, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Introductions, apologies, substitutions, and declarations of interest
There we are. Thank you. Jenny.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Introductions, apologies, substitutions, and declarations of interest
Good morning to you all, and welcome to the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee at the Senedd. I welcome Members to the meeting. We've also invited members of the Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee to join us, and we welcome…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: HS2 redesignation
But, look, it is significant—and don't let us forget this—it is significant, I think, that the Conservatives at a UK level, through the UK Government, say one thing, but that the Welsh Conservatives have a differing view, although not the view that we would…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: HS2 redesignation
And that says a lot about your lack of influence in this place—that you would wish others to make the decisions. It's exactly the point I was making, Natasha, so I don't quite get what you're getting at there. There is consensus, no matter what anybody says—I…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: HS2 redesignation
Yes, I will.
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: HS2 redesignation
But I do have to come back to some of the comments that Natasha Asghar made in her contribution. I mean, you're effectively rewriting the devolution settlement in your five-minute contribution, and it does lift the veil, I think, on what the whole HS2 debacle…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: HS2 redesignation
The Deputy Minister, of course, emulated Darren, ever so slightly, if I may say so. He started off by saying that we needed consensus, then Darren took his gloves off. Well, I think the Deputy Minister might have slipped in a few punches that were below the…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: HS2 redesignation
Darren said that he was disappointed with the tone of the debate. I agree. Maybe not even Members of his own benches got the memo, but there we are, and I agree that we do need to see a more equitable spread of investment across Wales. I and others have been…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: HS2 redesignation
I'll start by thanking everyone for their contributions. I'm not going to go through every contribution, you'll be pleased to hear, but I do want to highlight a few issues. Luke, in opening the debate, was quite right in highlighting how prioritising England…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
A family has contacted me drawing my attention to the situation of their daughter. She’s been awaiting treatment from an orthodontist since she was 11 years old. She’s now 14. She hasn’t had a single appointment in the three years that she’s been waiting. A…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
8. What assessment has the Minister made of the adequacy of children's dental services in the NHS? OQ59398
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Thank you for that. It's good to hear that you have committed to working with providers and private companies that do provide these opportunities, because some of those have been in touch with me, expressing great disappointment that it's now not possible to…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
2. Will the First Minister make a statement on the future of the provision of apprenticeships in the construction sector? OQ59414
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Local government funding
Well, are you condoning cutting the services—[Inaudible.]
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Local government funding
Thank you. Do you accept that these councils are facing a huge dilemma of either decimating the public services that they provide, leaving vulnerable people at the mercy of God knows what, or increasing council taxes? So, are you saying, in opposing the…
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Local government funding
Will you take an intervention?
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Local government funding
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. The WLGA, as we know, has quantified much of these budgetary pressures on Welsh councils. They've talked about figures in excess of £0.5 billion for next year on top of a £0.25 billion this year. You can do the maths. We know the…
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Local government funding
There we are. Okay, thank you. So, I think it is worth noting the extent of these pressures on local authority finances. And yes, there are challenges, clearly, but you can't absolve yourself from being part of that. [Interruption.]
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Local government funding
Sorry, no. [Interruption.] Look, I'm not going to quarrel with you. Sit down, because I've allowed you to intervene.
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Local government funding
Well, okay, you made the point, but what I would say is that devolution is all about allowing this place to make its own decisions, and, similarly, devolution to local government is about allowing them to make their own decisions as well—
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Local government funding
Okay, very briefly.
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Local government funding
Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. Now, I certainly welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate and I think, at the start of a new financial year, it's right that we take the opportunity, I think, to reflect on the current state of local authority finances…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice
Thank you for that explanation. Of course, the employer settlement of the fire services throughout England and Wales with the Fire Brigades Union will increase the funding deficit in the north Wales fire authority to £2.4 million. It's hard to believe that…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice
6. Will the Minister make a statement on the funding of the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service? OQ59362
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Motion under Standing Order 17.42 (vi) and (ix) to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of today's meeting
Item 5 is that we do move into private session. So, I propose, in accordance with Standing Order 17.42(vi) and (ix), that the committee resolves to meet in private for the remainder of the meeting. Are Members content? Everyone is content, therefore, we'll…
