Written Assembly Questions tabled on 31 October 2013 for answer on 7 November 2013

R - Signifies the Member has declared an interest.
W - Signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.

(Self identifying Question no. shown in brackets)

To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnosrshire): What powers does the Minister have to direct Powys County Council to carry out road safety improvements on the A44 at Rhayader? (WAQ65812)

Answer received on 6 November 2013

The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): Powys County Council are the highway authority for the A44 at Rhayader and it is their responsibility to carry out safety improvements. The Welsh Ministers have no powers to direct another highway authority in relation to the exercise of its highway functions.

 

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on resources made available to Powys County Council to allow them to carry out road safety works in Brecon and Radnorshire? (WAQ65813)

Answer received on 6 November 2013

Edwina Hart: Powys County Council are a highway authority and have a responsibility to make appropriate provision to operate their network safely. They are able to access Welsh Government funding for road safety via the relevant Regional Transport Consortia, TraCC.

To ask the Minister for Housing and Regeneration

Bethan Jenkins (South Wales West): Will the Minister provide me with all correspondence between the Welsh and UK Government regarding the ‘spare room subsidy’? (WAQ65814)

The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant):  This is a Freedom of Information request and my officials will respond direct to you in due course.

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on Brecon Beacons National Park Authority's Planning Performance, measured against Welsh Government Indicators? (WAQ65815)

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What measures is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority meets Welsh Government Indicators for Planning Performance? (WAQ65816)

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What future measures does the Welsh Government plan to take to ensure that the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority meets Welsh Government Indicators for Planning Performance? (WAQ65817)

Answer received 5 November 2013 (WAQ65815-17)

The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant):   I am replying collectively to your three questions concerning the planning delivery performance of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority.       
The Park Authority’s delivery is monitored against the Welsh Government’s target of handling 80% of planning applications within 8 weeks; the Authority is currently at 59%.   
My officials meet with local planning authorities, including the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, to discuss service delivery performance and areas of improvement.  
My officials are in discussion with the Welsh Local Government Association about an expanded performance framework. 
  
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure that the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority's Planning Policy allows for small Business growth within the park? (WAQ65818)

Answer received on 5 November 2013

Carl Sargeant:  We monitor the production of Local Development Plans to ensure that they conform with national policy. The Inspector’s Report for Brecon Beacons National Park LDP has been issued and has considered these issues.