Wrthi'n llwytho
Y penderfyniadau fel y mae cofnodion y cyngor yn eu cofnodi. Bydd crynodeb mewn iaith glir yn dilyn pan fydd wedi'i ysgrifennu.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of Council held on the 8th October, 2025 be signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED that the job profile and person specification for the post of Head of Inclusion Services be approved.
RESOLVED that the remits of the Education, Young People and Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee and the Communities, Homes and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee be amended to reflect the revised Cabinet Member portfolios.
RESOLVED that the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 29th September, 2025 be received.
RESOLVED that the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 13th October, 2025 be received.
RESOLVED that the Motion be supported and referred to the Cabinet.
RESOLVED that the Motion not be supported.
RESOLVED that the nomination of Councillor R. Sparks to replace Councillor H. Jones as one of the Plaid Cymru Group’s representative on the Health & Social Services Scrutiny Committee be approved.
RESOLVED that the nomination of Councillor A. Evans to replace Councillor R. Sparks as one of the Plaid Cymru Group’s representative on the Communities, Homes & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee be approved.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors L.R. Bowen, D.C. Evans, N. Evans, A. D. Harries, J.P. Hart and R. James.
Councillor Minute Number Nature of Interest N. Lewis 9.1 - Notice of Motion submitted by Councillors Handel Davies, Denise Owen and Arwel Davies. 9.2 - Notice of Motion submitted by Councillors Michelle Beer and Carmelo Colasanto. Works in the renewable energy industry. Has been granted dispensation to speak but not vote on matters in relation to council business regarding renewable energy. M. James 9.1 - Notice of Motion submitted by Councillors Handel Davies, Denise Owen and Arwel Davies. 9.2 - Notice of Motion submitted by Councillors Michelle Beer and Carmelo Colasanto. Has connections with Ynni Sir Gar. Has been granted dispensation to speak but not vote on matters in relation to council business regarding renewable energy.
· The Chair announced that she’d had the pleasure of attending a number of events over the last month. One of the events attended was the Breakfast & Divine Service in Laugharne organised by the Laugharne Corporation which she advised was a fascinating historic service. · The Chair also attended Ski for Wals in Pembrey and saw first hand the fantastic work undertaken by that charity. · The Chair thanked Members who had donated to her chosen charity – Blood Bikes Wales. · Members were reminded about Carmarthenshire County Council’s Christmas Toy Box appeal details of which can be found on the Authority’s website along with a list of the donation points. · The Chair advised that the Authority supported the White Ribbon campaign and its focus on ending male violence against women and girls. In support of the campaign, it was noted that the Council would fly the white ribbon flag at County Hall and Town Halls in Llanelli and Ammanford. · As it was Armistice Day on the 11th November the Chair asked all members to stand and observe a two-minute silence.
· Councillor Darren Price, Leader of the Council provided an update on the flooding situation and the impact the rain had had across the County on the 4th and 5th November. During the response, highways workers received over 400 incident reports and 14 crews worked overnight on Tuesday with the help of three additional pumps that were used to control rising water levels. Dealing with 175 flood incidents, workers responded to flooding on highways and culverts that had collapsed. They cleared roads, closed roads for public safety and repaired where necessary. Delta Wellbeing received 128 out of hours calls on the 4th and a 5th of November, and the Council's contact centre answered 630 calls and housing and social care teams supported residents, making sure that temporary accommodation and that welfare checks were in place. It was noted that the Council had supported over 189 households that had been impacted by flooding, along with 32 businesses. It highlighted that an emergency hardship fund had been set up for eligible residents and businesses who had suffered flooding. The Leader of the Council stated that he was very grateful to local communities across Carmarthenshire for coming together also to the emergency services that were out in this inclement weather to make sure communities were safe. He noted the importance of recognising the team's commitment to maintaining and keeping essential services going when faced with difficult choices around priorities and budgets. He extended his thanks to the workforce. Council was advised that as work starts on assessing the damage and the lessons to be learned from events like this, the Authority would be providing feedback to Welsh Government and NRW on the effectiveness of the current severe weather warning system. On behalf of Members, the Chair thanked the Chief Executive and all staff for their efforts in responding to the flooding incidents. · The Leader of the Council reminded members that the Authority had signed the Armed Forces covenant on the 7th of July 2022 noted that the