Agenda and minutes

1.1.      The Chair welcomed Members to the meeting of the Local Government and Housing Committee.

Jane Hutt MS, Minister for Social Justice

Ruth Meadows, Temporary Director of Ukraine Response, Welsh Government

Emma Williams, Director of Housing and Regeneration, Welsh Government

Joanna Valentine, Deputy Director Ukraine Accommodation Division, Welsh Government

Jo Trott, Deputy Director Ukraine Accommodation Division, Welsh Government

2.1. The Committee took evidence from:

Jane Hutt MS, Minister for Social Justice

Ruth Meadows, Temporary Director of Ukraine Response, Welsh Government

Emma Williams, Director of Housing and Regeneration, Welsh Government

Joanna Valentine, Deputy Director Ukraine Accommodation Division, Welsh Government

Jo Trott, Deputy Director Ukraine Accommodation Division, Welsh Government

2.2. The Minister for Social Justice agreed to provide:

·         Figures on the number of Ukrainian refugees who have moved on from their initial accommodation, when information from the data platform is available

·         An update on the development and use of modular accommodation, including the cost per unit, and how they will be used in programmes to meet all housing needs.

·         A note on the reduction in discretionary housing payments

·         A copy of the letter from Welsh Ministers to the UK Government relating to local housing allowances

3.1.a The Committee noted the letter from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution in relation to modernising electoral administration.

3.2.a The Committee noted the correspondence from the Welsh Cladiators in relation to building safety and following a further discussion in private, agreed to write to the Minister for Climate Change on matters raised.

3.3.a The Committee noted the letter from the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd to the Llywydd in relation to the UK Energy Prices Bill.

4.1. The Committee agreed the motion.

5.1. The Committee considered the Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) on the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill and agreed to write to the Minister for Climate Change on matters raised.

6.1. The Committee considered the Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) on the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill and agreed to write to the Minister for Climate Change on matters raised.

Judith Cole, Deputy Director Local Government Finance Policy & Sustainability, Welsh Government

Emma Smith, Head of Local Government Finance Policy, Welsh Government

Tim Evans, Head of Local Government Funding, Welsh Government

James Koe, Senior Statistical Officer-Future Funding & Settlement Manager, Welsh Government

Leah Whitty, Finance Policy Officer (Revenues and Benefits), Welsh Local Government Association

7.1. The Committee received a technical briefing from:

Judith Cole, Deputy Director Local Government Finance Policy & Sustainability, Welsh Government

Emma Smith, Head of Local Government Finance Policy, Welsh Government

Tim Evans, Head of Local Government Funding, Welsh Government

Leah Whitty, Finance Policy Officer (Revenues and Benefits), Welsh Local Government Association

8.1. The Committee considered the evidence received and agreed to write to the Minister for Social Justice and draft a short report for its work on housing Ukrainian refugees.