Welsh Government Cabinet Committees to May 2007
Just a tidying-up post....
The May 2007 Assembly election meant that there were obnly a couple of meetings for each Cabinet Committee.
The Children and Young People’s Committee had two meetings. At the first meeting, on 29 January Cabinet Sub Committee members joined the Chair in expressing their sorrow at the death of Peter Clarke, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. The meeting had a small number of substantive discussions.
The Minister for Children introduced a paper on strategic priorities for children and young people, which presented the conclusions of a ‘gap analysis’ undertaken by the CYP Officials Group in consultation with Group Directors.
The Minister for Health and Social Services provided an update on the implementation of the Children’s National Service Framework to date, and an indication of future plans. The Minister explained that a wide ranging Implementation Working Group had been established to ensure strategic overview and direction. It was acknowledged that performance was relatively poor in relation to some Core Key Actions. Ministers noted that Strategic and Financial Framework (SaFF) targets would continue to evolve over the project’s lifetime and asked that an appropriate future target setting round take into account the conclusions of the report on Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services, scheduled for publication in summer 2008. Ministers asked that the NSF Implementation Working Group be expanded to include representation from all relevant Ministerial portfolios
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The Minister for Children presented the Cabinet Sub Committee with proposals for establishing a common approach to evaluating programmes and policies for children and young people
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The Minister for Health and Social Service set out the current state of the childcare workforce and its relationship to the labour market in Wales. The paper examined existing pressures, including labour market issues, and future actions. Ministers discussed issues around retention and high turnover rates within the workforce. It was noted that the majority of workers were employed by local authorities and independent sector employers. The development of a strategic framework to bring together local and regional partnerships to create better social care workforce planning and development was welcomed. It was noted that low wages, unfavourable terms and conditions, and status issues adversely affected the ability to recruit and retain staff in the children’s workforce, particularly as employers in the sector faced competition from similarly-paid retail and customer service occupations.
At the meeting on 26 February, Ministers received a paper on Implementation of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. It was agreed that the paper should be rescheduled for consideration at a future Cabinet meeting and that briefing sessions should be arranged with each Minister in advance of the Cabinet meeting to explain the implications of the Act for each portfolio.
Deputy Minister Christine Chapman introduced a paper, which identified how much of the Assembly Government’s budget was spent on children. The successful conclusion of this exercise meant that the Assembly Government had met its obligation under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to provide an indicator of the percentage of overall spend allocated to children. The exercise had concluded that around 30% of the Assembly Government’s overall budget for 2005-06 had been spent on services of benefit to children, who made up 22% of the population within Wales. Ministers noted that percentages of spend from each Ministerial portfolio had been identified. Ministers also recognised the opportunity provided by this exercise to further examine spending priorities in relation to children.
Officials introduced a paper, which provided Ministers with a draft of the National Youth Service Strategy, designed to provide a vision for the service in Wales and an action plan to ensure youth work’s contribution to the Assembly Government’s policy agenda. A wide ranging consultative process had been undertaken in developing the strategy, including the establishment of a reference group and a 12 week public consultation exercise
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The Minister for Children introduced the draft guidance and regulations due to issue to Local Authorities in relation to the development and implementation of single Strategic Children & Young People’s Plans from 2008, in accordance with the requirements of the Children Act 2004. The Minister explained that the implementation of single plans was intended to produce a simplified approach to planning and delivering services for children and young people at local level. It was recognised that the guidance had been developed through a wide-ranging participative process. The Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning & Skills informed colleagues that the introduction of Single Education Plans had been a success, with Esytn so far having signed off 20 plans as fit for purpose. The Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration asked for confirmation that children & young people would be involved in the consultation process and also mentioned the importance of protecting the rights of young people within the health service in Wales. There was discussion around the proposed role of the Assembly Government in the preparation of plans as a statutory consultee. The Assembly Government would retain the power of direction in relation to any Local Authority which did not meet the requirements of the guidance and produce an acceptable plan.
