Mark Drakeford: The energy performance of new homes in Wales was improved through the 2014 changes to building regulations. Further improvements will be looked at as part of meeting our emission reduction commitments under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.
Mark Drakeford: I concur with the view set out in the carefully-argued and authoritative report of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee. The Bill contains some welcome elements but, without significant amendment, it will not deliver the lasting, durable settlement we had been hoping for.
Mark Drakeford: Education remains a central priority for this Government.
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government recognises the value of vocational qualifications and through the Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2009 ensures that all learners are offered at least three vocational qualifications at key stage 4 and at least five vocational courses at 16-18 in local curriculum offers.
Mark Drakeford: Trade unions are the voice of working people in Wales and a key partner of the Welsh Government in delivering our programme for government.
Mark Drakeford: Welsh Government continues to work with the Betsi Cadwaladr university health board and other partners to deliver high quality health services that provide the best possible outcomes for the people of Arfon and throughout north Wales.
Mark Drakeford: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move the motion. The Government of Wales Act 1998 (Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016 amends paragraph 4 of Schedule 17 to the Government of Wales Act 1998 by altering the description of one of the bodies listed in that Schedule. Schedule 17 to the 1998 Act provides a list of public bodies in Wales that...
Mark Drakeford: Could I agree with the final point that the Member made? That’s what I said to Simon Thomas: when I speak to community councils, one of the things that I want to do is bolster the policy for electing people who represent local people. But, to do that, we will have to have a plan for the council level and persuade people to come forward to do that important work that the councils do. Of...
Mark Drakeford: Well, the impact of austerity is real, as the IFS report demonstrated. The loss of European funding adds another layer of uncertainty, which has a direct impact on local authorities, through which many of the very best European schemes have been put into practice. All of that does amount to a compelling case to build new resilience into local authorities in Wales, and that is what I hope the...
Mark Drakeford: Can I thank Simon Thomas for what he said? I look forward to working with him and others who have ideas to contribute as to how we might achieve those ends. I’ll take his questions in reverse order, if I could. I intend town and community councils to be elected next year, on the same day as principal authorities. I’m not sure that I agree with him that we have the blueprint ready for the...
Mark Drakeford: Could I thank Mike Hedges, who I always listen to very carefully on these matters? I’ve said to him before: it’s never been a claim of mine that size is the determining factor in the success of public services; nor, however, do I think that size is an irrelevant factor in the way that things are organised. Size does bring some advantages in some aspects. So, I don’t rule it out, but I...
Mark Drakeford: I thank the Member for the questions. I agree with his starting point that people who work in our local authorities in Wales are, by and large, people with families, with children who go to school, with mortgages to pay, and the uncertainty has not been good for them, and that’s why I’m very keen to try and create a consensus about a way ahead. If the committee choose to take an interest...
Mark Drakeford: Thank you for the questions. I won’t spend a lot of time going over previous history, but there are a series of things in the draft Bill that was published that were very much welcomed by local authorities—the general power of competence, the new local government performance framework, the strengthening of the role of local councillors and so on. So, there is quite a lot to build from....
Mark Drakeford: Thank you very much for those questions, and I thank the Member for what she said at the beginning about the discussions that happened over the summer with local authorities and other stakeholders in the field. Wrth gwrs, rwy’n cydnabod yr hyn y mae hi'n ei ddweud am yr hyn a oedd ym maniffesto Plaid Cymru; byddwn yn gwybod hynny o’r nifer o arweinwyr cynghorau Plaid Cymru a ddywedodd...
Mark Drakeford: Thank you, Presiding Officer. And thank you for the opportunity to make a statement today on the proposals for the reform of local government. Local government plays a vital part in the lives of every citizen in Wales. Councils provide the services that educate our children, look after our elderly, dispose of our waste, and light our streets. They go on doing so, moreover, during a period...
Mark Drakeford: The pressures that austerity produces are real, and there is real need also to build new resilience into local authorities. That is why reform is a requirement and not a choice. As far as reform is concerned, of course, there was much in the Draft Local Government (Wales) Bill that was published during the last Assembly that was welcomed by local authorities and their partners. However, as...
Mark Drakeford: Our programme for government makes clear our total commitment to support the armed forces and veteran community in Wales
Mark Drakeford: We are exploring a legislative solution to the issue of reclassification. Housing associations can be confident it will be resolved in a timely manner.
Mark Drakeford: We are continuing to analyse the economic and other impacts of various post-Brexit models drawing on both internal and external expertise.
Mark Drakeford: Since 2011, Nest has provided advice and support to over 85,000 households, with over 23,700 of these households receiving free home energy improvements. The Nest contract is due to end in August 2017 and we are currently consulting on the design of a new scheme to start in September 2017.
