Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 14 October 2009
[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.
[W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
Contents
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport
Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government
To ask the Minister for the Economy and Transport
Mick Bates (Montgomeryshire): How many accidents have been recorded on Moat Lane railway crossing over the A470 in Caersws, Montgomeryshire, over the last two years. (WAQ54969)
Answer issued on 27 October 2009
I have been informed by Network Rail that there have been no road or rail accidents at this location in the past two years.
Mick Bates (Montgomeryshire): How many accidents have been recorded on railway crossings in Wales over the last two years. (WAQ54970)
Answer issued on 27 October 2009
I have been informed by Network Rail that there have been seven accidents (which were all vehicular) in the past two years.
Mick Bates (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister provide an update on the Pont y Werin walking and cycling bridge being developed as part of Sustrans’ Connect2 project in Cardiff. (WAQ54968)
Answer issued on 27 October 2009
The construction of Pont y Werin bridge over the River Ely is progressing according to plan. The piling works on the riverbed have already been completed and the bridge deck is currently being fabricated off-site. Completion of the works is still on course for summer 2010. When completed, the bridge will be an important part of the Sustainable Travel Centre initiative for the Cardiff area.
To ask the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing
Mick Bates (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister provide an update on the implementation of the Community Infrastructure Levy. (WAQ54972)
Answer issued on 16 October 2009
The proposed Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a non-devolved, voluntary charge on development proposals, covering Wales and England. The UK Government’s Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) are consulting on draft regulations and guidance. This consultation closes on the 23 October 2010. Regulations are anticipated to come into force in April 2010.
It would then be for each local planning authority to decide whether it wished to introduce such a levy, linked to an up to date development plan. The draft guidance outlines the procedures to be followed, including provisions for examination of the charging schedule by the Planning Inspectorate.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How many nurses are qualified to prescribe medicines independently and will the Minister provide a breakdown by NHS Trust area and for each year since 2005. (WAQ54964)
Answer issued on 14 October 2009
This information by NHS Trust area is not held centrally.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): When will neurology services resume in Abertawe Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust. (WAQ54965)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What discussions has the Minister had with Abertawe Bro Morgannwg and Cardiff & Vale NHS Trusts regarding the sustainability of temporary arrangements for the delivery of neurology services. (WAQ54966)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): When does the Minister propose to make a statement on the review into neurology services in Swansea. (WAQ54967)
Answer issued on 15 October 2009
The shortage of middle-grade doctors across the UK particularly in some highly specialised areas such as neurosurgery resulted in a short term problem which has impacted on the ability of the NHS to maintain a full neurosurgery service in both Swansea and Cardiff. To the credit of the neurosurgeons in Swansea and Cardiff and with the support of their ABM and Cardiff & Vale Trust Boards, they took the decision in July 2009 to pool their resources to provide a safe service for the small number of patients who may require complex brain surgery using the facilities at University Hospital of Wales. As soon as the patients are clinically stable they are transferred back to Morriston or their Local District General Hospital.
Neurosurgical out-patients appointments, neuro-rehabilitation, other aspects of neurosurgical care and all neurology services continue in Swansea. These are operational matters which are for the Health Boards to resolve and I have not any direct discussion relating to this.
To ask the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government
Mick Bates (Montgomeryshire): What support has the Welsh Assembly Government given to the YMCA in Wales over the past three years. (WAQ54971)
Answer issued on15 October 2009
The YMCA Community College delivers further education provision and receives an annual allocation from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Financial Contingency Fund (FCF). This Fund helps education institutions to provide financial help to students whose access to or completion of further education might be inhibited by financial considerations or who, for whatever reason, including physical or other disabilities, face financial difficulties.
The total received was:
Academic year 2007/08 £6,204
Academic year 2008/09 £5,688
Academic year 2009/10 £6,125
The YMCA has also received the following monies from the Strategic Capital Investment Scheme (SCAPI) for the maintenance of buildings.
2007-08 £6,620
2008-09 £15,144
2009-10 £9,300