Speaking as Shadow Local Government Minister in the Debate on the Local Government Settlement 2019-20, I stated “With the exception of Denbighshire, which now receives a flat settlement, all North Wales Councils receive a cut, with the largest cuts in Flintshire, Conwy, and Anglesey, alongside Monmouthshire and Powys, at 0.3%”. I also noted that Councils receiving the highest settlement in this budget are sitting on over £800m in usable reserves.
Speaking in the Debate on the proposed Autism Bill, which Labour defeated, I stated “Every day, I and my office are contacted by Autistic people or their family members, in crisis. We are constantly having to advise public service providers - including the Integrated Autism Service – on how things need to be done differently with Autistic people. People on the autism spectrum have a huge contribution to make to society but not when they are floundering without proper understanding, support and opportunities”.
Questioning the First Minister, I raised Buckley Town Council’s call for an investigation after a site of 28 homes went forward without affordable housing inclusion. In accordance with 'Planning Policy Wales', Flintshire's policy seeks to provide at least 30 per cent affordable housing on sites with a minimum of 25 dwellings.
I called for Welsh Government Statements following the UK Government’s proposal that the carrier bag levy should be doubled from 5p to 10p in England, and following the UK Government announcement that life-saving skills are to be included as part of the school curriculum in England. Neither apply in Wales.
Hitachi announced that it was suspending work on Wylfa Newydd nuclear power plant. Questioning both the Finance Minister and Economy Minister Ken Skates, I noted this project has potentially significant economic benefits and that the Welsh Government called in plans to prepare the site last month.
I also questioned Mr Skates over delayed and cancelled train services in North Wales.
Questioning the Brexit Minister, I noted concerns raised by Airbus If we don't have a transition deal, the £10 billion increase in UK defence and aerospace industry deals over the last 12 months, and Airbus’s welcome of the UK Government’s Aerospace Sector Deal.
South Wales engagements included a visit to HMP Parc Prison.
North Wales engagements included visits with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists to ‘Healthy Prestatyn’, straddling Denbighshire and Flintshire, and to the Bethesda Hydro Power Project, and a meeting with Natural Resources Wales’ Executive Director Operations for North and Mid Wales.
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