Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies were received from Vaughan Gething MS. There was no substitution. 

Joel James MS declared a relevant interest under Standing Order 17.24A in relation to Items 2.3 and 2.4 on dentistry because his dentist had now gone private and cited the NHS contract as a reason.

The Committee considered the petition and noted that the Minister had acknowledged the incredible pressure on the sector but that things were happening in this policy area, and so there was little more the Petitions Committee could do at this point. It was therefore agreed to thank the petitioner for raising this important issue and to close the petition.

The Committee considered the petition and noted the importance of air quality and its effect on communities, and that Welsh Government’s position and rationale would not change. Different views were raised in discussion, before the Committee agreed to thank the petitioner for engaging in the petitions process, and to close the petition. 

Joel James MS declared a relevant interest under Standing Order 17.24A in relation to items 2.3 and 2.4 because his dentist had now gone private and cited the NHS contract as a reason.

The Committee considered the two petitions on dentistry together – Petition P-06-1551 (Item 2.3) and Petition P-06-1557 (Item 2.4) - and raised their concerns about dental service provision as a matter to be pursued further in the Seventh Senedd. In view of the timeline for implementing the new dental contract it was decided to thank the petitioners for raising such an important issue and close both petitions. It was agreed that in doing so the Committee would write to the HSC Committee to highlight both petitions.

The Committee considered the two petitions on dentistry together – Petition P-06-1551 (Item 2.3) and Petition P-06-1557 (Item 2.4) - and raised their concerns about the problems in dental service provision, as a matter to be pursued further in the Seventh Senedd. In view of the timeline for implementing the new dental contract it was decided to thank the petitioners for raising such an important issue and close both petitions. It was agreed that in doing so the Committee would write to the HSC Committee to highlight both petitions.

The Committee had considered the petition on six occasions and every time felt it was close to the point of introducing the certificate in Wales. It was difficult to understand the bureaucracy and delay, but the information provided by the Minister was accepted at face value and it was known how committed she was to implementation. It was hoped there would be a positive outcome to report by the Committee’s final meeting on 16 March. If not it would be for a successor committee to take it forward, and keep pushing the issue due to its importance for those affected. It was therefore agreed to keep the petition open.

The Committee considered the two petitions on learner travel together – Petition P-06-1533 (Item 3.2) and Petition P-06-1555 (Item 3.3). Sympathy was expressed with both sets of petitioners, and the impact of decisions taken by local authorities due to funding pressures was noted. The issue was extremely emotive and had been debated in the Siambr. Learner travel was something to review in the next Senedd, and very likely to be raised by young people affected. It was agreed to thank the petitioners and close both petitions in the expectation that it would be raised and debated in the Seventh Senedd.

The Committee considered the two petitions on learner travel together – Petition P-06-1533 (Item 3.2) and Petition P-06-1555 (Item 3.3). Sympathy was expressed with both sets of petitioners, and the impact of decisions taken by local authorities due to funding pressures was noted. The issue was extremely emotive and had been debated in the Siambr. Learner travel was something to review in the next Senedd, and very likely to be raised by young people affected. It was agreed to thank the petitioners and close both petitions in the expectation that it would be raised and debated in the Seventh Senedd.

This was a very emotive issue and the committee had heard the cases of women who had terminated their pregnancy as a result of HG. It was agreed to forward the petitioner’s additional detailed questions to the AWMSG, along with information the Chair had received about a case of access to the drug being complicated and difficult. Members agreed to keep the petition open until a response was received, noting that this could be in the Seventh Senedd.

The Committee considered the petition, acknowledging the importance of the issues raised and the need to take actions to resolve all the issues related to flood prevention and climate change. Parties would be setting out their position on climate change resilience and flood management in their manifestos. It was scrutinised by the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee (CCEI), but there was nothing further the Petitions Committee could do on the petition at this point in the Senedd term other than highlight it with the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs and the CCEI Committee. It had already been agreed to highlight flooding and water quality in the Committee’s legacy report as a hot topic.

The Committee discussed the petition again and noted the petitioners’ comments, and concerns which were shared by many teachers in Wales. In light of actions already taken and correspondence already received, it was agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary to ask if she would meet with the petitioner to discuss what more could be done. After sending the letter it was agreed that the petition would be closed. Any responses would be shared with the petitioner and published by the Committee.

Members noted the paper. 

Members noted the paper. 

The procedural motion was agreed.