Plas Menai National Outdoor Centre

Part of 5. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:13 pm on 21 September 2022.

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Photo of Dawn Bowden Dawn Bowden Labour 3:13, 21 September 2022

You'll be aware from the written statement I issued yesterday that Sport Wales announced the conclusion to its process to identify what they term as a strategic partner for the future management of Plas Menai in Gwynedd, and I think it's important to say that. We are talking about the management of the centre, we're talking about a specification there, a contract with Parkwood Leisure that is aimed at securing, safeguarding and expanding the future of Plas Menai. As you'll know, Plas Menai has had some difficulties over a number of years, and there have been a number of different options that have been presented to how we could safeguard and move that forward. Parkwood Leisure will bring vast experience, expertise and a track record in the area of outdoor activities in this partnership with Sport Wales, which does not currently exist at the site. So, we are looking at a partnership that will utilise and tap into the experience and expertise that we do have with a partner that will have the expertise that the centre does not have.

In terms of the specification and the contract, we have been very clear that the well-being of future generations Act has to be complied with, and that is written into the contract, as is a requirement for Parkwood Leisure to comply with the Sport Wales strategy and to be aligned with the Welsh Government's programme for government, along with the well-being of future generations Act. As you know, one of the seven ways of working includes the commitment and the development of the Welsh language. Parkwood Leisure have absolutely committed to all of that. In terms of the conditions of the employment for the people who work there, which was a primary consideration that I had, and I know that Sport Wales had, they have written into the contract a guarantee that terms and conditions for the employees at Plas Menai will be guaranteed, including their pension rights, for the entire period of the contract. They have also agreed within the terms of the contract that there will be no two-tier workforce, so that any new staff that are brought in after the commencement of the contract would also be employed on the existing terms and conditions that are currently enjoyed by the staff at Plas Menai.

I've had detailed discussions with the local, recognised unions at Sport Wales. It is a matter, of course, for Sport Wales, as an arm's-length body, to negotiate the fine detail of this and how it will affect their employees, but there is a recognition that this is the best way forward for the development and the future survival and growth, which is important, of Plas Menai. It is a contract that will seek to develop that centre into an all-year-round facility, which it currently isn't. And I'm satisfied that, with the monitoring processes that are going to be in place to monitor the performance of that contract, we will deliver, with ongoing capital investment from Welsh Government to develop the site, the management contract—because that's what it is; it will still be owned by Sport Wales and it's still owned by Welsh Government, so it's still a public sector facility.