Cyngor Gwynedd have finally published their -
Scrutiny Investigation Report into Safeguarding Arrangements in Schools
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/documents/s50904/Safeguarding%20Arrangements%20in%20Schools%20Scrutiny%20Investigation%20Report-.pdf
A reminder that this investigation was initiated by the Education and Economy Scrutiny committee in early 2025, yet makes no mention of the committee's own failings and missed opportunities to stop Neil Foden.
Wasn't Dewi Jones, the cabinet member for Education, originally part of the investigation?
Did he excuse himself..?
This report was intended to be published in 2025, but had to be delayed because the investigating team had not included the voice of the child...
The children's voice...
It is of high concern that the council did not utilise the recognised 'provider' due to the provider having fears that the council's 'remit' did not go far enough.
Ignoring the concerns of the independent provider, cyngor Gwynedd chose instead to appoint Dr Ceryl Teleri Davies, a former senior officer within the council's SS department - on the initial remit that others had considered insufficient.
Only 57 pupils were engaged...
Her 'Pupil Voice Report' can be found in appendix 7 here -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/s50889/Appendices.pdf
The schools chosen by the council for the sample were -
Davies includes four bite sized quotes from the children...
Why Ysgol Friars, and Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle (the main schools where Foden was found abusing) were not included is not known...
The most vulnerable children...
Ysgol Pendalar in Caernarfon is a special school yet Davies does not give any detail of how these children were engaged with. There is no information to what measures are in place for ALN/disabled or how they are kept safe from predators and abuse...
What of the 21% of children in mainstream schools with ALN?
From reading the report there is no mention of how these pupils are engaged with in an appropriate manner and how their understanding is checked. How are pupils with speech and language and other communication issues supported in all of this?
Protect the higher pay-grades...
A reminder that everyone knew Neil Foden was an abusive bully...
Safeguarding arrangements did not fail - the toxic culture within schools and the council protected him from censure.
The Ffordd Gwynedd way...
The Safeguarding Arrangements report is not comprehensive and like many of the documents written by cyngor Gwynedd appears to be yet another exercise in tick boxing and marking the officers homework...
The report is to be presented to the Education and Economy Scrutiny committee on the 14th, July, 2026. The webcast of the meeting will be found here -
https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1109262
Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council - and its schools...
Letters Warning Of Neil Foden Sent To Kirsty Williams AM Hywel Williams MP In 2019...
In 2019, the Plaid Cymru Member for Parliament for Arfon, Hywel Williams, was sent a letter that raised concerns regarding the Education Workforce Council and Neil Foden.
Presumably, Williams ignored the letter as a follow up letter was sent in November 6 months later...
Kirsty Williams, then Minister for Education in the Welsh Assembly was also sent a letter -
The letters appeared online after they were put through the door of a digital creator from Bangor,
There was a covering letter -
So did the author get a response from either the then MP or Welsh Minister?
What action did they take?
What of Angela Jardine, chair of the Education Workforce Council?
Was an investigation completed?
It does appear that many people were warned of Neil Foden - yet he continued to abuse...
A report entitled 'Article 4 Direction', authored by Gareth Jones - Assistant Head of Environment Department and Iwan Evans - Head of Legal Services, is to be presented to the Communities Scrutiny Committee on the 11th June, 2026.
It is a very informative document, revealing a lack of candour not only on the part of cyngor Gwynedd but also it would appear on the part of Welsh government.
The document can be found in the agenda pack for the meeting here -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5712/Public%20reports%20pack%2011th-Jun-2026%2010.30%20Communities%20Scrutiny%20Committee.pdf?T=10
At the full council meeting, held on the 14th, May, Gruffydd Williams, asked this question -
Following the fact that article 4 was quashed by a court as a result of what has been ruled as misleading details by this Council, I previously asked if this Council would apologise to campaigners who fought so hard to get Article 4 in force, and there was no apology.
The Council's right of appeal has now been refused. Therefore, is the Council finally going to apologise to the campaigners for article 4, patriots, linguists and taxpayers, following the fact that it is now clear that a shortcoming in the key paperwork caused Article 4 to be quashed and that a sum of money of over half a million has been wasted?"
