7 February 2024 , Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Housing supply
I've been visiting new homes built across north Wales, and with Welsh Government funding, lifetime homes, well insulated, with solar panels, and that's what we need to be doing. Homes not just for now, but futureproofed, and I'd like to see more being built…
7 February 2024 , Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Housing supply
Yes, definitely. I agree.
7 February 2024 , Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Housing supply
Do you agree that what's been happening, though, is that developers are developing greenfield sites rather than brown, because it's easier and I think more affordable? So, the brownfield sites could be prohibitive.
7 February 2024 , Plenary
Debate on the Local Government and Housing Committee Report, 'Diversity in Local Government'
A democracy that reflects the people it represents can draw on a wealth of personal experience, backgrounds and beliefs to implement more inclusive policies that better serve its citizens. Unfortunately, however, in parliaments and councils across the world…
7 February 2024 , Plenary
Topical Questions
Yesterday I did ask about the £25 million consequentials being passported to councils via the funding floor. I know there is an uplift—2.1 per cent, or a floor of 2 per cent—but with inflationary pressures that is actually still a negative uplift, well, not…
7 February 2024 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Okay, thank you.
7 February 2024 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
I think it was concerns regarding geography or property, which could distort the rateable value. So, sometimes something comes forward and you think, 'Oh, that's a good idea', but then, actually, when it's implemented, it can cause some issues.
7 February 2024 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Okay. And then there would be consultation on that as well, just to make sure that there are no unexpected concerns raised from it.
7 February 2024 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Okay. And just regarding non-domestic rates multipliers, how would you assess the likelihood of potential market distortions, or scope for avoidance behaviour, when developing proposals for the different multipliers?
7 February 2024 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
In my experience, I find that, sometimes, if they've got guidance they know where they stand. It's black and white. If it's challenged, it's helpful as well. That's something that's been brought to our attention. And on the completion notices, it's noted that…
7 February 2024 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Thank you. Just regarding guidance, would you be looking at developing guidance for local authorities so that they can apply any changes consistently across all the local authority areas?
7 February 2024 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Regarding charitable rate relief, with those changes happening, for the smaller charities, just so that they're aware and they've got time, actually, to make sure that they comply, because sometimes they're run by volunteers, would you ensure that they're…
7 February 2024 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
I'm just following on from the consultation. So, regarding conferring, varying or withdrawing reliefs and exemptions, would you commit to consulting with stakeholders and ratepayers before using the powers to confer, vary or withdraw reliefs or exemptions…
6 February 2024 , Plenary
& 9. The general principles of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill
I'd like to begin my contribution by welcoming automatic registration of voters for Welsh elections and referendums. Under the current system introduced in 2014, voters must submit an application in order to exercise their democratic right, and, as a result…
6 February 2024 , Plenary
Debate: The Draft Budget 2024-25
The UK Government is suffering more—the economy—than many other countries. In the autumn statement, Jeremy Hunt continued with austerity, saying that public services had to be yet more efficient. Yet, one in five councils in England are facing bankruptcy. I…
6 February 2024 , Plenary
Debate: The Draft Budget 2024-25
A decade of UK Government austerity, a botched Brexit and Liz Truss have brought the UK to its knees: people unable to pay mortgages and public sector wages stagnating while expecting them to be more productive. Taxes are the highest since the 1940s, but the…
31 January 2024 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 6
Could I come back to you, though, and say—? I do have the Leader delivered and I pick up other newspapers, but notices are put to the back, and many people are interested in the local news that might actually impact them and affect them, which is always to…
31 January 2024 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 6
Thank you. I was just looking at this. Because we haven't got the WLGA here giving evidence, I was wondering how people would be able to respond to this, but I will ask the question. What alternative arrangements could local authorities use to make notices…
31 January 2024 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 6
Which question are we up to? Sorry, I can't hear you.
31 January 2024 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 6
Can you tell me which one we're up to now, which question, Chair?
31 January 2024 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 6
The advantage of working from home is that I've got a copy of the newspapers—I've had it delivered, The Leader newspaper, for the last 25 years to my home, and so I was just checking with what Mabon had said. And, at the back, on page 30, planning notices…
31 January 2024 , Plenary
Debate on the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee Report, 'Behind the scenes: The creative industries workforce'
Being a member of the culture committee has given me the opportunity to learn more about the successes and challenges our creative industries face in Wales, and I'd like to thank everyone involved. At the celebration of 60 years of Doctor Who at the Pierhead…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Diolch. Since Royal Mail was privatised, it has been asset-stripped. The universal one-price letter was never profitable on its own, it was part of a package of services. And recently, workers have been told to deliver the more lucrative parcels and leave…
30 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
6. What consideration has the First Minister given to Ofcom's announcement that Royal Mail could reduce letter deliveries to three days a week? OQ60613
25 January 2024 , Local Government and Housing Committee
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill - Evidence session 4
Yes, that’s fine. Yes, yes. Thank you.
