Agenda and minutes

The Committee welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies were received from Luke Fletcher MS.

Heledd Fychan MS attended the meeting as substitute for Luke Fletcher MS.

The Committee considered the petition and acknowledged the genuine concerns raised by the petitioner. Whilst there is little further the Committee can do to take the petition forward, they agreed it was important to bring the concerns and the Minister’s response to the attention of the Health and Social Care Committee. The Committee agreed to close the petition and thank the petitioner for raising the issue.

In doing so Members also agreed to:

• write to Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee to highlight the petition and forward the correspondence received from the Minister and the petitioner; and
• notify the petitioner of their local and regional Members should they wish to raise the issue with them directly.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed that this is a highly emotive issue. Members agreed to write back to the First Minister asking him to provide the Committee with an updated response now that the latest information about the role of the Prime Minister regarding the terms of reference has been received.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to write to Chair of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee who is currently undertaking a review of the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 regulation review, to ask whether the issues raised by the petition would be considered as part of that work.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to 

write back to the Minister to ask why the guidance to support the delivery of Future Wales has not yet been published to support the decision-making process and for clarification on the timescale for publication.

The Committee considered the petition and noted the Minister’s response which highlights the progress of the   Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill and that officials are engaging with Defra on this matter. In light of the ongoing work on the issue the Committee agreed to close the petition and thank the petitioner.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed keep a watching brief pending the second stage of the report from the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales.

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

He remains a councillor for Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council until close of play on 9 May 2022

The Committee considered the petition and, given the Minister’s firm response that the current Special Landscape Areas policy framework provides sufficient protection, Members agreed to close the petition and thank the petitioner, whilst encouraging individual Members of the Senedd to raise concerns when they arise.

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

He is a Member of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation.

The Committee considered the petition and, given that the Welsh Government acknowledge the need for a review of legislation around protecting biodiversity but have no plans to do so at this point, Members agreed to thank the petitioner and close the petition.

The Committee also agreed to note Heledd Fychan MS’s view that given the acknowledgement of the need to review legislation, it should happen as part of the response to the climate, nature and biodiversity emergency.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to write back to the Minister for Health and Social Services asking that the Committee receives a copy of the letter once it’s been sent to all Local Authorities.

The Committee considered the petition and in light of the evidence received that disposable BBQs are not seen as a huge problem from a fire safety perspective, and a ban would be difficult to enforce, the Committee agreed to thank the petitioner for raising the issue and closed the petition.

In doing so, the Committee urged the people of Wales and anyone who comes to visit this summer to use disposable barbecues in a safe way, and to dispose of them properly, ensuring that safety comes first, and that everyone can enjoy the national parks and our wonderful nature reserves and beaches across Wales.

Steven Williams, Citizen Engagement Manager, gave an overview of a recent engagement with care experienced parents across Wales, sharing some of the key themes which were highlighted. He thanked all 24 individuals who contributed and shared their often-difficult experiences. Jack Sargeant MS and Chair of the Petitions Committee and Committee Member Buffy Williams MS shared their humbling experience of listening to care experienced parents being supported by Voices from Care and thanked them for their time and for sharing their experiences.

The Committee has invited the Deputy Minister for Social Services to attend a future meeting.

The paper was noted.

The paper was noted.

The motion was agreed.

The Committee considered the draft report and agreed to some minor changes. The draft report will be considered again at a future meeting.