2025-03-31-accounts

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General Activities and Lottery Distribution Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 1

Cover: Out of this World , Heather Phillipson, Glynn Vivian Art Gallery (Image: Polly Thomas)

Charity number 1034245

This document is available in Cymraeg: www.celf.cymru

Arts Council of Wales is committed to being open and accessible and will endeavour to provide information in languages other than Welsh or English on request.

What we do ...........................................................................................................................4 Chair’s foreword ....................................................................................................................5 Trustees’ Report and Management Commentary

Chief Executive’s statement ...............................................................................................9 Our 10-year strategy ...........................................................................................................14 Public benefit .........................................................................................................................20 Creative learning through the arts ....................................................................................23 Our performance ..................................................................................................................26 Corporate Governance .........................................................................................................33 Our trustees.....................................................................................................................33 Governance Statement .................................................................................................37 Council and Committee reports.........................................................................................49 Environmental performance ..............................................................................................61 Principal risks and uncertainties ........................................................................................65 Financial and business review ...........................................................................................70 Remuneration and Staff Report .........................................................................................78 Parliamentary Accountability and Audit Report ............................................................89 The year ahead: 2024/25....................................................................................................90 Financial Statements General Activities ..................................................................................................................93 Lottery Distribution ...............................................................................................................129 Annexes (not forming part of the financial statements)

Grants awarded – General Activities ................................................................................154 National Lottery Policy Directions .....................................................................................173 Grants awarded – Lottery Distribution .............................................................................175

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 3

What we do

The Arts Council of Wales is the country’s official public body for funding and developing the arts.

Established by Royal Charter on 30 March 1994, we exist to support and develop the arts in Wales for the benefit of people throughout Wales, and to support Welsh arts internationally.

We are also a Welsh Government Sponsored Body (W G S B), a National Lottery Distributor, and a registered charity (number 1034245).

Our Royal Charter sets out our objectives.

They are to:

develop and improve the knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts;
increase the accessibility of the arts to the public;
work through the Welsh and English languages; and,
work with other public bodies in Wales, and with the other Arts Councils in the U K, to achieve these aims.

A copy of our Royal Charter can be found on our website.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 4

Chair’s foreword

I am delighted to introduce the annual accounts, reflecting a year of significant change, strategic progress, and dedicated efforts to support and develop the arts and culture sector in Wales.

Despite the financial challenges posed by a 10.5% budget reduction, A C W has maintained robust governance, streamlined operations, and continued to invest in key initiatives that promote sustainability, inclusion, and international engagement.

We appreciate the uplift that has been announced for 2025/26 that will support us to deliver our commitment and invest in the sector, to help make it a sustainable and resilient force, both within Wales and on the international stage.

We value the continued positive relationships with Welsh Government in what has been a significant period of change in Ministers, and welcome the additional support received during the year, including Job Protection and Resilience funding and Investment in theatres.

Council is delighted to sign off another full set of clean financial statements which is a testament to the expertise and governance of the dedicated staff working across the organisation.

This year has seen the appointment of new Council members and leadership staff, the launch of strategic plans aligned with our core principles, and the commissioning of important reviews to enhance our delivery and impact.

I want to thank my colleagues on Council, past and present and welcome the 8 new members who will join us in April 2025. We are grateful for their expertise and commitment and their profiles are published on our webpage.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 5

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Small Word Theatre, WAHWN
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I particularly want to acknowledge the hard work of ACW staff, throughout this year of change and challenge. Through their efforts our work has impacted locally, nationally and internationally.

It is also a moment to note significant changes in our leadership team and staff, to both thank those that have left after many years of dedicated service and to welcome our new colleagues whose work will shape the future direction of the organisation.

As we consider the future, we are aware that significant change is still to come. We continue to maximise our own operational efficiencies to offer both a service and leadership role for the vital arts sector in Wales.

These accounts encapsulate our financial performance, governance framework, and strategic initiatives, illustrating our dedication to supporting the arts community in Wales and ensuring a vibrant cultural landscape for future generations.

Warm regards,

Maggie Russell Chair

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 6

Trustees’ Report and Management Commentary

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 7

81

Organisations were supported through Multi Year Funding as a result of investment review

(2023-24: 67 Arts Portfolio Wales) Source: Children’s Omnibus Survey (2022: not available)

Romeo a Juliet yn y Globe, Theatr Cymru (Image: Marc Brenner)

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 8

Chief Executive

We were delighted to launch our ten-year strategy during this year that underpins our mission to Develop and improve the knowledge, understanding and sustainable practice of the arts. To Connect by working together to improve the opportunity for the people of Wales to experience and enjoy the arts. To Promote in collaboration with partners to promote a Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh Language. Alongside this we also published three supporting strategies on Climate Justice, the Welsh language and our international work. All will be reviewed and evaluated regularly but it gives us a focus, a direction of travel as we work to ensure that all the communities of Wales are rightly served with ambitious, accessible and affordable arts and participation opportunities of the highest quality.

This has been a year of change on many levels and I must thank the hard-working staff at the Arts council and those delivering on our priorities in the sector for their support, diligence and commitment to delivering high quality arts and activities throughout Wales in a year when we all had to adjust to the realities of a 10.5% cut in funding.

Internally interim measures were introduced as staff took on additional responsibilities following a Voluntary Redundancy and Executive Leadership re-structure which meant the loss of 13 posts within the organisation – and I thank the staff for their commitment that ensured that we continued to service the arts in Wales with more than 90% of our income distributed to organisations and individuals across Wales. Appointing a new Executive Leadership Team in Lorna Virgo as Director of Finance and Business Services and Catryn Ramasut as Director of Arts signalled a new beginning, and both have contributed enthusiastically and knowledgably as we re-imagine the organisation and the sector.

We saw change at a government level too as Ministers changed more than once during the year bringing new and interesting priorities to the brief before a more settled appointment with the current Minister Jack Sargeant.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 9

The sector faced many challenges as the difficult economic climate had its effect, and we were delighted to work with the Minister on the Job Protection and Resilience funding package of 3.6 million that we distributed to organisations across Wales that were facing the risk of closure without emergency support.

We faced another change with the introduction of Allwyn as the Lottery Distributor after winning the contract through open tender from Camelot. The importance of lottery funding cannot be over emphasised and is key to our support for the arts across Wales from individual artists, community projects both large and small and support for targeting funding that is distributed by delegated authority by organisations such as Tŷ Cerdd, Literature Wales and Ffilm Cymru. The original growth forecasts of income by Allwyn have not been realised to the original timescale but we are content that the change has not led to a reduction in our Lottery Income and we are still hopeful that we will see significant growth as Allwyn and their team settle.

One thing is clear there has never been a more important time to advocate for the arts as the public purse is being squeezed and our Economic Impact Report commission and publish to maximise our advocacy for the sector was well received. Even in these difficult economic times for each £1 of public money invested there is a return of £2.51.

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Arts Care Gofal Celf,
Pembrokeshire Fashion Show
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Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 10

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Mabon by Osian Meilir, NDC Wales
(Image: Jorge Lizalde) ‘4
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Following on from our Investment Review we also commission three significant reports – the English Language theatre review, the Dance Review and a review into traditional music in Wales. The recommendations of these reviews will influence not only our future spending priorities in these genre specific fields but also in changes to the way we work in terms of increasing specialist knowledge in the Arts Council. Alongside this we reviewed our priorities on Lottery spend but also in the way that we deliver. The aim is for a simpler, more easily managed bespoke art form grant rounds that will be less resource heavy on both the sector and the Arts Council of Wales.

Alongside these important pieces of work we developed a new Capital strategy that will deliver increased opportunities and funding to enhance and improve the capital infrastructure of the arts estate in Wales. Reflecting our responsibilities to assist the sector in reducing the carbon footprint.

We have continued our partnership working in our respected Arts and Health initiative and we announced a three-year agreement with the Baring foundation to fund activities on mental health issues with young people. Our partnership with the schools of Wales has gone from strength to strength with 881 of the schools in Wales engaging with Creative learning through the Arts.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 11

We have reached the final year of our Widening Engagement action plan with Amgueddfa Cymru which has led to the development of our Strategic Equalities objectives for 2024-28 and we are determined that we will continue our partnership with the Amgueddfa on this important work. We are key partners with Amgueddfa Cymru and the National Library of Wales as we deliver CELF the National Contemporary Art Gallery of Wales and we have also signed an M O U with Creative Wales as we look to work more closely on training opportunities, international music and film initiatives.

Creating opportunities and changing the culture within the arts on many levels is key for us, as an organisation this year we launched Craidd (formerly known as RAMPS Cymru), our initiative to improve the representation of disabled people across the theatre sector in Wales. This is a key partnership with Theatr Clwyd, the Sherman in Cardiff, Pontio in Bangor, the Torch Theatre Milford Haven and the Royal Welsh college. This will be such a positive shift for the theatre sector in Wales and in this year of change it is so wonderful to see the seeds of this important change in practice beginning to bear fruit.

As one wonders at times what other changes one might expect, the technological development of A I has to be considered in terms of usage and how it will undoubtedly have an effect on the arts and artists. In this ever changing politically volatile world where freedom of speech, the freedom of artistic expression and the freedoms that we have come to expect are now it seems being challenged we have to remain resolute, true to our values as an organisation, and we must continue to develop and advocate the arts – for we all know that the arts has the ability to change the lives of the people of Wales for the better.

Dafydd Rhys Chief Executive

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 12

£28.5M Total Value of grants given to Multi Year Funding Organisations

(2023-24: £27.18M Arts Portfolio Wales)

Posh Club Pink Suit , Common/Wealth (Image: Jon Pountney)

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 13

Our 10-year strategy

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 14

NDC Wales (Image: Elly Welford)

Our Vision

The arts are part of the daily lives of the people of Wales, connecting us to each other, integral to our wellbeing, and inspiring us for generations to come.

Jukebox Collective a,

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 15

Our Mission

The role of the Arts Council of Wales is to create an environment where the knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts can flourish and where everybody in Wales can engage with the arts.

Our aspiration is a Wales of ambition and fairness where the most exciting arts are created; arts that are integral to the health and wellbeing of the nation, relevant to all communities and where opportunities exist for the voices of Wales to inspire the World.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 16

N D C Wales Young Associates

Our Approach

Our Strategy is a framework, to be flexible and responsive to the changes – planned and unplanned – we will inevitably experience. The last few years have demonstrated how change, often unpredicted, forms a significant part of our lives and how we must adapt and reprioritise in response.

For this reason we have identified both immediate commitments and those we will seek to build over the longer term, at a time when necessary foundations have been laid and they will provide the greatest contribution.

Our Strategy will be reviewed at regular intervals throughout its term, the impact of progress will be reported and evaluated, and key tasks reprioritised to ensure our direction of travel remains truly effective and appropriate to the successful delivery of our goals, and achievement of our mission is evident.

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hs
Querin Bach ‘sf thes
(Image: Alex Hullah)
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Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 17

Our Principles

Our Strategy is shaped by the six principles developed during our Investment Review consultation which are also our published Well-being Objectives: creativity, equality and engagement, Welsh language, climate justice, develop talent, transform. The Well-being of Future Generations Act underpins the principles which also align with the Welsh Government’s key commitments.

Please use this link to explore our published Strategy.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 18

14,876

78,083 16,046 9,778 participatory participatory participatory sessions sessions were run by were run by our portfolio our portfolio our portfolio of funded of funded of funded organisations organisations, organisations in resulting in Welsh, resulting at people in attendances of in attendances the protected of 665,251 74,821 group 2024/25

16,046 9,778 participatory participatory sessions sessions run by were run by our portfolio our portfolio of funded of funded organisations organisations in were targeted Welsh, resulting at people in in attendances the protected of characteristics 74,821 group

arts events were run by our portfolio of funded organisations, generating attendances of 3,414,614

19,876 arts events were run by our portfolio of funded organisations, generating attendances of 3,703,702

84,018 13,139 13,473 participatory participatory participatory sessions sessions were run by were run by our portfolio our portfolio our portfolio of funded of funded of funded organisations organisations, organisations in resulting in Welsh, resulting at people in attendances of in attendances the protected of 779,761 84,999 group 2023/24

13,139 13,473 participatory participatory sessions sessions run by were run by our portfolio our portfolio of funded of funded organisations organisations in were targeted Welsh, resulting at people in in attendances the protected of characteristics 84,999 group

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 19

Public benefit

At the Arts Council of Wales, our mission is deeply rooted in the belief that the arts have the power to enrich lives, inspire creativity, and strengthen communities. We are committed to ensuring that the arts are accessible, inclusive, and contribute to the well-being and prosperity of all people in Wales.

As stewards of public funds, we recognise our responsibility to deliver tangible and meaningful benefits to the public. We believe that the arts play a fundamental role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals, fostering social cohesion, and driving economic growth.

In setting our objectives, and in the planning of our work, Council members have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. Public benefit is at the centre of all aspects of our work. This commitment is strengthened by the Welsh Government’s Well-being of Future Generations legislation.

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Arts Connection,
St Myllin’s Day
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Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 20

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Other Voices Cardigan, Theatr Mwldan
(Image: Jennie Caldwell)
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As a Welsh Government Sponsored Body (W G S B) we allocate taxpayers’ money for the benefit of the Welsh public.

The funding that we distribute has a number of public purposes:

it helps to make sure that Welsh audiences can enjoy and take part in high quality arts activities;
it enables investment in the commissioning, production and exhibition of the arts, helping to sustain the careers of creative professionals in Wales;
it makes the arts more affordable, bringing them within reach of more people;
it encourages innovation and risk-taking, raising the quality and diversity of the arts made and promoted in Wales;
it furthers the cultural, social and economic priorities in the Programme for Government.

Public funding also helps to address ‘gaps’ in the market by investing in those activities that the commercial sector either won’t, or isn’t able to, support. In all aspects, our funding is intended to encourage the best of the arts and to enable as many people as possible to enjoy and take part in these activities.

We undertake detailed research each year to assess the extent to which we’re achieving these goals. In the pages that follow, we set out the key highlights of our work during 2024/25 and the public benefit that these activities deliver.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 21

funding applications processed (2023/24: 2,614) 2 229 , schools have participated in Lead Creative 881 Schools Scheme projects since 2015

3 975 ,

creative practitioner engagements with the Creative Learning programme since 2015

plus visits to high-quality events supported 1 900 through Go and See since 2015 ,

teacher engagements with the Creative 8 254 Learning programme since 2015 , learner engagements with Creative 370 285 Learning activities since 2015 , performances supported by the Arts 543 Council’s Night Out scheme (2023/24: 489) Arts Council running costs as a proportion of total income (whole Council) (2023/24: 8%) 7%

Green Dragon We retained this highest category Level 5 of environmental performance Collectorplan loans to support the 492 purchase of contemporary art (2023/24: 845)

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 22

Creative learning through the arts

Creative learning through the arts: an action plan for Wales was launched in 2015 as an initial five-year programme. The programme has transformed the learning experiences of learners across Wales by placing the arts and creativity at the heart of education. Through the development of new approaches to curriculum design and exploring innovative approaches our learners have become more independent, creative individuals, who are more engaged, more confident, and higher achievers.

It is aligned to the delivery of the Programme for Government 20212026, providing opportunities for our most vulnerable young people to achieve their potential in learning and, through our curriculum enrichment offer, provides cultural experiences to all young people throughout Wales.

2022-2025 marks the end of the latest phase of opportunities supporting teachers to explore and develop new approaches to curriculum design through a creative learning pedagogy.

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Lead Creative Schools
(Image: Jake Ryan)
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Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 23

2015-2025: What we’ve achieved

Involved 881 schools in intensive creative learning enquiries through the Lead Creative Schools Scheme.
Supported Cynefin: culturally and ethnically diverse Wales enquiries in 114 schools.
Worked with 93 school leaders to explore creative leadership and share best practice.
Supported 54 Early years settings to explore ways of developing learning environments and experiences that stimulate the development and natural curiosity of children aged 3-5.
Supported over 1,900 visits to high-quality arts and cultural events in galleries, theatres, arts centres and other venues through Go and See.
207 funded opportunities for teachers and learners in our schools to work with artists and arts/cultural/heritage organisations on a range of expressive arts activity through Have a Go.

Following Arts Council of Wales’s recent successful application to the Curriculum for Wales grant support programme, Creative Learning Cymru is proud to unveil an exciting new chapter in its mission to place creativity at the heart of education. Building on a decade of impact and innovation, the new programme will support schools across Wales to reimagine curriculum design, deepen engagement, and unlock learner potential through bold, creative approaches.

This new initiative comes at a pivotal moment in Welsh education, aligning closely with the ambitions of the Curriculum for Wales. Through targeted grant funding, bespoke professional learning, and collaboration with creative professionals, schools will be empowered to develop imaginative, inclusive, and enquiry-driven learning experiences that foster progress across all Areas of Learning and Experience.

An investment of £3m of Welsh Government and Arts Council of Wales, National Lottery funding will run until March 2028.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 24

Tŷ Cerdd, CoDI BWM!

(Image: Matthew Thistlewood)

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 25

Our performance

A year of strong performance against our corporate objectives

Our Annual Plan 2024/25 represents the first year of our new 10-year Strategy. It presents the key tasks mapped against our 3 goals – Develop, Connect, Promote and our 12 published key commitments.

Progress was monitored throughout the year through quarterly progress reports presented to Council and Welsh Government. We also met quarterly with officials of the Welsh Government.

Hidden , Motionhouse, Aberystwyth Arts Centre

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 26

As at the end of the year, we had successfully delivered against 9 of the 12 key commitments:

45 out of 64 tasks had been successfully completed.
14 tasks were progressed.
5 tasks were not progressed as initially anticipated. These were:
› Publication of our Welsh Language Plan and delivery of its Year 1 commitments – the plan was approved and year 1 commitments initiated, however, for capacity considerations, we were unable to publish the plan and fully achieve the year 1 commitments by the end of the financial year.
› Invest in opportunities for training, skills development and capacity building to support organisations and individuals to meet their commitments to climate justice – we did not achieve this due to budgetary constraints. However, we provided additional training for staff in this area during this year.
› With Welsh Government, commission research to establish baseline data for carbon emissions – This work was postponed, pending receipt of the Welsh Government’s Climate and Culture research report .
› Develop and launch a strand of Create specifically for young people – this will be considered as part of the wider work on our engagement with young people in 2025-26.
› Progress our work with Welsh Government on securing a joint plan for future delivery of an Arts, Health and Wellbeing programme – As at the end of the financial year we were awaiting a discussion with Welsh Government to explore options for continuation of this programme.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 27

The following provides a summary overview of the progress made against our key commitment areas in our published Strategy, offering insights into the achievements throughout the year.

Develop

Prioritise

Priorities for the year were identified and relevant budgets assigned.
Strategy and Annual Plan 2024-25 approved and published.
Revised Funding Agreements introduced and updated for our multi year funded organisations.
Over £1m awarded for capital support to theatres and performing arts venues and development of a new Capital Funding Plan initiated.
Climate Justice and the Arts Action plan, International Strategy and Strategic Equality Objectives 2024-28 developed and published.
Future Wales Fellowship 2023-25 successfully completed. Increased nature-focused applications in Arts, Health and Wellbeing fund.
Progression and review of our joint Widening Engagement Action Plan with Amgueddfa Cymru.
Analyse and identify • Strategic commitments resulting from our Investment Review 2023 progressed with full reviews commissioned and completed for English Language Theatre in Wales, traditional music and dance. Recommendations from these reports will be progressed in 2025/26.
Creative Steps Programme evaluated and relaunched. Training for Mentors and Associates undertaken.
Independent Economic Impact Assessment Report on the impact of our work commissioned and published, highlighting a £2.51 return on every £1 we invested in the arts.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 28

Develop (continued)

Take action

Job Protection and Resilience Funding successfully delivered.
Proposals for changes to simplify and improve our lottery funding Create programme approved and will be fully implemented by September 2025.

Simplify

Increased efficiencies introduced for our own operational processes to maximise support to the sector, including the development of an in-house access support role.
Simplified monitoring and reporting arrangements for our multi year funded organisations developed.
Our own Collectorplan Scheme transferred to Creative United’s EinCelf/Own Art, providing opportunity for increased sales through wider coverage and support for Welsh artists displaying their work in its member galleries.

Career development

Continued financial support for Craidd partnership (formerly Ramps Cymru), providing support and opportunities to disabled artists.
Increased opportunities for skills development through the recommendations resulting from our 3 commissioned reviews (English Language Theatre in Wales, Dance and Traditional Music), and continued conversations with Creative Wales. Fair pay remains a non-negotiable requirement of funding streams.
Action to protect and sustain livelihoods in the arts included sustainable work opportunities for diverse backgrounds as a key target within our new Strategic Equality Action Plan, and the development of resources following conversations with Cultural Freelancers Wales.
Creation of mentoring and training opportunities for Welsh language commitments progressed through a new pilot designed with Creu Cymru’s support.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 29

Connect

Working with others • Welsh Government’s National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales project progressed including the development of a stakeholder engagement plan.
Progression of the capital development of Theatr Clwyd.
Continued collaboration with Arts Councils within the UK and Northern Ireland, and through the Memorandum of Understanding with Creative Wales which has resulted in co-investment opportunities, including Focus Wales, Beacons and Cult VR.
Continued support from B B C for Horizons and underfunded genres of music supported through the P R S Accelerator fund. Power Up Agreement finalised.
Community • Work progressed through the Widening Engagement Action plan to support communities to shape and design their own arts experiences.
Work commissioned to engage Gypsy Roma Traveller communities. As at the end of the year 543 Night Out events booked.
First National Conversation held at the Eisteddfod in Pontypridd and a Sector Meet and Greet at Y Nyth in Bangor. Further events are planned for 2025/26.
Strategic intervention proposal agreed to develop improved relationships with local authorities, and four pilot areas identified.
Children and • More details on this, under Creative Learning through the Arts. young people
Wellbeing • Funding secured from the Baring Foundation to develop a 4-year programme to promote art for mental health improvement.
Continued support and advocacy for our Arts, Health and Wellbeing Programme pending conversations with Welsh Government.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 30

Promote

Partnerships

Continue to assist Welsh Government in the development of its Strategy for Culture and provided comments in response to the consultation on the draft Strategy.
Continued activity to support delivery of the International Strategic Partnership agreement with Welsh Government, including the award of Wales in Japan Culture Fund to 14 projects and a number of showcases and performances held.
A new partnership agreement developed with British Council, to be signed at the Hat Festival in May 2025.
Productive relationships with both Welsh Language Commissioner and National Centre for Learning Welsh, including development of new working partnership promoting greater cohesion.
15 projects selected for immersive Arts first round.
Support for our access scheme for disabled audience members, Hynt continued. Partnership with Arts Councils for U K and Ireland to develop U K wide access scheme, based on the Hynt model.
Resource • Strategic support for Visual Arts Group (V A G W) Wales for development and delivery of an action plan to help increase organisational capacity to support and advocate for the visual arts in Wales 24-25.
Additional funding received from Welsh Government including the Job Protection and Resilience funding.
Stringent budgeting has allowed us to offer 3.5% increase across the board to our multi year funded organisations for 2025-26.
Celebrating • Stories to highlight progress of key objectives and promote good practice published on website and shared with media. Progress on Investment Review Strategic Interventions and case studies highlighted.
Initiatives to raise the profile of the arts in Wales internationally, including annual campaign for St David’s Day. Film commissioned to showcase arts projects. Participation in assessment of proposals between Wales and Brittany.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 31

Allanol Always , Anya Paintsil, Tŷ Pawb

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 32

Corporate Governance

Our Trustees

Council Members who served since 1 April 2023 were:

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Number of meetings held
10 7 4 4 0
| ft|
Maggie Russell
Chair
7
from 1 April 2023
Gwennan Mair Jones
from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2025
Vice Chair
4 N/A
from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
Co-Chair of Welsh Language, Culture and
Equalities Committee
Lhosa Daly
from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2025
6 3
Chair of Audit and Risk Assurance Committee
from 1 January 2024
Ceri Ll Davies
from 1 April 2021
7 4 1
Member of Audit and Risk Assurance Committee
Member of H R and Remuneration Committee
Devinda De Silva
from 1 April 2019
6 N/A
Member of Welsh Language, Culture and
Equalities Committee
Ruth Fabby M B E
from 1 April 2021
6 1
Co-Chair of Welsh Language, Culture and
Equalities Committee
Professor Tudur Hallam
from 1 April 2019
7
Emily Hutchings
from 12 June 2023
3 N/A
Member of H R & Remuneration Committee
Council Audit & Risk Assurance Committee Capital Sub-Committee H R & Remuneration Committee Welsh Language, Culture and Equalities Committee
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Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 33

||Council
Audit & Risk
Assurance
Committee
Capital
Sub-Committee
H R &
Remuneration
Committee
Welsh Language,
Culture and
Equalities
Committee
Number of meetings held
~~|~~
~~ftfo~~|Council
Audit & Risk
Assurance
Committee
Capital
Sub-Committee
H R &
Remuneration
Committee
Welsh Language,
Culture and
Equalities
Committee
Number of meetings held
~~|~~
~~ftfo~~|Council
Audit & Risk
Assurance
Committee
Capital
Sub-Committee
H R &
Remuneration
Committee
Welsh Language,
Culture and
Equalities
Committee
Number of meetings held
~~|~~
~~ftfo~~|Council
Audit & Risk
Assurance
Committee
Capital
Sub-Committee
H R &
Remuneration
Committee
Welsh Language,
Culture and
Equalities
Committee
Number of meetings held
~~|~~
~~ftfo~~|Council
Audit & Risk
Assurance
Committee
Capital
Sub-Committee
H R &
Remuneration
Committee
Welsh Language,
Culture and
Equalities
Committee
Number of meetings held
~~|~~
~~ftfo~~| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||10
~~|~~|7
~~ft~~|4
~~ftfo~~|4
~~fo~~|0| |Alison Mears Esswood
from 1 April 2019
Member of H R & Remuneration Committee|4
~~|~~|~~ft~~|~~ft fo~~|2
~~fo~~|| |Keith Murrell
from 1 April 2021
Member of H R & Remuneration Committee|7|||3|| |Victoria Provis
from 1 April 2019
Chair of Capital Sub-Committee|5||4||| |Elen ap Robert
from 1 April 2021
Chair of H R and Remuneration Committee
Member of Welsh Language, Culture and
Equalities Committee|5|||N/A|1| |Prue Thimbleby
from 1 April 2021
Member of H R & Remuneration Committee|6|||N/A|| |Dr Sarah Younan
from 1 April 2019|2||||| |Jacob Gough
from 1 April 2024
Member of Capital Sub-Committee|6||1||| |Sara Boswell
from 2 September 2024|4||||| |Jon Pugh
from 2 September 2024
Member of Welsh Language, Culture and
Equalities Committee|5||||1| |Julie Sangoni
from 2 September 2024
Member of H R and Remuneration Committee|4|||N/A||

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 34

Independent members	Audit & Risk Assurance Committee	Capital Sub-Committee	H R & Remuneration Committee	Welsh Language, Culture and Equalities Committee
	7	4	4	3
Andrew Butler	2
Arwel Thomas	3
Elid Morris	2
Michael Gwyther-Jones		3
Ruth Cayford		4
Jayne Woods		4
Steve Burton			2
Wendy Rees			3

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Best Practice, members of Council and independent Committee members make declarations of interest in respect of directorships, memberships of boards of management (or equivalent) or employment which may conflict with their Arts Council of Wales’ responsibilities. The register of interests of Members of Council and of independent Committee Members is available for public inspection, by appointment, at each of the Council’s offices during normal working hours.

