Local Democracy in Mid and West Wales

Part of 2. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services – in the Senedd at 3:43 pm on 7 November 2018.

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Photo of Mr Neil Hamilton Mr Neil Hamilton UKIP 3:43, 7 November 2018

I thank the Cabinet Secretary for that response. In reply to Mark Isherwood, a moment ago, he said that it wasn't the role of Ministers in this place to second guess the decisions of local authorities. But, of course, that's exactly what his colleague, the Cabinet Secretary for energy, has done in respect of a planning decision at Llandegley Rocks in Radnorshire. I think he heard the exchange that took place between us earlier on. In this particular instance, the local authority turned the planning application down by an almost unanimous vote. Does he agree with me that it does tend to undermine local democracy if Ministers, for reasons that cannot be described as of overriding national importance, overturn the decisions of those who are elected on the ground to represent the interests of the people who themselves overwhelmingly opposed this proposal?