City council checks cabbies to ensure wheelchair users get a fair fare

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 14, 2011

Cardiff Council’s Licensing Section has undertaken an exercise to ensure drivers of wheelchair accessible vehicles, are treating passengers in wheelchairs fairly and transporting them safely.

The exercise saw a Council employee in a wheelchair mystery shop a number of taxis to establish whether they had vehicle ramps and that they were used properly, how they secured the wheelchair and that they were not over charging wheelchair users.

Of the four vehicles approached for a hiring one refused to take the employee, two made an additional charge, one of which also did not correctly secure the wheelchair. Only one out of the four correctly performed his duties. The drivers will be reported for disciplinary action.

Refusal of a fare or failure to use a meter can result in a taxi driver being fined up to £500, but for charging or obtaining more than the legal fare a taxi driver can be fined up to £1,000. In some exceptional circumstances, the Licensing Authority also has the power to revoke or suspend the drivers licence.

The exercise came about following an increasing number of complaints to the Licensing Section from wheelchair users claiming taxi drivers do not treat them fairly and are reluctant to accept fares. They are often refused fares, overcharged or are not secured correctly.

Since 1991 all new taxi drivers are required to undertake disability awareness training, and since January 2011 all new drivers also have to pass the new Level 2 BTEC Award in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire, before being granted a licence. The BTEC includes a practical module on securing a wheelchair in a taxi.

Councillor Ed Bridges, Chair of the Council’s Public Protection Committee said “We expect taxi drivers to comply with the legal requirement to transport passengers in wheelchairs safely and in reasonable comfort. It is disappointing and concerning when we see any driver not living up to that expectation. The Public Protection Committee is here to protect the public – and we will take strong action against those drivers who shirk their responsibilities to assist the most vulnerable passengers.”

CEO of The Cardiff and Vale Coalition of Disabled People and Chair of the Cardiff’s Access Group, Charles Willie said: “It is vital that all hackney carriage drivers understand their duties and do not discriminate against disabled persons, we are very supportive of the action taken by the licensing authority and will be assisting in whatever way we can.”

The Licensing Section will continue to work with Cardiff Council’s Access Team to ensure that taxi drivers are up to date with knowledge, law and what is the correct treatment of people with disabilities.
Due to the disappointing level of compliance in this small operation further education initiatives and similar exercises are planned by licensing officers.

For further information on this matter please contact Cardiff’s Licensing Section on 029 20871651 or licensing@cardiff.gov.uk

Cathays High wins Robo-Doc challenge

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 13, 2011

Bright sparks from Cathays High School have scored success in a competition at Cardiff University’s School of Engineering.

A team of six Year 8 pupils entered the Faraday Challenge at the university, competing against students from other high schools in the Cardiff and surrounding area. The event was one of 50 Faraday engineering challenge days involving pupils from 300 schools across the UK, organised by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Amber Arnold, Gethin Jones, Jamal Mohamed, Catherine Nicholls, Tejan Sesay and Jodie Voss tackled the challenge brief to develop a remotely-controlled surgical instrument that would allow surgeons to operate on their patients without actually touching them.

Marks were awarded for the initial designs, the video log, teamwork and the final challenge. The challenge organisers were extremely impressed with all the teams’ efforts, praising the high scores of the top three schools in Cardiff and the excellent engineering work from all involved.

The Cathays team won with a score of 155 out of possible 175 and were presented with a glass trophy which is now on display in the school’s reception area, and £15 worth of iTunes vouchers for each team member.

Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Cllr Freda Salway, said: “Many congratulations to the team of young engineers from Cathays High School. The Faraday Challenge sounds like an extremely interesting event and it’s good to hear that the competition in Cardiff was of such a high standard.”

Design and Technology teacher, Mrs. Karan Durrant, said: “I knew that these pupils had what it takes to win this challenge. They went about the day in an organised and mature manner and did themselves and their school proud. Most importantly though, these pupils were introduced to engineering and how much it can affect life in the real world.”

Cardiff gets multi-million pound schools’ investment

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 13, 2011

Around £180m of approved investment has been committed to school buildings in Cardiff in recent years as part of the Council’s aspiration of developing viable and successful schools across the city.

A report detailing the past achievements and the existing financial model in the Schools Organisation Plan will be received by the Executive next week as it considers a future funding strategy in preparation for the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools investment programme.

