Cyngor Gwynedd's care scrutiny committee held a meeting on the 5th November, 2026.
Yet again, there were issues which meant that there was no translated feed for the first 14 minutes of the meeting. The webcast can be viewed here -
https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1110372
There was the Update on the Progress of the Response Plan: Our Bravery Brought Justice.
Gwynedd CEO, Dafydd Gibbard, reports that most of the recommendations have been implemented.
The report can be found in the agenda pack for the meeting -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g6831/Public%20reports%20pack%2005th-Nov-2026%2010.00%20Care%20Scrutiny%20Committee.pdf?T=10
But it was not policies and procedures that failed to stop the paedophile, Neil Foden.
It was the culture within schools and the council that protected him from censure.
This culture is mentioned in the update report -
Further work continues on more long-term matters related to culture change, measuring impact and embedding improvements sustainably. In any programme of significant change such as this, elements such as embedding culture are ones that will need to continue for a significant period of time and will need to be continually revisited over the coming years.
But what exactly is the 'culture' that needs changing?
Gibbard does not give an explanation...
The adults SS gave their performance report presented by Dilwyn Morgan.
He updated the committee that the proposed Bro Lleu development in Penygroes, that was to be a health and well-being hub, integrating a doctors surgery, a care home, independent housing and more was downgraded to a health hub only.
The department's report includes -
2.2.5 The aim of the project is to ensure prompt and easy support for individuals and their families. That includes recognising the value of unpaid carers and supporting them appropriately and ensuring timely and effective home care.
2.2.10 There are many workstreams currently underway to ensure more resources to evaluate the needs of patients in hospital and to speed up care and discharge decisions,with dedicated resource from each team now responsible for assessing hospital cases.
The report does not hide the fact that there is no 'prompt and easy support for individuals and their families', nor is there support for unpaid carers unless you pass the SS assessment. It is well known that assessments carried out by Gwynedd social workers have been 'predetermined to fail'.
The number of people awaiting Deprivation of Liberty (DoLS) assessments has not been recorded due to the new criteria that is to be decided after the Cheshire West ruling. Should the council not be worried for the vulnerable people affected?
22 individuals had been waiting over 91 days for a care needs assessment from the Older People, Physical and Sensory Disabilities Service.
One care home in the county has been under an embargo which means no new admissions until the issues have been remedied. No other information was given.
More corridor care..?
The department's failings to provide adequate social care in Gwynedd will also mean continued bed blocking in hospitals and more strain on the NHS.
Support for those with dementia...??
Mari Wynne Jones, the head of Gwynedd's adult SS, made mention that those with dementia could learn new tricks.
Jones did not give an explanation as to how this medical miracle will be achieved.
Morgan concludes the annual performance report with -
The report has been created based on the information provided and the content of a recent meeting to challenge and support the performance of the Department for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, with the Director, Head of Department, Assistant Heads and myself attending this meeting.
The children's department then gave their annual performance report presented by Menna Trenholme.
Sharron Williams Carter, the head of children's SS and Aled Gibbard, Assistant Head Resources, were present to answer questions of the committee.
Trenholme begins with an update on the Autism plan.
Her report gives the impression that the council is supporting autistic individuals and their families - this is not exactly the case - is it?
A reminder that the Autism plan was to support autistic children and adults WITHOUT a learning disability, who were and still are falling through the gap in services.
Trenholme warns that the funding for this service ends in 2027.
It is hoped that she and the department are preparing a case for extra funding from Welsh government to fully implement the recommendations from the Hugh Morgan OBE review that came about after a Stage 2 and Ombudsman for Wales complaints that were upheld.
Perhaps the scrutiny committee could ask Morgan to evaluate the work of the council since his review..?
Has cyngor Gwynedd published Morgan's review on their website and has it been scrutinised or even seen by councillors?
Missing children...
Worryingly, the SS reports -
In addition, we saw good collaboration since April 2026 to be able to report on returning home interviews after children or young people were identified as missing. 55 children have been identified as missing children over the period, and 164 returning home interviews have been held.
Neither the cabinet member nor the department clarified how many children are still missing...
Trenholme also gives an update on the small group homes scheme for looked after children.
The home in Morfa Bychan, with two children living in it, has now been registered and is no longer an illegal enterprise.
The home in Deiniolen, also houses two children, but is still not registered and so not open to inspections by outside agencies to check on the wellbeing of these children.
Two children also live in the home in Criccieth. This has also not been registered.
An unregistered home is not only unsafe for residents but also illegal.
It is a criminal offence to operate such homes without registration...
Aled Gibbard, who is responsible for the group homes scheme alongside, Shelley Williams, appeared very uncomfortable during this segment of the meeting. His hand hovered continuously over the microphone ready to jump in, and he even pressed the button a couple of times by mistake. Sharron Williams Carter, the head of department noticed this and asked if he had anything to contribute - Gibbard declined.
To Gibbard's relief, committee members did not mention the legality of the homes.
Perhaps they are unaware of the true situation..?
As with the adults SS, the children's report was based on information received at one meeting only.
Something is so very wrong within Gwynedd council...
