[{"text_idx": "#000000", "text": "Local and National News for Carmarthenshire"}, {"text_idx": "#000004", "text": "Wrth baratoi\u2019r gyllideb fwyaf heriol ers blynyddoedd lawer, gwahoddodd Cyngor Sir Caerfyrddin y cyhoedd a pharti\u0308on eraill a\u0302 diddordeb i roi eu barn, eu hawgrymiadau a\u2019u dewisiadau ar gyfanswm o 17 o gynigion ar gyfer y gyllideb. Ymatebodd dros 2,000 o bobl i\u2019r ymgynghoriad ar-lein, ac fe ddaeth 80 o bobl ifanc o ysgolion uwchradd y sir i ddigwyddiad wyneb yn wyneb yn Neuadd y Sir i drafod ag aelodau\u2019r Cabinet a mynegi eu blaenoriaethau."}, {"text_idx": "#000005", "text": "Ymhlith y prif newidiadau i gynigion cyllideb y Cyngor mae:"}, {"text_idx": "#000006", "text": "Cynnydd arfaethedig o 6.8% yn y dreth gyngor, sy\u2019n llawer is na\u2019r gyfradd chwyddiant gyfredol. Dim ond 25% o Gyllideb Refeniw Net y Cyngor gwerth \u00a3450m sy\u2019n dod o\u2019r Dreth Gyngor. Daw\u2019r balans sy\u2019n weddill o\u2019r grant Cymorth Refeniw blynyddol gan Lywodraeth Cymru a\u2019r Ardrethi Annomestig Cenedlaethol.\nMae\u2019r gostyngiad arfaethedig o \u00a32.7m yn y Gyllideb a Ddirprwyir i\u2019r Ysgolion wedi cael ei thorri i \u00a32m, er mewn termau arian parod go iawn, bydd ysgolion Sir Gaerfyrddin yn cael \u00a38m yn ychwanegol i dalu am chwyddiant, ynni a chostau staffio."}, {"text_idx": "#000008", "text": "I gydnabod y cyfnod anodd hwn i fasnachwyr canol trefi, mae\u2019r cynnydd arfaethedig o 10% yn gysylltiedig a\u0302 chwyddiant mewn taliadau am barcio hefyd wedi\u2019i gwtogi i 5%. Yn y cyfamser, mae adolygiad o gyfnodau parcio am ddim yn cael ei gynnal. Mae\u2019n werth nodi bod yn rhaid i\u2019r Cyngor dalu Trethi Annomestig ar feysydd parcio, sydd ar hyn o bryd yn gyfystyr a\u0302 ymhell dros \u00a3300,000 yn Nhref Caerfyrddin yn unig."}, {"text_idx": "#000009", "text": "Mae \u00a3262,000 ychwanegol wedi\u2019i glustnodi ar gyfer Priffyrdd a Chanol Trefi, er mwyn helpu i leddfu\u2019r gostyngiad blaenorol mewn cyllid oherwydd mesurau ariannol llym."}, {"text_idx": "#000013", "text": "Yn dilyn setliad cyllido Llywodraeth Cymru, a gyhoeddwyd ar 14 Rhagfyr, nododd Cyngor Sir Caerfyrddin fod angen pontio diffyg yn y gyllideb o dros \u00a320 miliwn yn ei gyllideb ar gyfer 2023/24."}, {"text_idx": "#000014", "text": "Mae Llywodraeth Cymru\u2019n cydnabod mai hon yw un o\u2019r cyllidebau anoddaf mae wedi\u2019i phennu erioed, ac felly bydd yr arian a ddyrennir i awdurdodau lleol, sydd tua thri chwarter ein cyllid, yn brin iawn o\u2019r hyn sydd ei angen ar y Cyngor i barhau gyda gwasanaethau fel y maent ar hyn o bryd. Mae\u2019r Dreth Gyngor yn codi tua \u00a3112 miliwn y flwyddyn ac mae\u2019n cyfrannu tuag at oddeutu chwarter cyfanswm y gyllideb net flynyddol."}, {"text_idx": "#000015", "text": "Mae gan y Cyngor gyfrifoldeb cyfreithiol i bennu cyllideb gytbwys bob blwyddyn, gan sicrhau bod incwm o ffynonellau megis y Dreth Gyngor, a refeniw o grantiau a gwasanaethau y telir amdanynt yn ddigon i dalu am ei wariant."}, {"text_idx": "#000016", "text": "Dywedodd y Cynghorydd Alun Lenny, yr Aelod Cabinet dros Adnoddau: \u201cMae pob cyngor yn wynebu pwysau ariannol digynsail, oherwydd prisiau tanwydd cynyddol, cyfraddau llog sy\u2019n parhau i godi a chwyddiant rhemp, sydd, yn ei dro, wedi arwain at setliadau cyflog uwch wrth i bobl sy\u2019n gweithio geisio cael dau ben llinyn ynghyd mewn argyfwng costau byw."}, {"text_idx": "#000017", "text": "\u201cO ganlyniad i ffactorau byd-eang, mae Cyngor Sir Caerfyrddin yn gorfod gwneud arbedion o \u00a39.4m eleni. Daw hyn ar ben degawd o gyni cyllidol, gyda thoriadau o flwyddyn i flwyddyn mewn gwariant cyhoeddus sy\u2019n golygu bod y Cyngor eisoes \u00a3100m ar ei golled nag yr oeddem ni 10 mlynedd yn o\u0302l."