Response from the Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Craig ab Iago -
As I noted when answering a very similar question from the Member at the Council meeting in December, we remain determined to ensure that the people of Gwynedd have access to suitable housing in their communities.
That's why the Council introduced an Article 4 Direction – as part of a package of measures to manage the significant impact of second homes and short-term holiday accommodation on the housing market.
This decision was based on significant effort, including in-depth research, extensive consultation and expert advice.
Despite our disappointment with the legal outcome and our request to appeal the High Court's decision, I am confident that our decision to introduce Article 4 has been sound and appropriate. The Council acted responsibly and in good faith in addressing issues that are hugely important to the future of our communities.
This experience, including the 12-month period during which Article 4 was in place in the Gwynedd Planning Authority Area, will be key as we decide on the best way forward.
ab Iago did not apologise.
Did he actually vote at cabinet for Article 4..?
Many people are of the belief that the near half a million pounds this has cost the public purse was money from cyngor Gwynedd's own coffers - it is not...
The Article 4 Direction report reveals that £311,683,05 has come from Welsh government...
4.48 '...which can be amended and re-used in the future'.
Why did Craig ab Iago not explain this?
Are Welsh government and cyngor Gwynedd acting together to control the housing market?
Empowered by the legal knowledge gained, it is apparent that the recent Article 4 action was not to actually implement Article 4 but an exercise in HOW to implement Article 4 in the future...
A test run and an opportunity for the council to be in a position to advise neighbouring authorities on the application of Article 4.
Regardless of the trauma and harm caused?
Shocking...
Will the new Plaid Cymru government now be supporting the Plaid controlled Gwynedd council in such matters? Will Gwynedd become a test bed for new Plaid policies?
It's not over...
The meeting will be held on the 11th, June at 10.30am and can be viewed here -
https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1098120
Something is so very wrong within Gwynedd council...
Whistleblower INC explores controversial proposals to establish an ‘Office of the Whistleblower’ based on bounty schemes in the US – and why such legislation would be a mistake for the UK. Under this proposed bill, the non-governmental body would decide who counts as a whistleblower. The same body would decide which companies to fine, and how much — up to £18 million per case, or ten per cent of global revenue. The same body would decide how much of that fine to pay to the individual whistleblower. The same body would be funded by the fines it imposes. The film outlines some of the risks campaigners have raised over these proposals and looks at claims surrounding the controversial organisation pushing this bill, WhistleblowersUK (WBUK). Those in the film detail concerns over how WBUK treats whistleblowers, including asking them for money in return for support. The film includes shocking messages and testimony which show a damning lack of compassion towards those who have turned to the organisation for help. The documentary highlights the case of Norwegian businessman, Christen Ager-Hanssen, who despite a court ruling there to be no merit to his whistleblowing, WBUK have championed as an “ambassador” because, according to an insider who is bravely speaking out in the film, WBUK believes his case will net them £250,000. We sincerely hope that this documentary marks a turning point in the debate and those MPs inclined to support the Bill look at it with an open mind, as these issues can no longer be ignored.
Cabinet members of cyngor Gwynedd council have made the decision to close two more local schools in the county.
'With a heavy heart...'
Ysgol Nebo and Ysgol Baladeulyn (Nantlle) will close at the end of the year...
The cabinet meeting was held on the 19th May, 2026 and the webcast of the meeting can be found here -
https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1091820
Cabinet members also voted to allocate more money for Commissioning Investigations re the Neil Foden case and the failings of the children's department -
4.2 As the Cabinet will commission these investigations, there will be a need to report back to a range of various forums, e.g., the Governance and Audit Committee, to the Scrutiny Committee or to the Safeguarding Strategic Panel - those paths will depend on the nature of the work and the investigation in question.
Any investigation reporting back to the Safeguarding Strategic Panel only will avoid proper scrutiny by Gwynedd councillors and the public...
