Meetings

NDM5967 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the Assembly, in accordance with Standing Order 20.30, approves the Second Supplementary Budget for the financial year 2015-16 laid in the Table Office and emailed to Assembly Members on Tuesday, 9 February 2016.

Footnote:

In accordance with the relevant provisions contained in the Government of Wales Act 2006 and Standing Order 20, the Supplementary Budget comprises the following information:

i. the written statement required under section 125(3) of the Government of Wales Act 2006;

ii. the resources agreed by the Treasury for the Welsh block budget for the financial year covered by the motion;

iii. a reconciliation between the resources allocated to the Welsh block budget by the Treasury and the resources to be authorised for use in the motion;

iv. a reconciliation between the estimated amounts to be paid into the Welsh Consolidated Fund by the Secretary of State and the amounts to be authorised for payment out of the Fund in the motion; and

v. a reconciliation between the resources to be authorised under section 125(1)(a) and (b) of the Act and the amounts to be authorised for payment out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund under section 125(1)(c).

The following additional information has been made available to Members:

 - a note explaining the main changes from previous plans.

Supporting Documents
The Second Supplementary Budget for the financial year 2015-16
Report of the Finance Committee

The item started at 15.03

Voting on the motion under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

NDM5967 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the Assembly, in accordance with Standing Order 20.30, approves the Second Supplementary Budget for the financial year 2015-16 laid in the Table Office and emailed to Assembly Members on Tuesday, 9 February 2016.

Footnote:

In accordance with the relevant provisions contained in the Government of Wales Act 2006 and Standing Order 20, the Supplementary Budget comprises the following information:

i. the written statement required under section 125(3) of the Government of Wales Act 2006;

ii. the resources agreed by the Treasury for the Welsh block budget for the financial year covered by the motion;

iii. a reconciliation between the resources allocated to the Welsh block budget by the Treasury and the resources to be authorised for use in the motion;

iv. a reconciliation between the estimated amounts to be paid into the Welsh Consolidated Fund by the Secretary of State and the amounts to be authorised for payment out of the Fund in the motion; and

v. a reconciliation between the resources to be authorised under section 125(1)(a) and (b) of the Act and the amounts to be authorised for payment out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund under section 125(1)(c).

The following additional information has been made available to Members:

 - a note explaining the main changes from previous plans.

The result was as follows:

The motion was agreed.

7.1 The Committee considered the evidence received.

Jane Hutt AM – Minister for Finance and Government Business

Matt Denham-Jones – Deputy Director of Financial Controls, Welsh Government

Margaret Davies – Head of Budget Delivery, Welsh Government

Jeff Andrews – Specialist Policy Advisor, Welsh Government

Paper 3 – Welsh Government Second Supplementary Budget for 2015-16: Budget Motion

Paper 4 – Welsh Government Second Supplementary Budget for 2015-16: Action Tables

Paper 5 – Welsh Government Second Supplementary Budget for 2015-16: Explanatory Note

Research brief

5.1 The Committee took evidence from: Jane Hutt AM – Minister for Finance and Government Business; Matt Denham-Jones – Deputy Director of Financial Controls, Welsh Government; Margaret Davies – Head of Budget Delivery, Welsh Government; and Jeff Andrews – Specialist Policy Advisor, Welsh Government, on the Welsh Government Second Supplementary Budget for 2015-16.

NDM5798 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the Assembly, in accordance with Standing Order 20.30, approves the First Supplementary Budget for the financial year 2015-16 laid in the Table Office and emailed to Assembly Members on Tuesday, 23 June 2015.

Footnote:

In accordance with the relevant provisions contained in the Government of Wales Act 2006 and Standing Order 20, the Supplementary Budget comprises the following information:

(i) the written statement required under section 125(3) of the Government of Wales Act;

(ii) the resources agreed by the Treasury for the Welsh block budget for the financial year covered by the motion;

(iii) a reconciliation between the resources allocated to the Welsh block budget by the Treasury and the resources to be authorised for use in the motion;

(iv) a reconciliation between the estimated amounts to be paid into the Welsh Consolidated Fund by the Secretary of State and the amounts to be authorised for payment out of the Fund in the motion; and

(v) a reconciliation between the resources to be authorised under section 125(1)(a) and (b) of the Act and the amounts to be authorised for payment out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund under section 125(1)(c).

