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Cardiff Council Update: 01 August 2023

Here is our latest update, covering: Travel advice for Wales vs England on August 5th in Cardiff; Independent living to meet older people's needs and aspirations; Bright Start to positive futures; Words of encouragement and advice to the class of 2023.

 

Travel advice for Wales vs England on August 5th in Cardiff

Wales will be taking on England on Saturday August 5that Principality Stadium.

With the kick-off taking place at 5.30pm - there will be a full city centre road closure from 1.30pm until 9.30pm to ensure all ticket holders can get into and out of the stadium safely.

Castle Street will remain closed until midnight so that those leaving the Tom Jones concert at Cardiff Castle can leave safely.

The M4 motorway and surrounding Trunk Road Network is expected to be very busy for this event - please plan ahead - and avoid the congestion in Cardiff by using the Park & Ride facility at County Hall, in Cardiff Bay. For up to date traffic information on the motorway and trunk roads go to the  Traffic Wales website,  or @TrafficWalesS on Twitter and Facebook.

Gates open at 3.15pm, those attending the rugby match are strongly advised to plan their journey and get in early. Please pay attention to the prohibited items listed at principalitystadium.wales,  in particular the bag policy (no large bags permitted) before travelling into the city.

Read more here

 

Independent living to meet older people's needs and aspirations

Construction is set to begin on the development of two new Community Living Schemes that will provide flexible, sustainable, low-carbon accommodation for older residents to help maintain their independence in their own homes for longer.

A total of 86 new council apartments, that form part of the Council's ambitious housing development programme, will be delivered across the two schemes in Butetown and on Leckwith Road. As well as boosting the supply of much-needed council homes in the city, the two schemes will also deliver a range of community-focussed facilities for the local areas.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: "I'm really very excited to see both these schemes, that will provide more high quality, sustainable and affordable new homes, starting on site. They are in excellent locations for older people to stay connected to their communities, in areas where we need more good quality council homes.

"Both developments are part of an £150m investment programme, building new council homes for older people across the city and part of our wider plans to deliver 2,700 new council homes over coming years. We'll be delivering 600 new apartments across 10 Community Living Schemes for over 55s and the first one of these brand new schemes, Addison House on the Aspen Grove site in Rumney, will welcome residents later this year. 

"As a member of the World Health Organization's Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities and with an ambition for Cardiff to be a great place to grow older, it's important that the new homes we're building not only meet the needs of older residents when they move in but also as their needs change as they grow older.

"With both the Bute St and Leckwith Road scheme, residents will have high quality accommodation and access to first-class facilities to help maintain their independence, foster a sense of community and encourage social interaction."

Read more here

 

Bright Start to positive futures

The achievements of a group of young people on a council traineeship programme have been celebrated in a special presentation event this week.

Around 45 young people attended the event at County Hall that recognised their success on the Bright Start scheme - a programme that provides training and work placement opportunities for Children Looked After and young people leaving care across a range of businesses and organisations in Cardiff, including a variety of roles in the local authority.

One trainee said: "Since starting the Bright Start project I feel it has changed my life by helping make it easier to find a job or to be able to find somewhere to learn the skills needed for the job I want to do. It has also helped by giving me something to do so I can get out of the house more."

Cabinet Member for Social Services (Children), Cllr Ash Lister said: "As corporate parent to children and young people in care in the city, it's the Council's responsibility to ensure they have the opportunity to thrive. We've pledged to make sure that young people have the right training and feel ready for the future, and that is exactly what the Bright Start scheme is doing - supporting young people with opportunities to experience the world of work and providing any assistance they need to have positive experiences in their traineeships."

Cabinet Member for Tackling Poverty and Supporting Young People, Cllr Peter Bradbury, said: "Massive congratulations to all the young people on the Bright Start scheme. It was really fantastic to meet them, to celebrate their achievements and hear their experiences of their work placements.

"I'm sure that over the past few months, they have found the support and advice of our Into Work Advice Services, who support so many people to get into employment, to be invaluable. I wish everyone the very best for their futures."

Read more here

 

Employers from across the city of Cardiff and beyond have provided words of encouragement and advice to the class of 2023

Employers from across the city of Cardiff and beyond have provided words of encouragement and advice the class of 2023, as they near their A-Level and GCSE exam results days in August.

Brought together by The Cardiff Commitment, industry leaders from a range of sectors including construction, engineering, health and the arts, have written messages of support to young people who will be deciding on their next steps, with the aim that their experiences will inspire, reassure and open their eyes to the range of opportunities available to them, whether that be in education, employment, training and volunteering.

What did they say?  Read more here