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Written Assembly Questions tabled on 3 March 2015 for answer on 10 March 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

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Since the implementation of the Control of Horses (Wales) Act 2014, on how many occasions have disputes between the owner of a horse and a local authority been referred to the Welsh Government for resolution? (WAQ68436)

Answer received on 5 March 2015

The Deputy Minister for Farming and Food (Rebecca Evans): There have been no referrals since the implementation of the Control of Horses (Wales) Act 2014. 

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What assessment has the Welsh Government made as to the readiness of local authorities in Wales to enforce the Control of Horses (Wales) Act 2014, and whether any resource implications exist for the powers to be utilised? (WAQ68437)

Answer received on 5 March 2015      

The Deputy Minister for Farming and Food (Rebecca Evans): The Act provides local authorities with discretionary powers to help deal with the problem of fly grazing and abandonment. The provisions of the legislation are such that using the Act provides a simpler and more cost effective means of addressing the problem than existed prior to the Act coming into force.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Does the Welsh Government plan to hold discussions with local authorities regarding any barriers that may exist to them utilising powers under the Control of Horses (Wales) Act 2014? (WAQ68438)

Answer received on 5 March 2015

The Deputy Minister for Farming and Food (Rebecca Evans): Engagement between local authorities and Welsh Government officials on the interpretation of the Act has been ongoing since the Act came into force. Local authorities have also been invited to share best practice through the provision of case studies with the intention of helping to continually develop and improve guidance. A commitment has also been given by the Welsh Government to fully review the Act within 3 years of its commencement.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Since the introduction of the Control of Horses (Wales) Act 2014, on how many occasions has the Welsh Government provided funding to local authorities to assist with meeting of veterinary, removal, disposal and other costs in line with the provisions of this legislation? (WAQ68439)

Answer received on 5 March 2015

Rebecca Evans: The Welsh Government has assisted one local authority with funding under the Act to enable a resolution to be found to fly grazing and abandonment on common land. In addition, funding was provided in advance of the Bill coming into force to two further local authorities in order to resolve major welfare incidents that were directly connected to fly grazing activity.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What financial support does the Welsh Government offer home owners in relation to the installation or purchase of new boilers? (WAQ68440)

Answer received on 9 March 2015

The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant): The Welsh Government’s energy efficiency programme, that includes Nest and Arbed, carries out a whole house assessment to look at what energy efficiency measures may be suitable for each home eligible under the schemes. As part of this assessment a new boiler may be recommended and installed free of charge. People cannot specifically apply for a new boiler. Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty launched a new scheme in January providing interest free loans to home owners of sub standard properties to bring the quality of housing up to a decent standard. This would include energy efficiency works.

To ask the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister outline the costs of the instruction of Ipsos MORI and Wavehill in the process evaluation of the Communities First programme referred to in her statement on 3 March? (WAQ68441)

Answer received on 9 March 2015

The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty (Lesley Griffiths): The total cost of the Ipsos Mori/Wavehill Communities First Evaluation Contract (excluding VAT) was £77,795.

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills

Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister provide the total cost of the Education Begins at Home advertising campaign? (WAQ68442)

Answer received on 9 March 2015

The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): Since its launch in May 2014 the total cost of the advertising campaign has been £399,500 including VAT. 

To ask the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport

Lynne Neagle (Torfaen): Will the Minister make a statement giving details of any plans that are currently under consideration to introduce new charges at any of the sites run by National Museums and Galleries of Wales? (WAQ68434)

Answer received on 13 March 2015

The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism (Ken Skates): Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, like all public sector organisations, has and continues to face a challenge to live within its means. This is against a backdrop of much-reduced funding to the Welsh Government from Westminster. While we have sought to protect cultural budgets to a much greater extent than across the border, we have had to pass some of those reductions on to the bodies we fund, including the Museum.

