Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 24 June 2010
[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.
[W]
signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
Contents
Questions to the First Minister
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 a Representative of the Assembly Commission
Leanne Wood (South Wales Central): How many pieces of written legal advice did (i) the First Minister and (ii) other WAG ministers receive regarding proposals to reorganise primary schools in Treganna and Grangetown, Cardiff and when did they receive them. (WAQ56129) W
Answer
issued on 30 June 2010
I refer you to my reply to WAQs 56103 to 56108.
To ask the Minister for the Economy and Transport
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Given the large increase of disabled parking badges, what consideration has the Minister given to issuing different colour badges in Wales to those seeking temporary disabled parking badges to differentiate between the two categories. (WAQ56125)
Answer
issued on 23 June 2010
The Blue Badge Action Plan, which I published in January 2010, recognises the need for temporary Blue Badges for people with temporary specific mobility problems. As part of developing these proposals consideration will be given as to how to differentiate between categories of badges.
To
ask the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing
Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Does the Welsh Assembly Government have any plans to change the designation of gardens from brownfield sites to tackle the problem of houses being built on gardens in Wales. (WAQ56118)
Answer
issued on 29 June 2010
Planning Policy Wales (2010) states that previously developed (brownfield) land should, wherever possible, be used in preference to greenfield sites. This policy is central to promoting sustainable patterns of development. Gardens are generally considered to be previously developed land and may in certain circumstances be suitable for re use. It is for local planning authorities to determine whether planning applications to build on gardens are acceptable in planning terms taking into account local amenity, impacts on neighbours and other material considerations.
I am aware of the change to policy in England. However, due to lower land values in Wales compared to South East England, I am not aware that development on private gardens is a widespread issue.
Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister advise if any grants or subsidies have been made available by the Welsh Assembly Government for the proposed Gwynt y Mor offshore wind farm. (WAQ56119)
Answer
issued on 29 June 2010
The Welsh Assembly Government has not provided any direct grants or subsidies to developers in relation to the proposed Gwynt y Mor offshore wind development.
To
ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How many Breast Test Wales mobile screening units are currently in operation compared to before the Minister’s latest announcement of funding. (WAQ56120)
Answer
issued on 29 June 2010
Breast Test Wales currently has ten mobile screening units in operation. Three are new units (purchased by the Trust from their discretionary capital) similar in design to the units I announced. The seven new units for which I announced funding last week will replace seven old mobile units which do not have lift access.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm that Breast Test Wales mobile screening units are capable of maintaining current numbers of visits to all existing locations. (WAQ56121)
Answer
issued on 29 June 2010
Breast Test Wales (BTW) is committed to providing screening as close as possible to women’s homes, and has no plans to alter the number of locations visited by its mobiles. However, BTW can only visit locations where suitable sites can be found, and experience in recent years is that negotiating access to appropriate sites is becoming more difficult.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): When will the new Breast Test Wales mobile screening units be operational. (WAQ56122)
Answer
issued on 29 June 2010
The new units will be operational early in 2011.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will Breast Test Wales mobile screening units be visiting Crickhowell, and if not, will the Minister explain why. (WAQ56123)
Answer
issued on 29 June 2010
In the past, finding a suitable site in Crickhowell has been problematic. Sites must have a flat space large enough to manoeuvre and park the unit, which is 12m long and 2.5m wide. They must also be accessible by car and public transport, have good lighting, access to toilets and be reasonably well protected against vandalism. The site must also be made available to Breast Test Wales (BTW) by the owners.
In previous years, BTW has sited a mobile in the pay and display car park in Crickhowell. This site had only a small flat area suitable for parking the van, and the site was close to houses. In order to maintain a fairly constant temperature within the unit and avoid damage to the X-ray equipment on board it is necessary for the generator to work overnight. The unit was in Crickhowell for six weeks and unfortunately, the noise of the generator cycling on and off in the night proved very disturbing for local residents, and the service received a number of complaints from both men and women, including women who were actually using the service. For this reason, when BTW recently screened women from Crickhowell, a decision was made not to use this site. No suitable alternative site could be found in town, and women were asked to travel to Abergavenny.
BTW will continue to search for suitable available sites in Crickhowell with a view to identifying one before women living there are next offered screening.
To
ask the Minister for Heritage
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister state why the Accessible Venues database is not accessible to members of the public through Visit Wales. (WAQ56124)
Answer
issued on 29 June 2010
A new website is currently under construction. Visit Wales has been working on integrating the meetings, cruise and travel trade websites into one 'Business to Business’ site. This has included extensive work to ensure that access data with regards to venues has been integrated into venue searches.
