– in the Senedd at 2:27 pm on 10 May 2022.
The next item, therefore, is the business statement and announcement, and I call on the Trefnydd to make the statement. Lesley Griffiths.
Diolch, Llywydd. There is one change to today's business. The Minister for Finance and Local Government will make a statement on local government elections. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out in the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Can I call, Trefnydd, for a statement from the First Minister on Senedd reform? Members of the Senedd will be aware, from the exchange in First Minister's questions and, indeed, from a press release issued this morning at a quarter past nine, that the First Minister and the leader of Plaid Cymru have, effectively, thwarted the work of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform that was established by all Members of this Senedd in order to consider the future reform of this Senedd.
Now, my party, of course, has always opposed an increase in the number of Members of the Senedd, but we have consistently said that we recognise that there's a majority of Members of the Senedd who want to see reform and that there's a mandate to deliver some, and on that basis, we joined the Senedd reform committee in good faith, in order to play a constructive part in the role and work of that committee, in order that it could make recommendations for the Welsh Government to deliver on. That has been undermined today. The work of the Senedd has been undermined today, and it has been disrespectful in terms of the way that the First Minister and the leader of Plaid Cymru issued that particular press release. I think the people of Wales are owed a statement in this Chamber, where the First Minister and, indeed, the leader of Plaid Cymru can be cross-examined on their proposals for reform in order that we can demonstrate to the people of Wales that we are properly and fully considering them. It's inappropriate for that committee to be strong-armed into a position on the basis of cosy discussions, frankly, in ministerial offices.
Secondly, can I call for a statement on access to diagnostic testing in Wales? I was recently contacted by a constituent who, unfortunately, has just received a diagnosis of prostate cancer. He's waiting for an MRI scan; unfortunately, he can't have that MRI scan in north Wales, and has been referred to Broadgreen Hospital in Liverpool because he has a pacemaker. There's currently no capacity whatsoever for anybody in north Wales with a pacemaker to receive an MRI scan, and, as a result, this gentleman, who knows he's got cancer, who knows he needs this scan in order to determine the treatment ahead, cannot access that scan until the end of June. That is unacceptable; it's a very worrying time for this gentleman and his family. Can I ask what action the Welsh Government is taking to address the need for diagnostic tests of that kind, and call for a statement from the health Minister in order to address the matter? Thank you.
I think I disagreed with everything that Darren Millar stated around the issue of Senedd reform. Nothing has been thwarted, nothing has been undermined and nothing has been disrespected.
In relation to your question around diagnostics, I think that is a very good point. Obviously, we can't have every piece of every equipment available in every hospital in Wales, and it's absolutely right that your constituent goes to the best place for that scan. I will speak to the Minister for Health and Social Services, who is in her place, to see if there's anything in the pipeline to bring forward such equipment.
I'd like to ask for a statement on the importance of democratic engagement. We've just come out of an election, and although they can be fractious, at their best elections are a celebration of community, connections between people, and the chance to change things. Trefnydd, I'm sure that you would join me in paying tribute to everybody who stood for election this past week, congratulating the people who won, but also thanking all those people who didn't get elected, because not winning elections can be bruising, but standing up for what you believe in matters. People should be commended for doing it, and, as a nation, I think we all owe them our thanks. But, Trefnydd, low turnout is still a stubborn problem. Too many people think that their voice doesn't count, particularly because of the first-past-the-post system. So, can we have a statement, please, outlining the importance of democratic engagement, and how that can be conveyed to children in school, to adults as well, so that everybody will feel motivated to get out and vote when we get to the next election?
Thank you. I think you raise a really important point. Democracy absolutely should be celebrated, and I do join with you in thanking everybody, from whichever political party, for putting themselves forward. Personally, I was at my count in my constituency on Friday, and it was really important to say thank you to people for putting themselves forward. Otherwise, indeed, we wouldn't have elections. Low turnout is clearly an issue that we've had to face in many elections. I think the Senedd election is also an area where we've done our very best to try and increase turnout. I think it's absolutely down to every one of us in this Chamber to do all we can to engage with schools, to engage with young people. Of course, one way of increasing that was having 16 and 17-year-olds, and I personally would be be interested to see what number of 16 and 17-year-olds voted last week.
