The next item, therefore, is the business statement and announcement, and I call on the leader of the house to make the statement—Julie James.

Diolch, Llywydd. There are no changes to this week's business. Business for the next three weeks is shown on the business statement and announcement, found among the meeting papers, which are available to Members electronically.

Leader of the house, I'd be grateful if you could ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services to bring forward an urgent statement regarding Hywel Dda health board's plans to reconfigure health services in west Wales. As you will be aware, last week, Hywel Dda health board launched its new service change plans, and in all three of the options published, Withybush hospital will be downgraded from a general hospital to a community hospital. Needless to say, the people that I represent in Pembrokeshire are furious, as this consultation makes it crystal clear that they have no choice but to face the downgrading of their local hospital, as there is no other option. Indeed, people are so upset that in the last 24 hours, over 8,500 people have already signed a petition led by my constituent, Myles Bamford Lewis, to reverse the decision to downgrade Withybush hospital.

Of course, the health board's decision means that, yet again, even more patients in Pembrokeshire will have to travel further for important health services. And just as the health board's consultation recognises, this will have an impact on communities across Pembrokeshire. These options are totally unacceptable to the people that I represent. Therefore, it's important that the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services brings forward a statement on the impact that this lack of choice and alternative will have on the people of Pembrokeshire, and at the same time, he can confirm, once and for all, for the record, that the Welsh Government will make funding available for each of these proposals. If the affordability of any or all of the proposals have not been signed off by the Welsh Government, then what is the purpose of consulting on any change in the first place?

Leader of the house, I believe that these catastrophic proposals by Hywel Dda university health board make it quite clear that it's time for the Welsh Government to intervene and to make sure that the health board brings forward much more sensible plans by being fair to the people of Pembrokeshire. Therefore, can you please impress upon the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services to bring forward a statement outlining the Welsh Government's position on the delivery of health services in west Wales?

Well, the Cabinet Secretary has heard your obviously heartfelt sentiments on the subject. It is a consultation and we do need to wait until the outcome of the consultation so that we get all views before responding. 

Could I ask for two items, really? First of all, could I ask for a statement on the major announcement by the Labour leader at the conference over the weekend? I'm talking about Jeremy Corbyn's announcement that we'll have St David's Day as a bank holiday, of course—that was wonderful news. It was very sweet of him to mention Northern Ireland—I think they've already got St Patrick's Day as a bank holiday in Northern Ireland, actually, so I don't think we need a consultation on that. But here, again, we have an example of the UK Labour Party promising something that the Welsh Government could do now. So, the Welsh Government could say now, 'Next year, 2019—the first ever bank holiday for public services in Wales'. It can do it now. So, with the greatest respect to the Labour Party conference, you don't need a London leader coming to tell you something you can do within your own purview. So, can we have a statement from the Welsh Government saying how next St David's Day will be a bank holiday in Wales and how you intend to deliver that, rather than empty promises given for headlines in conferences?

No less seriously, can we also have a statement, or, rather, from the business manager, an explanation of the next steps for how we are now going to deal with the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill? I understand that Mike Russell, the Scottish Minister, is about to make a statement in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon around negotiations around these very important amendments to clause 11 of the Bill. Yesterday, Mark Drakeford in committee I think said that we still haven't reached agreement, but the Government was hopeful to still reach agreement. We don't have a Joint Ministerial Committee timetabled now—that seems to have been postponed. We really are reaching the end of the endgame. Next week, the Bill finishes in the House of Lords. Even at the present timetable, any amendments to clause 11 will be debated right at the very end in the House of Lords, so how do you intend, as business manager, to ensure that the Assembly has timely and advance notice of such amendments, so that we're able to debate the implications of such  amendments? I put it to you gently that what might be very suitable for Welsh Government may not be suitable for the Welsh Parliament. Government might be happy with one arrangement, Parliament may not. Do you have contingency plans, if necessary, to approach the Presiding Officer to recall this Assembly on a day that we don't usually sit in order to allow us to pass final judgment on any amendments that may be agreed between the Welsh Government and Westminster?