All financial transactions between members and the Council, other than the remuneration of the Chair, are disclosed in note 13 to the financial statements, Related party transactions .

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 35

Personal data related incidents

The Council has controls and policies in place to ensure data integrity. I C T systems ensure that the physical security of data is tightly controlled. There were two minor personal data breaches during the year. Each was appropriately assessed and none were categorised as reportable to the Information Commissioner.

Our Chief Executive and Accounting Officer Dafydd Rhys

Our Offices

Mid and West Wales

Yr Egin Heol y Coleg Carmarthen S A31 3E Q

North Wales

Princes Park II Princes Drive Colwyn Bay L L29 8P L

South Wales and national office

Bute Place Cardiff C F10 5A L

Auditor – General Activities

Auditor General for Wales Audit Wales 1 Capital Quarter Tyndall Street Cardiff C F10 4B Z

Auditor – Lottery Distribution

Comptroller and Auditor General 157-197 Buckingham Palace Road London S W1W 9S P

Internal auditors

T I A A Ltd Artillery House Fort Fareham Fareham P O14 1A H

Solicitors

Geldards L L P Dumfries House Dumfries Place Cardiff C F10 3Z F

Bankers

Santander U K p.l.c. 9 Queen Street Cardiff C F10 2U D

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 36

Governance Statement

This Governance Statement is the personal responsibility of me, Dafydd Rhys, the Arts Council of Wales’ Accounting Officer and Chief Executive. It sets out the governance arrangements of the Arts Council of Wales.

It also describes how I’ve discharged my responsibilities for ensuring we conduct our business, in respect of both exchequer and lottery activity, in accordance with the law. This includes providing the necessary assurances that we’re adhering to proper standards and establishing the necessary safeguards to protect the use of public money.

I explain how these funds are properly accounted for, and used economically, efficiently and effectively to support the delivery of our plans and priorities.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 37

The legislative framework

We operate within a carefully prescribed and regulated legal environment. The Arts Council of Wales is accountable to the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice. Our work is also subject to the scrutiny of Committees of the Welsh Parliament. We work within a framework that sets out the terms and conditions under which Welsh Ministers provide our grant-in-aid funding, and how we’re able to use this funding. We manage our funds with probity and in the public interest and, along with other public bodies in Wales, adhere to the principles contained in Managing Welsh Public Money .

As a distributor of Lottery funds under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 (as amended), we’re accountable to the U K’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport. Our financial directions are issued by the Secretary of State, and our policy directions by the Welsh Ministers. These set out how we must operate in respect of Lottery distribution activities.

We’re required to account for Lottery distribution activity separately from the rest of our work, and we have appropriate arrangements in place to ensure that we produce two sets of published accounts. Our Lottery Distribution accounts are audited under contract to National Audit Office by Audit Wales. Audit Wales also audits our General Activities account.

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Bwystfilod Aflan, Music Theatre
Wales (Image: Edmond Choo)
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Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 38

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, J ; a .
SPAN Arts, Love Stories Natural Consequences
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As a charity we must ensure we comply with the requirements of the Charities Acts. As such, we follow guidance issued by the Charity Commission, acting solely to further our chartered and charitable objectives.

The activities we carry out in connection with our Collectorplan scheme are subject to the Consumer Credit Act and guidance issued by the Financial Conduct Authority.

We’ve designed our systems, processes and controls to take account of these various responsibilities. Within these frameworks we make independent decisions regarding the strategic direction of the organisation, grant funding, and other financial decisions.

Risk assessment and management is fundamental in our operations and this Governance Statement should be read in conjunction with the Principal risks and uncertainties section of the Performance Report.

Should the need arise, the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, the Charity Commission, the Information Commissioner, the National Audit Office, and Audit Wales are all able to investigate the Council’s affairs.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 39

Our Governance arrangements

We’re governed by a Board of Trustees – Council – consisting of a Chair and up to seventeen other independent members, one of whom is appointed as Vice Chair. Our Trustees are appointed by Welsh Ministers through an open selection process. Appointments are usually for a three-year term, renewable for an additional term.

Each Trustee brings specific expertise and knowledge to the oversight and development of our activities. At the year-end our Council comprised of the Chair plus sixteen members. Seven of our Council Members reached the end of their second term of office as at 31 March 2025. Following 2 intensive recruitment rounds during the year undertaken by Welsh Government and the Public Appointments Team, 8 new Members will take up their appointments to Council on 1 April 2025. This will bring Council up to its full cohort of 18 Members including the Chair and vice Chair.

The Chair of Council is a remunerated position, at a rate set annually by the Welsh Government. All other Trustees provide their time and expertise on a voluntary basis. However, they’re reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred on Council business.

We promote values of good governance

We observe Lord Nolan’s seven Principles for Public Life and strive to ensure that all of our employees, Trustees, Committee members and Arts Associates understand, apply and adhere to these Principles.

To support this, we have a Code of Best Practice which helps to ensure the roles and responsibilities of members and officers are clearly defined. It also contains the expected standards of propriety that members and staff should adhere to. The Code is reviewed and updated at every three years or sooner should circumstances dictate.

In accordance with the Code, each member of Council, of each Committee, and all Arts Associates and staff are required to complete an annual Declaration of Interest statement, and to ensure that changes in circumstances are notified promptly. They make declarations of interest in respect of directorships, memberships of boards of management (or equivalent) or employment which may conflict with their Arts Council of Wales’ responsibilities. The register of interests is available upon request. All financial transactions between members and the Arts Council are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements under Related party transactions .

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 40

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Sancintya Mohini Simpson,
Installation view at Chapter,
Artes Mundi 11 (Image: Polly Thomas)
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Council was content with progress made during the year to address areas identified in last year’s review. Council recognised the importance of ensuring an appropriate mix and diversity of arts expertise and skills on the Trustee Board as new members are appointed.

Council undertook a skills audit during the year. The findings of this were positive and helped inform the subsequent recruitment activity for new Members, the outcome of which has resulted in its indicators for effectiveness being met.

The Corporate governance in central government departments: code of good practice , issued by H M Treasury, does not directly apply to the Arts Council of Wales. However, as Accounting Officer, I’m satisfied that the arrangements we have in place reflect good practice. I also believe that the Arts Council has complied with the principles of accountability, effectiveness and leadership expressed within the Treasury’s Code, in so far as they are relevant to Welsh Government Sponsored Bodies and Lottery Distributors. Council endorses this view.

Whistleblowing

The Council has an established whistleblowing policy which is brought to the attention of staff at induction and available within the Council’s intranet. The policy is reviewed at least every three years. There were no reported incidents during the year.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 41

Taking informed decisions

Decisions taken by our Council and Committees are informed by advice provided by Arts Council staff. Papers and reports produced by officers are expected to show clearly all relevant information needed to enable informed decisions to be taken. All key papers highlight: financial, HR and the Well-being of Future Generations Act’s 5 Ways of Working; risks; and an assurance statement.

Papers are circulated in advance of each Council and Committee meeting; tabled items and verbal reports are only accepted in exceptional circumstances. Council was content during the year with the timeliness and quality of information provided for its use. In the rare instances where the information provided does not meet the required standards, the paper is rejected and a replacement commissioned. There were no instances of this happening in 2024/25.

Where appropriate and relevant, advice from officers is supplemented with specialist, expert advice and legal opinions. Council will continue to ensure that it has sufficient time and information to properly debate policy and consider the future direction of the organisation. Key policy proposals are put out to public consultation. Responses and feedback further inform discussions at Council before polices are finalised.

We provide funding to third parties

One of the Council’s most important duties is the distribution of funding to develop and support the arts in Wales. We’re a major distributor of funding from the Welsh Government, the National Lottery and other sources.

We’ve developed robust and accountable systems and procedures to support this key activity. Grant-making and monitoring processes are reviewed annually by our internal auditors. Audit Wales also examines our grant-making activities each year. All recommendations made by our internal and external auditors are monitored by our Audit & Risk Assurance Committee to ensure they’re implemented on a timely basis.

During 2024/25 we commissioned and published an economic impact assessment report to identify and promote the beneficial impact of our work across Wales. This report shows a return in 2023-24 of £2.51 for every £1 spent in the arts.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 42

Security of data

We hold large amounts of data and treat seriously our obligations under the Data Protection Act which incorporates the U K General Data Protection Regulation (U K G D P R). Our I C T systems and rules ensure that the security of data is tightly controlled. We regularly assess our security arrangements and have taken steps to make them more robust. Cyber security and I T penetration tests are conducted annually. We comply with I AS M E security standards.

The high-level review over I T controls carried out by our external auditors and our programme of internal audit reviews carried out during the year revealed no serious issues. Similarly, the annual security review on behalf of Welsh Government highlighted no matters of serious concern in this area. There was one minor personal data breach during the year. This was appropriately assessed and categorised as not requiring a report to the Information Commissioner.

Complaints

Complaints about our work are investigated according to our Complaints Policy. Sometimes our policy requires a complaint to be investigated by an Independent Complaints Reviewer. For reasons of openness and transparency, we publish all final reports from the Reviewer. No complaints were referred to the Independent Reviewer in 2024/25.

Ministerial directions

As a Welsh Government Sponsored Body we’re subject to non-statutory instruments, containing appropriate Directions. No Directions were issued to us during the year by the Welsh Government.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 43

Olion , Frân Wen (Image: Craig Fuller)

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 44

Our Governance Structure

To help support its work, Council has appointed six committees to provide specialist advice.

These are: Audit & Risk Assurance Committee; H R & Remuneration Committee; Welsh Language, Culture and Equalities Committee and Capital Sub-Committee. There is also a Health & Safety Advisory Group.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 45

During 2024/25, and as part of our commitments to focus activities in alignment with our published objectives and maximise efficiencies, Council introduced a revised Committee Structure, reducing the number of committees from seven to four.

Each Committee includes Council members, one of whom acts as Chair, and has provision for independent committee members appointed through an open selection process for their specialist skills and experience. The minutes of each Committee meeting are provided to Council for discussion and to note. Terms of reference for each committee, which are reviewed annually, can be found on our website.

All new members of Council and of each Committee undergo an induction process appropriate to their role and are encouraged to continue their development during their period of appointment.

During the year we continued to draw on the services and experience of our cohort of Arts Associates. The Associates, who began their work during 2019/20, support executive staff. Their specialist knowledge and lived experience contribute to policy development, specific programmes of work, the assessment of grant applications, and advice to officers.

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National Youth Orchestra of Wales
(Image: Evan Dawson)
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Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 46

Executive Management

Council has delegated responsibilities for the implementation of its strategy and operational matters to the Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team. The Chief Executive has been authorised by Council to undertake the day-to-day administration and management of the business and staff of the organisation and is responsible to Council for those matters.

As the Arts Council of Wales’ Accounting Officer, the Chief Executive is responsible for its overall efficiency and effectiveness and has responsibility for reviewing the effectiveness of the system of internal control. This review is informed by the internal auditors, the Directors, the Audit & Risk Assurance Committee, and comments from the external auditors in their management letter and other reports.

Dros Nos, Wales Millennium Centre

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 47

During the year, changes within the Executive Leadership Team resulted in the team comprising of the Chief Executive and two Directors.

The Executive Leadership Team meets formally throughout the year to consider key policy, strategic and operational matters, and provide advice to Council. It also oversees financial performance and risk management. Appropriate management structures have been created throughout the organisation to assist Executive Leadership Team members to oversee their respective departments and areas of responsibility.

The Executive Leadership Team is supported by a Management Board whose membership includes Heads of Department and Portfolio Managers.

There are written terms of reference for Council and its committees, and for the Executive Leadership Team and Management Board.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 48

Council

Council is responsible for the strategic direction and management of our organisation. It is also responsible for ensuring, through the Chief Executive, that we operate within the various accountabilities required of us.

Council members are responsible for key decisions on corporate policy: the formulation of our Strategic and Annual Plans, and any major alterations to the terms and conditions of service for staff.

Council sets the annual budget, decides on the annual allocation of grants to multi year funded organisations, and approves all grants over £50,000 or, in the case of Lottery funded capital projects, over £250,000. Decisions below these thresholds are delegated to authorised staff and to the Capital Sub-Committee.

Members assist with Council Committees. They may also attend arts events across Wales as representatives of Council.

It’s My Shout, Filming on Mynydd y Cilgwyn with Coleg Menai, Dysgu Hedfan , Iris Prize Festival Community Award Winner (Image: Kieran Samuel)

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 49

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Dreigiau , Taking Flight Theatre
(Image: Kirsten McTernan)
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Council activities undertaken during 2024/25 included:

As part of its ongoing scrutiny of Governance, preparing and monitoring the Annual Plan for the year, and the annual review and approval of the Terms of Reference for each of its Committees. Council also received and noted the Committees’ year-end reports to inform its Governance Statement as part of this Annual Report and approved the Annual Financial Statements 2023/24 and allocations for the Budget 2024/25.
Receiving regular updates on our Corporate Assurance Framework, Risk Register, and the performance of our multi year funded organisations.
Considering officer recommendations in relation to Lottery Funding grants over the delegated limit and annual funding award levels to our multi year funded organisations.
Receiving updates and presentations on key programmes of work including Arts and Health, Climate Justice and the Arts and our work on Widening Engagement.
Considering the progress of our published Strategic Commitments resulting from or Investment Review 2023, including the 3 commissioned reviews for this year.

Council meetings are held approximately every 6 weeks. Copies of agendas and minutes of our Council meetings can be found on our website.

Council met 7 times during 2024/25 to discharge its responsibilities. Members in total attended on 93 out of a possible 120 occasions.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 50

Our governance response to working arrangements during 2024/25

Throughout 2024/25 we continued to operate a hybrid working model. As part of cost savings measures, we reconfigured our reduced our floor space at the Cardiff Office to facilitate improved working practices.

Most of our internal processes are now electronic and we continue to work well remotely. Once again, our internal audit plan was conducted remotely with no significant impact on performance or outcomes.

We use hybrid meetings for our Council and Committees, offering members and attending staff the option to meet in person at the Cardiff office or to join the meeting remotely. Duties of each Committee have remained the same and Council’s ability to make decisions has not been compromised by these arrangements.

It is our view that effective governance has not been compromised by these working arrangements.

Constellations , Theatr Clwyd (Image: Andrew AB)

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 51

Our Council’s Committees

Council appoints a number of committees to provide specialist advice and to make decisions within a framework of delegated powers. All of these Committees include at least three Council members, one of whom will act as Chair. All operate under specific terms of reference and report directly to Council.

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Capital
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Council
Audit and Risk Welsh Language, Culture Health and Safety
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Executive
Leadership Team
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There are three Committees and one Sub-Committee with delegated powers. The three Committees are: Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, HR and Remuneration Committee and Welsh Language, Culture and Equalities Committee. This latter Committee incorporates the roles of the previous Future Generations, Strategic Equality and Welsh Language Committees ensuring a fully integrated approach and cohesive consideration of each of these areas into the development and progress of all areas of our work.

The Council’s Capital Sub-Committee also has delegated powers to make decisions on capital grants within its delegated authority. The Sub-Committee makes recommendations directly to Council on grant applications over its delegated authority. This Sub Committee reports its advice and, where appropriate, its decisions, to the Council’s Welsh Language, Culture and Equalities Committee. This supports the inclusion of its work in the development of relevant policy and processes across the Council’s wider work, including the development of grant programmes.

One Group – Health and Safety Group – also reports to Council through its minutes and Annual Report presented to Council by the Group’s Chair, the Director of Finance and Business Services.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 52

This revised Committee proposal aligns with our published principles and objectives and therefore supports and progresses the commitments outlined in our 10 year Strategy and supporting annual plans.

The benefits of this revised structure include:

Protecting the current status of the respective Committees whilst increasing synergy and collaboration across our key areas of Equalities, Future Generations and Welsh Language, fully reflecting the Wellbeing goals and ensuring these key areas are intrinsic to all of our work rather than separate areas of activity.
Operational, financial, governance and staff related matters continued to be addressed through the separate remits of the Audit and Risk Assurance and H R and Remuneration Committees, ensuring Council retains its necessary assurances and accountability for these areas.
Increased Council representation on the Committees.
Agenda items which allow for focussed discussions incorporating the wider context of our work.
Making the Committees more effective and efficient with corresponding reduction in ask on Council Members’ and Officers’ time in meeting preparations, attendance and resulting paperwork.
A wider and more flexible network of support for the Committees through specific work groups which will include representation from the Committee members, other Arts Council staff and external representation, as appropriate to the task, including Associates and external stakeholders.

Each Committee typically meets 4 times a year and operates under its respective published Terms of Reference. The focus of work for 2024/25 for each Committee is summarised below.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 53

Audit and Risk Assurance Committee

The public expects the institutions they finance to be efficient and cost effective. Our Council must also be able to assure itself that we are operating effectively and meeting our strategic objectives as an organisation. We do this through our governance structures and internal management controls, and by providing assurance which demonstrates these controls are operating as they should, and objectives are being met. The Audit & Risk Assurance Committee’s role is to ensure that we deliver on these commitments, doing so in ways that are transparent, accountable and resilient.

An extensive programme of internal audit assists us in this work, assessing the quality of our delivery against the standards that we have set.

Committee activities undertaken during 2024/25 included:

Regular scrutiny of our Corporate Assurance Framework and Corporate Risk Register, stage 2 complaints and consideration and re-approval of the Council’s risk management arrangements.
Consideration of internal delegation arrangements and the I C T Annual Cyber Risk and Assurance Report.
Scrutinising the organisational and financial health of Council’s multi year funded organisations through enhanced reporting arrangements to assess the scale of impact of the cost-of-living crisis. The Committee also considered the revised monitoring arrangements prepared for the organisations receiving new multi year finding agreements following the Investment Review in 2023.
Reporting to Council on the outcome of internal audit reviews undertaken by our appointed internal audit service providers, T I A A, and monitoring progress in the implementation of the auditor’s recommendations for action.
Understanding key aspects of Council’s operations and its performance against these through a series of internal audit reports including, strategy, performance and risk management arrangements, procurement, carbon and sustainability reduction and grants management and monitoring processes.
Reviewing our Annual Report and Financial Statements and recommending their approval to Council.
Reviewing the Committee’s own Annual Report and Terms of Reference, ahead of its annual approval by Council.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 54

Audit outcomes

The findings of the Audit Wales annual audits are reported to our Audit & Risk Assurance Committee which considers the findings and monitors them to ensure appropriate action is taken on a timely basis. The annual programme for internal audit activity is approved by the Committee.

T I A A, our internal auditor, gave the following opinion in their annual report:

“T I A A is satisfied that, for the areas reviewed during the year, Arts Council of Wales has reasonable and effective risk management, control and governance processes in place.”

H R and Remuneration Committee

The H R & Remuneration Committee support Council in discharging its responsibilities for issues of recruitment, retention and management of staff; for the pay and conditions of service in meeting the Council’s and Accounting Officer’s governance needs for the organisation; and to ensure that they contribute effectively to the delivery of the Council’s strategic goal and business needs.

The Committee is also responsible for setting and monitoring the Chief Executive’s annual performance targets, and for recommending to Council, the annual remuneration of the Chief Executive and Chair, subject to the limits set by and the agreement of the Welsh Government.

Committee activities undertaken during 2024/25 included:

Consideration of internal staffing matters including updates on the progression of the Voluntary Redundancy process agreed in the previous year and the recruitment of two senior posts – Director of Arts and Director of Finance and Business Services.
Publication of a Pay Policy Statement. This includes a detailed breakdown of the make up of our staff. It also addresses Gender Equality and Equal Pay reporting.
Advising on the Pay Remit situation.
Setting levels of remuneration and monitoring the performance of the Chief Executive.
Receiving updates on the review of H R policies.
Reviewing H R management information and relevant internal audit reports and surveys to monitor the performance, health and wellbeing of staff.
Promoting staff learning and development to deliver corporate objectives.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 55

Welsh Language, Culture and Equalities Committee

This Committee reviews, monitors and contributes to the development of policies and procedures that enable Council to pursue a progressive agenda in the delivery of the organisation’s strategic priorities, ensuring that its activities in this area are consistent with the ambitions and requirements of the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011, Welsh Government’s Well-being of Future Generations Act, and the Equality Act 2010 as well as the Arts Council’s own 6 published principles.

Ensuring culture and creativity is at the heart of the Council’s work, the Committee promotes and supports the inclusion of Welsh language, equalities and sustainability considerations as an integral part to all policy and programme development.

This work includes our key initiatives, activity, programme and project areas, including: Climate Justice, Strategic Equalities, Welsh Language, Wales Arts International, Arts and Health, Creative Learning and Programme and Sector Development Groups, as well as the work of our multi year funded organisations and the projects funded through our National Lottery Funds.

Committee activities undertaken during 2024/25 included:

Considered the current Terms of Reference for the Committee and arrangements for recruitment of Independent Members.
Received updates on the Strategy, Equalities Plan, Climate Justice Plan and Welsh Language Plan.
Discussed the structure of future meetings including identification of agenda items.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 56

Capital Sub-Committee

This Committee oversees the Council’s investment of National Lottery funds in capital projects including working with Welsh Government to fund strategic capital projects and programmes. Throughout Wales organisations have been able to apply to our capital funding to enhance and extend their activities through the development of buildings and infrastructure, transforming the places in Wales where people enjoy and take part in the arts.

The Committee continues to oversee several projects that have been in development for a number of years as well as considering new applications for targeted investment to improve access, sustainable energy initiatives and minor adaptations.

Committee activities undertaken during 2024/25 included:

Consideration of detailed financial reports on capital budget and expenditure.
Overseeing the implementation and awarding of grants for the Invest in Theatres programme following an additional award of £1.25m by Welsh Government for this purpose.
Continued provision of support and assistance to the largest capital investment in the arts in Wales, the ambitious refurbishment of Theatr Clwyd in Mold. The Committee is monitoring our own National Lottery support and Welsh Government support for the project.
Considering progress reports on a number of capital funded projects and new applications for funding.
Ensuring all capital projects in which Council invests meet Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (B R E EA M) sustainability standards.
Continued monitoring of the capital elements of the National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales programme for the galleries in receipt of capital funding to bring the buildings up to the required standard to host the collections from Amgueddfa Cymru and the National Library Wales.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 57

Health and Safety Advisory Group

“The Health and Safety Advisory Group ensures robust processes are in place to keep our workforce safe.”

Lorna Virgo Chair, Health and Safety Advisory Group

Group activities undertaken during 2024/25 included:

Reviewing arrangements at our offices, including consolidating to one .
floor in the Cardiff Office
Ongoing development of our Lone Worker Policy and the Hybrid Working Policy.
Managing incident reporting and monitoring.
Reviewing and updating our Health and Safety Policy Statement.
Reviewing and updating documents and instructions such as the Health & Safety Management System and Fire Instructions.

The Group met 3 times during 2024/25 to discharge its responsibilities.

Come As You Really Are Hetain Patel Artangel, Glynn Vivian Art Gallery (Image: Polly Thomas)

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 58

Overall assessment of governance and internal control

In my opinion, the Arts Council of Wales’ systems of governance and internal control are sufficient to enable me to discharge my responsibilities as Accounting Officer. In signing off these accounts, I have gained assurance in the following ways:

regular meetings of the Executive Leadership Team where relevant matters are reviewed and discussed;
a meeting with the Finance and Business Services Director to go through the financial controls;
attending Audit & Risk Committee meetings where internal audit reports are reviewed and other internal control matters are scrutinised.

Dafydd Rhys

Accounting Officer

24 October 2025

Endorsed on behalf of Council:

Maggie Russell

Chair

24 October 2025

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 59

Gwen Sion performing at CoDI BWM, Tŷ Cerdd (Image: Matthew Thistlewood)

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 60

Environmental performance

We promote the minimisation of waste amongst our staff by encouraging reduction, reuse and recycling and waste separation, reducing the amount sent to landfill.

WASTE Non-fnancial(tonnes)	2024/25	2023/24
Landfll1	0	0
Reused/recycled1	1	0

1 The Council recorded less than one tonne

We reuse or recycle our surplus and redundant I T and office equipment. We use licensed and appropriate organisations to dispose of our waste.

All our major suppliers of office equipment and supplies have environmental policies and reporting mechanisms in place, and we consider environmental performance and awareness when selecting contractors and suppliers.

Managers and staff are provided with monthly reports analysing printing and copying activity, to encourage lower overall usage. Our internal reporting systems enable us to capture and measure details of our use of consumables, waste, energy, and staff travel, and thus our carbon dioxide equivalent (C O2 e) emissions so that staff can manage their consumption of resources.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 61

ENERGY1	2024/25	2023/24
Greenhouse gas emissions (C O2e tonnes) Gross emissions,scope 2&3(indirect)	12	16
Energyconsumption(k W h)
Electricity (renewable)	45,666	60,439
Gas	11,853	10,461
Financial indicators(£)
Expenditure – energy	20,626	18,022
Water supply costs (office estate) – currently unable to assess,included in service charge	N/A	N/A

1 Offices only. The impact of home working is not captured.

Our Cardiff and Colwyn Bay offices are leased on a shared occupancy basis, with certain costs included within our service charges. These arrangements restrict our ability to accurately assess our total environmental impact from energy usage. Our major use of electricity is in our Cardiff office where the landlord has confirmed that 100% of the supply is from verifiable Natural Renewable sources (wind, water and hydro).

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We promote the use of environmentally friendly means of transport and encourage staff to make journeys by the most efficient means possible, taking account of both environmental and financial considerations. We balance this against the delivery of our strategic priorities to develop the arts in Wales, and to promote Welsh arts and artists internationally. This presents a significant practical challenge. There are inevitable fluctuations in the level of C O e emissions attributable to travel when we are 2 actively involved in international projects.

STAFF TRAVEL 2024/25	2023/24
Travel emissions(C O2e tonnes)
Rail 3	3
Air1 20	23
Car/vans 12	15
Travel cost(£)
Rail 19,763	17,909
Air 9,910	18,703
Car/vans 20,820	24,510
Travel(miles)
Rail 48,065	51,705
Air 62,397	75,724
Car/vans 45,603	53,821

1 Includes the influence of radiative forcing in air travel emissions to capture the maximum climate impact. Radiative forcing is a measure of the environmental impact of emissions of N Ox (nitrous oxides) and water vapour when emitted at high altitude.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 63

SPAN Arts, Dydd Gŵyl y Pasg

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 64

Principal risks and uncertainties

Managing our affairs effectively

As stewards of public funds we must operate in an efficient and accountable manner. Our priorities and funding decisions are agreed by Council in accordance with the policies and procedures that apply to our use of public funds. The Audit & Risk Assurance Committee’s (A R A C’s) role is to ensure that we deliver on these commitments, doing so in ways that are transparent, accountable and that represent value for money. An extensive programme of internal audit assists us in this work.

Protecting the public’s money

An important part of A R A C’s work is reviewing our defences against Fraud and Cyber-crime. Attempts to illegally gain access to our funds and I C T systems occur regularly. Council takes these issues very seriously and A R A C looks carefully at our policies and processes to ensure they are robust and secure. There were no successful attacks during the year.

