Written Assembly Questions tabled on 18 July 2014 for answer on 25 July 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)
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 First Minister
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): In relation to the actions of the former Minister for Natural Resources and Food, did he ask civil servants for information on individuals who were not Assembly Members? (WAQ67504)
Answer received on 13 August 2014
The First Minister of Wales (Carwyn Jones): The only individuals on which information was requested were those Assembly Members included in the correspondence issued in my Written Statement on 8 July.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): How many senior civil servants appointed to positions in Welsh Government Departments since 2011 were previously (a) political appointees within that Department and (b) employed by a political party? (WAQ67505)
Answer received on 13 August 2014
Carwyn Jones: Staffing within the Welsh Government is a matter for the Permanent Secretary. I have asked him to write to you separately with the information you have requested.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What policies are in place to prevent civil servants from visiting non work-related websites during working hours? (WAQ67506)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
The First Minister of Wales (Carwyn Jones): The Welsh Government’s Security Policy allows staff to make use of the internet during hours that they are not working - using the internet helps enhance digital skills more generally.
To ask the Minister for Culture and Sport
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister set out how the Welsh Government is promoting the benefits of visiting woodlands in Wales? (WAQ67486)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
The Minister for Culture and Sport (John Griffiths): The Welsh Government Woodland Strategy supports increased use of the woodland estate for physical activity and the benefits it produces to all visitors.
Natural Resources Wales is developing and delivering their recreation and access strategy.
The Welsh Government also works with the private and voluntary sectors to create new opportunities for the public to visit woodlands.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): In relation to reducing Wales' ecological footprint, what policy areas are making least progress and are showing the greatest cause for concern? (WAQ67497)
Answer received on 29 July 2014
John Griffiths: The most recent calculation of Wales’ ecological footprint, undertaken in 2008 illustrated how components of the ecological footprint might change over time, looking at housing, transport and food with scenarios running from 2001 to 2020. Those three sectors represent the largest component of Wales’ ecological footprint.
We intend to publish an update of the ecological footprint, based on 2011 data, later this year.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Which Welsh Government departments are not doing enough to reduce Wales's ecological footprint? (WAQ67498)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
John Griffiths: The Welsh Government remains committed to the vision set out in its Sustainable Development Scheme, One Wales: One Planet, to become a one planet society by 2050. The most recent calculation of Wales’ ecological footprint, undertaken in 2008, did so using 2003 data, creating a time series for the Welsh ecological footprint covering the period 1990-2003. The report illustrated how components of the ecological footprint might change over time, looking at housing, transport and food with scenarios running from 2001 to 2020. Those three sectors represent the largest component of Wales’ ecological footprint. The report did not measure the contribution being made to reduce Wales’ ecological footprint by particular Welsh Government departments.
As part of the work linked to the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Bill, the Welsh Government will examine the appropriateness of this and other indicators to ensure that they enable public bodies – including the Welsh Government - and other key stakeholders to take steps to measure collective progress in pursuing the well-being goals to be established through the Bill.
We intend to publish an updated ecological footprint, based on 2011 data, later this year.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What assessment has the Welsh Government made in regards to local authorities that are not adequately dealing with the issue of dog fouling? (WAQ67512)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
John Griffiths: The Welsh Government collects data in relation to dog fouling, however, it is difficult to directly compare local authority performance due to the differences between local authorities such as; size, population; rural or urban; and whether or not the local authority employs private contractors for enforcement.
Since 2006, the Welsh Government has provided funding to Keep Wales Tidy to conduct Local Environmental Audit Management System (LEAMS) surveys in all 22 local authorities across Wales to measure the cleanliness of our streets. This survey includes an assessment of levels of dog fouling on Welsh streets.
LEAMs show that dog fouling had been decreasing since 2007-08, when it was found on 14% of streets surveyed, to 10.2% in 2011-12, however, in 2012-13 it was 13.8%: an increase on previous years. The overall trend continues to decrease. We expect levels of dog fouling to have decreased in the 2013-14 LEAMs results, which will be published shortly.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister outline what his priorities are with regards to rural Wales’s countryside, coastal access and national parks? (WAQ67516)
Answer received on 13 August 2014
John Griffiths: It is my intention to undertake a governance review of Wales’ designated landscapes. The review will inform our decisions on how those bodies with primary responsibility for the wellbeing of these important landscapes should operate.
