Agenda item

The Committee considered the Council’s Draft Annual Report for 2017/18 produced in accordance with the requirements of both the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009 and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. It was noted that the report provided:-

Ø  An overview of the 2017/18 performance,

Ø  Two page progress reports for each of the 15 Well-being Objectives,

Ø  A link to track progress on every specific action and target set for each Well-being objective,

Ø  Within the appendicies, other performance information on Out-turn data (September) and National Survey for Wales Results (June) which would be updated as results became available.

The following questions/issues were raised on the report:-

·        Reference was made to the increase in childhood obesity levels within the county and to how increased physical activity could be encouraged/promoted when parks and other leisure facilities were being closed.

The Head of Leisure confirmed one of the Leisure Division’s key aims was to promote and develop physical activities by working with local communities and sports clubs, where it was recognised community ownership often resulted in increased participation levels. It was noted the report had recognised a 10% increase in the numbers of children who regularly participated in sport throughout the county, increasing to 47%. However, it was accepted more work was required to achieve higher activity levels, not only amongst children but throughout the population.

·        The Committee’s attention was drawn to the councils’ aims of promoting economic growth of rural market towns and to how that was being hindered by the practice of ‘land banking’

The Economic Development Manager confirmed that whilst the availability of land in such areas for the creation of employment opportunities was limited, the Council was, by the means of grant aid and other inducements, able to provide incentives to promote and facilitate their development.

The Forward Planning Manager reminded that Committee that work had recently commenced on a New Local Development Plan for Carmarthenshire with applications currently being sought for candidate sites for inclusion in that plan. As part of that process, land owners would have to demonstrate a commitment to a sites development to justify its inclusion, with a desire to develop no longer being sufficient. 

·        In response to a question relating to the development of ‘Yr Egin’ in Carmarthen Town, and to occupation levels by spin-off companies, the Economic Development Manager confirmed that discussions/negotiations were on-going to achieve full occupation. Should the level of interest exceed capacity, endeavours would be made to identify suitable alternative accommodation. It was noted that Yr Egin was one of the eleven Swansea Bay City Deal Projects and aimed to develop creative industry throughout the region.

·        Reference was made to the ‘Lift Programme’ and clarification sought on whether it included helping people learn Welsh to get back into work and if information could be provided on the numbers of people on the programme who had learned, and continued to use Welsh.

The Economic Development Manager confirmed officers would be looking at the development of Welsh Language Skills and would provide the requested information.

·        In response to a question on the long standing proposals for the Llandeilo by-pass, the Economic Development Manager confirmed the Welsh Government had not yet been made a decision on a preferred route.

·        Reference was made to the use of Section 106 Agreements to facilitate the provision of 43 homes for low cost ownership. The Committee’s attention was drawn to the possibility of developers going into liquidation with the potential those homes may no longer meet the 80% requirement under the Agreement, leaving owners unable to sell their properties.

The Forward Planning Manager advised that the department was aware of that possibility and was liaising with the Council’s legal department on the terminology used in the Agreements.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Draft Carmarthenshire County Council’s Annual Report for 2017/18 be received.