June 2023 – County Councillor Reports
Below are the monthly reports from your County Councillors for the Radyr & Morganstown Ward.
Cllr Calum Davies – June report
Received by the Web Team on 5 July 2023
Local Development Plan
The Council have unveiled its Replacement Local Development Plan, which will go out to consultation this summer. It states that the preferred strategy, based on a figure of 1% population growth in Cardiff, will mean there is sufficient space in the existing land bank (all land with existing planning permission) to meet housing need. This will be equally split between green- and brown-field sites. Candidate sites – which include the green space north-west of Radyr Golf Club and Radyr train station car park, the latter of which is being proposed by the Welsh Government – are not included in the land bank. Candidate sites (a misleading term) does not mean the Council is making them a candidate but they have been nominated, usually by the land owner, to be included in the LDP. I urge all residents with an interest to take part in the forthcoming consultation when it opens.
Drover’s Way Park
Following a question from myself to the Cabinet on progress, I received the following: “I can confirm that the drainage contractor is scheduled to complete works in mid-September 2023, with practical completion, including sign off, anticipated by the end of September 2023. The pre-construction meeting with our playground contractor has taken place and works are scheduled to commence on 2nd October 2023, following on from the drainage works. Works to install the new playground are likely to span a period of up to 12 weeks, depending on ground and weather conditions.” I am disappointed with how the works are being delayed piece-by-piece, but it is getting there.
Heol Isaf-Llantrisant Road junction
I have asked Plasdŵr developers to cut the grass on the triangular island on this junction as the long grass was obscuring drivers’ view of the road, creating a safety hazard. This was done in early June.
Bins petition
I delivered my latest leaflet in May with a petition for residents to sign calling on the Council to keep black bin bag collection at their current frequency as plans to make them three-weekly, in my opinion, will lead to fly-tipping and vermin. I was very pleased to get a sufficient number of signatures to present this to the Council on behalf of the community. I would also remind residents to let me know how they are getting used to the new recycling regime as its rollout continues across Cardiff.
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:
- Will the Cabinet Member confirm the updated timeline for completing the drainage works and park construction at Parc Radur?
- How is the Council acting to move homeless people away from Queen Street into sheltered accommodation?
- What plans does the Council have to rollout bus shelters and electronic boards in Radyr and Morganstown?
- How much Section 106 funds are currently available to Radyr & Morganstown and from which developments do they originate?
- What action will the Council take against the Welsh Government should the decision to call-in plans for a Cardiff parkway rail station lead to the project’s end?
Answers can be found here on the written questions section of the Council meeting agenda.
Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones – June Report
Received by the Web Team on 18 July 2023
This started off as a June report. Knowing there were lots of dates for the summer holidays almost finalised, it made sense to wait.
Radyr
Playground Drovers’ Way SECOND PRIORITY
The work should be completed on the drainage by the end of September. It should take another 12 weeks for the playground to be installed. It should be ready for Father Christmas
Lights in Drovers Way via the Playground towards Plymouth Drive
The Parc Radyr Management Company has received a quote for electric and solar lights. They will be looking for ways of raising the money needed. The proposals had low lights to pick out the path so they would not affect residents at night and one streetlight as the path enters the footpath that leads into Plymouth Drive. I have asked if the streetlight could be funded from a streetlight budget.
Heol Isaf
I have reported that the hedgerows have reached that time of the year when they need to be trimmed.
Electricity substation junction Kings Road and Taff Terrace.
Fencing panels have been erected to make it hard to go behind the substation. The gentlemen seen going behind the substation have moved their activities elsewhere. Please make sure your children are aware of the dangers of taking illegal substances.
Bryn Deri
The school has had several building issues improved this year. There is work programmed during the summer holiday.
Plasdŵr
Completing the road surface for Lon y Pererinion and Stryd Sils ap Sion
Cllr Davies and I have a meeting with Redrow this week and we will be discussing this problem.
Odour at Clos Parc Radur
I joined the residents when one of the Barratt’s engineers came to meet them. It was a good meeting. We were asked if we could wait until they had fitted double sealed manhole covers before we made any more comments. Having listened to the residents, Barratts did say they thought there was probably a problem with the Redrow line as well as theirs but they would like to see what positive difference they could make to their line before asking Redrow to start doing all the logical checks on the Redrow line. The problem is still on-going.
Mobile Library
The mobile library made its first visit to Clos Parc Radur on July 4th
Next visit will be between 9:30am and 12:30 Monday July 24th.
It will also come 9:30am t0 12:30. Monday August 14th It has green recycling bags and food caddy bags on board as well as books. Do call in and have a chat with the team. They will be thrilled to see you.
Police on Clos Parc Radur
PCSO Richard Davies brought a pop-up to Clos Parc Radur in June Several residents took the opportunity to chat with him. He hopes to come to other parts of the ward during the summer.
St Philbert’s
Still have no date for the work that needs doing with the attenuation tank.
Community Engagement Worker
Would love to get funding for us to have a Community Engagement Worker in Plasdwr. It is important that everybody feels part of the community and is proud to live here. If anyone can help with funding, do let us know.
