The Cardiff Council meeting on Thursday, 25 June 2026, saw councillors approve the Welsh Language Standards Annual Report for 2025-26, alongside revised policies on bilingual council operations and handling Welsh language telephone calls. The meeting also addressed a petition regarding potholes on Dan-y-Bryn Avenue and featured a series of cabinet statements and oral questions covering a wide range of council business, from education and waste management to housing, investment, and climate change.

Welsh Language Standards Annual Report 2025-26

Cardiff Council has made significant progress in promoting the Welsh language, exceeding targets for staff Welsh language skills and training. The council's workforce now has a higher percentage of Welsh speakers than the set target, and a substantial number of staff have participated in Welsh language training. The report highlighted the expansion of the Cymraeg i Bawb partnership across Wales, the continued success of the Tafwyl festival, and the revision of the Bilingual Cardiff Bilingual Council policy to reflect the latest legislation and best practices. The council also approved revised guidance on dealing with Welsh language telephone calls.

Petitions

A petition signed by 30 residents of Dan-y-Bryn Avenue in Radyr was presented, calling for potholes on their road to be filled. Councillor Calum Davies, who presented the petition, highlighted the long-standing need for road surface improvements in the area and noted that Dan-y-Bryn Avenue is on a bus route. He expressed concern that poor road conditions could damage the new buses being funded by Cardiff Council and Cardiff Bus.

Cabinet Statements and Oral Questions

A wide array of topics were discussed during the Cabinet Statements and Oral Questions session, reflecting the diverse responsibilities of the council.

Leader's Statement (Councillor Chris Weaver): Discussions included the governance arrangements of the South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee (CJC) and the Leader's attendance at a Core Cities meeting.

Deputy Leader and Education Statement (Councillor Sarah Merry): Key points included the funding of the Youth Services Strategy, the success of the Cardiff LEGO League Challenge, and Cathays High School's victory in the Debate Mate Grand Final. Concerns were raised about the potential relocation of Welsh medium education provision in the Radyr Comprehensive School area and the clarity on intake numbers for Welsh medium secondary schools in September 2027. The council confirmed it has not withdrawn the facility for sixth-form students at Radyr Comprehensive School to purchase spare seats on contracted school buses, citing changes in Public Service Vehicle Access Regulations, but noted a four-year extension to exemption permit applications from the Department of Transport. Discussions also touched upon the distribution of Barnett consequentials allocated to Wales for special educational needs and disabilities, with concerns raised about the Welsh Government's proposed diversion of funds.

Waste, Street Scene & Environmental Services Statement (Councillor Ed Stubbs): Topics included pothole repairs, the use of thermal technology for road resurfacing, city centre litter bins, soft plastics collections, and hygiene collections. Councillor Stubbs confirmed that officers would be sent to speak with the Eco Committee members at Ysgol Gynradd Creigiau regarding their concerns about bin emptying frequency and the provision of public bins.

Culture, Leisure & Tourism Statement (Councillor Jennifer Burke): The refurbishment of the children's play area in Rhydypenau Park was discussed, with thanks extended to officers in the Parks Department. The opening of the swimming pool at Pentwyn Leisure Centre was confirmed to be on track before the school holidays, with plans for a community celebration.

Finance, Modernisation & Performance Statement (Councillor Leonora Thomson): The 'Meet the Buyer' event, aimed at empowering local businesses to participate in council contracts, was discussed.

Housing & Communities Statement (Councillors Lee Bridgeman and Lynda Thorne): The council's support for rough sleepers during extreme weather was highlighted. Discussions also covered the Housing Options Centre, the expansion of managed accommodation with the opening of Cascade Towers, and the impact of the Renters' Rights Act. Councillor Thorne also addressed the council's strategy for the use of local parks for commercial activities and the mechanisms for community consultation.

Investment, Employment & Inclusive Growth (Councillors Peter Bradbury and Russell Goodway): The eligibility of post offices for the Cardiff Growth Fund was questioned, and the council's commitment to addressing young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) was affirmed. Discussions also touched upon business rates retention in Investment Zones. Councillor Goodway confirmed that dialogue with the BBC regarding the production of Doctor Who in Cardiff was underway.

Social Services (Councillors Ash Lister and Norma Mackie): The council's approach to social media platforms, including the use of X (formerly Twitter), was discussed in relation to anti-discriminatory values. The council's actions following the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement were outlined, including the removal of the statue of Sir Thomas Cripton from City Hall and the establishment of the Race Equality Task Force. The expansion of the Flying Start programme and concerns regarding workforce, childcare capacity, and funding were also addressed.

Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport Statement (Councillor Dan De'Ath): The Home Energy Improvement Pilot scheme and plans for making homes safer and cooler in hot weather were discussed. The council's strategy for the use of its local parks for commercial activities and consultation mechanisms were also addressed. Councillor De'Ath confirmed that the Home Energy Improvement Pilot scheme had not yet launched and would do so in September. He also confirmed that the council was giving significant thought to making homes safer and cooler during extreme weather events. The council's Parking Reserve account and its funding of transport-related projects, including those in Llandaff, were also discussed.

Social Justice, Cohesion & Digital Statement (Councillor Bethan Proctor): Discussions included the importance of Pride events in Cardiff and the council's commitment to LGBT+ rights. Concerns were raised about community safety, particularly in multicultural wards, and the council's use of X as a platform was questioned in relation to anti-discriminatory values. Councillor Proctor stated that the council's approach to social media platforms is kept under review.

Unopposed Business

Several items of unopposed business were agreed without debate:

• Committee Membership: Council agreed to receive nominations and appoint members to various committees.
• Outside Bodies: Council agreed to receive nominations and approve appointments to outside bodies for the 2026/27 Municipal Year.
• Licensing Act 2003 - Review of Statement of Licensing Policy: Council approved the adoption and publication of the revised Statement of Licensing Policy.
• Appointment of Local Authority Governors to School Governing Bodies: Council approved new appointments of Local Authority governors to school governing bodies.

The meeting concluded with a reminder about the Lord Mayor's Garden Party on 19 July.