Y Cyfarfod Llawn
Plenary
10/05/2023Cynnwys
Contents
Yn y fersiwn ddwyieithog, mae’r golofn chwith yn cynnwys yr iaith a lefarwyd yn y cyfarfod. Mae’r golofn dde yn cynnwys cyfieithiad o’r areithiau hynny.
In the bilingual version, the left-hand column includes the language used during the meeting. The right-hand column includes a translation of those speeches.
Cyfarfu'r Senedd yn y Siambr a thrwy gynhadledd fideo am 13:30 gyda'r Llywydd (Elin Jones) yn y Gadair.
The Senedd met in the Chamber and by video-conference at 13:30 with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.
Prynhawn da a chroeso, bawb, i'r Cyfarfod Llawn. Yr eitem gyntaf y prynhawn yma yw'r cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog Cyllid a Llywodraeth Leol, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf y prynhawn yma gan Natasha Asghar.
Good afternoon and welcome, all, to this Plenary meeting. The first item this afternoon is questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government, and the first question this afternoon is from Natasha Asghar.
1. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gyda Chyngor Dinas Casnewydd ynglŷn â'i allu i ddarparu ei wasanaethau statudol? OQ59467
1. What discussions has the Minister had with Newport City Council regarding its ability to deliver its statutory services? OQ59467
I meet regularly with council leaders, collectively and individually, to discuss a wide range of matters, including the impact of the current economic challenges on service delivery.
Rwy’n cyfarfod yn rheolaidd ag arweinwyr cynghorau, gyda'i gilydd ac yn unigol, i drafod ystod eang o faterion, gan gynnwys effaith yr heriau economaidd presennol ar ddarpariaeth gwasanaethau.
Thank you for that answer, Minister. Waste collection is a statutory service and, at the moment, it's a very big talking point for everyone in Newport. I'm sure that you're well aware of the city council's plan to introduce three-weekly black bin collections. This decision has caused a huge uproar within residents across the city, and, I must admit, I'm even one of them as well. There are concerns that this move will lead to more fly-tipping, especially as the bins we've all got are, indeed, far too small, having had the smaller bins given to us only a few years ago. It's shameful that the people of Newport are being forced to go along with this drastic cut in services whilst at the same time seeing their council tax bills rocket. Torfaen council has been considering a similar move but have thankfully seen the light, and dropped the plans. Minister, do you agree with me that Newport City Council should scrap these plans, and will you call on them to just do that, because pushing ahead with this will be a very bitter pill for the residents to swallow?
Diolch am eich ateb, Weinidog. Mae casglu gwastraff yn wasanaeth statudol, ac ar hyn o bryd, mae’n destun siarad pwysig i bawb yng Nghasnewydd. Rwy’n siŵr eich bod yn ymwybodol iawn o gynllun cyngor y ddinas i gyflwyno casgliadau bin du bob tair wythnos. Mae'r penderfyniad hwn wedi achosi cryn dipyn o ddicter ymhlith trigolion ledled y ddinas, ac mae'n rhaid imi gyfaddef fy mod innau'n un ohonynt hefyd. Mae yna bryderon y bydd y newid hwn yn arwain at fwy o dipio anghyfreithlon, yn enwedig gan fod y biniau sydd gennym, yn wir, yn llawer rhy fach, ar ôl inni gael y biniau llai o faint ychydig flynyddoedd yn ôl yn unig. Mae'n gywilyddus fod pobl Casnewydd yn cael eu gorfodi i dderbyn y toriad aruthrol hwn i wasanaethau wrth i filiau'r dreth gyngor godi'n sylweddol ar yr un pryd. Mae cyngor Torfaen wedi bod yn ystyried cam tebyg, ond maent wedi gweld y goleuni, diolch byth, ac wedi cael gwared ar y cynlluniau. Weinidog, a ydych chi'n cytuno â mi y dylai Cyngor Dinas Casnewydd gael gwared ar y cynlluniau hyn, ac a wnewch chi alw arnynt i wneud hynny, gan y bydd bwrw ymlaen â hyn yn faich mawr iawn i’r trigolion?
I would say that waste collection in Newport is a matter for Newport council. But I think that the difficult choices that are being presented to local government have to be seen very much in the context of the current situation whereby, obviously, local authorities are being hit by the impacts of inflation, but also seeing the impact, of course, of the ongoing tale of austerity, which is having an impact on the budgets available to local authorities. That said, we have done our very, very best here in the Welsh Government to provide local government with the best possible settlement. Local authorities across Wales together will receive £5.5 billion from the Welsh Government in core revenue funding and non-domestic rates to deliver on their key services. In Newport, they'll receive £289.5 million through the local government settlement to deliver their statutory and non-statutory services. That's an 8.9 per cent increase on last year. But, that said, I do understand that it still presents leaders with very difficult choices.
Hoffwn ddweud mai mater i gyngor Casnewydd yw casglu gwastraff yng Nghasnewydd. Ond credaf fod yn rhaid ystyried y dewisiadau anodd y mae'n rhaid i lywodraeth leol eu gwneud yng nghyd-destun y sefyllfa bresennol lle mae awdurdodau lleol, yn amlwg, yn cael eu taro gan effeithiau chwyddiant, ond hefyd, wrth gwrs, yn gweld effaith cyni parhaus, sy'n cael effaith ar y cyllidebau sydd ar gael i awdurdodau lleol. Wedi dweud hynny, rydym wedi gwneud ein gorau glas yma yn Llywodraeth Cymru i roi’r setliad gorau posibl i lywodraeth leol. Bydd awdurdodau lleol ledled Cymru gyda'i gilydd yn cael £5.5 biliwn gan Lywodraeth Cymru mewn cyllid refeniw craidd ac ardrethi annomestig i ddarparu eu gwasanaethau allweddol. Yng Nghasnewydd, byddant yn cael £289.5 miliwn drwy'r setliad llywodraeth leol i ddarparu eu gwasanaethau statudol ac anstatudol. Mae hynny'n gynnydd o 8.9 y cant ers y llynedd. Ond wedi dweud hynny, rwy'n deall bod hyn yn dal i olygu dewisiadau anodd iawn i arweinwyr.
Minister, education is a vital statutory responsibility of local authorities—vital for the future of our children, communities and countries. Newport City Council is the only local authority in south-east Wales without a single school in special measures. So, will you join me in congratulating the city council, the teachers, teaching assistants, headteachers and entire school support staff in working so hard for our children, young people and communities?
Weinidog, mae addysg yn gyfrifoldeb statudol hanfodol sydd gan awdurdodau lleol—hanfodol i ddyfodol ein plant, ein cymunedau a’n gwledydd. Cyngor Dinas Casnewydd yw’r unig awdurdod lleol yn ne-ddwyrain Cymru heb unrhyw ysgol sy'n destun mesurau arbennig. Felly, a wnewch chi ymuno â mi i longyfarch cyngor y ddinas, yr athrawon, y cynorthwywyr addysgu, y penaethiaid a staff cymorth yr holl ysgolion am weithio mor galed dros ein plant, ein pobl ifanc a'n cymunedau?
Llywydd, I'm always delighted to recognise good work, so I would definitely join John Griffiths in extending our congratulations and our appreciation to the council, and also to the schools, the teachers, and the wider schools family, and also of course to those pupils themselves, who are striving every day to achieve the best they can.
Lywydd, rwyf bob amser wrth fy modd yn cydnabod gwaith da, felly rwy'n sicr yn ymuno â John Griffiths i longyfarch a dangos ein gwerthfawrogiad i’r cyngor, a hefyd i’r ysgolion, yr athrawon, a theulu ehangach yr ysgolion, a hefyd, wrth gwrs, i'r disgyblion eu hunain, sy'n ymdrechu bob dydd i gyflawni hyd eithaf eu gallu.
2. Pa gamau mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi eu cymryd i sicrhau bod y cyllid ar gyfer awdurdodau lleol yn cael ei ddosbarthu'n deg? OQ59483
2. What actions has the Welsh Government taken to ensure the fair distribution of funding for local authorities? OQ59483
I ensure fair funding for all local authorities in Wales by prioritising health and local government services in budget decisions, and through a transparent, equitable and jointly produced distribution formula with our local government partners.
Rwy’n sicrhau cyllid teg i bob awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru drwy flaenoriaethu gwasanaethau llywodraeth leol ac iechyd mewn penderfyniadau ar y gyllideb, a thrwy fformiwla ddosbarthu dryloyw a theg a gynhyrchir ar y cyd â’n partneriaid llywodraeth leol.
Thank you for that response, Minister. Over the last budget period, there has been plenty of debate surrounding the issue of funding for local authorities, with many of us arguing that something needs to be done to create a fairer and more sustainable system. Many feel the current system is no longer fit for purpose. As I'm sure you would agree, currently, the system has led to a situation where it rewards some councils so much more than others, enabling huge reserves to build whilst other councils struggle to meet their statutory functions. There is clearly something wrong when we see usable reserves build to £2.75 billion. Something needs to be done to fix this problem. Minister, can you give assurances that the distribution sub-group is looking into things, and have you spoken with the Welsh Local Government Association leaders to consider an independent analysis of the funding formula ahead of next year's budget round? Has the Welsh Government listened to the concerns made in this Chamber, or are we being ignored?
Diolch am eich ymateb, Weinidog. Dros gyfnod y gyllideb ddiwethaf, mae digon o ddadlau wedi bod ynghylch mater cyllid i awdurdodau lleol, gyda llawer ohonom yn dadlau bod angen gwneud rhywbeth i greu system decach a mwy cynaliadwy. Mae llawer yn teimlo nad yw'r system bresennol yn addas i'r diben mwyach. Fel y byddech yn cytuno, rwy'n siŵr, ar hyn o bryd, mae’r system wedi arwain at sefyllfa lle mae’n gwobrwyo rhai cynghorau i raddau llawer mwy nag eraill, gan ei gwneud hi'n bosibl i gronfeydd wrth gefn enfawr gronni tra bo cynghorau eraill yn ei chael hi'n anodd cyflawni eu swyddogaethau statudol. Mae'n amlwg fod rhywbeth o'i le pan welwn gronfeydd wrth gefn y gellir eu defnyddio yn cynyddu i £2.75 biliwn. Mae angen gwneud rhywbeth i ddatrys y broblem hon. Weinidog, a wnewch chi roi sicrwydd fod yr is-grŵp dosbarthu'n ymchwilio i'r mater, ac a ydych chi wedi siarad ag arweinwyr Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru i ystyried dadansoddiad annibynnol o’r fformiwla gyllido cyn cylch cyllideb y flwyddyn nesaf? A yw Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gwrando ar y pryderon a leisiwyd yn y Siambr hon, neu a ydym yn cael ein hanwybyddu?
I'm grateful to the Member for the question, but I would take issue with the suggestion that the funding formula in any way rewards some councils, because it's definitely the case that there's no evidence that any authority or particular geographical or social area in Wales is being disadvantaged through the formula. In fact, the formula takes account of both sparsity and dispersion, as well as deprivation. So, it's very much a—[Interruption.] Llywydd, I've got a Member talking in my ear constantly; it's very difficult to concentrate.
Rwy’n ddiolchgar i’r Aelod am ei gwestiwn, ond carwn anghytuno â’r awgrym fod y fformiwla gyllido yn gwobrwyo rhai cynghorau mewn unrhyw ffordd, gan ei bod yn bendant yn wir nad oes tystiolaeth fod unrhyw awdurdod neu ardal ddaearyddol neu gymdeithasol benodol yng Nghymru o dan unrhyw anfantais oherwydd y fformiwla. A dweud y gwir, mae'r fformiwla'n ystyried gwasgariad a theneurwydd poblogaeth, yn ogystal ag amddifadedd. Felly, mae'n bendant—[Torri ar draws.] Lywydd, mae gennyf Aelod yn siarad yn fy nghlust drwy'r amser; mae'n anodd iawn canolbwyntio.
Yes, if you can try and ignore her, I'd advise that.
Ie, os gallwch geisio ei hanwybyddu, byddwn yn eich cynghori i wneud hynny.
I do my best most of the time. It's more difficult today. [Laughter.]
Rwy'n gwneud fy ngorau y rhan fwyaf o'r amser. Mae'n anoddach heddiw. [Chwerthin.]
Nothing personal to the Member. [Laughter.]
Dim byd personol i’r Aelod. [Chwerthin.]
All right. So, the point I'm trying to make about the distribution sub-group is that the formula is not set in stone. It's constantly evolving and, even in this year's updates, there have been several changes. For example, officials are looking at the implications of updating the sparsity and dispersion measures. They are currently based on the previous census. We have new census information now, which will be incorporated into that. And, actually, routinely, on an annual basis, the distribution sub-group factors in a wide range of data—72 per cent of it is updated annually. That includes things such as population data, but also things such as road lengths, street lighting, council tax reduction scheme case loads, planning applications, trading premises, and even the number of ships arriving in ports. So, a wide, wide range of data is looked at, and the distribution sub-group is constantly updating that.
What I would say is that we do take a different approach here to that across the border in England. The approach in England has been to cut the value of the revenue support grant, and that forces councils, then, of course, to rely on business rates and council tax income without reviewing the relative needs and resources of authorities in England. And the Institute for Fiscal Studies has noted that where needs assessments are used in England, they actually rely on data that is at least 10 years and, in most cases, 20 years old. And, as I say, the vast majority of our data is updated on an annual basis.
Iawn. Felly, y pwynt rwy'n ceisio'i wneud am yr is-grŵp dosbarthu yw nad yw'r fformiwla yn ddigyfnewid. Mae'n esblygu'n gyson, a hyd yn oed yn y diweddariadau eleni, bu sawl newid. Er enghraifft, mae swyddogion yn edrych ar oblygiadau diweddaru'r mesurau gwasgariad a theneurwydd poblogaeth. Ar hyn o bryd, maent yn seiliedig ar y cyfrifiad blaenorol. Mae gennym wybodaeth o'r cyfrifiad newydd bellach, a fydd yn cael ei hymgorffori yn y fformiwla. Ac mewn gwirionedd, fel mater o drefn, yn flynyddol, mae'r is-grŵp dosbarthu'n ystyried ystod eang o ddata—caiff 72 y cant ohono ei ddiweddaru'n flynyddol. Mae hynny’n cynnwys pethau fel data poblogaeth, ond hefyd, pethau fel hyd ffyrdd, goleuadau stryd, llwyth achosion cynllun gostyngiadau'r dreth gyngor, ceisiadau cynllunio, safleoedd masnachu, a hyd yn oed nifer y llongau sy’n cyrraedd porthladdoedd. Felly, caiff ystod eang iawn o ddata ei hystyried, ac mae’r is-grŵp dosbarthu'n diweddaru hynny’n gyson.
Yr hyn y byddwn yn ei ddweud yw bod gennym ddull gweithredu gwahanol yma i'r un dros y ffin yn Lloegr. Y dull gweithredu yn Lloegr fu torri gwerth y grant cynnal refeniw, ac mae hynny’n gorfodi cynghorau wedyn wrth gwrs i ddibynnu ar ardrethi busnes ac incwm y dreth gyngor heb adolygu adnoddau ac anghenion cymharol awdurdodau yn Lloegr. Ac mae’r Sefydliad Astudiaethau Cyllid wedi nodi, lle caiff asesiadau o anghenion eu defnyddio yn Lloegr, eu bod yn dibynnu ar ddata sy'n o leiaf 10 mlwydd oed, ac yn y rhan fwyaf o achosion, yn 20 mlwydd oed. Ac fel y dywedaf, caiff y mwyafrif helaeth o'n data ei ddiweddaru'n flynyddol.
There will be always concerns that Welsh Government support for local authorities is not fairly provided. There is a belief that some local authorities do not get a fair share. Although, I must admit, no-one has actually complained that they receive too much. [Laughter.] Can I ask the Minister to publish the standard spending assessments and the aggregated external finance calculations—not just the final total, but the calculations, which you must have? Can you publish them, so that everybody can see how they get to that final total, or we'll keep on having Members, including Peter Fox, I would imagine, saying, 'We've been unfairly treated in Monmouth'?
Bydd pryderon bob amser nad yw cymorth Llywodraeth Cymru i awdurdodau lleol yn cael ei ddarparu’n deg. Ceir cred nad yw rhai awdurdodau lleol yn cael cyfran deg. Er, mae'n rhaid imi gyfaddef, nid oes unrhyw un wedi cwyno eu bod yn derbyn gormod. [Chwerthin.] A gaf fi ofyn i’r Gweinidog gyhoeddi’r asesiadau o wariant safonol a’r cyfrifiadau cyllid allanol cyfanredol—nid y cyfanswm terfynol yn unig ond y cyfrifiadau y mae’n rhaid eu bod gennych? A wnewch chi eu cyhoeddi, fel y gall pawb weld sut y cyrhaeddant y cyfanswm terfynol hwnnw, neu byddwn yn parhau i gael Aelodau, gan gynnwys Peter Fox, rwy'n dychmygu, yn dweud 'Rydym wedi cael ein trin yn annheg ym Mynwy'?
So, of course, Monmouth had the highest increase of all local authorities in this financial year, and, again, that is a factor of the formula that is set in place to ensure that there is funding that is fair across Wales. But, absolutely, I'm committed to improving the clarity and the transparency of the information that we publish. So, in addition to the local government finance report, which is laid before the Senedd, and sets out the basis of the calculations, we also publish the Green Book, and, from this current settlement forward, the Green Book is being presented in a more accessible format to make the information clearer to readers. It provides information on the calculation of the SSA, as well as providing the indicator values and the weightings used to calculate each of the 55 service indicator-based assessments. So, we're certainly moving forward on this agenda. I've written recently to the Finance Committee on that, and I know the Finance Committee is taking a strong interest in it. Officials routinely do a session ahead of the local government settlement for the local government committee, but I've suggested that, in future, it might be something that the Finance Committee might be interested in engaging in as well. But, as I say, I'm committed to constantly improving the transparency and volume of data that we provide.
Felly, wrth gwrs, Mynwy a gafodd y cynnydd uchaf o’r holl awdurdodau lleol yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon, ac unwaith eto, mae hynny’n un o ffactorau’r fformiwla sydd ar waith i sicrhau cyllid teg ledled Cymru. Ond yn sicr, rwyf wedi ymrwymo i wella eglurder a thryloywder yr wybodaeth a gyhoeddwn. Felly, yn ogystal â’r adroddiad cyllid llywodraeth leol, sy'n cael ei osod gerbron y Senedd, ac sy’n nodi sail y cyfrifiadau, rydym hefyd yn cyhoeddi’r Llyfr Gwyrdd, ac o’r setliad presennol ymlaen, bydd y Llyfr Gwyrdd yn cael ei gyflwyno mewn fformat mwy hygyrch er mwyn gwneud yr wybodaeth yn gliriach i ddarllenwyr. Mae'n darparu gwybodaeth ynglŷn â sut y cyfrifir yr asesiad o wariant safonol, yn ogystal â darparu gwerthoedd y dangosydd a'r pwysoliadau a ddefnyddiwyd i gyfrifo pob un o'r 55 o asesiadau ar sail dangosydd ar gyfer gwasanaethau. Felly, rydym yn sicr yn bwrw ymlaen â'r gwaith ar yr agenda hon. Rwyf wedi ysgrifennu at y Pwyllgor Cyllid yn ddiweddar ynglŷn â hynny, a gwn fod gan y Pwyllgor Cyllid gryn ddiddordeb yn y mater. Mae swyddogion yn cynnal sesiwn fel mater o drefn cyn y setliad llywodraeth leol ar gyfer y pwyllgor llywodraeth leol, ond rwyf wedi awgrymu, yn y dyfodol, y gallai fod yn rhywbeth y gallai fod gan y Pwyllgor Cyllid ddiddordeb mewn cymryd rhan ynddo hefyd. Ond fel y dywedaf, rwyf wedi ymrwymo i wella tryloywder y data a faint o ddata a ddarparwn yn gyson.
Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taf continue to be home to some of the most deprived areas in Wales, based on the Welsh index of multiple deprivation. There are significant differences in life expectancy between the most and the least deprived areas. There's been an increase in the amount of under-18s in persistent poverty over recent years. Access to public transport is as much a problem in the upper Valleys as it is in mid and rural west Wales. There's an increasing demand for social housing, and an increase in applications of homelessness. And some still face challenges of being long-term out of work, and others of a lack of basic employment skills. Now, both RCT and Bridgend have actions in place tackling these pernicious and deep-seated problems, which were entrenched in the period of Conservative de-industrialisation and pit closures of the Thatcher years, and they've been exacerbated by this long tale of austerity since 2010. We need to keep the focus on these communities. So, Minister, in respect of the fair distribution of funding for local authorities, would you ensure that levels of deprivation, and the challenges of turning around generational embedded challenges that affect so many, reflect these realities for these communities and individuals, and for the local authorities and voluntary organisations on which they depend?
Mae Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr a Rhondda Cynon Taf yn parhau i fod â rhai o ardaloedd mwyaf difreintiedig yng Nghymru, yn seiliedig ar fynegai amddifadedd lluosog Cymru. Mae gwahaniaethau sylweddol mewn disgwyliad oes rhwng yr ardaloedd mwyaf a lleiaf difreintiedig. Bu cynnydd dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf yn nifer y bobl dan 18 oed sy'n byw mewn tlodi parhaus. Mae mynediad at drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus yn gymaint o broblem yn y Cymoedd uchaf ag ydyw yng nghefn gwlad gorllewin a chanolbarth Cymru. Mae galw cynyddol am dai cymdeithasol, a chynnydd mewn ceisiadau digartrefedd. Ac mae rhai'n dal i wynebu heriau bod yn ddi-waith yn hirdymor, neu ddiffyg sgiliau cyflogaeth sylfaenol. Nawr, mae gan RhCT a Phen-y-bont ar Ogwr gamau ar waith i fynd i’r afael â’r problemau enbyd a dwfn hyn, sy'n deillio o gyfnod o ddad-ddiwydiannu Ceidwadol a chau pyllau glo yn ystod blynyddoedd Thatcher, ac maent wedi’u gwaethygu gan y cyni parhaus ers 2010. Mae angen inni gadw'r ffocws ar y cymunedau hyn. Felly, Weinidog, o ran dosbarthu cyllid yn deg i awdurdodau lleol, a wnewch chi sicrhau bod lefelau amddifadedd, a'r sialens o wrthdroi heriau sydd wedi bodoli ers cenedlaethau ac sy’n effeithio ar gynifer o bobl, yn adlewyrchu’r gwirioneddau hyn i'r cymunedau a’r unigolion hyn, a’r awdurdodau lleol a'r sefydliadau gwirfoddol y maent yn dibynnu arnynt?
I'm absolutely committed to ensuring that the formula continues to recognise those indicators that recognise the difficulties that certain communities face, and that will continue to be the case, moving forward.
Rwy’n gwbl ymrwymedig i sicrhau bod y fformiwla'n parhau i gydnabod y dangosyddion sy’n cydnabod yr anawsterau y mae cymunedau penodol yn eu hwynebu, a bydd hynny’n parhau i fod yn wir yn y dyfodol.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Peter Fox.
Questions now from party spokespeople. The Conservative spokesperson, Peter Fox.
Diolch, Llywydd. As you know, Minister, the incredibly high cost in childcare is forcing many people in Wales, particularly women, out of the jobs market. I know many in Wales are incredibly disappointed that the Labour administration here is not following in the footsteps of the UK Conservative Government and expanding childcare to include all children aged nine months and older. Your co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru does offer a much less generous scheme, but even that seems to have stalled. Concerningly, last month, a Welsh Government Minister said that your flagship childcare policy would not happen if more nursery workers could not be recruited, and responsibility lies directly at the feet of Welsh Government. Minister, what financial commitments is the Welsh Government making in order to attract more staff to the childcare sector? And when can parents of children under the age of three expect to be listened to?
Diolch, Lywydd. Fel y gwyddoch, Weinidog, mae cost eithriadol o uchel gofal plant yn gorfodi llawer o bobl yng Nghymru, yn enwedig menywod, allan o’r farchnad swyddi. Gwn fod llawer o bobl yng Nghymru yn hynod siomedig nad yw’r weinyddiaeth Lafur yma yn dilyn esiampl Llywodraeth Geidwadol y DU ac yn ehangu gofal plant i gynnwys pob plentyn naw mis oed a hŷn. Mae eich cytundeb cydweithio â Phlaid Cymru yn cynnig cynllun llawer llai hael, ond mae hyd yn oed hwnnw i’w weld yn aros yn ei unfan. Mae'n destun pryder fod un o Weinidogion Llywodraeth Cymru wedi dweud fis diwethaf na fyddai eich polisi gofal plant blaenllaw yn digwydd os na ellir recriwtio mwy o weithwyr meithrin, a Llywodraeth Cymru sydd â chyfrifoldeb uniongyrchol am hynny. Weinidog, pa ymrwymiadau ariannol y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu gwneud er mwyn denu mwy o staff i’r sector gofal plant? A phryd y gall rhieni plant o dan dair oed ddisgwyl cael eu clywed?
Well, I would suggest that this is a question that should be directed to the Minister with responsibility for childcare, but I'm very happy to provide some further information, particularly in the context of the spring statement. The Welsh Government is already spending over £100 million a year delivering on our very ambitious childcare commitment, which we have as part of our co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru, and, as a result of that, people across Wales do not need to be disappointed, because, today, they have access to a better and more generous offer here in Wales than is available to people across the border in England. What the UK Government has set out is an end goal that they want to get to after the next general election. I think the UK Government is setting out plans that it has absolutely no intention in reality of delivering. And let's look at how slowly the UK Government intends to make progress. So, as I say, we're already spending £100 million a year on our childcare pledge, which is already more generous, but the UK Government in this financial year has only provided us with £12 million of consequential funding. So, that does suggest that the UK Government is in no rush to make any progress at all on its particular pledge, and I think that that has to be considered as well. We're already streets ahead. The UK Government is playing catch-up and we're already spending much, much more than we have in consequential funding. The UK Government clearly doesn't intend to move very quickly on this.
The point, I think, that the Member raises about recruitment into the sector is a really important one. And one of the reasons why the UK Government will be so slow in rolling out its pledge is because it takes a long time to recruit people into the sector, to make sure that premises are appropriate for childcare settings and so on. So, I think that we are, as I say, already streets ahead, and I would be very, very surprised to see any rapid progress from the UK Government across the border.
Wel, hoffwn awgrymu bod hwn yn gwestiwn y dylid ei ofyn i'r Gweinidog sydd â chyfrifoldeb am ofal plant, ond rwy’n fwy na pharod i ddarparu rhywfaint o wybodaeth bellach, yn enwedig yng nghyd-destun datganiad y gwanwyn. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru eisoes yn gwario dros £100 miliwn y flwyddyn ar gyflawni ein hymrwymiad gofal plant uchelgeisiol iawn, sydd gennym fel rhan o’n cytundeb cydweithio â Phlaid Cymru, ac o ganlyniad i hynny, nid oes angen i bobl ledled Cymru fod yn siomedig, oherwydd heddiw, mae ganddynt fynediad at gynnig gwell a mwy hael yma yng Nghymru nag sydd ar gael i bobl dros y ffin yn Lloegr. Yr hyn y mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi’i nodi yw'r targed terfynol y maent am ei gyrraedd ar ôl yr etholiad cyffredinol nesaf. Credaf fod Llywodraeth y DU yn nodi cynlluniau nad oes ganddi unrhyw fwriad o'u cyflawni mewn gwirionedd. A gadewch inni edrych ar ba mor araf y mae Llywodraeth y DU yn bwriadu gwneud cynnydd. Felly, fel y dywedaf, rydym eisoes yn gwario £100 miliwn y flwyddyn ar ein haddewid gofal plant, sydd eisoes yn fwy hael, ond £12 miliwn yn unig o gyllid canlyniadol y mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi'i roi i ni yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon. Felly, mae hynny'n awgrymu nad yw Llywodraeth y DU ar unrhyw frys i wneud unrhyw gynnydd o gwbl ar ei haddewid penodol, a chredaf fod yn rhaid ystyried hynny hefyd. Rydym eisoes ymhell ar y blaen. Mae Llywodraeth y DU yn ceisio dal i fyny, ac rydym eisoes yn gwario llawer iawn mwy nag sydd gennym mewn cyllid canlyniadol. Yn amlwg, nid yw Llywodraeth y DU yn bwriadu symud yn gyflym iawn ar hyn.
Credaf fod y pwynt y mae’r Aelod yn ei godi ynglŷn â recriwtio i’r sector yn un gwirioneddol bwysig. Ac un o'r rhesymau pam y bydd Llywodraeth y DU mor araf yn cyflawni ei haddewid yw am ei bod yn cymryd amser hir i recriwtio pobl i'r sector, i sicrhau bod adeiladau'n briodol ar gyfer lleoliadau gofal plant ac yn y blaen. Felly, fel y dywedaf, credaf ein bod eisoes ymhell ar y blaen, a byddwn yn synnu’n fawr iawn pe baem yn gweld unrhyw gynnydd cyflym gan Lywodraeth y DU dros y ffin.
Minister, I think there are many parents of very young children who disagree or can't see or have no hope that these things might happen, and it clearly is a finance brief, because we need to identify moneys to be able to put the staff in place to roll this out, and I hope there's a coherent strategy to do that.
Minister, time and time again we have seen the effects that years of Labour underfunding has had on our NHS. As we all know, Welsh Government receives £1.20 for every £1 spent on health in England, but, according to the Auditor General for Wales, only £1.05 of it goes to the Welsh NHS. This failure to fund this vital public service has left almost a quarter of our Welsh people on an NHS waiting list and created huge concern and worry. We all know there is a long list of struggling specialisms, such as lung disease and specialist cancer treatment, in our NHS that urgently require Welsh Government funding to provide the essential services they offer, and we, as elected representatives, hear calls from different organisations regularly, as you will know. So, Minister, what I want to know is how you are allocating funds towards these different specialist services. How do you use the wealth of health data in Wales, some of which is amongst the best in Wales? Is there a thoughtful strategy or is it a case of who shouts loudest?
Weinidog, credaf fod llawer o rieni plant ifanc iawn yn anghytuno neu’n methu gweld neu wedi colli unrhyw obaith y gallai’r pethau hyn ddigwydd, ac mae’n amlwg yn friff cyllid, gan fod angen inni ddod o hyd arian i allu sicrhau digon o staff i gyflwyno hyn, ac rwy'n gobeithio bod strategaeth gydlynol ar waith i wneud hynny.
Weinidog, dro ar ôl tro, rydym wedi gweld yr effeithiau y mae blynyddoedd o danariannu gan Lafur wedi’u cael ar ein GIG. Fel y gwyddom, mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n cael £1.20 am bob £1 a werir ar iechyd yn Lloegr, ond yn ôl Archwilydd Cyffredinol Cymru, dim ond £1.05 o hynny sy’n mynd i’r GIG yng Nghymru. Mae methiant i ariannu’r gwasanaeth cyhoeddus hanfodol hwn wedi gadael bron i chwarter ein cyd-Gymry ar restr aros y GIG ac wedi creu cryn dipyn o bryder. Gŵyr pob un ohonom fod rhestr hir o arbenigeddau mewn trafferthion yn ein GIG, megis clefyd yr ysgyfaint a thriniaeth canser arbenigol, sydd angen cyllid gan Lywodraeth Cymru ar frys i ddarparu’r gwasanaethau hanfodol y maent yn eu cynnig, ac rydym ni, fel cynrychiolwyr etholedig, yn clywed galwadau gan wahanol sefydliadau yn rheolaidd, fel y gwyddoch. Felly, Weinidog, yr hyn yr hoffwn ei wybod yw sut rydych yn dyrannu arian i'r gwasanaethau arbenigol gwahanol hyn. Sut rydych yn defnyddio’r cyfoeth o ddata iechyd yng Nghymru, y mae rhywfaint ohono ymysg y gorau yng Nghymru? A oes strategaeth feddylgar ar waith, neu a yw'n fater o bwy sy'n gweiddi uchaf?
