Lesley Griffiths: The First Minister is unable to be with us this afternoon, but I'm here, obviously, to answer on behalf of the Welsh Government, and I'm very pleased to answer your questions. That often happens with topical questions. You asked some very specific questions, which you're absolutely right to do, but I should point out that a lot of the arrangements in relation to the co-operation agreement are...
Lesley Griffiths: The First Minister and the leader of Plaid Cymru this morning signed the co-operation agreement. The agreement, the detailed policy programme and the mechanisms document that sets out how the agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru will work have also been published.
Lesley Griffiths: Well, it is a matter for each local authority in relation to what steps they take around zones, for instance, in relation to reducing, or banning completely, alcohol on the streets. So, I think it is up to individual local authorities and I don't really think it's right to have a statement in Government time.
Lesley Griffiths: Well, I don't think it would be appropriate to have a Welsh Government statement on that. In relation to your first point around arts and culture, you will have heard the First Minister say in his question session that he met with officials yesterday who were looking at what support, if any, or what further support, would be needed by the arts and culture sector. And I think he said the...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. You make a very important point about services and schemes that have been funded by European funding and what we are going to do to continue them, so that we don't throw all that good work away. You just gave, I think, a very clear example of such a scheme. These will be parts of discussions that the Minister for Health and Social Services, along with her deputies—so, that...
Lesley Griffiths: I think that there is no doubt that we will see many more of these storms. We have seen many more of these storms over the past few years. We've seen increased flooding, et cetera, and the Minister for Climate Change, who, obviously, is in the Chamber, works very closely with local authorities to ensure they have everything they need. Clearly, there were many houses without power, I know, not...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, no, I can't comment on an individual case, and neither can the Minister. However, obviously, this is a matter for the police, which, as you're aware, is a reserved matter, but I will certainly ensure that the Minister for Social Justice has heard your comments. It might be better if you wrote directly to the Minister for Social Justice, because, clearly, she meets regularly...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I'm obviously very well aware of the co-operative service that Mark Isherwood refers to. As you said at the end of your contribution, the national music service is a programme for government commitment for us, and is currently being developed. So, I don't think it's appropriate at this point to bring forward a statement, but I'm certain that the Minister will be very interested to...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, I'd be very happy to ask the Minister for Social Justice to bring forward a statement.
Lesley Griffiths: Sorry, Llywydd; I really struggled to hear.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. As I've just announced, the Minister for Health and Social Services will be giving us an update on COVID-19 this afternoon. You asked specifically about—you mentioned Cardiff Rugby and the Scarlets. Under the current regulations, we do not have the option to bring the party home before the 10-day quarantine expires, as obviously it's illegal to enter Wales if you've been in a...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. It's certainly very disappointing to see that Wales is not going to benefit from that increased rail funding, which we'd certainly hoped to do. The Minister for Climate Change is in the Chamber with me and has heard your request. Obviously, she and the Deputy Minister for Climate Change, who has responsibility for transport, have questions next week, so I would suggest that you lay...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you very much. I absolutely agree with you that we've worked very closely in partnership with local authorities, particularly over the COVID-19 pandemic. Certainly, there are many services that wouldn't have been provided if it wasn't for their work. I'm not aware of any changes to the hardship fund at the moment. It could be that it's going to be part of our draft budget, but, if not,...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. I've made three changes to today's agenda. Firstly, the Minister for Health and Social Services will make a statement to update Members on COVID-19, and as a result, the statement on 'A Healthier Wales' has been postponed until 11 January. Secondly, the Minister for Social Justice will make a statement on international day of disabled people. And finally, the debate on the...
Lesley Griffiths: The five-year animal welfare plan for Wales that I launched earlier this month is ambitious and it's innovative, and it sets out how we will build on the progress we have made in relation to animal welfare since powers were devolved to Wales back in 2006. Following the election, it was something I passionately wanted to do, to have everything in one place, and to bring a range of actions...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I very much welcome this debate on animal rescue and rehoming centres. It's always good to hear about Members' animal family members, and I think I'd probably better mention my family has two dogs, Minnie and Bronnie; the latter is a rescue dog, and, as we said, they're much-loved members of our families.
Lesley Griffiths: Formally.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you for your help, Llywydd.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I don't think there's anything further to add, but I do agree with you that everybody should be able to get a paper pass. In relation to the coalition deal you refer to, I presume you mean the co-operation agreement. You know, I absolutely agree with you—planning should be an enabler. It's really important that happens, and you'll be aware that planning has been updated. So, I...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, I think we discussed last week how completely unacceptable this sort of behaviour is, and it's incredibly disappointing that our teachers are being targeted with abuse on social media. I updated, I think last week, that we have asked TikTok to remove any instances of inappropriate or offensive content immediately, and we have provided guidance on harmful viral challenges to...
