Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 2 July 2010

[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.
[W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.

Contents

Questions to the Minister for Heritage

Questions to a Representative of the Commission

To ask the Minister for Heritage

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Further to his answer to WAQ56124, what date will the 'Business to Business’ website be launched and available to the general public. (WAQ56153)

Answer issued on 06 July 2010

Visit Wales are aiming for the website to 'go live’ on 21 July, subject to any technical issues that may arise.  As I explained in my previous answer, the website is a 'business to business’ tool primarily aimed at intermediaries outside of Wales to promote Wales as a tourism destination for business events and leisure visits; as such, it is not aimed at the general public.  As its name suggests, the site is intended to bring sellers and buyers together at a business-to-business level.

It is very much an 'at a glance’ tool, and does not offer the detail of an Access Statement, which all graded properties and establishments are required to provide as a condition of being graded and which can be obtained from businesses on request.

To ask a Representative of the Commission

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What consideration has the Commission given to the impact of economic constraints on the Commission's budget over the next three years. (WAQ56152)

Answer issued on 30 June 2010

Assembly Commissioner for Assembly Resources, William Graham AM: The Commission’s Management Board has been working over the last few months to develop proposals for savings in the current year and budget planning for the future, in the light of the economic constraints and the emerging public spending policies.  In the current year, the Commission has made savings and redeployed resources to secure improved services and to contain the increased costs of the unified network project within our allocated budget.  For the future, our staff have been preparing options for significantly reduced real terms funding for Assembly services.

The Commission will be setting the direction of our budget strategy for 2011-12 and considering the impact of constraints in the following financial years at our meeting on 8 July 2010.  We will be providing information on the approach the Commission decides to the Finance Committee before summer recess.  The Chief Executive will provide you with the same information if you would find that helpful.  The detail of the draft budget will be worked up during recess and the Commission plans to approve the draft budget in September, subject to any proposals to change the normal budget timetable because of the timing of the autumn spending review.