April 2026 – County Councillor Reports
Below are the monthly reports from your County Councillors for the Radyr & Morganstown Ward.
Cllr Calum Davies – March report
Received by the Web Team on 4 April 2026 but not published until after the Senedd election
Budget
The Labour-run Council has once again increased Council Tax by an inflation-busting 3.9%. This is despite raising it by more than inflation for several years. I voted against this rise and supported an alternative budget from the Conservatives who, as always, have proposed a balanced budget with a below-inflation increase of less than 2%. Since I was elected, I have never voted to increase council tax by more than inflation.
Heol Isaf Pedestrian Crossing
It has taken longer than any of us would have liked but I am delighted we have had the crossing outside Christ Church re-laid after months of wrangling. It had been disintegrating, causing havoc for drivers and pedestrians alike, for a good year. Following reports that resurfacing works were to be delayed into the financial year, I impressed upon officers the need to tackle the crossing. Thanks to all those who got in contact with me, giving me the evidence I needed to make the case for the community. This is a victory for us all.
Community Projects
I have submitted an application to the Neighbourhood Renewal Schemes Programme to bring direct Council funding to the ward. In consultation with Cllr Lloyd Jones, we decided to apply for two separate projects – on which we are both in agreement – to increase the chances of being successful. We also met with representatives from Radyr Rangers, Cardiff Council, and Transport for Wales to discuss next steps as part of the project to improve facilities at Mound Field. I am being kept abreast of updates regarding the swimming pool at Radyr Comprehensive, progress of which will be reported here as well as through many other channels, no doubt including the school’s own.
Festival help
The RMA are looking for volunteers to help out with this year’s annual festival. Whether you can help out a little bit or a lot, they would be most grateful for any assistance is continuing to host this fixture in the community’s calendar. Do visit their sign-up form via the link RMA Volunteers – 2026 Update – Fill in form or contact rmamembers@gmail.com
Surgery
I held my latest surgery in March. The next one will be in the summer and advertised in the usual ways. I have also picked up and acted on a lot of casework collected during my recent canvassing sessions on issues ranging from signage to potholes.
Written Questions
Ahead of every Council meeting, I have the chance to table five written questions to the Cabinet. I 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 as the Conservatives’ Investment & Development spokesperson and Chair of the Policy Review & Performance Committee. This month I asked:
- How much has the Council spent for each financial year since 2021/22 to pay parents to drive to school their children with ALN? How many children will have been transported to school under such arrangements? What was the highest amount paid to a parent for this?
- Without the EHRC guidance on the Supreme Court ruling on the Equality Act, what aspect of Council policy and estates management is it actually assessing to ascertain its liability?
- How much has the Council spent in the last five financial on to-English translation costs from languages other than Welsh?
- What action will the Council take following reports by the Henry Jackson Society that the Ahlul Bhat Society at Cardiff University have shared mourning tributes to the Ayatollah, mass murderer of Iranian citizens and exporter and financier of global Islamist terrorism?
- How many roads in Cardiff have been and will be subject to works removing 20mph roundels as a consequence of the Welsh Government’s 20mph default speed limit law such as that which occurred on Heol Isaf and Bryn Derwen in Radyr? Which roads are these and how much public money was spent on these works?
Answers can be found here on the written questions section of the Council meeting agenda.
Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones – March & April Report
Received by the Web Team on 10 May 2026
Overview
Having waited patiently for the Senedd election to have happened, I know many of you are wondering what will happen next?
The honest answer is I don’t know. I joined Labour in the 1990’s when I was getting really uptight about the dumbing down of the school curriculum. I was teaching very able children who were learning at A Level information I had been taught at what was in those days O Levels, now called GCSEs.
I believed then and I believe now that every child should have a good education. That every child deserves the chance to use their education as a platform from which they can thrive.
There are many of us in this ward, whose parents or grandparents came from hard backgrounds. I remember my Welsh speaking grandparents had a tin bath outside the back door that was brought in and placed in front of the fire to wash the stone dust off my grandfather’s skin. He ended up with emphysema. I remember him gasping for air constantly.
We don’t want to go back to those days. And we all instinctively want to make sure everyone has better, safer working conditions that those that did exist. We are aspirational, we believe in levelling up.
We treasure our green spaces and our blossom laden streets. And weren’t the magnolia stunning this spring but so early.
