20.8% of the population of Wales could speak Welsh in 2001. The proportions vary significantly by local authority with the highest proportions seen in Gwynedd (69%), Isle of Anglesey (60%), Ceredigion (52%) and Carmarthenshire (50%). The lowest proportions are seen in areas such as Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil and Newport (under 10%). However, the greatest increases in the number of people able to speak Welsh in Wales between 1991 and 2001 were seen in those areas with the lowest proportion of speakers.
The 1993 Welsh Language Act established the principle that in the conduct of public business and administration of justice in Wales, the English and Welsh Language should be treated on a basis of equality.
The Act had two main intentions:
- To make new provisions to promote and facilitate the language in Wales;
- To establish a Welsh Language Board.
The Act also made provisions for the preparation and approval of Welsh Language Schemes. A scheme is a document that outlines an organisation’s plans for developing its Welsh language provision in the following areas:
- Service planning and delivery;
- Dealing with the Welsh speaking public;
- The organisation’s public image.
Local authorities have been under a statutory obligation to provide Welsh language services and to promote the use of the Welsh language since the 1993 Welsh language act, and all authorities are well-versed in the preparation and delivery of services as outlined in their respective Welsh Language schemes.
The WLGA provides secretariat support to the Rhwydiaith network which includes Welsh Language Officers from across the public services – including representation from local authorities, police forces, fire and rescue services and the national parks. The network meets three times a year to discuss policy developments relating to the Welsh Language and to share best practice within the local government community.
In 2007, the Welsh Assembly Government’s ‘One Wales’ manifesto, included a key commitment to seek enhanced legislative competence on the Welsh language:
- Confirming official status for both Welsh and English languages;
- Providing linguistic rights in the provision of services;
- Establishing the post of Language Commissioner.
The proposed Welsh Language Measure (2010) has now been drafted and scruitinised by a National Assembly legislative committee. The recommendations of the committee have now been published.
The proposed Measure is intended to modernise the existing legal framework regarding the use of the Welsh language in the delivery of public services by establishing an office of Welsh Language Commissioner, which will replace the Welsh Language Board.
The proposed Measure also makes provision to develop standards for Welsh language services which will gradually replace the existing system of Welsh Language schemes as provided for by the 1993 Act.