Agenda item

To accept the report.

The report was presented by Cllr. Nia Jeffreys.

DECISION

To accept the report.

DISCUSSION

The opportunity was taken, before Professor Sally Holland reported as the Board's Independent Chair, to acknowledge and thank the victims and survivors for their courage highlighting that they are at the forefront of the Board's mind in driving this work forwards. It was noted that the Response Plan had been adopted back in January to collate all the support, reviews, audits and work streams relating to the response to the crimes. Attention was drawn to the objectives of the response plan published in January 2025. Soon after the plan was adopted, independent members were appointed to the Board and this report reported on the progress being made and any work outstanding. 

Professor Sally Holland presented her report, reminding the Cabinet that the Response Plan had emerged following a breach of trust and criminal behaviour of a well-known headteacher employed by Cyngor Gwynedd. It was noted that such abuse often involved someone using their power over others, and in this case had involved age, gender and status. It was expressed that the Council was required to examine all its systems and ways of working to ensure and prevent such behaviour from happening again, and that a culture of being alert and challenging was in place. It was highlighted that a shift in culture would be much more difficult to measure than processes and policies.

It was explained that the Board's role was two-fold, namely to advise and to scrutinise the progress and developments of the Board's Response Plan. It was explained that the Board consisted of Senior Officers, Cabinet Members and Independent Members. It was noted that the Chair met the independent members separately on a quarterly basis to seek their views. It was explained that it had been written by the Response Board before the board had been appointed and, at their first meeting, it was explained that the Board had reviewed the response methods along with the objectives adding the important objective of accountability, to ensure transparency and measure the impact of any changes. It was noted that additional measures had subsequently been included. It was noted that the Board also highlighted any national issues such as how governance boards provide support and training.

It was noted that consistent progress had been seen since March, however it would take time to see the impact of the vast majority of these. It was emphasised that it was very easy to change policies but that changing ways of working would take time. It was highlighted that work had been undertaken to initiate annual visits to monitor safeguarding in every school in the county and that support had been given to the leadership and governing body of Ysgol Friars.

It was explained that the content of the plan had changed following advice from the Board, and that more plans to seek young people's views about their confidence in safeguarding had now been included along with recommendations received from an independent investigation. Attention was drawn to the willingness of officers and Cabinet Members to make a real change and to listen to the scrutiny being undertaken. It was highlighted that a Child Review Report would be published in September, which would be significant, and that the Response Plan was expected to change considerably following recommendations from this review, and the next quarterly report would highlight these amendments. It was explained that this work was resource heavy for the Council and that further resources would be required once the Child Review report was back.

Observations arising from the discussion:

·        Gratitude was expressed for the report, noting that resources were still being identified as one of the main challenges, and it was asked what additional resources the Board would want to see coming into the process. The response given was that people are the resources needed, as officers - not only at a high-level - work hard to ensure that work is completed. It was explained that the September report would highlight the need to do more work and that more staff would be needed.

The Chief Executive added that there had been a change after the Board had been established and they were thanked for their work and input which had been a positive challenge along with the support. It was explained that receiving the report in September would be another step change for the Council, and that continuing with the current resources would not suffice due to the volume of work being unsustainable. It was explained that planning work was currently underway and that more responses from people were needed and to find the right people for the roles.

·        It was noted that the report highlighted positive progress and that 32 of the 63 tasks had been completed, however, it was asked whether this was as expected by the Board. The Chair replied noting yes, as the plan was a combination of various tasks with some being clearly noted as having been completed - such as appointing a new Headteacher for the school. It was noted that some tasks would never be completed as the Board needed to keep an eye to ensure implementation. Attention was also drawn to the fact that often when tasks are completed, others are included.

·        It was asked whether the report therefore reported that the Council was moving in the right direction, but that a lot of work remained to be done. It was noted yes that the officers were doing well to move things forwards, and that the Council had taken immediate action but there were many challenges and that further resources were required to move at a pace.

·        The Chairperson's comment about the Council's readiness to make a considerable change along with officers' willingness to collaborate was highlighted - officers were thanked for all their work.

·        It was asked whether the support for victims was what they needed. It was noted that yes, although she was very limited to the information she could share. It was noted that the support was discussed at every meeting, and that they discussed the support available along with the duration of support. It was explained that they would attempt, through a third-party partner, to access information as to whether the support met the needs.