Written Assembly Questions tabled on 25 April 2014 for answer on 2 May 2014
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 First Minister
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Is the Welsh Government, or any of its sponsored bodies, a member of the CBI? (WAQ66738)
Answer received on 13 May 2014
The First Minister of Wales (Carwyn Jones): The Welsh Government is not a member of the CBI. Membership of the CBI by other bodies is a matter for them and not the Welsh Government.
To ask the Minister for Culture and Sport
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): What assistance has the Welsh Government provided to the Football Association of Wales in preparing its bid for Cardiff to be a Euro 2020 host city? (WAQ66737)
Answer received on 6 May 2014
The First Minister of Wales (Carwyn Jones): Over the last several months the Welsh Government has been working closely with the FAW and Cardiff Council on the preparation of the bid and officials have provided advice and guidance on a wide range of issues to ensure the strongest possible bid.
To ask the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty
Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): Will the Minister provide details of payments made through the Discretionary Assistance Fund from 2013 - 2014 broken down by local authority, together with details of any national allocations for each local authority area? (WAQ66732)
Answer received on 1 May 2014
The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty (Jeff Cuthbert): There are no national allocations for each local authority area as the purpose of the fund is to offer payments, or in kind support, to provide urgent assistance to people where there is an identified need. The details of payments made through the Discretionary Assistance Fund for 2013 – 2014, broken down by local authority area, are detailed in the table below.
| Local Authority | Total Awards made 2013-14 | Amount Awarded |
| Blaenau Gwent | 699 | £199,075.50 |
| Bridgend | 1199 | £280,723.00 |
| Caerphilly | 1615 | £379,928.40 |
| Cardiff | 4421 | £1,504,566.66 |
| Carmarthenshire | 1313 | £350,364.00 |
| Ceredigion | 232 | £68,789.83 |
| Conwy | 937 | £197,952.50 |
| Denbighshire | 792 | £183,323.99 |
| Flintshire | 963 | £232,729.26 |
| Gwynedd | 672 | £214,580.00 |
| Isle of Anglesey | 497 | £161,212.57 |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 555 | £186,118.00 |
| Monmouthshire | 368 | £116,625.28 |
| Neath Port Talbot | 1481 | £398,478.70 |
| Newport | 1746 | £517,216.16 |
| Pembrokeshire | 817 | £198,963.00 |
| Powys | 463 | £98,775.00 |
| Rhondda Cynon Taff | 2058 | £448,295.74 |
| Swansea | 2142 | £435,350.17 |
| Torfaen | 748 | £201,783.90 |
| Vale of Glamorgan | 915 | £253,822.98 |
| Wrexham | 1192 | £280,851.40 |
| No fixed abode | 1070 | £298,680.00 |
| Total | 26895 | £7,208,206.04 |
To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): With regards to the results of the Welsh Government’s ‘Longitudinal Survey of Enterprise Zones’, how many businesses in each zone were approached as part of the survey and how many responded, providing a numerical breakdown for each zone? (WAQ66731)
Answer received on 29 April 2014
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): The survey was conducted on behalf of the Welsh Government by Beaufort Research. I have published findings.
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister outline all the areas of improvement he has identified regarding the North Wales Regional Consortia? (WAQ66724)
Answer received on 1 May 2014
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): I wrote to all cabinet leads for consortia in April following submission of consortia business plans. In relation to the North Wales (GWE) regional consortium’s business plan, I endorsed the general approach of the plan.
However there were a few areas for development which will need to be addressed over the coming weeks. I advised the cabinet leads that my officials will discuss these areas with officers within the consortium at the challenge and review meetings. These areas are:
It is especially important to clarify how the statutory responsibilities of LAs are managed and to clarify collaboration and communication where the delivery functions remain at LA level, specifically for ALN.
As a large area geographically, there are logistical challenges for the region in securing consistency and high quality.
The impact of changes to the Challenge Adviser’s role, and growing a rigorous high quality team and how the region manages the cross over from System Leader to Challenge Advisers.
