of the Year’ win for Thornhill Cemetery
• Dock Feeder and City Centre East Scheme wins prestigious award

Construction officially commences on the new Willows High School

A special ground-breaking ceremony has marked the start of construction of the new home for Willows High School.

The £60m project is the latest of Cardiff’s education developments delivered under Cardiff Council and Welsh Governments Band B Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme and will see the existing Willows High School relocated and rebuilt to provide capacity for 900 learners aged 11 to 16 years, in addition to a 30 place Special Resource Base for pupils with Complex Learning Needs.

The new school will provide excellent quality education environments to support and enhance teaching and learning, as well as comprehensive sports facilities including sports hall, gym, drama studio and grass pitches which will be available for public use outside of school hours. The scheme will also deliver enhanced pedestrian facilities to support active travel arrangements at the new school site.

The ground was cut at the site by Cardiff Council’s Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry and Willows High School headteacher Chris Norman.

They were joined by representatives from Welsh Government, school governors, local councillors and Year 7 pupils from the school.

Read more here

Rare ‘Gabalva’ apple trees once grown on the Bute Estate to be reintroduced to Cardiff

A rare species of apple that once grew in the grounds of the Bute family estate in Cardiff is to be reintroduced to the city for what is thought to be the first time in around 100 years.

Fifty Gabalfa apple trees, recorded historically as ‘Gabalva’ apples, will be planted in Gabalfa Park, Maitland Park, as part of the Bute Park Community Orchard, and on school grounds, as part of Cardiff Council’s ‘Coed Caerdydd ‘urban forest project. In total, with the help of community volunteers, the project aims to plant at least 30,000 new trees across 185 different sites in Cardiff during the 2024/25 tree planting season.

The last record of Gabalva apples in Cardiff’s green spaces dates back to the time of renowned horticulturalist Andrew Pettigrew, who was Head Gardener to the 3rd Marquis of Bute from 1873 to 1901, who described three trees of this variety growing in the grounds “here at Gabalva” as being “about 35 feet high, with trunks thicker than a man’s body.”

The lost variety of apple was rediscovered in Carmarthenshire in 2004 and has since been included in the National Fruit Collection, part of an international programme to protect plant genetic resources for the future.

According to an issue of the Gardener’s Chronicle published in the Pettigrew era, this variety of apple was “sufficiently good for a late dessert apple” and a “very valuable one for culinary purposes in the early months of the year” but even in the Victorian era, they appear to have been rare, with Pettigrew talking of how he had “shown specimens of the fruit to good judges at different times, but none of them knew it.”

Read more here

Record-breaking ‘Cemetery of the Year’ win for Thornhill Cemetery

Thornhill Cemetery has been named ‘Cemetery of the Year’ for a record fourth time.

The cemetery previously won the ‘Gold Award’ in the large cemetery category of this prestigious national competition, run by the Memorial Awareness Board, in 2016, 2020 and 2021.

The awards, which were presented earlier this month at the ‘Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management Learning Convention and Exhibition,’ reflect the high standards of maintenance at the site and the quality and choice of services offered to the bereaved.

The Cemetery of the Year Award is supported and endorsed by leading industry Associations, including the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM), the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities (FBCA), the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC), and the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM).

Read more here

Dock Feeder and City Centre East Scheme wins prestigious award

The City Centre East and Churchill Way Canal Scheme has been awarded a major civil engineering award.

Earlier this month, the Council, Atkins Realis and Knights Brown were awarded the Bill Ward Sustainability Award at the Ice Wales Cymru Civil Engineering Awards 2024.

The Civil Engineering Awards recognise individuals and organisations for innovation, smart engineering, and sustainability in the industry in Wales.

The uncovering of the Dock Feeder which has been buried under Churchill Way for the last 70 years is the first phase of a wider regeneration project, with plans to extend the canal along Churchill Way to connect to the canal south of Tyndall Street.

This new development could open the potential to deliver a new urban district including the regeneration of Bridge Street, David Street, Charles Street, Tredegar Street, Guildford Crescent, and Barrack Lane.

The Dock Feeder’s primary purpose is to manage surface water, allowing rainwater to pass-through purpose-built rain gardens, so the water can be cleaned before eventually passing into the canal.

The design ensures that 3,500m2 of water can be diverted from the sewer reducing the cost and energy of treating this water through the sewage pumping station at Cardiff Bay

The re-emergence of the Dock Feeder also delivers a new water habitat in the city centre, creating a new public space, outdoor seating, an amphitheatre-style performance area and two foot bridges to cross the water. Floating water habitats have also been installed, with recent sightings of an otter taking a rest on the platform before continuing with their day.

Read more here

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Cardiff Council Update: 16 October 2024 / Cymraeg

Here is your Wednesday update, covering:

• Cardiff Council unveils latest plans for more cost-effective core office provision
• Restoration of architectural gem in Cardiff city centre edges closer
• New Multi-Storey Car Park set to be built in Cardiff Bay
• Seventy new wayfinding signs set to be installed across the city and Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Council has unveiled plans to replace the aging County Hall with a smaller modern office building.

