, Local Government and Housing Committee
Diversity in Local Government - Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Officials intend to do some work with the Electoral Commission and other stakeholders, looking at what further guidance might be appropriate for councils in this situation. Do you want to say a bit more about that, Lisa?
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Diversity in Local Government - Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
So, I haven't had any discussions with any local authorities that have approached me about it. Perhaps officials might want to say a bit more about their engagement as well.
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Diversity in Local Government - Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
I think the fact that we have given councils the option to move to STV is a really exciting opportunity for councils. I think it is for them now to consider that properly. But I think what we can do, as Welsh Government, is ensure that councils have all of…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Diversity in Local Government - Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Well, I'd certainly begin by saying that there has been an awful lot of progress in recent years, particularly since the diversity in democracy programme came into place, and, of course, we made some significant changes through the Local Government and…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Diversity in Local Government - Evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Yes, I'll ask officials to introduce themselves, Chair.
, Plenary
Finance Committee Debate—The Welsh Government’s spending priorities for the 2024-25 budget
Well, are you also aware that the OECD and the growth commission through the London School of Economics have said that the way to grow the economy is to invest in infrastructure, invest in public services and, mostly, invest in human capital through skills?…
, Plenary
Finance Committee Debate—The Welsh Government’s spending priorities for the 2024-25 budget
Yes.
, Plenary
Finance Committee Debate—The Welsh Government’s spending priorities for the 2024-25 budget
Thank you. I'm very pleased to have this opportunity to outline the Welsh Government's preparations for the 2024-25 budget. I'll just begin by thanking the Chair of the Finance Committee for the very constructive engagement that we continue to have, and to…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government
The best I can do in those circumstances is to always commit to passing on certainty when we have it. For a number of years now, we've only been given one-year budgets by the UK Government, and in those circumstances, I was only able to pass on one-year…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government
I work closely with local authorities to understand the pressures facing them and continue to ensure local government and public services are a priority in our budget considerations. I continue to make the case for funding public services in my discussions…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government
I'm grateful for the question, and I'm really pleased that the data that we published in terms of the monitoring, covering the first six months of the pilot, shows that 92 per cent of the young people who were eligible to access the pilot signed up. So…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Care-experienced young people have consistently been prioritised through our budget process. This includes our world-leading £20 million basic income for care leavers in Wales pilot, the establishment of the £1 million St David’s Day fund, and the £9.5…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government
In the great scheme of things, you just have to say, 'Well, big deal', you know? This is just a tiny, tiny scattering of money across Wales as a result of the UK Government's investment. Let's remember that the Welsh Government's budget is worth £900 million…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Absolutely, and I did have a really good visit to Blaenau Gwent very recently where the leader of the council and the chief executive of the council took me through a very similar argument to that which you've presented this afternoon in relation…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government
In addition to specific grants, the council will receive £139.73 million through the local government settlement for 2023-24—an increase of 6.5 per cent. While the council will still have to make difficult decisions in the face of the current rates of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government
The setting of council tax is obviously a matter for the local authority, whichever local authority that is, across Wales. But I'll say again that the level of reserves held by a local authority should not be just looked at in a way that doesn't understand…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government
I support the proper funding of local authorities across Wales by prioritising funding to local government and public services in the Government’s budget decisions, and continuing to make the case for funding public services in my discussions with the UK…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Well, I think the Member's reference to the use of reserves is important, because I'm often criticised on the floor of the Senedd by colleagues of yours in the Conservative Party for the level of reserves that local authorities hold, and for not intervening…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Thank you for the question. I think the first and most important thing that we are doing is ensuring that we're providing local government with the best possible support that we can. So, in this current budget, local authorities received a 7.9 per cent…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government
I hold regular meetings with local authority leaders and discuss a number of issues, including staffing and recruitment. It is essential that we work together in partnership to make the best use of our resources and the skills and expertise available across…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Well, I think that the Deputy Minister for Social Services would be able to do better justice to the question, bearing in mind that this would lie within her portfolio, but I would just like to try and helpfully demonstrate, really, the way in which the Welsh…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Audit Wales, Estyn and Care Inspectorate Wales assess the performance of local authorities in Wales. The Welsh Government works closely with local authorities to address issues identified, where appropriate.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Well, I would say that the approach taken by the UK Government has led over the last year or so to, I think, around 8 per cent of routes being cut, whereas in Wales I think the figure is more in the region of 2 per cent. So, I think you can look at different…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government
Well, I would completely agree that regional and local intelligence is absolutely critical to making our plans for the future work, which is why I know that the Deputy Minister for Climate Change, who's leading on this, has had some quite extensive…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government
The £46 million bus transition fund announced in May will succeed the current bus emergency scheme, moving away from the current emergency-style funding towards bus networks that better suit the new travel patterns we have seen since the end of the pandemic…
