As a result of changes in Lottery legislation, the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) is setting Lottery funding priorities for the first time. In the past, Lottery distributors have been presented with a set of priorities for the whole of the UK, determined by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and these have then been tailored to individual countries and regions. However, under Clause 14 of the National Lottery Bill which is currently progressing through the Houses of Parliament, responsibility for setting priorities for the Big Lottery Fund is being devolved to the Assembly.
The directions just issued to the Big Lottery require the Fund to deliver on three broad outcomes across Wales: developing skills, building stronger communities and improving health. Four specific funding programmes have been launched to target these areas with funds totalling £120m over the next three years. Alun Pugh, WAG Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport said, This is the first time that directions have been developed in Wales, targeted at Welsh priorities. This is another milestone in the Welsh Assembly Governments drive to ensure that key decisions affecting the people of Wales are taken in Wales. WAG has indicated that this move may be followed by the setting of detailed policy agendas for the other Lottery distributors in Wales, including the Arts Council of Wales (ACW). A spokesperson for ACW said that the funding body was anticipating that the Assembly will be giving new directions to us related to WAGs commitment to social inclusion agendas.
Published: 19-12-2005