The after school club, run by a local business at Ysgol Cynwyl Elfed, had become an essential part of village life, providing children with activities, socialisation, and skill-building opportunities after the school day. For many families in the rural community, where there is little in the way of daily activities for children, the club was considered a lifeline. Sources have told Carmarthenshire News Online it was one of the reasons many parents chose to send their children to the local school.
The decision to withdraw funding came as a complete shock to both the business running the club and to the parents who depended on it. There had been no prior warning and no consultation. Families only became aware of the situation after the funding had already been removed.
Council refuses to comment
When Carmarthenshire News Online contacted the clerk of Cynwyl Elfed Community Council seeking clarification, we received a response that raised more questions than it answered.
“I am not going to comment on individual grant applications in this e-mail.”
Clerk, Cynwyl Elfed Community Council
The clerk confirmed that a decision had been taken at the March meeting regarding the allocation of Section 137 funds for 2025/2026 but refused to comment on the individual grant application. No explanation was given as to the reasoning behind the decision, which standing order was invoked, or whether any councillors had declared a conflict of interest. These are all matters this publication considers to be of legitimate public interest.
The clerk suggested that anyone unhappy with a council decision could write to request the matter be placed back on the agenda. While correct in procedure, this does little to address the immediate impact on families who have lost a service they depended upon without warning.
Parents disappointed at council’s decision
Some parents involved with the after school club contacted Carmarthenshire news Online but wished to remain anonymous. They said:
“It is extremely disappointing that the Community Council has voted not to award the annual grant to the after school club, a grant that has historically been provided to organisations that deliver clear benefits to our community.
“The club relies on this modest funding to purchase art materials, activity supplies, and gardening equipment that the children enjoy throughout the Summer. The children have always been at the heart of everything the club does, and our kids genuinely love attending. They look forward to the fundraising film nights and Halloween parties each year, events that many parents are happy to support because the money raised helps keep fees affordable rather than passing additional costs on to families.
“For working parents, the club provides far more than childcare. It offers a safe, welcoming environment where children are fed, cared for, and able to have fun while parents are at work and unable to collect them when school finishes.
“Having read the council meeting minutes, the reasons given for refusing support for the first time are difficult to understand. The school and wider community benefit greatly from this club, and everyone involved knows that it operates on a very tight budget to keep costs down for local families.
“We have been told by those running the club that they were initially informed by the Community Clerk that there was no funding remaining to allocate. They were then told that it was not legally possible to support a business. This explanation raises questions, particularly given the club’s longstanding role in supporting local children and families.
“The loss of this club would be a significant blow to our community, and this decision has caused considerable concern among local parents. From conversations with other families, there is a growing feeling that the Community Council is not listening to or representing the views of the people it serves. Concerns are being raised, yet many feel they are not being adequately addressed.
“This club provides a valuable service to local families and children, and it deserves the support and recognition it has received for many years.”
Questions over transparency
Carmarthenshire News Online has been seeking answers to a number of key questions, including:
- Why was funding refused to a business operating as a limited company, and under which specific standing order was this determined?
- Who proposed the motion to withdraw funding, and what reasoning was given at the time?
- Whether any councillors declared a conflict of interest.
- Why no prior consultation or warning was given to those affected.
An essential service
The after school club was far more than a convenience. In a village with limited facilities and activities for young people, it provided a safe, structured environment where children could learn new skills, make friends, and spend time together in a positive setting. Parents have spoken of their deep disappointment and expressed frustration at the lack of communication surrounding the decision.
The fact that the service was run by a limited company, apparently the stated grounds for withdrawing funding, has struck many as an inadequate justification for removing something so valued by the community it served.
Why the “Limited” Status Should Not Disqualify the Provision
No Profit-Seeking Motive: Like the other school-associated groups that have received funding, the club operates for the benefit of village families, not for private profit or shareholder dividends.
Essential Service Provision: By providing after-school care locally, they prevent village children from needing to travel elsewhere and support local working parents, fulfilling a clear “public purpose” as required by the Localism Act 2011.
Administrative Nuance: The change to a limited company was a defensive measure for insurance purposes, not a change in our operational model. They are the same local team, serving the same local children, with the same social impact.
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