Meetings

The Commissioner with the portfolio for Official Languages presented the report of the work undertaken across the organisation to enable the Commission to uphold its commitment to deliver exemplary bilingual services, including the approval and implementation of the Official Languages Scheme for the Sixth Senedd.

Commissioners agreed the report and noted that a plenary debate would be scheduled before the end of term.

NDM8078 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Approves the Senedd Commission's Official Languages Scheme, in accordance with paragraph 8(11)(d) of Schedule 2 of the Government of Wales Act 2006, laid before the Senedd on 21 September 2022; and

2. Notes the Annual Report on the Senedd Commission's Official Languages Scheme for the period 2021-22, in accordance with paragraph 8(8) of Schedule 2 of the Government of Wales Act 2006, laid before the Senedd on 30 June 2022.

The item started at 15.20

NDM8078 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Approves the Senedd Commission's Official Languages Scheme, in accordance with paragraph 8(11)(d) of Schedule 2 of the Government of Wales Act 2006, laid before the Senedd on 21 September 2022; and

2. Notes the Annual Report on the Senedd Commission's Official Languages Scheme for the period 2021-22, in accordance with paragraph 8(8) of Schedule 2 of the Government of Wales Act 2006, laid before the Senedd on 30 June 2022.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

This item was postponed

Commissioners agreed the report of the work undertaken across the organisation to enable the Commission to uphold its commitment to deliver exemplary bilingual services.

They discussed the learning journey and the importance of being inclusive and enabling, mindful of their previous Diversity and Inclusion discussion. Commissioners commented on the relationship to recruitment, and acknowledged the value of data and of outreach in reducing barriers.

Commissioners received information in line with the requirement to review its published Official Languages Scheme after each election. They considered the changes made in drafting the new Scheme and the next steps.

Commissioners agreed that the consultation should formally include MS and their staff and the people of Wales.

Commissioners also agreed that the Commissioner with responsibility for Official Languages would approve any minor changes that may arise from the consultation and present the final Scheme to all Members for agreement in Plenary.

NDM7447 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with paragraph 8 (8) of Schedule 2 of the Government of Wales Act 2006:

Notes the Annual Report on the Senedd Commission’s Official Languages Scheme, laid before the Senedd on 18 June 2020.

The item started at 15.41

Voting on the motion under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

NDM7447 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with paragraph 8 (8) of Schedule 2 of the Government of Wales Act 2006:

Notes the Annual Report on the Senedd Commission’s Official Languages Scheme, laid before the Senedd on 18 June 2020.

The result was as follows:

The motion was agreed.

In accordance with The National Assembly for Wales (Official Languages) Act 2012, Commissioners considered a report of the work undertaken across the organisation during the past year, to enable the Commission to uphold its commitment to deliver exemplary bilingual services.

Commissioners approved the Report.   

NDM7126 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with paragraph 8 (8) of Schedule 2 of the Government of Wales Act 2006:

Notes the Annual Report on the Assembly Commission’s Official Languages Scheme, laid before the National Assembly for Wales on 10 July 2019.

The item started at 16.02

NDM7126 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with paragraph 8 (8) of Schedule 2 of the Government of Wales Act 2006:

Notes the Annual Report on the Assembly Commission’s Official Languages Scheme, laid before the National Assembly for Wales on 10 July 2019.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

The Commission is required to “lay before the Assembly a report setting out how the Commission has, during the year in question, given effect to the Scheme” - The National Assembly for Wales (Official Languages) Act 2012.

Commissioners reviewed a report covering the work undertaken across the organisation during the past year. They sought assurances about the way that the scheme operates in relation to recruitment and discussed opportunities to be involved in Mozilla's Common Voice scheme to collate recordings of people speaking to help to teach machines how people speak in Welsh.

Commissioners approved the draft report, subject to minor edits, ahead of the plenary debate.

NDM6774 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with paragraph 8(8) of Schedule 2 of the Government of Wales Act 2006:

Notes the Annual Compliance Report on the Assembly Commission’s Official Languages Scheme, laid before the National Assembly for Wales on 11 July 2018.

The item started at 17.10

NDM6774 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with paragraph 8(8) of Schedule 2 of the Government of Wales Act 2006:

Notes the Annual Compliance Report on the Assembly Commission’s Official Languages Scheme, laid before the National Assembly for Wales on 11 July 2018.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Commissioners reviewed the first annual report on the Official Languages Scheme (OLS) for the fifth Assembly, it covers the work undertaken to embed the new Scheme across the organisation.

The report identifies achievements made during the past year, highlighting case studies, examples of our work and areas for improvement. The report also identifies areas that should be prioritised during the coming Assembly year, along with actions arising from feedback or complaints.  

As Portfolio Holder, Adam Price wished to record thanks for the contributions made by staff and unions to achieving progress, particularly in the linguistic courtesy framework. He commented how useful a process it had been to report in this way for the first time.

Key achievements for the reporting period include:

•        The establishment of a new recruitment system which will allow us to increase the basic level of Welsh Language Skills across the organisation;

•        The further development and implementation of a bespoke and tailored language skills training programme for Assembly Members, their support staff and Assembly Commission staff;

•        A full review of all service level language plans;

•        Work on developing methods of identifying Welsh speakers and learners across the organisation.

Feedback from Assembly Members and their Support Staff and the public and regular monitoring have allowed us to identify areas for improvement. We will use this information to better target resources and change working practices.

Areas for improvement include:

•        to develop and implement a more formal and robust monitoring system;

•        to look at ways of maintaining up-to-date information on language skills in a reportable format, either through our HR and payroll system or through our performance management system;

•        to provide regular opportunities to refresh or develop an understanding of the Scheme and the nature of bilingual working;

•        seek opportunities to collaborate on the development of emerging language technology and tools, including developments in the field of speech-to-text technology.

Commissioners approved the draft Report. The Commission is required to lay the finalised report, it will then be debated in plenary during July 2018.

Adam Price, as portfolio holder, introduced proposals for the Assembly Commission’s new Official Languages Scheme for the Fifth Assembly. 

Commissioners paid particular attention to the consultation that had taken place and ways that the views of consultees had helped shape the draft Scheme. 

Responses to the consultation were generally supportive and Commissioners considered some of the areas where suggestions had been made and how the draft had been adjusted as a result. They also discussed how staff would be supported and the relationship between the Commission’s responsibilities for the provision of services in both official languages and others, such as equalities.

Commissioners noted the positive progress made since the introduction of the Official Languages Scheme, and they agreed that the version considered by the Commission represented a step up in terms of service delivery and a balanced approach in order to take us towards achieving our ambitions. 

Commissioners agreed the draft Official Languages Scheme, proposals for further scrutiny of the Scheme prior to formal approval in Plenary and that Adam Price AM should sign off the final version on behalf of the Assembly Commission.

The Commission also agreed the draft annual report, which will be laid for consideration by Plenary in due course, thereby effecting closure of the current Official Languages Scheme.