New Director - Same Old...? Cyngor Gwynedd Council.

The new corporate director of cyngor Gwynedd is Catrin Thomas, replacing Geraint Owen, who had worked for the council even before its name change in 1996, after the first child abuse scandal.

From the Cambrian News -
Council leader Nia Jeffreys congratulated Catrin on her appointment, adding: “It is always a pleasure to work with Catrin, and I am really looking forward to the next chapter. Her recent experience working for Adra will also bring a different perspective to the council.

Council Chief Executive of Dafydd Gibbard said: “Catrin is already familiar to many of us here at Cyngor Gwynedd, and it is always great to see former members of staff returning to the authority with valuable experiences from other organisations. 
https://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/news/gwynedd-councils-new-corporate-director-817128

Catrin Thomas has been employed at cyngor Gwynedd for many years but went to work for Adra, as head of customer services - last year. 

She is now back and will be well aware of the problems within the council and the need to change the 'mindset' and 'culture' that the former director warned of.   

Moving on - is how Gwynedd council treat Freedom of Information requests under the FOI Act 2000 still a concern? The council has recently claimed its requested review from the Information Commissioner's Office was marked as 'reasonable' by the ICO. 

The council appear reluctant to answer certain FOI's especially with regard to Neil Foden, the disgraced head teacher who abused children and staff at Ysgol Friars and possibly other schools.
What happened to 'leave no stone unturned?'

Some FOI requests received by the council can be viewed here - 
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/body/gwynedd_council  

Not all FOI requests are listed on the site as the council can be approached directly.

Requests for information from cyngor Gwynedd have been a cause for concern for some time now. It has created reports in spite of the evidence, ignored 'advice' from the ICO to release information and also reported that its data redaction software can destroy information.

Information is also collected by the council under GDPR. Its website collects data and sets cookies. 
To download the council's webcasts now require extra cookies to be placed on a person's computer. One site has flagged Gwynedd's compliance with  GDPR, ePR as high risk - 

It is likely that the council is compliant with law but, should this flag be of concern...?

In other news, the Jan Pickles Child Practice Review will soon be completed.
Cyngor Gwynedd's Education and Economy Scrutiny committee report into Neil Foden is also expected in September. 
When will the Woods report be released?

Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council... 

 

 

 

 

 

Cyngor Gwynedd Council - The Car Pool, A Party And An Internal Review.

The return of staff to council offices should by now be complete - just in time for the council elections. 28 councillors have already been elected in uncontested wards as they were the only ones to put their name forward - 19 of these are Plaid Cymru members giving them nearly 30% control of the council before a vote is even cast.

So what unresolved matters will face the new councillors?
There is still the issue of Gwynedd council's own #partygate scandal during the pandemic -

'The incident which saw them share a minibus was described by Dilwyn Williams, chief executive of Gwynedd Council  as "completely unacceptable" in a letter to staff.
Mr Williams said in the letter that "the individuals involved will be dealt with accordingly" as the council has had to fork out additional costs to cover their work during the self isolation period.'

More on that here - https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/gwynedd-council-worker-tests-positive-18850705

Then there was the issue of officers misuse of the council's vehicles as reported in the Daily Post, last year -

“We are aware that there are some instances where staff may not have adhered to this policy, and we are working with our trade union partners to address this matter and update our policy.
“We can also confirm that the council removed a banner which was placed without consent on railings near Morrisons roundabout in Caernarfon last weekend.”

More on that here -
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/gwynedd-council-review-vehicle-policy-19777848

'Arfon Assembly Member, Sian Gwenllian has already written to the authority after concerns were raised with her, confirming she would “continue to communicate” with the authority'
Any update for the public?

Then there is the Education department and its failure to explain why the headmaster Neil Foden reported being thrown under a bus by the council during the school meals fiasco. No explanation of the video circulated on social media of the teacher appearing to have a pupil by the neck, either.

In other news, an FOI request was raised with the council last year. The Information officer did not answer the question fully and so an Internal Review was asked for. The council has failed to carry out this review and an email asking for an update was ignored...

What possible reason could the council have to ignore its duties under the FOI Act?

Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council...

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