“Culture and sport are areas of importance, not optional or simply nice to have”

The new Government is determined to address the lack of strategy, vision and support for Wales’s culture and sport sectors, as they are areas of real importance, not something optional or simply nice to have.

By working across portfolios, the intention is to ensure that the potential of culture and sport to play a central role for the benefit of people, communities and the Welsh economy is realised.

This is the message from the Minister for Culture and Sport, Heledd Fychan, as she outlined her priorities to the Senedd today as part of her first 100-day plan.

She also said that her vision and decisions will be underpinned by robust data and evidence to target support where it will have the greatest impact.

An important step is to develop a clear understanding of the current state of culture and sport, as we are inheriting a position where sufficient data does not currently exist, nor a clear understanding of the needs of these sectors.

Work has begun on commissioning an audit of community and regional sports facilities to inform targeted capital investment over the term of the government and beyond.

She emphasised the importance of recognising the preventative health and wellbeing benefits of the arts, culture and sport. Within the first 100 days, there will be a review of opportunities for investment in culture, the arts and sport to support the aim of seeing incremental increases in spending in these areas.

The Government will also consult on a new, ambitious strategy for culture and sport in Wales, in order to design a system at the heart of government where they play a key role in preventing and treating illness, driving economic growth, and contributing to a prosperous future for every community.

The Minister said:

“These priorities mark the start of a journey and the beginning of a new chapter for culture and sport here in Wales. I am absolutely clear – they are areas of importance, not optional or simply nice to have.

“This Government believes in the power of culture and sport to transform lives, to contribute to the vision of moving towards a preventative health agenda to place our Health Service on a more sustainable footing, and because we are determined to build a Wales where creativity thrives.

“I look forward to working across portfolios and with stakeholders and the people of Wales to deliver this new strategy and vision for Wales.”