MAKING A DIFFERENCE 2022 LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANIFESTO - NationBuilder
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE 2022 LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANIFESTO
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Free School Meals for all primary school
children and a commitment to the aim of
extending universal Free School Meals to
secondary pupils within the next council
term – with a focus on locally-sourced,
nutritious meals
Free Childcare for all two-year-olds
Harness Wales’s potential for renewable,
community-owned energy schemes, as
part of a target to reach Net Zero Carbon
Emissions by 2030
Tackle Wales’s housing crisis by building
more energy-efficient and carbon-positive
social housing, more genuinely affordable
Contents
homes, take radical action on second homes
and end homelessness
Making a Difference 05
Strengthening the Local Economy 08
Healthier, Caring Communities 12
Printed on 100% recycled paper
The Best Start in Life 16
Design – iamsamscreative.co.uk
Print – Gemini Digital Colour Ltd North Road Bridgend Industrial Estate Bridgend, CF31 3TP
Promoted by – Plaid Cymru Ty Gwynfor, Anson Court, Cardiff Sustainable, Greener Communities 20
5
MAKING A
DIFFERENCE Making a Difference
Adam Price MS – Plaid Cymru Leader
Plaid Cymru is a party that is rooted in community. We are extending free access to childcare for two-
Strengthening The Local Economy year-olds on a universal basis.
We are passionate about Wales and about making
a difference to people’s lives. We are tackling Wales’s housing crisis by building
Healthier, Caring Communities Whether it’s helping people who have lost their
more energy-efficient social housing, and more
genuinely affordable homes. We are taking radical
homes due to flooding, delivering food parcels action to reduce the number of second homes.
to those in need, or backing local businesses,
The Best Start in Life Plaid Cymru is out there every day in communities We are creating a National Energy Company, Ynni
across Wales working hard on behalf of the people Cymru to establish renewable, community-owned
they represent. energy schemes.
Sustainable, Greener Communities
Plaid Cymru representatives - our community Politics is about priorities and for Plaid Cymru,
champions - want to build the Wales of tomorrow. our priority has always been the people of Wales,
One that’s more sustainable, fairer, and forward- and doing whatever we can, whenever we can to
looking - where everyone has the same opportunity improve their lives.
to reach their full potential.
Because Plaid Cymru is a party that works for
Plaid Cymru is already putting its good ideas everyone in Wales.
into action.
Whoever you are, wherever you are, and whatever
We have secured £200 million in this year’s budget language you speak, you can trust Plaid Cymru
to extend Free School Meals, on a universal basis, to make a difference for you, your family, and
to all primary school pupils. your community.
We know there are more children and families
who need help. That is why Plaid Cymru Local
Authorities will commit to the aim of extending
universal Free School Meals to include secondary
school pupils during the next council term, as part
of Plaid Cymru’s vision of introducing this policy
across Wales.
Plaid Cymru / 2022 Local Government Manifesto 7
Plaid Cymru:
Free School Meals to all primary
Making a Difference school children
Free childcare for all two year olds
A National Care Service to provide
Almost a quarter of a century ago, people in Wales
voted for self-government for Wales, with a promise a stronger, seamless service and
of a new type of politics. They placed their trust better working conditions for social
in a new democracy with an instruction to work care professionals
STRENGTHENING THE THE BEST differently – inclusively and co-operatively.
Immediate action to address
In the face of the pandemic, a cost of living
LOCAL ECONOMY START IN LIFE crisis and a hostile Conservative government in
second homes and unaffordable
housing, using the planning,
Westminster - determined to do everything it
can to undermine our national institutions – it is in property and taxation systems.
Protect Welsh households from the Free School Meals for all primary
rising cost of living school children and a commitment our nation’s interests for parties to work together for
Wales. End homelessness
to the aim of extending universal
Develop supply chains for local Free School Meals to secondary Following discussions and agreement with our Establish Unnos, a national
businesses pupils within the next council term members, Plaid Cymru entered into a Co-Operation construction company, to improve
– with a focus on locally-sourced, Agreement with Welsh Government in December
Promote Buy Welsh and Buy Local nutritious meals the supply of social and affordable
2021.
