After the May election, and a Labour Special Conference, Rhodri Morgan’s Labour Group, now with 30 members, precisely half of the overall number of Assembly Members, decided to go it alone. This freed up two Cabinet seats for Labour Members, with Karen Sinclair joining the Cabinet as Business Minister, and Alun Pugh as Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport. Deputy ministers were also appointed. The government established a number of Cabinet Committees.
The session began with some challenges from a somewhat disgruntled Opposition, which manifested itself in a curious and pointless row about where Assembly Members were going to sit in the Chamber. As a new Assembly Member, I was trying to get to grips myself with membership of a new institution, and occasionally in my diaries recorded my rather bemused observations on the dynamics of the Assembly and the Labour group. At Westminster, there was a government reshuffle in June, which seemed to have implications for the devolution settlement. It also gave rise to the first detailed discussions within the Welsh Cabinet about the prospects for a Welsh legal jurisdiction.
The first meeting of the second National Assembly took place on 7 May. I noted in my diary:
Our first Assembly session took place to elect the Presiding Officer, deputy Presiding Officer and Rhodri [as First Minister]. It was all a bit tame. We voted in Marek over Peter Law….For the first Assembly session the 8 new Labour Members sat in the front Cabinet seats in the Chamber. Since then we’ve been in alphabetical order behind the Cabinet, with me between Lorraine Barrett and Alun Pugh (two of the Rhondda-born AMs).
The new Cabinet met for the first time on 12 May. Rhodri told the Cabinet of his plans to create three Deputy Minister posts:
Dr Brian Gibbons would be assigned to the Economic Development and Transport portfolio, John Griffiths to Health and Social Care and Huw Lewis to Social Justice and Regeneration. The role of the Deputy of Ministers would need to be agreed with their respective Ministers.
Discussions were taking place with the aim of amending standing orders to clarify the position of Deputy Ministers. It was hoped that Deputy Ministers would be able to answer questions and move motions in the Assembly. It was also hoped that Deputy Ministers could be paid a salary equal to that of subject committee chairs. They would also be provided with a dedicated Private Secretary and have less restricted access to Ministerial cars.
The situation of the Education and Training quango ELWA was causing concern:
Ministers noted the situation regarding the management of Education and Learning Wales (ELWa). This would also need early consideration.
I noted in my diary in early June:
The Pop Factory has dominated my first month, with the ELWA scandal, and I’ve been one of those speaking up. On the Labour side I’m the one with the biggest interest, so I’ve been there to support Jane D {avidson] who has been formidable on the case. The Tories and Plaid have both been opportunistic. Having now met formally with the Pop Factory I’m clear that they failed comprehensively to implement proper project management but the scandal is on ELWA’s side.
Cabinet also requested a paper at the Cabinet meeting on the financial implications of devolving functions relating to student support. This was an issue which would recur in importance during the Assembly term.
The First Minister informed colleagues that the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services [Sue Essex] would be responsible for communication including the weekly Lobby briefing. She would also deputise in First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) if he was away on other business.
Ministers noted the re-appointment of Paul Griffiths, Mark Drakeford and Rachel Jones as special advisers. Consideration would also be given to the appointment of a further three special advisers.
The policy commitments in the manifesto would be the subject of a paper at the next meeting.
There was a paper on Cabinet Sub-Committees which the First Minister introduced.
The paper suggested establishing four Cabinet Sub-Committees on:
Children and Young People
Sustainable Development
Spatial Plan
Local Government and Public Services (a new committee)
plus a Sub-Committee on Subordinate Legislation.
Ministers noted previous discussions on the establishment of a Cabinet Sub-Committee for Older People and agreed to set up a Task and Finish Group until an Older Person’s Commissioner was appointed. Ministers agreed to merge the Spatial Plan Working Group with the Sustainable Development Sub-Committee.
The paper is here:
At Cabinet on 9 June Ministers noted the short term appointment of former ITV journalist Max Perkins as a special adviser on communications issues and the three-month secondment of Sandra Hayes to support the work of the Minister for Social Justice, Housing and Regeneration. Three posts were being advertised.
Ministers noted the imminent announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the prospects and conditions for Britain’s entry to the Euro.
Ministers noted the success of the visit by The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales for the opening of the second session of the National Assembly for Wales.
