Latest news with #WelshinEducationStrategicPlan
South Wales Guardian
10-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Welsh language learning partnership launched by council
The council is working with the National Centre for Learning Welsh to help more adults who work with children and young people learn or improve their Welsh. The partnership aims to support the council's Welsh in Education Strategic Plan, which seeks to expand and strengthen Welsh-medium education across the county. Owain Lloyd, director of education, children and family services at Carmarthenshire County Council, said: "I very much welcome this strategic partnership with the National Centre for Learning Welsh which will be extremely important over the coming years as the authority moves forward with our aspirations in terms of Welsh education." The centre will offer a range of learning opportunities at different levels, from beginner courses to confidence-building sessions. A dedicated tutor will be based within the council to support staff working with children and young people. Practitioners will also have access to the centre's wider programmes, including in-person classes, online self-study options, and virtual lessons. Support will also be available for parents, carers, and guardians to help them use more Welsh at home through the centre's Welsh at Home scheme. Meinir Ebbsworth, deputy chief executive and strategic director at the National Centre for Learning Welsh, said: "The partnership focuses on three core elements, namely the provision at school, how the home can support Welsh language development, as well as other services that support children and young people."
South Wales Argus
08-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bro classroom expansion finished!
Caerphilly council has announced the completion of a new extension at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bro Allta in Ystrad Mynach. The project forms part of the authority's wider commitment to expanding Welsh medium education, aligned with its Welsh in Education Strategic Plan and the Welsh Government's vision of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050. The scheme, fully funded through a Welsh Government grant for Welsh medium provision, includes a modern four-classroom extension and the removal of outdated demountable buildings. Staff and pupils outside the new extension at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bro Allta in Ystrad Mynach. (Image: Caerphilly Council) The development increases the school's capacity by 50 additional places, significantly enhancing opportunities for learners to access high-quality Welsh medium education in the area. Bro Allta is one of five schools across the county borough benefitting from strategic investment aimed at increasing and improving Welsh medium provision. Other projects include developments at YGG Y Castell, Ysgol Ifor Bach, YGG Cwm Derwen and YGG Penalltau. Councillor Jamie Pritchard, Deputy Leader of Council commented: 'The expansion of Ysgol Bro Allta is an example of our Place Shaping programme in action. "This investment has significantly improved the provision we are able to provide to pupils for years to come and helps the council encourage more children to embrace the Welsh language.' Councillor Carol Andrews, Cabinet Member for Education and Communities, said: 'We are incredibly proud of this investment, which reflects our ongoing dedication to the Welsh language and the communities we serve. "The extension at Bro Allta ensures more children can thrive in a Welsh medium environment.' Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Allta in Ystrad Mynach. (Image: NQ) Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bro Allta continues now with the facilities to support even more young learners on their educational journey. Headteacher Meinir Jones commented: "This fantastic new extension is a real boost for our school. "It allows us to welcome more pupils into a vibrant, supportive environment where the Welsh language and culture are at the heart of everything we do." According to the Welsh Government there are a total of 440 Welsh medium schools in Wales which educate 23% of the total school population in the country. It plans to increase this number under the 2050 plan.
Pembrokeshire Herald
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Energy price cut welcome, but charity says ‘bleak winter ahead' for Welsh pensioners
HUW MURPHY, a member of the Independent Group on Pembrokeshire County Council, has confirmed to The Herald this week (May 25) that the Group has submitted a formal request to the Presiding Officer for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the Council. The purpose of the meeting is to debate a motion of No Confidence in Councillor Paul Miller, specifically regarding his roles as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member. The request, which received unanimous support during a recent meeting of the Independent Group, was formally submitted late on Friday afternoon (May 23) and acknowledged by the Council. It will be formally processed on Tuesday (May 27), the next working day. Under the Council's constitution, the Presiding Officer has five working days to respond. The Independent Group has expressed its expectation that the request will be accepted and a date set without delay. Under fire: Cllr Paul Miller (Pic: Herald file) The call for an EGM stems from a number of concerns, which will be fully outlined during the meeting. However, central to the motion is Councillor Miller's handling of matters related to the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) and his comments at a Cabinet meeting on April 28. During that meeting, Councillor Miller remarked that, in his view, parents send their children to Ysgol Caer Elen for a 'good education' rather than specifically for a Welsh-language education. This statement, the Independent Group argues, conveys a perception of bias against Welsh-medium education. Further controversy arose when Councillor Miller publicly criticised the Welsh Language Commissioner—an independent expert appointed by the First Minister—accusing her of making an 'extraordinary political intervention' after she raised concerns about the legality and implications of his proposal to collect additional data from parents choosing Welsh-medium education. The Commissioner's concerns were grounded in the Welsh Government's Schools Admission Code, which the Commissioner argued would be breached by the proposal. Rather than addressing these concerns or withdrawing the amendment, Councillor Miller accused others of generating negative publicity and failed to accept any personal responsibility. At the Schools Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on May 14, the issue was further examined, yet Councillor Miller did not retract his original stance. Instead, he revised his amendment at Cabinet on May 21 to apply to both Welsh and English language education—a move viewed by the Independent Group as an attempt to save face without acknowledging fault. Despite widespread concern from the Welsh Language Commissioner, senior council officers, the Welsh Government, and committee members, Councillor Miller has neither apologised nor shown any willingness to reflect on his actions. The Cabinet's decision to adopt his revised amendment, with only six of nine members present at a remote meeting, was also a cause for concern. The Independent Group believes that public trust in elected representatives depends on their ability to recognise mistakes, show humility, and respect expert advice. Councillor Miller's refusal to do so—despite being an experienced politician—has led to this motion of No Confidence.
