Government of Wales Act 2006

Principles in accordance with which functions are to be exercised U.K.

8 (1) The [F1 Senedd] Commission must make appropriate arrangements with a view to securing that its functions are exercised with due regard to the principle that there should be equality of opportunity for all people. U.K.

(2) In the exercise of the functions of the [F1 Senedd] Commission due regard must be had to the principle of promoting sustainable development.

[F2 (3) The [F1 Senedd] Commission must, in the exercise of its functions—

(a) treat the official languages of the [F1 Senedd] on a basis of equality, and

(b) make arrangements for enabling effect to be given to section 35(1), (1A), (1B) and (1C).

(4) The [F1 Senedd] Commission must—

(a) adopt, and

(b) publish,

a scheme, to be known as the [F1 Senedd] Commission's Official Languages Scheme (“ the Scheme ”), specifying the measures which it proposes to take in order to comply with its duties under sub-paragraph (3).

(5) The Scheme must include (amongst other things) provision about—

(a) simultaneous interpretation from one official language into the other—

(i) in all [F1 Senedd] proceedings,

(ii) in public meetings conducted on behalf of the [F1 Senedd] Commission, and

(iii) in such other meetings connected with the functions of the [F1 Senedd] or the [F1 Senedd] Commission as may be provided for in the Scheme,

(b) publication of documents in both official languages, subject to any exceptions identified in the Scheme,

(c) public engagement with—

(i) [F1 Senedd] proceedings, and

(ii) other functions of the [F1 Senedd] and of the [F1 Senedd] Commission,

through the medium of either of the official languages,

(d) practical measures to foster and continually improve freedom of choice of official language—

(i) on the part of those participating in [F1 Senedd] proceedings, and

(ii) in relation to the functions of the [F1 Senedd] or the [F1 Senedd] Commission generally,

(e) the setting of targets and timescales relating to implementation of the Scheme,

(f) the allocation of responsibilities for implementing the Scheme,

(g) objective means of measuring progress in implementing the Scheme, and

(h) a strategy for ensuring that the staff of the [F1 Senedd] have, collectively, the language skills necessary to enable the Scheme to be implemented.

(6) The Scheme must include provision relating to the receipt, investigation and consideration of complaints of failures to give effect to provisions of the Scheme.

(7) The Scheme must identify those services provided or to be provided in the official languages and explain how those services are to be provided in accordance with paragraph 8(5).

(8) The [F1 Senedd] Commission must, in respect of each financial year, lay before the [F1 Senedd] a report setting out how the Commission has, during the year in question, given effect to the Scheme.

(9) The report prepared by the [F1 Senedd] Commission under sub-paragraph (8) must include—

(a) whether and to what degree the services referred to in sub-paragraph (7) have been provided, and

(b) if applicable, the reasons why the Commission has not provided any of the services referred to in sub-paragraph (7) in both official languages.

(10) The [F1 Senedd] Commission—

(a) must review the Scheme as soon as is reasonably practicable after each ordinary general election, or after an extraordinary general election to which section 5(5) applies, and

(b) may, at any time, adopt a new Scheme or an amendment to the existing Scheme.

(11) The [F1 Senedd] Commission may not adopt a Scheme, or an amendment to a Scheme, unless (whether before or after the coming into force of this paragraph)—

(a) a draft of the Scheme (or of the amendment) has been—

(i) published, and

(ii) laid before the [F1 Senedd],

(b) the [F1 Senedd] Commission has given—

(i) those persons whom the [F1 Senedd] Commission considers it appropriate to consult in relation to the Scheme, and

(ii) the [F1 Senedd],

reasonable opportunity to make representations in relation to the draft,

(c) the [F1 Senedd] Commission has considered any representations made about the draft Scheme (or draft amendment) by—

(i) the persons consulted under sub-paragraph (b)(i), and

(ii) the [F1 Senedd], and

(d) the Scheme (or the amendment) incorporating such modifications as the [F1 Senedd] Commission may, having considered such representations, make, has been laid before and approved by resolution of, the [F1 Senedd].

(12) The [F1 Senedd] Commission must give effect to the Scheme.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Act substituted (6.5.2020) by Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(19) (with Sch. 1 para. 2(11)-(14))

F2 Sch. 2 para. 8(3)-(12) substituted for Sch. 2 para. 8(3) (13.11.2012) by National Assembly for Wales (Official Languages) Act 2012 (anaw 1), ss. 2, 3(b)

Commencement Information

I1 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))