Agenda item

The Leader was pleased to present the annual report which detailed the Council’s progress in complying with the Welsh Language Standards as part of the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011.

The report provided an overview of the Council’s progress in meeting the Standards, included information required to be published on an annual basis, a summary of key achievements during the year, and priority areas for future work.

Whilst this was a Newport City Council report, engagement, development, and co-production was at the heart of all activities and events. Da iawn pawb.

Members noted the key highlights from the year, including:

o   The significant increase in delivery of Welsh Language Awareness sessions for the council’s workforce with 99 members of staff being trained.

o   The adoption of the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) 2022-2032 Council and approval by Welsh Government.

o   The launch of the Council’s Welsh Language Skills Policy demonstrating the Council’s commitment to the Welsh language through recruitment and training.

The report also identified the key priorities for 2023-24, including:

o   Building on the creative partnership arrangements developed outside the public and voluntary sector to better raise the profile of the Welsh language across Newport with opportunities at Dragons rugby and Newport County AFC.

o   Delivering a cohesive approach to Welsh language skills development across our OneNewport partners through the Right Skills Board.

o   An even greater focus on recruitment, retention, and development of Welsh speakers across all services areas within the council, and

o   Facilitating and supporting events throughout the year and looking at the cross-cutting themes around equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The Leader invited the Cabinet Member for Organisational Transformation and lead for Equalities and Welsh Language to comment. If happy with this, officers will update the Cabinet Member with the below words.

Councillor Batrouni thanked the Leader and remarked that as the Cabinet Member lead for Welsh language, I welcome this Annual Welsh Language Monitoring Report which reflected on our achievements, performance, and compliance with our statutory duties.

This year has again demonstrated the council’s commitment to the Welsh language whilst we have readjusted to the relaxation of restrictions of the global pandemic and the ongoing financial budgetary demands to make unequivocal progress against our commitments towards the Welsh language in the city.  The Cabinet Member for Organisational Transformation added that the Council could not do this alone and needed the support of the community and the Welsh speakers within the city with community groups coming together, which they could not during the pandemic.  Councillor Batrouni remarked that going forward, along with the partnership worked it was hoped to see this progress accelerated.

The Leader thanked Councillor Batrouni and also took the opportunity to thank Councillor John Harris for supporting the work in his role as Welsh Language Champion.  Diolch yn fawr iawn’.

Comments of Cabinet Members:

§  Councillor Hughes addressed his Cabinet Colleagues in Welsh and English.

Mwy nag ugain mlynedd yn ôl pan gyrhaeddais i Gasnewydd, roedd bron iawn bopeth i’w ymwneud â’r iaith Gymraeg yn frwydr i fyny’r allt.

Erbynhyn rydym yn gweld nawr ymwybyddiaeth o’r Ddinas yn tyfu – gan Gyngor rhagweithiol sy’n cysylltu â’r gymuned.

Mae’ngywir y bydd ein ffocws y flwyddyn nesaf ar bartneriaethau a datblygu staff ein hunain.

Mae'rgwaith hwnnw gwaith ein ffrindiau yn y ddinas yn gwneud gwahaniaeth mawr.

Ysgolion Cymraeg, bandiau Cymraeg, gwyliau Cymraeg fel Mari Lwyd a gwaith gwych y Fenter a Chapel Seion ac eraill yng nghanol y ddinas.

Diolchi’r aelod cabinet a’i swyddogion am eu gwaith i baratoi’r adroddiad a thrwy gydol y flwyddyn am eu gwaith i helpu sicrhau dyfodol llwyddianus i’r iaith Gymraeg yn ein cyngor.

More than Twenty years ago leader when I first arrived in Newport almost everything in relation to the Welsh language was an uphill struggle.

What we are seeing now is a city whose awareness is on the rise supported by a council that is proactively engaging with the community. It’s right that our focus in the coming year will be on partnerships and developing our own staff in all our service areas.

The work we do as a council and with our friends and partners has an impact on the city. We have seen Newport’s commitment to Welsh education, we see our pubs putting on Welsh bands and festivals like Mari Llwyd bringing the old traditions and songs to the streets of our city. I’m proud as a Welsh speaker to be part of a council that is embracing the positives of our beautiful language.

I thank our Cabinet Members for Organisational Transformation, Leader and our officers for their efforts in producing this report and throughout the year in supporting the language grow in our city.

§  The Leader thanked Councillor Hughes and was delighted to hear him deliver his response in Welsh.

§  Councillor Davies mentioned that last year the Welsh Strategic Plan had been adopted. The Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years had recently met with the Welsh Minister for Education and what was recognised by Welsh Government was our strength and strategic focus within the report; specifically in support of developing opportunities for teaching Welsh throughout Newport. This would be developed over the next 10 years and was a strong plan to be proud of.  It was noted that key priorities within Newport schools ensured that all families were made aware of Welsh medium education options as well as understanding the importance of a bilingual education.  The Cabinet Member had seen first-hand parents being invited to school and participating in the learning opportunities, such as support with homework and learning themselves to speak Welsh.  It was excellent to see this year’s Welsh Annual Report and Councillor Davies looked forward to next year’s report, which would be better.

§  Councillor Marshall added that it was an interesting report and there were also other means and opportunities to promote the Welsh language.  Councillor Marshall recently attended an event for Hungarian Children in Maindee where there was a mix of languages spoken, including Welsh. Councillor Marshall shared that he had observed an increase in the use of the Welsh language by young people in the city. Moving forward with the one million Welsh Speakers plan, Councillor Marshall felt that the focus was about those that spoke Welsh in a formal capacity also being able to speak Welsh socially.  Councillor Marshall reflected that elected members, Cabinet Members should look at the effects in their own wards and abilities and opportunities moving forward.

§  Councillor Forsey agreed that it was a very interesting report and that there was a variety of promotional activities to support the Welsh language such as singing, cooking and family activities.  Councillor Forsey felt that an important aspect of promoting the Welsh language was promoting the Welsh culture and there were a number of links to videos in the report that should be watched.  Councillor Forsey also reflected on the very low number of complaints about the Welsh language; only three for Newport City Council and two to the Welsh Commissioner and it was positive to see actions being taken forward and resolved. Councillor Forsey also felt that the Council was working closely with partners to promote Welsh, such as with Newport Live, who provided flash cards in Welsh for their staff.

Decision:

That Cabinet approved the attached final monitoring report and published it on the Council’s website, in accordance with statutory deadlines.