Y Cyfarfod Llawn
Plenary
08/05/2024Cynnwys
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.
Croeso, bawb, i'r Cyfarfod Llawn, a chyn inni gychwyn, fe wnaf i groesawu plant ysgol Aberaeron i'r oriel gyhoeddus heddiw. Felly, croeso i chi, blant ysgol Aberaeron. A'r eitem gyntaf fydd y cwestiynau i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Lywodraeth Leol, Tai a Chynllunio, ac mae'r cwestiwn gyntaf gan Peredur Owen Griffiths.
Welcome to this afternoon's Plenary meeting, and before we begin, I will welcome the children of ysgol Aberaeron to the public gallery today. So, a warm welcome to you. And the first item will be questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning, and the first question is from Peredur Owen Griffiths.
1. Beth yw cynllun y Llywodraeth ar gyfer gwneud tomenni glo categori C a D yn ddiogel yn Nwyrain De Cymru? OQ61055
1. What is the Government's plan for making category C and D coal tips safe in South Wales East? OQ61055
Thank you. The Welsh Government has made a significant investment in the safety of coal tips, introducing a regular inspection and monitoring regime and by making £44.4 million available for maintenance since 2022. We will modernise our legislation through the new disused tips Bill, due to be introduced to the Senedd in the autumn.
Diolch. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi buddsoddi'n sylweddol yn niogelwch tomenni glo, gan gyflwyno trefn arolygu a monitro reolaidd a thrwy ddarparu £44.4 miliwn ar gyfer gwaith cynnal a chadw ers 2022. Byddwn yn moderneiddio ein deddfwriaeth drwy’r Bil tomenni nas defnyddir newydd, sydd i’w gyflwyno i'r Senedd yn yr hydref.
Diolch yn fawr am yr ateb yna.
Thank you very much for that response.
Coal tip safety is a massive issue in my region due to the heavy industrial heritage. It’s regrettable that the Westminster Government, both under Tory and Labour control, never made these areas safe for our communities when they had the chance. There is a proposal to extract coal from some of the tips at the former Bedwas colliery and to remediate them in the process. However, the category D tip that is closest to people’s homes—literally just outside the back garden of a long row of homes—is not being touched. This tip is apparently in private ownership. Cabinet Secretary, do you agree with me that land ownership should not be the primary concern when it comes to guaranteeing the safety of the people we represent? How is the Government working to overcome legal barriers for the sake of our former coal mining communities, and how is the Government assuring itself that any remedial work carried out in our communities is driven by safety and not profit?
Mae diogelwch tomenni glo yn broblem enfawr yn fy rhanbarth i oherwydd treftadaeth y diwydiannau trwm. Mae’n destun gofid na wnaeth Llywodraeth San Steffan, o dan reolaeth y Torïaid a Llafur, erioed mo'r ardaloedd hyn yn ddiogel i’n cymunedau pan gawsant gyfle i wneud hynny. Mae cynnig wedi'i wneud i gloddio am lo mewn rhai o'r tomenni yn hen lofa Bedwas a'u hadfer yn y broses. Fodd bynnag, nid yw'r domen categori D sydd agosaf at gartrefi pobl—yn llythrennol y tu allan i erddi cefn rhes hir o gartrefi—yn cael ei chyffwrdd. Mae'n debyg fod y domen hon mewn perchnogaeth breifat. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a ydych chi'n cytuno â mi nad perchnogaeth ar dir a ddylai fod y prif bryder o ran gwarantu diogelwch y bobl rydym yn eu cynrychioli? Sut mae’r Llywodraeth yn gweithio i oresgyn rhwystrau cyfreithiol er lles ein hen gymunedau glofaol, a sut mae’r Llywodraeth yn sicrhau mai diogelwch ac nid elw sy’n llywio unrhyw waith adfer a wneir yn ein cymunedau?
Yes, thank you very much. So, there’s a complex set of things to discuss there. So, the categorisation of the tips is done through the inspection regime. I can absolutely assure you categorically that it doesn’t make any difference who owns that tip. One of the things that the Bill that will be introduced to the Senedd this autumn and which I hope will pass—we’ll obviously go through the process and we’ll have some robust discussions, I’m sure—one of the things that that Bill is proposing to do is set up a supervisory authority for disused tips, not just coal tips, but all mineral tips—there are quite a few diverse tips in Wales—and that will be blind to the ownership of those tips. It will be a regime for disused tips.
There is a different regime for ongoing mining. One of the big things that we’ll have to do when we introduce the Bill is to make sure that the regimes marry up so that nobody—forgive the vague pun—slips through the cracks of them, and that the Mines and Quarries Act 1954, which governs the current mining operations, dovetails nicely with the disused operation. And at what point people swap between one or the other will be one of the things that the Bill deals with. So, we are very keen to make sure that it is ownership-blind and so on.
In terms of remediation, we have a very long way to go in terms of a remediation programme. Some tips, of course, have been remediated in Wales, but not many. We have had robust discussions with the UK Government about their contribution. We’ve asked them for £20 million to contribute to the inspection and maintenance regime at this point and to contribute to a study on what we would need to do in the future, and, unfortunately, they’ve refused to do that. I think it’s clearly a moral obligation by the UK Government to assist the devolved Government in Wales to help our people come to terms with their industrial heritage. There’s a rich cultural heritage of course, but it has a large number of other issues. And it’s about 40 per cent of the previous mining industry for the UK, whereas we’re 5 per cent of the population and 5 per cent of the budget. It seems to me there’s a clear moral imperative that the UK Government should assist us to come to terms with that heritage.
Ie, diolch yn fawr iawn. Felly, mae set gymhleth o bethau i’w trafod yma. Felly, caiff y gwaith o gategoreiddio tomenni ei wneud drwy'r drefn arolygu. Gallaf roi sicrwydd llwyr i chi nad yw’n gwneud unrhyw wahaniaeth pwy sy’n berchen ar y domen honno. Un o’r pethau y bydd y Bil a fydd yn cael ei gyflwyno i’r Senedd yr hydref hwn ac yn cael ei basio, gobeithio—byddwn yn mynd drwy'r broses a byddwn yn cael trafodaethau trylwyr, rwy'n siŵr—un o'r pethau y mae'r Bil hwnnw'n cynnig eu gwneud yw sefydlu awdurdod goruchwylio ar gyfer tomenni nas defnyddir, nid tomenni glo yn unig, ond pob tomen fwynau—mae cryn dipyn o domenni gwahanol yng Nghymru—ac fe fydd yn ddall i berchnogaeth ar y tomenni hynny. Bydd yn drefn ar gyfer tomenni nas defnyddir.
Mae trefn wahanol ar gyfer mwyngloddio parhaus. Un o'r pethau mawr y bydd yn rhaid i ni eu gwneud pan fyddwn yn cyflwyno'r Bil yw sicrhau bod y cyfundrefnau'n gyson fel nad oes unrhyw un—maddeuwch y mwyseirio gwan—yn llithro drwy'r bylchau rhyngddynt, a bod y Ddeddf Mwyngloddiau a Chwareli 1954, sy'n rheoli'r gweithrediadau mwyngloddio presennol, yn cydblethu'n dda â'r gwaith ar domenni nas defnyddir. A bydd y cwestiwn ynghylch ar ba bwynt y bydd pobl yn cyfnewid rhwng y naill neu'r llall yn un o'r pethau y bydd y Bil yn ymdrin â nhw. Felly, rydym yn awyddus iawn i sicrhau y bydd yn ddall i berchnogaeth ac ati.
O ran adfer, mae gennym ffordd bell iawn i fynd o ran rhaglen adfer. Mae rhai tomenni, wrth gwrs, wedi cael eu hadfer yng Nghymru, ond dim llawer. Rydym wedi cael trafodaethau cadarn gyda Llywodraeth y DU ynglŷn â'u cyfraniad. Rydym wedi gofyn iddynt gyfrannu £20 miliwn at y drefn arolygu a chynnal a chadw ar hyn o bryd ac i gyfrannu at astudiaeth o’r hyn y byddai angen i ni ei wneud yn y dyfodol, ac yn anffodus, maent wedi gwrthod gwneud hynny. Credaf ei bod yn amlwg yn rhwymedigaeth foesol ar Lywodraeth y DU i gynorthwyo’r Llywodraeth ddatganoledig yng Nghymru i helpu ein pobl i ddod i delerau â’u treftadaeth ddiwydiannol. Mae gennym dreftadaeth ddiwylliannol gyfoethog wrth gwrs, ond mae nifer fawr o faterion eraill ynghlwm wrth hyn. Ac mae oddeutu 40 y cant o’r diwydiant mwyngloddio blaenorol yn y DU, ond rydym yn 5 y cant o’r boblogaeth, ac rydym yn cael 5 y cant o’r gyllideb. Ymddengys i mi fod rheidrwydd moesol clir y dylai Llywodraeth y DU ein cynorthwyo i ddod i delerau â’r dreftadaeth honno.
Cabinet Secretary, I represent a lot of people who live near coal tips and, quite frankly, many of the communities do actually live in constant worry and fear. Ultimately, the Welsh Government is responsible for coal tip safety and has received, as you mentioned previously, millions of pounds to tackle this issue from the UK Conservative Government. And I feel that we need to see this Government going forward with legislation urgently to establish a new body that would then deliver remediation work of disused tips, opencast mines and other post-industrial sites. The Welsh Conservatives are ready to work with a new Government on this important piece of work and it did become apparent that just over £44 million has been made available for coal tip maintenance by the Welsh Government from 2022 to 2025, yet, as far as I'm aware, no plans have been announced for funding post 2025. I appreciate how you just responded to the Member for South Wales East, Peredur Owen Griffiths, but I just wanted to know, Cabinet Secretary, what happens when 2025 arrives and the funding ceases. Will a fresh package of measures be brought forward by this Welsh Government? Thank you.
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, rwy'n cynrychioli llawer o bobl sy'n byw ger tomenni glo, ac a dweud y gwir, mae llawer o'r cymunedau'n byw mewn ofn a phryder parhaus. Yn y pen draw, Llywodraeth Cymru sy’n gyfrifol am ddiogelwch tomenni glo, ac mae wedi cael miliynau o bunnoedd, fel y dywedoch chi, gan Lywodraeth Geidwadol y DU i fynd i’r afael â’r mater hwn. Ac rwy’n teimlo bod angen inni weld y Llywodraeth hon yn bwrw ymlaen â deddfwriaeth ar fyrder i sefydlu corff newydd a fyddai wedyn yn cyflawni gwaith adfer ar domenni nas defnyddir, mwyngloddiau brig a safleoedd ôl-ddiwydiannol eraill. Mae’r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig yn barod i weithio gyda Llywodraeth newydd ar y gwaith pwysig hwn, a daeth yn amlwg fod ychydig dros £44 miliwn wedi’i ddarparu ar gyfer cynnal a chadw tomenni glo gan Lywodraeth Cymru rhwng 2022 a 2025, ond eto, hyd y gwn i, nid oes unrhyw gynlluniau wedi’u cyhoeddi ar gyfer cyllid ar ôl 2025. Rwy’n derbyn eich bod newydd ymateb i’r Aelod dros Ddwyrain De Cymru, Peredur Owen Griffiths, ond hoffwn wybod, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, beth sy’n digwydd pan fydd 2025 yn cyrraedd a’r cyllid yn dod i ben. A fydd pecyn newydd o fesurau'n cael ei gyflwyno gan Lywodraeth Cymru? Diolch.
Well, I think that's just a fundamental misunderstanding of how the Government does its budgets, frankly. We will be bringing forward the legislation in the autumn, as I have just said. The UK Government has not seen fit to contribute in any way to that, which is an outrage, in my view. I don't think that the communities that you represent, Natasha Asghar, should be feeling worry about the situation. We are the first country in the UK, the first Government in the UK, to have published the A, B and R category tip locations—we did that back in March. We'd already published the C and D tips. That's more information than anyone else would have anywhere else in the UK. Those tips are under an inspection and maintenance regime. They're not under remediation, because that would cost hundreds of millions of pounds, and, as I just explained in answering Peredur, we absolutely need the UK Government to step up to its moral obligation. There is no conceivable way that a Government for 5 per cent of the population of the UK should be dealing with 40 per cent of the industrial heritage.
Wel, credaf eich bod yn dangos camddealltwriaeth sylfaenol o sut mae’r Llywodraeth yn pennu ei chyllidebau, a dweud y gwir. Byddwn yn cyflwyno’r ddeddfwriaeth yn yr hydref, fel rwyf newydd ei ddweud. Nid yw Llywodraeth y DU yn bwriadu cyfrannu at hynny mewn unrhyw ffordd, sy’n warthus, yn fy marn i. Ni chredaf y dylai’r cymunedau rydych yn eu cynrychioli, Natasha Asghar, fod yn pryderu am y sefyllfa. Ni yw’r wlad gyntaf yn y DU, y Llywodraeth gyntaf yn y DU, i gyhoeddi lleoliadau tomenni categori A, B a R—gwnaethom hynny yn ôl ym mis Mawrth. Roeddem eisoes wedi cyhoeddi'r tomenni C a D. Mae hynny'n fwy o wybodaeth nag a fyddai gan unrhyw un arall yn unrhyw le arall yn y DU. Mae'r tomenni hynny o dan drefn archwilio a chynnal a chadw. Nid ydynt yn cael eu hadfer, gan y byddai hynny'n costio cannoedd o filiynau o bunnoedd, ac fel yr esboniais wrth ateb Peredur, mae gwir angen i Lywodraeth y DU gyflawni ei rhwymedigaeth foesol. Nid oes unrhyw ffordd ddichonadwy y dylai Llywodraeth ar gyfer 5 y cant o boblogaeth y DU fod yn ymdrin â 40 y cant o’r dreftadaeth ddiwydiannol.
I think that we should make an effort to reassure people in Bedwas that category D does not necessarily mean immediate risk, and that the tip is subject, because it's category D, to a very rigorous monthly inspection regime. That's all I'll say about Bedwas because I know that the Minister might have, in future, a mediating role in the planning process. But I'll ask more generally: we have to say that the opportunities for remediation come along rarely, and, when they do, we need to approach them, even if they come from the private sector, with an open mind, providing, and would she agree this is the case, they have to be subject to the same rigorous planning process as a public sector application would equally be?
Credaf y dylem wneud ymdrech i roi sicrwydd i bobl ym Medwas nad yw categori D o reidrwydd yn golygu risg uniongyrchol, a bod y domen yn destun, gan ei bod yn gategori D, trefn arolygu fisol drylwyr iawn. Dyna'r cyfan rwyf am ei ddweud ynglŷn â Bedwas, gan y gwn y gallai fod gan y Gweinidog, yn y dyfodol, rôl gyfryngu yn y broses gynllunio. Ond gofynnaf yn fwy cyffredinol: mae’n rhaid inni ddweud mai anaml y bydd cyfleoedd i adfer yn codi, a phan fyddant yn codi, mae angen i ni eu hystyried gyda meddwl agored, hyd yn oed os ydynt yn dod o’r sector preifat, ar yr amod, a tybed a fyddai'n cytuno, eu bod yn destun yr un broses gynllunio drwyadl ag y byddai cais gan y sector cyhoeddus?
Yes, absolutely. The planning system is blind to whether the application is from a public or private sector individual. I'm not going to comment on any individual planning application, but, in general, the planning system is blind to that, and we would of course expect any planning application that came forward to conform to all of the health and safety and longevity regimes that we expect, and also to conform with all of the policies of Government, as outlined in 'Future Wales' and 'Planning Policy Wales'. That is the same hurdle for everyone who brings forward a solution of that sort. We're also prepared to work with anyone who has a potential solution, but they would of course have to meet all of the requirements of the regime.
Byddwn, yn sicr. Mae'r system gynllunio yn ddall i p'un a yw'r cais gan unigolyn o'r sector cyhoeddus neu breifat. Nid wyf am wneud sylw ar unrhyw gais cynllunio unigol, ond yn gyffredinol, mae'r system gynllunio yn ddall i hynny, a byddem wrth gwrs yn disgwyl i unrhyw gais cynllunio a gyflwynir gydymffurfio â’r holl gyfundrefnau iechyd a diogelwch a hirhoedledd yr ydym yn eu disgwyl, a hefyd i gydymffurfio â holl bolisïau’r Llywodraeth, fel yr amlinellir yn 'Cymru’r Dyfodol' a 'Polisi Cynllunio Cymru'. Dyna'r un rhwystr i bawb sy’n cyflwyno ateb o’r fath. Rydym hefyd yn barod i weithio gydag unrhyw un sydd ag ateb posibl, ond wrth gwrs, byddai'n rhaid iddynt fodloni holl ofynion y gyfundrefn.
Can I congratulate the Cabinet Secretary on the very careful and detailed work she undertook in order to be able to release to residents of South Wales East the location of those category C and D coal tips? Can she confirm that the Secretary of State for Wales reneged on a commitment to be a joint signatory of the letter than informed local residents of the location of those tips? When does she expect to be in a position to publish the location of tips in categories A and B? And what is her assessment of the chances that the Secretary of State for Wales can be brought to discharge his responsibilities on that occasion?
A gaf i longyfarch Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ar y gwaith gofalus a manwl iawn a wnaeth er mwyn gallu rhoi gwybod i drigolion Dwyrain De Cymru am leoliad y tomenni glo categori C a D hynny? A all gadarnhau bod Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru wedi torri ei ymrwymiad i fod yn un o gyd-lofnodwyr y llythyr i roi gwybod i'r trigolion lleol am leoliad y tomenni hynny? Pryd mae'n disgwyl bod mewn sefyllfa i gyhoeddi lleoliad y tomenni yng nghategorïau A a B? A beth yw ei hasesiad o'r posibilrwydd y gellir sicrhau bod Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru yn cyflawni ei gyfrifoldebau ar yr adeg honno?
Thank you very much, Mark Drakeford, for that. We worked very hard together on what was a very complex set of proposals. It was very important indeed, as I'm sure you remember, to be absolutely accurate in releasing that information. We went through a long process of verification of that, the accuracy of that information, because we wanted very much to ensure that communities got the right information and they had the right understanding of what that information meant, and what they should do about it, and I think that that process went very well in the end. The Secretary of State, very sadly, would not sign that letter. I have had a meeting with him subsequently. Most of the meeting was taken up with his understanding of how that happened and my understanding, which were entirely different. I had a string of e-mails with which I was able to evidence my understanding of how that happened. We have actually just released, just in March, the A, B and R category tip locations. That was done by the Welsh Government; it wasn't done in conjunction.
Diolch yn fawr, Mark Drakeford. Buom yn gweithio'n galed iawn gyda'n gilydd ar gyfres gymhleth iawn o gynigion. Roedd yn bwysig iawn inni fod yn gwbl fanwl gywir wrth ryddhau'r wybodaeth honno, fel y cofiwch rwy’n siŵr. Fe aethom drwy broses hir o wirio cywirdeb y wybodaeth honno, gan ein bod yn awyddus iawn i sicrhau bod cymunedau’n cael y wybodaeth gywir a bod ganddynt y ddealltwriaeth gywir o ystyr y wybodaeth honno, a’r hyn y dylent ei wneud yn ei chylch, a chredaf fod y broses honno wedi mynd yn dda iawn yn y pen draw. Yn anffodus, nid oedd yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol yn fodlon llofnodi’r llythyr hwnnw. Rwyf wedi cael cyfarfod ag ef ers hynny. Roedd y rhan fwyaf o'r cyfarfod yn ymwneud â'i ddealltwriaeth ef o sut y digwyddodd hynny a fy nealltwriaeth innau, a oedd yn hollol wahanol. Roedd gennyf gyfres o e-byst y bu modd i mi eu defnyddio fel tystiolaeth o fy nealltwriaeth i o sut y digwyddodd hynny. Mewn gwirionedd, rydym newydd gyhoeddi lleoliadau'r tomenni categori A, B a R ym mis Mawrth. Gwnaed hynny gan Lywodraeth Cymru; ni chafodd ei wneud ar y cyd.
2. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ddatganiad am adeiladu tai yng Nghanolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru? OQ61051
2. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on house building in Mid and West Wales? OQ61051
Diolch, Cefin. We are committed to increasing housing supply, ensuring people have homes that meet their needs now and in the future. Our programme for government commits to delivering 20,000 additional homes for rent in the social sector. Support for market housing is also an important part of our housing toolkit.
Diolch, Cefin. Rydym wedi ymrwymo i gynyddu’r cyflenwad tai, gan sicrhau bod gan bobl gartrefi sy’n diwallu eu hanghenion nawr ac yn y dyfodol. Mae ein rhaglen lywodraethu yn ymrwymo i ddarparu 20,000 o gartrefi ychwanegol i’w rhentu yn y sector cymdeithasol. Mae cymorth ar gyfer tai'r farchnad agored hefyd yn rhan bwysig o'n pecyn cymorth tai.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Mae'n ddiddorol eich bod chi'n sôn am adeiladu tai, achos dwi'n siŵr eich bod chi'n ymwybodol iawn fod nifer o ddatblygiadau tai yn nalgylchoedd afonydd megis Cleddau, Wysg, Teifi a Thywi wedi eu rhoi ar stop o ganlyniad i'r rheoliadau ffosffadau. Rŷn ni, wrth gwrs, i gyd yn cefnogi'r angen am afonydd glân, dilygredd, ond mae'n amlwg bod y rheoliadau hyn, a'r amwyster o'u hamgylch nhw, yn cael effaith fawr ar allu awdurdodau lleol, a Llywodraeth Cymru mewn gwirionedd, i wireddu nifer o gynlluniau pwysig, fel adeiladu tai fforddiadwy—roeddech chi'n sôn amdanyn nhw—a chynlluniau datblygu economaidd. Rwy'n ymwybodol bod nifer o gyfarfodydd wedi bod rhwng y Llywodraeth a rhanddeiliaid megis Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf i drafod y ffordd ymlaen, ond mae'r moratoriwm presennol yn parhau i fod yn rhwystredigaeth i gymaint o wahanol bobl. A gaf i ofyn, felly, am ddiweddariad ar y cynnydd sydd yn cael ei wneud ynglŷn â'r mater yma, er mwyn sicrhau cydbwysedd rhwng ein cyfrifoldebau amgylcheddol ni a'n huchelgais i ddatblygu yn yr ardaloedd hyn? A phryd gallwn ni ddisgwyl i'r moratoriwm ddod i ben?
Thank you very much. It's interesting that you mention house building, because I'm sure that you will be well aware that there are a number of housing developments in river catchment areas, such as Cleddau, Usk, Teifi and Towy that have been put on hold as a result of the phosphates regulations. We all, of course, support the need for clean, unpolluted rivers, but it's clear that these regulations, and the ambiguity surrounding them, are having a major impact on the ability of local authorities, and the Welsh Government, in truth, to deliver a number of important schemes, such as building affordable homes, which you've just mentioned, and economic development schemes. I'm aware that a number of meetings have been held between the Welsh Government and stakeholders such as Natural Resources Wales over the past few years to discuss the way forward, but the current moratorium continues to be a source of frustration for many different people. Could I, therefore, ask for an update on the progress being made on this issue, in order to ensure a balance between our environmental responsibilities and our ambition to develop in these areas? And when can we expect the moratorium to come to an end?
Thank you very much for that. That is, indeed, a very complex situation. In fact, we've been able to work right down to individual site level right across Wales, to understand the impact on each site of the phosphate levels in the surrounding area, and where the sewage from the new build housing might go, how it would be treated and so on, and what effect that would have on phosphate levels in the various rivers that we have in Wales. In some sites in Wales, we've been able to release the sites because we've come up with solutions that have enabled us to do so, but that's not the case everywhere. The previous First Minister put in place a summit process, as it's called, where we bring together all of the stakeholders who are people who contribute to phosphates in our society. It's very odd in Wales, because phosphates are actually pretty rare in most places in the world, but here we have an abundance. So, one of the things we'd very much like to do is figure out a way to turn it into a product rather than waste. So, that's part of what we're doing.
But the previous First Minister was very clear with each sector that what they had to do was look to how they could put their own—forgive the pun—house in order, and not be pointing across the room and saying, 'Well, it's all to do with' whichever other stakeholder was in the room. That has been a very successful process. We have an action plan that we're taking forward. It has allowed us to already release some of the housing sites, not all of them. We continue to work with the better river management boards, and the river nutrient management boards, in a process that allows us to understand what the nutrient levels in each of the rivers are, what the precise problem in that river is. And it's a huge range. For most of the rivers, agricultural run-off is one of the worst problems. It's not the case everywhere, though. We have recently announced—. When I was in my previous role, I announced an end to the source-to-sea review of the Teifi, for example. The highest polluter level there is combined sewage outflows and water quality, but that's not the case everywhere, and it has necessitated a granular approach right down to a site-level basis.
So, I've asked my colleague Jack Sargeant to do a piece of work for me in the Government on land supply, to bring together a group of stakeholders across Wales, to build on the work that's already happening. We're currently in the process of exchanging information about how that might work, because we, as part of the co-operation agreement as well—. And I've worked with my colleague, Siân Gwenllian, on this on a number of occasions, on how to increase the housing supply, and the supply of land on which you can build housing has been part of that. We're also working with each of the planning authorities across Wales on their local development plans, asking them to renew their local housing management assessment—local housing market assessment, to get my acronyms right—and we have good coverage right across Wales of LDPs, which is very helpful, and we can then interrogate where the housing sites are allocated and what the issue on each site is, so that we can bring forward the housing in good order, and make sure that we build the homes that we need.
We do rely on the private sector to deliver some social homes, but we also build quite a few via our registered social landlords and our stock-holding councils. And it's very important to understand how the planning system is working alongside the phosphate and environmental quality system, because, as you rightly said, what we want is a balance. We don't want to build the houses at the expense of our environment; we want to make sure that we live in harmony with our environment and build the houses that we so badly need.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am hynny. Mae honno’n sefyllfa gymhleth iawn yn wir. Mewn gwirionedd, rydym wedi gallu gweithio hyd at lefel safleoedd unigol ledled Cymru i ddeall effaith lefelau ffosffad ar bob safle yn yr ardal gyfagos, ac i ble y gallai'r carthion o'r tai newydd sy'n cael eu hadeiladu fynd, sut y byddent yn cael eu trin ac yn y blaen, a pha effaith y byddai hynny’n ei chael ar lefelau ffosffad yn y gwahanol afonydd sydd gennym yng Nghymru. Mewn rhai safleoedd yng Nghymru, rydym wedi gallu rhyddhau'r safleoedd gan ein bod wedi dod o hyd i atebion sydd wedi ein galluogi i wneud hynny, ond nid yw hynny'n wir ym mhobman. Rhoddodd y cyn-Brif Weinidog broses uwchgynhadledd ar waith, fel y’i gelwir, lle down ynghyd â’r holl randdeiliaid sy’n bobl sy’n cyfrannu at ffosffadau yn ein cymdeithas. Mae'n rhyfedd iawn yng Nghymru, gan fod ffosffadau mewn gwirionedd yn eithaf prin yn y rhan fwyaf o leoedd yn y byd, ond yma, mae gennym lefelau uchel iawn. Felly, un o'r pethau yr hoffem yn fawr iawn eu gwneud yw darganfod ffordd i'w droi'n gynnyrch yn hytrach na gwastraff. Felly, mae hynny'n rhan o'r hyn a wnawn.
Ond dywedodd y cyn-Brif Weinidog yn glir iawn wrth bob sector mai’r hyn roedd yn rhaid iddynt ei wneud oedd edrych ar sut y gallent roi trefn ar eu tai eu hunain—maddeuwch y mwyseirio—a pheidio â phwyntio ar draws yr ystafell a dweud, 'Wel, mae hyn yn ymwneud â' pha randdeiliad bynnag arall a oedd yn yr ystafell. Mae honno wedi bod yn broses lwyddiannus iawn. Mae gennym gynllun gweithredu yr ydym yn bwrw ymlaen ag ef. Mae wedi caniatáu inni ryddhau rhai o’r safleoedd tai eisoes, nid pob un ohonynt. Rydym yn parhau i weithio gyda’r byrddau rheoli gwella ansawdd afonydd, a’r byrddau rheoli maethynnau afonydd, mewn proses sy’n caniatáu inni ddeall beth yw’r lefelau maethynnau ym mhob un o’r afonydd, beth yw’r union broblem yn yr afon honno. Ac mae'n ystod enfawr. Ar gyfer y rhan fwyaf o'r afonydd, dŵr ffo amaethyddol yw un o'r problemau gwaethaf. Nid yw hynny'n wir ym mhobman, serch hynny. Rydym wedi cyhoeddi yn ddiweddar—. Pan oeddwn yn fy rôl flaenorol, cyhoeddais ddiwedd ar yr adolygiad o'r tarddiad i'r môr o afon Teifi, er enghraifft. Y lefel llygredd uchaf yno yw gorlifoedd carthffosiaeth gyfun ac ansawdd dŵr, ond nid yw hynny’n wir ym mhobman, ac mae wedi golygu bod angen dull gweithredu manwl ar gyfer pob safle.
Felly, rwyf wedi gofyn i fy nghyd-Aelod Jack Sargeant wneud gwaith i mi yn y Llywodraeth ar gyflenwad tir, i ddod ynghyd â grŵp o randdeiliaid ledled Cymru, i adeiladu ar y gwaith sydd eisoes yn mynd rhagddo. Rydym yn y broses o gyfnewid gwybodaeth ynglŷn â sut y gallai hynny weithio, gan ein bod, fel rhan o'r cytundeb cydweithio hefyd—. Ac rwyf wedi gweithio gyda fy nghyd-Aelod Siân Gwenllian ar hyn sawl gwaith, ar sut i gynyddu’r cyflenwad tai, ac mae’r cyflenwad o dir y gallwch adeiladu tai arno wedi bod yn rhan o hynny. Rydym hefyd yn gweithio gyda phob un o'r awdurdodau cynllunio ledled Cymru ar eu cynlluniau datblygu lleol, gan ofyn iddynt adnewyddu eu hasesiadau o'r farchnad dai leol, ac mae gennym CDLlau ar gyfer pob rhan o Gymru, sy'n ddefnyddiol iawn, a gallwn gwestiynu felly ble mae'r safleoedd tai wedi'u dyrannu a beth yw'r broblem ar bob safle, fel y gallwn ddarparu'r tai mewn da bryd, a sicrhau ein bod yn adeiladu'r cartrefi sydd eu hangen arnom.
Rydym yn dibynnu ar y sector preifat i ddarparu rhai cartrefi cymdeithasol, ond rydym hefyd yn adeiladu cryn dipyn ohonynt drwy ein landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig a'n cynghorau sy’n dal stoc dai. Ac mae'n bwysig iawn deall sut mae'r system gynllunio yn gweithio ochr yn ochr â'r system ansawdd amgylcheddol a ffosffadau, oherwydd, fel y dywedoch chi'n gwbl briodol, yr hyn rydym yn dymuno'i weld yw cydbwysedd. Nid ydym am adeiladu'r tai ar draul ein hamgylchedd; rydym am sicrhau ein bod yn byw mewn cytgord â’n hamgylchedd ac yn adeiladu’r tai y mae eu hangen arnom yn daer.
Cabinet Secretary, I've been speaking to the industry and house builders recently, and one of the issues they highlight in terms of why we cannot build houses is the lack of available skills across Wales to actually get those homes developed. I know this doesn't sit within your portfolio directly, but it is a cross-Government issue, about getting more bricklayers, plumbers, carpenters into those trades so that we can build homes. So, I'd be interested to know, Cabinet Secretary, what work you are doing across Government to make sure that we have that workforce available in the future, so we can build the homes in Wales that people want and need.
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, rwyf wedi bod yn siarad â’r diwydiant ac adeiladwyr tai yn ddiweddar, ac un o’r problemau y maent yn eu nodi o ran pam na allwn adeiladu tai yw’r diffyg sgiliau sydd ar gael ledled Cymru i ddatblygu’r cartrefi hynny. Gwn nad yw hyn yn rhan uniongyrchol o'ch portffolio, ond mae'n fater trawslywodraethol sy'n ymwneud â chael mwy o osodwyr brics, plymwyr, seiri yn y crefftau hynny fel y gallwn adeiladu cartrefi. Felly, hoffwn wybod, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, pa waith rydych chi'n ei wneud ar draws y Llywodraeth i sicrhau bod y gweithlu hwnnw ar gael i ni yn y dyfodol, fel y gallwn adeiladu'r cartrefi y mae pobl Cymru eu heisiau a'u hangen.
Good question.
Cwestiwn da.
Yes, a very good question, and it's something we've been working on for quite some time. My colleague, Joyce Watson, has been working for a very long time in the construction sector, trying to make sure that we take advantage of a very diverse population, particularly getting more women into construction. So, that's something she's been championing for quite some time.
I've had this portfolio for quite some time, even though I've got a slightly different mix of portfolios, and we've worked right across the Welsh Government on the skills issue. We've also worked with the developers, to make sure that the model of employment that they have attracts people. And I'm pleased to say that some of the major housebuilders have really changed their model of employment recently. So, one of the things we saw, when I first started in the portfolio—it was about six-and-a-half years ago—is we saw quite a lot of self-employed people. So, you'd have apprentices who had no job to go to, there was no career route for them and so on. So, I've worked hard with the major housebuilders to understand the issue, and, actually, to make them see that they're actually creating their own problem to some extent. I can't say all of them have done this, but many of them have gone to a direct employment model, and that has really helped.
The last thing that has really helped is the growth of modern methods of construction, which is a way of producing housing in factories. And that means that a much more widely diverse workforce can do that, because it's at ground level, it's indoors and so on, and it's only with the last piece, when it goes up on site, that you're out in all weathers and so on. We've been able to diversify the workforce. The cross-party group has done a lot of work on this as well, and that has worked across Wales. But really what we need to do is make sure that our youngsters have an industry that they want to go into, that has the right kind of remuneration and career path for them. It's no good enjoining people that what they should do is go into very poor self-employment with inadequate career opportunities. So, it is about the way we work with the industry, as well as the skills sector in Wales.
Ie, cwestiwn da iawn, ac mae’n rhywbeth rydym wedi bod yn gweithio arno ers peth amser. Mae fy nghyd-Aelod, Joyce Watson, wedi bod yn gweithio ers amser maith yn y sector adeiladu, yn ceisio sicrhau ein bod yn manteisio ar boblogaeth amrywiol iawn, yn enwedig annog mwy o fenywod i faes adeiladu. Felly, rhywbeth y mae wedi bod yn ei hyrwyddo ers peth amser.
Rwyf wedi bod yn gyfrifol am y portffolio hwn ers peth amser, er bod gennyf gymysgedd ychydig yn wahanol o bortffolios, ac rydym wedi gweithio ar draws Llywodraeth Cymru ar fater sgiliau. Rydym hefyd wedi gweithio gyda'r datblygwyr i sicrhau bod y model cyflogaeth sydd ganddynt yn denu pobl. Ac rwy'n falch o ddweud bod rhai o'r prif adeiladwyr tai wedi newid eu model cyflogaeth yn ddiweddar. Felly, un o'r pethau a welsom, pan ddechreuais yn y portffolio gyntaf—oddeutu chwe blynedd a hanner yn ôl—oedd cryn dipyn o bobl hunangyflogedig. Felly, byddai gennych brentisiaid heb unrhyw swyddi i fynd iddynt, dim llwybrau gyrfa ar eu cyfer ac ati. Felly, rwyf wedi gweithio'n galed gyda'r prif adeiladwyr tai i ddeall y broblem, ac i wneud iddynt weld eu bod yn creu eu problem eu hunain i ryw raddau. Ni allaf ddweud bod pob un ohonynt wedi gwneud hyn, ond mae llawer ohonynt wedi newid i fodel cyflogaeth uniongyrchol, ac mae hynny wedi helpu'n fawr.
Y peth olaf sydd wedi helpu'n fawr yw twf dulliau adeiladu modern, sy’n ffordd o gynhyrchu tai mewn ffatrïoedd. A golyga hynny y gall gweithlu llawer mwy amrywiol wneud hynny, gan ei fod ar lefel y ddaear, mae o dan do ac ati, a dim ond gyda'r darn olaf, pan fydd yr adeilad yn cael ei godi ar y safle, y byddwch chi allan ym mhob tywydd ac yn y blaen. Rydym wedi gallu sicrhau amrywiaeth yn y gweithlu. Mae’r grŵp trawsbleidiol wedi gwneud llawer o waith ar hyn hefyd, ac mae hynny wedi gweithio ledled Cymru. Ond yr hyn y mae gwir angen i ni ei wneud yw sicrhau bod gan ein pobl ifanc ddiwydiant y maent am fynd iddo, sydd â chyflogau a llwybr gyrfa addas ar eu cyfer. Nid oes diben ceisio darbwyllo pobl mai'r hyn y dylent ei wneud yw mynd i hunangyflogaeth wael iawn gyda chyfleoedd gyrfa annigonol. Felly, mae'n ymwneud â’r ffordd y gweithiwn gyda’r diwydiant, yn ogystal â’r sector sgiliau yng Nghymru.
Good afternoon, Cabinet Secretary. It's good to hear about the group that's going to be led by Jack Sargeant. Hopefully, that would include people from all parts of Wales and cross-party, because I think there is a lot of concern around the use of land and how we can develop that. So, I look forward to more details on that. I do thank Cefin for raising the issue.
One issue I wanted to focus in on was homelessness—they're all interconnected—and particularly rural homelessness, which can sometimes be an invisible issue, one that isn't really included, and manifests itself, given the challenges in our rural areas. Within Powys, for example, 59 out of every 10,000 households were unintentionally homeless last year, which is a rise of 49 per cent on the previous year. And they are all interconnected with the lack of affordable housing. Just touching base on the homelessness White Paper as well, it doesn't mention rural homelessness at all; it just really explores the issues around homelessness. But it is a very unique issue. So, I just wondered what consideration you'd given to address the specific challenges of rural homelessness, as part of your broad homelessness strategy. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Prynhawn da, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Mae’n dda clywed am y grŵp sy’n mynd i gael ei arwain gan Jack Sargeant. Bydd yn cynnwys pobl o bob rhan o Gymru ac yn drawsbleidiol, gobeithio, gan y credaf fod llawer o bryder ynghylch y defnydd o dir a sut y gallwn ddatblygu hynny. Felly, edrychaf ymlaen at ragor o fanylion am hynny. Diolch i Cefin am godi’r mater.
Un mater roeddwn am ganolbwyntio arno oedd digartrefedd—maent oll yn gysylltiedig—ac yn enwedig digartrefedd gwledig, a all fod yn fater anweledig weithiau, un nad yw fel arfer yn cael ei gynnwys, ac sy'n dod yn fwy amlwg, o ystyried yr heriau yn ein hardaloedd gwledig. Ym Mhowys, er enghraifft, roedd 59 o bob 10,000 o aelwydydd yn ddigartref yn anfwriadol y llynedd, sy’n gynnydd o 49 y cant ar y flwyddyn flaenorol. Ac mae pob un ohonynt yn gysylltiedig â diffyg tai fforddiadwy. Gan gyfeirio at y Papur Gwyn ar ddigartrefedd hefyd, nid yw’n sôn o gwbl am ddigartrefedd gwledig, dim ond archwilio'r materion sy'n ymwneud â digartrefedd. Ond mae'n fater unigryw iawn. Felly, tybed pa ystyriaeth a roddwyd gennych i fynd i'r afael â heriau penodol digartrefedd gwledig, fel rhan o'ch strategaeth ddigartrefedd gyffredinol. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Yes, thank you. And you're right, of course, different communities throw up different challenges in terms of finding a secure, safe home for everyone, and it is very important to find the right home. It's not just about four walls and a roof. That's why I was very pleased to be able to increase the housing support grant, because a lot of the work that the housing support workers do is actually keeping people in their homes in the first place. The new homelessness legislation we will introduce is very much looking at how we can make sure that people stay in sustainable housing and don't fall out for various reasons, including the recent cost-of-living crisis, which has caused—. It drives family break-up and other things that cause homelessness.
We also have real issues in some parts of Wales around unsustainable communities and unsustainable mixes of second homes, holiday homes, whatever. And what we all want to see is a sustainable community with a good mix of tenures right across it. We want the tourists to come, but they want to come to a vibrant village where the shop and pub are open. That only happens if you have sustainable local communities in them. So, we're running a number of pilots on that.
We have people called rural housing enablers working on that project and others. We sponsor those in the various authorities across Wales with rurality, which is most of them, actually, and we look specifically at issues around things that drive some rural homelessness or insecure housing in rural areas, which are two sides of the same coin. We're also looking very hard at how we can bring more empty homes back into use. I'm pushing very hard our local authorities to sign up to Leasing Scheme Wales. We do have some local authorities, and Powys is one of them, I'm afraid, who've signed up and not actually done any, so we'd quite like to—. I will be visiting them all and making sure I understand what the issues there are, because it's very important that we avail ourselves of every tool, so that we can get the housing that we need.
But, in the end, you're right, it's about supply, isn't it? It's about finding the land, so making sure the local development plans have the right housing allocations, that that land is available, that it's developable, that we are able to do that in a way that doesn't destroy our environment at the same time, and that we get those houses up. So, I'm working very hard with the local authorities across Wales to understand what the barriers are. The piece of work that Jack will be doing is about land supply and what those barriers are for us, and we will be working right down to site level in the local authorities to understand what is the issue on this site: it's earmarked for—I don't know; name a number—30 houses, where are they, what's happening? You do have to get down to that level of granularity.
And then the last thing I would mention is that we are looking very hard to bring premises above shops, for example, back into use. I saw an excellent example of that in Newport where the regeneration of the town centre that's been done through the part of my portfolio that has town-centre regeneration in it has brought all of the properties above shops into use. And of course that in itself brings footfall to the shops, and so you get a much more vibrant town centre or city centre off the back of that. There are many places in rural Wales where that kind of development would really help a small town have that kind of footfall. So, there are a number of levers that we're using to do just that.
Ie, diolch. Ac rydych chi'n llygad eich lle, wrth gwrs, mae cymunedau gwahanol yn wynebu heriau gwahanol o ran dod o hyd i gartref saff a diogel i bawb, ac mae'n bwysig iawn dod o hyd i'r cartref iawn. Mae'n ymwneud â mwy na phedair wal a tho yn unig. Dyna pam fy mod yn falch iawn o allu cynyddu’r grant cymorth tai, gan fod llawer o’r gwaith y mae’r gweithwyr cymorth tai yn ei wneud yn ymwneud â chadw pobl yn eu cartrefi yn y lle cyntaf. Mae’r ddeddfwriaeth ddigartrefedd newydd y byddwn yn ei chyflwyno yn edrych i raddau helaeth ar sut y gallwn sicrhau bod pobl yn aros mewn tai cynaliadwy ac nad ydynt yn eu colli am wahanol resymau, gan gynnwys yr argyfwng costau byw diweddar, sydd wedi achosi—. Mae'n peri i deuluoedd chwalu a phethau eraill sy'n achosi digartrefedd.
Hefyd, mae gennym broblemau gwirioneddol mewn rhai rhannau o Gymru yn ymwneud â chymunedau anghynaliadwy a chymysgedd anghynaliadwy o ail gartrefi, tai haf, beth bynnag. A'r hyn y mae pob un ohonom yn dymuno'i weld yw cymuned gynaliadwy gyda chymysgedd da o ddeiliadaethau. Rydym am i’r twristiaid ddod, ond maent yn dymuno dod i bentref bywiog lle mae’r siop a’r dafarn ar agor. Dim ond os oes gennych gymunedau lleol cynaliadwy y bydd hynny’n digwydd. Felly, rydym yn cyflawni nifer o gynlluniau peilot ar hynny.
Mae gennym bobl a elwir yn swyddogion galluogi tai gwledig yn gweithio ar y prosiect hwnnw ac eraill. Rydym yn eu noddi yn y gwahanol awdurdodau ledled Cymru lle mae ardaloedd gwledig, sef y rhan fwyaf ohonynt mewn gwirionedd, ac rydym yn edrych yn benodol ar faterion yn ymwneud â phethau sy’n achosi digartrefedd gwledig neu ansicrwydd tai mewn ardaloedd gwledig, sy'n ddwy ochr i'r un geiniog. Rydym hefyd yn edrych yn agos iawn ar sut y gallwn ddod â mwy o gartrefi gwag yn ôl i ddefnydd. Rwy'n pwyso'n galed iawn ar ein hawdurdodau lleol i ymuno â Chynllun Lesio Cymru. Mae gennym rai awdurdodau lleol, ac mae Powys yn un ohonynt, mae arnaf ofn, sydd wedi ymrwymo i'r cynllun a heb wneud dim, felly hoffem—. Byddaf yn ymweld â phob un ohonynt ac yn sicrhau fy mod yn deall beth yw'r problemau, gan ei bod yn bwysig iawn ein bod yn manteisio ar bob arf, fel y gallwn gael y tai sydd eu hangen arnom.
Ond yn y pen draw, rydych yn llygad eich lle, mae hyn yn ymwneud â chyflenwad, onid yw? Mae'n ymwneud â dod o hyd i'r tir, felly sicrhau bod gan y cynlluniau datblygu lleol ddyraniadau tai cywir, fod y tir hwnnw ar gael, y gellir ei ddatblygu, y gallwn wneud hynny mewn ffordd nad yw'n dinistrio ein hamgylchedd ar yr un pryd, a'n bod yn codi'r tai hynny. Felly, rwy’n gweithio’n galed iawn gyda’r awdurdodau lleol ledled Cymru i ddeall beth yw’r rhwystrau. Mae'r gwaith y bydd Jack yn ei wneud yn ymwneud â chyflenwad tir a beth yw'r rhwystrau i ni, a byddwn yn gweithio hyd at lefel safle yn yr awdurdodau lleol i ddeall beth yw'r broblem ar y safle hwn: mae wedi'i glustnodi ar gyfer—nid wyf yn gwybod; rhowch rif—30 o dai, ble maent, beth sy'n digwydd? Mae'n rhaid ichi weithio ar y lefel honno o fanylder.
Ac yna'r peth olaf yr hoffwn ei grybwyll yw ein bod yn edrych yn agos iawn ar ddod ag adeiladau uwchben siopau, er enghraifft, yn ôl i ddefnydd. Gwelais enghraifft wych o hynny yng Nghasnewydd, lle mae'r gwaith o adfywio canol y dref a wnaed drwy’r rhan o fy mhortffolio sy'n cynnwys adfywio canol trefi wedi dod â’r holl eiddo uwchben siopau yn ôl i ddefnydd. Ac wrth gwrs, mae hynny ynddo'i hun yn dod ag ymwelwyr i'r siopau, ac felly, mae canol y dref neu'r ddinas yn llawer mwy bywiog yn sgil hynny. Mae llawer o leoedd yng nghefn gwlad Cymru lle byddai’r math hwnnw o ddatblygiad yn helpu tref fechan i gael mwy o ymwelwyr. Felly, rydym yn defnyddio nifer o ysgogiadau i wneud hynny.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Mark Isherwood.
Questions now from the party spokespeople. The Conservatives' spokesperson, Mark Isherwood.
Diolch, Llywydd. The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 was the biggest change to Wales's private rented sector in decades. The explanatory memorandum for the Welsh Government's subsequent Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill stated that:
'The private rented sector...plays an important part in meeting the housing needs of the people of Wales'
and that
'the Welsh Government wishes to ensure there is the right balance of support and regulation'
in the private rented sector. In this context, the 'Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 evaluation: Phase 1 report' was published last week. There were 676 responses to the survey of landlords and managing agents, of which 539 were fully completed, and 479 cited a negative impact to the changes for landlords. One question respondents to the evaluation were asked was:
'What negative impacts will the changes under the Act have on you as a landlord/managing agent?'
Forty-four per cent of all the respondents who cited a negative impact to the survey said the Act was forcing landlords to sell and leave the sector.
As I stated during the legislative process of the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill, this is what ARLA Propertymark, the professional regulatory body for letting agents, and the National Residential Landlords Association both warned would happen. So, given your words in 2020 that you wish to strike the right balance of support and regulation, what action, if any, will you now take to reopen the legislation to ensure the Act stops driving good landlords from the private rented sector?
Diolch, Lywydd. Deddf Rhentu Cartrefi (Cymru) 2016 oedd y newid mwyaf i sector rhentu preifat Cymru ers degawdau. Roedd y memorandwm esboniadol ar gyfer Bil Rhentu Cartrefi (Diwygio) (Cymru) dilynol Llywodraeth Cymru yn nodi:
'Mae'r sector rhentu preifat yn chwarae rôl bwysig wrth ddiwallu anghenion pobl Cymru o ran tai.'
a bod
'Llywodraeth Cymru am sicrhau'r cydbwysedd iawn o gefnogaeth a rheoleiddio'
yn y sector rhentu preifat. Yn y cyd-destun hwn, cyhoeddwyd 'Gwerthusiad o Ddeddf Rhentu Cartrefi (Cymru) 2016: adroddiad Cam 1' yr wythnos diwethaf. Cafwyd 676 o ymatebion i’r arolwg o landlordiaid ac asiantau rheoli, gyda 539 ohonynt wedi'u cwblhau'n llawn, a 479 ohonynt yn nodi effaith negyddol ar y newidiadau i landlordiaid. Un cwestiwn a ofynnwyd i ymatebwyr i’r gwerthusiad oedd:
'Pa effeithiau negyddol fydd y newidiadau o dan y Ddeddf yn eu cael arnoch fel landlord/asiant rheoli?'
Dywedodd 44 y cant o’r holl ymatebwyr a nododd effaith negyddol i’r arolwg fod y Ddeddf yn gorfodi landlordiaid i werthu a gadael y sector.
Fel y dywedais yn ystod proses ddeddfwriaethol Bil Rhentu Cartrefi (Diwygio) (Cymru), dyma y rhybuddiodd ARLA Propertymark, y corff rheoleiddio proffesiynol ar gyfer asiantaethau gosod tai, a Chymdeithas Genedlaethol y Landlordiaid Preswyl y byddai’n digwydd. Felly, o ystyried eich geiriau yn 2020 eich bod yn dymuno sicrhau’r cydbwysedd cywir o gymorth a rheoleiddio, pa gamau, os o gwbl, y byddwch yn eu cymryd nawr i ailagor y ddeddfwriaeth i sicrhau bod y Ddeddf yn rhoi’r gorau i yrru landlordiaid da o’r sector rhentu preifat?
Thank you for that, Mark. It's very interesting, the evaluation report, and we'll be looking at it very carefully, of course. But it's very interesting that it's not borne out by the statistics we're getting through Rent Smart Wales, and we need to get underneath those statistics. So, what appears—. We have a large number of landlords leaving the sector, but we have a very large number of registrations as well. There doesn't seem to be a net loss. It would seem to be the case—and it's anecdotal, I'm afraid, until we get to the bottom of the statistics—that some landlords are indeed selling, but they're being bought by other landlords. So, it's an interesting thing and we're trying to get to the bottom of the statistics. We keep a register of the number of landlords and the number of properties available for rent, and there isn't much change in that. So, I've been speaking with the officials around how we can get underneath those statistics. We don't want to drive out good landlords from Wales. The purpose of the Act is to drive out bad landlords from Wales and to make sure that the houses that people rent are fit for human habitation. I don't think that's too high a hurdle to ask. I do think your house should be fit for human habitation. By that, we mean that it has electrical certificates, it has carbon monoxide monitors, it has decent water, it has no mould, it has all of the things you and I would both expect in a home that was fit for human habitation. I don't think good landlords have a problem with reaching that standard. It also gives tenants protection from eviction in certain circumstances, and I'm very pleased to say that it gives them security of tenure for a much longer time period than any other nation in the UK. So, I think it's done its job. It's early days. We took a long time to implement it, and the implementation is only just rolling out, but I'm afraid we still don't quite understand the statistics, but they aren't showing a net loss of landlords or rented properties in Wales.
