Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Housing and Local Government – in the Senedd at 3:03 pm on 17 July 2019.
As local government's budgets have reduced and increasing social care demand and education needs have had to be met, non-statutory services, or services with a minimum statutory duty, such as libraries, have been cut, and cut severely across Wales. Such cuts have seen library hours cut and libraries closed, which impacts on the poorest most; leisure facilities reduced, when increasing physical activity and reducing obesity should be a priority in order to improve people's health; youth services cut, which affects the lives of young people. Does the Minister agree with my analysis and, if so, what is she going to do to try and increase the amount of money available to local authorities next year? If the Minister doesn't agree with what I've said, can you explain why?