Janet Finch-Saunders: 2. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on how the Welsh Government’s budget will benefit the people of Wales? OAQ(5)0141(FLG)
Janet Finch-Saunders: Well, thank you, Cabinet Secretary. Despite local government revenue expenditure per capita in Wales being 75 per cent higher than over the border in England, council tax payers here have a right to ask why their services have been cut, meals on wheels services discontinued, one in five public conveniences closed, a 23 per cent reduction in school crossing patrols, bin collections reduced to...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Since 2005, my local authority has indeed been very proactive in ensuring the introduction of no-cold-calling zones. In fact, I was the cabinet member introducing them at the time. A joint initiative with North Wales Police and Conwy trading standards has now established over 1,300 zones, including the entire community of Trefriw. Your Government, as you say, has made several thousands of...
Janet Finch-Saunders: I think the Minister knows I've kept her quite busy, as has my own caseworker who is designated now to broadband issues. I know that he's been keeping me on my toes and making sure that we really try to find out where those problems are and help to improve their connectivity. Now, clearly, you know, we'd welcome a successor project, but, you know, in your statement, you do say that it’s a...
Janet Finch-Saunders: I’m not doing that.
Janet Finch-Saunders: Forget it.
Janet Finch-Saunders: 6. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on future changes to the curriculum in Wales? OAQ(5)0135(EDU)
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. There are, however, around 3,000 deaf children going through our education system here in Wales unable to access learning through a British Sign Language interpreter. For many deaf children, this is an important, and often the only, means of communication during this important development phase. Deaf Ex-mainstreamers research has shown how BSL should now be...
Janet Finch-Saunders: I thank the Member for bringing this really important question to this Chamber again. Cabinet Secretary, with two deaths per day as a result of malnutrition and dehydration in the NHS across Wales and England, the older people’s commissioner has recently highlighted food remaining uneaten on trays, patients struggling to eat, and little or no encouragement on the ward—I can resonate with...
Janet Finch-Saunders: 1. Will the First Minister make a statement on tackling rural crime? OAQ(5)0692(FM)
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, First Minister. Rural crime, of course, costs the rural economy over £2 million each year. In north Wales, we have a very hard-working rural crime team, working with other agencies, but they estimate that 75 per cent of their workload is related to livestock crime. In three years, 2,000 sheep have been killed in 400 separate dog attacks. They tackle vehicle theft, rural business...
Janet Finch-Saunders: First Minister, it is shocking to note that, for half of those living with dementia in Wales, an initial delayed diagnosis is a serious issue, affecting themselves and of course their loved ones. Alzheimer’s Society Cymru have called for far more ambitious targets and interventions in this area. The society have also called for earlier diagnosis rate targets to increase annually as part of...
Janet Finch-Saunders: 6. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on basic payment scheme payments? OAQ(5)0164(ERA)
Janet Finch-Saunders: Cabinet Secretary, in a recent written question response, you confirmed that 56 farmers were still waiting for their basic payment scheme funding, and it’s not the first time I’ve had to raise this issue with the Welsh Government about the huge delays. The knock-on effect to our farmers and their families, who are entitled to this money, can be devastating, and it is a failure on the part...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on steps the Welsh Government has taken to improve community safety?
Janet Finch-Saunders: First Minister, the future generations Act is referenced widely within the local government reform White Paper, and it is abundantly clear that this particular Act provides us with a superb opportunity to contribute towards successful reform of local government. Tackling poverty is also a key theme within that Act. Given the timing of the cessation of Communities First, and in line with local...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Will the First Minister make a statement on the joint review by the Wales Audit Office and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales on governance arrangements at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board?
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you. Cabinet Secretary, I was unable to get a clear commitment from the First Minister yesterday with regard to the inclusion of a clear poverty reduction stream within future local authority reform. Now, your White Paper notes the need for a golden thread that links community-level aspirations with well-being goals to become a reality. So, therefore, will you commit today to ensuring...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you. Of course, this golden thread—your words, not mine—will require close working between community councils, local authorities and other public bodies, public service boards and any regional arrangements, and reform may require reorganisation of public service boards. Your White Paper proposes that they collaborate or even merge across local health board boundaries. Given that the...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you again. Of course, local authorities spending on central administration is set to rise by £11 million this year, whilst spend on roads and transport will fall by £2.73 million, and on libraries, culture, heritage, sport and recreation by almost £4 million. The Welsh Labour Government have talked the talk on more streamlined local government, but these figures suggest increased...
