The One Wales Government in 2009
Rhodri Morgan retires as First Minister
2009 saw continuing attempts to address the global economic crisis. During the year, the threat of a Swine flu pandemic tested resilience. Barack Obama was inaugurated as US President.
By the beginning of the year, leadership candidates for Welsh Labour had been parading for some months in the expectation that Rhodri Morgan would stand down. Having initially been uncertain about who to back, I had decided during 2008 that I would support Carwyn Jones, and by now I had had a number of conversations with Carwyn and Carl Sargeant about the campaign, including a detailed discussion in October 2008 with the two of them over dinner at our house. In November 2008, I set out some of the tasks I thought a new leader had to address. During 2009, the shadow campaign began, prior to Rhodri’s confirmation that he was standing down. Other candidates were also positioning themselves. My diary entries stop in early 2008 and do not resume until 2010, simply due to the intensity of ministerial and campaign work. I have notes elsewhere about the campaign but those are for another day. My blog-posts largely focus on Rhondda news and on ministerial activity, but reactions to the poor European election results for Labour in June clearly signalled that leadership candidates were mobilising. My blog seems to stop abruptly in September 2009, which is when the shadow leadership campaigns were stepping up a gear. Apparently it was public knowledge by now that I would be Carwyn’s campaign manager. There was intense speculation leading up to and during the September Labour conference. Rhodri confirmed it was his last speech to conference as Welsh Labour leader, then told the Assembly Labour group he would not be leaving his post until after the passage of the Welsh Government Budget in December, but clearly the election would be taking place over the next three months. Rhodri finally confirmed publicly on 1 October that he would be stepping down. The result of the leadership election was confirmed on 1 December, the new First Minister appointed on 9 December and the new Cabinet and deputy ministers were announced on 10 December.
The Welsh Government Cabinet Minutes for 2009 give little indication of the internal political battle unfolding within Welsh Labour, and there are only brief references to Rhodri Morgan’s plans for departure, as we shall see. Government carried on, with only occasional sign of political tensions arising between the two parties to the One Wales Government.
The first Cabinet meeting of the year took place on 12 January. The First Minister indicated that the Prime Minister had received positive feedback on the Assembly Government’s ReAct and ProAct initiatives, during his recent visit to Wales.
The Affordable Housing LCO was being laid in the Assembly later that day.
The Minister for Social Justice and Local Government introduced a paper which asked Cabinet to consider and approve the Financial Inclusion Strategy for consultation. The draft strategy set out what the Assembly Government aimed to achieve through its support of initiatives and identified a range of actions under five core themes to tackle barriers and promote financial inclusion. It was agreed that the Ministerial foreword should reflect the economic situation and highlight the measures the Assembly Government were taking to combat financial exclusion, such as the promotion of basic financial literacy skills. Cabinet approved the paper, subject to the incorporation of the comments made by Ministers
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The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing introduced a paper which sought Cabinet’s approval of the key proposals to feature in the consultation document on the proposed National Energy Efficiency and Savings Plan.
The First Minister left the meeting briefly to take a call from the Secretary of State for Wales in relation to the outcome of the Prime Minister’s Employment Summit. It was reported that the Prime Minister had announced a package of additional Government support for jobseekers and communities, including a £500 million scheme to help people who had been out of work for more than six months. Ministers noted that the package was likely to be administered on a UK level by the Department of Work and Pensions and as a result it was unlikely that there would be any consequentials.
The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing invited Cabinet to approve the Bioenergy Action Plan for Wales prior to its publication for consultation. The plan had been developed with the Rural Affairs Department and included suggestions made at a stakeholders’ workshop. The aim of the plan was to secure, within a sustainable development framework, the annual generation in Wales of at least 5 terawatt-hours of electricity and 2.5 terawatt-hours of usable heat energy from renewable biomass by 2020, in way that would result in a reduction of about 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
Cabinet met again on 19 January. The First Minister referred to his recent meeting with the vice-chancellors of the Welsh Universities or their deputies, along with the Education Minister, to discuss the outcome of the Research Assessment Exercise 2008. The statistical analysis available at that meeting indicated that Wales had sharply improved its position relative to England and Scotland since 2001, both as regards research generally and STEM subjects. Although the gap remained large in STEM subjects, therefore giving no cause for complacency. The First Minister reported that he had discussed Airbus, the Assembly Government’s ReAct and ProAct initiatives and the future of Anglesey Aluminium with Lord Mandelson during his recent visit to Wales. Cabinet noted that, to avoid any possible conflict of interest for the Deputy First Minister in relation to his Ministerial and Assembly Member responsibilities, the First Minister or, when appropriate, the Deputy Minister for Regeneration (I wonder who that was!) would be leading on matters relating to Anglesey Aluminium.
Ministers noted that the UK Government had agreed to the expansion of Heathrow Airport, and as part of the development, Swansea / Cardiff mainline Paddington trains could be diverted to the proposed new rail hub…..
It was suggested that the party leaders could each make a brief statement in Plenary on Tuesday recognising the significance of the inauguration of the next president of the United States, Barack Obama.
The Deputy Minister for Skills introduced a paper which sought Cabinet’s agreement to the final version of the NEET Strategy Document, ‘Delivering Skills that work for Wales’. It was reported that proposals to reduce the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) were consulted upon between May and August of 2008 and the outcome of the consultation had been presented to the Cabinet Committee for Regeneration Skills and Economic Inactivity in October. The Strategy document was based upon three strands of activity, specifically: efficient co-ordinating actions for identifying and re-engaging those young people who become NEET; a full range of learning options to meet demand; and more targeted and intensive learning support.
At the Cabinet meeting on 26 January, the First Minister advised Cabinet that Corus had announced, earlier that day, that it was shedding 1,100 jobs in Wales as part of its plan to reduce its workforce by 3,500 worldwide. It was reported that 528 jobs would be lost at Llanwern with the mothballing of a stripmill. 73 would go in Ammanford, as a result of the plant closing and the work transferring to Shotton. Shotton would lose 90 but would see a net gain of 10 as a result of the transfer from Ammanford. In addition, 52 people would lose their jobs in Pontarddulais, 17 would be lost at its Caerphilly operation and a further 330 unidentified administration and backroom jobs were set to be lost across the rest of the Welsh operations. It was noted that Corus was keen to discuss this announcement with the Assembly Government and, in particular, to take advantage of the ProAct and ReAct initiatives. Cabinet noted that the 4th Economic Summit would be held at the Airbus factory in Broughton on Friday 6th February. Ministers discussed the £68 million package for apprenticeships and the ProAct initiative, to support businesses, employees and learners, which had been announced earlier that day by the Deputy Minister for Skills. Ministers recognised that the continuing economic downturn could result in further companies seeking support from ProAct and ReAct.
The First Minister advised Cabinet that he would be issuing a strong rebuttal to the recent Western Mail article suggesting that Assembly Government was returning unspent European funding.
Ministers noted that the UK Government’s Culture Secretary had announced a review of the 'crown jewels', the list of major sporting events that are guaranteed to be broadcast on free to air TV. The First Minister indicated that he and the Heritage Minister would discus how best to make representations in relation to Six Nations Rugby.
Cabinet welcomed the announcement by the UK Government that a shortlist of five schemes to generate ‘green electricity’ from the power of tides in the Severn Estuary, and noted that a study on a proposed Severn Barrage had been part of a One Wales commitment. It was reported that the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change had also announced funding to further develop embryonic technologies. Ministers noted that progress of these technologies would be considered before decisions were taken on whether to go ahead with a Severn tidal power scheme. A decision was expected in 2010.
Cabinet considered a paper which indicated that a cross portfolio group of officials had been established to identify wider opportunities that could be levered from ICT investments through working in a more co-ordinated way. Ministers recognised that a great deal of activity was already underway but it would benefit from greater coherence. It was intended that the outcome of these discussions would inform future recommendations to Ministers on a national strategic approach to ICT. Ministers recognised that, in addition to upskilling the workforce in Wales, there was a need to improve the ICT literacy of the general public and promote digital inclusion. There was also a need to overcome physical barriers to provide broadband access to everyone. Cabinet agreed that lessons could be learned from the significant contribution Cymru Ar-Lein had made in promoting the Assembly Government’s achievements on the world stage while exploiting ICT for the benefits of individuals, communities and businesses, and recognised that this was understated in the paper.
Cabinet on 2 February noted that the next Economic Summit was scheduled to take place at the Airbus factory in Broughton on Friday. The Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills indicated that the first round of announcements of those companies that had been successful in bidding for support under the ReAct programme would be confirmed at the Summit. Furthermore, the Minister intended to raise the profile of the additional funding the Assembly Government had put into supporting apprenticeships by meeting individuals on the Airbus apprenticeship programme. Ministers indicated that the development of the ProAct programme had been an excellent example of cross departmental working and should be used as a benchmark for the delivery of future programmes and initiatives.
The First Minister advised Cabinet that he had recently met with Mr UK Chaturvedi, the Managing Director of Corus Strip products and discussed the company’s future plans.
Ministers noted that the Welsh Language LCO had been launched earlier that day.
Ministers discussed the unofficial strike action that had spread following the protests at the Lindsey Oil Refinery in Lincolnshire.
The Cabinet meeting on 9 February heard that the new prison proposed for Wales would be built on the site of the former Ferodo brake linings factory at Griffiths Crossing near Caernarfon. This choice appeared to have strong community support. The site would require considerable remediation before construction could start.
Cabinet welcomed the UK Government’s announcement that a 2,000 MW gas-fired power station would be built on the site of the old Pembroke power station near the new LNG plants at Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire. Ministers noted that the decision was subject to the contractor obtaining the necessary permitting environmental licence from the Environment Agency. The Assembly Government was actively seeking businesses that would be able to use any waste heat generated by the proposed power station.