The following additional information has been made available to Members:

- a note explaining the main changes from previous plans.

Supporting Documents

The First Supplementary Budget for the financial year 2015-16
Finance Committee’s Report

The item started at 15.37

Voting on the motion under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

NDM5798 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the Assembly, in accordance with Standing Order 20.30, approves the First Supplementary Budget for the financial year 2015-16 laid in the Table Office and emailed to Assembly Members on Tuesday, 23 June 2015.

Footnote:

In accordance with the relevant provisions contained in the Government of Wales Act 2006 and Standing Order 20, the Supplementary Budget comprises the following information:

(i) the written statement required under section 125(3) of the Government of Wales Act;

(ii) the resources agreed by the Treasury for the Welsh block budget for the financial year covered by the motion;

(iii) a reconciliation between the resources allocated to the Welsh block budget by the Treasury and the resources to be authorised for use in the motion;

(iv) a reconciliation between the estimated amounts to be paid into the Welsh Consolidated Fund by the Secretary of State and the amounts to be authorised for payment out of the Fund in the motion; and

(v) a reconciliation between the resources to be authorised under section 125(1)(a) and (b) of the Act and the amounts to be authorised for payment out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund under section 125(1)(c).

The following additional information has been made available to Members:

- a note explaining the main changes from previous plans.

The result was as follows:

The motion was agreed.

Paper 1 – Draft report

6.1 The Committee agreed the draft report.

5.1 The Committee considered the evidence received.

Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Finance and Government Business

Jo Salway, Deputy Director, Strategic Budgeting, Welsh Government

Jeff Andrews, Specialist Policy Adviser, Welsh Government

Paper 1 – Welsh Government First Supplementary Budget Motion 2015-2016

Research briefing

3.1 The Committee took evidence from Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Finance and Government Business, Matt Denham-Jones, Head of Budgetary Control and Reporting, Welsh Government and Jeff Andrews, Specialist Policy Adviser.

NDM5651 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 20.25:

Approves the Annual Budget for the financial year 2015-16 laid in the Table Office by the Minister for Finance and Government Business on 2 December 2014.

Footnote:

In accordance with the relevant provisions contained in the Government of Wales Act 2006 and Standing Order 20.28, the Annual Budget comprises the following information:

1. the written statement required under section 125(3) of the Government of Wales Act;

2. the resources agreed by the Treasury for the Welsh block budget for the financial year covered by the motion;

3. a reconciliation between the resources allocated to the Welsh block budget by the Treasury and the resources to be authorised for use in the motion;

4. a reconciliation between the estimated amounts to be paid into the Welsh Consolidated Fund by the Secretary of State and the amounts to be authorised for payment out of the Fund in the motion; and

5. a reconciliation between the resources to be authorised under section 125(1)(a) and (b) of the Act and the amounts to be authorised for payment out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund under section 125(1)(c).

The following additional information has been made available to Members:

an Explanatory Note on changes between Draft Budget proposals and the Annual Budget.

Supporting Document

The Annual Budget for the financial year 2015-16

Report of the Finance Committee

Welsh Government response to recommendations in the Finance Committee Report: Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2015-16

The item started at 16.01

Voting on the motion under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

NDM5651 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 20.25:

Approves the Annual Budget for the financial year 2015-16 laid in the Table Office by the Minister for Finance and Government Business on 2 December 2014.

Footnote:

In accordance with the relevant provisions contained in the Government of Wales Act 2006 and Standing Order 20.28, the Annual Budget comprises the following information:

1. the written statement required under section 125(3) of the Government of Wales Act;

2. the resources agreed by the Treasury for the Welsh block budget for the financial year covered by the motion;

3. a reconciliation between the resources allocated to the Welsh block budget by the Treasury and the resources to be authorised for use in the motion;

4. a reconciliation between the estimated amounts to be paid into the Welsh Consolidated Fund by the Secretary of State and the amounts to be authorised for payment out of the Fund in the motion; and

5. a reconciliation between the resources to be authorised under section 125(1)(a) and (b) of the Act and the amounts to be authorised for payment out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund under section 125(1)(c).