On wider access I to issue a green paper to seek views on increasing responsible use of the outdoors for recreation
Natural Resources Wales is drafting proposals for the future management of the Wales Coast Path. I will make a decision on how this will be taken forward later on this year.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Can the Minister provide an update on his intentions to initiate a policy review on river clearance? (WAQ67521)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
John Griffiths: Policy to counter flood risk is kept under constant review to ensure protection and safeguarding.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What assessment has the Minister made with regards to how reduced funding to local authorities will impact the maintenance of natural heritage sites? (WAQ67526)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
John Griffiths: Section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act requires every public body to have regard ‘to the purpose of conserving biodiversity’. Under their local authority biodiversity duties and designations, each local authority submits a report to the Welsh Government on compliance with their NERC Act biodiversity duty. Feedback from these reports suggests that an impact is being felt particularly with regard to a reduction in local authority staffing levels. This has an impact on carrying out pro-active biodiversity work, for example, partnership working and facilitation of projects.
Cadw works with local authorities and other parties to monitor natural heritage sites.
To ask the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Further to the written statement on the Children and Families Delivery Grant (16 July 2014) how does the cut in funding for Play Wales fit in with the aim of "play sufficiency"? (WAQ67480)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty (Jeff Cuthbert): Increasing opportunities for children across Wales to play is a key theme in the new Children and Families Delivery Grant. After a fair and open application process, the Welsh Government is confident that Groundwork and Snap Cymru, who were successful with their grant application, will deliver enhanced opportunities for children across Wales to play.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Given the Welsh Government’s drive to deliver a number of agriculture payment services online, how is the Minister though the Digital Inclusion Delivery Plan, targeting rural farm businesses to exploit digital technology, which is a key LEADER priority in the rural development plan? (WAQ67500)
Answer received on 30 July 2014
Jeff Cuthbert: The Digital Inclusion Delivery Plan embeds digital inclusion activities with the modernisation of rural payments. There will be a range of support options in place, led by Rural Payments Wales, to ensure nobody is left behind in the move to online services. This will include using a third party, such as an agent or farming union representative, or attending a local clinic so that farmers can access the new system in a supported environment and benefit from hands-on training.
It is anticipated that over 96% of farm businesses will be included within the Superfast Cymru or commercial broadband roll-out. Farming businesses that fall outside the rollout of the Superfast Cymru Scheme can apply for a grant towards broadband provision using the Access Broadband Cymru Scheme.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): How will the Well-being and Future Generations Bill be used to tackle rural poverty? (WAQ67501)
Answer received on 23 July 2014
Jeff Cuthbert: I expect the Bill to have a positive impact for rural areas. One of the long term challenges the Bill will help us to tackle is poverty, whether it be in rural or urban areas.
The well-being goals that the Bill sets, taken together, represent the long term outcomes that we want to see for the well-being of all communities in Wales, which includes a more prosperous and more equal Wales.
As a result of the Bill, specified public bodies will be required to work together to set well-being objectives for achieving these well-being goals, on the basis of a common assessment of local need. The well-being plan that they deliver will incorporate their objectives for tackling child poverty.
To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What progress has the Welsh Government made in reducing farming red tape? (WAQ67481)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart):The Working Smarter Review has resulted in reduced bureaucracy and improved working relationships between Government and the farming industry.
One of the most significant improvements is the considerable investment made by the Welsh Government on behalf of the farming industry in Wales in respect of the widely praised RPW Online system.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What actions has the Welsh Government undertaken to ensure that farmers are appropriately supported in extreme weather conditions? (WAQ67482)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
Edwina Hart: The Welsh Government commissioned the Kevin Roberts review into the resilience of Welsh farming in 2013.
In response to the recommendations from that review the Welsh Government has established a contingency plan to help manage similar events in the future; and is working with key stakeholders to explore potential opportunities for further support to strengthen the general resilience of farm businesses as part of the next Wales Rural Development Programme.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What Welsh Government funding is available to support farmers’ markets in Wales? (WAQ67483)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
Edwina Hart: No funding support has been provided to farmers markets in the 2014 -15 financial year. Support is available for food festivals.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): How will the Welsh Government be using the Rural Development Plan to tackle rural poverty? (WAQ67484)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
Edwina Hart: Tackling poverty is a cross cutting theme across the Rural Development Programme – I also refer you to my statement in plenary on 8 July 2014
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Can the Minister tell me why culvert works on A483 near Penarth corner take so long to complete? (WAQ67485)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): The works were completed in a satisfactory timeframe, given the complexity and emergency nature of the work. The works ran two weeks over schedule due to problems the contractor encountered with ground conditions.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): How many farmers in Wales will be disadvantaged as a result of Welsh Government decisions to implement changes to CAP? (WAQ67487)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
Rebecca Evans: Until all 2015 claims are received in 2015 it will not be possible to say how many will have higher or lower payments.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What is the Welsh Government doing to promote the tourism potential of the Montgomery Canal? (WAQ67488)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
Edwina Hart: We have a memorandum of understanding with Glandwr Cymru to deliver an agreed action plan to promote the Montgomery Canal. We have provided investment to enhance visitor facilities, improve public access and explore the feasibility of developing paddle sports on the canal.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What is the Welsh Government doing to support organic food production in Wales? (WAQ67489)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
The Deputy Minister for Farming and Food (Rebecca Evans): The Welsh Government is currently providing financial support to organic producers to ensure continuity of funding between the last RDP and the beginning of the new RDP. A new scheme, Glastir Organic, will be available from 1 January 2015, subject to EC approval, to continue to support organic producers and those wishing to convert to organic farming who meet the set criteria.
