News
Budget cuts under fire as financial challenges grip Carmarthenshire County Council

TRADE UNIONS have raised the alarm over Carmarthenshire County Council’s (CCC) proposed 2025/26 budget, warning that ongoing cuts to services are jeopardizing vital community resources. Since 2010, CCC has implemented approximately £150 million in cuts, leaving essential services vulnerable, union representatives claim.
Unison, GMB, and Unite have criticised the council’s leadership, accusing it of prioritising a 6% pay rise for councillors over protecting services. They argue that the council’s budget shortfalls threaten libraries, leisure centres, and public conveniences, creating a strain on already overstretched resources.
CCC has responded by highlighting significant financial pressures. Despite receiving a 4.1% provisional funding increase from the Welsh Government, the council faces an estimated £18 million shortfall for its 2025/26 budget. The council is legally obligated to balance its budget, relying on income from the Revenue Support Grant (RSG), council tax, paid services, and other grants.
Councillor Alun Lenny, CCC’s Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “Very difficult decisions lie ahead for Carmarthenshire County Council. We are now inviting residents, businesses, community, and voluntary organisations to have their say on new policy saving proposals drawn from across all council services.”
Public consultation onderway
To address the budget challenges, CCC has launched a public consultation, open until January 26, 2025, to gather feedback on proposed cost-saving measures. These proposals include reducing building costs, increasing digital efficiencies, and revising staffing structures.
Councillor Lenny added: “As an Authority, we have worked hard to limit the number of policy changes put forward for consultation this year to lessen the impact upon our residents.”
Impact on non-statutory services
Unions argue that non-statutory services, such as museums and leisure centres, are disproportionately affected. St Clears Leisure Centre’s future hangs in the balance, with plans to shift its management locally. Other measures, such as reduced library staffing and increased secondary school meal prices, are seen as disproportionately impacting vulnerable families.
Union representatives criticised the public consultation process as divisive. “The consultation invites the public to choose between bad and worse,” a spokesperson said, arguing that public feedback may not influence final decisions.
Concerns over AI integration
The unions also expressed concern about the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) to achieve “staff efficiencies.” They claim AI is being implemented without proper consultation, potentially leading to job losses and further strain on remaining employees. “AI should enhance, not replace, human jobs,” a union representative said, warning of possible industrial action if worker protections are not addressed.
Alternative solutions
Trade unions are calling for a “No Cuts Needs-Led Budget,” advocating the use of council reserves and borrowing powers to protect and improve services. They suggest this approach would allow time to campaign for increased national funding.
“The fight is not in the courts but in mobilising public support and pressuring Westminster to restore funding to 2010 levels,” unions stated in a joint message.
A warning for the future
The unions warned that without decisive action, CCC could face financial difficulties akin to English councils that have issued Section 114 notices, effectively declaring bankruptcy. They urged the council to collaborate with trade unions and the public to find sustainable solutions.
The council has yet to respond to these criticisms or detail how it plans to address the issues raised. Residents are encouraged to participate in the consultation to help shape the future of local services.
Community
Carmarthenshire man missing in Thailand: Last seen on Phi Phi Island

A 26-year-old man has been reported missing in Thailand after his family lost contact with him more than eight weeks ago.
Daniel Davies was last seen on March 13 on Phi Phi Island, a popular tourist destination in southern Thailand. He had been staying at the Hangover Hostel in Bangkok prior to his disappearance.
A missing person report has been filed with Dyfed-Powys Police, and the case is now listed under reference number DP-20250329-215.
Daniel is described as being around 6ft tall, of slim build, with blonde hair and a beard. He also has tattoo sleeves on both arms.

Echoes of the Lost – a national missing persons initiative – has now joined the appeal alongside SARS Cymru, urging anyone with information to come forward. In a statement, they said: “Daniel, if you happen to see this post, please get in contact with your family. They are worried. If you wish to message us to pass information along, please feel free to do so.”
His aunt, Nicola Doran, has been sharing emotional appeals online, writing: “My nephew Daniel Davies, 26, from Llanelli – he’s gone missing in Bangkok, Thailand. He’s been reported and is now a missing person. No one has had any contact in weeks.”
Friends and family have been spreading the appeal across social media, hoping someone in Thailand may have seen him. One post reads: “Can all my mates out in Thailand, Bangkok area, please share this and keep eyes out for my lil’ kuzen – he’s been missing 8 weeks over there.”
Daniel’s disappearance has been reported to Thai police, and the UK Foreign Office is understood to be aware of the case.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk or calling 101, quoting reference DP-20250329-215.
Farming
Nonsense to base farm funding on population, says union

FARMERS in Wales have warned that changes to the way agricultural support is calculated could see them lose millions in future funding, as allocations move from a needs-based system to one based on population size.
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has criticised the shift, branding the move “nonsense” and “concerning,” arguing it fails to reflect the reality that Wales has more farms per head than England.
Under the former EU model, funding was distributed based on need. However, from 2025-26, support for Welsh farmers will be included in the Welsh Government’s overall budget and determined by the Barnett formula—a population-based mechanism.
Guto Bebb, Chief Executive of the FUW, told BBC Radio Wales: “This latest decision is very concerning because if there is any future increase in farm funding, Wales will be allocated a population-based 5.2% rather than the 9.2% share we previously received based on need.”
The change, announced in the UK Budget last October, has raised alarm bells among the farming community. Mr Bebb urged farmers and unions to ensure that politicians in Cardiff remain committed to backing what he described as a “crucial part of the rural economy.”
The First Minister, Eluned Morgan, had already voiced similar concerns earlier this year, warning the Welsh Affairs Committee in Westminster that the new model could leave Wales short-changed. “When it comes to agriculture, we should be significantly higher than 5%,” she said.
Despite the concerns, both the UK Treasury and Welsh Government have insisted the new settlement will benefit Welsh agriculture.
A spokesperson for HM Treasury said: “The Welsh Government is receiving over 20% more per person than the equivalent UK government spending in England. This translates to over £4 billion more in 2025-26. The full amount of agricultural funding from 2024-25 has been baselined into this settlement.”
Meanwhile, the Welsh Government said it welcomes having full discretion over agricultural support spending and confirmed that more than £366 million has been allocated this year—an increase from the previous year when farm funding was still ringfenced.
However, farming leaders remain sceptical, warning that the shift could jeopardise livelihoods in rural communities if funding does not continue to reflect the true scale and nature of Wales’ agricultural sector.
Farming
Bird flu restrictions lifted after major outbreak in Shropshire

BIRD FLU restrictions requiring poultry and captive birds to be housed indoors in part of Shropshire have been lifted.
The measures were introduced in January following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at Griffiths Family Farms, part of Oakland Farm Eggs, near Wem.
A 3km protection zone and a wider 10km surveillance zone were established around the site. The surveillance zone extended into the Wrexham local authority area.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that disease control measures have now been completed. The area previously within the protection zone is now part of the surveillance zone only.

Around one million hens had to be culled at the site—one of the largest poultry farms in the UK—after the virus was detected in the flock.
Under protection zone rules, all poultry and captive birds must be kept indoors. Surveillance zone rules require premises to keep records of all poultry and egg movements in and out of the area.
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