Mark Isherwood: 6. How is the Welsh Government supporting the theatre industry in Wales? OAQ52802
Mark Isherwood: Diolch. Thank you very much indeed. Of course, Theatr Clwyd is the biggest production centre or producing theatre in Wales, a major contributor to the north-east Wales economy, and a major employer, and seeing increasing turnover over recent years. You mentioned the arts council. They have funded a feasibility study for the capital redevelopment project proposed, and have now put in their...
Mark Isherwood: Well, as you say, we must never forget the sacrifices made in both the great war 1914-18 and the conflicts that followed. You referred to the Falklands, and you mentioned Bluff Cove. Can I pay tribute, and will you join me in paying tribute to Dr Steven Hughes, who was the regimental medical officer with 2 Para during the Falklands? It was he who waded out into the cold waters in Bluff Cove...
Mark Isherwood: Diolch. As the review states, the Equality and Human Rights Commission or EHRC Wales team works to inform legislation, policy and scrutiny and to embed equality and human rights in public service delivery in Wales. It also makes extensive reference to the commission's 2018 'Is Wales Fairer?' report. Nineteen years after devolution, its findings include: poverty and deprivation are both higher...
Mark Isherwood: 14. What support does the Welsh Government provide to farmers? OAQ52846
Mark Isherwood: Thank you. I congratulate you on being the first Cab Sec or Minister to complete questions in a very long time. [Laughter.] In August I joined the National Trust, the RSPB and a farmer on a National Trust farm, and they told me that a new sustainable land management scheme is needed that's fair to farmers, provides food, manages diversity and protects data and the environment. During the...
Mark Isherwood: Diolch, Lywydd. Why do you feel that the current local government funding formula is fit for purpose, has the full support of local authorities across Wales and is able to keep pace with changing priorities of local government services?
Mark Isherwood: Thank you. Well, I can note that, following my lead, the Welsh Local Government Association coined a term for you—'Mr Bumble'. And, despite what you and the finance Secretary have claimed about agreement by the WLGA and the finance sub-group, the WLGA's chief executive stated before committee just a few weeks ago that the formula as it currently stands is held together by duct tape and...
Mark Isherwood: Well, that's a very timely response, because, since you took your post a year ago, you have continually peddled the story that Conservative councillors in Wales are happy with the funding they've received and that they wouldn't want Conservative policies in Wales. You told my colleague, Russell George, last month, 'I tell the Conservative group that their councillors do not want Conservative...
Mark Isherwood: 3. How does the Welsh Government ensure good governance by local authorities in Wales? OAQ52849
Mark Isherwood: Thank you. Two months ago, a councillor in Flintshire said he would name and shame officers who did not reply to calls and e-mails if further action wasn't taken, stating that, after he'd previously raised this in 2017, new guidance was introduced, but it hadn't had the desired effect. Councillors voted to take action over these concerns, subsequent to which the chief executive pledged to...
Mark Isherwood: Diolch. Well, this Sunday marks the hundredth anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended the first world war. On 3 August, with 100 days until this armistice centenary, the Royal British Legion launched a mass movement to say 'thank you' to the first world war generation who served, sacrificed and changed our world, with all communities encouraged to join and hundreds of community...
Mark Isherwood: Our motion calls on the Assembly to honour 'the contribution of those who have served and continue to serve in our armed forces.' I led a short debate here in January 2008 supporting the Royal British Legion's Honour the Covenant campaign, concluding that this must be fought until it is won. I subsequently welcomed the publication of the armed forces covenant in May 2011, introducing a...
Mark Isherwood: What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of how local authorities engage with preventative service providers?
Mark Isherwood: Well, you refer to the criteria that the Valuation Office Agency must adjudicate, where, in Wales, property is judged to be a business property and not liable for business rates if it's available for letting commercially as self-catering accommodation for 140 or more days in the following 12 months, has been in the previous 12 months, and has actually been commercially let for at least 70...
Mark Isherwood: 7. How is the Welsh Government supporting children with additional learning needs in education? OAQ52891
Mark Isherwood: Thank you. Well, we know that children, pupils, young people with additional learning needs have seen their short-term exclusion rates in school go up, against the overall trend. Only two weeks ago, I was contacted by another parent, in this case in Conwy, where their autistic son had been excluded for 43 days after an autistic meltdown in school—the 43 days coincidentally taking him to the...
Mark Isherwood: I call for two statements, firstly on something often referred to, which is the reduction of single-use plastic, but in the context of reusable bottles. I've been asked by water company Hafren Dyfrdwy Limited, Severn Dee, to join them in promoting their Refill in Wrexham initiative, which is launching, I believe, tomorrow, working collaboratively with the Welsh Government and foundling...
Mark Isherwood: Well, as you say, we are rightly proud of our fire and rescue services. You state in your opening paragraph that they've worked to help reduce the number of fires and fire casualties. In fact, since 2001-02, a little bit further back than you look, they've reduced by 69 per cent. However, how do you respond to concern that the number of fires attended by Welsh fire and rescue authorities in...
Mark Isherwood: Diolch. Responses I received from Openreach on behalf of constituents from Arfon and Anglesey, across to Flintshire and Wrexham, after the Superfast Cymru project ended on 31 December last year, all had the line 'deployment work has stopped completely on any projects that have not been finished'. On 23 October, in your statement to the Assembly, you confirmed that lot 1 north Wales for the...