The Jobs and Skills Committee had one meeting, on 12 March. The Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills outlined how the action points from the 14-19 Guidance Action Plan were being taken forward across relevant Assembly Government departments. The Action Plan embedded the Welsh Baccalaureate as the key qualification structure for 14-19 learning. The Minister reported that 76 centres were now approved to deliver the qualification, which was around one third of the sector, with the next phase of the rollout to follow. The qualification would help to ensure that learners were equipped with the key skills demanded by employers, in line with the Leitch Review’s recommendations for skills development.Deputy Minister Christine Chapman reported that two Conferences with Secondary School Head Teachers and Further Education Principals across Wales had recently taken place, with a third scheduled for 29 March. The Learning Pathways message was being positively received by the education sector. Employers were also being brought on board through 14-19 Networks and the Employers Task Force, which would be submitting its report later in the year. It was recognised though, that ongoing promotion of the Welsh Baccalaureate was required to ensure that awareness and recognition of the qualification continued to grow. On Modern Apprenticeships and work focused learning pathways for example, it was important that Assembly Government departments act as exemplars in taking forward these initiatives – e.g. recruiting apprentices - if such schemes were to be successfully mainstreamed across public sector organisations in Wales. The Minister for Innovation, Enterprise and Networks reported that he would be giving evidence to a Welsh Affairs Select Committee hearing on Globalisation later in the week and would use the opportunity to positively convey the Assembly Government’s ongoing skills development work. The role of Sector Skills Councils in developing and accrediting work based learning and vocational qualifications was discussed, as was Sir Adrian Webb’s Independent Review of the Mission and Purpose of Further Education in Wales. Ministers emphasised the importance of ensuring that qualifications reflected the needs of employers and were economically useful, and acknowledged that maintaining a dialogue with employers was important in ensuring that this happened.
The Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks provided a progress report on the development of the Convergence Programmes for 2007-13. Officials explained that negotiations with the Commission on the European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund Operational Programmes were nearing completion. Good progress had been made thus far, with the Commission responding positively to WEFO proposals. It was recognised that the Structural Funds Programmes had been developed to strategically reflect the Assembly Government’s priorities, and Ministers were keen that this message be conveyed in the communications plan. The importance of effectively engaging public and private sector partners through Strategic Frameworks was also acknowledged.
The Vocational Skills Champion, Peter McGowan, informed Ministers that since taking up his post in September 2005, he had attended over 300 meetings and some 35 workshops and conferences. The Assembly Government had made significant progress in that time in relation to certain key areas, including rollout of the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification, 14-19 Learning Pathways and the all-age approach to apprenticeships and careers advice. He believed that it was critical that efforts continue to promote these initiatives to learners, employers and the education sector. It was also reported that in England a ‘Skills Envoy’ had recently been appointed, and work continued there on implementing the 14-19 Diploma. Continuing effort was required to ensure that all available vocational qualifications were quality assured and fit for purpose, and to overcome the misconception amongst some learners that vocational qualifications were ‘job specific’. In addition, the increasing potential of Information Technology to deliver learning direct to the home was recognised. The possibility of promoting vocational qualifications through the use of peers and role models was also raised. Ministers thanked the Vocational Skills Champion for his contribution and noted that he would be presenting his findings to the Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills Subject Committee later in the month.
The Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks presented proposals for a strategic action plan for leadership and management development in Wales. It was acknowledged that the development of management and leadership skills was a key element in ensuring the competitiveness of Welsh industry and its attractiveness to inward investors. The Leitch review had also stressed the importance of improving management skills in the UK. Ministers recognised the particular importance of ensuring that management and leadership skills in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) were also developed. It was agreed that the strategy should endeavour to forge links between this sector and learning providers, to ensure that SME requirements were established and suitable provision delivered
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The Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills provided an overview of the range of English language provision available to migrant workers and their families in Wales. The paper also sought Ministers’ views on proposals for future funding arrangements. Ministers noted the good work with migrant workers carried out by other organisations, including the Wales Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Wales Union Learning Fund, and agreed that further work should be undertaken to explore future funding arrangements.
