Agenda and minutes

Welsh Language Cabinet Sub Committee - Monday, 19th July, 2021 10.00 am

Venue: Virtual

Contact: Sarah Handy - Council Business Unit, Democratic Services  07385401942

Items
No. Item

1.

Declaration of Interest

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

 

Note:

 

1.     Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest.

 

2.     Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

Minutes:

 In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, Councillor Rhys Lewis declared the following personal declaration of interest pertaining to the agenda and remained in the meeting when the item was discussed and voted upon:

 

·       “I am the Chair of Governors in Abercynon Primary School, a school referenced in the WESP report”. 

 

2.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 110 KB

To receive the minutes of the Welsh Language Cabinet Steering Group meeting which was held on the 22nd April 2021.

Minutes:

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 22nd April 2021 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

3.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies of absence were received from County Borough Councillors L. Hooper and Vice Chair J. Rosser.

4.

Welcome

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed County Borough Councillor R Lewis to his first meeting of the Steering Group.

 

 

5.

DRAFT WELSH IN EDUCATION STRATEGIC PLAN pdf icon PDF 2 MB

To consider the draft Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP).

Minutes:

The Council Business Unit Manager provided the Welsh Language

Cabinet Steering Group Members with an overview of the reporting framework for the Council’s Draft Welsh in Education Strategic Plan,   advising Members of the opportunity to comment on the draft WESP and the consultation proposed within, before consideration by Cabinet on the 20th July. Members were advised that subject to the decision taken by Cabinet it was intended that the Draft WESP would be further presented to the Steering Group prior to consideration by cabinet so that the working group could assist in a robust decision making process.

 

 

The Council Business Unit Manager provided the Welsh Language

Cabinet Steering Group Members with an overview of the reporting framework for the Council’s Draft Welsh in Education Strategic Plan,   advising Members of the opportunity to comment on the draft WESP and the consultation proposed within, before consideration by Cabinet on the 20th July. Members were advised that subject to the decision taken by Cabinet it was intended that the Draft WESP would be further presented to the Steering Group prior to consideration by cabinet so that the working group could assist in a robust decision making process.

 

The Temporary Service Director 21St Century Schools and Transformation then provided Members with further detail in respect

of the WESP report.

 

Members were reminded that as well as the target to increase the

percentage of year one learners in Welsh medium education, the WESP

includes seven outcomes or areas setting out how Local Authorities are

expected to improve Welsh medium and Welsh language education in their locality. The priorities are:

 

1.     Outcome 1: More nursery / three year old learners receive their education through the medium of Welsh.

2.     Outcome 2: More reception / five year old learners receive their education through the medium of Welsh.

3.     Outcome 3: More learners continue to improve their Welsh language skills when transferring from one stage of their statutory education to another.

4.     Outcome 4: More learners study for assessed qualifications in Welsh (as a subject) and subjects through the medium of Welsh.

5.     Outcome 5: More opportunities for learners to use Welsh in different contexts in school.

6.     Outcome 6: An increase in the provision of Welsh medium education for learners with additional learning needs.

7.     Outcome 7: Increase the number of teaching staff able to teach Welsh (as a subject) and through the medium of Welsh.

 

Following a detailed overview, discussions ensued. The Chair thanked officers for the detailed overview and noted that the WESP has been the culmination of detailed, hard work by Officers, complimented with successful partnership engagement with external partners. The Chair was pleased to see the longer term view and noted that regular reviews will take place over that 10 year period.

 

Another Member thanked officers for giving a detailed update and noted that in respect of outcome 5, it is important that learners are encouraged to use the Welsh language outside of school settings and in the local community. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Urgent Business

To consider any other business, which the Chairman by reason of special circumstances is of the opinion should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

Minutes:

There was no urgent business to report.

7.

Date of Next Meeting

To note the date of the next meeting of the Welsh Language Cabinet Steering Group as the 6th October 2021.

Minutes:

The Chair noted the date of the next meeting to be the 19th October 2021.