Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think you raise a very important point about compassion. And I too attended, in my own constituency, a group of homeless people who were very worried that they would be given a tent. And I was very pleased to be assured that would not happen, but, clearly, you give an example of when that has happened. Obviously, the legislation around homelessness, particularly in relation to...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think you raise a very important point, and, like you, I had not heard of this man. It was absolutely horrific what was coming out in the news at the time this story did hit the media. I think we need to be very, very clear that we need to ensure that we protect all children and young people, and, in particular, boys, from harm and influence from individuals on abusive and...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I haven't seen your correspondence, but that could be because NRW falls within the portfolio of my colleague the Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, so it may have been transferred over to her. But obviously I'm very aware of the ongoing Natural Resources Wales consultation regarding their regulatory fees and charges for 2023-24. I think the whole aim of that review is to...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I'm assuming that the Minister will be currently considering the report that you refer to. You will have heard the First Minister say in his question and answer session that we've put significant funding once again into our flood risk management programmes, and it is really important that our local authorities and NRW have the staff to be able to implement all schemes.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch. As you're aware, Welsh Ministers did issue a direction on 5 January in relation to a specific planning application on a poultry farm, and that direction does prevent the granting of planning permission until Welsh Ministers have been able to assess whether or not the planning application should be called in or not, and such directions, as you know, are issued routinely where a Welsh...
Lesley Griffiths: In relation to your first point, I will be amending the legislation as soon as possible. You'll appreciate this is the first week we are back after the Christmas break, but I do intend to continue to bring forward that amended legislation as soon as possible. I certainly don't think that is the case with Powys County Council, but I do suggest you write to them around your specific point.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. As I say, this is a matter for local authorities. I don't see that this is an issue for Welsh Government. I would give you the same advice as I've just given to James Evans; I think it's really important you raise it with your local authority.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think the situation you set out is indeed wholly unacceptable. If there's only one member of staff who's then on maternity leave, then obviously I appreciate they can't just get somebody in at very short notice. However, a wait of two to three years for such an important assessment is clearly too long. I will certainly ask the Minister if he's aware of the issue that you...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, that would be for the Deputy Minister for Climate Change, and, as you know, the whole road review and road building programmes have been looked at very closely, but I will ask the Minister—Deputy Minister, sorry—to issue a written statement.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. There are four changes to this week's business. The Minister for Climate Change will make a statement on flooding after the business statement and announcement, and that will be followed by a statement from the Minister for Health and Social Services to update Members on her meeting with the NHS trade unions. To accommodate this, the oral statement on Ukraine has been...
Lesley Griffiths: In relation to your first point around the number of GPs, the Minister for Health and Social Services continues to do a great deal of work in bringing forward more trainee GPs every year. I think you will see that year on year over the past few years that has absolutely been the case. The Minister obviously also works very hard and very closely with our health boards, because it is a matter...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Whilst local authorities, I think in general, would say they had a better settlement than they had anticipated, clearly there are some very difficult choices to be made by our local authorities, and of course, it's always the services that they don't have a statutory responsibility for that are the first to be looked at when it comes to cuts. The Deputy Minister for culture works...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The Member will be aware that we are currently looking at bringing forward the sustainable farming scheme, and that there will be a transition from the basic payment scheme to the sustainable farming scheme. One thing we are looking at within the SFS is whether capping payments should be brought in as part of SFS, to ensure that funding is distributed in a fair way. I would not say...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think the Welsh Government has a very good story to tell about the improvements that we've made to a great number of houses within our housing stock. You'll be aware that, here in Wales, we have some very old housing stock, which has certainly required a great deal of refurbishment. What the Minister has is a rolling programme of schemes that she works closely with local...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think you raise a very important point. When you started to ask me that question, you automatically think, as you say, about women and safety, but I think the point you raise about people who may not be as secure on their feet as many of us are also can impose some real concerns. I will certainly ask the Minister for Social Justice to bring forward a written statement,...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. My initial answer to your first request is that I know the Minister for Health and Social Services is looking with the health board at the detail of the ruling that came forward to understand what broader lessons may need to be learned. It was deeply concerning to hear that report last week in relation to the two nurses. On your second point around costs facing people who live in...
Lesley Griffiths: I will certainly go back to what I said to you on 15 November and speak to the Deputy Minister to see when he can bring forward that statement.
Lesley Griffiths: I absolutely agree with you that we should be providing that support to anyone who wants to have a family, and people who particularly have got fertility issues. You mentioned there was a consultation, and I am aware that the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee are currently reviewing the policy and considering how to strengthen the support provided for a range of women's health...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, as you referred in your question, there is a new GP contract coming forward this year, and that's just part of that rolling programme, really, of reform that we have here in Wales of our primary care services. You may be aware that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have a new director of primary care, and I would urge you to write to her—Rachel Page—to see, on that...
Lesley Griffiths: You asked for an urgent statement, and I don't think that would be appropriate. This is a matter for Denbighshire County Council. What I would agree with is that as much transparency as possible, I think, is the way forward for every local authority in Wales when they make decisions.