Arrangements for Governor Support and HR.
Securing a fully functional central team for the region.
The effectiveness of school self-evaluation and School Development/Improvement Plans as Challenge Advisers engage schools in conversations around categorisation.
Head teacher performance management and CPD arrangements for all teaching staff as a key to driving improvement and leading improvements in learning.
Safeguarding in education.
The importance of attendance and behaviour to school improvement.
Model for school to school working.
Financial details and LA contributions.
I also highlighted that headteacher performance management needed to be addressed in the plan (or the consortium’s operational plan) and I asked that it was done within the next two weeks.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister outline all the areas of improvement he has identified regarding the Central South Wales Regional Consortia? (WAQ66725)
Answer received on 1 May 2014
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): I wrote to all cabinet leads for consortia in April following submission of consortia business plans. In relation to the Central South Wales regional consortium’s business plan, I endorsed the general approach of the plan.
However there were a few areas for development which will need to be addressed over the coming weeks. I advised the cabinet leads that my officials will discuss these areas with officers within the consortium at the challenge and review meetings. These areas are:
It is not clear whether the challenging targets set for reducing the impact of poverty on attainment is possible within existing constraints. The largest number of pupils and the greatest deprivation sits in this region.
The region is yet to appoint a permanent Managing Director.
It is especially important to clarify how the statutory responsibilities of LAs are managed and to clarify collaboration and communication where the delivery functions remain at LA level. There remain risks of duplication at LA level. In addition, one LA is in SM and one in SI. Estyn are monitoring the others.
The region’s schools are often working in challenging circumstances. It is envisaged that the additional resources from SCC will support the region’s improvement journey but there is a lack of clarity.
The impact of changes to the Challenge Adviser’s role, and growing a rigorous high quality team and how the region manages the cross over from System Leader to Challenge Advisers.
Arrangements for Governor Support and HR.
Securing a fully functional central team for the region.
The effectiveness of school self-evaluation and School Development/Improvement Plans as Challenge Advisers engage schools in conversations around categorisation.
Head teacher performance management and CPD arrangements for all teaching staff as a key to driving improvement and leading improvements in learning.
Safeguarding in education.
The importance of attendance and behaviour to school improvement.
Securing value-for-money.
Delivering the necessary improvement for those LAs in special measures.
A challenge to LAs within region to collaborate more effectively.
Capacity building and strengthening schools to respond to responsibility with school level support and challenge in a school led improvement culture.
I also highlighted that headteacher performance management needed to be addressed in the plan (or within the consortium’s operational plan) and I asked that it was done within the next two weeks.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister outline all the areas of improvement he has identified regarding the South West and Mid Wales Regional Consortia? (WAQ66726)
Answer received on 1 May 2014
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): I wrote to all cabinet leads for consortia in April following submission of consortia business plans. In relation to the South West and Mid Wales (ERW) regional consortium’s business plan, I endorsed the general approach of the plan.
However there were a few areas for development which will need to be addressed over the coming weeks. I advised the cabinet leads that my officials will discuss these areas with officers within the consortium at the challenge and review meetings. These areas are:
As a large area geographically, there are logistical challenges for the region in securing consistency and high quality.
The impact of changes to the Challenge Adviser’s role, and growing a rigorous high quality team and how the region manages the cross over from System Leader to Challenge Advisers.
Arrangements for Governor Support and HR.
Securing a fully functional central team for the region.
The effectiveness of school self-evaluation and School Development/Improvement Plans as Challenge Advisers engage schools in conversations around categorisation.
Head teacher performance management and CPD arrangements for all teaching staff as a key to driving improvement and leading improvements in learning.
Safeguarding in education.
The importance of attendance and behaviour to school improvement.
I also highlighted that headteacher performance management needed to be addressed in the plan (or within the consortium’s operational plan) and I asked that it was done within the next two weeks.
