04/03/25

Cardiff Council's Cabinet 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 residents through a broad programme of works.

The plan will be taken to Full Council on Thursday, March 6, for approval.

Council leader Cllr Huw Thomas welcomed the plan saying it was a vital part of the Council's commitment to deliver a ‘Stronger, Fairer, Greener' city for its residents. "Over the past year, we have faced numerous challenges, but our commitment to building a resilient Cardiff has never wavered. This Corporate Plan lays out a clear path to recovery and growth, ensuring that every resident benefits from our efforts.

"We know there is much work to do, but we must acknowledge the challenges facing the city while demonstrating what we can achieve. The Corporate Plan is an ambitious but realistic programme, built on our commitment to making Cardiff a Stronger, Fairer, and Greener city."

A Stronger City

Cllr Thomas emphasized the importance of continued investment in education, skills, and major regeneration projects to drive job creation and economic growth. "Over the year ahead, we will continue investing in high-quality education, ensuring every child has the support they need to succeed. We will support our most vulnerable young people by shifting the balance of care to help families stay together wherever possible."

A Fairer City

Addressing the cost-of-living crisis and housing emergency, Cllr Thomas said, "We will strengthen support to help people out of poverty, ensuring residents can access benefits, employment, and financial advice. Affordable housing delivery will continue, alongside a strong focus on tackling homelessness."

A Greener City

On the response to the climate emergency, Cllr Thomas noted, "Investing in public transport, local regeneration, and green spaces will remain key priorities, as we continue to take bold action to address the climate emergency."

Cllr Thomas also acknowledged the significant financial and service pressures facing Cardiff, saying: "Demand for services continues to grow, whilst the cost of delivering them has never been higher. At the same time, the funding available to us is not keeping pace with these pressures.

"This year, there has been welcome recognition of the challenges facing public services, with additional funding for local government from Welsh and UK Government. Yet, after over a decade of austerity, the lasting impact of the pandemic, and the cost-of-living crisis, rebuilding services and meeting growing demand cannot happen overnight.

"Given the pressures we face, we will need to rethink and, where necessary, redesign the way many of our services are delivered, focusing increasingly on delivering preventative, joined-up public services, on supporting fair, green growth, and on using technology to improve access to citizens and support our staff to deliver excellent services.

"The year ahead will be challenging, but our focus is clear. We will continue delivering for Cardiff, ensuring public services remain strong, those in need receive support, and our city works for everyone."

The Corporate Plan which is available to view  here  contains seven well-being objectives:

1. Cardiff is a Great Place to Grow Up

• Building high-quality schools and creating a world-class education workforce.
• Protecting vulnerable children, young people, and families.
• Supporting schools to improve attendance and tackling persistent absenteeism.
• Improving outcomes for children and young people with additional learning needs. 

2. Cardiff is a Great Place to Grow Older

• Supporting older people to stay active and connected in an Age-Friendly City.
• Providing strengths-based preventative services and developing new housing for older persons.
• Recruiting volunteer Ambassadors to encourage local businesses to become dementia-friendly.
• Encouraging employment and preventing discrimination against older people in the job market.
• Listening to unpaid carers and families to ensure they are provided with the help they need.

3. Supporting People Out of Poverty

• Supporting people into work by continuing to fill current, and deliver new, apprenticeships and trainee opportunities within the Council.
• Playing a leadership role in creating a Living Wage City by encouraging and supporting organisations to become accredited Living Wage employers.
• Improving access to the private rented sector and improving the quality of its supported and temporary accommodation.

4. Safe, Confident, and Empowered Communities

• Expanding the scale and pace of the council house-building programme.
• Working in partnership with Registered Social Landlords to maximise the amount of affordable housing.
• Driving up standards in the private rented sector by dealing with rogue agents and landlords.
• Improving the support available to people with mental health issues.
• Working with Public Health Wales and other partners to reduce health inequalities across Cardiff.

5. A Capital City that Works for Wales

• Ensuring Cardiff remains an open, competitive, and outward-looking international city.
• Enhancing the city centre as a location for businesses and investment.
• Continuing to regenerate Cardiff Bay by delivering the new Indoor Arena.
• Completing the restoration and refurbishment of Cardiff Market by September 2027.
• Attracting and delivering new major international sporting events, including the 2025 Investec Champions Cup and the Euro 2028 football matches.

6. One Planet Cardiff

• Responding to the climate emergency by transforming the public transport system.
• Enhancing flood defences and becoming a world-leading recycling city.
• Delivering the design and build contract for Phase One of the Cardiff Heat Network.
• Transitioning the council fleet to clean vehicles and securing funding for public electric vehicle infrastructure.
• Investing in a segregated cycle network across the city.

7. Modernising and Integrating Our Public Services

• Identifying and selling off unused council buildings and land.
• Encouraging people to use the Council's digital platforms.
• Improving engagement with people who are currently less likely to get involved in elections and the decision-making process.
• Ensuring the Council's workforce is representative and inclusive of the communities it serves.