Here is our latest update, covering: helping to cope with the rising cost of living; an update on the work at Grangemoor Park; Fairwater Campus consultation now open; and details of tomorrow's Forest Farm open day.

Cardiff Council helps thousands to cope with cost of living increases

With petrol prices set to hit £2 a litre, food inflation predicted to reach a 20-year high of 11% this summer and gas and electricity bills rocketing, the UK is facing a cost of living crisis.

But Cardiff Council is overseeing the distribution of almost £2.2m worth of grants to ease the burden on those households in the city who are most in need.

The Council has been allocated the money as part of the Welsh Government's £177m Cost of Living Support Scheme. Much of this is going towards a £150 payment to eligible households but £25m has also been set aside for a Discretionary Scheme. This allows local authorities to support households they consider in need of extra help with their living costs, and Cardiff Council's share amounts to £2.193m.

A report on the Cost of Living Support Scheme will be considered by the Council's Cabinet meeting on June 23 when members will be recommended to help the most vulnerable households in the city through this Discretionary Scheme.

Read more here:

https://www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk/releases/c25/29240.html

Works on Grangemoor Park are set to continue until the end of the Year

The park has been closed to the public whilst essential maintenance work - involving heavy machinery and the renewal of leachate and methane gas equipment - are carried out on the landfill site which is underneath the surface of the park. Once completed the works will ensure the landfill site is secure and the park will be reopened to the public.

As the park is currently defined as a construction site under Health and Safety laws, unfortunately we are unable to allow public access at this time. However, footways around the park remain open to the public and give access to the river walk.

The council has considered fencing off areas of the construction site to enable some public access, but due to the nature of the work - which requires an ability to move across the park to deal with issues when they arise and with ease - makes this extremely difficult to manage.

We recognise the inconvenience to the public and are working as quickly as we can to carry out the necessary maintenance work to ensure the park is safe to use when it re-opens. Significant progress has already been made with half the work already completed, but there has been a delay on some planned works due to the nesting season. The source of the leachate spillage into Cardiff Bay has been identified and resolved in accordance with the requirements set by Natural Resources Wales.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their patience while this work takes place and further updates will be given when they are available.

Public Consultation now open on works associated with new education campus in Fairwater

Members of the public are invited to share their views on works associated with the establishment of a new joint education campus to be located in the Fairwater area of the city.

The consultation marks the next stage in development for the pioneering education provision which, if progressed, will be the largest in scale and investment of Cardiff's education developments delivered under Cardiff Council and Welsh Governments Band B Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.

Three new build schools would be located on one site, becoming home to Cantonian High School, Riverbank School and Woodlands School. The joint campus would also boast a range of comprehensive facilities which will be available for public use outside of school hours.

In March 2022, Cardiff Council announced that ISG will undertake the detailed design and build process for the scheme, including the temporary accommodation associated with the works.

The Pre-Application Consultation runs until 11 July 2022 and allows people to have their say on the enabling works before a planning application is submitted to Cardiff Council's Planning Committee. This includes the establishment of temporary school to be situated at the south of the site to comprise of:

•                     Demountable classrooms and reception, temporary school car park, sports hall, kitchen and canteen.

•                     Temporary footpath from Fairwater Road to Doyle Avenue

•                     Boundary fencing

•                     Sports pitches and Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs) and associated fencing and lighting

Read more here:

https://www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk/releases/c25/29217.html

Summer Open Day at Forest Farm

Pond-dipping, bug-hunting and bird-spotting are just some of the nature-based activities on offer at Forest Farm this weekend as its annual Summer Open Day returns to introduce families to some of the wildlife at the 150-acre local nature reserve.

Home to Cardiff's team of Community Rangers, the free event on Saturday 18th June (10am-3pm) is centred around the Forest Farm Conservation Centre, and will also include a free to enter dog show, and the chance to try your hand at fly casting for fish or pick up some wildlife photography tips.

Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke-Davies, said: "The open day promises to be a really good family day out and a great opportunity for curious minds of all ages to learn more about the diverse species that call the reserve home."

To join the fun, go to Forest Farm Conservation Centre, Forest Farm Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 7JJ.

For more information call the Ranger Service on 029 2044 5903 or visit:

www.facebook.com/WildAboutCardiff

Refreshments will be available.