 The Logo of Gwynedd Council | |
| Control | NOC (Plaid minority administration) |
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| MPs | |
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| Official Website | gwynedd.gov.uk |
Gwynedd Council (Welsh: Cyngor Gwynedd) is the governing body for the principal area of Gwynedd, one of the subdivisions of Wales within the United Kingdom. Within the context of Local councils of the United Kingdom the term No Overall Control (abbreviated to NOC refers to a situation in which no single party achieves Plaid Cymru (plaɪd ˈkəmri The Party of Wales often referred to simply as Plaid) is a Political party in Wales. Composition Graphical representation of the House of Commons This is a comparison of the party strengths in the British House of Commons Elfyn Llwyd (born September 26, 1951) is a Welsh Politician, and Member of the U Betty Helena Williams (born 31 July 1944 in Bangor, north Wales) is a Welsh Politician. Hywel Williams (born 14 May 1953, Pwllheli) is a Welsh politician and Plaid Cymru Member of Parliament for Caernarfon The National Assembly for Wales is composed of 60 members known as AMs or Assembly Members (in Welsh: ACau or Aelodau'r Cynulliad Dafydd Elis Elis-Thomas Baron Elis-Thomas PC AM, (born 18 October 1946 is a Welsh Politician and current Presiding Officer of the Denise Idris Jones (born 1950 was a Labour member of the National Assembly for Wales for the Conwy Assembly constituency. Alun Ffred Jones (born 29 October 1949) is a Welsh politician and member of Plaid Cymru. Constituencies Distribution of additional members Former constituencies 1999 to 2007 Constituencies Distribution of additional members Former Constituencies 1999 to 2007 Welsh ( cy Cymraeg or cy y Gymraeg, kəmˈrɑːɨɡ and {{IPA|[ə ɡəmˈrɑːɨɡ]}}, is a member of the Brythonic branch of Celtic History Gwynedd was an independent kingdom from the end of the Roman period until the 13th Century when it was conquered and subjugated by England For Local government purposes Wales is divided into 22 Unitary authorities, which are responsible for the provision of all local government services including education The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located
Contents |
Creation of the Authority
The present local government area of Gwynedd is made up of the ancient counties of Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire. Caernarfonshire (Sir Gaernarfon sometimes also spelt as Caernarvonshire and Carnarvonshire, is one of the thirteen historic counties and a former administrative Merionethshire (Meirionnydd Sir Feirionnydd is one of thirteen historic counties of Wales, and a former administrative county These counties alongside Anglesey were merged in 1974 to create a much larger subject of local government called "Gwynedd" after the medieval kingdom of the same name. History There are numerous Megalithic monuments and Menhirs present on Anglesey testifying to the presence of mankind in prehistory Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. Gwynedd (pr) is one of several Welsh Successor states that emerged in 5th-century post-Roman Britain. The governing body of this area was called Gwynedd County Council.
The present governing body was formed following the local government reorganisation in Wales in 1996 which recommended the separation of Anglesey, the abolition of Gwynedd and the creation of the new "County of Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire". Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) This proposal was clearly unpopular because one of the first acts of this new authority was to rename itself Gwynedd Council.
Second home controversy
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. [1] Glyn was commenting on a report underscoring the delima of rocketing house prices outstripping what locals could pay, with the report warning that '. . . traditional Welsh communities could die out. . . " as a consequence. [2]
Much of the rural Welsh realistate market was driven by buyers looking for second homes for use as holiday homes, or for retirement. In modern usage a cottage is a dwelling typically in a rural or semi-rural location (although there are cottage-style dwellings in cities Many buyers were drawn to Wales from England because of relitively inexpensive house prices in Wales as compared to house prices in England. [3][4] The rise in home prices outpaced the average earnings income in Wales and ment that many local people could not afford to purchase their first home. [4]
