To receive the following Notice of Motion by Councillor Neville Evans :-
‘I call on Anglesey County Council to recognise Anglesey as a County that has a higher density of Welsh speakers as is noted in the report of the Commission for Welsh Speaking Communities chaired by Dr Simon Brooks.
With a new Government starting its work in Cardiff Bay, I call on Anglesey County Council to work alongside the Welsh Government and to encourage the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission for Welsh Speaking Communities so to reinforce the Welsh language as a living language within our communities here on the Island.’
Minutes:
Submitted – a Notice of Motion by Councillor Neville Evans: -
‘I call on Anglesey County Council to recognise Anglesey as a County that has a higher density of Welsh speakers as is noted in the report of the Commission for Welsh Speaking Communities Chaired by Dr Simon Brooks.
With a new Government staring its work in Cardiff Bay, I call on Anglesey County Council to work alongside the Welsh Government and to encourage the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission for Welsh Speaking Communities so to reinforce the Welsh language as a living language within our communities here on the Island.’
Councillor Neville Evans said that the Commission for Welsh Speaking Communities was established by the Welsh Government to make recommendations aimed at strengthening Welsh speaking communities with a report published with 57 recommendations in 2024. He considered that he was privileged to have been raised in a Welsh community in Bryngwran. He noted that over the last 30 years there has been a reduction in Welsh speakers in local communities and the use of the language within these communities. Councillor Evans said that the Welsh language needs to be protected and people should be encouraged and supported in the use of the language. He further said that Dr Simon Brookes reported is a detailed and comprehensive report which gives suggestions to enhance the language. Councillor Evans further referred that Welsh place names on properties also need to be protected.
The Leader seconded the Motion and said that this is a timely Motion with the Urdd Eisteddfod to be held on the Island at the end of May. He said that he attends learning sessions within his community and it is pleasing to see that people are enthusiastic to be able to learn the Welsh language. He further said that Ynys Môn is one of two Counties with the highest proportion of Welsh speakers with 70% of children from 3 to 15 years of age who speak Welsh. The Council is committed to promote and safeguard the Welsh language as an integral part within the Council Plan. The work of the Commission for Welsh Speaking Communities gives clear direction and emphasises that the first key steps is to promote the language and to create a platform for purposeful policies. The Leader further said that partnership working will need to be undertaken with Welsh Government to be able to address the recommendations within the Commissions report.
Councillor Kenneth P Hughes said that he supported the Motion and any other avenue to enhance the Welsh language within the local communities. He said that it is important to secure employment opportunities for young people on the Island as many young people are having to leave the Island to find work.
Councillor Aled Morris Jones agreed with his fellow Member, and he said that with employment opportunities and keeping young people on the Island will enhance the use of the Welsh language. He noted that with the Wylfa site being identified for the siting of three small modular reactors (SMR), it will created employment opportunities whilst there is a potential for more SMR’s on the site.
It was RESOLVED to approve the Motion to call on Anglesey Council to recognise Anglesey as a County that has a higher density of Welsh speakers as is noted in the report of the Commission for Welsh Speaking Communities Chaired by Dr Simon Brooks. With the new Government starting its work in Cardiff Bay, he called on Anglesey County Council to work alongside Welsh Government and to encourage the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission for Welsh Speaking Communities so to reinforce the Welsh language as a living language within our communities here on the Island.