Agenda item

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

The Welsh Language Annual 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 Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language said that in accordance with the Welsh Language Standards Regulations 2015 the Council must prepare an Annual Report regarding the compliance with the standards.

The following were points of discussion by the Committee:-

·         Questions were raised as to how the Council intends to improve the Welsh provision in areas where there is a lack of consistency i.e. Leisure Services.  The Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language responded that a complaint was received about inconsistent use of Welsh at a Leisure Centre fitness class.   He noted that the Welsh Language Commissioner found failure to comply with standards and enforcement action was taken.  An action plan has been put in place to address the finding and is currently awaiting approval by the Welsh Language Commissioner.   He further said that additional MônActif fitness courses are being afforded within the Leisure Centres and targeted provisions are put in place to increase the confidence of staff in affording these fitness courses through the Welsh language.  The Policy and Welsh Language Manager said that the leisure sector is an area which needs to be reviewed as regards to the use of the  Welsh language and the Council is taking a proactive approach in working in partnership with external partner to maximise opportunities.

·         Questions were raised whether the Welsh awareness sessions will be mandatory for staff.  The Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language responded that the first Welsh awareness session was well attended, and it is an intention to convene additional sessions in the future.  He accepted that the Welsh awareness sessions need to be advertised broadly and to encourage Welsh speakers to also attend these sessions.  The Policy and Welsh Language Manager agreed that the sessions need to be advertised broadly and to give opportunity for people to understand their Welsh language potential.   She noted that there is currently no intention to make the Welsh language course mandatory for staff, however, there is a language awareness session for each new member of staff, and these sessions make them aware of the help and support available to improve and develop their language skills.

·         Reference was made that during the review of the Welsh Language Policy this Committee sent a letter to Welsh Government emphasising that the Welsh place names of properties need to be protected.  Questions were raised  whether further correspondence should be sent to the new Welsh Government.  The Policy and Welsh Language Manager said that the response from the previous Welsh Government was supportive, but it did not afford additional legislation for Local Authorities to protect Welsh place names.  The Chief Executive said that it would be more appropriate to send further correspondence to Welsh Government following the Senedd’s summer recess and maybe allow discussions with the relevant Cabinet Minister as regards to the commitment the Government intends with regards to this issue.

·         Questions were raised whether the Welsh language requirements for posts affects the recruitment process within the Council. The Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language responded that he considered that the Authority is successful in attracting individuals to apply for posts within the Council due to the ability to be working in a Welsh speaking environment and affordability of training opportunities to improve their Welsh language skills. He further said that the Council must respond to the language of choice of residents when they require services afforded by the Council.  The Chief Executive said that the ability to communicate in both Welsh and English is important in many posts within the Authority and to ensure that residents and stakeholders can communicate with the Council in their preferred language.  However, if there are recruitment issues into certain posts in the Council, consideration will be given to the required role of the post as it is important to attract experience staff into these roles. 

The Vice-Chair wishes to thank the Officers involved in the promoting of the Welsh language at the Urdd Eisteddfod held recently on Anglesey.

·         To accept the Welsh Language Annual Report 2026 to 2026;

·         To note its contents and to forward the scrutiny committee’s comments to the Portfolio Member as part of its submission for delegated approval and subsequent publication.