Agenda and minutes
Venue: Hybrid - Neuadd Cyngor Ceredigion, Penmorfa, Aberaeron / remotely via video conference
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Apologies Minutes: i.
Councillors Rhodri Davies and John Roberts
apologised for their inability to attend the meeting. ii. Lowri Edwards, Corporate Lead Officer: Democratic Services apologised for her inability to attend the meeting due to being on other duties on behalf of the Council. |
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Disclosure of personal/ prejudicial interests Minutes: There were no disclosures of
personal/ prejudicial interests.
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Minutes: It was RESOLVED to confirm as a true record the minutes of
the meeting held on 13 June 2022. |
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Any matters arising from the minutes Minutes: None. |
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The Assessment of Local Well-being- main findings of the Welsh Language & Census 2021: Minutes: A presentation was provided to the committee focusing on the
key findings that emerged from the Assessment of Local Well-being in relation
to the Welsh language and 2021 Census Topic Summaries. The following was
outlined:
It was highlighted
that the Welsh Language topic summary from the Census held on 21 March 2021 was
due to be released tomorrow (6 December 2022). The Welsh Language Report will
be used as an evidence-base to inform the development of the new Welsh Language
Strategy in the new year. The following
points were raised following the presentation:
Following questions from the floor, it was AGREED to arrange a workshop specifically around the Census results in due course. |
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Welsh Language Policy for Awarding Grants in accordance with Standard 94 Minutes: It was noted that in accordance with the Welsh Language
(Wales) Measure 2011, the Welsh Language Commissioner has set a range of Welsh Language
Standards, which contains a very detailed list of requirements that set out how
Ceredigion must use and promote the Welsh language in both the workplace and in
its dealings with the Public. This, to provide quality Welsh language services;
ensuring the Welsh language is not treated any less favourably than the English
language. In line with this, the Welsh Language Standard 94 requires the
Council to develop and publish a Welsh Language Policy on Awarding Grants. The
purpose of the policy is to assist officers in ensuring that Welsh Language
Standards considerations are an integrated element of the grant process across
the Council, and ensuring that Officers assess the impact of awarding grants on
the Welsh language. Following questions from the floor, it was AGREED to receive the policy and recommend submitting the Policy to Cabinet for approval. |
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Minutes: Consideration was given to the Welsh Language Commissioner’s
Assurance report, published yearly, which provided the Commissioner's views on the
way organisations, including Local Authorities, implement the statutory
requirements of the Welsh Language Standards. An overview of the key findings
was provided along with the main issues Ceredigion County Council need to give
further consideration, to ensure compliance with the Welsh Language Standards
as outlined below: 1. Policy Making Standards: A Requirement to Assess the Impact on the Welsh Language 2. Operational Standards: Recruitment and Advertising 3. Key Services: Direct Calling 4. Promoting Welsh Language Services 5. The effect of service shortcomings on Welsh language users 6. Next Steps All Corporate Lead Officers will be asked to complete a Welsh Language Standards Performance Assessment, in order to evaluate compliance with aspects of the Standards in January 2023. Following questions from the floor, it was AGREED to support the actions outlined in the report. |
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Minutes: The Language Officer reported that there was regular contact
with the Welsh Language Commissioner regarding Ceredigion County Council’s compliance
with the requirements of the Welsh Language Standards. The most recent
questionnaire was sent to all local authorities in October regarding
arrangements to Promote Welsh-language Service. It was highlighted that
collating data to measure the use of the Welsh language can be difficult. More
work is being undertaken to understand what data can be meaningful in terms of
language use, and the Local Authority will work with the Welsh Language
Commissioner as this work is being developed. Following consideration, it was AGREED to receive the evidence, which was submitted to the Welsh Language Commissioner in October 2022. |
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Minutes: An overview of the report was provided. The Language Officer
explained that the Welsh Language Standards (Standards 30-40) had been
implemented by Ceredigion County Council since 2016 following consultation with
the Welsh Language Commissioner. An element that required further attention was
to encourage the use of Welsh within Democratic Meetings. In response, the
Council has developed a guide on chairing and holding bilingual public
meetings, including a list of useful terminology, which is available on CeriNet
for all Councillors. The Chair noted
that the Welsh Language needed to be as visible as possible in meetings, in
order to encourage more people to use the language. Following consideration, it was AGREED to receive the report. |
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Shwmae Day: Celebrating Welsh Learner of the Year Minutes: The Language Officer explained that Shwmae
Day aims to be a special national day for promoting and facilitating the use of
Welsh. This year, Ceredigion County Council used the day to celebrate the
achievements of Melisa Elek, who passed her
advanced-level Welsh exam in the Summer of 2022 and was awarded Ceredigion’s
Welsh Learner of the Year. It was highlighted that Ceredigion’s Work Welsh
scheme ran in partnership with the National Centre for Learning Welsh and a
variety of courses was offered by Huw Owen, the authority’s Work Welsh Training
Officer. Congratulations were extended to Melisa Elek on
her success. |
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Welsh Language Commissioner's Rights Day: 7th December Minutes: It was noted the Welsh Language Measure was passed by
Parliament on 7 December 2011. The purpose of the day was for public
organisations to promote the availability of Welsh language services to the
public and to encourage their use. Ceredigion County Council has created a
video focusing on this which will be shared on social media. Internally, a
Welsh ‘word of the day’ campaign which began during the Fifa
World Cup 2022 will run until Christmas.
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Welsh Government Consultation- The Future of Welsh-speaking Communities (closing date 13 January 2023): Minutes: The Language Officer noted that a Members’ Panel had been
arranged for 5 January 2023 to consider the consultation. A draft response
would be circulated to members in due course once evidence had been collated. |
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Any other matter which the Chairman decides is for the urgent attention of the Committee Minutes: None. |