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Howells Redevelopment Approved; Social Housing Gains

This week in Cardiff:

Howells Redevelopment Approved Amid Heritage Concerns

Cardiff Council's Planning Committee has given the green light to the redevelopment of the historic Howells department store, a decision that has sparked debate over balancing economic development with preserving the city's heritage. You can view the meeting details here.

Balancing Act: Benefits vs. Harm

The committee grappled with the complexities of the project, acknowledging the harm to the Grade II* listed building while weighing the substantial other benefits of the development.

Throughout the report, and I'll talk about it shortly, is it does identify harm. It does identify varying degrees of harm, from minor harm to moderate adverse harm and one degree of major adverse harm. And what we have to do through the planification is primarily consider the extent to which that degree of harm is or would or would not be outweighed by the substantial other benefits to be attributed to this development.

  • The redevelopment aims to deliver apartments, studio apartments, a hotel, and flexible commercial floorspace.
  • Concerns were raised about the scale and visual impact of the proposed tower, particularly its effect on the setting of St John's Church.
  • The committee ultimately voted to grant the application, subject to conditions and referral to CADW.

Material Concerns

Councillor Sean Driscoll questioned the red brickwork of the tower and its impact on the views of St John's Church, proposing a condition to seek alternative materials. Councillor Adrian Robson agreed that the red brick finish was unacceptable and requested the committee see the final finish before approval.

The committee voted to delegate the decision on the condition to officers in consultation with the chair.

Gaiety Theatre Demolition Approved for Social Housing

The committee also approved the demolition of the existing 'Gaiety' building and redevelopment for Housing Association apartments and ground floor commercial units.

  • Councillor Jon Shimmin noted it was a shame to lose such a building of character but that the social housing was desperately needed.
  • Councillor Garry Hunt lamented the loss of the art deco architecture.

Other Matters

  • The committee approved a new hotel on Queen Street, with Councillor John Lancaster praising the design as beautiful and in keeping with the buildings there.
  • The committee approved several stopping up orders, including one for John Street, which will transfer highway rights to a private owner.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a list of upcoming Cardiff Council meetings:

Cardiff Council: SUV Tax Sparks Debate, Social Services Strained

This week in Cardiff:

SUV Surcharge Sparks Heated Debate Over Fairness and Environmental Impact

Cardiff Council is facing criticism over its proposal to introduce a surcharge for oversized vehicles as part of its City Parking Plan. The plan, intended as an environmental measure, has been branded a regressive tax that will disproportionately affect working families and tradespeople. You can view the meeting details here.

Mad to Oppose Environmental Tax?

The debate unfolded during the Cabinet Member Statements and Oral Questions session at the Council meeting on 23 October 2025. Councillor Dan De'Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport, defended the surcharge, arguing that larger vehicles cause significantly more road damage.

I am introducing a surcharge on SUVs, of course, Joel, because a two-ton SUV does 16 times, 16 times the road damage of a one-ton car.

Councillor De'Ath went on to say that those who opposed the tax sound mad.

Concerns Over Impact on Tradespeople

Councillor Bourke questioned the impact of the surcharge on tradespeople who rely on vans for their work. Councillor Williams criticized the surcharge as a regressive tax on working families.

A Regressive Tax on the Poor?

Critics argue that the surcharge will disproportionately impact low-income individuals and families who rely on larger vehicles for practical reasons, such as childcare or shift work. They contend that the council has not adequately assessed the potential for the policy to simply punish those who cannot afford to replace their vehicles.

Social Services Stretched as Demand Increases

Cardiff Council's Local Authority Social Services Annual Report 2024/2025 reveals increasing demand and complexity in the needs of vulnerable individuals, placing significant pressure on social services. You can view the meeting details here.

Staff Dedication Praised

The report praises the dedication of social services staff in providing person-centred care, despite the challenges they face. Key achievements include the integration of early help services, trauma-informed practice training for staff, and expansion of accommodation for children.

Concerns Over Unfilled Posts and Complaint Resolution

Councillor Oliver Owen raised concerns about the percentage of unfulfilled social worker posts and satisfaction levels with adult social care. Councillor Tief highlighted that stage two complaints in social services were not being resolved within the guideline of 25 working days.

Focus on Partnership Working

The report emphasizes the importance of partnership working in ensuring that frontline social workers can effectively support vulnerable individuals.

Local Development Plan Faces Criticism Over Housing Targets and Greenfield Development

Cardiff Council's 9th Local Development Plan Annual Report has come under fire for failing to meet housing targets and for building on greenfield sites. You can view the meeting details here.

Housing Shortfall

Councillor Berman noted that the council had only reached 58% of its overall dwelling requirement and 14% of its affordable housing target.

Greenfield Development Concerns

Councillor McEvoy criticized the plan for building on greenfield sites, while Councillor Goodway recalled a meeting with Welsh Government officials who emphasized the need to accommodate some greenfield land in the local development plan.

