Gwynedd Council#Meirionnydd

File:Gwynedd Council.svg

The county of Gwynedd was created in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, covering the area of the abolished administrative counties of Anglesey, Caernarfonshire, most of Merioneth, and a small part of Denbighshire. The new county created in 1974 was named "Gwynedd" after the medieval Kingdom of Gwynedd which had covered the area until its division into counties under the Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284, following the Conquest of Wales by Edward I.{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|accessdate=13 November 2022}}

From 1974 until 1996 Gwynedd County Council served the area as an upper-tier county council, with the county also being divided into five lower-tier districts: Aberconwy, Arfon, Dwyfor, Meirionnydd, and Ynys Môn-Isle of Anglesey.{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Districts in Wales (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=34|accessdate=13 November 2022}}

Local government across Wales was reorganised again in 1996 under the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994, which replaced the previous two tier system of counties and districts with "principal areas" (each designated either a "county" or a "county borough"), whose councils perform the functions previously divided between the county and district councils. The pre-1996 county of Gwynedd was divided between three principal areas:{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Wales) Act 1994|year=1994|chapter=19|accessdate=8 November 2022}}

• Anglesey ({{langx|cy|Sir Ynys Môn}}) (a county) covering the district of Ynys Môn-Isle of Anglesey.
• Conwy County Borough covering the Aberconwy district and the neighbouring Colwyn district from Clwyd.
• "Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire" ({{langx|cy|Sir Gaernarfon a Meirionnydd}}) (a county) covering the Arfon, Dwyfor, and Meirionnydd districts.

During the transition to the new system, the shadow authority elected for the latter requested a change of name from "Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire" to "Gwynedd". The government confirmed the change with effect from 2 April 1996, one day after the new council came into being.{{cite web |title=Hansard: Written Answers |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199596/cmhansrd/vo960402/text/60402w33.htm#60402w33.html_spnew3 |website=UK Parliament |access-date=3 October 2022 |date=2 April 1996}}

Since 1996, Gwynedd has therefore been a single-tier principal area, covering a smaller area than the pre-1996 county of the same name. Although the principal area is designated as a county, the council had styled itself as "Gwynedd Council" rather than "Gwynedd County Council", the latter having been the style used by the pre-1996 upper-tier authority. In October 2022, the council dropped its English name and would only use its Welsh name Cyngor Gwynedd.{{Cite web |last=Spridgeon |first=Dale |date=2022-10-18 |title=Council to use Welsh name only in language drive - and others urged to do same |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-council-use-welsh-25283986 |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=North Wales Live |language=en}}

Controversy erupted in mid-winter 2001 when Seimon Glyn, Gwynedd Council's housing committee chairman and Plaid Cymru member, voiced frustration over "English immigrants" moving into traditionally Welsh speaking communities.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/1182994.stm|title=Plaid bids to defuse 'racism' row|date=February 21, 2001|via=news.bbc.co.uk}} Glyn was commenting on a report underscoring the dilemma of rocketing house prices outstripping what locals could pay, with the report warning that "...traditional Welsh communities could die out..." as a consequence.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/1521881.stm|title='Racist' remarks lost Plaid votes|date=September 3, 2001|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}

In 2001 nearly a third of all purchases of properties in Gwynedd were by buyers from out of the county, with some communities reporting as many as a third of local homes used as holiday homes.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/1123782.stm|title=Apology over 'insults' to English|date=January 19, 2001|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/524419.stm|title=BBC News | Wales | Plaid calls for second home controls|website=news.bbc.co.uk}} Holiday home owners typically spend less than six months of the year in the local community.

The issue of locals being priced out of the local housing market is common to many rural communities throughout Britain, but in Wales the added dimension of language further complicates the issue, as many new residents do not learn the Welsh language.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/567938.stm|title=BBC News | SCOTLAND | Double tax for holiday home owners|website=news.bbc.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/1527298.stm|title=Controls on second homes reviewed|date=September 5, 2001|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/1918383.stm|title=Gwynedd considers holiday home curb|date=April 9, 2002|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}

Concerned for the Welsh language under these pressures, Glyn said "Once you have more than 50% of anybody living in a community that speaks a foreign language, then you lose your indigenous tongue almost immediately".{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/1397281.stm|title=Plaid plan 'protects' rural areas|date=June 19, 2001|via=news.bbc.co.uk}} His comments attracted strong criticism of Plaid Cymru from other national parties.

