, Local Government and Housing Committee
Introductions, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest
Just in case, I'd like to declare I'm a Flintshire councillor.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Papers to note
We talk about shorter food miles, don't we? Definitely.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Annual scrutiny of Natural Resources Wales
I would welcome that, if you could write with an update, thanks.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Annual scrutiny of Natural Resources Wales
Okay. I wasn't unmuted. So, it was about an update on the work of the green recovery taskforce, okay, including the development of a national nature service. Thank you.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Annual scrutiny of Natural Resources Wales
[Inaudible.]—green recovery taskforce, including the development of a national nature service business case.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Annual scrutiny of Natural Resources Wales
Yes. Just following on from that, though, it does seem that there's a bit of a 'them and us' attitude as well. Working with partners, working with local authorities, and Welsh Water, if you educate regarding riparian ownership as well as land—. Regarding, for…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Annual scrutiny of Natural Resources Wales
I believe that Scotland were able to redesignate fairly recently on a shorter timescale, or within the five years. So, there we are. Okay, thank you.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Annual scrutiny of Natural Resources Wales
They do pass the buck quite a lot, and I think enforcement on ditches leading to rivers comes under NRW's remit, as far as I understand, as—. I'm sorry, I didn't—. I'm still a Flintshire councillor—I announced that at the beginning of the meeting—so I do have…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Annual scrutiny of Natural Resources Wales
Just going back to flooding, would that remit include enforcement of ensuring culverts, ditches, are kept clear? Will it make it clear who is responsible for those as well? Because I know sometimes that responsibilities overlap to local authorities, Welsh…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23 - session 2
The local nature partnership funding and the enabling natural resources and well-being funding has been really gratefully received. It's very important so that they can develop projects working with our communities and residents, and I notice that NRW has the…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23 - session 2
Great, thank you very much. Just regarding biodiveristy then, the UK Government has not provided EU LIFE replacement funding, so it's whether the Welsh Government will commit to a Welsh replacement scheme if no UK scheme is established. I'm really worried…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23 - session 2
The Clwydian range area of outstanding natural beauty. NRW have to deliver that within this year's—well, sorry, this term of Government.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23 - session 2
First, can I just ask about funding for the national park—it was missed earlier—to deliver that within this year's Government?
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23 - session 2
I hope you're looking at hydrogen as well for those. That would be really good. We've got two hydrogen hubs in north Wales being built. I held a cross-party group on public transport, and they're just concerned about getting people back on post pandemic…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23 - session 2
Okay. Thank you. I'll continue with lobbying throughout the process, as I do. Just moving on now to decarbonisation of transport, specifically the basis on which the Minister believes allocations are sufficient to ensure net-zero plan targets for bus and…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23 - session 2
Can I just respond to say that there's a £1.6 billion backlog of roads, footpaths and bridges? This is something that I've always pushed for and been passionate about. Infrastructure is one of our biggest assets, so I really wanted to make that case here…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23 - session 2
Thank you. Just regarding road maintenance, I looked at the budget, so there's £500 million going to trunk road agencies over three years and they've got funding for ash dieback. There was funding for councils to maintain the rest of the infrastructure, which…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23 - session 2
Living part time in Cardiff, I had a word with Cardiff councillors about the co-mingling of waste, actually. They said that they are looking at separate glass collections, which is really great and positive. I'm just going to move on to active travel. I know…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23 - session 1
Thanks. Just quickly, it's regarding getting raw materials for new builds, particularly glass and timber and how you're able to address that. I know it's pushing up the spend profile significantly and causing delays. And also, the labour shortage for skilled…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23 - session 1
Yes, please. Could I just ask: do you do an impact assessment for biodiversity on every spending decision? So, whether it's transport infrastructure so that they don't put top soil back down, and that's better for biodiversity, or I know that the twenty-first…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Introductions, apologies, substitutions, and declarations of interest
Chair, can I just declare that I'm still a Flintshire county councillor? Thank you.
, Plenary
Short Debate: Getting around: Free public transport for young people
Could I begin by thanking Jane Dodds for this short debate? Public transport is an issue close to my heart as well. Before I was elected to the Senedd, I delivered a petition with more than 3,500 signatures on it, which called for buses to be run for people…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: The cost of living
I've heard the Conservatives say in the Senedd that they believe the way out of poverty is by working their way out, but many people in poverty are in work or struggling to find decent work that fits in with childcare. Expected long hours of work and shift…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Certainly. I saw the door. You have got a blurred background, so that helps. [Laughter.] Thank you, Minister. I recently visited a new community facility called Tŷ Calon in north Wales. It's been part funded by Welsh Government as part a learning hub. It was…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
8. What measures has the Welsh Government put in place to improve employability prospects for young people in North Wales? OQ57466