Taking risks: a balanced approach

Unauthorised access to our systems is just one of a range of potential risks that could compromise our performance and reputation. We expect the organisations that we fund to be well managed and to represent good value for money. Our ongoing monitoring assesses the extent to which this is the case. But we are not so risk averse that we ignore important opportunities for innovation and growth. We aim to take appropriate but informed risks, as circumstances dictate. However, we do not behave recklessly; neither would we wilfully squander public money nor endanger our reputation for prudent and effective delivery.

Our systems of internal control identify and prioritise the risks that could prevent us achieving Council’s policies, aims and objectives. They evaluate the likelihood of the risks being realised, consider the impact should they occur, and seek to manage them efficiently, effectively and economically. We continually seek to improve our internal control systems.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 65

A R A C reviews the robustness and suitability of this aspect of Council’s work. The Corporate Assurance Framework (C A F) and separate Corporate Risk Register were scrutinised at regular intervals throughout the year. This provided members with greater clarity on the levels of assurance in operation across all of the Council’s activities and the corresponding risks identified. A R A C reviewed the Horizon Scanning section of the C A F at each of its meetings.

Financial risk and capital management

The Council holds financial instruments mainly to finance its operations, for example trade debtors and trade creditors, and cash balances arising directly from its operations. The financial risk management of exposures arising from trading financial instruments, primarily trade debtors and trade creditors, is through a series of policies and procedures.

Risks are managed as follows:

Fraud risk – the Arts Council, in common with most other organisations, is exposed to fraud risk on an increasing and ever more sophisticated scale. Systems are in place to detect duplication of applications and payment details. We take part in the National Fraud Initiative data matching exercise. Fraud awareness training is undertaken annually by staff.
Liquidity risk – the Council is satisfied that it has sufficient liquid resources, in the form of cash at bank and agreed funding for 2024/25, to meet all current contracted commitments. The Council does not consider that its activities are exposed to any significant liquidity risk.
Interest rate risk – cash and cash equivalent balances are held in instant access variable rate bank accounts which on average carried an interest rate of 3.17% (2023/24: 3.18%) in the year.

The Council does not consider that its activities are exposed to significant interest rate risks.

Foreign currency risk – the Council is not currently exposed, to any significant degree, to foreign exchange risks.
Cash flow risk – the Council is not exposed to any significant cash flow risks.
Credit risk – the Council is not exposed to any significant credit risk as
most debtors relate to Welsh Government income.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 66

The risks to our performance: What they are and how we deal with them

Principal risks	Key mitigating actions
Planning, strategy and delivery We fail to deliver against our public announcements which may cause potential reputational damage to the Council.	Strategy – outlining our long-term commitments – and supporting suite of plans including annual plan 2024-25, highlighting our key tasks for the year to contribute to our commitments, published. Regular reporting of progress throughout the year. Summary report of achievements detailed in our published Annual Report.
Financial and resource management Funding cuts and cost of living crisis, including impact over the longer term, have a signifcant, detrimental effect on the sector and on our own available resources, including staffng.	In response to the Welsh Government’s announcement of a 10.5% reduction in our grant-in-aid for 2024-25 we reprofled our expenditure, undertook a programme of voluntary redundancies, and restructured the Executive Leadership Team. We limited to 2.5% the cut to multi year funding offers to organisations successful in the Investment Review. We have published an economic impact assessment report to identify and promote the benefcial impact of our work across Wales. This report shows a return in 2023-24 of £2.51 for every £1 spent in the arts. We continue to advocate to Government and other key stakeholders the case for the arts and ensure effcient and strict budgeting. We welcome the additional fnancial support from Welsh Government, including Job Protection and Resilience funding, and continue to monitor the situation closely.
Funding Lottery income levels may decline and/or disruption in business services including receipt of lottery income.	New Lottery licence holder, Allwyn, has indicated there will be no reduction in the funds available to good causes. Lottery income receipts have proved largely consistent with forecast and previous years’ levels. We will monitor the situation closely.
Grants management Investment Review fails to deliver target outcomes. Currently funded capital projects fail to secure additional funds to cover escalating costs so fail to complete.	Investment Review activity largely complete and evaluation of the project is scheduled. Due to budgetary constraints, at its meeting in December 2024, Council approved a delay to the opening of a round 2 for multi year funding opportunities to new applicants, currently until March 2026. We announced the 3.5% uplift to our Multi Year Funding Organisations on March 28th along with other funding opportunities via Lottery. Progression of development of new Capital Funding Strategy and potential additional capital investment from Welsh Government for 2025/26.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 67

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Principal risks Key mitigating actions
I T A full Disaster Recovery Plan is in place and tested annually. If an incident
arises, alternative offsite I T facilities are available. Staff are equipped to
Unforeseen or
work remotely and do so with no significant I T issues.
unexpected outages
compromise business Cyber security and I T penetration tests are conducted annually. We comply
continuity. with I A S M E security standards.
There is a breach in our We have robust reporting and investigation arrangements in the event of a
I T security. security or data breach.
Personal Data The Council has controls and policies in place to ensure data security and
integrity, and these are tested and evidenced through specific assurance
Personal data is lost,
arrangements. Encrypted I T systems ensure the physical security of data is
compromised or stolen.
tightly controlled. Staff undertake regular training and awareness sessions.
Staffing Staff capacity to deliver an expanding programme of activity is a continuing
concern for Council. Work is underway to update our existing operating
Recurrent pressure
to cut costs reduces structure and deliver projects that maximise efficiencies and support new
ways of working. Recruitment to vacant posts continues to be considered
staff capacity to an
on a case-by-case basis with several new recruitment exercises completed
unacceptable level.
recently. Executive Leadership team at full capacity following successful
recruitment exercise.
Risk management Council’s suite of risk management policies is reviewed regularly and
their effectiveness considered and reported though our internal audit
Our current polices and
arrangements. We share good practice with other Welsh Government
controls fail to protect
Sponsored Bodies.
us from potentially
fraudulent activity. Robust assessment and monitoring procedures are in place across all areas
of activity to ensure grant monies are used for the specified purpose.
Environment Our Welsh Language, Culture and Equalities Committee maintains oversight
of this area.
The current
environmental crisis has A Portfolio Manager leads our Well-being of Future Generations
a longer-term impact considerations, including climate justice. Climate Justice strategy and
for future generation. action plan developed. Climate Justice is one of the 6 key principles of our
Investment Review and new Strategy.
Projects and activity we fund, in response to grant applications and through
procurement, must demonstrate an understanding or development of
environmental considerations.
We hold Green Dragon level 5 accreditation and adopt Future Generations
resilience considerations across our offices, including Fair trade, printing/
consumables, energy usage and recycling. We have reduced our office
space, resulting in operational and carbon footprint savings. Our Travel
and Subsistence Policy is based on H M Revenue & Customs and other
government practices and rates.
Hybrid working arrangements are in place.
We use virtual meetings, where appropriate, to save on travel and time.
Staff guidance is in place regarding attending external meetings and events.
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Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 68

Principal risks

Key mitigating actions

Equalities We continue to drive forward our agenda through the joint action plan with other Welsh public bodies and our own Strategic Equality Plan and the joint We make little or no Widening Engagement Action Plan with Amgueddfa Cymru. progress regarding our equalities agenda. Equalities and Widening Engagement is one of the 6 key principles underpinning our new Strategy. We continue with our support for the Hynt scheme to promote a consistent offer for disabled visitors and their personal assistants/carers at venues throughout Wales and are working closely with other U K Arts Councils on All In, in their adoption of our Hynt model across the U K.

We revised and relaunched the Creative Steps programme, providing targeted support for underrepresented individuals and organisations led by and/or working with underrepresented communities to promote business, organisational and career development.

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Ds Hijinx Unity Festival, “gence ate Enter the ace aaaRe Sap refee Be 5 is aaa fs | EaBESENSROs MBO Ret
Robots e Sra (Image: Iolo Penri) peerage ea ers: Fi PSD wp a) REale a pe oS hd
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Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 69

Financial and business review

The Council has two principal funding sources: grantin-aid from the Welsh Government; and, as one of the bodies responsible for the distribution of funds for good causes, a share of the proceeds raised by the National Lottery. The Council is required to account separately for its grant in aid and lottery distribution activities.

Grant making policies

The Council invites applications for recurrent and one-off grants from organisations and individuals and monitors the proper and effective use of those grants. As well as meeting the Council’s strategic aims, applications must demonstrate benefit to the people of Wales across all regional, cultural and economic sectors. Recurrent grants are funded from grant-in-aid only but one-off grants may be funded from grant-in-aid or Lottery income. Under the terms of its Lottery Policy Directions the Council makes grants in support of capital and other projects under revenue schemes relating to the arts in Wales.

Recurrent, or annual revenue, grants are made to a portfolio of organisations to deliver high quality artistic services – our Multi Year Funding Organisations. Consideration of revenue status for any organisation is dependent on the availability of funding, the sustainability of the organisation, and demonstration of strong fit with the Council’s strategic priorities. Currently, each revenuefunded organisation enters into a funding agreement for a term of one to three years which sets out the anticipated level of funding, the programme of activity to be delivered, requirements for monitoring and annual review, standard conditions of grant, and any additional conditions.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 70

Brides , Ffilm Cymru Wales

Capital grants, to organisations only, support the purchase, improvement, restoration, building or creation of an asset that will be used for the benefit of the public to develop the organisation’s work.

Council delegates Lottery grant-making in a number of strategic areas to Ffilm Cymru Wales, Literature Wales, and Tŷ Cerdd. The terms of the external delegation are set out in formal agreements and satisfy the conditions of the Council’s Statement of Financial Requirements.

The obligations of the Council’s Accounting Officer are unchanged by the delegation. But he has satisfied himself that the organisations and their systems are suitable to undertake the delegated functions, including: the assessment of applications for funding; holding, accounting for and distributing Lottery money allocated to them by the Council for that purpose; and monitoring funded projects.

The delegation agreements allow for appropriate access to the delegatees by the Council’s internal auditors and by the Comptroller and Auditor General for the review of the operation of the delegated functions.

One-off grants are available to help fund time-limited artistic projects of high quality which best meet the Council’s funding priorities. Ongoing monitoring of our grant programmes alerts us to any specific risk issues. Identified risks lead to an escalation of the level of monitoring and, if necessary, can result in the payment of funding being withheld and/or deferred.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 71

Cash reserves – General Activities

The Council’s policy on restricted funds is to record separately grants, donations and other sources of income which are received for a specific purpose or project, or where restrictions are imposed that are narrower than the Council’s overall objectives. All of these incoming resources have been utilised in the year for their intended purpose.

Most of the Council’s unrestricted funds are committed during the year, in accordance with the conditions of grant-in-aid issued by the Welsh Government. Any surplus funds are carried forward and used in furtherance of the Council’s chartered objectives in the following year. There were no designated funds at 31 March 2025.

Our holding of cash reserves is restricted by the Welsh Government’s directions on month-end and year-end flexibility. Within those parameters, our policy is to manage cash flow by drawing down funds each month to meet planned expenditure with a modest allowance for unforeseen short-term cash requirements. We review this policy and our reserves position annually.

At 31 March 2025 the unrestricted cash funds were £0.416m (2024: £0.384m).

The accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis and there are no material uncertainties about our ability to continue in operation.

Investment

Investment powers are governed by the Trustee Act 2000 and the Framework Document issued by Welsh Ministers. The Council’s policy is to achieve the maximum return within these terms. Interest at a negotiated rate is received on all credit balances in the Council’s current accounts. From time to time, higher rates may be available for restricted funds on long term deposit.

The Council’s banking service is provided by Santander U K p l c.

All interest and other investment income earned on cash and bank balances which arise as a result of funding from the Welsh Government is surrendered to H M Treasury via the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 72

Payment of creditors

Council follows the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, and the U K Government’s Better Payment Practice Code. Council is required to pay suppliers’ invoices not in dispute within 30 days of receipt of goods or services or valid invoice, whichever is the later.

We aim to pay all invoices, including disputed invoices once the dispute has been settled, in line with these terms. During the year ended 31 March 2025, the Council paid 98% (2023/24: 99%) of all invoices within the terms of its payment policy.

The Council has a further aim to pay invoices within 10 days. For 2024/25, 80% (2023/24: 79%) of invoices have been paid within 10 days.

It is not anticipated that our policy will alter in future years and we will continue to adopt challenging performance targets.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 73

Financial Results – General Activities

2024/25 £’000	2023/24 £’000
Headlines from the General Activities accounts:
Total income for theyear 39,527	43,580
Excess of income over expenditure 540	43
Net current assets 3,027	2,605
Total fund balances at 31 March 3,241	2,701
Forward commitments of grants for the following year 28,585	25,123
The separate Lottery Distribution accounts show:
The Council’s share of the proceeds from the National Lottery 17,932	17,234
The combined:
Total income for both general and Lottery activities was 58,768	62,343
and
Total charitable arts expenditure for both general and Lotteryactivities was 55,305	60,421

The Council’s income from General Activities account for 2024/25 was £4.1m (9%) less than the previous year.

Our income in 2022/23 included £23.5m of restricted capital funding from Welsh Government for the redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd. The project is ongoing, and we continue to draw down the cash from Welsh Government and release the grant to the local authority to meet the project costs as they fall due. Our balance sheet reflects the cash flows but there is no impact on this year’s Statement of Financial Activities.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 74

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Operasonic
(Image: Charlie Nicholls)
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Overall, the General Activities Account shows a net increase in funds for the year of £540,000: restricted funds increased by £148,000 and unrestricted funds increased by £392,000.

The increase in both restricted and unrestricted funds relate primarily to delays in delivering some elements of our strategic programmes. The funds have been rolled forward into next year’s budget.

At 31 March 2025 we had unrestricted reserves of £2.3m (2024: £1.9m) and restricted reserves of £0.9m (2024: £0.8m). The level of our unrestricted reserves is directly affected by the Welsh Government’s policy on year-end cash balances, as outlined in the Cash reserves section above. The Council is permitted to carry over from one financial year to the next no more than 2% of its total non-Lottery income. We were within this cap on 31 March 2025.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 75

Financial Results – Lottery Distribution

2024/25 £’000	2023/24 £’000
Headlines from the LotteryDistribution accounts:
Share ofproceeds from the National Lottery 17,932	17,234
Netgrants made 14,493	14,661
Net expenditure for theyear 800	(832)
Balance held in the National Lottery Distribution Fund at 31 March 14,859	18,715
Reserves at 31 March 5,293	4,493

Grants processed

Grants processed
	2024/25	2023/24
Number of applications received:
Capital schemes	10	11
Revenue schemes	931	1,367
	941	1,378
Number ofgrants made:	413	674

Value ofgrants made:	£’000	£’000
Capital schemes	383	440
Revenue schemes	14,528	14,544
	14,911	14,988
Grantspayable at 31 March:
Capital schemes	3,651	7,696
Revenue schemes	7,218	10,551
	10,869	18,247

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 76

The Bangers and Chips Explosion , Torch Youth Theatre (Image: Chris Lloyd)

National Lottery income increased slightly this year. Our share of proceeds was £0.7m more than in 2023/24 but investment income on balances in the National Lottery remained approximately the same.

At year-end grants payable totalled £10.869m (2024: £18.247m). Undrawn funds in the National Lottery Distribution Fund plus cash and cash equivalents totalled £17.246m (2024: £23.348m). Our share of balances held in the National Lottery Distribution Fund fell by approximately 20% compared with last year-end, reflecting the release of grant payments to a number of significant capital projects which are now on site or nearing completion.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 77

Remuneration and Staff Report

Equal opportunities

The Council is committed to a policy of equality of opportunity in its employment practices. In particular, the Council aims to ensure that no potential or actual employee receives more or less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, ethnic or national origin, gender, marital or parental status, nationality, political belief, race, religion or sexual orientation.

Each year Council publishes a Pay Policy Statement. This includes a detailed breakdown of the make up of our staff. It also addresses Gender Equality and Equal Pay reporting.

Council ensures that appropriate facilities are available for disabled employees. Public signage also promotes the Council as a bilingual organisation.

Our H R policies

Council’s aim is to be a progressive, family friendly employer. We operate H R policies that reflect our legal obligations as an employer. Policies are reviewed on a regular basis and updated to reflect any relevant changes in legislation. The management of Council’s H R policies is monitored by the H R & Remuneration Committee.

Employee communication, consultation and negotiation

Council’s recognised trade union is Unite, with which it has established a procedural agreement; representatives of management and union meet regularly to discuss matters of current concern.

We undertake regular surveys of staff to identity any issues or areas for improvement.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 78

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Arts Connection
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Remuneration

The terms of appointment of the Chair and Chief Executive are agreed with the Welsh Government.

The Council remunerates its remaining staff in accordance with an agreed pay and grading system.

With the approval of the Charity Commission the Chair is remunerated at a rate determined by the Welsh Government which reflects a minimum time commitment to Council business. Annual increases of the Chair’s salary are also advised by the Welsh Government but the chair receives no bonus payments and is not a member of the Arts Council’s pension scheme.

The Chief Executive’s remuneration consists of a basic salary plus eligibility for an annual bonus. Annual bonuses are recommended to Council by the H R & Remuneration Committee in consideration of the performance of the Chief Executive against a set of predetermined objectives.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 79

Council members are appointed by the Welsh Ministers for a period of three years and may be re-appointed for a further period. The current Chair, Maggie Russell, took up the position on 1 April 2023.

The Chief Executive and Directors – the Executive Leadership Team – are all employed on permanent contracts on the Council’s standard terms and conditions. They are entitled to thirteen weeks’ notice of termination of employment.

The dates of commencement and termination of employment are:

Maggie Russell Chair 1 April 2023

Dafydd Rhys Chief Executive 17 October 2022

Rebecca Nelson

Director of Finance and Business Services 17 June 2019 to 2 August 2024

Alyn Coleman

Interim Director of Finance and Business Services 01 July 2024 to 31 October 2024

Catryn Ramasut Director of Arts 7 October 2024

Lorna Virgo

Director of Finance and Business Services 14 October 2024

Diane Hebb

Director of Arts Engagement from 1 February 2012 13 January 1992 to 31 March 2025

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 80

Sickness absence

Across the whole Council:

Across the whole Council:
2024/25	2023/24
Days lost as a result of sickness 571.5	1,030
Average number of employees (headcount) 86.5	93.58
Average number of days lost per employee 6.61	11.01

This represented an absence rate of 2.63% (2023/24: 4.39%) based on 251.5 (2023/24: 250.5) working days.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 81

Staff turnover

Across the whole Council:

Across the whole Council:
2024/25	2023/24
Average number of employees (headcount) 86.5	93.58
Leavers1 19	14
Starters 16	14
Average turnover2 21.97%	14.96%

1 Includes 3 redundancy volunteers (2023/24: 3)

2 Average turnover excluding redundancy volunteers 8.09% (2023/24: 11.75%)

Average turnover is calculated as follows:

total number of leavers over the year

X 100

average total number employed over the year

Consultancy

During 2024/25 the Council paid no consultancy costs (2023/24: £0) in relation to expert advice and opinion obtained to assist in strategic decision-making. Nothing (2023/24: £0) is charged in these financial statements.

The Chief Executive and Directors are responsible for directing the Council’s activities. Their actual emoluments and pension benefits were as shown in the following tables.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 82

The amount of pension benefits for the year which contributes to the single total remuneration figures is calculated in a similar way to the method used to derive pension values for tax purposes, and is based on information received from the actuary of the Arts Council Retirement Plan 1994.

The value of pension benefits is calculated as follows:

(real increase in pension* x 20) + (real increase in any lump sum) – (contributions made by member)

*excluding increases due to inflation or any increase or decrease due to a transfer of pension rights

This is not an amount which has been paid to an individual by the Council during the year, it is a calculation which uses information from the pension benefit table. These figures can be influenced by many factors, e.g. changes in a person’s salary, whether or not they choose to make additional contributions to the pension scheme from their pay, and other valuation factors affecting the pension scheme as a whole.

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The Fight , Theatr na nOg
(Image: Simon Gough Photography)
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Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 83

The single total remuneration figures of the Executive Leadership Team (audited):

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2024/25 2023/24
Emoluments Pension Loss of Single total Emoluments Pension Loss of Single total
Name band benefits Office remuneration band benefits Office remuneration
Position £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Dafydd Rhys 115-120 27 145-150 105-110 24 130-135
Chief Executive
Alyn Coleman [1] 25-30 49 75-80 N/A N/A N/A
Interim Director
of Finance and
Business from 1
July 2024 to 31
October 2024
Full year equivalent 80-85
Lorna Virgo 40-45- 9 50-55 N/A N/A N/A
Director of
Finance and
Business from 14
October 2024
Full year equivalent 85-90
Catryn Ramasut 40-45 9 45-50 N/A N/A N/A
Director of Arts
from 7 October
2024
Full year equivalent 80-85
Diane Hebb 85-90 26 155-160 270-275 85-90 (18) 65-70
Director of Arts
Engagement to
31 March 2025
Rebecca Nelson 30-35 8 35-40 85-90 13 95-100
Director of
Finance and
Business Services
to 2 August 2024
Full year equivalent 85-90
Richard Nicholls 0-5 2 0-5 85-90 16 20-25 12-125
Director of
Operations to 8
April 2024
Full year equivalent 85-90
Lleucu Siencyn 0-5 0 0-5 80-85 19 45-50 145-150
Director of Arts
Development to
8 April 2024
Full year equivalent 85-90
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1 The cost of loss of office of £135,670 for the interim Director of Finance and Business Services was accrued in 2023-24 when he was not a member of Executive leadership team.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 84

The pension benefits of the Executive Leadership Team (audited):

Name Position	2024/25 £’000	2024/25 £’000	2024/25 £’000	2023/24 £’000	2024/25 £’000
	Real increase in pension and related lump sum at age 65	Total accrued pension at age 65 as at 31/03/25, or date of leaving if earlier, and related lumpsum	Cash Equivalent1 Transfer Value at 31/03/25, or date of leaving if earlier	Cash Equivalent Transfer Value at 31/03/24	Real increase2 in Cash Equivalent Transfer Value
Dafydd Rhys Chief Executive	Pension 0-2.5 Lump sum 2.5-5	Pension 0-5 Lump sum 10-15	54	32	16
Richard Nicholls Director of Operations to 6 April 2024	Pension 0-2.5 Lump sum 0-2.5	Pension 0-5 Lump sum 10-15	31	30	1
Alyn Coleman Interim Director of Finance and Business Services from 1 July to 31 October 2024	Pension 0-2.5 Lump sum 5-10	Pension 25-30 Lump sum 75-80	450	414	36
Lorna Virgo Director of Finance and Business Services from 14 October 2024	Pension 0-2.5 Lump sum 0-2.5	Pension 0-5 Lump sum 0-5	3	N/A	-
Catryn Ramasut Director of Arts from 1 October 2024	Pension 0-2.5 Lump sum 0-2.5	Pension 0-5 Lump sum 0-5	4	N/A	1
Diane Hebb Director of Arts Engagement	Pension 0-2.5 Lump sum 2.5-5	Pension 25-30 Lump sum 80-85	440	428	16
Rebecca Nelson Director of Finance and Business Services to 2 August 2024	Pension 0-2.5 Lump sum 0-2.5	Pension 5-10 Lump sum 15-20	40	38	1
Lleucu Siencyn Director of Arts Development to 8 April 2024	Pension 0-2.5 Lump sum 0-2.5	Pension 0-5 Lump sum 5-10	18	18	-

1 Cash Equivalent Transfer Values – A Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (C E T V) is the actuarially assessed capitalised value of the pension scheme benefits accrued by a member at a particular point in time. The benefits valued are the member’s accrued benefits and any contingent spouse’s pension payable from the scheme. A C E T V is a payment made by a pension scheme or arrangement to secure pension benefits in another pension scheme or arrangement when the member leaves a scheme and chooses to transfer the benefits accrued in their former scheme. The pension figures shown relate to the benefits that the individual has accrued as a consequence of their total membership of the pension scheme, not just their service in a senior capacity to which disclosure applies. The figures include the value of any pension benefit in another scheme or arrangement which the individual has transferred to the Arts Council Retirement Plan 1994. They also include any additional pension benefit accrued to the member as a result of their purchasing additional pension benefits at their own cost. C E T Vs are calculated within the guidelines and framework prescribed by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and do not take account of any actual or potential reduction to benefits resulting from Lifetime Allowance Tax which may be due when pension benefits are drawn.

2 Real increase in C E T V – This is the change in C E T V net of inflation, employee contributions (including those relating to the purchase of added years) and transfer-in payments.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 85

The Chair is remunerated for his or her services but receives no bonus payments and is not a member of the pension scheme. Other Council and Committee Members receive no payment for their services. An aggregate amount of £5,969 (2023/24: £7,165) was reimbursed to 16 (2023/24: 15) Council members for travel and subsistence costs incurred on Council business. The aggregate amount allocated to Lottery Distribution activities was £3,511 (2023/24: £2,933).

The total actual emoluments of the Chairs and Chief Executives were made up of (audited):

made up of (audited):
Chair Chair – Maggie Russell Salary Chief Executives Chief Executive – Dafydd Rhys Salary Employer’s pension contribution	2024/25 £	2023/24 £


	43,810	43,810


	112,268	106,922
	22,341	21,277
	134,609	128,199

34% (2023/24: 34%) of the Chairs’ and 28% (2023/24: 28%) of the Chief Executives’ emoluments are charged in these financial statements and the remainder to general activities.

Reimbursed travel and subsistence expenses incurred and defrayed whilst on Council business: 2024/25 £ Chairs 785 Chief Executives 8,870	2023/24 £
	1,223
	12,037

49% (2023/24: 49%) of the Chairs’ and Chief Executives’ expenses are charged in these financial statements and the remainder to general activities.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 86

Other than members of the Executive Leadership Team listed above, the number of employees (whole Council) whose remuneration for the year, excluding employer’s pension contributions, exceeded £60,000 was as follows:

pension contributions, exceeded £60,000 was as follows:
2024/25 £60,000 to £69,999 10 £70,000 to £79,000 - £80,000 to £89,000 1 Fair pay(audited) 2025	2023/24
	-
	1
	-
	2024
The range of annual remuneration (full time equivalents) at 31 March was (whole Council): £27,591 to £112,268	£26,277 to £106,922
The Chief Executive is the highest paid member of staff. During the year the Chief Executive received a pay award of 5% (2023/24: 5%). Staff as a whole received a pay award of 5% (2023/24: 5%).
The annual remuneration (full time equivalents) of employees and the ratios between each of those and the pay of the Chief Executive at 31 March were (whole Council): 25th percentile Median (50th) percentile 75th percentile £34,561 1:3.2 £50,254 1:2.2 £50,254 1:2.2
	£32,915 1:3.2 £47,861 1:2.2 £47,861 1:2.2

Annual remuneration comprises salary only. The Chief Executive received travel allowance benefit for part of the year for the total of £7,068 and there was no performance-related pay.

Staff composition at 31 March (full time equivalents – whole Council)		2025			2024
	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
Executive LeadershipTeam	1	3	4	2	3	5
Portfolio Managers/Heads of Department	6	9	15	7	10	17
Senior Offcers	12	21	33	14	22	36
Offcers	3	9	12	2	9	11
Team Co-ordinators/Personal Assistants	3	16	19	3	15	18
	25	58	83	28	59	87
	30%	70%		32%	68%

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 87

Compensation schemes – exit packages (whole Council)

Number	of compulsory redundancies	Number of other departures agreed	Number of other departures agreed	Total number of exit packages by cost band	Total number of exit packages by cost band
2024/25	2023/24	2024/25	2023/24	2024/25	2023/24
-	-	1	2	1	2
-	1	-	4	-	5
-	-	-	4	-	4
-	-	-	2	-	2
-	-	1	-	1	-
-	1	2	12	2	13
-	45	171	735	171	780

Exit packages include redundancy payments and, where applicable, contractual pay in lieu of notice, accrued holiday pay and accrued pay for excess hours due at the date of termination.

