Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Mullin introduced the report which provided an overview of the Welsh Language Annual Report, progress being made to comply with the Standards and areas identified for improvement.  He commented on the vision of the First Minister Carwyn Jones, for the number of Welsh speakers to grow to one million by 2050.

                        The Chief Executive explained that the data in the report included information on the Compliance Notice and actions that had been taken to meet the Standards.  The report also provided details on progress made and areas for improvement. 

There had been 16 complaints relating to Welsh language during 2016/17 which related to potential breaches of 17 Standards.  Of those, 9 complaints were investigated by the Welsh Language Commissioner with a further 2 being investigated.  The Commissioner had found the Council to be in breach of eight Standards and had chosen not to fine the Council but had served enforcement notices and made one recommendation.

Councillors Shotton and Roberts commented on the aspiration of the First Minister to grow the number of Welsh speakers, asking if funding would be given to local authorities to help to achieve that number.  Councillor Shotton added that Flintshire was already significantly contributing to that number with Ysgol Croes Atti in Flint and the satellite school in Shotton.  He also commented on Cylch Meithrin in Garden City which was a Welsh medium Flying Start provision where people were embracing the Welsh language.  Councillor Jones said she was proud to have this provision in her ward and also commented on the number of Welsh speakers in Social Services.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Welsh Language Annual Monitoring report for the period 2016/17 be agreed; and

(b)       That progress being made to implement the Welsh Language Standards and areas for improvement be noted.