Mike Hedges: Diolch, Llywydd. Can I say I speak as a former member of the South Wales Police Authority, which I served on for just under four years? Can I thank everyone who took part in this debate? I think it’s very useful that people have spoken against, because it gives an opportunity to test the arguments being put forward. We need people to test the arguments, and it’s our duty then to explain...
Mike Hedges: Can I thank the Counsel General for that response? The report concludes that a purely organic approach to increasing diversity means that change is happening far too slowly and calls for systematic and structural changes to promote change. Does the Counsel General agree? What discussions has he had in respect of how the Welsh Government can contribute to the change process? It’s not a huge...
Mike Hedges: 2. What is the Counsel General’s assessment of the implications for Wales of the report by the justice council on increasing judicial diversity? OAQ(5)0034(CG)
Mike Hedges: Thank you, First Minister. Morriston and Swansea are a major district shopping centre. There are other district shopping centres in Swansea and in other cities in Wales. I’d like to stress the importance of district shopping centres, such as in Morriston, Mumbles and Whitchurch in Cardiff. In Morriston, we have lost banks, public houses and shopping diversity. Will the First Minister agree...
Mike Hedges: 4. Will the First Minister make a statement on the development of district shopping centres within cities? OAQ(5)0586(FM)
Mike Hedges: Of course, some of us have been talking about getting rid of all exploitative contracts, not just zero-hours contracts, for some time. I see that Plaid Cymru, in their introduction to their debate, recognise the important role played by local authorities in developing local economies in partnership with the business community; ensuring that our streets are clean and safe; delivering quality...
Mike Hedges: Do you regret the fact that we've moved away from local authorities directly employing staff in carrying out care, and it's gone out to the private sector?
Mike Hedges: Regarding uncontested seats, all seats in Swansea East are being contested, although my feet probably wished they weren’t all being contested. This includes Conservative candidates from Maesteg, Llandeilo, Cimla and Neath, and a UKIP candidate from Ammanford. Obviously, not as good as Swansea West, where they have a Conservative candidate from London. Will the Cabinet Secretary consider...
Mike Hedges: First of all, can I welcome the Cabinet Secretary’s statement and the report? But I’m very pleased it comes with a warning, to quote: ‘the report is not intended to be some new form of political astrology. It does not aim to predict the future.’ I’m always reminded, on this day, of the concerns in the nineteenth century, when the horse was the main mode of transport, over how horse...
Mike Hedges: I’m asking for a Government statement on the number of council houses and flats proposed to be built in Wales. I know of the developments either under construction or proposed in Swansea, but it would be of benefit to know of all the developments that are proposed in Wales. And, just a reminder, before the Conservatives became an ultra-right-wing party, under leaders such as Churchill and...
Mike Hedges: Will the First Minister make a statement regarding the new council house development at Milford Way in Swansea?
Mike Hedges: Diolch, Llywydd. Thank you. I’ve given a minute of this debate to Suzy Davies and another minute to Simon Thomas. In 2013, the Welsh Government created a Swansea bay city region to engage more partners in improving the regional economy. The councils of Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire worked together on a Swansea bay city region board. The board has adopted a...
Mike Hedges: You say people don’t vote because their vote will not be taken into account, but the two lowest turnouts we’ve had have been the European elections and the police commissioner—both done under proportional systems.
Mike Hedges: Can I thank Paul Davies for that? You talk about the change, but the absolute amount of money that rural authorities get is substantially more than places like Cardiff and Swansea.
Mike Hedges: Will you take an intervention?
Mike Hedges: Thank you for that response, Cabinet Secretary. In the period between 1945 and 1979—the social-democrat period of British history—a large number of council homes were built. When Britain was governed by those well-known left-wing politicians, Winston Churchill, Harold MacMillan and Stanley Baldwin, Britain built millions of council houses and flats. In the period since then virtually no...
Mike Hedges: Can I declare an interest, as my sister is profoundly deaf? Can I just follow on from the point that Rhun ap Iorwerth made? For someone who is deaf, light fulfils the same role as sound does for those of us who can hear. What is being done to ensure that deaf people have a flashing light fire alarm—as a sound fire alarm will have no use to them whatsoever—and, leading on from what Rhun ap...
Mike Hedges: I remain unconvinced of the merits of people keeping exotic animals as pets, especially primates, or those animals who have to eat other live animals in order to feed. Many people are unable to effectively look after these animals, and either let them loose into the wild, which causes problems, or end up banned from keeping pets. Will the Minister consider setting up a task and finish group...
Mike Hedges: 6. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the building of new homes for rent by Welsh councils? OAQ(5)0128(CC)
Mike Hedges: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Succinct is something I often am. Can I welcome the statement by the Minister, and can I welcome the direction of travel? Can I put youth services in context, however? In the four years from April 2012, spending by Welsh local authorities on youth services was cut by £6.1 million. These cuts resulted in the loss of more than 100 youth centres, and also at...
