The leader of Cyngor Gwynedd says they will not hide from their resposbility following a damning report into the crimes of Neil Foden.

Authorities were criticised after a report found there were 52 "missed opportunities" to stop the paedophile headteacher, who was jailed for 17 years for sexually abusing girls.

The North Wales Safeguarding Board's child practice review revealed there were "major weaknesses" in safeguarding from Ysgol Friars in Bangor, the school's governors and from Cyngor Gwynedd.

The council said it was committed to "taking action" as it set out its next steps "to ensure that the same failures are not repeated".

Council leader Nia Jeffreys said she acknowledged questions raised by the public about the failures highlighted.

"We fully understand the victims' wishes, and those of the wider community, to see change as soon as possible."

"As a cabinet, we have asked for assurances from the council's chief executive that all necessary and appropriate steps will be taken to address any misconduct or failures to meet statutory or professional requirements."

"We have received confirmation that all the missed opportunities to prevent Neil Foden's heinous crimes – including the decisions taken, arrangements made and actions over the years – will be fully examined in detail with the support of external experts."

"As a conscientious taxpayer-funded body that has fallen short of the expected standards we have a responsibility to take action, and we will do so as the people of Gwynedd would expect us to."

A revised action plan is due to replace the one introduced in January.

It has been aimed at strengthening proceedures within both schools and council services, and overseen by a response board chaired by the former children's commissioner of Wales, Professor Sally Holland.

Cllr Jeffreys added: "The past week has been an opportunity for us to pore through the CPR report in detail, to understand exactly what went wrong and to consider how we will act on the recommendations of the North Wales Safeguarding Board."

"As many of the recommendations are national, our goal is to be at the forefront of any changes and we will be working closely with the Safeguarding Board, Welsh Government and others, proposing to pilot new ways of working for the benefit of the children of Wales."

"Our next step is to put together a revised response plan, and this vital work has begun."

"We will not hide from our responsibility to do whatever it takes to safeguard children today and into the future, and there will be an opportunity for the council's elected members to challenge and give their views on the new plan in a series of scrutiny committees.

A spokesperson for the council said: "Cyngor Gwynedd has already accepted of the report's conclusions; takes responsibility for its failures; apologises unreservedly to all the victims; and is committed to continue to work to improve safeguarding arrangements within the county."