Mark Drakeford: Thank you very much, Llywydd. In October, I set out the broad parameters of a way forward on local government reform. Today, I have published for consultation a White Paper, ‘Reforming Local Government: Resilient and Renewed’. I am grateful to those in this Assembly, in local government and in wider public service who have offered significant help in refining the original proposals. This...
Mark Drakeford: May I thank Sian Gwenllian for her comments this afternoon and for the opportunity to speak to her over the past months, when we were endeavouring to develop on what’s in the statement to the Assembly this afternoon? Just to say something on the final point that she raised on the Welsh language—there are many issues in the White Paper referring to the Welsh language, and how we can...
Mark Drakeford: Well, Llywydd, I thank Janet Finch-Saunders for a comprehensive set of questions. Thank you for what she said at the beginning. I look forward to continuing to have opportunities to discuss the detail of these ideas as the consultation period goes on. I understand her party has a different view of electoral reform, but there’s absolutely no suggestion of gerrymandering. These are choices...
Mark Drakeford: I thank the Member for his contribution, and for those parts of the White Paper that he has endorsed. Let me just take the last point first, really, which is, I don’t think it’s possible to do anything other than have a consistent approach to the way that we allocate responsibilities. If it’s right for councils to be able to decide whether they want a committee structure or a cabinet...
Mark Drakeford: Can I thank Mike Hedges for what he said in opening? He will know that some of my thinking has been much influenced by discussions with him, and some of his views and in-depth experience of the way that local government works on the ground. In relation to his point about back-office services, a number of Members have made this point—Gareth Bennett made it as well—about the way in which...
Mark Drakeford: Well, of course, I’m always interested in what David Melding has to say. Thank you for what you said on 16 and 17-year-olds. I absolutely agree with him that one of the key arguments for extending the franchise in that way is that it allows you to create an educated and informed citizenry early on in their lives, and hopefully then to be able to go on harnessing the benefits of that during...
Mark Drakeford: Can I thank Jenny Rathbone for those comments, and particularly for drawing attention to something that we haven’t rehearsed so far in the discussion this afternoon? The White Paper says that, just as we want a new relationship between the Welsh Government and local authorities, so local authorities themselves need to develop a new relationship with the populations that they serve: a...
Mark Drakeford: I thank Julie Morgan, Llywydd, for what she said. She’s right to point to the fact that the experience of the Cardiff capital region has been very influential in drawing up this White Paper. It’s very regularly pointed to by council leaders of different parties when I’m discussing it with them as an example of how they have been able to come together. But it’s not just Cardiff; the...
Mark Drakeford: I thank Nick Ramsay. He’s right to say that Monmouthshire council has been one of the ones that have advocated a combined authority model. I think when he has a chance to look closely at the White Paper, he’ll see some other places where discussions with Monmouthshire have had an impact in the White Paper, and some of the ways that we have amended the proposals for how local authorities...
Mark Drakeford: As I mentioned in the Chamber in November, the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children is considering this. The evidence from the ban in Scotland and details of the legislation proposed for England will inform the action we take.
Mark Drakeford: We are working with local partners to support business growth, improve infrastructure, and create a more attractive economic environment across the region.
Mark Drakeford: We support the introduction of minimum unit pricing as part of a package of measures aimed at reducing the impact of alcohol misuse on individuals, communities and our public services. We are actively considering the need to legislate on this matter.
Mark Drakeford: I expect health boards in mid and west Wales to provide safe effective out-of-hours services in their area. This includes ensuring that all patients are dealt with within a clinically appropriate time.
Mark Drakeford: Decisions on branch closures are matters for the banks, but we recognise the negative impact closures can have on communities. Whilst non-devolved, I welcome last week’s announcement that post offices will be able to provide services to fill some of the gaps left by bank branch closures.
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government is committed to increasing regional collaboration between local authorities in a range of areas, including the Welsh language. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government will outline our proposals in his statement later today.
Mark Drakeford: Diolch yn fawr, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Can I begin by thanking Nick Ramsay for taking the opportunity of a short debate to highlight the current state of progress in relation to the Cardiff capital city deal? His contribution, I thought, was thoughtful, wide ranging, optimistic but realistic about the challenges that we face. City deals have the potential to make a lasting impact, and that’s why...
Mark Drakeford: I discussed a range of issues with the devolved administrations and the UK Government at the Joint Ministerial Committee last week, including the need for much stronger mechanisms to manage the inter-governmental negotiations that will be needed post EU exit.
Mark Drakeford: Supporting a strong economy that generates sustainable employment opportunities that are accessible to all is a fundamental part of our approach to tackling poverty. The evidence is clear that well-paid work provides the most sustainable route out of poverty and the greatest protection against poverty for those most at risk.
Mark Drakeford: The refreshed heart conditions delivery plan was published on 6 January 2017. The Cabinet Secretary for Health Well-being and Sport will be making a statement in plenary later this afternoon.
Mark Drakeford: Estyn is reviewing financial education provision in primary and secondary schools and will publish its findings this spring. Their report will inform development of our new curriculum. We published our financial inclusion plan in December with actions and success measures to strengthen financial education and financial inclusion across Wales.
