Written Assembly Questions tabled on 9 March 2017 for answer on 16 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 Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport
Steffan Lewis (South Wales East): What is the Welsh Government's policy for preventing Chronic traumatic encephalopathy among people participating in sport? (WAQ73128)
Answer received on 16 March 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport (Vaughan Gething): The Welsh Government recognises the importance of reducing sports-associated injuries, both for professional sports people and for those who play sport simply for pleasure.
The Sports Collision Injury Collective (SCIC) wrote an open letter to the UK Government and the devolved administrations in 2016, calling for a ban on contact rugby for school age children, citing the dangers of long-term injury to young people, such as concussion. In response, the UK Chief Medical Officers commissioned the UK Physical Activity Expert Committee to consider the evidence presented in the SCIC letter. Following a review of this evidence, the Committee rejected the call to ban tackling, and did not feel that rugby participation poses an unacceptable risk of harm. The Committee also reported that the benefits of experiencing, learning, training and playing rugby, with appropriate supervision, safety and coaching, considerably outweigh the risks of injury.
A recent case series study of a small number of ex-professional football players with a history of dementia found some to have had features of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The researchers made it clear that no firm conclusions could be drawn from this type of study, recognising the need for large-scale case-controlled studies.
The Welsh Government issued guidance on concussion for school and community sport up to the age of 19 in September 2014. This sets out the recognition and management of the symptoms of concussion following a head injury sustained during physical activity in children.
Welsh Government will continue to keep the latest evidence under review, and update guidance as necessary.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm the number of 'flu-related deaths in Wales for the 2016-2017 winter, and advise as to which strain of 'flu each was related to? (WAQ73136)
Answer received on 16 March 2017
The Minister for Social Services and Public Health (Rebecca Evans): The Welsh Government does not hold data on the number of influenza related deaths in Wales for the 2016-17 season.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide a list of which 'flu vaccines were provided by Health Boards in Wales for the 2016-2017 winter? (WAQ73137)
Answer received on 16 March 2017
Rebecca Evans: General practices purchase injectable influenza vaccines for their patients directly from manufacturers. Health boards purchase injectable influenza vaccines for the NHS staff vaccination campaign directly from manufacturers. The Welsh Government does not hold information on which brands of vaccines are purchased.
The Welsh Government provides Fluenz Tetra® nasal spray vaccine to general practices and health boards for the children’s vaccination programme.
Vaccines are produced in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations on which influenza strains should be included in vaccines for the forthcoming winter season. The Welsh Government does not issue guidance on which brands of vaccine should be used.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm that NRW's fire prevention plan relating to the Site Serv Recycling Facility, Llandow, is a working document? (WAQ73129)
Answer received on 22 March 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): SiteServ Recycling (SW) Ltd have a management system in place which includes a Fire Prevention plan. The Fire Prevention plan is a standalone document which sets out the fire prevention measures and procedures to be put in place and used at a site, it is the operator’s plan and not NRW’s.
The operator is required by the Environment Permit to manage and operate activities in accordance with their written management system which identifies and minimises risks of pollution, including those arising from operations, maintenance, accidents, incidents, non-conformances. The management system should include a commitment to continuous improvement of environmental performance, as such it can be reviewed by the operator and is a working document.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm that the waste stored at Hangars A & B is consistently monitored to prevent fire hazards? (WAQ73130)
Answer received on 22 March 2017
Lesley Griffiths: The operator of the site, SiteServ Recycling (SW) Ltd, are required to undertake activities at the site in accordance with their written management system, including any monitoring requirements. Natural Resources Wales undertake regular compliance monitoring to assess the operator’s compliance with the Environment Permit and Operator’s management system.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): In light of a fourth fire at Site Serv Recycling facility, Llandow, will the Cabinet Secretary indicate what fire precautions have been taken/will be taken to prevent the occurrence of future fires? (WAQ73131)
Answer received on 22 March 2017
Lesley Griffiths: The current incident at the facility operated by SiteServ Recycling (SW) Limited is at premises known as Hangars A & B, Triple Crown House, Llantwit Major Road, Llandow. The previous fires were at different permitted sites operated by a different legal entity SiteServ Ltd.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) requested SiteServ Recycling (SW) Ltd to include a fire prevention plan as part of their written management statement. NRW expect the operator to comply with the plan and can take enforcement action if necessary.
NRW’s main focus at the moment is working closely with South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Public Health Wales and Vale of Glamorgan Council to manage the effects of the blaze at the site. They have temporarily suspended part of the Environmental Permit relating to the importation of waste into the fire-affected area of the facility. Once the situation is under control, NRW will undertake a full review of the incident and assess whether any further actions are needed to address the risks posed by the operation. The investigation will consider what lessons can be learned and shared at other permitted facilities.
