The council has been awarded £250,000 from Welsh Government’s Assets Collaboration Wales Phase 3 Grant Programme. The grant award means the renovation work planned for the library can now commence immediately.
Environmental and landscaping works to the adjoining Gwili Fields forming part of the same project has already commenced thanks to another grant awarded to the Rural Council from UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund along with match funding support from Our Llwynhendy.
Receipt of the Welsh Government grant has led the council to act swiftly in selecting the approved tender bid for the building work, with the contract being awarded to Martin Taffestsauffer Building and Civil Engineering Contractors Ltd.
Subject to the completion of pre-contractual arrangements being co-ordinated by the Council’s consultant architect W. Griffiths Architects, the building firm hopes to start work on site in mid November 2024.
Emroch Landscapes has been appointed by the council to perform the environmental and landscaping works which includes the installation of a new play area, pathways and amphitheatre.
Subject to favourable weather conditions external works to the Gwili Fields will be completed by the end of the year, with works to the library building being completed by the spring of 2025.
Council Leader, Cllr S. N. Lewis said:
“The awarding of the Welsh Government grant is marvellous news for the people of Llwynhendy. The renovation works to transform the library into a vibrant community asset can now finally begin.
“The grant will fund the construction of a brand new front entrance foyer, additional storage and public toilets, giving the building a modern look and feel about it while making it more visually appealing and attractive to look at”.
“The grant award will be used in conjunction with the £200,000 match funding that the council has earmarked for the scheme, alongside additional match funding from our project partners Carmarthenshire County Council and Our Llwynhendy.
“The project would not have happened had it not been for their invaluable patience and support and so a great deal of appreciation and thanks goes to them”.
Carmarthenshire County Council is asset transferring the library building to the Rural Council on a 99 year lease for a peppercorn rent and is also providing £30,000 to put towards capital works.
Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism – Cllr Hazel Evans said:
“Communities are empowered when they have ownership and management over local assets and we are, therefore, pleased to work with Llanelli Rural Council to asset transfer the Llwynhendy Branch Library building to them and secure the future of the building.”
Our Llwynhendy has pledged £350,000 in support of the scheme. Some of this funding has already been spent.
Our Llwynhendy met the cost of the original feasibility study produced in 2020 to the value of £15,000 and has also pledged £100,000 to put towards the environmental and landscaping works at Gwili Fields.
Chairperson of Our Llwynhendy, Natasha Horne, commented:
“The group wanted to create a lasting legacy with its ten year funding programme and we are delighted to be working in partnership with both the Rural Council and Carmarthenshire County Council to help translate the community’s aspirations into a reality.
“This is an exciting development for our village. This project is not just about creating a new play area and renovating the library, it’s about bringing people together by creating facilities that everyone can enjoy and use.
“The project will deliver a lasting legacy for future generations by making our community greener, more attractive and sustainable with the community hub serving as the centre piece of our plans”.
[Lead image: Llanelli Rural Council]
