John Lloyd speaks on behalf of the Gwynedd Business Network opposing the possible closure of the business and tourism departments at Gwynedd Council

1. 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

3. 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

5. 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

7. 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.

8. The options are split into the following categories and £5 million needs to be
chosen 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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