Formal Council Questions and Responses
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
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The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
Councillors asked the Leader whether Newport's transport interests were well represented by the Burns Commission, and whether the Leader and the council's chief executive agree on proposed changes, including the Old Green Roundabout. The Leader said the Commission had a wide mix of expertise and that congestion on the M4 corridor will be reviewed over the next eighteen months. The minute records no decisions.
Councillor Batrouni responded by referring to the Cabinet report of 15 September 2026. The minute records the questions and answers but no decision by this meeting.
At its formal questions session, the council considered a written question from Councillor Mogford about changes to the board of Newport Transport Limited, the company that runs the city's buses. Councillor Batrouni replied for the Leader, pointing to a Cabinet report of 15 September 2026 that proposes replacing five directors. The minute records no decision on the question.
The meeting heard a question from Councillor M Howells about city centre footfall, meaning how many people visit the town centre. Councillor Clarke gave figures showing footfall down compared with the same months a year earlier, for April to July 2026, with the fall smaller than the national figures. The minute records no decision.
At this formal question session, Councillor Morris asked whether residents can be assured that alleged contamination by PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls, industrial chemicals) at the former Monsanto site and Glebelands is not a health risk. The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Waste and Recycling, Councillor Forsey, replied that the Council is not aware of any current health risk. No decision was recorded.
At this meeting, Councillor Sterry asked the Cabinet Member for Communities and Sport whether Newport could introduce a targeted rule on balaclavas and face coverings in public spaces, similar to one Nottingham has approved. Councillor Hughes replied that the Council can change a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO, a local rule for a public area) if the legal tests are met, that any change would need evidence and consultation, and that the city centre PSPO is due for review. No decision was recorded.
At this formal council question session, Councillor Mogford questioned the quality of recent road repairs on Old Roman Road in Langstone ward. Councillor Howells, the Cabinet Member for Assets and Infrastructure, replied that the defects were being addressed with the contractor and offered a site visit. The minute records questions and answers only, with no decision.
At a formal questions session, Councillor Sterry asked the Cabinet Member for Assets and Infrastructure and Climate Change, Waste and Recycling whether litter bins are provided at new or upgraded bus stops in Lliswerry. Councillor Howells replied that bin provision is considered case by case, balancing need against servicing and safe maintenance. The minute records no decision.
Councillor Sterry asked six written questions about fly-tipping data in Newport and enforcement in the Lliswerry ward, following a reported 11.1% citywide fall. Councillor Forsey, the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Waste and Recycling, gave citywide totals, explained how the 11.1% was calculated, and gave a Lliswerry figure for 2025/26. Ward-level comparisons and tonnage were not held, and a Performance Portal for members is still in development. The minute records no decision.
At this meeting, Councillor Al-Nuaimi asked about a £6m loan owed to the council by Loft Co, which runs the former Newport Provision Market. The loan was due on 2 February 2026 and remains unpaid, and Councillors Batrouni and Clarke, answering for the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Business Growth, said the council is negotiating with the developer and cannot give details in public. No decision was recorded.
At this formal question session, Councillor Sterry asked the Cabinet Member for Assets and Infrastructure, Councillor Howells, about white parking bay markings installed at an electric vehicle charging point on Milner Street. Residents and ward members had been told the bays would not be included. Councillor Howells said the information given to ward members was incorrect because of a communication error, that the council accepts the final scheme differed from what was advised, and that the final safety advice is that the marked bays must stay. The minute records no decision.
At this formal question session, Councillor Sterry asked the Leader, Councillor Batrouni, when councillors would get access to ward-level performance data through the new Performance Portal. The Leader said the information is being rolled out in phases and is still being checked and made consistent. The minute records no decision.
At this formal question session, Councillor Routley asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor Batrouni, about Newport Market. He asked whether the over £6 million owed to Newport taxpayers, plus interest, will be recovered in full. The Leader said discussions are ongoing and that no formal decision has been made, so no decision was recorded.
