Agenda item

1.    That the update provided on the status of the Council’s Challenge to the Welsh Language Commissioner, as contained in the circulated report, be noted;

2.    That the amendments to the circulated report, as contained in the amendment sheet circulated at the meeting and attached hereto, be approved;

3.    That the following amendments as suggested by the Scrutiny Committee, be approved:-

·         Paragraph 32 on Page 17 be amended to be more positive

·         Paragraph 35 on Page 18 be further expanded

·         Paragraph 12 on Page 61 be expanded to identify all methods of communications in Welsh such as SKYPE, etc

·         Page 81 Officers identify how the demand for training is captured and how this can be commissioned

·         Page 95 Standard 122 Officers to clarify with the Commissioner the position re the Authority’s Internet home page

·         Page 101 No 6 Clarify that 130(a) is accepted and that 130(b) be not imposed

·         Page 104 No 6 that an all Wales training course be developed for all staff

·         Page110 Standards 141-144 that the Commissioner be requested to provide the definition of a ’sign’

·         Page 116 Standard 145 Reword this to provide clarity around the imposing of a target

4.    That the Chief Executive be given delegated authority to make any further   minor presentational changes prior to submission of the final response to the Welsh Language Commissioner;

5.    That a copy of the final submission be circulated to all Members of the Scrutiny Committee for information.

Decisions:

1.   That the update provided on the status of the Council’s Challenge to the Welsh Language Commissioner contained in the circulated report, be noted;

 2.  That the amendments to the circulated report, as contained   in the amendment sheet circulated at the meeting and attached hereto, be approved;

3.    That the following amendments as suggested by the Scrutiny  Committee, be approved:-

·      Paragraph 32 on Page 17 be amended to be more positive

·      Paragraph 35 on Page 18 be further expanded

·      Paragraph 12 on Page 61 be expanded to identify all methods of communications in Welsh such as SKYPE, etc

·      Page 81 Officers identify how the demand for training is captured and how this can be commissioned

·      Page 95 Standard 122 Officers to clarify with the Commissioner the position re the Authority’s Internet home page

·      Page 101 No 6 Clarify the 130(a) is accepted and that 130(b) be not imposed

·      Page 104 No 6 that an all Wales training course be developed for all staff

·      Page 110 Standards 141-144 that the Commissioner be requested to provide the definition of a ‘sign’

·      Page 116 Standard 145 Reword this to provide clarity around the imposing of a target

4.    That the Chief Executive be given delegated authority to make any further minor presentational changes prior to submission of the final response to the Welsh Language Commissioner;

5.   That a copy of the final submission be circulated to all Members of the Scrutiny Committee for information.

Reason for Decision:

To authorise additional information to be provided to the Welsh Language Commissioner, together with the Council’s proposals for the Final Compliance Notice to be modified in order that the Welsh Language Standards to be applied to the Council in the first instance are reasonable and proportionate.

Implementation of Decision:

The decision is an urgent one for immediate implementation, the Chair of the relevant Scrutiny Committee had agreed to this course of action and there would therefore be no call in of this decision.