Redundancy payments have been determined in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s redundancy policy. The Council usually pays exit costs when employment ends but provides for the exit costs in full at the point when there is sufficiently detailed information to do so.

All redundancies were carried out in accordance with the Council’s redundancy policy, the employees’ posts either disappeared in the new structure or were filled by other employees who would otherwise have been compulsorily redundant.

Tax arrangements of Payroll appointees

During the 2024-25 financial year there were no off-payroll appointees earning over £245 per day (2023-24: None).

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 88

Parliamentary Accountability and Audit Report (audited)

Remote contingent liabilities

The Council is an admitted employer of the Arts Council Retirement Plan 1994. The Plan is a funded, defined benefit, multi-employer scheme where the participating employers are unable to identify their shares of the underlying assets and liabilities.

In the event of the withdrawal of an employer, the debt triggered under section 75 of the Pensions Act 1995 would be calculated using the solvency shortfall of the entire Plan, not the employer’s own asset share and liabilities. Also, in the event of Plan wind up, as the Plan is a “last person standing” arrangement all employers would be jointly and severally liable for the total shortfall in the Plan.

It is not practical to estimate the financial impact.

Losses, special payments and gifts

The Council incurred no losses during the year and made no special payments or gifts.

Fees and charges income

The Council has no material income of this kind.

Dafydd Rhys Accounting Officer 24 October 2025

Endorsed on behalf of Council:

Maggie Russell Chair 24 October 2025

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 89

The year ahead: 2025/26

Skin Phillips, Glynn Vivian Art Gallery (Image: Polly Thomas)

As we look forward to a new financial year at the Arts Council of Wales we welcome the settlement with Welsh Government for the forthcoming year. A 10.5% uplift sees us returning more or less to where we were prior to the cut of 2024/25. There are many challenges ahead as we embed our published strategy into the organisation and sector, responding and incorporating where relevant the Priorities for Culture as published by Welsh Government.

We will also be introducing the Strategic Interventions identified in our reviews to Dance, Traditional Music and English Language Theatre post the Investment Review. These have been major pieces of work and will have a significant impact on the sector and these art forms. To work in a more strategic and targeted manner we will introduce changes to the way in which we allocate grants from our lottery funds. There will be a gradual implementation with simplified genre focussed rounds that link directly to our published strategy. Genre specific rounds will allow for a better understanding of competing demands and need within specific disciplines and will lead to better informed decision making.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 90

Change will continue as we re-imagine the Arts Directorate within the Arts Council of Wales with a significant re-structure with the aim of putting arts disciplines at the core of our decision making with the introduction of Heads Of and a simpler line management structure. The need for more art form specialism and knowledge is included in all three reviews and has been noted in many discussions at different levels with the sector.

We have also been successful in discussions with Welsh Government in introducing a new £8 million fund for the Capital needs of the arts estate throughout Wales which is a significant and important development. For context our spend last year was £1.2 million. There is without doubt a need to address an aging infrastructure coupled with our commitment to reduce carbon usage and the need to modernise our buildings in order to give the communities of Wales the arts buildings that they deserve.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 91

R&R24 Urban Circle, Folk Dancers

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 92

Financial Statements General Activities

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 93

Statement of the Accounting Officer’s responsibilities

Under Article 11 of the Royal Charter dated 30 March 1994 (as amended) the Council is required to prepare for each financial year a statement of accounts in the form and on the basis determined by Welsh Ministers. The accounts are prepared on an accruals basis and must give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Council and of its income and expenditure, Balance Sheet and cash flows for the financial year.

In preparing the accounts, the Accounting Officer is required to comply with the accounting principles and disclosure requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the U K and Republic of Ireland (F R S 102) issued on 16 July 2014 (“the S O R P”) and, to the extent that it clarifies or builds on the requirements of the S O R P, the Government Financial Reporting Manual and in particular to:

observe the Accounts Direction issued by Welsh Ministers, including the relevant accounting and disclosure requirements, and apply suitable accounting policies on a consistent basis;
make judgements and estimates on a reasonable basis;
state whether applicable accounting standards as set out in the S O R P and the Government Financial Reporting Manual have been followed, and disclose and explain any material departures in the financial statements; and
prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

The Principal Accounting Officer for the Welsh Government has designated the Chief Executive as the Accounting Officer of the Council. The responsibilities of an Accounting Officer, including responsibility for the propriety and regularity of the public finances for which the Accounting Officer is answerable, for keeping proper records and for safeguarding the Council’s assets, are set out in Managing Welsh Public Money published by the Welsh Government.

As the Accounting Officer, I have taken all the steps that I ought to have taken to make myself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Council’s auditor is aware of that information. So far as I am aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the auditors are unaware.

The Accounting Officer confirms that, as far as he is aware, the annual report and accounts as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and he takes responsibility for the annual report and accounts and the judgements required for determining that it is fair, balanced and understandable.

Endorsed on behalf of Council:

Dafydd Rhys Accounting Officer 24 October 2025

Maggie Russell Chair 24 October 2025

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 94

The Certificate and Report of the Auditor General for Wales to the Trustees of the Arts Council of Wales

Opinion on financial statements

I certify that I have audited the financial statements of the Arts Council of Wales General Activities Account for the year ended 31 March 2025 under Article 11 of the Arts Council of Wales’ Royal Charter.

The financial statements comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows and related notes, including the material accounting policies.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In my opinion, in all material aspects the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the Arts Council of Wales’ affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its net income for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
have been properly prepared in accordance with Article 11 of the Arts Council of Wales’ Royal Charter and directions made thereunder by Welsh Ministers.

Opinion on regularity

In my opinion, in all material respects, the income and expenditure recorded in the financial statements have been applied to the purposes intended by the Senedd and the financial transactions recorded in the financial statements conform to the authorities which govern them.

Basis for opinions

I conducted my audit in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing in the U K (I S As (U K)) and Practice Note 10 ‘Audit of financial statements and regularity of public sector bodies in the United Kingdom’. My responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of my certificate.

My staff and I are independent of the body in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to my audit of the financial statements in the U K including the Financial Reporting Council’s Ethical Standard, and I have fulfilled my other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my opinions.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 95

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, I have concluded that the use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work I have performed, I have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the body’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

My responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Accounting Officer with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this certificate.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the Report and Financial Statements but does not include the financial statements nor my auditor’s report thereon. The Accounting Officer is responsible for the other information. My opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in my report, I do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. My responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If I identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, I am required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work I have performed, I conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, I am required to report that fact.

I have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinion on other matters

Although there are no legislative requirements for a Remuneration Report, the Arts Council of Wales has prepared such a report and, in my opinion, that part ordinarily required to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with H M Treasury guidance.

In my opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of my audit, the information given in the Foreword, Performance Report and Operational Review and Accountability Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements and is in accordance with the applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which I report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the body and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, I have not identified material misstatements in the Foreword, Performance Report and Operational Review and Accountability Report.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 96

I have nothing to report in respect of the following matters which I report to you if, in my opinion:

I have not received all the information and explanations I require for my audit;
sufficient accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for my audit have not been received from branches not visited by my team;
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
information specified by Welsh Ministers regarding remuneration and other transactions is not disclosed.

Responsibilities of the Accounting Officer for the financial statements

As explained more fully in the Statement of the Accounting Officer’s Responsibilities, the Accounting Officer is responsible for:

maintaining sufficient accounting records;
the preparation of the Report and Financial Statements in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view;
ensuring the regularity of financial transactions;
internal controls as the Accounting Officer determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statement to be free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; and
assessing the body’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Accounting Officer anticipates that the services provided by the body will not continue to be provided in the future.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

My responsibility is to audit, certify and report on the financial statements in accordance with the Arts Council of Wales’ Royal Charter.

Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with I S As (U K) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 97

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. I design procedures in line with my responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud.

My procedures included the following:

enquiring of management, Internal Audit and those charged with governance, including obtaining and reviewing supporting documentation relating to the Arts Council of Wales’ policies and procedures concerned with:
› identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance;
› detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud; and
› the internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud or noncompliance with laws and regulations;
considering as an audit team how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud. As part of this discussion, I identified potential for fraud in areas at risk of management override such as the posting of unusual journals and the calculation of accounting estimates;
obtaining an understanding of Arts Council of Wales’ framework of authority as well as other legal and regulatory frameworks that it operates in, focusing on those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the financial statements or that had a fundamental effect on its operations;
obtaining an understanding of related party relationships.

In addition to the above, my procedures to respond to identified risks included the following:

reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with relevant laws and regulations discussed above;
enquiring of management, the Audit Committee and legal advisors about actual and potential litigation and claims;
reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
in addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 98

I also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all audit team members and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.

The extent to which my procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is affected by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the Arts Council of Wales’ controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. A further description of the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website www.frc.org.uk/ auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of my auditor’s report.

Other auditor’s responsibilities

I obtain evidence sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the expenditure and income recorded in the financial statements have been applied to the purposes intended by the Senedd and the financial transactions recorded in the financial statements conform to the authorities which govern them.

I communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that I identify during my audit.

Report

I have no observations to make on these financial statements.

Adrian Crompton Auditor General for Wales 30 October 2025

1 Capital Quarter Tyndall Street Cardiff C F10 4BZ

The maintenance and integrity of the Arts Council of Wales website is the responsibility of the Accounting Officer; the work carried out by auditors does not involve consideration of these matters and accordingly auditors accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the financial statements since they were initially presented on the website.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 99

The Arts Council of Wales

Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Unrestricted funds £’000	Restricted funds £’000	2024/25 Total £’000	2023/24 Total £’000 33,714 9,549


30,529	2,800	33,329
16	5,803	5,819
30,545	8,603	39,148	43,263 177 108 32
198	45	243

81	26	107
29	-	29
30,853	8,674	39,527	43,580
			43,373 84 80

29,939	8,887	38,826
80	-	80
81	-	81
30,100	8,887	38,987	43,537
			43 -
753	(213)	540
(361)	361	-
392	148	540	43 2,658

1,932	769	2,701
2,324	917	3,241	2,701

There are no gains or losses other than those shown above.

There are no discontinued activities and there have been no acquisitions during the year. The notes on pages 103 to 128 form part of these financial statements.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 100

The Arts Council of Wales

Balance Sheet

as at 31 March 2025

		31 March 2025	31 March 2025	31 March 2024	31 March 2024
		£’000		£’000
Fixed assets	Note
Intangible fixed assets	9a		1		2
Tangible fixed assets	9b		226		199
Total fixed assets			227		201
Non-current assets
Debtors	10a		-		-
Current assets
Grants paid in advance		-		120
Debtors	10b	7,579		16,227
Cash and cash equivalents		1,331		1,566
Total current assets		8,910		17,913
Liabilities:falling due within one year
Creditors	11a	(5,883)		(15,308)
		(5,883)		(15,308)
Net current assets			3,027		2,605
Total assets less current liabilities			3,254		2,806
Creditors:falling due after more than one year
Creditors	11b		(13)		(105)
Net assets			3,241		2,701
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds	13		2,324		1,932
Restricted funds	13		917		769
			3,241		2,701

The notes on pages 103 to 128 form part of these financial statements.

The financial statements were approved by the Arts Council of Wales and signed on its behalf by

Dafydd Rhys Accounting Officer 24 October 2025

Maggie Russell Chair 24 October 2025

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 101

The Arts Council of Wales

Statement of Cash Flows

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Note Net cash infow from operating activities 15a Net cash infow from investing activities 15b Net cash outfow associated with capital assets 15c Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents brought forward Cash and cash equivalents carried forward	2024/25 £’000 (104) 26 (157) (235) 1,566 1,331	2023/24 £’000 172 28 (125) 75 1,491 1,566

The notes on pages 103 to 128 form part of these financial statements.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 102

The Arts Council of Wales

General Activities Account Notes forming part of the financial statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting policies

a. Basis of preparation

These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis and under the historical cost convention modified to include certain fixed assets at their value to the Council on a current cost basis. Grant commitments and other obligations have been agreed on the basis of continuing receipt of Grant-in-Aid financing from the Welsh Government. They have been prepared in accordance with the Accounts Direction issued by Welsh Ministers and meet the requirements of the Charities Acts 2006, 2011 and 2016, of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their account in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (F R S 102) issued on 16 July 2014 (“the S O R P”) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (F R S 102). In addition to compliance with the S O R P regard is given to the requirements of the Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM) issued by HM Treasury to the extent that it clarifies or builds on the requirements of the S O R P. A summary of the principal accounting policies which have been applied consistently are set out below.

Impact of standards not yet effective

The application of any new or amended accounting standards is governed by their adoption by the Charity Commission and FReM. The Council applies changes to standards when they become effective. There are no known material impacts from accounting standard changes that have been issued and are not yet effective on the financial statements in the period of initial application.

b. Income

Grant-in-aid from the Welsh Government is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities on a receivable basis.

All other income is recognised when the Council has entitlement to the funds, any associated performance conditions have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably. Capital grants receivable are treated as income.

No income is recorded net of expenditure in the Statement of Financial Activities.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 103

c. Lottery distribution

These financial statements do not cover the Council’s lottery distribution function for which separate financial statements have been prepared in accordance with directions issued by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport.

The Council incurs costs which support both its general activities and lottery distribution functions. In accordance its Financial Directions the Council apportions indirect costs properly between these two areas of activity with reference to the time spent on, or the consumption of the relevant resources by, the respective activities.

The apportionments are usually reviewed every two years and whenever there is a significant change to the staff structure or the programmes of activity.

d. Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.

e. Grants awarded

Subsidy expenditure is incurred in the form of grants which are formally offered to organisations funded by the Council. Grants are offered in support of a programme of activities planned for, or to commence in, a particular financial year and in most circumstances are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in that year.

Forward commitments made in the year relating to next year’s activity, as disclosed in note 17, are not charged to the Statement of Financial Activities. The grant-inaid to meet these commitments cannot be recognised until it is received so, in this respect, we have been unable to apply all principles of paragraph 7 of the S O R P. The Trustees do not believe the inclusion of the forward commitments would provide a true and fair view of the application of the Council’s resources.

Grants unpaid at the year-end are shown as creditors in the Balance Sheet. Any advance payments which have been made in respect of approved grants relating to next year’s activities are shown in the Balance Sheet as current assets.

All grants offered are listed in the annex to this Annual Report.

f. Services and sponsorship

Services and sponsorship comprise the direct costs, including staff and depreciation, attributable to charitable activities.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 104

g. Allocation of operating costs

Operating costs have been allocated first between charitable activities and governance. Operating costs relating to charitable activities have been apportioned to reflect the time spent by staff in delivering direct activities and in support of their delivery. The allocation and analysis of these costs is in notes 6 and 7.

h. Governance costs

Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the Council as a charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. These costs are analysed in note 8.

i. Foreign currency

Revenue received and expenditure incurred in foreign currencies is converted at the exchange rate prevailing at the time of the transaction. Balances held in foreign currencies are converted at the rate prevailing at the Balance Sheet date. Transactions and balances covered by forward contracts are converted at the contract rate.

j. Recognition of liabilities

Liabilities are recognised when an obligation arises to transfer economic benefits as a result of past transactions or events.

k. Fund accounting

Restricted funds are those which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Council for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Unrestricted funds are those which are available for use at the discretion of Council in furtherance of its chartered objectives and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Where support costs are allocated to restricted charitable activities a transfer is made from unrestricted funds to cover these costs.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 105

l. Fixed assets

The Council owns two freehold properties, the Sherman Theatre and the Rubicon Dance Studio, which are let on long leases at peppercorn rents to tenants which are not controlled by the Council and with no provision for repossession by the Council. Based on the advice of external and independent chartered surveyors, the residual value of these freehold interests is considered to be negligible so these assets are held in the accounts at a nil value.

Website development costs, in accordance with F R S 102, are treated as tangible fixed assets.

Computer software licences are treated as intangible fixed assets if they cover more than one year.

Other than freehold properties all tangible and intangible fixed assets are included at historical cost less an allowance for depreciation and amortisation. The Council considers that there is no significant difference between the book and market values.

m. Amortisation and depreciation

Individual assets costing £1,000 or above are capitalised and a full year’s amortisation or depreciation is provided in the year of acquisition. Amortisation of intangible fixed assets and depreciation on tangible fixed assets is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation of each asset to its residual value on a straight line basis over its expected useful life as follows:

Computer software licences	over 3years
Leasehold improvements	over the term of the lease
Furniture,fxtures and fttings	over 10years
Equipment	over 4years
Website development costs	over 3years
Computer system	over 3years

n.

Leases

The costs of operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the life of the lease.

o. Pensions

The Council is an admitted employer of the Arts Council Retirement Plan 1994 (A C R P) which provides defined benefits to Council employees. The costs of the Council’s contributions are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities so as to spread the cost of pensions over employees’ working lives.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 106

The Plan is a funded, defined benefit, multi-employer scheme where the participating employers are unable to identify their shares of the underlying assets and liabilities. The scheme has therefore been accounted for as if it were a defined contribution scheme, in accordance with F R S 102. The Council has made payments to fund a deficit relating to past service. If further deficit payments are needed, following future revaluations, the Council will recognise a provision for the present value of contributions payable in accordance with the terms of any relevant funding agreement. All contributions towards the deficit are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities.

The Council also has a defined contribution scheme, The People’s Pension, as an alternative option to meet the needs of Auto Enrolment legislation. The scheme is accounted for in accordance with F R S 102.

p. Taxation

Non-recoverable Value Added Tax arising from expenditure on non-business activities is charged to the Statement of Financial Activities or capitalised as a fixed asset where applicable.

q. Financial instruments

Financial assets: Trade debtors do not carry any interest and are stated at their nominal value as reduced by appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts. Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand and cash at bank and on short term deposit on instant access terms.

Financial liabilities: Trade creditors are not interest bearing and are stated at their nominal value.

2. General activities and Lottery distribution: combined income and charitable arts expenditure

The separate Lottery distribution account shows the Council’s 2024/25 share of the proceeds from the National Lottery of £17,932,000 (2023/24: £17,234,000). The combined total income for both general and Lottery activities for 2024/25 was £58,768,000 (2023/24: £62,343,000). The combined total direct charitable arts expenditure for 2024/25 was £55,305,000 (2023/24: £60,421,000).

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 107

3. Income

Donations: Other grants and donations

	Unrestricted funds £’000	2023/24 Total £’000
_Creative Learning through the Arts_Programme (note 18): Welsh Government grant Arts Council of Wales Lottery grant Other income Prior year grants no longer required or repaid Welsh Government for National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales Welsh Government Job protection and for theatres Welsh Government funds for international activities Grants to Wales Arts International Public Health Wales
		1,000
		1,000
		23
		1
		5,073
		1,350
		1,014
		79
		9
	16 5,803 5,819	9,549

4. Income from charitable activities – Services and sponsorship

me from charitable activities – ices and sponsorship
Night Out_scheme: – contributions from venues/promoters Wales Arts International: Other income _Collectorplan– gallery fees Other income	Unrestricted funds £’000 Restricted funds £’000 2024/25 Total £’000 173 - 173 - 45 45 20 - 20 5 - 5	2023/24 Total £’000
		146
		-
		30
		1
	198 45 243	177

5. Other income

r income
Proceeds from the disposal of fxed assets Contribution from the Lottery Distribution account: for use of fxed assets	Unrestricted funds £’000 Restricted funds £’000 2024/25 Total £’000 - - - 29 - 29	2023/24 Total £’000
		3
		29
	29 - 29	32

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 108

6. Expenditure – Charitable activities

. Expenditure – Charitable activities	activities
Direct activities £’000 Grant making and arts development 1,140 Creative Learning through the Arts Programme(note 18) 1,551 Arts strategy 1,447 International 752 Services:Night Out&Collectorplan 648 Advocacy and research 235 5,773 From unrestricted funds From restricted funds 1Grant funding From unrestricted funds Arts Portfolio Wales Strategic awards From restricted funds Arts Portfolio Wales Creative Learning through the Arts Programme Strategic awards – for the development of the National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales Strategic awards – capital grants for theatres Strategic awards – other Memorial awards	Direct activities £’000 1,140 1,551 1,447 752 648 235	Grant1 funding £’000 Support2 costs £’000 30,692 1,750 442 - - 79 - 41 - 36 - 13	2024/25 Total £’000	2023/24 Total £’000
			33,582	37,080
			1,993	2,780
			1,526	1,614
			793	918
			684	632
			248	349
	5,773	31,134 1,919	38,826	43,373
			29,939	31,881
			8,887	11,492
			38,826	43,373
		To institutions £’000 To individuals £’000 25,123 - 314 70 300 - 442 - 60 - 1,250 - 3,466 109 - - 30,955 179
			2024/25 Total £’000 25,123 384 300 -442 60 1,250 3,575 -	2023/24 Total £’000

				26,885
				47

				300
				1,514
				4,067
				1,350
				835
				-
			31,134	34,998

All grants are listed in the annex to this Annual Report.

2Support costs Staff costs Staff related costs Sub-total staff and related costs Provisions Organisational review Infrastructure Offce running costs Professional fees and promotion Irrecoverable V A T Amortisation and depreciation	Gross costs £’000 Deduct Recharges to Lottery Distribution £’000 2024/25 Net charge to General Activities £’000 2,878 1,560 1,318 175 83 92	2023/24 Net charge to General Activities £’000
		1,813
		71
	3,053 1,643 1,410 5 - 5 4 2 2 499 247 252 21 10 11 175 123 52 119 63 56 131 - 131	1,884
		-
		8
		333
		9
		102
		64
		61
	4,007 2,088 1,919	2,461

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 109

7. Staff costs

Permanently employed £’000 Other £’000 2,901 1,017 314 112 521 180 175 - 5 - - 8	Gross costs £’000 Deduct Recharges to Lottery Distribution £’000 2024/25 Net charge to General Activities £’000 3,918 1,153 2,765 426 127 299 701 207 494 175 86 89 5 - 5 8 4 4	2023/24 Net charge to General Activities £’000
		3,092
		360
		504
		343
		7
		5
3,916 1,317	5,233 1,577 3,656	4,311
	2,306 - 2,306 2,878 1,560 1,318 49 17 32
		2,466
		1,813
		32
	5,233 1,577 3,656	4,311

Permanently employed Other 9 13 25 2 24 8	Across the whole Council On Lottery Distribution activities 2024/25 On General Activities 22 - 22 27 - 27 32 25 7	2023/24 On General Activities

		21
		31
		9
58 23	81 25 56	61

	2025			2024
Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
1	3	4	2	3	5
6	9	15	7	10	17
12	21	33	14	22	36
3	9	12	2	9	11
3	16	19	3	15	18
25	58	83	28	59	87
30%	70%		32%	68%

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 110

Emoluments by bands 2024/25 Other than members of the Executive Leadership Team listed at note 7b, the number of employees (whole Council) whose remuneration for the year, excluding employer’s pension contributions, exceeded £60,000 are as follows: £60,000 to £69,000 10 £70,000 to £79,000 0 £80,000 to £89,000 1 2025 The range of annual remuneration (full time equivalents) at 31 March was (whole Council): £27,591 to £112,268 The Chief Executive is the highest paid member of staff. During the year the Chief Executive received a pay award of 5%(2023/24: 5%). Staff as a whole also received a pay award of 5%(2023/24: 5%). The annual remuneration (full time equivalents) of employees and the ratios between each of those and the pay of the Chief Executive at 31 March were (whole Council): 25th percentile Median (50th) percentile 75th percentile £34,561 1:3.2 £50,254 1:2.2 £50,254 1:2.2 Annual remuneration comprises salary only. The chief executive received travel allowance beneft for part of the year for the total of £7,068 and there was no performance-related pay.	2023/24

	-
	1
	-

	2024
	£26,277 to £106,922


	£32,915 1:3.2 £47,861 1:2.2 £47,861 1:2.2

Compensation schemes – exit packages (whole Council)

Number	of compulsory redundancies	Number of other departures agreed	Number of other departures agreed	Total number of exit packages by cost band	Total number of exit packages by cost band
2024/25	2023/24	2024/25	2023/24	2024/25	2023/24
-	-	1	2	1	2
-	1	-	4	-	5
-	-	-	4	-	4
-	-	-	2	-	2
-	-	1	-	1	-
-	1	2	12	2	13
-	45	171	735	171	780

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 111

Exit packages include redundancy payments and, where applicable, contractual pay in lieu of notice, accrued holiday pay and accrued pay for excess hours due at the date of termination.

b. The Chief Executive and Directors – the Executive Leadership Team – are responsible for directing the Council’s activities. Their actual emoluments and pension benefits were as shown in the following tables.

The amount of pension benefits for the year which contributes to the single total remuneration figures is calculated in a similar way to the method used to derive pension values for tax purposes and is based on information received from the actuary of the Arts Council Retirement Plan 1994.

