Written Assembly Questions tabled on 29 January 2016 for answer on 5 February 2016
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 Communities and Tackling Poverty
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on CCSIW's role in checking planning/fire regulations in child-minding premises? (WAQ69740)
Answer received on 10 February 2016
The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty (Lesley Griffiths): Before a childminder can be registered, CSSIW will visit the premises and undertake a number of checks which cover hazards and safety, fitness of premises and fire precautions, in line with the Child Minding and Day Care (Wales) Regulations 2010. Fire precautions include the provision of fire prevention and detection equipment, evacuation procedures, training in fire prevention, and fire drills and practices.
CSSIW's role is to ensure childminders are complaint with the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010 and relevant regulations relating to the safe care of children. Childminders are responsible for ensuring they are compliant with other laws and regulations that affect their premises and business, such as planning and building controls. From April 2016, CSSIW will not require child-minders to submit a letter from their Local Planning Authority to confirm their planning status
To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport
Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn): What is the planned Welsh Government spending on enterprise zones, with a detailed breakdown of each zone, between now and May 2016? (WAQ69734)
Answer received on 10 February 2016
The Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): The target investment in our Enterprise Zones is published on our website. Progress is published on a half-yearly basis:
http://gov.wales/topics/businessandeconomy/growing-the-economy/enterprisezones/?lang=en
Expenditure between now and May 2016 will depend on the timing and completion of key projects. Information for each Zone is contained in the progress reports published on the Enterprise Zone website.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister detail any funding which has been provided for units on Redlands Road, Penarth, to assist the delivery and administration of treatment by Cardiff and the Vale Health Board? (WAQ69739)
Answer received on 5 February 2016
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): The GP practice at Redlands Surgery, Penarth received Welsh Government funding support of £8,593 for access improvements via a premises improvement grant in 2012-13.
To ask the Minister for Public Services
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister provide a breakdown of the total costs attached to the proposed local government merger of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion? (WAQ69735)
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government's projected savings of the merger of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion? (WAQ69736)
Answer received on 5 February 2016
The Minister for Public Services (Leighton Andrews):
The Welsh Government has estimated the net savings to Local Authorities over ten years in reducing the number of Councils to eight or nine to be between £529 million and £650 million. The associated costs over ten years range from £97 million to £246 million. It is anticipated mergers will pay for themselves in two to three years.
The costs and savings related to specific mergers will depend greatly on the decisions taken by merging and shadow authorities in the pre-merger period. During this period, Transition Committees and Shadow Authorities have the opportunity to minimise the costs and maximise the benefits and savings in their areas.
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister confirm the impact of the merger of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion on council tax rates for people living in Pembrokeshire? (WAQ69737)
Answer received on 5 February 2016
Leighton Andrews:
The overall Council Tax requirement should not increase as a consequence of mergers.
The setting of Council Tax levels is a key political decision taken locally by Councils and one for which they are directly accountable to their electorates. I will be assessing any potential impacts on the Council Tax system which might arise solely as a result of bringing Local Authorities together.
Transition Committees will have a vital role in undertaking important work in preparation for mergers, including finance matters, prior to the establishment of the Shadow Authorities.
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister outline the number of meetings that he has had with each of the leaders of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion regarding local government reform? (WAQ69738)
Answer received on 5 February 2016
Leighton Andrews:
I have individually met with the Leaders of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion to discuss local government reform. I have also held several engagement events with the Welsh Local Government Association where I was able to discuss our proposals. For example, I met with Local Authority Leaders at the Welsh Local Government Association Council meeting in November 2015. I have given an open invitation to all Council Leaders to discuss our proposals.