(Translated) Will the Minister outline how the Welsh Government plans to improve public awareness and participation in the section 106 process of the planning system?

A section 106 planning obligation is a legally binding contract between a developer and a local planning authority. An up-to-date adopted Local Development Plan provides the opportunity for the public to inform the scope and scale of infrastructure and finance required through s106 agreements.

(Translated) What assessment has the Minister made of the impact that cuts to local authority budgets are having upon services in South Wales West?

We recognise the pressures local authorities are facing and will continue to do all that we can to shield them and the people of Wales, from the worst effects of UK’s austerity agenda.

(Translated) Will the Minister make a statement on planning policy as it relates to common land in Wales?

Planning Policy Wales sets out the importance of common land which is a material consideration in the preparation of Local Development Plans and the determination of planning applications. Local planning authorities need to consider common land within their green infrastructure assessments when preparing polices for their Local Development Plans.

(Translated) Will the Minister make a statement on the number of dwellings expected to be built by councils this year?

According to Business Plans submitted to Welsh Government by the 11 stock-retaining authorities, they intend to deliver 425 homes in 2019/20. With the removal of the HRA borrowing cap, we expect councils to step up to the challenge to build at pace.