Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors L. Bowen, C. Davies, H. Davies, S. Godfrey-Coles, E. Rees and J. Seward.

·       The Chair reported on his attendance at a recent visit by the Prince and Princess of Wales to the Wales Air Ambulance Station in Dafen, Llanelli,

·       The Chair welcomed to the meeting Magda Smith, Marianna Pilichowska, Tom Vaughan-Jones, Jacob Eatly and Iestyn Davies, members of the Youth Council who were working towards their Councillor Shadowing Award that recognised young people’s understanding and involvement in local democracy,

·       Councillor Gareth Thomas extended his congratulations to the staff and pupils at Hendy Primary School on winning Heno’s ‘Carol yr Wyl 2022 (Carol of Christmas) competition.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of Council held on the 25^th January, 2023 be signed as a correct record. 

(NOTE: Councillors A Vaughan Owen, L.M. Davies, N. Evans, R. Evans, L.D. Evans, H. Shepardson, G. Morgan, T. Higgins, D.C. Evans, K. Broom, J. Hart, B. Jones, P. Warlow, A. Evans, F. Walters, A. Leyshon, D. Nicholas, C.A. Jones, E. Williams, D. Cundy, E. Skinner, R. Sparks, L. Roberts, G. Thomas, M. Palfreman, B. Davies, G. John, T.A.J. Davies, Andrew Davies, J. James R. James and P.M. Hughes had earlier declared an interest in this item remained in the meeting and took part in the discussion and voting thereon)

Council was informed that the Cabinet, at its meeting held on the 20^th February 2023 (Minute 5 Refers) had considered the Revenue Budget Strategy 2023/24 – 2025/26 and made a number of recommendations, as detailed within the report of the Director of Corporate Services, for Council’s consideration.

The Council received a presentation from the Cabinet Member for Resources, on behalf of the Cabinet, in which he set out the background to the budget proposals being presented to the Council for consideration together with the responses received to the budget consultation.

It was explained that with the Welsh Governments budget process being much later than normal, the report being presented to Council that day had been prepared prior to the Welsh Government announcing its final settlement figures on the 28^th February. Nevertheless, it had been possible for some of the key components of the Council’s budget assumptions and allocations to be reviewed. That had enabled some of the original proposals in the budget outline to be revisited and for further options to be considered and presented as part of the report to Council. On an all-Wales basis, whilst the provisional settlement figures reflected a 7.9% funding increase, with Carmarthenshire having received an 8.5% uplift, the final settlement figure had also provided Carmarthenshire with an additional £10.7k which would be added to its contingency budget.

Due to the lateness of the final settlement, Council was advised that the report provided for delegation to be granted to the Director of Corporate Services, in liaison with the Leader, Chief Executive and Cabinet Member for Resources to make any adjustments as necessary, upon receiving the final settlement. Whilst the Council had been informed of those amendments that day, the Director would still need to follow those adjustments through in the budget tables following its meeting. The Director had also adjusted some of the other figures within the strategy as part of the normal routine as clearer and more information had become available, with the current total validation having added more than £30m on to the budget. 

The Cabinet Member advised that although the report maintained a pay assumption of 5% for 2023/24 for both NJC, as well as teaching staff, the national employers in respect of NJC staff had, subsequent to the Cabinet’s meeting on the 20^th February, made  a cash offer to the Trade Unions similar to 2022/23. That offer was estimated to reflect a 6.7% increase resulting in a 1.7% shortfall  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.1

Council was informed that the Cabinet, at its meeting held on the 20^th February 2023 (Minute 6 refers) had considered the Five Year Capital Programme (Council Fund) 2023/24 to 2027/28 taking into account the consultation exercise undertaken and the revenue implications arising from the capital programme.

The Cabinet Member for Resources presented to the Council, on behalf of the

Cabinet, the report on the Five Year Capital Programme which would see £265m of investment over the next five years, £73m of which was for the continued commitment for improving our school buildings, £27m for Regeneration projects to boost economic activity, £86m for City Deal backed projects which included a new leisure centre for Llanelli, and £59m to improve the local economic infrastructure and wider environment.  The programme provided a comprehensive and wide-ranging package supported by funding from the Welsh Government, the UK government, and the council’s own resources. 

It was noted that the detailed provisional capital programme had been presented to the Corporate Performance and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 30^th January for consultation.  Following concerns about the lack of Provision for flood prevention and the lack of Welsh Government grant funding for decarbonisation measures, the programme had been revised to include further commitments in those areas.  No other matters of concern were raised during this consultation and an extract from the relevant minute of the meeting was included in Appendix B for information. 

It was reported that as the previous capital programme focused support for businesses on the need to boost the local economy that remained the focus as the Council continued to maintain support for the local economy with major investments in levelling up projects and continued support for investment in infrastructure.  

The programme included three ongoing transformational projects each focused on a different primary town area.  

Firstly -  the agreement to start construction on Zone One of the Pentre Awel development in Llanelli had been signed, at a contract price of £86m creating five dedicated buildings associated with "street" space, which would also include an aquatic centre, sports hall, multipurpose sports and fitness rooms and gymnasium, education and training facilities, clinical and research provision, and innovation and business space.  The project would transform the landscape and economy of south Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, and a greater part of West Wales. 

Secondly, a £19.6m hub would be provided at the heart of Carmarthen Town Centre boosting footfall in the town centre as the Council built back from the pandemic providing a home for the County’s art collection, health and education facilities as well as being the new home to the authority’s Carmarthen Hwb and retail units.  The investment would also act as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of the town centre. 

