Latest news with #CarmarthenshireCountyCouncil
South Wales Guardian
12 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Councillor claims Ammanford masterplan is a 'smokescreen'
Cllr Anthony Jones believes the proposed masterplan is a way for Carmarthenshire County Council to profess there are plans to develop and improve Ammanford. This comes after the county council released an update on the Ammanford masterplan, confirming that a feasibility masterplan is being carried out. Cllr Jones said: 'The recent county council capital budget plan shows no investment in Ammanford, and I believe this masterplan is a smokescreen to pretend there is an intention of doing something. 'Timelines of a masterplan will now put an investment further away and be used as an excuse not to invest until the report is back and then shelved. 'Personally, I can't believe the county councils plan is another study! This will mean more taxpayers money spent on consultants than providing for the town. 'Ammanford requires immediate investment like the Debenhams and Wilko's store where action was undertaken immediately to benefit Carmarthen Town. We welcome this for Carmarthen, but we are promised a plan in comparison.' Cllr Jones, who is leader of the Labour Party on Ammanford Town Council, has also blamed the Plaid Cymru administration. He continued: 'This lack of investment for Ammanford comes from the lack of proper representation from the Plaid Cymru county councillors elected to serve the town; their silence is deafening. 'Ammanford has been demoted by the decisions at County Hall. The eviction of town council is the final insult without consultation or consideration of options for the taxpayers who paid for it before Carmarthenshire took custodianship of our assets. 'This administration is worse than Conservatives, because they pretend to care while disposing of an asset required long into the future. Ammanford continues to be exploited with jobs losses and Plaid Cymru elected representatives saying nothing.' Meanwhile, Cabinet member for resources, Cllr Alun Lenny has responded to Cllr Jones claims, reiterating there is a masterplan for Ammanford. Cllr Lenny said: 'The new feasibility study which Labour's Anthony Jones ridicules, is substantially funded by the Welsh Labour Government! 'It builds on the masterplan by enabling the County Council to be ready to bid for substantial UK Government funding once the details are announced later this year. 'This study is an essential part of the process of securing huge investment to transform Ammanford Town centre, something which most local people would welcome, I'm sure. 'I'm personally quite shocked that Anthony, whom I've known well for many years, should accuse me of not telling the truth and misleading the council when I said that there is an Ammanford Masterplan. That's a very serious accusation.'
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Carmarthenshire primary school pupils in competition
They participated in the Junior Traders Competition events held in Ammanford, Carmarthen and Llanelli between May 21 and 23. The event saw children from different schools given the opportunity to showcase their business skills as market traders. Each school was provided with £150 to purchase materials or products for their market stall. The competing teams were scored by local judges based on their stall presentation and the profits made on the day. The events provided the young participants with a chance to hone their skills in important business areas, including product and brand development, budgeting, marketing, and customer relations. In Ammanford, Ysgol Rhydaman won the best presented stall, and Ysgol y Bedol made the most profit. In Llanelli, Ysgol Dewi Sant was recognised for having the best presented stall, while Ysgol Penygaer achieved the highest profit from sales. Llangunnor School was the big winner in Carmarthen, securing both the best presented stall and highest profit accolades. Councillor Carys Jones, Carmarthenshire County Council's cabinet member for rural affairs, community cohesion, and planning policy, said: "This competition is a brilliant example of how we can bring learning to life. "Our young people have demonstrated creativity, confidence, and collaboration, skills that will serve them well into the future. "I'd like to thank all the schools, sponsors, organisers, and families who supported the event. "The enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit on display was truly inspiring." The events were organised by Carmarthenshire County Council with support from various bodies including Llanelli Town Council, Llanelli Community Partnership, Carmarthen & Llanelli Chamber of Trade, Ammanford & Llanelli Town Council, Ymlaen Llanelli and Foothold Cymru.
South Wales Guardian
22-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Ammanford 'neglected' by Transforming Towns funding decision
In the last four years, Carmarthenshire County Council was granted £6.65m from the Transforming Towns scheme. However, shadow cabinet for resources and environment Cllr Kevin Madge believes this confirms that Ammanford has received less investment compared to other towns in the county. Cllr Madge thinks millions of pounds need to be spent in Ammanford. (Image: Newsquest) Mr Madge said: 'This document proves all the money has gone everywhere apart from Ammanford. £6.5 million has been spent and we have only been given crumbs. 'The only way to improve Ammanford is to spend a lot of money. I am doing everything I can to make this happen. We need to spend millions because millions have been spent elsewhere in other towns. 'I've been saying for years that all I'm asking is for Ammanford to get its fair share. I'm not against spending money in other parts of the country. 'Too many statements have been made. Anyone can make statements. It's about delivering. I think this reiterates that Ammanford has been neglected for the past ten years. I would like further information on where the money has gone. 'Most of the money has gone towards building a new Debenhams store in Carmarthen. Meanwhile, there is a lack of decent shops in Ammanford. When I was leader ten years ago, I made plans for Ammanford and spent millions of pounds.' The document lists examples on how the funding has been used in each Welsh county, including places such as Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Cardiff, Swansea and Newport. The following is listed for Carmarthenshire: Carmarthenshire County Council has responded to Cllr Madge's accusations and claimed the document displays just a "snapshot" of the investments made. Councillor Hazel Evans, the council's cabinet member for regeneration, leisure, culture and tourism, said: 'The detail on Carmarthenshire, along with the other local authorities, is snapshot of examples rather than all activity completed through Transforming Towns. 'We have a number of third-party projects in Ammanford which have been missed from the list in question. 'We have consultants engaged to look at a feasibility plan funded through Transforming Towns and work is ongoing to develop a potential project to enhance Ammanford town centre.'
