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Cardiff Council Update: 26 July 2024
Here is your Friday update, covering:
- Historic Cardiff pubs proposed for Local Heritage List
- Thousands of primary school children benefit from Universal Free School Meals
- Cardiff Youth Council collaborates on pioneering Active Travel study
- Democracy Ambassador Programme success for Cardiff primaries
Historic Cardiff pubs proposed for Local Heritage List
Cardiff Council has earmarked 71 existing and former pubs, clubs and social or cultural venues for inclusion on the city's Local Heritage List.
The move seeks to recognise and preserve these buildings for their positive contribution to the city's culture and visual distinctiveness.
Among the pubs put forward for inclusion are:
• The Butchers Arms in Rhiwbina
• The Albany in Plasnewydd
• The Cottage in Splott
• The Cornwall in Grangetown
• The Pineapple in Llandaff North, and
• The Halfway in Riverside
Cllr Dan De'Ath, the Council's Cabinet member responsible for Strategic Planning, said the proposal to add the buildings to the Local Heritage List aligned with the authority's 'Stronger, Fairer, Greener' corporate plan where it commits to "using our powers to protect and celebrate local buildings such as pubs, community spaces and music venues, particularly those rich in the city's working class history."
The Council has now launched a public consultation on the proposed local list additions which forms the first phase of a full review of the Local Heritage List. To take part in the consultation - which closes on September 18 this year - visit www.cardiffldp.co.uk/local-list and give your views.
Thousands of primary school children benefit from Universal Free School Meals
More than 20,900 primary age school pupils city-wide are now able to benefit from free school meals through Welsh Government's Universal Free School Meals programme, ensuring children eat well during the school day whilst providing financial benefit to families.
Extensive work carried out by Cardiff's Education Catering teams has seen school kitchens across the city updated and capacity increased, so that provision can be efficiently delivered to primary aged children in Cardiff's primary and special schools.
All primary pupils from Reception to Year 6 are able to access free school meals. To ensure primary aged children do not miss out on their free school meals, families should log onto their ParentPay account to pre order. More information is available here www.parentpay.com
A Cardiff Council spokesperson said: "Many families are still experiencing challenges relating to the current cost of living and Cardiff Council has been committed to delivering free school meals to all those eligible, as efficiently as possible to ensure that the financial squeeze does not get in the way of education.
"Facilitating this level of change has not been without its challenges, with each school being different in size and capacity, however despite these considerable difficulties the successful rollout of the scheme is a welcome addition which is already benefitting thousands of families across the city.
"In addition to Universal Free School Meals, families with children in secondary school who receive benefits, should continue to register for a free school meal. It is essential that those parents who need it most, receive the help that they are entitled to. I urge anyone who thinks they might be eligible for free school meals and other help, to get in touch so that they can access the right support throughout the school year."
Cardiff Youth Council collaborates on pioneering Active Travel study
In a significant step towards promoting sustainable travel and enhancing public health, Cardiff Youth Council (CYC) has announced its collaboration with leading academics on an innovative active travel intervention programme. The initiative aims to encourage walking and cycling, to assist in reducing Cardiff's carbon footprint and fostering healthier lifestyles.
The collaboration sees CYC working closely with Dr. Hannah Littlecott from Bristol University and Dr. Kelly Morgan from Cardiff University. With support from Welsh Government the partnership is set to undertake an evaluation on a groundbreaking active travel intervention which aims to understand whether changes to active travel in a Welsh town increases journeys by walking, cycling and wheeling.
The TRAVELS study will assess the new Welsh Government funded ‘Active Travel Town'. Active Travel Town will put in place lots of changes in the same town at the same time. These will include changes to the environment, such as bike lanes, bike parking, or street lights. It will also work with schools and workplaces to encourage people to use active travel more often.
CYC members and the academics have focused on refining data collection methods to ensure they align with the project's goals and resonate with the community's needs. The youth council's involvement brought a variety of perspectives and new ideas, enhancing the project's overall approach.
Cardiff's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "This collaboration is a significant milestone in Cardiff's journey towards fostering more active, healthy, and sustainable communities.
"The insights and energy that the Cardiff Youth Council brings to the table are invaluable and the participation of young people demonstrates our dedication to environmental sustainability and active living. By working alongside government and academic institutions, CYC is playing a crucial role in shaping a healthier future for Cardiff and beyond.
"This initiative aligns with our broader mission to embed children's rights into the fabric of the city, ensuring that young voices are not only heard but are instrumental in continuing our journey to making children's rights a reality in Cardiff, following our achievement of becoming the first UK Child Friendly City."
Democracy Ambassador Programme success for Cardiff primaries
Two Cardiff primary schools have scooped a prize of £100 each for their participation in Cardiff Council's Democracy Ambassador Programme.
Ysgol Gymraeg Melin Gruffydd in Whitchurch and St David's Church in Wales Primary School, Pentwyn have been successful in the programme organised by the Electoral Services team to support primary and secondary schools in the city to learn more about local democracy.
Teachers across the city were invited to sign up as Democracy Ambassadors, to gain access to a wide range of resources and ideas to engage pupils and students, Continued Professional Development training and ongoing support from the Electoral Services team.
Ysgol Melin Gruffydd and St David's primary were among 19 schools - 17 primaries and two secondary schools, that took part in the programme over the past school year.
The programme has included visits to County Hall where pupils have learned about voting and elections, how the Council makes decisions and met the Lord Mayor while local councillors have visited participating schools to explain their role and answer questions posed by the children.
The initiative has also included lessons, assemblies and workshops on local democracy and how everyone can be involved in the process.
Ysgol Melin Gruffydd and St David's primary were chosen as winners in the prize draw that schools entered by signing up to the programme before last October. The £100 prize can be spent on resources to help teach about elections and democracy, school trips to the Senedd or equipment to enable schools to hold their own elections.
Cllr Bablin Molik, who was Lord Mayor of Cardiff at the time of the schools' visits to County Hall, said: "Congratulations to Ysgol Melin Gruffydd and St David's Primary on their win! We have been really pleased with schools' engagement in the programme this year. There's been a lot of fun had, while learning about a really important topic.
"Teachers have told us the programme has been very worthwhile, and that the knowledge gained and experiences their pupils have had over the course of the programme will not only improve the pupil voice in their schools, but also support the children in becoming more engaged citizens as they grow."
