I want to write to Sam Rowlands
Sam Rowlands: ...in north Wales. Minister, I do welcome efforts being made to recruit more dentists. I certainly welcome those efforts being made, along with the trials of the use of the mobile dental units at schools, which, as my colleagues mentioned, could be cost-effective and certainly help reduce those waiting lists. But like others in the Chamber here today, I take particular exception to parts of...
Sam Rowlands: What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve educational outcomes in North Wales?
Sam Rowlands: ..., it's livelihoods that will be impacted as a result of this legislation. It's clear, of course, that we do support 20 mph speed limits outside those areas where it's absolutely necessary, such as schools and hospitals, heavily pedestrianised areas. But this default limit is going to have such a detrimental impact on the economy, as the Minister for the Economy, I would have thought you'd...
Sam Rowlands: ...person's guarantee, something which, on these sides of the benches, we have been supporting. Of course, as you outlined, it's that offer there for everyone under the age of 25—the offer of work, education, training or self-employment. And, last week, First Minister, I had the privilege of joining the vice-chancellor and her team at Wrexham Glyndŵr University to hear about all the good...
Sam Rowlands: ..., especially the one for the 2021 Senedd elections. In that, we as Conservatives called for free bus travel and discounted rail travel for 16 to 24-year-olds, to help our young people access education, training and employment. This of course could embed that modal shift that you and I are so keen to see, whilst also supporting our environment, so importantly. So, in light of this,...
Sam Rowlands: ...Cymru leader of Isle of Anglesey County Council, Llinos Medi, says hard cuts to local services are ahead, as a result of this settlement. Lib Dem-run Powys County Council are looking to close rural schools, and Labour-run Monmouthshire County Council consulted on cuts to leisure centre hours as well. All of this whilst our council tax payers are likely to face a further hike in their...
Sam Rowlands: Will the Minister make a statement on the role of faith schools in North Wales?
Sam Rowlands: ...are again experiencing some challenges in terms of their financial situation. One of the key concerns that has been raised with me is the fact that some councils in Wales have indicated to their schools that they should be preparing to reduce their budgets by around 10 per cent in the next financial year. I would have thought that schools and education are probably one of the core services...
Sam Rowlands: ...say how fantastic it has been to listen to Members from across the Chamber this afternoon outlining their views and their support, certainly at least in principle, for the ideas behind the outdoor education (Wales) Bill? It's also always interesting to hear of Members' experiences in the great outdoors and the privilege that they had growing up and in school as well. I just want to...
Sam Rowlands: Indeed, recent Welsh Government-commissioned research, published via Hwb, has outlined that outdoor education has well-established benefits for children and young people in both their physical health and well-being, but also their mental health and well-being. In addition to this, Welsh Government-commissioned research found that outdoor education has exceptional benefits for personal and...
Sam Rowlands: Diolch Llywydd, and can I first say what an absolute pleasure it is today to seek the Senedd's agreement for me to introduce my Member Bill, the outdoor education (Wales) Bill? As Members will be aware, back in July I was selected from a Members ballot to bring forward a Bill. Clearly, since July not a huge amount has happened in politics in the UK, but I've certainly been very busy, working...
Sam Rowlands: ..., and this continues to be reiterated when meeting employers, as I'm sure you do, Minister, as well. But one of the key areas, I believe, we could be looking to focus more on is promoting the educational benefits and skills of apprenticeships. I'm sure you agree, Minister, that apprenticeships can be extremely successful career paths that, importantly, often see more skills progression and...
Sam Rowlands: What action is the Minister taking to ensure that those with additional learning needs receive the best possible education?
Sam Rowlands: .... Additionally, Deputy Minister, there are major spending departments that could make a significant difference to people accessing sport in north Wales. These of course include our health service, education, local government and even practical departments, such as land and estates—we could enable the development of facilities in north Wales. Linked to this, facilities in north Wales are...
Sam Rowlands: ...struck me was the simple fact that it's one in 10 children and young people who live with migraine. And, of course, this has a significant impact on their day-to-day lives, along with their time in school. I'm sure many Members—and it's already been mentioned—in this Chamber know of family members or friends on whom migraine has such a significant impact and suffer from it greatly. ...
Sam Rowlands: ...years old, with the Nantlle Valley right on my doorstep, and perhaps not understanding or appreciating what all that meant. So, I wonder, Deputy Minister, how you will work with the Minister for education to ensure that our children in our local communities, where this world heritage status now is, also understand the importance of their heritage. And yes, for visitors to understand it...
Sam Rowlands: ...to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II? This unity of spirit reminds me of back when I was a teenager, and I will make some personal reflections as well. When I was a teenager, the Queen visited my school in Colwyn Bay, and it turns out that this was referenced by Darren Millar a moment ago, as she visited my school in Colwyn Bay at Eirias Park. What struck me from this visit was not the...
Sam Rowlands: ...on business and the economy as well, because it simply won't allow ordinary people to get on with their normal life activities at the same rate, such as getting to work, dropping the kids off at school. People will be spending more time in their car, rather than getting on with what it is they need to do. In addition to this, a huge concern regarding the introduction of a 20 mph speed...
Sam Rowlands: Very generous of you, Llywydd. I will not mention it again. [Laughter.] So, as Natasha Asghar mentioned, we certainly support letting our councils put 20 mph speed limits outside schools, hospitals and other areas, and I've certainly seen that impact on the school my daughters go to, where I've seen that safety for them outside that school, especially at busy times of the day, is...
Sam Rowlands: But, as we do know, Minister, much of the provision and delivery of Welsh language education is largely down to our local authorities working with schools, working with regional consortia, such as GwE in north Wales. So, in light of this, what assessment have you made of the collaboration between local authorities in north Wales working with GwE, working with schools, so that they can work as...
