Unemployment among council’s biggest concerns

RISING unemployment due to Covid-19 and businesses feeling the effects of Brexit are some of the biggest risks facing Gwynedd, a report has suggested.

Gwynedd Council’s Audit Committee also heard concerns over a lack of nursing beds following last year’s closure of the Penrhos Polish home.

The report noted that mitigation measures available to the authority include working with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and the third sector to provide support to local businesses to employ young people for a period of six months and develop their work skills.

But amid ongoing and high profile struggles of several hospitality businesses to retain and attract staff, one pub owner said jobs were out there in tourist areas.

Cllr John Brynmor Hughes, the councillor for Llanengan, added: “Hospitality is one of the biggest employers locally and is desperate for workers.

“I think people have got used to not working and plenty of time at home and have enjoyed themselves, leading to the problem now that the hospitality sector are all looking for staff.

“The work isn’t the problem as long as people are willing to do it.”

With Cllr Angela Russell stressing the need for more nursing beds, particularly on Llŷn following the closure of the Penrhos Polish home, the report also acknowledged the need to set up a recruitment and workforce development plan to address the authority’s needs amid the scarcity of social workers.

On the need to secure betterpaying opportunities, after noting that the people of Gwynedd were not benefiting to the extent that they should from tourism, the report stated: “Low wages continue to be a problem in Gwynedd.

“We will have agreed a programme to create more higher value jobs in Gwynedd taking into account the impact of Covid and Brexit on employers.

“The programme will focus on promoting skills and careers in the science, technology, electronics and mathematics [STEM] areas.”