Latest news with #MatthewPimm
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Frustrating delays in transfer of Newport community centre
City council officials said they would 'learn from' the matter and had sought specialist training to help it get to grips with the relatively new process. Ward councillor Matthew Pimm told a scrutiny committee plans for the future of Eveswell Community Centre faced 'lots of hold-ups'. The site is subject of an ongoing Community Asset Transfer (CAT) – a legal process through which local authorities can hand over surplus or unwanted buildings and other assets to interested community groups or organisations. In this case, a proposed deal would pass Eveswell Community Centre to a charity, Toc H, which already runs activities and workshops there. A 25-year lease has previously been suggested for the CAT arrangements. Speaking at a Newport City Council scrutiny meeting, on Monday July 21, Cllr Pimm said the process had involved 'delays' and 'quite a bit of confusion' for those involved. He urged officers to 'speed it up' and suggested the CAT process 'needs to be as straightforward as possible'. Delays had 'made life quite difficult in terms of planning ahead [for] when we take over the asset'. Tracy McKim – the council's head of people, policy and transformation – said the local authority had 'accepted all along' the Eveswell Community Centre CAT is 'something we need to learn from'. The council has worked with Gwent third-sector umbrella organisation GAVO and an 'external provider' to improve its use of CATs, the committee heard. Ms McKim added she believed the transfer of Eveswell Community Centre would be 'a real positive outcome when we get it over the line'. Rhian Howells, the cabinet member for assets and infrastructure, said the early work on CATs would help the council with 'accruing knowledge', and 'going forward we will be able to do it better'. Speaking later in the meeting, Cllr Pimm said the community group involved in the Eveswell CAT process had 'nearly lost out on our funding… because of the delays'. 'A lot needs to be learned', he said, adding it was 'soul destroying… waiting for something to happen'.
South Wales Argus
09-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
Can children visit Newport Transporter Bridge Visitor Centre?
City councillors heard how a 'soft launch' of the centre has proved successful, but a full opening is not possible while bridge restoration works continue. 'Repair and refurbishment' work on the Grade I listed structure, one of the few of its kind remaining in the world, will 'ensure it remains operational and accessible to visitors', according to a new council report. This includes replacing and repainting cables, repairing the gondola, and grit-blasting 'large sections' of the boom. A first look at Newport Transport Bridge visitor centre in February (Image: NQ staff) The £16.9 million project has 'visibly progressed' but has been held up by factors 'including storms and periods of bad weather', however. A visitor centre 'soft launch' went ahead in November 2024, after that part of the project reached 'practical completion', allowing local dignitaries and community members to tour the new attraction. Speaking during a council scrutiny committee, Cllr Matthew Pimm asked how the new visitor centre would be an 'attractive place' for young people to visit, including on school trips. Cllr Emma Stowell-Corten, the cabinet member for culture, said the new visitor centre includes 'lots of great interactive' activities for children. First Minister Eluned Morgan at Newport Transporter Bridge in February (Image: NQ staff) It also houses a 'multi-use' space where other activities or sessions can be arranged and held, she added. 'It's really, really great – it's not just a blank space,' Cllr Stowell-Corten assured the committee. Tracey Brooks, the council's head of regeneration and economic development, said the visitor centre would be 'really quite special' and had already welcomed some schoolchildren as part of the site's partial launch. 'I was blown away by the amount of stuff that was there for members of the public', added committee chairman Cllr Mark Howells, who said he had visited the attraction during the soft launch. Meanwhile, the committee report also included an update on plans for the city's Medieval Ship, which is yet to be given a permanent home following its restoration. A 'long-term strategy' for the ship is currently expected to be completed by next spring, and the council has hired consultants to work on 'scoping options' for its reassembly and display. A final report on those options is expected halfway through the current financial year.
