Senedd Watch - July 2013

Owen : As you'll notice, I've switched from the default Blogger comments system to Disqus (notes available from Welsh not British) and I've updated the Comments Policy accordingly. This isn't because of any problem, I just thought it needed an update.

I have no issue with anonymous comments, and you can still leave them as either a guest or under the name “Anonymous”, but you need to provide an e-mail (which isn't revealed). You can also sign in to the system using Facebook, Twitter or Google+ too as far as I can tell.

• The Assembly's Public Accounts Committee report into civil emergencies recommended that some executive powers be devolved to the Welsh Government. It followed a critical report by the Wales Audit Office, which highlighted confusion between Welsh and UK roles during such emergencies.
• Education Minister Huw Lewis (Lab, Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney) introduced the Education Bill, which will reorganise the General Teaching Council for Wales, makes changes to procedures surrounding post-16 education for special needs pupils, and give Welsh Ministers powers to set school holidays.
• The chief executive and acting chief executive of Caerphilly Council were arrested and bailed on suspicion of fraud. It follows an investigation by Avon and Somerset Police into pay rises awarded to senior council officers, which were criticised by both the Wales Audit Office and trade unions.
• The Assembly passed the Human Transplantation Bill on July 2^nd by 43 votes to 8. The Human Transplantation Act 2013 will create an “opt out” system for organ donation for Welsh residents, sets out arrangements for appointing representatives to make a decision on someone's behalf and defines “consent”. Health Minister Mark Drakeford (Lab, Cardiff West) said he was “proud” of both passing the Bill and the way in which the Assembly scrutinised it.
• The measles outbreak in the Swansea area – which resulted in more than 1,200 confirmed cases and one death – was declared over on July 3^rd. On July 9^th, it was revealed that the epidemic cost Abertawe Bro Morgannwg LHB up to £500,000.
• Opposition politicians criticised Welsh Government claims that the Welsh NHS had broken even, as £82million was brought forward from contingency funds to enable local health boards to meet their annual targets.
• The Information Commissioner upheld an appeal, requesting the Welsh Government release draft “Case for Change” report documents, which set out arguments for hospital reorganisations. Elin Jones AM (Plaid, Ceredigion), said it was a “victory for openness and transparency”. The Welsh Government said they withheld the documents because resources were increasingly diverted towards media management. Peter Black AM (Lib Dem, South Wales West) described it as a “nonsense excuse”, proving that Welsh Ministers thought they were “above scrutiny”.
• Minister for Food & Natural Resources, Alun Davies (Lab, Blaenau Gwent), said he would work to create a “transparent and fair” farm subsidy system in the wake to reforms to the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Welsh Lib Dem leader, Kirsty Williams, said cancelling the Tir Mynydd scheme in 2012 had “put farmers at a disadvantage” compared to the rest of the UK.
• A redacted version of the Jillings Report – not previously published - into child abuse in north Wales care homes was released on July 8^th. It revealed “extensive abuse” from the 1970s through to the 1990s, described as “bestial”. It resulted in at least 12 deaths, five convictions and highlighted significant failures in police and staff investigations.
• Health Minister Mark Drakeford announced that ambulance services would be commissioned by local health boards in future, in response to the McClelland Review into the Wales Ambulance Trust earlier this year. He also announced that NHS budgets would be reviewed to prevent care and mortality scandals.
• Business Minister Edwina Hart (Lab, Gower) announced that several road projects were to “progress” - including the Cardiff Eastern Bay Link - subject to finance. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Jane Hutt (Lab, Vale of Glamorgan) said Severn Bridge tolls could be used to finance the proposed M4 Newport bypass.
• A Beaufort poll for The Western Mail found that more Welsh voters would vote to leave the EU than stay – by 37% to 29% - with the rest undecided or uninterested. A referendum is expected in 2017.
• PCC Alun Michael (Lab, South Wales) called for the devolution of policing and criminal justice to Wales, describing the current arrangement as “de-facto devolution”. He echoed comments made by the First Minister about devolving policing as part of the Silk Commission.
• A land deal between the Regeneration Investment Fund for Wales (RIFW) and South Wales Land Developments was referred to the Serious Fraud Office. It follows an initial complaint by Byron Davies AM (Con, South Wales West), and subsequent Wales Audit Office and Welsh Government internal investigations.
• The Standards Commissioner – Gerard Elias QC – published his annual report on July 15^th, calling for AMs to behave better in their private lives, following high-profile censures of Assembly Members during the past year.
• The Assembly's Local Government Committee report into home adaptions for the elderly & disabled described current arrangements as “bewildering” and means testing as “complex and unfair”. They recommended a customer charter and that the Welsh Government set minimum standards.
• Alun Davies announced that the “True Taste Awards” - which recognised good quality food – were to be scrapped and replaced for not having enough “positive aspects”. The Minister will launch a review on a new brand, which would "place a distinct emphasis on Wales".
• Housing and Regeneration Minister, Carl Sargeant (Lab, Alyn & Deeside), lowered housebuilding carbon emission reduction targets – due to come into force in 2014 - from 40% to 8%. It's claimed the reduction would save £4,000 on the cost of a home. Environmental campaigners were said to be “gobsmacked” and questioned the Welsh Government's commitment to sustainable development.
• On July 17^th, the National Assembly approved the Agricultural Sector Bill. It'll create a new panel to replace the Agricultural Wages Board, which was wound up by the UK Government in June. On July 2^nd, the Assembly approved a government motion that it should be treated as “emergency legislation”. On July 9^th, the Assembly approved the general principles of the Bill. A Jocelyn Davies AM (Plaid, South Wales East) amendment to scrap “zero hour” contracts in agriculture was rejected, drawing condemnation.
• The National Assembly entered summer recess on July 19^th, remaining so until September 23^rd 2013.
• Sports Wales chief, Prof. Laura McAllister, warned that Wales' Olympics legacy was threatened by budget cuts to local authorities. There are indicators that participation has increased by 30-40% in some sports, but Prof. McAllister highlighted the need to match sports budgets to health and education.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Wales rose by 191% in 2012-13 according to UK Trade & Industry – a performance described as “sparkling”. 67 projects creating or safeguarding more than 6,500 jobs. The First Minister said the figures were “extremely encouraging” but warned against complacency.
• Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Davies (Con, South Wales Central), called for an inquiry into neglect at two Abertawe Bro Morgannwg LHB hospitals, after an elderly patient was left dehydrated - subsequently dying - after receiving treatment at both. The cause of death relayed to the family was also different from the post-mortem results. The LHB accepted the criticisms of the Public Services Ombudsman and paid the family £1,000 in compensation.
• Plans for a £280million motorsports complex in Blaenau Gwent were approved by Blaenau Gwent councillors, but were put on hold by the Welsh Government for further consideration to determine if it should be called in. Natural Resources Wales expressed concerns about the impact on the environment, but supporters claim it could generate up to £50million per year for the local economy.

Projects announced in July include : A personalised support programme for 5,000 people as part of the Welsh Government's Tackling Poverty Action Plan, approval for a £13.4m replacement for Afan Lido in Port Talbot, plans for a £33million agri-research centre in Aberystwyth, a £1.2million grant scheme to part-fund the costs of bovine TB vaccinations and the launch of an express bus service between Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Airport.