Wellbeing Plan 2020-2021 - Aberystwyth Council

Aberystwyth Town Council

Wellbeing Plan

2020-21

Byw’n dda yn Aberystwyth

National Context

The Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 is about improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of Wales both now and in the future.

To make sure that all public bodies are working towards the same vision, the Act puts in place seven wellbeing goals:

A prosperous Wales
A resilient Wales
A healthier Wales
A more equal Wales
A Wales of cohesive communities
A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language
A globally responsive Wales

And encourages five ways of working in order to achieve these goals:

Long-term: balancing short term and long-term needs by thinking ahead beyond at least a decade.

Whilst in receipt of an annual precept, the Council is very aware of balancing short and long-term goals in its budgeting and planning. It provides annual funding for community groups and routine maintenance of parks and playgrounds etc in order to meet immediate need, but also has long term objectives such as park improvements, tree planting and purchasing a civic building for Aberystwyth residents.

Prevention: prevent problems by looking at the root cause.

The Council provides green spaces and playgrounds to support current and future wellbeing. All projects developed, and supported, by the Council consider the wellbeing of residents and the prevention agenda. Scrutiny of partner developments and planning applications in the context of community wellbeing also provides an opportunity to influence the prevention agenda.

Integration: consider the impact of the well-being goals on the objectives of other partners

The Town Council works in partnership with, and is represented on, approximately 30 groups and organisations as well as supporting many others through its community grant scheme. It works closely with Ceredigion County Council, the main deliverer of services, on various projects (all green spaces managed by the Town Council are leased from Ceredigion County Council) and County Councillors provide regular reports. The Town Council reports to the Ceredigion Public Service Board on its Wellbeing Plan.

Collaboration: work with partners to achieve the well-being objectives.

Partnership working is integral to the Council’s work and the Council works closely with organisations such as Advancing Aberystwyth and Menter Aberystwyth on the economic regeneration of the town centre and with groups such as Greener Aberystwyth, Parc Natur Penglais and Plastic Free Aberystwyth to achieve environmental enhancements.

Involvement: involve people with an interest in achieving the well-being goals, and ensure

that those people reflect the diversity of the area which the body serves.

The Council has engaged, and is engaging, with the community to ensure projects such as Parc Kronberg and North Road Park are fit for purpose. The Council is the key enabler of developing a Place Plan for Aberystwyth which involves developing an engagement programme. The Council also engages regularly with organisations and partners through the various official partnerships, the website and social media and councillor ward surgeries.

Local context

Aberystwyth town has a diverse population of just over 13,000 with an increase in the population of approximately 8000 students during term time.

Aberystwyth Town Council consists of 19 elected councillors who are unpaid. They represent Bronglais, North, Central, Rheidol and Penparcau wards. This year three councillors retired and as there was no call for an election, three new councillors were co-opted. The Mayor is the civic head and representative of the Council and chairs the monthly full council meeting. The Mayor for 2020-21 was Cllr Charlie Kingsbury and the Deputy Mayor was Cllr Alun Williams. The official committees of the Council are Planning, General Management and Finance and Establishments however due to Covid pressures these were suspended, and all business was dealt with by Full Council.

At the beginning of the year the Town Council employed two members of staff, the Clerk, and a Deputy Clerk, but the latter position became vacant in September. The recruitment process for a replacement Deputy Clerk and a Communications Officer was initiated.

The Town Council receives an annual precept (£390,757 in 2020-21) which it uses to deliver projects and services. Although it does not provide services to the same extent as the County Council (which is responsible for statutory services such as education, social services, highways, environmental health and housing), as the largest Town and Community council in Ceredigion Aberystwyth has a duty to report what it is doing to meet the above goals.

Aberystwyth Town Council is therefore delighted to present to you its Wellbeing Plan for 2020-21: Byw’n dda yn Aberystwyth.

GOAL1: A prosperous Wales

An innovative productive and low carbon society which recognises the limits of the global environment and therefore uses resources efficiently and proportionately (including acting on climate change): and which develops a skilled and well-educated population in an economy which generates wealth and provides employment opportunities, allowing people to take advantage of the wealth generated through securing decent work.

