Issue - meetings

“Some of the members will have seen “Make me Welsh”, a television programme about Gwynedd Council’s language centres.  Given the success of this policy, it is disappointing to note that Carmarthenshire County Council has cut the budget of Improving Welsh and Bilingualism Teachers.  It is also noted that Carmarthenshire’s latecomers spend only 30 days in a language centre, whilst children in Gwynedd attend intensive courses for 60 days.  The concern is that children in Carmarthenshire are at a substantial disadvantage compared with pupils in Gwynedd, and that the situation is deteriorating due to a lack of resources.  Should not further action be taken to strengthen the provision for latecomers and other pupils in Carmarthenshire, so that they may benefit from a Welsh education to the same extent as their peers?”

The Chair advised that Mr Vale was unable to attend the meeting to ask his question.  Councillor Gareth Jones, Executive Board Member for Education & Children, was asked to provide Mr Vale with a written response.