LITTLE VICTORIES FOR LLANRUMNEY

BEFORE: Utility box at Ball Lane

Councillors are often fixated with potholes and dog mess. There is a reason why these mundane and perpetual issues take up so much time. They matter to the quality of life in our communities.

In Llanrumney I am always looking at ways that I can make a difference with little victories. I have a zero tolerance attitude to indiscriminate graffiti. Cardiff Council is always quick to act when notified of graffiti. 

In my ward graffiti can spring up anywhere with scrawls and tagging. This utility box at Ball Lane is a classic example. It faces residential properties and sits at a well used footbridge near the popular Llanrumney Phoenix boxing club. 

AFTER: The cleaned up utility box at Ball Lane

By ensuring that we remove the graffiti we send a powerful message to the community. The council is on your side and cares about the environment within which you live. 

This morning I've received notification from council officers that more graffiti has been removed from the fire doors at the Eastern Leisure Centre and from a litter bin at a bus shelter at Llanrumney Avenue. Zero tolerance to graffiti that does not enhance the life of our community. 

Little victories can take other forms. After the new children's play area was installed at Rumney Recreation Ground its popularity was such that the pre-existing bin was unable to cope with the amount of litter from the play areas users. On alerting council officers to this issue two further smart council bins were placed on the site. Immediately ensuring that the play area remains clean and tidy. Not only is this vital for our children who use it but an area that is appreciated and looked after will not suffer vandalism and graffiti that invariably follows a neglected area. 

One of the two newly installed bins at Rumney Recreation Ground children's play area

CERYS FURLONG: LABOUR'S YEAR IN POWER

Labour Councillor Cerys Furlong 

Well it’s nearly three years since that pesky community & Labour activist Keith Jones asked me to write a guest post for his then ‘Cardiff East’ blog. Three years on and he reminds me I am no longer representative of the ‘new generation of Labour Councillors’ but perhaps in the eyes of my worst detractors, part of the establishment- that is Cardiff’s Labour Council. Well either way, this is a welcome opportunity to reflect on the past twelve months, personally and politically.

In my last post, I was one of 13 Labour Councillors elected to Cardiff Council. The UK had just returned a less than convincing victory for David Cameron leading to alliance known now as ‘The Coalition’. At that time, I was more concerned (on a day to day basis at least) with the coalition ruling Cardiff Council- The Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru, Berman and McEvoy. As Chair, and Press spokesperson of the then small opposition Labour Group, there was plenty to do. 

"As Chair, and Press spokesperson of the then small opposition Labour Group, there was plenty to do."

As we got into 2011 it became clear to me that the local elections of May 2012 were going to be quite different from my first experience of standing for Council in 2008, when I was returned as one of only two new Labour Councillors (the other being Heather Joyce). This time there were young people (as well as middle aged and older), women, a more diverse representation of religions, ethnicity and social class groups- and they were enthusiastic self- motivated campaigners.

So May 3^rd 2012 happened. I still owe one mate £20 for not thinking Labour would take more than 35 seats. I did not anticipate returning 46 Labour Councillors with a clear mandate for change in Cardiff. However, waking up (or rather being nudged after a short nap) to go and celebrate with our Leader Cllr Heather Joyce & First Minister Carwyn Jones, brought home the reality. We were going to do this. 

As a sitting Councillor, who had spent four years being frustrated at the lack of action on so many important issues, that was both incredibly exciting, and daunting. I had also started a new job only weeks earlier, and was unsure how my group being in control of the Council would impact on my work as a Councillor. There was also the matter of moving from being a group of 14, to 46.

"It’s absolutely fair to say it has not been plain sailing."

So what happened? Ha! Well, there have been differing accounts. It’s absolutely fair to say it has not been plain sailing. However, I never expected it to be. Under previous administrations it almost felt like there was no direction, no vision, no passion. There were clearly issues that individual politicians felt strongly about, championed, and deserve credit for. However, I always felt that it was local government mediocrity. Happy to continue as long as no one got too unhappy, criticised too much, or asked difficult questions. One thing is for sure, you can’t accuse this Labour Council of seeking to court the media for populist appeal?! I should know, I was part of the first story to make headlines; that surrounding the Lord Mayor. 

