Independent Review Panel on Bilingual Services

Consultation

The Panel has been established by the Assembly Commission to provide it with advice in relation to the provision of the Commission’s bilingual services.  The full terms of reference are set out below.

Having received initial presentations from Assembly staff and commenced discussions with Assembly Members, the Panel is now inviting views from other interested parties to inform its deliberations.  

The terms of reference include in particular a requirement to “consider the views of our [the Assembly Commission and its staff] main customers on current and future bilingual services;”

The services referred to are those provided to Assembly Members and to the wider public who

• visit the Senedd;
• use this Assembly website;
• correspond with the Assembly, for example in response to committee inquiries;
• telephone the Assembly;
• read our publications, including legislation;
• or otherwise come into contact with the Assembly.

This review concerns only the services of the Assembly and its Commission.

Customers are invited to let the Panel know their views by e-mail to panel@wales.gsi.gov.uk or by writing to the Panel at Ty Hywel, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff CF99 1NA. The closing date for views to be considered by the Panel will be Thursday 18 March.

Terms of Reference for the Review

The reviewers will:

(a)consider the operation of all current bilingual services provided by the Assembly Commission, including developments in bilingual services since the Commission was established in 2007 and the proposals set out in the Assembly Commission’s written statement on 30 September 2009;

(b) consider the views of our main customers on current and future bilingual services;

(c)having regard to the need to ensure value for money, and drawing on best practice internationally, make recommendations for consideration by the Assembly Commission on the future delivery of the Assembly’s bilingual services, including:

• proposing options for defining and realising the Assembly’s ambition to become a “fully bilingual institution”;
• establishing principles that should underpin the approach to bilingual services; and
• considering all forms of service, including for example new media channels and archive material.

(d) recommend a way forward for the Fourth Assembly and beyond (by when the current Welsh language Scheme will have ended).

Member Profiles:

Arwel Ellis Owen (Chair)

Has a wealth of experience in delivering communications as founding Director of family owned communications company Cambrenis Communications. He is also currently Chair of the Centre of Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies at the University of Wales and Vice President of the National Library of Wales. His most recent appointment is Chair of the Care Council for Wales.

Sue Balsom

Founded her own bilingual  PR, Design and Publishing company, FBA in Aberystwyth in 1989. A former Welsh Woman of the Year, Mrs Balsom has served on the WDA, Finance Wales and as Vice Chair of the BBC Broadcasting Council for Wales. Until recently she chaired the Prince’s Trust Cymru and since 2003 has represented Wales on the Content Board of OFCOM, the UK Telecoms and Broadcasting Regulator. This year she was appointed as anAmbassador for Diversity in Public Appointments by the Cabinet Office.

Geraint Evans

Is an independent retail consultant and Managing Director of Gorsedd Ltd, a commercial property firm. Previously he was managing director of the retail store Dan Evans(Barry) Ltd. He has also been a Non-executive director of Associated Independent Store Ltd, the largest non-food buying group in the UK.

Professor Colin Baker

Is currently the Pro Vice Chancellor of Bangor University and Professor of education. Prior to this he’s had an extensive career as a university lecturer in education with many publications on bilingualism. He was also a Member of the Welsh Language Board for 10 years.