Neath Port Talbot Council's Welsh language standards annual report

The document outlines the work undertaken by the council to comply with Welsh language standards ahead of hosting the Urdd Eisteddfod in Margam Country Park in 2025.

The report was discussed by the council's cabinet at their meeting on August 7 and provided a summary of the council's performance regarding the Welsh language.

The Welsh language commissioner's standards-setting and compliance officer assessed the council's performance as "good", especially concerning telephone interactions, corporate identity, and adherence to supplementary standards.

Councillor Simon Knoyle, Neath Port Talbot Council's cabinet member for finance, performance, and social justice, said: "It's encouraging the Welsh language commissioner's office recognised that we made progress during the year in a number of areas.

"With our revised Welsh Language Promotion Strategy (WLPS) now in place to complement our Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP), we are confident we will continue to make progress in our county borough in the awareness, acceptance, confidence, and use of Welsh as part of our everyday lives."

The WLPS, launched last year, consists of various actions to promote the use of Welsh throughout Neath Port Talbot.

This includes raising awareness of the benefits of bilingualism among newcomers and young families, providing homework support for pupils from non-Welsh speaking families attending Welsh medium schools, and offering language training for teaching and non-teaching staff.

The council's WESP documents achievements within Neath Port Talbot, such as the increased number of nursery children receiving Welsh medium education and those enhancing their Welsh language skills when transitioning between education stages.

The ongoing provision of Welsh-medium education for learners with additional learning needs was also noted.

The annual report highlights the essential role of the council's Welsh language officer group in promoting the Welsh language by implementing standards, identifying best practices, and monitoring compliance.

It reiterates the council's commitment to encouraging Welsh language use amongst its staff and the offering of Welsh courses to foster future language proficiency.

For further details, the complete Welsh Language Standards Annual Report 2023/24 is accessible on the council’s website.