, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Yes, that's already being looked into. Funnily enough, I was talking to Neil last week about this, so what's really important is when we have a new school being built that the education officials or the building officials, or whoever starts that conversation…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Well, we are maintaining funding. I just said we've protected the capital budget for Sport Wales, so we are continuing to invest. The conversations I had with the health Minister were particularly around the WNO. That was what I was talking about. As a…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
—what more we could do. They're very keen to support grass-roots football, for instance, to see what more we can do then, and officials are taking those conversations forward. It's just about accessing as much funding as we can at any one time, really.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Well, as you know, we had an extremely challenging budget: £700 million less since the corporate social responsibility back in 2021, so unfortunately this part of the portfolio did have a significant cut, so I think it is about 10.5 per cent, but Sport Wales…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Of their whole budget. Yes. So, I think that was—. You know, the reduction from ACW was nowhere near as big as that. I haven't had the opportunity to meet with ACE as yet, but I will—. As I said, I am in the process of writing, because I just need some…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Yes. I think they're the only organisation that was funded by both ACW and ACE, because obviously they perform in England.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Yes, but it was cut completely. I think it was cut completely, wasn't it?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Is the review of the English theatre one thing that you're particularly—?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Okay. And I, perhaps, can send a note to you.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
The review of the English theatre?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
But I will pass over to Paul around the remit letter.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Okay, I think I'm going to have to pass over to Paul. I certainly didn't have a discussion—. When I met them, I didn't have a discussion around a review of English theatre. Regarding the budget, my understanding is that the two budgets are together.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Yes, absolutely. I don't disagree with anything Laura Anne has just said.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Yes, of course. I mentioned that I've had discussions with the Cabinet Secretary for economy to see if there's anything we can do in his portfolio; I've had discussions with Eluned Morgan as well. I'm just trying to find anything that I can.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
So, again, you’re all very aware, and I know I’ve answered questions, particularly to the two Members over here, in the Chamber around it. I’m still trying to see if I can find some additional funding for them. ACW—the Arts Council of Wales—took a cut, but…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Is that okay?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
And she met with the principal. But I don’t know if you heard me saying that I was at the National Dance Company Wales yesterday, and we were talking about the lack of dance qualifications in Wales. So, I will be picking that up, because you’re absolutely…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Yes. I think the reason I said it was in Lynne Neagle’s portfolio was that I was trying to explain why I hadn’t answered the correspondence to the Chair.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
No.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
But, certainly, I'm going to have those conversations. Shall I come back to the WNO?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
It might be good if you shared that with the Cabinet Secretary.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Yes, absolutely. Well, I mentioned I'm having bilaterals with every Cabinet Secretary and Minister, so that will be on the agenda.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Well, I don't think so, no.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
No, I don't think it was—
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Okay. Clearly, the college is an autonomous organisation. They have to make their academic decisions, but, as I say, the Cabinet Secretary did meet, and I'm pleased to hear she has responded.
