Ym mis Mai 2013, cyhoeddais fy strategaeth ar gyfer yr amgylchedd hanesyddol yng Nghymru, a oedd yn nodi cyfres o fesurau a fydd yn ein galluogi i ddiogelu ein treftadaeth yn ogystal â denu mwy o bobl i’w mwynhau a’i defnyddio. Wrth lunio’r strategaeth honno a pharatoi ar gyfer y Bil Treftadaeth arfaethedig, roeddem wedi ymgysylltu’n helaeth ag arbenigwyr ar dreftadaeth, rhanddeiliaid a’r cyhoedd. Un o’r camau gweithredu oedd edrych ar yr opsiynau ar gyfer creu panel cynghori annibynnol newydd i roi cyngor arbenigol i helpu Llywodraeth Cymru i ddatblygu strategaeth a pholisïau ar gyfer yr amgylchedd hanesyddol yn y dyfodol a darparu gwasanaethau sy’n gysylltiedig â’r amgylchedd hanesyddol ar lefel genedlaethol yng Nghymru. Byddai hynny’n ategu gwaith y Grŵp Amgylchedd Hanesyddol, sef cynrychiolwyr sydd wedi eu henwebu gan sefydliadau ledled y sector yng Nghymru, ac sy’n gweithredu fel fforwm i randdeiliaid allu cyfathrebu a chydgysylltu’r camau a gymerir.
In May of 2013 I published my historic environment strategy for Wales which articulated a series of measures that were designed to enable the protection of our heritage and encourage public access, enjoyment and participation. That strategy, and the preparatory work for the forthcoming Heritage Bill, was informed by an extensive engagement with heritage specialists, stakeholders and the general public. A specific action was to explore the options for the establishment of a new independent advisory panel to provide expert advice to support the Welsh Government in the development of future historic environment policy and strategy and the delivery of historic environment services at a national level in Wales. This would complement the work of my Historic Environment Group, which comprises nominated representatives of organisations from across the sector in Wales and acts as a forum for stakeholder communication and coordinated action.