Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Deputy Minister. But, the challenges facing local museums are nothing new, and for a number of years now we've heard words from Ministers but haven't seen action. Indeed, due to the concerns about the sector, the Welsh Government commissioned a review of local museums in 2015. The review noted that local museums didn't have the resources or capacity, and the Minister at the time,...
Heledd Fychan: I'm talking specifically, Minister, about local museums and the review in 2015 that was conducted, rather than the Simon Thurley review of National Museum Wales. There were 10 recommendations in the local museum review that are yet to be implemented, despite the sector writing on numerous occasions and despite pleas by organisations such as the Museums Association and National Museum Wales,...
Heledd Fychan: Wales was the first nation in the UK to publish a strategy for museums as a whole. It was a strategy that was welcomed by the sector. Now, this came to an end in 2015, having been established in 2010, and although work has been ongoing on the new strategy since 2018, Wales does not have a strategy for museums now. When will this strategy be completed? What resources will be available to...
Heledd Fychan: I don't wish to repeat other contributions today, but I do wish to echo other sentiments and pay tribute to Rhian and others who have suffered the worst of times but have found the strength to help so many others. We are united today in our support, and rightly so. This is something that we hope we'll never have to experience but unfortunately happens, and whatever we put in place, we cannot...
Heledd Fychan: I thank the Minister for the statement. A number of important points were raised by you, and it was great to be reminded of all the strong links that exist between Wales and Africa, and the wealth of projects that are already being realised. As you'll be aware, the People's Vaccine campaign is something that we in Plaid Cymru fully support, and I agree with you entirely: everyone's safety...
Heledd Fychan: You noted in your statement, Minister, that the First Minister has urged the UK Government to accelerate the supply of vaccines to the developing world. Are you able to advise what response the First Minister has received to this request and, in addition to making the call today, if you yourself have also written or will be writing to the UK Government on this matter? You would have our full...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Llywydd, and thank you, Minister.
Heledd Fychan: You will be aware that I raised with you last week the issue of people with autism, and I subsequently followed up with correspondence. I wondered if you had any clarity on that situation, because I have yet again been contacted by people within my region where this would affect them, pointing out the difference with England, also the fact that the guidance at the moment says that premises...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. I would like to start by paying tribute to all of those who have lost their lives in wars. There is a fundamental difference between celebrating war and noting the sacrifice of individuals, and as we remember all of those we have lost in war and conflict this week, it's also important to remember the significance of their sacrifice. In remembering them, we must also...
Heledd Fychan: What are the Welsh Government's priorities for nursery education?
Heledd Fychan: Trefnydd, over the past fortnight, I have raised twice with the Minister for health the concerns of those with autism and their families regarding the COVID pass. Even though the COVID guidelines were updated last week to state that locations should be available to those who can't take lateral flow tests, this isn't strong enough as compared to the system in England. The Government's website...
Heledd Fychan: As the Minister knows, a number of organisations in the cultural sector, such as theatres and local music venues, still haven't been able to operate at full capacity because of the safety measures that they've put in place to safeguard people from COVID. And although the number of attendees is lower, they need more staff in order to implement those safety measures, including implementing the...
Heledd Fychan: I would like to declare at the beginning of this question that I am a Rhondda Cynon Taf councillor.
Heledd Fychan: 7. What support is made available by the Welsh Government to local authorities to deliver non-statutory services? OQ57201
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Minister. One sector that receives non-statutory funding from local authorities is local museums. I'd therefore like to ask what steps are being taken by the Welsh Government to safeguard local museums specifically, which are mainly funded by local authorities, but have seen swingeing cuts of 31 per cent over 10 years, as they are not statutory services. Is there more that the...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. It's a privilege to introduce the debate this afternoon on an issue that I know that many of my fellow Members in this Chamber feel passionately about. Just last week, we heard from the Minister for Social Justice about the various important projects through the Wales and Africa programme and her support for the People's Vaccine campaign. We very much...
Heledd Fychan: We in Wales have a responsibility, as a higher income country, to assist with the provision of global financial support, medical supplies and, crucially, sharing vaccine supplies. This means providing greater support to those countries we already have connections with, reaching out to other countries in need, and pushing the UK Government to do what is morally right and redistribute vaccines...
Heledd Fychan: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Thank you to everyone that has contributed to today's debate. I have to say that I find it personally quite ironic to be opening and closing this particular debate on a day when I myself have tested positive for COVID, and when I am feeling extremely grateful that I have been doubly vaccinated for free, and therefore provided with greater protection to fight the virus....
Heledd Fychan: How is the Welsh Government supporting the development of the agricultural sector in South Wales Central?
Heledd Fychan: 5. What legal advice has the Counsel General given to the Welsh Government regarding responsibility for flood damage? OQ57252
