Decision details

Question - County Councillor Hudson

 

As Heath Park is to be upgraded, as we are working towards Green Flag status, could we have a drinking fountain installed combined with a plaque to commemorate its re-dedication?

 

Reply – Councillor Bradbury

 

As part of our management plan for Heath Park, I have requested that officers explore opportunities for providing drinking water on site – this may be through drinking fountains or by other means.

 

I am very aware of the environmental benefits of such provision, in particular, moving away from the purchase and use of single use plastics.

 

I am happy to look into this.

 

Supplementary Question – Councillor Hudson

 

If you do look into this could we have it near the sports field, but there is a question over who owns the sports field, so perhaps you can answer that at the same time?

 

Reply – Councillor Bradbury

 

I’m happy to look at it and work with you and your colleagues in the ward to see where the best location may be, if we go ahead and do it.  I can’t make any guarantees we will but it is something we are looking at.

 

Question - Councillor Berman

 

Many of the residents in Penylan who are unhappy with the proposed loss of trees in Roath Brook Gardens and Roath Mill Gardens to facilitate phase 3 of the Roath flood scheme works being undertaken by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have said they would prefer to see an alternative scheme that would instead involve increasing the capacity of Roath Park lake through the lowering of the lake bed. With NRW having recently announced that they are pausing this phase of the flood scheme works to give the residents group an opportunity to seek their own independent hydrology assessment, could you advise if the council would be supportive of such an alternative scheme should it prove a feasible alternative option for providing flood mitigation, and what (if any) previous view has the council given as to whether or not it would be supportive of such an option?

 

Reply - Councillor Michael

 

Natural Resources Wales are the competent responsible body for managing flood risk from Main Rivers and are therefore the body who design and implement flood alleviation schemes on Main Rivers, such as Roath Brook.

 

The final decisions in relation to the design and implementation of Main River flood alleviation schemes rests with NRW; however, the Council would be supportive of any scheme that provides flood protection to residents and is feasible.

 

Supplementary Question – Councillor Berman

 

I think it remains to be seen whether this alternative option might be feasible but nonetheless NRW are allowing a residential group the opportunity to explore it. 

 

The issue is, if it was decided it was a feasible alternative, what the Council’s attitude would be to the idea because obviously the Council would have to agree if the option of looking at increasing the capacity of Roath Park Lake was pursued. 

 

It would be helpful to know now whether the Council would be minded to support that as a way forward?

 

Reply – Councillor Michael

 

Lots of schemes were considered by NRW before they actually came up with a final scheme.  I don’t know if they considered this, I’m not a hydrologist, but I think the problem here is not what is coming from Roath Park Lake, but what is coming from the tidal flow of the Rumney, that’s the serious aspect of this. 

 

If there is a suggestion for one of these from NRW or a competent body, I’m sure the Council will actually help.  We are happy to look at schemes that actually alleviate flooding.  I don’t know if this scheme is actually feasible, personally I don’t think it is, but let’s wait for NRW to come to the Council and then we will have those discussions.

 

Supplementary Question – Councillor Robson

 

Whatever scheme is eventually decided upon in Roath Brook, can I urge that, as we had yesterday in Rhiwbina, a rehearsal and practice run is conducted so that residents and the Agencies involved, know what to do in the event of a flood.  We had a very useful exercise yesterday installing the stop logs, to prevent the brook from flooding, and a few lessons were learned so thank goodness we did that on a nice sunny day, in the middle of the day, rather than 3am which is invariably when Rhiwbina Brook floods.

 

Reply – Councillor Michael

 

Yes I’ll take your sentiments and discuss them with Officers.

 

Question - Councillor Singh

 

Due to the high level of development going on in the city centre and the close proximity to Riverside, are there any plans to invoke compulsory purchase orders in Riverside?

 

Reply - Councillor Goodway

 

To my knowledge, there are no plans to invoke CPOs in the Riverside area relating to the city centre redevelopment works.