housing
Expand business support and create Free Childcare for all two-year-olds It is thanks to Plaid Cymru that key policies - from
new jobs through the Arfor west
feeding our children by extending free school Reform Council Tax to make it fairer
Wales and Valleys initiatives Value our teachers and school staff meals, to caring for our elderly and vulnerable
Renew our town centres as viable, citizens through the creation of a National Care Work with local authorities to
vibrant places to shop, work and live Service – now feature in an ambitious, nation- develop plans for an integrated
building Programme for Government. transport system
The Co-operation Agreement, negotiated by Plaid
Cymru with Welsh Government, is a central element Commission independent advice to
of our vision for local government across Wales. examine potential pathways to net
zero by 2035
HEALTHIER, CARING SUSTAINABLE, Commission an independent
review into extreme flooding in
COMMUNITIES GREENER winter 2020-21 and act on its
Work towards a better deal for Social
COMMUNITIES recommendations.
Care workers and improved care Invest more in flood mitigation
services Harness Wales’s potential for
renewable, community-owned Improve mental health and
Address inequalities to help people energy schemes, as part of a target wellbeing services, especially for
live longer, healthier lives to reach Net Zero Carbon Emissions
by 2030
young people
Improve access to mental health
support Tackle Wales’s housing crisis by Design new models for local
building more energy-efficient and government to work together in the
carbon-positive social housing, more West and the South.
genuinely affordable homes, take
radical action on second homes and Support local authorities to operate
end homelessness through the medium of Welsh.
Develop greener transport systems
Introduce a Welsh Language
based on local area need
Education Bill
Plaid Cymru / 2022 Local Government Manifesto 9
Protecting Welsh Households Supply Chains and Procurement
from the Rising Cost of Living
Every year, Councils across Wales spend billions
Increasing energy costs, stagnating wages, a rise of pounds on goods, works and services. Plaid
in food and fuel prices and cruel cuts to welfare Cymru aims to keep as much money as possible
will result in Welsh households facing hundreds, within the local economy, supporting local
if not thousands of pounds’ worth of extra costs businesses to thrive and sustain local jobs at the
STRENGTHENING this year. Thousands of households are already
struggling to pay for everyday items.
Much of this is the result of policies implemented
same time.
Plaid Cymru’s target for increasing the level of
public sector procurement to 75 per cent of
total spend has the potential to create tens of
by the London Tory government.
THE LOCAL While we will continue to call for action by
Governments in Cardiff and Westminster, Plaid
Cymru councillors and local authorities can take
thousands of additional jobs across Wales.
Plaid Cymru-led local authorities have been
working to ensure that more and more of their
funding is spent locally by breaking up contracts
ECONOMY steps to protect families, by:
Taking ownership of local energy production
and investing in green energy schemes.
where possible to ensure that local suppliers and
businesses are used more often.
Making people’s homes more energy efficient,
Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference
Protect Welsh households from the rising cost of with better insulation leading to lower energy
use.
living Keeping the Benefit Local
Strengthen local supply chains and support
local businesses, to safeguard local jobs and Gwynedd County Council piloted their
Develop local supply chains and local incomes. Keeping the Benefit Local strategy, which
businesses considers how best to keep money spent by
At a national level, Plaid Cymru is taking bold steps the Council in the local area. Over the past
to protect Welsh household budgets against future four years, the amount of council spending
crises, by: staying inside the county increased from
Buy Welsh and Buy Local £56m to £78m – a rise of 39%.
Introducing free school meals for primary
school children, and a commitment to the aim
Expand business support, grants and create of extending universal free school meals to
new jobs through the Arfor and Valleys regional secondary pupils within the next council term
Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference
initiatives Expanding access to free childcare for children
aged two and over on a universal basis
Wales’s First Local Economic
Renew our town centres as viable, vibrant Creating a national energy company, Ynni Recovery Plan
Cymru, to establish community-owned
places to shop, work and live renewable energy schemes, helping us cut ties
Plaid Cymru-led Carmarthenshire County
Council was the first local authority in
with multinational, profit-exporting companies
Wales to implement a Covid Recovery Plan,
Taking steps to ensure that the regressive safeguarding 10,000 jobs and supporting
Council Tax system is updated to be fairer many more micro-businesses which otherwise
would have slipped through the net of
government support.
