In 2019, the Plaid Cymru Member for Parliament for Arfon, Hywel Williams, was sent a letter that raised concerns regarding the Education Workforce Council and Neil Foden.
Presumably, Williams ignored the letter as a follow up letter was sent in November 6 months later...
Kirsty Williams, then Minister for Education in the Welsh Assembly was also sent a letter -
The letters appeared online after they were put through the door of a digital creator from Bangor, There was a covering letter -
So did the author get a response from either the then MP or Welsh Minister? What action did they take?
What of Angela Jardine, chair of the Education Workforce Council? Was an investigation completed?
It does appear that many people were warned of Neil Foden - yet he continued to abuse...
To attend a public meeting of Gwynedd council or one of its committees, you are first met with a locked door to the building where the meetings take place. A sign instructs visitors to sign in at another building across the road 100 metres away.
There you are informed that if attending a meeting you do not have to sign in...
Returning to the venue - a public building - you then have to wait for someone to open the door for you to gain access. This can take some time and means you can miss the beginning of the meeting and cause disruption to others when you take your seat.
On leaving the meetings, members of the public are reporting they have been approached by a woman demanding to know who let them into the building. One visitor says they felt harangued by the official and had to walk away. Another person who attended a meeting said that the committee he attended broke for lunch so he left the council chamber and walked down the stairs to the exit. The monitoring officer, Iwan Evans, stood at the bottom, staring at him. He nodded and said Hi - Evans ignored him...
With Evans was Vera Jones, the Democratic Services manager, who approached him also asking how and why he was in the building and said she was asking as she was interested in how to improve things for those attending public meetings.
Jones was told that being allowed access to the public building, having a visitors book in the actual building and signage to the chamber would improve things for visitors. Jones agreed but did not give an explanation as to why these things are not already in place...
The visitor says that he felt so uncomfortable by Jones' questioning that he did not return to the committee meeting after the lunch break. One wonders if that was the intention of the two officers?
Have others had similar experiences when attending meetings?
Gwynedd Council has apologised to former pupils of the Brynffynnon Center in Felinheli, acknowledging that pupils had been abused there.
In an investigation into what happened following the closure of the Centre, which was an education unit for children with behavioural and emotional needs, the Y Byd ar Bedwar program reveals that Gwynedd Council's insurers have started paying compensation to former pupils.
Responding to the programme, Gwynedd Council said that it had come to light that pupils had been abused there, and that they 'sympathise with the victims and apologise to them.'
Five former pupils have received payment from the council since April 2026 after bringing legal proceedings based on their experiences at the centre.
Another 14 former pupils are currently in the process of claiming compensation.
These payments are made without any admission of liability.
The centre was suddenly closed in 2014. A year later, Sion Bedwyr Evans, acting head of the unit, and Garry Vaughan Roberts, a member of staff there, were accused of 49 crimes of cruelty towards children between September 2006 and March 2014.
Both denied the charges, with a trial scheduled for 2016.
But the case was dropped after the Crown Prosecution Service received new evidence from the police, saying there was no realistic chance of a conviction.
The charges came as a result of complaints from 24 pupils who spoke to North Wales Police following the closure of the Centre.
One of those was Dillon Roberts, a young autistic man who attended the centre between 2010-2014 when he was a child.
In April 2026, he received compensation of £12,000 from Gwynedd Council.
"There was one time when I was dragged into the headmaster's office. One of the teachers grabbed me, and the headmaster had a strimmer. He grabbed me by my head and my neck. The strimmer was also running. I thought I was going to die," he said.
According to Dillon, during his interview with North Wales Police, he mentioned another alleged abuse:
"When I was in the kitchen, the teachers put salt in your drink. They were bullies."
As part of Dillon's case against Gwynedd Council, he said:
"I was abused by Mr. Roberts because of my size. Because I was too big, I had 'breasts', and Mr. Roberts would scoop them up and squeeze them. This used to hurt me and it made me feel ashamed."
Dillon also claims that staff at the centre bribe and threaten children:
"I remember on a Friday, we were going to (one of the teachers') office to get irons and brass, and he had a bag already - a load of pound pieces.
