‘The Tories are ignoring Bangor’ – Arfon MS slams Conservative Government for rejecting £15M bid

An innovative scheme to create a health and wellbeing centre in Bangor’s city centre has been dealt a blow by a recent announcement, but the campaign continues says the local Member of the Senedd.

Siân Gwenllian said: “I was very disappointed to learn that the Conservative UK Government had rejected a bid of £15M towards this important scheme from their so-called Levelling Up Fund.

“Once again, the Tories are ignoring Bangor, showing how little they care about the people of Arfon.

“But I am determined to continue to support the efforts that are being made by Gwynedd Council and their partners in order to deliver this important project.

“The rejection of the Levelling Up bid is a huge blow but other partners, including the Welsh Government have committed funds towards the £40M centre.

“The new centre would be a new home for local GPs and clinics, offering training facilities for the Bangor Medical School, and other health and well-being initiatives.

“Located in the middle of the city’s shopping centre, it’s estimated that the new centre would attract hundreds of people into the city centre every day – to work or attend appointments and that in turn would be a much-needed boost to the high street. It is an important scheme, and we will not be deterred by the recent snub by the Tories.”

This week on the floor of the Senedd the MS had the opportunity to quiz Mark Drakeford, Wales’ FM about the project. He said: “Welsh Government officials are helping local partners to pursue alternative funding. The Minister for Economy will discuss this during his meeting with the leader of Gwynedd Council on 6 March.

“I agree, of course, that it was very disappointing that the UK Government wasn’t prepared to support the bid that Gwynedd Council had submitted.

“Now, Welsh Government officials will collaborate with local people to look for other possibilities in terms of continuing with the process of choosing a site for a new health and well-being centre and more funding to complete that work.

“It’s likely that one of the routes for further funding will be through the regional partnership board, and we are looking forward to the future and to seeing a bid coming into the integration capital fund of the Welsh Government, if the regional partnership board does include the plan for the new centre in Bangor as one of their priorities.”