}, {"text_idx": "#000018", "text": "\u201cHoffwn ddiolch i\u2019r preswylwyr hynny sydd wedi ymgysylltu a\u0302 ni yn ystod y cyfnod cynllunio cyllideb yma. Mae wedi bod yn hynod o anodd gosod cyllideb gytbwys ar gyfer 2023-24, ond mae\u2019r adborth cyhoeddus yn dangos bod preswylwyr yn gwerthfawrogi hyn, ac yn fodlon cymryd rhan yn y broses.\u201d"}, {"text_idx": "#000020", "text": "Bydd \u00a373m o gyllid yn cael ei gyfeirio tuag at ymrwymiad parhaus y Cyngor i wella adeiladau ysgolion, \u00a327m ar gyfer prosiectau Adfywio i hybu gweithgarwch economaidd, \u00a386m i brosiectau sy\u2019n cefnogi\u2019r Fargen Ddinesig sy\u2019n cynnwys canolfan hamdden newydd ar gyfer Llanelli, a \u00a359m i wella seilwaith economaidd lleol Sir Gaerfyrddin a\u2019r amgylchedd ehangach. Cefnogir y pecyn cynhwysfawr ac eang hwn gan gyllid wrth Lywodraeth Cymru, Llywodraeth y DU, ac adnoddau\u2019r Cyngor ei hun."}, {"text_idx": "#000021", "text": "Aeth y Cynghorydd Alun Lenny ymlaen i ddweud: \u201cYn y blynyddoedd diwethaf rydym wedi cyflwyno rhaglen enfawr o fuddsoddiadau cyfalaf ar gyfer pobl Sir Gaerfyrddin. Buddsoddiadau yn ein hysgolion, yn ein seilwaith a\u2019n cysylltiadau trafnidiaeth, ac yn ein cyfleusterau diwylliannol a hamdden \u2013 ym mhob maes, rydym wedi cyflawni er gwaethaf yr heriau digynsail rydym wedi\u2019u hwynebu yn sgil pandemig a chostau byw cynyddol."}, {"text_idx": "#000022", "text": "\u201cWrth i ni flaenoriaethu ein buddsoddiadau cyfalaf ar gyfer 2023/24, rydym yn ymwybodol o\u2019r anawsterau parhaus sy\u2019n wynebu ein preswylwyr. Rwyf, felly, yn falch iawn o geisio cymeradwyaeth gan gydweithwyr yn y Cabinet ar gyfer y Rhaglen Gyfalaf gynhwysfawr hon a fydd unwaith eto yn rhoi hwb i\u2019r economi leol ac yn darparu cyfleusterau newydd a gwell y gellir eu mwynhau gan breswylwyr ledled y Sir.\u201d"}, {"text_idx": "#000025", "text": "Carmarthenshire County Council has amended its 2023-24 budget strategy in response to extensive public consultation. Proposed cuts to school funding and increased school meals and car parking charges have been reduced, and a lower than anticipated council tax increase of 6.8% will enable the Council to avoid cutting essential public services."}, {"text_idx": "#000026", "text": "In preparing the most challenging budget for many years, Carmarthenshire County Council invited the public and other interested parties to express their opinion, suggestions and preference on a total of 17 budget proposals. Over 2,000 people responded to the online consultation, and 80 young people from the county\u2019s secondary schools attended a face-to-face event at County Hall to discuss with Cabinet members and express their priorities."}, {"text_idx": "#000028", "text": "A proposed council tax rise of 6.8%, which is well below the current rate of inflation. Just 25% of the Council\u2019s \u00a3450m Net Revenue Budget comes from the Council Tax. The remaining balance comes from the annual Welsh Government Revenue Support grant and the National Non-Domestic Rates.\nThe proposed reduction of \u00a32.7m in the Schools Delegated Budget has been cut to \u00a32m, although in real cash terms, Carmarthenshire schools will get an extra \u00a38m to cover inflation, energy and staffing costs."}, {"text_idx": "#000030", "text": "In recognition of this difficult time for town centre traders, the proposed 10% inflation-related increase in car parking charges has also been cut to 5%. Meanwhile, a review of free parking periods is being held. It\u2019s worth noting that the Council has to pay Non-Domestic Rates on car parks, which currently amounts to well over \u00a3300,000 in Carmarthen Town alone."