National Assembly for Wales

A range of grant programmes enable the adaptation of existing social housing to meet disabled tenants’ needs. We are investing for the future with specialist housing-led projects funded through the integrated care fund and by requiring that our new-build social housing is built to the lifetime homes standard.

Part L of the building regulations, covering the conservation of fuel and power, sets energy efficiency requirements for new buildings. Part L is currently being reviewed with the intention to achieve a significant step towards zero-carbon new housing. A public consultation on proposals is anticipated this summer.

A written statement setting out the future role of the community and town council sector in Wales was issued on 30 November.

Whilst I am responsible for civil enforcement of road traffic contraventions legislation, the planning and local government Minister has an interest, via planning specifications, for the operation, management and layout of local authority car parks and the £3 million funding for a pilot to end town-centre car parking charges.

Provision of health services should be considered during local development plan preparation, providing certainty for communities, developers and local health board investment decisions. Planning applications must be determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Where necessary, health boards may be consulted on planning applications.

We are investing £90 million over three years to support innovative housing schemes across Wales. There are currently 45 innovative schemes benefiting from our investment. I will announce additional schemes successful in the third year of the innovative housing programme, from both the private and public sector, later this year.

The Minister for Housing and Local Government wrote to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in December, expressing our deep ongoing concerns regarding the impact of the UK Government’s welfare reform policies, particularly the roll-out of universal credit, and our opposition to their damaging two-child limit cap.

The Welsh Government will support the farming industry in Pembrokeshire, as in all parts of Wales, to become more profitable, sustainable, resilient, and professionally managed. I continue to fight for a full funding allocation for Wales, so that we do not lose a penny as the UK leaves the EU.

The Welsh Government plan for tackling nitrogen dioxide exceedances was published in November last year. It highlights action being taken on the A470. Following detailed assessments, measures have been introduced on the A470 between Upper Boat and Pontypridd to encourage smoother traffic flows and address exceedence of nitrogen dioxide limits.

I guarantee the Welsh Government will continue to support farmers after the UK leaves the EU. We are currently analysing the Brexit and Our Land consultation responses. I have also announced there will be no changes to the Basic Payment Scheme before 2021.

The Welsh fishing fleet consists of approximately 400, mainly small scale vessels, working from small ports taking shellfish and non-quota species primarily for export to Europe and the far east. Whelk, brown crab, scallop and lobster are the main target species with landings for 2018 exceeding £8 million.

Our clean air programme for Wales is considering evidence to inform the development and implementation of actions across Government departments and sectors to reduce the burden of poor air. This work will inform the development of a clean air plan for Wales, which we will publish for consultation this year.

I have agreed to continue to provide business rates support in 2019-20 for hydropower projects, which deliver local benefits. Community hydropower projects will receive 100 per cent rate relief as part of this support. Community energy groups can also access a range of support and funding through the Welsh Government energy service.

We are committed to providing at least £1 million annually over the next two years to support small-scale flood risk management across Wales. This approach is welcomed by local authorities and is making a real difference to people,  reducing risk to more than 3,300 properties since its introduction.