National Assembly for Wales

The Welsh Language Partnership Council's standing orders are provided in the Annex below.

 

Annex   

 

Welsh Language Partnership Council

 

STANDING ORDERS

 

1.    Introduction

 

1.1. The Welsh Language Partnership Council (“the Partnership Council”) is established under section 149 of the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 (“the Measure”).

 

1.2. Section 149 makes provisions about the establishment and composition of the Partnership Council and the appointment of its members. It also requires Welsh Ministers to make standing orders for the Partnership Council, following consultation with the members of the Partnership Council.

 

2. Membership

 

2.1 The members of the Partnership Council are;

 

2.1.1 the Welsh Minister with responsibility for the Welsh language; and

 

2.1.2 persons appointed by the Welsh Ministers from among

 

(i) the Welsh Ministers,

 

(ii) the Deputy Welsh Minsters,

 

(iii) persons who appear to the Welsh Minsters to have experience of matters relating to the Welsh language, and

 

(iv) persons who appear to the Welsh Minsters to have experience relevant to the giving of advice or the making of representations in relation to the Welsh language strategy adopted under section 78 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (including the plan setting out how the Welsh Ministers will implement the strategy) and doing anything which the Partnership Council considers appropriate for the purposes of giving that advice or making such representations.

 

3.    Chairing of meetings

 

3.1. The Measure provides that the Welsh Minister with responsibility for the Welsh language (‘the responsible Minister’) will chair the Partnership Council.

3.2. If the responsible Minister cannot attend, the meeting must be cancelled.

3.3. But, if the responsible Minister cannot attend, and the circumstances are such that there is insufficient time to cancel the meeting, the Partnership Council will be chaired by a senior official from the Welsh Government.

 

4.    Meeting Arrangements

 

4.1. The Partnership Council will meet at least three times a year, during the Summer, Autumn and Spring terms. The responsible Minister will convene the meetings and may arrange further meetings if the Minister deems it necessary. 

 

4.2. Other Welsh Ministers may be invited to Partnership Council meetings by the responsible Minister, if matters relating to their Ministerial portfolio are included in the agenda.

4.3. Officials from Welsh Government departments may attend from time to time (as non-members) to offer expertise and advice to assist the Partnership Council in its work.

 

4.4. The Welsh Language Division shall act as secretariat to the Partnership Council its officials are entitled to attend all meetings (as non-members), and participate as required by the responsible Minister.  They will distribute meeting minutes and papers as required.

 

4.5. Partnership Council meetings will be held in a Welsh Government or National Assembly for Wales office.

 

4.6. Meetings of the Partnership Council will be held in private, but the responsible Minister may invite members of the public to address the Partnership Council if the Minister deems it necessary.

 

 

5.    Welsh Language Partnership Council’s Remit

 

5.1. The Partnership Council’s role will be that of giving advice or making representations to the Welsh Ministers in relation to the Welsh language strategy adopted under section 78 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (including the annual Action Plans setting out how the Welsh Government will implement the proposals set out in the strategy).

5.2. Specifically, the Partnership Council will advise and make representations to Welsh Ministers about:

- the Welsh Ministers’ Welsh language strategy including its annual action plan;          

- the content of annual action plans setting out how the Government will implement the proposals set out in the Welsh language strategy, and progress with regard to their implementation.

 

5.3  The Partnership Council may also do anything it reasonably considers appropriate for the purpose of giving that advice and making those representations, including considering the evidence available in the field of language policy, and the need for additional evidence.

5.4 The Partnership Council is able to convene task and finish groups and working groups which will assist the Partnership Council in providing advice and making representations to the Welsh Ministers. They will provide regular reports to the Partnership Council on their work.

 

 

Made by the Minister for Education and Skills, one of the Welsh Minsters

21 September 2012