"They were just saying, 'Don't go to your mother or father, or, if you go to them, we'll kill them.' I was afraid to go there every day."
In 2017, a year after the case was dropped, Dillon's parents received a letter from Gwynedd Council's Children and Family Support Department.
The letter acknowledged that some of the accusations made by some of the children had been confirmed, recommending that the Council, as the body that employed the staff of the Brynffynnon Centre, conduct its own investigation into the matter.
Katherine Yates is a lawyer who is well known for representing some of the victims of the paedophile Neil Foden in their cases against Gwynedd Council.
In August 2024, the grandfather of one of Brynffynnon's former pupils contacted her to ask for help. Now, over 20 parents and former pupils have come together to start bringing legal proceedings against Gwynedd Council.
Katherine Yates said: “I was amazed at how quickly people came forward.
"And what was amazing was the nature of the allegations, and how similar they were from different people - some of these children didn't know each other, they weren't even at school at the same time - and yet the allegations are all similar."
There are allegations from some former pupils of Brynffynnon Center and their parents regarding physical and emotional abuse.
"Most of the children complain of being placed in tires up to their necks and having balls kicked at their heads. There are many examples where children have been forced to fight each other just for the amusement of the staff. There are examples of children being forced to eat."
Y Byd ar Bedwar has spoken to several parents who have brought legal proceedings against Gwynedd Council as a result of their children's experience at Brynffynnon Centre, revealing that two former pupils received compensation in 2019.
The parents of one of the former pupils who have received compensation say they raised concerns with Gwynedd Council in 2010 - four years before Brynffynnon closed.
"The parents were complaining, a lot of them. But nothing was happening."
A report entitled 'Article 4 Direction', authored by Gareth Jones - Assistant Head of Environment Department and Iwan Evans - Head of Legal Services, is to be presented to the Communities Scrutiny Committee on the 11th June, 2026.
It is a very informative document, revealing a lack of candour not only on the part of cyngor Gwynedd but also it would appear on the part of Welsh government.
The document can be found in the agenda pack for the meeting here - https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5712/Public%20reports%20pack%2011th-Jun-2026%2010.30%20Communities%20Scrutiny%20Committee.pdf?T=10
At the full council meeting, held on the 14th, May, Gruffydd Williams, asked this question - Following the fact that article 4 was quashed by a court as a result of what has been ruled as misleading details by this Council, I previously asked if this Council would apologise to campaigners who fought so hard to get Article 4 in force, and there was no apology. The Council's right of appeal has now been refused. Therefore, is the Council finally going to apologise to the campaigners for article 4, patriots, linguists and taxpayers, following the fact that it is now clear that a shortcoming in the key paperwork caused Article 4 to be quashed and that a sum of money of over half a million has been wasted?"
Response from the Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Craig ab Iago - As I noted when answering a very similar question from the Member at the Council meeting in December, we remain determined to ensure that the people of Gwynedd have access to suitable housing in their communities. That's why the Council introduced an Article 4 Direction – as part of a package of measures to manage the significant impact of second homes and short-term holiday accommodation on the housing market. This decision was based on significant effort, including in-depth research, extensive consultation and expert advice. Despite our disappointment with the legal outcome and our request to appeal the High Court's decision, I am confident that our decision to introduce Article 4 has been sound and appropriate. The Council acted responsibly and in good faith in addressing issues that are hugely important to the future of our communities. This experience, including the 12-month period during which Article 4 was in place in the Gwynedd Planning Authority Area, will be key as we decide on the best way forward.
ab Iago did not apologise. Did he actually vote at cabinet for Article 4..?
Many people are of the belief that the near half a million pounds this has cost the public purse was money from cyngor Gwynedd's own coffers - it is not...
The Article 4 Direction report reveals that £311,683,05 has come from Welsh government...
4.48 '...which can be amended and re-used in the future'. Why did Craig ab Iago not explain this?
Are Welsh government and cyngor Gwynedd acting together to control the housing market?
