Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S.M. Allen, D.M. Cundy, B. Davies, T.A.J. Davies. R.E. Evans and G.R. Jones.

·   The Chair provided an overview of the array of events she and her consort had attended across the county since the last meeting, all of which had been interesting and informative.

·   Councillor A. Lenny, on behalf of Councillors G.H. John, P. Hughes-Griffiths and himself, acknowledged and commended former consultant pediatrician Dr. Dewi Evans, a resident within the Carmarthen Town North and South ward, for his central role as a medical expert in securing the conviction of serial baby killer Lucy Letby.  

·   Councillor G. Davies congratulated Jac Morgan from Brynaman on being selected as one of the captains for the Welsh Men’s Rugby Team at the World Cup.  Councillor G. Davies was delighted to note that two further Carmarthenshire residents, namely Gareth Davies and Gareth Thomas, had also been selected to represent Wales at the World Cup and conveyed his best wishes to the team at the forthcoming tournament.    Councillor G. Davies was also proud to note that Hannah Jones, captain of the Welsh Womens Rugby Team was also from Brynamman, which he felt demonstrated the high calibre of individuals within the locality.

·   Councillor J.K. Howell commended Owen Jones from Drefach Felindre who had finished within the top 25 competitors at the Ironman World Championships 2023 event in Finland, and as such had been invited to participate in the Ironman World Championships 2024 event, which would be held in New Zeland.

·   Councillor M. James congratulated and conveyed her best wishes to five members ofthe Llandyfaelog Short Mat Bowls Club, namely Andrea Bennett, Janet Davies, Llinos Jones, Shan Rees and Carloline Stiles, who had been chosen to represent Wales in a National Competition in Melton Mowbery on the 7th and 8th October.

·   Councillor H. Jones acknowledged the achievements of the Carmarthenshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs at the Royal Welsh show 2023 in the following categories:

-Cooking competition- St Ishmaels Young Farmers Club

-Fancy Dress competition – Llandovery Young Farmers Club

-Cwmni’r Nant Award - Dafydd Evans of St Ishmaels Young Farmers Club

-Seven-a-Side Rugby - Carmarthen Young Farmers Club

-Junior Woodwork - Capel Iwan Young Farmers Club

·       Councillor G.H. John congratulated Wynne Evans on being crowned Celebrity MasterChef champion and extended his appreciation to Mr Evans for being an ambassador for Carmarthenshire and Wales and the showcasing of local Welsh produce. 

There were no announcements.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of Council held on the 12^th July, 2023 be signed as a correct record.

Council was advised that vacancies had arisen on a number of committees as a result of the revised membership of the Cabinet, whereby Councillor H.A.L. Evans would replace Councillor G.H. John as the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism. The Leader paid tribute to Councillor G.H. John for his sterling contribution to the work of the Cabinet during his term of office. 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the nomination of Councillor G.H. John to replace Councillor H.A.L. Evans as one of the Plaid Cymru Group’s representative on the Health and Social Services Scrutiny Committee be approved.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the nomination of Councillor G.H. John to replace Councillor H.A.L. Evans as one of the Plaid Cymru Group’s representative on the Corporate Performance and Resources Scrutiny Committee be approved.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the nomination of Councillor R. Sparks to replace Councillor H.A.L. Evans as one of the Plaid Cymru Group’s representative on the Democratic Services Committee be approved.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4 (2) the following nomination has been delivered to the Chief Executive :-

Councillor Gareth John - Plaid Cymru Group

No other nominations have been received.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that Councillor G.H. John be elected Chair of the Health and Social Services Scrutiny Committee.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report of the meeting of Cabinet held on the 3^rd July, 2023 be received.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report of the meeting of Cabinet held on the 17^th July, 2023 be received.

“Llandeilo bypass

Council notes that the WELTAG1 report on the Llandeilo bypass in 2018 categorially eliminated as impractical, the concept of diverting HGVs away from Llandeilo town centre, without a bypass.

