4. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to support local authorities to protect their non-statutory services? OAQ51814

Local authority services play a vitally important role in the lives of all citizens in Wales. The Welsh Government continues to protect funding for our local authorities so that those vital services, both statutory and non-statutory, can go on being provided. Local service delivery, however, is for local determination.

Thank you for that answer, Cabinet Secretary. We know that the UK Government's austerity policies are placing great pressure on our local authorities, and obviously they have to meet what many would say are their primary statutory responsibilities in terms of education and social services, for example. But leisure services, libraries, museums, youth services and many other services are also very important and significant and, indeed, they all have to be seen as a whole in terms of quality of life for local people. 

We know that different methods of delivery have been brought forward by local authorities in Wales and many of those are quite successful. I wonder, Cabinet Secretary, to what extent Welsh Government has an overview of these new and sometimes better ways of delivery and what advice and support and spreading of best practice is taking place through Welsh Government in complementing the activities of the WLGA. Also, what new powers, and perhaps particularly the general power of competence, might help local authorities deliver better in the future?

I very much agree with the points that were being made by the Member for Newport East. I think he understands exactly that, in delivering a different model for local government, we need to do so in a way that is holistic, delivering powers for local government to act in a way that enables them to follow a holistic approach in their communities, shaping their communities, and creating great places to live and work that are great for families, a sense of place and a sense of community.

What we want local authorities to be able to be in the future is a shaper of communities, creating not just services for people but creating places where people can live and thrive. That's the sort of vision that I have, and it goes back to the earlier questions from the Plaid Cymru spokesperson about not just the shape and the structures of local government in the future, but also the powers and responsibilities for local government. I've tried to be very clear in the points that I've made in this role: that I see a great future for local government as an enabler of community services as well as a provider of community services, and I want to see local government strengthened in the future, more able to deliver not just statutory services but a great way of living for people wherever they happen to be in Wales.

Cabinet Secretary, Newport City Council has approved a budget that will result in cuts to services that will fall heavily on some of the most vulnerable people in the area. These include vulnerable people with mental health issues, people with learning disabilities and children with additional learning needs. What is the Cabinet secretary doing to address the genuine anger and dismay of the people of Newport, faced with these cuts to essential services? Tomorrow is St David's Day; I'd be grateful if you could give an answer in the St David's Day spirit, rather than blaming London, and give a Welsh answer on it.

I'm glad the Conservative Party now feels the need to advise me on my answers as well as to scrutinise me on my performance in office. Can I say this: it ill becomes any Conservative Member to come here to discuss the issues faced by some of the most vulnerable people in our communities as a direct consequence of the policies they themselves support.