Empowered by the legal knowledge gained, it is apparent that the recent Article 4 action was not to actually implement Article 4 but an exercise in HOW to implement Article 4 in the future...
A test run and an opportunity for the council to be in a position to advise neighbouring authorities on the application of Article 4. Regardless of the trauma and harm caused? Shocking...
Will the new Plaid Cymru government now be supporting the Plaid
controlled Gwynedd council in such matters? Will Gwynedd become a test
bed for new Plaid policies?
It's not over...
The meeting will be held on the 11th, June at 10.30am and can be viewed here - https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1098120
Something is so very wrong within Gwynedd council...
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
Cabinet members of cyngor Gwynedd council have made the decision to close two more local schools in the county.
'With a heavy heart...' Ysgol Nebo and Ysgol Baladeulyn (Nantlle) will close at the end of the year...
The cabinet meeting was held on the 19th May, 2026 and the webcast of the meeting can be found here - https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1091820
Cabinet members also voted to allocate more money for Commissioning Investigations re the Neil Foden case and the failings of the children's department -
4.2 As the Cabinet will commission these investigations, there will be a need to report back to a range of various forums, e.g., the Governance and Audit Committee, to the Scrutiny Committee or to the Safeguarding Strategic Panel - those paths will depend on the nature of the work and the investigation in question.
Any investigation reporting back to the Safeguarding Strategic Panel only will avoid proper scrutiny by Gwynedd councillors and the public...
The agenda pack for the meeting can be found here - https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5764/Public%20reports%20pack%2019th-May-2026%2013.00%20The%20Cabinet.pdf?T=10
The Governance and Audit committee met on the 21st, May, 2026. The statutory director of Gwynedd SS departments, was to update members on the recent Estyn and presumably Care Inspectorate Wales reports. The agenda suffers from a bad interpretation at times...
It does contain this snippet - Still disappointed that there was no acknowledgment by Estyn of the deficiencies in their review of the Council's safety arrangements, June 2023.
This follows on from decisions made at the extraordinary meeting of the council in February, 2026 -
Committee members appeared to have forgotten the reasons for previous decisions made by them and the director of SS, Huw Dylan Owen, left the meeting without giving the update requested.
The Governance and Audit committee is one of the most important meetings
of a council and should be webcast for other councillors and the public
to view later. A webcast would also give members an opportunity to remind themselves of past meetings and prepare better.
Accountability at last..? Later in the meeting, committee members called for senior managers to appear before them to explain the decisions and actions taken by the departments they are responsible for. .
The agenda pack can be found here - https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5754/Public%20reports%20pack%2021st-May-2026%2010.00%20Governance%20and%20Audit%20Committee.pdf?T=10
In other news, cyngor Gwynedd's Employment Appeals Committee have sat again recently. The committee has now heard more cases in 5 months then is usual for an entire year.
With a Plaid majority in the Senedd, will the Plaid council now renew their call for a public inquiry into Neil Foden?
Paul Rowlinson, Gwynedd's cabinet member for Housing, spoke in favour of social housing at a full council meeting held on the 14th May, 2026.
Rowlinson was answering a question from councillor, Rhys Tudur, who sits on the planning committee which has opposed social housing applications. The planning committee is also responsible for decisions that have been lost on appeal costing the public purse thousands of pounds.
Gwynedd has a housing crisis with 4,107 individuals currently on the housing register.
Article 4 Councillor Gruffydd Williams, who also sits on the planning committee, asked the next question - ...Therefore, is the Council finally going to apologise to the campaigners for article 4, patriots, linguists and taxpayers, following the fact that it is now clear that a shortcoming in the key paperwork caused Article 4 to be quashed and that a sum of money of over half a million has been wasted?
Craig ab Iago, the cabinet member for the Environment, did not apologise.
Value for money..? Cyngor Gwynedd made the decision to implement Article 4 after seeking external advice. Who were the external advisors? Will the council sue them to recoup the £500,000 this has cost the public purse?
