Agenda item

Information item only (This item has been translated by the Council).

This letter was submitted for information to Committee members from the Senior Language and Scrutiny Adviser with the main points noted below:

-      It was explained that prior to the election in May 2022, former committee members had written to the Minister for Welsh Language and Education to express concern that Microsoft Teams did not provide a simultaneous translation facility and meetings had to be held in English.

-      It was expanded that the letter sent by the former members requested a default simultaneous translation facility in every meeting for the meetings to be held through the medium of Welsh.

Committee members were given an opportunity to discuss and ask questions:

-      Disappointment was expressed in the Government's decision to wait two and a half years before holding their meetings via Zoom. Microsoft Teams had not coped well with simultaneous translation systems during this period and in the meantime a second rate interpretation standard was provided over the phone as attendees joined the meeting on their computers.  It was added that contributors had to inform the organisers if they wished to talk in Welsh. It was noted that if 10% of the meeting attendees did this, then this is when the simultaneous translation was provided. It was explained if there was not a sufficient number of requests to participate in Welsh, then there was no choice but to contribute in English.

-      In response to these points, the Democracy and Language Services Manager confirmed that the new Microsoft Teams had updated their interpretation systems. It was expanded that the Council was currently trialling this prior to use in meetings. It was confirmed that the user's experience was very important and therefore Microsoft Teams would not be used for Council meetings until the quality of the service corresponded to what is provided by Zoom.

-      In response to these points, the Language Adviser emphasised that it was not the Government's choice to set a requirement for 10% of attendees to make a request to speak in Welsh in meetings before getting a simultaneous translation service.   It was confirmed that this was part of the language standards and the Welsh Government and local authorities must follow these. As a result, it was stated that the Government was in compliance with the standards.

-      Disappointment was expressed that the Government did not feel that they needed to go a step further than the standards to encourage more Welsh speakers.  It was asked how proactive was the Government in promoting the Welsh language and to ensure a translation provision. 

-      In response to the question, the Language Adviser noted that there were varied aspects to promoting the language within the Government.  It was elaborated that the Government was very reliant on officers to promote the language, however, they still did not have the provision to make this effectively.

-      It was agreed that the Government needed to support Officers and Ministers to speak Welsh in the workplace. It was confirmed that a simultaneous translation service was a contemporary way to be able to hold meetings in Welsh, however, there was a need to go further to ensure the future of the language.  

-      It was asked how the language standards were set.      

-      In response to the question, the Language Adviser noted that the standards were part of the Government's legislation. It was confirmed that these standards were monitored by the Language Commissioner and the same standards were imposed on Local Governments. They proceeded to confirm that the standards had been written with the mindset that meetings were held by default in English. Cyngor Gwynedd holds its meetings in Welsh by default and therefore went further than the requirements of the standards.

-      Gratitude was expressed for the letter.

RESOLVED

-      Disappointment was expressed at the response to the letter as their response was not more positive.  This letter emphasised the need to encourage Welsh speakers to speak Welsh in the workplace as well as to improve the simultaneous translation service. It was confirmed that the letter also requested confirmation as to how the Government promotes the language with the exception of following the language standards when holding virtual meetings.

-      To organise a discussion at the next meeting regarding the future of town councils to ensure the future of using the Welsh language at their meetings.