Petitions Committee

We now move on to new petitions being considered in the committee for the first time. The first of these petitions was referred from the previous Senedd, because the response from the previous Welsh Government was not received in time for the petition to be considered before the election. So, I'll invite Members to make comment on these petitions as we go through them in turn. However, we've not yet had an opportunity to write to the new Welsh Government on these petitions, or consider its responses, or to share the Government's position with petitioners.

Therefore, in line with the practice adopted by the previous Petitions Committee, I invite Members to agree that the first action on each new petition that has reached 250 signatures for consideration should be to seek a response from the Government or other relevant public body. Are all Members content with that approach? Okay. Thank you very much.

The first one, then: P-07-1548 'Welsh Government to provide fair funding to Cardiff Council to enable essential works on Roath Park Primary'.

'Roath Park Primary, a 130-year-old school, has been covered in scaffolding since 2021 after a piece of the roof fell. Since then, the building has deteriorated further. The scaffolding alone has cost £500k. Classrooms are dark and cold. The pavement is blocked, making drop off/ pick up dangerous. The school is at risk of closure. The council requires adequate funding from Welsh Government in order for it to commit to a timescale to complete the works. The school is at risk of being overlooked until it’s too late.'

And the submitter for that is a Nia O’Donnell, 658 signatures, and I'd like to invite Joe to discuss the petition and any action you wish the committee to take.

Sure. Obviously, it's been mentioned that this has actually already received a response from a Government Minister, so I suppose we get to ask if we'd like them to issue another one. Essentially, it's asking for additional funding to go and fix a roof in a school that's fallen in. The previous response from the Minister said:

'Local knowledge must be used to prioritise authorities' revenue funding and capital investment in addressing any poor-condition buildings on the education estate',

essentially saying that it's the responsibility of local authorities to prioritise already existing revenue. So, it's, essentially, their responsibility to find out if they're going to prioritise this as something that needs to get done.

Page 39 has additional details about what that funding actually looks like. So, there's a couple of streams that it can come through, the first being the Welsh Government's Sustainable Communities for Learning capital programme, or the capital repairs and maintenance grant that it receives from the Welsh Government. So, the Government's, essentially, sent money to the local authorities; it's up to local authorities to decide whether they're going to repair this particular roof with that money. In the details it says,

'Roath Park Primary School is not included in Cardiff Council’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Rolling Programme 2024-2033'.

So, I suppose, ultimately, the response outlines the fact that it's not the position of the Welsh Government to say whether this particular roof is going to be fixed. Obviously, I think ultimately the outcome that we're looking for is one whereby a school has a roof that hasn't got an enormous hole in it. So, yes, maybe we could ask for a statement on whether that's actually gone ahead, and, if it's not the responsibility of that particular Minister, can they have relevant discussions with the local authority to make sure that the repairs do actually go ahead. Obviously, there's a limited budget, but this seems like one that should be prioritised with the existing money.

No, I'd agree. It sounds like it's in a shocking state. I'm surprised they've let it get that far, but—.

Yes, exactly.

Chair, can I come in on this?

Please.

Am I right in saying you said that the money's already been given by Welsh Government to Cardiff Council for repairs, but they've decided not to use that funding?

Well, page 39 has got details of it, which I've tried to ingest as best I can, but, essentially, there are two particular streams that they'd get the money from, which the Welsh Government has already provided, but for some reason those repairs haven't taken place yet. The response from the Minister suggests that it's the responsibility of the local authorities. Square that with the fact that the repairs still haven't taken place yet, so, if we'd like the repairs to go ahead, then it seems like someone at some point in the chain needs to be taking accountability and responsibility for making sure that goes ahead. So, maybe we could speak to the Minister to make sure that that's in place.

Yes, I would agree with that.

So, we're encouraging dialogue, basically.

Yes, and also action as well.

Because it is a grade II listed building as well, so it's not something we want to see go to wrack and ruin, either.

No, exactly. And the fact that it took place—. I think the petition closed in November of last year, and, obviously, we're in July now, so it needs to happen.

All right. So, summarising the agreed action: to write to the Minister. Agreed?

Yes, and ask him to contact the council: why are they not using the funding that's there?

