Written question WQ85730

There are commitments in the draft WESPs to open new schools in Flintshire, Powys, Pembroke, NPT, Bridgend, Vale of Glamorgan, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Merthyr, Cardiff, Caerphilly, Monmouth, Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen during the 10-year timeframe of the Welsh in Education Strategic Plans.

In addition to this work, it is also important to remember the local authorities that moving their schools along a language continuum with a view to changing their language category to Welsh-medium. Commitments are made in Denbigh, Gwynedd, Conwy, Powys, Ceredigion, Pembroke, Carmarthenshire, and Wrexham local authorities. With authorities such as Cardiff, Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Monmouth and others committing to implement the new arrangements for categorising schools according to the medium of provision announced in December 2021 as a way of introducing Welsh-medium education in new areas.

WESPs are in the process of being approved, with that work due to be finalised by the end of July.

Local authorities should then be looking to publish their Plan in accordance with the requirements of The Welsh in Education Strategic Plans (Wales) Regulations 2019 (“2019 Regulations”). In this context, plans must be published on or before the date the plan takes effect. This is 1 September 2022. This will need to be done by –

• Placing the plan on the local authority website; and

• Making copies of the plan available for inspection by members of the public at

• offices that are open to the public

• Any other place considered appropriate: