Issue - meetings

To report to the Scrutiny Committee on the performance of the Economy Department.

DECISION

1.     To accept the report and note the observations.

2.     Ask the Economy and Community Department to convene a group early in the new year to consider the challenges facing the agricultural industry.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Community presented the report noting that since June, services continued to make good progress towards the Council's priority targets and projects within its portfolio. It was noted that several of the projects were on track to deliver results before the end of the financial year.

It was noted that joint work had been taking place with the Welsh Government and neighbouring local authorities to prepare a report for consultation to introduce and establish a tourism levy from March 2026. It was noted that it was intended to hold a more detailed discussion with the Scrutiny Committee in February after assessing the impact of any proposal on the economy and communities of Gwynedd. It was noted that customer satisfaction levels with library and archive services remained high, and it was noted that grants of up to £300,000 had been offered to 69 organisations across Gwynedd to promote culture and events. It was noted that regeneration and community support services had secured an investment of £9.8m for various projects across the county, and it was noted that £370,000 had been allocated through a pilot town and community councils funds under a tight Government timetable. It was noted that 55 councils had responded to the scheme, and it was noted that it was hoped that the fund would be available again in 2026-27 with more notice for councils to be able to respond.

It was noted that Gwynedd Business Week in October provided an opportunity to listen to issues that were important to businesses during a challenging economic period and to celebrate the successes of businesses both large and small. It was noted that £900,000 had been allocated in grants to businesses, and it was noted that the next round would be announced the following week. It was noted that employment support work had helped 48 people in Gwynedd to overcome barriers to work. It was noted that the United Kingdom (UK) Government had announced that the North Wales Artificial Intelligence Zone application had been successful and that the Trawsfynydd site had been named as part of the application. Subject to obtaining planning permission, the Welsh Government would offer the same benefits to the site as the free port sites on Anglesey. It was noted that this development boosted the development of the science park at Trawsfynydd. It was noted that the details of the business case would be presented to the Committee in the new year.

It was noted that good progress had been made with the Parc Padarn developments and that a tourist information centre had been completed, but that a decrease in the number of Byw'n Iach users was a cause for concern. It was noted that the Byw'n Iach Board was responding proactively by adapting the facilities and the proposal. It was noted that a decrease in the number of children receiving swimming lessons through school continued to contribute to an overall reduction, and it was noted that joint work with Byw'n Iach  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7