A series of drop-in sessions will be held next week on proposals for a new community hub in Grangetown and plans to improve the Clare Road/ Penarth Road shopping centre.
The Council is keen to hear from the community about their views on what services and activities a hub should provide. The aim of community hubs is to bring together a variety of essential public services under one roof to serve local communities. The concept has been a great success in other parts of the city, including Llanrumney, Trowbridge/St Mellons, Loudoun Square in Butetown and the city centre Advice Hub at Marland House.
A hub in Grangetown could include a wide range of key services such as housing and benefit advice, full library services, advice for job seekers and opportunities for learning. However it would be up to the local community to decide which services it would like to see offered.
The proposed location for the hub is Grangetown Library. The building would be extended to provide a large community meeting space, additional services and training.
A consultation exercise was carried out last year to gather the thoughts of businesses, residents and visitors about the Clare Road/ Penarth Road shopping centre. A wide range of issues were raised and suggestions put forward for improving the centre.
Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Councillor Lynda Thorne, said: “We are keen to hear how the people of Grangetown feel about the provision of a community hub in their area and which services they want provided there. The drop in sessions are an excellent opportunity for local people to find out more and tell us how we can make it easier for them to engage with the Council, as we have done in other parts of the city.
“The hubs already up and running have been very successful and we are committed to extending this provision, investing in local neighbourhoods and improving face to face services for our customers.
“Regarding the Clare Road/Penarth Road shopping centre, we received some good feedback to last year’s consultation and have developed an action plan to improve the area and tackle some of the concerns raised. Details of the plan will be available in the drop-in sessions so it’s a good opportunity for local people to find out more.”
The drop-in sessions will be held at Grangetown Library on Monday November 18, 9am-12pm and 4pm-7pm, Wednesday November 20 at 3pm-5pm, Saturday November 23 at 10am-1pm, Monday November 25 at 5pm-7pm and Tuesday November 26 at 9.30am-1pm.
At Cardiff South Enterprise Centre, the drop-in sessions will take place on Tuesday November 19 at 11am-1pm, Thursday November 21 at 9am-12pm and Friday November 22 at 2pm-4.30pm.
A further two sessions will be held at Channel View Leisure Centre on Wednesday November 27 at 11am – 1pm and Thursday November 28 at 10.30am -12.30pm.
Members of the community who are keen to have their say on options for a new hub but are unable to attend the drop in sessions can submit their views by filling in the on-line survey at www.surveys.cardiff.gov.uk/grangetownhub
The survey will be available on-line from November 18 until Monday December 16.