On the first point, I'd very much like to see a Labour Government in the UK, and, of course, what we'd then have is a reversal of the choice austerity policies and a renewal of the proper funding arrangements for Wales, which would, of course, allow us to put a public holiday in. In the current circumstances of the billions of pounds taken out of the Welsh Government's budget, on any real comparison of budgets, that is simply not possible—would that it were.

On the EU withdrawal Bill, there is a Joint Ministerial Committee European negotiations scheduled for next Wednesday. If anything happens in the meantime that's of any significance, we will, of course, approach the Llywydd to put a statement in or other suitable means of updating the Assembly. But my understanding is that the current arrangements are that the JMC(EN) is scheduled for next Wednesday.

Can I ask for a Welsh Government statement regarding ensuring the fairness of price comparison between the Swansea bay tidal lagoon and Hinkley Point? As the decommissioning costs and storage costs for the Hinkley Point development have been capped, we're not comparing like with like. If the building cap cost of the Swansea tidal lagoon was capped at a level well below what it was likely to cost, then it would make it a lot cheaper to generate electricity there.

Yes, indeed. Mike Hedges makes an extremely important point. The UK Government has chosen to protect taxpayers from exposure to all of the costs of waste and decommissioning liabilities of new nuclear power plants through the Energy Act 2008. Our understanding is that the total decommissioning costs within the funded decommissioning plan, including the contingency, are estimated to be around £8.5 billion, but given the costed index-linked, actual costs by the end of the station's 60-year operational life could be as high as £116 billion, once inflation is taken into account. Now, clearly, that's not a level playing field. Discussions are ongoing between BEIS—the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy—the developers and the Welsh Government about the technical issues and actual costs associated with the Swansea bay tidal lagoon, including on financing the project to include other equivalent costs.

Leader of the house, I think you've had some indication of what I'm going to raise. You will know that a written statement was issued by the housing Minister on affordable housing and the assessment of future need, and therefore targets for supply. I do believe that something of such enormous significance should have been made to this Chamber as an oral statement. It opens the possibility of a huge policy shift, which I would welcome, but, as was clearly indicated in the press coverage that resulted from an extensive Welsh Government campaign to get its message out—I don't criticise you for that, but, clearly, the Welsh Government realised how significant yesterday's move was, and, frankly, you are not treating this Chamber with the respect it deserves by issuing it as a written statement.

It could be weeks before this is now fully scrutinised, and the actual forming of the review and the group that will do the review, and those that will be on that group—the leader or the chair of that group has already been chosen by the Minister—none of this will receive early scrutiny here, despite the fact it's now gone out to all and sundry via the Western Mail and the BBC. I do hope there won't be a repeat of this sort of shabby treatment. If you have a huge press campaign on any announcement, as sure as eggs is eggs, you should be making a statement here in the Chamber. 

Well, I'm sorry to hear the Member feels that way. The Minister is here, listening to his point of view. Our point of view is very different to that. We think this is the start of a long process. There will be lots of opportunities to scrutinise the policy as it goes through, including regulation and legislation. So, I'm sorry he feels like that. No disrespect is intended to this Chamber. The Minister is here, listening to his point of view. Our point of view is very different.

Leader of the house, you'll be aware that the issue of delayed transfers of care is one that has been a constant challenge for this Government. Figures released last week, dealing with the month of March, show that 391 patients were suffering delayed transfers of care, with delays arranging social care a significant part of that figure. Now, as I recall, a decade ago we were dealing with figures of very similar proportions: 400 on average. So, the figures haven't changed, as regards delayed transfers of care, in a decade. To put that in context: on each and every day of the week, we have around the equivalent of two hospitals the size of the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend full with patients who are medically fit for discharge but are simply unable to move from their hospital bed on to the next stage of their recovery. So, in terms of capacity, that's 12,000 bed days per month lost from the system. So, will the Government therefore be prepared to bring forward a debate outlining what it intends to do to tackle this huge, systematic bottleneck?

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Ann Jones) took the Chair.

