Agenda and minutes

Venue: Chamber - County Hall, Carmarthen. SA31 1JP and remotely. View directions

Contact: Kevin Thomas  01267 224027

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Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A. Davies, S. Davies, H.A.L. Evans, D. Nicholas, D. Philips and G.B. Thomas.

2.

DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTERESTS.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no declarations of personal interests.

3.

CHAIR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

·         The Chair stated that he and his consort had had the pleasure of attending a number of events subsequent to the previous meeting of the Council in September 2022

·         Councillor Alun Lenny, Cabinet Board Member for Resources, in accordance with part 2 (2)(c) of the Council’s Corporate Procedure Rules made an announcement to the Council on the severe financial pressures facing it, and other Welsh Local Authorities, arising from the current economic situation facing the United Kingdom through a rising cost of living brought about by a number of factors such as the war in the Ukraine, high fuel and energy costs, higher than budgeted inflation and pay awards.

 

Those pressures, could result in the Council facing a projected shortfall of between £6 and £22m for the coming financial year and officers were working hard on achieving a balanced budget, as required by law. It was therefore important the Council joined with other local authorities in lobbying the UK Government for total financial support to meet energy price increases and the Welsh Government for significant extra funding. Should that additional support not be forthcoming, the Council faced an unprecedented reduction in services and / or a double figure council tax increase.

·         Councillor Glynog Davies congratulated Hannah Jones from Brynamman who had been appointed captain of the Welsh Women’s Rugby team currently playing in the World Cup in New Zealand. He congratulated the team on its win over Scotland and conveyed his best wishes for the team’s forthcoming match against New Zealand

 

He also congratulated Ellie Morgan from Brynamman who had captained the Wales Women’s Sevens rugby team over the summer

4.

TO CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEMOCRATIC SERVICES COMMITTEE IN RESPECT OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:-

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4.1

MULTI - LOCATION MEETING POLICY pdf icon PDF 98 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered a report detailing the recommendation of the Democratic Services Committee on the adoption of a Policy for the convening of multi-location meetings following the introduction of ‘The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Democratic Services Committee on the adoption of a policy for the convening of multi location meetings be approved.

4.2

TIMING OF MEETING SURVEY pdf icon PDF 100 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered a report detailing the recommendation of the Democratic Services Committee on the timing of Council meetings following a survey undertaken of members undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011

 

Reference was made to the survey having been undertaken immediately following the recent local government elections when new members may not have been aware of the demands on their time and attendance at Council meetings. It was suggested that the Democratic Services Committee undertake a fresh survey in a year’s time to recanvas members views. The Chief Executive confirmed that a further survey could be undertaken.

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Democratic Services Committee on the timing of Council Meetings be approved and the arrangements remain as at present.

5.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS (NONE RECEIVED).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.

6.

QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS (NONE RECEIVED)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair advised that no questions by members had been received.

 

7.

PRESENTATION OF A PETITION

Topic – Road and Pavement Safety in Newcastle Emlyn

Desired Outcome

 

·       Carry out, or procure, a thorough road and pavement safety review into all factors affecting the safe use of public roads and pavements in Newcastle Emlyn (Bridge Street, Castle Street, Church Lane, College Street, Ebenezer Street, Emlyn Square, Market Place, Market Square, New Road, Old Graig Street, Porth Street, Sycamore Street, Water Street, the area leading from the Tanyard Lane carpark out to College Street (by NFU) and all three public carparks).

·       Highway designers should seek safety opportunities specific to the needs of Newcastle Emlyn and apply sound safety and traffic engineering principles and solutions to achieve a safer road and pavement infrastructure for Newcastle Emlyn. For example, improve the existing zebra crossing near the police station (or improve and convert it to a puffin crossing), install a second zebra or puffin crossing near Cawdor Hall (clock tower), remove all unnecessary sections of ‘dropped kerb’, install speed indicator devices and/or speed cameras, install safety barriers, increase safety signage.

·       Promote and encourage the safe use of public roads and pavements by all classes of road and footpath users through the circulation of advice, information and knowledge gained from the review.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Town Councillor David Thomas who had been invited to present to, and address the Council on the following petition relating to Road and Pavement Safety in Newcastle Emlyn. He stated that whilst being a town councillor for Newcastle Emlyn, he was submitting the petition as a concerned resident..

 

·         Carry out, or procure, a thorough road and pavement safety review into all factors affecting the safe use of public roads and pavements in Newcastle Emlyn (Bridge Street, Castle Street, Church Lane, College Street, Ebenezer Street, Emlyn Square, Market Place, Market Square, New Road, Old Graig Street, Porth Street, Sycamore Street, Water Street, the area leading from the Tanyard Lane carpark out to College Street (by NFU) and all three public carparks).

·         Highway designers should seek safety opportunities specific to the needs of Newcastle Emlyn and apply sound safety and traffic engineering principles and solutions to achieve a safer road and pavement infrastructure for Newcastle Emlyn. For example, improve the existing zebra crossing near the police station (or improve and convert it to a puffin crossing), install a second zebra or puffin crossing near Cawdor Hall (clock tower), remove all unnecessary sections of ‘dropped kerb’, install speed indicator devices and/or speed cameras, install safety barriers, increase safety signage.

·         Promote and encourage the safe use of public roads and pavements by all classes of road and footpath users through the circulation of advice, information and knowledge gained from the review”.

Town Councillor Thomas outlined to the Council the rationale for the petition which had received over 370 signatures reflecting the concerns of many traders, businesses and the community on road and pavement safety within Newcastle Emlyn

 

The Cabinet Board Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services advised that the issues raised in the petition would be investigated by the department and a report would then be presented to a future meeting of the Council’s Cabinet.

 

Following the presentation, Town Cllr Thomas formally handed the petition to the Council

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that in accordance with Corporate Procedure Rule 10.14 the petition be referred to the Cabinet for consideration.

8.1

MINUTES FOR INFORMATION

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair stated that the minutes outlined on the agenda under 8.1 were available for information on the Council website.

 

 

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