Vikki Howells: What intervention is the Welsh Government making to support the provision of supply teachers in schools?
Vikki Howells: Trefnydd, I'd like to request three statements from the Welsh Government today. Firstly, I'd like to ask for a statement from you as Finance Minister on preparations to create a vacant land tax. This is something that I've welcomed, as it could be a key driver to tackle land banking, to promote regeneration and community well-being, so I wonder how plans for this are proceeding. Secondly, I'd...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, First Minister. I was very interested to see the announcement on the out-of-hours bus service pilot from the Rhondda valley as part of the Valleys taskforce initiative, and I know lots of my fellow AMs from the Valleys were equally enthused to read about that. We know that current timetables don't meet shift workers' needs, which can be so important for tackling poverty, and in...
Vikki Howells: 2. What actions is the Welsh Government taking to improve public transport opportunities in the south Wales valleys? OAQ53886
Vikki Howells: Minister, I recently had the pleasure of visiting Rhondda Housing Association's Lle Ysgol development in Hirwaun that was built by a local small and medium-sized enterprise house builder, WDL Homes Ltd. And this brownfield development used a social housing grant to develop 12 homes, but also a commercial unit, which is, essentially, a village shop. How is the Welsh Government engaging with...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister. I, too, wanted to ask a question on the IPBES report, and note your earlier answers. I think the fact that so many of us have asked questions around biodiversity today shows just how important the topic is to all of us. So, I would like to ask you about how you intend to retain and enhance environmental protections derived from the EU. I know that the RSPB has mentioned...
Vikki Howells: 10. Will the Minister outline what actions the Welsh Government is taking to promote biodiversity? OAQ53839
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister, for your statement here today. As the number of people living with dementia in Wales increases, it's so important that we get this provision right. I notice firstly in your statement the reference to the increased number of dementia friends and dementia friendly communities. My office, along with the offices of many other Assembly Members, have undergone that training and...
Vikki Howells: I would like to begin my contribution this afternoon by joining with my colleague Dawn Bowden in thanking the Minister very sincerely for taking such decisive action as soon as the issues in Cwm Taf maternity services came to light, commissioning this independent review that has allowed us to shine a spotlight on the failings in the service and begin to put things right. So, for my...
Vikki Howells: Thank you for your statement today, Minister. As a mother myself who's given birth within the Cwm Taf area, as well as being an Assembly Member for a constituency that falls under the Cwm Taf area, I can honestly say that this report is the most distressing thing that I have read since I was elected to this place three years ago, and my thoughts are very firmly with the families that have...
Vikki Howells: Trefnydd, I'd like to request two statements this afternoon. The first is from the Minister for Housing and Local Government regarding grass fires. Just four months into the year, and we've already seen 102 grass fires in the Cynon Valley, and I'd like to pay tribute to the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service for the way in which they've dealt with those. But shockingly, of those 102 grass...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, First Minister. I'm sure you'll be aware that leisure services or leisure centres that have been transferred to independent, charitable trusts are applicable for non-domestic rate relief, while those that are retained by councils aren't. This means that, across Wales, leisure trusts receive rate relief of approximately £5.4 million, whilst local authorities are paying around £3.1...
Vikki Howells: 2. Will the First Minister set out how the Welsh Government supports local authorities to provide leisure services? OAQ53769
Vikki Howells: Minister, there's no doubt in my mind that the Welsh Government has an ambitious and dynamic strategy through which to harness the power of public procurement for the betterment of communities across Wales. But in order to do so, it's absolutely vital that we have procurement specialists right at the heart of local government, and we know that there are shortages within this area. So, what...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister, for your statement today. I have four specific questions for you. Firstly, I'd welcome your comments around recruitment to the variety of professions that we need within the Welsh NHS. I recently visited St John's Medical Practice in Aberdare to see their award-winning virtual ward programme, which enables a range of multidisciplinary professionals to work together to...
Vikki Howells: What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Finance on the procurement practices of local authorities?
Vikki Howells: I'm really pleased to be able to speak on this item today, Deputy Minister. As far as I'm concerned, this Bill proposes a long-overdue change to the law to remove an outdated Victorian concept. I have to disagree with the Assembly Member for Aberconwy, because most people I speak to in my constituency are actually of the opinion that children already have the same legal protection from...
Vikki Howells: At a conference last week on city deals, the future generations commissioner spoke about building equality metrics into the city deals so that, as well as providing clear and measurable indicators, they would also provide beneficial outcomes in and of themselves—for example, a reduction perhaps in numbers of children in care or improved life expectancy. What are the Government's views on this?
Vikki Howells: Will the First Minister set out the Welsh Government's response to the Charter for Change published by the Children's Commissioner for Wales?
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the start of the 1984-85 miners' strike. The strike had a significant impact on mining communities throughout the UK, including those here in Wales, and including the ones that I represent in Cynon Valley. Indeed, growing up in a village like Cwmbach, where many of my friends and neighbours were directly affected by the...
