Political battle erupts as Llanelli Rural Council approves 8% council tax rise – bringing three-year increase to 47%

The decision will affect residents across communities outside Llanelli town centre, including Llwynhendy, Pemberton, Five Roads, Bynea, Dafen, Felinfoel, Swiss Valley, and Glyn.

Opposition councillors from Plaid Cymru and Independent groups condemned the decision, warning it will place a further burden on households during the ongoing cost of living crisis, following an “eye-watering” 32% increase last year.

But Council Leader Cllr Rob Evans hit back, claiming the opposition councillors themselves were responsible for driving up the precept by insisting on ward-specific projects – and accused them of hypocrisy for criticising allowances while earning approximately £20,000 per year as County Councillors.

Cllr Alex Evans, Leader of the Opposition, said the decision shows “the administration is out of touch with the priorities of ordinary residents.”

“People are already struggling to get by. Forcing them to pay almost 50% more in council tax than just three years ago is just not on — that is why we had to vote against the proposed budget tonight. Residents are being asked to pay more while council leaders spend on luxuries,” he said.

Opposition councillors also criticised continued spending on councillor attendance payments, along with a leased car and chauffeur to escort the Chair of Council to events. An optional attendance payment allows councillors to claim £15 for each meeting they attend, with several meetings lasting less than 10 minutes in 2025, and the shortest lasting only three minutes.

“Opposition councillors and residents will rightly question the judgement and priorities of Labour councillors after refusing to scrap attendance payments and return the leased car,” Cllr Evans added.

Opposition councillors contrasted the move with neighbouring Llanelli Town Council which voted to freeze its tax.

The council has since moved from being Labour-run to a new Independent administration and has committed to scrapping councillor payments.

Cllr Sharen Davies, Independent member who also voted against the budget, challenged the administration’s claim that the tax rise was driven in part by the Canolfan Llwynhendy project.

“This development has been funded largely through grants and partner support. It should not be used as a smokescreen to justify excessive tax rises. Llwynhendy residents deserve investment and improvements in our community,” she said.

“This tax hike is completely unacceptable and will put serious financial pressure on our residents. Labour must rethink this further tax increase and start cutting back on unnecessary luxuries.”

However, Council Leader Cllr Rob Evans strongly rejected the criticism, pointing out that the Council’s administration is a coalition of Labour, Independent, and Plaid Cymru members – not a solely Labour-led authority.

He said the current Council has inherited a significant backlog of issues from the previous administration’s “lack of foresight” when adopting numerous new projects and asset transfers.

Cllr Evans explained that last year’s 32% increase was driven by unavoidable commitments, including £107,000 required in the Llwynhendy/Pemberton Ward to complete the new Canolfan Llwynhendy build and to fund unexpected drainage works at Gwili Fields in Cllr Sharen Davies’s ward, recruitment of additional staff to support growing community facilities, and replacement of a grounds maintenance vehicle.

He said this year’s 8% rise primarily reflects investment in Plaid Cymru and Independent wards, including £40,000 for refurbishing a play area for the Five Roads/Glyn Ward – Cllr Alex Evans’s ward – and further investment in Canolfan Llwynhendy.

“It is important to note that had Councillors Alex Evans and Sharen Davies not insisted on these additional ward-specific projects, this year’s rise would have been closer to the general cost of living and would have eased financial pressure on local households. For a Band D property, the increase equates to 28 pence per week,” Cllr Evans said.

On the Chairperson’s car, he said the Council continues to maintain a car and driver because the Chair must represent the Council at numerous civic events across the community, and not all Chairpersons are able to drive. “This support ensures the Chair can fulfil the role effectively and inclusively,” he added.

Regarding councillor allowances, Cllr Evans said Llanelli Rural Council is one of the largest and most ambitious town and community councils in Wales, and as a result, councillors face increasing demand on their time to meet governance and regulatory requirements.

“The role is no longer entirely voluntary in practice. Members dedicate substantial time to reading agendas, reports, and background papers, in addition to attending meetings. The meeting allowance ensures councillors are not out of pocket for fulfilling their duties,” he said.

He added:

“It must also be acknowledged that the councillors quoted in the opposition press release are themselves County Councillors. County Councillors receive a basic salary of approximately £20,000 per year, and for context this is more than the rural council’s entire budget.”

The council’s administration said it remains committed to transparency, responsible financial management, and ensuring that all communities within the Council area benefit from sustained investment and high quality services.

