The Department of Work and Pensions Welsh Language Scheme the Welsh Language Commissioner s response to the Annual Monitoring Report

Transcription

1 The Department of Work and Pensions Welsh Language Scheme the Welsh Language Commissioner s response to the Annual Monitoring Report

2 1 Basic Information 1 2 Standard Statement Annual Monitoring Reports 2 3 Comments on performance Compliance with the Welsh Language Scheme Mainstreaming the Welsh language Performance Indicators 3 4 Summary 3

3 1 Basic Information Basic Information Further comment Welsh Language Scheme Approval Date Senior Officer responsible for the implementation of the Welsh Language Scheme. Date Annual Monitoring Report due to be received 25 March 2010 Alison Dods, Welsh Language Unit Manager 29/06/2012 Report received 29/06/ Standard Statement 2.1 The main aim of the Welsh Language Commissioner (the Commissioner) is to promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh Language. This is done by highlighting the fact that the Welsh language has official status in Wales and by imposing standards on organizations. This, in turn, will lead to the establishment of rights for Welsh speakers Two principles underpin the work of the Commissioner: The Welsh language shall not be treated less favourably than English in Wales Persons in Wales should be able to live their lives through the medium of Welsh if they wish to do so Over time, new powers to impose and enforce standards on organizations will come into force through subordinate legislation. Until that time, the Commissioner will continue to monitor statutory language schemes by virtue of powers inherited under the Welsh Language Act The Welsh Language Commissioner may investigate failure to implement a language scheme; allegations of interference with an individual's freedom to use the Welsh language in Wales, and, in future, complaints regarding the failure of organizations to comply with standards The Welsh Language Commissioner will be able to regulate organizations robustly and consistently by means of standards, and may decide to impose a civil penalty on an organization if it does not comply with a relevant requirement. 01/04

4 2.2 Annual Monitoring Reports Language Schemes contain a commitment to prepare and submit a monitoring report on an annual basis. To all intents and purposes, an Annual Monitoring Report is a self-assessment exercise. In responding to them, the Welsh Language Commissioner will expect organizations to testify that they are complying with their language schemes In the context of language schemes, the Commissioner s practice will be to highlight risks and influence performance with a view to avoiding failure All responses to annual monitoring reports will be published with a view to ensuring transparency and ease of access to information on performance. 3 Comments on performance 3.1 Compliance with the Welsh Language Scheme Comments on performance Page 2, Single Point of Contact We acknowledge the work of the Department in , taking a critical look at the way in which Welsh language services are provided, and the improvements introduced as a result of this scrutiny work. Implementation requirements No further action. 3.2 Mainstreaming the Welsh language Comments on performance Page 2, change lifecycle resource We acknowledge the work of the Department in developing the change lifecycle resource which has been developed to ensure that the Welsh Language Unit Manager is included as stakeholder for new projects, services and initiatives. Implementation requirements Department of Work and Pensions to send a copy of the change lifecycle resource' to the Commissioner by 30 September /04

5 Individual Projects, page 3 6. We note the actions the Department have taken to ensure that the Welsh language services are of the same quality as the English language services in the 7 exemplary projects described in the report. No action. 3.3 Performance Indicators Comments on performance Service Provision page 8. We request that the Department notes which contracts were assessed during in accordance with Performance Indicator 2. Implementation requirements We request that you send us this information by 30 September Language Awareness and Training, page 9. We note the fact that the Department has held a range of lessons, intensive events and workshops for staff to improve their language skills. The Department to provide quantitative information to the Commissioner in accordance with Performance Indicator 3 by 30 September Administrating the Scheme 4 Summary We note the fact that the Department has provided details of the improvement actions which derived from the complaints received in No action. Further information required 03/04 Department of Work and Pensions to send a copy of the change lifecycle resource' to the Commissioner. We request that the Department notes which contracts were assessed during in accordance with Performance Indicator 2. The Department to provide quantitative information to the Commissioner in accordance with Performance Indicator 3. By 30 September By 30 September By 30 September 2012.

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