The following additional information has been made available to Members:

an Explanatory Note on changes between Draft Budget proposals and the Annual Budget.

The result was as follows:

The Motion was agreed.

E&S(4)-30-14 Paper 9

Members of the Committee noted the correspondence.

CYPE(4)-29-14- Paper to note 4

CYPE(4)-29-14 – Paper to note 3

5.3a The Committee noted the correspondence from the Finance Committee and agreed to discuss the letter in more detail at its next meeting on the 10 December.

NDM5619 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 20.12:

Notes the Draft Budget for the financial year 2015-2016 laid in the Table Office by the Minister for Finance and Government Business on 30 September 2014.

The Draft Budget Proposals 2015-16 is available on the following link:

http://wales.gov.uk/funding/budget/draft-budget-2015-16/?lang=en

Supporting Documents

Draft Budget for the financial year 2015-2016
Report of the Finance Committee

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Does not believe the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2015/16 meets the needs of the Welsh people.

Amendment 2 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Regrets that:

a) the Draft Budget fails to take an all-Wales approach to future capital investment;

b) investment in integration measures in health and social care has been cut, which will result in increased financial pressures on the NHS in the future; and

c) a short-sighted approach to investment in skills has resulted in fewer apprenticeship places, which risks leading to a further deterioration in youth unemployment.

The item started at 14.31

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

NDM5619 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 20.12:

Notes the Draft Budget for the financial year 2015-2016 laid in the Table Office by the Minister for Finance and Government Business on 30 September 2014.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Does not believe the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2015/16 meets the needs of the Welsh people.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Regrets that:

a) the Draft Budget fails to take an all-Wales approach to future capital investment;

b) investment in integration measures in health and social care has been cut, which will result in increased financial pressures on the NHS in the future; and

c) a short-sighted approach to investment in skills has resulted in fewer apprenticeship places, which risks leading to a further deterioration in youth unemployment.

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion :

NDM5619 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 20.12:

Notes the Draft Budget for the financial year 2015-2016 laid in the Table Office by the Minister for Finance and Government Business on 30 September 2014.

The motion was agreed.

CYPE(4)-27-14 – paper to note 3

4.1a The Committee noted the correspondence received from the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding the Welsh Government’s Draft Budget 2015-16.

FIN(4)-20-14 Paper 1

1.1 The Committee made amendments to the draft report and agreed a final version to be published on 11 November 2014.

CYPE(4)-26-14 – paper to note 6

CYPE(4)-26-14 – paper to note 5

CYPE(4)-26-14 – paper to note 4

E&S(4)-26-14 Paper 4

Committee Members considered the draft letter.

FIN(4)-20-14 Paper 1

FIN(4)-20-14 Paper 2

FIN(4)-20-14 Paper 3

FIN(4)-20-14 Paper 4

FIN(4)-20-14 Paper 5

FIN(4)-20-14 Paper 6

FIN(4)-20-14 Paper 7

FIN(4)-20-14 Paper 8

FIN(4)-20-14 Paper 9

FIN(4)-20-14 Paper 10

FIN(4)-20-14 Paper 11

5.1 The Committee considered the evidence received and the draft Report. A revised version of the report will be circulated at the Committee meeting scheduled for 6 November 2014.

Research brief

Jane Hutt AM – Minister for Finance and Government Business

Jo Salway - Deputy Director, Strategic Budgeting, Welsh Government

Lynne Hamilton - Director of Finance & Commercial, Welsh Government

Jeff Andrews – Specialist Policy Adviser, Welsh Government

3.1 The Committee scrutinised the Minister for Finance and Government Business on the Welsh Government’s draft budget for 2015-16.

Welsh Government

CYPE(4)-25-14 – Paper 1

Lesley Griffiths AM - Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty

Kate Cassidy - Director for Communities and Tackling Poverty

Martin Swain - Deputy Director, Young People and Families

The Committee scrutinised the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty on draft budget proposals.  The Committee agreed to write to the Minister on the issues raised during the session.

