Cross Party Group Title: |
Cross-Party Group for the Outdoor Activity Sector |
Date of Meeting: |
10th November 2022 |
Location: |
Via Zoom |
Name: |
Title: |
|
Huw Irranca-Davies MS (HI-D) |
Chair - Member of the Senedd |
|
Sam Rowlands MS (SR) |
Vice Chair - Member of the Senedd |
|
Sûan John (SJ) |
Observer - Office of Cefin Campbell (Vice Chair) |
|
Paul Donovan (PD) |
Secretariat - Outdoor Alliance Wales and Wales Adventure Tourism Organisation |
|
Graham French (GF) |
Member - Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres & Wales Council for Outdoor Learning |
|
Gethin Thomas (GT) |
Member - British Caving Association Qualifications Committee |
|
Paul Airey (PA) |
Member - The Outdoor Partnership |
|
Paul Frost (PF) |
Member - The Outdoor Partnership |
|
Tracey Evans (TE) |
Member - The Outdoor Partnership |
|
Mark Jones (MJ) |
Member - The Outdoor Partnership |
|
Gwenda Owen (GO) |
Member - Cycling UK |
|
Andy Taylor (AT) |
Member - Adventure Activities Industry Advisory Committee |
|
Steven Morgan (SM) |
Member - Plas Menai |
|
Helen Donnan (HD) |
Member - British Horse Society |
|
Kathryn Stewart (KS) |
Member - British Horse Society |
|
Jethro Moore (JM) |
Member - Adventure Beyond & National Coasteering Chater |
|
Phil Stone (PS) |
Member - Canoe Wales |
Name: |
Title: |
|
Rebecca Brough |
Member - Ramblers Cymru |
|
Steve Rayner |
Member - South Wales Outdoor Activity Providers Group |
|
Kate Ashbrook |
Member - Open Spaces Society |
|
Peredur Owen Griffith MS |
Member of the Senedd |
|
Delyth Jewell MS |
Member of the Senedd |
|
Llyr Gruffydd MS |
Member of the Senedd |
|
Cefin Campbell MS |
Member of the Senedd |
Agenda, Notes & Actions
1. Welcome, Introduction and Apologies
The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all in attendance to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2022 of the CPG for the Outdoor Activity Sector.
Apologies were noted, as above
The Chair thanked all members of the CPG for their commitment to the discussions over the last 12 months, noting and thanking the attendance and contribution from Ministers.
The Chair noted his continued support for the CPG but due to capacity and other commitments that he would be stepping down as Chair but very happy to continue to be involved.
2. Nominations for Chair, Vice Chair(s) and Secretariat
The Chair handed over to the Secretariat to call for nominations for the position of Chair by any of the Members of the Senedd (MS) in the meeting. HI-D nominated SR; CC seconded the nomination (by proxy in email correspondence). SR accepted the position and PD handed back the to the new Chair.
The Chair called for nominations for the position(s) of Vice Chair. SR nominated HI-D & CC; CC & HI-D seconded each other respectively. Both CC & HI-D accepted the positions of Vice Chair.
PD offered a willingness to continue in the role of Secretariat with the support of Rebecca Brough. This was supported by all in attendance at the meeting.
3. Summary of years activity
The Secretariat provided the follow summary of the years activity:
Meeting #1 15.07.2021
i. Appointment of positions: Chair - Huw Irranca-Davies MS; Vice Chairs - Sam Rowlands MS & Cefin Campbell MS; Secretariat - Paul Donovan
ii. Agreed name: CPG for the Outdoor Activity Sector
iii. Agreed Purpose: 1. To inform and influence future policy; 2. To elevate the status of the outdoor activity sector in Wales and support its sustainable growth; 3. To support the advancement of equitable access to the natural environment for outdoor learning and activities.
iv.Generated ideas for future meetings.
Action Points
AP1: Identify initial meeting topics for the next meeting and beyond. Chair & Secretariat to liaise.
AP2: Draft a letter to be sent to Ministers to highlight the establishing of the group and the willingness to engage and support Government. Chair & Secretariat to liaise.
