The County Council of Carmarthenshire met on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, to discuss and approve several key reports and recommendations. Among the significant decisions made were the approval of the Housing Revenue Account and Housing Rent Setting for 2026/27, the endorsement of the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan for 2026-29, and the formal adoption of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2026/27. The Council also approved the Draft Annual Report for 2024/25 and endorsed the Annual Monitoring Report for the adopted Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan (2006-2021).

Housing Revenue Account and Housing Rent Setting 2026/27

The Council approved the proposed 2026/27 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget, which included an average housing rent increase of 4.3% (£4.67 per dwelling per week). This increase aligns with the Welsh Government's Social Housing Rents Policy and aims to ensure a sustainable business plan while maintaining the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) 2023. Garage rents and charges for sewerage treatment works will also increase by 4.3%. The Council will apply an amended Service Charge Policy to ensure tenants benefiting from specific services contribute to their cost. The Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2026/29 and the proposed Capital Programme for 2026/27, with indicative spends for 2027/28 to 2028/29, were also approved.

Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2026-29: Carmarthenshire's Housing Investment Programme

The Council confirmed the vision, priorities, and areas for improvement for its housing investment programmes over the next three years. The 2026/27 Business Plan will be submitted to the Welsh Government. Key commitments include improving the responsive repair service, establishing a new minor works team, integrating the responsive repair and estate and tenancy management teams, and ensuring housing officers are more visible and accessible on estates. The Council also committed to working with tenants to shape future services and improve tenant satisfaction, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements, keeping void properties low, and prioritising the increase of affordable homes across the County. The plan's importance in stimulating the local economy and creating jobs and training opportunities was also noted.

Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2026/27

The Council formally adopted the standard all-Wales Council Tax Reduction scheme for 2026/27, as provided for in the relevant regulations. This includes implementing annual up-rating figures and technical amendments. The Council will continue to exercise its discretion regarding limited discretionary elements of the prescribed scheme, specifically continuing to fully disregard War Disablement Pensions, War Widows Pensions, and analogous payments when calculating income. The Council will not exercise discretion to extend the standard four-week period for extended payments after a claimant returns to work, nor will it exercise discretion to backdate applications beyond the standard three-month period.

Carmarthenshire County Council's Draft Annual Report for 2024/25

The Council approved its Draft Annual Report for 2024-2025, which details progress on its Corporate Strategy 2022-2027. The report is structured around the Council's four well-being objectives: Start Well, Live & Age Well, Prosperous Communities, and Our Council. It includes an overview of progress, thematic and service priorities, key performance measures, case studies demonstrating positive impacts, and areas for improvement. The report also incorporates the Council's Social Partnership Annual Report, fulfilling new statutory duties under the Social Partnership and Public Procurement Act 2023.

Annual Monitoring Report 2024/25: Adopted 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 AMR assesses the Plan's performance against monitoring indicators and contextual changes. The findings and evidence within the AMR will inform the preparation of the Revised LDP 2018-2033, which is currently undergoing examination. Officers were authorised to make necessary amendments to improve the clarity and accuracy of the AMR.

Reports of Cabinet Meetings

The Council received the reports of the Cabinet meetings held on 1st December 2025, 15th December 2025, and 12th January 2026.

Notice of Motion

A Notice of Motion submitted by Councillors Terry Davies and Louvain Roberts regarding the urgent development of a comprehensive Carmarthenshire HMO policy was withdrawn.

Questions by Members

Councillor Steve Williams asked Councillor Hazel Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture & Tourism, about access to Pembrey Country Park on Armed Forces Day 2026. Councillor Evans confirmed that validated parking vouchers would be issued, granting free exit for serving members of the armed forces, veterans, cadets, and reservists. She clarified that general park access would remain free, and parking charges would apply as usual for other visitors.

Councillor Steve Williams also questioned Councillor Edward Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services, regarding shuttle bus arrangements or alterations to bus routes for Armed Forces Day to include Pembrey Park, given the nearest bus stop is 2km away. Councillor Thomas stated that transport arrangements are in the early planning stages and that sustainable transport opportunities will be explored, with collaboration with community organisations and transport groups.

Councillor Steve Williams further inquired about fires involving EV refuse trucks. Councillor Thomas responded that there had been no incidents involving the electrical systems of electric refuse trucks operating in Carmarthenshire. He noted a single event where an EV refuse truck was withdrawn from service due to observed smoke, but investigations determined the cause was mechanical failure within a chassis component, not related to the battery or electrical systems. Maintenance protocols were reviewed, and all EV refuse trucks now undergo scheduled in-house inspections.

Councillor Kevin Madge asked Councillor Linda Evans, Cabinet Member for Homes, for an updated cost estimate for the proposed conversion of Ammanford Town Hall into residential flats. Councillor Evans stated that the development would create eight new homes, including three and four-bedroom properties, and that costs are commercially sensitive due to the impending tendering process. She assured that costs would be shared once a contractor is appointed. Councillor Madge also questioned why the building was not offered to Ammanford Town Council through an asset transfer. Councillor Evans explained that the Council had a use for the building and had offered the Town Council six months in the library without rent.

Councillor Deryk Cundy questioned Councillor Glynog Davies, Cabinet Member for Education, about ring-fencing of the unallocated MEP budget for the enhanced replacement of Heol Goffa school. Councillor Davies confirmed that the money had been ring-fenced and provided an update on the progress of the new school building, including design development, statutory consultation, and business case presentation to Welsh Government.

Councillor Martyn Palfreman asked Councillor Jane Tremlett, Cabinet Member for Integrated Health and Children and Adult Social Services, about planned NHS provision at the Health and Wellbeing Hwb in Carmarthen and reassurance that this would not compromise promised healthcare facilities at Llanelli's Canolfan Pentre Awel. Councillor Tremlett confirmed that services planned for Carmarthen Health and Wellbeing Hwb would not affect services at Canolfan Pentre Awel, as both facilities focus on different integrated localities. She also provided details on the Pentre Awel development, highlighting its scale and ambition.

Councillor Alex Evans asked Councillor Glynog Davies, Cabinet Member for Education, for clarification on the timeline for the pause on the statutory process to close Ysgol Pontiets. Councillor Davies sympathised with the uncertainty but could not offer a definitive timeline, stating that the decision to pause was part of the response to an emergency at Ysgol Carwe. He assured that communication would be provided as soon as clarity was achieved. Councillor Evans then asked why the process was not stopped indefinitely. Councillor Davies explained that the original decision was to consult on the future of Ysgol Pontiets, and while there was a delay due to issues in the area, the circumstances behind the original decision had not changed.

Minutes for Information

The Chair stated that minutes from various Scrutiny Committee meetings were available for information on the Council website.

The meeting was held at County Hall, Carmarthen, and remotely.