Written Assembly Questions tabled on 28 September 2015 for answer on 5 October 2015
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
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What action is the Minister taking to minimise the increasing number of attacks by seagulls on residents and visitors, in particular along the north Wales coastline and Aberconwy? (WAQ69213)
Answer received on 7 October 2015
The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant):
There is provision in legislation to licence the removal or destruction of certain gulls, nests and eggs on grounds of public health and safety. This work can be undertaken by authorised persons under the terms of a licence issued by Natural Resources Wales.
Advice is available from Local Authorities on measures that can be taken to reduce negative impacts of gull activities.
To ask the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty
Leanne Wood (South Wales Central): Is the Minister aware of complaints lodged against the Welsh Government by the management board of Rhondda Life? (WAQ69216)
Answer received on 7 October 2015
The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty (Lesley Griffiths): I am aware a letter was received from the Chair of Rhondda Life and the matters raised in the correspondence are being considered under our formal complaints process.
Leanne Wood (South Wales Central): Have Welsh Government officials had any involvement in the Rhondda Life project over the last 18 months? (WAQ69217)
Answer received on 7 October 2015
Lesley Griffiths: Rhondda Life Limited was taken into receivership in 2012 but Welsh Government has continued to monitor the status of the business since that time. During this period officials have also undertaken a financial reconciliation of the grant award made to Rhondda Life Limited.
Leanne Wood (South Wales Central): Have any attempts been made to recover any of the public money invested in the Rhondda Life project? (WAQ69218)
Answer received on 7 October 2015
Lesley Griffiths: Welsh Government has registered a debt with the receiver appointed when Rhondda Life Limited was taken into receivership in 2012.
Leanne Wood (South Wales Central): Is the Minister aware of reports that the Glynrhedyn building in Ferndale is on the verge of being sold privately on behalf of a creditor and, if so, have there been any attempts to halt the sale? (WAQ69220)
Answer received on 7 October 2015
Lesley Griffiths: The Glynrhedyn Centre along with the other assets of Rhondda Life Limited are under the control of the Law of Property Act Receiver and its actions cannot be influenced by Government.
Leanne Wood (South Wales Central): Does the Minister have any powers at her disposal to prevent the sale of community assets, such as the Glynrhedyn building, in order to allow a full inquiry to determine whether there has been any improper conduct regarding the Rhondda Life project? (WAQ69219)
Answer received on 7 October 2015
Lesley Griffiths: The Glynrhedyn Centre along with the other Rhondda Life Limited assets is controlled by the Law of Property Act Receiver acting on behalf of the Greene King Brewery. Government cannot influence decisions made by the receiver.
An internal audit has already been undertaken on Rhondda Life Limited. This was published in June 2015.
To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): How does the Welsh Government fund its duty in relation to trunk roads under section 9 of the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 and is any grant, or other funding, set aside in the Welsh Government budget to fund this specific duty? (WAQ69214)
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister specify whether there is any Welsh Government funding mechanism or specific budget allocation to fund active travel investment in the A55 trunk road, with particular regard to the Mona Terrace proposal in Llanfairfechan? (WAQ69215)
Answer received on 7 October 2015
The Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): Funding for improving and maintaining highways is provided through a number of mechanisms depending on the type of work. We have allocated £10,000 for 2015/16 through our Walking and Cycling Programme to reassess the design options for a cycle scheme at Mona Terrace.