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RESOLVED that the petition be referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services for a response.
RESOLVED 6.1 TO RECOMMEND TO CABINET that the Carmarthenshire Equestrian Access Strategy be received; 6.2 That a Letter be sent on behalf of the Scrutiny Committee be forwarded to the Welsh Government seeking funding for the improvement of equestrian route.
RESOLVED that the report and recommendations therein be endorsed for consideration by Cabinet.
RESOLVED that: 8.1 the report and presentation be received; 8.2 The ‘Deep Dive Review’ by the Nature and Climate Change Advisory Panel be included onto the Scrutiny Forward Work Programme.
RESOLVED that the report be received.
RESOLVED that the report be received.
RESOLVED that: 11.1 the list of forthcoming items for the Committee meeting to be held on the 10th October 2025 be agreed; 11.2 the comments received on the reports circulated for scrutiny by e- mail be noted; 11.3 The above-mentioned reports identified from the Cabinet Forward Work Plan be included onto the PS&CC Scrutiny Committee’s Forward Work Plan for consideration.
An apology for absence was received from Councillor Shelly Godfrey-Coles.
There were no Councillor Minute Item(s) Nature of Interest B.D.J. Phillips 2. 7. Task and Finish Group 2024/25 - "A Review of the Dog Breeding Licensing Function of the Consumer and Business Affairs Animal Health Team" 3. Councillor Phillips’ brother owns a licenced dog kennels. N. Lewis 4. 8. Climate Action Sir Gâr – Addressing the Climate Change & Nature Emergencies Cllr Lewis works in the renewable energy industry. Cllr Lewis has been granted a dispensation to speak but not vote on matters in relation to council business regarding renewable energy, electric vehicles, energy efficiency and decarbonisation. There were no declarations of prohibited party whips. declerations of interest. Councillor Minute Item(s) Nature of Interest
The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.
The Chair advised that all reports had been received for this meeting.
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RESOLVED that the petition be referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services for a response.
The Committee received a petition that had been submitted in regard to the road safety improvements outside Hendy School, Llanelli. In accordance with the Scrutiny Procedure Rule 25, the Chair, in the absence of the Petitioner who was unable to attend the meeting, read out the following petition to the Committee:- “We the undersigned petition Carmarthenshire County Council to Priorities road safetyimprovements outside Hendy School. While efforts to recruit a new crossing patrolcontinue, we believe a permanent zebra crossing would be a more effective long-term. We urge Carmarthenshire Council implementation of a zebra crossing and other traffic-calming measures that will assists our children to cross the road to their school safely!” The Local Member stated that this had been a matter of concern for a number of years and he stated that recently a letter had been sent to local residents informing them plans and designs would be going out to consultation shortly. The Committee reviewed the petition and noted that safety was the key consideration. Given the planned improvement work, it was proposed to forward the petition and its recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services, requesting a written response to both the Scrutiny Committee and the Lead Petitioner. This proposal was seconded. In accordance with the Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the Scrutiny Committee’s views would be presented in a report to the Cabinet Member for consideration by the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the petition be referred to the Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services for a response.
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RESOLVED 6.1 TO RECOMMEND TO CABINET that the Carmarthenshire Equestrian Access Strategy be received; 6.2 That a Letter be sent on behalf of the Scrutiny Committee be forwarded to the Welsh Government seeking funding for the improvement of equestrian route.