[Inaudible.]

Yes. So, we'll include that statement in the letter as well. Okay, thank you very much. Good brief.

Moving on then to the next item, 3.2, P-07-1564, ‘Restore parental consent for Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) lessons in the Curriculum for Wales’.

‘Under the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021, parents lost the right to withdraw their children from Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) lessons. This applies to all schools, including faith schools.

'Parents deserve the right to consent to or withdraw from religious instruction that conflicts with family beliefs, and to be clearly informed in advance when external faith representatives are invited to deliver lessons in schools.’

The submitter for this is Samantha Carson, and we've got 614 signatures. I invite Elwyn to discuss the petition and any actions you'd like the committee to take.

Diolch yn fawr, Gadeirydd, thank you, Chair. Yes, it is fairly straightforward, and thank you, Samantha, for your petition. In essence, as has been referenced, there's a fairly new curriculum in Wales, of course, and there's a feeling that parents should still have the right to not participate in RVE lessons, but of course the curriculum has made it mandatory participation. And in very simple terms, basically, we haven't got any guidance yet from Welsh Government, so the proposal is, really, to seek a response from Welsh Government before we or anybody else can consider any further action.

Yes, I think that's fair: seek more information. So, again, we'll write to the Minister to seek their position before we bring that one back for further consideration. All agreed? Good, good.

Moving on to P-07-1588, ‘Introduce a Basic Income for the Arts scheme in Wales, modelled on Ireland’s successful initiative.’

'Ireland has launched a landmark Basic Income for the Arts pilot providing €325 per week to 2,000 artists and cultural workers. The scheme has reduced financial anxiety, increased creative productivity, and strengthened Ireland’s cultural economy.

'Wales can lead the UK by introducing a similar initiative.

'We urge the Welsh Government to:

'Commission a feasibility study to explore a Welsh version of Ireland’s programme;

'Design a 3-year pilot offering a regular basic income to at least 1,000 Welsh creatives;

'Fund and evaluate the pilot through Creative Wales, in collaboration with the Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh Government’s Basic Income Evaluation Team.’

The submitter of this is Simon Lewis. It has 472 signatures, 453 of which are from Wales. I invite Sara to discuss the petition and any actions you wish the committee to take.

Thanks, Chair. This petition, again, I'd like to thank Simon for bringing it and the work that he's done on this. The petition sets out clear asks of the Welsh Government to develop a Welsh version of the Irish basic income pilot for the arts. It points to the Welsh basic income pilot for care leavers, and a final evaluation of that is due in a year’s time. The research brief outlines work done by the previous Senedd culture committee on the level of funding for culture and the arts in Wales and the UK compared to other countries, and it also details manifesto commitments to support the creative industries in Wales. For this, this one feels like a fairly straightforward one as well: in the first instance, to seek a response to the petition from Welsh Government and share that with the petitioner for comment before further consideration, if everybody's in agreement.

All agreed? Very good. Thank you very much.

Moving on, then, to petition P-07-1569, 'Ban shops selling vapes like sweets; ban sweet-style marketing and branding to stop underage vaping'.

'Vaping among underage minors is rising in Wales. Many shops sell vapes in sweet-style packaging with child friendly names, making vaping visually and dangerously appealing. Nicotine exposure harms brain development and can lead to addiction. Shops using candy-like branding and designs normalise vaping for young people. We call on the Welsh Government to ban shops from selling vapes like sweets, and stop sweet-style marketing, packaging, and branding to protect young people and cut underage vaping.'

The submitter is Sian Farrelly, 321 signatures, 312 of which are from Wales. I invite Donna to discuss the petition and any actions you'd like the committee to take.

Okay. Firstly, I'd like to thank the 1st Aberdare (St Fagans) Scout Group. Sian is actually the Scout leader of this group. They've actually brought this petition forward, so it's about young people bringing it forward on behalf of young people. Yes, so, basically, what they actually want is to seek a detailed response from the Welsh Government on what more can be done. The sort of packaging that they have, and it's getting more younger, younger people—. I've actually got stats here now; I looked them up earlier. I think it was that 7 per cent of young people aged 11 to 16 in Wales reported vaping weekly in 2023, and that was rising to 15.9 per cent among year 11 learners. Now, this is actually an issue where I know it seems like it's the 'in' thing to smoke these vapes, but it can actually lead then to young people actually smoking tobacco, because they become addicted to nicotine. So, I would support the recommendation that the action is that we seek a detailed response from the Welsh Government on what more can be done, and share that with the petitioners for comment before further consideration of the petition.