Ministers noted the recent announcement by Celsa that it would be employing around four hundred people directly and six hundred people overall at the complex in Cardiff.
The First Minister raised the issue of the European Regional Development Fund Mid Term Review.
The seating row was under way. Ministers noted the continuing discussions on the seating arrangements in the Assembly chamber.
The First Minister introduced a discussion on the Assembly Government’s policy priorities. Cabinet would consider a new strategic document setting out the Assembly Government’s policy agenda in the autumn.
There was a paper from the First Minister on the handling of Freedom of Information and its implications for Cabinet papers. Ministers discussed and approved the paper:
The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning outlined the current position on discussions with the Department for Education and Skills on the devolution of functions relating to student support.
The Richard Commission on the powers and electoral arrangements of the National Assembly for Wales was moving smoothly ahead. Ministers discussed the handling of requests to give further evidence to the Commission and agreed that evidence on further developments, since their initial evidence, should be provided in writing or conveyed to the First Minister before he gave oral evidence to the Commission on 25th July.
There was a UK Government reshuffle on 12 June which abolished the post of Lord Chancellor and changed the role of Peter Hain, adding the post of Leader of the House to his duties as Secretary of State for Wales, suggesting that the jobs of Secretary of State for Scotland and Wales would come under a new Department of Constitutional Affairs. I noted in my diary that it had been a bit of a shambles:
It also raises issues connected to the 1997 devolution settlement, which suggested there would be a separate Secretary of State for Wales. Yesterday on TV, Peter [Hain] said he’d work all the hours that were needed, and Rhodri said Peter would clearly be part-time. ….We [the National Assembly Labour Party] also had a meeting with the Welsh MPs which focused on Richard principally. Ironically, the Richard Commission became immediately more relevant later in the day, with the utter shambles of the reshuffle. I was a bit sceptical about the Richard Commission and whether it was needed so early in the Assembly’s life. Now I’m glad it’s there to think through the implications of changes we’ve seen this week.
The next Cabinet meeting on 23 June noted the UK reshuffle:
The Wales Office would now form part of the new Department for Constitutional Affairs in civil service terms but would continue to serve the Secretary of State for Wales.
Ministers noted the successful acceptance of the draft Constitution of the European Union at the summit meeting of the Council of Ministers in Thessalonika. The draft Constitution would be worked on further and then be put to an Inter-Governmental Conference early in 2004.
The Minister for Social Justice, Housing and Regeneration outlined the latest position on the contract for the construction of the new Assembly Chamber Building. Officials advised that an agreement in principle on a fixed price contract with Taylor Woodrow Construction. The price was £40.997 million exclusive of Value Added Tax, furnishings, Information Communications Technology equipment and professional costs. Work on the site would commence in August this year with the building open for use in October 2005.
There was a discussion on bids for primary legislation.
Fit as a Finn. There was a discussion on the Sports Strategy. The Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport introduced the paper and draft Strategy for Sport and Active Recreation. The strategy was not solely about sport but also wider recreational activities. The social cost of physical inactivity was high especially in areas of deprivation. The purpose of the strategy was to increase participation in physical exercise and improve access to facilities with the aim of increasing activity levels in Wales over twenty years to equal current levels in Finland.
I was clearly a bit frustrated by the way things had played out in my first month in the Assembly. It wasn’t only the Assembly seating saga, which dragged on and on with the Opposition threatening hundreds of votes, but also:
Every week there seems to have been a cock-up. Junior Minister’s salaries at the start. Assembly working hours and Assembly committee meetings.
On seating, I noted:
(It’s obviously stupid we’re discussing seating. But it makes sense for us to sit together).
The meeting on 7 July discussed Ministerial Accommodation in Cathays Park:
Ministers noted the severe pressure on accommodation in Cathays Park and agreed to reduce the number of rooms they occupied there to three, with a further Ministerial room being converted for use by private office staff. The First Minister’s office would also be available to other Ministers if the First Minister was not occupying it. All other accommodation would be surrendered to assist the urgent need for office space.
Ministers agreed that it would be important to counteract any impression of loss of direct contact with policy divisions by continuing to use Cathays Park regularly for face to face meetings with officials.
Cabinet agreed that it would be useful to hold an awayday over the summer recess, and before the awayday for the Labour Group on 21 September.