Councillor Evans asked why the Transporter Bridge Visitor Centre has not opened to the public, although it was due to open last summer, and what it costs. Councillor Corten, the Cabinet Member for Communications and Culture (a Cabinet member is a councillor who leads a area of council work), replied that the centre is open to pre-booked school and community tours while work on the bridge continues, and that it will open fully once that work is finished. No decision was recorded.
At this formal question session, Councillor Routley asked the Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Assets to clear overgrowth from a footway between Magor Road and Pencarn Lane and to set a timetable for doing so. The Cabinet Member replied that the work would be considered for a future maintenance programme, and that the route could be considered for future Active Travel funding bids. The minute records no formal decision.
Councillor Batrouni replied that work so far has covered project development and links to skills, anti-poverty and project management. The minute records no decision.
The meeting heard questions to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Batrouni, about Newport Leisure Centre. Councillor Mogford asked about progress against timescale and budget and whether an opening date had been set. The minute records no decision; the Leader said completion is expected at the end of the year and an opening programme will be published in the winter.
The minute records no decision. Councillor Howells said the road was built for such vehicles and that major maintenance is paid for by the private company that runs it, not the council.
At this meeting, Councillor Al-Nuaimi asked the Cabinet Member questions about crime and antisocial behaviour (ASB) in Newport city centre. Councillors Clarke and Hughes replied by describing current measures, the role of the City Centre Manager and a CCTV upgrade. The minute records no decision.
At this meeting, Councillor Sterry asked the Leader about councillors' access to data from the My Newport system, which the Leader had agreed to review eight months earlier. Councillor Batrouni replied that officers are building a Performance Portal. No decision is recorded in the minute.
Councillor Sterry asked the Leader whether he supports removing the Old Green roundabout, a scheme estimated at £40.4 million that forms part of the Burns Commission recommendations, despite public opposition. Councillors Batrouni and R Howells replied that the Cabinet's position is unchanged, that the new Welsh Government has since said the scheme will go ahead, and that a wider government review is now under way. The minute records no decision.
Three councillors replied, pointing to footfall cameras, falling vacancy rates and business rate support. The minute records no decision.
At this meeting, Councillor Sterry asked the Cabinet (the group of councillors who lead council services) whether a plan to turn a grassed area in Hillview Crescent into 10 allotments would be dropped after residents objected. Councillor Forsey replied for the Cabinet that the consultation was still being evaluated and could not be prejudged. No decision was recorded.
The meeting heard a question from Councillor Fouweather about planned changes to the Old Green Roundabout and their likely effect on city centre businesses. Councillor Clarke replied that the Council will reduce business rates for eligible city centre businesses, as the Leader announced at the last Cabinet meeting. No decision on the question itself was recorded.
At this meeting, Councillor Evans asked the Cabinet Member for Communities and Sport about the city centre CCTV (closed-circuit television cameras) system. He asked whether a £300,000 upgrade, which he said had been announced, had gone ahead. Councillor Hughes replied that the system is ageing, that repairs have been carried out, and that the upgrade will be progressed this year. The minute records no decision.
The meeting held formal questions to council leaders. The main exchange was with the Leader about an online dashboard to show residents council spending and performance data. The minute records no decision; the Leader said a Performance Portal is being developed, with a pilot planned for quarter 2 and full delivery in quarter 4 of 2026/27.
Councillor Howells explained that the lane links the city centre with Newport railway station, reported early use, and gave the cost of a wider package of works as £142,042.25, fully funded by the Welsh Government. The minute records no decision.
At the formal council questions session, Councillor Fouweather asked for an update on bringing the Westgate Hotel back into use and whether the council had contacted possible hotel operators. Councillor Clarke said discussions with an interested third party are ongoing but could not share details because of commercial confidentiality. The minute records no decision.
Councillor Fouweather asked questions about planned changes to the Old Green roundabout in Newport, including whether a letter had been sent to the Welsh Government after a scrutiny committee discussed a petition. The minutes record no decision. The council's scrutiny recommendations are due before Cabinet on 17 June.