Capital plans ‘sailing and big matches’
CARDIFF Council’s new cabinet has laid out its plans for its term in charge – and they include more Champions League-style events, a beach and sailing returning to Llanishen reservoir.
For the first time since they were elected on May 4 the councillors who make up the cabinet have said publicly what they hope to achieve.
Each cabinet member has drawn up at least an A4 list of things they want to accomplish.
Some are continuing either their own or their Labour predecessors’ plans, while others have totally new policies.
New cabinet member Caro Wild has some of the most ambitious policies.
His pledges include the Metro, cycling super-highways which give cyclists more direct routes, and upgrading the Taff Trail, Bay Loop and Castle Street.
He also says he will roll out more 20mph zones and promises to look at the car-free day, car-sharing or car clubs. He also promises to put money into road repairs.
The city’s longest-serving councillor, Russell Goodway, took the investment and development portfolio.
His promises are to “refresh” Cardiff Bay with the “possible creation of a permanent beach-style facility” and to “revitalise” the International Sports Village.
He has also pledged to deliver a new bus station and to grow the city centre as a “new business district and gateway to Wales” to the north and south of Cardiff Central station.
Peter Bradbury kept his culture and leisure brief. He says he wants to attract more events like the Champions League final to the city.
He has repeated a pledge to “explore a bid for European Capital of Culture” and “secure the future of live music in Womanby Street”.
However, his pledge to restore sailing to Llanishen reservoir will be popular with campaigners in the north of the city.
Lynda Thorne returned to the cabinet in May with the housing portfolio.
She said that while the council has already committed to building new council homes she wants to “go further”.
She has pledged to build 1,000 new council homes and continues the pledge to deliver 6,500 affordable homes by 2026 as part of the Local Development Plan.
A new policy to move homeless people straight into homes is also promised.
She has said she will continue the regeneration of Maelfa, where building work is well under way, and the hub system, where a number of council services are all put under one roof.
Michael Michael also returned to the cabinet after an absence under Coun Bale. He has the environment portfolio. His pledges are similar to those under Bob Derbyshire. It includes a “zero tolerance” approach to fly-tipping, continuing the council’s Love Where You Live campaign, and boosting recycling rates.
The council has to meet ambitious Welsh Government recycling targets or face a hefty fine.
He also pledges to “explore options” for a new household waste centre in north Cardiff. There has been stiff opposition to the planned closure of Wedal Road.
He also repeats the pledge for more “reuse” centres, where good-quality items are sold on rather than being scrapped.
Graham Hinchey kept his cabinet position but was moved from finance to the children and families portfolio.
He promises to recruit more social workers, and reduce the number of children who need to be looked after by the council.