Independent review of National Assembly’s bilingual services begins
17 December 2009
The promised review of the National Assembly for Wales’ independent review of bilingual services will begin today.
In September the Presiding Officer Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM, told Assembly Members that the Assembly Commission intended to establish an independent review of bilingual services prior to the formal review of the Assembly’s Welsh Language Scheme in 2010.
The Presiding Officer said that he believed the move would cement the Assembly’s reputation as an exemplar organisation in its delivery of bilingual services.
Today marks the first meeting the four members appointed to the independent review panel.
They are Chair of the Care Council for Wales Arwel Ellis Owen, businesswoman Susan Balsom, company director Geraint Evans and Pro Vice Chancellor of Bangor University Professor Colin Baker.
“Bilingualism has to be at the heart of Wales and the National Assembly for Wales,” said Panel Chair, Arwel Ellis Owen.
“But it also has to be balanced against what is possible in terms of delivery within the budget of the National Assembly for Wales.
“As a panel we will be taking evidence and recommending the best way forward for bilingual services for the fourth Assembly in 2011.”
The panel’s terms of reference are:
1. The reviewers will:
a) consider the operation of all current bilingual services provided by the Assembly Commission, including developments in bilingual services since the Commission was established in 2007 and the proposals set out in the Assembly Commission’s written statement on 30 September 2009;
b) consider the views of our main customers on current and future bilingual services;
c) having regard to the need to ensure value for money, and drawing on best practice internationally, make recommendations for consideration by the Assembly Commission on the future delivery of the Assembly’s bilingual services, including:
proposing options for defining and realising the Assembly’s ambition to become a “fully bilingual institution”;
establishing principles that should underpin the approach to bilingual services; and
considering all forms of service, including for example new media channels and archive material.
d) recommend a way forward for the Fourth Assembly and beyond (by when the current Welsh language Scheme will have ended).
Member Profiles:
Arwel Ellis Owen has a wealth of experience in delivering communications as founding Director of family owned communications company Cambrenis Communications. He is also currently Chair of the Centre of Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies at the University of Wales and Vice President of the National Library of Wales. His most recent appointment is Chair of the Care Council for Wales.
Susan Balsom is the Managing Director and founder of PR, design and publishing company, the FBA Group Ltd. Mrs Balsom is also member for Wales on the Ofcom Content Board and a Board Member of Artes Mundi.
Geraint Evans iIs an independent retail consultant and Managing Director of Gorsedd Ltd, a commercial property firm. Previously he was managing director of the retail store Dan Evans(Barry) Ltd. He has also been a non-executive director of Associated Independent Store Ltd, the largest non-food buying group in the UK.
Professor Colin Baker is currently the Pro Vice Chancellor of Bangor University. Prior to this he has had an extensive career as a university lecturer in education. He was also a Council Member of the Welsh Language Board for 10 years.