Friday, February 18, 2005
This Week's Planning Applications
The following planning applications have been received for the Adamsdown ward this week:
05/00326/C: Full Planning Permission
Applicant: P Trewick (Royal Mail), 3rd Floor, Royal Mail, 220 Penarth Road, Cardiff
Proposal: INSTALLATION OF POSTMAN SECURITY CONTAINER FOR TEMPORARY STORAGE OF MAIL.
At: Star Street to side of 52 Piercefield Place, Adamsdown, Cardiff
05/00327/C: Full Planning Permission
Applicant: P Trewick (Royal Mail), 3rd Floor, Royal Mail, 220 Penarth Road, Cardiff
Proposal: INSTALLATION OF POSTMAN SECURITY CONTAINER FOR TEMPORARY STORAGE OF MAIL.
At: Junction of Broadway and Newport Road, Adamsdown, Cardiff
05/00332/C: Full Planning Permission
Applicant: UWIC Estates Services, UWIC Llandaff Campus, Western Avenue, Cardiff
Agent: David Hamley, Wyn Thomas Gordon Lewis Ltd, 21 Park Place, Cardiff
Proposal: PROPOSED RE-ROOFING, LIFT SHAFT AND GROUND FLOOR EXTENSIONS.
At: UWIC Howard Gardens Campus, Howard Gardens, Adamsdown, Cardiff
Further details can be seen at City Hall during normal working hours.
The following planning applications have been received for the Adamsdown ward this week:
05/00326/C: Full Planning Permission
Applicant: P Trewick (Royal Mail), 3rd Floor, Royal Mail, 220 Penarth Road, Cardiff
Proposal: INSTALLATION OF POSTMAN SECURITY CONTAINER FOR TEMPORARY STORAGE OF MAIL.
At: Star Street to side of 52 Piercefield Place, Adamsdown, Cardiff
05/00327/C: Full Planning Permission
Applicant: P Trewick (Royal Mail), 3rd Floor, Royal Mail, 220 Penarth Road, Cardiff
Proposal: INSTALLATION OF POSTMAN SECURITY CONTAINER FOR TEMPORARY STORAGE OF MAIL.
At: Junction of Broadway and Newport Road, Adamsdown, Cardiff
05/00332/C: Full Planning Permission
Applicant: UWIC Estates Services, UWIC Llandaff Campus, Western Avenue, Cardiff
Agent: David Hamley, Wyn Thomas Gordon Lewis Ltd, 21 Park Place, Cardiff
Proposal: PROPOSED RE-ROOFING, LIFT SHAFT AND GROUND FLOOR EXTENSIONS.
At: UWIC Howard Gardens Campus, Howard Gardens, Adamsdown, Cardiff
Further details can be seen at City Hall during normal working hours.
Monday, February 14, 2005
Assembly pledge cash for 2005 event
Following a meeting with Cllr Nigel Howells and Cardiff Council Officers, Welsh Assembly Sports Minister Alun Pugh today pledged to make a “substantial contribution” towards an event marking Cardiff’s 50 years as the country’s capital.
Mr Pugh said that the assembly government was prepared to back a celebration staged over a weekend in the autumn with the aim of appealing to people across Wales.
Councillor Nigel Howells, Cardiff council executive member with responsibility for the 2005 celebrations, said that the meeting with Mr Pugh had been positive.
Read more here.
Following a meeting with Cllr Nigel Howells and Cardiff Council Officers, Welsh Assembly Sports Minister Alun Pugh today pledged to make a “substantial contribution” towards an event marking Cardiff’s 50 years as the country’s capital.
Mr Pugh said that the assembly government was prepared to back a celebration staged over a weekend in the autumn with the aim of appealing to people across Wales.
Councillor Nigel Howells, Cardiff council executive member with responsibility for the 2005 celebrations, said that the meeting with Mr Pugh had been positive.
Read more here.
Important news about the future of the Cardiff Royal Infirmary
I am sure that you will agree with us that there should be medical facilities on the Cardiff Royal Infirmary site, and that the health authorities should never have downgraded the CRI to the extent they have.
Many local residents will remember the sorry recent history of the Cardiff Royal Infirmary, which was downgraded whilst our Labour MP Jon Owen Jones was Welsh Health Minister.
