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.

Llanelli to host pioneering NHS drone hub as Wales trials autonomous medical deliveries

Dafen site chosen for key vertiport

The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service/Wales Air Ambulance base in Dafen, Llanelli has been confirmed as one of three sites to host prototype vertical take‑off and landing facilities — known as vertiports — as part of the Dragon’s Heart project.

The Llanelli hub will be used to demonstrate how drones can carry blood products and urgent medical samples directly between NHS sites, helping frontline teams respond more quickly to emergencies.

Local NHS staff will be able to engage with the new infrastructure during demonstration flights, exploring how the technology could enhance patient care in Carmarthenshire and beyond.

Transforming rural healthcare

While the drone network is designed to connect NHS facilities across Wales, its impact will be especially significant in rural and hard‑to‑reach communities. By bypassing road congestion and geographic barriers, drones offer a faster, more reliable way to deliver life‑saving supplies where they’re needed most.

“Harnessing drone technology will help us better serve patients and NHS teams, ensuring critical resources arrive where they’re needed most,” said Alan Prosser, Director of the Welsh Blood Service.

A Wales‑wide network with Llanelli at its heart

Alongside Llanelli, vertiports will also be installed at the Welsh Blood Service headquarters in Talbot Green and the Ambulance and Fire Rescue Services resource centre in Wrexham. Together, these sites will form the backbone of a future drone delivery network.

The technology includes autonomous flight guidance, ground‑based radar, and real‑time threat avoidance systems, ensuring safe and efficient operation even in complex environments.

Looking ahead to 2027

The current phase focuses on regional demonstration and strategic growth, with the goal of launching a fully operational prototype service from Talbot Green by 2027.

The Welsh Blood Service says it remains committed to exploring cutting‑edge solutions that improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes across Wales — with Llanelli playing a key role in shaping the future of NHS transport.

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#Dafen #DragonSHeartProject #DroneDelivery #droneMedicalDelivery #drones #EMRTS #Llanelli #medicalSamples #NHSDroneHub #NHSWales #Technology #WalesAirAmbulance #WelshBloodService

Police confirm online threat behind Dafen school closure

Critical incident declared after anonymous report

Police have confirmed that an anonymous online threat suggesting individuals would attend Dafen CP School with knives led to today’s closure of the Llanelli primary.

The report was first received by the Metropolitan Police before being passed to Dyfed‑Powys Police at 2.30am on Monday, 3 November. A critical incident was declared and Carmarthenshire Council was consulted on the decision to close the school.

Heavy police presence throughout the day

At least 13 police units were deployed to the school and surrounding area, including firearms officers, a dog unit, neighbourhood policing teams and response officers. Investigators worked throughout the day to assess the credibility of the threat.

Specialist enquiries have since confirmed the report came from a single anonymous source that cannot be identified, with no further information to substantiate it. Police say the risk is now deemed to have passed and there is no ongoing investigation.

Community reassurance

Gold commander Superintendent Chris Neve said officers understood the concern caused by the incident.

“We recognise the concern among families of children who attend Dafen CP School, and the wider community today, and apologise we have not been in a position to provide this detail any sooner,” he said.

“The safety of the school and integrity of the inquiry have been paramount. You will continue to see an increased police presence at Dafen CP School and the surrounding area throughout this evening, with teams also attending schools in the wider Llanelli area to provide reassurance tomorrow.”

No wider risk identified

Police stressed there is no reason to believe there is any ongoing risk to Dafen CP School, other schools, or the wider Llanelli community. Parents and guardians will continue to receive updates via the school’s communication app, and residents are encouraged to follow Dyfed‑Powys Police and Carmarthenshire Council for official information.

#CarmarthenshireCouncil #CarmarthenshireCountyCouncil #Dafen #DafenPrimarySchool #DyfedPowysPolice #knifeCrime #Llanelli #onlineThreat

Armed police outside Llanelli school after online threats force closure

Early morning alert

Dafen CP School in Llanelli was closed today (Monday, November 3) after threatening messages were made online. Dyfed‑Powys Police said they were alerted in the early hours.

In a statement posted on social media at 7am, the force said:

“We received information at around 2.30am that required safeguarding action to be taken. Working with Carmarthenshire County Council, a decision has been made to close the school today. There is currently a police presence at the school and surrounding areas, and officers will remain in the area while enquiries are carried out.”

By dawn, armed officers were seen outside the school, sparking alarm among parents and residents.

Parents seek answers

The sight of armed police led to a flurry of posts on social media from worried parents, many demanding to know the nature of the threats. Some said they were frustrated by the lack of detail, with no explanation given about when or how the police became aware of the messages.

