New heritage body needed to promote Wales’s rich history
6 March 2013
A new national heritage organisation should be established to help protect and promote Welsh castles, monuments and other historical sites, according to a National Assembly for Wales Committee.
In its report on the historical environment in Wales, the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee concludes that currently, opportunities to promote Welsh history aren’t being capitalised on as there isn’t a co-ordinated approach drawing together public sector organisations, third sector institutions such the National Trust and private sector companies.
The Committee recommends that the Welsh Government examines the possibility of establishing an umbrella organisation, similar to bodies already established in England and Scotland.
The Committee also raised concerns about the Welsh Government’s proposal to merge the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) and Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service.
During evidence-gathering sessions, witnesses questioned whether the distinct roles of the two organisations could be reconciled and whether the skills and expertise of the RCAHMW would be lost. There were also concerns about the timing of the proposal, which some felt was being rushed into proceeding without a full consultation.
The Committee has recommended that the Welsh Government give full consideration to these concerns before proceeding with any merger.
“Last week the country marked St David’s Day – a celebration of Wales’s history and culture,” said Ann Jones AM, Chair of the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee.
“Occasions such as this remind us of the wonderfully rich heritage Wales has and that that heritage can be seen and explored in the hundreds of castles, monuments and other historical sites across the country.
“To help in both the promotion and protection of such sites the Committee felt that the case for an umbrella body to represent Wales’s historical environment was persuasive.
“Such a body would bring together and represent the various organisations, and play a significant role in strengthening small, not-for-profit organisations that are passionate about protecting our historical sites but lack the resources and support of a national body.
“To that end we have recommended that the Welsh Government examines the possibility of establishing an organisation with a role similar to those already in place in England and Scotland.
The Committee makes 14 recommendations in its report including:
The Welsh Government should explore the possibility of establishing a representative umbrella body, such as English Heritage, to represent non-Government organisations in the third and private sectors;
Before proceeding with any merger involving the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, the Welsh Government should give full consideration to the concerns raised by expert witnesses during the course of our inquiry; and,
The Welsh Government should put in place mechanisms to ensure better collaboration in promoting the historic environment.