Cyngor Gwynedd Care Scrutiny committee met on the 4th June, 2026.
Tick box exercise...
The meeting was more to vote through department's performance reports rather than proper scrutiny and many councillors did not bother to turn up for the meeting.
The Strategic Safeguarding Panel Yearly Report 2025/26 was presented by Dewi Jones, cabinet member for Education and now chair of the panel. It is of concern that this panel could be used to avoid scrutiny by councillors and the public.
Jones' report does not give a clear analysis of the data.
There are now 282 children receiving education at home - up 20 from the previous year.
How many of these children have ALN and were failed in schools?
How many children no longer attend school because of bullying?
A reminder that Neil Foden not only sexually abused female pupils, but physically assaulted boys also.
Our Bravery Brought Justice...
But has it really?
How many of those children abused by Foden are receiving support?
Are all of the children eligible for compensation from cyngor Gwynedd?
The Extended Child Practice Review undertaken by Jan Pickles, showed
that the abused children were receiving 'care' from cyngor Gwynedd. Were
any in foster care?
It is concerning that there appears to be no reporting from the fostering team regarding the Foden case ?
A report states that an inspection has recently been undertaken of the Fostering Service and the report should be published soon.
Will it be accurate..?
Foden also targeted and excluded pupils with ALN and those considered to have behavioural issues.
There appears to be an ongoing issue that this behaviour by teachers is not uncommon in Gwynedd schools...
Jones' report also includes -
In the meeting, the Performance Report of the Cabinet Member for Children and Supporting Families was presented, authored by Sharron Williams Carter, Head of Children and Supporting Families Department.
The Autism Plan was mentioned.
Carter's analysis is revealing - on many levels -
Carter's word salad shows that parents seeking support for their autistic children have been blamed for their children's issues. Families are STILL being assessed under a safeguarding lens, instead of being assessed as disabled children, as they have no learning disability.
Trauma informed - Trauma induced...
The implementation of Care and Support plans rather than Child Protection orders show that the children's department under Marian Parry Hughes got it wrong - many times, on so many levels.
Hughes was supported in her decision making by the SS department's senior complaints officer, who has in the past tried to shut down legitimate complaints from parents seeking support.
This very same officer was also the senior safeguarding officer, it is not hard to see why 'neurodivergent families' were subjected to unjustifiable actions regarding child protection matters.
Councillors have ignored families when they have attempted to raise concerns.
Both officers have been 'absent from work' for well over a year now - on full pay?
Is Gwynedd's service for disabled children, Derwen, still operating under unlawful criteria ?
There is still concern about the mental health of children and young people who do not meet the threshold for CAMHS support.
The Autism Plan - as is - does not afford the kind of support that it was designed to provide specifically for those WITHOUT a learning disability.
Both children and adults are going unsupported including in Education throughout Gwynedd.
Perhaps Hugh Morgan OBE, could be asked for his thoughts on the council's actions after his report which can be found here -
https://gwyneddsfailingcouncil.blogspot.com/2021/04/finally-gwynedd-councils-autism-report.html
Carter also writes on the Residential provision for looked after children in small group homes.
Her report confirms that the home in Morfa Bychan is no longer run as an illegal enterprise.
But the home in Deiniolen is operating illegally.
It is claimed that the homes in Edern and Cricieth are to become operational by the end of the year.
The adults department's report was authored by Mari Wynne Jones, presented by, Dilwyn Morgan, cabinet member for adults. In order -'To provide assurance that the Cabinet Member has a grip on the department’s performance matters.'
An officer run council...
Morgan, who presided over the closure of the day centres for the elderly, is grateful for the unpaid carers in the county who have been forced to continue caring duties with even less support.
He also began to give his view on the recent 'Cheshire West' ruling that will affect Deprivation of Liberty orders (DOLs).
Morgan was closed down by the the director of SS, Huw Dylan Owen, saying that he had covered the court's ruling earlier. But Owen had only given a brief mention of the decision saying little more than the council's legal department were reading though and interpreting the 81 page ruling.
As the ruling will affect vulnerable people ie those with dementia and learning disabilities, Morgan may have offered some insight in to how the council will now operate in this regard.
It is concerning that the cabinet member was shut down by the officer.
One wonders why the chair did not intervene...
Homelessness...
Last up on the agenda was the Housing and Property performance report, authored by Carys Fôn Williams. It was presented after the lunch break and one councillor appeared to wake up and attempt to hold officers to account re the numbers on the housing register. The numbers are correct...
If only scrutiny members would challenge all departments like this.
Why don't they....?
Not all of the reports figures add up when compared to each other...
The reports and agenda pack can be found here -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5799/Public%20reports%20pack%2004th-Jun-2026%2010.30%20Care%20Scrutiny%20Committee.pdf?T=10
The webcast of the meeting can be found here -
https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1095666
Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council...
