Decision details

CARDIFF HALF MARATHON 4 OCTOBER 2015

 

Cardiff was delighted to welcome a record number of participants to the Cardiff Half Marathon on another superb day in the Welsh capital.  Almost 16,000 runners crossed the line and runners were supported by more than 50,000 spectators along the course – estimated to be the biggest crowd in the event’s history. The live television coverage helped the race reach a wider audience than ever before.

 

The Lord Mayor thanked the sponsors, runners, spectators and all support staff for a great event which again puts Cardiff on the map.

 

This event was a warm up for the prestigious IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships to be held on 26 March next year.   The 2016 event is not just for the elite, it is for everyone.  There will be 25,000 places available – an opportunity for anyone in this Chamber to take part………

 

CONTRATULATIONS TO WALES NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOR QUALIFYING FOR EURO 2016

 

Congratulations to the Welsh National Football team for their success in qualifying for the first time in 57 years for European Football Championship 2016 in France.  Wales' winning finale at home to Andorra on 13 October meant that we could all celebrate in their success in the pool stage. 

 

The draw for next years’ tournament will take place on 12 December.

                                                                                                                       

RUGBY WORLD CUP

 

Cardiff has again enjoyed being a host city for the Rugby World Cup 2016, a show case event for the Capital City broadcasted all over the world.  We have welcomed nearly 1 million visitors over the past month from many different nations providing an array of colour to our already cosmopolitan city.

 

The Ball in the Wall has been a social media phenomenon becoming one of the most photographed icons of the Rugby World Cup. 

 

We also congratulate the Welsh Rugby team for some fantastic, entertaining and nail biting rugby.  Their heroic efforts got them through the very difficult pool stages to the quarter finals and they should be proud of their achievements.  

 

As a host City we have also been presented with a very distinctive statue that we will display in the Mansion House and is on the front table for you all to view today.

Before moving on I would like to thank and acknowledge all those employees who worked so hard to make Cardiff welcoming to our visitors.

 

RECOGNITION & AWARDS

The Lord Mayor was pleased to report on the following awards and recognitions achieved since the last meeting

 

Celebrate Black History Month

 

October marks Black History Month and an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful diversity, culture and history of Cardiff.

 

There are dozens of events taking place across the city this month and right up until the end of November.

 

Councillor Daniel De'Ath, Cabinet Member for Skills, Safety & Engagement said: "Black History Month is now a well-established event in Cardiff that celebrates the achievements of groups and individuals of a Black and Minority Ethnic background.

 

"Many events have been organised, including film shows, poetry recitals, and live music performances. Activities to celebrate Black History Month run from the beginning of October to the end of November, so there is plenty of time to attend the different events being held across the city.

 

"Everyone is welcome to attend any of the events regardless of their ethnic heritage, so please make a diary date and come along to learn more about Black History listen to poetry or enjoy a live band."

 

We are sharing photos and stories of our multicultural Cardiff via the Council’s Facebook page. Please send in your experiences through to

socialmedia@cardiff.gov.uk

 

Celebrating Thornhill Primary School’s young eco warriors 

 

Congratulations to all the pupils and staff at Thornhill Primary School on their wonderful achievement on becoming the 1^st Welsh School to win a prestigious sustainable energy Ashden award.

 

Ashden is a UK-based charity that champions and promotes practical, local energy solutions that cut carbon, protect the environment, reduce poverty and improve people’s lives. The school’s efforts have been described as: “Thornhill Primary School’s crack squad of student eco-warriors keep energy wastage to a minimum with their spot checks on whether lights and appliances have been left on in the classroom. The school’s willingness to trial new ideas and share the results with others, along with its determination to reduce carbon emissions to the absolute minimum, is what makes it the first Welsh school to win an Ashden Sustainable School Award.”

 

National Quality Award for Moorland Primary 

 

The pupils, parents and staff at Moorland Primary School are celebrating success in the Welsh Government’s Welsh Network of Healthy School Schemes after being recognised with a National Quality Award.

 

Managed by Public Health Wales, the scheme has been running since 1999 and considers initiatives around food and fitness, mental and emotional health and wellbeing, personal development and relationships, substance use and misuse, environment, safety and hygiene.

 

With support from the city council, the school in Splott has been working hard over a number years, introducing initiatives designed to improve the health and wellbeing of the school community, both in and outside of school. Activities have included projects to promote equality, an on-site counselling service and comprehensive lessons on smoking, alcohol and drugs. A scooter and bike store at the school has proved very popular with the children, promoting fitness and encouraging active travel to school.

 

Moorland primary is the second school in Cardiff to be recognised with a National Quality Award, following Herbert Thompson Primary School in Ely’s 2011 success.

 

Educating Cardiff Head teacher crowned the best

 

If you've been gripped to the recent ‘Educating Cardiff' series on Channel 4, which featured pupils and teachers at Willows High School, you will have seen for yourself the inspirational head teacher, Mrs Joy Ballard, strive to make the difference for the pupils, their parents and her dedicated teaching staff at the school.

 

We are very proud to confirm that Joy was crowned ‘Head teacher of the Year' at the prestigious annual Pearson  Teaching Awards at a ceremony held at the Opera House in London. 

 

A spokesman for the Pearson Awards described Mrs Ballard as an "outstanding" head teacher. He added: "She brought new life to a school which needed a fresh vision to improve the lives of its pupils and its community. She is committed to helping every student realise their full potential. The success she has achieved is outstanding."

 

In an interview with Wales Online, Mrs Ballad said: "Willows' success comes around from two different things - our desire to learn off the very best people and absolutely phenomenal staff that will go that extra mile."

 

Whilst Mrs Ballard has since left Willows High School to become head teacher at Ryde Academy on the Isle of Wight to be closer to her family, the recognition was awarded for the tremendously positive and long lasting impact she has had on Willows and its pupils and staff.  Yet another wonderful example of how we, the staff of the City of Cardiff Council, make the difference.

 

Gold award for the wonderful dogs’ home

 

Congratulations to Cardiff Dogs Home, which has been awarded the RSPCA's Stray Dog Provision gold award at a ceremony at the Senedd last week. The award is part of the RSPCA's Community Animal Welfare Footprint scheme.  It's great that hard work by staff, Dog Wardens and volunteers has been highlighted through the RSPCA's gold award.

 

Cardiff Dogs Home is based on Westpoint Industrial Estate on Penarth Road and is open seven days a week. Every year it deals with nearly 1,000 dogs and last year 40% were successfully re-homed and 55% were reunited with their owners.

 

COUNCILLOR DIANNE REES

 

We congratulate Councillor Dianne Rees on the birth of her third grandchild Thomas, William Henry born on 9 October 2015. We hope mother and son are doing well.        

 

LORD MAYOR’S CHARITY

 

The Lord Mayor was grateful for the support of Members in arranging events and activities in support of Action Against Cancer and Velindre Cancer Care.  With the support of the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Dilwar Ali the Lord Mayor had visited a number of Mosques around the City and had been delighted to accept donations to his Charity.  The Lord Mayor advised that he would be continuing with further visits in the next few months, and was pleased that all Communities in Cardiff were getting involved in fundraising.