The Committee on Local Government and Public Services had two meetings before the election. At the meeting on 29 January, Officials provided an update on current developments in relation to ‘Delivering Beyond Boundaries’; the government’s response to the Beecham Review of Local Service Delivery. Ministers were informed that the consultation on Local Service Boards and Agreements would issue before the end of January 2007. An announcement on the Making the Connections Improvement Fund Grants would also be made in the coming week. News of the Public Service Management Wales (PSMW)-led ‘People Exchange Wales Expo 2007’, taking place on 30/31 January, was also welcomed. In addition, Ministers noted that the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill, which placed a duty on local authorities to cooperate with other local partners, was beginning its passage through Westminster. Ministers discussed opportunities for partnership arrangements identified under the Health Act 1999, which would enable the joining up of health bodies and health-related local authority services, and the integration of resources and management structures. It was important that the principles were conveyed throughout all tiers of partner organisations, rather than simply engaging with senior management. Ministers also recognised the importance of ensuring that cross-party support for these proposals was maintained in the pre-election period
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Officials introduced an overview of the responses to the consultation on ‘Building Better Customer Service – Core Principles for Public Services’. The paper sought Ministers’ views on initial areas for action to be launched in March 2007, and listed five Core Principles, aimed at achieving consistency and improvement of delivery across public services by providing a common set of aims that all public services could work towards. Ministers discussed issues around the ‘Redress’ Core Principle. In particular, what enabling actions might best assist public service organisations in delivering this Principle. Ministers welcomed proposals aimed at simplifying redress and complaints procedures. In particular, Ministers supported the principle set out in the paper that a ‘one stop’ complaints system could be developed. This would enable customers who needed to complain about services delivered by more than one organisation to do so only once. It was recognised that the successful implementation and delivery of such a scheme would require clear frontline signposting, robust procedures and appropriately-trained staff within public sector organisations to ensure that complaints were appropriately directed, responded to and learnt from
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Officials proposed that an interim working paper, setting out the key issues in relation to regulation and inspection, be prepared and published in March 2007. The importance of regulation and inspection in driving forward improvements to public services was acknowledged. Ministers agreed that options for streamlining existing arrangements, and establishing a more consistent approach to risk-based assessments and improvement-focussed action plans warranted further research, and that this might form the basis of the proposed issues paper. Ministers also recognised that self assessment had a role to play in regulation and inspection, and suggested that this issue be further explored in the scoping paper and subsequent consultation.
Ministers also discussed the forward programme for the Local Government Partnership Council.
At the next meeting, on 12 March, Officials provided an update on the range of activities currently taking place as part of the Government’s response to Beecham. Ministers were informed that the recently published Local Government Policy Statement had focused on public service reform, including the creation of Local Service Boards (LSBs), proposals for an enhanced scrutiny role for “backbench” Local Authority members, and improved and more easily accessible performance and citizen satisfaction measures. On Local Service Boards, Cabinet Sub Committee members were informed that the consultation process was continuing. Proposals had been met with enthusiasm, with 19 Local Authorities now having expressed an interest in being involved in the initial development projects. Officials were currently sifting proposals to identify optimum first tranche projects. Ministers were informed that a development programme was underway to ensure that sufficient numbers of appropriately-skilled civil servants would be in place to facilitate pilot projects later in the year. Ministers noted progress, welcoming the opportunities for collaborative regional working and pooling of expertise and resources provided by the LSB programme. There was also recognition of the important strategic leadership role that this presented to the Assembly Government. In discussing workforce issues, it was noted that the Partnership Agreement for Public Services in Wales had been agreed by partners and was due to launch later in March. Ministers acknowledged the importance of the Agreement in establishing shared principles and setting common goals across Welsh public services. Ministers were informed that several of the first round of Making the Connections Improvement Fund projects were reaching completion. There was discussion around the wide variation in process costs that had been identified across different organisations during this exercise. It was recognised that LSBs could potentially have a role to play in addressing and overcoming such discrepancies by encouraging standardisation and rationalisation of processes across partner organisations. In doing so, they would help drive the efficiency agenda forward.