Ever since that point, local Lib Dems have been campaigning for better health facilities on the CRI site. We have collected thousands of petition signatures and presented them to the health authorities, and held many meetings with the people responsible, to try and drive the campaign forward.
After years of campaigning, we are starting to make progress.
The Cardiff Local Health Board have published plans for the future of the Cardiff Royal Infirmary – and we think it is important that local people have their say on the plans.
The plans would move services from other hospitals to the CRI site, including minor injury surgery, some intermediate care beds and out patient services. More details at www.cardifflhb.wales.nhs.uk/
The Community Health Council have set up a number of public meetings to allow members of the public inspect the plans and have their say – the nearest ones are:
Thursday 24th February - St Germans Church Hall, Adamsdown, 9am to 12pm
Thursday 10th March - St Andrews Church Hall, Wellfield Road, 7pm to 9pm
Please come along and have your say on the plans for our local health facilities.
I am sure that you will agree with us that there should be medical facilities on the Cardiff Royal Infirmary site, and that the health authorities should never have downgraded the CRI to the extent they have.
Many local residents will remember the sorry recent history of the Cardiff Royal Infirmary, which was downgraded whilst our Labour MP Jon Owen Jones was Welsh Health Minister.
Ever since that point, local Lib Dems have been campaigning for better health facilities on the CRI site. We have collected thousands of petition signatures and presented them to the health authorities, and held many meetings with the people responsible, to try and drive the campaign forward.
After years of campaigning, we are starting to make progress.
The Cardiff Local Health Board have published plans for the future of the Cardiff Royal Infirmary – and we think it is important that local people have their say on the plans.
The plans would move services from other hospitals to the CRI site, including minor injury surgery, some intermediate care beds and out patient services. More details at www.cardifflhb.wales.nhs.uk/
The Community Health Council have set up a number of public meetings to allow members of the public inspect the plans and have their say – the nearest ones are:
Thursday 24th February - St Germans Church Hall, Adamsdown, 9am to 12pm
Thursday 10th March - St Andrews Church Hall, Wellfield Road, 7pm to 9pm
Please come along and have your say on the plans for our local health facilities.
Friday, February 11, 2005
EXECUTIVE SETS OUT BUDGET
Lib Dem run Cardiff Council is to consider a less than three percent increase in council tax.
The Executive’s budget recommendation, which has to be agreed by the Council, is to approve a 2.93 percent rise in council tax.
The figure, which has taken into account the findings of a wide-ranging consultation process with Cardiff residents, includes an increase of £1.9m in the Fire Service levy – a rise of 13 percent. If the Fire Service increase was at a similar level to the council’s it would have meant a rise of just 1.4 percent in council tax.
The proposed rise, which is below figures for council tax increases recommended by many other Welsh local authorities, would also enable the Council to make efficiency savings of £7.7m.
Leader of Cardiff Council, Councillor Rodney Berman, said: “This recommendation shows that we have listened to the views of the people of Cardiff. When we consulted it was clear that the majority wanted to see improvements in priority areas but also to keep the tax rise as low as possible.
“We have been working hard to come up with this result which has been achieved in part following the Council’s success in lobbying for a change to the Business Rates Incentive scheme and for adjustments to Census calculations.
“This is a proposal which preserves services – delivering much needed improvements in social care - while at the same time ensuring Cardiff can mark the important milestones of celebrating its golden jubilee as the capital of Wales and 100 years as a city.”
Many hundreds of people took part in the major consultation to let the Council know their spending priorities which culminated in an innovative Citizens’ Forum.
The Forum gave a clear message they wanted council tax rises to be kept to a minimum whilst at the same time highlighting the areas where more money should be spent.
Key areas where it is proposed the budget will be spent include providing extra funding for social services and recycling, additional money for schools including for special needs education and tackling the problems of anti-social behaviour and litter.
Councillor Mark Stephens, Executive Member for Economic Development and Finance said: “We have not recommended this budget in isolation but we have listened to views from our political colleagues, from Scrutiny committees and the residents of Cardiff. We have taken all views into account in bringing forward this recommendation.
