Most local authorities are breaking the law by refusing to offer Welsh language swimming lessons according to research published today by campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg. 

Under new rights to receive Welsh language services, there is a duty on councils to offer educational courses open to the public, including swimming lessons, in Welsh. However, according to a survey conducted by Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, over half of councils are refusing to offer the courses in Welsh.  

Among the counties and leisure centres which are refusing to offer the Welsh language swimming lessons are: Penyrheol Leisure Centre, Swansea; Blaenau Gwent Council; Barry Leisure Centre; Newport Live; Rhuthun and Denbigh leisure centres; Haverfordwest leisure centre; the leisure centres in Llantrisant, Aberdare and Porth;  Abergele and Llandudno leisure centres; Torfaen Council and Water World, Wrecsam. 

Gwynedd Council told the campaign group, 'Our lessons are all conducted in Welsh'. However, it appears that only some are taught in Welsh. A receptionist in Tywyn Leisure Centre in Gwynedd told Cymdeithas yr Iaith: "[we] can't guarantee Welsh lessons, if you want Welsh ones, try Bala. They'd have to close us down if they wanted to do that because Welsh isn't our first language".  

The head of Rhuthun and Denbigh leisure centres in Conwy claimed that there was no duty on them to offer swimming lessons in Welsh.  'Active Cardiff' said that one had to contact the local Menter Iaith, which promotes the language in the city, ignoring the legal duty on the council and the individual leisure centre to offer all their courses in Welsh.  The group also claims that Monmouthshire council is breaking the law by forcing people to fill in a form before assessing the demand for Welsh courses.  

In an official complaint to the Welsh Language Commissioner, Manon Elin, rights spokesperson for Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg says: 

"The purpose of these new rights is to promote the use of Welsh; there can scarcely be a more tangible example than Welsh language swimming lessons, especially those for children and young people. It's a new right we should be able to celebrate. Unfortunately, we have to complain formally on behalf of all those who are are being denied these new rights. It's clear that a number of councils are breaking their legal duties to expand the use of Welsh in sports and leisure activities. 

"We ask you to conduct an inquiry into this situation in general, reminding every local council of the need to offer courses in Welsh and make a pro-active offer as well. It's clear that provision varies a lot across the country in terms of how councils interpret the new law, in many cases they're interpreting it in a way which tries to avoid improving provision and by putting the onus on the individual to ask for the service.  

"We further note that councils have a duty to ensure that people are aware of their new rights. It's clear from our research that many councils are denying the rights exist rather than raising awareness of them." 

Two councils, Neath Port Talbot and Merthyr Tudful, are challenging the new legal rights to provide swimming lessons and other courses in Welsh. The challenges are currently being considered by the Welsh Language Commissioner.