Issue - meetings

To consider the report

To accept the report and to note the observations received.

The report was presented by the Head of Economy and Community Department, the ARFOR Programme Regional Manager and the Gwynedd Business Development Team Leader. They referred briefly to the following main points:

The ARFOR programme funded by the Welsh Government since 2019 to develop the economy to support Welsh language strongholds, across west Wales in Gwynedd, Anglesey, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, was expanded upon. It was explained that the aim of the project was to maintain and create work that enables young people to return and stay in the region to work while also promoting the use of the Welsh language. It was confirmed that Cyngor Gwynedd's Economic Development Service was leading the work on behalf of the four counties, confirming that an investment of £11 million had been provided by the Welsh Government over the last two years.

It was explained that an Agreement in Principle had been developed in conjunction with the Welsh Government as part of the process of applying for funding through the ARFOR programme. This meant that businesses were expected to undertake a language assessment by the Welsh Language Commissioner and that they would work towards the Welsh Offer. It was confirmed that this had been successful across the region and that a strong relationship has been forged with the Commissioner. It was added that the Welsh Language Commissioner had held a number of awareness-raising sessions to increase the visibility of the Welsh language and pride was expressed that a number of companies had taken part in these sessions.

It was pointed out that 'Hac Iaith' sessions had been held in each county within the west Wales region of the ARFOR programme. It was noted that these sessions highlighted how non-Welsh speaking businesses could use the language within their operations and the benefits associated with doing so. Similarly, it was reported that the World's Most Welsh-language awards were held where residents nominated and rewarded businesses they considered to be at the forefront with their use of Welsh, in order to market those businesses that operated through the medium of Welsh and bilingually within the region.

It was updated that it was hoped to work with the Welsh Government and the Welsh Language Commissioner to develop the Welsh Business Promise. It was explained that the Commissioner did not have the capacity to provide the Welsh Offer to small businesses, as the aim was to influence larger businesses. Members were reminded that the Welsh Offer was an accreditation provided by the Commissioner for businesses that applied for it by formulating a language policy and operating parts of their business in Welsh.

There was pride that the ARFOR programme had succeeded in holding a meeting between the Language Policy officers of each county within the region, in order to share good practice and hold ongoing discussions about the role of language policies when considering the economy and the Welsh language.

The increase in the use of Welsh within businesses in Gwynedd as a result of ARFOR programmes, such as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6