Issue - meetings

“I would like to know from the Leader of the Council what action is going to be taken to put the Garnant Workman’s Hall in a safe condition before winter and resolve the biggest eye sore in the Amman Valley, in addition it is the biggest fire risk in Carmarthenshire and a danger to all local residents”.

“I would like to know from the Leader of the Council what action is going to be taken to put the Garnant Workman’s Hall in a safe condition before winter and resolve the biggest eye sore in the Amman Valley, in addition it is the biggest fire risk in Carmarthenshire and a danger to all local residents?”

Response by Councillor Darren Price – Leader of the Council:-

“I passed through Garnant Sunday – the building is an eyesore and I accept that. But unfortunately it is a legacy we see all too often throughout the South Wales coalfields – these old working men’s halls, institutes, areas that have been central to the community over decades now lying there in rack and ruin. But it’s not always the case we have seen some good examples here in Carmarthenshire where community groups and individuals have taken on these institutions and they are thriving. But unfortunately that isn’t the case in Garnant.   As the Member will be aware, the property was actually sold to a new owner in December 2021. I am aware there is an application pending with the Land Registry, which officers believe relates to this site and as soon as the transaction is registered with the Land Registry office, officers within the council will be able to identify and engage with the new owners concerning the building. With regards to the safety aspects rightly raised Building Control officers from the council’s planning department have attended the property on a number of occasions to assess the structural integrity of the wall on site. The last inspection took place on the 19th May 2022 and the conclusion that officers came to was that they do not consider the wall to be dangerous at the current time in line with sections 77 and 78 of the Building Act 1984. Officers will however continue to monitor the situation over the next 12 months. As the member will be aware, and as any member of the Planning Committee will be aware, planning permission was sought and approved a few years ago for a care home on the site and I have asked officers to pursue discussions with the new owners once their identity is known. It’s absolutely important that we know what their plans are for the site. But clearly there are a number of derelict properties, I’ve got some in my own ward and I’m sure members across the chamber have got similar properties, which are in private ownership. Now if we need a discussion in terms of the Council’s strategy on that then that’s a different discussion but I would hope that members would refrain from bringing individual examples to the chamber. But I think that the issue that is raised in principle is something we need to look at and I would be more than happy to have that discussion with members across the chamber. But with regard to this specific example in Garnant , Cllr. Madge, officers have undertaken a safety  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13

“I would like to know from the Leader of the Council what action is going to be taken to put the Garnant Workman’s Hall in a safe condition before winter and resolve the biggest eye sore in the Amman Valley, in addition it is the biggest fire risk in Carmarthenshire and a danger to all local residents”.