Answers issued to Members on 25 February 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 Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport

Nicholas Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the First Minister make a statement on reports that funds allocated by the European Commission for business development in Wales have been used for other purposes? (WAQ51325)

The Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport (Ieuan Wyn Jones): The European Structural Funds programmes in Wales, which are managed by the Welsh Assembly Government, are subject to robust inspection and verification procedures to ensure grant monies are spent on the approved purpose, in line with European Commission regulations. Any ineligible expenditure is subject to repayment procedures, with a full audit undertaken by a number of bodies on such projects; details are reported within the Structural Fund Annual Implementation Reports, submitted to and agreed by the European Commission. The reports are published on www.wefo.wales.gov.uk

As a result of these processes, the Assembly Government was the first administration in Europe to enter into a 'Contract of Confidence’ with the European Commission, and the Commission will, in future, place greater reliance on the audit processes and control systems operated by the Member State.

Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister confirm how many planning applications in Pembrokeshire and Wales have been called in by the Welsh Assembly Government and what percentage do these make up of the total applications submitted? (WAQ51323)

The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing (Jane Davidson): The figures are as tabulated below:

* Figures correct to two decimal places

Figures are for period 1 July 1999 to 30 September 2007, the last period for which complete information is available. One application was called-in since September but it was not in Pembrokeshire.

Nicholas Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on what measures are being taken to improve the quality of our water supply? (WAQ51335)

Jane Davidson: The Welsh Assembly Government's Environment Strategy for Wales commits us to maintaining the high quality of our drinking water supplies.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate acts on behalf of Welsh Ministers as the independent regulator of the quality and safety of water supplies. Its most recent report confirms that water companies achieved 99.95% compliance with drinking water standards in Wales in 2006.

On the advice of the Inspectorate, we have tightened the already stringent regime applying to public drinking water supplies. The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2001 (Amendment) Regulations 2007 came into force on 22 December 2007. Amongst a number of provisions, they require water undertakers to monitor pre-treatment water quality, as well as at the point of supply. They also require water undertakers to conduct risk assessments of water treatment works and supply systems: undertakers must take appropriate action to deal with any potential danger to human health identified. Failure to treat or disinfect water adequately has been made a specific criminal offence.

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Minister provide an update on the New Approaches Programme? (WAQ51346)

Jane Davidson: The New Approaches Programme aims to change the way we address flood and coastal risk in Wales moving from our traditional defence dominated to a risk management approach.

In my cabinet statement issued on 17 September 2007 I set out some underpinning principles for the new approach. This included strong partnership working, robust public engagement and a focus on consequence management.

In November 2007 we held workshops in Cardiff and in Llandudno to explore the range of measures available for addressing future flood and coastal risk in Wales and engage stakeholders in mapping the way forward. These workshops were attended by a wide range of interested parties.

The workshops confirmed the need and enthusiasm for change and a generic framework for a future risk management service. The next step is to explore in more detail particular aspects of the framework and how these can be delivered.

A number of studies have been commissioned aimed at assessing how the new approach can be implemented in Wales. These studies will inform the development of Assembly Government policy and will provide examples which can be used to ensure consistent application across Wales.

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): How does the Minister intend on having greater engagement with the public with regards to the New Approaches Programme? (WAQ51347)

Jane Davidson: The New Approaches Programme aims to change the way we address flood and coastal risk in Wales.

We have, through our November workshops, established a wide stakeholder forum which will assist the development of the new approach. Where significant changes are being proposed formal consultations will be arranged.

One of the underlying principles for the new approach is robust public engagement. This reflects the Assembly Government’s model for delivering public services in Wales as set out in its 'Making the Connections’ policy document and specifically placing the customer at the heart of service design.

When decisions on how risks will be managed are being made the new approach will ensure strong local representation. There will be a range of opportunities where such representation would be appropriate.

The New Approaches Programme and in particular the recently commissioned studies will assist in identifying and developing mechanisms for this public engagement.

Each of these studies require a robust engagement with the local people with the aim of ensuring that those directly at risk are aware of the risks, understand how those risks can be managed and understand the extent of the public service in place to assist their management.

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): What assessment has the Minister made of areas prone to flooding but not located on a flood plain? (WAQ51348)

Jane Davidson: The Environment Agency’s flood plain maps identify the areas at risk from flooding predominantly from the main river network and the sea. These flood plain maps are widely available through the EA’s website.

Local authorities have responsibilities for assessing flooding from other non-main rivers and watercourses. Following the floods of 1998 and 2000 the Welsh Assembly Government financed local authorities to assess all known flooding problems within their areas. That initiative resulted in assessments of over 500 flood sites across Wales.

Since then more detailed assessments have been undertaken and these have resulted in a programme of improvement works across Wales.

Last summers floods identified the vulnerability of existing drainage systems to extreme events and the Pitt report has identified the need for an urgent identification of such areas. Officials are working with colleagues from the Environment Agency, local authorities and other bodies within the context of the Wales Resilience Framework to determine how best this can be implemented in Wales.

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): How does the Minister plan to encourage participation in the bowel cancer screening programme? (WAQ51337)

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): When does the Minister foresee the bowel cancer screening programme being rolled out in the Monmouth constituency? (WAQ51338)

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Edwina Hart): Full roll-out of the bowel cancer screening programme will be phased starting with 60 to 69 year olds, followed by 70 to 74 year olds and finally 50 to 59 year olds. The planning phase is well underway with first screening due to start at all sites across Wales, including the Monmouth constituency, from this October.

In order to encourage participation in the bowel screening programme and achieve maximum benefit in public health terms, we need to raise public awareness. Velindre NHS Trust, which will provide the service, is developing a public awareness strategy in consultation with potential user groups, healthcare professionals and with voluntary organisations. This strategy will be implemented in earnest, approximately one month ahead of the October 2008 start date.

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): What discussions has the Minister had with Health Commission Wales regarding specialised neuromuscular services? (WAQ51339)

Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Does the Minister recognise specialised neuromuscular services as part of the Specialised Services Commissioning Plan? (WAQ51340)

Edwina Hart: I have had no specific discussions with Health Commission Wales on specialised neuromuscular services. I can confirm that the specialised services which Health Commission Wales commissions for neuromuscular conditions do form part of its annual commissioning plans. I am, however, aware of recent concerns about these services and the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign charity has recently published a document calling for improvements to these services. I will be responding to this document shortly.

Questions to the Minister for Heritage

Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): What representations has the Minister made to the UK Government about the impact of the London Olympics on funding for arts in Wales? (WAQ51342)

The Minister for Heritage (Rhodri Glyn Thomas): I wrote to the UK Government in January 2008 seeking assurance that no further National Lottery funding would be used to meet the costs of staging the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. On 15 January the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport gave that assurance.

Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): How much funding has been made available to the Welsh Jazz Society for each year since 1999 and how much has been secured for the forthcoming financial year? (WAQ51343)

Rhodri Glyn Thomas: The Welsh Jazz Society has received over £470,000 of Annual Revenue and project funding since 1999-2000. This can be broken down as outlined in the table below:

£17,770 in revenue funding has been awarded for 2008-09, equating to the first four months based on previous year’s figures. The organisation is also still eligible to apply for project funding.

Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): How many members of staff have been employed by the Arts Council of Wales for each year since 1999? (WAQ51344)

Rhodri Glyn Thomas: The average number of full time equivalent staff employed by the Arts Council of Wales in each of the years specified is