Peter Fox: 9. What action is the Welsh Government taking to reduce the risk of flooding in the Monmouth constituency? OQ58200
Peter Fox: Thank you, First Minister, for your response, and water quality is a significant issue for communities right across the country and Members in this Chamber. Only last week we were debating the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee's findings on the subject, and their report made for sobering reading. Tomorrow, we'll be debating the same committee's report on Natural...
Peter Fox: 3. What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve water quality in the River Usk catchment area? OQ58199
Peter Fox: Well, let's not lose the other half of constituency Members, then, Jenny. This is all I'm talking about: democracy. As I said, there is already enough confusion about the boundaries. I believe that, should these plans be implemented in their current state, the level of confusion and anxiety caused will be on a mammoth scale. The people of Wales, who have put each and every one of us here, in...
Peter Fox: Sorry. Yes, Jenny.
Peter Fox: Thank you so much, Deputy Presiding Officer, for allowing everybody to contribute—I appreciate it. And Alun, I will be talking about democracy as a Conservative on this backbench, and the link between an elected representative and a constituent is a cog that makes democracy tick, because democracy functions quite simply by elected representatives being held to account. Our actions, our...
Peter Fox: What support does the Welsh Government provide to people living with debt caused by council tax arrears?
Peter Fox: I thank Jayne Bryant for raising this issue. Llywydd, whilst it's important that we create new green spaces for people to enjoy, it's also important that we protect and enhance existing green spaces too. Now, back in March of this year, revised plans were submitted for a large solar farm on the Gwent levels. This came after the original plans were rejected by the Welsh Government, due to...
Peter Fox: Thank you, Jane, for taking the intervention. I think you mentioned my comments about R&D. I absolutely agree with Sioned on R&D, and that isn't necessarily because of this fund, it's because of the lack of Government interaction in trying to lever in the R&D into this country. Look at Scotland, how Scotland have levered in so much more than we have. We—this Government—have let Wales down...
Peter Fox: Thank you for that. I think you misunderstood me. I'm asking for that wider debate of why we are still in here after 20 years. I'm conscious there are some new emerging areas where the money will be focused toward, but we have to ask ourselves why the country is still in such a desperate position for economic growth, and we're not seeing that movement that we need to mobilise our communities,...
Peter Fox: I welcome the debate today and I welcome Huw's position of not making political points, and I won't try to make any either. But I agree with my colleague Paul Davies on his summation of the situation, and I too am firmly of the belief that the UK Government must honour its repeated commitment to ensure that Wales does receive its share of post-EU funding. From what I'm already hearing within...
Peter Fox: Can I thank the Member for Alyn and Deeside for bringing forward this very interesting debate today? Before I begin, I'd like to confirm that the Welsh Conservative group will be abstaining on the motion before us today. This is not because we don't agree with the premise of the motion. It's important, if we're to meet our climate change commitments, that we continue to move away from our...
Peter Fox: Thank you, Minister, and thank you, Llywydd. I'd just like to remind Members of my interest as a farmer, as stated in my interests, albeit I don't actually use fertiliser. As we've heard, Llywydd, the agricultural sector—and we've heard it several times today—is facing an uncertain period. For example, there are a number of concerns around the current and future availability and cost of...
Peter Fox: Well, thank you, Minister. I want to change tack slightly. Minister, Wales is now at a critical stage, and what comes next will determine the future and shape of the country. We're currently suffering the triple whammy of inflationary pressure, the pandemic and now the Welsh Government's—and I have to say it—kick in the teeth to our fantastic tourist industry. Your statement yesterday on...
Peter Fox: Thank you for that answer, Minister, and I also concur that local authorities do indeed work hard in getting these things out. But what families now need is for the Welsh Government to finally prioritise them by ensuring that that support reaches them extremely quickly. As I'm sure Members from across the Chamber will agree, families should not have to be subjected to continued uncertainties,...
Peter Fox: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, the £150 council tax rebate we've just been talking about—the repayment scheme that you're implementing—made possible, as Mark Isherwood said, thanks to the UK Government, is indeed welcome here. However, what is seriously concerning are the multiple reports of families in Wales being stuck in limbo with no access to this support. Online comments to a recent...
Peter Fox: Thank you, Minister, for that response. Minister, a number of constituents have contacted my office recently and have asked whether the Welsh Government would consider extending the council tax rebate scheme to those households living in homes that are energy inefficient. For example, two elderly residents have explained that they live in older, stone properties that are cold and draughty,...
Peter Fox: 1. Will the Minister make a statement on the qualifying criteria for the council tax rebate scheme? OQ58082
Peter Fox: 9. Will the Minister make a statement on the availability of agricultural fertiliser in Wales? OQ58083
Peter Fox: I thank the Member for South Wales Central for raising the issue, and, as the Member has just said, it is important that local authorities do all they can to move forward with the adoption of housing estates. But I take the point that the First Minister made, that there is a responsibility on the developers to complete the work in an appropriate fashion. It's also important that developers...