Diolch am hynny, Mark. Mae'n ddiddorol iawn, yr adroddiad gwerthuso, a byddwn yn edrych arno'n ofalus iawn, wrth gwrs. Ond mae'n ddiddorol iawn nad yw'n cael ei gadarnhau gan yr ystadegau a gawn drwy Rhentu Doeth Cymru, ac mae angen inni ddadansoddi'r ystadegau hynny. Felly, yr hyn sy'n ymddangos—. Mae gennym nifer fawr o landlordiaid yn gadael y sector, ond mae gennym nifer fawr iawn o gofrestriadau hefyd. Nid yw'n ymddangos bod gennym golled net. Ymddengys—ac mae'n anecdotaidd, mae arnaf ofn, hyd nes y byddwn yn dadansoddi'r holl ystadegau—fod rhai landlordiaid yn gwerthu, ond mae'r eiddo'n cael eu prynu gan landlordiaid eraill. Felly, mae'n ddiddorol, ac rydym yn ceisio dadansoddi'r ystadegau. Rydym yn cadw cofrestr o nifer y landlordiaid a nifer yr eiddo sydd ar gael i'w rhentu, ac nid oes llawer o newid yn hynny. Felly, rwyf wedi bod yn siarad â'r swyddogion ynghylch sut y gallwn ddadansoddi'r ystadegau hynny. Nid ydym am yrru landlordiaid da o Gymru. Diben y Ddeddf yw gyrru landlordiaid drwg o Gymru a sicrhau bod y tai y mae pobl yn eu rhentu yn addas i bobl fyw ynddynt. Ni chredaf fod hynny'n ormod i'w ofyn. Credaf y dylai eich tŷ fod yn addas i bobl fyw ynddo. Yr hyn a olygwn wrth hynny yw bod ganddo dystysgrifau trydanol, mae ganddo fonitorau carbon monocsid, mae ganddo ddŵr addas, nid oes llwydni ynddo, mae ganddo'r holl bethau y byddech chi a minnau'n eu disgwyl mewn cartref sy'n addas i bobl fyw ynddo. Ni chredaf fod gan landlordiaid da broblem gyda chyrraedd y safon honno. Mae hefyd yn diogelu tenantiaid rhag cael eu troi allan mewn rhai amgylchiadau, ac rwy'n falch iawn o ddweud ei fod yn rhoi diogelwch deiliadaeth iddynt am gyfnod llawer hwy nag unrhyw wlad arall yn y DU. Felly, credaf ei fod wedi gwneud ei waith. Mae'n ddyddiau cynnar. Fe gymerodd amser maith i ni ei roi ar waith, a dim ond megis dechrau y mae'r gwaith o'i gyflwyno, ond mae arnaf ofn nad ydym yn deall yr ystadegau'n iawn o hyd, ond nid ydynt yn dangos colled net o landlordiaid nac eiddo i'w rentu yng Nghymru.
Well, I'm newly returned to this role, but will be engaging with the sector to get to the granular detail over what's really going on. And of course, you're quite right, housing must be fit to live in, and that was the point that I made throughout all the relevant pieces of legislation as to where the focus should lie. But, staying with the private rented sector, the Welsh Government's consultation on fair rents and the right to adequate housing closed last September. Between January 2015 and June 2022, private rental prices in Wales rose 8 per cent, compared with 12.6 per cent across the rest of the UK. Despite this, it's understood the Welsh Government is still considering the introduction of rent controls. Research evidence shows that rent control policies can lead to reduced market supply and a range of other housing and labour market problems. Since the introduction of rent controls in Scotland two years ago, average rents on new tenancies have increased by nearly 14 per cent in the last year alone, as rents on existing tenancies have been frozen and then capped. There has also been a reduction of nearly 20 per cent in the availability of private rented properties in Scotland over the last year. A recent YouGov poll—
Wel, rwyf ond newydd ddychwelyd i'r rôl hon, ond byddaf yn ymgysylltu â'r sector i gael mwy o fanylder ynghylch yr hyn sy'n digwydd mewn gwirionedd. Ac wrth gwrs, rydych yn llygad eich lle, mae'n rhaid i dai fod yn addas i fyw ynddynt, a dyna'r pwynt a wneuthum drwy gydol yr holl waith ar y ddeddfwriaeth berthnasol ynghylch lle dylai'r ffocws fod. Ond gan aros gyda’r sector rhentu preifat, daeth ymgynghoriad Llywodraeth Cymru ar renti teg a’r hawl i dai digonol i ben ym mis Medi. Rhwng mis Ionawr 2015 a mis Mehefin 2022, cododd prisiau rhentu preifat yng Nghymru 8 y cant, o gymharu â 12.6 y cant ar draws gweddill y DU. Er gwaethaf hyn, deellir fod Llywodraeth Cymru yn dal i ystyried cyflwyno mesurau rheoli rhenti. Dengys tystiolaeth ymchwil y gall polisïau rheoli rhenti arwain at lai o gyflenwad yn y farchnad ac ystod o broblemau eraill gyda thai a'r farchnad lafur. Ers cyflwyno mesurau rheoli rhenti yn yr Alban ddwy flynedd yn ôl, mae rhenti cyfartalog ar denantiaethau newydd wedi cynyddu bron i 14 y cant yn y flwyddyn ddiwethaf yn unig, wrth i renti ar denantiaethau presennol gael eu rhewi ac yna eu capio. Bu gostyngiad hefyd o bron i 20 y cant yn argaeledd eiddo rhent preifat yn yr Alban dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf. Nododd arolwg barn diweddar gan YouGov—
I'm going to remind you, Mark Isherwood, of the time you're taking to ask your questions. You're on one minute 20 seconds now, and I allowed more than one and a half minutes for your first question. So, if you can be as concise as possible in your questioning, that would help. And that's for you and all Members as well. Thank you.
Rwyf am eich atgoffa, Mark Isherwood, o’r amser rydych chi'n ei gymryd i ofyn eich cwestiynau. Rydych ar un funud 20 eiliad ar hyn o bryd, ac fe wneuthum ganiatáu dros un funud a hanner ar gyfer eich cwestiwn cyntaf. Felly, os gallwch fod mor gryno â phosibl gyda'ch cwestiynau, byddai hynny o gymorth. Ac mae hynny'n wir i chi a phob Aelod arall hefyd. Diolch.
Okay. Well, so rather than dealing just with the symptoms, what, if any, policies does the Welsh Government have to actually increase rental housing supply, the shortage of which is the reason why rental prices have increased, or the primary reason?
Iawn. Wel, yn hytrach nag ymdrin â’r symptomau’n unig felly, pa bolisïau, os o gwbl, sydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru i gynyddu’r cyflenwad o dai rhent, gan mai prinder tai rhent yw’r rheswm, neu’r prif reswm, pam fod prisiau rhenti wedi cynyddu?
Yes, so actually the paper that we put out was a Green Paper, so it wasn't a consultation paper, it was a call for evidence. We got that evidence in. We're now working on the production of a White Paper, which is due this July as part of our co-operation agreement. That's well under way. We're hoping to put that White Paper out before the end of the summer term this year. That will consult on a wide range of issues, including the right to adequate housing and proposals for rent, or fair rents. There will be a range of options in there, and I'll be looking forward to seeing what the responses are.
What is quite clear is that prices in the rental sector have gone up exponentially. I think it's fair for the Conservatives to understand that that is partly driven by the rising mortgage rates that people face, driven by, I'm afraid, the Conservatives' complete lack of control over the economy of the United Kingdom. We've seen quite a lot of landlords driven out by increased mortgage costs, not by anything else, and, actually, as I said to you, we're trying to get underneath the statistics for what's happening there. I suspect there is consolidation going on in the market, which is not good, because we normally in Wales have a large number of landlords who have one other house. So, it'll be interesting to see whether that happens. But the truth is that we have a large number of people paying an enormous part of their income on their rent, unable to save for anything more permanent and not able, really, to start living their lives. And we need to do something about that. What we're going to do is consult widely about what the best way of doing that is. Of course we'll be taking examples from elsewhere in the world, including Scotland, but lots of other places, into account, and I'll be very pleased to put that White Paper out and see where we get on a Wales solution to what is an increasing problem for rentals.
Iawn, felly, mewn gwirionedd, Papur Gwyrdd oedd y papur a gyflwynwyd gennym, felly nid oedd yn bapur ymgynghori, roedd yn alwad am dystiolaeth. Cawsom y dystiolaeth honno. Rydym bellach yn gweithio ar gynhyrchu Papur Gwyn, sydd i'w gyhoeddi ym mis Gorffennaf fel rhan o'n cytundeb cydweithio. Mae'r gwaith hwnnw wedi hen ddechrau. Rydym yn gobeithio cyhoeddi'r Papur Gwyn hwnnw cyn diwedd tymor yr haf eleni. Bydd hwnnw’n ymgynghori ar ystod eang o faterion, gan gynnwys yr hawl i dai digonol a chynigion ar gyfer rhent, neu renti teg. Bydd amrywiaeth o opsiynau yno, ac edrychaf ymlaen at weld beth yw'r ymatebion.
Yr hyn sy'n eithaf clir yw bod prisiau yn y sector rhentu wedi codi'n esbonyddol. Credaf ei bod yn deg i’r Ceidwadwyr ddeall bod hynny wedi ei achosi’n rhannol gan y cyfraddau morgeisi cynyddol y mae pobl yn eu hwynebu, sydd wedi’u hachosi, mae arnaf ofn, gan ddiffyg rheolaeth y Ceidwadwyr dros economi’r Deyrnas Unedig. Rydym wedi gweld cryn dipyn o landlordiaid yn cael eu gyrru allan gan gostau morgeisi uwch, nid gan unrhyw beth arall, ac mewn gwirionedd, fel y dywedais wrthych, rydym yn ceisio dadansoddi'r ystadegau ar gyfer yr hyn sy'n digwydd yn y cyswllt hwnnw. Rwy’n amau bod rhywfaint o gydgrynhoi'n digwydd yn y farchnad, nad yw’n beth da, oherwydd fel arfer, mae gennym nifer fawr o landlordiaid yng Nghymru sydd ag un tŷ arall. Felly, bydd yn ddiddorol gweld a fydd hynny'n digwydd. Ond y gwir amdani yw bod gennym nifer fawr o bobl yn gwario cyfran enfawr o’u hincwm ar eu rhent, yn methu cynilo ar gyfer unrhyw beth mwy parhaol ac yn methu dechrau byw eu bywydau mewn gwirionedd. Ac mae angen inni wneud rhywbeth am hynny. Rydym yn mynd i ymgynghori'n eang ynghylch beth yw'r ffordd orau o wneud hynny. Wrth gwrs, byddwn yn ystyried enghreifftiau o fannau eraill yn y byd, gan gynnwys yr Alban, ond llawer o leoedd eraill, a byddaf yn falch iawn o gyhoeddi'r Papur Gwyn hwnnw a gweld lle rydym yn cyrraedd o ran sicrhau ateb yng Nghymru i broblem gynyddol mewn perthynas ag eiddo rhent.
Thank you. Well, of course, the global cost-of-living crisis is identified by global bodies, and only a very insular person would suggest that it's somehow a unique UK problem. But another area where Welsh Government housing policies are expected to have a negative impact is their provision for local planning authorities to make local amendments to the planning system through an article 4 direction, allowing them to consider whether planning permission is required to change from one class to another and to control the number of additional second homes and short-term lets in an area. What consideration have you therefore given to the assessment made by Lichfields planning and development consultancy, referred to me by a permanent resident in Gwynedd, which stated that,
'Whilst we recognise the intentions behind the proposals, we question the extent to which Article 4 Directions, such as the one proposed in Gwynedd, would be effective in improving affordability of housing for local people or retaining Welsh speakers. Whilst there are localised pressures in some areas, a focus on tourists and second homes is somewhat a deflection of the wider need to deliver more housing, both market and affordable, across Wales'?
Diolch. Wel, wrth gwrs, mae cyrff byd-eang yn cydnabod yr argyfwng costau byw byd-eang, a dim ond unigolyn ynysig iawn a fyddai’n awgrymu ei bod rywsut yn broblem unigryw i’r DU. Ond maes arall lle disgwylir i bolisïau tai Llywodraeth Cymru gael effaith negyddol yw eu darpariaeth i awdurdodau cynllunio lleol wneud diwygiadau lleol i’r system gynllunio drwy gyfarwyddyd erthygl 4, gan ganiatáu iddynt ystyried a oes angen caniatâd cynllunio i newid o un dosbarth i'r llall ac i reoli nifer yr ail gartrefi ychwanegol a llety gosod tymor byr mewn ardal. Pa ystyriaeth a roddwyd gennych felly i’r asesiad a wnaed gan ymgynghoriaeth cynllunio a datblygu Lichfields, y tynnwyd fy sylw ato gan breswylydd parhaol yng Ngwynedd, a nododd,
'Er ein bod yn cydnabod y bwriadau y tu ôl i'r cynigion, rydym yn cwestiynu i ba raddau y byddai Cyfarwyddiadau Erthygl 4, fel yr un a gynigir yng Ngwynedd, yn effeithiol o ran gwella fforddiadwyedd tai i bobl leol neu gadw siaradwyr Cymraeg. Er bod pwysau lleol mewn rhai ardaloedd, mae ffocws ar dwristiaid ac ail gartrefi yn tynnu sylw oddi ar yr angen ehangach i ddarparu mwy o dai'r farchnad agored a thai fforddiadwy ledled Cymru'?
I didn’t quite catch the end of that, I’m afraid, as there are noises off, but I think I got the gist of it. So, what we’re looking at there, Mark, is a way of ensuring that there is a supply of local housing, so that people who need to live and work in the local area can access that housing. And as I said earlier, what we’re not trying to do is drive out everyone with a second home or who wants to come on holiday, but those people want to come to sustainable communities where local people can live and work, and where the local shop and the local pub can stay vibrant because they don’t face long periods when nobody is there. There are areas in Wales, and one of them is in my own constituency, where whole streets don’t have anyone living on them as an actual permanent resident; whole villages in some parts of Wales, and that is not sustainable. We have to find some method to make sure that we have mixed sustained communities in Wales, where everyone is welcome and where local people can live and work. And you can’t run a tourist business unless you have local people to live and work in it. So, we have to find measures to do it. Unfortunately, the housing market in Britain doesn’t work like that, so what we’re doing is working with colleague councils across Wales to try and find mechanisms to interfere in that market, because that market is having the effect of driving local people out of the villages they grew up in.
Ni chlywais ddiwedd hynny, mae arnaf ofn, gan fod yna sŵn cefndirol, ond rwy'n meddwl fy mod wedi cael yr ystyr. Felly, yr hyn rydym yn edrych arno yno, Mark, yw ffordd o sicrhau bod cyflenwad o dai lleol, fel bod pobl sydd angen byw a gweithio yn yr ardal leol yn gallu cael y tai hynny. Ac fel y dywedais yn gynharach, nid ydym yn ceisio gyrru pawb sydd ag ail gartref allan neu sydd am ddod ar wyliau, ond mae'r bobl hynny eisiau dod i gymunedau cynaliadwy lle gall pobl leol fyw a gweithio, a lle gall y siop leol a'r dafarn leol aros yn fywiog am nad ydynt yn wynebu cyfnodau hir pan nad oes neb yno. Mae ardaloedd yng Nghymru, ac mae un ohonynt yn fy etholaeth fy hun, lle nad oes gan strydoedd cyfan unrhyw un yn byw arnynt fel preswylydd parhaol; pentrefi cyfan mewn rhai rhannau o Gymru, ac nid yw hynny'n gynaliadwy. Mae'n rhaid inni ddod o hyd i ryw ddull o sicrhau bod gennym gymunedau cynaliadwy cymysg yng Nghymru, lle mae croeso i bawb a lle gall pobl leol fyw a gweithio. Ac ni allwch redeg busnes twristiaeth oni bai bod gennych bobl leol i fyw a gweithio ynddo. Felly, mae'n rhaid inni ddod o hyd i fesurau i wneud hynny. Yn anffodus, nid yw'r farchnad dai ym Mhrydain yn gweithio yn y ffordd honno, felly rydym yn gweithio gyda chynghorau cydweithredol ledled Cymru i geisio dod o hyd i fecanweithiau i ymyrryd yn y farchnad honno, oherwydd effaith y farchnad honno yw gyrru pobl leol allan o'r pentrefi y cawsant eu magu ynddynt.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Mabon ap Gwynfor.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Mabon ap Gwynfor.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd. The Welsh Government’s rent and service charge standard for social housing is in its final year and the Welsh Government has not made an announcement as yet about the next standard. The Cabinet Secretary will be aware that social landlords’ income primarily comes from rents and this is subject to the Welsh Government’s rent and service charge standard, which limits rent increases. For 2024-25, the Welsh Government has set the maximum rent increase at 6.7 per cent, having set it at 6.5 per cent previously. The five-year standard is due to end in 2025 and the Welsh Government has not yet made that announcement about its successor. So, simply put: when can we expect the next standard to be announced?
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Lywydd. Mae safon rhent a thâl gwasanaeth Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer tai cymdeithasol yn ei blwyddyn olaf ac nid yw Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gwneud cyhoeddiad hyd yma am y safon nesaf. Bydd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn ymwybodol fod incwm landlordiaid cymdeithasol yn dod o renti yn bennaf ac mae hyn yn ddarostyngedig i safon rhent a thâl gwasanaeth Llywodraeth Cymru, sy'n cyfyngu ar gynnydd mewn rhenti. Ar gyfer 2024-25, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gosod uchafswm y cynnydd rhent ar 6.7 y cant, ar ôl ei osod ar 6.5 y cant yn flaenorol. Mae disgwyl i'r safon pum mlynedd ddod i ben yn 2025 ac nid yw Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gwneud cyhoeddiad am ei holynydd eto. Felly, yn syml: pryd y gallwn ni ddisgwyl i'r safon nesaf gael ei chyhoeddi?
Thank you for the question. We’re currently doing quite a lot of work with the whole sector on how we will come to a standard, or indeed whether we’ll come to a standard; not everywhere in the UK has that kind of standard. It’s served us well in the past, actually, that standard. It’s a horrible decision to have to make, because you are trying to balance, on the one hand, the income of the social landlord to build the new social homes we so badly need, and they use that income in order to borrow the money to build those homes—I know you know how the market works—and, on the other hand, we have a significant number of people who pay that rent themselves, so they’re not on benefits or a subsection of their income is benefits, and we have to make sure that they aren’t driven into homelessness by an unaffordable rent rise. So, it’s a difficult balance to arrive at.
I undertake an extensive set of consultations with tenants’ organisations and with social landlords across Wales every year, even when the rent standard is in place, to just make sure it’s fit for purpose. It served us well when inflation was negligible, obviously, but as soon as you get volatility in that market, then you have to look again at the standards. So, we’ll be working very hard with our sector landlords to understand their views on that, what that standard might look like, whether there is an envelope that we could set to give them surety, because that’s what they want and they want to be able to budget over the longer term, but is also flexible enough for us to make sure that current tenants get the services they want and aren’t sacrificed in order to get new tenants into decent social homes. So, it’s a balance, isn’t it, all of that? So, we’re working very hard on that. I don’t have a timescale for that at the moment; we will certainly announce it in good time for the standard to end, but that piece of work is very much ongoing.
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Ar hyn o bryd rydym yn gwneud cryn dipyn o waith gyda'r sector cyfan ar sut y byddwn yn cael safon, neu'n wir a fyddwn yn cael safon; nid oes safon o'r fath gan bob man yn y DU. Mae'r safon wedi bod yn ddefnyddiol iawn i ni yn y gorffennol. Mae'n benderfyniad erchyll i orfod ei wneud, oherwydd eich bod yn ceisio cydbwyso, ar y naill law, incwm y landlord cymdeithasol i adeiladu'r cartrefi cymdeithasol newydd y mae cymaint o'u hangen arnom, ac maent yn defnyddio'r incwm hwnnw er mwyn benthyg yr arian i adeiladu'r cartrefi hynny—rwy'n gwybod eich bod chi'n gwybod sut mae'r farchnad yn gweithio—ac ar y llaw arall, mae gennym nifer sylweddol o bobl sy'n talu'r rhent hwnnw eu hunain, felly nid ydynt ar fudd-daliadau neu mae israniad o'u hincwm yn fudd-daliadau, ac mae'n rhaid inni sicrhau nad ydynt yn cael eu gwneud yn ddigartref oherwydd codiad rhent anfforddiadwy. Felly, mae'n gydbwysedd anodd i'w daro.
Rwy'n cynnal cyfres eang o ymgynghoriadau gyda sefydliadau tenantiaid a chyda landlordiaid cymdeithasol ledled Cymru bob blwyddyn, hyd yn oed pan fydd y safon rhent yn weithredol, er mwyn sicrhau ei fod yn addas i'r diben. Roedd o fudd i ni pan oedd chwyddiant yn isel iawn wrth gwrs, ond cyn gynted ag y cewch chi anwadalrwydd yn y farchnad honno, mae'n rhaid ichi edrych eto ar y safonau. Felly, byddwn yn gweithio'n galed iawn gyda landlordiaid ein sector i ddeall eu barn ar hynny, sut beth fyddai'r safon honno, a oes amlen y gallem ei gosod i roi sicrwydd iddynt, oherwydd dyna maent ei eisiau ac maent am allu cyllidebu dros y tymor hwy, ond ei fod yn ddigon hyblyg hefyd inni sicrhau bod tenantiaid presennol yn cael y gwasanaethau y maent eu heisiau ac nad ydynt yn cael eu haberthu er mwyn cael tenantiaid newydd i mewn i gartrefi cymdeithasol gweddus. Felly, mae'r cyfan yn fater o daro cydbwysedd, onid yw? Felly, rydym yn gweithio'n galed iawn ar hynny. Nid oes gennyf amserlen ar gyfer hynny ar hyn o bryd; byddwn yn sicr yn ei chyhoeddi mewn da bryd i'r safon ddod i ben, ond mae'n waith sy'n bendant ar y gweill.
Thank you for that response, Cabinet Secretary. You’ll know that around 230,000 properties across Wales are registered as social housing and the latest evidence from the Tenant Participation Advisory Service Cymru suggests that 22 per cent of tenants felt their rent was unaffordable last year. This figure was higher for tenants aged between 45 and 54. Rent increases aren’t the only source of worry for struggling tenants. As you'll know, Cabinet Secretary, when social landlords maintain communal areas or undertake additional services, such as maintaining communal gardens, they may charge a separate service charge in addition to rent. It's come to my attention that service charges are increasing for many tenants across Wales to varying degrees, with many failing to obtain clear answers as to why these increases are happening. With 13 per cent of Welsh people struggling to afford essentials and almost a third going without heating, the effect of service charge increases will be detrimental and, to many, seem unjustified. So, what assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of increased service charges for local tenants across Wales?
Diolch am yr ateb hwnnw, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Fe fyddwch yn gwybod bod tua 230,000 eiddo ledled Cymru wedi'u cofrestru fel tai cymdeithasol ac mae'r dystiolaeth ddiweddaraf gan Wasanaeth Ymgynghorol Cyfranogiad Tenantiaid Cymru yn awgrymu bod 22 y cant o denantiaid yn teimlo nad oedd eu rhent yn fforddiadwy y llynedd. Roedd y ffigur hwn yn uwch ar gyfer tenantiaid rhwng 45 a 54 oed. Nid cynnydd rhent yw'r unig ffynhonnell o bryder i denantiaid sy'n ei chael hi'n anodd. Fel y gwyddoch, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, pan fydd gan landlordiaid cymdeithasol fannau cymunedol neu'n cyflawni gwasanaethau ychwanegol, megis cynnal gerddi cymunedol, gallant godi tâl gwasanaeth ar wahân yn ogystal â rhent. Daeth i fy sylw fod taliadau gwasanaeth yn cynyddu i lawer o denantiaid ledled Cymru i raddau amrywiol, gyda llawer yn methu cael atebion clir ynglŷn â pam mae'r cynnydd hwn yn digwydd. Gyda 13 y cant o Gymry'n ei chael hi'n anodd fforddio hanfodion a bron i draean yn mynd heb wresogi, bydd effaith cynnydd mewn taliadau gwasanaeth yn niweidiol ac i lawer, mae'n ymddangos nad oes cyfiawnhad drostynt. Felly, pa asesiad y mae Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet wedi'i wneud o gynnydd mewn taliadau gwasanaeth i denantiaid lleol ledled Cymru?
Service charges are very much part of the discussion that we have about affordability. 'What is included in your rent, what is additional to your rent?' is one of the conversations we have. As part of the agreement on rent with our social landlords in Wales, we also negotiate a number of things, so no eviction into homelessness is one of them, working with any tenant that's in financial hardship in order to understand the nature of that financial hardship and make sure that we have all of the right support in place is another. So, we are very keen to make sure that we understand what the affordability envelope for all of our tenants is, and the registered social landlords and the stock-holding councils are under an obligation to do so. They have signed up to that as part of the rental agreement that we make every year. So, it's a pact, if you like, between us. It's worked so far. Individual tenants, of course, should take that up through the complaints process with the RSLs, and I do speak to the regulators, as well, about how we measure that.
One of the other pieces of work we are currently undertaking, and it's been ongoing for a little while, is what the regulatory assessment should say about rent affordability and complaints processes as part of its overall assessment. Again, that's a very complex piece, because the regulatory assessment also contributes to the borrowing ability of the registered social landlords, so all of these things are balanced out. But it's part of the process that we want, because we don't want a regulatory assessment that says that a registered social landlord or a stock-holding authority is very good when all of its tenants are complaining vociferously about a particular point. So, it is, again, a balance. We are working on that as well; it is part of the affordability envelope.
We also, for the record, work on things like broadband schemes. My colleague Lesley Griffiths is looking at a broadband scheme for social tenants to make sure that it's affordable and can be procured over a wider set of people than individuals, for example. There are utility agreements and so on that we can work on, because affordability is about more than just the rent, as you rightly say.
Mae taliadau gwasanaeth yn rhan fawr o'r drafodaeth a gawn am fforddiadwyedd. 'Beth sy'n cael ei gynnwys yn eich rhent, beth sy'n ychwanegol at eich rhent?' yw un o'r sgyrsiau a gawn. Fel rhan o'r cytundeb ar rent gyda'n landlordiaid cymdeithasol yng Nghymru, rydym hefyd yn negodi nifer o bethau, felly dim troi allan i ddigartrefedd yw un ohonynt, a gweithio gydag unrhyw denant sydd mewn caledi ariannol er mwyn deall natur y caledi ariannol hwnnw a sicrhau bod gennym yr holl gefnogaeth gywir ar waith yw un arall. Felly, rydym yn awyddus iawn i sicrhau ein bod yn deall beth yw'r amlen fforddiadwyedd i'n holl denantiaid, ac mae'r landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig a'r cynghorau sy'n dal stoc dai o dan rwymedigaeth i wneud hynny. Maent wedi ymrwymo i hynny fel rhan o'r cytundeb rhentu a wnawn bob blwyddyn. Felly, mae'n gytundeb rhyngom, os mynnwch. Mae wedi gweithio hyd yn hyn. Dylai tenantiaid unigol, wrth gwrs, fynd ar drywydd hynny drwy'r broses gwynion gyda'r landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig, ac rwy'n siarad â'r rheoleiddwyr hefyd, ynglŷn â sut i fesur hynny.
Gwaith arall sydd gennym ar y gweill ar hyn o bryd, ac mae wedi bod yn mynd rhagddo ers ychydig amser, yw'r hyn y dylai'r asesiad rheoleiddiol ei ddweud am fforddiadwyedd rhent a phrosesau cwynion fel rhan o'i asesiad cyffredinol. Unwaith eto, mae hwnnw'n waith cymhleth iawn, oherwydd mae'r asesiad rheoleiddiol hefyd yn cyfrannu at allu benthyca'r landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig, felly mae'r holl bethau hyn yn gytbwys. Ond mae'n rhan o'r broses yr ydym ei heisiau, oherwydd nid ydym am gael asesiad rheoleiddiol sy'n dweud bod landlord cymdeithasol cofrestredig neu awdurdod sy'n dal stoc dai yn dda iawn pan fydd ei holl denantiaid yn cwyno'n groch am bwynt penodol. Felly, unwaith eto, mae'n gydbwysedd. Rydym yn gweithio ar hynny hefyd; mae'n rhan o'r amlen fforddiadwyedd.
Hefyd, os caf nodi, rydym yn gweithio ar bethau fel cynlluniau band eang. Mae fy nghyd-Aelod, Lesley Griffiths, yn edrych ar gynllun band eang i denantiaid cymdeithasol i sicrhau ei fod yn fforddiadwy ac y gellir ei gaffael dros set ehangach o bobl nag unigolion, er enghraifft. Ceir cytundebau cyfleustodau ac yn y blaen y gallwn weithio arnynt, oherwydd mae fforddiadwyedd yn ymwneud â mwy na dim ond y rhent, fel rydych chi'n dweud yn gywir ddigon.
Apologies, my computer's not working. There we are.
Mae'n ddrwg gennyf, nid yw fy nghyfrifiadur yn gweithio. Dyma ni.
3. Pa asesiad y mae’r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet wedi'i wneud o effeithiolrwydd Mesur Diogelwch Tân Domestig (Cymru) 2011? OQ61050
3. What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the effectiveness of the Domestic Fire Safety (Wales) Measure 2011? OQ61050
Thank you for the question. The Domestic Fire Safety (Wales) Measure 2011 has been implemented through the Building Regulations 2010. Data on the effectiveness of the legislation is not collected for building regulations purposes, but the fire and rescue services in Wales record the numbers of sprinklers installed in buildings where fire incidents have occurred.
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Mae Mesur Diogelwch Tân Domestig (Cymru) 2011 wedi cael ei weithredu drwy Reoliadau Adeiladu 2010. Nid yw data ar effeithiolrwydd y ddeddfwriaeth yn cael ei gasglu at ddibenion rheoliadau adeiladu, ond mae'r gwasanaethau tân ac achub yng Nghymru yn cofnodi nifer y systemau chwistrellu a osodwyd mewn adeiladau lle mae tân wedi digwydd.
Diolch, Cabinet Secretary. I'm asking my question today based on the experience of constituents who had a fire sprinkler system installed in a new-build house that was recognised as faulty within two years of them moving in, and it was only through the service of the sprinkler system that they were able to confirm that it wasn't functional. The developer agreed to cover the cost of the rectification works as my constituents notified them of this within the two-year warranty period. The two-year warranty period is a problem, though, because if they'd been just a month out, it might have been a different story. The original contractors who fitted the sprinkler system were not registered with a FIRAS certification when they installed it, we understand, and approval by building control at the local authority relied entirely on self-certification, which, in this instance, obviously wasn't worth the paper it was written on.
Therefore, can I ask if the Cabinet Secretary would consider—and I don't expect her to say 'yes' today—a strengthened all-Wales third party certification system that would help to reduce the risk of situations like this? Also, is she considering the issue of warranties and the two-year warranty that was so difficult in these circumstances?
Diolch, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Rwy'n gofyn fy nghwestiwn heddiw yn seiliedig ar brofiad etholwyr a oedd â system chwistrellu tân wedi'i gosod mewn tŷ newydd, system y cydnabuwyd ei bod yn ddiffygiol o fewn dwy flynedd wedi iddynt symud i mewn, a dim ond wrth roi gwasanaeth i'r system chwistrellu y gallwyd cadarnhau nad oedd yn gweithio. Cytunodd y datblygwr i dalu cost y gwaith cywiro gan fod fy etholwyr wedi rhoi gwybod iddynt am hyn o fewn cyfnod y warant o ddwy flynedd. Mae cyfnod y warant o ddwy flynedd yn broblem, serch hynny, oherwydd pe baent gwta fis allan ohoni, gallai fod wedi bod yn stori wahanol. Nid oedd y contractwyr gwreiddiol a osododd y system chwistrellu wedi'u cofrestru ag ardystiad FIRAS pan wnaethant ei gosod, yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallwn, ac roedd cymeradwyaeth drwy reolaeth adeiladu yn yr awdurdod lleol yn dibynnu'n llwyr ar hunanardystio, nad oedd, yn yr achos hwn, yn werth y papur y cafodd ei ysgrifennu arno, yn amlwg.
Felly, a gaf i ofyn a fyddai Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn ystyried—ac nid wyf yn disgwyl iddi ddweud y gwnaiff hynny heddiw—system ardystio trydydd parti cryfach ar gyfer Cymru a fyddai'n helpu i leihau'r risg o sefyllfaoedd fel hyn? Hefyd, a yw hi'n ystyried mater gwarantau a'r warant ddwy flynedd a oedd mor anodd yn yr amgylchiadau hyn?
Thank you, Hefin. That's a set of complicated things to look at there. In relation to third party certification, the building regulations are functional requirements and there may be a number of ways of proving compliance with them. Third party certification is one of the ways of showing compliance. The 'Approved Document B Fire Safety' statutory guidance encourages the use of third party certification schemes to ensure that the sprinkler system is put in in an effective way. The building control body can take enforcement action if they haven't been properly installed. But in your constituent's case, they've bought a house where they wouldn't have been the contracting party. Wales is looking to join the new homes ombudsman scheme, which would extend the warranties for new-build houses. I do think it's quite extraordinary to have bought a house and be told that it's only fit for use for two years. I think most of us would expect a new-build house to last a bit longer than two years. So, the new homes ombudsman is looking at a warranty scheme of five years. I personally think that five years is quite a short time for a new home as well, but it's an improvement on the two years.
In the meantime, I think your constituents probably would have to have recourse to civil action in order to do something about their particular circumstance and take it up with the developer. I'm sure you've tried those routes. If you want to write to me and tell me who the developer is, I have regular meetings with the developers, so I'm more than happy to see if I can take it up with them, as well. But it does seem extraordinary to me that, if you buy a new house, you can't rely on it being still in good working order after two years.
Diolch, Hefin. Mae hon yn set o bethau cymhleth i edrych arnynt. O ran ardystio trydydd parti, mae'r rheoliadau adeiladu yn ofynion gweithredol ac efallai y bydd nifer o ffyrdd o brofi cydymffurfiaeth. Ardystio trydydd parti yw un o'r ffyrdd o ddangos cydymffurfiaeth. Mae canllawiau statudol 'Dogfen Gymeradwy B Diogelwch Tân' yn annog defnyddio cynlluniau ardystio trydydd parti i sicrhau bod y system chwistrellu yn cael ei gosod mewn ffordd effeithiol. Gall y corff rheoli adeiladu gymryd camau gorfodi os nad ydynt wedi'u gosod yn iawn. Ond yn achos eich etholwr, maent wedi prynu tŷ lle na fyddent yn barti contractio. Mae Cymru'n gobeithio ymuno â'r cynllun ombwdsmon cartrefi newydd, a fyddai'n ymestyn y gwarantau ar gyfer tai a adeiladir o'r newydd. Rwy'n credu bod prynu tŷ a chael gwybod nad yw ond yn addas i'w ddefnyddio am ddwy flynedd yn gwbl rhyfeddol. Rwy'n credu y byddai'r rhan fwyaf ohonom yn disgwyl i adeilad newydd bara ychydig hwy na dwy flynedd. Felly, mae'r ombwdsmon cartrefi newydd yn edrych ar gynllun gwarant pum mlynedd. Yn bersonol, rwy'n credu bod pum mlynedd hefyd yn amser eithaf byr i gartref newydd, ond mae'n well na dwy flynedd.
Yn y cyfamser, rwy'n credu y byddai'n rhaid i'ch etholwyr droi at gamau sifil yn ôl pob tebyg er mwyn gwneud rhywbeth am eu hamgylchiadau penodol a mynd ar ei drywydd gyda'r datblygwr. Rwy'n siŵr eich bod wedi rhoi cynnig ar y llwybrau hynny. Os ydych chi eisiau ysgrifennu ataf a dweud wrthyf pwy yw'r datblygwr, rwy'n cael cyfarfodydd rheolaidd gyda'r datblygwyr, felly rwy'n fwy na pharod i weld a allaf fynd ar ei drywydd gyda nhw hefyd. Ond mae'n ymddangos yn rhyfeddol i mi, os ydych chi'n prynu tŷ newydd, na allwch ddibynnu arno i fod mewn cyflwr da ar ôl dwy flynedd.
4. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet roi diweddariad am yr hyn y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i helpu i sicrhau bod cartrefi gwag yng Nghanolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru yn cael eu defnyddio eto? OQ61061
4. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on what the Welsh Government is doing to help bring empty homes in Mid and West Wales back into use? OQ61061
Thank you, Joyce. The Welsh Government has a number of interventions and funding streams to reduce the number of empty homes in Wales. These include our empty homes grant scheme, which aims to bring up to 2,000 long-term empty properties back into use, and that has a budget of £25 million for 2024-25.
Diolch, Joyce. Mae gan Lywodraeth Cymru nifer o ymyriadau a ffrydiau ariannu i leihau nifer y cartrefi gwag yng Nghymru. Mae'r rhain yn cynnwys ein cynllun grant cartrefi gwag, sy'n anelu at ddod â hyd at 2,000 eiddo gwag yn hirdymor yn ôl i ddefnydd, ac sydd â chyllideb o £25 miliwn ar gyfer 2024-25.
I thank you for that answer. There are 22,000 empty homes in Wales and, as you say, the Welsh Government has a scheme to bring back those empty homes, through grants, into use. I understand that the fund is accessible for owner-occupiers, registered social landlords, local authorities and community housing groups to apply for. So, Cabinet Secretary, are you able to give an update on how many grants have been allocated and how many homes have been brought back into use since that scheme was launched just over 12 months ago?
Diolch am yr ateb hwnnw. Mae 22,000 o gartrefi gwag yng Nghymru ac fel y dywedwch, mae gan Lywodraeth Cymru gynllun i ddod â'r cartrefi gwag hynny yn ôl i ddefnydd drwy grantiau. Deallaf fod y gronfa yn hygyrch i berchen-feddianwyr, landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig, awdurdodau lleol a grwpiau tai cymunedol wneud cais amdani. Felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a wnewch chi roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am faint o grantiau sydd wedi'u dyrannu a faint o gartrefi sydd wedi dod yn ôl i ddefnydd ers lansio'r cynllun ychydig dros 12 mis yn ôl?
Yes, thank you very much, Joyce. There have been 660 valid applications for the scheme to date, with 246 approvals so far, and that was at the beginning of May. So, it's going very well indeed. Forty five properties have been completed with all category 1 hazards removed and brought back into use as homes, and the work to bring back a number of other homes is in progress. The grants are up to £25,000 for individual home owners and, as you rightly said, owner-occupiers, registered social landlords, local authorities and community housing groups are all able to access the grant. The property must have been registered as empty with the local authority for a minimum of 12 months prior to the commencement of the works, so we are looking at long-term empty homes here. And once the works have been completed, the successful applicant must live in the property as their main or only residence for a minimum of five years, or the grant is repayable, because the whole point is to bring the home back into beneficial use. I should say at this point that it's also eligible for Leasing Scheme Wales, so if you wanted to give the property, at that point, to the local registered social landlord, that's another route to making sure that it's occupied over a long term.
We absolutely must do more to bring these empty properties into use, and so the other thing I would just like to say is that we have worked with 850 local councillors, planning officials and building control officials right across Wales on compulsory purchase, and how to bring compulsory purchase to bear on empty properties throughout Wales. Vikki Howells highlighted one, in a presentation she did in the Senedd a little while ago, in her community. We are encouraging local authorities to bring compulsory purchase on properties that are derelict, because, actually, not only could they be homes, but they also have a real detrimental effect on the area. My colleague Lee Waters and I visited one in Rhondda Cynon Taf, where a house on the corner of two streets had been empty for some considerable period of time, a young family were moving in, they were delighted, but actually, all the residents of the two streets were also delighted because they no longer had a blighted property. So, they have a huge number of benefits, not just as homes, but in terms of rejuvenating and renewing the whole area.
Diolch, Joyce. Daeth 660 o geisiadau dilys i law ar gyfer y cynllun hyd yma, gyda 246 wedi eu cymeradwyo hyd yn hyn, a hynny ar ddechrau mis Mai. Felly, mae'n mynd yn dda dros ben. Mae 45 eiddo wedi'u cwblhau gyda phob perygl categori 1 wedi'u dileu er mwyn eu hailddefnyddio fel cartrefi, ac mae'r gwaith o ddod â nifer o gartrefi eraill yn ôl i ddefnydd ar y gweill. Mae'r grantiau hyd at £25,000 ar gyfer perchnogion tai unigol ac fel y dywedoch chi'n gywir, gall perchen-feddianwyr, landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig, awdurdodau lleol a grwpiau tai cymunedol gael mynediad at y grant. Mae'n rhaid i'r eiddo fod wedi ei gofrestru fel eiddo gwag gyda'r awdurdod lleol am o leiaf 12 mis cyn i'r gwaith ddechrau, felly rydym yn edrych ar gartrefi gwag hirdymor yma. A phan fydd y gwaith wedi'i gwblhau, rhaid i'r ymgeisydd llwyddiannus fyw yn yr eiddo fel eu prif breswylfa neu eu hunig breswylfa am o leiaf bum mlynedd, neu mae'r grant yn ad-daladwy, oherwydd yr holl bwynt yw dod â chartref yn ôl i ddefnydd buddiol. Dylwn ddweud ar y pwynt hwn ei fod hefyd yn gymwys ar gyfer Cynllun Lesio Cymru, felly os oeddech chi am roi'r eiddo, ar y pwynt hwnnw, i'r landlord cymdeithasol cofrestredig lleol, mae hwnnw'n llwybr arall tuag at sicrhau ei fod yn cael ei feddiannu dros gyfnod hir.
Mae'n rhaid inni wneud mwy i ddod â'r eiddo gwag hwn yn ôl i ddefnydd, ac felly y peth arall yr hoffwn ei ddweud yw ein bod wedi gweithio gydag 850 o gynghorwyr lleol, swyddogion cynllunio a swyddogion rheoli adeiladu ledled Cymru ar bryniant gorfodol, a sut i brynu eiddo gwag drwy drefniant gorfodol ledled Cymru. Nododd Vikki Howells un, mewn cyflwyniad a wnaeth yn y Senedd ychydig yn ôl, yn ei chymuned hi. Rydym yn annog awdurdodau lleol i brynu eiddo sy'n dirywio drwy drefniant gorfodol, oherwydd nid yn unig y gallent fod yn gartrefi, ond maent hefyd yn cael effaith wirioneddol andwyol ar yr ardal. Ymwelodd fy nghyd-Aelod Lee Waters a minnau ag un yn Rhondda Cynon Taf, lle roedd tŷ ar gornel dwy stryd wedi bod yn wag ers cryn dipyn o amser, roedd teulu ifanc yn symud i mewn, roeddent wrth eu boddau, ond mewn gwirionedd, roedd holl drigolion y ddwy stryd hefyd wrth eu boddau oherwydd nid oedd ganddynt eiddo a oedd yn falltod ar y gymuned mwyach. Felly, mae ganddynt nifer o fanteision, nid yn unig fel cartrefi, ond o ran adfywio ac adnewyddu'r ardal gyfan.
5. Pa asesiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud o faint o stoc dai yng Nghymru y mae RAAC yn effeithio arnynt? OQ61041
5. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the amount of housing stock in Wales affected by RAAC? OQ61041
Thank you for that question. The survey work undertaken to date indicates that the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, or RAAC, in social housing stock in Wales is limited. It is important that all of the necessary survey work is completed so that tenants can be provided with assurance on the safety of their homes.
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Mae'r gwaith arolygu a wnaed hyd yma yn dangos bod presenoldeb concrit awyredig awtoclafiedig cyfnerth, neu RAAC, yn y stoc tai cymdeithasol yng Nghymru yn gyfyngedig. Mae'n bwysig fod yr holl waith arolygu angenrheidiol yn cael ei gwblhau fel y gellir rhoi sicrwydd i denantiaid ynglŷn â diogelwch eu cartrefi.
Thank you for your answer, Cabinet Secretary, and for your ongoing correspondence with me regarding the 77 homes on the Gower estate in Hirwaun in which RAAC has been found. As you know, 60 of these are owned by the social housing provider Trivallis, but 17 are in private ownership, having been purchased under the right-to-buy scheme. These home owners, who are mainly elderly and all low-income households, are facing significant stress. I held an advice surgery for them last week, and I'm keen to do all I can to bring parties together to support them.
The cost of remedial work is estimated to be between £70,000 and £100,000 per property, which is between 100 per cent and 125 per cent of the value of each home. Even meeting the cost of the structural surveys is a challenge for many, let alone the works themselves, with no financial assistance forthcoming from their insurance providers or any other party. So, Cabinet Secretary, will you commit to continuing to carefully monitor this situation, particularly once the results of Trivallis's structural surveys are known and costs become clearer, and to working with me to bring all parties, including the Welsh Government, together to do all we can to support these home owners?
Diolch am eich ateb, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, ac am eich gohebiaeth barhaus â mi ynglŷn â'r 77 o gartrefi ar ystad Gower yn Hirwaun lle daethpwyd o hyd i RAAC. Fel y gwyddoch, mae 60 o'r rhain yn eiddo i'r darparwr tai cymdeithasol Trivallis, ond mae 17 mewn perchnogaeth breifat, ar ôl cael eu prynu o dan y cynllun hawl i brynu. Mae'r perchnogion tai hyn, pobl oedrannus yn bennaf ac aelwydydd incwm isel bob un, yn wynebu straen sylweddol. Cynhaliais gymhorthfa gynghori ar eu cyfer yr wythnos diwethaf, ac rwy'n awyddus i wneud popeth yn fy ngallu i ddod â phartïon ynghyd i'w cefnogi.
Amcangyfrifir bod cost gwaith adfer rhwng £70,000 a £100,000 yr eiddo, sydd rhwng 100 y cant a 125 y cant o werth pob cartref. Mae hyd yn oed talu cost yr arolygon strwythurol yn her i lawer, heb sôn am y gwaith ei hun, heb unrhyw gymorth ariannol ar gael gan eu darparwyr yswiriant nac unrhyw barti arall. Felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a wnewch chi ymrwymo i barhau i fonitro'r sefyllfa hon yn ofalus, yn enwedig pan fydd canlyniadau arolygon strwythurol Trivallis yn hysbys a'r costau'n dod yn gliriach, ac i weithio gyda mi i ddod â phob parti, gan gynnwys Llywodraeth Cymru, ynghyd i wneud popeth yn ein gallu i gefnogi'r perchnogion tai hyn?
Thank you very much, Vikki, for that. This is, clearly, a very difficult and distressing time for all of the residents affected on the Gower estate, and we can only imagine what they must be going through as a result of that. You do want to feel that your home is a safe place for you to stay, and this must have been a terrible shock. The feedback from your surgery has highlighted the issues, as you said, affecting private home owners in particular on the estate.
It is a complex matter. The construction of the homes predates devolution by some considerable period, and we are asking the UK Government to consider what it intends to do to support not only Welsh home owners but home owners affected across the UK. As far as we know, we don't have that many in Wales, but across the UK there are quite a few. So, once the survey work has been completed there, we can assess the overall situation, but we are calling for a four-nations approach across the UK now to what is an increasingly obvious problem that much predates devolution and will require some substantial funding to put right.
Diolch am hynny, Vikki. Yn amlwg, mae hwn yn gyfnod anodd a thrallodus iawn i'r holl drigolion yr effeithir arnynt ar ystad Gower, a gallwn ond dychmygu'r hyn y maent yn ei wynebu o ganlyniad i hynny. Rydych chi eisiau teimlo bod eich cartref yn lle diogel i chi aros, ac mae'n rhaid bod hon wedi bod yn sioc ofnadwy. Mae'r adborth o'ch cymhorthfa wedi tynnu sylw at y problemau, fel y dywedoch chi, sy'n effeithio ar berchnogion cartrefi preifat yn enwedig ar yr ystad.
Mae'n fater cymhleth. Mae'r gwaith o adeiladu'r cartrefi yn mynd yn ôl gryn dipyn cyn datganoli, ac rydym yn gofyn i Lywodraeth y DU ystyried yr hyn y mae'n bwriadu ei wneud i gefnogi perchnogion tai Cymru a pherchnogion tai yr effeithiwyd arnynt ledled y DU. Hyd y gwyddom, nid oes gennym gymaint â hynny yng Nghymru, ond ar draws y DU mae cryn dipyn ohonynt. Felly, pan fydd y gwaith arolygu wedi'i gwblhau, gallwn asesu'r sefyllfa gyffredinol, ond rydym yn galw am ddull pedair gwlad ledled y DU nawr o ymdrin â phroblem gynyddol amlwg sy'n mynd yn ôl i'r cyfnod cyn datganoli a bydd angen cyllid sylweddol i'w unioni.
6. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn bwriadu mynd i'r afael â rhagfarn yn erbyn tenantiaid ag anifeiliaid anwes yn y sector rhentu preifat? OQ61056
6. How does the Welsh Government intend to address the issue of prejudice against tenants with pets in the private rental sector? OQ61056
Thank you, Carolyn. Under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, landlords and contract holders can agree additional terms covering the keeping of pets. Any pet clause should allow a contract holder to ask for permission to keep a pet, and the landlord is not allowed to unreasonably refuse the request.
Diolch, Carolyn. O dan Ddeddf Rhentu Cartrefi (Cymru) 2016, gall landlordiaid a deiliaid contractau gytuno ar delerau ychwanegol sy'n ymwneud â chadw anifeiliaid anwes. Dylai unrhyw gymal anifeiliaid anwes ganiatáu i ddeiliad contract ofyn am ganiatâd i gadw anifail anwes, ac ni chaniateir i'r landlord wrthod y cais yn afresymol.
Thank you for the answer, Cabinet Secretary. Half of households have pets, yet just 7 per cent of rentals are advertised as pet friendly, and it's had significant consequences. In a four-month period, the Dogs Trust had 118 people in Wales inquire about handing over their dogs due to a change in accommodation or rental agreement. The emotional distress this causes for dogs and their owners is huge, but it's also totally unnecessary. Evidence gathered by the Local Government and Housing Committee found that pet owners, in fact, make excellent tenants, as they are more likely to stay in a rental for an extended period of time, and the vast majority of landlords find no pet-related damage to their property whatsoever. So, is the Cabinet Secretary willing to work with the organisations that gave evidence to the committee, such as RSPCA Cymru, Dogs Trust and Cats Protection, to ensure that the right legislation is in place to support current and prospective pet owners?
Diolch am yr ateb, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Mae gan hanner yr holl aelwydydd anifeiliaid anwes, ond dim ond 7 y cant o eiddo rhent a hysbysebir fel rhai sy'n croesawu anifeiliaid anwes, ac mae i hynny ganlyniadau sylweddol. Mewn cyfnod o bedwar mis, fe wnaeth 118 o bobl yng Nghymru holi i'r Dogs Trust ynglŷn ag ildio perchnogaeth ar eu cŵn yn sgil newid llety neu newid i gytundeb rhentu. Mae'r gofid emosiynol y mae hyn yn ei achosi i gŵn a'u perchnogion yn enfawr, ond mae hefyd yn gwbl ddiangen. Canfu tystiolaeth a gasglwyd gan y Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai fod perchnogion anifeiliaid anwes yn gwneud tenantiaid rhagorol mewn gwirionedd, am eu bod yn fwy tebygol o aros mewn eiddo rhent am gyfnod estynedig o amser, ac nid yw'r mwyafrif helaeth o landlordiaid yn canfod unrhyw ddifrod i'w heiddo sy'n gysylltiedig ag anifeiliaid anwes. Felly, a yw Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn fodlon gweithio gyda'r sefydliadau a roddodd dystiolaeth i'r pwyllgor, megis RSPCA Cymru, Dogs Trust a Cats Protection, i sicrhau bod y ddeddfwriaeth gywir ar waith i gefnogi perchnogion anifeiliaid anwes presennol a darpar berchnogion anifeiliaid anwes?
