Agenda item

Members received a verbal update.

The Head of Leisure, Tourism, Heritage and Culture provided members with a verbal update; a report will be considered by Cabinet on the 19th of March, to inform members about the process and agree on the final budget. Over recent months, there has been significant progress in collaboration with the Urdd around the event. The key achievements to date have included:

•The registration of 700 additional members from the local Neath Port Talbot/Swansea area; Neath Port Talbot currently has the highest number of registered competitors throughout Wales. The registration numbers as a whole have increased, resulting in more children competing at the nationals and potentially increasing the number of attendees and overnight stays which will benefit the local economy.

•There has been a notable increase in Welsh learners from the Neath Port Talbot/Swansea area registering to compete, the percentage of regional Welsh learner competitors has risen from 20% to 31%. This achievement is largely attributed to the links made through shared prosperity funding and Welsh learners.  It is important to leave an ongoing legacy through the festival.

•Competitors from low-income backgrounds in the Neath Port Talbot area have increased from 20% to 22%, which is significant for maintaining opportunities.

•The local organising committee has made good progress in fundraising and engaging with local schools. The event is seen as significant for the area, with involvement from council officers, elected members and members of the public.

•The Safety Advisory Group is due to meet shortly to address safety issues; risks have been highlighted, including potential wet weather and traffic issues due to the overlap with the "In It Together" festival. Efforts are being made to mitigate these risks, including trackway preparations and coordination between the two festivals.

The report requests that Cabinet approve an additional contribution for activation and hosting the site, providing assistance with scaffolding and trackway.

Members expressed excitement and gratitude that the Eisteddfod would be held locally, highlighting the positive impact on young people and the Welsh language. Members shared the concern regarding potential traffic clashes with the ‘In It Together’ festival.

The Head of Service advised members that it was understood that the In It Together festival ended on the Sunday evening with participants leaving late Sunday night/early Monday morning. The Eisteddfod would commence on Monday. Assurance was given that there have been considerations made to traffic systems and signage to manage the situation.

Members enquired about logistics for moving waste from the site.

The Head of Service confirmed that the Eisteddfod and In It Together festival were on two separate sites, there would be no linkage between the sites but there may be consideration given to this in future years. It was noted that the festival brings a considerable amount of people into the local area and it would be good to see this benefit the local area more than it currently does.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economic Growth thanked officers for their work and expressed gratitude that this project was being brought to the area. A suggestion was made regarding Urdd signage on the route to the Eisteddfod to welcome people to the event. The Cabinet Member offered to act as a volunteer at the event and requested that this suggestion also be put out to other members who may also want to be involved.

The Head of Service thanked the Cabinet Member for his ideas, and these would be given consideration. 

Members noted the verbal update.