The Committee received for consideration the Carmarthenshire Equestrian Access Strategy. The report requested approval of the Strategy and support for the strategic actions contained within the document. The Cabinet Member, in presenting the report explained that Scrutiny of the Equestrian Access Strategy prior to its consideration at Cabinet would ensure that the published outcomes and actions contained in the document were reasonable, deliverable and effective to serve the equestrian community in Carmarthenshire, alongside wider user groups who make use of multi-user access provision in the County. Carmarthenshire’s Public Right of Way (PROW) network, (excluding Bannau Brycheiniog), offers a total of 166.06km of bridleways, where horse riders are legally entitled to use. The network also has 82.9km of Restricted Byway and Byway Open to All Traffic (combined) that both horse riders and horse drawn vehicles are legally entitled to use. Less than 10% of the total length of PROW network in Carmarthenshire provided any equestrian access opportunity and in the case of carriage driving, 3.2% of the total network can be lawfully accessed. Members were informed that the data and evidence collected to inform this strategy, taking account of Policy and Legislation steers the delivery of public access in Carmarthenshire and that the strategy sets out an action plan for service development. It was reported that the actions had been developed to deliver positive change, primarily within available resources. Aspirational actions that would require additional resources were clearly identified in the strategy, alongside the need for external resources. In line with Scrutiny Procedure Rule 18 – Scrutiny Participants the Committee had invited representatives from the British Horse Society to listen to their perspective and opinions on the strategy. The Chair welcomed Mrs Karen Burch and Ms Helen Donnan to the Committee. The representatives welcomed the strategy, acknowledging that it was the first of its kind in Wales. In considering the feedback from the Survey undertaken in 2021, the difficulties in improving access for equestrians, which lay within multiple portfolios was acknowledged. It was highlighted from the Strategy that there was a lack of off-road provision for the 30,000+ horses residing within the communities of Carmarthenshire. In referencing the aspirational elements of the strategy, it was hoped this would enable bidding for external funding with additional contributions from the equestrian communities. Members were informed that improving safe access for equestrians in their locality would reduce the need to transport horses in private transport, supporting the aspirations of the Active Travel Act whilst contributing towards the net zero target. Reference was made to a Memorandum of Understanding between the British Horse Society (BHS) and SusTrans which was signed in 2024 recognised the benefits of working together to achieve common objectives for all road users. It was raised that equine ownership was comparable to dog ownership and the active acceptance of dog owners in the tourism industry has increased the provision for them as well as the associated income available from them by local businesses. The opportunities would be similar to the equestrian tourism providers should the opportunity to access the countryside safely is improved for equestrians. This would be attributed to the agricultural community. Equestrianism offers many health and well-being benefits to user groups with a particular focus on young individuals offering an access and safely be able to get out into the Countryside. The representatives commended the Countryside Access Officer in developing an exceptional document setting a precedent for the rest of Wales to follow. The following questions/comments were raised in respect of the report:- • The Countryside Access Officer addressed several queries that were raised as follows. - It was clarified that the data used to develop the strategy is four years old; however, more recent data has been gathered that corroborates and supports the original findings. - It was highlighted that whilst the action plan was very clear in setting out what could be achieved within the available resources, there were also aspirational actions that would require external funding. The dedicated project officer within the team would seek out funding for the strategy should it be approved. - It was clarified that in the case of multi-user routes the construction specifications would be taken into consideration for any new route. In regard to existing multi-user routes, suitability and level of use would be assessed. • It was commented that equestrian signage needed to be improved. • It was observed that, due to the strength and unpredictable behaviour of horses, providing off-road routes specifically for equestrian use is necessary, although this would involve considerable investment. As a result, it was proposed that the Committee write a letter to the Welsh Government to request funding for the improvement of equestrian routes. This proposal was seconded. • Further clarification was requested regarding the classification of country parks. It was noted that the strategy included both Llyn Lech Owain Country Park and Mynydd Mawr Woodland Park, and questions were raised about how Allt Nant-y-ci Recreation Park would be categorised given the presence of horses at that location. Similar query was raised concerning Gilfach Iago. The Countryside Access Officer explained that the Country Parks identified in the Strategy feature designated equestrian access either within their boundaries or in proximity. It was clarified that Allt Nant-y-ci was not currently included, as there was no managed access arrangement in place. With respect to Gilfach Iago, it was stated that, following the completion of the necessary stages, the establishment of a network of bridleways across the site would be considered. • Road safety has been identified as a concern for several years, with an emphasis on making signage a priority. Additionally, it was noted that the former Cardi Bach railway line from Whitland to Cardigan could serve as a suitable multi-use route, accommodating equestrians among other users. The Head of Environmental Infrastructure reported that in ongoing communications were taking place with landowners in regard to the Cardi Bach route as well as discussions in terms of funding to enable further development. Members would be kept informed on progress. • Reference was made to page 8 of the strategy, which estimates it will take about two years to survey all PROWs in the project. So far, 83% of surveyed bridleways are open and accessible. Concerns were raised about the lengthy timeline and incomplete coverage, as some PROWs remain unsurveyed. The Countryside Access Officer explained that surveying the C, D, and E networks—totalling 2,000km—was the reason why the project would take over two years. • A question was raised regarding whether the new 20mph legislation had impacted equestrians. The Countryside Access Officer stated that no data had been received to indicate a significant change for equestrian users. However, it was noted that some anecdotal accounts suggest the reduced speed may have affected equestrian users, as slower vehicle speeds could allow more time for both drivers and riders to assess risks. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED 6.1 TO RECOMMEND TO CABINET that the Carmarthenshire Equestrian Access Strategy be received; 6.2 That a Letter be sent on behalf of the Scrutiny Committee be forwarded to the Welsh Government seeking funding for the improvement of equestrian route.