In a nutshell: this goal aims to bring an end to poverty with decent education, training and jobs for everyone in an economy that does not rely on using natural resources faster than the earth can replenish them.

A prosperous Aberystwyth

The Town Council aims to support the local economy to the best of its abilities and powers and during what has been a very difficult and restricted year is proud to have achieved the following:

Events: The Town Council offers annual grants to community groups, initiatives and events. Normally, annual funding is provided for the Farmers’ Market in order to support farmers and the rural community whilst at the same time enhancing Aberystwyth’s visitor experience, but no markets were held during the year. This also applied to the popular Sea2Shore festival which supports the fishing community. Other annual events that are supported financially include Cyclefest and the St David’s Day Parade, both of which are seen as attracting people to the town whilst at the same time strengthening Aberystwyth’s identity. Unfortunately, due to the Covid19 pandemic, these events were not held in 2020-21. However, funding support was provided for Gwyl Crime Cymru’s (see image above) very first digital festival held between 26 April and 3 May 2021 and grants were also given to smaller groups such as Parêd Gŵyl Dewi to be able to provide online activities. In August, in order to enhance the town’s safe zone, the Council organised local solo street artists to provide entertainment and a sense of place (see image above).
Christmas lights: The Town Council has provided Christmas lights for many years (see image above) and sees Christmas not only as an opportunity to provide pleasure for the people of Aberystwyth and visitors, but also as a way of boosting the local winter economy. Christmas 2016 saw the lighting up of the trees along North Parade for the first time whilst Christmas 2017, in partnership with Advancing Aberystwyth ar y Blaen, saw more lights, the lighting up of the town clock and the return of the small trees above shop fronts. Christmas 2018 saw even more streets lit up as well as the station building and trees in the gateway ward of Penparcau. For Christmas 2020 the Town Council provided town centre lights and a large town centre tree as well as large Christmas trees and lights for Penparcau and Trefechan. Although the Switch On event was done remotely this year the lights, nevertheless, were much appreciated in what was a very anxious time for all.
Bandstand summer programme: There was an increase in visitor numbers during the summer months and whilst the usual entertainment programme in the Bandstand for July and August was not possible, the Town Council co-ordinated and funded local solo musicians in the town centre safe zone during August.
Civic pride: The Town Council contributes annual funding for the evening cleaning of the promenade and beaches to ensure the tourist experience is positive, but the cleaning provided by Ceredigion County Council was suspended for 2020 in order to concentrate staff on essential services. The eye-catching feather banners specially designed for the promenade to help combat dog fouling, littering and problems associated with seagulls were not used for this reason. Other projects to encourage civic pride include the regular ward litter picks organised by councillors, and the Town Council’s planting programme of trees, spring bulbs and summer flowers which also had to be suspended due to the pandemic and the County Council’s subsequent withdrawal of their services. Quality street furniture is also provided by the Town Council and a comprehensive maintenance programme ensures that all furniture is both safe and attractive (see image above). The Town Council passed a pro bench policy and now has a total of 40 benches as well as 11 finger posts and three notice boards which were also adopted from the County Council. A bus shelter refurbishment programme commenced in 2020 with more planned for 2021.
Partnerships: The Council sits on various partnerships whose aim is to enhance Aberystwyth’s prosperity. These include Advancing Aberystwyth ar y Blaen who work in partnership with the Council on Christmas lights and Menter Aberystwyth who is funded to organise the Christmas lights event and the Business Awards. The Town Council has also worked closely with Aber Food Surplus and has provided funding for them to be able to rent town centre business premises as well as funding the purchase of a digester and special compound at the allotments to create compost out of food waste.
Procurement policy: The Town Council sources goods and services from local businesses whenever possible. In 2020 a local craftswoman was commissioned to create new Past Mayor medals. They represented improved quality and design, best value, and a local business was supported.
Campaigns: Whilst activity has been suspended during the pandemic, the Town Council has actively supported campaigns such as Plastic Free Aberystwyth by providing a meeting room facility and resources. Aberystwyth was designated a Fair-Trade Town in 2008 and in 2017 the Council resolved to lead on this work. Increased staff capacity will enable this work to proceed.

