This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-20886674

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Llanelli considers breaking free from Carmarthenshire County Council Llanelli break with Carmarthenshire council rejected
(about 4 hours later)
Town councillors are discussing an attempt for Llanelli to break away from Carmarthenshire County Council amid claims the town is being neglected. An attempt by Llanelli to break away from Carmarthenshire council amid claims it is being neglected has been rejected by town councillors.
Mayor Winston Lemon said Llanelli desperately needed new jobs and the town centre was a "disgrace". The town council met on Wednesday night to discuss the matter.
Councillors are discussing the issue on Wednesday. Mayor Winston Lemon had said Llanelli desperately needed new jobs and the town centre was a "disgrace".
Carmarthenshire council said the plan was a "non-starter" and the Welsh government said it had no intention to separate Llanelli from Carmarthenshire.Carmarthenshire council said the plan was a "non-starter" and the Welsh government said it had no intention to separate Llanelli from Carmarthenshire.
Councillor Lemon said: "We're so used to being an industrial town, one of the biggest industrial towns in the world. Ahead of Wednesday night's meeting Mr Lemon outlined his concerns.
"Surely there must be ways and means of keeping industry in and around a place like this.
"You see all the land being plundered for housing and people coming into Llanelli from God knows where for God knows what because there are no jobs here."
He questioned the way public money was being spent by Carmarthenshire council and said there was a need to regain control of decision making.He questioned the way public money was being spent by Carmarthenshire council and said there was a need to regain control of decision making.
He said the town centre was a disgrace and much needed to be done to revive it.He said the town centre was a disgrace and much needed to be done to revive it.
Research commissioned by BBC Wales last year suggested that Llanelli had the highest shop vacancy rate (27.9%) in Wales among the major towns and cities.Research commissioned by BBC Wales last year suggested that Llanelli had the highest shop vacancy rate (27.9%) in Wales among the major towns and cities.
The town had also seen the largest vacancy rise over the past three years.The town had also seen the largest vacancy rise over the past three years.
Mr Lemon said there was plenty of public support for Llanelli to leave Carmarthenshire council, although any final decision would not be made for some time.Mr Lemon said there was plenty of public support for Llanelli to leave Carmarthenshire council, although any final decision would not be made for some time.
"This isn't a flash in the pan, this is something I've been thinking about for years," he said. Carmarthenshire council disputed the claims made by Mr Lemon and said millions of pounds had been invested in the town recently.
"I've been watching the demise of Llanelli. I'm born and bred here... lived here all my life and it's just gone from bad to worse."
Llanelli Town Council would take a vote on a possible break-away in principle. There was a borough council based in the town between 1974 and local government reorganisation in 1996.
The existing assembly and parliamentary constituency of Llanelli, which includes communities such as Burry Port and Kidwelly, has a population of around 78,000.
This is larger than four existing local authorities - Merthyr Tydfil, Anglesey, Blaenau Gwent and Ceredigion. According to the 2011 census, the population of Carmarthenshire is 183,800.
But Carmarthenshire council chief executive Mark James said the Welsh government was concerned that councils were already too small.
"They could not break away. It would need a complete reorganisation of local government in Wales," he said.
"The Welsh government view is that many councils are already too small and hence the reason why they are forcing collaboration. This is a non-starter."
The council also disputes the claims made by Mr Lemon and said millions of pounds had been invested in the town recently.
Examples put forward by the council include the new £25m Eastgate development which features offices, shops and a cinema, and the new £15m Furnace Theatre.Examples put forward by the council include the new £25m Eastgate development which features offices, shops and a cinema, and the new £15m Furnace Theatre.
The council said millions had also been spent on new schools, council house improvements and leisure developments such as Parc y Scarlets and Ffos Las racecourse.The council said millions had also been spent on new schools, council house improvements and leisure developments such as Parc y Scarlets and Ffos Las racecourse.
'Unlikely prospect'
The Welsh government, which has responsibility for the organisation of local government, along with the Welsh assembly, said: "There is no intention to separate Llanelli from Carmarthenshire.
"Should there be a case for the review of a local government area, that could be referred to the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales to consider.
"Should town or community councils wish to seek delegation of any functions to them from their county council, that is a path that is open to negotiation between the parties concerned."
The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) agreed that the responsibility of establishing a new unitary authority in Wales would be a matter for the Welsh government.
A spokesperson added: "It is a prospect which the WLGA feels may be somewhat unlikely in the current climate of public finance reductions, regional collaboration and the merger of functions between local councils."