By spring 2002 both the Snowdonia National Park (Welsh: Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri) and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (Welsh: Parc Cenedlaethol Arfordir Penfro) authorities began limiting second home ownership within the parks, following the example set by Exmoor.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/1857381.stm|title=Park to ban new holiday homes|date=March 6, 2002|via=news.bbc.co.uk}} According to planners in Snowdonia and Pembroke applicants for new homes must demonstrate a proven local need or the applicant must have strong links with the area.

In 2014, the council passed a motion which called for a trade embargo with Israel and was subsequently accused of Anti-Semitism by the organisation Jewish Human Rights Watch. Jewish Human Rights Watch won the right to a judicial review of council's decision, but their claim was dismissed by the High Court in June 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-36651781|title=Anti-Semitic councils claim dismissed|date=June 28, 2016|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}

In 2008, Llais Gwynedd or Voice of Gwynedd, a regionalist pressure group won several seats on Gwynedd Council. It demanded an end to cutbacks in rural areas threatening schools, a relaxation of planning controls, action to provide rural employment and calls for more to be done to protect Gwynedd's "unique cultural, linguistic and social fabric".{{fact|date=January 2022}} The group was represented on the council between 2008 and the 2022 election, when it lost all its seats.

Council leader, Dyfrig Siencyn, tendered his resignation on 16 October 2024, after initially refusing to apologise to the abuse victims of Gwynedd headteacher, Neil Foden. Siencyn later apologised for this, but four of his cabinet members resigned over the events. Siencyn's resignation as leader of the Plaid Cymru group and, consequently, the Council, was accepted at a meeting of the Plaid Cymru group a few days later.{{cite news|first=Tomos |last=Evans |url=https://news.sky.com/story/gwynedd-council-leader-quits-over-paedophile-headteacher-row-13235143 |title=Gwynedd Council leader quits over paedophile headteacher row |work=Sky News|date=17 October 2024 |access-date=9 December 2024 }}

{{also|Gwynedd Council elections}}

The council has been under Plaid Cymru majority control since 2015.

The first election to the county council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities before coming into its powers on 1 April 1974. A shadow authority was again elected in 1995 ahead of the reforms which came into force on 1 April 1996. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:{{cite web |title=Compositions calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/?page_id=3825 |website=The Elections Centre |access-date=6 November 2022}}

Upper-tier county

Principal area

The leaders of the council since 1996 have been:{{cite web |title=Council minutes |url=https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//mgcalendarmonthview.aspx?gl=1&bcr=1& |website=Gwynedd Council |access-date=13 November 2022}}

Following the 2022 election and subsequent by-elections and changes of allegiance up to July 2024, the composition of the council was:{{cite web |title=Gwynedd |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=gwynedd |website=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |access-date=28 July 2024}}

All 21 independent councillors sit together as a group. The Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors also form a group.{{cite web |title=Your councillors by party |url=https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=PARTY&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |website=Gwynedd Council |access-date=9 July 2023}} The next election is due in 2027.

Since 2012, council elections have taken place every five years.{{Cite news|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/council-elections-wales-welsh-government-16967579|title=The date of the next council elections in Wales has moved|last=Mosalski|first=Ruth|date=2019-09-24|work=Wales Online|access-date=2021-05-31}}

Party with the most elected councillors in bold. Coalition agreements in notes column.

A by-election for Diffwys and Maenofferen was held in July 2010 and Llais Gwynedd narrowly held the seat.

Further by-elections in the Bowydd a Rhiw, held in September 2010, and Seiont, held in October 2010, led to a Plaid Cymru gain from Llais Gwynedd and a Llais Gwynedd gain from Independent respectively.

A by-election for the vacant Arllechwedd ward was held in June 2011, resulting in a Plaid Cymru gain from the Liberal Democrats.{{cite web|title=Arllechwedd By-election: 16 June 2011|url=http://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/gwy_doc.asp?cat=5765&doc=25836&Language=1|publisher=Gwynedd Council|access-date=14 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331173349/http://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/gwy_doc.asp?cat=5765&doc=25836&Language=1|archive-date=31 March 2012}} The Glyder ward was also vacant at the same time, after the death of the Plaid Cymru councillor. Plaid Cymru held the seat in the by-election held in July 2011,{{cite web|title=Plaid candidate in narrow Glyder by-election victory|url=http://www.theonlinemail.co.uk/bangor-and-anglesey-news/local-bangor-and-anglesey-news/2011/07/27/plaid-candidate-in-narrow-glyder-by-election-victory-66580-29121181/|publisher=Bangor and Anglesey Mail|access-date=14 October 2011|date=27 July 2011}} allowing the party to gain full control of the council with 38 seats, one seat being vacant at the time.

