Decision details

The Director of Public Health, Protection and Community Services provided an update to Members on progress made against actions within the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy 2022-2027.

The Arts Service, Libraries and One4All Service, and the RCT Together Community Development Team had made progress in support of the delivery of the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy through their provision of information and advice, engagement and participation, and programmes and projects and Members attention was drawn to section 5 of the report, which detailed the key highlights.

The Chair thanked the Director for the positive report and noted that it had captured areas in which the public regularly frequent, and thus was pleased to note the opportunities for the public to learn the Welsh Language in the community.

The Chair was pleased to note that since 1 April 2022 to end of March 2024, over 400 applications for grants of between £1,000 to £200,000 had been received by the Community Development Team for their Community Grant programme; and that eight projects, specifically targeting Welsh Language use opportunities, had been approved. The Chair emphasised the importance of working with the community and community groups such as Menter Iaith, of whom all share the same ambitions.

The Deputy Leader echoed the Chair’s positive comments in relation to the work of the Arts Service, Libraries and One4All Service and the Community Development Team. The Deputy was particularly pleased to note that a new Steering Group, led by Pontypridd Town Council and community organisations and supported by the RCT Together Community Development Team, had been established in Pontypridd with a focus on tracking and developing Welsh language activities.

Referring to section 5.3.1, the Deputy Leader sought clarification on how many of the 400 grants received had been approved during the period 1April 2022 to end of March 2024. Officers advised that a vast amount of grants were awarded to applications across RCT, which had met the priorities of the Community Grant Programme and that the exact number would be circulated to Members following the meeting.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Corporate Services took the opportunity to commend the libraries for the array of work undertaken to promote the language; such as Welsh Language stories and craft sessions, as well as a variety of Welsh language activities offered by external partners.

The Sub-Committee RESOLVED:

1.    To consider the information within the report.