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister outline all the areas of improvement he has identified regarding the South East Wales Regional Consortia? (WAQ66727)
Answer received on 1 May 2014
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): I wrote to all cabinet leads for consortia in April following submission of consortia business plans. In relation to the South East Wales (EAS) regional consortium’s business plan, I endorsed the general approach of the plan.
However there were a few areas for development which will need to be addressed over the coming weeks. I advised the cabinet leads that my officials will discuss these areas with officers within the consortium at the challenge and review meetings. These areas are:
As a separate company, it is especially important to clarify how the statutory responsibilities of LAs are managed and to clarify collaboration and communication where the delivery functions remain at LA level, specifically for ALN and wider support services for children and young people.
The balance of the Plan is on activity with significant consideration given to input, activity and action. The conversations with officers will need to focus on the impact of the actions on standards, teaching and leadership.
Arrangements for HR.
Re calibrating the central team for the regional service.
The effectiveness of school self-evaluation and School Development/Improvement Plans as Challenge Advisers engage schools in conversations around categorisation.
Head teacher performance management and CPD arrangements for all teaching staff as a key to driving improvement and leading improvements in learning.
Safeguarding in education.
The importance of attendance and behaviour to school improvement.
Model for school to school working.
Financial details and LA contributions.
Securing value-for-money.
Delivering the necessary improvement for those LAs in special measures.
I also highlighted that headteacher performance management needed to be addressed in the plan (or within the consortium’s operational plan) and I asked that it was done within the next two weeks.
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister publish the report on education, ‘Education in Wales: a comparative analysis of policy’ from 2007, produced by Professor Richard Daugherty? (WAQ66739)
Answer received on 12 May 2014
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): I am currently considering whether to publish the audit report given it is 7 years old, and there have been significant developments both internally within the Department and externally since the audit.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): By Local Health Board, will the Minister make a statement on the number of operations scheduled by the Welsh NHS in each month since January 2012? (WAQ66723)
Answer received on 6 May 2014
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): This information is not held centrally by the Welsh Government.
To manage services appropriately, each Local Health Board will prepare a schedule, including the number of operations to be completed each month, so as to effectively plan and allocate the necessary resources to deliver services for the year ahead.
David Rees (Aberavon): Will the Minister make a statement on what actions the Welsh Government is taking in response to the Cochrane Collaborative report on the relative ineffectiveness of osteltamivir / Tamiflu? (WAQ66728)
Answer received on 1 May 2014
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): We are, together with other UK administrations, examining the findings of the Cochrane Review and also taking account of the latest scientific evidence and international comparisons to inform our policy concerning Oseltamivir/Tamiflu.
For the time being the policy remains that Oseltamivir /Tamiflu should continue to be used for the treatment and prophylaxis of at risk patients and in outbreaks of influenza or flu-like illness in line with existing guidance. This includes its use in an influenza pandemic situation.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister list each of the inspections carried out by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales to District General Hospitals in Wales for each year from 2008 to 2013, and qualify what type of inspection each one was? (WAQ66729)
Answer received on 6 May 2014
Mark Drakeford: Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) has confirmed information of all inspections carried out by type and setting visited is available on its website. All the reports for the period 2008 to 2013 are online at www.hiw.org.uk with the exception of four dignity and essential care inspection reports, which are expected to be published in May 2014, listed below:
University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board;
Royal Gwent Hospital, Aneurin Bevan Health Board;
Glangwili Hospital, Hywel Dda Health Board; and
Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): On how many occasions since January 1 2014 has the maternity unit at UHW been closed to new admissions therefore turning women away to other hospitals, and will the Minister outline which alternative hospital those women were sent to? (WAQ66730)
Answer received on 6 May 2014
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): There have been no occasions since 1 January 2014 when the maternity unit at the UHW was closed.
