AN investigation into Torfaen council finds that it has failed to comply with clauses in its Welsh Language Scheme.

A statutory investigation report has been published into the implementation of the council’s Welsh Language Scheme.

The investigation was conducted following the launch of the council’s new telephone service in English only.

Implementing the powers of Section 17 of the Welsh Language Act 1993, the Welsh Language Commissioner decided to hold a statutory investigation into the matter.

The investigation concluded that the council failed to comply with clauses in its Welsh Language Scheme by launching the service in English before the Welsh Service was ready. by the extended delay between the launch of the English language service and the provision of the Welsh language Service and by the lack of consideration and discussion to the Welsh language Service at a senior level within the Council.

The report includes a series of recommendations which will enable the council to resolve the situation and comply with its Welsh Language Scheme in the future.

• Following the launch of the Welsh language automated service the Welsh language service should be promoted and usage levels of the service should be monitored;

• Conduct a review of the procedures for conducting impact assessments of new policies and initiatives on the Welsh language;

• Guidelines should be reviewed to ensure that they are clear and robust with regard to considering the Welsh language in the tender Process;

• Steps should be taken to raise the awareness of the workforce about the revised procedures;

• Robust supervision arrangements should be in place to ensure effective implementation of the Council’s Welsh Language Scheme;

• It should be ensured that adequate resources are available for Welsh Language provision in accordance with the Welsh Language Scheme. A timetable has been applied to each recommendation. The Welsh Language Commissioner’s officers will monitor the Council’s implementation of the recommendations.