Dawn Bowden: Diolch, Llywydd. Can I thank the Welsh Conservatives for bringing forward this debate? What I would start by saying is that we have a full range of cultural, sporting and business events that are a vital part of the visitor economy. By supporting events across Wales, the Welsh Government, through Event Wales, helps drive positive economic impact while showcasing our world-class venues,...
Dawn Bowden: What I don't want to do, Tom—. That would be my aspiration, because I do not believe that the privatisation of Channel 4 or the abolition of the licence fee for the BBC is the right way for us to proceed. But let me be absolutely clear, I am not going to set out here and now what the findings of the expert panel will be because that would not be appropriate. That is what the expert panel...
Dawn Bowden: But just to finally say, on those points, Delyth Jewell and Cefin Campbell also both referenced the work of the previous culture committees in this area, and I hope very much that the work of the previous culture committee will be work and evidence that the expert panel can reference and can use as part of their work in taking all of this forward, as well. So, in wrapping up, Llywydd, what I...
Dawn Bowden: Sorry, I beg your pardon. Sorry, Tom. Yes.
Dawn Bowden: Indeed.
Dawn Bowden: No, I don't know how much that would cost, Gareth, but all of the financial implications for any of these proposals as we move forward would have to be looked at, and would be part of the case that we develop to either pursue the devolution of broadcasting or not. Because I think we need to be very clear about this—the expert panel is being put in place to deliver a case for the devolution...
Dawn Bowden: Diolch, Llywydd. Can I thank all colleagues for their contributions this afternoon? I will try and respond to a number of the points made, but forgive me if I don't cover everything, because there were lots of very good points made, and people making the same points but in different ways. Can I just start by thanking Tom Giffard for pointing out how the Labour Party is going to take things...
Dawn Bowden: Indeed.
Dawn Bowden: The policy of Welsh Labour is yet to be developed in this area, but this is very much part of the co-operation agreement between Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru that was necessary for a range of issues that we needed to deliver the programme for government. So, that is something that we are still developing. In terms of the scrutiny, as I said, it's got to stand up to scrutiny both here and...
Dawn Bowden: Diolch, Llywydd. I very much welcome the opportunity to talk today about the important work that we are taking forward, through our co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru, to support a broadcasting and communications framework for Wales that is fit for purpose and delivers the media that Wales deserves. Now, I shouldn't have to convince this Senedd that broadcasting is hugely important in...
Dawn Bowden: Can I thank John Griffiths for that point and those points about Urban Circle, who were—they are—a fantastic organisation? I've spoken both to you and to my colleague Jayne Bryant about them and the work that they do, and it was great to meet Loren and Ali when we discussed the festival that's taking place next month. I think I've got an invite to go, as well, which will be, you...
Dawn Bowden: Thank you. Can I thank Heledd Fychan for those points? I'll start with that last one first, because although this wasn't a statement about sport—and, yes, I will come back and deal with that—sport is very, very close to my heart, particularly football, particularly after last weekend, and I'm just so excited. It's just—. You know, I get all kind of—. I was talking to somebody last...
Dawn Bowden: Can I thank Tom Giffard for those many questions? I'm not sure that I've got all of them, Tom, but I'll try and wrap it all up in an overarching response. If I can deal first with the culture grant scheme that you were talking about initially. What we are looking to do, really, is to introduce a scheme in readiness to launch in the coming weeks. So, the detail of that is still being worked...
Dawn Bowden: I've expressed my desire for our cultural sponsored bodies to work in collaboration to increase their impact in this area. Members will be aware that the Arts Council of Wales and Amgueddfa Cymru—National Museum Wales have co-produced a widening engagement action plan, with actions now embedded into both organisations' operational and strategic equality plans. People's Collection Wales, a...
Dawn Bowden: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to thank the Minister for Social Justice for her statement announcing the publication of the 'Anti-racist Wales Action Plan'. For my part, I'm committed to delivering the goals and actions set out for culture, heritage and sport, which focus on the themes of leadership, funding, celebrating cultural diversity, the historical narrative and learning about our...
Dawn Bowden: That is absolutely right and very important as well, because that is exactly what the establishment of the creative skills board is about. The creative skills board will be working with all the creative industries across Wales—and Screen Alliance is very much one of those bodies that is involved with that—so that we do reach out to people across the country, and get them to look at...
Dawn Bowden: First of all, Heledd, thank you for those questions. And I would say that I'm not 'just' the Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, I am the Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport and I have an integral role in the Government of Wales, and my views and my input into Government is as valuable as any other Minister's. But in terms of the cultural announcements, I can assure you culture is not being...
Dawn Bowden: Can I just assure the Member that I am fully aware of what is going on in Amgueddfa Cymru and that I'm having regular discussions with officials and with the museum itself? However, what you would also appreciate is that it wouldn't be appropriate for me to bring to the floor of this Senedd internal staffing issues that are currently being considered. There are various legal processes in...
Dawn Bowden: Sorry, I didn't catch the last bit of your question. Sorry.
Dawn Bowden: Well, you know—. Bail him out? I mean, what we want to do is ensure the sustainability of our national organisations, our cultural organisations, and one of the things that we've committed to in the co-operation agreement with Plaid is that we will do just that. The national library is one of those organisations that we want to ensure will be sustainable going forward. So, I don't look at...
