Written Assembly Questions tabled on 25 January 2017 for answer on 1 February 2017
R - Signifies the Member has declared an interest.
W - Signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
(Self-identifying question no. shown in brackets)
Written Questions must be tabled at least five working days before they are to be answered. In practice, Ministers aim to answer within seven/eight days but are not bound to do so. Answers are published in the language in which they are provided, with a translation into English of responses provided in Welsh.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide the Welsh Government's justification for the current savings cap for older people receiving care? (WAQ71942)
Answer received on 31 January 2017
Minister for Social Services and Public Health (Rebecca Evans):The Welsh Government has committed to more than double the capital limit used in charging for residential care from its current level of £24,000 to £50,000. This is to exclude more of people’s capital from being required to pay for such care.
Following engagement with stakeholders we are introducing this uplift in a phased approach, commencing from April when the capital limit will increase to £30,000. This approach will enable us to gain a full understanding of the day-to-day impact this first uplift will have on local authorities and care home providers. This is to inform our preparations for further increases in later years towards a £50,000 capital limit.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): How will the Cabinet Secretary commit to working with local authorities, Health Boards, the prison service and third sector organisations, with regards to 'shared lives services' for vulnerable adults, and will he confirm how many such adults are currently utilising the services in Wales? (WAQ71943)
Answer recieved on 1 February 2017
Minister for Social Services and Public Health (Rebecca Evans): Shared Lives Plus has been supported through Welsh Government funding since 2012. This funding has enabled the production of a range of resources and guides for commissioners to support the development of Shared Lives into new areas. More recently Welsh Government awarded Shared Lives three year funding of £242,460 to develop support for older people with complex needs and those facing dementia.
The latest figures as at 2015/16 confirm there were 8 Schemes operating in Wales and they deliver the Shared Lives model of care to the vast majority of Wales. There were 900 people using Shared Lives services.
The primary responsibility for commissioning these services rests with local authorities. Under Part 9 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act they are required to work with health, third sector and other partners to take forward the effective delivery of integrated care and support services through Regional Partnership Boards.
The Intermediate Care Fund has also been used to develop new and innovative models of integrated working between social services, health, housing, the third and independent sectors. Funding of £52,000 was awarded to a South East Wales consortium of local authorities in 2016/17. This supported Shared Lives to offer older people an opportunity to stay with a Shared Lives family to recover from medical treatment delaying or preventing hospitalisation.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary advise how he is working with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to reduce waiting times for orthopaedic and trauma treatment? (WAQ71946)
Answer recieved on 09 February 2017
Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-Being and Sport (Vaughan Gething): I have made it clear to the health board that I expect to see improvements in performance across the health board, not just in orthopaedics. I expect the health board to continue to work closely with the Planned Care Programme to develop a sustainable service. To support this, the Welsh Government has allocated an additional sum of £11.09 million to Betsi Cadwaladr UHB.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm how much money is made available from the Welsh Government for research into new treatments for multiple sclerosis? (WAQ71947)
Answer received on 1 February 2017
Vaughan Gething: Welsh Government through Health and Care Research Wales provides Welsh researchers with open and competitive opportunities to apply for grants, and funds an NHS-based research infrastructure to support the delivery of funded studies on our Clinical Research Portfolio. There are currently four active MS studies on the portfolio.
Through Health and Care Research Wales, the Welsh Government also funds the Brain Repair and Intracranial Neurotherapeutics (BRAIN) Unit which was set up in May 2015 with £1.179m of funding over 3 years to support the unit and all its research functions, this is led from Cardiff University. The Unit is seeking to deliver novel cell, drug and growth factor therapies to patients with currently untreatable neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary indicate what the Welsh Government is doing to further research into new treatments for multiple sclerosis? (WAQ71948)
Answer received on 1 February 2017
Vaughan Gething AM: The Neurological Condition Delivery Plan is currently in the process of being refreshed by the implementation group. This work should be completed by the summer.
Our new treatment fund will deliver swift access to innovative new medicines. All patients, for whom access to a new recommended medicine is appropriate, will be able to access treatment as quickly as reasonably practicable and certainly no later than two months. The fund underpins our evidence based approach to the availability of new medicines and supports faster access to the full range of new medicines coming through the appraisal pipeline.
The All-Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) has recently recommended Fingolimod (Gilenya®) - a new disease modifying therapy - to treat adult patients suffering with highly active, relapsing, remitting multiple sclerosis. AWMSG has been able to agree this recommendation due to the opportunity offered by our Wales Patient Access Scheme resulting in the manufacturer offering a discount on the price. Fingolimod should be available to MS patients, where clinically appropriate, by the beginning of March at latest.