After a detailed business case process, the new build option has been confirmed at less than half the price of refurbishing County Hall and it will also be less than half the cost to run each year.

Due to rising demand for social services and provision for additional learning needs in schools, allied to rising costs, Cardiff is facing a projected budget gap of almost £60 million next year and a medium-term gap of nearly £150 million by 2029.

Core Offices Q&A

Maintenance and running costs associated with council buildings are the second most significant expense for the local authority after staffing costs, making it crucial to save money and avoid additional costs.

A report to the council’s Cabinet on Thursday, October 24, will note that to make County Hall fit for purpose for the future and to significantly extend its lifespan would require over £100m of capital investment.

In the light of that, Cabinet will be recommended to build a new, smaller core office building at about one third of the size of the current County Hall to deliver the following benefits:

• Much reduced capital investment with a new building costing around half of the cost of modernising the current County Hall.
• Big savings on running costs from a much smaller, energy-efficient building.
• Office space that is better suited to modern working practices and partnership working.
• A net zero carbon building, aligning with the Council’s One Planet Cardiff commitments.

Read more here

One of Cardiff’s finest buildings could be brought back to life after lying empty over a year, if a financial loans package to cover refurbishment costs is agreed by Cardiff Council.

On Thursday, October 17, the council’s Cabinet will be asked to accept a recommendation to authorise an additional loan of £1,630,000 under the Welsh Government’s Town Centre Regeneration scheme to help deal with the increased cost of refurbishing Park House to meet heritage requirements, extending the original loan of £950,000.

Park House, a Grade 1 listed building designed by the renowned Victorian architect William Burges for Lord Bute, has stood empty for 18 months. Using the Welsh Government loans scheme, the council aims to help restore this architectural gem to its former glory.

Once completed Park House will be turned into a vibrant restaurant and events venue, blending modern amenities with its timeless architectural beauty.

The project is being led by highly respected, Welsh chef, Tom Simmons, who is known for his innovative approach to cooking. Simmons plans to create a high-quality dining experience that will attract residents and visitors, making Park House a premier destination for food and events.

Councillor Russell Goodway, Cabinet Member for Investment & Development, said: “The regeneration of Park House is a vital project for Cardiff. It not only preserves a significant piece of our architectural heritage but also revitalises the city centre, providing new opportunities for businesses and the community. We are committed to ensuring that Park House remains a landmark that Cardiff can be proud of, and we are looking at using a loan scheme made available to us by Welsh Government, which is aimed at town centre regeneration, so the building can be fully restored.”

Read more here

The detailed design has now been concluded for the proposed new multi-storey car park at Atlantic Wharf which will see the existing surface car parking stacked into a much smaller area enabling the site to be regenerated.

The new car park is part of a commitment from the Council in support of the new Indoor Arena and is also needed to meet the terms of the leases of tenants of the Red Dragon Centre.

A report presented to Cardiff Council’s Cabinet on October 17th is now seeking permission to enter a build contract with Goldbeck Construction.

If approval is given, the new car park will replace the existing surface spaces and will retain the total number of spaces in the area following the Council’s purchase of the Q-Parks Multi-Storey Car Park on Pierhead Street in January 2024.

Cllr Russell Goodway, Cabinet Member for Investment and Development at Cardiff Council said: “In January this year, the Cabinet approved a new Car Parking Strategy for the Indoor Arena and wider masterplan. Following the purchase of the Multi-Storey Car Park in Pierhead Street, the Council must now deliver a 900 space Multi-Storey Car Park, which is smaller than the original plan of 1,300 spaces.

“Together the car parks will give the Council control over 2119 spaces for the same cost as the price of building a 1300 space MSCP.

“If permission is given by Cabinet, the new 900 space Multi Storey Car Park could be built by the end of next year to ensure that the council meets its obligations to the Arena developer. Once the new MSCP is built, it will allow the Council to move forward with the regeneration of the Red Dragon Centre site.

Read more here

Two new types of bilingual wayfinding signs to help visitors navigate their way around the city will be installed in Cardiff Bay on October 16th and 17th to test their durability and design, before being rolled out across the city centre and Cardiff Bay in January 2025.

The new totems, which come in two sizes, and new finger posts, will replace existing tourism signs, which were installed as far back as the 1980’s. One hundred and seven old signs will be removed, and 70 new signs will be installed displaying up-to-date maps and information.

This project has received £380,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will include the removal of the old signs as well as the design, production and installation of the new way finding signs.

The two new prototypes, a totem and a finger post, will be installed outside the Wales Millennium Centre and the Pierhead Building to test the designs before the new signs go into production.

Cllr Dan De’Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Planning said: “Cardiff has changed significantly in recent years and all the current way finding signs in the city centre are out of date, with different designs. They are ready for a change and having money made available through the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund enables us to make this improvement”.

