Party of Wales Gwynedd Councillors' Group

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 

The councillor who leads on housing in Gwynedd is calling on communities to take advantage of grants to help turn disused spaces into affordable residential housing for local people.

"We have a number of individual schemes to help ensure that people are able to continue to live here in Gwynedd and I’m keen to encourage people to take advantage of every opportunity available to them within our Gwynedd Housing Action Plan," explains Plaid Cymru Gwynedd Councillor, Paul Rowlinson.

After nearly 40 years serving her community, Linda Pengwern, as she is known locally, has stepped down from her role as Gwynedd Councillor for Teigl Ward, Ffestiniog.

“Linda Ann Jones is an inspirational woman,” said Cyngor Gwynedd’s first female leader, Councillor Nia Wyn Jeffreys.

At Cyngor Gwynedd recently, Plaid Cymru Gwynedd’s group called on Westminster Government to devolve powers over broadcasting and the media to the Welsh Government.

Councillor Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn (pictured), Ward Bowydd a Rhiw Blaenau Ffestiniog said: “It has become clear over the past few years that Wales is not getting the full picture when it comes to discussing the issues that are key to us as a nation on the media.

The silence and lack of response from the Welsh Labour Government to Cyngor Gwynedd’s request for the right to mark the first of March as a national bank holiday in Wales is “a disgrace to the whole nation” according to one Plaid Cymru Gwynedd Councillor, Elwyn Edwards, Llandderfel, pictured.

The response to Gwynedd Councillors' request for a bank holiday status from the Westminster Government's Business and Trade Department, was negative.