Cardiff Council prosecutes landlord

Posted by Now Cardiff on Oct 16, 2012

Cardiff Council has successfully prosecuted a landlord following breaches of the Housing Act 2004 and the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation Regulations (Wales) 2006.

The landlord, Gary Samuel of Enfield, Middlesex was fined a total of £3000. He was also ordered to pay Cardiff Council’s costs of £200 and a victim surcharge of £15.

Mr Samuel’s four-bedroom property at 7 Corporation Road, Grangetown, Cardiff was initially identified by council officers to have failed to comply with a number of minimum legal standards required for the type of rented accommodation offered to its residents. Therefore, an improvement notice was served under Section 11 of the Housing Act 2004 requiring the landlord to undertake works to meet the necessary standards.

However, a further visit confirmed that the required works had not been completed. In addition, five failures to comply with the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation Regulations (Wales) 2006 were noted, including a dangerous electrical installation, a defective heating and hot water system, condensation damp and mould, and a water damaged ceiling.

Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, said: “We will never accept private sector tenants being directly exploited by landlords who force them to live in dangerous and unacceptable conditions. Good landlords have nothing to fear but for the bad ones, this a clear message they must clean up their act.”

Mr. Samuel did not attend court on the 2nd October 2012 and the case was heard in his absence. He was convicted of all charges. The fine was apportioned as:

Charge 1 (Failing to comply with improvement notice) £600

Charge 2 (Electrical installation dangerous condition) £600

Charge 3 (Ceiling lounge water damaged) £200

Charge 4 (Rear garden not in good order) £400

Charge 5 (Central heating / hot water system not working) £600

Charge 6 (Bedrooms suffering condensation/mould) £600

Neighbourhood Learning on course with Cardiff shoppers

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 15, 2011

There’s more than bargains and must-haves on offer for shoppers and visitors to the city centre this weekend as Cardiff Council launches the new On Course Neighbourhood Learning guide.

Officers from the Neighbourhood Learning team will be joining shoppers on Queen Street on Saturday, July 16 to promote the new prospectus that is packed full of courses for adults covering computer training, languages, arts and crafts and much, much more, suitable for all ages and abilities at a variety of centres throughout the city.

There’s also the chance for visitors to Central Market and Central Library (9.30am to 3.30pm) to find out what’s on offer, speak to the team about the learning opportunities and pick up a free copy of the guide.

The Council has a range of courses available for people who are completely new to learning and want to broaden their horizons or for learners who want to build on skills or continue with hobbies they have pursued before.

Enrolment for courses, which start in September, opens on Monday, July 18 so there’s never been a better time to find a course that will inspire you to learn.

For those not out and about in the city centre on Saturday, On Course can be downloaded by visiting www.cardiff.gov.uk/learn  or from their nearest Neighbourhood Learning Centre. Alternatively, email adultlearningquery@cardiff.gov.uk

Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Cllr Freda Salway, said: “There’s something to suit all ages and abilities in this year’s On Course guide. Saturday will be an opportunity for visitors to the city centre to get some advice on courses they are considering and whet their appetites for something new.”

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.”

Welsh low-pay workers cheated by employers

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jun 27, 2011

Despite nearly three and half thousand poorly paid workers in Wales getting less than the minimum wage since 2002, not one single prosecution has resulted, says Leanne Wood South Wales Central AM.

The scandal involves more than a thousand employers who have made underpayments of nearly one and half million pounds and it seems Cardiff employers are the worst offenders, with Swansea and Llandudno following close behind. The worst industry for underpaying employers is the hospitality sector.

Ms Wood said: “Low paid workers must be protected, but the law must be brought down as hard on employers as it is with benefit fraud. Why are prosecutions not brought against employers? Why are benefit claimants and rogue employers not treated the same?”

The Plaid Cymru Assembly Member went on to say she had approached the government and had received assurances that Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs would press for prosecution where there is clear evidence that an employer has committed an offence. Despite these assurances, nothing to date has happened.

Cardiff Central Libary does a rumba

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jun 21, 2011

Visitors to Central Library next weekend can swap their books for a spot of ballroom dancing at a free dance festival featuring performances from around the world.

The Community Languages department of the library will be transformed into a dancer’s paradise on Saturday, June 25 (12- 5pm) with demonstrations of a wide range of dances from street to ballroom, Flamenco to Bollywood, Latin American to African dance and much more.

Visitors to the library will be able to see the performances and also try out some of the various dances themselves with a little help from the performers who represent a variety of dance schools and community groups. The Community Languages department of Central Library contains books in 14 different community languages so it really is the perfect place to stage this diverse event.

The free event is the latest initiative at Central Library which is much more than a place to borrow books. Regular events are held throughout the year including, most recently, a comedy night, battle of the bands and fashion show.

Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “The dance festival is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to Central Library to get a taster of many different types of dance, watching the performers go through their routines and having the chance to try out their own moves.

“As many different dances from around the world as possible have been included in the event so there’s plenty on offer for everyone. My advice is to grab your dancing shoes and head down to Central Library for a great afternoon’s entertainment.”