Gaelic Language Plan Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 8 June 2023
Back to Community Services Committee — 8 June 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES 8 JUNE 2023 GAELIC LANGUAGE PLAN UPDATE 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 The purpose of this report is to update the Community Services Committee on progress in delivering the actions in the approved Argyll and Bute Council Gaelic Language Plan following the changes made as a result of the letter from Scottish Ministers. 1.2 RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the Community Services Committee: I. Notes the approval of the plan and that dates will be rolled forward II. Notes that progress being made in delivering the Council’s Gaelic Language Plan will be reported as normal in August 2023 III. Notes the timescale for the production of a new National Gaelic Language Plan
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES 8 JUNE 2023 GAELIC LANGUAGE PLAN UPDATE 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 The purpose of this report is to update the Community Services Committee on progress in delivering the actions in the approved Argyll and Bute Council Gaelic Language Plan. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the Community Services Committee: 3.1 Notes the approval of the plan and that dates will be rolled forward 3.2 Notes that progress being made in delivering the Council’s Gaelic Language Plan will be reported as normal in August 2023 3.3 Notes the timescale for the production of a new National Gaelic Language Plan 4.0 DETAIL 4.1. Argyll and Bute Council has a duty under the Statutory Notice by Bòrd na Gaidhlig to produce a Gaelic Language Plan. Following an extended period of negotiation on particular measures in the Plan, the Council received notification from Scottish Ministers of final plan approval in December 2022. This was reported to Council on 23rd February 2023. 4.2 This final version of the Plan, approved by Scottish Ministers in December, will now be monitored in terms of delivery with updates brought annually to the Community Services Committee and sent to Bòrd na Gaidhlig as part of the monitoring framework. 4.3 The Plan will roll forward dates to reflect this approval. 4.4 The Scottish Government has consulted on a new National Gaelic Language Plan which it intends to publish this year. It is recommended that the Council consider the new plan when it is published and at that time consider a timescale for the revision and updating of the Council’s current Plan.
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4.5 The Council’s Gaelic Language Plan is aligned with the current National Gaelic Plan and focuses on the same themes. These are: Promoting a Positive Image of Gaelic Increasing the Learning of Gaelic Increasing the Use of Gaelic 4.6 The Council’s Plan contains a number of actions with success measures that have been developed and agreed as our approach to delivering on the Plan. A progress report showing each of the actions that have been agreed and their status will be brought forward to committee as usual in August. This will include the revised action inserted by Ministers committing the Council to consult on a Gaelic School within two years of the Plan’s approval – ie before December 2024. 4.7 Each of the actions in the plan has an identified lead officer. Regular meetings take place with the Policy Lead to give an overview of Gaelic related activity across Council services and to provide updates on progress against the agreed actions. These meetings have representation from services that are involved in delivering different aspects of the Gaelic Language Plan and related activities. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 The Council’s Gaelic Language Plan has been updated following approval by Scottish Ministers. Progress on the Plan continues and will be reported to Community Services Committee as usual in August. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy This proposal is compliant with the Council’s policies and procedures. 6.2 Financial There are no financial implications from this report. 6.3 Legal The Council has a duty under a statutory notice to produce a Gaelic Language Plan 6.4 HR None 6.5 6.6 Fairer Scotland Duty Climate Change None None 6.7 Risk None 6.8 Customer Service None Executive Director – Kirsty Flanagan Head of Customer Support Services – Jane Fowler Policy lead – Councillor Robin Currie For further information contact: Jane Fowler, Head of Customer Support Services Date: June 2023