Meetings

NDM8314 Delyth Jewell (South Wales East)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee ‘The Legislative framework that supports Welsh-medium education provision’, which was laid in the Table Office on 19 May 2023.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 3 July 2023.

The item started at 16.09

NDM8314 Delyth Jewell (South Wales East)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee ‘The Legislative framework that supports Welsh-medium education provision’, which was laid in the Table Office on 19 May 2023.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 3 July 2023.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

5.1 The Committee considered and agreed the report as drafted.

Implications of the Census data for the legislative framework that supports Welsh-Medium Education Provision consultation responses

Engagement summary

Research brief

Information on capital funding for education

Draft Report

5.1 The Committee welcomed Buffy Williams and Sioned Williams as members of the committee for proceedings on the inquiry into the legislative framework that supports Welsh-Medium Education Provision.

5.2 The Committee considered additional evidence and papers received.

5.3 The Committee considered the draft report and agreed to discuss further details on the draft report outside of the meeting.

3.1 The Committee considered the draft Report and agreed that further consideration was needed around the impact of the recent Census 2021 Welsh language in Wales results on the inquiry.

3.2 The Committee agreed to invite further evidence and to return to the matter at a future meeting.

Jeremy Miles MS, Minister for Education and Welsh Language

Bethan Webb, Deputy Director, Welsh Language

Siwan Jones, Head of Welsh in Education Planning

Written evidence from the Welsh Government

7.1 The Committee heard evidence from the Minister for Education and Welsh Language.

7.2 The Committee agreed to write to the Minister to request further information on issues relating to the scrutiny session.

Research brief

6.1 The Committee considered the key issues document, and agreed to bring back this item to a future meeting.

7.1 The Committee considered the evidence received under items 5 and 6.

Darren Price, WLGA Spokesperson for the Welsh Language and Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council

Meinir Ebbsworth, Director of Education, Ceredigion County Council representing ADEW

Joint written evidence from WLGA and ADEW

6.1 The Committee heard evidence from representatives of local government.

Angharad Morgan, Policy Manager, Mudiad Meithrin

Aled Jones-Griffith, Principal of Coleg Meirion Dwyfor and Coleg Menai, CollegesWales

Dafydd Trystan, Registrar and Senior Academic Manager, Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol

Research brief

Written evidence from Mudiad Meithrin

Written evidence from CollegesWales

Consultation response from Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol

5.1 Delyth Jewell MS resumed as Chair for the remainder of the meeting and thanked Alun Davies MS for chairing the first four items. Heledd Fychan MS joined the meeting.

5.2 The Chair welcomed Sioned Williams MS and Buffy Williams MS attending from the Children, Young People, and Education Committee for its joint inquiry into Welsh in Education Strategic Plans (WESPs).

5.3 The Committee heard evidence from representatives of Mudiad Meithrin, CollegesWales, and Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

6.1 The Committee considered the evidence received.

Heini Gruffudd, Chair, Dyfodol i’r Iaith

Toni Schiavone, Education Group Chair, Cymdeithas yr Iaith

Dyfan Sion, Strategic Director, Welsh Language Commissioner’s office

Elin Maher, Acting National Director, Rhieni Dros Addysg Gymraeg (RHAG)

Written evidence from Dyfodol i'r Iaith

Written evidence from Cymdeithas yr Iaith

Written evidence from the Welsh Language Commissioner's office

Written evidence from Rhieni Dros Addysg Gymraeg (RHAG)

3.1 The Committee heard evidence from representatives of Dyfodol i’r Iaith; Cymdeithas yr Iaith; Welsh Language Commissioner’s office; and Rhieni Dros Addysg Gymraeg (RHAG).

3.2 In accordance with Standing Order 17.24A, Heledd Fychan MS and Sioned Williams MS made declarations of relevant interests.

Eithne Hughes, Director, Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL)

Ioan Rhys Jones, General Secretary, Undeb Cenedlaethol Athrawon Cymru (UCAC)

Siôn Amlyn, Policy and Casework Official, NASUWT

Research brief

Written evidence from Undeb Cenedlaethol Athrawon Cymru (UCAC)

Written evidence from NASUWT

2.1 The Committee heard evidence from representatives of Association of School and College Leaders; Undeb Cenedlaethol Athrawon Cymru (UCAC); and NASUWT.

Clive Phillips, Assistant Director, Estyn

Hayden Llewellyn, Chief Executive, Education Workforce Council

Arwyn Thomas, Managing Director, Regional School Improvement Consortia

Enlli Thomas, Bangor University

Written consultation responses

Research brief

Written consultation response from Estyn

Written consultation response from Education Workforce Council

Written consultation response from Regional Consortia

2.1 The Committee heard evidence from representatives of Estyn, Education Workforce Council (EWC), Regional School Improvement Consortia (GwE), and Bangor University.

5.1 The Committee considered a draft scoping paper on a future inquiry into Welsh in Education Strategic Plans (WESPS), along with options for joint working with the Children, Young People and Education Committee.

5.2 The Committee agreed to return to this matter outside of this meeting.