Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

The ‘Nutrition Skills for Life’ programme, developed by Public Health Dietitians in Wales, won the NHS Wales ‘Promoting Better Health and Avoiding Disease’ award supported by the Welsh NHS Confederation in a ceremony at the Swalec Stadium, Cardiff. This programme provides training and professional support to enable community workers from health, social care and third sector organisations to promote healthy eating and prevent malnutrition by incorporating evidence based, consistent food and nutrition messages into their everyday work. Across Hywel Dda University Health Board, our dietetic team deliver the nutrition skills training for community workers. Programmes include Agored Cymru accredited courses such as Community Food & Nutrition Skills, Community Food & Nutrition Skills for the Early Years and Foodwise (a group Weight Management Programme). Helen Birtwhistle, Director, Welsh NHS Confederation, who judged the award, said, “This very practical response to people’s needs

Tenby’s British Red Cross summer service is set to return. The service was successfully piloted over weekends and bank holidays last summer and will this year also operate during the week. It will be based at Tenby Hospital and be run by a group of skilled individuals who will use their experience of providing first aid at public events to give top quality care to people visiting the hospital. County director and commissioner for Pembrokeshire, Sue Lewis, said: “The pilot service last year proved very successful and we are delighted to commission this service again for this year but with increased hours.” Nigel Davies, senior services manager for the Red Cross, said: “Red Cross volunteers attend events ranging from sporting fixtures to stadium-sized rock concerts. When accidents happen or illnesses take hold, their knowledge can be vital in giving the appropriate treatment and preventing further injury.” The service will run from July 19 – September 7 and be open 10am-7pm on Saturdays,

Actor and Aberystwyth University alumnus Rhodri Meilir has been honoured as Fellow of Aberystwyth University. A graduate from the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies, Rhodri has appeared in a number of popular television shows including playing the role of Alfie Butts in the long running BBC sitcom, My Family, ITV’s Afterlife and Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather on Sky One. He has also featured in a number of films including The Baker, Kevin Allen’s Y Syrcas and appeared in the Doctor Who Christmas Special The Runaway Bride. Later this year, he will appear on cinema screens in Pathé Films’ new film Pride. He is well known on Welsh television for his roles in Y Pris, Caerdydd, Teulu, Tipyn o Stad and as Rapsgaliwn. He received a Best Actor BAFTA Cymru nomination in 2013 for his role as Trefor in Gwlad yr Astra Gwyn. Rhodri was recently part of the National Theatre of Wales’ highly acclaimed Mametz. Rhodri Meilir was presented by Dr Jamie Medhurst, Head of the Department o

Latest news from the Oriel Myrddin Gallery in Carmarthen -  Make & Do Summer 2014 Art all summer long at Oriel Myrddin Gallery Sign up for our lively programme of art workshops over the summer holidays. Under 8s to be accompanied by an adult. Booking essential – please call us to reserve your place 01267 222775 Sun prints Wednesday 30 July 1–3pm Create art from the sun with Kate Dunwell. Suitable for ages 5+ Adults £5, children £3 Hands and feet fun for all the family Wednesday 6 August 1-3pm Use your hands and feet to create wonderful animals, insects and fish. Adults £5, children £3 Woolly weaving Wednesday 13 August 1–3pm Make your own woolly cushion from sheep’s wool with Louise Bird. Suitable for ages 5+ Adults £5, children £3 Mono-printing Friday 8 August 1–3pm Explore mono-printing techniques with Julie Ann Sheridan. Suitable for ages 14+ £8 per person World in a box Friday 15 August 11am–3pm Create a 3D world using wood, cardboard and collage with Louise Bird. Su

Selected pharmacists in Tenby and Saundersfoot are offering an enhanced service for tourists and residents this summer. The Triage + Treat service is a new service offered in specific community pharmacies to help you if you have had a low level injury. Some injuries can be treated successfully in the pharmacy rather than having to visit a doctor or an A&E Department. The service is being provided by a pharmacist or a member of the pharmacy team who has had special training. They will assess your injury or symptom and make a decision as to whether they can ‘treat’ you there or if you need to seek treatment from another healthcare professional. If the injury is too serious to be treated in the pharmacy you will be given advice about where to go. The types of injuries/symptoms that can be treated under this service are: Minor abrasions, superficial cuts and wounds  Sprains and strains  Eye complaints such as sand in the eye  Removal of items from the skin such as a splinter or