Well, Llywydd, again, we have a question that is probably better directed at the health Minister, whose responsibility it is to direct her budget at those services that are going to have the most beneficial impact on the health of people in Wales. But to this point about Wales receiving more money per head than is the case across the border, well, of course, that's not the case across all of England, because, of course, there will be areas in England that require greater levels of funding because they have similar characteristics to those that we have in Wales. And some of the reasons why we have that additional funding are because we have a dispersed settlement pattern here in Wales and our demographics are different, and both of those things, as we've talked about in the context of the local government settlement, increase the cost of delivering public services.
So, there are 6.7 miles of road for every 1,000 people in Wales and 3.4 miles in England. So, there are almost twice as many roads for us just to maintain per head of population here in Wales than across the border. Obviously, that costs us more, and a dispersed population means that we have a greater number of smaller schools. Obviously, there is a higher cost to providing education in Wales. And, as colleagues will know, we have an older population here in Wales with higher levels of sickness and disability and, inevitably, of course, the cost of providing care to those people is higher here than it is across the border. So, there are very good, genuine reasons why Wales is funded in the way it is and I'm very glad that the First Minister was able to negotiate that as part of our settlement when he was in the finance role.
Wel, Lywydd, unwaith eto, mae gennym gwestiwn y byddai'n well ei ofyn i'r Gweinidog iechyd yn ôl pob tebyg, gan mai ei chyfrifoldeb hi yw cyfeirio ei chyllideb at y gwasanaethau sy’n mynd i gael yr effaith fwyaf buddiol ar iechyd pobl Cymru. Ond ar y pwynt ynglŷn â Chymru’n cael mwy o arian y pen nag sy’n wir dros y ffin, wel, wrth gwrs, nid yw hynny’n wir ledled Lloegr gyfan, oherwydd, wrth gwrs, bydd yna ardaloedd yn Lloegr sydd angen lefelau uwch o gyllid gan fod ganddynt nodweddion tebyg i’r rheini sydd gennym yng Nghymru. A rhai o'r rhesymau pam fod gennym y cyllid ychwanegol hwnnw yw bod gennym batrwm anheddu gwasgaredig yma yng Nghymru ac mae ein demograffeg yn wahanol, ac mae'r ddau beth hynny, fel rydym wedi'i grybwyll yng nghyd-destun y setliad llywodraeth leol, yn cynyddu cost darparu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus.
Felly, mae 6.7 milltir o ffordd am bob 1,000 o bobl yng Nghymru, a 3.4 milltir yn Lloegr. Mae bron i ddwywaith cymaint o ffyrdd i ni eu cynnal fesul pen o’r boblogaeth yma yng Nghymru o gymharu â dros y ffin. Yn amlwg, mae hynny’n costio mwy i ni, ac mae poblogaeth wasgaredig yn golygu bod gennym nifer mwy o ysgolion llai o faint. Yn amlwg, mae darparu addysg yn costio mwy yng Nghymru. Ac fel y bydd fy nghyd-Aelodau’n gwybod, mae gennym boblogaeth hŷn yma yng Nghymru gyda lefelau uwch o salwch ac anabledd, ac yn anochel, wrth gwrs, mae cost darparu gofal i’r bobl hynny yn uwch yma na dros y ffin. Felly, mae rhesymau da a dilys pam y caiff Cymru ei hariannu yn y ffordd y caiff ei hariannu, ac rwy'n falch iawn fod y Prif Weinidog wedi gallu negodi hynny fel rhan o'n setliad pan oedd yn y rôl gyllid.
Thank you for that, Minister. Another pressing issue is that Wales is falling behind much of the rest of the United Kingdom in terms of business support. Minister, we all know the stats: businesses in Wales face the highest business rates in Great Britain, while workers take home the lowest pay in the United Kingdom—an astonishing £3,000 less than their counterparts across the border.
Over the last few years, we've heard a lot of talk about what could be done to support businesses further in Wales, but very little coming forward. This uncertainty is concerning for businesses that need certainty and consistency. They need to know that the Welsh Government has their back. Unfortunately, it doesn't feel that way currently. This uncertainty, combined with the looming threat of stealth taxes, such as the tourism tax on our valuable tourism sector, could prove incredibly damaging to the overall business landscape in Wales, with many tourism businesses on the Welsh border moving across to England. Minister, do you agree with me that businesses in Wales need action, not lip service, in order to cultivate a business environment for growth? And how does the Minister think that increasing burdens and uncertainty on businesses will enable them to grow and reach their full potential?
Diolch, Weinidog. Mater pwysig arall yw bod Cymru ar ei hôl hi o gymharu â llawer o weddill y Deyrnas Unedig gyda chymorth i fusnesau. Weinidog, mae pob un ohonom yn ymwybodol o'r ystadegau: mae busnesau yng Nghymru yn wynebu’r ardrethi busnes uchaf ym Mhrydain, tra bo gweithwyr yn cael y cyflog isaf yn y Deyrnas Unedig—£3,000 yn llai na’u cymheiriaid dros y ffin, sy'n syfrdanol.
Dros yr ychydig flynyddoedd diwethaf, rydym wedi clywed llawer o sôn am yr hyn y gellid ei wneud i gefnogi busnesau ymhellach yng Nghymru, ond ychydig iawn sy'n cael ei gynnig. Mae'r ansicrwydd hwn yn peri pryder i fusnesau sydd angen sicrwydd a chysondeb. Maent angen gwybod bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cefnogi. Yn anffodus, nid yw'n teimlo felly ar hyn o bryd. Gallai’r ansicrwydd hwn, ynghyd â’r bygythiad sydd ar y ffordd ar ffurf trethi llechwraidd, megis y dreth dwristiaeth ar ein sector twristiaeth gwerthfawr, fod yn hynod niweidiol i’r tirlun busnes cyffredinol yng Nghymru, gyda llawer o fusnesau twristiaeth ar y ffin yn symud i Loegr. Weinidog, a ydych yn cytuno fod busnesau yng Nghymru angen gweld gweithredu, nid geiriau'n unig, er mwyn gallu meithrin amgylchedd busnes ar gyfer twf? A sut mae’r Gweinidog yn credu y bydd cynyddu beichiau ac ansicrwydd i fusnesau yn eu galluogi i dyfu a chyflawni eu potensial llawn?
I'm not sure where this uncertainty comes from because the Welsh Government has tabled its budget for this financial year and it was approved already by this Senedd, so, there shouldn't be any uncertainty, as it's a very, very significant and generous level of support that we're providing to businesses.
So, we have our retail, leisure and hospitality rates relief, providing over £140 million of non-domestic rates relief for businesses in those sectors, and eligible ratepayers here will receive 75 per cent non-domestic rates relief for the duration of 2023-24. And that, of course, costs us more to deliver here in Wales, because of the nature of our tax base. So, that's an example, again, where it costs us more to deliver things in Wales. But I will say that we didn't get an extra penny to recognise that from the UK Government.
And we've introduced a transitional rates relief scheme here, which is a fair and simple scheme. And, again, our scheme here is more appropriate to the businesses that we have here in Wales—it's been warmly welcomed—so, there shouldn't be any confusion there. And our permanent small business rates relief scheme again is in place this year—it's not going anywhere, so, I don't know why there should be any confusion in that sense.
We have set out a programme of reform, but, again, this is responding to things that businesses tell us that they want. So, the consultation covered a wide range of proposed changes to the non-domestic rates system, including more frequent valuations—that's something that businesses have called for; the potential to vary the multiplier; improved information flows—that has to be good news; as well as reviewing the existing package of relief and exemptions for the future and addressing issues of fraud and avoidance. So, these are things that we're doing in partnership with businesses across Wales and there really shouldn't be any confusion as to what those plans are, because they're being developed very much in partnership.
Nid wyf yn siŵr o ble y daw’r ansicrwydd hwn gan fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cyflwyno ei chyllideb ar gyfer y flwyddyn ariannol hon ac fe’i cymeradwywyd eisoes gan y Senedd hon, felly ni ddylai fod unrhyw ansicrwydd, gan ein bod yn darparu lefel sylweddol a hael o gymorth i fusnesau.
Felly, mae gennym ein rhyddhad ardrethi manwerthu, hamdden a lletygarwch, sy’n darparu dros £140 miliwn o ryddhad ardrethi annomestig i fusnesau yn y sectorau hynny, a bydd talwyr ardrethi cymwys yma yn cael rhyddhad ardrethi annomestig o 75 y cant drwy gydol 2023-24. Ac mae hynny, wrth gwrs, yn costio mwy i ni ei wneud yma yng Nghymru, oherwydd natur ein sylfaen drethu. Felly, dyna enghraifft, unwaith eto, o sut mae'n costio mwy inni gyflawni pethau yng Nghymru. Ond hoffwn ddweud na chawsom geiniog yn rhagor i gydnabod hynny gan Lywodraeth y DU.
Ac rydym wedi cyflwyno cynllun rhyddhad ardrethi trosiannol yma, sy'n gynllun teg a syml. Ac unwaith eto, mae ein cynllun yma yn fwy addas ar gyfer y busnesau sydd gennym yma yng Nghymru—mae wedi cael ei groesawu'n fawr—felly, ni ddylai fod unrhyw ddryswch ynglŷn â hynny. Ac mae ein cynllun rhyddhad ardrethi busnesau bach parhaol ar waith eto eleni—nid yw'n mynd i unman, felly nid wyf yn gwybod pam y dylai fod unrhyw ddryswch yn hynny o beth.
Rydym wedi cyhoeddi rhaglen ddiwygio, ond unwaith eto, ymateb ydyw i bethau y mae busnesau'n dweud wrthym eu bod yn dymuno'u cael. Felly, roedd yr ymgynghoriad yn ymdrin ag ystod eang o newidiadau a argymhellwyd i'r system ardrethi annomestig, gan gynnwys prisiadau amlach—mae hynny'n rhywbeth y mae busnesau wedi galw amdano; y posibilrwydd o amrywio'r lluosydd; gwell llif gwybodaeth—mae'n rhaid bod hynny'n newyddion da; yn ogystal ag adolygu'r pecyn presennol o ryddhad ac eithriadau ar gyfer y dyfodol a mynd i'r afael â materion yn ymwneud â thwyll ac osgoi. Felly, mae'r rhain yn bethau rydym yn eu gwneud mewn partneriaeth â busnesau ledled Cymru ac ni ddylai fod unrhyw ddryswch ynglŷn â beth yw'r cynlluniau hynny, gan eu bod yn sicr yn cael eu datblygu mewn partneriaeth.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Llyr Gruffydd.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Llyr Gruffydd.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd. Gweinidog, fe wnaeth y Senedd yn ddiweddar, wrth gwrs, uno tu ôl i gynnig Plaid Cymru i alw am i siâr deg o gyllid ddod i Gymru yn sgil gwariant ar HS2 yn Lloegr. Nawr, mae hwnna wedi arwain at arian ychwanegol i’r Alban; mae e wedi arwain at arian ychwanegol i Ogledd Iwerddon, ond wrth gwrs, mae Cymru yn cael ei thrin yn wahanol. Mae cefnogaeth unfrydol y Senedd yma yn dangos bod y teimlad yna o anghyfiawnder yn cael ei rannu ar draws y pleidiau yn y Siambr yma. A gaf i ofyn, felly, oherwydd goblygiadau cyllidol sylweddol hynny i ni yma yng Nghymru, pa achos ŷch chi wedi’i gyflwyno i Lywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig er mwyn ceisio eu darbwyllo nhw i drin Cymru yn gyfartal â gwledydd eraill y Deyrnas Unedig? Ac, a ydy Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cyflwyno unrhyw fath o her ffurfiol yn erbyn y penderfyniad annheg yma gan Lywodraeth San Steffan?
Thank you very much, Llywydd. Minister, the Senedd recently, of course, united behind a Plaid Cymru motion to call for a fair share of funding to come to Wales as a result of expenditure on HS2 in England. Now, that has led to additional funding for Scotland; it led to additional funding for Northern Ireland, but of course, Wales is treated differently. There is united support from this Senedd, and that shows that that feeling of injustice is felt across the parties in the Siambr. May I ask, therefore, because of the fiscal implications that are significant for us in Wales, what case have you made to the UK Government to try to convince them to treat Wales equally, alongside the other nations of the UK? And has the Welsh Government put forward any kind of formal challenge against the decision, this unfair decision by UK Government?
So, I’ve raised this on numerous occasions with numerous Chief Secretaries to the Treasury over the years in terms of the fact that HS2 is self-evidently not an England-and-Wales project, and it becomes less so all the time, in terms of the ambitions for HS2. So, I’ve set out that alongside all of the other concerns we have about the neglect by the UK Government of investment in their rail responsibilities here in Wales over many years.
So, those discussions, as I say, are ongoing. It’s something we will continue, of course, to pursue. The UK Government Treasury’s own analysis shows that, actually, it will have a disbenefit to Wales, particularly south-west Wales, drawing business and investment away from that area, so clearly, all of the arguments are there, and I’m pleased that we have cross-party consensus on that matter in the Senedd.
In terms of a formal complaint, if you like, I know that the Member’s referring to the inter-governmental resolution process when we do have those disputes, so no, we have not launched a formal dispute resolution yet. Obviously, those things are lengthy things to enter into, and actually, we have a rather large platter of things to look at in terms of which areas we would want to raise that particular formal dispute on, so I think that when we do, it has to be in a considered way, and my view would be that we’d have to get that particular item that we can get the maximum from, both in terms of finance, but also in terms of setting a precedent for the future.
Felly, rwyf wedi codi hyn ar sawl achlysur gyda nifer o Brif Ysgrifenyddion y Trysorlys dros y blynyddoedd a'r ffaith ei bod yn amlwg nad yw HS2 yn brosiect Cymru a Lloegr, ac mae’n mynd yn llai felly drwy’r amser, o ran yr uchelgeisiau ar gyfer HS2. Felly, rwyf wedi nodi hynny ynghyd â’r holl bryderon eraill sydd gennym am y modd y mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi esgeuluso'i chyfrifoldeb i fuddsoddi yn y rheilffyrdd yma yng Nghymru dros nifer o flynyddoedd.
Felly, mae’r trafodaethau hynny'n mynd rhagddynt, fel y dywedaf. Mae’n rhywbeth y byddwn yn parhau i fynd ar ei drywydd, wrth gwrs. Mae dadansoddiad Trysorlys Llywodraeth y DU ei hun yn dangos, mewn gwirionedd, y bydd yn arwain at anfantais i Gymru, yn enwedig de-orllewin Cymru, gan y bydd yn denu busnes a buddsoddiad o'r ardal honno, felly yn amlwg, mae’r holl ddadleuon yno, ac rwy’n falch fod gennym gonsensws trawsbleidiol ar y mater hwnnw yn y Senedd.
O ran cwyn ffurfiol, os mynnwch, gwn fod yr Aelod yn cyfeirio at y broses ddatrys anghydfodau rhynglywodraethol pan fo'r anghydfodau hynny'n codi, felly naddo, nid ydym wedi lansio proses ddatrys anghydfod ffurfiol eto. Yn amlwg, mae’r pethau hynny’n cymryd cryn dipyn o amser, ac mae gennym blât eithaf mawr o bethau i edrych arnynt o ran pa feysydd y byddem am godi’r anghydfod ffurfiol penodol hwnnw yn eu cylch, felly pan fyddwn yn gwneud hynny, credaf fod yn rhaid ei wneud mewn ffordd ystyriol, ac yn fy marn i, byddai'n rhaid inni gael yr eitem benodol honno y gallwn gael y mwyaf o fudd ohoni, o ran cyllid, ond hefyd o ran gosod cynsail ar gyfer y dyfodol.
Well, I’d suggest that £5 billion is worth a lengthy process, even if you are a bit busy at the moment, because I think that’s what, effectively, you said. You know that HM Treasury’s statement of funding policy has a section on disputes and disagreements; I’m wondering whether you would utilise that at all. You mentioned the dispute resolution processes that you’ve agreed as devolved administrations with the UK Government or individually between the Welsh Government and UK Government; why are they there, then, unless you’re willing to actually use them?
There’s a question as well as to whether the Government did or didn’t consider a judicial review at the time of the making of that original decision, or at any other stage since then, and if none of those are possible, or if none of those are appropriate in your view, then what does that tell us about the devolution settlement, and what does that tell us about the way Wales is treated within the United Kingdom?
Wel, byddwn yn awgrymu bod £5 biliwn yn werth proses hir, hyd yn oed os ydych chi braidd yn brysur ar hyn o bryd, gan y credaf mai dyna a ddywedoch chi, i bob pwrpas. Fe wyddoch fod gan ddatganiad polisi cyllido Trysorlys EF adran ar anghydfodau ac anghytundebau; tybed a fyddech yn ei defnyddio o gwbl? Fe sonioch chi am y prosesau datrys anghydfodau rydych wedi cytuno arnynt fel gweinyddiaethau datganoledig gyda Llywodraeth y DU neu’n unigol rhwng Llywodraeth Cymru a Llywodraeth y DU; pam eu bod yno, felly, oni bai eich bod yn fodlon eu defnyddio?
Mae yna gwestiwn hefyd ynglŷn ag a wnaeth y Llywodraeth ystyried adolygiad barnwrol ai peidio pan wnaed y penderfyniad gwreiddiol hwnnw, neu ar unrhyw gam arall ers hynny, ac os nad oes unrhyw un o’r rheini’n bosibl, neu os nad oes un o’r rheini'n briodol yn eich barn chi, beth mae hynny’n ei ddweud wrthym am y setliad datganoli, a beth mae hynny’n ei ddweud wrthym am y ffordd y caiff Cymru ei thrin o fewn y Deyrnas Unedig?
Llywydd, I won’t be making any announcements about any access that we make of the dispute mechanism during questions. I think that’s very much something that, when the time comes, the First Minister will want to report to the Senedd. And it’s not the case that I’m too busy; I think that’s rather a facetious remark on the part of the Member this afternoon. What I’m saying is that there are a number of things that I think the Member would agree that we have a legitimate cause for, and it’s important that we are strategic in the way that we approach the disputes.
Lywydd, nid wyf am wneud unrhyw gyhoeddiadau ynglŷn ag unrhyw ddefnydd a wnawn o'r mecanwaith anghydfodau yn y sesiwn gwestiynau. Credaf fod hynny’n rhywbeth y bydd y Prif Weinidog, pan ddaw’r amser, am adrodd arno i’r Senedd. Ac nid yw'n wir fy mod yn rhy brysur; credaf fod hwnnw’n sylw braidd yn gellweirus ar ran yr Aelod y prynhawn yma. Yr hyn rwy'n ei ddweud yw bod nifer o bethau y credaf y byddai’r Aelod yn cytuno bod gennym achos dilys drostynt, ac mae’n bwysig inni fod yn strategol yn y ffordd rydym yn ymdrin â’r anghydfodau.
3. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi diweddariad ar bolisi Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer cyfarfodydd aml-leoliad awdurdodau lleol? OQ59484
3. Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's policy for local authority multi-location meetings? OQ59484
Yes. Our policy has not changed. Each council is responsible for ensuring that their meeting arrangements comply with the legal requirements set out in the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 and related regulations and guidance.
Gwnaf. Nid yw ein polisi wedi newid. Mae pob cyngor yn gyfrifol am sicrhau bod eu trefniadau ar gyfer cyfarfodydd yn cydymffurfio â’r gofynion cyfreithiol a nodir yn Neddf Llywodraeth Leol ac Etholiadau (Cymru) 2021 a'r rheoliadau a'r canllawiau cysylltiedig.
Thank you, Minister. I appreciate that local authorities are autonomous organisations, but in my own region, the Vale of Glamorgan, for example, it has only held one hybrid meeting. All meetings otherwise are undertaken on Zoom or Teams, or whatever other computers they choose to use. That cannot be acceptable, can it, Minister, when a local authority, like Cardiff, for example, offer that hybrid model, and Rhondda Cynon Taff, the other local authority in my area, offer the hybrid model. Isn’t it time now that the Government took a view to make sure that local authorities do offer, at the very minimum, a hybrid format for meetings, so that the public do have the opportunity to engage in person, and councillors themselves, since the last election, can start building relationships with fellow councillors, to create proper democracy in our town halls the length and breadth of Wales?
Diolch, Weinidog. Rwy'n sylweddoli bod awdurdodau lleol yn sefydliadau ymreolaethol, ond yn fy rhanbarth i, Bro Morgannwg, er enghraifft, un cyfarfod hybrid yn unig a gynhaliodd. Cynhelir pob cyfarfod fel arall ar Zoom neu Teams, neu ba bynnag gyfrifiaduron eraill y maent yn dewis eu defnyddio. Ni all hynny fod yn dderbyniol, Weinidog, pan fo awdurdod lleol, fel Caerdydd, er enghraifft, yn cynnig y model hybrid hwnnw, a Rhondda Cynon Taf, yr awdurdod lleol arall yn fy ardal i, yn cynnig y model hybrid. Onid yw’n bryd i’r Llywodraeth ystyried sicrhau bod awdurdodau lleol yn cynnig fformat hybrid, o leiaf, ar gyfer cyfarfodydd, fel bod y cyhoedd yn cael cyfle i ymgysylltu’n bersonol, a gall y cynghorwyr eu hunain, ers yr etholiad diwethaf, ddechrau meithrin perthynas â'u cyd-gynghorwyr, i greu democratiaeth addas yn ein neuaddau tref ledled Cymru?
Well, the legislation itself, as the Member knows, doesn't require meetings to be held in a certain format, and as he says, it is for each authority to agree its own arrangements, including how members can safely participate in those proceedings. We are in discussion with local authorities about the implementation of the arrangements that have developed since COVID, and we will have a review of the guidance that we provide in terms of those hybrid or virtual meetings later this year. I do understand the point that the Member is making. I think that there are ways outside of those formal meetings for members to establish those relationships, and, of course, we will continue to have these discussions, both with the WLGA but also One Voice Wales, to ensure that councils are working within the legislation, but also that they're having the support that they need from us. We've been doing lots of work with the local government digital officer, for example, to explore what additional support local authorities might need in this space. But I'm afraid I don't think I have an answer that will satisfy the Member this afternoon in terms of his desire to move away from online-only meetings, because as far as the legislation is concerned, there is no gold standard and no one type of meeting is better than another for the undertaking of the business.
Wel, nid yw’r ddeddfwriaeth ei hun, fel y gŵyr yr Aelod, yn ei gwneud yn ofynnol i gynnal cyfarfodydd mewn fformat penodol, ac fel y dywed, mater i bob awdurdod yw cytuno ar eu trefniadau eu hunain, gan gynnwys sut y gall aelodau gymryd rhan yn y trafodion hynny yn ddiogel. Rydym yn cynnal trafodaethau gydag awdurdodau lleol ynghylch gweithredu’r trefniadau sydd wedi datblygu ers COVID, a byddwn yn cael adolygiad o’r canllawiau a ddarparwn ar gyfer cyfarfodydd hybrid neu rithwir yn nes ymlaen eleni. Rwy’n deall y pwynt y mae’r Aelod yn ei wneud. Credaf fod ffyrdd y tu allan i’r cyfarfodydd ffurfiol hynny i aelodau sefydlu’r cysylltiadau hyn, ac wrth gwrs, byddwn yn parhau i gael trafodaethau, gyda CLlLC ond gydag Un Llais Cymru hefyd, i sicrhau bod cynghorau’n gweithio o fewn y ddeddfwriaeth, ond hefyd eu bod yn cael y cymorth sydd ei angen arnynt gennym ni. Rydym wedi bod yn gwneud llawer o waith gyda'r swyddog digidol llywodraeth leol, er enghraifft, i archwilio pa gymorth ychwanegol y gallai fod ei angen ar awdurdodau lleol yn y maes hwn. Ond mae arnaf ofn na chredaf fod gennyf ateb a fydd yn bodloni’r Aelod y prynhawn yma a'i awydd i ymbellhau oddi wrth gyfarfodydd ar-lein yn unig, oherwydd o ran y ddeddfwriaeth, nid oes safon aur nac un math o gyfarfod yn well nag unrhyw un arall ar gyfer cyflawni'r busnes.
4. Pa gamau mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i ddiwygio democratiaeth leol? OQ59471
4. What actions is the Welsh Government taking to reform local democracy? OQ59471
The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 sets out a new governance framework for our councils. I am working with local government to implement this legislation and also providing funding to increase diversity, improve governance and deliver digital transformation.
Mae Deddf Llywodraeth Leol ac Etholiadau (Cymru) 2021 yn nodi fframwaith llywodraethu newydd ar gyfer ein cynghorau. Rwy’n gweithio gyda llywodraeth leol i roi’r ddeddfwriaeth hon ar waith ac yn darparu cyllid i gynyddu amrywiaeth, gwella llywodraethiant a chyflawni trawsnewidiad digidol.
I'd like to thank the Minister for your answer. It's vitally important that we get as many people as possible standing in local elections to increase access to local democracy. However, many of those people who stand face a torrent of online abuse, which is totally unacceptable, and women get it especially worse than men and it has no place in our society. So, I'd like to know, Minister, what are the Welsh Government doing to make local democracy more accessible to people and to eradicate abuse of our politicians?
Hoffwn ddiolch i’r Gweinidog am ei hateb. Mae'n hanfodol bwysig fod cymaint o bobl â phosibl yn sefyll mewn etholiadau lleol i gynyddu mynediad at ddemocratiaeth leol. Fodd bynnag, mae llawer o’r bobl sy’n sefyll yn wynebu llif o gamdriniaeth ar-lein, sy’n gwbl annerbyniol, ac mae menywod yn ei chael hi'n llawer gwaeth na dynion, ac nid oes unrhyw le i hyn yn ein cymdeithas. Felly, Weinidog, hoffwn wybod beth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i sicrhau bod democratiaeth leol yn fwy hygyrch i bobl ac i atal ein gwleidyddion rhag cael eu cam-drin?
I'll start with that point of abuse. Obviously, it's up to all of us to call out unacceptable behaviour and set a zero tolerance for bullying and harassment in all its forms. So, I'll just reassure the Member that we are working closely with the WLGA and One Voice Wales to promote training on the code of conduct, and also to implement the changes in the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 to the ethical framework, which places a duty on political group leaders to promote high standards of conduct and requires standards committees to support them in this duty and also take a more proactive role themselves in tackling and preventing breaches of the code. I say that because when we undertook a survey of councillors, we understand that lots of those councillors reported that they were receiving abuse from other councillors, so it's not just a case of receiving abuse from the public, which also is a big problem. Actually, we need to be looking at it in all different places. So, we are working with councils through our statutory guidance to ensure that councillors know where they can go to get help if they find themselves the subject of abuse, and we're able to make support available for training in terms of dealing with harassment and building your own personal resilience.
We are doing lots as well to try and make becoming a councillor, at either a county council level or at town and community council level, easier for people to do. Obviously, we have our access to elected office fund, which has been really important in helping people become town and community councillors for the first time. We're very committed to extending that fund. We've also introduced our job share arrangements. We have hybrid working, which we've just been talking about, for example, and we've also introduced new rules around family absence, so people who adopt, for example, are able to access time to spend with their adopted child to build those bonds. So, we're trying to make sure that we consider all different ways to make being a councillor more attractive to people, and when people are a councillor to make it a good experience for them.
Fe ddechreuaf gyda'r pwynt ynglŷn â chamdriniaeth. Yn amlwg, mae'n gyfrifoldeb ar bob un ohonom i dynnu sylw at ymddygiad annerbyniol a mabwysiadu ymagwedd dim goddefgarwch at fwlio ac aflonyddu o bob math. Felly, rhoddaf sicrwydd i’r Aelod ein bod yn gweithio’n agos gyda CLlLC ac Un Llais Cymru i hyrwyddo hyfforddiant ar y cod ymddygiad, a hefyd i weithredu’r newidiadau i'r fframwaith moesegol yn Neddf Llywodraeth Leol ac Etholiadau (Cymru) 2021, sy’n gosod dyletswydd ar arweinwyr grwpiau gwleidyddol i hybu safonau ymddygiad uchel ac sy’n ei gwneud yn ofynnol i bwyllgorau safonau eu cefnogi yn y ddyletswydd hon ac i fod yn fwy rhagweithiol eu hunain wrth fynd i’r afael ag achosion o dorri'r cod a'u hatal. Dywedaf hynny oherwydd pan wnaethom gynnal arolwg o gynghorwyr, deallwn fod llawer o’r cynghorwyr hynny wedi dweud eu bod yn cael eu cam-drin gan gynghorwyr eraill, felly nid mater o gael eu cam-drin gan y cyhoedd yn unig, sydd hefyd yn broblem fawr, yw hyn. A dweud y gwir, mae angen inni edrych arno yn yr holl lefydd gwahanol. Felly, rydym yn gweithio gyda chynghorau drwy ein canllawiau statudol i sicrhau bod cynghorwyr yn gwybod ble y gallant fynd i gael cymorth os ydynt yn cael eu cam-drin, ac rydym yn gallu sicrhau bod cymorth ar gael ar gyfer hyfforddiant i ymdrin ag aflonyddu ac adeiladu eich gwytnwch personol eich hun.
Rydym yn gwneud llawer o waith hefyd i geisio sicrhau bod dod yn gynghorydd, naill ai ar lefel cyngor sir neu ar lefel cyngor tref a chymuned, yn haws i bobl ei wneud. Yn amlwg, mae gennym ein cronfa mynediad i swyddi etholedig, sydd wedi bod yn wirioneddol bwysig wrth helpu pobl i ddod yn gynghorwyr tref a chymuned am y tro cyntaf. Rydym yn ymrwymedig iawn i ymestyn y gronfa honno. Rydym hefyd wedi cyflwyno ein trefniadau rhannu swyddi. Mae gennym drefniadau gweithio hybrid, sef yr hyn rydym newydd fod yn sôn amdano, er enghraifft, ac rydym hefyd wedi cyflwyno rheolau newydd ynghylch absenoldeb teuluol, fel bod pobl sy'n mabwysiadu, er enghraifft, yn gallu cael amser i'w dreulio gyda'u plentyn mabwysiedig i feithrin y berthynas honno. Felly, rydym yn ceisio sicrhau ein bod yn ystyried pob math o wahanol ffyrdd o sicrhau bod dod yn gynghorydd yn fwy deniadol i bobl, a phan fydd pobl yn gynghorwyr, i sicrhau bod hynny'n brofiad da iddynt.
5. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am ddatblygu cyllidebau rhanbarthol Llywodraeth Cymru yn ystod y Chweched Senedd? OQ59472
5. Will the Minister make a statement on the development of Welsh Government regional budgets during the Sixth Senedd? OQ59472
The Welsh Government remains committed to providing equitable support to all regions of Wales. We continue to make investments in health, education, local government and regional economic development that account for regional considerations.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n parhau i fod wedi ymrwymo i roi cymorth teg i bob rhanbarth yng Nghymru. Rydym yn parhau i wneud buddsoddiadau ym maes iechyd, addysg, llywodraeth leol a datblygu economaidd rhanbarthol sy'n rhoi sylw i ystyriaethau rhanbarthol.
Thank you very much for your response, Minister. During the fifth Senedd term, of course, a lot of discussion took place prior to the COVID pandemic regarding the establishment of regional indicative budgets, particularly with regard to economic development, health and care and education, and other services and delivery. What sort of formula has been considered, and has a formula been determined, in regard to regional budgeting, particularly insofar as replacement EU funding is concerned, on where investment should be directed?
Diolch yn fawr am eich ymateb, Weinidog. Yn ystod pumed tymor y Senedd, wrth gwrs, cafwyd llawer o drafod cyn y pandemig COVID ynghylch sefydlu cyllidebau dangosol rhanbarthol, yn enwedig mewn perthynas â datblygu economaidd, iechyd a gofal ac addysg, a darpariaeth a gwasanaethau eraill. Pa fath o fformiwla a gafodd ei hystyried, ac a benderfynwyd ar fformiwla ar gyfer cyllidebu rhanbarthol, yn enwedig mewn perthynas â chyllid yn lle cyllid yr UE, ynglŷn â ble y dylid cyfeirio buddsoddiad?
Well, I'll just begin by recognising the work that Ken Skates did when he was in the economy portfolio in the last Senedd, which did lead to some really significant steps forward in terms of driving regional development in Wales, and regional considerations do continue to be one of a number of factors that are considered in terms of allocating budgets.
