Appendix 1
Wrexham County Borough Council Revised Welsh Language Scheme
CONTENT
1. INTRODUCTION
1.2 Statement by Wrexham County Borough Council
1.3 A National Action Plan for a Bilingual Wales
1.4 The Council’s Area
1.5 Promoting the Welsh Language and Culture
1.6 Council services
2. SERVICE PLANNING AND DELIVER
2.1 Mainstreaming
2.2 Wrexham County Borough Council Policies and Initiatives
2.3 Services delivered on behalf of the Council by other Parties
2.4 Awarding Grants, Loans and Sponsorship
3. DEALING WITH THE WELSH-SPEAKING PUBLIC
3.1 Written Correspondence
3.2 Telephone communications
3.3 Public Meetings
3.4 Other Meetings
3.5 Other Dealings with the Public
4. THE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC IMAGE
4.1 Corporate Identity
4.2 Signage
4.3 Publishing and Printing Public Material
4.4 Forms and Explanatory Material
4.5 Press Releases
4.6 Advertising and Publicity
4.7 Official Public Notices and Recruitment Advertising
5. STAFFING AND RECRUITMENT
5.1 Staffing
5.2 Learning Welsh/Training
5.3 Recruitment
6. IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING OF THE SCHEME
6.1 Administrative Arrangements
6.2 Administering Regulatory Functions
6.3 Monitoring
7. TARGETS
7.1 Annual Targets
8. REVISED WELSH LANGUAGE SCHEME ACTION PLAN
9. PUBLISHING INFORMATION
10. PUBLICITY
11. CONTACT DETAILS
WREXHAM COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL
WELSH LANGUAGE SCHEME
PREPARED UNDER THE WELSH LANGUAGE ACT 1993
Wrexham County Borough Council has adopted the principle that in the conduct of its public business in Wales, the English and Welsh languages will be treated on a basis of equality. This scheme sets out how the Council will give effect to that principle when providing services to the public in Wales.
This Revised Scheme received the approval of the Welsh Language Board, under section 16 of the Welsh Language Act 1993, on [date to be confirmed].
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Foreword to the Second Revised Version of the Welsh Language Scheme
1.1.1 Wrexham County Borough Council (called “the Council” in this Scheme) is responsible for the delivery of all local government services within Wrexham County Borough.
1.1.2 The Council’s first statutory Welsh Language Scheme was published in 1997 and a revised Scheme published in 2006. As the targets of the 2006 Scheme have been successfully implemented, it is now appropriate that the Scheme is revised once more, to ensure that the Council continues to improve upon its bilingual service provision.
1.1.3 In reviewing the Scheme the Council has used this opportunity to update and strengthen the previous scheme and to include additional measures and targets.
1.2 Statement by Wrexham County Borough Council
1.2.1 The Council:
i. Recognises that language is an essential part of a person’s identity
ii. Is committed to respecting the identity of all those it serves and
iii. Recognises that members of the public can express their views and needs in either the English or Welsh language whenever accessing or receiving Council services in line with the provisions within this Scheme.
12.3 Although this entire Scheme focuses on the provision of services in Welsh and English, the Council recognises that the Scheme also forms part of its broader Corporate Equalities Plan which will encompass all other equality issues such as race, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion, gender and other languages besides English and Welsh.
1.2.4 In implementing the measures of the Scheme, the Council will exercise respect for the right and fair aspiration of users of the Welsh language rather than a level of provision which may be convenient for the Council itself. The strategy for the forward planning of its services is based on the belief that it is always fair and reasonable for the public to expect to receive a service or communication from the Council in the language of their choice.
1.3 A National Action Plan for a Bilingual Wales
1.3.1 In February 2003 the Welsh Assembly Government published Iaith Pawb, a strategic policy document and ‘national action plan for a bilingual Wales’. This represents the first ever national framework for planned action at government level for preserving, sustaining and promoting the Welsh language throughout Wales. The Council supports the aims of the framework and considers that its Welsh Language Scheme represents an important local contribution towards the realisation of this broader national strategy.
1.3.2 On publishing its Welsh Language Scheme the Council commits to strengthen and promote the position of the Welsh language while stating its preparedness to support, as far as possible, activities which promote the use of Welsh in the area by:
§ Promoting and supporting the Welsh language
§ Contributing to the Assembly Government’s vision of a truly bilingual Wales and;
§ Planning, providing and evaluating services in Welsh and English.