The agenda pack for the meeting can be found here -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5764/Public%20reports%20pack%2019th-May-2026%2013.00%20The%20Cabinet.pdf?T=10
The Governance and Audit committee met on the 21st, May, 2026.
The statutory director of Gwynedd SS departments, was to update members on the recent Estyn and presumably Care Inspectorate Wales reports. The agenda suffers from a bad interpretation at times...
It does contain this snippet - Still disappointed that there was no acknowledgment by Estyn of the deficiencies in their review of the Council's safety arrangements, June 2023.
This follows on from decisions made at the extraordinary meeting of the council in February, 2026 -
Committee members appeared to have forgotten the reasons for previous decisions made by them and the director of SS, Huw Dylan Owen, left the meeting without giving the update requested.
The Governance and Audit committee is one of the most important meetings of a council and should be webcast for other councillors and the public to view later. A webcast would also give members an opportunity to remind themselves of past meetings and prepare better.
Accountability at last..?
Later in the meeting, committee members called for senior managers to appear before them to explain the decisions and actions taken by the departments they are responsible for. .
The agenda pack can be found here -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5754/Public%20reports%20pack%2021st-May-2026%2010.00%20Governance%20and%20Audit%20Committee.pdf?T=10
In other news, cyngor Gwynedd's Employment Appeals Committee have sat again recently. The committee has now heard more cases in 5 months then is usual for an entire year.
With a Plaid majority in the Senedd, will the Plaid council now renew their call for a public inquiry into Neil Foden?
Construction blacklisting risks being inadequately scrutinised by the undercover policing inquiry after a key expert was barred from giving
Construction blacklisting risks being inadequately scrutinised by the undercover policing inquiry after a key expert was barred from giving oral evidence, a union has claimed.
Dave Smith, a blacklisted construction worker and secretary of the Blacklist Support Group (BSG), had applied for a judicial review to overturn a decision not to hear from him in the third phase of the Spycops inquiry.
However, earlier this month the High Court rejected his bid.
“Our concern is it (blacklisting of construction workers) will not be dealt with properly,” a Unite the Union spokesperson told Construction News after the decision.
Smith’s lawyers had previously argued that he was the only person who has “the knowledge or expertise to challenge the police narrative” on blacklisting in the industry.
Unite is one of more than 100 signatories, including the TUC, GMB, and blacklisted workers, who have sent an open letter to the inquiry’s chair, Sir John Mitting, following the High Court’s decision.
More -
https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/government/blacklisting-expert-loses-bid-to-appear-before-spycops-inquiry-29-04-2026/
The planning committee of cyngor Gwynedd met on Monday, 27th April 2026.
Applications included -
C25/0403/09/CR Corbett Arms Hotel Corbett Square, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9DG
Part demolition of the listed building was passed by the committee despite objections from historical groups. There was also confusion in the department's report with comments from the community council being wrongly attributed to a different council.
A question to the cost of the scaffolding could not be answered by officers.
The report can be found in the agenda pack for the meeting -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5483/Public%20reports%20pack%2027th-Apr-2026%2013.00%20Planning%20Committee.pdf?T=10
C25/0710/41/LL Land Adjoining Brynhyfryd/ Cae Capel, Chwilog, LL53 6SF
An application for a mix of social housing and intermediate housing (higher rents and limited to those living within 6 kilometres of the area) was rejected. Advice by the monitoring officer - and other councillors warning of costs against the public purse if the case goes to appeal was ignored.
Gareth Roberts, a Plaid Cymru councillor representing Bangor spoke against the proposal.
He bemoaned the lack of Welsh being spoken in the university city and claimed a primary school headteacher was struggling to deal with pupils speaking 42 different languages.
'So what's going to happen is the people being housed in Bangor now in HMO's and bedsits - I can see them - they're housed here now and they're having children...'
Has Roberts raised his 'concerns' with the education department?
Or is it just a story to cover for what some may see as conscious bias?
Roberts spoke to the meeting in english...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1cybNmRUAk
Roberts lists himself as a consultant for BJA International Ltd and Sherrin.
What housing crisis..?He is also a landlord owning 8 properties and land in Bangor.
