Alun Davies: I hope that over the next few months what we will debate and discuss is a vision for the future of local government, and not simply the means by which we achieve that vision. What I tried to set out yesterday, and what I want to set out over the coming months, is a vision for local government where local government is more powerful than it is today, is stronger than it is today, has more...
Alun Davies: No. No, I don't recognise that, and I certainly would hope to see competitive elections and competitive democracy in all parts of Wales, even including Blaenau Gwent.
Alun Davies: I think the challenge outlined by the UKIP spokesperson is a good one and I don't disagree with him about the challenges raised. I don't believe, and I've never claimed, that the Government believes that there's an optimum shape and an optimum size for local government. What we're seeking to do is to publish an indicative map that will look at potential shapes of future structures. I hope...
Alun Davies: I come here to speak on behalf of Welsh Government, not to speak on behalf of myself, and the process that we launched yesterday was a Government process. It was a Government process. It was launched by the Welsh Government as a whole. But let me say this, let me say this: I asked all local government leaders before Christmas what their ambitions were for local government. I asked all local...
Alun Davies: I have many conversations with local authority leaders of all political hues and none. And they all say very different things, in different ways, and express themselves differently. But not one—not one—including the leader of the Vale of Glamorgan, in fact, has said to me, 'I wish that we—' or 'We want you to deliver Conservative policies and the Conservative policies that are being...
Alun Davies: I'm aware of the correspondence she—[Interruption.] I'm aware of the correspondence she has, because I gave it to her. I'm also very aware of its contents. What I will say to the Member is that we work with local government to deliver a formula that local government wishes to use in order to distribute fairly our rate support grant to all local authorities in Wales. There is no, and has...
Alun Davies: Absolutely. I was delighted, alongside the Member for Merthyr, to join Unison for conversations on this matter last week. I think the work that Unison is doing is absolutely groundbreaking in ensuring that we have a public service workforce that works alongside providers and employers to deliver the best possible standards of service for all people who require social care in Wales. The...
Alun Davies: I think Members across the whole Chamber will want to join with me in thanking all the public service workers, both in local government and elsewhere, who worked so very hard to keep people safe over the last month, where we have had some very severe weather in different parts of the country. I think, right across the Chamber, we all owe those public service workers a great debt of gratitude....
Alun Davies: Across all service areas, Welsh Government continues to provide significant support to local government.
Alun Davies: Absolutely. The housing Minister has obviously heard the question that you've asked and will be potentially able to write to you, giving you more information on this. But, certainly, we are aware of those issues. A person homeless on leaving the armed forces is in priority need under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 and will be entitled to housing if homeless. We also understand that most local...
Alun Davies: I hope that we are supporting and providing sufficient funding to Veterans' NHS Wales. We are currently providing annual funding of £585,000, and you will be aware that the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services has recently announced additional funding of £100,000 per annum to increase the capacity for veterans with mental health needs. So, I hope that we are providing for the...
Alun Davies: I agree with the Member for the Rhondda that there are a number of issues that potentially may face veterans as they leave the armed forces and return to civilian life. The Member may be aware that we are developing an employment pathway to deal with some of those issues and that we are working with local authorities to deal with issues around homelessness as well. I am absolutely confident...
Alun Davies: We have set out a range of services in our armed forces package of support, which clarifies our commitment to helping veterans settle back into communities across Wales.
Alun Davies: We are working with the Ministry of Defence and colleagues in knowledge and analytical services to develop metrics to measure our performance of services and support in health, prosthetics and housing. This will give us a better understanding of their needs and where to target our services to meet those needs.
Alun Davies: I expect all local authorities to work closely with other public sector bodies to deliver for the communities they serve. The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 makes public bodies, including local authorities, in Wales think more about the long term, working better with people and communities and each other, looking to prevent problems and take a more joined-up approach.
Alun Davies: We have worked closely with local authorities to ensure support has been available during the transition period, working collaboratively to learn and monitor lessons from Communities First. Legacy funding ensures the most successful aspects of Communities First continue.
Alun Davies: We introduced legislation in 2011 to help address the gender pay gap in the Welsh public sector. The Equality and Human Rights Commission guides, monitors and regulates local authorities in relation to their duty. Local authorities have a statutory duty as employers to take steps to address any identified gaps.
Alun Davies: We are continuing to provide funding to promote positive engagement for young people, in addition to funding an additional 500 community support officers who work with young people on diversionary initiatives and providing guidance.
Alun Davies: Yes, I am happy to pursue that dialogue and that conversation. As I said, this is the beginning of a process and not the end of a process, and what we're seeking to do today is to stimulate exactly that conversation. I've spoken to all the local government leaders in north Wales, and spoken to them at length about how they work together, and I've tried to speak to them about how we deliver...
Alun Davies: I agree with large parts of Nick Ramsay's speech, much to his horror—I actually think he's right. The interesting thing is that he describes himself as somebody from Monmouthshire and he takes ownership of that, but I'm from Monmouthshire. I was born in St James Hospital, Tredegar, Monmouthshire. I was educated in Monmouthshire as well. And the first time I saw the All Blacks play, they...
