Written Assembly Questions tabled on 16 January 2014 for answer on 23 January 2014
R - Signifies the Member has declared an interest.
W - Signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
(Self identifying Question no. shown in brackets)
To ask the Minister for Culture and Sport
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): What changes to Cadw site opening hours were approved by the Minister in January 2014? (WAQ66268)
Answer received for publication on 22 January 2014
The Minister for Culture and Sport (John Griffiths): Approval was given to reducing the opening hours at the following sites from 7 to 5 days a week in the 2014 shoulder season i.e. outside of the main school holidays :
•Lamphey Bishop’s Palace
•Oxwich Castle
•Rug Chapel
•Valle Crucis
•White Castle
Two additional sites will be staffed and open to the public in 2014, namely Cae’r Gors and Segontium.
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Which Cadw sites will be increasing their admission prices for 2014/15 and by how much? (WAQ66269)
Answer received for publication on 22 January 2014
John Griffiths: Six Cadw sites will be increasing their admission prices for 2014/15 as follows:
| Existing single adult admission | Proposed single adult admission | % increase proposed |
| £ | £ |
|
Beaumaris Castle | 4.50 | 5.25 | 16 |
Caernarfon Castle | 6.00 | 6.75 | 12.5 |
Conwy Castle | 5.75 | 6.75 | 17 |
Castell Coch | 4.50 | 5.50 | 22 |
Tintern Abbey | 4.50 | 5.50 | 22 |
Caerphilly Castle | 4.75 | 5.50 | 16 |
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): How much money will Cadw receive from the Welsh Government in 2013/14 and 2014/15 and how does this compare with 2012/13? (WAQ66270)
Answer received for publication on 23 January 2014
John Griffiths: The following table shows the revenue and capital budget allocations for the previous, current and next financial year:-
| 2012/13 | 2013/14 | 2014/15 |
| £'m | £'m | £'m |
Welsh Government - Revenue | 9.265 | 9.260 | 9.110 |
Welsh Government - Capital | 5.298 | 5.016 | 5.016 |
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): What is the expected increase in Cadw’s income from the 2014/15 admission price rises? (WAQ66271)
Answer received for publication on 23 January 2014
John Griffiths: It is anticipated that this increase should deliver an additional £400k income per annum.
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): How much Welsh Government funding will Cadw receive in 2014/15 and from which funding streams? (WAQ66272)
Answer received for publication on 22 January 2014
John Griffiths: Cadw is a division of Welsh Government and is forecast to receive the budget shown in the table below in 2014/15.
| 2014/15 |
| £'m |
Welsh Government - Revenue | 9.110 |
Welsh Government – Capital | 5.016 |
Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister provide an expected date for the re-release of the Outdoor Recreation Evidence Review, following its withdrawal? (WAQ66276)
Answer received for publication on 27 January 2014
John Griffiths: The Outdoor Recreation Evidence Review was developed and issued by Natural Resources Wales. The decision on whether to re-release, and when, is a matter for NRW.
Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Will the Minister state the reason for the delay of the Green Paper on Access until the Easter recess? (WAQ66277)
Answer received for publication on 27 January 2014
John Griffiths: No decision has been made to release the paper at Easter recess. It will be issued as quickly as possible. Given the level of interest in this work I decided to take more time to consider the views of the wide range of interests who have contributed to the discussions since the review was announced last summer.
To ask the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty
Leanne Wood (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm a) what the budget is for the Discretionary Assistance Fund in 2013-14, b) how many applications have been received since its launch, c) how much has been awarded, d) what the budget is for 2014-15; and e) what plans there are for publicising the scheme? (WAQ66267)
Answer received for publication on 21 January 2014
The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty (Jeff Cuthbert): I can confirm:
a. The budget for the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) is £10.2m in 2013/ 2014.
b. Since the launch of the DAF, up until the end of December 2013, 28,341 applications have been received.
c. A total of £4.8million has been awarded to date.
d. The budget for 2014/15 is £10.2million
e. The scheme is publicised through the work of the Partner Manager who is based at Family Fund. The Partner Manager works closely with organisations to ensure that information about the DAF is communicated to the appropriate agencies. The Partner Manager is also taking forward the development of a diverse partnership network to help support vulnerable adults across Wales to access the DAF. There are now 310 registered partners to the DAF.
To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): How many businesses located in Welsh Enterprise Zones have used Local Development Orders, and will the Minister provide a breakdown of each Enterprise Zone? (WAQ66255)
Answer received for publication on 21 January 2014
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): The take-up of Local Development Orders is a decision for Local Authorities. All Local Authorities within Enterprise Zones are fully aware of the opportunity to use Local Development Orders.