Read more here

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Cardiff Council Update: 11 October 2024 / Cymraeg

Here is your Friday update, covering:

• Our modular homes creating “a safe and supportive environment”
• The Shared Prosperity Fund delivers significant benefits to communities across Cardiff
• Cardiff Council faces budget challenges amid rising costs and demand
• Experience being ‘Under Neon Loneliness’ during Cardiff Music City Festival

Cardiff families going through the stressful experience of being homeless have described how the Council’s new modular housing scheme in Grangetown is providing a safe and supportive environment in their time of need.

The innovative development, Ffordd-y-Rhaffau, on the former gasworks site on Ferry Road is providing temporary accommodation to 154 families while the council works with them to find a more permanent housing solution.

Built offsite using modern methods of construction (MMC) and lowered onto their final position on-site with all the groundworks completed by national developer, Wates Group, the last few units on the development of highly energy-efficient, one to four bedroom properties have been handed over to the Council this week.

Very shortly, new families will be moving to the new homes on the site, which also boasts a community centre where a range of council and partner support services and activities are delivered for residents.

Current resident, Sophie, a mum of two young children, has been living at Ffordd-Y-Rhaffau for a couple of months. She said: “The accommodation is lovely. We were in a hotel before and it was quite stressful cramped in one room.

“But here it’s lovely, you have your own independence but if you do need help, the staff are here to help all the time.

“It’s a nice community here. There’s always loads going on. The community centre is great for the kids, it’s a nice environment.

“This is just temporary, but it feels like home for now. It’s not forever but it’s nice to be here for now.”

Read more here

Over 100 organisations in Cardiff have been benefited from the Shared Prosperity Fund in Cardiff. The scheme, funded by the UK Government was put in place in April 2022 as replacement funding to the European Structural and Investment Programme after the UK left the European Union.

The South-East Wales region was then allocated funding in December 2022, with two years of funding set for 2023/24 and 2024/25. The council’s involved then set the necessary governance arrangements to administer the scheme.

In Cardiff, the criteria for the fund were set up in line with Cardiff’s Stronger, Fairer, Greener Strategy, with eight separate grant schemes set up. The largest pot of money was allocated to an ‘open call ‘scheme with £5m available, giving community groups, businesses, enterprises and partnerships across the city the opportunity to bid for grant funding. A report to Cardiff Council’s Cabinet on October 17th gives a snapshot of the progress made since the scheme started.

Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas said: “The successful projects that have received funding so far will make a positive impact on Cardiff’s local economy, provide training and support for young people, and improve community wellbeing in parts of the city. We know that a lot more is due to be delivered this year from schemes that have been successful in their funding bids for the current financial year. What has been important with this scheme is getting money out into our communities as soon as we have been able to do so.

“We still don’t know what the funding arrangements are for next year – or indeed if there are any – but this funding is critical to maintain some of the work undertaken by the Council and third sector organisations, so it is vital for the people and businesses in Cardiff.

“It is important that Cardiff and the wider region receives a fair settlement of whatever a successor scheme is going forwards, to compensate for the loss of funding from the European Union, and its important there is local determination in how that funding is spent.”

Read more here

Cardiff Council is facing significant budget challenges just four months into the 2024/25 financial year. The latest budget monitoring report reveals a projected net annual overspend of £8.865 million as of the end of July 2024. This overspend is driven by a combination of rising costs, increased demand for services, and budget constraints.

The Council’s Cabinet will be asked to consider measures to address these financial pressures at their meeting on Thursday, October 17. The report highlights the difficulties the Council is facing, including income shortfalls, unbudgeted holding costs, and pressures within various service areas.

Key points from the report include:

Economic Development

A projected overspend of £1.65 million due to income shortfalls for City Hall Functions and Catering, unbudgeted holding costs at St David’s Hall, and pressures within Property Services and Major Projects.

Education

A projected overspend of £4 million primarily driven by demand and price pressures within Home to School Transport and additional costs for ALN placements.

Children’s Services

A projected overspend of £5 million primarily due to external placements and escalating costs within CHAD packages.

Despite these challenges, the Council is committed to taking measures to reduce overspends and improve the overall financial position. Mitigating actions are being put in place, including the use of contingencies and earmarked reserves. The Council is also exploring opportunities to deliver in-year efficiencies and controlled spending measures to mitigate the bottom-line position.

Read more here

Standing tall in the heart of Cardiff city centre is a mysterious black shipping container. The only sign of what’s inside, the glowing words ‘Under Neon Loneliness.’

For many, those three words conjure up memories of Manic Street Preachers iconic 1992 hit, ‘Motorcycle Emptiness,’ others may know them as the title of a Patrick Jones poem, but for Mark James, the artist behind the installation, which appeared overnight as part of Cardiff Music City Festival – a new three week music festival supported by Welsh Government and Cardiff Council which aims to push the boundaries of music innovation, performance and tech which runs until October 20th – they also transport him all the way to Japan.

