, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
—but it's been transferred to Lynne Neagle. I hope she's responded.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
So, the college sits in Lynne Neagle's portfolio. I know she met the principal on Monday evening about it and, Chair, I think you wrote to me—
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Well, I just mentioned about Celf ar y Cyd. So, that to me, now, is what we must be promoting. I was disappointed to hear Lee say he hadn't seen it before, because we are having a big push on the digitalisation of our national treasures. We've got 100,000…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Well, Creative Wales isn't in my portfolio, but certainly within my portfolio there are lots of opportunities. You heard me mention earlier that I went to the national dance company. I have to say, I knew very little about the national dance company before I…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
So, if we think about it realistically, we're out to consultation now—the consultation doesn't close until 4 September. By the time we've had all the consultation responses in and we've come forward with an implementation plan, it's going to be next year. So…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
So, I think we have to be very honest that all portfolios have got budget challenges. However, I've had very positive discussions with my Cabinet Secretary colleagues. I'm having bilaterals with them all over the summer recess to discuss a variety of issues…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
So, I don't have any more revenue. I'm obviously very aware of the job losses; we had voluntary redundancies that no-one wants to see. I've met with the trade unions. I've met with the trade unions a couple of times now. Clearly, there are concerns about…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Oh, yes, sorry, I said I'd come back to the jobs.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Yes, where they can apply. I don't think we've gone out for bids yet, have we?
, 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 absolutely the position at the current time. And certainly, when I came into post, obviously, we still had the co-operation agreement, and I had a few chats with Siân Gwenllian and Cefin Campbell around that. And I think we all recognise that we…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Yes. We've got nine, and somewhere in here I have a list of the nine local galleries, museums that are already hosting exhibitions—there we go; Paul's just found it—right across Wales. So, they're already hosting exhibitions. We're carrying on with the…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Yes, absolutely. They were, obviously, both commitments that were in place before I came into portfolio. But, obviously, I'm the Member for Wrexham, so I know that the football museum is progressing well. I'm hoping to visit Theatr Clwyd over the summer…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Yes, absolutely. The commitment for the National Slate Museum is still there. When I came into portfolio—and, of course, I've been north Wales Minister as well—like you, I was never very clear what we meant by the national museum for north Wales. So, for me…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
It is capital funding; it's not revenue funding. The jobs aspect is a separate thing, and I'll come to that in a moment. It's not just about the roof, but that is the immediate concern. I've never seen so many buckets as I saw catching water in the national…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Obviously, I inherited a very reduced budget. I was part of that collective decision, as a Member of the Government, so, when I came into the portfolio, I knew the significant cuts that had been right across the portfolio, but particularly in the culture…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. I think it’s a very good marriage, if you like, between culture and social justice, and I really want to embrace the possibilities. I have to say I’ve been very impressed, with the visits I’ve been to, in this sector, how they’re already embracing…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Ministerial scrutiny: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. I'm Lesley Griffiths. I'm the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice. I'll let officials introduce themselves.
, Plenary
Debate on Petition P-06-1437, 'Increase, don’t cut, funding for the National Library, Amgueddfa Cymru and the Royal Commission'
I have to say, the meetings I had, particularly at the National Museum Cardiff, they've got some incredible ideas around fundraising and ensuring that they make the most of all opportunities, and I don't think they do see that as a barrier; I think they've…
, Plenary
Debate on Petition P-06-1437, 'Increase, don’t cut, funding for the National Library, Amgueddfa Cymru and the Royal Commission'
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I'm very pleased to be responding on behalf of the Welsh Government. I think this petition really reflects how important these institutions are to our nation. However, we are facing the most significant financial…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. You raise a very important point. It is absolutely vital that people with a vision impairment can travel independently, that they can do so with confidence, and certainly the transport working group that came up with recommendations for Welsh…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
The Welsh Government is committed to developing accessible, high-quality, responsive and citizen-centred services that meet the needs of all disabled people in Wales, including those who are blind or visually impaired. The work of the disability rights…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. Well, it would be inappropriate for me, Deputy Presiding Officer, to comment on specific proposals. As you know, Welsh Ministers determine whether applications should be approved or not. But I think what is really important, as I say, is we have…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
When the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023 comes into force later this year, Wales will have the most progressive legislation for the management and protection of the historic environment in the UK. This is supplemented by planning policies that protect…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. Well, I think you've given us an excellent illustration of how our national heritage bodies can work proactively with communities and local museums so that they can investigate and also tell their stories to the wider community, and what's really…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
The Welsh Government promotes access to history and heritage of the south Wales Valleys through its localised and international marketing campaigns and work in educating future generations of the importance of our historic and cultural environment.