10 Plaid Cymru / 2022 Local Government Manifesto Plaid Cymru / 2022 Local Government Manifesto 11
Buy Welsh, Buy Local Arfor and the Valleys Town Centres
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Plaid Plaid Cymru will continue work to develop our Town and village centres are at the heart of our
Cymru launched a national I’m Buying Local vision for Arfor (north and west Wales) and the communities. As shopping centres, they have
campaign to support farmers and local food Valleys embracing economic development, higher been under threat from the growth of out-of-town
producers across Wales while reducing food miles. education and vocational training, renewable superstores and retail parks, and the phenomenal
We have also secured a commitment from Welsh energy and Welsh language promotion. growth of internet shopping during the Covid-19
Government that free school meals will use locally pandemic.
produced ingredients, benefitting farmers and local
businesses across Wales. Plaid Cymru-led local authorities will continue to
lead new initiatives, to:
Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference
Provide resources for residents, businesses
Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference and community groups
The Arfor programme
Negotiated by Plaid Cymru, the Co-operation Create co-working centres in towns
Supporting Local Businesses in Testing
Agreement will create a second phase of across Wales
Times: Ceredigion Covid-19 Food Parcels
the Arfor programme, delivered by four Plaid
Early on in the Covid-19 pandemic, Plaid Cymru-led local authorities as key partners. Promote community spaces, libraries,
Cymru-led Ceredigion County Council So far, the programme has created 238 and parks
took control of the delivery of food parcels full-time equivalent and 89 part-time jobs,
Improve access for walking and cycling
to vulnerable residents, ensuring the best safeguarded 226 full-time jobs, and supported
possible use of local producers. 154 businesses.
Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference
Carmarthenshire’s Ten Towns Scheme
Plaid Cymru-led Carmarthenshire Council
developed its Ten Towns initiative for the
development of Cross Hands, Cwmaman,
Kidwelly, Laugharne, Llandeilo, Llandovery,
Llanybydder, Newcastle Emlyn, St.Clears
and Whitland. Economic growth plans are
being developed with local residents and
businesses at the heart of the process.
Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference
Cardigan Town Centre
Developing a Cardigan Town app, Ceredigion
County Council used data collected to
measure information such as footfall
and popular areas of town, sharing this
information with businesses to help them
better consider how to attract customers.
Whilst other towns saw shops and businesses
close during the pandemic, Cardigan has
seen ten new shops open.
12 Plaid Cymru / 2022 Local Government Manifesto 13
We believe that the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic should be
transformative – with the aim of ending poverty and inequalities.
Ensure that local government staff have
Establishing a National access to occupational health service, leisure
and sport facilities – and work with business
Care Service providers to see how this access can be
expanded to employees of SMEs
One of the greatest achievements of the 20th
Encourage schools to provide children with the
Century was the creation of the National Health
opportunity to exercise and learn outdoors as
Service so that illness, accidents or disease should
much as possible, while meeting a minimum of
not produce the threat of financial debt.
HEALTHIER,
two hours’ physical exercise each week
Plaid Cymru believes that we need the same
approach as health provision for all personal Promote and facilitate social prescribing - to
care, and that care workers should receive parity encourage participation in community activity
of pay and conditions with those offered by the and exercise
CARING NHS. This is why Plaid Cymru believes we need a
National Care Service, led by local government and
integrating seamlessly with the NHS.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Whether because of age, disability, temporary
COMMUNITIES illness or chronic conditions many of us will require
help with daily living through social care. Some of
us might need a safe space to live in and be cared
for on a permanent basis.
As part of the Co-Operation Agreement with Welsh
Government, we will take further steps towards
Plaid Cymru’s aim of securing more investment for
mental health services especially for young people.
Our ambition is that personal care should be free
A better deal for Social Care workers at the point of need, an ambition which is now We will test how The Sanctuary Model - where
reflected in Wales’s Programme for Government, community facilities with extended opening hours,
and better care services run by trained third sector staff and clear referral
secured by Plaid Cymru as part of our Co-
operation Agreement. pathways into NHS - can help support young
people in crisis or with an urgent mental health or
Help people live longer, healthier lives emotional wellbeing issue. These centres would be
open evenings and weekends.
Helping People Live Longer,
Improve access to mental health and
Healthier Lives
wellbeing support
Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference
Covid-19 has hit poorer communities hardest. Plaid
Cymru aims to make Health Equality our goal for
a healthier fairer nation, with actions to improve Ceredigion’s Here For You Project
access to care for all. Our local authorities and In response to long waiting times to access
councillors will: mental health support, Plaid Cymru-led
Ceredigion County Council supported a local
Encourage walking and cycling, with
youth charity to provide easily accessible
accessible paths and networks
mental health services to young people in the
county.