Welsh Government provided additional funding (2015/16) to support NRW in raising awareness of the Fire Prevention and Mitigation guidance. This included employing a secondee from the Fire and Rescue Service to deliver a prioritised operational work programme at sites identified as high risk and included a series of training events for NRW and Fire officers and operators of permitted waste facilities. SiteServ Recycling (SW) Ltd were invited to the training but did not attend.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm if businesses surrounding the Llandow Site Serv recycling facility will be specifically included in any future fire action plan and, if so, indicate which businesses? (WAQ73132)
Answer received on 22 March 2017
Lesley Griffiths: Once the situation is under control, Natural Resources Wales working in conjunction with the Fire & Rescue Service and Vale of Glamorgan will undertake a full review of the incident and assess whether any further actions are needed to address the risks posed by the operation. This will include consideration of any compliance or enforcement actions required and whether the Permit and Operator's management system is fit for purpose. Assessing the risk of fire at this site, and the potential effects of such a fire on neighbouring premises, is a matter for the South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority.
There are no specific legal requirements to liaise with other businesses either in the Fire Prevention Plan for the Environmental Permit or within the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. Nevertheless, Fire Prevention Mitigation Plans have a requirement which ensure any nearby sensitive receptors are considered should an incident occur. These will include schools, hospitals, residential areas, workplaces, protected habitats, watercourses, roads etc.
The Fire Prevention Mitigation Plan in place at Siteserv Recycling (SW) Ltd identifies the neighbouring Llandow Caravan Park, South Wales Carting Centre and Bryn Sych Farm as potential receptors.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm that safety procedures will be put in place to alert surrounding areas of the Llandow Site Serv recycling facility in the event of another fire? (WAQ73133)
Answer received on 22 March 2017
Lesley Griffiths: As a Category 1 Responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, the Local Authority has a statutory duty to put in place arrangements to make information available to the public about civil protection matters and maintain arrangements to warn, inform and advise the public in the event of an emergency.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What steps is the Cabinet Secretary taking to monitor local authority compliance with 12.1.1 of Planning Policy Wales Edition 9, to ensure adequate and efficient infrastructure including water supply, sewers, waste management, and utilities, is identified as available for all sites allocated under LDPs? (WAQ73134)
Answer received on 22 March 2017
Lesley Griffiths: All Local Development Plans have to demonstrate sufficient infrastructure to support the scale of growth appropriate for the plan to be adopted. Following adoption, it is the responsibility of each Local Planning Authority to monitor the delivery of infrastructure to support the plan through the Annual Monitoring Report, taking corrective action where appropriate.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary outline how the Welsh Government is working to ensure all local authorities in Wales comply fully with 12.1.8 of Planning Policy Wales Edition 9, with particular reference to the need to consult with utilities companies? (WAQ73135)
Answer received on 22 March 2017
Lesley Griffiths: All local planning authorities must consult with sewerage and water undertakers at each statutory stage when preparing a Local Development Plan, as set out in the LDP Regulations (2015). This information is essential to ensure plans can demonstrate they are deliverable, a key test of 'soundness', enabling the plan to be adopted.
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide information on the total cost of the expenses claimed by the Chair of the Future Landscapes Wales working group? (WAQ73144)
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide information on whether review members of the Future Landscapes Wales working group were paid and, if so, how much? (WAQ73145)
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm that no alcohol was paid for by the Welsh Government for the Future Landscapes Wales working group? (WAQ72147)
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide information on whether the Chair of the Future Landscapes Wales working group was paid and, if so, how much? (WAQ73152)
Answer received on 2 March 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): The Chair of the Future Landscapes Wales programme, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM, was not paid and did not claim any expenses.
The members of the Future Landscapes Wales programme were not paid.
No alcohol was paid for by the Welsh Government for the Future Landscapes Wales programme.
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide information on the total cost of the expenses claimed by the Members of the Future Landscapes Wales working group? (WAQ73143)
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide information on the total cost of the review carried out by the Future Landscapes Wales working group? (WAQ73146)
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide information on the costs of accommodation and meals of any overnight meetings of the Future Landscapes Wales working group? (WAQ73148)
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide information on the number of times the Future Landscapes Wales working group met overnight? (WAQ73149)
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide information on where the meetings of the Future Landscapes Wales working group were held? (WAQ73150)
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide information on the total number of times the Future Landscapes Wales working group met? (WAQ73151)
Answer received on 22 March 2017
Lesley Griffiths: The total cost of the Future Landscapes Wales (FLW) programme was £70,555. This included two elements, the FLW working group and the “Landscapes Collaboration Programme” (LCP). The LCP invested in the development of participants and directly supported the activities of a Future Landscapes Wales Working Group.
