Agenda item

To submit a report by the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer.

The Welsh Language Annual Standards Report was presented for the Committee’s consideration and for comment prior to its submission for delegated approval by the Portfolio Member for publication.

The Deputy Leader, in the absence of the Leader of the Council, said the report evaluates the Council’s compliance with the Welsh Language Standards Regulations and documents the ways in which the Council promoted and facilitated opportunities to use the Welsh language during the year. He referred that there have been a number of highlights within the year with mainly:  making the Welsh language a strategic priority within the Council; Care Inspectorate Wales identifying the good work as regards to the Welsh language with vulnerable residents; Estyn highlighted the good work undertaken within the Education Service as regards to the Welsh Language within education; technical prominence for on-line users; staff praising the support given to improve their Welsh language skills. 

The Head of Democracy reported that the Annual Report has been structured in accordance with the requirement of the Welsh Language Commissioner and to comply with the headings that is required to be reported upon.  He further said that the Anglesey’s prospective has also been incorporated within the report so as to highlight the wider successes attained within the Authority during the last year.  He further referred to the language policy of the Council which refers as to how the Welsh Language Standards are achieved and also the aim of the policy to make the Welsh language the main administration language of this Authority.  The Head of Democracy further said that intensive work has been undertaken with specific departments within the Authority to give training and support to staff to use the Welsh language on a daily basis.

In considering the report, the Committee discussed the following matters:-

·     Questions were raised as to whether there are specific risks that raise concern about the Council’s compliance with the Welsh language standards?  The Head of Democracy responded that non-compliance with the Welsh Language Standards would be a specific risk which would result in an investigation by the Welsh Language Commissioner.  He noted that the complaints received with non-compliance is low with only 6 complaints last year and it is hoped that the new CRM system within the Council will assist in addressing concerns by the public in a constructive manner. He further noted that there is a higher risk when working with third party organisations which staff need to be aware of so as to comply with the Welsh language standards.  Compliance with the policies within the Welsh Language policies can be of high risks which can be complex at times due to the processes required and expert advice is sought through the Welsh Language Commissioner. He further said that during a recent meeting with the Welsh Commissioner positive comments were received as to how the Council is complying with the Welsh Language Standards.

·     Reference was made to the Welsh language courses afforded to the staff of the Council as noted within the report.  Questioned were raised whether these members of staff are the same staff attending these courses as last year?   The Policy and Welsh Language Manager responded that it is a combination of staff members who may have developed their Welsh language skills and moving to a higher level courses.  She emphasised that there is a wider learning platform for staff members and especially when some Welsh learners expressed that they had lost out on the ability to use the Welsh language during the pandemic.  She further noted that the best way to facilitate the use of the Welsh language is by creating conditions whereby individuals whatever their Welsh language skills level can practice using the language in an inclusive, welcoming and non-judgemental environment.  Work has been undertaken with the Training Section of the Council to provide facilities for staff members to be able to attend internal courses;

·     Questions were raised as to how the Council is encouraging staff to develop their Welsh language skills?  The Policy and Welsh Language Manager responded that releasing staff to attend courses is a continuous challenged, however it is important that Managers within the departments of the Council are supportive to encourage staff members to attend Welsh language courses and that they can see the value in releasing Officers to received support and training opportunities.  She further referred that Welsh language writing skills can be offered to Welsh first language staff to improve their writing skills;

·     Questions were raised whether there is additional information that would add value to the Annual Report.? The Head of Democracy responded that internal discussions have been undertaken as to how the Annual Report can be improved in the future and especially the use of data as regards to the use of the Welsh language within the services offered by the Council and the language choice of the customers.  Case studies is considered beneficial to the enhancement of the Annual Report;

·     Questions were raised as to the risk as regards to recruitment of non-Welsh speakers?  The Head of Democracy responded that it can be difficult to recruit Welsh speakers in some sectors specifically but the data shows that the percentage of Welsh speaking Officers of the Council is high and not a specific risk at present;

·     Reference was made that Cymdeithas yr Iaith has commented that they are not been included within the Welsh Language Forum as they have been judgemental as regards to the Welsh Language Strategy.  Questions were raised as to whether there are developments to include Cymdeithas yr Iaith within the Forum?  The Policy and Welsh Language Manager responded that Cymdeithas yr Iaith are considered to be a member of the Welsh Lanaguage Forum and are included within the Terms of Reference of the Committee since the establishment of the Forum.  She expressed that there is a welcome for every public body to join the Forum to strengthen the Welsh language on the Island;

·     Questions were raised as to the challenges faced in terms of increasing the use of the Welsh language services to the residents of Anglesey?  The Policy and Welsh Language Manager responded that the use of data needs to be considered carefully as confidence in speaking and writing the Welsh language can differ and there is a duty to ensure that the level of the Welsh language addresses the needs of the residents whilst requesting the services of the Council.  She noted that the digital information needs also to be accessible to people with visual impairment.  She further said that the Sub-Group of the Welsh Language Forum has raised that the use of the Welsh language needs to be enhanced within the reception areas of the Council owned premises;

·     Reference was made that previously representatives from different departments would attend this meeting to report on the level of Welsh speakers within their department and the progress made to support and afford training to those to improve their Welsh language skills orally and written.  The Head of Democracy said that he agreed that there is a need to recognise the achievements of individual who have been able to improve their Welsh language skills and the matter can be discussed within the internal Welsh Language Promotion Group as to how to escalate the promotion of the achievements of the staff;

·     Questions were raised as to how the promotion of the use of the Welsh language can be improved within cafes and hospitality premises with Welsh language signage etc.  The Head of Democracy responded that the matter can be discussed within the Welsh Language Forum where all the local organisations discussed relevant issues.

It was RESOLVED:-

·          To accept the Welsh Language Standards Annual Report for 2022/23;

·         To note its contents and that Scrutiny’s comments be forwarded to the Portfolio Member as part of its submission for delegated approval and subsequent publication.

ACTION : As noted above.