7. 5. Statement: The Future of Heritage Services in Wales — A New Strategic Partnership and the Future of Cadw

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:32 pm on 4 April 2017.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 5:32, 4 April 2017

Well, can I thank the Member for his positive and kind comments, and say that the Harlech castle investment has delivered huge benefits for the community? We’ve seen a very significant increase in the number of visitors visiting the castle, and it’s also won—I’m pleased to say—a number of national architectural awards. It’s helped to put Wales on the global map during the Year of Adventure, and continues to do so this year through the Year of Legends. It’s exactly the sort of investment that I’d like to see steered towards many more of our venues and assets in the years to come. I would like to confirm that, yes, I will be implementing all of the recommendations, and I wish to do so at maximum speed. The steering group has given an indication of the dates by which I should be in a position to implement the recommendations, or indeed the dates by which we should expect the strategic partnership to be established. I wish to see those dates met. I do think we have an opportunity now to take our past into the future in a way that opens it up to more people—people who, until now, have not had the opportunity, perhaps the interest or the desire, to visit a heritage site, but whom I am sure would do, given the opportunity to explore it in a way that meets their intrinsic interests. So, I look forward to taking forward this work, as I say, at maximum speed.