}, {"text_idx": "#000031", "text": "An additional \u00a3262,000 has been allocated for Highways and Town Centres, to help alleviate the previous reduction in funding due to austerity measures."}, {"text_idx": "#000033", "text": "Carmarthenshire County Council, like all local authorities, is facing unprecedented financial pressures as the rising cost of inflation, food and energy prices along with increased global demands for goods and services, presents a significant shortfall in its 2023/24 budget."}, {"text_idx": "#000035", "text": "Following the Welsh Government funding settlement, announced on December 14, Carmarthenshire County Council identified a need to bridge a budget shortfall of over \u00a320million in its 2023/24 budget."}, {"text_idx": "#000036", "text": "Welsh Government recognise this has been one of the toughest budgets that they have ever set and therefore the money allocated to local authorities, which makes up around three-quarters of our funding, will fall well short of what the Council need to continue with services as they are currently. Council Tax raises around \u00a3112 million a year and contributes to around a quarter of the total net annual budget."}, {"text_idx": "#000038", "text": "The Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr. Alun Lenny said: \u201cAll councils are facing unprecedented financial pressures, due to soaring fuel prices, ever-rising interest rates and rampant inflation, which has, in turn, led to higher pay settlements as working people try to make ends meet in a cost of living crisis."}, {"text_idx": "#000039", "text": "\u201cAs a result of global factors, Carmarthenshire County Council is having to make savings of \u00a39.4m this year. This comes on top of a decade of austerity, with year-on-year cuts in public spending resulting in the Council already being \u00a3100m worse off than we were 10 years ago."}, {"text_idx": "#000042", "text": "\u00a373m of funding will be directed towards the Council\u2019s continued commitment to improving school buildings, \u00a327m for Regeneration projects to boost economic activity, \u00a386m for City Deal backed projects which include a new leisure centre for Llanelli, and \u00a359m to improve Carmarthenshire\u2019s local economic infrastructure and the wider environment. This comprehensive and wide-ranging package is supported by funding from the Welsh Government, the UK Government, and the Council\u2019s own resources."}, {"text_idx": "#000043", "text": "Cllr. Alun Lenny continued: \u201cIn recent years we have delivered a huge programme of capital investments for the people of Carmarthenshire. Investments in our schools, in our transport links and infrastructure, and in our cultural and leisure facilities \u2013 across the board, we have delivered despite the unprecedented challenges we have faced from a pandemic and the rising cost of living."}, {"text_idx": "#000044", "text": "\u201cAs we prioritise our capital investments for 2023/24, we are mindful of the ongoing difficulties faced by our residents. I am, therefore, delighted to be seeking approval from Cabinet colleagues for this comprehensive Capital Programme which will again boost the local economy and deliver new and improved facilities that can be enjoyed by residents across the County.\u201d"}, {"text_idx": "#000046", "text": "Yr w\u0302yl gyntaf i ofalwyr ifanc yng Nghymru"}, {"text_idx": "#000047", "text": "MAE\u2019R w\u0302yl gyntaf i ofalwyr ifanc yng Nghymru yn cael ei chynnal yr wythnos hon. Llywodraeth Cymru sy\u2019n ariannu\u2019r w\u0302yl,..."}, {"text_idx": "#000048", "text": "Lansio ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus ar leoliad ysbyty gofal brys a wedi\u2019i gynllunio newydd"}]