Council had been recognised as one of only 12 Welsh employers to receive the gold award for the employer recognition scheme. The award recognises support given to the armed forces community, including personnel, veterans and their families. · Councillor Hazel Evans, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture & Tourism advised that it had been an honour to accept the GO Award for Excellence in Social Value on behalf of Canolfan Pentre Awel. Canolfan Pentre Awel was recognised for its outstanding contribution to the local community. The development generated £35 million in social value, spanning employment, education, supply chain development and community engagement. It was noted that the award was in addition to the Constructing Excellence in Wales Awards in which Canolfan Pentre Awel won the Environmental, Social and Governance Award. Canolfan Pentre Awel was recently awarded a Secured by Design Development Award Certificate by the Police Crime Prevention Initiatives. Thanks were extended to partners, the local community, and the project team whose dedication has made the achievements possible. · Councillor Glynog Davies, Cabinet Member for Education extended his congratulation to Cor Merched Sir Gaerfyrddin for being chosen to sing at the Albert Hall in London at the National Proms event. Congratulations were extended to the music service under the leadership of Gareth Kirby. · Councillor Alun Lenny, Cabinet Member for Resources provided an update to members regarding the budget. Although the RSG settlement amount is not yet known work on the draft budget had started. It was noted that the Authority was currently addressing a gap of approximately £35m.– not including the projected £11m overspend by schools. In the draft budget last week, the Finance Secretary announced an average increase of 2.3% for local authorities and with inflation at 3.8%, all councils in Wales were concerned.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of Council held on the 8th October, 2025 be signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of Council held on the 8th October, 2025 be signed as a correct record.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the job profile and person specification for the post of Head of Inclusion Services be approved.
Council received a report which sought the Council’s approval of the job profile and personal specification for the recruitment to the Post of Head of Inclusion Services (formerly known as Head of Learner Programmes). The report explained that the role of the Head of Inclusion Services was pivotal in ensuring the effective delivery of services to young people. The position involved overseeing and co-ordinating various Additional Learning Needs, Behaviour and Youth Services, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulations. The report highlighted that the department had had a series of interim arrangements in place since the previous postholder retired in June 2024. Council was asked to approve the arrangements to appoint a new Head of Inclusion Services, so that the interim arrangements could be brought to a conclusion. It was noted that a review of the responsibilities of this post had been undertaken, and the enclosed Job Profile and Person specification had been updated to reflect changes that achieved a more equitable balance and greater focus for the Department’s Head of Service portfolios. RESOLVED that the job profile and person specification for the post of Head of Inclusion Services be approved.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the remits of the Education, Young People and Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee and the Communities, Homes and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee be amended to reflect the revised Cabinet Member portfolios.
Council received a report which sought the Council’s endorsement to amend the remits of the Education, Young People and Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee and the Communities, Homes and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee. The report explained that as a result of the Cabinet Member portfolio changes announced by the Leader, the Scrutiny Committee responsibilities should be amended. It was noted that Council at its meeting held on the 28th September 2022 adopted the recommendation of the Constitutional Review Working Group that each Scrutiny Committee be responsible for the overview and scrutiny of specific Cabinet Portfolios and their respective services. It was therefore recommended that Part 2 Article 6 of the Constitution be amended to reflect these portfolio changes. RESOLVED that the remits of the Education, Young People and Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee and the Communities, Homes and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee be amended to reflect the revised Cabinet Member portfolios.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 29th September, 2025 be received.
RESOLVED that the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 29th September, 2025 be received.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 13th October, 2025 be received.
RESOLVED that the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 13th October, 2025 be received.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the Motion be supported and referred to the Cabinet.
