16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764681 0 Cy 260624-0 I This is a draft version of the Record that includes the floor language and the simultaneous interpretation.  [R] indicates that the Member has declared an interest when tabling the business. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764682 1 Cy 260624-0 I The Senedd met in the Chamber and by video-conference at 13:30 with the Llywydd (Huw Irranca-Davies) in the Chair. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764684 2 Cy 2026-06-24T13:30:02 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=2&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw Good afternoon, all. Welcome back. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764685 3 En 2026-06-24T13:30:04 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=4&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw We will begin with item 1, 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764687 4 Cy 2026-06-24T13:30:08 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=8&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport. Question 1, Cristiana Emsley. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764690 5 Cy 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B Culture, Language and Heritage 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764691 6 Cy 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport O 12185 12185 Cristiana Emsley https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12185 Emsley, Cristiana 1. How will the Welsh Government strengthen and promote Welsh culture, language and heritage, and ensure that future generations take pride in Wales's distinct identity? OQ64215 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764692 7 Cy 2026-06-24T13:30:29 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=29&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport Fychan, Heledd In my priorities statement last week, I outlined my vision and my ambition for Wales to become a cultural and sporting powerhouse, with the Welsh language and our heritage central to that. Ensuring equity in terms of access, representation and participation is also a key part of that vision. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764695 8 En 2026-06-24T13:30:49 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=49&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12185 12185 Cristiana Emsley https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12185 Emsley, Cristiana Diolch. In 2022, Wrexham Glyndŵr University announced that it was considering removing 'Glyndŵr' from its name, reportedly in part because it was perceived by some as too Welsh, or difficult to pronounce. Regrettably, the name of Owain Glyndŵr was officially dropped from the university in 2023. Now, of course, you were not in Government at that time, but as Plaid Cymru's spokesperson for culture, sport and international affairs, and given your long-standing commitment to promoting Welsh language and heritage, I haven't been able to find any public statement, Senedd contribution, press release or media interviews in which you expressed concern about the proposal. Looking back, do you believe that removing the name of Owain Glyndŵr from one of Wales's universities sent the wrong message about confidence and pride in Welsh identity, and, with hindsight, would you support efforts to restore it? 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764699 9 Cy 2026-06-24T13:31:47 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=107&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd I thank the Member for that question. I think you raise an incredibly important point there in terms of our heritage, our history and, perhaps, the lack of learning that there has been of that history and heritage. The fact that anyone thinks that Owain Glyndŵr is a difficult name to pronounce in this nation that he was so proud to lead tells us everything. I can't think of any other country where that sort of thing would happen. I think we do have to ensure that more history is taught in our schools. Clearly, there are promises in Plaid Cymru's manifesto in terms of protecting place names as well, which is also extremely important. I think we have seen since then a number of organisations cherishing the Welsh language—in terms of Bannau Brycheiniog park or Eryri, where the Welsh name alone is used. I think we need a lot more collaboration between myself and, I know, the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, to ensure that everyone has the confidence to use those Welsh words, but also that they have the right to learn about Wales's history. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764721 10 En 2026-06-24T13:32:50 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=170&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 8579 8579 Peredur Owen Griffiths https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8579 Griffiths, Peredur Owen My constituency of Casnewydd Islwyn has a proud tradition of welcoming immigrants. This can be seen in the multicultural communities around Newport docks, in places such as Maindee and Pill, and in the Basque children, embraced by Caerleon when they fled fascism during the Spanish civil war. Across the coalfield communities of Islwyn, Polish families settled after the second world war, helping to rebuild communities facing severe workforce shortages. Even further back, the National Roman Legion Museum reminds us that Wales has long been shaped by people arriving, settling and living alongside those already here. Minister, do you agree that Wales's history is a rich tapestry, rooted in long traditions, but strengthened and enriched by immigrants who have made Wales their home and now proudly call themselves Welsh? And do you also agree that celebrating this history more widely would promote greater understanding and tolerance of the diversity that has long been part of our communities? 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764727 11 Cy 2026-06-24T13:33:51 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=231&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd I thank the Member for that question. Certainly, I do agree with that. Wales's history and Wales has been enriched by the fact that we do have a tradition of people making their homes here and then also becoming an integral part of our community. I saw a video recently by the Welsh Refugee Council that was about a family in Pontypridd, the Orsi family. They have been here for generations and are an integral part of the character of the town now, with their bracchi cafes and so on. It is crucially important that we remember that people coming to Wales isn't a new thing and that we celebrate the special contribution that people have made. I'm very proud of the work that Amgueddfa Cymru and the National Roman Legion Museum are doing in terms of ensuring that the stories of the people that were here in Wales are told side by side with the Romans now. There are so many stories that we still don't tell as well as we could here in Wales, and Plaid Cymru has a clear commitment to ensure that the history of Wales in its entirety is taught, but also, through me, is celebrated and that there are opportunities for people to engage with it. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764708 12 En 2026-06-24T13:37:51 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=471&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764686 13 Cy 2026-06-24T13:35:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=300&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd engage with it. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764688 14 Cy 2026-06-24T13:35:01 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=301&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12156 12156 Huw Thomas https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12156 Thomas, Huw On the weekend, it was wonderful to attend Tafwyl, the Welsh cultural festival in Cardiff, which is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. It's gone from strength to strength. Will the Minister commit now to continue with the financial support that the Welsh Government provides to that festival? Last week, we heard the news too that there are now more Welsh speakers in Cardiff than in any other local authority in Wales. That follows a decade or more of supportive policies, such as building more homes, promoting economic growth in the city, promoting Welsh-medium education, and the status of Cardiff as a truly bilingual capital city. Can I ask you further how the Welsh Government will share the lessons of the success of the growth of the Welsh language in Cardiff with the rest of Wales? 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764694 15 Cy 2026-06-24T13:35:50 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=350&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Thank you. I'm aware that a number of those questions relate to the responsibilities of the Cabinet Minister for the Welsh language, but what is different in terms of this Government is that we are collaborating as Ministers, and that I am very clear, as I said in my priorities statement last week, that the Welsh language is going to be a central part of my portfolio and in terms of the new culture strategy. I enjoyed very much at Tafwyl. A number of Members also enjoyed attending Tafwyl. It's a very important festival. What we want to ensure is that we as a Government do look at these events that happen across Wales and ensure that we work with them to ensure that they are sustainable to the future. Because, one of the challenges we heard of, when I was a member of the culture committee, was Mentrau Iaith talking about the challenges in terms of the rising costs, but also going from year to year in terms of funding. By having a long-term strategy and looking at the range of things that we will be supporting, I think that then we will be able to give assurance to festivals that there will be a future for them, but that we will also be able to be strategic in ensuring the best possible legacy for them, and engaging with education where that's appropriate too. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764709 16 Cy 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B Sport for Disabled People 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764710 17 Cy 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport O 12148 12148 Gareth Thomas https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12148 Thomas, Gaz 2. What action is the Welsh Government taking to support and encourage participation in sport among disabled people? OQ64207 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764711 18 Cy 2026-06-24T13:37:18 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=438&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Our vision as a Government is for everyone to have fair access and opportunity to participate in sport. Through Sport Wales, we will continue to fund Disability Sport Wales to help turn this vision into reality. There is a cross-governmental commitment to support this vision. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764713 19 En 2026-06-24T13:37:35 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=455&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12148 12148 Gareth Thomas https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12148 Thomas, Gaz Thank you for your response. One key barrier is accessibility. Many sport facilities are not designed for disabled users—for example, lacking ramps, adaptive equipment or accessible changing rooms. This means some people physically cannot take part. This reduces participation and is one cause of social isolation, with 70 per cent of wheelchair users not leaving their homes. Another barrier is attitude and confidence and feeling stigmatised by the wider population. Due to the latter, disabled people may experience negative stereotyping or feel that they are not welcome in sports clubs. This can lower confidence and discourage them from joining, leading to a poorer quality of life. With that said, can the Government explain how it will address these ongoing inequalities, particularly in access and funding distribution, and what mechanisms are in place to guarantee that investment is delivering real, measurable change for everyday people, not just headline successes? 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764715 20 En 2026-06-24T13:38:35 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=515&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Thank you to the Member for raising those really, really crucially important points. As you will have heard last week, we've committed to a facilities review, and that is to ensure that we understand what barriers are currently in place to stop people from being able to participate. We're clear that the investment we need to make over the next few years actually means that we're not imposing barriers with that investment, and that everything is thought through so that investment is accessible to all. There's also the wider point where we have been working very closely to look at what events we can host here in Wales. For example, we have the para fencing taking place later this year. I think it's really important that people in Wales see high-quality sportspeople, and, irrespective of whether they are disabled or not, that we celebrate sports and sportsmanship, but that that also leads to others being able to participate. Because there's no point attracting these sports and events to Wales, and people in Wales are inspired by them, but there's no opportunity to take part. So, I'm very keen that we don't just attract those events, but that there's a real and lasting legacy from those events. Unfortunately, that hasn't always been the case. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764723 21 En 2026-06-24T13:39:57 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=597&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12150 12150 Sara Crowley https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12150 Crowley, Sara Minister, within my first few days of being elected, I was contacted by  16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764689 22 En 2026-06-24T13:40:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=600&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12150 12150 Sara Crowley https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12150 Crowley, Sara I was contacted by BreakthroughT1D, a third sector charity supporting people living with diabetes. In light of the barriers faced by people with long-term health conditions such as diabetes, including low awareness, safety concerns and a lack of confidence among coaches, Sport England is already exploring inclusive practice guidance. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure sporting bodies in Wales are properly equipped to support participation? And will it work with Sport Wales to adopt or align with the principles of inclusive practice, please?  16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764697 23 Cy 2026-06-24T13:40:32 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=632&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd I thank the Member for raising those very important points. As I mentioned in my initial response, and my response last week, we need to ensure that the investment that we make is entirely inclusive, and that's been a clear message in the conversations that I have been having with Sport Wales. And certainly, we will want to ensure that we do everything within our power to ensure that sports and so on is entirely inclusive. So, I'd be happy to update this Senedd as that work progresses. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764700 24 En 2026-06-24T13:41:08 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=668&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12175 12175 Shav Taj https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12175 Taj, Shav We all know the power of sport, and we've been talking about how it can bring communities together, break down lots of barriers and so forth. We also know how we have lots of benefits from it, including physical, mental health and so much more, but I would also like to raise the issue of accessibility. Yesterday, I spoke about transport and the need to have accessible transport, particularly in relation to our high streets. But whether you're taking part or whether you're just a fan watching, there is so much work to be done here.  Of course, Cardiff is going to be hosting the opening fixture of Euro 2028. So, we're going to have to do everything in our power, not only to just really sell our amazing great city and Wales as a whole, but making sure that everyone can enjoy that tournament. So, could the Cabinet Minister then, please, tell me how she's going to be working with colleagues, but also with organisations like Disability Wales, to make sure that everyone has that equal opportunity to enjoy the sport, not only just physically, but also actually to participate? And we're talking about people with all kinds of disabilities in the broader sense. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764701 25 Cy 2026-06-24T13:42:13 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=733&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Thank you. Yes, this is an extremely important point, and that's the exact vision that I set out last week. What we do must be entirely inclusive. When I was an opposition spokesperson, I challenged these major events and asked what the real legacy is. What is the benefit for people here in Wales? Because on occasion, the previous Government seemed to think that it was only the numbers coming to Wales that was important, but I don't think that's enough. If people living in our communities can see a major event happening and are affected by that major event, but can't access it, then that could perhaps be because of cost issues. So, this Government's approach, different to the last one, will be to ensure that those questions are asked from the very outset. Clearly, the work has started with the Euro 2028 tournament, but I have been given assurance by officials that I still have a chance to put my own stamp and this Government's stamp on that, and to reflect the comments that I've heard today in that work. And I would ask any Members who have ideas in terms of Euro 2028, representing Cardiff specifically, to share those ideas with me. But I also want to ensure that there is an all-Wales legacy in terms of the Euros, and I want people to come to Wales and to visit other parts of Wales during the tournament too. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764730 26 Cy 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764729 27 Cy 2026-06-24T13:43:39 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=819&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw Thank you. I now call on the party spokespeople to question the Cabinet Minister. First of all, Reform UK spokesperson James Evans. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764733 28 En 2026-06-24T13:43:47 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=827&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 8585 8585 James Evans https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8585 Evans, James Thank you, Llywydd. Cabinet Minister, in the supplementary budget that was announced yesterday, there was an extra £2 million given for school swimming, something that I and my party wholeheartedly support, because we need to make sure that more young people are learning to swim, especially as we're seeing the rise of cold water swimming and people, especially in this hot weather, jumping into rivers and the like. We need to make sure people can swim. What I'd like to know, though, Cabinet Secretary, what additional money is going to go wider than the £2 million into sport? I know this is something that you've spoke on in the past. I would just like to know, is there any other on top of the £2 million that will be given into the sport budget this year?  