Whatever the press may tell you about the NHS, there are still dedicated doctors and nurses and paramedics and a host of other posts who go out of their way to help us. My husband had such kind, gentle end-of-life care. Not trying to cover up for corridor care or any of the other appalling situations. There are lots of problems to solve but the heart of the NHS is still strong.
These are things that matter, that we need to nurture and keep.
Am not expecting any major differences in our ward this next year as the Budget has been set. Whether we will get an increased settlement next year from the Senedd as we did this year, remains to be seen but the knock-on effect of this week’s results is unlikely to begin to show until 2028.
Buses
Please remember that if the buses don’t get used, I will have no case to fight when the funding runs out for the extra bus. So please use it.
We did have a Bus Bunny on the 64 the first Saturday after Easter. He went all the way to Ffordd y Berllan to see for himself that the bus does go into Radyr Gardens. The children that turned up loved him. We were sponsored by Pughs Garden Centre, Cardiff Bus and Radyr and Morganstown Community Council. Many thanks to all of them for helping the Bus Bunny reach the heights of Morganstown.
We are going to celebrate National Walking Month by inviting people to catch the 63 to Pentyrch on Monday 18th May where they will be met by a walk leader from Pentyrch Community Council and taken along some of the old roads that still exist in the area. We’re not sure how many people will join us. Please let me know if you’d like to come.
It’s all part of a drive to make sure we make the most of the bus service we now have. If we have a good turn out, we may repeat this during the summer holidays.
Snowdrop Park
The Penrhys Pilgrimage Way Project has shared the funding costs with Radyr and Morganstown Community Council. Hoped this would be done by now but by law you should check if you are in nesting time whether there are any nests in the area you want to work in. There are. So, we will have to be patient and wait till the nesting season is over.
Radyr
Station Road
We have had a meeting with officers from Cardiff Council and Community Council Members and discussed options using some S106 funding to improve the area. We felt the starting point had to be with the officers as they have access to all the information about water pipes and electricity cables etc. We don’t want to promise you something and it isn’t feasible to deliver it. What we are looking for at this stage is what are our options and then we can come back to you with these options and see what you think.
We are very conscious that Station Road and especially the old Spar Shop is not looking like a bi-jou area in Wimbledon although some of the frontages are wonderful. We need to make sure we have that je ne sais pas quoi factor that will bring people to shop here rather than go to shops scheduled to be built in Plasdwr allegedly soon. (But we’ve heard rumours before)
Zebra crossing by Radyr Medical Centre and Christchurch
It happened. It has been improved. Hurray! Looking at its location not sure how long it will be before it starts to deteriorate again but it’s fine now.
Junction between Drysgol Road and Windsor Road and Windsor Avenue.
You’ve asked for a zebra crossing. I have flagged it up with officers and have been given the criterion needed to justify a zebra crossing and we didn’t tick enough boxes. However, I’ve heard there’s going to be a scheme where zebra crossings can just be painted onto a road. Haven’t managed to track the details down yet but think that may be the way forward.
Golf Club Lane
Went and spoke to the contractors working on site. Looks as if all should be well. There is going to be a bus route in that area being developed at present which will enable the bus to turn round. We need to protect cyclists from arguing unintentionally with a bus but think we have found a solution.
Parc Plymouth
If you have a problem, you can email getintouch@plasdwr.co.uk There is also a community fund grant scheme which can be accessed via getintouch@plasdwr.co.uk as well. Haven’t chased up what the status quo is re adoption by the council of the land and roads in Park Plymouth. Know there have been discussions.
Radyr Woods
If you are interested in helping the Radyr Wood Wardens (all volunteers), contact assistantclerk@radyr.wales
Drovers Way Light
We have a solar light in Drover’s Way. Hurray. That’s taken us two years at least to achieve. And we have been amiably persistent. We’re not sure how good it will be in the winter. If it does deliver well, we could look to having some more elsewhere in the ward. The Sidings cut to the Cart Road comes to mind
Old Garden Court
Their communal wheelie bin has had a new wheel! Hopefully their waste will now be collected.
The Sidings
Am hopeful that this year Taylor Wimpey will sort out all the snagging needed so that Cardiff Council can adopt the green area in the centre and the surrounding bits of land. Have seen a workman on site who told me he had a list from TW to put right. Be good to have that sorted.