Smokers in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire are being invited to stop smoking and start living with the help of free stop smoking support sessions. Stop Smoking Wales is an NHS service offering free, friendly support for smokers who want to quit. The service offers sessions at a variety of times during the day and early evening across these areas. Carol Owen, Principal Health Promotion Specialist for Stop Smoking Wales, said: “Stopping smoking can be a challenge, so we have made sure we have a number of different sessions available to residents in the Hywel Dda area who need support to give up smoking. “We hope that by holding sessions during the evenings as well as during the day, we will make it easier for people who want to give up smoking to come along at a time that fits around their other commitments. “Evidence shows that by getting help from Stop Smoking Wales, you are four times more likely to quit, so anyone who has decided it’s time to give up is encouraged to c

Investing in people is paying off for legal eagles Red Kite Law. “It may sound like a bit of a cliché, but it is a proven fact that investment in people always pays dividends,” said Red Kite Law partner David Sangster. The law firm has just had the prestigious Investors in People award quality benchmark stamp renewed for another three years. “It’s a great boost to us as a law firm and an endorsement of the way we like to work as a business. “As a law firm, we always stress the need for strong standards and for providing a trusted service. “For us, those standards start at the core of the business and how we help to develop and nurture our staff. “Here at Red Kite Law, we have happily taken on board the ideas and practices laid down by Investors in People. Making sure our staff reach and fulfil their potential is hugely important to us. “We are a unique, innovative law firm, founded on the principle of specialist expertise. Our team of solicitors provide expert guidance in virtually e

The Welsh Government has announced the go ahead for a six lane motorway that will plough through part of one of Wales’ most protected and environmentally sensitive landscapes. The £1 billion motorway will devastate nationally important wildlife sites in the beautiful and peaceful Gwent Levels south of Newport, but will not be open to traffic for more than a decade. The massive cost will rule out other far less damaging options that could bring transport improvements to the area in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the price. Environment groups such as Friends of the Earth Cymru, RSPB Cymru and the Gwent Wildlife Trust, transport expert Professor Stuart Cole from Cardiff University, and business representatives including the Federation of Small Businesses have all opposed the plan, with fears it could trash Wales’ environment and economy. Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said: “This vastly expensive, utterly unnecessary and terribly damaging motorway is t

Things are starting to look up for Carmarthenshire young people as they benefit from the economic recovery. Jobs Growth Wales in partnership with Carmarthenshire’s Communities First team have created 16 jobs within Carmarthenshire this year alone and it doesn’t stop there. There are currently three new full time vacancies available with a number of further new jobs due to be created in the coming months. These job opportunities are for 16-24 year olds living in the Carmarthenshire Communities First cluster areas who are not currently in employment, education or training. • Yard/Counter Assistant – LBS Builders Merchants Ltd, Llanelli. • 2 x Food Production Operator– Farm Fresh Ltd, Cross Hands. Communities First Jobs Growth Wales Mentor, Hannah Evans, said:” Companies are seeking dynamic young people who can contribute positively to their business and workplace environment. We are committed in supporting young people transform their lives by assisting them into jobs a

A cross-party scrutiny working group has proposed a number of recommendations for changes to planning enforcement in Carmarthenshire. The final report of the Community Scrutiny Task and Finish Group will now go before the  Executive Board at its next meeting on Monday, July 28. The politically balanced group was chaired by Cllr. Anthony Jones and included co-opted members from the Planning Committee. Cllr. Jones said: “Planning is one of the most sensitive and potentially contentious services that we provide. “The current planning enforcement protocol had not been reviewed since 2005 so it was high time it was looked at again. “We wanted to produce a protocol that provided clarity around different planning activities as well as our approach to and how we prioritise enforcement activity. “The group worked well together, with the support of officers, there was complete cross- party agreement, and we have come forward with a number of recommendations which we hope will achieve these ai