[Note: Councillors N. Lewis and M. James declared an interest in this item. They stayed in the meeting during the deliberation but did not take part in the voting.] Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillors H.L. Davies, T.A.J. Davies and D. Owen:- ‘’Carmarthenshire is abundant in opportunities to generate renewable energy and is proud of the part it already plays in decarbonising the Carmarthenshire economy and tackling the causes and impacts of global warming affecting Carmarthenshire communities. Carmarthenshire concurs with the Welsh Government that as much renewable electricity as possible should be generated and consumed locally to directly benefit the local community. Carmarthenshire supports local ownership of energy generation and distribution designed to support the wider Carmarthenshire community transition towards low carbon energy use reflecting the circular economy. Carmarthenshire supports the principles for generating green hydrogen locally alongside other energy storage and redistribution measures acknowledging the capacity constraints of the local distribution network. Carmarthenshire promotes the use of solar panels on domestic and commercial property, and the sensitive development of solar initiatives that can and should complement primary food production as part of the energy mix, but has concerns about the development of large scale solar farms on agricultural land displacing primary production of food. Carmarthenshire calls on the Welsh Government to pause its open invitation to submit any more DNS (Developments of National Significance) and future Strategic Infrastructure Projects (SIP) applications for major on-shore wind and solar farms in Carmarthenshire until: · the Government clearly sets out how it will ensure that cumulative impact (including the associated infrastructure) across all outstanding DNS applications is to be properly managed and considered. The existing case by case basis cannot keep pace with the rate at which competing applications are emerging, leaving communities unconvinced that the declared “presumption in favour” of large-scale projects will adequately protect their interests which is undermining confidence in the impartiality of the planning system. · the Government sets out a clear and coherent plan for upgrading the power transmission and distribution network, confirming their commitment to undergrounding new lines of 132kv and above 132kv, and demonstrates how electricity generated can be accessed and used by local residents. · the Government demonstrates how it intends to align the two consenting regimes for wind farms and transmission lines and not permit more energy parks to be granted planning consent unless and until there is demonstrable evidence that they can be implemented and connected up to the grid, in a manner consistent with the proper management of cumulative impacts and the strategic planning of transmission and distribution routes.’’ The motion was duly seconded. The proposer and seconder of the Motion were afforded the opportunity of speaking in support thereof and outlined the reasons for its submission, as set out in the Motion. A number of statements were made in support of and against the Motion. Following a vote, it was: RESOLVED that the Motion be supported and referred to the Cabinet.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the Motion not be supported.
[Note: Councillors N. Lewis and M. James declared an interest in this item. They stayed in the meeting during the deliberation but did not take part in the voting.] Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillors Michelle Beer and Carmelo Colasanto:- ‘’Urgent Call for a Pause on All New Planning Applications for Wind Turbines, Solar Farms, and Pylons in Carmarthenshire Whereas: 1. Carmarthenshire is targeted by numerous planning applications for wind turbines (e.g., Glyn Cothi with 27 turbines at 200m), solar farms (e.g., Heolddu on 90.5 hectares), and pylon corridors (e.g., Towy-Usk spanning 97km), under Future Wales 2040, risking the county becoming a "Net Zero sacrifice zone" with industrial sprawl; 2. These developments severely impact landscapes by scarring historic valleys with pylons, access roads, and concrete foundations, fragmenting habitats, destroying common land, and decimating scenic areas like Brechfa Forest and the Towy Valley; 3. Local residents endure health issues from noise, flicker, vibrations, and light pollution, alongside economic losses including declining tourism, farming disruptions, water supply damage, and falling property values in communities like Pumsaint and Llandyfaelog; 4. Communities are divided and surrounded by schemes, with thousands of residents across a dozen pylon and turbine campaign groups voicing fears of irreversible harm and calling for unity, while the DNS process limits local input and ignores alternatives like underground cabling; Council resolves to: 1. To urgently call on the Welsh Government to impose an immediate 12-month pause on all new planning applications for wind turbines, solar farms, and associated pylon infrastructure in Carmarthenshire including the proposed sub-station at Llandyfaelog; 2. To demand a cumulative impact assessment during this pause, evaluating effects on landscapes, biodiversity, residents' health, communities, and local economies, including feasibility studies for alternatives; 3. To write to the First Minister, Minister for Climate Change, and Planning and Environment Decisions Wales, copying local MPs and MSs, urging this pause and reform of the Developments of National Significance (DNS) process for greater local control; This motion safeguards Carmarthenshire’s heritage, residents, and communities while promoting balanced renewable strategies’’. The motion was duly seconded. The proposer and seconder of the Motion were afforded the opportunity of speaking in support thereof and outlined the reasons for its submission, as set out in the Motion. A number of representations were made against the Motion. Following a vote, it was: RESOLVED that the Motion not be supported.
