Cyngor Gwynedd Council - Falsus In Uno, Falsus In Omnibus

Cyngor Gwynedd council have now appointed Huw Dylan Owen as Director of Social Services. The former Director had no experience of social service matters so someone with the correct background for the position hopefully meant that the past maladministration and failings within the services would not be repeated...

Bearing in mind, that Gwynedd council have admitted that the culture within the council needs to change, it is disappointing that the present director appears to be behaving in the same manner as his predecessor. In his annual report, presented to the council earlier this year, he states - .
...no young person from Gwynedd has been remanded since 2020.

This is not true and while the council may argue this was correct at the time of writing - it was most certainly not at the time of publication. Mr Owen's generic report also states -
Another example is that we refused to welcome Youth Justice inspectors as they were unable to guarantee bilingual inspectors, and they agreed to delay their inspection until this was possible.

How long ago was the last inspection?
It is unacceptable that the youth justice inspectors are not bilingual, but this does mean that the service avoids inspection by an outside agency and should be of concern to all...

Moving on, Mr Owen mentions feedback and recommendations from government regulators, perhaps not realising Gwynedd council has a history of agreeing to recommendations and then ignoring them...

The director goes on -
Unfortunately, cases have arisen where things go wrong and where we have not provided a service of the expected high standard. There is a statutory complaints procedure in place to ensure that we receive feedback, and respond to any concerns so that we do not repeat mistakes. Reference has already been made to the main trends of the complaints for this year, and an official summary will appear before the Care Scrutiny Committee in September 2023. We intend to place our complaints report and comments on the Council’s website in the future so that they are available to the public.

Gwynedd council's democratic services were recently asked for a copy of the report that the director informed at a previous meeting was available for members on request. It took a second email asking for an update to which an officer replied with -

The annual Social Services complaints handling reports have been presented to Cabinet and Scrutiny in the past but the reports for 2022/23 are yet to be scheduled to be presented to a committee meeting.

This word salad from the democracy service ignores the fact that the statutory documents have not been presented for proper scrutiny for nearly five years and confirms yet another statement from the director's report that is incorrect.

The children and adults complaints handling reports are important documents. Alongside the Director's Annual report they are the first documents to be read by government agencies as a snapshot of how the departments are performing. They may also be read by investigators when more serious concerns are raised.

A reminder that these reports have been called out for their disingenuity and data manipulation since 2016 and no complaints handling report has been presented to the care scrutiny committee since 2019...

For what its worth, the report from the director can be found here -
https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Council/Documents---Council/Performance-and-spending/Adroddiad-y-Cyfarwyddwr-Gwasanaethau-Cymdeithasol-22-23-SAES-2.pdf

Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council... 

 

Cyngor Gwynedd Council - Education Performance Fact Check...

Cyngor Gwynedd council held a Cabinet meeting on the 10th October, 2023. Once again, there are problems wth the translated feed and only the Welsh version is working -
https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/814616

One item of note was the Performance Report of the Cabinet Member for Education, presented by Beca Brown. It begins -
The purpose of this report is to update you on what has been achieved in the field for which I, as Cabinet Member for Education, have responsibility. This includes addressing the summer results, the Estyn inspection of the Authority's Education services, as well as outlining the latest with the pledges made in the Council Plan; the Department's day-to-day work; as well as the latest in terms of savings and cuts schemes.

Mention is made of the recent Estyn report and the member states -
The report is very positive and I am very proud of that, since it is testament to the hard work and contribution of everyone within the system.

The Estyn report raises concerns with pupils in need of social, emotional and behavioural support -
However, neither the status of, nor the steps for accessing the behaviour support hubs, are wholly clear. Senior leaders also do not have a strategic overview of the outcomes or nature and quality of this provision.
https://www.estyn.gov.wales/system/files?file=2023-09/Inspection%20report%20Cyngor%20Gwynedd%202023_0.pdf

The high number of absences and exclusions from school are concerning.
How many of these pupils have additional learning needs?
The reality is that even after specialist intervention some schools in Gwynedd do not implement the support recommended...

Then there is the sudden resignation of the Head of Education. The former Head was ultimately responsible for special needs provision - who has that responsibility now?

Estyn also mentions safeguarding -
Safeguarding arrangements within the education service are generally sound. Officers understand their roles and responsibilities in this area and work effectively with children’s services officers.

The recent arrest of a high paygrade employee shows the absurdity of this statement.
Did this employee ever support Estyn in their inspections?

Concerns of sexual harassment, bullying and drug taking have been raised for some time.
What of the school governors? Also the children's services officers?
How have they dealt with these concerns?

For what it's worth, the cabinet member's report can be found in the agnda pack here -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/documents/g5055/Public%20reports%20pack%2010th-Oct-2023%2013.00%20The%20Cabinet.pdf?T=10

Something is so very wrong within Gwynedd council...

Cyngor Gwynedd Council - 'Where Are Your Principles?'