By-elections held for the Diffwys a Maenofferen and Penrhyndeudraeth wards in September 2011 resulted in a gain for Plaid Cymru over Llais Gwynedd and a Plaid Cymru hold respectively. This ensured Plaid Cymru's control of the council, with no seat vacancies.{{cite web|last=Bodden|first=Tom|title=By-election wins hand Plaid Cymru overall control in Gwynedd|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/10/01/by-election-wins-hand-plaid-cymru-overall-control-in-gwynedd-55578-29517501/|publisher=Daily Post|access-date=14 October 2011|date=1 October 2011}}

The council has its main offices at the Council Offices in Caernarfon. The complex lies either side of Shirehall Street within the town walls. On the western side of the street is the former Caernarvon Gaol, built in 1869 as the county prison for Caernarfonshire. After it closed as a prison in 1921 the building was converted to become offices for the old Caernarfonshire County Council, transferring to the new Gwynedd County Council in 1974. At the northern end of the former prison buildings is an extension built in 1984 comprising a council chamber and archway linking it back to the former prison building, with the council's coat of arms prominently displayed above the archway.{{cite news |title=Picture Focus |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=14 November 2022 |work=North Wales Weekly News |date=29 November 1984 |location=Conwy |page=20}} The council chamber itself is now called Siambr Dafydd Orwig after Dafydd Orwig, an advocate of the Welsh language and bilingual education in Wales who was a long-standing member of the county council. He died in 1996 whilst serving as chairman of the council.{{cite news |last1=Rees |first1=Ben |title=Obituary: Dafydd Orwig |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-dafydd-orwig-1353445.html |access-date=14 November 2022 |work=The Independent |date=21 November 1996}} Prior to the construction of the new council chamber in 1984, the council had met at County Hall.

On the opposite eastern side of Shirehall Street, extending through to Castle Street, is a modern office building built in the 1980s which houses many of the council's departments. The council also maintains area offices at the former Dwyfor District Council offices in Pwllheli and at Cae Penarlâg in Dolgellau, which had been built in 1953 for the old Merioneth County Council and subsequently served as the headquarters of Meirionnydd District Council until the 1996 reorganisation.{{cite web |title=Contact us: Siopau Gwynedd |url=https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Council/Contact-us/Siopau-Gwynedd/Siopau-Gwynedd.aspx |website=Gwynedd Council |access-date=14 November 2022}}

The council operates a decentralised system of administration, with three area committees:

• Arfon
• Dwyfor
• Meirionnydd

File:Gwynedd UK ward map (blank).svg

{{main|List of electoral wards in Gwynedd}}

Between 2004 and 2022 the county borough was divided into 71 electoral wards returning 75 councillors.{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2002/3274/schedule/made |title=The County of Gwynedd (Electoral Changes) Order 2002 - Schedule |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |date=6 December 2002 |access-date=19 April 2019 }}

Following a boundary review and The County of Gwynedd (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 the number of wards was reduced to 65, electing 69 councillors, taking effect from the 2022 elections.{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2021/1223/contents |title=The County of Gwynedd (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |date=1 November 2021 |accessdate=10 December 2024 }}{{cite news|first=Gareth |last=Wyn-Williams |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/gwynedd-lose-six-councillors-boundary-21718876 |title=Gwynedd to lose six councillors in boundary shake-up with wards reduced from 71 to 65 |work=North Wales Live |date=30 September 2021 |access-date=11 December 2024 }} All wards now use the Welsh name as the official name in Welsh and English. Twenty-seven wards remained unchanged. There are a number of elected community councils. Communities with a community council are indicated with a '* ':

* = Communities which elect a community council

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/ Gwynedd Council]

{{Local authorities of Wales}}

{{Gwynedd elections}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Government of Gwynedd

Category:Local authorities of Wales