Latest news with #HazelEvans
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."
Business News Wales
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Town Centre Projects Benefit from Extra Regeneration Funding
The Welsh Government is providing an additional £31.5 million to local authorities to deliver regeneration projects in town centres across Wales. The funding will be used by nine local authorities to help deliver projects such as Y Storfa in Swansea, the Queen's Market in Rhyl and the demolition of Newport Leisure Centre. This extra funding was confirmed by the Welsh Government at the end of the last financial year, bringing the total investment for 2024/25 to £70 million. Since its launch in 2020, the Transforming Towns programme has awarded more than £314 million in grant and loan funding to support regeneration across Wales. All 22 local authorities receive funding from the Transforming Towns programme. The Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, recently visited a number of regeneration projects in Llanelli which have benefitted from Transforming Towns funding. She said: 'Projects like the YMCA or the library in Llanelli town centre are a fantastic example of how Transforming Town funding can be used to bring empty and underused buildings back into active use, revitalising public spaces. 'It's so important that we continue to create places that serve the needs of local communities while celebrating their unique heritage and character. That way, we can support communities' future while also championing their past.' Carmarthenshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism – Cllr Hazel Evans said: 'We welcome the additional funding being made available to our towns, through the Welsh Government's Transforming Towns Programme. 'The funding that we have already received has enabled the county council to redevelop and deliver more retail sites, housing for local residents and improved facilities in Ammanford, Carmarthen and Llanelli town centres.' The Welsh Government has protected budgets for the Transforming Towns Programme, with £40 million available for 2025/26.
