Mike Hedges: I'm sure Tŷ Hywel has got opening windows somewhere; I'm not convinced that it's in every room that Tŷ Hywel has those opening windows. What I would like to suggest is that the Commission ensured that all windows open so that people could open windows and we could not have the situation that used to be called sick building syndrome, where somebody sneezes on one floor and that is circulated...
Mike Hedges: First of all, can I thank Janet Finch-Saunders for bringing this before us? I am a long-term advocate of a deposit-return scheme. I remember the 5p and 10p deposit on a glass bottle of Corona pop, which was then taken away, washed and reused. That would be a wonderful way of going forward. It worked. People dumped them; we as children would collect them and get the money. We are suffering...
Mike Hedges: Diolch, Llywydd. I'm pleased to be able to speak in this committee-led debate on the draft national development framework, which is now called 'Future Wales: the national plan 2040'. Members of the Senedd will be aware that the Planning (Wales) Act 2015 set out scrutiny procedures for the draft NDF. The Act refers to a Senedd consideration period that lasts for 60 days after the draft NDF is...
Mike Hedges: The 60-day period comes to an end tomorrow. This debate is the second we will have had on the draft NDF, following a Welsh Government debate very early in the 60-day period. The purpose of today’s debate is to give the Senedd and Members a final opportunity to consider the draft NDF. This is not a debate on the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee's report, although I...
Mike Hedges: Diolch, Llywydd. Can I thank Members who've taken part in the debate? And I'd also like to again thank the Minister. I don't think anybody agrees with 100 per cent of it, but lots of us like bits of it, and I think that's what you end up with with a document this size. This is important to everyone in Wales. To reply to Mark Reckless, we have one day left, because, when we're on recess, it...
Mike Hedges: Will the Minister make a statement on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on school budgets?
Mike Hedges: Sorry, I've been having computer problems all afternoon. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Local area co-ordinators in Swansea are the unsung heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic, their mission to help anyone who needs support in the community they cover. Local area co-ordinators have responded to over 20,000 enquiries during the pandemic. When Swansea went into lockdown, the local area co-ordinator...
Mike Hedges: Can I thank you for calling me, Deputy Presiding Officer? Whilst we cannot go back, allowing the Cheltenham Festival and Liverpool versus Atlético Madrid to go ahead earlier this year was a very serious mistake by the Westminster Government, which in normal political times would have led to ministerial resignations. I'm going to quote from a peer-reviewed paper in The Lancet: 'Severe acute...
Mike Hedges: Can I ask for a Government debate on regional policy in Wales? And whilst the Welsh unionists are unable to identify the needs of the different parts of Wales, I would like a debate to discuss how we can improve the economy in the different regions of Wales, identified by the four economic deals in the national development framework. Can I ask for the following statements, which, due to lack...
Mike Hedges: She's allowed to parade her ignorance.
Mike Hedges: Can I say I fully support the decisions of the First Minister? But we are moving into the most dangerous seven days of the year: office party time. What is the Welsh Government doing to try and stop these parties taking place? Some will have food, some will have drinks, some will take place in the office, but these office parties—we've got to try and stop them happening. Whilst families...
Mike Hedges: A number of people have bought pets for the first time because they're working from home due to COVID and they feel they've got time to look after them. Should training in animal welfare be offered to people purchasing their first pet, because, to be quite honest with you, if I actually bought a rabbit, I wouldn't have the faintest idea what to do with it?
Mike Hedges: The one area where the public get engaged is planning applications. The big problem is that unpopular planning applications, such as houses of multiple occupation over the limits set by supplementary planning guidance are refused by the council but allowed by planning inspectors. Does the Minister agree that ending planning inspectors overruling councils' planning conditions and making failed...
Mike Hedges: I'm very pleased that this issue is being debated today. I have previously asked for a Welsh Government statement or debate on this issue, as children going hungry or relying on foodbanks is not what I and, I believe, most Members here want to see. I also submitted many written questions this year on free school meals. For many children, the free school meal is their major meal of the day. To...
Mike Hedges: This budget achieves three things. Firstly, it provides the necessary funding to deal with the pandemic; secondly, it supports the economic recovery; and thirdly, it supports vital public services. The aim of this draft budget is to protect health and the economy, build a greener future and create a change for a more equal Wales. The pandemic has speeded up trends that have been occurring...
Mike Hedges: I was very interested in the question from Michelle Brown. Councils in England have borrowed far in excess of 100 per cent of their annual income in terms of commercial properties, which is certainly a cause for concern for all of us, because it effects the British economy. What I would say to the Minister is: do you agree with me that the best way of dealing with Government debt is to grow...
Mike Hedges: Very briefly, as we're all aware, people are concerned regarding the wait for the vaccine. Will the Minister unequivocally commit that vaccines will be provided as fast as is possible?
Mike Hedges: Can I also, like Huw Irranca-Davies, request a ministerial statement regarding supply teachers? I believe it is fundamentally wrong that they are not directly employed by councils or groups of councils. I would like to ask specifically about financial support for supply teachers, because there's very little supply teaching available at the moment. Some have been furloughed and some have not....
Mike Hedges: I might be on mute. No. Sorry. Diolch—it took rather longer to unmute than I expected then. I agree with the Minister that this topic should be a priority for the Government; it is for very many of my constituents living down in SA1. For us to successfully achieve the vision at pace, I also believe there needs to be a shared vision that transcends party political lines. I'm very pleased to...
Mike Hedges: 2. Will the Minister outline the effect of the pandemic on the provision of homecare by social services? OQ56130
