Wrthi'n llwytho
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RESOLVED that: 4.1 the 2025/26 End of Quarter 3 Performance Report be received; 4.2 the concerns of the committee in regard to the off target measures - PP/FOOD/001, PP/FOOD/002 and PPN/001i as stated within the report be referred to the Cabinet with a detailed report to be considered.
RESOLVED that the Air Quality Update report be received.
RESOLVED that the Planning Enforcement report be received.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Neil Lewis and Gareth Thomas. The Chair informed Committee Members that this would be his final meeting serving as Chair, although he plans to continue as a Member of the Committee. He expressed gratitude to fellow members and officers for their support over the past three years, stating that their contributions had been of significant value to the communities of Carmarthenshire. Committee members and officers conveyed their appreciation to the Chair for his effective guidance and leadership of the Committee.
Councillor Minute Item(s) Nature of Interest Edward Thomas 5 – Air Quality Report Cllr Thomas lives in Llandeilo which is one of the 3 Air Quality Management Areas focused upon within the report. Councillor Thomas remained in the meeting and took part in the discussions.
The Chair confirmed that no public questions had been received.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that: 4.1 the 2025/26 End of Quarter 3 Performance Report be received; 4.2 the concerns of the committee in regard to the off target measures - PP/FOOD/001, PP/FOOD/002 and PPN/001i as stated within the report be referred to the Cabinet with a detailed report to be considered.
The Committee received the Performance Report for quarter 3 of the 2025/26 year for consideration. 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 following queries / comments were raised in relation to the report:- • Reference was made to page 2 of the report - PP/FOOD/001. Strong concerns were voiced about the comment: ‘These difficulties relate to remuneration, professional accreditation requirements, and the availability of competitive opportunities in the private sector. Such constraints continue to impact the section’s ability to fully meet programmed service delivery and statutory expectations.’ The issues raised centred on the likelihood that targets would not be achieved due to the shortage of qualified personnel putting the safety of constituents at risk. It was suggested that introducing an apprenticeship scheme could help generate more interest, promote development, and improve retention. It was also noted that hiring staff from other departments would not solve the underlying problem. • The Head of Healthy Communities and Public Protection reported that the issue of recruiting qualified personnel was a national issue and not unique to Carmarthenshire. Discussions were ongoing with Environmental Health Wales (EHW) and Directors of Public Protection Wales (DPPW) groups and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) regard the challenges faced around workforce planning. The challenges apply across many sub-sections of Public Protection work. The Head of HC&PP stated that whilst more resources would always be welcomed, the main challenge was recruiting personnel with suitable qualifications, and not a lack of financial resources to do so, and that additional funding had been found for the service. The department has successfully recruited one officer who is currently participating in internal training to be fully up to speed with Carmarthenshire caseloads. However, two staff members had also left the department within the past twelve months. Members were informed that a level 4 apprenticeship scheme that has been agreed in terms of environmental health and a level 6 qualification working with Cardiff Metropolitan University was currently being developed. In terms of Carmarthenshire, a robust workforce plan has been developed with the intention to grow-our-own staffing, however, this is unfortunately, not a quick fix. Additionally, alternative options were being considered including seeking staff from other sections of Public Protection who already held the relevant qualifications but would need a brief refresher in terms of the necessary skills to undertake specific food competency work. Online systems and AI are actively being considered to support the work, whilst, staff from Business Support and the wider catering division were also being trained up to support with low-level tasks to help address the backlog with low risk premises, whilst continuing to develop long-term strategies to recruit qualified professional. Members were advised that discussions with the Food Standards Agency were ongoing and a recovery plan was being implemented based on the available resources. National support was highlighted as essential for progress. The Public Protection Manager explained that, as part of a long-term strategy for internal staff development, ongoing collaboration is taking place with Cardiff Metropolitan University engaging with students from Carmarthenshire who are currently pursuing Environmental Health degrees, with the intention of considering them as potential future recruits. In light of the concerns raised, it was proposed that the off target measures - PP/FOOD/001, PP/FOOD/002 and PPN/001i as stated within the report be referred to the Cabinet for further consideration. This was duly seconded. RESOLVED that: 4.1 the 2025/26 End of Quarter 3 Performance Report be received; 4.2 the concerns of the committee in regard to the off target measures - PP/FOOD/001, PP/FOOD/002 and PPN/001i as stated within the report be referred to the Cabinet with a detailed report to be considered.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the Air Quality Update report be received.
