The publication of a Language Strategy and the appointment of the Working Welsh Tutor were among the main achievements in 2018-2019 according to a report approved at a Cabinet meeting on 11 June.
The Welsh Language Standards Monitoring report 2018-19 outlines the council's progress towards meeting the requirements of the Welsh Language Standards. The Welsh language (Wales) measure 2011 places a duty on Ceredigion County Council to comply with the Welsh Language Standards to improve the quality and availability of the council's Welsh-medium services.
The report shows that 63% of council staff can have a day-to-day conversation in Welsh, and only 4% of the workforce do not have any Welsh Language skills. 129 members of staff have been given the opportunity to learn or improve their language skills and 30 pairs of language friends meet informally as well as a Lunch Club. The Lunch Club gives fluent speakers and learners the chance to come together to chat informally.
Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn is the Council Leader and the Cabinet member with responsibility for the Welsh language. She said, “The report shows a lot of positive progress in implementing the Language Standards, and underlines the council's efforts to provide opportunities for staff to use their Welsh in the workplace, and to learn Welsh if they wish.”
“We take our duties under the Welsh Language Standards seriously and aim to make continuous improvements in our Welsh-medium provision. Many of our residents expect a service in their first language and we are determined to provide that.”
The report sets out the steps that have been taken in order to comply with the requirements of the standards. Service delivery; policy making; operational; promotion and record keeping are detailed in the report.
The Welsh Language Standards Monitoring report 2018-19 is available on the council's website at https://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/media/5527/annual-welsh-language-standards-report-2018-19.pdf. If you would like a hard copy of the report, you will be given a copy from any of the council's receptions or public libraries.
11/06/2019