Party of Wales Gwynedd Councillors' Group

Plaid Cymru Gwynedd Leader, Dyfrig Siencyn has called on the Welsh Minister of Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths AM, to voice her support for agriculture, food producers, and rural businesses dealing with Covid-19 and to spell out her proposals for an economic recovery plan for rural Wales.

"Yesterday's announcement by Northwood is a devastating blow to Penygroes, to Dyffryn Nantlle and to the whole of Gwynedd. The announcement came as a shock to the staff as they arrived at work yesterday (26 May) to begin their shift. It is a huge blow to staff and their families and is gravely disappointing after years of faithful and conscientious work for this company," said Penygroes Councillor, Judith Humphreys (pictured).

Residents living within the Bangor city boundary who are vulnerable or self-isolating due to the Covid-19 pandemic are being urged to get in touch with Plaid Cymru Bangor’s Councillor Steve Collings (pictured) for emergency food support packages.

Deiniol Ward Councillor, Steve Collings, already organises a free Bangor FoodShare event each Sunday at Plaid Cymru’s Bangor office. But during the Covid-19 pandemic, it soon became clear that some of the supply of surplus food was becoming erratic and individuals couldn’t physically get to the free foodshare location at Bangor’s number 70 offices on the High Street.

Following numerous meetings with Government, officers and politicians, Plaid Cymru Gwynedd is delighted that the Minister for Local Government and Housing, Julie James, has listened to concerns that second home owners who have deliberately transferred to business rates to avoid paying taxes, could have accessed business support grants.

Plaid Cymru Gwynedd is continuing its pressure on the Welsh Government to change the Welsh Government's business grant guidelines, so that owners of second homes who have deliberately converted to business rates to avoid paying taxes, do not have access to business support grants of £10,000 or up to £25,000.

Plaid Cymru Gwynedd who is continuing to press for change so that every individual can state their Welsh nationality on the Census form has taken a step in the right direction, according to the cabinet member with responsibility for equality.

Currently, there is no opportunity for individuals to indicate whether they are Welsh Black, Asian, Caribbean or African under specific sub-headings on the form. The form suggestion is that being Welsh, English, Scottish or Irish is restricted to being white only. And under the Asian and Black categories, the word British appears, which undermines the whole ethos of giving individuals the right to state their nationality.

Plaid Cymru’s Gwynedd Councillors have harshly criticised the Welsh Government's National Development Framework which shows a lack of respect, understanding and awareness of the Welsh language, rural areas and economic growth of north Wales.

At a recent Gwynedd Council cabinet meeting, Councillors were left in disbelief over the flaws seen in the Government’s document currently out for consultation with local authorities. The Framework sets out the Welsh Government’s targets for housing, employment and development over the next 20 years.

As we step closer to the end of the year and festive celebrations begin, Plaid Cymru Gwynedd is keen to thank Wales’ non-military marching band for their performances at numerous events across Wales during 2019.

Quoted the busiest marching band in the world, Cambria Band based at Flintshire is made up of keen amateur musicians ranging from 4 to 83 years of age. The band will soon celebrate 14 years marching up and down Wales’ at large outdoor celebrations and events.

Residents living in the Chwilog area have submitted a 350 signed petition to Gwynedd Council calling for plans to introduce a safe footpath from the outskirts of the village down to Afonwen in Eifionydd.

There have been calls over the years for a safe route to be introduced from the village of Chwilog to Afonwen, because so many local residents walk along the lane. Over the years, the number of vehicles travelling along the road has increased, making it increasingly difficult for residents to walk safely along the road.

Local Gwynedd Councillor, Aled Evans said: “Requests and enquiries have been made since before I became a Councillor representing the area to look at creating a safe footpath along this lane which begins from the outskirts of Chwilog village towards Afonwen.

Plaid Cymru’s Gwynedd Leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn said, “We are delighted to welcome the National Eisteddfod to Gwynedd in 2021.  This is the first time for the festival to visit the Dwyfor area since 1987, and I’m confident our local communities will ensure it will be a successful Eisteddfod.

“Thousands of people will flock to Gwynedd to compete or enjoy the maes activities during the week. Our aim will be to celebrate Welsh culture and all that makes Gwynedd unique.