The agenda pack for the meeting can be found here - https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=130&MId=5543
The webcast of the entire meeting can be viewed here - https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1091056
This was yet another meeting that Dafydd Gibbard, the CEO of cyngor Gwynedd, could have
updated councillors and the public re the calls for a public inquiry
into Neil Foden - and the council processes that failed the children. He did not...
The planning committee of cyngor Gwynedd met on Monday, 27th April 2026. Applications included -
C25/0403/09/CR Corbett Arms Hotel Corbett Square, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9DG
Part demolition of the listed building was passed by the committee despite objections from historical groups. There was also confusion in the department's report with comments from the community council being wrongly attributed to a different council. A question to the cost of the scaffolding could not be answered by officers.
The report can be found in the agenda pack for the meeting - https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5483/Public%20reports%20pack%2027th-Apr-2026%2013.00%20Planning%20Committee.pdf?T=10
C25/0710/41/LL Land Adjoining Brynhyfryd/ Cae Capel, Chwilog, LL53 6SF An application for a mix of social housing and intermediate housing (higher rents and limited to those living within 6 kilometres of the area) was rejected. Advice by the monitoring officer - and other councillors warning
of costs against the public purse if the case goes to appeal was ignored.
Gareth Roberts, a Plaid Cymru councillor representing Bangor spoke against the proposal.
He bemoaned the lack of Welsh being spoken in the university city and claimed a primary school headteacher was struggling to deal with pupils speaking 42 different languages. 'So what's going to happen is the people being housed in Bangor now in HMO's and bedsits - I can see them - they're housed here now and they're having children...'
Has Roberts raised his 'concerns' with the education department? Or is it just a story to cover for what some may see as conscious bias?
Roberts spoke to the meeting in english...
Roberts lists himself as a consultant for BJA International Ltd and Sherrin.
What housing crisis..?
He is also a landlord owning 8 properties and land in Bangor. https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/mgDeclarationSubmission.aspx?UID=684&HID=310&FID=0&HPID=1180987303
Berwyn Parry Jones made the proposal to refuse the housing on the
grounds that the intermediate housing (with its restrictions) would be
outside the boundary. Gruffydd Williams did ask that harm to the Welsh
language be included in the proposal and whilst Jones did agree he did
not wish for it to added to the proposal.
The full webcast of the meeting can be found here - https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1088208
S4C
News can reveal that the chief officer of one of the largest elderly
charities in North Wales has been dismissed following financial fraud.
Translated from - https://newyddion.s4c.cymru/article/prif-swyddog-elusen-ir-henoed-gogledd-wedi-diswyddo-dilyn-twyll-ariannol
Caryl Jones was Chief Officer at the Age Cymru Gwynedd and Môn charity until she was made redundant at the end of January.
The fraud was referred to the police by the charity's trustees.
This
led to Caryl Jones receiving a conditional warning from the police
following an allegation of fraud through misuse of office.
In
a statement to S4C News, North Wales Police said: "We can confirm that
officers have investigated an allegation of fraud through misuse of
office following a report made to us on 9 February.
"A
33-year-old woman was subsequently arrested in connection with the
incident, and the matter resulted in a conditional caution."
A person must admit guilt when receiving a conditional warning from the police.
In
a statement Caryl Jones told S4C News that the "issues you refer to are
part of an ongoing legal dispute" in an employment tribunal.
"Due to the nature of these legal proceedings, I am unable to comment further at this time."
In
response to questions from S4C News, Dafydd Iwan, chairman of trustees
of Age Cymru Gwynedd and Môn, said that the charity had gone "through
the appropriate steps under the direction of our employment advisers,
and that led to the dismissal of the Chief Executive on January 30th".
"Because
there was fraud related to money in the case, it was our duty to bring
the facts to the attention of the police," he said.
He
said that the financial fraud that the charity knew about had
"definitely been repaid", but Age Cymru Gwynedd and Môn did not want to
reveal the exact amount of the fraud.
He
added that Age Cymru Gwynedd and Môn are partners within the Age Cymru
network, and part of Age UK, and that "they have received very ready and
practical help from Age Cymru and Age UK in this matter".
"An
experience like this certainly makes us more aware of the need to
ensure security and internal protection in the charity, and we are
currently strengthening our internal policies," he said.