The costs of expenses for members were met by their host organisations. However, Welsh Government did cover the expenses of a number of individuals who were either not members of an organisation or where individuals were not able to meet their costs. The total cost of these expenses (for both the working group and collaboration programme) was £1,257 for these individuals collectively.
The FLW working group did not meet overnight but members of the development programme attended a two day workshop in Cardiff. The overnight costs associated with the workshop were included as part of the “Landscapes Collaboration Project”.
The FLW working group met eight times in total. The meetings took place via video conference between the Welsh Government regional offices. The working group and development group met together twice in Cardiff Bay.
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the role of local flood forums in Wales? (WAQ73153)
Answer received on 22 March 2017
Lesley Griffiths: Whilst there is no statutory requirement for local flood forums in Wales, we welcome their role in community engagement where there is a risk of flood. I welcome the establishment of Fairbourne Moving Forward in Gwynedd as an example of a local forum helping to communicate messages around risk and raise relevant flood and coastal issues with risk management authorities.
NRW engages with communities through their Flood Awareness Wales programme. This offers proactive support before a flood in developing flood plans, supporting the network of volunteers and flood leads, and providing flood advice through engaging with communities such as door knocks in at risk areas.
NRW provides advice and support during and after a flood, including setting up a flood group and signposting the public to the National Flood Forum website.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Further to WAQ70987, will the Cabinet Secretary advise as to how he is continuing to work with the WLGA to reduce the number of outstanding equal pay claims held against local authorities in Wales, confirm as to what specific action he is taking in this regard, and outline how the WLGA are engaging directly with local authorities on this matter? (WAQ73138)
Answer received on 16 March 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Mark Drakeford): As these are matters for which individual local authorities are responsible, my officials liaise periodically with the Welsh Local Government Association to consider if there are any systemic issues with which the Government should engage. The WLGA continues to monitor the number of claims and has regular meetings through the HR Directors network at which such issues are raised. The WLGA confirms that these claims are in respect of historic inequalities from a number of years ago and not a reflection of unequal pay grades today.
The latest information the WLGA has confirms a reduction in the numbers of outstanding claims and that the small number of Local Authorities with outstanding claims are continuing to advance discussions and negotiations with those affected in order to resolve claims speedily and without inappropriate legal costs or delays. The Welsh Government has assisted by accommodating, to date, all requests from Local Authorities in Wales for capitalisation directions to assist with the costs of meeting outstanding claims.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): By local education authority, how many full-time equivalent head teachers were employed in each of the past 5 years? (WAQ73139)
Answer received on 16 March 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Education (Kirsty Williams): The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) headteachers is collected as part of the Pupil Level Annual Schools Census (PLASC).
Full Time Equivalent Headteachers by Local Authority, and Year
The PLASC data regarding the number of FTE headteachers is published annually on the Welsh Government’s Stats Wales website:
https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Education-and-Skills/Schools-and-Teachers/Schools-Census/Pupil-Level-Annual-School-Census/Staff-and-Governors/fteteachers-by-localauthorityregion-category
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): By local education authority, how many full-time equivalent teaching assistants were employed in each of the past 5 years? (WAQ73140)
Answer received on 16 March 2017
Kirsty Williams: The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) teaching assistants is collected as part of the Pupil Level Annual Schools Census (PLASC).
Full Time Equivalent Teaching Assistants and Higher Level Teaching Assistants by Local Authority and Year
The PLASC data regarding the number of FTE teaching assistants is published annually on the Welsh Government’s Stats Wales website:
https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Education-and-Skills/Schools-and-Teachers/Schools-Census/Pupil-Level-Annual-School-Census/Staff-and-Governors/ftesupportstaff-by-localauthorityregion-category
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): By local education authority, how many full-time equivalent teachers were employed in each of the past 5 years? (WAQ73141)
Answer received on 16 March 2017
Kirsty Williams: The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) teachers is collected as part of the Pupil Level Annual Schools Census (PLASC).
Full Time Equivalent Teachers¹ by Year and Local Authority.
1.FTE teachers include all qualified teachers including; headteachers, acting headteachers, deputy headteachers, assistant headteachers and other qualified teachers.
The PLASC data regarding the number of FTE teachers is published annually on the Welsh Government's Stats Wales website:
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): By local education authority, how many schools have been closed in each year since 1999? (WAQ73142)
Answer to follow.