Staff from South Pembrokeshire Hospital will be taking part in a fancy dress bed push to raise money for Sunderland Ward. The nursing staff at the hospital came up with the idea to raise money for the Ward through the university health board’s charity, Hywel Dda Health Charities. Sunderland Ward is a joint venture with the university health board and Pembrokeshire County Council providing integrated services which work together to provide a happy and safe environment to aid recovery and rehabilitation. The bed push will take place on Saturday 9 August and will be leaving the hospital grounds at 11am. They will be sent on their way by the Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Mrs Pamela George and her Consort Lauren George. They will then travel across route 9; London Road; up Ferry Lane; down Bush Hill; into Main Street Pembroke; along the commons; back up Bush Hill and along High Street. Staff nurse Tracy George, said: ‘We are looking forward to the push and hope people will come out and support

Playwright, director and producer, Ed Thomas, has been honoured as Fellow of Aberystwyth University. A founder member and creative director of TV production company Fiction Factory, Ed Thomas has written, directed or produced more than 120 hours of award-winning drama across all genres. His first play, House of America (1988) won numerous awards both nationally and internationally. His other plays include East From the Gantry, Flowers of the Dead Red Sea, Song From a Forgotten City, Gas Station Angel and Stone City Blue. He has also produced a number of drama programmes for S4C including Caerdydd, Y Pris, Pen Talar, Gwaith/Cartref, and most recently Hinterland/Y Gwyll, a detective series produced in Welsh and English for S4C, BBC and distributed internationally by All3Media. Much of Hinterland was filmed in and around the University and Ed was instrumental in establishing a number of placements for University students during its filming. Ed Thomas was presented by Dr Kate Woodward

Legal eagles Red Kite Law will be staging a free employment law update seminar at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, on July 29. Full details from the Red Kite Law team: When: 4.30 – 6.30pm, 29th July 2014 Where: Parc y Scarlets We are delighted to invite you to our free employment law update seminar. The seminar will be run by our fully qualified Employment Solicitors. It will provide an update of Employment Law for 2014/2015, covering the key topics, and is essential for all business owners, managers and HR officers. The seminar is free and includes a complimentary handout. We will cover: Flexible working: the extension of the right to request flexible to all employees from June 2014 Holiday pay: should overtime and commission be included in holiday pay following recent cases? Shared parental leave: new system for parents to share leave for babies born after 5 April 2015 Managing absence: new assessment and advisory service TUPE: changes to the obligations for small employers Di

A new gym in St Clears Leisure Centre has opened. Users are enjoying working out with new high quality equipment including cardio vascular and free weights. It comes after Carmarthenshire County Council secured Section 106 money through planning conditions on a local development to fund the leisure refit. Residents have been given a tour of the facility and also had the opportunity of testing the new equipment at an open day held earlier this month. Senior sports and leisure manager, Carl Daniels said: “We’re delighted with the finished product and it was great to see so many people attend the open day. “Residents of St Clears and surrounding area have been using outdated equipment for such a long time. Not only will it benefit these existing customers but also encourage new customers to get active and use our facilities.” Treadmills, bikes, a cross trainer, rowers, a squat rack, chest press, shoulder press, leg press and a dual adjustable pulley weight stack are some of the new purc

Ahead of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge ‘Mythical Maze’, pupils from Ysgol Bro Banw primary school have taken over Ammanford library! Jugglestruck, a family circus show and workshop, has been visiting libraries across the county as part of ‘Kids Take over the Library’ event. The children were encouraged to clown around and try their hand at balloon modelling, as well as taking part in a circus skills workshop, involving stilts, diabolos and juggling equipment. It is hoped that the children will be inspired to return to their local library in the holidays to sign up for the Mythical Maze summer reading challenge. Carmarthenshire Libraries take part in the national summer reading challenge each year and hundreds of children sign up to win prizes as they read and return their books over the holidays. The incentives this year include a fridge magnet, zip-tag and certificate. Lesley Cresswell, Children’s Librarian, said: “This is a great opportunity for children to be rewarded fo

Stand-up comedian and TV and radio presenter, Rhod Gilbert, has been made a Fellow of Aberystwyth University today, Wednesday 16 July. The son of two Aber alumi, Carmarthen's Rhod Gilbert is best known for his comedy genius. A former market researcher, his comedy career began in 2002. In the first 18 months of his career he was the first person in the UK to reach the finals of every major new talent competition and succeeded in scooping four awards. In 2005, he was nominated for the Perrier Best Newcomer Awards and in 2008 was nominated for the main if.comedy award. In 2010, Rhod fronted the BBC series Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience that saw him turn his hand to a variety of jobs. He has been a regular contributor to a range of major comedy shows and now hosts the BBC Radio Wales’ Rhod Gilbert Show every Saturday morning. Rhod Gilbert was presented by Professor Sarah Prescott, Director of the Institute of Literature, Languages & Creative Arts on Wednesday 16 July. Eleven F

The secret nightlife of an Amman Valley school was revealed recently as part of a conservation project. Officers from Carmarthenshire County Council’s conservation section visited Saron School which has a nature area within its grounds, and a very keen nature group. Officers set a moth trap overnight, and by the next morning 60 species of moth were identified numbering about 200 individual moths in the trap. The bright light of the moth trap bulb attracts them from the surrounding habitats. They then fall in the trap and nestle amongst egg boxes placed in there. Pupils were shown the moths, handled some, and found out more about them and why they are an important part of the natural environment. Most moth species are only active at night and come in a range of sizes, shapes and colours. Many have camouflage to help them hide from predators, others are brightly coloured like the tiger moths and hawk-moths. Biodiversity officer Isabel Macho said: “Moth numbers are falling and some moth

The latest Phil Evans column from the South Wales Evening Post -  Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. Let’s start with a quiz. No prizes! If you guess correctly, all you’ll get is a chance to feel smug. If smugness is second nature to you, you’ll hardly notice any difference, which is a pitfall of feeling permanently smug. Not so smug now, are you? What connects the following two statements? “My local council collects my rubbish fortnightly.” “I’ve noticed strange animal droppings near my dustbin.” And the answer is....RATS! All around the UK, sightings of rats have increased where local councils have reduced their decades-old weekly bin collections to fortnightly. Let me put my cards on the table. Let me put my smartphone on the Welsh Dresser. Let me put my feet on the chair. I have ‘musophobia’. It isn’t the fear of musicians. It’s the fear of rats. I loathe them from the tips of their ratty little noses to the ends o

The latest 'On Song'column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star -  He’s something of a living legend in Wales. The tenor Trebor Edwards will feature in a special Gala Concert staged by Loud Applause Productions in Kidwelly on Saturday (July 19). The concert is being held at the Princess Gwenllian Centre, Kidwelly, with Theatrau Sir Gar selling tickets on behalf of Loud Applause. Well known for his rendition of ‘Un Dydd ar y Tro’,Trebor Edwards is one of Wales’s famous lyrical tenors. Surprisingly, he has not performed in this area for a number of years. He is one of the most successful recording artists the Welsh recording industry has seen, with album sales well in excess of a quarter of a million. He lives in Betws Gwerful Goch, near Corwen, where he farmed until his recent retirement, and is still in demand at concerts and festivals all over Wales and beyond. He is a naturally gifted singer of traditional Welsh favourites and adaptations

Hywel Dda University Health Board’s consultation to improve and sustain healthcare across Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire has been upheld as fair and lawful by a High Court Judge. Mr Justice Hickinbottom delivered his verdict on a Judicial Review application in respect of the Health Board’s 2012 consultation process on potential service change across the region, and specifically in relation to emergency care at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli. Refusing permission to move to judicial review on all grounds, the judge said: “On the basis of the submissions and evidence before me, I am wholly unconvinced that any aspect of the procedure adopted by the Health Board or the (Health) Minister was unfair, on unlawful.” Welcoming the decision, Director of Corporate Services, Chris Wright, said he hoped the judgement provided staff, patients and members of the public with the assurance that the consultation was not only lawful but fully compliant with best practice. Mr Wright add

Llanelli Rotary Club will be celebrating their 100th anniversary in the next few years. Work has started on a history of the club. I am now looking for old photos and memorabilia of the club. Here is a photo of the 1992-93 year of the club, above the most recent photo of club members. Send any photos and memorabilia to me at rlloydpr@btinternet.com or ring me on 07777 683637. All material will be returned after scanning.

