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The Welsh Language Board ( ) is a statutory body set up by the UK Government as part of the Welsh Language Act 1993. It is now an Assembly Sponsored Public Body. It began its life under John Walter Jones OBE and its current Chief Executive is Meirion Prys Jones, with Meri Huws acting as Chair. It receives an annual government grant of £13m which is to be used to "promote and facilitate" the use of the Welsh language. The Board is responsible for administering the Welsh Language Act and for seeing that public bodies in Wales keep to its terms. Over 500 Welsh language schemes have now been agreed with a range of bodies named under the provisions of the Welsh Language Act. In cases where there are concerns that public bodies do not comply with their Welsh language schemes, the Board can hold a statutory investigation. If the Board's investigations indicate that an organisation has broken its own Welsh language scheme, it can produce recommendations to the organisation and, ultimately, transfer the matter to the Minister for Heritage at the Welsh Assembly Government. The Board's Private Sector and Business team work with a wealth of large and small companies. Since launching the private sector Welsh language policy in November 2008, over a 100 businesses have already produced a policy, and 150 companies have signed up to the Board's 'Investing in Welsh' scheme, indicating support of the language. The Welsh Language Board has been at the forefront of promoting bilingual design. They have supported this goal by holding the annual Welsh Language Board bilingual awards. In 2006 winners included, FBA, Glass Hammer, Synergy Creative Design & Marketing, Hoffi, 6721, Elfen, Zodshop and Departures. In the winter of 2004 Rhodri Morgan previous First Minister of Wales announced his decision to abolish the Welsh Language Board. This decision evoked a mixed reaction throughout Wales; welcomed by Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg but met with scepticism by others. It is to be abolished under part nine, section 143 (1) of the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011. |