Does the Council intend to contribute to the consultations concerning the new arrangements for the Wales Pension Partnership and the proposed Investment Management Company (IMCO)? Response by Councillor Darren Price, Leader of the Council: Thank you, Mr Clay, for your question. Whilst I am not 100% clear on which consultations you are referring to, I am assuming that your reference to the consultations is in fact in respect of the “Fit for the Future” consultation issued on the 16th January this year which is part of the UK Government’s Pension Investment review. The Dyfed Pension Fund, on behalf of the County Council, did indeed submit a comprehensive response to this consultation, and it was also included within the County Council papers of the 23rd July. Constitutionally the County Council delegates all the Strategic decisions of the Pension Fund to the Dyfed Pension Fund. At its meeting on 23rd July, County Council, following a detailed report which included the consultation and due consideration, the County Council approved the establishment of WPP IMCo and each of the other constituent authorities have also secured approval from their respective County Councils. Carmarthenshire County Council, alongside the other constituent authorities will therefore be an equal shareholder in the WPP IMCo. Supplementary question by Mr Bob Clay: Do I take it through that reply then that with the reference to the Pension Committee that effectively any consultations that are taking place at the moment whatever has happened previously will need to be directed by concerned members of the public, particularly those concerned about ethical investment. Garza, in particular, would be directed to the Pension Committee rather than to the Council, is that actually the advice that we would get? Response by Councillor Darren Price, Leader of the Council: With a shake of the head from the appropriate officers, I understand that is the case – yes. So as I, as I mentioned earlier the County Council took a decision in July to support the establishment of WPP IMCo, there are lot of these questions that I am often asked to answer in this Chamber, a lot of this stuff does not actually sit in my remit.
For the record, could the Leader of the Council elaborate on his verbal response to my Question at the last Council Meeting? What is the name of the statute, regulation or Guidance that would prevent the Council from having a policy not to procure any goods or services from Israel based Companies? Response by Councillor Darren Price, Leader of the Council: Thank you for your question regarding the legal basis that prevents the Council from adopting a policy not to procure goods or services from Israel-based companies. The relevant statute in the UK is the Procurement Act 2023, which came into effect on 24 February 2025. As a Contracting Authority, the Council is required to treat all and I quote all 'treaty-state suppliers'; that is, suppliers from countries with which the UK has relevant trade or procurement agreements equally and without discrimination. This is set out in Sections 89–90 of the Act. Israel is included in this category by virtue of the UK–Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement (2019). Also, I think it is important to reiterate what I said at the September Council meeting - we don’t record the origin of goods, but I can say that no company on our contracts register or spend information have a registered office or base in Israel. Although, we do not have information confirming whether Israel based firms supply elements of products which we later buy, we don’t contract directly with any company with a registered office or base in Israel. Supplementary question by Mr Max Li-Rocchi: Within the last eight months Oxford and Peterborough councils have both passed motions strengthening their ethical procurement policies. At the same time, they stated that the Procurement Act does not apply when companies are shown to have insufficient regard for their human rights, responsibilities and obligations. Would this Council consider doing the same as these two Councils and in order to fulfil its ethical duty and legal obligations, and just to clarify, the motions were not so much concerned with where the company is based or registered, but rather whether a company funds, supports and or enables violations of international law, directly or indirectly? Response by Councillor Darren Price, Leader of the Council: I take the advice of my legal offices and in no way ever would I enter into an agreement or any public commitment and in chamber here without seeking any advice from those qualified legal officers. I will happily take on board the comment that has been made to investigate further, particularly from my point of view as a Council Leader I would never take actions which would put this Council at risk. I will confirm again, we don't contract directly with any company from Israel and that is the position today as it was at the September meeting.
