Cardiff Council Update: 26 September 2023

Here is our latest update, covering:

• Cardiff Market Restoration - Heritage Lottery Funding announced
• Secondary School Admissions - applications for September 2024 now open
• Sustainable Studios - former Transport Club refurbished for artist-led creative space

£2.1 million National Lottery Heritage Fund support for Cardiff Market restoration

£2.1 million of funding towards a major restoration of Cardiff's historic Central Market has been secured by Cardiff Council through The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The funding award has been made possible thanks to money raised by National Lottery players.

The proposed restoration of the Grade II* Listed Victorian market is expected to require an investment of approximately £6.5 million. If full funding is secured, the restoration would see original design features revealed, traditional entrances and original stalls restored, the iconic glass roof repaired, and improvements made to the Victorian drainage system.

Repairs would also be made to the H.Samuel market clock, a ‘false floor' installed at the Trinity Street entrance in the 1960s would be removed, and a new activity and education room would be introduced, along with a new 70-seat eating area. The plans also include new energy-efficient LED lighting and roof-mounted solar panels.

Welcoming news of the grant funding, Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas said: "Coming hot on the heels of Cabinet agreeing the plans last week, this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund marks a significant step towards achieving our aim of protecting, preserving and future-proofing Cardiff Market.

"The market has been an important city centre space for small independent traders for almost 130 years, and now welcomes more than two million people through its doors annually. Once full funding is secured, the restoration will ensure it remains the bustling heart of the city for many years to come."

Read more here

Secondary School Applications for September 2024 now open

Applications for secondary school places to start in September 2024 are now open and families are reminded that applying on time and by providing five school preferences, can increase their chances of getting a place at one of their preferred schools.

Cardiff Council's Admissions Team have provided simple step-by-step advice and guidance in the form of 7 tips, to help families who are applying for a school place in Cardiff.

The information is available online and through an animation aimed at children and families, helping to explain how the admissions process works and the importance of using all five preferences available.

Should a family choose to only put one school option for example, they are greatly limiting their chances of securing a preferred school.

It also covers things like;

• the importance of applying on time, by the published application deadline
• the benefits of exploring all the schools in the child's area by visiting their websites and reading their Estyn reports
• making sure the application form includes essential information such as if the child has a sibling at the school or any additional learning, medical or social needs.

Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "It continues to be our intention that every family in Cardiff has the information, support and understanding to help make sure that they are not at a disadvantage when applying for a school place.

"Families are reminded that putting down only one school on their application form does not increase their chance of being accepted to that school. Instead, if they don't take advantage of using all five choices, there is a greater chance that places will be allocated, and they may miss out on one of their preferred schools.

"To help make applying for a school place as fair and straightforward as possible a series of initiatives are in place to promote a more equitable system of allocating school places in Cardiff. This includes our ongoing 7 tips admissions campaign which provides guidance and support to families, making the admissions process simple and transparent so that everyone has the same chance of securing one of their preferred schools."

Read more here

Council secures new home for artist-led space

Makers, creators and creative start-ups working out of studios which are earmarked for development as part of the regeneration of Dumballs Road in Cardiff have secured a new temporary home with help from Cardiff Council.

Sustainable Studios, an artist-led provider of affordable studio space recently signed a three-year lease on a former Transport Club on Tudor Street, providing them with a secure home for the meantime, where they can continue their work.

After carrying out some refurbishment work, the organisation intends to use the site to build on their existing work, and expand their offering for communities and young people, offering:

• Mentoring, internships and work experience placements
• Community workshops, and activities to engage young people
• A small café space
• Maker markets, exhibitions and events
• Event space hire for photoshoots, gigs, filming and community events; as well as
• Affordable Maker and Artist studios

Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: "The success of Cardiff's creative sector is of significant importance to Cardiff both economically and culturally. Sustainable Studios have been one of the lynchpins of Cardiff's creative sector for many years, and I'm delighted we've been able to find a way to help them find a new space so they can continue to thrive in years to come."

"Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: "Empty buildings do nobody any favours, so finding an organisation who can make use of the Transport Club on a temporary basis while we continue to develop a longer-term plan for the site, while also delivering benefits to the local community is good news all round."

Read more here