We're aware of the pet insurance clauses, for example, in the UK Government's Renters (Reform) Bill for England, so we will be considering whether there's something we can do there. I will just reiterate to you that a landlord cannot unreasonably withhold a request to keep a pet. I won't repeat the story I gave in the committee, but it was meant to illustrate that whilst we can all understand that being separated from your beloved dog or cat can be difficult, not all pet owners keep appropriate pets in appropriate circumstances. Jack Sargeant did tell me that I had rendered him speechless with that, so I perhaps won't repeat it here, Llywydd, in case I render everyone speechless. But suffice to say, during the time I worked in a local authority, I found a large number of premises where very unsuitable pets were being kept. So, it is about not separating people from their beloved pet, but also making sure that we don't have a spate of very unsuitable pets, and about the balance.
I absolutely, as a dog and cat owner myself, understand that people don't want to be separated from their pets, that it's hugely traumatic to do so, and that the vast majority of pet owners are responsible and just want somewhere to live in quiet enjoyment with their pet. We do repeatedly make the point via Rent Smart Wales that landlords cannot unreasonably withhold consent to keep a pet, but I am very happy to explore other ways of making sure that the right pet in the right place can be a right for the tenant.
Rydym yn ymwybodol o'r cymalau yswiriant anifeiliaid anwes, er enghraifft, ym Mil Rhentwyr (Diwygio) Llywodraeth y DU ar gyfer Lloegr, felly byddwn yn ystyried a oes rhywbeth y gallwn ei wneud yno. Fe wnaf ailadrodd i chi na all landlord wrthod cais yn afresymol i gadw anifail anwes. Ni wnaf ailadrodd y stori a roddais yn y pwyllgor, ond roedd i fod i ddangos er y gallwn i gyd ddeall y gall cael eich gwahanu oddi wrth eich annwyl gi neu gath fod yn anodd, nid yw pob perchennog anifail anwes yn cadw anifeiliaid anwes priodol mewn amgylchiadau priodol. Dywedodd Jack Sargeant wrthyf ei fod wedi'i daro'n fud gan hynny, felly efallai na wnaf ei ailadrodd yma, Lywydd, rhag i mi daro pawb yn fud. Ond digon yw dweud, yn ystod yr amser y bûm yn gweithio mewn awdurdod lleol, imi ddod o hyd i nifer fawr o leoedd lle roedd anifeiliaid anwes anaddas iawn yn cael eu cadw. Felly, mae'n ymwneud â pheidio â gwahanu pobl oddi wrth eu hannwyl anifeiliaid anwes, a sicrhau hefyd nad oes gennym lu o anifeiliaid anwes hynod anaddas, a sicrhau cydbwysedd.
Fel perchennog ci a chath fy hun, rwy'n deall nad yw pobl eisiau cael eu gwahanu oddi wrth eu hanifeiliaid anwes, fod hynny'n hynod drawmatig, a bod y mwyafrif helaeth o berchnogion anifeiliaid anwes yn gyfrifol a dim ond eisiau rhywle i fyw'n dawel gyda'u hanifail anwes. Rydym yn gwneud y pwynt dro ar ôl tro drwy Rhentu Doeth Cymru na all landlordiaid atal cydsyniad yn afresymol i gadw anifail anwes, ond rwy'n hapus iawn i archwilio ffyrdd eraill o sicrhau bod yr anifail anwes cywir yn y lle cywir yn gallu bod yn hawl i'r tenant.
7. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet roi diweddariad am gynigion i greu parc cenedlaethol newydd yng ngogledd-ddwyrain Cymru? OQ61067
7. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on proposals to create a new national park in north-east Wales? OQ61067
Diolch, Llyr. The designation of a national park in north-east Wales is a programme for government commitment. We have asked NRW to undertake a programme, including detailed assessment, engagement and consultation. This will inform a final decision, expected in 2025. Additional funding is being allocated to NRW for the designation programme.
Diolch, Llyr. Mae dynodiad parc cenedlaethol yng ngogledd-ddwyrain Cymru yn ymrwymiad yn y rhaglen lywodraethu. Rydym wedi gofyn i CNC gyflawni rhaglen, gan gynnwys asesiad manwl, ymgysylltiad ac ymgynghoriad. Bydd hyn yn llywio penderfyniad terfynol a ddisgwylir yn 2025. Mae cyllid ychwanegol yn cael ei ddyrannu i CNC ar gyfer y rhaglen ddynodi.
Could you tell us whether the designation programme includes the wider considerations around the impact, potentially, of a designation, not just the merits of designating in itself? Because I'm aware that there are potential impacts on affordability of housing in that area for local residents who may be affected inadvertently by the designation. I'm also very aware of the need to invest in appropriate infrastructure, because, as welcome as additional visitors would be, we need to avoid a situation where we replicate some of the challenges that we've seen in Eryri, where there have been parking problems, blocked roads and a lack of sufficient public facilities. So, what assurances can you give us that, as part of the work of preparing towards potentially a new national park in north-east Wales, all of these factors are being considered, beyond just the designation itself?
A allwch chi ddweud wrthym a yw'r rhaglen ddynodi yn cynnwys ystyriaethau ehangach ynghylch effaith dynodiad, o bosibl, ac nid rhinweddau dynodiad yn unig? Oherwydd rwy'n ymwybodol fod yna effeithiau posibl ar fforddiadwyedd tai yn yr ardal honno i drigolion lleol a allai gael eu heffeithio'n anfwriadol gan y dynodiad. Rwyf hefyd yn ymwybodol iawn o'r angen i fuddsoddi mewn seilwaith priodol, oherwydd, er cymaint y byddai'r croeso i ymwelwyr ychwanegol, mae angen inni osgoi sefyllfa lle rydym yn efelychu rhai o'r heriau a welsom yn Eryri, lle cafwyd problemau parcio, ffyrdd wedi'u rhwystro a diffyg cyfleusterau cyhoeddus digonol. Felly, fel rhan o'r gwaith o baratoi ar gyfer y posibilrwydd o barc cenedlaethol newydd yng ngogledd-ddwyrain Cymru, pa sicrwydd y gallwch ei roi i ni fod yr holl ffactorau hyn yn cael eu hystyried, y tu hwnt i'r dynodiad ei hun yn unig?
Absolutely. Part of the designation process is to go through all of the pros and all of the cons, understand what those pros and cons are and take full account of the pros and cons, to see what can be done to overcome any cons, to see what can be done to enhance the pros, and to come to a conclusion that suits the inhabitants of the area. We don't have national parks where nobody lives; we have national parks where people live, work and carry out their ordinary activities.
We have been working with the national parks for some considerable time now to make sure that they are able to enhance and protect the landscapes that they're in. They aren't just there to be a single-purpose planning authority. And so you're absolutely right that we need to go through a process that takes into careful account all of the issues that are around a designation, and they include the pros, which I think people think are obvious, but are perhaps not so obvious. So, it is about enhancing, protecting and recognising very beautiful landscapes across Wales—important landscapes for wildlife and so on—but it is also about making sure that those landscapes are then not subject to overtourism, for example.
I'm very familiar with Pen y Fan in Bannau Brycheiniog and the signs up saying, 'Other mountains are available; please consider going to another mountain'. It's important to do that, isn't it? In Eryri—I was there very recently—I was being told about the number of walkers who consider themselves to be guardians of the environment but think it's fine to drop their banana peel on the road, because they think it's biodegradable. The fact that it's full of things that shouldn't be found in that environment is one of the things that they've been working very hard on, so that people who actually care about the environment understand what happens in that environment as a result of their interaction with it.
I was very sad to see the statistics that show that, on most of the major routes up yr Wyddfa, there's a contamination every 2 ft with some kind of substance that shouldn't be there. So, helping the national parks help their visitors to understand the impact of tourism, and what they can do to enhance that environment and not take away from it, is important. But if we don't designate that landscape, then it doesn't stop that happening; it means that we haven't got the infrastructure in place to assist it to happen. It's both a pro and a con. I just want to use that as an illustration, because what we have to do is look at the complete picture, we have to understand the strength of feeling on both sides—and there is strength of feeling on both sides—we have to work with all of our other authorities in that area, but, in the end, what we're all trying to do is enhance the beauty and the biodiversity of our country in the best way that we can.
Yn sicr. Rhan o'r broses ddynodi yw mynd drwy'r holl fanteision a'r holl anfanteision, deall beth yw'r manteision a'r anfanteision hynny ac ystyried y manteision a'r anfanteision yn llawn, i weld beth y gellir ei wneud i oresgyn unrhyw anfanteision, i weld beth y gellir ei wneud i wella'r manteision, a dod i gasgliad sy'n gweddu i drigolion yr ardal. Nid oes gennym barciau cenedlaethol lle nad oes neb yn byw; mae gennym barciau cenedlaethol lle mae pobl yn byw, yn gweithio ac yn cyflawni eu gweithgareddau arferol.
Rydym wedi bod yn gweithio gyda'r parciau cenedlaethol ers cryn dipyn o amser bellach i sicrhau eu bod yn gallu gwella a gwarchod y tirweddau y maent ynddynt. Nid ydynt yno i fod yn awdurdod cynllunio un pwrpas yn unig. Ac felly rydych chi'n hollol iawn fod angen inni fynd drwy broses sy'n ystyried yr holl faterion sy'n ymwneud â dynodiad yn ofalus, ac maent yn cynnwys y manteision, y mae pobl yn credu eu bod yn amlwg, ond efallai nad ydynt mor amlwg â hynny. Felly, mae'n ymwneud â gwella, diogelu a chydnabod tirweddau hardd iawn ledled Cymru—tirweddau pwysig i fywyd gwyllt ac yn y blaen—ond mae hefyd yn ymwneud â sicrhau nad yw'r tirweddau hynny wedyn yn destun gordwristiaeth, er enghraifft.
Rwy'n gyfarwydd iawn â Phen y Fan ym Mannau Brycheiniog a'r arwyddion sy'n dweud, 'Mae mynyddoedd eraill ar gael; ystyriwch fynd at fynydd arall'. Mae'n bwysig gwneud hynny, onid yw? Yn Eryri—roeddwn yno'n ddiweddar iawn—cefais wybod am y cerddwyr niferus sy'n ystyried eu hunain yn warcheidwaid yr amgylchedd ond sy'n meddwl ei bod hi'n iawn i ollwng eu croen banana ar y ffordd, oherwydd eu bod yn meddwl ei fod yn fioddiraddadwy. Mae'r ffaith ei fod yn llawn o bethau na ddylid eu canfod yn yr amgylchedd hwnnw yn un o'r pethau y maent wedi bod yn gweithio'n galed iawn arno, fel bod pobl sy'n poeni am yr amgylchedd yn deall beth sy'n digwydd yn yr amgylchedd hwnnw o ganlyniad i'w cysylltiad ag ef.
Roeddwn yn drist iawn o weld yr ystadegau sy'n dangos, ar y rhan fwyaf o'r prif lwybrau i fyny'r Wyddfa, fod pob 2 droedfedd wedi'i halogi â rhyw fath o sylwedd na ddylai fod yno. Felly, mae helpu'r parciau cenedlaethol i helpu eu hymwelwyr i ddeall effaith twristiaeth, a'r hyn y gallant ei wneud i wella'r amgylchedd hwnnw a pheidio â thynnu oddi arno, yn bwysig. Ond os nad ydym yn dynodi'r dirwedd honno, nid yw'n atal hynny rhag digwydd; mae'n golygu nad oes gennym y seilwaith ar waith i'w helpu i ddigwydd. Mae'n fantais ac yn anfantais. Rwyf eisiau defnyddio hynny fel eglureb, oherwydd yr hyn sy'n rhaid inni ei wneud yw edrych ar y darlun cyflawn, mae'n rhaid inni ddeall cryfder y teimlad ar y ddwy ochr—ac mae yna deimladau cryfion ar y ddwy ochr—mae'n rhaid inni weithio gyda'n holl awdurdodau eraill yn y maes, ond yn y pen draw, yr hyn y mae pawb ohonom yn ceisio ei wneud yw gwella harddwch a bioamrywiaeth ein gwlad yn y ffordd orau sy'n bosibl.
Y cwestiwn olaf yw cwestiwn 8, Janet Finch-Saunders.
Finally, question 8, Janet Finch-Saunders.
8. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ddatganiad am berfformiad Rhentu Doeth Cymru? OQ61064
8. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the performance of Rent Smart Wales? OQ61064
Thank you, Janet. I recently commissioned a full external evaluation of Rent Smart Wales's performance. That evaluation is under way and it's due to report later this year.
Diolch, Janet. Yn ddiweddar, comisiynais werthusiad allanol llawn o berfformiad Rhentu Doeth Cymru. Mae'r gwerthusiad hwnnw ar y gweill ac mae disgwyl iddo adrodd yn ddiweddarach eleni.
Thank you. As you know, Minister, according to a written question I put to you recently, we can now state that this is costing the taxpayer a staggering £49,850. This is a huge amount of money to be spending on a service that, in my eyes, and indeed others in the housing sector, is not fulfilling its duties as well as it could. I am concerned, and I’ll declare an interest, as per my registered published interests in terms of property. Other people have raised with me that there’s not enough done to ensure that private sector landlords who fail to register with Rent Smart Wales are identified. This is not a good look for the thousands of respectable landlords who are conforming with the Renting Homes (Wales) Act. During evidence taken in the climate change committee, it was suggested that, in order to identify private landlords as regards the retrofitting of homes, Rent Smart Wales could widen its brief to provide the data needed to include the private rented sector for retrofitting. Could you please provide some information here today, Cabinet Secretary, on the scope of the review you’re undertaking and what lessons you’ve taken forward as regards the evidence coming forward from our climate change committee? Rent Smart Wales could actually be doing far more positive things, rather than be overbearing on private sector landlords, who then leave the sector, as Mark Isherwood quite accurately stated. Diolch.
Diolch. Fel y gwyddoch, Weinidog, yn ôl cwestiwn ysgrifenedig a ofynnais i chi yn ddiweddar, gallwn ddweud nawr fod hyn yn costio swm anhygoel o £49,850 i'r trethdalwr. Mae hwn yn swm enfawr o arian i'w wario ar wasanaeth nad yw, yn fy marn i, ac eraill yn y sector tai, yn cyflawni ei ddyletswyddau cystal ag y gallai. Rwy'n bryderus, ac rwyf am ddatgan buddiant, yn unol â fy muddiannau cyhoeddedig cofrestredig ynghylch eiddo. Mae pobl eraill wedi nodi wrthyf nad oes digon wedi'i wneud i sicrhau bod landlordiaid sector preifat sy'n methu cofrestru gyda Rhentu Doeth Cymru yn cael eu nodi. Nid yw hyn yn adlewyrchu'n dda ar y miloedd o landlordiaid parchus sy'n cydymffurfio â Deddf Rhentu Cartrefi (Cymru). Yn ystod y dystiolaeth a gymerwyd yn y pwyllgor newid hinsawdd, er mwyn nodi landlordiaid preifat ar gyfer ôl-osod cartrefi, awgrymwyd y gallai Rhentu Doeth Cymru ehangu ei frîff i ddarparu'r data sydd ei angen i gynnwys y sector rhentu preifat ar gyfer ôl-osod. A allech chi roi rhywfaint o wybodaeth yma heddiw, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, am gwmpas yr adolygiad rydych chi'n ei gynnal a pha wersi a ddatblygwyd gennych o ran y dystiolaeth a ddaw gan ein pwyllgor newid hinsawdd? Gallai Rhentu Doeth Cymru fod yn gwneud pethau llawer mwy cadarnhaol mewn gwirionedd, yn hytrach na bod yn or-ddibynnol ar landlordiaid sector preifat, sydd wedyn yn gadael y sector, fel y dywedodd Mark Isherwood yn gywir ddigon. Diolch.
Thank you for that, Janet. Landlords, agents and tenants, as well as their representative bodies, will soon be invited to engage with the evaluation. It is an evaluation of the current working of Rent Smart Wales. It isn’t a consultation about widening the role, just to be clear. I really would like everyone to get involved. We really do want to know what’s working with Rent Smart Wales and what isn’t working, and how we can put that right.
Rent Smart Wales are within their statutory time frames for processing licence applications. The average wait at the moment is a week and a half for the licence. The Rent Smart Wales contact centre is currently running at a 96 per cent answer rate with callers waiting on average under a minute to be answered. Rent Smart Wales are currently issuing an average of 36 fixed penalty notices every month. The most common reason for that is where landlords are found not to have registered or be licensed or both. To date, there have been 263 successful criminal prosecutions of landlords and agents who have breached the requirements of Part 1 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, and there have been no unsuccessful prosecutions.
As I said to Mark Isherwood, the statistics are really interesting. We are looking to get underneath them. I hear the anecdotal evidence, too, but it's not borne out in the statistics. What we aren’t able to see from those statistics just yet is, where a landlord sells, whether they’re selling on to another landlord, because we have as many new registrations as we have deregistrations, and the number of properties is not declining, either. But in all honesty, I don’t know quite what that’s showing us. It certainly isn’t showing us a decline, so we’ll be looking to get underneath that. But I don’t think the record of Rent Smart Wales is a failure. I think it’s actually doing very well indeed.
Diolch, Janet. Cyn bo hir, fe wahoddir landlordiaid, asiantau a thenantiaid, yn ogystal â'u cyrff cynrychioliadol, i gymryd rhan yn y gwerthusiad. Mae'n werthusiad o waith presennol Rhentu Doeth Cymru. Nid ymgynghoriad ar ehangu'r rôl ydyw, i fod yn glir. Hoffwn yn fawr i bawb gymryd rhan. Rydym eisiau gwybod beth sy'n gweithio gyda Rhentu Doeth Cymru a'r hyn nad yw'n gweithio, a sut y gallwn unioni hynny.
Mae Rhentu Doeth Cymru o fewn eu fframiau amser statudol ar gyfer prosesu ceisiadau am drwydded. Yr amser aros ar gyfartaledd ar hyn o bryd yw wythnos a hanner am y drwydded. Ar hyn o bryd mae canolfan gyswllt Rhentu Doeth Cymru yn rhedeg ar gyfradd ateb o 96 y cant gyda galwyr yn aros o dan funud ar gyfartaledd i gael eu hateb. Ar hyn o bryd mae Rhentu Doeth Cymru yn cyhoeddi 36 o hysbysiadau cosb benodedig bob mis. Y rheswm mwyaf cyffredin am hynny yw lle canfyddir nad yw landlordiaid wedi eu cofrestru neu eu trwyddedu neu'r ddau. Hyd yn hyn, cafwyd 263 o erlyniadau troseddol llwyddiannus yn erbyn landlordiaid ac asiantau sydd wedi torri gofynion Rhan 1 o Ddeddf Tai (Cymru) 2014, ac ni chafwyd unrhyw erlyniadau aflwyddiannus.
Fel y dywedais wrth Mark Isherwood, mae'r ystadegau'n ddiddorol iawn. Rydym yn ceisio eu dadansoddi. Rwy'n clywed y dystiolaeth anecdotaidd hefyd, ond nid yw wedi ei ategu gan yr ystadegau. Yr hyn na allwn ei weld o'r ystadegau hynny eto, lle mae landlord yn gwerthu, yw a ydynt yn gwerthu ymlaen i landlord arall, oherwydd mae gennym lawn cymaint o gofrestriadau newydd ag o ddatgofrestriadau, ac nid yw nifer yr eiddo'n gostwng, ychwaith. Ond a bod yn onest, nid wyf yn gwybod yn iawn beth mae hynny'n ei ddangos i ni. Yn sicr, nid yw'n dangos dirywiad i ni, felly byddwn yn ceisio dadansoddi hynny. Ond nid wyf yn meddwl bod cyflawniad Rhentu Doeth Cymru yn fethiant. Rwy'n credu ei fod yn gwneud yn dda iawn mewn gwirionedd.
Diolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet.
I thank the Cabinet Secretary.
Yr eitem nesaf yw cwestiynau i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg. Mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Delyth Jewell.
The next item is questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education. The first question is from Delyth Jewell.
1. Pa drafodaethau y mae’r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet wedi eu cynnal ag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Ogledd Cymru a Thrafnidiaeth ynglŷn â Mesur Teithio gan Ddysgwr (Cymru) 2008? OQ61057
1. What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with the Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport regarding the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008? OQ61057
Diolch, Delyth. The Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport and I are currently in discussions regarding his plans for learner travel in Wales.
Diolch, Delyth. Ar hyn o bryd mae Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Ogledd Cymru a Thrafnidiaeth a minnau mewn trafodaethau ynghylch ei gynlluniau ar gyfer teithio gan ddysgwyr yng Nghymru.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am hynna. Mae gennym ni sefyllfa eithriadol o niweidiol ar hyn o bryd. Oherwydd toriadau cyllidebau, mae ansicrwydd mewn sawl awdurdod lleol ynglŷn â dyfodol cludiant ysgol. Mae’n golygu y bydd rhai plant nawr yn methu â fforddio cyrraedd yr ysgol. Fel dwi wedi codi yn barod gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros drafnidiaeth, bydd effaith arbennig o wael ar ysgolion cyfrwng Cymraeg. Mewn ardaloedd fel y Cymoedd, mae’n cymryd naid i rieni ddanfon eu plant at ysgol Gymraeg. Mae gwneud i ffwrdd â chludiant rhad ac am ddim yn ychwanegu her newydd yn y ffordd, a rhwystr, achos mae catchment areas ysgolion Cymraeg yn y llefydd hyn yn tueddu i fod lot yn fwy, a bydd yn amhosibl i nifer o rieni yrru eu plant i’r ysgol. Dwi'n gwybod eich bod chi’n deall pa mor bwysig yw hi ein bod ni’n gadael i rieni gael y dewis i ddanfon eu plant i ysgol Gymraeg, felly rwy’n croesawu’r ffaith eich bod chi’n cynnal trafodaethau, yn sicr. Pa waith fyddwch chi’n ei wneud gyda’r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet dros drafnidiaeth i flaenoriaethu hyn a gwneud yn siŵr bod pob plentyn yn medru cyrraedd yr ysgol, a bod y niferoedd sy’n dysgu’r Gymraeg ddim chwaith yn dioddef fel canlyniad i'r toriadau? Diolch.
Thank you very much for that. We are facing an extremely damaging situation at the moment. Due to budget cuts, there is uncertainty in many local authorities regarding the future of school transport. It means that some children will now be unable to afford to get to school. As I’ve already raised with the Cabinet Secretary for transport, there will be a particularly detrimental impact on Welsh-medium schools in areas such as the Valleys. It takes a great leap for non-Welsh-speaking parents to send their children to Welsh language schools. Doing away with free transport adds a new barrier, because the catchment areas of Welsh language schools in these places tend to be much larger, and it will be impossible for many parents to drive their children to school. I know you understand how important it is that we let parents have the choice of sending their children to a Welsh language school, so I welcome the fact that you’re having discussions. But what work will you undertake with the Cabinet Secretary for transport to prioritise this and to make sure that all children are able to get to school, and that the numbers learning Welsh don't suffer either as a result of these cuts? Thank you.
Thank you very much, Delyth. Obviously, I recognise the challenges that lots of families are facing at the moment during the cost-of-living crisis. You’ll be aware that all local authorities have to provide free transport according to the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008. You’ll also be aware that this is a complex area and that a review of the Measure was published in 2022 and a further analysis and evaluation exercise were undertaken last year. The former Deputy Minister for Climate Change issued a statement and published a recommendations report in March this year and that outlined a modest, practical pathway to improve learner travel provision in Wales.
Although the report does not recommend any changes to the current legislation, it does recommend a comprehensive update to the statutory guidance to amplify the legislation that has been introduced over the past 10 years, to ensure that all delivery partners are aware of their obligations across a range of policy areas, including additional learning needs, Welsh language, as well as active travel.
I have discussed this with the Cabinet Secretary and one of the things I’m very heartened by is that there’s going to be a stronger focus on the views of children and young people. There’s been consultation with children and young people. We are strengthening the role of children and young people in the work that we’re doing with Transport for Wales. And I think it is really important that we hear their voices as we refine this policy and ensure that it is implemented consistently across Wales in the interest of all learners.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Delyth. Yn amlwg, rwy'n cydnabod yr heriau y mae llawer o deuluoedd yn eu hwynebu ar hyn o bryd yn ystod yr argyfwng costau byw. Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol fod yn rhaid i bob awdurdod lleol ddarparu cludiant am ddim yn unol â Mesur Teithio gan Ddysgwyr (Cymru) 2008. Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol hefyd fod hwn yn faes cymhleth a bod adolygiad o'r Mesur wedi'i gyhoeddi yn 2022 a bod ymarfer dadansoddi a gwerthuso pellach wedi'i gynnal y llynedd. Cyhoeddodd y cyn Ddirprwy Weinidog Newid Hinsawdd ddatganiad a chyhoeddodd adroddiad argymhellion ym mis Mawrth eleni ac roedd hwnnw'n amlinellu llwybr cymedrol, ymarferol i wella'r ddarpariaeth teithio gan ddysgwyr yng Nghymru.
Er nad yw'r adroddiad yn argymell unrhyw newidiadau i'r ddeddfwriaeth bresennol, mae'n argymell diweddariad cynhwysfawr i'r canllawiau statudol i ymhelaethu ar y ddeddfwriaeth a gyflwynwyd dros y 10 mlynedd diwethaf, er mwyn sicrhau bod yr holl bartneriaid cyflenwi yn ymwybodol o'u rhwymedigaethau ar draws ystod o feysydd polisi, gan gynnwys anghenion dysgu ychwanegol, y Gymraeg, yn ogystal â theithio llesol.
Rwyf wedi trafod hyn gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ac un o'r pethau sydd wedi codi fy nghalon yw y bydd ffocws mwy cadarn ar farn plant a phobl ifanc. Cafwyd ymgynghoriad gyda phlant a phobl ifanc. Rydym yn cryfhau rôl plant a phobl ifanc yn y gwaith a wnawn gyda Trafnidiaeth Cymru. Ac rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn ein bod yn clywed eu lleisiau wrth inni fireinio'r polisi hwn a sicrhau ei fod yn cael ei weithredu'n gyson ledled Cymru er budd pob dysgwr.
Cabinet Secretary, I very much agree with the points that Delyth made in her question, but my question is similar but different. Currently, learners are entitled to free school transport to their nearest Welsh-medium school, but they're not entitled to receive free school transport to their nearest English-medium school, if a Welsh-medium school is in closer proximity to them. So, this does bring a real equality issue here and a discrimination against parents who, for whatever reason, may want to see their children learn through the language of English.
Now, I did raise this with your predecessor earlier this year. I got quite a good answer, to be fair. The Minister said at the time that it won't be possible in the short term to amend the legislation that underpins learner travel, but there will be opportunities to update the statutory guidance over the course of the next year. And he went on to say that he hopes that this change in statutory guidance will be able to address some of the kind of issues that I raise. So, I wonder, Cabinet Secretary, if you can give some indication of when you're going to be looking at this statutory guidance and when we'll be able to see the change that's needed in order to address the issues that I've raised with your predecessor and now again today with yourself.
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, rwy'n cytuno'n fawr â'r pwyntiau a wnaeth Delyth yn ei chwestiwn, ond mae fy nghwestiwn innau'n debyg ond yn wahanol. Ar hyn o bryd, mae gan ddysgwyr hawl i gludiant ysgol am ddim i'w hysgol cyfrwng Cymraeg agosaf, ond nid oes ganddynt hawl i gael cludiant ysgol am ddim i'w hysgol cyfrwng Saesneg agosaf, os oes ysgol cyfrwng Cymraeg yn agosach atynt. Felly, mae mater cydraddoldeb go iawn yn codi yma a gwahaniaethu yn erbyn rhieni sydd, am ba reswm bynnag, am weld eu plant yn dysgu trwy gyfrwng y Saesneg.
Fe wneuthum godi hyn gyda'ch rhagflaenydd yn gynharach eleni. Cefais ateb da, i fod yn deg. Dywedodd y Gweinidog ar y pryd na fydd modd diwygio'r ddeddfwriaeth sy'n sail i deithio gan ddysgwyr yn y tymor byr, ond bydd cyfleoedd i ddiweddaru'r canllawiau statudol yn ystod y flwyddyn nesaf. Ac aeth ymlaen i ddweud ei fod yn gobeithio y bydd y newid hwn yn y canllawiau statudol yn gallu mynd i'r afael â rhai o'r mathau o faterion yr wyf yn eu codi. Felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a allwch roi rhyw syniad pryd y byddwch yn edrych ar y canllawiau statudol hyn a phryd y byddwn yn gallu gweld y newid sydd ei angen er mwyn mynd i'r afael â'r materion yr wyf wedi'u codi gyda'ch rhagflaenydd a nawr eto heddiw gyda chi.
Thank you very much, Russell, I wasn’t aware of that situation in your constituency, so it’s very helpful to know that. I think I’m in the same place as my predecessor, really. Obviously, we want to make sure that the legislation is working for children and young people and their families wherever they are in Wales. The review of the statutory guidance is being taken forward by my colleague Ken Skates. I will impress upon him how important it is that that work is progressed as a matter of urgency.
I think the issues that I’ve raised with Delyth around the need to hear the voices of children and young people will help with the kind of conversation that you’ve raised today. I’ve had particular issues in my own constituency with transport to faith schools, so I do think there is a lot of scope for improvement by working proactively with local authorities to ensure that we spread good practice and provide better consistency. There is already some discretion within the guidance that local authorities have. So, I think it’s about trying to work with them, notwithstanding the financial climate, to try and bring them all up to the level of the best.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Russell, nid oeddwn yn ymwybodol o'r sefyllfa honno yn eich etholaeth, felly mae'n ddefnyddiol iawn gwybod hynny. Rwy'n credu fy mod yn yr un lle â fy rhagflaenydd, mewn gwirionedd. Yn amlwg, rydym am sicrhau bod y ddeddfwriaeth yn gweithio i blant a phobl ifanc a'u teuluoedd ble bynnag y maent yng Nghymru. Mae'r adolygiad o'r canllawiau statudol yn cael ei gynnal gan fy nghyd-Aelod, Ken Skates. Byddaf yn gwneud yn siŵr ei fod yn gwybod pa mor bwysig yw hi fod y gwaith hwnnw'n cael ei wneud ar frys.
Rwy'n credu y bydd y materion a godais gyda Delyth ynghylch yr angen i glywed lleisiau plant a phobl ifanc yn helpu gyda'r math o sgwrs a grybwyllwyd gennych heddiw. Rwyf wedi cael problemau penodol yn fy etholaeth fy hun gyda chludiant i ysgolion ffydd, felly rwy'n credu bod llawer o gyfle i wella drwy weithio'n rhagweithiol gydag awdurdodau lleol i sicrhau ein bod yn lledaenu arferion da ac yn darparu gwell cysondeb. Mae rhywfaint o ddisgresiwn eisoes o fewn y canllawiau sydd gan awdurdodau lleol. Felly, rwy'n credu bod hyn yn ymwneud â cheisio gweithio gyda nhw, er gwaethaf yr hinsawdd ariannol, i geisio eu codi i gyd i lefel y goreuon.
2. Beth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i hyrwyddo manteision dysgu yn yr awyr agored? OQ61037
2. What is the Welsh Government doing to promote the benefits of outdoor learning? OQ61037
The benefits of outdoor learning are promoted through the Curriculum for Wales. We know it is a key enabler for children to explore, practise and enhance their skills whilst supporting their social, emotional, spiritual and physical development.
Mae manteision dysgu yn yr awyr agored yn cael eu hyrwyddo drwy'r Cwricwlwm i Gymru. Rydym yn gwybod ei fod yn alluogwr allweddol i blant archwilio, ymarfer a gwella eu sgiliau gan gefnogi eu datblygiad cymdeithasol, emosiynol, ysbrydol a chorfforol ar yr un pryd.
Cabinet Secretary, I recently had the pleasure of welcoming my colleague Sam Rowlands to Pembrokeshire. Together, we visited two businesses that provide residential stays for schools and colleges, to discuss his Residential Outdoor Education (Wales) Bill, which, unfortunately, the Welsh Government did not support. Now, we visited Dale Fort field centre, in the south of my constituency, and Farms for City Children, which is based just outside St Davids. Both of these providers have first-class facilities and can offer so many positive experiences to schools and colleges. And so, Cabinet Secretary, in light of the residential outdoor education Bill no longer going forward, can you tell us what the Welsh Government will now be doing to foster relationships between schools and businesses like these so that as many children and young people as possible can benefit from the experiences that these providers actually offer?
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, cefais y pleser o groesawu fy nghyd-Aelod Sam Rowlands i sir Benfro yn ddiweddar. Gyda'n gilydd, fe wnaethom ymweld â dau fusnes sy'n darparu arosiadau preswyl i ysgolion a cholegau, i drafod ei Fil Addysg Awyr Agored Breswyl (Cymru), na wnaeth Llywodraeth Cymru ei gefnogi, yn anffodus. Nawr, fe wnaethom ymweld â chanolfan maes Caer Dale, yn ne fy etholaeth, a Ffermydd i Blant y Ddinas, sydd wedi'i leoli ychydig y tu allan i Dyddewi. Mae gan y ddau ddarparwr hyn gyfleusterau o'r radd flaenaf a gallant gynnig cymaint o brofiadau cadarnhaol i ysgolion a cholegau. Ac felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, gan na fydd y Bil addysg awyr agored breswyl yn mynd yn ei flaen mwyach, a allwch ddweud wrthym beth y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud nawr i feithrin cysylltiadau rhwng ysgolion a busnesau fel y rhain fel y gall cymaint o blant a phobl ifanc â phosibl elwa o'r profiadau y mae'r darparwyr hyn yn eu cynnig?
Thank you very much, Paul. Can I just assure you that we do indeed recognise the unique value of outdoor learning and the benefit it brings for children and young people, including supporting the development of healthy and active lifestyles, developing problem-solving skills, and understanding and respecting nature and the environment in which they live? Outdoor learning is already recognised within the Curriculum for Wales as a key feature of successful pedagogy, and that can be whether it's within an educational setting, the wider community, a forest, beach or mountain—they all offer authentic experiences.
Obviously, I recognise that the Government didn't support Sam Rowlands's Bill, but I am very grateful to Sam for the work that he did on the Bill and the profile that he has given to this issue. You'll be aware, I'm sure, from the debate, that we had our reasons for not supporting the Bill; they were partly legal, curricular and financial. But I did have constructive discussions with Sam, who put forward a range of alternative options for taking forward this work, and I've asked officials to look at all those options, and will be having, hopefully, further discussions with Sam. I assure you that outdoor learning is already fully embedded in our curriculum, but we don't see this as a one-off thing for a week in the summer or whenever. This is something we want children and young people to be benefiting from all the time.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Paul. A gaf i eich sicrhau ein bod yn cydnabod gwerth unigryw dysgu yn yr awyr agored a'r budd y mae'n ei gynnig i blant a phobl ifanc, gan gynnwys cefnogi datblygiad ffyrdd iach ac egnïol o fyw, datblygu sgiliau datrys problemau, a deall a pharchu natur a'r amgylchedd y maent yn byw ynddo? Mae dysgu yn yr awyr agored eisoes yn cael ei gydnabod o fewn y Cwricwlwm i Gymru fel nodwedd allweddol o addysgeg lwyddiannus, boed hynny o fewn lleoliad addysg, y gymuned ehangach, coedwig, traeth neu fynydd—maent oll yn cynnig profiadau dilys.
Yn amlwg, rwy'n cydnabod na wnaeth y Llywodraeth gefnogi Bil Sam Rowlands, ond rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn i Sam am y gwaith a wnaeth ar y Bil a'r proffil y mae wedi'i roi i'r mater hwn. Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol, rwy'n siŵr, o'r ddadl, fod gennym ein rhesymau dros beidio â chefnogi'r Bil; roeddent yn rhannol gyfreithiol, yn gwricwlaidd ac yn ariannol. Ond cefais drafodaethau adeiladol gyda Sam, a gyflwynodd amrywiaeth o opsiynau amgen ar gyfer bwrw ymlaen â'r gwaith hwn, ac rwyf wedi gofyn i swyddogion edrych ar yr holl opsiynau hynny, a byddaf yn cael trafodaethau pellach gyda Sam, gobeithio. Rwy'n eich sicrhau bod dysgu yn yr awyr agored eisoes wedi'i ymgorffori'n llawn yn ein cwricwlwm, ond nid ydym yn gweld hyn fel rhywbeth untro am wythnos yn yr haf neu pryd bynnag. Mae'n rhywbeth yr ydym am i blant a phobl ifanc elwa ohono drwy'r amser.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Tom Giffard.
Questions now from the party spokespeople. The Conservative spokesperson, Tom Giffard.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd. It's the issue that won't go away—the First Minister's iMessages. Let's remind ourselves of what he said:
'I'm deleting the messages in this group. They can be captured in an FOI and I think we are all in the right place on the choice being made.'
Now, it's widely reported that the choice that was being made at the time was around the decision around exam grades, predicted grades and algorithms at the time. It appears that this relates to a Labour group meeting, or a meeting of Labour Members of the Senedd, to bring them up to speed, if you like, with what the Government was proposing to do. So, can you confirm that that was the nature of that meeting, and were you in it?
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Lywydd. Dyma fater na fydd yn diflannu—iMessages y Prif Weinidog. Gadewch inni atgoffa ein hunain o'r hyn a ddywedodd:
'Rwy'n dileu'r negeseuon yn y grŵp hwn. Gellir eu dal mewn cais rhyddid gwybodaeth ac rwy'n credu ein bod i gyd yn y lle iawn ar y dewis sy'n cael ei wneud.'
Nawr, adroddir yn eang mai'r dewis a oedd yn cael ei wneud ar y pryd oedd y penderfyniad ynghylch graddau arholiadau, graddau rhagfynegol ac algorithmau ar y pryd. Mae'n ymddangos bod hyn yn ymwneud â chyfarfod grŵp Llafur, neu gyfarfod Aelodau Llafur y Senedd, i'w diweddaru, os mynnwch, ar yr hyn yr oedd y Llywodraeth yn bwriadu ei wneud. Felly, a allwch gadarnhau mai dyna oedd natur y cyfarfod hwnnw, ac a oeddech chi ynddo?
Thank you for that question. I am really concerned about the way a message, which was basically a chat after a group meeting, has been blown up into the thing that it has been blown up into. I do actually remember the group meeting. I was Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee at the time. And I can tell you that there were no decisions made at that meeting. The meeting was there to give Labour Members, including myself, the opportunity to discuss what had happened the week before, which had been a very challenging week for children and young people, and the Government, to give us the opportunity to air what was happening in our constituencies. And to the best of my recollection, there were absolutely no decisions made in that meeting. It was simply a method of updating the Labour group on the actions that were being taken to support young people through this period. And indeed, you'll recall that the Cabinet Secretary for education at that time, who I hold in the highest regard, was Kirsty Williams, who wasn't even in the Labour group.
Diolch am y cwestiwn hwnnw. Rwy'n bryderus iawn am y ffordd y mae neges, a oedd yn y bôn yn sgwrs ar ôl cyfarfod grŵp, wedi cael cymaint o sylw. Rwy'n cofio'r cyfarfod grŵp mewn gwirionedd. Roeddwn yn Gadeirydd y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg ar y pryd. A gallaf ddweud wrthych na wnaed unrhyw benderfyniadau yn y cyfarfod hwnnw. Roedd y cyfarfod yno i roi cyfle i Aelodau Llafur, gan fy nghynnwys i, drafod yr hyn a ddigwyddodd yr wythnos flaenorol, a oedd wedi bod yn wythnos heriol iawn i blant a phobl ifanc, a'r Llywodraeth, i roi cyfle inni leisio'r hyn oedd yn digwydd yn ein hetholaethau. Ac yn ôl yr hyn a gofiaf, ni wnaed unrhyw benderfyniadau o gwbl yn y cyfarfod hwnnw. Dull ydoedd o ddiweddaru'r grŵp Llafur ar y camau a oedd yn cael eu cymryd i gefnogi pobl ifanc drwy'r cyfnod hwn. Ac yn wir, fe gofiwch mai Kirsty Williams, y mae gennyf barch mawr tuag ati, oedd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros addysg ar y pryd, ac nid oedd hi yn y grŵp Llafur hyd yn oed.
Thank you very much for that response. Obviously, it does raise a number of questions. I think you mentioned it being 'blown up', but, obviously, the First Minister yesterday denied the messages were to do with pandemic handling, but they seem now to be a reflection on what happened in that meeting, and that may be as relevant to the work of the COVID inquiry as the decision-making processes themselves.
Now, it does raise a wider question, and I'm reassured by your answer to the previous question, that you said that no decisions were made in that meeting, but such a meeting was not available to Members of other groups in the Senedd at that point. I've checked with our group—there was no invitation around that period, in August 2020, for Conservative Members to have that briefing, if you like, from the Welsh Government in terms of education policy handling at that moment in time; it was just available to Labour Members. And it does raise a wider question about how much influence and information was available to Labour MSs before decisions were made public. As Chair of the children and young people's committee at the time, can you speak to the nature of the education decisions that you were aware of before they were being made public?
Diolch yn fawr am yr ateb hwnnw. Wrth gwrs, mae'n codi nifer o gwestiynau. Rwy'n credu ichi ddweud ei fod wedi cael 'cymaint o sylw', ond yn amlwg, fe wadodd y Prif Weinidog ddoe fod y negeseuon yn ymwneud ag ymdrin â'r pandemig, ond ymddengys eu bod bellach yn adlewyrchiad o'r hyn a ddigwyddodd yn y cyfarfod hwnnw, a gallai hynny fod yr un mor berthnasol i waith yr ymchwiliad COVID â'r prosesau gwneud penderfyniadau eu hunain.
Nawr, mae'n codi cwestiwn ehangach, ac rwyf wedi cael sicrwydd gan eich ateb i'r cwestiwn blaenorol, eich bod wedi dweud na wnaed unrhyw benderfyniadau yn y cyfarfod hwnnw, ond nid oedd cyfarfod o'r fath ar gael i Aelodau o grwpiau eraill yn y Senedd ar y pwynt hwnnw. Rwyf wedi gwirio gyda'n grŵp—ni chafwyd gwahoddiad yn ystod y cyfnod hwnnw, ym mis Awst 2020, i Aelodau Ceidwadol gael y briff hwnnw, os mynnwch, gan Lywodraeth Cymru ar y dull o drin polisi addysg ar yr adeg honno; roedd ar gael i Aelodau Llafur yn unig. Ac mae'n codi cwestiwn ehangach ynglŷn â faint o ddylanwad a gwybodaeth oedd ar gael i Aelodau Llafur o'r Senedd cyn i benderfyniadau gael eu cyhoeddi. Fel Cadeirydd y pwyllgor plant a phobl ifanc ar y pryd, a allwch chi sôn am natur y penderfyniadau addysg yr oeddech yn ymwybodol ohonynt cyn iddynt gael eu cyhoeddi?
Well, I think this is a bit desperate, I've got to say that, Tom. And I am a little bit disappointed, really, that you haven't used your questions for something that is more directly related to education. This was four years ago. I was a backbencher and a Chair of the committee throughout the height of the pandemic, and I can tell you that the Government worked really collaboratively with all parties. There were regular meetings with the health committee, which was all-party. There were regular meetings with the Children, Young People and Education Committee. I understand that there was a core group of party leaders that was kept up to date with what was going on, and any group could have asked a Government Minister for a briefing or a discussion about anything that was happening at any time. In fact, I think the Government was open and inclusive to a fault, really. You couldn't see a bigger contrast with what was going on in the UK Government.
The meeting that you've referred to—there were no decisions taken. It was simply to allow Labour Members to talk about what was happening in their constituencies, which is entirely an acceptable thing to do. The decisions were already taken before. As committee Chair, I was invited to briefings with Qualifications Wales, who set out the mechanism that would be put in place to deal with the exam results. So, a lot of this planning was put in place long before that time. This group meeting was purely an opportunity for Labour Members to raise our concerns, which, as someone who's been a backbencher for a long time, we do like to do from time to time.
Wel, rwy'n credu eich bod yn crafu gwaelod y gasgen, mae'n rhaid imi ddweud hynny, Tom. Ac rwyf ychydig yn siomedig, mewn gwirionedd, nad ydych wedi defnyddio eich cwestiynau ar gyfer rhywbeth sy'n ymwneud yn fwy uniongyrchol ag addysg. Roedd hyn bedair blynedd yn ôl. Roeddwn yn aelod o'r meinciau cefn ac yn Gadeirydd y pwyllgor pan oedd y pandemig ar ei anterth, a gallaf ddweud wrthych fod y Llywodraeth wedi gweithio ar y cyd â phob plaid. Roedd cyfarfodydd rheolaidd gyda'r pwyllgor iechyd, a oedd yn cynnwys pob plaid. Cafwyd cyfarfodydd rheolaidd gyda'r Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg. Rwy'n deall bod grŵp craidd o arweinwyr pleidiau yn cael y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am yr hyn oedd yn digwydd, a gallai unrhyw grŵp fod wedi gofyn i Weinidog y Llywodraeth am friff neu drafodaeth am unrhyw beth oedd yn digwydd ar unrhyw adeg. Mewn gwirionedd, rwy'n credu bod y Llywodraeth yn hynod agored a chynhwysol. Roedd cyferbyniad enfawr rhwng hynny a'r hyn oedd yn digwydd yn Llywodraeth y DU.
O ran y cyfarfod y cyfeirioch chi ato—ni wnaed unrhyw benderfyniadau. Yn syml, roedd yn caniatáu i Aelodau Llafur siarad am yr hyn oedd yn digwydd yn eu hetholaethau, sy'n beth cwbl dderbyniol i'w wneud. Roedd y penderfyniadau eisoes wedi'u gwneud cyn hynny. Fel Cadeirydd pwyllgor, cefais wahoddiad i sesiynau briffio gyda Cymwysterau Cymru, a oedd yn nodi'r mecanwaith a fyddai'n cael ei roi ar waith i ymdrin â chanlyniadau arholiadau. Felly, rhoddwyd llawer o'r cynllunio hwn ar waith ymhell cyn yr amser hwnnw. Y cyfan oedd y cyfarfod grŵp hwn oedd cyfle i Aelodau Llafur fynegi ein pryderon, sydd, fel rhywun sydd wedi bod yn aelod o'r meinciau cefn ers amser maith, yn rhywbeth rydym yn hoffi ei wneud o bryd i'w gilydd.
You said that the Labour Government had been open and inclusive to a fault; I don't think many people will think that about the First Minister with the couple of weeks he's had in office. Now, it raises a series of questions, and you raised one with me—why am I raising this today? And I think it is incredibly important we're raising this today, because, obviously, we're still dealing with the impact. Obviously, our schools today are still dealing with the impact of the decisions that were made during the pandemic. And the purpose of the COVID inquiry, and the review of the decisions made, is because it will inform future work, including the work that you're doing today, should we ever be in that situation again, about the decisions that were made, and how they were made at the time. That's the relevance, Cabinet Secretary, of this line of questioning.
Now, it doesn't appear that the First Minister has been sufficiently forthcoming with the evidence that he's provided to the UK COVID inquiry. So, there is a module, in full, to come, on education and how that was handled during the pandemic. Will you commit to a review within your department, as a new Minister, of all the information that was stored about pandemic handling to do with education, and whether everything that could have been submitted to the COVID inquiry has been submitted? Will you commission that new review into that work now?
Fe ddywedoch chi fod y Llywodraeth Lafur wedi bod yn hynod agored a chynhwysol; nid wyf yn credu y bydd llawer o bobl yn meddwl hynny am y Prif Weinidog gyda'r ychydig wythnosau y mae wedi bod yn y swydd. Nawr, mae'n codi cyfres o gwestiynau, ac fe wnaethoch chi ofyn un i mi—pam fy mod yn codi hyn heddiw? Ac rwy'n credu ei bod yn hynod bwysig ein bod yn codi hyn heddiw, oherwydd, yn amlwg, rydym yn dal i ymdrin â'r effaith. Yn amlwg, mae ein hysgolion heddiw yn dal i ymdrin ag effaith y penderfyniadau a wnaed yn ystod y pandemig. A phwrpas yr ymchwiliad COVID, a'r adolygiad o'r penderfyniadau a wnaed, yw y bydd yn llywio gwaith yn y dyfodol, gan gynnwys y gwaith rydych chi'n ei wneud heddiw, pe baem yn y sefyllfa honno eto, am y penderfyniadau a wnaed, a sut y cawsant eu gwneud ar y pryd. Dyna pam y mae'r cwestiynau hyn yn berthnasol, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet.
Nawr, nid yw'n ymddangos bod y Prif Weinidog wedi bod yn ddigon agored gyda'r dystiolaeth y mae wedi'i darparu i ymchwiliad COVID y DU. Felly, mae modiwl llawn i ddod ar addysg a sut y cafodd hynny ei drin yn ystod y pandemig. A wnewch chi ymrwymo i adolygiad o fewn eich adran, fel Gweinidog newydd, o'r holl wybodaeth a gafodd ei storio am y ffordd yr ymdriniwyd â'r pandemig mewn perthynas ag addysg, ac a yw popeth y gellid bod wedi'i gyflwyno i'r ymchwiliad COVID wedi'i gyflwyno? A wnewch chi gomisiynu adolygiad newydd i'r gwaith hwnnw nawr?
Thank you for that final question, and can I say that I do believe the First Minister has given all the information he was required to to the COVID inquiry? He's made absolutely clear he's very willing to continue answering questions from the COVID inquiry. I think the education module that will be coming down the track is a very important module. It's really important that we have that focus on how the pandemic impacted on children and young people. I wasn't a Minister at the time, but, as far as I can see, there wouldn't be a need for an extensive review because all sorts of detailed information will have to be provided. I know colleagues who've had suitcases of information that they've submitted to the inquiry, so I'm confident. The former First Minister was also very clear—we were going to be open-book about everything. I am very confident that the inquiry will have all the information they need, and, certainly, as Cabinet Secretary, I would want to make sure that if there's anything I can do to assist that, I will.
Diolch am y cwestiwn olaf hwnnw, ac a gaf i ddweud fy mod yn credu bod y Prif Weinidog wedi rhoi'r holl wybodaeth yr oedd gofyn iddo ei rhoi i'r ymchwiliad COVID? Mae wedi dweud yn hollol glir ei fod yn barod iawn i barhau i ateb cwestiynau gan yr ymchwiliad COVID. Rwy'n credu bod y modiwl addysg sydd ar y ffordd yn fodiwl pwysig iawn. Mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod yn canolbwyntio ar sut yr effeithiodd y pandemig ar blant a phobl ifanc. Nid oeddwn yn Weinidog ar y pryd, ond hyd y gwelaf, ni fyddai angen adolygiad helaeth oherwydd bydd yn rhaid darparu pob math o wybodaeth fanwl. Rwy'n adnabod cydweithwyr sydd wedi cyflwyno llond cesys o wybodaeth i'r ymchwiliad, felly rwy'n hyderus. Roedd y cyn Brif Weinidog hefyd yn glir iawn—roeddem am fod yn agored am bopeth. Rwy'n hyderus iawn y bydd gan yr ymchwiliad yr holl wybodaeth sydd ei hangen arnynt, ac yn sicr, fel Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, hoffwn wneud yn siŵr, os oes unrhyw beth y gallaf ei wneud i gynorthwyo hynny, y byddaf yn ei wneud.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Heledd Fychan.
The Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Heledd Fychan.
Diolch, Llywydd. Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, hoffwn ofyn ichi heddiw ynglŷn â hyfforddi, recriwtio a chadw athrawon. Mae’r niferoedd sydd yn dysgu yn dal yn llawer is na'r hyn sydd ei angen arnom i wireddu holl amcanion y Llywodraeth o ran addysg. Yn 2021-22, cafodd 2,292 o swyddi dysgu eu hysbysebu, tra gadawodd 1,175 o athrawon y proffesiwn—cymysgedd o adael am broffesiwn arall ac ymddeol. Ond mi oedd 325 ohonyn nhw gyda llai na phum mlynedd o brofiad. Mae hyn yn arbennig o heriol mewn ysgolion cyfrwng Cymraeg, ac rydyn ni'n gyson yn methu â chyrraedd targedau 'Cymraeg 2050' y Llywodraeth o ran y niferoedd sydd angen eu recriwtio heddiw, heb sôn am y dyfodol. Mater arall, wrth gwrs, sydd yn peri pryder yw diogelwch staff yn ein hysgolion. Sut ydych chi am sicrhau ein bod ni'n mynd i’r afael â'r bwlch yn y gweithlu, a sicrhau bod dysgu yn swydd ddeniadol?
Thank you, Llywydd. Cabinet Secretary, I would like to ask you today about teacher training, recruitment and retention. The numbers going into teaching are still far below than what we need to achieve all of the Government’s education objectives. In 2021-22, 2,292 teaching posts were advertised, while 1,175 teachers left the profession—a combination of leaving to go to another profession and retirement. Indeed, 325 of them had fewer than five years' experience. This is especially challenging in Welsh-medium schools, and we are consistently failing to reach the Government’s 'Cymraeg 2050' targets in terms of the numbers that we need to recruit today, never mind in the future. Another issue, of course, that is a source of concern is the safety of staff at our schools. How are you going to ensure that we're going to tackle the workforce gap and ensure that teaching is an attractive career?
Diolch, Heledd. Can I just, first of all, take the opportunity to place on record my heartfelt thanks to everyone working in our schools? I recognise we are asking a lot of schools at the moment. They're implementing major reforms at the same time as recovering from a global pandemic, and the well-being of our school staff is as important to me as the well-being of our children and young people. And we discussed in the committee this morning some of the measures that we've put in place to support well-being for our school staff, such as, for example, the funding for education support. We have extended our school counselling to some teachers, in recognition of the vicarious trauma some of them are dealing with, and it is a priority for me to make sure that teaching is as attractive a profession as it possibly can be. And I think it is an exciting time to come and be a teacher in Wales, with our new curriculum. It's taking teaching and learning to a new level, and that's also really important for well-being.
You'll be aware that we also have taken other steps, through initial teacher education, to make teaching an attractive profession. So, we have particular incentives in place, in particular subjects, including Welsh language. We have an incentive in place for minority ethnic teachers and also in STEM subjects. So, we are working hard to make teaching an attractive profession. That's not to undervalue, in any way, the challenges that the profession is facing. And I've been very clear—I spoke at the NAHT conference on Saturday—to say that it's been a priority for me and will go on being a priority to listen to school staff as to what they're experiencing on the ground. And I see it being my role to do everything we can, as a Government, to support them in what is a much more challenging job than it was when, say, I was in school, or even when you were in school.
Diolch, Heledd. Yn gyntaf oll, a gaf i achub ar y cyfle i gofnodi fy niolch diffuant i bawb sy'n gweithio yn ein hysgolion? Rwy'n cydnabod ein bod yn gofyn llawer gan ysgolion ar hyn o bryd. Maent yn gweithredu diwygiadau mawr ar yr un pryd ag adfer ar ôl pandemig byd-eang, ac mae lles staff ein hysgolion yr un mor bwysig i mi â lles ein plant a'n pobl ifanc. Ac fe wnaethom drafod yn y pwyllgor y bore yma rai o'r mesurau yr ydym wedi'u rhoi ar waith i gefnogi lles staff ein hysgolion, megis, er enghraifft, y cyllid ar gyfer cymorth addysg. Rydym wedi ymestyn ein cwnsela mewn ysgolion i gynnwys rhai athrawon, i gydnabod y trawma dros eraill y mae rhai ohonynt yn ymdopi ag ef, a fy mlaenoriaeth yw sicrhau bod addysgu yn broffesiwn mor ddeniadol ag y gall fod. Ac rwy'n credu ei bod yn gyfnod cyffrous i fod yn athro yng Nghymru, gyda'n cwricwlwm newydd. Mae'n mynd ag addysgu a dysgu i lefel newydd, ac mae hynny hefyd yn bwysig iawn i les.
Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol ein bod hefyd wedi cymryd camau eraill, drwy addysg gychwynnol i athrawon, i wneud addysgu yn broffesiwn deniadol. Felly, mae gennym gymhellion arbennig ar waith, yn enwedig mewn pynciau penodol, gan gynnwys y Gymraeg. Mae gennym gymhelliad ar waith i athrawon ethnig leiafrifol a hefyd mewn pynciau STEM. Felly, rydym yn gweithio'n galed i wneud addysgu'n broffesiwn deniadol. Nid yw hynny'n tanbrisio, mewn unrhyw ffordd, yr heriau y mae'r proffesiwn yn eu hwynebu. Ac rwyf wedi bod yn glir iawn—siaradais yng nghynhadledd Cymdeithas Genedlaethol y Prifathrawon ddydd Sadwrn—i ddweud ei bod wedi bod yn flaenoriaeth i mi ac y bydd yn parhau i fod yn flaenoriaeth i wrando ar staff ysgolion ynghylch yr hyn y maent yn ei brofi ar lawr gwlad. Ac rwy'n ystyried mai fy rôl yw gwneud popeth a allwn, fel Llywodraeth, i'w cefnogi mewn swydd lawer mwy heriol nag oedd hi pan oeddwn i yn yr ysgol, er enghraifft, neu hyd yn oed pan oeddech chi yn yr ysgol.
Diolch, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, ond, yn amlwg, mi wnaeth arolwg y llynedd gan NASUWT Cymru ddangos bod 75 y cant o athrawon yn ystyried gadael y proffesiwn. Dwi'n gwybod bod y cynlluniau yma gan y Llywodraeth, ond dydyn nhw'n golygu dim ar bapur os nad ydyn nhw'n trosglwyddo i gael athrawon yn ein dosbarthiadau ac athrawon yn aros yn y swyddi hyn. Ar 3 Mai, fe wnaeth penaethiaid ym Mlaenau Gwent ysgrifennu llythyr ar y cyd am y sefyllfa ariannol enbyd y mae ysgolion yn ei hwynebu, lle nad oes dim byd arall ar ôl i’w dorri. Amlygwyd ganddyn nhw mai canlyniad hyn fydd cynnydd ym maint dosbarthiadau, ac, felly, bydd cynnydd yn y llwyth gwaith i athrawon, gostyngiadau staffio, effaith ar hyfforddiant athrawon ac anawsterau o ran cadw a recriwtio athrawon. A gaf i ofyn, felly, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, ydych chi'n cydnabod ei bod hi’n sefyllfa dyngedfennol a bregus o ran y sector pwysig hwn, a pha dri pheth fyddwch chi'n eu blaenoriaethu i wella pethau?
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, but, obviously, a NASUWT Cymru survey last year showed that 75 per cent of teachers were considering leaving the profession. I know that the Government has these plans, but they don't mean anything on paper if they don't transfer into action in terms of having teachers in our classrooms and teachers remaining in those roles. On 3 May, headteachers in Blaenau Gwent jointly wrote a letter about the dire financial situation that schools are facing, where there is nothing left to cut. They emphasised that the outcome of this will be increasing class sizes, and, therefore, an increase in teachers’ workload, staffing reductions, an impact on teacher training and difficulties in terms of teacher recruitment and retention. Could I ask you, therefore, Cabinet Secretary, do you acknowledge that there is a critical and vulnerable situation facing this important sector, and what three things will you prioritise to improve it?
Thank you, Heledd, for those further questions. You packed a lot in there, really, for one question, but I'll do my best. In terms of behaviour and the concerns that schools have about the climate that they're operating in, those are really important issues. As I've said before, I don't think you can divorce behaviour, attendance, et cetera, from the mental health challenges schools are facing. I see our reforms in education as built on a foundation of good mental health and well-being. We are working on a behaviour toolkit. I have specifically asked officials to make sure that that toolkit is psychologically and trauma informed, because I think that's very important. We've also undertaken research, which will be published in the summer, to give us more information about what's happening on the ground in terms of behaviour, because we don't have the data nationally on that. I think you've got to understand a problem before you can really tackle it.
In terms of the funding that you have referred to, obviously, this is a really challenging time for public funding. Our budget is worth £700 million less than at the time of the last funding settlement. We've had to make really difficult decisions as a Government. But, despite the pressures, we still managed to protect the uplift that we gave to local authorities through the RSG to give to schools. That comes on top of the consolidated increase of 7.9 per cent last year. We've also prioritised funding that goes directly to schools. The new local authority education grant provides the same amount of funding against similar grants provided last year, and a 3.2 per cent rise against the 2024-25 indicative budget for those same grants.
I do recognise it's a really challenging situation. I'm not going to try and pretend that it's not. That's why I want to keep talking to schools and school leaders about the situation. We're also doing work around the Luke Sibieta funding review. We're waiting for some of that work to be completed around the funding formula that local authorities use. As you know, there are long-standing issues around transparency, but I'm really committed to doing that work and doing it in social partnership with the profession. We are going to have—. You know, austerity is hitting us big time in Wales due to the decisions of the UK Government, and the way that we're going to be able to get through that is by working together in partnership.
Diolch am y cwestiynau pellach hynny, Heledd. Rydych wedi cynnwys llawer yno i un cwestiwn, ond fe wnaf fy ngorau. O ran ymddygiad a'r pryderon sydd gan ysgolion am yr hinsawdd y maent yn gweithredu ynddo, mae'r rheini'n faterion pwysig iawn. Fel y dywedais o'r blaen, nid wyf yn credu y gallwch wahanu ymddygiad, presenoldeb, ac ati, o'r heriau iechyd meddwl y mae ysgolion yn eu hwynebu. Rwy'n gweld ein diwygiadau yn y byd addysg fel rhai sydd wedi'u hadeiladu ar sylfaen o iechyd meddwl a lles meddyliol da. Rydym yn gweithio ar becyn cymorth ymddygiad. Rwyf wedi gofyn yn benodol i swyddogion sicrhau bod y pecyn cymorth hwnnw'n cael ei lywio'n seicolegol a chan drawma, oherwydd credaf fod hynny'n bwysig iawn. Rydym hefyd wedi cyflawni ymchwil, a fydd yn cael ei gyhoeddi yn yr haf, i roi mwy o wybodaeth i ni am yr hyn sy'n digwydd ar lawr gwlad o ran ymddygiad, oherwydd nid oes gennym y data'n genedlaethol ar hynny. Rwy'n credu bod yn rhaid ichi ddeall problem cyn y gallwch fynd i'r afael â hi.
O ran y cyllid y cyfeirioch chi ato, yn amlwg, mae hwn yn gyfnod heriol iawn ar gyllid cyhoeddus. Mae ein cyllideb yn werth £700 miliwn yn llai nag ar adeg y setliad cyllido diwethaf. Bu'n rhaid inni wneud penderfyniadau anodd tu hwnt fel Llywodraeth. Ond er gwaetha'r pwysau, fe wnaethom lwyddo i ddiogelu'r codiad a roesom i awdurdodau lleol drwy'r grant cynnal refeniw i'w roi i ysgolion. Daw hynny ar ben y cynnydd wedi'i gydgrynhoi o 7.9 y cant y llynedd. Rydym hefyd wedi blaenoriaethu cyllid sy'n mynd yn uniongyrchol i ysgolion. Mae'r grant addysg newydd i awdurdodau lleol yn darparu'r un swm o arian yn erbyn grantiau tebyg a ddarparwyd y llynedd, a chynnydd o 3.2 y cant yn erbyn cyllideb ddangosol 2024-25 ar gyfer yr un grantiau hynny.
Rwy'n cydnabod ei bod yn sefyllfa anodd iawn. Nid wyf am geisio esgus nad ydyw. Dyna pam fy mod am barhau i siarad ag ysgolion ac arweinwyr ysgolion am y sefyllfa. Rydym hefyd yn gwneud gwaith ar adolygiad o gyllid Luke Sibieta. Rydym yn disgwyl i rywfaint o'r gwaith hwnnw gael ei gwblhau mewn perthynas â'r fformiwla gyllido y mae awdurdodau lleol yn ei defnyddio. Fel y gwyddoch, mae yna faterion hirsefydlog yn ymwneud â thryloywder, ond rwy'n wirioneddol ymrwymedig i wneud y gwaith hwnnw a'i wneud mewn partneriaeth gymdeithasol â'r proffesiwn. Rydym yn mynd i gael—. Wyddoch chi, mae cyni yn ein taro'n galed yng Nghymru oherwydd penderfyniadau Llywodraeth y DU, a'r ffordd y gallwn ddod drwy hynny yw drwy weithio gyda'n gilydd mewn partneriaeth.
3. Pa gamau mae'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet yn eu cymryd i sicrhau bod absenoldebau dysgwyr mewn ysgolion yn lleihau? OQ61052
3. What steps is the Cabinet Secretary taking to ensure a decrease in the number of learner absences in schools? OQ61052
Diolch. We continue to work with the national attendance taskforce to identify actions we can take to improve attendance. Areas of focus include the role of youth workers, peer-to-peer learning and networking, communication and engagement, and data analysis.
Diolch. Rydym yn parhau i weithio gyda'r tasglu presenoldeb cenedlaethol i nodi camau y gallwn eu cymryd i wella presenoldeb. Mae'r meysydd ffocws yn cynnwys rôl gweithwyr ieuenctid, dysgu rhwng cyfoedion a rhwydweithio, cyfathrebu ac ymgysylltu, a dadansoddi data.
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. You'll be well aware that the cost-of-living crisis has impacted on attendance in schools. We've heard countless times in this Chamber and, I'm sure, from our constituents about children not being able to afford to get to school. My colleague Delyth Jewell mentioned it in terms of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008. Can I ask what urgent steps are you taking to ensure that no child misses a day of school because they can't afford the cost of going on a bus? Surely, in 2024, and we've been discussing this for a number of years, the learner travel Measure changes aren't being implemented. Some councils are rolling back on the measures that are in place, such as in RCT council, to go with the statutory rather than go above and beyond as they were. This is really serious in many of our communities. So, how can we ensure that children can access school and that cost isn't a barrier?
Diolch yn fawr, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol iawn fod yr argyfwng costau byw wedi effeithio ar bresenoldeb mewn ysgolion. Rydym wedi clywed sawl gwaith yn y Siambr a chan ein hetholwyr, rwy'n siŵr, am blant nad ydynt yn gallu fforddio cyrraedd yr ysgol. Soniodd fy nghyd-Aelod Delyth Jewell am hyn mewn perthynas â Mesur Teithio gan Ddysgwyr (Cymru) 2008. A gaf i ofyn pa gamau brys rydych chi'n eu cymryd i sicrhau nad oes unrhyw blentyn yn colli diwrnod ysgol am nad yw'n gallu fforddio'r gost o fynd ar fws? Yn 2024, ac rydym wedi bod yn trafod hyn ers nifer o flynyddoedd, nid yw'r newidiadau i'r Mesur Teithio gan Ddysgwyr yn cael eu gweithredu. Mae rhai cynghorau'n cyfyngu ar y mesurau sydd ar waith, fel yng nghyngor Rhondda Cynon Taf, i fynd gyda'r statudol yn hytrach na mynd y tu hwnt i hynny fel o'r blaen. Mae hyn yn ddifrifol iawn mewn llawer o'n cymunedau. Felly, sut y gallwn ni sicrhau bod plant yn gallu cael mynd i'r ysgol ac nad yw cost yn rhwystr?
As you rightly highlight, there are multiple reasons why children don't attend school, and one of them is linked to poverty. We know that attendance rates are poorer, much poorer, for children who are on free school meals. I think, as a Government, we have prioritised doing everything that we can to mitigate the cost-of-living crisis that we're all going through at the moment. I don't need to tell you that we've been working with Plaid Cymru on the co-operation agreement commitment on free school meals. That's a huge amount of investment. We're doing really well on that. There are only, I think, three authorities left to go, and we'll be completing that by September, so that universal primary free school meals will have been rolled out everywhere. That is putting money direct in the pockets of families. We also have our school essentials grant, which helps families with essential equipment and things so that children can attend school. We're also looking at everything we can do to mitigate the impact of poverty on attainment once children and young people are in school. You're well aware that we don't have all the levers, but we are working hard across the Government to mitigate the impact of poverty on families and children and young people.
Fel y nodwch, yn gywir ddigon, mae sawl rheswm pam nad yw plant yn mynychu'r ysgol, ac mae un ohonynt yn gysylltiedig â thlodi. Gwyddom fod cyfraddau presenoldeb yn waeth, yn llawer gwaeth, i blant sydd ar brydau ysgol am ddim. Rwy'n credu, fel Llywodraeth, ein bod wedi rhoi'r flaenoriaethu i wneud popeth yn ein gallu i liniaru'r argyfwng costau byw y mae pawb ohonom yn ei brofi ar hyn o bryd. Nid oes angen imi ddweud wrthych ein bod wedi bod yn gweithio gyda Phlaid Cymru ar ymrwymiad y cytundeb cydweithio i brydau ysgol am ddim. Mae hwnnw'n fuddsoddiad enfawr. Rydym yn gwneud yn dda iawn ar hynny. Dim ond tri awdurdod sydd ar ôl i fynd, rwy'n credu, a byddwn yn cwblhau hynny erbyn mis Medi, felly bydd prydau ysgol am ddim wedi'i gyflwyno i holl blant ysgolion cynradd ym mhobman. Mae hynny'n rhoi arian ym mhocedi teuluoedd yn uniongyrchol. Mae gennym hefyd ein grant hanfodion ysgol, sy'n helpu teuluoedd gydag offer a phethau hanfodol fel y gall plant fynychu'r ysgol. Rydym hefyd yn edrych ar bopeth y gallwn ei wneud i liniaru effaith tlodi ar gyrhaeddiad pan fydd plant a phobl ifanc yn yr ysgol. Rydych yn ymwybodol iawn nad oes gennym yr holl ysgogiadau, ond rydym yn gweithio'n galed ar draws y Llywodraeth i liniaru effaith tlodi ar deuluoedd a phlant a phobl ifanc.
The Welsh Government's solution, 'Belonging, Engaging, Participating', has caused some teachers a little distress. The emphasis of the document is very much on engagement, which has led to the Welsh Government making teachers feel they're to blame, giving an unfair impression that the problem is at the school, wrongly indicating that schools should provide more engaging, enjoyable learning. Now, I'm sure you will agree with me that it's not necessarily the teachers and schools that are at fault. In my own constituency of Aberconwy, a number of parents come to see me, where their children have learning difficulties, but they're waiting considerable amounts of times for statements to come through. Also, I know that we had problems in our pupil referral units. There are people waiting now to be able to attend pupil referral units. Now, the Education (Wales) Act 2014 places a duty on parents to ensure their children's regular attendance at school, and I notice that, since 2013, the education penalty notice has been £60, which increases to £120 if unpaid after 28 days. How are you reviewing whether that's the right amount? How do you put that kind of value on children not attending school when it's essential that they do? How are you engaging more with schools and their teachers, and, indeed, maybe carrying out a survey of families to ensure that we actually don't have the level of school absences that we have? Thank you.
Mae ateb Llywodraeth Cymru, 'Perthyn, Ymgysylltu a Chyfranogi', wedi achosi ychydig o ofid i rai athrawon. Mae pwyslais y ddogfen ar ymgysylltu, sydd wedi golygu bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gwneud i athrawon deimlo mai nhw sydd ar fai, gan roi argraff annheg fod y broblem yn yr ysgol, a nodi'n anghywir y dylai ysgolion ddarparu dysgu mwy diddorol a difyr. Nawr, rwy'n siŵr y byddwch yn cytuno â mi nad yr athrawon a'r ysgolion sydd ar fai o reidrwydd. Yn fy etholaeth i yn Aberconwy, mae nifer o rieni'n dod i fy ngweld, lle mae gan eu plant anawsterau dysgu, ond maent yn aros cryn dipyn o amser i ddatganiadau ddod trwodd. Hefyd, rwy'n gwybod ein bod wedi cael problemau yn ein hunedau cyfeirio disgyblion. Mae yna bobl yn aros nawr i allu mynychu unedau cyfeirio disgyblion. Nawr, mae Deddf Addysg (Cymru) 2014 yn gosod dyletswydd ar rieni i sicrhau presenoldeb rheolaidd eu plant yn yr ysgol, ac rwy'n sylwi, ers 2013, bod yr hysbysiad cosb addysg wedi bod yn £60, sy'n cynyddu i £120 os nad yw'n cael ei dalu ar ôl 28 diwrnod. Sut ydych chi'n ystyried ai dyna'r swm cywir? Sut ydych chi'n rhoi'r math hwnnw o werth ar blant nad ydynt yn mynychu'r ysgol pan fo'n hanfodol eu bod yn gwneud hynny? Sut ydych chi'n ymgysylltu mwy ag ysgolion a'u hathrawon, ac yn wir, yn cynnal arolwg o deuluoedd efallai i sicrhau nad oes gennym y lefel o absenoldebau ysgol sydd gennym? Diolch.
Thank you, Janet. Your contribution there also highlighted how complex the issues are around attendance. So, you referred to things like additional learning needs. There are lots of reasons why children aren't attending school, and it is absolutely vital that we tackle those. I'm going to be chairing my first meeting of the national attendance ministerial group on Monday, and I'm really looking forward to that.
In relation to the guidance, I certainly don't think there's any intention to blame teachers. We recognise that it is a very challenging time to be working in schools. I think the guidance is designed to support teachers to make schools as welcoming and as connected a place that they can be. We recognise as well the challenges on ALN and the links with health, and we're going to be discussing that later this afternoon, so I won't dwell on that.
In terms of penalty notices, we've been very clear they should only be used as a last resort, and we have also invested £6.5 million in additional family engagement officers, who are creating partnerships, offering bespoke support for children to maintain good attendance. In addition to that, we've invested £2.5 million extra in the education welfare service this year, and that's on top of the normal funding that we provide for the education welfare service.
So, we are working very, very hard in this space. Our community-focused schools programme also helps because that connects schools better with the community, and it's about addressing all those complex areas. The national taskforce will, I think, give that a good direction.
Diolch yn fawr, Janet. Roedd eich cyfraniad hefyd yn tynnu sylw at ba mor gymhleth yw'r materion sy'n ymwneud â phresenoldeb. Felly, roeddech yn cyfeirio at bethau fel anghenion dysgu ychwanegol. Mae llawer o resymau pam nad yw plant yn mynychu'r ysgol, ac mae'n gwbl hanfodol ein bod yn mynd i'r afael â'r rheini. Rwy'n mynd i gadeirio fy nghyfarfod cyntaf o'r grŵp gweinidogol cenedlaethol ar bresenoldeb ddydd Llun, ac rwy'n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at hynny.
O ran y canllawiau, yn sicr nid wyf yn credu bod unrhyw fwriad i feio athrawon. Rydym yn cydnabod ei bod yn gyfnod heriol iawn i weithio mewn ysgolion. Rwy'n credu bod y canllawiau wedi'u cynllunio i gefnogi athrawon i wneud ysgolion mor groesawgar a chysylltiedig ag y gallant fod. Rydym hefyd yn cydnabod yr heriau gydag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol a'r cysylltiadau ag iechyd, ac rydym yn mynd i fod yn trafod hynny yn ddiweddarach y prynhawn yma, felly nid wyf am oedi gyda hynny.
O ran hysbysiadau cosb, rydym wedi bod yn glir iawn mai dim ond fel dewis olaf y dylid eu defnyddio, ac rydym hefyd wedi buddsoddi £6.5 miliwn mewn swyddogion ymgysylltu â theuluoedd ychwanegol, sy'n creu partneriaethau, gan gynnig cymorth pwrpasol i blant gynnal lefelau presenoldeb da. Yn ogystal â hynny, rydym wedi buddsoddi £2.5 miliwn ychwanegol yn y gwasanaeth lles addysg eleni, ac mae hynny ar ben y cyllid arferol a ddarparwn ar gyfer y gwasanaeth lles addysg.
Felly, rydym yn gweithio'n galed iawn ar hyn. Mae ein rhaglen ysgolion bro hefyd yn helpu oherwydd mae hynny'n cysylltu ysgolion yn well â'r gymuned, ac mae'n ymwneud â mynd i'r afael â'r holl feysydd cymhleth hynny. Rwy'n credu y bydd y tasglu cenedlaethol yn darparu cyfeiriad da i hynny.
Cabinet Secretary, behaviour across schools in the Rhondda has become one of my biggest concerns. Residents and teachers contact my office almost daily regarding peer-on-peer and peer-on-teacher bullying and attacks. Parents and guardians are deciding to not send their children to school. Teachers are on the receiving end of verbal abuse and, in some instances, physical attacks, with one teacher falling to the ground after being pushed by a student. Parents have contacted my office following verbal abuse, racist abuse and physical attacks. Off the back of the truly horrific event at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman last month, I'm concerned for the welfare of teachers and pupils. I'm also concerned about the level of time it's taking teachers to deal with these issues, which is time away from the classroom, and I'm concerned that our young people are missing valuable education at school because they're opting to stay home. Cabinet Secretary, what assessment has the Welsh Government made of the change in pupil behaviour following COVID, and how is the Welsh Government supporting teachers and pupils following their fellow pupils' unacceptable behaviour?
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, mae ymddygiad ar draws ysgolion yn y Rhondda wedi dod yn un o fy mhryderon mwyaf. Mae preswylwyr ac athrawon yn cysylltu â fy swyddfa bron bob dydd ynglŷn â bwlio ac ymosodiadau disgyblion ar gyfoedion ac ar athrawon. Mae rhieni a gofalwyr yn penderfynu peidio ag anfon eu plant i'r ysgol. Mae athrawon yn dioddef cam-drin geiriol ac mewn rhai achosion, ymosodiadau corfforol, gydag un athro yn cwympo i'r llawr ar ôl cael ei wthio gan fyfyriwr. Mae rhieni wedi cysylltu â fy swyddfa yn dilyn cam-drin geiriol, cam-drin hiliol ac ymosodiadau corfforol. Yn dilyn y digwyddiad gwirioneddol erchyll yn Ysgol Dyffryn Aman fis diwethaf, rwy'n pryderu am les athrawon a disgyblion. Rwy'n pryderu hefyd am yr amser y mae'n ei gymryd i athrawon ymdrin â'r materion hyn, sy'n amser i ffwrdd o'r ystafell ddosbarth, ac rwy'n pryderu bod ein pobl ifanc yn colli addysg werthfawr yn yr ysgol am eu bod yn dewis aros gartref. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, pa asesiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud o'r newid yn ymddygiad disgyblion yn dilyn COVID, a sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi athrawon a disgyblion yn dilyn ymddygiad annerbyniol eu cyd-ddisgyblion?
Thank you very much, Buffy, and I think you're right to highlight that we have seen a change in behaviour since COVID. We're seeing a lot of societal problems coming into school, we're seeing children and young people with much more complex needs, children and young people who are struggling to self-regulate their emotions, and those are big challenges for schools. As I said in response to Heledd Fychan, we are undertaking a detailed piece of work to look at the behaviour issues across schools in Wales, so that we've got the data to know exactly what's happening. We're developing the behavioural toolkit as well to help schools with managing these difficult situations.
But, for me, this is also fundamentally linked to the work that we're doing around mental health and well-being. If schools are welcoming places with a whole-school approach, with strong relationships, a strong sense of belonging, then I think that does really help with children and young people's well-being and help with their behaviour. And, as I said in response to another question, we have also prioritised support for teachers' well-being as well through Education Support. I'm meeting all the trade unions individually, and this will be very high on their agenda, to have those discussions about what the workforce is experiencing.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Buffy, a chredaf eich bod yn iawn i dynnu sylw at y ffaith ein bod wedi gweld newid mewn ymddygiad ers COVID. Rydym yn gweld llawer o broblemau cymdeithasol mewn ysgolion, rydym yn gweld plant a phobl ifanc ag anghenion llawer mwy cymhleth, plant a phobl ifanc sy'n ei chael hi'n anodd hunanreoli eu hemosiynau, ac mae'r rheini'n heriau mawr i ysgolion. Fel y dywedais mewn ymateb i Heledd Fychan, rydym yn gwneud gwaith manwl i edrych ar broblemau ymddygiad ar draws ysgolion yng Nghymru, fel bod gennym y data i wybod beth yn union sy'n digwydd. Rydym hefyd yn datblygu'r pecyn cymorth ymddygiadol i helpu ysgolion i ymdrin â'r sefyllfaoedd anodd hyn.
Ond i mi, mae cysylltiad annatod rhwng hyn a'r gwaith a wnawn ar iechyd meddwl a llesiant meddyliol. Os yw ysgolion yn lleoedd croesawgar sy'n defnyddio dull ysgol gyfan, sydd â pherthnasoedd cryf, ymdeimlad cryf o berthyn, yna credaf fod hynny'n help mawr gyda llesiant plant a phobl ifanc ac yn helpu gyda'u hymddygiad. Ac fel y dywedais mewn ymateb i gwestiwn arall, rydym hefyd wedi blaenoriaethu cymorth ar gyfer llesiant athrawon drwy Education Support. Rwy’n cyfarfod â’r holl undebau llafur yn unigol, a bydd hyn yn uchel iawn ar eu hagenda, a chael y trafodaethau hynny ynglŷn â'r hyn y mae’r gweithlu’n ei wynebu.
4. Pa gynlluniau sydd ar waith gan Lywodraeth Cymru i hyfforddi seicolegwyr addysg yn Arfon? OQ61065
4. What plans does the Welsh Government have in place to train educational psychologists in Arfon? OQ61065
Educational psychologists play an important role in schools in north Wales. We are investing £2.6 million to train and retain new educational psychologists. We are in discussion today with Gwynedd local authority to listen to their proposal to train educational psychologists at Bangor University.
Mae seicolegwyr addysg yn chwarae rhan bwysig mewn ysgolion yng ngogledd Cymru. Rydym yn buddsoddi £2.6 miliwn i hyfforddi a chadw seicolegwyr addysg newydd. Rydym yn cynnal trafodaethau heddiw ag awdurdod lleol Gwynedd i wrando ar eu cynnig i hyfforddi seicolegwyr addysg ym Mhrifysgol Bangor.
Diolch yn fawr. Ddiwedd y llynedd, dim ond dau seicolegydd addysg oedd yng Ngwynedd a Môn, yn gwasanaethu ar raddfa un i bob 13,000 o blant. Mae hynny'n faich gwaith anferthol ac yn golygu nad ydy rhai o blant mwyaf bregus yr ardal yn cael y gefnogaeth maen nhw'n ei haeddu. Un i bob 4,000 ydy'r raddfa i fod. Ac wrth drafod y mater efo'r Prif Weinidog yr wythnos diwethaf, mi wnaeth o roi yr argraff bendant ei fod o'n deall y pwynt fod angen hyfforddiant yn y gogledd, ac fe ddywedodd o fod yna drafodaethau'n digwydd efo partneriaid ym Mangor—a dwi'n falch o glywed gennych chi fod y trafodaethau yna wedi dechrau y prynhawn yma. Felly, lle mae'r trafodaethau yna'n mynd i fynd? Un peth ydy trafod. Fydd yna gwrs doethuriaeth ar gael ym Mhrifysgol Bangor o'r diwedd? Pryd y gwelwn ni y cwrs yna'n cychwyn? Faint o lefydd fydd ar gael? Byddai'n braf rŵan dechrau cael ychydig o'r manylion yn sgil datganiad positif y Prif Weinidog wythnos diwethaf.
Thank you very much. At the end of last year, there were only two educational psychologists in Gwynedd and Môn, operating at a rate of one to every 13,000 children. That's an incredible workload, which means that some of the most vulnerable children in the area aren't getting the support that they need. One to 4,000 is the recommended rate. And in discussing the issue with the First Minister last week, he gave the impression that he understood the point that there was a need for more training in north Wales, and he said that there were discussions happening with partners in Bangor—and I'm pleased to hear from you that those discussions have started this afternoon. So, where are those discussions going to go? It's one thing to have discussions. Will there be a doctorate course available in Bangor at last? When will we see that course starting? How many places will be available? It'd be nice now just to have some of the details in the wake of the positive statement made by the First Minister last week.
Thank you very much, Siân, and can I say I think this is a really important issue? From my previous job, I think psychologists play an incredibly important role. I'm really pleased that we've invested over £2.6 million between 2022 and 2024-25, to train new educational psychologists, but I recognise those places are in Cardiff—10 more educational psychologists—and we've put measures in place to make sure that at least one of them is a Welsh speaker and able to practise in Welsh when they graduate. I understand that we've done really well with that, with several of the participants being over that threshold. I do recognise the challenges that there are in north Wales with not having a course. Obviously, people are attracted to work over the border; there are bursaries available to keep them over the border, once they've gone over the border. So, I do think this is a really important piece of work. As I said, there's a meeting today. I haven't had a chance to have an update on it, but I have asked for an update on the meeting that's taking place today. I'm meeting with the Association of Educational Psychologists shortly. I've agreed to speak at their conference, and I am really keen—I know there'll be difficult issues to be worked through—to make sure that we can get a better supply of the workforce through to north Wales. It is a challenging area, but I'm really committed to looking at this; it'll be a priority for me.
Diolch yn fawr, Siân, ac a gaf i ddweud fy mod yn credu bod hwn yn fater pwysig iawn? O'm swydd flaenorol, credaf fod seicolegwyr yn chwarae rhan hynod bwysig. Rwy’n falch iawn ein bod wedi buddsoddi dros £2.6 miliwn rhwng 2022 a 2024-25, i hyfforddi seicolegwyr addysg newydd, ond rwy’n cydnabod bod y lleoedd hynny yng Nghaerdydd—10 yn rhagor o seicolegwyr addysg—ac rydym wedi rhoi mesurau ar waith i sicrhau bod o leiaf un ohonynt yn siaradwr Cymraeg ac yn gallu ymarfer yn Gymraeg ar ôl graddio. Rwy'n deall ein bod wedi gwneud yn dda iawn gyda hynny, gyda nifer o'r cyfranogwyr dros y trothwy hwnnw. Rwy'n cydnabod yr heriau sy'n wynebu'r gogledd am nad oes cwrs yno. Yn amlwg, mae pobl yn cael eu denu i weithio dros y ffin; mae bwrsariaethau ar gael i'w cadw dros y ffin, pan fyddant wedi mynd dros y ffin. Felly, credaf fod hwn yn waith pwysig iawn. Fel y dywedais, mae cyfarfod yn cael ei gynnal heddiw. Nid wyf wedi cael cyfle i gael y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf amdano, ond rwyf wedi gofyn am y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y cyfarfod sy'n cael ei gynnal heddiw. Byddaf yn cyfarfod â Chymdeithas y Seicolegwyr Addysg cyn bo hir. Rwyf wedi cytuno i siarad yn eu cynhadledd, ac rwy'n awyddus iawn—gwn y bydd yna faterion anodd eu datrys—i sicrhau y gallwn gael cyflenwad gwell o'r gweithlu drwodd i ogledd Cymru. Mae’n faes heriol, ond rwyf wedi ymrwymo’n llwyr i edrych ar hyn; fe fydd yn flaenoriaeth i mi.
5. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn sicrhau y gall pob disgybl yng Nghymru gael mynediad at addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg? OQ61068
5. How is the Welsh Government ensuring all pupils in Wales can access Welsh-medium education? OQ61068
Diolch, Llyr. All local authorities implement Welsh in education strategic plans to increase provision of and access to Welsh-medium education within their area. I look forward to receiving their annual review reports at the end of July.
Diolch, Llyr. Mae gan bob awdurdod lleol gynlluniau strategol Cymraeg mewn addysg ar waith i gynyddu’r ddarpariaeth o addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg a mynediad ati yn eu hardal. Edrychaf ymlaen at gael eu hadroddiadau adolygu blynyddol ddiwedd mis Gorffennaf.
Wel, dwi'n edrych ymlaen hefyd i'w gweld nhw pan fyddan nhw ar gael, ond dwi'n dod nôl at y cwestiwn sylfaenol yma rŷn ni wedi'i glywed yn barod gan nifer o Aelodau ar draws y Siambr sef, wrth gwrs, y problemau o safbwynt trafnidiaeth i gael mynediad yn enwedig i ddarpariaeth chweched dosbarth cyfrwng Cymraeg. Mae yna etholwyr yn cysylltu â fi sy'n dweud nawr fod disgwyl iddyn nhw dalu am drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus—trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus sydd ddim yn bodoli, yn aml iawn, yn rhai o'r cymunedau gwledig sydd gennym ni—ond maen nhw'n gorfod talu i gael mynediad at chweched dosbarth cyfrwng Cymraeg. Mae hynny, i bob pwrpas, yn dreth ar addysg Gymraeg. Nawr, a allwch chi ddweud a ydych chi'n teimlo bod hynny'n dderbyniol ai peidio? Gwnaethoch chi sôn bod yna waith yn digwydd ar greu arweiniad statudol rhyngddoch chi a'r Ysgrifennydd trafnidiaeth. A allwch chi gadarnhau erbyn pryd rŷch chi'n disgwyl y bydd hwnnw wedi'i gwblhau ac yn weithredol? A hefyd, a allwch chi ymrwymo heddiw, drwy hynny, nad tincro gyda'r sefyllfa y byddwch chi'n ei wneud, nad jest trio lleddfu ychydig ar y sefyllfa, ond y byddwch chi'n mynd ati nawr i ddatrys y broblem yma unwaith ac am byth?
Well, I'm also looking forward to seeing them when they are available, but I return to this fundamental question that we've already heard reference to from a number of Members across the Chamber, namely the problems in terms of transport to access particularly sixth-form provision through the medium of Welsh. Constituents are contacting me who say now that they're expected to pay for public transport—public transport that very often doesn't exist in some of our rural communities—but they now have to pay to access a Welsh-medium sixth form. That, to all intents and purposes, is a tax on Welsh-medium education. So, can you tell me whether you feel that's acceptable or not? You mentioned that there is work ongoing on having statutory guidance between yourself and the Minister for transport. Can you confirm by when you expect that to have been completed and to be operational? Also, can you commit today through that that you won't be tinkering around the edges, that you won't be trying just to mitigate the situation, but you will now try and really resolve this problem once and for all?
Thanks very much, Llyr. Of course, I want all young people to be able to access the education of their choice in the language of their choice, and I do recognise the challenges with the Measure, as has the previous Deputy Minister and the current Minister, and we are having those discussions. As I said earlier, the recommendations report outlined a modest, practical pathway to improve learner travel provision in Wales, which includes an update of the guidance. I'm pleased that the 2023 review team worked closely with the Welsh Language Commissioner's office and Rhieni dros Addysg Gymraeg to understand the complexities associated with learners accessing Welsh-medium schools, and we have been really grateful for their willingness to work in partnership with us on this. So, the planned update will amplify the legislation that has been put in place since the current guidance document was written—legislation to support and promote the Welsh language, including the Welsh language standards and the WESP regulations.
In terms of timescales, obviously this work is being led by the Cabinet Secretary for transport, but I will ask him to provide you with an update on that so that we can set out some timescales and recognise the pressing nature of the concerns that you've raised.
Diolch yn fawr, Llyr. Wrth gwrs, rwyf am i bob unigolyn ifanc allu cael mynediad at yr addysg o’u dewis yn yr iaith o'u dewis, ac rwy’n cydnabod yr heriau gyda’r Mesur, fel y gwnaeth y Dirprwy Weinidog blaenorol a’r Gweinidog presennol, ac rydym yn cael y trafodaethau hynny. Fel y dywedais yn gynharach, roedd yr adroddiad argymhellion yn amlinellu llwybr cymedrol, ymarferol i wella’r ddarpariaeth teithio gan ddysgwyr yng Nghymru, sy’n cynnwys diweddariad o’r canllawiau. Rwy’n falch fod tîm adolygiad 2023 wedi gweithio’n agos gyda swyddfa Comisiynydd y Gymraeg a Rhieni dros Addysg Gymraeg i ddeall y cymhlethdodau sy’n gysylltiedig â mynediad dysgwyr at ysgolion cyfrwng Cymraeg, ac rydym wedi bod yn ddiolchgar iawn am eu parodrwydd i weithio mewn partneriaeth â ni ar hyn. Felly, bydd y diweddariad arfaethedig yn ymhelaethu ar y ddeddfwriaeth sydd wedi’i rhoi ar waith ers i’r ddogfen ganllawiau bresennol gael ei hysgrifennu—deddfwriaeth i gefnogi a hyrwyddo’r Gymraeg, gan gynnwys rheoliadau safonau’r Gymraeg a rheoliadau’r cynllun strategol Cymraeg mewn addysg.
O ran amserlenni, yn amlwg, mae’r gwaith hwn yn cael ei arwain gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros drafnidiaeth, ond byddaf yn gofyn iddo roi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i chi am hynny fel y gallwn nodi amserlenni a chydnabod pwysigrwydd y pryderon a godwyd gennych.
6. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am fuddsoddiad cyfalaf mewn ysgolion yng ngogledd Cymru? OQ61042
6. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on capital investment in schools in north Wales? OQ61042
The north Wales region has seen £430 million invested in its schools and colleges infrastructure through the sustainable communities for learning programme and associated capital funding grants. The new nine-year education capital investment plans for the programme are currently under review and will see further investment across the region.
Mae £430 miliwn wedi'i fuddsoddi yn seilwaith ysgolion a cholegau rhanbarth gogledd Cymru drwy raglen cymunedau dysgu cynaliadwy a grantiau cyllid cyfalaf cysylltiedig. Mae’r cynlluniau buddsoddiad cyfalaf addysg naw mlynedd newydd ar gyfer y rhaglen yn cael eu hadolygu ar hyn o bryd, a byddant yn sicrhau buddsoddiad pellach ar draws y rhanbarth.
Thank you for your response, Cabinet Secretary. I certainly welcome the investment over previous years, but I do have some concerns about the transparency around some of the decision making on the prioritisation of some of those projects and programmes at the moment. I'd like to give one brief example of a school I'm a governor at, St Brigid's School—and that's my declaration of interest, as publicised already—in particular, that school is a high-performing school in Wales, one of the best in terms of results, and it's been promised investment for years and years and years, and, indeed, the latest inspection report from Estyn, published last week, showed that the buildings, especially the mobile classrooms, are in a poor state of repair, the school is oversubscribed, with many pupils on waiting lists for admission, and currently the classrooms are too small and restrict the school's capacity to increase pupil numbers. So, there's a restriction on its ability to develop in the future as a school. But the local authority seem to be dragging their feet in terms of investments on the school site. So, I wonder if you'd be willing, Cabinet Secretary, to look at that particular case in terms of the investment, but certainly to look at the transparency around decision making for the programme of sustainable communities for learning to ensure that the right schools are getting the right investment when it's needed.
Diolch am eich ymateb, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Rwy’n sicr yn croesawu’r buddsoddiad dros flynyddoedd blaenorol, ond mae gennyf rai pryderon ynghylch tryloywder rhai o’r penderfyniadau sy'n cael eu gwneud ar hyn o bryd ar flaenoriaethu rhai o’r prosiectau a’r rhaglenni hynny. Hoffwn roi un enghraifft fer o ysgol lle rwy’n llywodraethwr, Ysgol Santes Ffraid—a dyna fy natganiad o fuddiant, fel y cyhoeddwyd eisoes—yn benodol, mae’r ysgol honno’n ysgol sy’n perfformio’n dda yng Nghymru, yn un o'r goreuon o ran canlyniadau, ac mae buddsoddiad wedi'i addo iddi ers blynyddoedd lawer, ac yn wir, roedd adroddiad arolwg diweddaraf Estyn, a gyhoeddwyd yr wythnos diwethaf, yn dangos bod yr adeiladau, yn enwedig yr ystafelloedd dosbarth symudol, mewn cyflwr gwael, fod yr ysgol yn orlawn, gyda llawer o ddisgyblion ar restrau aros ar gyfer mynediad, ac ar hyn o bryd, fod yr ystafelloedd dosbarth yn rhy fach ac yn cyfyngu ar gapasiti'r ysgol i gynyddu niferoedd disgyblion. Felly, mae cyfyngiad ar ei gallu i ddatblygu yn y dyfodol fel ysgol. Ond ymddengys bod yr awdurdod lleol yn llusgo'u traed o ran buddsoddiadau ar safle'r ysgol. Felly, tybed a fyddech yn fodlon edrych ar yr achos penodol hwnnw o ran y buddsoddiad, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, ond yn sicr, edrych ar y tryloywder ynghylch y broses o wneud penderfyniadau ar gyfer rhaglen cymunedau dysgu cynaliadwy i sicrhau bod yr ysgolion iawn yn cael y buddsoddiad iawn pan fo'i angen.
Thank you, Sam. I think you mentioned this school to me before and I suggested that maybe it would be a good idea for you to write to me about it. Obviously, decisions on individual schools have a process to be gone through, and local authorities prioritise them, and they work with our capital team in the Welsh Government. I'm sure you also recognise the scale of investment. We have invested a phenomenal sum of money in supporting our school buildings in recent years. In terms of the transparency, I'm not aware of any particular issues around the transparency of these arrangements, but, if you would like to write to me about that, I will certainly pick it up with officials.
Diolch, Sam. Credaf ichi sôn wrthyf am yr ysgol hon o'r blaen, ac awgrymais efallai y byddai'n syniad da pe baech yn ysgrifennu ataf yn ei chylch. Yn amlwg, mae gan benderfyniadau ar ysgolion unigol broses i fynd drwyddi, ac mae awdurdodau lleol yn eu blaenoriaethu, ac maent yn gweithio gyda’n tîm cyfalaf yn Llywodraeth Cymru. Rwy’n siŵr eich bod hefyd yn cydnabod maint y buddsoddiad. Rydym wedi buddsoddi swm aruthrol o arian i gefnogi ein hadeiladau ysgol yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf. O ran tryloywder, nid wyf yn ymwybodol o unrhyw faterion penodol yn ymwneud â thryloywder y trefniadau hyn, ond os hoffech ysgrifennu ataf ynglŷn â hynny, byddaf yn sicr o godi'r mater gyda fy swyddogion.
7. Beth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i sicrhau bod plant yn dysgu sgiliau bywyd hanfodol? OQ61059
7. What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure children are taught essential life skills? OQ61059
The Curriculum for Wales has been designed by teachers and experts to ensure all learners gain the knowledge, skills and experiences they need for life in the twenty-first century. That includes the vital skills of literacy, numeracy and digital competence, as well as wider skills like critical thinking and financial literacy.
Mae’r Cwricwlwm i Gymru wedi’i gynllunio gan athrawon ac arbenigwyr i sicrhau bod pob dysgwr yn cael y wybodaeth, y sgiliau a’r profiadau sydd eu hangen arnynt ar gyfer bywyd yn yr unfed ganrif ar hugain. Mae hynny’n cynnwys sgiliau hanfodol llythrennedd, rhifedd a chymhwysedd digidol, yn ogystal â sgiliau mwy cyffredinol fel meddwl yn feirniadol a llythrennedd ariannol.
Thank you so much for your answer, Cabinet Secretary. Now, teaching children essential life skills, I completely agree with you, is essential when it comes to setting youngsters up for the future. Road safety, as far as I'm concerned, is one of those vital skills and, in my view, should be instilled in children from a very young age. Now, I'm sure I'm going to show my age now, but, when I was growing up, we had Super Safe with SuperTed on a Saturday morning, which was illustrated outside Cardiff castle, an educational cartoon to promote road safety. Now, clearly, this worked because, decades later, I can still remember everything else about that cartoon. I know some local authorities have dedicated road safety teams who go into schools and deliver road safety presentations, but figures released when the UK Government launched its THINK! campaign revealed that 67 per cent of children get fewer than two hours of road safety education in their whole time whilst at school. Given the Government has a big focus on active travel and wants to see people walking more, I firmly believe it's imperative that children are taught about road safety from a younger age. So, Cabinet Secretary, can you please outline what action the Welsh Government is going to be taking to achieve just that?
Diolch yn fawr iawn am eich ateb, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Nawr, rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr â chi fod dysgu sgiliau bywyd hanfodol i blant yn hollbwysig er mwyn paratoi pobl ifanc ar gyfer y dyfodol. Mae diogelwch ar y ffyrdd yn un o'r sgiliau hanfodol hynny yn fy marn i, a dylid ei feithrin mewn plant o oedran ifanc iawn. Nawr, rwy'n siŵr y byddaf yn dangos fy oed nawr, ond pan oeddwn yn iau, roeddem yn gwylio Super Safe with SuperTed ar fore Sadwrn, cartŵn addysgol i hyrwyddo diogelwch ar y ffyrdd, a oedd yn cael ei ddarlunio ger castell Caerdydd. Nawr, yn amlwg, fe weithiodd hyn oherwydd, ddegawdau yn ddiweddarach, gallaf gofio popeth arall am y cartŵn hwnnw o hyd. Gwn fod gan rai awdurdodau lleol dimau diogelwch ar y ffyrdd penodol sy'n mynd i ysgolion ac yn rhoi cyflwyniadau ar ddiogelwch ar y ffyrdd, ond datgelodd ffigurau a gyhoeddwyd pan lansiodd Llywodraeth y DU ei hymgyrch PWYLLWCH! fod 67 y cant o blant yn cael llai na dwy awr o addysg diogelwch ar y ffyrdd yn ystod eu holl amser yn yr ysgol. O ystyried ffocws y Llywodraeth ar deithio llesol a’i bod am weld pobl yn gwneud mwy o gerdded, credaf yn gryf ei bod yn hollbwysig fod plant yn cael eu haddysgu am ddiogelwch ar y ffyrdd o oedran iau. Felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a allwch amlinellu pa gamau y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i gyflawni hynny?
Thank you, Natasha. Just to assure you that safe active travel is a priority for this Government, and we've put a range of policies in place, as you're aware, to support that. I'm also aware that different local authorities have different programmes on place. I know that Rhondda Cynon Taf has an independent travel training programme for young people. But, if it's okay, I will write to you about the detail of what different local authorities are doing.FootnoteLink But, clearly, there is an important piece of work there that we are doing to join up our active travel commitments with our education commitments in schools.
Diolch, Natasha. Gallaf roi sicrwydd i chi fod teithio llesol diogel yn flaenoriaeth i'r Llywodraeth hon, ac rydym wedi rhoi ystod o bolisïau ar waith, fel y gwyddoch, i gefnogi hynny. Rwyf hefyd yn ymwybodol fod gan wahanol awdurdodau lleol raglenni gwahanol ar waith. Gwn fod gan Rondda Cynon Taf raglen hyfforddiant teithio'n annibynnol ar gyfer pobl ifanc. Ond os caf, fe ysgrifennaf atoch gyda manylion yr hyn y mae gwahanol awdurdodau lleol yn ei wneud.FootnoteLink Ond yn amlwg, mae yno waith pwysig yr ydym yn ei wneud i gydgysylltu ein hymrwymiadau teithio llesol â'n hymrwymiadau addysg mewn ysgolion.
Cwestiwn 8, yn olaf—Altaf Hussain.
Question 8, finally—Altaf Hussain.
8. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i wella diogelu mewn ysgolion? OQ61058
8. What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve safeguarding in schools? OQ61058
Everyone has the right to access a safe learning environment, and all education settings in Wales have a legal duty to ensure that children and young people are safeguarded. The Welsh Government's 'Keeping learners safe' statutory guidance supports education settings in ensuring they have effective safeguarding systems in place.
Mae gan bawb hawl i gael mynediad at amgylchedd dysgu diogel, ac mae gan bob lleoliad addysg yng Nghymru ddyletswydd gyfreithiol i sicrhau bod plant a phobl ifanc yn cael eu diogelu. Mae canllawiau statudol 'Cadw dysgwyr yn ddiogel' Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi lleoliadau addysg i sicrhau bod ganddynt systemau diogelu effeithiol ar waith.
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. The trial of Neil Foden has highlighted some shocking gaps in safeguarding. While I accept that the Cabinet Secretary cannot and should not comment on an ongoing court case, the trial has raised wider issues. It has emerged that concerns about the—
Diolch, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Mae achos llys Neil Foden wedi amlygu rhai bylchau brawychus ym maes diogelu. Er fy mod yn derbyn na all ac na ddylai Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet wneud sylw ar achos llys cyfredol, mae’r achos wedi tynnu sylw at faterion ehangach. Mae wedi dod yn amlwg fod pryderon ynglŷn ag—
I do need to draw your attention, Altaf Hussain; this is an ongoing trial, and I would urge you to be very careful as to what you are going to say.
Mae angen imi dynnu eich sylw, Altaf Hussain; mae hwn yn achos cyfredol, a hoffwn eich annog i fod yn ofalus iawn o ran yr hyn y byddwch yn ei ddweud.
Yes, I'm not talking about it. I'm just saying in general. You can hear my question.
Ie, nid wyf yn siarad amdano. Rwy'n siarad yn gyffredinol. Gallwch glywed fy nghwestiwn.
Yes. Okay, carry on.
Iawn. O'r gorau, parhewch.
It has emerged that concerns about the inappropriate behaviour of this headteacher towards female pupils—
Mae wedi dod yn amlwg fod pryderon ynglŷn ag ymddygiad amhriodol y pennaeth hwn tuag at ddisgyblion benywaidd—
I think I am going to need to advise you very strongly to rethink your question.
Rwy'n credu y bydd angen imi eich cynghori’n gryf iawn i ailystyried eich cwestiwn.
Okay. Cabinet Secretary, are you satisfied that adequate safeguards exist to prevent such behaviours? And what action will you take following the outcome of this case and the imprisonment of a Cardiff teacher for similar offences to ensure that we have robust processes in place to protect pupils in our classrooms?
Iawn. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a ydych chi'n fodlon fod mesurau diogelu digonol ar waith i atal ymddygiad o’r fath? A pha gamau y byddwch yn eu cymryd yn dilyn canlyniad yr achos hwn a charcharu athro o Gaerdydd am droseddau tebyg i sicrhau bod gennym brosesau cadarn ar waith i ddiogelu disgyblion yn ein hystafelloedd dosbarth?
Thank you, Altaf. All schools have statutory duties to operate in a way that takes into account the need to safeguard and promote well-being. And in complying with their statutory duties, local authorities and governing bodies need to ensure reasonable measures are taken to minimise risks of harm to children's well-being. They also need to ensure appropriate actions are taken to address concerns about the well-being of a child or children, working to agreed local policies and procedures in full partnership with other local agencies.
Diolch, Altaf. Mae gan bob ysgol ddyletswyddau statudol i weithredu mewn ffordd sy’n ystyried yr angen i ddiogelu a hyrwyddo llesiant. Ac wrth gydymffurfio â'u dyletswyddau statudol, mae angen i awdurdodau lleol a chyrff llywodraethu sicrhau bod mesurau rhesymol yn cael eu rhoi ar waith i leihau'r risg o niwed i lesiant plant. Mae angen iddynt hefyd sicrhau bod camau priodol yn cael eu cymryd i fynd i'r afael â phryderon am lesiant plentyn neu blant, gan weithio'n unol â pholisïau a gweithdrefnau lleol y cytunwyd arnynt mewn partneriaeth lawn ag asiantaethau lleol eraill.
Diolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet.
I thank the Cabinet Secretary.
Yr eitem nesaf, felly, fydd y ddadl ar Gyfnod 4 Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau). Dwi'n galw ar y Cwnsler Cyffredinol i wneud y cynnig yma. Mick Antoniw.
The next item is the debate on Stage 4 of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill. I call on the Counsel General to move the motion. Mick Antoniw.
Cynnig NDM8576 Mick Antoniw
Cynnig bod y Senedd yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 26.47:
Yn cymeradwyo Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau).
Motion NDM8576 Mick Antoniw
To propose that the Senedd in accordance with Standing Order 26.47:
Approves the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Diolch, Llywydd. I move the motion.
Diolch, Lywydd. Rwy'n gwneud y cynnig.
Braint yw gallu gwneud y cynnig ar y Bil pwysig yma. Heddiw, rŷn ni'n creu hanes. Dau ddeg pum mlynedd yn ôl, ar 6 Mai 1999, roedd pobl Cymru wedi ethol Cynulliad Cenedlaethol cyntaf Cymru. Bryd hynny, doedd dim pwerau deddfu go iawn. Doedd dim rhaniad rhwng y Cynulliad a Llywodraeth Cymru. Dros y chwarter canrif diwethaf, mae ein democratiaeth wedi tyfu, wedi datblygu ac wedi aeddfedu.
It's a privilege to move the motion on this important Bill. Today, we are making history. Twenty-five years ago, on 6 May 1999, the people of Wales elected the first National Assembly for Wales. At that time, there were no real legislative powers. There was no separation between the Assembly and the Welsh Government. Over the past 25 years, our democracy has grown, developed and matured.
Devolution is about the decentralisation of power. It is about bringing decision making closer to the people of Wales. It is about empowerment: empowerment of people and communities in those decisions that affect the lives of every single person in Wales. Yet, while the responsibilities of the Senedd have grown, its capacity has not. It has remained the smallest of all the devolved legislatures in the UK. The Scottish Parliament has 129 Members and the Northern Ireland Assembly has 90 Members. The Bill before us changes that. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in our democracy, by creating a modern Senedd that represents and reflects twenty-first century Wales; a more effective Senedd, with greater ability and capacity to hold the Welsh Government to account; a more representative Senedd to better serve the people of Wales. I urge all Members to seize this opportunity to strengthen the very foundations of our parliamentary democracy, to refresh, improve and modernise the legislature, to make it fit for the many challenges we face as a nation.
This Bill contains a bold package of reforms, a significant improvement on our current electoral system, removing the disproportionality inherent in first-past-the-post. It will ensure that every vote counts. It will provide the electoral framework for greater diversity and fairer representation. It will be simpler. Voters will only have one ballot as opposed to two under the current system. It will create greater transparency and accountability of candidates to the manifesto on which they were elected. It will enable better and more specialist scrutiny of policy, Government and delivery. It will strengthen democracy.
As well as addressing the capacity of the Senedd and addressing its electoral system, the Bill also provides, for the very first time, for the creation of new Senedd constituencies. It repurposes the renamed Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru with the functions necessary to undertake reviews of Senedd constituency boundaries on an ongoing basis. It provides more frequent opportunities for democratic renewal through a return to four-year elections. It requires candidates and Members of the Senedd to be resident in Wales, and it provides a mechanism to review the changes after the 2026 election, and to consider the practical and legislative implications of job sharing for Members and offices related to the Senedd.
I spoke at Stage 1 about the importance of scrutiny and how laws are best forged in the fires of parliamentary scrutiny, and I think we've seen that in the course of this Bill's own legislative passage. We have had some robust exchanges, but we have also had deliberations to improve and clarify this progressive package of measures. We have seen a consensus develop on associated issues, such as increasing the accountability of Members. We've seen cross-party support for the Standards of Conduct Committee taking evidence to identify an effective and proportionate recall machinery that works for Wales and for our electoral system. And I'm happy to reiterate now this Government's commitment to maintain the momentum that has been generated and to engage with and support the committee in its work.
I'd therefore like to express my thanks to all Members and committees for their constructive consideration and scrutiny of this Bill. Your contributions have ensured that this Bill is in the best position it can be, and I'm very grateful to you for that. I'm also very grateful to all the stakeholders, experts and members of the public who have contributed their views and expertise during the Bill's legislative scrutiny. I'd also like to thank the officials, including both those of the Welsh Government and of the Reform Bill Committee, for their support to myself and to Members throughout the Bill's legislative journey.
And finally, I'd like to thank the members of and the contributors to the various commissions and panels over the years, whose work has led us to this moment. This is a Bill whose genesis was in the deliberations of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform. That committee, in turn, was indebted to the work of its predecessors, including the Committee on Senedd Electoral Reform and the expert panel on electoral reform. Without their body of work, the proposals before us today would not have been possible. As our devolution journey marks its 25-year milestone, I believe that this package of reforms will create a Senedd fit for purpose in the next 25 years and beyond. Diolch, Llywydd.
Mae datganoli'n ymwneud â datganoli pŵer. Mae'n ymwneud â dod â'r broses o wneud penderfyniadau yn nes at bobl Cymru. Mae'n ymwneud â grymuso: grymuso pobl a chymunedau yn y penderfyniadau sy’n effeithio ar fywydau pob unigolyn yng Nghymru. Ac eto, er bod cyfrifoldebau’r Senedd wedi cynyddu, nid yw ei chapasiti wedi cynyddu. Dyma'r lleiaf o holl ddeddfwrfeydd datganoledig y DU o hyd. Mae gan Senedd yr Alban 129 o Aelodau ac mae gan Gynulliad Gogledd Iwerddon 90 o Aelodau. Mae’r Bil ger ein bron yn newid hynny. Mae’n gyfle unwaith mewn cenhedlaeth i fuddsoddi yn ein democratiaeth, drwy greu Senedd fodern sy’n cynrychioli ac yn adlewyrchu Cymru’r unfed ganrif ar hugain; Senedd fwy effeithiol, gyda mwy o allu a chapasiti i ddwyn Llywodraeth Cymru i gyfrif; Senedd fwy cynrychioliadol i wasanaethu pobl Cymru'n well. Rwy'n annog yr holl Aelodau i achub ar y cyfle hwn i gryfhau sylfeini ein democratiaeth seneddol, i adnewyddu, gwella a moderneiddio’r ddeddfwrfa, i’w gwneud yn addas ar gyfer yr heriau niferus sy’n ein hwynebu fel cenedl.
Mae’r Bil hwn yn cynnwys pecyn beiddgar o ddiwygiadau, gwelliant sylweddol ar ein system etholiadol bresennol, gan ddileu’r anghyfranoldeb sy’n gynhenid yn system y cyntaf i'r felin. Bydd yn sicrhau bod pob pleidlais yn cyfrif. Bydd yn darparu'r fframwaith etholiadol ar gyfer mwy o amrywiaeth a chynrychiolaeth decach. Bydd yn symlach. Dim ond un bleidlais a fydd gan bleidleiswyr o gymharu â dwy o dan y system bresennol. Bydd yn creu mwy o dryloywder ac atebolrwydd ymhlith ymgeiswyr i'r maniffesto y cawsant eu hethol arno. Bydd yn galluogi craffu gwell a mwy arbenigol ar bolisi, Llywodraeth a chyflawniad. Bydd yn cryfhau democratiaeth.
Yn ogystal ag ymdrin â chapasiti’r Senedd a mynd i’r afael â’i system etholiadol, mae’r Bil hefyd yn darparu, am y tro cyntaf erioed, ar gyfer creu etholaethau Senedd newydd. Mae’n rhoi pwrpas newydd i Gomisiwn Democratiaeth a Ffiniau Cymru, o dan ei enw newydd, gan ddarparu’r swyddogaethau angenrheidiol iddo gynnal adolygiadau o ffiniau etholaethau’r Senedd yn barhaus. Mae'n darparu cyfleoedd mwy aml ar gyfer adnewyddiad democrataidd drwy ddychwelyd at etholiadau pedair blynedd. Mae’n ei gwneud yn ofynnol i ymgeiswyr ac Aelodau’r Senedd breswylio yng Nghymru, ac mae’n darparu mecanwaith i adolygu’r newidiadau ar ôl etholiad 2026, ac i ystyried goblygiadau ymarferol a deddfwriaethol rhannu swyddi i Aelodau a swyddi sy'n gysylltiedig â’r Senedd.
Soniais yng Nghyfnod 1 am bwysigrwydd craffu a’r ffaith mai'r ffordd orau o greu deddfau yw drwy graffu seneddol, a chredaf ein bod wedi gweld hynny yn ystod taith ddeddfwriaethol y Bil hwn. Rydym wedi cael trafodaethau grymus, ond rydym hefyd wedi cael trafodaethau i wella'r pecyn blaengar hwn o fesurau a'i wneud yn fwy eglur. Rydym wedi gweld consensws yn datblygu ar faterion cysylltiedig, megis cynyddu atebolrwydd Aelodau. Rydym wedi gweld cefnogaeth drawsbleidiol i’r syniad o'r Pwyllgor Safonau Ymddygiad yn cymryd tystiolaeth i nodi peirianwaith adalw effeithiol a chyfrannol sy’n gweithio i Gymru ac i’n system etholiadol. Ac rwy’n fwy na pharod i ailadrodd ymrwymiad y Llywodraeth hon nawr i gynnal y momentwm a gynhyrchwyd ac i ymgysylltu â’r pwyllgor a’i gefnogi yn ei waith.
Hoffwn ddiolch, felly, i’r holl Aelodau a’r pwyllgorau am eu hystyriaeth adeiladol a’u gwaith craffu ar y Bil hwn. Mae eich cyfraniadau wedi sicrhau bod y Bil hwn yn y sefyllfa orau y gall fod ynddi, ac rwy’n ddiolchgar iawn i chi am hynny. Rwyf hefyd yn ddiolchgar iawn i'r holl randdeiliaid, arbenigwyr ac aelodau'r cyhoedd sydd wedi cyfrannu eu barn a'u harbenigedd yn ystod craffu deddfwriaethol ar y Bil. Hoffwn ddiolch hefyd i'r swyddogion, gan gynnwys swyddogion Llywodraeth Cymru a'r Pwyllgor Biliau Diwygio, am eu cefnogaeth i mi ac i'r Aelodau drwy gydol taith ddeddfwriaethol y Bil.
Ac yn olaf, hoffwn ddiolch i aelodau a chyfranwyr y gwahanol gomisiynau a phaneli dros y blynyddoedd, y mae eu gwaith wedi ein harwain at y foment hon. Mae hwn yn Fil sydd â'i wreiddiau yn nhrafodaethau’r Pwyllgor Diben Arbennig ar Ddiwygio'r Senedd. Roedd y pwyllgor hwnnw, yn ei dro, yn ddyledus i waith ei ragflaenwyr, gan gynnwys y Pwyllgor ar Ddiwygio Etholiadol y Senedd a’r panel arbenigol ar ddiwygio etholiadol. Heb eu gwaith, ni fyddai’r cynigion ger ein bron heddiw wedi bod yn bosibl. Wrth i’n taith ddatganoli nodi ei charreg filltir 25 mlynedd, rwy'n credu y bydd y pecyn hwn o ddiwygiadau yn creu Senedd sy’n addas at y diben ar gyfer y 25 mlynedd nesaf a thu hwnt. Diolch, Lywydd.
Well, here we are again. We've reached the final stage of the consideration of this Senedd reform Bill, and we have legislation before us in its final form. And I want to put on record my thanks to the Reform Bill Committee team and to those who gave evidence to that committee during its discussions on this wide-ranging Bill.
As I've said before, and I'll say it again, there are parts of the Bill that my party has welcomed. We welcome a return to four-year terms of this Senedd, so that Members have to go back to seek a fresh mandate from the public, and we certainly do welcome the residency requirements that will be placed upon people, so that they have to live in Wales if they want to stand for election to this Senedd as well. However, it's a great shame that the Bill has changed so little during its passage through the Senedd.
There were many sensible amendments that were tabled at both Stage 2 and Stage 3 by my party and those in other political parties, with sincere intentions of strengthening and improving the Bill. Many were in line with the cross-party recommendations of the Reform Bill Committee. Yet Labour and Plaid Cymru Members, including those who sat on the committee making the recommendations that many of those amendments sought to reflect, voted against them. And so we have before us this afternoon a deeply flawed piece of legislation, which I am afraid will only serve to undermine our democracy.
And it will damage the relationship between the public and their elected representatives in this Welsh Parliament. This Bill still includes the creation of a closed list electoral system, a system that strips away a fundamental right enjoyed by Welsh voters for generations, by taking away the opportunity for them to choose the individual person they want to represent their area, and giving that right to party elites in charge of electoral candidate lists. It is the biggest power grab from the people of Wales that it has ever suffered in the history of Welsh democracy.
And then there's the scale of the expansion proposed in this Bill—a staggering 60 per cent—and all of the costs associated with that expansion: almost £20 million each and every year, money that our national health service, our schools and our other public services are crying out for. Money that could be building new hospitals, keeping schools, libraries and public conveniences open, but that money instead will be spent on luxury offices and pay for 36 more politicians, their entourage of staff and the structure here at the Senedd needed to support them. Spending £120 million on more politicians over the review period is a luxury that we can ill afford.
This Bill sends a clear message to the Welsh public: we would love to keep your libraries open, we would love you to be able to get your operation or your scan or your appointment sooner, we'd love to support your child with their additional learning needs, but they're an unaffordable luxury. Instead, we're spending the money we could be spending on them on creating 36 more politicians in Cardiff Bay. It is shameful, Llywydd, and all of this is being done without any clear public mandate whatsoever, and indeed, in the face of very clear public opposition, as evidenced by the public responses to the Reform Bill Committee during our proceedings.
I sought to address some of the Bill's failings via sensible amendments, amendments to introduce a flexible voting list system to enable greater voter choice and direct accountability of future Members of this Senedd to the public they serve; a system of recall to allow the public to unseat Members of the Senedd who fail to meet the high standards of behaviour expected of them; and the requirement for a referendum to be held prior to the introduction of changes to our voting system and any increase in the number of Senedd Members. But, Llywydd, these reasonable amendments were rejected by Labour and Plaid MSs, Members who ignored their consciences, followed their party whips and betrayed the people they serve.
And so, we Welsh Conservatives will stand today in our united and fundamental opposition to the Bill before us. And this week, Llywydd, as we mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Senedd and Welsh devolution, I urge Members to reject this legislation: it is a backward step for democracy and accountability in Wales; it will damage public trust, erode the powers of voters, and undermine confidence in this Senedd. Llywydd, it is simple: Wales needs more doctors, dentists, nurses and teachers; it does not need more politicians. So, if you believe in democracy, fellow Members, if you believe in accountability and if you believe in delivering on the priorities of the people of Wales, you will join me and everybody on these Welsh Conservative benches and vote against this Bill.
Wel, dyma ni eto. Rydym wedi cyrraedd cyfnod olaf y broses o ystyried y Bil hwn i ddiwygio’r Senedd, ac mae gennym ddeddfwriaeth o’n blaenau ar ei ffurf derfynol. A hoffwn gofnodi fy niolch i dîm y Pwyllgor Biliau Diwygio ac i'r rheini a roddodd dystiolaeth i'r pwyllgor hwnnw yn ystod ei drafodaethau ar y Bil eang hwn.
Fel rwyf wedi’i ddweud o’r blaen, ac fe’i dywedaf eto, mae rhannau o’r Bil y mae fy mhlaid wedi’u croesawu. Rydym yn croesawu dychwelyd at dymhorau pedair blynedd ar gyfer y Senedd hon, fel bod yn rhaid i Aelodau fynd yn ôl i ofyn am fandad newydd gan y cyhoedd, ac rydym yn sicr yn croesawu’r gofynion preswylio a fydd yn cael eu gosod ar bobl, fel bod yn rhaid iddynt fyw yng Nghymru os ydynt am sefyll i gael eu hethol i'r Senedd hon. Fodd bynnag, mae’n drueni mawr fod y Bil wedi newid cyn lleied yn ystod ei daith drwy’r Senedd.
Roedd llawer o welliannau synhwyrol a gyflwynwyd yng Nghyfnod 2 a Chyfnod 3 gan fy mhlaid i a chan bleidiau gwleidyddol eraill, gyda bwriadau diffuant o gryfhau a gwella’r Bil. Roedd llawer ohonynt yn unol ag argymhellion trawsbleidiol y Pwyllgor Biliau Diwygio. Ac eto, pleidleisiodd Aelodau Llafur a Phlaid Cymru, gan gynnwys y rheini a oedd ar y pwyllgor yn gwneud yr argymhellion yr oedd llawer o’r gwelliannau hynny’n ceisio eu hadlewyrchu, yn eu herbyn. Ac felly, ger ein bron y prynhawn yma, mae gennym ddeddfwriaeth ddiffygiol iawn, sy'n mynd i danseilio ein democratiaeth, mae arnaf ofn.
A bydd yn niweidio'r berthynas rhwng y cyhoedd a'u cynrychiolwyr etholedig yma yn Senedd Cymru. Mae’r Bil hwn yn dal i gynnwys creu system etholiadol rhestr gaeedig, system sy’n dileu hawl sylfaenol y mae pleidleiswyr Cymru wedi'i mwynhau ers cenedlaethau, drwy gael gwared ar y cyfle iddynt ddewis yr unigolyn y maent am iddynt gynrychioli eu hardal, ac ildio'r hawl honno i bwysigion pleidiau sy'n gyfrifol am restrau ymgeiswyr etholiadol. Dyma’r enghraifft waethaf o gipio grym oddi wrth bobl Cymru yn hanes democratiaeth Cymru.
Wedyn, mae maint yr ehangu a gynigir yn y Bil hwn—cynnydd syfrdanol o 60 y cant—a'r holl gostau sy'n gysylltiedig â'r ehangu hwnnw: bron i £20 miliwn bob blwyddyn, arian y mae ein gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol, ein hysgolion a'n gwasanaethau cyhoeddus eraill yn erfyn amdano. Arian a allai fod yn adeiladu ysbytai newydd, yn cadw ysgolion, llyfrgelloedd a chyfleusterau cyhoeddus ar agor, ond yn lle hynny, bydd yr arian hwnnw'n cael ei wario ar swyddfeydd moethus ac yn talu am 36 yn rhagor o wleidyddion, eu gosgordd o staff a’r strwythur sydd ei angen yma yn y Senedd i’w cefnogi. Mae gwario £120 miliwn ar ragor o wleidyddion dros y cyfnod adolygu yn foethusrwydd na allwn ei fforddio.
Mae’r Bil hwn yn anfon neges glir at y cyhoedd yng Nghymru: byddem wrth ein bodd yn cadw eich llyfrgelloedd ar agor, byddem wrth ein bodd pe baech yn gallu cael eich llawdriniaeth neu eich sgan neu eich apwyntiad yn gynt, byddem wrth ein bodd yn cefnogi eich plentyn gyda’u hanghenion dysgu ychwanegol, ond maent yn foethusrwydd anfforddiadwy. Yn hytrach, rydym yn gwario'r arian y gallem fod yn ei wario arnynt ar greu 36 yn rhagor o wleidyddion ym Mae Caerdydd. Mae'n gywilyddus, Lywydd, ac mae hyn oll yn digwydd heb unrhyw fandad cyhoeddus clir o gwbl, ac yn wir, yn wyneb gwrthwynebiad cyhoeddus clir iawn, fel y gwelwyd yn ymatebion y cyhoedd i'r Pwyllgor Biliau Diwygio yn ystod ein trafodion.
Ceisiais fynd i’r afael â rhai o fethiannau’r Bil drwy welliannau synhwyrol, gwelliannau i gyflwyno system restr bleidleisio hyblyg i roi mwy o ddewis i bleidleiswyr ac atebolrwydd uniongyrchol i Aelodau’r Senedd hon yn y dyfodol i’r cyhoedd y maent yn eu gwasanaethu; system adalw i ganiatáu i’r cyhoedd gael gwared ar Aelodau o’r Senedd nad ydynt yn bodloni'r safonau ymddygiad uchel a ddisgwylir ganddynt; a’r gofyniad i gynnal refferendwm cyn cyflwyno newidiadau i’n system bleidleisio ac unrhyw gynnydd yn nifer Aelodau’r Senedd. Ond Lywydd, cafodd y gwelliannau rhesymol hyn eu gwrthod gan Aelodau Llafur a Phlaid Cymru o'r Senedd, Aelodau a anwybyddodd eu cydwybod, a ddilynodd chwip eu plaid a bradychu’r bobl y maent yn eu gwasanaethu.
Ac felly, byddwn ni'r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig yn unedig yn ein gwrthwynebiad llwyr i'r Bil ger ein bron. A’r wythnos hon, Lywydd, wrth inni nodi pum mlynedd ar hugain ers sefydlu’r Senedd a datganoli yng Nghymru, rwy’n annog yr Aelodau i wrthod y ddeddfwriaeth hon: mae’n gam yn ôl i ddemocratiaeth ac atebolrwydd yng Nghymru; bydd yn niweidio ymddiriedaeth y cyhoedd, yn erydu pwerau pleidleiswyr, ac yn tanseilio hyder yn y Senedd hon. Lywydd, mae'n syml: mae angen mwy o feddygon, deintyddion, nyrsys ac athrawon ar Gymru; nid oes angen mwy o wleidyddion arni. Felly, os ydych chi'n credu mewn democratiaeth, gyd-Aelodau, os ydych chi'n credu mewn atebolrwydd ac os ydych chi'n credu mewn cyflawni yn unol â blaenoriaethau pobl Cymru, fe fyddwch yn ymuno â mi a phawb ar feinciau'r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig ac yn pleidleisio yn erbyn y Bil hwn.
Ddoe oedd y diwrnod roeddem ni'n adlewyrchu ar y 25 mlynedd cyntaf o ddatganoli, a heddiw ydy’r diwrnod rydyn ni’n edrych ymlaen, a rhaid cyfaddef dwi’n ei hystyried hi’n anrhydedd bod yn Aelod yma a chael y cyfle i fwrw fy mhleidlais o blaid y diwygiadau hirddisgwyliedig sydd ger ein bron ni heddiw.
Hoffwn ddechrau drwy ddiolch i bawb sydd wedi ein cefnogi ni fel seneddwyr i gyrraedd y cam hanesyddol hwn, yn arbennig pawb sydd wedi cyfrannu i lu o sesiynau tystiolaeth ac ymchwiliadau sydd i gyd wedi dod i’r un casgliad, sef ei bod hi’n hen bryd i ni gymryd y camau nesaf i gryfhau ein democratiaeth ar gyfer y bennod nesaf yn hanes ein cenedl. Ac am daith ydy hi wedi bod dros y canrifoedd.
Fel ein hatgoffwyd ni ddoe gan Luke Fletcher, ac fel ein hatgoffir ni gan ddisgyblion sy’n ymweld â’r Senedd hon o’n hetholaethau a’n rhanbarthau, mae datganoli a chael penderfyniadau am Gymru wedi eu gwneud yma yng Nghymru yn gyfan gwbl normal i genhedlaeth sydd ddim yn cofio Cymru fel arall. Maen nhw’n gweld bod yna ffordd wahanol o wneud gwleidyddiaeth yn bosib, ac maen nhw’n credu yng ngallu ein cenedl i lywodraethu ei hun a chymryd ei lle haeddiannol ar y llwyfan rhyngwladol. Yn wir, dangosodd y Comisiwn Annibynnol ar Ddyfodol Cyfansoddiadol Cymru fod annibyniaeth i Gymru yn rhywbeth hollol hyfyw, a thrwy greu Senedd sy’n fwy cynrychioliadol o’n cenedl, ac un mwy o faint, mae hynny’n dod yn fwy posib.
Dros yr wythnosau diwethaf yn y Senedd hon, mae pwysigrwydd craffu ar Brif Weinidogion a Llywodraethau wedi dod i’r amlwg. Drwy gymryd y camau rydym, gobeithio, am eu cymryd heddiw, bydd ein gallu i ddwyn Gweinidogion i gyfrif yn cael ei gryfhau a byddwn yn creu system ethol gyfan gwbl gyfrannol.
Ac nid dyma ddiwedd y daith, wrth gwrs. Bydd adolygu yn digwydd yn dilyn yr etholiad nesaf. I fy mhlaid i, byddwn yn parhau i gefnogi ac ymgyrchu am system bleidleisio pleidlais sengl drosglwyddadwy. Byddwn eisiau creu Senedd wirioneddol gyfoes a chynrychioladol. Byddwn eisiau gweld mwy o bwerau yn cael eu datganoli a Chymru’n dod yn wlad annibynnol. Rydym hefyd yn falch ein bod wedi derbyn sicrwydd gan y Llywodraeth y byddan nhw’n cyflwyno Bil ar wahân, cyn diwedd y Senedd hon, i greu mecanwaith adalw priodol. Mi fyddwn ni’n eu dal nhw at hynny, a byddwn yn sicrhau y bydd y mecanweithiau adolygu yn y Bil hwn yn cael eu defnyddio’n gywir.
Felly, oes, mae gwaith yn parhau o’n blaenau i gryfhau ein democratiaeth. Ond mae’r cam rydym yn ei gymryd heddiw yn gam enfawr ymlaen, nid yn unig i’r Senedd hon, ond ein cenedl. Ein tasg ni fel gwleidyddion fydd sicrhau ein bod ni’n defnyddio’r diwygiadau i wireddu’r hyn sy’n bosibl ar ran ein cymunedau, ac ar ran Cymru. Mae’n gyfrifoldeb aruthrol, ond mae’n rhaid i ni ei gymryd.
Yesterday was the day for reflecting on the first 25 years of devolution, and today is the day for looking forward, and I must admit that I consider it an honour to be a Member here and to have the opportunity to cast my vote for these long-awaited reforms that are before us today.
I'm going to start by thanking everyone that has supported us as parliamentarians to reach this historic stage, especially all those who have contributed to a host of evidence sessions and inquiries that have all come to the same conclusion, namely, that it's about time for us to take the next steps to strengthen our democracy for the next chapter of our nation's history. And what a journey it has been over the centuries.
As we were reminded yesterday by Luke Fletcher, and as we are reminded by pupils who visit this Senedd from our constituencies and regions, devolution and decisions being made for Wales here in Wales have been completely normalised for a generation that doesn't remember Wales being any other way. They see that a different way of doing politics as possible, and they believe in our nation's ability to govern itself and take its rightful place on the world stage. Indeed, the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales showed that Welsh independence is wholly viable, and by creating a Senedd that's more representative of our nation, and bigger, that possibility only grows.
Over recent weeks in this Senedd, the importance of scrutinising First Ministers and Governments has been very apparent. By taking the steps that we will hopefully take today, our ability to hold Ministers to account will be strengthened, and we will create an electoral system that is fully proportional.
And this isn't the end of the journey, of course. A review will take place following the next election. My party will continue to support and campaign for a single transferable vote electoral system. We will wish to create a truly modern and representative Senedd. We will wish to see more powers devolved, and Wales becoming an independent nation. We're also pleased that we've received assurances from the Government that it will table a separate Bill, before the end of this Senedd, to create an appropriate recall mechanism. We will hold them to that, and we will ensure that the review mechanisms in this Bill will be used properly.
So, yes, there is work still to be done to strengthen our democracy. But the step that we're taking today is a huge step forward, not only for this Senedd, but also for our nation. Our task as politicians will be to ensure that we use these reforms to realise what's possible on behalf of our communities and on behalf of Wales. It is a huge responsibility, but it's an opportunity we must take.
I support the increase in the size of the Senedd. In Scotland, the Scottish Parliament have 30,000 electors per Member. In Northern Ireland, for the Northern Ireland Assembly, they have 15,000 voters per Member. In Wales, we currently have 40,000 voters per Member. If we increased to 96 Members, we'd have 25,000 electors per Member and that would place Wales approximately midway between Scotland and Northern Ireland in terms of the electorate. Northern Ireland currently has more Members than we have in Wales.
The number of Members in committees is small. I serve on the Finance Committee with three other Members. If two Members cannot get to the meeting, it becomes inquorate. This can be caused by traffic, as the M4 is incredibly difficult at times, coming in from the west—[Interruption.] Andrew R.T. Davies wants us to have a relief road around Port Talbot. I congratulate him. I will support him when he calls for an M4 relief road around Port Talbot, because that would make my life a lot easier. It can also be caused by illness or a family emergency. The Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee would have been inquorate today if I had gone to the toilet. [Laughter.] You cannot run an organisation like that, when Members have to sit there until we have an official break in order to keep the meeting quorate. Other committees have five or six Members. Does anyone think those are adequate numbers?
Rwy'n cefnogi'r cynnydd ym maint y Senedd. Yn yr Alban, mae gan Senedd yr Alban 30,000 o etholwyr i bob Aelod. Yng Ngogledd Iwerddon, ar gyfer Cynulliad Gogledd Iwerddon, mae ganddynt 15,000 o bleidleiswyr i bob Aelod. Yng Nghymru, mae gennym 40,000 o bleidleiswyr i bob Aelod ar hyn o bryd. Pe byddem yn cynyddu i 96 Aelod, byddai gennym 25,000 o etholwyr i bob Aelod a byddai hynny'n gosod Cymru tua hanner ffordd rhwng yr Alban a Gogledd Iwerddon o ran nifer yr etholwyr. Ar hyn o bryd mae gan Ogledd Iwerddon fwy o Aelodau nag sydd gennym ni yng Nghymru.
Mae nifer yr Aelodau mewn pwyllgorau'n fach. Rwy'n gwasanaethu ar y Pwyllgor Cyllid gyda thri Aelod arall. Os na all dau Aelod gyrraedd y cyfarfod, ni cheir cworwm. Gall hyn ddigwydd oherwydd traffig, gan fod yr M4 yn anhygoel o anodd ar adegau, wrth ddod i mewn o'r gorllewin—[Torri ar draws.] Mae Andrew R.T. Davies eisiau inni gael ffordd liniaru o amgylch Port Talbot. Rwy'n ei longyfarch. Byddaf yn ei gefnogi pan fydd yn galw am ffordd liniaru'r M4 o amgylch Port Talbot, oherwydd byddai hynny'n gwneud fy mywyd i'n llawer haws. Gall ddigwydd oherwydd salwch neu argyfwng teuluol. Byddai'r Pwyllgor Cyfrifon Cyhoeddus a Gweinyddiaeth Gyhoeddus wedi methu ffurfio cworwm heddiw pe bawn i wedi mynd i'r tŷ bach. [Chwerthin.] Ni allwch redeg sefydliad yn y ffordd honno, pan fydd yn rhaid i'r Aelodau eistedd yno hyd nes ein bod yn cael egwyl swyddogol er mwyn sicrhau cworwm i'r cyfarfod. Mae gan bwyllgorau eraill bump neu chwe Aelod. A oes unrhyw un yn meddwl bod y rhain yn rhifau digonol?
Will you take an intervention, please?
A wnewch chi dderbyn ymyriad os gwelwch yn dda?
Please.
A chroeso.
Thank you, Mike; you're a gentleman. Why is it that you are following the whip and not allowing a referendum to the people of Wales on this issue? Is it because you know that people in Wales will reject this?
Diolch yn fawr, Mike; rydych chi'n ŵr bonheddig. Pam eich bod chi'n dilyn y chwip a pheidio â chaniatáu refferendwm i bobl Cymru ar y mater hwn? Ai oherwydd eich bod yn gwybod y bydd pobl yng Nghymru yn gwrthod hyn?
I'm not sure how people in Wales would vote on something like this. I think if the argument was being made about the size of committees, the difficulty of keeping committees quorate, people in Wales may well have thought, 'Well, perhaps we do need some more Members'. If you tell them how we differ from Scotland and Northern Ireland, they would probably think we need more Members. We cannot have Government by referendum. I've been involved in lots of referenda. I've lost more than I've won and I've been very unhappy with referenda, because they bring really complicated questions down to a 'yes' or a 'no', and that is a serious problem. Rishi Sunak could give us a referendum now on his Government—it's called a general election—and everybody on the Labour benches would love to have that.
Choosing a new electoral system is not a politically neutral act. The system chosen has a huge effect on the number of seats won. If Wales in 1999 had used first-past-the-post, Labour would have comfortably won every subsequent election. The introduction of regional Members and the regional system meant that Labour has never had a majority in the Senedd. The votes were the same, but the outcome was different. Two things have been said about the new system. Firstly, that it is proportional; the second that no votes are wasted. Both are provably untrue. It's not a matter of opinion—they're provably untrue. I agree with Rishi Sunak: we need to improve numeracy in this country.
What will happen is that it will be roughly proportional between the three largest parties, but it will make it more difficult for smaller parties to win, and I'm sure that Jane Dodds is going to say something about how it's going to make it more difficult for the Liberal Democrats when she gets up to speak. She'll probably ask for the single transferrable vote, which is a bit like a lottery for seats. Unless each party has multiples of 60 and two thirds of the total vote in each constituency, then votes would be wasted—that's inevitable. You'll have people who will have more votes or less votes than they need to move to the next level. [Interruption.] Lee Waters says 'fewer'. When I see a mathematical formula that says x is fewer than y, I will agree with him, but every time I see a mathematical formula, it says x is less than y. Again, I think that numeracy is a wonderful thing; pity it hasn't got in here. [Interruption.]
Nid wyf yn siŵr sut y byddai pobl yng Nghymru yn pleidleisio ar rywbeth fel hyn. Rwy'n credu pe bai'r ddadl yn cael ei gwneud am faint pwyllgorau, anhawster cadw cworwm pwyllgorau, mae'n ddigon posibl y byddai pobl Cymru wedi meddwl, 'Wel, efallai fod angen mwy o Aelodau arnom'. Os ydych chi'n dweud wrthynt sut rydym ni'n wahanol i'r Alban a Gogledd Iwerddon, mae'n debyg y byddent yn meddwl bod angen mwy o Aelodau arnom. Ni allwn gael Llywodraeth drwy refferendwm. Rwyf wedi bod yn rhan o lawer o refferenda. Rwyf wedi colli mwy nag a enillais ac rwyf wedi bod yn anhapus iawn gyda refferenda, oherwydd maent yn gorfodi ateb 'ie' neu 'na' i gwestiynau cymhleth iawn, ac mae honno'n broblem ddifrifol. Gallai Rishi Sunak roi refferendwm i ni nawr ar ei Lywodraeth—fe'i gelwir yn etholiad cyffredinol—a byddai pawb ar y meinciau Llafur wrth eu bodd gyda hynny.
Nid yw dewis system etholiadol newydd yn weithred wleidyddol niwtral. Mae'r system a ddewisir yn cael effaith enfawr ar nifer y seddi a enillir. Pe bai Cymru ym 1999 wedi defnyddio trefn y cyntaf i'r felin, byddai Llafur wedi ennill pob etholiad dilynol yn gyfforddus. Roedd cyflwyno Aelodau rhanbarthol a'r system ranbarthol yn golygu nad yw Llafur erioed wedi cael mwyafrif yn y Senedd. Roedd y pleidleisiau yr un fath, ond roedd y canlyniad yn wahanol. Mae dau beth wedi cael eu dweud am y system newydd. Yn gyntaf, ei bod yn gyfrannol; yr ail yw nad oes unrhyw bleidleisiau'n cael eu gwastraffu. Gellir profi bod y ddau'n anghywir. Nid mater o farn ydyw—gellir profi nad ydynt yn wir. Rwy'n cytuno â Rishi Sunak: mae angen inni wella rhifedd yn y wlad hon.
Yr hyn fydd yn digwydd yw y bydd yn fras gyfrannol rhwng y tair plaid fwyaf, ond bydd yn ei gwneud hi'n anos i bleidiau llai ennill, ac rwy'n siŵr fod Jane Dodds yn mynd i ddweud rhywbeth ynglŷn â sut mae'n mynd i'w gwneud hi'n anos i'r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol pan fydd hi'n codi i siarad. Mae'n debyg y bydd hi'n gofyn am y bleidlais sengl drosglwyddadwy, sydd ychydig fel loteri am seddi. Oni bai bod gan bob plaid luosrifau o 60 a dwy ran o dair o gyfanswm y bleidlais ym mhob etholaeth, byddai pleidleisiau'n cael eu gwastraff—mae hynny'n anochel. Bydd gennych bobl a fydd yn cael mwy o bleidleisiau neu lai o bleidleisiau nag sydd ei angen arnynt i symud i'r lefel nesaf. [Torri ar draws.] Mae Lee Waters yn dweud 'fewer' nid 'less'. Pan welaf fformiwla fathemategol sy'n dweud bod x yn 'fewer' na y, byddaf yn cytuno ag ef, ond bob tro y gwelaf fformiwla fathemategol, mae'n dweud bod x yn 'less' na y. Unwaith eto, rwy'n meddwl bod rhifedd yn beth gwych; mae'n drueni nad yw wedi cyrraedd y fan hon. [Torri ar draws.]
I really want to hear Mike Hedges. Every sentence is a gem, Mike.
Rwy'n awyddus iawn i glywed Mike Hedges. Mae pob brawddeg yn berl, Mike.
When historians look at this decision in the future, they'll have something to describe as the reverse of gerrymandering, where a political party goes from having a system in which they can win to one in which it's going to be very difficult if not impossible for them to do so. The aim of the system is to produce a hung Senedd, a European-style Parliament. It's not one that I feel particularly comfortable with, but that's the direction we're going in.
Pan fydd haneswyr yn edrych ar y penderfyniad hwn yn y dyfodol, bydd ganddynt rywbeth i'w ddisgrifio fel y gwrthwyneb i ad-drefnu tueddol neu jerimandro, lle mae plaid wleidyddol yn mynd o feddu ar system lle gallant ennill i un lle mae'n mynd i fod yn anodd iawn os nad yn amhosibl iddynt wneud hynny. Nod y system yw cynhyrchu Senedd grog, Senedd Ewropeaidd ei naws. Nid yw'n un y teimlaf yn arbennig o gyfforddus yn ei chylch, ond dyna'r cyfeiriad rydym yn mynd iddo.
I'm very pleased to support this vital legislation brought before us today. Firstly, let me thank all of those who've been on the reform Bill committees with me, and also the staff and the clerks. They've done an amazing job in terms of crystallising all of the information and bringing us to this point today. We've all learnt from each other, I hope, and I have certainly learnt from those that I've sat on the committees with—thank you so much. I'm really proud to support this legislation, which I see enhances scrutiny and ensures proper representation for each and every one of Wales's diverse communities. We are moving away from the outdated first-past-the-post system, which is definitely a positive step, bringing a more proportional model to our democracy here in Wales. This is progress we should quite rightly celebrate.
But I can't let an opportunity go by to talk about the voting system. The reform Bill as it stands remains fundamentally flawed. The introduction of closed party lists risks robbing voters of true choice, and there was absolutely no evidence presented to us that this would benefit the electorate in any way. We remain, in the Welsh Liberal Democrats, firm in our conviction that the single transferrable vote is the fairest, most accountable system that Wales deserves. STV would create a genuinely democratic model, where every vote carries equal weight and equal power. So, I will be supporting the legislation today, but I urge this Senedd, and all future Governments, to view it as just the first step on our democratic journey—a journey towards a stronger, fully democratic Parliament for Wales, one built upon the founding principle of giving the people an equal voice and choice over those who represent them. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Rwy'n falch iawn o gefnogi'r ddeddfwriaeth hanfodol hon a gyflwynwyd ger ein bron heddiw. Yn gyntaf, gadewch imi ddiolch i bawb sydd wedi bod ar bwyllgorau'r Bil diwygio gyda mi, a hefyd i'r staff a'r clercod. Maent wedi gwneud gwaith anhygoel yn crisialu'r holl wybodaeth a dod â ni i'r pwynt hwn heddiw. Rydym i gyd wedi dysgu oddi wrth ein gilydd, gobeithio, ac rwy'n sicr wedi dysgu gan y rhai y bûm yn aelod o bwyllgorau gyda nhw—diolch o galon. Rwy'n falch iawn o gefnogi'r ddeddfwriaeth hon, yr ystyriaf y bydd yn gwella craffu ac yn sicrhau cynrychiolaeth briodol i bob un o gymunedau amrywiol Cymru. Rydym yn symud i ffwrdd o system hen ffasiwn y cyntaf i'r felin, sy'n sicr yn gam cadarnhaol, gan ddod â model mwy cyfrannol i'n democratiaeth yma yng Nghymru. Dyma gynnydd y byddai'n briodol inni ei ddathlu.
Ond ni allaf golli cyfle i siarad am y system bleidleisio. Mae'r Bil diwygio fel y mae yn parhau i fod yn sylfaenol ddiffygiol. Mae cyflwyno rhestrau plaid caeedig yn creu perygl o amddifadu pleidleiswyr o ddewis go iawn, ac ni chyflwynwyd unrhyw dystiolaeth i ni y byddai hyn o fudd i'r etholwyr mewn unrhyw ffordd. Rydym yn parhau i fod, ym mhlaid Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru, yn gadarn ein hargyhoeddiad mai pleidlais sengl drosglwyddadwy yw'r system fwyaf teg, fwyaf atebol y mae Cymru'n ei haeddu. Byddai pleidlais sengl drosglwyddadwy yn creu model gwirioneddol ddemocrataidd, lle mae pob pleidlais yn gyfartal o ran ei phwysigrwydd a'i phŵer. Felly, byddaf yn cefnogi'r ddeddfwriaeth heddiw, ond rwy'n annog y Senedd hon, a holl Lywodraethau'r dyfodol, i'w weld fel cam cyntaf yn unig ar ein taith ddemocrataidd—taith tuag at Senedd gryfach, gwbl ddemocrataidd i Gymru, un wedi'i hadeiladu ar yr egwyddor sylfaenol o roi llais a dewis cyfartal i'r bobl ynghylch y rhai sy'n eu cynrychioli. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Mae hi'n addas iawn ein bod ni yma heddiw i bleidleisio dros roi'r gallu i'n Senedd ni weithredu fel Senedd genedlaethol go iawn, bron i 25 mlynedd i'r diwrnod ers yr etholiadau cyntaf i'r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol. Dwi'n ddiolchgar iawn am y gwaith trawsbleidiol sydd wedi mynd tuag at gyflawni'r cam nesaf pwysig yma yn ein taith genedlaethol. Yn y Siambr yma, fel ar draws Cymru, mae yna wahaniaeth barn ar lle rydyn ni'n mynd, yn y pen draw, ar y daith honno, ond mae'r Bil yma yn rhoi i ni y math o Senedd sydd ei hangen beth bynnag ydy'r camau nesaf. I bob un ohonom ni yn y fan hon sydd eisiau sicrhau gwell sgrwtini, gwell dal Llywodraeth i gyfrif, gwell polisi, gwell pwyso a mesur ein penderfyniadau, gwell gwariant cyhoeddus, yna mi fydd gennym ni'r capasiti i wneud hynny'n effeithiol ar ran pobl Cymru. I'r rheini sydd am wthio ymhellach, rydyn ni'n creu'r llwyfan ar gyfer hynny, ac i'r rheini ohonom ni sy'n credu mewn cymryd cyfrifoldeb am ein ffawd ein hunain fel gwlad sydd eisiau gafael yn dynn a meithrin y weledigaeth o Gymru hyderus, ffyniannus, deg ac annibynnol, yna mi allwn ni fod yn falch ein bod ni yma heddiw yn creu Senedd y Gymru annibynnol honno.
It is most appropriate that we are here today to vote to give our Senedd the ability to work as a real, national Parliament, almost exactly 25 years to the day from the first elections to the National Assembly for Wales. I am extremely grateful for the cross-party work that has contributed to delivering this next important step in our national journey. In this Chamber, and across Wales, there are differing views as to where we are going, ultimately, in terms of that journey, but this Bill provides us with the kind of Parliament we will need, whatever the next steps may entail. For each and every one of us here who wants to ensure better scrutiny, holding the Government to account more effectively, better policy, better weighing up of decision making, and better public expenditure, then we will have the capacity to deliver that effectively on behalf of the people of Wales. For those who want to move further, we are providing a platform for that, and for those of us who believe in taking responsibility for our own fate as a nation, who want to take hold and nurture that vision of a confident, prosperous, fair and independent Wales, then we can be proud that we are here today creating a Parliament for that independent Wales.
I said here yesterday that we need to see a step change in devolution as we head into its second quarter century. We need new and targeted solutions to the challenges we face in our economy, on the NHS and in education, to finally get to grips with child poverty, and renew people's faith in and engagement with our Welsh democracy. And we know, as the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales so starkly outlined, that the current devolution settlement is simply not sustainable. Further change is inevitable. A bigger, more representative Senedd, a Parliament fit for the twenty-first century, and beyond, gives us a new foundation on which to build a fairer Wales and to prepare for the forms of political and constitutional change we know are coming. And this will be the Parliament that is ready to serve a confident independent Wales, when we're ready to take that step, taking the levers of change into our hands. We've come a long way—
Dywedais yma ddoe fod angen inni weld newid sylweddol mewn datganoli wrth inni fynd i mewn i'w ail chwarter canrif. Mae angen atebion newydd wedi'u targedu i'r heriau sy'n ein hwynebu yn ein heconomi, ar y GIG ac mewn addysg, i drechu tlodi plant o'r diwedd, ac adnewyddu ffydd pobl yn ein democratiaeth Gymreig a'u hymgysylltiad â hi. Ac fel yr amlinellodd y Comisiwn Annibynnol ar Ddyfodol Cyfansoddiadol Cymru mor amlwg, fe wyddom nad yw'r setliad datganoli presennol yn gynaliadwy. Mae newid pellach yn anochel. Mae Senedd fwy a mwy cynrychioliadol, Senedd sy'n addas ar gyfer yr unfed ganrif ar hugain, a thu hwnt, yn rhoi sylfaen newydd inni adeiladu Cymru decach arni ac i baratoi ar gyfer y mathau o newid gwleidyddol a chyfansoddiadol y gwyddom eu bod yn dod. A dyma'r Senedd a fydd yn barod i wasanaethu Cymru annibynnol hyderus, pan fyddwn ni'n barod i gymryd y cam hwnnw, gan gymryd ysgogiadau newid i'n dwylo ni. Rydym wedi teithio'n bell—
Will you take an intervention?
A wnewch chi dderbyn ymyriad?
Yes.
Gwnaf.
Thank you for taking an intervention. I'm a little bit concerned about you putting two things side by side. This legislation we're passing today is about extending, quite rightly, the numbers of people who will be elected to this place; it isn't about moving towards an independent Wales.
Diolch am dderbyn ymyriad. Rwy'n poeni braidd eich bod yn gosod dau beth ochr yn ochr. Mae'r ddeddfwriaeth rydym yn ei phasio heddiw yn ymwneud ag ymestyn, yn gwbl briodol, nifer y bobl a fydd yn cael eu hethol i'r lle hwn; nid yw'n ymwneud â symud tuag at Gymru annibynnol.
As I said, in this Chamber, and across Wales, we have different aspirations for our nation, different levels of ambition for our nation. The key thing is that we are giving ourselves as a Parliament the tools to make those changes for ourselves.
We have come a long way, and by that, I don't just mean from the 1997 referendum, but since 1979. Remember today the lesson that nothing worth having comes easily, and that it's only by building a case that we bring about meaningful change. And some elements of our evolution require immediate attention. This Bill contains a review mechanism, which, make no mistake, we in Plaid Cymru are determined will be used, and used effectively. We have made no secret of our preference too for the single transferrable vote over closed lists, and we will continue to press the case for it. We'll all make sure, hopefully, that a recall mechanism is enacted where any Member of the Senedd is in serious breach of standards of conduct.
