Peter Fox: Good afternoon, Minister. Minister, Monmouthshire County Council has a series of ambitious plans, including the Monmouthshire 2040 document, 'supporting MCC economies of the future' report, as well as its critical role played in the Cardiff capital region city deal, for economically developing the Monmouth constituency. But what's holding Monmouthshire back, and many other councils across...
Peter Fox: Members, it's a shame we need to have this debate today, as it shouldn't really be needed, and I fear, Deputy Llywydd, that many of us will be saying the same things, because they're strong messages and we believe passionately in them. It can only be right that, as the decisions on how the COVID pandemic is handled are devolved to the Welsh Government, then it has to follow that the scrutiny...
Peter Fox: I thank the Minister for that response. I've raised this question as I believe that, as we move forward in Wales on our recovery from the pandemic and on our commitment to become net-zero carbon by 2050, we, now more than ever, need to make sure we have the skilled people needed to feed our nation, manage our forestry, biodiversity and wider environment, and that needs all of our agriculture...
Peter Fox: 5. What are the Welsh Government's plans for incentivising colleges to retain agricultural and environmental courses? OQ56767
Peter Fox: I wish I could speak Welsh and use the translation as well, but perhaps I'll get there one day. Minister, thank you for setting out the Government's priorities going forward, and I welcome also your desire for new ideas, so I won't let you down and I will lead you through some of my thinking. I'm sure many of the people of Wales will have been listening to your speech with particular interest...
Peter Fox: I'm pleased to be part of this debate today and I thank you, Minister, for your opening statement. There is no doubt that the pandemic has pushed Wales to the cliff edge and it just shows how important it is that Wales remains an integral part of a strong United Kingdom. After all, the robust measures swiftly implemented by the UK Conservative Government to the tune of £8.6 billion in...
Peter Fox: I'm pleased to be part of this debate today. I know it's a debate that many people may not want us to have, certainly some, perhaps, colleagues opposite in the Chamber, but it is an important one. I'll focus, probably, on point 2 more of the motion, and that's the Welsh Government's decision to pause all new road improvement schemes. I think there's a great fear that 'pause' is a false word;...
Peter Fox: Can I thank Vikki Howells for bringing this question today? And I think, whilst we all welcome the business support that has been offered to date, as we begin to emerge from the pandemic, it's crucial that certain existing support packages are reformed to instil confidence and encourage consumer spending in the retail sector on our high streets and town centres. And the transforming towns...
Peter Fox: Thank you, Llywydd, and thank you, James, for giving me a minute of your time. And I'll cut straight to the chase—I absolutely support everything that you've said today. And just to demonstrate the pressure that it's putting on the planning system in Monmouthshire, for instance, we have currently 105 houses on the open market, which are planning applications that are held up, 77 affordable...
Peter Fox: Thank you, Minister. I appreciate the response. I raise this with you as I have some grave concerns that the current funding formula is no longer fit for purpose. It was put in place many years ago—we know the history of that—and it may have been right for that time, but I don't believe that it's right for the situation that we're in now. As a past long-standing council leader, I have...
Peter Fox: I really do welcome that; thank you, Minister. Many of our businesses are still here today, despite that massive damage inflicted by COVID. Of course, I think that is because of the £6 billion in support to Wales from the UK Government. Without that support, I think we all dread to think of the jobs and businesses that would not have been here now and would have been lost. Now I know that...
Peter Fox: Well, thank you, Minister. That's reassuring, because Wales's businesses have warned me in no uncertain terms that they fear collapse. Many of them fear collapse unless more financial support is given now by your Government. And, with that in mind, it makes no sense why the Government is perhaps choosing to leave—. Well, I hear what you said, that business won't be left behind, but we're...
Peter Fox: Diolch, Llywydd, and thank you, Minister, for coming before us today, and I look forward to a healthy working relationship with you over the coming period. Minister, the Welsh Government's decision to delay major relaxation of restrictions by some four weeks has dashed the hopes of many sectors, in particular hospitality, which had been hoping obviously for an earlier return to trading after...
Peter Fox: 7. Will the Minister commit to an independent review of the current formula for funding local authorities in Wales? OQ56642
Peter Fox: Minister, can you make a statement on when the restrictive regulations for private dentists and, no doubt, all other dentists in Wales will be eased to allow them to deal with the huge and growing need for dental services following the last difficult 15 months?
Peter Fox: I'm quite dismayed at what I've heard today from the Minister and from his colleagues and others, and I fundamentally disagree with most elements of this motion today. I don't recognise that world that the Minister would have the country believe, and the Government scaremongering is not only wide of the mark, it looks to undermine confidence and promote fear across the country at a time when...
Peter Fox: To get rid of us.
Peter Fox: Sorry?
Peter Fox: Right. Sorry, Deputy Presiding Officer. Well, the question is: First Minister, would you be focusing a lot harder on promoting Wales on an all-Wales and global scene so that we can actually reap the benefits of that opportunity and encourage inward investment? At the moment, we're not seen as a favourable place for investment because we haven't raised our profile enough on that global...
Peter Fox: Thank you, First Minister, for outlining your programme for government. You talked earlier about growing the Welsh economy and, indeed, there's a section there—I briefly had a chance to look at it—looking at the economy, and we welcome anything that drives the economy, especially in a bounce-back following this awful pandemic. But I'm sure you will agree with me that it's so important...
