, Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers—evidence session 5: Minister for Social Justice
Yes. This is where we're going to have to turn to the planning authorities, aren't we, the local authorities? We need to make sure that they're proactive and positive, not defensive, and reducing barriers. We know for all planning applications there are…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers—evidence session 5: Minister for Social Justice
Yes. Well, again, this is so important, that local authorities take on board what you're saying, Carolyn, that they take on that responsibility. We've been to sites, as you have, and have seen that they're not all appropriate. But the money is here; the money…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers—evidence session 5: Minister for Social Justice
Well, I think this has also come out of our consultation and your inquiry, which I think is really helpful, but also came out of our consultation for the anti-racist action plan in terms of Gypsy and Traveller accommodation and to recognise again the…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers—evidence session 5: Minister for Social Justice
Well, obviously it’s early days now for the role of corporate joint committees, but I think the strategic development plan guidance does state that they could take a region-wide Gypsy, Traveller and Roma accommodation assessment. So, I would hope that this…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers—evidence session 5: Minister for Social Justice
Well, this is absolutely crucial—that we do move forward on this. So, back to my anti-racist action plan, the first bullet point under action is, 'Create a national network of transit provision to facilitate travelling life, with consideration for negotiated…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers—evidence session 5: Minister for Social Justice
That's absolutely critical and, in a sense, probably some of my answers to your previous question demonstrate our understanding not only of local authorities' responsibilities, but the fact that this totally inappropriate location of sites—. Some of it is…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers—evidence session 5: Minister for Social Justice
Well, I think it might be useful just at this point to look back to what has happened as a result of the legislation, and there is a recognition of this: that we have made this commitment. I think it's a pretty strong commitment in terms of Welsh Government…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers—evidence session 5: Minister for Social Justice
Yes, because the systemic racism that we know exists, we've got to uncover in terms of delivery.
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers—evidence session 5: Minister for Social Justice
I don't know if, James, you wanted to say anything from an enforcement and use of direction—.
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers—evidence session 5: Minister for Social Justice
Diolch yn fawr. The use of those powers, obviously, we have to consider carefully, because we do work in collaboration, in co-operation with our local authorities. And there are difficulties that local authorities have experienced—finding appropriate sites…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers—evidence session 5: Minister for Social Justice
As I said, we're in the position now where we're assessing all of the latest accommodation assessments from local authorities. They were due in at the end of February; we still have a couple that haven't come through. Again, this appearance today and this…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers—evidence session 5: Minister for Social Justice
We do have the powers, and we have levers through the legislation and the statutory guidance. Our role is to monitor each local authority's performance, and we can do that by looking at the current round of the Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessments…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers—evidence session 5: Minister for Social Justice
I think, going back to your first question, Chair, obviously, we've got the legislation, we've got the mechanisms, we've got statutory guidance, and, actually, we've got some wonderful examples, haven't we, around Wales that have been taken forward by local…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers—evidence session 5: Minister for Social Justice
Thank you very much, Chair. Can I say, at the outset, how pleased I am that you're undertaking this inquiry? It's absolutely timely in terms of us moving forward to actually ensure that we do implement what is, I believe, a robust legislative and policy…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers—evidence session 5: Minister for Social Justice
I think I've introduced you correctly.
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers—evidence session 5: Minister for Social Justice
Yes. I'm very pleased to introduce Chrishan Kamalan and James Searle. Chrishan is leading on equalities and the anti-racist action plan, and James is from our crime and justice unit.
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Refugee Week 2022: Healing
Thank you very much. I don't think I need to answer. They weren't questions; it was a very, very important statement. I think it just shows that the fact that I'm doing a statement here today on Welsh Refugee Week is important, and that, actually, we've had…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Refugee Week 2022: Healing
There has to be access to mental health support. In the welcome centres, in both the ones I visited, I met with nurses from the community mental health teams, and also in terms of other needs—health checks for those who are attending the welcome centres…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Refugee Week 2022: Healing
Diolch yn fawr, Sioned Williams. Swansea is a remarkable city of sanctuary. I remember visiting both universities and Gower College and the work that they've done. I think Julie James was involved as well, probably in her constituency capacity. It's…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Refugee Week 2022: Healing
Diolch yn fawr, Joel James. And thank you for your support, in principle, for the statement, and for us being a nation of sanctuary. Thank you for acknowledging Refugee Week, and also, I'm sure, implicit in many of your comments, about the fact that for…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Refugee Week 2022: Healing
Since we celebrated Refugee Week last year, the plight of those who are forced to leave their country to flee war or persecution has been highlighted more than ever, with the evacuation of Afghanistan and war in Ukraine to name just two of many world events…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Refugee Week 2022: Healing
Thank you. This week we mark Refugee Week. This is an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful contributions sanctuary seekers bring to Wales. The celebrations will bring together people from all backgrounds to help create better understanding between…
, Plenary
Debate on the Equality and Social Justice Committee Report: 'Annual scrutiny of the Future Generations Commissioner: An update'
Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to thank members of the Equality and Social Justice Committee for their report on the annual scrutiny of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and for your contributions today. I very much welcome the…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Update on Ukraine
Thank you very much, Altaf Hussain. Well, we have published dedicated safeguarding and modern slavery guidance. It's on the website, but it's also provided in packs like the ones I've just shown you. And also, guidance to our Welsh public bodies. We've…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Update on Ukraine
Thank you very much, Jayne Bryant. I think we'll all be profoundly moved by the report of that experience from a sponsor family and how desperate they must feel, and the distance, the loss, the fear and isolation of not being able to be there for their…