 

Supplementary Question- Councillor Singh

 

Although I welcome the investment that the Council is making in the City Centre, it’s really important that we protect the character of local communities and that no plans are made to demolish valued areas of the local communities. 

 

One such example of this in Riverside is Tudor Lane, which houses some fantastic local businesses such as the Broken Hair Workshop, Fireworks Ceramics Studio and the Three Sevens Garage.  Many of these small businesses are concerned that due to their proximity to the bus station and the BBC building, that the Council may redevelop this area at a detriment to the businesses in Tudor Lane.  So can you just reassure the residents of Riverside that these small businesses are not subject to any such scheme?

 

Reply - Councillor Goodway

 

I can assure you the administration’s commitment to protecting small businesses and we wouldn’t wish to do anything that was detrimental to their success.  The issue in terms of beneficial development that can take place as a result of investment in the City, I think is something that you would want to explore with colleagues. 

 

I would have to say that that probably is outside of my portfolio responsibilities and falls within the portfolio responsibilities of my colleague, but the important thing is to engage at an early date with the community to establish what their aspirations might be and see how we can work together to deliver on those ambitions.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Molik

 

We have a similar issue with roadworks and pavements being replaced in Clearwater Way where the parking area has been taken over by officers working at that site and its leading to dire impact on the local small businesses, very limited businesses we have in Cyncoed but its effecting them hugely so can I just ask for further consideration when you are planning for improvement of roads or development, that you do consider the local businesses a bit more.

 

Reply - Councillor Goodway

 

I’m certainly prepared to ask officials to ensure that there is a close dialogue with other portfolio areas and other departments so that when these sorts of works are being considered they are done in a way that protects the businesses there as far as possible, and I’ll have those conversations as early as next week.

 

Question - Councillor Robson

 

Will the Cabinet Member outline the Council's plans for the Graving Docks?

 

Reply – Councillor Goodway

 

Discussions regarding a potential development on this site are at a very early stage such that there are, as yet, no specific redevelopment proposals. However, the discussions are being informed by the known aspirations of neighbouring property owners along with the potential to deliver a major new cultural attraction sitting over the top of one of the graving docks.

 

Such an attraction is likely to require a degree of subsidy and the Council, therefore, needs to understand what any potential ancillary developments could generate to create a viable scheme.

 

I am currently working with officials to establish whether there is a possibility of working exclusively with an adjacent landowner to undertake a detailed feasibility study to determine the true potential of the site.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Robson

 

I’ve been asking this question on and off every four years, to see how far this site has got since becoming aware of it.  It’s a classic example of land banking by the Council and it’s a real disappointment that Council, over many Administrations, has not done something with the site, so I’m actually encouraged by your answer Councillor Goodway, because that’s the most progress managed to achieve on this issue in my time in this Chamber. 

 

All I ask is will you keep us updated please as matters progress either directly or through Economy & Culture Scrutiny Committee, this is a valuable site and adjacent landowners, one in particular where there would be a natural fit with the offer that they have for visitors.

 

Reply - Councillor Goodway

 

I’m grateful for the kind remarks the Councillor has just provided, I can say it’s another reflection of the revitalised leadership that we have within the Council and it’s now spearheading this agenda and taking it forward.  I reject the accusation that this is a piece of land that has been land banked the only reason that we have not been able to take forward development proposals is that we have not been able to identify a viable scheme.  Discussions with the neighbouring landowners with adjacent property owners who are coming to the point where they have to give some thought to how they are going to take their operations forward, means that the timing is now right for us to have those discussions and hopefully bring forward further proposals that will result in something very special occurring around that particular part of Cardiff Bay.

 

Question - Councillor Sandrey

 

Most parents in the UK back air pollution exclusion zones around schools, according to a study by Client Earth. Will these be considered as part of the proposals that come out of the green paper on transport and clean air?

