Lesley Griffiths: I don’t think it’s a matter of dithering; I think it’s a matter of getting things right. You also have to realise the cost of these things. Maybe if we’d had a bit more money from your UK Tory Government, maybe we’d be able to do everything. But, the budget isn’t in—[Interruption.] You will appreciate these things. So, for instance, the cost of putting CCTV in every...
Lesley Griffiths: ‘Environmental impact assessment’ refers to a formal process set out in regulations for assessing, consulting and coming to a decision on specific projects required by the Environmental impact assessment directive. Where EIA is not required, the environmental effects of proposals are considered by various consent regimes before development commences.
Lesley Griffiths: I’m unable to comment on a specific determination process that was carried out some years ago, but I can assure you that all marine licence applications are considered in line with legal requirements, which are set out in Part 4 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007. The regulations provide procedures to determine...
Lesley Griffiths: I can’t give you a specific answer on the number, but we do know that Welsh schoolchildren can be exposed to high levels of pollution when they’re travelling to and from schools, just as much as when they’re on the school grounds. The Member will be aware that we have begun to engage with a wide range of stakeholders to help shape work around the clean air zone framework for Wales, and...
Lesley Griffiths: It’s really important that any decision makers around any organisation take decisions in the full knowledge of the environmental impacts, but I will certainly be very happy to look into this and write to the Member.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Further to my written statement of 13 June, I expect to make changes to competent person scheme requirements to help ensure insulation is not installed to unsuitable properties from 1 October 2017. For existing installations, officials will be meeting with the main guarantee provider, the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency, to discuss progress in resolving outstanding claims.
Lesley Griffiths: It certainly has my ongoing attention. I think I receive at least one piece of correspondence a week on this issue. The Member will be aware that almost all cavity wall insulations are undertaken by installers under the building regulation competent person self-certification schemes. As I’ve said, I’ll be in a position, I hope, to make that announcement from 1 October. I know that there...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, I absolutely agree with the Member, and you will have heard me say in my initial answer to Dawn Bowden that my officials are due to meet again with CIGA. Those meetings are ongoing. They’ve obviously previously met them, and I think CIGA do obviously recognise the problems that are facing many of the customers that they’ve been dealing with. They’ve already taken action in a number...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I’m extremely concerned the UK Government has yet to commit funding for agricultural support beyond 2022, which was promised by George Eustice before the referendum. Meanwhile, we are working with other administrations to ensure that day 1 readiness preparations will be in place, enabling payments to continue to be made.
Lesley Griffiths: I think uncertainty for the future is probably one of the biggest understatements I’ve heard this year. At the moment, there’s a black hole after 2022. We don’t know what funding we are going to receive from the UK Government. They haven’t been very clear about that. They did promise before the EU referendum that we would receive every penny that we are having currently, so we are...
Lesley Griffiths: I wouldn’t say that farmers aren’t that concerned where powers lie. I think certainly the farmers who I’ve engaged with and the farming unions absolutely recognise that the agricultural powers belong to the people of Wales and they don’t want to see any power grab by the UK Government. You’re quite right—. I think probably—well, it was before the election that was called in June...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I want to see a more efficient, profitable and sustainable agricultural sector in Wales. I am supporting our farmers to achieve this through innovative use of funding available, including the sustainable production grant, the farm business grant, the strategic initiative for agriculture, as well as through Farming Connect.
Lesley Griffiths: Well, I can’t call a halt to the NVZ review because that’s a statutory requirement under the nitrates directive, so I think it needs to be viewed within that. You’ll be aware that we had a consultation on NVZ. That closed at the end of December. We received a large number of responses—I think it was over 250—many, many more than the previous time we’ve had to review it. I’m very...
Lesley Griffiths: There is no specific Farming Connect business advice grant. However, our Farming Connect service provides a wide range of valuable support services focused on driving modernisation, increased prosperity and resilience. As we head towards Brexit and the considerable challenges this will present to farming and forestry, Farming Connect becomes an ever more important resource this Government...
Lesley Griffiths: I think it would be better if the Member could write to me because, as I say, there isn’t a grant that you asked me about in your original question. Farming Connect tends to signpost farmers and foresters to different schemes and grants. So, I’m really unclear as to which grant you’re referring to. So, yes, I think it would be really helpful if the Member could write to me and then,...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. My recently published natural resources policy outlines the opportunities to manage flooding by using natural flood risk management techniques in both our upland and lowland areas. In the uplands, this means taking measures to increase water storage by reducing run-off and soil sealing, and in the lowlands, slowing flow through more natural floodplains.
Lesley Griffiths: I’m not aware of that pilot scheme, but if it was three years ago, that doesn’t mean it’s been rolled out, if you like. But, certainly, I’m happy to look into that and write to the Member.
Lesley Griffiths: I think you raise a very important point. It’s not one that has been raised with me as a concern but I’d be very happy to discuss it at my next meeting with the NRW chair and chief executive, which I think is next week or the week after.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The Welsh Government is working closely with Conwy council on coast protection. We have supported appraisal work covering the whole Colwyn Bay waterfront and to date we’ve funded £26 million of improvements there. We are in discussion with the council on their plans for further work at Colwyn Bay.
Lesley Griffiths: Well, I think the Member questioned me on this probably at the end of last year and I think I told you then what I’m going to tell you now: we’re still waiting for Conwy council to come up with a proposal that identifies a partnership approach that they want to Old Colwyn and, indeed, to Colwyn Bay. I do know the council are having a meeting, I think next month, with partners such as...