Plans going forward:

Continue to support local businesses and initiatives that boost Aberystwyth’s economy, such as the Christmas lights, and continue to support and explore improvements and innovation.
Continue to support key annual local events but also support national/international events such as the Ceredigion Eisteddfod, the International Sheepdog Trials, and Gŵyl Crime Cymru.
Continue to work with partners to enhance Aberystwyth’s sense of place through cultural events.
Continue to explore ways of encouraging civic pride and solving problems such as dog fouling, sea gulls and littering.
Continue to implement a robust maintenance programme for all street furniture
Continue to support key campaigns such as Plastic Free Aberystwyth and work towards renewing Aberystwyth’s Fair Trade status.

GOAL 2: A resilient Wales

A nation which maintains and enhances a biodiverse natural environment with healthy functioning ecosystems that support social, economic and ecological resilience and the capacity to adapt to change (for example climate change)

In a nutshell: this goal aims to limit the demands that we place on the natural environment, and repair damage to habitats and species, so that it can adapt to change (like climate change) and still provide future generations with clean air, water, food and resources.

A resilient Aberystwyth

The Town Council aims to support and protect the local environment to the best of its abilities and powers, through the following projects:

Parks: The Town Council built, with Big Lottery support, a new community park and skatepark in Boulevard St Brieuc which was opened in December 2017. Once a wasteland, Parc Kronberg has been developed as an exemplar community park and skatepark, with a wildlife area incorporated as a key part of the plan (see images above). A large number of trees have been planted and encouraging natural plants and flowers to flourish across large areas of the park as part of the maintenance plan has created a visually stunning wildlife haven. The park won the 2020 One Voice Wales National Award for best environmental project. The Council has also introduced the wider park to local schools as a venue for outdoor activities and nature lessons, and to the over 50s Friendship Club as a place to relax and enjoy nature. It has proved very popular with young people and has become an after-school meeting place for parents and young people of all ages. It has been used for bike displays as part of Cyclefest and by local athletic groups for training purposes. Whilst organised events did not take place during 2020, the park proved an invaluable outdoor space during the pandemic.

North Road Park: (see image above)the process of engaging and consulting with the community to identify future uses for the park illustrated clearly that the majority wanted it to be a natural haven for all ages. To date, removal of the rope maze has meant that people are able to enjoy the park as an open space once again. In addition to the eight native trees already planted, a new mixed hedge with fruit trees was planted in late March 2020, just before the lockdown. A successful Welsh Government Local Places for Nature grant application of £215,000 for 2021-22 will result in improved infrastructure, access, and the creation of the ecological diversity needed to sustain wildlife and encourage the wellbeing of Aberystwyth residents. Native trees, shrubs and plants will be planted in the park to achieve this.

The Town Council has also taken over responsibility of managing the three playgrounds in Aberystwyth (Castle, Plascrug and Penparcau) from the County Council and as far as possible is looking to develop them in a way which enhances and protects the environment.

The Council also manages the Adizone and MUGA in Penparcau both of which provide valuable outdoor exercise spaces.

Tree planting: The Town Council has a tree planting policy and an ambitious annual programme of tree planting. In 2019 three street trees were planted in Park Avenue, adding to the successful Coed Aber partner project, and more planting was planned near the playground in Penparcau. A meeting was held with Ceredigion County Council and the Trunk Road Agency to identify key planting sites. Unfortunately Ceredigion County Council’s tree planting services were suspended during the pandemic so there was no tree planting in 2020.
Allotments: The Town Council manages 40 allotments in Fifth Avenue, Penparcau and is working with the University to develop growing spaces on the old bowling green in Plascrug Avenue. Within the last year improvements have been made including the provision of a toilet within the Fifth Avenue allotment enclosure and a water tap for the Caeffynnon allotments. Each year the allotments are opened to the public as part of the National Garden Scheme.
Bee Friendly Aberystwyth: The Town Council took over responsibility for many of the town centre flower borders from the County Council in 2017. The Town Council supports the planting of bee friendly flowers and is looking at ways of providing as many bee friendly plants as possible. Council has also planted native daffodil bulbs at various locations within the town as well as sourcing bee friendly plants for summer displays.