There were several options for formalising the role and status of Deputy Ministers. Most of these required changes to standing orders, although it was possible for Deputy Ministers to move motions in Plenary without any such change. The First Minister would consider the options further and, if appropriate, circulate details of the options available for comment.
Attention turned to the role of Wales in legal affairs. Ministers noted the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs’ proposals for reform of the justice system. One possible consequence of this was that a new Supreme Court could replace the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the final court of appeal on devolution competence issues including judicial review cases.
More generally, the reform proposals offered an opportunity to establish and clarify Wales as a parallel jurisdiction to England by, for instance, removing English courts from the current Wales and Chester Circuit. The legal profession was likely to support such moves provided they did not prevent Welsh lawyers from also practising in England. Cabinet requested a paper on these issues, and on the contribution legal services made to economic development and social justice.
Wanless Review of Health and Social Care in Wales. The Minister for Health and Social Services introduced the paper. Derek Wanless’s report had set out some stark challenges facing heath and social services in Wales, although many of the messages were not new. In particular, it was clear that demographic trends, such as the especially marked increase in Wales in the ageing population, tended to counteract service improvements, and that demand for health care was outstripping increases in its supply. The solutions therefore focused on reducing demand on secondary care by, for instance, greater co-ordination between the National Health Service and social services departments to minimise delayed transfers of care, and improved primary care services to reduce hospital admissions. More generally, it was clear that the current problems affected many portfolios directly or indirectly, and it was important to maintain collective ownership of the solutions.
The report’s proposals would require radical change, including the reconfiguration of the workforce and the elimination of waste, although some elements of the current system and policy commitments should not be altered.
Communications and Media Items. Cabinet discussed current stress and strains between governments and broadcasters. The First Minister agreed that a meeting with the BBC could be useful.
Public Services Ombudsman consultation paper. The First Minister introduced a paper. The main question was whether the consultation document should propose that the Ombudsman’s remit should include alleged breaches of codes of conduct by members of sponsored bodies. This would be superficially consistent with the regulation of conduct of elected members in local government, but would cut across Ministers’ own accountability for the conduct of board members of public bodies since they appointed them. On balance, it would be better for the Ombudsman’s remit not to be extended in this way.
Quinquennial review of the Sports Council for Wales. The Minister for Culture, the Welsh Language and Sport noted that he would be offering further support to the Sports Council as a result of its critical quinquennial review.
My diary noted that the UK reshuffle
continued to be an issue and I raised it in questions with Rhodri, (I’d raised it in a group first, so he should have been aware), suggesting that as the ’97 White Paper referred to a separate S of S for Wales, this represented a change in the ’97 settlement.
I also noted:
Tuition fees is becoming an issue.
I was still concerned :
at the gap between the Cabinet and the Assembly Group. We didn’t get much involvement in policy in my experience.
The Cabinet meeting on 14 July heard that the the First Minister had received consultation papers from Lord Falconer on proposals for a new Supreme Court, Judicial Appointments Committee and reform of the House of Lords. Ministers noted the implications for the Assembly of the Supreme Court replacing the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the final court of appeal on devolution vires issues.
Seating Arrangements. Ministers noted the media coverage being given to the debate on seating arrangements in the Assembly despite the large volume of high-profile business of real substance also scheduled in both plenary and committee. It was important to communicate positively on real issues to counter negative media reporting.
Ministers also discussed a range of ways in which Assembly Government policy could be communicated. Cabinet was informed that action was being taken to ensure that the eight premises of National Museums and Galleries of Wales indicated that free entry was due to Assembly Government funding. Cabinet noted the production of posters publicising the Assembly Government’s policy on free swimming for children and young people during school holidays.
Wales Spatial Plan. The Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services introduced the paper and the draft Spatial Plan for Wales. It was important for the Assembly Government to show leadership and set a spatial direction for Wales for the next few years and identify areas where intervention could make a difference.
Cardiff’s centenary. The Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport introduced the paper. Ministers could see no justifiable case for financial support towards Cardiff County Council’s proposals for its city status centenary celebrations in 2005. Ministers also agreed that Assembly Sponsored Public Bodies should not provide funding, other than support for a specific event during the year to celebrate the half century of capital city status.
