Questions to the First Minister – Tuesday 4th June 2013
Janet Finch-Saunders:
First Minister, in the recent evaluation of the community cohesion strategy, there was a very strong recommendation in favour of combining and linking the work of the community cohesion workers and the Communities First programme. Do you have any intention of taking action on this, or have you already started working on it?
Carwyn Jones:
I would, of course, expect the community cohesion fora and the Communities First organisations to work together. The boundaries are not necessarily coterminous in that regard, but, inevitably, the aim of Communities First is to build strong communities. Strong communities need to ensure that there are opportunities for as many people as possible, and cohesion requires breaking down barriers to create strong communities. I would expect there to be as close a working relationship as possible.
Questions to the Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport, Wednesday 5th June 2013
Janet Finch-Saunders:
Will the Minister make a statement on the Tourism Sector in North Wales?
Edwina Hart MBE:
Tourism is a key economic driver for Wales, and it is particularly important to the north Wales economy. I shall be launching a new tourism strategy on 17 June to help to drive forward sustainable growth in tourism and ensure that we deliver jobs and wealth for the Welsh economy.
Janet Finch-Saunders:
Thank you for that, Minister, and I am glad that you have acknowledged the importance of the tourism industry. However, concerns have been raised regarding self-catering tourism operators who are unable to rent out their properties for the 70-day rule. That now means that the businesses face huge implications in terms of the switch from rates to council tax. We have seen only recently that this cost can run into thousands of pounds. I know that, as of Monday, you have set up an independent commission to look at this. Would you pledge some assurance here today that you will adopt a policy of support for these vital tourism operators, so that this does not become yet another burden for this industry?
Edwina Hart:
We have to look very carefully at burdens that are on industry all of the time. I have an open mind on this particular issue, and I am quite happy to look at the issues that you raise with me. When I have something more substantial to report I will advise Members, because we have to recognise that tourism is key to the development of the economy in certain areas in Wales. We need to ensure that the proper resource goes into this sector.