Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Wales youth COP is being held this week, when the Welsh Government will sponsor events in which young people in Wales can discuss the climate emergency directly with Ministers and Senedd Members. These meetings take place in the context of this year’s COP27 summit, where decisions will be taken that will shape the lives of young people in Wales today.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, certainly, rural areas do have their very own unique challenges, and also opportunities, and I think the rural housing enablers have certainly played an important role. I know the Minister for Climate Change is looking at pilot schemes in these areas as well. And in relation to the PRS leasing scheme, that seeks to bring existing and empty properties owned by landlords onto...
Lesley Griffiths: Well, certainly, Welsh Government support change of use, if you like, in our town centres. I think we all recognise that shopping habits have changed probably for ever, and we certainly need to do something around many empty premises in our town centres. Obviously, we've got the Transforming Towns fund, which I think has been well used by the Government, and it's certainly something we will...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, it's certainly very good to hear that Caerphilly County Borough Council is once again building council houses. I think there's a lot of expertise that we've lost over the past 30 years in relation to building council houses, and it's been good to see our partners come together right across the country in relation to that. So, I am sure it is something that Welsh Government...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch. The Welsh Government supports this process through oversight of the new local housing market assessments. Local authorities must carry out such assessments, but, from April 2022, their product will be reviewed and signed off by the Welsh Government.
Lesley Griffiths: Formally.
Lesley Griffiths: Well, as I stated in my answer to Sioned Williams, the next step will be for the council to respond; it's a matter for them, then, to come to Welsh Government with their next steps. I'm sure the Minister—. As I mentioned at the outset of my answer, there is, obviously, a constituency link for the Minister for Education and Welsh Language, so, obviously, if it's something specific to do with...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, going forward, obviously, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language's officials will work with the local authority. They will have to, obviously, consider what comes forward from Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. As I say, the next thing is for them, obviously, to respond. My understanding is that officials did look at and consider WESP plans in the way that you...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch. There is a constituency link for the Minister for Education and Welsh Language, so I am responding on behalf of the Welsh Government. I understand the council has noted the court's judgment in respect of the Swansea valley proposal and are considering their next steps. The council has a period of time to decide if it will appeal, so any further consideration needs to await the...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I can't give you any specific update, because, as you know, we are working with key stakeholders at the moment to develop a document within the animal welfare plan to look at all existing animal welfare focused licensing legislation—as you can imagine, that's quite a significant piece of work, but what that will do is gauge where the gaps are—and then set out proposals for the...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, I would imagine the collaborative tier—. We've just been referring to the three tiers of the sustainable farming scheme, and I would assume that the collaborative layer of the scheme will be able to offer support to projects at a landscape level at the Gwent levels, as you just referred to, or within the supply chain, so that they can deliver on those local and national...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Our priorities for animal welfare are set out in our animal welfare plan for Wales. It includes a timetable for the delivery of key actions against our four animal welfare programme for government commitments, and actions for our other animal welfare priorities.
Lesley Griffiths: The proposed sustainable farming scheme will support farmers and other land managers to work together to deliver nature-based solutions at a landscape level. The Gwent levels are a great example where the adoption of sustainable land management practices can support resilient farm businesses and improve the environment for people and wildlife.
Lesley Griffiths: I go back to what I was saying in an earlier answer: we are still in the co-design phase of the sustainable farming scheme, so now is the time to make sure everybody puts their views forward. I mentioned the survey—that's open till 21 November. Please ask anybody who contacts you with concerns to ensure they complete the survey. We have the three tiers, as you say, and the universal tier, I...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think I was certainly asked about that, I think it was Sam Kurtz who asked me about that in the committee, and it is a very important point. But you'll appreciate at the moment I don't even know what my budget is, so it's very difficult to give you any assurances. It is important that the money that we have is directed to farmers, but, of course, the ancillary activities that we...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. In July, I published an outline of the proposed sustainable farming scheme. The scheme's proposals signify a major change in the way Welsh farmers will be supported. The scheme will be key in supporting Welsh farmers to play a leading role in delivering a more resilient environment and a more resilient rural economy.
Lesley Griffiths: You may have heard me say in an earlier answer to Gareth Davies that it is very important we work with other UK administrations, particularly the UK Government. As I said, we were working on this with George Eustice back at the beginning of the year. Unfortunately, the DEFRA Secretary of State who just left Government yesterday, I didn't meet with, but I will certainly be writing to Thérèse...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, absolutely, and I work very closely with the Minister for Climate Change in relation to this issue as well. She published the mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds in England and Wales back in August, I think it was, and that was to enable conservation charities and land managers— obviously, that includes the agricultural sector—to take an effective and consistent...
Lesley Griffiths: When avian influenza is confirmed at any premises in Wales, stringent disease control measures are immediately put in place to stop further spread. The Welsh Government introduced an avian influenza prevention zone on 17 October, which makes it a mandatory requirement for bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures.
Lesley Griffiths: You would have to raise that directly with the Minister for Climate Change. Obviously, the issue you refer to is a matter for Cardiff Council; they are the local planning authority. It wouldn't be appropriate for any Welsh Minister to comment on the merits of any proposal, for instance, as it could come before Welsh Ministers at some point in the future.
