Order, Order

We turn now to a Stage 1 Vote on WB149, the Sports Broadcasting (Funding) Bill, in the name of the Welsh Government.

Sports Broadcasting (Funding) Bill

A

BILL

TO

Expand spending towards sports broadcasting in Wales

be enacted by the Senedd Cymru and having received the assent of His Majesty, it is enacted as follows

Section 1 - Definitions

(1) A broadcaster shall refer to any public broadcaster that operates within Wales. This includes groups like ITV, Channel 4, and the BBC.

(2) A sports venue refers to any stadium or public playing field where members of the public attend to watch sporting matches.

Section 2 - Government Funding & Usage of Funds

(1) The Welsh Government must allocate £12 million pounds per annum towards public sport broadcasting. I. This number shall be at the discretion of the relevant Minister, and may be changed via statement to the Senedd or amendment in the Budget.

(2) The Welsh Government must allocate a further £20 million pounds towards public sporting venues in Wales. I. Funding shall be allocated based on the size, location and seating capacity of an individual venue. II. This number shall be at the discretion of the relevant minister, and may be changed via statement to the Senedd or amendment in the Budget.

(3) This funding shall be directed through Sports Wales, which will be responsible for handing out funds. I. Sports Wales must take into account viewing numbers and amount of games broadcast or held per year when determining the amount to give each broadcaster or venue.

(4) The Welsh Government will be responsible for ensuring that this funding is allocated in a fair and timely manner.

(5) Funds for independent venues must be used for: I. renovation of the venue if necessary II. Promotion of the local team III. Promotion of the venue

(6) Funds for public broadcasters must be used for: Promoting Welsh sporting events Advertising local games within Wales To bid on broadcasting rights for games Advertising local Welsh sports teams

(7) Funds must be used for the purposes listed in sections (5) and (6), otherwise they will be considered a misuse of funds under Section 3 of this bill.

Section 3 - Oversight

The Ministry of Culture will be responsible for overseeing the use of funds allocated per year.

Recipients of funds will be required to submit reports one every financial year to Sports Wales and the Ministry outlining the use of funds within that year.

Misuse of funds, or a failure to report their usage will result in funding being withdrawn for a period defined by the Minister of Culture. I. This period must not exceed one financial year on the first offence or three on the second offence. II. Funding may be withdrawn indefinitely if the Minister of Culture and Minister of Finance believe the relevant recipient shall continue to misuse funds after the second offence. If the Minister of Culture and the Minister of Finance are the same person, the First Minister must also give explicit consent for funding to be withdrawn.

If necessary, reports may be sent to the Ministry of Finance, which will act in this capacity if the relevant minister is in absentia for reasons of resignation or illness. I. Should this happen, reports must be given to the Minister of Culture when the period of absence ends.

Section 4 - Commencement & Short Title

(1) This bill shall come into force on the 1st January 2025.

(2) This bill may be cited as the Sports Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2023.

This Bill has been submitted by u/realbassist on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Opening speech.

Llywydd,

Sports in Wales is an important cultural activity. Across the celtic nations, sport has been a unifying force. As a government, we are dedicated to making sure the positive impact of sports is felt across this country, from Swansea to Anglesey. Our rugby team is second to none, and our legacy in football is feared in every coach’s office from here to Buenos Aires, and further!

It is for this reason that this government is determined to keep our legacy alive. We believe that a boost in funding towards both Welsh broadcasters and public venues will make sure our teams have the best practice space, the best coverage, and continue to be the best players in the world. I am proud to reinforce this proud tradition of ours, and I hope the House can back us in this endeavour as well!

Link to the Debate

Voting on this bill will end at the close of business on Tuesday 26th of November at 10pm BST