Call for public inquiry into Gwynedd Council's child safeguarding measures...
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The Ffordd Gwynedd way..? https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2026-06-16/call-for-public-inquiry-into-gwynedd-councils-child-safeguarding-measures
A solicitor is calling for a public inquiry into Gwynedd Council's child safeguarding measures.
Katherine Yates represents former pupils of Canolfan Brynffynnon, an educational unit in Y Felinheli for children with behavioural and emotional needs which closed in 2014.
In June 2026, Gwynedd Council apologised to pupils who attended the unit, who have started to receive thousands of pounds’ worth of compensation as a result of their experiences at the unit.
An investigation by current affairs programme Y Byd ar Bedwar has revealed that 5 former pupils have received a payment from insurers on behalf of the council, with 14 other pupils in the process of bringing cases. These payments are being made without any admission of liability.
Asked whether she feels children are safe under Gwynedd Council, Katherine Yates, who also represents the victims of Neil Foden, said:
"I’m afraid I would have to say no, I don’t think they are. I really think we need a public enquiry into Gwynedd and how they are running their schools. When I look at how Gwynedd has behaved through the years - with the Foden case, with this case - I have been really shocked."
Canolfan Brynffynnon was closed suddenly in 2014.
A year later, Siôn Bedwyr Evans, the unit's interim headteacher, and Garry Vaughan Roberts, a member of staff there, were charged with 49 offences of cruelty towards children between September 2006 and March 2014. Both denied the charges, with a court case scheduled for 2016, but the case was dropped after the Crown Prosecution Service received new evidence from the police, stating there was no realistic prospect of conviction.
The charges came as a result of complaints from 24 pupils who spoke to North Wales Police following the closure of the unit. One of those was Dillon Roberts, an autistic young man who attended the unit between 2010 and 2014 when he was a child.
"I was dragged into the headmaster’s office by this teacher and he basically restrained me, so I couldn’t move or get out of the way or anything like that, and Mr Evans got the strimmer and he got it right up my neck. And then he was getting right close up to my hair, and I could feel the wind-rush off the actual nylon strings on my hair."
Dillon added: "If you did something wrong, you were forced into a goal, and one of the teachers would kick a ball really hard at your backside."
Garry Roberts and Sion Bedwyr Evans denied the charges ahead of a court case that was scheduled for 2016; but in March of that year, the case was dropped. The Crown Prosecution Service said this was due to new evidence from the police, and that there was no realistic prospect of conviction.
Sion Bedwyr Evans said that the allegations as presented do not accurately reflect the facts, and that the evidence that caused the case to be dropped in 2016 speaks for itself.
He added: "This contains exculpatory material as to the veracity of the allegations being made against myself and a co worker as well as to the integrity of those making them. The allegations as presented do not accurately reflect the true facts"
Garry Roberts said that during Gwynedd Council’s investigation, evidence of misconduct was found regarding allegations concerning an unsuitable ball game referred to as "bumsies" being played at the unit. The conclusion of the Council's disciplinary process was that he received a final written warning that lasted 18 months.
Both Bedwyr Evans and Garry Roberts also say that, after the criminal case was dropped, they complained to the IOPC - the Independent Office for Police Conduct - about the way the North Wales Police investigation was conducted.
They say that some complaints were upheld by North Wales Police, including questions about the police interviews and the gathering of evidence. This, they say, was the new evidence the CPS gave when dropping the case in 2016. However, despite us making several inquiries to North Wales Police, the IOPC, and the CPS, they were not able to provide clarification regarding these complaints.
A year after the criminal case was dropped, Brenda, Dillon’s mother, received a letter from Gwynedd Council’s Children and Supporting Families department. After taking legal action against the council, in May 2026, he received £12,000 in compensation.
Y Byd ar Bedwar has spoken with several parents who have brought legal cases against Gwynedd Council following their children's experiences at Canolfan Brynffynnon, revealing that two former pupils received compensation as early as 2019.
The parents of one of the former pupils who received compensation say they raised concerns with Gwynedd Council in 2010 - four years before Canolfan Brynffynnon closed.
Katherine Yates added: "These parents, they complained, lots of them. But nothing happened. When I look at the way Gwynedd Council has behaved with the [Neil] Foden case, and this case, it shocks me.”
Through her research into the case, Katherine claims that Gwynedd Council continued to pay the salaries of the two accused members of staff for 9 years while they were suspended from their posts.
"How much has that cost the taxpayer? And why should they pay that while Gwynedd Council fails to follow its own rules?"
Y Byd ar Bedwar asked Gwynedd Council to discuss the Canolfan Brynffynnon case, but instead they sent a statement.
It says that no child should tolerate abuse of any kind, and although these cases go back a few years, the Council apologises to former pupils.
"In the case of Canolfan Brynffynnon, which closed in 2014, it came to light that pupils had been abused. A joint investigation was conducted between Gwynedd Council and North Wales Police which led to a criminal case along with the implementation of child protection procedures."
"The criminal case did not proceed and over the following years, the Council conducted a number of investigations and reviews into what happened."
"A new review of all the steps taken at that time has already been commissioned by the Council to ensure that any lessons learned at the time continue to be implemented today."
Y Byd ar Bedwar also got confirmation from the council that it commissioned an independent review last December of all the steps taken at the time, which has almost reached its conclusion.
The council added: "By today, every aspect of child safeguarding arrangements in Gwynedd has been completely reviewed and strengthened in line with the recommendations of the Our Bravery Brought Justice report published in 2025. This will continue to be a top priority for Gwynedd Council"
Regarding Mrs. Yates’ claim that Gwynedd Council paid the salaries of staff who were suspended for a period of 9 years, the council said:
"While we cannot comment on employment matters relating to members of staff or former members of staff, we recognise that this case has taken an unacceptably long period and apologise for that. Although the complex and unique circumstances of the cases contributed to the delay, these matters should have been resolved much sooner."
In response to Mrs. Yates’ claim, Garry Roberts said:
"I had no control over the length of time Cyngor Gwynedd kept me suspended from my post."
Something is so very wrong within Gwynedd council...
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