(Translated) Will the Minister make a statement on the future of the local government funding formula?

We will continue to work in partnership with Local Government to develop and maintain the mutually agreed funding formula which takes account of population, deprivation and sparsity factors in allocating £4.6 billion of unhypothecated funding to local authorities.

(Translated) What legal protections are in place to ensure that local councillors can speak freely at council meetings?

Councillors may speak freely at Council meetings but at all times should comply with their Council’s constitution, the Code of Conduct and respect the laws relating to defamation.  

(Translated) What assessment has the Minister made of the implications of the UK Government’s spending review for the Welsh Government’s capital investment budgets?

The settlement provided by the UK Government has undoubtedly presented us with some very challenging circumstances, particularly in respect of capital investment. Further details of our capital allocations will follow in December’s draft Budget, and Wales Infrastructure Investment Strategy.