Author Archives: Ruth Richards

The Planning (Wales) Bill

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As the Environment and Sustainability Committee prepares to discuss amendments to the Planning (Wales) Bill this week, Dyfodol i’r Iaith are pressing for greater consideration of Welsh language needs in relation to individual applications.

While Dyfodol is appreciative of the willingness already expressed to strengthen the language within the planning process, the organisation also believes that any ambiguity regarding the position of the Welsh language as a consideration in individual applications should now be removed.

This principle needs to be securely established within a mechanism that gives due consideration the language.

Speaking on behalf of Dyfodol i’r Iaith, Emyr Lewis said, “This has been a constant demand from Dyfodol and other language organisations, and this ambiguity needs to be settled once and for all.”

“This Bill provides an opportunity to provide the same protection for the Welsh language as that already given to considerations such as the environment and conservation; our priority now is to persuade our politicians to verify this.”

Dydodol i’r Iaith’s Response to the Donaldson Report

Reply

Dyfodol i’r Iaith are firmly of the opinion  that an expansive vision is required in relation to the Welsh language’s place within the education system and  in Welsh life. In response to Professor Graham Donaldson’s report, we would welcome some aspects, specifically:

  • That the report recongnises the contribution of Welsh schools
  • The emphasis placed upon communication and compulsory Welsh lessons to the age of16.

However, we also feel that many oppotunities have been missed, and we would note:

  • That there is no vision regarding the role of Welsh education in buliding a bilingual nation
  • There is no recognition of the need to expand  Welsh education on a large scale
  • No reference is made to the education system’s past contrubution to the destruction of the language  and its curent responsibility towards its restoration

Dyfodol yr Iaith look forward to discussing the report with the Government with the aim of making the expansion of Welsh education a priority.

Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol i’r Iaith’s Chair said, “A review of education in Wales provides a golden opportunity  for the Government to promote the growth of Welsh education.”

“The Donaldson reprort wishes to see Welsh schools supporting English schools, but Welsh schools are already under considerable pressure with the significant work of introducing the Welsh language to a new generation of students.”

“What is required in the first place is a response to the need for Welsh education , and the number of Welsh schools has to be doubled if we are to come close to achieveing this.”

“ Generally speaking, the reorganisation of education needs to be an integral part of the Government’s vision of creating a bilingual  nation, and as far as I can see, the report in its current form does not come close to achieveing this.”