Cwmcarn Forest Drive reopening moves a step closer

Cwmcarn Forest Drive. Photo from NRW — Cwmcarn Forest Drive

The reopening of Cwmcarn Forest Drive has moved a step closer after Caerphilly County Borough Council agreed to enter into a partnership with Natural Resources Wales.

Senior councillors gave their backing to the local authority taking on the operational management of the visitor attraction for a trial period of two years at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

What is Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet?

A council’s cabinet is made up of councillors in charge of different policy areas – such as education, environment, local economy, etc – and a leader.

It is separate to the council’s corporate management structure, which is headed up by its chief executive and various directors. Cabinet is made up of councillors, who are elected and have the ultimate say.

Typically, cabinet members are councillors from the party with the most elected council members.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet is made up of:

Cllr Sean Morgan (Nelson) – Leader
Cllr Jamie Pritchard (Morgan Jones) – Deputy Leader; Prosperity, Regeneration and Climate Change
Cllr Nigel George (Risca East) – Corporate Services and Property
Cllr Eluned Stenner (New Tredegar) – Finance and Performance
Cllr Carol Andrews (Gilfach) – Education and Communities
Cllr Shayne Cook (Morgan Jones) – Housing
Cllr Elaine Forehead (Van) – Social Care
Cllr Philippa Leonard (Risca East) – Planning and Public Protection
Cllr Chris Morgan (Machen and Rudry) – Waste, Leisure and Green Spaces

Corporate management is made up of unelected employees of the council and has responsibility for day-to-day management of services, such as making sure the bins are collected. Corporate directors work with cabinet members to come up with policy which is then agreed upon by the cabinet.

_{Last updated October 13, 2023}

Accusations of ‘electioneering’ were also made at the meeting after Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge – who is also standing as a candidate for Islwyn in the Senedd election – questioned proposed admission prices.

The visitor attraction, which is owned and managed by NRW, has been closed since 2014 to allow for the felling of about 150,000 trees affected by the disease Phytophthora Amorum.

But NRW is looking to reopen the Forest Drive this spring, following investments to enhance facilities and for resurfacing work.

Admission prices of £8 per car, £11 for minibuses and £25 for coaches – which includes parking fees on council operated car parks at Cwmcarn – are being proposed as part of the plans.

The prices were questioned by Cllr Etheridge who called for the cabinet to reconsider the charges.

Cwmcarn Forest Drive reopening postponed

Cllr Etheridge asked whether concessions for vulnerable people and education parties would be offered, as well as for local residents who may visit the attraction regularly.

But Cllr Colin Gordon, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services. accused Cllr Etheridge of ‘electioneering.’

“I do not understand why Cllr Etheridge is on here asking questions about Cwmcarn Forest Drive,” he said.

“The only thing I can think of is that he is standing for the Senedd election and this is electioneering.

“I do not think this should have been allowed this morning.”

Christina Harrhy, the council’s chief executive, said Cllr Etheridge had been given permission to speak at the meeting as an elected member on the report.

Cllr Sean Morgan, deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and enterprise, said the proposed admission prices were ‘reasonable.’

He said the previous fee was £5 or £6 in 2015, but that this did not include parking.

The meeting also heard that the possibility of offering a season ticket to enter the Forest Drive is also being discussed with NRW.

Council leader Philippa Marsden said the reopening would boost the county borough’s tourism offer.

“This will have a knock-on effect for people staying in the area longer,” she said.

“It’s going to be part of a much bigger offer.”

Cllr John Ridgewell, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said the proposal, as part of wider plans for the area, would help attract visitors from across Wales.

The partnership will be reviewed after a two-year trial to decide whether it will be extended.

Senedd Election candidates standing in Islwyn:

Gavin Chambers – Welsh Conservatives
Kevin Etheridge – Independent
Michael Ford – Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party
Neil Hamilton – UKIP
Rhys Mills – Plaid Cymru
Rhianon Passmore – Welsh Labour
Oliver Townsend – Welsh Liberal Democrats
James Wells – Reform UK

NRW

Forest Drive reopening moves step closer

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