5. Urgent Question: Sport Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:16 pm on 29 March 2017.

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Photo of Rhun ap Iorwerth Rhun ap Iorwerth Plaid Cymru 4:16, 29 March 2017

(Translated)

Thank you for the short written statement today. We all, of course, share the aspiration of the Minister of ensuring that Sport Wales does operate in the most effective way possible, but there are serious questions to ask, I think, in terms of how the Government managed to allow this body to reach the level of ineffectiveness. And what the statement today and the latest steps do is prove again the depth of that ineffectiveness. The recent period has been one of great concern, not just for staff and everyone who’s involved with Sport Wales, but also in terms of the development of sport in Wales. Without leadership, there’s no strategy; without strategy, there’s no development. And we have to sort that situation out urgently.

I have a number of questions for you, if I may. What review has been done of the original appointment and the original appointment process with the chair who is now leaving? And could you also publish the findings of the assurance review that was announced in November? We hear that personalities were at the core of many of these problems. Could you give us an explanation of some of the issues that led to the failure of the relationships of those at the leadership level on the board, and how did the Government fail to realise such significant failures? And to close: will there be additional support now for Sport Wales as they try to get back on the right path?