David Melding: ...would all want to see a scenario where priority need simply didn't exist because we had solved the housing supply problem. But we are not in that situation, and I have to say the local government representations that were made made this very clear and highlighted the financial implications that could be associated with abolishing priority need. It is linked very much to the supply problem...
David Melding: I'm pleased also that this decision is being reconsidered, and I also made representations in writing and by meeting the senior figures in the Vale of Glamorgan Council. I think there's been some confusion locally as to the presumption against the closure of rural schools, which you outlined in the consultation on the revised school organisation code, and I stressed to the council that I...
David Melding: Can I support Jane Hutt's representations to you that we need an environmental impact assessment? That plea has also been made by the Tory-led Vale of Glamorgan Council. There's complete political unanimity on this. If you go down to Barry and talk to anyone, often the first thing they'll talk about is this incineration plant and its sheer scale. We need that assessment and we need NRW to...
David Melding: ...level of democracy would also help to refresh municipal government in general. Other public agencies, like NHS trusts, could also use this source of public participation. Deputy Presiding Officer, representational democracy thrived on the excitement of electing society’s leaders; it was an incredible transformation away from aristocratic Government in the nineteenth century, but it also...
David Melding: ...before abolition comes into effect. Other respondents, including Shelter Cymru, stressed that more consideration should be given to this issue of equity. The Welsh Government has conceded that representations have been received from individual tenants, and I know we all can appreciate that because we've received many responses as well from concerned constituents. Indeed, the Cabinet...
David Melding: ...-being of future generations Act, I think, will lead us to a general consensus, but it isn’t there yet and I think Simon is quite right in pointing that out. And we’ve all received extensive representations. We’re at the start of this debate, I realise that, but I think it’s important that the Welsh Government does identify the need to make a clear statement. Sandford has been the...
David Melding: ...I realised I’d put the same policy in the 2007 Conservative manifesto. [Laughter.] I have to say that I had a pretty difficult commission, because our own executive didn’t want proportional representation, and we had to sort of show a bit of leg, as it were, in terms of PR to potential partners in a rainbow coalition. So, the wheeze I came up with was, ‘Well, just let councils...
David Melding: ...for the group, I have to emphasise that STV’s not something we are prepared to endorse. I have to say, Gwenllian, I greatly enjoyed your mischief and the outrageous examples of liberal over-representation that you gave. I’m sure it would’ve entertained everyone in the Assembly, but I have to say that I come from a tradition where we’ve been on the receiving end of a system that...
