CELG(4) HIS 13

Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee

Inquiry into the Welsh Government’s Historic Environment Policy

Response from Brecknock Art Trust

At a recent meeting of the Trustees I was asked to write to  you to express our  deep concern about proposals to destroy the existing Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales  (RCAHMW) and to subsume its role into CADW.

To quote from the internal review

The Royal Commission is a highly respected organisation, made up of well qualified, experienced and committed staff and acknowledged experts as Commissioners. The organisation is active in promoting and leading partnerships and working towards delivering on its remit targets.

We would in particular point out that in the last few years RCAHMW has taken a vital role in making their work more visible and responsive to the general public. Initiatives include  the key role they have taken in setting up the Peoples Collection which I believe can act as a genuine source of information about the heritage and culture of Wales which is directly accessible to all citizens and encourages their active engagement.

Another example is RCAHMW creation of the splendid Hidden Histories series on  television and for the publications that go with them , bringing alive to millions of people in Wales the vitality and fascination of local history.

We would ask you to look carefully at the proposals that RCAHMW has made itself for working closely with other agencies and to review with great care any development that would weaken the role of RCAHMW and thereby the heritage of Wales ,

Yours Sincerely

William Gibbs (on behalf of Trustees Brecknock Art Trust)