To provide an opportunity for Councillors to ask questions to the Leader of the Council in accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders.
Process:
No more than 15 minutes will be allocated at the Council meeting for questions to the Leader of the Council.
The question must be addressed through the Mayor or the person presiding at the meeting and not directly to the person being questioned.
Minutes:
Before Commencement with questions, the Leader made the following announcements to Council:
Microsoft to create 120 jobs when it opens a new data centre in Celtic Way, site of the former Quinn Radiators factory, as well as creating construction jobs during the development.
Datacentres provide the physical infrastructure for the technology we depend on at work and in our personal lives. Whenever you open an app on your phone, join a virtual classroom or meeting, snap and save photos, or play a game with your friends online, you are using a datacentre.
This represents a significant investment in our city by a leader in the global tech industries.
The youth and play service summer programme had been launched and free sessions were available to book online.
There was a huge variety of activities including indoor and outdoor fun, circus skills, cooking and pottery sessions, number tots and more.
Those attending could also get free transport on Newport Bus to the event by showing their Eventbrite ticket to the driver.
There were more events in the libraries too, including the summer reading challenge – this year’s theme is “marvelous makers”.
Ship summer event
The Ship Centre’s annual Medieval Summer Fair returns on Saturday 27 July from 10am-4pm.
From craft workshops and demonstrations to family activities, there will be lots to see and do throughout the day, and entry is free.
The Ship Centre is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-4pm until Saturday 2 November.
The Big Splash Festival takes place this Saturday and Sunday. This is a free event with activities for all ages.
The festival includes the premiere of Ballet Cymru’s Daydreams and Jellybeans, Tiny Circus, Bards on the Bus, live music performances, Xtreme Gaming, Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band, street entertainment and more.
Graffiti wall
A second dedicated graffiti wall has opened in Newport.
The space at Jack’s Wharf, along the riverside in Pillgwenlly, gives artists a place to display their works, while bringing a splash of colour to the area, and reducing the level of graffiti in unauthorised areas.
Set up as part of a project led by the council, working in partnership with Gwent Police and the force’s volunteer police cadets, who helped clear the wall ready for opening, and Newport City Homes who have kindly donated the wall to the project.
This follows on from the success of our first graffiti wall in Glebelands park which opened last year.
Newport City Radio DAB
Congratulations and happy birthday to Newport City Radio.
Our community radio station is moving to brand new site in the Kingsway Centre with its grand opening today – and the very exciting move to Digital Audio Broadcasting.
We wish the station and all it’s amazing volunteers the best of luck.
Leader’s Questions
Councillor Evans:
Referred to three weekly bin collections and the promise that the previous two Leaders made about not moving to monthly bin collections. Councillor Evans then asked would residents be hit with massive council tax hikes and would they be above inflation. This second question was supplementary, however, the Leader agreed to respond to it as a supplementary.
The Leader:
The Leader confirmed that there were no plans to reduce waste collections to monthly collections. The Leader considered that council tax would increase, and he would provide in writing a response to Councillor Evans.
Councillor Morris:
Further to the debate on the Safer Newport Plan, Councillor Morris suggested a cross-party working group to explore the topic further.
The Leader:
Agreed to this and suggested the Place Making Plan would be an ideal forum and that Councillor Morris should put his views forward to Councillor Clarke.
Councillor Jones:
Referred to budget cuts and asked could monthly bin collections be avoided.
The Leader:
Advised that he would avoid this at all costs.
Councillor Routley:
Presented the following as a QAAT as he was unable to join the meeting –
You have recently stressed the importance of halting negative discourse about Newport City Centre, and I wholeheartedly agree. On Civic Sunday, July 14th, during the celebrations for the mayor and other public servants, I was disheartened to see the roads outside the cathedral dirty, bins unemptied, and overgrown grass around the graves near the entrance. This reflects a lack of civic pride.
Similarly, a walk-through Newport High Street on Saturday left me feeling ashamed as a council member. We have significant work ahead. Therefore, I urge you to engage with all council members and business leaders so we can unite and develop strategies to improve the city centre.
We need to be bold, brave, and take immediate action. Let us prioritize our community over politics.