Did you mean representations -taxation speaker:Hannah Blythyn?
Hannah Blythyn: Cabinet Secretary, I am proud to be a member of a party and an institution that has led the way on the importance of the representation of women in political life, but as always we can always do more, and it’s important that we continue to do so, to ensure that voices of over half of the population are not only heard, but are actively and fully represented in our democracy. Therefore, can I...
Hannah Blythyn: ...equality in today’s Wales is an absolute, not an add-on. I know from my experience in the trade union movement that mainstreaming equality is done largely through equality representatives and representation on branches. It makes it an everyday, accepted occurrence and it embeds a culture of understanding, fairness and respect that we’re all together in striving for the same social...
Hannah Blythyn: ...developer of the biomass plant that they are minded to direct that an environmental impact assessment must accompany their planning application currently before the Vale of Glamorgan Council. Any representations they will make will be taken into account before a final decision is made.
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you for that question. I appreciate the residents' and the Member's concerns, and I recognise the role the Member has played in being involved with making representations on this issue on behalf of her constituents. In terms of the announcement by the future generations commissioner, our guidance in the well-being of future generations Act makes it clear that the Act provides...
Hannah Blythyn: ...a letter to the developer on 14 February stating that we are minded to direct that an environmental impact assessment is required. The developer has responded and we are currently considering the representations that have been made before taking a final decision.
Hannah Blythyn: ...uphold our international obligations in respect of environmental impact assessments. Officials are giving careful consideration to compliance with the EIA directive, taking account of the representations of the developer and those of the Docks Incinerator Action Group and others.
Hannah Blythyn: ...of time frame. I do understand why this is causing so much concern and frustration, both for representatives and for people in the local community. But we are actively currently considering the representation made, and we do not intend to set a deadline for the final decision on EIA to be made, because the decision requires careful and full consideration of all the issues to withstand...
Hannah Blythyn: ...our international obligations in respect of an environmental impact assessment. So, officials are currently giving careful consideration to compliance with the EIA directive, taking into account representations from the Member himself and other Members, the developer, and, of course, the Docks Incinerator Action Group.
Hannah Blythyn: I'm very aware of the representations the Member has previously and assiduously made on the issue, and of the local and the public attention and the public feeling behind it, and why. In respect of the decision, you're asking in terms of the environmental impact assessment of the planning application dealt with by the Vale council, and I know the former First Minister wrote to you to say he...
Hannah Blythyn: ...empty properties were a problem that impacts on all of our communities, and I don't think there's an elected representative here or outside of this place who hasn't had it raised with them, or had representations. In closing, I really want to reaffirm that this Welsh Government very much welcomes the report, which, happily, reinforces some of the steps we are taking and the plans that are...
Hannah Blythyn: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I am pleased today to be able to bring forward a motion to approve the Representation of the People (Annual Canvass) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2020. The current annual canvass for electors is outdated and cumbersome, is expensive and complex for electoral registration officers to administer and can lead to confusion for our citizens. In light of this, we have...
Hannah Blythyn: ...the way in which it was delivered. Although these changes were welcome, other potentially more critical interventions were met with what I can say is intransigence. And this is despite the repeated representations, not just of politicians and of this Welsh Government and the First Minister, but non-governmental organisations, citizens and stakeholders from across the country. The...
Hannah Blythyn: ...conscious of the pressures on industry as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. It would therefore have been difficult for stakeholders to engage with and respond to a full consultation, and representations were received from industry that a consultation would not be welcome at this time. The bulk of the measures are also relatively small, technical changes, and implementing...
Hannah Blythyn: ...actually how we could build on what we're already doing and take that further. But I would issue almost a warning and a word of encouragement for Members from across the Chamber to help us to make representations with regard to the internal market Bill, particularly concerns around the principle of mutual recognition within the internal market Bill if enacted, which allow any good that...
Hannah Blythyn: ...together, both employers and workers have a collective interest in the shared benefits of fair work. Trade unions should be front and centre of this work; they are the best route for collective representation in the workplace and have a central part to play not simply in driving up terms and conditions but more broadly in unlocking our economy as whole. With this in mind, alongside the...
Hannah Blythyn: ...and talked a lot in your contribution about the legislative and policy change, but you talked about the power of art as well. Over the years, we've seen huge cultural change in terms of the representation of LGBTQ+ people in the media. When I was growing up in north Wales, I could never have dreamed that you'd just watch whatever programme and there would be positive representation on...
Hannah Blythyn: .... Well, the socially responsible procurement process is conducted by those public bodies. We then have a social partnership council, and a public procurement sub-group, which is made up of equal representation of Government, employers and trade unions to work through any challenges that come and to look to mediate. There is no sign-off or ransom, as the Member puts it. And the other...
Hannah Blythyn: Can I thank the Member for his further questions? I just want to point to one element where people will be surprised that we may agree. It's around the need for diversity of representation as part of the social partnership council, through those bodies that are represented on the body as proposed. You are right that, actually, you can't extend it to everybody, because, as I've said in...
Hannah Blythyn: ...Wales through the agricultural advisory panel. And I'm sure some of the points he's made around the disparities in the minimum wage will be fed back to members of that panel, on which there's equal representation from trade unions and across the farming unions as well, and independent members, and I'm sure they will hear those comments loud and clear to be fed back. But it is this...
Hannah Blythyn: ...that 'non-affiliated trade unions [will] be included as part of the list of nominees presented to the First Minister'. Before I close, I would also like to mention specifically in relation to representation of the health and social care sectors that the purpose of the SPC is not to replace those existing, well-established social partnerships such as the NHS Wales partnership forum, but to...
