19/03/2008 - Answers issued to Member on 19 March 2008

Answers issued to Members on 19 March 2008

[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 Heritage

Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs

Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport

Nicholas bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister outline his plans for the economic regeneration of Blaenau Ffestiniog? (WAQ51503)

The Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport (Ieuan Wyn Jones): The Assembly Government’s plans for economic regeneration are set out in 'One Wales’. In Blaenau Ffestiniog, a partnership of public, private and community sector organisations, including my Department, are developing a programme that addresses the holistic regeneration of the area.  

David Melding (South Wales Central): Under Entrepreneur Action’s High Growth Programme, how many businesses have been supported and how many jobs created, and will he make a statement? (WAQ51508)

The Deputy First Minister: Under the Entrepreneur Action High Growth Programme 73 businesses have been supported creating 192 jobs. The Welsh Assembly Government has written to businesses registered on the High Growth Programme offering those businesses a new package of support in the form of a grant in a sum equivalent to the balance of support to which each of those businesses would have been entitled under the High Growth Programme. The Assembly Government is under no legal obligation to offer this support, but believes it is the right thing to do for the continued growth of these businesses.

David Melding (South Wales Central): What was the extent of the funding provided to Entrepreneur Action by the Welsh Assembly Government and what amounts were outstanding at the time of Entrepreneur Action’s liquidation? (WAQ51509)

The Deputy First Minister: The money paid to Entrepreneur Action for activity under the High Growth Programme from 22 December 2004 to the date of liquidation on February 19, 2008 was £2,593,436 (VAT included). Invoices to the value of £10,005 were outstanding on this contract at the time of liquidation.

The money paid by the Welsh Assembly Government to Entrepreneur Action for Enterprise Support Services delivered in North Wales between 1 April 2005 and the date of liquidation on February 19, 2008 was £343,090 (VAT included). No payments were outstanding on these contracts at the time of liquidation.

The money paid by the Welsh Assembly Government to Entrepreneur Action for Enterprise Support Services delivered in South East Wales between 1 April 2005 to the date of liquidation on February 19 2008 was £2,852,800 (VAT included). No payments were outstanding on these contracts at the time of liquidation.

David Melding (South Wales Central): What assessment has been made or is planned to establish the scale of losses suffered by private sector providers contracted to Entrepreneur Action? (WAQ51510)

The Deputy First Minister: The Welsh Assembly Government is not in a position to make an assessment of Entrepreneur Actions liabilities to third party organizations.

David Melding (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on the difficulties faced by Entrepreneur Action including an indication when his department were made aware of the financial difficulties facing Entrepreneur Action? (WAQ51511)

The Deputy First Minister: Entrepreneur Action and Entrepreneur Action High Growth Services were independent limited liability companies that bid for business support contracts awarded by the former Welsh Development Agency.

My department were verbally informed of the financial difficulties facing Entrepreneur Action by representatives of the Board of Entrepreneur Action on 5 February 2008. The Board subsequently notified the Welsh Assembly Government in writing on 19 February 2008 of their intention to place the companies into voluntary liquidation with immediate effect.

The Welsh Assembly Government has acted properly throughout in terms of management of the contracts to ensure proper stewardship of public funds.

Alun Cairns (South Wales West): What plans does the Minister have to invest any of his budget in the further redevelopment of Barry waterfront? (WAQ51525)

The Deputy First Minister: Decisions on budget allocations for regeneration projects will be announced in due course.

Irene James (Islwyn): Will the Minister clarify when Crosskeys Halt on the Ebbw Valley Line will open to passenger services? (WAQ51526)

The Deputy First Minister: Crosskeys Station is scheduled to open in May 2008. An opening date will be announced in April 2008 when more precise information is available.  

Irene James (Islwyn): What discussions has the Minister had with Blaenau Gwent Council, Network Rail, Arriva Trains and other stakeholders on the possibility of direct train services between Newport and Ebbw Vale? (WAQ51527)

The Deputy First Minister: No formal discussions have taken place. My officials are currently awaiting the outcome of the feasibility study about reinstating Gaer Junction from Network Rail.

Irene James (Islwyn): Will the Minister provide an update on the progress to dual the A465 Heads of the Valleys road between Hirwaun and Abergavenny? (WAQ51540)

The Deputy First Minister: The section currently under construction between Abergavenny and Gilwern is scheduled to be fully open to traffic in May. The remaining schemes will be delivered subject to obtaining the necessary statutory consents.

Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Assembly Government’s contribution to the UK Government’s commitment that the UK Government estate would be carbon neutral by 2012? (WAQ51515)

The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing (Jane Davidson): The UK Government target for the carbon neutrality of its estate does not apply directly to the Assembly Government.

The Assembly Government made its own commitment in One Wales to setting targets on the carbon neutrality of public buildings and to setting targets for emission reduction from the public sector as part of the commitment to a 3% emission reduction in areas of devolved competence.

The Assembly Government has commissioned a detailed review of its estate and emission reduction options. Work is underway to assess the options and the implementation of the emission reduction actions.

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Assembly Government’s ambition that new buildings are constructed to zero carbon standards from 2011 onwards? (WAQ51516)

Jane Davidson: Our aspiration is for all new buildings in Wales to be zero carbon from 2011. We are pursuing devolution of the Buildings Regulations to help us achieve this and we are using Assembly Government projects and programmes to trial technologies and methodologies and develop our strategy for higher standards.

We recognise that this ambition is very challenging and we are committed to working with industry and other stakeholders to look at the implications of higher standards for skills and quality, technologies and costs.

I have asked the Sustainable Development Commission to lead on engaging with a range of stakeholders, including industry and the skills sector - both professional and trade - so that we can work positively with businesses to demonstrate how the standards can be met cost-effectively and to put Welsh businesses in a position to take advantage of the market opportunities.    

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): What representations has the Minister received with regards to the Welsh Assembly Government’s ambition that new buildings are constructed to zero carbon standards from 2011 onwards? (WAQ51517)

Jane Davidson: I have had a number of representations from a range of different stakeholders; the majority supportive of our ambition.

Some industry representatives have expressed concerns about the implications of achieving the ambition, which I recognise is very challenging.  

I have also received representations supporting the need to move quickly towards higher sustainability standards. Sir John Houghton highlighted this issue in his presentation to the Climate Change Commission for Wales on 12 March.

The Assembly Government is committed to working with industry and other stakeholders to look at the implications of higher standards for skills and quality, technologies and costs. I have also reassured stakeholders that any changes we may make to the Building Regulations will be subject to a comprehensive formal consultation exercise and regulatory impact assessment.   

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): What discussions has the Minister had with the Confederation of British Industry with regards to the Welsh Assembly Government target for zero carbon buildings by 2011? (WAQ51518)

Jane Davidson: I have discussed this issue of zero carbon buildings with the CBI on a number of occasions. The CBI is generally supportive of the Assembly Government’s desire to move to zero carbon new buildings, but have expressed concerns about the implications of achieving our 2011 zero carbon ambition.

The Assembly Government is committed to working with industry and other stakeholders to look at the implications of higher standards for skills and quality, technologies and costs. I have also reassured stakeholders that any changes we may make to the Building Regulations will be subject to a comprehensive formal consultation exercise and regulatory impact assessment.   

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): How many affordable houses have been built in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park each year for the last 5 years? (WAQ51528)

The Deputy Minister for Housing (Jocelyn Davies): I understand from information provided by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority in October 2007 that they completed a total of 11 affordable housing units in the last five years. The Housing statistics collected by the Assembly Government are currently being reviewed and it is intended that detailed information on affordable housing will be collected in future to enable local authorities’ performance in this important area to be monitored.

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Can you please confirm whether or not an audit is being undertaken within the National Parks in Wales in reference to their planning policies? (WAQ51529)

Jane Davidson: At the request of the Welsh Assembly Government the Wales Audit Office will undertake, in the autumn of this year, a review of the planning services of the three National Park Authorities in Wales. The review will specifically assess the impact of the improvements being made by the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority as well as aiming to identify good practice which might usefully be shared between the Park Authorities, and more widely.  

