Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors K. Davies, S. Godfrey-Coles, B.W. Jones, D. Jones, G.R. Jones, N. Lewis, A. Leyshon and F. Walters.

There were no declarations of personal interest.

·         The Chair reflected on yet another very busy month for her and her Consort and referred to her attendance at Llandeilo Literary Festival.

·         The Chair, on behalf of the Council welcomed Councillor Steve Williams to his first meeting having recently been elected to represent the Elli Ward.

·         The Chair congratulated Llanelli Wanderers RFC on their Division 1 Cup final at the Principality Stadium Cardiff April.

·         Councillor Handel Davies congratulated Llandovery RFC for their recent WRU Challenge Cup title win.  The third time for them to win the cup.

·         Councillor Edward Thomas congratulated Llandeilo RFC Under 18s for their unbeaten record of 10 out of 10 games and for winning the WRU Clubs Under 18 Cup at the Principality Stadium.  The Senior team was also congratulated on their unbroken record of 13 games.

·         The Chair, on behalf of the Council congratulated Gill Adams, who was presented with the Butler Trust Award by HRH The Princess Royal at a ceremony in London in recognition for her dedication to youth justice and wider role as Principal Manager of Youth Support Service in Carmarthenshire.

·         The Chair, on behalf of the Council, conveyed condolences to the families of three former Carmarthenshire Councillors, namely Ivor Jackson who represented the Llandovery Ward, Ieuan Jones who represented the Llandeilo Ward and Ryan Bartlett who represented Betws Ward.  A minute's silence was held in their memory.

There were no announcements made.

It was raised that the declaration by Cllr Fiona Walters under minutes 2 and 9.1 was incorrect, the interest was declared by Cllr Linda Evans.

RESOLVED that subject to the above amendment, the minutes of the meeting of Council held on the 28^th February, 2024 be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of Council held on the 6^th March, 2024 be signed as a correct record.

The Council received a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language on the Recruitment to the Post of Director of Education, Children & Family Services (and Statutory Chief Education Officer) of which provided detailed information on the post and the Temporary Acting up arrangements if required.

Council was informed that the current Director of Education, Children & FamilyServices would be leaving the Council with effect from 31st October 2024.

Therefore, the Council would need to approve the arrangements to appoint a new Director of Education, Children & Family Services that incorporates the statutory role of Chief Education Officer.  It was reported that the post of Chief Education Officer was a designated statutory post under S.532 of the Education Act 1996, which imposes a duty on the Council to appoint an officer as its Chief Education Officer.

Interim arrangements would be required by way of undertaking an internal expressions of interest exercise to seek applications from qualified individuals with relevant experience should the appointment of the new Director not be in place prior to the departure of the current incumbent.

Council noted that is there was no requirement in Law to require a qualified Teacher to fulfil the statutory duty, however this qualification requirement was included as a desirable criterion. 

RESOLVED that

The Council received a report, presented by the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes, noting the recommendation of the Appointments Committee ‘B’ held on the 17th April 24, and designate Mr Steve Murphy as the Council’s Monitoring Officer on an interim basis, following the retirement of the current Head of Administration & Law ( and Monitoring Officer) on the 31st May 2024.

• It was noted that the appointment was necessary to ensure that the Council:
• Complied with the requirements of Section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and to carry out the statutory role and responsibilities of Monitoring Officer under that Act.
• Ensured that interim arrangements were maintained to meet statutory requirements pending the appointment to the permanent post. It was anticipated that the permanent recruitment process would be concluded in July 2024.
• Ensured a Monitoring Officer was in place to cover the statutory and constitutional roles as set out in Article 11 (Functions of the Monitoring Officer) of the Council’s Constitution.

Council extended thanks to L. R. Jones for her dedication and support during her employment with the Authority.

RESOLVED to note the recommendation of the Appointments Committee ‘B’ held on the 17th April 2024, and designate Mr Steve Murphy as the Council’s Monitoring Officer on an interim basis, following the retirement of the current Head of Administration & Law (and Monitoring Officer) on the 31st May 2024.

Council was informed that the Cabinet, at its meeting held on 18th March, 2024 (minute 6 refers) had considered the (draft) Strategic Equality Plan 2024-28 which had been prepared to outline how the Council would meet its duties under the Equality Act 2010 and the Specific Duties for Wales and builds on the Council’s previous plans. The Authority was required to publish the new plan in April 2024. 

The Equality Act 2010 brings together and replaces previous legislation and simplifies/strengthens the law, making it easier for people to understand and comply with. Most of the Act came into force on 1st October 2010.  Specific Duties had been introduced for Public Bodies in Wales and the development of a Strategic Equality Plan is one of those duties.

The Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Community Cohesion and Planning Policy advised that when preparing the new plan a number of different elements were considered and engagement work with other organisations and Local Authorities and partners in the PBS.   It was noted that the plan was a work in progress and would be reviewed and updated as additional reports such as the Welsh Government Disability Action Plan became available.

The Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Community Cohesion and Planning Policy in response to a query regarding the amount of data that related to all of Wales rather than to just Carmarthenshire and the plea for the collection of more local data, provided assurance that local data would be used as and when it became available.

It was asked that the actions around the monitoring of emerging community tensions and working with key partners could be expended to include specific mention to both County and Community Councillors and if assurance could be given that members would be given the opportunity to formally raise issues from within their communities. Additionally, it was asked if appropriate advice and support could be provided in identifying potential risks and in developing and implementing remedial measures with the communities.  In response, The Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Community Cohesion and Planning Policy advised that the Community Cohesion team based in Carmarthen were always available for all members to speak to and approach for advice.

RESOLVED that:

8.1.1   the Strategic Equality Plan be approved;

8.1.2   the Strategic Equality Objectives be agreed.

RESOLVED that the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 4^th March, 2024 be received.

RESOLVED that the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 18^th March, 2024 be received.

RESOLVED that the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 25^th March, 2024 be received.

RESOLVED that the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 15^th April, 2024 be received.

The Chair advised that no Notices on Motion had been received.

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.

Note:In order to be considered at a formal meeting each petition must include 50 registered elector signatures for paper copies and 300 register elector signatures for e-petitions. The total number of Carmarthenshire Electoral Signatures up to the 50 thresholds has been verified. We have not checked the signatures thereafter.  

“PETITION TO CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL RECTIFY THE ABSENCE OF ADEQUATE, ACCESSIBLE AND CLEAN PUBLIC TOILETS IN BURRY PORT TOWN

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, REQUEST IMMEDIATE ACTION FROM CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL TO REINSTATE PUBLIC TOILETS IN BURRY PORT TOWN. SAID TOILET BLOCK MUST BE ACCESSIBLE TO WHEELCHAIR USERS, DISABLED AND ELDERLY PERSONS, AND THOSE WITH BABIES OR YOUNG CHILDREN. THE STRUCTURE MUST BE PROTECTED FROM VANDALISM, WITH APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT AND CLEANING REGIME, SO AS TO RESTORE PRIDE IN OUR TOWN AND TO WELCOME TOURISTS. WE REQUEST THAT THE TOWN COUNCIL AND RELEVANT COMMUNITY GROUPS ARE INVOLVED FROM THE PLANNING STAGE THROUGH TO THE REOPENING OF THE PUBLIC CONVENIENCES.”

The Chair invited Ms Liz Hurley to present the petition in the following terms, together with supporting remarks:-

‘We the undersigned, request immediate action from Carmarthenshire County Council to reinstate public tiolets in Burry Port Town, said toilet block must be accessible to wheelchair users, disabled and elderly persons, and those with babies or young children. The structure must be protected from vandalism, with appropriate management and cleaning regime so as to restore pride in our town and welcome tourists. We request that the Town Council and relevant community groups are involved from the planning stage through to the re-opening of the public conveniences.’

The Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure responded to the petition and confirmed that the issue referred to in the petition was an executive function and consequently Council was only able to refer the matter to the Cabinet for consideration.

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

“Recent research from the Local Government Association revealed that two thirds of councils in England are not confident of achieving their Net Zero Carbon targets within their target timescales whilst the Welsh Local Government Association is working on a climate change transition and support programme to seek to help the public sector meet the Welsh Government’s 2050 Net Zero Carbon target.

Given this information, as well as acknowledging the overall severe financial pressures faced by Local Authorities, reaching  Net Zero targets has become even more challenging than ever.

Where does this Council currently stand in relation to its current objectives and the ultimate goal of achieving the more ambitious 2030 Net Zero Carbon target?”

“Recent research from the Local Government Association revealed that two thirds of councils in England are not confident of achieving their Net Zero Carbon targets within their target timescales whilst the Welsh Local Government Association is working on a climate change transition and support programme to seek to help the public sector meet the Welsh Government’s 2050 Net Zero Carbon target.

Given this information, as well as acknowledging the overall severe financial pressures faced by Local Authorities, reaching Net Zero targets has become even more challenging than ever.

Where does this Council currently stand in relation to its current objectives and the ultimate goal of achieving the more ambitious 2030 Net Zero Carbon target?”

Response by Councillor Aled Vaughan Owen – Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability

I thank Councillor James for raising this question today.  As a Local Authority, we made a promise to our residents and to future generations - a declaration of a climate emergency and a commitment to become net zero by 2030.