1.4 The Council’s Area
1.4.1 The Council covers an area of 50,500 hectares and has a population of 130,000. The Council takes pride in the Welsh language and culture and in its Welsh speaking communities. According to the 2001 census 28,401 persons (aged 3 or over) have one or more Welsh Language skills which accounts for 22% of the population. 14% are fluent Welsh speakers which is a very slight increase on the 13.8% figure based on the 1991 census. Of the 22 unitary authorities in Wales, Wrexham is ranked 10th in terms of those residents (aged 3 and over) who have one or more skills in the Welsh language.
1.4.2 The ability to speak Welsh is highest in the two wards covering the Rhosllannerchrugog area where 34.9% of the population speak Welsh, followed by 34.6% with the ability to speak Welsh in Dyffryn Ceiriog. The lowest numbers of Welsh speakers are in Rossett where only 7.7% are able to do so.
1.5 Promoting the Welsh Language and Culture
1.5.1 One of the Council’s 7 Improvement Areas is to ‘Promote equality of opportunity for children and young people to become bilingual and to promote the Welsh culture’. This demonstrates the Council’s continued commitment to supporting and developing the Welsh language. The Council has five Welsh medium primary schools and a Welsh language secondary school. The Council also promotes the Welsh heritage and culture with a series of events, concerts and exhibitions throughout the year.
1.5.2 The Council recently commissioned research into the demand by parents in the county for Welsh medium education. The evidence collated identified that 67% of respondents believed that their child would benefit from Welsh medium education, and 89% would like their child to be able to speak Welsh.
1.5.3 The council is now undertaking a feasibility study to determine where additional accommodation could be sited. The results of this study are expected in April 2010.
1.6 Council Services
1.6.1 The Council delivers diverse and wide-raging services and employs over 6,000 people. The Senior Management Structure consists of a Chief Executive, three Strategic and Performance Directors and 14 Chief Officers.
1.6.2 The Council has 52 Councillors representing 47 wards. They are democratically elected every four years and form the ultimate decision making body from which all other elements in the structure derive their authority.
2. SERVICE PLANNING AND DELIVERY
2.1 Mainstreaming
2.1.1 The Welsh Assembly Government in its Language Scheme (2002) and in Iaith Pawb commits itself to mainstreaming the Welsh language and to ensure that matters concerning the language are included as relevant elements when developing policies across all of the Assembly’s departments. Iaith Pawb notes that the government will “encourage the mainstreaming of Welsh language issues in local government”.
2.1.2 The Welsh Assembly Government’s definition of mainstreaming is as follows:
“Considering the Welsh Language in all aspects of your work and in everything that you do, with the aim of ensuring that every opportunity is taken to:
§ Promote and support the Welsh language
§ Contribute to the Welsh Assembly Government’s vision of a truly bilingual Wales and;
§ Plan, provide and evaluate services in Welsh and English”
2.1.3 The Council will mainstream the Welsh language within its policies and service delivery. This means it will consider the Welsh language in all aspects of the Council’s work and in everything that the Council does. The Council will aim to ensure that every opportunity is taken to promote and support the Welsh language and a bilingual Wales and to plan, provide and evaluate services in Welsh and English.
2.1.4 The Council will ensure that matters concerning the Welsh language are included as relevant elements when developing and implementing polices and services. It will discuss with partners how it can further develop and improve Welsh language usage in relation to policies and initiatives.
2.1.5 The Council’s updated Impact Assessment Toolkit, as part of the mainstreaming process, will give due consideration and prominence to Welsh language issues. Policies that are to be subject to the impact assessment are identified by assessment against the public sector equality duties, and form part of the impact assessment schedule.
2.2 Wrexham County Borough Council Policies and Initiatives
2.2.1 The Council will ensure that the Scheme’s measures are implemented as new policies and new initiatives are put into operation. The Council will not implement any measure that will undermine the Welsh Language Scheme and its objectives. These measures will include:
§ Giving consideration to the likely effects of any policy or initiative on the Welsh language
§ Mainstreaming the use of Welsh and the principle of offering language choice in the authority’s policies and initiatives
§ Identifying opportunities to promote Welsh through the medium of the services provided
§ Take the Welsh Language into account when developing policies
2.2.2 All departmental Service Management Plans will include a target for all services to the public to be delivered in line with the Council’s Welsh Language Scheme.
