​Written Assembly Questions tabled on 17 June 2016 for answer on 24 June 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

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What discussions has the Minister held with the Minister for Finance and Local Government regarding the Retail Rate Relief Scheme, with particular regard to its potential to boost high streets and the rural economy in Wales? (WAQ70501)

Answer received on 23 June 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): The Wales Retail Relief Scheme was a temporary measure funded by a UK Government consequential which ended in March 2016, and I will be addressing this with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): How is the Minister working with Arriva Trains Wales and relevant stakeholders towards improving the North-South rail link in Wales? (WAQ70503)

Answer received on 24 June 2016

Ken Skates: We continue to fund Arriva Trains Wales to provide the North-South premier service and extra Cardiff-Holyhead services that are additional to the original franchise. We are also funding Network Rail to deliver infrastructure improvements on the route that will enable faster and more frequent journeys in the future.

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Which bodies received small business research initiative funding to give effect to the ABMU health board project seeking to develop tools, methods and approaches to assist in the planning and evaluation of health services, and to drive service improvement, using the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) databank? (WAQ70504)

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): How much funding was provided to give effect to the ABMU health board project developing tools, methods and approaches using the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) databank? (WAQ70505)

Answer received on 23 June 2016

The Minister for Skills and Science (Julie James):  Funding up to £50,000 was made available to six shortlisted companies to carry out phase one feasibility studies on the technology that they proposed would assist the deployment of ABMU health services.

This funding was provided through the Welsh SBRI Innovation Catalyst Programme which comprised matched contributions from Welsh Government and Innovate UK.

Phase 1 – Feasibility Study Contract Awards

 
Two Welsh SME's were successful in winning second phase demonstrator contract funding to further develop their tools and data analysis techniques to working prototypes.

Phase 2 – Demonstration Project – Contract Awards

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): What was the outcome of the project to develop tools, methods and approaches give effect to the ABMU health board project using the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) databank? (WAQ70506)

Answer received on 23 June 2016

Julie James: We Predict have successfully concluded a demonstration project which involves using predictive analytics to address the challenge.
The SBRI gave the company the opportunity to transfer their skills and expertise from the automotive industry across to health. They have since gone on to win contracts under other SBRI competitions in England and Wales and the business is growing having recently taken an office in the US to expand its operations.
Recent discussions between officials and the ABMU health board project lead have confirmed that the health board are currently in discussions with We Predict about the next steps following this R&D project. Positive feedback to date indicates that there is appetite to move beyond the SBRI R&D project onto commercial terms
The second successful applicant R&D project led by GP Commissioning involves the development of an online software solution to analyse data in new ways is nearing completion.
The concept demonstrated through the project shows promise for analysing data sets for health and across wider sectors. The company have recently been successful in winning another SBRI contract with SW Police to further develop their technology.

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): What tools were devised to assess the potential use of the application developed by ABMU health board using the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) databank? (WAQ70507)

Answer received on 30 June 2016

Julie James: Following the completion of a feasibility phase, two companies, We Predict and GPC Solutions, were selected to further develop their technologies.
Hi-Tech Swansea firm GPC Solutions developed a new way of describing healthcare data. In a first of its kind, GPC Solutions proposed online software that would allow clinicians and managers to ask complex questions about health services using familiar terminology without having to understand data and systems. This ground breaking approach would allow a better understanding of current services and promote improved outcomes through service planning.
Data prediction specialists, We Predict, drew on its background in predicting failure rates in the global car industry to work on linked data held within the SAIL Databank. Using highly sophisticated analysis methods, We Predict would be able to describe, evaluate and predict health and healthcare trends in the ABMU area.
Both solutions created insight that has the ability to inform decision makers within ABMU and assist with deployment of services and intervention measures where needed.