“When you’re travelling with work,” something Mark has done frequently over a career that has seen him design over 100 record sleeves and work with artists such as Queen, Maximo Park, DJ Shadow, Karl Hyde and Amy Winehouse, as well as being a long-time collaborator with Gruff Rhys and Super Furry Animals, “there’s a point where you go and you’ve had some food, and you’ve got two or three hours to kill before you go to bed, and you just end up wandering around on your own.”

“I was in Tokyo earlier this year and it just causes that feeling of being Under Neon Loneliness. You’ve got these really tall skyscrapers and the neon signs go all the way up the side. Each one is a different bar, a restaurant, a shop – you can have fourteen floors of different things going on.”

With a looped soundtrack of field recordings made in Tokyo and mixed by Cian Ciaran (Super Furry Animals, Das Koolies), clever use of mirrors, and eighteen uniquely created neon signs advertising made-up bars, restaurants and clubs, Under Neon Loneliness creates what Mark describes as “the feeling of stepping into another world, but it’s a foreign world and it’s almost overwhelming – the same feeling I think the Manics were getting at in the song – and you look up and it’s almost infinite and you just go, oh my god!”

Under Neon Loneliness, which is part-funded by FOR Cardiff, will be on display in Cardiff’s Central Square, until the end of Cardiff Music City Festival. The festival, which will see the barrier breaking Ms. Lauryn Hill and The Fugees perform this week has already featured pioneering electronic artists Leftfield and Orbital, jazz poet and saxophonist Alabaster DePlume, as well as Welsh hip-hop talents Mace the Great and Sage Todz and local drum and bass legend High Contrast. The new festival also sees three long-established events in Cardiff and Wales’ cultural calendar – The Welsh Music Prize, Llais and Sŵn Festival – become vital parts of the bigger, ambitious celebrations under the Cardiff Music City Festival banner this year.

Read more here

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Cardiff Council Update: 04 October 2024

Here is your Friday update, covering:

• Kitchener Primary School applauded by school inspectors
• Maitland Park play area improvements unveiled
• Cardiff public sector worker spends nothing on petrol and gets paid by his energy company

Kitchener Primary School applauded by Estyn for inclusive ethos and strong learning community

Kitchener Primary School in Riverside has been praised by Estyn for its inclusive and welcoming environment, which fosters a culture of respect, responsibility, and empathy among its diverse student body.

During a visit by the inspection by the Education and Training Inspectorate in Wales, the report commended the school’s inclusive ethos, noting that pupils, staff, and parents share strong, positive relationships built on mutual trust. This supportive environment allows pupils to feel safe and nurtures their motivation to learn.

Inspectors noted that the school offers a rich variety of stimulating learning experiences that engage and motivate pupils and has been effective in supporting pupils to become independent learners, with most Year 6 pupils demonstrating strong self-reliance and perseverance.

The report also highlights the school’s commitment to celebrating diversity and broadening pupils’ understanding of global events. Pupils are encouraged to consider complex issues thoughtfully and to understand how they can contribute to positive change. This has been a key part of their development as respectful and globally conscious individuals.

Headteacher Reena Patel said: “I am proud to lead a school that values its community, reflects the diverse needs of its children in the curriculum, and ensures everyone has a voice and is valued.”

A positive report, Estyn have recommended two key areas for further improvement which the school will address in its action plan;

Improving the provision for the systematic development of pupils’ numeracy and mathematical skills.

Ensuring that all teachers maintain consistently high expectations for pupils’ written work.

Cardiff’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry said: “Kitchener Primary School is known for its vibrant and diverse community and Estyn have recognised the good work taking place at the school which provides opportunities that help children grow not just academically, but also as compassionate, engaged citizens of the world.

Read more here

Maitland Park play area improvements

Improvements are to be made to the play area at Maitland Park in Gabalfa. The improvement works, which will take approximately 6 weeks to complete, will include:

• The installation of new play equipment.
• The installation of new safety surfacing.
• New seating.
• New litter bins.

Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: “Access to good quality, local outdoor play facilities is really important and I’m sure these upgraded facilities will be welcomed by families living locally.

Read more here

As an Occupational Therapist, Reuben Morris spends his days driving the streets of Cardiff to visit clients in their homes. He’s the first to admit it would be “very difficult” to do his job without a car – but six years ago he made the green choice to switch to an electric vehicle and now, despite the miles he clocks up every day, he never spends a penny on petrol.

“I got a cheap Nissan Leaf off Gumtree and that,” Reuben explains, “was my gateway into green technology. Since then, it’s become a bit of an addiction. I realised I could charge it from solar panels, and it all went from there. Now we’ve got battery storage and a heat pump as well and our energy supplier pays us!”

Transport is the biggest cause of carbon emissions in Cardiff – making up 35% of the 1.78 million tonnes of CO2e generated in the city every year, so every green choice made by people like Reuben today – whether that’s walking or cycling a little more or switching to an electric vehicle – adds up to a brighter future tomorrow.

