Deny Delay Deflect - Cyngor Gwynedd Council...

Sally Holland, former children's commissioner, spoke at the full cabinet meeting of cyngor Gwynedd held on the 11th November, 2025. As the chair of the council's response board, set up after the abuse of children by Neil Foden, Holland presented the - 
QUARTERLY REPORT TO CABINET: RESPONSE PLAN PROGRAMME BOARD
which can be found here -  
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=46340

  

The webcast of the cabinet meeting can be viewed here - 
https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1034943

Holland states the overarching objectives of the board are - 
Acknowledge, Apologise, Support, Establish, Learn, Improve and be Accountable.
So who are the four cabinet members providing accountability to the public...?

Dewi Jones, the cabinet member for education, is surely one of the four.
When will he make a statement on the failings of the governing body at Ysgol Friars? 
First and foremost, Neil Foden was accountable to the school governors.

From 2018, Pickles highlights - Child A reports concern re Foden’s relationship with Child C. Education speaknto Foden. Reported to LA1 C&FS and NWP.

The chair and vice chair of governors were NWP officers - Essie Ahari and Keith Horton.

The former head of education, Garem Jackson, after being contacted by a whistleblower met with senior officers of the children's deparment. Pickles writes - 
The meeting was deemed not to be a child protection meeting and was instead regarded as being for the consideration of a ‘professional issue.
ie senior officers appeared to be more concerned for Foden's reputation...

The former director of SS, Morwena Edwards was not a social worker, her background was finance, and she would have relied heavily on the advice of the now absent from work, Marian Parry Hughes and Dafydd Paul, senior safeguarding and quality officer.
Cyngor Gwynedd's legal team advised the officers...

Jan Pickles conducted an 'Extended' Child Practice Review, which means that some of the children Neil Foden abused were 'in care' at the time of the abuse or the preceding 6 months.
Were any of the children in foster care?
One child was living in a hostel. The hostel manager raised concerns in 2018.

Anglesey council (LA2) also raised concerns  - 
LA2 informed LA1 C&FS Senior Manager LADO that had Foden been a professional working in LA2, a meeting would have been convened under Part 4 of the AWCPP 2008.

The NSPCC are also scathing about Gwynedd's LADO -
From the Pickles review - my highlight...

At this time, Dilwyn Morgan, was cabinet member for children and family.
His tenure is best remembered for the Ombudsman for Wales reports highlighting serious concerns and failings within the children's SS, including social workers faking assessments on children.
Will Morgan be giving a statement of what he knew...?

It was a busy time for the SS department as the PSOW also found serious failings within the adult's department. The cabinet member with responsibility for the department was then Dafydd Meurig.
Treatment of one adult in Gwynedd's care was so bad it made the Ombudsman's Equality & Human Rights Casebook-2019/20

https://www.ombudsman.wales/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/104483-Equality-and-Human-Rights-Casebook_Eng_v03.pdf

Neil Foden was an abusive bully, who used inadequate 'policies and procedures' to protect himself from investigation and censure. Complaints were ignored or dealt with badly. If the complaint was serious enough then the 'vexatious complainant' rule could be used to shut the complaint down.

Page 79 of the Pickles review -  

 

The Pickles review can be found here -
 https://www.northwalessafeguardingboard.wales/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/30.10.25-FINAL-ENGLISH-CPR-REPORT-_.pdf

Foden smeared those who challenged him and reversed blame onto the victim - Darvo.
Blame the children - blame the parents - deny delay deflect.

In other news, the Governance and Audit committee were made aware of concerns within the county's care homes. Little information given and little action taken despite a lay member's grave concerns. 
Also 'bedblocking' has been a major issue for years now with the adult SS coming in for criticism...

Internal audits still show issues with staff training and breakfast clubs in particular -

 

The reports can be found in the agenda pack - 
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5460/Public%20reports%20pack%2009th-Oct-2025%2010.00%20Governance%20and%20Audit%20Committee.pdf?T=10

Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council... 

 

 

 

 

Publish The Woods Report - Cyngor Gwynedd Council...

The Extended Child Practice Review, by Jan Pickles, into Neil Foden and his abuse of children in Gwynedd has finally been published.

An 'extended' CPR is undertaken when children were receiving care from the council at the time of the abuse. This care will presumably involve social workers of the children's SS, the 16+ team, the fostering team and perhaps youth justice - and no-one noticed...?

