Agenda item

To consider a report by the Welsh Language Officer (copy enclosed) updating members on the progress with Welsh Language activities regionally and nationally.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts introduced the item detailing ongoing progress of Welsh language activities which had also been discussed at the previous meeting.  The Corporate Director Communities added that the aim was to embed those activities into the core business of the council with a view to continual improvement.

The Welsh Language Officer elaborated upon particular areas of the report which included developments in a number of key areas and also noted the impact of Covid-19 on progress delivery with particular reference to the following –

·          ‘Mwy Na Geiriau’ / ‘More Than Just Words’ a summary was provided on progress made with the following actions –

¨      continue to inform internal staff and commissioned services of the ‘Active Offer’ and promotion of the orange speech bubble sticker as an easy indication of language choice on paperwork and take up of care providers

¨      increase the use of Welsh by the social care workforce in Denbighshire and promote the use of digital resources and on-line Welsh language courses developed by ‘Cymraeg Gwaith’

¨      demonstrate commitment to embedding the Welsh language within each service area in Community Support Service / Children’s Services

¨      additional work in promoting and facilitating the use of Welsh

·         Welsh in Education Strategic Plan – construction of Ysgol Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd and the Welsh Language Centre at St. Asaph were completed.  Cylch Meithrin provision was opened on the grounds of the new school in Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd and Ysgol Dewi Sant.  The impact of Covid-19 on curriculum enrichment activities and Urdd Eisteddfod was also noted.  There was a pattern of increasing numbers in Welsh medium secondary education

·         Welsh Language Linguistic Skills Survey – details of the self-assessment of staff’s Welsh language skills were provided which included a breakdown of the results per service ranging from Level 0 (no knowledge) to Level 5.  The survey would not be carried out for the current year as little change was expected although there may be a reduction in the levels due to staff home working as a result of Covid-19 and therefore not hearing and speaking Welsh in the office

·         Update on Welsh Language Partnership – Partner Iaith – Covid-19 had delayed the mapping of Welsh language activities across the county at present.  The Welsh Language Commissioner’s Officer had been invited to discuss how Covid-19 had affected the Welsh language nationally as well as any good practice.  The schools categories consultation according to Welsh medium provision was also discussed with the Modernising Education Officer.  Work on social media campaigns to collaborate on national celebrations were ongoing.

In closing the Welsh Language Officer advised that whilst Covid-19 had interrupted plans there was still plenty of good work going on and more innovative ways to achieve outcomes.

Councillor Hilditch-Roberts highlighted the continued hard work to improve the Welsh language in very difficult circumstances and thanked the Welsh Language Officer and the team for all their work in that regard.  Whilst there was evidence gathered over the last three years of the increase in Welsh spoken in the county there were still improvements to be made and he considered all had a part to play in that regard.  He also referred to the difficult financial climate which restricted the amount of funding available for other initiatives, such as providing further support to businesses.  Finally he made reference to the challenges for pupils in Welsh medium schools from non-Welsh speaking homes when learning remotely.

The following issues were raised during the ensuring discussion –

·         there was some debate regarding the effect of the pandemic on those children educated in Welsh medium schools who were from non-Welsh speaking homes and members were keen to see no reduction in those numbers or in the transition of pupils from KS2 to KS3 as a consequence.  Councillor Hilditch-Roberts confirmed a few pupils had been lost from Welsh medium schools as a result but steps had been taken to provide parental support in particular schools together with mentoring, and in some cases measures had been tailored to specific pupils who had been identified as struggling with the language during lockdown.  Primary school pupils had since returned to school and speaking Welsh again, therefore it was less of an issue.  It was agreed that building back the confidence of those children and speaking Welsh in the school environment was a priority and it would be regrettable if the effects of the lockdown led to a fall in the numbers of children benefitting from a Welsh medium education

·         Councillor Emrys Wynne referred to the assessment of staff’s Welsh language skills and levels ranging from 0 – 1 and was keen to set a target to remove level 0 following the pandemic and provide more training and support to enable staff to progress quicker through those levels.  He highlighted level 3 as a key turning point for Welsh learners, having progressed through the most challenging stages, and he was aware of the good progress being made by an increasing number of staff.  Other members also highlighted the positive efforts made by staff in speaking and responding in Welsh at various levels and stressed the importance for all councillors to take the lead, particularly at council meetings

·         the importance of providing support for local businesses as discussed under the previous agenda item was reiterated and the role of the Planning Department was mentioned in raising the issue of bilingual signage for new businesses and also to encourage the use of Welsh when advertising.

The Chair highlighted the importance of being proud of what was being achieved but also to continue challenging to ensure continual improvement and he thanked the Welsh Language Officer for the comprehensive report.

RESOLVED that the work being undertaken in Denbighshire be approved.