Agenda item

To consider and discuss the revision of the Language Policy and approve the recommendation of seeking the Cabinet Members’ approval.

To accept the report and note the observations received and approve the next step of the process, which is to present the Policy – with any changes deemed necessary – the Council Cabinet for approval.

The report was presented by the Language Adviser, and she briefly drew attention to the following main points:

-          She began by explaining that the department had started to look into potential revisions to the language policy in 2020, following major changes in the way the Council operated when providing services to the public.

-          It was explained that a need had arisen to provide clear guidance to staff about specific subjects, such as how the Welsh language was being used via the Council's IT systems.

-          Details were given on the proposed revisions to the policy, such as:

o   General principles at the start of each section

o   Substantial changes to Section 5 (Digital services - website, apps and self-service) to explain the use of Welsh in different technological systems.

o   Adding a new clause to Section 6 (Signage) to reflect the Council's commitment to the place names project and promote Welsh place names.

o   Substantial changes to Section 12 (job advertisements and the recruitment process).

o   Obtaining assurance of whom is accountable to the policy as well as the responsibilities of Elected Members and Language Committee Members under Section 15 (Accountability).

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

-          A member asked whether consideration had been given to including suitable wording in various sections of the policy to ensure that the Council protected the percentage of Welsh speakers in communities, as well as maintain Welsh services for those speakers.

-          The need to ask one question through the medium of English at the Council's recruitment meetings was questioned and considered.

-          A member asked whether something needed to be included which noted the need for Welsh language skills for sub-contractors who worked with the Council on various projects.

-          Attention was drawn to the fact that elected members were bound by the Code of Conduct, and therefore there was a need to consider whether the language policy acknowledged this.

-          It was asked if there were any implications for members of staff who needed to receive training to achieve the language designation of their job but have been unable to attend those training sessions.

-          It was asked whether this was the final opportunity to propose changes to the language policy.

In response, the Language Adviser noted:

-          That consideration could be given to the point made about protecting the percentage of Welsh speakers within our communities.

That the language standards of sub-contractors who worked with the Council was considered in a specific section of the language policy, but that the wording of this section could be revisited to ensure that this was highlighted.

-          It was confirmed that there were no consequences if staff missed Welsh language training to achieve their language designation. Nevertheless, individuals who did not reach their language designation were regularly monitored to see what type of training could benefit them so that they could succeed to foster Welsh linguistic skills.

In response the Democracy and Language Services Manager noted:

-          That the suggested changes would be considered before a draft language policy was submitted to the Cabinet. Changes proposed by heads of department would also be considered. If the Cabinet approved the draft, it would be submitted to the Full Council where there would be an opportunity to propose any amendments.

RESOLVED

-          To accept the draft report and to note the observations received and approve to proceed to submit the Policy - with appropriate revisions - to the Council Cabinet as the next step in the process for it to be formally approved.