Cyngor Gwynedd council held a Planning Committee meeting on the 2nd October, 2023.

It began with an announcement from the chair, Edgar Wyn Owen, that the monitoring officer, Iwan G D Evans, has resigned his position as solicitor for the planning committee. Miriam Evans is now responsible  for any legal matters arising...

Councillors voted to approve one application contrary to the recommendation of the officers.
The application by a former councillor was allowed. His son who sits on the committee had to leave the meeting during discussion and was not allowed to vote.

"Where are your principles", asked councillor Elwyn Edwards.
The chair quickly moved the meeting on...

The webcast can be found here - press english for the translated video -
https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/812297

The committee has a history of voting contrary to its own planning policies...

Nine days later on the 11th October, Andrew Forgrave, wrote in the Daily Post -
Cyngor Gwynedd Council was adjudged to have 'behaved unreasonably' over the issue
The decision, by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), overturned previous rulings made Cyngor Gwynedd Council’s planning committee which went against officers’ recommendations. Welsh Government inspector Janine Townsley considered the local authority to have “behaved unreasonably”.
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/century-old-footpath-row-ends-27881162?int_source=nba

Perhaps the Cabinet Member could give an explanation?
With a breakdown of the costs incurred by the appeal...
How many more appeals against planning decisions are there?

Something is so very wrong within Gwynedd council...

Cyngor Gwynedd Council - Task And Finish Groups...?

Gwynedd's Care Scrutiny Committee met on the 21st September, 2024. The Housing Allocation Policy And Housing Waiting List  was discussed. It was reported that empty homes are not being refurbished as quickly as was hoped. For the translated feed press the english tab -
https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/808714

One councillor asked about the social housing that would be built through the council tax premium.
No social housing is to be built - the premium is for 'affordable' housing.
Does affordable housing attract more grants?
Can they then be rented out for higher/market rates?

Problems with the online application form was mentioned and issues with the data was raised. The cabinet member for housing, Craig ab Iago, challenged the officers with regard to outsiders being given a house and said he knew of an example where this happened. He asked for anyone with examples to contact the department and to also inform him. With regard to homelessness, the cabinet member mentioned a sticking plaster on cancer and what was needed was solutions...

Councillors wanted knowledge of who was moving in to their area and if there was a local connection.
One councillor mentioned that refugees have been given a house while six local families are left waiting in one village and said that animosity will increase...

Councillors asked for the senior officers of the housing associations to attend a meeting. The report was accepted while asking for an update - in a years time.

On supported housing - one councillor expressed his disappointmrnt at the housing officers who had already left the meeting. A lack of accountability for these homes was also raised with the fear of abuse for those vulnerable residents. The Head of Adults SS, Aled Davies, said the quality assurance team responsible for services 'is not as strong as it should be'.
In light of the recent embargo on care homes in Gwynedd could this be considered a high risk?

The Autism plan was discussed...
A task and finish group is to be established. Concerns were raised with the wording of the report and what was highlighted.  Vera Jones, the lead officer who was to present the report was absent but her colleague said it was a mistake and the whole plan should have been included in the brief.

The draft brief focuses on learning disabilities and there was a call for those in the autism field to be included in the autism plan. Councillor Gwynfor Owen who has a son receiving support said he was not allowed to be a member of the task and finish group after discussion with the monitoring officer.

The former chair of the care scrutiny committee stated that his wife received domiciliary services but this was not considered prejudicial by the monitoring officer - he simply declared an interest where money was discussed and left the meeting. Others did not think it an issue either. It was thought the councillor's knowledge of autism would be invaluable...  

One officer suggested the autism plan may be too large for the task and finish group...
It was agreed to consider the whole plan and not simply the two points highlighted in the report by the democratic services manager.
The webcast then ended so the committee could have an informal meeting behind closed doors...

It must be remembered that the autism plan is separate from learning difficulties and the council has already received 'ringfenced' monies from government to create such services - since 2008 and the introduction of the autism SAP.

In other news, a member of a separate committee sits on a task and finish group that has been set up to investigate the county's smallholdings and rents in particular. This member has a smallhoding rented from the council...

Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council...

Cyngor Gwynedd Council - Education Problems...

Cyngor Gwynedd Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee met on the 14th September, 2023. The webcast can be found here -
https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/805628

SEND provision was discussed - or the lack of it. For those children with complex needs the committee was told that though medical cares and technologies have evolved to keep certain children alive they do bring extra pressures on the sector... 

Absences and exclusions from school was discussed - the figures are high...
Gwynedd council's exclusion officer blamed the pandemic and praised the schools for being open with the figures. The officer was asked twice before informing the highest number of exclusions are in the Arfon area.

The former inclusion officer tried to ensure an education for all - including those with complex needs, autism, behavioural issues et al. What is the problem with the Arfon schools? Has policy changed?

Why have these children been excluded? More importantly, what are they doing now?
The exclusion officer did comment that the youth clubs are to be 'reinvigorated'. Will these be the same youth services the council cut previously? 

