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Cabinet met on 19 October 2026. It adopted a business rates relief scheme for electric vehicle charging points. It recommended that full Council endorse the 2025/26 annual monitoring report on the adopted Local Development Plan. It asked officers to cost a second grass cut each year, and left the decision on any change to full Council's budget setting.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H.A.L. Evans and P.M. Hughes.
There were no declarations of personal interests.
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 5TH October, 2026 be signed as a correct record.
The Chair advised that no questions on notice had been submitted by members.
The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED THAT: 6.1 The Electric Vehicle Charging Point Rates Relief Scheme be adopted in 206/27 to provide relief from non-domestic rates liability incurred in respect of the financial years for 2024/25, 2025/26 and 2026/27; 6.2 Relief be granted in accordance with the Welsh Government guidelines; 6.3 Applications not specifically covered by the guidelines or otherwise would require specific consideration, to be determined by the Cabinet Member for Resources.
The Cabinet considered a report on the proposed adoption of the Electric Vehicle Charging Point Rates Relief Scheme, which had been introduced by the Welsh Government to support the continued expansion of public electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Wales. The scheme would operate as a temporary measure by way of discretionary powers under Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 pending the introduction of statutory arrangements from 2027/28. The scheme would provide eligible operators of electric vehicle charging point parking bays and forecourts with 100% relief from non-domestic rates for the financial years 2024/25, 2025/26 and 2026/27. It was noted that the scheme would be fully funded by the Welsh Government through grant funding and would therefore have no financial impact on the Authority. The Cabinet considered the eligibility criteria and operational arrangements for the scheme, as set out in the report and noted that the relief was intended to remove a potential financial barrier to the further development of charging infrastructure. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT: 6.1 The Electric Vehicle Charging Point Rates Relief Scheme be adopted in 206/27 to provide relief from non-domestic rates liability incurred in respect of the financial years for 2024/25, 2025/26 and 2026/27; 6.2 Relief be granted in accordance with the Welsh Government guidelines; 6.3 Applications not specifically covered by the guidelines or otherwise would require specific consideration, to be determined by the Cabinet Member for Resources.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL: 7.1 that the Annual Monitoring Report for the adopted Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan (LDP) be endorsed; 7.2 that officers be authorised to make typographical or factual amendments as necessary to improve the clarity and accuracy of the Annual Monitoring Report.
The Cabinet considered the Annual Monitoring Report 2025/26 relating to the Adopted Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan (2006–2021) which had been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and the Local Development Plan Regulations 2005. The Annual Monitoring Report provided a basis for monitoring the effectiveness of the adopted Local Development Plan and demonstrated the extent to which its strategy and objectives are being achieved and whether its policies are operating and functioning effectively. Accordingly, the Annual Monitoring Report provided an overview of the performance of the Local Development Plan during the reporting period against a series of monitoring indicators. The report also set out some of the contextual changes to Planning Policy that had emerged during the monitoring period. The Annual Monitoring report concluded that the Local Development Plan continued to provide an effective framework for managing development across the county. Areas pertaining to the growing importance of Environmental regulations, the new Technical Advice Note (TAN) 15 flood risk requirements, updated Supplementary Planning Guidance and the Natural Resources Wales Special Area of Conservation (SAC) nutrient considerations in shaping future Planning decisions would all be key considerations in the development of the revised Local Development Plan. In accordance with the Council’s statutory duty, the Annual Monitoring Report would be submitted to the Welsh Government and would be available to view on the Council’s website by 31st October to afford interested parties the opportunity to comment on the key issues raised. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL: 7.1 that the Annual Monitoring Report for the adopted Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan (LDP) be endorsed; 7.2 that officers be authorised to make typographical or factual amendments as necessary to improve the clarity and accuracy of the Annual Monitoring Report.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that officers prepare cost estimates for undertaking a second grass cut, to enable all Members to consider the affordability of the proposal for full Council to make its determinations as part of the forthcoming the budget setting process.
The Cabinet received a report in response to a Notice of Motion relating to the Authority’s Grass Cutting Policy referred by County Council at its meeting held on 8th July 2026 for consideration. The Council recommended to the Cabinet that the Authority’s Grass Cutting Policy be amended to introduce a minimum of two cuts each year from the 2027 financial year, with the Cabinet examining ways of meeting the additional costs, including the use of reserves. Accordingly, the report sought Cabinet’s decision on the next steps concerning the Notice of Motion. In considering the Notice of Motion, the Cabinet was reminded that the reduction in grass cutting services had been implemented in previous years as part of the budget reductions following full consultation with all council members during the budget-setting process. The Cabinet Member for Resources acknowledged the rationale behind the proposal but advised that identifying additional funding for enhanced grass-cutting services would be difficult in the current financial climate. The Cabinet Member for Resources cautioned against the use of reserves for this purpose, highlighting that reserves may be required to support essential services and assist the Authority in maintaining a balanced budget in the face of significant financial pressures. Reference was made to the significant financial pressures facing the Authority whereby it was emphasised that any decision to increase grass-cutting provision would need to be considered alongside competing demands on the Council’s budget. In recognition of the Notice of Motion approved by Council, it was suggested that officers be requested to prepare cost estimates for undertaking a second grass cut. This information would enable Members to assess the affordability of the proposal as part of its discussions on priorities within the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2027/28 and the following two years. As the original decision had been approved by full Council as part of its budget setting process, it would be for Council to determine whether it wished to reverse that decision, as part of the overall Budget Setting process for 2027/28. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that officers prepare cost estimates for undertaking a second grass cut, to enable all Members to consider the affordability of the proposal for full Council to make its determinations as part of the forthcoming the budget setting process.
The Chair advised that there were no items of urgent business.
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