NEWPORT council is being investigated after a Welsh Language pressure group accused the authority of misleading people over its work on creating a bilingual website.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg has hit out at the council claiming it is working on adding content in Welsh to its site, despite the fact that has put off the matter until costs become clear.

The Welsh Language Commissioner is investigating following a complaint from the group. A council report says that the authority is in breach of the Welsh Language Act because it does not currently provide a Welsh Language Service via the website. Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s Euros ap Hywel said: “The council’s attitude is a disgrace – they’re not working on the website at all, but that’s what they’re telling the public and the commissioner.” A page on the council’s website says that the authority is “working towards adding more Welsh language content to the site”.

However, a council report published in March shows that deputy leader Ray Truman decided to receive a further report on the matter once the implementation for a new system for the website, which won’t be ready until 2014, is progressed and the costs of a bilingual site are clearer.

An informal commitment has been made to the Welsh Language Commissioner which has been told that the authority is moving towards the development of Welsh language content.

A Welsh Language Commissioner spokesman said “We are investigating a complaint regarding this matter.”

A Newport council spokeswoman said the authority was mindful of the need to develop Welsh language services for the web and commitments had been made to the commissioner.

“The council has been open about its progress with its Welsh language provision for the web, and has published this in documents available online for all to see at any time. The council’s priority has to be the protection of frontline services, but recognises its statutory responsibilities to the Welsh language and those residents who use it.”