Welsh-language right to representations in Welsh — refusal of representations not made in English
A motorist has the right under the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 to make representations to a Welsh authority in Welsh. The Council must accept and substantively answer those representations in Welsh. Refusal to consider representations on the ground that they are in Welsh, or substantive reply in English-only where the recipient corresponded in Welsh, is procedural impropriety and can be raised on appeal.
Legal basis
Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 ss.36, 40; Welsh Language Standards (No. 1) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/996); Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Representations and Appeals) (Wales) Regulations 2013 (WSI 2013/362)
How to identify this in your case
If the motorist wrote in Welsh and was answered in English-only, or told to write in English, this defence applies.
Sample appeal wording
Annwyl Syr/Madam, Cyf: PCN [PCN_NUMBER] Gwneuthum sylwadau ar [DYDDIAD] yn y Gymraeg. Ymatebodd y Cyngor [yn Saesneg yn unig / drwy wrthod ystyried fy sylwadau]. O dan adran 36 o Fesur y Gymraeg (Cymru) 2011 a Safonau Iaith y Cyngor, mae gennyf yr hawl i ohebu â'r Cyngor yn y Gymraeg ac i gael ymateb sylweddol yn y Gymraeg. Mae'r diffyg hwn yn afreoleidd-dra gweithdrefnol o dan reoliad 4(1)(e) WSI 2013/362. Gofynnaf am ddileu'r PCN, neu fe gyfeiriaf y mater at Gomisiynydd y Gymraeg. Yn gywir, [ENW]
Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.
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- legislation.gov.uk/mwa/2011/1
- legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2015/996
- legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2013/362