December 2023 – County Councillor Reports
Below are the monthly reports from your County Councillors for the Radyr & Morganstown Ward. Breaking our usual timing the below reports come out ahead of the Christmas break and activity across November and December 2023.
Cllr Calum Davies – November/December report
Received by the Web Team on 20 December 2023
Drover’s Way Park
A Christmas miracle! It may have taken a while, but Parc Radur is again open for the enjoyment of local families. I was pleased to attend its official opening on 8th December and am very grateful to all those who played their part in getting here. Given we had an initial opening date in January, I also appreciate the efforts taken to complete it early. This was one of my main campaign pledges and I am proud to have delivered on that promise.
Bin collections
I was informed near the end of November that garden waste would resume in Radyr & Morganstown on Tuesday 28th November. The strike action in Cardiff has come to an end but union members are being re-balloted on whether to continue action for a later date. Whilst this development is welcome, it is essential that the Council leadership bring industrial action to a permanent end. Waste Collection Services undertook one garden waste collection in each ward prior to Christmas starting from 5 December. As a further update, leaf fall cleaning on public roads takes place every other Thursday.
Danescourt Woods
As a councillor for a ward that borders this area, I was pleased to speak to the Planning Committee against devastating Danescourt Woods to deliver 36 new properties. I was delighted that the Planning Committee took my comments on board and refused planning permission. As I said while making my case, Cardiff desperately needs more homes and the economies of scale that the vast Plasdwr site has makes it far easier for all concerned to plan for that social housing provision there.
Roadworks on Llantrisant Road
Following a meeting with Redrow and Plasdwr representatives, I am pleased that assurances that Llantrisant Road and Clos Parc Radur will be free of roadworks in the first half of December were realised. It took far longer than usual but the infrastructure is necessary to cope with the Plasdwr development.
I also attended a meeting between developers, councillors, and residents of the Parc Radur development. This was a useful opportunity for residents to express particular frustrations and developers to respond. I am pleased progress has been made on certain issues, like the aforementioned roadworks, but there is more to do on others. This forum will reconvene soon and I am looking forward to hearing more about plans of action.
I have also been in touch with officers regarding the need for adequate and proportionate lighting as part of landscaping works at the bottom of St Philbert Street now that work has commenced on installation of a new attenuation tank. This includes naming this public open space Parc Bach (Pocket Park) on official maps/documents.
Traffic management
I have written to the Chief Constable of South Wales Police regarding the enforcement of traffic laws – whether that be tailgating, speeding, or illegal parking – in the ward and await a response. I have also been made aware of long queues near Pugh’s and am aware of efforts to resolve this situation. I will support means to do this in the most community- and business-friendly way possible.
Written Questions
Ahead of every Council meeting, I have the chance to table five written questions to the Cabinet. I will aim to use up my allocation each and every month to find out information useful to myself as a representative of Radyr & Morganstown but also in my other roles on the Council, including Shadow Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Supporting Young People, and Tackling Poverty. This month I asked:
- Can the Council have an update on the remediation of Drovers Way Park in Radyr with a window for completion?
- How much Section 106 funds – relating to transport or otherwise – are currently available to Radyr & Morganstown that have not already been allocated to specific projects, to which developments do they relate, and who is the developer in question?
- Has the Council investigated procurement and use of The Multipatcher truck as part of its work to repair potholes in the county?
- What metrics is the Council using to measure satisfaction with and the workability of the rollout of new cycling measures in Cardiff and how is it influencing that rollout?
- How is the Council working with South Wales Police to make the city centre a no-go-area for anti-Semitism, especially given recent hateful elements present in pro-Palestinian protests there?
Answers can be found here on the written questions section of the Council meeting agenda.
Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones – November/December Report
Received by the Web Team on 16 December 2023
Radyr
Playground Drovers’ Way SECOND PRIORITY
There had been a whisper that the playground may open early December so I have waited before writing up November’s news. Delighted that on Friday 8th December Santa came to check the playground was just what the community had hoped for and to help the children open the playground. Even more delighted that when I returned to the playground a few hours later there were children playing on it.