Delayed transfers of care are lower this year than they have been in the past and, of course, because of this Government's policy to jointly fund social care and the NHS, we have a great deal fewer problems with this than we see elsewhere. But all western Governments have this problem; it's not a unique problem to the Welsh Government. The Welsh Government has worked extremely well across the NHS and social services to ensure that this year we have the lowest ever problem, and all hospitals continue to work very hard in order to minimise this problem wherever possible.

Leader of the house, yesterday, the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services issued a written statement on support for the armed forces in Wales. The statement concludes by saying that the Cabinet Secretary recognises the need to continue to invest in and to strengthen the support provided to our armed forces veterans. However, he does not believe that the appointment of an armed forces commissioner for Wales would add any further benefit or value. Leader of the house, I believe this issue is too important to be dealt with in a written statement at this stage. I would therefore ask you to schedule a debate in Welsh Government time, or at the very least an oral statement, on how we can best deliver services to our veterans, to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude.

I agree entirely with the Member that we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our veterans. The Cabinet Secretary for public services did set out his views on the matter very plainly and, of course, the Member will have opportunities to question him, during his own question time, on any further action necessary. But I would like to underline what he said, which is of course that we all acknowledge that we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our veterans, who ought to be getting the very best of services as a result of their service.

I appreciate it is not always possible to provide statements to this Assembly, but I think with regard to the termination of Communities First, that did warrant a statement here, and it was shuffled out last week again, after we retired from these debating chambers to our region or to our committees. Now, considering that this was a flagship programme of the Labour Government in relation to alleviating poverty, the fact that it didn't come with any explanation as to what happens next, any analysis of what's happened with Communities First in the past, or any recognition of the fact that 50,000 more children are now facing living in poverty in Wales is something that I find quite startling from a Labour Government here in Wales. So, I would appreciate a statement here in this Chamber, so that we can understand, as Assembly Members, what is happening next. If it's being put in the revenue grant for local authorities, how do we go about monitoring that, and how do we go about ensuring that those people that need the support the most are going to get it. 

And my second request is for a statement from the same Minister with regard to the offenders framework that he announced, again last week. I think we need to understand, if the Welsh Government is putting any new prison on hold, what that means in terms of the wider criminal justice policies that he and the Government are developing in this regard. So, I would like to see that we can debate that also, so that we, as Assembly Members, from across the Chamber, have input into how that criminal justice system for Wales would look. 

On that first one, the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services is in the process, I know, of a complex discussion with the UK Government about the department of justice policy in Wales and the interaction of various parts of that. And I'm sure that once those discussions are at a point where he can update the Chamber, he'll be very pleased to do so. I don't he's quite at that point yet.

In terms of the closure of the Communities First programme, this has been a transition year, and Assembly Members are very well aware that it was a transition year. The statement is to thank those who've played a role in the orderly closure of the Communities First programme, and the preservation of its best work, which we've all been extremely anxious to see happen. This is part of a policy renewal programme for Action Against Poverty, in the light of the austerity programme from the UK Government, and it's been in place for a long time. And, actually, a very large amount of their programmes are continuing in other guises, such as the employability plan and so on. But it's no surprise to Members that the Communities First programme has been in its transition year and that this is the closure.

I wonder if I could request, actually a written statement is probably better for this one, either from the local government Secretary, or indeed from yourself, to clarify the position about who is responsible for monitoring and resolving any problems with the gender pay gap within our local authorities. Back a few weeks ago, in a written reply to an oral question that we didn't get to, here in the Chamber, I was told that

'The Equality and Human Rights Commission guides, monitors and regulates local authorities in relation to their duty'  and then takes any action with employers to help address that gap. When I wrote to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, they confirmed that for the financial year 2017-18 and for the previous three years, they held no information at all about the gender pay gap in any of the councils in Wales, and indeed had taken no action to remedy anything. So, I wonder if you could just clarify exactly who is responsible for, not just providing the data, but analysing it, because it strikes me that someone somewhere is not doing what they're supposed to be doing. 

