QUESTIONS TO MINISTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICES
Spokesperson’s Questions
Janet Finch-Saunders
Thank you, Presiding Officer. Will the Minister make a statement on when he will be updating this Chamber on the consultation responses received back on the White Paper, ‘Reforming Government: Power to Local People’?
Leighton Andrews
Well, the closing date for the consultation was yesterday. We will review the submissions that have been made in respect of that consultation, and I expect to make a statement following that.
Janet Finch-Saunders
Thank you, Minister. As part of this consultation, of course, you did spend, of taxpayers’ money, £70,000 on bus adverts and local radio stations. Yet many fundamental flaws with your consultation have been raised with me, certainly across my own constituency and, indeed, others. The questions in particular are described as asking the rather obvious, and the responses I've received thus far actually have a common theme running through them. My own authority state that the Welsh Government must place greater trust and autonomy on local authorities, and that some of your proposals will disaggregate local government, create an even more complex structure, limit economies of scale and, potentially, confuse the general public, adding that some will actually dilute or limit local democracy. Are these your intentions?
Leighton Andrews
The proposals we set out in our White Paper will strengthen local democracy. I will respond to all consultation submissions when we have given them due consideration.
Janet Finch-Saunders
Thank you, Minister. Denbighshire County Council say the paper is in danger of being too ambitious in terms of its breadth. They suggest potential difficulties as regards a review of community councils by 2022, given that local authorities themselves may still be going through their own transition, and that the requirement for council leaders to produce a detailed set of priorities within a matter of days may result in ill-thought-out manifestos. Minister, what are your responses to these quite sensible concerns? And these come corporately, not just from elected members. They come from staff and officers, too.
Leighton Andrews
Well, I think it's in the interests of local communities that leaders of local authorities do set out what their objectives for their authority are for the future, and that's why we put that suggestion into the White Paper. And, as I said, I will respond to submissions made in respect of our White Paper in due course.
Equal levels of public service
Janet Finch-Saunders
Following on from the Member, it is fair to say that there is a lack of equality and consistency with the delivery of our public services across Wales: DFGs, the number of empty homes renewed, library provision, even access to meals on wheels. As part of your own deliberations on reform of local government, how do you intend to address this blatant inequality?
Leighton Andrews
Of course, a lot of the inequality is driven by the record £1.5 billion-worth of cuts imposed on Wales by the party that she supports in Westminster, and which has made it very difficult indeed for local authorities within Wales to deliver the full range of services. But, of course, this Welsh Government has protected local authorities in Wales far better than her Government has protected them in England.
Zero Hours Contracts
Janet Finch-Saunders
There’s some hypocrisy going on here, because—
If, as Ed Miliband says, zero-hour contracts are incompatible with building a loyal, skilled and productive workforce, would the Minister mind telling me why do Labour-run local authorities, such as Bridgend and Swansea, run them, and why have 60 Labour MPs employed using them over the past two years?
Leighton Andrews
Well, my understanding of what she says about Members of Parliament is that it is completely incorrect, and it is propaganda being put around by her party. I completely support what the leader of the Labour Party has said in the context of zero-hours contracts, and the forthcoming Labour Government will legislate to deal with the problem.
Council Tax
Janet Finch-Saunders
12. Will the Minister make statement on council tax payable in Wales? OAQ(4)0553(PS)
Leighton Andrews
Under the Local Government Finance Act 1992, council tax is payable by 1.3 million households in Wales. More than 307,000 of these receive financial assistance under our council tax reduction schemes.
Janet Finch-Saunders
Minister, Welsh Conservatives remain consistent in calling for a council tax freeze, bringing us in line with Scotland and England. Following unfair increases of nearly another 5 per cent, our hardworking families and pensioners have now been left £201 out of pocket. Minister, how do you justify Welsh Labour’s refusal to pass over this intended funding, putting that money right back into thoes pockets where it belongs?
Leighton Andrews
Well, over 40 per cent of councils in England have refused to implement a council tax freeze, including councils run by her party. We are very clear that we will support those who need our support through the council tax reduction scheme. At the end of the day, let me remind her that average council tax in Wales is lower than the average council tax in England.