Decided: Cabinet accepted the report. It delegated authority to the Chief Executive, until the Joint Strategic Director Economy and Place is in post. The Chief Executive can appoint Willmott Dixon by Direct Award under the Pagabo Developer Led Framework Lot 1b as Strategic Development and Investment Partner for both councils, subject to final procurement and legal assurance. The Chief Executive can also negotiate and agree the terms of the commercial relationship, at a cost of up to £300,000 (plus VAT) over 12 months.
Decided: The Cabinet Member awarded a grant of £74,989.30 to Newcastle Emlyn Town Council to improve play provision at King George V Playing Fields. The grant depends on two conditions. First, a full procurement exercise (the formal process for buying goods and services) that meets the grant requirements must be completed. Second, all necessary statutory approvals, permissions, licences and consents must be secured before work starts, where they apply.
Decided: After questioning the Executive Member and officers, the committee made six recommendations. (1) Members should get more detailed, regular updates on projects, including progress against milestones, risks, funding and timescales, and quicker warning when a project faces sudden risk of delay, cost pressure or funding change. (2) Communication with residents should be a priority, with clear and timely information on project phases, milestones and timelines, and a clear statement where changes result from value engineering (cutting scope or cost to stay within budget). (3) Communication should be clearer about funding sources, investment secured, any competitive process and benefits delivered, including that many schemes combine Council money with Welsh Government, UK Government and other external funding. (4) Consultation should be more inclusive, proactive and accessible, with events outside core working hours, such as evenings and weekends, and feedback reported back to communities. (5) The Executive Member should arrange an all-member seminar with the Council's new development and investment partner. (6) Post-project evaluation should be built into the programme to test whether projects delivered their intended outcomes, community benefits and value for money, and to record lessons learned. Members also asked for future reports to carry more detail on progress, risks, funding and milestones before the committee considers them. The minute does not record whether the recommendations were accepted.
Decided: The committee agreed a separate Special meeting could be convened on school transport. The requests for an Environmental Health reporting item and a Welsh Water discussion were noted as possible future items.
Decided: The committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission for application P/2026/0074, a residential development and associated works. Permission is subject to the conditions and informatives (advice notes) set out in the report. Councillor Ellen Jones did not take part in the discussion or vote.
Decided: Cabinet adopted the Neath Port Talbot Youth Work Strategy, which the minute dates 2027-2033, from 1 April 2027. The decision takes effect after the three day call-in period, when councillors can ask for it to be reviewed by scrutiny.
Decided: Cabinet approved the Council's proposed response to the recommendations in its Panel Performance Assessment report. The decision takes effect after the three day call-in period, when councillors can ask for a decision to be reviewed by scrutiny before it is carried out.
Decided: Cabinet noted the report, including earlier feasibility work on tram-train and rail options in the Neath Valley. It agreed to take into account the strategic merit and potential benefits of the Swansea to Neath / Aberdulais proposal. It supported continued officer talks with Transport for Wales and regional partners, and a further options report within nine months. It also supported officers in seeking other funding routes. The decisions take effect after the three day call-in period.
Decided: Having had due regard to the Integrated Impact Assessment, Cabinet noted the increase in the forecast cost of finishing the highway repairs, traffic and road safety schemes first identified for the £2.9 million programme. It approved an extra capital allocation of £500,000 to complete those schemes. It agreed the money will come from the additional £2.46 million of general capital funding the Welsh Government provided in 2025/26. Capital funding is money for building and repair work rather than day-to-day running costs. The decisions take effect after the three day call-in period.
RESOLVED that dispensation be granted under Regulation 2(2)(d) Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to Councillor Michael David Cranham to speak and make written representations but NOT vote on business at meetings of the County Council and Llanelli Town Council relating to or likely to affect Stebonheath Park in Llanelli and the dispensation be valid until the end of the Councillor’s term of office.
RESOLVED that dispensation be granted under Regulation 2(2)(d) Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to Councillor Sean Lucas Rees to speak and make written representations but NOT vote on business at meetings of the County Council and Llanelli Town Council relating to the use of Stebonheath Park in Llanelli by Llanelli AFC and the dispensation be valid until the end of the Councillor’s term of office.
RESOLVED that dispensation be granted under Regulation 2(2)(d) Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to Councillor Janae Annabel Holliday to speak and make written representations but NOT vote on business at meetings of St. Ishmael Community Council relating or likely to affect the River Towy Yacht Club and the dispensation be valid until the end of the Councillor’s term of office.