Yes, well, that's very timely, actually, as it happens, because we have announced a rapid review of gender-focused policy, and I put the terms of reference for that in the Members' Library last week. So, we're hoping to bring forward the first proper results from that, including differing arrangements, where necessary, for monitoring and evaluating and taking things forward, such as the gender pay gap across all public sector organisations, including this one. So, I will take on board what Suzy Davies has just said and have a conversation with my Cabinet colleague about the best reporting arrangements for that as part of the rapid review, because I think, actually, the evaluation model is almost as important as the policy that we put in place to take it forward. So, I will take that on board, and as part of the report back on the rapid review, I will make sure that that's covered off.

May we have a statement on the Caernarfon-Bontnewydd bypass? This road was due to open this summer, but, instead, the construction work hasn’t even started. That is two years late and, of course, constituents in my area are becoming more and more frustrated and some are even starting to doubt whether this road will see the light of day at all. So, to allay their fears, can we have a statement either announcing a timetable or explaining the nature of this unacceptable delay?

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport is considering the findings and recommendations of the inspector's report, following the public local inquiry, before making a decision on this. We acknowledge there has been a delay, but there is a large volume of correspondence as part of the statutory process and it has taken much longer than expected to consider it. However, we want to make sure that we do take the time needed to ensure all the evidence is fully evaluated. We totally understand the importance of the infrastructure investment in north Wales, and I'm sure that once the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport has had the opportunity to consider all the recommendations in detail, he will be bringing forward a statement on this scheme. 

Can I call for three statements, please—the first on road safety in Conwy and Denbighshire? The leader of the house will be aware that there has been an announcement of a task and finish group for an extremely dangerous stretch of road, known as the Evo triangle, which crosses the border between Conwy and Denbighshire in my constituency. It's a 20-mile stretch that is promoted by online forums and magazines as a place where people should be speeding, and enjoying the thrill of the ride. But, unfortunately, this has led to some serious accidents, and a number of deaths on that particular stretch. Before Christmas, the Welsh Government announced that a task and finish group had been set up, and that task and finish group made a recommendation for average speed cameras along the route. I was very disappointed, just last week, to be informed by Conwy County Borough Council that, following the encouragement to promote an average speed camera bid, the Welsh Government had turned down the funding application to install average speed cameras along that route. So, I'm afraid my constituents have had their hopes of a safer road traffic situation in that part of the constituency completely dashed. And I think they're owed an explanation from the Minister, in this Chamber, so that we can find out precisely why the Welsh Government has denied the funding to make their promise of an average speed camera route along there possible. So, I think we need an update on that, please.

Can I also call for an appropriate statement on the targeted regeneration investment programme? I understand there's a draft document out at the moment, for the period 2018-21, and it does refer to one place in my constituency—the area of Pensarn, near Abergele—but, unfortunately, it seems to have missed out completely a quite impoverished community in a place called Sandy Cove, along that stretch of the coast between Rhyl and Abergele. I was wondering whether there might be an opportunity, given that it's a draft document, to petition the Government to review the situation, so that Sandy Cove can be included, particularly given the serious situation with unadopted roads.

And, finally, given your responsibility for faith communities, leader of the house, will you join me in congratulating the Baptist Union of Wales on its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary? Many Assembly Members were present at the celebrations, which were held across in the Pierhead this afternoon, and I do feel that that should be recognised here in the Chamber this afternoon, by you, in your capacity as the Minister for faith communities. The Baptist Union of Wales has had a tremendous impact, not just on the people of Wales, but also around the world, through its missionary activities, and I think we owe it to them to recognise that tremendous contribution that they've made.

Yes, I'm absolutely delighted to acknowledge that contribution, not least to my own life. Many of the hymns that I know and love are as a result of attending Baptist chapel with my grandmother, and singing my heart out, three times a day on a Sunday, when we were privileged to be spending a day with her. So, I have very fond memories of that. And, indeed, I am very happy to acknowledge the contribution of the Baptist Union of Wales, and, indeed, of all of our faith communities, to the rich cultural and faith heritage that we are very proud of—rightly so—here in Wales. So, I'm delighted to be able to do so; thank you for the opportunity.

In terms of the other two, the Member has set out a number of very specific issues, which I think would be best dealt with by way of letter between him and the Cabinet Secretary. I'm not aware of the details, so I'm not in a position to say one way or the other, but, if that's not satisfactory, then I'm sure that we can do something by way of information for the whole Senedd.