"We're employed to do a job, and that job is keeping children safe. In this case, Ysgol Friars failed, the Education Department failed, Children's Services failed, the local authority failed."
Jan Pickles OBE
https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2025-11-05/appalling-failure-allowed-paedophile-headteacher-to-run-reign-of-terror

Officials of the teachers union, NASUWT, are also scathing - 
“The report is right to highlight the courage of the child victims who exposed the criminal activities of Neil Foden in his role as the leading headteacher in Gwynedd Local Authority. Their courage stands in marked contrast to the total lack of moral courage by senior officials in the local authority.
Another - 
Processes and procedures must be followed objectively, dispassionately and fairly. There must be Independence and accountability. This has not happened in Gwynedd.” 
https://www.nasuwt.org.uk/article-listing/nasuwt-responds-foden-case-child-practice-review.html

What say local members of Unison and Unite within the cooncil? 
A public inquiry is needed...

In her review, Jan Pickles notes  - 


Anglesey council is LA2 Children's Services.
The LA1 C&FS is Gwynedd children & family department.
Jan Pickles review can be found in full here - 
https://www.northwalessafeguardingboard.wales/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/30.10.25-FINAL-ENGLISH-CPR-REPORT-_.pdf

The most senior officers with responsibility for safeguarding children in 2019 were the former director of SS, Morwena Edwards, the head of children and family department, Marian Parry Hughes and the senior safeguarding and quality officer/LADO, Dafydd Paul. 

The barrister, Genevieve Woods, was commissioned to investigate the actions of senior officers re Neil Foden in 2019. Her report should give more detail of the missed opportunities and exactly when cyngor Gwynedd's legal team became involved.
When will the Woods report be released..?

In other news, councillors are to receive a payrise...
The Democracy Services Committee held on the 4th, November discussed - 

and...

The full agenda pack can be found here -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5641/Public%20reports%20pack%2004th-Nov-2025%2010.00%20Democracy%20Services%20Committee.pdf?T=10 

A report from Mari Edwards, Learning and Development Manager updated the committee on training for councillors. The report is not good -

One member became so incensed that councillors were not attending training, he threatened to go to the press...

The committee is not webcast and so not available for later viewing by councillors or the public. 

A report authored by Vera Jones, Democracy and Language Manager, asks members to consider extending the number of council meetings broadcast. This stems from a Welsh Government consultation published in July- 
https://www.gov.wales/consultation-extending-duty-local-authorities-broadcast-meetings-html

On the 7th November,  the North Wales CJC Economic Well-being Sub-committee held a meeting to discuss the North Wales Growth Deal Performance and Risk report for the second quarter - 
 https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/s46336/North%20Wales%20Growth%20Deal%20-%20Quarter%202%20Performance%20and%20Risk%20Report.pdf

This meeting was then closed to the press and public. 

Later that day, the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee held a meeting to discuss the -
FLINTSHIRE AND WREXHAM INVESTMENT ZONE

This meeting also excluded the press and public...
The report can be found here - 
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5644/Public%20reports%20pack%2007th-Nov-2025%2012.00%20North%20Wales%20Corporate%20Joint%20Committee.pdf?T=10

Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council...

 

'Motivated Intruder' - Cyngor Gwynedd Council

Cyngor Gwynedd Education and Economy Scrutiny committee investigation report into safeguarding in schools has been delayed after they forgot to include the voices of the children...

The Woods report has been sat on since March...

Cyngor Gwynedd also appear to be shutting down FOI requests in relation to Neil Foden.
This request was submitted in May, 2024 - 

The council responded with -  You should therefore receive the information you have requested, subject to the application of any exemptions permitted under the Act, by 20/06/2024...

In January, 2025, after an internal review, the monitoring officer, Iwan G D Evans, came back with -

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/neil_foden

Less than 5 'reports' into Neil Foden since 2018/19...
Failing to answer properly and shutting down the rest of the FOI, Evans also introduced the phrase 'motivated intruder' into the dialogue. 

Another example -
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/neil_foden_3

Corporate services, initially refused the request but then had to reopen the case with - 
Following our response to you on the 17th July 2025, it has come to our attention that we failed to include our complaints procedure. 
Please find below our revised response and apologise for this error.

This request was also refused by the monitoring officer after he conducted an internal review.

Moving on to another FOI - also refused by corporate services -
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/what_concerns_were_logged_by_tea

And yet another FOI request regarding Neil Foden -
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/neil_foden_2
And yet another internal review - this time shut down by the head of legal services.

In refusing these requests, cyngor Gwynedd's senior officers make much of the privacy/personal data of the individual, ignoring the fact that senior officers have a much broader public impact (position of trust, policy/decision making, salary/pension).
A reminder that law favours disclosure...

