Featured Articles

Specialist advisors wanted to maximise City Deal’s impact

Specialist advisors are wanted to help maximise the impact of the £1.3 billion Swansea Bay City Deal. Expressions of interest are now being sought from experts in digital innovation, skills, energy, manufacturing, young people, transport, local development, retail, food and beverages, tourism, heav ...

3 days ago

• City deal

Rubbish dumped in lane lands woman in court

Dumping a rubbish bag containing a kitchen mop, a children’s scooter and wood has cost one Kidwelly woman nearly £400. Sarah Louise Leach-Davies was ordered by Llanelli magistrates to pay the costs after the blue recycling bag belonging to her was found by council enforcement officers in a lane beh ...

4 days ago

• Kidwelly
• Environmental health,Recycling, bins and litter,Enforcement

Best junior cyclists compete at Pembrey Country Park

Some of the best junior cyclists in the world are heading to Pembrey County Park this weekend. Over 100 of the best riders from afar as Israel and New Zealand will race around 20 laps of the closed road circuit in The SD Sealants Junior Tour of Wales on Sunday morning before moving on to their afte ...

4 days ago

• Burry Port and Pembrey
• Education and schools,Countryside and Coast,Cycling

More litter louts left out of pocket

More people have been left out of pocket after carelessly or purposely littering our county. During July 2019, Carmarthenshire County Council enforcement officers handed out more than £1,600 in fixed penalty notices (FPNs). They were for a range of offences, including larger fines for the worst fl ...

9 days ago

• Llanelli,Carmarthen
• Recycling, bins and litter,Enforcement

Pilot scheme to help recover unpaid Council Tax

Carmarthenshire County Council is one of 29 local authorities taking part in a trial with HMRC to recover unpaid Council Tax. Under the pilot scheme, authorities will be able to use the debt information sharing powers introduced by the Digital Economy Act (2017). Through the trial, non-paying cust ...

9 days ago

• Enforcement,Finance

New charging points to meet demand

More charging points are set to be installed across Carmarthenshire for electric vehicles. Some 26 sites in Llanelli, Burry Port, Ammanford, Carmarthen, Gwendraeth Valley and Llandeilo are the latest locations to benefit from electric vehicle charging points.  The proposed 7kw-22kw (fast chargers) ...

10 days ago

• Travel, roads and parking

Success for Carmarthenshire’s Sixth Form students

The number of students achieving success in their A-Levels increased again this year in Carmarthenshire sixth form schools with a quarter of all grades awarded (25.1 per cent) at A*- A. The commitment and dedication shown by students and schools has resulted in 75.3 per cent of entries being awarde ...

10 days ago

• Education and schools

West Wales Learning Disability Charter launched

Over the past five years, people with learning disabilities in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion have worked together to develop a Charter – a simple list of things they expect, and need, to live fulfilling lives. James Dash, Co-Chair of the Learning Disability Programme Group, said: “T ...

11 days ago

• Social care and health

Major investment to improve county’s roads

Nearly £2.5m is being invested in Carmarthenshire roads over the next year, Carmarthenshire County Council has announced. A host of improvement works are underway with six resurfacing schemes already complete. Around 40 sections of road will be resurfaced after funding was made available from the ...

13 days ago

• Travel, roads and parking

Taxi drivers safeguard training helps to spot signs of abuse

Taxi drivers in Carmarthenshire are being trained to spot signs of abuse to help raise awareness of child sexual exploitation and domestic abuse. Hundreds of taxi drivers have already completed the safeguard training which helps protect vulnerable people. Passenger assistants are also being given t ...

13 days ago

• Trading standards

Major road scheme in Ammanford gets the thumbs up

A £1.8million scheme to improve Wind Street and Tirydail junction in Ammanford has been given the thumbs up just months after opening. The new roundabout has significantly helped ease congestion after it replaced the old four-way traffic light system in March this year. Carmarthenshire County Coun ...

16 days ago

• Travel, roads and parking,Development and investment,Regeneration

Council investment to bring back buildings into use

Over £200k of council investment is set to transform two buildings in Ammanford and bring them back into commercial use. The former Kings Diner on Park Street and Lloyds Bank on Quay Street will undergo major refurbishment thanks to the support of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Ammanford Regenera ...