I'd like the Welsh Government to make a statement in the Chamber on the operational agreement of Rent Smart Wales. I've been dealing with them on matters of constituency casework, and I've found it to be a very frustrating experience. As an organisation, we've found them to be lacking in communication, transparency and any sense of urgency when trying to obtain an update on the outcome of a recent piece of casework regarding a constituent facing potentially unlawful eviction from a privately rented property. We were told that Rent Smart Wales couldn't disclose the outcome of the investigation to us, nor could it take any legal action against a landlord found to be in breach of their responsibilities. We've not been able since then to obtain any information for the constituent's benefit, despite trying our very best and advising the organisation that the constituent potentially faced imminent eviction. It just doesn't seem acceptable, and there doesn't seem to be a route by which we can scrutinise the activity of Rent Smart Wales, which is why I request a statement in this Chamber on their remit.
Thank you. I'm concerned to hear about the experience you've had with Rent Smart Wales. They're hosted by Cardiff Council, so complaints about them should, in the first instance, be addressed through their complaints procedure, and that's readily available, as you know yourself, on the Rent Smart Wales website. Elected Members of the Senedd, and, obviously, the staff who work for us, can e-mail Rent Smart Wales should they wish to discuss any case with them. The next route then, obviously, would be the public services ombudsman. I appreciate the Minister for Climate Change would not be able to intervene in a specific individual case, but I do think your experience does warrant you writing to her, to see what guidance she needs to look at. If she thinks it's appropriate to bring forward a written statement, I will ask her to do so.
I call for a statement on medical provision for people in Wales who suffer from ME/CFS—myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome—which can have a devastating impact on functionability and quality of life. This is ME Awareness Week, 9 to 15 May. Now the new National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines for ME have been released, it's essential to move ahead with a clear pathway for people living with ME in Wales. Campaigners in Wales tell me there might be a service for ME within some health boards, but, if there is, they don't know where these services are, who they're run by, and what treatments they're using. They now have the assistance of the medical adviser for the ME Association, who is willing both to work with them to enable people with ME across Wales to obtain the correct medical understanding and support for their condition, and to attend a meeting with the Welsh Government. They add that it's currently very unclear where or how people with ME can obtain treatment for ME in Wales. It is pot luck if one finds a GP who has a good understanding and training regarding the condition, and they have nowhere to send patients on to. I call for a statement accordingly, including, hopefully, a response to the offer of a meeting from the ME Association's medical adviser.
Thank you. I wasn't aware it was ME Awareness Week. We have several 'weeks' and 'months', but I really wasn't aware it was an awareness week for people who suffer from that condition. But I think it's really important that we do have these awareness days, weeks, months, to ensure that people recognise the symptoms and also know where they can go for treatment. Obviously, it's a matter for health boards to ensure that they have the services that are needed for their local population, whatever condition it is.
Just two statements I'd like to ask for today. The first concerns the campaign by Wrexham AFC to secure UK Government funding for the redevelopment of the Racecourse Kop, and also the return of international matches to north Wales. Will the Welsh Government support the campaign for a stadium for the north, and update Members on the Wrexham Gateway project and the many millions of pounds that the Welsh Government has committed to it?
Would it be possible to have a second statement, in regard to Wrexham's bid for city of culture status? Will the Welsh Government, again, reaffirm its unwavering support for the bid, which will be transformational for the county borough if successful?
Thank you. With regard to the Wrexham city of culture 2025 bid, as you're aware, Wrexham is shortlisted, along with three other places in England, to become the city of culture. The Welsh Government has offered its wholehearted support to the Wrexham bid, which is quickly drawing to a close. I think it would be truly transformational for Wrexham—I think it would be a real boost, as we look forward. I know the Deputy Minister is fully behind the bid.
In relation to the petition that was launched yesterday, I thought it was very interesting to see that pressure being brought forward on the UK Government in relation to the levelling-up fund. We've been waiting a long time to see if that funding is coming forward. It's a non-political petition. It's good to see ex-footballers such as Mickey Thomas and John Hartson fully supporting the petition, and I'm sure, when the Deputy Minister has had a chance to look at it, she will be able to offer her support. It's really important, I think, that we get international football back at the Racecourse. And if I can be indulged, it was great to see Wrexham go to the top of the league on Sunday.
Yes, well done, Wrexham.
That's it for business questions.