The value of pension benefits is calculated as follows:

(real increase in pension* x 20) + (real increase in any lump sum) – (contributions made by member)

*excluding increases due to inflation or any increase or decrease due to a transfer of pension rights

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 112

The single total remuneration figures of the Executive Leadership Team:

==> picture [558 x 669] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
2024/25 2023/24
Emoluments Pension Loss of Single total Emoluments Pension Loss of Single total
Name band benefits Office remuneration band benefits Office remuneration
Position £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Dafydd Rhys 115-120 27 145-150 105-110 24 130-135
Chief Executive
Alyn Coleman [1] 25-30 49 75-80 N/A N/A N/A
Interim Director
of Finance and
Business from 1
July 2024 to 31
October 2024
Full year equivalent 80-85
Lorna Virgo 40-45 9 50-55 N/A N/A N/A
Director of
Finance and
Business from 14
October 2024
Full year equivalent 85-90
Catryn Ramasut 40-45 9 45-50 N/A N/A N/A
Director of Arts
from 7 October
2024
Full year equivalent 80-85
Diane Hebb 85-90 26 155-160 270-275 85-90 (18) 65-70
Director of Arts
Engagement to
31 March 2025
Rebecca Nelson 30-35 8 35-40 85-90 13 95-100
Director of
Finance and
Business Services
to 2 August 2024
Full year equivalent 85-90
Richard Nicholls 0-5 2 0-5 85-90 16 20-25 120-125
Director of
Operations to 8
April 2024
Full year equivalent 85-90
Lleucu Siencyn 0-5 0 0-5 80-85 19 45-50 145-150
Director of Arts
Development to 8
April 2024
Full year equivalent 85-90
----- End of picture text -----

1 The cost of loss of office of £135,670 for the interim Director of Finance and Business Services was accrued in 2023-24 when he was not a member of Executive leadership team.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 113

The pension benefits of the Executive Leadership Team:

Name Position	2024/25 £’000	2024/25 £’000	2024/25 £’000	2023/24 £’000	2024/25 £’000
	Real increase in pension and related lump sum at age 65	Total accrued pension at age 65 as at 31/03/25, or date of leaving if earlier, and related lumpsum	Cash Equivalent1 Transfer Value at 31/03/25, or date of leaving if earlier	Cash Equivalent Transfer Value at 31/03/24	Real increase2 in Cash Equivalent Transfer Value
Dafydd Rhys Chief Executive	Pension 0-2.5 Lump sum 2.5-5	Pension 0-5 Lump sum 10-15	54	32	16
Richard Nicholls Director of Operations to 6 April 2024	Pension 0-2.5 Lump sum 0-2.5	Pension 0-5 Lump sum 10-15	31	30	1
Alyn Coleman Interim Director of Finance and Business Services from 1 July to 31 October 2024	Pension 0-2.5 Lump sum 5-10	Pension 25-30 Lump sum 75-80	450	414	36
Lorna Virgo Director of Finance and Business Services from 14 October 2024	Pension 0-2.5 Lump sum 0-2.5	Pension 0-5 Lump sum 0-5	3	N/A	-
Catryn Ramasut Director of Arts from 7 October 2024	Pension 0-2.5 Lump sum 0-2.5	Pension 0-5 Lump sum 0-5	4	N/A	1
Diane Hebb Director of Arts Engagement	Pension 0-2.5 Lump sum 2.5-5	Pension 25-30 Lump sum 80-85	440	428	16
Rebecca Nelson Director of Finance and Business Services to 2 August 2024	Pension 0-2.5 Lump sum 0-2.5	Pension 5-10 Lump sum 15-20	40	38	1
Lleucu Siencyn Director of Arts Development to 8 April 2024	Pension 0-2.5 Lump sum 0-2.5	Pension 0-5 Lump sum 5-10	18	18	-

1 Cash Equivalent Transfer Values – A Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (C E T V) is the actuarially assessed capitalised value of the pension scheme benefits accrued by a member at a particular point in time. The benefits valued are the member’s accrued benefits and any contingent spouse’s pension payable from the scheme. A C E T V is a payment made by a pension scheme or arrangement to secure pension benefits in another pension scheme or arrangement when the member leaves a scheme and chooses to transfer the benefits accrued in their former scheme. The pension figures shown relate to the benefits that the individual has accrued as a consequence of their total membership of the pension scheme, not just their service in a senior capacity to which disclosure applies. The figures include the value of any pension benefit in another scheme or arrangement which the individual has transferred to the Arts Council Retirement Plan 1994. They also include any additional pension benefit accrued to the member as a result of their purchasing additional pension benefits at their own cost. C E T Vs are calculated within the guidelines and framework prescribed by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and do not take account of any actual or potential reduction to benefits resulting from Lifetime Allowance Tax which may be due when pension benefits are drawn.

2 Real increase in C E T V – This is the change in C E T V net of inflation, employee contributions (including those relating to the purchase of added years) and transfer-in payments

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 114

The Chair, with the approval of the Charity Commission, is remunerated for his or her services but receives no bonus payments and is not a member of the pension scheme. Other Council and Committee Members receive no payment for their services. Council meeting costs for 2024/25 include an aggregate amount of £5,969 (2023/24: £7,165) reimbursed to 16 (2023/24: 15) Council members for travel and subsistence costs incurred on Council business.

The total actual emoluments of the Chair and Chief Executives were made up of:

Chair Chair – Maggie Russell Salary Chief Executive Chief Executive – Dafydd Rhys Salary Employer’s pension contribution	2024/25 £	2023/24 £


	43,810	43,810


	112,268	106,922
	22,341	21,277
	134,069	128,199

66% (2023/24: 66%) of the Chair’s and 72% (2023/24: 72%) of the Chief Executive’s emoluments are charged in these financial statements and the remainder to lottery distribution activities.

Travel and subsistence expenses incurred and defrayed whilst on Council business: 2024/25 £ Chair 785 Chief Executive 8,870	2023/24 £
	1,223
	12,037

51% (2023/24: 51%) of the Chair’s and Chief Executive’s expenses are charged in these financial statements and the remainder to lottery distribution activities.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 115

c. Most employees are members of the Arts Council Retirement Plan 1994 (A C R P). The fund is a defined benefit scheme. It is also a multi-employer scheme so the Council is unable to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities. The scheme has therefore been accounted for as if it were a defined contribution scheme, in accordance with F R S 102.

An independent actuarial valuation of the A C R P normally takes place every three years. The most recent valuation, as at 31 March 2022, came into effect on 1 April 2023. It showed that the A C R P had a funding deficit relative to its statutory funding objective.

The valuation introduced new ordinary contribution rates for the Council in respect of accruing benefits. It also assumed a continuing requirement that a minimum level of payment be made each year towards the deficit, at a rate advised by the scheme actuary, until 31 March 2034. Participating employers may pay contributions at a higher rate or pay additional lump sum contributions at any time before they are due if they so wish.

The Council made a lump sum payment of £115,900 in 2022/23 and it was agreed with the actuaries that no further deficit payments would be needed until the next revaluation. The Council’s Lottery Distribution account contributed £56,550 towards that deficit payment.

On the assumption that the recommended amounts would be paid to A C R P, the actuary’s opinion was that the statutory funding objective could have been expected on 31 March 2022 to be met by the end of the period specified in the recovery plan.

The valuation was carried out for the purposes of section 179 of the Pensions Act 2004 and the key financial assumptions (net of price inflation) were:

Net discount rate prior to retirement (pre 2009 compensation)	-2.39% p.a.
Net discount rate prior to retirement (post 2009 compensation)	-0.68% p.a.
Net discount rate for pre 1997 benefts inpayment (currentpensioners)	1.95% p.a.
Net discount rate for pre 1997 benefts inpayment (futurepensioners)	1.65% p.a.
Net discount rate for post 1997 benefts inpayment (currentpensioners)	-0.25% p.a.
Net discount rate for post 1997 benefts inpayment (futurepensioners)	-0.65% p.a.
Longevity	S 3 P M A (for males frst life), S 3 P M A (for females frst life), S 3 P M A (for males second life) and S 3 P M A (for females second life), in each case with future improvements in line with the C M I 2021 model, with a long term improvement rate of 1.5% for males/females, and a core smoothing parameter of 0.30%
Contingent benefts	80% (males) or 70% (females) assumed married at retirement, or earlier death.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 116

Contributions by the Council and its employees were:

	Council	Council	Employees	Employees
	2024/25	2023/24	2024/25	2023/24
For all staff	19.9%	19.9%	6.0%	6.0%

There have been no changes to employees’ contribution rates since 31 March 2025.

From 1 April 2025 there have been changes to the Council’s contribution rates from 19.9% to 14.9% and this will be only up to 31 March 2026.

The Council also paid 0.2% (2023/24: 0.2%) of pensionable salary in respect of each life assurance only member.

Under Auto Enrolment legislation all eligible employees are required to join a qualifying pension scheme unless they formally opt out. We have a defined contribution scheme, The People’s Pension, as an alternative option for employees who are not members of the A C R P. The Council contributed 5% and the employee 3% during the year. These rates may change in the future, in line with the requirements of the legislation.

8. Resources expended Governance costs

8. Resources expended Governance costs
Chair’s remuneration Auditor’s remuneration – Audit Internal audit Legal and consultancy fees Council meetings, including travel and subsistence	Gross costs £’000 Deduct Recharges to Lottery Distribution £’000 2024/25 Net charge to General Activities £’000 49 17 32 56 26 30 25 12 13 - - - 11 6 5	2023/24 Net charge to General Activities £’000
		32
		36
		9
		1
		6
	141 61 80	84

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 117

9. Fixed assets

a. Intangible fxed assets Cost at 1 April 2024 Additions Disposals Cost at 31 March 2025 Amortisation at 1 April 2024 Charge for the year Disposals Amortisation at 31 March 2025	Computer software licences £’000 228 - - 228 226 1 - 227 1 2 Alterations to leasehold properties £’000 Computer system, furniture, etc £’000 Website £’000 Total £’000 107 544 194 845 - 37 120 157 - (192) - (192)
Net book value at 31 March 2025
Net book value at 1 April 2024
b. Tangible fxed assets Cost at 1 April 2024 Additions Disposals Cost at 31 March 2025 Depreciation at 1 April 2024 Charge for the year Disposals Depreciation at 31 March 2025
	107 389 314 810
	107 444 95 646 - 57 73 130 - (192) - (192)
	107 309 168 584
Net book value at 31 March 2025	0 80 146 226
Net book value at 1 April 2024	0 100 99 199

Amortisation and depreciation charged has been allocated to charitable activities within support costs (note 6).

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 118

c. Net book value at 31 March 2025 represents fixed assets used by the Council in support of its charitable activities.

The Council’s freehold properties in Cardiff, the Sherman Theatre and the Rubicon Dance Studio, are let on long leases at peppercorn rents to tenants which are not controlled by the Council and with no provisions either for reviewing the rents or repossession by the Council.

The Sherman Theatre was acquired by the Welsh Arts Council, a division of the Arts Council of Great Britain, in September 1987 at a cost of £897,000 and immediately let for a term of 125 years. At the dissolution of the Arts Council of Great Britain in March 1994 the freehold interest was transferred to the newly formed Arts Council of Wales.

The Rubicon Dance Studio was acquired by the Welsh Arts Council in February 1988 at a cost of £11,315 and subject to an existing lease for a term of 999 years commencing 1 January 1986. The freehold interest was transferred to the Arts Council of Wales in March 1994.

The most recent external and independent valuation of the Council’s freehold properties was as at 31 March 2004. It was undertaken by Elizabeth Hill, a Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, for and on behalf of Cooke & Arkwright, Chartered Surveyors. Because of the impact of the leases it was the surveyor’s opinion that the freehold interests had a nil or nominal value, so these assets are held in the accounts at nil value.

Council does not consider it necessary to undertake a further valuation until there is a significant reduction in the residual terms of the leases or earlier termination.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 119

10. Debtors

0. Debtors
a. Debtors:falling due after more than one year Welsh Government – capital fundingfor redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd b. Debtors:falling due within one year Welsh Government – grant-in-aid Welsh Government – capital fundingfor redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd Welsh Government – for National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales Welsh Government – other funds Collectorplan_loans1 Trade debtors Other debtors _Deduct_Specifc provision for doubtful debts _Sub-total: Debtors Prepayments Due from National Lottery distribution fund for recharged costs: Cost apportionments	2024/25 £’000	2023/24 £’000

	-	-
	0	0

	-	500
	5,086	10,030
	-	2,664
	257	1,026
	186	424
	188	133
	837	829
	6,554	15,606
	-	-
	6,554	15,606
	212	190
	6,766	15,796

	813	431
	7,579	16,227

1 Collectorplan was the Council’s interest-free loan scheme, available to the general public to support the purchase of contemporary works of art and crafts from participating galleries across Wales. Loans from £50 up to £5,000 are repaid by monthly instalments over a maximum period of 1 year. The scheme was closed in October 2024.

11. Creditors

11. Creditors
a. Creditors: falling due within one year Grants payable – capital fundingfor redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd Grants payable – for National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales Grants payable – other Taxation and social security Trade creditors Other creditors Accruals and deferred income b. Creditors: falling due after more than one year Grants payable – other	2024/25 £’000	2023/24 £’000

	4,586	10,030
	-	2,656
	708	1,369
	-	138
	24	272
	37	195
	528	648
	5,883	15,308

	13	105
	13	105

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 120

12. Contingent liability

13. Statement of funds

13. Statement of funds
Unrestricted income funds General fund Total unrestricted funds Restricted funds Income Welsh Government for specifc arts activity C L T A Programme Arts Council England (for Hynt) Eirian Llwyd memorial awards Natural Resources Wales (Other restricted income) National Centre for Learning Welsh Wales Arts International activity Capital Alun Llywelyn Williams Memorial Fund(income to provide bursary for young artist) Brian Ross Memorial Fund(income to provide bursary for young visual artist) Total restricted funds Total funds	At 1 April 2024 £’000 Incoming resources £’000 Resources expended £’000 Transfers £’000 At 31 March 2025 £’000 1,932 30,853 (30,100) (361) 2,324
	1,932 30,853 (30,100) (361) 2,324
	4 6,549 (6,791) 356 118 605 2,043 (1,993) - 655 2 - (2) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 72 78 (101) 5 54
	683 8,670 (8,887) 361 827
	14 1 - - 15 72 3 - - 75
	86 4 - - 90
	769 8,674 (8,887) 361 917
	2,701 39,527 (38,987) - 3,241

The Alun Llywelyn Williams and Brian Ross Memorial Funds are represented by cash at bank and are within the total of £1,331,000 shown on the Balance Sheet.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 121

14. Analysis of net assets between funds

Fund balances at 31 March 2025 are represented by: Fixed assets & Intangible assets Current assets Creditors: falling due within one year Creditors: falling after more than one year Total net assets	Unrestricted funds £’000 Restricted funds £’000 Total £’000 227 - 227 2,609 6,301 8,910 (499) (5,384) (5,883) (13) - (13)
	2,324 917 3,241

15. Cash flow information

15. Cash fow information
a. Cash fows from operating activities Net incoming/(outgoing) resources Bank interest received (net of surrender) Amortisation and depreciation(note 9) (Surplus)/Defcit on disposal of fxed assets (Increase)/Decrease in grants paid in advance (Increase)/Decrease in debtors Increase/(Decrease) in creditors falling due within one year Increase/(Decrease) in creditors falling due after more than one year Net cash infow/(outfow) from operating activities b. Cash fows from investing activities Bank interest received Bank interest surrendered to Welsh Consolidated Fund Net cash infow from operating activities c. Cash fows associated with capital assets Payments to acquire intangible fxed assets(note 9a) Payments to acquire tangible fxed assets (note 9b) (Surplus)/Defcit on disposal of fxed assets Net cash infow/(outfow) associated with capital assets	2024/25 £’000	2023/24 £’000

	540	43
	(26)	(28)
	131	61
	-	(3)
	120	(120)
	8,648	9,111
	(9,425)	(226)
	(92)	(8,666)
	(104)	172

	107	108
	(81)	(80)
	26	28

	0	0
	(157)	(128)
	0	3
	(157)	(125)

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 122

16. Commitments on operating leases

At 31 March 2025 the Council had the following commitments for future payments under non-cancellable operating leases:

Land and buildings	Land and buildings	Equipment	Equipment
2025 £’000	2024 £’000	2025 £’000	2024 £’000
74	56	3	2
330	264	10	-
186	-	-	-
590	320	13	2

Lease payments of £66,000 have been recognised as an expense during the year (2023/24: £130,000). 51% (2023/24: 51%) of the costs are charged in these financial statements and the remainder to lottery distribution activities.

17. Forward commitments

7. Forward commitments
2025 £’000 Grants Forward funding – grants formally offered 28,585	2024 £’000

	25,123

Forward funding at 31 March 2025 represents allocations to Multi-year funded organisations for 2025/26.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 123

18. Creative Learning through the Arts Programme

The Creative Learning through the Arts Programme is designed to:

improve educational attainment;
build an education system that will directly contribute to a stronger economy, greater innovation, greater creativity, and to the cultural capital of the nation;
bring about a step change in the range and quality of opportunities given to children and young people to engage with and learn about the arts and culture.

The first phase, from 2015 to 2020, was funded by a joint investment of £20 million pounds from the Welsh Government in partnership with the Arts Council of Wales, working with the regional education consortia, schools, local authorities and the wider arts and cultural sector. The Programme requires the active involvement of artists, creative professionals and arts, culture and heritage organisations working in partnership with teachers and schools.

The programme was extended for five years from 2020 to 2025 and the Welsh Government announced a further extension for another three years to 2028.

The Council’s investment comes from Lottery funds. This, together with the Welsh Government’s contribution and all Programme expenditure, is accounted for in these financial statements. This approach has been agreed with the Council’s external auditors and the Department for Culture, Media & Sport.

Income Welsh Government grant Arts Council of Wales Lottery grant Prior year grants repaid Partnership income Bank interest Expenditure Lead Creative Schools Arts and education programme Arts and creative learning cross-programme Central management costs	2024/25 £’000	2023/24 £’000

	1,000	1,000
	1,000	1,000
	-	1
	21	23
	22	24
	2,043	2,048

	854	1,639
	479	8
	29	512
	631	621
	1,993	2,780

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 124

19. Financial instruments

Financial Reporting Standard 102 requires disclosure of the role which financial instruments have had during the period in creating or changing the risks the Council faces in undertaking its functions.

Liquidity risk – In 2024/25 £38,078,000 or 96% of the Council’s income was derived from the Welsh Government (2023/24: £42,151,000 or 97%). Of the remaining income £1,000,000 or 3% was derived from the Arts Council of Wales’ Lottery Distribution account for the Creative Learning through the Arts Programme (2023/24: £1,000,000 or 2%) and £449,000 or 1% was derived from investment income and sundry income (2023/24: £429,000 or 1%). The Council does not consider that its general activities are exposed to any significant liquidity risk and is satisfied that future income is sufficient to meet its commitments.

Interest rate risk – Cash balances which are drawn down from the Welsh Government to pay grant commitments and operating costs are held in instant access, variable rate bank accounts which on average carried an interest rate of 3.17% in the year (2023/24: 3.18%). The effective unrestricted cash balance at the year end was £534,000 (2024: £384,000). The Council does not consider that its general activities are exposed to significant interest rate risks.

Foreign currency risk – The general activities of the Council are not exposed to any significant foreign exchange risks.

Cash flow risk – The Council is not exposed to any significant cash flow risks.

Credit risk – The Council is not exposed to any significant credit risk as the majority of debtors relate to Welsh Government income.

20. Corporation Tax

The Council is a charitable Welsh Government sponsored body and as such is exempt from Corporation Tax under Section 505 I C TA 1988.

21. Events after the reporting period

Authorisation of these financial statements for issue

The financial statements were authorised for issue by the Accounting Officer on the same date as the Auditor General for Wales certified them.

There were no material post balance sheet events up to the date on which the accounting statements were authorised by the Accounting Officer which would have meant that the accounts had to be adjusted.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 125

22. Related party transactions

Public bodies

The Council is a Welsh Government sponsored body.

The Welsh Parliament/Welsh Government is regarded as a related party. During the year the Council had no material transactions with the Welsh Parliament/Welsh Government apart from the grant-in-aid disclosed in the Statement of Financial Activities and the restricted grants disclosed in note 3.

Individuals

Members of Council, Committees, staff or other related parties (being close family members) undertook financial transactions (listed below) with the Council during the year.

Where the individuals and/or their close family were members of the Boards of Management (or equivalent) or were senior employees of organisations offered grants or other payments by the Council in 2024/25 in all such cases, in accordance with the Council’s Code of Best Practice, the individual concerned withdrew from any meeting where there was a discussion or decision regarding funding.

Under the Council’s Code of Best Practice an interest is deemed to persist for a minimum period of one year after the individual has left the position which created the interest. This policy is reflected in the disclosures which follow.

Compensation for key management personnel is disclosed in the remuneration report above.

Transactions with the Council as a Lottery distributor are recorded in the equivalent note to the separate Lottery Distribution Account.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 126

==> picture [525 x 584] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Payable Total balance
Council members Transaction
Organisation Total Value outstanding at
Role 2024/25
2024/25 31 March 2025 [1]
(number) £ £
Devinda De Silva
Grant (1) 195,000 Nil
Board member Disability Arts Cymru
Invoice (1) 266 Nil
Board member Dirty Protest Grant (1) 7,603 760
Alison Mears Esswood
Member of choir
Aloud Charity Grant (1) 255,001 Nil
(Family member)
Ruth Fabby
Board member Arts Marketing Association Invoice (10) 10,268 Nil
Board member Arts & Business Cymru Grant (2) 52,000 Nil
Emily Hutchings
Grant (1) 103,000 1,521
Employment Chapter
Invoice (4) 814 Nil
Grant (3) 1,306,864 Nil
Employment Sherman Theatre
Invoice (3) 2,430 Nil
Gwennan Mair Jones
Drama board member National Eisteddfod of Wales Grant (0) Nil 1,500
Employment Theatr Clwyd Grant (1) 1,784,047 4,586,336
Keith Murrell
Board member Butetown Arts and Culture Association Grant (1) 25,800 Nil
Victoria Provis
Council member University of Wales Trinity Saint David Invoice (12) 5,304 Nil
Jonathan Pugh
Council member University of Wales Trinity Saint David Invoice (12) 5,304 Nil
Julie Sangani
Employee Cardiff Council Invoice (5) 14,214 Nil
Dr Sarah Younan
Employment National Museum of Wales Invoice (9) 807,571 Nil
----- End of picture text -----

1 The total balance outstanding at the year-end may include amounts in respect of grants awarded in previous years but not yet paid.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 127

Independent Committee members Role	Organisation	Transaction 2024/25 (number)	Total Value 2024/25 £	Total balance outstanding at 31 March 20251 £
Steve Burton
Employment	Natural Resources Wales	Invoice (1)	25,000	Nil
Andy Butler
Employment	NHS Shared Services	Invoice (4)	1,614	Nil
Ruth Cayford
Employment	Cardiff Council	Invoice (5)	14,214	Nil
Wendy Reed
Board Member (Family member)	Aloud Charity	Grant (1)	255,001	Nil
Board Member (Family member)	Music Theatre Wales	Grant (1)	216,636	Nil

1 The total balance outstanding at the year-end may include amounts in respect of grants awarded in previous years but not yet paid.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 128

Financial Statements Lottery Distribution

Statement of Accounting Officer’s responsibilities

Under Section 35 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 (as amended) the Council is required to prepare for each financial year a statement of accounts for its Lottery distribution activities in the form and on the basis determined by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport. The accounts are prepared on an accruals basis and must give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Council and of its income and expenditure, Statement of Financial Position and cash flows for the financial year.

In preparing the accounts, the Accounting Officer is required to comply with the requirements of the Government Financial Reporting Manual and in particular to:

observe the Accounts Direction issued by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, including the relevant accounting and disclosure requirements, and apply suitable accounting policies on a consistent basis;
make judgements and estimates on a reasonable basis;
state whether applicable accounting standards as set out in the Government Financial Reporting Manual have been followed, and disclose and explain any material departures in the financial statements; and
prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

Endorsed on behalf of Council:

Dafydd Rhys Accounting Officer 24 October 2025

Maggie Russell Chair 24 October 2025

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The Certificate and Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General to the Houses of Parliament and the Senedd

Opinion on financial statements

I certify that I have audited the financial statements of the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account for the year ended 31 March 2025 under the National Lottery etc Act 1993.

The financial statements comprise the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account’s

Statement of Financial Position as at 31 March 2025;
Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure, Statement of Cash Flows and Statement of Changes in Taxpayers’ Equity for the year then ended; and
the related notes including the significant accounting policies.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the financial statements is applicable law and U K adopted international accounting standards.

In my opinion the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account’s affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its Comprehensive Net income for the year then ended; and
have been properly prepared in accordance with the National Lottery etc Act 1993 and Secretary of State directions issued thereunder.

Opinion on regularity

In my opinion, in all material respects, the income and expenditure recorded in the financial statements have been applied to the purposes intended by Parliament and the financial transactions recorded in the financial statements conform to the authorities which govern them.

Basis for opinions

I conducted my audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (I S As UK), applicable law and Practice Note 10 Audit of Financial Statements and Regularity of Public Sector Bodies in the United Kingdom (2024) . My responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of my certificate.

Those standards require me and my staff to comply with the Financial Reporting Council’s Revised Ethical Standard 2019 . I am independent of the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to my audit of the financial statements in the U K. My staff and I have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my opinion.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 131

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, I have concluded that the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account’s use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work I have performed, I have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

My responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Accounting Officer with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this certificate.

The going concern basis of accounting for the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account is adopted in consideration of the requirements set out in H M Treasury’s Government Financial Reporting Manual, which requires entities to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements where it is anticipated that the services which they provide will continue into the future.

Other information

The other information comprises information included in the Annual Report but does not include the financial statements and my auditor’s certificate and report thereon. The Accounting Officer is responsible for the other information.

My opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in my certificate, I do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

My responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or my knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If I identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, I am required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work I have performed, I conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, I am required to report that fact.

I have nothing to report in this regard.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 132

Opinion on other matters

In my opinion the part of the Remuneration and Staff Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with Secretary of State directions issued under the National Lottery etc Act 1993.

In my opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

the parts of the Accountability Report subject to audit have been properly prepared in accordance with Secretary of State directions made under the National Lottery etc Act 1993; and
the information given in the Performance Report and Operational Review and Accountability Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements and is in accordance with the applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which I report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, I have not identified material misstatements in the Performance Report and Operational Review and Accountability Report.

I have nothing to report in respect of the following matters which I report to you if, in my opinion:

adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account or returns adequate for my audit have not been received from branches not visited by my staff; or
I have not received all the information and explanations I require for my audit; or
the financial statements and the parts of the Accountability Report subject to audit are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of remuneration specified by H M Treasury’s Government Financial Reporting Manual have not been made or parts of the Remuneration and Staff Report to be audited is not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
the Governance Statement does not reflect compliance with H M Treasury’s guidance.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 133

Responsibilities of the Accounting Officer for the financial statements

As explained more fully in the Statement of Accounting Officer’s Responsibilities, the Accounting Officer is responsible for:

maintaining proper accounting records;
providing the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&A G) with access to all information of which management is aware that is relevant to the preparation of the financial statements, such as records, documentation and other matters;
providing the C&A G with additional information and explanations needed for his audit;
providing the C&A G with unrestricted access to persons within the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account from whom the auditor determines it necessary to obtain audit evidence;
ensuring such internal controls are in place as deemed necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements to be free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error;
preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view in accordance with Secretary of State directions issued under the National Lottery etc Act 1993;
preparing the annual report, which includes the Remuneration and Staff Report, in accordance with Secretary of State directions issued under the National Lottery etc Act 1993; and
assessing the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Accounting Officer anticipates that the services provided by the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account will not continue to be provided in the future.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 134

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

My responsibility is to audit, certify and report on the financial statements in accordance with the National Lottery etc Act 1993.

My objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a certificate that includes my opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with I S As (U K) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements

Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting non-compliance with laws and regulations including fraud

I design procedures in line with my responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud. The extent to which my procedures are capable of detecting non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud is detailed below.

Identifying and assessing potential risks related to non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of noncompliance with laws and regulations, including fraud, I:

considered the nature of the sector, control environment and operational performance including the design of the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account’s accounting policies;
inquired of management, the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account’s head of internal audit and those charged with governance, including obtaining and reviewing supporting documentation relating to the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account’s policies and procedures on:
› identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations;
› detecting and responding to the risks of fraud; and
› the internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud or noncompliance with laws and regulations including the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account’s controls relating to the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account’s compliance with the National Lottery etc Act 1993, Managing Public Money and Managing Public Money;

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 135

inquired of management, the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account’s head of internal audit and those charged with governance whether:
› they were aware of any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations;
› they had knowledge of any actual, suspected, or alleged fraud;
discussed with the engagement team how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.

As a result of these procedures, I considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas: revenue recognition, posting of unusual journals, complex transactions, and bias in management estimates. In common with all audits under I S As (U K), I am required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.

I obtained an understanding of the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account’s framework of authority and other legal and regulatory frameworks in which the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account operates. I focused on those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements or that had a fundamental effect on the operations of the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Account. The key laws and regulations I considered in this context included the National Lottery etc Act 1993, Managing Public Money, employment law, pensions legislation and tax Legislation.

