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

County Walks across Carmarthenshire have benefitted from an upgrade thanks to the Rights of Way Improvement Plan Funding Programme from the Welsh Government. The programme is managed by Natural Resources Wales and implemented by Carmarthenshire County Council. Nearly 43km of 44 routes across the county, covering 23 town and community council areas have been improved, and 146 items of furniture installed, 97 per cent of which were new gates to help improve access to the countryside. County recreation and access manager Alan Warner said: “An example of the improvements carried out under ROWIP is in Brechfa, where 10 stiles have been replaced with self-closing pedestrian gates, new steps and signage installed to improve routes for local residents and visitors to the area. “This formed part of the larger programme of rights of way improvements on footpaths and bridleways around the county including works on the Ferryside, Cenarth and Llandysul County Walks as well as routes in Cwmifor,...

Students from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) are about to embark on an innovative project looking at how new technology can help the heritage sector in Carmarthenshire. The project will look at the latest digital interpretation technology and will help create a new product aimed at encouraging heritage tourism in Carmarthenshire and increasing the footfall of heritage sites within the county. Led by UWTSD, the project will bring together a number of students from a wide range of courses currently studying at its Carmarthen, Lampeter and Swansea campuses to work alongside professionals from the digital sector to create a bespoke new product. The type of technology used and the nature of the content will be driven directly by the needs of Carmarthenshire’s heritage organisations. In order to ensure that the digital solution is tailored to answer the demands of the county’s heritage sector, the project team is encouraging as many people from Carmarthenshire’s herit...

More rural communities in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion are to benefit from Bwcabus. The existing area of the award-winning bus service has been extended to a number of new towns and villages including Llanerchaeron, Llanfair Clydogau, Ffarmers and Ffaldybrennin. Tailored to the needs of its passengers, journeys can be pre-booked allowing people to travel between local towns and villages within the zone or connect to the main line bus services to Aberaeron, Aberystwyth, Cardigan and Carmarthen. The service operates from 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday providing residents with access to healthcare and other key local services, employment and training opportunities and to see family and friends. Bwcabus also has a number of fixed routes that operate on certain days. The new changes came into effect from February 6. Bwcabus is a partnership between Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire county councils. The service has been extended as part of the LINC project with funding through the Welsh Gove...

A new service has been launched across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire to help community health staff access medication for palliative care patients. Hywel Dda University Health Board has entered into an agreement with nine community pharmacies to hold specific drug stocks so that community nursing teams can access them more easily. Difficulty in obtaining some of these drugs has previously been raised as an issue but the new agreement means that health workers now have better access to medication in urgent situations, reducing the time taken to find a pharmacy that has the items required. The Palliative Care Medication Service will operate during the normal opening hours of the listed pharmacies. A prescription will still be needed to have the items dispensed. The pharmacies are: CARMARTHENSHIRE Tesco Stores Ltd., Morfa Lane Carmarthen A R & H Davies Ltd 4 Kings Road, Llandovery Asda Stores Ltd., Murray Street, Llanelli CEREDIGION Morrisons Pharmacy, Llanbadarn Fawr,...

A new report which shines the spotlight on services and support for older people in Carmarthenshire has been published. The Ageing Well Plan, produced by Carmarthenshire County Council, documents the council’s contribution to helping people to age well in their communities. Five priorities form the basis of the report including age friendly communities, dementia supportive communities, falls prevention, opportunities for employment and new skills and tackling loneliness and isolation. Commitments carried out in the last year include the development of extra care schemes at Cartref Cynnes and Ty Dyffryn, in partnership with the Family Housing Association. Some 61 self-contained flats in Carmarthen and 50 in Ammanford have been provided. Also included is voluntary led scheme, Carmarthenshire Therapy Dogs. Owners and their pets regularly visit people in residential homes, in their own homes, as well as going into schools, hospices and hospitals. Organisations whose clients benefit from ...

A Carmarthenshire mum-to-be has been supporting the Beat Flu campaign by encouraging expectant mothers to protect themselves and their little ones from the seasonal virus. Bancyfelin resident, Mrs Lisa Wilson, who is expecting her second baby, has been speaking of her reasons to take part in Hywel Dda University Health Board’s annual flu campaign. Lisa, who is one of thousands of women across Wales to receive the vaccination this year, said: “I decided that I wanted to get the flu jab while I was pregnant with my first child because I wanted to protect my baby as well as myself. Now that I’m expecting again, I know how important it is to get it done. "Catching flu can be serious because it can lead to complications in pregnant women and other at-risk groups, and like any mother, I’ll do anything I can do to stop it from spreading and harming my children. "There are many myths around how safe the vaccine is, but there’s no evidence that it causes mothers or their babies any h...

The safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children and adults in Mid and West Wales is the focus of a new website launched this week. The website can be accessed via two addresses - www.cysur.wales and www.cwmpas.wales It has been developed by the regional safeguarding boards for children and adults, CYSUR and CWMPAS. The purpose is to provide an information-sharing hub accessible to members of the public and professional agencies across the whole region – encompassing Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys. It also supports the safeguarding boards’ vision of professional agencies working together to promote safety and wellbeing, says Julie Breckon, manager of CYSUR and CWMPAS. “The website can be used by parents and carers, children and young people, adults at risk of harm, teachers, health professionals, police officers, probation officers, youth workers, voluntary agencies, and community members,” she said. “It will provide up to date safeguarding news, information ...

Service users, partners and health care staff recently came together to discuss how improved and more accessible mental health services can be provided across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire in the future. The discussions took place in a workshop setting with a focus on options for developing a new mental health service model in Hywel Dda University Health Board area. The event is the latest step in an ongoing period of engagement to work together and achieve the vision for a modern community mental health service that is accessible 24 hours a day; has no waiting lists; moves away from inpatient hospital admission and treatment to hospitality and ‘time out’, and provides day ‘time out’ and opportunities. The mental health needs of our society have changed significantly over the last decade. Advances in treatment options have seen many people who have previously required hospital care being supported to remain in their communities, supported by their friends and famil...

Secondary school pupils from Carmarthenshire will represent Wales at the Music For Youth Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Carmarthenshire Secondary Schools Girls’ Choir, which is led by staff in the county council’s music service, has been selected from a large number of choirs from across England and Wales to perform at the prestigious event. The group is conducted by Islwyn Evans and they will be performing two pieces: Clodforaf Di by Robat Arwyn and Carol Y Seren by Gareth Glyn. Education executive board member Cllr Gareth Jones said: “This is a fantastic achievement for these pupils as this is the first year that the county music service has entered this festival. “Both the county choir and orchestra were selected to perform earlier in the year at Symphony Hall in Birmingham and now the choir has been invited to sing at the last night of the youth proms. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of the music service for their hard work and dedication and wish ...

Carmarthenshire Council has responded to the latest changes to bin collections in the county by issuing answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - A number of changes have been made to bin collections in Carmarthenshire from October 31 and Carmarthenshire Council has put together some of your frequently asked questions. Why is my collection day changing? Our refuse collection vehicles are ageing and need to be replaced in order to deliver an improved service to customers without disruption. At the same time, we have reviewed the collection routes across the county to make them more efficient. By reducing the number of vehicles, we are saving money by reducing maintenance and fuel costs and improving the council’s carbon footprint. Why has my collection time changed? The collection routes have been revised and this means the time of your collection could change as a result. Even if you have not had a change of day, the time could still be affected. We can never guarantee that yo...

Students and members of the public in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion are being invited to a careers event in Newcastle Emlyn next week to find out more about the range of careers within Hywel Dda University Health Board – as well as what it’s like to work in the NHS. Approximately 30 health board departments - together with representatives from the University of South Wales and Swansea University - will be represented at the careers fair, which will be held at Newcastle Emlyn Leisure Centre between 9am and 5pm on Thursday 3 November. Staff from the health board’s resourcing department will also be attending and will be available to answer any questions about applying for jobs, while the health board will also be running separate morning and afternoon sessions on how to complete applications forms, interview techniques, and a workshop on what it’s like to be a nurse in the NHS. Lesley Oldale, Future Workforce Officer at Hywel Dda, said: “Hywel Dda wants to highlight the huge range of ca...

Residents across Carmarthenshire are being asked to help make a child’s Christmas by donating a gift. In its sixth year, the annual Toybox appeal, led by Carmarthenshire Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Pam Palmer, aims to provide presents for hundreds of children from families who can’t afford to buy them food, gifts or toys. Last year 679 disadvantaged children benefited from the Christmas Toybox Appeal with 2,500 gifts distributed. In addition to this 281 food hampers were given out to families. Unwrapped gifts are needed for children of all ages, from birth to teenagers and can be dropped off at a number of collection points throughout the county. Cllr Pam Palmer said: “The people of Carmarthenshire are always very kind in giving to this scheme. With a greater number of people using foodbanks, we are helping more families now than ever. We are really grateful for the gifts that we receive, however, there does appear to be a shortage for teenagers and we would appreciate if people re...

More than 60 new council homes could soon be built in Carmarthenshire. Development of 61 homes would begin in Dylan, Llwynhendy; Garreglwyd, Pembrey; Maespiode, Llandybie and Pantycelyn in Llandovery after Carmarthenshire Council’s Executive Board members agreed this week to move forward with phase one of an £8.5million investment to grow the local authority’s housing stock over the next two years. Building could be begin in March next year. The council is also adding new homes to its stock at an average rate of one a week by buying suitable properties on the open market – nearly 20 homes have been bought already this year at a cost of £1.7million, with the needs of specific families in mind. Carmarthenshire is one of only half of Welsh local authorities to retain its housing stock, and became the first in Wales to build new council accommodation since the 80s when it developed 12 new homes in 2014 – an act followed up shortly later when it became the first in Wales to suspend its Ri...

