Conflict with council over park control plans

Cardiff residents have come into conflict with the council over the control of the city's parks.

Fairwater and Pentrebane Community Benefits, a partnership between the Fairwater Sports Trust and charity Vision 21, aims to take over the running of Ashton and Poplar Parks.

Vision 21 director Barry Shiers said: “There has been a big push from the Assembly to encourage local communities to take over council assets.

"You can look at it two ways - the council are passing over their responsibility, or maybe local trusts could make a better job of it.”

But Neil McEvoy, Plaid Cymru councillor for Fairwater and Deputy Leader of the Council, was critical of the proposal.

He said: "The people already own the parks through the council and I think they are happy with the service they get.

"This is just a few individuals thinking they can take over public parks and use them as their own back gardens."

Assent for the proposal was given by the Sports Trust at a meeting at Fairwater Recreation Ground on February 16.
They aim to take primary funding from the Community Asset Fund, a pot of money from the Assembly and the lottery.
About £13m is available for Wales and individual projects can receive up to £800,000.

Michael Michael, Deputy Chair of the Sports Trust, said: “We now need a feasibility study and full business plan. We need to show not only that we are serious about it but that we can actually make it work.

"Otherwise, we go to the council and ask 'what is it costing you and can it be done cheaper through the trust?'”