Issue - meetings

To accept the report which is the third quarterly report from the Chair of the Response Plan Programme Board.

The report was submitted by Cllr Nia Jeffreys.

DECISION

To accept the report which is the third quarterly report from the Chair of the Response Plan Programme Board.

DISCUSSION

It was explained that this was the third quarterly report of the Chair of the Response Plan Programme Board, and its purpose was to give the Cabinet an update on the progress of the work programme and implementation of the Response Board.

It was identified that the report raised awareness of the developments, what had been achieved, and what remained to be achieved by the Board.

The Chair of the Response Plan Programme Board was welcomed to the meeting. It was disclosed that the Board now met every two months in order to give officers more time to work on the Plan between meetings. After the publication of the Our Bravery Brought Justice report, it was highlighted that the Board had agreed to publish its papers in order to increase the transparency of the work. It was identified that the Board had moved to a more strategic period.

It was highlighted that the victims and survivors continued to be at the forefront of the Board's minds, and it was added that the Board also continued to offer support and scrutiny for Cyngor Gwynedd. 

Attention was drawn to the excellent engagement with the Board by its members and external observers, with full attendance at every meeting. Reference was made to the meetings being held by the Chair with key partners, external observers, and Cabinet members, to note the information deriving from the Board.

It was confirmed that the Chair of the Board continued to receive information and good support from the officers and Cabinet Members of Cyngor Gwynedd.

The key developments made in the last quarter were discussed, with attention drawn to the regular progress made in several key areas, for example, developing and monitoring safeguarding in schools, and including children and young people when developing policies.

Pride was expressed that the new headteacher of Ysgol Friars had been appointed permanently, and it was noted that she was also a member of the Board.

Pride was expressed from seeing more senior officers of the Council becoming a part of the leadership of the Response Plan, and more resources earmarked for the safeguarding field in the Council. 

It was reported that new impact measures for the amended Response Plan had now been agreed, and the Board was starting to receive reports on these.

When elaborating on the Board's next steps, it was stated that another two reviews were in progress on a national level, which would affect this work. It was declared that there would be further scrutiny of the Response Plan within Cyngor Gwynedd, and it was highlighted that much more work was still to be done to regain the trust of the people of Gwynedd.

Observations arising from the discussion:

·       Reference was made to the history of broader bullying at Ysgol Friars, and it was asked whether such bullying was being  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7