Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I know the Member will be aware from our conversations that I'm very keen to see strategic development plans. I wrote to all local authorities back in December, inviting them to look at how they can work together on SDPs. I've had some responses, and around joint development plans also, although not everybody has written back yet. I have also reminded them of the need to increase...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, absolutely, I agree with that and just to say to the Member that I thank her for her apology; it was actually a question to the Minister for Environment.
Lesley Griffiths: Well, the Member will be aware that we looked at the technical advice note that was specifically in relation to the Welsh language and strengthened it, but I'm very happy to take on any comments that she has on it—if you feel it wasn't strengthened in a way that you think is appropriate—as we go through this planning policy consultation.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you to Mark Isherwood for bringing forward this very important debate where he raised some very important points. It gives me an opportunity to describe what we're doing as a Government and it also reminds us of the need to maintain action to tackle fuel poverty. Living in a cold home can have a significant impact on health, educational...
Lesley Griffiths: Cross-border collaboration is an important feature of planning at every level—national, regional and local. I am having discussions on the national development framework with colleagues in Ireland and adjacent English regions, while local planning authorities should involve neighbouring authorities in the preparation of local development plans.
Lesley Griffiths: Natural Resources Wales analysed the responses to the public consultation for proposed changes to byelaws for catch and release for salmon and sea trout. The findings were presented to the NRW Board on 18 January. They have not yet submitted their proposals. Until that time I cannot comment.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch. Natural Resources Wales are working with the Holyhead marina, the port authority and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on the clean-up and to minimise further fuel loss or escape of debris into the environment. This includes taking action to deal with the polystyrene that has spilled into the water. I will be visiting Holyhead port and marina tomorrow to meet with all agencies...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Rhun ap Iorwerth, for that question. I would like to say from the outset that I'm very grateful to all those who have been involved in the clean-up operation. I think, because of their hard work, we have helped to minimise the environmental impact of this very unfortunate event, and I absolutely appreciate the effect that the storm damage has had on many people's livelihoods, and...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. Thank you very much. I'm very grateful to the Petitions Committee and, of course, to the petitioners for bringing the petition forward first and then obviously for the debate today. Although there are no circuses based in Wales, they of course do visit, and I think today's motion absolutely highlights the very strong public feeling surrounding the use of wild animals in...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes.
Lesley Griffiths: Okay. So, this work is ongoing and has been ongoing since the winter of December 2016, and probably before that as well, before I came into post, but it's absolutely going on at the moment. The timetable is—obviously, we will be looking towards year 3 of the legislative programme, so that's my aim now. But the section 12 is also—. And I was very grateful to Simon Thomas for the commitment...
Lesley Griffiths: Can I just carry on? I'm aware of the time, sorry. We're also engaged in the development of other cross-cutting policies to reinforce animal welfare, and I think it's really important to hear other people's views about circuses. I'll now take an intervention.
Lesley Griffiths: Sorry; I meant zoos as well.
Lesley Griffiths: I mentioned earlier that I'd looked at section 12 as soon as I came into post, and clearly that had been looked at Rebecca Evans, my predecessor, and also by DEFRA. So, the advice I was given was that that would not be the most appropriate way forward, but I am having a look at that again. I know third sector organisations don't agree with lawyers on that, but I'm very happy to continue to...
Lesley Griffiths: Will you take an intervention?
Lesley Griffiths: I said year 3 of the legislative programme, which begins this summer.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch. The First Minister and I have both visited the port and marina and have seen the clean-up work first-hand. Initial work was carried out to reduce the amount of diesel entering the water, booms have been deployed, and work is ongoing to clear the polystyrene spill. I again thank all those involved for their hard work.
Lesley Griffiths: Okay, thank you for those questions. And, as you are aware, I mentioned in my opening remarks to you that I visited the Thursday after the storm. And certainly, I think, Natural Resources Wales, all the agencies, came together very quickly, and the clean-up operation started very quickly. Of course, there's always lessons to be learned, but I don't think we could have done anything more...
Lesley Griffiths: As I mentioned in my earlier answer to Rhun ap Iorwerth, I think there was a quick response. I know that Members of the public were told not to go down there from a safety point of view. You'll be aware this storm lasted most of the weekend, and certainly, when I met with the owners of the port, and other people associated with the marina, they were still asking—this was on the Thursday...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Yes, you mentioned that I made a statement in December of last year, following the consultation we had on NVZs. I set up the Wales land management forum sub-group on agriculture pollution, which are looking at that for me. I've also met with the group recently too, and I'm expecting them to bring forward some recommendations to me by the end of March. It is absolutely vital that we...