Plastic Free Coastline: The Town Council ensures that regular refuse collection is part of the maintenance plan for all parks in order to reduce wind blown plastic. Office water is provided in reusable containers. The Council also supports the Plastic Free Aberystwyth initiative as an active partner and has previously provided a meeting place and resources. Aberystwyth was the first town council in Wales to support the plastic free initiative and Aberystwyth became the first town in Wales to achieve Plastic Free status.
The built environment: Through detailed scrutiny of planning applications by the Town Council’s Planning Committee, councillors aim to preserve the historical heritage of Aberystwyth as well as its environment. It lobbies Ceredigion County Council regarding safeguarding green spaces, gardens and trees.
Sea front cleaning: The Town Council contributes funding for the evening cleaning of the promenade and beaches during the summer to ensure impact on the environment is minimised and people’s experience of the sea front is a positive one. Highly visible feather banners have been commissioned in 2020 to deter the public from taking dogs onto the beaches, littering and feeding seagulls. Suspended County Council services during the pandemic has not enabled these to be used yet.
Community Litter picks: Town councillors organise community litter picks and support those organised by other partners.

Plans going forward

Continue to safeguard Aberystwyth’s built and natural environment and to support conservation initiatives.
Continue to provide green leisure spaces, allotments and growing spaces and continue to plant as many native trees and bee friendly flowers as possible.
Continue to work with and support environmental groups and partners to identify local actions to combat the climate emergency.
Improve North Road Park as a community space

GOAL 3: A healthier Wales

A society in which people’s physical and mental wellbeing is maximised and in which choices and behaviours that benefit future health are understood.

In a nutshell: this goal aims for people in Wales to enjoy better health for longer, linked to more public awareness about how to avoid illness and more people choosing healthier lifestyles.

A healthier Aberystwyth

The Town Council aims to play a part in encouraging the health of the residents of Aberystwyth:

Parks: The Town Council sees its green spaces and activity parks as important components in supporting the health of people and the environment. Further development of North Road Park as an improved community space is a key goal for 2021. Not only will the Welsh Government Places for Nature grant ensure that the biodiversity within the park is improved but it will also ensure that it becomes a park for all ages with improved access. An important component of the bid is to create raised beds for community growing and educational activities, which will have obvious health benefits both in terms of being outdoors and influencing healthy eating.
Parc Kronberg: Completed in December 2017 with funding support from the Big Lottery, it provides a centrally located community park, for play and relaxation, and for the whole of Aberystwyth and beyond (see image above). The skatepark component of the park ensures that the skills of young people and other users improve and are appreciated by an audience of all ages. Use of the park has been promoted to a range of groups and local schools and as soon as lockdown was lifted it became a popular destination for young people and families. It is also used by walkers as a pleasant green alternative to the shared tarmac path and cycleway which runs alongside the road and the heavy traffic. There have been no reports of anti-social behaviour to date due to the high visibility nature of the design.
Playgrounds: The Town Council maintains three playgrounds to ensure that children are provided with play opportunities to maintain emotional and physical health in a social context. A review of the parks has been undertaken during the year which has provided the basis for improvement works. All playground equipment has been refurbished and a grant enabled a miniature road to be painted in the Plas Crug park to encourage active play (see image above). This has proved very popular. Further surfacing improvements will take place in 2021. Penparcau playground has also had extensive all-weather paths built to avoid waterlogged turf in wet weather as well as a new basket swing.
Adizone and MUGA: The Town Council ensures that people of all ages are provided with opportunities for physical activity and socialisation. The Adizone has been completely refurbished in 2020 and proved a huge asset to the community during the pandemic when indoor gyms were closed.
Allotments: due to a policy of dividing plots as they become available, 40 plots are currently provided in Caeffynnon, Penparcau (see image above). With strict procedures in place, in terms of sanitisation and social distancing, the allotments were kept open during the pandemic which plot holders found incredibly beneficial to their wellbeing. Various improvements have been made during the year both to the car park and neighbouring green spaces. The orchard green space area has been well managed, becoming a popular public space during the pandemic, and the green triangle at the entrance is home to three new fruit trees. A wooden fence has been erected around the car park and signage put up to deter vandalism and dog fouling as well as to control use of the car park by non-allotment vehicles. These actions have alleviated problems. Aber Food Surplus’ new digester is located in the corner of the car park within a newly built compound.