Improve public accessibility to amenities such
as parks, and public transport The Council-led Cynnal y Cardi scheme
provided funding for the Here for You project,
Invest in Youth Services and Youth Centres – which gives young people, particularly those
ensuring they include professionals offering in rural areas, fast access to free, online,
mental health advice and sexual health advice talking therapy services.
14 Plaid Cymru / 2022 Local Government Manifesto Plaid Cymru / 2022 Local Government Manifesto 15
Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference
Wales’s First Track and Trace System Saving Local A&E Services
In April 2020, while Governments in When Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health
Westminster and Cardiff struggled to establish Board announced that they intended to
a tracing system costing billions of pounds, close the 24-hour A&E services at the Royal
Plaid Cymru-led Ceredigion County Council Glamorgan Hospital, Plaid Cymru Councillors
took control and set up its own cost-effective, in Rhondda Cynon Taf threw their weight
bespoke test-and-trace system. behind local residents, signing petitions,
sending letters to key decision makers, and
Drawing on the Council’s Public Protection joining local campaign groups. The decision
team’s expertise in tracing contacts of other to close the services was overturned,
illnesses before the pandemic, Ceredigion’s ensuring that local residents can access
system was established within days, saving emergency care in their community.
lives and reducing hospitalisations by doing so.
The scheme attracted UK-wide attention for its
role in keeping the infection rate in Ceredigion
at the lowest level in Wales during the early
stages of the pandemic, with 57 cases per Equalities
100,000 people at a time when the Welsh
national Welsh average was 461 cases per
100,000.1 Plaid Cymru believes that tackling all forms of
injustice is an essential part of restructuring and
rebuilding a fairer society.
As part of our Co-Operation Agreement with Welsh
Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference Government, Plaid Cymru has ensured that a Race Disabilities Representation in Elected
Equality Action Plan will be developed. We will also Members and the Workforce
support the publication of an LGBTQ+ Action Plan,
Wales’s First Field Hospital and call for additional powers to offer support and The Covid-19 pandemic and response has
protection to trans people in Wales. Plaid Cymru infringed disabled people’s human rights. Plaid Cymru believes that everyone should
Plaid Cymru-led Carmarthenshire County believes that neurodiversity is an equalities issue, As part of Plaid Cymru’s commitment to carrying have equal rights and opportunities. The lack of
Council leapt into action during the first weeks and would introduce an Autism Act, adopting a out a Wales only Covid Enquiry, this will be further representation of certain groups in elected roles
of the pandemic, working in partnership with rights based approach for autistic people. investigated. and workforces is evidence that there is a lot of
Hywel Dda Health Board and local contractors
work to be done, and that certain groups are facing
to build four emergency hospitals in three Plaid Cymru believes that the Equality Act 2010 Wales has taken backward steps due to the barriers in society.
weeks in readiness to reduce pressure on the should be devolved to the Senedd. Working pandemic, creating new difficulties and gaps in
NHS. under this Act, and as key actors and employers Plaid Cymru will set challenging targets for public
public services for disabled people.
in communities, councils have a vital role to play sector recruitment, ensuring that people with
The Council converted Parc y Scarlets from in ensuring that all groups feel represented and We agree with Welsh Disabled People’s diverse characteristics are represented.
a rugby stadium into a collection of field supported. Organisations and believe that implementing
hospitals in just 21 days, becoming the first
the United Nations Convention on the Rights of
Local Authority in Wales to do so.
Disabled People into domestic Law, as a matter of
urgency, will help in counteracting this. Refugees
Local authorities have a large part to play in
realising this vision. Plaid Cymru led local Plaid Cymru reaffirms its commitment for Wales to
authorities and councillors will closely look at ways become a Nation of Sanctuary and is determined
the provisions of the convention can be applied at to ease the experience of refugees and people
a local level. We will ensure that equality impact seeking asylum wherever possible. As has been
assessments are held in a timely and effective seen, local authorities have a key role in helping
manner in developing service provisions and when refugees settle initially; all Plaid Cymru-led local
changes to the built environment are proposed. authorities have stated their intention to welcome
families and individuals from Ukraine and have
As part of our Co-operation Agreement with the helped in settling Afghan and Syrian refugee
Welsh Government, we will ensure that the rights families and individuals within their communities.
of disabled people are strengthened, and
inequalities tackled.
