Agenda and minutes

1.1.      The Chair welcomed Members to the meeting of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee.

1.2.      In accordance with Standing Order 34.19, the Chair stated that he had determined that the public were excluded from the Committee’s meeting in order to protect public health.

1.3.      The Chair stated that if for any reason he dropped out of the meeting, the Committee agreed that Dawn Bowden MS would become Temporary Chair in accordance with Standing Order 17.22.

Councillor Anthony Hunt, Leader, Torfaen County Borough Council

Councillor Llinos Medi, Leader, Isle of Anglesey County Council

Councillor Sam Rowlands, Leader, Conwy County Borough Council

Chris Llewelyn, Chief Executive, Welsh Local Government Association

Carys Lord, Head of Finance, Vale of Glamorgan Council

2.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Councillor Llinos Medi, Leader, Isle of Anglesey County Council

·         Councillor Sam Rowlands, Leader, Conwy County Borough Council

·         Chris Llewelyn, Chief Executive, Welsh Local Government Association

·         Jon Rae, Director of Resources, Welsh Local Government Association

2.2. During the meeting the WLGA agreed to explore whether an assessment is available of the impact that empty shops has had on the revenue collected from Non-Domestic Rates since the start of the pandemic and information on the reliefs available to small businesses. 

3.1.a. The Committee noted the letter from the Minister for Health and Social Services to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, in relation to NHS complaints data.

3.2.a. The Committee noted the letter from the Minister for Housing and Local Government in relation to fire safety in high rise buildings.

3.3.a. The Committee noted the letter from the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip in relation to the impact of COVID-19 on the voluntary sector.

3.4.a. The Committee noted the letter from the Bevan Foundation to the First Minister in relation to poverty and COVID-19.

3.5.a. The Committee noted the submission from the Bevan Foundation in relation to poverty in winter and COVID-19.

3.6.a. The Committee noted the letter from the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip in relation to the Domestic Abuse Bill.

3.7.a. The Committee noted the joint letter from the Minister for Housing and Local Government and the Minister for Education to the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee in relation to the Welsh Government draft budget 2021-22.

4.1. The Committee agreed the motion.

5.1. The Committee considered the evidence received.

6.1. The Committee considered the draft report and discussed a number of changes.

7.1. The Committee considered and agreed the draft motion; the draft report and the draft terms and conditions for the appointment of an Acting PSOW.

8.1. The Committee considered and agreed the draft letter to the Minister for Housing and Local Government, subject to minor changes.