In 2001 nearly a third of all properties in Gwynedd were bought by buyers from out of the county, and with some communities reporting as many as a third of local homes used as holiday homes. [5][6] Holiday home owners spend less then 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 complicated the issue, as many new residents did not learn the Welsh language. [5][7] [8][9]
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". [10]
Plaid Cymru had long advocated controls on second homes, and a 2001 taskforce headed by Dafydd Wigley recommended land should be allocated for affordable local housing, and called for grants for locals to buy houses, and recommended council tax on holiday homes should double, following similar measures in the Scottish Highlands. The Scottish Highlands ( Scottish Gaelic: A' Ghàidhealtachd, Scots: Hielans) include the rugged and Mountainous [6][7][10]
However the Welsh Labour-Liberal Democrat Assembly coalition rebuffed these proposals, with Assembly housing spokesman Peter Black stating that "we [can not] frame our planning laws around the Welsh language", adding "Nor can we take punitive measures against second home owners in the way that they propose as these will have an impact on the value of the homes of local people". The Wales Labour Party, also known as Welsh Labour (Llafur Cymru is the part of the Labour Party which operates in Wales. The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal Political party in the United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by merging the The National Assembly for Wales (Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru is a devolved assembly with power to make legislation in Wales. Peter Black (born 30 January 1960 is a Welsh Liberal Democrat politician and Member of the Welsh Assembly for the South Wales West Region [10]
By fall 2001 the Exmoor National Park authority in England began consideration to limit second home ownership there which was also driving up local housing prices by as much as 31%. Exmoor is a National Park situated on the Bristol Channel coast of south west England [8] Elfyn Llwyd, Plaid Cymru's Parlimentry Group Leader, said that the issues in Exmoor National Park were the same as in Wales, however in Wales there is the added deminsion of language and culture. Elfyn Llwyd (born September 26, 1951) is a Welsh Politician, and Member of the U [8]
Reflecting on the controversy Glyn's comments caused earlier in the year, Llwyd observed "What is interesting is of course it is fine for Exmoor to defend their community but in Wales when you try to say these things it is called racist. . . "[8]
Llwyd called on other parties to join in a debate to bring the Exmoor experience to Wales when he said ". . . I really do ask them and I plead with them to come around the table and talk about the Exmoor suggestion and see if we can now bring it into Wales". [8]
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. Snowdonia (Eryri is a region of North Wales and a National park of in area Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Arfordir Penfro is a national park along the Pembrokeshire coast in West Wales. [11] According to planners in Snowdonia and Pembroke applicants for new homes must demonstrate a proven local need or the applicant had strong links with the area.
Emergence of Llais Gwynedd
In 2008 a previously unheard of regionalist pressure group won several seats on Gwynedd Council. Llais Gwynedd, or Voice of Gwynedd demands an end to cut backs 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". Llais Gwynedd or Voice of Gwynedd is a small Regionalist political party based in Gwynedd in north Wales which won twelve seats on
Electoral divisions, areas and committees
The council operates a decentralised system of administration, with three area committees:
Electoral divisions
The county borough is divided into 71 electoral wards returning 75 councillors. Many large Local government councils in the United Kingdom have a system of area committees, with responsibility for services in a particular part of the See also Arfon (UK Parliament constituency, Cantref Arfon Arfon was one of five districts of Gwynedd, North See also Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor See also Dwyfor Meirionnydd (UK Parliament constituency Dwyfor was one of the five local government Meirionnydd is a coastal and mountainous region of North Wales. In Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, a ward is an Electoral district There are a number of elected community councils in the region. The following table lists council wards, communities and associated geographical areas. Communities with a community council are indicated with a '* ':
