Agenda item

• The Chair expressed congratulations to Councillor Dorian Phillips who has been awarded the Queens M.B.E. in recognition of his services to sport and the community in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

·         Congratulations was also expressed to the following on being awarded the Queens honours:

-       An OBE awarded to Mr Nigel Vernon Short from Whitland for his services to the economy in Wales.

-       The British Empire Medal awarded to Mr John Nicholas Anderson, Llanelli, Volunteer Examiner, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, for his services to transport during Covid-19.

• Councillor Peter Hughes-Griffiths, with the Chair’s permission wished to report two significant Council achievements:

-  In being awarded the RoSPA Leisure Safety Gold Award for a second year running for ‘excellence among companies that primarily offer services direct to guests and visitors during the period of January 01, 2020, to December 31, 2020’. The global awards, one of the most prestigious and recognised schemes in the world, has almost 2000 entries every year and reaches over 7 million employees.  This follows a comprehensive submission of policies and working practices. The outcome of which could be no award or an award at merit, bronze, silver or gold. The highest accolade was achieved.

-  In being awarded the ‘Silver inSport Award for disability inclusion’ following a comprehensive presentation to a national panel this morning. This is a national, progressive award scheme that recognises the Council’s inclusive approach to service design and provision, both in the community and in its facilities, including partnership working within the Council and beyond.

In reporting the above, Councillor Hughes-Griffiths wished to express his sincere thanks to the Actif Sport & Leisure staff for their hard work hard over recent years in order to reach this point.  Neither award can be achieved without firm foundations resulting in safe and successful practice.

·         Councillor Hazel Evans, with the Chair’s permission wished to congratulate:

-       Mr Gareth Davies from Newcastle Emlyn on being selected to go to South Africa with the Lions squad and subsequently scoring a try and;

-       Gareth Thomas who currently plays for the Ospreys, for receiving his second cap and Josh Turnbull having 11 caps for Wales.  Both individuals started their sporting careers at Newcastle Emlyn Club.

• The Leader, with the Chair’s permission provided an update on the vaccine programme and its progress so far as well as addressing the Councils education workforce - teachers, classroom assistants, kitchen staff, bus drivers, Head teachers, Governors, Heads of Service and the Director of Education and all persons who were involved in ensuring the safety, care, and education of the children of Carmarthenshire over the last year.

·         The Chair congratulated Dryslwyn Community Shop and Post Office in being awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.  This award, described as the voluntary Service MBE and is the highest award that a voluntary group can win. The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service recognises outstanding work by voluntary groups for the benefit of their local communities. This year it was pleasing to see that one enterprise in Carmarthenshire had received the honour. A certificate and award from Sara Edwards, Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, will be presented later this summer.

• The Chair referred to the sad passing of Councillor Alun Lenny's mother and, on behalf of the Council, expressed his sincere condolences to Councillor Lenny and his family.