2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:42 pm on 16 January 2018.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Andrew RT Davies Andrew RT Davies Conservative 2:42, 16 January 2018

Thank you, leader of the house. Could I ask for two things today, please? Last week, I raised with you the issue around residents who were facing traffic blight in their area around the northern access road in St Athan, and you kindly indicated that the Cabinet Secretary would be in touch with my office and also engage with the residents locally. I'd be grateful if you could get me a timeline for when that engagement might start, because this is a pressing issue for the residents in particular, who have grave concerns about the access to their site. Regrettably, following on from business statement last week, I haven't had any communication yet from the Cabinet Secretary. I appreciate that there is the goodwill there to do that—I make that as an observation—and it would be beneficial if I could have some idea of the timeline.

Secondly, I received a written answer back from Rebecca Evans, the Minister, in relation to the regeneration investment fund for Wales and the ongoing investigations around the RIFW sale. She indicates that she'll be making a statement shortly on the progress around the legal action that the Welsh Government has taken. I'd be grateful—as leader of the house, are you aware when that statement might be coming forward, as there is considerable public interest around this particular issue? It has been some considerable time, now, since various committees of this Assembly looked into this particular matter, and certainly an update position, as the Minister has indicated she's prepared to give, would be most welcome, but a timeline as to when that might come forward would better inform our ability to scrutinise progress on retrieving money to the Welsh taxpayer from this sale, if that money can be retrieved, and also the legal actions that the Welsh Government is undertaking in this particular case.