Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Llywydd, and thank you to the First Minister for his welcome to us as brand-new Members to the Senedd. The Scottish Government has a Cabinet Secretary responsible for culture and one responsible for sport. The Westminster Government has a Secretary of State responsible for culture and sport. But, despite your comments on culture and sport at the beginning of this session, once...
Heledd Fychan: 1. Will the First Minister make a statement on the action taken to prevent flooding in South Wales Central following the 2020 floods? OQ56563
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, First Minister, for outlining that support. In terms of those affected, be that in terms of their homes or businesses, although they're grateful for the funding and support, they still haven't had the answers that they need in terms of what happened and why, and whether there was anything that could have been done differently to prevent this destructive flooding. If we truly want...
Heledd Fychan: 1. Will the Minister make a statement responding to the pledges outlined in the cultural manifesto for recovery by What Next? Cymru? OQ56564
Heledd Fychan: I thank the Deputy Minister for her answer, and I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your new role, and I look forward to working with you constructively as the party's spokesperson on culture. A central element of the What Next? Cymru campaign was the need to strengthen the cultural dimension across the Welsh Government, and I very much welcome the fact that there will be...
Heledd Fychan: I'd like to focus my contribution to this debate on the need to devolve broadcasting. This is an area that is devolved in other devolved nations, such as the Basque Country and Catalunya, and the powers have been used for the benefit of their languages. The cross-party committee of the Silk commission, set up by the British Government itself, together with an opinion poll conducted by YouGov...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you, Delyth, for raising this hugely important issue.
Heledd Fychan: In 2020, I witnessed first-hand the devastating impact of climate change and flooding on my own community of Pontypridd. One reason I have campaigned so passionately for an independent inquiry into the floods is because no statutory report looks into the impact on health and well-being. I'd like to use the remaining time to share with you the words of one of the victims of the floods, which...
Heledd Fychan: I'm very pleased to see the intention of safeguarding coal tips through the introduction of legislation; I've also read the Law Commission consultation paper, which was quite horrifying, if truth be told. But, as we know, it takes time to bring forward legislation, and there's real concern in many communities that we could see further landslides, as we saw in Tylorstown in February 2020,...
Heledd Fychan: I'd like to echo the points raised by Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Heledd Fychan: Today I have been contacted by the parents of a young couple due to marry on 22 June. The couple have already postponed their wedding twice after being led to believe, from statements made by the First Minister on 14 May, that the regulations would change from 7 June to allow 50 people to attend a wedding reception indoors, rather than the 30, as it is now. They now face the very difficult...
Heledd Fychan: 5. How has the Welsh Government been supporting Natural Resources Wales to take forward the recommendations listed in its report on the 2020 floods? OQ56603
Heledd Fychan: 8. How will the Welsh Government ensure that Welsh-medium education is accessible to all children and communities, especially in Wales's most deprived areas? OQ56602
Heledd Fychan: Thank you for that response. It's clear from the report that staffing levels in NRW have been utterly inadequate to deal with the destructive floods of 2020, as was confirmed by the fact that 41 more staff have been working on flood risk management since then, which is still lower than the report reveals is required. Time and time again, the Welsh Government has refused to hold an independent...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you. I know that the Minister is aware of a campaign in my area in terms of Welsh-medium education, specifically in the north of Pontypridd, where campaigners tried to persuade the local council to consider alternative options, rather than the option that's being taken forward, which will move access to Welsh-medium education further from the communities of Ynysybwl, Glyncoch and...
Heledd Fychan: I'd like to state very clearly that, when it comes to the climate and biodiversity emergency, there is no place for party politics, and I am committed to work cross-party to secure and support your work. And I'm pleased to hear the Deputy Minister reference the need to take a data and science-led approach to the climate emergency. However, this is at odds with your refusal to commit to an...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Llywydd. I'd like to move amendments 2 and 3 formally, and note my thanks for the opportunity to discuss these issues on a day when we're all looking forward to Wales's game against Turkey. On behalf of Plaid Cymru, I'd like to wish the squad well. The aim of our amendments is to add to the original motion in a constructive manner, and I would like to see the Senedd working in a...
Heledd Fychan: Across my region of South Wales Central, countless constituents have been in touch on this very issue, and it is clear that there's an inconsistent service across Wales. And even though there are issues linked to the pandemic that have resulted in reduced services and reduced capacity, the reality is that the bus services have been completely inadequate even prior to this. COVID should not...
Heledd Fychan: As you will be aware, Ice Arena Wales is the only ice arena in the UK that remains closed. The arena, which is only a stone’s throw from this Senedd, has been closed for 15 months. Now, the hope was that this would have changed on 21 June, but a further delay was decided upon. Ice Arena Wales is the most modern ice arena in the United Kingdom. It has a building management system to control...
Heledd Fychan: 8. What steps are being taken to build on the votes at 16 campaign to ensure that more young people have the opportunity to engage with the Senedd's work? OQ56707
