Agenda item

To present information about the Department’s contribution to the Language Policy.

To accept the report and note the observations received.

The report was presented by the Head of the Environment Department, Assistant Head of the Environment Department and the Senior Executive Officer, Environment Department and attention was drawn briefly to the following main points:

 

-      It was reported that 91.7% of the department's officers meet the language designations of their posts and pride was expressed that this was higher than the Council average.  It was confirmed that 78.5% of all the department's staff had completed a language skills self-assessment and the department encouraged the remaining staff to complete this as soon as possible.

 

-      It was confirmed that 14 officers in the department did not reach the language designations of their post, however, they were encouraged to attend various courses and training.  The department encourages staff to take advantage of the language refresher course. The website was praised as it was a good resource that assisted officers as well as the language forum.  It was emphasised that talks always commenced in Welsh and every effort was being made to ensure that everyone feels comfortable to foster their language skills and confidence. 

 

-      It was emphasised that these figures did not include the waste service officers who had transferred recently from the Highways and Municipal Department.

 

-      Pride was expressed that the building control service had managed to encourage people to ensure that the names of their houses remained as Welsh names, or to encourage owners to change the names of their houses back into Welsh by demonstrating the importance of traditional names. The Planning service also promoted the Welsh language by following policy PS1 that gives detailed consideration to the language when dealing with planning applications. 

 

-      It was explained that a proportion of the department' work was externalised to contractors. Assurance was given that every effort was made to safeguard the language.  It was emphasised that invitations to tender as well as the guidelines were bilingual. It was noted that difficulties could arise when trying to translate standard national contracts as the meaning of the contracts could easily change.  However, it was reported that the department had managed to get Welsh language contracts with bus companies by tailoring their own contracts.

 

 

-      Details were given that one of the main barriers facing the department recently was the lack of recruitment. It was confirmed that it was generally difficult to recruit qualified officers across the department's services and the challenge had intensified by striving to recruit qualified officers who also possessed sufficient Welsh language skills.

 

-      It was elaborated that the department had managed to recruit a professional trainee in the traffic service with strong language skills.  The department continues to invest in the trainee to ensure that he is qualified to deliver the role confidently.  Concern was expressed that situations arose where the department invests in people and ultimately they are lost to the private sector or other local authorities as the salary was higher in these settings.  Unfortunately, several officers from the department had changed jobs to work in other locations as a result.

 

-      It was explained that the department was leading on tackling the climate change and nature emergency. It had been ensured that all the discussions were being held through the medium of Welsh or that the use of the language was being encouraged, if it was not possible to hold them completely in Welsh.

 

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

 

-      It was asked if recruitment difficulties were worse following the Covid-19 Pandemic.  It was also asked what steps the department was taking to ensure that new officers learnt Welsh language skills when language requirements were reduced when advertising for the second or third time.

o   In response to the query, the Head of the Environment Department noted that there had been difficulties with recruitment for some years to ensure that officers were qualified and possessed Welsh language skills. Language skills continued to be important for jobs in the department even if the post was advertised more than once. It was noted that more applicants applied for posts when the language designation was reduced. The competence and language skills of applicants were weighed up to ensure that the best officer was recruited. Reliance would be placed on the successful applicant to foster his/her language skills once he/she received the post and naturally some individuals would be more committed to the language than others.   This department gave encouragement and support to everyone who needed additional help with the Welsh language immediately when they commence the post.  

 

-      It was asked if the planning department had any control over business names as well as house names.  It was felt that recently the names of companies were only in English and it would be useful for residents and visitors if the names of the companies were in Welsh or bilingual.

o   In response to the query, the Assistant Head of the Environment Department noted that the department's control of business names was limited as every sign did not require planning permission.  Only in situations whereby a development or sign needs planning permission will the department be able to control the names of businesses promoted to be in Welsh or bilingual and this by imposing a planning condition to this end.

o   In response to the query, the Senior Language and Scrutiny Adviser noted that these observations would be forwarded to the Economy and Community Department as well as the Business Support Team for them to be aware of the members' concerns.

 

-      It was considered should the department be likely to recruit non-Welsh speaking officers in the future, bearing in mind that there was more pressure and demand for their services as a result of the new legislation.

o   In response to the query, the Assistant Head of the Environment Department noted that the recruitment challenges was not a new problem for the department. As there had been difficulties for some years, the department was now seeking to attract applicants in several different ways.   It was noted that the planning department had been chosen as a pilot department for the planning workforce project, which was an improvement priority in the Council Plan. Job descriptions are reviewed and evaluated to ensure that they are more competitive with nearby authorities. An application had been made by the department to get a new trainee to join the team and to also receive three years of qualification training.  Despite the recruitment difficulties, the department was aware that the majority of their work dealt with individuals and communities and therefore language skills were essential.  This will not change and every encouragement and support will be given to all to develop Welsh language skills.

 

-      It was asked how the Welsh language was prioritised within the planning service when there were many changes on the horizon and not enough officers currently to reach the requirements on time.

o   In response to the query, the Head of the Environment Department reported that there was already a little slippage in the time-schedules to respond to planning applications. It was admitted that there was pressure on the planning enforcement service, and challenges with the time taken to determine planning applications, there were also additional implications in terms of staffing with the introduction and implementation of the Article 4 direction to get better control of holiday homes.  It will be necessary to ensure that additional officers are available to cope with the workload.  As was discussed earlier, every effort was being made to find competent applicants with sufficient Welsh language skills and every support was available to any eligible applicant requiring help to foster his/her language skills. The department would not disregard an application because the applicant did not reach the language designation of the role, as the commitment of individuals to try and improve their language skills was different from case to case.   

 

-      Pride was expressed that over 91% of staff in the department met the language designations of their posts and it was asked if it was possible to know how many staff understand and speak Welsh, but do not reach the language designation. 

o   In response to the question, the Language Adviser noted that departments received a report on language designations at least twice a year and further information would be provided when discussing the last item of this meeting.

 

-      Attention was drawn to the fact that the Eryri National Park Authority was the planning authority for the Park and therefore had responsibility for dealing with planning applications, enforcement matters and for preparing planning policy within the Park's area.

 

-      Gratitude was expressed for the report.

 

RESOLVED

-      To accept the report and note the observations received.