, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
I would say the current system is obviously resource-intensive and bureaucratic, because there are so many areas fighting against each other instead of pulling together in one way. If anything, my Bill can come forward with a more focused approach that every…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
Thank you, Chair. Yes, the Minister has made it pretty clear that she doesn't feel it's necessary to have this legislation, and we've disagreed all the way through. Whilst there is acknowledgement that there are good pieces of policy being developed across…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Food (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 1
Good morning, Chair, and good morning, Members. It's a pleasure to be with you this morning. I'm Peter Fox, the Member in charge of the Bill. I'm supported today by Tyler Walsh, who works with me, together with Sam Davies from legal services and Elfyn…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
Okay. Thank you.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
Yes, I think we look forward to seeing that; it gives everybody confidence, doesn't it, and the public as well. The last question from me is about NHS overspend and financial discipline. We know that all but one of our local health boards are projecting a…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
I mean, that's really important, and that's great that that's going ahead, because recruitment is really important. But, the focus today was on retention—holding on to those people. So, we can spend a huge amount of money getting people through the system and…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
Thank you. We had an evidence session this morning with the Welsh NHS Confederation and ADSS Cymru, and what came through loud and clear was that the main issue around workforce was retention. That is the massive issue, especially if you think of, in social…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
Just linked to that—and I thank Mike for raising it, and I have raised it in the Chamber before now—have you given any consideration—? Mike has made a good point, and there is no criticism of authorities mounting significant reserves. Some have done it…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
Yes. It's understanding the priority; it's net zero versus quality of physical building, and that's just a decision, isn't it? So, I think that's me covered.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
Value engineering. So, so instead of certain wood in the doors, you put a different wood in the doors which is half the money. But net zero across the piece isn't compromised through the challenges around capital.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
I see. So, in theory then, when local education authorities are looking at amending their schools, they're going to have to do that through other mitigations in their overarching programme, other than hitting anything that can touch net zero. So, you have to…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
I suppose, really, just on that theme of meeting net zero objectives; I know, in December, you recognised that, obviously, capital invested in schools is going to deliver less in that regard now. So, do we have to accept that we're not going to meet our net…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
[Inaudible.]—putting charges up.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
And just moving on to another environmental theme, there have been challenges in that funding to support biodiversity has been reduced across the piece. I just wondered how you respond to that challenge.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
Yes. If I could move briefly on to carbon assessments. I know, in December, you said that they remained valid and you were content that they remained valid. I just wonder if you can confirm that you are still satisfied that all of the new actions identified…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
The budget improvement plan suggests that work on prevention was delayed as work on the strategic integrated impact assessment was undertaken. What can we expect to see once this future work on prevention is undertaken?
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
Thanks. Thanks for that. That was a useful discussion, and it's not only us who are wanting to get a better understanding. It was clear from the evidence session with the future generations commissioner, you know, that—. I think she's recommended to you that…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
Thanks for giving that example of the one MEG, and that's where it's difficult, when many areas of things are now held or—not deprioritised, but sort of have to be shelved a little. When it's spread over so much, it's very difficult for us to challenge and…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
Yes—
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
Thank you, Chair. I wouldn't mind exploring budget prioritisation and prevention and how the impacts of the budget are demonstrated. If I could start by—. What are the implications of pausing or reducing revenue spending in areas where you've decided to take…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 8
I would support more borrowing powers.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 7
A final point from me, and I'll keep it short. It's about the wider workforce and the National Joint Council pay offer for 2022-23. I just wondered what impact that agreement is having on local authorities, and what assumptions have you made in terms of the…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 7
Thank you, Llinos, and it's not always a money issue, is it, either with social care? It's actually finding the human resource to deliver the unmet hours every week, and I recognise the challenge and I feel for you all. You talk about workforce pressures…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 7
Okay. Thanks, Lis, for that. Just to explore a little bit more the pressures highlighted by yourselves, including social care and staff pay, in your evidence, you talk about the impact of the pandemic on existing challenges within social care, and I totally…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session 7
Yes, we'll move on. It's a shame that, perhaps, the local government family can't mobilise some of the reserves it has got to create a floor that enables all authorities to protect citizens from the highest of council taxes. Anyway, I'll move on. So, local…
