Written Assembly Questions tabled on 23 May 2016 for answer on 31 May 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 First Minister
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the First Minister confirm that all necessary actions will be taken to restore a sandy beach on Llandudno's North Shore following the outcome of the Welsh Government-funded feasibility study into this project? (WAQ70266)
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the First Minister provide the full remit of the feasibility study into whether sand can be restored to Llandudno's North Shore beach, including the timetable for completion? (WAQ70267)
Answer received on 31 May 2016
The First Minister (Carwyn Jones): Welsh Government is working with local authorities on a £150 million capital value programme of investment in coastal risk management projects. Feasibility work is underway on potential projects now with construction planned for 2018-2021.
Conwy County Borough Council has been awarded funding by Welsh Government for a beach management plan for Llandudno. This is a preliminary step towards possible options for managing coastal flooding and erosion risk and sustainable delivery of coastal and environmental improvements. The remit is for a Beach Management Plan covering Llandudno’s West and North shores, providing a preliminary assessment of options which are feasible to take forward for detailed modelling and project appraisal. The remit includes an update of the Conwy Tidal Flood Risk Assessment. It is expected that this initial study will be completed before 31 March 2017. Any further action will be dependent on consideration of the options, costs and benefits identified in the plan.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the First Minister provide the average number of patients registered with each full-time GP within each Health Board in Wales? (WAQ70268)
Answer received on 31 May 2016
Carwyn Jones: The average number of patients registered with each GP (headcount of GP practitioners) by health board can be accessed at Table A1 in the GPs in Wales, 2015 release http://gov.wales/docs/statistics/2016/160330-general-medical-practitioners-2015.pdf.
However, data identifying the average number of patients registered with each full-time GP within each health board is not collated by Welsh Government.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the First Minister outline the maximum number of patients that one full-time GP in Wales should have registered with them? (WAQ70269)
Answer received on 31 May 2016
Carwyn Jones: In 2004 a new General Medical Services (GMS) practice-based contract was introduced which enables patients to register with the practice and not an individual GP. Consequently, there is no requirement for a maximum limit on the number of patients registered with an individual GP as they register with the practice. For clarity, there is no maximum limit either on the number of patients registered with a practice. If necessary, GMS contractors are able to formally apply to the health board to close their patient’s list if they have concerns about their workload.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister make a statement on plans to deliver a Welsh development bank? (WAQ70270)
Answer received on 1 June 2016
Carwyn Jones: The Welsh Development Bank will be a core component part of the Welsh Government’s economic policy and delivery.
It will build on the experience and expertise of Finance Wales which will submit a fully costed business plan to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy & Infrastructure shortly.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How much has been spent to date on consultation and preparation works for the Welsh development bank? (WAQ70271)
Answer received on 1 June 2016
Carwyn Jones: The costs incurred in association with the Feasibility Study into the Creation of a Development Bank for Wales is approximately £90k.
Following that study Finance Wales has led on the detailed work to establish the Development Bank, the costs of which are being contained within its agreed operating budgets.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister provide an update on delivery of the south Wales metro? (WAQ70272)
Answer received on 31 May 2016
Carwyn Jones: We are developing an innovative procurement to deliver the next stage of the south Wales Metro and the next Wales and Border rail franchise together. We are confident that this approach will give us innovative solutions to deliver the transformational change we are looking for.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister provide an update on plans for a north Wales metro? (WAQ70273)
Answer received on 31 May 2016
Carwyn Jones: Development of the North Wales Metro concept is in the early stages. Officials are currently developing outline proposals and we will be setting out that vision within the next 100 days.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister provide an update on plans to reduce tax for small businesses in Wales? (WAQ70274)
Answer received on 31 May 2016
Carwyn Jones: A temporary Small Business Rates Relief scheme is in place for 2016‑17. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government will be considering the options for future relief from non-domestic rates to reduce the tax due from small businesses.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister provide an update on the roll-out of superfast broadband in Wales? (WAQ70275)
Answer received on 31 May 2016
Carwyn Jones: To date, the Superfast Cymru project has provided 582,295 eligible premises across the whole of Wales with the ability to access superfast broadband connections at average speeds of 62.66Mbps. The Superfast Cymru Project will continue to roll-out fibre-speed connectivity until its conclusion in 2017.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How many homes and premises in Wales can now access superfast broadband? (WAQ70276)
Answer received on 31 May 2016
Carwyn Jones: To date, a total of 582,295 eligible premises across Wales can now access superfast broadband connectivity as a direct result of the Superfast Cymru project.
This figure does not include superfast broadband connectivity provided under commercial operations.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How many homes and premises in Wales have taken up superfast broadband to date? (WAQ70277)
Answer received on 31 May 2016
Carwyn Jones: To date almost 150,000 premises have taken up a fibre connection as a direct result of infrastructure provided under the Superfast Cymru project.
This figure has been provided by BT and does not include premises that have taken up superfast broadband under commercial operations.