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Jonathan Morgan (Cardiff North): What was the spending per NHS Trust on a) agency nurses and b) bank nurses in the last full financial year and so far in this financial year for when figures are available? (WAQ51505)

Jonathan Morgan (Cardiff North): What was the spending per LHB on a) agency nurses and b) bank nurses in the last full financial year and so far in this financial year for when figures are available? (WAQ51507)

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Edwina Hart): The spend on agency nurses in 2006/07 per NHS Trust / LHB was as follows:

Source: NHS Wales Financial Returns for Annual Accounts 2006/07

Audited data for spend on agency nurses per NHS Trust / LHB in 2007/08 is not currently available. Information on expenditure on bank nurses is not collected by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Jonathan Morgan (Cardiff North): What plans does the Assembly Government have to extend the All Wales Agency Nursing Contract to cover agreements or arrangements reached by LHBs? (WAQ51506)

Edwina Hart: The All Wales Agency Nurses Contract commenced on 1 September 2006 and was awarded for a period of up to four years. The contract was primarily intended for use by NHS Trusts but all LHB’s were invited to participate in the process prior to tendering. The subsequent contact includes a clause that allowes LHB’s full participation at any time during the life of the contact.

The All Wales Agency Nurses Contract Steering Group who manage the contract has report that a number of LHB’s are now working towards or actively participating in, the contract. The situation is being monitored.

Ann Jones (Vale of Clwyd): What assessment has the Minister made of the implementation of the National Service Framework for Older People? (WAQ51532)

The Deputy Minister for Social Services (Gwenda Thomas): This National Service Framework (NSF) sets a 10 year framework for improvement based on national evidence based standards for the health and social care of older people in Wales. Based on a comprehensive analysis from the first 18 months of implementation, generally good progress is being made against the initial actions, targets and deadlines. The analysis is derived from an all-Wales database, the Self Assessment Audit Tool (SAAT), which provides an extensive set of data on the status of implementation by local health boards, NHS Trusts and local authorities across all of the 10 NSF standards. Based on the SAAT analysis, 44% of actions had been largely or fully achieved. Additionally, for a further 46% of actions substantial progress has been made but more work is needed. Although this position is encouraging after 18 months of implementation, it does show that a stronger emphasis on this NSF is needed across Wales by health and social care partnerships to implement all of the standards. I have therefore extended the period by which the Stage 1 actions and targets should be achieved until March 31^st 2009. A further report on the NSF will be published later this year to set out the progress on implementation in 2008-09. A formal review of implementation of the NSF will also be undertaken by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate and Health Inspectorate Wales over the next 18 months.         

Jenny Randerson (Cardiff Central): What plans she has to monitor the development and reconfiguration of a) services for older people, b) services for osteoporosis and falls as part of the implementation work programme for the National Service Framework for older people? (WAQ51533)

Jenny Randerson (Cardiff Central): What support will be provided to LHBs to address any shortfall in services for osteoporosis identified in the audit of services for older people as part of the implementation work programme for the National Service Framework for older people? (WAQ51534)

Edwina Hart: Under the National Service Framework (NSF) it is the responsibility of LHBs, Trusts and Local Authorities to deliver services that meet the requirements of the NSF within their available resources. This includes services for osteoporosis and more generally in respect of the National Standard on Falls and Fractures.

Progress in implementation of the NSF is being measured against the published actions, targets and deadlines. A Self Assessment Audit Tool (SAAT) provides the basis to monitor the status of implementation by local health boards, NHS Trusts and local authorities across all of the 10 NSF standards. It is for these statutory bodies to use this information to consider locally how services for older people including for osteoporosis are developed and delivered.

The Assembly Government’s Service Development and Commissioning Directives for Arthritis and Musculo skeletal conditions provides guidance on tackling osteoporosis by cross referencing relevant actions outlined within the NSF for Older People.

Questions to the Minister for Heritage

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister detail what progress has been made in establishing a Welsh Sports Hall of Fame? (WAQ51535)

The Minister for Heritage (Rhodri Glyn Thomas): The Welsh Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1980. The Hall of Fame owns a significant number of Welsh sporting artefacts which are entrusted to the board of trustees, chaired by Lord Brooks of Tremorfa. I met with Lord Brooks and Geoff Bray, Honorary Secretary, on 25 October 2007. As a result of that meeting my officials at CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales division are in discussion with the trustees regarding the potential digitisation of items of the collection and the possibility of displaying items in a permanent collection at a suitable location.

Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on how many of the 2.5 million doses of the bluetongue vaccine (BTV8) have been reserved by Welsh farmers to date? (WAQ51513)

The Minister for Rural Affairs (Elin Jones): Under European regulations Bluetongue vaccination can only be authorised for use in a Protection Zone. As a Protection Zone has not yet been declared in Wales advance orders are not being taken.