Petitions Committee

Thank you, Chair. I note from the report that the station has been included to be opened amongst the Burns commission's recommendations, but I sense there is a concern at the delay that there's been. I was wondering whether or not it was a possibility to write to the Deputy Minister just to ask for specific timescales about the opening and why this, maybe, could not be expedited quicker to highlight the 'quick win' as the petitioner stated. I think we could also maybe write to the train companies that are operating through the station, Transport for Wales and Great Western Railway, just to see how ready they are to go and what's holding them back, if there is indeed anything.

Thank you for that, Joel. There were two suggestions to write letters there, one to the Deputy Minister with responsibility, and to the two train operators. I can see Buffy live on camera nodding in agreement. So, we'll action that. Thank you, Joel.

Item 2.2 is P-06-1296, 'Make the dorglwyd, Comins Coch junction on the A487 safer':

'This junction on the A487 is very dangerous. There have been many near misses and accidents. Cars come round the blind corner too fast.

'We believe safety could be improved by restricting the speed limit to 30mph or by installing a roundabout or traffic lights.'

It was submitted by Saleena Tomlinson, with 496 signatures. I will bring Members in to discuss. I'm looking at Buffy Williams in the Rhondda.

Diolch, Chair. I can see that the Deputy Minister has made a commitment to look at this once the roads review has been published. He states that if improvement needs to be made following the outcome of the roads review, then this is something that they will look at seriously. So, I think that this is a little bit of a win for the petitioner here. I'd like to thank the petitioner on this occasion and close this petition.

There's been a suggestion to close the petition. Do Members agree? They do.

Item 2.3 is P-06-1298, 'Petition for a Welsh Government inquiry into the campaign of trans rights activists at Cardiff University':

'In recent months at Cardiff University, transgender rights activists have waged a campaign of harassment and violent threats against academics critical of Stonewall. We feel that the university and police have failed to protect the academics, potentially reflecting the links of these organizations with Stonewall. We call for an inquiry into this affair.'

This was submitted by Christian Wilton King, with 2,346 signatures, 638 of those from Wales only. These allegations have been investigated by the university, and although the petitioners are not content with the outcome, police are also aware of it, and the Minister for education has said he is not able to intervene in response to our initial letter. Given that, I think it's clear that the committee cannot progress further with this particular petition. Do all Members agree? I can see that all Members of the committee agree with that. So, on that note, we will thank the petitioner and close the petition.

Item 2.4 is P-06-1301, 'Reconsider the exclusion to care home staff receiving the additional payment for social care workers':

'The Welsh government is currently accepting applications for an Additional social care payment aligned to the Real Living Wage (a taxable payment of £1,498) claiming that: "The additional payment demonstrates our commitment to improve the status, terms and conditions and career pathways for social care workers."

'We feel that by excluding all other essential care home roles, they have devalued our contribution, and are neglecting these essential care providers that Care Managers agree are vital!'

There is additional information available for Members in their packs. It was submitted by Anita Braine, with 540 signatures. I'd like to bring Members in to discuss this petition further, and I look to Buffy Williams again.

Diolch, Chair. I find it hard to see where else our committee can go with this petition. The Minister has made it clear about the reasoning for the real living wage being paid to those social care workers. They're required to register with Social Care Wales to practice, and that's, basically, where it comes from. So, there's not a lot we can do, as a committee, going forward. So, I think we should thank the petitioner and close this petition. As I say, I'm loath to close the petition, but I really don't see where else we as a committee can go with this petition right now.

Thank you, Buffy. I can see that Members are content with your suggestion and agree with what you've said there.

Item 2.5 is P-06-1303, 'Create, fund and sustain sufficient affordable nursery and childcare places for all working parents':

'Too many parents with young families are prohibited from taking up opportunities in employment, education and training due to the lack of affordable local childcare. This is keeping children and families in poverty, reducing choice for employers, and negatively affecting the wellbeing of families and the economy of Wales. It needs intervention at a political level to ensure this situation is addressed.'

This was submitted by Gill Byrne, with 96 signatures online and 164 signatures on paper, making a total of 260 collected signatures. I will bring committee members in to discuss. I'm looking at Joel James.

Thank you, Chair. I'm conscious that the Equality and Social Justice Committee has done quite a lot of work on this earlier in the year, and did a report. I think, if memory serves me right, they also debated it, in about March this year. But I think there's still a lot more that we can do as a Petitions Committee. I was just wondering, if the committee's supportive of it, whether or not we can contact the Deputy Minister again just to get some answers as to how will the Government ensure that, in the whole process across Wales, there's sufficient provision for it, that there is flexibility in that provision, and that it's available earlier in the morning and later in the evenings, taking into account people who work different hours. I know the petitioner has cited the examples of a lack of good provision in Ceredigion; it might be a good idea to share that with the Deputy Minister as well, just to see what the Deputy Minister's thoughts are on that sort of thing.

Thank you, Joel. Buffy, there were two suggestions there: to write back to the Deputy Minister, and also share the letter from the petitioner to the Minister. I can see you agree, and I do too. So, we will action those suggestions from Joel James there.