On the 27th, October, 2025, ITV published an article - 
Two men arrested following paedophile headteacher investigation in Wales
Police looking into lines of enquiry related to convicted paedophile headteacher Neil Foden have confirmed that two men were arrested earlier this year.
North Wales Police said both men remain under investigation.It added the arrests followed allegations of “non-recent abuse” by “conducting inappropriate relationships”.
https://www.itv.com/news/2025-10-27/two-men-arrested-following-paedophile-headteacher-investigation-in-wales 

The timing of this release is odd, considering the arrests were made earlier in the year..

In other news - 
Andrew Grove & Co Solicitors is now appealing for former pupils of Gellilydan School in Blaenau Ffestiniog and Thomas Ellis School near Holyhead, or anyone else who can shed any light on this case, to get in touch.

“It is unbelievable that this man, who went to prison for sexually abusing children where he was a teacher, was allowed to teach again when he came out of prison. 
“It is equally unbelievable that after 11 children from Gellilydan School made allegations of sexual abuse this was not sent to Crown Court for trial but thrown out by the Magistrates’ Court where significant figures were his friends, or at least well known to him.

Contact details for those with information can be found in the link - 
https://www.andrewgroveandco.com/post/serious-miscarriages-of-justice-in-north-wales

Tanygrisiau school...
From The Times, dated 15th, April 1986 - 

There is little information on this case and google returns 'Some results may have been removed under data protection law in Europe' when searching for the headmaster.

In 2017, cyngor Gwynedd received a FOI request in relation to the headmaster Mr Ceryl Wyn Davies
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/complaints_made_by_parents

The request was refused citing personal data and though an internal review was asked of the officer's decision, the internal review was never answered.

This trial, in 1986, would have taken place around the same time that Gwynedd council suspended Alison Taylor, the social worker who blew the whistle on the abuse of children in the care of local authorities...

Taylor and investigators were hindered by what was called 'a cult of silence'.
For some older people, the present events appear a re-run of the past... 

 If not further delayed, the Jan Pickles review will now be published on the 4th, November. 
A public inquiry into Neil Foden and cyngor Gwynedd's internal processes is needed.

Something is so very wrong within Gwynedd council...

 

Buying Houses For Whom..? Cyngor Gwynedd Council.

A few years ago, Cyngor Gwynedd council sold off all their housing stock.
Now they are buying properties back on the open market under 'Buy To Let'

So which senior officers are allowed to purchase property and for what purpose?

The Review of the Delegation Scheme, authored by Iwan Evans, Gwynedd's monitoring officer can be found in the agenda pack for the Council meeting held on the 2nd October, 2025 here - 
 https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5504/Public%20reports%20pack%2002nd-Oct-2025%2013.30%20The%20Council.pdf?T=10

Is that all chief officers of all departments...? 

The webcast of the full council meeting can be found here. The translated feed is now working - 
https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1024523

One purchase is - 
https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Council/Documents---Council/Councillors-and-committees/Individual-members-decision-notices/June-2025/Decision-Notice-6-Griffin-Terrace-Penrhyndeudraeth.pdf

Gwynedd council state that after consultation with their planning authority there is no need to apply for a change of use...

Gwynedd council are also buying homes for foster carers -  
https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Council/Documents---Council/Councillors-and-committees/Individual-members-decision-notices/September/23-09-25-Purchase-1-Bro-Eglwys-Bethel.pdf

As before, Gwynedd council state that after consultation with their planning authority there is no need to apply for a change of use.

And another -
https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Council/Documents---Council/Councillors-and-committees/Individual-members-decision-notices/July/29-07-25-48-Purchase-of-48-Gorseddfa-Criccieth.pdf

Gwynedd council state that after consultation with their planning authority there is no need to apply for a change of use on this property either.

But is this to be a children's care home? The council go on - 
The possibility of accommodating an additional child in the future may be explored, subject to compatibility of needs.

For some children with complex needs, this could be the best way of supporting them. 
But what happens if the placement breaks down..?

Also, what happens when the children reach 18 years of age?
The children's department has said that when children reach their 18th birthday, they are no longer the responsibilty of the council. Is this the case with these children?  

Cyngor Gwynedd are also disposing of assets - 
Disposal of the Council’s freehold interest in a parcel of land located in Pwllheli Outer Harbour on terms and conditions to be determined by the Head of the Housing and Property Department - 
https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Council/Documents---Council/Councillors-and-committees/Individual-members-decision-notices/March-2025/20250303-Disposal-of-the-Councils-interest-plot-of-land-Pwllheli-Outer-Harbour.pdf

Also - 
To approve the disposal of the Council’s freehold interest in 1 Sŵn y Gwynt, Bala, to the current leaseholder on terms and conditions to be determined by the Head of Housing and Property Department - 
https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Council/Documents---Council/Councillors-and-committees/Individual-members-decision-notices/August/07-08-25-1-Swn-y-Gwynt-Bala-EN.pdf

In other news, cyngor Gwynedd are planning four weekly black bin collections and yet another hike in council tax is being considered. 

Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council... 

 

Where Are The Voices Of The Children? Cyngor Gwynedd Council...

It is not usual for a CEO of a county council to deny involvement in the delay of a report -
Council boss denies it was behind Foden report delay
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1kwy7wnnk4o

Nor is it usual for a safeguarding board to delay a review report whilst it 'considers its legal obligations and information sharing further' 

Due to the lack of trust in the council, it is understandable that the CEO, Dafydd Gibbard, felt the need to publicly deny involvement. What is the reasoning behind the North Wales Safeguarding Board's decision to delay the Jan Pickles review? 

The Jan Pickles review, aided by the Genevieve Woods report, looked at the crimes of paedophile headteacher, Neil Foden and how he continued to abuse even after concerns were raised against him...

Foden could have been stopped yet many people failed to do so...
Claims of undeserved examination passes at Ysgol Friars do not appear to have been investigated, nor when Foden's own union, the NEU, took action against him. There was much anger over the no school meals policy for children who had 2p of debt during the pandemic and also the video of the alleged assault on a pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle - 
Head teacher filmed appearing to grab pupil by scruff of the neck  
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/education/head-teacher-filmed-appearing-grab-22967578

Much of what Foden did made the press and social media. Concerns were raised about his behaviour at Gwynedd's education/economy scrutiny committee - on more than one occasion. This committee are also investigating safeguarding in schools but it is unlikely their own lack of action will be examined in any detail.

Dewi Jones, the cabinet member for education, is leading the investigation. 
The panel's draft report, originally due in September 2025, then 11th December 2025,  has now been delayed until 12th February 2026. 

The reason being that members forgot to include the voices of children in the investigation...

More information can be found in the  Education/Economy draft forward programme - 
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/s46071/2025-10-16%20Education%20and%20Economy%20Scrutiny%20Committee%20Forward%20Programme%202025-26.pdf

So what of Gwynedd's Scrutiny Forum?
This Forum is made up of the chair and vice chair of each scrutiny committee and aided by senior officers it decides on what is of importance for investigation and/or discussion at forward meetings. 

Has Foden ever been the subject of discussion by this forum, or any of the other 'informal' scrutiny meetings, not open to the public..?

What of the monitoring officer and the legal team's advice to senior officers over the years?
Did they not raise questions re Foden with the senior officers?
Were they advising senior officers?

The Genieve Woods report has already led to two senior officers within children's SS being 'absent from work' Perhaps the child practice review will highlight how these girls were failed?

Some may say that it was the procedures that failed, but the procedures could only be robust if they were implemented in a timely and correct manner by those whose job it was to protect children...

Those will include school governors, the former head(s) of education, cabinet member(s), senior officers within social services and the safeguarding/child protection team. 

It should come as no surprise - though many will claim it to be - that some of these officers are the same ones responsible for allowing social workers to bully, undertake fake assessments on children, interfere in investigations and mislead the Obudsman for Wales. One social worker appears to have been promoted after giving evidence to an investigation that was later called out as 'disingenuous' by the PSOW. 
The Ffordd Gwynedd way...?

The director of Gwynedd SS, Huw Dylan Owen, spoke of the embarrassment to come during his presentation of his Annual Report at a meeting of the full council. His report can be found in the agenda pack - 
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//mgChooseDocPack.aspx?ID=5504

Owen will have had knowledge of the Genevieve Woods report since March. 
His report appears to have been written at the same time as it contains little new information since then. No statement on the head of SS, Marian Parry Hughes, still 'absent from work'.

It is presumed that the complaints manager is also 'absent from work', due to his lack of input in the complaints handling report.

Having these officers 'absent from work' may have improved some aspects of the department but their wages are considerable and that means that children's services are losing out on £4 to £5K a week. 

One would hope that Owen will have spent some time going through past cases involving these officers looking for anything of concern. It is not likely that reports written by these officers will properly inform the director. Has he read the investigative reports created by the Canolfan Brynffynnon affair and associated 'employment' investigation reports? 

A reminder that draft reports are often more informative as not all criticism of individuals/departments make the final cut...

Then there are the several PSOW investigations...

A public inquiry is needed.  

Something is so very wrong within Gwynedd council...