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/mgDeclarationSubmission.aspx?UID=684&HID=310&FID=0&HPID=1180987303
Berwyn Parry Jones made the proposal to refuse the housing on the grounds that the intermediate housing (with its restrictions) would be outside the boundary. Gruffydd Williams did ask that harm to the Welsh language be included in the proposal and whilst Jones did agree he did not wish for it to added to the proposal.
The full webcast of the meeting can be found here -
https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1088208
Does cyngor Gwynedd's response to FOI requests show a lack of knowledge of law?
Browsing through FOI's received via the Whatdotheyknow website it appears so...
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/body/gwynedd_council
First on the list at this time is a FOI from a requestor who gives an initial and surname.
Elain Roberts (ar ran Tîm Rhyddid Gwybodaeth // on behlaf (sic) of the Freedom of Information team) responds with -
Requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) must include the name of the applicant. For a request to be valid, we need to be able to ascertain the real name of the requester or company name.
In this case, you have not provided any . Your first initial is not sufficient to identify you by itself.
This being the case, your request is currently not valid under the FOIA...
This is not correct...
According to the ICO -
Recognising a request made under the Freedom of Information Act (section 8)
More from the ICO -
https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/foi/freedom-of-information-and-environmental-information-regulations/recognising-a-request-made-under-the-freedom-of-information-act-section-8/
The second in the list is also asked by a requestor who uses an initial and their surname.
But this request is accepted by Elain Roberts and is partially successful.
Why the inconsistency?
Another FOI that raises an eyebrow is -
Employment status and roles of Dafydd Paul and Marion Parry Hughes
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/employment_status_and_roles_of_d#incoming-3350474
After an acknowledgment from the 'Freedom of Information team', the requestor then asks -
For clarity, I request that all correspondence and any substantive response to this Freedom of Information request is provided via the WhatDoTheyKnow platform, in order to maintain a complete public record of the request and response.
Has cyngor Gwynedd responded to this requestor off platform before?
The request was then refused by Lisa Williams of corporate services -
The Council has determined that your requests fall within section 14(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 as vexatious. This decision was made based on the pattern, frequency and nature of your requests and correspondance.
An internal review was asked for and was responded to by Nia Grisdale, legal services manager.
Grisdale states -
Review Outcome
After thorough assessment, I have concluded that the original decision was correct. Section 14(1) allows a public authority to refuse a request if it is likely to cause a disproportionate or unjustified level of disruption, irritation, or distress, without a reasonable public interest justification.
In reaching this conclusion, the following was considered:
• The burden on resources: The request, when viewed in the context of previous correspondence, would require significant and disproportionate time and effort to process.
• The tone and nature of communications: The cumulative effect of the language and frequency of requests has created an unreasonable level of disruption to our ability to carry out core functions.
• Lack of serious purpose or value: I found no new or substantive public interest in the information sought that would outweigh the impact on our resources.
Grisdale's argument is weak considering that the officers are still 'absent from work' after failing children in the Neil Foden case.
Re the burden on resources - this would be a simple task for the HR department.
Also if answering FOI's disrupts the council's ability to carry out core functions then the council is in serious trouble but that is not the fault of this requestor, or any other...
Grisdale's third point that she finds 'no new or substantive public interest in the information sought that would outweigh the impact on our resources' is under the circumstances shocking.
Why would the legal services manager say such a thing?
There is an obvious public interest in information relating to senior officer's failings that meant that a number of children continued to be sexually and physically abused over a number of years.
Senior officers are not exempt from legitimate scrutiny, especially after serious safeguarding failures.
Something is so very, very wrong within Gwynedd council...
In April, 2019, after a whistleblower raised concerns re Neil Foden, the head of children and families SS sent an email to Gwynedd's LADO requesting a meeting -
'Mater Diogelu Brys- Cyfrinachol’ (Urgent Safeguarding matter – Confidential)
But with a senior officer of cyngor Gwynedd's legal team present, the safeguarding meeting became one of a 'professional issue' only.
Who made the decision to ignore the safety of children - and why?
Is the answer to be found in the Canolfan Brynffynnon affair?