Discussions with the University around developing growing spaces on the old bowling green in Plascrug Avenue have taken place, but the pandemic has delayed the negotiation process.

Trees: The Town Council has a tree planting policy and an annual planting programme, but due to the pandemic tree planting was suspended by the County Council until the autumn 2021.

Plans going forward:

Continue to safeguard Aberystwyth’s built and natural environment and to support partner initiatives.
In addition to the development of North Road park, the Council will continue to provide, manage and improve playgrounds, sports grounds, and green leisure spaces, to encourage physical activity and mental wellbeing.
Continue to provide allotments and growing spaces and expand provision wherever possible.
Continue to fund and organise the planting of trees.

GOAL 4: A more equal Wales

A society that enables people to fulfil their potential no matter what their background or circumstances (including their socio-economic background and circumstances).

In a nutshell: an end to discrimination and equal chances for everyone

A more equal Aberystwyth

The Town Council celebrates the diverse population of Aberystwyth:

Equality statement: during the Brexit referendum, the Town Council published the following statement to confirm that everyone is welcome in Aberystwyth.

Aberystwyth Town Council is committed to working with partners to ensure that the inhabitants of the town, and those visiting it, experience a community that is safe and welcoming. Aberystwyth celebrates diversity and there is no place here for racism, xenophobia, hate crimes or intolerance. The Town Council undertakes to make everyone feel a valued member of our cosmopolitan and vibrant community.

The Welsh language: The Town Council has a bilingual policy, and all Full Council meetings are fully bilingual as are all minutes, agendas, and correspondence (as appropriate). However, remote Microsoft Teams meetings have proved problematic in terms of the provision of simultaneous translation. It is hoped to address this going forward. Bilingual signage provision is a Council Planning policy. Promoting Welsh culture and a sense of place is a key aim and achieved through grant support for partner events and through the summer entertainment programme.
Twinning: Aberystwyth is twinned with Kronberg im Taunus, St Brieuc, Arklow, and Esquel (see images above). Parc Kronberg is a symbol of the twinning friendship as is the street name Boulevard St Brieuc. Annual funding is provided for each twinning partnership as well as for the Yosano Friendship association. The Town Council has taken over responsibility for the St Brieuc Twinning but developments have not progressed due to the pandemic and reduced staffing levels.
Diverse cultures: Town Council grants are issued in April each year and the grants support a wide range of activities by diverse groups ranging from the Aberystwyth Silver Band to the Hindu Cultural Society. In 2020 the focus was very much on those groups providing support services to the community. Also, the Town Council officially supported the Black Lives Matter campaign and resolved to encourage local institutions to raise awareness through exhibitions and educational resources based on local and Welsh history and to take immediate action in response to any racist graffiti. The institutions all responded positively. Some councillors set up a group to liaise with partners and to explore possible anti-racism activities. As a symbol of gratitude to NHS staff a banner was commissioned saying thank you in all the languages represented in Aberystwyth (see image above)

Syrian refugees: Aberystwyth has welcomed several refugee families. The Town Council fully supports this initiative and sits on the Syrian Refugee Task and Finish Group.
Carers: The Independent Remuneration Panel’s recommendation to provide reimbursement of costs for carers to attend meetings has been adopted by the Town Council.
White poppies: The Town Council supports the commemoration of civilian loss of life during times of war by placing a white wreath, with the red poppy wreath, on Remembrance Sunday. Wreaths are supplied for Penparcau and Aberystwyth. Whilst the Remembrance Service in 2020 was cancelled the Mayor and Deputy Mayor were still able to lay wreaths at both war memorials.

Plans going forward:

Continue to promote and safeguard equality and fight against discrimination by presenting positive messages.
Continue to support positive relationships with other countries through the twinning partnerships.
Continue to celebrate Aberystwyth’s diversity.
Continue to safeguard and celebrate the Welsh language and culture.

GOAL 5: A Wales of cohesive communities

Attractive, viable, safe and well-connected communities

In a nutshell: this goal aims for people to live happily together, and to feel that they have a stake in their community, in local areas that can provide access to decent housing, transport, public services, recreation and jobs.