Welsh Government
CYPE(4)-25-14 – Paper 5

Huw Lewis AM - Minister for Education and Skills

Julie James AM - Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology

Jo-Anne Daniels - Director of Infrastructure, Curriculum, Qualifications and Learner Support

Huw Morris – Group Director SHELL

The Committee scrutinised the Minister for Education and Skills and the Deputy Minister on the draft budget proposals.  The Committee agreed to write to the Minister and Deputy Minister on the issues raised during the session.

Carwyn Jones AM, First Minister

Caroline Turner, Deputy Director, Welsh Language Division

Bethan Webb, Head of Welsh Language Unit

4.1 The Committee received evidence from Carwyn Jones AM, First Minister.

8.1 The Committee discussed the draft letters

8.1 Committee Members discussed the evidence received from the Minister and Deputy Minister.

E&S(4)-25-14 paper 1

Carl Sargeant AM, Minister for Natural Resources
Rebecca Evans AM, Deputy Minister for Farming and Food

Andrew Slade, Director, Agriculture, Food and Marine

Dr Christianne Glossop, Director, Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer

Matthew Quinn, Director, Environment and Sustainable Development

Rosemary Thomas, Chief Planner, Deputy Director

The Minister and Deputy Minister responded to questions from the Committee.

The Minister agreed to provide further information on:

·         The sale of forestry by Natural Resources Wales;

·         The impact in Wales of UK Government changes to the Energy Company Obligation; and

·         The number of Ynni’r Fro schemes and their spread across Wales.

The Deputy Minister agreed to provide further information on:

·         The financial implications of the Control of Horses (Wales) Act 2014; and

·         The co-ordination of Government spending on food promotion events.

6.1 The Committee considered and agreed the draft letter, subject to minor changes, for its ministerial scrutiny on the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2015-16.

FIN(4)-19-14 paper 4

7.1 Members considered the key issues.

Edwina Hart AM, Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport
Ken Skates AM, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism
James Price, Director General, Economy, Science and Transport
Rob Hunter, Director, Finance and Performance

2.1 The witnesses answered questions from Members of the Committee.

2.2 The Minister agreed to provide the following:

• Details of maximising intervention rates for EU funding;
• Details of Welsh Government expenditure on Enterprise Zones and information on the performance and outputs associated with each Enterprise Zone;
• A breakdown of tourism projects that have been supported through TISS and those funded through other capital funding schemes
• A list of major events supported across Wales;                                                                        
• Case studies to illustrate the added value to Welsh companies in staging major events;
• An informal briefing for Members on the Superfast Cymru project;
• Copies of the reports by the Public Policy Institute for Wales on approaches to strategic transport planning and regulation of financing of bus services;
• Clarification of which budget would fund any legal challenge on the M4;
• Clarification of the timescale for the ‘Access for All’ work being undertaken at Llandaff Station;
• A timescale for the improvements to the Ebbw Vale Line.

6.1 The Committee considered the evidence received from the Minister for Health and Social Services and the Deputy Minister for Health and agreed to write to them seeking clarification on a number of issues raised during the session.

6.2 The Committee agreed that this letter would be shared with the Finance Committee to inform its scrutiny of the draft budget.

Mark Drakeford AM, Minister for Health and Social Services

Vaughan Gething AM, Deputy Minister for Health

Dr Andrew Goodall, Director General, Health & Social Services

Martin Sollis, Director of Finance

Albert Heaney, Director of Social Services & Integration

4.1 The Committee scrutinised the Minister for Health and Social Services and the Deputy Health on the Welsh Government’s draft budget for 2015-16.

4.2 The Minister for Health and Social Services agreed to provide the Committee with;

• clarification on the budget allocations for  mental health services, particularly how the £529 million quoted in the Minister’s paper to the Committee compares with previous years’ funding; and
• analysis of the quantity and level of in-year settlements made against the risk Welsh Risk Pool in recent years.

