THE leader of Gwynedd Council has today (October 17) stepped down from his role.

Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn’s resignation comes a day after he also quit as leader of the council’s Plaid Group, and a week after he refused to initially apologise to the victims of paedophile former Bangor headteacher, Neil Foden.

Foden, formerly of Ysgol Friars, and Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, was jailed for 17 years in July for sexually abusing four children between 2019 and 2023.

Cllr Siencyn later said he was sorry for “all those who suffered” and would consider his own “situation” over the weekend.

Four members of Gwynedd Council’s cabinet also quit last week, citing “fundamental differences between us and the leadership regarding how to respond to what Foden did and what is the best way to go about finding out exactly what went wrong”.

In a statement, Cllr Siencyn said: "It has been a privilege and an honour to lead Cyngor Gwynedd over the past seven years.

“I wish to express my sincere thanks to my fellow cabinet members, elected members of all political groups and to council staff for their friendship, commitment and tireless work for the people and communities of the county.

"I am also pleased that Cyngor Gwynedd has taken decisive action to safeguard our most vulnerable residents from the devastating effects of the cost of living crisis, while at the same time protecting key services from wave after wave of budget cuts.

"I must acknowledge that this most recent period – and the horrific information which has come to light about the unforgivable crimes of the paedophile Neil Foden – has been the most challenging for the council as an authority and for myself as leader.

"I am deeply sorry for the pain the victims and their families have gone through at the hands of this man, and they remain at the forefront of my mind.”

Cllr Beca Roberts was one of the four cabinet members to quit last week – she was cabinet member for education, and is currently chair of Gwynedd Council.

Following Cllr Siencyn’s resignation, she said: "I pay tribute to Cllr Siencyn for his work in leading the council since 2017 and for being a strong and consistent voice for Welsh-speaking and rural communities regionally and nationally.

"I thank him for his friendship, experience and unwavering leadership over the years. I am sure he will have a further contribution to make to the work of the council and to the public life of Wales in future."

Cllr Siencyn will also step down from his role as chair of Ambition North Wales Board, the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) Finance sub-group and co-chair of the Wales Rural Forum.

Elected members will choose a new leader at a meeting of the full council in due course.

In the meantime, deputy leader Cllr Nia Jeffreys will take interim charge of Gwynedd Council.