Comment DBCC-8229

Hi

Many thanks for the opportunity to comment on the revised boundary proposals.

For context I live in Bersham, near Wrexham.

I just have a couple of comments which I feel I need to make.

1. Constituency names purely in Welsh. Whilst I full appreciate the wish to make the Senedd a distinct body with its own traits and that the increase in use of the Welsh language is seen as part of that distinctiveness, I wonder how the naming of the constituencies using a Welsh only name is consistent with the Welsh Language Act 1993, which states that organisations must treat both languages on the basis of equality. Given that the last Annual Population Survey estimated that 29.5% of people aged three or older were able to speak Welsh that basically means 70% of the country does not. Whilst the aim is to increase that number, the fact of the matter is at present it seems that overdue weight is being given to a Welsh only name when there remains the opportunity for the Commission to have an English Translation as well. I have read the rationale behind this in the policy - I am just unsure how this is not allowing the English Language to be treated less favourably than the Welsh language.I am happy to be persuaded I am wrong on this issue.

2. I live in Bersham as commented above. Bersham and Rhostyllyn were deemed to be an appropriate area to be included in the Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr UK parliamentary constituency. I felt that was incorrect at the time the new boundaries were drawn up and commented so. I now see it is proposed we are to be included in the Gwynedd Maldwyn Senedd constituency which is even worse given it stretches out to the coast. I am fully aware that there is nothing the Commission can do in respect of redrawing the UK boundaries but I think it would be just as appropriate for that consituency to be paired with Wrexham as it is for it to be paired with Dwyfor Meirionnydd.

Thank you for taking the time to read - if there is an opportunity for a response I would welcome one, but appreciate that neither of the above is probably really up for discussion.

Wishing you a good Christmas and peaceful New Year.

Regards

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