Audit response to identified risk

To respond to the identified risks resulting from the above procedures:

I reviewed the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with provisions of relevant laws and regulations described above as having direct effect on the financial statements;
I enquired of management and the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee concerning actual and potential litigation and claims;
I reviewed minutes of meetings of those charged with governance and the Board and internal audit reports;
I addressed the risk of fraud through management override of controls by testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; assessing whether the judgements on estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business; and
I communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential risks of fraud to all engagement team members and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 136

A further description of my responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/ auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of my certificate.

Other auditor’s responsibilities

I am required to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to give reasonable assurance that the expenditure and income recorded in the financial statements have been applied to the purposes intended by Parliament and the financial transactions recorded in the financial statements conform to the authorities which govern them.

Report

I have no observations to make on these financial statements.

Gareth Davies National Audit Office Comptroller and Auditor General 157-197 Buckingham Palace Road Victoria London 30 October 2025 S W1W 9S P

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 137

The Arts Council of Wales

Lottery Distribution Account Statement of Comprehensive Net Income

for the year ended 31 March 2025

2024/25 £’000 £’000 17,932 862 184 80 183 19,241 1,361 601 1,962 14,911 (418) 14,493 1,181 460 345 16,479 18,441 800	2024/25 £’000 £’000 17,932 862 184 80 183 19,241 1,361 601 1,962 14,911 (418) 14,493 1,181 460 345 16,479 18,441 800	2023/24 £’000 £’000 17,234 839 579 72 39 18,763 1,779 768 2,547 14,988 (327) 14,661 1,690 520 177 17,048 19,595 (832)	2023/24 £’000 £’000 17,234 839 579 72 39 18,763 1,779 768 2,547 14,988 (327) 14,661 1,690 520 177 17,048 19,595 (832)
	19,241		18,763

14,911 (418)	1,962	14,988 (327)	2,547
	14,493 1,181 460 345		14,661 1,690 520 177

	16,479		17,048

	18,441		19,595
	800		(832)

There are no discontinued activities and there have been no acquisitions during the year. There are no gains or losses other than those shown above. The notes on pages 141-152 form part of these financial statements.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 138

The Arts Council of Wales

Lottery Distribution Account Statement of Financial Position

as at 31 March 2025

		31 March 2025	31 March 2025	31 March 2024	31 March 2024
	Notes	£’000	£’000	£’000	£’000
Current assets:
Financial assets:
Investments – balance held in the
National Lottery Distribution Fund	2	14,859		18,715
Trade and other receivables	7	65		431
Cash and cash equivalents	8	2,387		4,633
Total current assets			17,311		23,779
Total assets			17,311		23,779
Trade payables and other current liabilities –
amounts falling due within one year:
Trade and other payables	9	(1,013)		(915)
Other liabilities:
Grants	4, 9	(10,485)		(17,062)
Delegated distributors	5, 9	(136)		(124)
Total payables and other current liabilities			(11,634)		(18,101)
Non-current assets plus net current assets			5,677		5,678
Trade payables and other non-current
liabilities – amounts due after more than
one year:
Grants	4		(384)		(1,185)
Assets less liabilities			5,293		4,493
Reserves:
General fund			5,293		4,493

The notes on pages 141-152 form part of these financial statements. The financial statements were approved by the Arts Council of Wales and signed on its behalf by

Dafydd Rhys Accounting Officer 24 October 2025

Maggie Russell Chair 24 October 2025

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 139

The Arts Council of Wales

Lottery Distribution Account Statement of Cash Flows

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Statement of Changes in Reserves or the year ended 31 March 2025 Cash fows from operating activities Net expenditure Bank interest Decrease/(Increase) in the balance held in the National Lottery Distribution Fund Decrease/(Increase) in trade and other receivables Increase/(Decrease) in trade and other payables and other liabilities Increase/(Decrease) in grants payable Net cash infow/(outfow) from operating activities Cash fows from investing activities Bank interest Net cash infow from investing activities Cash and cash equivalents Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalent balances Balance at 1 April Balance at 31 March Balance at beginning of year Net expenditure for the year Balance at end of year	2024/25 £’000 800 (80) 3,856 366 110 (7,378)	2023/24 £’000 (832) (72) 5,684 (425) (738) (1,476)
	(2,326)	2,141
	80	72
	80	72
	(2,246) 4,633	2,213 2,420
	2,387	4,633


	2024/25 £’000 4,493 800	2023/24 £’000 5,325 (832)
	5,293	4,493

Statement of Changes in Reserves

for the year ended 31 March 2025

The notes on pages 141-152 form part of these financial statements.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 140

The Arts Council of Wales

Lottery Distribution Account Notes forming part of the financial statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting policies

a. Basis of preparation

These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis and under the historical cost convention. Arts council of Wales has a statutory entitlement to a set percentage of the National Lottery Distribution Fund in accordance with the National Lottery Act 1993 as amended. They have been prepared in a form directed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport with the consent of H M Treasury, in accordance with Section 35(3) of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, and with the consent of Welsh Ministers.

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (I F RS) as interpreted for the public sector context within the Government Financial Reporting Manual issued by H M Treasury.

Impact of standards not yet effective

The application of any new or amended I F RS is governed by their adoption by the Government Financial Reporting Manual. The Council applies changes to standards when they become effective. There are no known material impacts from I F RS changes that have been issued and are not yet effective on the financial statements in the period of initial application.

b. Recognition of income and expenditure

All income is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.

c. General activities

These financial statements do not cover the Council's general activities, funded mainly by grant-in-aid, for which separate financial statements have been prepared.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 141

d. Grants

Grants are accounted for as expenditure in the Statement of Comprehensive Net Income/Expenditure and, until paid, as liabilities in the Statement of Financial Position if:

i. they have been formally approved by Council, or under delegated authority; and

ii. formal written notification (including email or other electronic communication) has been issued to the intended recipients; and

iii. the offers are free from any conditions under the Council’s control.

Grants payable within one year of the year-end are recognised in the Statement of Financial Position as current liabilities. Those payable more than one year after the Statement of Financial Position date are shown as such.

Grants which have been formally approved by Council, or under delegated authority, which do not meet the definition of liabilities are not included in expenditure in the Statement of Comprehensive Net Income/ Expenditure or as liabilities in the Statement of Financial Position but are disclosed in note 4.

e. Delegation to external partners

The Council has fully operational delegation agreements in place with a number of bodies to act as lead organisations in the delivery of grant schemes. The statutory grant decision-making function is delegated to the bodies. The terms of the external delegation are set out in formal agreements and satisfy the conditions of the Council’s Financial Directions. The obligations of the Council’s Accounting Officer are unchanged by the delegation.

Annual sums delegated by the Council to the partners are recognised as expenditure in the Statement of Comprehensive Net Income/Expenditure. Funds are drawn down by the partners to meet grant commitments as they fall due. Undrawn funds at the year-end are included in the Statement of Financial Position as liabilities. Further details are disclosed in note 9.

f. National Lottery Distribution Fund

Balances held in the National Lottery Distribution Fund remain under the stewardship of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport. However, the share of these balances attributable to the Council is as shown in the accounts at amortised cost and, at the Statement of Financial Position date, has been certified by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport as being available for distribution by the Council in respect of current and future commitments.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 142

g. Pensions

The Council is an admitted employer of the Arts Council Retirement Plan 1994. The pension scheme provides defined benefits to Council employees. The costs of the Council’s contributions are charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Net Income/ Expenditure to spread the cost of pensions over employees’ working lives.

The Plan is a funded, defined benefit, multi-employer scheme where the participating employers are unable to identify their shares of the underlying assets and liabilities. The scheme has therefore been accounted for as if it were a defined contribution scheme, in accordance with I A S 19. The Council has made payments to fund a deficit relating to past service. If further deficit payments are needed, following future revaluations, the Council will recognise a provision for the present value of contributions payable in accordance with the terms of any relevant funding agreement. A share of all contributions towards the deficit is charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Net Income/Expenditure.

h. Taxation

Non-recoverable Value Added Tax arising from expenditure is charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Net Income/Expenditure or capitalised as a fixed asset where applicable.

i. Apportionment of management and administration costs from the General Activities Account

The Council incurs costs which support both its general activities and lottery distribution functions. In accordance with its Financial Directions the Council apportions indirect costs properly between these two areas of activity with reference to the time spent on, or the consumption of the relevant resources by, the respective activities.

The apportionments are usually reviewed every two years or whenever there is a significant change to the staff structure or the programmes of activity.

j. Financial instruments

Financial assets: Trade receivables and other current assets do not carry any interest and are stated at their nominal value as reduced by appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts. Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand and cash at bank and on short term deposit on instant access terms.

Financial liabilities: Trade payables and other current liabilities are not interest bearing and are stated at their nominal value.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 143

2. National Lottery Distribution Fund

Distributing activities are funded by allotted proceeds from the National Lottery which are held in the National Lottery Distribution Fund (N L D F). The N L D F is administered by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The National Lottery operator calculates the proceeds on an annual basis as set out in the National Lottery Licence. Payments are made to the N L D F each week based on actual sales and prizes. The percentages of proceeds receivable into the N L D F then payable to each lottery distributing body are set out in National Lottery etc. Act 1993 sections 22 and 23 as amended by Statutory Instrument 2010 No. 2863 ‘The Apportionment of Money in the National Lottery Distribution Fund Order 2010’. The Council receives 1% of total annual proceeds receivable into the N L D F and draws down the proceeds when needed.

Balance held in the National Lottery Distribution Fund at 1 April Allocation of Lottery proceeds Investment income receivable Drawn down in the year Balance held in the National Lottery Distribution Fund at 31 March	2024/25 £’000	2023/24 £’000

	18,715	24,399
	17,932	17,234

	862	839
	(22,650)	(23,757)
	14,859	18,715

The balance in the National Lottery Distribution Fund at 31 March 2025 is in accordance with the Interim Certificate issued by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 144

3. Costs in support of our operations

3. Costs in support of our operations
a. Staff costs Permanently employed £’000 Other £’000 Wages and salaries charged to Lottery distribution activity 927 226 Social security costs 103 24 Other pension costs 169 38 Redundancy costs 86 - Agency costs - 4 1,285 292 Charged to Management and administration Charged to Expenditure on the arts(note 3c) More detailed disclosures are contained in the Remuneration and Staff Report. b. Management and administration: Other operating costs Staff related costs Organisational review Infrastructure Offce running costs Professional and consultancy fees Lottery promotion Irrecoverable V A T Charge for use of fxed assets Auditor's remuneration – Audit1 Internal audit Council and committee meetings, including travel and subsistence	Permanently employed £’000 Other £’000 927 226 103 24 169 38 86 - - 4	2024/25 Total £’000	2023/24 Total £’000
		1,153	1,251
		127	150
		207	206
		86	328
		4	4
	1,285 292	1,577	1,939
		1,361	1,779
		216	160
		1,577	1,939

		2024/25 £’000	2023/24 £’000
		83	63
		2	8
		247	320
		10	9
		111	209
		12	15
		63	70
		29	29
		26	33
		12	9
		6	3
		601	768

1 The audit fee is for audit services and no non-audit services were provided.

Management and administration costs are apportioned between the Council’s general activities and Lottery distribution accounts with reference to the time spent on, or the consumption of, the relevant resources by the respective functions. The rates applied differ according to the expenditure heading but the average charge to Lottery activities was 49% (2023/24: 49%).

c. Expenditure on the arts: Direct costs of grant making Assessors’ fees Irrecoverable V A T Arts and Health Resilience Fund Creative Steps Future Wales Fellowships Climate Justice Strategic Interventions	2024/25 £’000	2023/24 £’000
	13	-
	2	1
	202	154
	-	5
	4	-
	19	11
	15	6
	90	-
	345	177

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 145

4. Grants

4. Grants
Payable at 1 April Grants made in the year Amounts not taken up Charged to Statement of Comprehensive Net Income/Expenditure Grants paid in the year Payable at 31 March1 Falling due within one year Falling due after more than one year 1Ageing of grants payable: 2024/25 2025/26 2026/27 2027/28 2028/29 Grants approved but not formally offered at 31 Mar in the Statement of Comprehensive Net Income/Ex Financial Position	£’000 Capital £’000 Revenue schemes 7,696 10,551 383 14,528 (24) (394) 359 14,134 (4,404) (17,467)		2024/25 £’000 Total 18,247	2023/24 £’000 Total
				19,723
		383 14,528 (24) (394)	14,911 (418)		14,988
					(327)
			14,493 (21,871)	14,661
				(16,137)
	3,651 7,218		10,869	18,247
	3,588 6,897 63 321		10,485 384
				17,026
				1,221
	3,651 7,218		10,869	18,247
	3,588 6,897 63 313 - 8 - -		10,485 376 8 -
				17,026
				1,198
				23
				-
				-
	3,651 7,218		10,869	18,247
	ch which are not recognised penditure and Statement of		345	3,757

5. Delegated Lottery distributors

The Council has fully operational delegation agreements in place with the following bodies for the distribution of Lottery funds:

Undrawn funds at 1 April Funds written back in the year1 Delegated for the year Drawn down in the year Undrawn funds at 31 March Grants recorded as payable by the delegated distributors at 31 March	Fflm Cymru Wales for flm £’000 Literature Wales for writers’ bursaries £’000 Tŷ Cerdd for community & Welsh music £’000 2024/25 Total £’000 88 36 - 124 (80) - - (80) 928 97 156 1,181	2023/24 Total £’000
		1,444
		-
		1,690
	936 133 156 1,225 (804) (129) (156) (1,089)	3,134
		(3,010)
	132 4 - 136	124
	559 69 37 665	1,135

1 The total write back in 2024/25 £80,000 to Ffilm Cymru Wales

Full lists of the grants administered by the delegated distributors during 2024/25 are included in the annexes to this Annual Report.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 146

6. Strategic partnerships and other arts awards

6. Strategic partnerships and other arts awards
Strategic partnerships: B B C Cymru Wales (for Horizons/Gorwelion) UK Research and Innovation (for digital development) Nesta (for arts and health innovation projects) Other arts awards: _Unlimited_awards in association with Arts Council England _Beyond Borders_awards in association with P R S Foundation	2024/25 £’000	2023/24 £’000

	150	150
	150	150
	50	100

	70	80
	40	40
	460	520

7. Trade and other receivables

7. Trade and other receivables
Grants recoverable Support for exit packages from Welsh Government	2024/25 £’000	2023/24 £’000

	65	21
	-	410
	65	431

8. Cash and cash equivalents

The following balances at 31 March were held at: Commercial banks	2024/25 £’000	2023/24 £’000
	2,387	4,633

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 147

9. Trade payables and other current liabilities – amounts falling due within one year

Trade and other payables: Trade payables Due to the Arts Council of Wales General Activities account: for apportioned costs1 Accruals and deferred income Sub-total: Trade and other payables Other liabilities: Grants(note 4) Delegated distributors(note 5)2 Sub-total: Other liabilities Total current liabilities 1The amount due to the Arts Council of Wales General Activities account is made up of: Recharges of apportioned costs – Staff – Overheads – Charge for use of assets – Pension defcit lump sum 2The Council has delegated Lottery funds (note 5) to the following distributors: Undrawn funds at 31 March – Fflm Cymru Wales (for flm) – Literature Wales (for writers’ bursaries)	2024/25 £’000	2023/24 £’000



	173	19



	813	431
	27	465
	1,013	915




	10,485	17,062
	136	124
	10,621	17,186
	11,634	18,101





	382	336

	402	66

	29	29
	-	-
	813	431





	132	88
	4	36
	136	124

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 148

10. Contingent asset

Sale of Olympic Park

The National Lottery Distributors are entitled to receive a share of receipts from the sale of land on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in return for their contribution of an additional £675m to the funding of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This was announced in 2007. The arrangements are set out in a legal agreement between the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport and the Greater London Authority (G L A) dated 29 March 2012 which sets out the distribution of funds between the G L A and the Lottery Distributors via the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (D C M S). Land sales are likely to take place over a lengthy period, estimated to be up to 2036/37. The G L A has advised that sales are forecast to return less than £200m with payments to the Lottery Distributors beginning in 2026/27.

11. Events after the reporting period

Authorisation of these financial statements for issue

The financial statements were authorised for issue by the Accounting Officer on the same date as the Comptroller and Auditor General certified them.

12. Financial instruments

International Financial Reporting Standard 7, Financial Instruments: Disclosures, requires disclosure of the role which financial instruments have had during the period in creating or changing the risks the Council’s function faces in undertaking its role.

Liquidity risk – In 2024/25 £17,932,000 or 93.2% of the Council’s Lottery distribution income was derived from the National Lottery (2023/24: £17,234,000 or 91.9%). Of the remaining income £862,000 or 4.5% was derived from investment returns from the balance held with the National Lottery Distribution Fund (2023/24: £839,000 or 4.5%) and £447,000 or 2.3% from other investment income and sundry income (2023/24: £690,000 or 3.7%). The Council does not consider that its Lottery Distribution function is exposed to any significant liquidity risk and is satisfied that the balance within the National Lottery Distribution Fund and projected future Lottery proceeds are sufficient to meet its hard commitments.

Interest rate risk – The financial assets of the Lottery are invested in the National Lottery Distribution Fund, which invests in a narrow band of low risk assets such as government bonds and cash. The Council has no control over the investment of funds in the National Lottery Distribution Fund. Cash and cash equivalents which are drawn down from the Fund to pay grant commitments and operating costs are held in instant access, variable rate bank accounts which on average carried an interest rate of 3.17% in the year (2023/24: 3.18%). The cash and cash equivalents balance at the year-end was £2,387,000 (2024: £4,633,000). The Council does not consider that its Lottery Distribution function is exposed to significant interest rate risks.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 149

Foreign currency risk – The lottery distribution function of the Council is not exposed to any significant foreign exchange risks.

Cash flow risk – The Council is not exposed to any significant cash flow risks.

Credit risk – The Council is not exposed to any significant credit risk.

13. Related party transactions

Public bodies

The Council is a Welsh Government sponsored body.

The Welsh Parliament/Welsh Government is regarded as a related party and details of transactions with the Welsh Parliament/Welsh Government are given in the separate accounts covering the Council’s general activities.

The National Lottery Distribution Fund is administered by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport which is regarded as a related party. During the year the Council had no material transactions with the Department for Culture, Media & Sport other than those shown in the Statement of Comprehensive Net Income/Expenditure.

Delegated Lottery distributors

As disclosed in note 5, Ffilm Cymru Wales, Literature Wales and Tŷ Cerdd are delegated distributors of the Council’s Lottery funding. During the year the Council had other material transactions with them other than those shown in the Statement of Comprehensive Net Income/Expenditure.

Ffilm Cymru Wales G i A (£28,926), Literature Wales G i A (£746,473), Ty Cerdd G i A (313,562.)

Individuals

Members of Council, Committees, staff or other related parties (being close family members) undertook financial transactions (listed below) with the Council in its role as Lottery distributor during the year.

Where the individuals and/or their close family were members of the Boards of Management (or equivalent) or were senior employees of organisations offered Lottery grants or other Lottery payments by the Council in 2024/25 in all such cases, in accordance with the Council’s Code of Best Practice, the individual concerned withdrew from any meeting where there was a discussion or decision regarding funding.

Compensation for key management personnel is disclosed in the remuneration report above.

Financial transactions with the Council in respect of its general activities are recorded in the separate accounts covering those activities.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 150

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Payable Total balance
Council members Transaction
Organisation Total Value outstanding at
Role 2024/25
2024/25 31 March 2025 [1]
(number) £ £
Devinda De Silva
Board member Dirty Protest Grant (1) 10,387 20,649
Board member Disability Arts Cymru Grant (1) 2,330 233
Ruth Fabby
Board member Unlimted Invoice (1) 70,000 Nil
Board member Arts & Business Cymru Grant (0) Nil 10,000
Emily Hutchings
Employment Chapter Grant (4) 457,187 62,687
Employment Sherman Theatre Grant (2) 192,705 132,940
Gwennan Mair Jones
Drama board member National Eisteddfod of Wales Grant (1) 104,680 105,541
Arts & Health NW
Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board Grant (4) 107,475 33,996
Group member
Employment Theatr Clwyd Grant (1) 300,000 1,236,592
Alison Mears Esswood
Member of choir
Aloud Charity Grant (1) 9,997 9,997
(Family member)
Keith Murrell
Board member Butetown Arts and Culture Association Grant (2) 101,800 55,180
Victoria Provis
Council member University of Wales Trinity Saint David Grant (1) 7,060 30,832
Jonathan Pugh
Council member University of Wales Trinity Saint David Grant (1) 7,060 30,832
Julie Sangani
Employee Cardiff Council Invoice (1) 76 Nil
Board member Cardiff & Vale University Health Board Grant (1) 14,900 25,000
Prue Thimbleby
Employment Swansea Bay Health Board Grant (2) 53,875 61,375
Dr Sarah Younan
Employment Watch Africa Cymru Grant (1) 24,000 13,200
----- End of picture text -----

1 The total balance outstanding at the year-end may include amounts in respect of grants awarded in previous years but not yet paid.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 151

Independent Committee members Role	Organisation	Transaction 2023/24 (number)	Total Value 2023/24 £	Total balance outstanding at 31 March 20241 £
Steve Burton
Employment	Natural Resources Wales	Income (1)	70,000	Nil
Ruth Cayford
Employment	Cardiff Council (St David’s Hall)	Invoice (1)	76	Nil
Wendy Rees
Board member (Family member)	Aloud Charity	Grant (1)	9,997	9,997
Board member (Family member)	Music Theatre Wales	Grant (1)	10,000	1,000
Jayne Woods
Committee member	Urdd	Grant (1)	88,000	98,000

1 The total balance outstanding at the year-end may include amounts in respect of grants awarded in previous years but not yet paid.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 152

Annexes not forming part of the financial statements

General Activities – Grants 2024/25

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Multi Year Funding Organisations
----- End of picture text -----

Arad Goch	£343,247
Artes Mundi Prize Limited	£146,410
Artis CommunityCymuned	£197,862
Arts Care Gofal Celf	£131,521
Arts Connection – Cyswllt Celf	£64,520
Ballet Cymru	£731,250
B B C National Orchestra of Wales	£796,683
Blackwood Miners Institute	£128,018
Canolfan a Menter GymraegMerthyr Tudful	£97,500
Canolfan Ucheldre Centre	£74,446
Citrus Arts	£97,500
Common Wealth	£195,000
CommunityMusic Wales	£97,500
Creu Cymru – The Development Agency for Theatres and Arts	£73,125
Centres in Wales
Cwmni’r Frân Wen	£341,250
Dawns i Bawb	£97,500
DisabilityArts Cymru	£195,000
Elysium Gallery	£117,000
Ffotogallery	£197,378
FIO	£214,500
Focus Wales	£97,500
g39	£136,500
Galeri Caernarfon Cyf	£312,918
Glynn Vivian Art Gallery	£124,076
Hijinx Theatre	£390,000
Its MyShout L t d	£78,000
Jukebox Collective	£273,000
Literature Wales	£734,473
Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre	£84,372
Mission Gallery	£94,297
MOSTYN	£385,130
Music Theatre Wales	£216,636
National Dance CompanyWales	£825,431
Operasonic cyf	£78,975
Oriel Davies Gallery	£221,450
Oriel Myrddin Trust	£46,653
Peak Cymru	£76,811
PeopleSpeakUpL T D	£73,125

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 154

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Multi Year Funding Organisations
----- End of picture text -----

Pontio Arts	£277,178
PYST C Y F	£58,500
Re-Live	£78,000
Ruthin Craft Centre	£385,130
Sherman Theatre	£1,114,180
Sinfonia Cymru	£215,538
Small World Theatre L t d	£58,500
Span Arts L t d	£97,500
Tabernacl (Bethesda) Cyf	£121,875
TakingFlight Theatre Company	£287,625
Tanio	£173,309
Theatr Bara Caws	£302,740
Theatr Brycheiniog	£192,565
Theatr Clwyd Trust Limited	£1,784,047
Theatr Felinfach	£59,557
Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru	£1,018,761
Theatr Iolo	£254,055
Theatr Mwldan	£265,068
Theatr na nÓg	£312,775
Torch Theatre CompanyL t d	£633,750
TŷCerdd	£292,500
TŷPawb	£195,000
Urban Circle Newport	£268,125
Valleys Kids	£195,000
Volcano Theatre CompanyL t d	£207,009
W A H W N	£97,500
Wales Millennium Centre	£3,500,788
Wales Millennium Centre	£300,000
Welsh National Opera	£3,997,500
Ystradgynlais Miners Welfare and CommunityHall Trust L t d	£92,625
Total Multi Year Funding Organisations	£25,423,257

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 155

	Welsh Government Revenue Funding
	Aberystwyth Arts Centre		£118,000
	Anthem. Music Fund Wales		£30,000
	Articulture		£13,180
	Artis CommunityCymuned		£20,000
	Arts Business Cymru		£25,000
	Arts Business Cymru		£27,000
	Avant Cymru		£20,927
	Breathe Creative		£15,000
	Butetown Arts and Culture Association		£25,800
	Caerphilly County Borough Council Arts		£210,738
	Development Team
	Chapter Cardiff L t d.		£103,000
	Cimera		£9,760
	CULTVR		£69,078
	Dance Collective		£56,200
	Eleni Dance L t d		£18,000
	Engage Cymru		£8,688
	Fflm Cymru Wales		£28,926
	HayFestival Foundation L t d		£78,272
	Hummadruz		£6,340
	Impelo		£55,615
	International Ceramics Festival		£5,540
	Jones the Dance		£19,200
	Live Music Now Wales		£11,276
	Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod		£100,000
	Makers Guild in Wales		£30,000
	Mess upthe Mess Theatre Company		£23,666
	Mid Powys Youth Theatre		£13,800
	Mid Wales Opera		£44,000
	Mission Gallery		£40,500
	National Dance CompanyWales		£220,000
	National Dance CompanyWales		£96,856
	National Theatre Wales		£69,683
	Newbridge Memo		£15,000
	NoFit State CommunityCircus L t d		£100,000
	Omidaze Productions		£18,000
	Peak Cymru		£23,159
	PeopleSpeakUpL T D		£46,500
	Sheba Soul Ensemble C.I.C.		£45,000
	Sherman Theatre		£88,000
	Sistema Cymru Codir Tô		£23,477
	Sound Progression		£24,480
	Spectacle Theatre L t d		£9,000

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 156

	Welsh Government Revenue Funding
	tactileBOSCH Projects		£14,100
	The Aloud Charity		£215,001
	The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre – Newport Live		£51,371
	The Talent Shack C I C		£10,000
	Theatr Brycheiniog		£100,000
	Theatr Brycheiniog		£172,000
	Theatr Gwaun CommunityTrust		£20,283
	Theatr Mwldan		£140,000
	Theatr Mwldan		£120,000
	Torch Theatre CompanyL t d		£65,000
	trac cymru		£51,742
	Vale of Glamorgan Council		£111,015
	Valleys Kids		£21,420
	Volcano Theatre CompanyL t d		£20,224
	WAHWN		£22,425
	Wales One World Film Festival		£18,395
	Wrexham Sounds L T D		£26,168
	Wyeside Arts Centre L t d		£59,354
	Wyeside Arts Centre L t d		£80,000
	Total Welsh Government Revenue Funding		£3,325,159
	Welsh Government CAPEX Funding
	Aberystwyth Arts Centre		£202,800
	Avant Cymru		£18,390
	Awen Cultural Trust		£200,000
	Canolfan Ucheldre Centre		£100,000
	Congress Theatre Company		£50,000
	CULTVR		£49,752
	Gwyn Hall – Celtic Leisure		£44,378
	Magic Lantern		£10,220
	Queens Hall		£45,000
	Sherman Theatre		£104,684
	Theatr Mwldan		£106,163
	Torch Theatre CompanyL t d		£40,000
	Venue Cymru		£200,000
	Volcano Theatre CompanyL t d		£33,678
	Wyeside Arts Centre L t d		£44,935
	Total Welsh Government CAPEX Funding		£1,250,000

