Concise Minutes - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee

Meeting Venue:

Committee Room 3 - Senedd

Meeting date: Thursday, 4 April 2019

Meeting time: 09.30 - 13.28
This meeting can be viewed
on Senedd TV at:
http://senedd.tv/en/5306

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Attendance

Category	Names
Assembly Members:	John Griffiths AM (Chair) Mohammad Asghar (Oscar) AM Gareth Bennett AM Huw Irranca-Davies AM Mark Isherwood AM Leanne Wood AM
Witnesses:	Samuel Stone, National Autistic Society Huw Owen, Alzheimer’s Society Cymru Helen Powell, Wales Macmillan Cancer Support Martin Fidler-Jones, Tenovus Cancer Care Dr Valerie Billingham, Age Cymru Kate Young, All Wales Forum of Parents and Carers of People with Learning Disabilities Andrew Meredith, Caerphilly County Borough Council Rhys J. Page, Carmarthenshire County Council
Committee Staff:	Naomi Stocks (Clerk) Catherine Hunt (Second Clerk) Claire Fiddes (Deputy Clerk) Hannah Johnson (Researcher) Megan Jones (Researcher)

<AI1>

1 Introductions, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest

1.1 The Chair welcomed Members and members of the public to the meeting.

1.2 Apologies were received from Carwyn Jones AM and Jenny Rathbone AM.

</AI1>

<AI2>

2 Inquiry into the Blue Badge Scheme in Wales: Eligibility and Implementation: evidence session 2

2.1 The Committee received evidence from:

· Samuel Stone, External Affairs Officer, National Autistic Society

· Huw Owen, Policy Officer, Alzheimer’s Society Cymru

· Helen Powell, Specialist Support Advisor, Benefits Advice Programme, Wales Macmillan Cancer Support

· Martin Fidler Jones, Policy Officer, Tenovus Cancer Care.

2.2 The witnesses agreed to write to the Committee to give examples of Local Authorities who demonstrate good practice in assessment procedures.

</AI2>

<AI3>

3 Inquiry into the Blue Badge Scheme in Wales: Eligibility and Implementation: evidence session 3

3.1 The Committee received evidence from:

· Valerie Billingham, Policy and Campaigns Manager, Age Cymru

· Kate Young, Director, All Wales Forum of Parents and Carers of People with Learning Disabilities.

</AI3>

<AI4>

4 Inquiry into the Blue Badge Scheme in Wales: Eligibility and Implementation: evidence session 4

4.1 The Committee received evidence from:

· Andrew Meredith, Customer Services Team Leader, Caerphilly County Borough Council

· Rhys J. Page, Senior Business Manager, Carmarthenshire County Council.

</AI4>

<AI5>

5 Paper to note

</AI5>

<AI6>

5.1 Response from the Scottish Government in relation to engagement with victims' groups in the context of prisoner voting

5.1a The Committee noted the response from the Scottish Government in relation to engagement with victims' groups in the context of prisoner voting.

</AI6>

<AI7>

6 Motion under Standing Order 17.42 to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of the meeting

6.1 The Committee agreed the motion.

</AI7>

<AI8>

7 Inquiry into the Blue Badge Scheme in Wales: Eligibility and Implementation: consideration of oral evidence

7.1 The Committee discussed the evidence received under items 2, 3 and 4.

</AI8>

<AI9>

8 Inquiry into voting rights for prisoners: Key issues paper

8.1 The Committee agreed the key issue paper on the Inquiry into voting rights for prisoners.

</AI9>

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