Monthly Report - January 2016

Since being elected on 19 November I have been busy getting to know to how the county council operates and meeting with officers in different departments. I attended my first meeting on 9 December and I will be appointed to the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee at the next council meeting.

Traffic

I have met with police and council officers on site at Ferry Road, New Street and Water Street following concerns about speeding. The county council is currently investigating the possibility of a mini roundabout on the junction of the three streets. Traffic counters will also be placed along New Street and Water Street to monitor the situation.

Proposals to introduce one-way systems along Hillfield Villas and Westhill Crescent are going out to consultation with the emergency services.

Heol Gwelfor and Newtown, Mynydd-y-Garreg

I met with a county council officer along with the Mayor and Cllr. Jenkins on 22 December to consider the following issues:


  • There were concerns that children were climbing walls along Heol Gwelfor, creating a safety risk. Council officers are looking into the issue to see if the railings can be relocated to mitigate this risk.
  • There were resident concerns about a lack of parking along Newtown. An additional parking space will be created in the turning bay located on the street. 


Parc Stephens Asset Transfer 

A lease has been drafted to transfer custodianship of Parc Stephens from the county council to the sports association. This issue will now be referred to the executive board of the county council for a decision as they are the trustees of the park.

Flooding Concerns

I have been contacted by a number of residents of Ferry Road over flooding concerns. The recent inclement weather has led to a high volume of water flowing from the hills. I will be meeting will residents soon and will be working with council officers to reduce the risk of future flooding in this area.

Schools

I have already met with the headteacher of Ysgol Gwenllian and will be arranging to meet with the the headteachers of Ysgol y Castell and Ysgol Mynyddygarreg soon.

Surgery

I am in the process of raising residents’ concerns over changes at the surgery with Hywel Dda Health Board.

Boundary Revision

The Minister for Public Services, Leighton Andrews AM, announced on 4 January that electoral wards will not be redrawn for the 2017 local elections. This means that Kidwelly will remain as a stand-alone ward in the next county election.

Tourism

I will be meeting with officials from the council’s tourism department to discuss what can be done to improve Kidwelly’s profile as a tourist destination.

For further information about this report please do not hesitate to contact me.

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