Cyngor Gwynedd held another Governance and Audit committee on 22nd, October, 2026,
The previous meeting had to be deferred due to technical problems that stopped the council's monitoring officer having to explain the reasons for his 'briefing note' that 'advises' lay members and councillors against the raising and discussing of concerns of certain organisational matters. The contents of the 'briefing note' have not been made public...
The last meeting went on long enough to appoint a new chair of the committee.
The chair appointed earlier in the year had to be replaced due to the G&A Committee not understanding the correct policies and procedures...
A report authored by Dafydd Gibbard, the CEO, was presented to the meeting -
Recommendations arising from the Panel Performance Assessment - Council's Draft Response
The panel was made up of -
Independent Chair: Emlyn Dole (Former Council Leader: Carmarthenshire County Council)
Senior Member Peer: Gwyneth Ellis (Denbighshire County Council)
Senior Officer Peer: Rob Thomas, (Chief Executive, Vale of Glamorgan County Council)
Wider Public, Private, or Voluntary Sector Peer: Siân-Elin Flint-Freel (Consultant)
This report is item 7 in the agenda pack -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5757/Public%20reports%20pack%2022nd-Oct-2026%2010.00%20Governance%20and%20Audit%20Committee.pdf?T=10
The Ffordd Gwynedd way..?
Gibbard's report includes a section on the views of the public via the Council’s Residents Panel.
Some members of this panel will strongly disagree with the CEO's analysis and reporting of their input.
Serious concerns raised were not included.
There was a data breach of the Gwynedd residents panel personal information.
This was dealt with internally and it is unclear whether other members of the panel are even aware of the breach.
Was the ICO informed?
The panel raises concerns that Gibbard has perhaps taken on too much in his role as CEO.
The culture within a local authority is the responsibility of everyone, especially the legal team, cabinet members and councillors.
It is said that Dafydd Gibbard holds a wide strategic portfolio - why?
Does he not trust his senior officers?
If not - why not?
The role of the CEO is to be responsible for the efficiency of all departments within the council.
The CEO oversees the financial aspects, including budgets and is responsible for the recruitment of staff to ensure a competent workforce and the smooth running of local government.
The CEO is also responsible for emergency planning and, ultimately, the actions and behaviour of senior officers as it is he/she that carries the can for the council's failings.
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Cyngor Gwynedd has finally released their accounts for the year ending 31st March, 2026.
These can be found under item 9 on the agenda.
The balance in usable reserves at the end of March is £141.5 million pounds...
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In other news, staff turnover at cyngor Gwynedd remains high - 
The levels of days lost to staff sickness is also high -
Long term sickness is defined as 28 or more consecutive days of illness...
Staff discipline -
This information comes from - The Annual Report - Workforce -
Cabinet Member: Coun. Llio Elenid Owen
Relevant Officer: Eleri Jones, Human Resources Advisory Service Manager
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/documents/s51479/Cabinet%20Report.pdf
There are no figures for the numbers of staff suspended by cyngor Gwynedd.
Still 'absent from work' are Marian Parry Hughes and Dafydd Paul from the children's SS department.
Cyngor Gwynedd has not updated on the number of suspensions of school staff. It is now believed to be 8 after the arrest of a staff member just before the summer holidays.
(These figures may be higher)
Something is so very wrong within Gwynedd council...
