While acknowledging the challenges facing local government in Wales, Dyfodol i’r Iaith have been pressing for serious consideration to be given to the Welsh language throughout the process of re-drawing the boundaries of the new local authorities.

This has been a process which potentially offers both opportunities and threats in relation to promoting the Welsh language; its public status, Service provision and establishing administrations and workforces where due emphasis and value is given to the language.

The boundaries announced today pose a challenge in terms of extending the use of Welsh throughout the new authorities, and Dyfodol will continue to lobby and work together towards ensuring improvement rather than decline following the announcement of the new map.

Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol’s Chair said:

“It is essential that we protect the good work that’s has already been achieved, and through this, establish a basis for sharing and working towards good practice.

As a first step, Dyfodol i’r Iaith would seek an assurance that any new authority established in the north west adopts the Welsh language as its internal administrative medium, as is currently the situation in Gwynedd.”

Serious consideration should be given to boundaries that would be appropriate for promoting Welsh-medium administration. There is a strong argument in terms of language policy for the north to have three councils: Gwynedd and Anglesey, Denbighshire and Conwy and Flint and Wrexham.”