But, from the economy department perspective, it completed a detailed review of an appropriate formula to ensure fair funding of the regions insofar as economic development is concerned, and that formula uses a combination of hard economic figures alongside a weighting for spatial and social considerations, such as employment and deprivation levels, place and locations. And again, a theme that's coming through questions this afternoon has been about how we recognise deprivation and spatial considerations as well. So, those principles are applied across the portfolio spend, and that can be demonstrated in services such as Business Wales, to ensure that there is budget regionality within the economy and that it's balanced and appropriate. So, we are working, in terms of the post-EU situation, with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to review its approach to economic development with Wales to ensure that we have the correct means of allocating funding that is well informed and data driven in future.
Wel fe ddechreuaf drwy gydnabod y gwaith a wnaeth Ken Skates pan oedd yn gyfrifol am bortffolio'r economi yn y Senedd ddiwethaf, a arweiniodd at gamau gwirioneddol arwyddocaol ymlaen o ran sbarduno datblygu rhanbarthol yng Nghymru, ac mae ystyriaethau rhanbarthol yn parhau i fod yn un o nifer o ffactorau sydd dan ystyriaeth wrth ddyrannu cyllidebau.
Ond o safbwynt adran yr economi, cwblhaodd adolygiad manwl o fformiwla briodol i sicrhau cyllid teg i'r rhanbarthau mewn perthynas â datblygu economaidd, ac mae'r fformiwla honno'n defnyddio cyfuniad o ffigurau economaidd caled ochr yn ochr â phwysoliad ar gyfer ystyriaethau gofodol a chymdeithasol, megis lefelau cyflogaeth ac amddifadedd, lle a lleoliadau. Ac unwaith eto, un thema a welwyd yn y cwestiynau y prynhawn yma yw'r ffordd rydym yn cydnabod amddifadedd ac ystyriaethau gofodol hefyd. Felly, mae'r egwyddorion hynny'n cael eu cymhwyso ar draws gwariant y portffolio, ac mae modd dangos hynny mewn gwasanaethau fel Busnes Cymru, i sicrhau bod yna ranbartholi cyllidebol o fewn yr economi a'i fod yn gytbwys ac yn briodol. Felly, ar y sefyllfa ar ôl yr UE, rydym yn gweithio gyda'r Sefydliad ar gyfer Cydweithrediad a Datblygiad Economaidd i adolygu ei ymagwedd at ddatblygu economaidd gyda Chymru i sicrhau bod gennym ddull cywir o ddyrannu cyllid sy'n wybodus ac wedi'i lywio gan ddata yn y dyfodol.
Can I support Ken Skates in raising this topic here today, because many of my residents in north Wales think that they get a raw deal from a Cardiff Labour Government? And Minister, you can understand why when you see some of the issues that my residents are facing in north Wales. We've got public transport that is underfunded, with a metro—around £50 million committed to that, whilst hundreds and hundreds of millions of pounds are committed to a metro system here in south Wales. We've got nearly all road investment cancelled in north Wales, whereas we see hundreds and hundreds of millions of pounds invested in roads here in south Wales again. We've got a health board that seems to be in and out of special measures and in special measures again, and hospitals struggling under the pressure. And we know the Welsh Government, as has already been mentioned today, gets £1.20 to spend on public services for every £1 spent in England. So, the lack of investment in my area seems to be a political choice to me.
It's clear to me that greater movement of power needs to be moved from Cardiff Bay to north Wales and to regions because true devolution, I'm sure you'd agree, Minister, is not about hoarding powers in one place, but getting them as close to ordinary people as possible. So, Minister, in light of the question from Ken Skates, and the journey where we've gone so far in terms of regional budgets, will you commit today, to the people who I represent in north Wales, to more power being devolved to the region and more input over regional budgets?
A gaf fi gefnogi Ken Skates am godi'r pwnc yma heddiw, gan fod nifer o fy nhrigolion yng ngogledd Cymru yn meddwl eu bod yn cael cam gan Lywodraeth Lafur Caerdydd? Weinidog, gallwch ddeall pam pan welwch rai o'r pethau y mae fy nhrigolion yn eu hwynebu yn y gogledd. Mae gennym drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus sydd heb ei ariannu'n ddigonol, gyda metro—mae tua £50 miliwn wedi'i ymrwymo i hynny, tra bo cannoedd ar gannoedd o filiynau o bunnoedd wedi'i ymrwymo i system metro yma yn ne Cymru. Mae bron bob buddsoddiad ffordd wedi'i ganslo yng ngogledd Cymru, tra bod cannoedd ar gannoedd o filiynau o bunnoedd wedi'u buddsoddi mewn ffyrdd yma yn ne Cymru eto. Mae gennym fwrdd iechyd sy'n ymddangos fel pe bai i mewn ac allan o fesurau arbennig ac mewn mesurau arbennig unwaith eto, ac ysbytai'n gwegian o dan y pwysau. Ac fel sydd eisoes wedi'i grybwyll heddiw, gwyddom fod Llywodraeth Cymru'n cael £1.20 i'w wario ar wasanaethau cyhoeddus am bob £1 a werir yn Lloegr. Felly, ymddengys i mi fod y diffyg buddsoddiad yn fy ardal yn ddewis gwleidyddol.
Mae'n amlwg i mi fod angen symud mwy o bŵer o Fae Caerdydd i ogledd Cymru ac i'r rhanbarthau oherwydd rwy'n siŵr y byddech chi'n cytuno, Weinidog, nad yw gwir ddatganoli'n ymwneud â chrynhoi pwerau mewn un lle, ond eu cael mor agos at bobl gyffredin â phosibl. Felly, Weinidog, yn sgil y cwestiwn gan Ken Skates, a'r daith i lle rydym wedi'i gyrraedd hyd yma gyda chyllidebau rhanbarthol, a wnewch chi ymrwymo heddiw, i'r bobl rwy'n eu cynrychioli yng ngogledd Cymru, i sicrhau bod mwy o bŵer yn cael ei ddatganoli i'r rhanbarth a mwy o fewnbwn ar gyllidebau rhanbarthol?
One excellent idea, of course, of how we're intending to devolve powers would be to give local authorities the ability to raise a tourism levy in those communities where they feel that it is an appropriate thing for them to do, and that's just one example of how we would look at devolving powers.
But I think if we look to the regional economic frameworks that have been established, they really do recognise those joint priorities that exist between local authorities and also building on those cross-local authority projects that exist. So, in north Wales in particular, we've worked collaboratively alongside Ambition North Wales and wider partners to co-design and deliver the regional framework for north Wales, and that sets out priorities for the region, and it's being considered now by each of the local authorities for individual endorsement, and we do have endorsement of the framework.
We're currently now working with partners to develop a delivery plan for the priorities identified in the framework, and they'll recognise and build on existing partnerships and projects, including the north Wales growth deal and north Wales energy strategy, to maximise the economic benefits there. That work has been delayed due to local authorities having to utilise their limited resources to bid for UK Government levelling-up and shared prosperity funding, but that work is continuing now, and, going forward, the framework can provide an important foundation for the north Wales corporate joint committee in relation to its economic well-being functions. So, I know that the economy Minister would be very keen to provide any further detail on any of those items to the Member.FootnoteLink
Un syniad rhagorol, wrth gwrs, o ran y ffordd y bwriadwn ddatganoli pwerau fyddai rhoi gallu i awdurdodau lleol godi ardoll twristiaeth yn y cymunedau lle teimlant ei fod yn beth priodol iddynt ei wneud, a dyna un enghraifft yn unig o sut y byddem yn edrych ar ddatganoli pwerau.
Ond os edrychwn ar y fframweithiau economaidd rhanbarthol sydd wedi'u sefydlu, rwy'n credu eu bod yn bendant yn cydnabod y cyd-flaenoriaethau sy'n bodoli rhwng awdurdodau lleol a hefyd yn adeiladu ar y prosiectau awdurdodau traws-leol sy'n bodoli. Felly, yng ngogledd Cymru yn arbennig, rydym wedi cydweithio ochr yn ochr ag Uchelgais Gogledd Cymru a phartneriaid ehangach i gydgynllunio a chyflwyno'r fframwaith rhanbarthol ar gyfer gogledd Cymru, ac mae hwnnw'n nodi blaenoriaethau ar gyfer y rhanbarth, ac mae'n cael ei ystyried ar hyn o bryd gan bob un o'r awdurdodau lleol ar gyfer ei gymeradwyo gan bob un, ac mae gennym gefnogaeth i'r fframwaith.
Ar hyn o bryd, rydym yn gweithio gyda phartneriaid i ddatblygu cynllun cyflawni ar gyfer y blaenoriaethau a nodwyd yn y fframwaith, a byddant yn cydnabod ac yn adeiladu ar bartneriaethau a phrosiectau presennol, gan gynnwys cytundeb twf gogledd Cymru a strategaeth ynni gogledd Cymru, er mwyn sicrhau'r buddion economaidd mwyaf yno. Cafodd y gwaith hwnnw ei ohirio oherwydd bod awdurdodau lleol wedi gorfod defnyddio eu hadnoddau cyfyngedig i wneud cais am gyllid ffyniant bro a chronfa ffyniant gyffredin Llywodraeth y DU, ond mae'r gwaith hwnnw'n parhau nawr, ac wrth symud ymlaen, gall y fframwaith ddarparu sylfaen bwysig i gyd-bwyllgor corfforedig gogledd Cymru mewn perthynas â'i swyddogaethau llesiant economaidd. Felly, rwy'n gwybod y byddai Gweinidog yr Economi yn awyddus iawn i ddarparu unrhyw fanylion pellach am unrhyw un o'r eitemau hynny i'r Aelod.FootnoteLink
6. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi diweddariad ar waith caffael sy'n cael ei wneud gan Lywodraeth Cymru i gefnogi awdurdodau lleol gyda'u costau ynni? OQ59490
6. Will the Minister provide an update on procurement work being undertaken by the Welsh Government to support local authorities with their energy costs? OQ59490
Yes. Procurement of energy is well evolved across local government. Twenty-one local authorities participate in advance-buying strategies to lessen the impact of market volatility on their energy bills. The Welsh Government provides an energy management service for 70 plus public and third sector organisations, including 16 local authorities.
Ie. Mae caffael ynni wedi datblygu'n dda ar draws llywodraeth leol. Mae 21 o awdurdodau lleol yn cymryd rhan mewn strategaethau prynu ymlaen llaw i leihau effaith anwadalrwydd y farchnad ar eu biliau ynni. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn darparu gwasanaeth rheoli ynni ar gyfer dros 70 o sefydliadau sector cyhoeddus a thrydydd sector, gan gynnwys 16 awdurdod lleol.
Diolch, Gweinidog. There is pressure, of course, upon local authorities to reduce scope 3 emissions, those being emissions that they are indirectly responsible for up and down the supply chain through their purchased goods and services. Of course, budgets are tight for many local authorities at the moment and there will be a challenge for them to make choices on energy in the long and short term. Are these choices simply being left up to the discretion of local authorities, or is the Welsh Government providing further guidance or further active support in this area?
Diolch, Weinidog. Wrth gwrs, mae pwysau ar awdurdodau lleol i leihau allyriadau cwmpas 3, sef allyriadau y maent yn gyfrifol amdanynt yn anuniongyrchol i fyny ac i lawr y gadwyn gyflenwi drwy’r nwyddau a’r gwasanaethau a brynwyd ganddynt. Wrth gwrs, mae cyllidebau’n dynn i lawer o awdurdodau lleol ar hyn o bryd a bydd yn her iddynt wneud dewisiadau ynghylch ynni yn y tymor hir a'r tymor byr. A yw’r dewisiadau hyn yn cael eu gadael i ddisgresiwn awdurdodau lleol yn unig, neu a yw Llywodraeth Cymru yn darparu canllawiau pellach neu gymorth gweithredol pellach yn y maes hwn?
So, we have a Welsh Government commercial procurement service, and that does provide a management service, as I say, supporting 70 plus customers across Wales to get the best value for their gas and electricity supply, and most authorities purchase their energy from the Crown Commercial Service's framework, and that has an advance-purchasing strategy, meaning that customers' monthly bills are protected from those global price fluctuations, as the energy required for delivery in 2023-24 was purchased in advance. So, I think that some of the structures that we have in place are really important and they do give local authorities the ability to have that certainty of bills moving forward for their plans.
I think the point made about local authority spend and decarbonisation further down the supply chain, if you like, in the areas that they're not directly able to control, is a really important one and something that the decarbonisation panel has spent a lot of time considering, and something that all local authorities in their decarbonisation plans will be looking to address as well. So, it's absolutely something that is on the radar and something that's being actively worked on by all local authorities, but equally something that the decarbonisation panel takes a kind of strategic view on, with a view of providing support through the Welsh Government for that kind of action. And of course, you will have seen, in our budget we do have some specific funding for local authorities in respect of decarbonisation as well, so it's very much a shared endeavour.
Mae gennym wasanaeth caffael masnachol Llywodraeth Cymru, ac fel y dywedaf, mae hwnnw’n darparu gwasanaeth rheoli sy’n cynorthwyo 70 a mwy o gwsmeriaid ledled Cymru i gael y gwerth gorau am eu cyflenwad nwy a thrydan, ac mae’r rhan fwyaf o awdurdodau yn prynu eu hynni o fframwaith Gwasanaeth Masnachol y Goron, ac mae gan hwnnw strategaeth brynu ymlaen llaw sy’n golygu bod biliau misol cwsmeriaid yn cael eu diogelu rhag anwadalrwydd yn y prisiau byd-eang am fod yr ynni sydd ei angen ar gyfer ei gyflenwi yn 2023-24 wedi’i brynu ymlaen llaw. Felly, rwy’n meddwl bod rhai o’r strwythurau sydd gennym ar waith yn wirioneddol bwysig ac yn galluogi awdurdodau lleol i gael sicrwydd fod biliau’n symud ymlaen ar gyfer eu cynlluniau.
Rwy’n meddwl bod y pwynt a wnaed am wariant awdurdodau lleol a datgarboneiddio ymhellach i lawr y gadwyn gyflenwi, os mynnwch, yn y meysydd na allant eu rheoli’n uniongyrchol yn un pwysig iawn ac yn rhywbeth y mae’r panel datgarboneiddio wedi treulio llawer o amser yn ei ystyried, a rhywbeth y bydd pob awdurdod lleol yn ceisio mynd i’r afael ag ef yn eu cynlluniau datgarboneiddio hefyd. Felly, mae'n sicr yn rhywbeth sydd ar y radar ac yn rhywbeth y mae pob awdurdod lleol wrthi’n gweithio arno, ond yn yr un modd mae’n rhywbeth y mae'r panel datgarboneiddio yn ei ystyried mewn rhyw fath o ffordd strategol, gyda golwg ar ddarparu cymorth drwy Lywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer gweithredu o’r fath. Ac wrth gwrs, fe fyddwch wedi gweld fod gennym rywfaint o gyllid penodol yn ein cyllideb ar gyfer awdurdodau lleol mewn perthynas â datgarboneiddio hefyd, felly mae'n ymdrech ar y cyd i raddau helaeth.
7. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi diweddariad ar raglen gyfalaf 2023-24 Llywodraeth Cymru? OQ59463
7. Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government 2023-24 capital programme? OQ59463
I've allocated over £8 billion of capital funding for the financial years 2022-23 to 2024-25, including over £2.7 billion in 2023-24. This funding will enable delivery of a range of programme for government commitments, including decarbonising Wales’s social housing, upgrading our public and active travel networks, and flood risk management interventions.
Rwyf wedi dyrannu dros £8 biliwn o gyllid cyfalaf ar gyfer y blynyddoedd ariannol 2022-23 i 2024-25, gan gynnwys dros £2.7 biliwn yn 2023-24. Bydd y cyllid hwn yn ei gwneud hi’n bosibl cyflawni amrywiaeth o ymrwymiadau’r rhaglen lywodraethu, gan gynnwys datgarboneiddio tai cymdeithasol Cymru, uwchraddio ein rhwydweithiau teithio cyhoeddus a theithio llesol, ac ymyriadau rheoli perygl llifogydd.
Thank you, Minister, for that response. The cost of building is increasing as the cost of both building materials and labour increases. Can the Minister provide an update on the projected use of the mutual investment model? My view on it is well known: it is private finance initiative lite. Whilst the worst excesses of PFI, such as not financing soft services and capital equipment, and charges such as £20 to change a light bulb will not occur, it is still expensive. Have the Welsh Government considered using capital receipts by selling surplus land or using local authorities' capacity to borrow in order to fund the capital programme?
Diolch am eich ymateb, Weinidog. Mae cost adeiladu'n codi wrth i gost deunyddiau adeiladu a llafur godi. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y defnydd a ragwelir o’r model buddsoddi cydfuddiannol? Mae fy marn arno’n hysbys iawn: math ysgafn o fenter cyllid preifat ydyw. Er na fydd elfennau gwaethaf y mentrau cyllid preifat yn digwydd, megis peidio ag ariannu gwasanaethau meddal ac offer cyfalaf, a thaliadau fel £20 i newid bwlb golau, mae'n dal yn ddrud. A yw Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ystyried defnyddio derbyniadau cyfalaf drwy werthu tir dros ben neu ddefnyddio gallu awdurdodau lleol i fenthyca er mwyn ariannu’r rhaglen gyfalaf?
So, we continue to use the well-established principle of using the cheapest form of finance first, which is traditional capital, and then we revert to borrowing and more innovative forms of investment after that, such as the mutual investment model, when traditional capital has been exhausted but where we still have ambition to do more.
So, the first MIM scheme to reach financial close was the dualling of sections 5 and 6 of the Heads of the Valleys road, currently in construction, and the next two schemes to close were an all-through school in Flintshire and a primary school bundle in Rhondda Cynon Taf, and these projects are also in construction, and the Velindre Cancer Centre is expected to be the next scheme to close. But it's really important to note that these projects are very unlikely to have been able to go ahead were it not for the mutual investment model, because we are so strapped for capital and our capital budget is so very tight. So, we do these things when we move through those other, cheaper forms of financing. But, in terms of reporting to the Senedd, you will recall that, in July 2022, we provided a comprehensive report, and it's our intention to update that in due course.
As far as capital receipts are concerned, as part of our asset management strategy, planned capital receipts from disposals and sales of assets are reflected in our published budgets, and they're taken into account when our budgets are set. But if there are any opportunities in-year, when there is an unplanned capital receipt coming forward, that's something that I do discuss with the individual Minister concerned, bearing in mind the context of the pressures across Government.
And then, on local authority borrowing, local authorities make their own determination on the level and use of borrowing, but it's something that we do have discussions on in terms of how they can use that facility to do more of the things that I know that we'd like to recognise as joint, again, priorities with local government.
Rydym yn parhau i ddefnyddio’r egwyddor sefydledig o ddefnyddio’r math rhataf o gyllid yn gyntaf, sef cyfalaf traddodiadol, ac yna trown at fenthyca a mathau mwy arloesol o fuddsoddi ar ôl hynny, megis y model buddsoddi cydfuddiannol, pan fydd cyfalaf traddodiadol wedi’i ddihysbyddu ond lle mae gennym uchelgais o hyd i wneud mwy.
Felly, y cynllun model buddsoddi cydfuddiannol cyntaf lle cwblhawyd yr agweddau ariannol oedd deuoli adrannau 5 a 6 o ffordd Blaenau’r Cymoedd, sy’n cael eu hadeiladu ar hyn o bryd, a’r ddau gynllun nesaf lle cwblhawyd yr agweddau ariannol oedd ysgol gydol oes yn sir y Fflint a bwndel ysgolion cynradd yn Rhondda Cynon Taf, ac mae’r prosiectau hyn hefyd wrthi’n cael eu hadeiladu, a disgwylir mai Canolfan Ganser Felindre fydd y cynllun nesaf i fynd drwy’r broses o gwblhau’r agweddau ariannol. Ond mae'n bwysig iawn nodi ei bod yn annhebygol iawn y byddid wedi gallu bwrw ymlaen â’r prosiectau hyn oni bai am y model buddsoddi cydfuddiannol oherwydd ein bod mor brin o gyfalaf a bod ein cyllideb gyfalaf mor dynn. Felly, rydym yn gwneud y pethau hyn pan symudwn drwy'r mathau rhatach eraill hynny o ariannu. Ond o ran adrodd i’r Senedd, fe gofiwch inni ddarparu adroddiad cynhwysfawr ym mis Gorffennaf 2022, a’n bwriad yw diweddaru hwnnw maes o law.
O ran derbyniadau cyfalaf, yn rhan o'n strategaeth rheoli asedau, mae derbyniadau cyfalaf a gynlluniwyd o waredu a gwerthu asedau yn cael eu nodi yn ein cyllidebau cyhoeddedig, a chânt eu hystyried wrth osod ein cyllidebau. Ond os oes unrhyw gyfleoedd yn ystod y flwyddyn, pan ddaw derbyniad cyfalaf heb ei gynllunio i law, mae hynny'n rhywbeth rwy’n ei drafod gyda'r Gweinidog dan sylw, gan gofio cyd-destun y pwysau ar draws y Llywodraeth.
Ac yna, ar fenthyca awdurdodau lleol, mae awdurdodau lleol yn gwneud eu penderfyniadau eu hunain ar lefel a defnydd o fenthyca, ond mae'n rhywbeth y cawn drafodaethau yn ei gylch i weld sut y gallant ddefnyddio'r cyfleuster hwnnw i wneud mwy o'r pethau y gwn y byddem yn hoffi eu cydnabod, unwaith eto, fel blaenoriaethau ar y cyd â llywodraeth leol.
Can I just pick up on Mike Hedges's point about mutual investment models, because I think, as you alluded to, I think, Minister, they do play an important role in allowing the Welsh Government to deliver things that it might not otherwise have been able to? And the reason and the context I guess that I'm raising this in is that I think the picture can be quite confused in terms of whether the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru actually support these mutual investment models. So, in Plaid Cymru's manifesto I note they supported them, but then have been particularly critical when they're implemented—the Heads of the Valleys project comes to mind. Who knows? Maybe Plaid Cymru will take a different view in the next few months on that. But, in terms of the Labour Party as well, we've heard from Mike Hedges, and I read a blog—a very interesting blog—from my colleague here, Carolyn Thomas, recently, who said they're effectively resurrecting PFI. So, can I just be really clear, Minister, from you, whether the Welsh Government continues to back the use of these mutual investment models as a key measure in the suite of measures available to Welsh Government to get on and build and invest in that capital programme?
A gaf fi fynd ar drywydd pwynt Mike Hedges am fodelau buddsoddi cydfuddiannol, oherwydd fel y sonioch chi, rwy'n credu, Weinidog, maent yn chwarae rhan bwysig yn caniatáu i Lywodraeth Cymru gyflawni pethau na fyddai wedi gallu eu gwneud fel arall o bosibl? Ac rwy’n tybio mai'r rheswm a'r cyd-destun dros godi hyn yw fy mod yn meddwl bod y darlun yn gallu bod yn eithaf dryslyd p'un a yw Llywodraeth Cymru a Phlaid Cymru yn cefnogi'r modelau buddsoddi cydfuddiannol hyn mewn gwirionedd. Ym maniffesto Plaid Cymru nodaf eu bod yn eu cefnogi, ond wedyn maent wedi bod yn arbennig o feirniadol pan gânt eu gweithredu—daw prosiect Blaenau'r Cymoedd i’r cof. Pwy a ŵyr? Efallai y bydd gan Blaid Cymru farn wahanol ar hynny yn yr ychydig fisoedd nesaf. Ond o ran y Blaid Lafur hefyd, clywsom gan Mike Hedges, a darllenais flog—blog diddorol iawn—gan fy nghyd-Aelod yma, Carolyn Thomas yn ddiweddar, a ddywedodd eu bod i bob pwrpas yn atgyfodi cyllid menter preifat. Felly, a gaf fi glywed yn glir iawn gennych chi, Weinidog, a yw Llywodraeth Cymru yn parhau i gefnogi'r defnydd o'r modelau buddsoddi cydfuddiannol hyn fel mesur allweddol yn y gyfres o fesurau sydd ar gael i Lywodraeth Cymru i fwrw ymlaen ac adeiladu a buddsoddi yn y rhaglen gyfalaf honno?
Yes, we absolutely stand by the mutual investment model, but, as I say, it's a model that we go to after we've exhausted all the cheaper forms of capital, and our preference would always be to have a better capital settlement from the UK Government. In developing the MIM, we have been able to avoid the pitfalls of traditional PFI in terms of having a Welsh Government nomination on the board of projects, ensuring that we have really, really strong community benefits. And colleagues would have seen, in the comprehensive report that I referred to, which was published last year, some of those benefits coming to life in terms of apprenticeships and the kinds of green standards that we require in these projects as well. And then just—. It's not for me to answer for Plaid Cymru, and the mutual investment model isn't part of our co-operation agreement.
Rydym yn cefnogi’r model buddsoddi cydfuddiannol yn llwyr, ond fel y dywedaf, mae'n fodel y trown ato ar ôl inni ddihysbyddu'r holl fathau rhatach o gyfalaf, a'r hyn sydd orau gennym bob amser fyddai cael setliad cyfalaf gwell gan Lywodraeth y DU. Wrth ddatblygu’r model buddsoddi cydfuddiannol, rydym wedi gallu osgoi diffygion mentrau cyllid preifat traddodiadol drwy gael enwebiad Llywodraeth Cymru ar y bwrdd prosiectau, i sicrhau ein bod yn cael buddion cymunedol gwirioneddol gryf. Ac yn yr adroddiad cynhwysfawr y cyfeiriais ato a gyhoeddwyd y llynedd, bydd fy nghyd-Aelodau wedi gweld rhai o’r buddion hynny’n cael eu gwireddu ar ffurf prentisiaethau a'r math o safonau gwyrdd sydd eu hangen arnom yn y prosiectau hyn hefyd. Wedyn—. Nid fy lle i yw ateb dros Blaid Cymru, ac nid yw’r model buddsoddi cydfuddiannol yn rhan o’n cytundeb cydweithio.
Y cwestiwn nesaf fydd cwestiwn 8 gan John Griffiths.
The next question will be question 8 from John Griffiths.
8. Beth yw asesiad diweddaraf Llywodraeth Cymru o arferion adennill dyledion mewn llywodraeth leol ar draws Cymru? OQ59478
8. What is the Welsh Government's latest assessment of debt recovery practice in local government across Wales? OQ59478
There are various recovery practices for different types of debt. In relation to council tax, we have used our available powers to ensure the collection of arrears is managed in a just and sensitive way. All local authorities in Wales have committed to implementing the council tax protocol for Wales.
Ceir arferion adennill amrywiol ar gyfer gwahanol fathau o ddyledion. Mewn perthynas â’r dreth gyngor, rydym wedi defnyddio’r pwerau sydd ar gael i ni i sicrhau bod y gwaith o gasglu ôl-ddyledion yn cael ei reoli mewn ffordd deg a sensitif. Mae pob awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru wedi ymrwymo i weithredu protocol y dreth gyngor ar gyfer Cymru.
Minister, the conduct and charges of bailiffs often add to debt and makes it more difficult for people to repay, and they often feel overwhelmed by the amount that's created by the addition of the bailiffs' charges and, indeed, unrealistic demands for repayment. Would you agree that it's far more productive for individuals and local authorities to do more to prevent debt arising in the first place, and, if it does arise, to prevent the addition of charges to the amount? And if, indeed, even that isn't possible, then there should be realistic schedules for repayment. And would you agree with me, Minister, that it would be preferable if local authorities had high standards for the use of particular bailiff firms, assessing the conduct of those firms and also whether or not they're registered with the voluntary registration scheme with the Enforcement Conduct Board?
Weinidog, mae ymddygiad a thaliadau beilïaid yn aml yn ychwanegu at ddyled ac yn ei gwneud hi'n anos i bobl ad-dalu, ac yn aml maent yn teimlo wedi'u llethu gan y swm sy'n cael ei chreu drwy ychwanegu taliadau beilïaid, a galwadau afrealistig am ad-daliad. A fyddech chi'n cytuno bod gwneud mwy i atal dyled rhag digwydd yn y lle cyntaf, ac atal ychwanegu taliadau at y swm os yw'n digwydd, yn llawer mwy cynhyrchiol i unigolion ac awdurdodau lleol? Ac os nad yw hynny'n bosibl hyd yn oed, dylai fod amserlenni realistig ar gyfer ad-dalu. Ac a fyddech chi'n cytuno, Weinidog, y byddai'n well pe bai gan awdurdodau lleol safonau uchel ar gyfer defnyddio cwmnïau beilïaid penodol, asesu ymddygiad y cwmnïau hynny a hefyd p'un a ydynt wedi cofrestru gyda'r cynllun cofrestru gwirfoddol gyda'r Bwrdd Ymddygiad Gorfodi ai peidio?
I'm very grateful for that question, and I definitely agree that preventing debt from happening in the first place would be the ideal place to be. And I would point the Member, and all colleagues, to the important work that the single advice fund does in terms of being a lifeline for people who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, and since January 2020 services have helped 144,000 people deal with over 660,000 social welfare problems. They’ve also helped those people to claim additional income of £83 million, and had debts totalling £23 million written off, so I think that really demonstrates the value of that service, and I’d encourage anyone who is struggling to call and find out what support might be available to them. The service really knows that, when people are struggling with debt, it’s probably not the only problem that they’re struggling with as well, so they’re able to take that kind of wider look at the person’s circumstances. And the use of that enforcement action for debt should always be the last resort, which is why I’m really pleased that we have our protocol with local government, which sets that out very clearly and sets out that creditors need to support people who are struggling with their financial commitments by helping them get that independent advice.
So, I think that there is a lot of good work going on. Local authorities are able to use their service level agreements with enforcement authorities to ensure that they are, for example, attaching themselves to the kind of project that John Griffiths has named. I know there are a number of different schemes that are out there for bailiffs and enforcement officers, which they can sign up to to demonstrate certain ways of working that I think authorities will be very keen to explore.
Rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn am y cwestiwn hwnnw, ac rwy'n bendant yn cytuno mai atal dyled rhag digwydd yn y lle cyntaf fyddai'r lle delfrydol i fod. A hoffwn gyfeirio'r Aelod, a phob cyd-Aelod, at y gwaith pwysig y mae'r gronfa gynghori sengl yn ei wneud wrth fod yn rhaff achub i bobl sy'n cael trafferth gyda'r argyfwng costau byw, ac ers mis Ionawr 2020 mae gwasanaethau wedi helpu 144,000 o bobl i ymdrin â dros 660,000 o broblemau lles cymdeithasol. Maent hefyd wedi helpu'r bobl hynny i hawlio gwerth £83 miliwn o incwm ychwanegol, a chafodd gwerth £23 miliwn o'u dyledion eu dileu, felly rwy'n credu bod hynny'n dangos yn glir beth yw gwerth y gwasanaeth hwnnw, a hoffwn annog unrhyw un sy'n ei chael hi'n anodd i ffonio a gweld pa gymorth a allai fod ar gael iddynt. Mae'r gwasanaeth yn gwybod yn iawn, pan fo pobl yn cael trafferth gyda dyled, ei bod hi'n debygol iawn nad dyna'r unig broblem y maent yn ceisio ymdopi â hi, felly gallant gael golwg ehangach ar amgylchiadau'r unigolyn yn y ffordd honno. A dylai defnydd o'r math hwnnw o gamau gorfodi ar gyfer dyled fod yn ddewis olaf bob amser, a dyna pam rwy'n falch iawn fod gennym ein protocol gyda llywodraeth leol, sy'n nodi hynny'n glir iawn ac yn nodi bod angen i gredydwyr gefnogi pobl sy'n cael trafferth gyda'u hymrwymiadau ariannol drwy eu helpu i gael y cyngor annibynnol hwnnw.
