, Finance Committee
Introductions, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest
I'm seeing some friends from Fiji joining us this morning. So, welcome. Some clerks from the Fijian Parliament, I believe. It's good to see you and I hope you find this interesting.
, Finance Committee
Introductions, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest
A warm welcome to this meeting of the Finance Committee. It's good to be with you this morning and we have a session today looking at a Member's Bill, and so that's going to be very interesting. But, before that, just to note that the meeting is being…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
My office recently found out that the direct bus link between Blackwood and the Grange hospital has been axed after your Government funding came to an end. This is disappointing news, echoed across parties, not just for the people in the Blackwood area but…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
Thank you for that response.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
4. What is the Welsh Government doing to improve bus services in south-east Wales? OQ60710
, Plenary
Debate: The Police Settlement 2024-25
I've got a lot to get through, sorry, Mark. But perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that the Tory party, which has developed a persistent habit in recent years of breaking the rules, doesn't seem to see the value of investing in law and order. The consequence…
, Plenary
Debate: The Police Settlement 2024-25
The police settlement for 2024-25 lays bare the extent to which 14 years of Tory-driven austerity has compromised the safety of our communities. Due to the severity of cuts imposed on police forces during the Cameron administration, it is only now that we're…
, Plenary
The Non-Domestic Rating (Multiplier) (Wales) Regulations 2024
While we welcome the decision to cap the increase to the non-domestic rate multiplier in Wales below CPI inflation, this needs to be contextualised against the substantial cut in business relief from 75 per cent to 40 per cent as part of the upcoming budget…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: The Welsh Benefits System and Charter
As part of our co-operation agreement with the Welsh Government, we're committed to deliver the devolution of administration of the welfare system in Wales. In our view, it will ensure that the provision of welfare support is better tailored to our societal…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: The Welsh Benefits System and Charter
Thank you, Llywydd, and thank you for this afternoon's statement, Minister.
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
As with the map of category C and D coal tips in Wales, people also have the right to know the location of historic toxic sites. Unfortunately, there are many toxic sites throughout our country as a result of our industrial heritage and multinational…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Thank you for that answer.
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
3. How is the Welsh Government working with local authorities to ensure the safety of toxic sites in the south-east? OQ60715
, Plenary
Debate on the Local Government and Housing Committee Report, 'Diversity in Local Government'
I'd like to thank the Local Government and Housing Committee for this vitally important report. Democracy without diversity is no democracy at all, and as the grass roots of our democracy ecosystem here in Wales, it is essential that local government is at…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
I welcome the fact that the Welsh Government has recognised the need to further support local authorities during this period of extreme financial hardship—something that Plaid Cymru has been calling for ever since the draft budget was announced in December. I…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Thank you very much for that answer.
, Plenary
Topical Questions
2. What consultation has the Minister held with local authorities across Wales before the Welsh Government allocates consequential funding to local authorities in Wales following the UK Government's announcement in January 2024? TQ987
, Finance Committee
Motion under Standing Order 17.42(ix) to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of this meeting
So, under Standing Order 17.42, we resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of this meeting. Is everybody content? Thank you very much. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
, Finance Committee
Financial Implications of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
So, I think there's positivity around the table and power to your elbow when it comes to that, because, I think, it's important. In all our conversations with the third sector, I think that certainty of funding is important. I know we've drifted off on this…
, Finance Committee
Financial Implications of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
No, that's fine. You have the last word, Rhianon. There we are.
, Finance Committee
Financial Implications of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
Thank you. And I'll bring Rhianon in for the last question, and then we'll come to time. Thank you.
, Finance Committee
Financial Implications of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
As long as they tick their key performance indicators, then it's a lighter touch to—
, Finance Committee
Financial Implications of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
And I think your point about grants is interesting there as well, because grants can be given and taken away fairly quickly, without an awful lot of scrutiny of them, so that's another aspect, especially impacting the third sector, in particular, and local…
, Finance Committee
Financial Implications of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
It's hard to balance the two out, because from a prudent use of public money standpoint, which is what we're about, testing that, and the Government's understanding of how they're going to allocate budgets, it's finding that balance of too many 'what ifs' and…
, Finance Committee
Financial Implications of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill: Evidence session
Just finally, just a thought. This is again a framework Bill, and we've talked about them and we talk about them a lot in this committee because of the financial impact of them, and going back to what Mike was saying, it's how you measure success when it…