Does the Council have a view as to whether the Dyfed Pension Fund Committee should have some committee members other than Carmarthenshire Councillors? Response by Councillor Darren Price, Leader of the Council: Thank you for your question. As you are aware Carmarthenshire County Council is the administering authority of the Dyfed Pension Fund as set out in regulations and is therefore legally responsible for the management of the fund. As members are aware from the very outset it considered appropriate that in performing its duty that the Pension Committee is served by County Councillors from the administering authority. You will also be aware that this is similar to the governance arrangements of many Local Government Pension Scheme funds, and in line with the Regulations. To put it into context, the Dyfed Pension fund has around 57k members and 57 active Employers as at 31 March 2025 in the scheme. The employers include Scheduled and Admitted bodies which includes 3 Unitary authorities, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and ourselves and also support staff with Dyfed Powys Police and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. It also includes Town and Community Councils and a range of small public and voluntary organisations. I am sure you can therefor understand there are many employers forming the scheme. There is no regulatory requirement for members from other employer bodies or for a fund member representative to be included on pension committees. There is however representation from other Local Authorities and fund members on the Pension Board. The Pension Board, as many will know is effectively, the scrutiny committee for the Dyfed Pension Fund, is a key element of the Fund’s governance arrangements in providing formal scrutiny of the Committee and the fund activity. It is represented by three scheme member representatives, one of which is currently a trade union representative. The Pension Board also includes representation from a County Councillor from Ceredigion County Council and a Senior Officer from Pembrokeshire County Council. But to come back to your original question of whether the Dyfed Pension Fund Committee should have some committee members other than Carmarthenshire Councillors. That isn’t something we’ve ever discussed in this Chamber. There was no supplementary question.
I would like to congratulate the Council on having a major Public Consultation on the 5 year Placemaking Plan for Ammanford, Carmarthen and Llanelli, which I have attended with other County Councillors, the Chamber of Trade and members of the public and I would encourage others to input into this important consultation to bring life back into our towns, especially as there is now £2 million extra each year for 10 years available for Town regeneration for the County, released by the Labour Government to this Council. With the completion of the YMCA project, the improvement to Ty Elwyn and the re-development in North Market Street combined with the funding from Westminster enabling the necessary move of the Market Traders to a proposed new site in town, Llanelli infrastructure is slowly being regenerated and future proofed. I do however have concerns over the various building projects on hold for a number of years in the centre of Llanelli and would like assurances that we will find a Developer to re-generate the space previously occupied by the Market before it is demolished and arrange replacement carparking for the 240 spaces we will lose, so that we are not left for years, with another dilapidated building in Llanelli Town Centre, such as we now have with the rotting Crown Precinct, the burnt out Park Congregational Chapel, the blocked Market Street Arcade link to Eastgate, the empty Tabernacle Chapel, the old Raffles building, the empty Crown Buildings, and the recently vacated Leisure Centre? Response by Councillor Hazel Evans, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture & Tourism: Thank you for Councillor Cundy for your question which I don’t think I’ll be able to answer all your points in time, so I’m happy to share every response in writing with you. Thank you for your kind comments regarding the regeneration work being undertaken in Llanelli with the three buildings you mention. We welcome the support we are having and have received from UK Government and Welsh Government which has enabled the work already mentioned to be undertaken. But as I am sure you are aware we are hugely underfunded compared to what we were promised in match funding after the EU funding came to an end. When SPF replaced it, we saw a reduction of 30% in the first transition year. The Welsh Local Government Association and a large number of Local Authority’s also recognise this and are fighting for fair funding for Wales. We received a letter last Friday from the Secretary of state for Wales outlining the criteria for the Pride In Your Place funding of £2m per year for 10 years. Carmarthenshire is one of 14 Welsh Local Authorities to receive funding, the funding is for one neighbourhood only. The criteria is for a population size of between 5000 – 15000 with 70% Capital funding and 30% revenue. The nomination has to be submitted by the 12th December and must include evidence drawn from the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation which contributes to the need. These figures are due to be produced by the end of November. There will also have to be input from key stakeholders and other bodies, an initial internal meeting has already taken place to gather the information required and consultees will be approached very soon as this is a very short turnaround timescale for the application. The list of confirmed neighbourhoods will be confirmed in December. I also share your concerns regarding the empty properties, but most are in private ownership. The multi storey car park and current market will be in place until 2028 during which time we will be considering an options appraisal on how the area will be redeveloped. I’ve now run out of time but will share an update with you.
