The Consultation Engagement and Equalities Manager presented a report which updated the cabinet committee equalities on the work undertaken to meet the objectives within the Welsh Language Standards Five Year Strategy (2016-2021) during the third year since its introduction.

She explained that the Councils final compliance notice from the Welsh language commissioner includes two standards (145 and146) that required the Council to have produced and published a Five Year Strategy by 30 September 2016. The strategy was attached at Appendix 1 of the report.

The Consultation Engagement and Equalities Manager explained that the strategy was spilt into two sections, one being for employees and one for the public. Details of these and the progress made since 2018 were listed below:

Employee developments

Identify the capacity in service areas to deliver services in Welsh

• The Welsh language assessment tool that was developed to assist managers understand the linguistic skills of their teams so that future training can be more targeted has been rolled out to customer service and Bridgend Day Centre
• Actions have been taken to monitor the demand for Welsh services in the telephone contact centre and Customer contact centre

Provide appropriate learning and development solutions at various levels to meet identified need within budget allocation

• 18 employees have completed the Welsh language standards e-learning module and 32 have completed Welsh language awareness
• 10 employees are enrolled on Cwrs Mynediad year 1, 7 are enrolled in year 2 and 8 are enrolled in the foundation level year.
• 21 employees have attended welsh meet and greet training

Establish arrangements in recruiting to positions where Welsh language skills are essential

• Online recruitment is available bi-lingually
• We have a range of recruitment methods including via Menter Bro Ogwr and engagement with Welsh language schools to promote apprenticeships

Public developments

Raise the profile of the Welsh language, culture and local activities and events organised by the council and our partners in a structured way

There is a rolling calendar of welsh language activities and events and details are shared across internal and external communication channels such as press, social media and Bridgenders. Events and activities promoted during the period include:

• Shwmae Sumae day
• New Welsh medium education provision at Ysgol Calon Y Cymoedd
• Welsh Christmas Feastival
• Menter Bro Ogwr Welsh Language play scheme

Increase promotion and awareness of the councils WESP

• We have highlighted progress with outcome one of the WESP which demonstrated an increase in learners in Welsh medium primary schools.
• In outcome two of the WESP we are able to see that since the removal of the Welsh language short course (GCSE) from the curriculum we have seen an increase in those pupils engaged in the Welsh language as a second language full course.
• In outcome four of the WESP we can see that at ‘A’ level pupils completing Welsh ‘A’ level as a first language has remained fairly stable.
• We have made progress with the development of a booklet to promote welsh medium education which will be given to parents at the birth of their child and at the 18 month home visit. 

To explore and implement where possible any new activities which will support the use of the Welsh language more widely within the county borough

• Since the last report we have worked in partnership and supported activities across the county borough including work with Menter Bro Ogwr, supporting 80 children in play schemes
• In partnership with the URDD we have provided opportunities at YGG Llangynwydd Maesteg and Brackla.
• We have developed the girls’ network in Brackla and have supported 594 young people to access weekly clubs. 389 young people have accessed holiday provision and 103 individuals have accessed family activities and over 2500 have accessed the URDD sports provision.

The Consultation Engagement and Equalities Manager provided Members with a booklet containing information to help promote the welsh language and encourage the public to take up the welsh language. Members were impressed with the handout and applaud the work that the team had put in to it.

Members thanked the Consultation Engagement and Equalities Manager for the handout. A Member said it gave an attractive look to the welsh language and made a positive impression. Another member reiterated this and was pleased that it was being offered to new parents at birth so that it can be taught from a young age and also at A Level year’s students.

The Cabinet Member - Wellbeing and Future Generations thanked the Consultation Engagement and Equalities Manager for the report and was happy to receive the report yearly to ensure the committee can observe the progress regularly and not miss any key developments.

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Committee Equalities noted the report.