 

Reply - Councillor Wild

 

I’m concerned as you are about Air Quality especially around Schools and where vulnerable people are as well as elsewhere in the City.  I can confirm as you will have seen that Active Travel Zones are one of the elements in the Green Paper but nonetheless I think there are things we need to do on that, I’ve had representations from different Councillors in the Chamber with ideas around double red lines and very concerning where there are measures in place around schools where a lot of parents or guardians are still parking there despite there being quite clear markings so I’m aware there is more we need to do regardless of what’s in the Green Paper.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Sandrey

 

Do you think that live Air Quality Pollution monitors should play a part in identifying schools where exclusion zones could be most effective while also helping to convince local parents of the need to introduce them?

 

Reply - Councillor Wild

 

I agree completely and I think they are being put in place based on particular representations here at previous meetings, so I understand that’s now in place, I will get an update as to how those are going.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Williams

 

In terms of promoting a Clean Air Strategy in the Council could Councillor Wild update the Council on what he is doing to ensure that the benefits of electric vehicles is promoted and could he provide an update on electric charging points not only in the City Centre but also on the outskirts of the City and just to declare I do own an electric car.

 

Reply - Councillor Wild

 

I’m not going to take the whole time to give you a full update on electric charging points, it is something we are working with my colleague on, I’m happy to give you an update as we go and as you know the important thing is about having a debate on those things which is in the Green Paper as well.

 

Question - Councillor Ahmed

 

What are your future plans regarding the 20 mile per hour speed limit throughout our city?

 

Reply – Councillor Wild

 

The Council has made a commitment to roll out 20 mph limits on appropriate streets throughout the city, you will also have seen in the Green Paper there is a proposal where we might consider making Cardiff a 20mph zone in its entirety other than arterial routes where it is not necessary.  So I ask you to take part in that.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Ahmed

 

Have you noticed any changes in traffic around 20mph zones that this Council has introduced and are you getting any feedback from the local residents about the benefit, especially families, parents etc.

 

Reply - Councillor Wild

 

As you know in Cathays where the pilot has been in place for a while, my understanding is that brought down average speeds in 24 out of the 34 roads.  I don’t know if there has been any work done to see how that’s affected the walking environment, I know it takes a while to tweak those things.  In my own ward in Riverside where it’s been put in place, that’s being reviewed as we speak and during the next couple of weeks to see how that’s reduced speeds and how it affected things.  From my personal point of view, I find it easier and a nicer environment to walk and cycle around as I do when I’m in Cathays, so it’s something I’m certainly a supporter of and

 

I hope we can continue to move this forward and generally calm traffic down across the City and slow speeds around so it’s easier for people to walk and safer for people to get around.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Kelloway

 

There are parts of Cardiff where public transport provision is poor, such as Cyncoed and many residents for whom public transport is not appropriate. 

 

Will the Cabinet think any further escalation in their war on motorists by dismissing proposals for congestion charging in the Centre and mandatory 20 mph zones everywhere else?

 

Reply - Councillor Wild

 

We brought forward following two motions from your party as well, looking at all things around congestion and traffic in the City, 18 different ideas and we are expecting as we have said all along a grown up debate on this and I’m hoping we are going to get one from a number of parties, I know we will from most people across the Chamber and I hope we will from yourself as well Councillor.

 

Question - Councillor Driscoll

 

In light of the delay of the green paper on transport, can you confirm that the Live Air Quality Monitoring stations have now been purchased, and when will they be installed in Llandaff and across the city?

 

Reply – Councillor Michael

 

I can confirm that a new automatic station has now been installed on Newport Road and data will soon be available online. In addition, a further monitoring station has been ordered using Section 106 funding from the Fitzalan Court development and this monitor will be installed in the near future.

 

As I advised you at Council in January, the air quality monitoring network within the Llandaff Air Quality Management Area has been revised for 2018.

 

Air quality in Llandaff has improved gradually over recent years and the latest results from the 2017 data show that all monitoring locations in the Air Quality Management Area are now compliant with Nitrogen Dioxide air quality standards.