The Children’s Commissioner for Wales’ report ‘Telling Concerns’. The Minister for Health and Social Services introduced the paper and outlined the proposed Assembly Government response to the Children’s Commissioner’s review of local authorities social services departments’ system of complaints, whistle blowing and advocacy for children and young people. Ministers approved the draft Assembly Government response.
Economic Research Advisory Panel Report. The First Minister introduced the paper and invited comments on the Fourth Report to the Assembly Government of the Economic Advisory Research Panel (ERAP).
Welsh Baccalaureate. An advisory committee on a long term replacement for General Certificate of Seconday Education (GCSE) and "A" Level qualifications in England was due to report to the Department for Education and Skills. The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning raised the need to consider how to communicate the progress being made on the Welsh Baccalaureate.
There was a paper on the Italian Presidency of the EU:
Cabinet next met on 22 September. The First Minister welcomed the good news about additional jobs coming to Wales. The British economy was currently out-performing most of Europe and the Welsh economy was out-performing the UK. Wales now had a lower rate of unemployment than England, Scotland and Northern Ireland on the standard International Labour Organisation measure of unemployment, although on claimant count figures, unemployment in Wales remained higher in England.
Welsh Baccalaureate. Cabinet welcomed the news that the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) had agreed that the Welsh Baccalaureate was equal to grade A at A-level. That would increase the interest among English schools in using the Welsh Baccalaureate in their curriculum. Cabinet agreed that it would be useful if a note could be provided explaining the substance and significance of UCAS’ decision and that a slot was found in plenary for the Minister for Education and Life-Long Learning to make an announcement about the decision.
The finances of the National Botanic Garden and the Millennium Stadium were causing concern.
Wales - a Better Country. The First Minister informed colleagues that he was launching the Welsh Assembly Government’s new strategic document, “Wales – a better Country”, the next day, on Tuesday 23 September.
Welsh Legal System. The First Minister introduced a paper about the Welsh Legal System. The greater the distinctiveness of the Welsh legal system, the greater the amount of high level legal work which would be carried out within Wales, with all of the consequential economic benefits. Cabinet accepted that devolution should encourage the emergence of a more distinctively Welsh legal system and the economic opportunities that would go with it.
Sub Committee for Older People. The Minister for Health and Social Services introduced the paper to seek approval for the arrangements for a Cabinet Sub Committee on Older People. Cabinet endorsed the paper and approved the establishment and membership of the sub-committee.
Local Government Election Date. The Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services introduced a paper to consider moving the date of the local elections in 2004. The local elections were scheduled for May and the European Parliamentary elections were scheduled Europe – wide for June. The Lord Chancellor had recently published the “European Parliamentary and Local Elections (Pilots) Bill”. This proposed that pilot voting schemes would be permitted in specified regions at the European Elections. One of the proposed pilots could be an all-postal pilot and representations had already been made to the Lord Chancellor and the Chair of the Electoral Commission to consider Wales for this pilot.
The Cabinet meeting on 6 October had a paper on the funding of the National Botanic Gardens. A press conference was due to be given by the trustees following their meeting on the evening of 6th October. Ministers also discussed the management of the Garden. There was also a need for the conflict between the Garden as a scientific institution and a tourist attraction to be resolved.Ministers resolved not to change their views on the provision of more funding for the Garden. Ministers requested briefing on the lines to take on issues relating to the National Botanic Garden of Wales including the amount of Assembly Government funding provided to date.
National Remembrance Day. The First Minister informed colleagues that agreement had been reached with the Secretary of State and the Leader of Cardiff County Council on the details of the National Remembrance Day service at the War Memorial in Cathays Park. With some similarities to the Cenotaph ceremony in Whitehall, wreaths would be laid by the Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, political leaders from the National Assembly, the Secretary of State and Cardiff County Council.
Structural Funds. The Minister for Economic Development and Transport introduced the paper and outlined the progress of the 2000-2006 structural fund programme. The Minister was pleased with the progress so far. In particular 44% of the total programme allocation had been committed. The Assembly Government was also required by the European Commission to undertake a Mid –Term Review of the Objective One Programme. Revisions to the Single Programming Document were required by December. There was a need to maintain this momentum . There was also a need to ensure a more mainstream approach was taken. This could be achieved by the establishment of a Cabinet Sub-Committee to consider structural fund issues. Ministers concluded by agreeing to establish the Sub-Committee in principle.