"In my four months as Chair of the Council, I went to some amazing events, mixed with business leaders, community groups, guides & scouts, people from a range of faith groups and from communities across Cardiff."

This issue is straightforward to me: The idea to separate the important roles of Lord Mayor and Chair of the Council is sound. So much so, that this is included in forthcoming legislation from Welsh Government to take effect across Wales. However, the process by which we went about this was in hindsight not the smartest political move. It became clear that the proposed changes could not be in-acted as quickly as suggested, and this caused understandable concern to some groups of residents. After a few months, I felt that it would be better to stand down, although the process to separate the role continues. Despite that start, I think we achieved some important things. In my four months as Chair of the Council, I went to some amazing events, mixed with business leaders, community groups, guides & scouts, people from a range of faith groups and from communities across Cardiff. I was humbled by the number of people who told me how refreshing it was to have a younger (and dare I say female) councillor representing the Council in this way, and I will treasure the letters and cards I received from them. That is not in any way to denigrate the fantastic Lord Mayors past and present, but simply to say that that role (like any other in the council) should be representative of the Councillors within the Council, and the people it serves. 

Cllr Cerys Furlong as Chair of Council raising money for Llamau

So what next? Not content with our first few sensationalist headlines, we ploughed straight into a Senior Management restructure. While I could understand some of the furore (indeed my own reservations are on record) this did not seem to me to be a strange move. In any place that I have worked, where there is a change in leadership direction, there likely follows a restructure of staff & resources to deliver this. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that in my view- it does not suggest that people were not doing a good job, it simply states: This is what we want to achieve; these are the roles we thing necessary to deliver that vision, and we want the best people possible to do that for Cardiff.

"I believe we are starting to see scrutiny begin to have an impact on policy in the Council in a way that rarely happened in the previous four years." 

Amongst the other changes I have observed over the last twelve months include a rejuvenation of the scrutiny process- It’s been fantastic to see motivated chairs and members, some as first time Councillors, taking on their roles with real energy. I believe we are starting to see scrutiny begin to have an impact on policy in the Council in a way that rarely happened in the previous four years. There is more to do here, and the Constitution Committee (which I chair) will be looking at the role of scrutiny, and how it plays a role in shaping policy and direction, as well as its traditional reflective scrutinising role, over the next twelve months. It’s only through working with Scrutiny Chairs and Councillors of all political parties that we will make these positive changes.

One of the key issues of policy I am pleased to see develop under this Council is the Local Development Plan (LDP). As a newly elected Councillor five years ago, I was shocked and depressed to see how this incredibly important process was being used for short term political gain. I argued then that we needed a more mature approach to planning the development of our city and I’m glad to see some of the issues I championed coming to the fore, and that despite having to make some unpopular decisions, Cllr Ralph Cook is leading that process effectively.  

"The pledge to freeze Council tax, made before the election, remained."

So fast forward to the budget. This was never going to be easy, we knew that before the elections. The pledge to freeze Council tax, made before the election, remained. Although in the context of the budget of over £500m, raising, freezing or lowering Council tax has little impact on the overall bottom line- and in that respect at least, I was content that tax payers in Cardiff might appreciate the relative stability in their household bills. I was also extremely pleased that we were able to deliver a Living Wage to Council employees- some of the lowest paid workers in our city. That said, there were some extremely difficult and painful decisions to make- not the sought that any politician comes into local government to make. However, that is the thing about local government, the buck stops with us. Most legislation passed in Westminster or Cardiff Bay requires local government to either directly, or indirectly deliver services. So in the real context of reducing budgets for Councils, and an extremely challenging economic situation, Councils have to make tough decisions. There is no shirking the legal responsibility to deliver a balanced budget. 

