9. Will the Minister make a statement on tackling air pollution in South Wales West? OAQ53833

Thank you. Tackling air pollution in South Wales West and across Wales remains a top priority for the Welsh Government. Actions to improve air quality across a range of sectors, including agriculture, transport and industry, will be in our clean air plan for Wales, which will be consulted on this autumn, building on our clean air Wales programme.

Following a very effective campaign by local residents, an application for a waste-to-energy incinerator in Llansamlet was thankfully rejected by Swansea council's planning committee last week. However, what has become apparent is that current Welsh Government policy on incinerators is not in keeping with the concerns of local people on air pollution, toxic ash and carbon dioxide, particularly when they are proposed close to residential areas and schools. We have heard of similar concerns in Barry and people are understandably calling for a tightening of Welsh Government policy on this issue. Do you recognise those concerns and is the Welsh Government prepared to reconsider its policy on incineration to bring its waste management policy in line with more sustainable solutions?

This is a matter that falls within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Housing and Local Government, who is now going to answer questions. But I'll be very happy to have a discussion with her and write to the Member.

Minister, as you know, I've raised the issue many times about pollution in my constituency from industrial emissions. One of the agendas we want to look at is the cumulative effect of any proposal that comes forward for any incinerator or any other aspect, to look at how that impacts upon the community in addition to what's already there. Will you meet with your colleague from Cabinet Julie James to discuss how the planning rules can be looked at to show that cumulative effects have to be taken into consideration, so that when it comes to any industrial emissions we're looking at what's already there as well, not just that single proposal?

Yes, absolutely. Having been the planning Minister not that long ago, I'm very aware of that and the impact on policy. The Minister heard your request and will be very happy to do that.

At the start of February, Minister, I asked whether Welsh Government would consider putting money into helping councils upgrade their public transport to make them greener and less polluting. At the time, you told me that the idea was something that you'd be very happy to discuss with the transport Minister Ken Skates. That's three months ago now, so I'm wondering if you can update me on how your conversations are going. 

I will write to the Member with that, because off the top of my head I'm not aware that I've actually had that meeting. So, I will ensure that happens and write to the Member.

Thank you, Minister.