Agenda and minutes

2.2 Vaughan Gething MS declared the following relevant interest under Standing Order 17.24A: He is a Member of Unison.

3.3 Joel James MS declared the following relevant interest under Standing Order 17.24A: The petitioner is known to him.

The Committee considered the petition and expressed sympathy with the petitioner’s campaign, recognising the importance of scrutinising the implementation of the ALN reforms to ensure the system functions effectively. It appears that the Cabinet Secretary is addressing these concerns and is due to make a statement to the Senedd in July, while the Children, Young People and Education Committee (CYPE) continues to actively monitor the situation.

Members agreed to keep the petition open while awaiting the Cabinet Secretary’s statement and, in the meantime, to refer the petition to CYPE given its ongoing review of the ALN reforms. However they also emphasised the importance of avoiding duplication of work already being undertaken by another committee.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to write to Neath Port Talbot Council to highlight the petition and request an update on plans for the 2025–26 allocation of Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) resources, within the framework of the Regional Economic Delivery Plan. Members agreed to keep the petition open pending a response, and to close it once a response is received.

Following detailed discussion of possible actions due to pensions being a reserved matter, Members agreed to write to the Welsh Local Government Association, the Cabinet Secretary and the Wales Pension Partnership to ask about current investment priorities, and future priorities and approach to investing to support the growth of the Welsh economy in a sustainable way, in light of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. Members noted the importance of taking a consistent approach on petitions that touch on what are largely reserved policy areas.

As the courses do not now appear to be affected, but action is being taken on the issue of HE funding more generally, Members agreed to thank the petitioner for highlighting the situation at USW, note the positive outcome, and close the petition.

The Committee recognised the importance of the petition, particularly as it was submitted by a Year 6 learner, and expressed regret that a more positive response could not be provided at this time. The Committee agreed to close the petition, and in doing so, congratulated the petitioner on bringing the issue forward. Members emphasised that the petition serves as an excellent example of how individuals, including young people, can engage with the Senedd to raise important issues, and thanked the petitioner for their participation in the democratic process.

In closing the petition, Members agreed to write to the school to recognise the engagement of the Year 6 learners in the petitions process, and congratulate them on their campaign, and to write to Monumental Welsh Women directly about the petition and ask to be kept updated about any future plans relating to a commemorative statue for Rachel Williams

The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs for more information about  the review of Bathing Water regulations and associated guidance. The response would be shared with the petitioner, however Members agreed that dog walking restrictions were a matter for local authorities and so thanked the petitioner and closed the petition.

The Committee considered the petition and noted the comprehensive letter from Trac Cymru, which highlighted some of their recent successes and future ambitions. Members welcomed the forthcoming publication of a review of traditional music, produced in collaboration with the Arts Council of Wales. It was noted that the recommendations within the report will help shape the debate around future funding requirements. Given that this work and its recommendations will now be the subject of discussions between the Arts Council of Wales and Ministers, the Committee thanked the petitioners for raising the issue and agreed to close the petition.

The Committee considered the petition, and noted that highlighting the petition had been helpful to the Minister in advocating the matter with the UK Government. It was agreed to keep the petition open for now and to write once more to the Minister in the hope of securing a positive final outcome soon.

The Committee considered the petition and, as action is already being taken by the Welsh Government and a consultation is planned, it was agreed to thank the petitioner and close the petition. In doing so, the Committee also agreed to draw the petition to the attention of local Senedd Members.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to request a debate in the Senedd. It was also agreed to forward the petitioner’s further questions and concerns relating to planning policy to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to undertake a short inquiry and invite Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Wrexham Council, and Enovert to give oral evidence on how they are addressing the petitioners’ concerns. It was proposed that this take place in the autumn term to allow time for further work by the Hafod stakeholder group and residents group, and for Enovert’s remediation measures to be fully implemented.