Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received by Councillor Gill German.

Members to declare any personal or prejudicial interests in any business to be conducted at this meeting.

None.

To appoint a Chair of the Welsh Language Steering Committee for the 2024/25 municipal year.

The Corporate Director: Governance and Business sought nominations for the chair position for the municipal year 2024-25.

Councillor Ellie Chard proposed that Councillor Emrys Wynne be appointed chair, which was seconded by Councillor Ann Davies.

As There were no other proposals, Emrys Wynne was appointed chair, and all present agreed.

RESOLVED that Councillor Emrys Wynne be nominated as chair for the municipal year.

To appoint a Vice Chair of the Welsh Language Steering Committee for the 2024/25 municipal year.

The chair asked the committee whether they had any nominations for the municipal year's vice chair position.

Councillor Ann Davies proposed that Councillor Ellie Chard be appointed vice chair, seconded by Councillor Huw Hildtich-Roberts. Since there were no other proposals, Councillor Ellie Chard was appointed vice chair, and all present agreed.

RESOLVED Councillor Ellie Chard be appointed vice chair for the municipal year.

Notice of items which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

None.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the committee held on the 15 November 2023.

The minutes of the Welsh Language Steering Committee held on 15 November 2023 were submitted

RESOLVED that subject to the above, the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 November 2023 be received and approved as a correct record.

To receive a report by the Team Leader – Communications and Campaign Management to discuss and agree the contents of the annual Welsh Language Monitoring report for 2023/24 (copy attached).

The Communications and Marketing Manager presented the Annual Welsh Language Monitoring Report (previously circulated). The Council was expected to produce an annual report on its website, and the report was expected to detail the progress made with the Welsh Language. It was a statutory duty, by the Standards, for the Council to comply by publishing a report; the report reflects the Council's commitment to work towards increasing the number of Welsh speakers in the county and to contribute positively towards the national campaign to increase the number of Welsh speakers to one million by 2050.

The Promoting Bilingualism and Welsh Education and the education department pages on Denbighshire County Council's website have been updated to promote Welsh-medium education. The website previously provided extensive information about the benefits of Welsh education, where to get help, the Welsh schools, support for latecomers, and immersion classes. Information about the benefits of Welsh education is also regularly shared on the county's other digital platforms.

Welsh Language postcards were produced in partnership with Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych to share information about the benefits of being bilingual and Welsh education. The cards would be distributed to relevant stakeholders, e.g., health visitors, midwives, Mudiad Meithrin, and schools.

Members were informed by officers that many elements of the report were not carried out as much as they liked, as the position of Welsh Language Officer was vacant. However, they had appointed a new officer who had experience working for Menter Iaith and also within education. They would be in post in August. Hopefully, this appointment would allow the work to be maintained as when the previous officer was in post.

Members discussed the following further – 

• Members wanted to thank the Communications and Marketing Manager for their work and contribution to the report and for maintaining the work of the previous Welsh Language Officer. They also thanked the report.
• The committee highlighted the importance of the Welsh Language champions throughout the Council. They were vital to encouraging the Welsh language and culture in the Council, and their roles needed to be maintained and protected. They also outlined how they could learn from services like Menter Iaith in the work they carry out.
• The Corporate Director: Governance and Business agreed on comments on the Welsh Language champions and highlighted how the Welsh language had been used more in formal meetings, which was good for the general public to realise the language was used and encouraged by the Council.

RESOLVED that the Welsh Language Steering Committee note the content of the Annual Welsh Language Monitoring Report.

To consider the Committee’s forward work programme (copy attached).

The committee’s forward work programme was presented for consideration.

The committee was informed of the planned items on the forward work programme. These were –

• Mainstreaming the Welsh language through the Corporate Plan 
• Update on the Strategic Plan in education 
• Categorising language levels among staff
• Update regarding the Eisteddfod if applicable.

Members were informed that the forward work programme would include dates for the 2025 meetings once the full Council agreed upon them. Members were also encouraged to suggest items for the forward work programme.

RESOLVED that, subject to the above, the Committee’s Forward Work Programme be received and noted.

The meeting concluded at 10:40 am