The First Minister reminded Cabinet colleagues that it was likely that Ministers would not know how much of the £5billion proposed efficiency savings would apply to the Welsh Assembly Government until the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced his proposals in the Spring Budget.
The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing advised Cabinet that she would be seeking to use Climate Change legislation to introduce a levy on plastic bags to be recycled into environmental projects.
The First Minister introduced a paper which had been tabled at the 4th Economic Summit held on 6th February at the Airbus factory at Broughton. The focus of this summit had been the formal rollout of ProAct, with the confirmation of £48 million being allocated to cover 2009-10 and the current pilot. It was announced at the summit that Shimizu, a Japanese owned automotive component manufacturer in Welshpool, had been the first company to take up support. It was reported that the initiative had been extended beyond the initial target area of the automotive sector and that the construction and steel sectors were now being targeted. However, any eligible company or business could apply for support. Ministers welcomed the rapid roll-out of ProAct and indicated that those involved in its development should be congratulated for the record speed of turnaround from conception to roll-out. Amongst other Welsh Assembly Government support and initiatives confirmed since the previous summit, a further £20million would be made available to support apprenticeships by creating a package measures to help sustain and encourage new apprenticeship recruitment. This was subject to support from the European Social Fund (ESF). In addition, £35million had been allocated to the Business Innovation Support programme which was intended to help Welsh businesses turn their ideas into cutting edge products. Ministers noted that the windfall gain of £52million in the value of Structural Funds, as a result of the rising value of the Euro, had been successfully matched with £76million resulting in an additional £128million being allocated to 210 projects. It was reported that the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills would be announcing later that week an additional £17million of ESF funding for an initiative which would help graduates gain business and work experience after leaving university. Furthermore, the Assembly Government’s website now included a section specifically aimed at supporting people, businesses and communities through the economic downturn and helping them plan for economic recovery. Ministers agreed that more needed to be done to encourage banks to restart responsible lending to small businesses and individuals but it was recognised that, with the withdrawal of overseas capital and the new regulatory requirements, banks appeared to be locking away capital rather than lending. It was reported that liquidity would be the focus of the next summit. In the meantime a series of regional seminars would be set up, with representatives of the major banks in attendance, to provide information and advice to businesses about managing through current economic situation and provide the opportunity for banks and businesses to discuss matters face to face.
Cabinet next met on 23 February. The First Minister reported that he, along with the leaders of the other devolved administrations, would be meeting the Prime Minister later that week to discuss how to coordinate efforts to combat the recession and to discuss the implications for devolved administrations of the UK Government’s efficiency savings targets and how they would apply to their respective administrations. It was reported that the Irish Government was attempting to maintain its current level of spending on infrastructure projects during the economic downturn, while the level of its deficit was more than three times the maximum permissible under the European Union’s Stability and Growth Pact.
The Minister for Rural Affairs introduced a paper which outlined action to fulfil the One Wales commitment to increase the amount of locally produced food purchased in Wales. The plan set out actions to foster the demand from both the public and private sectors while strengthening the capacity of the Welsh food industry to respond. The action plan had been developed working closely with relevant Assembly Government Departments, Value Wales, the Food Standards Agency and the public and private sectors. Cabinet welcomed the strategy and suggested that it should be amended to reflect the Assembly Government’s commitment to reduce Wales’ ecological footprint. Changes to purchasing patterns as a result of the economic downturn were likely and Ministers acknowledged that there was a need to encourage individuals to grow their own produce, while encouraging local authorities to make available more land for allotments. It was reported that officials from the Department for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning would be providing some material on healthy eating in schools initiatives to include in the action plan.
The Rural Affairs Minister advised Cabinet that she intended to announce the following day proposals for a consultation on toughening regulations on co-existence between genetically modified, organic and conventional crops.
At Cabinet on 16 March, it was noted that Ministers would not be accepting their annual salary increases this year. The First Minister reported on his recent visit to Washington where he, with the British Ambassador, hosted a reception during ‘Wales Week’ to launch the programme for the 2009 Smithsonian Folklore Festival, where Wales would be the ‘featured nation’.
It was reported that, following the tabling of a motion in House of Lords which could have the effect of stopping the transfer of powers in relation to housing to the National Assembly, the Presiding Officer was seeking legal advice on the status of the Affordable Housing Legislative Competence Order (LCO). The Deputy Minister for Housing indicated that the Presiding Officer had not raised any objections to the LCO during their discussion prior to its approval by the National Assembly for Wales. This was before it had been submitted to Westminster and therefore, should have no dubiety attached to its legal status.
The Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills introduced a paper which set out proposals to refocus Higher Education Finance to redirect resources away from the Tuition Fee Grant and remodel the Student Finance System to ensure that it was more sustainable, affordable and better targeted at Assembly Government priorities. It was reported that since the Cabinet discussion in November a consultation exercise had been undertaken to test the proposals and a summary of the responses had been included with the Cabinet paper. The paper proposed that by the 2015-16 financial year, as a result of refocusing resources away from the Tuition Fee Grant (TFG), £44million would be re-invested annually to enhance the Assembly Learning Grant. All students supported under the new scheme would be entitled to debt relief, starting with those who were not entitled to the TFG. A further £2million would be redirected to initial teacher training incentives, while £1million would be made available for a graduate recruitment grant. In addition, the new system would release a further £31million each year for re-investment in the Higher Education Sector, which would include provision for targeted bursaries, scholarships and a National Bursary Framework. Furthermore, it was reported that the Treasury had given agreement to increase the level of AME funding in respect of student finance which would allow the Assembly Government to ensure that no Welsh student would need to pay any tuition fees upfront. Cabinet welcomed the paper and indicated that the DCELLS and Finance officials who had negotiated the additional funding from the Treasury should be congratulated.
Cabinet met again on 23 March. The First Minister reported on his meeting with the Secretary of State for Wales, which had taken place earlier that day. Ministers noted that the G-20 Leaders' Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy was scheduled to take place in London on 2nd April 2009 and the outcome should set the tone for the UK Government’s forthcoming budget statement.
Cabinet noted that Rural Affairs Minister would be making a statement on Bovine TB Eradication the following day. The Minister reported that the number of cattle slaughtered in Wales in 2008 due to TB had increased by 52% over the 2007 figures, which was claiming a significant cost on animal life, farming businesses and the quality of breeding genetics. This, in addition to the increased costs of associated compensation and the requirements of the European Union Directive, underlined the necessity to urgently pursue a TB eradication programme. It was noted that the Minister had agreed that an Intensive Action Pilot Area (IAPA) should be established in the bovine TB endemic area of Dyfed, and that North Pembrokeshire would be the preferred location. The badger cull would be co-ordinated and delivered by government, although the Minister indicated that she would be having further discussions with the police about delivery methods. Evidence suggested that cage trapping and shooting was the most effective and humane method of delivery. There would also be extensive cattle control measures within the IAPA and individuals taking matters into their own hands would not be tolerated. It was noted additional areas would not be considered until a proper evaluation of the cull and other measures had been carried out. Consideration would also be given to reintroducing healthy badgers into targeted areas at an appropriate time. Cabinet accepted that, at present there was no alternative to the proposed cull and noted that further research was being carried out on the development of a badger vaccine. It was noted that before any cull could commence there would be a need for secondary legislation, which would need to be consulted upon.
The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing set out her plans to consult on a high level draft waste strategy, which proposed higher levels of recycling and significant reductions in waste generation. Implementation of the plan would require innovative and collaborative ways of working. The draft strategy also took into account the spatial variations across Wales and recognised the importance of the third sector’s contribution to waste management. It was noted that complying with waste management targets resulting from the strategy could have implications for local authority council tax levels in the medium term. It was recognised that more needed to be done to develop local markets for recycled products.
Cabinet met again on 30 March. Ministers noted that the G-20 Summit, called to discuss action to stabilise the Financial Markets and the World Economy, was scheduled to take place in London later that week. World leaders were expected to consider three major issues: bank regulation; the length of time Governments would need to pump prime the economies of their respective countries; and when then to start cutting back on public expenditure, at the point the private sector had recovered sufficiently to drive economic growth. The Deputy First Minister advised Cabinet that earlier that day, he had attended the first ‘Weathering the Storm’ event in North Wales. The overall message had been supportive of the Assembly Government’s actions in combating the economic downturn. However, questions were raised in relation to: Public Sector Procurement; the lending policies of the banks and additional business rates relief. It was noted that the next economic summit, scheduled for 7th April, would include a discussion around the Banking Sector and whether business lending was starting to flow again. It was reported that business rate relief for small businesses had recently been enhanced and it was agreed that officials would provide Cabinet with a briefing note on these changes.
Cabinet noted that the BBC had announced that it was moving its production of Casualty from Bristol to Cardiff.
Ministers noted that the online auction to purchase land near the Wylfa Power Station was continuing.
It was reported that the UK Government intended to announce the commencement of its ‘Golden Hello’ support package for the long term unemployed the following week.
The Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills advised Cabinet that officials had put together briefing and lines to take on Post 16 Education in Wales. The briefing flagged up that Further Education (FE) Institutions and Sixth Forms in Wales receive, between them, almost £400m in funding from the Assembly Government. An additional £87million had been provided over three years for post 16 learning, which included £25million to increase the number of Modern Apprenticeships. The Welsh for Adults scheme had also received a 15% increase in its budget. Furthermore, FE institutions would be able to access some of the £68million funding package for ProAct and the apprenticeships scheme. However, It was acknowledged that there had been a reduction in funding of certain colleges but this was linked with a decrease in the volume of learning under the volume funding harmonisation scheme. The harmonisation of Teacher and FE lecturers pay was also adding to colleges financial pressures.
The Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills introduced a paper which set out proposals to create a national Welsh-medium Education Strategy. Its aim was to establish a holistic and sustainable infrastructure to ensure that Welsh–medium provision was available to, and accessed within, all communities in Wales. Cabinet were asked to approve the draft strategy and agree to it being published for public consultation during the summer. The document had been subject to an extensive consultation with a wide range of external groups, individuals and representatives of institutions, as well as representatives from inside the Assembly Government. A sample of children and young people had also been consulted on their attitudes to the learning of Welsh as a language and learning through the medium of Welsh. There was some evidence from Canada suggesting that those learning a second language needed 70% immersion to become fluent, with the implication of a need to reinforce Welsh language skills in families, workforce and communities within predominantly English speaking areas.
The Heritage Minister introduced a paper which asked Ministers to approve the draft ‘Climbing Higher – Creating an Active Wales Strategic Action Plan’ consultation document. Since Cabinet had approved the draft framework for the action plan in November, officials had worked with relevant Assembly Government Departments and external stakeholders to develop the action plan around four strategic themes. The action plan focused on ensuring that everyone in Wales built physical activity into their daily routine. It recognised the importance of having a built environment that supported people to walk and cycle, whilst also having access to parkland and countryside. It also acknowledged the need to provide support for people to become physically active through targeted programmes that supported behavioural change. A particular emphasis would be placed on securing increasing physical activity among the sedentary population, while supporting lifelong participation and targeting drop off in physical activity levels.
The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing introduced a paper which asked Ministers to reflect on the redrafted Sustainable Development scheme prior to agreeing the final version in correspondence. It was noted that the Minister hoped to launch the plan in May, possibly at the Hay Festival. Ministers briefly discussed the recent Environment Agency report on plans to tackle future water shortages, where it was noted that it was currently Assembly Government policy not to make water meters in private dwellings compulsory.
At Cabinet on 27 April, the First Minister invited the Chief Medical Officer to brief Cabinet on the recent outbreak of Swine Flu in Mexico. The disease had been identified in mid March. Suspected cases had recently been reported in the USA, Scotland, Canada and New Zealand. The World Health Organisation had identified the disease as H1N1 and had issued a world wide level three alert, which was currently under review. It was reported that the outbreak was similar to seasonal flu and was responsive to treatment by the Tamiflu and Relenza anti viral drugs. Cabinet was advised that Exercise Taliesyn, which had taken place the previous week, had tested the responsiveness of organisations in Wales to such a situation. The Minister indicated that she would be writing to all Assembly Members later, setting out that the Assembly Government was preparing for the arrival of the virus in Wales and that robust procedures were already in place. It was noted that the Assembly Government purchased sufficient antiviral drugs to treat 50% of the population in the event of a pandemic. Furthermore, the Minister would also be briefing the Party spokespersons on health in the Assembly the following day.
The First Minister advised Cabinet that the first Recognising Achievement Reception would be held in Caerphilly Castle on 4th June, with the second of these biannual events taking place in North Wales sometime in the Autumn. It was noted that the theme for 2009 would be ‘Helping People in Difficult Situations’ where it was hoped that the Assembly Government would be able to recognise significant achievements made by individuals in their community, charities or the voluntary sector.
Cabinet noted that the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and Education Minister would be visiting schools across Wales to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales.
The First Minister advised Cabinet that the EU’s JEREMIE (Joint European Resources for Micro to Medium Enterprises) initiative, the first such fund to be launched in the UK, had been launched the previous Friday. The new £150 million fund was expected to support the expansion of more than 800 businesses and create up to 15,000 jobs across Wales. The funding would enable Finance Wales to make debt and equity investments in growing businesses throughout Wales. It was noted that this consisted of £75 million from the European Investment Bank, £60million from the Assembly Government, via the European Development Fund and a contribution of £15 million from Finance Wales’ internally generated resources.
Cabinet noted that there would be a debate, the following week, on the achievements that Wales had made in engaging with the EU since Devolution. This had been scheduled to coincide with Europe Day 2009.
The First Minister welcomed the four Chief Constables to the Cabinet meeting. Barbara Wilding, on behalf of her colleagues, was invited to introduce their papers. She indicated that one of the papers simply set out developments since the Chief Constables’ last attendance at Cabinet, which included progress reports on the establishment of shared control rooms and that cross cutting work was being taken forward on road policing in Wales. The Chief Constables indicated that they would like to focus their discussion with Cabinet members on the second paper, which provided an assessment of the impact of the economic downturn on crime and disorder in Wales. Whilst the overall crime trend in Wales was positive, analysts had indicated that the recession was most likely to impact upon certain types of crime, such as fraud, cyber and business crime, and shoplifting. It was acknowledged that the current recession so far had not seen the rises in crime or antisocial behaviour that marked the downturns of the 1980s & 1990s and there was evidence to suggest that community safety partnership working had made a significant contribution to this.
The Chief Constables indicated that, although their primary aims were to save lives, prevent and detect crime and address the priorities as set out by their respective police authorities remained, they were committed to participating in broader, non mainstream activities as resources allowed. Cabinet welcomed the support of the Police in the delivery of Assembly Government policies, particularly in the fields of tackling domestic, alcohol and drug abuse, and anti-social behaviour. Their work on the all Wales Police Schools liaison programme was commended. Ministers also recognised the importance of having police liaison officers in Assembly Government offices. Cabinet also welcomed the all Wales role out of the 101 non emergency telephone service and noted that the formal launch was scheduled for September. Minsters acknowledged the contribution the Police were making to the Local Service Boards and the economic summits. In addition, it was noted that in future there would be Police representation at the Wales Spatial Plan Group meetings.
The Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery introduced a paper which summarised the implications of the UK Budget for the Assembly Government.
Cabinet met on 11 May. The Health Minister was invited to provide the Cabinet with an update on the Swine Flu outbreak. It remained the case that no cases had been confirmed in Wales to date, though cases were expected in due course. The Welsh Assembly Government was continuing to liaise with the National Public Health Service for Wales, Health Protection Agency, the other UK countries and international colleagues to monitor the situation closely, while preparing for the possibility of a global pandemic. Cabinet noted that the communications strategy was progressing well and a major public information campaign was underway. Delivery of the information leaflets had begun that day and it was expected that the majority of people in Wales would have copies by Wednesday. The Minister was continuing the practice of briefing opposition spokespeople and writing to all AMs weekly with an update.
Cabinet noted the 2009 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, where Wales would be the ‘featured nation’ would be taking place in Washington from 23rd June to 4th July.
The First Minister advised Cabinet colleagues that he would be making a speech in the Senedd that evening to mark the 10th anniversary of devolution in Wales.
The First Minister advised Cabinet that he and the Deputy First Minister would be attending the opening ceremony of LNG plant at South Hook, Pembrokeshire, the following day. In his absence, the Finance Minister would be answering First Minster’s questions.
The Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery introduced a paper which set out the details of the Assembly Government’s capital resources for 2009-10 and 2010-11 that had not been committed to the Strategic Capital Investment Fund or into Ministerial Budgets. The paper asked Ministers to note the resources available and agree the approach approved by the Cabinet Committee on Budget and Performance, which had met earlier that day. It was reported that there was around £41million of additional capital resources that had not been committed in this financial year. It was recommended that the £41 million should be allocated using the Strategic Capital Investment Fund methodology for 2009-10 and if Cabinet agreed, the Finance Minister would be commissioning, as a matter of urgency, bids from Ministers. Ministers noted that bids would need to be strategic in nature, project ready, with planning permissions etc in place, and be able to deliver One Wales commitments. Furthermore, such bids would need to be geographically spread across Wales and be counter recessionary. It was recognised that the funds would have to be spent in 2009-10.
The Deputy Minister for Housing introduced a paper which provided an update on progress in implementing the recommendations of the Review Group on Affordable Housing Wales (the Essex Report) and asked Cabinet to note the co-production approach used to implement the Report’s recommendations. Action on most of the recommendations would be completed in 2009, although it was recognised that some issues were complex and would take longer to deliver. In addition, the Change Programme within Housing Division was nearing its end, the new structure had been agreed on 9th March and it was intended that the process would be completed by the Autumn. Cabinet welcomed the paper and congratulated officials on the work that they had done, particularly in responding so quickly to the economic downturn. The Strategic Capital Investment Fund had provided an additional £42 million for the social housing grant which would provide up to 500 more homes over the next three years. Ministers noted that construction costs were coming down and acknowledged that there was a need to speed up the release of more public land for social housing.
The Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills introduced a paper which asked Cabinet to note the implementation of the new strategic capital investment programme for schools (21st Century Schools). The paper also sought Ministers support to the more strategic approach to the allocation of capital grants, which would direct resources towards authorities in a sequencing arrangement while supporting other authorities in their asset management planning in advance of investment. To oversee and develop the Programme, DCELLS officials would work in partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association to establish an initial shadow Capital Programme Board and a Capital Programme Team funded through the Strategic Capital Investment Fund. The implementation of the sequencing arrangements, in line with project readiness, would result in local authorities receiving capital investment in tranches with some securing funding earlier than others, rather than all 22 authorities receiving a small capital allocation each year. It was recognised that the proposals would help address the One Wales commitment to make schools across the whole of Wales ‘fit for purpose’, and that the major capital investment programme to upgrade schools would continue.
