Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. There were no apologies.

Luke Fletcher declared that he is a member of Greyhound Rescue Wales.

Gwenith Price, Office of the Welsh Language Commissioner

Eleri James, Office of the Welsh Language Commissioner

The Committee heard evidence from Gwenith Price, Deputy Welsh Language Commissioner and Eleri James, senior policy, infrastructure and research officer with the Welsh Language Commissioner's office.

Jack Sargeant MS declared the following relevant interest under Standing Order 17.24A:

He knows the petitioner and launched the all-Wales adult first seizure and epilepsy management pathway in the Senedd last year.

The Committee noted the response and agreed to write back to the Minister to ask what the plans are to increase the number and spread of epilepsy specialist nurses across Wales.

Jack Sargeant MS and Luke Fletcher MS declared the following relevant interest under Standing Order 17.24A:

They both know the petitioner.

The Committee considered the petition and agree to undertake a short inquiry and to gather evidence from a diverse range of witnesses.

Joel James MS declared the following relevant interest under Standing Order 17.24A:

He knows a family members who has fibromyalgia.

The Committee considered the correspondence received and agreed to write to Higher Education Funding Council for Wales asking how they have supported Universities and colleges and ask what discussions have there been about making as many courses as possible accessible through remote access.

Luke Fletcher declared the following relevant interest under Standing Order 17.24A:

He is a member of Greyhound Rescue Wales.

The Committee considered the petition and agree to take evidence and hold a short inquiry.

The Committee considered the correspondence received and agreed to

• write to the experts named by the petitioner to seek their views on the petition to shape the letter to the Minister
• write back to the Minister to share the petitioner’s disappointment and the analysis from the experts
• seek clarification about whether there will be an expectation for Local Health Boards to provide joint packages and commission Independent User Trusts and what guidance and support will be in place to ensure this happens; and
• Given that the legislation is the barrier, ask why steps are not being taken to amend the flawed legislation.

The Committee noted that the Minister has provided more detail on how they plan to progress with their animal welfare commitments, including improving the training and skills of local authority enforcement officers and that the Welsh Government are working with enforcement agencies, animal welfare organisations and intend to consult on their priorities. The Committee therefore agreed to close the petition and thank the petitioner.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to:

• ask Qualifications Wales to clarify why the research report on this issue is being delayed until May; and
• wait for the publication of the research report by Qualifications Wales to have a clearer overview of the experiences of teachers across Wales, before deciding what further action can be taken

Since the Minister has provided a further response regarding access to funding, stating that the potential of further funding is being considered and that the Welsh Government will also consider promoting this through school and colleges networks, the Committee agreed to thank the petitioner and close the petition.

The Committee acknowledges and applauds the tireless campaigning undertaken by the petitioner throughout this process. Following the debate in the Senedd on 16 February members concluded that they have done all that they can to support this petition, and therefore agreed to now close the petition and thank the petitioner.

Children, Young People and Education Committee -

Young People's Priorities for the Committee in the 6th Senedd

The paper was noted.

The Motion was agreed.

The Committee considered the evidence received and agreed to write to the Welsh Government highlighting the issues. The evidence highlighted the current arrangements in Wales and the lack of statutory powers to implement recommendations. A more detailed review of the current picture and would be required before recommendations can be made to address this complex situation. The Committee also agreed to draw this to the attention of the relevant Senedd Committees.