Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed Members to the meeting. There were no apologies.

Chris Cousens, RNLI & Chair of Water Safety Wales

Bleddyn Jones South Wales Fire and Rescue Service &

Member of Water Safety Wales Steering Group

The Committee heard evidence from Chris Cousens, Chair of Water Safety Wales and Bleddyn Jones from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service & Member of Water Safety Wales Steering Group.

Nikki Kemmery, Director of Health and Safety,

Dŵr Cymru

Paula Steer, Director of Health, Safety & Wellbeing and Estate Services United Utilities

Dominic Robinson, Visitor Experience Lead, Severn Trent & Hafren Dyfrdwy

The Committee heard evidence from Nikki Kemmery, Director of Health and Safety, Dŵr Cymru, Paula Steer, Director of Health, Safety & Wellbeing and Estate Services United Utilities and Dominic Robinson, Visitor Experience Lead, Severn Trent & Hafren Dyfrdwy.

The Committee thanked the petitioner for raising the important issue and agreed to keep a watching brief on the petition over the coming weeks, in light of the work which is currently being undertaken by the Welsh Government. 

The Committee agreed to write to the Fire Service and Natural Resources Wales to seek their position on disposable BBQs.

He is a Senedd Member of the Local Government and Housing Committee.

The Committee acknowledged the serious concerns raised by the petition regarding affordable housing and the negative impact on local communities across Wales. Given the complex nature of these concerns, the Committee welcomed the fact that the Local Government and Housing Committee are undertaking a detailed inquiry in this area and agreed to write to the Chair of the Committee to ask them to include the issues raised in this petition as part of their inquiry.

In doing so, the Committee agreed to close the petition and thank the petitioner.

The Chair of the Committee highlighted that the petition was mentioned in the Senedd debate held in Plenary on 8 December on the protection of red squirrels.

Members agreed to write to the Minister requesting an update on timing of the Natural Resources Wales guidance and legislation referred to in plenary on 8 December, and also agreed to close the petition once the letter from the Minister is received and has been shared with the petitioner.

The Committee acknowledged the dedication and hard work of teachers across Wales who worked tirelessly to ensure children continued to access education.

Members noted that the Minister doesn’t offer any additional financial recognition and agreed to write to Qualifications Wales to ask about the findings of the survey about the grade setting period.

The Committee noted that the petitioner is satisfied with the progress reported and planned for the service in future by the Welsh Government, therefore, Members thanked the petitioner for highlighting such an important issue and closed petition.

The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Education to ask what the best way forward would be to make the information available to organisations and schools about how to access funds to purchase defibrillators.

The Committee agreed to write to Welsh Government and ask  what consideration they have given to the London School of Economics report on sentience in decapods, and also suggest that the definition of animals in the Animal Welfare Act 2006 be extended to include invertebrates.

The Committee agreed to write back to the Welsh Government to share the concerns and suggestions raised by RSPCA Cymru and Blue Cross and seek clarification regarding whether there are any arrangements to financially support enforcement to implement legislation and regulations in this area.

The Committee noted the priority given to mental health by the Health and Social Committee in its forward work programme and agreed to encourage the petitioner to take up the opportunity to contribute to their consultation.

In doing so, the Committee agreed to close the petition and thank the petitioner for raising such an important issue.

The Committee warmly congratulated the petitioner on a successful outcome, with the Welsh Government in co-operation with Plaid Cymru making a commitment to provide free school meals for all primary school children. Whilst the petitioner’s overarching call is for all school pupils to be provided with free school meals, this is a significant step in achieving that ambition.

It was agreed that in response to further questions raised by the petitioner, answers which are in the public domain would be collated and sent to the petitioner.

The Committee agreed to thank the petitioner and close the petition. [updated on 21/01/22]

The Committee noted that whilst Natural Resources Wales have stated that they are not currently considering a flood scheme for the Towy in Carmarthen, it appears that there is little more the Committee can do on the issue. In light of this, the Committee agreed to close the petition and thank the petitioner.

The paper was noted.

The motion was approved.

The Committee considered the evidence received.