Officials advised Ministers that the Making the Connections strand of the 2007-13 European Social Fund was still under negotiation. Work was currently underway to produce a draft framework setting out how these funds would be used. This would be discussed with the Partnership Board at its next meeting and presented to Ministers for agreement before May. Ministers welcomed this news, agreeing that the funding would contribute greatly to efforts to improve public service delivery in Wales. The role of Swansea University’s National Centre for Public Policy was also recognised.
The Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks provided an update on progress in taking forward the Assembly Government’s commitment to transform access to public services, including the use of information and communication technology. The aim was to ensure that all citizens were able to access services consistently and in a manner of their choosing, irrespective of their location or preferred method of engagement. The paper included a document setting out the Assembly Government’s vision for citizen access to public services in 2020 and a roadmap identifying key steps designed to deliver this ambition.It was reported that the recent Access Transformation Conference had been well attended, with some 170 attendees present, including representatives from 18 Local Authorities. Feedback from delegates had been encouraging, suggesting that many organisations were looking to the Assembly Government for leadership on this issue. Regional workshops would be held to ensure that stakeholders had input into the action plan. Ministers sought assurance that typically hard to reach groups would also be involved in this process. In addition, Ministers stressed the importance of ensuring that Local Authority political leaders were fully engaged with this programme, as well as Health Trust and Local Health Board Chairs and Chief Executives. It was suggested that illustrative examples of service improvements delivered through improved use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) be developed to help demonstrate the potential of this programme. The links to Informing Healthcare were recognised, and it was noted that the experiences encountered in the design and implementation of Informing Healthcare would be drawn on as work progressed.It was acknowledged that in taking forward any proposals for online ‘Citizen Accounts’, issues around confidentiality and data security would need to be addressed satisfactorily. Officials informed Ministers that the Information Commissioner would be attending a forthcoming conference and that these issues would be thoroughly explored with his office as work progressed
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The Minister summarised the key developments overseen by the Cabinet Sub Committee over the past four years, recognising that the focus of its work had shifted from predominantly local government issues, to concentrate mainly on public service delivery matters over recent years. The paper also suggested a number of key issues which any successor group may wish to consider in taking forward the public service delivery agenda. The Cabinet Sub Committee had focused attention on key areas and had helped ensure that a viable programme of public service reform had been initiated.
The Older People’s Committee had one meeting, on 12 February. The Deputy Minister with Responsibility for Older People provided the Cabinet Sub Committee with the progress report of the task and finish group. The group was established in 2006 to review the aims and objectives of the strategy, its implementation and effectiveness, and advise on the direction and shape of the Older People’s Strategy post-May 2007. Ministers were informed that feedback from key partners thus far had been largely enthusiastic. Following the final meeting of the group on 26 February 2007, the final report would be consulted on during summer 2007, in advance of the launch of the next phase of the strategy planned for April 2008. The Task and Finish Group’s work to date had identified as a recurring theme the importance of protecting the dignity and respect of older people. Officials informed Ministers that this was a central theme of the Assembly Government’s National Service Framework for Older People in Wales, and that the importance of retaining the dignity of older people would continue to be a core aim of the next phase of the Strategy for Older People.Ministers agreed that the final report of the Task and Finish Group, due to be published by 30 March 2007, should state clearly the achievements of the Assembly Government over the past four years in relation to older people in Wales.
The Minister for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning outlined the key issues identified in initial work to develop a core entitlement for older learners in Wales. A feasibility study was planned, which would identify the potential content of any future entitlement, the resources which would be required to fund such an entitlement, and the mechanisms that would be necessary to clearly communicate this to delivery partners such as Local Education Authorities (LEAs) and Further Education (FE) institutions.Existing arrangements for the provision of community learning were currently being reviewed and officials confirmed that the needs of older learners would be factored into this process. In addition, the Independent Review of the Mission and Purpose of Further Education in Wales was due to produce its final report in summer 2007. Its findings would also inform the development of any future older person’s core learning entitlement. There was further discussion around what additional learning opportunities might be provided for older people from within existing funding streams. Ministers agreed that the provision of internet access and training in Information Technology (IT) skills for older people was an area that could be further developed within existing resources, and requested that officials provide further advice on this possibility in a future paper.
The Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside outlined the role that the town and country planning system and the Assembly Government’s planning policies played in neighbourhood planning for older people. The Cabinet Sub Committee welcomed guidance published in 2006 which sought to ensure that local residents were consulted during the preparation of Local Development Plans through the Community Involvement Scheme. This scheme allowed stakeholders, including those representing older people, to input into the planning process for new homes for older people or new neighbourhood developments. Good examples of well-planned housing developments for older people existed in continental European countries, such as the Netherlands. It was suggested that these be examined in taking forward the Neighbourhood Planning agenda in Wales. Older People’s Champions at Local Authority level also had a role to play in driving this agenda forward, as did Spatial Plan Area Groups.
Officials introduced provided an update on the implementation and success to date of the Council Tax Benefit Take-up Scheme, introduced in December 2005. The scheme had provided Local Authorities in Wales with £1.5m to boost take-up of the benefit by those who were entitled, but were not claiming. Ministers suggested that best practice from those Local Authorities achieving the highest improvement rates be shared across all LAs. Ministers were concerned to learn that the complexity of claim forms and the level of detail required of potential claimants were regularly cited as reasons for lack of take-up. Officials confirmed that these concerns had been relayed to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), with whom responsibility for the form rested. Information from the DWP had indicated that the prevention of fraudulent claims was the main factor in the perceived complexity of the existing system. It was agreed that outstanding Local Authority data should be collected as a matter of urgency and the findings of this exercise compiled into a report which would be submitted by the Assembly Government to the Lyons Inquiry into Local Government, with a view to highlighting the concerns identified in relation to the existing Council Tax Benefit system
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Officials updated Ministers on three ongoing research projects into issues pertaining to older people’s housing needs.Ministers discussed extra-care schemes in Wales, and noted the work being undertaken in partnership between Grŵp Gwalia and the University of Glamorgan in Carmarthenshire, aimed at providing improved support facilities for people with dementia. Ministers felt that it was important that examples of best practice such as this be highlighted, with a view to encouraging their future mainstreaming across Wales
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A paper on committee milestones was noted without discussion.
There were two meetings of the Committee on Sustainable Development and Spatial Plan. At the meeting on 15 January, the Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside presented Ministers with progress to date in the development of actions designed to improve the sustainability of buildings in Wales. The Minister advised colleagues that the ultimate aim was to ensure that all new buildings in Wales were built according to sustainable principles. The paper included an update on work in progress, outlining the variety of approaches being explored to achieve this ambition, and the implications of using levers to achieve the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ‘Excellent’ assessment rating. Ministers were also informed of proposals contained in the recently published UK Government’s Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) consultation document ‘Building a Greener Future: Towards Zero Carbon Development’. Ministers discussed DCLG’s aim of achieving zero carbon housing by 2016 through the use of the planning system, the Code for Sustainable Homes and Building Regulations
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The Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services sought Ministers views on the content and timetabling of the Interim Statements of Progress for each Spatial Plan Area and the ongoing production of the Spatial Frameworks for European Union Convergence Funding. Ministers confirmed that they were content with the timetable for the next round of Ministerial group meetings and launch of interim statements in March 2007. Ministers also agreed the proposed communications strategy and stressed the importance of communicating Spatial Plan progress more widely, in a way that can be readily understood by a wide cross section of the public.
The Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services explained that a conflict of interest precluded her from chairing the meeting for this item, and requested that the Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside assume the chair. The Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside welcomed Cathy McLean of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Wales; Catherine Jenkins of the Landscape Institute Wales, and Martin Buckle of the Royal Town Planning Institute to the meeting. All were attending as representatives of the Regeneration Skills Collective (RSC); a partnership bringing together six professions with a shared commitment to the promotion of sustainable regeneration in Wales. Cathy McLean introduced the RSC’s Action Programme for 2007-2013, explaining that the programme included a range of activities across areas such as research, skills development and the exchange of experience and best practice. These activities would be taken forward in conjunction with partners including the Assembly Government. The group discussed the RSC’s concerns regarding the future supply of professionals, such as planners, surveyors and architects in Wales. Ministers suggested that the RSC might seek to engage with Public Service Management Wales to explore means of promoting careers within the public sector in these disciplines. With regard to qualifications, the importance of working closely with Sector Skills Councils in Wales was also emphasised. The role of careers advice as a means of promoting recruitment in regeneration-related professions was highlighted. Ministers suggested that more evidence be prepared, providing accurate data on current resources and skills levels in regeneration-related professions, identifying skills gaps and shortfalls. Information on perceived gaps in training and education should also include evidence to demonstrate that demand for such courses existed.
At the meeting on 26 February, Officials sought Ministers’ approval for the issuing of interim statements and accompanying maps as part of the Spatial Plan Update process. Ministers were also asked to approve proposals for Structural Funds Frameworks in each Spatial Plan area. There was discussion around proposals for developing a Spatial Framework for Sustainable Regeneration within each Spatial Plan area, to facilitate the allocation of the 2007-13 European Union Convergence Funds programme. It was intended that the Frameworks would be informed by the Interim Statements and that Spatial Plan groups would be involved in developing and signing off the final Frameworks by June 2007. ‘Thematic’ all-Wales Frameworks would also be developed in parallel. The Wales European Funding Office would be closely involved throughout this process
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Officials outlined proposals for building a spatial dimension into the budget planning process.
Officials introduced a series of actions designed to reduce the Assembly Government’s carbon emissions. In addition to a number of immediate steps in relation to energy efficiency and official travel, proposals included a scoping exercise to establish the level of Assembly Government’s current emissions and the preparation of an emissions reduction action plan. Ministers noted the carbon reduction targets set by the UK Government and certain private sector companies, and welcomed the immediate energy efficiency steps for the Assembly Government listed in the paper. Ministers asked what percentage of Assembly Government waste was currently recycled, whether recyclable envelopes were used across the estate and whether guidance for staff existed to reduce the amount of material circulated in hard copy. Ministers were also keen to know what percentage of official journeys between north and south Wales were taken by car, as opposed to public transport. In addition, the Cabinet Sub Committee requested information on what incentives were in place to encourage staff to use more environmentally friendly forms of transport, such as interest-free loans on rail season tickets or bicycles.Ministers suggested that further work in developing an action plan should be informed by progress that had been made by the Health Service in Wales in achieving energy efficiency and reducing its carbon emissions across its estate over recent years. It was agreed that targets should be ambitious but realistic, and that the Assembly Government’s role as an exemplar would be important in driving forward change across the public sector. Ministers commented that raising public awareness, particularly in relation to the benefits to be gained from energy efficiency and recycling, was also crucial, and Ministers requested that ongoing work should also consider strategies for conveying key messages to the Welsh public
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Officials sought Ministers’ views on the draft “Sustainability of Buildings in Wales: Action Plan for a Step Change”. The key aspirations were the devolution of Building Regulations, attainment of the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard – or equivalent - in all new Assembly Government funded developments, and the ambition that all buildings built from 2011 onwards be ‘zero carbon’. Ministers were informed that options for ‘customising’ Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) for Wales were being explored with the Building Research Establishment, with a view to ensuring that the standard, and the more recent Code for Sustainable Homes, reflected the environmental priorities of the Assembly Government. Work was also continuing to agree a definition of ‘zero carbon’ in relation to new buildings. Officials also explained that the Manual for Streets, a joint UK Departmental guidance document on effective street design, due to be published in March 2007, would also inform the future development of zero carbon communities. This guidance would be included in Technical Advice Note 18
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The Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services introduced a paper, which listed the Cabinet Sub Committee’s achievements in both sustainable development and spatial planning over the current Assembly term.
All of these papers are saved on the National Archives website as Word document. I have converted them to pdfs here to upload them, and to avoid tracked changes changing the status of the documents.