“This has been a tough financial year for Cardiff with one of the lowest settlements in Wales. It has barely covered inflationary pressures, let alone the additional spending requirements of a European capital, the statutory costs imposed on the authority by the Assembly and the loss of monies for service provision in vital areas such as social care and health. However, we were determined to keep the council tax as low as possible while still protecting services and that has been achieved.
“We have proposed substantial savings of £7.7m which includes a £100,000 cut from Members’ Allowances, a saving of £400,000 on consultants’ fees and £30,000 from hospitality budgets.”
The budget will now go before the full council for approval when it meets later this month.
Lib Dem run Cardiff Council is to consider a less than three percent increase in council tax.
The Executive’s budget recommendation, which has to be agreed by the Council, is to approve a 2.93 percent rise in council tax.
The figure, which has taken into account the findings of a wide-ranging consultation process with Cardiff residents, includes an increase of £1.9m in the Fire Service levy – a rise of 13 percent. If the Fire Service increase was at a similar level to the council’s it would have meant a rise of just 1.4 percent in council tax.
The proposed rise, which is below figures for council tax increases recommended by many other Welsh local authorities, would also enable the Council to make efficiency savings of £7.7m.
Leader of Cardiff Council, Councillor Rodney Berman, said: “This recommendation shows that we have listened to the views of the people of Cardiff. When we consulted it was clear that the majority wanted to see improvements in priority areas but also to keep the tax rise as low as possible.
“We have been working hard to come up with this result which has been achieved in part following the Council’s success in lobbying for a change to the Business Rates Incentive scheme and for adjustments to Census calculations.
“This is a proposal which preserves services – delivering much needed improvements in social care - while at the same time ensuring Cardiff can mark the important milestones of celebrating its golden jubilee as the capital of Wales and 100 years as a city.”
Many hundreds of people took part in the major consultation to let the Council know their spending priorities which culminated in an innovative Citizens’ Forum.
The Forum gave a clear message they wanted council tax rises to be kept to a minimum whilst at the same time highlighting the areas where more money should be spent.
Key areas where it is proposed the budget will be spent include providing extra funding for social services and recycling, additional money for schools including for special needs education and tackling the problems of anti-social behaviour and litter.
Councillor Mark Stephens, Executive Member for Economic Development and Finance said: “We have not recommended this budget in isolation but we have listened to views from our political colleagues, from Scrutiny committees and the residents of Cardiff. We have taken all views into account in bringing forward this recommendation.
“This has been a tough financial year for Cardiff with one of the lowest settlements in Wales. It has barely covered inflationary pressures, let alone the additional spending requirements of a European capital, the statutory costs imposed on the authority by the Assembly and the loss of monies for service provision in vital areas such as social care and health. However, we were determined to keep the council tax as low as possible while still protecting services and that has been achieved.
“We have proposed substantial savings of £7.7m which includes a £100,000 cut from Members’ Allowances, a saving of £400,000 on consultants’ fees and £30,000 from hospitality budgets.”
The budget will now go before the full council for approval when it meets later this month.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Roath Library
Roath Library will be closed on Thursday 10th February. This will allow new technology to be installed and staff training to be undertaken. No customers will be penalised for late returns as a result of the closure.
We are confident that this will result in an improved service to users.
Agate Street
An order is soon to be made to revoke the Disabled Persons' Parking Place outside No 16 Agate Street. This is beacause the space is no longer used by the original applicant.
Roath Library will be closed on Thursday 10th February. This will allow new technology to be installed and staff training to be undertaken. No customers will be penalised for late returns as a result of the closure.
We are confident that this will result in an improved service to users.
Agate Street
An order is soon to be made to revoke the Disabled Persons' Parking Place outside No 16 Agate Street. This is beacause the space is no longer used by the original applicant.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Moira Terrace To Be Re-Surfaced
Hot on the heels of other roads in the West Adamsdown area, Moira Terrace is now going to be re-surfaced.
The work is programmed to start on Wednesday 9th February and should take 2 days, subject to weather conditions.
Hot on the heels of other roads in the West Adamsdown area, Moira Terrace is now going to be re-surfaced.
The work is programmed to start on Wednesday 9th February and should take 2 days, subject to weather conditions.
