Mark Isherwood: As you indicate, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency have been in negotiations for another location in Caernarfon, on the Cibyn industrial estate. Subsequent to that they said a move to Wrexham, 90 miles' drive from Caernarfon, is a contingency, and officials continue to look for alternative sites, as you indicate, in Caernarfon, after not finding what they describe as a suitable...
Mark Isherwood: 7. What opportunities has the Welsh Government identified for Wales as a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU? OAQ55122
Mark Isherwood: As this annual 'Wales Impact Report' states, the Equality and Human Rights Commission's goals are to: 'Ensure that people's life chances aren't held back by barriers in their way' —in other words, the social model— 'Make sure we have strong foundations on which to build a more equal and rights-respecting society' and 'Protect the rights of people in the most vulnerable situations'. It...
Mark Isherwood: Diolch, Llywydd. I welcome your acknowledgement of the research showing that the HS2, if connected through the appropriate Crewe hub, will have a beneficial economic impact for north Wales and the wider region. In March 2016, the UK Government announced its growth deal offer to north Wales and the Welsh Government. The following month, the Welsh Government announced its proposals for the...
Mark Isherwood: Well, as our report states: 'An issue that kept being raised was the difficulty for rough sleepers to access integrated substance misuse and mental health services' and 'we have concerns on the level of integrated support for rough sleepers with co-occurring disorders.' Although we noted that: 'There may be some small pockets of integrated services such as the work of the Community Care...
Mark Isherwood: According to Betsi Cadwaladr's website, there are, I think, five minor injury units identified, other than A&E units, across the north Wales regional constituency. Luckily for me, one of them is in Mold, but most people aren't so lucky. Of course, in accordance with Welsh Government policy, in 2013 Betsi Cadwaladr closed five others—Colwyn Bay, Ruthin, Llangollen, Flint and...
Mark Isherwood: Well, it's now 17 years since secondary headteachers in Flintshire raised concern that they receive one of the lowest school budget settlements in Wales, and they told me about the constant pressures they face managing this while striving for educational excellence. They've continued to receive from Welsh Government every year since one of the lowest settlements—this current year, 2019-20,...
Mark Isherwood: I worked with housing support providers before I came to this place, and throughout my time here, since 2003, I've worked on every campaign—this isn't the first one—for Housing Matters every year, before that we had the Let's Keep Supporting People campaign from Cymorth Cymru. Unfortunately, this has become a bit of an annual ritual. Usually, it's produced good news at the end, and I pray...
Mark Isherwood: We've heard reference to last November's Wales Audit Office report on progress in implementing the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015, which highlighted gaps in engagement with specialist services and survivors in the implementation of the Act. According to the crime survey of England and Wales to March of last year—and there will new figures next...
Mark Isherwood: I'm pleased to support this motion, but recognise that the need for electric car charging points in residential buildings only represents part of the wider infrastructure required. I chaired the first session at December's Policy Forum for Wales keynote seminar, 'Energy policy in Wales and enabling the transition to a low-carbon economy—priorities for cutting emissions, infrastructure and...
Mark Isherwood: Well, from Caergwrle castle to Gladstone's Library, from the Enbarr Shotton Point project to the wonderful work of the North East Wales Heritage Forum, which includes the Buckley Society, Quay Watermen's Association, Deeside and District Local History Society, Saltney and Saltney Ferry History Group and much more, Alyn and Deeside has very much to offer visitors from across the world. What...
Mark Isherwood: Well, thank you for that. Just before Christmas, I had the pleasure of joining the festive fun as a guest at the Wrexham Polish integration support centre's Christmas party, and I've been invited to their Polish Heritage Day on 9 May. In 2017, the Polish embassy in London introduced a Polish Heritage Day to the calendar of regular events across the UK, with over 40 events initially planned,...
Mark Isherwood: In November 2018, Flintshire County Council launched its #BacktheAsk campaign, in full council, receiving full cross-party support, 'to take the fight down to the Welsh Government in Cardiff to get a fair share of national funds'. Its leader, who happens to be a member of your party, subsequently said the council is seeking a recognition of how the formula impacts on the council's low-funded...
Mark Isherwood: 4. What engagement does the Minister have with overseas countries who have citizens and people living in Wales? OAQ55027
Mark Isherwood: I agree with the Member in terms of higher issues around governance or jurisdiction, but surely much of this report is about the operation of the justice system on the ground when it's been starved of money. And many, many of these issues are as prevalent in regions across England, which have not had the benefit of this excellent report.
Mark Isherwood: I'll have one, yes.
Mark Isherwood: No. There is a huge number of innovative things happening in criminal justice in Wales, but one of them is not devolution. So, as the Wales Governance Centre found, Wales has the highest rate of imprisonment in western Europe, and although the total number of prison sentences rose in Wales between 2010 and 2017 they fell by 16 per cent in England, where they still controlled the services...
Mark Isherwood: Diolch, Llywydd. We recognise the dedication and commitment to public service shown by the many people and organisations that work within the justice system, but regret failings in the criminal justice system in Wales where the Welsh Government has responsibility for a range of key services. The Thomas commission on justice report refers to the 'distinct and developing social, health and...
Mark Isherwood: The Labour UK Government's March 2010 budget forecast the UK deficit to be 11 per cent of gross domestic product that year. According to the International Monetary Fund, the UK had the highest deficit among the G7 and G20 economies. Alistair Darling's March 2010 budget statement revised down the growth forecast, reduced borrowing, and stated that the deficit would be more than halved over...
Mark Isherwood: Two statements, if I may. Firstly, may I endorse the call by Leanne Wood regarding autistic children and young people? She referred to the situation in the Rhondda. I can confirm that, despite the integrated autism service, the situation in north Wales remains the same as in the Rhondda. I'm contacted, or my office is contacted, daily. The school exclusions and self-exclusions are still...
