Loading
The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED to receive the report.
RESOLVED to receive the report.
RESOLVED to receive the report.
RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submission be noted.
RESOLVED that the Forthcoming Items be approved
An apology for absence was received from Councillor H.B. Shepardson
Councillor Minute No (s) Nature of Interest R. Sparks 4, 5, & 6 Owner of a swimming pool in Carmarthen and has dispensation to speak but not vote on swimming related matters There were no declarations of prohibited party whips.
There were no public questions received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to receive the report.
(NOTE: Councillor R. Sparks redeclared his interest and remained in the meeting) The Committee received a budget monitoring report for the Housing, Economic Development & Property, Place and Sustainability and Leisure & Recreation Services to consider the budgetary position as of 30th June 2025, in respect of 2025/26. The Cabinet Member for Resources introduced the report, noting that there was an overspend of £247k in the services under the Committee’s remit. The Committee was advised that the overspend from Economic Development and Property was mostly due to reduced income from industrial units. They were also advised that the overspend in Leisure was mostly due to the four-month long closure of Carmarthen Leisure Centre’s swimming pool for essential maintenance. The overspend was also affected by additional costs at Burry Port Harbour, but the Committee was advised that these would be covered by corporate reserves. The delay in relocating the authority’s Outdoor Education Centre to Pembrey Country Park also contributed to the overspend. The Committee had the following questions or comments: - They requested that the reports have more detail in the narrative regarding the reasons for overspends, such as the one on Carmarthenshire Leisure Centre and this was noted by officers. The Head of Leisure and Public Protection also expanded on the context around the closure of the centre’s swimming pool. This closure was to re-tile the pool and meant the loss of revenue not just from the pool, but from the associated food and beverage offering at the leisure centre. - Regarding the overspend on industrial units, the Committee was advised by the Head of Head of Economic Development and Property that the service was looking to have a programme of works to improve the condition of these premises within the next six months, to increase their attractiveness to potential tenants. - In response to a question regarding income from Building Control, the Committee was advised that the Authority has to compete with the private sector for contracts to carry out building inspections. This can be difficult because when it comes to enforcement action this falls upon the County Council; it is at a disadvantage in this regard in having to commit resources here where private companies do not have to. - In response to a question regarding the savings on ash dieback, the Committee was advised that the primary responsibility was to private landowners when the tree is on their land, and that the Authority only acts when there is a danger to the public. The Committee will be sent further information on this after the meeting. - The Committee asked for more information regarding the Empty Properties Initiatives. This included about the withdrawn or cancelled applications, contractor shortages, grant shortfall to contractor costs, and the support of applicants. The Cabinet Member for Homes and the Housing Services Manager advised that the scheme in question was administered by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (RCT) on behalf of Welsh Government, and that whilst the Authority had authorised around 80 schemes to go to RCT, only 10 of those were approved. There are four dedicated officers dealing with empty homes, and the Committee were advised that this scheme was just one part of the County Council’s work on bringing. The Cabinet Member advised that in addition to this response, further information would be forwarded to the Committee after the meeting. - A question was asked regarding the Ammanford Miners Theatre’s underperformance compared to the Council’s theatres in Carmarthen and Llanelli. The Head of Leisure and Public Protection advised that the theatres were run together, but that the department was mindful of the differences between them. Budget pressures could also include different spend on equipment or facilities between theatres. - The Committee asked a question regarding the numbers of residents using the Council’s leisure centres, given that only 24% of the Carmarthenshire population do the recommended level of exercise (30 minutes of moderate exercise, 5 times a week). The Head of Leisure and Public Protection advised that surveys from Sport Wales give an indication of overall participation in exercise and that the authority ranked highly for levels of engagement with sport clubs. The Committee was also advised that the opening of Pentre Awel and the gym on the former Debenhams site in Carmarthen would add capacity for the public to use. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to receive the report.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to receive the report.
(NOTE: Councillor R. Sparks redeclared his interest and remained in the meeting) The Committee received the 2024/25 budget outturn report for the Housing, Regeneration & Property, Place and Sustainability and Leisure & Recreation Services. This provided Scrutiny with an end of year financial position in respect of 2024/25. The Cabinet Member for Resources advised that there was an end of year underspend of £150k for services within the Committee’s remit. Additional income and staffing vacancies in the Place, Infrastructure & Economic Development service were the main contributors to this. This was partially offset by pressures in Leisure and Recreation primarily due to shortfall in income, and in Housing due to the partial delivery of savings related to housing resettlement schemes and additional homelessness pressure. The Committee had the following questions or comments: - In response to the question of whether the underspend of £29k on Shared Prosperity Fund grants could be rolled forward to the next financial year, the Head of Economic Development and Property advised that they weren’t able to answer but would check this and send a response to the Committee after the meeting. - The Committee asked about flooding to Pembrey Country Park, and if this had been resolved. The Head of Leisure and Public Protection advised that this had caused a shortfall of income due to camping pitches being out of commission for several weeks, but that this had been resolved and additional flood mitigation strategies had been implemented. - In response to a question regarding future actions on housing repairs, the Committee was advised that there had been a large increase in repair demand since the COVID pandemic, and that the ongoing review of demand and capacity was intended to streamline and improve the efficiency of the process. The Committee was also advised that some repairs were being shifted from the revenue to capital budget, and that this would make the best use of the available resources. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to receive the report.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to receive the report.
(NOTE: Councillor R. Sparks redeclared his interest and remained in the meeting) The Committee received the 2025/26 Quarter 1 Performance Report (01/04/2025-30/06/2025) of areas relevant to this Scrutiny. This report was presented to the Committee to review and assess the information contained within and provide any recommendations, comments, or advice to the Cabinet Member and/or Director. The Committee had the following questions or comments: - The Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Community Cohesion and Planning Policy advised in response to a question on the Planning Enforcement measures in the report, that a lot of this was out of the Council’s control, due to delays in the appeals process and in cases going to court. The Cabinet Member advised of the process of enforcement, from investigation through to appeals, initial enforcement actions, and court proceedings if necessary. The Committee noted that delays in enforcement can lead to public perception that they can get away with not applying for planning permission. It was also noted by the Cabinet Member that the process needs to be followed closely or the Council risks losing appeals. - The Committee asked about specific promotions or initiatives to boost attendance at leisure centres, given that the report shows this as off target. The Head of Leisure and Public Protection advised that there were many promotions and initiatives, including correspondence going out now regarding membership at the new centre at Pentre Awel. The Committee was advised that additional information would be forwarded to them after the meeting. - A question was asked regarding engagement with the LocalMotion scheme in Carmarthen. The Head of Leisure and Public Protection advised that he hoped this was the case that the Authority was engaging with this and that he would come back to the Committee with this information. - The Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Community Cohesion and Planning Policy advised regarding the target for the average time taken to determine "major" applications in days, that this was affected by the increase in reports required and processes to be followed on large applications. The Committee was advised that additional information on this would be circulated after the meeting when available. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to receive the report.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submission be noted.
The Committee received an explanation for the non-submission of the following scrutiny reports · Responsive Repairs & Minor Works Update · Adopted LDP Annual Monitoring Report 2024/25 UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submission be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the Forthcoming Items be approved
The Committee received a list of forthcoming items due to be considered at its next meeting on 11th November 2025. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Forthcoming Items be approved
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 7th July 2025 be signed as a correct record
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.