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

The Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council is urging people to switch off their lights as part of Earth Hour day. Councillor Kevin Madge is backing WWF Cymru ’s one hour switch off day this Saturday (March 28) at 8.30pm. The worldwide initiative is not only to save electricity but also to bring people together to celebrate the planet and how we need to protect it. Research shows our reliance on high carbon fossil fuel like coal, oil and gas is over-heating the atmosphere and affecting the climate. A record number of 162 countries celebrated Earth Hour in 2014, with many of the world's most famous landmarks going dark for the hour. Many Welsh iconic buildings joined world landmarks in the campaign including; Castell Coch, Caernarfon Castle and Caerphilly Castle; the Newport Transporter Bridge, the Senedd, Cardiff Central Library, St David's Hotel, the National Library of Wales, Sherman Cymru Theatre, and IKEA. More than 4,600 schools and 2 million students took part across ...

Carmarthenshire County Council has become the first authority in Wales to suspend its Right to Buy scheme. The Housing (Wales) Measure 2011 allows local authorities to apply for permission to suspend the Right to Buy and Right to Acquire locally to help tackle housing pressures. Carmarthenshire Council was the first local authority to ask the Welsh Government to suspend of Right to Buy and, today, the Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister, Lesley Griffiths, approved Carmarthenshire’s application. Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, Cllr Kevin Madge, said: “We very much welcome this decision by the Minister, which will help alleviate the demand on our housing register and support our vision to make more good quality homes available for local people. “We also welcome other measures that Welsh Government is seeking to introduce to further protect much needed affordable housing across Wales, and we are very proud that here in Carmarthenshire we are leading the way.” Cllr Tegwen...

Llandeilo streets will achieve a chocolate box cover serenity when its new bypass is built. That’s the view of Leader of Carmarthenshire Council Cllr Kevin Madge who said the bypass the authority continued to press for would remove the heavyweight of traffic choking the town and its pollution trail. He said: “The bypass will open up great new potential for the much loved town of Llandeilo. The County Council continues to engage in talks with the Minister to secure early delivery of important highways infrastructure across the County. “I have had regular meetings with Ministers. The authority’s officers in recent discussions have been reassured that the Welsh Government recognises the case for both the Llandeilo bypass and for improvements around Ammanford.” County executive board member for engineering and transport services Cllr Colin Evans said: “Discussions continue with the Welsh European Funding Office and the Trunk Road Agency to secure delivery of the road improvements. “...

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...

Garnant Golf Club members who were bunkered when their privately run club went into liquidation in the New Year are teeing up to run their own affairs. The executive board of club owners, Carmarthenshire County Council, are being asked to back the membership after an approach from them to continue running the prestigious club that has the Black Mountains as a spectacular backcloth. A report on the matter is to go before the executive board for decision at its meeting today (Monday, March 17). Council Leader Kevin Madge said: “This is a superb facility and the request is for it to be managed by the people who know it best – those who play the course. “Full credit to our leisure service officers and the club members themselves for working so hard to ensure the future of this valuable asset to the county’s leisure portfolio.” Garnant members could take on the facility later this month on broadly the same terms as those previously agreed in 2011 with Wrexham-based Clays Golf Ltd who wen...

Planned increases in charges for sporting facilities from 2015 could be stopped pending a review, Carmarthenshire’s Leader announced today. Cllr Kevin Madge said he would be seeking the support of the Executive Board to review the proposed charges which have caused considerable concern amongst sports clubs. The increase planned for 2014-15 will go ahead, however those charges remain lower than the national average. It was the hikes earmarked for years two and three – 2015/16 and 2016/17 – which have caused the most concern. They were being brought in to remove the subsidy of almost £300,000 which it currently costs the council to maintain some clubs. Over half the sporting clubs in Carmarthenshire operate without county council subsidies, either running their own facilities or using those of the town or community councils. A number of asset transfers, where sporting facilities currently run by the county council are handed over to either town or community councils or sporting organis...

Councillors in Carmarthenshire have set the budget for next year along with its financial plan for the next three years. Recommendations by the executive board were carried by a large majority at the County Hall meeting. They included changes to the original proposals made following extensive consultation and feedback where over 1,000 members of the public gave their views. The council has to save £12million in the next financial year, and around £31million over the next three years. Some 52 proposals were originally put forward for consideration, then following consultation and feedback from the public a number of these were taken out by the executive board. Those changed include children’s respite; flood defence; street cleaning; work place parking; school crossing patrols, free transport to denominational schools; free post-16 transport; and youth services and libraries. Councillors also voted to give all staff a one per cent pay rise to be consolidated but not in addition to any ...

