Agenda item

Council received the report of the Head of Participation in relation to the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2017/20 (WESP).

Some Members felt that there was a lack of enthusiasm and vision in the Plan and that the Authority would not meet the deadline set by Welsh Government, of 1m Welsh speakers by 2050.  Members accepted that this was the first time that new Welsh Schools were being provided in the County Borough, however there were no new provisions for primary, nursery or pre-school pupils.  The Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning accepted that it would be difficult to achieve the target, but that it was hoped that with the provision of the second campus this may enthuse pupils to seek education through the medium of Welsh. Members felt that there was a need to increase the number of Welsh speaking teachers across Wales and that the document should be reviewed on an annual basis.

The relevant Cabinet Member advised Council that he had met recently with Menter Iaith, following the consultation period, and would meet again in October to discuss further.  He stressed that the Welsh Government target of 1m Welsh speakers referred not just to the classroom but across all sectors of the community.

RESOLVED:      That, having given due regard to the Equality Impact Assessment and the responses to the consultation and the impact assessments in relation to equality, risk, Welsh Language, legal and workforce, the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan for 2017-2020 (WESP) be approved, prior to submission to the Welsh Government, with an implementation date of the 1 April 2017.