Half a billion in schemes and improvements planned – have your say

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board has reiterated its commitment to creating jobs and improving the quality of life for the people of Carmarthenshire.

The Executive Board has agreed a draft capital budget that details and sets out almost half a billion pounds worth of improvement and regeneration programmes planned between now and 2025.

The budget includes additional commitment to supporting businesses, regenerating local towns and boosting the local economy as Carmarthenshire recovers from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The council’s capital spending includes items like major road improvement schemes, new schools or buying significant assets, such as a buildings, which are used to provide the council with income as well as providing jobs to benefit the local economy.

Following endorsement by Executive Board, the draft capital budget forms part of a wider consultation on the council’s plans for spending and saving, allowing everyone the opportunity to feed back their opinion before it ends on February 3.

Public feedback will be considered as part of the budget decision making process.

Included in the proposed capital projects are several road and traffic infrastructure improvement schemes, such as upgraded bridges, street lighting, electric vehicle charging points and active travel links to support people to travel safely by bike and on foot.

The council plans to continue its ambitious schools’ modernisation programme, building new schools or transforming existing facilities to bring educational settings up to 21^st century standards.

Regeneration of urban and rural towns is also a main focus with targeted schemes to improve their appearance and prospects to support businesses and boost the local economy.

There are plans for improved facilities and estates for rural and industrial industries and support for businesses to harness renewable energy.

Supporting businesses to get back on their feet as the county recovers from Covid-19 is a key focus, as well as encouraging new business start-ups and improving digital connectivity in rural areas – the draft capital budget allocated funding in year one of the programme.

Delivery of projects that form part of the Swansea Bay City Deal programme are also included.

“Cllr David Jenkins, Executive Board Member for resources, said: “We are quite rightly focusing our efforts in the first year on supporting and stimulating Carmarthenshire’s economy following the unprecedented challenges of Civid-19, but we are proud to identify funds for many more important capital programme projects. Our aim is to create better prospects for the whole of Carmarthenshire, making life better for our residents and more prosperous for our businesses.
“The draft capital budget of course forms the basis of consultation and as always we welcome public feedback which will help our decision-making in the coming weeks”

Share your views online until 5pm on February 3, 2021.