Cardiff Liberal Democrats News Stories (Cardiff North Liberal Democrats)

Dec 15, 2011:
- Planning permission refused for Windsor Esplanade development
  Butetown's Liberal Democrat Councillor, Delme Greening, has welcomed the decision of Cardiff Council's Planning Committee to refuse a planning application for a development on Windsor Esplanade. Working with local residents, Councillor Greening successfully argued that the proposed development would be completely out of character with the historic terrace that forms part of Windsor Esplanade. He also argued that the size of the building, at four storeys, could affect the quality of life for residents in nearby Eleanor Place through a loss of light to their properties. Speaking after the Planning Committee meeting, Cllr Delme Greening said: "This is fantastic news. The proposals would have had a major impact on the grade 2 listed terrace and I'm delighted that members of the Planning Committee thought so too. Every resident I spoke to thought the proposals were an overdevelopment. The campaign against this development was a wonderful example of our community coming together and I'd like to thank all those involved that secured this refusal." The Planning Committee voted by seven votes to two in favour of deferring the application for a month so that a full list of reasons for refusal could be worked up. Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Sep 23, 2011:
- Work starts on the new Butetown Community Centre and the new Butetown Youth Pavilion
  Your local Councillor, Delme Greening outside the old Community Centre which will soon be replaced thanks to the Lib Dems on Cardiff Council. Local Councillor Delme Greening has welcomed the news that work has now started on developing a new Community Centre and a new Youth Pavilion for Butetown. Both projects, managed by Lib Dem-led Cardiff Council, will be undertaken by Vinci Construction and should be completed by late Summer 2012. Butetown Community Centre The new Butetown Community Centre will be a 3 storey building comprising 2 hall spaces, kitchens, bar area, meeting rooms, 5 business units, a crèche, a day centre, a café area and a computer room. Public art will also be incorporated into the building. The project is being funded under the Butetown Priority 4 programme and the total cost is £2.1 million. The building will continue to be managed and run by the Butetown Community Association. Funding has also been secured to employ a Development Worker to make sure that the new Centre, when it opens its doors, gets off to the best possible start, providing activities and programmes for all ages and groups in the community. Butetown Youth Pavilion The new Butetown Youth Pavilion will be a 2 storey building comprising a recreational sports hall, dance studio, hair and beauty studio, meeting and training rooms, social space, café area and kitchen, a crèche and a music studio. There will also be public art as part of this building. The building will continue to be managed by Cardiff Council's Youth Services and has been designed in partnership with the staff and young people at the Pavilion. Investment we deserve Local Councillor Delme Greening said: "This is more great news for our community. Butetown is one of the most deprived areas in Wales and it is only right that we get the investment we deserve. It is pleasing that the Lib Dem-led Council sees Butetown as a priority for investment with investment in new shops and health centre, a new Community Centre and a new Youth Pavilion." Whilst the Butetown Youth Pavilion and Butetown Community Centre are closed, activities and services are being hosted at other venues in the community. For more information, please contact Teresa Boyle on 029 2087 3184 or check the details onwww.butetownconnected.org.uk If you have any concerns during the construction stage then either contact Vinci Construction directly on 029 2077 7766 or let Delme know Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Sep 6, 2011:
- Celebrations as local councillors save Hawthorn Junior School building.
