General Principles
- Welsh is the Council's principal language of operation, which means that Welsh is given priority when writing internal reports and documents.
- All the Council's public documents - including reports, plans, posters, forms and explanatory material, press releases, public notices and consultation documents - will be available in Welsh and English.
- Any official documents published on the Council's website will be available in both languages, with the ability to switch easily from one version to another.
- The Council will not publish/distribute English-only documents, on paper or on the Council's website, unless a Welsh version is also available at the same time.
- Every effort will be made to produce short documents bilingually, to ensure that the public see the Welsh language at every opportunity.
- The Council shall refer to itself using it’s Welsh name, Cyngor Gwynedd, wherever possible in written materials and use the Welsh versions of place names and features (where English and Welsh names exist) in all it’s publications and public written materials.
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4.1 Officers will ensure that any written material which is intended for the public, is available in Welsh and English. This includes printed written material and material that is shared electronically.
4.2 Officers will ensure that any documents published/released in English contains a statement that states clearly that a Welsh version of the document is also available.
4.3 Any leaflets sent out to residents will be bilingual and placed in envelopes in a way that ensures that the Welsh language is seen first on opening.
4.4 If Officers share written material from other organisations (either in the form of documents, or by reference to other sources such as websites) the Officers will be expected to make every effort to ensure that the material is available in Welsh as well as in English. If documents are shared as part of consultation work, and the external organisation is unable to provide bilingual copies, arrangements must be made for them to be translated in-house before the documents are made public.
4.5 Officers should ensure that any written material is in a standard format and style, in Welsh and English, and that the Welsh language is treated no less favourably in terms of format, size, quality and clarity. This includes ensuring that any material is comprehensible and clear to the public, and follows the principles of Cymraeg Clir/ Plain English.
4.6 Priority should be given to the Welsh language in any public written material. This means that the Welsh text will be placed either above or to the left of the English text.
4.7 Any leaflets, pamphlets and documents that are publicly distributed should be designed as printed versions in such a way as to ensure that the two languages appear together. This can be bilingual text on the same page or a document with both languages printed back to back.
4.8 Should the Council, for any reason (e.g. document size, website publication) have to publish Welsh and English versions separately, they will be published at the same time, and the English version will state clearly that a Welsh version is available to encourage residents to access the Welsh version.
4.9 It should be ensured that any documents that are printed as separate Welsh and English paper versions are available together and that the Welsh version is offered first to the public.
4.10 Any signs erected in any public space under the Council's responsibility will be bilingual, with Welsh appearing first, and English following underneath.
4.11 We will also seek to ensure that any notices or posters by other organisations and companies displayed on Council premises are also in Welsh or are bilingual. English only posters shall not be displayed in Council buildings.
4.12 Every statement by the Council to the press or media will be bilingual.
4.13 Responses to enquiries from the press or media will be sent in Welsh or English, depending on the language of the reporter concerned.
4.14 All material used to raise awareness, market, promote and attract investment to the area will note and acknowledge the importance of the Welsh language.
4.15 Any marketing campaigns carried out by or on behalf of the Council will be fully bilingual, including exhibitions, information stalls and conferences. This means that any advertising, publishing or research work will be fully bilingual.
4.16 The following exceptions to the above clauses are allowed:
a) A document that relates specifically to activities, the main purpose of which is to encourage and promote the Welsh language, and/or which relate to an event that supports the language and culture of the area. This may include events such as Urdd and National Eisteddfod activities or activities by partners in promoting the Welsh language.
b) Announcements or advertisements for radio or television programmes on Welsh language stations or channels.
c) Advertisements in the Welsh language press which will appear in Welsh only.
4.17 Any documents or announcements intended for an audience outside Wales, or advertisements for radio stations and television channels outside Wales, are expected to include some Welsh. As an attempt to promote the language as an integral part of the county's identity and culture, materials may not be published solely in English.
4.18 Advertisements and publicity on behalf of a third party which appear on Council property, land or buildings, are expected to follow the above guidelines. Where there is an agreement between the Council and another party for the use of Council property, land or buildings, a condition to this effect will be included in the agreement, including associated publicity (e.g. posters, advertisements).