What is being proposed?
Dundee City Council has a legal requirement to produce a Gaelic Language Plan. The Plan sets out how we will build on recent progress to increase opportunities to use, learn and see Gaelic across Dundee through our services, our communications and signage, our schools, and through support for arts, culture and community activity. It draws on national guidance and is aligned with the priorities in the National Gaelic Language Plan 2023–2028 (The National Gaelic Language Plan – Bòrd na Gàidhlig).
Under the 2005 Act, public authorities are required to consult on their draft plan before submitting it to Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
What is being consulted on?
The Consultation invites feedback on our draft Gaelic Language Plan for 2026-31. It contains a series of High Level Aims and actions to be progressed over the next five years. The plan aims to ensure that Dundee will:
- Increase the visibility of Gaelic in public life
- Expand learning oppertunities
- Support Gaelic arts, culture and events
- Work with partners to strengthen Gaelic locally
Who is being consulted?
We are inviting views from Gaelic speakers and learners, community groups, cultural organisations, education partners, and anyone who values Dundee’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
This is particularly the case for those who have characteristics protected by law: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
However, it is important to stress that all members of the public are encouraged to have their say in the consultation.
Organisations and other stakeholders are also being invited to participate.
How can I take part in the consultation?
The survey can be completed online. Free internet access is available in all libraries, with IT support from staff.
Paper copies of the questionnaires are available on request by calling Anna on 01382 434955 or by emailing gaelic@dundeecity.gov.uk.
Once completed, the paper questionnaires can be handed in at 21 City Square, Dundee. Please ensure these are returned by the 27 February 2026 deadline as copies received after this date will not be considered.
In addition, the Gaelic Plan officer will be available to assist members of the public with the consultation or answer any queries during these drop-in sessions:
- The Central Library: 4 February 2026 from 12pm to 2pm
- Menzieshill Community Centre: 23 February 2026 from 3pm to 5pm
I'm answering the online survey. Can I save my progress and return it later?
The survey is delivered through the Microsoft Forms platform, which has limited functionality to save partially completed responses. You can choose to submit a part-filled response and select the “save my response to edit” option then return to it later. Please note that you will be required to create or sign in to a (free) Microsoft Office account.
How long does the consultation last for?
The consultation will run from 19 January 2026 to 27 February 2026.
How will the consultation be promoted?
The consultation will be promoted through press releases, word of mouth and the Dundee City Council website.
How will you ensure the consultation is accessible to all?
Questions have been asked using appropriate language and are being offered digitally via the Council’s Consultation Hub.
Paper copies can be made available. These will be printed in a text size and typeface that is recommended to support dyslexic readers.
The online form is compatible with screen readers, which can be used with the built-in Immersive Reader tool or by using the screen reader's native features.
If you need the survey in a language other than English, please email gaelic@dundeecity.gov.uk for instructions on how to translate the online form, or for a translation of the paper form. Customer services (01382 434000) can also assist anyone who doesn't have English as their first language via a Language Line service.
How will the consultation responses be analysed?
Dundee City Council will analyse and review responses.
We will identify staff resources to support and respond to any queries arising as part of the process. Responses that are derogatory, demeaning and/ or disparaging will not be considered.
How will I be able to find out the results of the consultation?
Following the analysis, the findings of the consultation will be part of a report submitted to Bòrd na Gàidhlig. This document will be published on the Council website.
What are the Protected Characteristic Groups?
We will gather information to allow us to assess the positive or negative impacts of any final decision, particularly on those with protected characteristics. The nine protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act 2010 are detailed below:
- Age
People can be unfairly treated based on assumptions and stereotypes related to their age. Both younger and older people can share similar issues such as unemployment, reduced or low income, not being listened to and not being valued.
- Disability
Disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Disability includes mobility, dexterity, hearing, speech or vision impairments along with "hidden" conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, dyslexia, mental health problems and mental illness. Cancer, HIV infection and Multiple Sclerosis are deemed disabilities under the Act from the time of diagnosis.
- Gender Re-assignment
Gender refers to socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities, and attributes, denoted by terms such as ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ and can be different from biological sex. The term ‘gender reassignment’ applies to the process of transitioning from one gender to another. The term used in the Equality Act to describe people who intend to transition, are transitioning or have transitioned is ‘transsexual’.
- Marriage and Civil Partnership
Service providers cannot treat customers less favourably, or refuse to provide them with services, on the basis that they are married to a person of the same sex or in a civil partnership, as opposed to being married to a person of the opposite sex.
- Pregnancy and Maternity
It is unlawful to subject a woman to unfavourable treatment during the ‘protected period' defined by the Act. Protection from discrimination starts when a woman becomes pregnant.
- Race/ Ethnicity
The Equality Act says you must not be discriminated against because of your race. Race can mean your colour or your nationality (including your citizenship). It can also mean your ethnic or national origins, which may not be the same as your current nationality. Race also covers ethnic and racial groups.
- Religion or Belief
The meaning of religion or belief in the Equality Act is broad and is consistent with Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Religion means any religion and includes a lack of religion. A religion need not be mainstream or well known to gain protection. However, it must have a clear structure and belief system.
Belief means any religious or philosophical belief (including, for example, Humanism and Atheism) and includes a lack of belief. To be protected under the Equality Act, a philosophical belief must:
- Be genuinely held.
- Be a belief and not an opinion or viewpoint, based on the present state of information available.
- Be a belief as to a weighty and substantial aspect of human life and behaviour.
- Attain a certain level of cogency, seriousness, cohesion and importance.
- Be worthy of respect in a democratic society, compatible with human dignity and not conflict with the fundamental rights of others.
- Sex
A person's sex refers to whether they are biologically male or female. In relation to a group of people it refers to either men and /or boys, or women and / or girls. A comparator for the purposes of unlawful sex discrimination will be a person of the opposite sex.
- Sexual Orientation
The Equality Act says you must not be discriminated against because:
- You are heterosexual, gay, lesbian or bisexual.
- Someone thinks you have a particular sexual orientation - discrimination by perception.
- You are connected to someone who has a particular sexual orientation - discrimination by association.
Sexual orientation includes how you choose to express your sexual orientation, such as through your appearance or the places you visit. Discrimination occurs when you are treated differently because of your sexual orientation.
Find out more about the Equality Act 2010, which provides the legal framework to tackle disadvantage and discrimination.