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): How many businesses located in Welsh Enterprise Zones have accessed business support provided by the Welsh Government as part of the Enterprise Zone incentive programme, and will the Minister provide a breakdown of Enterprise Zone? (WAQ66256)
Answer received for publication on 20 January 2014
Edwina Hart: I have published performance indicators and targets against which we will report further progress in May of this year and on an annual basis thereafter.
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Further to the Finance Committee report on Enterprise Zones, will the Minister detail how many businesses located in Welsh Enterprise Zones have established links with academia with the support of the Welsh Government, providing a breakdown of each Enterprise Zone? (WAQ66257)
Answer received for publication on 21 January 2014
Edwina Hart: I have published performance indicators and targets against which we will report further progress in May of this year and on an annual basis thereafter.
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): How many Enterprise Zones have provided Next Generation Broadband for businesses locating in the Zones, and will the Minister provide a breakdown of each Enterprise Zone and anticipated operation date for each Zone? (WAQ66258)
Answer received for publication on 20 January 2014
Edwina Hart: Enterprise Zones are a priority under the Superfast Cymru programme. Our investment with BT will provide equal wholesale access for communications providers ensuring a choice of internet service providers within each zone. It is the role of internet service providers to actually provide next generation services to businesses in all Enterprise Zones, and businesses must order a fast fibre service, upgrade to fibre is not automatic.
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Who has been invited to attend the Welsh Government’s ‘Media Dinner’ on St David’s Day in Ireland? (WAQ66273)
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Who from the Welsh Government will be attending the Welsh Government’s ‘Media Dinner’ on St David’s Day in Ireland? (WAQ66274)
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): How much money has been set aside for the Welsh Government’s ‘Media Dinner’ on St David’s Day in Ireland? (WAQ66275)
Answer received for publication on 21 January 2014 (WAQ66273-275)
Edwina Hart: Ireland remains a key tourism market for Wales. A range of leading Irish media will be invited to the lunch which will be hosted by my CEO of Tourism and Marketing and one other Tourism official. A total cost of £2,000 has been allocated for this event.
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Ann Jones (Vale of Clwyd): What considerations do schools have to give to making adaptations for pupils with a disability when determining their school uniform policy? (WAQ66260)
Ann Jones (Vale of Clwyd): Will the Minister provide the average cost of a full school uniform for pupils in Wales? (WAQ66261)
Ann Jones (Vale of Clwyd): Will the Minister provide the guidance given to local authorities when determining school uniform policy? (WAQ66262)
Answer received for publication on 22 January 2014 (WAQ66260-262)
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): The Equality Act 2010 protects pupils from discrimination based on disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation; these are known as the ‘protected characteristics’.
Section 85 of the Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful for a Governing Body to discriminate against a pupil or a prospective pupil in relation to school admission or in the way it treats a pupil once admitted. This applies to all activities relating to school life, including school uniform and appearance policies. This legislation provides that a school governing body must be non-discriminatory in discharging its responsibilities. Governing Bodies are required to regularly review their practices, policies and procedures to ensure that they do not discriminate against pupils who have a protective characteristic.
The Welsh Government does not hold information on the current average cost of a full school uniform for pupils in Wales. However, we know the cost can be prohibitive for many families and that is why in 2005 we introduced an all Wales school uniform grant scheme to assist families on low incomes with the purchase of school uniform. The scheme is targeted specifically towards pupils entering year 7 of secondary school who are eligible for free school meals. Also eligible are pupils aged 11 at the start of the school year in special schools, special needs resource bases and pupil referral units who are eligible for free school meals.
Welsh Government guidance for governing bodies and headteachers on issues relating to implementing or changing a school uniform and appearance policy can be accessed from the Welsh Government website at:
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/publications/guidance/uniform/?lang=en
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Ann Jones (Vale of Clwyd): Will the Minister outline what he is doing to improve mental health services for prisoners in Wales? (WAQ66263)
Answer received for publication on 21 January 2014
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): Mental Health services within Prisons are the responsibility of Local Health Boards. The Welsh Governments ‘Together for Mental Health Strategy’ makes a clear commitment to enhancing Mental Health services for prisoners, particularly in relation to care planning and accessing treatment.
We have worked over recent months with key stakeholders on how best this is achieved, and there is a current consultation on draft Policy Implementation Guidance which we anticipate will be finalised and published in the spring.