Cohesive Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth is a small town made up of close-knit communities. The Town Council is passionate about celebrating the diversity of this vibrant University Town.

Communication: councillor details are included on the Council’s website, and they regularly engage with the electorate in their respective wards both individually and at social gatherings. A Town Council social media page was set up during the pandemic to provide community support and councillors provide regular updates on their own social media pages. Some also provide newsletters for their wards to keep residents informed of developments and to provide useful contact details. The Council pays for monthly features in the free online EGO magazine to share key information as well as an advertisement to publicise what the Council does. The local press also attends most Full Council meetings. The majority of calls to the office are for Ceredigion County Council so signposting is also a key element of the Council’s work. Work on building the new Town Council website has commenced but due to staffing levels has not yet been completed.
Engagement: The Council, in the past few years, has held various interactive public workshops with partners to explore ideas regarding summer flowers, North Road Park improvements, refuse, and the Aberystwyth Place Plan development but due to the pandemic and staffing levels no face-to-face engagement activities took place in 2020. Any engagement regarding particular issues or developments is supported by various consultation methods to ensure as broad a response as possible.
Partnerships: The Council works with various partners by providing financial support or by joint working. The Council works closely with partners to achieve good quality projects such as Christmas lights with Advancing Aberystwyth, environmental projects with a range of groups such as Plastic Free Aberystwyth, Greener Aberystwyth, and Parc Natur Penglais, events with various partners including Ceredigion County Council. And of course, as mentioned previously, the Town Council provides daily signposting to Ceredigion County Council services.

The Town Council is officially represented on, and therefore actively supports, the following groups:

Shrewsbury to Aber Rail Users Liaison Committee, Arriva Railways, SARPA, St Brieuc Twinning, Kronberg Twinning, Yosano Friendship, Esquel Twinning, Arklow Twinning, One Voice Wales, Menter Aberystwyth, Aberystwyth University Court, Old College Project Board, Advancing Aberystwyth ar y Blaen Board, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth Silver Band, Syrian Refugee Task & Finish Group, Constitution Hill Board of Trustees, Harbour Users Committee, Greener Aberystwyth Group, Ceredigion Traffic Management Committee, Dyfi Biosffer, Parc Natur Penglais, Warm Memorial Trust, Joseph and Jane Downie Bequest Trust, St Padarn’s School Governors, Llwyn yr Eos School Governors, Plascrug School Governors, Ysgol Gymraeg Governors.

Funding support: The Town Council provides grants every April (see image above) to a range of diverse community groups from sporting clubs to cultural societies. For example, the Town Council contributed to the building and development of the Hub in Penparcau which supports the surrounding community through a range of activities. This year the Council set up a Covid Emergency Fund and financial support was given to the Jubilee Storehouse food bank in Penparcau and for HAHAV to purchase equipment to enable them to provide remote services to cancer sufferers. As a demonstration of gratitude to the nursing staff in Bronglais hospital food hampers were purchased and delivered to the wards. The Council also shares information on funding sources with partners.
Diversity statement: The Town Council has published the following statement to confirm that everyone is welcome in Aberystwyth.

Parc Kronberg: provides a centrally located community park for all ages and for the whole of Aberystwyth and further afield. It has become an after-school meeting place for parents and young people from the two largest primary schools in Aberystwyth – Ysgol Gymraeg and Plascrug (see image above).

Older people: The Council organises an annual, subsidised Christmas lunch (see image above) and entertainment for over 65s which is attended by over a 100 people. This had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.

Community safety: The Town Council provides annual funding to cover the rent of the Police office in Neuadd Goffa, Penparcau

Plans going forward:

Continue to promote the Town Council’s work through various communication channels.
Improve the Council website and ensure accessibility.
Continue to support community groups by providing grants.
Continue to encourage socialisation through play areas, parks and allotments as well as the annual Christmas lunch.
Continue to engage with the community regarding future developments by utilising various methods of engagement and consultation.
Continue to safeguard and celebrate the Welsh language and culture.
Continue to celebrate Aberystwyth’s diversity.

