Welsh Language Preference – Making Your Choice

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council is required to meet the Welsh Language Standards put in place by the Welsh Language Commissioner. These standards will actively look to promote and encourage the use of the Welsh language and will come into effect from 31st March 2016. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Council is committed to meeting these requirements and will be sending a letter to every household and business in Blaenau Gwent to identify their language preference choice; Welsh only, English only or bi-lingual. A free post envelope will be provided to return completed forms. Residents and businesses will also be able to provide their preference by clicking https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=145771248826 ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

These Letters will be going out to residents and businesses from Monday 14th March 2016 and will be enclosed in the annual council tax and business rate statements for 2016 / 2017. The Council will require the preference choice of all members living in each household. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The information will be used to communicate with residents and businesses in Blaenau Gwent in their preferred language of choice whether it is Welsh, English or bilingual. This will start in the near future and through a phased approach. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If residents and businesses do not respond to the letter and provide their preference, the Council will have to provide bi-lingual correspondence.
The preferred language choice (English only, Welsh only, bi-lingual) can be made through one of the following ways: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• By Post; a form and free post envelope will be enclosed in your yearly council tax / business rates statement, which will be posted to residents and businesses from Monday 14th March 2016 onwards.
• In person; use the form enclosed in your yearly council tax / business rates statement and return to Civic Centre reception, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6XB. Opening hours Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm.
• Online; click on the following link to make your choice:
  https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=145771248826