Free parking in the Amman and Towy Valleys, improved business rates and a commitment to accelerate the Llandeilo bypass are all part of what Plaid are calling the "biggest" budget deal ever reached by an opposition party since the creation of the National Assembly.

The Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru have agreed a £119million deal, which will see Carmarthenshire and West Wales benefit from greater investment in childcare provision, local services, in health and wellbeing services as well as major infrastructure projects as part of the draft Budget 2017-18.

In addition Carmarthenshire looks set to benefit through the commitment to accelerate the Llandeilo bypass, exploring the use of additional money from the UK Government's Autumn Statement. A pilot scheme to end town centre car parking charges, with Ammanford, Llandeilo, Llandovery and Newcastle Emlyn at the top of Plaid's local priority list. The commitment to develop a new, improved and permanent business rates relief model for small business. Also included is an additional £46million of capital into the Welsh Development Bank which will unlock finance for west Wales businesses.

The Budget agreement was negotiated through the formal Finance Liaison Committee set up between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.

Local Assembly Member Adam Price and Plaid Cymru's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Finance, Adam Price said: "I'm extremely proud to say that Carmarthenshire will benefit from our budget deal. We have secured tangible gains for our communities for the new financial year, and guarantees for longer term projects.

"I'm delighted to have secured a fund to kick start the delivery of free parking for small towns, increased funding for our local museum, a funded study into re-opening the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth railway line and a commitment to accelerate the Llandeilo bypass should new money come from the Chancellor's Autumn Statement in November.

"All of these are, of course, in addition to the Wales-wide additional monies we have secured for our health services, local councils and businesses, not least the agreement to develop a new model of business rates relief for small firms.

"Plaid Cymru's position when entering negotiations was to secure a deal that would help us on our way to delivering a well, well-educated and wealthier Wales. The agreements we've reached – around £279million in their entirety - will bring additional funding to benefit all ages and all industries."

Welsh Government Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford added: “The establishment of the Finance Liaison Committee has been a milestone in the maturity of Welsh politics and the productive discussions we have had with Plaid Cymru have been conducted in that spirit.

“As the First Minister said at the start of this Assembly, no party has a monopoly on good ideas and we have been able to incorporate many of Plaid Cymru’s spending plans into this draft Budget."

As part of the shared policy agreements between Labour and Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Government budget will include:

  • The prioritising of work to deliver 30 hours free childcare for working parents, with £10million being available to begin the roll out in 2017. Additional funding will be given as the programme grows.
  •  An additional £88.3million towards apprenticeships and skills, bringing forward at least 100,000 new all-age apprenticeships, with the total investment in apprenticeships likely to be over £400million over the next five years.
  •  The development of a National Infrastructure Commission and new Welsh Development Bank to grow our economy and increase financial capital available to businesses, with an additional £46million secured.
  •  £16million to establish a New Treatment Fund, ending the postcode lottery for new drugs and treatments, with over £350million additional funding for health in 2017-18 to support education and training for healthcare professionals.

As part of Plaid Cymru's additional priorities in those negotiations, the party has secured:

  • £30million for further and higher education learning, helping to bridge the funding gap and enable students to progress to higher quality qualifications;
  • £25million extra funding for local councils, defending local services from the drastic cuts they would expect from further government cuts;
  •  £20million to increase spending on mental health services
  • £15million of capital funding for new diagnostic testing machines such as MRI and CT scanners.
  • £3milllion small towns pilot fund to end car parking charges in small towns and provide a level playing field against out-of-town shopping developments;
  • £7million additional investment in medical schools and healthcare professional education;
  • £1million to assist with end-of-life care;
  • £0.5million to establish an eating disorder clinic.
  • £5million extra to Visit Wales, helping to promote and sell Wales to the world and encourage tourism.
  • £1.5million to boost the Safer Routes to School programme
  • £2million Ports Infrastructure Fund to develop our export hubs.