Cyflwynwyd gan:Cyng / Cllr Nia Jeffreys
Decision:
The need to
undertake further work to consider possible options in the future for
Hunaniaith, the Gwynedd Language Initiative, was agreed.
Establish a
task force of Council officers to identify the necessary steps that need to be
followed to create a robust business case for the possible options.
Minutes:
The report was presented by Cllr Nia Jeffreys.
DECISION
The need to undertake further work to consider
possible options in the future for Hunaniaith, the Gwynedd
Language Initiative, was agreed.
Establish a task force of Council officers to
identify the necessary steps that need to be followed to create a robust
business case for the possible options.
DISCUSSION
The report was submitted noting that the Welsh
language was very close to the Cabinet member's heart. It was expressed that Hunaniaith carried out excellent work in safeguarding the
Welsh language and the Welsh Language Charter had highlighted this good work.
It was emphasised that it was now time to reconsider the focus and to move from
working strategically to working within the community.
It was noted that a Strategic Group had been
looking at the situation and had commissioned Cwmni Iaith to proceed with the task of reviewing Hunaniaith's work. It was expressed that the company's
report was interesting and exciting and that it acknowledged the good work that
had been achieved. It was added that the report provided a firm foundation to
proceed and recommended creating a taskforce to discuss and plan work to move
forward and to work effectively and efficiently.
The Chairman of the Strategic Group added that
the report of Cwmni Iaith
was comprehensive and balanced and he highlighted the three options in the
report. Support for option 3 was noted, namely to create an independent entity.
It was explained that this had financial and staffing implications. The need to
proceed was noted and to reduce pressure on the Council along with an
opportunity to add crucial funding for the initiative to extend its work within
communities. The need for the taskforce to work to a tight schedule was
emphasised in order for the work to progress.
Observations arising from the discussion
¾ It was noted there was
a need for the language initiative to work within the community and to be
sustainable to continue with the good work that Hunaniaith
was doing. It was emphasised that this
was an opportunity to build on the good work and not to get rid of Hunaniaith.
¾ Attention was drawn to the arrangement for funding Hunaniaith
with 70% of the budget coming from the Government and 30% from Gwynedd Council.
As the budget from the Government was grant funded, it was currently difficult
to plan for the future.
¾ There was support for
looking at the situation noting that it was timely to proceed and to give Hunaniaith the opportunity to stand on its own two feet.
¾ Creating a
small entity within the community was supported. Years ago, it had been noted
that it was a good idea for the language initiative to operate within the
Council but that it now needed to evolve.
¾ Gratitude was expressed for the Hunaniaith
Teams' hard work.
¾ It was emphasised that
much work was needed before an option could be chosen but there was a need to
consider the best way forward.
-
It was emphasised that good
work had already been achieved but there was a need to look at good examples
from the work of other language initiatives and to proceed within a tight
timetable.
Awdur:Vera Jones
Supporting documents: