Bòrd na Gàidhlig

Bòrd na Gàidhlig (Alba) is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) and the Bòrd is appointed by, and accountable to, Scottish Ministers. Bòrd na Gàidhlig (Alba) will be responsible for the overall direction and management of the National Plan for Gaelic.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig Mission

Bòrd na Gàidhlig (Alba) will ensure a sustainable future for the Gaelic language and culture in Scotland.

Aims

In focussing delivery of the above mission, BnaG has agreed a set of aims as follows:

Increase the numbers of speakers and users of Gaelic;
Strengthen Gaelic as a family and community language;
Facilitate access to Gaelic language and culture throughout Scotland;
Promote and celebrate Gaelic's contribution to Scottish cultural life;
Extend and enhance the use of Gaelic in all aspects of life in Scotland.

Objectives of Bòrd na Gàidhlig

Bòrd na Gàidhlig (Alba) will have the following objectives:

Preparing a plan for Gaelic development in Scotland;
Promoting and facilitating use of the Gaelic language;
Advising on the strategy for Gaelic-medium and Gaelic language education;
Distributing grants to promote and facilitate the use of Gaelic;
Advising on and influencing matters related to Gaelic language and culture;
Leading the national and international promotion of the Gaelic language and associated cultural activities.

Constitution of Bòrd na Gàidhlig (Alba)

Bòrd na Gàidhlig (Alba) will comprise no more than 8 members, including the Chair. An NDPB Board has collective responsibility for ensuring that the purposes of the body are being fulfilled, and also that the use of resources represents an appropriate and effective use of public funds, and that Scottish Executive policies and priorities are also being met. The Bòrd should provide leadership, direction, support and guidance for the public body, provide continuity of direction and management and promote commitment to its core values, policies and objectives. It is directly accountable to Scottish Ministers.

Roles and Responsibilities of Chair and Board Members

The Chair will lead and direct the Bòrd, and will be the main point of contact between the Bòrd and the Scottish Executive.

Bòrd Members will have responsibility to assist the Chairperson in:

defining and developing the strategic direction of Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig and setting challenging objectives;
implementing the Bòrd's strategy for the language, and working closely with other bodies who have an interest in the future of the language;
establishing a good relationship between the Bòrd, all its partners, and the Gaelic communities;
ensuring that the Bòrd's activities are conducted efficiently and effectively;
monitoring the Bòrd's performance to ensure that it meets its aims, objectives and performance targets;
ensuring that the Bòrd's controls achieve value for money within a framework of best practice, regularity and propriety;
keeping the Chairperson and Bòrd colleagues informed of community views and reaction to Bòrd initiatives and policies.

Staffing

Bòrd na Gàidhlig (Alba) should have appropriate staff to ensure that the Bord's activities are carried out efficiently and effectively. The executive team will be led by the Chief Executive.

Funding

Bòrd na Gàidhlig (Alba) is funded by Scottish Executive grant-in-aid it. It will have responsibility for a budget which is about £2m in 2002-03.

Operation of Bòrd Gàidhlig na h-Alba

Bòrd na Gàidhlig (Alba) will be expected to develop and maintain a strategic plan for the development of the Gaelic language in Scotland within the policy framework set by Scottish Ministers. The national plan for Gaelic will set out the Bòrd's aims and objectives, its priorities, its targets and its performance indicators, including measures about, and details of its programme for the review and evaluation of policies. The Bòrd will update the plan each year and submit it to Scottish Ministers for approval.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig (Alba) activities will include: drawing up national plans for Gaelic; promotion of the language; taking a national lead; co-ordination and implementation; working with other public bodies; managing its budget; setting performance indicators for itself and the bodies it supports; monitoring and evaluating its contribution and that of the bodies it supports; advising Ministers and the Scottish Executive in relevant areas as required. The Bòrd will propose levels of service to be achieved in key areas and performance and outcome information will be collected and analysed to monitor progress. The key targets and performance measures will be established annually and agreed between the Bòrd and Ministers.

Partnership working

In pursuit of its objectives Bòrd na Gàidhlig (Alba) will be expected to work closely with other agencies in Scotland. These other organisations will include the Scottish Executive, non-departmental public bodies, local authorities, Government departments and agencies, the Scottish Parliament, and agencies in the private and voluntary sectors. Bòrd na Gàidhlig (Alba), working in collaboration with these bodies, should develop joint initiatives, projects and programmes.

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