Pembrokeshire Herald
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Welsh Conservatives slam Labour's council tax reform as ‘failing families'
HUW MURPHY, a member of the Independent Group on Pembrokeshire County Council, has confirmed to The Herald this week (May 25) that the Group has submitted a formal request to the Presiding Officer for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the Council. The purpose of the meeting is to debate a motion of No Confidence in Councillor Paul Miller, specifically regarding his roles as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member. The request, which received unanimous support during a recent meeting of the Independent Group, was formally submitted late on Friday afternoon (May 23) and acknowledged by the Council. It will be formally processed on Tuesday (May 27), the next working day. Under the Council's constitution, the Presiding Officer has five working days to respond. The Independent Group has expressed its expectation that the request will be accepted and a date set without delay. Under fire: Cllr Paul Miller (Pic: Herald file) The call for an EGM stems from a number of concerns, which will be fully outlined during the meeting. However, central to the motion is Councillor Miller's handling of matters related to the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) and his comments at a Cabinet meeting on April 28. During that meeting, Councillor Miller remarked that, in his view, parents send their children to Ysgol Caer Elen for a 'good education' rather than specifically for a Welsh-language education. This statement, the Independent Group argues, conveys a perception of bias against Welsh-medium education. Further controversy arose when Councillor Miller publicly criticised the Welsh Language Commissioner—an independent expert appointed by the First Minister—accusing her of making an 'extraordinary political intervention' after she raised concerns about the legality and implications of his proposal to collect additional data from parents choosing Welsh-medium education. The Commissioner's concerns were grounded in the Welsh Government's Schools Admission Code, which the Commissioner argued would be breached by the proposal. Rather than addressing these concerns or withdrawing the amendment, Councillor Miller accused others of generating negative publicity and failed to accept any personal responsibility. At the Schools Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on May 14, the issue was further examined, yet Councillor Miller did not retract his original stance. Instead, he revised his amendment at Cabinet on May 21 to apply to both Welsh and English language education—a move viewed by the Independent Group as an attempt to save face without acknowledging fault. Despite widespread concern from the Welsh Language Commissioner, senior council officers, the Welsh Government, and committee members, Councillor Miller has neither apologised nor shown any willingness to reflect on his actions. The Cabinet's decision to adopt his revised amendment, with only six of nine members present at a remote meeting, was also a cause for concern. The Independent Group believes that public trust in elected representatives depends on their ability to recognise mistakes, show humility, and respect expert advice. Councillor Miller's refusal to do so—despite being an experienced politician—has led to this motion of No Confidence.
Pembrokeshire Herald
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Independent Group calls for EGM over no confidence in Deputy Leader
HUW MURPHY, a member of the Independent Group on Pembrokeshire County Council, has confirmed to The Herald this week (May 25) that the Group has submitted a formal request to the Presiding Officer for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the Council. The purpose of the meeting is to debate a motion of No Confidence in Councillor Paul Miller, specifically regarding his roles as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member. The request, which received unanimous support during a recent meeting of the Independent Group, was formally submitted late on Friday afternoon (May 23) and acknowledged by the Council. It will be formally processed on Tuesday (May 27), the next working day. Under the Council's constitution, the Presiding Officer has five working days to respond. The Independent Group has expressed its expectation that the request will be accepted and a date set without delay. Under fire: Cllr Paul Miller (Pic: Herald file) The call for an EGM stems from a number of concerns, which will be fully outlined during the meeting. However, central to the motion is Councillor Miller's handling of matters related to the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) and his comments at a Cabinet meeting on April 28. During that meeting, Councillor Miller remarked that, in his view, parents send their children to Ysgol Caer Elen for a 'good education' rather than specifically for a Welsh-language education. This statement, the Independent Group argues, conveys a perception of bias against Welsh-medium education. Further controversy arose when Councillor Miller publicly criticised the Welsh Language Commissioner—an independent expert appointed by the First Minister—accusing her of making an 'extraordinary political intervention' after she raised concerns about the legality and implications of his proposal to collect additional data from parents choosing Welsh-medium education. The Commissioner's concerns were grounded in the Welsh Government's Schools Admission Code, which the Commissioner argued would be breached by the proposal. Rather than addressing these concerns or withdrawing the amendment, Councillor Miller accused others of generating negative publicity and failed to accept any personal responsibility. At the Schools Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on May 14, the issue was further examined, yet Councillor Miller did not retract his original stance. Instead, he revised his amendment at Cabinet on May 21 to apply to both Welsh and English language education—a move viewed by the Independent Group as an attempt to save face without acknowledging fault. Despite widespread concern from the Welsh Language Commissioner, senior council officers, the Welsh Government, and committee members, Councillor Miller has neither apologised nor shown any willingness to reflect on his actions. The Cabinet's decision to adopt his revised amendment, with only six of nine members present at a remote meeting, was also a cause for concern. The Independent Group believes that public trust in elected representatives depends on their ability to recognise mistakes, show humility, and respect expert advice. Councillor Miller's refusal to do so—despite being an experienced politician—has led to this motion of No Confidence.
