7. What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with local authorities to ensure the innovative use of funding to secure local youth services? OAQ(5)0124(FLG)

I thank David Melding for that. I have regular meetings with the local authority leaders across Wales, at which I discuss a wide range of financial matters. The Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language recently made a statement here in the Assembly on the future of youth work delivery in Wales.

Do you agree with me that the key point here is to be innovative? Obviously, under circumstances when budgets are under stress, we have to look at other sources of funding or partnerships, and given the level of salaries for chief executives and senior executives in local governments—very much larger than the Welsh Government Ministers and the First Minister are paid—they are in a position to give that sort of leadership and innovation, and that’s the high level we should be expecting.

Well, I agree with David Melding that in tough times innovative ways of providing very important local services have to be sought by local authorities themselves. Dirprwy Lywydd, if you don’t mind, I’ll just take the opportunity for a moment to give a small amount of publicity to our new innovate-to-save fund: £5 million-worth of funding, which comes as a result of reports produced in this Assembly, which will allow youth services and others to make applications for new and innovative ways of providing services. The closing date for the new fund is 23 May, and we hope very much to receive some applications in the area of children and youth services in Wales.

Thank you very much. And finally, question 8—Sian Gwenllian.