Question to Julie James after statement on Superfast Broadband

Janet Finch-Saunders

I’d really like to ask you, Deputy Minister, what steps you’re taking to ensure there is full consultation and engagement with the local community. I’m actually in touch with the chairman of Conwy County Borough Council, where they’ve put a cabinet in Dolwyddelan right in front of the chapel gates, and also in front of two planters that the community has volunteered and purchased. Despite several e-mails going back to Ann Beynon—backwards and forwards—and the local authority, there was no consultation whatsoever.

Quite rightly, the chairman of Conwy County Borough Council believed, as I did, that some recognition of historical heritage would be considered as part of the siting of these cabinets. Having now discussed their possible movement, the local community have been told that they may have to find £2,000 for this. These are volunteers. What are you doing? I will work with you on this case, but I can tell you the community of Dolwyddelan are not happy and I, as the Assembly Member, am not happy at all, because this is not the way to go about it.

Julie James

I’m afraid I can’t comment on the individual case, so I don’t know any of the details, so we’ll have to do that in correspondence between us.