Swansea man handed record penalty for transporting waste without licence

Leon Medlam, of Long View Road, Clase, Swansea, was fined £1,760 and ordered to pay £4,500 in costs, £150 in compensation, and a £704 victim surcharge — totalling £7,114.

The case was heard at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 10 October 2025. Medlam did not attend and was found guilty in his absence.

Joint operation in Llanelli

The prosecution followed a joint day of action on 2 April 2025 in Bynea, Llanelli, where Natural Resources Wales (NRW) worked alongside Dyfed‑Powys Police, Carmarthenshire County Council, and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

The operation targeted vehicles carrying waste to ensure they were properly licensed, helping to prevent illegal dumping and protect the environment.

Medlam was stopped while transporting scrap metal and other controlled waste without a valid licence. He was cautioned and given 10 working days to register with NRW, but despite repeated follow‑ups he failed to comply.

“Clear message” on waste crime

Huwel Manley, NRW’s Head of Operations for South West Wales, said the record penalty underlined the seriousness of waste crime.

“This enforcement outcome sends a clear message: if you transport waste without a valid licence, you will be held accountable. Illegal waste activity harms our environment, undermines responsible businesses, and erodes public trust. Natural Resources Wales will continue to work with partners to crack down on waste crime and protect communities across Wales.”

NRW praised the strong partnership working that made the enforcement possible and reaffirmed its commitment to tackling waste crime.

“These joint operations help protect communities and the environment, while supporting legitimate businesses that follow the rules,” Mr Manley added.

Legal responsibilities

Under the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989, businesses that regularly transport waste must be registered as waste carriers. Even if waste is moved infrequently, if it is part of a business’s usual activity, a licence is legally required.

NRW stressed that registering as a waste carrier is a quick and simple process, and holding a valid licence ensures waste is taken to authorised disposal or recycling facilities rather than being fly‑tipped.

Members of the public are also legally required to check that anyone they pay to dispose of waste holds a valid licence. If illegally dumped waste is traced back to its source, the individual who arranged the disposal may also face prosecution and a fine.

#bynea #carmarthenshireCouncil #carmarthenshireCountyCouncil #clase #driverAndVehicleStandardsAgency #dvsa #dyfedPowysPolice #featured #licensedWasteCarrier #longViewRoad #naturalResourcesWales #nrw #recycling #scrap #scrapMetal #swansea #unlicensedWasteCarrier #wasteCarrier

Llanelli carpenter jailed over cannabis growing operation in father’s garage

Dean Richards, 45, admitted producing cannabis and possessing the drug with intent to supply after police uncovered plants, drugs and growing equipment at multiple locations linked to him.

Swansea Crown Court heard officers executed a search warrant at an industrial unit in Bynea Business Park on 26 July. Inside, they found almost two kilograms of cannabis along with scales, mobile phones and specialist cultivation equipment.

When police went to Richards’ home address, he told them there was more cannabis in his garden shed. Officers recovered around a third of a kilo of the drug along with cuttings.

The investigation then led to his father’s property, where Richards had sole use of a rear garage. Inside, officers discovered 55 cannabis plants at various stages of growth in tents fitted with lights, fans and filters.

The court was told Richards, of Cambrian Street, North Dock, had 16 previous convictions for 38 offences, including earlier cannabis-related matters.

Defending, Ieuan Rees said Richards was a father-of-three who ran a carpentry business employing three people, and that the industrial unit was primarily used as a workshop. Plans to open a café there, run by his wife, had been put on hold pending the court case.

Sentencing, Judge Catherine Richards described the set‑up as a “professional” operation and said the defendant had “clearly done [his] research” to make it profitable. She accepted he was remorseful but said he had chosen to embark on the enterprise despite other financial options.

Richards was jailed for 40 months. He will serve 40 per cent of the term in custody before being released on licence. A Proceeds of Crime investigation will now follow.

#Bynea #ByneaBusinessPark #Cannabis #drugs #DyfedPowysPolice #Llanelli #NorthDock

Petition launched against 120‑acre solar farm plan for Bynea

Windel Solar 11 Ltd intends to submit a Developments of National Significance (DNS) application to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) for the Pencoed Ganol Solar Farm, east of Pendderi Road.

The pre‑application proposals cover around 120 acres of farmland and include ground‑mounted solar panels, a grid connection hub, inverters, underground cabling, fencing, CCTV, internal tracks, landscaping and the demolition of existing farm buildings. The company says the site would operate for 40 years before being returned to agricultural use.

Windel Solar 11 Ltd, a subsidiary of Windel Energy and Recurrent Energy, says the scheme would cut greenhouse gas emissions, retain and enhance existing trees and hedgerows, and create local jobs during construction and operation.

