March 2024 – 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 2024
Budget
The Labour-run Council has increased council tax for the forthcoming year by 6%. I voted against this and was proud to present an alternative budget on behalf of my party that would have seen an increase of less than half this which follows our proposal of a straight freeze last year. Our plans would have seen less tax without loss of services, with a focus on addressing transport issues in the city, including moving money from cycle lanes into potholes, pavements, and bus infrastructure. I am also pleased that through pressure from my party and public opposition – especially in Radyr & Morganstown – we saw the Council abandon plans to cut street cleaning, public bins, and the hubs.
Recycling
I have had many reports about the deficiencies of the new recycling regime following the next stage of its rollout in the ward, namely about segregated rubbish going into the same section of the recycling truck and the litter being strewn as bins are decanted. I raised this at full Council but was simply told these were teething problems. I believe residents deserve a better answer and will continue to hold the Cabinet to account on the recycling regime.
Transport for Wales compound
I know that TfW’s compound has proven a huge burden on some residents nearby. I have been informed that they were due to leave the site and begin its restoration in March. This has been delayed and I’m in the process of ascertaining why, with new deadlines in place. Whilst the improvements to our railways were much-needed, it is clear that the way TfW has gone about their operations has had a huge consequences on residents’ well-being. I am aware of similar issues in The Sidings and have reported this to TfW.
State of Morganstown road
Many residents have been in touch about the state of the road between Pugh’s and The Laurels nursery in Morganstown. This has been reported and I am informed that it has been scheduled for resurfacing. I await further details on timelines.
School Admissions 2025/26
The School Admission Arrangements 2025-2026 were considered by the Council Cabinet at its meeting on 21 March 2024. At this meeting the Cabinet agreed the School Admission Arrangements 2025-2026 as set out in the Admission Policy 2025-2026. Details can be found on the Council website via the link: cardiff.gov.uk/admissionarrangements. If you have any queries regarding this please contact the Schools Organisation Programme Team on 029 2087 2720 or via email at SchoolResponses@cardiff.gov.uk
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:
- Which secondary schools in Cardiff do not have single-sex toilets and which ones have applied for funding to rectify this given it is against requirement of The School Premises Regulations 1999?
- What steps is the Council taking to assess the success and public approval of the new recycling regime?
- What solutions have been identified for the rollout of the new recycling regime to HMOs, flats, and houses converted into flats?
- Please provide details of S106 funding available for Radyr & Morganstown that has not been earmarked for other projects yet.
- What timeline has Transport for Wales provided on its activity in Morganstown?
Answers can be found here on the written questions section of the Council meeting agenda.
Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones – March Report
Received by the Web Team on 5 April 2024
Radyr
Drover’s Way
We are still waiting for weather dry enough to welcome Horizon back to do the reinstating work needed on the disturbed ground by the new play area. We are still trying to get lights for the path. This may have to be done in stages, but it is beginning to look as if the darkest corner will be lit by autumn.
Station Road
We had a meeting in March. We have started exploring the idea of animals from the Taff Trail as being a feature in the shop windows which could be lit up in the evening. Hoping we will have one window with some animals by the Festival.
Cae’r Graig
The enormous puddle that appears by the junction with Coed y Llyn has been reported and so have the very wobbly paving stones.
Pentwyn
This winter the drainage put in for the path has not been able to cope with the incessant rain. The Park is managed and owned by Radyr and Morganstown Community Council. Last information I received was that the grids were going to be lifted and the drainage channels under them checked for blockages. Pleased to notice that the path was dry when we had two almost completely dry days.
Play area between Walnut Tree Close and Ash Tree Close
We are missing the quiet work done by Dr Ralph Vaughan who for many years kept the path between the two Closes swept. Sadly, Ralph is no longer with us.
Have reported that the drain on the footpath is blocked with mud.
Have also reported that the grid across the stream needs to be cleared. We know from previous occasions that if the grid is kept clean, the field between the Closes dries out faster.
Plasdŵr
Odour at Clos Parc Radur
No complaints received in March.
Lon Pererinion
Redrow informed Cllr Davies and I this week that they have reached the pricing stage for making up the road surfaces. Hopefully this means that we will see progress soon.
Clos Harry Corner
This now has a new sign saying Clos Harry Corner and an older sign saying 2-20 Clos Harry Corner. Incredibly because Redrow built 1 Clos Harry Corner, Bellway only installed a sign for the houses they had built. Looking forward to seeing the old sign go.
Morganstown
Radyr Rangers (RR) SECOND PRIORITY
Huge amount has been happening behind the scenes. The first grant applications to improve their facilities have been submitted.
Bethel Chapel
This has been sold. The buyer wishes to convert the chapel into a residence. There are already signs of work going on. Think we all wish the buyer every happiness, and we are all looking forward to seeing Bethel Chapel looking cared for again. The graveyard is still a “live” graveyard.
Throughout Radyr and Morganstown
Buses FIRST PRIORITY
Haven’t forgotten. Some of the RLDP work should be helpful.
I have a Facebook page Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones
Replacement Local Development Plan
We won’t know whether our concerns have been allayed until later on this year.
Recycling
It’s been rolled out. We are still getting pockets not collected. Do please go on-line to Cardiff Council’s Web site and leave a message if your recycling or rubbish has not been collected. Several of you have noticed that after bothering to separate the recycling carefully, the lorry that comes round does not have a separate compartment for each type of recycling.
This is exasperating but the Council needs to raise the amount recycled quickly or it will face a £2 million fine. This means that although not everything was in place to roll out the recycling as smoothly as we would all wish, the Council has had to make a start. The good news is that the Council has significantly raised the amount of recycling because of our efforts and the Council is working to improve its fleet of recycling lorries as fast as possible. However, it’s also important to know there are some streets that are so narrow, the Council has to send in smaller lorries. Not sure how they will resolve that with time but know they will be trying to sort that out too.
Library/ Hub
Thank you to all involved with putting on activities for school children over the holidays. More youngsters are discovering that the library does have activities on offer for them. This Easter the storytelling was very popular but I have been reliably told that the Easter Egg Hunt was the favourite activity.
Youth Work THIRD PRIORITY
Cardiff Youth Services CYS are coming into the ward and interacting with our youngsters. There are sessions in Radyr Library on Monday and Thursday evening. They start back on Monday April 8th 6pm -9pm and Thursday April 11th 3:15 pm -7pm. There are a range of activities available for the youngsters, including just chatting to their friends, but I noticed some youngsters are taking advantage of a quiet space to do their homework.
Flooding under the M4 bridge
Know the drainage is going to be checked. Hoping it will sort our flooding problems out.
Police and Crime Commissioner elections will be on Thursday 2 May 2024.
Make sure you have the right Voter’s ID. You will need photo ID. Last date to apply for free voter ID is Wednesday 24th April. Go to electoralcommission.org.uk choose Wales to check you have the right photo ID.
Emma Wools, the Labour candidate for the PCC came across extremely well when I heard her speak recently.
Committees
I attended the Environment Scrutiny Committee and the Economic Scrutiny Committee in March.
Radyr and Morganstown Festival
Tickets will be available in Station Road Saturday 6th, 13th and 20th April 9:30 am to 12:30pm. There is also a Box Office in MGY Estate Agents until the day before the event. You can also find information and book tickets on https://rmfestival.org.uk
Councillor’s Surgery
Next Councillor’s surgery 27 April 10:30 am-11:30 at Chiccetti’s