Gaelic Language Plan for Aberdeenshire agreed

Councillors have agreed modifications to the Aberdeenshire Council Gaelic Language Plan, following a recent meeting of full council (Thursday Nov 19).

Councillors voted in favour of supporting the decision taken by Policy & Resources Committee in September, agreeing to make changes to the plan including staff training, online and paper forms, Gaelic awareness training and an audit of Gaelic language skills, with the costs mainly coming from translation services.

It was also agreed that the costs would be carefully monitored and reported back to committee if they are likely to exceed £15,000.

The plan was originally agreed by Policy & Resources Committee in September 2014 and submitted for consideration to Bòrd na Gàidhlig. The Bòrd subsequently asked for changes to the plan, to include consideration of Gaelic translations on road signs and a bi-lingual council logo.

Councillors had previously considered three options in response to feedback from Bòrd na Gàidhlig: to accept all the recommendations and meet all the associated costs; to acknowledge the feedback and accept the recommendations that align with feedback from the community and cost no more than £15,000; or adopt the plan as approved, without any moderation.
The development of a Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 aims to secure the status of the Gaelic language as an official language of Scotland, commanding equal respect with the English language.

Under the Act, public bodies are asked to prepare Gaelic Language Plans to ensure the public sector plays its part in creating a sustainable future for Gaelic by raising its status and profile.

Following consultation, Aberdeenshire’s plan was developed to reflect the current use and demand for the Gaelic language. The plan includes the proportionate use of Gaelic in promotional activity, Gaelic signs in schools and public buildings where these are being replaced, availability of translation where appropriate, promotion of Gaelic events, staff awareness sessions and introductory language lessons for both staff and the community.

Councillors previously rejected accepting all the proposed changes to the Plan, as it was not felt proportionate to the demand for Gaelic in the local area.

Cllr Karen Clark said: “The original Gaelic Language Plan is fair and proportionate and meets the requirements, based on full consultation and engagement with our residents. We should not spend any more on Gaelic unless it’s fully funded by the Scottish Government or Bòrd na Gàidhlig.”

She asked full council to make no changes to the Plan and manage any sanctions arising from the decision.

Co-Leader Cllr Martin Kitts-Hayes expressed his disappointment that the matter had been referred to full council from Policy & Resources Committee. “This is about respecting our Scottish history,” he said. “We will spend a small amount of money, carefully monitored, to demonstrate that we are responding to reasonable requests made by the Bord. This is about being pragmatic and taking a common sense approach to what we’re required to do under the legislation.”

Cllr Richard Thomson said that it was an important piece of legislation to recognise the Gaelic language and its proper place in Scottish life. He acknowledged that spending large sums of money to accommodate all the recommendations was not appropriate, and therefore supported the view that including Gaelic on road signs or creating a bi-lingual logo should be rejected. However, he agreed that a proportionate and measured response would demonstrate the council’s commitment towards meeting its duties.

He stressed that spend would be carefully monitored and reported back to committee if costs were likely to exceed £15,000.

After a robust debate, councillors agreed to support changes to the Plan with Cllr Clark’s motion to adopt the plan with no changes defeated by 29 votes to 34 votes, with one no vote.

The revised plan will be resubmitted to Bòrd na Gàidhlig for further consideration and a decision is expected in early 2016.