Cabinet met on 18 May. The Health Minister reported that the World Health Organisation was meeting later that day to consider whether the alert level on Swine Flu should be raised to point six on the scale. It was noted that 90 million doses of vaccine had been ordered by the UK Government, but it was unclear at this stage whether the devolved administrations would be expected to contribute to the costs of purchasing the vaccine.
The First Minister reported that a meeting of the Smithsonian Wales Steering Committee had taken place earlier that day. It was noted that a major trade delegation from Wales would be visiting the United States to coincide with the event in June.
The First Minister reported that he, with a number of other Ministers, had met with external stakeholders earlier that day to discuss how best to maximise the Wales share of the Department of Works and Pensions’ (DWP) Future Jobs Fund (FJF). Cabinet noted that the Ministers also had a separate discussion with WLGA that morning to discuss the financial challenges for public service delivery arising from the UK Budget. The First Minister reaffirmed that local government mergers were not an Assembly Government priority but if such proposals were to be put forward by local authorities themselves, they would be considered.
The Minister for Social Justice and Local Government introduced apaper, which asked Cabinet to note the public consultation on the new strategic action plan to address violence against women. Ministers were also asked to consider whether there were any other activities within their portfolios that they would wish to highlight in the new plan before it was issued for consultation. Since 2005, the focus for delivering the Domestic Abuse Strategy had been to improve support services for victims across Wales while encouraging criminal justice agencies to bring perpetrators to justice. It was recognised however, that there was a need to take further action in certain areas, such as domestic abuse, where women were the victims of violence. To help achieve this, a draft strategic action plan had been developed, containing a range of actions cutting across Ministerial portfolios. It was recognised that the housing, education and health agendas were crucial to tackling violence against women through the provision of support to victims and their families.
The Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills introduced a paper, which asked Cabinet to note the report on phase two of the Review of Higher Education (HE) in Wales and the intended timetable for the Assembly Government’s response. Phase two of the review considered the mission, purpose, role and funding of HE in Wales. The report highlighted that there were clear examples of excellence within the Welsh HE sector but concluded that there were also serious shortcomings. In addition to defining what it considered to be the core purposes of HE, the report also outlined 11 key challenges that HE must overcome if it is to achieve its purpose and fulfil its potential in the development of Wales as a nation.
The Education Minister indicated that this would be an opportunity for the Assembly Government to establish a set of strategic priorities for the HE sector, which would focus government funding for research. There would be five priority sectors, which would build on existing HE strengths and focus key areas of future potential economic development. The Education Minister indicated that she would be taking a robust line in her response, made by way of a statement to the Assembly in June to coincide with the publication of the Report, with the intention of producing a refreshed HE Strategy and an associated action before the end of 2009. The Minister agreed to share the Statement with her Cabinet colleagues. In a more general discussion about HE, it was noted that more overseas students were expected to enrol in Welsh HEs, as a result of the weaker pound, but there was no evidence at this stage that Welsh students would be displaced.
Cabinet on 1 June briefly discussed the Urdd National Eisteddfod and the Hay Festival, which had taken place the previous week. It was noted that the organisers of the Hay Festival had taken over the management of the Brecon Jazz Festival.
Cabinet noted that the first case of Swine Flu had been reported in Wales and further cases were expected. The Health Minister indicated that she was concerned about the recent outbreak of measles in Wales and she would be encouraging all those with children who have missed vaccinations to contact their GP practice as soon as possible. The Minister also indicated that she wished to understand the potential benefits and risks of making completed vaccinations, or checking and recording vaccination status, an entry requirement for nurseries or schools.
The Deputy Minister for Skills introduced a paper which asked Ministers to note the emerging pattern of post 16 provision arising from proposals submitted by Learning Partnerships in line with the policy and framework for Transforming Education and training provision in Wales. The policy, which had been launched in September 2008, challenged all providers of post compulsory education and training in Wales to set aside traditional, narrow, institutional arrangements. It expected all providers to plan provision collectively and to direct more of the funding available to teaching and learning and learner support. It also placed an expectation on the network of providers to ensure that a full range of learning options were available in a way that prepared young people for the full range of pathways open to them. It was reported that stakeholders had responded to the policy by submitting outline proposals to implement transformation. Many were ambitious and proposed far reaching changes, which, if implemented could have the potential to enhance opportunities for learners, improve the quality of the learning experience and develop skills for business. (Link to document did not work).
The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing introduced a paper, which asked Cabinet to agree the Assembly Government’s programme of action to deliver the climate change objectives. All Ministers and Departments had been approached while developing proposals, and both the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and the Climate Change Commission for Wales had overseen the development of the consultation document.
The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing indicated that the Assembly’s Sustainability Committee undertook an inquiry into carbon reduction in Wales during 2008 and early 2009. The inquiry covered a number of themes, one of which resulted in the Report on Carbon Reduction by Industry and Public Bodies. The scope of this inquiry was broad and resulted in a diverse set of recommendations, which covered overarching economic policy and the development of support packages. The paper set out the Assembly Government’s response to this report and proposed which recommendations should be accepted, those that should be accepted in principle and those that should be rejected. The paper also included the rational for each response and any financial implications. (I have not downloaded the annexes)
Cabinet on 15 June discussed the need for a Chief Scientific Adviser. The First Minister introduced the paper on the appointment of a Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA) to the First Minister. The post-holder would need to possess a high degree of professional credibility within the wider scientific community, be able to promote science in the context of the knowledge economy and in subject choice in schools and universities and provide a challenge function in evidence-based policy advice for the Assembly Government.
The First Minister advised Cabinet that he had recently discussed the progress of the Housing and Welsh Language LCOs with the new Secretary of State for Wales (SoS).
The First Minister informed Cabinet that the Calman Commission report was due to be published later that day. It was reported that the recommendations were likely to include reductions in the basic rate of income tax in Scotland, which would be offset by an equivalent reduction in the block grant, together with new tax-varying powers for the Scottish Parliament. Devolution of revenue from, and powers over, stamp duty, aggregates levy, airline tax and revenue from tax raised on savings was being recommended. The report was also likely to recommend that Scotland should have borrowing powers, albeit, through the Treasury and not by directly issuing Scottish Bonds; and over the medium term Barnett should be replaced by an alternative mechanism.
The Minister for Health and Social Services reported that the World Health Organisation had raised the Swine Flu alert level to the full level 6-pandemic. The move did not change the UK’s assessment that, in spite of the recent death in Scotland, the virus was thus far generally mild in effect though able to spread quickly. Scientists were closely monitoring the effects of the severity of the flu in the Southern Hemisphere in advance of any likely second wave of the disease, which might appear in the Northern Hemisphere later on in the year. The UK remained in an evolving containment phase. The situation in Wales was being monitored closely, and robust contingency plans were in place. It was acknowledged that the media had a responsible role in reporting any further outbreaks, and Ministers noted that the Chief Medical Officer was continuing to provide detailed briefing for the media not just on Swine Flu, but also on the Measles and Mumps outbreaks.
The Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery introduced papers which asked Cabinet to agree the allocation of the limited additional revenue and capital funding which the Assembly Government had received this financial year as a result of the announcements in the recent UK Budget. The first paper indicated that the Assembly Government had received additional near-cash and non-cash revenue consequentials in 2009-10 of £3.834m and £0.641m respectively. The near-cash related to the UK Government’s announcements on youth unemployment and training measures. The non-cash element was in relation to energy efficiency loans. The established approach of allocating, in the first instance, all consequentials to reserves and for strategic decisions to be taken subsequently at Cabinet was reaffirmed. However, given the small scale of the revenue consequential and the pressing need to address increasing youth unemployment, it was recommended that the near cash sum of £3.834m should support youth training measures in Wales. These additional funds would be utilised to provide a full-time training option, training support for the Future Jobs Fund and training support for the Sectors Pathways. The non-cash element would be held in the reserves for allocation at a later stage. As agreed at a previous Cabinet meeting, the Cabinet Committee on Strategic Capital Investment had considered bids from Departments for the allocation of the additional £41.3m capital funding for 2009-10. The paper summarised a proposed provisional allocation for this funding which Cabinet was asked to approve.
The Minister for Social Justice and Local Government introduced a paper which presented the evidence base relating to the social implications of the economic downturn in the six areas commissioned by Cabinet in February. It drew upon the outcome of discussions at the sixth economic summit. Ministers were asked to consider how the Assembly Government might mitigate the impacts of the recession.
The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing introduced a paper which asked Cabinet to note the content of the draft Flood and Water Management Bill, the specific proposals in respect of Welsh Policy and the intention to develop a final Bill to reflect and address Wales’ specific needs. It was noted that in the event of a squeeze on Parliamentary time, options allowed for a much narrower Bill. Cabinet acknowledged that recent data on the implications of climate change suggested that more would need to be done to prevent localised and coastal flooding in the future. It was noted that the legacy of building on flood plains needed to be addressed.
At Cabinet on 29 June, the Minister for Health and Social Services advised Cabinet that the number of Swine Flu cases in Wales was beginning to increase. Swine Flu management measures were now moving on from containment to treatment.
he First Minister reported on his recent visit to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington. It was noted that the week’s events had included the largest ever Welsh trade mission to the United States, or indeed any other market areas, with eighty companies involved.
Ministers noted that Wales had formally gained its third UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal in Cefn Mawr, North East Wales.
The First Minister informed his Cabinet colleagues that the UK Government had announced that bids for the £400million Strategic Investment Fund needed to be submitted by Friday of that week.
The First Minister advised Cabinet that the Prime Minister would be making a statement later that afternoon on ‘Building Britain’s Future’, which was the UK Government’s plan to respond to the economic downturn while building a stronger, fairer and more prosperous country. It would be published alongside the draft legislative programme.
Ministers briefly discussed the progress of the Welsh Language LCO and noted that publication of the report by the Welsh Affairs Select Committee was imminent.
The Deputy First Minister invited Cabinet to note the steps being taken to ensure that the concessionary fares scheme would be administered on the basis that bus operators would be ‘no better or worse off’. Ministers were also asked to endorse the adoption of a phased approach without any changes to the level of entitlement to concessionary travel.
The Deputy First Minster introduced a paper which asked Cabinet to approve the Green Jobs Strategy, prior to its launch before the summer recess. The Strategy would be an important component in stimulating recovery from the current economic downturn, as well as strengthening the Assembly Government’s commitment to combat the causes and impacts of climate change. The document would be the overarching strategy for the Assembly Government to achieve a sustainable economy for Wales and would be a critical element in Wales’ transition to a sustainable economy. For the purpose of business support delivery, it was proposed that plans for Greening Existing Businesses and New Green Jobs would be brought together into ‘Support for Sustainable Growth’. The overall aim of the document was to help businesses to enhance competitiveness and profitability by being more energy, water and waste efficient. There would also be a need to explore, and develop products and services that would be needed in a low-waste low-carbon economy, and stimulate their demand, while strengthening the low carbon energy sector in Wales. In taking the lead on the Strategy, the Assembly Government would look to all relevant organisations and delivery partners and encourage them to support the policy and promote a consistent approach. (I have not downloaded the Annex).
The Deputy Minister for Housing introduced a paper that asked Ministers to endorse the policy direction contained within the Ten Year Homelessness Plan, which reflected the priority and commitment that the Assembly Government had given towards confronting homelessness in Wales. The strategic aims were to prevent homelessness wherever possible, while working across organisational and policy boundaries, and placing the service user at the centre of service delivery. Furthermore, there would be a need to ensure social inclusion and equality of access to services and to make best use of the resources available. There was also a need to develop the private rented sector to improve access to appropriate accommodation, which would be affordable and sustainable for vulnerable people. It was suggested that an accreditation scheme for private landlords could be useful in safeguarding the rights of those who might otherwise be homeless.
The Minister for Social Justice and Local Government introduced a paper that asked Cabinet to approve for consultation the draft Gypsy Traveller strategy, which set out the Assembly Government’s commitment to address the inequalities experienced by the Gypsy / Traveller community in Wales. The draft strategy, the first of its kind in the UK, demonstrated the leadership role the Assembly Government had already taken to develop a national policy framework to ensure that the needs of gypsies and travellers were assessed, planned and implemented in a more strategic way. Officials reported that the initial scoping process had led to engagement events, with representatives from local authorities and equality bodies, being organised. They had also engaged specifically with members from the gypsy and travellers communities in Wales. Furthermore, a specific programme of consultation events to seek the views of these communities was under development and, with the assistance of Save the Children and the Cardiff Gypsy / Traveller Project, separate events would be organised for children and young people.
The Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills introduced a paper which presented the broad outline and approach for preparing a Labour Market Strategy for Wales and asked Cabinet to agree the next steps.
Ministers briefly discussed the Future Jobs Fund and noted that the first round of bids had amounted to almost 7,500 proposed new jobs for Wales.
Cabinet met again on 6 July. The First Minster and Cabinet thanked Lawrence Conway, on the occasion of his last Cabinet meeting, for the high quality of service he had provided to the Assembly Government over the previous decade, and his contribution to devolution in Wales. Ministers wished him well on his retirement.
Ministers noted that the Holtham Commission was due to report the following day on the review of Assembly Funding. The Commission was expecting to conclude that the Barnett formula was no longer fit for purpose and that, in the interim, there should be a simple modification to the formula by way of a floor mechanism, which would prevent a further squeeze on the relative level of resources available to devolved responsibilities in Wales. It was noted that the House of Lords Barnett Formula Select Committee was also due to report before the Parliamentary recess.
The First Minister advised Cabinet that the Treasury had allowed a clause in the Constitutional Renewal Bill to strengthen the governance arrangements relating to the Wales Audit Office and the Auditor General for Wales.
Cabinet noted that the management of Anglesey Aluminium had indicated that, despite the package of help available from the UK and Assembly Governments, they would not be able to continue to operate the plant in its current capacity without securing a reduced a low price electricity deal when the current power supply contract runs out in September.
It was reported that the Welsh Affairs Select Committee was expected to report the following day on the Welsh Language LCO.
The First Minister advised Cabinet that he had recently attended the Social Housing Finance Summit.
Cabinet noted that the Statement announcing the high-level allocation of the £41million of capital expenditure as a result of the UK budget consequentials had been released earlier that day. It was envisaged that individual Ministers would make separate statements on the allocations within their portfolios.
The Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery introduced the paper that provided feedback on the work undertaken to assess the feasibility of a new National Survey for Wales, which principally involved piloting a new survey in 2009-10. Cabinet were asked to agree to a second interim survey of 600 adults in each local authority to be carried out in 2010-11. This would be followed by a full survey in 2011-12 of 1,100 adults in each local authority area, developed and funded jointly with other public sector bodies. Ministers noted that, although the Assembly Government was expected to meet the full costs of the survey on 2010 -11, from 2011-12 the Assembly Government’s was expected to contribute £1.8million, with an additional £1million expected to come from partner organisations. It was envisaged that the national survey would replace some local authority and Fire Authority surveys. Cabinet acknowledged the need for consistent annual surveys and highlighted how responses to previous surveys had been helpful in developing policy, such as in the case of public transport. It was reported that future surveys had the potential to provide a more robust basis for making policy decisions, assessing delivery and help target resources as effectively as possible. The next stage would be to develop the cross-cutting topics that would need to covered in a National Survey and it was noted that Ministers would have the opportunity to contribute to the questions. It was acknowledged that such questions would need to cover the Assembly Government’s guiding principles, such as sustainable development. It was noted that there would also be a Children and Young People’s questionnaire.
The Minster for Environment, Sustainability and Housing introduced a paper, which asked Cabinet to note the emerging themes from the consultation on the National Energy Efficiency and Savings Plan and agree the proposed approach to integrating the relevant policy documents. The responses to the consultation were broadly supportive but they highlighted a number of areas where proposals would need to be developed further. There would be a need firm up the details of the changes to the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES), to ensure that it targeted those in greatest need and living in the most inefficient properties. Links, and cross referral processes, would need to be strengthened between the energy advice services. Furthermore, there was a need for appropriate mechanisms to ensure that local authorities made effective contributions to energy efficiency action and a need to strengthen the focus on business energy efficiency, especially for small businesses. Given the cross over between the various related policy documents the paper proposed that the National Energy Efficiency and Savings Plan would sit as a separate document as part of the Assembly Government’s Energy Strategy. It was noted that the funds allocated to the HEES for 2009-10 and 2010-11, for distribution under existing regulations, had been enhanced by a further £26million of capital from the Strategic Capital Investment Fund. This covered a three year period from 2008-09, for the purpose of a Wales Fuel Poverty and Renewable Energy Project. Cabinet acknowledged that in future, the HEES would focus on those who were not able to get help from elsewhere and further thought would need to be given on how to help those in private rented accommodation. Ministers agreed that there would be a need to ensure that local businesses in Wales had the required skills and expertise to bid for, and carry out, the necessary home and business energy improvements.
The Deputy First Minister introduced the paper that sought Cabinet’s approval of the draft National Transport Plan and that it should go out for consultation over the summer months. The Plan built upon previous delivery plans while adding integrated transport schemes to create a more consolidated programme of multi-modal transport measures. It was acknowledged that through the Wales Transport Strategy and this Plan, the Assembly Government’s targets for ensuring the required carbon equivalent emissions reduction for transport should be met. Cabinet noted that: the plans to complete the dualling of the Heads of the Valleys (HoV) Road by 2020 were on track; and the proposals to increase the proportion of north/south journeys made by public transport. The Minister confirmed that no resources had been switched from east – west routes (HoV) in South Wales to fund north – south routes. It was reported that there would be a review of options for the intra-Wales air service, following expiry of the current contract in May 2010. Cabinet briefly discussed proposals for active traffic management on the busiest routes to improve road safety and noted plans to introduce average speed cameras and variable speed limits.
Cabinet met on 13 July. The Minister for Health and Social Services provided Cabinet with an update on the Swine Flu outbreak. It was reported that the Health service in Wales was in a good state of readiness and that the capacity of the Welsh primary care services, to treat those with the disease, was working well in conjunction with NHS Direct.
Ministers noted that the Welsh Affairs Committee had reported on the Welsh Language LCO and that the Heritage Minister would deal with the outstanding issues.
The First Minister indicated that, with Cabinet’s permission, he would be writing to Paul Russell, the chair of Glamorgan Cricket, to congratulate him on the successful management of staging the recent Ashes Test match in Sophia Gardens.
Ministers noted that the Ministerial Advisory Group report on the National Transport plan had been sent to the Finance Committee by the Deputy First Minister on request from the Committee and that the decision could have implications for reports compiled by other Ministerial Advisory Groups if their publication was requested by Assembly Committees.
The Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery introduced the paper, which reported on his recent round of bilaterals with Cabinet colleagues in relation to the Resource Assessment Exercise. Ministers acknowledged that difficult decisions would need to be taken and agreed with the proposal that the small amount of additional funds available should be distributed following an assessment of the bids submitted and discussions at the Ministerial follow up meetings. It was noted that, based on these discussions, the Finance Minister would write to his Cabinet colleagues by the end of the week, to set out the final Main Expenditure Group levels. Cabinet approved the paper.
The Minister for Social Justice and Local Government introduced the paper, which updated Cabinet on progress in developing a replacement for the Essex-Jones Agreement, and the development a model of outcome based accountability for local authorities, a form of earned flexibility. Cabinet recognised that there was a need for an approach that would set out the Assembly Government’s strategic aims for local government, while ensuring the requirements of individual portfolios were met. This would also provide Ministers with greater assurance that their policies were being delivered. There was also be a need to establish a more robust accountability framework within which Ministers could better hold local authorities to account, while remaining clear as to what was being achieved for the citizens of Wales. It was proposed that moving to an accountability model focusing on outcomes for citizens, rather than resource-based input, would help address these issues. Since November 2008, officials from the relevant Departments had been working closely to develop Outcome Agreements with Local Authorities, which would build upon the system of Improvement Agreements, already in place. Ministers welcomed the opportunity to re-align their relationship with local government, specifically to establish the new outcome based framework, within which the Assembly Government could examine performance and improvement much more effectively. It was noted that the Essex-Jones agreement would be replaced by an enhanced agreement that would establish the respective roles of national and local government. There would also be a commitment that local government undertake a range of actions to deliver improvement and to respond to the challenges the Assembly Government had set out in areas of efficiency and service reconfiguration. The First Minister reaffirmed that the Assembly Government had no plans to go down the road of statutory reorganisation of local government in Wales. However, if a proposal to merge a local authority with its neighbour were to be put forward by local authorities themselves, they would be given favourable consideration
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The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing introduced a paper, which asked Cabinet to approve a public consultation on proposals for changes to planning guidance to contribute to the sustainability of rural areas. The guidance would deliver the One Wales commitment to introduce a rural essential dwelling category, support the delivery of affordable housing, and complement the new farm entrants’ scheme.
Cabinet noted that the Rural Affairs Minister would be issuing a written statement later that week outlining developments on the Review of Red Tape, designed to reduce the bureaucratic burden on the farming industry.
Cabinet met on 21 September. The First Minister advised Cabinet that he had asked the Presiding Officer to arrange a one-minute silence at the start of the Assembly session the following day for members of the armed services, and the kidnapped security guard from Llanelli, who were killed overseas during the summer. The First Minister indicated that he would be using the winning design from the Education competition as his 2009 Christmas card.
The First Minister reported on his and the Deputy First Minister’s attendance at the Joint Ministerial Council plenary meeting that had taken place in London the previous week. The JMC had discussed items that were likely to be the key focus of the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh, which was due to start on 24 September. It had been stated at the meeting that early indications from the G20 suggested it was too early to stop government stimulus of economies and, in response, the First Minister had requested the UK Government to allow £100 million of capital expenditure to be brought forward from 2011-12 to 2010-11 for Wales.
Cabinet noted that the content of the Welsh Language LCO had been agreed over the summer and was currently with the UK Cabinet for clearance.
The Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery introduced a paper, which invited Cabinet to endorse the approach agreed by the Cabinet Committee on Budget and Performance, earlier that day. The paper set out the proposed key messages for the draft budget, the MEG allocations on which the draft budget would be based and the Draft foreword and first chapter of the budget report. The draft budget report would highlight that the Assembly Government was making good progress in delivering the One Wales agenda, and that as the global downturn had created challenges in public finances, it was vital that Ministers used their budgets effectively and efficiently to improve public services. Furthermore, the report would indicate that funding had increased in 2009-2010 and 2010-11, but compared with indicative plans illustrated in the final December budget, there would be reductions in 2010-11 arising from the effects of bringing forward Departments’ capital spend. Near-cash reserves for 2010-11 would be around 1 percent of the Wales DEL budget.
The Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery introduced a paper, which asked Cabinet to note the first report of the Independent Commission on Funding and Finance for Wales (the Holtham Commission) and the proposed Assembly Government response. The Commission’s report, the first of two, focused mainly on the first part of its remit, namely the impact of the Barnett Formula in Wales and the case for change. It concluded that, in the medium term, the funding arrangements for Wales should be based upon need, but in the short term no further decline in relative funding per head should occur in Wales until a new funding system was in place. The Commission also recommended that the Assembly Government should be able to draw forward its capital budgets across the period of a spending review. In addition, there should be a dispute resolution mechanism, possibly operated by the Office of National Statistics, and there should be improved transparency in the way that the Assembly Government was funded. Ministers warmly welcomed the Commission’s findings and noted that this was one of four reports, published in recent months, which concluded that the Barnett funding mechanism should be reformed. Cabinet approved the paper and the Assembly Government’s response. It was also agreed that there was a need to keep pressing the UK Government to take into account the Holtham report when responding to the Calman Commission report on Scottish Devolution and this should be reflected in the Assembly debate scheduled for 13th October.
The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing circulated to her Cabinet colleagues a brief note on what action households should take if contacted by insulation companies offering free or subsidised loft or cavity wall insulation. It was suggested that such information should be posted to the Assembly Government web-site.
At Cabinet on 5 October, the first since Rhodri Morgan had announced the timetable for his resignation, the First Minister indicated that, although he was retiring in December, he believed it would be appropriate to send Christmas cards just before stepping down. (From memory, this day was also the launch date of Carwyn Jones’s leadership campaign).
The Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery advised Cabinet that he would be tabling the draft budget report later that afternoon. He confirmed that funding had increased in 2009-2010 and 2010-11, but compared with indicative plans at the Final Budget December 2008, there had been reductions in 2010-11, arising from efficiencies (£212.6 million revenue and £75 million capital) and from the effects of bringing forward Departments’ capital spend into 2008-09 and 2009-10 (£119.9 million). The Finance Minister confirmed that there would be an increase in the Revenue Support Grant, which would result in a rise in the settlement for local authorities of around 2.1 per cent in 2010-11, a real term up-lift to help protect the delivery key services. It was acknowledged that there would be a need for greater efficiencies in delivering services across the public sector.
The Minister for Social Justice and Local Government introduced a paper which asked Cabinet to support and participate in a campaign to promote credit union membership among the public sector in Wales. It was reported that credit union membership had grown in Wales from approximately 10,000 at the end of 2000 to almost 48,000 by March 2009. However, this was still relatively low, compared to membership in Scotland and Northern Ireland. A research study, funded by the Assembly Government, had revealed that Welsh credit unions were now in a position to scale up their operations and make a greater collective contribution to the development of community based financial services throughout Wales. The research also concluded that, although there was all-Wales credit union coverage, the movement remained a diverse mix of service providers, which included some strong and some weaker unions. It was acknowledged that the recruitment of new members was one of the ongoing challenges faced by credit unions in Wales and this was an area where the Assembly Government could offer additional support by promoting membership among public sector organisations. It was proposed that to achieve this, the Assembly Government could lead a membership campaign in 2009-10 to promote the benefits to public service employees of joining credit unions. Officials would also work with the unions throughout Wales to ensure that public sector employees could operate a payroll deduction system.
The Minister for Health and Social Services advised Cabinet that the number of cases of swine flu was on the increase in Wales, particularly among children, although, as yet, no schools had had to close. The GSK H1N1 swine flu vaccine had been given the appropriate licence and it was hoped that initial supplies would be delivered over the next few weeks. The vaccine programmes would start as soon as possible after that to protect those at most risk of complications of the virus and front line health and social care workers.
Cabinet met on 12 October. Cabinet noted that the 8th Economic Summit, that had taken place the previous Friday, included a discussion on banks and lending policies, which had been introduced by Professor Colyn Gardner, the Chief Executive of Bangor Business School.
Ministers noted that the debate on the Economy, scheduled for the following day, would follow the publication of the KPMG and Glenn Massey reports on International Business Wales. The Deputy First Minister indicated that during the debate he would inform Members that, although the work of helping business during the recession would continue, it was time to prepare for the post-recession upturn with a new programme for economic renewal. The aim would be to refocus his Department’s policies and priorities and then to realign the structures accordingly. Broadly it would involve a change from a grant culture to an investment culture.
Cabinet paid tribute to the BBC journalist and broadcaster Patrick Hannan who had recently died. Ministers commented that he had been a gifted journalist on Welsh politics and more recently an outstanding ambassador for Wales via his successes in the Round Britain Quiz.
Cabinet noted that stages three and four of the proposed National Assembly for Wales’s Commissioner for Standards Measure would be debated in the Assembly on Wednesday.
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) introduced a paper which presented key public health issues from his 2008 annual report. He indicated that this would be an opportunity for Ministers to view the draft report prior to publication. The theme of the 2008 report was on the importance of prevention, to protect people from disease and to encourage lifestyles that promote health and well-being. The report also considered in detail two important public health events which occurred in 2008, the incidences of suicides among young people in the Bridgend area and the public inquiry into the E-coli outbreak of 2005. It was reported that a number of measures had been put in place to help troubled young people and avert the risk of suicide. These included the Assembly Government’s National Suicide and Self Harm Action Plan and a guide for the media, that had been produced by the Samaritans. Data indicated that life expectancy in Wales was improving but the gaps between females and males and blue and white collar workers persisted. It was acknowledged that lifestyle factors, such as diet, tobacco and alcohol consumption were all contributing factors to premature death that needed to be addressed. Ministers welcomed the report, particularly the section which considered the implications of the economic downturn on the health of the people of Wales. They noted that individuals who had never worked and the long term unemployed had generally higher rates of illness, including mental health issues, than any other sector of the working age population. Cabinet thanked the CMO for his report and his ongoing work in supporting the Health Minister in managing the swine flu outbreak.