  Local Lib Dem councillors for Llandaff North Ann Rowland-James and Jacqui Hooper are celebrating the news that Cardiff's Lib Dem Council is saving the Hawthorn Junior School building from demolition. The Council has announced that the building is to be sold to the Steiner charity, who will once again use it as a school. After the school site stopped being used a few years ago, local Lib Dem Councillors Ann Rowland-James and Jacqui Hooper have been backing local residents in their fight to save the historic building. Ann and Jacqui objected to previous plans which would have seen the building demolished to make way for flats, and have been fighting hard to save the building. Jacqui Hooper said: "We're so pleased all the campaigning has paid off and this historic building will be saved." Ann Rowland-James added: "It's taken several years and many battles, but at last our community has the result it wanted." Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Aug 10, 2011:
- Councillor objects to development of 20 flats with just 5 parking spaces
  Butetown's Liberal Democrat Councillor Delme Greening is working with local residents to oppose the proposed development of 20 apartments on the corner of Clarence Road and Pomeroy Street. A planning application has been submitted by Dovey Holdings Limited to demolish the former Sterling Works and Bethel Baptist Church on the corner of Pomeroy Street and Clarence Road and rebuild as a four story apartment complex of 20 (with 33 bedrooms). Only 5 parking spaces will be provided as part of the development. Local residents are concerned about the increased parking problems and traffic issues that this development will cause in what are already very congested streets. Councillor Delme Greening said: "This is clearly an overdevelopment of this site. Parking is already a major problem in the area and the fact that the developer is providing only 5 spaces for a development that will have 33 bedrooms is clearly not acceptable." "I know many local residents are joining me in opposing these proposals and local residents have submitted a petition against these plans. What is needed in our area is more affordable social housing including family homes. This overdevelopment will seriously impact on the quality of life for residents in this part of Butetown." Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Aug 1, 2011:
- Improvements for Salisbury Road and Miskin Street
  Councillor Jon Aylwin is delighted that Cardiff Council has agreed to improve this area The Cathays Focus Team is celebrating the news that major funding has been found for local environmental improvement projects. Thanks to funding bids submitted by Cathays Councillors, the Council has agreed to upgrade the public square at the Salisbury Road junction with Miskin Street. Detailed plans will now be drawn up in consultation with local residents and businesses over the next six to nine months. Councillor Jon Aylwin said: "We've been fighting to secure funding to improve Salisbury Road for years and I'm delighted that the Council has now made this a top priority. It's great news that even in difficult financial times, Cardiff Council has agreed to continue this popular Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme." In recent years the Cathays Focus Team has also secured funds to upgrade the Multi-Use Games Area at th e Maindy Centre, and cash to transform the area outside St Monica's Primary School. NO BIDS FROM LABOUR IN CARDIFF Whilst people in Cathays have welcomed this substantial investment, residents in some parts of the city have been left shocked that their Labour councillors did not submit a single funding bid to the scheme. Labour councillors only submitted five proposals across the whole city. In contrast the Cathays Focus team suggested four proposals for Cathays alone. Councillor Wakefield told us: "The scheme is open to all Councillors but Labour councillors in other wards like Canton and Splott didn't submit a single bid. Unlike Labour, the Cathays Focus Team will always to work hard to secure funds and improvements in our local community." Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jul 26, 2011:
- North Grangetown Regeneration - well underway
  North Grangetown improvements well underway Work on improving the area around Cornwall Street, Court Road and Clive Street is progressing well, despite a drop in the cash available. However Council officers are working hard to make every pound stretch as far as possible. Local Lib Dem Councillor Francesca Montemaggi said, "We are going through tough times. Sadly, money has been cut for regeneration, Council staff are working hard to improve as many things as possible. "The regeneration of this area has been a huge success and has already made a big improvement to the north side of Grangetown including through roads and pavements being resurfaced, new trees planted and the exterior of many of the terraced streets have been spruced up. Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Residents must have a say in local parking says Councillor
