A COUNCILLOR has suggested that the Cornish language should be first or equal to English when used in public places.

Councillor Ian Thomas said more should be done to make Cornish prominent in Cornwall.

He said: “It is unfortunate that the Cornish language is subservient to the English language. The Cornish should be equal if not the prominent language.”

Councillor Mike Thomas suggested that Cornwall should have a similar approach to Wales and give Cornish prominence over English.

He used as an example that train station announcements in Wales are stated in Welsh before being made in English and suggested something similar could happen in Cornwall.

He also said that media including radio stations should also help to promote the Cornish language and praised BBC Radio Cornwall for what it had done to promote the language.

“Cornish should come first,” said Cllr Thomas.

The comments were made during a debate at Cornwall Council’s Cabinet this morning when councillors agreed to approve a new Cornish Language Plan.

Under the plan Cornwall Council is going to do more work to ensure that the language is used and promoted as much as possible and is also going to again put pressure on the Government to provide financial support to help.

Cabinet member Bob Egerton introduced the item in Cornish before apologising for his pronunciation and accent.

He said: “There has been real progress on the language since the first plan was introduced.”

Cllr Egerton highlighted the use of Cornish language on new street name signs and also that developers had been using the language on new developments.

He also said that new branding and marketing materials used by the council would all be featuring the Cornish language prominently.

Cllr Egerton said that none of the progress would have been made without the help of community groups and volunteers who work hard to promote the language.

He added: “Cornwall Council will continue to seek government funding to support the community language sector so that rather than being exploited it plays an active role in Cornwall’s creative vitality.”

Several councillors took the opportunity to use their Cornish language skills with deputy leader Julian German introducing his support in Cornish, while Loveday Jenkin gave all her comments in Cornish before translating them into English.

She said she hoped that one day she would not have to translate them into English.

Cllr German said it was “disgraceful” that the UK government was not doing more to promote or support the Cornish language.

Council chief executive Kate Kennally said the senior management and directors at the council were all in support of promoting the language and recognised its importance.

She said that it was “integral” to council services and said that it was something everyone at County Hall was urged to take seriously and how important it is to Cornwall’s distinctiveness.

The three-year plan was unanimously supported by the Cabinet which will send a copy along with a letter requesting support to Secretary of State James Brokenshire.