Arfon
| Ward | Communities (Parishes) | Other geographic areas |
| Arllechwedd |
| |
| Bethel | Llanddeiniolen* (Bethel ward) | |
| Bontnewydd | Bontnewydd* | |
| Cadnant | Caernarfon (town)* (Dwyrain ward) | |
| Cwm y Glo | Llanrug* (Ceunant and Cwm y Glo wards) | |
| Deiniol | Bangor (city)* (Deiniol ward) | |
| Deiniolen | Llanddeiniolen* (Clwt y Bont, Deiniolen and Dinorwic wards) | |
| Dewi | Bangor (city)* (Dewi ward) | |
| Y Felinheli | Y Felinheli* | |
| Garth | Bangor (city)* (Garth Ward) | |
| Gerlan | Bethesda (town)* (Gerlan and Rachub wards) | |
| Glyder | Bangor (city)* (Glyder ward) | |
| Groeslon | Llandwrog* (Dinas Dinlle and Groeslon wards) | |
| Hendre | Bangor (city)* (Hendre ward) | |
| Hirael | Bangor (city)* (Hirael ward) | |
| Llanberis | Llanberis* | |
| Llanllyfni | Llanllyfni* (Llanllyfni, Nantlle and Nebo wards) | |
| Llanrug | Llanrug* (Llanrug ward) | |
| Llanwnda | Llanwnda* | |
| Marchog (1) | Bangor (city)* (Marchog (1) ward) | |
| Marchog (2) | Bangor (city)* (Marchog (2) ward) | |
| Menai (Bangor) (1) | Bangor (city)* (Menai (1) ward) | |
| Menai (Bangor) (2) | Bangor (city)* (Menai (2) ward) | |
| Menai (Caernarfon) | Caernarfon (town)* (Menai ward) | |
| Ogwen | Bethesda* (Ogwen ward) | |
| Peblig | Caernarfon (town)* (Deheuol ward) | |
| Penisarwaun | Llanddeiniolen* (Brynrefail, Penisarwaun and Rhiwlas wards) | |
| Pentir | Pentir* | |
| Penygroes | Llanllyfni* (Penygroes ward) | |
| Seiont (1) | Caernarfon (town)* (Gorllewin ward 1) | |
| Seiont (2) | Caernarfon (town)* (Gorllewin ward 2) | |
| Talysarn |
| |
| Tregarth and Mynydd Llandygai | Llandygai* (St Ann's and Tregarth wards) | |
| Waunfawr |
|
Dwyfor
| Ward | Communities (Parishes) | Other geographic areas |
| Aberdaron | Aberdaron* | |
| Abererch | Llannor* (Abererch and Y Ffôr wards) | |
| Abersoch | Llanengan* (Abersoch ward) | |
| Botwnnog | Botwnnog* | |
| Clynnog Fawr | Clynnog* | |
| Criccieth | Criccieth* | |
| Dolbenmaen | Dolbenmaen* (Bryncir, Garn, Golan, Penmorfa and Treflys wards) | |
| Efailnewydd/Buan |
| |
| Llanaelhaearn |
| |
| Llanbedrog | Llanbedrog* | |
| Llanengan | Llanengan* (Llanengan and Llangian wards) | |
| Llanystumdwy | Llanystumdwy | |
| Morfa Nefyn | Nefyn (town)* (Edern and Morfa Nefyn wards) | |
| Nefyn | Nefyn (town)* (Nefyn ward) | |
| Porthmadog - Tremadog |
| |
| Porthmadog (East) | Porthmadog (town)* (East and Ynys Galch wards) | |
| Porthmadog (West) | Porthmadog (town)* (Gest, Morfa Bychan and West wards) | |
| Pwllheli (South) | Pwllheli (town)* (South ward) | |
| Pwllheli (North) | Pwllheli (town)* (North ward) | |
| Tudweiliog | Tudweiliog* |
Meirionnydd
| Ward | Communities (Parishes) | Other geographic areas |
| Aberdovey |
| |
| Barmouth | Barmouth (Town)* | |
| Bala | Bala (Town)* | |
| Bowydd and Rhiw | Ffestiniog* (Bowydd and Rhiw and Tanygrisiau wards) | |
| Brithdir and Llanfachreth/Y Ganllwyd/Llanelltyd |
| |
| Corris/Mawddwy |
| |
| Diffwys and Maenofferen | Ffestiniog* (Diffwys and Maenofferen ward) | |
| Dolgellau (North) | Dolgellau (town)* (Northern and Rural wards) | |
| Dolgellau (South) | Dolgellau (town)* (Southern ward) | |
| Dyffryn Ardudwy | Dyffryn Ardudwy* | |
| Harlech and Talsarnau |
| |
| Llanbedr |
| |
| Llandderfel |
| |
| Llangelynnin |
| |
| Llanuwchllyn |
| |
| Bryncrug / Llanfihangel |
| |
| Penrhyndeudraeth |
| |
| Teigl | Ffestiniog* (Conglywal and Cynfal and Teigl wards) | |
| Trawsfynydd |
| |
| Tywyn | Tywyn* | |
| Tywyn (2) | Tywyn* |
References
- ^ Plaid bids to defuse 'racism' row, BBC Wales, 21 February, 2001
- ^ 'Racist' remarks lost Plaid votes, BBC Wales, 3 September, 2001
- ^ Property prices in England and Wales Wednesday, 8 August, 2001, extracted 24 Jan 2008
- ^ a b House prices outpacing incomes Monday, 3 December, 2001, extracted 24 Jan 2008
- ^ a b Apology over 'insults' to English, BBC Wales, 3 September, 2001
- ^ a b UK: Wales Plaid calls for second home controls, BBC Wales, November 17, 1999
- ^ a b Double tax for holiday home owners Thursday, 16 December, 1999, extracted 24 Jan 2008
- ^ a b c d e Controls on second homes reviewed Wednesday, 5 September, 2001 extracted 24 Jan 2008
- ^ Gwynedd considers holiday home curb Tuesday, 9 April, 2002, extracted 24 Jan 2008
- ^ a b c Plaid plan 'protects' rural areas, BBC Wales, 19 June, 2001
- ^ Park to ban new holiday homes Wednesday, 6 March, 2002 extracted 24 Jan 2008
External links
