Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership
Today I am pleased to announce the publication of the review of the relationship between Cadw and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW).
This review forms a key part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to delivering a sustainable, high-quality historic environment service for Wales and advancing our Priorities for Culture.
A cross-organisational Working Group was convened, including senior representatives from Cadw, the RCAHMW, Welsh Government officials, trade unions, and Carole Souter CBE, an independent heritage expert. The Group considered three options for the future relationship: maintaining current arrangements, closer strategic collaboration, and a full merger bringing together the work of Cadw and the RCAHMW to create an integrated Welsh Government historic environment service. Their work involved extensive engagement with staff and stakeholders, and consultation with partners such as the National Library of Wales, Amgueddfa Cymru, and Heneb: The Trust for Welsh Archaeology.
The Working Group concluded that of these options, merger has the most potential to deliver sustainable long-term benefits for the sector and the people of Wales, but further detailed work is required— in particular to articulate the strategic benefits and the costs of delivering them, and establish measures to safeguard the National Monuments Record of Wales, which is the national archive for the historic environment. The Commissioners of the RCAHMW have indicated that they recognise the opportunities that would be provided by the creation of an integrated service, subject to the outcome of this further work.
I welcome these findings. The Working Group has identified the positive benefits that could be achieved through bringing together the work of Cadw and the RCAHMW to create an integrated Welsh Government historic environment service. I have asked my officials to work closely and collaboratively with the RCAHMW to further explore this option and the assurances required by the Commissioners in more detail.
In the meantime Cadw and RCAHMW continue to work collaboratively to deliver the Welsh Government’s priorities. Alongside pioneering work on historic place names, the organisations also work together to maintain shared national heritage records, and to coordinate survey and recording across archaeology, buildings, landscapes and maritime remains, ensuring that Wales’s historic environment is extensively documented and accessible.
I want to take this opportunity to emphasise the positive engagement throughout the review from staff in Cadw and the RCAHMW, as well as from the trade unions, and to recognise the many comments expressed by stakeholders regarding the high level of expertise, professionalism, and commitment of staff in both organisations to delivering the highest quality of service for promoting understanding, protection and appreciation of our historic environment. The ongoing involvement of staff will remain crucial as we move forward, supporting the work required on the path to the establishment of an integrated service.
I would like to thank the Working Group, Carole Souter, and all the organisations and individuals who engaged with this exercise. Their expertise, commitment, and constructive engagement have been invaluable in shaping the review and its recommendations.
The full report is available at: Review of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales and Cadw: executive summary