Scottish Languages Act 2025

Bòrd na Gàidhlig

2 Functions of Bòrd na Gàidhlig

(1) The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 is modified as follows.

(2) In section 1 (constitution and functions of Bòrd na Gàidhlig)—

(a) in subsection (2)—

(i) after paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa) monitoring, and reporting to the Scottish Ministers on, compliance by relevant public authorities with their duties under this Act,

(ab) advising and assisting (either on request or when it thinks fit) any person on matters relating to the development of the Gaelic language, Gaelic education and Gaelic culture in a particular area,”,

(ii) paragraph (d) is repealed,

(b) in subsection (3)—

(i) for “securing the status of the Gaelic language as an official language of Scotland commanding” substitute “ensuring that the Gaelic language is treated with”,

(ii) before paragraph (a) insert—

“(za) encouraging and supporting the use and understanding of the Gaelic language, with a particular focus on areas of linguistic significance,”,

(iii) paragraph (b) is repealed,

(c) after subsection (3) insert—

“(3A) The Bòrd must, on the request of a relevant public authority, provide the authority free of charge with assistance in relation to the application of this Act to the authority.

(3B) In giving assistance under subsection (3A), the Bòrd must seek to give effect, so far as is both appropriate in the circumstances and reasonably practicable, to the principle that the Gaelic and English languages should be accorded equal respect.

(3C) In exercising its function under subsection (2)(ab), the Bòrd must in particular provide, or procure the provision of, advice, assistance and support to any person in the preparation of a plan for the development or promotion of the Gaelic language, Gaelic education and Gaelic culture in relation to a community in a particular area.”.

(3) In schedule 1 paragraph 11(2) (general powers), for “8(9)” substitute “1(3A)”.

3 Bòrd na Gàidhlig corporate plan

(1) The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 is modified as follows.

(2) In schedule 1 (Bòrd na Gàidhlig), after paragraph 7 insert—

Corporate plan

7A (1) The Bòrd must submit a corporate plan to the Scottish Ministers.

(2) The corporate plan—

(a) must set out—

(i) the main objectives of the Bòrd in exercising its functions under this Act,

(ii) the outcomes by reference to which the achievement of those objectives will be assessed,

(iii) a general description of the main activities which the Bòrd plans to undertake,

(iv) a general description of how those objectives and activities will contribute to the delivery of the national Gaelic language strategy prepared under section 2A,

(b) may include such other material as the Bòrd considers appropriate.

(3) The Scottish Ministers may—

(a) approve the corporate plan,

(b) approve the corporate plan with any modifications they consider appropriate, or

(c) reject the corporate plan.

(4) Where the Scottish Ministers intend to approve the corporate plan with modifications, they must consult the Bòrd before doing so.

(5) Where the Scottish Ministers reject the corporate plan, the Bòrd must, as soon as reasonably practicable, modify the corporate plan and resubmit it to the Scottish Ministers.

(6) As soon as reasonably practicable after it is approved by the Scottish Ministers—

(a) the Bòrd must publish the corporate plan, and

(b) the Scottish Ministers must lay a copy of the corporate plan before the Scottish Parliament.

(7) The Bòrd—

(a) may revise the corporate plan at any time, and

(b) must revise the corporate plan when required to do so by the Scottish Ministers.

(8) Sub-paragraphs (1) to (7) apply to a revised corporate plan, and to a modified corporate plan submitted under sub-paragraph (5), as they apply to the first corporate plan.”.