Community councils (CCs are the most local statutory representative bodies in Great Britain. The ancient Welsh Cantref of Arllechwedd in north-west Wales was part of the Kingdom of Gwynedd for much of its history until it was included in the new Llandegai (occasionally spelt Llandygai) is a small Village on the A5 road between Bangor and Tal-y-Bont in Gwynedd Bethel (בֵּית אֵל also written as Beth El or Beth-El, meaning "House of God" (in general or " House of (the specific god named El Bontnewydd may refer to Bontnewydd Ceredigion; a village in Ceredigion, Wales Bontnewydd Denbighshire; a hamlet Caernarfon (the original Welsh spelling is now almost always used in preference to the anglicised forms "Caernarvon" or "Carnarvon" is a Cwm y Glo is a small Village between Llanberis and Llanrug and lies some 4 Miles to the south of Caernarfon and is in Wales (European Llanrug is a Village in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, to the west of Caernarfon. Saint Deiniol (died 584 was the first Bishop of Bangor in the Kingdom of Gwynedd, Wales. Bangor, in Gwynedd, North Wales, is one of the smallest cities in the United Kingdom. Deiniolen is a Village in Gwynedd, Wales, at the foot of Elidir Fawr. Bangor, in Gwynedd, North Wales, is one of the smallest cities in the United Kingdom. Y Felinheli is a Village lying beside the Menai Strait (Y Fenai between Bangor and Caernarfon in Gwynedd, north-west Bangor, in Gwynedd, North Wales, is one of the smallest cities in the United Kingdom. Bethesda is a Town lying on the River Ogwen and the A5 road on the edge of Snowdonia, in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, If you were looking for the Irish hard rock band see Glyder The Glyderau (a Welsh plural form also known in English Bangor, in Gwynedd, North Wales, is one of the smallest cities in the United Kingdom. Groeslon ( Welsh: Y Groeslon, "the crossroads" is a small Village in Gwynedd, North Wales. Llandwrog ( Welsh language: meaning 'The church of Saint Twrog ' is a Village in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, most notable Bangor, in Gwynedd, North Wales, is one of the smallest cities in the United Kingdom. Bangor, in Gwynedd, North Wales, is one of the smallest cities in the United Kingdom. Llanberis is a Town in Gwynedd, north Wales, lying beside the Llyn Padarn lake in Snowdonia. Llanllyfni is a small Village near Pen-y-Groes in Gwynedd, North Wales. Llanrug is a Village in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, to the west of Caernarfon. Llanwnda is a Village in Gwynedd, Wales. Bangor, in Gwynedd, North Wales, is one of the smallest cities in the United Kingdom. Bangor, in Gwynedd, North Wales, is one of the smallest cities in the United Kingdom. Bangor, in Gwynedd, North Wales, is one of the smallest cities in the United Kingdom. Bangor, in Gwynedd, North Wales, is one of the smallest cities in the United Kingdom. Caernarfon (the original Welsh spelling is now almost always used in preference to the anglicised forms "Caernarvon" or "Carnarvon" is a Caernarfon (the original Welsh spelling is now almost always used in preference to the anglicised forms "Caernarvon" or "Carnarvon" is a Pen-y-Groes (alternatively spelt as Penygroes is a large Village in north-west Wales. Llanllyfni is a small Village near Pen-y-Groes in Gwynedd, North Wales. Caernarfon (the original Welsh spelling is now almost always used in preference to the anglicised forms "Caernarvon" or "Carnarvon" is a Caernarfon (the original Welsh spelling is now almost always used in preference to the anglicised forms "Caernarvon" or "Carnarvon" is a Talysarn is a Village in the Slate quarrying Nantlle Valley in Gwynedd, Wales. Llandwrog ( Welsh language: meaning 'The church of Saint Twrog ' is a Village in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, most notable Llanllyfni is a small Village near Pen-y-Groes in Gwynedd, North Wales. Waunfawr ( large Moorland / Heathland in Welsh) is a large Village on the outskirts of the Snowdonia National Park, Gwynedd Betws Garmon is a Community and small Hamlet outside Waenfawr and near Beddgelert in Gwynedd, Wales. Aberdaron is a small former fishing Village at the tip of Wales 's northern peninsula the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd. Abererch is a Village in the Welsh principal area of Gwynedd. Abersoch is a large Village in the parish of Llanengan Gwynedd, Wales. Llanengan is a small Village 1¼ Miles or 2 Km south west of Abersoch in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. Botwnnog is a Village in Gwynedd, Wales. It lies between Mynytho and Sarn Mellteryn on the Llŷn Peninsula and is Clynnog Fawr, often simply called "Clynnog" is a Village on the north coast of the Llŷn peninsula in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. Clynnog Fawr, often simply called "Clynnog" is a Village on the north coast of the Llŷn peninsula in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. Criccieth ( Welsh Cricieth) is a Town on the Cardigan Bay coast in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. Llanbedrog is a Village on the Llŷn peninsula in Wales, situated on the south side of the Peninsula on the A499 road between Llanengan is a small Village 1¼ Miles or 2 Km south west of Abersoch in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. Llanystumdwy is small Village on the Llŷn Peninsula in north Wales, although it is not regarded as being part of Llŷn but belonging instead to the local Morfa Nefyn is a small Village located on the northern coast of the Llŷn Peninsula in Wales. Nefyn is a small Town on the north-west coast of the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, with a Population of around Beddgelert is a Village in Gwynedd, Wales, lying in Snowdonia. Porthmadog, ˌpɒrθˈmædɒg and known locally as Port, is a small Coastal Town in the Dwyfor locality within Gwynedd in North Porthmadog, ˌpɒrθˈmædɒg and known locally as Port, is a small Coastal Town in the Dwyfor locality within Gwynedd in North Porthmadog, ˌpɒrθˈmædɒg and known locally as Port, is a small Coastal Town in the Dwyfor locality within Gwynedd in North Pwllheli is the main Market town of the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd, north-western Wales. Pwllheli is the main Market town of the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd, north-western Wales. Tudweiliog is a small predominantly Welsh -speaking Village on the northern coast of the Llŷn Peninsula in north-west Wales. Aberdyfi (Mouth of the River Dyfi or Aberdovey (the Anglicised spelling is still in common use is a Village on the Estuary of the River Pennal is a Village on the A493 road in southern Gwynedd, (in the former County of Merionethshire /Sir Feirionnydd north Wales Barmouth ( Welsh: Abermaw (formal Y Bermo ( Colloquial) is a Town in the County of Gwynedd, north-western Bala (more correctly Y Bala) is a Market town in Gwynedd, North Wales, and formerly an Urban district of the old County Ffestiniog is a community in Gwynedd, Wales, containing several villages in particular the settlements of Llan Ffestiniog and Blaenau Ffestiniog Llanelltyd is a small Village in Gwynedd, to the north of Dolgellau. King George's Fields SH7507 195jpg|240px|right|thumb|The entrance to King George's Field next door to the junior school]] Corris is a Village in the south of Ffestiniog is a community in Gwynedd, Wales, containing several villages in particular the settlements of Llan Ffestiniog and Blaenau Ffestiniog Dolgellau (pronounced /dɔl'gɛɬaɨ/ occasionally /-gɛɬi/ is a Market town in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, lying on the River Wnion, Dolgellau (pronounced /dɔl'gɛɬaɨ/ occasionally /-gɛɬi/ is a Market town in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, lying on the River Wnion, Harlech (pronounced ˈharlɛx is a Town and Seaside resort in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, lying on Tremadog Bay, and within Llanbedr is a Village in the Ardudwy area of Gwynedd, Wales. The village originally grew around the slate Quarrying Llanfair may refer to Places Llanfair Ceredigion; a small village in Mid Wales Llanfair Gwynedd, a village in the Ardudwy For the ancient church of the same name near Fairbourne in the neighbouring county of Gwynedd see Llangelynnin Gwynedd. Arthog (officially Capel Arthog) is a Village in Gwynedd, Wales. Llanuwchllyn is a Village in Gwynedd, North Wales, near the southern end of Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid Llanfihangel ( Welsh for St Michael's Church) can refer to the following places in Wales: Llanfihangel Aberbythych, Carmarthenshire Penrhyndeudraeth ( peninsula with two beaches in Welsh) is a Village in Gwynedd, Wales. Ffestiniog is a community in Gwynedd, Wales, containing several villages in particular the settlements of Llan Ffestiniog and Blaenau Ffestiniog Trawsfynydd ( Welsh: "across mountain") is a Village in North Wales, adjacent to the A470 north of Dolgellau Maentwrog is a Village and community in the Welsh County of Gwynedd, lying in the Vale of Ffestiniog, with the River Dwyryd Tywyn (formerly Towyn) is a Town and Seaside resort on the Cardigan Bay coast of southern Gwynedd (formerly Merioneth:Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic