29.02.24
Cardiff Council has published its Corporate Plan, outlining the priorities and goals it has set itself for the next three years and beyond.

The document sets out how the Council will deliver its ‘Stronger, Fairer, Greener’ vision for Cardiff, to improve the lives of all its residents through its broad programme of works.

It was discussed initially by the Council’s Scrutiny committees, before being agreed by Cabinet. The plan will now go forward to the full Council meeting on Thursday, March 7, to be debated and voted on.

Council leader Cllr Huw Thomas welcomed the approval of the plan and said it was a vital part of the Council’s commitment to deliver a ‘Stronger, Fairer, Greener’ city for its residents. “We have made good progress since our re-election in 2022. Despite the cost-of-living crisis and the after-effects of the pandemic we believe Cardiff is well-placed to lead the recovery in Wales.

“There is much work to do, however, and these seven clear well-being objectives acknowledge the challenges facing the city but also demonstrate what we want to – and can – achieve.”

THE WELL-BEING OBJECTIVES

Cardiff is a great place to grow up

“The Council takes its responsibilities towards children and young people very seriously,” said Cllr Thomas, “and supporting their well-being is at the core of our Corporate Plan. Our priorities must include building high-quality schools and creating a world-class education workforce, as well as protecting vulnerable children, young people, and families.”

Proposals in this area include:

•  Building on the work already carried out that has made Cardiff the first UNICEF Child-Friendly City in the UK
• Supporting schools to improve attendance, with a focus on persistent absenteeism
• Improving outcomes for children and young people with additional learning needs
• Completing the universal Free School meals rollout in all Cardiff schools by September this year

Cardiff is a great place to grow older

“Two years ago, Cardiff gained membership of the World Health Organisation’s Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities and our priorities in this area continue to include supporting older people to stay active and connected in an Age-Friendly City,” said Cllr Thomas. “That means supporting older people to live independently at home through preventative services and high-quality sustainable care and support.”

Among the proposals here are:

•  Recruiting volunteer Ambassadors to encourage local businesses to become dementia-friendly
• Encouraging employment and preventing discrimination against older people in the job market
• Following the successful development of the Llanedeyrn Wellbeing Hub, working with the University Health Board to create similar schemes in Ely and Caerau, helping to prevent loneliness and isolation
• Continuing to deliver new older persons’ housing, and beginning work on the Michaelston Wellbeing Village
• Listening to unpaid carers and families to ensure they are provided with the help they need

Supporting people out of poverty

“The cost-of-living crisis has certainly hit the most vulnerable members of our society the hardest,” said Cllr Thomas, “and it’s important to do all we can to help them. This includes supporting people into work, continuing to build on our Living Wage City achievements and embedding our new approach to preventing homelessness and ending rough sleeping in Cardiff.”

To these ends, the council will:

•  Support people into work by continuing to fill current, and deliver new, apprenticeships and trainee opportunities within the Council
• Work alongside major regeneration projects, including the new Indoor Arena, to support local people into the new jobs they create
• Play a leadership role in creating a Living Wage City by encouraging and supporting organisations to become accredited Living Wage employers
• Improve access to the private rented sector and improve the quality of its supported and temporary accommodation

Safe, confident and empowered communities

“There is a housing emergency in this country that has been well documented and the Council is leading the response to it,” said Cllr Thomas. “That means, among other things, investing to create safe and inclusive communities and delivering high-quality parks and public spaces.”

In this area, the council will:

•  Expand the scale and pace of the council house-building programme, including appointing a new preferred development partner by December 2024 for a new partnership with the Vale of Glamorgan council
• Work in partnership with Registered Social Landlords to maximise the amount of affordable housing
• Drive up standards in the private rented sector by dealing with rogue agents and landlords, and work with homeowners and landlords to return empty properties back to use
• Improving the support available to people with mental health issues, and
• Work with Public Health Wales and other partners to reduce health inequalities across Cardiff

A capital city that works for Wales

“When Cardiff prospers, Wales prospers,” said Cllr Thomas, “and it’s important that we lead the way when it comes to economic development, and that means attracting good, well-paying jobs to the area and also supporting the cultural sector and attracting major events to the city.”

Proposals include:

•  Ensuring Cardiff remains an open, competitive and outward-looking international city
• Enhancing the city centre as a location for businesses and investment by progressing the development of Metro Central and the Central Quay development
• Continuing to regenerate Cardiff Bay by delivering the new Indoor Arena by 2026/27, regenerating Atlantic Wharf, and developing the Graving Docks area
• Completing the restoration and refurbishment of Cardiff Market by December 2026
• Delivering a major music festival this autumn, attract and deliver new major international sporting events, including the 2025 Investec Champions Cup, the EPCR Challenge Cup Finals, and the Euro 2028 football matches

One Planet Cardiff

“As a city, Cardiff has to respond to the climate emergency and that means transforming our public transport system,” said Cllr Thomas. “It also means enhancing our flood defences, becoming a world-leading recycling city and working together to keep our streets clean.”

Among the priorities are:

•  Delivering the design and build contract for Phase One of the Cardiff Heat Network
• Transitioning the council fleet to clean vehicles and work with partners to secure funding for the next phase of public electric vehicle infrastructure
• Delivering Phase One of the Cardiff Crossrail city centre to Cardiff Bay Metro by 2028
• Continuing to invest in a segregated cycle network across the city
• Considering and reviewing road user charging options

Modernising and integrating our public services

“When it comes to ensuring the sustainability of public services in the face of rising demand and huge budget pressures, we have to transform the way we work” said Cllr Thomas. “Our buildings must be greener, we must improve our digital services to customers, we must prioritise the well-being of our staff and make sure we represent and respond to the diversity of our communities.”

Pledges in this area include:

•  Identify and sell off unused council buildings and land
• Encourage people to use the Council’s digital platforms
• Improve engagement with people who are currently less likely to get involved in elections and the decision-making process
• Ensure the Council’s workforce is representative and inclusive of the communities it serves

The full report is available to view on the Cabinet Agenda here Agenda for Cabinet onThursday, 29th February, 2024, 2.00 pm : Cardiff Council (moderngov.co.uk)

The report will be debated by the full Council on March 7, on the same evening the Budget is taken council. You will be able to watch a live stream of the meeting from 4.30pm here Agenda for Council onThursday, 7th March, 2024, 4.30 pm : Cardiff Council (moderngov.co.uk)