At 9.42am, Dyfed‑Powys Police issued a further update on Facebook, acknowledging the concern.

“We understand there will be concern among parents and school staff following the message that was issued earlier this morning. We can assure that the necessary and appropriate safeguarding measures have been taken based on the information received by Dyfed‑Powys Police. We continue to work with Carmarthenshire County Council. No other schools have required closure in the local area.”

Council reassures families

Carmarthenshire Council’s Director of Education, Owain Lloyd, also addressed the situation in a letter circulated to other schools, including Bryngwyn. He confirmed the closure was made on police advice, writing:

“Due to information received by Dyfed‑Powys Police, Dafen CP School in Llanelli is closed today. We understand there will be concern among parents and school staff following this. We can assure that the necessary and appropriate safeguarding measures have been taken.”

Investigation continues

By 2pm, police said enquiries into the threatening message were still ongoing. In a third social media post, the force thanked parents and guardians for their support “during this understandably concerning time.”

They added:

“The safety and welfare of the school, pupils, and the wider community are at the heart of this inquiry. At this stage of the investigation, we are unable to comment any further on the nature of the threat and we encourage people not to speculate on the circumstances of the ongoing investigation.”

Officers confirmed they would maintain a visible presence at Dafen CP School and in the wider Llanelli area to provide reassurance. Parents of pupils at the school are being kept updated through the school’s communication app.

Unanswered questions

Despite the heavy police presence and repeated reassurances, no further information has been provided about the nature of the threats, when they were made, or how police became aware of them. For now, families in Llanelli are left waiting for clarity as the investigation continues.

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Nia Griffith: JLR rescue package ‘must’ protect Llanelli jobs after cyber‑attack

Production at JLR’s UK factories was suspended on 1 September after a major cyber incident disrupted its IT systems. The shutdown has left thousands of workers in the supply chain facing uncertainty, including staff at major component manufacturers Gestamp and Schaeffler, which both operate large facilities in Dafen, Llanelli.

Dame Nia said the Government’s intervention was welcome but stressed that the benefits must reach Carmarthenshire quickly.

“The situation was perilous and there was concern for jobs at a number of companies. The loan will bolster JLR’s cash reserves enabling it to pay back companies in its supply chain.

I urge JLR to ensure it gives the maximum support to the firms in my constituency who have been involved in supplying them for some years. Speed is of the essence to ensure local companies benefit from the rescue deal announced by the Government and to help their loyal workforce.”

She added that while the £1.5 billion loan guarantee would provide certainty, JLR must now act swiftly to roll out payments and restore its IT systems to allow deliveries and pick‑ups to resume.

Timeline: JLR cyber-attack and recovery

• 1 Sept: JLR suspends production after major cyber-attack disrupts IT systems.
• 2 Sept: Company confirms systems shut down; production and retail activities severely disrupted.
• 6 Sept: JLR apologises for disruption, says it is working with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement.
• 10 Sept: JLR admits some data has been affected; regulators informed.
• 16 Sept: Production pause extended until 24 September.
• 23 Sept: Shutdown extended again until 1 October.
• 25 Sept: Invoicing and parts logistics systems begin to come back online.
• 29 Sept: JLR announces some manufacturing operations will resume “in the coming days” as phased restart begins.
• 6 Oct (expected): Engine facility in Wolverhampton to be first to restart, with phased return at other plants.

Government support package

The loan guarantee, announced by Business Secretary Peter Kyle, is designed to unlock up to £1.5 billion in private finance for JLR. Backed by the Export Development Guarantee, the loan will be repaid over five years and is intended to give certainty to the company’s extensive supply chain.

Mr Kyle described the cyber‑attack as “not only an assault on an iconic British brand, but on our world‑leading automotive sector and the men and women whose livelihoods depend on it.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said JLR was “a jewel in the crown of our economy”, adding that the package would protect thousands of jobs and support the wider supply chain.

JLR recovery underway

JLR has issued a series of updates throughout September as it works to restore its systems and restart production. In its latest statement today (29 September), the company confirmed that some sections of its manufacturing operations will resume “in the coming days” as part of a phased restart.

The company said:

“As the controlled, phased restart of our operations continues, we are taking further steps towards our recovery and the return to manufacture of our world‑class vehicles. Today we are informing colleagues, retailers and suppliers that some sections of our manufacturing operations will resume in the coming days.”

JLR added that it was working “around the clock” with cybersecurity specialists, the UK Government’s National Cyber Security Centre and law enforcement to ensure the restart was carried out safely. It thanked staff, suppliers and customers for their patience, saying the “foundational work of our recovery is firmly underway” but acknowledged there was “much more to do”.

