Meetings

2.3.a The Committee noted the response from the Welsh Government to the Committee's report on the impact of COVID-19 on the voluntary sector.

Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government

Hannah Blythyn MS, Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government

Emma Williams, Director of Housing & Regeneration, Welsh Government

Reg Mitchell-Kilpatrick, Director General, Covid Crisis Coordination, Welsh Government

2.1.The Committee received evidence from:

·         Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government

·         Hannah Blythyn MS, Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government

·         Emma Williams, Director of Housing & Regeneration, Welsh Government

·         Reg Mitchell-Kilpatrick, Director General, Covid Crisis Coordination, Welsh Government

6.1. The Committee discussed the evidence received under items 2 and 3.

Jane Hutt MS, Deputy Minister and Chief Whip

Alyson Francis, Deputy Director of Communities Division, Welsh Government

3.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Jane Hutt MS, Deputy Minister and Chief Whip

·         Alyson Francis, Deputy Director of Communities Division, Welsh Government

5.3.a The Committee noted the report from the British Red Cross "The longest year" in relation to the impact of COVID-19.

5.2.a The Committee noted the report from the Bevan Foundation "Different experiences of poverty in Winter 2020" in relation to the impact of COVID-19.

3.5.a. The Committee noted the submission from the Bevan Foundation in relation to poverty in winter and COVID-19.

6.1. The Committee considered the draft report and discussed a number of changes.

3.4.a. The Committee noted the letter from the Bevan Foundation to the First Minister in relation to poverty and COVID-19.

3.3.a. The Committee noted the letter from the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip in relation to the impact of COVID-19 on the voluntary sector.

1.1.      The Committee discussed the key issues to inform its draft report.

3.5.a. The Committee noted the consultation response from the British Heart Foundation Cymru in relation to the impact of COVID-19.

5.1. The Committee discussed the evidence received.

3.2.a. The Committee noted the additional information from the British Red Cross in relation to the impact of COVID-19.

3.1.a. The Committee noted the correspondence from the Equality and Human Rights Commission in relation to treatment of ethnic minority workers during the Coronavirus pandemic.

3.3.a. The Committee noted the letter from the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip in relation to the impact of COVID-19.

Jane Hutt MS, Deputy Minister and Chief Whip

Chris Buchan, Head of Community & Third Sector Policy, Welsh Government

2.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Jane Hutt MS, Deputy Minister and Chief Whip

·         Chris Buchan, Head of Community & Third Sector Policy, Welsh Government

2.2. During the evidence session, the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip agreed to provide:

·         Further information from the Environmental Network of Third Sector organisations about encouraging the use of outdoor services in communities;

·         Further information about the Digital Confidence and Health Wellbeing initiative.

3.4.a. The Committee noted the additional information from Helpforce Cymru and the WCVA in relation to the impact of COVID-19.

7.1. The Committee discussed the evidence received.

Nesta Lloyd-Jones, Assistant Director, NHS Confederation

Hayley Thomas, Executive Director of Planning and Performance, Powys Teaching Health Board

Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader, Welsh Local Government Association

Daniel Hurford, Head of Policy (Improvement and Governance), Welsh Local Government Association

2.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Nesta Lloyd-Jones, Assistant Director, NHS Confederation

·         Hayley Thomas, Executive Director of Planning and Performance, Powys Teaching Health Board

·         Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader, Welsh Local Government Association

·         Daniel Hurford, Head of Policy (Improvement and Governance), Welsh Local Government Association

Patience Bentu, National Community Engagement Lead, Race Council Cymru

Rocio Cifuentes, Chief Executive, Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales (EYST)

4.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Patience Bentu, National Community Engagement Lead, Race Council Cymru

·         Rocio Cifuentes, Chief Executive, Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales (EYST)

Amanda Carr, Director, Swansea Council for Voluntary Service

Bethan Russell Williams, Chief Officer, Mantell Gwynedd

Chris Johnes, Chief Executive, Building Communities Trust

3.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Amanda Carr, Director, Swansea Council for Voluntary Service

·         Bethan Russell Williams, Chief Officer, Mantell Gwynedd

·         Chris Johnes, Chief Executive, Building Communities Trust

5.3.a. The Committee noted the correspondence from the Older People's Commissioner for Wales in relation to the impact of COVID-19.

5.1.a. The Committee noted the additional evidence from Welsh Women's Aid in relation to the inquiry into COVID-19.

7.1. The Committee discussed the evidence received.

Ruth Marks, Chief Executive, WCVA

Fiona Liddell, Manager, Helpforce Cymru

Noreen Blanluet, Lead consultant, Co-production Network for Wales

2.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Ruth Marks, Chief Executive, WCVA

·         Fiona Liddell, Manager, Helpforce Cymru

·         Noreen Blanluet, Lead consultant, Co-production Network for Wales

2.2. During the evidence session, the witnesses agreed to share good practice examples and models of engagement and co-production developed and used through the pandemic.

2.3. During the evidence session, the WCVA agreed to provide more information on the lessons learnt around financial management during the pandemic.

