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,...

Funding of almost half a million pounds has been secured for road safety projects in Llanelli and the Amman / Gwendraeth area. The council has received a total of £445,500 from the Welsh Government’s Road Safety Capital Grant which supports road casualty reduction schemes across Wales. It includes £225,000 for a route treatment scheme in Llanelli on the B4297 between the Halfway lights and Talyclun in Llangennech and a grant of £220,500 for a similar scheme on the B4297 between Tycroes and Gorslas. Both schemes will provide reduced speed limits, enhanced warning signs, driver feedback signs, traffic calming, traffic islands, junction visibility improvements, improved crossing points and upgraded red light cameras. Head of Highways and Transport Steve Pilliner said: “I am delighted that the council has secured this funding so that both these schemes can be carried out this financial year. “These schemes will significantly improve safety for both road users and pedestrians along these ...

Funding has been awarded to create a safer walking and cycling environment for schoolchildren and the wider communities in Carmarthen and Pontyberem. The council has received funding of £542,759 from Welsh Government to carry out walking, cycling and road safety improvements as part of the Safe Routes in Communities programme. A grant of £292,759 was awarded to fund a scheme in Carmarthen town and £250,000 towards a range of measures which includes improving access to Pontyberem Primary School. The scheme in Carmarthen will improve access to Ysgol y Dderwen via Llys Fynnon and improve walking links to Richmond Park School. It includes safer crossing points and traffic calming measures along Lime Grove Avenue and a raised plateau and improved lighting around Pondside, Johnstown. The grant will also go towards a proposed zebra crossing and parent waiting shelter at Model School. In Pontyberem, the proposals include a new path linking Brandyway with the school; a potential new footpath ...

A host of legendary activities planned for residents and visitors to south west Wales during the ‘2017 Year of Legends’ have been officially unveiled. People will be able to enjoy the stunning natural landscape and fascinating history of the area in a series of walking, cycling and road trips planned as part of the campaign. Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, officially launched the South West Wales Legends Tourism Campaign at the Beacon Enterprise Centre in Llanelli. Swansea Bay, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire councils, local tourism associations as well as the Pembrokeshire National Park Authority, have come together to form a public-private partnership that will lead the way in promoting national tourism campaigns for Visit Wales’s Year of Legends throughout 2017. Led by Carmarthenshire County Council, the partnership, has secured £115,000 through the Welsh Government Regional Tourism Engagement Fund to deliver a series of marketing actions. Pro...

Today’s National School Categorisation System outcomes have shown that more schools across the local ERW (Education through Regional Working) Welsh Region are responding well to support. Results published by Welsh Government today show there is an increase in the percentage of primary schools across the region (Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Swansea) which are becoming more resilient. This means that fewer primary schools are in the categories requiring significant support as compared to last year’s figures. Today’s results also show that the number of secondary schools requiring limited support has almost doubled since last year. This means that the region can allocate greater resources to those schools requiring increased support. Betsan O’Connor, ERW Managing Director said: “It’s pleasing to see schools are becoming more resilient and now need less support. It is also good to see a change in culture, as increasingly the support is coming f...

Negotiations to secure the biggest investment for south west Wales in a generation are nearing a conclusion. Leaders of the Swansea Bay City Region are preparing to pitch their bid for a ground-breaking City Deal worth more than £1.3billion – an investment that will transform the economic landscape of the area with high-spec digital infrastructure and world-class facilities in the fields of energy, smart manufacturing and innovation in life science. If successful, the City Deal will deliver nearly 10,000 new jobs and increase the value of goods and services produced in the region by £1.8billion. The Swansea Bay City Region includes the local authority areas of Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Pembrokeshire and Neath Port Talbot, joined by Abertawe Bro Morgannwg and Hywel Dda University Health Boards, Swansea University and the University of Wales Trinity St David’s, and private sector partners. Partners have worked together for over a year to develop and submit a detailed City Deal propos...

Residents in three Carmarthenshire communities are being asked for their views on proposals to create a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists. The council is consulting on Safer Routes in Communities schemes for Carmarthen, Pontyberem and Pencader. These communities were successful at the first stage of the assessment process. Display boards showing details of the schemes will be put up in each of the areas so that people can leave feedback. The comments will form part of a bid to Welsh Government for funding for the schemes to be carried out next year in 2017-18. The council is also consulting directly with local schools, town and community councils and the local members. The Safer Routes in Communities project has been developed to create a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists through the implementation of engineering measures such as cycle routes, cycle paths, traffic calming and educational road safety initiatives. The aim is to shift away from car use for cert...