South Wales Guardian
17-05-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Carmarthenshire beach among world's best in awards
Cefn Sidan, near Burry Port, was one of 49 beaches across Wales to receive the globally recognised Blue Flag Award. The award, given by Wales' leading environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy, is a symbol of quality and plays a vital role in protecting the marine environment. Cefn Sidan, an eight-mile sandy beach within Pembrey Country Park, was the first Welsh beach to receive the Blue Flag Award when it was introduced in 1988. The beach has now won the accolade 38 times, more than any other Welsh beach. Carmarthenshire County Council's cabinet member for regeneration, leisure, culture, and tourism, Cllr Hazel Evans, said: "I am delighted that Cefn Sidan beach has retained its Blue Flag status. "This recognition not only reinforces our commitment to protecting Carmarthenshire's coastal environment but also ensures that residents and visitors alike can continue to enjoy a world-class, picturesque, and unique beach experience. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the hardworking team at Pembrey County Park for working hard to preserve one of Carmarthenshire's greatest beaches." The Blue Flag is one of the world's most recognised awards for beaches, marinas, and tourism boats, recognising high standards of water quality, amenities, sustainable tourism development, information provision, environmental education, safety, access, and site management. Owen Derbyshire, chief executive of Keep Wales Tidy, congratulated Carmarthenshire on continuing to ensure Cefn Sidan is one of Wales' best coastal locations. He said: "Congratulations once again to Cefn Sidan on retaining its Blue Flag Award status. "It's great to see that Wales' very first Blue Flag Award winner continues to be not only a beautiful place to visit, but one that visitors know is clean, safe, and well-managed with excellent facilities too."
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Action plea from husband of school stabbing victim
The husband of a teacher who was stabbed at a school in Carmarthenshire has accused the Welsh government of "kicking the can down the road" on staff safety. John Hopkin, 54, who is also a teacher at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, found his wife Liz Hopkin in a "pool of blood" on the morning of 24 April 2024. She, as well as fellow teacher Fiona Elias and a pupil, were stabbed by a 13-year-old student who has since been given a 15-year sentence for their attempted murder. The Welsh government will discuss the findings of a recent violence and safety in schools round table at a behaviour summit this month, while Carmarthenshire County Council said a multi-agency review was underway. 'I'm going to kill you' - how school day turned to chaos amid stabbing Teacher says school stabbing was like horror movie 'Defiance' from parents over bad school behaviour One teachers' union said it had been "a year-long battle" to discuss behaviour and safety in schools since the triple stabbing. Mr Hopkin, who now struggles to sleep, recalled being told to rush through a crowd of pupils to the lower school at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman because his wife had just been stabbed. "Liz was just sat on the stone steps, in a pool of blood," he said. "There was a lot of blood coming out and dripping down the stairs. "I went up to her, and she turned around to me, and she said, 'I'm really sorry'. I know that she thought she was dying." The school was put into lockdown and Ms Hopkin was airlifted to hospital. Mr Hopkin said their lives had changed forever and that she had not returned to the school. "I had time off work and the school have been very supportive," he added. "I think physically, [Liz] has recovered well, but she's struggling with her mental health. "She's more concerned abut the safety of others in schools. She's worried that people aren't listening, and lessons may not have been learned." The jury at Swansea Crown Court heard the girl, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, carried a knife to school every day and had moved from another secondary school to Ysgol Dyffryn Aman. The court also heard a knife had been found in her bag earlier in the school year. "There must have been flags there that were missed," Mr Hopkin said. While the school has been supportive, he added, he criticised the response from the Welsh government and local education authority (LEA). "We just think it's ridiculous this inaction by the Welsh government, and by the LEA, but I think it's got to be led by the Welsh government first," he said. "They just seem to be kicking the can down the road all the time." The girl's first trial at Swansea Crown Court started in September 2024 but collapsed due to "an irregularity within the jury" which meant the verdict was not reached until February this year after a second trial. But Mr Hopkin added: "They didn't need to have the verdict for this to tackle the rise in poor behaviour. "In the county council, nobody has offered any support other than the counselling that came through the school at the beginning, that's carried on. "Schools don't feel that empowered. We need the action, the discussions are done." Both Ms Hopkin and Ms Elias have called for changes since the court case ended in February. There have also been calls for a review of safety in schools from politicians, including from Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Cefin Campbell, whose brother eventually restrained the attacker on the day. UCAC teachers' union said it had been a "year-long battle" to get around the table to discuss the issue, with its members raising concerns about "danger to their lives". Another union, NEU Cymru, welcomed discussions but said "significant investment" was needed "quickly". "This extreme incident is the tip of an iceberg. There is a myriad of issues around it," said the union's interim secretary Nicola Fitzpatrick. She added there was ongoing discussion over a need for a shared protocol to avoid inconsistent guidance and support across Wales. BBC Wales offered Welsh government's cabinet secretary for education Lynne Neagle an interview, but a statement was sent which said her thoughts were with the victims of this "terrible attack" and their families. "Making sure learners and staff feel safe and supported in our educational settings is essential and we are taking action to address declining behaviour in schools and colleges," she added. "The recent Estyn report highlights the issues in our secondary schools and we will be taking forward the recommendations in the report and discussing these, along with the findings of the violence and safety in schools roundtable at our behaviour summit this month." Glynog Davies, Carmarthenshire County Council's cabinet member for education and Welsh language, said the regional safeguarding board had commissioned a multi-agency, independently-led review. He said the review was now underway to ensure good practice was highlighted and shared and that any lessons learnt were identified to improve practice and systems in the future. Davies added the local authority had supported the victims of the incident as well as the wider school community, which had been been "well received" by many. Behaviour better at phone-free school - head teacher School plagued by bad behaviour brings in Saturday detentions Violence and behaviour crisis in schools, union says