  Councillor Delme Greening wants local people to gave a greater say in planning applications for new homes, especially when it comes to the number of parking spaces provided. Local Lib Dem Councillor Delme Greening is leading a campaign to get the Welsh Assembly to allow local residents to have more of say in parking decisions that affect their area. NEW HOMES BUILT WITHOUT ENOUGH PARKING SPACES At the moment, under guidelines issued by the Welsh Assembly, new developments have a maximum amount of parking they are allowed to provide. In many cases these spaces don't come anywhere near to meeting the demand. As a result, residents of these new developments are forced to park in nearby streets, causing problems for the residents that live there. Cllr Greening said: "We've had many instances in Butetown with developments proposed that don't have enough parking spaces. As a result, nearby streets become unofficial car parks. You can't stop people from owning cars but what we can do is to make sure that whatever new developments are built have enough spaces for the people who live there. "Decisions like this are best made at a local level as residents are best placed to know the consequences any new development may have." Delme proposed a motion at Cardiff Council calling for the Welsh Assembly to allow parking decisions to be made by local people. Disappointingly, the Labour Councillors present failed to support it. Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Local anger as Welsh Assembly gives the Fire Station development the go ahead
  Nigel Howells and John Dixon inspecting the plans outside Adamsdown Fire Station Local residents have expressed their anger that despite overwhelming local opposition, the Planning Inspector, appointed by the Welsh Government, is allowing 540 student flats to be built on the site of the Adam Street Fire Station. The original proposals were thrown out by Cardiff Council's Planning Committee following a massive campaign led by local Lib Dem Councillors Nigel Howells and John Dixon. But the developer appealed against the decision to the Labour run Welsh Government and have now been given the go ahead. Local Adamsdown Councillor Nigel Howells said: "This is bitterly disappointing and I share the anger of local residents. These proposals could seriously impact on the quality of life for local residents in Adamscroft Place, Tharsis Close, Davis Street and Oriel House. There is bound to be increased traffic and noise as a result of the development - it's a shame that the Inspector didn't agree with local residents on this." Councillor John Dixon added: "From the very start, this was a community campaign against this development. We'd like to thank local residents for the part they've played. Unfortunately, the decision eventually went against us. We will do everything we can to make sure that this development is now run responsibly and will be looking at ways to protect residents from increased parking and traffic issues." If you want to see a copy of the decision, we have posted the files at http://yousend.it/npC7dv Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jul 23, 2011:
- Safer local roads in Grangetown, thanks to local Councillors
  A successful bid by Lib Dem-led Cardiff Council has resulted in several local sites getting new or improved crossing points. Thanks to your Lib Dem Councillors a new Zebra Crossing will be installed on Corporation Road and other key areas locally Councillor Asghar Ali welcomed the news saying: "Corporation and Ferry Road are busy roads and lots of children cross them on their way to and from school. I'm glad as a Council we are able to make these routs safer for our children." The £220,000 worth of improvements will include: • Two replacement and improved Zebra Crossings by Grange Gardens and Redlaver/Coedcae Street, • A new Zebra crossing and safer build outs of the pavement near the roundabout with Avondale Road and Clarence Road • A new safer entrance to Cambridge Street from Corporation Road along with a new bus stop in the area. • Improvements will also be made to the Penarth Road/Corporation Road junction (pictured below). Most of Corporation Road has been resurfaced in recent years by Cardiff Council. Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jul 14, 2011:
- Landlord prosecution success
  The Cathays Focus Team can report that a Cathays' landlord has been successfully prosecuted by Cardiff Council for renting unsafe and unlicensed properties. Mr Mohammad Malik was found guilty at a Crown Court hearing of failing to meet fire safety standards and to licence properties in Treherbert Street, Rhymney Street and Salisbury Road. Mr Malik was ordered by the Court to pay fines and costs totalling £7,200. Cathays Focus Team campaigner Jon Aylwin told us: "This prosecution sends a strong message to landlords in Cathays that they must ensure the good quality of their houses and apply to the Council for a licence." The Council is now considering whether Mr Malik should be disqualified from being able to be a landlord altogether in Cathays. If this happens the Council will revoke all licences granted to Mr Malik and he would have to give the management of his properties to someone else. Cathays Councillor Simon Pickard said: "As Liberal Democrat Councillors we are working hard to ensure that rented properties in Cathays are kept in a good condition. Last summer the Council launched a landlord regulation scheme which applies to shared rented houses in Cathays." Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jun 3, 2011:
- Landlord Regulation Scheme a big success