In 2016, the trial of two staff members at the pupil referral unit (PRU) in Felinheli, was halted after the CPS received new information...
In September, 2016, councillors of the services scrutiny committee did mention Brynffynnon when discussing the report -
GWYNEDD COUNCIL PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW 2015-16 -
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND CARE
Cabinet Members: Cllrs. Mair Rowlands, Gareth Roberts, Gareth Thomas
The agenda pack for that meeting can be found here -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/documents/g1706/Public%20reports%20pack%2027th-Sep-2016%2010.00%20Services%20Scrutiny%20Committee.pdf?T=10
A wall of silence...
No statement has been made by cyngor Gwynedd in a case that led to three staff members being suspended on full pay for approx 9 years.
The council did not answer a FOI request on the length of suspensions and the monitoring officer ignored the request for an internal review.
The council also paid NWP £800,000 after the collapse of the trial...
Sshhh...
Why has no councillor called for an investigation..?
It is believed Marian Parry Hughes and Dafydd Paul were the senior officers at this time.
Who interviewed the children?
Who gathered their evidence? Who else would have known?
Dilwyn Williams, who was then ceo of cyngor Gwynedd?
The director of SS at that time, Morwena Edwards?
Dyfed Edwards, who was the then leader of the council - and is now chair of BCUHB?
The monitoring officer?
In 2022, a final investigation report into Canolfan Brynffynnon, was received by the council.
Shortly after, Morwena Edwards, left her position.
The previous year, notable departures from the council included the ceo, along with the head of finance and a senior officer from the legal department.
Once bitten twice shy...
Were mistakes made in the handling of the Brynffynnon case possibly instrumental in officers failing to take action in regard to Neil Foden?
Evidence appears to have been an issue in both cases in one way or another - that, and the assessment of risk and thresholds.
Paul was also senior complaints officer for the children's SS when officers raised a complaint on behalf of a resident - without the resident's knowledge - so the council could 'investigate' a data breach that had already been investigated and upheld by an independent investigator.
This led to the manager of the Gwynedd information team producing a report that then vindicated the children's department. It was only after a second meeting with the manager that her report acknowledged the data breach of children's information. It took Parry three attempts before she finally took note of the evidence...
Both Hughes and Paul have been 'absent from work' for the last year after the council received a report by the barrister, Genevieve Woods, who investigated their roles in the Neil Foden case. (This report has still not been published)
It is well known that abuse continues when a system rewards silence and cover up...
In other news -
Essie Ahari, former chair of governors at Ysgol Friars, has retired from north Wales police.
Cyngor Gwynedd are to appoint a new interim head of the children's SS.
The position advertised internally was needed as -
'...a responsible and accountable Head was needed to lead; with the appointment of an interim Head, this
would allow for other vacancies within the Department to be filled retrospectively and the establishment of a robust structure for the service''
This would have been ratified at the chief officers appointment committee on March, 25th.
Cyngor Gwynedd have not yet announced their decision.
Only one application was received.
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5693/Public%20reports%20pack%2025th-Mar-2026%2010.00%20Chief%20Officers%20Appointments%20Committee.pdf?T=10
Legislation and Law not updated in 16 years...
Cyngor Gwynedd's Private Rented Sector Housing Enforcement Policy is to be updated as it was revealed that the original policy created in 2010 is still in use - despite much new legislation coming into force over the last 16 years including for HMO's...
World BEYOND War Board Member, pacifist, and opponent of all wars and violence, has been abducted by police in Ukraine. He has long been thr
Today, March 19, 2026, representatives of the Pechersk District Police in Kyiv, along with an individual claiming to be a TCC (Territorial Recruitment Center) officer who refused to identify himself, illegally detained Yurii Sheliazhenko—a human rights defender, pacifist, and conscientious objector to military service.
This act of lawlessness took place on Perspektyvna Street. The detention was led by Senior Operative Serhiy Vitaliyovych Nakopyuk. No protocol was drawn up. Yurii managed to call his lawyer, but the officers did not wait for the lawyer’s arrival. According to Yurii, he is currently being transported to an unknown location at 20 Boichuka St....
