(Translated) Will the Cabinet Secretary explain how the provisional local government settlement for 2018/19 will protect local services?

This is a realistic settlement that continues to protect local government services in Wales from the worst of the UK Government’s spending reductions.

(Translated) What plans does the Cabinet Secretary have to make councillors more representative of their local populations?

I have commissioned a formal evaluation of the Diversity in Democracy programme, which ran from 2014 up to the local elections in May. Once this is completed, I will consider the next steps.

(Translated) What analysis has the Cabinet Secretary undertaken of the impact on public services if the Ministry of Justice goes ahead with its proposal for a prison in Baglan?

If the Ministry of Justice progress the plans for a prison in Baglan, we expect them to consult with the Welsh Government, adopt the same positive planning approach that we saw with HMP Berwyn and ensure there is no adverse impact on public services.

(Translated) How does the Welsh Government determine the allocation of funding to local authorities in Wales?

The local authorities’ unhypothecated settlement is allocated using a “needs based” formula which is agreed with local government.

(Translated) What consideration has the Cabinet Secretary given to including a new strategic hub covering the western valleys of the Amman and Gwendraeth as part of the ministerial taskforce for the valleys?

The locations for seven South Wales Valleys strategic hubs were selected after considering a range of evidence. There are no plans at this time to increase the number of hubs. However, other authorities and organisations are able to use the hub template in their regions.