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 157

Creative Learning through the Arts Programme

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Creative Learning through the Arts
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Abercanaid CommunitySchool	£1,440
Abercarn PrimarySchool	£1,000
Aberdare CommunitySchool	£652
Aberdare CommunitySchool	£200
Abermule PrimarySchool	£600
Abersychan School	£1,000
AbertilleryLearningCommunity	£1,000
AbertillerySecondary3-16 campus	£990
Adamsdown PrimarySchool	£1,500
AfonyFelin PrimarySchool (7)	£4,885
Alaw PrimarySchool	£1,000
AlbanyPrimarySchool	£135
Alderman Davies Church in Wales PrimarySchool	£1,000
All Saints Roman Catholic PrimarySchool	£1,350
All Saints School,Gresford	£1,000
Allensbank PrimarySchool	£261
Alltwen PrimarySchool	£1,350
Arts Connection – Cyswllt Celf	£1,460
BarryIsland PrimarySchool	£1,000
BedlinogCommunityPrimarySchool	£281
Bedwas High School	£1,350
Bedwas Junior School	£1,500
Bigyn PrimarySchool	£405
Birchgrove PrimarySchool (2)	£1,690
BishopChilds Church in Wales PrimarySchool	£270
BishopVaughan Catholic School	£1,000
Bishopston PrimarySchool	£900
Black Lane CountyPrimary	£1,000
Blackwood PrimarySchool	£1,350
Blaenavon Heritage VC PrimarySchool	£2,985
Blaengwrach PrimarySchool	£530
Blaenycwm PrimarySchool	£909
Blaenymaes PrimarySchool (2)	£1,012
Blenheim Road CommunityPrimarySchool	£1,000
Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic School (3)	£2,387
Brecon High School	£1,000
Bryn Awel PrimarySchool	£1,000
Bryn Deri Primary	£810
Bryn TegCommunityPrimarySchool	£1,000
Brynhyfryd PrimarySchool	£469

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 158

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Creative Learning through the Arts
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Brynllywarch Hall School	£900
Brynmawr Foundation School	£1,000
Brynmill PrimarySchool	£1,000
Brynnau PrimarySchool	£1,500
Bryntirion Comprehensive School	£1,195
BurryPort CommunityPrimarySchool	£702
Buttington Trewern CountyPrimarySchool (2)	£1,600
Cadle PrimarySchool	£954
Cadoxton PrimarySchool (3)	£2,600
Caegarw PrimarySchool	£324
Cantonian High School	£1,000
Cantref PrimarySchool	£630
Capcoch PrimarySchool (2)	£1,788
Cardiff West CommunityHigh School (3)	£1,677
Cardinal Newman Catholic School and Sixth Form	£1,000
Carreghofa CountyPrimarySchool (2)	£1,900
Cefneithin CP School	£900
Christ the KingPrimarySchool	£216
Cila PrimarySchool (2)	£698
Clase PrimarySchool	£900
Clydach PrimarySchool	£900
Clyro Church in Wales PrimarySchool (2)	£756
Coed Eva PrimarySchool	£1,000
Coedcae School	£1,000
Coedylan PrimarySchool	£1,307
CoetyPrimarySchool	£1,000
ColegCymunedolyDderwen	£350
Creunant PrimarySchool	£558
Crindau Primary	£1,350
Croeserw PrimarySchool	£750
Crossgates CP School	£1,000
Crownbridge School	£862
Crwys PrimarySchool	£427
Cwm Glas PrimarySchool	£900
Cwmafan PrimarySchool	£1,000
Cwmnedd PrimarySchool	£808
Cylch Meithirn Rhostryfan	£2,500
Cylch Meithrin Rhuthun	£2,500
Cylch MeithrinyFali	£2,500
Cymer Afan PrimarySchool	£603

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 159

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Creative Learning through the Arts
Cynffig Comprehensive School (2) £1,400
----- End of picture text -----

Creative Learning through the Arts CynffgComprehensive School (2)	£1,400
DanygraigPrimarySchool	£675
DerwendegPrimarySchool	£994
Dowlais PrimarySchool	£280
Drama Queens (4)	£5,940
Durand PrimarySchool (2)	£2,296
DwryFelin Comprehensive School	£498
Eastern High	£873
Fairfeld PrimarySchool	£990
Fairwater PrimarySchool	£1,000
Fitzalan High School	£1,500
Forden Church in Wales School	£290
Franksbridge PrimarySchool (2)	£3,000
Gabalfa PrimarySchool	£1,188
Garth PrimarySchool	£720
Gendros PrimarySchool	£642
Georgetown PrimarySchool	£1,000
GladestryChurch in Wales PrimarySchool (2)	£896
GlanhowyPrimarySchool	£648
Glyncoed PrimarySchool (2)	£1,544
GlyncorrwgPrimarySchool	£640
GodrergraigPrimarySchool	£500
Gorseinon PrimarySchool	£1,000
Gorwellion Newydd Stiwdio Penycae (2)	£1,242
Gowerton PrimarySchool	£900
Greenhill Special School	£1,500
Greenmeadow PrimarySchool	£1,350
Gwaunfarren PrimarySchool	£1,000
Gwaunmeisgyn PrimarySchool (2)	£1,026
Gwernyfed High School	£546
Gwernymynydd CP	£882
Hawthorn PrimarySchool	£1,485
Heolddu School	£1,000
High Cross PrimarySchool	£1,000
High Street PrimarySchool	£1,000
KingHenryVIII 3-19 School	£390
Knelston PrimarySchool	£379
Langstone PrimarySchool	£1,485
Laugharne VCP Primary	£1,485
Lewis School Pengam	£1,080

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 160

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Libanus PrimarySchool (2)	£1,850
Litchard PrimarySchool	£954
Llandeilo Lit Fest	£1,000
Llandrindod Wells Church in Wales PrimarySchool	£900
Llanedeyrn PrimarySchool (2)	£2,500
Llanelwedd Church in Wales PrimarySchool	£805
Llanfechain Church in Wales PrimarySchool	£900
Llanfoist Fawr Primary	£1,350
LlangatwgCommunitySchool	£927
Llangewydd Junior School	£1,500
Llangors CiW School	£630
Llanilltud Faerdref PrimarySchool	£1,000
Llanishen High School	£653
Llanmartin PrimarySchool	£1,000
Llantilio PertholeyPrimarySchool	£1,000
Llantrisant PrimarySchool	£1,000
Llanvihangel CrucorneyPrimarySchool	£1,350
Llanwern High School	£1,000
LliswerryHigh School	£1,080
Madras VA PrimarySchool	£972
Maes Ebbw Special School	£1,260
MaestegComprehensive School (2)	£1,985
Mayals PrimarySchool	£410
Millbank PrimarySchool	£225
Milton Junior School	£1,440
Miskin PrimarySchool	£1,000
Monkton PrioryCommunityPrimarySchool	£1,000
Monmouth Comprehensive School	£1,000
Morriston Comprehensive School	£900
Mount Stuart PrimarySchool (2)	£2,500
Mountain Ash Comprehensive School	£350
Nant Celyn PrimarySchool (2)	£1,630
NantyParc PrimarySchool	£1,500
Newbridge on Wye Church in Wales School (2)	£1,250
Newbridge School	£900
Newtown High School	£1,245
Ninian Park PrimarySchool	£1,050
Nottage PrimarySchool	£1,000
Oakfeld PrimarySchool	£270
Oystermouth PrimarySchool (2)	£1,310

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 161

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Padre Pio School	£1,000
Parc Lewis PrimarySchool	£900
Pen Afan Primary	£495
Pencoed Comprehensive (2)	£1,999
Penllergaer PrimarySchool	£1,000
Pennar CommunitySchool (2)	£1,243
Penrhys PrimarySchool	£1,350
Pentre r GraigPrimarySchool	£1,000
Penybont PrimarySchool	£350
Pen-y-Fai PrimarySchool	£500
Penygarn CommunityPrimarySchool	£300
Penyrheol PrimarySchool	£441
Peter Lea PrimarySchool (2)	£2,500
PillgwenllyPrimarySchool	£1,350
Ponthir CIW PrimarySchool	£1,500
Pontllanfraith PrimarySchool	£475
Pontlliw PrimarySchool (2)	£1,247
Pontprennau PrimarySchool	£162
Porthcawl Comprehensive School	£1,000
Prestatyn High School	£1,000
Presteigne PrimarySchool	£1,000
Radnor ValleySchool (Powys CountyCouncil)	£472
Radyr Comprehensive School (3)	£3,500
Raglan VC Church in Wales PrimarySchool (3)	£1,123
Rhayader Church in Wales PrimarySchool	£600
Rhiw Syr Dafydd PrimarySchool	£1,500
Rhos PrimarySchool	£620
Rhosddu PrimarySchool	£900
Rhosymedre CommunityPrimarySchool	£165
Rhws PrimarySchool	£1,000
Risca CommunityComprehensive School (2)	£2,000
Sandycroft CP School	£1,500
Sennybridge CP School	£594
Severn PrimarySchool	£986
Sheba Soul Ensemble C.I.C. (2)	£3,000
Shirenewton PrimarySchool	£799
Southdown PrimarySchool	£621
St Asaph VP Infant School	£810
St Bernadettes PrimarySchool	£1,400
St Cenydd CommunitySchool (2)	£2,190

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 162

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St Chads Church in Wales Aided School	£1,000
St Ethelwolds VA School	£635
St Gwladys Bargoed	£900
St Helens PrimarySchool	£890
St Illtyds Catholic High School	£1,000
St Illtyds PrimarySchool (2)	£2,000
St Illtyds RC Primary	£450
St Josephs Catholic and Anglican High School (2)	£2,000
St Josephs RC Cathedral School	£198
St Josephs RC PrimarySchool	£360
St Margarets Catholic PrimarySchool	£1,000
St Marks V A School	£855
St Marys and St Patricks Catholic Primary(2)	£1,085
St Marys Catholic PrimarySchool	£1,500
St Marys Catholic School	£1,000
St Michaels Catholic PrimarySchool	£1,000
St Padarns Catholic PimarySchool	£241
St Patricks RC PrimarySchool	£1,000
St Peters PrimarySchool	£1,000
St Roberts Catholic PrimarySchool	£600
St Teilos Catholic PrimarySchool (2)	£1,134
St Thomas CommunityPrimarySchool	£480
St Woolos PrimarySchool	£1,000
St. David’s Catholic PrimarySchool	£810
St. Davids R.C. PrimarySchool	£1,350
St. Gabriels and Raphaels R.C PrimarySchool	£760
St. Gabriels R.C PrimarySchool (2)	£1,036
St. Josephs RC Cathedral School	£292
St. Julians School	£1,000
St. Marys Brymbo	£894
St. Marys RC School	£217
St. Michaels (CiW) PrimarySchool	£900
St. Peters PrimarySchool	£1,500
Stepaside CP School	£1,000
SullyPrimarySchool	£640
The Bishopof Llandaff High School	£652
The Hollies School	£1,101
The Maelor School (2)	£2,000
Theatr Iolo	£1,500
Tir-y-berth PrimarySchool	£495

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 163

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Tondu PrimarySchool (2)	£1,225
Tongwynlais PrimarySchool	£1,000
Tonyrefail CommunitySchool	£1,000
Townhill CommunityPrimarySchool	£900
trac cymru	£1,500
Trallwn PrimarySchool	£534
Tredegar Park PrimarySchool	£414
Trelai PrimarySchool	£700
Tremains PrimarySchool	£378
Troedyrhiw CommunityPrimarySchool	£283
TynyWern Primary	£1,000
UndyPrimarySchool	£1,485
Victoria PrimarySchool	£1,000
Waldo Williams PrimarySchool	£1,500
Waun Wen PrimarySchool	£1,000
Whitchurch High School	£1,180
Whitestone PrimarySchool	£1,000
Wick and Marcross Church in Wales PrimarySchool	£540
Williamstown PrimarySchool	£90
Willows High School (2)	£983
Windsor Clive PrimarySchool	£1,000
WISE KIDS	£1,305
Y Bont Faen Primary(2)	£1,288
Y Pant Comprehensive School	£585
YGG Bodringallt	£450
YGG Pontybrenin (2)	£1,305
Ysgol Aberconwy	£1,000
Ysgol AwelyMynydd	£1,000
Ysgol Bae Baglan (2)	£2,250
Ysgol Bassaleg	£175
Ysgol Beca	£900
Ysgol Beddgelert	£500
Ysgol Betws Gwerfl Goch	£400
Ysgol BetwsyCoed	£372
Ysgol Betwsyn Rhos (2)	£1,206
Ysgol BorthyGest	£540
Ysgol Botwnnog	£600
Ysgol Bro Alun (2)	£913
Ysgol Bro Caereinion	£1,500
Ysgol Bro Carmel (2)	£1,870

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 164

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----- End of picture text -----

Ysgol Bro Cernyw	£1,000
Ysgol Bro Dinefwr	£1,000
Ysgol Bro Famau	£948
Ysgol Bro Gwydir	£1,000
Ysgol Bro Hyddgen (3)	£2,675
Ysgol Bro Hyddgen Campws Cynradd	£1,000
Ysgol Bro Idris	£1,500
Ysgol Bro Lleu	£1,000
Ysgol Bro Tawe (2)	£2,000
Ysgol Bryn Alyn	£1,000
Ysgol Bryn Elian	£1,140
Ysgol Bryn Gwalia	£1,000
Ysgol Brynhafren CP School	£1,000
Ysgol Caer Drewyn	£328
Ysgol Caer Nant (2)	£2,350
Ysgol Calon Cymru – Llandrindod Wells Campus (2)	£1,990
Ysgol Capel Garmon	£411
Ysgol CarregHir	£468
Ysgol Carrog	£328
Ysgol Carwe (2)	£1,282
Ysgol Cefn Coch	£810
Ysgol Chwilog	£648
Ysgol Craig yr Wylfa (2)	£1,015
Ysgol Cwm Banwy. Ysgolyr EglwysyngNghymru.	£498
Ysgol Cwm Brombil	£540
Ysgol Cymerau	£1,000
Ysgol Cynwyd Sant	£848
Ysgol David Hughes	£1,500
Ysgol Dewi Sant (2)	£2,000
Ysgol Dolwyddelan (2)	£1,861
Ysgol Drefach	£508
Ysgol Dyffryn Aman	£445
Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy	£1,000
Ysgol Dyffryn Dulas Corris (3)	£2,589
Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle	£1,000
Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen	£1,000
Ysgol Dyffryn Taf	£1,000
Ysgol Edern (2)	£1,400
Ysgol Eifon Wyn (2)	£1,900
Ysgol Ffordd Dyffryn	£630

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 165

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----- Start of picture text -----
Creative Learning through the Arts
----- End of picture text -----

Ysgol Foelgron	£442
Ysgol Friars	£1,500
Ysgol Garndolbenmaen	£1,460
Ysgol GatholigPadarn Sant	£540
Ysgol Gelli Aur Golden Grove CommunitySchool	£1,000
Ysgol Gellionnen	£1,000
Ysgol Glan Ceubal (2)	£1,469
Ysgol Glan Morfa	£1,000
Ysgol Glannau Gwaun	£1,000
Ysgol Glantwymyn (2)	£1,722
Ysgol GolwgY Cwm	£1,000
Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron (2)	£1,500
Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn	£1,000
Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed	£405
Ysgol Gyfun GymraegBryn Tawe	£750
Ysgol Gyfun GymraegLlangynwyd (2)	£1,483
Ysgol Gyfun Gymunedol Penweddig(2)	£1,765
Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun	£315
Ysgol Gyfun Tredegar Comprehensive School	£800
Ysgol GymraegAberystwyth (2)	£2,000
Ysgol GymraegBro Dur	£720
Ysgol GymraegBro Teyrnon	£900
Ysgol GymraegBryn Y Mor	£441
Ysgol GymraegCoedyGof	£1,350
Ysgol GymraegCwm Derwen (2)	£2,350
Ysgol GymraegCwmbran (3)	£2,874
Ysgol GymraegFfwrnes	£675
Ysgol GymraegIfor Hael	£1,000
Ysgol GymraegMorswyn	£684
Ysgol GymraegNant Caerau	£400
Ysgol GymraegPwll Coch	£594
Ysgol GymraegRhydaman (2)	£2,485
Ysgol GymraegSant Baruc	£261
Ysgol GymraegSant Curig(3)	£854
Ysgol GymraegTeilo Sant (2)	£2,000
Ysgol GymraegY Cwm	£415
Ysgol GymraegY Fenni	£550
Ysgol GymraegYstalyfera Bro Dur	£360
Ysgol Gymuned Llannerch-y-medd	£664
Ysgol GymunedyFali	£585

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 166

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----- Start of picture text -----
Creative Learning through the Arts
----- End of picture text -----

Ysgol Gymunedol Penparc	£800
Ysgol Gynradd Aberaeron (2)	£1,439
Ysgol Gynradd Abererch (2)	£925
Ysgol Gynradd Amlwch	£1,000
Ysgol Gynradd Beaumaris	£590
Ysgol Gynradd Brynconin	£800
Ysgol Gynradd Carno (2)	£1,185
Ysgol Gynradd CarregHirfaen	£317
Ysgol Gynradd Cemaes	£1,000
Ysgol Gynradd Clydau	£600
Ysgol Gynradd Esceifog	£1,000
Ysgol Gynradd Felinfach (2)	£940
Ysgol Gynradd Gorslas	£1,000
Ysgol Gynradd GwaelodyGarth	£602
Ysgol Gynradd GymraegAberdare (2)	£1,569
Ysgol Gynradd GymraegCalonyCymoedd	£810
Ysgol Gynradd GymraegLlwyncelyn (2)	£1,310
Ysgol Gynradd GymraegLlwynderw	£900
Ysgol Gynradd GymraegTiredeunaw	£1,000
Ysgol Gynradd GymraegYnyswen	£475
Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Llechryd	£749
Ysgol Gynradd Llanarth	£1,000
Ysgol Gynradd Llangadog	£700
Ysgol Gynradd Llangadog	£1,462
Ysgol Gynradd Llanllyfni	£500
Ysgol Gynradd Llanrug	£1,000
Ysgol Gynradd Maenclochog	£1,000
Ysgol Gynradd Parcyrhun (2)	£972
Ysgol Gynradd Pencarnisiog	£1,350
Ysgol Gynradd Pentraeth	£315
Ysgol Gynradd Pontyberem	£1,000
Ysgol Gynradd Rhos Helyg	£405
Ysgol Gynradd Rhydypennau	£855
Ysgol Hamadryad (2)	£1,435
Ysgol Hendrefelin	£1,500
Ysgol Heulfan	£900
Ysgol John Bright (2)	£2,000
Ysgol Llanbedrog	£450
Ysgol Llanbrynmair (2)	£1,327
Ysgol Llanddulas	£144

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 167

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Creative Learning through the Arts
----- End of picture text -----

Ysgol Llandegfan (2)	£1,297
Ysgol Llandudoch	£670
Ysgol Llanfarian School	£180
Ysgol Llanfechell	£675
Ysgol Llanfyllin (2)	£477
Ysgol Llanllechid	£1,000
Ysgol Llan-y-Pwll	£216
Ysgol Llanystumdwy	£317
Ysgol Maes Garmon	£1,000
Ysgol Maes Y Gwendraeth	£1,000
Ysgol Maesydderwen (2)	£2,220
Ysgol Manod	£1,500
Ysgol Melyd	£875
Ysgol Morfa Nefyn	£216
Ysgol Morfa Rhianedd	£1,000
Ysgol Morgan Llwyd	£630
Ysgol Nantgwyn (2)	£1,035
Ysgol Pant Pastynog(2)	£1,056
Ysgol Panteg	£1,000
Ysgol Parc Y Bont (2)	£1,120
Ysgol PenyGroes (2)	£1,126
Ysgol PenyPil (2)	£1,400
Ysgol Penboyr	£630
Ysgol Penderyn	£1,000
Ysgol Penmachno (2)	£1,710
Ysgol Pennal	£1,500
Ysgol Penrhyn New Broughton CP	£1,000
Ysgol Penrhyncoch	£878
Ysgol Pentrecelyn	£215
Ysgol Pentrefoelas	£846
Ysgol Pentreuchaf	£712
Ysgol Penybryn	£999
Ysgol Penygelli	£1,000
Ysgol Penysarn (2)	£2,500
Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn	£1,125
Ysgol Pob Oed Caer Elen	£1,000
Ysgol Pont Y Gof	£540
Ysgol Ponthenri	£630
Ysgol Pontrobert	£1,000
Ysgol Rhiw-Bechan	£637

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 168

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Creative Learning through the Arts
----- End of picture text -----

Ysgol Rhosneigr	£1,215
Ysgol Rhosnesni High School	£880
Ysgol San Sior	£1,000
Ysgol Sant Dunawd	£513
Ysgol Santes Tudful	£1,000
Ysgol Tal-y-bont (2)	£896
Ysgol Talyllychau	£801
Ysgol Tanyfron	£979
Ysgol Terrig	£500
Ysgol Treferthyr (2)	£1,500
Ysgol Treganna (3)	£3,570
Ysgol Tremeirchion	£360
Ysgol Tudno	£1,110
Ysgol Tudweiliog	£594
Ysgol Tycroes	£504
Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteif	£1,350
Ysgol Uwchradd Dinbych (2)	£1,531
Ysgol Y Cribarth	£450
Ysgol Y Dderi (2)	£697
YsgolyDderwen	£1,110
YsgolyDdwylan (2)	£2,260
YsgolyFaenol	£828
YsgolyFfridd	£180
YsgolyForyd	£774
Ysgol Y Gelli (2)	£1,678
YsgolyGrango (2)	£600
YsgolyGwynfryn	£576
YsgolyLlan	£792
YsgolyLlys	£1,000
Ysgol Y Mynydd Du	£675
Ysgol Y Plas	£1,395
YsgolyPreseli	£135
Ysgol-y-Traeth	£700
Total_Creative Learning through the Arts_Grants	£494,360

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 169

Strategic awards

Arts Development
Artis CommunityCymuned	£15,000
Breathe Creative	£16,500
CARN	£25,500
National LiteracyTrust	£15,000
Outside Lives L T D	£35,000
Velindre UniversityN H S Trust	£13,348
	£120,348

National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales project
Newport CityCouncil	£50,000
MOSTYN	£10,000
	£60,000

Wales Arts International
Andrew Bolton	£8,045
Articulture	£2,431
Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Cyf	£18,000
Cardiff Animation Festival	£26,635
Cefyn Burgess	£8,000
Chris Bird-Jones	£7,436
Cian Ciaran	£10,000
DirtyProtest Theatre	£7,603
Fluxus Art Projects	£20,000
Focus Wales	£8,000
Frankie Walker	£7,798
Freya Dooley	£10,000
Gareth Bonello	£13,500
Gareth Clark	£1,500
Green Man Trust Ltd(2)	£13,674
Heather Parnell	£10,000
Hijinx Theatre	£35,955
Ibrahim Abdi	£10,000
International Ceramics Festival	£4,580
Jessica Dunrod	£5,500
Jo Shapland	£7,465
Jukebox Collective	£9,508
Kate Perridge	£18,000
Literature Wales	£12,000
Mari Wirth	£4,500

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 170

Strategic awards (continued)

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Wales Arts International
----- End of picture text -----

Mr and Mrs Clark		£2,650
National Dance CompanyWales		£10,000
National Dance CompanyWales		£6,970
Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw Cyfyngedig		£19,000
Osian Meilir Ioan(2)		£4,790
Parthian Books Limited		£10,000
Re-Live		£37,800
Rhodri Davies		£8,545
Sarah Argent		£15,000
Tessa Gray		£10,000
The Aloud Charity		£40,000
Theatr Mwldan		£4,000
Tomos Williams		£16,000
TyCerdd(2)		£21,062
Wales Literature Exchange and Literature Across Frontiers(3)		£19,700
Ways of Working		£7,440
Zoe Munn		£2,532
Total Strategic awards Total Grants Offered		£515,619
		£695,967
		£31,188,743

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 171

Grant Funding 2024/25

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----- Start of picture text -----
81.65%
10.68%
4.01%
1.66%
1.42%
0.58%
----- End of picture text -----

Multi Year Funded Organisations

Wales Arts International

Welsh Government Revenue Funding

Welsh Government Capital Funding

Creative Learning through the Arts Arts Development

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 172

National Lottery Policy Directions

The Welsh Ministers, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 26(1) of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, and having consulted with the Arts Council of Wales pursuant to Section 26(5) of that Act, have issued the following Directions:

In these Directions any reference to a section is a reference to a section of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 as amended by the National Lottery Act 1998.
The Arts Council of Wales shall take into account the following matters in determining the persons to whom, the purposes for which and the conditions subject to which it distributes money under section 25(1): –

Generic

A. the need to ensure that money is distributed under section 25(1) for projects which promote the public good or charitable purposes and which are not intended primarily for public gain;
B. the need to ensure that it considers applications which relate to the complete range of activities falling within section 22(3)(b) and in respect of which it has the power to distribute money, taking into account:
i. its assessment of the needs of the arts and arts activities and its priorities for the time being for addressing them;
ii. the need to ensure that all regions of Wales have access to funding;
iii. the scope for reducing economic and social deprivation at the same time as creating benefits for the arts;
C. the need to further the objectives of sustainable development;
D. the need for money distributed under section 25(1) to be distributed only to projects where they are for a specific, time-limited purpose;
E. the need:
i. in all cases, for applicants to demonstrate the financial viability of the project for the period of the grant;
ii. where capital funding or setting up costs are sought, for a clear business plan beyond the period of the grant, incorporating provision for associated running and maintenance costs;
iii. in other cases, for consideration to be given to likely availability of other funding to meet any continuing costs for a reasonable period after completion of the period of the Lottery award, taking into account the size and nature of the project, and for Lottery funding to be used to assist progress towards viability beyond the period of the grant wherever possible;

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 173

F. the desirability of supporting the development of long term financial and managerial viability of organisations in the arts. In taking this into account the Arts Council shall have regard to Direction D;
G. the need to require an element of partnership funding and/or contributions in kind, from other sources, commensurate with the reasonable ability of different kinds of application, or applicants in particular areas to obtain such support;
H. the desirability of working with other organisations, including other distributors, where this is an effective means of delivering elements of its strategy;
I. the need to ensure that its powers to solicit applications under section 25(2)(A) are used in connection with the pursuit of strategic objectives;
J. the need to obtain such information as it considers necessary to make decisions on each application, including independent advice when required;
K. the need to operate within the distinctive policy context in Wales, adding value where appropriate to Welsh Government strategies, to enable the development of opportunities for everyone to flourish within a more successful and sustainable Wales;
L. the need to promote access to the arts for people from all sections of society;
M. the need to promote knowledge of, and interest in, the arts by children and young people;
N. the need to encourage new talent, innovation, and excellence, and to help develop new skills;
O. the need to support volunteering and encourage volunteering in the arts;
P. the need to involve the public and local communities in making policies and setting priorities;

Specific

Q. the need to promote and support throughout Wales the cultural significance of the Welsh language and the bilingual nature of Wales, including giving effect to the principle of equality between the English and Welsh languages. This should include the addition of specific conditions on the Welsh language in grant offers, an effective monitoring and overseeing of the performance of grant recipients with regard to those conditions;
R. the need to ensure coherent monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems that support quality service delivery, and to maintain accountability by providing an annual report on the Arts Council of Wales’ lottery funding activity to the Welsh Government. This report should include an analysis of grants made, and the distribution of these by size, type, geographical area, and art form.