Yes, I absolutely support that and commend the Scout group for bringing this forward. It's good to see young people looking out for their own generation, I think. It's fantastic.

Yes, I think it's fantastic.

Vikki.

Chair, I agree with those comments and I'd just like to point out that the St Fagans Scout group did write to me in my MS capacity back in the last Senedd term telling me all about this petition and their commitment to the health and well-being of young people. I do think it's really wonderful to see young people taking such an interest in the world around them and engaging with this Senedd with a petition like this.

Yes, I completely agree.

Congratulate them.

I just want to add as well on the record how thankful we are that young people want to engage, and especially seeing this is from the constituency the three of us represent here as well is fantastic. So, I'd like to put my thanks on the record as well. Diolch yn fawr.

Yes, absolutely. We just don't know the damage vapes are doing either. They're still fairly new. So, I wholeheartedly support the action that we're about to take on this and look forward to seeing it progress in time. Is there anything anybody would like to add before we move on? So, again, we will seek a detailed response from Welsh Government on what can be done and we'll share that with the petitioners in due course.

Next on our agenda is petition P-07-1589, 'Keep Welsh-speaking children with complex needs in Wales—stop placements in England'.

'Welsh-speaking children with severe and complex additional needs are being sent to England due to no suitable placements in Wales. We call for urgent local Welsh-medium provision.'

I invite Janet to discuss the petition and any actions you wish the committee to take.

Thank you. The petitioner's son is a Welsh-speaking student with severe and complex needs, including autism, ARFID, pica and anxiety. Currently, there are no suitable places in north Wales, so he must go to England. They are calling on the Welsh Government to create local placements for children with complex needs and develop a fund for Welsh-medium specialist provision. This petition has received 560 signatures—537 came from Wales—and the petition has been raised from Bangor Conwy Môn. The petition closed on 18 June and today is its first consideration. This current petition relates to specialist residential educational placements for children and young people, both primary and secondary age, with the most complex ALN needs. In particular, it highlights the need for Welsh-medium placements closer to home. The petition is not intended as a criticism of the specialist provision her child will receive, but does highlight the lack of appropriate residential educational provision closer to home for children with the most complex ALN. Families should not have to choose between accessing the specialist education and care their child needs and keeping them close to their family, community, language and culture, which is essential. So, a possible action would be to write to the Welsh Government and share with them the concerns that the petitioner has raised for comment before further consideration of this petition.

Thank you, Janet. Can I just apologise, as well, to the submitter? I neglected to mention that during the introduction—Nia. It's important we recognise the people who submitted them, and I apologise for missing that in the brief. Has anybody got any additional comments they'd like to make on this? Sara.

Again, it's in agreement with the petitioner, really, on the importance of this. I think if you are talking about things that are related to your health, and especially the more complex that gets, we need to be able to talk to them in the language that they genuinely understand. I've seen this when I worked in the health service. It's a very important issue. It's not just about being able to particularly speak both languages; it's the one you understand the most, and it isn't right that you have to go across the border to access care. I just want to put that again on the record, how important an issue this is. It's probably wider than this particular circumstance as well, but it matters.

Yes, absolutely. Thank you. Elwyn.

The additional point I was going to make is we're well aware there's a wider conversation about ALN at the moment and talks about a longer term sustainable strategy. Perhaps this should be borne in mind as a potentially relevant aspect and part of that strategy.

Yes. I don't disagree with that. All right. Any other comments to add? If we're all agreed, then, we'll seek a response from the Welsh Government and share that with the petitioner for comment before further consideration. Okay. Thank you very much.

The next one, P07-1590, 'Bring Jess's Rule to Wales to prevent missed & delayed diagnoses'.

