Carmarthenshire County Council met on Wednesday to discuss a range of issues, including a notice of motion regarding investments in companies complicit in the Gaza conflict, and a proposal to fly the Union Jack flag at all civic buildings. The council also endorsed the job profile for the recruitment of a Chief Operating Officer for the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee (SWWCJC).

Gaza Conflict Investments

Following a debate, the council supported a notice of motion concerning investments in companies allegedly complicit in the conflict in Gaza. Councillors Rob James and Emyr Rees originally submitted the motion, which was later amended by Councillor Alun Lenny and seconded by Cyng. Carys Jones. The amendment to the notice of motion called for the Dyfed Pension Fund and the Wales Pension Partnership (WPP) to avoid investments that fund war, human rights violations, or breaches of international law.

The council resolved to:

• Express its view against association with companies complicit in the conflict.
• Write to the WPP urging divestment from such companies based on fiduciary responsibilities, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risk, and their Responsible Investment Strategy.
• Ask the Dyfed Pension Committee and WPP to regularly review and report on the divestment process.

The motion will be referred to the Dyfed Pension Fund Committee and the Wales Pension Partnership Joint Governance Committee. Councillor Darren Price, Leader of the Council, noted that the council cannot legally mandate how committee members act on investment decisions, as the Dyfed Pension Fund Committee is an autonomous body primarily responsible for securing pensions for public service employees.

Flying the Union Jack Flag

The council debated a notice of motion submitted by Councillors Rob Evans and Nysia Evans calling for the Union Jack flag to be flown alongside the Welsh flag at all civic buildings throughout Carmarthenshire.

After a recorded vote, the motion was defeated. 22 councillors voted for the motion, 41 against, and 2 abstained.

Chief Operating Officer for SWWCJC

The council endorsed the job profile for the recruitment of a Chief Operating Officer for the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee (SWWCJC). The report explained that the role of CJCs in Wales is becoming increasingly significant as the Welsh Government devolves more responsibilities to them. The SWWCJC must ensure it has the necessary support and resources to manage its expanded roles effectively.

The job profile and person specification outlines the responsibilities and requirements for the position, which include strategic leadership, regional planning, and coordination of transport, land use, economic development, and energy initiatives.

The council delegated the appointment of the Chief Operating Officer to the Corporate Joint Committee.

Public Questions

Several public questions were addressed to Councillor Darren Price, Leader of the Council:

• Bob Clay asked how the Plaid Cymru group decides on nominations for the Dyfed Pension Fund Committee. Councillor Price explained that the process follows the same procedure as for other panels and bodies, with group members expressing interest and the group leader making assignments based on knowledge, experience, and eagerness to attend meetings.
• Eliana Biasutti questioned whether the council would consider moving its banking services from Barclays unless they divested from companies whose weapons are used by Israel in attacks on Palestinians. Councillor Price committed to writing to Barclays to address these concerns, while noting that the council is currently in a five-year contract with the bank until March 2030, and that no other major banks have a clean bill of health when it comes to ESG issues.
• Max Li-Rocchi asked if the council would decide to no longer buy Israeli goods, following the Co-op's decision to do so. Councillor Price explained that the council is bound by the Procurement Act 2023, which requires fair and equal treatment of all treaty state suppliers, including Israel, due to the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement signed in 2019.

Member's Questions

• Councillor Rob James asked for an update on the action taken to convey the council's views to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) on the proposed reduction of Welsh regional rugby teams, and whether an impact assessment had been undertaken on the potential impact of the Scarlets losing their direct funding from the WRU. Councillor Price reported that the council had engaged closely with the Scarlets and had commissioned an additional piece of work which looks at the economic impact of the loss of the Scarlets.
• Councillor Deryk Cundy asked why Option 4 from the Review of Special Educational Provision in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire County Council had not been implemented. Councillor Glynog Davies, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, responded that the authority has developed a range of specialist provisions to meet the needs of learners with ALN, and that they are continuing to develop the provision in the Llanelli area.
• Councillor Emyr Rees asked what realistic protection the authority can provide for sites like the Tirycoed site in Glanamman, and what deterrents are in place to prevent developers from continuing to destroy protected trees/hedges, rhos pasture, and wooden riparian corridors. Councillor Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, responded that the local planning authority have investigated the allegations and come to the conclusion that no breach of planning has occurred at the site, but that the planning authority has transferred details of the allegations to Dyfed-Powys Police.
• Councillor Kevin Madge asked for an update on what action has been taken by Council over the last year to resolve the dangerous buildings on Cwmaman Road Garnant, specifically Garnant Workman's Hall. Councillor Darren Price, Leader of the Council, responded that although the building is under private ownership, the council has used its powers to make sure the building is safe and there's no risk to the public.
• Councillor Kevin Madge asked for an update regarding the former Wilko store at Friars Park in Carmarthen, and what the Council plans for it. Councillor Alun Lenny, Cabinet Member for Resources, responded that the council is in ongoing discussions with interested parties and, for reasons of commercial confidentiality, cannot announce the purchase price at this stage.

Committee Composition

The council adopted changes to the number of seats held by the Labour Group, Independent Group, and Unaffiliated Members on its committees. This decision was made following the sad passing of Councillor Gary Jones and the decision by Councillor Louvain Roberts to leave the Independent Group and become unaffiliated. The council also noted that the existing arrangements for the allocation of the 5 scrutiny chairs remains unchanged.