Julie James: Yes, I don't disagree, really, David, with anything that you've set out there. We are quite frustrated by the position. The UK Government is currently investigating whether to bring into force something called section 38 of the Building Act 1984, which is a part of the Building Act that addresses the civil liability and who is responsible for breaches of regulatory duty and so on. So, that...
Julie James: I've already committed to consult on making the fire and rescue service a statutory consultee on relevant planning applications. This will ensure fire safety issues are fully considered at this early stage, and make the service aware of changes in local fire risk at the earliest opportunity. This goes beyond high-rise buildings, and, subject to consultation, could include other purpose-built...
Julie James: Diolch. Building safety, and the safety of residents, is a high priority for this Government. Safe homes are the foundation on which any modern society thrives. People have a fundamental right to feel safe in their homes. In Wales, we have a good record of fire safety. Latest figures show the number of accidental dwelling fires in Wales is at an all-time low. Furthermore, we have seen this...
Julie James: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'd like to thank Jack Sargeant very much for raising this important issue in the Chamber today. I wholeheartedly agree that, for many people forced to sleep rough on the streets of our towns and cities, their dog or other animal is a crucial companion to help them cope with the situation they find themselves in. Their dog may be the only constant and...
Julie James: Yes, I'm very happy to undertake to do that. It's something we do do regularly already. Lynne Neagle will know that we've recently facilitated improved joint working between health and housing by making representatives of the housing sector statutory members of the regional partnership boards. So, that's just gone into effect. It's early days for that but we're working very hard to make sure...
Julie James: I meet regularly with the Minister for Health and Social Services to discuss housing, health and social care. Joint working between housing and health is essential to delivering 'A Healthier Wales'.
Julie James: Yes, I completely agree with that. Our first priority is the safety of residents and tenants and we've sought assurances, on all of the buildings that we're aware of, that the appropriate interim safety measures are in place immediately, and a clear plan for long-term mitigation is also put in place as soon as possible. We are working in partnership with the relevant local authorities, fire...
Julie James: 'Planning Policy Wales' sets that out. 'Planning Policy Wales' is the extant planning policy for Wales, which is what should be taken into account when planning committees make their decisions. It's pretty straightforward stuff.
Julie James: Yes.
Julie James: I thought I'd said 'yes' to start with. The most recent policy is the one that should be considered.
Julie James: Sorry, Deputy Presiding Officer.
Julie James: The Welsh Government is committed to using existing devolved powers to improve fire safety standards in all high-rise residential buildings in Wales, ensuring residents feel safe and secure in their homes. I am working towards a White Paper setting out proposed reforms ahead of new legislation during the next Assembly term.
Julie James: Yes, I'm happy to agree with that. Actually, my colleague Ken Skates and I attended a meeting of the housing building federation—I can't remember the exact title; just to confuse poor Ministers, they all have almost identical names—but the housing building federation, only this morning, in which we undertook to work together with the leads for planning and highways in the WLGA to do...
Julie James: Yes. Well, as Hefin David knows, I'm unable to comment on the specifics of any given planning application, but, in general, I'm very happy to say that I agree with the future generations commissioner about the importance of access to green space for all our communities, particularly those who have less access, actually. And that very much enhances health and well-being, particularly in...
Julie James: National planning policy for new housing has been completely revised to reflect the well-being of future generations Act. 'Planning Policy Wales' puts placemaking at the heart of the planning system and, rather than the building of isolated housing estates, focuses on creating sustainable places that positively contribute towards well-being.
Julie James: Well, I've no idea of the detail of the cases that Janet Finch-Saunders is setting out. If you want to write in, that's fine. But, first of all, trading standards is a non-devolved service provided by our local authorities, and, secondly, it's very difficult to make a general statement about the efficacy or otherwise of a prosecution policy off the back of three cases that I've just heard...
Julie James: Yes, and, as I said, Lesley Griffiths, in her earlier answers, set out a number of things. I know she's written to the Wales animal health and welfare framework group to accept their offer of help and request an urgent and immediate review of the dog breeding regulations. Perhaps, given the amount of interest across the Chamber, and the cross-portfolio thing—you've just put a written...
Julie James: So, the Minister outlined in her earlier questions a whole range of measures that she has recently announced in this regard, and, of course, we're all deeply disturbed by the accounts of non-compliance in the BBC documentary. It was horrible—absolutely heartbreaking. My colleague Lesley Griffiths outlined a series of things that she's undertaking in this regard. It is always tempting to...
Julie James: Local authorities are responsible for inspecting and regulating many different services, both devolved and non-devolved. The Welsh Government sets the statutory frameworks for those in devolved areas, and these are periodically reviewed.
Julie James: Yes, so, as I say, it's early days for the way that these two boards work together. It's early days for the public services boards. And, obviously, the regional partnership boards are even more recent in their inception. I'm not going to comment on the detail of that. We are aware of different practices across Wales, and one of the things that I said in answering your second point was that we...