"Protecting
our services for the elderly by strengthening our internal systems is a
priority for us, with the help of Age Cymru and Age UK."
Caryl Jones was appointed to the post in the summer of 2023. Before that she was Senior Strategic Care Manager with the charity.
According
to information on the Charity Commission website, Age Cymru Gwynedd and
Anglesey employs 50 people and receives an income of £1,040,349, which
includes contracts and grants from the government.
The charity operates from its headquarters in Bontnewydd near Caernarfon.
Does cyngor Gwynedd's response to FOI requests show a lack of knowledge of law?
Browsing through FOI's received via the Whatdotheyknow website it appears so... https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/body/gwynedd_council
First on the list at this time is a FOI from a requestor who gives an initial and surname. Elain Roberts (ar ran Tîm Rhyddid Gwybodaeth // on behlaf (sic) of the Freedom of Information team) responds with -
Requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) must include the
name of the applicant. For a request to be valid, we need to be able to
ascertain the real name of the requester or company name. In this case, you have not provided any . Your first initial is not sufficient to identify you by itself. This being the case, your request is currently not valid under the FOIA...
This is not correct...
According to the ICO - Recognising a request made under the Freedom of Information Act (section 8)
More from the ICO - https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/foi/freedom-of-information-and-environmental-information-regulations/recognising-a-request-made-under-the-freedom-of-information-act-section-8/
The second in the list is also asked by a requestor who uses an initial and their surname. But this request is accepted by Elain Roberts and is partially successful. Why the inconsistency?
Another FOI that raises an eyebrow is - Employment status and roles of Dafydd Paul and Marion Parry Hughes https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/employment_status_and_roles_of_d#incoming-3350474
After an acknowledgment from the 'Freedom of Information team', the requestor then asks - For clarity, I request that all correspondence and any substantive
response to this Freedom of Information request is provided via the
WhatDoTheyKnow platform, in order to maintain a complete public record
of the request and response.
Has cyngor Gwynedd responded to this requestor off platform before?
The request was then refused by Lisa Williams of corporate services - The Council has determined that your requests fall within section 14(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 as vexatious. This decision was made based on the pattern, frequency and nature of your requests and correspondance.
An internal review was asked for and was responded to by Nia Grisdale, legal services manager. Grisdale states - Review Outcome After thorough assessment, I have concluded that the original decision was correct. Section 14(1) allows a public authority to refuse a request if it is likely to cause a disproportionate or unjustified level of disruption, irritation, or distress, without a reasonable public interest justification.
In reaching this conclusion, the following was considered: • The burden on resources: The request, when viewed in the context of previous correspondence, would require significant and disproportionate time and effort to process.
• The tone and nature of communications: The cumulative effect of the language and frequency of requests has created an unreasonable level of disruption to our ability to carry out core functions.
• Lack of serious purpose or value: I found no new or substantive public interest in the information sought that would outweigh the impact on our resources.
Grisdale's argument is weak considering that the officers are still 'absent from work' after failing children in the Neil Foden case.
Re the burden on resources - this would be a simple task for the HR department.
Also if answering FOI's disrupts the council's ability to carry out core functions then the council is in serious trouble but that is not the fault of this requestor, or any other...
Grisdale's third point that she finds 'no new or substantive public interest in the information sought that would outweigh the impact on our resources' is under the circumstances shocking. Why would the legal services manager say such a thing? There is an obvious public interest in information relating to senior officer's failings that meant that a number of children continued to be sexually and physically abused over a number of years.
Senior officers are not exempt from legitimate scrutiny, especially after serious safeguarding failures.
Something is so very, very wrong within Gwynedd council...
In April, 2019, after a whistleblower raised concerns re Neil Foden, the head of children and families SS sent an email to Gwynedd's LADO requesting a meeting - 'Mater Diogelu Brys- Cyfrinachol’ (Urgent Safeguarding matter – Confidential)
But with a senior officer of cyngor Gwynedd's legal team
present, the safeguarding meeting became one of a 'professional issue' only. Who made the decision to ignore the safety of children - and why?