1 PHW data from 11 June 2020
Plaid Cymru / 2022 Local Government Manifesto 17
Free School Meals Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference
Carmarthenshire County Council’s
Thanks to Plaid Cymru’s influence, all primary
Food Hubs
school pupils in Wales are now set to receive a free
school meal, with the expansion taking place from Carmarthenshire County Council worked with
September this year. We see this as a first step local suppliers to set up food hubs during
towards free school meals for all ages. the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
As well as providing food for children usually
We know there are more children and families
in receipt of free school meals, the Plaid
who need help. That is why Plaid Cymru Local
Cymru-led Council also provided food for the
Authorities will commit to the aim of extending
children’s families. This support was extended
universal Free School Meals to include secondary
to cover the Easter and Summer breaks.
school pupils during next council term, beginning
the necessary planning and preparatory work
THE BEST immediately, as part of Plaid Cymru’s vision of
introducing this policy across Wales.
Provision will use locally-sourced produce where Free Childcare for All
possible, supporting local businesses and supply Two-Year-Olds
START IN LIFE chains and reducing food miles.
Plaid Cymru has consistently called on the Welsh
Government to take action on the scandalous
Thanks to Plaid Cymru’s influence, free childcare
for all two-year-olds will be introduced across
levels of child poverty in Wales – the highest level Wales as part of our Co-Operation Agreement with
of all the UK nations. Over half of children in Wales Welsh Government.
Free School Meals for all primary school living below the poverty line – 70,000 children - are
not entitled to free school meals.2 Plaid Cymru Councillors and Local Authorities
children and a commitment to the aim of
have a key role to play in the development and
extending universal Free School Meals to We therefore see the universal provision of free delivery of new childcare services. We will work
secondary pupils within the next council school meals as one of the most important steps to ensure that childcare provision is effectively
we can take to address child poverty, making sure planned and delivered to help some of Wales’s
term – with a focus on locally-sourced, that children have a free, nutritious meal as part of poorest families first.
nutritious meals the school day.
Free Childcare for all two-year-olds Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference
Cutting the Cost of the
School Day
Valuing our teachers and school staff Emergency Childcare for Key Workers
When children and young people cannot take part All four Plaid Cymru-led local authorities
in opportunities because of cost it is harder for established childcare hubs during the early
them to achieve and be happy at school. stages of the pandemic to support those
children and their families who needed care.
We will work with schools to ensure policies on This meant that doctors, nurses, teachers and
uniform, extra-curricular activities and events do other key workers could continue to deliver
not create barriers for pupils from lower income essential services
families, making sure all pupils can fully participate
in their education. Ynys Môn County Council ensured that local
schools stayed open as support hubs, helping
vulnerable children including those eligible
for free school meals and the children of key
workers. This support continued during the
Easter holidays with 25 care centres kept open.
2 Child Poverty Action Group, October 2020
18 Plaid Cymru / 2022 Local Government Manifesto Plaid Cymru / 2022 Local Government Manifesto 19
Supporting Our Teachers Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference Further Education, Y Gymraeg
Apprenticeships and Lifelong
Monitoring Air Quality To Keep
From the early stages of home-based learning to
Children Safe
learning From Ynys y Barri to Ynys Môn, Cymraeg belongs
the return to the classroom, our teachers have to us all, and Plaid Cymru wants Wales to be a
supported thousands of young people in Wales In Summer 2021, much debate was had genuinely bilingual nation. Whilst increasing the
through one of the most difficult periods in living about whether schools in Wales should be As we deal with the economic impact of the number of Welsh speakers is vital, citizens should
memory. Yet currently one in three teachers are using carbon dioxide monitors, to ensure pandemic, it is more important than ever that be able to use their preferred language in their daily
quitting the classroom within their first five years pupils were breathing in fresher air thereby people can access quality post-16 provision. Plaid lives with ease.