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What discussions has the Welsh Government conducted regarding broadband provision in the Llangennech area near Llanelli? (WAQ67508)W
Answer received on 13 August 2014
The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism (Ken Skates) : The Superfast Cymru programme has discussed the provision of superfast broadband in the Llangennech exchange area, as part of the detailed planning, surveying and future roll-out of the programme. Details of future roll-out are regularly updated on the Superfast Cymru website (www.superfast-cymru.com).
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Can the Minister provide an overview of her spending priorities within her newly expanded portfolio? (WAQ67514)
Answer received on 23 July 2014
Edwina Hart: I would refer you to the published budgets of my Department.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What action does the Minister intend to take to ensure that the agriculture industry contributes more to the Welsh Governments well-being agenda than it has done over the last 12 months? (WAQ67515)
Answer received on 25 July 2014
Edwina Hart: We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of employees across all industries and sectors in Wales and are integrating this important agenda as we continue to develop our policies.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister outlines her priorities, following the re-shuffle, with regards to the regulation of slaughterhouses in Wales, and developing the agri-food sector, associated supply chains and promotion of food from Wales, and how they differ from the previous Minister’s priorities? (WAQ67517)
Answer received on 25 July 2014
Edwina Hart: Towards Sustainable Growth: An Action Plan for the Food and Drink Industry 2014-20’ was launched last month. The action plan commits to deliver a 30% increase in turnover by 2020. This will be the priority for both government and industry.
I am establishing a Food and Drink Wales Industry Board. The Board will be the representative voice of industry and will drive sustainable growth.
With regard to slaughterhouses, we will ensure that the FSA remains aware of its statutory obligations to consider the interests of businesses with a low throughput, and the action incumbent on it in the Welsh Government Food, Farming and Countryside
strategy to work with us and Hybu Cig Cymru to devise a charging regime that is fair for small abattoirs in Wales
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What discussions have you had with ministerial colleagues regarding the protection and maintaining of fish stocks? (WAQ67520)
Answer received on 25 July 2014
Rebecca Evans: Since assuming Ministerial responsibility for fisheries matters on 8 July, I have not yet had any discussions with Ministerial colleagues on fish stocks.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the minister provide an assessment of the progress of ‘Food for Wales: Food from Wales’ policy? (WAQ67522)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
Edwina Hart: The progress made is apparent in the recent launch and publication of Towards Sustainable Growth: An Action Plan for the Food and Drink Industry 2014–2020.
Welsh Government remains strongly committed to measurable growth and continuing progress.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure that supermarkets are stocking more Welsh produced products? (WAQ67523)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
Edwina Hart: Towards Sustainable Growth: an Action Plan for the Food and Drink Industry
2014-2020
sets out our plans for working with the industry, including the retail sector, to encourage supermarkets to stock more Welsh products.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What support has the Welsh Government provided to Welsh food producers selling their product outside of the EU? (WAQ67524)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
Edwina Hart: The Welsh Government has a comprehensive range of export programmes to support Welsh food producers, including to markets outside the EU, as set out in Towards Sustainable Growth: An Action Plan for the Food and Drink Industry 2014-2020.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What is the Welsh Government doing to support businesses that produce food in order to sell that produce to local Welsh markets? (WAQ67525)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
Edwina Hart: There are 48 actions in Towards Sustainable Growth: An Action Plan for the Food and Drink Industry 2014-2020
, detailing the work Welsh Government is doing to support food businesses to develop, and grow to supply local markets.
