Here is the latest update from Cardiff Council, covering: Afghan nationals welcomed to Cardiff and Wales by City Leader; the Zero Carbon Tour is coming to Cardiff; Cardiff's COVID-19 case and test numbers; vaccination totals for Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan; and Cardiff's cycleway 1 expansion works set for Cathays Terrace.

Afghan nationals welcomed to Cardiff and Wales by City Leader

Afghan families, who had to leave their homes behind as they fled the Taliban when their government collapsed, have been welcomed to Wales and Cardiff by the Leader of Cardiff Council.

All of these families have connections to Welsh elements of the Armed Forces having worked with or alongside our troops in Afghanistan.

Forty families began arriving in Wales yesterday where they join 10 other Afghan families who have already been welcomed to Wales.

Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: "These families have been forced to leave their homes in fear of their lives, while fleeing the Taliban. It's hard for most of us to imagine just what they've been through. So, for me, it's a privilege to be able to welcome them to Wales and to Cardiff. Cardiff Council has been working behind the scenes all along to ensure we were ready to play our part, alongside all our partners, in alleviating this terrible crisis.

"Cardiff has a long and proud history of welcoming people of all races and creeds to Wales' capital city and we will do everything in our power to ensure these families feel that welcome from day one of their arrival. Many of these families will build new lives across Wales and some will build new lives in the Welsh capital. We welcome them all, knowing that they will soon become important and valued members of our vibrant, multi-cultural community."

The forty families, who have just arrived, will be homed temporarily in accommodation, funded by the Home Office, until they are found new homes across Wales. Each local authority in Wales has committed to taking Afghan nationals and this work is part of a Wales-led response to the crisis.

Cllr Thomas added: "We have been working for some time with Welsh Government, the Home Office and partners, including the health board, the police and others to ensure we play our part in getting this scheme up and running.  Cardiff Council has played a lead role with officers involved from the outset, working on the planning and setting up of arrangements and our teams will be on hand to welcome families that arrive in Cardiff.

"The council will also continue to play a key role, working with families on a daily basis throughout their stay here, providing help and services. Many of these people are highly skilled having worked and directly supported Wales-based and Wales-facing Armed Forces units in Afghanistan over the past 20 years."

The Home Office is meeting accommodation costs and councils will receive full financial support to provide integration and general resettlement support. Welsh Government and the Welsh Local Government Association will lead on the co-ordination and placing of families with all Welsh Local Authorities in line with their commitment to ARAP (Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy).

Cllr Thomas, said: "I'm sure you will all join me in welcoming these families to Wales and will be as proud as I am that we are doing everything we can to help them find a new home and start a new life in Wales - a nation they are already connected with through the work they have done alongside our armed forces. As a city, Cardiff continues to make a significant contribution towards the UK's humanitarian responsibilities to asylum seekers and refugees. This includes hosting one of the highest number of people seeking sanctuary per head of any local authority in the UK.

"Cardiff has also participated in the UK's refugee resettlement schemes since their creation and has consistently delivered on our annual resettlement commitments under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme and the United Kingdom Resettlement Scheme.

"Finally, we have been truly heartened by the outpouring of generosity that the people of Wales have shown in wanting to support those arriving from Afghanistan. We want everyone to be able to play their part in the Nation of Sanctuary vision. Right now we are working exceptionally hard with partners to prepare for new arrivals and donations - though well-meaning - may not be able to be received and processed at the moment. However, Welsh Government is working with local authorities and migrant support charities to try to find an efficient and effective way to use these kind offers. All local authorities are working to identify available properties which can be used to accommodate those who have been evacuated. We appreciate the numerous generous offers to give someone shelter in their own homes, but our main need is larger family properties at this time."

The Zero Carbon Tour is coming to Cardiff

On Friday, 17^thSeptember, Cardiff plays host to the Zero Carbon Tour, which is making its way around the UK, sharing the net zero message with the business community, before finishing at Glasgow in time for COP 26 in November.

Next Friday's Cardiff stop off includes an event taking place at St David's Hall. Named  Cardiff's Roadmap to Net Zero, it will look at the concept of net zero carbon, and why that is so critical for businesses in this #DecadeOfAction.

