Agenda and minutes

View the meeting transcript.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the Committee, especially Bethan Jenkins AM on her return to the Committee. Apologies were received from Russell George AM, who was substituted by Janet Finch-Saunders AM.

Members discussed the evidence session on 14 May and discussed the areas they wish to pursue with the Minister when he gives oral evidence. Members also agreed to;

·         write to the WLGA seeking their views on the status of MTAN;

·         write to the Minister for Housing and Regeneration asking for clear definitions of the ‘exceptional circumstances’ when the 500 meter buffer can be waived; and

·         invite the Planning Inspectorate to give oral evidence.

Members discussed the evidence session on 14 May and agreed to;

·         write to the Minister for Education and Skills highlighting the petitioners areas of concerns;

·         await the publication of the SEN consultation response;

·         write to SOLACE seeking examples of good practice;

·         highlight to the Health and Social Care Committee concerns on the definition of ‘local’; and

·         write to the Health, Education and Social Services representative bodies about the need for joint working.

The Committee considered the petition for the first time and agreed to write to the Minister for Education and Skills seeking his views on the petition.

The Committee considered the petition for the first time and agreed to write to;

·         the Minister for Education and Skills; and

·         Collegau Cymru seeking their views on the petition; and

·         write to all FE colleges in Wales asking about their use of casual contracts.

The Committee considered the petition for the first time and agreed to write to;

·         the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport seeking her views on the petition; and

·         the petitioner asking whether he has sought the views of other Chambers of Trade.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to write to;

·         the petitioner seeking their views on the First Minister’s letter and the supporting documents, and asking if this meets their petition aims; and

·         the Chair of the Enterprise and Business Committee highlighting the petition, in the context of his Committee’s recent work on the subject.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to write to Natural Resources Wales to seek their views on the petition and to ask whether they would investigate some of the issues highlighted by the petitioners.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to write to;

·         the Environment and Sustainability Committee sharing the correspondence from the Minister for Housing and Regeneration, and highlighting that the Welsh Government are not currently planning to issue additional guidance, despite the request of both the petitioners and the WLGA; and

·         the Minister for Housing and Regeneration asking whether the Government have commissioned any research or sought independent advice into fracking.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to seek the petitioner’s views on the Ministerial correspondence.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to;

·         write to the Minister for Natural Resources and Food asking what actions will be taken in response to the report; and

·         share the research with the petitioners.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to close the petition because of the practical, legal and ethical concerns highlighted in the consultation responses which mean that such a register would not be practical.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to;

·         write to the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee highlighting this petition, in advance of their likely consideration of the Heritage (Wales) Bill;

·         write to the Environment and Sustainability Committee highlighting this petition, in advance of their likely consideration of the Planning (Wales) Bill and Environment (Wales) Bill; and

·         seek the petitioner’s views on the correspondence from Natural Resources Wales, asking where they would like to see further action to protect  ancient, veteran and heritage trees.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to seek the petitioner’s views on the correspondence received.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to close the petition, as the Welsh Government does not intend to buy Plas Cwrt Yn Dre.

In addition to closing the petition, Members agreed to write to the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee, highlighting issues raised during the consideration of this petition and other similar heritage related petitions and ask them to look at these issues when considering the Heritage (Wales) Bill.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to close the petition, as no response has been received from the petitioners.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to;

·         write to the Minister for Health and Social Services asking how he intends to respond to the recommendations made in the strategic review, and the timeframe for implementation; and

·         seek the petitioner’s views on the Strategic Review.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to;

·         write to the petitioner encouraging them to engage with the public consultation exercise; and

·         await the outcome of the consultation exercise.

Additionally, Members requested a note on the approach to petitions on hospital reconfiguration. 

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to;

·         write to the Minister for Health and Social Services highlighting that the Alzheimer’s Society support the petitioner’s call for a severe level to be added to the Decision Support Tool and ask if he intends to honour the previous Minister’s commitment to review the Continuing Healthcare framework, and the timeframe for such a review;

·         write to the Wales Audit Office asking for a copy of their report into Continuing Healthcare when it is published;

·         seek a response from Dementia UK; and

·         invite the petitioner to give oral evidence.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to;

·         share the correspondence from the Minister for Education and Skills and the petitioner with the Children and Young People Committee; and

·         await the Children and Young People’s Committee report on the Further and Higher Education (Governance and Information) (Wales) (Bill).

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to write to the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport sharing the petitioner’s correspondence and asking for:

·         more information on the ‘gateway enhancements’;

·         an update on the speed limit review of the A40 between Llandewi Velfrey and Scotchwell Roundabout; and

·         an update on the A40 Llandewi-Penblewin Improvement Scheme.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to await further information on the new policy.

Alan Rogers, Petitioner

Brian Pearce

Alan Rogers and Brian Pearce answered questions from the Committee.

Jim Stewart, Petitioner

Wynne Roberts, Pastoral Care Chaplain and Chair of the Interfaith Network of North West Wales

Jim Stewart and Wynne Roberts answered questions from the Committee.

Wynne Roberts agreed to provide the Committee with more information on the work undertaken by Chaplaincy Services in Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board.