 

However, officers will further assess the potential to implement real-time monitoring capabilities in the Llandaff Air Quality Management Area, but this will be dependent on the availability of appropriate funding and there being suitable infrastructure to install such monitors in the area.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Driscoll

 

Before I ask my question I just want to make it clear that I have a commercial arrangement with Councillor Michael where he cuts my hair and I give him a tenner.  I am mindful that he is stood behind me at least once a month with an open razor so I don’t wish to argue or upset him. 

 

You only have to look at the destruction of hedgerow and the major housing developments underway in Cardiff West, heavy goods vehicles travelling to and from the site and converging on Llandaff.  This is leading to additional air pollution in Llandaff which is outside schools and we know that children and older people are the most affected by this super pollution.  Do you understand why people want to know when they can expect alive air monitor installed outside schools in Llandaff which this Council agreed they would put across the City; or are you and your colleagues in Welsh Government afraid of the results you might find.

 

Reply - Councillor Michael

 

The answer to your original question was there, we are trying to sort out and install one there.  The actual results as I said say the air quality in Llandaff has got better but the real thing to do is wait for what we are trying to so with the Transport Green Paper as that will have measures for Green Air across the whole of the City.  But as I said when we have the money, the infrastructure, and appropriate funding which we are trying to identify you will get one there.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Berman

 

I think you referred to Newport Road in your original answer and obviously that’s an air quality hotspot, and does affect my ward as well as other wards.  I just wondered if you could update the Council as to what specific initiatives you are pursuing to try to improve air quality in that area.

 

Reply - Councillor Michael

 

I’ll take you back to what I just about the Green Paper, there are a whole host of things in there for you to get involved in.  I think that’s when we are going to draw out what we need to do, at the moment there is debate going on and we have consultants that are going to come in and look at this in small minutia of what we can do to improve these areas.

 

Question - Councillor Sandrey

 

Is there a process in place to establish and communicate diversions for bus companies and their customers during road works?

 

Reply – Councillor Wild

 

All roadworks that involve road closures and have major traffic management implications are communicated to all bus operators in advance. We would usually provide at least 7 days’ notice; however, on occasions, this can be less depending on whether the works are emergency or planned works.  We also provide a weekly road report to all bus operators.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Sandrey

 

In respect of roadworks that have been planned recently in Llanedeyrn and Pentwyn, I’ve had some complaints from residents who claim that the bus companies weren’t told about the road works and the subsequent diversions, so I wanted to ask if it’s possible to make sure that these companies know about the necessary diversions otherwise people might chose to jump in their cars because of the uncertainty and confusion about where to get their bus.

 

Reply - Councillor Wild

 

I certainly will check for you and I see you have been using social media to help your local residents in terms of getting that information across so I appreciate your help.  Ill check and see if that information is getting through as it should do because obviously residents need to know in advance and I wonder if there are other ways of then knowing as well.

 

Question - Councillor Ebrahim

 

We are all aware of the risks associated with smoking cigarettes, such as increased risk of cancer, heart disease and respiratory problems. Similarly, these risks are present when smoking shisha. There is a growing number of shisha bars in Cardiff. What kind of licensing conditions can the council use to regulate these shisha bars?

 

Reply - Councillor Parry

 

There are a range of powers that the Council can use to control shisha smoking in the city in accordance with a range of public health, planning, highways, trading standards and environmental protection legislation.

 

Officers will be visiting premises and inspecting very soon but obviously I can’t give you the dates.  If there is anything else you would like to know then please get in touch.

 

Supplementary Question – Councillor Ebrahim

 

I would just like to say, looking at the British Heart Foundation website, it clearly outlines an hour spent in a Shisha bar is equivalent to 100 cigarettes, we have many of our young people in this City making the Shisha as a regular session on a regular basis and I think it’s a risk that we need to start grabbing hold of because we cannot wait any longer.

 

Reply - Councillor Parry

 

You are right, it’s something we are looking into as it can be a risk for public health, we will bring this back to you as soon as any measures are taken.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Hudson

 

As a non-smoker I don’t understand this but I wanted to know is there hard medical fact on this please because I didn’t know about it.