Poor dab. This dead swan was at the entrance to Sandy Water Park in Llanelli today. As I am a 'regular' at the park, it hadn't been there for more than 24 hours. It's taken as read that we are all on alert for outbreaks of avian flu. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre in Llanelli was shut for a short while before Christmas as a precautionary move following the discovery of a dead wild duck (next to the Llwchwr Estuary) with H5N8 avian influenza (‘bird flu’). Earlier this month, The Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales confirmed Avian Influenza H5N8 in a backyard flock of chickens and ducks on a premises near Pontyberem in the Gwendraeth Valley. Prior to confirmation, it was decided to cull the birds on strong suspicion of disease. It's important not to get too alarmed about all this. Avian flu is a concern for birds – not humans. This is NOT a strain of bird flu that has ever transferred to people. But, after today's discovery, I decided I would do a ...

Plans to refurbish Pontyberem CP School are well underway. A major investment, which is part of the county council’s Modernising Education Programme (MEP), is being proposed to remodel the building which will improve its facilities and increase capacity. Internal works would include a complete reconfiguration of the building with new floors and ceilings, installation of a lift platform for wheelchair users, updating electrical equipment and a new ventilation system. In addition the building will undergo a full decorating programme, and will provide specialist rooms for additional learning needs, design and technology and art, as well as new toilet provision. An extensive outdoor repair scheme with re-surfacing and security fencing works is also planned. Work is expected to start next autumn. It is proposed that the scheme will be jointly funded by the council and the Welsh Government, through its 21st Century Schools initiative. The council’s executive board member for education, Cl...

Welsh Government funding has ensured the daily return of the 701 bus service between Carmarthen, Cross Hands, Swansea and Cardiff, launching on December 5 - just in time for Christmas. The T1c service will run Monday to Saturday from Carmarthen central bus station affording a full afternoon in Cardiff with the return bus leaving Cardiff Customhouse Street at 4.40pm. The bus comes from Aberystwyth at 7.40am calling at Aberaeron, Lampeter and Pencader as service T1 with no change of bus required at Carmarthen for the ongoing journey to Cardiff. The return journey follows the same route in reverse with again no change of bus necessary. Carmarthenshire County Council's executive board member for environment and transport services, Cllr Hazel Evans, said: “The service will continue into the New Year but with funding approved for six months by Welsh Government because of requests made of them. It is important the service is used well to enable it to be sustained.” Link Bus timetables ...

'Get ready for winter’ – that’s the advice today for over 65s from an older people’s charity and the Welsh Government’s warm homes scheme. Age Cymru and Nest are teaming up to give away handy ‘Winter Wrapped Up’ guides which contain advice on preparing for winter. The ‘Winter Wrapped Up’ guide has information about issues including: · Getting your central heating system serviced by a Gas Safe-registered engineer · Insulating and draught-proofing your home · Making sure your smoke alarms are working properly · Installing carbon monoxide alarms in your home It’s part of Age Cymru’s annual ‘Spread the Warmth’ campaign to help keep older people across Wales warm, safe and well over the winter. “With winter just around the corner it’s a good time to plan ahead to make sure we are able to keep ourselves warm, safe and well over the colder months” said Age Cymru’s Spread the Warmth coordinator Angharad Phillips. “Working with Nest, we have put together our ‘Winter Wrapped Up’ ...

The LEADER programme, which aims to support the regeneration of rural Carmarthenshire, has opened a new call for Expressions of Interest. LEADER is designed to get local people, businesses and communities involved in delivering sustainable, innovative solutions to address some of the economic, social and environmental challenges facing rural Carmarthenshire. The Local Action Group - Grŵp Cefn Gwlad is managing the LEADER programme in Carmarthenshire. LEADER is part of the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020, which is financed by the Welsh Government and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The types of projects that may be funded include: Pilot projects - small scale and time limited activities aimed at testing out a concept or to try an innovative technique. E.g. piloting new ways of delivering rural services using modern technology Feasibility studies to undertake research into a specific issue or problem Facil...

Councillor Emlyn Dole, Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, has welcomed the statement by Local Government Secretary, Professor Mark Drakeford, confirming that compulsory council mergers are off the table, with more emphasis added to regional partnership agreements. Carmarthenshire County Council already has several strong cross-boundary partnership agreements which help to deliver a variety of key services and strengthen the local economy. Larger partnerships include the Swansea Bay City Region, which helps to deliver economic development and regeneration, and ERW – Education Through Regional Working – which brings six local authorities together to deliver education services. The council also plays a key role in the delivery of shared public services. In 2009, the council and Hywel Dda Health Board were the first in Wales to formalise partnership arrangements with the creation of an integrated head of services post, ensuring the shared delivery of key health and social care ser...

The wraps have come off two new high-potential strategic business and employment sites in Carmarthenshire. Welsh Government Leader of the House Jane Hutt AM was amongst the first to see phase one of the Cross Hands East strategic employment site – 22 acres of prime development space set out over nine plots with potential for major employment. The development site is being marketed to the private sector, particularly those in the field of advanced manufacturing, financial/professional, creative agri-technology and environmental services, with opportunities to build high quality commercial premises right next to the A48/M4 road network. The £14.5million strategic employment site was funded by Carmarthenshire County Council, Welsh Government and European Regional Development Fund. The council is contributing a further £1million to encourage development at the Cross Hands East site in the form of property development grants. Jane Hutt met with Carmarthenshire County Council’s economic de...

