Issue - meetings

To present information about the contribution of the Leadership Team and Legal Services to promote and further the Welsh Language.

To accept the report and note the observations received.

The report was submitted by the Chief Executive and the Head of Legal Services. ⁠Attention was drawn briefly to the following main points:

It was emphasised that the Leadership Team stood firmly on the use of the Welsh language whilst not compromising, as it set a precedent for the rest of the Council. Frustration was expressed that no sufficient Welsh facilities were used in meetings held by the Welsh Government by elaborating that discussions were frequently held in English. It was confirmed that Cyngor Gwynedd led on ensuring that sufficient facilities were used in meetings and because of this, attention was drawn to the letter that was sent to the Welsh Language Minister at the Welsh Government to declare the Leadership Team's concern regarding the present situation.

It was reported that the Leadership Team and the Council collaborated with many national and regional bodies. The members were ensured that officers encouraged those bodies to try and reflect Cyngor Gwynedd's language policy and to promote an internal use of the Welsh language. An example of this was shared namely that the Corporate Director and the Senior Language and Scrutiny Adviser were members of the Steering Group that was established by the Welsh Language Commissioner to develop policy models to increase the use of the Welsh Language within public bodies in Wales. It was explained that the Group, which included representatives from many establishments, allowed Council officers to share experiences such as language policy development, recruiting methods, the Council's internal use of the Welsh language, training and encouragement offered to staff to develop their confidence in the Welsh language. It was emphasised that there was representation from the Council on the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board by noting that the Board had been working on a project regarding recent workforce recruiting matters to attract Welsh-speaking staff. It was also mentioned that the Council collaborated with Menter Iaith Gwynedd (Language Initiative) to develop projects.

It was explained that the Statutory Director (Social Services) had specific responsibilities in terms of promoting the use of the Welsh language within the care sector. It was explained that it was expected for each local authority and Health Board in Wales, to appoint a senior leader as a 'champion' of the Welsh Language as part of the 'More Than Just Words' work programme and confirming that the Statutory Director (Social Services) undertakes that role in Gwynedd. It was confirmed that it was a requirement in accordance with the Social Services and Well-being Act (Wales) 2014 for the 'champion' to ensure pro-active use of the Welsh language for it to be available without the user having to ask for it. It was emphasised that this was customary within Cyngor Gwynedd since many years and that the Director used his role as a 'champion' and 'More Than Just Words' Chair to assist others to be pro-active in the Welsh Language.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5