 

Reply - Councillor Parry

 

It is being looked into in all seriousness, we can get back to you and we can report to you the findings and what is going to be done.

 

Question - Councillor Graham Thomas

 

Many residents are concerned about pressure on local schools places in coming years in NW Cardiff in light of multiple, very large new developments along the A4119 Llantrisant Road. Although the developments will include new schools, they will not be ready until the 500^th house occupation. That could mean around 5 years and 100s of students moving into these new developments that have to use existing schools in Creigiau, Radyr and Pentyrch for example. Given they clearly don't have capacity for this, what is plan for them in the years before any new school builds are available?

 

Reply – Councillor Merry

 

The first of five new primary schools serving North West Cardiff is anticipated in 2020/21 and will provide an additional 420 school places. Adding significant school capacity too early represents a risk, as new and existing schools could find themselves operating significantly below capacity with resulting budgetary issues.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Graham Thomas

 

I’m sure you understand the concern here, many residents have raised this with me and the situation looks like a potential ticking time bomb.  Many of the trigger points for these primary schools are the new developments and not until many hundreds of houses are built and different trigger points in different developments.  I would ask what assessments have been done for the demand for future school paces from these multiple developments across the area and their impacts on local school capacity before any of the new school builds are ready and if as I suspect we have a worrying disconnect will you explore the possibility of these new school builds being brought forward.

 

Reply - Councillor Merry

 

I was hoping that as you talked about five years for a new school I was hoping that 2020/2021 would actually be good news.  I’m quite happy to sit down and go through the data with you and officers but to be honest its 2018 and we would have to actually build the new schools I’m not sure you could bring that forward significantly earlier than that in any case.

 

Question - Councillor Molik

 

Mothers have contacted me regarding concerns with sitting in their back garden with their children; pets and postman have been attacked on Farm Drive; bin bags torn open leading to mess on our streets; it isn’t just the accumulation of bird mess that raises concerns regarding increasing seagull population, but also the fact that they come down and attack people and pets that raises concerns.

 

As we approach nesting time and with growing seagull population to reach 5,000 by 2020 in Cardiff, what is the council doing to ensure residents in areas like Cyncoed feel safe and unthreatened by seagulls?

 

Reply - Councillor Michael

 

The increasing numbers of gulls nesting in urban environments is a nationwide phenomenon and not restricted to coastal cities like Cardiff.

 

One of the best ways to prevent any nuisance caused by seagulls is for residents to ensure that they dispose of their food waste responsibly.

 

This means making full use of the caddies provided for food waste collections, putting leftover food in public litterbins and not putting food waste in black bags to help limit available food sources and to discourage gulls from staying in an area.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Molik

 

I appreciate the need to reduce littering and things and managing waste better is one of the ways of preventing gulls but there needs to be steps beyond that.  Residents in Cyncoed have been doing that but they are still being threatened in their neighbourhood. 

 

A mother and child are scared of sitting in the back garden due to seagulls so there needs to be more proactive steps from the Council to support these families that feel threatened by the rising population of seagulls as you acknowledge yourself.  There are various procedures that can be applied and it requires often license people to apply those procedures however getting license people to the premises to do the procedures such as egg replacement or spiking comes at a cost, some people may be able to afford it but not everyone and so those procedures can’t be accessed by all and there is no fairness in the way the system is working and Council should be supporting it.  I want to see what the Council will do to support these families.

 

Reply - Councillor Michael

 

Gulls are actually protected under the Countryside Act 1981, in a previous council we had a scrutiny where we looked at what we could do about the situation and they came up with the egg replacement service, pest control officers can offer advice on what to do with them, but the one thing I cannot do is order Gulls not to go to Cyncoed.  As annoying as it seems, I really haven’t go that kind of power.