So that’s a very broad brush look at a year in Council. There are many other issues I could bore for Britain on, not least the work of the Constitution Committee in trying to reform how Council works. This is not sexy stuff, but a further example of this Council getting to grips with issues that had been simply ignored for too long. Outside of County Hall, ward work continues. This year it’s going to be fantastic to see the opening of a new building for Ysgol Treganna after years of campaigning by parents, pupils, teachers and residents. I’m also pleased to see investment going into Fitzalan High School- a school that has demonstrated it is possible to quietly but surely go about improving results and outcomes for children, year on year. 

And despite the frustrations, and the pantomime that is sometimes Full Council, it is good to see that we are slowly becoming more representative of the people we serve as Councillors. Granted progress is slow on some fronts (we have only 1% more women councillors now than in 2008) but the Council now has more representation from minority ethnic groups, younger Councillors, and more Councillors who also work. These I believe, are good things.

As for me?  I stand by what I said last time on Keith’s blog that; the reality of being a Councillor is that you do your best for four years (or in this case five) and then it’s up to the important people, the electorate, to decide if that best is good enough. You can’t say fairer than that. 

Councillor Cerys Furlong is a Labour Councillor serving the Canton ward and was first elected in 2008. In 2012 she served as Chair of Council and is currently the Chair of the Constitution Committee.

Councillor Furlong: @cerysfurlong 

JFK - PEACE SPEECH - 50 YEARS ON

Through his words JFK lives on for generations to come.

President John Fitzgerald Kennedy is a political hero of mine. JFK held the Presidency during one of the most dangerous times in world history, at the height of the Cold War. His greatness as a political leader can be seen by his handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. 

Fifty years ago he gave one of the greatest speeches ever given by a politician. On a sunny morning on 10th June 1963 JFK gave the Commencement Address at the American University. 

It has become known as the 'Peace Speech'. President Kennedy called on the Soviet Union to work with the USA to achieve a nuclear test ban treaty. He boldly called for an end to the Cold War. 

"I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living, the kind that enables men and nations to grow and to hope and to build a better life for their children - not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women - not merely peace in our time but peace for all time." 

The Soviet government broadcast a translation of Kennedy's entire speech and allowed it to be reprinted in the controlled Soviet press.

The words and sentiment of Kennedy's beautifully crafted speech speak to our world in 2013 as evocatively as they did five decades ago. 

"For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal." 

JFK's gifted speechwriter Ted Sorensen never ceased from reminding the world of JFK's eloquence.

"That is why accuracy, not modesty or loyalty, compels me to emphasize once again that John Kennedy was the true author of all his speeches and writings."  

Today fifty years on I shall re-read JFK's 'Peace Speech' and listen to a President who continues to inspire. 

JFK's Commencement Address video & transcript

VISITING BUCKINGHAM PALACE

With my wife Sarah at the forecourt of the Palace 06/06/13

On 2nd June 1953 Queen Elizabeth II was crowned after her ascension to the throne the year previously on 6th February 1952. It was a huge honour to be invited to a Royal Garden Party in the week in which Her Majesty was celebrating sixty years since her coronation. The Queen has given a life of service to our country. In the year that I was born, 1977, the nation celebrated her Silver Jubilee. I still remember my grandparent's commemorative mugs proudly displayed in their best cupboard years afterwards and looking at the family photos of street parties in Llanrumney during the summer of '77.

I had been invited to Buckingham Palace for my services to Cardiff as Deputy Lord Mayor. As I walked through the gates of the Palace I was conscious that I was representing my community and all the wonderful people in Llanrumney who daily give their all to make Britain a country that we continue to be proud to live in.

Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh enter the Palace garden 

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh led the Royal Family as they greeted and chatted to guests. Both were in fine spirits. It was a humbling experience to see with my own eyes the most photographed person in history. The Queen's dedication to her country and sense of duty are an inspiration to any public servant. 

It was a day that my wife and I will never forget. Britain has a wonderful history and as I walked through the Palace I could see in my mind the limousine that once swept through the gates to take our  Labour Cardiff South East MP James Callaghan to an audience with the Queen to become the Prime Minister. 

