Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

No apologies were received.

Declarations of interest were made at the relevant points in proceedings – Items 2.1, 2.3 and 3.1.    

Rhys ap Owen MS declared a relevant interest in accordance with Standing Order 17.24A – the Petitioner is known to him and he had been involved with the campaign to keep the school open.

The Committee considered the petition and expressed their hope that the school would be successful in securing three years’ funding. The Committee thanked the lead petitioner, as well as the pupils and teachers of the school, and agreed to close the petition.

The Committee considered the petition, noting the reports published by the Senedd’s Equality and Social Justice Committee on childcare support, and the differences between provision in Wales and England. The Committee thanked the petitioners for highlighting a very important issue, noting childcare would be addressed in party manifestos in advance of the Senedd elections, and agreed to close the petition. 

Vaughan Gething MS declared a relevant interest in accordance with Standing Order 17.24A. He confirmed that he would not take part in the consideration of the petition, as the petitioner is known to him. He was aware of the issues raised, particularly those relating to Cosmeston Lake, which lies within his constituency. He has undertaken casework on the matter.

Joel James MS declared a relevant interest in accordance with Standing Order 17.24A. He had also been contacted on the issue which fell within his region.

The Committee considered the petition. Members recognised the strength of feeling on the issue, and Joel James MS expressed support for the petition. However, it was also noted that the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill was currently under scrutiny by the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee (CCEI). In light of this, the Committee agreed to refer the petition to the CCEI Committee for awareness, thanked the petitioner for bringing the matter forward, and agreed to close the petition.

The Committee considered the petition, with Members expressing opposing views on the nation of sanctuary policy and its implementation. It was agreed to thank the petitioner and close the petition.

The Committee considered the petition. On the basis that the issues raised were largely reserved, while the Welsh Government’s response highlighted increased funding for devolved actions on social cohesion, the Committee agreed to thank the petitioner and close the petition.

Carolyn Thomas MS declared a relevant interest in accordance with Standing Order 17.24A because there was reference made to the Shared Prosperity Fund. She chairs the stakeholder group for the  Local Growth Fund  (which has succeeded the SPF). Carolyn Thomas MS also declared that she was a member of a union - Unite the Union.

Vaughan Gething MS declared a relevant interest in accordance with Standing Order 17.24A that he had met the petitioner, and drew attention to his register of interests declaring that he was a member of several trade unions, including Unison, though not the Neath Port Talbot branch.

The Committee considered the petition and noted the response from Neath Port Talbot Council. Members acknowledged ongoing concerns regarding the transition from the Shared Prosperity Fund to the Local Growth Fund and the effect of how funding allocations are made on local employment. These were local matters for local authorities, the First Minister was engaged in managing the transition, and it was likely to be an issue for Members of the Seventh Senedd and the future subject committee. In light of this, the Committee thanked the petitioner and agreed to close the petition.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed that, while the issues raised—particularly around local government pensions were important, they mainly fell outside the Committee’s remit. It was agreed to close the petition, but in doing so to forward the petitioner’s correspondence to the Wales Pensions Partnership (WPP) and share any response with the petitioner. The Committee also agreed to note the issue in its legacy report for consideration by the Seventh Senedd.

The Committee considered the petition and welcomed the response from the health board on the business case being developed for the service in question. It was hoped that the success of the pilot would be noted and that the petition had achieved its aim. The Committee thanked the petitioner and closed the petition. In doing so it was agreed to forward the Health Board’s correspondence to the Health and Social Care Committee for awareness.

The Committee considered the petition and noted that, at its last meeting, it was agreed to keep the petition open while sharing the petitioner’s comments with the health board. Having received a detailed response from the health board, highlighting significant challenges, and shared that with the petitioner, the Committee confirmed its decision to now thank the petitioner and close the petition.

The Committee considered the petition and the response from the Cabinet Secretary highlighting a consultation on safeguarding. Members noted that the petitioner would have the opportunity to raise their issues in the public consultation on safeguarding. In light of this, the Committee agreed to forward the petitioner’s further correspondence to the Cabinet Secretary to be taken into account for the consultation process, thanked the petitioner, encouraging them to participate in the consultation, and closed the petition.

The Committee considered the petition and noted the work being done by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) to promote women’s and girls’ participation in football. Members agreed to forward the petitioner’s questions to the FAW, commended the petitioners for raising the issue on behalf of women and girls and equality, and closed the petition.

Members noted the paper. 

The procedural motion was agreed.