Felly, rwy'n credu bod llawer o waith da'n digwydd. Mae awdurdodau lleol yn gallu defnyddio'u cytundebau lefel gwasanaeth gydag awdurdodau gorfodi i sicrhau eu bod, er enghraifft, yn cysylltu eu hunain wrth y math o brosiect y mae John Griffiths wedi'i enwi. Rwy'n gwybod bod nifer o gynlluniau gwahanol allan yno ar gyfer beilïaid a swyddogion gorfodi, y gallant eu cefnogi i ddangos ffyrdd penodol o weithio y credaf y bydd awdurdodau'n awyddus iawn i'w harchwilio.
9. Pa asesiad mae'r Gweinidog wedi'i wneud o berfformiad awdurdodau lleol o'u dyletswyddau statudol? OQ59469
9. What assessment has the Minister made of local authority performance of their statutory duties? OQ59469
It is the role of the Wales Audit Office, Estyn and Care Inspectorate Wales to assess the performance of local authorities in Wales. The Welsh Government works closely with local authorities to address issues when appropriate.
Rôl Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru, Estyn ac Arolygiaeth Gofal Cymru yw asesu perfformiad awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n gweithio'n agos gydag awdurdodau lleol i fynd i'r afael â materion sy'n codi pan fo hynny'n briodol.
Thank you, Minister. As you're the Minister of finance, I thought you might take some interest in the fact that the allocation of the capital grant for Gypsy and Traveller sites has not been drawn down at all in the last year. As all local authorities are obliged to complete Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessments, how does the Minister assess whether each local authority is delivering on filling gaps in its own assessments to meet the level of Gypsy and Traveller accommodation need?
Diolch, Weinidog. Gan mai chi yw'r Gweinidog cyllid, roeddwn yn meddwl y gallai fod gennych ddiddordeb yn y ffaith nad yw dyraniad y grant cyfalaf ar gyfer safleoedd Sipsiwn a Theithwyr wedi cael ei dynnu i lawr o gwbl yn ystod y flwyddyn ddiwethaf. Gan fod rheidrwydd ar bob awdurdod lleol i gwblhau asesiadau llety Sipsiwn a Theithwyr, sut mae'r Gweinidog yn asesu a yw pob awdurdod lleol yn cyflawni ar lenwi bylchau yn eu hasesiadau eu hunain i ddiwallu lefel yr angen am lety Sipsiwn a Theithwyr?
So, we obviously want to ensure that all local authorities are providing the adequate and culturally appropriate sites for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, and you see that through our clear commitment in our 'Anti-racist Wales Action Plan'. At the moment, we are currently reviewing the robustness of Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessments. Proposals for new sites, and even for improvements, are often complex, and as we all know, they do tend to attract a certain level of challenge, but we are very concerned that, in some cases, there is definitely insufficient progress being made by local authorities to address the needs of the community.
I know that the Minister for Social Justice does intend to discuss the barriers to providing those sufficient sites with local authorities as well as representatives of the Gypsy and Traveller communities, bringing those together to try and move forward on what is a really important issue, and one where I would agree that we’re not making sufficient progress in various parts of Wales. In terms of Cardiff, I know that they are in the process of considering the scale of need and identification of pitches for their replacement local development plan as part of their evidence base.
Felly, yn amlwg, rydym am sicrhau bod pob awdurdod lleol yn darparu safleoedd digonol ac addas yn ddiwylliannol i gymunedau Sipsiwn, Roma a Theithwyr, ac fe welwch hynny drwy ein hymrwymiad clir yn ein 'Cynllun Gweithredu Cymru Wrth-hiliol'. Ar hyn o bryd, rydym yn adolygu pa mor drylwyr yw asesiadau llety Sipsiwn a Theithwyr. Mae cynigion ar gyfer safleoedd newydd, a hyd yn oed ar gyfer gwelliannau, yn aml yn gymhleth, ac fel y gwyddom i gyd, maent yn tueddu i greu lefel benodol o her, ond rydym yn pryderu'n fawr, mewn rhai achosion, nad oes digon o gynnydd yn cael ei wneud gan awdurdodau lleol i fynd i'r afael ag anghenion y gymuned.
Rwy'n gwybod bod y Gweinidog Cyfiawnder Cymdeithasol yn bwriadu trafod y rhwystrau i ddarparu safleoedd digonol gydag awdurdodau lleol yn ogystal â chynrychiolwyr o gymunedau Sipsiwn a Theithwyr, gan ddod â'r rheini at ei gilydd i geisio symud ymlaen ar fater pwysig iawn, ac un lle byddwn yn cytuno nad ydym yn gwneud cynnydd digonol mewn gwahanol rannau o Gymru. Yng nghyd-destun Caerdydd, rwy'n gwybod eu bod wrthi'n ystyried maint yr angen ac yn nodi lleiniau ar gyfer eu cynllun datblygu lleol newydd yn rhan o'u sylfaen dystiolaeth.
Ac yn olaf, cwestiwn 10, Rhun ap Iorwerth.
And finally, question 10, Rhun ap Iorwerth.
10. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad ar y cyllid cyfalaf sydd ar gael gan Lywodraeth Cymru i gynnal a chadw asedau cyhoeddus Cyngor Sir Ynys Môn? OQ59482
10. Will the Minister make a statement on the capital funds that are available from the Welsh Government for the maintenance of Anglesey County Council's public assets? OQ59482
The local government capital settlement for 2023-24 provides £180 million of unhypothecated capital funding for Welsh local authorities, of which the Isle of Anglesey County Council receives £4.376 million. In addition, the council will receive support for its public assets from the £1 billion in specific capital grants set out in the budget.
Mae'r setliad cyfalaf llywodraeth leol ar gyfer 2023-24 yn darparu £180 miliwn o gyllid cyfalaf heb ei neilltuo ar gyfer awdurdodau lleol Cymru, ac mae Cyngor Sir Ynys Môn yn derbyn £4.376 miliwn ohono. Yn ogystal, bydd y cyngor yn derbyn cymorth ar gyfer ei asedau cyhoeddus o'r £1 biliwn mewn grantiau cyfalaf penodol a nodwyd yn y gyllideb.
Diolch am yr ateb yna gan y Gweinidog. Dwi'n gwybod bod yna bryderon yn Ynys Môn, fel mewn awdurdodau lleol eraill, fod methiant i gael gafael ar arian cyfalaf yn peryglu cyflwr yr ystad yn gyffredinol. Mae angen parhau i fuddsoddi o hyd mewn cynnal a chadw adnoddau sydd yn bwysig ar gyfer llesiant pobl—adnoddau i ymarfer corff yn ddigonol, adnoddau i sicrhau bod pobl yn byw mewn tai cyngor o safon uchel, ac yn y blaen. Dwi wrth gwrs yn apelio ar y Llywodraeth i edrych eto ar sut mae rhyddhau mwy o arian cyfalaf i awdurdodau lleol, ond i adeiladu ar y cwestiwn yn gynharach gan Mike Hedges, pa waith sy'n cael ei wneud gan y Llywodraeth i chwilio am ffyrdd arloesol o ryddhau arian cyfalaf o fewn llywodraeth leol? Dydy cynlluniau fel MIM, hyd yn oed os ydyn nhw'n gallu gweithio, ddim yn mynd i fod yn addas i bopeth. Rydw i'n cytuno efo Mike Hedges fod angen gochel rhag peryglon MIM. Ond, lle mae'r arloesi mewn rhyddhau arian cwbl allweddol ar gyfer gwariant cyfalaf yn y dyfodol?
Thank you for that response, Minister. I know that there are concerns on Anglesey, as there are in other authorities, that a failure to access capital funding does endanger the condition of the estate more generally. We need to continue to invest in maintenance of resources that are important for people's well-being—resources for physical exercise, for example, resources to ensure that people live in quality council houses, and so on. Of course, I appeal to the Government to look again at how more capital funding can be released to local authorities, but building on an earlier question from Mike Hedges, what work is being done by Government to seek innovative ways of releasing capital funding within local government? The MIMs, even if they can work, won't be appropriate for everything, and I agree with Mike Hedges that we need to be wary of the risks of MIMs. But, where is the innovation in releasing funding that is crucial for capital expenditure in future?
So, I also agree that the mutual investment model won't be right for every kind of project. So, one of the reasons why it works well in the schools context is because you do have that long pipeline of projects coming through, which are well advanced and well identified a good deal of time ahead of the projects taking place. So, I think that it works for some things and definitely not for others.
We of course have discussions with local government about how they can use local government borrowing, as Mike Hedges has set out, perhaps in a more strategic way. Are there ways in which we can support them with that? As I say, we do have those discussions with local government and they are ongoing at the moment. But I’m afraid that I don’t have a particular detailed update that I am able to give because those discussions, as I say, haven’t crystallised around anything in particular yet.
Rwy'n cytuno hefyd na fydd y model buddsoddi cydfuddiannol yn iawn ar gyfer pob math o brosiect. Un o'r rhesymau pam ei fod yn gweithio'n dda yng nghyd-destun ysgolion yw oherwydd bod gennych lif hir o brosiectau'n dod drwodd sydd wedi'u datblygu a'u cofnodi'n dda gryn dipyn o amser cyn i'r prosiectau ddigwydd. Felly, rwy'n meddwl ei fod yn gweithio i rai pethau ac yn sicr, nid i eraill.
Wrth gwrs, rydym yn cael trafodaethau gyda llywodraeth leol ynglŷn â sut y gallant ddefnyddio benthyciadau llywodraeth leol mewn ffordd fwy strategol efallai, fel y mae Mike Hedges wedi nodi. A oes ffyrdd y gallwn eu cefnogi gyda hynny? Fel y dywedais, rydym yn cael trafodaethau gyda llywodraeth leol ac maent ar y gweill ar hyn o bryd. Ond mae arnaf ofn nad oes gennyf yr wybodaeth fanwl ddiweddaraf y gallaf ei rhoi am nad yw'r trafodaethau hynny, fel y dywedaf, wedi canolbwyntio ar unrhyw beth penodol eto.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog.
I thank the Minister.
Well done for completing and answering all of the questions on the order paper for you today.
Da iawn chi am gwblhau ac ateb yr holl gwestiynau ar y papur trefn ar eich cyfer heddiw.
Over to you, now, Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales. The first question is from Andrew R.T. Davies.
Draw atoch chi nawr, Weinidog Materion Gwledig a Gogledd Cymru. A'r cwestiwn cyntaf, Andrew R.T. Davies.
1. Pa gefnogaeth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei darparu i'r diwydiant amaethyddol? OQ59485
1. What support is the Welsh Government providing to the agricultural industry? OQ59485
Thank you. Under our new domestically funded programme, a raft of new schemes have opened for farmers, foresters, land managers and food businesses. This package of support is worth over £227 million, supporting agriculture and the rural economy. This is in addition to the support available through programmes such as Farming Connect.
Diolch. O dan ein rhaglen newydd a ariennir yn y wlad hon, mae llu o gynlluniau newydd wedi agor ar gyfer ffermwyr, coedwigwyr, rheolwyr tir a busnesau bwyd. Mae'r pecyn cymorth hwn yn werth dros £227 miliwn i gefnogi amaethyddiaeth a'r economi wledig. Mae'n ychwanegol at y gefnogaeth sydd ar gael drwy raglenni megis Cyswllt Ffermio.
I refer Members to my declaration of interest. Minister, one of the key things that does need to be invested in here in Wales is the processing sector, so that the produce that our primary producers—i.e. our farmers—produce can have as much value added to it here in Wales, so that the gross value added of agriculture lifts across the board. I have asked you several times over the course of your tenure as Minister what tangible increases we have seen in processing here in Wales, namely in dairy and red meat processing. Are you able to update us as to the level of investment that the Welsh Government is making in those key sectors, to add value to that primary product, and ultimately sustain a vibrant agricultural community because they are achieving the maximum value of the produce that they are producing?
Rwy'n cyfeirio'r Aelodau at fy natganiad o fuddiant. Weinidog, un o'r prif bethau y mae angen buddsoddi ynddo yma yng Nghymru yw'r sector prosesu, fel bod y cynnyrch y mae ein prif gynhyrchwyr—h.y. ein ffermwyr—yn ei gynhyrchu yn cael cymaint â phosibl o werth wedi'i ychwanegu ato yma yng Nghymru, fel bod gwerth ychwanegol gros amaethyddiaeth yn codi yn gyffredinol. Rwyf wedi gofyn i chi sawl gwaith yn ystod eich cyfnod fel Gweinidog pa gynnydd go iawn a welsom ym maes prosesu yma yng Nghymru, a phrosesu llaeth a chig coch yn benodol. A wnewch chi roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i ni ynghylch lefel y buddsoddiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud yn y sectorau allweddol hynny, i ychwanegu gwerth at y cynnyrch sylfaenol hwnnw, ac yn y pen draw, i gynnal cymuned amaethyddol fywiog gan eu bod nhw'n cyflawni'r gwerth mwyaf posibl o'r cynnyrch y maent yn ei gynhyrchu?
Thank you. Well, we certainly have put specific support into both dairy and meat processing here in Wales. I am thinking particularly in relation to dairy. In north-west Wales, we have put in some significant funding. I can't give you the exact figure, but I would be very happy to write to you on that.
Diolch. Wel, yn sicr rydym wedi rhoi cymorth penodol ar gyfer prosesu llaeth a chig yma yng Nghymru. Rwy'n meddwl yn arbennig am gynnyrch llaeth. Yng ngogledd-orllewin Cymru, rydym wedi rhoi cyllid sylweddol i mewn. Ni allaf roi'r union ffigur i chi, ond byddwn yn hapus iawn i ysgrifennu atoch ar hynny.
2. Pa gamau y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i reoleiddio perchnogaeth cŵn yn well? OQ59479
2. What steps will the Welsh Government take to better regulate dog ownership? OQ59479
Thank you. Promotion of responsible dog ownership is a priority for the Welsh Government. Our code of practice for the welfare of dogs outlines the obligations on owners to keep their dogs under control. Our programme for government includes measures that will improve standards of dog breeding and keeping in Wales.
Diolch. Mae hyrwyddo perchnogaeth gyfrifol ar gŵn yn flaenoriaeth i Lywodraeth Cymru. Mae ein cod ymarfer ar gyfer lles cŵn yn amlinellu'r rhwymedigaethau ar berchnogion i gadw eu cŵn dan reolaeth. Mae ein rhaglen lywodraethu yn cynnwys mesurau a fydd yn gwella safonau bridio a chadw cŵn yng Nghymru.
Minister, a Welsh Government report in 2018 estimated that some one in three households in Wales have a dog, and their estimate said that there are some 600,000 dogs in total. Thankfully, most dog owners are responsible, but too many do not exercise proper control. As a result, we see dog attacks, sometimes fatal, on children, adults and the elderly, as well as other dogs.
There is UK legislation, of course, such as the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and so-called 'dog ASBOs', as well as the Welsh Government measures that you touched upon—and I know that you are considering the reintroduction of dog licences, Minister. But, given the ongoing incidents that, unfortunately, we see across Wales, I do believe that our communities expect more action, and they expect it right now, in order to protect life and limb. So, what more can you say in terms of what the Welsh Government will do, Minister, to address these very real concerns in our communities?
Weinidog, roedd adroddiad gan Lywodraeth Cymru yn 2018 yn amcangyfrif bod gan oddeutu un o bob tair aelwyd yng Nghymru gi, ac roedd eu hamcangyfrif yn dweud bod yna gyfanswm o oddeutu 600,000 o gŵn i gyd. Diolch byth, mae'r rhan fwyaf o berchnogion cŵn yn gyfrifol, ond mae gormod ohonynt yn methu rheoli eu cŵn yn briodol. O ganlyniad, gwelwn ymosodiadau gan gŵn, sydd weithiau'n angheuol, ar blant, oedolion a'r henoed, yn ogystal ag ar gŵn eraill.
Ceir deddfwriaeth yn y DU wrth gwrs, megis Deddf Cŵn Peryglus 1991 a'r hyn a elwir yn 'ASBOs cŵn', yn ogystal â mesurau Llywodraeth Cymru y gwnaethoch chi eu crybwyll—ac rwy'n gwybod eich bod yn ystyried ailgyflwyno trwyddedau cŵn, Weinidog. Ond o ystyried y digwyddiadau a welwn yn gyson ledled Cymru yn anffodus, rwy'n credu bod ein cymunedau yn disgwyl mwy o weithredu, ac maent yn disgwyl hynny nawr, er mwyn cadw pobl yn ddiogel. Felly, beth arall allwch chi ei ddweud am yr hyn y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud, Weinidog, i fynd i'r afael â'r pryderon gwirioneddol hyn yn ein cymunedau?
Thank you. You are quite right: we have seen a recent spate of injuries and deaths as a result of dog attacks on people across Wales. The primary legislation is, as you referred to, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. I believe that that needs to be strengthened. I have made representations previously to both the Home Office and to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and my understanding was that they weren't inclined to review the Act at the time. I'm in the process of writing again, because I think we have seen, as I said at the outset of this answer, a recent spate of injuries and deaths, and I do think that the Dangerous Dogs Act is not fit for purpose. Certainly, the rural crime teams that we have here in Wales—I recently attended their conference. I don't think that the police think that the legislation is fit for purpose either. There are other pieces of legislation that are appropriate that are even pre 1991 and even pre the twentieth century. So, I do think that we need to look very carefully, and I'd be very happy to do that with the UK Government.
Dogs bring a lot of pleasure to many, many people, but responsible ownership is something I think—. You asked specifically what Welsh Government can do, and I think that's where we can have the most effect, as well, and make sure that people do understand that even the most docile of dogs can sometimes react in a way that is unexpected. So, I think responsible dog ownership is something that we do as a Government very well, and we will continue to do so.
Diolch. Rydych yn llygad eich lle: rydym wedi gweld nifer o achosion yn ddiweddar o anafiadau a marwolaethau o ganlyniad i ymosodiadau gan gŵn ar bobl ar draws Cymru. Y brif ddeddfwriaeth, fel y nodwyd gennych, yw Deddf Cŵn Peryglus 1991. Credaf fod angen cryfhau honno. Rwyf wedi cyflwyno sylwadau'n flaenorol i'r Swyddfa Gartref ac i Adran yr Amgylchedd, Bwyd a Materion Gwledig, ac yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallaf, nid oedd ganddynt fwriad o adolygu'r Ddeddf ar y pryd. Rwyf yn y broses o ysgrifennu eto, oherwydd fel y dywedais ar ddechrau'r ateb hwn, rydym wedi gweld nifer o anafiadau a marwolaethau yn ddiweddar, ac rwy'n credu nad yw'r Ddeddf Cŵn Peryglus yn addas i'r diben. Yn sicr, mae'r timau troseddau cefn gwlad sydd gennym yma yng Nghymru—mynychais eu cynhadledd yn ddiweddar. Nid wyf yn credu bod yr heddlu'n meddwl bod y ddeddfwriaeth yn addas i'r diben ychwaith. Ceir deddfau eraill sy'n briodol o gyfnod cyn 1991 a chyn yr ugeinfed ganrif hyd yn oed. Felly, rwy'n credu bod angen inni edrych yn ofalus iawn, a byddwn yn hapus iawn i wneud hynny gyda Llywodraeth y DU.
Mae cŵn yn dod â llawer o bleser i nifer fawr o bobl, ond mae perchnogaeth gyfrifol yn rhywbeth rwy'n meddwl—. Fe ofynnoch chi beth yn benodol y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud, ac rwy'n meddwl mai dyna lle gallwn gael yr effaith fwyaf hefyd, a sicrhau bod pobl yn deall bod hyd yn oed y cŵn tawelaf yn gallu ymateb mewn ffyrdd annisgwyl o bryd i'w gilydd. Felly, rwy'n credu bod perchnogaeth gyfrifol ar gŵn yn rhywbeth rydym ni'n ei wneud yn dda iawn fel Llywodraeth, a byddwn yn parhau i wneud hynny.
I'm pleased this subject has been raised this afternoon, as what causes me and a lot of people that I've spoken to a lot of anxiety is dog attacks and, obviously, dangerous dogs, which we've discussed. I think there were six deaths in 2022, and there was the young lad in Caerphilly who was mauled to death a couple of years ago. But the common theme here is that they were all subject to one breed, and that's the American bully. That didn't exist in 1991 when the Dangerous Dogs Act was last reviewed, because they were genetically bred through the 1990s and 2000s, and we're in the situation now where we've got a dangerous dog that is effectively unregulated. In that sense, I'm pleased that you've called for a review of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, but specifically what can we do to exhaust all levels at a devolved level to make sure that the Welsh Government is adequately reflecting this fact in Wales, particularly in relation to genetically modified dogs that we perhaps didn't see 32 years ago?
Rwy'n falch fod y pwnc hwn wedi'i godi y prynhawn yma, gan fod ymosodiadau gan gŵn yn achosi llawer o bryder i mi a nifer o bobl, ac yn amlwg, cŵn peryglus, fel rydym wedi trafod. Rwy'n credu bod hyn wedi arwain at chwe marwolaeth yn 2022, a chafodd bachgen ifanc yng Nghaerffili ei ladd flwyddyn neu ddwy yn ôl. Ond y thema gyffredin yn y fan hon yw eu bod i gyd yn perthyn i un brîd, sef y bwli Americanaidd. Nid oedd yn bodoli ym 1991 pan gafodd y Ddeddf Cŵn Peryglus ei hadolygu ddiwethaf, oherwydd cawsant eu bridio'n enetig drwy'r 1990au a'r 2000au, ac rydym mewn sefyllfa nawr lle mae gennym gi peryglus sydd i bob pwrpas heb ei reoleiddio. Oherwydd hynny, rwy'n falch eich bod wedi galw am adolygu Deddf Cŵn Peryglus 1991, ond yn benodol, beth allwn ni ei wneud ar bob lefel ddatganoledig i wneud yn siŵr fod Llywodraeth Cymru yn adlewyrchu'r ffaith hon yn ddigonol yng Nghymru, yn enwedig mewn perthynas â chŵn wedi'u haddasu'n enetig nad oedd i'w gweld 32 o flynyddoedd yn ôl?
Thank you. I think you've explained very well why we do need to have that piece of legislation reviewed. As I say, it's not just that piece of legislation; I think there are other outdated forms of dog legislation as well. Certainly the discussions I've had with our rural crime and wildlife commissioner are that there needs to be a holistic view to make sure all the pieces of legislation do what we want them to do.
I mentioned in my earlier answer what we can do as a Welsh Government. We do a great deal in relation to responsible ownership. I think we had a renewed focus on this following the pandemic, where we saw a significant increase in the number of households, not just in Wales, but across the UK, with pets. As I say, they bring a lot of joy, don't they, to a lot of people, and companionship and support, and I think what really is Welsh Government's responsibility is working with people to understand, when they do purchase a pet, just what is entailed. We have several campaigns to make sure that happens. We also have our social media campaign Paws, Prevent, Protect, and that just reminds prospective purchasers of the need to do their research before buying a pet. I think, again, that's very important with breeds that perhaps they might not know much about, and you referred to new breeds as well.
I think we should also encourage the adoption of dogs and cats from rescue centres. I think our rescue centres have seen a significant increase in the number of dogs and cats that they've had to take in. Again, that's all part of that responsible pet ownership that we promote as a Government.
Diolch. Rwy'n credu eich bod wedi egluro'n dda iawn pam fod angen inni gael y ddeddf honno wedi'i hadolygu. Fel y dywedaf, mae'n fwy na'r ddeddf honno'n unig; rwy'n credu bod mathau eraill o ddeddfwriaeth cŵn wedi dyddio hefyd. Yn sicr, yn y trafodaethau a gefais gyda'n comisiynydd troseddau gwledig a bywyd gwyllt, gwelwyd bod angen edrych ar hyn yn gyfannol i sicrhau bod yr holl ddeddfau'n gwneud yr hyn rydym eisiau iddynt ei wneud.
Yn fy ateb cynharach, crybwyllais beth y gallwn ni ei wneud fel Llywodraeth Cymru. Rydym yn gwneud llawer iawn mewn perthynas â pherchnogaeth gyfrifol. Rwy'n credu i ni gael ffocws newydd ar hyn yn sgil y pandemig, lle gwelsom gynnydd sylweddol yn nifer yr aelwydydd sydd ag anifail anwes, a hynny nid yn unig yng Nghymru, ond ledled y DU. Fel y dywedaf, maent yn rhoi llawer o lawenydd i lawer o bobl, onid ydynt, a chwmnïaeth a chefnogaeth, ac rwy'n credu mai cyfrifoldeb Llywodraeth Cymru mewn gwirionedd yw gweithio gyda phobl i ddeall beth mae prynu anifail anwes yn ei olygu. Mae gennym sawl ymgyrch i sicrhau bod hynny'n digwydd. Hefyd, mae gennym ein hymgyrch ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol, Aros, Atal, Amddiffyn, sy'n atgoffa darpar brynwyr o'r angen i wneud eu hymchwil cyn prynu anifail anwes. Unwaith eto, rwy'n credu bod hynny'n bwysig iawn gyda bridiau nad ydynt efallai'n gwybod llawer amdanynt, ac fe gyfeirioch chi at fridiau newydd hefyd.
Rwy'n credu hefyd y dylem annog pobl i fabwysiadu cŵn a chathod o ganolfannau achub. Rwy'n credu bod ein canolfannau achub wedi gweld cynnydd sylweddol yn nifer y cŵn a'r cathod y bu'n rhaid iddynt eu derbyn. Unwaith eto, mae hynny i gyd yn rhan o berchnogaeth gyfrifol ar anifeiliaid anwes rydym yn ei hyrwyddo fel Llywodraeth.
I echo John's comments from earlier. Last week, you may remember, I raised this issue with you of the third serious dog attack in Penyrheol in 18 months. The Westminster legislation in place for protecting the public when it comes to dangerous dogs is not fit for purpose and needs to be, in my opinion, replaced, or at least changed, and you intimated last week that you tend to agree with that opinion. But you also added that various Home Secretaries have ignored your attempts to correspond on the matter. While it may be difficult to have those conversations or dialogues with Westminster counterparts on the matter, one thing you might possibly do is raise awareness of what is acceptable and what is not acceptable when it comes to dog behaviour. It's also important to educate people about the appropriate channels where they can raise concerns, and also lower-level incidents that don't warrant a 999 call. In their ward, the Plaid Cymru councillors in Penyrheol have been proactive on this matter, and firmly believe that there needs to be a national strategy and a national awareness campaign on the matter, so that early-warning signs about dangerous dogs can be recognised and reported. Do you agree with that, and, if so, would you consider implementing such a campaign?
Rwy'n adleisio sylwadau John yn gynharach. Efallai y cofiwch imi godi'r mater hwn gyda chi yr wythnos diwethaf, ynglŷn â'r trydydd ymosodiad difrifol gan gŵn ym Mhenyrheol mewn 18 mis. Nid yw deddfwriaeth San Steffan sydd ar waith ar gyfer diogelu'r cyhoedd rhag cŵn peryglus yn addas i'r diben ac mae angen deddf newydd yn ei lle yn fy marn i, neu o leiaf ei newid, ac fe awgrymoch chi yr wythnos diwethaf eich bod yn tueddu i gytuno â'r farn honno. Ond fe wnaethoch chi hefyd ychwanegu bod amryw o Ysgrifenyddion Cartref wedi anwybyddu eich ymdrechion i ohebu ar y mater. Er y gallai fod yn anodd cael sgyrsiau neu ddeialog ar y mater gyda chymheiriaid yn San Steffan, un peth y gallech ei wneud o bosibl yw codi ymwybyddiaeth o'r hyn sy'n dderbyniol a'r hyn nad yw'n dderbyniol mewn perthynas ag ymddygiad cŵn. Mae hefyd yn bwysig addysgu pobl am y sianeli priodol lle gallant leisio pryderon, a digwyddiadau ar lefel is hefyd lle nad oes angen ffonio 999. Yn eu ward, mae'r cynghorwyr Plaid Cymru ym Mhenyrheol wedi bod yn rhagweithiol ar y mater hwn, ac maent yn credu'n gryf fod angen strategaeth genedlaethol ac ymgyrch godi ymwybyddiaeth genedlaethol ar y mater, fel bod modd adnabod ac adrodd ar arwyddion cynnar am gŵn peryglus. A ydych chi'n cytuno, ac os felly, a wnewch chi ystyried cynnal ymgyrch o'r fath?
Thank you. I think you do raise a very important point. It is vital that people do know where to make complaints et cetera, and you'll be aware of the Welsh Government scheme that we had with our local authorities around enforcement. We've put funding into training to make sure that all local authorities are aware of what's expected of them, and what more we can do to help the general public too. On the back of our exchange in the Siambr last week—I think it was in the business statement—I did commit, as I say, to writing again to the Home Secretary—I've not given up—and also the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, because I've raised it with my counterparts in DEFRA on many occasions over the years. It might just be that, because, unfortunately, we've seen this increase in the number of dog attacks and fatalities, maybe they will wake up and think this is now the time to look at this very outdated legislation. So, I am hopeful that, if we write again, something might happen. But as a Government, we can do more, and I'm very happy to look at any campaigns that we can do, either on our own or in conjunction with Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, to promote responsible dog ownership.
Diolch. Credaf eich bod yn codi pwynt pwysig iawn. Mae'n hanfodol fod pobl yn gwybod ble i wneud cwynion ac ati, ac fe fyddwch yn gwybod am gynllun Llywodraeth Cymru a oedd gennym gyda'n hawdurdodau lleol ynghylch gorfodaeth. Rydym wedi rhoi cyllid i ddarparu hyfforddiant i sicrhau bod pob awdurdod lleol yn ymwybodol o'r hyn a ddisgwylir ganddynt, a beth arall y gallwn ei wneud i helpu'r cyhoedd yn gyffredinol hefyd. Yn dilyn ein trafodaeth yn y Siambr yr wythnos diwethaf—yn y datganiad busnes, rwy'n credu—fe ymrwymais, fel y dywedaf, i ysgrifennu eto at yr Ysgrifennydd Cartref—nid wyf wedi rhoi’r gorau iddi—ac at Adran yr Amgylchedd, Bwyd a Materion Gwledig, oherwydd rwyf wedi codi'r mater gyda fy swyddogion cyfatebol yn DEFRA droeon dros y blynyddoedd. Gan ein bod, yn anffodus, wedi gweld y cynnydd hwn yn nifer yr ymosodiadau gan gŵn a marwolaethau, efallai y byddant yn deffro ac yn sylweddoli ei bod yn bryd edrych ar y ddeddfwriaeth hon sydd wedi dyddio'n aruthrol. Felly, rwy’n obeithiol, os byddwn yn ysgrifennu eto, y gallai rhywbeth ddigwydd. Ond fel Llywodraeth, fe allwn wneud mwy, ac rwy’n fwy na pharod i edrych ar unrhyw ymgyrchoedd y gallwn eu cynnal, naill ai ar ein pen ein hunain neu ar y cyd â’r Alban, Lloegr a Gogledd Iwerddon, i hyrwyddo perchnogaeth gyfrifol ar gŵn.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Samuel Kurtz.
Questions now from party spokespeople. Conservative spokesperson, Samuel Kurtz.
Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, a fortnight ago, you released a written statement in relation to the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021, much more snappily known as the NVZ regs, following a joint initiative between the Government and Plaid Cymru. In that statement, you announced that you're extending the implementation date for the 170 kg per hectare annual limit from 30 April to 31 October, later this year. Whilst this delay was welcomed, it was announced just six days before the regulations were due to be implemented. For the past several months, the agricultural community have been left to scramble, as they attempt to meet these regulations, only to be told at the eleventh hour that you were delaying the start date. Why was this decision left so late, why are the concerns of the agricultural community not being listened to, and why not just follow the lead of other countries and increase the threshold to 250 kg per hectare, so you don't leave Welsh agriculture at a competitive disadvantage?
