1.0 Access to Council Services
| Numbering | Language | Action | Responsible Department (Resourcing to be confirmed) | Immediate Priority | Longer term Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | All | Provision and promotion of interpretation and translation services across the Council. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.2 | Minority Ethnic Communities | To explore the development of a signposting database, including identifying already available advice, on how to access public services in Belfast through different languages including an exploration of what may already be available and promoting this information. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.3 | Minority Ethnic Communities | To continue to provide good quality of automated translation software on external website. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.4 | Disability Communications | To develop guidance to support departments in the accessibility to Council documents, services and facilities from a disability perspective. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.5 | Irish | Creation and promotion of a gaeilge@belfastcity.gov.uk email address and website page explaining how the public can contact us in Irish. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.6 | Irish | Codify the arrangements for the use of Irish in Council meetings. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.7 | All Languages | Ensure Council-run events and festivals have regard to the promotion of different languages and encourage the delivery of relevant events in City Hall. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.8 | Irish | Develop a list of key strategic Council documents and publications to proactively be made available in Irish. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.9 | Minority Ethnic Communities | To provide information on the website (and City Matters) on how to use the translation function on the website, how to telephone the council using BigWord and requesting an interpreter or documents in an alternative language. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.10 | Irish | Develop a protocol for the provision of Irish press statements where the subject relates to Irish or is related to a key strategic Council initiative where resources and timing permit. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.11 | Irish | Irish Language content will be provided across the Council’s social media platforms when the subject relates to Irish and where resources and timing permit. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.12 | All | Requests for social media content in other languages where it relates to specific events or celebrations associated with the Council will be accommodated, where possible. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.13 | Sign Languages | To provide a clear description on website and City Matters of what services are available in Sign Languages to members of the public. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.14 | All | Develop an approach to provide regular content in other languages in each edition of City Matters. This will be developed in line with agreed parameters at Annex 1. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.15 | All |
Review protocols for staff to support non-English speaking customers to include a code of courtesy for indigenous languages and provision of cultural awareness training. |
|
Yes | |
| All languages Carry out an audit of Council staff to assess language capability. Legal and Civic Services, EDU and Corporate HR |
Yes | ||||
| 1.16 | Irish | Develop a corporate Irish language policy, based on best practice, including an approach to signage. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.17 | Ulster-Scots | Develop a corporate Ulster-Scots language policy, based on best practice, including an approach to signage. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.18 | All | Include consideration of opportunities for development of language skills in staff development and process. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.19 | Sign Languages | To expand the provision of Sign Language translation on popular pages on the website |
|
Yes | |
| 1.20 | All | To ensure operating partners such as GLL provide appropriate language interpretation and translation services. |
|
Yes | |
| 1.21 | Irish | Explore the provision simultaneous interpretation for Members who wish to address the Council through the medium of Irish. |
|
Yes |
