6 WELSH LANGUAGE PROMOTION PLAN PDF 79 KB
Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng / Cllr Nia Jeffreys
Additional documents:
Decision:
Approve the Welsh Language Promotion Plan and the initial Work Programme
to implement the priorities.
Minutes:
The item
was submitted by Cllr Nia Jeffreys
RESOLVED
Approve the Welsh Language
Promotion Plan and the initial Work Programme to implement the priorities.
DISCUSSION
The report was submitted and attention was
drawn to the plan's format, noting that the new format was clear in terms of
its order, it was concise and it was easy to understand. It was
added that there was a Statutory requirement on the Council under Standard 145
of the Welsh Language Standards Regulations (No. 1) 2015, to produce a five
year strategy relating to Welsh language promotion. It was noted that Gwynedd Council had a long
history of Welsh language promotion, noting that the 2011 census revealed that
65% of Gwynedd's population were able to speak Welsh. It was reiterated that an increase in Welsh
speakers could be seen in some areas of Gwynedd and attention was drawn to the
fact that the increase was above the 70% threshold in the Clynnog ward.
Despite the
increase, it was noted that there had been a general reduction in the number of
wards where over 70% of the population could speak Welsh, with 39 from 71 wards
according to the Census. The challenges of Welsh language promotion were
emphasised, emphasising the challenges posed by the influence of technology.
Emphasis was placed on the long-term hopes of the Council, along with what the
department wished to see during the lifespan of the Strategy, noting that the
Action Plan was in line with the plans.
Observations arising from the
discussion
- It was noted that a drop had been
seen in the number of Welsh speakers aged over 65 years, but that the greatest
increase was to be seen amongst the youngest residents, in the 3-4 years and
5-15 years age groups. It was added that the good work needed to continue and
to work closely with Universities and other Bodies.
- It was noted that the Language
Charter had been central to the promotion of the language in schools. It was
noted that the Primary Language Charter could now be seen across Wales and that
work continued on the Secondary Language Charter. The importance of not only
teaching the language to children, but rather to encourage them to use the
language socially, was emphasised.
- It was asked how the work of
promoting the Welsh language could be measured and monitored; it was noted that
the Officer would report back through the performance challenging system. It
was added that it would be difficult to measure but that the first step would
be to get all main partners around the table to share information and
resources.
Awdur: Gwenllian Mair Williams