Mark Drakeford: Dirprwy Lywydd, I’ve not been involved directly in those talks myself. I recognise the point that the Member makes about the contribution that a thriving pub can make to a community—a social contribution as well as anything else. I’ll make sure that his points are drawn to the attention of my colleague Carl Sargeant, who I think is responsible for that matter.
Mark Drakeford: I thank the Member for what he said about his support for public transport measures. I agree with him that if people find themselves in positions inadvertently, then the law should take a more generous view of any transgressions. I will investigate the final point that he makes about yellow-box infringements in particular to see whether there is wider evidence to bear out the points that...
Mark Drakeford: Dirprwy Lywydd, bus lanes are a very important part of the way in which we are able to encourage people to use public transport rather than car transport—that is the policy of this administration. Provided Cardiff council operate within the law, which I’m sure they do, then their actions are not to be criticised. The real solution to the problem the Member raises is in the hands of car...
Mark Drakeford: I thank the Member for the question. As I say, the Chancellor had not completed his statement when I came down. We’ve long learnt in this Chamber to look at the small print of what he says in these statements to see where money is being taken away, which the Chancellor tends not to emphasise, as well as where money is being provided. As I understood it when I left, there was not a single...
Mark Drakeford: Well, the Member makes an important point in the financial context because, historically, investment in community pharmacy has been maintained on a par and in a parallel between the English and the Welsh NHS. Then on 28 October, last month, the UK Government announced that it was going ahead with proposals to cut the funding available to community pharmacies in England—a reduction of 4 per...
Mark Drakeford: Well, Dirprwy Lywydd, I’m well aware of the general issue that the Member raises because occupational therapists are one of those groups that are employed both by local authorities for their purposes and by the health service. That does mean that there are different terms and conditions that apply to those different workplaces and, as the Member says, that sometimes means that different...
Mark Drakeford: Well, Dirprwy Lywydd, I’ll draw the Member’s specific question to the attention of my colleague the Cabinet member for health, of course. I do know that at the very end of the last Assembly term additional funding specifically for perinatal mental health was made available, and I am confident that the extra services that will be provided as a result of that investment will be making a...
Mark Drakeford: Well, Dirprwy Lywydd, the Member’s contribution is the usual mixture of malevolence and fantasy. He’s had his answer to this question many times and I have nothing to add to what he already knows.
Mark Drakeford: I meet regularly with a range of stakeholders and colleagues to discuss financial issues, including priorities and allocations within the health, well-being and sport portfolio.
Mark Drakeford: I recognise the points that the leader of the Conservative Party is making. The Chancellor was still on his feet when I came down to answer questions this afternoon, so I will wait to see the final details of the autumn statement before committing to any particular spending plans. But the point that he makes about investment in order to carry forward our economy is one that, quite certainly,...
Mark Drakeford: I thank the Member for that question. She’s absolutely right, of course, that the south-east Wales metro is a key feature of the city deal, and at its heart, it has the aim of creating a first-class public transport system across the whole region, to keep moving us forward for generations to come. Procurement of the operator and development partner for the next Wales and borders franchise...
Mark Drakeford: The Cardiff capital deal demonstrates the benefits that can come from collaborative working across 10 local authorities. Progress remains in line with the timescales experienced by other, similar, large-scale city regions across the United Kingdom. Ratification of necessary governance and assurance arrangements is expected by February 2017.
Mark Drakeford: In 2015-16, authorities collected 97.2 per cent of council tax billed—the highest level since the tax was introduced. Nevertheless, circumstances remain challenging for households and I encourage authorities to continue to deal sensitively with those experiencing hardship. The Welsh Government has commissioned research into approaches that help prevent debt escalating.
Mark Drakeford: I published the 2017-18 provisional settlement, including the proposed allocation for Torfaen, on 19 October. The settlement is now out for consultation, prior to making a final determination in December.
Mark Drakeford: In the limited time available, I considered a range of options for supporting businesses affected by the revaluation. Our fully funded, £10 million transitional relief scheme is targeted at those most affected. Unlike the scheme in England, it will not penalise ratepayers whose liability is reducing.
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government is fully aligned with the need for innovative solutions to the delivery of public services. We work with local government in a variety of ways to that end, for examples through invest-to-save and innovate-to-save schemes and through the multi-agency effective services group, chaired by Jeff Farah, chief constable of Gwent.
Mark Drakeford: The provision of tax services in Wales has been a regular feature of discussions with HMRC, particularly in the context of tax devolution.
Mark Drakeford: It is the responsibility of all the public services under the Act to contribute toward all of the Goals. All of the Welsh Government’s 14 well-being objectives, published on 4 November, are designed to contribute to multiple goals, including the goal of ‘A resilient Wales’.
Mark Drakeford: We have a consultation on local air quality and noise management currently running that asks what more should be done to improve air quality in Wales. It closes on 6 December. Our response to the High Court ruling will be informed by the evidence gathered through that consultation exercise.
Mark Drakeford: Rail infrastructure is non-devolved. Despite this, we have invested significantly in rail in Wales, including over £180 million a year for the franchise and additional rail services and £200 million in rail infrastructure over the past five years.