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): How is the application developed by ABMU health board using the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) databank being used, and if it is not being used, why not? (WAQ70508)

Answer received on 23 June 2016

Julie James: Decisions on procurement and adoption are ones for ABMU Health Board and other health boards, and are not within the remit of Welsh Government.
SBRI is a recognised process that supports the public sector in procuring the development of new technical solutions and accelerating technology adoption. New ideas can be explored as risk is managed through a phased development programme running a portfolio of the most promising projects.
SBRI enables the public sector to engage with industry during the early stages of development and operates under the EU Pre-commercial Procurement legal framework. Contracts awarded to businesses must be for research and development activities only (i.e. not commercial activity as otherwise conventional procurement practices apply). The applications developed through SBRI are subject to procurement rules at the point of commercialisation.
The purpose is therefore to stimulate the market to develop new technology products and services which have the potential to address defined challenges which are unmet. Solutions proposed can and do come from different industry sectors and due to the competitive nature of the process, organisations from anywhere in the UK and EU may be successful in winning contracts. In this case, it is extremely positive that both of the companies who were successful in winning phase 2 demonstrator contracts came from Wales.
Decisions about whether or not to use the new products developed (usually meaning purchasing or paying for them) is one that organisations and in this case ABMU Health Board must take based on the merits and affordability of the finished product.
It is the responsibility of company to take their product to market, and companies are encouraged to explore wider market opportunities which extend beyond the Welsh border. It would not be appropriate for Welsh Government to force Welsh Health Boards to adopt the solutions.

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Will the Minister make a statement on the implementation of the Social Services and Well-being Act 2014? (WAQ70433)

Answer received on 30 June 2016

The Minister for Social Services and Public Health (Rebecca Evans): The new statutory framework under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 came into effect on 6 April. Officials are now working with the sector to support, monitor and evaluate its delivery. The process for evaluation of implementation of the Act will have three stages. During the first year we will monitor how policies are being implemented through informal engagement, with a more formal approach using the outcomes framework and local authority performance framework following in the second year. Finally, in the third year an independent external third party will be engaged to carry out a long term one-off evaluation. A multi stakeholder group is to be set up in September 2016 to oversee this work.
Welsh Government are also providing significant funding to assist implementation. The Delivering Transformation Grant has been in place to support change since 2013. To date £6m has been provided. In 2016-17 (£3m) has been allocated to the regional implementation teams working to Regional Partnership Boards and selected national organisations. Each has set out an action plan of their priorities for Act implementation in their region. This grant is being put into the Revenue Support Grant for 2017-18 onwards. Care Council for Wales, as the lead organisation for professionalism in the workforce, are providing development and delivery of training materials for all stakeholders involved in care and support, as well as quality assuring and evaluating its impact. A full plan is in place for 2016-17. They have received £1m in 2015-16 and 2016-17 as a top slice from the Social Care Workforce Development Fund to do the 2014 Act-specific work.

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Will the Minister detail what the Welsh Government expects local health boards and local authorities to take responsibility for following the repeal of the Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure 2010? (WAQ70434)

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): In repealing the Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure 2010, will the Minister detail what advice and guidance the Welsh Government has provided to local authorities and local health boards to assist them? (WAQ70435)

Answer received on 24 June 2016

The Minister for Social Services and Public Health (Rebecca Evans):

The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 provides a new legal framework for improving and promoting the well-being of people with care and support needs, including carers. For the first time carers will have rights equal to those that they care for.  Codes of practice and statutory guidance have been issued setting out the detailed requirements.

Local authorities and health boards have a responsibility to:

 
Additional guidance, in the form of statutory codes of practice on part 2 (general functions), part 3 (assessment) and part 4 (meeting needs) of the 2014 Act, guides local authorities in the discharge of their functions in these areas. These all contain general provision applicable to all people with care and support needs, including carers with support needs, as well as material specific to carers, where relevant.

Under Part 9 of the Act there is a requirement for statutory Regional Partnership Boards to be established. These require local authorities, health boards and other partners to work together to ensure the provision of integrated services, care and support.  Supporting statutory guidance sets out priority areas, one of which includes carers.

Local authorities will continue, as they do now, to have wide discretionary powers to provide services to carers irrespective of whether the carer is deemed to meet the eligibility criteria.  To provide parity with provision in the Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure, there is duty on health boards and for the first time local authorities to submit any elements of the area plan that address the support needs of carers to Welsh Ministers.