South Wales Argus
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
LOOK: Dozens attend dog show at Beechwood Park, Newport
More than £300 was raised for a Newport pet charity. Councillor Matthew Pimm expressed his gratitude to attendees, saying: "A big thank you to everyone who came along to support our dog show yesterday. "It was lovely to combine both community groups I represent for a lovely event and fundraiser." Beechwood Park Community Group managed to raise £373 for Fonds—Friends of Newport Dogs. This money will help the charity continue supporting stray and abandoned dogs under the care of Newport City Dogs Home Rehoming. Mr Pimm added: "We got through six categories before the rain arrived, but it was good fun and we were lucky to see so many lovely dogs and very good handlers." He said there is a full schedule of free events lined up in Beechwood Park this summer for the community to attend. These include a teddy bears' picnic on June 1, music in the park on July 13, and the music festival "Summer Sessions" on the weekend of July 25 to 27, as well as a sports day and more. Mr Pimm also thanked Bettapets Newport for supplying last-minute emergency prizes. (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied)
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
IN PICTURES: Crowds attend dog show with over £300 raised for charity
Dozens attended a dog show at Beechwood Park last Sunday. More than £300 was raised for a Newport pet charity. Councillor Matthew Pimm expressed his gratitude to attendees, saying: "A big thank you to everyone who came along to support our dog show yesterday. "It was lovely to combine both community groups I represent for a lovely event and fundraiser." Beechwood Park Community Group managed to raise £373 for Fonds—Friends of Newport Dogs. This money will help the charity continue supporting stray and abandoned dogs under the care of Newport City Dogs Home Rehoming. Mr Pimm added: "We got through six categories before the rain arrived, but it was good fun and we were lucky to see so many lovely dogs and very good handlers." He said there is a full schedule of free events lined up in Beechwood Park this summer for the community to attend. These include a teddy bears' picnic on June 1, music in the park on July 13, and the music festival "Summer Sessions" on the weekend of July 25 to 27, as well as a sports day and more. Mr Pimm also thanked Bettapets Newport for supplying last-minute emergency prizes. (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied)
South Wales Argus
11-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Newport HMO application turned down over flood risk
The property, located at 33 Walmer Road, Newport, was already functioning as a four-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) since November 2024 and had a licence from Environmental Health. The applicant sought approval for the change in use, but the application was rejected on May 10. The refusal was based primarily on the lack of a Flood Consequences Assessment (FCA), given that the property is in Flood Zone 3 – Sea, a high-risk area. The ground floor bedroom, in particular, was highlighted as having no adequate first-floor flood refuge, with only the landing and communal bathroom as possible refuge spaces. These were considered insufficient based on a relevant precedent. Consequently, the application was found to be contrary to Planning Policy Wales, TAN15 (2025), and policies SP3, GP2, H8 of the Newport Local Development Plan (2011–2026). Residents in the area raised several objections to the application, primarily concerning parking problems and congestion, especially with visitors to a nearby One Stop Shop. There were also complaints about noise and anti-social behaviour, often associated with the transient nature of HMO tenants, as well as concerns about rubbish overflow, pest issues, and property value depreciation. One resident noted: "There seems to be a considerable rise in houses of multiple occupancy in our road which is placing a significant strain on parking..." Another commented: "HMOs, if not properly managed, can sometimes lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour..." Councillors Matthew Pimm and Deborah Davies also objected to the application. Councillor Pimm highlighted the issue of overdevelopment and the lack of suitability of the terraced houses for HMO use. Councillor Davies raised concerns about parking safety and security, particularly for lone women at night, and requested a parking survey. The Highways Officer also objected due to the lack of off-road parking, inadequate cycle and refuse storage, and access issues. Natural Resources Wales noted that the property is in Flood Zone 3 – Sea and stated that the flood risk was increased due to the intensification of use. They also advised conducting a Flood Consequences Assessment, which was not provided. The Waste Manager indicated a standard 120-litre bin allocation with kerbside recycling, with no issues as long as the bins meet the specified requirements.