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement regarding Estyn’s June 2014 report on Ysgol Tasker-Milward VC school in Haverfordwest? (WAQ67507)W
Answer received on 13 August 2014
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): In March 2013 Estyn inspected Tasker-Milward VC School, Pembrokeshire as part of the common inspection framework and judged its performance to be adequate and its prospect for improvement to be adequate. The inspection team determined that the school should be placed in the Estyn follow up category of requiring significant improvement.
In June 2014 Estyn undertook a monitoring visit of the school to assess progress against the eight recommendations highlighted in the 2013 Estyn inspection report and concluded that Ysgol Tasker-Milward VC School had not made enough progress in the key areas identified within the inspection report.
The monitoring letter highlighted that the combined weight and seriousness of the weaknesses were such that the school was judged to require special measures.
The school will now draw up an action plan, with support from their local authority and consortia, for Estyn’s agreement. At the same time I expect the local authority to determine whether to use its intervention powers.
To ask the Minister for Finance
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister advise, by department, how much has been spent on producing newsletters, brochures and all equivalent publications for the following financial years: i) 2011/12; ii) 2012/13; and iii) 2013/14, broken down by each month? (WAQ67475)
Answer received on 25 July 2014
Jane Hutt: The expenditure incurred on producing newsletters, brochures and all equivalent publications is not visible centrally within the financial systems. This information could only be provided by reviewing individual records of costs incurred at departmental level. Therefore, the information has not been made available due to the disproportionate cost involved.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister advise how much the Welsh Government has spent on installing renewable energy power sources, including but not exclusively, wind turbines and solar panels, at Welsh Government offices, since the start of this Assembly term? (WAQ67476)
Answer received on 25 July 2014
Jane Hutt: Nil.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister advise how many websites the Welsh Government currently operates and the costs to maintain each website annually? (WAQ67477)
Answer received on 25 July 2014
Jane Hutt: The Welsh Government currently has 98 websites.
70 are operated by Welsh Government staff, of which 19 are operated on behalf of third parties such as Residential Property Tribunal Wales.
28 are operated by third parties on our behalf, such as hwb.wales.gov.uk
The majority of these sites share hosting, support, licensing and staff costs which precludes annual maintenance costs being calculated for each site.
These figures have been gathered as part of an ongoing programme to review all Welsh Government sites to streamline and improve delivery for citizens.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister provide an annual breakdown of (a) the percentage of waste being recycled by Welsh Government offices for the last five years and (b) the percentage that has gone to landfill? (WAQ67499)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
Jane Hutt: This data was not collected for the entire estate prior to 2011. The annual percentages of domestic waste recycled/sent to landfill from the Welsh Government’s administrative estate for the past three financial years are shown below.
Year | Percentage waste recycled | Percentage waste to landfill |
|---|---|---|
2011/12 | 66 | 34 |
2012/13 | 69 | 31 |
2013/14 | 69 | 31 |
In addition, batteries, electrical equipment, furniture and toner cartridges were also recycled, but are not included in these figures.
This information is published annually in the Government’s State of the Estate report.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister provide a list of all apps downloaded to each individual Ministerial phone and iPad? (WAQ67502)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
Jane Hutt: This information is not held.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister provide an annual breakdown of the electricity usage of Welsh Government offices in the last five years? (WAQ67503)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
Jane Hutt: The annual breakdown of electricity usage of the Welsh Government administrative estate for the last five years is as follows:
Year | Electricity Consumed (kWh) |
|---|---|
2009/10 | 19,074,275 |
2010/11 | 19,752,286 |
2011/12 | 16,463,203 |
2012/13 | 15,753,732 |
2013/14 | 14,202,012 |
This information is published annually in the Government’s State of the Estate report.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Can the Minister provide more detail of how budget allocations have changed for the agriculture and environmental portfolios following the recent Welsh Government Cabinet reshuffle? (WAQ67513)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
Jane Hutt: As the First Minister outlined in his Written Statement of 8 July, responsibility for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food transferred to the Business, Economy, Technology and Science Main Expenditure Group (MEG) and Environment Policy to the Culture and Sport MEG.
There have been no other changes to the allocations for agriculture or environment resulting from the reorganisation.
The full financial details of the new portfolios will be published alongside our Draft Budget proposals on 30 September.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on the number of and value of severance payments made to senior Local Health Board staff for the following financial years: i) 2011/12; ii) 2012/13; and iii) 2013/14, broken down by Local Health Board? (WAQ67478)
Answer received on 24 July 2014
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): Information on exit payments for staff, including senior staff, is published by Local Health Boards as part of the annual report and accounts process.
