4. 4. Statement by the Chair of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee on the Committee's Forward Work Programme including Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Unaccompanied Children

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:04 pm on 19 October 2016.

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Photo of John Griffiths John Griffiths Labour 3:04, 19 October 2016

I thank Lynne Neagle very much for her warm welcome for this piece of work and her support for it. I’d be very keen to work with the children’s committee, Lynne, on advocacy particularly. I think, in this Assembly, there’s a lot more thought and consideration as to how the committees can work together generally, and perhaps this could be an important example of how we achieve that. I very much agree that what we need is local authorities in Wales to come forward to show the right sort of commitment to understand the massive moral case, to play their part in taking unaccompanied children, but also, of course, refugees and asylum seekers. So, when a good example is set, such as in Torfaen, then that’s something that I hope other local authorities in Wales will sit up and take notice of. It’s very good to hear about that cabinet paper that’s going forward also.

I think what we have to do in our work is to make clear which local authorities are stepping up to the plate, as it were, and in doing that, I think that will bring a deal of pressure to bear on other local authorities that are not showing similar commitment and action. I think action, obviously, is the important thing, because all local authorities in Wales have signed up to playing a part in taking people under the various schemes, but what we haven’t seen up to now is a great deal of action. So, we do need a greater pace and a greater number of adults and children benefitting from the verbal commitment that local authorities have given.

In terms of Communities First, it will be a matter for the committee, obviously, but I think we will be looking to scrutinise the Cabinet Secretary once the statement is made early next year, following the consultation, and also, earlier than that, around our budget scrutiny, and particularly how, as you say, the most important projects—the real progress that’s been made through Communities First—how those areas of activity will be maintained and supported, going forward into the future. I think most Members’ general experience of Communities First is that, yes, it has been variable and patchy, but, yes, it has worked particularly well in some parts of Wales and there is some particularly valuable work that does need to be retained. So, I think that would be our focus.