Issue - meetings

In accordance with the Notice of Motion received under Section 4.19 of the Constitution, Councillor Dewi Jones will propose as follows:-

1.      Cyngor Gwynedd states that we believe responsibility for the Crown Estate should be devolved to the Welsh Government. Any profits generated by the Crown Estate, here on Welsh lands and waters, should remain in Wales, for the benefit of our residents and communities. Responsibility for the Crown Estate is already devolved to the Scottish Government.

2.      This Council also states our dissatisfaction that we are obliged to pay annual fees (in the form of leases) to ensure that Gwynedd residents and visitors have access to various sites, including our beaches and other facilities. In 2023, Cyngor Gwynedd paid a total of over £161,000 to the Crown Estate. Lease fees in 2023 ranged from £35 for 'Bangor beach front', to £8,500 for 'Dwyfor beach front', to £144,000 for 'Hafan Pwllheli'. In a period of severe financial hardship for public services, we believe that it is immoral that such fees go towards the maintenance of the British Monarchy and to the coffers of the Treasury in London. This money should remain in Gwynedd to support the people of Gwynedd.

3.      We call on the Chief Executive to make arrangements to open discussions with the Crown Estate regarding the fees paid by Cyngor Gwynedd.  We will encourage the Chief Executive to endeavour to persuade the Crown Estate to delay further invoicing until such time as the Council’s financial situation has improved. We note that the Crown Estate’s profits have more than doubled from £443 million in 2022/23 to £1.1billion in 2023/24.  During the same period Cyngor Gwynedd has seen their budget cut in real terms.

1.          Cyngor Gwynedd states that we believe responsibility for the Crown Estate should be devolved to the Welsh Government. Any profits generated by the Crown Estate, here on Welsh lands and waters, should remain in Wales, for the benefit of our residents and communities. Responsibility for the Crown Estate is already devolved to the Scottish Government.

2.          This Council also states our dissatisfaction that we are obliged to pay annual fees (in the form of leases) to ensure that Gwynedd residents and visitors have access to various sites, including our beaches and other facilities. In 2023, Cyngor Gwynedd paid a total of over £161,000 to the Crown Estate. Lease fees in 2023 ranged from £35 for 'Bangor beach front', to £8,500 for 'Dwyfor beach front', to £144,000 for 'Hafan Pwllheli'. In a period of severe financial hardship for public services, we believe that it is immoral that such fees go towards the maintenance of the British Monarchy and to the coffers of the Treasury in London. This money should remain in Gwynedd to support the people of Gwynedd.

3.          We are calling on the Chief Executive to arrange to open discussions with the Crown Estate regarding the fees paid by Cyngor Gwynedd. We would urge the Chief Executive to try to persuade the Crown Estate not to charge rent on the Council until the Council's financial position has improved. We note that the Crown Estate's profits have more than doubled from £443 million in 2022/23 to £1.1 billion in 2023/24, in the same period Cyngor Gwynedd has seen their budget cut in real terms.

Submitted - the following notice of motion by Councillor Dewi Jones, under Section 4.19 of the Constitution, and it was seconded:-

1.         Cyngor Gwynedd states that we believe responsibility for the Crown Estate should be devolved to the Welsh Government.  Any profits generated by the Crown Estate, here on Welsh lands and waters, should remain in Wales, for the benefit of our residents and communities. Responsibility for the Crown Estate is already devolved to the Scottish Government.

2.         This Council also states our dissatisfaction that we are obliged to pay annual fees (in the form of leases) to ensure that Gwynedd residents and visitors have access to various sites, including our beaches and other facilities. In 2023, Cyngor Gwynedd paid a total of over £161,000 to the Crown Estate. Lease fees in 2023 ranged from £35 for 'Bangor beach front', to £8,500 for 'Dwyfor beach front', to £144,000 for 'Hafan Pwllheli'.  In a period of severe financial hardship for public services, we believe that it is immoral that such fees go towards the maintenance of the British Monarchy and to the coffers of the Treasury in London. This money should remain in Gwynedd to support the people of Gwynedd.

3.         We are calling on the Chief Executive to arrange to open discussions with the Crown Estate regarding the fees paid by Cyngor Gwynedd. We would urge the Chief Executive to try to persuade the Crown Estate to delay further invoicing until the Council's financial position has improved. ⁠ We note that the Crown Estate's profits have more than doubled from £443 million in 2022/23 to £1.1 billion in 2023/24, in the same period Cyngor Gwynedd has seen their budget cut in real terms.

The member set out the context to his motion, and noted:-

·         In a period of serious financial hardship, that it was a disgrace that this Council had to pay a number of leases to the Crown Estate to ensure that residents and visitors to Gwynedd have access to our beaches and other facilities.

·         That a further delay in further invoicing would create a financial saving that would contribute to protecting essential services that are under so much stress at the moment.

·         Wales is a country that is rich natural resources, with her land, coastline and seas that possess the potential to power our economy, to reinforce our communities and support us to lead the way when addressing climate change.  However, at the moment, these resources were managed by a body accountable to the Westminster Government, not to the people of Wales and the revenue that derives from the Crown Estate in Wales goes to the UK's Treasury in London. 

·         Should the responsibility for the Crown Estate be devolved, the profit generated from Welsh land and sea would remain in Wales, enabling us to invest in infrastructure, public services and community projects to suit our specific needs.

·         Wales could lead the world in the field of renewable energy development, especially sea wind, tide energy and other innovative green technology,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8