Local impact

The shutdown has highlighted the vulnerability of JLR’s vast supply chain, which employs around 100,000 people across the UK. For Llanelli, where Gestamp and Schaeffler are key employers, the disruption has been particularly concerning. Both firms supply components directly to JLR, meaning the pause in production has had an immediate knock‑on effect for their operations and workforce.

Dame Nia Griffith said the Government’s loan guarantee must now translate into real support for those local businesses:

“I very much welcome this support put in by the UK Labour Government, but now we need JLR both to implement it in a timely fashion in order to safeguard jobs in our local plants, and to get the replacement IT systems up and running to enable the necessary deliveries and pick‑ups.”

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#carManufacturing #cyberAttack #Dafen #featured #Gestamp #JaguarLandRover #JLR #Llanelli #loanGuarantee #manufacturing #NiaGriffithMP #Schaeffler #UKGovernment

“Whose flag flies here?”: The politics of symbolism in Carmarthenshire

At County Hall in Carmarthen, three flags fly: the Welsh Dragon, the council’s own standard, and the Ukrainian flag — a gesture of solidarity with a nation under siege. But the fourth pole stands empty. The Union Flag, which some councillors say should fly permanently alongside the others, is conspicuously absent.

That absence sparked a heated debate in the council chamber earlier this month, when Labour councillor Rob Evans (Dafen & Felinfoel) tabled a motion calling for the Union Jack to be flown daily at council buildings in Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford.

“Our men and women in uniform don’t just serve on special occasions — they serve 365 days a year,” Cllr Evans told the chamber. “They fight under the Union Jack, and many have been buried beneath it after making the ultimate sacrifice. Surely the least we can do is honour them every single day.”

His Labour colleague Cllr Michael Thomas (Pembrey) echoed the call, saying the council’s current stance was “disingenuous” given its recent Defence Employer Recognition Scheme award.

But Plaid Cymru and Independent councillors in the ruling administration rejected the proposal. They argued that permanently flying the Union Flag was “too political” and risked alienating residents. One Plaid member said some in Carmarthenshire would not want to stand under the Union Jack because of “600 years of London rule.”

The motion was defeated, with 41 councillors voting against, 22 in favour, and two abstaining.

How councillors voted

Flags on the streets

The row over the Union Flag came just days before another controversy. Carmarthenshire Council was criticised by Reform UK councillors after removing Welsh flags that had been attached to lampposts as part of the Raise the Colours campaign.

Cllr Michelle Beer (Reform UK, Lliedi) said:

“It is with deep disappointment that we witness the Plaid Cymru‑led council’s decision to remove Welsh flags from lampposts across our county. The Welsh flag, a proud symbol of our heritage and identity, has long served as a unifying emblem. Yet Plaid Cymru — the so‑called ‘Party of Wales’ — has chosen to strip this powerful symbol from our streets.”

The council defended its actions, saying flags attached to highway structures without permission are unlawful and can pose safety risks. A spokesperson said a new “dynamic risk assessment protocol” is now in place to manage such displays.

The politics of colour

The Raise the Colours campaign itself has become controversial far beyond Carmarthenshire. Launched in summer 2025, it encouraged people to tie Union Jacks, St George’s Crosses and other national flags to lampposts, bridges and roundabouts. While supporters framed it as a grassroots celebration of patriotism, anti‑racist groups such as Hope Not Hate warned that it had been amplified by far‑right activists and linked to anti‑immigration protests across the UK. Polling suggested a significant share of the public saw the campaign as a statement against migrants rather than a neutral show of pride.

That wider context helps explain why the council’s decision to remove the flags has been so politically charged — and highlights the contrast with its choice to fly the Ukrainian flag at County Hall, a symbol of solidarity with a nation under attack that has broad cross‑party support.

A pattern of disputes

This is not the first time Carmarthenshire Council has faced scrutiny over its approach to flags. In 2018, the authority declined a request to fly the Pride flag during LGBT History Month, a decision campaigners said was out of step with other Welsh councils.

Taken together, the empty pole at County Hall, the removed banners from lampposts, and the rainbow flag that never flew suggest a pattern: in Carmarthenshire, decisions about what flies above civic buildings are shaped as much by politics as by protocol.

As Welsh Conservative MS Sam Rowlands put it in an earlier row over the Union Flag:

“We should be striving for actions and symbols that unite us, not divide us. Yet this decision is the petty nationalism that divides us.”

#Carmarthen #Carmarthenshire #CarmarthenshireCouncil #CllrMichaelThomas #CllrRobEvans #CountyHall #Dafen #Felinfoel #FlagPole #flags #Llanelli #Pembrey #RaiseTheFlag #UnionFlag