Agenda and minutes

View the meeting transcript.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the Committee. There were no apologies.

Members discussed the evidence session on 2 July and agreed to write to the Minister for Health and Social Services, copying in the Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, asking that the petitioner is included in discussions with stakeholders about the development of the framework and highlighting the issues raised in the oral evidence.

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

·         write to the Minister for Health and Social Services seeking his views on the petition;

·         write to all Local Health Boards seeking further information on the delivery of services; and

·         request a research brief.

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

·         write to the Minister for Local Government and Government Business seeking her views on the petition; and

·         consider whether the Committee wishes to take oral evidence at the next consideration of the petition.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to;

·         write to the following stakeholders seeking their views on the issue

o   Plain English Campaign;

o   Cymraeg Clir Unit at Canolfan Bedwyr;

·         write to the petitioner to gain a fuller response to the correspondence received from the Welsh Government and the National Assembly for Wales; and

·         once the responses have been received the Chair will consider the shape of an oral evidence session for the autumn term.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to write to the Health and Social Services Committee asking that the Committee is informed when decisions are made on their Forward Work Programme, and whether this will include an inquiry on ambulance services.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to write to the Minister for Culture and Sport highlighting the difficulties local communities face in protecting common land, and asking what support can be given to such communities.

Dependent on the programme of events, the Committee agreed to incorporate a site visit to Llangoed as part of the outreach activity in the autumn term.

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

·         the Minister for Natural Resources and Food asking if there will be any change in approach following the recent fire in Smethwick; and

·         the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs asking what actions the UK Government are taking on the issue.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to write to the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport seeking an update on the A40 Llanddewi – Penblewin improvement scheme.

The Chair and Russell George declared an interest in this petition.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to;

·         await the findings of the options review; and

·         write to the petitioner informing them of the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport recent statement.

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

·         the petition in the context of the Research Service brief; and

·         the letter sent to the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport and request further information on any area not fully answered in her response.

The Chair declared an interest in the petition.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to include a site visit as part of the autumn visit.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to;

·         write to the Minister for Natural Resources and Food asking how many officials are fracking ‘experts’ and the level of expertise available to the Welsh Government;

·         write to the Environment and Sustainability Committee seeking an update on the recent oral evidence session on unconventional gas; and

·         write to the Welsh Affairs Select Committee highlighting the Committee’s consideration of this issue.

The Chair declared an interest in the petition.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to close the petition because the pool has been considered for listing on three occasions and has not met the criteria.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to;

·         write to the following stakeholders seeking their views on the issue:

o   Accreditation Network UK

o   Association of Letting and Management Agents

o   Association of Residential Letting Agents

o   Ceredigion Council

o   Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

o   Chartered Institute of Housing

o   Citizen’s Advice Bureau

o   Community Housing Cymru

o   Higher Education Wales

o   Landlord Accreditation Scheme

o   National Landlords Association

o   National Union of Students

o   Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

o   Shelter Cymru

o   WLGA / Association of Directors of Education; and

o   A full written consultation open to the public, with a focus on engaging with students

·         write to the Minister for Housing and Regeneration highlighting the concerns of the petitioners, especially in relation to the time given for the consultation on the Housing Bill; and

·         arrange an oral evidence session once responses are received.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to write to the Minister for Finance highlighting the petitioner’s correspondence and asking whether such revenue information will be released.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to;

·         Write to the following stakeholders seeking their views on the issue:

o   WLGA;

o   One Voice Wales;

o   Electoral Commission;

o   Electoral Reform Society;

o   Association of Councillors;

o   Seek clarity on whether the Assembly Commission would be able to comment and if so seek their views; and

o   Chief of staff of all political parties registered in Wales

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to;

·         Write to the following stakeholders seeking their views on the issue:

o   WLGA;

o   One Voice Wales;

o   Electoral Commission;

o   Electoral Reform Society; and

o   Seek clarity on whether the Assembly Commission would be able to comment and if so seek their views.

Dr Tymandra Blewett-Silcock, Lead Petitioner

Dr Tymandra Blewett-Silcock answered questions from the Committee.

Members discussed the evidence session and agreed to;

·         write to the Minister for Health and Social Services asking whether there will be review of Direct Payments;

·         write to the Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee highlighting the issues in advance of further scrutiny of the Social Services & Wellbeing (Wales) Bill;

·         collect further case studies on the subject matter; and

·         consider whether to take further evidence in the autumn term.