Diolch, Lywydd. Weinidog, bythefnos yn ôl, fe gyhoeddoch chi ddatganiad ysgrifenedig mewn perthynas â Rheoliadau Adnoddau Dŵr (Rheoli Llygredd Amaethyddol) (Cymru) 2021, a elwir hefyd yn rheoliadau parthau perygl nitradau, yn dilyn menter ar y cyd rhwng y Llywodraeth a Phlaid Cymru. Yn y datganiad hwnnw, fe gyhoeddoch chi eich bod yn ymestyn y dyddiad gweithredu ar gyfer y terfyn blynyddol o 170 kg yr hectar o 30 Ebrill i 31 Hydref, yn ddiweddarach eleni. Er bod y gohiriad hwn i'w groesawu, fe'i cyhoeddwyd chwe diwrnod yn unig cyn y dyddiad roedd y rheoliadau i fod i ddod i rym. Dros y misoedd diwethaf, mae’r gymuned amaethyddol wedi mynd ati fel lladd nadroedd i geisio bodloni’r rheoliadau hyn, dim ond i gael gwybod ar yr unfed awr ar ddeg eich bod yn gohirio’r dyddiad cychwyn. Pam y gwnaed y penderfyniad hwn mor hwyr, pam nad yw pryderon y gymuned amaethyddol yn cael eu cydnabod, a pham ddim dilyn esiampl gwledydd eraill a chodi’r trothwy i 250 kg yr hectar fel nad ydych yn creu anfantais gystadleuol i amaeth yng Nghymru?
Well, I certainly don't snappily refer to them as NVZ regulations, because that's not what they are, so it would be good if you could perhaps use the correct title at all times. I extended the implementation date for one measure of the control of agricultural pollution regulations, to give some certainty to the agricultural sector. As you know, I've extended it until 31 October. The reason why it's taken time, and it's still taking further time, is because of the responses we had to the consultation—it's very important that they're given the level of attention that's needed. Obviously, there is a great deal of lobbying going on, on both sides. But what I want to do is absolutely get it right. I think it's very important that we fully consider all of the issues that were raised in response to the consultation, and take that time to ensure we reach the right decision, both for the environment and for the agricultural sector.
Wel, yn sicr, nid wyf yn cyfeirio atynt fel rheoliadau parthau perygl nitradau, gan nad dyna ydynt, felly byddai'n dda pe gallech ddefnyddio'r teitl cywir bob amser. Estynnais y dyddiad gweithredu ar gyfer un o fesurau'r rheoliadau rheoli llygredd amaethyddol er mwyn rhoi rhywfaint o sicrwydd i’r sector amaethyddol. Fel y gwyddoch, rwyf wedi'i ymestyn tan 31 Hydref. Y rheswm pam ei fod wedi cymryd amser, ac mae'n dal i gymryd mwy o amser, yw oherwydd yr ymatebion a gawsom i'r ymgynghoriad—mae'n bwysig iawn eu bod yn cael y lefel o sylw sydd ei hangen. Yn amlwg, mae llawer iawn o lobïo'n digwydd, ar y ddwy ochr. Ond yr hyn rwyf am ei wneud yw gwneud hyn yn iawn. Credaf ei bod yn bwysig iawn ein bod yn ystyried yr holl faterion a godwyd mewn ymateb i’r ymgynghoriad yn llawn, ac yn rhoi amser i sicrhau ein bod yn gwneud y penderfyniad cywir, ar gyfer yr amgylchedd ac ar gyfer y sector amaethyddol.
I'm grateful for that answer, Minister, but you will forgive me and Joe Bloggs for continuing to refer to them as NVZs when sections 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 of the regulations are directly lifted from NVZ regs. But I do appreciate the concerns around the consultations, and the efforts that are being put into respecting the answers to that consultation. But staying on time frames, you'll be aware that regulation 45 of the NVZ proposals requires any proposals for an alternative measure to be made within 18 months of the regulations coming into effect. I believe, if I'm right in my thinking, that that deadline has now passed. So, by the standards set by yourself and this Government, should any alternative proposal now be brought forward, you will not consider it. Technology is key to improving water quality throughout Wales—technology that is advancing, developing and improving all of the time. Gelli Aur's Prosiect Slyri is just one example, but other groundbreaking technological solutions might now not see the light of the day, thanks to the insistence of a hard and fast deadline within the regulations. With regulation 45 in black and white, what incentive is there for a company, or a team of academics, to come forward with an alternative solution, if you insist that a deadline has passed?
Rwy’n ddiolchgar am eich ateb, Weinidog, ond fe faddeuwch i mi ac i Joe Bloggs am barhau i gyfeirio atynt fel parthau perygl nitradau pan fo adrannau 2, 3, 4, 5 a 7 o’r rheoliadau wedi'u codi’n uniongyrchol o'r rheoliadau parthau perygl nitradau. Ond rwy'n deall y pryderon ynghylch yr ymgynghoriadau, a'r ymdrechion sy'n cael eu gwneud i barchu'r atebion i'r ymgynghoriad hwnnw. Ond gan aros gydag amserlenni, fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol fod rheoliad 45 o gynigion y parthau perygl nitradau yn ei gwneud yn ofynnol i unrhyw gynigion ar gyfer mesur amgen gael eu gwneud o fewn 18 mis ar ôl i'r rheoliadau ddod i rym. Os wyf yn iawn, rwy'n credu bod y terfyn amser hwnnw bellach wedi bod. Felly, yn ôl y safonau a bennwyd gennych chi a'r Llywodraeth hon, pe bai unrhyw gynnig amgen yn cael ei gyflwyno nawr, ni fyddech yn ei ystyried. Mae technoleg yn allweddol i wella ansawdd dŵr ledled Cymru—technoleg sy’n gwneud cynnydd, yn datblygu ac yn gwella drwy’r amser. Mae Prosiect Slyri Gelli Aur yn un enghraifft, ond mae'n bosibl na fydd atebion technolegol arloesol eraill yn gweld golau dydd bellach, diolch i'r ffaith bod y rheoliadau'n mynnu terfyn amser pendant. Gyda rheoliad 45 mewn du a gwyn, pa gymhelliant sydd yna i gwmni, neu dîm o academyddion, gyflwyno ateb amgen, os ydych chi'n mynnu bod terfyn amser wedi bod?
I've said that we will consider that. On the 18-month deadline, I suppose I set that on myself. I think I was being very hard on myself, to make sure that, if anything came forward, we would have to consider it within that time. We haven't seen many more. I hear about what you say about Gelli Aur, and I've been there, along with Cefin Campbell, to have a look at it. I've been a couple of times now, and it is very clear that progress is being made, just not as fast as I think we would want it. But certainly, we have encouraged other people to come forward if they have any ideas. I've made it very clear that I do not want to extend the timescale again from the end of October. I've made it very clear to officials that we need to look at this now as a matter of urgency, and set out our response to the consultation as quickly as we possibly can, and well before that new implementation date that you referred to, in order to give that certainty to everyone.
Rwyf wedi dweud y byddwn yn ystyried hynny. Ar y terfyn amser o 18 mis, mae'n debyg imi osod hwnnw arnaf fy hun. Credaf fy mod yn bod yn galed iawn arnaf fy hun, i sicrhau, pe bai unrhyw beth yn cael ei gyflwyno, y byddai'n rhaid i ni ei ystyried o fewn yr amser hwnnw. Nid ydym wedi gweld llawer mwy. Rwy'n clywed yr hyn a ddywedwch am Gelli Aur, ac rwyf wedi bod yno, gyda Cefin Campbell, i gael golwg ar y prosiect. Rwyf wedi bod fwy nag unwaith, ac mae'n amlwg iawn fod cynnydd yn cael ei wneud, er nad mor gyflym ag y credaf y byddem yn dymuno'i weld. Ond yn sicr, rydym wedi annog pobl eraill i gyflwyno unrhyw syniadau. Rwyf wedi nodi'n glir iawn nad wyf am ymestyn yr amserlen eto o ddiwedd mis Hydref. Rwyf wedi dweud yn glir iawn wrth swyddogion fod angen inni edrych ar hyn fel mater o frys, a nodi ein hymateb i’r ymgynghoriad cyn gynted ag y gallwn, ac ymhell cyn y dyddiad gweithredu newydd y cyfeirioch chi ato, er mwyn rhoi’r sicrwydd hwnnw i bawb.
That begs the question why was regulation 45 so necessary, if you're saying now in the Chamber that you will look at future alternative measures if they do come forward. That's the bit that I couldn't get when we were questioning you in committee. I still can't quite understand today the insistence on having regulation 45 within the NVZ regs. But I'm not trying to give opposition for opposition's sake here when I'm challenging these regulations and their appropriateness for tackling a problem—a problem that we all want to see fixed. Water pollution from any source needs to be stopped. But given the delay to the implementation, the rigidity in accepting an alternative solution, the problems within the planning system in actually getting storage facilities built, not to mention the inflationary cost of materials, and the analysis of the Irish Environmental Protection Agency, which has shown that nearly half of sites under NVZ regulations actually showed an increase in nitrates, isn't this whole policy just a thinly veiled attack on Welsh agriculture, and a way to destock our countryside by the back door?
Mae hynny’n codi cwestiwn ynghylch pam fod rheoliad 45 mor angenrheidiol, os ydych yn dweud nawr yn y Siambr y byddwch yn edrych ar fesurau amgen yn y dyfodol os cânt eu cynnig. Dyna'r darn na allwn ei ddeall pan oeddem yn eich holi yn y pwyllgor. Rwy'n dal i fethu deall heddiw pam y mynnwyd cael rheoliad 45 yn y rheoliadau parthau perygl nitradau. Ond nid wyf yn ceisio gwrthwynebu er mwyn gwrthwynebu yma pan fyddaf yn herio'r rheoliadau hyn a'u haddasrwydd ar gyfer mynd i'r afael â phroblem—problem y mae pob un ohonom am iddi gael ei datrys. Mae angen atal llygredd dŵr o unrhyw ffynhonnell. Ond o ystyried y gohirio cyn gweithredu, yr anhyblygrwydd o ran derbyn ateb amgen, y problemau yn y system gynllunio wrth adeiladu cyfleusterau storio, heb sôn am gostau cynyddol deunyddiau, a dadansoddiad Asiantaeth Diogelu'r Amgylchedd Iwerddon, sydd wedi dangos bod bron i hanner y safleoedd o dan reoliadau parthau perygl nitradau yn dangos cynnydd mewn nitradau mewn gwirionedd, onid ymosodiad ar amaethyddiaeth Cymru yw’r polisi cyfan hwn mewn gwirionedd, a ffordd o ddadstocio ein cefn gwlad drwy'r drws cefn?
Absolutely not. I think we've made it very clear as a Government that—you're absolutely right—every form of pollution needs to be stopped, absolutely every form. And that's why the First Minister has had two water quality summits that he has chaired, along with myself and the Minister for Climate Change, because it's not just one sector; it's lots of sectors. What the First Minister wanted, and what happened, was a variety of sectors came forward to that water summit with solutions to these problems and what action they would take. It was not just agriculture; there were many other sectors there. So, to say that just one sector is being picked on is absolutely incorrect.
Dim o gwbl. Credaf ein bod wedi dweud yn glir iawn fel Llywodraeth—rydych yn llygad eich lle—fod angen atal pob ffurf ar lygredd, pob ffurf. A dyna pam fod y Prif Weinidog wedi cadeirio dwy uwchgynhadledd ar ansawdd dŵr, ynghyd â’r Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd a minnau, gan ei fod yn ymwneud â mwy ag un sector yn unig; mae'n ymwneud â nifer o sectorau. Yr hyn roedd y Prif Weinidog ei eisiau, a’r hyn a ddigwyddodd, oedd bod amryw o sectorau wedi dod i’r uwchgynhadledd honno gydag atebion i’r problemau hyn a pha gamau y byddent yn eu cymryd. Nid y sector amaethyddiaeth yn unig; roedd llawer o sectorau eraill yno. Felly, mae dweud mai un sector yn unig sy'n cael ei feio'n gwbl anghywir.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Mabon ap Gwynfor.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Mabon ap Gwynfor.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd. Rôn i'n bryderus clywed yr wythnos diwethaf bod parthau gwarchod ffliw adar newydd wedi cael eu gorfodi o amgylch fferm bridio adar gêm fawr ym Mhowys. Mae hyn yn ddatblygiad gofidus, gan ystyried bod y Llywodraeth wedi codi'r gorchymyn cadw dofednod ac adar caeth o dan do ar 18 Ebrill. Mae'r niferoedd o adar sydd yn cael eu cofnodi yn dioddef o'r ffliw adar ar eu huchaf ar hyn o bryd, gyda tua 330 achos wedi'u cofnodi yn y Deyrnas Gyfunol dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf. Mae dros hanner o'r achosion sydd wedi cael eu cofnodi yng Nghymru wedi cael eu cofnodi ym Mhowys, gyda ffermydd dofednod wedi'u taro'n arbennig o wael, a bron i 4 miliwn o adar wedi cael eu difa. Cafodd y gorchymyn gorfodol i gadw adar dan do ei gyflwyno ar ddechrau Rhagfyr y llynedd, cyn cael ei godi bedwar mis yn ddiweddarach. Hoffwn, felly, ddeall effeithlonrwydd y gorchymyn gorfodol ar ledaeniad yr haint ymysg adar Cymru. A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu asesiad y Llywodraeth o effeithlonrwydd y mesurau yma? Os nad oes asesiad wedi cael ei wneud eto yn llawn, fe hoffwn wybod pryd bydd y wybodaeth ar gael, os gwelwch yn dda
Thank you very much, Llywydd. I was very concerned to hear last week that new bird flu protection zones had been enforced around a large game breeding farm in Powys. This is a concerning development given that the Government had lifted the poultry and game bird housing order on 18 April. The number of birds recorded as suffering bird flu is at its highest now, with some 330 cases recorded in the UK over the past two years. Over half of the cases recorded in Wales have been recorded in Powys, with poultry farms being particularly badly hit and almost 4 million birds being culled. The order for keeping birds indoors was introduced at the beginning of December last year, before being lifted four months later. I would, therefore, like to understand the efficiency of this order in terms of preventing the spread of the disease among birds in Wales. Will the Minister outline the Government's assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of these measures? And if no assessment has yet been made, I would like to know when the information will be available, please.
Thank you. As you know, we have seen a significant number of avian influenza cases in Wales, and far more across other parts of the UK. For about 20 months, we have not seen any respite, really, from that. As you said, on 18 April, we did lift the mandatory housing measures for birds, which I introduced, I think, on 2 December. I did that because the advice I was given from the chief veterinary officer, and the advice we were given from other areas, was that that was the right thing to do. There was a reduction in risk to poultry and captive birds. Alongside that, the avian influenza prevention zone remains in force across Wales until further notice. I think it's important to say that. And, also, we are encouraging all bird keepers to abide by the mandatory biosecurity measures and complete the mandatory biosecurity self-assessment checklist, which we introduced back in December, and which helps us monitor efficiency and effectiveness of the various measures that we bring through. I mentioned the all-Wales avian influenza prevention zone. We put that in place back in the middle of October, and, as I say, that does still remain in place. But there is constant monitoring going on not just here in Wales, but obviously across the UK. The chief veterinary officer meets with others on a regular basis—I think it's still weekly—around the AI outbreaks that we've seen across the country.
Diolch. Fel y gwyddoch, rydym wedi gweld nifer sylweddol o achosion o ffliw adar yng Nghymru, a llawer mwy ar draws rhannau eraill o’r DU. Ers oddeutu 20 mis, nid ydym wedi cael unrhyw seibiant rhag hynny mewn gwirionedd. Fel y dywedoch chi, ar 18 Ebrill, fe wnaethom ddiddymu'r mesurau gorfodol ar gyfer cadw adar dan do, a gyflwynwyd gennyf ar 2 Rhagfyr, rwy'n credu. Gwneuthum hynny am mai'r cyngor a gefais gan y prif swyddog milfeddygol, a’r cyngor a gawsom o fannau eraill, oedd mai dyna’r peth iawn i’w wneud. Roedd gostyngiad yn y risg i ddofednod ac adar caeth. Ynghyd â hynny, mae’r parth atal ffliw adar yn dal i fod mewn grym ledled Cymru hyd nes y nodir yn wahanol. Credaf ei bod yn bwysig dweud hynny. Rydym hefyd yn annog ceidwaid adar i gadw at y mesurau bioddiogelwch gorfodol a chwblhau'r rhestr wirio hunanasesu bioddiogelwch orfodol, a gyflwynwyd gennym yn ôl ym mis Rhagfyr, ac sy'n ein helpu i fonitro effeithlonrwydd ac effeithiolrwydd y mesurau amrywiol a gyflwynir gennym. Soniais am barth atal ffliw adar Cymru gyfan. Rhoesom hwnnw ar waith yn ôl ganol mis Hydref, ac fel y dywedaf, mae'n dal i fod mewn grym. Ond mae gwaith monitro cyson yn mynd rhagddo nid yn unig yma yng Nghymru, ond ledled y DU wrth gwrs. Mae'r prif swyddog milfeddygol yn cyfarfod ag eraill yn rheolaidd—credaf eu bod yn dal i gyfarfod yn wythnosol—ynghylch yr achosion o ffliw adar rydym wedi'u gweld ledled y wlad.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog am yr ateb yna. Bydd y Gweinidog yn gwybod bod y niferoedd o achosion ffliw adar yn cynyddu yn ystod misoedd y gaeaf. Mae'r misoedd yma yn heriol iawn wrth drio atal lledaeniad yr haint, efo adar gwyllt, sef yr adar sydd yn fwyaf tebygol o gario'r haint, yn ymfudo dros fisoedd y gaeaf, ac felly'n debygol o gario'r i diroedd newydd. Oherwydd hyn, mae'n hanfodol bod camau bioddiogelwch yn cael eu cryfhau er mwyn atal lledaeniad yr haint. Mae llywodraethau cyfrifol yn sicrhau bod camau bioddiogelwch addas yn cael eu cyflwyno er mwyn paratoi am y risg, ond er mwyn sicrhau bod y camau yma'n effeithiol mae'n bwysig cefnogi ffermwyr dofednod a chiperiaid yn eu hydmrechion i weithredu'r camau angenrheidiol. Gall cefnogeth o'r fath fod yn hyfforddiant, yn ogystal â chamau ariannol ar gyfer darparu'r isadeiledd angenrheidiol, ac mae'r Llywodraeth yma, er tegwch, eisoes wedi cymryd rhai camau i'r perwyl yma dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf a chefnogi'r diwydiant. Mae misoedd yr haf yma, felly, am fod yn greiddiol bwysig os am baratoi'n effeithiol ar gyfer beth all fod yn aeaf caled i'r sector. A gaf i, felly, ofyn i'r Gweinidog pa waith sydd ar y gweill neu'n cael ei gynllunio rŵan wrth baratoi am y posibilrwydd o ledaeniad ffliw adar y gaeaf yma?
I thank the Minister for that response. The Minister will be aware that the numbers of cases of AI increase during the winter months. These are very challenging months in trying to prevent the spread of the disease, with wild birds, who are most likely to carry the infection, migrating over the winter months, and likely to take AI to new areas. Because of this, it's important that biosecurity measures are strengthened in order to prevent the spread of avian influenza. Responsible governments ensure that appropriate biosecurity steps are taken to prepare for the risks, but in order to ensure that these are effective it's important to support poultry farmers and keepers in their attempts to implement these measures. Such support can be in the form of training, as well as financial support for providing the necessary infrastructure, and the Government here, in fairness, has already taken some steps to this end over the past 12 months and supported the industry. The summer months are going to be crucially important, therefore, if we're going to prepare effectively for what could be a very difficult winter for the sector. Could I, therefore, ask the Minister what work is in the pipeline or being planned at the moment in preparing for the possibility of the spread of avian influenza this winter?
Thank you. You are quite right; normally it is the winter months where we see the majority of AI outbreaks. But really, we haven't had a respite. We had it all through the summer last year, and, as you say, we need to prepare. We have a cross-Government and industry avian influenza taskforce looking at vaccination, for instance, now, because I think that's something that we need to be looking at, whether that's good for the future. Obviously, biosecurity is very important. We have a register of bird keepers here in Wales, and you had to have 50 birds to be on the register. What we're encouraging is for everybody, even if you've only got one in your back yard, to register, so we know where we are and we know how we can get that information to you as quickly as possible. You'll be aware of the work that we've done on banning bird gatherings. Unfortunately, we haven't seen birds at the Royal Welsh Show and other agricultural shows, but that is, I think, really important, because we know there are certain higher risk species of birds where we have to keep those preventions in place.
I think we all have a responsibility in helping to prevent the spread of AI to protect the health of all birds in Wales—our kept birds, our national flocks—and, of course, our trading position. It's really important from that point of view. So, I would urge everybody—. It's a good opportunity—and thank you for raising this today—to tell everyone it's really important that they comply with these measures. We also work with public health agencies. Whilst, obviously, from a public health point of view, the risk remains very, very low, it is really important that we work with them. Also, the Food Standards Agency is advising on the risks from AI. The risk is very, very low from a food safety point of view as well, but obviously it is there. It's about making sure that you properly cook your poultry and properly cook eggs, for instance.
Diolch. Rydych yn llygad eich lle; fel arfer, gwelwn y rhan fwyaf o achosion o ffliw adar yn ystod misoedd y gaeaf. Ond mewn gwirionedd, nid ydym wedi cael seibiant. Fe'i cawsom drwy gydol yr haf y llynedd, ac fel y dywedwch, mae angen inni baratoi. Mae gennym dasglu ffliw adar trawslywodraethol ar y cyd â'r diwydiant yn edrych ar frechu, er enghraifft, nawr, gan y credaf fod hynny'n rhywbeth y mae angen inni edrych arno, ac a yw hynny'n dda ar gyfer y dyfodol. Yn amlwg, mae bioddiogelwch yn bwysig iawn. Mae gennym gofrestr o geidwaid adar yma yng Nghymru, ac roedd yn rhaid bod gennych 50 o adar i allu bod ar y gofrestr. Yr hyn rydym yn ei annog yw bod pawb yn cofrestru, hyd yn oed os mai dim ond un sydd gennych yn eich iard gefn, fel ein bod yn ymwybodol o'r sefyllfa ac yn gwybod sut y gallwn roi'r wybodaeth honno i chi cyn gynted â phosibl. Fe fyddwch yn gwybod am y gwaith rydym wedi'i wneud ar wahardd crynoadau adar. Yn anffodus, nid ydym wedi gweld adar yn Sioe Frenhinol Cymru a sioeau amaethyddol eraill, ond credaf fod hynny'n bwysig iawn, gan y gwyddom fod rhai rhywogaethau adar risg uwch lle mae'n rhaid inni gadw’r mesurau atal hynny ar waith.
Credaf fod gan bob un ohonom gyfrifoldeb i helpu i atal lledaeniad ffliw adar er mwyn diogelu iechyd holl adar Cymru—ein hadar cadw, ein heidiau cenedlaethol—ac wrth gwrs, ein sefyllfa fasnachu. Mae’n wirioneddol bwysig yn y cyswllt hwnnw. Felly, hoffwn annog pawb—. Mae'n gyfle da—a diolch am godi hyn heddiw—i ddweud wrth bawb ei bod yn bwysig iawn eu bod yn cydymffurfio â'r mesurau hyn. Rydym hefyd yn gweithio gydag asiantaethau iechyd y cyhoedd. Er bod y risg, o safbwynt iechyd y cyhoedd, yn parhau i fod yn isel tu hwnt wrth gwrs, mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod yn gweithio gyda nhw. Hefyd, mae'r Asiantaeth Safonau Bwyd yn cynghori ar risgiau ffliw adar. Mae’r risg yn isel tu hwnt o safbwynt diogelwch bwyd hefyd, ond yn amlwg, mae'n bodoli. Mae'n ymwneud â sicrhau eich bod yn coginio eich dofednod yn iawn ac yn coginio wyau'n iawn, er enghraifft.
3. Pa drafodaethau mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gyda Gweinidog yr Economi ynglŷn â sicrhau bod ardal gogledd Cymru yn elwa o lwyddiant chwaraeon Cymru? OQ59477
3. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Economy about ensuring that the North Wales area benefits from Welsh sporting success? OQ59477
As the Minister for north Wales, I have regular discussions with all Cabinet colleagues on how portfolios work together. Every effort is made to ensure north Wales reaps the benefits of all our sporting successes.
Fel Gweinidog gogledd Cymru, rwy’n cael trafodaethau rheolaidd gyda fy holl gyd-Aelodau o’r Cabinet ar sut mae portffolios yn gweithio gyda’i gilydd. Gwneir pob ymdrech i sicrhau bod gogledd Cymru yn elwa o'n holl lwyddiannau ym myd chwaraeon.
Thank you very much for your answer, Minister. The reason I ask this question is because of the recent success in your constituency, which is the success of Wrexham football club winning the National League and returning to the football league after a 15-year absence. I don't pretend to be a Wrexham fan, but I know they've had some dark days over that period of time, and it's great to see them back to their former glory anyway. Plenty of my constituents are also Wrexham fans as well, as you can probably gather. But in terms of looking at how the whole region can benefit from this, obviously with the investment from Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney as well, and the success that they’re having down there in Wrexham, how do you think that the region as a whole can benefit from that investment and create not just an area of sporting champions, but indeed a region of champions to go with that as well?
Diolch yn fawr iawn am eich ateb, Weinidog. Y rheswm pam y gofynnaf y cwestiwn yw oherwydd y llwyddiant diweddar yn eich etholaeth, sef llwyddiant clwb pêl-droed Wrecsam i ennill y Gynghrair Genedlaethol a dychwelyd i’r gynghrair bêl-droed ar ôl absenoldeb o 15 mlynedd. Nid wyf yn esgus bod yn gefnogwr Wrecsam, ond gwn eu bod wedi cael rhai dyddiau tywyll yn ystod y cyfnod hwnnw, ac mae'n wych eu gweld yn llwyddo eto. Mae digon o fy etholwyr hefyd yn gefnogwyr Wrecsam, fel y gallwch ddychmygu, mae'n siŵr. Ond wrth edrych ar sut y gall y rhanbarth cyfan elwa o hyn, gyda'r buddsoddiad gan Ryan Reynolds a Rob McElhenney hefyd, a'r llwyddiant y maent yn ei gael yn Wrecsam, sut y credwch y gall y rhanbarth cyfan elwa o'r buddsoddiad hwnnw a chreu nid yn unig ardal o bencampwyr byd chwaraeon, ond rhanbarth o bencampwyr i gyd-fynd â hynny hefyd?
Thank you, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to again raise the success of Wrexham football club—both the men and the women, and, of course, the youth teams as well. I think it’s very important to remember all four teams gained promotion this year. But I do think you make a very good point—the profile of the club and that of Wrexham has obviously been built on these successes and the number of global visitors we’re getting to Wrexham. I rarely go to a home match now where you’re not approached by an American fan who’s probably never been to Wrexham before and probably never heard of Wrexham before the Welcome to Wrexham documentary and, as you say, the input from Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. So, I do think it is important for not just north-east Wales, but the whole of north Wales. And you’re quite right—there are people from Anglesey, there are people from Llandudno who sit behind me at the football, and they’ve been there for many, many, many years, including those dark days.
You’ll be aware of the significant funding that’s been given by the Welsh Government to the Wrexham Gateway, and some of that money is going towards the redevelopment of the stadium to ensure that we can have a stadium where international matches can be held, because that hasn’t been possible for many, many years. As a child, that’s where I saw my international football; I couldn’t possibly have come to Cardiff. So, it’s really important for north Wales that we have that ability to host international matches at the Racecourse stadium.
Diolch, a diolch am roi cyfle imi godi llwyddiant clwb pêl-droed Wrecsam unwaith eto—y dynion a’r menywod, ac wrth gwrs, y timau ieuenctid hefyd. Credaf ei bod yn bwysig iawn cofio bod y pedwar tîm wedi cael dyrchafiad eleni. Ond credaf eich bod yn gwneud pwynt da iawn—mae'n amlwg fod proffil y clwb a Wrecsam wedi'i adeiladu ar y llwyddiannau hyn ac ar nifer yr ymwelwyr o bob rhan o'r byd rydym yn eu cael yn Wrecsam. Anaml yr af i gêm gartref bellach lle nad oes cefnogwr Americanaidd yn dod atoch nad ydynt, yn ôl pob tebyg, erioed wedi bod yn Wrecsam o’r blaen ac nad oeddent, yn ôl pob tebyg, erioed wedi clywed am Wrecsam cyn y rhaglen ddogfen Welcome to Wrexham, a mewnbwn Ryan Reynolds a Rob McElhenney fel y dywedwch. Felly, credaf fod hyn yn bwysig nid yn unig i ogledd-ddwyrain Cymru, ond i ogledd Cymru i gyd. Ac rydych yn llygad eich lle—mae pobl o Ynys Môn, mae pobl o Landudno sy'n eistedd y tu ôl i mi yn y gemau pêl-droed, ac maent wedi bod yno ers sawl blwyddyn, gan gynnwys y dyddiau tywyll hynny.
Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol o’r cyllid sylweddol sydd wedi’i ddarparu gan Lywodraeth Cymru i Borth Wrecsam, ac mae rhywfaint o’r arian hwnnw’n mynd tuag at ailddatblygu’r stadiwm i sicrhau y gallwn gael stadiwm lle gellir cynnal gemau rhyngwladol, gan nad yw hynny wedi bod yn bosibl ers blynyddoedd lawer. Yn blentyn, dyna ble roeddwn yn gwylio fy mhêl-droed rhyngwladol; ni fyddwn wedi gallu dod i Gaerdydd o gwbl. Felly, mae’n wirioneddol bwysig i ogledd Cymru fod gennym allu i gynnal gemau rhyngwladol yn stadiwm y Cae Ras.
4. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi diweddariad ar brosiectau Llywodraeth Cymru i ddileu TB yng Nghymru? OQ59470
4. Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's projects to eliminate TB in Wales? OQ59470
I made an oral statement in March, updating Members on the TB eradication programme. During my statement, I set out the progress made and launched our new delivery plan, which sets out a course of action for the next five years.
Gwneuthum ddatganiad llafar ym mis Mawrth, yn rhoi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i’r Aelodau am y rhaglen dileu TB. Yn fy natganiad, nodais y cynnydd a wnaed, a lansiais ein cynllun cyflawni newydd, sy’n nodi camau gweithredu ar gyfer y pum mlynedd nesaf.
I’d like to thank the Minister for her answer. There is obviously one way, the most effective way, of dealing with bovine TB, and that would be to have a targeted cull of infected badgers across Wales, but that is something that the Welsh Labour Government won’t even entertain. So, I’d like to know where you are with the vaccination programme, and is there any more money being made available for that? I know we had the pilot project last year, but I’d like to know whether more money is being made available for a pilot project this year so we can actually start getting on top of TB across Wales.
Hoffwn ddiolch i’r Gweinidog am ei hateb. Yn amlwg, mae un ffordd, y ffordd fwyaf effeithiol, o ymdrin â TB mewn gwartheg, sef rhaglen wedi’i thargedu i ddifa moch daear heintiedig ledled Cymru, ond mae hynny’n rhywbeth na wnaiff Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru hyd yn oed ei ystyried. Felly, hoffwn wybod ble rydych chi arni gyda'r rhaglen frechu, ac a oes rhagor o arian yn cael ei ddarparu ar gyfer y rhaglen honno? Gwn ein bod wedi cael y prosiect peilot y llynedd, ond hoffwn wybod a oes mwy o arian ar gael ar gyfer prosiect peilot eleni fel y gallwn ddechrau mynd i'r afael â TB ledled Cymru.
Thank you. I do think we've made significant progress in relation to TB eradication. You're quite right—there is a very, very clear programme for government commitment not to cull badgers. That was in the manifesto on which I and my party were elected two years ago. And as I say, we have seen some steady progress and we continue to build on that.
You're quite right about a vaccine—there’s been some significant progress taken. I think, if you ask any academic, they always say, 'It’s 10 years in advance, 10 years in advance', but it is becoming much closer now; it's certainly not 10 years away. And we did have some pilot projects. Unfortunately there were no farms in Wales that put themselves forward for that project. And then we've just gone into the second phase now, and I've asked officials to work with some farms here in Wales to see if they would be part of that pilot, and I think there are a couple farms that we've identified that hopefully will take part in those pilot schemes. But I think, certainly from the last meetings I had—probably last summer—with academics in Aberystwyth University, they're very hopeful that, before the end of this decade, certainly, and probably a bit closer to where we are now, we will see a cattle vaccine.
