Item 2 this afternoon is the business statement and announcement, and I call on the Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths. 

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. There are three changes to this week's business. The statement on regional economic development has been extended to 45 minutes. Later this afternoon, the Minister for Climate Change will make a statement on biodiversity, and tomorrow, questions to the Senedd Commission have been reduced to 10 minutes. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically. 

Today, Trefnydd, is the start of Libraries Week across Wales and the whole of the United Kingdom, and I'm sure that you'll want to join with me in thanking the staff and everyone who engages in supporting our local libraries across Wales for everything that they do. I visited Colwyn Bay library yesterday; I met with the staff there, Morag Wight and Eunice Roberts, and wanted to extend my thanks to them for all that they do in the community, and, of course, to get across the point that libraries are much more than just books these days. In that particular library, there's a banking hub for Barclays, they help people to make their blue badge application forms and with other things that they need to take up with the local authority, and, of course, they play host to children in the summer with reading activities, and older people in the winter who just need to get out and have some ability to socialise with their clubs. So, can I ask for a statement from the Government on what it's doing to promote the work of libraries across Wales, so that we can have more people take advantage of these wonderful community assets on their doorstep?

Secondly, can I call for an update from the Minister with responsibility for veterans, the Deputy Minister, who's thankfully sat in the Chamber to hear this call? I know that we usually have a statement from the Minister around Remembrance Week, and we're always very grateful for that. But I do think, given the appointment of the Veterans' Commissioner for Wales earlier this year, that, probably, we can take stock earlier than in the middle of November to have a look at the engagement that's been taking place between the office of the veterans' commissioner and indeed, our new veterans' Minister, who is our Welsh MP for Wrexham, Sarah Atherton, a former veteran herself, who's no doubt going to bring some great enthusiasm and experience to that particular role. So, could we have an update from the Minister, in her responsibilities around the veteran community, on the engagement with the UK Government on that important issue?

Thank you. I certainly join with you in celebrating our libraries right across Wales. They should be very much treasured, I think, and continue to be very well used. And as you say, they provide so much more than they used to when—I was going to say 'when we were young', but certainly when I was young and it was just books, and they obviously do so much and are very, very valued in our communities. 

In relation to your second question, I think probably next month will be the first time that—8 November the Deputy Minister is telling me—she will be bringing forward a statement in relation to our veterans, and I know she has met with the new commissioner. 

Good afternoon, Trefnydd. I suspect you know what I'm going to be asking you, but it's with regard to the animal welfare plan. I wonder if you could bring forward a statement, particularly looking at the issue of greyhounds. You'll know that between 2018 and 2021, 2,000 greyhounds died in racing. And you'll know this is an issue that many of us across the Siambr have been raising. The other development is that, only last week, three very, very important charities in the animal welfare field, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Dogs Trust and Blue Cross announced, at long last, after a lengthy consultation, that they were committed to a ban on greyhound racing. So, therefore, Trefnydd, I wonder if you could tell us a little bit more about the timetable of when you're going to be bringing forward that plan, and also what your ideas may be around whether we can move in Wales to a ban on greyhound racing. Diolch yn fawr iawn. 

Thank you. Well, I've received a letter from the Dogs Trust, Blue Cross and the RSPCA setting out their revised policy on greyhound racing, and stating they would welcome the opportunity to meet with me, and I'll certainly be very happy to meet with them to discuss the policy. As you know, I agree with you; a lot of the greyhound racing is very, very cruel. I'm surprised you didn't mention your own Arthur, but, as you say, it's something—and I see Luke Fletcher is in his seat—that you've both really been pushing me on. 

As you know, we've got the animal welfare plan for Wales. That sets out how we will be bringing forward further measures. I'm still awaiting a response to my letter that I wrote back in March to the new owner of the Valley Greyhound Stadium, the only one we have here in Wales; he hasn't had the courtesy to respond, despite chasing that letter. 

Following on from the question from Natasha Asghar on vaping, I just wondered if it's possible to have a refreshed statement arising out of the new strategy on tobacco control, because we heard very clearly from the First Minister that the number of 11 to 17-year-olds vaping has gone up significantly, and that this has a major impact on brain development up to the age of 25. And if we're going to deal with young people, it needs combined action by health, education and regulatory services. So, I wondered if it would be possible to have such a statement from somebody in the Government, because there are three different departments involved. But it seems to me that we cannot allow young people to be pulled into vaping as an addiction as a way of getting them into smoking. We need to be going in the opposite direction.