Cardiff's Roadmap to Net Zero is a free event, and places can be registered online here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cardiff-roadmap-to-net-zero-zero-carbon-tour-tickets-167865039853

The UK's first 100% electric coach, known as the ‘Carbon Battle Bus', will be there on the day, and guests can find out more about the UN-backed Race to Zero campaign, hear Carbon Stories, and share ideas with local people, organisations and community groups.

Attendees are encouraged to cycle to the event, where Dr Bike sessions will be available, offering bicycle safety checks and tune-ups.

There is further information about the Zero Carbon Tour events, and an opportunity to make a net zero pledge, online at:

www.zerocarbontour.com

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Cardiff Cases and Tests - 7 Days Data (30 August - 05 September)

Based on latest figures from Public Health Wales

Data correct as of:

09 September 2021, 09:00

Cases: 1,631

Cases per 100,000 population: 444.5 (Wales: 522.7 cases per 100,000 population)

Testing episodes: 10,163

Testing per 100,000 population: 2,769.9

Positive proportion: 16.0% (Wales: 19.1% positive proportion)

Cardiff & Vale University Health Board Vaccination Status Update - 9 September

The total number of vaccination doses given by the Cardiff & Vale University Health Board so far, in both local authority areas:  707,298 (1^stDose: 369,224 2^ndDose: 338,074)

• 80 and over: 20,577 / 94.6% (1^stDose) 20,304 / 93.3% (2^ndDose)
• 75-79: 15,059 / 96.3% (1^stDose) 14,861 / 95.1% (2^ndDose)
• 70-74: 21,448 / 95.7% (1^stDose) 21,311 / 95.1% (2^ndDose)
• 65-69: 21,957 / 94.2% (1^stDose) 21,672 / 93% (2^ndDose)
• 60-64: 26,022 / 92.3% (1^stDose) 25,669 / 91.1% (2^ndDose)
• 55-59: 29,357 / 90.2% (1^stDose) 28,801 / 88.5% (2^ndDose)
• 50-54: 28,996 / 87.8% (1^stDose) 28,242 / 85.5% (2^ndDose)
• 40-49: 55,260 / 81.5% (1^stDose) 53,008 / 78.2% (2^ndDose)
• 30-39: 60,288 / 75.2% (1^stDose) 55,738 / 69.5% (2^ndDose)
• 18-29: 79,196 / 76.3% (1^stDose) 68,962 / 66.4% (2^ndDose)
• 16-17: 3,812 / 70.1% (1^stDose) 280 / 5.1% (2^ndDose)

• Care home residents: 1,857 / 98.5% (1^stDose) 1,834 / 97.3% (2^ndDose)
• Clinically extremely vulnerable: 11,344 / 93.7% (1^stDose) 11,063 / 91.4% (2^ndDose)
• Underlying Health Conditions: 46,251 / 90% (1^stDose) 44,484 / 86.5% (2^ndDose)

Data provided by CAVUHB

Based on the figures available at the time of publication. Please note that there may be minor amendments to data as it is validated over time.

Cardiff's cycleway 1 expansion works set for Cathays Terrace

Works to extend a key Cardiff cycleway, which will run from Cathays to the Heath Hospital, are due to begin on Monday, September 13.

Cycleway 1 will be extended from St Andrew's Crescent and Senghennydd Road along Cathays Terrace, in the second phase of works to deliver a strategic cycleway on one of the city's main commuter routes.

The route will link some of the most densely populated areas in Wales with the city centre and some of the city's busiest destinations, Cardiff University, Sherman Theatre, Cathays train station and the UHW site and several shopping areas. The route also passes several primary schools and a public library.

Enabling works will start on Cathays Terrace on Monday, September 13th, and will continue through the autumn of 2022. When fully completed this new, two-way, segregated cycleway will extend the existing route on St Andrew's Crescent and Senghennydd Road up to the University Hospital of Wales, via Whitchurch Road, Allensbank Road and King George V Drive.

The planned works follow a public consultation with residents. Local councillors and residents living on Cathays Terrace have been informed and replacement parking will be provided for permit holders on nearby side streets while the works take place.

Read more here:

https://www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk/releases/c25/27464.html