Decision details

The Service Director, Democratic Services and Communication provided the Cabinet with the recommendations of the Welsh Language Cabinet Steering Group, which considered a report of the Welsh Language Commissioner’s revised recommendations for their List of Standardised Welsh Place-names.

The Service Director advised that during consideration of the report at the Welsh Language Cabinet Steering Group meeting, Members were unanimous in their feelings towards adopting any of the recommended changes to the place names within RCT and remained of the view that any proposed changes should be consulted upon with the Local Member and community prior to implementation. Therefore, the Steering Group agreed to recommend that Cabinet refuse to adopt the List of Welsh Place-names as applicable to Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The Service Director drew Members’ attention to section 7 of the report and explained although the Steering Group had due regard to compliance with the Welsh Language Standards when formulating the recommendations made to Cabinet, as with any decision taken by the Council, the Commissioner may determine to review compliance with those standards in line with its regulatory powers.  

The Leader and Deputy Leader both spoke of the Commissioner’s List and conveyed their disappointment that it was not subject to public consultation prior to its publication. Having due regard to the legal advice provided, Members agreed to approve the implementation of the List of Welsh Place-names as applicable to Rhondda Cynon Taf in part excluding the four significant changes relating to Treorchy, Rhydyfelin, Llanwono and Treforest, as recommended by officers in the report considered by the Steering Group.

Cabinet Member for Adult Community Services & Welsh Language and Chair of the Welsh Language Cabinet Steering Group advised that he would write to both the Welsh Language Commissioner and Welsh Government Minister on behalf of the Council to express the concerns of Members detailed above.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the content of the report considered by the Welsh Language Cabinet Steering Group on the 9^th October, 2019 and;

2.    To approve the implementation of the List of Welsh Place-names as applicable to Rhondda Cynon Taf in part excluding the four significant changes relating to Treorchy, Rhydyfelin, Llanwono and Treforest.

3.    That the Chair of the Welsh Language Cabinet Steering Group writes to the Welsh Language Commissioner and Welsh Government Minister to express the Local Authority’s disappointment that the List was not subject to consultation prior to its publication.