October meeting, a prelude to Halloween
Today's meeting kicked off with a warning from the chief executive that the meeting was being held under the watchful eye of the Wales Audit Office, currently observing our local authority on Day 3 of...
View ArticleThe Llanelli 'footfall' figures - 'Lies, damned lies, and statistics'
This week's Herald has been busy getting to the bottom of the mysterious boom in trade claimed for Llanelli town centre.The figure in question was the whopping 36% rise in 'footfall' claimed by the...
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The planning lottery - and an email from history - Updated
Given the number of comments on this post relevant to 'Emlyn's Barn' I am adding my observations as an update rather than a new post.Well, I'm a bit lost for words over the decision to approve Emlyn's...
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This week's Herald; classic Cadno
Here, for readers living outside of the catchment area of the Carmarthenshire Herald, is this week's excellent, and poetic, 'Cadno' piece;Cadno’s cacophonic councillorCadno has an abiding interest in...
View ArticleNews in Brief : By-election, Barngate, and library news
First up is the list of candidates for the Kidwelly by-election to be held on the 19th November. Six hopefuls have put their names forward for the county council seat which was previously held by...
View ArticleThe corporate video...more comment
This week, the Carmarthenshire Herald's Cadno takes a wry look at the Council's new corporate video, I mentioned this riveting creation a couple of week's ago after discovering that it had replaced...
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Petition; Curb unelected power and restore local democracy
If you agree with the following petition statement, which is so highly relevant to Carmarthenshire, please click here and add your signature;Petition for Democracy in Local Government"In recent years...
View ArticleMonday's Executive Board, in brief.
We are very fortunate that the Executive Board meets before its official meetings, and after, to ensure all are in happy cosy agreement before the great unwashed are allowed in. Should there be...
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Coca-Cola, the Christmas icon
I'm sure it won't have escaped your attention that the Coca-Cola lorry is visiting Llanelli. An overexcited, breathless press release announced that Council leader Emlyn Dole"has exclusively revealed...
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Persimmon permission - a nod and a wink?
This week's Herald puts the spotlight yet again on Carmarthenshire's notorious planning 'process'. One of the articles concerns a planning application for 91 homes in Hendy, near Llanelli. With the...
View ArticleCouncillors' pay
The Western Mail has reported on the latest draft report from the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW). This is the body which recommends the level of councillors' pay across Wales.In a...
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Welsh Town Hall Rich List
As reported by several newspapers, the Welsh Town Hall Rich List was published today. The figures for our favourite basket case, Carmarthenshire Council, are based on the 2013 to 2014 financial year...
View ArticleBudget time again....£18m axed from education, and Custard Creams take a hit.
The planned council budget cuts of £40m over the next three years come up for their first airing on Monday. It's early days but the Executive Board (see Appendix A) will approve a raft of proposals...
View ArticleShh! Library for Sale
Earlier this month the Council's Executive Board turned off the webcam, threw out the press and public and went into private session. What was the top secret issue at stake? National security? No, it...
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Petition; Abolish Council Prayers
I have mentioned the subject of council prayers several times on this blog and the issue has been the subject of some debate and controversy across the UK. I am now petitioning the Leader, and the...
View ArticlePersimmon call-in request...
This week's Llanelli Herald takes another look at the shady world of Carmarthenshire's Planning Services and confirms that Nia Griffiths MP (Lab) has asked for the Persimmon application for 91 homes in...
View ArticleCouncil budget - Education bears the brunt
Further to my earlier post, Budget time again..and £18m axed from schools, a few words about this morning's ten minute Executive Board meeting which saw the council's budget rubber stamped for public...
View ArticleCarmarthenshire County Council; Kidwelly by-election results
Labour secured a narrow victory over Plaid in yesterday's county council by-election, retaining the Kidwelly seat by just 40 votes. The turnout was 31% and the results are are follows;Ryan Thomas -...
View ArticleCouncil budget - Hypocrisy, done deals and red herrings.
Just a few more words about Carmarthenshire's budget consultation which kicked off last week with an online 'twenty questions' for your deliberation.As I have mentioned several times the most striking...
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Persimmon permission goes to Committee
Despite the fact that the Persimmon development in Hendy for 91 homes, is currently the subject of a call-in request to the Welsh Government by Nia Griffiths MP the application is up for consideration...
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