With a growing network of approximately 200 publicly accessible electric vehicle chargers now available in Cardiff, and more expected to be introduced as part of Cardiff Council’s One Planet Cardiff response to the climate emergency as well as by the private sector, the infrastructure to support EV vehicles is improving, but Reuben admits to some early ‘range anxiety.’

Read more here

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Cardiff Council Update: 27 September 2024

Here is your Friday update, covering:

• Road closures for the Principality Cardiff Half Marathon on October 6th
• More plans for more homes
• The Rainbow Federation commended by Estyn for strong leadership and effective collaboration
• New ‘Cardiff Music City’ funding to support grassroots music venues

 With the Principality Cardiff Half Marathon taking place on Sunday, October 6th, the city is expected to be exceptionally busy, so residents and visitors are advised to plan and leave plenty of time for their journey.

On Wednesday October 2nd the following road closures will be put in place at the Civic Centre to set up and dismantle the race village for the event.

Read more here

More plans for more homes

Plans for another 280 new council homes for the city, to help ease the extreme housing pressures facing the council, have been announced today.

More people than ever before are seeking homelessness support and the city’s temporary accommodation is all full.

As part of its rapid response to this housing emergency the Council is proposing to acquire three more properties in the city that would provide a further 280 units of accommodation. This is in addition to the property and land purchases already in process to help tackle demand.

The new plans, which involve acquiring an existing student accommodation block of 103 apartments, an operational hotel providing more than 150 units and a 20-bed House of Multiple Occupation, will be discussed by Cabinet at its next meeting on September 26.

Work is already in process to deliver the 250 new homes approved by Cabinet in May with 33 of the 99 high-quality, family accommodation units in two Cardiff Bay buildings expected to be ready by March next year, while the rest will follow later in 2025. Progress on the rapid deployment of 120 highly energy-efficient, pre-fabricated modular homes, on a 1.87 acre vacant plot on Pierhead Street is also being made.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: “The plans we announced earlier this year to increase the range and sufficiency of accommodation in the city are moving along well, but these alone will not be enough to meet the pressures we’re experiencing now, and what’s ahead over the coming year.

“Fresh challenges are emerging all the time, so it’s vital that we are constantly looking for new options to boost the availability of affordable housing.”

Read more here

The Rainbow Federation commended by Estyn for strong leadership and effective collaboration

 Glan-Yr-Afon and Bryn Hafod Primary Schools in Llanrumney, have been commended by Estyn for their strong leadership, effective collaboration, and positive impact on pupil well-being and learning across through partnership under the Rainbow Federation.

The curriculum provided at both primary schools was praised for providing a broad and stimulating range of learning experiences, enabling pupils to engage enthusiastically and make significant progress. The federation’s collaborative approach ensures equity of provision for all pupils, with staff from both schools benefiting from shared professional learning opportunities. This has contributed to consistent progress in areas such as improving pupils’ reading skills and supporting those with additional learning needs (ALN).

Key strengths identified in the report include the strong relationships between staff, pupils, and their families, and the focus on creating a safe, supportive environment. Pupils were noted for their positive behaviour and engagement with learning and teachers were praised for their clear goals and effective use of questioning to enhance learning.

A positive report, Estyn recommends improvements in providing opportunities for younger pupils to develop their skills through independent exploration and play, as well as more focused use of numeracy skills across wider learning.

In response to the inspection, the federation will develop an action plan to address Estyn’s recommendations. Estyn has also invited The Rainbow Federation to prepare a case study on its leadership of collaboration across the two schools, to be shared on Estyn’s website as an example of best practice.

Read more here

New ‘Cardiff Music City’ funding to support grassroots music venues

New funding support for Cardiff’s grassroots music venues has been announced by Cardiff Council as part of its ‘Cardiff Music City’ work to help protect and enhance the city’s music scene, which also sees the first ever Cardiff Music City Festival begin later this week.

The fund, which is open to all grassroots venues in the city, offers capital grants of up to £10,000 towards venue improvements.

Council Leader and Chair of Cardiff Music Board, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: “Cardiff’s grassroots venues play a vital role in the city’s music scene. They provide important opportunities for local artists to develop and build audiences, act as a focal point for communities, and help make Cardiff the vibrant, exciting place that we know and love.

“The support offered by this fund, alongside the other work being delivered through our music strategy – including the new Cardiff Music City Festival, our support for the redevelopment of Clŵb Ifor Bach, the help we gave to Porters and Sustainable Studios when they needed to find new homes, and our new Little Gigs talent development scheme – all aims to help ensure they can overcome the challenges facing venues across the UK and continue to thrive at the heart of Cardiff’s music scene.”

The Grassroots Venue Fund is supported by the UK Government.

For more information about Cardiff Music City, visit: https://cardiffmusiccity.wales/

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Cardiff Council Update: 24 September 2024 / Cymraeg

Here is your Tuesday update, covering:

• Applications for a September 2025 secondary school place now open
• More empowered, healthy and happy: Age Friendly Cardiff Action Plan 2024-2028
• Ysgol Bro Eirwg praised for strong leadership and rich learning environment in latest Estyn inspection

Applications for a September 2025 secondary school place now open

Applications for a September 2025 secondary school place are now open, and families are reminded that applying on time and providing five school preferences can increase their chances of getting a place at one of their preferred schools.

