Party of Wales Gwynedd Councillors' Group

Following water quality problems at Penllyn rivers, the long-awaited news that Welsh Water is to start investment at Y Bala’s waste treatment site, this month, is to be welcomed.

Some of Gwynedd's food banks will offer more than just nutrition to vulnerable families during November. Thanks to the Books Council of Wales’ schools Love Reading scheme, some of the county's food banks will be giving free books to children with the families’ food packages.

At a special meeting of Plaid Cymru Gwynedd’s cabinet today, an urgent agenda item was presented for elected members to consider supporting families facing challenges during the summer holidays.

The growing and concerning problem of young people vaping was discussed at Gwynedd Council today. In the UK the proportion of children experimenting with vaping has grown by 50% year on year*, from one in thirteen to one in nine.

One local councillor keen to seek clarity on waste collection has sought assurances on behalf of his residents that improvements are on their way.

Llanwnda Councillor, Huw Rowlands took the opportunity to ask full council how transforming the waste collection will affect his local residents living within the ward.

Not many people can say they instigated their community and facilitated the purchase of a large town building overnight, but for one new councillor from Pwllheli, that is exactly her achievement since being elected county councillor a year ago.

In a special ceremony at Caernarfon’s Institute recently a new Mayor was inaugurated for the town, Councillor Cai Larsen. Tight on his heels, was the newly installed 26 year old Deputy Mayor for Caernarfon, believed to be the youngest ever person in the role, Councillor Dewi Wyn Jones.

Almost 150 Y Fron residents have signed a petition objecting a planning application by a motoring club to establish five stopover locations in their rural village.

An intergenerational project has recently been established at Cae’r Gors, Rhosgadfan near Caernarfon, home to major Wales literature figure of the 20th century, Kate Roberts. The project aims to bring together children and older generation together, to share skills, ideas and experiences.

One lucky youngster, Abby, from Ysgol Rhosgadfan came top of the class during the first session by winning an Easter egg. Abby created the winning poster to promote future events and was crowned the winner of the Club name ‘Paned a Sgwrs.’

Paned a Sgwrs was established thanks to a partnership approach inspired by the local councillor and the community, to bring together representatives from Cyngor Gwynedd, Ysgol Gynradd Rhosgadfan and Age Concern Gwynedd a Môn to create a regular social gathering between the generations. Plans in the pipeline include crafts, reading support and inviting musicians to hold musical sessions.

Local Councillor Arwyn Roberts, who represents the area at Cyngor Gwynedd said: “This is a project that brings the younger and older people together, closing the gap that society may have created between them. This is an opportunity to socialise and reduce the feeling of isolation that some older people experience, due to the loss of loved ones and which will hopefully boost their confidence and offer them well-being.

“We have received some great feedback from everyone as to what they would like to do in future sessions. Both the school children and the older people learnt so much from each other, and we hope that the children will teach the older generation how to use the Internet.

“The older generation have so much skills and experiences, they have said they would be keen to teach the children how to sew and knit. Whichever activity they decide to share, we know that there will be plenty of fun, chat and laughter during the sessions.”

The next session will be held on Wednesday, 3 of May at 1:30pm in Cae’r Gors, Rhosgadfan.

A new nursing and care home, Penyberth, in Llŷn will put Gwynedd on the map, as a new nursing home is developed in partnership with a Welsh local authority and the local Health Board.