Meeting Venue:Committee Room 3 – Senedd
Meeting date: Monday, 5 June 2023
Meeting time: 14.00 - 14.30
This meeting can
be viewed
on Senedd TV at:
http://senedd.tv/en/13375
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Category |
Names |
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Members of the Senedd: |
Jack Sargeant MS (Chair) Rhys ab Owen MS Luke Fletcher MS Joel James MS Buffy Williams MS |
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Witnesses: |
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Committee Staff: |
Gareth Price (Clerk) Mared Llwyd (Second Clerk) Samiwel Davies (Legal Adviser) |
1 Introductions, apologies and substitutions - Petitions Committee
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2 New Petitions
2.1 P-06-1331 Consider implementing legal requirements to private businesses to ensure they are accessible to all
The Committee considered the petition and wished to thank the pupils of Libanus Primary for engaging with the petitions process. Members recognised that the Government have established a Disability Rights Taskforce, which is due to publish its action plan by March 2024, noting that work is ongoing to address concerns.
Members agreed to share the views of the pupils with the Minister for Social Justice and ask that these views are shared with the Taskforce. In doing so Members agreed that there is little further the Committee can do whilst awaiting the report from the Taskforce next year, and therefore the petition will be closed. They congratulated the pupils of Libanus primary for highlighting this important issue.
2.2 P-06-1333 Stop Natural Resources Wales from tree felling that threatens red squirrel survival
The Committee considered the petition and agreed to write back to the Minister, sharing the petitioner’s detailed comments and questions to the Minister.
The Committee also agreed to write to Natural Resources Wales asking them to respond to the comments raised by the Petitioner.
2.3 P-06-1335 Welsh Government should take steps to ensure vulnerable adults without bank cards can pay with cash
The Committee considered the petition and agreed to undertake an inquiry in the Autumn term.
2.4 P-06-1336 Free Welsh lessons for everyone who wants to learn the language in Wales
The Committee considered the petition and agreed to write to the National Centre for Learning Welsh’s Chief Executive to seek clarity on how individuals can access financial support and to ask how clearly information is conveyed to potential learners.
2.5 P-06-1337 Sycharth, the home of Owain Glyndwr, should be bought to safeguard the site for future generations
The Committee considered the petition and agreed to write to Business Committee to request a debate on 13 September, in advance of Owain Glyndwr day on 16 September. It was noted that individual Members may wish to refer to other petitions during the debate, such as the petition calling for compulsory conservation management plans for scheduled monuments.
Members also agreed a visit to the site before the debate takes place in the Autumn term.
2.6 P-06-1340 Stop the change of speed limits to 20mph on 17th September
The Committee considered the petition and agreed to write to Business Committee, requesting a debate before the end of the summer recess.
3 Updates to previous petitions
3.1 P-05-1112 Help Welsh Communities Buy Community Assets: Implement Part 5 Chapter 3 of the Localism Act 2011
The Committee considered the petition. Considering the detailed work carried out by the Local Government and Housing Committee, Members agreed that there was little further that could be achieved through the Petitions Committee. Members wished to congratulate the petitioner on a successful campaign resulting in legislation being considered. The Committee will share the Local Government and Housing Committee’s report and the Welsh Government response with the petitioner and close the petition.
3.2 P-06-1299 Welsh Government 'Freeze on road building" to include a clause for cases that pose a danger to life
The Committee considered the petition and agreed to consider what, if any, further action it can take, including whether writing back to the Minister would be appropriate.
3.3 P-06-1269 Don't let the plan run out for dying people in Wales
The Committee considered the petition and thanked the petitioners for their continued engagement thought this process, agreeing to write to the Minister in order to share the petitioner’s latest correspondence and ask for a response to the three points raised.
3.4 P-06-1304 To review the emergency temporary housing policy which impacts our communities
The Committee considered the petitioner and in light of the detailed inquiry undertaken by the Local Government and Housing Committee, their recommendations and the Welsh Government’s response to ensure more prevention, support and appropriate accommodation, Members agreed to close the petition and thank the petitioner.
3.5 P-06-1307 The Welsh Government should commit to the adoption of the maintenance of new housing estates by local authorities
The Committee noted for the record, that as previously agreed, it will be undertaking a visit to the Cwm Calon estate in Ystrad Mynach with Hefin David MS on 26 June.
4 Motion under Standing Order 17.42(ix) to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of the meeting
The motion was agreed.
5 Discussion on the draft Annual Report
The Committee considered the draft Annual Report and agreed to aim to publish the report before the Summer recess.
6 Discussion on outputs from the PPM inquiry
The Committee considered the draft correspondence and agreed to issue the correspondence to Scottish Power, Centrica and Energy UK at the earliest possible convenience.