What has the Council ever done for us?

By Councillor Gail Giles

Many of us are familiar with the Monty Python quote ‘what have the Romans ever done for us’ ( so relevant to Caerleon) but what do we know about what the Local Authority has ever done for us?
Well, Newport City Council has been extremely busy, vibrant and successful in delivering a huge number of services to the public over the years as a town and more recently a City. It has won national awards and been recognised as well run organisation.

The Authority employs over 7000 people who between them provide services as diverse as education, social services, highways maintenance, housing support, waste management and looking after our environment.

The City Contact Centre is one of the most successful front line services in the country and Newport in Bloom has had phenomenal success with regular first and second prizes in the Wales in Bloom competition every year. Overview and scrutiny of services is undertaken by the 50 Members (Councillors) elected by the people of Newport.

I thought articles on the work undertaken by the various Council departments may be of interest to Caerleon residents and, with Spring on the way, and Caerleon in Bloom getting ready for this year’s displays, I would start with Environmental Services. David Morris, Senior Manager has kindly provided the following overview of their work across the city:



As well as looking after over 2 million trees, and virtually every area of green space in and around the edge of Newport and Caerleon, the Council's 'Grounds and Countryside Service' also carries out a substantial amount of work on a wide range of other environmental projects. Over 170 people are currently employed in this service, which works within an annual budget of £3.6m.

A significant proportion of the team's work relates to the maintenance of the many large green spaces in the area. Some of these areas lie within some of our larger council estates, which are now being transferred to the newly established 'Newport City Homes' housing trust. However, this still means that there are a large number of areas which will be staying in the ownership of the council, and will still need to be cared for.

Whilst this work is very labour-intensive, we are continuing to improve our productivity by introducing new machines which are both quicker and also producing a higher standard of cut. Whilst there continues to be substantial variations in the weather conditions in which we have to work the fact of the matter is that, amongst our customers, the condition and appearance of our large grassed areas still continues to be a high priority for many of our residents.

Not only does all this work include Parks and Nature Reserves, it also includes the maintenance and protection of the network of rural footpaths and bridleways. Due to modern legislation - both national and international - we also have an increasing responsibility for conservation and ecology issues, so that any incoming planning application with environmental impacts also has to be referred to us for comment.

This means that our ecologists have to check each site from an environmental perspective, and ensure that any development proposals do not adversely affect either wildlife or the landscape. Many parts of the Newport and Caerleon areas are protected under both national and international legislation, and any infringements could well face formal prosecution. The last few years have seen a boom locally, in both 'new build' schemes and in property renovations, and so the team has been particularly busy.

The team has also been heavily involved with the new 'Newport Wetland Reserve'; working with the RSPB, as part of the amelioration work arising from the development of Cardiff Bay. We are now working with Monmouthshire County Council to try and establish the Welsh Assembly Government's new coastal path project. Once this is completed, it then means that the path can continue around the rest of the welsh coastline. This work has been funded by the Countryside Council for Wales.

Our Landscape Architects are heavily involved in ensuring that not only are all development proposals in accordance with modern environmental requirements, but that as much new green space as possible is established within these new areas, so that residents of the future will have somewhere new to look at and enjoy, and thereby have a higher quality of life than would have otherwise been the case.

I terms of day-to-day maintenance, the establishment of the new Contact Centre (01633 656656) has made it much easier for members of the public to report problems to us, and this process also provides us with important information about where most of the problems exist, and also the rate at which we are able to resolve them. Most importantly, this new process makes it quicker and easier for any problems to be reported direct to the correct department, minimising the frustration for the customer who previously would have had to try and find the correct department themselves.

Currently, the Service is not only gearing up for the 'Wales In Bloom' competition, but is also making preparations for the national 'Britain In Bloom' competition, as Newport is Wales' entry in 2009: the first time we have been in the competition, since 2002. As much of the 'In Bloom' competitions now revolve around wider environmental work, Newport is well placed to do well in both competitions this year, with our schools playing a central part in both campaigns. 'Newport In Bloom' really consists of a number of separate 'in bloom' groups, which exist all over Newport.

In Caerleon, there is a very active and very effective local group which carries out lots of valuable work in the area, and helps, entirely on a voluntary basis, to keep Caerleon looking attractive. These groups liaise with local businesses etc and work jointly with other partners to do the best they possibly can to improve people's daily lives. Our local schools also play a central part in the competition, and many children produce their own hanging baskets, which are then nurtured throughout the summer and make a positive contribution to the area.

Over the coming years, although we are obviously fully aware that finance is likely to remain the biggest challenge that we all face, we do see our work with children and schools as being one of our very highest priorities. We recognize that our children are our future, and that it is important to give them the skills now, to enable them to help to build a better future for us all. On this basis, our work on both conservation and 'In Bloom' initiatives, will be increased and strengthened, so that Newport and Caerleon remain at the very top of as many environmental league tables in both Wales, and the UK, as possible.


The work undertaken by David and his team ensures that we can all enjoy our environment and open spaces. It also plays an important part in protecting the flora and fauna as well as placing Newport and Caerleon firmly on the map for its attractive floral displays.

Further information about Newport City Council can be obtained on the website: www.newport.gov.uk and the free Newport City Matters provides updates, articles and news on various issues affecting the City.

Councillor Gail Giles
Caerleon Ward Member
Tel: 421947
Email: gail.giles@newport.gov.uk