The possible purchase of the Studio and a St David’s Day cawl event were among matters discussed at the January General Meeting of Whitland Town Council.

The meeting was held via Zoom, on Monday, January 8, at 7pm. Present were the Clerk and Councillors L Shipton (Mayor), M McDowell (Vice Chair), R Jones, J Blandford, E Morgans and A Cornick. Cllrs J Davies-Scourfield, S McDowell and D Rutter sent apologies for absence. It was proposed and seconded that the Minutes of the meeting held on December 11, 2023 be accepted as a true record of the meeting. All Cllrs eligible to vote were in full agreement.

The Clerk confirmed that the Precept request has been duly signed by Cllr Len Shipton and herself and forwarded to Carmarthenshire County Council for approval. The request is in the sum of £64,490.

PL/07002 - Land adjoining Brynonen, Henllan Amgoed - Outline planning application for a rural enterprise dwelling and associated works. It was agreed that the above application is not within the Whitland Ward – The Clerk to advise the Planning Authority accordingly

PL/06950 - Hillside, North Road - Two-storey extension to dwelling. Following consideration of all the information provided by the Planning Authority, Whitland Town Council did not raise any concerns regarding this application.

It was proposed and seconded that the camera above the door to the men’s toilet be updated at an estimated cost of £150.Vote taken – All councillors in full agreement.

Following a recent incident at Parc Dr Owen – the Police have requested CCTV footage of such.

It was reported that the roadside drains in North Road were blocked – Cllr Len Shipton attended to sort the immediate hazard out – Carmarthenshire County Council have been informed.

The Defibrillator cabinet, located at the Social Club, was damaged recently but the defibrillator is still in working order.

Arrangements to be made to meet the residents of St David’s Avenue.

An email has been sent to the Head Teacher of Dyffryn Taf Comprehensive School to arrange to meet the School Council Members.

A mobile phone and email account have been set up.

A St David’s Day event is being arranged – Cawl, local produce stalls and possibly the school children singing. To be held in the Town Hall on Friday March 1, 2024.

Consideration is to be given as to the possible purchase of the Studio, for community use, using grant funding. It was proposed and seconded that a meeting be requested with the Ten Towns Steering to further consider the possible purchase and associated works of the Studio using the Ten Towns grant funding. Vote taken – All councillors in full agreement.

Information has been received from Network Rail regarding the information required relating to the possible installation of a mural on the train station building.

It is noted that there are no works that require immediate attention. It was proposed and seconded that the Clerk and Grounds Working Party work through the suggested works. Vote taken – All councillors in full agreement.

The condition of several properties along St John’s Street has been brought to the attention of councillors.

Excess surface water, which is unable to drain away on several roads around Whitland, is causing the roads to decay. The Clerk to advise Carmarthenshire County Council of the residents’ concerns. Any concerns should be reported to Carmarthenshire County Council - [email protected]