Cardiff company fined after flouting planning rules

Posted by Now Cardiff on Oct 4, 2012

A company that built and rented out six flats in Cathays has been sentenced today at Cardiff Crown Court after failing to comply with certain conditions.

Cadogan House Ltd had been given planning consent to construct six flats in Minny Street, subject to conditions which sought to protect the amenities of the building’s tenants and neighbouring residents.

The company failed to comply with some of the conditions but went on to rent out the flats anyway, in breach of the original consent.

Despite previously being prosecuted for the same offence, the company still failed to comply with the planning conditions, so a second prosecution was brought.

Cadogan House Ltd was fined £500 and ordered to pay costs of £3,370 for non-compliance with a Breach of Condition Notice.

An application for a Confiscation Order was also made to the court under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 on the basis that the company had benefited from letting the six flats.

The Court made a Confiscation Order in the sum of £18,820, which was the value of the rent the company had received whilst the flats were being occupied in breach of the original planning consent.

Councillor Ralph Cook, Cabinet member for Strategic Planning, Highways, Traffic and Transportation, said: “It is hoped that the case will serve as a deterrent to other developers who avoid complying with the requirements of planning control.

“There are a small number of habitual offenders within Cardiff who appear intent to breach planning requirements imposed to protect the public.

“Breaches continue despite prosecutions proceeding against them as these developers are apparently comfortable in the knowledge that the levels of fine the Court may impose are a fraction of the income they will receive.

“As a result the Council will be looking to apply for Orders again in the future to ensure that illegally gained assets are confiscated.”

Retail sales figures back up shopworkers’ experience of Olympic Sunday trading suspension

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 21, 2012

Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics, which show retail sales in August fell by 0.2%, back up the experience of shopworkers who say most of their stores were either quiet or empty during extended Olympic Sunday trading hours.

Earlier this week, the shopworkers’ union Usdaw revealed that 65% of over 700 reps surveyed said their stores were either quiet or empty during extra Sunday trading hours. Just 5% said they were busier than on a normal Sunday.

The survey also revealed that retailers struggled to find volunteers to cover the extra hours needed, with 56% of reps saying staff were put under pressure to work extra hours.

The experience of shopworkers has also been backed up by retailers such as Lakeland, who just yesterday slammed longer Sunday opening hours for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, saying they only “increased costs for no benefit”.

Typical comments from Usdaw reps on how busy their stores were included:

• “Waste of time being open extra hours as very quiet (almost empty) before 9.30am and after 2.30pm.”
• “The store was virtually empty. Customer service, clothing and electrical, pharmacy, opticians and direct desk were all closed. The move was a total failure.”
• “The additional hours of 4.00 to 8.00pm in our store were quiet most of the time, bordering on empty on occasions. “
• “Workplace was quiet after 4.00pm. Paid more on lighting and staff than went through till.”
• “Took same amount as usual – no extra benefit to takings at all – took normal amount just over longer period.”
• “I know personally we took no extra income from opening extra hours and people were forced to change their usual work patterns to accommodate.”

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary said:

“Our survey, together with today’s ONS figures and those from retailers such as Lakeland, show that the government’s decision to suspend Sunday trading laws for the Olympic and Paralympic Games was a mistake – both socially and economically.

“As we warned at the time, opening stores for longer doesn’t increase consumer spending but it does increase retailers’ costs, putting even further pressure on margins at precisely the wrong time.

“Meanwhile, stores were kept open by thousands of shopworkers who would have much preferred to have spent their valuable Sundays with family and friends and, like the rest of the country, cheering on their Olympic and Paralympic heroes.”

Teachers welcome grade boundaries decision by Welsh Government

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 10, 2012

The NUT has welcomed the Welsh Government’s decision to call for a re-grading of WJEC English papers at C and D grades following the changes to the grade boundaries and has urged the British Government to follow suit. 

“The NUT has been very vocal in calling for an immediate re-grading, not re-marking, of the English GCSE exam.  We are naturally delighted that the Welsh Government has recommended that this be applied for WJEC students in Wales.

