Could Cyngor Gwynedd Owned Smallholdings Be Used For Homes?

Cyngor Gwynedd meetings last month included the Planning Committee - yet another meeting plagued by 'technical difficulties'. The vote for a new Chair had to be retaken as a councillor who was not part of the committee took part in the vote. One application caused consternation for some councillors who wondered whether having shares in the Wynnstay group meant they could not vote. It was pointed out that the application was not from Wynnstay and that officers were recommending to refuse.

The councillors voted to go against the recommendation and accept the application... The agenda and webcast can be found here - https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=135&MId=4919

On the 24th May, the GwE joint committe met. The school improvement agency reported a budget overspend - https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=243&MId=4879 Has there been any action by the CEO to concerns raised by council auditors in 2020? A council officer also conceded that it could be seen as "odd" that GwE amended many staff's official workplaces on the same day that Gwynedd's stricter guidelines were introduced, adding that the authority's HR department had attempted to challenge GwE on the decision. https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/eyebrows-raised-what-schools-agency-18716183

Then there was the Governance and Audit committee on the 25th May. The meeting elected a panel of three as a service improvement group to look into issues that the Audit flagged - some have been ongoing for years... Staff retention (exit interviews) The Liberty Protection Safeguards formerly Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards DOLS Smallholdings.

With regard to Gwynedd council's smallholdings, officers have already actioned - The Estates Manager has committed to implementing the following steps to mitigate the risks highlighted: Update the Smallholdings Management Policy to ensure consistency, encompassing e.g. responsibilities, procedure for letting the units, rent review, debt recovery and internal administration. Update the Service's records with current details of the holdings. Ensure that the tenants pay the correct rent. Review the arrears reports and assist the Finance department to recover them. More - https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/documents/s38031/OUTPUT%20OF%20THE%20INTERNAL%20AUDIT%20SECTION.pdf

But in 2018, the CEO, Dafydd Gibbard authored a report presented by Dafydd Meurig to the Communities Scrutiny Committee - The size of the estate extends to 2996 acres or 1213.53 hectares. The size of the holdings vary from 2.5 acres to 212 acres. The average size of a holding is 65 acres. 1.4 There are 2 holdings in the commercial category, 22 in the middle category, 15 in the start-up units and 5 holdings are grazing land only. Part of Penllyn Farm, Tywyn is on a business tenancy as a caravan site and the holding of Tŷ Nant, Dolgellau is currently let on a business tenancy as a café and bunkhouse... The former senior property manager also mentions one of the reasons for retaining 'smallholdings' as - A bank of land ready for any challenges the Council may face in future including affordable homes, environmental plans, carbon trading etc. https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/documents/s19509/Gwynedd%20Councils%20Smallholdings%20Estate.pdf

Much of this land is in the Dwyfor Meirionnydd area. Councillors have cited the difficulty in purchasing suitable land as one of the barriers to building more affordable homes. It makes no sense that the council has not taken the opportunity to build much needed council homes on this publicly owned land. In other news, Gwynedd council have increased the amount in financial reserves to £130.6 million. Perversely all departments are reporting large overspends in their allocated budgets bar corporate support. Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council...