Latest 'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda Health Board -  Don’t forget to make the most of screening this Healthy Wednesday As part of national screening month this Healthy Wednesday we are promoting cervical and breast screening. Cervical screening aims to prevent cancer from developing in the cervix at the neck of the womb. Women aged 25 and over are invited for screening every three years and women aged 50 to 64 are invited every five years. Cervical screening, which is also known as a smear test, is a free NHS test that is carried out at your GP surgery or at some sexual-health clinics. It is always important to go for your smear test. Finding changes before they become cancer gives you the best chance of successful treatment. Breast screening reduces your risk of dying from breast cancer. Women aged 50 to 70 are invited for a breast X-ray every three years. Women over the age of 70 can ask for a screening appointment. Screening can find cancers when they are too

Young people from Hendy Youth Club have given up their time to develop a new community garden. The picturesque garden, in front of the Urdd Hall, where they attend the youth club, took over three days to complete. It included turning the grassed bank into a seating area, laying pathways and planting flowers. The project was led by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Youth Service and was supported by Llanedi Community Council which donated £500 toward materials. Other donations included £150 in wood from D.G.Heath, coloured stone for the pathways from Hanson Quarry Products and all flowers given by Wrenvale Nurseries in Cwmgors. The council’s executive board member for youth services Cllr Keith Davies said: “The young people worked really hard to develop this lovely garden, I do hope the community enjoys it and looks after it.”

Nostalgia was in abundance at the Pontarddulais Classic Motor Club annual show held at Pembrey Country Park. Vehicles of all shapes and sizes, from the late Victorian era to late 20th century, proved a huge hit. Pembrey Country Park was a new venue for the show. It is usually held at the Festival Fields in Pwll, which is currently being set up for the National Eisteddfod. There were 200 cars, motor cycles, scooters and even parambulators, steam engines, military vehicles and double decker buses giving trips round the park. Rolls Royces and Model T Fords rubbed bumpers with Z-Car Zodiacs and Tartan Red Triumph TR’s that had enthusiasts drooling. But the star of the show was a gleaming Vauxhall Velux whose proud owner had a sign “look, but don’t touch” alongside his Blue Ribbon rosette. Club Chairman Dai Williams said: “The park proved really popular with our members who were quite settled at the Festival Fields where we have been for four years previously.” Executive board member

The Cardiff-born venture capitalist and philanthropist, Sir Michael Moritz has been honoured as Fellow of Aberystwyth. Sir Michael is chairman of Sequoia Capital in California’s Silicon Valley where he has worked since 1986. After studying history at Oxford University, he moved to the US and worked for a while at Time magazine before carving out a career as one of Silicon Valley’s most sought-after investors. He is a former member of the board of directors of Google and his internet company investments include Google, Yahoo!, PayPal, Webvan, YouTube, eToys, and Zappos. He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in the 2013 Birthday Honours for services to promoting British economic interests and philanthropic work. Sir Michael Moritz was presented by Professor Steve McGuire, Head of the School of Management and Business. Eleven Fellows are being honoured this week by Aberystwyth University during this year’s Graduation ceremonies which take place at th

Hywel Dda University Health Board has welcomed today’s expert independent report by Cardiff University epidemiologist Professor Stephen Palmer. The University Health Board has worked closely with Professor Palmer in the preparation of his report and the Medical Director is already leading a comprehensive review of its quality and safety measures with the majority of the work already in train or complete. These review measures include clinical audit data, incidents and complaints and implementation of care packages which has provided assurances about standards of care at Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen. Professor Palmer’s report concludes that reviewing the medical records of patients who have died in hospital provides a better and more robust way of assessing quality and safety in hospital than mortality data, the Risk Adjusted Mortality Index (RAMI). The University Health Board is already reviewing medical records, but Professor Palmer makes recommendations to make the process even st

What's On at the Oriel Myrddin gallery in Carmarthen. Latest news - What's on // Digwyddiadau July // Gorffennaf Saturday/Dydd Sadwrn 19 July/Gorffennaf 2014 1- 3pm Daniel Crawshaw Meet the artist // Cwrdd â'r artist Daniel Crawshaw will be in the gallery from 1-3pm on Saturday 19 July to talk to visitors about his current exhibition at Oriel Myrddin, High Country Gothic. Bydd Daniel Crawshaw yn yr oriel o 1-3pm ar ddydd Sadwrn 19 Gorffennaf i siarad ag ymwelwyr am ei arddangosfa gyfredol yn Oriel Myrddin, High Country Gothic. All welcome // Croeso i bawb Saturday/Dydd Sadwrn 19 July/Gorffennaf 2014 Midday Talk // Sgwrs Canol Dydd Meg Anthony : “I Collect Therefore I Am” Why collect? Growing an interest in collecting art and craft. What’s in it for me? How should I collect and does it matter what I collect? How will I display my collection? Artists and collectors. Schemes to help you collect. The legacy of a really good collection. Pam casglu? Tyfu diddordeb mew

