CEREDIGION County Council has said the introduction of the new Welsh Language Standards will be “challenging” and are a “cause of concern and uncertainty”.

New standards enforced on local authorities by the Welsh Language Commissioner will place extra Welsh-language duties on Ceredigion council in a range of areas.

A report into the introduction of the standards, being rolled out beginning in September, said that the council is “confident” that it will make a difference, but will be tough to implement due to budget cut-backs.

The council did, however, say it “welcomes the introduction of the Welsh Language Standards as it presents an opportunity for the council to build on the innovative work that is already being done for the Welsh language.”

“By preparing and introducing the Welsh Language Standards, the council is confident that it will be able to make a difference,” the report said.

“However, a language planning policy is very different to any other social policy, and it is very difficult to measure progress in the short-term."

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