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CARMARTHENSHIRE NEWS • EDITION 12 MARCH - APRIL 2013


Coleg Sir Gâr open evening


COLEG Sir Gâr’s remaining open evenings this academic year will be held on 20 March and 1 July. The majority of courses start in


September and open evenings provide people with the information they need, whether it’s for learners studying part-time, for leisure, for a degree or for school leavers. Open evenings are held on all campuses from 5.30-8pm.


TENANTS Carmarthenshire across are being


encouraged to enjoy their gardens as part of a major investment in council homes. Pride In Your Patch encourages


Response on rural roads


THE Fire Service’s Rural Response Pump (RRP) was out and about across Carmarthenshire’s roads during the snowy period. Rob


Quin, Head of


Carmarthenshire Command said: “The RRP’s 4x4 capabilities allow it to access small lanes and rural areas, making it especially useful for the wintry


conditions that


Carmarthenshire and wider parts of the Service area suffered.”


Budget set for this year


THIS year’s Council Tax increase will be 3% for Council services meaning an average Band D household will pay £979.70. This equates to an increase of just £29 per year or 55p a week. There was cross party agreement


for the budget at a meeting of Full Council. Executive Board Member for Resources,


proposed the budget which included setting money aside for


Jeff Edmunds, two


initiatives being looked at by task and finish groups. They are £20,000 for Welsh language initiatives, and £50,000 for any recommendations which come from the group looking into the impact of welfare reform. The budget


tenants to make the most of the outdoors, as well as offering them a chance to get involved with works being undertaken by the council to repair and improve pathways as part


of its £203million


Carmarthenshire Homes Standard programme. The three-year front and rear garden element of the CHS has just begun. Already,


www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk Have Pride in Your Patch


12 people have


undertaken on-site training with contractors – one of whom has since found employment with a local building firm and a further two with potential employment lined up. Executive Board Member for


Housing, Cllr Tegwen Devichand, said: “The Carmarthenshire Homes Standard is not


just about regenerating homes – it has so


many extra benefits, including health and well-being; creating safe, attractive


and sustainable


communities; and creating training and employment opportunities. “The Pride In Your Patch project


hasn’t long started, yet we have already had some fantastic success


stories. Through the coming months, we will also be encouraging all tenants to enjoy their gardens and make use of the space.” The council has linked up with


supplier Travis and Perkins to offer tenants who are having work carried out up to 50 per cent off


gardening products. Want to get involved, or need to know more? Call 01554 784608 or email prideinyourpatch@ carmarthenshire.gov.uk


Advice and support for residents


ADVICE & Carmarthenshire issues (ASC)


Support is


available to help people with information and support on a range of entitlement


including to benefits and


managing debt. ASC consists of over 50


follows a major


efficiency drive by councillors and officers to keep Council Tax below inflation whilst saving £7million and minimising the impact on front line services. Despite these pressures an extra £4million is to be put into social care to help vulnerable people. The Council is responsible for


delivering hundreds of services including waste, highways, leisure, libraries, museums, council housing, education, social care, children’s services and many others.


organisations which work together to ensure that anyone requiring assistance can be directed to the most suitable advice and support available. Along with links to partner organisations, it directs users to advice pages where they can get help on issues including Attendance Allowance, Working Tax Credits, Disability


Living Allowance,


employment and training, and free school meals. People


can access


www.asccarmarthenshire.co.uk to learn how they can reduce their fuel costs by making their homes more energy efficient or even find out who they can turn to if they have become the victim of an illegal money lender.


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