Issue - meetings

To accept and note the information in the report.

The report was submitted by Cllr. Nia Jeffreys

DECISION

To accept and note the information in the report.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted, expressing pride in seeing progress with projects across the department, and the wide range of services the department offered. It was added that these services were vital to the people of Gwynedd and the staff were thanked for their work.

The Head of Department highlighted the department's main issues which included grants the Council offered to businesses across Gwynedd as part of the Council's priority - A Prosperous Gwynedd. It was explained that, through the ARFOR programme, the Welsh Government's Transforming Town Centres Fund and the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund that a package of different funds had been put in place. It was expressed that there had been a significant response to the funds with applications valued at £13.26m and the budget was only worth £3.46m. The department continued to work with the businesses that had been unsuccessful to offer further feedback and advice.

It was expressed that recovery continued for Byw'n Iach with the number of visits in December 2023 exceeding the December 2019 figure. It was explained that work continued to encourage the use of the centres and that they hoped to fully restore the situation. At the Maritime Service it was noted that upgrades to the Dinas Dinlle car park were ongoing and that they hoped it would be completed by March 2024. It was expressed that there had been a 4% increase in customer numbers and mooring agreements in the county's harbours and that the outlook for 2024 was very encouraging. However, it was highlighted that there had been a decrease in Pwllheli Marina figures as a result of an increase in the cost of living. Despite this, it was noted that the waiting list remained strong at present.

It was expressed that upgrades to the Lloyd George Museum were ongoing and would report further on the project in the future.

Observations arising from the discussion

·         Attention was drawn to the Boardmaker Picture Communication Symbols scheme, a resource for families of children who were unable to communicate verbally, which was now available in three libraries in Gwynedd.