Language campaigners have expressed grave concerns about Torfaen Council’s language policy after they broke a promise to publish their website in Welsh by the beginning of this year.

In a report to the Council back in December last year, the County's Chief Executive Alison Ward said: "The council continues to develop its Welsh Language offer to the community of Torfaen. While still not a bilingual organisation, the council's competence and capability continues to grow and the visibility of our Welsh language offer will increase significantly with the availability of a new Welsh version of the councils website during in the early part of 2013."

It took over a year of sending letters and complaints before Alison Ward, chief executive of Torfaen Council promised a Welsh website. Six months after the Council announced its intention to launch the website, it still has not been published. Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg says the attitude of the Council is contrary to the language policy.

Yvonne Balakrishnan, a member of the Cymdeithas yr Iaith in the area said "The extremely disappointing news is that Torfaen Council again failed to keep their promise to deliver a website in the Welsh language. While many of us Welsh speakers have been trying to get information about local activities and services in the area for some time now, we are still waiting. I feel the situation is hopeless particularly as the Chief Executive declares support for their plan language, yet seems to be dragging their feet."

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg has sent a letter to Torfaen Council includes many complaints about the lack of Welsh within the Council, including problems with the website. The group has held a series of meetings with Council officers to discuss the situation. The letter says:

"... it is clear in a number of areas that the Council does not comply with its language scheme. This is a very serious issue not only because it is contrary to the law of the land, but also because it offends the fundamental rights of people to use Welsh."

"The failures [listed in the letter] are contrary to the basic requirements of your language scheme, and contrary to the basic principles of the 1993 Language Act. As you know, we will continue to consider other campaign options, as a local branch [of Cymdeithas yr Iaith], to ensure that the Council doesn’t just stick to their basic statutory duties, but makes a significant contribution to strengthen the Welsh language in the area."

Branwen Brian, Regional Branch Secretary of Cymdeithas yr Iaith said "The lack of response to our letters and meetings we’ve had with the council demonstrates they aren’t taking the issue seriously. The council continues to put back the date by when they intend to launch the website, and now over half a year has passed since the original date for the launch. If the council doesn’t fulfill their promise then we will have to take further steps to ensure this website is actually launched."