Gwynedd Council In Favour Of Remaining Part Of EU

At a meeting of the full Council, Gwynedd councillors have declared that the authority is of the view that it would be of greater benefit to the residents of Gwynedd to remain a part of the European Union. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

With the referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union to be held on 23 June, councillors recently considered a report seeking the Council’s views on the implications of EU membership for Gwynedd residents. A report summarising the issues was put before Gwynedd councillors, with members deciding that the Council should support the view that it would be of greater benefit to Gwynedd residents to remain a part of the EU. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Gwynedd Council Leader, Councillor Dyfed Edwards said: “Clearly, this is an issue of the greatest importance and, as a Council, we have a duty to lead our communities and ensure a sustainable future for our residents. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I believe that the most important consideration is our attitude to the world as a people and as a nation. As the world becomes smaller, as we see greater inequalities in the world and the threats of famine, global warming and war increase, I believe that we need a community of European nations to co-operate and strive together to respond to these situations. While we see ourselves as citizens of Wales, we also want to see ourselves as citizens of Europe and the world. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Having considered the matter carefully, I am pleased that Gwynedd councillors, in considering the specific factors relevant to the county, were of the view that it would be of greater benefit to the residents of Gwynedd to remain a part of the European Union and that the authority states that view.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Mandy Williams-Davies, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Community added: “Over the past 15 years, Gwynedd has benefitted from over £158 million of European Structural funding which has formed part of a wider £300 million investment in the county’s economy. This significant investment has played a key role in supporting the people, businesses and communities of Gwynedd over this period and has provided a welcome boost to a number of communities across the county. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It was therefore pleasing that members from across the political groups declared that, having weighed-up all the arguments and considering the relevant factors for Gwynedd, that it would be of greater benefit to the county’s residents to remain part of the EU.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​