The Consultation, Engagement and Equalities Manager reported on the work undertaken to meet the objectives within the Welsh Language Standards Five Year Strategy (2016 to 2021), during the fifth year since its introduction. 

She explained that the Council’s final compliance notice from the Welsh Language Commissioner included two standards (145 and 146) that required the council have produced and published a Five-Year Strategy by 30 September 2016, setting out how the council will promote the Welsh language and facilitate its use in Bridgend County Borough for the period covered by the strategy.  The strategy was split into two sections, section one addressing employees, and section two addressing the public, with a series of actions sitting underneath each objective. 

The Consultation, Engagement and Equalities Manager highlighted general developments, with the Welsh Language Commissioner’s assurance report, “Steeping Forward”, issued in September 2021.  The Welsh in the Workplace policy has been promoted and available to all staff via the intranet.  Work has continued with Menter Bro Ogwr on agreed actions and the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy and action plan has been developed.  The Consultation, Engagement and Equalities Manager highlighted progress made on each of the objectives in relation to employee developments.          

The Group Manager Learner Support reported on progress on the objective of raising the profile of the Welsh language, culture and local activities and events organised by the council and its partners in a structured way.  In relation to the objective of increasing promotion and awareness of the Council’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP), the draft 10-year plan is currently out for consultation.  She informed the Committee of a growth in the number of seven-year-olds being taught through the medium of Welsh, since the opening of the new Ysgol Gynradd Gymareg Calon y Cymoedd school.  Work continues to encourage more families to consider Welsh-medium education for their children.  She stated that the leakage in numbers transferring from Year 6 primary to Year 7 in secondary education has reduced and the Council is committed to inspiring children and young people to use Welsh in all aspects of their lives.  There is strong collaboration with the Central South Consortium and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd the school to share good practice.  Since launching the Siarter Iaith in Welsh-medium schools and the Siarter Iaith Cymraeg Campus in English-medium schools, innovative work has been undertaken by the schools to increase the social use of Welsh within the whole school community.  The Group Manager Learner Support also outlined progress made with learners aged 16 to 19 studying subjects through the medium of Welsh and studying Welsh as a first and second language. 

The Group Manager Leaner Support reported on developments planned for delivery by the end of 2022, namely, a dual-stream, two-form-entry entry school at Parc Afon Ewenni and a one form entry school at Porthcawl.  She also informed the Committee of progress made in supporting Flying Start settings through the medium of Welsh.

The Consultation, Engagement and Equalities Manager reported on the progress of work in partnership with Menter Iaith to deliver half term activities and with the Urdd Sports Department to deliver Welsh-medium sports provision.  Work was also ongoing to develop opportunities post Covid-19; to provide opportunities during school holidays to continue the use of the Welsh language outside school hours and to introduce Welsh medium opportunities within second language schools. 

The Chairperson referred to the figure of 2,850 children accessing Welsh- medium sports provision and asked whether this was during school holidays and whether the figure related to children attending or opportunities to attend.  The Group Manager Learner Support stated that she would clarify the figure with the Group Manager Sports and Physical Activity.  The Consultation, Engagement and Equalities Manager clarified that the figures in the tables related to activities for children during school holidays.  The Group Manager Learner Support informed the Committee that representatives of the Urdd will be attending the next meeting of the WESP Forum and every opportunity was taken to capitalise on new initiatives to promote the Welsh language. 

A member of the Committee referred to the table showing the numbers of pupils transferring from one year in Year 6 into Year 7 the following year and questioned the accuracy of the percentages.  The Group Manager Learner Support informed the Committee that she would revisit the percentages in the table. 

The member also questioned whether research has been undertaken of the reasons why some families choose not to continue their children’s education through the medium of Welsh at secondary level.  The Group Manager Learner Support informed the Committee that further work needs to be undertaken on the reasons for some pupils not continuing their education through the medium of Welsh when they reach secondary education. 

The member further questioned whether research has been undertaken of the location of Welsh- medium schools as many pupils living in the valleys gateways areas choose to attend YGG Llanhari in RCT and not YGG Llangynwyd.  The Group Manager Learner Support informed the Committee that a bid to the Welsh Government had recently been submitted for a seedling school at Porthcawl.  She stated that the School Modernisation team will always look at the location of schools when drawing up plans for new schools. 

A member of the Committee was pleased to see the steps taken to promoting the Welsh language by Cabinet Members and officers.

The Cabinet Member Social Services and Early Help referred to the need for the authority to grow its own Welsh speaking teaching staff and asked what the quality of the teaching material was and whether the authority engages with Universities in this regard, as many teachers, who teach through the medium of Welsh reside outside of the County Borough.  The Group Manager Learner Support stated that within Outcome 7 of the draft WESP 10-year, there is a focus on this issue and there was a need to strengthen.  Engagement had been undertaken with Swansea University to ensure a breadth of Welsh speaking teachers, teaching through the medium of Welsh.  Regarding teaching material being in Welsh, the authority works with the Central South Consortium and the Group Manager Learner Support was unaware of its unavailability in Welsh.

A member of the Committee referred to the unavailability of textbooks in the medium of Welsh for pupils previously, which was no longer the case.  The Cabinet Member Education and Regeneration believed that the teaching material and textbooks had improved significantly and there was a need to have as much of a Welsh culture and dimension as possible.

RESOLVED:            That the Cabinet Committee Equalities Committee received and considered the report.