THE AM for Newport East says he wants to make sure everyone in Wales benefits from a better quality of life through sport, culture and the countryside.

John Griffiths has taken over the reins of the Welsh Government’s culture department after March’s reshuffle.

As well as culture and sport, Mr Griffiths has also taken responsibility for Wales’ cycling policy and is backing a proposed law that aims to get people out of their cars and onto their bikes.

He said: “I want to make sure that everybody in Wales benefits from the quality of life that sport, culture and access to the countryside brings, “If we look at sport for example, that is allied to access to the countryside.

If we get a fitter and more physically active Wales, that will have very obvious health benefits and would ease the strain on the NHS.

“The potential of sport is clear from the recent success of Cardiff City gaining promotion to the Premiership... We’ve seen the Wales rugby team win the Six Nations.

“Closer to home I’m very, very pleased with the very successful season that Newport County have enjoyed,” said the life-long County fan, who spoke before last weekend’s playoff final.

“I think the power of sport in terms of the feel-good factor for communities in Wales is really powerful but it also raises our profile internationally.”

The AM will be working with transport minister Edwina Hart on getting the Active Travel Bill through the Assembly, which aims to boost the promotion of walking and cycling routes that already exist, and place duties on councils to map what paths are there.

It will also require local authorities to map future routes and deliver on them – Mr Griffiths says the bill will result in more segregated cycle routes.

He said through the bill he would be trying to ensure “we add to these quality walking and cycle routes and promote them effectively as possible, so we really do get a step change”.

“If we can do that we will have huge health, fitness and economic benefits as well as much better quality of life.”

He said the Welsh Government does still see cycling as an alternative form of transport rather than just a leisure activity, despite the move of cycling to his culture portfolio rather than alongside transport.

“It is about purposeful travel, it’s not about recreational walking and cycling... It’s very much about modal shift, getting people out of their cars and onto their bikes and walking,” he said.

The Active Travel Bill is currently being scrutinised by Assembly AMs at committee. Mr Griffiths says it is hoped the bill will be on the statute book this year.

Getting teeth into new top role

LAST March’s reshuffle saw one of Gwent’s AMs promoted to the cabinet, taking over the responsibility for the environment from John Griffiths.

Alun Davies, AM for Blaenau Gwent, is responsible for everything from waste management and pollution to farming and food, in his new position as natural resources and food minister.

Mr Davies outlined how his portfolio can be as relevant to Blaenau Gwent as in other parts of Wales.

“I think it’s important that people who go to school understand where their food comes from and understand the importance of a balanced diet,” he said.

“The food sector is important to us in Blaenau Gwent, where we have a number of people involved.”

The new Natural Resources Wales agency, which is the result of the merger of Environment Agency Wales and other bodies, is also accountable to Mr Davies.

Lately the portfolio, along with his previous responsibility for agriculture as a deputy minister, has thrown up a number of challenges.

“I have had to deal with horsemeat issues.

“Just as we thought that we were getting out of winter we had one of the toughest March and Aprils we’ve seen in 15 years.

“We are constantly facing up to these challenges and dealing with them.”