Give power to our communities, says Plaid Cymru in commission launch

Yesterday (Monday), Plaid Cymru’s Sustainable Communities Commission published its report on how to make Wales a country of more sustainable communities, making ambitious recommendations on empowering people and communities to facilitate local democratic renewal, to create sustainable infrastructure and to strengthen community investment.

The report puts local communities across Wales at the heart of the sustainability agenda, giving them more power to make their own decisions, and to make those decisions happen.

Click here to read the full report.

Plaid Cymru’s Sustainable Communities Commission report will be launched during a visit to the Crest Co-operative enterprise in Llandudno Junction with Hywel Williams MP for Arfon and Llyr Gruffydd AM who chaired the Commission.

Proposals include reforming and strengthening community councils so that they can decide what is best within their communities, mapping publicly owned land so that it can be put to best use (such as affordable housing or community growing) and supporting sustainable infrastructure, including better internet connections, to ensure more connected communities for the future.

Existing work highlighted in the report as examples that could be emulated across Wales included timebanking schemes in Cardiff, community groups that prevent loneliness and isolation amongst older people, community renewable energy generation schemes in west Wales and Powys as well as local procurement and regeneration schemes from Gwynedd.

Speaking at the launch, shadow cabinet member, Llyr Guffydd AM said:

” Plaid Cymru wants to see Wales prosper with a strong economy and world-class public services. It wants a healthy natural environment supporting a society that is resilient to change. I believe the approach of starting with citizens and communities and building outwards is the best way of achieving this vision.

“Communities are the building blocks of our nation, bringing a rich diversity of experiences and places together.

“Our commission sought expert advice from many external groups and their input has played an important part in our findings.

“We will need to draw on all of our assets to find sustainable solutions to the challenges we face. Government simply can’t do it on its own. We need to be creative and innovative. Engaging communities, building up their capacity and encouraging community-led responses can release much needed energy and creativity. We need to create a framework where communities can make a full contribution.

“Our recommendations include proposals to reform and empower community councils, mapping publicly owned land so that it can be put to best use, such as affordable housing or community growing, and supporting sustainable infrastructure, such as internet connections to create more connected communities.

“These ideas will inform our 2016 National Assembly manifesto, made relevant to all communities in all parts of Wales.”

Hywel Williams MP for Arfon added:

“Crest Co-operative is just one example of countless enterprises throughout Wales which show what can be achieved when individuals come together to work in the best interests of their communities.

“Plaid Cymru wants to build a better Wales for the next generation, not resort to self-interest and short-termism.

“I hope that the findings of this Commission will spark wider discussions on what Wales can achieve when people rally around common goals that will benefit Welsh communities both economically and environmentally.

“We are all aware of the budget cuts and the need to maintain services. Local communities have to be part of that conversation, and that is why Plaid Cymru is putting local communities at the heart of Wales’ future.”