'No Action on Welsh Arts' says Arrogant Culture Minster

11.07.00am GMT Thu 7th Dec 2006

Eleanor Burnham AM, has slammed Culture Minister Alun Pugh and his Labour government for their refusal to consult with arts organizations and the public before major decisions affecting people throughout Wales.

Three of four key Welsh Liberal Democrat amendments designed to ensure that the government would take action to implement crucial changes to the development of Welsh arts were yesterday voted down by a Labour majority and Plaid Cymru's abstentions.

Ms Burnham, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Culture Spokesperson, believes that the amendments would have served to force the government take the reports recommendations seriously. In particular, the Welsh Liberal Democrats wanted to see the Culture and Local Government Ministers produce an action plan on local authority and Arts Council partnerships. Without this, it is feared that the Labour government will fail to make the urgent reforms listed in the report reality.

Ms Burnham said: "It's terribly disappointing that Mr Pugh's government have decided that consultation with arts bodies, organizations and the Welsh public simply doesn't matter.

"Our amendments were designed to ensure the government responds positively to the report, but sadly we have seen yet more Labour arrogance in this debate.

"It seems that the Labour members are unable to see the potential for arts beyond their own backyard. We have all heard about the access to arts trumpeted in the South Wales Valleys, but this government is severely lacking a Wales-wide view of the issues that the report has shown must be addressed."

Notes

Eleanor Burnham moved the following amendments on behalf of the Welsh Liberal democrats in Plenary today:

Amendment 4 - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire)

Add new point at end of motion:

"Welcomes the re-affirmation of the 'arm's length' principle for the strategic management of the Arts in Wales."

Amendment passed.

Amendment 5 - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire)

Add new point at end of motion:

"Calls on the Culture Minister and Local Government and Public Services Minister to jointly produce an action plan on the implementation of the recommendation to develop strategic partnerships between the Arts Council Wales and Local Authorities."

Amendment fell.

Amendment 6 - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire)

Add new point at end of motion:

"Calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to respond to the Report by producing a sustainable plan for growth of the Arts in Wales in line with all of the recommendations of the Wales Arts Review."

Amendment fell.

Amendment 7 - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire)

Add new point at end of motion:

"Believes that the substance of this Report demonstrates the need for the Welsh Assembly Government to conduct consultation before making major decisions on the future of the Arts in Wales."

Amendment fell.

Ends/Diwedd