Welsh language will be imposed if ignored

10:50am Sunday 9th November 2008

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Town and community councils across Pembrokeshire have been warned that if they don’t adopt a Welsh language scheme it will be imposed on them.

Last week Milford Haven Town Council rejected the compulsory scheme, which would give English and Welsh equality on road signs, announcements and communications with the public.

Many more councils, mainly in the south of the county, are considering their options before the December deadline.

Richard Shepherd, chairman of the Pembrokeshire Association of Local Councils (PALC), has helped to mediate between councils and the Welsh Language Board, but gave a stark warning to those thinking of opting out.

“Many of the councils have taken it up but there have been problems with some councils with very low numbers of Welsh speakers,” he said.

“It’s up to the councils to decide what version of the scheme they are going to adopt, but I hope they will submit a version because if they don’t they will have it imposed on them.

“They need to get their act together now and go for the most minimal scheme they can get away with.”

After a consultation phase last year PALC negotiated amendments to the scheme which mean councils will not be liable for errors in translation, and Welsh versions of documents such as minutes will only have to be provided on demand.

But for the majority of town councillors at last week’s meeting in Milford Haven, the cost of the scheme was deemed excessive.

Councillor Eric Harries said he had calculated it would cost more than £400 to translate council minutes each month and argued that the service would be unnecessary.

“It’s being imposed in an area of Wales which isn’t indigenously Welsh speaking,” he said.

“This service is neither needed nor wanted, not only in Milford but in other communities that are having it thrust upon them at a considerable cost.”