Janet Finch-Saunders: Question 3, again to be answered by the Llywydd. Cefin Campbell.
Janet Finch-Saunders: Item 4 is topical questions. I call on Jack Sargeant.
Janet Finch-Saunders: Could I have a statement, please, from the Minister for Climate Change on building safety? My colleague Andrew Davies raised the issue today about the shocking situation in Grenfell, with hundreds of residents in Wales still living in fear that they could be caught up in a similar horrific event. We put a question in, asking how many flat fires since Grenfell there have been, since 2017, and...
Janet Finch-Saunders: I have to say, I agree with my colleague Mike Hedges over there that there has to be more transparency in the way that this budget is put across. Now, whether you like it or not in this Chamber—there aren't many Members here to actually remind them—it is as a result of the UK Government's autumn budget that the Welsh Government will receive an additional £1.2 billion over the next two...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Yes, sure.
Janet Finch-Saunders: I think if you actually cast your mind back further, I can remember when Ronnie Hughes was the leader, and he did that kind of tactic. What I can tell you is that the previous leader of Conwy County Borough Council actually fought for five years of their being in Cabinet to actually try and be more prudent, and actually I supported absolutely the fact that they were able to not fleece our...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Go on—let him have that one. [Laughter.]
Janet Finch-Saunders: 8. What plans does the Minister have to reform Visit Wales? OQ59197
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you. Well, speaking of the sector, it's actually the sector that has approached me and said, 'Visit Wales definitely needs some reform.' Now, the economic benefit of tourism to Conwy county is around £900 million, generated from 9.5 million visitors annually. Our local tourism and hospitality businesses have gone through so much with the pandemic and are still recovering now, but they...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Again, I'd like to thank all Members and the Chairman, Jack Sargeant, for their work, and all those who have contributed to this report, and that's what we're here today to discuss. I know that committee report findings aren't always unanimous, and that greyhound racing itself is a topic that arouses strong views and very passionate opinions. As a Member of the Senedd, it's fair to say I too...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Yes, of course.
Janet Finch-Saunders: Absolutely. In fact, Wales is one of only 10 countries in the world where commercial greyhound racing still takes place legally. The so-called sport is banned in most US states, 42, and racing in countries such as South Africa, Jamaica and the Philippines has been stopped. Now, I think the imminent concerns are, for this, the independent track that now wants to become a certified Greyhound...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Absolutely.
Janet Finch-Saunders: No, no, I fully agree with my colleague Joyce Watson, but I have to bring us back to some reality, and today, we're here —[Interruption.]—no, no, no, we are here today to note the report, Deputy Llywydd. A poll has found that 57 per cent of people in Wales feel that the Welsh Parliament should vote to phase out greyhound racing, and we've only got 21 per cent who are opposed, so that's a...
Janet Finch-Saunders: I can say that I've read it—I'm not all the way through, I must admit, but I'm almost there. Now then, I'd like to say, Minister—and I've raised it with the Deputy Minister—how disappointed I am to see much-needed projects not going ahead, and this was after £9 million on those roundabouts on the A55. For us in north Wales, once again, we just see ourselves being shortchanged. But I...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Two statements, please. I'd like to declare an interest on the first one, as this affects a relative, however, it's also affecting a large number of my constituents. So, I wish to request a statement from the Minister for Health and Social Services on pre-operative assessments. Earlier this month, the Betsi board wrote to me, stating, 'Colleagues have confirmed that once a patient has passed...
Janet Finch-Saunders: The second one—
Janet Finch-Saunders: Diolch, Llywydd. It is now five years and nine months that have passed since Grenfell. For 2,099 days, hundreds of Welsh residents have been living in fear regarding the integrity of their own properties and risk of fire. Between 2017-18 and 2021-22, there were 1,323 fires in purpose-built blocks of flats, and 514 fires in buildings that have been converted into flats. Now, you must be aware...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you. I think that’s probably the largest amount of information we’ve heard so far going forward of what has been done so far and what more needs to be done. One of the issues that arose at the meeting I held was the cost of these surveys. There was one lady—and she had no reason to mislead us in any way—who made it clear she had two of these properties, and she actually was...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Yes, so tell us how you’re spending it, how much of that £375 million is left, and will you honour these surveys that these victims actually then—? They’re trying to sort this issue out themselves. Thank you.
