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 submitted by the Assistant Head of Housing and Property. Reference was made to the following main points: 

Members were reminded that the department sustained a mix of front line, corporate and commercial services and reassurance was given that they could deliver the department's duties bilingually, and that respecting the customer's language of choice was essential.

Members were reminded that the department had held a number of events throughout the National Eisteddfod week in 2023. It was noted that events had been held on the theme of 'Gwynedd Glyd' and raised awareness of the Council's housing plans in order to address the existing housing crisis, and that around 60% of the County's population had been priced out of the local market at the moment.  It was considered that these sessions had been beneficial, considering that shift and migration was a huge challenge to the department and the Welsh language in Gwynedd.

It was reported that the main plans could be seen in the department's Housing Action Plan. It was explained that 30 operational and strategic projects had been included in the plan, with a vision for their development for the next 6 years. Attention was drawn to the residential element grant in community regeneration plans. It was explained that it was a grant provided to communities to develop additional living units.

It was confirmed that 96% of the department's staff met the language designations of their job, with 60% of those staff reaching higher levels than the linguistic requirements of their jobs. It was detailed that 85% of all department staff had completed a linguistic self-assessment following the head's ongoing encouragement. Members were reminded that this was a 6% increase of all department staff.

It was emphasised that learning opportunities were considered within the department for staff. It was noted that officers supported staff who lacked confidence in their linguistic skills.  The fact that many staff members in the department had voluntarily completed linguistic training outside work was something to celebrate. It was noted that the department had identified a challenge for some of the Council's staff as they followed a hybrid working arrangement. It was considered that working from home on some days reduced the opportunities that Welsh learners had to practice their linguistic skills. It was emphasised that the department ensured that every opportunity was given to relevant staff to practice their Welsh and that this was a consideration for the future as the new hybrid working arrangements came into force in April 2024.

It was mentioned that the department set a condition that the service and support providers had to speak Welsh in relation to Service Level Agreements. Examples seen at Tŷ Adferiad, Porthmadog, as well as sites in Bangor, were shared.

Frustration was shared at the lack of Welsh or bilingual resources in the field of housing. Members were reassured that the department was placing pressure on the Welsh Government to address this. It was detailed that many regional and national discussions were currently held in English, with no priority given to the Welsh language. It was confirmed that the department would welcome a change in order to see meetings being held through the medium of Welsh, with simultaneous translation and bilingual documents provided. Reassurance was given that the department's discussions with partners and housing associations in Gwynedd were held in Welsh, with translation available if required.

In response to an enquiry on the First Time Buyer Empty House Grants, it was explained that an amendment had been made to the plan, which meant that empty houses that used to be second homes were eligible for the grant. It was noted that 1 grant application had been completed following this amendment and that another 5 applications were in the process of being assessed.

The members expressed their thanks for the report.

RESOLVED

To accept the report and note the observations received.