Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of personal interests.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 27 March, 2023 be signed as a correct record.

The Chair advised that no questions on notice had been submitted by members.

The Chair advised that four public questions had been received.

“In its manifesto, the incumbent party committed to the principle of 20-minute neighbourhoods and promoting active travel.  The manifesto specifically cites that “[Local Authorities] Creating incentives to encourage the take-up of e-bikes and encourage  the use of bike hire schemes, and [to] explore the potential for e-cargo bikes to replace vans and cut HGV traffic” is important  for this. (Plaid Cymru 2022; Local Government Manifesto; pg. 24) Since being elected in 2022, how has the council furthered the aims of these commitments, particularly the one regarding e- bikes and bike hire schemes?”

The Chair informed the Cabinet that the questioner, Mr Conor MacDonald was unable to attend the meeting to ask his question.  Accordingly, the Leader of the Council read the question on his behalf, as follows:

“In its manifesto, the incumbent party committed to the principle of 20-minute neighbourhoods and promoting active travel. The manifesto specifically cites that “[Local Authorities] Creating incentives to encourage the take-up of e-bikes and encourage the use of bike hire schemes, and [to] explore the potential for e-cargo bikes to replace vans and cut HGV traffic” is important for this. (Plaid Cymru 2022; Local Government Manifesto; pg. 24) Since being elected in 2022, how has the council furthered the aims of these commitments, particularly the one regarding e- bikes and bike hire schemes?”

Response by Councillor. Darren Price, Leader of the Council:-

“The text that is quoted in the question refers to the national manifesto that Plaid Cymru published prior to the Local Government elections last year.  Clearly members and members of the public will be aware that, in Carmarthenshire Plaid Cymru developed its own local manifesto and that was the basis in which we engaged with residents prior to the election last year, so whilst there are some elements of the national manifesto which have been copied to the local manifesto, not all of the text has been, and this is one such example.  Having said that, clearly as a Cabinet we set out our ambitions in terms of active travel across the county within our Cabinet vision statement last July, and there is clear reference to the need to develop this area within the corporate strategy and within the business plans that have been agreed by Council and which are in the process of being developed as we speak.  Therefore, just to provide some context in terms of what we are doing in terms of this agenda:

·       We have provided supporting infrastructure for Actif’s e-bike hire schemes currently being delivered by the Council’s Sports Development Team.  The Actif Leisure colleagues are piloting the first ‘live’ hiring facility through the Actif app at Llandovery Leisure Centre during the eisteddfod week.  If it runs well, it will be rolled out at Ammanford Carmarthen and Llanelli Leisure Centre sites. All sites now have charging stations and bikes, and we assisted by installing secure cycle storage at the four sites.

·       We are also providing free of charge e-bike charging at eight locations across the county which will be further promoted in the following financial year once all signage is installed. This number is continuing to expand. Current locations include Pembrey Country Park, The Beacon, The Eastgate, Amman Valley Leisure Centre, Carmarthen Leisure Centre, Llandovery Leisure Centre, St Catherine's Walk, Y Caban in Pendine, and soon to be introducing a further location at Cwmamman Cycle Hub in Garnant.

·       We have purchased twelve e-cargo bikes and are trialling their use through the Llanelli BID - we have been engaging with Town Centre groups and Regeneration colleagues in order  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.1

“News that our last bank (Barclays) is to close in Llandeilo in June is a blow for local access to services, but as the fourth to close in recent years, this will also have significant impact on the character of the town. The former HSBC and Lloyds bank buildings, which closed respectively in 2014 and 2018, remain vacant and in a state of decline, despite at least one being listed for its historic and architectural significance. What is the Council doing to protect and enhance Llandeilo's historic high street - and how can residents get involved?”

