Category Archives: Cymunedau

DYFODOL CALLS FOR A SCORING SYSTEM FOR WELSH LANGUAGE SERVICES

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According to Dyfodol i’r Iaith, cafes, shops, pubs and centres need to demonstrate clearly that people are welcome to use the Welsh language over the counter. This would give Welsh speakers confidence to use their language.

The organisation wants the Welsh Government to introduce attractive window signage for businesses who welcome the use of Welsh.

If the Welsh Government is to create a million Welsh speakers by the middle of the century, more people must be encouraged to speak it, and in as many different informal situations as possible. This lies at the Centre of Dyfodol i’r Iaith’s vision, and the organisation is convinced that private businesses and services have a key role to play in this.

This is the principle behind Dyfodol’s call for a voluntary system which would outline businesses’ ability and willingness to provide a Welsh language service for its customers. Such a system could be based upon arrangements that are already widely familiar to all; food hygiene standard scores, for example, or CAMRA’s good beer guide. Ceredigion has already introduced certificates to organisations who promote the Welsh language.

Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol’s Chair said:

“Cafes, shops, pubs and a host of other private sector services provide excellent opportunities to use the Welsh language in a community setting. Such a scoring system would provide businesses with an opportunity to display the fact that the Welsh language is part of their customer service ethos. It would also provide an incentive to raise the profile of the Welsh language within the workplace, and to appreciate and encourage staff language skills.

Over time, and backed up by a far-reaching campaign by the Welsh Government to raise language awareness, we would foresee that this system would provide an easily recognisable quality mark, and one that would be attractive to the businesses themselves, as well as their customers.

DYFODOL I’R IAITH CALLS FOR A ROBUST ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK FOR THE WELSH LANGUAGE IN PLANNING MATTERS

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A robust Standard framework is needed to assess Welsh language impact in planning matters.

This is the conclusion Dyfodol i’r Iaith has come to following the passing of last year’s Planning Bill. Dyfodol believes that such a framework must offer an acknowledged methodology, based upon linguistic and local expertise in addition to town and rural planning input.

Dyfodol i’r Iaith have drawn up comments on the guidelines of the Technical Advice 20: Planning and the Welsh Language, which was updated to reflect the new requirements in relation to the language.

Ruth Richards, Dyfodol’s Chief Executive said,

“ Establishing a standard methodology is of key importance if we are to build upon the gains of the Planning Bill. We would draw the Government’s attention to the good practice that is already developing in relation to the Gwynedd and Môn Development Plan.

In this case, it was agreed that evidence regarding the Welsh language be reviewed. The Gwynedd and Môn Housing and Planning Campaign Committee (which includes representation from Dyfodol i’r Iaith, Cymdeithas yr Iaith, Cylch yr Iaith and Canolfan Hanes Uwchgwyrfai) are commissioning an independent specialist assessment which will be considered as part of the review. We hope that this process and the co-operation behind it will establish a pattern for good practice throughout Wales.”

 

DYFODOL I’R IAITH’S OPPOSITION TO HOUSING PLAN

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Dyfodol i’r Iaith have stated their opposition to a plan to raise 69 new houses in Coetmor, Bethesda. The plan will be discussed by Gwynedd Council’s Planning Committee next Monday (June 15th), and the Planning Department have recommended that it be approved.

Dyfodol believes that this plan is totally inappropriate and insensitive to the linguistic needs and profile of the area. According to the 2011 Census, Bethesda is one of the areas where the Welsh language continues to hold its ground, with over 70% of the community able to speak the language.

The organisation has suggested that its members in Gwynedd express their opinion on this matter by joining the Pwyllgor Diogelu Coetmor (Coetmor Preservation Committee)’s protest, which will meet outside the Council Chamber before the Planning Committee.

Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol i’r Iaith’s Chair said:

“It is essential that we safeguard the Welsh language in its heartlands, and take every practical step to ensure that it remains the natural medium of communication within these communities.

This case illustrates the key relationship between planning policy and protecting community language. It also demonstrates the importance of the recent victory in relation to the new Planning Bill, which allows consideration of the Welsh language within individual planning applications. This was a victory for which Dyfodol had lobbied earnestly.