Diolch. Credaf ein bod wedi gwneud cynnydd sylweddol mewn perthynas â dileu TB. Rydych yn llygad eich lle—roedd ymrwymiad clir iawn yn y rhaglen lywodraethu i beidio â difa moch daear. Roedd hynny'n rhan o'r maniffesto y cefais i a fy mhlaid ein hethol arno ddwy flynedd yn ôl. Ac fel y dywedaf, rydym wedi gweld cynnydd cyson ac rydym yn parhau i adeiladu ar hynny.
Rydych yn llygad eich lle ynglŷn â brechlyn—gwnaed peth cynnydd sylweddol. Os gofynnwch i unrhyw academydd, maent bob amser yn dweud, 'Mae 10 mlynedd i ffwrdd, 10 mlynedd i ffwrdd', ond mae’n dod yn llawer agosach nawr; yn sicr, nid yw 10 mlynedd i ffwrdd. A chawsom rai prosiectau peilot. Yn anffodus, nid oedd unrhyw ffermydd yng Nghymru yn barod i gymryd rhan yn y prosiect hwnnw. Ac rydym newydd ddechrau'r ail gam nawr, ac rwyf wedi gofyn i swyddogion weithio gyda rhai ffermydd yma yng Nghymru i weld a fyddent yn fodlon bod rhan o'r cynllun peilot hwnnw, ac rwy'n credu ein bod wedi nodi un neu ddwy o ffermydd a fydd yn cymryd rhan yn y cynlluniau peilot hynny, gobeithio. Ond yn sicr o'r cyfarfodydd diwethaf a gefais—yr haf diwethaf yn ôl pob tebyg—gydag academyddion ym Mhrifysgol Aberystwyth, maent yn obeithiol iawn y byddwn yn gweld brechlyn gwartheg cyn diwedd y degawd hwn yn sicr, ac ychydig yn nes at heddiw yn ôl pob tebyg.
5. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi diweddariad ar reoleiddio sefydliadau lles anifeiliaid? OQ59489
5. Will the Minister provide an update on the regulation of animal welfare establishments? OQ59489
Thank you. Our animal health and welfare plan details how we deliver our programme for government commitments. This includes developing a national regulation model for animal welfare, which we will consult on later this year.
Diolch. Mae ein cynllun iechyd a lles anifeiliaid yn manylu ar sut rydym yn cyflawni ymrwymiadau ein rhaglen lywodraethu. Mae hyn yn cynnwys datblygu model rheoleiddio cenedlaethol ar gyfer lles anifeiliaid, y byddwn yn ymgynghori arno yn ddiweddarach eleni.
Diolch am yr ateb, Gweinidog.
Thank you for that response, Minister.
The Welsh Government, of course, launched its voluntary code of practice for animal welfare establishments back in 2020, and it was a welcome step, but research from RSPCA Cymru suggests that this has never been referred to by approximately half of animal welfare establishments, and, worryingly, they also found that none of Wales’s local authorities promote the code of practice on their websites. This, I think, speaks to a need to regulate beyond a voluntary code of practice. We know that there are, of course, plans to introduce registration for animal welfare establishments in the animal welfare plan. The plan itself suggests that consultation and priority documents are due to be published this year. Are you able to tell us when this year, and can we expect any future plans to introduce stringent staffing requirements, species-specific guidance, and adequate funding and training for Wales's 22 local authorities that ultimately will need to deliver on these regulations themselves?
Lansiodd Llywodraeth Cymru ei chod ymarfer gwirfoddol ar gyfer sefydliadau lles anifeiliaid yn ôl yn 2020 wrth gwrs, ac roedd yn gam calonogol, ond mae ymchwil gan RSPCA Cymru yn awgrymu nad yw oddeutu hanner y sefydliadau lles anifeiliaid erioed wedi cyfeirio ato, a chanfuwyd hefyd nad oes unrhyw un o awdurdodau lleol Cymru yn hyrwyddo’r cod ymarfer ar eu gwefannau, sy'n destun pryder. Credaf fod hyn yn dangos bod angen rheoleiddio y tu hwnt i god ymarfer gwirfoddol. Gwyddom fod yna gynlluniau, wrth gwrs, i gyflwyno cofrestriad ar gyfer sefydliadau lles anifeiliaid yn y cynllun lles anifeiliaid. Mae'r cynllun ei hun yn awgrymu bod disgwyl i ddogfennau ymgynghori a blaenoriaethau gael eu cyhoeddi eleni. A allwch chi ddweud wrthym pryd eleni, ac a allwn ddisgwyl unrhyw gynlluniau yn y dyfodol i gyflwyno gofynion staffio llym, canllawiau ar rywogaethau penodol, a chyllid a hyfforddiant digonol ar gyfer 22 awdurdod lleol Cymru, gan y bydd angen iddynt gyflawni'r rheoliadau hyn eu hunain yn y pen draw?
As I said in my earlier answer to you, later this year, so I guess it will be before the end of the calendar year. If I say 'autumn', does that go into November? But probably towards the latter part of the year. I'm very concerned to hear what you say around local authorities not promoting the code of practice on their website. With the work that we've done with local authorities around enforcement projects, for instance, I would have thought that local authorities would perhaps marry the two together and think about promoting those codes of practice a bit more. I shall certainly take that forward with officials to see, because, for me, that's a very simple thing to do. It doesn't even cost anything, does it? So, I think we should look at doing that as quickly as we can.
Fel y dywedais yn fy ateb cynharach i chi, yn ddiweddarach eleni, felly mae'n debyg y bydd hynny cyn diwedd y flwyddyn galendr. Os dywedaf 'hydref', a yw hynny'n mynd i mewn i fis Tachwedd? Ond tua diwedd y flwyddyn yn ôl pob tebyg. Rwy'n bryderus iawn wrth glywed yr hyn a ddywedwch ynghylch awdurdodau lleol nad ydynt yn hyrwyddo'r cod ymarfer ar eu gwefan. Gyda'r gwaith rydym wedi'i wneud gydag awdurdodau lleol ar brosiectau gorfodaeth, er enghraifft, byddwn wedi meddwl efallai y byddai awdurdodau lleol yn cyfuno'r ddau beth ac yn meddwl am hyrwyddo'r codau ymarfer hynny ychydig yn well. Yn sicr, byddaf yn gofyn i swyddogion edrych ar hynny, oherwydd i mi, mae hynny'n beth syml iawn i'w wneud. Nid yw'n costio dim i'w wneud. Felly, credaf y dylem edrych ar wneud hynny cyn gynted ag y gallwn.
Riding schools, cat boarders, dog breeders and pet shops are all subject to regulation in Wales, but animal welfare establishments or sanctuaries are not. We must never take away from them the hard work they do, but anyone—literally anybody—can set themselves up and call themselves an animal rescue or an animal sanctuary. Really, there's no inspection process or any regulation. So, again, I don't believe that the voluntary code of practice, as Luke has said, has actually been effective. So, it's good to hear, Minister, that you are considering bringing in more regulations towards the end of the year, and I look forward to that.
Mae ysgolion marchogaeth, lletywyr cathod, bridwyr cŵn a siopau anifeiliaid anwes oll yn ddarostyngedig i reoliadau yng Nghymru, ond nid yw hynny'n wir am sefydliadau neu lochesau lles anifeiliaid. Rhaid inni beidio â bychanu'r gwaith caled a wnânt, ond gall unrhyw un—yn llythrennol, unrhyw un—alw eu hunain yn ganolfan achub anifeiliaid neu loches anifeiliaid. Nid oes unrhyw broses arolygu nac unrhyw reoliadau. Felly, unwaith eto, ni chredaf fod y cod ymarfer gwirfoddol, fel y dywedodd Luke, wedi bod yn effeithiol mewn gwirionedd. Felly, mae’n dda clywed, Weinidog, eich bod yn ystyried cyflwyno mwy o reoliadau tuag at ddiwedd y flwyddyn, ac edrychaf ymlaen at hynny.
Thank you. Well, I don't think it's been ineffective. I think we should be looking at mandatory, though, and yes I certainly hope to go out to consultation by the end of this year. I think it's a good opportunity to thank them. Many of them, as you say, bring forward really hard work, protecting so many animals, and I go back to what I was saying—it's a good opportunity to promote the adoption of pets.
Diolch. Wel, ni chredaf ei fod wedi bod yn aneffeithiol. Credaf y dylem fod yn edrych ar fesurau gorfodol, serch hynny, ac ydw, rwy'n sicr yn gobeithio cynnal ymgynghoriad erbyn diwedd y flwyddyn. Credaf ei fod yn gyfle da i ddiolch iddynt. Mae llawer ohonynt, fel y dywedwch, yn gwneud gwaith caled iawn, yn diogelu cymaint o anifeiliaid, ac af yn ôl at yr hyn roeddwn yn ei ddweud—mae'n gyfle da i hyrwyddo mabwysiadu anifeiliaid anwes.
6. Beth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i gefnogi ffermwyr ym Mhreseli Sir Benfro? OQ59466
6. What is the Welsh Government doing to support farmers in Preseli Pembrokeshire? OQ59466
Farmers throughout Pembrokeshire received over £18 million from the basic payment scheme during the past year, and our Farming Connect service continues to provide crucial support and advice to 441 businesses in Pembrokeshire.
Derbyniodd ffermwyr ledled sir Benfro dros £18 miliwn drwy gynllun y taliad sylfaenol yn ystod y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, ac mae ein gwasanaeth Cyswllt Ffermio yn parhau i ddarparu cymorth a chyngor hollbwysig i 441 o fusnesau yn sir Benfro.
I'm grateful to you for that answer, Minister. Next week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and I want to put on record my gratitude to organisations like the DPJ Foundation, the Farming Community Network and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, who all support people in agriculture and rural communities with mental health problems. Now, as my colleague, the Member for Brecon and Radnorshire, said, challenges like bovine TB continue to be a major issue for farmers in my constituency, and the Welsh Government's refreshed TB eradication plan for 2023-28 recognised deep-seated levels of infection in parts of Pembrokeshire where TB herd-level incidence and prevalence have worsened against the overall improving backdrop in Wales. Minister, I know that you recognise that dealing with bovine TB can have a huge strain on farmers' mental health and well-being, so can you tell us why, therefore, your refreshed TB eradication plan does not recognise and prioritise farmers' mental health and well-being, because the Welsh Government needs to be doing everything it can to support farmers that have to deal with this dreadful disease?
Rwy’n ddiolchgar am eich ateb, Weinidog. Mae’r wythnos nesaf yn Wythnos Ymwybyddiaeth Iechyd Meddwl, a hoffwn gofnodi fy niolch i sefydliadau fel Sefydliad DPJ, Farming Community Network a’r Sefydliad Amaethyddol Llesiannol Brenhinol, sydd oll yn cefnogi pobl ym myd amaeth a chymunedau gwledig gyda phroblemau iechyd meddwl. Nawr, fel y dywedodd fy nghyd-Aelod, yr Aelod dros Frycheiniog a Sir Faesyfed, mae heriau fel TB buchol yn parhau i fod yn broblem fawr i ffermwyr yn fy etholaeth, ac roedd cynllun dileu TB newydd Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer 2023-28 yn cydnabod lefelau uchel o heintiau mewn rhannau o sir Benfro lle mae nifer a mynychder achosion o TB ar lefel y fuches wedi gwaethygu yn erbyn y darlun sy'n gwella'n gyffredinol ledled Cymru. Weinidog, gwn eich bod yn cydnabod y gall ymdrin â TB buchol roi straen enfawr ar iechyd meddwl a lles ffermwyr, felly a wnewch chi ddweud wrthym pam nad yw eich cynllun dileu TB newydd yn cydnabod ac yn blaenoriaethu iechyd meddwl a lles ffermwyr, gan fod angen i Lywodraeth Cymru wneud popeth yn ei gallu i gefnogi ffermwyr sy’n gorfod ymdrin â’r clefyd ofnadwy hwn?
Well, I think we need to support farmers' mental health around a variety of issues, so we do do a significant piece of work with third sector groups—and you mentioned the DPJ Foundation, which we both know very well—along with other charities, such as Tir Dewi and the Farming Community Network. Just last week, I met with my official who liaises with those charities, to see what further funding we could perhaps find to support them. I meet regularly with the charities, and certainly during the COVID pandemic I met with them probably monthly, because they were seeing an increased number of calls to the charities because of a variety of issues that, obviously, the COVID-19 pandemic brought as well. So, I don't think it's just around TB, although I absolutely recognise the distress it causes, but I think there are many issues that mean, sometimes, perhaps, farmers feel more isolated than other parts of our communities, where these charities are there for them, and I would urge anyone, if they need to seek that support, to do so, because the charities offer a range of support not just to farmers, but to farming families as well.
Wel, credaf fod angen inni gefnogi iechyd meddwl ffermwyr mewn perthynas ag amrywiaeth o faterion, felly rydym yn gwneud gwaith pwysig gyda grwpiau'r trydydd sector—ac fe sonioch chi am Sefydliad DPJ, y mae’r ddau ohonom yn gyfarwydd iawn ag ef—ynghyd ag elusennau eraill, megis Tir Dewi a Farming Community Network. Yr wythnos diwethaf, cyfarfûm â fy swyddog sy’n cysylltu â’r elusennau hynny, i weld pa gyllid pellach y gallem ddod o hyd iddo i’w cefnogi. Rwy’n cyfarfod yn rheolaidd â’r elusennau, ac yn sicr, yn ystod y pandemig COVID, roeddwn yn eu cyfarfod yn fisol yn ôl pob tebyg, gan eu bod yn gweld nifer cynyddol o alwadau i’r elusennau oherwydd amrywiaeth o broblemau a ddaeth yn sgil y pandemig COVID-19 hefyd. Felly, ni chredaf fod hyn yn ymwneud â TB yn unig, er fy mod yn llwyr gydnabod y trallod y mae'n ei achosi, ond credaf fod yna lawer o faterion sy'n golygu, weithiau, fod ffermwyr efallai'n teimlo'n fwy ynysig na rhannau eraill o'n cymunedau, lle mae'r elusennau hyn yno ar eu cyfer, a byddwn yn annog unrhyw un, os oes angen iddynt gael y cymorth hwnnw, i wneud hynny, gan fod yr elusennau’n cynnig ystod o gymorth nid yn unig i ffermwyr, ond i deuluoedd ffermio hefyd.
7. Pryd fydd adolygiad o'r cod ymarfer ar gyfer adar hela sy’n cael eu magu at bwrpas helwriaeth yn cael ei gynnal? OQ59488
7. When will a review of the code of practice for the rearing of gamebirds for sporting purposes be undertaken? OQ59488
Thank you. The review of our code of practice will remain on hold while we examine the evidence around the use of cages for breeding gamebirds. There will not be any changes to the code of practice, or to welfare legislation, without consultation with stakeholders.
Diolch. Bydd yr adolygiad o’n cod ymarfer yn parhau i fod wedi’i ohirio tra byddwn yn archwilio’r dystiolaeth ynglŷn â defnyddio cewyll ar gyfer bridio adar hela. Ni fydd unrhyw newidiadau'n cael eu gwneud i’r cod ymarfer, nac i ddeddfwriaeth lles, heb ymgynghori â rhanddeiliaid.
Thank you very much for that response. The killing of animals for sport is something that I oppose, and that includes the shooting of any birds as well. I do realise I'll be out of lockstep with many people here who cover the same region as I do. Many people have said it brings a lot to the economy. Well, that, for me, doesn't make it right. The killing of animals for sport is not something that I would support. And therefore, with the Welsh Government's stated intention to restrict the use of cages for farm animals, it makes little sense for legislation to lag behind for gamebirds. The code of practice as it stands does not advise against the use of enriched cages for gamebirds, an oppressive and distressing method, which the farm animal welfare committee advised was unlikely to meet the birds' needs. In my region, we have Bettws Hall, one of the largest gamebird farms in Europe and, by industry standards, has up to 90,000 gamebirds confined in cages for breeding purposes. There is an opportunity for the Welsh Government to lead the way and take a compassionate stance against the caged breeding of gamebirds. So, does the Minister agree that any update to the code of practice on the rearing of gamebirds for sporting purposes must correct this oversight and help work towards ending this callous practice? Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am eich ymateb. Mae lladd anifeiliaid at bwrpas helwriaeth yn rhywbeth rwy'n ei wrthwynebu, ac mae hynny'n cynnwys saethu unrhyw adar hefyd. Rwy'n sylweddoli y byddaf yn wahanol i lawer o bobl yma sy'n gwasanaethu'r un rhanbarth â mi. Mae llawer o bobl wedi dweud ei fod yn dod â llawer i'r economi. Wel, i mi, nid yw hynny'n ei wneud yn iawn. Nid yw lladd anifeiliaid er difyrrwch yn rhywbeth y byddwn i'n ei gefnogi. Ac felly, gyda bwriad datganedig Llywodraeth Cymru i gyfyngu ar y defnydd o gewyll ar gyfer anifeiliaid fferm, nid yw'n gwneud fawr o synnwyr fod y ddeddfwriaeth ar ei hôl hi ar gyfer adar hela. Nid yw’r cod ymarfer fel y mae yn cynghori yn erbyn defnyddio cewyll wedi’u cyfoethogi ar gyfer adar hela, dull gormesol a thrallodus, y dywedodd y pwyllgor lles anifeiliaid fferm ei fod yn annhebygol o ddiwallu anghenion yr adar. Yn fy rhanbarth i, mae gennym Bettws Hall, un o’r ffermydd adar hela mwyaf yn Ewrop, ac yn unol â safonau'r diwydiant, mae ganddi hyd at 90,000 o adar hela wedi’u caethiwo mewn cewyll at ddibenion bridio. Mae cyfle i Lywodraeth Cymru arwain y ffordd a gwneud safiad tosturiol yn erbyn bridio adar hela mewn cewyll. Felly, a yw’r Gweinidog yn cytuno bod yn rhaid i unrhyw ddiweddariad i’r cod ymarfer ar fagu adar hela at ddibenion helwriaeth gywiro’r amryfusedd hwn a helpu i weithio tuag at ddod â'r arfer didrugaredd hwn i ben? Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Thank you. Our code of practice that we have at the moment for the welfare of gamebirds reared for sporting purposes explains what a person needs to do to meet the standards of care the law requires, and it encourages all those who are responsible for rearing gamebirds to adopt the highest standards of husbandry. As you know, our animal welfare plan includes an action to establish a review cycle for all our codes of practice, with updates scheduled as far as possible to reflect our policy developments. So, as I say, unfortunately, it's not possible at this stage to provide a timeline for the review of the code of practice for the welfare of gamebirds reared for sporting purposes, but I have committed to restricting the use of cages, as you mentioned, for farmed animals. We're working with other UK administrations to look at how and where they're used, alongside the welfare impacts of existing and alternative systems. And I should just say, if anyone’s got any concerns about a specific gamebird rearing premises, they should be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency or to the relevant local authority, and that goes back to Peredur Griffiths's question about making sure that people know where they should report anything to.
Diolch. Mae'r cod ymarfer sydd gennym ar hyn o bryd ar les adar hela a fegir at ddibenion helwriaeth yn egluro beth sydd angen i unigolyn ei wneud i fodloni’r safonau gofal sy’n ofynnol yn ôl y gyfraith, ac mae’n annog pawb sy’n gyfrifol am fagu adar hela i fabwysiadu’r safonau hwsmonaeth uchaf. Fel y gwyddoch, mae ein cynllun lles anifeiliaid yn cynnwys cam gweithredu i sefydlu cylch adolygu ar gyfer ein holl godau ymarfer, gyda diweddariadau wedi’u hamserlennu, hyd y bo modd, i adlewyrchu ein datblygiadau polisi. Felly, fel y dywedaf, yn anffodus, nid oes modd darparu amserlen ar hyn o bryd ar gyfer adolygu’r cod ymarfer ar les adar hela a fegir at ddibenion helwriaeth, ond rwyf wedi ymrwymo i gyfyngu ar y defnydd o gewyll ar gyfer anifeiliaid fferm, fel y sonioch chi. Rydym yn gweithio gyda gweinyddiaethau eraill y DU i edrych ar sut a ble y cânt eu defnyddio, ochr yn ochr ag effeithiau lles systemau presennol ac amgen. A dylwn ddweud, os oes gan unrhyw un unrhyw bryderon am safle penodol sy'n magu adar hela, dylid rhoi gwybod amdanynt i'r Asiantaeth Iechyd Anifeiliaid a Phlanhigion neu i'r awdurdod lleol perthnasol, ac mae hynny'n mynd yn ôl at gwestiwn Peredur Griffiths ynghylch sicrhau bod pobl yn gwybod i bwy y dylent roi gwybod am unrhyw beth.
It's such a shame to hear Jane Dodds turning her back on those many people who are employed in the shooting industry right across my constituency and across the region which she represents. Minister, the shooting industry employs thousands of people. It also benefits huge amounts to the economy and also to conservation. So, with this review, I hope that the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales will put science and people at the heart of their decision rather than ideological views spread by some people.
Mae’n gymaint o drueni clywed Jane Dodds yn troi ei chefn ar yr holl bobl sy’n cael eu cyflogi yn y diwydiant saethu ar draws fy etholaeth ac ar draws y rhanbarth y mae’n ei gynrychioli. Weinidog, mae’r diwydiant saethu'n cyflogi miloedd o bobl. Mae hefyd o fudd enfawr i'r economi ac i gadwraeth. Felly, gyda’r adolygiad hwn, rwy'n gobeithio y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru a Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn gwneud eu penderfyniad ar sail gwyddoniaeth a phobl yn hytrach na'r safbwyntiau ideolegol a ledaenir gan rai pobl.
Well, the NRW consultation is open at the moment. It closes on 20 June, and that provides an opportunity for anyone with an interest to express their views.
Wel, mae ymgynghoriad CNC ar agor ar hyn o bryd. Daw i ben ar 20 Mehefin, ac mae hwnnw’n rhoi cyfle i unrhyw sydd â diddordeb i fynegi eu barn.
8. Pa drafodaethau mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gyda chyd-aelodau'r Cabinet ynghylch y llinell drên rhwng Wrecsam a Bidston yng ngogledd Cymru? OQ59473
8. What discussions has the Minister had with Cabinet colleagues about the Wrexham to Bidston train line in North Wales? OQ59473
Thank you. I regularly discuss the performance and improvement of important transport links in north Wales with my ministerial colleagues. I am pleased Transport for Wales has introduced new class 230 trains on the Wrexham to Bidston line and have committed to delivering a half-hourly service on the line later this year.
Diolch. Rwy'n trafod perfformiad a gwelliannau i gysylltiadau trafnidiaeth pwysig yng ngogledd Cymru yn rheolaidd gyda fy nghyd-Weinidogion. Rwy’n falch fod Trafnidiaeth Cymru wedi cyflwyno trenau dosbarth 230 newydd ar y rheilffordd rhwng Wrecsam a Bidston ac wedi ymrwymo i ddarparu gwasanaeth bob hanner awr ar y rheilffordd yn ddiweddarach eleni.
Thank you for that, Minister. I'm grateful for your answer. Passengers on the Wrexham to Bidston line are becoming increasingly frustrated with the regular use of rail replacement services on the line. I've had a number of constituents get in touch with me, and I've previously written to the Minister responsible for transport about this matter. Could you outline the support the Welsh Government can give Transport for Wales to resolve this issue and get the line back up and running as soon as possible?
Diolch, Weinidog. Rwy'n ddiolchgar am eich ateb. Mae teithwyr ar y rheilffordd rhwng Wrecsam a Bidston yn fwyfwy rhwystredig gyda'r defnydd rheolaidd o fysiau yn lle trenau ar y llwybr. Mae nifer o etholwyr wedi cysylltu â mi, ac rwyf eisoes wedi ysgrifennu at y Gweinidog sy’n gyfrifol am drafnidiaeth ynglŷn â’r mater hwn. A wnewch chi amlinellu’r cymorth y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei roi i Trafnidiaeth Cymru i ddatrys y mater a sicrhau bod y rheilffordd yn weithredol eto cyn gynted â phosibl?
I mentioned that Transport for Wales has now introduced these new trains. They did have to temporarily withdraw a number of trains for urgent repairs. That had a severe impact on services and, unfortunately, services on the Wrexham to Bidston line were cancelled with, as you say, replacement buses put in place. But I think they have now fully restored the hourly service on the Wrexham to Bidston line. I think, as a Government, also, we're very keen to work across to the north-west of England. Transport for Wales, I know, engage regularly with the Liverpool city region; I myself am meeting with the mayor next week, Steve Rotheram, to see how there can be more improved links between our two areas, and obviously work very closely with Merseyrail as well to make sure that improvements for passengers are there on the Wrexham to Bidston line.
Soniais fod Trafnidiaeth Cymru bellach wedi cyflwyno’r trenau newydd hyn. Bu'n rhaid iddynt dynnu nifer o drenau oddi ar y rheilffordd dros dro ar gyfer gwaith atgyweirio brys. Cafodd hynny effaith ddifrifol ar wasanaethau, ac yn anffodus, cafodd gwasanaethau ar y rheilffordd o Wrecsam i Bidston eu canslo, gan ddefnyddio bysiau yn lle trenau, fel y dywedwch. Ond credaf eu bod bellach wedi adfer y gwasanaeth bob awr ar y rheilffordd rhwng Wrecsam a Bidston yn llawn. Fel Llywodraeth hefyd, rydym yn awyddus iawn i weithio draw tuag at ogledd-orllewin Lloegr. Gwn fod Trafnidiaeth Cymru yn ymgysylltu’n rheolaidd â dinas-ranbarth Lerpwl; byddaf yn cyfarfod â’r maer, Steve Rotheram, yr wythnos nesaf, i weld sut y gellir cael gwell cysylltiadau rhwng ein dwy ardal, ac yn amlwg, rwy'n gweithio’n agos iawn gyda Merseyrail hefyd i sicrhau bod gwelliannau i deithwyr yno ar y rheilffordd rhwng Wrecsam a Bidston.
Yn olaf, cwestiwn 9, Carolyn Thomas.
Finally, question 9, Carolyn Thomas.
9. Pa drafodaethau mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi 'u cael gyda Chonsortiwm Manwerthu Cymru ynglŷn â lleihau'r ynni y mae manwerthwyr bwyd yn y gogledd yn ei ddefnyddio? OQ59491
9. What discussions has the Welsh Government had with the Welsh Retail Consortium about reducing the energy consumption of food retailers in North Wales? OQ59491
Thank you. The economic policy and fair work division meet approximately monthly with the retail forum to discuss a range of issues, including energy use and efficiencies. The retail action plan is a product of the partnership’s work, and the plan will be published on 18 May.
Diolch. Mae'r adran polisi economaidd a gwaith teg yn cyfarfod â'r fforwm manwerthu fwy neu lai yn fisol i drafod ystod o faterion, gan gynnwys defnydd o ynni ac arbedion effeithlonrwydd. Mae'r cynllun gweithredu manwerthu yn gynnyrch gwaith y bartneriaeth, a chyhoeddir y cynllun ar 18 Mai.
Thank you. Following the publication of the consortium's shared strategic vision for the retail sector last year, myself and representatives from Friends of the Earth Cymru presented to the group our campaign for the retail sector to adopt a target date for the retrofitting of doors on supermarket chillers and fridges. If this change is made throughout the whole of Wales, it could save the equivalent energy usage of 50,000 homes, helping to lower fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions. Minister, I'd be grateful if you could provide an update on what progress has been made by the retail consortium towards setting such a target, and what support Welsh Government has offered in order to make this a reality. I do believe that there was some capital funding being made available that we could use to borrow against.
Diolch. Yn dilyn cyhoeddi gweledigaeth strategol a rennir y consortiwm ar gyfer y sector manwerthu y llynedd, cyflwynodd cynrychiolwyr o Gyfeillion y Ddaear Cymru a minnau ein hymgyrch i'r grŵp yn galw ar y sector manwerthu i fabwysiadu dyddiad targed ar gyfer ôl-osod drysau ar oeryddion ac oergelloedd archfarchnadoedd. Os gwneir y newid hwn drwy Gymru gyfan, gallai arbed yr hyn sy'n cyfateb i ddefnydd ynni 50,000 o gartrefi, gan helpu i ostwng biliau tanwydd a lleihau allyriadau carbon. Weinidog, byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe gallech roi gwybod pa gynnydd a wnaed gan y consortiwm manwerthu tuag at osod targed o'r fath, a pha gefnogaeth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i chynnig i wireddu hyn. Rwy'n credu bod rhywfaint o arian cyfalaf ar gael y gallem ei ddefnyddio i fenthyg yn ei erbyn.
Thank you. Well, the plan I referred to is being launched on 18 May. I know that fridge doors are included in the resilience chapter of the plan, and that will continue to be part of the work with the retail consortium to meet our objectives in combating climate change, for instance. Welsh Government does provide support for businesses that are looking to reduce their carbon emissions, manage energy costs and increase business competitiveness through initiatives such as the green business loan scheme, and that scheme offers capital funding, which small and medium-sized businesses often need to make those investment decisions.
Diolch. Wel, mae'r cynllun y cyfeiriais ato'n cael ei lansio ar 18 Mai. Rwy'n gwybod bod drysau oergelloedd wedi'u cynnwys yn y bennod ar wytnwch yn y cynllun, a bydd hynny'n parhau i fod yn rhan o'r gwaith gyda'r consortiwm manwerthu i gyflawni ein hamcanion ar gyfer gwrthsefyll newid hinsawdd, er enghraifft. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn rhoi cymorth i fusnesau sy'n ceisio lleihau eu hallyriadau carbon, rheoli costau ynni a chynyddu cystadleurwydd busnesau drwy fentrau fel y cynllun benthyciadau busnes gwyrdd, ac mae'r cynllun hwnnw'n cynnig cyllid cyfalaf, sydd ei angen ar fusnesau bach a chanolig eu maint yn aml er mwyn gwneud y penderfyniadau buddsoddi hynny.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog.
I thank the Minister.
Yr eitem nesaf, felly, bydd y cwestiynau amserol. Mae'r cyntaf i'w ateb gan Weinidog yr Economi ac i'w ofyn gan Alun Davies.
The next item, therefore, will be the topical questions. The first is to be answered by the Minister for Economy, and is to be asked by Alun Davies.
1. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am ddyfodol Tillery Valley Foods? TQ767
1. Will the Minister make a statement on the future of Tillery Valley Foods? TQ767
I thank the Member for the question. Officials from both the Welsh Government and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council have been engaged constructively with Tillery Valley Foods for some time. Our key objectives are to secure a future for the workers, their families, and ideally to retain the business as a going concern. However, to develop solutions with the business, we require information that, to date, has not been readily forthcoming. I would take this opportunity to urge the business and its stakeholders to work with us to jointly consider what options are available to protect the jobs at stake.
Diolch i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn. Mae swyddogion o Lywodraeth Cymru a Chyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Blaenau Gwent wedi bod yn ymgysylltu'n adeiladol â Tillery Valley Foods ers cryn dipyn o amser. Ein prif amcanion yw sicrhau dyfodol i'r gweithwyr, eu teuluoedd, ac yn ddelfrydol, cadw'r busnes yn weithredol. Fodd bynnag, er mwyn datblygu atebion gyda'r busnes, rydym angen gwybodaeth nad yw wedi bod ar gael yn rhwydd hyd yma. Hoffwn fanteisio ar y cyfle hwn i annog y busnes a'i randdeiliaid i weithio gyda ni i ystyried gyda'n gilydd pa opsiynau sydd ar gael i ddiogelu'r swyddi sydd yn y fantol.
I'm grateful to the Minister for that response. I should also put on record my gratitude to him for the way in which he's led the Government response to the issues around Tillery Valley Foods for many months now. I'm grateful to his officials for the willingness that they've shown to work hard, all hours of the day, through weekends, to ensure that this business is given every support it needs to get through these times.
