Written Assembly Questions tabled on 27 August 2014 for answer on 3 September 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 Minister for Natural Resources, Culture and Sport
Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): What are the forecast targets and actual targets which have been hit for the Cynefin change programme in the last year? (WAQ67667)
Answer received on 9 September 2014
The Minister for Natural Resources, Culture and Sport (John Griffiths): An important element of the Cynefin change programme is that the Place Coordinators had no predetermined targets when they took up post.
Instead, local level outcomes were agreed in collaboration with the communities and local partners. These outcomes vary depending on the local environment of the place and the community demographics, but include resilience and emergency planning, community energy generation, addressing local environment quality issues, community growing and access to green space.
The impact is being measured using an independent learning and monitoring framework that assesses the new activity and involvement generated as a result of the Place Coordinators' work.
Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): What are the key performance indicators for the Cynefin change programme? (WAQ67668)
Answer received on 9 September 2014
John Griffiths: Cynefin is tailored to the needs of each area, with work programmes set in collaboration with the communities.
This approach has led to each Place Coordinator developing set work streams for their place, agreed with the community, key stakeholders and decision makers. These work streams are now the basis for delivery in each of the pilot areas, with progress being measured by means of a monitoring and learning framework, being independently undertaken by Brook Lyndhurst.
The local level outcomes, agreed with communities and local partners, range from waste and local environment quality issues, community growing, community energy generation, resilience and emergency planning and improving access to green space.
The following indicators have been developed as part of the learning and monitoring framework:
- Number of work streams that are up and running as a result of Cynefin.
- Working groups, networks or partnerships formed as a result of Cynefin.
- Individuals and organisations actively involved in Cynefin-linked activities.
- Time contributed to Cynefin-linked activities.
- Funding contributed to Cynefin-linked activities.
- Number of new relationships established as a result of Cynefin-linked activities.
- Number of assets created, improved or made more accessible as a result of Cynefin-linked activities.
- Number of individuals receiving training or mentoring as a result of Cynefin-linked activities.
- Number of jobs created, safeguarded or maintained as a result of Cynefin-linked activities.
Number of plans, strategies or visions that are co-produced or produced collaboratively between communities and stakeholders as a result of Cynefin-linked activities.
Rhodri Glyn Thomas (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): What involvement has the Welsh Government had in the development of the Cardiff Bay International Sports Village, and will the Minister make a statement on the programme of development and the timescale for completion? (WAQ67669)
Answer received on 9 September 2014
John Griffiths: I will write to you on this matter as soon as possible.
To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's policy on reducing maximum permitted stocking density for 'extensive indoor' chickens? (WAQ67670)
Answer received on 9 September 2014
The Deputy Minister for Farming and Food (Rebecca Evans): The Welfare of Farm Animals (Wales) Regulations 2010 implement Council Directive 2007/43, which introduced measures that improved meat chicken welfare and set conditions from the time chicks are brought to production sites, until they leave for slaughter.
A maximum stocking density of 39kg/m² introduced by the Welsh Regulations provides for a consistent GB inspection and enforcement framework to operate within slaughterhouses and on farm. Some meat chickens companies operate lower stocking densities.
The Food Standards Agency and Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) enforce provisions of the EC Directive in Wales on behalf of Welsh Government.
During 2012 and 2013 AHVLA found no non compliance in relation to stocking densities, other aspects associated with the EC Broiler Directive were identified and were investigated.
The Welsh Government regularly reviews its contingency plans and control strategies for dealing with animal disease outbreaks, including avian diseases. Rules for poultry keepers for preventing the spread of avian disease are set out in legislation.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's policy on mandatory method of production poultry meat labelling? (WAQ67671)
Answer received on 1 September 2014
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on Welsh Government's policy to improve welfare standards for chickens? (WAQ37672)
Answer received on 24 November 2014
The Deputy Minister for Farming and Food (Rebecca Evans):
Detailed rules governing the conditions under which meat chickens are kept were established for the first time in November 2010 with the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Amendment) Regulations 2010, which implement provisions of the Council Directive 2007/43.
