Sam Rowlands: Thank you to the Member for Arfon for raising this really important question, because like her, residents have been in touch sharing their disaster stories, really, of the scheme in some of their properties. Minister, you highlighted some of the money that has been made available to Bridgend council, for example, and I'd hope that Gwynedd Council would want to work with you and others to...
Sam Rowlands: 7. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Economy on promoting the economic benefits from renewable energy production in north Wales? OQ57690
Sam Rowlands: Thank you very much, Minister, for your response, and I'm really pleased to hear that you too see the opportunities that renewable energy has for us in north Wales and Wales as a whole. If we're ambitious enough, we could see a transformation in our economy through the green economy that's right in front of us. As I'm sure you're aware, there are a number of significant renewable energy...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Minister, for your statement today and responses so far in the Chamber here. As a keen follower of Plenary, I'm sure that you noted that, last week, I asked a question to the climate change Minister around the opportunities in particular in north Wales around renewable energy and the supply chain there, and making the most of the resources that we have in north Wales to ensure that...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Minister for bringing forward the statement today. And in marking International Women's Day, and as outlined by you, Minister, and by colleagues from across the Chamber, it's really important, of course, that we continue celebrating the achievements of women and girls from right across Wales. And on this day as well, as outlined by Sioned Williams, it's important that we...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you to the Minister and the Welsh Government for bringing forward today's debate on the 2022-23 local government settlement. At this point, I'll just declare an interest that I still am an elected member of Conwy County Borough Council, and, sadly, after 14 years, that will soon be changing this year. I'd certainly like to join the Minister in recognising the exceptional work carried...
Sam Rowlands: 1. What assessment has the Minister made of what additional resources local authorities will need to implement the new thresholds for self-catering accommodation qualifying for non-domestic rates? OQ57756
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Minister, for your response. As you touched on the new proposals coming forward from Welsh Government, I see the change in the criteria for self-catering accommodation being liable for business rates instead of paying their council tax, and so I'd like to focus my contribution on the effect this will likely have on the role of councils and their involvement with this. Because it's...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. First of all, I'd like to thank all Members, from across the Chamber today, for contributing to our extremely important debate on housing in Wales—with many different views and possible solutions for dealing with the issues in front of us. I'd also like to thank the Deputy Minister for his response, too. It's clear from the cross-party contributions...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you to the Member for South Wales Central for giving me one minute in today's short debate, and I must say he did rumble me by saying some Conservatives would be attracted by the title of the debate today, 'Protecting community spaces: taking back control', and say what you like about Rhys ab Owen, and many do, he does know a good slogan when he sees one. [Laughter.] But the Member's...
Sam Rowlands: What action is the Welsh Government taking to address flood risk in North Wales?
Sam Rowlands: 5. What action is the Welsh Government taking to support the tourism sector? OQ57830
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Minister for your response and, as I'm sure you'd agree, the tourism sector is so important here in Wales, and that's why it's a pleasure to chair the Senedd's cross-party group on tourism. I look forward to seeing many Members attending the meeting next week. But Minister, as you'll know, Wales welcomes around 11 million overnight domestic visitors, 87 million day visitors, around...
Sam Rowlands: I'll come to it now. Many people in the tourism sector are shocked by these changes, and see them as being detrimental to their livelihoods. So, Minister, do you think these changes are good for the sector?
Sam Rowlands: 9. What action is the Welsh Government taking to support unpaid carers in north Wales? OQ57831
Sam Rowlands: I thank the Deputy Minister for her response, and if only every question I asked had such a quick resolution in terms of support, and giving those unpaid carers that £500. But, in all seriousness, this payment clearly recognises the incredible role that unpaid carers have played through the pandemic and I'm sure it is welcomed by all. If I may, though, I'd like to ask you about the...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, and first I'd like to put on record my thanks to Mike Hedges for submitting this extremely important Member's debate on religious buildings, and also my thanks to Darren Millar, Jane Dodds and Rhys ab Owen for co-submitting. I'd also like to highlight my register of interests—I'm a trustee of a church as well. It's a pleasure, of course, to be called as a supporter to this...
Sam Rowlands: 1. What action is the Welsh Government taking to eradicate antisemitism in Wales? OQ57901
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, First Minister, for your response. I'm sure all Members from across the Chamber here today agree that antisemitism is abhorrent to us all, and all efforts must be made to ensure that this and all forms of racism are stamped out in Wales. And as the First Minister will know, back in May 2017, Welsh Government adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Minister, for bringing forward today's statement on the non-domestic rates reform. As we know, business rates continue to be a huge concern for many businesses up and down Wales, with the Federation of Small Businesses conducting a survey ahead of the 2021 Senedd elections finding that business rates were the main issue facing businesses, with 99 per cent of those responding...