19 days ago

• Ammanford and Amman Valley
• Development and investment

Licensees urged to check permits before the Rugby World Cup

Pubs and clubs in Carmarthenshire are being urged to check their premises licence ahead of the Rugby World Cup to ensure they don’t miss out on showing Wales play. Carmarthenshire County Council licensing officers say licence holders intending to open early to show the matches and serve alcohol nee ...

19 days ago

• Trading standards

Youth council’s work recognised

Carmarthenshire Youth Council has been presented with three finalist awards. The council for Outstanding Youth Work Project: Promoting Young People’s Rights, Amber Treharne, aged 16 for Outstanding Individual: Making a Difference and Sarah Powell for Outstanding Individual: Outstanding Youth Worker ...

19 days ago

• Youth support

Council is first to extend leave for parents of prem babies

Carmarthenshire County Council has become the first local authority in Wales to give its employees additional paid leave if they have a premature baby. The council’s executive board has agreed to implement a new policy to support employees who give birth at or before 37 weeks, or where their baby r ...

23 days ago

• Council meeting reports

Council supports police inquiry linked to Wellness Village

Carmarthenshire County Council, which is leading the development of the Llanelli Wellness and Life Science Village, says it continues to work hard to deliver the scheme despite an ongoing inquiry linked to the project. The council said it remains completely committed to delivering the project at De ...

24 days ago

Ambitious plans to build 900 new council homes moves forward

Plans to build 900 new council homes in Carmarthenshire have taken another major step forward following approval from the county council’s Executive Board. Cllr Linda Evans, Executive Board Member for Housing, told colleagues today (Monday July 29, 2019) that funding is already in place to build a ...

26 days ago

• Housing,Development and investment

Celebrate equality and diversity at Llanelli Pride festival

A kaleidoscope of colour is very soon on the way to a Carmarthenshire town with the staging of the Llanelli Pride festival. Being held on Saturday August 3, Llanelli Pride will celebrate equality, diversity and community spirit. The free event – being supported by Carmarthenshire County Council’s ...

26 days ago

• Llanelli
• Equality & diversity

Black bag reduction and food bin liners to help recycling

The number of black bags that residents in Carmarthenshire can put out for collection will change from four to three per fortnight in a bid to boost recycling rates. Households across the county will also receive food bin liners for the first time to encourage more people to recycle their food wast ...

27 days ago

• Recycling, bins and litter

National Sheepdog Trials set for Llandeilo

Some of the best sheepdogs and their handlers in Wales will soon be competing at a major event in Carmarthenshire. The 2019 Welsh National Sheepdog Trials is being held from Friday August 2 to Sunday August 4 at Dinefwr Park in Llandeilo. A sheepdog trial is a competitive sport where herding dogs ...

30 days ago

• Development and investment,Countryside and Coast,Discover Carmarthenshire

The Body Shop supports #PeriodPovertySirGâr campaign

A campaign to tackle period poverty in Carmarthenshire has received the support of a major national retailer. The Body Shop in Carmarthen has agreed to stock free sanitary products to make sure girls have access to adequate protection during their period over the summer holidays. The #PeriodPovert ...

31 days ago

Bin it message from McDonald’s and Ysgol Bro Myrddin

Staff from McDonald’s in Carmarthen and pupils from Ysgol Bro Myrddin have taken to the airwaves to persuade people to put their rubbish in the bin. The council has launched a county-wide campaign to tackle takeaway and fast-food litter with the support of restaurants including McDonald’s and Roadc ...

31 days ago

• Recycling, bins and litter

Chaotic record keeping lands farmer in court

A Carmarthenshire dairy farmer has been fined for chaotic record keeping that may have contributed to the spread of bovine tuberculosis on his premises. James Thomas, who owns premises known as Posty Uchaf in Abernant, was ordered to pay £14,000 in costs and a £120 victim surcharge at Llanelli Magi ...

31 days ago

• Carmarthen
• Environmental health

County's rural regeneration plan discussed at Royal Welsh

Discussions about Carmarthenshire’s plan to regenerate its rural communities are getting underway at this year’s Royal Welsh. Cllr Cefin Campbell, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board Member for Rural Affairs, has seized the opportunity to speak to local people, businesses, farming unio ...

33 days ago

• Regeneration,Development and investment

Carmarthenshire to ‘benefit’ from major new rail investment

Plans for a new railway station in Felindre and a multi-million pound upgrade to Cardiff Central have been welcomed by the leader of Carmarthenshire County Council. Cllr Emlyn Dole said the move would boost rail services across the city region and reduce journey times to and from West Wales. Aroun ...

