Latest news with #Batrouni
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Newport has ‘lost out' over university investment promises
Newport has missed out on around £3 million of investment since a university merger and the closure of Caerleon Campus, a councillor has claimed. Cllr Matthew Evans said student numbers in the city have plummeted in the past 15 years, and criticised 'broken' promises to invest in higher education. The University of South Wales (USW) was created in 2013 when the University of Newport, Wales merged with the University of Glamorgan – two years after a new city-centre campus for business and media opened on Usk Way. The university's campus in Caerleon was eventually closed down in 2016, despite opposition, and most of the site has been redeveloped for housing – except for the main block and some other listed buildings, which later found fame in the Netflix series Sex Education. Speaking at a council meeting this week, Cllr Evans, the leader of the opposition Conservative group, alleged the only university students apparently living in Newport these days are 'a few from Bristol' – a far cry from the 10,000 he said the city welcomed in 2010/11. Cllr Evans raised a recent claim that 'when the Caerleon campus was sold for £6.2 million, there was an initial promise that all of this would be spent in the city'. On the university merger, he added: 'Promises were made that there would not be any campus closures, which were then broken.' The development of a so-called Knowledge Quarter in central Newport was meant to safeguard higher and further education, but Cllr Evans questioned the progress to date, and urged Cllr Dimitri Batrouni, the council leader, to 'ensure that this much-needed investment in the city centre materialises'. Cllr Batrouni said he had held 'honest and robust' discussions with USW's chancellor and vice-chancellor on the university's 'current status and future' in Newport, but described the sector as being 'in real trouble'. 'I think if we're all being candid with each other, not just in Wales but across England, higher education [and] universities are facing a financial crisis,' said Cllr Batrouni, who understands USW has 'no contractual obligation… to commit that money here'. 'I can also raise those matters directly with them next time I meet them – but I wouldn't hold our breath on that,' he added. Cllr Evans said public documents, published around the time the redevelopment of Caerleon Campus was decided, suggested 'the university intended to reinvest proceeds into the Newport Knowledge Quarter'. 'Yet again, we appear to have lost out,' he claimed. 'Apparently they have spent £3.2 million in Newport but that still leaves a shortfall of £3 million.' Cllr Evans called that spending a 'pittance' when compared 'to the £40 million they've just spent on a building in Treforest'. 'They promised us money,' he added. 'I do think it's important… we try and get some of this money back or at least buildings here.' Cllr Batrouni defended the Knowledge Quarter project as 'a beacon for this city' and said there were 'definitely students there' during his visit to the city-centre campus. He also noted several USW investments in Newport, including a 'state of the art' research and innovation centre, and a cyber centre 'which has won four national awards for cyber excellence, beating all the Russell Group universities'. 'I always want more, I always ask them for more and you know, if I can get more there, I will,' added Cllr Batrouni, with a note of caution that he could not 'sit here and promise' anything because the Covid-19 pandemic had 'decimated' higher education. USW was approached for comment.
South Wales Argus
08-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
How councils in Wales are boosting their cyber defences
The move comes amid a rise in digital threats targeting public services, which rely on secure IT systems to deliver critical support to communities. Councillor Dimitri Batrouni, Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) spokesperson for digital and workforce, said: "Cyber resilience isn't a luxury – it's a necessity. "As threats continue to evolve, councils need the tools and confidence to safeguard the systems that underpin the services people depend on." The National Cyber Security Centre has reported a steady increase in attacks on the public sector, including phishing, ransomware, and supply chain incidents. To address these risks, Welsh councils and fire and rescue services are using the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen their cyber resilience. The WLGA, in partnership with the Welsh Government, is supporting the rollout of the framework alongside other initiatives. These include breach workshops, tabletop exercises, training videos, and CymruSOC, a centralised security operations centre that monitors and supports council cyber security. Mr Batrouni said: "The Cyber Assessment Framework is a vital part of this effort. "It helps councils understand their strengths and gaps and provides a structure for improvement."
South Wales Argus
23-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
How many people are registered homeless in Newport?
