Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Whilst local authorities, I think in general, would say they had a better settlement than they had anticipated, clearly there are some very difficult choices to be made by our local authorities, and of course, it's always the services that they don't have a statutory responsibility for that are the first to be looked at when it comes to cuts. The Deputy Minister for culture works...
Lesley Griffiths: In relation to your first point around the number of GPs, the Minister for Health and Social Services continues to do a great deal of work in bringing forward more trainee GPs every year. I think you will see that year on year over the past few years that has absolutely been the case. The Minister obviously also works very hard and very closely with our health boards, because it is a matter...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. There are four changes to this week's business. The Minister for Climate Change will make a statement on flooding after the business statement and announcement, and that will be followed by a statement from the Minister for Health and Social Services to update Members on her meeting with the NHS trade unions. To accommodate this, the oral statement on Ukraine has been...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, that would be for the Deputy Minister for Climate Change, and, as you know, the whole road review and road building programmes have been looked at very closely, but I will ask the Minister—Deputy Minister, sorry—to issue a written statement.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think the situation you set out is indeed wholly unacceptable. If there's only one member of staff who's then on maternity leave, then obviously I appreciate they can't just get somebody in at very short notice. However, a wait of two to three years for such an important assessment is clearly too long. I will certainly ask the Minister if he's aware of the issue that you...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. As I say, this is a matter for local authorities. I don't see that this is an issue for Welsh Government. I would give you the same advice as I've just given to James Evans; I think it's really important you raise it with your local authority.
Lesley Griffiths: In relation to your first point, I will be amending the legislation as soon as possible. You'll appreciate this is the first week we are back after the Christmas break, but I do intend to continue to bring forward that amended legislation as soon as possible. I certainly don't think that is the case with Powys County Council, but I do suggest you write to them around your specific point.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch. As you're aware, Welsh Ministers did issue a direction on 5 January in relation to a specific planning application on a poultry farm, and that direction does prevent the granting of planning permission until Welsh Ministers have been able to assess whether or not the planning application should be called in or not, and such directions, as you know, are issued routinely where a Welsh...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I'm assuming that the Minister will be currently considering the report that you refer to. You will have heard the First Minister say in his question and answer session that we've put significant funding once again into our flood risk management programmes, and it is really important that our local authorities and NRW have the staff to be able to implement all schemes.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I haven't seen your correspondence, but that could be because NRW falls within the portfolio of my colleague the Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, so it may have been transferred over to her. But obviously I'm very aware of the ongoing Natural Resources Wales consultation regarding their regulatory fees and charges for 2023-24. I think the whole aim of that review is to...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think you raise a very important point, and, like you, I had not heard of this man. It was absolutely horrific what was coming out in the news at the time this story did hit the media. I think we need to be very, very clear that we need to ensure that we protect all children and young people, and, in particular, boys, from harm and influence from individuals on abusive and...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think you raise a very important point about compassion. And I too attended, in my own constituency, a group of homeless people who were very worried that they would be given a tent. And I was very pleased to be assured that would not happen, but, clearly, you give an example of when that has happened. Obviously, the legislation around homelessness, particularly in relation to...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Darren Millar. In relation to the first issue that you referred to, with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, you will be aware that there is a process to go through, and I'm sure that the Minister for Health and Social Services will update us at the most appropriate time, but I do not think that that will be before next month. In relation to your second request, it would be...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. There is one change to this week's business. I have extended the time allocated to the statement on NHS winter pressures to 45 minutes. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found among the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you to Peter Fox for his statement, and for the conversations that we've had over a period of time, leading up to today. I still firmly believe that this Bill is the wrong Bill, at the wrong time. Wales's Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 already provides us with a framework and a foundation for holistic integrated...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you very much, and I'd like to thank Members for their contributions to this debate, particularly Huw Irranca-Davies as Chair of the LJCC, and other members of that committee as well, and I absolutely understand and appreciate the concerns that have been raised by all Members who contributed in this debate. I will certainly endeavour to ensure this does not happen again, and certainly...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the background to today's debate on the Trade in Animals and Related Products (Amendment and Legislative Functions) and Animal Health (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2022. Trade in animals and animal products is regulated by a suite of domestic legislation and retained EU law, and import controls are implemented and enforced at...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think it is about a balance. I am aware the Deputy Minister had the meeting to which the Member alluded and is currently considering a way forward.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you very much. Obviously, we strongly condemn behaviours like these. They have no place in the fire and rescue service, or anywhere else for that matter. It's really important that they are met with the absolute sternest possible sanctions from management. I was very pleased to see Huw Jakeway announce the independent inquiry. I am aware the Deputy Minister for Social Justice this...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. We recognise all our local authorities, just the same as Welsh Government, are under severe budgetary difficulties, but the issue you raise is a matter for Powys County Council.