Cardiff Council’s Admissions Team have provided simple step-by-step advice and guidance in the form of 7 tips, to help families who are applying for a school place in Cardiff.

The information is available online and through an animation aimed at children and families, helping to explain how the admissions process works and the importance of using all five preferences available.

Should a family choose to only put one school option for example, they are greatly limiting their chances of securing a preferred school.

It also covers things like:

• the importance of applying on time, by the published application deadline
• the benefits of exploring all the schools in the child’s area by visiting their websites and reading their Estyn reports
• making sure the application form includes essential information such as if the child has a sibling at the school or any additional learning, medical or social needs

Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry said: “Our goal remains to ensure that every family in Cardiff has access to the necessary information, support, and understanding to avoid being at a disadvantage when applying for a school place.

“We want to remind families that listing only one school on their application doesn’t improve the likelihood of being accepted there. In fact, by not using all five available options, families may reduce their chances of securing a place at one of their preferred schools.

“To ensure that the school application process is fair and accessible to all, several initiatives are in place, aimed at promoting a more equitable system for allocating school places in Cardiff. One of these is our ongoing ‘7 Tips Admissions’ campaign, which offers clear guidance and support, making the admissions process more transparent and straightforward so that every family has an equal opportunity to secure a place at one of their preferred schools.”

Read more here

More empowered, healthy and happy: Age Friendly Cardiff Action Plan 2024-2028

A renewed commitment to making Cardiff a great place to grow older is at the heart of a new draft action plan.

Age-Friendly Cardiff,  a network of public service partners including Cardiff Council, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, South Wales Police and the third sector as well as other organisations including businesses, shops, entertainment venues, community groups and older people themselves, has developed the new five-year plan as a road map for creating an environment where older people are supported to be more active, where they can participate in all aspects of city life, and live independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

The development of the 2024 – 2028 plan, discussed by Cardiff Council’s Cabinet at its meeting today (September 19), builds on the considerable progress made by Age Friendly Cardiff since becoming the first Welsh member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Network for Age Friendly Cities and Communities in March 2022. Now considered by the WHO as an “outstanding member” of the network, Age Friendly Cardiff’s work has been showcased to other members around the world as an example of good practice.

Aligned with a number of local, regional and national, strategies and plans, including the Council’s Corporate Plan 2024-27 and Ageing Well Strategy 2022 – 2027, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s Shaping our Future Wellbeing Strategy 2023-2035, Cardiff and Vale Regional Partnership Board’s Joint Area Plan 2023-28 and Welsh Government’s ‘Age Friendly Wales: our strategy for an ageing society’, the plan highlights the achievements of the past year including:

• 36,318 care hours delivered by Care Hubs
• 344 home visits carried out by Sight Life, a charity for visually impaired people
• 2,055 older person’s events delivered in Cardiff Hubs
• 33,147 customer contacts managed by the Council’s First Point of Contact team
• 12,000 Home Safety Checks carried out by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service
• 290 dementia-friendly businesses
• 17,144 visitors to the Dementia Friendly Cardiff website
• Over 200 engagement events by South Wales Police

Older Person’s Champion and Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Cllr Leonora Thomson, said: “Cardiff has an ageing population and while the fact that people are living longer is something we should celebrate, it’s important that we work together to help older people to be active, healthy and as independent as possible as they grow older.

“The 2024- 2028 plan is the result of extensive collaboration with partners and consultation with our community. We all share the joint vision that our city meets the needs and aspirations of our older citizens, continuing to move forward on our age friendly journey and building on the excellent progress achieved so far.”

Read more here

Ysgol Bro Eirwg Praised for strong leadership and rich learning environment in latest Estyn inspection

Ysgol Bro Eirwg, a Welsh-medium primary school located in Rumney, has been highly commended by Estyn, His Majesty’s Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales, in its most recent inspection report.

The school, which is part of the Ffederasiwn y Ddraig federation, has been recognised for its clear leadership, supportive environment, and commitment to nurturing pupils’ pride in their Welsh identity.

Inspectors noted that the headteacher, in collaboration with senior leaders, provides clear and effective leadership that has significantly contributed to the consistency in the school’s provision and the holistic education of its pupils. The effective cooperation within the federation and with Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern’s cluster schools has further strengthened this leadership.

The school has created a supportive environment that prioritises high-quality care and well-being for its pupils and this positive atmosphere is reflected in the pupils’ behavior and attitudes towards each other and adults.

The report recognises the school’s highly effective self-evaluation and planning for improvement processes and the way in which leaders skillfully used gathered information to enhance the school’s provision, particularly in developing a stimulating learning environment that fosters curiosity and confidence among the youngest pupils.

