Will the Commission provide the latest information on the form, timetable and remit of the review of the legal framework of the Welsh language in the Senedd for the future, following the commitments made in the debate on the annual report of the official language scheme on 9 July 2025?
Adam Price MS on behalf of the Senedd Commission:
Following consideration of the demands on Members' time and resources before the end of the Sixth Senedd, it was concluded that an e-mail survey would be the most suitable method of gathering feedback and opinions from Members and their support staff about the Official Languages Scheme. The intention is to conduct the survey during the second half of this term, in order to avoid conflicts with other surveys that are being carried out.
We will combine the consultation regarding the legal framework that underpins the current official languages regime with a survey of the Welsh language skills of the respondents. This will provide an illustration of the skills that exist among Members and their support staff.
The survey will ask Members and their support staff about their satisfaction levels regarding the Official Languages Scheme, both as service users and in terms of the duties imposed on Members by the Scheme.
There will also be an opportunity to suggest any amendments that could be made to the current scheme. In addition, there will be an opportunity to express views on the suitability of the current legal framework, identifying any proposals for alternatives in terms of the accountability and scope of any future regime.
Once we have received responses from Members and their support staff, the Official Languages Team will look at ways of undertaking further consultation, including with Senedd Commission staff.
We will endeavour to incorporate any proposed changes into the legal framework shortly after the Seventh Senedd Commission has been established, and discuss the way forward.