THE leader of Gwynedd Council, Dyfrig Siencyn, has been thanked for his service following his resignation as head of its Plaid Group.

Dyfrig Siencyn has stepped down as the Plaid Group leader a week after four members of the council’s cabinet quit, following his failure to initially apologise to the victims of paedophile former Bangor headteacher Neil Foden.

Foden, 67, formerly of Ysgol Friars and Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, was jailed for 17 years in July after being convicted of 19 counts of sex abuse involving four child victims between 2019 and 2023.

Cllr Siencyn has since apologised to Foden’s victims and supported calls for a public inquiry.

He offered his resignation to members yesterday (October 16), which was accepted; he currently remains leader of Gwynedd Council.

Siân Gwenllian, the Plaid Cymru MS for Arfon, said: “Dyfrig has been a strong and robust leader for Cyngor Gwynedd in a period of huge austerity and unparalleled challenges.

“Despite this, Cyngor Gwynedd is amongst the most progressive and highly respected councils throughout Wales, largely attributable to Dyfrig’s leadership.

“I wish to thank him most sincerely for his persistence and vision for improving the lives and communities of Gwynedd.

“I have worked with him since 2008 and I know he will continue to do his best for the county and for Wales. All the very best, Dyfrig.”

Liz Saville Roberts, the Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, and the leader of Plaid Cymru in Westminster.

She added: “Dyfrig Siencyn has been a steadfast leader for Gwynedd since 2017 in the face of immense challenges.

“He deserves to be remembered as the leader of one of Wales’s most progressive councils. He led in tackling the challenge of homelessness and excessive numbers of holiday homes.

“During COVID, Dyfrig worked tirelessly to ensure that public services continued for the people of the county under unprecedented circumstances.

“He was a strong voice for the needs of rural communities and how they were affected by Westminster Governments’ austerity agenda.

“I have worked with Dyfrig since 2004 and will miss him deeply on a personal level.”

Mabon ap Gwynfor, the Plaid Cymru MS for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, added: "I wish to sincerely thank Dyfrig for his dedication over the decades.

"Dyfrig has been at the heart of Plaid Cymru and Gwynedd for decades, and owing to that experience and the relationship he has created with the people of Gwynedd, he was able to steer the council through extremely challenging times, giving firm and measured leadership throughout this time.

"The people and communities of Gwynedd, their welfare and their future were at the heart of everything he did.

"We are very grateful to him."