Thank you. As you referred to, the First Minister gave a very detailed answer to Natasha Asghar around e-cigarette use. And you're quite right in highlighting the concerns we have, particularly with young people using those e-cigarettes. I think the First Minister did reference our new tobacco strategy, 'A Smoke-free Wales'; that was published back in July, so it's probably a bit soon for the Minister for Health and Social Services to bring forward a statement. I know she's aware of the recent evidence that the charity Action on Smoking and Health have brought forward, and that indicates e-cigarette use by young people in the UK is increasing. You mentioned 11 to 17; it's risen from 4 per cent in 2020 to 7 per cent in just two years, in relation to e-cigarettes.

Minister, there's a growing campaign in Bridgend to reinstate bus services that have stopped, following the decision of Easyway bus company to cease trading. In my view, the council has a duty to its residents to ensure that public transport is accessible for people living in Oaklands, Broadlands and Pen-y-fai, as well as supporting those who need public transport to access Glanrhyd Hospital. Will the Minister schedule a statement from the Deputy Minister for Climate Change to outline what discussions Ministers are having with local government about public transport for those communities now reliant only on their cars, and for the protection of our environment, which relies on us being more ambitious about public transport? Thank you.

Thank you. Public transport is very important for many of our constituents, and I know we all get a great deal of casework in relation to public transport, particularly bus services, because that's the form of travel that's most used by constituents. The Deputy Minister for Climate Change meets regularly with, obviously, partners, including local authorities, in relation to the provision of public bus services. I would urge you to write to Bridgend County Borough Council in the first instance.

Trefnydd, could I ask for a written update about the progress that is being made to improve access to housing adaptations for people living with motor neurone disease and other degenerative conditions? And thank you to the Members who attended the MND event earlier today and listened to people who were suffering and the pressures they are under. As I've said previously, I welcome the engagement that I've had with Ministers about how we can better support people living with MND in Wales, and I recognise that there's a willingness to make changes for the better, such as the new clinical lead that has been recruited. But, in terms of housing adaptations, we're still yet to see the progress that needs to be made. Many people with MND unfortunately pass away before they can receive the adaptations that would substantially improve their quality of life, and so I would appreciate some additional information from the Welsh Government about the impact that changes to the adaptation process are having on waiting times, as well as an update as to whether all councils have adopted a policy of not using means testing, which the Welsh Government aim to fully implement early in the year. Thank you.

Thank you. In relation to your last point, I'm not sure of the progress there, but I will certainly ask the relevant Minister to write to you if there has been progress in relation to that policy. I think you highlight—. MND is such a cruel condition; I think it's one of the cruellest conditions that people have to live with, and it's really good that you highlighted that with the event here today. And of course, if somebody with a disease such as MND or many other neuromuscular conditions, which of course are very complex, requires housing adaptations, then they need them more or less immediately, don't they? So, I think you do raise a very important point, but I will ask the Minister to write to you if there is progress on the final point.

And finally, Natasha Asghar.

Thank you so much, Deputy Presiding Officer. Minister, could I ask for a statement from the Minister for Finance and Local Government about ensuring transparency and accountability in local authorities? A bit of background to the reason why I'm asking this question is because, within the Ynysddu ward in Caerphilly, there are two toxic quarries, called Tŷ Llwyd, which are seeping toxins past people's houses. In May 2022, the Ynysddu ward was won by two independent candidates, Councillors Janine Reed and Jan Jones, on a promise to reinstate the Tŷ Llwyd quarry committee, consisting of council cabinet members, local councillors and residents. The local leader of Caerphilly council agreed to visit the site, but refused to allow the local representatives to accompany him on the visit. On the day of the visit, Councillors Reed and Jones, together with local residents, were again refused permission to accompany the council leader on the visit. So, can we have a statement from the Minister on how the Welsh Government is ensuring accountability and transparency in local government in Wales? Also, what guidelines are in place to protect the rights of councillors from minority groupings? And what can be done to stop Welsh Labour council leaders trying to shut down debate by gagging the opposition? Thank you.

You obviously raise a very specific and local issue. I do think it would be better for you to write directly to the Minister.

I thank the Trefnydd.