Rural Communities

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:10 pm on 9 July 2019.

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Photo of Joyce Watson Joyce Watson Labour 2:10, 9 July 2019

Thank you. I know that that funding is making a real difference to the community that I serve. One of those projects that do benefit from the investment is Connecting Communities in Wales. It is being delivered through the Community Transport Association and funded through the rural development programme. From what I gather, those delivering projects are able to apply for funding to deliver those very local transport solutions. The Community Transport Association have contacted me as they're currently in the process of trying to extend their Wheels 2 Work scooter scheme in north Pembrokeshire that allows people who have no transport whatsoever to get on a scooter and go to work. But what they have informed me is that the process itself—not necessarily the application, but the process in which that application is being dealt with—is now holding the whole project in jeopardy, because those people who had originally signed up to helping them are now walking away because of the lateness in that money coming forward. So, my question to you, First Minister, is: does the Welsh Assembly Government know about any delays that are causing this to happen? And would you use your good offices at least to look at what it is that's causing this block to what is a very good scheme and has been operating in the past?