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Further to the Children in Wales study into the current use of ID cards in young carers services, commissioned by the Welsh Government in 2013, will the Minister confirm when the report and any actions to be carried out as a result of the report are due to be published? (WAQ70436)

Answer received on 27 June 2016

The Minister for Social Services and Public Health (Rebecca Evans): In October 2013, Children in Wales was commissioned to undertake a study of young carers ID cards. The findings were provided to Welsh Government in May 2014. Following discussion with the Carers Officers Learning and Improving Network and the Strategic Carers Advisory Group, the general consensus was that it would be more appropriate for the cards to be developed locally, rather than for an all Wales card to be produced, therefore central guidance was not issued. Action has taken place in a number of areas, including Flintshire, Bridgend and Newport to develop young carer identity cards.

Developing support for young carers is a priority. We will work with and share information with relevant stakeholders and carer groups to ensure ID cards are available for young carers across Wales.

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): What monitoring of outcomes for young carers has the Welsh Government carried out following the implementation of the Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure 2010? (WAQ70437)

Answer received on 24 June 2016

Rebecca Evans: Welsh Government provides funding to Children in Wales to support the Young Carers Network (YCN) and an annual report is provided to Welsh Government evidencing the work that has been undertaken and achieved.
We have developed a National Outcomes Framework to underpin and measure the impact of the implementation of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 on people in Wales. The framework is focused on the well-being of all people. Young carers have been engaged with the development of the framework and the development of the outcome indicators. There is also one specific outcome related to children that would include young carers.
There is also a requirement for health boards and local authorities to report on progress in relation to outcomes and this will include carers.

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Will the Minister provide details of the Welsh Government's annual reports on progress made addressing concerns raised through the young carers' network? (WAQ70438)

Answer received on 24 June 2016

Rebecca Evans
The Welsh Government provides funding to Children in Wales to support the young carers' network. Children in Wales submit an annual report to Welsh Government and issues highlighted in the latest report included:

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Will the Minister provide details of the promotion work that the Welsh Government has carried out for the Carer Friendly Employer Recognition Award? (WAQ70439)

Answer received on 24 June 2016

Rebecca Evans
Carers Trust developed and are promoting the Carer Friendly Employer Recognition Award.   Carers Trust Wales, in their manifesto, have called for a wider promotion and adoption of the scheme.

The scheme is a set of standards that employers have to adopt and adhere to, to receive the Carer Friendly Employer Recognition Award. The intention of the Award is to encourage employers to make small changes that can have a hugely positive impact on carers.

Currently, the scheme has gained most traction in the northeast of Wales and Denbighshire local authority has adopted the scheme.  We will be considering the award and its potential use as part of the work we will be taking forward as we refresh our Carers Strategy this year.

Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister make a statement on the date from which the HPV vaccine will be available to gay men in Wales? (WAQ70442)

Answer received on 30 June 2016

Vaughan Gething: In December 2015, we announced that a targeted HPV programme would be introduced in Wales in line with recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Link here:
http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2015/151221vaccine/?lang=en

We are currently working with sexual health service providers and other health professionals on the most appropriate delivery options to make the programme as accessible and effective as possible. An announcement will be made in due course once these preparations are complete.

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What analysis has the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales undertaken into the effect of sewage pollution in Welsh rivers and tributaries on fish stocks? (WAQ70448)

Answer received on 30 June 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): All applications to discharge sewage to rivers and their tributaries in Wales are subject to careful scrutiny by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to ensure they will not harm the aquatic environment, including fish populations.  NRW consent applications to discharge sewerage only with appropriate conditions in terms of the volume to be discharged and also its chemistry. This includes provision for the necessary dilution of discharge within the receiving rivers and tributaries.

The impact of discharges and a range of other factors are routinely assessed in monitoring programmes undertaken by NRW in which they assess the chemical, biological and fish status of watercourses at a large number of locations across Wales. This data is then published in Water Framework Directive River Basin Plans. The sensitivity and tolerance of each species of fish to variations in water quality has been widely studied and the standards required to sustain fish populations are taken into account in any consenting procedure.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Given concerns regarding declining fish stocks in Welsh rivers, what action is the Welsh Government taking to prevent the excavation of redds in principal fish stock rivers and their tributaries? (WAQ70449)

Answer received on 30 June 2016

Lesley Griffiths: NRW controls activities such as in-river works in 'main river' water courses through the determination and issue of Flood Risk Activity Permits (issued under Environmental Permitting regulations 2010). NRW permit activities on watercourses designated as 'main rivers' which are usually larger rivers and streams, whilst lead local flood authorities, district councils and internal drainage boards carry out flood risk management work on 'ordinary watercourses'.