  The Cathays Focus team has welcomed the news that over 300 local houses have already been licensed in the Council's landlord regulation scheme. The multi-year programme will see the Council's housing officers inspect over 1,500 of Cathays' shared rented properties, and bring them up to standard. The funding for the programme is coming from the licence fees which landlords have to pay. Cathays Councillor Simon Pickard told us: "This scheme is a major boost for tenants who are often given a raw deal by landlords. Almost all of the houses that have been inspected have needed improvements to meet fire safety standards and increase their security against burglars." The licensing programme has also seen the number of formally Accredited landlords treble in just the last year. Jenny Willott MP emphasised the value of this for the wider community. "We need landlords to take more responsibility for their properties and for making sure their tenants know the basics, like what day the rubbish collections are in Cathays. That's what the Accreditation training is helping to change. Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jun 1, 2011:
- Adamsdown Lib Dem Councillors help save No 3 Bus Route
  A few weeks ago, your Liberal Democrat Focus Team were informed that Veolia Transport had decided to cancel the No. 3 Bus Service. This is the service that connects the City Centre with Splott & Tremorfa via Newport Road, Broadway and Beresford Road. Many local residents rely on this service, particularly the elderly and those with mobility issues, as it is the only service that goes into the City Centre along Broadway. Your local Councillors collected a petition which they presented to Veolia and representations were also made to Cardiff Bus. The good news is that from the 13th June, Cardiff Bus have agreed to take on the route. Local Councillor Nigel Howells said: "This is good news for residents in our area and I'd like to thank the many residents who backed our campaign to keep the service going." Details of the new timetable (from 13th June) can be found here - http://www.cardiffbus.com/pdfs/3%20wef%20130611.pdf Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
May 20, 2011:
- Mynachdy Road sidings - ANOTHER student flats proposal
  The Gabalfa & Mynachdy Liberal Democrat Team has reacted with disappointment to news that another planning application for student flats has been submitted for land behindMynachdy Road. A previous application in 2010 for 345 student flats on the site was withdrawn following objections from Cllr. Ed Bridges and from local residents. However, a new (but similar) application has now come forward. The new plans are seeking permission to build 249 student flats, across six blocks on the site. The layout is not dissimilar to the previous scheme, and the local community have already made similar criticisms to last time - pointing out the lack of on-site parking, the poor quality of the units, and the lack of any real solution to issues of noise nuisance from the development. Local Lib Dem councillor, Ed Bridges, said: "In our view, this new application has not resolved the fundamental flaws of the previous proposal, and we will be fighting the plans just as vigorously. Our area simply cannot cope with the infrastructure demands of 249 new flats, and local residents shouldn't have to be put through the stress of yet another unsuitable application for the area." Local campaigner, Gareth Holden, added: "It is supremely disappointing that the developer hasn't listened to local feeling. Residents vehemently opposed the previous application - but rather than learning from that, he's come back with an almost-identical proposal. The units shown in the drawings on the site are ugly and uninspiring; it simply isn't right that the community are being put through this again" The full plans can be seen at City Hall. Residents wanting to submit comments should send them to the Chief Regulatory Services Officer, City Hall, Cardiff, CF10 3ND, quoting application number 11/00863/DCI; comments can also be sent by e-mail to developmentcontrol@cardiff.gov.uk - do send a copy to your Lib Dem team so they can reinforce the comments of residents when they make their own submission. The Lib Dems will keep residents informed over the coming weeks - but please do not hesitate to contact if you would like to discuss the matter further or if we can help with any other local issue. Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Apr 22, 2011:
- Maitland Park - plans unveiled for park improvements
  Following a dialogue with local residents and park users earlier in the year, Gabalfa's Liberal Democrat Focus Team have now agreed with Cardiff Council's Parks Department the improvements which will be made to Maitland Park. Back in February, Cllr. Ed Bridges held a community meeting so that residents could make suggestions about how the park might be improved. This followed an announcement that Cardiff Council would be spending some £70,000 on the site - money which had come from various nearby developments to improve open space provision. Ideas and suggestions for the park included more and better facilities for older children, as well as play equipment at the northern end of the park and improved seating near the existing playground. Residents also had ideas around for new plants and trees in the park. Cllr. Ed Bridges said: "It was very useful to hear people's suggestions, and this gave me plenty of ideas to discuss with the Parks Department. They have now agreed a set of plans for the park which will take forward as many of these suggestions as possible within the budget available." Over the coming months, the park will see: A new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) at the southern end of the site on the existing tarmac area. This will allow older children to have a better-equipped