Dated: 1 October 2012

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 174

Lottery Distribution – Grants 2024/25

net of offers not taken up or withdrawn

Grants to organisations

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----- Start of picture text -----
Multi-year funded organisations
----- End of picture text -----

Aberystwyth Arts Centre	£531,012
Awen Cultural Trust	£243,750
Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Cyf	£79,409
Chapter Cardiff Ltd.	£390,000
Fflm Cymru Wales	£472,830
Live Music Now Wales	£44,667
National Youth Arts Wales	£438,750
NoFit State CommunityCircus L t d	£192,565
Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw Cyfyngedig	£73,125
Pontardawe Arts Centre	£62,534
Rhondda Cynon Tâf CountyBorough Council	£149,238
The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre – Newport Live	£73,125
Theatrau Sir Gar	£48,750
Wyeside Arts Centre L t d	£29,250
	£2,829,005

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----- Start of picture text -----
Capital grants
----- End of picture text -----

Aberystwyth Arts Centre	£25,000
Chapter Cardiff L t d.	£15,959
Elysium Gallery	£50,000
Ffotogallery	£19,246
Impelo	£119,000
Made In Roath	£30,000
Makers Guild in Wales	£30,000
Pontio Arts	£40,878
Theatr Bara Caws	£45,413
Theatr na nÓg	£7,087
	£382,583

	Strategic Interventions
	BBC Wales CommissioningDepartment	£20,000
	Chapter Cardiff L t d.	£10,000
	Rubicon Dance	£175,000
	Theatr Clwyd Trust Limited	£300,000
	Theatr na nÓg	£28,000
		£533,000

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 175

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----- Start of picture text -----
Commissioning, Making and Presenting – Create
----- End of picture text -----

AbergavennyWritingFestival C.I.C.	£9,200
Aberjazz	£16,000
Aberystwyth Music Fest	£30,000
Adverse Camber	£45,537
Ardour Academy	£44,915
Art Shell	£5,945
Artes Mundi Prize Limited	£101,730
Artis CommunityCymuned	£50,000
Bangor New Music Festival Society	£9,960
Bangor Saints Football Club	£1,307
Black Lives in Music	£15,074
Black Mountains ComedyFestival	£33,630
Black RAT Productions L t d	£37,520
BoveyTraceyArts & Crafts Festival Limited	£27,000
Brecon Jazz Club Brecon Jazz Music Trust	£10,790
Brecon Jazz Festival DeliveryTeam	£10,000
Butetown Arts and Culture Association(2 awards)	£101,800
Cardiff Animation Festival	£35,000
Cardiff M.A.D.E. C.I.C.	£49,900
Change Wrexham For Our Future	£26,000
Chapter Cardiff L t d.	£41,228
Childrens Festival	£5,589
ChippyLane Productions	£9,920
Cimera	£49,608
Citrus Arts	£48,978
Common/Wealth	£51,400
Companyof Sirens(2 awards)	£45,321
ConwyCountyBorough Council	£46,000
Cowbridge Music Festival	£35,000
CULTVR	£49,790
Cwmni Mega Cyf L t d	£100,000
Cwmni Pendraw	£7,100
Cwmni’r Frân Wen	£54,081
Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery	£10,000
Cynefn Caerffli	£50,000
Dance Blast	£51,960
EarlyVoices Wales	£4,650
Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru	£104,680
Familia de la Noche	£10,000
Ffamingo CIC(2 awards)	£75,019
Fishguard and West Wales International Music Festival	£50,000
Flossyand Boo Ltd(2 awards)	£42,184
Forte Projects	£75,000
Galeri Caernarfon Cyf	£26,000
Grand Ambition	£98,780
Green Man Trust L t d	£79,429

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 176

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----- Start of picture text -----
Commissioning, Making and Presenting – Create
----- End of picture text -----

GrittyFilms Limited	£35,000
Groundwork Pro	£50,000
Gwyl Beaumaris Festival	£20,000
HayFestival Foundation Ltd	£49,980
Horn Development Association	£9,200
Humans Move	£87,430
Hummadruz	£60,151
Jazz Promotion Network	£4,500
Jones the Dance(3 awards)	£178,784
Joon Dance	£50,000
Lighthouse Theatre L t d	£45,000
LlandoverySheepFestival	£10,000
Llangollen Fringe Festival	£35,000
LOYALTY	£41,000
Made In Roath	£49,000
Memorial Hall and Theatre	£42,384
Menter Caerdydd	£80,000
Menter Caerffli(2 awards)	£33,000
Menter Iaith Abertawe	£21,980
Menter Iaith Bro Morgannwg	£15,000
Menter Iaith Ffint a Wrecsam	£47,518
Menter Mon Cyf	£35,740
Mewn Cymeriad In Character	£50,000
MinistryOf Life Education C I C	£10,000
Music Theatre Wales	£10,000
National Dance CompanyWales	£48,500
National Libraryof Wales	£10,000
Nearside Productions	£35,000
NeuroExpression	£24,440
Noctown	£10,000
NoFit State CommunityCircus L t d(3 awards)	£149,571
North Wales International Music Festival	£50,000
Oriel Davies Gallery	£9,359
Oshi's World	£9,450
Paallam Arts C I C(2 awards)	£30,000
Papertrail Llwybr Papur	£50,000
Parc Arts	£10,000
Parents and Carers in PerformingArts	£9,500
Peak Cymru	£53,332
PeopleSpeakUpL T D(2 awards)	£41,256
Pontio Arts(2 awards)	£88,410
Presteigne Festival of Music and the Arts L t d	£36,000
PRS Foundation	£18,000
PuppetSoupL t d	£47,688
Race Council Cymru	£94,124
Ransack Dance Company (3 awards)	£64,500

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 177

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----- Start of picture text -----
Commissioning, Making and Presenting – Create
----- End of picture text -----

Rubicon Dance	£32,900
Ruthin Craft Centre	£39,500
Samarpan Nrithyalaya	£23,800
Samba Galez	£9,506
Sense	£40,391
Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau	£46,000
Sherman Theatre(2 awards)	£192,705
Sound Progression(2 awards)	£60,000
St. Davids Peninsula Music & Arts C I C	£15,100
Swansea CityOpera	£8,640
Swansea Print Workshop	£33,000
The Bohemians Theatre Company	£6,906
The Inner Voices	£10,000
The Other Room(2 awards)	£56,500
The Place	£34,954
The Printhaus	£28,660
The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre – Newport Live	£50,000
The Welsh Chamber Orchestra Ltd.	£50,000
Theatr Felinfach	£5,477
Theatr Gwaun CommunityTrust	£9,647
Theatr3	£95,945
THINK CREATIVELY C.I.C.	£49,000
Tiltingat Windmills Productions L t d	£50,000
trac cymru	£48,062
Tredegar House Folk Festival Society	£10,000
TRIONGL	£50,000
TyCerdd	£42,582
TyRoots L t d	£9,396
UCAN Productions	£9,716
UPROAR	£50,000
Urdd Gobaith Cymru	£88,000
Wales One World Film Festival	£10,533
Wrexham Academyof Screen Acting	£9,418
Y LLE DA The Good Place	£35,000
Ystradgynlais Miners Welfare and CommunityHall Trust L t d	£50,000
Zimbabwe Newport VolunteeringAssociation	£5,700
	£5,209,860

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----- Start of picture text -----
Arts Resilience
----- End of picture text -----

Cardiff Animation Festival	£30,000
The Welsh Chamber OrchestraL t d.	£9,000
Tin Shed Theatre Co.	£123,545
Urban Circle Newport	£81,359
Welsh National Opera	£755,000
	£998,904

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 178

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----- Start of picture text -----
Business Development – Open Lottery
Creu Cymru £7,400
Flossy and Boo L t d £9,900
£17,300
Transition Funding
Eleni Dance L t d £30,000
Head4Arts £38,177
National Theatre Wales £407,000
trac cymru £30,000
£505,177
Equalities – Creative Steps
Dirty Protest Theatre £10,387
Humans Move £49,845
Papertrail Llwybr Papur £119,200
Watch Africa Cymru £24,000
£203,432
International Opportunities Fund
4Pi Productions £2,985
Gritty Films Limited £4,411
Jones the Dance £8,485
Theatr Mwldan £6,300
WAHWN £7,255
Wales Literature Exchange and Literature Across Frontiers £7,060
£36,496
Children and Young People – Open Lottery
Creative circle C.I.C. £47,500
£47,500
Widening Engagement – Sharing Together
Anthem. Music Fund Wales £2,500
Ballet Cymru £2,500
Coven Xperience £2,800
Disability Arts Cymru £2,330
Drama Queens £2,500
Made In Roath £2,500
TOM BEVAN CREATIVE L T D £2,500
£17,630
P R S for Music Foundation
P RS Foundation £40,000
£40,000
----- End of picture text -----

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 179

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----- Start of picture text -----
Arts and Health – Open Lottery
Action for Children Fostering Wales £26,350
Action in Caerau and Ely £15,000
Amser i Siarad £15,000
Art and Soul Tribe CIC £25,688
Ballet Cymru £24,062
Cardiff Animation Festival £15,000
Carter’s (N W) CiC £15,000
Choirs For Good £14,000
Cyngor Gwynedd £15,000
Denbighshire Leisure Limited £35,000
Familia de la Noche £15,000
Gwella £7,170
Hywel Dda University Health Board (2 awards) £49,774
Inside Out Cymru £14,850
KIM Inspire £15,000
Literature Wales £15,000
Making Sense Community Interest Company £14,604
Morlas £35,000
Mr and Mrs Clark £35,000
Music in Hospitals and Care Cymru £15,582
Oasis One World Choir £15,000
operasonic cyf £14,520
Oriel Davies Gallery £9,990
PeopleSpeakUp L T D £50,000
Pontio Arts £35,000
Powys Teaching Health Board £13,928
Reality Theatre Community Interest Company £22,500
Rubicon Dance £35,000
Small World Theatre L t d £14,900
Tanio (2 awards) £45,652
The Body Hotel £15,000
Theatr Cynefin £30,000
WAHWN £35,000
Y Ty Celf – The Art House Ltd C IC £35,000
£788,570
Arts and Health – Strategic
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board £28,875
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (2 awards) £57,475
Hywel Dda University Health Board £28,875
Powys Teaching Health Board £28,875
Swansea Bay University Health Board £28,875
Velindre University N H S Trust £27,844
£200,819
----- End of picture text -----

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 180

Arts and Health – NHS Capacity Building
Aneurin Bevan UniversityHealth Board		£25,000
Betsi Cadwaladr UniversityHealth Board(2 awards)		£50,000
Cardiff and Vale UniversityHealth Board		£25,000
Hywel Dda UniversityHealth Board		£25,000
Powys TeachingHealth Board		£25,000
Swansea BayUniversityHealth Board		£25,000
		£175,000

Creative Learning through the Arts Programme
Arts Council of Wales(General Activities)		£1,000,000
Total Grants to Organisations		£1,000,000

		£12,985,276

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 181

Grants to Individuals

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----- Start of picture text -----
Commissioning, Making and Presenting – Create
----- End of picture text -----

Ahmun,Shakeera	£8,955
Allen,Jess	£9,997
Anderson,Mark	£5,000
Balla,Jessica	£11,084
Biant,Prithpal	£9,900
Bond,Joanna	£9,550
Bowers,Richard	£9,620
Breathnach,Tracy	£9,650
Bunko,Anthony	£19,550
Cainen,Mark	£10,900
Camara,Idrissa	£11,991
Cardew,Tom	£17,700
Carlsen,Sean	£8,550
Chambers,Gareth	£7,598
Charles,Rhiannon	£7,490
Clode,Simon	£9,000
Da Luz Fernandes,Goncalo	£10,000
Darby,Hannah	£10,000
Davies,Angela	£30,000
Davies,Dena	£8,392
Davies,Jenő	£26,980
Ditton,Elliot	£12,050
Doyle-Roberts,Bridie	£33,550
Eastwood,Paul	£35,500
Etchells,Tudor	£7,865
Evans,Carys	£25,120
Evans,Cellan	£9,210
Evans-Jones,Gareth	£4,805
Fester,Dominique	£9,000
Fong,Joanne	£10,000
Fowler,Dylan	£30,000
Gabco,Patrik	£35,750
Gawne,Stephanie	£5,600
Geddes,Karina	£9,000
Greenhalgh,Beth	£21,925
Green-Hope,Gemma	£45,750
Gubb,Stephen	£9,985
Habachi,Rahim El	£8,950
Hallas,Penny	£5,385
Harris,Tracy	£7,300
Hartel,Sara	£16,035
Hereford,Luke	£4,000

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 182

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----- Start of picture text -----
Commissioning, Making and Presenting – Create
----- End of picture text -----

Hosefros,Brian	£10,000
House,Lee	£9,940
Hughes,Kamalagita	£6,300
Iqbal,Jafar(2 awards)	£47,066
James,Richard	£10,000
Jesus,Toni De	£30,168
Jones,Angharad(2 awards)	£25,124
Kerr,Bella	£11,900
Khan,Imran	£10,000
Kim,Jin Eui	£10,000
Knowles,Rebecca	£10,000
Ladd,Eddie	£9,990
Legall,Kyle	£16,113
Lerner,Jessica	£10,800
Lewis,Juliette	£29,623
Lewis,Noni	£7,989
Llwyd,Owain	£10,000
Lowe,Krystal	£39,800
Mair,Rhiannon	£34,740
Mannion,Philippa	£8,000
Marsh,Jo	£7,901
Matsena,Arnold	£11,150
McKay,Macsen	£8,635
McReynolds,Richard	£20,065
Mizen,Deanne Doddington	£10,000
Morgan,Lianne	£10,900
Morris,Nia	£7,019
Navabi,Leila	£16,500
Nicholson,Jodie	£11,995
Parri,Luned	£10,100
Parsons,Alex	£35,150
Pasotra,Tina	£26,842
Patel,Radha	£41,243
Philp,Jack	£39,850
Porter,Gavin	£5,150
Rea,John	£10,000
Roberts,Stephanie	£8,321
Saha,Atreyee	£8,970
Saki,Sahar	£28,640
Santima,Plamedi	£12,100
Shapland,Anthony	£18,300
Sion,Gwen	£11,139
Sofa,Freya	£10,000
Tear,Lorien	£12,400
Varrall,Sarah	£6,500

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 183

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----- Start of picture text -----
Commissioning, Making and Presenting – Create
Vicary, Sean £37,710
Walker, Frankie £50,700
Whitehead, Simon £8,460
Williams, Mared £8,835
Williams, Rebecca £4,935
Williams, Tamar £20,390
Wright, Anthony (2 awards) £57,824
Yahaya, Abdulmujib Oloye £9,350
£1,533,314
International Opportunities Fund
----- End of picture text -----

Barker,Megan	£3,013
Binns,Helena	£3,450
Bird-Jones,Chris	£1,490
Bowman,Robert	£1,502
Dooley,Freya	£2,400
Eedens,Darren	£2,200
Gibbard,Gwenan	£5,840
Greenhalgh,Jill	£4,756
Greenhalgh,Beth	£3,569
Gwyn,Richard	£1,996
Gynn,Eloise	£2,220
Harris,Georgina	£1,295
Harris,Anna	£7,418
Heckler,Lauren	£3,210
Hereford,Luke	£7,500
Ioan,Osian Meilir	£5,665
Llwyd,Gweni	£2,060
Lowe,Krystal	£7,274
Mak-Schram,Sophie(2 awards)	£5,757
Mayo,Natasha	£1,387
Panades I Blas,Xavier	£1,004
Parsons,Alex	£3,383
Parry,Abigail	£5,000
Philp,Jack	£5,950
Plowman,Lynne	£3,039
Potter,Sophie	£4,789
Mota,Matheus Prado	£2,500
Rabey,Isabel	£3,431
Rea,John	£5,000
Shelley,Ruth	£4,268
Sirina,Anya	£5,038
Thompson,Nicola	£3,805
Warren,Robert	£1,260
	£122,469

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 184

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----- Start of picture text -----
Widening Engagement – Sharing Together
Bull, Emily £2,500
Leadill, Sophia £2,500
Owen, Rebecca £2,400
Treharne, Amy £2,500
£9,900
Equalities – Creative Steps
----- End of picture text -----

Al-Shakarchi,Ahmad		£10,000
Ampah,Samuel		£9,900
Black,Candice		£8,181
Churchill,Gareth		£3,000
Daimond,Colin		£11,900
Ellis,Louis		£10,628
Gabco,Lukas		£10,900
Hepburn,Charlotte		£9,789
How,Michael		£4,721
Loo,Jack		£14,060
McMaster,Tracey		£6,650
Mohamed,Umulkhayr		£12,300
Nwogu,Jacob		£11,000
Rau,Dominika		£10,000
Reeves,Daniel		£8,090
Sharp,Titus		£7,350
Thomas,Rhys		£11,158
Williams,Fran		£10,145
Total Grants to Individuals Total Grants Offered net of offers not taken up or withdrawn		£169,772
		£1,835,455
		£14,820,731

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 185

Grants Administered by Ffilm Cymru Wales

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----- Start of picture text -----
Production and Development
----- End of picture text -----

Balaclava Sands	£24,800
BeingSeen	£408
Black Church Bay (2 awards)	£250,000
Brides	£4,287
Chuck Chuck Baby (3 awards)	£2,622
Daffodil	£24,610
Ghosts of Yesterday	£7,500
I'r Gwyllt	£9,000
Laugharne	£10,000
Learningto Breathe Underwater(2 awards)	£30,725
Mr Burton	£24,999
MyExtinction	£15,000
October October	£26,499
On The Record Award	£10,000
Out There(2 awards)	£228,118
Pur	£24,900
Rebecca Jones	£24,500
Spectre of the Bear	£642
Still PushingPineapples(2 awards)	£56,999
The Apostasy	£19,000
The Blokes BakingClub	£22,000
The Bloodied Sword	£16,000
The Night Gardener	£24,999
This Is Not A Love Story	£13,500
Timestalker	£1,000
Unicorns	£12,000
	£884,108

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 186

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----- Start of picture text -----
Exhibition Festivals
----- End of picture text -----

Abertoir Film Festival Award 2024	£11,900
Afan ValleyCommunityCinema for All 2024-2025	£6,873
Cardiff Animation Festival 2024	£15,000
Cardiff CommunityCinema Club	£1,250
Chapter Annual Film Programme	£10,000
Fly! BLACK FILM CLUB	£5,000
Focus Wales Film Festival 2024	£5,000
Hybu Llanymddyfri – Building Community through Film in Rural Wales	£6,500
Iris Prize Film Festival 2024	£15,000
Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival 2024	£3,530
Sain + Golwg/ Sound + Vision PopupCinema	£8,000
Sgrin Emyr 2024	£10,000
Sinema Memo	£10,972
UnityFilm Festival 2024	£8,000
Warm Spaces at the Cinema	£8,000
Watch-Africa Film Festival 2024	£6,000
Welcome Wednesdays 2024	£8,500
WOW Film Festival 2025	£10,600
Y Neuadd Les – Screen Social	£8,000
Total Grants from Fflm Cymru Wales net of offers not taken up or withdrawn	£158,125

	£1,042,233

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 187

Grants Administered by Literature Wales

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----- Start of picture text -----
Grants
----- End of picture text -----

Fielder-Hobbs,Rhiannon	£3,000
Gwilym,Gwenno	£3,000
Kelleher,Michael	£3,000
Koloman Kaiba,Paz	£3,000
Lowe, Krystal S.	£3,000
O’Brien,Grace	£3,000
Pickard,Claire	£3,000
Rose,Silvia	£3,000
Singh,Nadheem	£3,000
Taylor,IvyFemke	£3,000
Vaughan,Lowri Hedd	£3,000
Wilson-Jones,Steffan	£3,000
Ywain,Gruffydd Siôn	£3,000
Total Grants from Literature Wales net of offers not taken up or withdrawn	£39,000

	£39,000

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 188

Grants Administered by Tŷ Cerdd

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----- Start of picture text -----
Create
----- End of picture text -----

Aberystwyth Arts Centre,Aberystwyth University	£1,400
Aberystwyth Musicfest	£1,750
Aubergine Café and Events C I C	£1,985
August 012 L t d	£1,400
Ayan Cymru	£1,400
Ballet Cymru	£250
Bangor Music Festival	£1,500
Brecon Buzz CIC	£500
CANOLFAN GERDD WILLIAM MATHIAS	£1,500
Cardiff Ardwyn Singers	£2,000
Caru Dolgarrog	£1,250
Chapter Cardiff L t d	£1,250
Côr A B C	£1,000
Cowbridge Music Festival(2 awards)	£3,300
Cwm Taff People First	£1,500
Cwmni Mara C I C	£1,800
Cwmni Pen Productions L t d.	£2,000
EarlyVoices Wales Lleisiau Cynnar Cymru	£1,400
Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru	£1,000
Grand Ambition C I C	£2,000
Guitar Circus	£1,650
Listen to the Voice of Fire	£2,000
Menter Iaith Abertawe	£1,350
MercuryTheatre Wales	£1,700
Montgomeryshire Youth Music	£510
NAWR	£1,998
NEWBRIDGE MEMO LIMITED	£750
Newtown Silver Band	£1,500
Presteigne Festival of Music and the Arts Limited	£1,000
Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau	£1,000
Sinfonia Cymru	£1,250
The Stormz CommunityFor Musical Arts	£1,800
Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru	£2,000
True Colours CommunityChoir	£1,500
UPROAR	£2,000
Urdd Gobaith Cymru	£1,500
Welsh Ballroom Community	£1,350
Welsh Chamber Orchestra	£750
	£55,793

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 189

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----- Start of picture text -----
Engage
----- End of picture text -----

Allegra Choir	£500
Arts Active Trust	£1,240
August 012	£1,300
Avant Cymru	£1,500
Bandiau Pres Cymru – Brass Bands Wales	£1,000
Bangor Music Festival	£1,250
Bangor University	£1,350
BarryMale Voice Choir	£1,500
Bellevue CommunityYouth Band	£1,800
Canolfan a Theatr Soar	£900
Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias	£1,650
Canolfan Owain Glyndwr	£1,800
CanolfanyCelfyddydau Aberystwyth Arts Centre	£1,350
Cantorion Llandrindod	£750
Cantorion Menai	£1,200
Cathays Brass	£250
Change Wrexham For Our Future	£1,500
ChromaMusic CommunityGroup	£1,800
CommunityArtsprojects	£500
Cor Meibion Morlais	£270
Cosmic Music	£1,240
Cwm Taf People First	£1,500
Daringto Dream	£1,800
DisabilityArts Cymru	£1,500
EarlyVoices Wales Lleisiau Cynnar Cymru	£950
Fishguard Festival of Music	£800
Forget-me-not Chorus (F M N C)	£1,300
Grand Ambition C I C	£516
Gwrandewch	£600
Gŵyl Beaumaris Festival	£1,000
Little Live Projects	£1,500
LlandoverySheepFestival	£2,000
Make Music DayUK L t d	£1,500
Menai Bridge Band Porthaethwy	£990
Menter Caerdydd	£610
Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf	£1,240
NAWR	£500
Newport Borough Brass Band	£885
North Wales International Music Festival (N W I M F)	£1,200
Paned o Gê	£990
Pontypridd Brass Band Festival	£1,378
SHIFT Cardiff C I C	£1,575
Sound Progression L t d	£1,500
SPAN Arts L t d	£1,500

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 190

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----- Start of picture text -----
Engage
The Llwydcoed Band £685
The Stormz Community For Musical Arts £700
THU Arts Collective C Y F £1,900
Tredegar House Folk Festival Society £1,500
True Colours Community Choir £1,500
UPROAR £1,800
Vale of Glamorgan Brass Band (2 awards) £3,445
Wrexham Music Festival £1,750
£65,264
Inspire
----- End of picture text -----

Inspire
Aberystwyth Musicfest	£1,240 £1,800 £2,000 £1,000 £1,240 £500 £1,350 £1,250 £1,240 £950 £1,000 £1,800 £2,000 £1,240 £1,765 £1,240 £1,500 £1,257 £1,800 £1,240 £1,800 £1,373 £1,500 £1,800 £33,885
Anthem. Music Fund Wales
Brecon Beacons Music Trust
Chapter Cardiff L t d
Chordis Caerllion
CommunityArtsprojects
COR MERCHED PLASTAF
Crosskeys Silver Band
Ffach Cymunedol Cyfyngedig
Gwaun Cae Gurwen Brass Band
Gŵyl Beaumaris Festival
Little Live Projects
Llandeilo Fawr Festival of Music
Mentrau Creadigol Cymru T/A YR EGIN
Music Anywhere CIC
NEW Sinfonia C.I.O.
North Wales International Music Festival
Pontardulais Town Band
Rhydyfelin Jazz
Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau
Sound Progression L t d
Swansea MAD
UPROAR
WeJam Foundation
Total Grants from Tŷ Cerdd net of offers not taken up or withdrawn
	£154,942

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 191

Lottery Grants by Type

Delegated Authority Grants

Arts Council of Wales Annual Report 2024-25 | 192

General Activities and Lottery Distribution Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Contents

What we do

Chair’s foreword

Trustees’ Report and Management Commentary

81

Chief Executive

Our 10-year strategy

Our Vision

Our Mission

Our Approach

Our Principles

Please use this link to explore our published Strategy.

14,876

Public benefit

Creative learning through the arts

Tŷ Cerdd, CoDI BWM!

Our performance

A year of strong performance against our corporate objectives

Take action

Promote

Partnerships

Corporate Governance

Our Trustees

Personal data related incidents

Our Offices

Mid and West Wales

North Wales

South Wales and national office

Auditor – General Activities

Auditor – Lottery Distribution

Internal auditors

Bankers

Governance Statement

The legislative framework

Our Governance arrangements

We promote values of good governance

Whistleblowing

Taking informed decisions

We provide funding to third parties

Security of data

Complaints

Ministerial directions

Our Governance Structure

Executive Management

Council

Our governance response to working arrangements during 2024/25

Our Council’s Committees

Audit outcomes

H R and Remuneration Committee

Overall assessment of governance and internal control

Dafydd Rhys

Endorsed on behalf of Council:

Environmental performance

Principal risks and uncertainties

Managing our affairs effectively

Protecting the public’s money

Taking risks: a balanced approach

Financial risk and capital management

The risks to our performance: What they are and how we deal with them

Principal risks

Financial and business review

Grant making policies

Cash reserves – General Activities

Investment

Payment of creditors

Financial Results – General Activities

Financial Results – Lottery Distribution

Remuneration and Staff Report

Equal opportunities

Our H R policies

Employee communication, consultation and negotiation

Remuneration

Rebecca Nelson

Alyn Coleman

Lorna Virgo

Diane Hebb

Sickness absence

Staff turnover

Consultancy