Transport priorities need to be revisited

The priorities in the Regional Transport Plan for South West Wales need to be revisited according to Plaid councillors in Carmarthenshire.

Cllr Siân Thomas said that she welcomed the fact that the proposed Llandeilo by-pass was one of the top priotities, but was concerned about the timescales for delivery. "According to the plan," she said, "this road is one of the very top priorities for the area, but we are not even expecting the work to start until at least 2014, with every possibility of further delay beyond that."

Cllr John Edwards called for a higher priority for work on the A48 between Cross Hands and Pont Abraham where there had already been a number of accidents, and said, "There is a real need for action over some of the junctions along this stretch of road in the interests of public safety."

Boost for much-used hall

Neuadd Bro Fana, at Ffarmers, is to benefit from a grant of up to £15,500 from the Assembly Government under the Rural Development Plan for Wales. Welcoming the news, local ward councillor, Eirwyn Williams, said, "This hall is in a very rural area, but is used by a plethora of groups and societies. The hall committee has now agreed to a proposal from the school's former dinner ladies to set up a village café and shop to provide addiitonal services to the community, subject to planning permission.

"I am certain that this will not only provide a facility which the community will use, but will also further increase the use of the hall, since the grant is to be used to refurbish the kitchen and store area which will then be available for community events as well. I am delighted that this application for grant has been successful, and wish the new enterprise well."

Call to delay development at Llandeilo

Carmarthenshire county council in its last meeting heard calls for a delay to a proposed large scale development at Llandeilo. Plaid members of the county council expressed their concerns over the traffic problems in Llandeilo, and argued that adding significantly to the size of the town before building a by-pass would only make matters worse.

Cllr Siân Thomas said, "The Environment Committee has already heard about serious concerns about the level of pollution in Rhosmaen Street, and there is no way that we can add to the traffic without making that worse. When is the by-pass coming? The latest government plans suggest that it will not be until at least 2014, and we should not even be considering building more houses on this scale before then."

Plaid's leader, Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths asked, "Are we really comfortable to be moving ahead with this development before the problem is solved?"

Cllr John Edwards said that he very much welcomed the development brief which the council's officers had prepared, but shared the concerns about timing. "It's much better that we plan in this fashion," he said, "trying to set out a pattern for the development in advance rather than merely responding to the developers. It's a very welcome development, and I applaud the council's officers for the work which they have done. It is important, however, that we not only control the form of the development, but also its timing, so that we maintain the best possible environment for the residents of the county."

Need to nurture local sporting talent

Not enough is being done to nurture local sporting talent, says a Plaid Cymru councillor in Llanelli. Cllr Winston Lemon, who represents Glanymor ward on the county council is pushing for a rubgy pitch on Crown Park, and said, "This would be a marvellous local facility and would help to nurture talent for the future. It would also provide a proper home for an existing club, Warriors RFC. This would give them a base in the local community and encourage others, particularly young people, to get involved in sports."

Local needs being missed

Local needs for new housing in Glanymor, Llanelli, are bing missed, according to local Plaid County Councillor, Winston Lemon. Cllr Lemon said this week that there was too much emphasis on new private sector building, when there as an unmet need for houses to rent for local people. "Not only that," said Cllr Lemon, "but there are also far too many council houses empty, which should be used to house local people.

"The emphasis is completely wrong at present. What we need is a policy for housing and development which starts from a proper analysis of local needs, and then tries to meet them. What we seem to have instead is a policy driven mostly by the interests of the developers."

Further concerns about education cuts

Plaid Cymru councillors in Carmarthenshire have expressed further concerns about cuts in the education budget over coming years.

Cllr Gareth Jones said he was particularly unhappy about the proposed cuts for Theatr Arad Goch. "This theatre group does an invaluable job," he said, "in going around schools and working with the children. Withdrawing funds from this service will reduce the opportunities avilable to the county's children. Arad Goch can present elements of school work in different ways. It gives the children a chance to work as individuals and develop team skills, as well as developing their self-confidence. Their productions are a very worthwhile adjunct to the curriculum.”

The county is planning a further cut of £62,000 in Children's services by ending its agreements with Women's Aid. Cllr Dyfrig Thomas said, "This organisation does extremely valuable work, and in time of recession, its work is needed more, not less. The sort of work undertaken is a vital support to the council's own services, and I am very disappointed to see the agreement terminated."

Welcome for progress on new school

Llwynhendy Councillor Meilyr Hughes, Plaid, has welcomed the news of progress on the replacement for Brynsierfel school. According to the county council, the demolition of the existing school is scheduled to start in the middle of August, and to be completed by 4th September, when construction can commence.

Cllr Hughes said, "I welcome the fact that progress is being made on this much-needed work. Brynsierfel School is desperately in need of the new enhanced facilities, and I very much look forward to seeing the work completed as soon as possible."

Brynsierfel pupils are currently being taught at Ysgol yr Ynys, and the new school is expected to be ready in two years.