NRW technical and natural resource management teams are consulted on each permit application and any potential impacts on fish and fisheries are considered. This includes highlighting the requirements of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 to ensure fish and the food of fish are not damaged and any works must not cause an obstruction to the passage of fish.

Between 15 October and 15 April any activities within the river channel which would be likely to disturb the river bed and liberate fine materials (silt and sand) , which damage fish stocks, are prohibited.  This prohibition preserves redds from destruction and disturbance.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): For each, will the Minister outline the percentage of principal salmon rivers and principal sea trout rivers classified as 'At Risk' and 'Probably at Risk' of failing to achieve stock targets, as classified in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016? (WAQ70500)

Answer received on 30 June 2016

Lesley Griffiths: The percentages of principal salmon and sea trout rivers in Wales classified as 'at risk' and 'probably at risk' are as follows.  Figures for 2016 will not be available until 2017.  

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): How will the Minister work with the Minister for Finance and Local Government to promote and revive high streets across Wales? (WAQ70502)

Answer received on 23 June 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children (Carl Sargeant): We have provided £100 million to make our town centres vibrant and viable places and are supporting Town Centre Partnerships, Business Improvement Districts and Town Centre Loans across Wales through our Vibrant and Viable Places framework.  

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government

Ann Jones (Vale of Clwyd): What protocols can the Welsh Government provide to local authorities on the provision for securing a burial plot? (WAQ70440)

Answer received on 27 June 2016

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Mark Drakeford): Local Authorities have discretionary powers under the Local Government Act 1972 to provide and maintain cemeteries. Under the Local Authorities’ Cemeteries Order 1977, burial authorities have wide powers to decide how best to manage, regulate and control their cemeteries. Under s214 of the Local Government Act 1972, Welsh Ministers have an order making power in respect of the management, regulation and control of burial authority cemeteries. Consultation is required in the exercise of this power.

Ann Jones (Vale of Clwyd): Does the Welsh Government intend to update the regulations contained in the Local Authorities' Cemeteries Order 1977? (WAQ70441)

Answer received on 27 June 2016

Mark Drakeford: I have no plans to update the Regulations at this time and would encourage Local Authorities to develop their approach through engagement with their communities.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister confirm whether the formula for the Local Government Settlement will be reformed during the Fifth Assembly term? (WAQ70443)

Answer received on 23 June 2016

Mark Drakeford: The Local Government Settlement funding formula is developed in consultation with local government through the Distribution Sub Group (DSG). The formula is kept under a continual programme of review and improvement in agreement with the Finance Sub Group of the Partnership Council for Wales.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Given that population projections for Welsh residents will see over-65s rise by 100,000 by 2026, what considerations has the Minister given to future pressures on local government services as part of the Local Government Settlement for 2017/18? (WAQ70444)

Answer received on 23 June 2016

Mark Drakeford: Over the coming months I, along with my Cabinet colleagues, will be considering the future pressures on local government services alongside the wide range of other factors which need to be taken into account in setting the Welsh Government’s Budget for 2017-18. That budget will be framed by the continuing cuts in funding made by the Westminster Government which reduce our ability to fund public services in Wales.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): With regard to the Minister's response to WAQ70348, will he confirm if he will be using the former Draft Local Government (Wales) Bill's Regulatory Impact Assessment to support new plans for local government reform? (WAQ70445)

Answer received on 23 June 2016

Mark Drakeford: All relevant research and analysis will be used to inform any new approach to local government reform.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister consider taking action on, or making interventions to, local authorities in Wales who face a high number of outstanding equal pay claims, and if so, what would he consider to be a suitable 'threshold' for such action? (WAQ70446)

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What action will the Welsh Government take to ensure that equal pay claims held against local authorities are dealt with in a timely manner? (WAQ70447)
 
Answer received on 27 June 2016

Mark Drakeford:  All local authorities in Wales have a single status agreement in place. We do not hold information on individual outstanding equal pay claims.   
 
Welsh Government has been able to accommodate all the Authorities' requests for Capitalisation Directions to enable them to deal with equal pay claims in a timely manner.