Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister. There's no doubt that the Cynon valley has benefited significantly from Welsh Government funding over the past five years. Perhaps the most significant area of capital expenditure has been the continued investment in educational buildings within the area. The Cynon valley has seen more investment from the Welsh Government's twenty-first century schools funding than any...
Vikki Howells: 3. Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government’s assessment of its capital spend in Cynon Valley over the course of the current Senedd term? OQ56259
Vikki Howells: 5. What interventions has the Welsh Government put in place to support learners in the Cynon Valley whose education has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic? OQ56260
Vikki Howells: Minister, last week, Rhondda Cynon Taf council began the second phase of its public consultation on the 2021-22 budget, with residents, businesses and other stakeholders invited to have their say on the specific proposals outlined. This includes: a proposed 2.65 per cent council tax rise, likely to be the lowest rise in Wales next year, and below the 2.85 per cent originally proposed and...
Vikki Howells: What discussions has the Welsh Government had with social housing providers about how they can best support their tenants during the coronavirus pandemic?
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister, for your statement today. As you will know, I have met with women and families affected by the failings of the former Cwm Taf maternity services, I've met with maternity staff who have since worked so hard to turn the service around, and have followed the work of the expert panel and its review throughout. I have three questions for you today. Firstly, I'm pleased that...
Vikki Howells: Minister, I'd like to take the opportunity to pass on the many positive comments that I've received from residents in the Cynon Valley, who have contacted me to express their relief and their jubilation at having received the vaccine, and their thanks to all those that made this possible. The Welsh Government's vaccination delivery plan explains that all vaccinations in Wales are recorded...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Deputy Minister, and I'd like to extend my thanks to all those who work so hard to keep our communities safe in these very difficult times. During the pandemic, my constituency has experienced a notable increase in anti-social and dangerous behaviour by off-road motorcycles illegally using popular walking paths and other public rights of way. The laudable work of Welsh Government...
Vikki Howells: 1. Will the Deputy Minister provide an update on Welsh Government interventions to improve community safety in Cynon Valley? OQ56210
Vikki Howells: For those who experience flooding the psychological impact is devastating, and these are effects that we can see clearly in our communities when we meet with and talk to those affected. The power of mother nature to cause devastating floods is nothing new, yet there is no doubt that as climate change takes its grip the threat of increased flooding in our communities in future is a serious...
Vikki Howells: What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure people know about the mental health support available to them during the current pandemic?
Vikki Howells: Minister, in order for our young people to make progress in their education, they need to be supported by teachers who are fit and well, both physically and mentally. Nowhere is this more so than in our pupil referral units, where staff work with some of our most challenging young people, including throughout all of the lockdowns. PRUs are classed as special schools, and there was relief and...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister. One hundred and fifteen cases of animals trapped in snares have been reported to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals since the code was introduced. Wild animals, including protected species, farm animals and pets, with many of these cases involving traps set in breach of the code, and this, of course, could just be the tip of the iceberg. Animal...
Vikki Howells: 1. What analysis has the Welsh Government made during this Senedd term of how the Code of Practice on the Use of Snares in Fox Control has worked? OQ56037
Vikki Howells: Will the Minister provide an update on Welsh Government support for town centres during the coronavirus pandemic?
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Deputy Minister, and I acknowledge that support and welcome it greatly. I've recently spoken to Rhondda Cynon Taf Women's Aid, who tell me that they can't get onsite COVID-19 testing for staff or residents of refuges, which is causing them problems and impacting on their ability to help people in need. Can you raise this with colleagues in Welsh Government, so that women's refuges...
Vikki Howells: First Minister, businesses in my constituency are very thankful that the Welsh Government has supported them throughout the coronavirus pandemic, with the most generous package of business support anywhere in the UK, including the latest injection of £340 million to support hospitality, tourism and other businesses that have been affected by the most recent restrictions. What assessment have...
Vikki Howells: 1. Will the Deputy Minister make a statement on support for women’s refuges in Wales during the COVID-19 pandemic? OQ56035
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Congratulations, Mr Church. Our school staff have given their all in what has been a very challenging year. For some, their extra special qualities have led to particular recognition for their work, and one such figure is David Church—the very aptly named teacher of religious education at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School. A teacher at the school for over 20 years,...
Vikki Howells: Counsel General, we've seen the Tory UK Government repeatedly talk about its levelling-up agenda, but there was scant evidence of that in the recent comprehensive spending review when it came to Wales. And now, as we approach the end of the transition period, the well-worn promise that we wouldn't be a penny worse off after Brexit is looking very thin, as the Chancellor gave further details...
