Janet Finch-Saunders: Will the Minister outline how local authorities take the provision of health services into account when discussing planning applications?
Janet Finch-Saunders: Will the Minister make a statement on the operational activity of the Welsh fishing fleet?
Janet Finch-Saunders: It is a privilege today to participate in what really could be a historic moment for our older people in Wales, and indeed our future generations. Whilst Wales is home to less than 1 per cent of the world’s population, the Bill brought forward today by my colleague, Darren Millar AM, could really be a global game changer. It would set an important precedent for other nations to follow—the...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Making the most of rainy days in Wales—when many people think of Wales, one thing that comes to mind is its reputation as being accustomed to many rainy days. Indeed, according to the Met Office, 'Wales has an essentially maritime climate, characterised by weather that is often cloudy, wet and windy but mild'. Snowdonia, in the north, is the wettest...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Bethesda. However, as in the rest of Wales, hydro is simply not flourishing. 'Why?' is the question. I'm aware that the Welsh Government already offers loans, grants, and technical support for the development of hydro schemes, such as through the local energy service, the rural community development fund, and sustainable production grant scheme. All sounds very positive, but the reality is...
Janet Finch-Saunders: 'Old land of the mountains, the Eden of bards, / Each gorge and each valley a loveliness guards; / Through love of my country, charmed voices will be / Its streams, and its rivers, to me.'
Janet Finch-Saunders: Do you not agree, Minister, that the landscape so famously described in those beautiful lyrics has the potential of offering more to Wales, and indeed, that the sound of the streams and the rivers would be even sweeter when the water they guide has had the best opportunity possible to create green energy, to be used in our homes, and to help to reduce our energy bills? Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Janet Finch-Saunders: 4. How will the Assembly Commission fund any additional costs associated with the potential name change of the National Assembly for Wales? OAQ53318
Janet Finch-Saunders: Will the Minister make a statement on the financial support available to groups using and promoting the Welsh language?
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Llywydd. As you'll be aware, during the Commission consultation there was a majority agreement that the Assembly should change its name. However, the consultation also disclosed the fact that there is concern about the cost of the changes, and you yourself, Llywydd, addressed us on 13 June 2017 by advising that, and I quote, 'The Commission…will plan the change so as to minimise...
Janet Finch-Saunders: 1. Will the First Minister make a statement on health service waiting times across north Wales? OAQ53374
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, First Minister, and I do actually appreciate the acknowledgment about further work required, but, let's be honest, direct interventions by your Welsh Government into the Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board were implemented in June 2015, pending a number of vast improvements that were required. In reality, patients across north Wales are still seeing increased waiting time...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Okay. As the First Minister with ultimate responsibility for all portfolios—[Interruption.]
Janet Finch-Saunders: Okay. As the First Minister with ultimate responsibility, is it not time now that you started to take more of a hold on what's going on in this health board, and perhaps look at a better way of managing the direct interventions into this health board?
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you. I think my questions are—thank you. Diolch, Llywydd. May I welcome you to your first questions, I believe, Minister? I look forward to working with you, as we go forward, in this portfolio. I know, from my time with you in committee, that you're very genuine in your working. Right, there are at least 370,000 carers in Wales, which is more than the population of Cardiff. And...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, that's very encouraging. Thank you, Deputy Minister. I believe that our grant would go a long way in helping to ensure that young carers can continue in education. This is key, but there is more still that we can do. Indeed, it is a frightening fact that YoungMinds suggest that 68 per cent of young carers have been bullied at some point because of tackling their home...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, again. One aim of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2016 is to improve the well-being of carers who need support. Following this, a carer of any age has the same rights to be assessed for support as the person they care for. These assessments are undertaken by social services. However, the total number of social service staff for children and young people has not...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I will sign. [Signs in BSL.] That's the trouble with having a long name. [Signs in BSL.] That said: I am Janet Finch-Saunders and I am a BSL student. Over the last year, my team and I have enjoyed the pleasure of learning BSL. We've already passed the first level and are now studying for the next. The reason for this is because I acknowledge the fact...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Can I ask a question?
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you for taking my question. My question is—. My team and I have been able to acquire the training in BSL through here, the National Assembly for Wales, and our staff development team, who I would like to put on record my thanks to. Would you agree with me that, really, it's incumbent on all of us as Members to, perhaps, look into learning BSL? The staff development team here are more...
