Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Committee considered the petition and noted the Welsh Government’s response stating that they do not believe introducing legislation to mandate the provision of defibrillators is the best way forward. In light of this Members agreed to close the petition an thank the petitioner for raising the important issue.

In addition to closing the petition, Members agreed to write a further letter to the Minister for Health and Social Services asking the Welsh Government to encourage sports clubs, schools, and community groups across Wales to consider the benefits of having a defibrillator installed on site.

The Chair noted that there is currently a judicial review in process regarding this development. In light of this Members agreed to consider the petition on completion of the judicial review.

The Committee considered the petition and noted that changing the name of the county would ultimately be a matter for the local authority. In light of this Members agreed there is nothing further they could do as a Committee other than write to Ynys Môn Council to highlight the petition and ask whether any thought had been given to a single name. In doing so they agreed to close the petition and thanked the petitioner.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to write to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), copying in S4C, to seek further information about what the process would be for Wales to be able to join or submit an application to the Eurovision Song Contest. The Committee accepted that the Welsh Government’s position was clear and therefore would close the petition, whilst ensuring any response from the EBU is shared with the Members, to enable them to pursue as individual members.

The Committee considered the petition and noted that the issue is clearly an important but complex matter, as the powers to regulate fireworks remain with the UK Government. In light of this Members agreed there is little further they could do as a Committee and closed the petition and thanked the petitioner for highlighting this issue and sharing her experience to highlight the dangers and risks involved.

The Chair proposed to consider this petition jointly with P-06-1416 Increase the speed limit on the M4 back to 70mph.

Peter Fox MS and John Griffiths MS declared the following relevant interest under Standing Order 17.24A:

They are both regular users of the M4.

The Committee considered the petition and noted that whilst it can feel frustrating to be driving at a speed limit below that which the road was designed for, the evidence is clear that the speed limit reduction is improving air quality for local residents. In light of this Members agreed there is little further they can do as a Committee other than continue to monitor and challenge speed limits as individual Members of the Senedd, and as things move forward with greener technologies and other efficiencies.

The Chair proposed to consider this petition jointly with P-06-1413 Scrap the 50mph limits on the M4 around Newport and Swansea and on the A470 around Pontypridd.

Peter Fox MS and John Griffiths MS declared the following relevant interest under Standing Order 17.24A:

They are both regular users of the M4.

The Committee considered the petition and noted that whilst it can feel frustrating to be driving at a speed limit below that which the road was designed for, the evidence is clear that the speed limit reduction is improving air quality for local residents. In light of this Members agreed there is little further they can do as a Committee other than continue to monitor and challenge speed limits as individual Members of the Senedd, and as things move forward with greener technologies and other efficiencies.

The Chair proposed to consider this petition jointly with P-06-1421 Hold a public poll on whether to build the M4 Relief Road, then implement the result immediately.

John Griffiths MS declared the following relevant interest under Standing Order 17.24A:

He is a regular user of the M4.

Peter Fox MS declared the following relevant interest under Standing Order 17.24A:

He resides in the South East and within the Gwent SSSI area.

The Committee considered the petition and noted the response received from the Welsh Government. Members voiced their concerns that not only would there be financial implications by running such a scheme but there would also be a significant impact on the environment.

In light of this Members agreed to close the petition and thank the petitioner.

The Chair proposed to consider this petition jointly with P-06-1415 Brynglas Tunnels M4 South Wales relief road to be put into action.

John Griffiths MS declared the following relevant interest under Standing Order 17.24A:

He is a regular user of the M4.

Peter Fox MS declared the following relevant interest under Standing Order 17.24A:

He resides in the South East and within the Gwent SSSI area.

The Committee considered the petition and noted the responses received from the Welsh Government. Members voiced their concerns that not only would there be financial implications by running such a scheme but there would also be a significant impact on the environment.

In light of this Members agreed to close the petition and thank the petitioner.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to keep it open pending an update from the Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to write back to the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs to seek answers to the petitioners’ response to the Welsh Government report.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to write back to the Cabinet Secretary for Education to seek a response to the further concerns raised by the petitioner. 

Jack Sargeant MS declared the following relevant interest under Standing Order 17.24A:

The petitioner is known to him.

The Committee agreed to highlight the petition and correspondence received so far to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice, as the petition now falls within her remit.

The motion was agreed.

Members agreed the report subject to minor changes.