Julie James: Yes. Thank you, Janet. Implementing the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, as recently amended by the 2021 Act, will increase security of tenure and significantly streamline the legislation on renting, ensuring that all key rights and responsibilities are set out in a written contract. This will support continuity and benefit both tenants and landlords.
Julie James: We absolutely do acknowledge that there's potential for a real problem here, but at the same time we currently provide support to landowners if they want to plant trees on their land, and they have to do that in accordance with a tree planting plan. So, you can't just whack any old tree over any old land; you must actually get your tree planting plan approved. Actually, one of the things we...
Julie James: Thank you for the question.
Julie James: The woodland carbon code is a voluntary standard for woodland creation projects in the UK. It is backed by all four Governments and provides a mechanism for landowners to engage in the carbon market. The code's website provides guidance to projects that are interested in carbon sequestration from woodlands.
Julie James: Thank you, Mark. Obviously, what we've got here is an ambition, so what we need to do now is go through all of the processes necessary to see whether that ambition is an ambition shared with the people who live in the area that we would very much like to designate for the enhanced protection that that brings. But of course we will go through those consultation exercises carefully and make...
Julie James: Thank you very much, Carolyn. I share your concern, actually. The First Minister and I asked officials to carry out a really rigorous exercise looking at the range of legislative and non-legislative options available to achieve the aims that we want. We got really detailed legal advice on it. You're absolutely right that the National Parks (Scotland) Act altered the designation processes in...
Julie James: Thank you for the question, Carolyn. We are committed to creating a new national park for Wales covering the breathtaking Clwydian range and Dee valley. Work is under way with Natural Resources Wales to develop a comprehensive designation programme that will include all the necessary assessment, engagement and consultation.
Julie James: Again, Delyth, I'm going to resist, I'm afraid, the clarion call that you are offering me, but I do understand it, of course. What we want to do is we want to make sure that—. We've declared the nature emergency; we all agree with what you're saying about biodiversity loss and the need to protect our landscapes, of course we do. What we want to do is make sure that we have the measures in...
Julie James: Diolch, Delyth. Thank you very much. I really do admire your attempts to make me declare Government policy as part of questions, but I'm going to resist the temptation. Of course we're very interested in being able to join with such a scheme; we are looking to see whether that's something we want to do very formally in that way here in Wales or whether there are other routes for Wales to do...
Julie James: Thank you, Delyth. You and I have discussed this matter a number of times, and I absolutely appreciate what you say. We could, of course, have looked at going in with the UK Government on their arrangements, but we considered, and I'm sure you agree, that they do not suit the situation that we have here in Wales and we'd be far better off to have our own system in place. We have, as you...
Julie James: Yes, so again, this is about not being able to have your cake and eat it. So, you can't both say that you're in favour of doing something to mitigate climate change and then complain about every single measure that we put in place in order to do that. So, we have to do things differently. Councils have to step up to this, alongside all the other partners. We cannot continue to just build...
Julie James: So, again, I think the conclusion you're coming to is a bit of a stretch from the set of facts that you're presenting, basically. So, as I said in my first answer, I'll just reiterate it: there are, of course, a number of players that affect the watercourses and water quality across Wales. They go from every single one of us to our communities, to our industries, to the people who use the...
Julie James: Well, Janet, you make a very good point, which is that there are a number of reasons why we need to look at water pollution incidents across Wales, and, of course, they're not all attributed to a single source. So, we all need to work together in Team Wales to make sure that we reduce any kind of pollution incidents that affect our water tables, our river waters, our inland waters or, indeed,...
Julie James: I am delighted to confirm that expressions of interest for the Welsh building safety fund passport scheme opened last Thursday.
Julie James: Our upcoming net zero Wales plan will set out our policies for reducing and managing demand, increasing energy efficiency and generating clean energy. Meeting demand resulting from increased electrification will mean building a more localised, flexible and smart system using a range of renewable sources of energy.
Julie James: This financial year the Welsh Government is investing £2.25 million in flood alleviation projects in South Wales East. This includes projects at various stages, from business case development through to construction. An interactive map showing the Welsh Government’s investment this year through the flood programme is published on our website.
Julie James: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Just to start by thanking Members for their considered, wide-ranging comments and observations on the LCM today. As I said in my opening remarks, this Bill does allow us to progress our ambitious programme for government, where environmental objectives require new primary legislation. Just to address a few of the points that were raised today, and in...
Julie James: Amendments to the Environment Bill by the UK Government required a supplementary legislative consent memorandum, laid on 3 September. I am grateful to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for their consideration of the supplementary memorandum. As a result, I advise the Senedd that consideration of consent should include clause 144, which amends Schedule 7B to the Government of...
Julie James: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I move the motion. I thank the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee and the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee for considering the legislative consent memoranda. I am sorry the full six weeks usually allocated for scrutiny was not possible; however, I was pleased to negotiate timetabling changes to the Bill, allowing for more scrutiny...
Julie James: Well, I have to say, Janet, I absolutely admire the brass neck that you have in asking me that question in light of the convergence of Conservative policies that have brought us to this state. The UK Government has indeed made a deal with the company. It lasts for two weeks. After that, they expect the prices to rise and the market to sort it out. That's what it means, 'The markets will sort...