Community opposition

A petition launched by Reform councillor Michelle Beer argues the development would “transform 120 acres of fertile, productive farmland into a sprawling solar installation” at the expense of Bynea’s “health, safety and heritage”.

Concerns listed in the petition include:

• Glare from panels affecting Wales Air Ambulance operations
• Noise and land conflict threatening the closure of Brynteg Farm Wellbeing Sanctuary, which supports children with Additional Learning Needs, disabled residents and mental health charities
• Disruption to residents with sensory impairments
• Risks from historical mining activity
• Increased heavy vehicle traffic on narrow roads
• Loss of farmland and visual impact on the landscape

The petition calls on PEDW and Carmarthenshire County Council to reject the application.

Fears for local sanctuary

Brynteg Farm and Wellbeing Sanctuary borders the proposed site. Co‑owner Zara John said: “We have been praised for our tranquil environment and animal‑focused therapies… However, we are facing closure if this solar farm is built. Firstly there will be noise from the construction period, then once built there will be high security fencing, CCTV, the solar farm will be right up to our boundary, behind our stables.”

She added: “We are the only facility of its kind in our area… these land conflicts and noise pollution… means we would have to close. We are urging everyone to sign the petition against this solar farm.”

Political backing for campaigners

Bynea Labour county councillor Deryk Cundy said: “If this goes ahead it will have major implications on the whole of Bynea, with a build time of at least a year for over 65,000 solar panels… Imagine the noise and dust from the build itself and the background noise of the hum from the generators at the solar farm for many who will be living next door to this monstrosity. I and other campaigners are not against solar energy, it is just that this location is totally unsuitable for a development of that kind.”

Recently elected Reform county councillor for Llangennech, Carmelo Colasanto, is also supporting the campaign.

Developer’s position

On its website, Windel Solar 11 Ltd says the project will provide local renewable energy, support biodiversity through native planting, and contribute to the local economy. The company has been asked to respond to the concerns raised.

The petition can be viewed at: Petition to oppose Pencoed Ganol Solar Farm

#BryntegFarmAndWellbeingSanctuary #Bynea #MichelleBeer #PencoedGanolSolarFarm #PendderiRoad #petition #ReformUK #solarFarm #WindelEnergyAndRecurrentEnergy #WindelSolar11Ltd

Revealed: The 11 Carmarthenshire roads that will change from 20 to 30mph

Just 11 Carmarthenshire roads will see their speed limits returned to 30mph following a consultation by Carmarthenshire Council.

The Welsh Government policy was “hugely controversial” Cllr Alun Lenny told Carmarthenshire Council cabinet members at a meeting on 28 April, however he criticised the “reckless and impatient minority who care little for road safety”.

Council highways officers will also review “buffer” speed limits on approaches to 20mph roads. These see multiple speed limits in a short distance in an effort to encourage motorists to slow down ahead of the 20mph limit. The cabinet report said this review could potentially result in fewer buffer speed limit changes and a more consistent speed limit regime.

All the 20mph roads in Carmarthenshire that could change back to 30mph

A484 in Cwmdwyfran between Bronwydd Arms and Cynwyl Elfed
A484 in Pentre-Morgan, Bronwydd Arms
A484 at Pentrecagal near Newcastle Emlyn
B4297 Heol Y Bwlch in Bynea for a length of 600m from its junction with Yspitty Road to its junction with Y Gerddi
B4333 at Hermon on the southern approach to the village from Cynwyl Efled
B4312 at Llangain near Johnstown on both approaches to the village
B4312 at Monument Hill in Carmarthen
B4308 Carmarthen Road in Kidwelly on the southern approach to the town for a distance of approximately 246m
B4556 New Link Road in Penygroes
B4306 Heol Y Parc in Hendy from Llannon direction up to its junction with Clos Glyn Dwr
B4337 in Llanybydder for a distance of 150m on the eastern approach into Llanybydder from Ty Mawr.

The four roads deemed inappropriate to go back to 30mph were:

A4242 Coracle Way in Carmarthen
B4309 in Cynheidre
B4310 in Nantyffin
B4303 Dafen Road in Dafen, Llanelli.

Swansea Council recently said that out of 81 locations suggested for change, most of the routes suggested did not meet the Welsh Government’s strict criteria for exemptions, however 17 roads across the city did.

#20mph #30mph #BronwyddArms #Bynea #Carmarthenshire #CarmarthenshireCouncil #Hendy #Hermon #Kidwelly #Llanybydder #motoring #Penygroes