GUEST COLUMN:
Dylan Williams
Chief Executive Officer
Anglesey County Council
On Anglesey, our relationship with the land goes far beyond just geography. It's a profound connection that has shaped our economy, culture, and community life for generations.
This bond is particularly evident among our families and local communities, who have a deep sense of place and belonging that is rooted in our island's natural assets.
The economic backbone of Anglesey has always been agriculture, a sector that not only sustains our economy and rural communities, but is also pivotal in our efforts toward sustainable food production.
As we look to the future, it is essential that we continue to support and progress this sector, developing our fertile land to meet the increasing demands for sustainable and locally sourced food.
Our island’s geographical uniqueness supports more than just our agricultural heritage. Anglesey's coast and geology hold untapped potential for sustainable energy generation – further enhanced by Holyhead Port and the potential to secure investment as part of Anglesey Freeport through our close collaboration with Stena Line
With Wales and the UK's shifting focus towards sustainable energy sources, our island is well-positioned through the Energy Island Programme to capitalise on these developments, particularly through projects related to wind, tidal, and new forms of low-carbon energy technologies. The potential for a new nuclear development at Wylfa also remains.
Tourism continues to be a vital part of our local economy. Visitors are drawn to our scenic coastlines and rich historical sites, which not only enhance our economic viability but also reinforce the importance of conserving our natural assets.
It is essential that we protect these assets and strike a balance between development and protection to maintain the integrity and attractiveness of our island for future generations.
Furthermore , Anglesey’s culture and language is integral to our identity. More than 70% of our population is fluent or understand Welsh (significantly higher than the national average). Our language is not just a means of communication but a distinctive feature of the local culture that we are proud of. It’s more than preservation, it's about actively championing, with pride, our cultural heritage as a unique selling point .
Being an island adds another layer to our distinctiveness and appeal. This geographic characteristic, combined with our robust package of natural and cultural resources, our people and sense of place are important strengths.
We are not just working to preserve what we have, but are actively using our strengths to attract investment, to sustain and create jobs, and to build a sustainable future for our young people.
The sense of place which exists between our land and our people is not only historic, but the foundation that our future prosperity will hopefully be built upon.