“News that our last bank (Barclays) is to close in Llandeilo in June is a blow for local access to services, but as the fourth to close in recent years, this will also have significant impact on the character of the town. The former HSBC and Lloyds bank buildings, which closed respectively in 2014 and 2018, remain vacant and in a state of decline, despite at least one being listed for its historic and architectural significance. What is the Council doing to protect and enhance Llandeilo's historic high street - and how can residents get involved?”

Response by Councillor. Ann Davies, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and Planning Policy:-

“I’m going to apologise at the beginning for this long and comprehensive answer but I feel that I need to note some of the investments which have benefited Llandeilo since we’ve led the Council which was in 2015. 

With regards to the banks, 3 of the 4 high street banks have closed:  HSBC was sold and bought by a developer; it has planning permission granted for conversion to a wine bar,  but no work has been completed for 3 years. Lloyds Bank and Nat West have been bought by the owner of the Cawdors and I’m sure we’ll see plans coming forward in due course, bearing in mind how well run the Cawdors is, I have no concerns about these buildings.

But can I concentrate on what the Plaid-led coalition has provided for Llandeilo as we cannot change any commercial decisions by Barclays, even though they returned a £5 billion profit last year. It is unfortunate that these multi-national banks are closing branches across the UK and have been for a number of years. It’s also disappointing that the UK Conservative Government are not taking action to try and prevent the closure of these branches in the first place. I believe that local branches have a key role in terms of supporting our rural communities, yet the UK Conservative Government have done nothing, or next to nothing in the past 10 years to prevent this situation from developing. There is a clear need for more regulation of the banking sector and for greater protection of rural branches, but the UK Conservative Government seem more intent on supporting their friends in the city, than in supporting rural communities such as Llandeilo.

Llandeilo is one of our 10 market towns and has had a significant injection of funds through regeneration over the past few years. As you know this administration has just completed the refurbishment of the Grade II listed Llandeilo Market Hall which will create and accommodate 45 jobs and up to 17 SMEs in the heart of the town centre. This investment of just over £4.1m will act as a catalyst for further regeneration in the town. And over £2.4 m has been Council contribution and the remainder from Welsh Government.

Llandeilo has also had a conservation Area Appraisal over the past year.  This has produced ideas and opportunities for its  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.2

“Will Carmarthenshire County Council support a campaign for a Dyffryn Towy AONB; The suggested boundaries of this would be based on the area identified as “Outstanding Landscape” on Natural Resources Wales’ LANDMAP assessment.”

“Will Carmarthenshire County Council support a campaign for a Dyffryn Towy AONB; The suggested boundaries of this would be based on the area identified as “Outstanding Landscape” on Natural Resources Wales’ LANDMAP assessment.”

Response by Councillor. Ann Davies, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and Planning Policy:-

“Thank you for your question.  As you know the designation of an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) falls within the remit of NRW and Welsh Government Ministers, and although Carmarthenshire will have a consultation role, we are not the decision makers. Also, may I remind you Havard that a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty does not stop pylons from being built on these sites, such as Eryri and Bannau Brycheiniog, and also an SLA didn’t stop Wind Turbines being built on the top of Mynydd y Betws.

The Cambrian Mountains AONB group have been working on their application for around 2 years and asked from the Council’s support as the northern end of the County falls within the area.  They have submitted their application and have been told by Welsh ministers that the application will not be assessed until 2025/26 at the earliest, and then only if it went into the new Government’s forward works programme.

Therefore, they have been working on this since 2021 and may have a response by 2026.  Bearing in mind that Bute and Green Gen hope to submit a DNS application by 2024 – the timescale is not on our side in this matter, and as you know a DNS application is again decided by Welsh Government and not this County Council.

Going back to the question of AONB, before submitting a response to the Cambrian Mountains, I consulted with all three Community Councils which fall within the boundary of this application.  All three Community Councils came back with a negative response.  One of which is within the Usk/Tywi Valley route.  Their main concerns were planning applications, as it is perceived that obtaining planning for a second Rural Enterprise Home or for additional sheds for lambing and calving would be much more difficult in an area designated as an AONB.  The FUW and NFU Cymru are against additional AONBs, as are National Parks for this reason. 