“Between January and June, exam boards changed the grade boundaries in such a way that many pupils who would have scored a C in January, scored a D in June – for exactly the same work. This change was not explained and has disadvantaged many thousands of pupils and their schools.  That situation was simply unacceptable to the many pupils, parents and teachers who have been left feeling very angry at this action.

“The report published today by the Welsh Government recognises the injustice of the boundary grade changes and their impact on Welsh students.  Hundreds of Welsh learners have been disadvantaged by this change and we applaud the Welsh Education Minister for taking the action which he has today.”

Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:

“The NUT welcomes the decision of the Welsh Government to award grades to young people who sat GCSE in English on the same basis as their peers who sat the exam in January.
“The NUT calls on Michael Gove to follow this lead.”

Rumour has it …The Romans are Returning to Cardiff Castle

Posted by Now Cardiff on May 14, 2012

The might of the Roman army returns to the Castle on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 May – a vivid flashback to when the site was once a Roman Fort teeming with soldiers and civilians over 2,000 years ago.

A great family weekend is promised with a series of dramatic military displays by soldiers in full authentic costume, a Roman version of ‘Ready Steady Cook’, mini – gladiator games for children and the chance to march with a Roman soldier.  Plus, everyday Roman life will be on display too with a close look at the ‘Day in the Life of a Roman Woman’ and the latest news on all the fashion trends.

With dramatic demonstrations of sophisticated fighting techniques and battle tactics, artillery and a working bolt thrower, it will be easy to appreciate how the Romans were such a formidable force and how they were able to establish control of Cardiff.

For centuries, Cardiff Castle’s Roman past remained hidden and forgotten beneath banks of earth until 1888 when the 3rd Marquess of Bute’s workmen made an amazing discovery and uncovered the original stone wall of the Roman fort.  Such was the excitement, Lord Bute, a rich and scholarly patron, ordered that the Roman walls be reconstructed. The walls you see today surrounding Cardiff Castle mark the footprint of the Roman fort and the original stonework is clearly identified by being outlined in red sandstone.

This weekend’s event, with all its action, sights and sounds will be a great way to celebrate the legacy of the Romans at Cardiff Castle.

The Romans Return

Sat 19 May – Sun 20 May, 10am – 5pm
Cardiff Castle Grounds
Special event ticket: Adults £4.50; Seniors £3.75; Children £3 (under 5s free)
Cardiff Castle Key holders and Season Ticket holders: £2 (Adults), £1 (Children)
For full details of all Cardiff Castle events and the 2012 programme visit www.cardiffcastle.com

Council restores St Mary St historic clock

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 19, 2011

A historic city centre landmark is to be restored back to its former glory.

The distinctive H Samuel clock which hangs above Cardiff Market has sat in its position on St Mary Street for more than a century.

However the clock hasn’t worked for years and over time its appearance has become rather shabby. As part of its work to transform St Mary Street and High Street, creating a pedestrian-friendly area, Cardiff Council is to spend £25,000 towards fully repairing and restoring the clock, ensuring that a piece of Cardiff’s history is preserved for future generations.

The original H Samuel clock was in position over the market as early as 1910, but in 1963 world-famous clockmakers Smith of Derby installed a new large projecting clock, with opal acrylic dials, rear illumination and neon lettering in the top and bottom sign panels. The clock was built to a standard H Samuel design and many were installed all over the country, although today only a few still remain.

Having fallen into disrepair, the clock has now been taken down and sent back to the Smith of Derby workshops, where it will undergo an eight week restoration. It is set to be returned to St Mary Street in October where it will be renamed ‘The Cardiff Market Clock’ and continue the presence of a clock in this position for more than 100 years.

Councillor Nigel Howells, Executive member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, said: “The Cardiff Market Clock is a little piece of the city centre’s history and a much loved landmark. St Mary Street and High Street are themselves currently undergoing a historic transformation with the spectacular re-paving work that is being created to enhance the city centre environment and the restoration of this clock is all part of that process. I am really looking forward to seeing the clock back above the market and fully working again.”

Councillor Mark Stephens, Executive member for Finance and Service Delivery, added: “This Council is committed to Cardiff having a city centre that it can be proud of. The restoration of the Cardiff Market Clock is another piece of the jigsaw in creating a pedestrian-friendly environment for High Street and St Mary Street.”