The Equalities Officer presented a report that informed Committee of the content and approach taken with the Council’s Welsh Language Standards Annual Report 2015/16.

The report gave some background information, following which it advised that the Welsh Language Standards Annual Report 2015/16 (attached at Appendix 1) had been published?.

The report outlined:-

·         The preparations for compliance with the March 2016 standards made by the council and the ways in which the council has complied with the standards;

·         the number of complaints received by the council during the period in question;

·         the number of employees who had Welsh language skills at the end of the year;

·         the number of employees attending training courses offered in Welsh during the period and the percentage of staff attending who attended the Welsh version;

·         the number of new and vacant posts advertised during the period categorised as posts where either –

Ø  Welsh language skills were essential;

Ø  Welsh language skills needed to be learnt following appointment to the post;

Ø  Welsh language skills were desirable and

Ø  Welsh language skills were not necessary.

The Equalities Officer added that the report also included data relating to reception services as well as the number of Full Equality Impact Assessments undertaken.

He further added that the standards that relate to publishing an annual report do not require that the report be approved by the Council or the Welsh Language Commissioner prior to publication, as was previously required.

A Member hoped that in the future, there would be evidence that reflected outcomes arising from the financial commitment that was being made by the Authority with regard to the Welsh Language Standards, for example an increase in the number of Welsh speakers in the Council. She was hopeful that a commitment would be made to schools, so that younger people could develop their welsh speaking skills going forward as the future generation of society in the area of the BCB, especially in welsh language schools, so as to maximise pupils development in terms of speaking welsh fluently. She was aware of the extent of financial commitment that had to be made to satisfy the requirements of the Standards.

The Chairperson advised that there would be more data included in next year’s Annual Report on the Welsh Language Standards, as matters would have progressed further by then, as well as outcomes of appeals made against some of the standards that are required to be introduced.

The Equalities Officer confirmed that the Authority also had to produce a 5 Year Strategy, working with other key partners so as to fully develop this, which would, in turn, assist in increasing the use of Welsh language spoken in Bridgend. A challenge would be, however how the provisions of the Strategy was measured against the communities comprising Bridgend, in terms of the use of Welsh language being developed.

The Deputy Leader reminded those present, that the Urdd National Eisteddfod would be coming to Bridgend next year, and this allowed an opportunity to conjure up enthusiasm for constituents to develop their skills in the use of welsh language, especially young people as the event itself was designed for individuals of a younger rather than an older age.

A Member asked the Officer for clarification as to what was meant in the last paragraph of paragraph 4.1 of the report.

The Equalities Officer explained, that prior to the Welsh Language Standards and the Measure being introduced, it was incumbent upon all welsh local authorities to introduce a Welsh Language Scheme, and this had to be formally approved by Cabinet and Council, before being sent to the Welsh Commissioner. This process however, did not apply under the new Welsh Language Standards.

RESOLVED:                      That the Cabinet Committee Equalities received and considered the report, and the Welsh Language Standards Annual Report 2015/16.