Thirdly, a £19m investment to complete the Tywi Valley Path within the Dinefwr area would bring significant benefits to the rural economy and improvements to health and wellbeing of residents.   

The Cabinet Member advised that in addition to these large flagship projects, the Council would continue to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.2

Council was informed that the Cabinet, at its meeting held on 20^th  February, 2023 (minute 7 refers) had considered the Treasury Management Policy and Strategy 2023/24.

The report had been produced in accordance with the requirements of the revised CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management 2017, whereby the Council had previously agreed to maintain a Treasury Management Policy detailing the policies and objectives of the Authority’s treasury management activities.  It was noted that it was also a requirement that the Council approved a Treasury Management Strategy annually before the start of the financial year to which it related. In addition, under the Local Government Act 2003, the Council was required to approve the Treasury Management Indicators for the coming year.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the following recommendations of the Cabinet be adopted:

Council was informed that Cabinet, ait its meeting held on the 13^th February 2023 (Minute 6 refers) had considered the Council’s Corporate Strategy 2022-2027, that included the Council’s well-being objectives and setting out the direction of travel and priorities for the organisation over the period of the current administration, whilst also providing the delivery framework on the Cabinet’s vision and commitments during the period. The new strategy would focus on a smaller number of population-based objectives whilst identifying the thematic priorities, service priorities and core business enablers that the Council would aim to progress during that period.

RESOLVED that the following recommendation of the Cabinet be accepted:

“that the Council’s Corporate Strategy 2022-2027 be approved”.

RESOLVED that the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 30^th January, 2023 be received.

RESOLVED that the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 13^th February, 2023 be received.

“That Carmarthenshire County Council supports residents' and local businesses' concerns regarding the proposal to erect pylons to link Mithil Energy Park to the National Grid in Carmarthenshire; believes that Bute Energy should work with landowners to place the cables underground; and that we, as an Authority, writes formally to the energy firm to support the concerns raised.”

[NOTE:

Councillors M. Charles, C.A Davies and H Jones having earlier declared an interest in this item, and been granted dispensation by the Standards Committee to speak on the item remained in the meeting and took part in the discussion but left the meeting during the vote]

Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillors Rob James. Deryk Cundy, Andrew Davies and Arwel Davies:-

“That Carmarthenshire County Council supports residents' and local businesses' concerns regarding the proposal to erect pylons to link Mithil Energy Park to the National Grid in Carmarthenshire; believes that Bute Energy should work with landowners to place the cables underground; and that we, as an Authority, writes formally to the energy firm to support the concerns raised.”

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.

RESOLVED that the Motion be supported.

“An effective eradication strategy for Bovine TB

This council requests that Welsh Government uses the opportunity presented by the refreshed BovineTB eradication strategy to establish its effectiveness in respect of animal welfare (both wildlife and livestock), public health and cost.

Persistently high infection levels, its impact on both animal welfare and public health combined with an ever increasing cost to the public purse suggest that existing measures are not fit for purpose.

We ask Welsh Government to note and take action on the following points :-

·        Bovine TB is a communicable disease that should be addressed holistically as both a wildlife and farmed animal welfare issue, using a comprehensive suite of measures, guided by the best scientific advice available.

·        The requirement to frequently test cattle raises stress to livestock and presents a high risk of injury and even fatalities for those involved in conducting tests for Bovine TB.

·        The continuous failure to address Bovine TB triggers significant levels of mental health issues among farming families and persons in associated roles.

·        Disease outbreaks on holdings need to be dealt with sensitively with effective and simplified communication.

·        The eradication programme board should have a balanced representation including all impacted stakeholders.”

[NOTE:

Councillors M. Charles, C.A Davies, A. Davies, B. Davies, T.A.J. Davies, H.A.L. Davies, L.D. Evans, W.T. Evans, J.K. Howell, H. Jones, J. Lewis and G.B. Thomas having earlier declared an interest in this item, and been granted dispensation by the Standards Committee to speak and vote on the item, remained in the meeting and took part in the discussion and vote

Councillor S.M. Allen having earlier declared an interest in this item left the Council Chamber and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon]

Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillors Gareth Thomas, Ann Davies, Rob James and Crish Davies:-

“An effective eradication strategy for Bovine TB

This council requests that Welsh Government uses the opportunity presented by the refreshed BovineTB eradication strategy to establish its effectiveness in respect of animal welfare (both wildlife and livestock), public health and cost.

Persistently high infection levels, its impact on both animal welfare and public health combined with an ever increasing cost to the public purse suggest that existing measures are not fit for purpose.

We ask Welsh Government to note and take action on the following points :-

·        Bovine TB is a communicable disease that should be addressed holistically as both a wildlife and farmed animal welfare issue, using a comprehensive suite of measures, guided by the best scientific advice available.

·        The requirement to frequently test cattle raises stress to livestock and presents a high risk of injury and even fatalities for those involved in conducting tests for Bovine TB.

·        The continuous failure to address Bovine TB triggers significant levels of mental health issues among farming families and persons in associated roles.

·        Disease outbreaks on holdings need to be dealt with sensitively with effective and simplified communication.

·        The eradication programme board should have a balanced representation including all impacted stakeholders.”

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.

RESOLVED that the Motion be supported.

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received. 

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

The Chair stated that the minutes outlined on the agenda under 10.1 – 10.8 were available for information on the Council website.