Carmarthenshire’s Leader has given his full support to a new arts project for Llanelli. Cllr Kevin Madge said the plans by the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust would be a valuable contribution to the regeneration of the area. The Trust was set up in 2011 with the aim of restoring the shed and bringing it back into use for the benefit of the community. The shed, which is one of the few remaining examples of its kind in the country, serves as a reminder of Llanelli's heyday as an industrial centre. The building and surrounding land is large enough to accommodate a mix of uses. Cllr Madge said: “The building, which was erected in 1875, is large enough to accommodate an area in which to celebrate its unique history, together with the industrial heritage of Llanelli. “The project will therefore incorporate a heritage area, linked to a cafe area, which can be used by groups such as school parties, as well as individual users of the centre. “This in turn could be part of a trail incor...

The Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council has visited a clinic recruiting for the Army Reserve. Cllr Kevin Madge called in at the new Monday morning clinic at Ammanford Jobcentre Plus. Sergeant Mark Rees and Lance Corporal Clayton Gibbons of 224 Squadron Pembroke Yeomanry based in Carmarthen are holding the weekly clinics from 9.30am-12.30pm. Sergeant Rees explained that unemployed people could spend up to 16 hours a week as Reservists without losing entitlement to benefit and would have the opportunity to learn useful skills. He said: “We have set up the clinic so that we are reaching out to the community. We are recruiting for the Reserves, the rebranded Territorial Army, from 18 to 42 years of age. “We can offer the chance to be paid to do your car, lorry or fork lift driving licence.” Jobcentre Plus Armed Forces Liaison Officer for the South West Wales District Chris Clark said: “Jobcentre Plus works closely with the armed forces recruitment officers to help our local ...

The Queen’s Commonwealth Games Baton Relay will showcase Carmarthenshire to 71 countries on May 27. Carmarthenshire’s sports and leisure teams are delighted and have been working with the QBR organisers to maximise this tremendous opportunity. Council leader Cllr Kevin Madge said: “Our teams have worked had to impress and secure this wonderful opportunity to showcase our county to the world.” The county has secured a prime relay display day after the May Bank Holiday for guaranteed massive television coverage with the baton being trailed from Laugharne, to Carmarthen, then Ammanford and Llanelli before returning to Carmarthen. TV companies are keen to link the Dylan Thomas DT100 anniversary celebrations with the QBR and are setting up their early morning command centre at Dylan’s boathouse in Laugharne for the day. The county sports and leisure teams have been working on the relay for six months and impressed assessors with their plans for the three county towns and Laugharne. The rela...

Welsh Government Education Minister Huw Lewis has officially marked the start of the new £30million Ysgol Bro Dinefwr. The Minister, along with Carmarthenshire County Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge, cut the first sod at the site at Ffairfach. Mr Lewis said: “Education and Skills Minister Huw Lewis said: “The Ysgol Bro Dinefwr project is an excellent example of how the 21st century schools programme is delivering fantastic learning environments for our young people. I’m pleased that we’ve been able to work in partnership with the local authority to make this new development a reality.” An archaeological survey is to be carried out over the next couple of months, and building work is due to start shortly afterwards. Contractors Leadbitter, a Bouygues UK company, aim to be on site early in the new year with a completion target of January 2016. Ysgol Bro Dinefwr, which has replaced Pantycelyn and Tregib, will cater for 1,200 pupils. The category 2B bilingual school will provide first...

The Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council has had his flu jab – have you had yours? There’s still time to see your GP or pharmacist to protect yourself against the latest strain of winter flu, a virus which can lay the healthiest of people low, but is far more serious for the most vulnerable in our communities. Cllr Kevin Madge visited his surgery – Brynteg in Ammanford – to get his jab for his own protection, and for the hundreds of people he meets in his role as Leader. He is now urging others to act quickly. “I know we are coming towards the end of the vaccination campaign, but there is still time to get your flu jab either from your GP or from your local pharmacy,” he said. Many front-line council staff, mostly care workers, have had the flu vaccination to help stop the spread of the virus to the people we care for. Flu is caused by a virus and spreads quickly in closed environments such as hospitals and care homes. Older people, and those with long-term health conditions ...

Carmarthenshire’s Leader has pledged his support for the Not in my Name campaign. Cllr Kevin Madge has offered to be one of the male ambassadors who will speak out against violence towards women as part of the campaign. Joyce Watson AM, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, along with The National Federation of Women’s Institutes-Wales, are urging groups, organisations and associations across the country to pledge their support. Figures show that one in four women in Wales will experience domestic violence at the hands of a partner during their lifetime, and 150,000 women in Wales will suffer some form of gender-based violence. Men and boys are encouraged to pledge their support to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence by wearing a white ribbon around White Ribbon Day, November 25, the International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women. Cllr Madge will be attending a candlelit service at St David’s Cathedral on White Ribbon Day to show his support. He sai...

Garnant prizefighter Chris Jenkins has been congratulated by Carmarthenshire’s Executive Board on his recent win. Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge has written to Chris on behalf of the board after his achievement was praised at the last Executive Board meeting. Cllr Madge said he was delighted to see Chris win the Prizefighter Light-Welterweights III title. “I was surprised to note it was his first fight outside of Wales and the biggest in his career so far,” he said. “It truly is a remarkable achievement which shows the hard work he has put in, and the commitment shown to the sport.” Amman Valley hitman Chris announced himself to the boxing world with a stunning second round stoppage to claim the Prizefighter Light-Welterweights III live on Sky TV. Chrisfloored Danny Connor in the opening round at York Hall in Bethnal Green with a superb right hand that sent shockwaves through the fight world. Cllr Madge said in the letter to the fighter: “Please rest assured that Garnant residents ar...