May I ask for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for health on the news that has emerged today that the Awyr Las charity funding is paying for a staff engagement strategy for Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board? I know that constituents in north Wales will be surprised and disappointed that funding raised by volunteers and charitable groups is being spent on work that one would expect to be core work for the health board. I’ve looked at this engagement strategy, and it talks about things such as creating a vision and direction, securing feedback for staff—well, any public body, you would expect, would be achieving that in their day-to-day work. But, it also talks about things such as engaging senior management and the leaders of the board with front-line staff, and then we realise, of course, that this money is being used, to all intents and purposes, as part of the effort to get the board out of special measures. The level of expenditure is also going to surprise many people.

We’re all supportive of the £25,000 that’s been raised for heart monitoring equipment; the £20,000 for physiotherapy equipment; the £75,000 for buying wigs for cancer patients, but we’re talking here about £450,000. We also note, of course, that members of the Betsi Cadwaladr health board are trustees of this charity. So, I do think that we need a statement from the health Minister in response to this. And does the Welsh Government believe that it’s right that the board is reliant on charitable funding to get them out of special measures?

I also heard the reports of this on the news and I know the Cabinet Secretary is aware. The board were at great pains to say that they were of the view that they had not done anything that was untoward. I know the Cabinet Secretary is looking into it and if there is anything that requires looking into, I know he will update Members accordingly. 

Finally, Nick Ramsay. 

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Can I concur with the comments made earlier by Darren Millar regarding the one-hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary of the Baptist Union of Wales? I also attended that event, as did many other Assembly Members. It was very successful and we send them our best. 

At the same time, I had my own event upstairs in the Oriel for Love Zimbabwe. Leader of the house, we are now some five months on from the resignation of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. That country is still in the process—the very early days—of putting itself back together with support from as many people as possible from across the rest of the world. The Love Zimbabwe group are centred with a base in my constituency. I'm currently in the process of raising funds and books to supply a library in Zimbabwe and to try and get that country moving in the direction that it should been in over many years but has been stifled. Can you tell us how the Welsh Government is planning to support the people of Zimbabwe as they try to put their lives back together and try to put their country back together, and make sure that they know that the hand of friendship is well and truly extended from the people of Wales and from this Welsh Assembly?  

Well, yes indeed. I'm sorry that I didn't get to the event, because I very much would have liked to have been there. Of course, we're immensely proud of our links with Africa and the Wales for Africa programme. I'm not actually aware of any specifics around Zimbabwe, but I'm more than happy to look into that for the Member. Our efforts on behalf of Africa, through the Wales for Africa programme, always bring benefits, not only to the people that we're assisting in Africa to do things such as build schools, get computer equipment, have libraries and so on, but actually to hugely enrich the cultural life of Wales in the exchanges that take place. I'm very well aware of many such programmes in my own constituency. I'm afraid I don't know the specifics for Zimbabwe, but I'm more than happy to look into it and write to the Member accordingly.   

Sorry, and finally, finally, because you all do it, so I'll do it from the chair, and finally, finally, Julie Morgan. [Laughter.]

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I know the leader of the house will be aware of the statue of Millicent Fawcett that is being unveiled in Parliament Square today—the one woman statue now along with 11 male statues. So, I wondered if we could have a statement about the plans to have the statues of two women here in Wales. The First Minister announced that in his very welcome speech in Oxford University. So, I wondered if the leader of the house could give us some more details of this very welcome move. 

Yes. I think it's a matter of some shame actually that there isn't a statue of a historical named Welsh woman in Wales. When these things are pointed out to you it becomes clashingly obvious, but it is obviously completely unacceptable. I am planning to bring forward a statement on a number of issues, including statues, plaques and so on, during this term—before the summer recess—and I will certainly be very pleased to include plans for statues and a number of other commemorative permanent installations to make sure that the contribution of Welsh women to Welsh cultural history, and current cultural, political, scientific and other endeavours, take the place they rightly should in our history. 

Thank you, leader of the house.