The Directive sets down minimum standards which Member States are free to go beyond when drawing up their national legislation. The Directive only applies to holdings with 500 or more birds.
The Food Standards Agency is responsible for the enforcement of food hygiene standards at slaughterhouses and manages the health and welfare monitoring system applied at the slaughterhouse, when the broilers are presented for slaughter.
Producers are responsible for investigating and monitoring the health status of all birds within the whole flock and also monitoring the housing, climate and environmental conditions of the building.
The size of a viable broiler enterprise is a commercial decision and is a matter for producers to consider. The responsibility of the planning system in Wales, including determination of planning applications, lies with local planning authorities. he Deputy Minister
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What comments has the Minister received regarding cuts to the Financial Contingency Fund for Welsh Universities? (WAQ67660) W
Answer received on 3 September 2014
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): Representations
opposing the removal of the Fund have been received from the National Union of
Students (Wales), The National Association of Student Money Advisors (Wales),
and several individuals. It has been argued that removal of the Fund just
before the start of the academic year is unfair and removes an important safety
net for students facing hardship, particularly in the light of the
recommendations of an independent report to continue both the HE and FE Funds.
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement regarding cuts to the Financial Contingency Fund for Welsh Universities? (WAQ67661) W
Answer received on 9 September 2014
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): By 2015-16 the Welsh Government's total budget will be nearly £1.7 billion less than it was in 2010-11. Ministers have therefore been obliged to undertake a comprehensive review of all HE and FE budgets during the summer. Difficult decisions have had to be made on which areas savings can be made. Since 2012, universities have benefitted from increased tuition fee income from home students and have recruited higher numbers of international students
Elin Jones (Ceredigion): Could the Minister explain the reason for the decision to cut funding for the Financial Contingency Fund, less than a month before the start of the new University term? (WAQ67662)
Answer received on 9 September 2014
Huw Lewis: I refer you to WAQ 67661.
Angle Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Further to the press release from the NUS (22 August 2014) will the Minister confirm if it is true that the Financial Contingency Fund for Higher Education will not continue? (WAQ67663)
Answer received on 9 September 2014
Huw Lewis: Yes, the Fund is to be discontinued. The Welsh Government is working with student representatives to discuss future arrangements.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What measures will the Minister be taking to ensure that results in the GCSE core subjects, particularly Mathematics and English Language, improve? (WAQ67664)
Answer received on 9 September 2014
Huw Lewis: I am extremely pleased with the recent GCSE results and especially the improvements at A*-C grades in the science subjects, English Literature, Welsh first language and Welsh Literature. We have a number of activities under way to ensure standards and results continue to flourish.
We are continuing to place a strong focus on improving standards of literacy and numeracy through the Literacy and Numeracy Framework (LNF), which became statutory a year ago. We are supporting the regional education consortia to implement this framework through the National Support Programme (NSP) to bring about improvements in the teaching and learning of literacy and numeracy. We expect that these measures will have a positive impact on learners studying GCSEs.
We are revising Areas of Learning and Programmes of Study for mathematics, English and Welsh. These will be published in October, and will become statutory from September 2015. They will complement and consolidate the approach taken in the LNF, provide extra precision for teachers and learners and raise expectation of the standard for mathematics, English and Welsh in Wales in the long term.
We have introduced National Reading and Numeracy Tests to help schools across Wales assess learners' reading and numeracy skills and track learner progress. Test data helps schools to identify learners who need additional support and those in need of extra challenge at the earliest possible opportunity.
