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Cardiff Council Update: 16 May 2023
Here is our latest update, covering: consultation on roads proposed to keep 30mph limit; developer loan scheme for fire safety work; it's Foster Care Fortnight; and Dementia Friendly Cardiff festival this Thursday.
Public asked to give their views on roads proposed to stay at 30mph
A public consultation on roads that could remain at 30mph when the new 20mph default speed limit for residential areas comes into force in September 2023, runs from Monday May 15th until June 7th.
Cardiff residents will be able to view an online map showing the roads which are currently proposed as exceptions to the national 20mph legislation. These are generally main arterial routes into the city.
Residents are asked to return their views on the proposed 30mph exemptions proposed by the council by June 7th by emailing:
roadtrafficorderobjections@cardiff.gov.uk
All comments on the exemptions will be considered before a final decision is made. Comments on the change in law to move to a 20mph national default position will not be considered, as the law has already been passed by the Senedd.
The decision to make 20mph the ‘default national position in residential areas' in Wales was made in July 2022 by the Senedd and the law will come into force on September 17th, 2023. The role of the council, as the highway authority, is to ensure that the statutory processes required are followed, any subsequent legal changes are made, and the signage on street is changed where necessary.
Council leading on loan scheme for critical fire safety works
Cardiff Council is developing a loan scheme to ensure developers of high and medium-rise apartment blocks across Wales can carry out critical fire safety works as quickly as possible, helping to ensure residents feel safe and secure in their own homes.
The Council would operate the £20m Welsh Building Safety Developer Loan Scheme, providing interest free loans to eligible developers in Wales. The Council is best placed to undertake this role as a significant number of the buildings likely to be in scope are in Cardiff.
Developers who wish to take advantage of this offer will rightly be expected to pay back every penny of funding to the public purse within five years.
Following the tragedy at Grenfell, the Welsh Government has made significant progress to identify fire safety issues in Welsh residential medium and high-rise buildings, with the focus on all residential buildings of 11 metres and over in height. As well as remediating buildings in the social sector; addressing orphan buildings and in developing a leaseholder support scheme, designed to help people in Wales who are in or facing significant financial hardship as a direct result of fire safety issues.
This new loan will build on that activity and be available to participant developers who have signed up to Welsh Government's Pact, agreeing their intention to fund and undertake all necessary remediation as quickly as reasonably possible to address life-critical fire-safety defects in these buildings.
Welsh Government wants to ensure that any reasons for delay are minimised, and developers are able to carry out works as swiftly as possible.
The scheme will remove any potential delays developers may face while financing is arranged to address matters such as compartmentalisation, fire breaks and fire doors as well as cladding risks.
Purple rays across the city as Cardiff illuminates for Foster Care Fortnight 2023
In celebration of Cardiff's dedicated foster carers and to mark the start of Foster Care Fortnight, two of the city's most iconic buildings will shine brightly this May.
Awash with purple light, the colour of Cardiff's Foster Service - City Hall and the walls of the castle will glow at night between Monday, May 15th through to Sunday, May 28th .
Organised by The Fostering Network, Foster Care Fortnight provides a chance to highlight the work carried out by foster carers and fostering professionals in helping find loving homes for young people when they need it most.
In Cardiff, the two-week period will see a city-wide advertising campaign using public transport and outdoor billboards to promote opportunities to foster with the council and raise awareness of the benefits of fostering with your local authority.
A series of events will take place across the city promoting the work of the foster care team and encouraging people to join the thousands of new foster families who are needed every year to care for Cardiff's children.
Anyone interested in fostering can come along and talk to the team about how to make a real difference to a child's life at any of the following events:
Thursday 18th May at Fairwater Hub 2pm - 4pm
Friday 19th May Rhydypennau Hub 10am - 12pm
Saturday 20th May St David's Shopping Centre (Atrium) 9.30am - 7pm
Sunday 21st May Cardiff Castle 10am - 2pm
Monday 22ndMay St. Mellons Hub 10am - 12pm
Tuesday 23rd May Waitrose Pontprennau 10am - 2pm
Wednesday 24th May Llandeyrn Power House Hub 10am - 12pm
Thursday 25th May Llanishen Hub 10am - 12pm
Friday 26th May Butetown Pavilion 10am - 12pm
Sunday 28th May St David's Shopping Centre (Atrium) 10am - 5pm
Dementia Friendly Cardiff festival marks Dementia Action Week
A Dementia Friendly Cardiff Festival will be held at Llanover Hall next week, part of the city's Dementia Action Week activities.
The event on Thursday, May 18th , 11am - 3pm will be an opportunity for people with dementia and their carers to find out more about services available to them, as well as a chance to take part in some fun activities.
Watercolour, creative writing and sewing taster sessions, seated yoga and more will be on offer for people to try out. A range of organisations and services to support people living with dementia and their families, including the Council's own Telecare and Meals on Wheels services, Independent Living Services who will be demonstrating the online support assessment website - Ask Sara, Care and Repair Cardiff and Vale and Age Cymru will be available to share information and advice.
Dementia Action Week (May 15th - 21st) is Alzheimer's Society's biggest and longest running awareness campaign. Each year, individuals and organisations across the UK are encouraged to ‘act on dementia'.
Dementia Friendly Cardiff is a partnership between Cardiff Council, Alzheimer's Society Cymru and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, working to make Cardiff a Dementia Friendly city. The movement encourages and supports organisations, local businesses and community groups in the city to become more dementia friendly and provide better support for people living with dementia and their families.
