Minutes:
In presenting his Annual Report to the Council covering the period 2021/22 the Leader spoke of the need to reflect on what had been achieved to date and consider what still needed to be done. He commented that it was his belief that no individual political party or group had the monopoly on good ideas and that each and every member had a role to play in contributing to the council’s corporate vision. He spoke of the need to have systems in place which enabled good ideas, from whatever source, to see the light of day. Over the next few years he was keen to engage with members from across the chamber on a regular basis to discuss their ideas and concerns and to work together for the common good. He added that he had already met with the leaders of the Labour Group, New Independent Group and each of the unaffiliated members of council setting out his wish to develop an engaging and co-operative relationship.
The Leader suggested that it was the wish of everyone to see Carmarthenshire flourish and that it was the duty of all members to find ways of working effectively together in order to deliver shared objectives.
He commented that it was the administration’s wish to tackle climate change, the cost of living crisis, regenerate the county’s economy and town centres, provide quality housing, raise educational standards, ensure social care support to the most vulnerable, improve public transport, see cleaner streets and deliver quality and effective council services. Whilst these were matters, he added, that were important to all members and needed to be pursued together over the next 5 years he emphasised that much had already been achieved which he outlined as follows:
Economic Recovery
Early in the pandemic it had been recognised that alongside facing the day-to-day challenges a recovery plan was required. A comprehensive recovery plan had therefore been presented for supporting businesses, people, and communities. Covid-19 had had an impact on the local economy, but there were positive signs of a quicker recovery than originally anticipated and the Leader felt confident that Carmarthenshire’s economy could recover to become one that was even more productive than before.
He considered that the economic recovery plan was unashamedly ambitious – and was determined to do everything to keep Carmarthenshire on track and continuing its journey of growth. The plan realised the ambition to help businesses replace more than 3,000 jobs lost during the pandemic: safeguarding and replacing up to 10,000 at-risk jobs and creating around 1,700 new jobs - as well as supporting thousands of local businesses. Key to the plan was supporting the county’s foundational economy and supporting local people to grow skills and talent in targeted areas so that there was a strong and resilient local workforce.
The town centre recovery plans for Ammanford, Llanelli and Carmarthen would also be delivered - each of them highlighting key issues, opportunities, and specific interventions for the individual towns. The ten towns initiative continued to go from strength to strength with an agenda for change set for each of the identified towns and their wider communities. Consultation and development had taken place at all ten towns already - In Cross Hands; Cwmaman; Kidwelly; Laugharne; Llandeilo; Llandovery; Llanybydder; Newcastle Emlyn; St.Clears; and Whitland.
The drive to shop local had also continued with 100% Sir Gar. Our pop-up shops have been popping up across the county offering free retail space to local independent businesses. We’ve seen thousands of people shop locally keeping the Carmarthenshire pound in Carmarthenshire.
Swansea Bay City Deal
As well as making progress on the Pentre Awel scheme in Llanelli which, it was considered, would deliver thousands of jobs to the area Carmarthenshire continue to benefit from Swansea Bay City Deal. Two significant schemes within the City Deal had been launched this year. The Skills and Talent Programme had been approved by UK and Welsh Government and would provide opportunities for thousands of people to access skills opportunities and support businesses to grow through developing a talented workforce across the Swansea Bay Region focussing on industries with high demand for workers.
The Regional Digital Programme had also received government approval this year. The scheme was being led by Carmarthenshire and was estimated to be worth £318m to the region in the coming years. The programme had three elements all of which, it was anticipated, would benefit the communities of Carmarthenshire:
Rural (Mart)
Carmarthen Mart had re-opened in March this year following a significant refurbishment and the creation of more rural jobs. Agriculture played a crucial role in rural development by supporting employment, ancillary businesses, and environmental services. Farming was the backbone of rural life and the Leader expressed delight that the Council had been able to support this and secure the future of Carmarthen Mart.