Successes in Employment and Sustainable Transport

The report highlights successes in employment and sustainable transport, with 24,000 new jobs created in Cardiff since 2016 and an increase in journeys made by walking, cycling, or public transit.

Other Matters

  • The Council approved the Statement of Accounts 2024/2025, despite concerns about a £4 million overspend and the council's long-term financial resilience. You can view the meeting details here.
  • The Council noted the Standards and Ethics Annual Report, with Councillor Brown-Reckless raising concerns about the standard regime and the handling of issues by the Standards and Ethics Committee. You can view the meeting details here.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a list of upcoming Cardiff Council meetings:

Cardiff Housing Support Under Scrutiny, SUV Parking Fees Proposed

This week in Cardiff:

Council Faces Scrutiny Over Housing Support Programme Amidst Rising Homelessness

Cardiff Council's Cabinet has approved a phased plan to recommission the Housing Support Programme, a move intended to prevent homelessness and support vulnerable individuals. You can view the meeting details here. However, the decision comes amid growing concerns about rising homelessness and the effectiveness of current support services.

Key Changes Proposed

The Housing Support Programme Commissioning Plan outlines a phased approach to recommissioning housing-related and specialist support services, including:

  • Floating support services for young people.
  • Hostels.
  • Violence against women, domestic abuse, and sexual violence services.

The plan aims to provide longer-term commitments for third-sector organizations and ensure the standard and continuity of services.

Concerns Over Single Person Housing Needs

The Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee discussed the Housing Support Programme Commissioning Plan, and noted a shift from families needing housing in 2019 to more single people needing housing. You can view the meeting details here. Officers explained that this is due to a range of factors, including the prison population, asylum accommodation, family relationship breakdowns, and private sector landlords asking people to leave.

Ombudsman Cases Highlight Council House Repair Failures

The Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee also discussed ombudsman cases related to the council house repairs service. Officers confirmed that there have been a number of cases referred to the ombudsman, and at least one, possibly two, that will go public.

Council Acknowledges Systemic Issues

The Council House Repairs Policy Review acknowledged systematic issues with the Direct Repairs Unit (DRU). These issues include:

  • Backlogs of unallocated work.
  • Inefficient scheduling and coordination.
  • Workforce management challenges.
  • Inadequate response to damp and mold.
  • Poor customer communication.

The council has developed an improvement plan to address these issues, but progress is ongoing.

City Parking Plan Aims to Balance Needs Amidst Controversy

The Cabinet discussed the City Parking Plan, a proposal that aims to manage parking and prioritize certain users in Cardiff. You can view the meeting details here. The plan has generated significant debate, with concerns raised about its potential impact on commuters, businesses, and the overall economic vitality of the city.

Discouraging SUVs

One of the most controversial aspects of the plan is the proposal to discourage the use of SUVs1 by charging them more for permits. Councillor Dan De'Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport, explained that this is due to their larger size and the increased risk they pose to pedestrians.

Concerns About Accuracy and Impact

Councillor Rodney Berman raised concerns about the accuracy of the plan's diagrams and the potential for confusion among residents. Councillor John Lancaster questioned the safety rationale for charging more for vehicles over 2,400 kilograms and expressed concern that the plan could negatively impact retail in Cardiff.

Other Matters

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a list of upcoming Cardiff Council meetings:

  1. The council defines SUVs as 'very, very heavy American-style vehicles', not SUV-shaped cars. ↩

Cardiff Considers New Parking Plan Amidst Resident Concerns

This week in Cardiff:

Council to Consider City Parking Plan Amidst Resident Concerns

The Environmental Scrutiny Committee recently debated the City Parking Plan, a proposal that aims to manage parking and prioritize certain users in Cardiff. You can view the meeting details here. While the plan aims to improve parking for residents and businesses, concerns remain about its potential impact on commuters and the overall economic vitality of the city.

Key Changes Proposed

The City Parking Plan proposes a zonal structure with varying levels of control:

  • Core City Centre: Focus on pedestrianized streets and key areas.
  • Inner Area: Historical central parking zone with 100% controlled curbside streets.
  • Outer Area: Gradual introduction of parking zones over 10 years, subject to local support.

New Permits and Charges

The plan also introduces a range of new permits, including:

  • Visitor Permits: Daily permits with a cap, plus the retention of hourly permits.
  • Business Permits: Available for operational vehicles in outer zones.
  • Educational Permits: For school staff, with numbers determined on a case-by-case basis.
  • Student Parking Permits: Limited to one per household in student-only HMOs1, plus visitor permits.
  • Essential Service Permits: For carers, NHS staff, and other essential community workers.
  • Parking Permit Surcharges: For heavy and high-polluting vehicles.

