​Written Assembly Questions tabled on 11 October 2016 for answer on 18 October 2016

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 Economy and Infrastructure

 
Sian Gwenllian (Arfon): In light of the Programme for Government's objective of 'ensuring improved access to active travel', what measures have been included in the government's plans for the Caernarfon/Bontnewydd by-pass to improve access to cyclists and walkers alongside the road generally and specifically around the Tafarn y Goat roundabout in Llanwnda? (WAQ71189)W

Answer received on 23 October 2017

he Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (he Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): Our contractors and their design consultants have given consideration to active travel in a number of ways. 

Through consultation with Gwynedd Council and other key stakeholders, opportunities for maintaining and enhancing the provision for pedestrian, cycling and equestrian users were identified and assessed.  This informed the design on which the published draft Orders and Environmental Statement was based.  Consultation is continuing and the provisions are under review as part of the ongoing design process.  

Generally, where the scheme crosses existing user routes, these will be maintained by the provision of a range of measures which include new bridges, underpasses and toucan crossings.  We have introduced a new non-vehicle bridge over the bypass to the west of Bontnewydd which creates a new safer route for walkers and cyclists.

At Tafarn y Goat roundabout users will cross the existing A487 trunk road via a controlled crossing with 'Toucan' traffic signals suitable for pedestrians and cyclists.  They will not have to cross the new Bypass or the existing A499 road to Pwllheli. 

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What assessment has the Minister made of the annual income that will come from business rates from wind energy sites? (WAQ71185)

Answer received on 15 October 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Mark Drakeford): The Welsh Government does not hold data on the non-domestic rates (NDR) liability of the wind energy sector. The annual NDR revenue from wind energy sites will depend on the rateable value of the individual sites following the 2017 revaluation, the multiplier set for 2017-18 and whether the ratepayer is eligible for any relief, for example Small Business Rates Relief.
 

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Education

Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What consideration has the Welsh Government given to extending the remit of the Education Workforce Council to include professional standards and the quality assurance of continuing professional development for those registered with the organisation? (WAQ71186)

Answer received on 20 October 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Education (Kirsty Williams): The Welsh Government must allow the Education Workforce Council (EWC) the appropriate time to bed in as an organisation and concentrate on its main role as a regulatory body before we can consider extending its current remit. The EWC’s register of practitioners has substantially increased since it was established in April 2015, and it is set to increase further from April 2017; when and subject to the approval of the National Assembly for Wales, Youth Workers, Youth Support Workers and Work Based Learning practitioners will be required to register.
The EWC are heavily involved in the development of the Professional Learning Passport which will help practitioners in recording and reflecting upon the development of their practice at different career stages. The Welsh Government is also currently consulting on proposals to transfer the role for the accreditation of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) to the EWC, as recommended by Professor Furlong.
The Welsh Government is embarking on a major reform of education and this requires a step change approach. Any further extension of the EWC’s powers will be subject to a public consultation.

Dai Lloyd (South Wales West): Will the Minister provide an update with regards to discussions that the Welsh Government has had with, or representations made to, the BBC with regards to the development of a 'Wales at Six' news programme? (WAQ71187)

Answer received on 17 October 2016

The Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language (Alun Davies): Welsh Ministers have regularly stressed to the BBC Management that the portrayal and representation of Wales must improve including its news output. This was again reflected in my letter on 14 October to Tony Hall, the Director-General of the BBC.

We have ongoing discussions with the BBC and other Public Service Broadcasters about how Welsh citizens can have better access to local, national and international news. It is vital that viewers in Wales receive sufficient news and current affairs programming to reflect what is happening in the rest of the United Kingdom. In the same way it is vital that Wales is properly portrayed and represented on network news and that viewers in the rest of the United Kingdom see what is happening in Wales.

We recognise and appreciate the key role played by the BBC and others such as ITV Cymru Wales, as providers of news coverage, about Wales, for the Welsh people. The BBC remains the most significant provider of both non-network television news and current affairs programming in Wales and we acknowledge that the BBC has been the main driver of the improvements in coverage of devolved political issues in Wales which have been achieved since the publication of the King report. However, some improvements are still urgently required. Wales continues to be is under-represented, even when stories are relevant across the UK. The portrayal of Wales in UK media does not reflect the cultural diversity and richness of the nation.

We have worked hard during the BBC Charter review process to ensure that the BBC's mission, public purposes and creative remit were significantly strengthened in the new Charter. I am satisfied that they now clearly and effectively mandate the BBC to deliver much more for Wales. In Tony Hall's letter to the First Minister on 12 May, he recognised that the portrayal and representation of Wales and the other devolved nations must improve. The Welsh Government therefore look forward to these  commitments being delivered upon.
 

Darren Millar (Clwyd West): By Welsh local authority and further to the Welsh Government announcement in December 2011, how much funding has been released to date as part of the 21st Century School Programme and for which projects? (WAQ71188)

Answer received on 17 October 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Education (Kirsty Williams):  The 21^st Century Schools and Education Programme is a strategic capital investment Programme that will see investment of £1.4 billion over the five year period ending 2019.  
 
Each local authority area in Wales has a funding envelope agreed in principle. Individual schemes within the envelope are then approved for release of funding subject to the provision of an appropriate business case.  Following approval of business cases, funding is drawn down by local authorities as projects progress through construction.
 
The Welsh Government provides 50% funding, with remaining funding provided by local authorities and others. 
 
Since the launch of the programme 117 educational projects have been approved; this represents 78% of the programme target of 150 with two and a half years remaining. Local authority projects account for 112 of those approved to date
 
The table below shows all projects approved since the launch of the 21^st Century Schools and Education Programme, which are match funded by local authorities.