Written Assembly Questions tabled on 1 March 2017 for answer on 8 March 2017
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 First Minister
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Referring to his letter FM/01011/15, will the First Minister provide details of the officials and specialist advisors he refers to, indicating their names and specifying the roles they held within the Welsh Government? (WAQ73093)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Referring to information request ATISN10957, will the First Minister provide a list of all meetings that took place between 25 November 2015 and 30 April 2016, providing details of venues and any video/conference calls that may have been held on this matter during this time? (WAQ73094)
Answer received on 16 March 2017
The First Minsiter (Carwyn Jones): The officials and specialist advisors referred to in my letter, reference FM/01011/15, include the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Economy, Skills and Natural Resources, James Price, the Director for Sectors and Business, Mick McGuire and other commercial officials in the Department for Economy and Infrastructure’s Business Solutions Division. The specialist advisors include representatives of Grant Thornton, Price Waterhouse Coopers and Geldards LLP. There will have been a significant amount of meetings and conference calls held between those parties during the periods you have specified. To gather this information would take a disproportionate amount of officials’ time. Officials are not aware of any video calls having taken place.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the shortage of NHS dentists in Dolgellau? (WAQ73091)W
Answer received on 16 March 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport (Vaughan Gething): I am aware a dental practice in Dolgellau has given notice to terminate its contract with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board from 31 March 2017. I understand interim arrangements for the continuation of NHS dental services for the residents of Dolgellau are planned.
When a dental practice decides to reduce or end their NHS commitment the associated funding remains with the health board to re-commission the service. The health board is in the process of tendering for new and additional dental services and has invited applications from dental contractors to increase NHS provision.
The health board has acknowledged access to NHS dental services is not as high as it would like. I expect the health board to replace the lost NHS dental provision in Dolgellau and to review and improve access to NHS primary care dental services through meeting the targets set within its 2016-17 Operational Plan.
Hefin David (Caerphilly): What plans does the Welsh Government have to develop a national arthritis strategy for Wales? (WAQ73095)
Answer received on 6 March 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport (Vaughan Gething): Our Service Development and Commissioning Directive for Arthritis and Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions sets out the Welsh Government's vision for planning and delivering high quality services and support for people living with arthritis and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
Work to refresh the directive has commenced and the revised directive will be published next financial year.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Since the start of 2017, how many times has the Cabinet Secretary met with Betsi Cadwaladwr University Health Board in relation to their Special Measures status? (WAQ73097)
Answer received on 16 March 2017
Vaughan Gething: I have visited North Wales once a month since the start of 2017 and will be undertaking a further visit on 13 March. When I am in the region the visits and meetings with staff include discussions in relation to the progress being made under special measures. My senior officials meet with the health board regularly to discuss special measures including a meeting with its executive team every six weeks.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with Betsi Cadwaladwr University Health Board in relation to ongoing concerns regarding waiting times for orthopaedic treatments? (WAQ73098)
Answer received on 3 March 2017
Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport (Vaughan Gething): I have regular discussions with the Chair of Betsi Cadwaladr UHB. Waiting times form a part of that conversation and the Chair is clear of my expectations to see improvements across all areas by the end of March and going forward.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm how many Basic Payment Scheme claims were paid by the end of January 2017, and advise as to what percentage of claims submitted for this financial year this equates to? (WAQ73096)
Answer received on 16 March 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): As of 31 January, 14,661 (95%) farm businesses had received their 2016 Basic Payment Scheme payment.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Following the recent VOA revaluation, what representations has the Cabinet Secretary made to the UK Government regarding Wales receiving a proportionate amount of the £3.6bn transitional relief promised for businesses in England? (WAQ73092)
Answer received on 16 March 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Mark Drakeford): The transitional rates relief scheme in England is being funded entirely by limiting the reductions for ratepayers who see a fall in their liability as a result of the valuation. As a result there are no funds available to Wales from this approach. In contrast to the self-financing scheme in England, the Welsh Government is fully funding the £10 million transitional relief scheme in Wales so that all ratepayers with a reduction in rateable value will receive the full benefit of this from 1 April 2017. The Welsh Government is also fully funding the £10 million High Street Rates Relief scheme announced in December.