GOAL 6: A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language

A society that promotes and protects culture, heritage and the Welsh language, and which encourages people to participate in the arts, sports and recreation

In a nutshell: this goal aims for sports, arts, culture and the Welsh language to be part of everyday life for everyone.

An Aberystwyth of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language

The first recorded Mayor of Aberystwyth Borough dates back to c1450, the first elected Mayor to 1836 and the first Mayor of Aberystwyth Town to 1974-75. Each Council has upheld the civic traditions passed on from previous councils. Today the Town Council is made up of a diverse group in terms of age, sex and backgrounds but every councillor, each one unpaid, cares passionately about Aberystwyth, the Welsh language, the local culture and maintaining the town’s civic traditions.

The Town Council aims to support the Welsh language and local culture to the best of its abilities and powers:

Support to cultural events: the Town Council provides funding and actively supports a wide range of cultural events that celebrate Welsh culture (see images above) and enhance Aberystwyth’s sense of place: the Aberystwyth Eisteddfod, Pared Gwyl Dewi, MusicFest, the Silver Band extravaganza and the summer programme of entertainment which features local artists etc. Unfortunately, in 2020-21 all events were cancelled due to the pandemic, but local solo artists were commissioned to play in the town centre. The Ceredigion Eisteddfod has been another beneficiary of generous funding support as Aberystwyth will benefit from the event. The Council also provided funding for a new literature festival Gŵyl Crime Cymru which delivered its programme of events remotely during the pandemic. This event was a forerunner to a bigger physical festival to be held in Aberystwyth in 2022.
Bilingual policy: The Town Council operates a bilingual policy for meetings, papers and correspondence and supports various cultural events and societies. It also supports the Welsh language via scrutiny of signage in planning applications.
Commemmorative plaques: The Town Council has worked with partners to commemorate important historical events as well as noteworthy persons in Aberystwyth

Plans going forward:

Continue to safeguard and celebrate the Welsh language and culture.
Continue to provide funding support to community groups and events.
Continue to celebrate Aberystwyth’s diversity.
Continue to speak out against inequalities by using all mechanism under the Council’s control.
Continue to encourage socialisation through play areas, parks and allotments as well as events such as the seniors annual Christmas lunch.

GOAL 7: A globally responsible Wales

A globally responsible Wales. A nation which, when doing anything to improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural wellbeing of Wales, takes account of whether doing such a thing may make a positive contribution to global wellbeing, and the capacity to adapt to change (eg climate change).

In a nutshell: this goal is to ensure that we use only our fair share of the earth’s resources and that we choose actions that avoid exploitation of others and do not worsen global challenges like climate change

A globally responsible Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth Town Council aims to enhance and protect the environment and has been involved in the following:

Climate Emergency: The Town Council declared a state of climate emergency and is working with partners to identify actions. The Council maintains green spaces and has a tree planting policy. The anticipated impact on the environment is a key consideration when responding to planning applications.
Plastic Free Town: The Council has actively supported Plastic Free Aberystwyth (see image above) and was the first council in Wales to achieve Plastic Free status for Aberystwyth. The Town Council supports activities by providing administrative support and a meeting space as well as actively participating in events and playing a strategic role. Various projects, such as community litter picks and the commissioning of feather banners to discourage littering and stickers (see image above) to discourage bird (particularly gulls) feeding, have been developed during 2020-21.
Town Twinning: Aberystwyth has developed long lasting twinning friendships with Kronberg im Taunus (Germany), St Brieuc (Brittany), Arklow (Southern Ireland) and Esquel (Argentina) but also has an established friendship with Yosano (Japan).
Fair Trade Town: Aberystwyth’s Fair Trade Town status lapsed in 2016 but the Council has resolved to regain the accreditation. Increased staff capacity will enable the work to proceed.

Plans going forward:

Continue to work with and support environmental groups and partners to identify local actions to combat the climate emergency.
Continue to safeguard Aberystwyth’s natural environment and to support conservation initiatives.
Continue to provide green leisure spaces, allotments and growing spaces and continue to plant as many native trees and bee friendly flowers as possible.
Continue to speak out against inequalities by using all mechanism under the Council’s control.
Continue to support community groups by providing grants.