Concerns and Criticisms

While some councillors praised the plan's goals, others raised concerns:

  • Timescale: Councillor Ash-Edwards expressed concern about the 10-year implementation period.
  • Safety: Councillor Lancaster challenged the safety rationale for surcharges on larger vehicles, arguing they often have higher safety ratings.
  • Commuters: Councillor Waldron worried about the plan's impact on commuters and the need for improved public transport options.
  • Enforcement: Councillor Gibson questioned how the success of the zones would be monitored and enforced.

Council's Response

Councillor Dan De'Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport, emphasized that the plan aims to improve parking for residents and businesses, not to generate revenue. He also stated that the council would consult with residents before implementing any changes and would not force zones on unwilling communities.

Public Protection Sub Committee Addresses Hackney Carriage Matters

The Public Protection Sub Committee met to discuss Hackney Carriage and Private Hire matters. You can view the meeting details here. The public was excluded from part of the meeting due to confidential information.

Policy Review and Performance Scrutiny Committee Discusses Public Services Board and Council Change Programme

The Policy Review and Performance Scrutiny Committee discussed the Cardiff Public Services Board's annual progress, the council's change programme, and the procurement of a new financial system. You can view the meeting details here.

Public Services Board's Wellbeing Plan

The committee reviewed the Cardiff Public Services Board's (PSB) annual progress against its five-year Wellbeing Plan, which includes objectives such as making Cardiff a great place to grow up and grow older, supporting people out of poverty, and creating safe and empowered communities.

Council's Change Programme

The committee received an introductory briefing on the council's change programme, which aims to improve services and efficiency. The programme focuses on dynamic workplaces, preventative public services, and sustainable economic growth.

Enterprise Resource Planning System Replacement

The committee engaged in early policy discussions regarding the procurement of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to replace the council's current SAP system.

Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee Focuses on Social Services and Inclusion

The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Local Authority Social Services Annual Report, eliminating profit from care, and the draft inclusion strategy. You can view the meeting details here.

Social Services Annual Report

The committee scrutinized the Local Authority Social Services Annual Report, raising concerns about recruitment and retention of staff, budget overspends, and forward planning for children with disabilities.

Eliminating Profit from Care

The committee received an update on the progress being made in relation to the elimination of profit from care, in line with Welsh Government legislation.

Education and Lifelong Learning Inclusion Strategy

The committee undertook pre-decision scrutiny of the draft Cardiff Inclusion Strategy, which aims to ensure that all children and young people feel that they belong in their school or school setting.

Other Matters

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a list of upcoming Cardiff Council meetings:

  1. HMO stands for House in Multiple Occupation. This is a property rented out by at least 3 people who are not from 1 'household' (for example, a family) but share facilities like the kitchen and bathroom. ↩

Cardiff: Betting Shop Approved, Tower Block OK'd, & More Council News

This week in Cardiff:

Betting Shop Approved Despite Community Concerns

The Planning Committee approved an application for a new betting shop in Llanrumney, despite strong objections from local councillors and residents. You can view the meeting details here. The decision raises questions about the council's commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and promoting healthy high streets.

Community Fears Ignored?

Councillors Pocknell and Bridgman argued that Llanrumney, one of the most deprived areas in Cardiff, already has a disproportionate number of betting shops, which exploit vulnerable people and drain money from stretched households. They also raised concerns about the proximity of the proposed betting shop to schools and a new youth skills centre.

Planning Officer Defends Decision

The planning officer stated that the unit had been marketed for more than six months and that the key consideration was whether the proposed use would cause unacceptable harm to the shopping role and character of the centre. They added that the authorities had not objected to the proposal, and that the opening hours would be controlled by a condition.

Tower Block Approved for Bute Terrace

The Planning Committee also approved an application for a 30-storey residential tower at Harlech Court, Bute Terrace. The decision was subject to a Section 106 agreement.

Concerns Over Visual Impact and Cycle Provision

Councillor Wong raised concerns about the visual appearance of the tower, the lack of ecological baseline data, the waste management strategy, and the cycle provision. They disputed the claim that demand for on-site residential cycle parking was likely to be lower due to the site's proximity to the city centre, Cardiff Central Station, and the bus interchange.

Officer Cites Pragmatism

The planning officer responded that the cycle parking provision was part of negotiations to improve the layout and amenity space, and that the council always tried to get as close as possible to the aspirations of the policy and the SPG.

Footpath Diversion Approved in Capel Llanilterne

The committee approved a Section 257 application for the diversion of Capel Llanilterne No. 18 Footpath, required due to the Persimmon development at Junction 33.

Democratic Services Committee Discusses Councillor Roles and Responsibilities

The Democratic Services Committee met to discuss a range of issues, including the role of councillors, ICT protocols, and broadcasting meetings. You can view the meeting details here. No video was provided.