Can I assure you Havard, that I am determined to do all that I can to protect our special landscapes across the county whilst also ensuring that local farms and enterprises are able to develop and support jobs within our rural areas and to provide a vibrant economy for all our residents.

Therefore, before making a definitive decision on this matter, I feel that it is vitally important that consultation takes place with affected residents and businesses.  It is vital that anybody proposing an AONB in the Tywi Valley consults with those who live in the area, those who run businesses in the area, elected representatives of the local community councils, elected representatives of this County Council, and organisations such as the farming unions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.3

"Hywel Dda University Health Board is currently consulting on its New Hospital Site with respect to a new planned and urgent care hospital. 

This will see a severe downgrading of services in Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen, which residents are strongly opposed to.

Assuming Carmarthenshire County Council has made representations to Hywel Dda University Health Board on the consultation, which of the three proposed sites- St Clears, Whitland Spring Gardens or Whitland Ty Newydd- is the Council's preferred option?"

"Hywel Dda University Health Board is currently consulting on its New Hospital Site with respect to a new planned and urgent care hospital. This will see a severe downgrading of services in Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen, which residents are strongly opposed to. Assuming Carmarthenshire County Council has made representations to Hywel Dda University Health Board on the consultation, which of the three proposed sites- St Clears, Whitland Spring Gardens or Whitland Ty Newydd- is the Council's preferred option?"

Response by Councillor. Darren Price, Leader of the Council:-

‘’Thank you for the question.  First of all you’ll be aware of statements that have been made over a number of years by members of this Council in terms of the importance of Glangwili to Carmarthenshire, and our position has not changed in that sense - we see Glangwili as having a central role in delivering healthcare to the people of Carmarthenshire going forward. I do, however question the rationale behind your question, it seems rather pointless, in the sense that as you’re fully aware, the Health Board is the decision making body on this so I do wonder why you’re asking the County Council for their opinion on the sites that are being put forward.  I feel the question is shallow and lacks depth because frankly there are far greater challenges facing health and social care in this part of the world, as indeed the rest of the United Kingdom.  There is no mention in the question in terms of the importance of the transfer of care from acute to community settings – that is absolutely fundamental and it is something that as a Council we have been pressing the Health Board on for a number of years and we think it’s absolutely central to any vision of health and social care moving forward.  It doesn’t touch on the importance of public health and the preventative agenda which is absolutely important, again as we look to develop the system in future years.  And it mentions nothing around the recruitment and retention which is the major issue facing the Hywel Dda Health Board, as it is for other Health Boards around the UK.  As you’re aware, the UK Conservative Government has presided over 10 years of cuts to public services which means that a number of our health services are on the brink of collapse.  There has been a spectacular failure to invest in both assets and people in the health service, as has been the case across the rest of the public sector over that decade.  The impact on the health services is that we have people dying across the UK, avoidable deaths; people dying on trolleys in A&E, or worse still stuck at home because an ambulance has failed to get to them.  That is the record of ten years of austerity, - and we wonder why the health service is in such a mess?.  If we want to increase and improve services in any walk of life, we have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.4

In accordance with the Cabinet’s approval on 25 October 2021 for the Council to re-sign the Armed Forces Covenant [minute 6.1 thereof refers], consideration was given to a report which detailed the progress made by the Council towards achieving the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme silver award.

Cabinet Members reviewed the essential criteria for the silver award against the Council’s current status in relation to each requirement which demonstrated that all requirements had been met, however it was recognised that adoption of the Guaranteed Interview Scheme could further enhance the Council’s approach and commitment to the armed forces covenant.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that:

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to note that the Plaid Cymru Group has nominated Councillor Llinos Davies to replace Councillor Hefin Jones on the Corporate Parenting and Safeguarding Panel.

The Chair advised that there were no items of urgent business.