Issue - meetings

To submit a report by the Chief Executive.

It was resolved –

·        To approve the publication of the Welsh Language Strategy 2021-2026 draft Assessment Report on the corporate website.

·        To recommend to the Full Council the approval of the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy 2021-21 (draft) and that the relevant officers be authorised to undertake any further revision of the draft strategy prior to publication on the Council’s website by no later than 31 December, 2022.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services incorporating the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy 2021-2026 was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member – Welsh Language said that the Authority is required to prepare a Welsh language promotion strategy.  The purpose of such a strategy is to outline how the Council intends to promote the language and facilitate the wide use on Anglesey.  He further said that it is important to note that the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy 2021-2026 is a draft promotion strategy and it is challenging to prepare such a document due to the lack of current data on the state of the Welsh language on Anglesey. He further noted that the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy 2021-2026 (draft) builds on the foundations of the first strategy and adopts a consistent target and priority areas i.e. Children, young people and the family; the workplace, Welsh language services and the infrastructure; the Community.  The Portfolio Holder – Welsh Language further said that an action plan for the first year is incorporated into the Strategy and the Fforwm Iaith Ynys Môn will be responsible for monitoring the progress of the action plan.  A summary on the strategy’s implementation will also be included in the annual Welsh language standards report.  He noted that the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy has been before the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee recently and a consultation process has been undertaken on the Strategy which resulted in a total of up 30 responses.

The Scrutiny Manager, in the absence of the Chair of the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee said that the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on 9 November, 2021 and raised questions as to whether there are any particular risks or concerns regarding the state of the Welsh language on Anglesey.  Comments referred to the that it was a challenge to scrutinise the Strategy and to provide comments as to whether it will be successful or otherwise due to the lack of current data being available.  Questions were raised as to whether the Strategy could incorporate the use/encourage the use of the Welsh language in the private sector.  Concerns were expressed that the percentage of Welsh speakers on the Island has fallen and continues to be at a level since the 1950’s and the effect it could have on the community and the future of the Welsh language. She noted that the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee supported the recommendations within the report. 

It was resolved –

·        To approve the publication of the Welsh Language Strategy 2016-21 draft Assessment Report on the corporate website.

·        To recommend to the Full Council the approval of the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy 2021-21 (draft) and that the relevant officers be authorised to undertake any further revision of the draft strategy prior to publication on the Council’s website by no later than 31 December, 2022.