Is the answer to be found in the Canolfan Brynffynnon affair?
In 2016, the trial of two staff members at the pupil referral unit (PRU) in Felinheli, was halted after the CPS received new information...
In September, 2016, councillors of the services scrutiny committee did mention Brynffynnon when discussing the report - GWYNEDD COUNCIL PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW 2015-16 - CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND CARE Cabinet Members: Cllrs. Mair Rowlands, Gareth Roberts, Gareth Thomas
The agenda pack for that meeting can be found here - https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/documents/g1706/Public%20reports%20pack%2027th-Sep-2016%2010.00%20Services%20Scrutiny%20Committee.pdf?T=10
A wall of silence... No statement has been made by cyngor Gwynedd in a case that led to
three staff members being suspended on full pay for approx 9 years. The council did not answer a FOI request on the length of suspensions and the monitoring officer ignored the request for an internal review.
The council also paid NWP £800,000 after the collapse of the trial...
Sshhh... Why has no councillor called for an investigation..?
It is believed Marian Parry Hughes and Dafydd Paul were the senior officers at this time. Who interviewed the children? Who gathered their evidence?
Who else would have known? Dilwyn Williams, who was then ceo of cyngor Gwynedd? The director of SS at that time, Morwena Edwards? Dyfed Edwards, who was the then leader of the council - and is now chair of BCUHB? The monitoring officer?
In 2022, a final investigation report into Canolfan Brynffynnon, was received by the council. Shortly after, Morwena Edwards, left her position.
The previous year, notable departures from the council included the ceo, along with the head of finance and a senior officer from the legal department.
Once bitten twice shy... Were mistakes made in the handling of the Brynffynnon case possibly instrumental in officers failing to take action in regard to Neil Foden?
Evidence appears to have been an issue in both cases in one way or another - that, and the assessment of risk and thresholds.
Paul was also senior complaints officer for the children's SS when officers raised a complaint on behalf of a resident - without the resident's knowledge - so the council could 'investigate' a data breach that had already been investigated and upheld by an independent investigator.
This led to the manager of the Gwynedd information team producing a report that then vindicated the children's department. It was only after a second meeting with the manager that her report acknowledged the data breach of children's information. It took Parry three attempts before she finally took note of the evidence...
Both Hughes and Paul have been 'absent from work' for the last year after the council received a report by the barrister, Genevieve Woods, who investigated their roles in the Neil Foden case. (This report has still not been published)
It is well known that abuse continues when a system rewards silence and cover up...
In other news - Essie Ahari, former chair of governors at Ysgol Friars, has retired from north Wales police.
Cyngor Gwynedd are to appoint a new interim head of the children's SS. The position advertised internally was needed as - '...a responsible and accountable Head was needed to lead; with the appointment of an interim Head, this would allow for other vacancies within the Department to be filled retrospectively and the establishment of a robust structure for the service''
This would have been ratified at the chief officers appointment committee on March, 25th. Cyngor Gwynedd have not yet announced their decision. Only one application was received. https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5693/Public%20reports%20pack%2025th-Mar-2026%2010.00%20Chief%20Officers%20Appointments%20Committee.pdf?T=10
Legislation and Law not updated in 16 years... Cyngor
Gwynedd's Private Rented Sector Housing Enforcement Policy is to be
updated as it was revealed that the original policy created in 2010 is
still in use - despite much new legislation coming into force over the
last 16 years including for HMO's...
Neil Foden, the paedophile headteacher, who was in charge of Ysgol Friars, Bangor and Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle in Penygroes was arrested in September, 2023 and jailed in 2024. Many people in Gwynedd, including some councillors are of the belief that Foden was a one off. Abuse of children, especially of those in care in north Wales has been going on for decades.
The North Wales Child Abuse scandal... Where children were abused in 'care' homes across Gwynedd, Clywd and Wrexham. Gwynedd council sacked a social worker who blew the whistle on the abuse. This led to the Waterhouse inquiry and the Lost In Care Report, published in 2000.