Teachers at the school are commended for planning purposeful opportunities that develop a strong sense of community and Welsh identity among pupils and the school provides a wide range of valuable experiences that broaden pupils’ horizons and contribute to their overall development.

Although most pupils enter the school with Welsh-speaking skills below the expected level, they make substantial progress during their time at the school and by the end of their time at Ysgol Bro Eirwg, most pupils are able to communicate confidently in both Welsh and English.

Estyn has invited the school to prepare a case study on its successful approach to creating a rich and stimulating learning environment. This case study will be shared on Estyn’s website to benefit other schools across Wales.

Read more here

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Cardiff Council Update: 20th September 2024 / Cymraeg

Here is your Friday update, covering:

• Contract awarded for construction of the new Willows High School
• Pino Palladino (and friends) to play Cardiff Music City Festival
• Ysgol Pen y Pîl; committed to providing a high-quality education and fostering a strong sense of community says Estyn

Cardiff Council can announce the contractor chosen to carry out the main build of the new Willows High School has been awarded to Morgan Sindall Construction.

The education investment worth more than £60m, will provide excellent quality education environments to support and enhance teaching and learning, as well as comprehensive sports facilities, including sports hall, gym, drama studio and grass pitches which will be available for public use outside of school hours.

The latest scheme to be delivered under Cardiff Council and Welsh Government’s Band B, Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, will see the existing Willows High School relocated and rebuilt to provide capacity for 900 learners aged 11 to 16 years in addition to a 30 place Special Resource Base for pupils with Complex Learning Needs. Enhanced pedestrian facilities to support active travel arrangements at the new school site will also be delivered as part of the scheme.

In May, Cardiff Council’s Planning Committee gave the go-head for the brand-new accommodation to be constructed on land off Lewis Road in Splott and the enabling works associated with the scheme have been carried out by Morgan Sindall Construction since August 2023.

Enabling works include a stopping up order on Lewis Road and relevant highways works to allow development to take place, construction of active travel routes to the eastern perimeter of the site and demolition of existing buildings located on Portmanmor Road and at Splott Market site.

In preparation for the main works to begin, installation of new utilities and relocation of existing services, excavation and groundworks including the removal of contaminated material following disturbance of ground and the installation of secure fencing around site boundary are also being delivered. Read more here

Pino Palladino (and friends) to play Cardiff Music City Festival

One of the world’s most celebrated bass players, Pino Palladino has graced more than 1,000 recordings by artists including Adele, the Who, D’Angelo, Ed Sheeran, Nine Inch Nails, Eric Clapton, Gary Numan, B.B. King, Bryan Ferry and more.

Now, the Grammy Award winning songwriter, producer and bassist will take to the stage for his first hometown show under his own name in 30 years, as part of the inaugural Cardiff Music City Festival, supported by Welsh Government and Cardiff Council.

Tickets also include the chance to gain a unique insight into a 40-year career in the music industry that has seen him work with everyone from Phil Collins to Perfume Genius and John Mayer to J Dilla, as he’s joined in conversation with 6Music DJ Huw Stephens to discuss all things music – from the songs he loves, to his unique bass style – and how Cardiff shaped his musical influences.

Joining Pino onstage at the Dora Stoutzker Hall, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama on Monday 14th October will be Houston-born percussionist Chris Dave, who has played with some of the most revered names in jazz and R&B and was once called “the most dangerous drummer alive,” by Questlove from The Roots.

On guitar, blending his background in rock, gospel, jazz, R&B, blues and funk with an unmistakable dose of soul will be Isaiah Sharkey. Hailing from a musical family in Chicago, Sharkey picked up his first guitar when he was just 3 years old. By the age of 14 he was performing in clubs in Chicago and a few short years later he had piqued the interest of music industry giants like The Isley Brothers, John Mayer, Patti LaBelle and many others.

Read more here

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Cardiff Council Update: 06 September 2024 / Cymraeg

Here is your Friday update, covering:

• Cardiff publishes new strategy to tackle inequality city-wide
• New ‘Academi for Young Musicians’ launched
• Adult Learning Cardiff – a great way to boost your job prospects
• RSPCA Gold awards for Cardiff Dogs Home

Cardiff publishes new strategy to tackle inequality city-wide

In a bid to tackle inequality across Cardiff, the Council has published a new document outlining an ambitious vision for equality for the next four years.

The Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy for 2024-2028 will strive to ensure that the city provides great opportunities for everyone regardless of their background, where those suffering from disadvantage are supported, and where every citizen is valued and feels valued.