'Unprecedented' housing pressures are placing more people in Newport at risk of homelessness. The city council said it has made progress in tackling homelessness in the past year – halving the number of people sleeping rough and helping move more families from temporary accommodation to a more stable home. Meanwhile, initiatives such as Homewards, set up by Prince William, have brought organisations and charities together to take a more holistic approach to the issue and bring 'everyone around the table'. Despite these optimistic signs, senior councillors have warned that demand for properties in Wales' fastest-growing city far outstrips supply, and more homes must be built. In a call for compassion and better understanding of the issue, they also said enduring stereotypes around homelessness must also be changed. 'There is a perception that homelessness is only about rough-sleeping or experienced by people due to their life choices, and we need to challenge this narrative,' said Cllr Saeed Adan, the cabinet member for housing. Debt, domestic violence and abuse, relationship breakdowns, and landlords deciding to sell rental properties are all common reasons the council hears from people worried about losing their homes. Another major factor is 'ridiculous' private rental prices, added Cllr Dimitri Batrouni, who leads the local authority. Prince William five-year programme Homewards in Newport 'Most people who are in the private rental sector are paying more than you would pay for a mortgage on a monthly repayment,' he said. 'That's not just a Newport issue, but Newport's experiencing a particular problem because of its population growth. Demand is high.' The most recent census found Newport's population had increased by 9.5% over a decade to nearly 160,000 in 2021 – the greatest increase in Wales. Nationally, the Welsh population grew by 1.4% over the same period. The city council is currently preparing a new Local Development Plan – an overarching blueprint for new building – and regional discussions on housing strategy are in the 'embryonic stages', explained Cllr Batrouni. He said 'the real kicker' is more private rental supply homes, for which Newport realistically requires 'a huge amount of supply'. Beyond demand for housing, the financial strain on many residents is a huge burden which leads to homelessness worries and dangers. 'People are working two, three jobs and they're still struggling,' said Cllr Batrouni. 'People are working their arses off. They're doing the right thing, they're paying everything and then one job goes wrong and suddenly they can't afford anything.' This is the reality for many people who seek the council's help, and is far from accusations that someone facing homelessness must be 'lazy', the leader added. 'Some people might have personally made terrible decisions that meant they've ended up on the streets, but some might not have,' he said. 'You can never guarantee you will not find yourself in that situation. Life is very, very harsh and unduly unfair.' Among Newport's improving homelessness figures is a 'roughly 50% drop' in couples with children requiring temporary accommodation. Cllr Batrouni says families have been prioritised to not just help children now, but also to try and 'break the cycle' of young people who have disrupted childhoods later becoming at risk of homelessness when they are older. Prince of Wales wants project to end homelessness ... 'We have people on the streets who predominantly have had trauma in childhood,' he explains. 'All the evidence seems to suggest that children who experienced an unstable life continue that – if you really want to break the pattern, you reduce [trauma] as much as you can early on. 'If we get this right, this won't be a conversation in 15 to 20 years' time as they become adults. And that surely is the goal.' While many families have been moved on from temporary accommodation, there remains concern around the number of individual adults still waiting for a home, seemingly stuck in the system due to a lack of available housing. Currently, the council believes more than 700 new one-bedroom homes are needed to keep up with demand. Cllr Batrouni admits the council 'has got to deal with the here and now', but must also 'get better at the predictive part' of planning policies, so the city is better prepared for the housing demand of the future. One type of property that generally caters to individual adults is the HMO (house in multiple occupation), but these all too often prove controversial among neighbours who fear they pile pressure on local services and can attract problem behaviour. Cllr Adan said Newport will soon receive a bespoke 'HMO study' which reviews current rules around overconcentrations of those properties – and which councillors frequently hear are too relaxed. 'What we'll be looking at is a measurable way of controlling HMOs through the development management process, so it doesn't impact those areas that are significantly affected,' he said. 'What we don't want to cause is any inequality. We're hoping that on the back of this new study that we receive, that we change the rules.'
