The future of our past: Welsh Government consultation on proposals for the historic environment of Wales, 2013

In July 2013, the Welsh Government issued, The future of our past, a consultation document containing “proposals for improvements to current systems for the protection and sustainable management of the Welsh historic environment and the delivery of historic environment services on the national, regional and local level”.

The proposals, once finalised and approved, will be enshrined in the Heritage Bill which forms part of the Government’s Programme for the Assembly in the period to 2016.

The Learned Society of Wales has submitted a response to the proposals, together with a covering letter from the President. The response was drafted in consultation with Fellows of the Society who have many years’ experience of issues relating to the Welsh historic environment.

One of the key issues addressed in the Society’s response is the proposal to merge the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales  and Cadw . The Commission is the scholarly investigation body and national archive for the historic environment of Wales which has the lead role in ensuring that Wales’s archaeological, built and maritime heritage is authoritatively recorded, and which seeks to promote the understanding and appreciation of this heritage nationally and internationally.  Cadw is the Welsh Government’s historic environment service working for an accessible and well-protected historic environment for Wales, to conserve Wales’s heritage, help people understand and care about their history, and help sustain the distinctive character of Wales.

The Society has commented previously upon the proposal to merge the two organisations.

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The Society welcomes the Minister for Culture and Sport’s statement (14 January 2014) that “Cadw and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales will remain separate organisations for the time being.