Richard Youle

Carmarthenshire Council is considering changes to its car parking system, including a simplified tariff with reduced rural rates or a uniform £1-per-hour charge. Other options include one hour of free parking, ending existing free periods, removing free parking days granted to town councils, and aligning Ammanford’s tariffs with Carmarthen and Llanelli. Councillors raised concerns about the impact on Ammanford and the loss of event-related free parking, while council analysis found that current free parking arrangements had little measurable effect on town-centre footfall. A scrutiny committee majority backed recommending a simplified tariff with reduced rural rates, one hour of free parking and retained free parking days, while also calling for consultation with town and community councils. The proposals will go to the council cabinet before any final decision.

High temperatures inside the Grade II-listed Ammanford Miners’ Theatre have prompted calls from Ammanford Youth Theatre for air conditioning, citing health and safety concerns and audience walkouts. Creative director Debbie Elias said repeated requests to Carmarthenshire Council had not resulted in action. The council said it had commissioned a specialist assessment of the ventilation system and is considering upgrade options that align with the building’s listed status and energy requirements, while interim measures such as additional fans and chilled water have been introduced.