Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 2. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services – in the Senedd at 2:39 pm on 13 June 2018.

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Photo of Alun Davies Alun Davies Labour 2:39, 13 June 2018

Members may be shocked to discover that we have conversations between different Ministers on an almost daily basis, and I've discussed this matter with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance this morning. I'll be discussing exactly this matter with the Cabinet Secretary for health at the conclusion of our business today. I'll be discussing these matters with other Ministers on a weekly basis. But, more than that, in answering this question, Presiding Officer, I want to go back to a different proposition. What we need in Wales—. And, actually, almost by accident, the Conservative spokesperson may be right about one thing, and that is that, over a period of 20 years, we have not reached an agreed, mature relationship with local government, and that is a responsibility not simply of this Cabinet Secretary, but a responsibility of this place, this institution, yes, the Government, and also local government. For me, what is important isn't a deal between politicians, whether it's in a back room or in the front room, but to work in the interests of the citizens of this country, to empower people, to ensure that we have democratic accountability in towns and county halls up and down Wales, and to devolve power from this place to centres of decision making across Wales and to ensure that we take care and protect the public service workers who are delivering our services. And do you know what all of those people have in common? Not one of them has suggested to me that we need more austerity or more Conservative policies.FootnoteLink