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Has the Minister considered using a charity to undertake chaplaincy and spiritual well-being work in hospitals in Wales? (WAQ67509)W
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): What discussions has the Minister conducted regarding the provision of chaplaincy and spiritual well-being services in hospitals in Wales? (WAQ67510)W
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on spending on chaplaincy and spiritual welfare in hospitals in Wales? (WAQ67511)W
Answer received on 28 August 2014 (WAQ67509-11)
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government regards hospital spiritual care services as a good investment, which play an important role in supporting and counselling patients, relatives and staff. It is also a service which is available to people whether they have religious beliefs or not. NHS organisations in Wales are, of course, responsible for the planning and delivering of these services locally, in line with the standards we have issued. The service is not restricted to hospitals but also other care settings such as hospices, care homes and mental health needs in the community.
For these reasons, I continue to believe the best way to ensure patients and staff throughout Wales have the appropriate access to those services, is to continue to support them financially through the NHS in Wales. It is for individual NHS organisations to determine spending on spiritual care services at a local level.
To ask the Minister for Housing and Regeneration
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister provide an assessment of the success of the Welsh Housing Quality Standard in improving energy efficiency in social housing? (WAQ67527)
Answer received on 25 July 2014
The Minister for Housing and Regeneration (Carl Sargeant):At 31 March 2013, 163,917 (74%) social homes had achieved the energy efficiency target of SAP65 set out in the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.
To ask the Minister for Local Government and Government Business
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on the number of and value of severance payments made to local authority senior offices/corporate directors for the following financial years: i) 2011/12; ii) 2012/13; and iii) 2013/14, broken down by local authority? (WAQ67479)
Answer received on 25 July 2014
The Minister for Local Government and Government Business (Lesley Griffiths): Welsh Government does not hold this information.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What is the Welsh Government’s vision for local democracy in the 21st Century? (WAQ67490)
Answer received on 25 July 2014
Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Government’s vision for local democracy in the 21st Century is set out in our White Paper ‘Reforming Local Government’.
http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/localgovernment/white-paper-reforming-local-government/?lang=en
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What will be the Welsh Government’s proposal to equalise council tax rates in areas subject to mergers where it will rise dramatically? (WAQ67491)
Answer received on 25 July 2014
Lesley Griffiths: As outlined in the Reforming Local Government White Paper published on 8July, we will be looking for solutions which minimise local effects and we will look at all the options for managing any shifts in Council Tax levels which arise solely as a result of merging Authorities. The current imbalance in Council Tax levels is not something we should be seeking to preserve. We will need to examine any potential transitional impacts and explore the scope to develop stronger links between funding, performance and the delivery of strategic outcomes.
The White Paper includes a question for respondents specifically regarding how revenue is raised to support the delivery of local services. We invite any suggestions which respondents wish to bring forward and we will be consulting on our proposals in due course.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): How do the proposals in the Welsh Government's White Paper, ‘Reforming Local Government’, significantly develop those already contained in the Williams report published six months ago? (WAQ67492)
Answer received on 25 July 2014
Lesley Griffiths: Our White Paper ‘Reforming Local Government’ sets out Welsh Government policy. It provides significant clarity of purpose, intent and timing.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What criteria will be in place to allow proposed local government mergers to cross more than one health authority boundary? (WAQ67493)
Answer received on 25 July 2014
Lesley Griffiths: I will write to you and a copy of the letter will be put on the internet.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): How are the upfront costs of local government reorganisation going to be met in an era of huge budget cuts? (WAQ67494)
Answer received on 25 July 2014
Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Government recognises the need to assess the potential costs and benefits of reforming Local Government as far as reasonably practicable. We will produce a Regulatory Impact Assessment to accompany the Draft Bill we intend to publish in the autumn of 2015.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): How will local government reorganisation occurring as late as 2020 assist councils with budget cuts over the next three years? (WAQ67495)
Answer received on 25 July 2014
Lesley Griffiths: ‘Reforming Local Government’ is about delivering better local services and outcomes for the people of Wales. Merging Local Authorities will create sustainable Authorities and ensure a future for local democracy in Wales.
Local Authorities now have clarity and can plan for the future, together. Planning and delivering mergers starts now not in 2020. Likewise, Authorities need to be responding to the financial challenges now. Reform cannot wait for a return to better financial times.
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What powers or functions is the Welsh Government considering devolving to the new authorities? (WAQ67496)
Answer received on 25 July 2014
Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Government is currently consulting on what powers or functions could be devolved to the new Authorities.
http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/localgovernment/white-paper-reforming-local-government/?lang=en