Agenda item
WELSH LANGUAGE COMMISSIONER FEEDBACK
To receive an update on compliance checks carried out by the Welsh Language Commissioner.
Minutes:
The
Team Leader for Communications and Campaign Management (TLCCM) explained that
they would create an annual report that reviewed emails, complaints, phone
calls, website etc. The latest results were very positive.
He
advised that there was a small issues regarding emails, whereby several Welsh
emails were sent into the county and only one was responded to in Welsh.
Documents,
books, policies etc. were all bilingual, though they needed to ensure services
consider the level of Welsh for each role.
Members
agreed that it may be beneficial for the Welsh Language Commissioner to attend
a council briefing meeting, or full council.
The
Welsh Language Commissioner (WLC) thanked all for the invite to the meeting. He
also thanked Councillor Graham Timms for introducing him in Welsh. The WLC
wanted to updated members of the current situation, he introduced Dylan Jones
from the Welsh Language Commissioner team. The WLC also wanted to inform
members of some changes that would be happening.
Members
were advised that every year a report was published which reviewed standards
within the Local Authority, complaints and how they were dealt with. In terms
of change, they had seen a big difference. Since appointing a Welsh Language, internally
there had been a big difference.
It
was highlighted that a big change internally for Denbighshire was the moving of
the Leisure Service. It would need to be monitored to ensure the same level of
standards are applied.
The
WCL advised that they reviewed recruitment between June and December 2018.
There were 85 roles advertised in that time, 75 were Welsh desirable and 10
Welsh essential. The WLC advised that there should be further categories on the
job in terms of Welsh, the current process needed to be reviewed.
The
WLC explained some of the changed he had implemented since starting in the
role.
He
said he needed to ensure resources were available to conduct thorough and
proper investigations and research.
This
was because the commissioner could conduct an investigation without getting any
information from the Local Authority. Once an investigation had started it
would have to be completed in full.
The
process was he commissioner would complete an investigation, present a report
to the Local Authority, the Local Authority would accept the problem and would
review how they could stop the same problem in the future.
The
WLC and members highlighted the struggle Ireland were having with the Gaelic
language, and the worry that official languages were dying out.
He
did not want Wales to experience the same issues, roughly 9% of welsh speakers
use welsh all day, every day, the Welsh Government have said they want the
figure to be 20% by 2050.
The
WLC said he wanted to complete some work regarding Welsh Language Skill level.
He explained that during a recent visit to a school, it was clear that sixth
form students could understand Welsh but struggled to respond in Welsh. He felt
there needed to be something in place to ensure students continue to speak
Welsh after education.
Students
leave education not knowing that the Welsh language was a skill. This was why
the WLC wanted to focus on recruitment policies, he felt that if 75 jobs were
listed as Welsh desirable then not enough thought had been put into the
assessment of the role.
Councillor
Huw Hilditch-Roberts agreed that standards were important but was only the
start. He felt that attitude was a priority however great work had already been
done in the LA.
As
a county, there had been major investments in schools, Ysgol Carreg Emlyn,
Ysgol y Llys etc. since, Welsh Education
numbers had increased, with the hope that the figures would continue to
increase. Cllr Hilditch-Roberts said he would welcome the WLC to support the
Canolfan Iaith in Ysgol Glan Clwyd. The centre was important as they could push
the Welsh Language from young people to adults.
Members
highlighted that once pupils turn 16 and decide on their A-Level subjects, they
tend to move to English education as it could offer more options. Something
needed to be done to keep students in Welsh education.
The
WLC advised that it is with the Local Authority to make decisions on
percentage. For examples some departments could assess the role and conclude
that welsh was not essential as there was enough welsh speakers in the
department already.
He
continued to explain that the issue was not the lack of welsh speakers but
confidence in those who can speak welsh.
Coleg
Cambria were now offering some exams in Welsh, some personal tutors also spoke
Welsh. The WLC noted that although that was great, there could be much more
done to support welsh students.
The
WLC felt it important the correct complaints process was followed. Once a
complaint was received by the commissioner it would be allocated to an
investigations officers, they would then make the decision whether or not it
should be investigated fully. Investigation officers take into account previous
complaints, measure put in place to avoid future complaints, the investigation
office would then make recommendations on whether a full investigation should
take place.
He
advised that he would be happy to release internal resources when polices were
created, rather than find problems further down the line.
The
Chair advised members that as a learner of the welsh language he was hesitant
to speak it, he said he was a prime example of the people who need
concentrating on. He felt that if he attempted to speak welsh that he may be
criticised for being incorrect even though he knows that wouldn’t be the case.
He asked whether there was anything being developed to ensure barriers like the
above don’t become an issue.
The
WLC noted that wearing welsh lanyards and badges was a great way to encourage
people to speak welsh with one another. But it would be something to review, if
barriers were still present. The WLC noted that he had agreed to attend all
Rhanbarth Llaes Cymru’s meetings.
He
continued to explain that they were working closely with Banks and Shops to
increase the use of work language, Menter Iaith were responsible for smaller
businesses.
To
conclude the WLC commissioner thanked members for the opportunity to attend the
meeting, and said he would be happy to attend future meetings.
RESOLVED: that the update received be accepted and noted by
the committee.
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