Only one council dept ended year in red
GWYNEDD council finished 2020/21 in a much better financial situation than first feared.
A report presented to the cabinet in January warned the authority’s departments were expected to overspend their collective budgets by almost £5m by the end of the last financial year.
Partially blamed on departments failing to meet previously set savings targets, Covid-19 was also said to have had a “significant impact”, forecasting an overspend of £4.7m from the allocated £221m budget for 2020/21.
But in an update to the cabinet, the portfolio holder for finance confirmed only one department finished the year in the red.
Adults’ services had been forecast to overspend by £3.3m, despite more funding being made available this year, with £1.8m said to be a result of failing to achieve “increasingly difficult” savings schemes.
Children’s services, meanwhile, has been projected to overspend by £2.5m, exacerbated by growing demand and eight new costly out-of-county placements.
But addressing the cabinet meeting, Cllr Ioan Thomas said: “The effect of Covid-19 has been significant, with over £20m having been claimed from the hardship fund and furlough.”
Confirming this was made up of £11.4m of additional costs, £7.3m in loss of income and £1.5m in furlough, he added: “Thanks to the receipt of several other grant associated with Covid-19 late into the financial year it means that the financial situation for 2020/21 has been vastly transformed.
“At the end of the year five departments were overspending before the allocation of Welsh Government grants, leaving just one department overspending, which is Children and Families.
“There is pressure on this department but a reduction in the overspend to £1.3m following the deletion of savings that cannot be realised and the allocation of grants.”
Income harvested from other departments, he added, would be used to make up the shortfall in the Children and Families service.
BEDDGELERT
ST MARY’S CHURCH: At the present time, it is with regret, that due to the flood damage at the end of the summer St Mary’s Church has to be closed whilst we rectify the damage. We look forward to welcoming you back but in the meantime there are Sunday services at 9.30 in St John’s, Porthmadog, and 11am in St Catherine’s, Criccieth, which you are welcome to attend. However due to COVID restrictions on numbers and social distancing please contact The Rectory 01766523743 to book your seat in advance. CYMDEITHAS HANES BEDDGELERT: The latest news and the AGM reports can be obtained on email from Margaret at brynbedd1@gmail.com / 01766 890550”
CAERNARFON
GWYNEDD LIBRARIES: are now available online. it’s possible to download all sorts of e-resources online through Gwynedd Libraries. You can access these resources online for FREE through any Internet accessible device These resources are available in Welsh and English and are suitable for adults, children and young people. e-books, oral e-books through Borrowbox, e-books, e-audio books through Borrowbox, e-magazines and e-comics through RB Digital, Ancestry family history site, Theory Test Pro to practise the theory driving test questions. Also If you are a member of Gwynedd Libraries you can register for access to the National Library of Wales’ electronic resources including: People’s collection Wales, Welsh newspapers online and Welsh Journals. You can see what’s available through visiting: http://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/librarycatalogue. Remember, to access all of this you need to be a member of your library first! But becoming a member is simple, you can join online and then you can access all of the digital resources. CLWB CWTSH: A short, informal, fun-filled eight-week taster programme focussed on speaking Welsh with young children (and is aimed at parents to be, parents/carers, members of the extended family), starting this May. You don’t need any Welsh to join. If childcare is an issue, don’t worry. Just bring your children, and they will be entertained while you learn. The courses are free. In eight weeks you can learn to speak Welsh to your child, all from the comfort of your sofa. For more information, see meithrin.cymru/clwbcwtsh, or contact anna.jones@meithrin.cymru. Sessions on Thursdays at 10-11am, 1-2pm, 4-5pm; Fridays 10-11am, 1-2pm. ANGLESEY & GWYNEDD WIDOWED SOCIAL GROUP: This is a social group covering Anglesey, Bangor, Caernarfon and Llyn, set up for widowed people to enjoy life again in the company of other widowed people who understand. As a guide it is suggested that people aged 50-70 will get the most from membership, as we aim to be active, out and about. At the moment it meets regularly in Bangor, Menai Bridge and Caernarfon and also meets up weekly for walks, and to go to opera, ballet, gigs, cinema, meals, pub quiz and weekends away. If you are an internet user please go to www.meetup.com and enter “Anglesey & Gwynedd Widowed” (without the quotes) then apply to join. Or Call Dilwyn on 01248 601599, email dilwyn198@gmail.com, or Lyn on 01286 678252, email lyn2910@yahoo.co.uk Please note: this is not a dating group. DR MORRIS TRUST: The trustees of the above offer grants to young people in the parish of Llanrug and in the Town and Liberties of Caernarfon who are undergoing Higher or Further Education and to those who are now apprenticed to a trade or profession. Application forms may be obtained from: E Pursglove ACA, Secretary, Hughes-Jones, Dyson & Co, Chartered Accountants, Capel Moreia, South Penrallt, Caernarfon LL55 1NS. All applications should be forwarded to the Secretary by July 31.
