Siân Gwenllian: I look forward, therefore, to seeing how exactly you're going to sustain that important accountability, which is what I was asking about. Turning now to the electoral system and the White Paper on local government reform, it notes that reforming the electoral system to the single transferable vote would not be mandatory to all councils in Wales and that councils would have a choice to bring...
Siân Gwenllian: I agree with you that the relationship that you develop with the leaders of different councils and authorities is key. Your predecessor took the approach of collaboration, with a relationship built on the basis of respect, even though there are tensions that sometimes exist between the Government and local authorities. But that wasn't always true, looking at former Ministers in your party. I...
Siân Gwenllian: As this is the first time I have questioned you in your new role as the Cabinet Secretary for local government, may I congratulate you and wish you well? I would like to ask you first what sort of style you will adopt in your new role.
Siân Gwenllian: Since 2010 local authorities across Wales have been working in a very difficult financial climate as a result of the destructive austerity policies of the Conservative Government. This means that local services have been lost and the most vulnerable in our communities are being affected most. Following years of cuts to local government budgets in Wales—a cut of 1.4 per cent in 2016-17 and...
Siân Gwenllian: What concerns me on this issue is that Wales could become a haven for circuses using wild animals. Scotland has banned their use, Westminster is considering a ban, but Wales is falling behind in this area despite the fact that the UK leader of your party is in favour of a ban. So, what exactly is holding you back, and wasn't it a mistake to confuse two things in this consultation? Isn't it a...
Siân Gwenllian: Will the First Minister make a statement on the use of wild animals in circuses in Wales?
Siân Gwenllian: I want to look at the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 and the changes required. David Melding has referred to this legislation already. Certainly, the 2014 legislation includes many positives. For example, it extended the time that individuals can approach local authorities when they are at threat of becoming homeless, from 28 days to 56 days, and it also placed a duty on local authorities to...
Siân Gwenllian: I thank David Rees for raising this important issue. The Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee has been looking at human rights over the past few months, specifically on the same issue that you’ve raised: the concern expressed by a number of organisations the length and breadth of Wales on the decision of the UK to leave the European Union, as well as the UK Government’s...
Siân Gwenllian: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the Welsh Government's vision for the north Wales economy?
Siân Gwenllian: The council tax reduction schemes are vital to the most vulnerable people in Wales and this is a scheme that allows many people to receive a reduction and it exists, to an extent, because the council tax is not progressive enough. So, I’d like to ask, first of all, whether the Government has an intention to look at a fairer taxation system so that we won’t need a council tax reduction...
Siân Gwenllian: It’s important to bear in mind exactly what happened in 1918, of course, when women were allowed to vote for the first time, but there was no equality with men at that time. Men were allowed to vote at 21, but women had to wait until they were 30 and had to own property. It took another 10 years before men and women were treated equally as voters. Of course, I’m sure you would agree that...
Siân Gwenllian: Will the First Minister make a statement on the future of the Welsh Government building in Caernarfon?
Siân Gwenllian: Could I say at the outset how appalling UKIP’s comments were yesterday about minority rights? Members of minority groups have an inalienable right to be treated equally, whatever their gender identity or sexual orientation or the colour of their skin or their religion or disability or anything else. I hadn’t ever—[Interruption.]
Siân Gwenllian: —expected to hear such a foul opinion in our Senedd.
Siân Gwenllian: I move on to the subject at issue. The method of providing low-cost, affordable housing is one of the great challenges that face this Government. Certainly, modular housing can be a useful tool in increasing the housing supply in Wales, and brownfield sites are appropriate for housing developments. But, a word of warning about some aspects of this: historically, modular housing has been seen...
Siân Gwenllian: A new report by the Welsh Language Commissioner on the provision of childcare and early years provision through the medium of Welsh states this: 'Although the Welsh Government is aware of the importance of childcare to the future of the language, there are no specific and firm plans on how they intend to integrate the 30 Hours Scheme and the 2050 vision.' 'Prosperity for All' notes the...
Siân Gwenllian: People with mental health issues have particular difficulties in finding routes to work or back to work after a period of illness. One way of facilitating access to the workplace is to offer work placements, which would mean that they wouldn’t need to go through the traditional process of interview and the anxiety and stress that that can lead to. What attempts has the Government made to...
Siân Gwenllian: 6. What schemes does the Welsh Government have in place to contribute to its target of a million Welsh speakers by 2050? OAQ51477
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you, Llywydd. The Equality and Human Rights Commission continues to do important work in the challenging political climate facing us, and I too would like to thank them for their work. Sunday was Human Rights Day—equality, justice and freedom from violence are some of the major themes. The remit of the commission's work is broad, and therefore today I have decided to focus on one...
Siân Gwenllian: Early feedback indicates extremely disabling circumstances for many households.