Llywydd, this is for all of the people of Wales, who all of us collectively represent. I was encouraged by the Conservatives yesterday speaking in defence of devolution, and speaking strongly so. Well, we must collectively nurture and protect our new Senedd. Protecting devolution means investing in it, and, yes, demanding a return on that investment in better services, better laws, better public spending and better outcomes. The context, for one example, is the estimated £20 billion that's needed to be spent on upgrading the Palace of Westminster—the Houses of Parliament at Westminster. Those building repairs equate to the cost of strengthening our Welsh Parliament to allow it to better serve the people of Wales for more than 1,000 years. We are taking decisions today to make sure that the people of Wales are no longer democratically short-changed compared with other national Parliaments in these islands.
I'll finish by thanking, once again, everybody who contributed to this historic legislation by noting and celebrating what has been achieved and by looking ahead to the new opportunities it will bring.
Fel y dywedais, yn y Siambr hon, ac ar draws Cymru, mae gennym wahanol ddyheadau ar gyfer ein cenedl, gwahanol lefelau o uchelgais ar gyfer ein cenedl. Y peth allweddol yw ein bod yn rhoi'r arfau i ni ein hunain fel Senedd i wneud y newidiadau hynny drosom ein hunain.
Rydym wedi dod yn bell, ac wrth hynny, nid wyf yn golygu ers refferendwm 1997, ond ers 1979. Cofiwch heddiw y wers nad oes dim sy'n werth ei gael yn dod yn hawdd, ac mai dim ond drwy adeiladu achos y gwnawn ni sicrhau newid ystyrlon. Ac mae rhai elfennau o'n hesblygiad angen sylw ar unwaith. Mae'r Bil hwn yn cynnwys mecanwaith adolygu yr ydym ni ym Mhlaid Cymru yn benderfynol y caiff ei ddefnyddio, a'i ddefnyddio'n effeithiol. Nid ydym wedi gwneud unrhyw gyfrinach o'r ffaith hefyd ein bod yn ffafrio'r bleidlais sengl drosglwyddadwy dros restrau caeedig, a byddwn yn parhau i ddadlau'r achos drosti. Byddwn i gyd yn sicrhau, gobeithio, fod mecanwaith adalw yn cael ei ddeddfu os yw unrhyw Aelod o'r Senedd yn torri safonau ymddygiad yn ddifrifol.
Lywydd, mae hyn ar gyfer holl bobl Cymru, y mae pob un ohonom gyda'n gilydd yn eu cynrychioli. Cefais fy nghalonogi gan y Ceidwadwyr ddoe yn siarad o blaid datganoli, ac yn siarad yn gryf felly. Wel, mae'n rhaid inni feithrin a diogelu ein Senedd newydd gyda'n gilydd. Mae diogelu datganoli yn golygu buddsoddi ynddo, a mynnu enillion ar y buddsoddiad mewn gwasanaethau gwell, cyfreithiau gwell, gwariant cyhoeddus gwell a chanlyniadau gwell. Y cyd-destun, os caf roi un enghraifft, yw'r amcangyfrif o £20 biliwn y mae angen ei wario ar uwchraddio Palas San Steffan—Dau Dŷ'r Senedd yn San Steffan. Mae'r atgyweiriadau hynny i'r adeilad yn cyfateb i'r gost o gryfhau ein Senedd i ganiatáu iddi wasanaethu pobl Cymru yn well am fwy na 1,000 o flynyddoedd. Rydym yn gwneud penderfyniadau heddiw i sicrhau nad yw pobl Cymru yn cael cam yn ddemocrataidd mwyach o'i gymharu â Seneddau cenedlaethol eraill ar yr ynysoedd hyn.
Rwyf am orffen drwy ddiolch unwaith eto i bawb a gyfrannodd at y ddeddfwriaeth hanesyddol hon drwy nodi a dathlu'r hyn a gyflawnwyd a thrwy edrych ymlaen at y cyfleoedd newydd a ddaw yn ei sgil.
Y Cwnsler Cyffredinol nawr i ymateb—Mick Antoniw.
The Counsel General to reply—Mick Antoniw.
Diolch, Llywydd. Can I firstly say I welcome very much all the comments that have been made by Members today, and the spirit in which they have been made? I also thank Darren for the support in respect of those aspects we've engaged on—the four years, which is a significant constitutional change, and the issue of residency. I'm grateful that we have consensus around that as well. Those were the constructive areas; I think some of the others were perhaps slightly more predictable. Can I thank Darren, though, of course, for the work in respect of the recall? And, of course, that momentum has been put in motion and will work with the Senedd committee. It is the Senedd committee that I would expect to bring forward the legislation, and, of course, the Welsh Government will work with that committee in order to achieve that, because we all recognise that it is an important change. It was not appropriate at the time within this Bill, but it does need very specific focus, and that is under way at the moment. Could I perhaps also ask the Welsh Conservatives to—I understand the points they make about the closed list—embrace the opportunity it presents in respect of diversity? Because in 2026, if you do embrace it, you have the opportunity to increase your gender representation from 19 per cent to at least 50 per cent. That is one of the opportunities it presents.
Diolch, Lywydd. A gaf i ddweud yn gyntaf fy mod yn croesawu'n fawr yr holl sylwadau a wnaed gan yr Aelodau heddiw, a'r ysbryd y cawsant eu gwneud ynddo? Rwyf hefyd yn diolch i Darren am y gefnogaeth ar yr agweddau y gwnaethom ymgysylltu yn eu cylch—y pedair blynedd, sy'n newid cyfansoddiadol sylweddol, a mater preswyliad. Rwy'n ddiolchgar fod gennym gonsensws ynglŷn â hynny hefyd. Dyna oedd y meysydd adeiladol; rwy'n credu bod rhai o'r lleill ychydig yn fwy rhagweladwy efallai. A gaf i ddiolch i Darren, wrth gwrs, am y gwaith ar adalw? Ac wrth gwrs, mae'r momentwm hwnnw wedi'i roi ar waith a bydd yn gweithio gyda phwyllgor y Senedd. Rwy'n disgwyl mai pwyllgor y Senedd fydd yn cyflwyno'r ddeddfwriaeth, ac wrth gwrs, bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gyda'r pwyllgor hwnnw er mwyn cyflawni hynny, oherwydd rydym i gyd yn cydnabod ei fod yn newid pwysig. Nid oedd yn briodol ar y pryd o fewn y Bil hwn, ond mae angen ffocws penodol iawn arno, ac mae hynny ar y gweill ar hyn o bryd. A gaf i ofyn i'r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig hefyd—rwy'n deall y pwyntiau y maent yn eu gwneud am y rhestr gaeedig—i groesawu'r cyfle y mae'n ei gyflwyno mewn perthynas ag amrywiaeth? Oherwydd yn 2026, os gwnewch chi ei groesawu, mae gennych gyfle i gynyddu eich cynrychiolaeth rhywedd o 19 y cant i o leiaf 50 y cant. Dyna un o'r cyfleoedd y mae'n eu cynnig.
Would you take an intervention on that point?
A wnewch chi dderbyn ymyriad ar y pwynt hwnnw?
Yes, I will.
Gwnaf.
I certainly recognise the need for all parties in this Chamber to improve their diversity. On your own benches, there is very little diversity in terms of race, or faith, or anything of that nature. We all need to raise our game on that particular front. But do you also accept that you could still achieve many of your ambitions if you had simply accepted a flexible list system, which would have allowed you to still achieve all of the benefits that you claim from a closed list system without denying the people of Wales the ability to vote for individual candidates?
Yn sicr, rwy'n cydnabod yr angen i bob plaid yn y Siambr hon wella eu hamrywiaeth. Ar eich meinciau eich hun, ychydig iawn o amrywiaeth a geir o ran hil, neu ffydd, neu unrhyw beth o'r natur honno. Mae angen i bawb ohonom wella o ran hynny. Ond a ydych chi hefyd yn derbyn y gallech barhau i gyflawni llawer o'ch uchelgeisiau pe byddech wedi derbyn system rhestr hyblyg, a fyddai wedi caniatáu ichi barhau i gyflawni'r holl fanteision yr ydych yn eu honni mewn system rhestr gaeedig heb amddifadu pobl Cymru o'r gallu i bleidleisio dros ymgeiswyr unigol?
First of all, there is an opportunity, I believe, from the closed list system. It's an opportunity that can be seized, and I think all the evidence is that that system is one that actually contributes more to the improvement of diversity than the flexible list system. But what I do urge very much, of course, is that in 2026, post that election, there will be a review. And I think it is important that that mechanism for a review is on the face of the Bill. Can I also say, in respect of the comments you made with regard to the usual thing: comparing every item of expenditure with how many hospitals, nurses et cetera—if there is a 0.01 per cent improvement in the actual scrutiny and the way in which we take decisions, this legislation actually pays for itself?
I've set out today why I believe the Bill will make the Senedd a more effective legislature for and on behalf of the people of Wales. Essentially, it is an investment in democracy, it is an investment in the future of Wales, and I urge Members to support and to pass this historic piece of legislation. Diolch.
Yn gyntaf oll, rwy'n credu bod system rhestr gaeedig yn creu cyfle. Mae'n gyfle y gellir ei fachu, ac rwy'n credu bod yr holl dystiolaeth yn dangos bod y system honno'n un sy'n cyfrannu mwy at wella amrywiaeth na'r system rhestr hyblyg. Ond yr hyn rwy'n ei annog yn fawr, wrth gwrs, yw y bydd adolygiad yn 2026, wedi'r etholiad hwnnw. Ac rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig fod y mecanwaith ar gyfer adolygiad ar wyneb y Bil. A gaf i ddweud hefyd, mewn perthynas â'r sylwadau a wnaethoch ynghylch y peth arferol: cymharu pob eitem o wariant â faint o ysbytai, nyrsys ac ati—os oes gwelliant o 0.01 y cant yn y craffu a'r ffordd y gwnawn benderfyniadau, mae'r ddeddfwriaeth hon yn talu amdani ei hun?
Rwyf wedi nodi heddiw pam y credaf y bydd y Bil yn gwneud y Senedd yn ddeddfwrfa fwy effeithiol ar gyfer ac ar ran pobl Cymru. Yn y bôn, mae'n fuddsoddiad mewn democratiaeth, mae'n fuddsoddiad yn nyfodol Cymru, ac rwy'n annog yr Aelodau i gefnogi a phasio'r ddeddfwriaeth hanesyddol hon. Diolch.
Yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 26.50C, mae'n rhaid cymryd pleidlais wedi'i chofnodi ar gynigion Cyfnod 4, ac felly byddaf yn gohirio'r bleidlais ar yr eitem yma tan y cyfnod pleidleisio.
In accordance with Standing Order 26.50C, a recorded vote must be taken on Stage 4 motions, and therefore I will defer voting under this item until voting time.
Gohiriwyd y pleidleisio tan y cyfnod pleidleisio.
Voting deferred until voting time.
Eitem 4 sydd nesaf, ond does dim cwestiynau wedi cael eu derbyn o dan eitem 4.
Item 4 is next, but no topical questions were accepted under that item.
Eitem 5, felly, yw'r datganiadau 90 eiliad. Y datganiad cyntaf gan Julie Morgan.
Item 5, therefore, is the 90-second statements. And the first statement is from Julie Morgan.
'This, this is the voice from silent hands. / This, this is the voice not heard but seen.'
These are the words of Dorothy Miles in her poem 'The Gesture'. Dorothy Miles was a remarkable woman, who helped to advance and popularise British Sign Language with her poetry and theatrical flair. And two weeks ago, Dorothy was recognised with a purple plaque, which was unveiled at her childhood home in Rhyl. Dorothy was born in 1931, and lost her hearing after developing meningitis at the age of eight. She attended the Manchester school for deaf children and Gallaudet University, the leading American university for deaf and hard of hearing people. Dorothy went on to have a career in the arts, performing with the US National Theatre of the Deaf. After 20 years in America, Dorothy returned to the UK, where she began making her legacy here.
She was the first woman to write and perform deaf poetry, known as 'sign poetry' or 'poetry in motion'. Dorothy produced the BBC's See Hear programme, unifying both the deaf and hearing communities through one television programme. Dorothy compiled the first teaching manual for BSL tutors, and is also the author of the best-selling BBC book BSL: A Beginner’s Guide.
Dorothy died in 1993, and has an organisation named after her called Dot Sign Language, bridging the gap between the deaf and the hearing world. Dorothy was a truly inspirational woman, whose legacy will live on in the history books of Wales. Diolch.
'Dyma'r llais o ddwylo distaw. / Dyma'r llais na chaiff ei glywed, ond ei weld.'
Dyma eiriau Dorothy Miles yn ei cherdd 'The Gesture'. Roedd Dorothy Miles yn ddynes ryfeddol, a helpodd i hyrwyddo a phoblogeiddio Iaith Arwyddion Prydain gyda'i barddoniaeth a'i dawn theatrig. A bythefnos yn ôl, cafodd Dorothy ei chydnabod â phlac porffor, a gafodd ei ddadorchuddio yng nghartref ei phlentyndod yn y Rhyl. Ganed Dorothy yn 1931, a chollodd ei chlyw ar ôl datblygu llid yr ymennydd yn wyth oed. Mynychodd ysgol Manceinion i blant byddar a Phrifysgol Gallaudet, y brifysgol Americanaidd flaenllaw ar gyfer pobl fyddar a thrwm eu clyw. Aeth Dorothy ymlaen i gael gyrfa yn y celfyddydau, gan berfformio gyda Theatr Genedlaethol y Byddar UDA. Ar ôl 20 mlynedd yn America, dychwelodd Dorothy i'r DU, lle dechreuodd wneud enw iddi ei hun yma.
Hi oedd y fenyw gyntaf i ysgrifennu a pherfformio barddoniaeth fyddar, a elwir yn 'farddoniaeth arwyddion' neu 'farddoniaeth symudiadau'. Cynhyrchodd Dorothy raglen See Hear y BBC, gan uno'r cymunedau byddar a'r rhai sy'n clywed drwy un rhaglen deledu. Lluniodd Dorothy y llawlyfr addysgu cyntaf ar gyfer tiwtoriaid BSL, a hi hefyd yw awdur llyfr poblogaidd y BBC BSL: A Beginner's Guide.
Bu farw Dorothy ym 1993, ac mae sefydliad wedi'i enwi ar ei hôl o'r enw Dot Sign Language, sy'n pontio'r bwlch rhwng byd pobl fyddar a phobl sy'n clywed. Roedd Dorothy yn fenyw wirioneddol ysbrydoledig, y bydd ei gwaddol yn parhau yn llyfrau hanes Cymru. Diolch.
David Marquand, who passed away a fortnight ago, was one of Britain's leading political thinkers. His writings through the 1980s and 1990s were seminal and much admired. A Labour MP, one of the founders of the Social Democratic Party, a Liberal Democrat and, latterly, a member of Plaid Cymru, he did once quip that he'd been in more parties than the Prince of Wales. His father, Hilary, was a Labour MP for Cardiff, who succeeded Nye Bevan as Minister for Health, and David's formative years were spent in the city, and he chose to spend his final ones in Penarth. He was a strong supporter of the Institute of Welsh Affairs, and both he and his equally brilliant wife, Judith, became honorary professors at Cardiff University well into their 80s.
He was in politics during a tumultuous period of social and economic change, and he stood firmly in the centre ground, and took principled stands on issues. He was one of the 69 Labour MPs who rebelled against the party whip in the vote to join the common market. He was a key supporter of the Charter 88 campaign, which paved the way for constitutional reform, including devolution to Wales and proportional representation.
He moved parties, but he said he had inner consistency, a commitment to pluralist, progressive politics, which he saw as the common good. But mostly, he was a kind and decent man, who made a mark on thinking on Europe, on Britain and on Wales. Diolch, David.
David Marquand, a fu farw bythefnos yn ôl, oedd un o feddylwyr gwleidyddol mwyaf blaenllaw Prydain. Roedd ei ysgrifau drwy'r 1980au a'r 1990au yn arloesol ac yn cael eu hedmygu'n fawr. Yn AS Llafur, un o sylfaenwyr y Blaid Ddemocrataidd Gymdeithasol, Democrat Rhyddfrydol ac yn ddiweddarach, yn aelod o Blaid Cymru, fe wnaeth nodi un tro ei fod wedi bod mewn mwy o 'parties' na Thywysog Cymru. Roedd ei dad, Hilary, yn AS Llafur dros Gaerdydd, a olynodd Nye Bevan fel Gweinidog Iechyd, a threuliodd David ei flynyddoedd ffurfiannol yn y ddinas, a dewisodd dreulio ei flynyddoedd olaf ym Mhenarth. Roedd yn frwd ei gefnogaeth i'r Sefydliad Materion Cymreig, a daeth ef a'i wraig, Judith, a oedd lawn mor ddisglair, yn athrawon anrhydeddus ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd ymhell i mewn i'w 80au.
Roedd yn y byd gwleidyddol ar adeg gythryblus o newid cymdeithasol ac economaidd, a safodd yn gadarn ar y tir canol, gan wneud sawl safiad egwyddorol ar faterion. Roedd yn un o'r 69 AS Llafur a wrthryfelodd yn erbyn chwip y blaid yn y bleidlais i ymuno â'r farchnad gyffredin. Roedd yn gefnogwr allweddol i ymgyrch Siarter 88, a baratôdd y ffordd ar gyfer diwygio cyfansoddiadol, gan gynnwys datganoli i Gymru a chynrychiolaeth gyfrannol.
Newidiodd bleidiau, ond dywedodd fod ganddo gysondeb mewnol, ymrwymiad i wleidyddiaeth luosogaethol, flaengar, yr ystyriai ei bod er lles pawb. Ond yn bennaf, roedd yn ddyn caredig a graslon, a adawodd ei ôl ar syniadau am Ewrop, am Brydain ac am Gymru. Diolch, David.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd (David Rees) i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) took the Chair.
Mae’r Gymraeg yn ffynnu yn Nhreorci. Dyna oedd y neges glir yng Ngŵyl Mabon a oedd yn y Lion yn Nhreorci y penwythnos diwethaf. Gŵyl newydd sbon Gymraeg ydi Gŵyl Mabon, a cafwyd diwrnod llawn hwyl yn y Lion o 10 a.m. tan 11.30 p.m., gyda rhywbeth at ddant pawb.
Roedd Martyn Geraint mor boblogaidd ag erioed gyda phobl o bob oed, ond yn arbennig y rhai bach. Roedd sesiynau celf a chrefft, sgiliau syrcas, sesiynau animeiddio, ynghyd â llu o sgyrsiau a pherfformiadau gan gorau ysgol, Côr Cwm Rhondda, a llu o berfformwyr a bandiau lleol a chenedlaethol, gan gynnwys Mererid Hopwood, Dadleoli, Ble?, Bethany Powell, Hywel Pitts, Gwilym Bowen Rhys a Tara Bandito. Mi fues i ddigon lwcus i fod yno pan oedd Catrin Feelings, un o berfformwyr drag mwyaf poblogaidd Cymru, yn perfformio, a dyna oedd hwyl.
Roedd y lle yn orlawn o sgwrsio a chwerthin drwy’r dydd, a hynny yn y Gymraeg, ond gan greu awyrgylch groesawgar i’r di-Gymraeg hefyd. Hoffwn longyfarch pawb a fu’n rhan o’r trefnu, ac yn arbennig Adrian yn y Lion a’r staff am eu croeso cynnes a’u gwaith caled. Y gobaith ydy y bydd hon yn ŵyl flynyddol a fydd yn mynd o nerth i nerth. Dyma ddod â’r Gymraeg yn fyw yn ein cymunedau, rhywbeth sydd yn allweddol o ran cynyddu’r defnydd naturiol o’r Gymraeg. Dwi’n edrych ymlaen yn barod at yr un nesaf.
The Welsh language is flourishing in Treorchy. That was the clear message at the Gŵyl Mabon festival held at the Lion in Treorchy last weekend. Gŵyl Mabon is a brand-new Welsh language festival, and a fun-packed day was held at the Lion from 10 a.m. until 11.30 p.m., with something for everyone.
Martyn Geraint was as popular as ever with people of all ages, but especially the children. There were arts and crafts sessions, circus skills, animation sessions, along with a series of talks and performances from school choirs, the Rhondda Valley choir, and an array of local and national performers and bands, including Mererid Hopwood, Dadleoli, Ble?, Bethany Powell, Hywel Pitts, Gwilym Bowen Rhys and Tara Bandito. I was lucky enough to be there when Catrin Feelings, one of Wales's most popular drag performers, was performing, and it was great fun.
The place was alive with conversation and laughter all day long, and all in Welsh, but with a welcoming atmosphere for non-Welsh speakers as well. I would like to congratulate everyone who took part in organising the event, and in particular Adrian at the Lion and the staff for their warm welcome and their hard work. The hope is that this will be an annual festival that will go from strength to strength. This is bringing the Welsh language alive in our communities, something that is key in terms of increasing the natural use of the Welsh language. I'm already looking forward to the next one.
Diolch, bawb.
Thank you, all.
Eitem 6 heddiw yw dadl ar adroddiad y Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol, 'Sut y mae’n rhaid i ni i gyd chwarae ein rhan: dull iechyd y cyhoedd o atal yr epidemig trais ar sail rhywedd'. Galwaf ar Gadeirydd y pwyllgor i wneud y cynnig—Jenny Rathbone.
Item 6 is a debate on the Equality and Social Justice Committee report, 'How we must all play our part: a public health approach to halting the epidemic in gender-based violence'. I call on the Chair of the committee to move the motion—Jenny Rathbone.
Cynnig NDM8569 Jenny Rathbone
Cynnig bod y Senedd:
Yn nodi adroddiad y Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol, 'Sut y mae’n rhaid i ni i gyd chwarae ein rhan: dull iechyd y cyhoedd o atal yr epidemig trais ar sail rhywedd' a osodwyd ddydd Llun 15 Ionawr 2024.
Motion NDM8569 Jenny Rathbone
To propose that the Senedd:
Notes the Equality and Social Justice Committee report, 'How we must all play our part: a public health approach to halting the epidemic in gender-based violence' laid on Monday 15 January 2024.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Statistics tell us that violence against women is an epidemic. In England and Wales two women a week are killed by a former or current partner. One in three women aged 16 to 60 will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. Behind these shocking statistics is a mother, a daughter, a colleague or a neighbour. This report is about how we must all play our part in ending this epidemic.
While nearly all of us will have experienced some form of gender-based violence at home, in the workplace or in our social relationships, more often in all three spheres, we needed to hear from the experts, those with lived experience of the most serious consequences of gender-based violence. Our advisory group played a key role in co-producing our report, and I'm glad to say that some of them are in the gallery to listen to our debate. I want to thank them for sharing their knowledge and insight in shaping key stages of the inquiry, and for their comments on the Welsh Government's response.
I also want to thank the committee's clerking team, in particular Rhys Morgan, and the Research Service, in particular Sarah Hatherley, for the work they did in pulling this really lengthy and complicated report together. We started this inquiry nearly a year ago. It was published in January, with the initial Welsh Government response from Jane Hutt on 26 February, and a further response to our follow-up letter yesterday from the new Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice.
Dr Stephen Burrell of Durham University told us that gender-based violence
'is founded in, and plays a significant role in reproducing gender inequalities in which women’s lives are valued less and men are encouraged to expect to have more power. This cannot simply be seen as one among many factors contributing to gender-based violence—it is the central factor.'
Addressing the underlying imbalances between men and women and promoting gender equality for all is key to preventing and ultimately eliminating gender-based violence. That is why the advisory group regarded recommendation 1 as our most important recommendation. The Welsh Government agrees it requires a whole-of-Government approach and working with partners across public services and private and third sector, but disagrees with our suggestion of a gender equality test to be applied to all policy and legislative proposals. Instead, Jane Hutt initiated a review of the weight given to gender in the integrated impact assessment, commencing with discussing it with each department of Government. But I think one of the key issues for the advisory group is how is the Welsh Government ensuring that the voices of victims and survivors are feeding into that process. For our part, we acknowledge that adopting a public health approach to this epidemic through tackling gender inequality is difficult and pioneering work. That is why we are recommending the Welsh Government takes a more vigorous approach to raising awareness and generating a shared understanding of our collective responsibility throughout society to tackle this poison that affects us all.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Mae ystadegau'n dweud wrthym fod trais yn erbyn menywod yn epidemig. Yng Nghymru a Lloegr mae dwy fenyw yr wythnos yn cael eu lladd gan gyn-bartner neu bartner bresennol. Bydd un o bob tair menyw rhwng 16 a 60 oed yn profi cam-drin domestig yn ystod eu hoes. Y tu ôl i'r ystadegau brawychus hyn mae mam, merch, cydweithiwr neu gymydog. Mae'r adroddiad hwn yn ymwneud â sut mae'n rhaid i bawb ohonom chwarae ein rhan i ddod â'r epidemig hwn i ben.
Er y bydd bron bob un ohonom wedi profi rhyw ffurf ar drais ar sail rhywedd gartref, yn y gweithle neu yn ein cysylltiadau cymdeithasol, yn amlach ym mhob un o'r rhain, roedd angen inni glywed gan yr arbenigwyr, y rhai sydd â phrofiad bywyd o ganlyniadau mwyaf difrifol trais ar sail rhywedd. Chwaraeodd ein grŵp cynghori ran allweddol yn cydgynhyrchu ein hadroddiad, ac rwy'n falch o ddweud bod rhai ohonynt yn yr oriel i wrando ar ein trafodaeth. Hoffwn ddiolch iddynt am rannu eu gwybodaeth a'u mewnwelediad wrth lunio camau allweddol yr ymchwiliad, ac am eu sylwadau ar ymateb Llywodraeth Cymru.
Hoffwn ddiolch hefyd i dîm clercio'r pwyllgor, yn enwedig Rhys Morgan, a'r Gwasanaeth Ymchwil, yn enwedig Sarah Hatherley, am y gwaith a wnaethant ar yr adroddiad hir a chymhleth hwn. Dechreuwyd yr ymchwiliad bron i flwyddyn yn ôl. Fe'i cyhoeddwyd ym mis Ionawr, gydag ymateb cychwynnol Llywodraeth Cymru gan Jane Hutt ar 26 Chwefror, ac ymateb pellach i'n llythyr dilynol ddoe gan yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet newydd dros Ddiwylliant a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol.
Dywedodd Dr Stephen Burrell o Brifysgol Durham wrthym fod trais ar sail rhywedd
'yn seiliedig ar, ac yn chwarae rhan sylweddol yn atgynhyrchu anghydraddoldebau rhywedd lle ystyrir bod llai o werth i fywydau menywod a lle mae dynion yn cael eu hannog i ddisgwyl bod â mwy o bŵer. Ni ellir gweld hyn fel un ymhlith llawer o ffactorau sy'n cyfrannu at drais ar sail rhywedd—dyma'r ffactor canolog.'
Mae mynd i'r afael â'r anghydbwysedd sylfaenol rhwng dynion a menywod a hyrwyddo cydraddoldeb rhywedd i bawb yn allweddol i atal, ac yn y pen draw i ddileu trais ar sail rhywedd. Dyna pam roedd y grŵp cynghori yn ystyried argymhelliad 1 fel ein hargymhelliad pwysicaf. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cytuno bod gofyn cael dull Llywodraeth gyfan o weithredu a gweithio gyda phartneriaid ar draws gwasanaethau cyhoeddus a'r sector preifat a'r trydydd sector, ond mae'n anghytuno â'n hawgrym o brawf cydraddoldeb rhywiol i'w gymhwyso i'r holl gynigion polisi a deddfwriaethol. Yn hytrach, dechreuodd Jane Hutt adolygiad o'r pwysau a roddir i rywedd yn yr asesiad effaith integredig, gan ddechrau gyda'i drafod gyda phob adran o'r Llywodraeth. Ond rwy'n credu mai un o'r materion allweddol i'r grŵp cynghori yw sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn sicrhau bod lleisiau dioddefwyr a goroeswyr yn bwydo i mewn i'r broses honno. O'n rhan ninnau, rydym yn cydnabod bod mabwysiadu dull iechyd y cyhoedd o ymdrin â'r epidemig hwn drwy fynd i'r afael ag anghydraddoldeb rhywedd yn waith anodd ac arloesol. Dyna pam ein bod yn argymell bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn mabwysiadu dull mwy egnïol o godi ymwybyddiaeth a chreu dealltwriaeth gyffredin o'n cyfrifoldeb ar y cyd yn y gymdeithas drwyddi draw er mwyn mynd i'r afael â'r gwenwyn hwn sy'n effeithio ar bob un ohonom.
I commend initiatives like Sound that encourage young men in Wales to learn about gender-based violence and think about how they approach everyday scenarios in their relationships, which are to be welcomed as interventions. The committee also heard about the great work going on with girls and young women through organisations like Plan International. But it is disappointing to know that the precise terms of the blueprint won't be published, but the terms of reference, the membership of the national partnership board and its work streams will be put up on the Welsh Government website later this month. We will hear from the current Minister, Lesley Griffiths, in due course in the autumn about how we can get a substantive update to test the interventions of Welsh Government and their effectiveness. That is very welcome, but it is also acknowledged that we need to include qualitative, as well as quantitative, data. The data production is proving to be considerably challenging for the Government. We will continue to scrutinise what difference Welsh Government makes to the lives of our citizens.
Of our 12 recommendations, many are quite broad, but recommendation 6 is very specific about ensuring all teachers are aware of their mandatory reporting duty on female genital mutilation. This is not imposed on children by strangers, it is something that misguided adults do to their own children. Realistically, schools are the only place children at risk can turn to to protect them, so that reassurance is very, very welcome.
But there are other recommendations where we are concerned. Recommendation 4: the advisory group was absolutely categorical about the need for fast-tracked specific and specialised therapeutic services for children who have witnessed gender-based violence. Whilst the Government accepts our recommendation, it does not provide any specific details on how it is upholding the rights of children experiencing or witnessing violence to fast-tracked specialised therapeutic services as required, nor does it commit to review the availability of these services and how well these are integrated into broader health services.
Telling us that the needs of all children are your priority, Cabinet Secretary, and that of the whole Government, is not sufficient. Listing specialist services the Welsh Government is funding for all victims of violence against women is not the reassurance we are seeking. The investment the Welsh Government is making in supporting families to stay together safely and therapeutic support for care-experienced children is also welcome, but it is not relevant to addressing a whole-system approach to adverse childhood experiences from gender-based violence.
You detail the work going on to transform the services for children and young people who are looked after, but it does not address the urgent need now. Maybe there's a tentative link between children who witness violence at home and children ending up in the care of the local authority, but that does not cover the vast majority of children who witness gender-based violence. So, I think this is something that we are going to have to come back to the Government on, because we really are concerned, and it was such a prime recommendation from our advisory group.
Finally, recommendation 11: addressing toxic masculinity is a really complicated challenge, countering the negative role models appearing on TikTok, and it's important work going on in schools with the new curriculum and in universities. But once men and boys translate toxic action that brings them to the attention of the police or health services, there needs to be clear pathways to address their offending behaviour. Unchallenged, we know that behaviour is likely to escalate into more damaging and even life-threatening behaviour.
So, we were very concerned that perpetrator programmes are not accurately—. It is unclear which of those programmes actually work and which do not. We were very lucky to observe the professional background of people delivering the Driving Change programme that we visited, but we were surprised that most referrals came via children's social services. That's important, but where are the police in all this? How do the police deal with domestic disputes that lead to the police being called but don't merit an arrest? What suite of options is available to health professionals who similarly encounter disclosures on domestic violence? Relationships rarely go from amicable to violent in one day, and pathways to different types of service, depending on the gravity of the situation, are needed now, with a really clear suite of options that ensures that people know exactly what they're referring into and how successful it has been.
Past trauma linked to becoming either a perpetrator or a victim is something we have to stop, rather than build on. So, this is something that we also want to ensure is actually happening, but we are concerned that the work that is being done by the Welsh Government is not going to report to the national partnership board until July of next year. That does not feel like a public health approach. I look forward to hearing the comments from other Members.
Rwy'n cymeradwyo mentrau fel Iawn sy'n annog dynion ifanc yng Nghymru i ddysgu am drais ar sail rhywedd a meddwl sut yr ânt i'r afael â senarios bob dydd yn eu perthnasoedd, sydd i'w croesawu fel ymyriadau. Clywodd y pwyllgor hefyd am y gwaith gwych sy'n digwydd gyda merched a menywod ifanc drwy sefydliadau fel Plan International. Ond mae'n siomedig gwybod na fydd union dermau'r glasbrint yn cael eu cyhoeddi, ond bydd cylch gorchwyl, aelodaeth y bwrdd partneriaeth cenedlaethol a'i ffrydiau gwaith yn cael eu rhoi ar wefan Llywodraeth Cymru yn ddiweddarach y mis hwn. Byddwn yn clywed gan y Gweinidog presennol, Lesley Griffiths, maes o law yn yr hydref ynglŷn â sut y gallwn gael diweddariad o sylwedd i brofi ymyriadau Llywodraeth Cymru a'u heffeithiolrwydd. Mae hynny i'w groesawu'n fawr, ond cydnabyddir hefyd fod angen inni gynnwys data ansoddol, yn ogystal â meintiol. Mae'r broses o gynhyrchu data yn heriol iawn i'r Llywodraeth. Byddwn yn parhau i graffu ar ba wahaniaeth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i fywydau ein dinasyddion.
O'n 12 argymhelliad, mae llawer yn eithaf eang, ond mae argymhelliad 6 yn benodol iawn ynglŷn â sicrhau bod pob athro'n ymwybodol o'u dyletswydd adrodd gorfodol ar anffurfio organau cenhedlu menywod. Nid rhywbeth sy'n cael ei orfodi ar blant gan ddieithriaid yw hyn, mae'n rhywbeth y mae oedolion cyfeiliornus yn ei wneud i'w plant eu hunain. Yn realistig, ysgolion yw'r unig lefydd y gall plant sydd mewn perygl droi atynt i'w diogelu, felly mae'r sicrwydd hwnnw i'w groesawu'n fawr iawn.
Ond mae yna argymhellion eraill rydym yn poeni amdanynt. Argymhelliad 4: roedd y grŵp cynghori'n gwbl bendant ynghylch yr angen am wasanaethau therapiwtig penodol ac arbenigol llwybr cyflym ar gyfer plant sydd wedi gweld trais ar sail rhywedd. Er bod y Llywodraeth yn derbyn ein hargymhelliad, nid yw'n rhoi unrhyw fanylion penodol ynglŷn â sut mae'n cynnal hawliau plant sy'n profi neu sy'n dyst i drais i wasanaethau therapiwtig arbenigol llwybr cyflym yn ôl yr angen, ac nid yw'n ymrwymo ychwaith i adolygu argaeledd y gwasanaethau hyn a pha mor dda y mae'r rhain wedi'u hintegreiddio mewn gwasanaethau iechyd ehangach.
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, nid yw dweud wrthym fod anghenion pob plentyn yn flaenoriaeth i chi, ac yn flaenoriaeth i'r Llywodraeth gyfan, yn ddigon. Rydym yn edrych am fwy o sicrwydd na rhestru gwasanaethau arbenigol y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu hariannu ar gyfer pob dioddefwr trais yn erbyn menywod. Mae'r buddsoddiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i gynorthwyo teuluoedd i aros gyda'i gilydd yn ddiogel a chefnogaeth therapiwtig i blant â phrofiad o ofal i'w groesawu hefyd, ond nid yw'n berthnasol i fynd i'r afael â dull system gyfan o weithredu ar brofiadau niweidiol yn ystod plentyndod yn sgil trais ar sail rhywedd.
Rydych chi'n manylu ar y gwaith sy'n mynd rhagddo i drawsnewid y gwasanaethau ar gyfer plant a phobl ifanc sy'n derbyn gofal, ond nid yw'n mynd i'r afael â'r angen brys nawr. Efallai fod cysylltiad bregus rhwng plant sy'n dyst i drais yn y cartref a phlant sy'n dod i ofal yr awdurdod lleol yn y pen draw, ond nid yw hynny'n cynnwys y mwyafrif helaeth o blant sy'n dyst i drais ar sail rhywedd. Felly, rwy'n credu bod hyn yn rhywbeth y bydd yn rhaid inni ddod yn ôl at y Llywodraeth yn ei gylch, oherwydd rydym yn bryderus, ac roedd yn argymhelliad mor bwysig gan ein grŵp cynghori.
Yn olaf, argymhelliad 11: mae mynd i'r afael â gwrywdod gwenwynig yn her gymhleth iawn, a mynd i'r afael â'r modelau rôl negyddol sy'n ymddangos ar TikTok, ac mae'n waith pwysig sy'n digwydd mewn ysgolion gyda'r cwricwlwm newydd ac mewn prifysgolion. Ond pan fydd dynion a bechgyn yn trosi ymddygiad gwenwynig sy'n dod â nhw i sylw'r heddlu neu'r gwasanaethau iechyd, mae angen llwybrau clir i fynd i'r afael â'u hymddygiad troseddol. Heb ei herio, gwyddom fod ymddygiad yn debygol o waethygu yn ymddygiad mwy niweidiol a hyd yn oed yn ymddygiad sy'n bygwth bywyd.
Felly, roeddem yn bryderus iawn nad yw rhaglenni ar gyfer cyflawnwyr yn—. Nid yw'n glir pa rai o'r rhaglenni hynny sy'n gweithio mewn gwirionedd a pha rai nad ydynt yn gweithio. Roeddem yn ffodus iawn i gael arsylwi ar gefndir proffesiynol pobl sy'n darparu'r rhaglen Driving Change y gwnaethom ymweld â hi, ond cawsom ein synnu bod y rhan fwyaf o atgyfeiriadau yn dod drwy wasanaethau cymdeithasol plant. Mae hynny'n bwysig, ond lle mae'r heddlu yn hyn i gyd? Sut mae'r heddlu'n ymdrin ag anghydfod domestig sy'n arwain at alw'r heddlu ond nad yw'n galw am arestio rhywun? Pa gyfres o opsiynau sydd ar gael i weithwyr iechyd proffesiynol sydd yn yr un modd yn dod ar draws datgeliadau'n ymwneud â thrais domestig? Anaml y bydd perthnasoedd yn mynd o fod yn gyfeillgar i dreisgar mewn un diwrnod, ac mae angen llwybrau nawr at wahanol fathau o wasanaeth, yn dibynnu ar ddifrifoldeb y sefyllfa, gyda chyfres glir iawn o opsiynau sy'n sicrhau bod pobl yn gwybod yn union at beth maent yn atgyfeirio a pha mor llwyddiannus y mae wedi bod.
Mae trawma yn y gorffennol sy'n gysylltiedig â dod naill ai'n gyflawnwr neu'n ddioddefwr yn rhywbeth y mae'n rhaid inni roi diwedd arno, yn hytrach nag adeiladu arno. Felly, mae hyn hefyd yn rhywbeth yr ydym am sicrhau ei fod yn digwydd mewn gwirionedd, ond rydym yn pryderu nad yw'r gwaith sy'n cael ei wneud gan Lywodraeth Cymru yn mynd i adrodd i'r bwrdd partneriaeth cenedlaethol tan fis Gorffennaf y flwyddyn nesaf. Nid yw hynny'n teimlo fel dull iechyd y cyhoedd o weithredu. Edrychaf ymlaen at glywed sylwadau gan Aelodau eraill.
I had the pleasure of serving on the committee during its deliberations and I would like to put on record my thanks to the Chair, to my fellow Members and to the committee clerk for their support, not just during this inquiry, but during my time as a member of the Equality and Social Justice Committee. I would also like to thank everyone who gave evidence to the inquiry.
While we make inroads in creating a more equal society, the scourge of misogyny and gender-based violence continues to rear its ugly head. Several witnesses to our inquiry pointed to the intersectionality of the prevalence of gender-based violence within certain communities. Dr Fox and Dr Miles of Manchester University stated that not enough was being done to identify early indicators of so-called honour-based abuse. The Minister, during her evidence session, highlighted the funding provided to Karma Nirvana to provide a virtual roadshow for professionals across Wales, but 20 virtual sessions are hardly enough to address the issues. As Karma Nirvana themselves pointed out, there has been a dramatic uptick in practices such as virginity testing in Wales since the pandemic. Much more needs to be done to ensure that such practices, as well as FGM, which the Chair has already mentioned, are wiped out in Wales. It was shocking to hear that teachers in Wales are not aware of their duty to report FGM.
Other groups highlighted issues of gender-based violence within the disabled community. While the Minister stated that Welsh Government is very conscious of this disproportionate impact, she simply called for more data. Whilst more evidence is always welcome, what we really need is more action. I'm pleased that the Welsh Government has accepted all the committee's recommendations, but I would urge the Cabinet Secretary to instil a greater sense of urgency.
One of the other areas of concern for me was the role of early intervention and prevention, particularly in higher education settings. The worrying rise of online misogyny platforms and the hero-worshipping of hate figures like the Tate brothers have been allowed to go unchecked in many of our university campuses. One of our witnesses, Dr Rachel Fenton, compared the lack of action at UK universities with what was happening in the USA, where legislation is in place to require universities to have bystander programmes. Dr Fenton reported that some UK universities have 'done nothing at all—nothing', due to a lack of senior leadership buy-in.
I welcome the fact that the Cabinet Secretary for Education will write to the higher education institutions to remind them of their obligations to tackle violence against women and harassment. I would ask that the Cabinet Secretary also sets out an expected timeline for when she expects to see improvements. We can't afford to be bystanders. We need our institutions to step up to the plate. We all have a role to play in tackling gender-based violence and need to call out bad behaviours whenever we see them. Hopefully, the Equality and Social Justice Committee's deliberations will help shift the needle and call time on misogyny and gender-based violence in Wales. Thank you.
Cefais y pleser o wasanaethu ar y pwyllgor yn ystod ei drafodaethau a hoffwn gofnodi fy niolch i'r Cadeirydd, i fy nghyd-Aelodau ac i glerc y pwyllgor am eu cefnogaeth, nid yn unig yn ystod yr ymchwiliad hwn, ond yn ystod fy nghyfnod fel aelod o'r Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol. Hoffwn ddiolch hefyd i bawb a roddodd dystiolaeth i'r ymchwiliad.
Er ein bod yn gwneud cynnydd ar greu cymdeithas fwy cyfartal, mae malltod casineb at fenywod a thrais ar sail rhywedd yn parhau i godi ei ben. Tynnodd nifer o dystion i'n hymchwiliad sylw at groestoriadedd mynychder trais ar sail rhywedd mewn rhai cymunedau. Dywedodd Dr Fox a Dr Miles o Brifysgol Manceinion nad oedd digon yn cael ei wneud i nodi dangosyddion cynnar cam-drin ar sail anrhydedd fel y'i gelwir. Yn ystod ei sesiwn dystiolaeth, nododd y Gweinidog y cyllid a ddarparwyd i Karma Nirvana i ddarparu sioe deithiol rithwir i weithwyr proffesiynol ledled Cymru, ond prin fod 20 sesiwn rithwir yn ddigon i fynd i'r afael â'r problemau. Fel y nododd Karma Nirvana eu hunain, gwelwyd cynnydd dramatig mewn arferion fel profion gwyryfdod yng Nghymru ers y pandemig. Mae angen gwneud llawer mwy i sicrhau bod arferion o'r fath, yn ogystal ag anffurfio organau cenhedlu menywod, y mae'r Cadeirydd eisoes wedi'i grybwyll, yn cael eu dileu yng Nghymru. Roedd yn frawychus clywed nad yw athrawon yng Nghymru yn ymwybodol o'u dyletswydd i adrodd am anffurfio organau cenhedlu menywod.
Nododd grwpiau eraill faterion trais ar sail rhywedd o fewn y gymuned anabl. Er i'r Gweinidog nodi bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn ymwybodol iawn o'r effaith anghymesur hon, dim ond galw am fwy o ddata a wnaeth. Er bod mwy o dystiolaeth i'w groesawu bob amser, yr hyn sydd ei angen arnom mewn gwirionedd yw mwy o weithredu. Rwy'n falch fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi derbyn holl argymhellion y pwyllgor, ond hoffwn annog Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet i feithrin mwy o ymdeimlad o frys.
Un o'r meysydd eraill sy'n peri pryder i mi oedd rôl ymyrraeth gynnar ac atal, yn enwedig mewn lleoliadau addysg uwch. Mae cynnydd pryderus mewn platfformau casineb at fenywod ar-lein a gwneud arwyr o ffigurau casineb fel y brodyr Tate wedi gallu parhau heb ei atal mewn sawl campws prifysgol. Cymharodd un o'n tystion, Dr Rachel Fenton, y diffyg gweithredu ym mhrifysgolion y DU â'r hyn oedd yn digwydd yn UDA, lle mae deddfwriaeth ar waith i'w gwneud yn ofynnol i brifysgolion gael rhaglenni ar gyfer rhai sy'n dyst i drais. Dywedodd Dr Fenton fod rhai o brifysgolion y DU 'heb wneud dim byd o gwbl—dim byd', oherwydd diffyg cefnogaeth gan uwch-reolwyr.
Rwy'n croesawu'r ffaith y bydd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg yn ysgrifennu at y sefydliadau addysg uwch i'w hatgoffa o'u rhwymedigaethau i fynd i'r afael â thrais yn erbyn menywod ac aflonyddu. Hefyd, hoffwn ofyn i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet nodi amserlen ddisgwyliedig ar gyfer pryd mae hi'n disgwyl gweld gwelliannau. Ni allwn fforddio cadw'n dawel. Mae angen i'n sefydliadau wneud eu rhan. Mae gan bob un ohonom ran i'w chwarae yn mynd i'r afael â thrais ar sail rhywedd ac mae angen inni dynnu sylw at ymddygiad gwael pryd bynnag y byddwn yn ei weld. Gobeithio y bydd trafodaethau'r Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol yn helpu i newid pethau ac yn dod â chasineb at fenywod a thrais ar sail rhywedd i ben yng Nghymru. Diolch.
Social media is famously lacking in nuance. While the debates can be superficial, frivolous, polarised or even hateful, it can, nevertheless, sometimes be helpful in bringing an issue into focus and spreading awareness of that issue. The 'man versus bear' debate currently trending is a good example of this. For those not familiar with it, the premise is as follows: a hypothetical question that went viral on social media asks, 'Would you rather be left in the woods with a man or a bear?' Women are overwhelmingly choosing the bear. Of course, it should be a ridiculous question. Why would you choose a massively strong, fierce and often deadly predator over a fellow human being?
Some women's answers perhaps have a bearing on the report we're debating today: 'If you were attacked by a bear, nobody would say that it's your fault,' 'A bear, because, if it attacks me, everyone will believe me', 'Nobody will ask what I was wearing when the bear attacks me', and, 'Bears are not killing two women a week in England and Wales, and, if they were, action would be taken to stop it immediately'. Our aim, as a committee, was to find examples of what works, in terms of preventing us having to think twice before making this kind of hypothetical choice, stopping gender-based violence before it occurs, before attitudes of misogyny lead to this epidemic we have of gender-based violence and domestic abuse—basically, to negate the whole premise of that choice. As the surprise shown by some to the reaction to this viral debate has evidenced, this is a hugely important and desperately urgent task.
We were aided, as a committee, by a group of survivors who helped to shape and inform our inquiry, and I want to say how grateful I am to you all. Your experiences, your pain, your strength and your determination meant that we, as a committee, had in the very front of our minds the need for more effective interventions, better support and thus the responsibility the Welsh Government has to play in preventing and mitigating gender-based violence and abuse. On a personal level, I want to say 'diolch' to you for sharing your wisdom and for your patience with having to reiterate yet again how support is too often failing you.
It was striking, we were told during our inquiry, that this focus on primary prevention was much needed, and that the development of evidence-led policy, based on analysis, evaluation and sharing of knowledge and data was vitally important if we are ever to really understand and therefore successfully address the intersectionality of gender-based violence. The former Minister for Social Justice agreed, and highlighted the creation of a staffed central repository of knowledge to provide a focus for developing evidence and evaluation, which is, of course, one of the stated aims of the Government's refreshed VAWDASV strategy.
We asked in particular that Government should identify opportunities for researching interventions that engage men and boys specifically in order to add to the evidence base on this issue. The Government's response to our recommendation that addressed this need for improving the evidence base available to inform policy decisions and commissioning of services, was, therefore, very disappointing. The Government have stated that, due to resource restrictions, this will now not be a staffed institution and will only exist as a virtual network. Rolling back on the very basis of what could effectively inform an effective public health approach seems to me at the very heart of the problem. This is a way the Government could, in the words of the report, play its part. It's ironic and deeply troubling that one of the central calls of our report, that a gender equality test should apply to all Government decisions, was obviously needed here. So, what gender impact assessment was made of this cut?
Public Health Wales told us that gender-based violence is both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality. But Women's Equality Network Wales have drawn attention to the fact that the Welsh Government didn't reference its new strategic equality plan in response to action 1 of our report. So, what role does the Government envisage for the forthcoming strategic equality plan 2024-28 in ensuring action 1 is delivered—that is, gender disparities are being addressed in all equality plans, with appropriate consideration of intersecting discrimination and through a whole-Government approach?
As well as advancing gender equality for women, we heard powerful evidence that engagement with men and boys is absolutely key to preventing gender-based violence. The assumed dominance of men in our families, our work and our culture is the soil in which misogyny takes root. An unforgettable experience for me during this inquiry was to attend a perpetrator programme in Cardiff. It was difficult and uncomfortable, but an invaluable piece of evidence gathering, and I heard first-hand from men who had been helped to recognise and address the effect of their harmful attitudes to women in their lives. We heard very powerfully from experts why this type of work is absolutely vital, and how it can be an extremely successful prevention tool, but we also heard the views of survivors who are very concerned the programmes were inconsistent in their approach and their effectiveness didn't always consider their safety. So, the Government's acceptance of recommendation 11, which called for a rapid review of these programmes, is, therefore, welcome. I hope that this at least shows to our advisory group of survivors that they've been heard, and that we as a committee have ensured the Government has listened.
Mae'r cyfryngau cymdeithasol yn enwog am fod yn ddu a gwyn. Er y gall y dadleuon fod yn arwynebol, yn wamal, yn begynol neu hyd yn oed yn atgas, gall fod yn ddefnyddiol weithiau er hynny i ddod â mater i ffocws a lledaenu ymwybyddiaeth o'r mater hwnnw. Mae'r ddadl 'dyn yn erbyn arth' sy'n cael llawer o sylw ar hyn o bryd yn enghraifft dda o hyn. I'r rhai nad ydynt yn gyfarwydd â'r ddadl, dyma hi: mae cwestiwn damcaniaethol a gafodd sylw mawr ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol yn gofyn, 'A fyddai'n well gennych gael eich gadael yn y goedwig gyda dyn neu arth?' Mae llawer iawn o fenywod yn dewis yr arth. Wrth gwrs, dylai fod yn gwestiwn hurt. Pam y byddech chi'n dewis ysglyfaethwr aruthrol o gryf a ffyrnig a allai eich lladd dros gyd-ddyn?
Efallai fod atebion rhai menywod yn berthnasol i'r adroddiad rydym yn ei drafod heddiw: 'Pe bai arth yn ymosod arnoch chi, ni fyddai neb yn dweud mai eich bai chi ydyw,' 'Arth, oherwydd, os yw'n ymosod arnaf, bydd pawb yn fy nghredu', 'Ni fydd neb yn gofyn beth oeddwn i'n ei wisgo pan fydd yr arth yn ymosod arnaf', ac 'Nid yw eirth yn lladd dwy fenyw yr wythnos yng Nghymru a Lloegr, a phe baent, byddai camau'n cael eu cymryd i atal y peth ar unwaith'. Ein nod, fel pwyllgor, oedd dod o hyd i enghreifftiau o'r hyn sy'n gweithio, o ran ein hatal rhag gorfod meddwl ddwywaith cyn gwneud y math hwn o ddewis damcaniaethol, atal trais ar sail rhywedd cyn iddo ddigwydd, cyn i agweddau ar gasineb at fenywod arwain at yr epidemig sydd gennym o drais ar sail rhywedd a cham-drin domestig—yn y bôn, i negyddu'r cynsail dros y dewis hwnnw. Fel y mae'r syndod a ddangoswyd gan rai tuag at yr ymateb i'r ddadl hon wedi dangos, mae hon yn dasg hynod o bwysig ac yn un y mae ei hangen yn ddybryd.
