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‘Deep concern’ over Museum Wales dispute process says committee

Image: St Fagans National Museum of History

A ​​Senedd Cymru committee has concluded its scrutiny of Amgueddfa Cymru’s accounts today

A committee within Welsh parliament which looked into the accounts of Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales has said it is “deeply concerned” about the processes employed by the Government sponsored body during a dispute between two of its senior members.

The Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee within Senedd Cymru – Wales’ parliament – today shared its concern relating to the processes employed during a dispute between the former President and Director General, and the interactions between Amgueddfa Cymru and the Welsh Government.

The issues were examined by the Committee as part of their scrutiny of Amgueddfa Cymru’s accounts for 2021/22 which is published today, Wednesday 26 June.

It said pay-outs to individuals and the legal costs of numerous tribunals have cost the Welsh public in excess of £750,000.

Mark Isherwood MS, Chair of the committee said it was “evident that further measures are necessary to prevent a recurrence of such issues at any public body.

“The processes in place at the time where [sic] wholly inadequate and the matter should have been resolved at the earliest opportunity, avoiding significant unnecessary costs. The fact of this failure is amplified today, considering the grave financial problems facing Amgueddfa Cymru.”

The Committee questioned the Welsh Government move, in the wake of the dispute, to appoint the former President, Roger Lewis, to a new role leading a governance review at Cadw – the historic environment service of the Welsh Government.

Isherwood called for a more robust appointment system in Welsh Government, “with increased transparency and accountability around appointments like these in the future.”

A new Chair and new Chief Executive have been in post at Amgueddfa Cymru since September and November 2023 respectively.

“In future scrutiny, the Committee will want to know how Amgueddfa Cymru is responding to these pressures, and how the Welsh Government is going to safeguard these vitally important sites and collections,” said Isherwood.

The Petition Committee’s debate about future funding for heritage institutions such as Amgueddfa Cymru will take place in Plenary this afternoon, Wednesday, 26 June.

Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales comprises seven museums including National Museum Cardiff and St Fagans National Museum of History.

Museum Wales told Advisor it “welcomes the publication from the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee (PAPAC) and we’re committed to acting on the Committee’s recommendations.

“The last few years have been challenging for Amgueddfa Cymru. Lessons have been learned. Following the Welsh Government’s Tailored Review in 2023, Amgueddfa Cymru has already taken significant steps to update and strengthen our governance arrangements. We’re confident that these steps mean we won’t face such challenges in the future.

“Under the leadership of our new Chair, Vice Chair and Chief Executive, and with a Board of Trustees with many new members, we’re moving forward and focusing on continuing to deliver inspirational, inclusive and impactful experiences for the people of Wales, across all our museums.”