Officials introduced a paper which highlighted the results of the Welsh Assembly Government’s self assessment exercise against the Security Policy Framework (SPF) and Information Risk Return, that was submitted to the Cabinet Office in June. Minister were asked to note actions that had been undertaken. The Return indicated that the Assembly Government had met all 70 mandatory measures set out in the SPF and had a high compliance score against performance and progress in implementing the information assurance measures. In particular, the Assembly Government scored highly in leadership, governance and communication. Ministers noted the paper and indicated that the guardianship of paper records was just as important as safe management of electronic material. It was acknowledged that there were statutory requirements in place concerning the storage and disposal of records and that an electronic records and data management system was being introduced across the Assembly Government.
Cabinet next met on 19 October. The First Minister reported that the Welsh Grand Committee had completed its scrutiny of the Welsh Language LCO and that it would be laid before the Assembly the following day. Cabinet noted that the debate in the Assembly was scheduled for Tuesday 3rd November.
Cabinet briefly discussed the Social Justice Minister’s recent announcement on the increase of revenue support grant to local authorities in Wales for 2010-11 and the reaction of the Welsh Local Government Association.
The Minister for Health and Social Services advised Cabinet that the number of people in Wales contacting their GPs with flu- like symptoms was increasing. Initial supplies of the swine flu vaccine would be available from Wednesday of that week, with vaccination programme set to start before the end of the month. The logistical issues surrounding the delivery of the vaccine to smaller practices had been overcome, as supplies would be delivered to pharmacies. There was a need to ensure that the high risk groups were vaccinated as soon as possible and that there would be a high profile national campaign to encourage take up of the vaccine.
Cabinet discussed the recent International Labour Organisation unemployment figures in Wales and noted that the survey based wider count of unemployment had recently shown an increase of 24,000 in the three months to August, although the narrower claimant count had only gone up by 1,000.
The First Minister advised Cabinet that the Cabinet Committee on Strategic Capital Investment had met the previous week to consider recommendations from the Strategic Capital Investment Panel on how the £125m available in 2010-11 should be allocated. The Cabinet Committee had agreed to allocate the funds as follows: Ebbw Vale Learning Works - 35.0m; Taf Ely Learning Campus 12.0m; 21st Century School building for Gwynedd 5.3m; Prince Charles Hospital Emergency Care Centre 8.5m; Affordable Housing and Housing Support package 20.0m; Eco lighting 1.0m; Glyn Vivian Art Gallery 3.5m; Strategic Coordination Centre 10.0m; Children’s Hospital for Wales 8m; and the Da Vinci Arts and Innovation Centre 15m. This amounted to £118.3m. Allowing for a sensible level of over-programming, a sum of some £10m plus would be available to be allocated in a second round which would be considered by the Strategic Capital Investment Cabinet Committee shortly.
The Deputy Minister for Social Services, before presenting her paper on social care, advised Cabinet that the Institute for Public Policy and Research (IPPR) had just published "Policies for Peace of Mind" Devolution and older age in the UK’, that considered the changing landscape of policy and practice for older people since 2000 and how this varied across the four countries of the United Kingdom. The document indicated that, the Welsh approach seemed to be the most coherent long-term commitment to improving the position of older people of any administration in the UK in the last decade. Furthermore, the Welsh Strategy appeared the most likely of any to ensure a continuing high profile for older people’s issues across many policy areas and at a local level. The Deputy Minister indicated that this reflected well on the positive contribution of local authorities and the voluntary sector, but especially the older peoples’ groups who saw the Strategy for Older People in Wales as their Strategy. Cabinet congratulated the Minister for her work and noted that the findings of the IPPR were worth publicising. In introducing the paper, the Deputy Minister indicated that, with the social care system facing major challenges over the next 10-15 years, there would be a need, through a process of reform, for more integrated services that would be easier to access, less complex and fairer. In addition, services would need to be of a high quality and sustainable. In July the UK Government had published its Green paper on modernising social care in England and reforming the system for funding long term care. It was recognised that the funding options put forward by that paper would, as current legislation operated on an England and Wales basis and that administration of welfare benefits were non-devolved, also impact on paying for care in Wales. The main focus of the Wales Green paper would be on options for paying for care and had therefore, concentrated on three options: Partnership, Insurance and a Comprehensive model. One of the key questions that would need to be explored in consultation with Welsh stakeholders was how the various funding models might work within the context that the Assembly Government had already set out for social services in Wales. It was acknowledged that, with the popularity of Wales for retirement, the country was a net gainer of retirees and coupled with the legacy of industrial type long term diseases and conditions resulted in greater burdens on the provision of social care in Wales. Ministers indicated that as a consequence of this, and the fact of there was a high number of people in Wales on attendance allowance, there was a need to ensure that the Assembly Government was able to influence the UK Government Green paper.
The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing introduced a paper which asked Cabinet to endorse the policy direction for taking forward proposals for a charge on single use carrier bags in Wales. The response to the consultation, which ended in September, had been broadly supportive of revenue raised from the charge to go to environmental projects in Wales. However, a small majority of written responses, including those representative of the retail sector, suggested that the proposals for charging were disproportionate and that a voluntary approach should be followed. Therefore, it was proposed to develop a three staged approach and combine the mandatory charge with a voluntary agreement with the larger retailers as to how the receipts were distributed. This would allow the retailers flexibility in how the monies raised were distributed, with larger retailers being able to contribute to charities of their choice. Any burden on the smaller retailer would be avoided, as they could simply not join the voluntary scheme, although it would remain mandatory for them to raise the charge. These smaller businesses could, if they wished, use the revenues to support neighbourhood schemes, local charities or schools. In addition, the Environment Measure would reserve powers to Welsh Ministers to impose a mandatory net revenue recycling scheme if the proposed voluntary agreement proved to be unsatisfactory. It was acknowledged that certain businesses would be exempt from the scheme and that the charge for single use bags would not apply to the sale or supply of medicines, appliances and surgical items from registered pharmacy premises. The aim was for this policy to be cost neutral to the Assembly Government and business, as retailers would be able to manage both the collection of the money and distribution, after having accounted for their own administrative costs. Cabinet supported the proposed way forward and indicated that there was a need to highlight that the policy, in addition to mitigating climate change, had waste minimisation and litter prevention benefits and would contribute to reducing Wales’ ecological footprint.
The Minister for Heritage presented a paper which asked Cabinet to approve the spending priorities for a Dormant Accounts Scheme for Wales and to note the draft Policy Directions to the Big Lottery Fund, prior to an Order being debated by the National Assembly. The Big Lottery Fund had indicated that five policy aims was too many and suggested that the Assembly Government should focus on those not in Employment, Education or Training (NEETs), to assist young people having difficulty in engaging with education or employment. The Fund argued that one spending purpose would achieve the most impact, however, if two were retained, it suggested that the climate change element should remain and feature small grants for action at community level. It was reported that the Treasury could not give precise figures on the level of funding available, however current estimates for Wales suggest an initial figure of between £8-10 million, plus a small amount in future years from newly dormant accounts. This was a lot less than originally forecast. Cabinet approved the proposed spending priorities and indicated that the additional funds directed towards supporting children and young people at a time when youth unemployment was increasing was particularly welcome. Ministers noted that the funds would be used to augment existing Assembly Government policies and strategies and, in addition, had the potential to make funds go further by levering in European Social Fund match-funding.
When Cabinet met on 2 November the First Minister advised that the Cabinet Committee on Budget and Performance had agreed earlier that day the approach for preparing the final budget for 2010-11.
Cabinet noted that the Chancellor’s pre-budget report was expected early in December, which would be too late to influence the Assembly Government’s final budget preparations.
The First Minister advised Cabinet that the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills was hoping to make its announcement on the allocation of all the Strategic Investment Fund grants throughout the UK in mid-November.
The First Minister invited all Ministers, if available, to attend the first part of the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change the following Monday to listen to a presentation by Professor Kevin Anderson on scenario planning for the 3% climate change target.
The First Minister introduced a paper, which reflected upon the eight economic summits that had been held over the past 12 months and focused on the ongoing work with banks to discuss the availability of finance for businesses. It was reported that there was strong support from stakeholders for the summits to continue in one form or another post recession. There should therefore, be no question of the Assembly Government abandoning the summit format now, when the effects of the downturn were still being felt. A decision on the future of the Economic Summit could therefore be made more appropriately when the upturn was clearly on the way. Ministers acknowledged the success of the summits, and the fact that the Assembly Government had been able to demonstrate that it had able to deliver support to businesses quickly, such as in the case of Pro-Act.
The Minister for Heritage presented a paper which asked Cabinet to approve the final version of the Physical Activity Action Plan, which was scheduled to be launched in January 2010. It was reported that feedback from the consultation on the draft action plan had been mainly positive and had resulted in a number of revisions to the Action Plan reflecting comments that had been received. It was noted that targets had been revised to reflect increasing participation across the whole population by raising the mean number of days of physical activities by one day. Ministers welcomed the Action Plan and noted the contribution it should have in improving the health and well-being of the people of Wales. The importance of schools and green spaces were recognised in providing venues for physical activity. (The link to the paper does not appear to work).
The Minister for Rural Affairs introduced a paper, which asked Cabinet to note the findings of the Deep Rural Localities Report and the scope for cross portfolio working identified by the research. The Wales Rural Observatory had been commissioned to explore the extent of the issues surrounding service provision from the perspective of both residents and service providers in deep rural areas. For the purposes of the research work deep rural areas were defined as communities located at least 30 minutes drive from a centre with a population of more than 10,000. The findings of the report tended to follow two broad themes. Firstly, from the perspective of balancing quality of life and service provision, residents had demonstrated high levels of satisfaction with deep rural areas, as places to live, and communities had understood the difficulties of providing services to their areas. Secondly, they had, however, identified a number of issues, which had an adverse impact on the future sustainability of deep rural areas. Ministers indicated that there was a need to highlight that the sparsity of the population in some parts of Wales, which was more acute than the nearest comparable areas in England, such as in Devon and Cornwall or the Lake District, and which placed an increased cost on providing public services to more remote areas.