We understand how urgent this is, we recognise the important role that we have as a Local Authority have to play as we mitigate against the impacts of climate change and preserving biodiversity and we recognise the challenges ahead us.  The financial pressures of achieving such an ambitious goal particularly when we are working with the Conservative Government in London that were defeated in court last week - for the second time - for not doing enough to meet its targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

As a reminder, we agreed in our plan in 2020 to focus on 4 key areas – our non-domestic buildings, our street lighting, our fleet mileage and our business mileage. I can confirm that we are currently at around 36% less carbon emissions since our pre Covid base line year.  I am sure you would agree that this is a substantial reduction.  But we are not slowing down, I am proud of the tremendous work that has been done by dedicated officers to focus on our fleet which contributes about 19% of our emissions.  In the last few months alone supported by our Climate and Nature Advisory Panel, made up of members from across this chamber, we have increased our electric vehicle fleet by 40 vehicles and set into policy the presumption for electric vehicles in all future purchases.

But we are mindful that we as a Local Authority do not have all the levers needed to become net zero unless governments at all levels decide to close that gap between rhetoric and reality and set us on a course towards a just transition to a more sustainable future with appropriate funding mechanisms.

But we won’t sit back, and only focus on that scope of what we originally perceived as Net Zero, we are now transferring our learning to other areas within the Council and mainstreaming climate and nature into all decisions we take. You only need to look at our corporate plan, our transformation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.1

·                         Councillor Anthony Leyshon to replace Councillor Deryk Cundy on the Communities, Homes & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee

·                         Councillor Janet Williams to take the vacant seat on the Education, Young People and Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee

·                         Councillor Tina Higgins to take the vacant seat on the Appointments A Committee

·                         Councillor Nysia Evans  to take the vacant seat on the Appointments B Committee

·                         Councillor Philip Warlow   to take the vacant seat on the Standards Committee

·                         Councillor Deryk Cundy to take the vacant seat on the Swansea Bay City Region Joint Scrutiny Committee

·                         Councillor Deryk Cundy  to take the vacant seat on the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee – Governance & Audit Sub Committee

·                         Councillor Deryk Cundy to take the vacant seat on the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee –Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee

·                         Councillor Philip Warlow to take the vacant seat on the Pay Policy Advisory Panel

RESOLVED that the following changes proposed by the Labour Group to the membership of Committees and Panels be approved:

·         Councillor Anthony Leyshon to replace Councillor Deryk Cundy on the Communities, Homes & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee

·         Councillor Janet Williams to take the vacant seat on the Education, Young People and Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee

·         Councillor Tina Higgins to take the vacant seat on the Appointments A Committee

·         Councillor Nysia Evans to take the vacant seat on the Appointments B Committee

·         Councillor Philip Warlow to take the vacant seat on the Standards Committee

·         Councillor Deryk Cundy to take the vacant seat on the Swansea Bay City Region Joint Scrutiny Committee

·         Councillor Deryk Cundy to take the vacant seat on the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee – Governance & Audit Sub Committee

·         Councillor Deryk Cundy to take the vacant seat on the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee –Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee

·         Councillor Philip Warlow to take the vacant seat on the Pay Policy Advisory Panel.

•              Councillor Steve Williams to take the vacant seat on the Corporate Performance and Resources Scrutiny Committee

•              Councillor Steve Williams to take the vacant seat on the Health and Social Services Scrutiny Committee

•              Councillor Michael Cranham to take the vacant seat on the Appeals Committee

•              Councillor John James to take the vacant seat on the Governance & Audit Committee

•              Councillors  John James and Steve Williams to take the vacant seats on the Planning Committee.

RESOLVED that the following changes proposed by the Unaffiliated Members to the membership of Committees and Panels be approved:

·         Councillor Steve Williams to take the vacant seat on the Corporate Performance and Resources Scrutiny Committee

·         Councillor Steve Williams to take the vacant seat on the Health and Social Services Scrutiny Committee

·         Councillor Michael Cranham to take the vacant seat on the Appeals Committee

·         Councillor John James to take the vacant seat on the Governance & Audit Committee

·         Councillors John James and Steve Williams to take the vacant seats on the Planning Committee

·         Councillor Tina Higgins to replace Councillor Rob Evans as one of the Labour Group representatives.

·         Councillor Emlyn Schiavone to replace Councillor Gareth Thomas as one of the Plaid Cymru Group representatives.

RESOLVED that the following changes to the membership of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority be approved:

·         Councillor Tina Higgins to replace Councillor Rob Evans as one of the Labour Group representatives.

·         Councillor Emlyn Schiavone to replace Councillor Gareth Thomas as one of the Plaid Cymru Group representatives.

The Chair stated that the minutes outlined on the agenda under 15.1 – 15.19 were available for information on the Council website.