The Carmarthenshire County Council met on Wednesday 29 January 2025 to discuss a range of important issues, including the adoption of the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan's Annual Monitoring Report, strategies for green and blue infrastructure, and the setting of housing rents and the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2025/26. The council also approved changes to committee memberships and discussed the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for the upcoming year.

Annual Monitoring Report for the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan (2006-2021)

The council endorsed the Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) for the adopted Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan (LDP) 2006-2021. The findings and evidence within this report will be used to inform the preparation of the Revised LDP 2018-2033. Officers were authorised to make any necessary typographical or factual amendments to improve the clarity and accuracy of the AMR.

Draft Strategies on Green and Blue Infrastructure and Allotment and Community Growing

The council approved draft strategies on Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI) and Allotment and Community Growing for formal public consultation. These strategies aim to embed a GBI approach into spatial planning, promote nature-based solutions, and address climate and nature emergencies. The Allotment and Community Growing Strategy seeks to maximise opportunities for residents to participate in local food growing, supporting well-being and reducing food miles. Officers were authorised to make minor amendments to these draft strategies.

Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) - Green and Blue Infrastructure Revised Local Development Plan

Approval was given to consult on the draft Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) for the revised Local Development Plan concerning Green and Blue Infrastructure. This SPG is intended to support the implementation of the Revised LDP and reflects recent amendments to national planning policy. Officers were granted delegated authority to make minor factual, typographical, or grammatical changes to the draft SPG.

Housing Revenue Account and Housing Rent Setting 2025/26

The council approved recommendations regarding the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and housing rent setting for 2025/26. This included an average rent increase of 2.7% (£2.85 per dwelling per week), in line with Welsh Government policy, which aims to maintain the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard Plus (CHS+) and support the Housing Regeneration and Development Delivery Plan. Garage rents and charges for sewerage treatment works will also increase by 2.7%. The Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2025-28 and the proposed Capital Programme for 2025/26 to 2027/28 were also approved.

Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2025-28: Carmarthenshire's Housing Investment Programme

The council confirmed the vision, priorities, and areas for improvement for the housing investment programmes over the next three years. The 2025/26 Business Plan will be submitted to Welsh Government. The plan outlines a commitment to improving estate and tenancy management, enhancing repairs services, keeping void properties low, increasing the supply of affordable homes, and making homes more energy-efficient. The investment programme, totalling over £282m, is expected to stimulate the local economy and create jobs.

Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2025/26

The council formally adopted the standard all-Wales Council Tax Reduction scheme for 2025/26. This includes implementing annual up-rating figures and technical amendments as provided for in the relevant regulations. The council will continue to exercise its discretion to fully disregard War Widows' and War Disablement Pensions when calculating income for entitlement purposes. However, the council will not exercise discretion to extend the standard four-week run-on period for those returning to work or to backdate claims beyond the standard three-month period.

Council Tax Base 2025-26

The council approved the Council Tax Base calculations for the financial year 2025-26, confirming a Council Tax Base of 77,243.48 for the county council area. Tax bases for individual Community and Town Council areas were also confirmed. Additionally, an increase in the second home premium from 50% to 100%, effective from 1 April 2025, was approved.

Bus Franchising

The cabinet considered progress on developing proposals for a future franchised bus network. With transformative legislation planned for the Senedd in 2025 to enable franchising, South-West Wales is proposed as the first region for roll-out in 2027. The cabinet resolved to proceed with detailed planning and stakeholder and public engagement.

Redevelopment of the Former Plas Y Bryn Residential Home, Cwmgwili

The cabinet endorsed the project for the redevelopment of the former Plas Y Bryn Residential Home, Cwmgwili, through the Welsh Government Integration and Rebalancing of Care Fund (IRCF) application process. The commitment to the match funding requirement specified by Welsh Government to secure the IRCF grant was also approved.

A Tree and Woodland Strategy for Carmarthenshire County Council

The cabinet considered and endorsed the progress made in developing a Tree and Woodland Strategy for Carmarthenshire County Council. The strategy sets ambitions for increasing tree and woodland cover across the council's estate, in line with UK Climate Committee recommendations. The establishment of an inter-departmental delivery board/officer group to implement the strategy's actions was approved, with the strategy to be reviewed in 2028.

Charter for Families Bereaved Through Public Tragedy

The cabinet adopted the Charter for Bereaved Families Through Public Tragedy in its entirety. The council committed to working towards the principles enshrined within the charter, which aims to support families who have lost loved ones in public tragedies.

New Collaboration Agreement for Regional Education Workforce (Partneriaeth)

The cabinet approved the termination of the existing Legal Agreement for the Partneriaeth Joint Committee, effective from 31 March 2025, and approved a draft Collaboration Agreement to replace it from 1 April 2025. This decision, made in conjunction with Swansea Council and Pembrokeshire County Council, will lead to the dissolution of the Partneriaeth Joint Committee and Joint Scrutiny Councillor Group.

Nantycaws Masterplan

The cabinet approved the Nantycaws Masterplan, which has been developed to provide a vision for the site focused on renewable energy, ecosystem enhancement, broadened waste management, and establishing a home for the circular economy in Wales.

Public Question

Ms. Hsiu-Mien Wu asked Councillor Aled Vaughan-Owen, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, about the council's approach to endorsing the Plant-Based Treaty and conducting impact assessments, referencing a study on the environmental benefits of plant-based diets. Councillor Vaughan-Owen acknowledged the study and explained that while Carmarthenshire Council is developing a Sustainable Food Strategy and analysing local food systems, a nuanced approach is required for the county's rural and agricultural landscape. He welcomed collaboration with other councils to learn from their experiences while advocating for a localised impact assessment tailored to Carmarthenshire's context.

Committee Membership Changes

The council approved changes to committee memberships: Councillor Rob James was nominated to the Corporate Performance and Resources Scrutiny Committee, and Councillors Edward Skinner and Dai Nicholas were nominated to the Planning Committee.