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 of Menter Iaith and to note the great work of the Communication Forums and the positive changes that it brings to the way we work in our local communities. The second point was to query whether RCT’S new 5 year strategy will be relevant to the time after the Eisteddfod and include steps to embed the legacy of the Eisteddfod.. The Service Manager – Welsh Language Services noted that the current 5 year strategy’s success and weaknesses will be considered and the new strategy should include actions to support the legacy of the Eisteddfod in RCT.
Discussions continued and the Chair noted that the delay caused to the Eisteddfod by the Pandemic will make the Eisteddfod even more of a success as it has given officers even more time to prepare.
The Service Director – Community Services noted that the legacy of the Eisteddfod in RCT will be considered across all departments in the Council and will be relevant in action plans for all services.
Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to note the update from the National Eisteddfod in RCT.