Latest news with #GwyneddCouncil
North Wales Chronicle
11-07-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Gwynedd councillor ‘cleared' outstanding council tax bill
This discovery follows the Chronicle making a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the local authority on March 14. Gwynedd Council initially failed to respond to this request within 20 working days, but has now done so after an internal review was requested and subsequently carried out. In its response today (July 9), the council declined to disclose the value of the councillor's outstanding bill, or their identity, but said it has 'since been cleared'. The Chronicle asked the council on March 14: 'Please could you disclose details of any councillors who have unpaid council tax bills, including their names, how much they owe, the duration of the arrears, and what action is being taken to recover the money?' Gwynedd Council's response today read: 'I can confirm that there was one member with an outstanding council tax bill as at March 17. 'It was not the subject of enforcement action. It has since been cleared. 'The identity of the member and outstanding sum and the duration of the arrears constitutes the personal data of the individual. 'I accept that the base position is that there is a public interest in understanding that councillors pay their council tax. 'These matters will impact specifically and materially on an individual in a way which is particular to them. They are in themselves necessarily personal data about the member and may include other individuals. 'I acknowledge that there is a clear public interest in accountability but that can be tempered by the ability to respond and explain. 'I am satisfied that the circumstances relating to this member and the debt are sufficient to fall within this exception. 'The precise circumstances are necessarily confidential, but I have come to this conclusion having consulted and been informed of the circumstances.'
North Wales Chronicle
10-07-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Neil Foden: Ex-governor found 'serious issues' at Bangor school
Foden, 67, who was head of Ysgol Friars, was jailed for 17 years in July 2024 after being convicted of 19 counts of sexual abuse upon four girls between 2019 and 2023. John Nicholson, who was chair of governors at the school from 2013 to 2017, said he sent a 'lengthy' submission to those undertaking an independent Child Practice Review (CPR), which is led by the North Wales Safeguarding Board, but said he has not been contacted by anyone from Gwynedd Council. Neil Foden (Image: North Wales Police) Mr Nicholson said: 'It very soon became clear to me that there were serious issues that needed thorough investigation in the management of the school under Neil Foden. 'It was also clear that the majority of governors at that time would always give their full support to the headmaster, even if the evidence pointed to serious discrepancies. 'I therefore decided to report my concerns to Gwynedd Council, but it seemed Neil Foden then did all he could to make my task as chairman as difficult as possible. 'If the council had followed my advice, then the abuse and suffering subsequently inflicted upon several of his victims could have been prevented. 'It concerns me that the subsequent reviews into the Foden saga have been managed to exclude the consideration of my experiences as governor, and my report to the council.' Foden was appointed deputy head of Ysgol Friars in 1989, before becoming headteacher in 1997. The Chronicle reported in January that an ex-colleague, who asked not to be named, believed Foden avoided disciplinary action after he was criticised at two employment tribunals because the school was praised by Estyn in its 2017 report. In 2019, concerns were raised by those who knew Foden about him being seen alone with teenagers, fearing he was opening himself up to a 'false accusation'. Gwynedd Council was informed, but held no formal investigation. Messages between Foden and a child referring to oral sex. (Image: CPS) Mr Nicholson added that he was 'suspended by Foden several times, on trumped-up grounds and without following adopted procedures'. The CPR was started by the North Wales Safeguarding Board last summer, with which Gwynedd Council said it is co-operating 'fully'. Jan Pickles OBE, a registered social worker who has worked with the probation service, police and NSPCC, is the review's independent chair. But Mr Nicholson added: 'I am worried that my report has been ignored or excluded because the terms of the review will not go back to when I was governor and chair. 'It concerns me that no-one in Gwynedd Council has spoken to me.' In response to Mr Nicholson's comments, Gwynedd Council stressed that the CPR is independent of the local authority. But the council said it is 'doing everything in our power' to support the review, and is 'fully committed to learning from this tragic case'. Neil Foden arrives at Mold Crown Court in April 2024 (Image: PA) A council spokesperson said: 'Cyngor Gwynedd has provided the CPR with all the relevant information in our possession along with the findings of the various external and internal investigations that have been conducted on our behalf. 'We have also passed on all the information that has been drawn to our attention by external individuals and organisations to the CPR. 