A scheme aimed at tackling the ‘serious decline’ in the take up of modern foreign languages by school pupils in Wales has substantially increased the number of project schools it will be working with into its second year, from 28 to 44. Initially a pilot, the major intervention is aimed at increasing the take up and attainment of modern languages at secondary schools across the country. It is funded by the Welsh Government as part of its five-year Global Futures strategy aimed at supporting modern languages in schools in Wales. Under the scheme, modern foreign language (MFL) undergraduates at Cardiff, Swansea, Bangor and Aberystwyth universities are recruited and trained as student mentors and are partnered with pupils in local schools. Each undergraduate undergoes a rigorous assessment process and training with specialists in student mentoring. They are partnered with committed schools in the areas surrounding their university in close collaboration with regional educational consort...

Ambitious plans to provide a cycle path between Carmarthen and Llandeilo have stepped up a gear thanks to a £581k grant. The council has received a Local Transport Fund grant of £581,600 from Welsh Government towards walking and cycling links in Carmarthenshire which includes the Towy Valley Cycleway project. The grant will go towards the early design stages of the scheme, which will help to make Carmarthenshire the cycling capital of Wales. The project – which will cost in the region of £5 to £7million - is predicted to generate between £860,000 and £2million in the local economy every year. It is also expected to create and support between 17 and 41 full-time jobs a year. The route will follow the old railway line where possible and will link in with major tourist attractions. It will also give people a sustainable and healthy travel option, linking with villages between the two main towns. Executive Board Member for Transport Cllr Hazel Evans said: "I am delighted that we hav...

Environmental campaigners have today described the Welsh Government’s M4 plans as “not fit for purpose”. Among the concerns raised by Friends of the Earth Cymru in their response [1] to the Welsh Government’s Draft Orders [2] are: · Massively understating the cost of the motorway (through ignoring VAT and inflation) · Serious deficiencies in the sustainable development appraisal · Traffic forecasting that is already grossly out of touch with reality · Long-standing failures to consider non-motorway alternatives · Air quality will be better than legal standards without the new motorway by the time the motorway is proposed to be built · A significant increase in noise for more than 1,200 people with the new motorway; without, a minor increase in noise for 38 people · Ignoring the impact of sea-level rise on the new motorway Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said: “The Welsh Government’s plans are flawed in any n...

Aberystwyth University has launched a new Centre for Excellence in Rural Health Research. The announcement was made at the launch of the Centre for Excellence in Rural Healthcare by Welsh Government Minister for Health and Social Services, Professor Mark Drakeford AM. The new research centre will see Aberystwyth University work closely with the Mid Wales Healthcare Collaborative and Hywel Dda University Health Board to address some of the unique challenges of delivering healthcare in a rural area such as mid Wales. The Centre will also promote and support an attractive research environment for clinical staff in partner health organisations. Dr Rachel Rahman, Director of the Centre for Excellence in Rural Health Research said: “Delivery of healthcare to rural populations is challenging, not only in the UK but in developed and developing countries around the world. Attempting to address the unique challenges of rural healthcare through the simplistic extension of urban approaches is no...

People who dispose of waste oil by burning it are being advised of new government guidance. Welsh Government has reviewed its guidance on the incineration of waste and, in an effort to reduce air pollution, has determined that waste oil burners are now considered as incineration plant. As such, people who use a waste oil burner - including those that have a permit for their use - are being advised that they either need to apply for a variation of their permit so it would cover a small waste incineration plant; commit to burn only non-waste fuels such as fuel oil or gas; or stop using it completely. Welsh Local Authorities are contacting permit holders to let them know of the new requirements and to ask what action they are planning to take, however officers are also keen to spread the message to anyone who burns waste oil without a permit. Those who wish to surrender their permit should do so by March 31 2016, and any Applications for a Variation of a permit to a small waste incinera...

The proposed Cardigan Integrated Care Centre development continues to make steady progress, with the full business case due to be submitted to Welsh Government for approval in the coming weeks. Local stakeholders met with Hywel Dda University Health Board at a meeting last week to discuss progress on the new development, as well as hearing about how community services are continuing to developing well across Ceredigion. Updates included: South Ceredigion Community Resource Nursing Service – the team of nurses provide care and support for people with need in our community. They continue to see an increase in referrals and the service is delivering good outcomes for patients and their carers, who have provided positive feedback. Over the last quarter (January to March 2016) 80% of patients referred into the service received continued care and support enabling them to remain in their own homes. Transport – work is ongoing to develop a travel plan and to establish a Transport and Access...