CYMDEITHAS YR IAITH GENERAL MEETING MOTIONS

EDUCATION MOTIONS

  1. THE NEED FOR WELSH IN 14 – 19 YEAR OLD EDUCATION COLLEGES

Whilst we welcome the intention (included in the Government's Learning and Skills draft measure) to co-ordinate the resources of schools and colleges to ensure a wide range of education options for 14 – 19 year old in rural areas, Cymdeithas yr Iaith calls for resources to ensure a speedy increase in the capacity of Colleges to provide Welsh-medium education. Otherwise, many current students at this age will have fewer opportunities to receive their education through the medium of Welsh.

Proposed by: Sioned Elin

Seconded by: Angharad Clwyd

  1. THE CAMPAIGN FOR A WELSH LANGUAGE FEDERAL COLLEGE

The General Meeting notes that:

  • Important developments have happened over the past few months
  • The Coleg Ffederal Planning Board has a wide-ranging membership and therefore shows potential.

The General Meeting resolves that:

  • We should put pressure on politicians to move quickly in setting up a Welsh Language Federal College in case the political climate changes and the opportunity is lost.
  • We should put pressure on the members of the Coleg Ffederal Planning Board to keep our four core principles as a basis for the discussions and the planning.
  • We should encourage our University Celloedd [Branches] as well as Student Unions to put pressure on their own Universities to support rather than hinder the work of the Planning Board.

Proposed by: Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg Education Group.

  1. A CALL ON THE GOVERNORS OF WALES

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg calls on Governing Bodies throughout Wales to grasp the opportunity (in the Assembly Government's new regulations) to form plans for education in their own areas rather than wait for Local Education Authority direction. The Plans could include newly-formed federations that would keep the identity of the schools, collaboration with secondary schools, or the continuation of the status quo. We believe that the bureaucrats of the Local Education Authorities should limit their role to the work of empowering people in their local communities to prepare plans that are appropriate for them.

Proposed by: Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg Education Group.

FREE COMMUNITIES CAMPAIGN MOTION

  1. RIGHT TO RENT

The General Meeting believes it is more difficult than ever for young people to stay in their communities in the current economic conditions, due to a difficulty in getting a mortgage, and the limited numbers of houses available to rent, and that this continues to work against the continuation and the development of viable Welsh language communities. The General Meeting believes that the Assembly Government's emphasis on affordable housing is irrelevant in the current economic position. The General Meeting calls on the Assembly Government to reconsider its policy on affordable housing, and to look instead towards ensuring a Right to Rent for young people who wish to stay in their local communities. The General Meeting further calls on the Assembly Government to take advantage of the low prices in the current housing market, and to give clear instruction to local authorities to increase their housing stock, and to give priority to prospective tenants from the local community. The General Meeting instructs the Free Communities Group to organise a campaign on this basis.

Proposed by: Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg Free Communities Campaign Group

WELSH LANGUAGE ACT CAMPAIGN MOTION

  1. DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT

The General Meeting notes that a new Welsh Language Act is included in the promises made in the One Wales coalition document.

It further notes its disappointment in the government that there has been no announcement on the legislative competence order on the Welsh language.

The General Meeting believes that a comprehensive Welsh language act is needed that will ensure three things:

  • A right for individuals to speak Welsh in all aspects of their lives, including when dealing with the private sector;
  • That the Welsh language is given official status in Wales;
  • That a Language Commissioner post is created that will ensure that the two points above are implemented.

As a final warning, the General Meeting calls on the Assembly Government and on the Westminster government to implement and announce their intentions on the new Welsh Language Act including the three points above as soon as possible.

Propsed by: Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg Welsh Language Act Campaign Group

GENERAL MOTIONS

  1. A GENERAL MEETING FOR THE WHOLE OF WALES

We propose that the General Meeting should move every year, and be located in Aberystwyth, Cardiff and Caernarfon in turn. This will be a boost for the organisation and will be a means to promoting our activities in the north, the centre and the south.

We also propose that it is the responsibility of Senedd officers to find venues in the three new locations if this motion is passed.

Proposed by: Osian Jones

Seconded by: Steffan Cravos

  1. GREEN WALES

We propose that the Cymdeithas yr Iaith GymraegSenedd should draft environmental and green policies that will encompass all our work, including on campaigns and administration.

Proposed by: Gwynedd Region, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg

  1. CYMDEITHAS YR IAITH GYMRAEG AT THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD

We propose that Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, during the 2009 Meirion and District, should not restrict the missionary work of the organisation to the unit on the Maes and the evening gigs, but that we go to the people, and approach the numerous Eisteddfod-goers who do not go to the Maes, be that on Maes B, in the Gorlan or on Bala high street.

Proposed by: Osian Jones

Seconded by: Delyth Evans

PLEASE NOTE THAT A MOTION WILL ALSO RESULT FROM THE DISCUSSION ON THE MUSIC SCENE IN WALES.