Issue - meetings

To approve the Council’s response to the White Paper consultation – Proposals for A Welsh Language Bill, Welsh Government.

The report was submitted by Cllr Beca Brown.

DECISION

To approve the Council’s response to the White Paper consultation – Proposals for A Welsh Language Bill, Welsh Government.

DISCUSSION

It was explained that this Welsh Language Education Bill offered a foundation to provide a Welsh language education for every child in Wales. It was noted that this would increase the number of confident Welsh speakers and normalise the Welsh language in schools.

It was noted that Gwynedd had already managed to normalise the Welsh language by offering Welsh-medium education to all children in the county, and had developed a successful immersion education system to ensure that everyone can assimilate to this Welsh environment.

It was explained that Cyngor Gwynedd's aspiration was often higher than the statutory requirements provided by the Welsh Government and this laid the foundation for other authorities to assimilate to the language.

It was a source of pride that this Bill led other authorities to a direction similar to Gwynedd as offering Welsh language education to everyone would eliminate linguistic inequality problems and lack of opportunities for Welsh speakers.