Local Authority in critical talks with MEP

THE Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council is holding ongoing discussions to secure the best possible European grant settlement for the county.

More than £110million in European grants has been secured over recent years to support the delivery of several significant projects across Carmarthenshire.

European grants have a major impact on the regeneration of the county and critical discussions are now taking place in Brussels and Strasbourg that will establish how much money will be allocated to future EU funding programmes for the period 2014-20.

As a consequence, the Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council Cllr Kevin Madge recently met Derek Vaughan, a Member of the European Parliament who has a significant role in influencing the decision making process.

Cllr Madge said: “Carmarthenshire County Council recognises that we need to continue to invest in supporting our local businesses and our communities. However, it is extremely challenging when so many of our other services are also competing for limited financial support.

“Thanks to European grants we have seen an investment of £220 million pounds with over 700 new jobs created, 800 businesses receiving support, 150 new businesses created and over 2,000 people helped into work.

“Many of these projects are still being delivered and some are under construction, such as the expansion of our Business Park in Cross Hands. Many more new jobs will therefore emerge in the future.”

He said that without continued support from the European Commission the council would not be able to complete the challenging regeneration targets that it had set for itself and its partners.”

He added: “I was able to demonstrate to Derek Vaughan how we have made excellent use of the support that we are currently receiving from Brussels. I also shared with him some of the exciting plans that we have for the future.

“We have numerous projects in the pipeline. However, these will not be delivered without support from the European Commission and our other partners such as the Welsh Government.

“This dialogue will continue for a number of months and I was reassured by Derek Vaughan that the European Parliament is likely to agree a positive outcome on the budget before July. This decision is critical if future funding programmes are able to commence in January next year.”

Caption: Pictured at the meeting in County Hall, Carmarthen, are from left to right: Cllr Colin Evans, council leader Cllr Kevin Madge, Head of European Policy and external funding Neville Davies, Derek Vaughan, and council physical regeneration manager Stuart Walters.

Pic Jeff Connell