Welsh Language Advisory Group: Minutes 15 July 2020

Bronwen Morgan – BM

Gethin Rowlands – GR

Morgan Owen - MO

Gareth Evans – GE

Alison O’Hara – AO

Lauren Morrison – LM

Paul Docker (Cabinet Office) – PD

Glynne Morgan – GM

Gwynne Jones – GJ

Sian Williams – SW

Delyth Lloyd – DL

Carol Wyn Jones - CWJ

Morgan was welcomed to the group for the first time.

Everyone was satisfied with the minutes of the last meeting and there were no amendments.

Bilingual election forms were discussed, and it was emphasized how diligently Electoral Officers have worked in the past to ensure that bilingual forms are available.

It was agreed that forms need to be reviewed (The Draft Senedd Cymru (Representation of the People) (Amendment) Order 2020 ), and that any feedback on the forms needs input by the first week of August.

It was agreed that the group needed to meet again in mid August before responding to the Welsh Government consultation.

Independent PCC election forms were discussed, and the importance of having these bilingually, and having one set of forms which all local authorities can use.

It was realized that the only standard forms that are not available bilingually are those for an independent PCC election, and it was asked whether the Cabinet Office has legislative responsibility for this.

Emphasis was placed on regularizing the words/terms on the forms, and that the Electoral Glossary is there to be used, especially as translators from different local authorities will often disagree.

PD joined the talk.

The need to avoid any unnecessary challenges was emphasized.

It was noted that the Cabinet Office could not promise to create bilingual forms, and that it was necessary to confirm which forms were already available bilingually.

It was asked whether different dialects can be a problem when creating bilingual forms, but the group agreed that this is not a problem.

It was emphasized that prescribed forms were required, and that group members had been requesting these since 2012.

It was noted that the Cabinet Office is not aware of any prescribed forms, and in the long term some may be created, but it is unlikely that any will be available for next year's elections (if there is an independent PCC election).

It was noted that the Cabinet Office would be happy for the forms to sit elsewhere.

It was noted that the Welsh Government and Cabinet Office had been discussing combined elections, and the Welsh Government does not have the power to create standard returns for an independent PCC election.

It was agreed that the Electoral Glossary will be sent to PD.

It was agreed that the group/BM will contact the Cabinet Office to inquire which prescribed forms are already available bilingually.

There were no matters discussed in addition to the above regarding the 2021 elections.

It was noted that the Canvass was ongoing with local authorities, and no other significant issues were raised regarding COVID-19.

No other business was discussed.