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:
Leader’s Announcements
In answer to the first question from the Mayor, the Leader made the following announcements:
- The in-principle decision this month to back a £12 million redevelopment proposal to regenerate and revitalise the historic Newport Market
- £1.1 million of National Lottery funding secured to restore the Market Arcade to its former glory.
- Planning approval obtained to progress the redevelopment of Chartist Tower, to include a new hotel with gym, conference space, offices, a coffee shop and restaurant.
- Financial support agreed with Welsh Government for the initial stages of the project to develop a new footbridge to replace the Devon Place subway.
- The progress in securing funding to carry out essential repairs to the Transporter Bridge and enhance it as a visitor attraction.
- Recent Cabinet agreement to develop new Neighbourhood hubs
- Green Flag awards confirmed for Beechwood Park, Belle Vue Park and Gwent Crematorium.
- Major events being held in the city, with the Newport Marathon, Velothon Wales and Big Splash taking place recently, and the Tour of Britain and Food Festival planned for the Autumn.
University Provision
Referring to the Labour manifesto commitments to support university education in the city, Councillor Matthew Evans asked about the number of university students currently studying in Newport, speculating that it must be less than the 9,000 students studying here in 2012.
The Leader assured Council that a lot of work was being done behind the scenes with the university as a key partner in the city, however it was also noted that the University of South Wales (USW) was an independent institution working to its own business plan. The Leader had also recently issued a statement supporting the reaccreditation of USW’s teacher training course which represented 30% of USW’s business. The university and its students were highly valued in the city but also respected as a private enterprise.
Councillor Evans asked a supplementary question about the relationship with the university, referencing the previously vibrant student scene in the city, with only a fraction of USW’s 20,000 students now coming to Newport. The Leader noted and understood Councillor Evans’ concerns, welcomed working together on this issue, and agreed to take any ideas forward to future meetings with the Vice Chancellor.
Affordable Housing
Referencing the need for affordable housing and the impact of the “Bristol effect”, Councillor Cleverly asked whether the Council would take action by setting up a local house building company.
The Leader recognised the need for more affordable homes, and while the end of the bridge tolls was welcomed, the changing demographic caused by the “Bristol effect” did bring with it concerns about the availability of affordable housing. It was noted that the Council’s housing stock was transferred to Newport City Homes in 2009, however the Leader agreed to look into the idea.
University Provision
Following up on Councillor Evans’ question, Councillor Townsend asked whether we could work with other local universities. The Leader confirmed that there was no exclusivity in the relationship with USW, and the Council was open to all offers and opportunities to move things forward.
Equalities
Responding to Councillor Stephen Marshall’s question, the Leader underlined the authority’s commitment to equalities, as demonstrated through the strategic equality plan and Welsh language plan. Update on both of these plans were received by Cabinet in July and would be presented to Council in September. In concluding, the Leader offered a place on the Strategic Equalities Group to the Leader of the Opposition.