Tillery Valley Foods is one of the biggest employers in Blaenau Gwent, and it's an enormous employer in the community of Cwmtillery and Abertillery and that part of the Ebbw Fach valley. It's part of a business ecosystem that won't be easily replaced, and as we go through these coming weeks and months, I'd be grateful if the Minister could outline how he believes that the Welsh Government, working with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, can continue to provide support to the business and to secure all the jobs that are associated with that business.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog am ei ateb. Dylwn ddiolch iddo hefyd am y ffordd y mae wedi arwain ymateb y Llywodraeth i'r materion sy'n ymwneud â Tillery Valley Foods ers misoedd lawer bellach. Rwy'n ddiolchgar i'w swyddogion am eu parodrwydd i weithio'n galed, bob awr o'r dydd, dros benwythnosau, i sicrhau bod y busnes hwn yn cael pob cefnogaeth sydd ei hangen arno i oroesi drwy'r cyfnod anodd hwn.
Mae Tillery Valley Foods yn un o gyflogwyr mwyaf Blaenau Gwent, ac mae'n gyflogwr enfawr yng nghymuned Cwmtyleri ac Abertyleri a'r rhan honno o gwm Ebwy Fach. Mae'n rhan o ecosystem fusnes na fydd yn hawdd ei hailadeiladu, ac wrth inni fynd drwy'r wythnosau a'r misoedd nesaf hyn, byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe gallai'r Gweinidog amlinellu sut mae'n credu y gall Llywodraeth Cymru, gan weithio gyda Chyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Blaenau Gwent, barhau i ddarparu cefnogaeth i'r busnes a diogelu'r holl swyddi sy'n gysylltiedig â'r busnes hwnnw.
Yes. I thank the Member for his follow-up question. I should acknowledge that this is, of course, an area that crosses between two Government departments, because the food division is, of course, within the responsibility of my colleague, Lesley Griffiths, so we've been working across different portfolios to try to get answers and then to try to provide the right response to do what the Member says, about wanting to maintain employment in this part of Wales. I recognise completely what he says: the challenge of replacing employment in this part of Wales is not the same as if it were in, say, one of our three cities in the south of Wales; the access to employment is not the same.
The current situation is genuinely concerning, and I understand that it must be very distressing for the workforce and the wider community. We have been proactive with the council since the end of last year—and I remember the conversation I had directly with the Member at that time—both working with the council and the business, and we reached out proactively to creditors and the bank. We've also worked with the Development Bank of Wales to try to understand if there are alternative options for a future. We continue to explore options available to help secure a future for the business, and we're also having to consider what might happen if that isn't possible. You'll be aware that the administration notice has been served and we're now looking to work with the administrator to understand what we can positively do. We will establish a taskforce with the local authority, and I'll make sure that, once that taskforce is established, the Member, as a constituency Member, is properly engaged within that. We'll look to bring together a strategic group to be operationally focused on what we can do, to help co-ordinate action, dealing with the council and the Department for Work and Pensions, if required, as well as Careers Wales and, indeed, Community, who are not the recognised union but have a membership on the site as well. So, we'll look to prepare communications with and for the workforce, to look at options to safeguard jobs, and to make sure that we understand what might be possible, if required, with our ReAct+ programme, and others too.
I should say that we have, in the work that we've done, sought to engage directly in opportunities for the business to survive, not just looking at NHS Wales supply chains, but also the cash flow problems the business has that leads it to this point, but in particular the work we've done with some of our specialist advice areas that look, for example, in investor-ready approaches. That's work we've done together with the Wales Co-operative Centre as well, to look for alternatives. To date, it hasn't worked, but I continue to be focused on what we can do, and I continue to be focused on wanting to get the business to engage with us as openly and as constructively as possible, and we stand ready to work with them, with all the levers that we do have available, together with partners. And I'll make sure that the Member's informed. If there is more I can do, I'll write to the Member with a further update.
Ie. Diolch i'r Aelod am ei gwestiwn dilynol. Fe ddylwn gydnabod bod hwn yn faes sy'n croesi rhwng dwy adran o'r Llywodraeth wrth gwrs, gan fod yr adran fwyd yn rhan o gyfrifoldeb fy nghyd-Aelod, Lesley Griffiths, felly rydym wedi bod yn gweithio ar draws portffolios gwahanol i geisio cael atebion ac yna i geisio darparu'r ymateb cywir i wneud yr hyn mae'r Aelod yn ei ddweud, ynglŷn â bod eisiau cadw gwaith yn y rhan hon o Gymru. Rwy'n cydnabod yn llwyr yr hyn a ddywed: nid yw'r her o sicrhau cyflogaeth yn y rhan hon o Gymru yr un fath â phe bai yn un o'n tair dinas yn ne Cymru, dyweder; nid yw'r mynediad at gyflogaeth yr un fath.
Mae'r sefyllfa bresennol yn wirioneddol bryderus, ac rwy'n deall bod yn rhaid ei fod yn ofidus iawn i'r gweithlu a'r gymuned ehangach. Rydym wedi bod yn rhagweithiol gyda'r cyngor ers diwedd y llynedd—ac rwy'n cofio'r sgwrs a gefais yn uniongyrchol gyda'r Aelod bryd hynny—gan weithio gyda'r cyngor a'r busnes, ac fe wnaethom estyn allan yn rhagweithiol at gredydwyr a'r banc. Rydym hefyd wedi gweithio gyda Banc Datblygu Cymru i geisio deall a oes yna opsiynau amgen ar gyfer y dyfodol. Rydym yn parhau i archwilio'r opsiynau sydd ar gael i helpu i sicrhau dyfodol i'r busnes, ac rydym hefyd yn gorfod ystyried beth allai ddigwydd os nad yw hynny'n bosibl. Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol fod yr hysbysiad gweinyddu wedi'i gyflwyno a'n bod bellach yn bwriadu gweithio gyda'r gweinyddwyr i ddeall beth y gallwn ei wneud yn gadarnhaol. Byddwn yn sefydlu tasglu gyda'r awdurdod lleol, a phan fydd y tasglu hwnnw wedi'i sefydlu, byddaf yn sicrhau bod yr Aelod, fel Aelod etholaeth, yn cael rhan briodol yn hynny. Byddwn yn ceisio dod â grŵp strategol at ei gilydd i ganolbwyntio gwaith ar yr hyn y gallwn ei wneud, i helpu i gydlynu gweithgarwch, gan ymdrin â'r cyngor a'r Adran Gwaith a Phensiynau, os oes angen, yn ogystal â Gyrfa Cymru, a Community yn wir—nid yr undeb cydnabyddedig ond undeb sydd ag aelodau ar y safle hefyd. Felly, byddwn yn paratoi cyfathrebiadau gyda'r gweithlu ac ar gyfer y gweithlu, i edrych ar opsiynau i ddiogelu swyddi, ac i sicrhau ein bod yn deall beth allai fod yn bosibl, os oes angen, gyda'n rhaglen ReAct+, ac eraill hefyd.
Dylwn ddweud ein bod ni, yn y gwaith a wnaethom, wedi ceisio edrych yn uniongyrchol ar gyfleoedd i'r busnes oroesi, nid edrych ar gadwyni cyflenwi GIG Cymru yn unig, ond hefyd ar broblemau llif arian y busnes sydd wedi arwain at y pwynt hwn, ond yn enwedig y gwaith a wnaethom gyda rhai o'n meysydd cyngor arbenigol sy'n edrych, er enghraifft, ar ddulliau parod ar gyfer buddsoddwyr. Mae hwnnw'n waith a wnaethom gyda Chanolfan Cydweithredol Cymru hefyd, i chwilio am ddewisiadau amgen. Hyd yn hyn, nid yw wedi gweithio, ond rwy'n parhau i ganolbwyntio ar yr hyn y gallwn ei wneud, ac rwy'n parhau i ganolbwyntio ar fod eisiau cael y busnes i ymgysylltu â ni mor agored ac mor adeiladol â phosibl, ac rydym yn barod i weithio gyda nhw, gyda'r holl ysgogiadau sydd gennym ar gael, ynghyd â phartneriaid. Ac fe wnaf yn siŵr fod yr Aelod yn cael yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf. Os oes mwy y gallaf ei wneud, fe ysgrifennaf at yr Aelod gyda gwybodaeth bellach.
Minister, it's not often I do this, but I'd like to concur with everything that Alun Davies has just said. It is absolutely critical that this Government does everything in its powers to save the potential loss of these jobs. We are talking about Tillery foods, which is one of the biggest employers in that area of Abertillery, within my region. We're talking 310 jobs—that's a significant amount of jobs—and it would be a massive, massive loss to them. I, like Alun, also recognise the complexity of this case, of course, and I recognise the work you've done to date, but it would be good if you could possibly come back to the Senedd and update us on what has been done and what your plans are, should you have any action plans going forward, and any progress that you do make, if you could be forthcoming with that information, because of the severity of this to the people of my region. Thank you.
Weinidog, nid yn aml y gwnaf hyn, ond hoffwn gytuno â phopeth mae Alun Davies newydd ei ddweud. Mae'n gwbl hanfodol fod y Llywodraeth hon yn gwneud popeth yn ei phŵer i achub y swyddi a allai gael eu colli. Rydym yn siarad am Tillery foods, un o gyflogwyr mwyaf ardal Abertyleri, yn fy rhanbarth i. Rydym yn siarad am 310 o swyddi—mae'n nifer sylweddol o swyddi—a byddai'n golled enfawr iddynt. Fel Alun, rwyf innau hefyd yn cydnabod cymhlethdod yr achos hwn wrth gwrs, ac rwy'n cydnabod y gwaith rydych wedi'i wneud hyd yma, ond byddai'n dda pe gallech ddod yn ôl i'r Senedd a rhoi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i ni am yr hyn sydd wedi'i wneud a beth yw eich cynlluniau, os oes gennych unrhyw gynlluniau gweithredu ar gyfer y dyfodol, ac unrhyw gynnydd a wnewch, os gallech roi'r wybodaeth honno, oherwydd difrifoldeb hyn i bobl fy rhanbarth. Diolch.
Thank you for the follow-up question. As I said in response to Alun Davies, when he raised concerns with us last year, we also had direct engagement with the council, who'd been engaged around the business, to want to understand what could happen. That was relatively late in the day. We understand that they've got challenges about cash flow, and we're not able to inject a large amount of cash into the business. And the Member will understand that there's a challenge about both the budget position and wanting to make sure that any injection of cash actually secures a future for the jobs. But also, we understand that a significant leap in energy costs and wider inflation is part of the reason for the challenges that the company faces. So, we'll continue to engage with them, we continue to want them to engage as constructively and openly as possible with us, and we will carry on working with the council. And I think I should make the point again: I think the council have been genuinely positive and constructive and wanting to find an answer for this business and the jobs that it provides in the local communities. That continues to be our focus, and as I'm in a position to write to interested Members, I will do so. And, as I say, I'm particularly grateful for the very constructive way in which the Member for Blaenau Gwent has not just made the case, but has made clear that his interests are in the jobs and the families that are directly affected.
Diolch am y cwestiwn dilynol. Fel y dywedais wrth ateb Alun Davies, pan fynegodd ei bryder wrthym y llynedd, fe fuom yn ymgysylltu'n uniongyrchol hefyd â'r cyngor, a oedd wedi bod yn ymwneud â'r busnes, er mwyn deall beth allai ddigwydd. Roedd hynny'n gymharol hwyr yn y dydd. Rydym yn deall bod ganddynt heriau llif arian, ac ni allwn chwistrellu swm mawr o arian parod i mewn i'r busnes. A bydd yr Aelod yn deall bod yna her gyda sefyllfa'r gyllideb a bod eisiau sicrhau bod unrhyw chwistrelliad o arian parod yn sicrhau dyfodol i'r swyddi. Ond hefyd, deallwn fod naid sylweddol yng nghostau ynni a chwyddiant yn ehangach yn rhan o'r rheswm dros yr heriau sy'n wynebu'r cwmni. Felly, byddwn yn parhau i ymgysylltu â nhw, rydym yn parhau i fod eisiau iddynt ymgysylltu mor adeiladol ac mor agored â phosibl gyda ni, a byddwn yn parhau i weithio gyda'r cyngor. Ac rwy'n credu y dylwn wneud y pwynt eto: rwy'n credu bod y cyngor wedi bod yn wirioneddol gadarnhaol ac adeiladol ac eisiau dod o hyd i ateb i'r busnes hwn a'r swyddi mae'n eu darparu yn y cymunedau lleol. Mae hynny'n parhau i fod yn ffocws i ni, a chan fy mod mewn sefyllfa i ysgrifennu at yr Aelodau sydd â diddordeb, fe wnaf hynny. Ac fel rwy'n dweud, rwy'n arbennig o ddiolchgar am y ffordd adeiladol iawn mae'r Aelod dros Flaenau Gwent wedi cyflwyno'r achos, gan ddweud yn glir mai'r hyn sy'n bwysig iddo yw'r swyddi a'r teuluoedd yr effeithir arnynt yn uniongyrchol.
Thank you for the update, Minister. I also want to express my grave concerns about the future of Tillery Valley Foods Ltd, and, as Alun said, it's one of the biggest and best employers that we've had in the wider area. One company employee, who has been in touch with my office, described the factory workforce as one big happy family. As well as expressing their utter devastation about the turn of events, they said that the majority of the workforce live within walking distance of the factory, and are without the option of driving to another place of work. Therefore, the closure of this factory would lead to a very grim future for many of the dedicated and long-serving workforce of Tillery foods.
I understand that the loss of some major contracts has promoted these financial difficulties for the company. It’s also my understanding that, while a big part of their business comes from supplying NHS England with food, they don’t seem to have the same relationship with NHS Wales. As well as offering direct financial help, is there any way that we can increase public procurement opportunities for companies like Tillery foods—a policy that Plaid Cymru has been pursuing for many, many years now, to ensure that Welsh public money recirculates around the local economy? Diolch.
Diolch am yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf, Weinidog. Rwyf innau hefyd am fynegi fy mhryderon difrifol am ddyfodol Tillery Valley Foods Ltd, ac fel y dywedodd Alun, mae'n un o'r cyflogwyr mwyaf a gorau a fu gennym yn yr ardal ehangach. Roedd un o weithwyr y cwmni, a gysylltodd â fy swyddfa, yn disgrifio gweithlu'r ffatri fel un teulu mawr hapus. Yn ogystal â mynegi eu tristwch mawr ynglŷn â'r hyn sydd wedi digwydd, roeddent yn dweud bod mwyafrif y gweithlu yn byw o fewn pellter cerdded i'r ffatri, a heb opsiwn i yrru i weithle arall. Felly, byddai cau'r ffatri hon yn arwain at ddyfodol llwm iawn i lawer o weithlu ymroddedig a hirsefydlog Tillery foods.
Rwy'n deall bod colli rhai cytundebau mawr wedi gwaethygu trafferthion ariannol y cwmni. Er bod rhan fawr o'u busnes yn dod o gyflenwi bwyd i GIG Lloegr, rwy'n deall hefyd nad yw'n ymddangos bod ganddynt yr un berthynas â GIG Cymru. Yn ogystal â chynnig help ariannol uniongyrchol, a oes unrhyw ffordd y gallwn gynyddu cyfleoedd caffael cyhoeddus i gwmnïau fel Tillery foods—polisi y mae Plaid Cymru wedi bod yn mynd ar ei drywydd ers nifer fawr o flynyddoedd bellach, i sicrhau bod arian cyhoeddus Cymru yn cylchdroi o amgylch yr economi leol? Diolch.
That is exactly what we have been doing, and there have been direct conversations that we’ve had as the Government with the council and with Tillery Valley Foods, and again, the points that the Member makes around the direct answers that we need on the financial position of the company, the ownership structure, including the ownership of assets, and understanding the value in the business and what we’re able to do, has been a key—. It’s partly that we reach out to creditors and others to want to accurately understand what we’re all being told, and what we can then do to try to support the business to maintain its activity and to maintain the employment.
Now, we have, as I’ve said in earlier answers—and I think as I said in the initial answer to Alun Davies—looked at procurement issues within NHS Wales, but it does mean that we still need to understand whether we can help the company deal with its immediate cash flow issues or whether we can actually have a stable ownership and investment structure, and actually, the time frame for all those things to happen. But we have been proactively looking at each of those areas, including NHS Wales procurement.
I want to strike a note of some optimism about what we can do, but it has to be balanced with the realism that we’re not in control of the company and we need the business to work with us to be able to map out a sustainable future for the hundreds of jobs and families that are reliant on it.
Dyna'n union y buom yn ei wneud, a chawsom sgyrsiau uniongyrchol fel Llywodraeth gyda'r cyngor a chyda Tillery Valley Foods, ac unwaith eto, y pwyntiau y mae'r Aelod yn eu gwneud ynglŷn â'r atebion uniongyrchol sydd eu hangen arnom i sefyllfa ariannol y cwmni, y strwythur perchnogaeth, gan gynnwys perchnogaeth ar asedau, ac mae deall y gwerth yn y busnes a'r hyn y gallwn ei wneud, wedi bod yn allwedd—. Mae'n rhannol ein bod yn estyn allan at gredydwyr ac eraill i fod eisiau deall yn fanwl yr hyn a ddywedir wrthym, a'r hyn y gallwn ei wneud wedyn i geisio cynorthwyo'r busnes i gynnal ei weithgaredd ac i gadw'r swyddi.
Nawr, fel y dywedais mewn atebion cynharach—ac fel y dywedais yn yr ateb cyntaf i Alun Davies, rwy'n credu—rydym wedi edrych ar faterion caffael yn GIG Cymru, ond mae'n golygu bod angen inni ddeall o hyd i ba raddau y gallwn helpu'r cwmni i ymdrin â'i broblemau llif arian parod uniongyrchol neu p'un a allwn gael perchnogaeth sefydlog a strwythur buddsoddi, a ffrâm amser i'r holl bethau hynny allu digwydd. Ond rydym wedi bod yn edrych yn rhagweithiol ar bob un o'r meysydd hynny, gan gynnwys prosesau caffael GIG Cymru.
Rwyf am gyfleu rhywfaint o optimistiaeth ynglŷn â'r hyn y gallwn ei wneud, ond mae'n rhaid cydbwyso hynny â'r realaeth nad ni sy'n rheoli'r cwmni ac mae angen i'r busnes weithio gyda ni i allu mapio dyfodol cynaliadwy ar gyfer y cannoedd o swyddi a theuluoedd sy'n ddibynnol arno.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog. Y cwestiwn nesaf, felly, i’w ateb gan y Gweinidog iechyd, ac mae i’w ofyn gan Darren Millar.
I thank the Minister. The next question is to be answered by the Minister for health, and is to be asked by Darren Millar.
2. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad ar y cyhoeddiad bod y crwner yn ymchwilio ymhellach i farwolaeth pedwar claf fasgwlar yn Ysbyty Glan Clwyd? TQ772
2. Will the Minister make a statement on the announcement that four vascular patient deaths at Glan Clwyd Hospital are to be investigated further by the coroner? TQ772
The four vascular cases referenced by the Member’s question were referred to His Majesty’s Coroner by the health board itself last year as part of its vascular quality review panel process. This, I think, shows openness on the part of the health board, and whilst I am unable to comment on individual cases, I would like to inform the Member that the health board are acutely aware of the challenges relating to vascular services at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.
Cafodd y pedwar achos fasgwlaidd a nodwyd yng nghwestiwn yr Aelod eu cyfeirio at Grwner Ei Fawrhydi gan y bwrdd iechyd ei hun y llynedd fel rhan o broses ei banel adolygu ansawdd gwasanaethau fasgwlaidd. Mae hyn, rwy'n credu, yn dangos bod y bwrdd iechyd yn agored, ac er na allaf wneud sylw am achosion unigol, hoffwn hysbysu'r Aelod fod y bwrdd iechyd yn hynod ymwybodol o'r heriau sy'n gysylltiedig â gwasanaethau fasgwlaidd yn Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.
Thank you for that answer, Minister. Patients and their families have paid a very high price for the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s bungling of the centralisation of vascular services in north Wales. It is a disgrace that these deaths were not referred to the coroner until an external review of their clinical records earlier this year, and I cannot, frankly, imagine the anguish that the loved ones of these individuals must now be experiencing, given that the coroner has confirmed that an inquest is now appropriate. Families will obviously be very concerned, and members of the public will be, too. And they’ll rightly have many questions that they will want this inquest now to answer.
Now, clearly the senior executives who are responsible for letting patients and their families down must not be let off the hook, and the health board and the wider Welsh NHS need to learn lessons to prevent people from coming to harm again in the future. So, will you ensure that this is the case—that those lessons are indeed learnt? And, given the fact that three of these deaths occurred shortly after the health board was removed from special measures in November 2020, does the Welsh Government itself accept any responsibility for what has happened?
Diolch am yr ateb hwnnw, Weinidog. Mae'r cleifion a'u teuluoedd wedi talu pris uchel iawn am y llanast a wnaeth Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr o ganoli gwasanaethau fasgwlaidd yng ngogledd Cymru. Mae'n warth na chafodd y marwolaethau hyn eu cyfeirio at y crwner hyd nes y cynhaliwyd adolygiad allanol o'u cofnodion clinigol yn gynharach eleni, ac a bod yn onest, ni allaf ddychmygu'r gofid i anwyliaid yr unigolion hyn, o gofio bod y crwner wedi cadarnhau bellach ei bod hi'n briodol cynnal cwest. Bydd teuluoedd yn amlwg yn bryderus iawn, a bydd aelodau'r cyhoedd hefyd. Ac yn ddigon teg, bydd ganddynt lawer o gwestiynau y byddant eisiau i'r cwest eu hateb.
Nawr, mae'n amlwg na ddylai'r uwch-swyddogion gweithredol sy'n gyfrifol am wneud cam â chleifion a'u teuluoedd fynd heb eu cosbi, ac mae angen i'r bwrdd iechyd a'r GIG yng Nghymru yn ehangach ddysgu gwersi i atal pobl rhag cael niwed eto yn y dyfodol. Felly, a wnewch chi sicrhau bod hyn yn digwydd—fod y gwersi hynny'n cael eu dysgu? Ac o ystyried bod tair o'r marwolaethau hyn wedi digwydd yn fuan ar ôl i'r bwrdd iechyd gael ei dynnu o fesurau arbennig ym mis Tachwedd 2020, a yw Llywodraeth Cymru ei hun yn derbyn unrhyw gyfrifoldeb am yr hyn sydd wedi digwydd?
I’d like to reassure members of the public in north Wales that these are not recent cases. Now, that doesn’t make it any easier for those families, but the reason why these cases have come to light is because, following the investigation by the Royal College of Surgeons, which, of course, was the report commissioned by Betsi Cadwaladr. After the publication of that report in 2023, the health board decided that they wanted to go even further and wanted to set up their own vascular quality panel. It was while they were investigating those 47 cases that they realised that there were four cases that should have been referred to the coroner. Obviously, and understandably, that does cause anguish for the families, and I was very pleased to see that the medical director apologised to those families back in January this year. What we do know is that there were 27 recommendations in those reports, and I can assure you that the health board has taken those very seriously.FootnoteLink
Hoffwn sicrhau aelodau o'r cyhoedd yng ngogledd Cymru nad achosion diweddar yw'r rhain. Nawr, nid yw hynny'n ei wneud ronyn yn haws i'r teuluoedd hynny, ond y rheswm pam y daeth yr achosion hyn i'r amlwg yw oherwydd, yn dilyn yr ymchwiliad gan Goleg Brenhinol y Llawfeddygon, sef yr adroddiad a gomisiynwyd gan Betsi Cadwaladr wrth gwrs, ar ôl cyhoeddi'r adroddiad hwnnw yn 2023, penderfynodd y bwrdd iechyd eu bod am fynd ymhellach eto a'u bod am sefydlu eu panel ansawdd gwasanaethau fasgwlaidd eu hunain. Pan oeddent yn ymchwilio i'r 47 achos hynny, fe wnaethant sylweddoli bod yna bedwar achos a ddylai fod wedi cael eu cyfeirio at y crwner. Yn amlwg, ac yn ddealladwy, mae hynny'n peri gofid i'r teuluoedd, ac roeddwn yn falch iawn o weld bod y cyfarwyddwr meddygol wedi ymddiheuro wrth y teuluoedd hynny yn ôl ym mis Ionawr eleni. Yr hyn a wyddom yw bod 27 o argymhellion yn yr adroddiadau hynny, a gallaf eich sicrhau bod y bwrdd iechyd wedi rhoi ystyriaeth ddifrifol i'r rheini.FootnoteLink
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd (David Rees) i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) took the Chair.
Mae fy meddyliau i heddiw yma yn sicr efo teuluoedd y pedwar yma, a fydd yn gorfod ail-fyw cyfnod o alaru eto. Ond dwi, wrth gwrs, yn falch iawn bod y crwner wedi cynnig cyfle rŵan ar y risgiau cwbl annerbyniol y gwnaeth y cleifion orfod eu hwynebu ar ôl i wasanaethau gael eu canoli yn Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. Camgymeriad oedd y penderfyniad hwnnw—dwi’n gwbl grediniol o hynny. Doedd cyn-brif weithredwr a chyn-gyfarwyddwyr meddygol Betsi Cadwaladr ddim hyd yn oed yn gallu dweud wrthyf pam penderfynon nhw ganoli yn Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. Dwi’n cofio gofyn iddyn nhw, 'Pam Glan Clwyd?' Roedden nhw’n dweud, ‘O mi ddigwyddodd cyn ein hamser ni.’ Hyd yn oed os ydych chi yn credu mewn canoli, siawns mai yng nghanolfan rhagorol fasgwlar Ysbyty Gwynedd y dylai hynny fod wedi digwydd.
My thoughts certainly are with the families of these four individuals, who have to relive their period of profound grief once again. But I am very pleased that the coroner has provided an opportunity now to look at the unacceptable risks that patients had to face after services were centralised in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. That decision was a mistake—that is my firm belief. The previous chief executive and previous medical director at Betsi Cadwaladr couldn't even tell me why they decided to centralise in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. I remember asking, 'Why Glan Clwyd?' They said, 'Well, it happened before our time.' Even if you believe in centralising, surely it should have been in the centre of excellence in Ysbyty Gwynedd that those services should have been centralised.
A couple of questions. Firstly, the coroner is reported today to have said that there would be an examination of all cases of a similar nature in relation to vascular services. Can the Minister tell us how Welsh Government will help ensure that examination of those cases is able to take place effectively and in a timely manner? And secondly, can the Minister update us on what she thinks the state of vascular services across the north is? Because concern is still enormous and has been strengthened again today.
Un neu ddau o gwestiynau. Yn gyntaf, adroddir heddiw fod y crwner wedi dweud y byddai archwiliad yn cael ei gynnal o bob achos o natur debyg mewn perthynas â gwasanaethau fasgwlaidd. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddweud wrthym sut y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn helpu i sicrhau bod yr archwiliad i'r achosion hynny'n gallu digwydd yn effeithiol ac yn amserol? Ac yn ail, a wnaiff y Gweinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i ni am yr hyn y mae hi'n ei feddwl yw cyflwr gwasanaethau fasgwlaidd ar draws y gogledd? Oherwydd mae yna bryder enfawr o hyd ac mae wedi cael ei gryfhau eto heddiw.
Thanks very much. Well, I think that what is important is that we do learn the lessons from the past. What I can give you is an assurance, as I said, that the health board has taken this very seriously. There were 27 recommendations that the vascular quality panel made, on top of the nine key recommendations that the Royal College of Surgeons made. Now, it is the health board that is responsible for ensuring the safety of the services in Betsi Cadwaladr. It was an issue that I know I brought up with the chair and executives of the board in my meeting with them last week, to make sure that they didn't lose focus on this. In terms of assurance, what I can tell you is that the service is now stable. We're in a situation where we had a new consultant appointed this week, which takes us up to nine consultants. There are regular surveys of the staff in terms of morale, and training. And there are very strong working relationships between the health board and Liverpool and Stoke in relation to vascular services.
So, there is a huge amount of work being done in relation to the effectiveness of clinical pathways, clinical governance, consent, accountability, person-centred care, team working. All of these things are being worked through by the health board. Look, I don't think that we are out of the woods yet, here, and, certainly, I do hope that the new board will ensure that they keep a focus on this, and that is certainly something that I underlined to them recently.
Diolch yn fawr. Wel, rwy'n credu mai'r hyn sy'n bwysig yw ein bod yn dysgu'r gwersi o'r gorffennol. Gallaf roi sicrwydd i chi, fel y dywedais, fod y bwrdd iechyd o ddifrif ynglŷn â hyn. Fe wnaeth y panel ansawdd gwasanaethau fasgwlaidd 27 o argymhellion, ar ben y naw argymhelliad allweddol a wnaeth Coleg Brenhinol y Llawfeddygon. Nawr, y bwrdd iechyd sy'n gyfrifol am sicrhau diogelwch y gwasanaethau yn Betsi Cadwaladr. Roedd yn fater y gwn fy mod wedi'i godi gyda chadeirydd a swyddogion gweithredol y bwrdd yn fy nghyfarfod â nhw yr wythnos diwethaf, i wneud yn siŵr nad oeddent yn colli ffocws ar hyn. O ran sicrwydd, gallaf ddweud wrthych fod y gwasanaeth bellach yn sefydlog. Rydym mewn sefyllfa lle cafodd meddyg ymgynghorol newydd ei benodi yr wythnos hon, sy'n golygu bod yno hyd at naw meddyg ymgynghorol. Ceir arolygon rheolaidd o forâl a hyfforddiant staff. A cheir perthynas waith gref iawn rhwng y bwrdd iechyd a Lerpwl a Stoke o ran gwasanaethau fasgwlaidd.
Felly, mae llawer iawn o waith yn cael ei wneud ar effeithiolrwydd llwybrau clinigol, llywodraethu clinigol, cydsyniad, atebolrwydd, gofal sy'n canolbwyntio ar yr unigolyn, gweithio mewn timau. Mae'r bwrdd iechyd yn gweithio drwy'r holl bethau hyn. Edrychwch, nid wyf yn meddwl ein bod wedi troi'r gornel eto, ac yn sicr, rwy'n gobeithio y bydd y bwrdd newydd yn sicrhau eu bod yn cadw ffocws ar hyn, ac mae hynny'n sicr yn rhywbeth y gwneuthum ei bwysleisio iddynt yn ddiweddar.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog.
I thank the Minister.
Nid oes datganiadau 90 eiliad heddiw.
There are no 90-second statements today.
Felly, eitem 5 yw'r ddadl Aelodau o dan Reol Sefydlog 11.21(iv) ar anymataliaeth. Galwaf ar Jenny Rathbonw i wneud y cynnig.
So, we will move on to item 5, which is the Member debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv) on incontinence. I call on Jenny Rathbone to move the motion.
Cynnig NDM8252 Jenny Rathbone, Joyce Watson, Altaf Hussain, Sioned Williams
Cynnig bod y Senedd:
1. Yn nodi:
a) bod anymataliaeth yn parhau i fod yn bwnc tabŵ i fenywod a dynion er ei bod yn fater iechyd cyhoeddus sylweddol;
b) bod dros 90 y cant o famau tro cyntaf yn profi trawma perineol yn ystod genedigaeth sy'n gallu arwain at broblemau anymataliaeth;
c) nad yw 75 y cant o fenywod yn gofyn am gymorth meddygol ar gyfer eu hanymataliaeth er ei bod yn effeithio ar ansawdd eu bywyd waeth pa mor ddifrifol ydyw;
d) bod dynion yn dioddef o anymataliaeth hefyd, yn arbennig yn ddiweddarach mewn bywyd ond mae'n broblem gudd i raddau helaeth.
2. Yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i ddatblygu strategaeth ar gyfer mynd i'r afael ag achosion a chanlyniadau anymataliaeth ac i godi ymwybyddiaeth o'r mater ymhlith y cyhoedd.
Motion NDM8252 Jenny Rathbone, Joyce Watson, Altaf Hussain, Sioned Williams
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes that:
a) incontinence remains a taboo subject for both women and men despite being a significant public health issue;
b) there is over 90 per cent incidence of perineal trauma among first-time mothers during childbirth, which can lead to incontinence issues;
c) 75 per cent of women do not seek medical help for their incontinence despite it affecting their quality of life irrespective of severity;
d) men suffer from incontinence too, particularly in later life but it is a largely hidden problem.
