Suzy Davies: On a similar point, actually, in the report on the Measure's section 1 compliance, Welsh Government stated that as a next step its intention is to: 'review our strategy to support and highlight the importance of participation by children and young people in decisions which affect them.' I've raised before, similarly to Helen Mary, this disconnect between the Government policy and Assembly...
Suzy Davies: Thank you very much for your statement, Cabinet Secretary. I wonder if you could help me out, please, when I'm asking some questions about education and the relationship between the education main expenditure group and some of the other department expenditure lines? Obviously, it's very pleasing to see the £60 million extra for education. It still falls a little short of the £100 million...
Suzy Davies: 9. What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services regarding the impact of the planning system on house building in South Wales West? OAQ52695
Suzy Davies: Thank you for that answer. The requirements of the communities in Wales, I think, is a critical part of your answer. You wrote to Bridgend County Borough Council making it clear that, in your view, they should be looking to look at their local development plan in conjunction with that of Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly. Bridgend has already planned its housing building stock for the next...
Suzy Davies: That's great, thank you.
Suzy Davies: Well, I agree with Siân Gwenllian. There's no point including a question in a consultation for something that you've not offered any evidence for. A few clichéd words about the place of the Welsh language in rural communities really doesn't count. Did you receive any advice from the Welsh Language Commissioner about how to collate the evidence before consulting?
Suzy Davies: Well, both Swansea and Cardiff, of course, are benefiting from some regeneration work at the moment, not least through the city deal, but Bridgend, as you know, is on the very edge of the city deal footprint for Cardiff. While Bridgend taxpayers are handing over £11 million or more for the project, residents are starting to ask me now where's the benefit in it for them, and they're asking...
Suzy Davies: I just wonder if we could have an explanation about why the out-of-hours cardiac arrest plan statement was withdrawn. I would understand if it's due to the very sad events of this weekend, but I really would appreciate it if we could get confirmation that we will get an oral statement rather than a written statement on this. I, for one, would certainly like the opportunity to ask questions in...
Suzy Davies: Thank you for the question. It was a remarkable week. I hope that you all agree with that. An evaluation has been conducted that concluded that the Assembly’s participation in the Eisteddfod was an overwhelming success. Measures included footfall onto the estate, the engagement that was achieved, cost, and the reputation of the Senedd and our staff. Outcomes included a huge increase in...
Suzy Davies: Thank you for that as well. Having our Senedd at the heart of our national cultural event, and being the home for the Lle Celf, the societies tent and the provision for learners was an excellent opportunity. Nearly 7,000 people attended the events of the societies, and 5,500 people took their photograph in the Llywydd’s chair in the Chamber. I haven’t done that, so maybe I should try next...
Suzy Davies: Thank you, Andrew. Well, over the last four years, of course, we've worked with a range of partners to commemorate those who lost their lives, including the 14-18 NOW and Wales for Peace, to hold conferences, a series of guest lectures and panel discussions, including contributions of experts in particular aspects of war. We'll all remember the exhibitions, including the weeping willow...
Suzy Davies: Thank you very much for that idea. We're always looking for new ideas in the Commission to improve the building and perhaps convey our connection with the people of Wales. I mean, this is a serious part of our history, and I hope that the temporary exhibitions and the work that's been done in the last few years have helped maintain that link, and particularly for young people, to remind them...
Suzy Davies: Well, I think it's fair to say that all parts of the public sector, particularly our local authorities, have been great participants in this commemoration over the last four years. We're talking about the end of those commemorations now, and, as we heard earlier, of course, local authorities are strapped for cash at the moment, but the same is true of the Commission in deciding how it needs...
Suzy Davies: Thank you. Well, we engage with over 20,000 young people each year, half of which engage with us on the estate. Youth groups, colleges and schools are all invited to take part in sessions in Siambr Hywel, and we also travel to schools—that should be more convenient for them. The range of services offered to young people is actually advertised on the website as well—so, I'm just giving...
Suzy Davies: Thank you for that contribution. I'm hoping that the members of staff hear the congratulations that you've offered them, because the girl guides and brownies that you were talking about obviously had an amazing experience, and, if we can compare what their experience was like with those who came in during the Eisteddfod, where understanding of what happens in this place grew really quite...
Suzy Davies: Absolutely. The Assembly Commission agreed in November 2016 that £100,000 would go in this financial year to help set the institution up and to promote it and to help young people understand what it would be for. And, thereafter, in non-election years, we're talking about £50,000.
Suzy Davies: Oh, absolutely. I can give you that reassurance now. We all want this to work. The figures that we have—. This is the first time we've done it; it's been done on best estimates and comparisons with similar ideas in other Parliaments, if you like. But, if this doesn't turn out to be enough money, we will have to, as a Commission, find extra resources to make sure that we can support it...
Suzy Davies: Thank you for that question. It's a serious question and, as you may notice from budgets in the most recent years, the Commission has already made a significant investment in protective security across the estate but also in Members' offices, which is regularly reviewed, considering the UK threat level from international terrorism. And, as well as providing appropriate security advice and...
Suzy Davies: Well, certainly—obviously, I'm not going to give you too much detail; quite a lot of this will be confidential, and I'm sure you understand why. But the level of attention paid to the Colwyn Bay office is the same as here. So, the whole of the Senedd is classed as a tier 1 site. The National Assembly for Wales's security team works in partnership here with South Wales Police and other...
Suzy Davies: I haven't got a huge amount to add to that which we just heard from the Llywydd. I just think it's important to point out that we have these powers and we should use them. While the more difficult questions, perhaps, have been delayed to a second Bill, there is a serious purpose in this Bill as well, and I mean particularly the change of name to this Parliament. It's not just a vanity...
