Issue - meetings

To approve the decision to hold a public consultation on the draft Language Strategy.

To delegate responsibility to the Head of Corporate Support Department, in consultation with the Corporate Support Cabinet Member, to prepare and undertake the consultation process.

The report was submitted by Cllr Menna Jones

DECISION

To approve the decision to hold a public consultation on the draft Language Strategy.

To delegate responsibility to the Head of Corporate Support Department, in consultation with the Corporate Support Cabinet Member, to prepare and undertake the consultation process.

DISCUSSION

The report was presented, noting that this draft Strategy was a follow-on to the current strategy which reflected the Council's commitment to promote the language across the county and met the statutory requirements within the Welsh Language Standards. It was noted that the vision was to create an inclusive Strategy for the next 10 years which would increase use of the Welsh language in various contexts in Gwynedd.

It was reported that the Council was implementing schemes in several fields that affected the community and the Welsh language or which sought to preserve and promote the Welsh language. These schemes were listed which included the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan, the Gwynedd Housing Action Plan, the Local Development Plan, the Sustainable Visitor Economy Plan, and the Our Area Regeneration Plans. It was added that the main emphasis of the consultation document was on identifying new opportunists that were available.

Reference was made to the contents of the Strategy which referred to the areas of action noted in the report, such as increasing the number of speakers and increasing use of the Welsh language in various organisations.

It was added that the Strategy would be reviewed regularly, and details were provided on the next steps of entering a period of public consultation at the beginning of April, subject to the Cabinet's approval. It was added that it was imperative that we received the opinions of Gwynedd residents on the new opportunities available to promote the Welsh language. It was noted that an analysis of the consultation results would be presented to the Language Committee in June, in order to receive its comments and input on the final strategy which would be returned to the Cabinet in the autumn.

Observations arising from the discussion

¾   The Language team were thanked for their work and wished well with the consultation.

¾   It was added that the Welsh language and promotion of the language was one of the Council's main priorities.

¾   Members expressed pride that Gwynedd was once again leading with the Welsh language, and that the ideas presented here were progressive.

¾   It was believed that the draft Strategy set a clear vision for increasing the number of speakers and use of the Language, which was something to be proud of.

¾   The Officers present were thanked for their work and expertise in the field.