The Cardiff Council met to discuss a range of issues, including the annual well-being report, senior management arrangements and budget updates. Councillors also debated a controversial motion on asylum seekers, which was ultimately defeated, and showed strong support for keeping professional rugby in Cardiff.

Senior Management Restructure Approved

The council approved a report relating to senior management arrangements, which includes the creation of two director posts and the reappointment of an existing director post. Councillor Chris Weaver, Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation & Performance, explained that the changes would result in a net increase to the general fund cost of £77,000, but were part of an overall management restructure to deliver savings of around £800,000.

Councillor Calum Davies, speaking for the Conservatives, supported the changes, but stressed that the savings should be realised and that the public narrative on the changes should be well explained. Councillor Ashley Wood said that his group could not support the proposals due to the increase in senior management costs.

Councillor Ashley Lister paid tribute to Deborah Driffield, who is retiring from her role as Director of Children's Services.

Well-being Report Highlights Progress and Challenges

The council considered the annual well-being report for 2024-2025, which assesses the council's performance across a range of areas. Councillor Huw Thomas, Leader of the Council, presented the report, highlighting positive outcomes in education, children's services, adult social care, regeneration, housing and climate change. Councillor Sarah Merry, Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Education, focused on Cardiff as a place to grow up, celebrating improvements in education outcomes and investment in new schools.

However, the report also acknowledged challenges, including rising demand for services, increasingly complex needs and growing costs, particularly in social care and housing. Councillor Thomas noted that the council faces a budget gap estimated at £126.9 million over the medium term, requiring significant transformation of services.

Councillor Daniel Waldron moved a reference back amendment on behalf of the Liberal Democrats, arguing that the report was misleading on carbon emissions. He stated that the report's claim of an 18% reduction in carbon emissions was incorrect, and that when procurement was factored in, the council had actually seen a 20% increase in net emissions. Councillor Joe Carter seconded the amendment, raising concerns about school budget deficits, litter and fly-tipping, the bus crisis and financial pressures.

Councillor Oliver Owen raised concerns about the council's attainment regarding older people, free parking, satisfaction with adult social services, antisocial behaviour and complaint response times. Councillor Neil McEvoy imagined a Cardiff in 2030 where the issues he raised were addressed.

Councillor Thomas rejected the amendment, stating that the report was clear about the data on carbon emissions and that the council was being honest and transparent. He also defended the council's record on school investment. The amendment was lost, and the report was noted.

Budget Update Reveals Significant Financial Pressures

Councillor Chris Weaver presented an update on the budget for 2026/27 and the medium-term financial plan, outlining the council's expected financial position over the coming years. The report set out a projected budget gap of £38.4 million for next year, with a potential gap of £126 million over the next four years.

Councillor Weaver explained that the council was taking a strategic approach to identifying potential savings and service transformation, with public consultation planned for early in the new year.

Councillor Cameron raised concerns about the assumptions used in the report, including a 2% increase in funding from the Welsh Government and council tax increases of 5%. Councillor Carter expressed concern about the achievability of closing the budget gap and the impact of school deficits. Councillor McEvoy asked whether there would be a budget line to address the management of trees in the city.

Councillor Weaver responded that the council was taking prudent assumptions and that it was focused on growth and investment. The report was noted.

Council Rejects Motion on Asylum Seekers

A controversial notice of motion proposed by Councillor Calum Davies, seconded by Councillor John Lancaster, called on the council to take a number of steps to limit the housing of asylum seekers in Cardiff. The motion stated that the council should make it clear that Cardiff will no longer house asylum seekers who have entered the UK illegally, demand that the British Government ceases the purchase of premises to house illegal migrants, instruct the Planning Department to judge whether any migrant hotels have the necessary planning permission, seek legal advice on using injunctions to close migrant hotels, and call on the British Government to adopt the Conservative Party's draft Deportation Bill.

Councillor Rodney Berman moved a Liberal Democrat amendment to the motion, arguing for a more humane approach to the asylum system and highlighting the role of Brexit in the increase in small boat crossings.

