Siân Gwenllian: Some months ago, I had an opportunity to question you on the Government’s attempt to tackle the increasing pattern of the owners of second homes registering their properties as holiday lets in order to avoid paying council tax. As they are small businesses, they qualify for business rate relief in accordance with the Government’s business rate relief scheme. You said at that time that you...
Siân Gwenllian: 8. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the Welsh Government's efforts to tackle any weaknesses in the business rates system? OAQ52557
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you for the statement. Today's statement, of course, confirms what was reported in the press following the WLGA conference in Llandudno, which, of course, is that you are giving up on your plans to force council mergers—for the time being, at least. So, thank you for making the statement in the Chamber, which is the appropriate place for announcing important policy changes. The Green...
Siân Gwenllian: In May of last year, this report was published by the Member of Parliament for Arfon, Hywel Williams, and me, setting out the case for a medical school for north Wales. Your announcement on expanding medical education in north Wales is a significant and important step in the right direction, and is the result of a strong local campaign in Arfon. In your statement you say this: 'these new...
Siân Gwenllian: You will be aware that Gwynedd is the area with the largest number of second homes in Wales, some 5,000 in total. As a result, local people are priced out of the housing market, causing a crisis in many communities. As the Welsh Government is currently consulting on reforming subordinate legislation in planning, which includes the rules in terms of use classes and the requirement for change...
Siân Gwenllian: 6. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the Welsh Government's consultation on the proposal to consolidate and review subordinate legislation on use classes and general permitted development? OAQ52507
Siân Gwenllian: Yes. You mentioned in your statement that you want to show vision and leadership in Wales on gender issues, and of course we want to do that. I think that bringing a Bill forward to safeguard our rights as women would be an excellent way of showing that vision and leadership. Thank you.
Siân Gwenllian: I too welcome the publication of the first part of this review of gender and equality policies, but we have to acknowledge, of course, that this work is restricted in its nature and the focus is on the Government processes. They are important, of course, and issues such as equality impact assessments are vitally important, but it is limited, isn't it, with regard to promoting equality across...
Siân Gwenllian: Some months ago, we learnt through a personal blog that the Government had made another u-turn on the reorganisation of local government, dropping Mark Drakeford's proposals for regional collaboration. Last Friday, I and everyone else who wasn't at the WLGA conference at Llandudno, learnt through Twitter that you had once again changed your mind by announcing that you were going to scrap the...
Siân Gwenllian: It is entirely appropriate that you criticise Trago Mills for their insulting comments on the Welsh language, but we must bear in mind that what this is in reality is the latest example of a broader problem, and concrete evidence that to believe that we can get fair play for the Welsh language in the private sector without legislation, and by relying on good will, is simply foolish. You're...
Siân Gwenllian: 1. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on local government reorganisation plans following his comments in the WLGA conference on 29 June 2018? 197
Siân Gwenllian: As I'm sure you know, emergency teams are working in my area, working extremely hard to extinguish fires that have been caused by the very dry weather. Carmel, Bethesda and Bangor Mountain have been affected, with at least 45 families having to leave their homes. I am extremely grateful to the firefighters and the other emergency services, as well as the communities themselves who have come...
Siân Gwenllian: We look forward to that. But the Minister with responsibility for the Welsh language has stated that she is going to push proposals for a Welsh language Bill forward as part of that programme. The main thrust of those proposals is to encourage a total change of direction in the Government’s language policy, diluting rights, scrapping the commissioner, and taking us back to the legal...
Siân Gwenllian: 5. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's legislative programme? OAQ52473
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much. Fifty-seven per cent of leaseholders regret that they've bought leasehold properties, and this is far too high a figure, and is unacceptable, of course. These issues of concern include the burdensome rent issues that turn to be unaffordable and can make it very difficult to sell on the property, and other payments for consent to adapt the property, and permission to sell,...
Siân Gwenllian: It is entirely unacceptable that there have been delays of 12 months before introducing this new service, and this creates problems in terms of inconsistency in information provided to people who require this service, with some being told that there is no service available, whilst, in reality, the clinic in London continues to be available to people from Wales until the new service is up and...
Siân Gwenllian: 5. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the development of a gender identity service for Wales? OAQ52424
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you for the statement. I have had a quick glimpse at the 'Enabling Gypsies, Roma and Travellers' plan, and I do congratulate you on certain aspects of the plan, because it does include specific actions and timetables, particularly in terms of providing sites. Clearly, some progress has been made in that area. In the plan you say this: 'we have driven forward a greater focus on Gypsy and...
Siân Gwenllian: Will the First Minister make a statement on rural bus services in Arfon?
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you for that. It is important that there aren’t unintended consequences happening as a result of changing the way this funding is distributed. Another group that is suffering extreme prejudice is the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, and a report published today demonstrates that 45 per cent, almost half, of members of the trans community fear identifying themselves in...
