Party of Wales Gwynedd Councillors' Group

At a recent full meeting of Cyngor Gwynedd, a Plaid Cymru Councillor shared his experience of visiting the Basque Country (Euskal Herria), where the importance of a consistent use of the language is compared to the Amazon rainforest as the “lungs of the planet.”

Community spirit is at an all time high at one Gwynedd town, thanks to joint working between agencies. Since March, Gwynedd Councillor for Penrhyndeudraeth Ward, Meryl Roberts, the Town Council and Y Dref Werdd have set up a joint community hub at Penrhyndeudraeth’s Town Council office.

Plaid Cymru Gwynedd Councillors will this week voice strong opposition to proposed reforms on farm inheritance tax, warning that such changes would disproportionately impact family-run farms across Gwynedd and threaten the cultural and economic fabric of rural Wales.

"Let's talk about housing and the issues surrounding it here in Gwynedd," said Penygroes County Councillor, Craig ab Iago, Gwynedd’s cabinet member for environment. So here is Craig's opinion piece...

"As former housing leader at Gwynedd, I first used the term “housing crisis” at Gwynedd back in 2020. It all began when I saw a house for sale in my locality, Llanllyfni, on sale for £400,000. It was being marketed as a house near Abersoch. It rang alarm bells in my mind. 

On August 5, 1925, in the Maes Gwyn building in Pwllheli, Plaid Cymru was founded. A century later, the party will return to the town to mark this historic milestone.

That year, the National Eisteddfod was held in Pwllheli, and during the festival week, six men came together to unite two movements – Byddin Ymreolwyr Cymru (the “Home Rule Army of Wales”) and y Mudiad Cymreig (“The Welsh Movement”) – to establish what would become the National Party of Wales. The party adopted the name Plaid Cymru in 1945.

Following a discussion at the Senedd, recently, the First Minister has agreed to look at giving official Welsh Government support to a campaign which draws attention to the pain suffered by sexual abuse victims in Wales and around the world.

This follows the first council in Wales, Cyngor Gwynedd, voting in favour of supporting ‘Not My Shame’ by flying the campaign flag at the council offices to remind society that the shame of abuse lies with the perpetrator and never the victim every first of May annually.

There were passionate words from the council chamber at Gwynedd’s recent full council, as councillors supported Plaid Cymru's call to take a stand against cuts to the benefits system which hits Gwynedd's most vulnerable residents.

Cuts to the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to Universal Credit and to help with housing costs mean that the Labour Government has turned its back on the ordinary people of Gwynedd, according to the Plaid Cymru Councillor for Pwllheli, Elin Hywel (pictured).

Gwynedd residents are likely to lose around £1 million* due to Labour National Insurance rises, as a councillor called on Labour to amend the Barnett formula at the council chamber in Gwynedd recently (1 May).

"We need a fairer way of funding Gwynedd and Wales," said the Councillor for Harlech and Llanbedr, Gwynfor Owen (pictured), "especially as our residents face the cost of living crisis such as child care, higher energy and water bills and even the rising costs of food.

“Welsh public services are facing a loss of up to £65m due to the increase in national insurance announced by the Labour Government in Westminster. And of course, it is the taxpayers of Gwynedd who are suffering because the financial gap has to be addressed.

Today in the council chamber, Gwynedd County Councillor for Deiniolen Ward, Elfed Williams, is pleased that Cyngor Gwynedd has committed to press the Welsh Government for support to residents of his area who have suffered because of damage to their homes including dampness and an urgent need for repair work.

The Councillor's question came following an announcement by the Welsh Government earlier in April, that they would, at last, fund restoration work on houses in the area, after ten years of campaigning by Plaid Cymru, due to a flawed insulation scheme by the Government.

“This has been a public scandal,” said the Councillor who represents residents in Deiniolen, Dinorwig, Clwt y Bont and Fachwen who have suffered because of the Welsh Labour Government's flawed scheme ‘Adfer.’

During Cyngor Gwynedd Council's full council meeting this week (1 May), the Councillor for Cricieth, Siân Williams, raised an issue of concern to her and the community of the town- anti-social behaviour.

“Anti-social behaviour among young people is something that concerns me,” explains the Councillor who represents Cricieth residents on Cyngor Gwynedd.

“It is our responsibility, as a society, to nurture and support the next generation to be rounded and responsible citizens who see hope and value in themselves and their villages, towns and localities. And of course, Cricieth is not unique. Other areas across Wales and beyond, are suffering from similar challenges. You just need to open a newspaper or read messages on social media to see how things are.”

Cllr. Sian Williams