Council approves resolution on Pantycelyn

Pantycelyn

Aberystwyth University has today reaffirmed its continued commitment to the Welsh language and culture and the provision of dedicated Welsh-medium accommodation.

The University’s Council has approved a resolution, agreed with UMCA and the Students’ Union that presents a way forward for designated Welsh medium accommodation and the future of Pantycelyn at Aberystwyth.

The University reaffirmed its wish to provide the highest quality of accommodation for its students, including Welsh medium students. The University also committed to providing a choice of accommodation, including a consistency of choice whilst Pantycelyn is being redeveloped.

The resolution makes provision for Welsh medium accommodation to be provided in Fferm Penglais and Penbryn from September 2015, whilst Pantycelyn is closed for renovation, and provides for continued use of social spaces in Pantycelyn for Welsh medium clubs and societies and UMCA, and the relocation of Welsh language support services to Pantycelyn.

The University will draw up detailed plans for the provision of excellent, fit-for-the-future Welsh medium accommodation, and see how these can apply to Pantycelyn. This will take into account a revised University Estate Strategy; the demand for Welsh-medium accommodation; the structural changes needed in Pantycelyn as a Listed building and an indication that the necessary permissions will be forthcoming; the priorities of the University; and the provision of necessary funding.

The resolution provides, on that basis, a process to implement the University’s intention to reopen Pantycelyn within four years as designated Welsh medium accommodation.

The resolution approved by Aberystwyth University Council reads as follows:

Starts:
Council underlines its commitments to the Welsh language and culture and the provision of dedicated Welsh-medium accommodation within the University.

Council invites the Executive to provide Welsh medium accommodation in Penbryn from September 2015 and also offer sufficient space for communal and cultural activities for Welsh-language speakers and Welsh learners throughout the University. 

Council recognising that accommodation in Pantycelyn will cease this month, welcomes and endorses the Executive’s recommendation that certain services should be moved into Pantycelyn to provide Welsh language activities and confirms that at the same time there will be access to Pantycelyn for UMCA and Welsh language speakers and Welsh learners.

Council invites the Executive to develop a design brief for the provision of excellent Welsh medium accommodation and social space taking into account the current and future demand for Welsh-medium accommodation.   Council asks that a brief for excellent Welsh medium accommodation and social spaces, good for 40 years, is available by 30 April 2016, and insists that UMCA and the student body, as well as staff and the community are fully consulted to define the scope for excellent Welsh medium accommodation.

The agreed design brief will then be applied to Pantycelyn. 

At this stage Council expects this application to take into consideration: a revised University Estate Strategy; the demand for Welsh-medium accommodation; the structural changes needed in Pantycelyn, a Listed building and an indication that the necessary permissions will be forthcoming; the priorities of the University; and the provision of necessary funding.

This work will have drawn upon the advice of MPAG.

A final report which takes these issues into account with a clear, costed design for Welsh medium accommodation at Pantycelyn, including a funding strategy, will be brought to Council for consideration.

It is our intention, on this basis, to reopen Pantycelyn within 4 years to provide fit-for-the- future Welsh Medium Accommodation and social spaces.

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