A PETITION calling for the government to continue to provide financial support for the Cornish language has been backed by Launceston Town Council, writes Amy?Dennis.

Cornwall Council in recent weeks said it ‘condemns’ the government, after the authority said the government decided to cut all its funding for the Cornish language with immediate effect.

Cornwall Council said it received a letter on April 20 confirming that the government would not be providing any further funding to support the development of the Cornish language — despite the recognition of the Cornish people as a national minority in April 2014.

The government has provided up to £150,000 a year to support the Cornish language since it was recognised under the Charter for Regional and Minority Languages.

At Launceston Town Council’s meeting on Friday, May 13, Cllr Rob Tremain said: “Back in 2002 Cornwall was granted official minority language status. In implementing the charter the government was obliged to listen to the needs of those who support and use the language.”

Town mayor Cllr Brian Hogan said: “I have been to places in Wales and Ireland where they speak no English. I see very little different between the Cornish language and Gaelic, whatever it may be. Although I’m not Cornish I think everyone should be proud of their heritage.”

The majority of councillors voted in favour of backing the petition, which has had more than 7,000 signatures. If the petition receives 10,000 signatures, the government will respond to it. If it receives 100,000 signatures it would be considered for debate in Parliament.

The petition can be viewed at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/128474 and the deadline for signatures is October 21.

A government spokeman said: “We recognise that Cornwall has a unique and proud heritage which we are committed to supporting, as shown by our historic devolution deal — the first county deal in the country.

“On top of this, Cornwall will have a core spending power of £1.7-billion over the next four years to deliver the services that their residents value.

“It is for local councils to decide what their priorities are and fund the services local people want to see.”

The spokesman added the government has provided £650,000 from the Department for Communities and Local Government budget to support the Cornish Language since 2010, and that progress is being made on delivering the heritage commitments in the Deal, such as Cornwall Council’s work with Historic England on a cultural distinctiveness project.

Cornwall Council announced last week that its leader, John Pollard, has written formally to James Wharton, the minister for Local Growth and the Northern Powerhouse, to express his concern over the decision to cut all funding for the Cornish Language and has called for a special meeting to agree a funding package which is acceptable to both Cornwall and the government.

Cllr Pollard said funding for the Cornish Language had originally been included in the Devolution Deal before being removed by ministers ‘at the last moment’, adding in his letter to the minister: “At the time I was reassured that this was a technical matter and that another funding route would be identified. I am, therefore, particularly surprised that your letter refers to the Devolution Deal as a reason why funding has been cut.

“Far from being a ‘local’ matter the scope of the Charter for Regional and Minority languages extends its protections to the specified languages at all levels right across the UK. Kernewek is, in historical and cultural terms, a living and fundamental element of British culture, making it a matter of cross-UK importance, not merely a ‘local’ issue.”