'Too many people—especially women—are told their pain is "normal" and endure years of misdiagnosis. Jess’s Rule creates additional safeguards to the existing measures in Wales through a "three strikes" approach: mandatory follow-up and timely investigation for persistent symptoms, including a formal trigger after repeated visits. The specific protections set out in Jess's Rule exist in England but not in Wales. Everyone deserves equal care.'

The submitter is Tiffany Summerfield, and it has 1,572 signatures, 1,292 of which are from Wales. I invite Vikki to discuss the petition and any actions you wish the committee to take.

Thank you, Chair. Some of us might be aware of Jess's rule. It's gathered quite a lot of attention, actually, in the press over the last few months. We've got a research brief in addition to our papers today and we can see that the named policy that's been introduced in England hasn't been adopted in the same way here in Wales, but other patient safety initiatives implemented here by the previous Government pointed to that development of a national patient safety plan. We've got the the Health and Social Care Quality Engagement (Wales) Act 2020, which places a duty of quality on Welsh Ministers and NHS bodies in relation to health services, and that also created the duty of candour on NHS service providers, which has applied since 1 April 2023.

So, in relation to what we can do next with this petition from Tiffany, I think our strongest course of action, really, is to seek a response to the petition from the Welsh Government. I think we need to include in that the fact that Tiffany, as the petitioner, has the view that those additional safeguards provided by Jess's rule aren't covered in the same way by patient safety measures in Wales. So, I think we need to write to the Welsh Government to actually set that all out, see what response we get from the Cabinet Minister, and then share that with the petitioner for further comment, before coming back to this again.

Yes, okay. Good brief. Does anybody else have anything to add? No. Okay. We will do that, then—the agreed action to seek a response to the petition from Welsh Government, and we'll obviously include the petitioner's view that additional safeguards are not covered by current measures in Wales. So, that's the agreed action. That concludes that particular agenda item.

So, we'll move on now to agenda item 4, papers to note. Now, these papers do not require decisions or discussions by the committee, but please make it known if you'd like to comment on any of them, and they are in your packs.

So, the first one there is P-06-1521, 'Give park home residents in Wales the right to a water meter'. I invite Members to note the update received during dissolution and shared with the petitioner. This petition is one that was referred to the committee from the sixth Senedd, and so committee consideration remains open. It is proposed Members note this update now, and then return to the petition after the Welsh Government has published the outcome of a Green Paper consulting on reforming water governance in Wales. So, Members to note. Any comments? Okay.

The next one is, P-06-1510, 'Direct NRW to revoke the environmental permit and ensure the closure of Enovert's, Hafod Landfill Site in Wrexham'. I invite Members to note the two letters relating to a closed petition, which have been shared with the petitioner. All noted? Any comments?

Just to say that this touches back to the petition that I introduced to the committee earlier on, and the fact that Elwyn and I both said there is this wider issue around landfill that we would like the climate change and environment committee to consider, and for the Minister to be scrutinised on that as well.

Great point. Thank you.

The next one is P-06-1572, 'Lead and fund a long-term flood mitigation solution for the B4318 and Tenby catchment'. I invite Members to note the correspondence relating to a closed petition, which has been shared with the petitioner. Any comments? Noted.

The next one is P-06-1538, 'Protect full stroke services at Bronglais Hospital; prevent downgrade to Treat and Transfer'. I invite Members to note the correspondence relating to a closed petition, which has been shared with the petitioner. Has anybody got any comments? All noted.

The next one, P-06-1575, 'Protect GP services at Meddygfa’r Sarn, Pontyates'. Apologies for my pronunciation, if I've got that wrong. I invite members to note the correspondence relating to a closed petition, which has been shared with the petitioner. Has anybody got any comments to add? Okay. Noted.

The next section is a motion under Standing Order 17.42 to resolve to exclude the public from the meeting for the remainder of this meeting, and the committee’s next scheduled meeting on 16 July at 15:00. And that concludes our public business for today.

So, I propose, as matters for discussion relate to the internal business of the committee, that, in accordance with Standing Order 17.42, the committee resolves to meet in private for the remainder of this meeting, and the following meeting scheduled for 16 July. Are Members content? Thank you. Okay, into private.