Decision details

Item 13(A): NOTICE OF MOTION FROM CLLR GRUFFYDD WILLIAMS

In accordance with the Notice of Motion received in accordance with Section 4.19 of the Constitution, Councillor Gruffydd Williams proposed as follows:-

In January 2026, the Westminster Government made a U-turn regarding their plans to make digital ID cards mandatory for proving the right to work, following a significant response from members of the public with a petition with over 3 thousand names being submitted to the Government stating their opposition to DI. While the mandatory requirement for employment has been dropped, the government plans to move verification processes online by 2029, leading to concerns that a digital identification system will still be introduced gradually through the back door, as it were.

That this Council is totally opposed to the Digital Identification system and that Cyngor Gwynedd calls on the Welsh Government to oppose DI in line with the Government in Scotland and also in line with several local authorities across the UK. Convenience should never come at the expense of personal liberty.

Item 13(B): NOTICE OF MOTION FROM CLLR ELIN HYWEL

In accordance with the Notice of Motion received in accordance with Section 4.19 of the Constitution, Councillor Elin Hywel proposed as follows:-

This Council recognises that trust is the foundation of democracy. We know that recent events locally, nationally and internationally have undermined that relationship with the people of Gwynedd. Democracy cannot function well without public trust in those who represent them; that trust enables people to participate in local democracy and, in turn, ensures their voice in shaping their future.

This Council notes evidence from the Office for National Statistics indicating that trust in politics and politicians is at a very low level, with only one in five trusting political parties, and that there is a direct link between low trust and low participation.

In light of that, this Council notes the low participation in the 2022 Cyngor Gwynedd election, in line with wider trends throughout Wales, with around 38-39% voting, and that 28 of the 69 seats were elected without opposition, meaning that a large number of Gwynedd's electors did not have a democratic choice.

The Council recognises that these figures highlight a serious challenge to the health of local democracy and to the relationship between electors and their representatives.

It is recognised that our behaviour as public leaders sets the standard for democratic discussion.  That trust cannot be built, or participation increased, unless we model those values ourselves.

This Council welcomes the actions of the Senedd through the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Act to strengthen the integrity of public life and place honesty and truth at the heart of our democratic culture.

In accordance with this, this Council clearly states that we, personally and collectively, have the duty to maintain and restore public trust.

We are committed to the truth, to transparency, to fairness, and to respect - the cornerstones of our right to represent the people of Gwynedd.