2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:45 pm on 11 January 2022.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 2:45, 11 January 2022

Thank you. In relation to your second point, around sections 53-56 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, they are not yet commenced in Wales, which means they're not currently enforced, and there are no intentions to bring them into force in Wales.

On your point around the co-operation agreement between Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru in relation to supply teachers, as the Member is aware, local authorities are responsible for employing school staff, and that includes supply teachers. Clearly, we have many different systems across Wales—different supply systems and models are all in place. So, to progress this commitment, we're doing a piece of initial work to establish how different local authorities engage, how they utilise the supply teachers they have, and work's also been undertaken to establish how supply teachers are employed not just in Wales, but right across the UK, and the sort of benefits and the disadvantages of the models that are used. I think it's important that we do look at best practice and learn from other countries also. The Minister's officials have started to scope out alternative models. It's a very complex area. There are many financial and legal complications involved. So, we are committed to the review, as you state, and this work is being progressed.