Scottish Government Gaelic and Scots and a Scottish Languages Bill: Consultation
Argyll and Bute Council · 8 December 2022
Back to Policy and Resources Committee — 8 December 2022 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL POLICY AND RESOURCES CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES 8 DECEMBER 2022 SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT to GAELIC AND SCOTS AND A SCOTTISH LANGUAGES BILL: CONSULTATION 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Scottish Government are consulting on their commitment to Gaelic and Scots and a Scottish Languages Bill. The consultation closes on 8th December 2022 (originally November 17th) and this report presents a proposed response to that consultation for members to agree. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 That members consider and agree the attached response to the Scottish Government Commitment to Gaelic and Scots and a Scottish Languages Bill consultation and mandate the Head of Customer Support Services to submit it on behalf of the Council to Scottish Government. 3.0 DETAIL 3.1 The Scottish Government are consulting on a Gaelic and Scots - a Scottish Languages Bill. The consultation closes on 8th December 2022. Officers and the Policy lead have met with Scottish Government Officials to discuss the consultation proposals and Education Officers have engaged with ADES in relation to the Education specific proposals. 3.2 There are four main areas in the consultation: A new strategic approach to Gaelic medium education Inviting views on the question of exploring the creation of a Gàidhealtachd Review of the structure and functions of Bòrd na Gàidhlig Support for the Scots Language 3.3 Contextual information is provided for the questions in the full consultation documents, which is included at Appendix 1.
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3.4 Draft responses to the questions are included at Appendix 2 for consideration by members. 4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 This consultation provides an opportunity to contribute to shaping Scottish Government policy on Gaelic and Scots language. 5.0 IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy – The proposed legislation may impact the Council’s Gaelic Language Plan and Gaelic Medium Education approach 5.2 Financial – None at this time 5.3 Legal – The Council has a Duty under the Gaelic Language Act 2005 to produce a plan. The proposed Act may place further Duties on the Council 5.4 HR – None at this time 5.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: 5.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics – There is no protected characteristic that directly applies to language. 5.5.2 Socio-economic Duty – May have a positive impact on remote rural areas where Gaelic is spoken 5.5.3 Islands – May have a positive impact on islands where Gaelic is spoken 5.6 Climate Change - None 5.7 Risk – None directly from this report 5.8 Customer Service - None Kirsty Flanagan: Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services Policy Lead for Economy and Rural Growth: Robin Currie 17 November 2022 For further information contact: Jane Fowler, Head of Customer Support Services APPENDICES Appendix 1 – Consultation Document – Consultation on the Scottish Government Commitments to Gaelic and Scots and a Scottish Languages Bill. Appendix 2 – Draft Consultation Response.