(Title Image: Elliot Brown via Flickr)
Llywydd to review security procedures after people denied access to the public gallery
the Assembly Commission will review its security procedures after climate change protestors were denied access to the public gallery above the Senedd chamber prior to a debate on declaring a “climate emergency”.
At the moment, policy limits six members of a protest group from being in the gallery at any one time. Helen Mary Jones AM (Plaid, Mid & West Wales) said: “I am not in a position to establish this one way or the other, but it was certainly the impression of some of those people that whether or not they were admitted depended on their appearance, on whether they were perceived to be respectable. “
National Football Museum plans “woolly”
The Welsh Government’s plans for a National Football Museum in Wrexham have been described as “woolly” and “lacking ambition” by Welsh football writer, Phil Stead, and Mark Isherwood AM (Con, North Wales).
At the moment, the plans are to locate the museum at Wrexham Museum, but there has been support for the museum to be located at The Racecourse stadium. However, the Welsh Government were said to be confident the plans would be a success and a way forward is expected to be agreed by the summer.
£4.3million for Welsh language promotion
Coinciding with the 2019 Urdd Eisteddfod in Cardiff, International Affairs & Welsh Language Minister, Eluned Morgan (Lab, Mid & West Wales), announced £4.3million to support and promote the Welsh language. The money will be used by 79 different organisations and will be used to support hyperlocal Welsh language news publications (known as Papurau Bro).
The Minister said: “This funding ensures we continue to innovate and build on successful practices and projects, which provide opportunities for Welsh speakers old and new to use, share and enjoy the language over the coming year and for years to come.”
Girls need to be targeted in sport participation drive
The Chief Executive of Sport Wales, Sarah Powell, has said primary-age girls need to be targeted to boost the numbers of women taking part in exercise overall. Despite a 1% rise in the number of women and girls taking part in exercise at least three times a week over the last year, participation amongst women remains lower than men.
She called for more women’s and girls sports teams to be set up and for parents to ask why there are limited opportunities for girls sports at school and to demand changes.
Post-Brexit rights monitor “to be based in Swansea”
The UK Government has selected Swansea to host a watchdog to monitor the rights of EU citizens after Brexit. It’s expected the organisation will support 200 legal experts. The Welsh Secretary said it was “exciting” and that even in the event of a No Deal Brexit, the institution would still be required.