Carol Mack, Chair, Wales Funders Forum

Rebecca Watkins, Foundation Director, Moondance Foundation

Richard Williams, Chief Executive, Community Foundation Wales

John Rose, Wales Director, National Lottery Community Fund

4.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Carol Mack, Chair, Wales Funders Forum

·         Rebecca Watkins, Foundation Director, Moondance Foundation

·         Richard Williams, Chief Executive, Community Foundation Wales

·         John Rose, Wales Director, National Lottery Community Fund

Kate Griffiths, Director for Wales, British Red Cross

Jas Bains, Chief Executive, Hafod

3.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Kate Griffiths, Director for Wales, British Red Cross

·         Jas Bains, Chief Executive, Hafod

5.4.a. The Committee noted the briefing from the Equality and Human Rights Commission in relation to residential care in Wales and the COVID-19 pandemic.

6.1. The Committee discussed the evidence received and agreed to write to the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip in relation to matters raised during the session.

Jane Hutt MS, Deputy Minister and Chief Whip

Alyson Francis, Deputy Director of Communities Division, Welsh Government

3.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Jane Hutt MS, Deputy Minister and Chief Whip

·         Alyson Francis, Deputy Director of Communities Division, Welsh Government

3.2. During the evidence session, the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip agreed to provide:

·         a list of the accessible communications group’s members;

·         the deadline for the violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV) sustainable funding group to agree the sustainable funding model.

Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government

Reg Kilpatrick, Director General, COVID-19 Crisis Coordination, Welsh Government

Emma Williams, Director, Housing and Regeneration, Welsh Government

Claire Bennett, Director, Communities and Tackling Poverty, Welsh Government

2.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government

·         Emma Williams, Director, Housing and Regeneration, Welsh Government

·         Claire Bennett, Director, Communities and Tackling Poverty, Welsh Government

1.1.      The Committee discussed the response to the report "Into sharp relief: inequality and the pandemic" and its autumn work programme.

1.2.      The Committee agreed to undertake evidence sessions on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the voluntary sector.

3.1.a The Committee noted the correspondence from the Older People's Commissioner for Wales in relation to the inquiry into COVID-19.

5.1. The Committee considered and agreed the key issues for the COVID-19 and equalities report.

6.1 The Committee discussed the evidence received under Item 4.

Cllr Andrew Morgan, WLGA Leader

Cllr Emlyn Dole, WLGA Plaid Cymru Group Leader

Cllr Peter Fox, WLGA Conservative Group Leader

Cllr Hugh Evans, WLGA Independent Group Leader

Chris Llewelyn, Chief Executive, WLGA

4.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·         Cllr Andrew Morgan, WLGA Leader

·         Cllr Emlyn Dole, WLGA Plaid Cymru Group Leader

·         Cllr Peter Fox, WLGA Conservative Group Leader

·         Cllr Hugh Evans, WLGA Independent Group Leader

·         Chris Llewelyn, Chief Executive, WLGA

4.2 During the meeting, the witnesses agreed:

• To provide more information on the lessons learned by local government during the recovery of the pandemic.
• To share correspondence with the Welsh Government regarding economic stimulus during the pandemic.

Rhys Gwilym-Taylor, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Crisis

Jennie Bibbings, Campaigns Manager, Shelter Cymru

Katie Dalton, Director, Cymorth Cymru 

2.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·         Rhys Gwilym-Taylor, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Crisis

·         Jennie Bibbings, Campaigns Manager, Shelter Cymru

·         Katie Dalton, Director, Cymorth Cymru

2.2 During the meeting, Shelter Cymru agreed to provide data on local authority responses to homelessness during the pandemic.

4.1a The Committee noted the correspondence from the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip regarding the evidence session on 14 May.

6.1 The Committee discussed the evidence received under Item 2 and 3.

Clarissa Corbisiero, Director of Policy and External Affairs / Deputy Chief Executive, Community Housing Cymru

Matt Dicks, Director, CIH Cymru

Cllr Andrea Lewis, Housing Spokesperson, Welsh Local Government Association

Jim McKirdle, Housing Policy Officer, Welsh Local Government Association

Calum Davies, Welsh Policy & Public Affairs Officer, National Residential Landlords Association

3.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·         Clarissa Corbisiero, Director of Policy and External Affairs / Deputy Chief Executive, Community Housing Cymru

·         Matt Dicks, Director, CIH Cymru

·         Cllr Andrea Lewis, Housing Spokesperson, Welsh Local Government Association

·         Jim McKirdle, Housing Policy Officer, Welsh Local Government Association

·         Calum Davies, Welsh Policy & Public Affairs Officer, National Residential Landlords Association

3.2 During the meeting:

• CHC agreed to provide further information on the phasing out of priority need for homeless people in Scotland.
• The WLGA agreed to provide more information on the work undertaken by Swansea Council regarding the development of new homes in supporting wider economic recovery.

5.2a The Committee discussed the correspondence from the Royal College of General Practitioners Wales regarding advance care planning and the committee meeting on 16 June.

