We’ve invited all the local election candidates to complete this questionnaire so you know more about the people asking for your vote on the 4th of May. We’re also compiling a list of their websites and social media accounts so you can follow them and get in touch if you have any questions.
Follow @mycardiffnorth
Name – Phil Bale
Party – Labour
Ward – Llanishen
Website – welshlabour.wales
Twitter – @PhilBale
Facebook – llanishenlabour17
How can people get in touch with you? – llanishenthornhilllabour@gmail.com
About You
Tell us about yourself
https://cardiffleadersblog.wordpress.com/biography/
What are the biggest issues in your ward?
- Restoring Llanishen Reservoir & securing the return of sailing and leisure activities for the community with new owners Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water.
- Secure the future of the local Police Station and Library in Llanishen and Thornhill by creating a new Community Hub in the Police Station building.
- Raising school standards even further.
- Better transport links, including walking, cycling and local bus services.
- Improving local parks and neighbourhood shopping centres, such as Fishguard Road and Llangranog Road in Llanishen.
What’s your favourite place in Cardiff and why?
Just one?!!! I’m a big fan of the Look Out Café in the World of Boats attraction down in Cardiff Bay. Its terrace has some of the best views you’ll find looking out across the Cardiff Bay waterfront and owner Graham and his wife are fantastic too! In Llanishen, ‘Yogamobility’ is another hidden gem who provide specialist yoga sessions for people with all forms of physical and mental disability. They are based in a slightly hidden cottage retreat off Fidlas Road but often have fundraising events and I always find a warm welcome for visitors!
What do you think should be done to improve engagement in politics?
Locally, the City Council needs to extend its use of social media networks and look at more ways in which the views of local residents can be taken into account when making decisions. Cardiff Labour are also committed to extending the use of webcasting of Council meetings so that residents can follow the work of their local representatives more easily. The Planning Committee is now webcast and this has attracted lots of views.
I also support the current proposal from Welsh Government extend voting rights to 16 and 17 year olds for Welsh elections, as is the case in Scotland.
What’s your favourite film?
Citizen Kane.
If You’re Elected
What will you do to improve your ward?
- Campaign to restore Llanishen Reservoir and bring back sailing and other leisure activities
- Work to ensure our schools continue to improve
- Work to improve our local shopping centres and open spaces
- Support a new Llanishen library and community hub
- Continue to hold regular Councillor surgeries
How will you communicate with residents in your ward?
As local Welsh Labour Councillors, Garry Hunt, Julia Magill and myself have held regular surgeries in both Llanishen and Thornhill as well as attended the regular PACT meetings with the Police in Llanishen and in Thornhill.
We have also produced a regular newsletter and now have a new ‘Facebook’ page where we regularly post updates on what we’ve been doing as local councillors, all of which I would plan to continue.
What issues that affect the whole city would you like to get involved in?
I’d want to help Cardiff make the most of hosting June’s Champions League Football Final – the world’s biggest sporting event this year – which will attract thousands to Cardiff and a worldwide TV audience of over 200m people! It’s a great chance for our city to once again shine on a world stage! Other interests include better cycling and public transport, the regeneration of Central Square and Cardiff Bay and potential bids for European Green Capital and Capital of Culture!
As a growing and successful Capital City, it’s also vital the UK Government’s negotiations to take Cardiff out of the European Union (EU) doesn’t damage local jobs or the city’s economy. We will need to work hard to secure more funding and more powers for Cardiff to help the City Council get on with creating an even better city. Cardiff has always been an outward looking city and will remain a part of the European continent, so we must continue to work with cities across Europe to create jobs and promote peace and good community relations.
Final Comments
What would you change about Cardiff and why?
I’d bring trams back to Cardiff because we need them!
Any final comments?
I’d just like to thank residents in Llanishen and Thornhill for giving me, Garry and Julia the opportunity to represent the area since 2012 – and whether you voted for us or not – I hope you’ll consider putting your faith in your local Welsh Labour Team to keep delivering locally on Thursday May 4th!
My Cardiff North 