The night before he died in 1994 Labour leader John Smith stated in a speech: "The opportunity to serve our country - that is all we ask." The Queen continues to meet the opportunity fate decreed her with total dedication. 

Buckingham Palace's garden in the summer sunshine. 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR LLANRUMNEY

William on the new play equipment

I sought election as a Llanrumney Councillor in order to give a voice to my community and make a material difference to the lives of its residents. On the first anniversary of my election it was wonderful to see the recent opening of the new £50,000 play area at Rumney Rec. 

The play area has benefitted from investment through the Council's Capital Programme. Works include two separate zones for toddlers and children and the installation of new equipment including a tubular slide, two sets of swings, two multi-units and a free-ride swinging item which imitates surfing. The area also boasts new surfacing and graphics. 

The new play area opened as our summer finally began. Families made great use of the new facility and it quickly became evident that due to its popularity more waste bins would be needed. I'm glad to report that the council has acted on this to help us keep the play area looking smart. 

Queen Elizabeth II Field dedication at Rumney Rec 

During the first year of this Labour administration Rumney Rec itself has undergone a major transformation. On 17th December 2012 the Rumney Recreation Ground was dedicated as a Queen Elizabeth II Field to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee and to act as a permanent tribute to the Queen. Fields In Trust sought to safeguard hundreds of outdoor recreational spaces in perpetuity for future generations. 

It was especially poignant for me as I joined the Labour Party after playing an active role in the RREEL (Rumney Recreation and Eastern Leisure Centre) Action Group. Rumney Rec and the people of east Cardiff's fight to save our much loved parkland was the catalyst for me to participate in active politics. 

In addition to the new play area. Vision 21 have been responsible for refurbishing the park furniture, bringing benches back to their former glory and Wales Probation has restored and renewed the railings at the site including sanding and painting. 

It was a great way to celebrate a year of Labour back in control in Cardiff. The year began with the opening of the Captain Morgan play park on 5th May 2012. Great success for Llanrumney Labour in ensuring vital facilities for our children as the estate looks to the future with optimism. 

The Captain Morgan play park is officially opened

DEPUTY LORD MAYOR OF CARDIFF 2012 - 2013

Deputy Lord Mayor and Deputy Lady Mayoress welcoming 
Archbishop Desmond Tutu to Cardiff |  24/10/12

Being elected to serve Llanrumney is a great privilege. To serve all of Cardiff, during my first year as a councillor, as Vice-Chairman and Deputy Lord Mayor of Cardiff has been an honour I'll never forget. It has afforded me unique opportunities to experience the life of this city and to witness the rich diversity of our people.

As Cardiff Council's first ever Armed Forces Representative I have been able to encourage the council's commitment to support our armed forces personnel, past and present. In March of this year at the Cardiff City Stadium I was a signatory to the Cardiff Armed Forces Community Covenant. An understanding signed by a plethora of agencies to agree to work together to honour the Armed Forces Community Covenant. 

During this civic year I have attended the funerals of two service personnel who died on active service. The streets of my own Llanrumney were crowded to honour Captain Stephen Healey and over 700 people filled Llandaff Cathedral to honour Guardsman Craig Roderick. Their sacrifice so that we and future generations remain free must never be forgotten. We will remember them.

I have worked with the Chair of Council Cerys Furlong and then the Mayor of Cardiff Derrick Morgan. Both dedicated public servants who have been generous with their time and advice. Their work leading the effort to raise money for Llamau, the Lord Mayor's charity has ensured that Llamau's work improving the lives of socially excluded, homeless people has reached a new audience.

So today at the full meeting of Cardiff Council at City Hall I will preside in the Chair for one last time as the new civic year begins. I wish Lord Mayor Morgan and the new Deputy Lord Mayor Margaret Jones all the best for the forthcoming year.

Lastly my thanks to the people of Llanrumney and Cardiff.

Signatory to the Cardiff Armed Forces Community Covenant
 at the Cardiff City Stadium | 05/03/2013

(This piece appeared in the South Wales Echo on 23rd May 2013 as a letter to You Say)