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

Catherine Fookes, Director, Women’s Equality Network (WEN) Wales   

Cerys Furlong, Chief Executive, Chwarae Teg

Robert Visintainer, Project Manager, Men’s Sheds Cymru

4.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·       Catherine Fookes, Director, Women’s Equality Network (WEN) Wales  

·       Cerys Furlong, Chief Executive, Chwarae Teg

·       Robert Visintainer, Project Manager, Men’s Sheds Cymru

Steffan Evans, Policy and Research Officer, The Bevan Foundation

Claire Thomas, Policy and Research Officer, The Bevan Foundation

Rachel Cable, Head of Oxfam Cymru    

Gwennan Hardy, Senior Policy Officer, Citizens Advice Cymru

3.1.    The Committee received evidence from:

·         Steffan Evans, Policy and Research Officer, The Bevan Foundation

·         Claire Thomas, Policy and Research Officer, The Bevan Foundation

·         Rachel Cable, Head of Oxfam Cymru   

·         Gwennan Hardy, Senior Policy Officer, Citizens Advice Cymru

3.2 During the meeting, Oxfam Cymru agreed to share its report, ‘The Welsh Doughnut 2020’ with the Committee.

Miranda Evans, Policy and Programmes Officer, Disability Wales

Megan Thomas, Policy Officer, Disability Wales

Zoe Richards, Chief Executive, Learning Disability Wales

Ansley Workman, Director, RNIB Cymru

Nathan Owen, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, RNIB Cymru

2.1.The Committee received evidence from:

·         Miranda Evans, Policy and Programmes Officer, Disability Wales

·         Megan Thomas, Policy Officer, Disability Wales

·         Zoe Richards, Chief Executive, Learning Disability Wales

·         Ansley Workman, Director, RNIB Cymru

·         Nathan Owen, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, RNIB Cymru

2.2 During the meeting, RNIB Cymru agreed to provide the Committee with additional information on the training of guide dogs and social distancing.

5.1 The Committee discussed the evidence received under item 3.

Heléna Herklots, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales

Victoria Lloyd, Chief Executive, Age Cymru

3.1. The Chair welcomed Jayne Bryant MS, Dai Lloyd MS, Lynne Neagle MS and David Rees MS, Members of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee for this item.

3.2 The Committee received evidence from:

·         Heléna Herklots, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales

·         Victoria Lloyd, Chief Executive, Age Cymru.

Patience Bentu, Administration and Policy Support Officer, Race Council Cymru

Rocio Cifuentes, Chief Executive, Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team (EYST) Wales

Ginger Wiegand, Research and Policy, All Wales BAME Engagement Programme, Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team (EYST) Wales

6.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·         Patience Bentu, Administration and Policy Support Officer, Race Council Cymru

·         Rocio Cifuentes, Chief Executive, Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team (EYST) Wales.

7.1a The Committee noted the correspondence from Jane Hutt MS to Priti Patel MP regarding COVID-19 and its impact on BAME Communities.

Ruth Coombs, Head of Equality and Human Rights Commission Wales

Hannah Wharf, Principle External Affairs, Equality and Human Rights Commission Wales

2.1.    The Committee received evidence from:

·         Ruth Coombs, Head of Equality and Human Rights Commission Wales

·         Hannah Wharf, Principle External Affairs, Equality and Human Rights Commission Wales.

7.5a The Committee noted the correspondence from the Minister for Housing and Local Government regarding the committee meeting on 15 May 2020.

Yasmin Khan, National Adviser for Violence against Women, other forms of Gender-Based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence

3.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·         Yasmin Khan, National Adviser for Violence against Women, other forms of Gender-Based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence

3.2 During the meeting, the witness agreed:

·         to provide information on the National Advisers exit strategy for coming out of lockdown;

·         to provide specific information on perpetrator programmes.

6.1 The Committee discussed the evidence received under item 2 and 3.

Sara Kirkpatrick, Chief Executive, Welsh Women’s Aid

2.1The Committee received evidence from:

·         Sara Kirkpatrick, Chief Executive, Welsh Women’s Aid

2.2 During the meeting, the witness agreed:

·         to provide, if possible, current evidence on domestic abuse-related suicide;

·         to provide information on policies and procedures relating to harassment and stalking.

4.1 The Committee discussed the evidence received under item 2.

Jane Hutt MS, Deputy Minister and Chief Whip

Alyson Francis, Deputy Director of Communities Division, Welsh Government

2.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·         Jane Hutt MS, Deputy Minister and Chief Whip

·         Alyson Francis, Deputy Director of Communities Division, Welsh Government

2.2        During the meeting, the Minister agreed:

·         To share data on COVID-19 mortality rates by sex, ethnicity and occupation.

·         To share correspondence between the Welsh Government and Welsh Women’s Aid relating to funding for domestic abuse services.

·         To provide an update on the work of the sustainable funding group.

·         To provide data on the voluntary sector in Wales and its mobilisation in Wales since the outbreak of COVID-19.

Julie James AM, Minister for Housing and Local Government

Emma Williams, Director of Housing & Regeneration

Reg Kilpatrick, Director, Local Government

2.1 Members questioned the Minister for Housing and Local Government and her officials about Covid-19 and her department’s response to date to the pandemic.

2.2 The Minister agreed, if possible, to provide more information on the number of people taking mortgage holidays and the number of evictions during the pandemic.