Huw Lewis AM, Minister for Education and Skills
Julie James AM, Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology
Huw Morris, Group Director, Skills, Higher Education and Lifelong Learning

Andrew Clark, Deputy Director, FE and Apprenticeships Division
Chris Jones, Head of HE Finance and Performance Improvement

2.1 The witnesses responded to questions from Members of the Committee.

2.2 The Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology agreed to provide the following:

• Details of the improvement in intervention rates that were agreed with WEFO in relation to youth engagement projects and the skills agenda.
• Stakeholder evaluations of the service provided by Careers Wales.

Confirmation on whether a piece of work undertaken by Beaufort Research regarding attitudes towards online access to careers advice, is publicly available.

7.1 The Committee considered the evidence received.

FIN(4)-18-14 Paper 2

Research Brief

Gareth Coles - Public Service Delivery Officer, Wales Council for Voluntary Action

John Watkin - Chief Executive, Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council

Ele Hicks - Policy & Funding Officer, Diverse Cymru

4.1 Gareth Coles, Wales Council for Voluntary Action sent his apologies due to a family bereavement.

4.2 The Committee took evidence from Lindsey Williams, Wales Council for Voluntary Action, John Watkin, Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council and Ele Hicks, Diverse Cymru on the Welsh Government’s draft budget for 2015-16.

FIN(4)-18-14 Paper 1

Research Brief

Jon Rae - Director of Resources, Welsh Local Government Association

Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn - Leader, Ceredigion County Council

Chris Lee - Director of Financial Services, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council

Dave Street - Corporate Director Social Services, Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru

3.1 The Committee took evidence from Jon Rae, Welsh Local Government Association, Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn, Ceredigion County Council, Chris Lee, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and Dave Street, Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru on the Welsh Government’s draft budget for 2015-16.

3.2 The Committee agreed to write to Jon Rae with a list of the questions not reached to enable him to respond in writing.

FIN(4)-18-14 Paper 3

Auriol Miller - Director, Cymorth Cymru

Sam Austin - Operational Director, Llamau

Simon Hatch - Director, Carers Trust Wales

Kieron Rees - Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Carers Trust Wales

5.1 The Committee took evidence from Auriol Miller, Cymorth Cymru, Sam Austin, Llamau, Simon Hatch, Carers Trust Wales and Kieron Rees, Carers Trust Wales on the Welsh Government’s draft budget for 2015-16.

5.2 Auriol Miller agreed to provide the Committee with a note.

CYPE(4)-24-14 – private paper 5 - briefing
CYPE(4)-24-14 – private paper 6 – letter from the Minister for Health and Social Services

The Committee received a budget briefing. 

11.1 The Committee discussed the evidence.

5.1 The Committee discussed the evidence.

Leighton Andrews AM, Minister for Public Services

Reg Kilpatrick, Director, Local Government

Debra Carter, Deputy Director, Local Government Finance & Performance

3.1 The Committee received evidence from Leighton Andrews AM, Minister for Public Services.

3.2 The Minister for Public Services agreed to provide:

• a list of the resources put in place to support areas of activity as part of the Welsh Government’s prevention work in relation to sustainability and the Welsh language;
• a note on the Welsh Government’s position on the preventative measures in order to best target those most at risk of fire death and injury.

Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Finance and Government Business

Lesley Griffiths AM, Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty

Jo Salway, Deputy Director, Strategic Budgeting

Amelia John, Head of Fairer Futures Division

2.1 The Committee received evidence from:

Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Finance and Government Business and

Lesley Griffiths AM, Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty

2.2 The Minister for Finance and Government Business agreed to provide:

• minutes of all past meetings held by the Budget Advisory Group for Equality (BAGE);
• the minutes of their forthcoming meeting with the BAGE on 23 October, the purpose of which is to discuss the draft budget.

