Answers issued to Members on 14 November 2008
[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.
[W] signifies that the question was tabled in
Welsh.
Contents
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport
Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport
Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister outline proposed road improvements between Cwmbach and Newbridge and what consultation has been made with individuals affected by any such proposals excluding the public consultation that was held earlier in the year in Newbridge? (WAQ52707)
The Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport (Ieuan Wyn Jones): Following the public exhibition of draft scheme proposals for improvements between Cwmbach and Newbridge held in July, adjustments to the draft proposals have been made to reflect some of the comments made at the exhibition. Throughout the development of the proposals there has been extensive discussions with landowners, local residents and their elected representatives via the scheme’s public liaison officer who has met those affected on a number of occasions.
Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on roadworks on the A40 in the community of Crickhowell and between Crickhowell and Bwlch in Powys? (WAQ52710)
The Deputy First Minister: The Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency undertook a Skidding Resistance Measures scheme on the A40 just South of Bwlch. The works were undertaken by a Contractor, Tarmac, on 3rd, 4th and 5th November. The works mainly consisted of resurfacing and re-lining. A proprietary 'anti-skid’ surfacing has still to be applied on the bend at the junction with the B4560 by a specialist Contractor—this activity has narrow application tolerances and will be undertaken when suitable weather conditions prevail.
Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister detail the percentage of invoices received by public bodies for which they are responsible that are paid within 30 days, within 40 days and within 2 months, and provide figures for each of the previous three years? (WAQ52717)
The Deputy First Minister: My Department seeks to hold public bodies for which it is responsible for to the public sector benchmark of 95% of invoices to be paid within 30 days. Performance against this target is reported in the annual accounts of each organisation. Performance against other targets is not recorded by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing
Alun Cairns (South Wales West): Will the Minister make a statement on what the average (a) monthly and (b) annual fuel bills were for families in Wales in each of the last three years (i) in total and (ii) broken down by local authorities? (WAQ52725)
The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing (Jane Davidson): My officials have raised your query with colleagues from Ofgem, the energy industry regulators and unfortunately, this information in this detail is not currently available. However, energy use data (both domestic and non-domestic) broken down into local authority areas are available and can be accessed using the following link: http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/energy/statistics/regional/index.html
Chris Franks (South Wales Central): Will the Minister detail, species by species, what measures are being taken to reverse the decline of farmyard bird populations indicated by the new statistics from DEFRA? (WAQ52736)
Jane Davidson: Defra published updated statistics on wild bird populations in the UK on 31st October. For the 19 species of breeding farmland species covered, many of which are not represented in Wales, the statistics showed that there had been a decline of 3% in the index between 2006 and 2007.
To help counter this overall trend, a range of measures are being taken to support biodiversity among farmland bird populations in Wales. This includes appropriate habitat management under Tir Gofal and related agri-environment schemes which now cover 23% of Wales; the Rural Development Plan and actions it contains on biodiversity support; and the development of a new Woodlands Strategy for Wales.
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Chris Franks (South Wales Central): Will the Minister provide an update on the Cancer Care Plan for Wales? (WAQ52735)
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Edwina Hart): I refer to my letter of 8 July to all Assembly Members setting out my key actions to direct and guide the implementation of Designed to Tackle Cancer in Wales. This document and the programme of work for 2008-2011, published in August, constitutes my plan to improve cancer services across Wales.
Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): What consideration has the Welsh Assembly Government given to expanding the allowance for special leave for public duties for NHS staff to permit time off for PACT or Communities First commitments? (WAQ52734)
Edwina Hart: Under the Agenda for Change agreement the policy for special leave is for individual NHS employers to determine with their staff.
Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): How often is the allowance for public duties for NHS staff updated? (WAQ52733)
Edwina Hart: Where NHS staff undertake public duties, for example council duties for a local authority, any allowances they are entitled to are the responsibility of the public body concerned. Therefore any uplift to these allowances would also be the responsibility of that public body.