Here is your Friday update, covering:
- Cardiff Council's Budget to bridge £30.3m gap voted through
- Council agrees its vision for next three years
- New bridge completes path once more at popular beauty spot
- Official opening of Cardiff's first Dual-Stream language primary school
Cardiff Council's Budget proposals passed as authority looks to bridge £30.3m gap
A budget which safeguards schools and education, supports social services, and protects the most vulnerable - has been passed by Cardiff Council - as it faces up to a ‘public sector funding crisis' affecting local authorities across the UK.
Rising costs and demand for services like social care left the council with ‘extremely difficult decisions to make' to bridge a £30.3m gap in its budget.
Earlier in the year the council consulted citywide with residents who were asked for their views on several cost-saving proposals and money-generating ideas.
More than 9,000 people - a record amount - took part in the four-week consultation on the difficult choices ahead.
Now, following that consultation, the council has agreed its budget for 2024/25 one which will safeguard key services while bridging the budget gap.
Council has now set a Council Tax increase of 6% - around £1.60 a week for a Band D household. This is among the lowest council tax increases seen in Wales this year and will play a key part in maintaining some of the services residents asked to be protected or saved from cuts, and includes:
Giving schools a 4.3% uplift of £12.8m a year to help deal with rising costs matching Welsh Government's funding increase to the council and removing any budget requirement for efficiency savings. Adults and Childrens Social Services will also receive an extra £26.3m in the coming financial year.
Other key measures include:
- No cuts to youth services
- Spending £6.7m on the city's parks, improving and protecting our Green Flag parks
- Spending £7.1m on highways repairs
- £308m for school delegated budgets next year
Some services will see increased charges, including:
- Increasing the cost of hiring sports pitches - 10% increase
- Increasing the price of burials (+10.6%) and the cremation service (+6.1%)
- Increasing the cost of school meals by 10p, although this service will continue to be subsidised
- Increasing some parking charges
Council agrees its vision for next three years
Cardiff Council has agreed 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.
The plan was formally agreed by the full Council meeting last night (March 7).
Council leader Cllr Huw Thomas welcomed its approval 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."
New bridge completes path once more at popular beauty spot
A popular circular walk at Hendre Lake Park is back in use after Cardiff Council completed the rebuilding of a bridge at the popular beauty spot.
Work started on the 22-metre bridge, which sits on the outfall of the main river feeding the lake, last year and it was officially opened to the public this week. As part of a circular route around the lake, it is used by many people, including fishermen, dog walkers, bird watchers and nature lovers.
Located in Trowbridge at the southern edge of St Mellons, on the Gwent Levels, Hendre Lake Park is a natural green space that has been colonised by a wide variety of bird, animal and plant life. It has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest A small car park is available at the site for users.
Official opening of Cardiff's first Dual-Stream language primary school
Ysgol Gynradd Groes-wen Primary School has celebrated its official opening during a special event in the presence of Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas and Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry. Guests enjoyed a performance by some of the school's youngest pupils and a tour of the building.
One of Cardiff's newest primary schools, the £9million school opened its doors to pupils for the first time in September. The first of its kind for Cardiff and for Wales, the school provides a dual language stream and a Welsh-medium stream. The dual language stream consists of 50% Welsh and 50% English, known as a 50/50 split. In addition, there is a 96 part-time nursery provision which is supported by a Clych Meithrin which offers wrap around provision. The Clych also operates an afterschool club for pupils.
Located within Cardiff's Plasdŵr development in north-west Cardiff, on land South of Llantrisant Road, Ysgol Gynradd Groes-wen Primary School, built by Andrew Scott Ltd, is two form of entry and offers 420 places in total, serving areas of north-west Cardiff. It features contemporary architecture and a range of amenities accessible to the public, providing opportunities to bring new residents and families together.