30th October 2019 Follow the link to read the article I've written for the November edition of the Llanelli Standard.  15th July 2019 During my year as Mayor of Llanelli, I raised funds for three local charities and last week I presented these charities with the money raised. Read more.  10th July 2019 Yesterday I took part in a Welsh Government consultation on changes to the building regulations. Read More.  14th November 2018 This year marks 100 years since the end of the Great War and the conclusion of a programme of events over the last 4 years, remembering each year of the Great War. It was a great honour and a privilege for me to be the Mayor of Llanelli in attending many of these events. Read More.  6th November 2018 The manufacturer, based in Bynea, Llanelli has announced plans to close it's operation citing 'uncertainty surrounding Brexit" and has begun a 45 day consultation on the proposals.  3rd October 2018 Llanelli Town Council are now in control of Parc Howard in collaboration with Carmarthenshire County Council. Great progress is now being made on the future of the parc with decisions being made in Llanelli. Read More.  25th September 2018 Since Sunday 16th of September, the SOSPPAN Campaign group has maintained a presence at Prince Philip Hospital campaigning for the retention of services; Tomorrow sees the campaign draw to a close as the health board's decision is announced. Read More.  17th September 2018 Recently established Fforwm Llanelli Forum held their first debate last week on Llanelli Town Centre. As a Councillor representing the town centre, I was honoured to be invited to be one of the contributing panelists. Read more.  11th September 2018 Last weekend, the Mayoral Party were delighted to be invited to visit Llanelli Fire Station at their annual open day. This fantastic event has grown in strength year-on-year and this year's open day was the biggest yet.  4th September 2018 The neverending array of talent in Llanelli never ceases to amaze me. Last weekend's production of Macbeth by Llanelli's Boom Productions was a real treat.  30th August 2018 Returning from Llanelli's Twin Town of Agen this week, I feel tired, but envigorated with enthusiasm fot the twinning of our towns and our continued relationship.  Llanelli Half Marathon Challenge 7th August 2018 As Mayor of Llanelli, I'm running the Llanelli Half Marathon in aid of CYCA, Shopmobility and Friends of Llanelli Train Station. If you'd like to read more or support me in my efforts, please follow the link below. 1st August 2018 Last night, I was honoured to welcome the Llanelli Tenovus Choir to the Mayor's Parlour. The choir is an amazing organisation that provides much needed support to it's members as well as great entertainment to the people of Llanelli. Click to read more.  23rd July 2018 On Saturday, Llanelli's diversity was celebrated at a fantastic event in the Selwyn Samuel Centre. Click to read more.  14th July 2018 This week, architects from across Wales travelled to the Mid-Wales Arts Centre for their annual general meeting.  11th July 2018 2019 will mark the 30th anniversary of the twinning of Llanelli with Agen. As part of our continued relationship with Agen, Llanelli received a party of visitors from Agen this week.  15th June 2018 This week, Coleg Sir Gar invited me to attend their Annual Sports Academy Awards which recognised the achievements of their sudents.  14th June 2018 11 - 17 June 2018 is Carers Week . Individuals and groups all over the UK are organising events to raise awareness for Carers Week 2018.  31st May 2018 Last week I was humbled to hear an array of stories about the fantastic people in our communities and their inspirational stories. Click to continue reading.  23rd May 2018 Tonight, I will be hosting my chosen charities in the Mayor's Parlour. Over the coming year, I will be arranging a number of fundraising events to raise money for these Llanelli causes.  16th May 2018 After a whirlwind two weeks, I thought I'd share my experience as the new Mayor of Llanelli.  11th July 2017 Today I attended the Llanelli Traffic Mangement Working Group meeting and, as promised during the election, I raised the issue of congestion and pollution in Llanelli.  29th June 2017 Last night, Llanelli Town Council hosted a Dementia Awareness Session for Town Councillors. As dementia rates are predicted to raise to over 1 million by 2025, raising awareness and understanding is vital.  | 20th June 2017 Last night at Llanelli Town Council's Planning Committee, the council was consulted on proposals to demolish and replace the former Raffles Night Club.  30th May 2017 Today I visited a number of of the smaller villages and communities in the north of the constituency and discussed the concerns they have in their communities.  