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RESOLVED that the report and recommendations therein be endorsed for consideration by Cabinet.
[Note: Councillor Dorian Phillips, having earlier declared a personal interest, left the meeting prior to the consideration of this item.] The Committee received for consideration the draft final Task and Finish Group’s report on the ‘Review of the Dog Breeding Licensing Function of the Consumer and Business Affairs Animal Health Team’. In presenting the report, the Chair of the Task and Finish Group outlined the background of the review and described the process undertaken. Members of the Group recognised the sensitive nature of the topic and approached their work attentively. During the review, the Group received information from the Consumer and Business Affairs Animal Health Team and acquired detailed knowledge about the legal requirements for licensed dog kennels, noting that challenges primarily exist with unlicensed dog breeders. The recommendations contained within the report had been formulated by the Group following the consideration of a range of evidence over a series of meetings held between February 2024 and March 2025. It was highlighted that although, as stated in the report, there were no additional costs in relation to any of the recommendations, however, the following points should be considered: - Review internal cost recovery methodology to ensure all costs are reflected in cost recovery, whilst also urging WG to review fee setting process; - Acknowledge correlation between ability to grow service and financial / staffing resource, whilst working on ongoing efficiencies through better use of technology The following observations were raised in relation to the report:- • There were currently not enough resources within the team to manage the situation of illegal dog breeders. • Keen to raise the standard of all licensed dog breeders to the same level • The issue lay with illegal dog breeders/unlicensed dog breeders. Licensed dog breeders were inspected and operated within the legal requirements The Task and Finish Members extended their appreciation to the team for their dedicated service and commitment to prioritising animal health and well-being. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report and recommendations therein be endorsed for consideration by Cabinet.
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RESOLVED that: 8.1 the report and presentation be received; 8.2 The ‘Deep Dive Review’ by the Nature and Climate Change Advisory Panel be included onto the Scrutiny Forward Work Programme.
[NOTE: Having earlier declared a personal interest in this item, Councillor Neil Lewis, in accordance with his dispensation, remained in the meeting, took part in the discussions but did not vote]. The Committee received for consideration a presentation which provided information and data in respect of the Authority’s progress in meeting its net zero plan. The Cabinet Member provided Members with a brief overview stating that the calendar year of 2024 represented the midpoint in the netzero plan programme. The Head of Place and Sustainability and the Carbon Reduction officer took the Committee through the presentation. It was reported that since the baseline year of 2016/17, the Authority had reduced its emissions by 37% to the reporting year 2023/ 2024. Furthermore, following the declaration of a Nature Emergency by the Council in 2022, the report also reflected that the wider work the Authority was taken to tackle both the Nature and Climate change emergencies given the close relationship between actions in mitigation of the two issues and their interrelationship in tackling the emergencies. The report would set out “where we are” at the mid point in the programme, “where we want to be” and “how we propose to get there”. To assist in that narrative the Authority has developed: i. Decarbonisation Carbon trajectory toolkit ii. Decarbonisation costing model iii. People and Culture Strategy It was proposed that the format of the report would act as the basis and format of future annual updates published by the Authority, to seek inform and inspire stake holders to support the Authority in its ambition and take action to mitigate the Nature and Climate change emergencies The following questions/comments were raised in respect of the report:- • It was noted that the adoption rate of electric vehicles among staff was low. Although a Salary Sacrifice scheme for electric vehicles was available, the limited uptake may be related to a lack of awareness about the benefits of driving an electric vehicle. It was proposed that internal communications could be enhanced to better promote electric vehicles. • A suggestion was made to modify the Council’s fleet management policy by retaining electric vehicles for 10 to 15 years, thereby communicating a commitment to reliability. In response to the points the Cabinet Member stated that Nature and Climate Change Advisory Panel had recently completed a Deep Dive Review of the transition. The points raised today already formed part of the recommendations and would be presented to Cabinet in due course. It was proposed that the ‘Deep Dive Review’ by the Nature and Climate Change Advisory Panel be included onto the Scrutiny Forward Work Programme. This was duly seconded. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that: 8.1 the report and presentation be received; 8.2 The ‘Deep Dive Review’ by the Nature and Climate Change Advisory Panel be included onto the Scrutiny Forward Work Programme.