 

Supplementary Question- Councillor Owen Jones

 

I’m quite glad the Adamsdown Seagull is slightly less aggressive than the Cyncoed Seagull, that’s not to belittle your claim.  On your answer to Councillor Molik regarding food waste being put correctly in food bins, in areas such as Adamsdown, Splott, areas that don’t have black wheelie bins, residents put their general waste out which will have food residue and especially in the summer, seagulls will assault and you can have waste everywhere. 

 

Are there measures we can look at because it comes around every summer and these are people presenting waste correctly but in the southern arc areas that don’t have black bins do get battered on certain weeks, are we looking at ways to sort that.

 

Reply - Councillor Michael

 

You have far less of a seagull problem now than we used to have when we landfilled.  One of the problems with landfill was the landfill of the food and seagulls would go there take it and if you go to Flat Holm you have more chicken bones there than anywhere because they fly back with the food and use it as a breeding colony. 

 

We have got less seagulls than previously, one of the problems with the bags and bins, we are looking at new waste strategy to actually provide more black bins and officers will be starting those discussions soon. There are limited measures you can take to stop a free flying bird flying to where it wants to.

 

Question - Councillor Gordon

 

Could the Cabinet Member reassure residents of Pontcanna that there will be no repeat of the damage to the parkland as there was at the 2008 Eisteddfod?

 

Reply - Councillor Bradbury

 

It is important for me to be clear that the proposed campsite at Pontcanna Fields in no way resembles the full infrastructure of the main Eisteddfod site that was located there back in 2008.

 

As you will be aware, council officers are working closely with the Eisteddfod organisers and Ward Members in Riverside to ensure that the site is managed safely and any impact is kept to a minimum.

 

It has already been agreed that both the cricket wickets and rugby pitches will be protected. Trackway will be used to cover areas of heavy footfall and to support the limited movement of service vehicles.

 

A bond will also be paid in advance of the event to cover the costs of any reinstatement works to ensure that the site is returned to its original state.

 

We are honoured to host National Eisteddfod and I’m sure it will be a great event notwithstanding local difficulties in Pontcanna.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Gordon

 

We are extremely concerned about the campsite coming to Pontcanna Fields in August, 700 caravans and the Youth tents.  The Youth camp is next to the River Taff, I wonder if the Council are aware that last National Eisteddfod a 17 year old boy camping in the youth camp drowned because the camp was by a river, I think this is something that we should really look into. 

 

What alternatives were looked at by the National Eisteddfod in terms of other parks in our City and school sites because in our opinion, a school site would have been a very preferable option?

 

Reply - Councillor Bradbury

 

I’ve been reliably informed that the death occurred at the Royal Welsh Show and not the National Eisteddfod but not withstanding that tragic case we will make sure that the camp is as safe as it possibly can be.  Other sites were considered and the National Eisteddfod were taken and it was their decision to choose Pontcanna, we took them all around Cardiff, other sites included Hamadryad Park the Mall and my own Trelai Park, I would have been happy if they had come to Trelai Park, but it was the National Eisteddfod organising committee themselves who chose Pontcanna.  I will make this pledge that I will work with you and local residents to minimise the impact on your community.  I know all about what happened ten years ago as I was on a football club committee that was involved in Sunday league football which meant we had to move because of those works.  I’m more than happy to work with you and ward colleagues to make sure that we can limit the damage that can be caused by this.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Williams

 

I never thought I’d see the day when I actually agree with Iona on something but I really do and I think that’s its bigger than Pontcanna ward because residents in Pontprennau and Old St Mellons who are members of sports clubs and so on have got in touch to express concern about the consultation for the Eisteddfod and actually was any consultation undertaken so residents could comment before the tender and decision was to give the site to the Eisteddfod. 

 

It’s great that we are hosting the Eisteddfod but can you provide some background on the bond and give us an undertaking that there will be no damage and if there is it will be restored promptly.

 

Reply - Councillor Bradbury

 

A bond is being paid and will cover any reinstatement costs.  Detail is an agreement between the Council and the Eisteddfod. 