It sets out the measures that the authority will take forward to ensure its aim of a ‘Stronger, Fairer, Greener’ Cardiff is achieved and includes five key objectives:

A Fairer Cardiff – We will reduce inequality and support everyone in Cardiff to fulfil their potential

An Accessible Cardiff – We will work to ensure everyone can take part in all Cardiff has to offer, regardless of background or circumstance

An Inclusive Cardiff – We will make Cardiff a city where differences are understood and celebrated, and where all communities feel like they belong

A Council that reflects its communities – We will make Cardiff Council a more inclusive organisation which reflects the diversity of the people we serve, and where employees are confident to be themselves and are empowered to progress, and

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the heart of the organisation – We will ensure that Cardiff Council’s core processes support equality, diversity and inclusion

In June 2024 a comprehensive public consultation was launched to seek the views of Cardiff residents on the draft Strategic Equality Plan for 2024-28, helping to ensure a fairer city for all. The Council’s Cabinet will now be recommended to note the outcome of the consultation and to agree the inclusion of several amendments to the strategy which have been suggested by Cardiff citizens.

Feedback on a range of topics will now be addressed in the strategy including, but not limited to; Access to services, Supporting Carers, the importance of ongoing work to support Community Cohesion, Community Safety, Social Value & Community Wellbeing, Education, Employment and Progression

Cllr Julie Sangani, Cardiff’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Equalities, said: “Cardiff already has a proud history of promoting equality and diversity, we are the most ethnically diverse local authority in Wales and one of the oldest ethnically diverse communities in Britain, with over 80 languages used.

“We also rank as the top city in Europe for immigrants and families with young children and we are a top 10 city for members of the LGBTQ+ community to live.

“Like all UK cities, however, we face instances of long-standing and deep-rooted inequality. Some residents face barriers to living full and active lives and more needs to be done to ensure that no-one experiences discrimination of any kind because of who they are.”

Read more here

New ‘Academi for Young Musicians’ launched

A new weekend ‘Academi for Young Musicians’ has been launched by the Cardiff & Vale Music Service, CF Music Education.

Developed by, and run in partnership with, tutors with experience of delivering youth music activities at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, the new weekly sessions form part of Cardiff Council’s Music Strategy, which aims to put music at the heart of the city’s development and provide a pipeline of new talent for the sector.

Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: “Access to high quality music education from an early age can provide so many opportunities for Cardiff’s young people, fostering a lifelong love of music and helping them grow and develop. Beyond that, it’s also vital if we are to continue producing the talented musicians that underpin Cardiff’s dynamic music economy, which is worth around £100 million annually to the city.”

The Music Service, which will celebrate its 50th year next year, already engages with approximately 12,000 local children annually, and is the lead organisation in the region for the delivery of the National Plan for Music Education. It runs 20 high quality ensembles – all offered free of charge to children from low-income families – including bands, orchestras, choirs, percussion and guitar groups made up of 600 pupils aged between 4 and 22 years old, and offers tuition in schools, as well as large scale music experiences and workshops.

The new ‘academi’ sessions, added to this programme will run on Saturdays, at Stanwell School in Penarth and Whitchurch High School in Cardiff, but with scope to expand to other venues across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Read more here

Adult Learning Cardiff – a great way to boost your job prospects!

Enrolment for Adult Learning Cardiff courses for the new term starting in September is now open.

Residents interested in learning a new skill or boosting their job prospects can check out the latest opportunities here www.adultlearningcardiff.co.uk

Part of the Council’s Into Work Advice Service, Adult Learning Cardiff provides bespoke support and training to help local residents upskill and get into work.  Offering a range of courses in hubs and council buildings right across the city, the team supports people of all ages to gain real skills that businesses have identified as vital in potential employees.

The service has helped hundreds of people find work by guiding them into fulfilling careers such as teaching assistants as well as providing other vocational training and courses designed to improve numeracy, literacy and digital skills.

Courses, which are free to eligible learners including unemployed people and those receiving certain benefits, run throughout the year with the latest programme beginning on September 16.

As well as courses that prepare learners for roles in cleaning, care work, hospitality, retail and education, the service also delivers a wide range of Learning for Life courses for those looking to take up a new hobby or improve a skill they pursue for leisure.

Learners can book online here www.adultlearningcardiff.co.uk

Cabinet Member for Tackling Poverty and Supporting Young People, Cllr Peter Bradbury, said: “Adult Learning Cardiff delivers flexible learning opportunities that can equip learners with the skills and knowledge they need on their way towards employment in a role they want.

“It’s a great time to get back to learning so I encourage anyone who’s been thinking about it to stop thinking and start doing – the team is ready and waiting to offer advice and encouragement for your learning journey.”

Read more here

RSPCA Gold awards for Cardiff Dogs Home

Cardiff Dogs Home has received two Gold-level RSPCA PawPrints awards.

The awards, from the UK’s largest animal welfare charity, have been granted in recognition of the “outstanding” standard of kennelling and stray dog services provided at Cardiff Dogs Home.

Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Dogs Home, Cllr Norma Mackie, said: “The team at Cardiff Dogs Home have now received at least one RSPCA PawPrints Award every year since 2008 and receiving two Gold awards in one year, is a fantastic testament to their work.

“The dogs that find themselves at Cardiff Dogs Home all deserve the best care possible and these awards show that, with the help of our fantastic volunteers and support from our partner charity The Rescue Hotel, that is exactly what they get.”

Read more here

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