David Lloyd: Trefnydd, last week, I raised with the Minister for environment what the latest position was in terms of the Swansea bay tidal lagoon. Now, it seems a long time ago since the Hendry review reported that the lagoon was a no-regrets option—in fact, a 'no-brainer', as I recall him saying at the time. Now, clearly, the UK Government's refusal to contribute funding has meant that alternative...
David Lloyd: As we've heard from Suzy Davies, the UK Government recently set out plans for a west Wales parkway railway station on the Felindre site near Swansea. And whilst I fully support this speeding up of east-west links, what you cannot do is forget the importance of north-south routes. So, what work are you doing with the UK Government to ensure that the Felindre proposal fits in with the need to...
David Lloyd: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I’m very pleased to take part in this debate on local government. As you’ve already mentioned, I do move the amendments in the name of Rhun ap Iorwerth. As a former county councillor in Swansea for several years, as were others in this Chamber, I understand very well the financial challenges facing our counties. Having said that, I’m...
David Lloyd: Can I declare an interest, first of all, as an Ospreys season-ticket holder and can I commend Andrew R.T. for his opening pronouncements? And I'm also a member of Dunvant RFC as well. Now, back in the day, I played rugby for many years, though bafflingly overlooked by selectors. I've never understood why. [Laughter.] And my sons have played for Waunarlwydd and Dunvant through all the year...
David Lloyd: Minister, following the disappointing announcement by the UK Government last year not to invest in the Swansea bay tidal lagoon, the firm behind the development have been working to look at different delivery models, as well as making changes to the proposal itself. Adding floating solar panels to the lagoon, for example, is estimated to increase the scheme's energy output from 572 GWh to...
David Lloyd: 3. What recent discussions has the Minister had in terms of the possible environmental benefits of developing a Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon? OAQ53658
David Lloyd: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. These are the Welsh Tax Acts (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. We considered these regulations at the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee meeting on 18 March. We reported two technical points to the Assembly under Standing Order 21.2(ii). The first point is complex and concerns the unusual way of using the powers given to the Welsh...
David Lloyd: Diolch, Llywydd. These are the Food (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019, not to be confused with No. 1 regulations. We considered these regulations at our Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee meeting on 18 March and reported one merits points to the Assembly under Standing Order 21.3(ii). This merits point was that we welcomed the clarity and...
David Lloyd: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. This is item 8, the Food (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. We considered these regulations at our Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee meeting on 18 March and reported one technical point to the Assembly under Standing Order 21.2(vi). The final paragraph of the preamble to the regulations refers to section 59(3) of the...
David Lloyd: Trefnydd, you will no doubt be aware of the announcement by Neath Port Talbot Council last week that they intend to withdraw from the ERW regional area education consortium as of March 2020. Now, clearly ERW has been through a difficult time in the past few years, but in recent months, following the appointment of a Welsh Government official as interim managing director, positive progress...
David Lloyd: I won't go over ground already covered, but, as I mentioned yesterday during the business statement, from my perspective it is particularly worrying that the first recommendation within this independent review looks to encourage, and I quote, 'direct and regular face-to-face' talks between the region and both the UK and Welsh Governments. These are basics, aren't they? Are you disappointed...
David Lloyd: I recently wrote to a number of local authorities asking them for details of their Brexit planning, and in particular what assessment they had made of the impact of a 'no deal' Brexit on their spending, service delivery and other related matters. In response, one council told me, and I quote directly, that the short answer is, 'none, at least of any substance'. Other councils are at a more...
David Lloyd: 6. What assessment has the Counsel General made of the preparations for Brexit of local government in Wales? OAQ53605
David Lloyd: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. These are the Plant Health (Amendment) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. Now, these regulations were discussed in our meeting as the Constitutional and Legislative and Affairs Committee on 18 March. We reported seven technical points and one merits point to the Assembly under Standing Order 21.3. Three of the seven technical points relate to...
David Lloyd: Thank you, acting Deputy Presiding Officer. This is item 5, the Common Agricultural Policy (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. We considered these regulations at our meeting of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, again on 11 March, and we reported one merits points to the Assembly under Standing Order 21.3. Our report focuses on the complexity of...
David Lloyd: Thank you very much, acting Deputy Presiding Officer. With regard to these Animal Health and Welfare (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, we considered these regulations at our meeting of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee on 11 March and reported two merits points to the Assembly under Standing Order 21.3. First of all, we considered the way in...
David Lloyd: And, secondly, Trefnydd, you will be aware that last Friday the independent review into the Swansea bay city deal was released. That review, conducted by Actica Consulting, was commissioned, of course, by both the UK and Welsh Governments. What flows from this report is a number of recommendations for change in order to improve governance and speed up delivery. It is clear from reading the...
David Lloyd: Trefnydd, I call for two statements. The first: Estyn and the school organisation code of the Minister for Education have both noted the need to look at the possibilities of federalising thoroughly before schools such as Felindre, on the outskirts of Swansea, are closed. Now, as the governing bodies at Felindre and Lôn Las school, nearby, have unanimously agreed on the principle of...
David Lloyd: Minister, would you agree that it’s unacceptable to tell a vulnerable older person who is poor and yet who doesn't reach the high threshold to receive public care following assessment—would you agree that it’s unacceptable to tell such a person, 'Just pay for your own care privately or go without'?
David Lloyd: Thank you very much for that response. Now, the Welsh in education strategic plans, as you've mentioned, which have been approved by your Government, do show a great variation in the plans of councils across Wales, and within the South Wales West region in particular. The plan for Bridgend is very disappointing as compared to other councils. Only 7.5 per cent of seven-year-old children...