South Wales Argus
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Newport's £6.6m investment to improve 55 city roads
The council aims to improve the city's road network over the coming year, focusing on the most vital and high-priority roads. These include Malpas Road, Newport Bridge, Lighthouse Road, Chepstow Road, and Caerleon Road. The council secured more than £4.4 million from the Welsh Government through the new highway management local government borrowing initiative. It will also allocate around £2.2 million of its own resources, including £1 million from last year's underspend, to this major road maintenance programme. This investment is in addition to the council's regular yearly budget for road repairs. Councillor Dimitri Batrouni, leader of the council, said: "We promised more investment into our road network, and I'm pleased to say we are delivering on that promise. "Councillors from every ward have been sharing residents' concerns about roads with us. "We've heard those concerns, and we get it. "This funding from Welsh government will allow us to go above and beyond what we would be able to do on our own, tackling more of our highway network's problem areas." The programme will have two elements running concurrently: full resurfacing work on the highest priority roads and surface treatments for high-priority roads to preserve the highway asset. The council proposes to work on 55 sections of road, 36 requiring full resurfacing and 19 needing surface treatments. The council will undertake further detailed design work for the programme to determine a full schedule before work starts later this summer. Residents, businesses, and visitors will be kept informed of the programme's progress through the council's website and social media channels. Acknowledging that the level of investment would not solve all issues, Mr Batrouni added: "At the same time, it is not going to solve every problem and fix every pothole, as we can only do so much with the resources we have. "It is, however, a really good programme of works which I do feel will make a big difference." The council has thanked residents and visitors in advance for their patience and understanding while it carries out these important upgrades. The full list of the roads is: Full treatment A467 - Risca Bypass A468 – Caerphilly boundary to Draethen Junction A468 Bassaleg Roundabout, near A467 A468 Caerphilly Road (part) A48 Usk Way (City Centre) (Part) B4239 Coast Road (Part) B4239 Lighthouse Road (part) B4241 Corporation Road (Cromwell Rd junction area) B4241 Fields Road (Part) B4254 Magor Rd (Part) B4591 Corporation Road (Part) Broadway - Junction with High Street Caerleon Road near St Julians Pub Chapel Road - Junction Great Newra Farm Chepstow Road - Magor Road / Tregarn Road, junction area Clifton Road including Friars Road Junction Cromwell Road (Part) Docks Way - Junction with Greenwich Road Gaer Road (Part) Heidenheim Drive (part) Hendre Farm Drive (part) Highfield Road Junction Road (part) Malpas Road (near the Shell garage) Newport Bridge - Old Green Roundabout to Rodney Road Rivermead (part) Rivermead Way - Junction with Fuchsia Way Rodney Road - near The Pod Somerton Bridge St Mellons Road - Junction Wellfield Road Stow Hill - Cathedral Area Stow Park Circle (Part) The Coldra - Junction with Llanwern Road to no 11 White Brook, Llanvaches - (Part 1) White Brook, Llanvaches - (Part 2) White Brook, Llanvaches - (Part 3) Surface treatment A48 Cardiff Road (entrance Spring Court to Coach & Horses PH) A48 Cardiff Road (junction Pound Hill to entrance Spring Court) A48 Chepstow Road (from junction Bowdens Lane to junction Pen-y-Worlod Road) A48 Chepstow Road (from junction Caerlicken Lane to junction Church Road) A48 Chepstow Road (from junction Catsash Road to junction Langstone Court Road) A48 Chepstow Road (from junction Hendrew Lane to junction Greenmeadow Lane) A48 Chepstow Road (from junction Langstone Park to junction Old Langstone Court Road) A48 Chepstow Road (from junction Pen-y-Worlod Road to junction Old Turnpike Road) A48 Newport Road (junction Channel View to Boundary) A48 Newport Road (southbound from junction Marshfield Road to end of dualling) B4236 New Road (from junction Bulmore Road to junction Lulworth Road) B4237 Cardiff Road (junction Cae Bryntirion Road to Belle Vue interchange) B4596 Caerleon Road (from start of 40mph zone to no.574 Caerleon Road) Goldcliff Road (from junction Goldcliff Common to Chapel Road) Meadows Road (junction Nash Road to Queensway Meadows Roundabout) Mendalgief Road (from junction Price Close to junction Lime Court) North Row (junction Green Street to entrance of North Court Farm) Usk Road, Caerleon (from junction B4236 Mill Street to access Whitehall Farm)
