Social Value Ideas for Gwynedd Council

Community Benefit Fund - Energy Storage Project

Firstway Energy has committed to providing a community benefit fund of £100,000 for the local community affected by the energy storage development. This fund is not a planning requirement but is being…

“Whilst not a planning requirement, we're proposing a community benefit fund of £100,000 for the local community, which we will discuss with community …”

Community Toilet Grant Scheme - Expansion Potential

Community toilet grant scheme identified as opportunity for council cost savings and service expansion. Currently 39 community toilets and 61 public toilets across Gwynedd (100 total). Welsh governmen…

“We don't have any businesses at the moment on the waiting list. We have every year the grant that we receive from the Welsh government does increase s…”

Gwynedd Local Toilet Strategy - Measurement and Accountability Framework

New Gwynedd Local Toilet Strategy being implemented with identified need for measurable outcomes framework. Current aims include: clean, safe, well-maintained facilities; informing and promoting facil…

“My concern here is we have aims, but unless we have a methodology of measuring, they're not really aims, they're just a wish list. I think that it is …”

Identify Community Toilet Expansion Locations

Action assigned to officer to identify village clusters without toilet facilities where local businesses may be willing to participate in community toilet grant scheme. Activity involves yearly checks…

“We're doing a piece of work this year to identify where maybe there's no longer a toilet, but is there a business locally that will be willing to part…”

Seek legal advice on Article 4

Members want professional legal advice on the meaning of 'material change', how it should be measured, and whether Article 4 can legally proceed on a narrower basis such as new builds only. The discus…

“Thank you for your reports. It's quite complex to say the least. It all seems to be, how we say, centering around material change and understanding ma…”

Thresholds for material change

Members argued that the development plan should include limits, specifications and thresholds so the council can evidence when a material change has occurred. This would support future decision-making…

“Come back to you, if we have limitations, specifications if you like within our development plan which suggests thresholds, we can work with that. But…”

Affordable Housing Development - Stables Country Lodge Conversion

Planning application for conversion of former Stables Country Lodge hotel (detached building, previously developed brownfield land) to create 10 affordable housing units. Building ceased trading in 20…

“This application is for the conversion of a detached building relating to the former stables, Country Lodge, to form 10 affordable units. This applica…”

Housing need and homelessness

Members described sustained pressure on housing supply, with very high waiting list and homelessness figures, especially demand for one- and two-bedroom properties. They cited the county as a high-pre…

“I'd like to mention Page 118, bullet four, the ability to continue to reach targets may be hampered while regular objections to affordable housing dev…”

Council land for new homes

Members identified a large number of council-owned assets and empty or underused sites that could potentially be repurposed for flats, bungalows, and other housing. They argued this could reduce the n…

“I'd also like to add that some time ago, we had some information from Paul regarding the cungargwynasharepoint.com with council buildings. There are n…”

Social Housing Waiting List Pressure

Council members acknowledge waiting lists on the social housing register as a significant service capacity issue. The housing development application is being considered as a means to help relieve pre…

“it's obviously going to help relieve some, a small way towards relieving some of the waiting list on the social housing register”