[Note: Having earlier declared an interest in this item, Councillor E. Thomas reiterated his personal interest, remained in the Chamber and took part in the discussions.] The Committee considered the Air Quality Update report which provided detailed information on air quality in Carmarthenshire for the year 2025, focusing on the monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) concentrations, compliance with Air Quality Objectives (AQOs), and factors influencing air quality across the county. The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, in presenting the report stated that this report denoted another strong year of progress within the County. It was highlighted that for a 5th consecutive year NO2 level across the county including the three designated Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in Llandeilo, Carmarthen and Llanelli remained below the national AQO limits with continued improvements year on year. This is a testament to sustained improvements over time. It was reported that the results could only be achieved with the significant proactive work undertaken by the Environment Protection team who had delivered an impressive programme securing funding and engaging a number of schools and initiatives. Expansion of monitoring network to 96 tubes and real time monitors. This work is vital in gathering data and help improve public understanding and behavioural change. The following queries / comments were raised in relation to the report:- • The team’s dedication and effort were genuinely appreciated by members, resulting in positive outcomes. • Reference was made to the consideration of revoking the AQMA’s as described on page 1 of the report. In noting that at least 3 consecutive years were needed to show levels below the borderline compliance levels it was felt that the AQMA of Llandeilo (Rhosmaen Street) should not be revoked as this remained a very busy trunk road through the town. Although improvements in NO2 levels were attributed to the growing adoption of electric vehicles, there were still concerns about emissions from the numerous buses and lorries that travel along that route. An update on the situation of the new Llandeilo bypass was also verbally requested. In response to the concerns expressed and to provide an update on the Llandeilo bypass, the Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services concurred with Members' observations that Llandeilo is situated along a principal trunk road frequently used by heavy goods vehicles and buses. It was reported that the Ecological Surveys for the new bypass had been commenced by Welsh Government which provided much hope for its long-awaited progression. The Head of Environmental Infrastructure provided assurances that the team were committed to working with Welsh Government and South Wales Trunk Road Agency on the delivery of the scheme. As the Llandeilo bypass formed part of Carmarthenshire’s Regional Transport Plan for the next 5 years, Members were offered a specific update to be presented at the next meeting. RESOLVED that the Air Quality Update report be received.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the Planning Enforcement report be received.
The Committee received a report containing information in respect of Planning Enforcement matters for consideration. The Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Communities and Welsh Language was pleased to introduce the report to the Committee following a request for it to be included onto the Forward Work Plan. The report stated that effective planning enforcement underpins the whole Development Management function, helping ensure development accords with development plans whilst at the same time protecting the environment and public amenity. An effective development management process requires Local Planning Authorities to be prepared to take enforcement action where it is expedient to do so in the public interest. The planning enforcement function deals primarily with ‘unauthorised development’ which is defined as: • development carried out without the necessary planning permission or • development carried out contrary to a condition attached to a planning permission The report included the principals of Planning Enforcement, the Council’s Planning Enforcement Statement (January 2022) together with information in relation to the investigation stages and case examples. The following queries / comments were raised in relation to the report:- • Members were very complimentary about the report and were pleased to note the positive improvements that had been made and continue to be made in terms of planning enforcement matters. • Reference was made to Table 5 within the report, which detailed the percentage of cases where positive action was taken within 180 days. While it was observed that there appeared to be a gradual decline in performance regarding positive action, it was commented that, overall, the data reflected a commendable improvement over the years. • It was asked in the event that more information has been provided from a complainant, could this be considered after the case has been closed? The Senior Development and Enforcement Manager explained that should further information become available it can be re-submitted as a further complaint which may result in a different outcome. The Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Communities and Welsh Language took the opportunity to inform the Committee that more statistical details are available in the Q3 report which is to be presented to the Communities, Homes & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee as well as quarterly updates to the Planning Committee. In addition, it was highlighted that in order to prevent frustration, it's essential to know the steps involved and why they take time. RESOLVED that the Planning Enforcement report be received.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 29th January, 2026 be signed as a correct record.
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