Carmarthenshire Council publishes annual report

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 available evidence from various sources to judge how the council is performing in terms of contributions to healthy living,learning, community safety, sustainable environment and the economy.
The report also sets out the key improvements planned for 2014/15, which include delivering value for money and directing resources to priority services; supporting the growing number of older people to maintain their dignity and independence; improving council housing stock and increasing access to good quality rented and affordable homes; continuing investment in education; protecting and enhancing the environment and creating more employment and training opportunities.
Council Leader, Cllr Kevin Madge, said: “Over the years we have built up a very good record with our regulators for publishing a comprehensive, fair and balanced Annual Report and Improvement Plan, and our combined Annual Report 2013/14 and Improvement Plan for 2014/15 aims to continue this tradition.”
Read the full Annual Report and Improvement Plan, or a summary version, on the council’s website.