Lesley Griffiths: So, as you said yourself, we had an extra £180 million. I was trying to add up in my head all the money that you think should be spent in north Wales, and, believe me, it comes to a lot more than £180 million. We are getting £1 million for capital funding next year—[Interruption.]—£1 million. If you look in—[Interruption.] Do you want to listen?
Lesley Griffiths: You know, as well as I do, how much money would be needed to bring our estate in Betsi Cadwaladr up to the standard that we all want. I don't know about you, but me, I use the NHS, and I get excellent healthcare from Betsi. If you use private healthcare, that's up to you. [Interruption.]
Lesley Griffiths: No. I'll discuss that with my Cabinet colleagues, not with an opposition Member here in the Chamber. You will see, if you look, that north Wales absolutely gets its fair share, and you will have heard the First Minister say time and time again yesterday that we already provide much of the childcare facilities and care and provision that the UK Government are merely talking about and kicking...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, thank you, and certainly it sounds a great project in Maindee and, if the First Minister is attending on Saturday, I’m sure the event will be very successful. But I think it is really important that you work with communities about what they want in their open spaces and their green spaces, because then I think they’re valued more, and they’re respected more as well. So, certainly,...
Lesley Griffiths: Obviously, those decisions will be taken across Cabinet, with the Minister for finance. You’ll be aware that we didn’t receive perhaps as much money as we had hoped to, but those decisions are taken on a cross-Government basis. Obviously, as the Minister with responsibility for north Wales, I will ensure that north Wales continues to get its fair share.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think you raise a very important point, and you’ll be aware of some of the campaigns as a Government we’ve brought forward. So, one of them is—. Carolyn Thomas, our colleague, has been working to develop and promote the ‘It’s for Them’ campaign, and that’s about helping local communities understand the importance of verges and green spaces for wildlife, for...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. We have several projects that we are taking forward during this term of Government. I mentioned a couple of them in my opening answer to you; certainly, Local Places for Nature I think has been incredibly successful, and it is very well received by our constituents all across Wales. And we are continuing to support and expand on the valuable work of that specific programme, and...
Lesley Griffiths: Welsh Government is committed to ensuring everyone has access to green spaces close to home. We are delivering this through programmes, including Local Places for Nature, community facilities, landfill disposals tax communities scheme and access improvement grants. Over 1,400 green spaces have been created by Local Places for Nature alone.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. So, it was actually the first project to be delivered under the north Wales growth deal, as you're aware, so I think it really does demonstrate the difference that the deal investment can make in the area. And I certainly share your ambition to see north Wales—and, in fact, all parts of Wales—become a global innovator when it does come to digital technology, and I'm very happy...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Obviously, we've met previously around your request for a food park. I'm actually visiting the food technology centre in Llangefni—I think it's during the Easter recess—so I'll certainly see where we are up to in relation to that. With respect to 2 Sisters, as the Minister for Finance and Local Government said, I'm working very closely with the Minister for Economy. I think...
Lesley Griffiths: I think it is really important that, obviously, the application process is as straightforward and, as you say, as easy as possible. I was aware the £30 million call-out for new growth deal projects did go live on 13 February for six weeks, which I think does take us up to 27 March. And I know Ambition North Wales is particularly interested in transformational projects that have investment...
Lesley Griffiths: I have regular discussions with the Minister for Economy about a range of north Wales matters, including the north Wales growth deal. At the last Cabinet sub-committee for north Wales, the Minister for Economy gave an economic update for the region, including progress of the deal.
Lesley Griffiths: Our priorities for animal welfare are set out in the animal welfare plan for Wales. It includes a timetable for the delivery of key actions against our four animal welfare programme for government commitments, alongside our other planned work.
Lesley Griffiths: I am committed to ensuring the funding available for the EU rural development programme is fully spent by 31 December 2023. As at 15 March 2023, total programme spend has exceeded £733 million, representing 87 per cent of total programme value.
Lesley Griffiths: Proposals in this area will draw upon joint research published in 2021. We will consider whether any amendments are required on the current microchipping regulations for dogs and possible new measures for kittens and cats. Any proposed changes would be subject to a full public consultation.
Lesley Griffiths: In response to your first request for a statement, I suggest you write to Conwy council directly on that; I don't think that's a matter for the Deputy Minister for Social Services. And in relation to cancer waiting times, which I think is what you were alluding to, you'll be very well aware the NHS is working very hard to reduce waiting times, especially for people with suspected cancer, and...
Lesley Griffiths: Well, as you referred to yourself, there was a statement here only last week on dentistry, where the Minister for Health and Social Services set out very clearly the work being undertaken. So, I won't be allocating further time.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. As you're aware, officials have been developing the next iteration of the Warm Homes programme, which, again, as I'm sure you're very well aware, has helped many thousands of people, with help in Wales to reduce their bills and energy consumption. And unlike in England, we have maintained continued support for the retrofit of homes over the last decade and more, where our focus,...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you very much. So, Transport for Wales are working very hard to bring forward the class 230 trains into service on the Wrexham to Bidston line. And I know that they're also in very regular discussions with Merseyrail and Merseytravel about future services on that Wrexham to Bidston line, and that includes the possibility of direct services into Liverpool also, and how they can best be...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. In response to your second question, the Deputy Minister for Climate Change will be bringing forward a statement before the end of the summer term in relation to road safety and the road review, which, as you say, not everything has been cancelled—there is obviously some road building going ahead. With regard to your question for a statement on the audit of the stroke services...
