Issue - meetings

(a)       That the successful outcome for Flintshire County Council on negotiated Standards within the final Compliance Notice be endorsed;

(b)       That the Welsh Language Standards be fully supported; and

(c)       To receive a further report on the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy, which is a requirement of the Standards and will raise the profile and strengthen the Welsh language in Flintshire.

The Chief Executive presented the report on the outcome of negotiations with the Welsh Language Commissioner for a new set of Welsh Language Standards for the Council.

The Chief Executive said that the challenge in applying a uniform approach to all Welsh councils was recognised, particularly for cross-border counties such as Flintshire.  He wished to put on record his appreciation to the Welsh Language Commissioner and her team in engaging positively with the Council to achieve a set of Standards acceptable to both parties.  A pragmatic approach had been taken to resolving concerns on specific Standards with examples cited on committee agenda papers and signage.  Positive dialogue with the Commissioner had led to recognition on the major risks involved on costs and capacity if no amendments had been made to the original Standards.  The cost of implementing the Standards was being managed by a budget pressure.

Councillor Billy Mullin welcomed the outcomes and the Commissioner’s positive approach to implementation in Flintshire.

The Chairman said that the report demonstrated the benefits of constructive negotiations.

Councillor Robin Guest thanked the Chief Executive and Policy Advisor (Equality & Cohesion) for their work and made the point that ‘implementation date’ would have been better wording on the Compliance Notice.

In response to remarks by Councillor Paul Shotton, the Chief Executive said that the cost of implementing the negotiated Standards was £35K.  If the Commissioner had insisted on all committee reports being translated, the cost could have been in the region of £350K.  He explained the approach to translation services required at partnership meetings based on scale of need.  In addition to the Standards, work was underway on the development of a Welsh Language Promotion Strategy to be brought to the Committee around September 2017.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the successful outcome for Flintshire County Council on negotiated Standards within the final Compliance Notice be endorsed;

(b)       That the Welsh Language Standards be fully supported; and

(c)       To receive a further report on the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy, which is a requirement of the Standards and will raise the profile and strengthen the Welsh language in Flintshire.