Carmarthenshire residents are being reminded that changes to the benefit cap, coming in to force on November 7, could affect their Housing Benefit payments. The level of the benefit cap is changing nationally so that households will no longer be entitled to receive more than £20,000 in benefit. The change was announced by the Government in the 2015 Summer Budget. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has written to potentially affected claimants, informing them that they may be subject to the cap. In Carmarthenshire the new annual rates are £13,400 in the case of single claimants and £20,000 in the case of all other claimants. For some, the changes will mean a reduction to their Housing Benefit. Anyone who thinks their Housing Benefit may be affected is advised to seek advice. Email housing.benefits@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01554 742100. Link Housing benefit cap

The countdown has started to the Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star Business Awards for 2017. Details are as follows - CARMARTHEN JOURNAL AND LLANELLI STAR BUSINESS AWARDS 2017 Recognising and celebrating the diverse range of businesses in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion. NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN Businesses must work or be registered in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire or Pembrokeshire. Categories are: Retail | Agricultural | Construction | Manufacturing Large Manufacturing Small | Training & Development Tourism and Leisure | Food & Drink | Small Business | Services The event takes place on Friday 20th January 2017 CLICK TO NOMINATE Closing date for this year's nominations is Saturday 26th November 2016. For more information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Zena Laws, business manager at South West Wales Media, on 01792 545585 or email Zena.Laws@swwmedia.co.uk

More than 60 new council homes will be built in Carmarthenshire over the next two years in an £8.5million investment to grow the local authority’s housing stock. Phase one of the development could start imminently if councillors agree plans for the new-build programme. As well as planning the first new-build homes across four priority areas, the council is also adding new homes to its stock at an average rate of one a week by buying suitable properties on the open market – nearly 20 homes have been bought already this year at a cost of £1.7million, with the needs of specific families in mind. Carmarthenshire is one of only half of Welsh local authorities to retain its housing stock, and became the first in Wales to build new council accommodation since the 80s when it developed 12 new homes in 2014 – an act followed up shortly later when it became the first in Wales to suspend its Right to Buy policy in order to protect its stock. Now Carmarthenshire is also making good on promises t...

The majority of Carmarthenshire residents have voted in favour of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union. The total number of votes cast in Carmarthenshire in favour of LEAVE was 55,381 The total number of votes cast in Carmarthenshire in favour of REMAIN was 47,654 Turnout was 74% (103,126). There were 91 rejected ballot papers. Counting took place at the Selwyn Samuel Centre, Llanelli. The result was announced by Counting Officer Mark James.

Wales Audit Office has given Carmarthenshire a clean bill of health and praised the council for its ambitious vision. Auditors undertook a corporate assessment of the council at the end of last year which is aimed at providing a clear picture of the authority’s capacity and capability to drive continuous improvement. Their report stated: “Carmarthenshire County Council, demonstrating ambition in its vision, with collective leadership and more robust and transparent governance, is delivering improved outcomes for its citizens although some outdated approaches may limit the speed of progress.” Chief Executive Mark James said: “It is a good report for the council, giving assurance generally that the council is performing very well, and has a good vision and preparedness for the future. Officers are continuing to work hard in the face of declining budgets to ensure the council provides quality services and an exciting agenda to invest and improve further in future.” The report also recog...

Redkite Solicitors Employment and HR Workshop: How to Tackle Poor Performance -  Why attend? We are holding a series of how to…..workshops in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire. The workshops are interactive, practical courses that provide line managers with the essential knowledge required to deal with day to day Employment and HR issues. We will provide a comprehensive introduction to the law and best practice to enable line managers to deal with any issues and conduct procedures appropriately and to equip staff with the confidence needed to handle any HR matters. Why Redkite? Our courses are the only courses run in West Wales by specialist Employment Solicitors and Associate members of the CIPD. We have been described by the Legal 500 as the "strongest employment team in West Wales". We are also the only law firm in West Wales that is authorised to provide external CPD training through the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Locations We understand the commitment businesses m...

The award-winning Cwmcerrig Farmshop and Grill has a new offer on at the carvery grill . . . Budget breakfast at Cwmcerrig! Fancy something smaller than our big BIG breakfasts? Small Breakfast 1 Bacon 1 Fried Egg 1 Sausage 1 Toast Beans £2.99 Beans on 2 Toast 2 Poached Eggs on 2 Toast 2 Scrambled Eggs on 2 Toast Mushrooms on 2 Toast Cheese on 2 Toast £2.99 Cwmcerrig Farmshop & Grill Cwmcerrig Farm, Gorslas, Camarthenshire Telephone:01269 844 405 Our opening times Monday - Saturday 8.00am - 5.00pm Sunday and Bank Holidays 10.00am - 4.00pm Grill Cafe Monday - Saturday 8.00am - 5.00pm (last orders 4:30pm) Sundays and Bank Holidays 10.00am - 4.00pm (last orders 3:00pm) Website -  http://www.cwmcerrigfarmshop.co.uk/