Janet Finch-Saunders AM, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Local Government, is pleased to announce her success in challenging the exclusion of Welsh and English first language speakers from Town and Community Council proceedings across Wales.

Janet said:

“Wales is a bilingual nation, and the Welsh Conservatives and I want to see a Welsh nation which is truly bilingual, which involves people feeling comfortable using and being able to use Welsh and English in everyday life, businesses, and all levels of government.

“Having been advised last year that non-Welsh speakers were being denied access to democratic process on a community council in this constituency I am honoured to represent, I was pleased to work with them to have minutes of meetings issued in both Welsh and English.

“In championing bilingualism at one community council, I came to realise through corresponding with representatives of that council, the Welsh Government, and Mr Lyn Cadwallader, Chief Executive of One Voice Wales, that there is actually a major failing in Welsh Government legislation: there is actually no statutory requirements for community and town councils to publish minutes bilingually, only guidance.

“The impact of this is twofold as some councils may refuse to publish minutes in English, whilst others could do the same with regards to Welsh. This is unacceptable, and as such the Welsh Government now needs to legislate to ensure that people with either Welsh or English as their first language are not excluded. That none of the Labour/Lib-Dem/Plaid Cymru Welsh Governments since 1999 have done so is a major betrayal of both languages and bilingualism.

“The best legislation we currently have is thanks to the Conservative Government of 1993, as its Welsh Language Act states that in the conduct of public business and the administration of justice in Wales, the English and Welsh languages should be treated on a basis of equality.

“In light of the above, and following Mr Cadwallader’s cooperation with the Public Service Ombudsman, I am delighted that One Voice Wales will now be advising all its member councils across Wales on the need for them to be inclusive in their activities.”

ENDS

Notes

One Voice Wales is and advisory body to the community and town council sector