An Armed Forces Steering Group has been set up in Carmarthenshire to act upon the aims of the Community Covenant. The Covenant, which was launched in January, aims to encourage support for the Armed Forces community working and living in Carmarthenshire, and to recognise and remember the sacrifices they have made. The steering group, made up of representatives from major organisations in the county, will meet quarterly. Its aims are to improve the sharing and recording of information; provide direction and approval for community grant bids; communicate the work of the covenant and provide information on how to access support. Three sub groups have also been set up, they are: • Education, employment and offending • Health, well being and leisure • Housing and community Actions to date include the development of the www.armedforcescarmarthenshire.org.uk website, the use of Carmarthenshire County Council’s contact centre to provide a single point of access to signpost advice and informat...

Steps are being taken to speed up the delivery of the Llandeilo by-pass. Carmarthenshire Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge said he had called a meeting with the Welsh Government to focus on delivering an early solution to the traffic and air-quality issues currently being experienced in Llandeilo. Welsh Government representatives had agreed - once their contractor was engaged - that the process would involve early review of design work to mitigate air pollution. It was thought this could be achieved by introducing new parking provision, better enforcement of current parking restrictions and management methods for traffic using the A483. Cllr Madge said: “The by-pass and associated problems have been a concern in the community. “We will set up and chair a group of local interested parties to help focus energies on delivering the scheme.” Cllr Madge said – along with Executive Board Member for transport Cllr Colin Evans, and local member Cllr Edward Thomas - that he welcomed the positive ...

Finance Minister Jane Hutt has visited Carmarthenshire to meet construction apprentices who have benefitted from Welsh Government and local authority investment. She was joined by council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge and Chief Executive Mark James for the visit to Y Ffwrnes – a £14.6million theatre and arts development currently under construction as part of a major regeneration scheme in Llanelli. During the visit, the Minister had the chance to meet male and female apprentices who have progressed through a range of schemes created by Constructing Carmarthenshire Together – a partnership of Carmarthenshire County Council, Coleg Sir Gar and Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd. The local authority has facilitated a £160million construction investment since 2007, under which the partnership has developed a number of projects tailored to develop opportunities for people regardless of their ability or background. They range from community taster sessions to advanced degree-le...

Carmarthenshire has been awarded £1.9million by the Welsh Government for achieving improvements to services. They include the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard programme; public rights of way; Llanelli Library refurbishment; and the Healthy Schools initiative. The money is given through the Outcome Agreements between the Welsh Government and all councils in Wales. They focus on local government service improvement and are designed to link in with the Welsh Government’s priorities, using a grant as a central lever for improvement. The grant, known as the Outcome Agreement Grant (OAG), is paid to the council according to the level of improvement they achieve and the outcomes they deliver. Carmarthenshire County Council was one of the first in Wales to be awarded the maximum grant of £1.923million for its performance. Local Government and Communities Minister Carl Sargeant said “I congratulate Carmarthenshire on their improvement performance. This demonstrates their strong commitment t...

Carmarthenshire’s Executive Board is hitting the road again and meeting in other locations for the first time in its history. On October 1, the board will meet at the Princess Gwenllian Centre in Kidwelly, and future meetings are arranged for Llandeilo, Whitland and Burry Port. Council Leader Kevin Madge has introduced the initiative with the aim of making the Executive Board more accessible to the public. He also wants to meet town and community councils in their own areas and take the opportunity to visit local businesses or schools. On each occasion, local groups and organisations will be invited along after the meeting to discuss their issues. The executive board started the move in Ammanford where representatives from the six Amman Valley town and community councils attended. Cllr Madge said: “I want to take the Executive Board meetings around the county and to work more closely with town and community councils. “It is important that we work with town and community councils and ot...

Plaid Cymru’s AM and MP are trying to stop a £60million investment with the creation of around 1,200 jobs in the Tywi and Gwendraeth Valleys, a Carmarthenshire Council press release claims. MP Jonathan Edwards and Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM have asked for the Sainsbury’s planning applications to be called in a move which, it is claimed, now jeopardises developments which mean major investment in Carmarthenshire. Sainsbury's plans to open two new stores – one at Llandeilo and one at Cross Hands, creating up to 600 new jobs. There would also be several hundred jobs created or supported through construction. At Cross Hands, the investment includes the remediation of a derelict and contaminated site providing land for housing, including affordable homes, a new doctor’s surgery, health centre and care home. It will also include significant improvements to Maes yr Yrfa School to drive forward Carmarthenshire County Council’s investment in Welsh medium education in the Gwendraeth Valley. ...