Plaid Cymru has set-out its ambitions to support rural communities across Carmarthenshire as the Local Government elections on May 5th approach.
The party’s manifesto for the upcoming elections includes many key commitments that would continue to support rural communities across the county. Amongst the party’s headline policies, a commitment has been included to boost regeneration by buying more from local producers and suppliers – raising local procurement from 53% to a potential 70%. The party have confirmed this would include food for school meals, which will shortly be free for all primary pupils, having been delivered by Plaid Cymru through the Co-operation Agreement with the Welsh Government.
The party’s commitments towards rural communities also includes a pledge to continue on Plaid’s work on a county and national-level in campaigning against the exploitation of agricultural land by multinational companies who block-buy food producing land for afforestation to profit from the sale of carbon credits.
A commitment has been made that a Plaid Cymru-led administration would look to address the growing housing crisis in many rural areas – making it easier to convert redundant farm buildings into homes or workshops for local people through the revised Local Development Plan. The feasibility of enabling the establishment of new smallholdings in rural areas would also be considered – and the potential positive contribution to the economic, social, cultural and environmental sustainability of the local community.
Further manifesto commitments from Plaid Cymru for rural communities include:
- Working in schools to educate learners about food production and how to cook
- healthy meals using local produce.
- Further build on the Council’s relationship with the Young Farmers Federation (YFC).
- Investigate working with partners on opening a milk processing plant to cut the carbon footprint and keep the Carmarthenshire pound in the county.
- Following withdrawal of Welsh Government funding, explore all possible funding
- options to support a programme of improving the condition of rural roads.
Commenting, Jean Lewis, Plaid Cymru candidate for Trelech, said:
“Plaid Cymru has a proud record of standing up for our rural communities on Carmarthenshire County Council. From challenging large multinationals purchasing good agriculture land for exploitative greenwashing, to supporting greater investment in our digital connectivity, Plaid Cymru have ensured that our rural communities and agriculture sector are placed at the heart of discussions.
Our priorities for the next 5-years would continue to safeguard our communities – acknowledging their distinct economic, social and linguistic identities. Crucially, a priority would be increasing local procurement from 53% to a potential 70% – boosting regeneration by buying more from our local producers and suppliers.
Through the revised Local Development Plan, we would make it easier to convert redundant farm buildings into homes or workshops for local people, and also look to enhance support for groups and institutions in our communities – building on our relationship with the Young Farmers Federation, and helping local village halls to expand on their services and the support they provide locally.”