Age-Balanced Communities. This was an overhang from the previous Assembly. The Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside introduced the paper. The Minister proposed asking a Working Group of the Rural Partnership to review and develop the proposals where there is scope for action, and report back. Ministers requested a paper identifying work already being carried out and work which needed to be taken forward.
Voluntary Sector and ASPBs. The Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration had chaired a meeting of the Voluntary Sector Partnership Council that morning. Voluntary sector members had asked about the monitoring of the Code of Practice on Funding in relation to Assembly Sponsored Public Bodies. The Minister suggested it might be useful if she met the Chairs and Chief Executives of ASPBs together with relevant voluntary sector representatives and the lead Minister. Cabinet noted the suggestion.
At the meeting on 20 October, the First Minister raised the issue of Ministerial attendance at the Assembly’s regional committees. Ministers agreed to resist moves to involve them in regional committees in a ministerial capacity. Regional committees could be encouraged to get involved as part of the consultation process on Assembly Government proposals.
European Union Council of Ministers. The First Minister reported on his attendance with Bill Rammell, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign Office, at the informal Regional Affairs Ministers’ meeting of the European Union Council of Ministers in Rome, on the role of the regional tier of Government in Europe following the completion of the work of the convention on a European Constitution..
Rail Franchise. The Minister for Economic Development and Transport informed colleagues that the single rail franchise for Wales and the Borders had been signed off that morning.
Communications and Media Items. Ministers raised concerns about the lack of serious balance between and trivial coverage of Assembly business by the media. This particularly appeared acute with daily newspapers in Wales.
Wanless Review. The Minister for Health and Social Services provided an update on the implementation of recommendations from the Review of Health and Social Care. In order to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the implementation of the Wanless Action Plan, the Minister proposed the establishment of a Cabinet Task and Finish Group. Ministers noted the paper and approved the establishment of the Cabinet Task and Finish Group.
Children’s Bill. The Minister for Health and Social Services introduced the paper. The Minister outlined proposals for inclusion in a Children’s Bill, expected to be included in the Queen’s Speech.
Wales Millennium Centre Funding. The Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport updated Ministers on the latest position regarding the pre-opening costs and business plan of the Wales Millennium Centre. The Minister was scheduled to make a statement in plenary on 11th November.
The meeting on 10 November discussed arrangements for Cabinet Sub-Committee business and the need to ensure diaries were kept free for Cabinet Sub-Committee meetings. Ministers agreed that Cabinet Sub-Committees should be held on the same day as Cabinet meetings.
There were plans for the announcement of the commencement of the free school breakfast policy on Tuesday.
Location Strategy. The Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services introduced the paper and outlined the proposals for taking forward the strategy in Mid and North Wales. The projects for relocation to Merthyr Tydfil and the relocation of Cadw would proceed with the aim of occupation into new offices by the end of 2005. The North Wales office would be a generic office. The broad strategic functions and the location of the office in North Wales would be announced by the spring of 2004. The final decisions and announcement on the specific functions and the location of the Mid Wales office would be made in summer 2004.
Refresh of A Winning Wales. The Minister for Economic Development and Transport introduced the paper, which updated colleagues on the progress made in carrying out the refresh of A Winning Wales and outlined the proposed changes to two of the targets. Ministers noted the paper.
Age Balanced Communities Study. The Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside introduced the paper and outlined the current situation regarding the Age Balanced Communities Study. The Rural Partnership would be asked to consider where they could add value to help develop and implement the proposals. Following publication of the report and the action plan, interested parties would also be invited to submit comments to officials. A list of the policy initiatives already being carried out by the Assembly Government would be placed with the report.
Guidance on Answering Assembly Questions on Assembly Sponsored Public Bodies. The Business Minister introduced the paper, which was noted by Ministers.
Economic Research Advisory Panel Report. The First Minister introduced the paper and invited comments on the draft Annual Report on Government Funded Economic Research in Wales. Ministers approved the paper and the draft report
Teachers’ Pay. The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning informed colleagues of the latest position on negotiations over teachers’ pay. The School Teachers’ Review Body had recommended an inflation based pay increase of 2.5% from April 2004 and 3.25% from April 2005. The Secretary of State had made an announcement and proposed that there should be a phased approach to the introduction of the 3.25 % increase with a 2.5% increase from April 2005 rising to a 3.25% increase from September 2005. Teaching unions had not responded positively to the proposals. The Minister agreed to report back to Cabinet with a paper after the consultation exercise.
