Lesley Griffiths: This is something I’m having to look at. We need to make sure that there is enough capacity on the national grid. The First Minister met recently with the National Grid to discuss this, and it’s something, as I say, that we will be looking at going forward.
Lesley Griffiths: We work with local authorities identifying communities at risk and building resilience through better forecasting, awareness raising and funding priority schemes. Twenty-three million pounds of this year’s £54 million programme is allocated directly to local authorities. We also collaborate on the coastal risk management programme, increasing our resilience to climate change.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I know my officials are still in discussions with Flintshire County Council, and I know that the local authority itself is reassessing and reviewing the cost. Because I think, over 10 years, obviously, the costs from the original prediction have increased significantly. So, I understand the local authority are working with a local consultant to review the modelling work and asset...
Lesley Griffiths: I have made the strongest case possible to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, and you will find out next week if it’s been successful or not.
Lesley Griffiths: I suppose it’s important that local authorities work together if a flood scheme crosses borders of local authorities. I’m not sure that regionalisation would be particularly beneficial. However, we’re always encouraging local authorities to work much more collaboratively together, so, as I say, if they felt that it would be worthwhile, I’ve no objection to that at all.
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, it’s very concerning to hear of your constituents’ experience with that. And it’s very good that you’ve raised it here in the Chamber. I’d be very happy to write straight away to the British insurance brokers, raising that issue, and, obviously, I will share that information with you when I receive it.
Lesley Griffiths: Because we’re still in the European Union.
Lesley Griffiths: I go back to your first question: implementation of the nitrates directive is a European obligation, and whilst we still are part of the EEC, and we’re going to be still part of the EEC for at least the next two and a half years, we are committed to comply with these obligations. I have to say that minimum standards were introduced for the storage of slurry over 25 years ago—25 years...
Lesley Griffiths: I don’t agree with the question that you asked me. I don’t want to pre-empt the consultation. I’m very happy to work with the industry. I mentioned in my previous answer to you how long these standards have been there, what our assessments have shown and that, for those already meeting existing storage standards, the requirement would be minimal. And I think that is really important and...
Lesley Griffiths: Officials are looking very much at the court case that was undertaken and, obviously, came down against the UK Government. I haven’t got that information to hand at the moment, but I’m very happy to share it when I do have it.
Lesley Griffiths: No, I am not laissez-faire at all, and it’s because of my concerns that so soon after I came into post I launched the consultation. We do have both European and national legislative frameworks in place in Wales. It does concern me greatly. We certainly have hotspots, if hotspots is the right word, of really poor air quality, which concerns me. You mentioned the consultation that closed on 6...
Lesley Griffiths: You’re absolutely right. The C40—the group of cities that you’re referring to—I met with several of the mayors when I was in Marrakech at COP22, and it was really interesting to hear about their plans to end the use of diesel cars, for instance, by 2025. Other countries are looking to do it also by 2030, 2035, and we have to keep pace, otherwise we’re going to look like dinosaurs....
Lesley Griffiths: Well, I don’t think that one word you could apply to me is ‘insensitive’, and I’m certainly not insensitive to this. My officials did meet with representatives of the NFU early in October, and they had a very constructive meeting. I’ve also met with the NFU on several occasions, the last being a week last Thursday, I think. Obviously, they are concerned and they raised those...
Lesley Griffiths: I’m always open-minded when I go into a consultation, but I go back to what I said, that 65 per cent of our farms do not meet those standards—standards that have been there for 25 years. But, of course, the flip is that 35 per cent do reach those standards. So, maybe we should make sure that the best practice is shared from that 35 per cent of farms to that 65 per cent, but I’m...
Lesley Griffiths: So patronising.
Lesley Griffiths: I’m sure the Member would love to leave the EU far quicker than we’re going to, but we are still in the EU. While we’re in the EU, we need to live within our obligations to the EU. So, I’m afraid I don’t agree with you on that point. Going forward, after we leave the EU, that’s a completely different kettle of fish, if you like. We need to make sure, then, we have those specific...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. ‘Planning Policy Wales’ is clear the planning system should promote good environmental practice that includes minimising the risks of pollution. Guidance on slurry lagoons is available from Welsh Government as part of implementing the Water Resources (Control of Pollution) (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) (Wales) Regulations 2010.
Lesley Griffiths: With respect, I don’t have to have any discussions with my Cabinet Secretary colleagues because I’m responsible for planning, too. So, I’m able to restructure planning policy, particularly in light of the goals of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. I think it’s really important that we have that strategic and long-term commitment within the planning system to...
Lesley Griffiths: I haven’t personally had any, but I know my officials have. We’ve worked with the Construction Industry Research and Information Association also. It is a very important point that you raise about the capacity of the lagoons, as to how much can be used at any one time. I think that was part of the early engagement, prior to going out to consultation.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch. As part of the development for the first national marine plan for Wales, various assessments have been undertaken. These have identified the potential of renewable energy opportunities along the Welsh coastline of more than 6 GW.
