Agenda item

·        To approve the Gwynedd and Eryri 2035 Strategic Plan as our Strategic Plan for the Visitor Economy in the area.

·        To approve the establishment of the Gwynedd and Eryri 2035 Partnership in addition to the relevant structures that will be needed to develop, implement and monitor the Strategic Plan, The Gwynedd and Eryri 2035 Action Plan and its relevant indicators.

·        To agree to add that there is a need to delegate the right to the Leader, in consultation with the Chief Executive, to confirm the terms of reference of both bodies.

The report was submitted by Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn  

DECISION 

·       To approve the Gwynedd and Eryri 2035 Strategic Plan as our Strategic Plan for the Visitor Economy in the area.   

·       To approve the establishment of the Gwynedd and Eryri 2035 Partnership in addition to the relevant structures that will be needed to develop, implement and monitor the Strategic Plan, The Gwynedd and Eryri 2035 Action Plan and its relevant indicators. 

·       To agree to add that there is a need to delegate the right to the Leader, in consultation with the Chief Executive, to confirm the terms of reference of both bodies.  

DISCUSSION  

The report was submitted noting that the work had started since before the Covid period and that discussions with partners had been happening regularly since then. Appreciation was expressed about the close collaboration that had been happening between the Council and Eryri National Park and that the same vision and basic principles had been shared. It was believed that the report was an important step to try to steer the visitor industry to be more sustainable and more accountable to the communities. 

The background of the report was provided by the Head of Economy and Community and she noted that the plan was in place and the vision for the future had been set and the main objectives for the future had been identified. It was noted that there was a significant change seen in this work by placing the community at the centre which would ensure benefits for Gwynedd as a result of the developments in this field in the future.  

Reference was made to the Gwynedd and Eryri National Park Visitor Economy and the objectives included in part 3 of the report. It would need to be ensured that the a clear action plan was in place in order to realise the vision. A new structure was proposed for implementation which included the Gwynedd and Eryri Sustainable Visitor Economy Partnership, Gwynedd and Eryri Sustainable Visitor Economy Steering Board as well as the Gwynedd and Eryri Sustainable Visitor Economy Operational Group. Details about these implementation arrangements could be seen in part 4 of the report. 

The next steps and timetable for completing them were explained. The importance of collaborating across sectos in order to fulfil the vision was recognised. It was noted that consultations had been held but that there was more to do and that it was the beginning of a new period of implementing the Plan and collaborating with the Visitor Economy sector.  

The Officer from Eryri National Park added that she was pleased to announce that the authority had adopted this Strategic Plan the previous week and was very proud of the arrangements and collaboration. Council officers were thanked for their work.  

The Deputy Leader received observations from the Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee in which a very useful discussion had been held and constructive suggestions made, for example, extending the membership of the partnership to include the emergency services, the farmers' unions and other representatives of landowners. It was noted that these Bodies would be invited to join the partnerhsip in due course. 

It was explained that a discussion had been held about the impact of tourism on the Welsh language and the Police, comments regarding parking and some questions to the Park; the Officer from the National Park had responded directly to the Scrutiny Committee about Eryri National Park matters. The Deputy Leader noted that she had already discussed with Officers and that she would ensure that the matters raised would be given priority. 

Reference was made to the importance of measuring progress and setting measure for the Visitor Economy Plan and that this had been mentioned by the Scrutiny Committee. It was explained that the Scrutiny Committee had made a suggestion to amend the vision slightly, it was noted that this suggestion had been considered in full but that there was a feeling that the current vision was clear and simple. The Scrutiny Committee was thanked for its observations.  

Observations arising from the discussion 

·                  The benefits of the Visitor Economy were recognised but also an awareness of the problems that can arise from it and pride was expressed that this Strategy attempted to address the balance.  

·                  The mindset of the Visitor Economy Plan was praised, and that a clear vision existed about the importance of a Visitor Economy which was fair for all.  

·                  Council Officer and Eryri National Park Officers were thanked for their work and pride was expressed about the collaboration between the Council and the Park. 

·                  The Plan was welcomed; a comment was made that it was an attempt to turn the tourism industry on its head.  

·                  Pride was expressed about the name used in Welsh and English and it was believed that this was an important step by the Park.   

·                  It was agreed to add that there was a need to delegate the right to the Leader, in consultation with the Chief Executive, to confirm the terms of reference of both bodies to the Decision. The addition was accepted.