space in which to play football and basketball. More seating near to the playground, for older park users and for parents picking up pupils from St. Joseph's School. Some 'natural play' equipment at the northern end of the park for younger children. New trees by the path through the park Depending on the budget, the signs and entrances to the park will also be renewed. Local resident, Gareth Holden, said: "It's good to see the Council investing in our green spaces. The new games area is much-needed as there isn't much for older kids to do in the park, and the tarmac area currently doesn't look very appealing." Cllr. Cathy Pearcy added: "Residents had different views about whether an avenue of trees by the path would be a good idea or not. Ultimately, the decision was a pragmatic one - the existing trees overhang the lane and make it difficult for larger vehicles to drive past. Instead of replacing the trees on that side, the Council will plant new ones on the other side of the path, and we'll have flowerbeds by the lane instead. This will keep the park looking attractive, and hopefully the drawings from the Council help to give an idea of how it will look." To see the full plans for the park, contact Cllr. Ed Bridges. Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Whitchurch Road - two planning applications
  Gabalfa's Lib Dem Focus Team wants local residents to be aware of two planning applications on Whitchurch Road. Application 11/655/DCI is seeking permission for Pizza Milano (200 Whitchurch Road) to be allowed to stay open until 11.30pm. This follows an unsuccessful application from earlier in the year for the premises to open until 3am. This was turned down following objections from Cllr. Ed Bridges and local residents. Application 11/661/DCI is seeking planning consent to turn 21 Whitchurch Road from a shop (A1 planning use) to a restuaurant or takeaway (A3 planning use). Cllr. Ed Bridges said: "Anyone wanting to have their say on the proposals should send comments to the Chief Regulatory Services Officer, City Hall, Cardiff, CF10 3ND, or by e-mail to developmentcontrol@cardiff.gov.uk - be sure to send me a copy of any correspondence so I can reinforce your comments when I make our own submission." Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Apr 10, 2011:
- Whitchurch Road Sainsbury's - update
  Liberal Democrats in Gabalfa ward have been working hard on behalf of residents over plans for a Sainsbury's shop at the former Maskreys site on Whitchurch Road. Local Lib Dem councillor, Ed Bridges, met recently with representatives from Sainsbury's last month to talk about their plans for the site and to put across some of the concerns which local residents had raised about the logistics of the site. Ed told us: "I was pleased that some of the major concerns of residents are being looked at by Sainsbury's. In particular, they will be trying to secure a loading bay at the front of the shop, rather than try to have deliveries via the existing loading zone in Manor Street. We know from the Co-Op further up Whitchurch Road that supermarket lorries loading in side streets can cause massive problems, so this is tangible progress. I will be doing all I can to restrict loading times to 6-8am in the morning so that rush hour traffic is not disrupted on Whitchurch Road." The Lib Dem Focus Team also understand that shop area will occupy around half of the ground floor of the site, and that the flats above the shop will be provided with some dedicated parking spaces at the rear of the site. As yet, no application has been lodged for the flats, but the Focus Team will keep residents posted via this website. Cardiff North's Lib Dem candidate for the Assembly election, Matt Smith, added: "We still have some residual concerns over parking congestion from Sainsbury's, and we will continue to put forward residents' views over the issue." In the meantime, an application (ref: 11/437/DCI) has been submitted for a works compound at the rear of the store. Any resident wishing to view the plans can do so at City Hall. Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 22, 2011:
- Sainsbury's - update
  Local Lib Dem, Matt Smith, wants residents to be aware of a planning application for the former Maskreys site on Whitchurch Road. The Gabalfa Lib Dem Focus Team understand that a first planning application has been received for a new Sainsbury's shop at the former Maskreys building on Whitchurch Road. Local Lib Dem Assembly candidate, Matt Smith, said: "An application has been submitted which seeks permission for an enclosure at the back of the shop to locate equipment for renovation work at the site. This would see a small section at the rear of the shop demolished. This application is likely to followed by a further planning application for the main works at the site, where we understand the upper storeys of the building will be converted into flats." If you want to make any comment on this initial application, then send your comments in writing to the Chief Regulatory Services Officer, City Hall, Cardiff, CF10 3ND or by e-mail to developmentcontrol@cardiff.gov.uk, quoting application number 11/437/DCI. The local Lib Dems also understand that pre-application discussions have been held with the applicant for a change of use of nos. 90-94 Manor Street. This would see these houses (formerly used as office/storage by Maskreys) turned back into residential properties. Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Feb 22, 2011:
- Cathays Library success!