South Wales Argus
05-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Newport residents may in future be able to WhatsApp council
That's one of the ambitions set out by council leader Dimitri Batrouni as he seeks to transform the local authority into an organisation fit for the future. 'My ideal is people's engagement with the council is pretty much automated, 24/7. So people can ask something they want to know at any time, and the system gives them the answer. It's all about convenience,' said Cllr Batrouni. The idea is in the early stages but it's something he would like to see tried out before the next council elections in 2028. Cllr Batrouni favours WhatsApp or a similar platform because while not everyone uses the internet, most people are comfortable with messaging. 'We were speaking to a company this morning which was talking about WhatsApp, and I really like that proposal. I want to explore and see if it works, and we might just do a trial, but WhatsApp is just so easy for all generations.' He stressed that human interaction remains important. 'We will always have that face-to-face element, there will always have an ability for someone to speak to human being. But in the future. I don't know if 11.30pm, and you have a panic if it's been day tomorrow, rather than going to go trawling through the website, what I would love you be able to do just WhatsApp the council, the council. You know, within five seconds, 'actually, don't worry, your bin day is Friday'.' Cllr Batrouni was speaking during a wide-ranging interview with the Argus to mark him having been at the helm of the city council for just over a year, having taken over from Jane Mudd after she was elected Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner in 2024. His first year in post was about focusing on fixing the basics, he said, the things that regularly annoyed the people he was talking to. 'I've nearly visited every single school, spoke to every head teacher, visited staff to see frontline issues,' he said. 'I went out on the refuse truck to see what it's like collecting bins. I went on street cleaning. I've gone on grass cutting. I've gone out front line to listen to people who deal with frontline services that residents really, really care about. Newport City Council leader Dimitri Batrouni visits a city school alongside deputy leader Cllr Deb Davies. (Image: Newport City Council) 'I wanted so my first six months was about listening, then I acted. What you saw on the budget is a response to what I've heard. 'We want extra grass cutting because the grass is too long', 'We want more road resurfacing because there was too many potholes', 'We want the street lights back on, because we don't feel safe at night'. 'Those bread-and-butter issues I called it, and that's why I call it the bread-and-butter budget, because that's what it focused on, doing what people were asking us to do. We got on with painting and cleaning the minimum footbridge we've got on with cleaning the clock tower. We listened and then acted.' 'Aldi would be perfect' - Residents speak out over new Aldi store for Newport Tesco Clubcard announces changes for customers with new deals on offer Now, Cllr Batrouni wants to look forward, harnessing technology including artificial intelligence to provide better services. 'There are huge benefits to residents, to taxpayers, by getting this right,' he said, while acknowledging handling of sensitive data needed to be done very carefully. 'If you get it right, you can streamline to make it more convenient for residents, but also a highly efficient organisation.' He added: "When I say efficient, I also mean for staff, not losing staff, but staff being able to concentrate their time on higher added-value stuff, because they're not dealing with operational stuff that systems can do these days. 'Fierce' and 'forthright' councillor becomes city's new mayor 'It won't mean job big job losses. What it does mean, though, is change. We cannot operate as we are. The world's moving so fast in this space.' When asked when residents would see the difference, Cllr Batrouni asked people to be patient for now. 'You have to build the fundamentals first,' he said. 'This is the not exciting bit but you have to integrate and merge your systems. You have to make them be able to speak to each other. You have to ensure the data is clean. You have to get those building blocks absolutely spot on, because only when you have that base, you get all the nice, whizzy stuff that people start to notice.' This is part one of the Argus interview with Cllr Batrouni. We will be running a series of articles in the coming days.