Cabinet on 17 November discussed the recent announcement by the Home Secretary about identity cards and requested a paper on the implications for Wales, and for devolved functions in particular. The paper should look specifically at bilingual issues, the options for incorporating entitlement cards for the elderly, and the potential for using driving licences.
Wales Millennium Centre. Ministers welcomed the gift of £10 million from Donald Gordon to the Wales Millennium Centre, including the linkage with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and South African comparator cultural organisations.
Sports. The First Minister suggested inviting the Welsh rugby and football teams to a reception in the milling area before the end of recess to congratulate them on their performances and perhaps encourage them to become role models to improve Welsh health, fitness, nutrition and diet and exercise levels. Cabinet colleagues agreed and suggested extending invitations to other prominent sportsmen and sportswomen.
Review of Communities First. The Deputy Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration presented the paper on the review of Communities First and highlighted the recommendations in the report. Ministers welcomed the review paper and broadly supported its initial findings. Ministers discussed the recommendations and concluded that a number of the recommendations would be considered as part of the spending review, and reference should be made to the Wales Spatial Plan. Cabinet Sub-Committees could include items for discussion on their agendas. There could also be a role for the policy board of the Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration. It was also suggested that Assembly Sponsored Public Body remit letters could make specific reference to the anti-poverty agenda. There were concerns over the term ‘programme bending’; however Ministers agreed in principle the need to spend in a way which was consistent with existing anti-poverty commitments, including the overarching social inclusion goal.
Review of National Lottery. The Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport introduced the paper, which contained proposals for a single lottery body for Wales, replacing the five current lottery distribution bodies in Wales.
Energy Conservation Action Plan. The Minister for Economic Development and Transport introduced the paper, which had been developed to fulfil the Welsh Assembly Government’s policy on energy efficiency.
Fforwm Iaith. In response to the Assembly Government’s Action Plan for a bilingual Wales, the Minister for Culture Welsh Language and Sport introduced the paper seeking the Cabinet’s views on general proposals to establish a language forum.
At Cabinet on 1 December the First Minister expressed his thanks to Emma Barton and other officials involved in organising the British Irish Council Summit in Wales at the Oakdale Miners' Institute, St Fagan's on 28th November. The event had been a success and discussion flowed well between the governments and administrations, not only on the incoming Northern Ireland election results but also on the lead topic of minority languages. This work would assume greater significance after the enlargement of the European Union: with so many of the accession states facing similar language issues.
Joint Ministerial Council Europe. The First Minister had attended the meeting in London that morning where a number of issues affecting Wales had been discussed, and where he and his Scottish opposite number had been able to promote the devolved administrations' particular interests.
Open Mike Session. Ministers felt that the latest Open Mike Session in Swansea had been very well attended and positively received by and large and discussed the possibility for the next session to be held outside of South Wales.
Local Government Elections. The First Minister noted that it had been necessary to take the decision to combine European and local government elections in time to influence the Electoral Commission’s decision on which regions would host all-postal ballots.
Sponsorship of Assembly Sponsored Public Bodies (ASPBs). The Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services introduced the paper following previous discussion at the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Local Government and Public Services. The Sub-Committee had agreed and endorsed the original paper, but had referred it to Cabinet because it was recognised that Ministers not on the Sub-Committee would appreciate the opportunity for consideration of the issues.
Sports Strategy. The Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport introduced the paper which provided an update on the Assembly Government Strategy for Sport, Physical Activity and Active Recreation. The Minister asked the Cabinet to agree the Recommendations that were included from paragraph 11 onwards and also the comments in the Annex from local authorities around Wales.
Fforwm Iaith. The Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport introduced the paper, which had been further refined since the last meeting of Cabinet. The paper sought Cabinet's views on the proposal to establish a Fforwm Iaith stemming from the commitment in Iaith Pawb.
Irish Presidency of the European Union. The First Minister introduced the paper which described the priorities of the Irish Presidency of the European Union between January and June 2004.