Fel pwyllgor, cawsom gymorth gan grŵp o oroeswyr a helpodd i lunio a llywio ein hymchwiliad, ac rwyf am ddweud pa mor ddiolchgar wyf i i bob un ohonoch. Roedd eich profiadau, eich poen, eich cryfder a'ch penderfyniad yn golygu ein bod ni, fel pwyllgor, wedi gweld yr angen clir am ymyriadau mwy effeithiol, gwell cefnogaeth a'r cyfrifoldeb sydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru yn y gwaith o atal a lliniaru trais a cham-drin ar sail rhywedd. Ar lefel bersonol, hoffwn ddweud 'diolch' wrthych am rannu eich doethineb ac am eich amynedd wrth orfod ailadrodd eto sut mae'r cymorth yn annigonol.
Roedd yn drawiadol, dywedwyd wrthym yn ystod ein hymchwiliad fod angen y ffocws ar atal sylfaenol yn fawr, a bod datblygu polisi a arweinir gan dystiolaeth, yn seiliedig ar ddadansoddi, gwerthuso a rhannu gwybodaeth a data yn hanfodol bwysig os ydym am ddeall go iawn a mynd i'r afael yn llwyddiannus â chroestoriadedd trais ar sail rhywedd. Cytunodd y cyn-Weinidog Cyfiawnder Cymdeithasol, a soniodd am greu storfa wybodaeth ganolog wedi'i staffio i ddarparu ffocws ar gyfer datblygu tystiolaeth a gwerthuso, sef un o nodau datganedig strategaeth trais yn erbyn menywod, cam-drin domestig a thrais rhywiol ddiwygiedig y Llywodraeth.
Fe wnaethom ofyn yn benodol i'r Llywodraeth nodi cyfleoedd ar gyfer ymchwilio ymyriadau sy'n ennyn diddordeb dynion a bechgyn yn benodol er mwyn ychwanegu at y sylfaen dystiolaeth ar y mater hwn. Felly, roedd ymateb y Llywodraeth i'n hargymhelliad a aeth i'r afael â'r angen hwn am wella'r sylfaen dystiolaeth sydd ar gael i lywio penderfyniadau polisi a chomisiynu gwasanaethau yn siomedig iawn. Mae'r Llywodraeth wedi dweud, oherwydd cyfyngiadau ar adnoddau, na fydd hwn yn sefydliad â chanddo staff bellach, a dim ond fel rhwydwaith rhithwir y bydd yn bodoli. Mae cefnu ar holl sylfaen yr hyn a allai lywio dull iechyd y cyhoedd effeithiol i'w weld i mi yn ganolog i'r broblem. Dyma ffordd y gallai'r Llywodraeth chwarae ei rhan, yng ngeiriau'r adroddiad. Mae'n eironig ac yn peri gofid mawr fod angen un o alwadau canolog ein hadroddiad yma, y dylai prawf cydraddoldeb rhywiol fod yn berthnasol i holl benderfyniadau'r Llywodraeth. Felly, pa asesiad effaith ar sail rhywedd a wnaed o'r toriad hwn?
Dywedodd Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru wrthym fod trais ar sail rhywedd yn achos ac yn ganlyniad anghydraddoldeb rhwng y rhywiau. Ond mae Rhwydwaith Cydraddoldeb Menywod Cymru wedi tynnu sylw at y ffaith na wnaeth Llywodraeth Cymru gyfeirio at ei chynllun cydraddoldeb strategol newydd mewn ymateb i gam 1 ein hadroddiad. Felly, pa rôl y mae'r Llywodraeth yn ei rhagweld ar gyfer cynllun cydraddoldeb strategol 2024-28 sydd ar y ffordd i sicrhau bod cam 1 yn cael ei gyflawni—hynny yw, fod gwahaniaethau rhwng y rhywiau yn cael sylw ym mhob cynllun cydraddoldeb, gydag ystyriaeth briodol o wahaniaethu sy'n croestorri a thrwy ddull Llywodraeth gyfan?
Yn ogystal â hyrwyddo cydraddoldeb rhywiol i fenywod, clywsom dystiolaeth bwerus fod ymgysylltu â dynion a bechgyn yn gwbl allweddol i atal trais ar sail rhywedd. Goruchafiaeth ragdybiedig dynion yn ein teuluoedd, ein gwaith a'n diwylliant yw'r pridd lle mae casineb at fenywod yn gwreiddio. Profiad bythgofiadwy i mi yn ystod yr ymchwiliad hwn oedd mynychu rhaglen ar gyfer cyflawnwyr yng Nghaerdydd. Roedd yn anodd ac yn anghyfforddus, ond yn ymarfer casglu tystiolaeth amhrisiadwy, a chlywais yn uniongyrchol gan ddynion a gafodd gymorth i gydnabod a mynd i'r afael ag effaith eu hagweddau niweidiol tuag at fenywod yn eu bywydau. Clywsom yn bwerus iawn gan arbenigwyr pam fod y math hwn o waith yn gwbl hanfodol, a sut y gall fod yn arf atal hynod lwyddiannus, ond clywsom hefyd farn goroeswyr sy'n bryderus iawn fod y rhaglenni'n anghyson o ran eu dull ac nad oedd eu heffeithiolrwydd bob amser yn ystyried eu diogelwch. Felly, mae'r ffaith bod y Llywodraeth wedi derbyn argymhelliad 11 i'w chroesawu, argymhelliad a alwai am adolygiad cyflym o'r rhaglenni hyn. Rwy'n gobeithio bod hyn o leiaf yn dangos i'n grŵp cynghori o oroeswyr eu bod wedi cael eu clywed, a'n bod ni fel pwyllgor wedi sicrhau bod y Llywodraeth wedi gwrando.
Sioned, you need to conclude now, please.
Sioned, mae angen i chi orffen nawr, os gwelwch yn dda.
Okay. Diolch yn fawr.
O'r gorau. Diolch yn fawr.
I just want to highlight the title of this report: 'How we must all play our part: a public health approach to halting the epidemic in gender-based violence'. 'Public health approach'—that's because it is a health emergency, and that's about us all working together across agencies, across all of the services, in order to stop this epidemic. It is an epidemic. People are dying every day of the week. It is absolutely essential that we step up to the plate here in Wales and show action on this issue.
I would like to express my gratitude to the members of the committee, and at the heart of my contribution here today lies the vital importance of putting victims and survivors at the centre of an approach to gender-based violence. Thank you to all of those who bravely shared their experiences. We listened to you—thank you for sharing what you had to share. We need to put victims and survivors at the centre of everything we do, because doing so not only allows us to better understand and address the root causes of this epidemic, but it also allows us to build critical trust with our survivors and empower those survivors as well. That's why, again, I'm profoundly grateful for the perspective of the advisory group—courageous survivors who shared their experiences of gender-based violence. Diolch yn fawr iawn. Their invaluable first-hand insights and expertise have been vital guides in forming this report.
One of the key concerns raised was the dire lack of support services to help children process the trauma of witnessing domestic abuse or sexual violence. Mainstream services such as CAMHS were described as utterly ill-equipped to deal with the impact of severe long-lasting emotional consequences. I would like to hear a little bit more from the Cabinet Secretary with regard to recommendation 5, as I'm disappointed to read the response to date.
The advisory group also reminded us that gender-based violence does not exist in a vacuum. While gender is undoubtedly the core factor, the nuanced reality, shaped by poverty, race, sexuality and disability status, and other characteristics, cannot be ignored or just treated as separate silos. They highlighted in particular how disabled survivors’ vulnerabilities are often overlooked, particularly where the perpetrator is their caregiver, as providers lack training to recognise abuse against them, forcing survivors to increase that risk. So, we need to be listening to those people, and I would be interested to hear from the Cabinet Secretary again on how we can address those intersectional issues.
We heard again from the advisory group about the egregious lack of trust survivors have in police, not just in police, but in prosecutors as well, and also front-line services, in how they can handle their cases with the required sensitivity, in believing their accounts and responding with empathy. That so many who spoke have been dismissed, discredited and re-traumatised is a terrible indictment of the unacceptable failures permeating public service responses to gender-based violence across Wales.
As noted, survivors are experts through experience. Directly involving survivors in informing and training our front-line responders is crucial for building deep understanding, fostering empathy and preventing re-traumatisation. Whilst this report represents a significant step forward, it is just one step on the long road to effectively combating gender-based violence. Lasting change hinges on decisive action, and that has to be based on the insights that survivors provide. Only by closely adhering to their first-hand expertise can we fundamentally re-imagine our approach. It’s about empowering victims and dismantling the injustices that enable abuse to persist. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Rwyf am dynnu sylw at deitl yr adroddiad hwn: 'Sut y mae'n rhaid i ni i gyd chwarae ein rhan: dull iechyd y cyhoedd o atal yr epidemig trais ar sail rhywedd'. 'Dull iechyd y cyhoedd'—hynny oherwydd ei fod yn argyfwng iechyd, ac mae hynny'n ymwneud â phob un ohonom yn gweithio gyda'n gilydd ar draws asiantaethau, ar draws yr holl wasanaethau, er mwyn atal yr epidemig hwn. Mae'n epidemig. Mae pobl yn marw bob dydd o'r wythnos. Mae'n gwbl hanfodol ein bod yn camu i'r adwy yma yng Nghymru ac yn dangos ein bod yn gweithredu ar y mater hwn.
Hoffwn fynegi fy niolch i aelodau'r pwyllgor, ac yn ganolog yn fy nghyfraniad yma heddiw mae pwysigrwydd hanfodol rhoi dioddefwyr a goroeswyr wrth wraidd dull o weithredu yn erbyn trais ar sail rhywedd. Diolch i bawb a rannodd eu profiadau'n ddewr. Fe wnaethom wrando arnoch chi—diolch am rannu'r hyn a oedd gennych i'w rannu. Mae angen inni roi dioddefwyr a goroeswyr wrth wraidd popeth a wnawn, oherwydd mae gwneud hynny nid yn unig yn caniatáu inni ddeall a mynd i'r afael ag achosion sylfaenol yr epidemig hwn yn well, ond mae hefyd yn caniatáu inni adeiladu ymddiriedaeth feirniadol gyda'n goroeswyr a grymuso'r goroeswyr hynny hefyd. Dyna pam, unwaith eto, fy mod yn hynod ddiolchgar am safbwynt y grŵp cynghori—goroeswyr dewr a rannodd eu profiadau o drais ar sail rhywedd. Diolch yn fawr iawn. Mae eu mewnwelediad a'u harbenigedd uniongyrchol amhrisiadwy wedi bod yn ganllawiau hanfodol wrth ffurfio'r adroddiad hwn.
Un o'r prif bryderon a godwyd oedd y diffyg dybryd o wasanaethau cymorth i helpu plant i brosesu'r trawma o dystio i gam-drin domestig neu drais rhywiol. Cafodd gwasanaethau prif ffrwd fel CAMHS eu disgrifio fel rhai heb adnoddau addas i ymdrin ag effaith canlyniadau emosiynol hirhoedlog difrifol. Hoffwn glywed ychydig mwy gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ynglŷn ag argymhelliad 5, gan fy mod yn siomedig o ddarllen yr ymateb hyd yma.
Roedd y grŵp cynghori hefyd yn ein hatgoffa nad yw trais ar sail rhywedd yn bodoli mewn gwactod. Er mai rhywedd yw'r ffactor craidd heb os, ni ellir anwybyddu y realiti amrywiol, wedi'i siapio gan dlodi, hil, rhywioldeb a statws anabledd, a nodweddion eraill, na'u trin fel seilos ar wahân. Fe wnaethant dynnu sylw yn benodol at sut mae bregusrwydd goroeswyr anabl yn aml yn cael ei anwybyddu, yn enwedig os mai'r cyflawnwr yw'r sawl sy'n rhoi gofal, gan nad oes gan ddarparwyr hyfforddiant i adnabod camdriniaeth yn eu herbyn, gan orfodi goroeswyr i gynyddu'r risg honno. Felly, mae angen inni wrando ar y bobl hynny, a hoffwn glywed gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet eto ynglŷn â sut y gallwn fynd i'r afael â'r materion rhyngblethol hyn.
Clywsom eto gan y grŵp cynghori am y diffyg ymddiriedaeth dybryd sydd gan oroeswyr yn yr heddlu, ac nid yn unig yr heddlu, ond mewn erlynyddion hefyd, a gwasanaethau rheng flaen, o ran sut y gallant drin eu hachosion gyda'r sensitifrwydd gofynnol, a chredu eu hanesion ac ymateb gydag empathi. Mae'r ffaith bod cynifer a siaradodd wedi cael eu diystyru, eu difrïo a'u hail-drawmateiddio yn gondemniad ofnadwy o'r methiannau annerbyniol sy'n treiddio drwy ymatebion gwasanaethau cyhoeddus i drais ar sail rhywedd ledled Cymru.
Fel y nodwyd, mae goroeswyr yn arbenigwyr drwy brofiad. Mae cynnwys goroeswyr yn uniongyrchol wrth hysbysu a hyfforddi ein hymatebwyr rheng flaen yn hanfodol ar gyfer meithrin dealltwriaeth ddofn, meithrin empathi ac atal ail-drawmateiddio. Er bod yr adroddiad hwn yn gam sylweddol ymlaen, dim ond un cam ydyw ar y ffordd hir i fynd i'r afael â thrais ar sail rhywedd yn effeithiol. Mae newid parhaol yn dibynnu ar gamau pendant, ac mae'n rhaid i hynny fod yn seiliedig ar y mewnwelediad y mae goroeswyr yn ei ddarparu. Dim ond drwy ddysgu o'u harbenigedd uniongyrchol y gallwn ailddychmygu ein dull gweithredu yn sylfaenol. Mae'n ymwneud â grymuso dioddefwyr a datgymalu'r anghyfiawnderau sy'n ei gwneud yn bosibl i gamdriniaeth barhau. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
I’m really pleased to take part in this debate today, and I thank the committee for looking at this, and all those who’ve contributed towards it. I spent many years campaigning against this issue and I’m pleased that the report’s focus is on what we can do, because ultimately that’s the aim. It’s an issue for everybody, and that’s recognised in the report.
A public health approach treats abuse as an issue for all of society, not just the sets of individual problems, and it also seeks cultural change. I’m glad that you’ve used the words 'epidemic'—and it's been mentioned already—'in gender-based violence', because we see it everywhere. We’ve witnessed female surgeons being groped by colleagues as they operate. We’ve seen cleaners being chased around fire stations by their station managers. So, the TUC Wales workplace harassment toolkit provides employers, union representatives and employees with detailed information, tools and practical steps to deal with this pervasive issue.
But today I want to focus on the impact on children experiencing domestic abuse in childhood. It is child abuse. That includes witnessing that abuse. Children very often go unrecognised as victims of abuse, and the services may be not offered or readily available. Yet the trauma that they suffer can be and often is life changing. I would like to see support such as counselling to be offered as standard in school settings proactively, where there is known to be abuse in families.
Recommendation 4 of the report says that
'The Welsh Government should take urgent action to ensure that fast-tracked, specific and specialised therapeutic services are available for all babies, children and young people who experience or witness gender-based violence and provide details of these in response to this report.'
I absolutely support that. I’ve worked with NSPCC Cymru, Barnardo’s Cymru and other bodies who advocate for the provision of specialist services to help children and young people who are victims of domestic abuse to recover.
In response to recommendation 4 from the committee’s report, I note the Welsh Government has referenced the draft national practice framework. Members of the transformation delivery group are working to clarify and strengthen the draft standards in order to achieve their intended purposes. While the framework, if implemented successfully, could lead to greater consistency and service delivery across Wales, it won't address all the issues currently faced by children's social care. The framework must be accompanied by sustainable funding for services, actions to address recruitment and retention of staff, and investment in early intervention and prevention.
The work of the violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence blueprint children and young people's needs sub-group is worthy of mention. The sub-group is currently looking at the gaps in existing evidence bases, as has been already mentioned today, and the need for analysis of children and young people impacted by domestic abuse and sexual violence, among other work.
Another action for the sub-group must be to strengthen accountability mechanisms and to ensure public services are meeting the needs of children and young people impacted by domestic abuse and sexual violence. That should include services, responses, auditing, inspection and grant monitoring. I would welcome assurances that this work will continue along with a commitment to ensuring that children who are victims of domestic abuse can receive the right support at the right time, but also to recognise that those witnessing domestic abuse are also victims in their own right.
Rwy'n falch iawn o gymryd rhan yn y ddadl hon heddiw, a diolch i'r pwyllgor am edrych ar hyn, a phawb sydd wedi cyfrannu tuag ato. Treuliais flynyddoedd lawer yn ymgyrchu yn erbyn hyn ac rwy'n falch fod ffocws yr adroddiad ar yr hyn y gallwn ei wneud, oherwydd yn y pen draw dyna yw'r nod. Mae'n fater i bawb, ac mae hynny'n cael ei gydnabod yn yr adroddiad.
Mae dull iechyd y cyhoedd yn trin cam-drin fel mater i gymdeithas gyfan, nid dim ond y setiau o broblemau unigol, ac mae hefyd yn ceisio newid diwylliannol. Rwy'n falch eich bod wedi defnyddio'r geiriau 'epidemig'—ac mae wedi cael ei grybwyll eisoes—'trais ar sail rhywedd', oherwydd rydym yn ei weld ym mhobman. Rydym wedi gweld aflonyddu rhywiol ar lawfeddygon benywaidd gan gydweithwyr wrth iddynt wneud llawdriniaeth. Rydym wedi gweld glanhawyr yn cael eu herlid o amgylch gorsafoedd tân gan reolwyr eu gorsafoedd. Felly, mae pecyn cymorth aflonyddu yn y gweithle TUC Cymru yn darparu gwybodaeth, adnoddau a chamau ymarferol manwl i gyflogwyr, cynrychiolwyr undebau a gweithwyr i ymdrin â'r broblem hollbresennol hon.
Ond heddiw, rwyf am ganolbwyntio ar yr effaith ar blant sy'n tystio i gam-drin domestig yn ystod plentyndod. Mae'n gam-drin plant. Mae hyn yn cynnwys bod yn dyst i'r cam-drin hwnnw. Yn aml iawn nid yw plant yn cael eu cydnabod fel dioddefwyr camdriniaeth, ac efallai na fydd y gwasanaethau'n cael eu cynnig neu ar gael yn rhwydd. Ac eto, gall y trawma y maent yn ei ddioddef newid bywydau, ac mae'n gwneud hynny'n aml. Hoffwn weld cefnogaeth fel cwnsela yn cael ei gynnig yn safonol mewn lleoliadau ysgol a hynny'n rhagweithiol, lle gwyddys bod cam-drin yn digwydd mewn teuluoedd.
Mae argymhelliad 4 yr adroddiad yn dweud
'Dylai Llywodraeth Cymru gymryd camau ar fyrder i sicrhau bod gwasanaethau therapi chwim penodol ac arbenigol ar gael i bob baban, plentyn a pherson ifanc sy’n profi trais ar sail rhywedd neu sy’n dyst i drais o’r fath, a dylai fanylu ar y camau hyn yn ei hymateb i’r adroddiad hwn.'
Rwy'n cefnogi hynny'n llwyr. Rwyf wedi gweithio gydag NSPCC Cymru, Barnardo's Cymru a chyrff eraill sy'n eirioli dros ddarparu gwasanaethau arbenigol i helpu plant a phobl ifanc sy'n dioddef cam-drin domestig i wella.
Mewn ymateb i argymhelliad 4 o adroddiad y pwyllgor, nodaf fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cyfeirio at y fframwaith ymarfer cenedlaethol drafft. Mae aelodau'r grŵp cyflawni trawsnewid yn gweithio i egluro a chryfhau'r safonau drafft er mwyn cyflawni eu dibenion arfaethedig. Er y gallai'r fframwaith, os caiff ei gweithredu'n llwyddiannus, arwain at fwy o gysondeb a darparu gwasanaethau ledled Cymru, ni fydd yn mynd i'r afael â'r holl faterion sy'n wynebu gofal cymdeithasol plant ar hyn o bryd. Mae'n rhaid cael cyllid cynaliadwy i fynd gyda'r fframwaith ar gyfer gwasanaethau, camau gweithredu i fynd i'r afael â recriwtio a chadw staff, a buddsoddi mewn ymyrraeth gynnar ac atal.
Mae gwaith is-grŵp anghenion plant a phobl ifanc y glasbrint trais yn erbyn menywod, cam-drin domestig a thrais rhywiol yn haeddu cael ei grybwyll. Ar hyn o bryd mae'r is-grŵp yn edrych ar y bylchau yn y sylfeini tystiolaeth presennol, fel y crybwyllwyd eisoes heddiw, a'r angen am ddadansoddi plant a phobl ifanc y mae cam-drin domestig a thrais rhywiol yn effeithio arnynt, ymhlith gwaith arall.
Cam gweithredu arall ar gyfer yr is-grŵp yw cryfhau mecanweithiau atebolrwydd a sicrhau bod gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn diwallu anghenion plant a phobl ifanc y mae cam-drin domestig a thrais rhywiol yn effeithio arnynt. Dylai hynny gynnwys gwasanaethau, ymatebion, archwilio, arolygu a monitro grantiau. Byddwn yn croesawu sicrwydd y bydd y gwaith hwn yn parhau ynghyd ag ymrwymiad i sicrhau bod plant sy'n dioddef cam-drin domestig yn gallu cael y cymorth cywir ar yr adeg gywir, ond hefyd i gydnabod bod y rhai sy'n dyst i gam-drin domestig hefyd yn ddioddefwyr yn eu hawl eu hunain.
I'd also like to thank the committee for the work they've undertaken on this report. Domestic abuse and violence can present itself in many forms. Although still far too prevalent and a problem that urgently needs to be tackled, our attitudes and understanding across communities in Wales haven't strayed far enough away from physical abuse and violence. There are deep-rooted misogynistic views and controlling behaviours that are, unfortunately, accepted cultural norms in our communities. This behaviour often precedes physical abuse. We must all play our part to disrupt the cycle and change this.
Lockdowns during the pandemic, hikes in interest rates pushing up mortgages and rents, and soaring utility bills have each led to us viewing our homes as burdens over recent years, not sanctuaries. But the problem of abuse and violence has plagued too many households for far longer than these recent crises. As part of my 'Fear Free Valleys' report, over the last year I've been working with partners to gain a better understanding of how this problem affects us in our Valleys.
In Rhondda alone, between May 2022 and 2023, there were 2,605 domestic abuse and violence incidents reported to South Wales Police. This is 674 more incidents than the next greatest area of reported incidents across Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr. There was an undeniable link between the level of incidents reported and the level of deprivation. Using data provided by Operation Encompass, of these incidents, 20 per cent took place in households where children reside. Operation Encompass informs schools if children have witnessed or experienced violence at home.
Although recommendations 4, 5 and 6 of the gender-based violence report have been accepted, the Welsh Government response to recommendation 4 does not specifically mention school staff. It's vital that we not only remind staff of their legal duties, as has been recommended, but ensure that safeguarding officers, family liaison officers and teaching staff are included in any future multi-agency discussion, and any future training opportunities. And with the rise in the number of safeguarding incidents and behavioural issues at school, it's also vital that any further expectations on schools are followed by adequate funding to meet the current and future demand.
Delving deeper into the problems faced by victims in Rhondda, it was clear that, on the whole, the support available for both victims and perpetrators met their needs respectively. Local support providers, such as the Safer Rhondda Centre and Drive, with their suite of interventions, support victims and also perpetrators who are willing to change their behaviour. Hand in hand with the Live Fear Free helpline, and more recently Sound, we are on the right track in Wales. But in Rhondda, 77 per cent of surveyed residents had not heard of these helplines. Upon accepting recommendations 2 and 10, it's vital that an awareness campaign happens, led by a high-profile sports star, but meaningful conversations must also take place, with support for providers on the ground to identify trustworthy community champions, like sports coaches, to attend low-level awareness training and to ensure providers have all they need to meet an inevitable increase in demand off the back of an awareness campaign.
I note that the report hasn't made any specific recommendations regarding police response or training. In Rhondda, I know the inconsistencies in police response have been detrimental to some victims. As part of the actions off the back of accepting recommendation 2 to further develop the blueprint, a commitment from the Welsh Government to correspond directly with police forces in Wales regarding training for officers on the beat; the awareness and understanding and use of domestic violence protection notices and orders—this was vitally important as part of our report; and a wider review that incorporates the response of officers arriving at the scene to support victims is vital, if we're to improve the experience of victims. Diolch.
Hoffwn ddiolch hefyd i'r pwyllgor am y gwaith y maent wedi'i wneud ar yr adroddiad hwn. Mae cam-drin a thrais domestig i'w weld ar sawl ffurf. Er ei bod yn broblem lawer rhy gyffredin o hyd ac yn un y mae angen mynd i'r afael â hi ar frys, nid yw ein hagweddau a'n dealltwriaeth ar draws cymunedau yng Nghymru wedi crwydro yn ddigon pell o gam-drin a thrais corfforol. Ceir safbwyntiau llawn casineb at fenywod sydd wedi'u gwreiddio'n ddwfn ac ymddygiadau rheolaethol sydd, yn anffodus, yn normau diwylliannol sy'n cael eu derbyn yn ein cymunedau. Mae'r ymddygiad hwn yn aml yn rhagflaenu cam-drin corfforol. Rhaid i bawb ohonom chwarae ein rhan i darfu ar y cylch a newid hyn.
Mae cyfyngiadau symud yn ystod y pandemig, cynnydd mewn cyfraddau llog sy'n gwthio morgeisi a rhenti i fyny, a biliau cyfleustodau cynyddol wedi arwain at wneud inni weld ein cartref fel baich yn hytrach na hafan dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Ond mae problem camdriniaeth a thrais wedi niweidio gormod o aelwydydd am lawer mwy o amser na'r argyfyngau diweddar hyn. Fel rhan o fy adroddiad 'Cymoedd Heb Ofn', dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf bûm yn gweithio gyda phartneriaid i gael gwell dealltwriaeth o sut mae'r broblem hon yn effeithio arnom yn ein Cymoedd.
Yn y Rhondda yn unig, rhwng mis Mai 2022 a 2023, cafodd 2,605 o ddigwyddiadau cam-drin domestig a thrais eu hadrodd i Heddlu De Cymru. Mae hyn 674 yn fwy o ddigwyddiadau na'r ardal fwyaf nesaf o ddigwyddiadau a gofnodwyd ar draws Rhondda Cynon Taf a Merthyr Tudful. Roedd cysylltiad diamheuol rhwng lefel y digwyddiadau a adroddwyd a lefel yr amddifadedd. Gan ddefnyddio data a ddarparwyd gan Ymgyrch Encompass am y digwyddiadau hyn, digwyddodd 20 y cant mewn cartrefi lle mae plant yn byw. Mae Ymgyrch Encompass yn rhoi gwybod i ysgolion os yw plant wedi gweld neu brofi trais yn y cartref.
Er bod argymhellion 4, 5 a 6 yr adroddiad ar drais ar sail rhywedd wedi'u derbyn, nid yw ymateb Llywodraeth Cymru i argymhelliad 4 yn sôn yn benodol am staff ysgolion. Mae'n hanfodol ein bod nid yn unig yn atgoffa staff o'u dyletswyddau cyfreithiol, fel yr argymhellwyd, ond yn sicrhau bod swyddogion diogelu, swyddogion cyswllt â theuluoedd a staff addysgu yn cael eu cynnwys mewn unrhyw drafodaeth amlasiantaeth yn y dyfodol, ac unrhyw gyfleoedd hyfforddi yn y dyfodol. A chyda'r cynnydd yn nifer y digwyddiadau diogelu a phroblemau ymddygiad yn yr ysgol, mae hefyd yn hanfodol fod unrhyw ddisgwyliadau pellach ar ysgolion yn cael eu dilyn gan gyllid digonol i ateb y galw presennol ac yn y dyfodol.
Os caf edrych yn ddyfnach ar y problemau sy'n wynebu dioddefwyr yn y Rhondda, roedd yn amlwg, ar y cyfan, fod y gefnogaeth sydd ar gael i ddioddefwyr a chyflawnwyr yn diwallu eu hanghenion. Mae darparwyr cymorth lleol, megis Ymgyrch a Chanolfan Rhondda Diogelach, gyda'u cyfres o ymyriadau, yn cefnogi dioddefwyr yn ogystal â chyflawnwyr sy'n barod i newid eu hymddygiad. Law yn llaw â'r llinell gymorth Byw Heb Ofn, ac Iawn yn fwy diweddar, rydym ar y trywydd iawn yng Nghymru. Ond yn y Rhondda, nid oedd 77 y cant o'r trigolion a arolygwyd wedi clywed am y llinellau cymorth hyn. Ar ôl derbyn argymhellion 2 a 10, mae'n hanfodol fod ymgyrch ymwybyddiaeth yn digwydd, dan arweiniad seren chwaraeon proffil uchel, ond rhaid cynnal sgyrsiau ystyrlon hefyd, gyda chefnogaeth i ddarparwyr ar lawr gwlad i nodi hyrwyddwyr cymunedol dibynadwy, fel hyfforddwyr chwaraeon, i fynychu hyfforddiant ymwybyddiaeth lefel isel ac i sicrhau bod gan ddarparwyr bopeth sydd ei angen arnynt i ateb cynnydd anochel yn y galw yn sgil ymgyrch godi ymwybyddiaeth.
Rwy'n nodi nad yw'r adroddiad wedi gwneud unrhyw argymhellion penodol ynghylch ymateb neu hyfforddiant yr heddlu. Yn y Rhondda, rwy'n gwybod bod yr anghysonderau yn ymateb yr heddlu wedi bod yn niweidiol i rai dioddefwyr. Fel rhan o'r camau gweithredu yn sgil derbyn argymhelliad 2 i ddatblygu'r glasbrint ymhellach, ymrwymiad gan Lywodraeth Cymru i ohebu'n uniongyrchol â heddluoedd yng Nghymru ynghylch hyfforddiant i swyddogion rhawd; yr ymwybyddiaeth a'r ddealltwriaeth a'r defnydd o hysbysiadau a gorchmynion diogelu trais domestig—roedd hyn yn hanfodol bwysig fel rhan o'n hadroddiad; ac mae adolygiad ehangach sy'n ymgorffori ymateb swyddogion sy'n cyrraedd lleoliad i gefnogi dioddefwyr yn hanfodol, os ydym am wella profiad dioddefwyr. Diolch.
Galwaf ar Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol, Lesley Griffiths.
I call on the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice, Lesley Griffiths.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I'm very pleased to take part in this debate. As some Members may recall, in a previous role, I led on our groundbreaking legislation, the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015. I was proud then of Wales leading the way to set in statute measures to prevent, protect and support people affected by violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. I once again look forward to working collaboratively across agencies, in all sectors, to eliminate gender-based violence and abuse. Wales has made much progress in tackling violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and sexual violence, and we should be proud of our record. However, it is very clear that much remains to be done.
I welcome the focus of the Equality and Social Justice Committee on this subject. As they so aptly put it,
'we must all play our part'.
I've been very interested in hearing Members' valuable contributions this afternoon. I'm very clear that there is no place in our society for misogyny, harassment or abuse aimed at women and girls. I support the conclusions of the committee, that a public health approach is needed to tackle the causes as well as the effects of gender-based violence.
The long-lasting impacts for victims of abuse are significant and affect all aspects of their lives. This is why our national VAWDASV strategy, published in 2022, introduces our whole-society approach, which will be effective only if everybody feels a sense of ownership to tackle gender-based violence and abuse. The strategy is being delivered through a blueprint approach in partnership with policing in Wales. Led by the VAWDASV national partnership board, it's been co-chaired by the police and crime commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn and by my predecessor, Jane Hutt. It's a great example of leadership demonstrating a cohesive commitment to tackling these issues.
There are six objectives set out in the VAWDASV strategy, the fourth of which is to make early intervention and prevention a priority, in line with a public health approach. We have, for example, expanded our 'Don't be a bystander' pilot training and awareness-raising campaigns, with the intention of creating genuine and lasting changes in societal attitudes towards VAWDASV. I've committed to publishing an evaluation of the effectiveness of this key tool to support early intervention and prevention.
The national training framework for VAWDASV supports long-term efforts to ensure those in positions of responsibility, starting with front-line services, have the training and resources to deliver effective interventions. A review of the guidance on the statutory requirements for training across the public service and specialist third sector will be undertaken this year. It will consider, for example, how to ensure health and social care professionals and GPs can fully participate in training.
For me, culture encompasses a society's values, beliefs, principles, how we communicate and how we behave towards one another. Unfortunately, we often see a vicious culture of violence against women, and we will only get to the root cause of these behaviours if we address misogyny and sexism in every part of society. Jenny Rathbone, in her opening remarks, mentioned our Sound campaign. That's recently won a national PR award, and it's been a shining example of how we engage with men and boys. The campaign uses recognisable, positive and influential male role models to highlight positive behaviour and focus on gateway behaviours to abuse, such as love bombing, gaslighting and controlling behaviours. Phase 2 of the Sound campaign, launched in April, including the 'Sound Lad' documentary, pulls together some of the work completed in the past 12 months, and tomorrow we are holding a showcase event in Newport that will include a viewing of the documentary, clips of our various Sound videos, and some live interviews with two of our key supporters and participants of the campaign.
Sharing core messaging around engagement and communication is key to changing societal attitudes towards VAWDASV. Our blueprint workplace harassment work stream is focused on the wider culture of violence against women, which includes misogyny and sexual harassment. Women, disabled people, LGBTQ+ and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities all experience heightened levels of harassment in the workplace. We have a range of partners working with us to tackle these harms, including Wales TUC, Public Health Wales and front-line services, including the police. This is a practical example of how a public health whole-system approach is necessary if we are to eradicate gender-based violence out of all aspects of our society and build towards a 'one public sector' approach.
Similarly, our blueprint children and young people's needs work stream recognises early exposure to abuse and violence has significant negative impacts on all aspects of the lives of children and young people, especially in terms of educational attainment and building healthy relationships with family and friends. Here in Wales, relationships and sexuality education has been made a statutory requirement within the Curriculum for Wales framework, making it mandatory for all learners. Developing healthy relationships from an early age will help change our culture for the better. We also fund the Stori Cymru Spectrum project, which promotes the importance of healthy relationships and provides training for the whole school. For university students, I intend to work closely with my colleague the Cabinet Secretary for Education to ensure tackling violence against women is a priority for university leaders across Wales. Young women deserve to study in safe, nurturing environments alongside their male peers.
I do regard the committee's report as an endorsement of our overall approach. However, I can assure Members I do so without any complacency. I just wanted to correct one point that Jenny Rathbone mentioned. In relation to recommendation 11 of the report relating to the perpetrators programme from the national partnership board, I think you said it would be presented and published next year, in 2025—it is actually July of this year.
We should always challenge ourselves to do better, and I'm certainly doing that in this new role. I want to prioritise a culture shift that focuses on early intervention and prevention with partners across the public sector. Only by engaging across both the public and third sectors in Wales and instilling a collective sense of effort towards achieving our objectives can we all make a real change. It will take all of us—each and every one of us in society—to tackle violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. Diolch.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd, ac rwy'n falch iawn o gymryd rhan yn y ddadl hon. Fel y bydd rhai Aelodau'n cofio, mewn rôl flaenorol, bûm yn arwain ar ein deddfwriaeth arloesol, Deddf Trais yn erbyn Menywod, Cam-drin Domestig a Thrais Rhywiol (Cymru) 2015. Roeddwn i'n falch bryd hynny fod Cymru'n arwain y ffordd ar osod mesurau mewn statud i atal, diogelu a chefnogi pobl yr effeithiwyd arnynt gan drais yn erbyn menywod, cam-drin domestig a thrais rhywiol. Unwaith eto, rwy'n edrych ymlaen at gydweithio ar draws asiantaethau, ym mhob sector, i ddileu trais a cham-drin ar sail rhywedd. Mae Cymru wedi gwneud llawer o gynnydd ar fynd i'r afael â thrais yn erbyn menywod a merched, cam-drin domestig a thrais rhywiol, a dylem fod yn falch o'n cyflawniad. Fodd bynnag, mae'n amlwg iawn fod llawer i'w wneud o hyd.
Rwy'n croesawu ffocws y Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol ar y pwnc hwn. Fel y maent yn ei roi,
'mae'n rhaid i ni i gyd chwarae ein rhan'.
Roeddwn yn falch iawn o glywed cyfraniadau gwerthfawr yr Aelodau y prynhawn yma. Rwy'n glir iawn nad oes lle yn ein cymdeithas i gasineb at fenywod, aflonyddu na cham-drin wedi'i anelu at fenywod a merched. Rwy'n cefnogi casgliadau'r pwyllgor, fod angen dull iechyd y cyhoedd o fynd i'r afael ag achosion yn ogystal ag effeithiau trais ar sail rhywedd.
Mae'r effeithiau hirhoedlog i ddioddefwyr camdriniaeth yn sylweddol ac yn effeithio ar bob agwedd ar eu bywydau. Dyma pam mae ein strategaeth genedlaethol ar gyfer trais yn erbyn menywod, cam-drin domestig a thrais rhywiol a gyhoeddwyd yn 2022 yn cyflwyno ein dull cymdeithas gyfan, a fydd ond yn effeithiol os yw pawb yn teimlo ymdeimlad o berchnogaeth ar fynd i'r afael â thrais a cham-drin ar sail rhywedd. Mae'r strategaeth yn cael ei chyflawni drwy ddull glasbrint mewn partneriaeth â phlismona yng Nghymru. Dan arweiniad bwrdd partneriaeth cenedlaethol trais yn erbyn menywod, cam-drin domestig a thrais rhywiol, mae wedi cael ei gyd-gadeirio gan gomisiynydd yr heddlu a throseddu Dafydd Llywelyn a chan fy rhagflaenydd Jane Hutt. Mae'n enghraifft wych o arweinyddiaeth sy'n dangos ymrwymiad cydlynol i fynd i'r afael â'r materion hyn.
Mae chwe amcan wedi'u nodi yn y strategaeth trais yn erbyn menywod, cam-drin domestig a thrais rhywiol, a'r pedwerydd ohonynt yw gwneud ymyrraeth gynnar ac atal yn flaenoriaeth, yn unol â dull iechyd y cyhoedd. Rydym ni, er enghraifft, wedi ehangu ein hyfforddiant peilot 'Paid Cadw'n Dawel' ac ymgyrchoedd codi ymwybyddiaeth, gyda'r bwriad o greu newidiadau gwirioneddol a pharhaol mewn agweddau cymdeithasol tuag at drais yn erbyn menywod, cam-drin domestig a thrais rhywiol. Rwyf wedi ymrwymo i gyhoeddi gwerthusiad o effeithiolrwydd yr offeryn allweddol hwn i gefnogi ymyrraeth gynnar ac atal.
Mae'r fframwaith hyfforddi cenedlaethol ar gyfer trais yn erbyn menywod, cam-drin domestig a thrais rhywiol yn cefnogi ymdrechion hirdymor i sicrhau bod y rhai sydd mewn swyddi â chyfrifoldeb, gan ddechrau gyda gwasanaethau rheng flaen, yn cael yr hyfforddiant a'r adnoddau i ddarparu ymyriadau effeithiol. Bydd adolygiad o'r canllawiau ar y gofynion statudol ar gyfer hyfforddiant ar draws y gwasanaeth cyhoeddus a'r trydydd sector arbenigol yn cael ei gynnal eleni. Bydd yn ystyried, er enghraifft, sut i sicrhau bod gweithwyr iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol proffesiynol a meddygon teulu yn gallu cymryd rhan lawn mewn hyfforddiant.
I mi, mae diwylliant yn cwmpasu gwerthoedd, credoau, egwyddorion, sut rydym yn cyfathrebu a sut rydym yn ymddwyn tuag at ein gilydd. Yn anffodus, rydym yn aml yn gweld cylch dieflig o drais yn erbyn menywod, ac ni chyrhaeddwn achos sylfaenol yr ymddygiadau hyn heb fynd i'r afael â chasineb at fenywod a rhywiaeth ym mhob rhan o gymdeithas. Soniodd Jenny Rathbone, yn ei sylwadau agoriadol, am ein hymgyrch Iawn. Mae honno wedi ennill gwobr cysylltiadau cyhoeddus genedlaethol yn ddiweddar, ac mae wedi bod yn enghraifft wych o sut rydym yn ymgysylltu â dynion a bechgyn. Mae'r ymgyrch yn defnyddio modelau rôl gwrywaidd cyfarwydd, cadarnhaol a dylanwadol i dynnu sylw at ymddygiad cadarnhaol a chanolbwyntio ar ymddygiadau sy'n arwain at gamdriniaeth, megis 'bomio â chariad', dibwyllo, ac ymddygiadau rheolaethol. Mae Cam 2 yr ymgyrch Iawn, a lansiwyd ym mis Ebrill, gan gynnwys rhaglen ddogfen 'Sound Lad', yn tynnu rhywfaint o'r gwaith a gwblhawyd yn ystod y 12 mis diwethaf ynghyd, ac yfory rydym yn cynnal digwyddiad arddangos yng Nghasnewydd a fydd yn cynnwys gwylio'r rhaglen ddogfen, clipiau o'n fideos Iawn amrywiol, a chyfweliadau byw gyda dau o'n cefnogwyr allweddol a chyfranogwyr yr ymgyrch.
Mae rhannu negeseuon craidd ynghylch ymgysylltu a chyfathrebu yn allweddol i newid agweddau cymdeithasol tuag at drais yn erbyn menywod, cam-drin domestig a thrais rhywiol. Mae ffrwd waith ein glasbrint aflonyddu yn y gweithle yn canolbwyntio ar y diwylliant ehangach o drais yn erbyn menywod, sy'n cynnwys casineb at fenywod ac aflonyddu rhywiol. Mae menywod, pobl anabl, cymunedau LHDTC+ a phobl ddu, Asiaidd a lleiafrifol ethnig i gyd yn profi lefelau uwch o aflonyddu yn y gweithle. Mae gennym ystod o bartneriaid yn gweithio gyda ni i fynd i'r afael â'r niwed hwn, gan gynnwys TUC Cymru, Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru a gwasanaethau rheng flaen, yn cynnwys yr heddlu. Dyma enghraifft ymarferol o sut mae angen dull iechyd y cyhoedd system gyfan os ydym am ddileu trais ar sail rhywedd o bob agwedd ar ein cymdeithas ac adeiladu tuag at ddull 'un sector cyhoeddus' o weithredu.
Yn yr un modd, mae ffrwd waith ein glasbrint anghenion plant a phobl ifanc yn cydnabod bod dod i gysylltiad cynnar â cham-drin a thrais yn cael effaith negyddol sylweddol ar bob agwedd ar fywydau plant a phobl ifanc, yn enwedig cyrhaeddiad addysgol ac adeiladu perthnasoedd iach â theulu a ffrindiau. Yma yng Nghymru, mae addysg cydberthynas a rhywioldeb wedi cael ei gwneud yn ofyniad statudol yn fframwaith y Cwricwlwm i Gymru, gan ei gwneud yn orfodol i bob dysgwr. Bydd datblygu perthnasoedd iach o oedran cynnar yn helpu i newid ein diwylliant er gwell. Rydym hefyd yn ariannu prosiect Sbectrwm Stori Cymru, sy'n hyrwyddo pwysigrwydd perthnasoedd iach ac yn darparu hyfforddiant i'r ysgol gyfan. Ar gyfer myfyrwyr prifysgol, rwy'n bwriadu gweithio'n agos gyda fy nghyd-Aelod, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg i sicrhau bod mynd i'r afael â thrais yn erbyn menywod yn flaenoriaeth i arweinwyr prifysgolion ledled Cymru. Mae menywod ifanc yn haeddu gallu astudio mewn amgylcheddau diogel a meithringar ochr yn ochr â'u cyfoedion gwrywaidd.
Rwy'n ystyried adroddiad y pwyllgor yn gadarnhad o'n dull gweithredu cyffredinol. Fodd bynnag, gallaf sicrhau'r Aelodau fy mod yn gwneud hynny heb unrhyw laesu dwylo. Roeddwn eisiau cywiro un pwynt y soniodd Jenny Rathbone amdano. Mewn perthynas ag argymhelliad 11 o'r adroddiad yn ymwneud â'r rhaglen i gyflawnwyr gan y bwrdd partneriaeth cenedlaethol, rwy'n credu eich bod wedi dweud y byddai'n cael ei gyflwyno a'i gyhoeddi y flwyddyn nesaf, yn 2025—bydd hynny'n digwydd ym mis Gorffennaf eleni mewn gwirionedd.
Dylem bob amser herio ein hunain i wneud yn well, ac rwy'n sicr yn gwneud hynny yn y rôl newydd hon. Rwyf am flaenoriaethu newid diwylliant sy'n canolbwyntio ar ymyrraeth gynnar ac atal gyda phartneriaid ar draws y sector cyhoeddus. Dim ond drwy ymgysylltu â'r sector cyhoeddus a'r trydydd sector yng Nghymru a meithrin ymdeimlad cyfunol o ymdrech tuag at gyflawni ein hamcanion y gall pob un ohonom wneud newid go iawn. Bydd angen i bob un ohonom—pob un ohonom yn y gymdeithas—fynd i'r afael â thrais yn erbyn menywod, cam-drin domestig a thrais rhywiol. Diolch.
Jenny Rathbone nawr i ymateb.
Jenny Rathbone to reply.
Thank you very much for all those comments. We initially heard from three members of the committee who took part in this inquiry, starting with Altaf Hussain. We're very grateful for all the input that Altaf has had on the work of the committee and wish him well in his other work. You were obviously highlighting the importance of honour-based abuse, which is not sufficiently highlighted in much of our work. I had obviously mentioned female genital mutilation, but there are many other forms of cultural violence that, perhaps, are more hidden from mainstream responses. We all need to be thinking, in all our work, about how we reach those who find it most difficult to get help.
You also talked about the problems amongst disabled citizens. We don't know how many disabled people are the subjects of violence, but it's likely that it would be more prevalent than in the general community. In my view, universities shouldn't need much reminding that they really do need to take this issue seriously, because the bad publicity that results from terrible experiences of students is not going to do them any favours.
We then heard from Sioned Willliams and this wonderful allegory of the man or the bear, which is fantastic in really getting people to think about how women are treated when they report domestic violence. And then the response from an individual that, 'No-one will ask me what I was wearing when the bear attacks me'—we absolutely have to do a great deal more work to ensure that women's grief and violence against them is being heard and taken seriously, and we know that we have a great deal more work to be doing on that.
Obviously, primary prevention has to be about stopping violence from happening in the first place. I'm glad that you highlighted the cut to the central repository. I appreciate that Jane Hutt, who I'm sorry isn't in the Chamber at the moment, is absolutely passionate about gender equality, and she, I'm sure, has done a great deal of work behind the scenes to try and improve the whole-Government approach to this really significant matter. But, unfortunately, it was one of the victims of the cuts, which means that we don't then have a vehicle for sharing the best practice. That is a concern, and we have to think of other ways in which we can overcome that decision. You also spoke about the importance of the perpetrator programmes, which can be very effective, but survivors are sceptical, and we need to ensure that they have the confidence, based on the analysis of what really works, and that is about proper evaluation. So, I'm very glad to hear from the Cabinet Secretary that there is a typo in the original response and that this information will be made available this summer. That's very good news.
Jane Dodds, you're absolutely right that we have to have victims and survivors at the centre of everything that we do, and, in particular, we cannot have children not being given the service they need to deal with their adverse childhood experience. And we think, absolutely, school is the right place for these services to be delivered, because the child won't necessarily be able to cope with revisiting the trauma the week after it happens. Children will deal with this differently, and therefore the school is the place that they're at most of the time, and that is the place where they're most likely to disclose that they need help. But there's a great deal more work to be done on this, and I'm sure the committee will continue to pursue this.
Thank you, Joyce Watson, for your contribution. The cleaners being chased around the fire station by the fire officers, I'm afraid, says it all, and, obviously, our work on the fire and rescue service is something that we're going to turn our attention to next. We know that it's a form of abuse, and if we don't help people, they'll either become victims themselves, or perpetrators. So, this is a key part of the prevention service.
Buffy Williams, you really, really know your community, and it was really interesting to hear the level of detail that you have managed to paint in this picture of what's going on in the Rhondda, and the need to improve the police response to what is endemic in the system.
I just finally want to draw all Members' attention to the final recommendation in our report, which affects us all, which is recommendation 12, and that is that we all need to improve our ability to respond, to not be bystanders when this happens. We all have to play our part—the whole Government, the whole of society. The public health approach to gender-based violence is the only way we are going to beat this; otherwise, it will simply consume us.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am yr holl sylwadau hynny. Clywsom i ddechrau gan dri aelod o'r pwyllgor a gymerodd ran yn yr ymchwiliad hwn, gan ddechrau gydag Altaf Hussain. Rydym yn ddiolchgar iawn am yr holl gyfraniad y mae Altaf wedi'i wneud i waith y pwyllgor ac yn dymuno'n dda iddo yn ei waith arall. Yn amlwg, roeddech yn tynnu sylw at bwysigrwydd cam-drin ar sail anrhydedd, nad yw'n cael ei amlygu'n ddigonol yn llawer o'n gwaith. Yn amlwg, roeddwn wedi sôn am anffurfio organau cenhedlu benywod, ond mae llawer o fathau eraill o drais diwylliannol sydd, efallai, yn fwy cudd rhag ymatebion prif ffrwd. Mae angen i ni i gyd feddwl, yn ein holl waith, ynglŷn â sut y cyrhaeddwn y rhai sy'n ei chael hi'n anodd cael help.
Roeddech chi hefyd yn sôn am y problemau ymhlith dinasyddion anabl. Nid ydym yn gwybod faint o bobl anabl sy'n destun trais, ond mae'n debygol y byddai'n fwy cyffredin nag yn y gymuned gyffredinol. Yn fy marn i, ni ddylai fod angen atgoffa prifysgolion fod gwir angen iddynt fod o ddifrif ynghylch y mater hwn, oherwydd nid yw'r cyhoeddusrwydd gwael sy'n deillio o brofiadau ofnadwy myfyrwyr yn mynd i adlewyrchu'n dda arnynt.
Yna, clywsom gan Sioned Williams a'r alegori wych hon o'r dyn neu'r arth, sy'n wych i gael pobl i feddwl ynglŷn â sut mae menywod yn cael eu trin pan fyddant yn adrodd am drais domestig. Ac yna ymateb unigolyn, 'na fydd neb yn gofyn i mi beth oeddwn i'n ei wisgo pan fo'r arth yn ymosod arnaf'—mae'n rhaid inni wneud llawer iawn mwy o waith i sicrhau bod galar menywod a thrais yn eu herbyn yn cael eu clywed a'u hystyried o ddifrif, ac rydym yn gwybod bod gennym lawer iawn mwy o waith i'w wneud ar hynny.
