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

Carmarthenshire's award-winning housing programme has been showcased to teams across Wales. Housing professionals have been learning about the successful work being carried out in the county. The £200 million Homes Standard programme, work to provide affordable homes and the health benefits created by housing improvements have been flagged up as beacons of excellence for others to follow. The initiatives helped the County Council secure the prestigious Excellence Wales award last month. The housing team beat off competition from across the country to clinch the industry Oscar for delivering good quality, affordable housing. Now officers have joined up with the three other finalist authorities to share ideas and expertise. They met at a special Welsh Local Government Association seminar in Swansea, aimed at highlighting the work that is being done in the housing sector. Presentations on the work being carried out in Carmarthenshire, Cardiff, Conwy and Rhondda Cynon Taf were given du...

Housing chiefs in Carmarthenshire are celebrating a major national award for their work. Staff at the county council have secured the industry Oscar for delivering good quality, affordable housing. They beat off competition from across the country to clinch a prestigious Excellence Wales award. The £200 million Homes Standard programme, work to provide affordable homes and the health benefits created by housing improvements were flagged up as beacons of excellence for others to follow. The coveted award recognises the work that is being done in Carmarthenshire to provide first class housing advice, increase the supply of affordable homes, and raise the standard of owner occupied and privately rented homes. It also rewards the £200 million Homes Standard programme, which is aimed at improving the council’s housing stock and regenerating housing estates. The council was commended for a series of achievements in the housing sector in the past year. Officers have worked to drastically redu...

A one-stop funding fair in Carmarthenshire has been shortlisted for a major national award. The Regional Funding Fair has made it through to the finals of the prestigious Excellence Wales awards. The inaugural event two years ago attracted more than 1,500 people and over 50 exhibitors to the United Counties Showground. It was such a big success that a second regional event has just been staged at Ffos Las. Organisers say the event has helped to shape the future of partnership working in South West Wales. Carmarthenshire County Council officers approached the South Wales Regional Partnership with proposals for a regional pilot event, after a successful local funding fair. Scores of groups, charities and organisations attended to meet with high profile funders, and access top level advice on grant support and funding streams. A statement of intent for regional partnership working between the local authorities and the councils for voluntary service in South West Wales was signed at the ev...