 

The other thing I would say is I’m sure that Riverside Members are touched by your concern for their ward, we have outlined the alternative sites that were looked at, maybe your right maybe I should tell them to move from Pontcanna to Pontprennau and have a look there, we won’t do that, they have chosen the site that they wanted to go to, I am going to work with local Members, the elected representatives of Riverside to ensure that any damage is limited.  I can’t guarantee that there will be no damage because of British summertime but if there is it will be paid for by the Eisteddfod and we will limit it as much as possible.

 

Question - Councillor Owen

 

Following the unfortunate closure earlier this month of the much used Household Waste Recycling Centre at Wedal Road, can the Cabinet Member please outline how discussions are progressing to find an alternative site and a proposed timescale for a new facility to become operational?

 

Reply - Councillor Michael

 

I would refer you to the report that was considered last month by the Cabinet and our decision to review the future provision of household waste recycling facilities in Cardiff in the context of the anticipated future growth of the city.

 

We agreed the preparation of a business case on the potential future requirement for additional Household Waste Recycling Centres, as well as a site options appraisal to identify a preferred location. These would then be considered at a future Cabinet meeting.

 

This remains the position and work is currently underway to develop the scope for the commissioning of this work.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Owen

 

I think we are getting to a position where the people in Rhiwbina and across Cardiff North really would appreciate more clarity on this.  We held a Councillor surgery in Rhiwbina yesterday and every single person who came to us no matter what they wanted to discuss also asked about the provision of a new essentially Wedal Road in the north of the City, so it really is a very contentious issue and we really do want a replacement as soon as possible. 

 

Could you confirm whether the land at Wedal Road HWRC was disposed of at market value or above as it is my understanding that the YMCA at the bottom of the area was sold for in excess of £1million?

 

Reply - Councillor Michael

 

What you don’t want is another Wedal Road, what you want is a top quality recycling facility like Lamby Way because otherwise it’s going backwards.  What I cannot do is confirm anything about the sale because it is not in my portfolio.

 

Question - Councillor Taylor

 

The decision to opt with Option A for 2018/19 School Admissions arrangements broadly represents maintaining the status quo and will not address the significant pressures on admissions to secondary school. When can we expect proposals to be brought forward to address capacity issues before the Council's Band B capital investment programme is completed?

 

Reply – Councillor Merry

 

Neither Option A nor B would have addressed issues of over-subscription.

 

The Band B investment programme will create additional school places at Cantonian High, Cardiff High, Cathays High and Willows High Schools.

 

Any measures required to provide additional places for the 2019 cohort will be agreed with schools in mid-2018, in good time for secondary schools to plan for the September 2019 intake and for primary schools to make suitable transition arrangements.

 

These measures will take into account the location and timing of the Band B schemes.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Taylor

 

Thanks for that response and for the clarity on when those plans will be brought forward.  In the Cabinet report there was a comment about bringing forward consultations on redrawn catchment areas, I was wondering when we can expect those reports and perhaps what lessons have been learnt from the public engagement for the schools admissions process?

 

Reply - Councillor Merry

 

We have always been very clear, however frustrating it is for people, that there should be a step by step progress. The first one is where we are going to put in the additional school places and then looking at catchment areas.  I do understand parental concern but if we try to redraw the catchment areas without planning our additional school places there would be a mismatch almost as soon as you built the new schools.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Rees

 

Could you provide us with an update on what is happening with the school for St Ederyn site, there is a great deal of concern amongst parents who have moved in there, they don’t know which school they have to send their child to.

 

Reply - Councillor Merry

 

I’m not currently in a position to do that but if you email me I will try and get that information.

 

Question - Councillor Dilwar Ali

 

Firstly, I would like to thank you and the council staff for responding so well to the severe weather conditions over the past few weeks. However, following this severe weather, road surfaces have been damaged and potholes increased. What are the Council’s plans to address this?