From September 2015 we begin teaching of a new suite of GCSEs in Mathematics, Mathematics – Numeracy, English Language and Welsh (first language). This aligns with the introduction of Programmes of Study. I am supporting teachers to implement these through a support programme which includes the employment of specialist advisors who will work with schools. The WJEC are also organising a series of events to disseminate the details of the new GCSEs and the Welsh Government has commissioned a series of additional sample assessment materials and sample teaching materials.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What plans does the Welsh Government have to conduct a public consultation on the Service Development and Commissioning Directives for Arthritis and Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions? (WAQ67655)
Answer received on 9 September 2014
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): There are no plans to conduct a public consultation on the Service Development and Commissioning Directives for Arthritis and Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions. We have undertaken an exercise with a range of stakeholders to review the Service Commissioning Directives for Arthritis and Chronic Musculoskeletal conditions. That work will continue during this autumn.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What work has been undertaken by the Welsh Government to identify the number of people in Wales diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis? (WAQ67656)
Answer received on 3 September 2014
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): The Welsh Health Survey records the number of people reporting they are currently being treated for arthritis. However, these numbers do not distinguish between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Latest results here:
http://wales.gov.uk/statistics-and-research/welsh-health-survey/?lang=en#/statistics-and-research/welsh-health-survey/?lang=en
There is also information about hospital admissions for rheumatoid arthritis available from the Patient Episode Database Wales here:
http://www.infoandstats.wales.nhs.uk/page.cfm?pid=41010&orgid=869
At the current time there are no plans to make an assessment of the economic impact of rheumatoid arthritis in Wales or to carry out a public awareness exercise on this condition.
We have undertaken an exercise with a range of stakeholders to review the Service Commissioning Directives for Arthritis and Chronic Musculoskeletal conditions, which include rheumatoid arthritis. We are reviewing responses to this exercise before deciding the next steps. From an initial assessment it is clear the Directives remain broadly appropriate. However, further work may be required to raise the profile of the directives and their implementation.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the economic impact of rheumatoid arthritis in Wales? (WAQ37657)
Answer received on 3 September 2014
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): The Welsh Health Survey records the number of people reporting they are currently being treated for arthritis. However, these numbers do not distinguish between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Latest results here:
http://wales.gov.uk/statistics-and-research/welsh-health-survey/?lang=en#/statistics-and-research/welsh-health-survey/?lang=en
There is also information about hospital admissions for rheumatoid arthritis available from the Patient Episode Database Wales here:
http://www.infoandstats.wales.nhs.uk/page.cfm?pid=41010&orgid=869
At the current time there are no plans to make an assessment of the economic impact of rheumatoid arthritis in Wales or to carry out a public awareness exercise on this condition.
We have undertaken an exercise with a range of stakeholders to review the Service Commissioning Directives for Arthritis and Chronic Musculoskeletal conditions, which include rheumatoid arthritis. We are reviewing responses to this exercise before deciding the next steps. From an initial assessment it is clear the Directives remain broadly appropriate. However, further work may be required to raise the profile of the directives and their implementation.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What plans does the Welsh Government have to introduce a public awareness campaign in Wales about the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis? (WAQ67658)
Answer received on 3 September 2014
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): The Welsh Health Survey records the number of people reporting they are currently being treated for arthritis. However, these numbers do not distinguish between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Latest results here:
http://wales.gov.uk/statistics-and-research/welsh-health-survey/?lang=en#/statistics-and-research/welsh-health-survey/?lang=en
There is also information about hospital admissions for rheumatoid arthritis available from the Patient Episode Database Wales here:
http://www.infoandstats.wales.nhs.uk/page.cfm?pid=41010&orgid=869
At the current time there are no plans to make an assessment of the economic impact of rheumatoid arthritis in Wales or to carry out a public awareness exercise on this condition.