19th May 2017 Many members of the public have gotten in touch with me to ask me my opinion on Fox Hunting, click here to read my views on the subject.  14th May 2017 Today I officially launched my General Election campaign in Dre-Fach Felindre.  11th May 2017 It's only been 1 week since the public last went to the polls at the local elections, but already the general election campaign is well underway.  27th April 2017 Last night in Glenalla Hall, the Llanelli and District Twinning Association was relaunched.  25th April 2017 Traffic congestion on Felinfoel Road / Thomas Street has reached epic proportions and we need a solution.  31st March 2017 Carmarthenshire Labour have launched our Manifesto Pledges for the upcoming elections. Click here to view the pledges. 4th January 2017 At the meeting of Llanelli Town Council on 4th January 2017, Cllr David Darkin was nominated to be Llanelli Town Council's representative on the Chamber of Trade and Commerce.  8th December 2016  Last night at Llanelli Town Council, I spoke about the new Landfill Disposals Tax and how this may affect fly-tipping. Train Station Meeting 11th November 2016  Friends of Llanelli Train Station meet to discuss the latest developments including the Planning Application being considered and the possibility of a community office at the station. For more information and contact details for the group visit the Facebook Page. Volunteers welcomed. Air Ambulance Visit 1st November 2016  Visit to Energy Centre 26th September 2016  During Labour Party Conference, David Darkin was invited to join a tour of the sustainable energy centre at Liverpool University. RSAW AGM 13th July 2016 Today, the Royal Society of Architects in Wales met for it's annual general meeting. At the meeting, held in Newtown, Powys, David was relected as the Vice-Chair and Treasurer for the West Wales Region.  Litter Pick 28th June 2016 "Litter has been a particular problem in many areas accross Llanelli. If everyone could give up an hour or two of their time to help, it would make a tremendous difference." Election Success 10th May 2016Following an uncontested election, David was sworn in as Llanelli's newest Town Councillor today. 'I'm proud to represent my community and am looking forward to the challenges ahead." David will attend his first Town Council meeting on 1st June. Darkin Architects were invited to attend a forum on Welsh Business in Westminster. Hosted in the Houses of Parliament, the forum was an opportunity for Welsh Businesses to discuss business policy with First Minister Carwyn Jones and members of the Shadow Cabinet team.  Consultation Success 27th November 2015Today Darkin Architects, together with the Friends of Llanelli Train Station and Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Nia Griffith, consulted on the proposed renovations of the corner plot at Llanelli Train Station. The proposed scheme will transform an unloved piece of derelict land into a new public space housing a new heritage board. The heritage will commemorate the famous Llanelli Railway Strike amongst other historical events and will be prepared by the Llanelli Community Heritage Team. The scheme was very well received by the public and the project is due to move forward with funding applications in the new year. To date, all work has been prepared by volunteers, free of charge.  Llanelli Chapel Fire 14th August 2015 In the clip below, see David being interviewed for Channel S4C's Evening News, talking about the architecture of a Llanelli Chapel destroyed in a recent fire.  Clearance Work Underway 9th July 2015  Pictured above is David with the Friends of Llanelli Train Station volunteers who have been busy clearing the site today. | Town Centre CCTV Meeting with Police Commissioner 18th March 2015 As an executive member of the Llanelli Chamber of Trade and Commerce, David and Chamber Secretary Jonathan Armstrong met with Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner to discuss proposals for CCTV monitoring in Llanelli Town Centre. At the meeting, Mr Salmon was questioned on his decision to withdraw £44,000 of funding from Llanelli used to man the CCTV system in the town centre. He said "Active monitoring is not the best use of money" and that "There's no evidence that it (active monitoring of CCTV) makes a difference to offending behaviour". David and Jonathan gained a commitment from Mr Salmon that an impact review would be conducted after one year of the new arrangements and that the situation could be reviewed if traders noticed a "sudden change in offending behaviour" Train Station Revamp 13th March 2015 As chair of Friends of Llanelli Train