Rhys ab Owen: 1. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to protect renters following the deferral of implementation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016? TQ632
Rhys ab Owen: Will the Minister provide an update on her discussions with the Ministry of Justice on the residential women’s centre in Swansea?
Rhys ab Owen: What consideration did the Minister give to supporting local authorities to provide youth services when allocating local authorities' budgets?
Rhys ab Owen: Cwnsler Cyffredinol, I'd like to congratulate the Welsh Government for producing their vision of what a justice system should look like in Wales. I know that we have in the Minister for Social Justice and in you as Cwnsler Cyffredinol two strong advocates for a better justice system for the people of Wales. However, I have some sympathy with my friend Mark Isherwood for using the same old...
Rhys ab Owen: Diolch yn fawr, Brif Weinidog. This particular issue is from an area that you know probably very well and you probably spent some time there during the recent elections—the Mill estate in Canton. Now, the residents there have to pay an annual fee of £102 for the maintenance of a park that borders the estate, unadopted highways and green spaces and so on. And, of course, this is on top of...
Rhys ab Owen: Thank you very much, Llywydd, and good afternoon, First Minister.
Rhys ab Owen: 1. Will the Welsh Government commit to the adoption of the maintenance of new housing estates by local authorities? OQ58078
Rhys ab Owen: Does the Counsel General agree with me, let's all be honest, that the United Kingdom Government has no answers on how to solve the Northern Ireland border question, they have no answers on how to solve the constitutional issues facing the United Kingdom at the moment, and, in fact, their own actions are fast accelerating the end of their precious union?
Rhys ab Owen: Two weeks before the Brexit referendum, Sir John Major predicted that if Brexit happened, the peace process jigsaw would be thrown up in the air and nobody would have a single idea where all the pieces would land. But one man did have the answer, and not any answer, he had an oven-ready answer in 2019, and his Government signed, sealed and delivered that answer through the Northern Ireland...
Rhys ab Owen: Gweinidog, I'm going to raise school admissions also, because I've been contacted by constituents from Cardiff and also the Vale of Glamorgan. They've contacted their local authorities, they've contacted schools, and they've just had no replies, or no information, or just simply saying the school that they wanted, the closest school that they want to attend, is full. Before being elected...
Rhys ab Owen: Thank you very much, Minister. Now, last week, plans were confirmed to turn the Corporation Road surgery in Grangetown into residential properties, unless a doctor can be found to take over that practice. With the closure of that surgery and others, over 1,200 additional people have joined the surgery in Dinas Powys. I know that you've announced an additional £10 million to train the medical...
Rhys ab Owen: 7. What discussions has the Minister had regarding access to GP services in Cardiff and the Vale? OQ58003
Rhys ab Owen: Diolch, Brif Weinidog. A resident from the Spillers and Bakers apartment just up the road asked me to raise this question today. There, many leaseholders have been served with a section 20 notice. They face losing their homes due to costly regulation failures in the past. When will they receive the practical support that they need to bring this nightmare to an end? Diolch yn fawr.
Rhys ab Owen: 1. What discussions has the First Minister had with the UK Government and councils regarding the impact on Welsh residents of the UK Building Safety Act 2022? OQ58004
Rhys ab Owen: Thank you very much, Counsel General.
Rhys ab Owen: I completely agree with comments you've made previously that this Act undermines the long-established powers of the Senedd and the Welsh Ministers within matters of devolved competency. There is a clear supermajority in this Senedd to enhance and improve our powers. What discussions have you had with the Westminster Government for them to finally realise that it is the will of the Welsh...
Rhys ab Owen: Diolch yn fawr, Cwnsler Cyffredinol. I'd like to concentrate now on the Welsh Tribunals. You'll be aware that we've had several reports now that recommend the separation of the Welsh Tribunals unit from the Welsh Government, and this, in fact, has been endorsed by you and the Welsh Government. But rather than setting up a non-ministerial department, why has the Welsh Tribunals unit been moved...
Rhys ab Owen: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Cwnsler Cyffredinol, at the end of March, the Welsh Government statement on taking forward the recommendations of the Commission on Justice in Wales and the Law Commission report on Welsh Tribunals was pulled. When will the statement now be made, and can the Counsel General please guarantee to me that the statement will provide key milestones, with clear and...
Rhys ab Owen: Naturally, I welcome the announcement of the new level 3 and level 5 legal services profession. However, I hope we can go further to introduce level 7 solicitor apprenticeships in Wales. I am sure the Counsel General agrees with me that such a post would help to address the issue of access to the legal profession, and, of course, potentially help with current legal advice deserts. Will we see...
Rhys ab Owen: Diolch yn fawr, Weinidog. It's fair to say—and I'm sure that everyone can agree with this—that, due to underfunding and reorganisation of the probation services in England and Wales over the past 12 years, they have faced a very difficult time. Often, this can lead to real, tragic consequences. Currently, there are over 700 job vacancies across England and Wales. Has the Minister had any...