In tackling issues such as surplus places, school building repair backlogs and the increase in demand for Welsh-medium provision the Council has committed significant investment as part of its vision to offer good quality learning opportunities in order to raise standards of achievement at fit for purpose, local schools for local children. This is illustrated by:

• £7m for 10 new nursery units (five granted and five being progressed) including investment in primary provision also
• £3.9m for three new Welsh-medium primary schools, including investment to Bryn Celyn Primary
• £7.9m for two existing Welsh-medium primary schools transferring to new build premises
• £14m for the award winning state-of-the-art new special school, Ty Gwyn, in Caerau
• £17m for amalgamations of 10 sets of infant and junior schools into all-through primaries (six complete and four underway)
• £6.5m for four new Integrated Children’s Centre facilities (two complete and two underway)
• £12.2m investment at the two existing Welsh-medium secondary schools,  Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr, including new Special Educational Needs (SEN) facilities, technology and teaching blocks as well as upgraded sports facilities
• Planning permission has been submitted for the construction of two new secondary schools – St Teilo’s (which is being relocated to new premises) and the new high school in the east of the city, while there are plans for the refurbishment of the existing St Teilo’s premises to create the city’s third Welsh-medium secondary school. The St Teilo’s plan also includes investment in Cardiff High School and Llanishen High School. The total amount of investment committed to these projects is £63.6m.

The report outlines how the Council has been the body driving investment in Cardiff’s school buildings with 70 per cent of funding to date being provided by the Council and 30 per cent being provided by the Welsh Government. However, for future schemes the majority of funding will need to be provided by the Welsh Government.

The Council is awaiting the outcome of its bid for 21st Century Schools Band A funding to continue its investment programme in schools in Cardiff where it is hoped that investment from the Welsh Government over the entire programme will at least match the investment delivered by the Council. The report also highlights a planned consultation with head-teacher representatives on Cardiff’s School Budget Forum which could enable some £6 million of investment in schools IT to transform the learning environment for the 21st century.

Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Cllr Freda Salway, said: “We have accomplished a great deal over the last few years as part of our vision of creating 21st Century schools across the city. The level of investment in schools is evidence of this Council’s strong commitment to education in the city.

“We are keen to keep the ball rolling and ensure that the excellent progress we have made is continued. 21st Century Schools funding from the Welsh Government will be key to ensuring we can make further progress with our plans to provide all children and young people in the city with the best opportunities to achieve their potential.”

Richard Parks completes 737 quest

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 12, 2011

On 12th July 2011 Richard Parks made history becoming the first ever person to stand on the 7 highest summits of the world and all 3 poles – The South Pole, North Pole and summit of Everest in the same calendar year. An incredible feat achieved within 7 record setting months.

209 days ago Richard Parks left Cardiff attempting to make history and raise £1m in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.  The former Wales rugby international, turned mountaineer had just one more mountain left to climb to complete his world first.

Mount Elbrus, the highest point in the Russian Caucasus and Europe was all that stood between Richard becoming the first ever person to stand on the 7 highest summits of the world and all 3 poles in the same calendar year.  In fact, he completed his challenge in a record setting 7 months.

189 days ago Richard was stood on the South Pole having completed the first leg of his 7-month race looking ahead to 7 gruelling months of climbing, trekking and skiing and to the dangers and unknowns of some the most hostile places on the planet.

This week he arrived home from Alaska for one day, enough time to wash some kit and re pack before jetting off to Russia.

Interview requests are flooding in and excitement building now Richard has achieved this incredible world first, but he remained as focused and steadfast about how he approached climbing the last mountain.

Richard Parks is a former Welsh international rugby player, earning caps against South Africa, Fiji, Scotland and Ireland. He also represented the Barbarians and Wales Sevens on the IRB world circuit and in the World Cup.

As a back row forward, he made a name for himself as a hard, prolific tackler and support player. However, he was recently forced to retire from the game due to a career ending shoulder injury. Richard was an integral part of both the Principality Cup winning Pontypridd side and the Powergen Cup winning Leeds Tykes.

