​Written Assembly Questions tabled on 7 June 2017 for answer on 14 June 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 Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the planning and promotion of the National Development Framework for Wales, and further indicate when this policy is to take effect as part of planning legislation in Wales? (WAQ73651)
Answer received on 15 June 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): The Statement of Public Participation for the National Development Framework (NDF) sets out the process and timetable for the preparation of the NDF and the actions that will be taken to ensure public participation. It indicates the NDF will be adopted during 2020.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): In light of the Review of Designated Landscapes in Wales, what protections does the Cabinet Secretary intend to put in place with regards to developments on National Park land and SSSIs? (WAQ73652)
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary clarify the meaning of 'Sandford Plus'? (WAQ73653)
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary outline the intended timeline in which to bring forward proposed legislation with regards to the purposes of designated landscapes? (WAQ73654)
Answer received on 15 June 2017
Lesley Griffiths: No changes to the protection of National Park land or SSSI's are planned or required, in light of the Review of Designated Landscapes in Wales.
"Sandford Plus" is a term put forward in the independent report by Professor Terry Marsden, National Landscapes: Realising their Potential. Recommendations 1 and 6 of this report provide an explanation of what the authors meant by the term. The report can be accessed on the Welsh Government website from the link below:
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM will bring the wider partnership together to focus on implementation priorities identified by Future Landscapes. This is scheduled to commence in July 2017.
Any decision on whether to bring forward proposed legislation will be informed by the future work of the group within the context of policies on natural resource management. This would be the subject of further consultation at the earliest possible opportunity.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): How is the Cabinet Secretary working to reduce the cost of regulations on building new homes in Wales? (WAQ73655)
Answer received on 15 June 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children (Carl Sargeant): I liaise with my colleague, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, on matters such as this and she will be writing to the Member in more detail.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide further detail as to his proposals to legislate to require public consultation by local authorities on their annual budget, to include his preferred timeframe for such a consultation? (WAQ73656)
Answer received on 15 June 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Mark Drakeford): A proposed provision to strengthen public engagement in local spending priorities was included in the Draft Local Government (Wales) Bill. This was consulted upon between 24 November 2015 and 15 February 2016. Improving public participation in local democracy continues to form an important aspect of our proposals for local government reform. We recently concluded the consultation on our White Paper Reforming Local Government: Resilient and Renewed. I will set out the way forward once analysis of responses is completed.