2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:21 pm on 22 May 2018.

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Photo of Bethan Sayed Bethan Sayed Plaid Cymru 2:21, 22 May 2018

I've got three requests for statements, if that's okay; I'll try and be brief. I've been told by residents and councillors in Bridgend that they've been unable to access the council's planning portal for a number of months now, and it's been on and offline in a very ad hoc fashion. I'm raising it here because the constituents are coming to me saying that they want to look at current planning applications—to have views on them or to appeal against them—and they can't seem to do that. So, I was wondering whether we could have a statement from the Welsh Government to councils generally about guidance as to how those planning portals should operate, because these constituents of mine may miss opportunities to put views forward on planning applications if the current situation is maintained.

The second request for a statement is with regard to the touring circus of wild animals that is currently taking place. There's a tour in south Wales and in north Wales—it was in Porthcawl last week. I had a meeting with RSPCA Cymru this week, and they said to me that the reason why it's in Porthcawl is the fact that there's a lease with Bridgend council of events that then ties them into a long-term contract with this particular exhibitor. I'm wondering if you can give us a statement on what research you've done of other councils, and this particular council, who are in similar situations, because if they're in these long-term leases, and if there is a move to ban wild animals in circuses—a move I hope we will get a statement on soon—then we need to be aware that these long-term leases may impinge on that particular process.

My third request is with regard to a statement—the UK Government's report last week—on cladding as a result of Grenfell. I know that the UK Government has said that they're going to consult on banning inflammable cladding, and on a UK level, the Labour UK group has said, 'Don't consult on it, ban it', and here the Minister has said that she's going to take some time to consider the options. I would like to have a statement sooner rather than later to understand what is going to be the Welsh line, because, of course, people are coming to me as housing spokesperson to ask us what is happening in Wales. So, I'd appreciate a statement to that end.