A NEW Chair and a separation from Tongwynlais mark an era of change for Whitchurch’s Partnerships and Communities Together (PACT) group ahead of tonight’s meeting.
Janice Hughes, 60, put herself forward and was accepted as Chair after Jo Huntley stood down last year.
Mrs Hughes is also Coordinator of Pendwyallt Road Community Watch in Whitchurch, where she has lived in the same house for over 30 years.
The decision to split Whitchurch-Tongwynlais PACT in November 2015 followed concerns about the far higher number of attendees from Whitchurch.
The existence of a Tongwynlais parish council is thought to be the reason behind this history of lower turnout from the area.
Laura Moore, formerly PCSO of Whitchurch and Tongwynlais, moved to cover only Tongywnlais last year. However PCSO Moore has since relocated again to Radyr, leaving Tongwynlais without any PACT.
The number of PCSOs in Whitchurch has now dropped to two, but PCSO Gary Dunning and PCSO Richard Davies continue to meet residents for ‘Cuppa with a Copper’ each month.
The new Chair anticipates a rejuvenated PACT in Whitchurch and hopes that the group will set clear agendas for 2016.
Mrs Hughes said: “Whitchurch PACT is turning the page. We aim to achieve a lot and see things improved here.
“I want people to talk to each other and set priorities for future meetings. After all, Whitchurch is one of the last true villages in Cardiff.”
Whitchurch PACT is meeting tonight at 7pm in Community Room, Oak House, on Hollybush Estate.
‘Cuppa with a Copper’ takes place between 2pm and 4pm on every first Tuesday of the month at Deli a Gogo on Penlline Road.