Health and Care Research Wales provides Welsh researchers with open and competitive opportunities to apply for grants, and funds an NHS-based research infrastructure to support the delivery of funded studies on our Clinical Research Portfolio. There are currently four active MS studies on the portfolio.
Through Health and Care Research Wales, the Welsh Government also funds the Brain Repair and Intracranial Neurotherapeutics (BRAIN) Unit set up in May 2015 and led from Cardiff University. The Unit is seeking to deliver novel cell, drug and growth factor therapies to patients with currently untreatable neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Further to OAQ(5)0115(HWS), will the Cabinet Secretary provide a full breakdown of how this £50m funding has been allocated to each local health board and on what criteria? (WAQ71949)
Answer received on 1 February 2017
Vaughan Gething AM: The table below shows the amount of funding each health board received. This was allocated on a Townsend formula basis, excluding Powys.
Powys tHB has already received significant additional financial support and given its performance position, should be expected to deliver without further resources.
For this additional investment, I expect to see further improvements in both the RTT and diagnostic position by the end of March 2017, with the figures being better than the March 2016 position.
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm the publication date of the report on evidence gathered, and conclusions drawn, from the use of the intermediate care fund? (WAQ71950)
Answer received on 14 February 2017.
Minister for Social Services and Public Health (Rebecca Evans): Taking Wales Forward includes a commitment to retain the Intermediate Care Fund. We are currently considering future objectives and priorities for this fund and will ensure that this is made clear to regions in advance of the new financial year.
In order to assess the benefits and outcomes of the services or initiatives developed under the ICF, an independent consultant has been commissioned to undertake an overview of the approaches impacts of and services developed. This work will provide additional evidence of effectiveness of the ICF, including how the Fund has supported the key principle of prevention contained in the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
The final report is expected February 2017. Initial findings from this work are however already informing the development and direction of the ICF in future years.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What consideration has been taken of combining the Aggregate Levy with the Landfill Communities Fund? (WAQ71939)
Answer recieved on 09 February 2017
Cabinet Secretary for Envirnment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): The Aggregate Levy is a non-devolved tax on the commercial extraction of certain aggregates. The Aggregate Levy Fund, administered by Welsh Government, supports projects in communities significantly affected by active aggregate extraction, and others related to the industrial process of aggregate extraction.
Landfill Tax is being devolved to Wales in April 2018. The Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme will support waste minimisation, biodiversity and other environmental enhancement projects in areas affected by the disposal of waste to landfill.
Due to the different purposes of both grant regimes merger was not considered.
On 18 January I issued a written statement announcing the closure of the Aggregate Levy Fund with effect from 31 March 2017.
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): How much funding has been distributed through the Aggregate Levy each year since the equivalent scheme closed in England in 2011? (WAQ71940)
Answer received on 1 February 2017
Lesley Griffiths: The Aggregate Levy is a non-devolved tax on the commercial extraction of certain aggregates. Funding for projects is distributed through the Aggregate Levy Fund, by Welsh Government, as follows:
| 2011-12 | £1,621,380 |
| 2012-13 | £1,510,977 |
| 2013-14 | £802,967 |
| 2014-15 | £758,293 |
| 2015-16 | £549,011 |
| 2016-17 | £440,173¹ |
| Total | £5,682,801 |
¹anticipated expenditure
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide a list of all projects that have been supported in Wales through funding from the Aggregate Levy since 2011? (WAQ71941)
Answer received on 1 February 2017
Lesley Griffiths: The Aggregate Levy is a non-devolved tax on the commercial extraction of certain aggregates.
I attach a list of all projects funded or part-funded from the Aggregate Levy Fund since April 2011. I will also place the list in the members' library.
