Plaid Hits Back Over Ysgol Heol Goffa Funding Row

Carmarthenshire’s Plaid Cymru cabinet member for education has accused Labour councillors in Llanelli of misrepresenting the funding position for the new Ysgol Heol Goffa school, insisting the project is well advanced and that alarm raised by Labour over a potential funding gap was unfounded and reprehensible.

Davies Hits Back at Labour Over Funding Claims

Councillor Glynog Davies, Plaid Cymru’s cabinet member for education at Carmarthenshire County Council, has issued a robust rebuttal to Labour councillors in Llanelli who raised concerns that the new Ysgol Heol Goffa school may not proceed due to a gap in funding, accusing them of misrepresenting the process for what he described as cheap political purposes.

The row follows a full council meeting at which Labour county group leader Councillor Deryk Cundy pressed Councillor Davies on whether the council’s share of funding for the 35 million pound project had been ring-fenced, after Davies appeared to give contradictory answers on the matter across two separate meetings. Labour subsequently warned of a potential black hole in the budget for the school, prompting campaigners and parents to raise fresh concerns about the project’s future.

Councillor Davies rejected that characterisation entirely.

“They obviously do not understand, or choose to misrepresent the process, for cheap political purposes. Work on designing the larger 150-pupil school on a new site is well advanced, so I can assure parents, staff and learners that there is no intention to pull out now. Changing government in Cardiff has no bearing on this, because government funding depends on presenting the full business case, which will happen shortly.”

‘A Constant State of Outrage’: Davies on Greaney

Councillor Davies reserved particular criticism for Lliedi Labour town councillor Shaun Greaney, one of the most vocal campaigners for the new school, who had accused Plaid councillors of holding an old-fashioned attitude to children with special needs. Davies dismissed that accusation and pointed to the scale of the project as evidence to the contrary.

“It is quite shocking that Councillor Shaun Greaney, who seems to live in a constant state of outrage, should accuse Plaid councillors of having an old-fashioned attitude to children with special needs. Moving ahead with a larger new school, costing tens of millions of pounds, disproves his allegations entirely.”

Councillor Greaney had previously said it was disgraceful that Davies should present himself as the champion of the school, pointing out that Davies was cabinet member for education when Carmarthenshire County Council scrapped the original plans for a new Ysgol Heol Goffa in May 2024, a decision that sparked a protest petition signed by more than 9,000 people.

Labour ‘In Trauma’, Says Davies

Councillor Davies also drew a direct line between what he described as Labour’s conduct on the issue and the party’s wider political difficulties following its heavy losses in the May 2026 Senedd elections.

“I appreciate that Labour must be in trauma after their devastating losses in the Senedd elections, but for them to cause unnecessary distress on this issue is reprehensible.”

The comment drew an immediate response from Councillor Greaney, who said it was Plaid that owed the school community an explanation, not Labour.

“More than 9,000 people signed a protest petition for a new school sparked by Plaid’s broken promises. They know the truth. For Councillor Davies to take umbrage when we reveal the money has not been set aside and protected for the school, an indisputable fact, reeks of political desperation.”

Where the Project Stands

Councillor Davies confirmed that work on the design of the new school is well advanced, with the 150-pupil facility to be built on a new site. He said the Welsh Government funding commitment, which under the previous Labour administration had been offered at the higher rate of 75 per cent rather than the standard 65 per cent, remained in place subject to the submission of a full business case, which he said would be presented shortly.

Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith has written separately to Anna Brychan MS, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Welsh Language in the new Plaid-led Welsh Government, calling for an early and categorical commitment to match-fund the project at the 75 per cent level confirmed by the previous administration. School campaigners and Labour councillors have called on the Welsh Government to provide a clear public answer on that question without further delay.

Ysgol Heol Goffa is Llanelli’s additional learning needs school. The campaign for a new, purpose-built facility has been one of the most sustained and emotionally charged in recent Carmarthenshire political history, drawing thousands of signatures over several years. The school community, parents and staff have been clear throughout that they want the arguments resolved and the building started. On that, at least, all parties profess to agree.

Carmarthenshire News Online has approached Llanelli Labour councillors for a response to Councillor Davies’s statement. A response will be published when received. CNO has also approached Anna Brychan MS for comment on the Welsh Government’s position on the 75 per cent funding commitment.

Carmarthenshire News Online, Independent News for Sir Gaerfyrddin | carmarthenshirenewsonline.com