Huge thanks to everyone involved, Jamie Grundy for the work he did raising funds, to Parc Radur Management Company and in particular Anthony Jenkins who has been pleasantly persistent reminding us all that the park needed doing. Thanks too to Radyr and Morganstown Community Council who also contributed financially, and then to Cardiff Council for finding the funds in what are tough times. Thanks to their Drainage team, to the contractors, to W M Garden Services for building the play area, to the designer Mark Synan and to everyone who has pulled together to help our children have a playground.
Heol Isaf
Like Cllr Davies, I have agreed to the work on the zebra crossing outside Radyr Comprehensive. I have however pointed out that I would have preferred to have seen the speed camera working and I would have preferred to have had a zebra crossing enabling children to cross safely from The Sidings into Kings Road.
Station Road
Following the first meeting of the Friends of Station Road Group, I have requested restoring the double yellow lines across Ener-chi’s entrance and that the trip hazard by one of the trees should be put right. I have been advised that the trip hazard has been looked at and is going to be put right.
Plasdŵr
Odour at Clos Parc Radur
One of the residents has set up a meeting with Welsh Water, Barratts, Redrow to discuss the problems and has asked me to chair the meeting. It will be in December.
St Philbert’s
The work is nearly finished on the attenuation tanks and there are plans for the little park in front of the houses. Some residents have suggested the park should be called Parc Bach, the little park. It is twt-y!
Morganstown
Radyr Rangers (RR) THIRD PRIORITY
Frustratingly, there was no obvious progress this month although the Feasibility Study should have progressed. One is needed for submissions to FAW Football Association Wales grants.
Footpath 1
I have stated that I am willing to lift my objections if some minor improvements are made. Would have chosen to have kept the public rights of way on the two parts leading to the railway (one either side) so that if ever the money can be found, a Halt could be made at that location for Morganstown.
Flooding by Pughs
We still had one flood but things are improving.
Traffic at Pughs on weekends
Have worked with Pughs and Cardiff Council to find ways of lessening the traffic issues. Many small adjustments made. Pughs are looking to see what else can be done to help us all. They will continue to try and improve the situation throughout 2024
Throughout Radyr and Morganstown
Buses FIRST PRIORITY
Have been a member of the Replacement Local Development Plan Transport Task and Finish Group as public transport is important.
I have a Facebook page Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones I post information we are asked to share with residents. Do please follow me. Often given information at short notice and asked to share it with residents.
Replacement Local Development Plan
There were three Task and Finish groups set up where Councillors had an opportunity to meet experts and users of systems and to contribute. I sat on all three, since they all affected issues, we have in the ward. Planning Obligations which had Section 106 on the agenda; District and Community Centres (the concept is that there should be enough amenities so that people don’t have to go out of their immediate area to find a doctor, a pharmacist, a grocery shop, a post office etc); Transport which included buses on the agenda.
One of the outcomes is a recommendation that Section 106 money can also be requested for Community Engagement Work. This is incredibly important in developments like Plasdwr. The sooner a sense of community can be created in new developments, the easier it is for people to settle into the area and to have a sense of belonging. We are lucky to have people like Susan at Radyr Hub and Rev Judith who are actively reaching out to our newcomers.
The Bins, especially the Green Bins.
Hopefully the rhythm will be back to normal soon.
Remembrance Sunday
Emotional to see the turn out from our communities supporting Remembrance Sunday. Good to see the younger children supported by crafting activities during the church service. Would actively encourage those of you who waited outside to come to Christchurch. You would be very welcome. Thanks to everyone involved with the organisation, especially Ian Ogden who is standing down this year after several years of being the co-ordinator for us all.
Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones – Addendum to December Report
Received by the Web Team on 13 January 2024
Christmas Time in Radyr and Morganstown.
