Gwynedd Council’s blueprint for the economic regeneration of Meirionnydd and a number of key local initiatives supported by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority are today (25/11/10) being showcased at a major conference in Trawsfynydd.
The Focus on Meirionnydd Conference – which brings together Gwynedd Council, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, the Welsh Assembly Government and a number of other key partners – will showcase the multi-million pound initiatives which are already underway locally and focus on the next phase of projects currently being developed for the area as part of the Meirionnydd Employment Plan.
The Meirionnydd Employment Plan – which will be launched at the event – and the raft of projects funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority have been developed as a comprehensive and coordinated response to the impact of the job losses which the area will face with the completion of the first phase of decommissioning at the Trawsfynydd Nuclear Powerstation Site as well as the wider economic challenges facing Meirionnydd.
The plan will focus on offering support for new ventures, training for local people and investment in the local infrastructure and townscapes.
The key-note speaker at the conference, Wales’ Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, said that the Assembly Government’s new approach to economic development will help rural areas like Meirionnydd face the twin challenges of recession and spending cuts imposed by the London government.
The selection of energy and the environment as one of six sectors identified by the Welsh Assembly Government for special support will also assist the local economy in Meirionnydd, Mr Jones will tell the conference.
“Given the history of power generation in Meirionnydd, the energy sector has special resonance for people here. And there is still strong potential for growth in the green economy – in such areas as low carbon technology, environmental management and providing storage and infrastructure for energy,” said Mr Jones, who is Minister for the Economy and Transport.
“Green jobs in energy and other sectors will help put the recession behind us – and assist us to move towards a low carbon, sustainable economy.
“The decommissioning work at Trawsfynydd makes an important contribution to the local economy – and we need to maintain high quality employment opportunities as the decommissioning phase approaches completion.
“The Welsh Assembly Government fully supports the strategic and proactive approach which Gwynedd Council, the NDA and their partners are taking to meet the challenge of regenerating the Meirionnydd area over the coming years.”
Councillor Dyfed Edwards, Leader of Gwynedd Council, added:
“There are some really innovative and exciting plans taking shape in Meirionnydd, which we are confident will respond to the needs of the area and lessen the impact of the loss of many skilled and well-paid jobs in the area.
“This conference will show what joined up thinking and working in partnership can achieve.
“A lot of hard work has already gone into these plans, and a number of exciting projects are already underway, but much more time, energy and investment is needed over the coming months and years to ensure that the Meirionnydd economy flourishes and that local people reap the benefits.”
Jon Phillips from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority added:
“The NDA is committed to working with key partners in the region to help mitigate the impact of decommissioning on the local community. We are delighted to support the imaginative projects highlighted by the Focus in Meirionnydd event and to contribute to the future economic development of the area.”