  The Lib Dems have invested to restore Cathays Library, Labour wanted to shut it. New figures show that the refurbished Cathays Library is going from strength to strength! Since taking over from Labour in 2004, the Liberal Democrat-led Council has spent over £26 million on improving and building new local libraries. This includes the award-winning Central Library and the new library on Ninian Road, as well as refurbishing and re-opening the Grade II listed Cathays Library. VISITORS & BORROWING UP Councillor Jon Aylwin said, "Visits to Cathays Library are up 80% and over 1,000 new residents have registered for a free membership card since the refurbishment. "More books have been borrowed than ever, and computer bookings have more than trebled!" As part of the refurbishment, the Whitchurch Road wing of the building was brought back into use, and a new community room was added. Councillor Elizabeth Clark added, "This shows what the Lib Dems said all along - that our local library was a fantastic asset that just needed bringing up-to-date for the 21st Century. "Labour wanted to close this library when they ran the Council - but the Lib Dems have invested in making it a superb facility." Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Feb 16, 2011:
- Nigel Howells attacks 'Shameful' Western Power over Reservoir
  Nigel Howells, the Liberal Democrat Assembly Candidate for Cardiff Central, has attacked as "shameful" the decision of Western Power Distribution (WPD) not to start refilling Llanishen Reservoir until after the current Planning Inquiry has been concluded, which is due to last until July 4th 2011. At a public, pre-inquiry meeting this morning, lawyers acting for WPD stated that there was no question of them refilling the reservoir until the planning process has been resolved. This is despite the fact that their planned maintenance work on the reservoir has now been completed. Nigel Howells, who attended the meeting this morning, said: "This total disregard for the views of local residents is shameful. The valve allowing water to escape down the Nant Fawr should be closed immediately and the reservoir allowed to return to its former glory. The reservoirs and their surroundings are an area of outstanding natural beauty and need to be preserved for future generations. Residents are quite justifiably angry and view this continued action by WPD as nothing short of environmental vandalism." Local AM Jenny Randerson added: "I share Nigel's outrage. Now that WPD have satisfied themselves that the structure of the Reservoir is safe, they should close the valve and allow the reservoir to refill so that it may once again provide a superb sailing and angling facility that can be enjoyed by all. The planning issue is a totally separate matter." Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Feb 10, 2011:
- Labour Minister's 'breathtaking hypocrisy' in breaching own funding commitment for schools
  Labour's Welsh Education Minister Leighton Andrews is breaching his own party's commitment to protect funding for schools by proposing to slash the element of funding the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) pays to schools across Wales for post-16 education by 1.3% for the coming financial year. This is despite Welsh Labour Ministers giving a clear instruction to local authorities that they must not cut the funding they provide to schools to a level that equates to more than 1% above the cut in funding made to WAG's block grant by the UK Government. For 2011-12, this means that local authorities must not cut their net Individual Schools' Budgets by more than 0.33%. Councillor Rodney Berman, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrat Group on the Welsh Local Government Association and leader of Cardiff Council, said: "This is breathtaking hypocrisy from a Labour Minister. Along with his Labour Ministerial colleagues, Welsh Education Minister Leighton Andrews has decreed that local authorities in Wales must meet a minimum level of protection for the budgets they provide to schools but he is now flagrantly proposing to breach the same commitment himself in the element of funding he provides to schools for post-16 education. "In Cardiff, the council's Liberal Democrat-led administration is proposing to go far beyond the funding protection commitment required of us with a planned 1.8% increase in 2011-12 for the element we provide to delegated schools' budgets, which covers education up to age 16. At more than 3% above the change in funding to WAG's block grant for the coming financial year, that is more than three times the level of protection that Welsh Labour Ministers are requiring us to make." Cardiff Council's Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Education, Freda Salway, added: "Schools in Cardiff are set to be let down badly by the element of funding for post-16 education that is provided to them by Leighton Andrews. Whilst on an all-Wales basis this funding is due to be cut by 1.3% in 2011-12, the cut for schools in Cardiff is set to be even more severe at 3.1% less than the amount they received in the last financial year. "It seems that as far as Labour's Leighton Andrews is concerned it's one rule for him and another rule for us. It's no wonder he recently tried to brush off criticisms levelled at him over figures showing that the funding gap between the amount spent each year on pupils in Wales in comparison to those in England has now grown to a staggering £604 less per pupil." Published and promoted by Cardiff Liberal Democrats, 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4DY Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

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