12 December 2023 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Water Quality
Thank you, Jane. There are a couple of things there. I do think that most farmers love the land that they farm. Actually, it was really interesting to have the presentation at the summit about the small changes in traditional practices that could be made that…
12 December 2023 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Water Quality
Thank you very much, Sarah. I’d be delighted to come. If you want to write and formally ask me, I’d be very happy to do so. We’ve had a brief discussion about this already. I should declare an interest, of course, because I’m also a member of the Bluetits in…
12 December 2023 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Water Quality
Thank you for that question. As I said to you—I think you asked me a question during one of my question sessions, or possibly in an earlier debate—we’ve got a series of officials working on what exactly we need to do in order to make sure we have the maximum…
12 December 2023 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Water Quality
Thank you, Paul. We've already debated this a number of times in the Senedd, so just to reiterate, I slightly disagree with some of your characterisation there, although I do agree that it's something that we really need to look at. Part of the reason why…
12 December 2023 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Water Quality
Thank you very much, Mike. I absolutely agree with you. Actually, the Wye has the highest level of phosphate pollution of any river in Wales, although we do have several rivers in Wales that are failing as a result of that. I do just want to not overstate…
12 December 2023 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Water Quality
Diolch, Delyth. Just on that last point, we have agreed, of course, as part of the co-operation agreement, the timing of the new environmental governance and biodiversity target Act—that's its working title for the moment. The White Paper that will introduce…
12 December 2023 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Water Quality
I've said several times in this Chamber that the storm overflow report doesn't have recommendations in it because it was never intended to have recommendations. I actually just repeated that in my statement. Possibly, you should adjust your lines when you're…
12 December 2023 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Water Quality
Thank you, Llywydd. As I said, we've already had an example where Dŵr Cymru has worked very hard with the water treatment company in order to not fine the company and return the money to the Treasury, but instead to put in place a recovery and action plan…
12 December 2023 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Water Quality
Well, Llywydd, I'm slightly flabbergasted at the idea that a Tory MP had any influence whatsoever on the licensing of the waste water treatment works in north Wales. Perhaps Janet would like to write me a letter explaining exactly what influence she had in…
12 December 2023 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Water Quality
Meanwhile, from the Welsh Government’s perspective, protecting and improving our water environment sits right at the heart of our priorities. Our programme for government includes several commitments aimed at improving overall water quality. We have committed…
12 December 2023 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Water Quality
Diolch, Llywydd. In October, we passed a significant milestone, with water companies submitting their business plans for 2025 to 2030 to Ofwat as part of the current price review process. The plans are now in the hands of Ofwat to scrutinise, so I cannot…
5 December 2023 , Plenary
& 13. The general principles of the Infrastructure (Wales) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Infrastructure (Wales) Bill
Diolch, Llywydd. I welcome the opportunity to debate this Bill today, and all of the comments made by Members today. In opening the debate, I set out why I believe the Bill is important, and I encourage the Senedd to support it as it goes through the next…
5 December 2023 , Plenary
& 13. The general principles of the Infrastructure (Wales) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Infrastructure (Wales) Bill
I note that recommendation 12 suggests that the Planning Act 2008 should be used as a starting point. However, my proposed approach goes beyond what is prescribed as part of the consenting process in the Planning Act. The Planning Act sets no minimum…
5 December 2023 , Plenary
& 13. The general principles of the Infrastructure (Wales) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Infrastructure (Wales) Bill
I'm pleased to be here today to open this debate on the general principles of the Infrastructure (Wales) Bill and to move the motion and the financial resolution. The Bill introduces a modern and simplified regime for the consenting of significant…
5 December 2023 , Plenary
& 13. The general principles of the Infrastructure (Wales) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Infrastructure (Wales) Bill
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I move the motions.
29 November 2023 , Plenary
Debate on the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee Report, 'Report on operation of interim environmental protection measures 2022-23'
Yes, sorry. I've just got one last thing I wanted to just say, as I was specifically asked by Members to say about it. So, we are absolutely committed to there being no gap between the interim arrangements and the permanent body. We are having ongoing…
29 November 2023 , Plenary
Debate on the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee Report, 'Report on operation of interim environmental protection measures 2022-23'
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for its work and for the report on the operation of the interim environmental governance arrangements. I'm pleased to confirm, as the Chair has already pointed out, that we've accepted either in…
29 November 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Yes, absolutely, Jane. We're very interested indeed in having a small amount of community ownership in some of the bigger energy projects. I've spoken at great length to many of the developers about when they build projects, including floating wind projects…
29 November 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Yes, thank you, Cefin. So, there's quite a bit of complexity there. We don't know very much more about it than you do. We know what was in the autumn statement. But I do have an inter-ministerial group planned with the Minister, so I do plan a series of…
29 November 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
We expect companies proposing new grid to follow planning policy that new power lines should be undergrounded where possible and their impact mitigated where undergrounding is not possible. We need a strategic solution to updating our grid infrastructure to…
29 November 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Thank you for the question, Cefin.
29 November 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Thank you, Jack. I think it is fair to say that passengers have had a very poor experience using the rail services, and indeed the rail replacement services, on the Wrexham-Bidston line. I think we would put our hands up to that; we're very sorry for all of…
29 November 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Diolch, Jack. Improving services on the Wrexham-Bidston line has been a priority for the Welsh Government this year. From December passengers will see brand-new class 197 trains on the line, alongside the class 230 trains, with a new more robust timetable…
29 November 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Yes, thank you, Gareth. I just want to say I'm absolutely aware of how devastating the impacts of flooding can be on homes and livelihoods, and lives even, so I want to extend my sympathy to everyone who was affected by the storms. Unfortunately, this is a…
29 November 2023 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Thank you, Gareth, for the question. We've provided over £75 million for flood risk management activities across Wales in this financial year, 2023-24, with £5.25 million revenue and £12 million capital funding available to all lead local flood authorities…
