What does ‘Policy Decision’ mean in the context of the Welsh Language Standards?

The Welsh Language Standards Regulations define a "policy decision" as any decision a body makes about exercising its functions and conducting its business.

It's an incredibly broad definition, and it's not limited to written documents titled "policies".

The Welsh Language Commissioner (WLC) considers that a ‘policy’ broadly relates to a formal written statement/document which sets out the aims, direction, ideas, guidance, or plan of how a body will operate in a particular situation.

The WLC considers that a “practice” (rather than a policy decision) relates broadly to a body’s operations decisions that govern day-to-day actions. They are made within the limits or permissions of policy decisions. Operations decisions put policy decisions into action.

Examples of policy decisions

Examples of policy decisions, would likely include -

  1. Corporate Strategies and Plans
  2. Policies and Policy Statements
  3. Business Cases & Restructuring
  4. Recruitment & Human Resources
  5. Strategic policy decisions considered by at Executive Group level or committee level relating to the following areas -
    • Admissions
    • Information regarding AU to students and prospective students
    • Student welfare
    • Complaints
    • Student disciplinary proceedings
    • Careers services
    • Student intranet, virtual learning sites and learning portal sites
    • Graduation and award ceremonies
    • Student assessments
    • Awarding of grants and the provision of Financial assistance
    • Public lectures, learning opportunities; and public courses
    • Office and Building locations including signage
    • Student accommodation, Libraries and Arts centres
    • Allocation of a personal tutor
    • Telephone services
    • Policy statements
    • Strategies and strategic plans
    • Internal structures

Welsh Language Standards Requirements (Policy Decisions)

In accordance with the Welsh Language Standards, all policy decision must consider what effects, if any (whether positive or adverse), the policy decision would have on —
(a) opportunities for persons to use the Welsh language, and
(b) treating the Welsh language no less favourably than the English language.

And consider how the policy could be formulated (or how an existing policy could be changed) so that it would have increased positive effects / reduced adverse effects on the Welsh Language.

When publishing a consultation document or commissioning research relating to a policy decision, opinion should be sought on the effect (positive or negative) the decision would have in terms of —
(a) opportunities to use the language,
(b) not treating the Welsh language less favourably than the English.

For policy decisions which require approval at Executive level, please complete a Welsh Language Impact Assessment Form. The Centre for Welsh Language Services wlcstaff@aber.ac.uk can assist you in completing the assessment.