Partnership Terms of Reference Agreed by the Cornwall Language Partnership on 14 December 2005
1. Background
By 2003, both the Cornish language movement and Cornwall County Council had come to realise that there was a need for a cohesive strategy to take the language forward, which would look at the needs, problems and aspirations of the language and map possible future developments.
The inclusion of Cornish in the Council of Europe Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, under which the Government is obliged to consult language users and take into consideration their wishes and aspirations, proved a stimulus to push the process forward.
A Development Strategy for the Cornish language has now been formulated, based on consultation with language users, statutory bodies and voluntary organisations. The Government has endorsed the Strategy as providing the framework for implementing the Charter.
This Partnership is being established to drive forward and monitor progress on implementation of the strategy and to provide advice to the Government on the language as necessary.
2. Group Name
The name of the group shall be the Cornish Language Partnership.
3. Aims
To be responsible and accountable for the implementation of the Strategy.
To press for the continuing active implementation of the Charter by the UK Government
To advance the Cornish language as a community language
To achieve recognition of the Cornish language as a valued and valuable part of Cornwall’s, Britain’s and Europe’s distinct heritage and culture
To develop the potential contribution of the language to the economy of Cornwall
To ensure that a fit for purpose structure is established to support the development of the language into the future
To develop and monitor a work programme
4. Purpose of Group
The purpose of the Partnership shall be to:
Drive the Strategy forward into the future and ensure ownership of it by all interested parties
Monitor the progress of implementation of the strategy
To develop a SMART costed work programme
5. Membership
The Partnership shall comprise:
one representative from each formally constituted language organisation with and open membership, to be appointed by the management committee of the organisation. [Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek, Agan Tavas, and Cussel an Tavaz Kernuak].
one representative from Kesva an Taves Kernewek
one representative from the Institute of Cornish Studies
one representative from Gorseth Kernow, appointed by the Gorseth Council
one representative from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum
one representative from Education
one representative from the Learning Skills Council
one elected member representative for each district council
the Leader of the County Council (or his/her nominee)
one representative of the Cornwall Association of Local Councils
one representative from Government Office South West, as an observer
Where feasible and practicable, named deputies will attend in place of any members unable to attend meetings.
Additional members will be considered by the Partnership from Cornish language organisations with a constitution and an open and established membership.
6. Method of Working
The Partnership will meet at least four times a year.
The Partnership shall elect its own Chair.
Notes and action points from each meeting will be distributed to members of the Partnership within two weeks of each meeting and will be made available to the public.
Members will be expected to report back to their own organisations.
The Partnership shall appoint a small management group and sub-committees as required to drive the agenda between meetings.
The Partnership shall be financially prudent and monitor its accounts on a regular basis.
The Partnership shall review its purpose after 2 years.
Representations may be made to the Partnership by members of the public and the Partnership may consult the public as required in order to monitor performance effectively.
The Partnership shall co-opt members and call expert witnesses as appropriate.
The Partnership will be serviced through Cornwall County Council.
The Partnership will publish an annual report and will report on a regular basis to the Council of Europe, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the County Council as accountable body and the general public.
Membership for the Partnership will be sought on the Cornwall Local Strategic partnership.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been drawn up to bind the members of the Partnership and can be downloaded below in PDF format.
 Memoradum of Understanding [187kb]
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