Annual Report of the Cross Party Group.

21 October 2014

Cross Party Group on the Welsh Language

Chair:Keith Davies AM

Secretariat: the office of Keith Davies AM, representatives from Dathlu'r Gymraeg

Membership

Other AMs: Suzy Davies AM, Mike Hedges AM, Aled Roberts AM, Bethan Jenkins AM, Simon Thomas AM, Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM

Other members: Dathlu'r Gymraeg, the office of the Welsh Language Commissioner, other agencies operating on behalf of/in connection with the Welsh language

1.     Previous meetings of the group

Meeting 1

Date of meeting: 1 October 2013

Subject: 'The media'.  With Ian Jones, Chief Executive of S4C, and Rhodri Talfan Davies, Director of BBC Wales, as guest speakers.

In attendance: Keith Davies AM, Penry Williams (Dathlu’r Gymraeg -Celebrating Our Language), Alun Ffred Jones AM, Simon Thomas AM, Rhun ap Iorwerth AM Suzy Davies AM, Rhodri Talfan Davies, Delyth Issac, Ian Jones, Catrin Hughes Roberts, Colin Nosworthy (Association ), Ceri Owen (RhAG – Parents from Welsh-medium Education), Lowri Hughes (AMSS), Calum Higgins (AMSS), Catrin Dafydd, David Wyn Williams (Association), Elin Maher (RhAG), Catrin Davies (AMSS), Meinir Jones (Welsh Language Commissioner's office), Gwyn Williams (Welsh Language Commissioner's office), Hywel Glyn Lewis (University of Wales Trinity St David), Elin Wyn, Osian Rhys, the Assembly's Translation team

Summary of issues discussed:The media, the current situation, achievements and future challenges for S4C and BBC Wales

Full minutes here: http://www.senedd.assembly.wales/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=7621

Meeting 2

Date of meeting:4 December 2013

Subject:Discussion with the First Minister and the Minister with responsibility for the Welsh language Carwyn Jones AM.

In attendance:Keith Davies AM, Mike Hedges AM Aled Roberts AM Suzy Davies AM Simon Thomas AM, Alun Ffred Jones AM, Rhun ap Iorwerth AM

AMSS from Keith Davies's office, Julie Morgan AM, Plaid Cymru, the Assembly's translation team

Members of Dathlu'r Gymraeg: Ceri Owen (RhAG), Colin Nosworthy (Cymdeithas yr Iaith), Penry Williams, Dr Huw Thomas, Dr Hywel Glyn Lewis, Gill Griffiths (Merched y Wawr), David Wyn Williams, Emily Cole (Mentrau Iaith Cymru), Gwyn Williams (Office of Welsh Language Commissioner), Meinir Jones (Office of the Welsh Language Commissioner), Dai Bryer (Director of South Wales area, Urdd), David Wynn Williams (Cymdeithas yr Iaith)     

Summary of issues discussed:Discussion with the First Minister on the Welsh Government's language Strategy. Touched upon many aspects including Welsh-medium Education, learning Welsh as a second language, and ‘y Gynhadledd Fawr’.  (The next subjects to be discussed by the group were chosen.)  Full minutes here: http://www.senedd.assembly.wales/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=7621

Meeting 3

Date of meeting:18 February 2014 

Topic:The Planning Bill and Flying Start

In attendance:  Keith Davies AM (Chair), Mike Hedges AM, Alun Ffred Jones, Aled Roberts AM,

Speakers:Aled Davies (Gwynedd Council), Martin Swain (WG)

Ceri Owen (RhAG), Colin Nosworthy (Cymdeithas yr Iaith), Penry Williams (Dathlu'r Gymraeg), Lowri Hughes (AMSS), Suzy Davies AM's AMSS, David Melding's AMSS, Dona Lewis (Mudiad Meithrin), Meinir Jones (officeof the Welsh Language Commissioner), Gwyn Williams (office of the Welsh Language Commissioner), Manon Humphreys (Office of the Welsh Language Commissioner)

Dai Williams (Menter Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Newport), Emily Cole (Menter Iaith Cymru), Rebecca Williams (UCAC), the Assembly's translation team

Summary of issues discussed:  (i) presentation by Aled Davies, Head of Regulatory Department (Planning, Transportation and Public Protection) Gwynedd Council - on the Planning Bill

(Ii) presentation by Martin Swain, Deputy Director for Children, Young People and Families on the Welsh Government's Flying Start program.

Full minutes here: http://www.senedd.assembly.wales/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=7621

Meeting 4

Date of meeting:13 May 2014

Topic:Welsh language standards, with the Welsh Language Commissioner as guest speaker

In attendance:Keith Davies AM, Aled Roberts AM, Suzy Davies AM, Simon Thomas AM, the Welsh Language Commissioner, Gwyn Williams (Welsh Language Commissioner's office), Meinir Jones (Welsh Language Commissioner's office), Osian Llywelyn (Welsh Language Commissioner's office), Lowri Hughes (AMSS) Ceri Owen (RhAG ), Colin Nosworthy (Cymdeithas), Penry Williams (MDG), Catrin Davies (AMSS), Elin Wyn (Dyfodol), Rebecca Williams (UCAC), Gill Griffiths (Merched y Wawr), Assembly translation team

Summary of issues discussed:  The Commissioner gave an update on standards, the next steps were discussed and then questions were taken from the floor

Meeting 5

Date of meeting: 8 August 2014

Topic:Update on Welsh language standards, with the Welsh Language Commissioner at the Eisteddfod

In attendance:Penry Williams (Chairing instead of Keith Davies AM), the Welsh Language Commissioner, Gwyn Williams (Welsh Language Commissioner's office), Meinir Jones (Welsh Language Commissioner's office), Lowri Hughes (AMSS), Calum Higgins (AMSS), Ceri Owen (RhAG) Colin Nosworthy (Cymdeithas), MDG members, representatives of Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, Assembly's translation team

Summary of issues discussed:  an update was given on progress since the last meeting and members discussed what will happen in the near future and members were reminded of the health inquiry.  Questions from the floor to follow

2.       Professional lobbyists, voluntary organizations and charities that the group has met with during the previous year.

All individuals / agencies / groups who have attended the group are noted in the 'meetings' section above. 

Annual Financial Statement

21 October 2014

Cross Party Group on the Welsh Language

 Chair: Keith Davies AM

 Secretariat: the office of Keith Davies AM, representatives from Dathlu'r Gymraeg

Apart reasonable use of telephone facilities, photocopying, Assembly IT, rooms in TŷHywel - this is what used by the group.

Group expenses.	None
Costs of all goods.	No goods were bought.
Benefits that the group or individual members have received from external bodies.	No benefits were received.
Any secretarial assistance or other assistance.	Apart from joint secretariat with representatives of Dathlu'r Gymraeg (noted above), no other assistance.
Services provided to the Group as hospitality. Keith Davies AM personally paid for all refreshments until summer 2014 - no cost to the group. A simultaneous translation service was provided free of charge during the meetings by the Assembly's translation service.  The secretariat is responsible for the translation of all documents, agendas etc. Additional: 8August 2014 - Use of Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol stand at the Eisteddfod
Total cost           No financial cost