Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Mullin introduced the Draft Welsh Language Promotion Strategy report which presented the draft five year Strategy for Flintshire for approval prior to wider consultation. 

The Strategy identified how the Council could work with partner agencies and others in the community such as Town and Community Councils and businesses.

The Corporate Business and Communications Executive Officer explained that the Strategy had been presented to Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee the previous week where it was supported and endorsed. 

The Chief Executive commented on clarification that was sought at that meeting on the data in table 3 of the appendix and explained that the information was obtained from census data.  It was accepted that how the census questions had been structured would be reviewed.   He added that the Welsh Language Commissioner had provided positive comments on the Council’s Strategy with the Council being respected for what it had achieved.

Councillor Butler commented on the number of Welsh speakers in Flintshire being higher than many other authorities across Wales which was pleasing.  In response to a comment from Councillor Thomas, The Corporate Business and Communications Executive Officer explained that Council reception staff wore a badge to identify them if they were a Welsh speaker and dialogue in Welsh was encouraged.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the draft Welsh Language Promotion Strategy be approved for consultation;

(b)       That the consultation process and timetable be approved; and

(c)        That the final version of the plan be recommended for adoption in July 2018.