5. Statement by the Minister for Housing and Local Government: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:20 pm on 17 March 2020.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mark Isherwood Mark Isherwood Conservative 5:20, 17 March 2020

Thank you very much for your statement. Following your press conference with the leader of the WLGA this morning, it was reported that he had stated that bin collections and other council services may be reduced during the crisis and you were quoted as saying that reductions were not happening immediately but were being considered for the weeks and months ahead. I wonder if you could expand a little bit on that and give us some indicative timeline, notwithstanding the fact that none of us has a crystal ball to know what's coming down the road, and how you will factor in, potentially, for example, any health risks that might apply to uncollected rubbish that might come from a household that has infected members living within it. 

Like many people, I've been approached by incredible people volunteering to help. I've got one here from a lady aged 63 in Holywell. She'd like to offer her support in any way required. If the over-70s are going to be isolated, she wants to do whatever she can to help on the front line—cleaning floors in hospitals, or whatever. She offers her services, and we know, all of us, that there is an army of incredible people out there offering similar help. I know the Wales Office yesterday stated that they're getting more information on volunteering centralised by today so that they can direct aspiring volunteers to where they're needed. Are you working with the UK Government on that and, whether you are or not, how developed is the position now with local authorities and their partners in enabling local volunteers to contribute through properly verified and bona fide schemes? 

In your response to the issues raised with local authorities at your summit with local government on the twelfth of the month—I won't go through all the issues, because as you know, there are a lot of them, but a couple of them—in terms of directors of public health and leaders in local authorities needing to be notified of any cases, you said you were liaising with Public Health Wales on this issue. I wonder if you're able to provide any updates on that. In terms of introducing flexible staff arrangements, you referred to established relationships through the Workforce Partnership Council and as part of the new shadow social partnership council. This will enable social partners from across Welsh Government, public bodies and trade unions to progress swift and effective dialogue on strategic workforce matters linked to COVID-19. But you also said that, in light of the current circumstances, you're activating a virtual network, building on key social partnership structures across wider public services. So, the question is: where have you got to in terms of activating that virtual network? Is it up and running, or when can we anticipate that being the case?

In terms of the Disclosure and Barring Service, to ensure that candidates, whether they're employed or volunteers, are appropriate for particularly children and vulnerable adults, you said you're currently exploring what can be done to achieve a consistent approach without compromising people's safety, to ensure that we get staff cleared and whether there'll be a temporary relaxation, or not. Again, I wonder if you could confirm whether there have been any developments in the five days since then to facilitate a solution in that area.

Just a couple more from your paper: there were concerns over the resilience within the environmental health teams to manage 24/7 expectations. Was the Welsh Government considering taking the same powers as Ministers in England to restrict individual movement, instead of relying on Part 2A Orders? You point out that Part 2A Orders are only relevant in England, but the Welsh Government is working at pace to bring forward equivalent regulations in Wales. Again, I wonder if you could tell us where you've got to with that. It might be that I've missed something and you've already announced these regulations—if not, what is the position?

You said that, on death registrations, there are concerns over increased pressure on registrars' services. Are any special measures planned to deal with the expected increase in deaths? I know, as chair of the cross-party group on funerals and bereavement, that funeral directors are working closely with Governments and other bodies on emergency planning.

You said that an urgent Wales mass fatalities planning group meeting is scheduled for what is now this week, where local resilience forums and mass fatalities group leads will discuss implications on all aspects of the death-management process, including death registration. I wonder if you could tell us whether that meeting has happened, or, if not, is it still going to happen? What, without going into too much detail, arrangements are being put in place?

My very final question: guidance on dealing with any issues or cases in ports such as Holyhead and Pembroke, raised by the local authorities. You said you're asking the UK Government and Border Force to clarify whether they'll be developing more comprehensive guidance for the maritime sector across the UK, as they have previously indicated. So, my final question is, and, again, a few days have passed, so, presumably, you have now asked them: what response have you received? Thank you.