Friday, February 04, 2005
This Week's Planning Applications
The following planning applications have been received for the Adamsdown ward this week:
05/00210/C: Full Planning Permission
Applicant: Ms J Khan, 28 Sandringham Road, Penylan, Cardiff
Agent: Mark Taylor, 29 Berrymead, Cyncoed, Cardiff
Proposal: CHANGE OF USE FROM THREE BED HOUSE INTO 2 NO. ONE BED APARTMENTS AND ADDITION OF BALCONY AT FIRST FLOOR REAR.
At: 51 Emerald Street, Adamsdown, Cardiff
05/00213/C: Certificate of Lawful Use - Existing
Applicant: Simon Jefferson, Bedok House, High Road, Ashton Keynes, Swindon
Proposal: EXISTING USE AS 2 FLATS.
At: 13 Adamsdown Square, Adamsdown, Cardiff
Further details can be found by visiting City Hall during normal office hours.
The following planning applications have been received for the Adamsdown ward this week:
05/00210/C: Full Planning Permission
Applicant: Ms J Khan, 28 Sandringham Road, Penylan, Cardiff
Agent: Mark Taylor, 29 Berrymead, Cyncoed, Cardiff
Proposal: CHANGE OF USE FROM THREE BED HOUSE INTO 2 NO. ONE BED APARTMENTS AND ADDITION OF BALCONY AT FIRST FLOOR REAR.
At: 51 Emerald Street, Adamsdown, Cardiff
05/00213/C: Certificate of Lawful Use - Existing
Applicant: Simon Jefferson, Bedok House, High Road, Ashton Keynes, Swindon
Proposal: EXISTING USE AS 2 FLATS.
At: 13 Adamsdown Square, Adamsdown, Cardiff
Further details can be found by visiting City Hall during normal office hours.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Students Set To Kick Out Labour Locally
Students can decide the fate of MPs in some seats at the next election, Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has claimed.
The party says the votes of students can win it 27 new seats at the poll – including Cardiff Central.
The Lib Dems say scrapping university fees wins them student support.
'Make a difference'
The Lib Dems have named the 14 seats where there are enough students to take the Lib Dems from second place to beat Labour, and the 13 where they could go from second to beat the Tories.
Launching his campaign to win students' votes at the London School of Economics, Mr Kennedy urged students to "make their mark".
He underlined Lib Dem plans to scrap university fees and reintroduce maintenance grants of up to £2,000.
He said: "Top-up fees put students off university, especially those from a poorer background.
"And is it really right that so many young people are starting out in life with mortgage-style debts hanging round their necks?"
Mr Kennedy also said students want action on the environment and see the Iraq war, which his party opposed, as a defining issue.
Although the expected 5 May election would be during term time, students can vote by post.
The Electoral Commission and National Union of Students are worried students in halls of residence can find it hard to register to vote.
Some hall wardens are reluctant to register students because of data protection fears - but students can get themselves registered.
If the election is on 5 May, voters need to register by 11 March.
The seats where the Lib Dems say student votes can swing the election for them are:
Bristol West, Cardiff Central, Leeds North West, Cambridge, Manchester Gorton, Sheffield Central, Oxford East, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central, Liverpool Riverside, Holborn and St Pancras, Oldham East and Saddleworth, Manchester Withington, Islington South and Finsbury, Birmingham Yardley, Surrey South West, Taunton, Orpington, Haltemprice and Howden, Eastbourne, Isle of Wight, Dorset West, Bournemouth East, Wells, Canterbury, Cities of London and Westminster, Bournemouth West, Westmorland and Lonsdale.
Students can decide the fate of MPs in some seats at the next election, Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has claimed.
The party says the votes of students can win it 27 new seats at the poll – including Cardiff Central.
The Lib Dems say scrapping university fees wins them student support.
'Make a difference'
The Lib Dems have named the 14 seats where there are enough students to take the Lib Dems from second place to beat Labour, and the 13 where they could go from second to beat the Tories.
Launching his campaign to win students' votes at the London School of Economics, Mr Kennedy urged students to "make their mark".
He underlined Lib Dem plans to scrap university fees and reintroduce maintenance grants of up to £2,000.
He said: "Top-up fees put students off university, especially those from a poorer background.
"And is it really right that so many young people are starting out in life with mortgage-style debts hanging round their necks?"
