Ken Skates: The Member makes a very strong point. Many place names have changed multiple times over the centuries. There are towns and villages in Wales that have had no fewer than five names. The key point to the historic environment Act is that we were able to bring forward statutory duties on—and I’ll come to this point—local planning authorities to pay due regard to that list and to consider...
Ken Skates: Yes.
Ken Skates: We were always conscious of the need to minimise bureaucracy and administration, but equally to ensure that any provisions that we bring forward lead to a better understanding and appreciation of historic place names and our heritage. We are confident that the arrangements that were developed as part of the passage of the Historic Environment (Wales) Bill results in minimal additional...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for giving way? Nobody would dispute that whatsoever, but the point of legislation is that it should be a last resort. The problem with the proposals is that, as presented, there is no evidence base, and, indeed, Sian Gwenllian asked the question of how many names have been changed. Without a sound evidence base, it is simply not possible—I’m sure the Member would...
Ken Skates: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can I begin by thanking the Chair and members of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee for their inquiry and their report? The inquiry was both thorough and inclusive, expertly chaired by Russell George, and members of the committee took a very deep and inquisitive interest in the subject. I do appreciate the strong contribution that their...
Ken Skates: Absolutely.
Ken Skates: In talking about disparities between regions, and, essentially, playing regions off against one another on the spending, unless you can identify how to increase spending and the resource in those areas without cutting in other areas of Government, one must assume that you are talking of and proposing a reduction in one or another region of Wales in order to increase funding in another area....
Ken Skates: Can I begin by thanking Paul Davies for bringing forward this short debate today, and also thank Eluned Morgan for contributing? UK City of Culture status, inspired by Liverpool’s time as European Capital of Culture in 2008, is more than just a title—it really is something that has the potential to generate significant social and economic benefits for St David’s and the surrounding...
Ken Skates: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and can I begin by thanking Members for their contributions to this important debate today, taking place as deeply concerning events are unfolding in London. I’m sure that all Members’ thoughts are with the public around Westminster right now as what appears to be a terrorist attack has taken place at Westminster. We can only hope that these are not...
Ken Skates: My colleague the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs is also setting up a Welsh group to consider that report. Yes, I give way.
Ken Skates: The Member is absolutely right. In my early discussions with the Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs, this very issue was raised as a priority consideration, because we must ensure that those areas with the greatest potential are those areas where there are the quickest wins in terms of being able to bring along the entire community and all considerations with them.
Ken Skates: I’ll take Members’ points very briefly. I think Rhun ap Iorwerth made a number of valuable contributions regarding Hendry’s report, which, of course, identified that the Welsh Government’s primary role in supporting the industry will be in supporting the supply chain. Also, Vikki Howells’s point that Welsh Government has a very significant role to play in ensuring that the people of...
Ken Skates: We are committed to supporting jobs and growth in all regions of Wales, and we need to look at maximising the benefits for Valleys communities from major investments, and we’ve made a long-standing commitment to locate Transport for Wales’s HQ in the heart of the Valleys.
Ken Skates: Well, can I thank the Member for her question, and pay tribute to the way that she’s championed regeneration and pride in the Valleys? I was delighted to announce that the headquarters of Transport for Wales will be located in Pontypridd. I must also pay tribute to the leadership of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for offering a compelling vision of the local economy. I do think...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his contribution, his question, and his kind words? I think he is absolutely right—it’s essential that, where we can, we decentralise, in order to drive regeneration and economic growth in those areas that have not benefited from all of the gains of economic growth in recent years. So, whether it be Transport for Wales in Pontypridd, or the Welsh Revenue...
Ken Skates: We continue to support businesses in their growth, invest in high-quality infrastructure, and improve economic development conditions.
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for her question? I did see her tweet where she asked a very good question. It’s a question that I think many communities could ask, based in the city region area. That particular question was, ‘What’s for Rhondda in the announcement?’ And I think that’s absolutely right, because I’ve been asking recently who has benefited in the recovery since the financial...
Ken Skates: I should perhaps refer the Member to a speech I gave last Monday at Coleg y Cymoedd—a transformational institution that has been able to improve the pride in the local area, and also improve the skills of people who live there. In that speech, I outlined my vision for a prosperous and secure strategy that will seek to not only grow wealth and well-being in the aggregate, but also reduce the...
Ken Skates: Moving forward with the franchise of the metro, we will, of course, be looking at the Ebbw Vale line. At present, the responsibilities for rail infrastructure reside with Network Rail, and we have repeatedly expressed our disappointment that, in spite of having 6 per cent of rail lines on the Wales and borders franchise area, we’ve only had 1 per cent of investment in the current control...
Ken Skates: As I’ve said to other Members, I think it’s essential, as part of our new approach and our refreshed approach—and I, again, in my speech last week also gave an indication of how I’ll be restructuring my department—that we pay more attention to those communities in those areas that have fared poorly during a period of economic growth. The Member asked about infrastructure and in...