'In parallel to the external statutory CPR process, Cyngor Gwynedd has established a Crime response plan programme board to oversee the numerous council workstreams stemming from this case. 'To ensure objectivity and transparency, the board is chaired by Professor Sally Holland - former Children's Commissioner for Wales and a leading authority in child protection - and includes amongst its membership external experts from organisations including Welsh Government, the Children's Commissioner for Wales and Estyn. 'This week, Professor Holland presented her first progress report, in which she notes that positive progress is being made, but that it is likely that further significant work will be needed when the North Wales Safeguarding Board publishes its CPR report in September. 'As a council, we have consistently urged anyone with relevant information to contact the CPR and to present their concerns or observations directly to them. We note that Mr Nicholson has done so.' Neil Foden is interviewed by police (Image: NWP) A North Wales Safeguarding Board spokesperson said: 'The CPR team interviewed John Nicholson on October 24, 2024, and again on November 4. 'We thanked him for his contribution, especially as he had shared that he was in treatment in Oxford and was not well. 'Mr Nicholson agreed to send a further report to the review. He later sent a 9.5-page report to the review's address on November 30, 2024. 'Mr Nicholson subsequently contacted the reviews team again on February 4 to check whether they needed any further information. 'The CPR team, at this point, felt it had all of the relevant information from him. All information which is shared with the review team helps to support the review process.'
North Wales Chronicle
09-07-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Gwynedd councillor has outstanding council tax bill ‘cleared'
This discovery follows the Chronicle making a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the local authority on March 14. Gwynedd Council initially failed to respond to this request within 20 working days, but has now done so after an internal review was requested and subsequently carried out. In its response today (July 9), the council declined to disclose the value of the councillor's outstanding bill, or their identity, but said it has 'since been cleared'. The Chronicle asked the council on March 14: 'Please could you disclose details of any councillors who have unpaid council tax bills, including their names, how much they owe, the duration of the arrears, and what action is being taken to recover the money?' Gwynedd Council's response today read: 'I can confirm that there was one member with an outstanding council tax bill as at March 17. 'It was not the subject of enforcement action. It has since been cleared. 'The identity of the member and outstanding sum and the duration of the arrears constitutes the personal data of the individual. 'I accept that the base position is that there is a public interest in understanding that councillors pay their council tax. 'These matters will impact specifically and materially on an individual in a way which is particular to them. They are in themselves necessarily personal data about the member and may include other individuals. 'I acknowledge that there is a clear public interest in accountability but that can be tempered by the ability to respond and explain. 'I am satisfied that the circumstances relating to this member and the debt are sufficient to fall within this exception. 'The precise circumstances are necessarily confidential, but I have come to this conclusion having consulted and been informed of the circumstances.'
North Wales Chronicle
18-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Bangor: £2million+ to be provided to revitalise city centre
The funding will secure the former Debenhams building, with plans for a new health and wellbeing hub, and city centre greening initiatives as part of Bangor's 1,500th anniversary celebrations. Funding has already supported renovations to Parc y Coleg, strengthening connections between the city centre and Bangor University, and providing accessible and user-friendly space for the entire community. Transforming Towns funding each project has received: Cabinet secretary for housing and local government, Jayne Bryant, said: "This significant investment demonstrates our commitment to revitalising Bangor's city centre during this historic anniversary year. 'These projects will not only transform vacant spaces and improve connectivity, but also enhance wellbeing opportunities for residents and visitors. 'Our Transforming Towns programme is designed to create sustainable, attractive urban centres that meet the needs of communities across Wales. 'In Bangor, we're supporting projects that will increase footfall, improve access to vital services, and create greener, more welcoming public spaces that everyone can enjoy.' Cllr Medwyn Hughes, Gwynedd Council's cabinet member for the economy, said: 'We're delighted to be working alongside Welsh Government and the Transforming Towns programme. 'This support allows us to move forward with key projects that will make a real difference to Bangor. 'Initiatives such as the redevelopment of Parc y Coleg will provide high-quality public space that benefits both local residents and students. 'These projects not only support the city's regeneration, but also form a fitting part of Bangor's 1,500th anniversary celebrations.'