During this period however, due to pressures on capacity in neonatal intensive care, 21 women were referred to other hospitals - 19 were referred to other Welsh hospitals, one to Bristol and one to London who needed specialist foetal medicine support.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Further to the Welsh Government’s announcement of an additional £65 million for the NHS to reduce orthopaedic waiting times over three years from April 2011, what monitoring has the Welsh Government undertaken to ensure that Health Boards have used this resource for its intended purpose? (WAQ66733)
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What evaluation does the Welsh Government intend to undertake of the effectiveness of the additional £65 million for the NHS to reduce orthopaedic waiting times over three years from April 2011? (WAQ66734)
Answer received on 6 May 2014 (WAQ66733/4)
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): During the first year (2011/12), the funding was used to reduce the orthopaedic backlog and to help get the service into a balanced position. This resulted in a 94% reduction in the number of 36 weeks breaches by the end of March 2012.
In the second year, Health Boards used the funding to continue to reduce backlog, and to introduce sustainable solutions, including the introduction of
CMATS (Community Musculoskeletal Assessment and Treatment Service),
7-day working in physiotherapy; and
Lifestyle clinics.
My officials visited all Health Boards in May 2013 and received updates on the introduction of the sustainable schemes. This resulted in the funding issued for sustainable solutions being allocated again for the third year.
During the period June 2011 to February 2014, the total number of patients waiting for orthopaedic surgery has fallen from 67,655 to 56,137, a reduction of 17%, with the number of patients waiting over 36 weeks falling by 31%. Further reductions in the number of patients waiting in excess of 36 weeks are expected to be seen in March 2014.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Further to the Welsh Government’s announcement of an additional £65 million for the NHS to reduce orthopaedic waiting times over three years from April 2011, will the Minister explain why median referral to treatment times for orthopaedic patients have actually increased in the three years to March 2014? (WAQ66735)
Answer received on 7 May 2014
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): As I stated in my response to WAQ66733, the additional £65m funding was used to reduce backlog and introduce sustainable solutions, with the total number of patients on the waiting list falling by over 11,000, and the numbers waiting over 36 weeks falling by 31%. Although the total numbers waiting has fallen, this will not have an immediate impact on the median waiting times, as this is the point at which 50% of patients are waiting less than. A 7.3% increase in the number of GP referrals between 2012/13 and 2013/14 helps explain why the median waiting time in Wales for orthopaedics has risen from 14 weeks in June 2011 to 15 weeks in February 2014.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government’s response to the recommendations of the SSIA in their Position Statement on Reablement Services in Wales? (WAQ66736)
Answer received on 2 May 2014
The Deputy Minister for Social Services (Gwenda Thomas): I welcome the Position Statement on Reablement Services. I am pleased to confirm that my officials have met with key stakeholders to discuss the recommendations in the report. It has been agreed that Welsh Government officials will chair a Reablement Task Group to ensure the recommendations are progressed. The Task Group will include members from the Social Services Improvement Agency (SSIA), Local Authorities, Health Boards the Reablement Alliance and the third sector.
To ask the Minister for Natural Resources and Food
Mark Isherwood (North Wales): Further to the Welsh Government announcement last October of an additional £70m to incentivise energy companies to spend the ECO in Wales, what response have you received from the UK Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change to your request for further details on the implications for Wales? (WAQ66740)
Answer received on 6 May 2014
The Minister for Natural Resources and Food (Alun Davies): In December 2014 the UK Government announced proposed changes to the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). I wrote to Gregory Barker, the Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, requesting information on the proposed changes and the potential implications for Wales. The Minister of State responded outlining the changes but only in the same general terms included in the announcement. I subsequently wrote again to the Minister of State requesting that he ensure the close attention of DECC officials to the impacts that we might expect in Wales from the proposed changes. The Minister of State has responded confirming that it is certainly not the UK Government’s intention that the proposed changes should have a disproportionate impact on Wales and that DECC officials should continue to work closely with Welsh Government officials. The Minister of Sate also offered his support for DECC officials to travel to Wales to engage in a more detailed examination of the implications. I have agreed to this offer and my officials are working with their DECC colleagues to arrange a workshop session on ECO.