The Sidings
Residents have been asking about litter bins. Have asked for some more.
Have flagged up the problem of river erosion beside the Cart Road. The relevant land is in Llandaff ward.
The Council is in contact with Taylor Wimpey re adoption of the open space. They hope the transfer will be completed soon.
There is Japanese Knotweed below the houses that look over the river. I have reported it but have been told it is not Council land. The ownership needs to be determined.
No one recently has reported problems with the Metro recently. Hopefully all the construction work needed has been done.
Morganstown
Radyr Rangers (RR) THIRD PRIORITY
Mound Field and Radyr Rangers.
Radyr Rangers and I met an agronomist to get expert advice re the drainage needed for the full-sized pitch this month (July) and have met with representatives of the FAW. Radyr Rangers have met with officers in Cardiff Council to discuss the Club House plans during June,
Litter Bins
Have asked for some in Radyr Gardens.
Bethel Chapel
There is a grant that might be able to purchase and repair Bethel Chapel for the community. I have had talks with an expert who has developed projects in London and with Benthyg.Cymru.
Benthyg.Cymru is a charity that lets people borrow equipment such as decorating tools and then bring them back. There is a centre in Splott. They are interested in having a centre in the north of Cardiff.
Any application we make would need to support of the people of Morganstown. Applying will be a lot of work. If we get the grant, we will need volunteers. It will take effort to bring life back into the building. But if we could bring the chapel back into the community, there are many Morganstown people who would be very pleased.
Throughout Radyr and Morganstown
Buses FIRST PRIORITY
There are many rumours about the buses. BES (Bus Emergency Scheme) that was put in place to help during Covid finishes on 24th July 2023. The Welsh Government has found some funds but not as big as BES towards supporting the buses. There is a bus strategy being developed. Have being lobbying for a more regular service and one that reaches into Radyr Gardens more often.
I now have a Facebook page Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones
Metro
We have been offered bird boxes by TfW. I have accepted the offer, so if anyone would like a bird box, please let me know.
Although I objected to losing Footpath 1 which goes to Gelynis Farm because when the money becomes available for a Halt at Morganstown, that would be the logical place to site the station, there was no easy solution. I have asked if the bridge can have a marked part for walkers and I have asked if the community can retain its right of way in front of Gelynis Farm as it is a very old building. TfW did offer to put a cycleway around the two sides of Mound Field which would make it easier for people to cycle from Pughs down to the new bridge and then across the river to the Taff Trail.
I have asked for some small trees or shrubs to be planted beside the river bridge at Radyr Station and linked TfW with Coed Caerdydd.
Economic and Culture Scrutiny Committee
June’s meeting discussed proposals for tennis in Cardiff and discussion on Pentwyn Leisure Centre. The July meeting looked at St David’s Hall, the Indoor Arena proposals and the International Sports Village.
Environment Scrutiny Committee
The last meeting scrutinised the purchase of new recycling lorries. I flagged up the need for smaller lorries to enter some of our narrow streets.
We have also been involved with looking at the Replacement Local Development Plan which was the subject that came up most on the doorstep in May 2022.
The good news is that it looks as if all the fears we had that our last bits of green spaces would be swallowed up by more development are not founded. The RLDP will be out for consultation soon. Very much hope you will make a point of looking at it and commenting on it. Remember that candidate sites included the Station Car Park, so we will need to point out how that would affect the use of the Metro negatively and the fields on the Pentyrch side of Pant Tawel. So if you want to keep those fields, please make positive comments about how pleased you are to see that the country side is going to be protected in this RLDP. Keep an eye on the RMA website, www.radyr.org and look for the Replacement Local Development Group page. The details re where you will be able to see the new plans will be there and I will also post them on my Facebook Page.
Coed Caerdydd
Trees have been planted on Morganstown Playpark and Bryn Deri Primary as part of Cardiff’s drive to plant more trees.
There is a bilingual survey https://online1.snapsurveys.com/CoedCaerdydd about trees they would like people to fill in, so please do.
Youth
We have had youth workers in Radyr and Morganstown for the last two weeks. The Youth Bus and Pop-up activity are coming to Radyr Station Car Park during the summer holidays. Radyr Hub has the Summer Reading Challenge to read 6 books, collecting prizes as they do so, with a medal and a certificate on completion. Sign up on the web site www.readingagency.org.uk
Also at Radyr Hub this summer:-
ADMIN NOTE: List was provided by the councillor here but has been posted on this website separately so we won’t repeat it again here.
Period Dignity
Free period products are available in Radyr Hub/Hyb on Park Road. Ask for a pamphlet called Period Dignity List. Tick the boxes inside for items needed. Return the pamphlet and wait. Soon a discrete package will be handed over. The Methodist Church also has period products available.
The Goldies
The Goldies return to the New School Rooms Christchurch on August 4th 2pm-4pm. This should become a regular once a month event. They were a huge success in the Festival, and it was great fun singing along with everyone. This is part of the Good Neighbour scheme and their free Friday with Friends regular session. Everyone is welcome to come along.
Enjoy the summer holiday!