The Lost In Care report was reviewed in 2010 - 'Lost in Care abuse report recommendations reviewed' Sir Ronald will speak with health and social work professionals about
the lessons learned and analyse whether local authorities across Wales
are now developing and implementing effective care plans for
looked-after children. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11884852
In 2012, the scandal was raised by the government in Westminster - Theresa May, then Home Secretary, gave a statement - The recommendation was that there should not be a public inquiry but an
examination of the work of private care homes and the social service
departments in Gwynedd and Clwyd Councils. This work revealed not only shortcomings in the protection of vulnerable
children, but that the shortcomings had persisted even after the police
investigation and subsequent prosecutions. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/historic-allegations-of-child-abuse-in-north-wales-home-secretarys-statement
Carwyn Jones, then First Minister for Wales, also gave a statement - It made extensive recommendations for improving child protection, many
of which were subsequently implemented by the Welsh Government. The
Prime Minister has announced an inquiry to examine the extent to which
the Waterhouse Report did what it was supposed to do. https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-north-wales-child-abuse-allegations
Not forgetting OperationPallial - In November 2012, Operation Pallial was set up to examine specific
allegations of past child abuse in north Wales. This report looks at the
early processes established by OperationPallial, including
communications work, support for survivors, transition and the
implications on children in present care settings in Wales - https://www.childcomwales.org.uk/2015/01/learning-the-lessons-operation-pallial/
Then there was the Macur Review laid before Parliament in 2016, with Plaid MP, Liz Saville Roberts leading the discussion - https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2016-0070/ 'Lessons not learnt' from report into sex abuse teacher. The Welsh government said:
"The recommendations from the Clywch report were implemented, and
consistent national policies and procedures to safeguard children were
introduced.
"The Our
Bravery Brought Justice review found that despite there being clear
processes in place, including those implemented following Clywch, there
was a failure to apply them properly." https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3kexe2eeko
The Clywch report, from 2004, involved teacher, John Owen, who sexually abused pupils at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen,
near Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
But how is it that so many senior people in Gwynedd failed to follow procedures? Worse still - many simply ignored concerns raised...
What of the two
police officers, Essie Ahari and Keith Horton, then chair and vice chair of the school governors at Ysgol Friars?
What of the senior officer within Gwynedd's legal department who sat in on the safeguarding meeting re Neil Foden in 2019?
Sexual harassment in schools... Delyth Lloyd Griffiths, was the senior safeguarding officer within the Education department before becoming a councillor in 2022.
Griffiths is named as the relevant officer in a report entitled 'Sexual harassment in schools' discussed at the Education/Economy scrutiny committee on the 8th, February, 2022. This report was in response to an Estyn report dated 2021 - 'We do not tell our teachers'
The report can be found in the agenda pack for the meeting here - https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/documents/g4378/Public%20reports%20pack%2008th-Feb-2022%2013.30%20Education%20and%20Economy%20Scrutiny%20Committee.pdf?T=10
Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle... This committee also failed the children by not taking action against Foden when the video of him appearing to grab a pupil by the scruff of the neck appeared online. The matter was raised at the meeting and answers were promised for the next scrutiny committee.
The next meeting scheduled for the 31, March, 2022 was cancelled.
Sshh... The council elections in May, 2022, meant a new scrutiny committee was formed. Five members sat on both the old and the new committees - they are Olaf Cai Larsen, Beth Lawton, Dewi Owen, Paul Rowlinson and Colette Owen (co-optee) It is believed that the alleged assault by Foden was never mentioned again...
Since Foden's arrest in 2023, cyngor Gwynedd have suspended 3 members of school staff from Friars. Two other staff at different schools have also been suspended. No further details have been released by the council or NWP.
Extended Child Practice Review... Were all of the abused children receiving 'care' from the council ? Were any in foster care? The head and assistant head of the children's SS are still 'absent from work'.
A Statutory Public Inquiry... Dafydd Gibbard, ceo of the council, told a meeting in February, that a reply to the request for a public inquiry has been received from Welsh government but he has not yet shared the response...
Without accountability, the abuse will continue...