Lesley Griffiths AM, Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty

Kate Cassidy, Director, Communities & Tackling Poverty

John Howells, Director of Housing and Regeneration

Peter Jones, Head of Finance, Local Government and Communities

7.1 The Committee received evidence from Lesley Griffiths AM, Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty.

7.2 The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty agreed to provide:

• a note which highlights the 19-20 key performance indicators for Communities First, including the outcomes for the indicators and for the Communities First investment. The note will also clarify how the Minister structures key performance indicators, for the Committee’s reference.
• a note with specific examples and demonstrations of how Communities First activities are improving the lives of those involved in their work;
• a note to on the Houses into Homes scheme, to consider the inclusion of house buyers who have the intention of renovating a property to reside in themselves, rather than to let or sell the property;
• if available, a note of evaluation for the marketing scheme led by North Wales’ Credit Union, which targeted middle to high-income earners;
• the figures for the people who receive custodial sentences as a result of debt.

Ken Skates AM, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism

Huw Brodie, Director of Culture & Sport

Huw Davies, Head of Finance, Culture & Sport

8.1 The Committee received evidence from Ken Skates AM, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism.

8.2 The Deputy Minister agreed to provide:

• A note on the expected outcomes provided to organisations in the annual remit letters, and the organisations’ progress against these outcomes;
• A note on the changes to the commissioning procedure for the Welsh Books Council.

4.1 The Committee considered the evidence received.

FIN(4)-17-14 Paper 1

FIN(4)-17-14 Paper 2

Research Brief

Helen Birtwhistle - Director, Welsh NHS Confederation

Adam Cairns - Chief Executive, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Paul Roberts - Chief Executive, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board

2.1 The Committee took evidence from Helen Birtwhistle, Welsh NHS Confederation, Adam Cairns, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Paul Roberts, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board on the Welsh Government’s draft budget for 2015-16.

2.2 Helen Birtwhistle agreed to provide a note to the Committee on the effect of litigation on the risk pool.

FIN(4)-16-14 Paper 1

Don Peebles – Head of CIPFA Scotland and Expert Adviser to the Committee

1.1 The Committee received a briefing from Don Peebles, Expert Adviser.

7.1 The Committee considered the evidence received.

FIN(4)-16-14 Paper 4

Jane Hutt AM – Minister for Finance

Jo Salway - Deputy Director, Strategic Budgeting, Welsh Government

Matt Denham- Jones, Head of Budgetary Control & Reporting, Welsh Government

Jeff Andrews – Specialist Policy Adviser, Welsh Government

5.1 The Committee scrutinised the Minister for Finance and Local Government on the Welsh Government’s draft budget for 2015-16.

5.2 The Chair indicated she would ask the relevant committee to explore with the portfolio Minister if the cuts to the Supporting People programme will be delivered equally across Wales or will some areas see larger cuts.

5.3 The Minister agreed to:

·         provide a note to the Committee clarifying the position on non-domestic rates providing it does not undermine negotiations with the UK Government;

·         share with the Committee some of the early advice the Government has received on the process of devolving stamp duty land tax;

·         confirm the arrangements for allocating money to Local Authorities specifically for social services;

·         provide the Committee with more information on the prospect of a skills gateway for adults in relation to the Careers Wales service;

·         check on the publication of an evaluation on the Pupil Deprivation Grant and provide the Committee with details; and

·         provide the Committee with details around invest-to-save funding.

CLA(4)-21-14 – Paper 16 – Letter from the Presiding Officer to Committees regarding the draft budget

The Committee noted the correspondence.

6.1 The Committee considered the forward work programme and approach to Draft Budget Scrutiny.

3.2a The Committee noted the letter from the Chair of the Finance Committee.

Research Brief

Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Finance

Jo Salway – Deputy Director, Strategic Budgeting, Welsh Government

Matt Denham-Jones - Head of Budgetary Control and Reporting, Welsh Government

Jeff Andrews – Specialist Policy Adviser

3.1 Members discussed the forthcoming Welsh Government Draft Budget 2015-16 with Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Finance, Jo Salway, Deputy Director, Strategic Budgeting, Welsh Government, Matt Denham-Jones, Head of Budgetary Control and Reporting, Welsh Government and Jeff Andrews, Specialist Policy Adviser. 

3.2 The Minister for Finance agreed to send a note on where detail on PFI schemes across the public sector is recorded.

FIN(4)-11-14(paper 2)

2.1 Members considered the paper and agreed the suggested approach to scrutiny of the Welsh Government’s draft budget 2015-16.