Yearly Archives: 2014

OPEN DOOR TO RECOGNISING THE WELSH LANGUAGE IN PLANNING

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The door is still open recognise the Welsh language in a law that involves house planning.  That is the view of Dyfodol i’r Iaith after meeting Carwyn Jones, the First Minister.

The Government’s Planning Bill was presented earlier this month, which deals with planning organisation in Wales rather than policy.

Lawyer Emyr Lewis said on behalf of Dyfodol i’r Iaith, “It was clear to us that the First Minister was eager to find a way of ensuring that new housing plans will not be harmful to the Welsh language, but that there are practical issues to be solved.”

Emyr Lewis added, “A statutory framework is needed to enable the Welsh language to be a consideration in the field of planning, and to safeguard the language within the process in the way that Natural Resources Wales and Cadw safeguard the environment and historical sites.”

The meeting between Dyfodol i’r Iaith and the First Minister followed a paper presented by the movement.  There was a constructive discussion, and the First Minister, according to Dyfodol i’r Iaith, has promised to respond to the movement’s detailed suggestions.  Dyfodol i’r Iaith will be in continuing contact with the First Minister to work out how the Welsh language can be included in law involving planning.

Carwyn Jones referred to his discussions with Dyfodol i’r Iaith during Prime Ministers questions session on Tuesday, 21st October. In reply to Aled Roberts’ question regarding the planning bill, Carwyn Jones stated that Dyfodol i’r Iaith have interesting ideas, but it would remain to be seen what is practical, and he reiterated that he was still in discussions with the organisation.

BILINGUAL WORKFORCE WELCOMED

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Dyfodol i’r Iaith has welcomed the Government’s commitment to create a bilingual worforce to serve the early years and child care and play in Wales.

The Government’s White paper recently published outlines a 10 year plan for this field.

Ond element in the White paper is to enhance the workforce’s bilingual skills, and Dyfodol i’r Iaith welcomes this.

Dr Elin Walker Jones, a clinical psychologist and Dyfodol i’r Iaith’s spokesperson on health commented, “We warmly welcome the commitment to create a bilingual workforce as part of the ten year plan for yearly years and child care. We are also looking forward to cooperating with the Government and other relevant bodies to put in place appropriate procedures to realise these plans.”

Dr Jones added, “It’s great to see the white paper’s statement that a bilingual workforce is a key element, but it does not detail how this will be brought about.”

Dyfodol i’r Iaith will respond formally to the white paper, and will offer to assist with establishing a procedure which will ensure a bilingual workforce.