Cardiff Council round-up - community cases and debate on Capital Times

More funding for Cardiff libraries Yesterday we reported councillors in Rhiwbina were eager to see more funding for better computers after it was found to be the library had the highest number of books issued each year. In a written response to Rhiwbina councillor Jayne Cowan, executive member for culture, leisure and sport, Nigel Howells, said: "Stock for libraries is bought on a city-wide basis and is distributed according to patterns of use. As a result, Rhiwbina library receives a generous share of new titles each month. "Given the financial pressures on all council services, Rhiwbina library will contonue to receive its fair share of the resources available, including any additional funding that may or may not become available." A supplementary question was then put to Howells from councillors in Canton for funding to refurbish their branch library – which is the most visited in Cardiff. Canton councillor Cerys Furlong spoke of the damp conditions in Canton Library and extended an invitation to the executive member to visit the library to observe the poor conditions for himself. Howells said he was happy to visit the library, and commented: "There's work that needs doing at the Canton library and your colleague Councillor Cook did raise this issue and we have agreed to have a look at it. Our problem is how to fund any repairs which are needed after the fire. We're stuck for money to bring it up to standard." Call to scrap council propaganda in Capital times We reported on the blog yesterday Conservative leader David Walker would call for an end to the council 'newspaper' Capital Times in his tabled question to leader Rodney Berman. In a written response Berman said: "Capital Times is a popular and effective way of telling residents about changes to services, as well as informing them about council policies, decisions and events. "Capital Times is also used to carry out regular consultation as it enables us to reach every household in the city. "Capital Times costs 7p per head of population per edition to produce so it is clearly a cost effective way of reaching all households." As a supplementary question, Independent group leader Jayne Cowan said: "How many times has consultation taken place on Capital Times?" Leader Rodney Berman replied: "We undertake the consultation annually and the figure reported is 80% of people are rating content as good or very good." Labour leader Ralph Cook said: "Do you agree the criticism of the Capital Times could be avoided if the council saw it as a paper for the whole council but not just the administration?" Berman replied: "I hear what you say about the people being featured, but because we have Lib Dem/Plaid coalition the bulk of it will be about them. "It's not an easy issue. To get around it we are looking for ways to have more features of scrutiny and that's fallen by the way side in recent years. We are looking at more features based on different wards so we do hear some of what you say." He added: "Pictures aren't put in there to promote people but to promote the council." Councillor Ramesh Patel said: "I remember when I was elected there were many ward based features but this has been dropped, why?" Berman replied: "I don't know who was party to that decision. I suspect it's because it had featured every ward in the city and this came to an end." Your tweets also flooded in concerning the debate. Andy Williams said: Siriol said: Green party member Sam Coates said: Caroline Duffy said: Cardiff East schools reorganisation 'ignores will of the minority' The only public question at last night's meeting of the full council came from Jon Tuck concerning schools reorganisation in east Cardiff. Tuck asked leader of the council Rodney Berman why, in a democracy, the council is ignoring the will of the minority. Berman responded in a written answer detailing the consultation process undertaken, but Mr Tuck said Berman had not answered the question. Tuck said: "I didn't ask about why the decision was taken but I asked about the democratic process. When the statutory notice was issued it stated quite clearly that the proposal was from this council, which is the council in its entirety, so I thought there had to be a vote by the full council in this chamber." Berman responded: "We have to work with what the law tells us and for schools proposals and statutory notices it is the executive alone who makes that decision." Tom Morgan steps down as acting chief executive Following Byron Davies stepping down from the post in November 2009, Tom Morgan has been acting as chief executive. The council appointed Jon House, a former policeman, as the new chief executive earlier this year. Yesterday was Morgan's last full council meeting acting as chief executive and tributes were made to the 'immensely decent and immensely loyal' council officer. Councillor Russell Goodway said: "I guess I'm the only one here that pre-dates Tom Morgan as a member of staff here – I was there when you were first appointed at South Glamorgan – a place where people could make it happen and turn politicians dreams into reality. "I don't remember Tom Morgan for grandiose projects – I first remember him as standing up for the cleaners. He was the most vocal in management meetings for standing up for those people. "He was immensely decent and immensely loyal. I for one am devastated that you weren't given the rightful opportunity to take on the role of chief executive in this council. I believe you can deliver and I wanted you to go on delivering and I think what we've done is a mistake but I wish you well in the future." Council leader Rodney Berman said: "If you look around the city you very much see the fruits of Tom's labour - Tom has been someone who's got things done and delivered for us." Morgan is known for having taking a leading role in implementing the new St David's 2 Centre and development around Cardiff Marina including the international swimming pool and new white water rafting centre. Councillor Delme Bowen said: "He's transformed Cardiff - not only its history but Cardiff's future. We will miss him and we have financial stringency ahead so we may have to look at smaller projects. This was the golden age Tom so thank you." Morgan is looking visibly touched by the tributes. To read all the news from the full council meeting last night, have a look at our live blog which recorded the action as it happened. Leave your comments about the issues raised at the meeting below.