Y Pwyllgor Diwylliant, y Gymraeg a Chwaraeon

Adolygiad Polisi: Cyfraniad y Celfyddydau a Chwaraeon at Adfywio Cymunedol

WLGA

Dear Colleagues The Contribution of Arts and Sport to Community Regeneration Thank you for this opportunity to respond to the initial stage of this very important consultation. This review is particularly timely given the continuing impact of structural funding. Furthermore, the publication of the Culture Minister’s Climbing Higher strategy has moved the important role of sport in health and community life closer to the centre of the political agenda. This review can contribute to the already valuable policy work which is currently conducted in the field of regeneration. In general terms, however, it is probably safe to say that the arts and sport can fulfill a far greater role within the regeneration agenda than it has previously been allowed. Arts and Sport projects, when provided locally, can benefit the community in many ways. They can provide a source of both direct and indirect employment, and can regenerate the workforce by providing opportunities for work and the development of new skills. They can enhance the physical environment of a community and just as importantly encourage co-operation between a range of local providers in a truly "joined-up" way. In economic terms, Arts and Sport can also be a catalyst for tourism. WTB research (2000) suggests that tourists visit Wales mainly for the scenery and culture. It is therefore clear that the range and quality of cultural and leisure facilities have a direct impact on the number of visitors and by association the economy of the country. The Association would like to see better linkages between providers in this field. The WTB cultural tourism strategy is welcomed and would benefit from joint action on planning, delivery and investment to realise Wales’ potential. National festivals and events are a key opportunity to put Wales in the shop window. Significant Wales-wide events - such as the Urdd, National and International Eisteddfodau - can have not only a major impact on the local economy but can raise public consciousness of the area as a tourist destination. Of equal importance are local events - often run on limited resources - which bring significant benefits to local accommodation and food businesses as well as promoting the image of the area. Could such events be approached in a more strategic way to ensure that long-term planning and investment has the opportunity to effect a major change locally? A feature of the creative community in Wales is that - one or two national organisations apart - the field is dominated by a large number of small companies, often freelance, who are statistically difficult to pick up. Again, such organisations provide an economic boon to the area but also, according to Professor Michael Craig-Martin, heighten awareness of their areas a "lively, creative and forward looking" places. Centres which provide a focal point for diverse groups of artists, such as those in Corris and Aberaeron, are a fine example. The commissioning process for new art is often not understood by regenerationalists and art is consequently often an "add-on" rather than an integral part of the regeneration process. Arts and Sport projects often suffer in comparison with statutory local government responsibilities. When finances are limited, as at present, authorities are often forced to protect statutory services at the expense of others. Any funding which can be directed towards Arts and Sport is often project-based and therefore unstructured, while regeneration (and particularly social regeneration) requires strategic long-term planning. The local authority could become the interface between artists, sport people and the business sector to link these issues. Thank you once again for this opportunity to put the local government view, and I hope we will be able to flesh out some of these ideas in the Culture Committee’s forthcoming evidence sessions. Yours sincerely Cllr. Jeff Jones Spokesperson for Education and Leisure Llefarydd Addysg a Hamdden