Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To elect Chair for 2026-2027.

It was decided to elect Councillor Meryl Roberts as Chair of the Committee for 2026/27.

It was resolved to elect Councillor Meryl Roberts as Chair of the Committee for 2026/27.

To elect Vice-Chair for 2026-2027.

It was decided to elect Councillor Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn as Vice-chair of the Committee for 2026/27.

It was resolved to elect Councillor Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn as Vice-chair of the Committee for 2026/27.

To receive apologies for absence.

An apology was received from Councillor Menna Baines.

To receive any declaration of personal interest

No declarations of personal interest were received.

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration

No urgent items were received.

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on 20 April 2026 be signed as a true record  (attached)

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on 20 April 2026 as a true record.

To consider the report.

To accept the report, noting the observations received during the discussion.

The report was presented by the Head of the Adults Department and the Team Leader of the Leadership Team's Workforce Support. Attention was drawn to the following main points:

There was pride that the Departments are committed and persevering to promote the Welsh language as a living and active language in all aspects of their work. It was detailed that the 'More than Just Words' strategy (Strategic Framework for Welsh in Health, Social Services and Social Care) was central to the work of the Departments, to ensure that the proactive delivery of services in Welsh is realised in practice across the services.

It was reported that the Departments offer key resources to support the Welsh language. Attention was drawn to the new PERCCI (Person-Centred Community Care Inventory) data collection system. It was explained that it was a questionnaire designed for individuals with experience of receiving care, and it was confirmed that a Welsh version was available and it would be shared with service users shortly.

Reference was made to the 'Helpu'n Hun' app, which had been recently announced. It was detailed that it was software that provides a virtual occupational therapist service to enable individuals and families to receive advice on the ways in which they could try to support themselves from day-to-day.

An update was given that new Telecare equipment had been presented, and it was confirmed that the technology was now in Welsh. Members were reminded that the service was a means for individuals to call for help at any time, by touching a button or by activating a series of sensors that had been installed in the home.

It was confirmed that 'Beam Notes' had recently been trialled within the services. It was noted that this was mobile software that listens to conversations compiling minutes and a summary of the conversation. It was noted that feedback from the trial indicated that it was successful as the quality of the documentation was good. It was elaborated that the software was now being shared more widely across the Departments to reduce the administrative burden and pressure.

Pride was expressed that the Adults Department had introduced a resource to support front-line care workers in care homes to provide Welsh lessons, refresh the language and build confidence. It was reported that this resource would be available until the end of March 2027, but it was hoped that arrangements can continue in the future. Similarly, it was explained that the Department was working with Bangor University on the ARFer project, to look at how the language practices of workforce teams can be influenced, and that a befriending scheme was taking place among staff to promote the use of the Welsh language and increase confidence.

During the discussion, the following observations were made:- 

Pride was expressed that the provision of the Flying Start service within the Children and Supporting Families Department had recently been expanded. In response to an enquiry about venues that offer the service bilingually rather than just in Welsh,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To submit the draft Annual Report to the members.

To accept the report, noting the observations received during the discussion.

The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Legal Services and the Welsh Language, and the Senior Language and Scrutiny Adviser. Attention was drawn to the following main points:

Pride was expressed that there was an increase in the number of Council staff with Welsh language skills and there was also an increase in the numbers of individuals attending training to develop their language skills.

Members were reminded that the Cabinet and the Council's vision as a whole was to increase opportunities for Gwynedd residents to see and use the Welsh language in all aspects. A new section of the Annual Report was highlighted which shared examples of how each Department was doing this effectively.

It was confirmed that all Departments within the Council fully comply with Welsh language standards and contribute to the language strategy.

It was highlighted that the Welsh Language Team had been working with the Welsh Language Commissioner, ARFOR, Rhwydwaith, the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board and others in order to jointly-learn and provide a platform for the good work that was happening through the Welsh language in Gwynedd.

Reference was made to several exciting projects underway over the next year such as the Language Education Policy, the Welsh Language Programme Board and the Growth Charter: Welsh in the Workplace.

Attention was drawn to a correction in the report (Page 17 of the Annual Report) regarding data on the number of staff members reaching the Language Designations of their post and an overview of staff language levels. It was stressed that the figures included within the report were correct, but it was acknowledged that the percentages were not. The following information was confirmed for 2025/26:

·        Staff achieving their Job Language Designations – 3269 (91.6%)

·        Staff who do not meet the Language Designations of their post – 299 (8.4%)

·        Staff with Welsh language skills (of any kind) – 3271 (99.3%)

·        Staff with no Welsh language skills – 22 (0.7%)

During the discussion, the following observations were made:- 

In response to an enquiry, the Senior Language and Scrutiny Adviser confirmed that it will be possible to add data for a period of 4 years within the report on issues such as language use and the number of staff reaching the Language Designation of their posts, to highlight any patterns or trends.

In response to an enquiry, the Senior Language and Scrutiny Adviser emphasised that the fact that 8.4% of Council staff achieved their post's Language Designation had no impact on front-line services. It was noted that the majority of staff members who do not meet the Language Designation were care workers or support staff in schools. The Welsh Language Learning and Development Officer added that individuals receive linguistic support soon after their appointment. It was highlighted that several individuals who do not meet the Language Designation already have Welsh language skills and are very close to reaching the expected standard, and it was confirmed that the encouragement and support was available for them  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To present the results of the survey.

1.     To accept the report, noting the observations received during the discussion.

2.     To support arrangements to carry out future research.

The Senior Language and Scrutiny Adviser presented the report. Attention was drawn to the following main points:

It was explained that the study introduced an innovative approach to measuring and observing the use of the Welsh language in indoor public spaces, in settings that provide Cyngor Gwynedd and Byw'n Iach services to residents.

Dr Rhian Hughes and Dr Cynog Prys from Bangor University were thanked for their help in carrying out the survey. It was noted that the street survey methodology used in the Basque Country had been adapted to collect data in a variety of service settings such as Siop Gwynedd receptions, libraries, leisure centres and call centres across three different locations in the County.

It was reported that the aim of the work was to establish a robust, independent and objective baseline for monitoring language use over time while also responding to the current lack of reliable quantitative data in this field.

It was highlighted that the results of the survey demonstrated:

·        That the Welsh language remained a strong community language in many areas.

·        That the use of the language decreased with increasing age:

o   90.3% of the 2-15 age group

o   69.8% of the 16-24 age group

o   68.9% of the 25-64 age group

o   58.3% of the group aged 65 and over

·        That the context of situations, whether formal or informal, had a significant influence on language choice. It was elaborated that a lower use of the Welsh language can be seen in formal situations, which suggests the presence of diglossia within our communities. It was explained ⁠that diglossia occurs when two types of language exist side by side in society, with one being used in official, educational, or formal contexts (such as official documents), and the other being used in more informal contexts (such as in a conversation between friends or at home). ⁠ ⁠

The members were updated that it was hoped that the survey will be carried out again, to receive consistent data which can be used to target locations for interventions where the need arises.

During the discussion, the following observations were made:- 

In response to concern that the survey results do not reflect the true use of Welsh within communities, the Senior Language and Scrutiny Adviser emphasised that the survey was a snapshot of language use. It was emphasised that all the facts were correct and that only three locations had been selected for the pilot, as they were areas where the Council's office and services are located.

In response to a query, it was theorised that the percentage of Welsh use within age groups decreases as people get older due to the effects of influx and outflux from the area. It was considered that the fact that very high percentages are found in the younger ages reflects the successes of the Education Department in providing effective Welsh-medium services. The advent of technology was considered to present a new challenge as it was necessary to ensure that all software allowed individuals to receive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.