The Cardiff Council Cabinet met on Thursday 10 July 2025, and approved a public consultation for a neurodiversity strategy, a partnership agreement for a joint equipment service, a fostering support policy, a cycle hire scheme, a responsible procurement policy, and a masterplan for Pengam Green. They also discussed and agreed to recommendations regarding filming in Cardiff, updates on City Hall, and the International Sports Village.

Neurodiversity in Cardiff

Cabinet approved a public consultation on the draft Neurodivergent Friendly Cardiff Strategy 2025-2030. Councillor Leonora Thomson, Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Public Health & Equality, introduced the strategy, highlighting that it aims to remove barriers preventing neurodivergent people from participating in society. She noted that the strategy emerged from a council motion passed in September, and that it has six aims, backed by commitments from 46 partners, including health, fire service, South Wales police¹, third sector partners and private businesses. Councillor John Shimin raised the issue of how a single strategy could cover the wide range of conditions and experiences associated with neurodiversity. Councillor Thomson responded that the strategy's width is its strength, as it aims to raise awareness and remove barriers for everyone on the neurodivergent spectrum.

Joint Equipment Service

Cabinet approved the continuation of the partnership agreement for the Joint Equipment Service (JES) between Cardiff Council, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, and the Vale of Glamorgan Council. Councillor Thomson explained that this service delivers health and social care equipment to residents across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. Internal audit recommended the agreement be reviewed and re-signed, as the original dated back to 2009.

Councillor John Lancaster raised the absence of commitments to support local equipment suppliers or manufacturers within the agreement. Councillor Huw Thomas, Leader of the Council, acknowledged this as a good point to consider for future agreements, especially in light of the social procurement strategy.

Fostering and Adoption

Cabinet approved a new adaptation and extensions policy to support foster carers, kinship carers, and special guardians in providing stable homes for children. Councillor Ash Lister, Cabinet Member for Childrens Services, Tackling Poverty & Supporting Young People, explained that the policy aims to support carers in adapting their properties to accommodate children, alongside new fostering offers to attract and retain foster carers, including a £5,000 welcome payment and increased retention payment of £1,000.

Councillor Lancaster expressed concern about potential abuse of the system and the need for watertight agreements. Councillor Lister responded that robust business cases would be required to ensure proper governance and budget allocation. Councillor Lee Bridgeman, Cabinet Member for Housing & Communities, acknowledged potential delays due to contractor capacity but affirmed a commitment to working flexibly with carers.

Cardiff Cycle Hire Scheme

Cabinet agreed to progress a new micro-mobility scheme for Cardiff, succeeding the previous Nextbike scheme. Councillor Dan De'Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport, explained that the new scheme would focus on e-bikes, learning from the vandalism and theft issues that plagued Nextbike. The scheme will be operator-led and funded, with minimal council costs.

Councillor Lancaster raised the need for honesty about the previous scheme's failures and questioned whether another pre-market exercise should be conducted, given changes to the Procurement Act. Council officers clarified that pre-engagement had already been conducted, and a robust procurement strategy was in place.

Councillor Shimin raised the issue of public safety and accountability regarding e-bike misuse. Councillor De'Ath responded that the new e-bikes would have capped speeds and that misuse could be tracked and penalised. Councillor Peter Bradbury, Cabinet Member for Childrens Services, Tackling Poverty & Supporting Young People, sought reassurance about geo-fencing and age limits. Councillor De'Ath stated that geo-fencing would be used for parking, and age limits were still to be determined.

Socially Responsible Procurement

Cabinet approved an updated Socially Responsible Procurement Policy. Councillor Chris Weaver, Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation & Performance, explained that the updated policy aligns with the Ardal Procurement Service² and incorporates recent legislative changes. Councillor Lancaster questioned the priority between social value and value for money, as well as the bureaucracy involved in demonstrating social value. Councillor Weaver responded that the legislation requires a balance between value for money and socially responsible procurement.

Pengam Green Masterplan

Cabinet approved the commission of a masterplan for the Pengam Green site and the development of proposals for a temporary Gypsy Traveller site to alleviate overcrowding on the existing Rover Way site. Councillor Thomas declared a personal interest as it was in his ward. Councillor De'Ath explained that the site, acquired from Welsh Government, would be used for various development uses, including a temporary Gypsy Traveller site.

Councillor Thorne added that the temporary site was an integral part of the Local Development Plan.

Councillor Lancaster expressed concern about the vagueness of the plans and the barriers to previous uses of the site. Councillor Thomas responded that the community wants to stay in the area, but there are issues of flooding and land ownership that have now been addressed.

Filming in Cardiff

Cabinet approved the response to the scrutiny committee report on filming in Cardiff. Councillor Goodway introduced the report, noting Cardiff's significant TV and film sector and the need to remain competitive. The report makes 14 recommendations, nine of which the Cabinet has accepted, four partially accepted, and one rejected.

Councillor Lancaster questioned the rejection of recommendation eight, regarding the use of a budget code for filming. Council officers clarified that the functionality to put in a code for it when it already exists.

Councillor Lancaster questioned the lack of consideration for the long-term benefits of the film strategy to Cardiff's tourism offering. Councillor Goodway responded that tourism around arts and culture is important to Cardiff, and a forthcoming tourism strategy may quantify some of these points.

City Hall Update

Cabinet approved the updated programme of essential works at City Hall. Councillor Weaver presented a technical report seeking approval to allocate council capital to complete phases 4-7 of the works. He noted that the council has committed to finding a sustainable use for City Hall and that the maintenance programme is necessary to protect the fabric of the building.

Councillor Shimin questioned the use of the council chamber and the potential for private companies to hire the offices. Councillor Weaver assured that the council would have access to the facilities on designated days and that there is a market for grade B office accommodation. Councillor Bradbury emphasised that the investment is in the fabric of the building and that members should not expect to see significant changes to the decoration.

Councillor Lancaster asked why the complex heritage nature of the building was not foreseen before work started. Councillor Weaver responded that the care taken today by heritage organisations was not the case in the 1950s and 60s, and some adaptations from the 70s and 80s now need to be removed.

International Sports Village

Cabinet approved the car parking strategy and the procurement process for the energy strategy at the International Sports Village. Councillor Goodway introduced the report, seeking approval for the parking strategy, energy infrastructure, and procurement requirements.

Councillor Lancaster asked about the housing provision on the site and the reduction in the amount of housing. Councillor Thomas responded that the reduction was a result of representations received during the consultation phase and that the developer is seeking to deliver environmentally sustainable housing.