2.2.3 Staff involved in formulating and implementing new policies and initiatives have been made aware of the requirements of the Welsh Language Act 1993 and the Welsh Language Scheme.
2.2.4 The way in which a service is delivered to the public varies according to its nature and size. Some services are provided from the Council’s main offices whilst others operate through libraries, depots, centres, homes and other workplaces. Some services, in particular social services, are delivered to people in their own homes. The Council is committed to ensuring that all services are offered on a basis of equality and will ensure that service provision is in line with the commitments in its Scheme.
2.2.5 Not all services are provided directly by the Council’s Departments; some are provided on behalf of the Council by agencies or bodies contracted to the Council or controlled through regulatory functions. As a rule all contracts will include an obligation to adhere to the Council’s Welsh Language Scheme.
2.2.6 Some local services are provided by other public organisations such as Voluntary sector, Community Councils or the Local Health Board. The Council works in partnership with such organisations, or may have some responsibilities for their work. Through its relationship with these organisations, the Council supervises, encourages, enables, facilitates or supports the use of Welsh by publicising its Scheme and offering advice and assistance.
2.2.7 If any new policies or initiatives are proposed which would adversely affect the Council’s implementation of the Welsh Language Scheme, the Welsh Language Board shall be consulted.
2.3 Services delivered on behalf of the Council by other Parties
2.3.1 Not all services are provided directly by the Council. Many are provided on behalf of the Council by third parties (outside agencies, contractors etc)
2.3.2 Any agreements or arrangements which are made with third parties will be consistent with appropriate parts of this Scheme, when those agreements or arrangements relate to the provision of services to the public in Wales
2.3.3 Even if the contract is of short duration and for a specific task or activity contractors are still expected to comply fully with the public facing aspects of the Scheme.
2.3.4 Where services are delivered to the public by other organisations, such as schools and community councils, the Council will encourage, facilitate and support the use of Welsh by promoting its scheme and offering advice and assistance.
2.3.5 When working in partnership with public bodies, organisations from the voluntary sector and other agencies the Council works on many levels:
a) When the Council is the strategic and financial leader within a partnership, it will ensure that the public service provision is compliant with the Council’s Welsh Language Scheme.
b) When the Council joins a partnership in which another body is leading, the Council’s input to the partnership will comply with the Council’s Welsh Language Scheme and the Council will encourage other parties to comply.
c) When the Council is a partner in a consortium, it will encourage the consortium to adopt a bilingual policy or agree a Welsh Language policy specifically for the consortium. When acting publicly in the name of the consortium, the Council will act in accordance with the Council’s Welsh Language Scheme. The consortium will be requested to ensure that all printed material and display boards used at meetings and presentations to the Council are bilingual.
2.3.6 The Council will ensure that third party contractors fully understand and implement the commitments of the Scheme when operating on behalf of the Council. The appropriate aspects of the scheme will be incorporated into the tendering documents, contracts, agreements and conditions and, where appropriate, statements on how services will be delivered to conform with the Council’s scheme. Where relevant, bilingual service provision needs will be specified within contracts.
2.3.7 When the Council joins or forms partnerships, it will ask prospective partners about their Welsh Language Schemes, language polices or the means by which they will operate bilingually. Within any partnership the Council will offer advice and support to the other partner organisations.
2.4 Awarding grants, loans and sponsorship
2.4.1 The Council allocates sponsorship and funding to external bodies. In operating this function the Council supports and promotes the use of the Welsh language.
2.4.2 The Council fulfils these commitments by ensuring that bodies and individuals receiving funding, sponsorship or grant aid from the Council operate bilingually as they undertake their activities or events, as far as this is appropriate in the circumstances and reasonable in practice. The Council will include language criteria on application forms, which require these bodies to include a statement of intent in relation to the use of language. The Council will be monitoring these statements and assessing the compliance of successful applicants with the requirements of this scheme, and reporting on the findings. This will be included in the annual monitoring report.
2.4.3 Guidance is distributed to help the Council’s staff to advise organisations that receive funding on how they can operate bilingually, and what is appropriate in the circumstances and practical within reason.