16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764737 29 Cy 2026-06-24T13:44:24 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=864&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd I thank the spokesperson for that question, and also thank you for the support for our swimming policy. An important element of that is swimming, yes, but also water safety, because we also know that people don't just swim in water, but there are water activities like paddle boarding and so on. There's been an increase in people getting injured or unfortunate drownings and so on through those kinds of activities too, so that element is incredibly important, and thank you for the support on that. In terms of additional funding, what became obvious to me when I became the Minister was that all of the budget 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764693 30 Cy 2026-06-24T13:45:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=900&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd all of the budget that I had was not already allocated in terms of sport—that it hadn't been spent. So, what I've been doing is recategorising that to ensure that we can try to have the biggest possible impact, while that work is continuing in terms of developing what's needed for future budgets. So, that's the commitment: to use what we have more effectively within this year's budget. But that cross-portfolio work has already begun in terms of future budgets.  16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764704 31 En 2026-06-24T13:45:34 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=934&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 8585 8585 James Evans https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8585 Evans, James Thank you, Cabinet Minister. As you talked about cross-portfolio work, one thing that has become clear is actually access to sports facilities. If we want more people taking up sport and physical activity, we need to have more people taking up sport and physical access and they need to have access to good facilities. One thing that I will give the Government in the past credit for is the twenty-first century schools programme, which did actually develop good sports facilities within those schools that were built. But what we do see is that, after school, those gates are closed and the communities have no access to those sports facilities. So, I'd like to know what work you're doing across Government with the Cabinet Minister for education to allow those young people—not just young people, all the community—access to those sports facilities in school, so that we can increase participation across our communities. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764712 32 En 2026-06-24T13:46:19 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=979&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Thank you. That's exactly it: we're having those conversations now. I've already had a bilateral meeting with the Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language, because, yes, you're right to identify that investment, but if you can't access them after hours, or there's an extra burden on schools, rather than it being worked into the budget in terms of, how do you resource it so that it can be open—. Also, things that have been brought to my attention are a lack of floodlights, so that it's an all-year-round facility. In some countries—and there are some parts of Wales—people have canopies as well, which means that it can be all-weather. So, in this heat you could still participate, or when we have rain, you can still participate. That's why we want to look at this strategically. We've been very clear that that needs to happen; we're working through how that can happen, but certainly it's about investing every pound to have the greatest impact. My question is: why have those sporting facilities there if they can't be accessed and they're locked up during the holidays? I don't think that's an acceptable position. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764714 33 En 2026-06-24T13:47:29 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1049&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 8585 8585 James Evans https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8585 Evans, James No, and I'd agree, but one thing we need to see is pace in this, isn't it? When are we going to see those facilities being open to communities? Because we've had these conversations before. I know that you and I have discussed this in this Chamber in the past, and it's been something that the previous Government talked about, I think, for five years, but never actually got on top of. A lot of our governing bodies and sports clubs across the country are crying out for access to these facilities. Talking is good, but it needs to have some tangible action of when that's going to happen. So, can you, today, outline a timetable of when you think that those clubs will have access to those schools facilities, because we need to get this sorted sooner rather than later. I can imagine us having this conversation in four years' time in the lead-up to the next Senedd election. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764719 34 En 2026-06-24T13:48:12 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1092&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Well, I would hope that the fact that we're talking about this—and I've had fewer than 40 days as a Minister, and that I've already had those discussions and been very clear on where we want to get to—would provide the assurance that the Member is seeking there that this is a priority for us as a Government. I cannot at this point give you a timetable, because those discussions are ongoing, but the very clear steer that I've given is that I need to understand why this isn't happening and what needs to happen to change this. There's an agreement between both myself and the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language that this needs to happen—that our budgets can't be in silos. Obviously, some of the decisions take a while, in terms of building a new school—it takes a while to go through consultation, et cetera. But certainly, for any new decisions that we are making, we want to ensure that there's that joined-up approach. And through the facilities review that I've already kick-started, I want to understand from that what are the barriers currently in place. So, one is understanding where are we lacking infrastructure; the second is understanding what infrastructure is there that isn't being utilised and how can we improve that. And I would ask any Member here that is aware of a certain school where there are difficulties, please make me aware. I want to know about those examples. I can promise you that the governing bodies have been in touch with me as well, including the Football Association of Wales and so on, because more could be done in our communities if those facilities were open all of the time. So I don't want to be here answering questions in four years either, I give you that assurance. I don't want to be here in a year's time answering those questions, but in terms of that timetable, there is so much to try and solve in this portfolio and to try and get right, and I am determined to get to grips with what's needed. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764726 35 Cy 2026-06-24T13:50:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1200&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw Welsh Labour spokesperson, Mike Hedges. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764680 36 En 2026-06-24T13:50:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1200&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw Llefarydd Llafur Cymru, Mike Hedges. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764698 37 En 2026-06-24T13:50:04 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1204&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 332 332 Mike Hedges https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=332 Hedges, Mike Thank you, Presiding Officer. I believe in the importance of team sports, as somebody who used to take part. It is important for learning teamwork, improving health, and developing friendships. My grandson plays both football and rugby at under-9 level in Swansea and thoroughly enjoys it. I'm involved with a large number of football and rugby teams, which I won't name here but they are on my declaration. But you wouldn't give me enough time to read them all out. [Laughter.] During the winter, on non-3 and 4G pitches, a lot of junior games are cancelled due to rain. Young people get out of the habit of playing on a Saturday. Many give up on their teams. How does the Welsh Government intend to promote team sports and make sure that teams can play throughout the year? And I wish you luck in getting school headteachers to allow their pitches to be used.  16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764707 38 En 2026-06-24T13:50:57 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1257&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Thank you, Mike, for those questions. I'm glad to hear you're an advocate for team sports. I have noticed your ties over the years, where you support different clubs and so on and make that known, which is great to see.  I think the key thing in terms of this is ensuring that there are opportunities. And, as I mentioned in my response to James Evans, looking at facilities in terms of all-year round, I went to the smash paddle and saw the junior paddle European championships recently that were in Llandaff fields, and they actually have canopies there, which means that people can play all year round. They are expensive, and one of the things we need to look at is: what are the opportunities to ensure that there is all-year round access? I can't control the weather, unfortunately. We'll do everything as a Government we can in terms of tackling climate change. But also, I know that lots of sports are looking to change the seasons and so on. Another key factor that we're looking at is the impact of a lot of sporting facilities which are close to rivers, which are impacted by flooding, which has a real, real impact, then, on the ability of those clubs to survive and participate, because we know as well, especially with children, if they don't go every week, they get out of the habit, and then it's easy to not return once the pitches are fit for purpose. So, that continuity is important. And that's why the facilities review is really, really crucial in all of this, to really understand what facilities are there, but also, which ones are at risk and that we need to think differently about.  16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764720 39 En 2026-06-24T13:52:34 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1354&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 332 332 Mike Hedges https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=332 Hedges, Mike Yesterday, I visited Penyrheol school in my constituency, and I was talking to the children there. And they were talking about the fact that from November to March, you could play, at best, once every three weeks. At worst, you'll go months without playing. So, it really is important that we have facilities that are available.  I was very pleased when, last week, during your statement, Minister, you said that you were going to take an inventory of sports provision in Wales. How many 3 and 4G pitches are there now, and how many do you intend there to be in April 2030? 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764724 40 En 2026-06-24T13:53:07 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1387&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Thank you for the question. Unfortunately, previous Ministers hadn't done that work, so I've had to begin that work from scratch, so I can't give you that exact figure. But what I will commit to is that once I have all of that information available, in terms of the facilities across Wales, I will be sharing that so that there's openness and transparency, and that will inform future funding and priorities there. Diolch.  16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764725 41 Cy 2026-06-24T13:53:32 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1412&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Irranca-Davies, Huw Welsh Conservative spokesperson, Paul Davies.  16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764728 42 En 2026-06-24T13:53:34 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1414&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 145 145 Paul Davies https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 Davies, Paul Diolch, Llywydd. Cabinet Minister, last week, you set out your priorities for the culture and sports sector in Wales, and that included a list of actions you plan to take to increase cultural participation, including delivering a Welsh culture strategy, improving the infrastructure of venues across Wales, and investment in sports progammes like school swimming.  Now, yesterday, the Welsh Government's supplementary budget was published, which didn't see any significant shifts in the funding to the culture secretary. In fact, the finance Minister didn't mention culture at all in her statement yesterday. And, as has already been mentioned earlier, it only referred to the £2 million of resource funding, which will support the roll-out of the new school swimming and water safety programme.  