After a spell playing for the French club USA Perpignan, he returned to Wales with the Gwent Dragons, passionate to represent his country again. Despite putting himself back into contention for International selection with his performances for the region, sadly injury prevented his return to the International stage and ultimately forced his early retirement from what was a highly successful 13 year career in professional rugby. When asked about the 737 Challenge, Richard said;

“Lying in bed following my second operation to repair my shoulder, I was suddenly faced with the reality of life without professional rugby, which had been at the centre of my entire adult life. The adjustment was difficult to deal with as the disciplines of my rugby career no longer applied. Suddenly everything changed – what I ate, the pattern of sleep and my regular daily routine. I felt utterly lost! From the confident person with an organised lifestyle that I had always been, I became scared of the unknown future that lay ahead. I suffered with a mixture of frustration, despair and even anger dominating my thoughts. I was deeply depressed. It was a dark place for me.”

“I happened to be reading Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ book ‘Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know’, which somehow became intertwined with a phrase from my Nana’s funeral ‘The horizon is only the limit of our sight’.”

“It had an immediate effect on me, helping me find the courage and inspiration to face head on my fears and my future. From reading about the experiences of Sir Ranulph Fiennes in his book, the mental, physical and technical challenges of Polar travel and climbing the 7 summits captured my imagination. At the very moment I discovered the 7 summits, I had decided that I was going to climb them! ”

“I learnt that our lives will always be made up of many chapters. We can never go back and we cannot forsee our future. However, we can take charge right now of how we choose to live and what we think, right now in the present. I had belief anew! All I had to do now was find other people that believed in me too!!”

“I found this belief in the support that I received both from Sir Ranulph Fiennes himself and from the organisations that have become closely associated with the early days of the project – Jagged Globe, Limegreentangerine, and Marie Curie. So, with their input, my 737 Challenge was born. 7 Summits, 3 Poles in 7 Months. A World First. Raising funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Awesome!”

“since then I have found many more believers. I am very grateful and humbled by the support of all the companies and individuals involved. Their belief in me, The 737 Challenge and my ability to successfully complete the challenge simply means everything. You know who you are, thank you.”

 

 

 

 

5X60 Sport initiative takes off in Victoria Park

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 12, 2011

Victoria Park is set to be transformed into an exciting hub for sports this Saturday (July 16) between 12 and 4pm as Sport.Cardiff deliver a free community event.

Sport in the Park aims to promote a series of sport and leisure opportunities whist signposting adults and children to clubs and groups where they can take up sport and activities in their local community.

There will be a huge choice of traditional and non-traditional sports for people to have a go at, including cricket, basketball, freestyle football, BMX and street-dance.

The action packed day will also showcase local sports clubs and leisure providers, making local people aware of the facilities and sports opportunities that they have access to in their local community.

The event has been organised by the Sport.Cardiff 5X60 sports development team.

The 5X60 initiative aims to make young people in Cardiff more active by taking part in 60 minutes of exercise five times a week.

It comprises a variety of different activities from which the children choose what they want to participate in. Activities include competitive, team and individual sports as well recreational activities such as climbing, dance and swimming.

Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said: “This unique event is set to inspire people of all ages to embrace sport and leisure activities whilst strengthening and supporting local clubs.
“Sport and leisure are essential in maintaining healthy and active lifestyles and what better place to discover what Cardiff has to offer than in the outdoor setting of one of the city’s most beautiful and popular parks.”

An Irishman, an Englishman and a Welshman walked into a library…

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 12, 2011

This summer Cardiff Central Library will host comedy workshops to tickle the fancy of wannabe comedians aged between 15 and 19.

Laughing Matters comedy workshops will be held at the library from Monday, July 18 until Thursday 21.

The workshops are free and will run from 11am until 5pm.

During the workshops young people will learn essential stand up comedy skills, confidence boosting techniques and comedy writing skills.

The workshops have been organized by Cardiff Libraries in partnership with Cardiff Comedy Festival, which takes place in the city from July 13 -to 30 of July.

Those taking part in the workshops will also have the opportunity to compete for the chance to perform to a live audience at a unique comedy show taking place in the library on Saturday, 22th July 22 at 7pm.

Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “Following on from the success of last year’s Laughing Matters, I am delighted that Central Library has once again teamed up with the Comedy Festival to run this workshop for young adults.

“It can be difficult to find things to do over the school holiday and this is the perfect way for teenagers to either learn a new skill or develop a keen hobby that they already may have.”