Did you mean representations -taxation speaker:Carl Sargeant?
Carl Sargeant: ...the RSLs in the way that they operate. I think the Member, alongside Bethan Jenkins and others, has said about the influence of the boards is an important one, and particularly tenants’ representation. I’ll work with you to make sure that we get maximum support for that as we take the Bill forward. The Member raised also about particular funding models, about Trivallis in particular...
Carl Sargeant: ...are huge. On some of the details that the Member raises, something that I will give further consideration to as the passage of the Bill moves forward is about making sure that there is proper representation. We did hold a public consultation on the Bill, and responses, as the Member says, were broadly supportive. The scope of the Bill has been strictly limited, as with what has been...
Carl Sargeant: ...This will result in the ability to lend long term, which is something that I’m sure RSLs will keep a very good eye on as a business risk to their association. Finally, regarding local authority representation, there was certainly local authority representation on there. This is, as we move forward, a discussion that we’ll have in terms of how we make sure that the balance is right...
Carl Sargeant: ...s why we’re working with our partners to put a number of collaborative arrangements in place. This includes a housing pact with the WLGA and CHC, the housebuilders engagement programme, including representation from SME businesses, land for housing initiatives, the co-operative housing stakeholder group, and the rural housing strategy group, to name just a few. I share, Mike, your...
Carl Sargeant: ...with the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, I’m keen to use the planning system to increase house building. I listened to Hefin’s contribution and I know he’s made strong representation about processes in the LDP. I think we do have opportunities with the regional development plans that Andrew Davies made reference to in the Planning (Wales) Act 2015. Unfortunately,...
Carl Sargeant: ..., neither am I convinced, in the absence of a complete and reliable picture of the industry’s economics, that a case has been made to maintain the status quo. Indeed, I’ve received very strong representations suggesting that there may be good reason to reduce or even abolish the commission rate. Clearly, I must base my final decision on the best possible evidence. I would like,...
Carl Sargeant: .../50 by 2020 campaign, alongside other organisations and employers in all sectors in Wales, and signing up to the campaign demonstrates employers’ public commitment to working towards equal gender representation in decision-making and influencing roles here in Wales. We’re also working hard to encourage and support women and other under-represented groups to come forward for public...
Carl Sargeant: ...out into those communities to talk with individuals—both workforce and organisations—that can help us design opportunities with the legacy fund as it moves forward. Cytûn and others have made representation on the softening of the structural changes, and I believe we’ve done that. We’ve offered a 70 per cent funding model until the end of this financial year, and then, from...
Carl Sargeant: ...operational issues around the police and stations. These are operational issues and they’re non-devolved to us; they are a matter for the Home Office and I’m sure the Member will have made representation to the relevant body.
Carl Sargeant: ...that the Member refers to. I don’t recognise that there’s a two-tier system, but what I do recognise is that the UK Government has many strands of refugee/asylum packages, and I have made representation to UK Ministers to say we need to streamline that so people are treated equally at the start of that process. I hope that the Member will be able to help me with that proposal. Joyce is...
Carl Sargeant: ...application to allow the Government to continue to fund the uneconomic elements of the Post Office network, which I think they should look at very carefully. The Welsh Government will be making a representation and I would urge the Member to do the same.
Carl Sargeant: I think many Members have made representations to me and previous Ministers on this issue. Indeed, Kirsty Williams last week had a conversation with me about a group in her constituency. I am aware of the issue around the 10 per cent levy, commission rate, on this, and I am giving this further consideration in the round of the whole report, based on the outcomes of my discussions with my...
Carl Sargeant: ...programme as we move forward, and I’m not in a position currently to make that decision. However, I’ve noted the Member’s comments, the strong discussions that we’ve had, and the representations that he’s made, and I will give that further consideration as we move forward.
Carl Sargeant: As I responded to the others, I refer the Member to my previous response to the Members. It is a matter for individuals to make representation as the elected Members representing those bodies. I would advise the Member to write directly to the Ministry in order to make her representation known.
Carl Sargeant: ...brought it to my attention during this debate and earlier. However, this isn’t the responsibility of Welsh Government—it’s a matter for the Home Office, and therefore Members must make their representation to the Home Office for them to make the appropriate decision. It’s not normal practice for the Welsh Government to make representation for individual cases here in Wales.
Carl Sargeant: We’re very grateful for the comments by Jenny, and I know Julie Morgan and Lynne Neagle have also made representation to me. I am sympathetic to the case, but I am not the decision maker here, and I am sure the Member is aware of that. The process here is a clear one, whereby representation needs to be made to the Home Secretary, which I know that Members have done in this Chamber. It is...
Carl Sargeant: I understand that many elected Members have made representations, to which the Home Secretary is answerable, and they’ve made a strong case. Indeed, the Cardiff MPs have done so, and they made a strong case representing Mr Naderi’s case and I hope the Home Secretary will take notice of the views expressed here and amongst the wider Welsh public. However, immigration policy is not devolved...
Carl Sargeant: I thank the Member for his question. I am sympathetic to the circumstances of this case, but immigration is not a devolved issue and it’s not the Welsh Government’s practice to make representation on individual cases. I know that Assembly Members have made representation to the Home Office, and others may wish to join them in this.
Carl Sargeant: ...are supported through Wales and across the UK. I’m very concerned that supported accommodation, including women’s refuges, is not exempt from the local housing allowance cap. We have made representations to the Department for Work and Pensions. I do hope that this pause in the appointment of this policy may give the Minister some pause for thought with regard to this and they’ll...
Carl Sargeant: .... Listening to the views of people with disabilities is important, and I welcome the points you raise through Mia Thorne today. We are also keen to work closely with other organisations to make representations as and when they require. Part M of the building regulations provides for all new housing to have accessible approaches to the main entrance, usable toilet facilities at the entrance...