More...
Neil Foden, the paedophile headteacher, who was in charge of Ysgol Friars, Bangor and Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle in Penygroes was arrested in September, 2023 and jailed in 2024.
Many people in Gwynedd, including some councillors are of the belief that Foden was a one off. Abuse of children, especially of those in care in north Wales has been going on for decades.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/FY1QjMDlMCc
The North Wales Child Abuse scandal...
Where children were abused in 'care' homes across Gwynedd, Clywd and Wrexham.
Gwynedd council sacked a social worker who blew the whistle on the abuse.
This led to the Waterhouse inquiry and the Lost In Care Report, published in 2000.
The Lost In Care report was reviewed in 2010 -
'Lost in Care abuse report recommendations reviewed'
Sir Ronald will speak with health and social work professionals about the lessons learned and analyse whether local authorities across Wales are now developing and implementing effective care plans for looked-after children.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11884852
In 2012, the scandal was raised by the government in Westminster -
Theresa May, then Home Secretary, gave a statement -
The recommendation was that there should not be a public inquiry but an examination of the work of private care homes and the social service departments in Gwynedd and Clwyd Councils.
This work revealed not only shortcomings in the protection of vulnerable children, but that the shortcomings had persisted even after the police investigation and subsequent prosecutions.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/historic-allegations-of-child-abuse-in-north-wales-home-secretarys-statement
Carwyn Jones, then First Minister for Wales, also gave a statement -
It made extensive recommendations for improving child protection, many of which were subsequently implemented by the Welsh Government. The Prime Minister has announced an inquiry to examine the extent to which the Waterhouse Report did what it was supposed to do.
https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-north-wales-child-abuse-allegations
Not forgetting OperationPallial -
In November 2012, Operation Pallial was set up to examine specific allegations of past child abuse in north Wales. This report looks at the early processes established by OperationPallial, including communications work, support for survivors, transition and the implications on children in present care settings in Wales -
https://www.childcomwales.org.uk/2015/01/learning-the-lessons-operation-pallial/
Then there was the Macur Review laid before Parliament in 2016, with Plaid MP, Liz Saville Roberts leading the discussion -
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2016-0070/
'Lessons not learnt' from report into sex abuse teacher.
The Welsh government said: "The recommendations from the Clywch report were implemented, and consistent national policies and procedures to safeguard children were introduced.
"The Our Bravery Brought Justice review found that despite there being clear processes in place, including those implemented following Clywch, there was a failure to apply them properly."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3kexe2eeko
The Clywch report, from 2004, involved teacher, John Owen, who sexually abused pupils at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen, near Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
But how is it that so many senior people in Gwynedd failed to follow procedures?
Worse still - many simply ignored concerns raised...
What of the two police officers, Essie Ahari and Keith Horton, then chair and vice chair of the school governors at Ysgol Friars?
What of the senior officer within Gwynedd's legal department who sat in on the safeguarding meeting re Neil Foden in 2019?
Sexual harassment in schools...
Delyth Lloyd Griffiths, was the senior safeguarding officer within the Education department before becoming a councillor in 2022.
Griffiths is named as the relevant officer in a report entitled 'Sexual harassment in schools' discussed at the Education/Economy scrutiny committee on the 8th, February, 2022. This report was in response to an Estyn report dated 2021 - 'We do not tell our teachers'
The report can be found in the agenda pack for the meeting here -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/documents/g4378/Public%20reports%20pack%2008th-Feb-2022%2013.30%20Education%20and%20Economy%20Scrutiny%20Committee.pdf?T=10
Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle...
This committee also failed the children by not taking action against Foden when the video of him appearing to grab a pupil by the scruff of the neck appeared online. The matter was raised at the meeting and answers were promised for the next scrutiny committee.
The next meeting scheduled for the 31, March, 2022 was cancelled.
Sshh...
The council elections in May, 2022, meant a new scrutiny committee was formed.
