16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778810 0 Cy 261014-0 I This is a draft version of the Record that includes the floor language and the simultaneous interpretation.  [R] indicates that the Member has declared an interest when tabling the business. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778811 1 Cy 261014-0 I The Senedd met in the Chamber and by video-conference at 13:30 with the Deputy Presiding Officer (Kerry Ferguson) in the Chair. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778813 2 Cy 2026-10-14T13:30:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=0&l=en 261014-1 Statement by the Llywydd C 12177 12177 Kerry Ferguson https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12177 Deputy Presiding Officer Ferguson, Kerry Good afternoon. Before we move to our first item, it's my pleasure to announce the result of the first Member Bill ballot for the seventh Senedd, which was held today. I'm pleased to announce that the three Members selected in today's ballot are: James Evans, Sam Rowlands and Llŷr Powell. Congratulations to you all. I look forward in time to seeing the proposals that you bring forward, and wish you all well as the work proceeds. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778821 3 Cy 2026-10-14T13:30:33 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=33&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12177 12177 Kerry Ferguson https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12177 Deputy Presiding Officer Ferguson, Kerry Item 1 on our agenda today is questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport. Question 1, Tom Montgomery. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778822 4 Cy 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B Library Services 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778823 5 Cy 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport O 12183 12183 Tom Montgomery https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12183 Montomery, Tom 1. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to support the expansion of library services in Clwyd? OQ64690 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778824 6 Cy 2026-10-14T13:30:50 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=50&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport Fychan, Heledd Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. The Welsh Government supports libraries in Clwyd through capital and revenue funding. In 2026-27, this includes awarding £349,000 to fund capital improvements in Colwyn Bay library and Rhyl library. Libraries across Clwyd have also benefited this year from over £50,000 of funding for smaller projects. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778827 7 En 2026-10-14T13:31:20 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=80&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12183 12183 Tom Montgomery https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12183 Montomery, Tom Thank you, Minister. A local authority in Clwyd in 2023 resolved to reduce library one-stop shop opening hours by 40 per cent. This was despite over 4,500 residents responding to the consultation—the most that the local authority had seen in years. Ninety per cent of those responses warned that the closure or reduction in hours would limit their ability to visit their local library, and 96 per cent of these submissions submitted negative comments about the proposal. The local authority went ahead because its hands, to a certain extent, are tied financially by the funding formula. The significant change has seen around £360,000 saved but severely limits residents' access to this important service. So, what steps are you taking to support local library services, and what discussions have you had with the Minister for local government in seeing a funding formula that specifically protects library services? Diolch. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778836 8 Cy 2026-10-14T13:32:22 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=142&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd The Member raises an important issue, I know, for many of our constituents, across Wales. I do acknowledge the challenges that local authorities have faced because of the financial settlements of these past years and the impact that that has had on local libraries in particular. One of the things that we are doing as part of our work in developing the culture and sports strategy is we are looking at local services. I have had discussions already with some local government leaders in Wales and the Welsh Local Government Association, in order to try and truly understand how fragile some of these services are. Central to our new strategy is ensuring equal access for everyone. So, we want to understand what these challenges have been over past years, what that has meant to services in terms of libraries across Wales. A large part of our next piece of work will involve looking at that long-term strategy in terms of what library services that work for our communities look like, recognising that the service doesn't always meet our ambition at the moment. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778843 9 En 2026-10-14T13:33:31 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=211&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12184 12184 Becca Martin https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12184 Martin, Becca Libraries are essential services for young and old, often going far past the borrowing of books by providing warm spaces and tackling social isolation. The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 places a statutory duty on councils in England and Wales to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. However, discussions with people in the sector suggest that a lack of clarity around what this actually means creates ambiguity and can lead to library provision being treated as discretionary rather than a legal duty. I think you have gone some way to answering the question in terms of that long-term strategy, but would the Government consider looking to give more clarity on what constitutes a comprehensive and efficient library service and provide councils with greater certainty about their statutory responsibilities? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778846 10 Cy 2026-10-14T13:34:18 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=258&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd I thank the Member for that further question. In Wales, we have a public library standards framework, which is the measure that is used to decide whether the quality of libraries has been met or not. This is a very live issue. I am aware of the concerns that exist across Wales, and one of the things that I am looking at is what the responsibilities and the powers that I have are under that Act if those services are not reaching the mark in terms of quality. As the work of developing the new strategy goes forward, we will also be publishing specific plans looking at every sector, including libraries, in order to provide more clarity, yes, to local authorities, but also to the people of Wales. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778814 11 Cy 2026-10-14T13:35:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=300&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd but also to the people of Wales. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778816 12 Cy 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B National Monuments 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778817 13 Cy 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport O 8371 8371 Elwyn Vaughan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8371 Vaughan, Elwyn 2. How is the Welsh Government protecting and promoting national monuments in Gwynedd Maldwyn for future generations? OQ64676 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778818 14 Cy 2026-10-14T13:35:14 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=314&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Cadw protects and promotes nationally important monuments in Gwynedd Maldwyn through designation and through providing expert advice, guidance and support to the owners for their conservation. Cadw also promotes our heritage by managing the national monuments in its care and ensuring public access to them, in accordance with this Government's commitment to provide fair access to all of our cultural and heritage sites. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778819 15 Cy 2026-10-14T13:35:39 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=339&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 8371 8371 Elwyn Vaughan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8371 Vaughan, Elwyn You will be aware that Llansilin in the Gwynedd Maldwyn constituency is the home of Sycharth, the ancient court of Owain Glyndŵr and one of the most significant sites of our national heritage. Unfortunately, however, it is disgraceful that the current state of the site doesn't reflect its historic and national importance. There are problems such as overgrowing foliage, lack of access, and even a lack of mention of the site on the Cadw website. On the other hand, Powys council has already rejected proposals for more signage on the road to promote the site. Can I ask therefore how the Welsh Government can work with Cadw and Powys council to ensure that Sycharth is promoted as a site of national importance for future generations? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778825 16 Cy 2026-10-14T13:36:25 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=385&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd I thank the Member for raising the issue of Sycharth. Just to be clear, I do consider Sycharth to be a monument of national importance that has a very significant place in Wales's history and in our identity as a nation. The monument is open to the public. There are interpretation signs on the site. After a conservation programme carried out with funding by Cadw, work has gone ahead since concerns were raised a few years ago. However, I am on the record saying that I would like to see more being done to promote Sycharth before I was in this role, and I'm still of that opinion. Even though the rural location and nature of the site do present some problems in terms of physical access and the way it's presented, I have asked Cadw to look into how we can make the story of this site more prominent, because it is just so important in terms of our history. You will also be aware that Sycharth isn't for sale at the moment. It has a lifelong tenancy. Cadw is working in partnership with the estate that owns Sycharth to ensure that it is maintained and kept in good condition and that public access continues. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778828 17 En 2026-10-14T13:37:39 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=459&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12187 12187 Andrew Griffin https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12187 Griffin, Andrew Following on from that question about protecting our historic heritage for future generations, last week, I had a meeting with Historic Houses Wales. A great deal of our heritage is actually in private ownership. I know from personal experience of living in a grade II listed house just how expensive these properties can be to maintain, particularly when there are restrictions on making improvements to reduce running costs. Can I ask the Cabinet Minister what practical support is available through Cadw for private owners who are helping to preserve our historic heritage, and how is she working with colleagues across Government to make sure these buildings remain viable for future generations? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778829 18 Cy 2026-10-14T13:38:14 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=494&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd I thank the Member for that further question. I and Cadw officials did meet with Historic Houses Wales last week, and officials will be having further discussions with them in relation to how we can proceed with any support work and to look at any possible options. Clearly, there is an opportunity also for them to contribute as part of the development of our new strategy. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778832 19 Cy 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778833 20 Cy 2026-10-14T13:38:40 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=520&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12177 12177 Kerry Ferguson https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12177 Deputy Presiding Officer Ferguson, Kerry I now call on the party spokespeople to question the Cabinet Minister. Reform UK spokesperson, Louise Emery. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778834 21 En 2026-10-14T13:38:47 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=527&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12182 12182 Louise Emery https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12182 Emery, Louise Diolch. Minister, I had a question to the First Minister on 29 September about business rates and music venues—and I welcome the 30 per cent reduction—that talked about the cliff edge that happens at the £51,000 business rate edge. I want to keep this issue front and centre of your mind when you're in discussions with the finance Minister. A lot of cultural activities require public money to exist, and we don't want music venues to join that list. They want to be self-sufficient, they don't want to rely on grants, and this is a way we can help them. So, can I ask, will you address the exclusion of music venues with the finance Minister, including the consideration of a business rates taper approach in the future? Diolch. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778839 22 Cy 2026-10-14T13:39:28 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=568&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Thank you. You will appreciate that these are questions to me, and you may want to ask the finance Minister in the next set of questions in relation to that. But certainly, in terms of the future of music venues, it is one of the reasons why that 30 per cent was announced, in order to support smaller venues. We will also be looking at this as part of the new culture strategy. In terms of the future of music in Wales in its entirety, there is some responsibility for music  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778815 23 Cy 2026-10-14T13:40:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=600&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd there is some responsibility for music with Creative Wales, and some of the responsibility for music falls to the Wales Arts Council. There is some ambiguity on occasion as to who is responsible for this sector in Wales, because clearly it's important for the Welsh economy too, and our town centres, and so many communities the length and breadth of Wales. What we as a Government to determine to do is to work on a cross-ministerial and cross-portfolio basis in order to ensure that the new strategy does take into account the benefit of music, yes, in terms of health and well-being, the culture of Wales, but also in terms of our economy. So, this is a very live issue.   16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778826 24 En 2026-10-14T13:40:43 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=643&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12182 12182 Louise Emery https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12182 Emery, Louise Diolch. Now, I'd like an update on the national museum in Cardiff. Now, we know that we got some funding for roof repairs earlier this year, and you came to our culture committee and expressed concern about water entering galleries containing our national collections. We've got winter approaching, and it's imporant that we have essential maintenance that carries on. But I want to know what progress there's been on the funding repairs and what timetable and funding are in place to complete the urgent works? Because we could be in a position where not only that our collections are at risk, but that the museum actually has to close.   16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778830 25 Cy 2026-10-14T13:41:18 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=678&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Thank you for that question. As I said when I appeared before the committee, and as you have mentioned, I am extremely concerned about National Museum Cardiff, and I am looking forward to receiving proposals for the possible redevelopment from the National Museum. I haven't received the details to date. What we have been doing is working very closely with Amgueddfa Cymru Museum Wales to try and understand what the position is, what the needs are, and we have allocated up to £4.8 million in capital funding in this financial year to support the most urgent remedial work and help to secure the collections. These are questions that I too have been asking of Amgueddfa Cymru, and I look forward to receiving an update on them to share that information more broadly when I have it 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778841 26 En 2026-10-14T13:42:14 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=734&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12182 12182 Louise Emery https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12182 Emery, Louise Okay. And finally, I want to talk about the Tour de France. It's coming to Wales next summer, starting in Welshpool and finishing in Cardiff. We want it to be a successful event to showcase Wales, to help the local economy and be a great event for all of us to attend. But events of this scale cost money to host. We totally accept that, that's the deal. But we want transparency around these costs now, and in the build-up to the event and the legacy funding afterwards. Now, I know you've announced the £4.5 million legacy fund, and I've got a query about that and then a question about the hosting fees. The legacy fund comes from the brilliant basics fund, or is administered through the brilliant basics fund, which is to provide small tourism infrastructure projects. Is this additional money, the £4.5 million, noting that it's going to be ring-fenced for cycling infrastructure? Or is it just part of the brilliant basics fund, so it's going to come out of that original pot? That's my first question. And secondly, the hosting fee, which public body has paid for this? Thank you. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778851 27 En 2026-10-14T13:43:15 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=795&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Dwi'n hapus i ddarparu gwybodaeth ychwanegol. Mae rhan gyntaf eich cwestiwn chi at Weinidog arall, sef Adam Price, nid yw'n rhan o fy mhortffolio i. Mae yna gydweithio agos ar y funud yn draws-weinidogol o ran y Tour de France. Fyddwch chi hefyd yn gwerthfawrogi ein bod ni wedi etifeddu'r Tour de France, ac un o'r pethau dwi ar y record o fod wedi dweud ydy bod hyn yn bethau ddylai unrhyw lywodraeth fod yn edrych arnyn nhw cyn mynd am unrhyw ddigwyddiad mawr. Mi ddylai'r holl wybodaeth yma fod yn wybyddus cyn i ni hyd yn oed roi'r cais i mewn. Dydy'r eglurder yna ddim yna. Felly, ar y funud, yr hyn dŷn ni'n ei wneud ydy gweithio'n draws-weinidogol i ddeall yn well pa symiau gwahanol sydd mewn gwahanol bortffolios ar y funud, a hefyd, o ran edrych ar y gwaddol, sut ydyn ni'n cydlynu'r holl waith hwnnw i sicrhau bod yr impact mwyaf a'r gwaddol mwyaf yn dod o hyn. Ond i fi fod yn glir, wrth i ni fel Llywodraeth fynd rhagddi, dyma'r math o newid a fydd, sef edrych ar gynllunio manwl cyn i ni fod yn rhoi cais mewn, ac nid, fel rydym ni wedi ei weld o dan Lafur, yn meddwl wedyn ar ôl i rywbeth ddod i Gymru. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778858 28 Cy 2026-10-14T13:44:29 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=869&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12177 12177 Kerry Ferguson https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12177 Ferguson, Kerry Welsh Labour spokesperson, Mike Hedges.