At Cabinet on 9 November, the First Minister reported on the recent meeting he and the Deputy First Minister had had with the four Welsh Members of the European Parliament. Ministers noted that all member states had now signed up to the Lisbon Treaty.
It was reported that Wales was likely to be included as one of the three Independent Television News pilot areas.
The First Minister advised Cabinet colleagues that he, along with the Deputy First Minister and the Heritage Minister, would be attending the British Irish Council later that week in Jersey. The agenda would include items on responses to the recession, Indigenous, Minority and Lesser-Used Languages and a permanent home for the Committee’s secretariat.
The Deputy First Minister introduced a paper which provided Cabinet with a progress report on preparations for the Ryder Cup 2010.
At Cabinet on 23 November the First Minister advised that the UK Government was expected to respond to the Calman Commission’s proposals for further devolution for Scotland later that week and it was likely that a linked, but separate, UK Government statement on the Holtham Commission’s report on Funding and Finance in Wales would follow. Cabinet noted that the First Minister would be making a statement to the Assembly the following day on the All Wales Convention.
The Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery introduced a paper that invited Cabinet to agree the Main Expenditure Group (MEG) allocations on which the 2010-11 Final Budget would be based. It was reported that no major changes were proposed for Final Budget and the small number of recommended changes were limited to reallocations and adjustments within MEGs. The main changes related to a reallocation of budgets within the Health and Social Services MEG, to reflect key priorities for funding in 2010-11. In addition, it was proposed that the Assembly Government took the opportunity to update Annually Managed Expenditure forecasts in line with the latest figures provided to HM Treasury.
The Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills introduced a paper which asked Cabinet to consider and endorse the Higher Education Strategy and Action Plan for Wales. The document set out the means for achieving significant change in higher education in Wales, which would enable a stronger contribution to social justice and economic performance by higher education (HE), while using public investment as the key lever of strategic change. The Strategy acknowledged the current areas of strength of the HE system in Wales, while setting out what the Assembly Government expected of HE in the future and the challenges that would need to be overcome. In developing the Strategy it had become clear that fundamental and strategic changes would be needed to match up to the challenges facing HE, not just in Wales, but internationally. What was proposed was with a greater proportion of funding for HE being targeted at delivering specific outcomes to make the sector more responsive and adaptable. The paper set out the areas that would be targeted and reaffirmed the critical initiatives, which would be part of the drive for change. These were: increased collaboration and co-operation between HEs; a national bursary framework; Foundation Degree Strategy; the Coleg Ffederal; and the University of the Heads of the Valleys.
Cabinet noted the progress report on the implementation of the Procurement Strategy for Construction but indicated that there was a need to ensure that the Assembly Government’s commitment to embed sustainable development as an overarching principle was reflected in future papers. The Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery introduced the paper, which invited Cabinet to endorse the draft Statement on public services and agree to proposals for further work on the next phase of public services improvement.
The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing advised Ministers that Ofwat would advise her of its final determination for water companies after the London Stock Exchange closed on Wednesday. The Minister indicated that she would write to her Cabinet colleagues with Ministerial correspondence email addresses the details of the final determination once the information was available.
At Cabinet on 30 November, the First Minister outlined the process for the appointment of the new First Minister following the outcome of the Labour leadership announcement on Tuesday afternoon. The First Minister would tender his resignation to Her Majesty after the budget debate on 8th December, which would be followed by a short statement. It was hoped that the Queen’s acceptance of the resignation would be received by late morning or early afternoon the following day. At that stage the Counsel General and the Special Advisers would stand down. The Assembly would then, after conclusion of Government business on 9th December, nominate a new First Minister and the Presiding Officer would seek the Queen’s approval of that nomination. Following the appointment by Her Majesty, the new First Minister would take the Oath, probably on 10th December, administered by the Hon Mr Justice Davis, and would then recommend a list of Ministerial appointments to the Queen. Any new Ministers would then be required to take the Oath.
Cabinet acknowledged that the UK Government response to the Holtham Commission’s first report did agree that the Barnett formula could lead to convergence to an extent that would be regarded as unacceptable to Wales. The UK Government had however indicated that it would make a full assessment of the extent of convergence with consideration of Wales' position, relative to other parts of the United Kingdom as part of each spending review. Following this assessment the Government, would be prepared to take action if appropriate to ensure Wales was not disproportionately disadvantaged. Ministers indicated that there was a need to continue to highlight the fact that convergence in Wales had been far greater than in Scotland. It was suggested that the Finance Minister could refer to the convergence issues during the debate on the budget the following week.
The First Minister referred to the regrettable misunderstandings which emerged the previous week following the Labour Party Statement on the referendum in response to the Jones-Parry Convention Report. He underlined that matters had subsequently been resolved satisfactorily with the issuing of a joint statement by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
It was noted that the Transport LCO would be passed to the Cabinet Committee on Legislation for approval later that week.
The First Minister indicated that the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families had referred in a newspaper article to plans for a Royal College of Social Workers as part of a response to the as yet unpublished Working Party Report on the status of social workers following the Baby P scandal.
Cabinet noted that more householders had been supported in Wales, as part of the Assembly Government’s Mortgage Rescue Scheme than had been saved by similar schemes in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland combined.
The Deputy First Minister introduced a paper, which presented the Economy and Transport MAG report into the energy sector in Wales and indicated how the report might inform the Energy Route Map and the Low Carbon Energy Strategy.
The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing introduced a paper, which asked Cabinet to approve the Low Carbon Energy Policy Statement and that it should be published early in 2010. The Policy Statement set out what actions the Assembly Government would take to deliver an efficient, low-carbon-energy based economy in Wales. The statement introduced three pillars that had been identified to accelerate that transition. These were: the maximising of energy savings and energy efficiency; the movement to resilient low carbon electricity production and; through maximising the opportunities for practical jobs and skills. The draft statement built upon the evidence presented within the Ministerial Advisory Group’s report on the Energy Sector, and took into account the development work of the Climate Change and Green Jobs Strategies, while reflecting the work of the UK Climate Change Commission and the UK Government’s draft National Policy Statements on Energy.
Cabinet noted that the First Minister would be announcing the following day that the Assembly Government would be signing up to the campaign to achieve a 10% cut in the UK’s carbon emissions in 2010. The Statement related to a target to reduce by 10%, the Assembly Government estate’s carbon footprint. The target, did not relate to Departmental policies or programmes, nor to Ministers in their personal lives. This was a matter for each individual Minister.
Cabinet on 7 December was Rhodri Morgan’s final Cabinet as First Minister. The First Minister expressed his thanks to Ministerial colleagues past and present for their support during his near ten years in office which would always be seen as historic because it was the first decade of devolution. He also thanked the current and previous Permanent Secretaries and their staff for their work during his time as First Minister for Wales. Cabinet thanked the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister commented that the First Minister had contributed significantly to the success of the coalition government.
Ministers briefly discussed the Assembly Government’s Mortgage Rescue Scheme and noted that on the latest figures more householders in Wales had got mortgage rescue support through the scheme than the combined total benefitting through similar schemes in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The First Minister indicated that he would be announcing very shortly a public inquiry into the Robbie Powell case.
The First Minister reported on the Economic Summit that had been held in Aberystwyth on Thursday of the previous week, where the impact of the economic downturn on rural areas had been discussed. There had also been an item on Social Partnerships and Professor Colyn Gardner had led a discussion on banks and their lending policies, where he had developed the idea of the establishment of a people’s bank.
The First Minister advised Cabinet that the Cabinet Committee for Budget and Performance had considered earlier that day the latest forecast outturn position for 2009-10 together with the major risks and opportunities that could not be managed by departments.
The First Minister reminded Cabinet of the process for his retirement and the appointment of his successor. The First Minister would tender his resignation to Her Majesty after the budget debate the following day, which would be followed by a short statement. It was hoped that the Queen’s acceptance of the resignation would be received by late morning or early afternoon the following day.
The Assembly would then, after conclusion of Government business on Wednesday, nominate a new First Minister and the Presiding Officer would seek the Queen’s approval of that nomination. Following the appointment by Her Majesty, the new First Minister would take the Oath, probably on Thursday, administered by the Hon Mr Justice Davis, and would then recommend a list of Ministerial appointments to the Queen.
The Minister for Health and Social Services introduced a paper which asked Cabinet to agree in principle that proposals for a ‘soft opt-out’ system for organ donation in Wales be explored and a bid for a Legislative Competence Order be submitted as part of the annual trawl for legislative items.
The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing introduced a paper, which asked Cabinet to note the upcoming publication of the River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs), which were a requirement of the Water Framework Directive. The paper also set out the requirements and obligations of the Directive and RBMPs that fell to Welsh Ministers and Public Bodies in Wales. Ministers noted that the three RBMPs collectively aimed to increase the percentage of water bodies in achieving good ecological status from 33.3% to 41.1%.
This marks the end of the Rhodri Morgan era. On 9 December, Rhodri nominated Carwyn Jones to be the new First Minister. There were no other nominations, and the Presiding Officer said he would therefore be recommending Carwyn Jones’ appointment to the Queen. On 10 December the Queen agreed to this, he took the oath and the new Cabinet was appointed. There was then a month of settling into jobs before the first meeting of the new Cabinet took place in 2010.