Here is the latest update from Cardiff Council, covering: vaccination totals for Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan; Cardiff's COVID-19 case and test numbers; cases reported in Cardiff's schools in the last seven days; next stage for Cathays High School proposals; and Cardiff Riding School gets funding boost thanks to Friends Group.

Cardiff & Vale University Health Board Vaccination Status Update - 08 October

Data provided by CAVUHB

Based on the figures available at the time of publication.

Please note that there may be minor amendments to data as it is validated over time.

The total number of vaccination doses given by the Cardiff & Vale University Health Board so far, in both local authority areas:  736,752 (1^stDose: 372,592 2^ndDose: 364,160)

• 80 and over: 20,435 / 94.6% (1^stDose) 20,225 / 93.6% (2^ndDose)
• 75-79: 15,016 / 96.4% (1^stDose) 14,846 / 95.3% (2^ndDose)
• 70-74: 21,409 / 95.7% (1^stDose) 21,279 / 95.1% (2^ndDose)
• 65-69: 21,959 / 94.2% (1^stDose) 21,702 / 93.1% (2^ndDose)
• 60-64: 26,038 / 92.4% (1^stDose) 25,699 / 91.2% (2^ndDose)
• 55-59: 29,393 / 90.3% (1^stDose) 28,872 / 88.7% (2^ndDose)
• 50-54: 29,072 / 88.1% (1^stDose) 28,386 / 86% (2^ndDose)
• 40-49: 55,476 / 81.8% (1^stDose) 53,433 / 78.8% (2^ndDose)
• 30-39: 60,872 / 75.7% (1^stDose) 56,807 / 70.7% (2^ndDose)
• 18-29: 80,408 / 76.9% (1^stDose) 71,512 / 68.4% (2^ndDose)
• 16-17: 4,003 / 73.1% (1^stDose) 291 / 5.3% (2^ndDose)

• Care home residents: 2,176 / 98.1% (1^stDose) 2,145 / 96.7% (2^ndDose)
• Clinically extremely vulnerable: 11,247 / 94.2% (1^stDose) 11,035 / 92.5% (2^ndDose)
• Underlying Health Conditions: 46,194 / 90.2% (1^stDose) 44,534 / 86.9% (2^ndDose)

Cardiff Cases and Tests - 7 Days Data (26 September - 02 October)

Based on latest figures from Public Health Wales

Data correct as of:

06 October 2021, 09:00

Cases: 1,989

Cases per 100,000 population: 542.1 (Wales: 489.4 cases per 100,000 population)

Testing episodes: 13,086

Testing per 100,000 population: 3,566.6

Positive proportion: 15.2% (Wales: 14.4% positive proportion)

COVID-19 Cases reported in Cardiff's schools in the last 7 days (01/10/21 to 07/10/21)

Total number reported = 964

• Pupils and students = 890
• Staff, including teaching staff = 74

Based on latest figures, there are just under 57,000 pupils and students enrolled at Cardiff's schools in total.

Next stage for Cathays High School proposals

Recommendations to progress plans for a new Cathays High School will be put to Cardiff Council's Cabinet when it meets later this month.

A report outlining the proposals, also summarises the findings of consultation that followed the Public Statutory Notice approved by Cabinet in June 2021.

If progressed, the new school would be delivered as a priority scheme which looks to address those schools identified as in poor condition, with major defects, suitability issues or nearing the end of their operational life.

Representing a significant investment in the local area, the scheme would provide enhanced facilities at the site, available for shared community use.

The proposals include:

• Replacing the existing Cathays High School buildings with new build accommodation on the Maindy Centre site adjacent to Crown Way and North Road
• Increasing the capacity of the school from 1,072 places (5.5 forms of entry with 247 sixth form places) to 1,450 places (8 Forms of Entry with 250 sixth form places) from September 2023
• Expanding the current Specialist Resource Base (SRB) for learners with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) from 16 to 50 places in purpose built accommodation in the new school buildings
• Upgrading community facilities in Cathays and Gabalfa through significantly enhanced school facilities being made available for shared use with the wider local community
• Providing space for the local community to continue to have access to off-road open spaces for informal leisure use

By expanding the school, an opportunity would be provided to meet the projected demand for places from within its catchment area and excess demand for places from other neighbouring catchment areas, as a result of new housing developments. 

Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah merry said: "The Band B Programme seeks to address the most acute sufficiency and condition issues in Cardiff and Cathays High School has been identified as in need of investment and redevelopment. This will provide pupils, staff and the local community, with access to modern, improved and inspiring facilities, fit for 21st Century learning.

"The central location of the school within the city means that it is well placed to support growth in its locality as well as other areas, helping to meet the projected demand for community English-medium places as well as meeting the demand for city-wide additional Specialist Resource Base (SRB) places for learners with Autism Spectrum Condition."

The school proposals have been developed following a public consultation and statutory notice period. This has included producing an indicative red line boundary map of the proposed school site that identifies the extent of the community open access space that would be available.

Cllr Merry added: "Public consultation has played an important part in the development of the plans so far. There has been substantial support for the redevelopment of the school, however I am aware of a number of concerns were raised relating to the impact on public open access space and use of existing local leisure amenities.

"This has been considered and if progressed, a large increased area of community space would be retained which would be landscaped in parts to provide the most appropriate and usable area possible. This would be in addition to the facilities provided within the boundary of the school that would be available to the community outside of school hours and also continued access to the facilities at Maindy Centre."

As part of Cardiff Council's plans to create a high-quality leisure and sport destination at the site in Cardiff Bay, work is continuing on delivering a new outdoor track as part of the next phase development of the International Sports Village. Relocating the cycle track at Maindy to this new purpose built facility will ensure that home-grown talent can continue to be supported. Read the latest on this here:Update on International Sports Village to accelerate completion of the development (cardiffnewsroom.co.uk)

The report will go to Cabinet when it next meets on Thursday 14, October 2021.

A further report will be presented to Cabinet relating to land matters.

Cardiff Riding School gets funding boost thanks to Friends Group

Cardiff Riding School has received a boost in funding to provide a new and improved outdoor school for riders.

The project will be funded by Cardiff Council and Friends of Cardiff Riding School - who have donated £27,000 to the works, which will begin on Monday, October 11.

The outdoor school at Cardiff Riding School, based in at Pontcanna Fields, has been fully closed since 2018. Facilities were significantly reduced from 2013 when the school started falling into disrepair.

However, outdoor riding options are set to resume before the end of November when improvement works at the school are completed.

Set in 35 acres of park land, Cardiff Riding School will be enhanced by the new outdoor facilities which will provide a multipurpose riding experience for all abilities in a setting suitable for all weather conditions. Activities including lessons, pony club, riding for the disabled and children pony rides as well as dressage competitions and show jumping training courses will be available.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Peter Bradbury, said: "Cardiff Riding School is a fantastic community asset that allows Cardiff residents and visitors to access horse riding within the heart of the city.

"The location allows people to easily access a facility that would otherwise be out of reach to them.

"The new facilities will bring this redundant space into use to increase capacity for lessons and improve the quality of the school to a much higher specification.

"The building works will recycle reusable materials from the existing outdoor school and include drainage and biodiversity improvements to the surrounding grounds. The new school will not only look great and provide year-round outdoor riding opportunities for customers, but the associated works will help improve the quality of the surrounding environment.

"I'd like to extend my thanks to the Friends Group who have supported the Riding School since its inception in 2013. The Friends and volunteers make a significant contribution to the school - raising additional funds and working hard to maintain and improve facilities at Cardiff Riding School for riders, visitors and horses."

A spokesperson for the Friends of Cardiff Riding School, said: "As the Friends of Cardiff Riding School group, we have organised a variety of fundraising activities with an ultimate goal of contributing to the refurbishment of our outdoor riding arena. We are delighted and excited that this project has attracted the support of the Council, and that work is commencing on Monday. The group was formed in 2013, and our aim is to raise awareness of the existence and benefits of the riding school, to support the staff and improve facilities at the school. This involves assisting in care of the horses and ponies and helping to maintaining the school environment."