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

Councillors have praised the council’s performance and agreed on areas for improvement in the coming year. The council’s Annual Report and Improvement Plan was presented to full council. The report provides a balanced view on the council’s performance and compares it to the performance of other Welsh local authorities. Last year, the council improved in 71 per cent of the measures used to compare and evaluate the performance of all 22 Welsh local authorities – the highest percentage of improvement for all Welsh councils. The report also highlights the challenges the council faces in order to deliver better services with limited resources. Council Leader, Cllr Kevin Madge, said the report shows that the council is making a difference. “We’ve made savings in the last year of £10million,” he said. “We’ve made progress, and made a difference. We are creating jobs, doing better in social services and giving houses to people who need our support.” Leader of the opposition, Cllr Peter Hughes ...

BBC News - Welsh councils borrow £256m due to budget cuts, WLGA estimates Councils across Wales are estimated to have increased borrowing levels by nearly 80% to £256m over the past year. Some of the loans are being used by local authorities to cover shortfalls caused by big cuts in the money they receive from central government. The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) said borrowing is still at a historically low level.

BBC News - Curb extravagant tribunal costs, Welsh councils warned by ombudsman The "extravagant" legal costs of defending councillors accused of breaching codes of conduct must end, Welsh local authorities have been told. Wales' public service ombudsman says councils must put a £10,000 cap on backing individual members. One council faces a potential bill of a six-figure sum in a single case, BBC Wales can reveal.

Have your say on local services! | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Have your say on local services delivered by the Police, Council, Health Board, and Park Authority – http://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/en/have-your-say/citizens-panels

BBC News - Developers owe Welsh councils £2.3m under Section 106 agreements More than half of Welsh councils are owed money from private developers which should be going towards community facilities. BBC Wales has found that nearly £2.3m was outstanding in December 2011, in figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests.

BBC News - Public sector strike: Welsh authorities' disruption plans take shape Councils in Wales are preparing for major disruption to schools and services when public sector workers strike on Wednesday. Strikes are expected as part of UK-wide industrial action over proposed changes to public sector pensions. Union members will be at pickets across the country on Wednesday, with major marches and rallies being held in Cardiff, Carmarthen, Aberystwyth.