Andrew Thomas outlined information relating to the statutory
objection period to the item which ran from 17th June 2021 to 14th
July 2021. A total of 297 written objections were received during the 28 day objection
period. A large number of emails were in the standardised format, namely 92 of
the 297 objections received were standardised email format. Andrew Thomas read
a copy of the email received. There were 35 objections received in relation to
the Welsh language, 13 of these were emails claiming that there would be a
detrimental impact on the Welsh language. None of the themes that came forward
in the objection report were different to those that came forward in the
consultation report.
Mr Thomas advised that when
reorganisation takes place in English medium education there is no
requirement under the School Organisation Code to undertake a Welsh Language
Impact Assessment. However it is recognised that the Swansea valley is an area
which is deemed to be linguistically sensitive. Therefore an assessment was
carried out.
Following Cabinet on 16th June 2021, an email was
received from Welsh Government on 25th June indicating that they had
concerns about the assessment undertaken by Neath Port Talbot in that it didn’t
explicitly address what linguistically sensitive means and, also that there was
insufficient mitigation. A meeting was requested with Welsh Government to
discuss this further. A meeting was undertaken on 27th July. On 9th
August an email from Welsh Government was received which advised that further
mitigation could be explored to mitigate the effect on neighbouring Welsh
medium schools and therefore the Welsh language. An agreement was reached to
appoint a Welsh Language Planning consultant to undertake further work over the
summer to further inform the Welsh Language impact assessment. The Terms of
Reference were agreed with Welsh Government. These included to define and
confirm the context of the meaning of linguistically sensitive, setting out the
principles for promoting and safeguarding the language in such an area,
consider how the principles could be applied to Pontardawe
within the context of the Swansea valley proposal and provide options around
mitigating actions to reduce negative impacts on the stability of the future
growth of the Welsh language in the short, medium and long term.
The draft report was received from Welsh Government on 18th
October. The report has been used to update Appendix K, NPT’s Welsh Language
Impact Assessment.
Andrew Thomas advised that there would be a couple of areas
within the draft report that they would like the opportunity to contest but
have not yet had the opportunity to do so. Mr Thomas went through two examples
of where this would be challenged, including funding for developing the Welsh
medium education in the Swansea valley and also comments pertaining to the
current provision of Welsh medium education.
Mr Thomas advised that all the mitigation items have been
included in the amended Welsh Language Impact Assessment and that these can be
cross referenced with ... view the full minutes text for item 4.
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