The meeting is notable more for what was not discussed...

Garem Jackson, the Head of Education at cyngor Gwynedd, quit his post shortly after the meeting...

Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council...

Focus On Appropriate 'Behaviours' - Cyngor Gwynedd Council...

For too many years, Cabinet members and other Gwynedd councillors have turned a blind eye to the behaviours and maladministration of senior officers but it is the CEO and leader of the council who are ultimately responsible for the culture of their organisation...

Cyngor Gwynedd's executive officers have commented on the culture within the council. They give little detail - and any insights are hidden amongst word salads with no explanations given. The comments can be found amongst the Ffordd Gwynedd report -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/documents/g4839/Public%20reports%20pack%2007th-Mar-2023%2013.00%20The%20Cabinet.pdf?T=10

The report by the leader of the council, Dyfrig Siencyn, and Geraint Owen, Corporate Director states  -  
...This is all rooted in a change of culture, behaviours and mind-set and its aim of realising the ambition across all parts of the Council's activities is acknowledged as a substantial challenge and one which requires a comprehensive programme of support...

The report starting at page 18 begins well enough with the present CEO stating -
Building on the culture and way of working, which is based on the principle of providing the best possible services to the residents of our county, with every one of us supporting each other to achieve this, is central to the Council's vision. The aspiration to ensure continuous improvement can already be seen widely across the Council and the next step is to ensure that nothing prevents us from embedding that mindset further and aim to improve even further what is already being delivered" (Chief Executive)

But the leader and executive officer are more honest -
...in order to maintain the "way of working", the mindset must be changed above anything else.
Doing the right things before making the things better" is the mantra. Unless we change the mindset before, or during, changing a process, we will certainly fail and the changes will not be sustained in the long-term.

The executive are adamant that they will focus on collaboration and developing appropriate leadership behaviours
Also - Develop methods to nurture an environment where managers feel safe to declare that performance is not up to scratch.

But it is officers of a lesser paygrade and the public that do not feel safe. What methods have been developed by the executive to protect them? Recording all telephone calls to the council would be a start. Removing the senior safeguarding officer from his role as the senior complaints handling manager? Ensuring that cabinet members have the conviction to challenge the departments they have responsibility for? How are the exit interviews going?

Other nuggets from the executive incude -
Each person working for the Council should have a job description setting out core expectations for their role, duties and way of working.
Focus on appropriate 'Behaviours'
Acting on the basis of evidence, rather than on the basis of what appears to be logical, is one of the cornerstones of the "way of working"and here there is an important function to ensure that managers and their teams use the information and data available to its full potential.

"Acting on the basis of evidence, rather than on the basis of what appears to be logical..."
This admission is the most frightening. That senior officers have acted without evidence on the basis of their unconscious and conscious biases...?
Which officers? Which cases? How many people harmed? What cost?

In other news, there is a bin strike in Gwynedd. This is another crisis of the council's own making. Relationships between the staff and senior officers have not recovered since the pandemic when a bonus was denied the essential workers. -

From the article by Gareth Williams, July,2020.-
Sent to the authority’s leader and chief executive, the letter notes: “In our view its totally unfair to expect us to work through this period on standard pay while the majority of (council) staff have been sent home on full pay or are working from home.
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/gwynedd-bin-collectors-call-front-18556569

Now there is a cost of living crisis and the council are again digging in their heels...

Also the Education and Economy scrutiny committee met on the 14th September 2023, Due to legal matters, scrutiny of the Education officer was presumably constrained. This meeting, like so many others, was plagued by technical difficulties during the live feed and following the dicussion became impossible. The translated feed has still not been uploaded to the council's website...

Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council...

 

 

Cyngor Gwynedd - Misuse Of Public Vehicles Update...

Many people will remember the banner protesting cyngor Gwynedd officers misuse of council vehicles, in 2021. It was attached to the railings outside Morrisons supermarket in Caernarfon before being swiftly taken down by council officers...

A council spokesman said -  “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.

   

The picture is from the article written by Gareth Wyn Williams, in 2021 -
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/gwynedd-council-review-vehicle-policy-19777848

On the 13th April, 2023, Dafydd Meurig, Cabinet Member for the Environment reported -

A letter and email was sent to officers who had the right to take vehicles home as part of their working terms, on 29/03/2023. The letter stated that the consultation period has ended and that no officer from the Waste and Recycling service is now exempt from the new policy - 'Use of Council vehicles for commuting'. In accordance with the procedure, a period of notice must be given to staff and the period of 90 days has started on 31/03/2023 and ends on 29/06/2023. So by the end of June the exercise of using the council's vehicle for journeys between home and work will come to an end.

Does this mean that officers continued to misuse the publicly funded vehicles for nearly two and a half years? Perhaps councillor Meurig could give an explanation for the long delay?

The public and local politicians may presume that this directive applies to all departments. Where cyngor Gwynedd is concerned nothing should be presumed...

Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council...