The Economy & Culture Scrutiny Committee met on 20 January 2026 to review the progress of the Central South Active Partnership and to begin a short scrutiny of Cardiff Council's allotment provision. Key decisions included the approval of terms of reference for a new inquiry into improving the daytime experience of Cardiff city centre users and the confirmation of membership for this task group.

Central South Active Partnership Update

The committee received an update on the Central South Active Partnership (CSAP), a regional sports partnership that includes Cardiff. Gavin Hawkey, Managing Director of CSAP, and Laura Williams, Assistant Director for Sport, Physical Health and Health at Cardiff Met, presented on the partnership's progress, strategic direction, and its integration with Cardiff's Physical Activity and Sport Strategy 2022-2027.

A key concern raised by the committee was the impact of the regionalisation on Cardiff's funding. It was confirmed that the funding for the 2026-27 financial year would remain at the same level as 2025-26, with the partnership aiming to manage inflationary pressures through efficiencies. While CSAP is exploring new funding opportunities, Gavin Hawkey emphasised the importance of making better use of existing investment. The committee was informed that while funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner had been lost, the associated work continues through other partners.

Discussions also covered specific programmes, including improvements to school swimming, with public transport being used to reduce costs for schools and increase participation. For older people and those with disabilities, a funded programme with GLL offers discounted activities, and an upcoming activity finder is expected to improve access to opportunities. The use of council parks for events like Parkrun was acknowledged, with ongoing investment in facilities such as 3G pitches, drainage, and lighting. The committee heard that a facilities audit is underway, and CSAP plans to better coordinate efforts across partners to avoid competition and maximise the impact of major events.

The role of volunteers and governing bodies in supporting sports clubs was discussed, with officers explaining that while the council provides training in areas like safeguarding and leadership, the primary support for participation often comes from governing bodies. The committee expressed a desire for clearer signposting of council support available to clubs.

Regarding metrics, CSAP is moving away from traditional Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and is instead using data from school and national surveys, layered with information on multiple deprivation, to target interventions and understand population-level changes. The committee sought further clarification on how CSAP measures its impact and whether project-specific measures are in place, particularly in relation to the significant investment in the partnership. The committee also requested to be kept informed about the consultation on CSAP's strategy.

Cardiff Council Allotments: Short Scrutiny - Part 1

The committee began its short scrutiny of Cardiff Council's allotment provision. Jennie Judd, Operational Manager for Parks, and Rhodri Edwards, Parks Strategy and Technical Manager, presented an overview of the current situation.

Cardiff Council manages 28 statutory allotment sites, providing 3,457 plots, with 2,489 currently occupied. A significant challenge identified is the insufficient budget and staffing resources to meet the demands of the service. The single dedicated allotment officer is managing a substantial workload, estimated at around 4,500 pieces of correspondence annually. The introduction of new software, Orchestrate, aims to improve efficiency and reduce the burden on the allotment officer, although initial teething problems with signal quality and access via council-owned hardware were noted.

The committee heard about the ongoing efforts to address overgrown and unlettable plots, with significant progress made through Welsh Government Allotment Support Grant funding, which has brought approximately 180 plots back into use. However, a backlog of maintenance and repairs remains, and a full asset review is needed to accurately assess infrastructure requirements.

Opportunities for the service include the digitalisation of processes, increasing the number of locally managed sites, and the introduction of a new tenancy agreement that has undergone extensive consultation. The committee also discussed the importance of community engagement and understanding the needs of different user groups, including older people, disabled individuals, and those referred through social prescribing schemes.

Questions were raised about the comparison of Cardiff's allotment provision to neighbouring local authorities and the historical development of the 28 statutory sites. The committee was informed that Cardiff has a more generous provision per household than London. The current waiting list for plots across the city stands at 2,255, with an estimated 469 vacant plots, though some are unusable due to their condition.

The committee noted the challenges in securing new allotment sites, particularly in areas with significant housing development, such as North West Cardiff. The current proposal for new plots is an extension of allotments at Forest Farm, subject to further due diligence. The committee also highlighted the importance of ward councillors being aware of allotment needs when considering Section 106 contributions.

The committee agreed to proceed with site visits to various allotment locations in February and March 2026 to gather further evidence from plot holders and site representatives. The findings from these visits will be discussed at a future meeting in April 2026.

Work Programme and Correspondence

The committee approved the terms of reference and membership for a new inquiry into Improving Cardiff City Centre Users' Daytime Experiences. This inquiry will examine current council and partner work, user feedback, and best practices from other UK cities to make recommendations for improvement. Councillors Ash-Edwards, Hunt, and Reid-Jones were appointed to the task group.

An update on correspondence was provided, detailing letters sent and responses received from various Cabinet Members and officers on topics previously scrutinised by the committee, including the City Centre Management and Night Time Economy, Shared Prosperity Fund, and Cardiff Riding School.

The next meeting of the Economy & Culture Scrutiny Committee is scheduled for 24 February 2026, focusing on Budget Scrutiny.