Therefore, further to your earlier answer, how confident are you that you will have the resources you need to start delivering on the commitments you've made to the culture and sports sectors in practice? 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764731 43 En 2026-06-24T13:54:33 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1473&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd I would like to remind the Member that this was a supplementary budget, and, obviously, the first full budget of a Plaid Cymru Government will be later this year. And I look forward to the scrutiny from the Culture, Communications, Cymraeg and Sport Committee on that, which I'm pleased to see the Member has been elected to serve on. I am confident that I have the full backing of my Cabinet colleagues in the vision that I outlined last week.  16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764696 44 En 2026-06-24T13:55:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1500&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd in the vision that I outlined last week, and that determination to work cross-Government, cross-portfolio to deliver on the power of arts, culture, heritage and sport. We have heard, for years now, previous Governments talk about the need to shift towards prevention, of the importance of sports and the arts, but that has followed deep, deep cuts in these sectors. So, by taking that state-of-play approach, by being strategic and being very clear that this strategy needs to be developed at pace but be meaningful—because we've had strategies in the past that have led to no changes—we are taking the right approach, and I am confident that we will see progress. I have been honest throughout the past year and since becoming a Member that I need to understand the scale of the investment needed to be able to plan properly. The fact that we don’t have those figures is a real problem for me to make that pitch towards the Cabinet Minister for Finance, because I need to have that clear understanding. What I've seen happen too often in this portfolio has been a short-term approach for some headlines. That's not sustainable; it doesn't lead to change. So, my commitment is to do that work properly as quickly as possible so that we can make informed decisions as a Government, but also honour the commitments that we've made because we believe in the power of culture, arts, heritage and sport and we're determined to make it work. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764702 45 En 2026-06-24T13:56:38 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1598&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 145 145 Paul Davies https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 Davies, Paul Well, we've heard a lot of talk since the Senedd election about increasing the level of funding, year on year, in relation to the culture sector. Now, as you know, Minister, Wales's public spending on culture is amongst the lowest in Europe, and the chief executive of the Arts Council of Wales has warned that, if funding cuts to the arts industry continue, there will be no professional sector in 10 years' time. Therefore, what reassurances can you offer the sector that there won't be a 'business as usual' budget in the autumn and that the sector will receive significant investment from this Welsh Government so that there is a professional sector in 10 years' time? 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764706 46 En 2026-06-24T13:57:18 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1638&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Thank you for that question. You have a Minister here that is willing, unlike previous Ministers, to acknowledge that there is a crisis in these sectors and that is determined to get to grips with those issues. We've been very clear that we need to understand what the need is from our arts and cultural organisations, to understand how we get them to the point that they are sustainable, what kind of model will work. We've also reviewed—and I've discussed already with the Arts Council of Wales how we can work in partnership to review whether the framework agreements, the remit letters, and so on, are actually delivering as they should. People and the impact for people in Wales is at the heart of everything that we want to do. It's ensuring that people have access to high-quality arts, culture and heritage organisations. The trajectory we've been on for far too long has been disgraceful, it has led to a situation of crisis, and we're determined to have a long-term plan, a long-term view, being mindful of the constraints within the budget, but also our determination to ensure no more in terms of the trajectory that we've been on, and that has been a downward spiral. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764716 47 Cy 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B Grass-roots Sports 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764717 48 Cy 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport O 12183 12183 Tom Montgomery https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12183 Montomery, Tom 3. What action is the Welsh Government taking to support grassroots sports in north Wales? OQ64196 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764718 49 Cy 2026-06-24T13:58:40 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1720&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Across Wales, £34 million is being invested in sport through Sport Wales, but, as I outlined in my priorities statement last week, more work needs to be done to understand the level of investment that is required to invest in grass-roots sports in all corners of Wales. Work has already begun on commissioning an audit of community and regional sports facilities and engaging with key partners, including national governing bodies, to steer targeted capital investment over this term of Government. This is because we are committed to making sport accessible to everyone. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764722 50 En 2026-06-24T13:59:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1740&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12183 12183 Tom Montgomery https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12183 Montomery, Tom Thank you, Minister. It has long been recognised how engaging people, particularly young people, in grass-roots sport can benefit the individual and our society as a whole. Grass-roots clubs often provide a safe and secure place for young people to socialise, learn and grow. It supports efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour and helps to instil a sense of pride and purpose in the individual. Furthermore, engaging young people in sport is key to encouraging them to live a more active and healthy lifestyle, which is critical to the preventive agenda in relation to health and reducing pressure on the NHS. Despite this, I have often found that grass-roots sporting clubs tell me the difficulty they have in securing grant support, 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764703 51 En 2026-06-24T14:00:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1800&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12183 12183 Tom Montgomery https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12183 Montomery, Tom in securing grant support, working with local authorities or accessing Welsh Government grants. Given this, Minister, can you explain how the Welsh Government will work with partners to ensure a holistic support framework for grass-roots sport in north Wales?  16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764705 52 Cy 2026-06-24T14:00:15 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1815&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Thank you for that contribution. I'm so pleased that we are seeing a consensus across the Senedd about the importance of this. There have been a number of grass-roots sports questions that came through for this session, and I feel heartened to see so much support for the vision that I outlined last week and where we need to reach as a Government. It does mean collaboration. The fact that I don't have to persuade you all in terms of the value of this work speaks volumes. We know that it's important, we know that it is beneficial for people, yet I don't think that that has been recognised sufficiently in the past. There are incredible projects happening all across Wales, done by clubs at a grass-roots level. They don't only transform the lives of people, making people healthier, they save their lives, yet they have to try year after year to try and get grant after grant, and they're not sure whether they can carry on. I have to understand how we're going to reach a situation where this is normal wherever you live in Wales, that you do have access, that we do appreciate these grass-roots clubs. So, all the work I'm trying to do at the moment is ensuring that there is a future for grass-roots clubs, that we also ensure that their potential is realised. I am realistic that I'm not going to be able to solve this straight away either, but how we protect what we have is also something that I feel passionate about. If you have any examples of clubs and so on, I am always happy to hear about those and to see the kinds of examples that we can be putting into this strategy. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764734 53 Cy 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B Arts Council of Wales Funding 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764735 54 Cy 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport O 12155 12155 Leticia Gonzalez https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12155 Gonzalez, Leticia 6. Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on the funding of the Arts Council of Wales? OQ64218 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764736 55 Cy 2026-06-24T14:02:16 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1936&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd I thank the Member for that question. Work has already begun to work across Government to unlock the potential of sport, culture and the arts in terms of preventative health. As I said in my response to the previous question, the evidence is clear. Groundbreaking work is already saving lives in these areas, and we need to ensure equality of access and opportunity for everyone. 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764739 56 En 2026-06-24T14:02:43 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1963&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12155 12155 Leticia Gonzalez https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12155 Gonzalez, Leticia Thank you. I am very conscious of the diversity within my community and that addressing the needs might need multiple avenues of support and help. I am also aware that charities have played a crucial role in the services they deliver in support of preventative health. I am keen to engage with my community and the charities involved to help identify what is currently working or not working. Would the Minister welcome the feedback and evidence I gather in support of the review she is undertaking? 16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764742 57 En 2026-06-24T14:03:12 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=1992&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Thank you to the Member for that supplementary. Certainly, I welcome all examples, because one of the great things that I'm able to do in this role is actually ensure that we see what best practice is happening and that we don't try and reinvent the wheel where there are brilliant projects happening that could be at risk, then, of losing funding in the future because of a change or shift in policy. I was lucky enough to attend the Welsh Sports Association awards recently, which celebrated a lot of grass-roots and charity work in this area, and it was clear in terms of the impact. There was one in particular project that won, the Guardian Ballers with Basketball Wales, which is not really about basketball but about mental health in young people. Those kinds of projects are really impactful, having a huge impact, with 88 per cent of participants reporting an improvement in mental health, and 92 per cent saying that they began to understand themselves better just through those sessions. So, the challenge, I think, is that this is happening. How do we ensure that wherever you are in Wales you have this kind of opportunity?  16077 7 2026-06-24T13:30:00 764746 58 En 2026-06-24T14:04:27 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16077?startPos=2067&l=en 260624-1 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 5038 5038 Jayne Bryant https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5038 Bryant, Jayne A report published in January this year estimated that the financial value of health and productivity benefits through engagement with the arts in Wales is at least £588 million a year. The public health benefits and reduction in pressure on essential services are clear, in addition to well-being benefits for people of all ages. Now, I know the Cabinet Minister also agrees with this, but can the Cabinet Minister clarify: is the Welsh Government going to fund preventative health arts activities from the health