On 9 April this Council took a significant and united step in its fight against poverty when it passed a motion brought by myself and seconded by Cllr Deryk Cundy agreeing to 'actively explore, with relevant partners, the potential for expansion into Carmarthenshire of the hugely successful Cwtch Mawr Multibank currently operating in Llansamlet, Swansea, and identify sources of funding to support this expansion'. The cross-party Tackling Poverty Advisory Panel was charged with developing costed proposals for consideration by Cabinet, including options for securing external funding. Whilst preliminary discussions have taken place with Cwtch Mawr in the intervening period, which are welcomed, and initial exploration of options has taken place, 7 months after the motion was passed, we are still awaiting a firm, costed way forward. There is still no clear indication of when those living in poverty in Carmarthenshire can expect to have access to the clothing, household goods and toiletries provided through the Multibank. For those lacking basic and essential items many of us take for granted, any delay must be avoided. Please can the Cabinet Member advise Council as to when it can expect its clear and unanimous intention on this matter to be realised and when those in need in Carmarthenshire can expect to benefit from the provision Cwtch Mawr offers? Response by Councillor Linda Evans, Cabinet Member for Homes: Thank you, chair, and thanks to Councillor Palfreman for the question. I'm pleased to have the opportunity to share this update with the whole Council. You are right to say that we did as a Council approved a notice of motion back in April, and that, of course had to go on to the Cabinet and that went on to the Cabinet in June and it was approved that we move forward and make these inquiries and find a way to make it work in Carmarthenshire. The Tackling Poverty Panel have taken the main role in monitoring the development of the recommendations. I chair this panel and you yourself, Martin, are also a member of that panel and I thank you for that. It was agreed as a panel that we held an update on this development in every meeting. Of course, an internal work group was created to do the business work and we agreed in our panel meeting, which was about four or five weeks ago, that a date for hosting a meeting at the end of this month in order to get an update as to where we're at with the situation. In other words, you know what the next steps are and the costs, etcetera. So we did agree openly in the last poverty panel meeting, can't remember if you were there or not personally, but we did agree that a date would be put in the diary by the end of this month, which is November, and I'm sure that we will all look forward to that. A lot of work has gone into preparing this. I know that officers have been in touch with Cwtch Mawr many, many times and also have worked with other partners in Carmarthenshire, as we have said., like food banks, baby resources, clothes banks to make sure that one thing doesn't impact the other, that we're actually strengthening these opportunities for people in the county. In addition to this, we intend to host an engagement event with partners in the third sector over the next few weeks to set out our recommendations and to make sure that extending Multibank goes along with the current services. As we all know, the Multibank was set up in Fife in Scotland in 2022 and since then five others have been set up through the whole of the UK, so there are six of these throughout the whole of the UK and the work is done. between the Multibank and Amazon and resources are provided. So in Carmarthenshire, whatever will be happening, we're going to be working in partnership and what we want to make sure is that whatever we do suits the people of Carmarthenshire and that is not a short-term solution but that it is a long-term plan. Even if we start small and grow as we go forward. But thank you for asking the question because I am pleased to tell everybody else what is happening. Supplementary Question by Councillor Martyn Palfreman: I welcome the work that's already been done. I recognise that progress has been made. I'm wondering, would you be able to give at least an aspirational date when people in Carmarthenshire that are suffering from the effects of poverty and that were encourage by the motion by Council in April when they can expect to see the facility in place for their use in Carmarthenshire? Response by Councillor Linda Evans, Cabinet Member for Homes: No, I can't give you a definite date. Who could? This is a business in a way. This involves money as you know, which we didn't have for in budget and when we agreed to do it, but we will continue with it as we have promised and you're part of that process with me. So you know we're working on this together and the process first of all when it came here, yes, it came here in April and it went to Cabinet in June. So therefore, we have only really been a few months and you must appreciate the work for that officers from all different departments are doing here is all extra work - we're trying to get this right. As I know personally there are quite a few other local authorities surrounding the Multibank area who have been in discussions as well with Mutibank to try and create a kind of business plan and they are still on half of it as well. So therefore, it's going to take some time. But I promise you, in the meantime, you know that our hopes in Carmarthenshire do everything we can to support people within Carmarthenshire in the meantime, and obviously as well to the future.
