Cardiff Council's Cabinet met on Thursday 16 July 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including the potential introduction of a Workplace Parking Levy (WPL) to fund transport improvements, plans for Welsh-medium secondary education, and the acquisition of new housing developments. The Cabinet approved the WPL as the preferred option for further development and public consultation, noted plans for a temporary increase in Welsh-medium secondary school intakes, and approved the acquisition of Medallion House to provide additional affordable homes.

The meeting also covered the Economy & Culture Scrutiny Committee's report on improving the city centre's daytime user experience, the Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee's findings on adult social care for older ethnic minority communities, and the Corporate Safeguarding Annual Report. Additionally, the Cabinet approved the Annual Property Plan for 2026/27, noted the revenue and capital implications of increased intakes at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, and authorised officers to proceed with the recommissioning of Young Person's Housing-Related Support services. The Local Authority Social Services Annual Report 2025/26 and the Corporate Parenting Annual Report 2025-2026 were also received for consideration by the Council.

Road User Payment Scheme Outline Business Case

The Cabinet approved the progression of the Workplace Parking Levy (WPL) as the preferred option for further development to WelTAG Stage 3. This decision followed an outline business case appraisal that considered various road user payment options. The WPL was favoured over a Road User Charge (RUC) due to its perceived lower public and business impact, simpler implementation, lower costs, and faster delivery timescales. The RUC, while potentially generating higher revenue, was deemed to have greater challenges regarding affordability, public acceptability, and complexity.

The WPL would apply an annual charge to employers providing workplace parking across the entire Cardiff local authority area. The estimated net annual revenue is approximately £10 million, which would be ring-fenced for transport improvements. The scheme would include exemptions for essential users and discounts for Blue Badge holders and employers with 10 or fewer parking places. The Council will now proceed with public consultation and further stakeholder engagement on the RUP options, and officers will work with Welsh Government on the necessary secondary legislation. A further report will be presented to Cabinet and Full Council on the recommendations of the Full Business Case for a final decision.

Engagement on Short-Term Changes to Welsh-Medium Secondary Education in 2027/28

The Cabinet noted the feedback received from public engagement regarding short-term changes to Welsh-medium secondary education for the 2027/28 school year. The engagement sought views on options to temporarily increase intakes at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf by either 30 or 60 places, or to distribute an increase of 60 places across Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern, and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr.

The feedback indicated a strong preference among parents and pupils for options that maintained continuity with existing friendship groups and catchment areas, with Option 2 (adding 60 places at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf) being favoured by pupils in one session, and Option 3 (adding 30 places at Glantaf and 30 at Bro Edern) being favoured in another. Concerns were raised about overcrowding, facility constraints at Ysgol Glantaf, the timing of the engagement, and the need for long-term strategic planning for Welsh-medium provision.

The Cabinet noted the planned temporary increase to intakes at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf by 60 places for the 2027/28 school year. Officers were authorised to take the appropriate actions to allow for this increased intake, and the revenue and capital implications were noted. A further report on long-term sustainable growth of Welsh-medium education will be presented to Cabinet in autumn 2026.

Additional Property Purchases of Medallion House, 62-64 Crwys Road, Cathays, Cardiff

The Cabinet approved the acquisition of land and buildings at 62-64 Crwys Road, Cathays, which will deliver 60 affordable apartments and a community centre. This acquisition is part of the Council's commitment to address the housing emergency and increase the supply of affordable homes. The project represents a turnkey development, reducing development risk and enabling faster delivery of much-needed housing. Authority was delegated to the Corporate Director - People and Communities, in consultation with relevant officers and Cabinet Members, for all matters arising from the acquisition.

Young Person's Housing-Related Support Commissioning

The Cabinet approved the proposed procurement approach for recommissioning accommodation and housing-related support services for young people across Cardiff. This aims to ensure services continue to meet current and future needs, offering a more integrated and flexible model. Authority was delegated to the Director of Adult Services, Housing and Communities, in consultation with relevant officers and Cabinet Members, to progress the procurement and award of contracts within the approved budget.

Corporate Safeguarding Annual Report 2025-2026

The Cabinet approved the Corporate Safeguarding Annual Report for 2025/2026 for consideration by the Council. The report highlighted progress made across key areas including Safe Governance, Safe Employment, Safe Workforce, Safe Practice, and Safe Partnerships. It noted strengths in governance, training compliance, and partnership working, while identifying areas for continued development such as strengthening oversight of non-council staff and responding to national learning from safeguarding reviews.

Annual Property Plan 2026/27

The Cabinet approved the Annual Property Plan for 2026/27. This plan outlines the Council's property programme, reporting progress against targets and establishing priorities for the year ahead. Key areas of focus include the Core Office Programme, modernisation and rationalisation of the operational estate, supporting housing growth and regeneration, reducing liabilities, delivering statutory compliance, progressing carbon reduction initiatives, and maximising the value of investment and non-operational property portfolios.

Local Authority Social Services Annual Report 2025/26

The Cabinet approved the Local Authority Social Services Annual Report for 2025/26 for consideration by the Council. The report detailed progress and challenges within both Children's Services and Adult Services, highlighting achievements such as the implementation of the Eclipse client record system, improvements in foster care recruitment, and the expansion of preventative services. It also noted ongoing challenges related to demand, complexity of need, and workforce pressures. The Cabinet also recommended to Council that the recruitment process for the Director of Adult Services, Housing and Communities be commenced, as the current postholder is retiring.

Corporate Parenting Annual Report 2025-2026

The Cabinet approved the Corporate Parenting Annual Report for 2025/2026 for consideration by the Council. The report detailed progress against the Corporate Parenting Strategy's five priorities: Improving Emotional Health and Wellbeing, Better Connections and Improved Relationships, A Comfortable, Safe and Stable Home, Educational Achievement, Employment and Training, and Involving and Celebrating our Children and Young People. It highlighted achievements in areas such as trauma-informed practice, mentoring schemes, housing support for care leavers, and increased foster carer recruitment.

Scrutiny Matters

The Cabinet received inquiry reports from the Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee on Access and Experience of Adult Social Care Services for Older Ethnic Minority Communities and from the Economy & Culture Scrutiny Committee on Improving City Centre Daytime Users' Experiences . The Cabinet noted these reports and will respond within the usual timescales.

Other Items

Apologies were received from Councillor Lee Bridgeman and Councillor Peter Littlechild. Councillor Jen Burke declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in item 7, and Councillor Rodney Berman, Councillor Peter Bradbury, Councillor Bethan Proctor also declared personal non-prejudicial interests in relation to item 7. Councillors Chris Weaver, Norma Mackie, and Sarah Merry declared personal non-prejudicial interests in item 10. Councillor Ash Lister declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in item 11. Councillor Jen Burke declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in item 9.

There were no urgent items or items exempt from publication.