2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:34 pm on 12 February 2019.

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Photo of Bethan Sayed Bethan Sayed Plaid Cymru 2:34, 12 February 2019

Trefnydd, I just wanted to ask for a debate on the Welsh Government's definition of 'local' in relation to housing development. I know you can't comment on local cases, but I'm sure you're aware of the issue with regard to housing development in Pennard, and Swansea Council has defined 'local' as Mumbles. Now, I know of an instance of a young woman who moved home because she'd lost a child to a heart condition. She now wants to reapply for the council house that she lost because of the fact that she moved home, but she may not be able to move into the surrounding area because of this definition of 'local'. This planning permission is one of many where people are debating and not understanding the definition of 'local and affordable', so that people can utilise that to the best of their ability so that they can stay in the area where they want to stay. So, I'd like a debate in Government time so that we can have these definitions thrashed out here, so people locally can also engage in a more positive way with the planning process.

My second request for a statement would be for an update on the legislative programme of the Welsh Government, be it in a written or an oral form. We heard from the Welsh language Minister last week that she was dropping the Bill in relation to establishing a commission. I heard through social media the former Minister said there was a timetable for that legislation, but it's not something the committee that I chair were aware of. So, if there's one thing that the Government Minister knows and something else that the Assembly doesn't know, then I think we should all be made aware of the clear timetable that your Government has, so that we can all engage as positively as we can in scrutinising that programme and knowing where in the timetable that will happen.