Considering the unacceptable malfunction of last Christmas’s refuse collection, what is planned to ensure that the residents of Carmarthenshire receive an improved and acceptable service this year? Response by Councillor Edward Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services: Thank you John for the question. I’m sure Members will already have noticed a significant improvement in refuse collections over previous Bank Holiday periods during this year, this is due several improvements since last Christmas. I want to highlight the most important aspect of what we have done in terms of providing the best service possible over the Bank Holiday period, and that is, to have worked in terms of a social partnership with staff and Trade Unions to devise a working schedule that suits both the workforce and our residents. Yes, we have a service to provide for our residents, and of course we want to provide the best service possible, but we must also consider the needs of our workers and their families over the festive period. To provide the best possible service whilst allowing for a fair work life balance for our refuse workers we’ve done the following - We’ve developed a casual workforce to increase capacity. We went out to recruit earlier this year to increase the number of workers available to work. We have additional fleet to support the usual rounds to deal with increased volumes of kerbside waste. We have taken all reasonable steps to prepare, despite unpredictable factors like weather, and staff illness which are beyond our control, we remain confident that services will proceed as planned over the festive period.
On September 10th 2025, this council voted in support of the motion to demonstrate that Carmarthenshire County Council is against supporting Barclays Bank and its funding and support of the genocide in Gaza. I asked that a was letter to be written to the Dyfed Pension Fund and the Wales Pension Partnership (WPP) immediately to ensure this council's views are taken into consideration at the next quarterly meeting of the WPP in Torfaen. Has this council received a response to this letter from the WPP. Is there any update on this matter? Response by Councillor Darren Price, Leader of the Council: In response to a Notice of Motion submitted by Councillors Rob James and Emyr Rees and supported by Council of course, Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Alun Lenny wrote to the Dyfed Pension Fund Committee and I understand that it was discussed at the Dyfed Pension Fund Committee meeting on the 10th November. Councillor Lenny also wrote to the Wales Pension Partnership immediately after the meeting but unfortunately the letter was not received in time for the agenda of the quarterly meeting the following week. It will however be on the agenda of the next meeting of the WPP which I understand will take place on the 8th of December. Whilst we await a formal response to our letters, we have been made aware that the Wales Pension Partnership (WPP) is currently reviewing its investment framework which includes the development of an exclusion’s framework. This framework will be presented to the WPP’s Joint Governance Committee for consideration and agreement in due course. The Dyfed Pension Fund is actively engaging in this process alongside the other seven Welsh LGPS funds and updates will be provided to the Dyfed Pension Fund Committee when available. The Dyfed Pension Fund is not in a position in its own right to dictate the investments policy of the WPP therefore the solution must be and am sure it will be a collaborative approach, however upon completion of the all Wales Exclusion Framework, this framework will be considered by the Dyfed Pension Fund. But as I said, we are awaiting a formal response to our correspondence. Supplementary question by Councillor Shelley Godfrey–Coles: Can you assure us that you will keep putting pressure on WPP? Response by Councillor Darren Price, Leader of the Council: I absolutely understand that these are difficult times and emotive times on what is a really difficult situation in the in the Middle East as we as we have agreed on in this Chamber unanimously, you know we have decided to write to the pension partnership on this topic and that is in addition to a number of other divestment positions which we have taken as a Council. As I mentioned in one of my earlier answers this morning a lot of this sits outside our remit and all we can do is ask that the Wales Pension Fund and Dyfed Pension Fund takes into consideration the concerns that we have whilst of course importantly respecting that those Members have an important fiduciary role in terms of making ensuring pension funds are secure.
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RESOLVED that the nomination of Councillor R. Sparks to replace Councillor H. Jones as one of the Plaid Cymru Group’s representative on the Health & Social Services Scrutiny Committee be approved.
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the nomination of Councillor R. Sparks to replace Councillor H. Jones as one of the Plaid Cymru Group’s representative on the Health & Social Services Scrutiny Committee be approved.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the nomination of Councillor A. Evans to replace Councillor R. Sparks as one of the Plaid Cymru Group’s representative on the Communities, Homes & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee be approved.
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the nomination of Councillor A. Evans to replace Councillor R. Sparks as one of the Plaid Cymru Group’s representative on the Communities, Homes & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee be approved.
The Chair stated that the minutes outlined on the agenda under 13.1 – 13.8 were available for information on the Council website.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
Caiff datganiadau eu darllen o'r cofnodion unwaith y byddan nhw wedi'u cyhoeddi.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.