| Project | Nature of work | Local Authority Area | Funding 2011-2017 |
| GeoMon II | Audit of regionally important geological sites | Anglesey | 10,000 |
| Clwydian Range AONB | Educational programmes related to geological features at Loggerheads Country Park | Denbighshire | 24,068 |
| Kayasand | Research: manufactured sand from quarry 'fines' | All Wales | 38,942 |
| Glyncoch Community Centre | Construction of new community facility | Rhondda Cynon Taf | 419,562 |
| Pontardawe Street Festivals | Purchase of equipment for seasonal street festivals | Neath Port Talbot | 11,160 |
| Pentre Halkyn Bowling Club | Essential repairs to existing playing surface | Flintshire | 1,176 |
| Bonded Stores, Narberth | Conversion of existing historical building to new community museum | Pembrokeshire | 200,000 |
| Eglwys Oen Duw, Beulah | Construction of small community extension | Powys | 26,914 |
| Kenfig Hill AFC | Refurbishment of existing changing rooms | Bridgend | 25,000 |
| History of Welsh Quarries | Production of first comprehensive record of aggregate extraction in Wales | All Wales | 25,586 |
| Project | Nature of work | Local Authority Area | Funding 2011-2017 |
| St Christopher's School Eco Centre | Construction of eco-learning centre | Wrexham | 44,272 |
| Llanymnech Rocks Project, Pant | Creation of butterfly habitat in disused limestone quarry | Powys | 40,211 |
| St Catherine's Church Community Hall, Pontypridd | Major refurbishment and remodelling of existing community facility | Rhondda Cynon Taf | 400,000 |
| Wern Ddu SSSI, Caerphilly | Creation of audio trails | Caerphilly | 2,500 |
| Winllan Project, Llanbedrog | Construction of woodland trails and amphitheatre | Gwynedd | 126,400 |
| Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells | Refurbishment of existing community facilities | Powys | 157,000 |
| Mynydd Llangynderyn, | Land management at site adjacent to active quarry, including clearance of invasive species and installation of cattle grids | Carmarthenshire | 199,007 |
| Trefnant Bowling Club | Improvements to existing community facilities and purchase of new equipment | Denbighshire | 43,309 |
| Bradley Park Bowling Club | Transformation of existing 'abandoned' municipal bowling green into all-weather facility | Wrexham | 145,000 |
| Pontrhydfendigaid Multi-Use Games Area | Construction of new multi-use games area | Ceredigion | 160,891 |
| Project | Nature of work | Local Authority Area | Funding 2011-2017 |
| Burry Port Memorial Park Multi-Use Games Area | Construction of new multi-use games area and new equipment for existing play area | Carmarthenshire | 124,686 |
| Steel Slag as Aggregate | Research: use of waste slag as aggregate | All Wales | 30,000 |
| Herbert's Quarry, near Brynaman | Restoration and interpretation of historic quarry and lime kilns on Black Mountain | Carmarthenshire | 105,500 |
| Gwernymynydd Footpath | Construction of 'safe' community footpath on quarry land | Flintshire | 910 |
| Ger y Gors 2G and 3G Mast | Erection of mast to serve several local communities | Ceredigion | 30,000 |
| St Cynbryds Church Community Garden, Abergele | Creation of community garden in church grounds | Conwy | 16,258 |
| Cwmllynfell Community Park and Play Area | Construction of new play area and community park | Neath Port Talbot | 87,222 |
| Mynyddcerrig Play Area | Construction of new multi-use games area and playground | Carmarthenshire | 133,232 |
| Pontybodkin Play Area | Construction of new play area | Flintshire | 109,902 |
| Halkyn Mountain Heritage Project | Restoration and interpretation of historic lime kilns and aggregate extraction on Halkyn Mountain | Carmarthenshire | 175,000 |
| Project | Nature of work | Local Authority Area | Funding 2011-2017 |
| Taf Fechan Digital Trail, Merthyr | Development of digital trail, via smartphones, in historic quarrying area | Merthyr Tydfil | 99,000 |
| Old Schoolhouse, Four Crosses | Refurbishment of existing former school and creation of new community facility | Powys | 57,476 |
| Leeswood Multi-Use Games Area | Construction of new multi-use games area | Flintshire | 103,278 |
| Llanwrtyd Wells Pavilion | Refurbishments and repairs at existing community facility | Powys | 22,948 |
| Pentre Halkyn Community centre | Refurbishments and repairs at existing community facility | Flintshire | 44,000 |
| Cilcain Play Area | New equipment at run down play area | Flintshire | 35,500 |
| Llyn Maritime Museum, Nefyn | Conversion of former church to local museum | Gwynedd | 45,549 |
| Garth Village Hall | Extension, repairs and refurbishments at existing community facility | Powys | 134,713 |
| Bloomfield House Sports Hall, Narberth | Construction of new community sports facility | Pembrokeshire | 275,000 |
| Elias Drive Play Area, Bryncoch | New equipment and re-design of existing play area | Neath Port Talbot | 69,718 |
| Project | Nature of work | Local Authority Area | Funding 2011-2017 |
| Cwmann Churchfield | Completion of construction of new changing rooms at local athletics field | Carmarthenshire | 39,615 |
| Gwernaffield Church Hall | Repairs and refurbishments at existing community facility | Flintshire | 13,084 |
| Llanwrtyd Wells Play Area | New equipment at run down existing play area | Powys | 36,400 |
| Pyle Parish Community Hall | Construction of new extension at existing community facility | Bridgend | 152,000 |
| Cilcain Village Hall | Energy improvements and repairs at existing community facility | Flintshire | 42,979 |
