Welsh Language Scheme prepared under the Welsh Language Act 1993. This Scheme received the approval of the Board under section 14 (1) of the Act on 28^th October 2009

WELSHPOOL Town Council has adopted the principle that in the conduct of public business in Wales it will treat Welsh and English on a basis of equality. This scheme sets out how the Council will implement that

principle in the provision of services to the public in Welshpool

The Council aims:

The Council has 16 of elected members, and the Clerk works full time from the office. The current office staff are all non Welsh speakers. As an introduction: the Town had 12% of Welsh speakers in the 2001 census.

3.1.1. In devising new policies and initiatives the Council will:

The Council will promote and facilitate the use of Welsh wherever possible and will move closer to implementing the principle of equality fully at every opportunity.

The Council will consult with the Welsh Language Board in advance regarding proposals that will affect the scheme, or the scheme of any other public body. The scheme will not be altered without the

Board’s agreement. The Council will ensure that those involved in formulating policy will be aware of the Scheme, and of the Council’s responsibilities under the Welsh Language Act 1993.

And ensure that the measures contained in the Scheme are applied to new policies and initiatives when they are implemented.

3.2.1. Services provided in English or Welsh will be of an equally high standard and equally prompt.

4.1.1. The Council will welcome correspondence in either English or Welsh.

4.1.2. Correspondence through the medium of Welsh will not in itself lead to any delay

4.1.3. Every letter received in Welsh will be answered in Welsh.

4.1.4. All correspondence following a telephone or face-to-face conversation in Welsh or a meeting where it was established that Welsh is the preferred language of the person, although the discussion may not have

been held through the medium of Welsh, will be in Welsh.

4.1.5. All correspondence with a member of the public will be initiated in his/her preferred language if known.

4.1.6. The Council will make arrangements to translate correspondence as needed in order to respond to correspondence promptly and in the original language.

4.1.7. The Clerk of the Council will be responsible for ensuring translations of Correspondence are completed.

4.1.8. The Council’s official headed paper will include a statement in both languages making it clear that correspondence is welcome in either Welsh or English.

4.2.1. As the Clerk is not bilingual, the Council cannot offer a bilingual greeting, nor deal with calls in Welsh from the outset. However when

a member of the public wishes to speak Welsh the Clerk will offer to arrange for a Welsh speaking Council member to return the call within

2 hours or explain that the individual is welcome to continue with the call in English or send in their enquiry in written form in Welsh.

4.2.1. As the current Clerk and Members don’t speak Welsh, the Council cannot deal with telephone calls in Welsh. However when a member of

the public telephones wishing to speak Welsh, the Clerk will politely explain the situation and offer the individual the opportunity to

continue with the call in English or send in their enquiry in written form in Welsh.

4.3.1. Contributions are welcomed in either Welsh or English at public meetings held by the Council. This will be stated clearly in the notices that inform or publicise the meeting.

4.3.2. All publicity for public meetings will be bilingual, and will invite those

attending to notify the Clerk of their language choice at least 7 days in advance so that appropriate translation arrangements can be made for Welsh-speakers.

4.3.3. When the Council is aware that a member of the public wishes to speak Welsh in a public meeting that would otherwise be conducted in

English, this should be respected by providing appropriate translation arrangements.

4.3.4. Any written materials such as leaflets or acetates that are used in public meetings will be in English but will be available in Welsh if the public requests the same.

4.4.1. The Council’s meetings are conducted in English.

4.4.2. The notice and agenda for the Council’s meetings will be bilingual.

4.4.3. The minutes will be in English.

4.4.4. The Council will respond to requests for information in relation to the minutes, or sections of the minutes in the preferred language of the individual.

4.5.1. As the current Clerk and Members don’t speak Welsh, the Council cannot provide face-to-face meetings with members of the public in Welsh. However when a member of the public contacts the Council

wishing to speak Welsh, the Clerk will politely explain the situation and offer the individual the opportunity to discuss the matter in English or send in their enquiry in written form in Welsh.

