The Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Communities, and Welsh Language was scheduled to consider a funding application for town centre improvements and to review the minutes of a previous meeting. The primary focus was on the Ten Towns Town Centre Spaces Fund (Pride in Place Impact Fund), which aimed to support community projects in rural market towns.

Ten Towns Town Centre Spaces Fund (Pride in Place Impact Fund)

The Cabinet Member was scheduled to consider an application for funding from the Ten Towns Town Centre Spaces Fund. This fund, supported by Carmarthenshire County Council's Ten Towns Programme and the UK Government's Pride in Place Impact fund, is designed to support projects that offer social and economic benefits to Carmarthenshire's rural market towns. Eligible activities include the creation, extension, improvement, or refurbishment of community facilities, as well as enhancements to public spaces such as green spaces, public squares, and outdoor play areas.

The specific application scheduled for consideration was from Newcastle Emlyn Town Council for their project at the King George V Playing Field. The project proposed a comprehensive enhancement of the playing fields, aiming to transform it into a modern, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable community asset. This was scheduled to include the installation of new play area and outdoor fitness equipment for various age groups and abilities, accessible and sensory play features, improved safety surfacing, a community shelter, and a noticeboard. Significant biodiversity improvements, such as tree planting, wildflower areas, and habitats for pollinators, were also part of the proposal.

The report pack indicated that the project aimed to increase opportunities for recreation, health, and wellbeing, strengthen community cohesion, support biodiversity and climate resilience, and enhance the town's visitor offer. The recommendation was to award a grant of £74,989.30, subject to the completion of a full and compliant procurement exercise and the securing of all necessary statutory approvals. The report highlighted that not approving the project could put the Council's ability to deliver the Pride in Place Impact fund within its timeframe at risk.

The report also detailed the implications of the project, noting alignment with the county's existing strategies and plans, including the Local Investment Plan for Carmarthenshire and the Wellbeing and Future Generations (Wales) Act. Legal and financial implications were also outlined, with funding secured from the UK Government Pride in Place Impact Fund and the Ten Towns Programme core funds. Risk management was to be addressed through a programme-level process, with a key risk identified as the short delivery timeframe for the Pride in Place Impact Fund, which required all third-party grants to be financially completed by the end of March 2027. The project was also scheduled to incorporate measures to protect and enhance biodiversity.

To Sign as a Correct Record the Decision Record of the Meeting Held on the 30th June 2026

The Cabinet Member was also scheduled to review and sign as a correct record the decision record of the previous meeting held on 30th June 2026. The report pack indicated that this previous meeting had considered the Annual Report on the Welsh Language 2025-26 and the Welsh Government Allotment Support Grant 2026/27. The Annual Report on the Welsh Language was a statutory responsibility under the Welsh Language Standards, promoting and facilitating the Welsh language in Wales. The Allotment Support Grant was intended to support projects increasing the availability of allotment plots and community growing spaces across Carmarthenshire.