, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25 - part 1
Chair, can I just apologise for that?
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Well, the consultation is a matter for the local authority to take any views they want. But I think Tom Giffard is somehow suggesting that the people who drive through an area have greater rights than people who live in an area. And I know people often will…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Well, again, this is the purpose of the review—for local authorities to feed back to the panel why they've taken the decisions they have and why they think the guidance may be an issue, and if there's a case for changing the guidance, or, indeed, whether we…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
My thanks to Mike Hedges for those comments, and he's right: local authorities have that discretion to make those judgments about their local roads. That's why this isn't a blanket approach, as has been so misleadingly said by the Conservatives. And I've…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Okay, thank you for the question. And, of course, we have said to local authorities that we will stand by them as they make the changes that they feel are right for their local authorities. It is important that the public are involved. I think one of the…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Llywydd, I don't think that Natasha Asghar has any credibility to question the professional credentials of three highly respected individuals. As I've said all along, it was intended that the process would be reviewed as it went, to look at how it was being…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Diolch, Lywydd. As I said two weeks ago in this Chamber, there was always going to be a bedding-in period, and built into the powers that councils have as local highway authorities is the ability to make changes. We know that local authorities are already…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Well, can I just first of all apologise to the people of Garndolbenmaen for the interruption that there has been in their bus service? TfW were working with Gwynedd Council for some two years, planning on changes to the network to provide better coverage, in…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
We continue to invest heavily in our TrawsCymru strategic bus network and we have funded new services, including cleaner, newer buses, simplified and more affordable ticketing and improved frequencies.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Well, I reject the characterisation of last September. In fact, a huge amount of work went on throughout last year, which I led, to make sure that the new arrangements that we had in place for the bus system did not adversely affect on school transport…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Thank you. I do know that local authorities do take this very seriously, regardless of whether it’s a statutory responsibility or not. The approach that we’re trying to take here is to try and see the journey to school not simply as a stand-alone but as part…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Diolch. I'm currently reviewing a recommendations report based on the recent internal analysis and evaluation exercise and engagement with young people.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Well, we're constantly challenging Transport for Wales on their performance and upon their budget numbers. That is an intense process that I’m part of, and also the board of TfW are empowered to do. It’s my understanding that their performance is not wildly…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Thank you for that. I think we've explained the underlying assumption of KeolisAmey's bid belonged to KeolisAmey. We simply do not have them, but our understanding is they had a very optimistic and ambitious set of assumptions based on a not unreasonable…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Well, heaven forbid the day arrives where Natasha Asghar finds herself as transport Minister, because she clearly has no grasp of the practicalities of how transport decisions are made. We have a responsibility to set out a regional transport plan; every part…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Well, you are impugning the reputation of a highly regarded professional across the transport industry in the UK with no basis at all. So, for the record, Phil Jones did not recommend the policy to the Welsh Government. The Welsh Government's policy was set…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
It is a matter of record—the approach taken in the recommendation of a motion in this Chamber, which was supported by the Conservatives, as it was supported by other parties. Now, we've moved on to the next phase of that, of working up the detail of that, and…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Well, a happy new year to Natasha Asghar as well. I was reminded, listening to that, of the article in today's Nation.Cymru, which talks about the very high turnover of staff in the Conservative office. But the quote that really stuck out to me was about…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Well, I give Sam Rowlands top marks for brass neck there. Rail infrastructure is not devolved to Wales. It is the responsibility of the UK Government, and they simply are not delivering for Wales in general, and north Wales in particular. Now, he says that…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Thank you for the question. I can confirm that Ruabon station is one of our top priorities for delivery in Wales through the UK Government's Access for All scheme. Transport for Wales are working closely with Network Rail on that, and a final outline design…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Yes. Thank you to Ken Skates, who has been a consistent champion of Ruabon station, and we agree it has great potential, serving a wide area and is the rail gateway to the world heritage site at Pontcysyllte. We continue to press the UK Government for funding…
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Plaid Cymru Debate: Child poverty and educational attainment
You've done that speech.
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Child poverty and educational attainment
We're not in coalition.
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Thank you. There are a number of issues there. Let me go in reverse order, because that was an absurd point to finish on—the idea that we see private businesses as evil. We have rescued these private businesses. If it wasn't for the Welsh Government, there…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
You've repeated those words in the Senedd and I reject them, because my motivation is to save lives and reduce casualties. If this policy isn't working, I am more than happy to change position and to change my mind. I want this to work because it will save…