34 days ago

Budding entrepreneurs battle it out in trade off

Ysgol Teilo Sant are young trader champions after selling all their stock on Carmarthen Outdoor Market. The Yr 6 pupils were hailed winners after battling it out with two other schools, Saron and Meidrim, in the Carmarthenshire Young Traders Competition. The school sold over 500 flavoured home-mad ...

34 days ago

• Carmarthen
• Markets,Education and schools

Stay safe this summer

Take care of yourself, and others around you… Swimming Ensure children who are near water are supervised at all times — even those who can swim Never underestimate the power of current: Swimmers or waders can be swept away in an instant Swim safely and in designated swimming areas on ...

34 days ago

• Environmental health,Social care and health

Litter louts tackled by enforcement officers

Fines totalling a £2025 have been dished out due to litter offences in Carmarthenshire during June and July. Carmarthenshire County Council’s enforcement officers have been following up reports from the public and catching some red handed, both littering and failing to clear up after their dogs. T ...

38 days ago

First vegan supermarket opens in Llanelli

The first vegan supermarket has opened its doors in Llanelli thanks to the support of a grant from Carmarthenshire County Council. Kind Earth served its first customers with organic and locally sourced produce from its Stradey District Centre store in Maes Y Coed on Friday. The business, owned by ...

38 days ago

• Regeneration,Development and investment,Jobs and training

Your museum needs your help

Volunteers are needed to help carry out short surveys for Parc Howard Museum as part of its Llanelly Pottery Stories project. Funding of more than £100,000 has been secured to help uncover and reveal Llanelly Pottery’s hidden stories. This work includes getting a better understanding of people’s p ...

38 days ago

• Theatres, arts & museums

New café opens as part of major investment in Country Park

A new café at Pembrey Country Park has been officially opened. Yr Orsaf is part of a new £1.4million investment in facilities at the hugely popular park, opening just in time for the busy school holiday season. Providing hot and cold food and refreshments, the café is in the heart of the park serv ...

40 days ago

• Burry Port and Pembrey
• Development and investment,Countryside and Coast

Council’s plan to cut CO2 by almost 700 tonnes a year

Carmarthenshire County Council is investing over £2.5million to make energy efficiencies in its buildings in a bid to cut carbon emissions by almost 700 tonnes a year. It is part of the council’s efforts to become a net zero carbon local authority by 2030, a commitment it made in February when decl ...

40 days ago

• Council Property

Prestigious Green Flag awarded to Pembrey Country Park

Carmarthenshire’s Pembrey Country Park has become the only place in Wales to hold a Blue Flag and a Green Flag, owing to its fantastic environment and friendly welcome. The Park has been a long-time holder of the prestigious Blue Flag for Cefn Sidan Beach, but has for the first time been awarded a ...

40 days ago

• Burry Port and Pembrey
• Awards and honours,Countryside and Coast

Commitment to reducing single-use plastics in schools

Carmarthenshire County Council has committed to working with its suppliers to reduce the amount of single use plastic used in schools. Councillors debated the issue at Full Council, following a motion by Cllr Bill Thomas which called for action to identify ways of moving away from plastic milk bott ...

44 days ago

• Council meeting reports,Education and schools

2019 Beacon Bursary winner named

The winner of this year’s Beacon Bursary entrepreneurship competition goes to an 18-year-old who has set up an online entomology business, selling bugs and other creepy crawlies. Cameron Reardon will receive a cash prize of £5,000, free office space for a year within the Beacon Centre for Enterpris ...

44 days ago

• Llanelli
• Development and investment

Further cash boost for Bishop’s Park restoration project

An exciting project to restore Bishop’s Park in Abergwili, Carmarthen to its former glory has received a cash boost of almost £150,000. The Tywi Gateway Trust has secured two new grants to help regenerate and transform the gardens and former palace outbuildings of the Bishops of St David’s. Also h ...

44 days ago

• Theatres, arts & museums

Give your litter a lift home

Give your litter a lift home – that’s the message to takeaway and fast-food customers in Carmarthenshire. A number of restaurants and takeaways in the county have joined forces with the council to launch a new campaign to combat litter. Signs and posters asking customers to put their rubbish in th ...

45 days ago

• Recycling, bins and litter

Planning to play a key role in protection of Welsh language

County councillors in Carmarthenshire have given their unanimous backing to a motion which calls for the planning system to play a larger role in the protection and growth of the Welsh language. Cllr Alun Lenny, who chairs the council’s Planning Committee, brought a motion to Full Council asking th ...