North Wales Live
06-06-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Live
'We are not Airbnb-hating ogres. The housing problems in Gwynedd are unique'
Introducing curbs on second homes and holiday lets has been one of the "most pioneering" policies in Cyngor Gwynedd's history, a senior councillor has claimed. Cllr Craig ap Iago, the council's cabinet member for environment, and the former cabinet member for housing, said they had to tackle the "massive" homelessness crisis in the county. The Plaid Cymru councillor, who represents Penygroes, said it was hoped the introduction of Article 4 and council tax premiums would turn the tide against evidence showing that young people leave Gwynedd because house prices are out of their reach. He said the purpose of Article 4, a planning tool which can remove or restrict permitted development rights on houses, was to try and influence the use of housing to give local people, especially youngsters, a chance to get their foot on the housing ladder in their own communities. Critics argue that the policy affects all home owners by reducing the value of properties, and argue that even if property values fell, most homes would remain out of the reach of local buyers, thus profiting only those looking to move into the area. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday Cllr Cllr ab Iago said: "At the end of the day, it is just about creating homes for people to live in. "I wish people could understand, we are not some ogres against holiday homes or Airbnbs, lots of us use them with our families here and on holidays. "But the situation in Gwynedd is quite unique, we are facing a huge homeless problem with lots of people on waiting lists. "Yet, we also have large numbers of holiday accommodation and second homes, far more than in other areas. "All we are trying to do is to manage our own housing situation, to control the housing stock and limit the numbers of holiday homes, we don't want to stop them altogether, tourism is a crucial part of the economy here in Gwynedd. "We know that the real homelessness situation is far worse than official figures show, few people realise not much is said about it. "There are lots of people who don't show up in the figures, it's the people sofa surfing, moving from place to place, staying with friends and relatives, they go under the radar. "Then there are others, scraping by in really poor, damp, run down older housing, it's a hidden problem. "We want to create a situation where all our residents in Gwynedd have a fair crack at living in a proper home." Recent Gwynedd Council's research shows that 65.5% of the county's population have been priced out of the housing market. In certain wards, eespecially within the Llŷn Peninsula, in places like Abersoch, Aberdaron, Botwnnog, Llanengan and Tudweiliog, between 90% and 96% of local people cannot afford to buy a home. Recently, a group that opposes Article 4 in Gwynedd raised funds to pay for a judicial review. In November, the People of Gwynedd Against Article 4 (PGAA4) campaign group was refused permission to bring forward a judicial review of the decision. However the legal battle took a fresh turn in February after a judge has ruled the review can in fact take place. Mr Justice Pepperall said the review should proceed on one key ground – that the council's cabinet may have been 'misled' over the nature and extent of the changes to the county's planning regime. A hearing is expected on June 23, and the council is defending the case. Cllr ap Iago said: "My worry with all this, is there is this group trying to stop us doing this, taking us to court, it all costs money. "It is money taken away from the council coffers which could be helping people and it's taxpayers' money. At the end of the day, whatever happens with the court case, we just want people to understand the reasoning behind Article 4. "At least we will have opened up the narrative, we always felt that house prices were something that was done to us. "But with hope, self-worth and belief, we can sort our own problems, and change the narrative over the affordability of homes." Anyone who owns a property that was already being used as a second home or holiday let accommodation before September 1, 2024 would not be affected by Article 4. After that date, anyone wishing to change the use of a property to a second home or short-term holiday accommodation would need planning consent. The council has also brought in a 150% premium on council tax for second homes and a 100% premium on long-term empty houses. The local authority has also introduced a Housing Action Plan [HAP] which uses the funds from the premium levied on second and empty houses to tackle the housing crisis. The plan includes over 30 different elements, including preventing homelessness, increasing the number of social houses available to bring empty homes back into use and helping first time buyers. Another project under the HAP is Tŷ Gwynedd, which is the council's plan to build their own houses for the first time in over twenty years. Some are already underway in Bangor and Llanberis, with other areas earmarked for construction of new houses soon. Eryri National Park also made the decision to bring in an Article 4 directive recently. From June 1, 2025, it became operational within the National Park. Some other county councils in Wales are also discussing the subject and are considering introducing the new guidance. Next week the council's cabinet will meet to discuss changes to its supplementary planning guidance. It follows a public consultation period, held between February 24 and April 7, 2024.