CLYNNOG FAWR
COMMUNITY WEBSITE: The Community Council intends to establish a community website which will include details of the work of the Community Council but will also have space for other information such as local history, forthcoming events, etc. Anyone with ideas regarding the site are welcome to contact the Clerk (01286 660141). ST BEUNO CHURCH: Trinity Sunday, May 30, Morning Prayer at 10am. All are welcome at all times. St Beuno is now open every day for visitors and private prayer. COVID rules apply as always with hand sanitiser, masks and social distancing.
CRICCIETH
ST CATHERINE’S CHURCH: Sunday services at 11am.
LLANBERIS
ST PADARNS: Sunday May 30, 11am Holy Eucharist. A Home Produce shop will be held at the church on Saturday May 29 from 11am onward, selling home made cakes, preserves and pickles. Proceeds towards the general church fund.
NANT PERIS
ST PERIS CHURCH: Sunday May 30, 9:30am - Holy Eucharist. Tuesday June 1, 11am - Holy Eucharist. The church remains open every Tuesday afternoon until 4pm for private prayer
PENYGROES
DYFFRYN NANTLLE GARDENING
SOCIETY: The committee regret to announce that both shows at Penygroes have been cancelled again this year due to fear with Covid-19. Hopefully things will be back to normal next year and we can welcome the competitors and the public back to enjoy the shows then.
PORTHMADOG
ST JOHN’S CHURCH: Sunday services at 9.30am SSAFA GWYNEDD: are requesting new caseworkers in the Gwynedd area to help and support our veterans and their families. If you can help,contact Andy Williams 07958524298. CATHOLIC CHURCH: Parish of the Most Holy Redeemer and St. Joseph (Porthmadog and Pwllheli) over Holy Week and Easter are as follows: Masses and Services in Pwllheli will also be relayed as live streams and can be accessed by following the link in the live streaming section of the Parish website: porthmadogpwllhelirc.wordpress.com
PORTHMADOG MARITIME MUSEUM :
Last week the Welsh Government announced that Museums and Heritage centres could open. After being closed for over a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic the maritime museum is looking forward to re-opening to the public from Noon on Friday May 28. All COVID regulations will be followed; a summary will be posted on the outside door and in the lobby. Unfortunately, the children’s activity area will be closed. There will not be a booking system but the maximum number of visitors allowed inside at any one time will be strictly enforced. Will be open 12-4 every day.
PWLLHELI
WOMEN’S AID: De Gwynedd Women’s Aid provides support to all women living in Dwyfor and Meirionnydd who have suffered or are currently suffering domestic abuse, regardless of age, marital status, culture and language, with or without children. We offer free confidential information and help on benefits and housing, and we are there also to those who just need someone to talk to. Contact on 01758 701005,.
BANC BWYD PWLLHELI FOODBANK:
would like to thank everyone for their generosity this year, the Foodbank would not be able to function without them. The Foodbank should be able to continue at St Peter’s Church. Check the facebook page for further details – Banc Bwyd Pwllheli Foodbank – or phone Karen Cooper on 07747800320. CANOLFAN FELIN FACH: Staff at Canolfan Felin fach are on the other end of the phone Monday - Friday 10am 2.30pm during lockdown. For any enquiries or a chat please contact us on 01758 701 611 CATHOLIC CHURCH: Parish of the Most Holy Redeemer and St Joseph (Porthmadog and Pwllheli): Masses and Services in Pwllheli will also be relayed as live streams and can be accessed by following the link in the live streaming section of the Parish website: porthmadogpwllhelirc.wordpress.com
TALSARNAU
POST OFFICE: In the Canolfan Community Centre Monday 12.3-3pm and Thursday 9-11am.
TALYSARN
CAPEL SEION: Fefyddoedfa Sulnesaf Mai 30 am 3 or glochynnghwmni’r Parch Iwan Llywellyn Jones, Porthmadog.
TREFOR
MAESYNEUADD: Ni fydd oedfaon nac unrhyw weithgareddau eraill ym Maesyneuadd am y tro. Cadwch lygad ar y poster ar y reilings ac ar dudalen Facebook Eglwys Maesyneuadd, Trefor. Os hoffech gael benthyg llyfrau Cristnogol i blant neu oedolion i’w defnyddio dros y cyfnod anodd hwn, cysylltwch â Tir Du (660340). Mae yna restrau o adnoddau Cristnogol a lincs i oedfaon Cymraeg a gafodd eu darlledu ar y we ddydd Sul ac sy’n dal ar gael i’w gweld ar wefan ysgolsul.com. Os byddwch yn defnyddio’r amser i glirio ac yn dod o hyd i hen ffôns symudol, mi fyddwn ni’n eu casglu i fynd at achos da pan ddaw popeth yn ôl i normal.
Y FELINHELI
COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Chair – Mr Daniel ll. Williams. All enquiries via The Clerk Heather Jones 07867982518 clercfelinheli@aol.com