Latest news from The Diplomat Hotel in Llanelli -  "TOP CABARET TRIBUTE SHOW" BEST WESTERN Diplomat Hotel & Spa Presents A fantastic fully Packed Tribute Show. "GARY BARLOW" Tribute Night SATURDAY NIGHT 19th July 2 Course Carvery Dinner, Dance & Cabaret. Tickets Just £24.95 person, "Why Not Stay Over" & Extend your Evening and Book the Overnight Package at £35.00 per person, Full Welsh Breakfast, Full use of Leisure Club "Eden Spa" BOOK NOW TEL: 01554 756156 BEST WESTERN Diplomat Hotel & Spa Felinfoel Road Llanelli Carmarthenshire, Wales SA153PJ

Latest news from the Introbiz team in Cardiff -  Introbiz Networking Business & Social Events in July Another fabulous Introbiz networking event last week at the Radisson Blu Hotel Cardiff. Thank you to Francesco and all the staff for the beautiful canapés and drinks the Introbiz members and visitors all enjoyed. Great to see many new companies attending for the first time and making new business connections with all the members. July's Networking Events are fast approaching and this week we are at Pier 64, Penarth restaurant over looking Penarth Marina. Next week is the launch of the new Introbiz & Lexus Toyota Business Club for a Networking Breakfast where we have invited Lexus & Toyota clients to network with the members to make new business connections. And we end July with a fantastic networking social event with canapés & an Indian buffet at the award winning Mint & Mustard restaurant, showcasing all their fine ingredients for all Introbiz members and

The Red Kite Law team can guide businesses and individuals through the new law on flexible working. The new rights for employees started this month (July). “Change is the one constant factor in employment laws and working practices and we have a team of experts here at Red Kite Law to guide people through the new rules,” said Donna Purchase, head of the legal firm’s Human Resources (HR) team. Mrs Purchase, a partner with Red Kite Law, leads “the strongest employment team in West Wales” (as recognised in The Legal 500 UK 2013 benchmark). “We are all about giving clear, practical advice and cost-effective solutions for our clients,” she said. “So when changes to employment laws happen we are in the vanguard of helping to point people in the right direction. “Smaller firms (SMEs) may be baffled by the changes and may not have their own HR resources. “This is where we can bring our expertise to bear, making sure that everyone fully appreciates the latest changes to the law on flexible

Latest news from Bluestone Resort in Pembrokeshire - Join us at our Summer After Dark Pool Party at The Blue Lagoon - Pre book your tickets for only £4.95! The waves get wild and the lazy river wakes up when the sun goes down at The Blue Lagoon. Our After Dark pool party is always relished with its wild waters, bright lights and pop music - After Dark is guaranteed to be a favourite experience this summer! After Dark is on every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night during the summer holidays, It’s just £4.95 per person. You can also enjoy some seaside bites at the aptly named Fish Shack within the Blue Lagoon. Good food, great music – what could be a better way to spend the school holidays? Don’t forget the Blue Lagoon is open from 10am daily - Places are limited so you must pre-book to guarantee your entry to After Dark. Pre-Book for £4.95 Here Bluestone Resort Ltd, The Grange, Canaston Woods, Narberth, Pembrokeshire SA67 8DE.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Annual Report and Improvement Plan shows that, despite further budget cuts, the delivery of services continues to improve. The combined Annual Report 2013/14 and Improvement Plan for 2014/15 has been published on the council’s website. Every year, all 22 councils in Wales must report on 44 areas of performance compared against a national set of measures to highlight where services have been improved, maintained or declined. In Carmarthenshire 26 results have improved, five have been maintained and 13 have declined. Overall results are up on the previous year despite budget cuts, demonstrating the extent to which the council has redirected resources to front line services. When surveyed in March this year, the county’s 400 strong Citizens’ Panel showed that satisfaction with the services provided by the council has increased over the last two years, with 58% saying they are satisfied, 23% dissatisfied and 19% undecided. The document also looks at the