The Carmarthenshire Council Cabinet met on Monday 16 December 2024, approving the Annual Monitoring Report for the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan, endorsing draft strategies for Green and Blue Infrastructure and Allotment and Community Growing, and confirming the Council Tax Base for 2025-26. The Cabinet also agreed to progress detailed planning for bus franchising, endorsed the redevelopment of the former Plas Y Bryn Residential Home, and adopted a Charter for Families Bereaved Through Public Tragedy.

Annual Monitoring Report 2023/24 Adopted Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan (2006-2021)

The Cabinet considered the Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) for the adopted Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan (LDP) 2006-2021. The report, prepared in accordance with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, provides an overview of the LDP's performance against monitoring indicators. The findings from this AMR will inform the preparation of the Revised LDP 2018-2033, which has been submitted to the Welsh Government for examination. The Cabinet unanimously resolved to recommend to the Council that the AMR be endorsed, that its findings inform the Revised LDP, and that officers be authorised to make necessary amendments for clarity and accuracy.

Combined Report for Draft Strategies on Green and Blue Infrastructure & Allotment and Community Growing

Draft strategies for Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI) and Allotment and Community Growing were presented to the Cabinet. These strategies aim to address well-being issues, climate change, and the nature emergency by promoting nature-based solutions and community engagement. The GBI strategy outlines objectives focused on people, place, and nature, while the Allotment and Community Growing Strategy details current provision and future plans in line with Welsh Government guidance. The Cabinet unanimously resolved to approve these draft strategies for formal public consultation and authorised officers to make minor amendments for clarity.

Council Tax Base 2025-26

The Cabinet considered the calculations for the Council Tax Base for the financial year 2025-26. This calculation is a statutory requirement for setting the Council Tax level. The report detailed the calculations for the County Council area and individual community and town council areas. A key decision was the approval of an increase in the second home premium from 50% to 100%, effective from 1 April 2025. The Cabinet unanimously approved the Council Tax Base calculations and confirmed the tax bases for the individual community and town council areas, as well as the overall County Council area tax base of 77,243.48.

Bus Franchising

A report was presented on the progress of developing proposals for a future franchised bus network. Legislation is planned for introduction to the Senedd in 2025 to enable franchising, where bus services would be planned by Welsh Government and Transport for Wales in partnership with local authorities. South-West Wales is proposed as the first region for implementation in 2027. The Cabinet unanimously resolved to proceed with detailed planning and stakeholder and public engagement.

Redevelopment of the Former Plas Y Bryn Residential Home, Cwmgwili

The Cabinet received an update on the progress of redeveloping the former Plas Y Bryn Residential Home in Cwmgwili. The report outlined the strategy for care home development to meet social care service demands and demographic needs. The Cabinet reviewed the Council's current position, financial implications, and next steps, including discussions with the Welsh Government regarding funding applications. The Cabinet unanimously resolved to endorse the project through the Welsh Government Integration and Rebalancing of Care Fund (IRCF) application process and approved the commitment to the required match funding.

A Tree and Woodland Strategy for Carmarthenshire County Council

A strategy for the management of trees and woodlands on land managed by Carmarthenshire County Council was considered. The strategy sets an ambition to increase tree and woodland cover across the Council's estate, aligning with recommendations from the UK Climate Committee and Welsh Government targets. It includes an action plan to be managed by an inter-departmental officer working group. The Cabinet unanimously resolved to endorse the progress and targets of the strategy, approve the establishment of a delivery board, and agreed that the strategy be reviewed in 2028.

Charter for Families Bereaved Through Public Tragedy

The Cabinet considered a Charter for Bereaved Families Through Public Tragedy, which provides a framework to support families who have lost loved ones in public tragedies. The Charter, already signed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and adopted by Ceredigion County Council and Hywel Dda University Health Board, outlines six principles for the humane and fair treatment of affected families. The Cabinet unanimously resolved to adopt the Charter in its entirety and commit the Council to working towards its principles.

New Collaboration Agreement for Regional Education Workforce (Partneriaeth)

The Cabinet considered a report seeking approval to transfer from the existing Partneriaeth Legal Agreement to a new collaboration agreement for the regional education workforce. This move aims to simplify governance and reduce costs. The Partneriaeth Joint Committee had previously agreed to new running costs and a reduction in governance arrangements. The Cabinet unanimously resolved to terminate the existing Legal Agreement effective 31 March 2025, approve the draft Collaboration Agreement effective from 1 April 2025, and delegate authority to officers to make necessary amendments and enter into the agreement.

Land Acquisition Opportunity at Pibwrlwyd, Carmarthen

Following the exclusion of the public due to exempt information, the Cabinet considered a report on a land acquisition opportunity at Pibwrlwyd, Carmarthen. An amendment to the recommendations was made due to new information. The Cabinet unanimously resolved to approve the recommendations set out in the report, subject to delegated authority being granted to the Section 151 Officer, Chief Executive, and Cabinet Member for Resources to agree the purchase price.