Part of 1. 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:08 pm on 18 October 2016.
Obviously, you will appreciate that, across Wales, one of the first ways that people can access the arts is in relation to small-scale arts centres. Therefore, I was really concerned that Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council has decided to close Pontardawe Arts Centre one day a week—the day of the week that community groups actually do use the centre. I was there recently to watch ‘The Revlon Girl’, which is a show I’m sure many of us have seen about the Aberfan disaster. I would be very concerned if the centre did close one day a week because, of course, they have vital services to be providing. Once it’s closing one day, it may be a slippery slope to closing more days of the week. So, would you join with me in trying to seek assurances from Neath Port Talbot council that they will not take this decision, and that they will keep the centre open for business?