| Templeton Play Area | New equipment and safety surfaces at run down play area | Pembrokeshire | 46,478 |
| Beulah Reading Room | Repairs, refurbishments and new equipment at existing community facility | Powys | 95,191 |
| Radyr Guides Centre, Cardiff | Urgent structural repairs at existing community facility | Cardiff | 40,451 |
| Lampeter Rugby Football Club | Refurbishments at existing community clubhouse | Ceredigion | 103,196 |
| Llanarmon yn lal Skate Park | Construction of new skate park facility | Denbighshire | 66,350 |
| Cornelly United Football Club | Construction of pitch perimeter fence, gates and spectator stand | Bridgend | 29,045 |
| Project | Nature of work | Local Authority Area | Funding 2011-2017 |
| Pantymwyn Village Hall | Essential repairs and refurbishments at existing community facility | Flintshire | 17,101 |
| Coed y Bont Community Woodland, near Pontrhydfendigaid | Construction of trails and ponds to create accessible community woodland | Ceredigion | 82,000 |
| Pentrych Tennis Club | Repairs to existing changing rooms and equipment | Cardiff | 38,103 |
| Llysfaen Village Hall | Repairs and refurbishments at existing community facility | Conwy | 22,548 |
| Hermon Community Centre | Construction of café and crèche at existing community facility | Pembrokeshire | 57,550 |
| Llanwrtyd Heritage Centre | Conversion of chapel to local heritage and arts centre, including artists' spaces | Powys | 44,412 |
| Pontyclun Rugby Football Club | Completion of construction of new changing rooms | Rhondda Cynon Taf | 91,667 |
| Old Church Rooms, Radyr, Cardiff | Construction of extension on existing community centre and general repairs and refurbishments | Cardiff | 130,570 |
| Ystalyfera Rugby Football Club | Repairs and refurbishments at community clubhouse | Neath Port Talbot | 32,725 |
| Project | Nature of work | Local Authority Area | Funding 2011-2017 |
| Maesyfelin Field, Pontyclun | Construction of new play area and community space | Rhondda Cynon Taf | 147,042 |
| Crymych Rugby Football Club | Construction of new training pitch for junior players | Pembrokeshire | 67,374 |
| Rhydymwyn Play Area | New equipment | Flintshire | 24,349 |
| Alberbury Cricket Club | Installation of new practice nets and equipment | Powys | 21,508 |
| Llanelli Wanderers Rugby Football Club | Construction of clubhouse extension to create new community facility | Carmarthenshire | 145,090 |
| Nelson Rugby Football Club | Repairs and refurbishments at community clubhouse | Caerphilly | 55,000 |
| Pentyrch Bowling Club | Construction of new community clubhouse | Cardiff | 20,000 |
| Caewern Park, Bryncoch | Construction of new play area and community park | Neath Port Talbot | 105,000 |
| Porthmadog Football Club | Construction of new adult learning centre at ground | Gwynedd | 85,000 |
| Tavernspite Village Hall | Repairs and refurbishments | Pembrokeshire | 30,083 |
| | | ||
Total
| | | 5,682,801 |
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): How is the Cabinet Secretary working with local authorities and the private and third sectors to ensure that all new public buildings are fully accessible, with particular regard to those with sensory impairment? (WAQ71944)
Answer received on 1 February 2017
Lesley Griffiths: Planning Policy Wales (PPW) states good design should be the aim of all those involved in the development process and applied to all development proposals, at all scales.
'Ensuring ease of access for all' is one of 5 design objectives contained in PPW.
Technical Advice Note (TAN) 12: Design provides more detailed guidance on this issue to help ensure there is ease of access for all into a development.
To support this policy in 2016 a training package on inclusive design was delivered by the Design Commission for Wales, Royal Town Planning Institute and the Royal Society of Architects to over 150 delegates.
Part M (Access to and use of buildings) of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010 sets out the applicable requirements for those with sensory impairment in relation to new buildings such as public buildings. Guidance on meeting the requirements are included in Approved Document M (Access to and use of buildings). The Approved Document provides guidance on horizontal and vertical circulation, acoustics, visual contrast of finishes to walls, floors and ceilings and communication facilities.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What consideration has the Cabinet Secretary given to introducing a Wales-wide Code of Practice for watercraft, with a view to protecting out coastal marine life? (WAQ71945)
Answer received on 1 February 2017
Lesley Griffiths: Natural Resources Wales has introduced a Wales-wide code of conduct, the Sea Wise Code, to help sea users understand how to protect marine life while enjoying the marine environment. The code is available on Natural Resources Wales website at the link below:
https://naturalresources.wales/media/3513/sea-wise-code.pdf
I am also aware of codes of conduct operating at Pembrokeshire Marine, Cardigan Bay and Lleyn Peninsula and the Sarnau Special Areas of Conservation. These have been put in place in response to local disturbance issues which have been identified by Natural Resources Wales as potential pressures on key habitats and species. A voluntary code of conduct for the Severn Estuary is under consideration.