Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:45 pm on 3 May 2022.
Thank you, Llywydd. Just in case you hadn't noticed that there was an election, I'd like to declare that I am, until the election, a councillor on Rhondda Cynon Taf council.
First Minister, the truth is that the situation of many residents of RCT is deteriorating rather than improving. More people have to turn to foodbanks for support, more children are living in poverty and the COVID deaths have been among the highest in Britain. A number of reports on the 2020 floods still haven't been published. It's clear, therefore, that what the Government and the council have been doing is not sufficient. We have a whole host of voluntary and third sector organisations that are active across the county, that do important work and have all sorts of ideas in terms of how to improve the lives of the residents of RCT, but tell us time and time again that they aren't included when plans are drawn up. How is the Welsh Government going to ensure that their expertise and their voices are heard and help to steer the changes that are so desperately needed?