Cardiff Council Update: 09 December 2022

Here is our latest update, covering: Landlady fined over £10,000 for a catalogue of failings; One Planet Cardiff sets out climate change priorities; and Christmas Memorial service at Thornhill Crematorium this Sunday.

Landlady fined over £10,000 for a catalogue of failings

A landlady has been ordered to pay over £10,000 at Cardiff Magistrates' Court for a catalogue of failures relating to a house she owns and rents out as a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO.)

Rowshanara Begum from Clive Street, Grangetown, Cardiff, did not attend court on December 1stand was sentenced in her absence.

A fine of £2,000 was given for each of the five offences, resulting in a £10,000 fine, as well as £2,000 in costs and a victim surcharge of £190.

The case came to light following a complaint from a tenant about the conditions at the rented property in Blaenclydach Street in Grangetown.

An inspection was carried out and a catalogue of faults were identified, including, inadequate structural fire protection to escape from the property, no fire alarm system, unprotected electricity meters, defective fire doors, broken windows, unsafe electrical installations, dirty carpets, unsafe kitchen facilities and evidence of penetrating damp.

Legal notices were served on Mrs Begum to make the required repairs to her rented property. As these repairs were not completed within the time allowed, legal action was taken.

Cllr Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities said: "HMO's play an important role in the city's housing stock. As a landlord, the financial yield from these properties is often higher than renting a family home, but renting HMO's carries additional responsibilities and the required investment in the property to ensure that it is safe for the tenants that are living there.

"In this instance, the Victorian property has been turned into four self-contained flats. The flats were not just in breach of the requirements, they were unsafe and dangerous. Our officers will follow up the case, now that the legal process has ended to ensure that the repairs are carried out and the property is in a safe state of repair for the people living there."

Climate change priorities set out as Cardiff Council cuts carbon emissions by 13%

Cardiff Council has cut its direct carbon emissions by 13% since 2019/20 according to a review of its One Planet Cardiff response to the climate emergency, which sets out its updated priorities for action.

In 2019/20 the council's direct operational emissions stood at 26,118 tonnes CO2e, a figure that reduced to 22,695 tonnes CO2e in 2020/21.

Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Cllr Caro Wild, said: "These figures demonstrate the significant steps the Council are already making towards our ambitious aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.

"Responding to climate change is at the heart of our agenda and no area of the council will remain untouched, but this is an emergency, so it's vital that we focus our efforts on the areas that deliver the biggest carbon reductions possible in the shortest space of time."

"Whilst we have a clear responsibility to ensure the council reduces its own emissions, we also have a leadership role in reducing emissions across the city and One Planet Cardiff includes updates and ambitious targets showing we are taking meaningful actions."

Christmas Memorial service at Thornhill Crematorium

An ecumenical Christmas Memorial Service will be held at the Wenallt Chapel at Thornhill Crematorium on Sunday, December 11, at 2pm.

Everyone is welcome to attend and pay their respects to their loved ones during this Christmas period.

The service, conducted by Rev. Lionel Fanthorpe, will contain a number of readings, poems and carols. Deborah Morgan Lewis will be leading the singing and the service will conclude at approximately 3pm.

Cabinet Member with responsibility for Bereavement Services, Cllr Dan De'Ath, said: "Losing a loved one is always incredibly difficult, but this time of year can be particularly challenging. This service offers people of all faiths the opportunity to come together and remember those who have sadly passed."

Every year Cardiff's Bereavement Services team support a different charity and this year a collection in aid of City Hospice will take place during the service.

City Hospice are Cardiff's local hospice offering palliative care in the community for people with life-limiting conditions, supporting them so they can live their life in their place of choice, with dignity and in comfort, and with those close to them in their bereavement.