Mr Kennedy also said students want action on the environment and see the Iraq war, which his party opposed, as a defining issue.
Although the expected 5 May election would be during term time, students can vote by post.
The Electoral Commission and National Union of Students are worried students in halls of residence can find it hard to register to vote.
Some hall wardens are reluctant to register students because of data protection fears - but students can get themselves registered.
If the election is on 5 May, voters need to register by 11 March.
The seats where the Lib Dems say student votes can swing the election for them are:
Bristol West, Cardiff Central, Leeds North West, Cambridge, Manchester Gorton, Sheffield Central, Oxford East, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central, Liverpool Riverside, Holborn and St Pancras, Oldham East and Saddleworth, Manchester Withington, Islington South and Finsbury, Birmingham Yardley, Surrey South West, Taunton, Orpington, Haltemprice and Howden, Eastbourne, Isle of Wight, Dorset West, Bournemouth East, Wells, Canterbury, Cities of London and Westminster, Bournemouth West, Westmorland and Lonsdale.
Clifton Street Regeneration
Clifton Street Shopping Centre has suffered decline over recent years. Although excluded from the West Adamsdown Renewal Area, the Council has investigated other sources of funding for regeneration of Clifton Street which resulted in a submission to the Welsh Assembly Government ("WAG").
WAG has provided funding of £60,000 towards appointing consultants to undertake feasibility work to identify proposals for improvements on the street.
The role of the consultants will be to:
- Evaluate the current situation in terms of buildings and parking;
- Look at options for improving the traffic, shopfronts and general look of the street;
- Organise a consultation exercise with local residents and traders; and
- Prepare a strategy to ensure the long term viability of the street.
Following this, further funding will be sought to implement these proposals and a further application will be made to WAG.
On 26th January 2005, the Adamsdown Forum Business Sub Group met with traders and Council Officers. The meeting was well attended by traders, who expressed an interest in being further involved in the regeneration proposals,
It is hoped that the consultants will be appointed by the end of February 2005 with plans for the regeneration appearing this Summer.
As ever, we will keep you informed of progress.
Clifton Street Shopping Centre has suffered decline over recent years. Although excluded from the West Adamsdown Renewal Area, the Council has investigated other sources of funding for regeneration of Clifton Street which resulted in a submission to the Welsh Assembly Government ("WAG").
WAG has provided funding of £60,000 towards appointing consultants to undertake feasibility work to identify proposals for improvements on the street.
The role of the consultants will be to:
- Evaluate the current situation in terms of buildings and parking;
- Look at options for improving the traffic, shopfronts and general look of the street;
- Organise a consultation exercise with local residents and traders; and
- Prepare a strategy to ensure the long term viability of the street.
Following this, further funding will be sought to implement these proposals and a further application will be made to WAG.
On 26th January 2005, the Adamsdown Forum Business Sub Group met with traders and Council Officers. The meeting was well attended by traders, who expressed an interest in being further involved in the regeneration proposals,
It is hoped that the consultants will be appointed by the end of February 2005 with plans for the regeneration appearing this Summer.
As ever, we will keep you informed of progress.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Elms Centre
Nigel and John visited the Elms Centre on Four Elms Road yesterday afternoon.
The building has been empty for many years and has been cause for concern amongst local residents and worshippers of the church next door.
After discussions with Council Officers and members of the Trinity Methodist Church who also attended, the following actions were agreed:
- Council Officers will arrange for the external of the building to be inspected to ensure it is safe; and
- Council Officers will contact the Artists Group that had previously expressed interest in the building to see what their current position is.
It would be good to see the building back in use again, possibly as a community facility. As ever, we will keep you posted.
Nigel and John visited the Elms Centre on Four Elms Road yesterday afternoon.
The building has been empty for many years and has been cause for concern amongst local residents and worshippers of the church next door.
After discussions with Council Officers and members of the Trinity Methodist Church who also attended, the following actions were agreed:
- Council Officers will arrange for the external of the building to be inspected to ensure it is safe; and
- Council Officers will contact the Artists Group that had previously expressed interest in the building to see what their current position is.
It would be good to see the building back in use again, possibly as a community facility. As ever, we will keep you posted.