Council further notes that the Deputy Minister for Transport recently announced his intention to potentially resurrect this option pending further investigations. This would undoubtedly see HGV operators seeking shortcut diversions through rural villages in neighbouring wards on unsuitable roads or incur extra cost and time because of distance travelled. The impact would be felt by business in Llandeilo town who rely on HGVs for inward and outward deliveries, and an access only approach would render such action as ineffective and unenforceable. 

This Council calls on the Deputy Minister to reconsider his announced intention and to adhere to the findings of the 2018 report. Furthermore, this council requests that the Welsh Government promptly publishes the results of the WELTAG 2 consultation undertaken in November 2020 and makes good on the commitment made in 2016/17.” 

[Note: Councillor A. Davies had earlier declared an interest in this item and left the meeting during the deliberation and voting thereof].

Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillors Edward Thomas and Hefin Jones:-

“Council notes that the WELTAG1 report on the Llandeilo bypass in 2018 categorially eliminated as impractical, the concept of diverting HGVs away from Llandeilo town centre, without a bypass.

Council further notes that the Deputy Minister for Transport recently announced his intention to potentially resurrect this option pending further investigations. This would undoubtedly see HGV operators seeking shortcut diversions through rural villages in neighbouring wards on unsuitable roads or incur extra cost and time because of distance travelled. The impact would be felt by business in Llandeilo town who rely on HGVs for inward and outward deliveries, and an access only approach would render such action as ineffective and unenforceable. 

This Council calls on the Deputy Minister to reconsider his announced intention and to adhere to the findings of the 2018 report. Furthermore, this council requests that the Welsh Government promptly publishes the results of the WELTAG 2 consultation undertaken in November 2020 and makes good on the commitment made in 2016/17.” 

The motion was duly seconded.

The proposers 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 the Motion.

Following a vote, it was:

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Motion be supported and referred to the Cabinet.

“Shadows Depression Support Group

Shadows Depression Support Group in Glanaman has made a significant difference to the population of the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys over the last three years, providing a wide-ranging mental health service which impacts the wider community.

Shadow's funding was cut from the 5th of September which will affect the vulnerable people living in our communities they will be now more marginalised, and some will have their lives put at serious health risk due to this decision.

We are calling on Hywel Dda Health Board, Carmarthenshire County Council and GP Clusters to maintain the funding for these services or provide financial assistance to keep the services going until they receive grant funding this will help to maintain the mental health services provided for the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys.”

Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillors Kevin Madge and Rob James:-

“Shadows Depression Support Group in Glanaman has made a significant difference to the population of the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys over the last three years, providing a wide-ranging mental health service which impacts the wider community.

Shadow's funding was cut from the 5th of September which will affect the vulnerable people living in our communities they will be now more marginalised, and some will have their lives put at serious health risk due to this decision.

We are calling on Hywel Dda Health Board, Carmarthenshire County Council and GP Clusters to maintain the funding for these services or provide financial assistance to keep the services going until they receive grant funding this will help to maintain the mental health services provided for the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys.”

The motion was duly seconded.

The proposers 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.

The following amendment to the motion was proposed by Councillor J. Tremlett and was duly seconded:

“Shadows Depression Support Group in Glanaman has made a positive impact on the population of the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys over the last three years, providing a wide-ranging mental health service which impacts the wider community.

Council notes that Shadows’ funding was terminated from the 5^th September and there is widespread concern about the potential impact on its service users.

We call on Welsh Government, Hywel Dda University Health Board, the GP cluster and Carmarthenshire County Council to work with the Shadows Depression Support Group to try and find a sustainable funding solution in order to protect services in the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys.

Council further calls on Hywel Dda University Health Board to ensure that there are sufficient mental health services available to residents across all of Carmarthenshire, in both the short and long-term.”

The Proposer and Seconder of the Amendment were afforded the opportunity of speaking in support thereof and outlined the reasons for its submission, as set out in the Amendment.

A number of statements were made in support of both the motion and the amendment.

Council was advised that if the Amendment was carried it would become the substantive motion.

Following votes it was 

RESOLVED that the Motion, as amended, be supported and referred to the Cabinet.

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received. 

The Chair advised that no member questions had been received.</AI9>

The Chair stated that the minutes outlined on the agenda under 12.1 – 12.11 were available for information on the Council website.