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778860 29 En 2026-10-14T13:44:31 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=871&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 332 332 Mike Hedges https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=332 Hedges, Mike Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I want to raise a question on e-sports, which, as most people I think know, is short for electronic sports, which refers to organised competitive video gaming where individuals or teams compete in specific game surprises, ranking or prestige. E-sports have developed from a casual hobby into a structured global industry with leagues, governing bodies, teams, sponsors and dedicated venues. In Wales, the industry is growing rapidly. From my days  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778842 30 Cy 2026-10-14T13:55:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1500&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd to opportunities and facilities. I know through my own casework of a number of families who have been in touch with me to say that if they don't have a car, just how challenging it is for their children to be part of a football or rugby team because they can't get to games on the weekends. Fewer clubs can afford to get mini buses, where they may have done so in the past. These are challenges and there are no overnight solutions. There is investment taking place through the community facilities programme in Blaenau Gwent and also through Sport Wales in Caerphilly. I do think that what we need to look at is that if we are investing in facilities, how then can we support people to overcome the other barriers preventing them from participating? There are excellent programmes in Caerphilly, such as Let's Go Girls, which is an excellent example where they can provide support. But in looking at the culture and sport strategy more broadly, I'm eager to hear directly from young people and from families about the challenges that they're currently experiencing, and I would encourage all Senedd Members to contribute ideas to what would make a difference to your constituents.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778847 31 En 2026-10-14T13:56:18 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1578&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12175 12175 Shav Taj https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12175 Taj, Shav Thank you, Minister. In Cardiff, affordable indoor sport provision is essential given particularly our reputation as a rainy city, yet rising court and hall hire costs are increasingly pricing out grass-roots clubs and working class families. At the same time, it took 10 years of campaigning and partnership working between Basketball Wales and Cardiff Council to secure refurbishment of the outdoor courts of Roath Pleasure Gardens—a project that's going to be a genuine game-changer for the local community. Now, whilst investment in facilities is welcome, many young people still face financial barriers to participation. So, what specific action is the Welsh Government taking to support grass-roots clubs and ensure that a young person's opportunity to play sport is determined by their talent and ambition, not their postcode or their parents' ability to cough up?  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778861 32 Cy 2026-10-14T13:57:04 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1624&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Thank you. That's the very work that we're doing now by working on a cross-portfolio basis. The fact that we have committed to ensuring, through the new child poverty strategy, that culture, sport and participation in culture and sport is a central part of that work. That is important. The fact in the past has been that that hasn't been a sufficient factor. We all know of the barriers in place. We all know that the participation gap is widening, reliant on family income, and that's not how it should be. So, I am asking you all, Members who have examples of projects that are truly making a difference, where do you think we should be focusing our resources? Please share those with us as we develop a strategy that truly will tackle these challenges. I agree that there are excellent pockets of practice in Cardiff and in different parts of Wales, but, often, pilot schemes come to an end, although we know that they work. I do want to ensure, if there is a pilot, that we then look as to whether there is funding available to continue with that work. There are also some projects where sponsorship comes in and some businesses who can provide more into the community, that that is targeted and supported in order to allow those projects to proceed. I don't have all of the solutions in terms of 'how' at the moment, but this is part of the work we're undertaking.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778866 33 En 2026-10-14T13:58:36 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1716&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12141 12141 Zaynub Akbar https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12141 Akbar, Zaynub Participating in sport brings many benefits, as we all know. It provides physical health, mental health and well-being, while also providing opportunities to build community and bring people together. But barriers to participation can prevent people from accessing these benefits altogether. Sport Wales's 'Sport and Active Lifestyles: State of the Nation report 2024-25' notes that two of the three factors most likely to encourage future participation in sport are if there were more facilities, clubs or groups in their area, and if it cost less. There are pockets in my constituency of Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf, more specifically in Cardiff East, where public transport is infrequent and expensive. And with the decline in youth centres and community facilities in recent years following cuts, it feels as though this problem is only getting worse. I appreciate you've already answered part of this question, but I wanted to ask what action is being taken to measure and address transport-related barriers specifically, and how you're working with the Deputy Minister for Transport to make sure that there is participation for low-income families. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778873 34 Cy 2026-10-14T13:59:40 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1780&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Thank you. As I said, these are ongoing conversations. The fact that we have the Deputy First Minister leading on child poverty, the fact that we have Mark Hooper leading on transport, that you have me, and that we also have Nerys Evans, who is looking at the preventative health aspect and public health aspects, means that we're all working on this 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778840 35 Cy 2026-10-14T14:00:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1800&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd working on this in order to ensure that the plans that we put in place do tackle these challenges. I hope I can give you an assurance that we all understand the role that we have to play. I'm not just standing here saying, 'Well, this is a problem for transport', what we're trying to work together on is the solutions and on how we can make it more affordable. Because, at the end of the day, if people can't access sport and can't participate, then they're going to cost more to the health service, ultimately, be that because of mental health or physical health. So, that preventative side is crucially important, but I do recognise that these challenges are very real. We're not going to change this overnight, but we do have to move to a preventative agenda here in Wales, and that is this Government's commitment. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778855 36 Cy 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B Access to Sport 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778856 37 Cy 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport O 4491 4491 Alun Cox https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4491 Cox, Alun 4. How is the Government ensuring that participation in sport is accessible to all in Afan Ogwr Rhondda? OQ64712 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778857 38 Cy 2026-10-14T14:00:59 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1859&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd I thank the Member for the question. We are working through Sport Wales and local partners to make sport accessible to everyone in Afan Ogwr Rhondda. I have already mentioned that there are challenges and barriers in place, and through the new culture and sport strategy, we want to address those barriers. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778854 39 Cy 2026-10-14T14:01:17 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1877&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 4491 4491 Alun Cox https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4491 Cox, Alun Thank you, Minister. I should've started by saying, 'Shwmae?' 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778863 40 En 2026-10-14T14:01:22 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1882&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 4491 4491 Alun Cox https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4491 Cox, Alun Minister, the programme for government commits to prioritising equality of access to sport for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, as well as increasing participation and improving grass-roots facilities. Back in June, I had the opportunity to visit the Margam Stags inclusion football festival, bringing together children and young people of different ages and abilities. The Margam Football Club Inclusion Stags are well known in my constituency for the invaluable opportunities they provide for people who might otherwise face significant barriers to taking part in sport. I also recently visited Afan United's brand-new facilities in Sandfields, where a major investment has transformed the site into a high-quality community football hub. This has put modern sporting facilities right on the doorstep of a community where levels of deprivation are high. These are the kinds of projects that can make equality of access a reality and give young people opportunities they might not otherwise have had. Minister, how will the Government ensure that its commitment to improve grass-roots facilities is targeted towards those communities and groups where barriers to participation are greatest? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778876 41 Cy 2026-10-14T14:02:28 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1948&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd I thank the Member for that supplementary question. It's great to hear about the important projects that are currently proceeding, and one of the things that I hope that you and other Members will do is, through that call for evidence, provide those examples where this is happening. It's not something that can happen in the future, it is already happening in our communities. But there is a risk that, without investment, that work won't continue and, as you mentioned, that there is an inequality of access, because if you don't have that group, then you don't have an opportunity to participate. So, it's important that we learn from those examples that work, and then we look at how that can be duplicated in a way that works for every community, because all communities will be different in terms of solutions. But certainly that's the kind of evidence that we are gathering at the moment. I'm always willing to visit any examples; I am opening myself up to further invitations here. But it is also important that we highlight the opportunities that already exist, because some people simply aren't aware of what's available in their communities. So, there is a role for us, too, to be using our platforms in order to share that information, but there is more that we can do, too, through things like social prescribing, for example, in order to encourage those who find it difficult, even when that kind of facility or provision is available locally. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778895 42 En 2026-10-14T14:03:59 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2039&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 8696 8696 Steve Bayliss https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8696 Bayliss, Steve Diolch, Deputy Llywydd. Cabinet Minister, accessible sport means good facilities close to home with affordable, fair access to every club, school and girls' team. I welcome your expansion support for artificial pitches. In May 2024, the then Cabinet Secretary told this Chamber that the Rhondda 3G facility was a Welsh Rugby Union priority, with Coleg y Cymoedd identified as a potential solution. She urged partners to work towards applying in the following financial year. More than two years on, our community needs a clear route forward. Will you confirm whether an application has been submitted for that proposal, and whether this year's funding could support a modern 4G all-weather rugby pitch that meets the required standards for training and competitive matches while the Sport Wales audits proceed? Diolch. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778904 43 En 2026-10-14T14:04:54 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2094&l=en 261014-2 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Thank you for your question. I don't know but I will endeavour to find out what the situation is. You will also appreciate that it was a different party