2. Calls on the Welsh Government to develop a strategy for tackling the causes and consequences of incontinence and to raise awareness of the issue among the public.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Diolch, Deputy Presiding Officer. On behalf of the three co-sponsors of this motion and myself, I want to thank Julie Cornish, the colorectal surgeon at Cardiff and Vale health board; Laura Price, physiotherapist at Hywel Dda health board; and Amy Marshall, an expert patient on incontinence, who volunteers for Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales, whose presentations to the women's health cross-party group in March alerted us to the extent of the incontinence challenge and the inadequate prudent healthcare response, both in terms of prevention and early intervention and the long waiting lists and gaps in secondary health services.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Ar ran y tri sy'n cyd-gyflwyno'r cynnig hwn a minnau, rwyf am ddiolch i Julie Cornish, llawfeddyg y colon a'r rhefr ym mwrdd iechyd Caerdydd a'r Fro; Laura Price, ffisiotherapydd ym mwrdd iechyd Hywel Dda; ac Amy Marshall, claf arbenigol ar anymataliaeth, sy'n gwirfoddoli dros Triniaeth Deg i Fenywod Cymru, y gwnaeth eu cyflwyniadau i'r grŵp trawsbleidiol ar iechyd menywod ym mis Mawrth ein rhybuddio ynglŷn â maint her anymataliaeth a'r ymateb annigonol mewn perthynas â gofal iechyd darbodus, o ran atal ac ymyrraeth gynnar a'r rhestrau aros hir, a bylchau mewn gwasanaethau iechyd eilaidd.
This is a problem that affects women and men across Wales in every constituency and every community. Nine out of 10 first-time mothers experience perineal trauma after childbirth. Four out of 10 women get urinary incontinence and over one in 10 suffer anal incontinence. And it isn't just a women's problem; three in five men over 50 are affected by prostate problems, frequently needing to pee, as well as pain when urinating. Despite this very universal problem, it's a taboo subject, rarely spoken about, which society largely chooses to ignore, thus three quarters of women affected by incontinence do not seek medical help, and they go to endless lengths to disguise their embarrassment.
Despite having had two vaginal spontaneous deliveries myself, I know that jumping on the trampoline with my grandchildren is completely out of the case, and I regularly have to track where I may be able to go to the loo when I'm out and about. Cardiff Council is making a modest contribution with its handy loo guide, but it's less than comprehensive, and the retail and tourism sector could be playing a much bigger part in helping people get to the loo wherever they are. How many dedicated volunteers invited to the coronation of the King did not attend, once they realised they would be stuck in their seats for five hours with no access to a loo?
This isn't just an older person’s problem. Anyone giving birth is in their prime of life by definition, so why does it nearly always lead to perineal trauma? The perineum holds our bladder, our bowel and our uterus in place, so it's a pretty fundamental part of women's anatomy, and it's under a lot of strain when you're carrying around a lot of extra weight from a growing foetus. Why is it that 90 per cent first-time mothers have at least a first-degree tear, and 70 per cent require stitches to the area around the birth canal? We really do need to give women advice and help about perineal care, both before and after the birth. Brutally, I don't think it's available. It wasn't when I was giving birth 30 plus years ago, and I'm sure it isn't today. For example, people could be advised to massage their perineum with oil to make it stretch more easily when the baby is making its way down the birth passage, and this simply doesn't happen, as far as I'm aware.
Every year, millions of women worldwide suffer trauma to the perineum when giving birth, and, as far as I’m aware, there’s only one country—France—which has consistently taken this matter seriously. Every new mother is prescribed 10 sessions of pelvic floor rehabilitation after she delivers a baby—so, pelvic floor exercises provided by physiotherapists or midwives eight weeks after the birth, regardless of symptoms. It's a common misconception that women who have a caesarean section will be free from pelvic floor problems; this is simply not true. And so, everybody gets this service. They're advised to eat food that doesn't cause them to have constipation, which obviously causes more perineal problems. And pelvic floor exercises—just telling people to do it doesn't make it happen. You need group sessions where people actually have to get out and do it, because it's not something—. We can all get told about it, but we don't necessarily do it. So, I don't know of anywhere else where this is happening, although I know some providers in Australia I've read about are fully aware of the problem. And the cost-benefits of doing this are huge in terms of healthy life expectancy, pain-free sex, and preventing women of working age from dropping out of the labour force.
Contrast that scenario with the experience of one of my constituents, who became doubly incontinent following two traumatic births, and spent 20 years trying to get appropriate treatment that wouldn't make her condition worse. She was advised to get sacral nerve stimulation—a low-level intervention, compared with surgery—but, back in 2014, this required an out-of-area specialist referral to Exeter, when there was no sacral nerve stimulation available in Wales at all, and she was refused the money to do it. So, she never got the service she needed, and she had to give up her job as a leader in early years education mid career. What is the loss to our economy of all the teachers, doctors, engineers with incontinence who are forced to drop out of the workforce or only take limited work from home?
I recall, in the last Senedd, the Welsh Government's women's health implementation group had to deal with the fallout from the vaginal mesh scandal, as many women had turned to vaginal mesh implants in desperation to resolve their incontinence. Yes, it may have helped some people, but for most it led to increasing their agony, and happily is now banned. That's when I first met the wonderful colorectal consultant Julie Cornish, who was one of the experts on the Welsh health implementation group. She had routinely offered sacral nerve stimulation when she was practising in England, but was told she wasn't allowed to do it once she came to Wales. I'm very glad that, thanks to Julie's persistence, she now heads up an all-singing, all-dancing pelvic health service from Barry community hospital. Sacral nerve stimulation is available to anybody who needs it in Cardiff and the Vale, but with waiting times of four years for faecal incontinence before any treatment, the investment is clearly not sufficient to meet the demand. So, a question to the Minister is: why is sacral nerve stimulation not available to women throughout Wales? We really are playing catch-up compared to England, and it's a much less invasive intervention than surgery or colonic irrigation.
The costs of inaction are huge, both to the individual and to society as a whole. You cannot hold down a job in a workplace where they time your loo breaks, and, in addition to that, anybody who's had a baby knows how expensive nappies are; imagine that you have to wear sanitary pads every day of the year to disguise your incontinence. The cost is massive, and mainly borne by the individual. Julie Cornish herself highlighted that £233 million is spent by the NHS to treat urinary incontinence, compared to £178 million borne by incontinent individuals.
Those who do seek medical help are the ones who are desperate, and there's so much more we could be doing on preventative measures, such as diet and exercise and physiotherapy, and creating an incontinence-aware workplace and leisure environment to enable those who suffer from it to lead as normal a life as possible. It also would reduce the risk of falls and fractures and reduce the burden on caregivers who are having to deal with incontinence. The absence of secondary services across Wales, particularly fixing the sacral nerve stimulation gaps, creates a cost to society and human happiness far greater than the investment needed by preventative and early intervention.
Mae hon yn broblem sy'n effeithio ar fenywod a dynion ar draws Cymru ym mhob etholaeth a phob cymuned. Mae naw o bob 10 mam am y tro cyntaf yn profi trawma perineol yn ystod genedigaeth. Mae pedair o bob 10 menyw yn profi anymataliaeth wrinol ac mae dros un o bob 10 yn dioddef anymataliaeth ysgarthol. Ac nid problem menywod yn unig mohoni; mae tri o bob pum dyn dros 50 oed yn cael eu heffeithio gan broblemau'r prostad, ac angen gwneud dŵr yn aml, yn ogystal â phoen wrth wneud dŵr. Er gwaethaf y broblem gyffredin hon, mae'n bwnc tabŵ na siaredir amdano, pwnc y mae cymdeithas yn dewis ei anwybyddu i raddau helaeth, felly nid yw tri chwarter y menywod yr effeithir arnynt gan anymataliaeth yn gofyn am gymorth meddygol, ac ânt i drafferth i gelu eu hembaras.
Er imi gael dwy enedigaeth ddigymell drwy'r wain, gwn na allaf feddwl am neidio ar y trampolîn gyda fy wyrion, ac mae'n rhaid imi gynllunio'n rheolaidd lle gallaf fynd i'r toiled pan fyddaf allan. Mae Cyngor Caerdydd yn gwneud cyfraniad cymedrol gyda'i ganllaw toiledau defnyddiol, ond nid yw'n gynhwysfawr, a gallai'r sector manwerthu a thwristiaeth chwarae rhan lawer mwy yn helpu pobl i gyrraedd toiled lle bynnag y bônt. Faint o wirfoddolwyr ymroddedig a wahoddwyd i seremoni coroni'r Brenin na wnaeth ei mynychu pan wnaethant sylweddoli y byddent yn gaeth i'w seddi am bum awr heb allu mynd i'r toiled?
Nid problem pobl hŷn yn unig yw hon. Mae unrhyw un sy'n rhoi genedigaeth drwy ddiffiniad ym mlodau eu dyddiau, felly pam mae bron bob amser yn arwain at drawma perineol? Mae'r perinewm yn dal ein pledren, ein coluddyn a'n croth yn eu lle, felly mae'n rhan eithaf sylfaenol o anatomeg menywod, a daw dan lawer o straen pan fyddwch chi'n cario pwysau ychwanegol ffoetws sy'n tyfu. Pam fod 90 y cant o famau tro cyntaf yn cael rhwyg gradd gyntaf fan lleiaf, a bod 70 y cant angen pwythau i'r man o gwmpas y llwybr geni? Mae gwir angen inni roi cyngor a help i fenywod ar gyfer gofal perineol, cyn ac ar ôl yr enedigaeth. Nid wyf yn meddwl ei fod ar gael, ac mae hynny'n greulon. Nid oedd ar gael pan oeddwn i'n rhoi genedigaeth 30 a mwy o flynyddoedd yn ôl, ac rwy'n siŵr nad yw ar gael heddiw. Er enghraifft, gellid cynghori pobl i dylino eu perinewm gydag olew i wneud iddo ymestyn yn haws pan fo'r babi'n gwneud ei ffordd i lawr y llwybr geni, ac nid yw hyn yn digwydd hyd y gwn i.
Bob blwyddyn, mae miliynau o fenywod ledled y byd yn dioddef trawma i'r perinewm wrth roi genedigaeth, a hyd y gwn i, dim ond un wlad—Ffrainc—sydd wedi rhoi sylw difrifol yn gyson i'r mater hwn. Mae pob mam newydd yn cael 10 sesiwn cryfhau llawr y pelfis ar bresgripsiwn ar ôl iddi eni babi—felly, ymarferion llawr y pelfis wedi'u darparu gan ffisiotherapyddion neu fydwragedd wyth wythnos ar ôl yr enedigaeth, waeth beth yw'r symptomau. Mae'n gamsyniad cyffredin y bydd menywod sydd wedi cael toriad Cesaraidd yn rhydd o broblemau llawr y pelfis; nid yw hyn yn wir. Ac felly, mae pawb yn cael y gwasanaeth hwn. Cânt eu cynghori i fwyta bwyd nad yw'n achosi iddynt gael rhwymedd, sy'n amlwg yn achosi mwy o broblemau perineol. Ac ymarferion llawr y pelfis—nid yw dim ond dweud wrth bobl am eu gwneud yn gwneud iddo ddigwydd. Mae angen sesiynau grŵp lle mae pobl yn gorfod mynd allan i'w wneud, oherwydd nid yw'n rhywbeth—. Efallai ein bod i gyd wedi clywed amdano, ond nid ydym o reidrwydd yn ei wneud. Felly, nid wyf yn gwybod am unrhyw le arall lle mae hyn yn digwydd, er fy mod yn gwybod bod rhai darparwyr yn Awstralia y darllenais amdanynt yn gwbl ymwybodol o'r broblem. Ac mae'r manteision cost o wneud hyn yn enfawr o ran disgwyliad oes iach, rhyw di-boen, ac atal menywod oedran gweithio rhag rhoi'r gorau i'w gwaith.
Cymharwch y senario honno â phrofiad un o fy etholwyr, a brofodd anymataliaeth ddwbl yn dilyn dwy enedigaeth drawmatig, ac a dreuliodd 20 mlynedd yn ceisio cael triniaeth briodol na fyddai'n gwneud ei chyflwr yn waeth. Cafodd ei chynghori i gael triniaeth i symbylu'r nerf sacrol—ymyrraeth lefel isel o'i chymharu â llawdriniaeth—ond yn ôl yn 2014, roedd hyn yn galw am atgyfeiriad arbenigol y tu allan i'w hardal i Gaerwysg, pan nad oedd unrhyw driniaeth i symbylu'r nerf sacrol ar gael yng Nghymru o gwbl, a gwrthodwyd yr arian iddi ei wneud. Felly, ni chafodd y gwasanaeth roedd hi ei angen, a bu'n rhaid iddi roi'r gorau i'w swydd fel arweinydd addysg blynyddoedd cynnar ar ganol ei gyrfa. Faint o athrawon, meddygon, peirianwyr ag anymataliaeth a gollir i'n heconomi yn sgil gorfod rhoi'r gorau i'w gwaith neu wneud gwaith cyfyngedig gartref?
Yn y Senedd ddiwethaf, rwy'n cofio sut y bu'n rhaid i grŵp gweithredu Llywodraeth Cymru ar iechyd menywod ymdrin â chanlyniadau sgandal rhwyll y wain, gan fod nifer o fenywod wedi troi at fewnblaniadau rhwyll y wain mewn anobaith i ddatrys eu hanymataliaeth. Do, efallai ei fod wedi helpu rhai pobl, ond i'r rhan fwyaf fe arweiniodd at waethygu eu poen, ac mae wedi'i wahardd erbyn hyn. Dyna pryd y cyfarfûm â meddyg ymgynghorol y colon a'r rhefr, Julie Cornish, a oedd yn un o arbenigwyr grŵp gweithredu iechyd Cymru. Roedd hi wedi bod yn cynnig triniaeth i symbylu'r nerf sacrol fel mater o drefn pan oedd hi'n ymarfer yn Lloegr, ond dywedwyd wrthi na châi wneud hynny pan ddaeth i Gymru. Diolch i ddyfalbarhad Julie, rwy'n falch iawn ei bod hi bellach yn bennaeth ar wasanaeth iechyd y pelfis o'r radd flaenaf yn ysbyty cymunedol y Barri. Mae triniaeth i symbylu'r nerf sacrol ar gael i unrhyw un sydd ei hangen yng Nghaerdydd a'r Fro, ond gydag amseroedd aros o bedair blynedd ar gyfer anymataliaeth ysgarthol cyn unrhyw driniaeth, mae'n amlwg nad yw'r buddsoddiad yn ddigon i ateb y galw. Felly, cwestiwn i'r Gweinidog: pam nad yw triniaeth i symbylu'r nerf sacrol ar gael i fenywod ledled Cymru? Rydym ar ei hôl hi o gymharu â Lloegr, ac mae'n ymyrraeth lawer lai ymyrrol na llawdriniaeth neu ddyfrhau colonig.
Mae costau diffyg gweithredu yn enfawr, i'r unigolyn ac i'r gymdeithas gyfan. Ni allwch gadw swydd mewn gweithle lle maent yn amseru eich seibiant toiled, ac yn ogystal â hynny, mae unrhyw un sydd wedi cael babi yn gwybod pa mor ddrud yw cewynnau; dychmygwch fod rhaid i chi wisgo padiau mislif bob dydd o'r flwyddyn i gelu eich anymataliaeth. Mae'r gost yn anferth, a'r unigolyn sy'n ei thalu yn bennaf. Nododd Julie Cornish ei hun fod £233 miliwn yn cael ei wario gan y GIG i drin anymataliaeth wrinol, o'i gymharu â £178 miliwn a delir gan unigolion ag anymataliaeth.
Y rhai sy'n gofyn am gymorth meddygol yw'r rhai sy'n dioddef fwyaf, ac mae cymaint mwy y gallem ei wneud gyda mesurau ataliol, fel deiet ac ymarfer corff a ffisiotherapi, a chreu gweithle ac amgylchedd hamdden sy'n ymwybodol o anymataliaeth i alluogi'r rhai sy'n dioddef ohono i fyw bywyd mor normal â phosibl. Byddai hefyd yn lleihau'r risg o gwympo a thorri esgyrn ac yn lleihau'r baich ar ofalwyr sy'n gorfod ymdrin ag anymataliaeth. Mae absenoldeb gwasanaethau eilaidd ledled Cymru, yn enwedig llenwi'r bylchau yn y ddarpariaeth o driniaeth i symbylu'r nerf sacrol, yn creu cost i gymdeithas a hapusrwydd pobl sy'n llawer mwy na'r buddsoddiad sydd ei angen mewn atal ac ymyrraeth gynnar.
I was honoured to be a co-sponsor of this debate today. Sadly, incontinence remains something talked about only in hushed tones, if at all. Jenny has ably highlighted how widespread incontinence is in women and the impact it can have, but, as our motion alludes to, men can leak too—four simple words, but, when spoken, they have the power to tackle a taboo that impacts the lives of hundreds of thousands of men across the UK every year.
One in three men over 65 are estimated to have an incontinence problem, and one in 25 men over the age of 40 experience incontinence issues each year. Yet it's not discussed and no Government, of any colour, has taken steps to address this issue. For such a widespread issue, it is shocking that it still remains shrouded in secrecy and shame. The NHS estimate that between 3 million and 6 million people suffer from some form of urinary incontinence, or UI, and as many as a third of men over the age of 65, as I said earlier, are affected. But it remains a hidden subject, and, while it remains in the shadows, there is less likelihood of any Government taking action to make life better for those suffering from UI.
We need a clear strategy that not only helps raise awareness, improves diagnosis and treatment pathways, but also helps address daily barriers faced by people living with UI—barriers such as the lack of public toilets. It’s surprising to me that we are still discussing the availability of public toilets. When I was first elected to this place, in 2015, I remember Darren was raising this issue every time, while travelling from north to south. I remember, further, working with the Senate of Older People and their 'P is for People' campaign to improve public toilet provision. Yet here we are, eight years later, and it is estimated that we have around 40 per cent fewer public toilets. Public toilets across Wales have been turned into shops, cafes, even homes and a theatre. Welsh Government-run trains are removing onboard toilet facilities, making it even harder for people suffering from incontinence, as well as other bladder and bowel issues, to use public transport.
But even when people suffering from UI do find a toilet, the chances are they don’t find suitable facilities to meet their needs, particularly for men. Men suffering from UI have said they avoid going out at all because they know that public toilets will not have a place to dispose of incontinence pads or provide facilities for men to clean up. This often forces men to carry the used pads with them or ask a partner to put them in their handbag, adding to the embarrassment and sense of shame. There is no need to be ashamed or embarrassed, but, unfortunately, it has become ingrained in us.
We need to change our attitudes to incontinence. Hopefully, this debate will be the catalyst for change, raising awareness of what is, after all, a common ailment, and forcing Government to take a lead in ensuring that people living with UI are fully supported, urging the public and private sectors to make simple changes, such as providing incontinence bins in all male lavatories. I urge members to support this drive to change by backing our motion today. Diolch yn fawr.
Roedd hi'n anrhydedd cael bod yn un o gyd-gyflwynwyr y ddadl hon heddiw. Yn anffodus, mae anymataliaeth yn parhau i fod yn rhywbeth y siaredir amdano o dan eich gwynt, os o gwbl. Mae Jenny wedi tynnu sylw at ba mor gyffredin yw anymataliaeth mewn menywod a'r effaith y gall ei chael, ond fel mae ein cynnig yn nodi, gall dynion ollwng hefyd—pedwar gair syml, ond o'u siarad, mae ganddynt bŵer i ymladd tabŵ sy'n effeithio ar fywydau cannoedd o filoedd o ddynion ledled y DU bob blwyddyn.
Amcangyfrifir bod gan un o bob tri dyn dros 65 oed broblem anymataliaeth, ac mae un o bob 25 dyn dros 40 oed yn profi problemau anymataliaeth bob blwyddyn. Eto i gyd, nid yw'n cael ei drafod ac nid oes unrhyw Lywodraeth, o unrhyw liw, wedi cymryd camau i fynd i'r afael â'r broblem. Ag ystyried ei bod yn broblem mor gyffredin, mae'n frawychus ei bod yn dal i fod yn destun cyfrinachedd a chywilydd. Mae'r GIG yn amcangyfrif bod rhwng 3 miliwn a 6 miliwn o bobl yn dioddef o ryw fath o anymataliaeth wrinol, ac mae cymaint â thraean o ddynion dros 65 oed yn dioddef ohono, fel y dywedais yn gynharach. Ond mae'n parhau i fod yn bwnc cudd, a thra bo'n aros yn y cysgod, mae llai o debygolrwydd y bydd unrhyw Lywodraeth yn gweithredu i wneud bywyd yn well i'r rhai sy'n dioddef o anymataliaeth wrinol.
Mae angen strategaeth glir i helpu i godi ymwybyddiaeth, a gwella diagnosis a llwybrau triniaeth, ac sydd hefyd yn helpu i fynd i'r afael â rhwystrau dyddiol sy'n wynebu pobl sy'n byw gydag anymataliaeth wrinol—rhwystrau fel prinder toiledau cyhoeddus. Mae'n syndod i mi ein bod yn dal i drafod argaeledd toiledau cyhoeddus. Pan gefais fy ethol i'r lle yma am y tro cyntaf yn 2015, rwy'n cofio Darren yn codi'r mater bob tro, wrth deithio o'r gogledd i'r de. Hefyd, rwy'n cofio gweithio gyda'r Senedd Pobl Hŷn a'u hymgyrch 'P am Pobl' i wella'r ddarpariaeth o doiledau cyhoeddus. Eto i gyd, dyma ni, wyth mlynedd yn ddiweddarach, ac amcangyfrifir bod gennym oddeutu 40 y cant yn llai o doiledau cyhoeddus. Cafodd toiledau cyhoeddus ledled Cymru eu troi'n siopau, caffis, cartrefi a theatr hyd yn oed. Mae trenau sy'n cael eu rhedeg gan Lywodraeth Cymru'n cael gwared ar gyfleusterau toiled ar drenau, gan ei gwneud hi'n anos byth i bobl sy'n dioddef o anymataliaeth, ynghyd â phroblemau eraill y bledren a'r coluddyn, ddefnyddio trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus.
Ond hyd yn oed pan fo pobl sy'n dioddef o anymataliaeth wrinol yn cael hyd i doiled, mae'n annhebygol y dônt o hyd i gyfleusterau addas i ddiwallu eu hanghenion, yn enwedig i ddynion. Mae dynion sy'n dioddef o anymataliaeth wrinol wedi dweud eu bod yn osgoi mynd allan o gwbl am eu bod yn gwybod na fydd gan doiledau cyhoeddus le i gael gwared ar badiau anymataliaeth na chyfleusterau i ddynion ymolchi. Mae hyn yn aml yn gorfodi dynion i gario padiau wedi'u defnyddio gyda nhw neu ofyn i bartner eu rhoi yn eu bag, gan ychwanegu at yr embaras a'r ymdeimlad o gywilydd. Nid oes angen teimlo cywilydd nac embaras, ond yn anffodus, mae wedi mynd yn rhan annatod ohonom.
Mae angen inni newid ein hagwedd at anymataliaeth. Gobeithio mai'r ddadl hon fydd y catalydd i newid, gan godi ymwybyddiaeth o'r hyn sydd, wedi'r cyfan, yn anhwylder cyffredin, a gorfodi'r Llywodraeth i arwain drwy sicrhau bod pobl sy'n byw gydag anymataliaeth wrinol yn cael eu cefnogi'n llawn, ac annog y sectorau cyhoeddus a phreifat i wneud newidiadau syml, megis darparu biniau anymataliaeth ym mhob toiled dynion. Rwy'n annog yr Aelodau i gefnogi'r ymgyrch hon dros newid drwy gefnogi ein cynnig ni heddiw. Diolch yn fawr.
I'm glad to speak in this debate as a co-submitter of the motion and a member of the cross-party group on women's health. I want to thank Jenny Rathbone for bringing this debate forward, and I also want to thank the contributors to the cross-party group for bringing this issue to the attention of the Senedd.
As a society, we now talk so much more about issues that used to be hidden, but there was a time when childbirth, periods, menstrual health, the menopause were only mentioned through euphemisms or in whispers, when women were made to feel that they had to hide the physical effects of these natural parts of their lives. Thankfully, these matters, which affect the whole population, not only women themselves, but also of course their partners, their families, their friends, their colleagues, have now become much more talked about, in workplaces, in places like this Siambr, in schools and colleges. And it's of course a good thing. It's also an essential thing, because there are still too many taboos that we find as a society difficult to talk about: issues that affect women uniquely, but not solely, issues that have a significant impact on a woman's life, and are yet not being wholly or effectively addressed, in terms of healthcare or education, issues such as incontinence and its causes.
When I gave birth for the first time, although I knew about it, I wasn't completely prepared for the pain. But what I wasn't at all prepared for in any way, by any prenatal class or midwife, was the huge and distressing physical toll that giving birth took on my body, in the days, weeks and months after giving birth—the injury it caused to me, specifically my ability to control my bladder. Coughing too hard, laughing too hard were now a problem, and this was a shock. I remember thinking, 'Why don't women talk about this?' But what was more shocking, and also distressing, was that it was never addressed by the doctor who stitched my torn perineum, or by the midwife who inspected those stitches, or by the health visitor, and it elicited no more than a sympathetic smile from my GP when I hesitatingly mentioned it when I was being tested for an infection.
But I was lucky; my body recovered. The injuries I had suffered because of childbirth healed well, and fairly quickly, and my bladder control returned almost to normal. But, now, in my 50s, I'm facing the same problem again, and the symptoms of menopause, although now being talked about more, are too often reduced to hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog. The more taboo aspects, such as bladder weakness and incontinence are still not commonly known, discussed or treated. Incontinence appears to be still one of those issues that women are expected to just put up with. We are thus led to think that urinary incontinence is an inevitable part of the ageing process, or of giving birth.
Many of my female friends, who have found themselves incontinent, either through childbirth injury or through menopause, have told me about not being able to run or do exercise, who limit their activities because of their need to be near a toilet, and, no, they have never, ever been offered any kind of help or support. They didn't expect this to happen, which has added to their distress, and they find it hard to talk about, with family, with colleagues, even with partners.
This is the situation. Although urinary incontinence is deemed a common consequence of childbirth injury, we must remember, as Jenny said, that there is over a 90 per cent incidence of perineal trauma amongst first-time mothers. It was also made very clear to us, in the evidence we heard in the cross-party group, that incontinence also affects those who have not given birth. So, it's crucial we must not limit better awareness and support only to receiving pre and postnatal care, or to the menopausal, or to the elderly. This is a health issue that doesn't just impact on people's day-to-day lives; as we heard, it's also costly, to both the patients themselves, and to the NHS.
The Government's quality statement for women and girls' health, which describes what health boards are expected to deliver to ensure good-quality health services to support women and girls, was published last July. It lists incontinence as one of the conditions where there is gender inequality, and a need for gender-competent services that women might require differently to men. But the evidence we heard, both from specialists and women suffering from incontinence, showed that it's clearly not the case at present that women know that this issue, although common, is not normal, and that there is effective treatment available or accessible to them. There can be no doubt, as we have heard many times in this Chamber, that gender bias and inequality within health provision plays a significant role in this situation, and again, the postcode lottery of medical expertise and provision of treatment is contributing to the lack of support across Wales for women suffering from incontinence and its debilitating and distressing effects.
The motion before us today calls on Welsh Government to develop a strategy for tackling the causes and consequences of incontinence, and to raise awareness of the issue among the public. Irrespective of severity, clinicians tells us that this is an issue that is having a daily impact on the quality of people's lives. So, I urge Members to support the motion, to eradicate the stigma that surrounds such a common but serious problem, to create a streamlined, accessible pathway to treatment in all parts of Wales, and I also urge you—
Rwy’n falch o siarad yn y ddadl hon fel cyd-gyflwynydd y cynnig ac aelod o’r grŵp trawsbleidiol ar iechyd menywod. Hoffwn ddiolch i Jenny Rathbone am gyflwyno’r ddadl hon, a hoffwn ddiolch hefyd i bawb a gyfrannodd at y grŵp trawsbleidiol am ddod â’r mater hwn i sylw’r Senedd.
Fel cymdeithas, rydym bellach yn siarad cymaint mwy am faterion a oedd yn arfer bod yn guddiedig, ond roedd adeg pan nad oedd genedigaeth, mislif, iechyd mislif a'r menopos ond yn cael eu trafod drwy sibrwd neu ddefnyddio lledneiseiriau, pan oedd menywod yn cael eu gwneud i deimlo bod yn rhaid iddynt guddio effeithiau corfforol y rhannau naturiol hyn o'u bywydau. Diolch byth, mae’r materion hyn, sy’n effeithio ar y boblogaeth gyfan, nid yn unig ar fenywod, ond hefyd, wrth gwrs, ar eu partneriaid, eu teuluoedd, eu ffrindiau a'u cydweithwyr bellach yn cael eu trafod i raddau llawer mwy, mewn gweithleoedd, mewn mannau fel y Siambr hon, mewn ysgolion a cholegau. Ac mae hynny, wrth gwrs, yn beth da. Mae hefyd yn beth hanfodol, gan fod gormod o dabŵs o hyd rydym ni fel cymdeithas yn ei chael hi'n anodd siarad amdanynt: materion sy'n effeithio ar fenywod mewn ffordd unigryw, ond nid ar fenywod yn unig, materion sy'n cael effaith sylweddol ar fywyd menyw ond nad ydynt er hynny'n cael sylw digonol ac effeithiol mewn gofal iechyd neu addysg, materion fel anymataliaeth a'i achosion.
Pan roddais enedigaeth am y tro cyntaf, er fy mod yn gwybod amdano, nid oeddwn yn gwbl barod am y boen. Ond yr hyn na chefais fy mharatoi amdano o gwbl mewn unrhyw ffordd, gan unrhyw ddosbarth cynenedigol neu fydwraig, oedd y dreth gorfforol enfawr a thrallodus ar fy nghorff ar ôl rhoi genedigaeth, yn y dyddiau, yr wythnosau a'r misoedd ar ôl rhoi genedigaeth—y niwed a wnaeth i mi, yn benodol, fy ngallu i reoli fy mhledren. Roedd pesychu’n rhy galed a chwerthin yn rhy galed bellach yn broblem, ac roedd hyn yn syndod. Rwy'n cofio meddwl, 'Pam nad yw menywod yn siarad am hyn?' Ond yr hyn a oedd yn fwy ysgytwol, a thrallodus hefyd, oedd y ffaith na soniodd y meddyg a bwythodd fy mherinëwm ar ôl iddo rwygo erioed am hyn, na'r fydwraig a edrychodd ar y pwythau hynny, na'r ymwelydd iechyd, ac ni chefais fwy na gwên gydymdeimladol gan fy meddyg teulu pan soniais yn betrusgar am y mater pan oeddwn yn cael fy mhrofi am haint.
Ond roeddwn yn lwcus; fe wellodd fy nghorff. Fe wellodd yr anafiadau a gefais drwy roi genedigaeth yn dda, ac yn weddol gyflym, ac aeth fy rheolaeth o fy mhledren yn ôl bron â bod i normal. Ond nawr, yn fy 50au, rwy'n wynebu'r un broblem eto, ac mae symptomau'r menopos, er eu bod bellach yn cael eu trafod i raddau mwy, yn rhy aml yn cael eu cyfyngu i byliau o wres, chwysu gyda'r nos, meddwl pŵl. Nid oes digon o bobl yn ymwybodol o'r agweddau mwy tabŵ, megis gwendid y bledren ac anymataliaeth, ac nid ydynt yn cael eu trafod na'u trin yn ddigon aml o hyd. Ymddengys bod anymataliaeth yn dal i fod yn un o'r materion hynny y disgwylir i fenywod eu dioddef yn dawel. Cawn ein harwain i feddwl, felly, fod anymataliaeth wrinol yn rhan anochel o’r broses heneiddio, neu o roi genedigaeth.
Mae llawer o fy ffrindiau benywaidd sy'n anymataliol naill ai oherwydd niwed wrth roi genedigaeth neu oherwydd