Member
Sian Gwenllian Arfon
WAQ78543 (w) Tabled on 05/07/2019

Will the Minister outline what was a) the remit, b) the membership and c) the outcome of the task and finish group in relation to the Welsh language promotion work that was referred to in the written statement by the former Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language on 6 April 2017?

Answered by Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language | Answered on 12/07/2019

The remit of the Task and Finish Group ('Welsh Language Promotion Planning Board') was to steer and advise Welsh Government on a programme of activities with the primary aim of increasing the use of the Welsh language. This programme was funded as part of the political agreement that earmarked an additional £2 million during 2017-2018 to promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language.

Main Functions of the Planning Board:

  1. Advise on establishing and implementing a programme of activities
  2. Provide occasional updates for the Minister (through the Welsh Language Partnership Council) on the progress of the programme
  3. Share information and foresee relevant priorities
  4. Make proposals in planning a 5-year work programme to promote the use of the Welsh language
  5. Advise on any structural changes that could arise as a result of amending the Measure in relation to the promotion of the use of the Welsh language.

 

Planning Board membership

  • Rhian Huws Williams (Chair)
  • Heini Gruffudd (Dyfodol i’r Iaith)
  • Lowri Hughes (Bangor University)
  • Morgan Lloyd (Welsh Water)
  • Myfanwy Jones (Carmarthen County Council)
  • Rhodri ap Dyfrig (S4C)

 

In undertaking the functions above, the Board's input contributed to areas such as:

  • The Innovation Grant to Promote the Welsh Language offered by the Welsh Government in 2017-18
  • The Welsh in Business network (a network of officers working to increase the use of the Welsh language in small private businesses)
  • Contact point for free provision of information and short translations (to be launched later this year)
  • Understanding Bilingualism Programme: we are currently developing a programme called "Leading in a bilingual nation" through Academi Wales
  • Policy of language transmission from one generation to the next (to be published later this year)
  • Various behavioural change interventions
  • Marketing campaigns and narrative regarding the Welsh language
  • Creating and running national campaigns to encourage the use of the Welsh language.