Suzy Davies: While I fully expect, during the course of this debate, that people will be talking about funding decisions and the implications of those, I just wanted to have a quick look at the gap between the need for local decision making and the disconnect between citizens and those to whom they currently delegate those decisions. Because it seems extraordinary to me that it is much easier to have...
Suzy Davies: Thanks you for giving me a minute here, Mike. I think, with the city deal, the direct loan to Yr Egin and the prospect of a prison coming to Port Talbot shortly, that puts to bed the idea that the UK Government isn’t interested in investing in south Wales. But I think you’re right to raise two points in particular with this. The first is to query the role of local input and how residents...
Suzy Davies: First Minister, you already knew that I’m annoyed Bridgend County Borough Council has cut £2 million from its social care budget, despite an additional £2 billion from the UK Government and, indeed, Welsh Government additional money as well. Now, your Minister told me just before the recess that some money would be conditional going to councils—that money would only go to them provided...
Suzy Davies: The Swansea bay city region deal, which you and Theresa May, of course, both signed recently in Swansea, is set to trigger £1.3 billion worth of investment in the region, and the proximity of the university that you’ve mentioned already, and the emphasis on the steel-based supply chain within the enterprise zone, fits very well with a number of projects in that deal. The enterprise zone...
Suzy Davies: Yes, of course, Cabinet Secretary, we acknowledge the targeted high-street relief scheme, although some of those high-street businesses are still surprised that they are ineligible for it. And those that may be eligible are still finding some difficulty in as much as the Welsh Government’s link to that information on the website is still not working. For those who are perhaps a bit...
Suzy Davies: 2. Will the First Minister provide details of the oversight that Welsh Government has over debts owed to local authorities by third parties? OAQ(5)0582(FM)
Suzy Davies: I’m a bit disappointed with that answer, First Minister, as I thought you’d like to know what your local authorities are not recovering at a time when they’re claiming that austerity is depriving them of any money. I’m sure you’ll join me in congratulating all the newly elected councillors at Bridgend County Borough Council, including the 10 new Conservative members, and, hopefully,...
Suzy Davies: Would you take an intervention?
Suzy Davies: Thank you for taking the intervention. What kind of experience do you think will be necessary to convince people that they’re capable of carrying out this process?
Suzy Davies: Well, perhaps to help test that central competence question, Welsh Government can of course try and offer advice and guidance, as you’ve just mentioned, Counsel General. If so, what status does that have in terms of non-compliance and how would you view the fact that, on my last set of figures, Bridgend County Borough Council, until last week, employed almost 350 staff on zero-hours...
Suzy Davies: Well, I agree that it’s very disappointing that these breaches have taken place and that there’s been a second court ruling now on exactly the same issue. Natural Resources Wales may well be right that the resolution of the problem is difficult, but, bearing in mind it’s not just breaches of the law that we’re talking about, but serious changes to the ecology of this area, I don’t...
Suzy Davies: Could I just ask, then, because obviously for decades now Wales has been getting more money from the EU in terms of regional support than other parts of the UK—can you explain why we’re still in that position, because it’s not just not the matter of the last 10 years, is it?
Suzy Davies: Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the teaching of modern foreign languages in schools in Wales?
Suzy Davies: First Minister, we support the improvement in this policy, of course, particularly the part relating to the veterans’ disregard, but is this savings cap really the best that you can do for people who’ve tried very, very hard, very often at personal cost of personal sacrifices in spending, in order that they save more? Now, Jeremy Corbyn has recently said that he is not wealthy, despite...
Suzy Davies: Thank you for the statement, Cabinet Secretary. I’m pleased that something very similar to the Welsh Conservatives’ policy has found its way into your own policy. Could I ask you whether you agree that education leaders have a crucial role in improving the place of the Welsh language in the culture of our schools and colleges? I’m not talking here about the curriculum, but the culture....
Suzy Davies: Thank you very much for your statement, Cabinet Secretary. I think Welsh Conservatives would be keen to support plans drawn up or even led by those who live with dementia, either first hand or as family members, friends or carers, and, as you say, other voluntary organisations and those who have an interest who took part in the consultation. We certainly support the rights-led approach, but I...
Suzy Davies: In March, Cabinet Secretary, the community and children’s Secretary said that good, secure housing not only reduces the burden on other services, such as the NHS or social care, but it will also improve the quality of life for people, and I think none of us would disagree with that. However, I would go a little further and say that housing that’s designed to be easily adaptable, perhaps...
Suzy Davies: Thank you again, Llywydd. Gweinidog, diolch yn fawr iawn am eich datganiad ar gyllid gofal cymdeithasol a gyhoeddwyd y bore yma. Yn wyneb y £2 biliwn ychwanegol a ddaeth gan Lywodraeth Geidwadol y DU ar gyfer hyn, rwy’n credu ei bod yn bwysig eich bod wedi gwneud datganiad cynnar yn nodi eich bod yn barod i ymrwymo arian rydym wedi’i gaffael drwy gyllid canlyniadol Barnett ar gyfer yr un...
Suzy Davies: I’m very grateful to you, particularly for the last part of your answer there. As I say, I’m more than happy to welcome everything that’s in the statement, but, obviously, I’m going to be scrutinising you on how well you are watching how that is spent. The £3 million given to local authorities for respite, obviously, and particularly in view of what we were talking about here...
Suzy Davies: Well, for that very reason, I’m very pleased it hasn’t gone into the revenue support grant, so I do thank you for that. Could I ask you: do you welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement of a statutory right for leave for those with caring responsibilities?