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RESOLVED that the report be received.
The Committee received for consideration the Council’s Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy. The Cabinet Member in presenting the report informed Members that this Strategy had replaced the previous version which was created in 2015. The Strategy’s purpose was to outline the Council’s strategy for addressing contaminated land issues, advises on progress and any changes made moving forward. It was highlighted that Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 imposed a statutory duty on every Local Authority to develop a strategy for identifying and managing contaminated land in its jurisdiction. The strategy detailed the Council’s aims, objectives, priorities and plans for identifying and remediating contaminated sites within the County. The Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy explained the definition of contaminated land, and the links it had to Welsh Government objective as set out in the report. This updated version reflected changes around terminology and policy alignment rather than altering any core principles on how contaminated land would be dealt with, and the emphasis continued to be on protecting human health and the environment while operating in a proportionate and transparent manner. The following questions/comments were raised in respect of the report:- • Reference was made to paragraph 6.4.2 where it cited that ‘all enquiries, complaints, or information regarding contaminated land from the public, businesses, or other organisations are directed to the Environmental Protection Service. In acknowledging the financial constraints and the limited resources in the Environmental Protection team, it was asked if staff were suitably qualified to undertake an evaluation of incoming queries / complaints and how many full-time equivalent staff were available to carry out this work? The Public Health Lead reported that there is one full-time equivalent (FTE) staff member who possesses the necessary expertise and qualifications for the role. It was noted, however, that the high level of demand associated with this position places significant pressure on the single FTE. To manage this the work is risk assessed and prioritised accordingly. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be received.
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RESOLVED that the report be received.
The Committee received for consideration a report providing the Waste Strategy Update which outlined a proposed approach to phasing the implementation of the Welsh Government’s Recycling Blueprint collection methodology. The Cabinet Member in presenting the report requested to receive the Committee’s comments and consideration on the revised proposal for the rollout of the Blueprint kerbside waste collection service. The report outlined the need to revise the service delivery model to begin transitioning towards full Blueprint compliance, in response to statutory recycling targets, high contamination rates in the current system, and forthcoming legal requirements including the Emissions Trading Scheme. The phased rollout will enable the Council to begin the journey towards segregated waste collections while further infrastructure planning continues. It was reported that the Cabinet approved Carmarthenshire's Waste Strategy in October 2021 which set out a target of 70% recycling by 2025 and zero waste by 2050. The detailed report provided the proposed rollout with one-third of the county transition to weekly source-segregated collections. The remaining two-thirds would continue with the current co-mingled system until infrastructure was ready. Two operational models were under consideration: a centralised approach using one depot or a decentralised model using all three existing depots. Modelling was underway to determine the most efficient and sustainable option, with support from Wrap Cymru and internal teams. Members noted that funding arrangements with Welsh Government had been revised to reflect the updated timeline. It was recommended that Phase 1 commence in Autumn 2026 and full rollout targeted for Autumn 2028. The following questions/comments were raised in respect of the report:- • In response to concerns raised regarding the access/egress of the Nantycaws site on the A48, the Head of Environmental Infrastructure stated that ongoing and regular dialogue was taking place with transport colleagues in regard to the safety improvements which included proposals for infrastructure development. Currently at WelTAG 2 stage, with a view to progress to the next stage this calendar year. In response to further concerns about the safety of the Nantycaws junction, the Head of Environmental Infrastructure indicated that collaboration with the Welsh Government is underway to establish timelines and prioritise necessary improvements. Additionally, alternative delivery models are being considered in case centralisation does not occur within the required timeframe for implementing service enhancements. • It was asked, what the anticipated reduction in CO2 emissions once the full fleet is operational? The Head of Environmental Infrastructure indicated that although he did not have the specific figure available, it was provided in the original report presented to the Committee. The report addressed material quality improvement, retainer recycling within Wales, and fleet decarbonisation. • A query was raised regarding contingency measures should