Sarah Merry - Councillor for Cardiff (Cathays)

Councillor Sarah Merry

Welsh Labour / Llafur Cymru Cathays Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Education

Email: Sarah.Merry@cardiff.gov.uk

Council: Cardiff

Council Profile: View on council website

Committees: Appointments Committee - Principal Solicitor (Litigation), OM2 Cabinet (Committee Member) Council (Committee Member) Local Authority Governor Panel (Chair) Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee (Chair) Appointments Committee - Principal Solicitor (Litigation) OM2 Cabinet Trust Committee Appointments Committee - Principal Solicitor OM1 (Committee Member)

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Activity Timeline

Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.

65 meetings · Page 1 of 13

Council Committee Member

Council - Thursday, 29th January, 2026 4.30 pm

The Council is scheduled to consider two Notices of Motion, one concerning public safety and drug use in the city centre, and another addressing the misuse of fireworks. Additionally, the meeting agenda includes reports from Democratic Services and statements from Cabinet Members.

January 29, 2026, 4:30 pm
Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee Chair

Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee - Monday, 26th January, 2026 3.00 pm

The Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee of Cardiff Council was scheduled to discuss the Q3 progress update for the Corporate Parenting Annual Plan 2025-2026. The meeting agenda also included updates on social value for children looked after and the evaluation of the Virtual School Model. Additionally, the committee was set to review progress on Priority 5, focusing on involving and celebrating children and young people, with specific agenda items on independent advocacy and ensuring children's voices are heard.

January 26, 2026, 3:00 pm
Cabinet Committee Member

Cabinet - Thursday, 22nd January, 2026 2.00 pm

The Cabinet meeting on Thursday 22 January 2026 saw decisions made regarding the purchase of land for new council housing, the expansion of Welsh-medium secondary education, and the adoption of a charter to protect migrant care workers. The council also approved plans for a new collaborative framework for the maintenance of non-domestic properties and noted reports on education investment and performance.

January 22, 2026, 2:00 pm
Local Authority Governor Panel Chair

Local Authority Governor Panel - Monday, 19th January, 2026 2.00 pm

The Local Authority Governor Panel was scheduled to discuss nominations for existing and future local authority school governor vacancies. The panel was also due to review the minutes from a previous meeting.

January 19, 2026, 2:00 pm
Cabinet Committee Member

Cabinet - Thursday, 8th January, 2026 2.00 pm

Cardiff Council's Cabinet met on Thursday, 8 January 2026, to discuss the upcoming budget and a significant UK Government regeneration initiative. The meeting confirmed the council's ability to balance its 2026-27 budget without frontline service cuts, thanks to improved funding from the Welsh Government and identified internal efficiencies. The Cabinet also agreed to proceed with a bid for the Pride in Place programme, which aims to invest £20 million over ten years into one of Cardiff's most deprived areas.

January 08, 2026

Decisions from Meetings

146 decisions · Page 21 of 30

Budget 2025 / 26

From: Cabinet - Thursday, 27th February, 2025 10.00 am - February 27, 2025

To recommend the Cabinet budget proposals be approved by Council together with the necessary statutory recommendations.

For Determination

Budget Monitoring - Month 9

From: Cabinet - Thursday, 27th February, 2025 10.00 am - February 27, 2025

The report will outline the overall financial monitoring position of the Council in respect of both revenue and capital accounts. This will include an analysis of key variances based on the first nine months of the financial year.  

For Determination

Procurement of the Collaborative Neutral Vendor Managed Service framework

From: Cabinet - Thursday, 27th February, 2025 10.00 am - February 27, 2025

The Neutral Vendor Managed Services (“NVMS”) is currently being delivered under the South East Wales Technical and Professional Services Framework (Lot 11).   Due to the popularity of Lot 11 and value of services provided, it will exceed the value cap of the existing SEWTAPS Framework. The Council therefore proposes to allow Lot 11 to expire on the current Framework and to run an open tender process to appoint a suitably qualified Neutral Vendor Service Provider(s) into a new separate Framework Agreement.   Lots 1-10 on the existing SEWTAPS Framework will be extended as provided for in the Framework.  

For Determination

International Sports Village Development

From: Cabinet - Thursday, 23rd January, 2025 2.00 pm - January 23, 2025

To present an update on the ISV project including progress with the planning applications, plans for car parking arrangements, and proposals for the former Toys R Us site (Retail 3).   To present the outcome of market engagement for the Energy Strategy for the site and a proposed procurement route.   To provide an updated on the boardwalk.  

Recommendations Approved

Cardiff Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) 2021 to 2036 Deposit Plan.

From: Cabinet - Thursday, 23rd January, 2025 2.00 pm - January 23, 2025

The Council commenced preparation of the RLDP in March 2021. Consultation to date has been undertaken on the Vision, Issues and Objectives for the plan, Strategic Growth and Spatial Options and the Preferred Strategy. The comments received during these consultations together with the findings of evidence base studies and assessments have been considered and have informed the preparation of the Deposit Plan or “Full” plan which is the next stage of consultation on the RLDP.  

Recommendations Approved

Summary

Meetings Attended: 65

Average per Month: 2.7

Decisions Recorded: 146