GWYNEDD councillors have adopted a plan that outlines what the Council aims to achieve over the next 12 months.

The Gwynedd Council Plan 2018-2023 was originally adopted in March 2018, and every year since it has reviewed by councillors to ensure that the authority continues to prioritise work according to the needs of the people of the county.

The 2022-23 review will be the final review of the current Plan, and following the election in May 2022, a new Council will meet to form their priorities for the next five years.

Council Leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn, said:

“As the current Council Plan comes to an end, we can reflect on what has been achieved over the last five years, sometimes under very difficult circumstances due to the financial pressures, Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.

“These issues have had a far-reaching influence and impact on local residents and services, and more than ever the period has highlighted issues such as mental health and well-being, poverty and inequality within our communities.”

As part of the annual review of the Council’s main areas of work, it was necessary to consider what had changed since last year, looking at the social, economic, environmental and policy issues which influence the Council and which are likely to have an impact on the people of Gwynedd in the future.

Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn added:

“This Plan contains a number of priorities and projects that have been reviewed over the last year.

“Particular challenges posed by the Covid-19 crisis and the recovery period have been increasingly highlighted recently. By working with our public and third sector partners we hope to reduce the negative impact on our communities.

“Over the next 12 months the Council will continue to look at the needs of local communities and respond to the issues that matter locally. We know that the problems arising in Bangor, will be different to those in Bala and Barmouth and therefore projects such as ‘creating regeneration plans for our areas’ and ‘clean and tidy communities’ will reflect the priorities of individual communities.

“But it is also important to recognise that through the hardships of previous years, our local services could not have been sustained without the efforts and dedication of our workforce.

“Our skilled and dedicated staff are extremely important to us and enable us to provide the services needed to make a real difference to the lives of Gwynedd’s residents and communities now and in the future.”