Welsh Government funding be reduced or delayed, and how such scenarios might affect the momentum of implementation. The Head of Environmental Infrastructure responded that, as outlined in the report, consideration is being given to optimising the use of existing depots. In the event that anticipated funding levels are not achieved, it would be necessary to invest in current depots to facilitate service changes, utilising Nantycaws as the designated tipping location. · What measures would ensure accessibility for residents with mobility or digital exclusion? The Strategic Waste and Circular Economy Manager stated that the assisted collection process was currently under review to better support individuals with disabilities. To address digital exclusion, a text and email notification service was available to keep residents informed about service provision. Additionally, Community Recycling Advisers and Waste Wardens provide assistance as needed. A community engagement plan would also be developed, focusing on engaging with residents both individually in their homes and in group settings within the community. · In respect of carrying out the dual system in the first year, further information in terms of the cost implications and the operational complexity for staff was requested. The Strategic Waste and Circular Economy Manager noted that the phased implementation would result in additional revenue costs; these would be addressed as part of the comprehensive revenue costing process currently underway. The Authority had a strong commitment to advancing adoption of the BluePrint across the County. Regarding the high contamination rate observed in blue bags, it was acknowledged that improvement is necessary. While this issue is being addressed through ongoing education and enforcement initiatives, it was also recognised that a review of current processes may be required. • Reference was made to the Audit Wales recommendations in 2021 where it was recommended to develop an engagement strategy focussing on behavioural change. Highlighting that there was 30% mixed contamination in the blue bags it was felt that there was a significant amount of work to get people on board. It was asked what was being learned from other Authorities who operate the same system? The Strategic Waste and Circular Economy Manager stated that the team collaborates closely with Wrap Cymru, which has a dedicated communications officer who works with most Welsh Authorities. The officer is providing guidance on effective communication strategies in consultation with the Council’s Marketing and Media team to assess available applications and methods. The team remains open to exploring innovative approaches to engage and reach individuals more effectively. A site visit to Nantycaws was proposed to enable the Committee to gain a clearer understanding of access-related issues and to review the planned improvements. The Head of Environmental Infrastructure confirmed that this visit will be arranged with Cwm Environmental during the autumn. It was suggested that it would be beneficial that the Committee meet with WRAP Cymru officials to gain clearer understanding of the support provided to the Authority during the waste service change. Officers agreed to facilitate. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be received.
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RESOLVED that: 11.1 the list of forthcoming items for the Committee meeting to be held on the 10th October 2025 be agreed; 11.2 the comments received on the reports circulated for scrutiny by e- mail be noted; 11.3 The above-mentioned reports identified from the Cabinet Forward Work Plan be included onto the PS&CC Scrutiny Committee’s Forward Work Plan for consideration.
The Committee considered the list of forthcoming items to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting scheduled to take place on 10th October, 2025 and was afforded the opportunity to request for any specific information that Members may wish to include within the reports. In line with the Place, Sustainability and Climate Change Committee’s decision to receive and scrutinise reports outside of the formal committee process, the following reports were forwarded to all members of the Scrutiny Committee by e-mail on 6th June 2025: • Revenue & Capital Budget Monitoring Report 2024/25 (April 2024 – February 2025) Members noted that queries raised in respect of the abovementioned report together with responses in Appendix 1 appended to the report. Reference was made to the Cabinet Forward Plan where a number of reports had been identified for pre-decision scrutiny. The following reports were requested to be included onto the Committee's FWP:- • Carmarthenshire County Council Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy Update • Carmarthenshire County Council Environment Act Forward Plan (January 2026 – December 2028) • Bus Franchising • Carmarthenshire Community Transport Strategy UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that: 11.1 the list of forthcoming items for the Committee meeting to be held on the 10th October 2025 be agreed; 11.2 the comments received on the reports circulated for scrutiny by e- mail be noted; 11.3 The above-mentioned reports identified from the Cabinet Forward Work Plan be included onto the PS&CC Scrutiny Committee’s Forward Work Plan for consideration.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 6th June, 2023 be signed as a correct record.
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