Vikki Howells: Which of the recommendations set out in the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee’s report Selling Wales to the World will the Welsh Government be prioritising during the remainder of this Assembly term?
Vikki Howells: 6. What are the Welsh Government's priorities for improving educational performance during the remainder of this Assembly term? OAQ53534
Vikki Howells: First Minister, it was a pleasure to join you on Thursday at the official opening of the brand-new £7.2 million Cwmaman Primary School in my constituency, just the latest in a series of new school buildings where my constituency has benefited from investment to the tune of over £100 million—more than any other constituency in Wales, I believe. And, as a former teacher, I know only too...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister, for your statement today. Flooding is one of the most frequent types of major disaster, and moreover it can be a particularly traumatic one. Numerous studies reveal significant increases in depression, anxiety and distress amongst those affected by flooding. It's also one that's affected many people in my constituency. I'm sure you'll remember that, last year, Aberdare...
Vikki Howells: 6. Will the First Minister outline the Welsh Government’s response to the recent closure of the A465 between Rhigos and Glynneath? OAQ53633
Vikki Howells: I thank the First Minister for his response. Now, the A465 in that area is not just the only A road out of the Cynon Valley, it's also a very significant road regionally, linking, as it does, the Heads of the Valleys, as far afield as the midlands, down to west Wales and is, if I am correct, the only road in Wales that is classed as part of the trans-European road network. So, I'm sure you'll...
Vikki Howells: Will the Minister make a statement on the recent closure of the A465 between Rhigos and Glynneath?
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the start of the 1984-85 miners' strike. The strike had a significant impact on mining communities throughout the UK, including those here in Wales, and including the ones that I represent in Cynon Valley. Indeed, growing up in a village like Cwmbach, where many of my friends and neighbours were directly affected by the...
Vikki Howells: Will the First Minister set out the Welsh Government's response to the Charter for Change published by the Children's Commissioner for Wales?
Vikki Howells: At a conference last week on city deals, the future generations commissioner spoke about building equality metrics into the city deals so that, as well as providing clear and measurable indicators, they would also provide beneficial outcomes in and of themselves—for example, a reduction perhaps in numbers of children in care or improved life expectancy. What are the Government's views on this?
Vikki Howells: I'm really pleased to be able to speak on this item today, Deputy Minister. As far as I'm concerned, this Bill proposes a long-overdue change to the law to remove an outdated Victorian concept. I have to disagree with the Assembly Member for Aberconwy, because most people I speak to in my constituency are actually of the opinion that children already have the same legal protection from...
Vikki Howells: What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Finance on the procurement practices of local authorities?
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister, for your statement today. I have four specific questions for you. Firstly, I'd welcome your comments around recruitment to the variety of professions that we need within the Welsh NHS. I recently visited St John's Medical Practice in Aberdare to see their award-winning virtual ward programme, which enables a range of multidisciplinary professionals to work together to...
Vikki Howells: Minister, there's no doubt in my mind that the Welsh Government has an ambitious and dynamic strategy through which to harness the power of public procurement for the betterment of communities across Wales. But in order to do so, it's absolutely vital that we have procurement specialists right at the heart of local government, and we know that there are shortages within this area. So, what...
Vikki Howells: 2. Will the First Minister set out how the Welsh Government supports local authorities to provide leisure services? OAQ53769
Vikki Howells: Thank you, First Minister. I'm sure you'll be aware that leisure services or leisure centres that have been transferred to independent, charitable trusts are applicable for non-domestic rate relief, while those that are retained by councils aren't. This means that, across Wales, leisure trusts receive rate relief of approximately £5.4 million, whilst local authorities are paying around £3.1...
Vikki Howells: Trefnydd, I'd like to request two statements this afternoon. The first is from the Minister for Housing and Local Government regarding grass fires. Just four months into the year, and we've already seen 102 grass fires in the Cynon Valley, and I'd like to pay tribute to the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service for the way in which they've dealt with those. But shockingly, of those 102 grass...
Vikki Howells: Thank you for your statement today, Minister. As a mother myself who's given birth within the Cwm Taf area, as well as being an Assembly Member for a constituency that falls under the Cwm Taf area, I can honestly say that this report is the most distressing thing that I have read since I was elected to this place three years ago, and my thoughts are very firmly with the families that have...
Vikki Howells: I would like to begin my contribution this afternoon by joining with my colleague Dawn Bowden in thanking the Minister very sincerely for taking such decisive action as soon as the issues in Cwm Taf maternity services came to light, commissioning this independent review that has allowed us to shine a spotlight on the failings in the service and begin to put things right. So, for my...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister, for your statement here today. As the number of people living with dementia in Wales increases, it's so important that we get this provision right. I notice firstly in your statement the reference to the increased number of dementia friends and dementia friendly communities. My office, along with the offices of many other Assembly Members, have undergone that training and...