Fisher Hill Way
The wooden fence beside the railway fence has fallen near Wilde Close. Both of your councillors have tried to sort this out. Thought the land belonged to Persimmon but no, it belongs to a company which only has a name and an address in England on a Companies House search. Have tried communicating. Have had no reply. Some panels have mysteriously been replaced but not all.
Morganstown
Graig Wen
Have asked again for the Bus Stop Sign to be reinstated. Been asked if we could have double yellow lines to protect the wall as you turn into Graig Wen. The process is long. Lots of forms. And costs. Have been and looked at the wall and am not convinced it is a wall of antiquity that ought to be protected forever.
Radyr Rangers (RR) SECOND PRIORITY
Still waiting for TfW to authorise the work for the changing rooms at Mound Field. We have been on site. We have agreed the locations of the new changing rooms. More chasing to do. Never expected it to take so long.
Morganstown Village Hall
The existing trustees would welcome help. Let me know if you are interested.
Quotes have been sought to repair the roof which is great news. Radyr and Morganstown Community Council (RMCC) have offered to add their booking details to the software that RMCC use.
Bryn Melin Woods
Pleased there is now a dog poo litter bin in place. Have asked for some more, including one by the entrance from Heol y Cwm but grateful to have one extra in the area. It’s a start.
Bethel Chapel
Have asked for an update on Bethel Chapel but not had an answer yet.
Radyr and Morganstown
Radyr Comprehensive School Swimming Pool
The intention is to fix the pool over the holidays
Flooding under the M4 bridge
Been told this has been referred to the Flooding Department. Hopefully this summer we will see work being done to improve the drainage there.
Flooding by Pughs Garden Centre
Definite improvement this winter. We need to keep the channels for Cwm Farm stream as clear as possible. Noticed nearly everything the Council did last year to improve the situation has been demolished by the water in the stream. We obviously need to clear the channels several times a year.
Litter Picking
There is an active group of volunteer litter pickers. Please contact peter.fortuneuk@gmail.com for details. Big litter pick happening on Saturday June 14th starting at 10 am. Meet at Morganstown Village Hall Car Park. New volunteers always welcome. Refreshments in the Hub at 11:15 am Thanks to everyone who helps and a big thank you to Peter Fortune for his leadership on litter picking.
Thank you too to all of you who pick up some litter every time you walk your dog. Lots of us picking up a little does make a difference. Throwing litter out of the car, doesn’t fit the idyllic rural image of the area. If you enjoy living here because the place has a lovely feel about it, please don’t throw rubbish or tuck it in the hedgerow or behind electricity boxes.
Dog Poo Please pick it up.
The children from Brynderi have made posters asking and reminding us all to pick up our dog’s poo. They are done and laminated. Just waiting for the children to tell us where we should put the posters for most effect.
I often walk in front of The Thatch into St John Avenue and there are lots of dogs dropping on that piece of grass. I do pick other dog’s poo up. I don’t like picking my own dog’s poos up. So, picking someone else’s dog poo is horrid. And dog poo can carry diseases. Please pick your dog poos up and put them in a litter bin.
I have a Facebook page Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones Do please follow me
Youth Work THIRD PRIORITY
Cardiff Youth Services are working in Radyr Comprehensive and at the Hub in Radyr.
Police Incidents
When we ask for a regular police patrol, we get told there aren’t enough incidents to justify their presence. Please use swp101@south-wales.police.uk and flag up any incident if you witness one.
Parking and Drop off’s by Radyr Comprehensive
There is no easy solution but with the extra buses, if your children can travel to school by bus, please encourage them to do so. Gather some are traveling by the 64 Bus from Ffordd y Berllan. Brilliant news.
Radyr Weir Landing Stage
No change this month.
Other happenings!
Showed the new Head of Parks around the ward in April. Attended Forest Farm to see the work that has been done recently.
I attended the raising of the Commonwealth Flag in Mansion House, Civic Service in Christchurch, the Fete (had collected those Bug Hotels from Mid Wales), the Wine and Cheese event and the Party in the Park and the Cymanfa Ganu. Congratulations and thanks to all those who work so hard in the RMA (Radyr and Morganstown Association) ..membership free! to make the Festival a success. Please volunteer to help us keep the Festival tradition alive and well.
Thanks to the Primary schools Radyr and Brynderi for their contribution to the Fete. Always love watching the Maypole Dancing!
My next Councillor’s surgery will be in Cicchetti’s on June 20th at 10:30 am. The last one I held in Ty Nant was busy and helpful for all of us.