NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Cabinet

2 June 2021

Report of the Head of Human & Organisational Development – S Rees

Matter for Monitoring

Wards Affected: All Wards

Report Title: Welsh Language Standards Annual Report 2020-2021

Purpose of the Report

To present the Welsh Language Standards Annual Report for 2020-2021, produced in accordance with the Welsh Language Standards (No.1) Regulations 2015.

Executive Summary

This annual report, produced in accordance with the Welsh Language Standards (No.1) Regulations 2015, provides an overview of compliance with the standards with which we had a duty to comply during the year.

The report also details the number of complaints received during the year which relate to compliance with the service delivery, operational and policy making standards and the Welsh language generally. A total of three complaints were received during the year; two via the Welsh Language Commissioner and one direct to the Council.

Specific information as required by the standards in relation to the Welsh language skills of employees and new and vacant posts is also included.

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has had significant impact on our services during 2020-2021 with many of our workforce being redeployed to other service areas to support the work in tackling the outbreak and supporting residents in these unprecedented times. We have had to make considerable changes to the way we have delivered our services, in some cases even suspending services particularly during the first lockdown period.

Even though challenging, last year has also provided an opportunity to reassess our Welsh language provision and a number of changes to our internal processes and procedures are being considered/put in place to help ensure we are in a better position to provide Welsh language services for the future.

Background:

Following the Welsh Language Commissioner’s final determination in relation to the Council’s challenge to a number of standards a final compliance notice was received on 25 April 2018.

The annual report, attached at Appendix 1, provides an overview of compliance with the standards with which we had a duty to comply during 2020-2021.

The Council’s Welsh Language Officer Group remains key to the promotion of the Welsh language, the implementation of the standards, identification of good practice and monitoring compliance. However, the Group’s ability to meet or be as involved as in previous years has been affected with the impact of the pandemic. Nevertheless the Group has resumed activities and a work programme has been developed for 2021-2022 to make progress.

Annual Report

Monitoring compliance with the Welsh language standards during 2020-2021 was challenging given the unprecedented situation as a result of the pandemic. The Welsh Language Commissioner’s monitoring report 2019-2020, which was received in August 2020, identified areas which during that period fell short of expectations. However, the majority of the issues had already been rectified and those that remained a cause for concern have been included in the Welsh Language Officer Group’s work programme for 2021-2022.

While little monitoring was possible during last year there has been an opportunity to begin to review some of the internal processes which once addressed will help ensure a better more effective Welsh language service can be provided.

Areas for review/action:

Intranet information and support page – this needs to be more visible with updated documents and promotional material available.

Welsh language correspondence requests - the online form has been redesigned to improve clarity so that the database holds accurate information for use by all service areas.

Promotion – a review of the promotion of the Welsh language is to be undertaken to help celebrate the language and culture amongst staff and within our communities.

Integrate Impact Assessment Audit – a review of the IIA framework is to be undertaken to ensure the framework is embedded into practice.

Social media – internal processes continue to be reviewed to help ensure all corporate and service area social media accounts meet the requirement of the standards.

Financial Impacts:

Full compliance with the standards continues to be challenging, particularly with the impact of the outbreak of the pandemic on the Council’s human resources.

Integrated Impact Assessment:

There is no requirement to undertake an Integrated Impact Assessment as this report is for monitoring/information purposes.

Valleys Communities Impacts:

The Annual Report includes progress made in delivering services to support residents in valley communities.

Workforce Impacts:

Staff with Welsh language skills continue to be encouraged to use Welsh in their work. In order to help increase the future language capability of staff the Council encourages the uptake of available Welsh courses. While continuing to recognise the limits to increasing language capability currently due to restrictions on external recruitment we are taking every opportunity to recruit staff with Welsh language skills where appropriate.

Legal Impacts:

This report deals with the Council’s duty to comply with the final Compliance Notice issued on 25 April 2018.

Risk Management Impacts:

Failure to comply with the standards could lead to a £5,000 fine per standard. There is also a risk of damage to the Council’s reputation.

Consultation:

There is no requirement for external consultation on this item

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

Members monitor Neath Port Talbot Council’s Welsh Language Standards Annual Report 2020-2021, attached at Appendix 1, prior to its publication by the statutory deadline of 30 June.

Reasons for Proposed Decision:

This is a matter for monitoring therefore no decision is required.

Implementation of Decision:

This is a matter for monitoring therefore no decision is required.

Appendix:

Appendix 1 - Welsh Language Standards Annual Report 2020-2021

List of Background Papers:

Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011

Welsh Language Standards (No.1) Regulations 2015

Welsh Language Standards Compliance Notice

Officer Contact:

Mrs Sheenagh Rees Head of Human and Organisational Development Tel: 01639 763315 or e-mail: s.rees5@npt.gov.uk

Mrs Rhian Headon Corporate Policy Officer Equalities and Welsh Language Tel 01639 763010 or email: r.headon@npt.gov.uk