21st Century Councillor Report

The committee discussed the 21st Century Councillor report, which identifies ten characteristics of an effective councillor, grouped into three themes: working with complexity, developing and valuing new ways of working, and thriving in the new environment.

Draft Members ICT Protocol

The committee considered a draft of the Members Guide Supporting Technology, which provides information on key ICT policies and members' role as data controllers.

Consultation on Broadcasting Meetings

The committee considered the Welsh Government consultation on extending the duty on local authorities to broadcast meetings.

Member Development Programme

The committee considered the updated Member Development Programme, which supports elected members and provides opportunities for collective and individual development.

Other Matters

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a list of upcoming Cardiff Council meetings:

Recent meetings
Policy Review and Performance Scrutiny Committee

Policy Review and Performance Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 12th November, 2025 4.30 pm

The Policy Review and Performance Scrutiny Committee of Cardiff Council is scheduled to meet on 12 November 2025 to discuss the council's Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy, sickness absence, and budget. The meeting will also include a discussion of the way forward and the setting of the date for the next meeting.

November 12, 2025
Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee CANCELLED

Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 11th November, 2025 4.30 pm

This meeting has been cancelled.

November 11, 2025
Planning Committee

Planning Committee - Thursday, 6th November, 2025 10.30 am

The Planning Committee of Cardiff Council met to discuss several planning applications, including the redevelopment of the former Howells department store, a stopping up order for John Street, and a new hotel on Queen Street. The committee approved the Howells development, subject to conditions and referral to CADW[^2], and also approved the stopping up orders and the Queen Street hotel.

November 06, 2025
Public Protection Sub Committee

Public Protection Sub Committee - Wednesday, 5th November, 2025 10.00 am

The Public Protection Sub Committee of Cardiff Council met on Wednesday 5 November 2025, to discuss Hackney Carriage and Private Hire matters. The report pack for the meeting indicated that the public may be excluded from the meeting during discussion of this item.

November 05, 2025
Standards & Ethics Committee

Standards & Ethics Committee - Wednesday, 5th November, 2025 5.00 pm

The Standards & Ethics Committee of Cardiff Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 5 November 2025.

November 05, 2025
Council

Council - Thursday, 23rd October, 2025 4.30 pm

The Cardiff Council meeting on 23 October 2025 addressed a range of issues, including the approval of the Local Authority Social Services Annual Report 2024/2025, and the 9th Cardiff Local Development Plan Annual Report. Councillors also discussed the Statement of Accounts 2024/2025, and the Standards and Ethics Annual Report. A key debate emerged around a proposed surcharge for oversized vehicles, framed as an environmental measure but criticised as a regressive tax.

October 23, 2025
Licensing Sub Committee CANCELLED

Licensing Sub Committee - Wednesday, 22nd October, 2025 10.00 am

This meeting has been cancelled.

October 22, 2025
Governance and Audit Committee

Governance and Audit Committee - Tuesday, 21st October, 2025 1.00 pm

The Governance and Audit Committee of Cardiff Council convened on 21 October 2025, to discuss the audited statement of accounts for Cardiff Council, the Cardiff Harbour Authority, the Cardiff & Vale of Glamorgan Pension Fund, and the Annual Governance Statement. The committee was also scheduled to review the audit findings and opinions presented by Audit Wales.

October 21, 2025
Cabinet

Cabinet - Thursday, 16th October, 2025 2.00 pm

Cardiff Council's cabinet convened to discuss a range of issues, including the approval of the Local Authority Social Services Annual Report, the City Parking Plan, and the commencement of a phased approach to recommissioning housing-related support services. The cabinet also supported a bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup and approved an inclusion strategy for Cardiff schools.

October 16, 2025
Licensing Sub Committee

Licensing Sub Committee - Wednesday, 15th October, 2025 10.00 am

The Licensing Sub Committee of Cardiff Council met on Wednesday 15 October 2025 to consider an application for a betting premises licence. The committee was also scheduled to discuss any urgent items.

October 15, 2025
Upcoming meetings
Environmental Scrutiny Committee

Environmental Scrutiny Committee - Thursday, 13th November, 2025 4.30 pm

November 13, 2025
Local Authority Governor Panel

Local Authority Governor Panel - Monday, 17th November, 2025 2.00 pm

November 17, 2025
Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee

Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 17th November, 2025 4.30 pm

November 17, 2025
Economy & Culture Scrutiny Committee

Economy & Culture Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 18th November, 2025 4.30 pm

November 18, 2025
Licensing Sub Committee

Licensing Sub Committee - Wednesday, 19th November, 2025 11.15 am

November 19, 2025
Licensing Committee

Licensing Committee - Wednesday, 19th November, 2025 10.00 am, NEW

November 19, 2025
Cabinet

Cabinet - Thursday, 20th November, 2025 2.00 pm

November 20, 2025