Party of Wales Gwynedd Councillors' Group

With winter well and truly here, Plaid Cymru Councillors in rural Gwynedd are delighted that grit will be distributed free of charge to the county's yellow bins this winter.

Following discussions with the cabinet member who has responsibility for highways, Plaid Cymru Councillor, Catrin Wager, there was concern in rural areas that the cost of filling the large grit bins was adding to growing pressure on community and town councils:

With over 2000 people signing a petition calling on the Welsh Government to reconsider their decision to withdraw the Llanbedr bypass scheme, the Councillor, Annwen Hughes (pictured) who set up the petition is thanking people for their support and asking them to continue to express their dissatisfaction with the decision.

A Meirionnydd farmer and Councillor has gained the unanimous support of Gwynedd councillors today (2 December, full Gwynedd Council meeting) to press the Welsh Government to change the guidelines of agricultural funding schemes to ensure that taxpayers' public money does not leave Wales, as companies try to tackle their carbon footprint.

Clearing, cleaning, repairing, tidying - community pride will be a top priority for Gwynedd's communities as 2022 arrives, as Plaid Cymru Gwynedd's cabinet discuss investing £1.5million to ensure clean and tidy communities in the county at a meeting this week (30 November).

“This is a key moment in our efforts to address the Welsh housing crisis facing our communities,” said Plaid Cymru Gwynedd Leader, Dyfrig Siencyn, “one which could have a fundamental impact on the ability of local people to buy, rent and live in their own homes within their own communities.”

The Plaid Cymru Gwynedd Leader was responding to today’s announcement by the Welsh Government Climate Change Minister, Julie James which sets out plans to intervene in the market in the Dwyfor area, as a pilot scheme, to support local people to live in their local communities and make changes to the planning regulations to manage better the local housing stock.

Twelve people who have completed their apprenticeships from Gwynedd Council have now taken up posts within the organisation. "They include roles like a Communications and Marketing Officer, Highways Technician, Customer Advisers, HR Assistants, Youth Deputy Leader and Care Assistant," said Plaid Cymru Councillor, Nia Jeffreys (pictured), who has responsibility for careers at Gwynedd Council. 

So far this year, 30 apprentices have been appointed to work for the authority, with more to come in the coming months. The intention is to offer 20 apprenticeship jobs within Gwynedd Council annually, going forward.

A business boom has hit Harlech, as three new businesses open their doors on the high street.

Plaid Cymru Councillor for Harlech, Gwynfor Owen visited the newly opened patisserie, model railway shop and gallery recently to wish them well.

(Councillor Gwynfor Owen is pictured with artist, Jane Chapman, who owns newly opened Galeri Harlech with husband Reg

Plaid Cymru Gwynedd Leader, Dyfrig Siencyn (pictured) said:

“I am furious with today’s announcement by Welsh Government based on a report which shows a complete lack of understanding of a rural situation in terms of road usage or the desperate need for jobs of high quality in one of the areas with the lowest household incomes. It is clear that once again rural areas can be sacrificed on the alter of climate change where the real problem and the answers lie in our urban areas.

Six months ago, Plaid Cymru Councillor for Llanrug, Beca Brown (pictured) was elected to Gwynedd Council. The big question is would she encourage others to try for the job?

Councillor Beca Brown said: “I would definitely encourage someone to stand as a county council candidate. The image of a councillor's work is traffic problems, dog fouling, parking problems, and of course there are elements of these. They may not sound exciting, but the environment here on our doorstep and how healthy and appealing it is, influence our attitude to the wider environment and our own well-being as individuals and as a community.

"Wales should have the same right as Scotland and Northern Ireland to mark our own patron saint, Dydd Gŵyl Ddewi, as a national bank holiday," says Llandderfel Councillor near Bala, Elwyn Edwards (pictured).

“It makes no sense whatsoever that we, as a country, do not have the power to choose days of national importance to mark our very own history, heritage and language,” and before Gwynedd Councillors this week (7 October) the County Councillor from the Penllyn area received strong support from fellow councillors.