To date, the Museum has made significant savings by reducing staffing costs through a voluntary redundancy programme and is continuing to look at options to further reduce these costs. However it is also continuing to look at options to increase income. A package of measures is under consideration by the Museum’s Board, which has a duty to ensure it remains within its budgetary allocation. This includes examining the possibility of introducing a charge for visitors to undertake the underground tour at Big Pit: National Coal Museum.

It is common practice for national museums offering universal free access to the national collections to charge for ‘premium’ exhibitions or experiences. However, further work needs to be carried out to look at charging levels and concessions. I am committed to ensuring that visitors from less well-off backgrounds are not disadvantaged if a premium charging model is adopted for events or activities.

I have recently met the Museum to discuss their budgetary situation and am in close contact through my officials to monitor the situation at Big Pit and elsewhere.

The Framework Document, which sets out the relationship between the Welsh Government and the Museum, states that ‘the Museum must obtain written approval in advance of proceeding with any proposal which could be reasonably be considered to be novel, contentious or repercussive’. I will be writing to the Museum shortly on this matter.

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn): Further to WAQ68414, the Minister clarify where the £205 million to be spent between now and June 2016 has been earmarked in the 2015/16 budget? (WAQ68435)

Answer received on 10 March 2015

The Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology (Julie James): To clarify the response provided in WAQ68414, the £205m project cost relates to the full cost over the entire period of the project from June 2013 to June 2016. The current profiled cost of the project in 2015/16 is included within the WG published budget line under the Action for ICT Infrastructure.

Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What is the contract duration of the Superfast Cymru Infill project? (WAQ68443)

Answer received on 10 March 2015

The Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology (Julie James): We are aiming to award the contract for the business premises element of phase one of the Infill project later this spring. It is scheduled for completion by the end of June 2016. We are currently negotiating the terms for the remaining premises. Phase two is due to start following the completion of the Superfast Cymru project. It is currently in development therefore the exact duration has yet to be defined.

Russell George (Montgomeryshire): How many residential premises in Montgomeryshire fall within Phase 1 of the Superfast Cymru Infill project? (WAQ68444)

Answer received on 10 March 2015

Julie James: 202 residential premises in Montgomeryshire fall within Phase 1 of the Superfast Broadband Infill Project.

Russell George (Montgomeryshire): How many business premises in Montgomeryshire will fall within phase 1 of the Superfast Cymru Infill project? (WAQ68445)

Answer received on 10 March 2015

Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What percentage of premises in Montgomeryshire will have access to fibre broadband at the conclusion of the Superfast Cymru project on 30 June 2016? (WAQ68446)

Answer received on 10 March 2015

Julie James: Until the project is complete it is not possible to say what percentage of premises will have access to fibre broadband in Montgomeryshire. However, we are working to give, when combined with commercial roll-out, 96% of premises in Wales access to fast fibre broadband.

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Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What steps are being taken by the Welsh Government to ensure all new buses in Wales announce their next stop and final destination for the benefit of blind and partially sighted people? (WAQ68447)

Answer received on 9 March 2015

The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport  (Edwina Hart): I am encouraging bus operators in Wales to invest in ‘Talking Bus’ technology as buses are replaced. I have asked RNIB Cymru and Guide Dogs for the Blind Cymru to provide bus operators with a better understanding of need for this technology.

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister state the number of sufferers from deafblindness in Wales? (WAQ68448)   

Answer received on 9 March 2015

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): At 31 March 2014, 307 people in Wales were reported as deafblind on local authority registers of people with physical or sensory disabilities.

To ask the Minister for Public Services

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that all street furniture and signs within our town centres and high streets are situated with some due regard and diligent consideration for the safety and well-being of those with partial sight and or blindness and the disabled? (WAQ68449)   

Answer received on 9 March 2015

The Minister for Public Services (Leighton Andrews): There is a range of guidance issued by the Welsh Government’s Planning and Transport departments on the use of street furniture and street signage. It is a matter for individual Authorities to ensure they are complying with the relevant statutory requirements and taking account of the available guidance.

Authorities have a statutory duty to protect children and vulnerable adults. They also have a duty to promote the social, economic and environmental well-being of their communities.