Written Assembly Questions tabled on 18 November 2014 for answer on 25 November 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 Minister for Natural Resources
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on why TAN8 does not preclude development on common land? (WAQ68030)
Answer received on 25 November 2014
The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant): TAN8 identifies 7 Strategic Search Areas (SSAs) that are considered to be the most suitable locations for large scale wind energy developments. In many cases renewable energy projects are not incompatible with common land.
Local planning authorities may refine the boundaries of SSAs to remove areas of common land where this can be justified by evidence. They can also negotiate with developers to avoid such areas when planning applications are submitted.
Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Does the Minister have any plans to restrict planning applications in non TAN8 areas? (WAQ68031)
Answer received on 25 November 2014
The Minister for Natural Resources (Carl Sargeant): TAN 8 provides the framework for the strategic planning of all forms of renewable energy in Wales. It seeks to minimise the affect across Wales of large scale wind energy developments by identifying 7 Strategic Search Areas (SSAs) that are considered to be the most suitable locations for such development. Developments under 25 MW may be appropriate outside of the SSAs and should be considered against relevant national and local policies.
To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on progress being made with roadworks near the Lafarge cement works in Aberthaw, the Vale of Glamorgan, including their start date and estimated date of completion? (WAQ68027)
Answer received on 25 November 2014
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): Our contractor for the Gileston Bends roadworks is currently constructing the drainage and completing earth works on the south side of the site. Preparations are also being made for construction of a tarmac road. The works started in January and are due to complete early in the New Year.
Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): With reference to WAQ64465, will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's plans to open a railway station in Brackla as outlined in the National Transport Plan? (WAQ68028)
Answer received on 25 November 2014
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): Network Rail have advised that it is not possible to deliver a new station at Brackla at the present time.
Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): Will the Minister summarise what work she, her predecessor and officials have undertaken during the 4th Assembly regarding the new Wales and Borders rail franchise? (WAQ68029)
Answer received on 25 November 2014
Edwina Hart: Our focus to date has been to deal with the strategic issues, such as securing agreement on transferring powers, which establishes a basis for the detailed work to follow.
Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): In what financial year does the Minister envisage the first new 'long haul' flight appearing in Cardiff Airport's flight schedule? (WAQ68036)
Answer received on 25 November 2014
Edwina Hart: The Cardiff International Airport Ltd Board is overseeing discussions relating to route development in line with their Business Plan.
Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): Regarding the First Minister's comments during FMQs on 18 November 14 that the future of Cardiff Airport lies with 'long-haul' flights, will the Minister, for the purposes of clarity, confirm what is mean by 'long haul' and is it measured by distance or flight duration from Cardiff Airport? (WAQ68037)
Answer received on 25 November 2014
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): The definition of long-haul flights is based on the HM Revenue and Customs classification for Air Passenger Duty for direct flights to destinations outside of the European Economic Area.
Gwenda Thomas (Neath): Given that children in my constituency have been refused free school transport to their nearest secondary, an English medium school, because they studied at a Welsh medium primary, will the Minister confirm whether this situation is in accordance with your statement that language is not a factor in determining whether a school is 'suitable'? (WAQ68034)
Answer received on 25 November 2014
Edwina Hart: Under the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008, it is for local authorities to determine the nearest suitable school. It appears that Neath Port Talbot Council may have adopted a particular strategy to support the development of Welsh medium education. This is, therefore, a matter for the Council.
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Suzy Davies (South Wales West): On what grounds may a local authority close a school sixth form apart from those identified under the School Standards & Organisation (Wales) Act 2013? (WAQ68032)
Answer received on 25 November 2014
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): It is for local authorities to keep school provision under review and decide whether there are grounds for change. The School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 provides powers for local authorities to make proposals to close sixth forms in community schools and if they have successfully sought consent from the Welsh Ministers to do so, they may make such proposals in relation to voluntary or foundation schools. In preparing such proposals factors set out in part 1 of the statutory School Organisation Code should be considered by the relevant local authority. All proposals relating to this regulated alteration to schools require a final decision from Welsh Ministers following the requisite publication and objection period.
To ask the Minister for Finance and Government Business
Antoinette Sandbach (North Wales): Given that the State of the Estate 2013/14 Report draws reference to the increase by 17% of water usage on the Welsh Government estate, will the Minister outline what the additional financial cost was to the budget during this period? (WAQ68035)
Answer received on 26 November 2014
The Minister for Finance and Government Business (Jane Hutt): The total cost of water supplied to the administrative estate in 2013/14 increased by £44,964 over the previous year. Whilst the estate was reduced by six properties in 2013/14, most of these were mostly minor water consumers. The increased costs were largely due to the consequences of two significant leaks in our properties, coupled with an increase in unit rate charges.
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister provide figures of how many patients in England are accessing primary care services in Montgomeryshire, and how many Montgomeryshire patients are accessing primary care services in England? (WAQ68033)
Answer received on 28 November 2014
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): The Welsh Government does not collate this information at former county level.