We have undertaken an exercise with a range of stakeholders to review the Service Commissioning Directives for Arthritis and Chronic Musculoskeletal conditions, which include rheumatoid arthritis. We are reviewing responses to this exercise before deciding the next steps. From an initial assessment it is clear the Directives remain broadly appropriate. However, further work may be required to raise the profile of the directives and their implementation.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What discussions have taken place within the Welsh Government about the possibility of undertaking a public awareness campaign on rheumatoid arthritis? (WAQ67659)
Answer received on 9 September 2014 (WAQ67656-9)
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Health Survey records the number of people reporting they are currently being treated for arthritis. However, these numbers do not distinguish between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Latest results here:
There is also information about hospital admissions for rheumatoid arthritis available from the Patient Episode Database Wales here:
http://www.infoandstats.wales.nhs.uk/page.cfm?pid=41010&orgid=869
At the current time there are no plans to make an assessment of the economic impact of rheumatoid arthritis in Wales or to carry out a public awareness exercise on this condition.
We have undertaken an exercise with a range of stakeholders to review the Service Commissioning Directives for Arthritis and Chronic Musculoskeletal conditions, which include rheumatoid arthritis. We are reviewing responses to this exercise before deciding the next steps. From an initial assessment it is clear the Directives remain broadly appropriate. However, further work may be required to raise the profile of the directives and their implementation.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What guidance has the Minister given to the Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board to ensure that services to patients are not compromised during the period of the NATO Summit in Newport? (WAQ67665)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What guidance has the Minister given to the Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board regarding the opening and closing of hospitals in South Wales Central during the period of the NATO Summit? (WAQ67666)
Answer received on 9 September 2014 (WAQ67665/6)
Mark Drakeford: My officials have liaised with the Health Board to assist them in minimising disruption to health care provision, whilst taking account of the possible significant traffic disruption pinch points on patients when planning routine services.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the increase in chickens tested positive for campylobacter and on proposals to minimise the risk of contamination at every stage of production? (WAQ67673)
Answer received on 9 September 2014
Mark Drakeford: Campylobacter is the most commonly reported bacterial cause of gastrointestinal infection in the UK; there are more UK reported cases each year (72, 000) than for Salmonella, E. coli O157 and Listeria combined. Given that 60-80% of cases of Campylobacter can be attributed to chicken, its effective control on chickens could deliver significant public health benefits.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is spearheading a campaign 'Acting on Campylobacter Together' which aims to bring together the whole food chain to tackle the problem of Campylobacter, and to reduce the burden of foodborne illness in the UK. The poultry supply industry along with producers, processors, caterers and retailers have all committed to play their part in the fight against Campylobacter. The British Poultry Council and the National Farmers' Union are both engaged in this effort.
The FSA on behalf of the UK Government continues to lobby in the European Union for better hygiene controls, and to hold industry to account. Farmers and producers are working to reduce the number of flocks of broilers ( chickens grown for meat) that contain Campylobacter when they are presented for slaughter; and slaughterhouses and processors are taking action to make sure that the processes they use keep levels of contamination in the birds they produce to a minimum.
On a quarterly basis over the next year, the FSA will release the results of tests carried out on some 1,000 samples of chicken being sold by UK retailers. In 2015, the FSA will publish a statistical analysis of the first full- year survey. The information published for each sample will include details about where the chicken was bought, the abattoir that processed it, whether or not the sample contained Campylobacter and, if so, how heavily it was contaminated.
The FSA continues to advise consumers that they can reduce the risk of falling ill from potentially contaminated food by following good hand hygiene and food handling practices. These include refrigerating foods promptly; regularly washing hands and surfaces such as chopping boards and dishes; separating raw meats from other foods and cooking food to the right temperature.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the risk of the spread of campylobacter to residents in the vicinity of intensive broiler units? (WAQ67674)
Answer received on 9 September 2014
Mark Drakeford: There is currently no evidence to suggest that a higher risk of campylobacteriosis exists for those living in the vicinity of poultry farms. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has a number of research projects underway within its Campylobacter programme, including a source attribution study in Scotland, to separate human disease burden of foodborne infections to specific source. A separate study will shortly commence in England with a greater focus on differentiating Campylobacter sources between urban and rural environments.