• Agenda and minutes
  • Agenda and minutes

    Venue: Virtual

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

    Items
    No. Item

    8.

    Welcome & Introductions

    Minutes:

    The Chair welcomed Members to the meeting of the Welsh Language Cabinet Steering Group and Officers and Members were asked to introduce themselves.

     

    9.

    Apologies

    Minutes:

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

    10.

    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, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.

     

     

    11.

    Minutes pdf icon PDF 233 KB

    To receive the minutes of the Welsh Language Cabinet Steering Group meeting which was held on 19th July 2021.

    Minutes:

    It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 19th July 2021 as an accurate reflection of the meeting

     

    12.

    An update on the National Eisteddfod in RCT

    Minutes:

    With the aid of a power point presentation, the Eisteddfod Chief Executive provided Members with an update on the Eisteddfod 2024 to be held in Rhondda Cynon Taf. She provided background information to the Eisteddfod highlighting that it is the biggest cultural festival to be held in Europe attracting over 175,000 visitors annually. She outlined the aims of the Eisteddfod today to celebrate Welsh language and culture as part of a vibrant and welcoming event. The Chief Executive outlined the importance of having local influences on the Eisteddfod and the opportunity for Rhondda Cynon Taf to put its own stamp on the event. She highlighted the importance of working together with the Local Authority to ensure the inclusion of all communities and to achieve the desired outcomes of encouraging both local residents and visitors to the Eisteddfod. She provided Members with the detail of seven legacies that can be achieved through the Eisteddfod, including Community, Culture, Linguistic, Economy, Digital, Inclusivity and Volunteering.

     

    The Eisteddfod Head of Communications continued the presentation outlining to Members details of the Eisteddfod Community Project including welcoming a dedicated Project Officer from Rhondda Cynon Taf. She informed Members of the strategic plan to create a community forum and work with groups in the local area to provide a taste of the Eisteddfod. Details of the 2 phases of work were provided to Members outlining the steps that will be taken to engage with groups county wide.

     

    The Chair thanked the Eisteddfod for providing the Group with such a detailed presentation and noted that the Eisteddfod is a great opportunity for RCT. The Chair praised the legacies that can be achieved through the Eisteddfod and made reference to his own journey of learning Welsh inspired by the Eisteddfod.

     

    The Director of Prosperity and Development praised the presentation and noted that even though the Eisteddfod had been effected by the Pandemic it was still going to be a huge success and a great opportunity for the County Borough.

     

    Discussion continued and a Member emphasised the need to make the Eisteddfod as inclusive and diverse as possible. The Member noted that there has been a significant investment in schools in RCT and that young people will be taking the lead in the Eisteddfod. The Member noted the responsibility on young people to get older generations involved and the generation legacy aspect of the Eisteddfod that is so important in our communities.

     

    Another Member noted the importance of getting non-Welsh speakers involved in the Eisteddfod and praised the work of the Communication Forums in achieving this.

     

    The Service Director 21st Century Schools and Transformation offered the Eisteddfod any help in respect of schools in the County Borough and noted the exciting opportunities that the Eisteddfod will bring. The Chair agreed and noted the importance of getting non Welsh speaking schools involved in the Eisteddfod as well.

     

    The Menter Iaith Representative, Einir Sion, praised the presentation from the Eisteddfod and noted two points. The first was to offer the support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

    13.

    WELSH LANGUAGE PROMOTION STRATEGY - ASSESSMENT pdf icon PDF 111 KB

    To receive and consider an assessment of the Council’s performance against the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy.

     

     

    Minutes:

    Members were provided with an assessment of the Council’s performance against the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy, as required under Standard 146 of the Compliance Notice issued to Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council under Section 44 of the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011.

     

    Following this overview, Nia Davies from NICO provided Members of the Steering Group with a presentation covering a review of the 5 year strategy. Members were informed that the 3 main messages from the review include the importance of language transmission, Meithrin/Nurseries and post 16 pathways. The recommendations of the review include that the 5 year plan should respond to the 2021 Census, to look at the opportunities coming from the language forum and from shared partners and to measure outcomes and to look towards the 2024 National Eisteddfod and lessons learned.

     

    Following the presentation, the Chair thanked officers for providing the Steering Group with such a detailed overview and noted that the Steering Group has been tasked with ensuring that the Council complies with its targets.

     

    Discussions ensued and the Menter Iaith Representative, Einir Sion, noted that the process of promoting the strategy has been very constructive and that we are all able to learn lessons from the process. It was noted that the review provides us with an opportunity to look at relationships with partners and to include this in our future strategy. The Menter Iaith Representative noted the importance of the use of the Welsh language in the post 16 area and the importance of using volunteers to help with this demand. The Representative also noted the importance of developing services and creating partnerships to a continuation beyond the National Eisteddfod.

     

    Discussions continued and a Member noted that the priorities within the 5 year plan are aligned with the National vision and noted the opportunities within our communities to increase our Welsh speakers.

     

    The Service Manager – Welsh Language Services wished to place on record his thanks to Einir Sion as a partner in developing the 5 year strategy. The Chair echoed these sentiments.

     

    Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to note the content of the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy report and assessment.

     

    14.

    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:

    The Chair informed the Steering Group that the Menter Iaith Representative, Einir Sion, will be leaving her post and that this was her last meeting of the Steering Group. The Chair wished to place on record his thanks to Enir Sion for being a tremendous support to the Group. The Chair wished to congratulate Einir Sion on her new post and to wish her every success in the future. Members of the Steering Group echoed these sentiments.

    15.

    Date of Next Meeting

    To note the date of the next meeting of the Welsh Language Cabinet Steering Group as the 8th December 2021.

    Minutes:

    The Chair noted the date of the next meeting as the 8th December 2021.