Gwynedd Council staff numbers have fallen, reflecting “financial pressures” facing local government.

In 2025/26, the workforce fell by 101, from 5,895 to 5,794.

A Cabinet report on 13 October said: “Services have had to continue to review staffing arrangements and priorities to respond to significant financial challenges.

“Although reductions in staff numbers are inevitable in some areas, the council continues to seek to maintain effective services for the county’s residents.”

This was the first year GwE and North Wales Economic Ambition Board data was not been included as part of workforce figures.

In general, the workforce pattern remained “very similar” to previous years, reflecting a “significantly higher” number of women working for the council.

The report said: “A significantly higher number of those women are employed on a part-time basis and within services such as adults, health and well-being, children and supporting families, and education.

“This division has been a consistent trend, not only in Gwynedd but within local government in general.”

On 31 March, 71 per cent of the council’s workforce were female, a similar level to the same period last year.

The report added: “While gender balance remains uneven in some service areas, this reflects recruitment patterns and career choices that have developed over a lengthy period of time.

“The council continues to seek to attract candidates of all genders to all areas of work.”

It was noted that, for several years, the majority of the workforce was over 40. Figures were consistent for 2025/26, with 66 per cent over the age of 40 and 42 per cent over 50.

The profile meant the council had “a workforce that

The meeting also heard that the council’s staff turnover rate of 9.3 per cent “remained high” compared to some previous years although the rate had decreased during 2025/26 as compared to 2024/25 (9.9 per cent).

Sickness and absence levels also “remained high”, especially long-term illness, with stress continuing to be “the leading cause”.

Sickness absences increased “slightly” with the average number of days per head for 2025/26 recorded as 13.01 days. The figure for 2023/24 was 10.29 days, and in 2024/25, 12.94 days.

Cllr Llio Elenid Owen said: “Although the workforce has decreased slightly from 5,895 to 5,794, there are also positive signs that staff turnover has stabilised, dropping.

“The age profile of the workforce highlights the importance of long term planning to attract, develop and retain talent, and ensure effective transfer for knowledge and skills.

“Staff wellbeing and managing sickness remains a major corporate challenge with ongoing focus on supporting employee mental health, attendance and wellbeing.

“Caring for staff is essential to maintain effective services.”

Cllr Craig ab Iago added: “I am sure when I started in the council over 15 years ago there were over 7,000 staff members, now we are down to 5,000.

“It really shows how the council is changing over time, it will be more difficult to provide everything we have been with fewer staff; it is important people hear that message.”