46 days ago

• Council meeting reports,Planning

Ysgol Pontyberem officially opens its doors

Pupils, staff, governors and invited guests have come together to celebrate the official opening of Ysgol Pontyberem. A total of £4 million has been invested into refurbishing and re-modelling the school, along with a new roof, floors and walls. The full refurbishment was funded equally between Ca ...

46 days ago

• Gwendraeth Valley
• Education and schools

Fitting tribute for a Carmarthenshire’s sporting hero

A unique tribute has been paid to one of the county’s sporting stalwarts. The council’s athletic track stand at Carmarthen Leisure Centre has been named after Carmarthen Harriers club president Dr Hedydd Davies in recognition of his lifetime of service to athletics locally and nationally. Dr Davie ...

46 days ago

• Carmarthen
• Leisure & outdoor activities

Free wi-fi at Parc Howard Museum

Free public wi-fi is now available at Parc Howard Museum. Carmarthenshire County Council and Llanelli Town Council has made significant investment in the museum’s digital infrastructure to provide a free service for visitors and allow more use of digital technology in the museum in the future. Dig ...

47 days ago

• Llanelli
• Theatres, arts & museums

Council welcomes go ahead for Wellness Village project

Carmarthenshire County Council has welcomed a decision to allow Llanelli’s Wellness and Life Science Village to go ahead. The Welsh Planning Directorate has informed the authority that it will not call in the planning application for the £200million project, which was unanimously approved by the co ...

47 days ago

• Llanelli
• Development and investment,Regeneration,City deal,Planning

Exciting new designs unveiled for wellness village as work progresses on site

This is the vision for the £200million Wellness Village in Delta Lakes.

47 days ago

• Development and investment,Regeneration,Leisure & outdoor activities,City deal

Watch out – Iolo Patrolo is about

Meet Iolo Patrolo – on road safety duty to help keep our children safe! The camera enforcement car is on patrol across Carmarthenshire to help tackle the problem of dangerous parking outside our schools. Ysgol Brynsierfel year two pupil Osian Davies won a schools competition to name the car and wo ...

47 days ago

• Travel, roads and parking

Duchess of Cornwall visits Llandovery lunch club

The Duchess of Cornwall visited the Royal Voluntary Service lunch club at Dolau Bran in Llandovery. Here are some pictures from the visit which included a school choir from Ysgol Rhys Pritchard and Llandovery Male Voice Choir. The Duchess was greeted by council Executive Board Member for Social Ca ...

52 days ago

• Llandovery
• Social care and health,Royal Family

Royal delight for Carmarthen’s market and Lyric Theatre

The Duchess of Cornwall sampled the delights of Carmarthen Market and enjoyed a special 40th anniversary performance from Carmarthen and District Youth Opera at the town’s Lyric Theatre. Her Royal Highness has been Patron of The Carmarthen and District Youth Opera since 2010 and visited the Lyric t ...

52 days ago

• Royal Family

Aspirations to regenerate rural communities

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board has unveiled its aspirations to regenerate its rural communities - strengthening local economies, creating jobs and business opportunities and protecting the Welsh language. It is the first time ever that a wide-ranging strategy has been developed by ...

53 days ago

• Rural affairs

Working together to improve the future of fostered children

Improving the future of children and young people in foster care is at the heart of a new regional partnership.Fostering services from the four local authorities of Carmarthenshire, Powys, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire have come together to form Foster Mid and West Wales. The aim is to work together ...

54 days ago

• Education and schools,Children and families

£150million investment in over 900 new council homes

Over 900 new-build council homes will be built in Carmarthenshire over the next 10 years in a massive £150million investment by Carmarthenshire County Council. The ambitious plan, subject to Executive Board and Full Council approval, was unveiled for the first time at a meeting of the council’s Com ...

54 days ago

• Llanelli,Carmarthen,Ammanford and Amman Valley
• Housing,Development and investment

Changes to Carmarthen’s Park and Ride service

The timetable for Carmarthen’s Park and Ride service has changed. The service, which connects passengers with Nant-y-ci and Glangwili Hospital, now runs Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6.30pm. The changes are a temporary arrangement due to the re-tender of the existing contract with Morris Travel. It ...

54 days ago

• Carmarthen
• Travel, roads and parking