Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Richard Glyn Roberts and Colette Owen (The Catholic Church).

To receive any declarations of personal interest.

None to note.

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chair for consideration.

None to note.

The Chair shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on 11/12/25 be signed as a true record.

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on 11 December 2025 as a true record.

To consider the benefit of the Growth Deal for Gwynedd.

DECISION

1.     To accept the report and note the wide range of observations made, expressing dissatisfaction that some of the schemes were slow to mature, and regarding the balance between rural and urban investment.

2.     That the Committee receives a report on the Trawsfynydd Science Centre and Glynllifon Rural Economy Hub projects as soon as possible.

3.     Request an outline of the Growth Deal's cost to Cyngor Gwynedd and the outcomes for Gwynedd in terms of high-quality jobs, particularly in deprived areas.

4.     Request that future progress reports include more detail in relation to the jobs created specifically in Gwynedd, and the type of contracts.

The Leader of the Council presented the report noting that, following concerns raised at the Committee's June meeting when scrutinising the Cabinet Member for Economy and Community's performance report, it was intended to provide the Committee with an overview of the work of the Growth Deal and the benefit it would bring to Gwynedd. It was explained that the Growth Deal is a significant regional investment designed to strengthen the north Wales economy, create jobs, develop skills and support businesses.

It was noted that the programme included several projects across areas such as innovation, energy, digital, tourism and workforce development. It was elaborated that the report before them summarised the progress made with the relevant projects along with the highlights of quarter two, namely the period from June to September 2025. It was confirmed that an update would be given on the plans for the development of the Trawsfynydd site.

It was pointed out that this meeting was timely as the Cabinet had supported an outline business plan for the establishment of a science park in Trawsfynydd and the development of an innovation, skills and business centre there. The Committee was invited to consider the information, scrutinise progress and arrangements and make comments or recommendations to help ensure that the Growth Deal delivers the maximum benefits to the communities and people of Gwynedd.

The Head of Operations at Ambition North Wales, then took over and he thanked the member for the opportunity to present the work of the Growth Deal. A presentation was given on the main highlights during the year, including some of the latest developments since sharing the quarter two report.

It was noted that the aim of Ambition North Wales was to develop the region's economy in a sustainable way to create opportunities for people, communities and businesses. It was explained that the Growth Deal was a regional investment programme, with £240 million Government funding and a target of achieving over £1 billion investment in the region by 2036, along with the creation of up to 4,200 new jobs. It was noted that the Growth Plan was being implemented across five programmes, namely innovation in high value manufacturing, digital connectivity, agri-food and tourism, land and property and low carbon energy.

An overview of the main highlights thus far was given, namely:

-        The Growth Plan and portfolio management team had been transferred to the Corporate Joint Committee on 1 April 2025.

-        That a reserve list had been created for 17 new projects in May, and the Clean Energy Fund was launched in July.

-        The Parc Bryn Cegin Joint Venture Agreement with the Welsh Government was completed in August.

-        That the Economic Well-being Sub-Committee approved business cases for the Prince Project, the Manufacturing and Business Capability Project 5.0, North Anglesey Sites and Freeport at the October meeting.

-        In November, the CanfodAu building was officially opened along with the launch of the Academi Croeso project.

-        That the Sub-Committee approved business cases for the Port  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider the impact of the visitor levy on Gwynedd.

DECISION

1.     To accept the report and note the observations.

2.     Recommend that the Cabinet Member for Economy and Community:

·       Ensures that full consideration is given to all the complexities involved with the introduction of this new levy.

·       If the Council decides to introduce a Visitor Levy:

Ø  There is a specific commitment on how the money raised would be spent, giving priority to areas relating to tourism and the community.

Ø  Thorough consultation takes place across the county and with relevant partners to identify community priorities.

Ø  There should be transparency with those who pay the levy regarding how the money will be spent.

Ø  That communication about exceptions is effective and sensitive as necessary.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Community presented the report noting that tourism and the visitor economy was a very important industry in Gwynedd. It was explained, for context, that several models and presumptions were used to measure the visitor economy, but that ensuring reliable data at the Gwynedd level had been extremely challenging as data did not exist in the way they would have desired.

It was noted that the frequently used STEAM model, the Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor, highlighted the following recent statistics for Gwynedd: economic impact of £1.78 billion; 7.75 million visitors; 24.9 million visit days; total employment of 17,600; nearly 4 million overnight visitors; and nearly 20-million-day stays. It was emphasised that this was a very significant contribution to the economy, but it was also recognised that visitors create challenges in some parts of the county, resulting in additional pressures on Council services, the environment, language and culture, and communities.

It was explained that this was the reason for adopting the 2035 Gwynedd and Eryri Sustainable Visitor Economy Plan, to ensure that the visitor economy was sustainable in the area. It was noted that data from the International Passenger Survey and the Great Britain Tourism Survey, which were based on a smaller sample of people than STEAM, showed a much lower value to the visitor sector than that shown by STEAM.

It was noted that the Council had been considering the possibility of introducing a levy for several years, with research on the benefits of tourism completed in 2018 highlighting the levy as a source that could generate significant income for reinvestment in the visitor economy. It was noted that the Cabinet had in the past expressed support for introducing legislation to establish a visitor levy in Wales. It was clearly emphasised, however, that no decision had been made to date regarding the introduction of a levy in Gwynedd, and that the discussion before them only represented the first step in the process.

It was noted that the Council was working closely with Conwy and Anglesey on the research into the impact assessments and in considering the introduction of a levy. It was explained that the economic impact assessment highlighted that the impact on jobs could, in the worst-case scenario, mean the loss of 50 jobs, or, in the best-case scenario, the creation of 21 jobs. It was further noted that the introduction of a levy could generate between £2.4 million and £2.8 million of annual revenue for Gwynedd. It was elaborated that if STEAM data was used instead, the figures would be around four times higher, with a greater impact on jobs and the potential to raise up to £12 million through the levy. It was expressed that the amount raised was likely to be higher than the conservative figure of £2.5 million noted.

It was explained that if there was support from the Full Council to proceed with a consultation, the procedure set out in the Act would be clear, and that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.