Llyr Gruffydd: 6. Will the Minister make a statement on language impact assessments in the process of reorganising schools? OAQ(5)0034(EDU)[W]
Llyr Gruffydd: Thank you for that response, and you’re quite right—they are crucial as part of the process. My concern, however, is about the quality of some of the language impact assessments. They are produced, very often, without being adequately policed, and I can point to some examples where there is some very dubious evidence presented as part of these assessments, and, of course, those are just...
Llyr Gruffydd: First Minister, would you accept that the reduction in the number of beds in north Wales does contribute to difficulties with waiting times? We’ve seen beds lost in Flint, Llangollen, Blaenau Ffestiniog—there are over 400 fewer beds now in north Wales as compared to 2010. Surely, you would accept that that contributes to the difficulties.
Llyr Gruffydd: 9. Will the First Minister make a statement on language impact assessments in planning? OAQ(5)0226(FM)[W]
Llyr Gruffydd: May I sincerely thank everyone who’s contributed to the debate? I don’t remember so much unanimity on any motion—apart from the references to voting at 16, perhaps. But certainly in terms of the content of the motion itself, I do think that the mandate will be clear and unanimous, and I’d like to thank all Members who’ve contributed, and everyone else who will support the motion. It...
Llyr Gruffydd: Okay. Well, vaccination is clearly a characteristic of the strategy, but we still don’t know when that vaccine will be available, so that suggests that there will be a gap in the meantime. So, how do you intend to deal with that gap? I certainly welcome the suggestion that there will be an element of a badger cull, and I would urge anyone responding to this statement in the public...
Llyr Gruffydd: Thank you, Lywydd, and thank you, Minister, for the statement. May I declare an interest, as my wife is a partner in a farm business? I give a cautious welcome to the statement as it was delivered today. I think it does move us in the right direction, but, of course, time will tell, because what we have is a consultation document, or what is being published by the Government today, rather...
Llyr Gruffydd: Of course, as we move away from the current model that has been described as an unsustainable model to a model that, one assumes, will be based on Diamond, can you confirm whether it is your Government’s intention to try to achieve any financial savings?
Llyr Gruffydd: Of course, one of the priorities now is to extend the tourism season so that we can provide jobs to the people of north Wales throughout the year. Can you tell us what your Government is doing to try and achieve that and how you would use any additional resources that could be allocated to tourism to achieve that?
Llyr Gruffydd: Will the First Minister make a statement on services for people on the autistic spectrum?
Llyr Gruffydd: I want to focus my comments on services to children and adolescents. Of course, we can’t talk about improving child and adolescent mental health services without talking about CAMHS waiting times. We know that they are still far, far too long and haven’t been restored to the 2013 levels, never mind achieving the improvement that each and every one of us wants to see happening. Waiting...
Llyr Gruffydd: There are clearly concerns about the qualifying criteria for Flying Start and the geographical focus of that, and it was a concern levied against Communities First as well with electoral wards and potentially one side of the road being in and the other side of the road being out. I touched on this yesterday in your announcement on the proposed children’s zones. Could you confirm that the...
Llyr Gruffydd: Cabinet Secretary, both you and I attended yesterday a young people’s forum organised by the children’s commissioner for 15 to 24-year-olds with experience of care, and not only was there a clear message coming from that forum that care leavers need help to access affordable housing, but they also need help to retain their housing. In a recent report by the Children’s Society, they...
Llyr Gruffydd: Thank you for that response. One of the major frustrations that farmers are facing at the moment is the six-day standstill rule. There’s been much talk from the previous Minister in the previous Government that it was an intention to move to a model based on quarantine units. Can you give us an update on where you are with that particular development, and how soon will we see farmers being...
Llyr Gruffydd: A tidal lagoon for north Wales, of course, is one possible way of contributing towards tackling flood problems and coastal erosion in Clwyd West. So, could you give us an update on where your Government is in terms of any practical support that you’re giving to developing the potential of a tidal lagoon in north Wales?
Llyr Gruffydd: 4. Will the Minister make a statement on biosafety on farms in Wales? OAQ(5)0044(ERA)[W]
Llyr Gruffydd: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I’m just after a bit more clarity, Cabinet Secretary, around your proposed children’s zones for Wales. Are they geographical zones? Will they be following the footprint of Communities First areas or Flying Start? Because you also say in your statement that you’re not convinced that continuing to focus on 52 small areas is the most effective way to...
Llyr Gruffydd: There is evidence, of course, that children who fall behind in the early years, particularly in terms of cognitive development, are more likely to struggle later in life in terms of lifetime opportunities. There is now evidence showing that having degree-level practitioners in the early years context is of great assistance in ensuring that that doesn’t happen. Now, your Government, of...
Llyr Gruffydd: You tell us clearly that you don’t expect the service to be perfect, but surely we should expect the service to be better. Yet, here we are again facing what could be another serious scandal of poor patient care in north Wales. Only this time, of course, the sanction of special measures has already been used. So, it’s difficult to see, if our worst fears are realised, where the Government...
Llyr Gruffydd: Will the Minister make a statement on the availability of beds in community hospitals?
