Agenda item

To receive an update on how the Leadership Team and Legal Services are implementing the Language Policy and their plan for promoting the Welsh Language in Gwynedd

 

·         To accept the report and note the observations received.

·         It was agreed for the Chief Executive to write a letter to the Government on behalf of the Language Committee expressing disappointment that it was not always possible for Gwynedd Council officers and others to contribute in Welsh in virtual meetings arranged by the Welsh Government and to encourage them to ensure that simultaneous translation service provision is available without asking in virtual meetings.

The report was submitted by the Chief Executive, the Corporate Director and the Head of Legal Service, and attention was drawn to the following main points, in brief:

 

-          The Chief Executive reported upon the recent development as a result of changing the Council's use of Microsoft software so that it would be available completely through the medium of Welsh. It was noted that 60% of staff used it voluntarily; this would be changed to be mandatory from the commencement date of the new Council.

-          It was noted that the Council led on a number of regional partnerships such as GwE, the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, North Wales Trunk Road Agency and the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee, with the responsibility for establishing, organising and planning the meetings. It was added that the Council was volunteering to lead on the above as it was an opportunity to influence the language use of the bodies by ensuring that it was established through the medium of Welsh from the outset and implemented the Council's language policy.

-          Reference was made to the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board, which was attended by the Chief Executive, and that it was an opportunity to influence the use made of the Welsh language by other public organisations.

-          Disappointment was expressed at some organisations where it was a battle to be able to contribute in Welsh in some meetings.  It was noted that Welsh Government was one organisation where very little effort was made to provide an interpreter. It was suggested that the Council should correspond publicly with the Government to express its disappointment.

-          The Corporate Director reported on the main fields under her leadership and she noted examples of trying to influence language use in those fields. Examples of this was always enquiring for Welsh copies of reports at every meeting and ensuring that the interpretation provision was available, particularly in on-line meetings.

-          It was believed that the above examples encouraged others to ask the same questions and that an improvement could be seen compared with the situation ten years ago.

-          Reference was made to the More than Just Words agenda, partnership work and collaboration within the care and community safety fields and the role of Director within Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board as an official contact. Details were given on the More than Just Words Forum, noting that national approval had been received for the forum's work in the North, which shared good practice and collaboration.

-          The Corporate Director reported that she contributed in Welsh at every Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board meeting, as did a number of other members, and that this was encouraged and appreciated by the Chair and Chief Executive of the Health Board.

-          Reference was made to the launch of Foster Wales, and the joint work done to influence and manage to obtain the logo in Welsh first and in English second.

-          The Head of Legal Service reported on the Legal Service, noting that it was a small service in terms of its size, but that it overlapped other Departments by providing legal and propriety support. Reference was made to the support being provided to the Coroner within the Legal Service, as well as the elections unit.

-          It was highlighted that the Council was leading on regional matters, noting that the legal service had been contributing in terms of the governance of these matters. This meant that the service could give a prominent role to the Welsh language when establishing the regional partnerships and creating confidence that technical legal agreements could be produced in Welsh. It was added that the same status was now being given to Welsh and English legal documents, and that it was now uncommon not to receive bilingual versions of documents, which was a very encouraging development.

-          Details were given on the Coroner service and the recent uncertainty regarding merging the service into a North Wales service. It was reported that the service would continue as a North West Wales service between Gwynedd and Anglesey where it would be easier to ensure the Welsh implementation of the service.

-          Reference was made to the legal service's use of the external commissioning of work, and it was reported that this was inevitable at times.  Reference was made to the challenges of getting hold of Welsh-speaking locums, emphasising that the aim was to appoint Welsh-speaking Solicitors. It was reported further that better packages were being offered during recruitment, in the hope of being able to attract more Welsh-speakers to the posts.

Members of the committee were given an opportunity to ask questions:

 

-          Pride was expressed in what the Council was doing to lead the way for others and to create a bilingual workforce and gratitude was expressed for this work.

-          Support was given to the idea of corresponding formally with the public bodies, particularly the Welsh Government, and possibly the Health Board, to express disappointment in their efforts to enable officers to contribute easily in Welsh at meetings. The above was supported unanimously by the Members. 

-          It was believed that the Council played a leading and important role in terms of ensuring respect to the Welsh language in regional and national forums, and gratitude was expressed for this work. It was added that it was very encouraging that the Council was taking on this responsibility.

-          It was felt that a number of the public organisations were eager to create change and improve but were unsure how to develop bilingual language material in the workplace. It was questioned whether it was possible for Gwynedd Council to give them a work plan in order to assist them.

-          It was agreed that the word 'Council' should be removed from the Council's name.

-          The Corporate Director was thanked for all of her work; which was on top of her day-to-day work. The Cabinet Member for Corporate Support reported that she had received feedback that this guidance from the Director in the context of the Welsh language gave others confidence and encouraged them to use the language.

-          The Head of Legal Services was asked whether communication took place with Law Schools in Universities such as Cardiff or Liverpool in order to assist with the recruitment of Solicitors to the Council.

-          It was asked in a situation where there would be any difference between the Welsh version and English version of a Legal document, which version would take priority?

-          It was asked why English addresses were on the electoral roll and whether it was possible to receive the database in Welsh. It was expressed that similar matters existed within the Planning Department.

-          The Legal service was praised for its developments in the context of the language in terms of developing new legal terminology in Welsh. It was acknowledged that it was difficult to attract Welsh solicitors; it was asked whether support was provided to locums to learn Welsh or develop their Welsh.

In response, the Chief Executive noted:

-          That Gwynedd had led on the use of the Welsh language in the public sector for decades and that agencies, Councils and other bodies always looked at what Gwynedd Council was doing. This responsibility was welcomed and it was noted that it was essential for this good work to continue.

-          An observation was made that the best translation service in the country existed in Gwynedd Council.

-          Reference was made to the work being done to change the Council's name and that a number of bureaucratic legal obstructions had arisen over the years. It was reported, with the support of the Head of Legal Service, that an external solicitor had been commissioned to help and now the Chief Executive was confident that a significant change could be made.

In response, the Senior Language and Scrutiny Advisor noted:

-          That it was possible for Gwynedd Council to share examples of good practice with public organisations in order to assist them. It was added that the Government had established a new unit under the leadership of Jeremy Evas in order to give particular attention to the Welsh language. It was suggested that it would be an idea to send the letter previously referred to for the attention of the Minister and Jeremy Evas.

In response, the Head of Legal Service noted:

-          That he tended to look for experienced people to recruit as Solicitors in the Council, instead of newly graduated applicants, except for the professional trainee opportunities.

-          That there was bilingual legislation in Wales, which meant that neither language had a specific status. The importance of ensuring that the translation was correct, but that the interpretation was done by comparing and referring to both languages was noted; it was confirmed that both versions had a status.

-          The electoral unit would look at the matter of English addresses on the electoral roll, in order to see what was possible.

-          That it was a challenge for non Welsh-speaking locums to work for the Council, but that they had a positive attitude and a willingness to collaborate. Reference was made to cases where the paperwork was in Welsh and that support and mentoring was provided for the locums. It was reported that the relationship was constructive and productive and that there was an understanding and appreciation of the language. It was noted that although the locums did not learn Welsh, that they certainly got acquainted with the Gwynedd Council principle.

DECISION

·         To accept the report and note the observations received.

·         It was agreed for the Chief Executive to write a letter to the Government on behalf of the Language Committee expressing concern that it was not always possible for Gwynedd Council staff and others to contribute in Welsh in virtual meetings arranged by the Welsh Government and to encourage them to ensure that simultaneous translation service provision is available without asking in virtual meetings.