Agenda item

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.

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.