BMG minutes...and iPads, or I pads
A couple of interesting items have cropped up in the minutes from the latest meeting of the Business Management Group (October 3rd) released via a Freedom of Information request. The full thread of the...
View ArticleA 'highlight' from the press office, and the 'no-eviction' Motion rejected
If you cast your mind back to June you'll remember the grand opening of the Xcel Bowl centre in Johnstown, Carmarthen. Photos of Meryl and Kev snapped in 'mid-bowl posture' graced the pages of our...
View ArticleThree wheels on my wagon....
This week's South Wales Guardian (@SWGuardian) yet again dares to tread where others fear to go with another opinion piece on the 'unlawful' payments scandal, with an appropriate analogy; South Wales...
View ArticleWebcasting - is the end nigh?
Next Friday's Democratic Services Committee will consider a report detailing the staffing resources required to webcast council meetings. The committee's remit is to ensure there is sufficient support...
View Article'Allowable expenses'?
For sometime now attempts have been made to extract the detailed breakdown of the split of the proceeds of the car park at Parc Y Scarlets sold to Marston's Inns earlier this year.The Land Registry...
View ArticleTown Hall Pravdas
If Carmarthenshire's County Hall wishes to expand its media empire further, it looks like there's an opening in the London borough of Greenwich. A former editor of Greenwich council's newspaper spills...
View ArticleUnlawful payments - Executive Board to discuss pension payments
(Update 3rd Dec below; 'Carmarthenshire County Council's reputation 'damaged' says Kevin Madge')The South Wales Guardian reports today that the mysterious 'extra' Executive Board meeting on Wednesday...
View ArticleNext week's agenda; Another corporate presentation
Whilst we wait for other news, I see that the agenda for December's full council meeting has been published (10am next Wednesday) and as promised, and in the spirit of turning the democratic process...
View ArticleCarmarthenshire Council backs down over 'unlawful' pension payments
The minutes of Wednesday's exempt Executive Board meeting have just been published and I have copied the relevant passage below.You will see that essentially the findings of the appointed auditor in...
View ArticleCommittee rejects reduction in council meetings
At the end of last month I mentioned a report to be discussed by the Democratic Services committee. It related to how the Democratic Services office might be affected by the loss of 0.6 staff, which is...
View ArticleUnlawful pension u-turn - an 'Incredible situation' says Plaid
The unlawful payments row rages on and the South Wales Guardian reports (see below) that the Plaid Cymru opposition are demanding answers, and accountability, over the pension 'u-turn' last week, (a...
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The Christmas spirit - December Council meeting
Well the webcast didn't get off to a great start this morning and technical difficulties meant it didn't start working until the Scarlets had finished their presentation and the councillors had asked...
View ArticleLibel case - Permission to Appeal hearing
As I have previously stated, I have been granted permission to appeal on one ground relating to Chief Executive Mark James’ counterclaim.My legal team filed a request with the Court of Appeal for an...
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Yesterday's court hearing - brief statement
Just in case anyone is unaware of what transpired yesterday in London at the Court of Appeal, I was refused permission on all further grounds of appeal. I was present along with my husband and of...
View ArticleCarmarthenshire Council, State Aid and the Scarlets - the BBC investigates
Update 18th Dec; The Western Mail reports today that Cllr Caiach has made a formal complaint to the European Commission that up to £20m allegedly channelled from Carmarthenshire Council to the rugby...
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Petition panic
Carmarthenshire Council seems to have got itself into a bit of a lather over a 38 Degree petition to 'Save Carmarthenshire's Disabled Children's Respite Services' . The petition, which raised over 1000...
View ArticleCaerphilly Council - Another damning report
The Wales Audit Office continue to take a tough stance with Caerphilly Borough Council and the Appointed Auditor, Anthony Barrett has issued a second report confirming that the Chief Executive, Anthony...
View ArticleUnlawful payments - Auditor's report 'mid January'
The South Wales Guardian reports today that the long awaited Auditor's Public Interest Report concerning the two unlawful payments; the pension payment and the libel indemnity relating to...
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Carmarthenshire Council: Review of 2013
It's that time of year for reflection over the past twelve months and although Caebrwyn has had a difficult year, it hasn't been a particularly auspicious one for County Hall either. The tail end of...
View ArticleMadaxeman writes to Eric Pickles MP
Madaxeman, a blogger who is familiar with events in Carmarthenshire, has written an open letter to Eric Pickles MP;Professional Auditors, Armchair Auditors, or No Bloody Auditors – Come Clean Mr. Pickles…
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