Isle of Anglesey County Council today (Wednesday, 15 December) publishes its vision for the Welsh language, in the form of a new five year promotion strategy.

The strategy sets out the Council's vision for the language and includes a target for increasing the number of Welsh speakers on the island. Although long considered a Welsh language stronghold, Anglesey has seen a general pattern of decline since the 1950s when over 80% of the population used the language daily. The figure according to the latest 2011 Census results is 57.2%.

The strategy explains how the Council intends to create the conditions that will lead to more Welsh speakers on the island by 2026. Efforts will be focused on three priority areas which are, children, young people and the family; the workforce, Welsh language services and infrastructure; and the community.

Welsh Language Portfolio Holder, Councillor Ieuan Williams, said: ‘We are delighted to publish this strategy today. The Welsh language has a prominent and special place on Anglesey. It is a living language used by over half of our population. We are extremely proud of our unique culture that makes Anglesey one of the strongholds of the Welsh language.

‘We know that the challenge of reversing the decline in the number of Welsh speakers is considerable. Factors such as inward migration and the failure to pass on the language from one generation to the next have been a particular challenge to the prosperity of the Welsh language on Anglesey. The pandemic also has the potential to affect the linguistic dynamics of some of our communities if our concerns about increased inward migration and second home ownership are confirmed by this year’s census results.

‘As a Council we have a duty to face these challenges and to use our power and influence to ensure that the Welsh language thrives here. It is vital that parents understand the value of using Welsh with their children, that quality Welsh language education and care is available throughout the island, and that there are ample opportunities for people to use the language socially and at work.’

Chief Executive Annwen Morgan, who is responsible for the Welsh language within the Council, added: ‘This strategy encapsulates our vision for the Welsh language and outlines our plans to increase the use of the language over the next five years.

‘We want to see that the value of Welsh and the benefits of using the language are made clear to as wide an audience as possible. We aim to create a sense of belonging where all our residents feel ownership of the language and are proud to live in a vibrant, truly bilingual community.’

You can read the strategy on the Council's website.

Ends 15December 2021

Notes for editors:

This is the Isle of Anglesey County Council’s second Welsh Language Promotion Strategy.

The strategy was approved by the County Council on 7 December 2021. It replaces the Council’s first promotion strategy, Welsh Language Strategy 2016-2021.

The preparation of such a strategy is a statutory requirement under the Welsh Language Standards (No.1) Regulations 2015.