Station, David has worked with Nia Griffith MP to revamp Llanelli Train Station. Campaign Trail March 2015 "Town Centre is Improving" October 2014 As reported in the Llanelli Star: A LLANELLI architect and businessman claims the “town centre is improving”, despite a retail survey listing it as the second worst town centre in the UK. David Darkin, 31, owner of Darkin Architects believes Llanelli’s town centre is getting better thanks to inward investment. On the very same day that specialist retail property experts Harper Dennis Hobbs released its list of 500 town centres, with Llanelli pipping only Dudley to last place, the town’s Assembly Member Keith Davies unveiled his plan for its future. In the National Assembly, Mr Davies said he aimed to “inject vibrancy” into the town. But, Mr Darkin, a fellow Labour supporter, believes Llanelli is already heading in the right direction. “Everyone’s seen the Eastgate Development, Llanelly House and the library, but there’s a lot more going on to help independent retailers,” he said. “Many grants have been given out by the council to help local businesses.” A member of Llanelli Chamber of Trade, Mr Darkin claims that over the last few years Carmarthenshire Council has awarded more than £100,000 in grants to businesses from the European Regional Development Fund. This cash boost, he said, has helped to refurbish the fronts of many shops in Llanelli including Amy’s Fashions, Utopia Hair Salon, Pebbles and Timeless Tattoo — projects Mr Darkin’s business has designed — and he hopes more will follow in the future. “That recent report, damning Llanelli as the second worst shopping centre in the UK was misleading,” Mr Darkin claims. “If you read their methodology, you can see that it only focuses on the ‘retail offering’. “That means that the service sector and our new cultural and leisure facilities such as the theatre, library, cinema and restaurants aren’t factored.” He added that the survey had also ranked the spend potential of the centres, with Llanelli ranked 196th with a value of over £235m. “In an increasingly digital world, I think that Llanelli is heading in the right direction,” Mr Darkin said. Business Round Table with Ed Balls October 2014 "It was fascinating to listen to, and be a part of the dialogue between Welsh business and the Shadow Treasury Team ahead of the Autumn Statement" "Ed Balls said the key to recovery would be through the creation of good jobs." The meeting took place in the House of Commons and was attended by MPs from the shadow treasury team and businesses from different industries from across Wales. RSAW Council Role June 2014David has been elected to the role of Vice Chair of the West Wales Branch of the Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW) by fellow Architect Members. This position means that David is now also a member of the national council and will be a voice for Architecture in Wales. Chuka Umunna Business Forum October 2013  Working alongside local MP, Nia Griffith, David's Business, Darkin Architects, sponsors a Business Forum in Llanelli with Shadow Business Minister Chuka Umunna. Silent Protest at Prince Philip Hospital 29th March 2012  Letter to Llanelli Star 7th MARCH 2012  Click on the image above to read the article. SOSPPAN Public Meeting 16th February 2012  David was interviewed live on S4C at SOSPPAN's public meeting. Around 500 people showed up for the meeting and such was the public interest that many people sadly couldn't get into the room. At the meeting it was unanimously agreed that SOSPPAN would send a letter expressing no confidence in the Hywel Dda Health board 11th February 2012  The public of Llanelli demonstrated their fears over the rumours surrounding the removal of services from Prince Philip Hospital. David and others lead a procession of protesters through Llanelli, carrying a coffin to demonstrate the very real fear felt by the public. David Questions Political Panel 15th De 2011  David appeared on S4C's Pawb A'i Farn and expressed concerns over looming changes to the local hospital. Group Set up to Fight Skate Park Cuts 14th December 2011  Click on the image above to read the article. Piddle Riddle 19th October 2011  Click on the image above to read the article. David highlights anti-social behaviour issue in Llanelli Town Centre. Resident's Parking Permits  Click on the image above to read the article. Local Labour Party member David Darkin is calling for the residents parking permit charges in Llanelli to be cut. Astonished to learn that Llanelli’s residents are paying over the odds for parking at £30, David highlighted that in Cardiff, permits are only £5 and in Swansea they are free. |
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