(Title Image: Wales Online)
- Concerns over the future of live venues and comments from the UK Chancellor that musicians should “get another job”.
- Parts of Plaid Cymru’s motion opposing proposed military museums in Cardiff Bay rejected.
- Welsh Government “eager” to see how the planning system can be used to protect historic buildings.
The Motion
It was much longer than this. Resultingly, the debate coverage has been cut back.
The Senedd:
- Recognises the importance of the arts, culture and heritage sectors and the challenges these sectors face as a result of Covid-19.
- Welcomes the renewed exploration of Wales’ diverse heritage in light of the Black Lives Matter movement and other campaigns and supports calls to ensure our heritage is promoted sensitively and inclusively.
- Regrets that the UK Government’s job support scheme is unlikely to save many arts, music and cultural attractions from closure.
- Opposes proposals to develop military museums in Cardiff Bay.
- Calls on the Welsh Government to:
- work with arts organisations to implement the recommendations of the report, ‘Rebalancing and Reimagining: Strategies to Support Arts and Performance Freelancers”;
- use the planning system to restrict the ability of buildings that were used for arts, cultural and heritage purposes to receive planning permission for a change of use whilst the pandemic continues;
- explore the creation of a National Museum for People of Colour History, based in Tiger Bay, as an alternative to military museums and ensure more people of colour involvement in arts and cultural bodies;
- ensure the Welsh language is at the heart of the workforce and output of the arts sector and introduce statutory protections to prevent the loss of Welsh language place names;
- ensure each government department works strategically towards the delivery of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 goal of a vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language.
Plaid Cymru members made a case for the arts being an escape from pandemic worries, now under long-term threat unless the sector is treated with the necessary esteem by both the Welsh and UK governments.
It was argued that the planning system should be used to put a “firewall” around arts venues to protect them from speculative developments, while the UK Chancellor’s recent comments on musicians showed blatant disrespect.
Backbench Labour MSs made the case for clearer Welsh Government guidance on how and when music is to be performed or taught, as well as noting the impact of the 10 pm curfew for alcohol sales on live venues (which may make most of their money after then); Clwb Ifor Bach was forced to close when the curfew came in.
While only part of the Plaid motion focused on the proposed military museums (dedicated to medicine and music respectively) in Cardiff Bay, Laura Anne Jones MS (Con, South Wales East) said Plaid’s “pacifism was clouding their judgement” and showed contempt for the armed forces, which was strongly rebuffed by Helen Mary Jones MS (Plaid, Mid & West Wales) whose father served in the Second World War.
In response, Deputy Minister for Culture, Tourism & Sport, Dafydd Elis-Thomas (Ind, Dwyfor Meirionnydd) was open-minded on the case for a BAME history museum, but the question was whether it should be a stand-alone venue or fully integrated into the other museums and exhibits.
He was eager to see how the planning system could be used to protect historic buildings (though there was no specific reference to Welsh place names in his response). Additionally, he didn’t expect any Welsh Government funding to go to the proposed military museums as they’re private developments and wouldn’t be part of the National Museums system.
Vote
The Welsh Government amended motion which:
- was largely the same but more softly-worded on protecting Welsh language place names
- removed specific references to a stand-alone black history museum (it supported exploring options for BAME history being “represented throughout the museum network” instead)
- removed opposition to military museums in Cardiff Bay
….was approved by 28-23 with 1 abstention.