Under the 'advanced search’ option, users will be able to search for venues which are suitable for those with either a mobility, visual or hearing impairment and a venue is not allowed to appear on the site until they have completed an accessibility questionnaire.
While the website is primarily aimed at intermediaries outside of Wales to try and encourage them to hold business events in Wales, it will also be available for members of the public to use.
To
ask the Minister for Rural Affairs
Mick Bates (Montgomeryshire): What assessment was made of the demand for qualified Glastir advisors to assist with the successful implementation of the Glastir scheme. (WAQ56127)
Answer
issued on 29 June 2010
Glastir represents a major change for farmers, for stakeholders and for officials. Working closely with the Farming Unions and other interested parties, officials have developed a programme of training and communication activities designed to impart information and knowledge in an easily digestible way, at the point in the process it’s needed.
Officials have developed and are now rolling-out a comprehensive training plan - including on-farm provision (a summer training programme) - working with a number of providers lead by IBERS, Pembrokeshire College and FWAG.
The aim of the summer training programme, some 40 events in total, is to provide farmers, other interested groups and front line officials, with the environmental skills and knowledge necessary to enable farmers to successfully complete the All Wales element Glastir application in September of this year.
Following the posting in September of Glastir application packs to those farmers who expressed an interest in joining the scheme on their 2010 Single Application forms (SAF), the Farm Liaison Service will hold twenty or so Glastir "surgeries” across Wales to help farmers with the application process.
Contract Managers (formerly Project Officers under the Tir Gofal scheme) will be available to assist farmers to come into the Targeted element of Glastir whilst Commons Development Officers will be available to assist graziers to establish Grazing Associations - a pre-requisite to applying to join the All Wales Common Land element of Glastir.
Mick Bates (Montgomeryshire): What is the recruitment process for Glastir advisors to assist with the successful implementation of the Glastir scheme. (WAQ56128)
Answer
issued on 29 June 2010
Glastir will be delivered using existing resources including Farming Connect and Tir Gofal Project Officers.
Arrangements for the recruitment of the Development Officers for assisting with the development of Grazing Associations are underway with the aim of having the officers in place in the autumn. As we need to work at the very local level to ensure this process is successful we have decided to adopt the Leader approach and will be working closely with the Axis 4 Local Action Groups.
To
ask a Representative of the Assembly Commission
Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Assembly Commission outline its policy for disability access to the Senedd building for visitors. (WAQ56126)
Answer
issued on 22 June 2010
Assembly Commissioner for the Sustainable Assembly, Lorraine Barrett AM: The Assembly is committed to ensuring access to the Assembly, and all its services, to all the people of Wales. This commitment is enshrined in the Government of Wales Act and the Commission’s strategic values for equality. The Assembly provides training for all front line staff, which includes the delivery of services to people with impairments and Disability Equality Training. In addition, some of the front line staff have attained their British Sign Language level one certificate.
There are twelve disabled car parking bays alongside the Senedd in Pierhead Street. Disabled visitors who are attending Plenary, a committee meeting or a pre-arranged tour of the Senedd can reserve parking through the Assembly booking line. Visitors must be able to display their disabled parking badge (blue badge) on arrival. Casual visitors with disabilities are able to use the accessible spaces if they are available.
The Senedd was designed to provide good access for disabled people. Accordingly, the entrance to the Senedd can be accessed via steps, a ramp and a lift.
Within the building, lifts are provided to all levels to facilitate access and Braille signage is provided. All assistance dogs for disabled people are admitted into the Assembly buildings. There are designated wheelchair spaces in Public Galleries and loop induction is fitted to all translation equipment.
The Senedd was the first public building in Wales to be fitted with a Changing Places facility. This includes an adult size changing bed, a portable hoist, a larger toilet facility that can accommodate two personal assistants, the hoist and the individual with comfort and ease. There are also five wheelchair accessible toilets within the building.
The Assembly Commission has an Accessibility Statement which is currently being updated. The Statement has been designed to provide information for service users, witnesses and speakers and to enable individuals to visit the Assembly estate and access the available services. Individuals are also invited to discuss any specific requirements with the Assembly Booking Line or the Equality and Access Team and all reasonable requests will be met whenever possible and practicable.
The Assembly produces information for the public in many different formats, including publications, public information leaflets, letters, consultation documents, Internet and reporting of Assembly business. Information can be made available, without charge, in languages other than English and Welsh, British Sign language, Easy Read and other accessible formats upon reasonable request.
In addition, the Assembly hosts an external Disabled Users’ Forum and Staff Disability Forum. The Forums provide vital information and advice on new policies; existing policies, service provision and procedures in order to provide the best service possible for all our service users and to ensure that our services and buildings are accessible. The External Users’ Forum is made up of disabled people from across Wales and includes a cross representation of disability organisations and individuals.