due to workload and working conditions. reducing the risk of Covid transmission. Cymru believes that vocational education must
be put on the same foundations as academic Plaid Cymru is determined to give every child
Whilst the Welsh Government hesitated,
While teachers’ pay and conditions are decided education, and that skills and qualifications in key the gift of fluency, providing additional funding
eventually agreeing to provide the equipment
by Welsh Government, local authorities can areas such as care, construction and agriculture to strengthen the million speakers by 2050
after pressure from Plaid Cymru, Ynys Môn
influence and improve the school and classroom should be prioritised. project, and developing new Welsh language
County Council had been using monitors for
environment, by: spaces. Councils will have a key role to play in
months. Working in partnership with local We will increase the number and quality of ensuring that Welsh is a prominent language in our
Appointing more non-teaching staff, including organisations, the Plaid Cymru-led Council apprenticeships available, actively working to communities, through actions such as ensuring
teaching assistants, to support pupils’ needs provided monitors to schools, care homes, remove financial barriers to training and increase that the necessary public spaces exist for it to
alongside their education and office spaces, helping to keep rooms the diversity of apprentices, and expand lifelong thrive, and supporting schools to offer the best
ventilated and Covid rates down. learning opportunities available. Through working provision possible.
Ensuring that teachers are given sufficient in partnership with further education colleges and
time and are supported to access continual local businesses, our councillors will develop more Through our Co-operation Agreement with Welsh
professional development coherent local labour markets. Government, Plaid Cymru has secured a range of
measures designed to strengthen our language,
Supply Teaching Through our Cooperation Agreement with including a Welsh Language Education Bill,
Welsh Government, Plaid Cymru has secured commitments to protect Welsh language place
School Safety commitments to expand lifelong learning provision. names, and support for organisations to operate
Plaid Cymru believes that we can simplify the Plaid Cymru has also secured investment for through the medium of Welsh. Plaid Cymru-led
supply teacher structure by reverting to a system Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and the National local authorities will help to ensure that these
Our ‘Keeping Schools Safe’ measures would run by Local Education Authorities. Centre for Learning Welsh, to help expand commitments are delivered in their communities.
operate at a Welsh Government level, but Local opportunities for Welsh-medium apprenticeships
Authorities would be the key delivery partner. The We will also take steps to ensure that supply and further education.
measures include: teaching in Wales is run on a not-for-profit basis
in future. As part of our Co-operation Agreement
Continuing the provision of free lateral flow with Welsh Government we will develop options for
tests for education settings a more sustainable model of supply teaching with Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference
fair work at its heart. Supply teachers should have
Supporting clinically extremely vulnerable access to training and professional development
staff, including those who are pregnant, to throughout their careers. Investing in Apprenticeships
work from home, and protect vulnerable staff
Gwynedd County Council has continued to
by offering roles with minimum contact and
invest in two schemes designed to help local
FFP2/3 masks
residents find work in the county. The Council
Extra financial support to address the digital has recently committed a further £900,000 to
divide, to prepare for any future scenarios its Council Apprenticeship Scheme, which has
where pupils are required to learn from home appointed 35 apprentices over the past three
years, with many of these apprentices later
Measures to improve ventilation and air quality joining the council on a permanent basis.
monitoring, including carbon dioxide monitors
The Council aims to appoint 60 new
for each classroom and educational space and
apprentices by 2025.
widespread use of air purifiers
It has also committed funding to its Cynllun
Measures to make well-ventilated classrooms Yfory graduate scheme, which helps to
comfortable for students – this could include develop Gwynedd’s managers and experts
relaxing dress codes to ensure students can whilst encouraging partners to provide
dress more warmly and that classrooms are training and work provision through the
well-heated Welsh language.20 Plaid Cymru / 2022 Local Government Manifesto Plaid Cymru / 2022 Local Government Manifesto 21
SUSTAINABLE,
GREENER Net Zero
Planting more trees and protecting green
spaces.
COMMUNITIES Through our Co-operation Agreement, we have
ensured that Welsh Government will commission
independent advice to examine pathways to a Net
Raising awareness through schools and
with the community to encourage changes
in everyday behaviour that benefits the
environment and reduces our individual
Zero Wales by 2035. carbon footprint.
Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2030
Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference Ynni Cymru and Community
Build more energy-efficient and carbon- Energy
positive social housing Plaid Cymru-led Local Authorities leading
the way on Net Zero
In Wales, we produce 90% more electricity than
Each Plaid Cymru-led Local Authority we use, yet our household bills are amongst the
Tackle the second homes crisis and has declared a climate emergency, with highest in the UK. At a time when the cost of
bring empty properties back into use Carmarthenshire County Council being the living is rising – and with spiralling energy bills at
first in Wales to do so. All have committed to the heart of this crisis - Plaid Cymru believes that
reach Net Zero emissions by 2030. Published Wales can meet all its energy demand entirely from
Develop greener transport systems in February 2020, Carmarthenshire’s Net Zero renewables by 2035.
Action Plan was the first document of its kind
produced by any county council in Wales. Thanks to Plaid Cymru, through our Co-operation
Agreement with Welsh Government, we will create
Ynni Cymru, a publicly-owned energy company
for Wales. Ynni Cymru will help Wales realise its
Action by Plaid Cymru councils to reach Net potential as an energy rich nation whose resources
Zero includes: benefit the people of Wales, not multinational
exporters.
Ensuring that new council buildings, including
homes, are energy efficient and incorporate Our vision for Ynni Cymru is based on green,
renewable energy generation so that more renewable energy generation with a specific focus
buildings become carbon positive. on community-owned projects. We believe that
all new renewable energy projects in Wales above
Retrofitting and improving insulation and 5MW should have at least between 5 per cent and
efficiency of older buildings. 33 per cent community and local ownership, to
support rural and coastal economies.
Upgrading council vehicles to include cleaner
vehicles and electric vehicles.22 Plaid Cymru / 2022 Local Government Manifesto Plaid Cymru / 2022 Local Government Manifesto 23
Housing Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference Recycling Coal Tips
More Social Housing, Jobs
With 67,000 households on housing waiting lists, only All four Plaid Cymru-led Local Authorities have The tips which stain our mountainsides the length
and Apprentices
a fraction of the social and affordable housing Wales recycling rates that are higher than the Wales of the Welsh coalfield are a stark reminder of the
needs is currently being built. Carmarthenshire County Council has average, collectively saving £15m and avoiding legacy of our industrial past. More than 300 tips are
committed to deliver more than 900 new builds 47,000 tonnes of Co2 emissions. known to be classed as high risk, and the increased
In an 18-month period, from the beginning of the rainfall associated with climate change could further
by 2029 which will be the biggest increase in
COVID-19 pandemic and the end of November 2021, Plaid Cymru-led authorities and councillors will press destabilise tips across the valleys.
council housing stock in Carmarthenshire since
over 17,300 people in Wales presented as homeless.3 for measures to make recycling easier and more
the 1970s. As well as providing much needed
efficient. This includes ensuring reliable collections, Not all local authorities in Wales have released
In some parts of Wales, up to 40 per cent of the homes in the county, the investment will also
and giving clear guidance on what can be recycled information about where high-risk tips are located,
houses that go on the market every year are now boost the local economy creating jobs, training
through household waste. which is intensifying the concerns of local residents.
bought as second homes, with prices rising and opportunities and apprenticeships in the
Plaid Cymru will push for this information to be made
local families priced out due to a surge in demand for construction industry.
publicly available, and for a shared strategy to be
housing. put in place for local authorities to work with the
Through our Co-operation Agreement with Welsh
Flooding Welsh Government and local landowners to ensure
Government, we are taking action to address the that all high risk tips are made safe. Evidently, the
housing crisis by: Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference bill should be picked up by Westminster, but making
In recent years, we have seen the real and often these tips safe must be of paramount concern – and
devastating impact floods can have on people’s waiting for Westminster to do the right thing should
Establishing a national construction company –
Ceredigion’s Award-Winning Cozy lives. As part of the Co-operation Agreement with not hamper these efforts.
Unnos – to support councils and social landlords
Caron Project Welsh Government, Plaid Cymru has secured a
to improve the supply of social and affordable
package of funding totalling £214 million over the Beyond the immediate concerns of safety, Plaid
housing Ceredigion County Council’s Cozy Caron next three years, to be invested in flood mitigation Cymru is calling for a national plan of action to be
project will ensure that local residents’ homes and management. put in place to help regenerate the areas surrounding
Tackling the second homes crisis, including
are energy efficient and warm. This award- the tips. With the right green investment, these
introducing a cap on the number of second and Plaid Cymru will also work with Welsh Government
winning programme provided significant landscapes could be transformed from being an
holiday homes, measures to bring more homes to commission an independent review of the local
benefits to 137 vulnerable residents in eyesore to being a source of civic pride and jobs for
into common ownership and allowing local government section 19 and Natural Resources
2020, helping to combat fuel poverty. The the local economy.
authorities to charge council tax premiums of up Wales reports into extreme flooding in winter 2020-
programme targets those living in energy
to 300% on second homes 21 and act on its recommendations.
inefficient homes, particularly in rural areas
where the gas network does not reach, with
Ending homelessness
central heating and insulation.
