1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd on 9 July 2019.
5. Will the First Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020? OAQ54210
I thank Joyce Watson for that, Llywydd. The programme continues to make good progress with 80 per cent of RDP funding already committed, providing almost £700 million to projects. We expect to achieve full commitment of the programme by the end of 2020.
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?
Well, Llywydd, I thank Joyce Watson for drawing attention to the innovative work that goes on in community transport, particularly in south-west Wales. There are a series of initiatives that have been taken in that part of Wales, which allow us to build on those as we develop further ideas in community transport that can be applied elsewhere in the nation. It is important, isn't it, Llywydd, always to remind Members that this is public money that is being invested, that it has to be accounted for properly and that sometimes there are requirements that we have to insist upon from people who are the recipients of that public money before that money can be released to them. I'm not directly aware of the Wheels 2 Work scooter scheme, although it sounds a very interesting idea, and if the Member wishes to write to me with further details of the delays, as the programme sees it, then of course I will be very happy to investigate them.
First Minister, you were quite right to identify that this is public money, and scrutiny is required to make sure that it delivers value for money, but one scheme that has proved problematic with the rural development scheme—and I have raised it with the Minister as well—is the woodland grant scheme. It is a very bureaucratic scheme. People have open windows when they can plant in the season; it's not something where you can plant trees 12 months of the year. And I'd be grateful, if you do have an understanding of that particular scheme, whether you would indicate whether you are satisfied with the progress that's been made getting money out the door, as it were. Or does this scheme need a review so that the Government can get back on track with its own target of 100,000 hectares of woodland to be planted in Wales by 2030?
Llywydd, we are very determined that we will increase the rate at which woodland in Wales is planted. We want to make full use of that woodland grant scheme, and where there are inefficiencies in the way that it operates, we are very keen indeed to eliminate them. Let me cheer the Member up briefly by saying that if there is any silver lining to Brexit, it may be that if the United Kingdom—and it's an 'if', isn't it—leaves the European Union and we have the administration of funds in our own hands, we recognise that there are some ways in which we might be able to administer those funds that would make it easier for money to leave the Welsh Government and to be deployed for the purposes for which we intend it to make a difference.