Meeting #2 13.12.2021
What & who is the Outdoor Sector presentation followed by informal discussion
Meeting attended by Vaughan Gething, Minister for Economy
Action Points
AP1: A letter to be sent to cross cabinet members of the government and the First Minister, picking up on key points - challenges, opportunities and solutions to the issues in question and noting that we are keen to work with and help WG. Secretariat to start this process, utilising the Outdoor Alliance Manifesto 2021 as a starting point for identifying the key points. All to contribute thereafter.
AP2: A back bench debate in the Spring to raise the profile of the sector and some of the points raised today. All to consider the key aspects that need to be included in the debate and reach out to respective MSs (the content of the letter noted in Action 1. will assist with this). Chair & Vice Chair to identify an opportune time for this to happen and therefore make it happen.
AP3: Update economic and social value research for the outdoor sector in Wales and consider updating the research related to the economic value of the rights of way networks across Wales. Secretariat to collate any existing research as a staring point. All to contribute.
Meeting #3 12.07.2022
Why equitable Access to the outdoors is needed presentation followed by informal discussion
Meeting attended by Julie James, Minister for Climate Change
Action Points
AP1: Letter to be drafted from the Chair to put formal proposals on a public land pilot to the Minister.
AP2: Add to agenda for next meeting consideration of funding resources to explore what can be progress now and agree a way forward.
Meeting #4 28.09.2022
Outdoor Education & Learning in Wales presentation followed by informal discussion
Meeting attended by Jeremy Miles, Minister for Education & Welsh Language
Action Points
AP1. Mapping exercise of resources to be explored with the OEAP - Secretariat to initiate conversations with key outdoor education organisations and report back at the next meeting of the CPG.
AP2. Further explore Minister suggestion of National Network conversations with a focus on Outdoor Learning - Secretariat to make a request of the Minister to make a visit of Storey Arms in the new year with a view to following up on the Ministers suggestion and also his other reflections.
AP3. Arrange an AGM - Secretariat to make the necessary arrangements asap, ensuring the availability of the Chair and Vice Chairs.
5. Ideas for future meeting topics
The Chair opened this request out initially to the Secretariat for any initial thoughts before opening it up to the members in attendance.
The Secretariat noted that initial and informal invitations have been made to Dawn Bowden Deputy Minister for Sport to join the next CPG meeting early in the near year where the focus will be around Safety in the Outdoors, taking into account the following: The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) ongoing review and the proposed sector-led alternative to AALA, were the act to be repealed in Westminster; The safety of the people of wales and those who visit Wales whilst venturing outdoors. It was agreed that a formal approach would be made by the CPG to the Deputy Minister, with the support of HI-D to attend a face to face extended meeting early in 2023 at Plas Menai to include two presentations, each followed by discussions and with the opportunity (weather & time of year permitting) to take part in an outdoor activity (thanks to Plas Menai for offering their venue and activity opportunity).
The following is an overview of the suggestions made during the meeting:
i. Access - a follow up to the previous meeting held in July 2022, possibly involving representatives from the WLGA;
ii. Access to water - whilst related to the above, it was felt that there was merit to have specific discussion relating to access to water;
iii. Social Prescribing - with the possibility of inviting the Minister for Health to join us;
iv. Outdoor & Adventure Tourism - possibly use the Covid situation as a catalyst to consider the impact on communities etc. - education regarding how to sustainably use the natural environment;
v. Consider inviting other key individuals to attend and present at meetings, those who are in positions of influence
All suggestions were well received by all.
The following are topics highlighted during the inaugural meeting of the CPG which are yet to have been discussed:
vi. The strengths of being outdoors and how to connect with nature;
vii. Making use of the outdoors for health and well-being benefits;
viii. Workforce development and developing pathways for employment - apprenticeships.
6. Summary of Actions
AP1. Formally invite Dawn Bowden Deputy Minister for Sport to join the CPG for a face to face meeting at Plas Menai, early in 2023. HI-D (Vice Chair) to make this formal invitation on behalf of the CPG. Secretariat to liaise with Plas Menai and invite all CPG members once a date has been confirmed.
AP2. Chair & Secretariat to liaise regarding plans for the next 12 months.