4.6.1. The Council contacts the public via modern technology namely computers, website, e-mail etc and these mediums will be available in Welsh if requested or if any communication is received in Welsh.

5.1.2. The Council will adopt a bilingual corporate identity by 31^st March 2011

5.1.3. The name and address of the Council will appear bilingually on official headed paper, fax papers and compliment slips, and any other promotional material.

5.1.4. The web site home page shall be in both Welsh and English with all other pages in English but available on request in Welsh.

5.2.1. All new information signs or those replacing previous signs on Council property will be bilingual, as will any other public information signs for which the Council is responsible. The two languages will appear

side by side, with the – Welsh and English appearing together. Where it is not practical.

5.3.1. All publications aimed at the public, such as documents, explanatory material or grant forms will be in English with a Welsh version available on request.

5.3.2. Advertising and publicity activities dealing with the Welsh language, Welsh medium education, Council tax, information about local elections/by-elections will be bilingual.

5.3.3. Job advertisements will appear in English only in English/bilingual publications, apart from when bilingual skills are desirable then the advert will be bilingual.

5.4.1. In the information that is sent to those intending to apply for financial assistance towards local activities, the Council will make it clear that

there is need for applicants to describe how they intend to reflect the bilingual nature of the community and their audience in the activity for which they require financial support. When

considering applications, the Council will ensure that applicants have appropriately reflected the linguistic nature of the community and their audience in their application.

5.4.2. In submitting proposals the bilingual element will be a matter for the applicant to consider and not for the Council to require as a condition of grant

5.4.3. When the Council is consulted on planning applications, the Council will encourage applicants to erect any signs bilingually in locations such as offices, businesses and shops and supermarkets

by referring to the linguistic nature of the area.

5.4.4. When the Council is consulted on the naming of streets, developments and new estates, the Council will support the use of bilingual.

Where only minor differences exist between the Welsh and English spelling of place, street, ward, or community names, the Council will support the adoption of the Welsh version.

5.5.1. Any arrangements made by the Council to use a third party to deliver services to the public on its behalf will comply with the specific requirements in the Scheme as outlined by the Council. The Council

will outline which relevant measures in the Scheme the third party will have to adhere to within the tendering or contract specifications.

5.5.2. The Third party will need to confirm that it has complied with the relevant aspects of the Scheme by letter.

6.1.1. None of the staff that deal with the public are bilingual. When all posts become vacant the advert(s) for all posts will note that having bilingual skills will be desirable but not essential.

6.2.1. This scheme has the full support of the Council.

6.2.2. The Clerk will be responsible for implementing the Scheme on a day-to-day basis within the Council.

6.3.1. The Clerk will be responsible for the written translation needs of the Council, and will also be responsible for the standard of all Welsh text produced.

6.3.2. If the Clerk cannot complete the work within the timescale, the Council will employ an external translator.

6.3.3. The Clerk will be responsible for arranging simultaneous translation facilities for all the Council’s needs.

6.4.1. Responsibility for monitoring the Scheme will rest with the Clerk of the Council.

6.4.2. The Council will receive a brief annual report on implementing the Scheme that will be displayed locally (for example, the local press, local information boards, monthly papur bro and so on) with a copy

being sent to the Welsh Language Board. Also the Council will invite local Welsh speaking residents to offer their views on the service and how it could be improved, by placing a copy of the Report in the local

office and library.

6.4.3. The Report will deal with every aspect of the Scheme.

6.4.4. The Council will welcome suggestions from the public regarding improvements to any aspect of the Scheme (via letter or telephone communication).

6.5.1. The Council will publicise the Scheme regularly through the local press, Web Site and notice boards.

6.5.2.  The Web Site home page shall be bi-lingual, all other pages will be in English but available in Welsh.

6.6.1. Any comments, complaints or suggestions regarding the Scheme should be addressed to Welshpool Town Council, Triangle House, Union Street, Welshpool, SY21 7PG

This scheme was approved by the Full Council on 24th March 2010.

Cllr A Holloway Mayor of Welshpool

Robert A Robinson FRICS AILCM Town Clerk