Agenda and minutes

• Dr Martin Price, Chair of Vale School Governor Association

• Laurence Matuszczyk, Chair of Merthyr Tydfil School Governor Association

• David Blackwell, Headteacher of St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School, Barry and Chair of the vale of Glamorgan Education Budget Forum

• Matthew Gilbert, Headteacher Barry Island Primary School 

The Committee heard evidence from Dr Martin Price, Chair of Vale School Governor Association, Laurence Matuszczyk, Chair of Merthyr Tydfil School Governor Association, David Blackwell, Headteacher of St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School, Barry and Chair of the vale of Glamorgan Education Budget Forum and Matthew Gilbert, Headteacher, Barry Island Primary School.

The Committee considered the correspondence from the Welsh Government and noted that there are no plans to introduce a slip road in this location, and that this particular issue would not meet the criteria for funding for new roads following the Roads Review.

In light of this Members agreed to close the petition and thank the petitioner.

The Committee considered the petition and given that detailed scrutiny has already been undertaken by the Health and Social Care Committee within the last year, and the Welsh Government accepted most of their report recommendations, it is unclear what else the Committee could do at present to add further value.

In light of this Members agreed to close the petition and thank the petitioner for highlighting this important issue.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to wait for the Welsh Government’s response to the petition before deciding on the next step to take.

The Committee considered the petition and welcomed the Deputy Minister’s confirmation that these two routes will be considered closely by Transport for Wales as part of their discussions with local authorities. Members agreed to write back to the Minister to request an update is provided on the outcome of the discussion regarding these specific routes.

The Committee thanked the students for submitting their petition, and for sharing their detailed, technical analysis which makes a series of recommendations to amend the Environmental Information Regulations in the future.

Members agreed to write to the Welsh Government sharing the petitioners correspondence, and to request answers to the questions outlined in their response. 

Additionally, Members agreed to highlight the petition and share the petitioners correspondence with the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee and the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee, who are currently monitoring these regulations.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to write to the Welsh Language Commissioner asking for an update on protecting Welsh names for places in Wales.

Joel James, MS, noted that he doesn’t support the crux of the petition.

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

The petitioner is known to him.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to write to Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to raise awareness of the petition, ask them to include it as part of  consultation responses and ask what their plans and timescale for decision making following the closure of the public consultation, which has been extended to 1 December.

The Committee considered the petition and noted the strength of feeling and the detailed work by campaigners.

Members agreed to highlight the petition to the local authority and ask for an update on what is being done on the issue

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to wait for the Welsh Government’s response before deciding on the next step to take including consideration of whether to request a debate in plenary.

The Chair provided an update to the Committee on his recent visit to the A477 'Fingerpost' junction site where he met with the local Senedd Member, Sam Kurtz, along with campaigners, local councillors, and representatives from Simon Hart's office.

Members agreed to await the outcome of the debate which is scheduled to take place on 22 November.

The paper was noted.

The motion was agreed.

The Committee discussed the evidence heard.