Written Assembly Questions tabled on 1 March 2016 for answer on 8 March 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 Natural Resources
William Powell (Mid and West Wales): Does the new Local Energy service provide for the same support from technical development officers as Ynni'r Fro did? (WAQ69939)
Answer received on 11 March 2016
The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant):
Yes. Local Energy development officers provide the same level of support that was available under the Ynni'r Fro programme.
The resource available has increased from the equivalent of 4 full time staff under the Ynni'r Fro programme to the equivalent of 5 full time staff under the Local Energy service. Under the Local Energy service, development officers are also able to call on a greater range of technical and financial support to help communities with their project.
William Powell (Mid and West Wales): How many staff are employed by the Local Energy Service and how many staff were employed by Ynni'r Fro? (WAQ69940)
Answer received on 11 March 2016
Carl Sargeant:
Under the Local Energy service, the equivalent of 8.2 full time staff are employed. Under Ynni'r Fro, the equivalent of 6.4 staff were employed.
William Powell (Mid and West Wales): How many Ynni'r Fro funded projects are currently operational? (WAQ69941)
Answer received on 11 March 2016
Carl Sargeant:
In total there are six Ynni'r Fro projects which are now generating energy, with a further two starting to generate this spring.
William Powell (Mid and West Wales): Does the new Local Energy service have the capacity to offer financial assistance via loans and grants to incentivise community energy projects? (WAQ69942)
Answer received on 11 March 2016
Carl Sargeant:
The new Local Energy service provides financial support for all stages of development. The mix of grants and loans can be tailored to suit individual projects to maximise local benefits.
Janet Haworth (North Wales): Will the Minister outline how much annual income Natural Resources Wales has accrued from recreation and tourism for the years 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015 to date? (WAQ69947)
Answer received on 11 March 2016
Carl Sargeant: The following table is an annual breakdown of income Natural Resources Wales has earned from recreation and tourism:
| Financial Year | Amount |
| 2013-14 | £1 647 786 |
| 2014-15 | £1 653 631 |
| 2015-16 (as of January) | £1 477 691 |
Janet Haworth (North Wales): Will the Minister outline how much annual income Natural Resources Wales has accrued from its energy generation projects for the years 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015 to date? (WAQ69948)
Answer received on 11 March 2016
Carl Sargeant: The following table is an annual breakdown of income Natural Resources Wales has received from energy generation:
| Financial Year | Amount |
| 2013-14 | £5 940 000 |
| 2014-15 | £7 552 000 |
| 2015-16 (as of February) | £5 353 000 |
To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister outline what road infrastructure and other transport infrastructure improvements have been agreed in relation to the Welsh Government's Aston Martin announcement last week, including the associated cost implications? (WAQ69943)
Answer received on 8 March 2016
The Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): My officials will make a planning application to the Vale of Glamorgan Council for the construction of a new access road from the B4265 which will enable commercial traffic to the St Athan site to avoid the restricted height railway bridge on the existing access, also releasing land for housing.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister outline what monies have been made available to Aston Martin in relation to Welsh Government grants and training? (WAQ69944)
Answer received on 8 March 2016
Edwina Hart: The financial terms agreed with Aston Martin are commercially confidential.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister outline what monies have been offered in relation to loans and/or grants to Aston Martin to secure the 750 jobs in St Athan? (WAQ69945)
Answer received on 8 March 2016
Edwina Hart: The financial terms agreed with Aston Martin are commercially confidential.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister outline the impact last week's Aston Martin announcement will have on St Athan's designated status as a specific aviation enterprise zone? (WAQ69946)
Answer received on 8 March 2016
Edwina Hart: Aston Martin's investment is great news for the Cardiff Airport and St Athan Enterprise Zone, and for Wales more generally. It aligns with the Zone's focus on leading edge engineering, manufacturing and materials. The presence of Aston Martin will support and compliment the renewed focus on both Airport assets and their surrounds.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): What plans does the Welsh Government and NHS have in place to allow standard functioning of A&E departments during major emergency incidents? (WAQ69938)
Answer received on 11 March 2016
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): Health boards work in collaboration to respond to the major incident and maintain normal services, where possible.
Nominated hospitals will receive casualties related to an incident and other A&E units will continue to operate as normal to manage every day demand for emergency care.