Agenda item

The Leader advised that the Executive Board had prepared a plan outlining its proposals for moving Carmarthenshire forward over the next five years.  The plan noted the Executive Board’s aspirations and identified a number of key projects and programmes which it would strive to deliver during the time of the current administration. 

The plan sought to continually improve economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being in the county thus ensuring that residents, communities, organisations and businesses are supported and enabled to develop and thrive. 

The Council’s Corporate Strategy, which was being developed in line with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, will incorporate the key projects and programmes included in the Plan.  Detailed reports and recommendations on specific projects/programmes will be presented through the Council’s democratic process over the course of the next five years in order to take these commitments forward.

Reference was made to page 21 and the fact that the sub-heading should read Culture & Leisure and that point 63 on the same page should be amended to include reference to the development of Oriel Myrddin.  Reference was also made page 10 and a request was made that the word “therefore” be included after the year 2019.

Councillor D.M. Cundy, in accordance with CPR 11.1, stated that he regarded this document and set of aspirations as being extremely important for the whole council but whilst it was very broad it lacked detail and was obviously the “skeleton” of what will support a considerable body of work.  He asked that, as this was the case would it be possible for the Executive Board Members and their teams to present, in predesignated time slots, to the Full Council, a little more meat on the bones in the term of details in what is to be delivered so that Councillors may be involved in the implementation of how and when these aspirations will be achieved for their communities?

The Leader explained that the answer could be found in the executive summary of the report.  The Executive Board has outlined its proposals for moving Carmarthenshire forward over the next 5 years.  It was a snapshot of where we want to be in five years’ time.  Sitting behind that is the corporate strategy in order to ensure that the implementation of those goals is achievable.  He added that it may be as we move forward that the plan doesn’t work but the goals will remain the same.  The plan has to be flexible as things change as we move forward and some projects may be re-prioritised.  That flexibility has to be there.  He explained that funding is also an issue and as the active travel budget has been smashed it becomes more difficult.  It remains an ambition and the plan will have to change and be set in the context of the funding that becomes available. Because the funding was unknown it was difficult to set plans right at the beginning and it was something that will evolve as we go on.  In concluding, the Leader reiterated that details and recommendations in relation to specific projects/ programmes will come through the democratic process.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL that, subject to the inclusion of the above-mentioned amendments, the Executive Board’s Plan for Moving Forward in Carmarthenshire over the next 5 years be endorsed.