7. What recent discussions has the Minister had with representatives of the National Botanic Garden of Wales? OAQ(5)0046(EI)

My officials have been in regular discussions with the garden team. I intend to meet the chair in the next few weeks to discuss the report I commissioned on future commercial opportunities for the garden. The report will be published once the chair and trustees have seen it.

May I, for once, share some positive news with the Cabinet Secretary? The number of visitors over the past year is up by 5 per cent, the number of family visits is up by a third, the sale of memberships is up by 41 per cent, and there has been a surplus for the garden over the past two financial years. May I ask the Cabinet Secretary to add to this positive news by confirming the long-term commitment of the Welsh Government to the gardens, which, after all, are a national institution?

Well, I very much welcome the positive news from the garden. It’s great to hear that visitor figures and membership have increased. Of course, the garden has taken advantage of Welsh Government schemes such as the Year of Adventure and also the funding that we provide annually to ensure that more people are attracted to the garden, not just once, but on a repeated basis. That’s why I think membership numbers are particularly pleasing. All partners—all partners—including Welsh Government and Carmarthen county council, agree that the garden is a hugely valuable asset to Carmarthenshire’s tourism offer. But reducing budgets mean that an open-ended commitment to future funding is not sustainable, and so there is a need, and I’m glad to see that the garden is responding to this, to continue that drive for a greater commercial success.