Agenda item

To receive a presentation on the work of Menter Iaith from Ruth Williams, Chief Officer, Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych.

Link to Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych’s Annual Report 2019-20 >

https://misirddinbych.cymru/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Annual-Report-2019-2020-heb-cyfrifon3067.pdf

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts introduced Ruth Williams, Chief Officer of Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych who had been invited to the meeting to provide an overview of the work of Menter Iaith.  A web link to Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych’s Annual Report 2019 – 2020 had been previously circulated with the agenda for the meeting which provided a comprehensive overview of activities in 2019/20.

The Chief Officer delivered a power point presentation on Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych which was one of 22 Welsh language enterprises working in Wales to increase and strengthen the use of the Welsh language within communities.  The organisation provided a one stop shop for the language and organised festivals, childcare, language sessions and more helping people to live, learn and enjoy Welsh.

The presentation included reference to the following –

·         the structure of Menter Iaith (directors, trustees and staff) which was a registered charity recently awarded the Trusted Charity Mark from NCVO

·         how Menter Iaith was strategically placed to help deliver Welsh Government’s vision for one million Welsh speakers by 2050 and how it was funded

·         main targets and strategic themes to increase the use of Welsh together with other key strategies including Denbighshire’s Welsh Language Strategy and Welsh in Education Strategic Plan and work with other partners and sectors

·         delivery within Denbighshire’s Welsh language strategic themes (1) Strategic Planning of the Welsh Language in Denbighshire, (2) Children & Young People, (3) Community, and (4) Business & Economy, and details of the wealth of activities/events undertaken in that regard illustrated by photographs, media etc.

·         reported upon funding streams open to Menter Iaith as a registered charity including grants from Welsh Government and Denbighshire County Council together with support for activities and projects from other sources

·         links to Menter Iaith social media pages were also provided together with contact details for the organisation.

The Chair thanked the Chief Officer for her interesting and informative presentation.  It was agreed that the presentation be circulated to members following the meeting.

Members took the opportunity to comment and discuss various aspects of the work of Menter Iaith with the Chief Officer. Main discussion points covered the following –

·         Councillor Ann Davies was concerned that enough was being done to support and encourage students from Welsh medium secondary schools attending Coleg Cambria to continue speaking Welsh.  The Chief Officer explained that the Coleg had their own officers responsible for ensuring that Welsh was available in line with their Welsh language standards, however if members wished to raise any issues in that regard she could refer them back to Coleg Cambria.  As a partner, Menter Iaith tended to work with Coleg Cambria in the context of Welsh language classes for adult provision, but occasionally held joint activities or events.  Whilst not responsible for education Menter Iaith worked with the education sector as part of the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan to maintain an overview.  In response to a further question on the take up of activities by Rhyl youngsters, the Chief Officer advised that at least 90% of pupils in Welsh medium schools were from non-Welsh speaking homes with the majority of pupils learning the language through schools.  Menter Iaith did work with some schools but could not undertake more projects without additional funding for more staff.  Parents often contacted Menter Iaith for support and advice about how to use Welsh in the home

·         Councillor Emrys Wynne referred to the success of Menter Iaith in increasing the use of the Welsh language, particularly in providing opportunities for young people to enjoy the language outside of educational establishments, and congratulated Menter Iaith in that regard.  He also highlighted the importance of adequate funding being made available to continue that work in the future and encouraged the local authority to provide the best support possible.  It was also important to consider both North and South of the county and whilst the percentage of Welsh speakers in Rhyl was low, the numbers were very high 

·         Councillor Meirick Davies also thanked staff for the work undertaken and the practical provision in place and was keen to hear more about the work with Coleg Cambria.  The Chief Officer reiterated references within her presentation and work with officers responsible for the Welsh language in Coleg Cambria.  She emphasised the importance of recognising and understanding the advantages of using Welsh and being bilingual when preparing young people for the workplace, particularly in sectors such as childcare, and those advantages were also constantly marketed to employers and businesses

·         the Chair had been interested to hear about the business connections and highlighted the importance of using Welsh in shops, cafes etc. and questioned whether more could be done to encourage that.  The Chief Officer acknowledged the importance of supporting businesses and agreed that more Welsh needed to be heard and seen on the street and in places such as shops and libraries etc. on a daily basis to normalise the use of Welsh and increase confidence in the language.  In terms of the high street Menter Iaith worked in eight main towns in Denbighshire but due to the small team employed could only reach a small percentage of businesses. She reported upon the use of bilingual signage and promotion of the free translation service of up to 500 words a month but a greater drive was needed.  She suggested the Council’s Economic Development Officers could start a conversation with businesses asking whether they had thought about the benefits of bilingualism, highlighting that there was no disadvantage to any business operating bilingually or additional costs if planned from the beginning.  Other initiatives could include having a condition for using Welsh language when giving grants; advertising posts only in Welsh and designating Welsh essential posts for front line services; the possibility of training or coaching those less confident in the language, and the potential for bespoke courses for business groups.

In bringing the discussion to a close the Chair thanked the Chief Officer for her attendance and the information shared with the committee.

RESOLVED that the presentation on the work of Menter Iaith be received.

[At this point (11.07 am) the meeting adjourned for a ten minute break.]