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

Plaid Cymru issued the following press release on Friday -  Plaid Cymru politicians Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM and Jonathan Edwards MP have contacted the Wales Audit Office expressing their concern that Carmarthenshire County Council cannot properly account for how public money is spent. In their letter to the Auditor General for Wales, the Party of Wales duo point out conflicting information they have seen from the council as to how much the Chief Executive was paid for duties as the Returning Officer during last year’s local council elections. Less than a month ago Mr Thomas and Mr Edwards exposed that Carmarthenshire Council’s Chief Executive, Mark James received a £20,000 cash advance for election activities a minimum of five week before the election actually took place. Following this revelation, the Carmarthenshire politicians submitted Freedom of Information requests to all Welsh Councils to find out when council’s paid their Returning Officer. In response, not only did Carmar...

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. ...

Carmarthenshire Council has made it into the 'Rotten Boroughs' section of Private Eye again. This time about an alleged threat to withdraw advertising from the South Wales Guardian. And it has been criticised for its Community News freesheet. See below -

BBC News - Plaid Cymru leadership: Rhodri Glyn Thomas backs Elin Jones Plaid Cymru AM and former heritage minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas says he is backing Elin Jones in the party's leadership contest. Mr Thomas, the transport spokesman and AM for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, said he had confidence she could lead a team capable of rebuilding the party. He also praised Leanne Wood, another of the three leadership candidates, saying he had been "excited and inspired" by her campaign.

Welsh Assembly member Rhodri Glyn Thomas showed his support for British Pub Week by popping into a local pub in his constituency for a swift half. Mr Thomas, AM for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, joined Llandeilo brewer Simon Buckley at the White Horse Inn, Llandeilo, to toast British Pub Week. Mr Thomas said he was delighted to support the initiative. “The pub is very often the hub of the local community and it is a cherished part of our way of life. “In times of recession when many rural pubs are under threat it is good to have an initiative such as British Pub Week to put the spotlight on our local hostelries.” Mr Buckley added: “Who doesn't love pubs? They are without doubt the finest and most unique of our great British institutions. No other can match the pub for its historical, cultural and social importance. “We must protect our pubs, celebrate them and ensure they can continue to thrive. This is the sole aim of British Pub Week and I would urge everyone to get behind the ini...

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Millennium Centre 'needs more of a Welsh flavour’ AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas gives his views.