Wrthi'n llwytho
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RESOLVED: 4.1 That the draft regional transport plan for South West Wales be noted; 4.2 to write to the Welsh Government expressing the importance of securing consequential funding from the HS2 project and that fair apportionment should be made with respect to investment in Carmarthenshire.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting on the 25th April 2025, be noted.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Peter Cooper, Shelly Godfrey-Coles and Karen Davies.
Councillor Minute Item(s) Nature of Interest N. Lewis 2. 4. Draft Transport Plan for South West Wales Cllr Lewis works in the renewable energy industry and is a member of community car clubs. 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.
The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: 4.1 That the draft regional transport plan for South West Wales be noted; 4.2 to write to the Welsh Government expressing the importance of securing consequential funding from the HS2 project and that fair apportionment should be made with respect to investment in Carmarthenshire.
[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 the Draft Regional Transport Plan for South West Wales for consideration. The Plan covered the period 2025-2030 and had been developed on behalf of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee (CJC) incorporating a detailed policy framework and investment delivery plan for the Carmarthenshire CC, Neath Port Talbot CBC, Pembrokeshire CC and the City and County of Swansea areas. Members noted that a public consultation on the draft Regional Transport Plan for South West Wales RTP was currently live and would run until 6th April 2025. The consultation documents were appended to the report. The following comments/queries were raised in relation to the report:- • In response to a comment regarding the little emphasis on the protection of old railway routes, the Transport Strategy and Infrastructure Manager explained that the plan did not directly include investment decisions related to rail, revenue or the trunk road network as these were outside of the remit of the local authority. However, the plan had included emphasis in regard to the importance of securing and maintaining some rail routes eg the Aman Valley railway line. In addition, it was highlighted that the plan had identified some disused railway lines could be utilised for other forms of active travel to connect communities and to provide community value an example of which was the ongoing work on the Gwendraeth Valley Line, together with the Gwendraeth Railway Society. • In observing that the report was very aspirational, concern was expressed in regard to the phrase ‘subject to funding’ which was cited frequently. Due to the aspirational view of the plan, it was felt that it could be more practicable by being refined into achievable projects by way of a medium-term plan. To clarify, the Head of Environmental Infrastructure explained that the Draft Regional Plan included a list of schemes that had been developed, and it was unlikely that all the schemes would be developed and/or delivered within the 5 year timescale of the report. However, it was highlighted that the region was currently working to prioritise the project list by categorising into a high, medium and low priority. The highest priority would be taken forward over the next five years across the region of Swansea, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Neath Port Talbot. • In acknowledging the ongoing consultation, which was due to end on 6th April 2025, it was asked if a further report would be presented to the Committee together with the outcome of the consultation? The Transport Strategy and Infrastructure Manager reported following conclusion of the consultation. Responses will be considered and where appropriate will inform the final Regional Transport Plan, which would then be considered for approval by the CJC and subsequently deposited to the Welsh Government Summer 2025. • In response to a query raised in regard to how the plan would align with regional bus services, the Head of Environmental Infrastructure stated that the plan included the development of bus infrastructure and how it could be improved to facilitate localised services. Members were reminded that there was a separate programme ongoing with Transport for Wales and Welsh Government on bus franchising, and following receipt of the detail on how this would look like going forward, a report explaining this would be provided to Committee. In acknowledging that limited funds would challenge the delivery of the plan, and in respect of the terminated HS2 project, it was proposed that the Committee send a letter to the Welsh Government expressing the importance of securing consequential funding from the HS2 project and that fair apportionment should be made with respect to investment in Carmarthenshire. This was duly seconded. It was felt that should the funding due from the HS2 be received the projects within the Regional Transport Plan would be far more achievable financially. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED: 4.1 That the draft regional transport plan for South West Wales be noted; 4.2 to write to the Welsh Government expressing the importance of securing consequential funding from the HS2 project and that fair apportionment should be made with respect to investment in Carmarthenshire.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
The Committee received a report which provided an update on the work undertaken by Trading Standards in response to increasing concerns over the proliferation of illegal vaping products and their accessibility to minors. The project was undertaken by Trading Standards to address the health risks associated with vaping, ensure regulatory compliance, raise public awareness, with the aim of protecting the health and well-being of the Carmarthen population, particularly its youth. The following comments/queries were raised in relation to the report:- • Reference was made to page 7 of the report – Underage Sales. It was commented that it was interesting to note that 8 premises had made a sale during the in person test purchasing, which was conducted at 66 premises across the County using a young volunteer aged 15 years. However, it was surprising to note that 100% of 12 online businesses which had been tested had declined the young volunteers. • In response to a concern regarding the increasing issue of littering of disposable vapes, the Head of Environmental Infrastructure explained that a Neighbourhood Action Plan was in place and that a social media drive had recently taken place that highlighted the matter of the illegal disposal of vapes. The Action Plan included areas of CCTV, litter hotspots/challenging areas as well as the ongoing work with ‘Pride in our Patch’ teams to assist in litter picks. As a last resort, those who were witnessed littering could be at risk in receiving a fixed penalty notice and be fined up to £125. Furthermore, the Senior Consumer & Business Affairs Manager reported that the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 make it a criminal offence to supply or offer to supply single-use vape products to consumers in Wales, this Act would be in force from 1st June 2025. These Regulations aimed to reduce the environmental harm caused by the production and incorrect disposal of single-use vapes. • The Senior Consumer & Business Affairs Manager, in response to a query raised on education and prevention, stated that the team over the years had entered schools together with Police Liaison Officers. However, whilst the work with schools had ceased due to limited resources, work was being undertaken to explore other options including the possibility of commissioning individuals within the education sector. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be noted.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
The Committee received a report which provided Committee Members with an update on the Waste Service Review and included the reasons behind the challenges that had been experienced during the collections of waste during the recent bank holidays. The report stated that Carmarthenshire Council was preparing and planning for a major waste service change in 2026. The service change would involve changing the residual collection frequency from a 3-weekly to 4-weekly collection. The recycling service would depart from a commingled collection, with a separate glass and food to the Welsh Government Blueprint collection methodology of kerbside sort together with the development and transition to a new Centralised Depot. The following comments/queries were raised in relation to the report:- • It was commented that better communication to residents was required, it was expressed that being better informed could alleviate much of the frustrations caused by missed collections. Suggestions included informing those residents in advance that their collections would not be made which in turn would avoid disappointment. Further questions were raised in regard to providing up-to-date information about which areas weren't likely to have their waste collected on a particular day. The Head of Environmental Infrastructure explained that the Council’s ‘waste disruption’ web page was the best method to broadcast up to date information, as communicating with each affected County Councillor on a daily basis would prove to be a challenge and resource heavy. • In highlighting that many Councillors had received a significant amount of collection complaints over the Christmas period 2024, assurances were sought that the difficulties experienced would not be repeated during Easter 2025. The Head of Environmental Infrastructure stated that whilst it would be remiss of him to provide assurances that there wouldn’t be any difficulties collecting waste from the 91,000 households over the bank holiday, he was able to report that a number of actions had been undertaken with the aim to improve the Easter bank holiday collections. The Head of Environmental Infrastructure explained that the main challenge was staff availability, due to the workforce having no contractual obligation to work either on a bank holiday or the weekend. This proved a risk to service scheduled waste collections during bank holidays. Whilst some employees decide in advance that they do not wish to work in such pre-determined circumstances, staff shortages were minimised by requesting volunteers from cleansing and ground maintenance services. Assurance was provided to Members that the Bank Holiday service provision was being reviewed and that the team was working closely with Trade Union colleagues in order to find a solution in the shorter and longer term to provide certainty of service. • In response to the concerns raised in regard reports of a visible increase of flytipping, the Head of Environmental Infrastructure explained the current waste system which included the timely collections of recycling, garden and nappy waste as well as household appliances. It was reported that should households adhere to the recycling provisions available there would be very little left to place in the general black bag waste. • It was reported that there were households not recycling and putting out 20+ bags out for collection, which was way over the allowed number per household. It was asked how this situation was managed? The Head of Environmental Infrastructure explained that there was a robust engagement and enforcement process in place. Properties that do not recycle or place excess black bags for collection would be subject to investigation by Waste Wardens who do joint visits with the waste crew. Initially, a letter would be sent to the individual property informing them of their obligation to recycle, the next stage would involve a visit by the Waste Warden should there be no response in terms of recycling a fixed term penalty notice would be issued. Members were encouraged to report areas of concern to the waste team. • In noting that from Autumn 2026, householders in Carmarthenshire would have their black bin bags picked up every four weeks rather than the current three, it was commented that collections of recyclable products like cardboard, plastic, food waste and glass had been on the increase, therefore it was asked if the four-weekly black bag regime would be rolled out area by area or county-wide all at once? The Head of Environmental Infrastructure said it would be the latter, partly based on advice from other councils which had adopted four-weekly collections. • It was asked, if people with dogs should dispose of their pets' waste in black bags? The Head of Environmental Infrastructure reported that other Councils had advised dog owners to invest in "pet waste digesters" which when buried two feet in the garden, naturally broke down pet excrement. A further query was raised seeking advice on flushing dog waste down the toilet. The Head of Environmental Infrastructure advised heavily against flushing dog waste down the toilets due to the pathogens contained in animal waste being very different to that produced by humans and therefore would not be dealt with appropriately at water treatment works. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be noted.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting on the 25th April 2025, be noted.
The Committee received a list of forthcoming items to be considered at its next meeting to be held on the 25th April 2025. The Committee also considered the queries and responses submitted in regard to the items circulated under a different cover since 28th January 2025 and the responses to the queries raised at the Scrutiny Meeting held on 20th November 2025 – Appendix A and B were appended to the report respectively. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting on the 25th April 2025, be noted.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 28th January 2025 be signed as a correct record.
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