The motion was widely condemned by councillors from other parties, who accused the Conservatives of scapegoating vulnerable people and promoting a divisive narrative. Councillor Peter Wong said the motion was dehumanising and demonising a whole group of potentially vulnerable people. Councillor Robert Hopkins said the motion reeked of hypocrisy and that the Conservatives were in a downward spiral. Councillor Andrea Gibson said the motion was morally wrong and that it would put people into more desperate measures. Councillor Jasmin Chowdhury said the motion promoted a narrative rooted in fear and that it reduced human beings to threats. Councillor Imran Latif said the motion was a disgraceful attack on some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

Councillor Catriona Brown-Reckless spoke in support of the motion, arguing that former asylum seekers were being given priority for social housing over local Welsh people. Councillor Joe Youde said the motion was fanning the flames of hatred and that it was a divisive distraction from the real issues. Councillor Bethan Proctor said the motion was simply looking to stoke the fire and that it weaponized migration. Councillor Daniel Waldron said the motion was awful and that it came from a really nasty place. Councillor Neil McEvoy said there were real issues in communities and that the key issue was a lack of fairness. Councillor Sarah Merry said the motion was an attempt to exploit the situation and that it gave no analysis, hope or answers. Councillor Kanaya Singh said the motion sought to divide when the role of councillors was to unite.

Councillor Davies defended the motion, stating that it was not anti-asylum seeker but about the numbers and legality of migration. He said that the motion was a response to genuine concerns among the public and that it was necessary to reform the asylum system.

The amendment was lost, and the motion was defeated.

Council Supports Keeping Professional Rugby in Cardiff

The council unanimously supported a notice of motion proposed by Councillor Jamie Green, seconded by Councillor Huw Thomas, expressing its support for keeping professional rugby in Cardiff. The motion called on the council to oppose any moves to remove Cardiff's professional rugby side, to oppose removing Cardiff from the name of any professional club based in the city, to work with partners to this end, to ask officers to undertake analysis on the economic and cultural impact of losing a professional side, to write to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) outlining the council's view, and to welcome commitments in the WRU proposals to create two professional women's clubs and invest equitably in girls' community rugby.

Councillor Peter Bradbury spoke in support of the motion, highlighting the importance of grassroots rugby clubs. Councillor Sean Driscoll shared his memories of playing youth rugby in Cardiff and the legends who have played for the club. Councillor Jon Shimmin said that Wales and rugby go together like cheese and toast. Councillor Rhys Owain Livesey asked about support for grassroots rugby in the form of a permanent home for Canal Von Canna. Councillor Siân-Elin Melbourne spoke about the importance of accessible and inclusive rugby. Councillor Michael Michael spoke about the council's role in building the national stadium and the importance of supporting local rugby clubs. Councillor Neil McEvoy asked the council to write to the WRU and ask for a formal apology to Billy Boston for the way he was treated historically.

Other Matters

• The council approved the minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2025.
• The council received a public question from Mr. Lynn Ennion of Cardiff Civic Society, who asked about the number of days in 2025 when roads, cycleways or footpaths would be closed in or around Cardiff City Centre for events, how this compared with other core cities across the UK, and what steps the council would take to reduce disruption to residents. Councillor Dan De'Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport, responded that it was difficult to compare Cardiff with other cities, but that the council was working to minimise the impact on residents.
• The council received petitions from Stacey Falconer, Helen Edwards, Councillor Ed Stubbs and Councillor Neil McEvoy. Helen Edwards presented a petition urging the council to introduce fairer parking charges for large SUVs. Councillor Stubbs presented a petition calling for free bus travel from Splat to Broedding High School. Councillor McEvoy presented a petition calling for the Ely Recreation Ground to be put in trust.
• The council welcomed three new councillors who were elected in by-elections: Councillor Lexi Pocknell (Lan Romney), Councillor Matt Youde (Grangetown) and Councillor Edward Topham (Trowbridge).
• The council noted the Performance Panel Assessment.
• The council noted the Treasury Management Annual Report 2024/25.
• The council noted the Scrutiny Annual Report 2024-25.
• The council considered a number of oral questions to the Leader and Cabinet Members.
• The council approved the recommendations in the Committee Membership report and the Appointment of Local Authority Governors Report.