 

Reply – Councillor Wild

 

The weather has caused a significant increase in the number of potholes in the city over recent months and it’s estimated that there has been an approximate 30% increase in demand for repairs. Ice, Grit, Salt and when it defrosts, it gets into it and churns the road up unfortunately. 

 

The guys are playing catch up at the moment. Routine and reactive inspections are continuing, please Members report to me and those who have will appreciate they have been filled as soon as possible.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Ali

 

I have been contacted by a number of my local residents in Llandaff North, I would urge you to do a site visit with me and take those into account and repair as soon as possible.

 

Reply - Councillor Wild

 

I’d be happy to and I also will look at the Hayley Park issues that are ongoing with some of the cycle paths there and walking as well.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Molik

 

Weather does affect our roads and I understand that but the quality of repair I think needs to be looked at.  I find myself reporting the same potholes time and time again a few weeks or months later.  The quality of the repair needs to be looked into I think.

 

Reply - Councillor Wild

 

I agree with you although I do get concerned in this Chamber when people are seen to be criticising the work of officers who are sometimes doing things very rushed in response to a lot of those Members who are wanting people to work to a quick speed on this.  The pothole repairs are generally just a temporary measure we try to do larger scale patching work where it is necessary which does give a better result when it’s done.  So there are still those series of works ongoing as well, the pothole repairs I accept that they don’t always stay in place for as long as we would like.

 

Question - Councillor Williams

 

Does the Leader of the Council support recent suggestions made by a Cardiff Labour Assembly Member that the Welsh Government should introduce a 100% car park levy on city centre parking, known as the ‘Car Park Tax’?

 

Reply – Councillor Huw Thomas

 

I wouldn’t want to pre-empt the consultation on the Transport & Clean Air Green Paper, however I’m grateful to Councillor Williams for drawing the suggestion to my attention and I’d be very happy to consider it as part of the submission to the consultation.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Williams

 

It’s quite clear that we on these benches are on the side of the Cardiff Citizen, we know that there are so many people with disabilities for whom public transport is not the answer.  Do you support the suggestion aired on the floor of the Welsh Assembly for a 100% Car Park Tax on city centre parking, yes or no? 

 

Reply - Councillor Huw Thomas

 

I am entirely open minded to any suggestions about how we can address the issues of transport and congestion in this City.  I think everybody in this chamber would acknowledge that it is a challenge, you yourself have brought motions calling for action, so let’s not pre-empt the Green Paper, and respond to it constructively. 

 

I accused the Liberal Democrat Party earlier of playing politics but I will congratulate them on the mature way they responded to the Green Paper today it shows a level of maturity that perhaps others might want to aspire to. 

 

We need to have a sensible grown up conversation in this City about the whole range of transport options and interventions available to us without scaremongering without saying that the Council are proposing something that we are not, but looking at all the options and I encourage all Members to engage with that debate.

 

Question - Councillor Rees

 

How many of Cardiff’s total number of schools do not have a defibrillator on site?

 

Reply – Councillor Merry

 

In a survey of Cardiff Schools that was undertaken in September last year, 35 schools confirmed that they had a defibrillator on the school site. In addition, a further 20 schools knew of a defibrillator located within 500 metres of the school site.

 

Schools are asked to register their defibrillators on the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust website, where they can also find out the location of the nearest defibrillator to them.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Rees

 

35 schools, that’s less than a third isn’t it?  How many Schools do we have Councillor Merry can you confirm that?

 

Reply - Councillor Merry

 

I actually added in that 20 schools knew of one within 500 metres of the school site.  What I would say is that many Members in the chamber are actually governors of their local school and it may be an issue that they wish to raise with their school governing body.

 

Supplementary Question - Councillor Lister

 

Prior to Christmas I joined my friend Shelly Johnson in presenting a defibrillator to Eastern High, she actually raised the funds herself and managed to purchase I think 4, so just wondering if you would join me in thanking her.

 

Reply - Councillor Merry

 

Yes I would certainly thank her for doing that work and of course that is something that other organisations may want to do.