Issue - meetings

To consider the report.

To accept the report and to note the observations received.

To accept the report and to note the observations received.

The Head of the Economy and Community Department presented her report, noting the responses and the main points in relation to promoting the Welsh language within the department. She added that the Economy and Community Department was in a different situation to a department such as YGC, as the majority of its staff could speak Welsh, and used it due to the nature of their work. 

She emphasised that 97% of the department's staff had reached the expected language specification. She added that there was work to be done amongst the staff that had worked in the department for a lengthy period, and were able to speak Welsh but did not use it. She noted that there were no recruitment challenges, and that the younger, newer staff tended to use Welsh naturally. 

She referred to the report that included relevant links to further information on language promotion. She drew attention to the following main points: 

·  The department hoped that it would be possible to fund a successor scheme to the Arfor scheme, if funding was forthcoming. 

·  A scheme to introduce Welsh music to business who were unfamiliar with Welsh culture had been successful in promoting the Welsh language within the tourism sector. 

·  She was proud of the libraries service, where 100% of the staff were Welsh speakers and used the language naturally. As community workers, it was recognised that they had an additional role as language promoters among librarians. She shared a letter from a resident who had used the service, and had become interested in the language following the efforts made by staff. 

·  Regarding contracts with external companies, she noted that the leisure service was the main challenge in relation to promoting the Welsh language, especially in areas of the county with fewer Welsh speakers. 

·  She explained that this had been partially resolved since Byw'n Iach company had taken over. The company was bound to adhere to the Council's language policy as part of its contract. 

·  There had been obstacles in some cases, for example it was anticipated that there may be a lack of Welsh in meetings with the British Government to discuss funding that was not allocated by Welsh Government. 

Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and offer observations.  During the discussion, the following matters were raised:- 

·  A member expressed her sadness that Welsh Government would not be responsible for allocating funding for new programmes, and added that this would have a detrimental impact on the Welsh language. 

·  Sustainable tourism was welcomed - selling a place as a destination could be negative, and excessive tourism destroyed the aspects that attracted people in the first place. 

·  She was proud of the change of emphasis on the type of tourism that would benefit areas such as Gwynedd, namely sustainable tourism. 

·  A member agreed that Byw'n Iach should commit to promoting the Welsh language among its staff.  The member asked how this was measured and challenged  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6