Roads and Infrastructure
A superfast charging hub, the first of its kind in Wales, had opened in Cross Hands providing four 50KW rapid chargers and one 150KW super rapid charger. The chargers would provide a source of clean energy and help reduce draw from the national grid. The hub complemented the Council’s ten-year Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy and its vision of developing the infrastructure required to enable employees, residents, communities, visitors, businesses, and other organisations to use Electric Vehicles as part of their everyday routine.
The development and promotion of a network of electric charging points would continue to future proof the county’s transport network as well as contributing to local and global pollution reduction target.
The Council had eight years before the 2030 goal was reached to become net zero carbon and the Leader considered that the appointment of a dedicated Cabinet member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability clearly demonstrated the importance that this administration placed on this particular agenda.
Housing
The Housing Regeneration and Development Delivery Plan had been approved by Council this year and the plan aimed to deliver over 2,000 additional new and affordable homes across the county over the next five years. The vison and investment, however, were not just about housing but supporting the development of strong sustainable communities – places where people wished to live and work and giving people quality homes that were energy efficient and affordable to run. It was considered that the investment would have a huge impact in stimulating the economy, creating jobs for local people and supporting the county’s recovery from the pandemic.
The right homes needed to be delivered in
the right places, and this included providing affordable homes for
young and working aged people in both rural and urban areas,
helping them to remain in the county, increasing footfall in the
County’s towns and protecting the Welsh language and culture
in rural areas.
Work had already started on the Transforming Tyisha project which
would deliver new mixed-tenure modern homes in the
community.
Social care
People’s health and wellbeing would be supported and the social care teams continued to deliver a high standard of service under very difficult circumstances. The Council would continue to work with the Health Board and local partners to continuously improve Social Care across Carmarthenshire.
Education
To ensure that future communities were vibrant communities and the future economy was a prosperous economy investment in providing children with access to the best education possible would continue. To support this vision an ambitious ten-year strategy had been launch outlining the future vision for education in Carmarthenshire. The plan established the council’s aspirations for learners and staff for the next 10 years.
The strategy also included a commitment to continued investment in schools so that they were fit for 21st century learning and teaching, and in offering a high standard of bilingual education. To date, the council’s Modernising Education Programme had invested more than £300m in schools across Carmarthenshire which included the building of 12 new primary schools, two new secondary schools, and 48 major refurbishments and extensions benefitting more than 16,000 children throughout the county. Recently a new school in Ysgol Pum Heol had opened following a £4.5 million-pound investment. A similar sum had been invested to transform Ysgol Llangadog and £4.3m on Ysgol Rhys Pritchard. Work had also started on building a new primary school in Pembrey with an investment of £8.25 million pounds.
Leisure
The pandemic had brought into focus health and wellbeing and led to investment in the County’s Leisure facilities.
Amman Valley Leisure Centre had already benefitted from more than £600,000 of upgrading work inside the building and earlier this year there had been a commitment to develop the 3G all-weather pitch and enhance athletics facilities.
Major improvements had also been carried out at Newcastle Emlyn Leisure Centre, and almost a year ago a new leisure centre had been opened at the former Ysgol Pantycelyn site in Llandovery bringing a state-of-the-art gym, sports hall, dance studio and community facilities to the area in addition to the existing swimming pool. The Leader commented that this administration was determined to ensure continued investment in leisure facilities across the county.
Looking forward
The Leader commented that there was much to look forward to. Earlier this year the Tywi Valley Cycle Path project had been awarded £16.7million as part of the UK Government’s new Levelling Up fund. The project would create a 20km off-road walking and cycling route linking Carmarthen to Llandeilo running alongside the River Tywi through stunning scenery past castles, country parks and historical estates as well as attractions including the National Botanic Gardens of Wales and Aberglasney Gardens.
In conclusion the Leader stated that his report was just a quick snapshot of the work this council was doing on so many fronts to try and improve the lives of the people of Carmarthenshire. The task now, he added, was to build on those firm foundations and realise the ambitions for this county. He looked forward to working with all members over the next 5 years in order to do just that and thanked members.
The Leaders of the Independent Group and Labour Group were afforded the opportunity of commenting on the Leader’s report.
RESOLVED that the Leader’s 2021/22 Annual Report be noted.