Talk of Llanelli’s Parc Howard being sold off is an urban myth created by local Labour politicians desperate for a few extra votes, said Cllr Emlyn Dole, Plaid Cymru’s leader of Carmarthenshire County Council. He repeated a previous pledge that it will remain in public ownership.
“Parc Howard is a very important facility for the people of Llanelli. Discussions about its future role should be held in a sensible climate and not be distorted by those seeking political gain by jumping on the nearest passing bandwagon. Labour’s Nia Griffiths MP and candidate Lee Waters really should know better. It shows how frustrated and desperate they’ve become. They’ve concocted an urban myth around an imagined threat to Parc Howard and even launched a petition on the basis of that myth. This is a very cheap shot even by their standards.”
Cllr Dole said that he was looking forward to meeting the Friends of Parc Howard, the Parc Howard Association and the Llanelli Community Heritage Group. “I won’t be asking them to run anything on our behalf, as this is a public park owned by the people – all the people. But as they are interested parties I’m keen to listen to, and share ideas about, how we can create an income that will allow us to sustain and safeguard Parc Howard for the benefit of ourselves and future generations.”
Striking a personal note, Cllr Dole recalled the days when his own children enjoyed the delights of Parc Howard. “That was back in the day when we had a community farm at the back and a cafe, and children enjoyed feeding the ducks and playing football on the luscious front lawn. This is the Parc Howard we have all come to know and appreciate here in Llanelli.
“Until April of this year, Llanelli Town Council have an option on whether on not they wish to take over Parc Howard as part of an asset transfer. Should they reject that opportunity, it comes back to my desk, which is why I’m keen to open a conversation with other interested parties as soon as possible. Turning Parc Howard into a political football demeans an asset which is hugely precious to the people of Llanelli. Once again, I invite local Labour politicians to watch my lips: it will remain safely in the hands of the people to whom it was bequeathed,” said Cllr Dole.
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