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

The team behind the ambitious Llanelli Railway Goods Shed project is planning a major consultation event. The free event is aimed at stakeholders - people and organisations interested in playing an active role in the next stage of the project. "In recent weeks, we have been successful in gaining planning permission and Listed Building permissions for the iconic Grade II Listed building," said Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust chairman Nia Griffith MP. "We have carried out a huge amount of development work, including architectural proposals, business plans, heritage work and activity plans. "But the project is moving into a new phase as we build alliances and partnerships with the community at large. "Already, we have had interest from people who want to use the site in Marsh Street - interest from businesses, community groups, organisations and individuals. "Now we have to build formal partnership agreements with our key stakeholders...

Public consultation on the review of Parliamentary Constituencies in Wales is now underway. Residents are able to give their views on the proposals set out by the Boundary Commission for Wales. Information on the proposals are available to view on Carmarthenshire Council’s website. Some of these include reducing the number of Parliamentary constituencies in Wales from 40 to 29 and 16 existing constituencies would be wholly contained within new constituencies (Alyn and Deeside, Blaenau Gwent, Brecon and Radnorshire, Bridgend, Cardiff West, Ceredigion, Cynon Valley, Llanelli, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, Neath, Ogmore, Rhondda, Swansea East, Torfaen, Wrexham and Ynys Môn The consultation period will last 12 weeks. Representations should be addressed to the Boundary Commission for Wales, Hastings House, Fitzalan Court, Cardiff, CF24 0BL, faxed to 02920 464820 or e-mailed to bcomm.wales@wales.gsi.gov.uk. All representations received by the Commission will be acknowledged. The period fo...

Plans for regenerating Jackson’s Lane and King Street in Carmarthen are moving forward after asking members of the public and businesses for their views. Carmarthen Town Regeneration Forum held a public consultation at the former Myrddin Day Centre in John Street, Carmarthen, last month. The team introduced the concepts and explain the principles behind each proposal. Members of the public were able to use the displays to understand the proposals, speak to members of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Regeneration team, and provide feedback on the ideas. The proposals are part of the Carmarthen Town Regeneration Forum Master Plan and the consultation aimed to allow members of the public a first look at some of the first schemes being developed. Council executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “I’m delighted that Carmarthen residents took the opportunity to see the exciting proposals for Jackson's Lane and King Street and to tell us what they thou...

Carmarthenshire County Council is to seek people’s views on a council tax premium in respect of empty or second homes. Members of the council’s Executive Board agreed to a public consultation exercise and an equality impact assessment before deciding whether or not to introduce the premiums. New powers have been afforded to local authorities to increase the level of council tax payable on long-term empty homes and second, or holiday, homes, with any additional income generated invested to help meet local housing needs. Members of the public will have an opportunity to share their views with the council before policy is set. If council does decide to introduce the premiums, they could be applied from April 1, 2017. Related link View the archived webcast of the meeting

New orders to tackle dog fouling and the control of dogs in Carmarthenshire have been given the go ahead. The orders have been introduced following a public consultation which showed strong support for the proposals. They include cleaning up after your dog on all public land in the county, putting your dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer and excluding dogs from enclosed children’s play areas. Failure to comply with the orders will result in a fixed penalty notice of £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days. The orders will come into force from July 1, however, until then officers will continue to enforce under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. The orders will be published on the council website and there will be an education and awareness campaign. Signs advising the public of the orders will be placed in public areas and in the outdoor children’s play areas. There are some exemptions to the orders, for example for assistance dogs and working dogs, and...

The team behind the ambitious Llanelli Railway Goods Shed project has embarked on a new wave of public consultation events. The programme kicked off with a meeting of community groups interested in using the building. Over coming weeks, there will be leaflet drops for residents living close to the Marsh Street Goods Shed building, community surveys, a public display in Llanelli town centre and further group meetings for interested individuals, community organisations, social enterprises and businesses.. “The dialogue with the public is being cranked up to a whole new level,” said Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust project officer Robert Lloyd. “We are slap bang in the middle of what we call our development phase, conducting the site surveys and other preparatory work needed before we can complete further applications for capital funding. “The key message we want to get across is that this is a project designed to breathe new life into what is an historic building. Getting the suppo...

People can have their say on council budget proposals at events taking place across Carmarthenshire. Roadshows will be held in Newcastle Emlyn, Llanelli, Ammanford and St Clears as part of the consultation process. People can go along and speak to officers and councillors about the proposals being put forward as the council tries to balance its books, whilst facing cuts of around £44million over the next three years. With such a significant reduction in its budget the council is having to look at all options for reducing spend and it is likely that this will affect dozens of services and jobs. Senior officers have already identified millions of pounds in operational savings, now councillors have to make decisions that could affect the delivery of front line services to find the rest of the money needed. The process started with a members’ seminar, and all of the Council’s scrutiny committees will discuss the budget at their meetings over the coming months. Full consultation with th...

Hywel Dda Health Board will continue its extensive programme of public events in Haverfordwest as part of the most important healthcare consultation process ever seen in Mid and West Wales. The event will take a Question Time format, to be held in Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest on Thursday 20 September . The meeting will offer local people the opportunity to question the health board on Your Health, Your Future – Consulting Our Communities, which details proposals to improve services and patient outcomes for communities now and in the future. Hywel Dda Health Board Chairman Chris Martin has urged people to get involved: “The views of local people, staff and stakeholders are really important to us and we recognise the enthusiasm and passion that has been shown for the NHS. There are many different ways in which people can get involved - from attending one of pubic events to visiting our online resource." The event will host a panel who can answer questions from the public....