There is also well advanced work on children and young people in the criminal justice systems including prisons, due to be published later this year. We also published guidance last year on the needs of veterans in prison which had some sections on mental health provision.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): By Welsh Local Health Boards, how many tonsillectomies have been performed by the Welsh NHS in each of the past 5 years? (WAQ66278)
Answer received for publication on 23 January 2014
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): The number of hospital admissions for tonsillectomies, split by Local Health Board, is shown in the table below:
Number of hospital admissions for tonsillectomies, split by Local Health Board, 2008/09 – 2012/13
Local Health Board | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | 2010/11 | 2011/12 | 2012/13 |
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University LHB | 817 | 663 | 641 | 639 | 639 |
Aneurin Bevan LHB | 624 | 603 | 496 | 477 | 421 |
Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | 888 | 781 | 791 | 710 | 717 |
Cardiff and Vale University LHB | 580 | 548 | 473 | 375 | 389 |
Cwm Taf LHB | 442 | 415 | 337 | 374 | 363 |
Hywel Dda LHB | 278 | 309 | 292 | 253 | 252 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wales | 3,629 | 3,319 | 3,030 | 2,828 | 2,781 |
Source: Patient Episode Database for Wales (PEDW), NHS Wales Informatics Service
Date Extracted: 17/01/2014
Notes:
Number of admissions for any mention of the tonsillectomy operation codes (codes used between F341 and F349).
Patient class 3 and 4 (regular day and night admissions) are excluded.
Based on Welsh providers only.
No tonsillectomy procedures were carried out in Powys LHB.
Data may be incomplete as further submissions may be received.
Cardiff and Vale have resubmitted some coded data for 2012/13 and further resubmissions are intended that may affect the data. Coding completeness for Cardiff and Vale LHB is currently 92% for 2012/13.
To ask the Minister for Housing and Regeneration
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Does the Welsh Government intend to re-evaluate its onshore windfarm planning guidance? (WAQ66259)
Answer received for publication on 22 January 2014
The Minister for Housing and Regeneration (Carl Sargeant): Reflecting our energy policy, the Welsh Government’s planning policy and guidance on renewable and low carbon energy development, including wind farms, is set out in Planning Policy Wales and Technical Advice Note 8: Renewable Energy. In addition, we have published Practice Guidance to assist local planning authorities prepare local development plan policies and assess planning applications for renewable and low carbon development. I have no intention, at the present time, to undertake a review of our renewable and low carbon energy guidance.
Ann Jones (Vale of Clwyd): Will the Minister provide details of how many affordable houses have been built in each year since 2007? (WAQ66264)
Answer received for publication on 22 January 2014
Carl Sargeant: Information on the number of additional affordable housing units delivered across Wales from 2007-08 to 2012-13 is shown in the following table. The figures include all additional affordable housing units provided through new build, purchase, acquisition, leasing or conversion of existing dwellings. They do not take account of any loss of affordable housing stock through demolitions or sales during the year. Figures for just those provided through new build each year are not separately identifiable.
Additional affordable housing provision in Wales, 2007-08 to 2012-13 (a)
|
|
|
|
|
| Numbers |
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 |
Local Authorities | 42 | 38 | 1 | 89 | 50 | 68 |
Registered Social Landlords | 1,263 | 2,050 | 2,172 | 2,261 | 1,954 | 1,704 |
Other providers (b) | 387 | 455 | 197 | 136 | 428 | 270 |
Wales | 1,692 | 2,543 | 2,370 | 2,486 | (r) 2,432 | 2,042 |
Source: Affordable Housing Provision data collection, Welsh Government
(a) Information taken from returns from local authorities detailing all additional affordable housing provided within their respective areas.
(b) This is the aggregate for all providers other than Welsh local authorities and Welsh registered social landlords. It includes provision by English-registered social landlords in Wales.
(r) Revised October 2013 as part of the validation process for the 2012-13 data collection.
To ask the Minister for Local Government and Government Business
Ann Jones (Vale of Clwyd): What representations has the Minister received from the Chief Executive of the Dinbighshire County Council regarding the local government settlement 2014/15? (WAQ66265)
Answer received for publication on 23 January 2014
The Minister for Local Government and Government Business (Lesley Griffiths): I have not received any representations from the Chief Executive of Denbighshire County Council regarding the Council’s 2014-15 Local Government Settlement.
To ask the Minister for Natural Resources and Food
Janet-Finch Saunders (Aberconwy): What discussions has the Minister had with the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, as regards available funding support, following the recent storms, providing detail on both the nature of those discussions, and agreed outcomes? (WAQ66266)
Answer received for publication on 24 January 2014
Minister for Natural Resources and Food (Alun Davies): We would need to agree an approach for making a case to the EU solidarity fund through the UK Government. My officials have had initial discussions with Defra and the European Commission regarding this fund.. The fund provides financial assistance to disaster-stricken States where there are serious repercussions on living conditions, the natural environment or the econom