North Wales Tourism Autumn Meeting

My name is John Lloyd and I am one of the directors of the Gwynedd Business Network and we strongly object to the

proposed possible closure of the Business and Tourism Departments at Gwynedd Council

Rôl y Rhwydwaith

Rhwydweithio a rhyng-fasnachu

Cyfathrebu â sectorau eraill (cyhoeddus ac academaidd)

Adnabod a datrys problemau sy’n wynebu busnesau yn yr ardal

The Network’s role

Network and inter-trade

Communicate with other sectors (public and academic)

Identify, progress and resolve issues facing businesses in the area

Background

• The council has to address a £41 million deficit for financial year 2017/18 as a result of increased costs and reduced funding.• The current cost of Gwynedd Council Services is £228million and the

council have already made almost £26 million worth of efficiency savings• They hope to make further savings of £8 million.• This in itself will unfortunately not be enough to address the £41 million

gap.• The council has decided to consult the public to assist them to choose £5

million of services to retain from a possible £12 million of non statutory services, that have been identified

The Gwynedd Business Network is very concerned with some of the options that have been included in this consultation and for this reason have started a campaign to ensure these particular options do not occur.

As part of this consultation there have been 19 drop in sessions and 13 evening public meetings, as well as an online questionnaire for the public to complete.

Clearly the public will prioritise services that directly affect them but we would expect the Council to ensure that the local economy is safeguarded as unless it is further cuts to all services will have to be made in the future as a result.

For this reason the Gwynedd Business Network has started a campaign to ensure that certain options are not taken that will in their opinion affect the Gwynedd economy for years to come.

The options are split into the following categories and £5 million needs to bechosen for retention from the figure of £12 million

1. ENVIRONMENT £4,583,790

2.CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE £2,762,310

3.CARE HEALTH & WELL BEING £1,687,337

4.ECONOMY & TOURISM £1,087,721

5.VARIOUS £2,257,677

TOTAL £12,378,835

The problem with the economic cuts that are being proposed take no account of the loss of income that will result.

For example if the Tourism Department were closed the Council claim they will save £459,860.

However this takes no account of the fact that the council would no longer get grants from VisitWales for its Destination Management Plan as well as other grants.

Also substantial loss of income from car parking etc would be lost as if no marketing of Snowdonia were to take place.

Gwynedd Business Network estimate that it would actually cost £1/2million to close the Tourism Department based on a loss of income of £1 million less the £1/2million saving

Tourism is absolutely vital to the Gwynedd Economy.

It is worth £907 million to the Gwynedd economy.

Gwynedd has over tourism 2,800 businesses

It employs nearly 15,000 in Gwynedd

Gwynedd is more reliant on tourism than any other area in Wales

Whilst the area has a tremendous amount to offer, but if the Tourism Department were closed no marketing would inevitably result in less visitors which would be an absolute disaster for the Gwynedd economy

If Tourism Department closed the result

1. The strategy and support for tourism businesses would cease.

2. Destination Management Group would cease to exist and so VisitWales grant would be lost

3. Snowdonia Mountains and Coast publication would cease as would the website and all the social networking

4.All Tourist Information Centres would close

5.There would be no support for Events in Gwynedd.

Gwynedd councillors will make a decision in 2016.There are 75 councillors in Gwynedd and it absolutely vital that all involved in tourism lobby their Councillor to retain the Business and Tourism Departments

Also all should complete the online questionnaire both individually and on behalf of their tourism business

If the decision is taken to close the Business and Tourism Departments then Gwynedd Council is turning its back on business in Gwynedd and it will be an absolute disaster for the Gwynedd economy

IT MUST NOT HAPPEN AND IT IS UP TO ALL INVOLVED IN TOURISM DO THEIR UTMOST TO ENSURE IT DOES NOT

How ?

1. Lobby your local councillor. A list of all Gwynedd’s 75 councillors is on our website under News www.gwyneddbusnes.net

2. Complete the online questionnaire available online on the Gwynedd Website

www.gwynedd.gov.uk/hergwynedd.

www.gwynedd.gov.uk/Gwyneddchallenge