Julie James: Certainly.
Julie James: Not in the least. The Standards of Conduct Committee refers allegations to an independent commissioner. These are matters that can be and are more appropriately dealt with under the ministerial code, but they should be investigated outside the political process and by someone with relevant professional experience. The ministerial code sets out the First Minister's expectations of standards of...
Julie James: No, I made no such suggestion. The ministerial code sets out the First Minister's expectations for standards of ministerial behaviour and personal conduct, and applies equally to the First Minister. We acknowledge that, until now, there has been no opportunity for independent assessment of significant concerns raised in relation to the First Minister's adherence to the ministerial code....
Julie James: No, I don't accept that, actually, and I wouldn't accept that if I were subject to a referral in standards either. The point about this process is that it can apply to any Minister, where appropriate, whereas the procedure proposed by the motion in front of us would only apply to the First Minister. The code does not prescribe the scope, format or conduct of any inquiry the adviser may be...
Julie James: On the contrary. I've heard very carefully what Rhun ap Iorweth has said. What I'm saying is very simple and straightforward. There is a correct constitutional position that we are urging this Chamber to look at. I agree that we could have done it earlier. The fact that we didn't do it earlier doesn't make it the wrong solution. In fact, it continues to be the right solution. Putting a...
Julie James: Diolch, Llywydd. The only change to this week's business is the timings for oral Assembly questions tomorrow. Business for the next three weeks is shown on the business statement and announcement, found amongst the meeting papers that are available to Members electronically.
Julie James: I was very glad to see the industrial strategy published. It had a number of things of great interest to the Welsh Government in it, not least the emphasis on digital and data, which is very welcome indeed. The Cabinet Secretary for economy and infrastructure, who isn't here today to hear your question, will be bringing forward his own economic action plan, which will of course detail how it...
Julie James: I'm familiar with the scheme, as it happens, and it's a very good scheme indeed. I know that there are a large number of parents who have relied very heavily on the scheme in the past and I've had similar representations to the Member made to me about the benefit that the scheme has brought to families. The Minister responsible is here and has listened very carefully to your comments. I'm...
Julie James: Thank you very much for that question. The current system is not new; WEFO Online has been used for the successful management of EU-funded projects since 2008. The majority of applicants have successfully completed the online claims process with the existing guidance and support. However, we are aware that some applicants do have issues submitting their claims and officials work closely with...
Julie James: In terms of the dementia strategy, I've had myself several meetings with the health Secretary about the dementia strategy, and I'm very aware that he's taken on board a large number of the issues that were raised with him by the various groups, including groups of people who have dementia themselves, and that he's on course to publish the new strategy, taking into account all of those views,...
Julie James: Thank you for those two very important questions. In terms of the community health councils and their role in social care, the Minister was listening carefully all the way through. The Member characterised the consultation in not quite the way I understand it to be, and I think we do need to let the consultation take its course and see where we go with that. It is a consultation about the...
Julie James: I can't resist answering that one first because I'm familiar with the cafe, and I would like to congratulate them on their award—it's well deserved. My son put me in the knowledge on the cafe, and it is indeed a fantastic little place, for those people who haven't visited it yet. Italian cafes have played an enormous role in the growth of cafe culture in Wales for a very long time, in...
Julie James: That's a very important point that the Member raises, obviously. The Cabinet Secretary for health has made a number of contributions in this place to winter preparedness, and indeed to delayed transfers of care, and a number of other issues affecting waiting lists, and so on, in north Wales. He was here listening to your point and I'm sure he'll take it to account the next time he addresses...
Julie James: Well, on that second one, the Cabinet Secretary has already made a commitment to bring forward a statement on mesh implants, which—he's nodding at me—I'm sure he will be doing very soon. In terms of various war situations and other atrocities, around the world, obviously the Welsh Government shares your concern that people have to live in such appalling situations. We don't have,...
Julie James: Health boards are expected to consider and monitor the health and well-being of specific vulnerable groups as part of the NHS delivery framework. 'Travelling to Better Health' provides guidance to assist health boards when planning and delivering services for Gypsy and Traveller communities.
Julie James: I was aware that the Unity into the Community project had been a fantastic resource for the community there, and it's very disappointing that it was not able to attract the funding it needed to continue. Nevertheless, we do expect Hywel Dda health board to be working with partners through the primary care clusters to understand the local health needs of all of those communities and to ensure...
Julie James: Yes, indeed, I've had a number of communications from the community there and, indeed, from a number of other interested parties. I will be arranging to go up and visit the site as soon as I possibly can and to talk to the council about what they can do to alleviate the situation, which is clearly a difficult one all round. I'm happy to make the Member aware as soon as I've made those...
Julie James: Through the Superfast Cymru scheme, we've connected businesses across Wales to superfast broadband, and our ultrafast connectivity voucher scheme is providing up to £10,000 for businesses to acquire an ultrafast connection. The Airband project has also connected around 2,000 premises on industrial estates across Wales.
Julie James: So, the issue with the industry is really complex, but basically the industry assures me—and I've asked for that assurance on a number of occasions—that business products are available everywhere in Wales. However, a large number of businesses can't afford to buy the ethernet connection that's being talked about there. We've put the ultrafast connectivity voucher in place in order to...
Julie James: I assume the Member is referring to people being paid less than the minimum wage, and I share his concern that people should be paid the minimum wage in all business places. In my role as chair of the fair work board's phase 1, I've had a meeting with the enforcement authority, which is a UK-based enforcement authority, around the enforcement of the minimum wage, and we are looking at ways...