Five members sat on both the old and the new committees - they are Olaf Cai Larsen, Beth Lawton, Dewi Owen, Paul Rowlinson and Colette Owen (co-optee)
It is believed that the alleged assault by Foden was never mentioned again...
Since Foden's arrest in 2023, cyngor Gwynedd have suspended 3 members of school staff from Friars.
Two other staff at different schools have also been suspended.
No further details have been released by the council or NWP.
Extended Child Practice Review...
Were all of the abused children receiving 'care' from the council ?
Were any in foster care?
The head and assistant head of the children's SS are still 'absent from work'.
A Statutory Public Inquiry...
Dafydd Gibbard, ceo of the council, told a meeting in February, that a reply to the requst for a public inquiry has been received from Welsh government but he has not yet shared the response...
Without accountability, the abuse will continue...
Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council...
Re the cyngor Gwynedd council planning committee, held on the 2nd March, 2026...
There had been much interest in the planning application for 15 homes to be built on land adjacent to Llys yr Eifl, in Llanaelhaearn.
Only Welsh speakers should live on new housing estate, local council says
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy87gk8we8o
The agenda pack containing the planning applications can be found here -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5481/Public%20reports%20pack%2002nd-Mar-2026%2013.00%20Planning%20Committee.pdf?T=10
Confusing...
Plaid Cymru councillor Jina Gwyrfai, who is also a town councillor for Cymuned Trefor a Llanaelhaearn, questioned the integrity of the data included in the application and spoke against the development whilst also making an argument for it...
Gwyrfai's husband/partner - also on the town council - had written to cyngor Gwynedd's CEO, Dafydd Gibbard, asking for the Welsh speaking only clause.
Information for the town council can be found here -
https://www.cctreforallanaelhaearn.cymru/en/home
But it was councillor Gruffydd Williams, representing the Nefyn ward, who raised most eyebrows.
He began by proposing a site visit.
Gareth Jones, the long suffering planning officer, explained that there had been a site visit the previous week.
Williams then proposed to refuse the application and then to postpone it...
Williams went on to say that it was 'a statutory duty on each and everyone of them to protect the AONB' - (area of outstanding natural beauty).
Williams proposal failed due to nobody seconding his proposal.
**************
and hypocritical...
Councillors of the committee may have forgotten that they passed an application brought by William's father, in October, 2023 -
Full application to upgrade an existing Caravan Park by siting five new cabins, retention of the temporary access road and creation of a playing field.
Location: Gwynus Caravan Park, Llithfaen, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 6LY
The caravan site, in the Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Llŷn and Enlli Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest was recommended for refusal by the planning officers.
Councillors went against their own planning policy by allowing the application...
This led to an outburst from the now chair of the committee asking councillors -
"Where are your principles?'
That application can be found in the agenda pack here -
https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/documents/g4921/Public%20reports%20pack%2002nd-Oct-2023%2013.00%20Planning%20Committee.pdf?T=10
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Rules for thee but not for me...
The March, 2026, meeting also discussed an application for a -
Non-material amendment to the design of planning permission C21/0411/46/LL.
Location: Tyddyn Du, Dinas, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 8SU - which lies in the Morfa Nefyn and Tudweiliog ward.
This application was brought before the planning committee after suspicions were raised and a visit to the property by Gwynedd council's enforcement officers.
The purpose of the agricultural building, built on agricultaral land, is to keep equipment and feed and includes two stables and a tack store.
The property differed much from the original plans approved in 2022,
• Change the orientation of the building on the eastern side of the site compared to the approved plans.
• Amend some window / roof window openings in various locations compared to the approved plans.
• Amend the roofing material to recycled Welsh slate instead of the permitted grey coloured steel sheets.
Councillors were informed the building was near completion.
Bizarrely, Gwynedd's planning department recommended to accept the proposal.
One councillor said they thought this was a house...
Many people would think that this is NOT an agricultural building for horses and equipment but the committee passed the application anyway.
A condition was imposed that the building be used for agricultural use only.
Will there be a retrospective planning application to turn the building into a home in the future?
The webcast of the meeting of the committee can be found here -
https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1072059
Something is so very wrong within Gwynedd council...
