By: Jayne Cowan
Thursday 27th April is a date which will stick in my memory indefinately. Hundreds and hundreds of people gathered outside County Hall protesting about the proposed changes to several of our excellent schools. Bands played, children dressed in their school unions carrying banners, and a sense of unity against the proposals was apparent.
Sincere congratulations to all the parents, governors, schools and communities for the wonderful campaigns against these proposals, which, in my view, were not worth the paper they are written on.
The majority of Councillors voted down the proposals and have asked the Council to look again at proposing a number of options, working in conjunction with all groups on the Council, prior to the consultation, and prior to spending nearly £31,000 on launching a plan which was unacceptable.
Adrian Robson, my colleague from Rhiwbina, and I are forming a committee to look at the new proposals. If you would like to become involved, please contact me. I am also continuing to post on the website www.saveourcardiffschools.co.uk and would be grateful if local residents would contact me if they would like to be kept informed of developments via E-Mail or post. E-Mail is a great way of staying in touch, and I am more than happy to add to the distribution list to keep everyone informed.
The matter of Controlled Parking Zones has caused outrage in several of our communities in the City. A petition was presented at Council of nearly 11,000 signatures. The statement by the Leader that he had three people in support of the scheme at his last surgery is hardly compelling evidence to support the case, which, in my view, would kill off local shopping centres which so many of us want to preserve. If you have comments about the proposals, please let me know. When it comes to discussing the issue at Council, the more information and evidence I have the better.
If I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Tel 029 2062 7757 / 079 7001 3332, Fax 029 2087 7005, E-Mail jcowan@cardiff.gov.uk
