Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:34 pm on 18 October 2016.
Thank you, David Rees, for those questions. I’m glad you’ve given us the opportunity, again, as a Welsh Government, to make it very clear that the Welsh Government remains opposed to fracking. The planning notification directions we’ve issued prevent local planning authorities from granting permission for unconventional gas development for underground coal gasification, and this does, of course, follow through in terms of current national planning policy, identifying the environmental impacts that must be addressed in terms of any proposed development that does not impact on environment, communities or wider society. But, I think, also, the policy clarification that the former Minister, and now current Minister, of course, in terms of Cabinet Secretary responsibility—. That was issued in July 2014, and it draws attention and reiterates these considerations.
On your second point, we’ve already touched on this this afternoon in response to questions to the First Minister. And, clearly, this is a very good example, isn’t it, of the community being able to work together? It’s good to hear that Dr Brian Gibbons has been involved in that—a former Member of this Assembly—and that that swimming pool in Cymmer is now going to be able to be used by the local community. There are ways in which local government and Welsh Government can advise, and, of course, it is about ensuring that the most appropriate responses, not just in terms of grant aid, but accountability to local government, to other public bodies, are ensured.