Reforming housing law to give renters greater
security and a fair rents (rent control) system
Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference
Plaid Cymru-led local authorities and councillors
Plaid Cymru: Making a Difference Action on Flooding
will support:
When floods devastated communities across
Building more high quality and energy efficient Rhondda Cynon Taf in February 2020, Plaid
Reducing Food Waste
social housing, including a greater proportion of Cymru Councillors were central to coordinating
social housing with renewable energy generation From the Rhondda to Gwynedd, Plaid Cymru the support required by residents. This
councillors and volunteers have been working included contacting insurance companies,
Higher council tax premiums for second homes with their communities to run food share organising emergency housing and clearing of
and steps to close the loophole that allows schemes that redistribute surplus food to homes, coordinating donations and volunteers
second homeowners to register their property as families, community groups and charities. as well as securing long-term support for those
businesses in order to avoid paying the council
affected.
tax premium
Plaid Cymru Councillors also led the calls
Changing planning legislation to impose a cap for an independent inquiry into the floods - a
on the number of second homes and to refuse campaign that is on-going. Many are also
permission for changing a dwelling from being a now involved in supporting local Flood Action
primary to a secondary residence Groups.
Bringing empty properties back into use by
demanding that owners make improvements and
provide grants to first time buyers to renovate
empty and neglected properties
3 https://gov.wales/homelessness-accommodation-provision-and-rough-sleeping-november-202124 Plaid Cymru / 2022 Local Government Manifesto
We will also encourage walking and cycling with
Transport a specific focus on access for disabled groups.
There will be investment in better pavements,
dropped curbs, public toilets and benches and
Plaid Cymru’s vision is of Wales as an improving public accessibility to amenities such as
interconnected community of communities, parks and public transport.
resilient, prosperous, healthy, and environmentally
sound. Greener, joined-up and effective public
transport systems have an essential role to play in
achieving this goal. Sustainable Tourism
Increased use of public transport will reduce traffic
pollution and congestion. It will also contribute Plaid Cymru supports the vision of moving Wales’s
to the sustainability of local bus routes and the tourism industry to one that is sustainable and of
viability of many rural communities. benefit to communities across Wales, all year round.
We want to move Wales away from a system We support the introduction of local tourism levies,
dominated by petrol and diesel-driven cars giving local authorities the power and resources to
towards more sustainable transportation, aiming invest and deliver in their areas.
to halve the proportion of journeys made by car by
2030. We will invest in recharging infrastructure to Such levies – often known as tourism taxes or city
encourage the take-up of electric vehicles. taxes – are commonplace in countries across Europe
and beyond and operate on a regional level in many
places.
As part of Plaid Cymru’s Co-operation Agreement
Active travel and 20-minute with Welsh Government, we will consult on
neighbourhoods proposals to introduce tourism levies within Wales
to support and respect our communities and the
visitors they welcome.
Walking and cycling are not only more sustainable
than motorised transport in environmental terms
but can also be an important part of healthy living.
Divestment
Plaid Cymru supports the principle of creating
20-minute neighbourhoods in all our towns and
cities providing convenient, safe, pedestrian Plaid Cymru believes that local government pension
access to the places people need to go and the schemes should divest from fossil fuels, and
services people use nearly every day: public collaborate with the Welsh Pension Partnership to
transport, shopping, school, parks, and social identify suitable reinvestment opportunities.
activities.
Local authorities have a key role to move our
communities towards this ambition, by:
Setting ambitious targets to increase the
provision of cycle routes and safe routes to
schools and town centres
Creating incentives to encourage the take-up
of e-bikes and encourage the use of bike hire
schemes, and explore the potential for e-cargo
bikes to replace vans and cut HGV traffic
Designating safer speed limits in all built up
areas
Supporting the location of council offices to
town and city centres away from out-of-town
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