Our tradition of a Christmas Lighting Event continued. So many people to thank, the Radyr and Morganstown Association, Radyr and Morganstown Community Council, Radyr Methodist Church, Radyr and Brynderi Primary schools who sang in the Methodist Church and then around the Christmas Tree in Windsor Gardens, Radyr Comprehensive who sang around the Christmas Tree in The Sidings, Gwaelod y Garth Primary who sang around the Christmas Tree in the Granny Park (a lot of our Welsh speaking children go to Gwaelod) and we were thrilled to welcome the first intake from Groes Wen, the new school in Plasdwr who joined the children from Gwaelod at the Granny Park.
Cardiff Youth Services were present, and helped the RMA with moving equipment, the local police and officers from Cardiff Council to look after the road closures, thank you everyone of you. And a big thank you to all the organisations that ran stalls in Station Road and the shops that stayed open. And to Centregreat for making the lighting happen.
It was wonderful to see so many people converge on Station Road and the Christmas Tree in Windsor Garden. It was a truly intergenerational event, small children, teenagers, parents, and grandparents all enjoying the event, even if it was cold.
Memories include, the excited voice of a young lady, “OMG, I’ve just had a High 5 from Santa” and a little boy at the Granny Park rocking his imaginary baby Jesus very enthusiastically as he sang.
And I guess everyone would want us to thank Father Christmas for coming along to help us light the tree.
Santa and his sleigh
Radyr and Morganstown Community Council enabled Santa to come round Radyr and Morganstown and check he knew where all the children lived ready for Christmas Eve. Thank you for coming Santa.
It’s been suggested that next year, some of the locations where people gather to wave to Santa might set themselves up as soft drinks and mulled wine stations, or burger stations. Any volunteers?
Radyr
Playground Drovers’ Way
Friday 8th December saw the Playground at Drovers Way opened by Father Christmas who checked everything was up to his standards and two small children who had come to see if they could play in the park.
We will continue to try for lighting along the paths.
Heol Isaf
Have been asked by the police if people could cut their hedges back to make it easier for people to use the pavements.
Station Road
Meeting planned in February.
Plasdŵr
Odour at Clos Parc Radur
Had a meeting with residents, Redrow, Barratts and Welsh Water. Welsh Water is helping Barratts to find a solution that will work well. We have another meeting planned in February by which time we should know whether any improvements have been made. Good to see everyone keen to solve the problem.
St Philbert’s
The work is finished on the attenuation tanks. Landscape planting which will happen in the spring.
Morganstown
Radyr Rangers (RR) SECOND PRIORITY
The Feasibility Study required for Football of Wales grant applications has been done. Otherwise, no major progress.
Footpath 1
I have continued to request access so that we can retain our public rights of way so that we can look at the back of Gelynis Farm, which is the oldest (apart from the castle) building in Morganstown.
Traffic at Pughs on weekends
Have worked with Pughs and Cardiff Council to find ways of lessening the traffic issues. Many small adjustments made. Pughs ended up employing parking attendants which did improve the traffic flows. They will continue to look at possible improvements during the coming year.
Throughout Radyr and Morganstown
Buses FIRST PRIORITY
Have been a member of the Replacement Local Development Plan Transport Task and Finish Group as public transport is important.
I have a Facebook page Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones I post information we are asked to share with residents. Do please follow me. Often given information at short notice and asked to share it with residents.
Replacement Local Development Plan
The evidence from all three Task and Finish groups has been made into a report.
The Bins, especially the Green Bins.
An improvement during December but Unite are due to go on strike again in January.
Youth Work THIRD PRIORITY
Cardiff Youth Services CYS are coming into the ward and interacting with our youngsters. The aim is to find out what ideas the teenagers have for the community and if possible, supported by the Radyr and Morganstown Community Council and CYS enable some of their ideas to become realities.
All members of the CYS have been police checked, they all wear identification lanyards, and the team includes the Youth Workers who regularly visit Radyr Comprehensive.