Yn amlwg, mae'n rhaid i atal sylfaenol fod yn fater o atal trais rhag digwydd yn y lle cyntaf. Rwy'n falch eich bod wedi tynnu sylw at y toriad i'r storfa ganolog. Rwy'n derbyn bod Jane Hutt, nad yw yn y Siambr ar hyn o bryd gwaetha'r modd, yn gwbl angerddol am gydraddoldeb rhywedd, ac rwy'n siŵr ei bod wedi gwneud llawer iawn o waith y tu ôl i'r llenni i geisio gwella'r dull Llywodraeth gyfan o ymdrin â'r mater hynod bwysig hwn. Ond yn anffodus, roedd yn un o ddioddefwyr y toriadau, sy'n golygu nad oes gennym gyfrwng wedyn i rannu'r arferion gorau. Mae hynny'n bryder, ac mae'n rhaid inni feddwl am ffyrdd eraill o oresgyn y penderfyniad hwnnw. Roeddech hefyd yn siarad am bwysigrwydd y rhaglenni i gyflawnwyr, a all fod yn effeithiol iawn, ond mae goroeswyr yn amheus, ac mae angen inni sicrhau bod ganddynt hyder, yn seiliedig ar y dadansoddiad o'r hyn sy'n gweithio'n dda, ac mae hynny'n ymwneud â gwerthuso priodol. Felly, rwy'n falch iawn o glywed gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet fod camgymeriad yn yr ymateb gwreiddiol ac y bydd y wybodaeth hon ar gael yr haf hwn. Mae hynny'n newyddion da iawn.
Jane Dodds, rydych yn llygad eich lle fod yn rhaid inni gael dioddefwyr a goroeswyr wrth wraidd popeth a wnawn, ac yn fwyaf arbennig, na allwn gael plant yn peidio â chael y gwasanaeth sydd ei angen arnynt i ymdrin â'u profiad niweidiol yn ystod plentyndod. Ac rydym yn credu'n llwyr mai'r ysgol yw'r lle cywir i'r gwasanaethau hyn gael eu darparu, oherwydd ni fydd y plentyn o reidrwydd yn gallu ymdopi ag ailedrych ar y trawma yr wythnos ar ôl iddo ddigwydd. Bydd plant yn ymdrin â hyn yn wahanol, ac felly, yr ysgol yw'r lle maent yn treulio'r rhan fwyaf o amser, a dyna'r man lle maent yn fwyaf tebygol o ddatgelu bod angen help arnynt. Ond mae llawer iawn mwy o waith i'w wneud ar hyn, ac rwy'n siŵr y bydd y pwyllgor yn parhau i fynd ar drywydd hyn.
Diolch am eich cyfraniad chi, Joyce Watson. Mae'r glanhawyr sy'n cael eu herlid o amgylch yr orsaf dân gan y swyddogion tân yn dweud y cyfan, mae arnaf ofn, ac yn amlwg, mae ein gwaith ar y gwasanaeth tân ac achub yn rhywbeth yr ydym yn mynd i droi ein sylw ato nesaf. Rydym yn gwybod ei fod yn fath o gam-drin, ac os na fyddwn yn helpu pobl, byddant naill ai'n dod yn ddioddefwyr eu hunain, neu'n gyflawnwyr. Felly, mae hyn yn rhan allweddol o'r gwasanaeth atal.
Buffy Williams, rydych chi'n adnabod eich cymuned yn dda, ac roedd yn ddiddorol iawn clywed lefel y manylder y llwyddoch chi i'w roi yn y darlun o'r hyn sy'n digwydd yn y Rhondda, a'r angen i wella ymateb yr heddlu i'r hyn sy'n endemig yn y system.
Yn olaf, hoffwn dynnu sylw'r holl Aelodau at yr argymhelliad terfynol yn ein hadroddiad, sy'n effeithio ar bob un ohonom, sef argymhelliad 12, a hynny yw bod angen i bob un ohonom wella ein gallu i ymateb, i beidio â chadw'n dawel pan fydd hyn yn digwydd. Mae'n rhaid i ni i gyd chwarae ein rhan—y Llywodraeth gyfan, y gymdeithas gyfan. Dull iechyd y cyhoedd tuag at drais ar sail rhywedd yw'r unig ffordd y gwnawn drechu hyn; fel arall, fe fydd yn ein difa.
Y cwestiwn yw: a ddylid nodi adroddiad y pwyllgor? A oes unrhyw Aelod yn gwrthwynebu? Nac oes. Felly, derbynnir y cynnig yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 12.36.
The proposal is to note the committee’s report. Does any Member object? No. The motion is therefore agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
Derbyniwyd y cynnig yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 12.36.
Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
Eitem 7: dadl ar ddeiseb P-06-1392, 'Diwygio Cod Anghenion Dysgu Ychwanegol Cymru 2021'. Galwaf ar Gadeirydd y pwyllgor i wneud y cynnig—Jack Sargeant.
Item 7 is a debate on petition P-06-1392, 'Reform of the additional learning needs Code of Wales 2021'. I call on the Chair of the committee to move the motion—Jack Sargeant.
Cynnig NDM8567 Jack Sargeant
Cynnig bod y Senedd:
Yn nodi’r ddeiseb P-06-1392, ‘Diwygio Cod Anghenion Dysgu Ychwanegol Cymru 2021’, a gasglodd 15,160 o lofnodion.
Motion NDM8567 Jack Sargeant
To propose that the Senedd:
Notes the petition P-06-1392, 'Reform of the additional learning needs Code of Wales 2021', which received 15,160 signatures.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. As Chair of the Senedd Petitions Committee, thank you for the opportunity to help introduce today's debate, a debate on a subject that has triggered more petitions over the last few months than any other subject apart from speed limits.
The way our schools identify and support young people with additional learning needs has been a recurrent theme in recent weeks and months. Today, we are debating one of five petitions currently under consideration by the committee, and there are a further three petitions that are still collecting signatures in our system. Deputy Presiding Officer, this is not just a hot topic for the Senedd Petitions Committee, but it also is in our individual inboxes, and I doubt that there's a Member in this Chamber today who hasn't received messages about a case in their local constituencies. And I know that members of the Senedd's children and young people committee—including myself and the Chair, Buffy Williams—are undertaking in-depth work to consider the wider issue and possible solutions.
Today's petition was submitted by Victoria Lightbown, who I believe is in the viewing gallery to watch this debate this afternoon. Victoria is one of a number of parents who have experienced their own challenges, and dedicated their free time to supporting other parents who are fighting for their children's needs to be assessed and to be met. The petition received 15,160 signatures. It is titled, 'Reform of the additional learning needs Code of Wales 2021'. The petition reads:
'Despite only a couple of years into the changes and promises of earlier and better support for children and young people with ALN, more and more ALN pupils are being missed in Wales. There are also issues with consistency and accountability.
'There is still a large focus on Universal Provisions as opposed to the holistic approach of Person Centred IDPs for ALN pupils. Pupils with mental health / physical disabilities should have equal access to support and a quality education.
'Children under the age of 5 years are being denied support based on an "assumption" that they will simply "catch up" by the time they reach statutory school age. When IDPs are produced schools are able to "interpret" what is required without adequate accountability and contact of specialist health therapists for guidance. We call for the rights of all children under the UN Convention of Disabled People to be respected by ensuring:
'A universal code of practice to provide an inclusive quality education for all ALN pupils.
'Educational settings providing properly resourced provisions and trained staff that reach a quality assured standard of education to make the system fair, reliable and able to meet ever increasing demand.
'Education and health need to work more closely together.
'Compulsory specialist training and support for teachers and their staff.'
Dirprwy Lywydd, at the start of my contribution, I said there were other petitions in the system at the moment, and these too include calls for financial penalties, a review of ALN policy in Wales, accessible guidance for schools and teachers, and additional funding and resource. Today's debate offers all Members the chance to have their say on this issue. It's an opportunity to highlight the incredible challenges that many parents face in all parts of Cymru. But there is a baseline of facts. We know that the system for supporting children in Cymru is still new. We know that evaluation is ongoing to ensure that the system works. We know that Estyn have noted that there is inconsistency in the application of the Act and the code. And we know that the number of children considered to have additional learning needs under the new system is far, far lower than the number of children who were considered to have special education needs under the old system.
Deputy Presiding Officer, I have no doubt that today we will hear some harrowing personal experiences. I too have heard many of those stories, talking to the petitioner and talking to fellow campaigners. I don't envy any parent having to stand up for their child in a system that can sometimes feel inflexible and unsympathetic. Like many Members across the Chamber, I have had residents contacting me with concerns around a wide variety of conditions. These include difficulties getting support for pupils with ADHD, autism and severe social anxiety. This takes its toll not just on the learning experience of the child, but the child's wider mental and physical health, as well as the family's wider well-being. I know the previous Minister was working hard on a number of these issues to try to solve these issues, and I know the Cabinet Secretary, the new Cabinet Secretary, is absolutely passionate about this. She was a champion for ALN pupils in her previous roles as a committee Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee in the previous Senedd, and a champion for children and young people as the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Well-being.
Llywydd, this may sound a bit trite, but I want every child in Cymru to receive the education that meets their needs, the education that allows them to achieve their potential. And I hope this debate today will highlight some of the issues being faced by pupils, parents, teachers, governors, local authorities and the education department. And I hope that the challenges we are talking about today will push us all on to a better place, a place where we can meet these challenges head on and find the solution we all need to see. Diolch.
Diolch yn fawr, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Fel Cadeirydd Pwyllgor Deisebau'r Senedd, diolch am y cyfle i helpu i gyflwyno'r ddadl heddiw, dadl ar bwnc sydd wedi sbarduno mwy o ddeisebau dros y misoedd diwethaf nag unrhyw bwnc arall ar wahân i derfynau cyflymder.
Mae'r ffordd y mae ein hysgolion yn nodi ac yn cefnogi pobl ifanc ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol wedi bod yn thema reolaidd yn ystod yr wythnosau a'r misoedd diwethaf. Heddiw, rydym yn trafod un o bum deiseb sy'n cael eu hystyried gan y pwyllgor ar hyn o bryd, ac mae tair deiseb arall yn dal i gasglu llofnodion yn ein system. Ddirprwy Lywydd, nid pwnc llosg i Bwyllgor Deisebau'r Senedd yn unig yw hwn, mae hefyd yn ein mewnflychau unigol, ac rwy'n amau nad oes Aelod yn y Siambr hon heddiw sydd heb dderbyn negeseuon am achos yn eu hetholaethau lleol. Ac rwy'n gwybod bod aelodau pwyllgor plant a phobl ifanc y Senedd—gan fy nghynnwys i a'r Cadeirydd, Buffy Williams—yn gwneud gwaith manwl i ystyried y mater ehangach a'r atebion posibl.
Cyflwynwyd y ddeiseb heddiw gan Victoria Lightbown, sydd yn yr oriel, rwy'n credu, i wylio'r ddadl hon y prynhawn yma. Mae Victoria yn un o nifer o rieni sydd wedi profi eu heriau eu hunain, ac wedi neilltuo eu hamser rhydd i gefnogi rhieni eraill sy'n ymladd dros gael anghenion eu plant wedi eu hasesu a'u diwallu. Derbyniodd y ddeiseb 15,160 o lofnodion. Mae'n dwyn y teitl, 'Diwygio Cod Anghenion Dysgu Ychwanegol Cymru 2021'. Mae'r ddeiseb yn nodi:
'Er gwaethaf y ffaith mai ychydig flynyddoedd yn unig yw hi ers i’r newidiadau gael eu cyflwyno, ac er gwaethaf yr addewidion o gymorth cynharach a gwell i blant a phobl ifanc ag ADY, mae mwy a mwy o ddisgyblion ADY yng Nghymru’n cael eu methu. Mae problemau hefyd o ran cysondeb ac atebolrwydd.
'Mae ffocws mawr o hyd ar Ddarpariaethau Cyffredinol yn hytrach na dull cyfannol Cynlluniau Datblygu Unigol sy'n canolbwyntio ar yr unigolyn ar gyfer disgyblion ADY. Dylai disgyblion ag anableddau iechyd meddwl / corfforol gael mynediad cyfartal at gymorth ac addysg o safon.
'Gwrthodir cymorth i blant dan 5 oed ar sail y 'rhagdybiaeth' y byddant yn 'dal i fyny' erbyn iddynt gyrraedd oedran ysgol statudol. Pan gaiff Cynlluniau Datblygu Unigol eu llunio, mae ysgolion yn gallu dehongli yr hyn sydd ei angen heb atebolrwydd digonol na chysylltiad â therapyddion iechyd arbenigol am arweiniad. Galwn am barchu hawliau o dan Confensiwn y Cenhedloedd Unedig ar Hawliau Pobl ag Anabledd drwy sicrhau:
'Cod ymarfer cyffredinol i ddarparu addysg gynhwysol o safon i bob disgybl ADY.
'Lleoliadau addysgol sy'n cynnig darpariaethau ag adnoddau priodol a staff hyfforddedig sy'n cyrraedd safon addysg gyda sicrwydd ansawdd i wneud y system yn deg ac yn ddibynadwy ac i’w galluogi i ateb y galw cynyddol.
'Mae angen i addysg ac iechyd weithio'n agosach gyda'i gilydd.
'Hyfforddiant arbenigol gorfodol a chymorth i athrawon a’u staff.'
Ddirprwy Lywydd, ar ddechrau fy nghyfraniad, dywedais fod deisebau eraill yn y system ar hyn o bryd, ac mae'r rhain hefyd yn cynnwys galwadau am gosbau ariannol, adolygiad o bolisi ADY yng Nghymru, canllawiau hygyrch i ysgolion ac athrawon, a chyllid ac adnoddau ychwanegol. Mae'r ddadl heddiw yn cynnig cyfle i bob Aelod ddweud eu dweud ar y mater hwn. Mae'n gyfle i dynnu sylw at yr heriau anhygoel y mae llawer o rieni yn eu hwynebu ym mhob rhan o Gymru. Ond ceir llinell sylfaen o ffeithiau. Gwyddom fod y system ar gyfer cefnogi plant yng Nghymru yn dal yn newydd. Gwyddom fod gwerthuso yn barhaus i sicrhau bod y system yn gweithio. Gwyddom fod Estyn wedi nodi bod anghysondeb wrth weithredu'r Ddeddf a'r cod. A gwyddom fod nifer y plant yr ystyrir bod ganddynt anghenion dysgu ychwanegol o dan y system newydd yn llawer iawn is na nifer y plant yr ystyrid bod ganddynt anghenion addysgol arbennig o dan yr hen system.
Ddirprwy Lywydd, nid oes gennyf unrhyw amheuaeth y byddwn heddiw yn clywed am brofiadau personol dirdynnol. Rwyf innau hefyd wedi clywed llawer o'r straeon hynny, wrth siarad â'r deisebydd ac wrth siarad â chyd-ymgyrchwyr. Nid wyf yn genfigennus o unrhyw riant sy'n gorfod sefyll dros eu plentyn mewn system a all deimlo'n anhyblyg ac yn ddigydymdeimlad weithiau. Fel llawer o Aelodau ar draws y Siambr, rwyf wedi cael trigolion yn cysylltu â mi gyda phryderon ynghylch amrywiaeth eang o gyflyrau. Mae'r rhain yn cynnwys anawsterau wrth gael cymorth i ddisgyblion ag Anhwylder Diffyg Canolbwyntio a Gorfywiogrwydd, awtistiaeth a gorbryder cymdeithasol difrifol. Mae hyn yn cael effaith nid yn unig ar brofiad dysgu'r plentyn, ond iechyd meddwl a chorfforol ehangach y plentyn, yn ogystal â llesiant ehangach y teulu. Rwy'n gwybod bod y Gweinidog blaenorol yn gweithio'n galed ar nifer o'r pethau hyn i geisio datrys y problemau, ac rwy'n gwybod bod yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet newydd, yn hollol angerddol am hyn. Roedd hi'n eiriolwr dros ddisgyblion ADY yn ei rolau blaenorol fel Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg yn y Senedd flaenorol, ac yn eiriolwr dros blant a phobl ifanc fel y Dirprwy Weinidog Iechyd Meddwl a Llesiant.
Lywydd, efallai fod hyn yn swnio braidd yn ystrydebol, ond rwyf am i bob plentyn yng Nghymru dderbyn yr addysg sy'n diwallu eu hanghenion, yr addysg sy'n caniatáu iddynt gyflawni eu potensial. Ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd y ddadl hon heddiw yn tynnu sylw at rai o'r problemau sy'n wynebu disgyblion, rhieni, athrawon, llywodraethwyr, awdurdodau lleol a'r adran addysg. Ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd yr heriau y siaradwn amdanynt heddiw yn ein gwthio ni i gyd i fan gwell, man lle gallwn wynebu'r heriau hyn yn uniongyrchol a dod o hyd i'r ateb y mae angen i bob un ohonom ei weld. Diolch.
Buffy Williams, fel Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg.
Buffy Williams, as Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'm speaking today in my capacity as Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee. I was also a member of the Petitions Committee at the time that this petition was being considered. I would like to thank the petitioner for bringing these critical issues to the Senedd's attention. I would also like to thank her for her role in supporting our committee as a member of our online advisory panel for our disabled access inquiry, which is helping to ensure that the voices of families are at the heart of our work.
Like her, I believe passionately that children with additional learning needs deserve to have their educational needs met. I know that this belief is shared by the previous and current members of the committee. It is also shared by every single education professional that we have spoken to and every parent who has engaged with us, and I believe that it is also shared by the former and current members of the Welsh Government with responsibility for the ALN system.
We're in the middle of our third check-in of our Senedd-long inquiry into the implementation of the ALN reforms and the new curriculum. Each check-in involves engagement with schools and other stakeholders, and, of course, scrutiny of the Welsh Government. Our work has revealed that there is also widespread enthusiasm for the core principles of the ALN Act, but, unfortunately, the picture on the ground is not as consistent as it should be. I therefore recognise the concerns set out by the petitioner. We had a useful evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary this morning. We have not yet come to a final view on what we heard, but I will highlight today some of the key findings that have come out of the evidence we have taken that are relevant to this petition.
Firstly, a new category of pupils is emerging. Pupils in this category tend to have some relatively low level additional needs. They were on schools' old SEN registers, but for various reasons, which include funding, workload and perhaps the flexibility offered by the new curriculum, they are not being recognised as having ALN and therefore they do not have individual development plans. This may explain why there are 32 per cent fewer children recorded as having SEN or ALN in the 2022-23 academic year, compared to the 2020-21 academic year.
Secondly, new terminology is emerging to label the provision supporting these learners with additional needs who do not have an IDP. Some schools call it 'universal provision', others call it something different. But the president of the education tribunal told us very clearly that universal provision cannot be used as a reason not to give a child an IDP. If a child has additional learning needs compared to the majority of children, however mild, and those additional needs require additional learning provision, that child must, by law, have an IDP.
Thirdly, additional learning needs co-ordinators need to work harder than ever before under the new system. ALNCOs need more non-teaching time to do their role justice under the Act, even if fewer children in their school have an IDP than were previously on the SEN register. One school told us that they held 190 separate meetings with parents about children with ALN in one year alone. That’s absolute absolutely incredible, considering that there are only 190 teaching days in the entire school year.
We understand that the Act needs time to bed in; that’s completely normal. This is a massive culture change for local authorities, schools, parents and pupils. But it has been around six years since the Act received Royal Assent. It has been three years since the ALN code was approved by the Senedd. We are concerned that we are not where we should be at this stage of the implementation journey.
So, once again, I thank the petitioner for her ongoing commitment to our learners with additional needs. I can assure her that my fellow committee members and I will continue to work with stakeholders, families and the Welsh Government to deliver the reformed ALN system that all our learners deserve.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Rwy'n siarad heddiw yn rhinwedd fy swydd fel Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg. Roeddwn hefyd yn aelod o'r Pwyllgor Deisebau ar yr adeg yr oedd y ddeiseb hon yn cael ei hystyried. Hoffwn ddiolch i'r deisebydd am ddod â'r materion hollbwysig hyn i sylw'r Senedd. Hoffwn ddiolch iddi hefyd am ei rôl yn cefnogi ein pwyllgor fel aelod o'n panel cynghori ar-lein ar gyfer ein hymchwiliad i fynediad i'r anabl, sy'n helpu i sicrhau bod lleisiau teuluoedd wrth wraidd ein gwaith.
Fel hi, rwy'n credu'n angerddol fod plant ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yn haeddu cael eu hanghenion addysgol wedi'u diwallu. Rwy'n gwybod bod y gred hon yn cael ei rhannu gan aelodau blaenorol a chyfredol y pwyllgor. Mae hefyd yn cael ei rhannu gan bob un gweithiwr addysg proffesiynol yr ydym wedi siarad â nhw a phob rhiant sydd wedi ymgysylltu â ni, ac rwy'n credu ei bod hefyd yn cael ei rhannu gan aelodau blaenorol a chyfredol Llywodraeth Cymru sydd â chyfrifoldeb am y system ADY.
Rydym yng nghanol ein trydedd sgwrs ar ein hymchwiliad Senedd gyfan i weithrediad diwygiadau ADY a'r cwricwlwm newydd. Mae pob sgwrs yn cynnwys ymgysylltu ag ysgolion a rhanddeiliaid eraill, a chraffu ar Lywodraeth Cymru wrth gwrs. Mae ein gwaith wedi datgelu bod brwdfrydedd eang hefyd dros egwyddorion craidd y Ddeddf ADY, ond yn anffodus, nid yw'r darlun ar lawr gwlad mor gyson ag y dylai fod. Felly, rwy'n cydnabod y pryderon a nodwyd gan y deisebydd. Cawsom sesiwn dystiolaeth ddefnyddiol gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet y bore yma. Nid ydym eto wedi ffurfio barn derfynol ar yr hyn a glywsom, ond byddaf yn tynnu sylw heddiw at rai o'r canfyddiadau allweddol sydd wedi deillio o'r dystiolaeth a glywsom sy'n berthnasol i'r ddeiseb hon.
Yn gyntaf, mae categori newydd o ddisgyblion yn dod i'r amlwg. Mae disgyblion yn y categori hwn yn tueddu i fod â lefel gymharol isel o anghenion ychwanegol. Roeddent ar hen gofrestrau anghenion addysgol arbennig ysgolion, ond am amryw resymau, sy'n cynnwys cyllid, llwyth gwaith ac efallai yr hyblygrwydd a gynigir gan y cwricwlwm newydd, nid ydynt yn cael eu cydnabod fel rhai ag ADY ac felly, nid oes ganddynt gynlluniau datblygu unigol. Gallai hyn egluro pam fod 32 y cant yn llai o blant wedi eu cofnodi fel rhai ag AAA neu ADY yn y flwyddyn academaidd 2022-23, o gymharu â blwyddyn academaidd 2020-21.
Yn ail, mae terminoleg newydd yn dod i'r amlwg i labelu'r ddarpariaeth sy'n cefnogi'r dysgwyr hyn ag anghenion ychwanegol nad oes ganddynt CDU. Mae rhai ysgolion yn ei galw'n 'ddarpariaeth gyffredinol', ac mae eraill yn ei galw'n rhywbeth gwahanol. Ond dywedodd llywydd y tribiwnlys addysg wrthym yn glir iawn na ellir defnyddio darpariaeth gyffredinol fel rheswm dros beidio â rhoi CDU i blentyn. Os oes gan blentyn anghenion dysgu ychwanegol o gymharu â'r mwyafrif o blant, ni waeth pa mor fach, a bod angen darpariaeth ddysgu ychwanegol ar yr anghenion ychwanegol hynny, rhaid i'r plentyn hwnnw, yn ôl y gyfraith, gael CDU.
Yn drydydd, mae angen i gydlynwyr ADY weithio'n galetach nag erioed o'r blaen o dan y system newydd. Mae angen mwy o amser ar gydlynwyr ADY pan nad ydynt yn addysgu i wneud cyfiawnder â'u rôl o dan y Ddeddf, hyd yn oed os oes gan lai o blant yn eu hysgol CDU nag a oedd ar y gofrestr AAA o'r blaen. Dywedodd un ysgol wrthym eu bod wedi cael 190 o gyfarfodydd unigol gyda rhieni am blant ag ADY mewn un flwyddyn yn unig. Mae hynny'n hollol anhygoel, o ystyried mai dim ond 190 o ddiwrnodau addysgu sydd yn y flwyddyn ysgol gyfan.
Rydym yn deall bod angen amser ar y Ddeddf i ymsefydlu; mae hynny'n hollol normal. Mae hwn yn newid diwylliant enfawr i awdurdodau lleol, ysgolion, rhieni a disgyblion. Ond mae tua chwe blynedd wedi mynd heibio ers i'r Ddeddf dderbyn Cydsyniad Brenhinol. Mae tair blynedd wedi mynd heibio ers i'r cod ADY gael ei gymeradwyo gan y Senedd. Rydym yn pryderu nad ydym lle dylem fod ar y cam hwn o'r daith weithredu.
Felly, unwaith eto, diolch i'r deisebydd am ei hymrwymiad parhaus i'n dysgwyr sydd ag anghenion ychwanegol. Gallaf ei sicrhau y bydd fy nghyd-aelodau o'r pwyllgor a minnau yn parhau i weithio gyda rhanddeiliaid, teuluoedd a Llywodraeth Cymru i ddarparu'r system ADY ddiwygiedig y mae pob un o'n dysgwyr yn ei haeddu.
I’d like to start by saying I’m sure we all agree in this Chamber on the importance of petitions. I’m very grateful to the work of the Petitions Committee, grateful to the Chairman for opening up here today and outlining so clearly the concerns within the petition, but most of all, grateful to the petitioners themselves and the thousands of people who put their name to this particular petition, because it’s a really important issue for us to debate here in this Chamber; it’s an important issue for people in Wales to be concerned about as well. And as the Chair of the committee outlined a few months ago, there are other petitions on a very similar topic, if not the same topic, showing the strength of feeling relating to the Additional Learning Needs Code for Wales 2021, and I know the Cabinet Secretary is keen to hear those issues here today as well.
And there’s good reason why thousands of people are putting their name to this particular petition and to petitions that are very similar, because they are rightly concerned about the way ALN provision is managed here in Wales. And let’s not forget, when we talk about ALN provision, we’re talking about some children who need the most support in our schools at the moment, so they need that highest level of attention at times. And, obviously, there's the process of the massive overhaul of the system that’s taking place, but the concern that the petitioners have, as outlined, is that there are too many gaps in the system, and, sadly, far too many children are falling through those gaps as time progresses.
And I was grateful to be able to meet recently with ALN Reform Wales, a group of mothers who have children with additional learning needs, and I know they're also grateful for the Cabinet Secretary’s time with them as well, and they are parents who are located all over Wales and who have campaigned strongly on this issue, and they’re right when they say that there are, and I quote, 'issues with consistency and accountability’. And I wonder whether the Cabinet Secretary would want to respond to those two particular points at the end of this debate around the consistency and accountability, because that’s something that was stressed to me by them when we did meet. And as any parent would expect, they want a suitable level of provision across Wales that is consistent and reliable.
It was Estyn who pointed out in its recent report some of the reason for that uncertainty from council decision makers in particular, and I quote from the Estyn report. They say:
'A few local authorities and schools'
stated that they
'were unclear of...the legal definitions'
and what this meant in practice. So, I expect there’s some work to be done there to tighten up some of those definitions so that our children—. And with support provided by schools and local authorities, that is the clearest possible guidance around those definitions.
And from a Welsh Government point of view, of course, it's Welsh Government that brought these changes in on the ALN code, and as the Cabinet Secretary I'm sure will respond, it's the Welsh Government's responsibility to ensure that they are effectively being implemented by schools and by local authorities.
I also just wanted to highlight concerns raised by the National Autistic Society. They’ve written to me to pinpoint local authority consistency again, and the lack of consistency as a big barrier to the ALN support. An example I think other colleagues here have already pointed to is the work of ALNCOs and the lack of resources to develop the IDPs that are so important for these children.
They also have criticism about the lack of good-quality data that is publicly available, and we're aware of the challenges around data across Wales generally, but I think that's something else perhaps the Cabinet Secretary may want to comment on about the data available to ensure that children are provided the best support possible.
Just a brief side note, I had the pleasure recently of visiting Pengwern College in my region, and they provide vital specialist further education for young people aged 16 to 25 with learning disabilities in particular. And the ALN code for schools and other providers was at the top of their agenda when they met with me.
So, to wrap up my contribution, I'm grateful for the work of the petitioners in raising this here today. There's an issue around consistency, there's an issue around accountability. What we're doing is to tighten those points up, because we need to make sure that these children are properly supported, the resources are there properly for those local authorities to provide that support and there's clarity for schools and local authorities when they're providing that support as well. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Hoffwn ddechrau drwy ddweud fy mod yn siŵr ein bod i gyd yn cytuno yn y Siambr hon ynglŷn â phwysigrwydd deisebau. Rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn am waith y Pwyllgor Deisebau, yn ddiolchgar i'r Cadeirydd am agor yma heddiw ac amlinellu mor glir y pryderon yn y ddeiseb, ond yn bennaf oll, yn ddiolchgar i'r deisebwyr eu hunain a'r miloedd o bobl a roddodd eu henw ar y ddeiseb arbennig hon, oherwydd mae'n fater pwysig iawn inni ei drafod yma yn y Siambr; mae'n fater pwysig i bobl yng Nghymru bryderu amdano hefyd. Ac fel yr amlinellodd Cadeirydd y pwyllgor ychydig fisoedd yn ôl, ceir deisebau eraill ar bwnc tebyg iawn, os nad yr un pwnc, sy'n dangos cryfder y teimlad sy'n ymwneud â Chod Anghenion Dysgu Ychwanegol Cymru 2021, a gwn fod Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn awyddus i glywed y materion hynny yma heddiw hefyd.
Ac mae rheswm da pam fod miloedd o bobl yn rhoi eu henw ar y ddeiseb benodol hon ac ar ddeisebau sy'n debyg iawn, oherwydd eu bod yn pryderu, yn briodol ddigon, am y ffordd y caiff darpariaeth ADY ei rheoli yma yng Nghymru. A gadewch inni gofio, pan fyddwn yn siarad am ddarpariaeth ADY, rydym yn sôn am blant sydd angen y cymorth mwyaf yn ein hysgolion ar hyn o bryd, felly maent angen y lefel uchaf honno o sylw ar adegau. Ac yn amlwg, mae'r broses ailwampio enfawr yn digwydd i'r system, ond y pryder sydd gan y deisebwyr, fel y nodir, yw bod gormod o fylchau yn y system, ac yn anffodus, mae gormod lawer o blant yn syrthio trwy'r bylchau hynny wrth i amser fynd yn ei flaen.
Ac roeddwn yn ddiolchgar fy mod wedi gallu cyfarfod yn ddiweddar â Diwygio ADY Cymru, grŵp o famau sydd â phlant ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol, a gwn eu bod hefyd yn ddiolchgar am amser Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet gyda nhw hefyd, ac maent yn rhieni sydd wedi'u lleoli ledled Cymru ac sydd wedi ymgyrchu'n gadarn ar y mater hwn, ac maent yn iawn pan fyddant yn dweud, ac rwy'n dyfynnu, 'fod problemau gyda chysondeb ac atebolrwydd'. A tybed a fyddai Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet am ymateb i'r ddau bwynt penodol hynny ar ddiwedd y ddadl hon ynghylch cysondeb ac atebolrwydd, oherwydd mae hynny'n rhywbeth a gafodd ei bwysleisio ganddynt pan wnaethom gyfarfod. Ac fel y byddai unrhyw riant yn ei ddisgwyl, maent am weld lefel addas o ddarpariaeth ar draws Cymru sy'n gyson ac yn ddibynadwy.
Yn ei adroddiad diweddar, nododd Estyn rai o'r rhesymau dros yr ansicrwydd hwnnw gan wneuthurwyr penderfyniadau ar gynghorau yn enwedig, ac rwy'n dyfynnu o adroddiad Estyn. Maent yn dweud:
'roedd ychydig o awdurdodau lleol ac ysgolion'
yn dweud eu bod yn
'ansicr ynglŷn â...diffiniadau cyfreithiol o ADY'
a beth oedd hyn yn ei olygu yn ymarferol. Felly, rwy'n disgwyl bod rhywfaint o waith i'w wneud o ran hynny i dynhau rhai o'r diffiniadau fel bod ein plant—. A chyda chymorth wedi'i ddarparu gan ysgolion ac awdurdodau lleol, dyna'r canllawiau cliriaf posibl ynghylch y diffiniadau hynny.
Ac o safbwynt Llywodraeth Cymru, wrth gwrs, Llywodraeth Cymru a gyflwynodd y newidiadau hyn ynghylch y cod ADY, ac fel y bydd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn ymateb, rwy'n siŵr, cyfrifoldeb Llywodraeth Cymru yw sicrhau eu bod yn cael eu gweithredu'n effeithiol gan ysgolion ac awdurdodau lleol.
Roeddwn am dynnu sylw hefyd at bryderon a godwyd gan y Gymdeithas Genedlaethol Awtistiaeth. Maent wedi ysgrifennu ataf i nodi cysondeb awdurdodau lleol eto, a'r diffyg cysondeb fel rhwystr mawr i'r cymorth ADY. Un enghraifft y credaf fod cyd-Aelodau eraill yma eisoes wedi tynnu sylw ati yw gwaith cydlynwyr ADY a'r diffyg adnoddau i ddatblygu'r CDUau sydd mor bwysig i'r plant hyn.
Maent hefyd yn beirniadu'r diffyg data o ansawdd da sydd ar gael i'r cyhoedd, ac rydym yn ymwybodol o'r heriau sy'n ymwneud â data ledled Cymru yn gyffredinol, ond rwy'n credu bod hynny'n rhywbeth arall efallai y bydd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet am wneud sylwadau yn ei gylch am y data sydd ar gael i sicrhau bod plant yn cael y cymorth gorau posibl.
Un nodyn byr wrth fynd heibio, cefais y pleser yn ddiweddar o ymweld â Choleg Pengwern yn fy rhanbarth, ac maent yn darparu addysg bellach arbenigol hanfodol i bobl ifanc 16 i 25 oed sydd ag anableddau dysgu yn benodol. Ac roedd y cod ADY ar gyfer ysgolion a darparwyr eraill ar frig eu hagenda pan wnaethant gyfarfod â mi.
Felly, i ddod â fy nghyfraniad i ben, rwy'n ddiolchgar am waith y deisebwyr yn codi hyn yma heddiw. Mae problem yn ymwneud â chysondeb, mae problem yn ymwneud ag atebolrwydd. Yr hyn a wnawn yw tynhau'r pwyntiau hynny, oherwydd mae angen inni sicrhau bod y plant hyn yn cael eu cefnogi'n iawn, fod yr adnoddau yno'n briodol i'r awdurdodau lleol ddarparu cymorth a bod eglurder i ysgolion ac awdurdodau lleol pan fyddant yn darparu'r cymorth hwnnw hefyd. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
I'd like to begin my contribution today by stating my full support for the petition. It's clear to me from meeting with protesters, from being a member of the Children, Young People and Education Committee and from the casework that I receive as a Senedd Member that too many children and young people are unable to access the support and education they need and deserve, and that this is having a significant impact both on them and their wider families. Access to support is ad hoc and often described as being a postcode lottery. Whilst I have heard about and seen some brilliant work that's being done to support learners with additional learning needs, I've also heard stories that have brought me to tears. We can and must do better to ensure equity for every child in Wales, and we must ensure that schools are supported and resourced to be able to do this work. Currently, that's not consistently the case.
Because of an increase in casework, last year I undertook a survey to capture some of the issues being faced in my region, and can I thank the 117 people that responded and all of the organisations that helped to promote the survey and also shared with me their views on the matter? With the support of my colleague Eleri Griffiths, I've collated some of the responses into a report, and what's evident is that parents and young people want to be part of shaping the solutions and want to work with the Welsh Government to bring about the improvements that we all want to see. But it's also clear that this needs to happen as a matter of urgency, as many families are at breaking point. Action is needed. I'm sure, Cabinet Secretary, when you've met with the campaigners who are here—I'm very sorry that they have to fight for their children, their love for their children is so evident. But they've had to fight for everything, and the detriment then to them as people, as parents, and the impact on their other children is just soul-destroying.
There was a big protest outside of the Senedd in October, and it was an honour for me to go outside, but it wasn't an usual protest, because everyone there was desperate. One person in particular told me of having contemplated suicide on a number of occasions because of the strain of trying to fight. This is the level of concern there is in our community, and the support is desperately needed.
Hoffwn ddechrau fy nghyfraniad heddiw drwy ddatgan fy nghefnogaeth lawn i'r ddeiseb. Mae'n amlwg i mi o gyfarfod â phrotestwyr, o fod yn aelod o'r Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg ac o'r gwaith achos a gaf fel Aelod o'r Senedd fod gormod o blant a phobl ifanc yn methu cael y cymorth a'r addysg y maent eu hangen ac yn eu haeddu, a bod hyn yn cael effaith sylweddol arnynt hwy a'u teuluoedd ehangach. Mae mynediad at gymorth yn digwydd ad hoc ac fe'i disgrifir yn aml fel loteri cod post. Er fy mod wedi clywed am waith gwych sy'n cael ei wneud i gefnogi dysgwyr ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol, ac wedi gweld peth ohono, rwyf hefyd wedi clywed straeon sydd wedi dod â dagrau i fy llygaid. Fe allwn, ac fe ddylem wneud yn well i sicrhau tegwch i bob plentyn yng Nghymru, a rhaid inni sicrhau bod ysgolion yn cael eu cefnogi ac yn cael yr adnoddau i allu gwneud y gwaith hwn. Ar hyn o bryd, nid yw hynny'n wir drwy'r amser.
Oherwydd cynnydd mewn gwaith achos, y llynedd cynhaliais arolwg i nodi rhai o'r materion a wynebir yn fy rhanbarth, ac a gaf i ddiolch i'r 117 o bobl a ymatebodd a'r holl sefydliadau a helpodd i hyrwyddo'r arolwg ac a rannodd eu barn ar y mater gyda mi hefyd? Gyda chymorth fy nghydweithiwr Eleri Griffiths, rwyf wedi casglu rhai o'r ymatebion mewn adroddiad, a'r hyn sy'n amlwg yw bod rhieni a phobl ifanc am fod yn rhan o lunio'r atebion ac am weithio gyda Llywodraeth Cymru i gyflawni'r gwelliannau y mae pawb ohonom am eu gweld. Ond mae hefyd yn amlwg fod angen i hyn ddigwydd ar frys, gan fod llawer o deuluoedd ar fin cyrraedd y pen. Mae angen gweithredu. Rwy'n siŵr, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, pan fyddwch wedi cyfarfod â'r ymgyrchwyr sydd yma—mae'n ddrwg iawn gennyf eu bod yn gorfod ymladd dros eu plant, mae eu cariad tuag at eu plant mor amlwg. Ond maent wedi gorfod brwydro am bopeth, ac mae'r niwed wedyn iddynt hwy fel pobl, fel rhieni, a'r effaith ar eu plant eraill yn ddigalon iawn.
Roedd protest fawr y tu allan i'r Senedd ym mis Hydref, ac roedd hi'n anrhydedd cael mynd allan, ond nid oedd yn brotest arferol, oherwydd roedd pawb yno yn llawn anobaith. Dywedodd un person yn arbennig wrthyf eu bod wedi ystyried hunanladdiad ar sawl achlysur oherwydd y straen o geisio brwydro. Dyma'r lefel o bryder a geir yn ein cymuned, ac mae angen y cymorth yn ddirfawr.
Pan fo hi'n dod i ddysgwyr sydd eisiau derbyn cefnogaeth ychwanegol yn y Gymraeg, mae yna anghysondeb rhyfeddol. Mae yna deuluoedd wedi gorfod newid iaith eu haelwyd yn fy rhanbarth, yn cael eu hasesu fel teulu yn y Saesneg yn hytrach nag yn y Gymraeg, gan olygu bod asesiadau ddim yn gyflawn, ac eraill heb unrhyw fath o ddarpariaeth addas yn agos. Sut mae hyn yn iawn yn 2024? Os ydy'r iaith Gymraeg yn perthyn i bawb, mae'n perthyn i bawb, nid dim ond rhai.
Un peth sy'n gyson o ran darpariaeth yn y Saesneg neu yn y Gymraeg yw disgrifiad rhieni o orfod brwydro am ddarpariaeth addas, gyda nifer yn ei disgrifio hi fel sefyllfa ofnadwy. Mae disgrifiad nifer o'r niwed seicolegol mae'r profiad o gael eu hallgau o addysg yn ei gael ar blant a phobl ifanc niwroamrywiol—. Mae peth o'r astudiaethau dwi wedi dod ar eu traws—. Plentyn pedair oed yn crio oherwydd y profiad o fod yn yr ysgol, y rhieni'n dweud, 'Fe wnaethon ni dreulio 10 wythnos gartref i ddatblygu ei hyder unwaith eto.' Plant yn cael eu bwlio, cael eu hallgau o dripiau ysgol, o fod yn rhan o gyngherddau Nadolig, yr holl bethau sy'n gwneud ysgol yn hwyl—ond ddim i bawb; ddim os oes gennych chi anghenion dysgu ychwanegol. Mae'n rhaid inni sicrhau bod ysgolion hefyd wedi cael yr adnoddau i fedru darparu'n ddigonol a bod athrawon yn gallu cael yr hyfforddiant sydd yn angenrheidiol iddyn nhw fedru diwallu anghenion, ond hefyd ein bod ni'n gwybod rôl eithriadol o bwysig y rheini sy'n cefnogi o fewn dosbarthiadau. Mae'n rhaid inni sicrhau bod yr adnodd yna'n parhau.
Felly, mae angen inni heddiw gydnabod y problemau hyn, ond hefyd cytuno ein bod ni angen cael datrysiadau. Felly, gaf i ofyn ichi, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, beth ydy'ch asesiad chi o'r sefyllfa bresennol a beth ydy'ch blaenoriaethau chi er mwyn mynd i'r afael â'r hyn mae'r ddeiseb yn tynnu sylw ato?
When it comes to learners who need additional support through the medium of Welsh, there are incredible inconsistencies. Families have had to change the language of their home in my region, are assessed as a family through the medium of English rather than the medium of Welsh, meaning that assessments are incomplete, and others not having any sort of appropriate provision close by. How can this be the case in 2024? If the Welsh language belongs to us all, it belongs to us all, not just to some.
One thing that's consistent in terms of provision in English or in Welsh is parents' description of having to fight for appropriate provision, with many describing it as a terrible situation. Many describe the psychological damage that being excluded from education has on children and young people who are neurodiverse. Some of the studies that I've uncovered—. A four-year-old crying because of the experience of being at school, the parents saying that they spent 10 weeks at home to develop his confidence once again. Children being bullied, being excluded from school trips and from being part of Christmas concerts, all of the things that make school fun—but not for everyone; not if you have additional learning needs. We must ensure that schools do have the necessary resource to make adequate provision and that teachers do get the training that they need so that they can meet the needs of pupils, but also that we understand the incredibly important role of those supporting within classes. We must ensure that that resource continues to be available.
So, today, we need to recognise these problems, but also agree that we need solutions. So, can I ask you, Cabinet Secretary, what's your assessment of the current situation and what are your priorities to address the issues raised by the petition?
Thank you so much for the petition and making sure that we do make sure that we are able to highlight some of the real problems that we're facing with ensuring that every child receives the support and education they need and deserve. It shouldn't be a fight. Many of us will fight with you. But we need to see those changes, so thank you for your work. But you're not alone; we'll continue to support you.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am y ddeiseb ac am sicrhau ein bod yn gwneud yn siŵr ein bod yn gallu tynnu sylw at rai o'r problemau gwirioneddol sy'n ein hwynebu o ran sicrhau bod pob plentyn yn cael y cymorth a'r addysg sydd eu hangen arnynt ac y maent yn eu haeddu. Ni ddylai fod yn frwydr. Bydd llawer ohonom yn brwydro gyda chi. Ond mae angen inni weld y newidiadau hynny, felly diolch am eich gwaith. Ond nid ydych ar eich pen eich hun; byddwn yn parhau i'ch cefnogi.
At the start of my contribution, I'd like to also offer my thanks to the petitioner, Victoria Lightbown, and everyone who signed up in support of it. This is such an important subject, and I'd like to thank them and the committee for giving us the opportunity to consider the issues upon which it touches today. And as the Chair of the Petitions Committee noted during his committee's consideration of the petition, this also gives us a chance to consider points raised in other similar submissions too, all of which highlight a sense that more needs to be done to ensure that we create the correct supportive person-centred learning environment that our children and young people need.
Now, the first point that needs to be recognised is that the transition to the new system isn't fully complete yet. The issuing of the ALN code in 2021 was followed by a commitment that the new system would be introduced on a phased basis over a nearly four-year period, which is due to be completed next year. This does, however, allow us to learn from how the code has operated over the past 31 months. We are just over halfway through the process, so lessons can be learned and important points drawn from how it has worked so far in practice, about what the experiences of children and young people, their families and carers and educational practitioners and the wider school community have been. And it's important that we try to do this as soon as we can. When problems are identified, it's not fair to expect people to wait. From my own casework, it is clear that this must be a priority.
Now, I appreciate the nature of constituency casework. If people are happy with the process and feel that the support that they or their children are getting, for example, through the IDP, meets their needs, they are, of course, unlikely to be raising concerns with their representative. But the casework I've received is enough to identify an evidence base to make a case for change and to address the challenges with deep-rooted issues that, in some cases, even predate the system as set out in the 2018 Act. This is a point that the level of support that the various petitions have garnered reinforces.
Looking at my own postbag, I'd like to pick out a few key themes. The first is about the process itself. I've dealt with several cases where, despite children showing signs of complex additional learning needs from a very early age, they still have to enter mainstream education. Only then can they be observed and go to panel to try and access the specialist schooling that they so need. Surely, there is a better way for us to be responsive in how we can approach this issue.
Secondly, I've dealt with several ongoing cases in which children attend mainstream education, but teachers are unable to meet their additional needs. This leads to a pattern of children being sent home from school for long periods, impacting on their education, their home life and their parents. I recognise the comments in the Welsh Government's reply to the petition around teachers' professional learning and development, but, reflecting on my own classroom experience, there is only so much give in the system, and, clearly, there are barriers to tackle.
My third point, and conversely to this, I've dealt with cases whereby individualised support is refused because schools can just about manage in addressing need. Again, I appreciate that there are finite resources, but in these cases it's the child or the young person who loses out and the school that must bend to take up the slack. Finally, again reflecting that point about resources, a feeling experienced by parents was of there being insurmountable difficulties in accessing one-to-one support, and I do feel that that's just not good enough.
As I close, I would like to do so on a positive note. Firstly, I want to welcome the Cabinet Secretary for Education to her post. I was really pleased to read the press release earlier announcing a further £20 million for schools to improve facilities to meet the needs of children and young people with ALN. I believe that this demonstrates the Welsh Government's and the Cabinet Secretary's personal commitment to this issue and to ensuring that those affected get a fair deal. I look forward to her reply in the debate shortly. Very finally, I'd like to place on record my thanks to groups such as ASD Rainbows in my constituency, who work so hard to support families where a child has ALN—thank you for all that you do.
Ar ddechrau fy nghyfraniad, hoffwn ddiolch hefyd i'r deisebydd, Victoria Lightbown, a phawb a lofnododd y ddeiseb i'w chefnogi. Mae hwn yn bwnc mor bwysig, a hoffwn ddiolch iddynt hwy ac i’r pwyllgor am roi’r cyfle inni ystyried y materion y mae’n ymdrin â nhw heddiw. Ac fel y nododd Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Deisebau yn ystod ystyriaeth ei bwyllgor o'r ddeiseb, mae hyn hefyd yn rhoi cyfle inni ystyried pwyntiau a godwyd mewn cyflwyniadau eraill tebyg hefyd, sydd oll yn nodi ymdeimlad fod angen gwneud mwy i sicrhau ein bod yn creu'r amgylchedd dysgu cefnogol cywir sy’n canolbwyntio ar yr unigolyn ac sydd ei angen ar ein plant a’n pobl ifanc.
Nawr, y pwynt cyntaf y mae angen ei gydnabod yw nad yw'r cyfnod pontio i'r system newydd wedi'i gwblhau'n llawn eto. Ar ôl cyhoeddi’r cod ADY yn 2021, cafwyd ymrwymiad y byddai’r system newydd yn cael ei chyflwyno fesul cam dros gyfnod o bron i bedair blynedd, a fydd yn dod i ben y flwyddyn nesaf. Fodd bynnag, mae hyn yn ein galluogi i ddysgu o sut mae'r cod wedi gweithredu dros y 31 mis diwethaf. Rydym ychydig dros hanner ffordd drwy’r broses, felly gellir dysgu gwersi a nodi pwyntiau pwysig o ran sut mae wedi gweithio hyd yn hyn yn ymarferol, a phrofiadau plant a phobl ifanc, eu teuluoedd a’u gofalwyr ac addysgwyr a chymuned ehangach yr ysgol. Ac mae'n bwysig ein bod yn ceisio gwneud hyn cyn gynted ag y gallwn. Pan nodir problemau, nid yw'n deg disgwyl i bobl aros. O fy ngwaith achos fy hun, mae’n amlwg fod yn rhaid i hyn fod yn flaenoriaeth.
Nawr, rwy’n deall natur gwaith achos etholaethol. Os yw pobl yn fodlon ar y broses ac yn teimlo bod y cymorth y maent hwy neu eu plant yn ei gael, drwy’r cynllun datblygu unigol er enghraifft, yn diwallu eu hanghenion, maent yn annhebygol o fod yn codi pryderon gyda’u cynrychiolydd. Ond mae'r gwaith achos rwyf wedi'i weld yn ddigon i nodi sylfaen dystiolaeth ar gyfer achos dros newid ac i fynd i'r afael â'r heriau gyda phroblemau sydd wedi'u gwreiddio'n ddwfn ac sydd, mewn rhai achosion, hyd yn oed yn rhagddyddio'r system fel y'i disgrifir yn Neddf 2018. Mae hwn yn bwynt sydd wedi'i atgyfnerthu gan lefel y gefnogaeth i’r deisebau amrywiol.
Wrth edrych ar fy mag post fy hun, hoffwn nodi rhai themâu allweddol. Mae'r gyntaf yn ymwneud â'r broses ei hun. Rwyf wedi ymdrin â sawl achos lle mae plant yn dal i orfod mynd i addysg brif ffrwd er eu bod yn dangos arwyddion o anghenion dysgu ychwanegol cymhleth o oedran cynnar iawn. Dim ond wedyn y gellir eu harsylwi a mynd at banel i geisio cael mynediad at yr addysg arbenigol sydd ei hangen arnynt. Rhaid bod ffordd well inni fod yn ymatebol o ran sut y gallwn ymdrin â’r mater hwn.
Yn ail, rwyf wedi ymdrin â sawl achos parhaus lle mae plant yn mynychu addysg brif ffrwd, ond nid yw athrawon yn gallu diwallu eu hanghenion ychwanegol. Mae hyn yn arwain at batrwm o blant yn cael eu hanfon adref o'r ysgol am gyfnodau hir, gan effeithio ar eu haddysg, eu bywyd gartref a'u rhieni. Rwy’n cydnabod y sylwadau yn ateb Llywodraeth Cymru i’r ddeiseb ynghylch dysgu a datblygiad proffesiynol athrawon, ond wrth fyfyrio ar fy mhrofiad fy hun yn yr ystafell ddosbarth, hyn a hyn o hyblygrwydd sydd i'w gael yn y system, ac yn amlwg, mae rhwystrau i fynd i’r afael â nhw.
Fy nhrydydd pwynt, ac yn groes i hyn, rwyf wedi ymdrin ag achosion lle mae cymorth unigol yn cael ei wrthod gan y gall ysgolion ymdopi, o drwch blewyn, â'r anghenion. Unwaith eto, rwy'n deall bod adnoddau'n gyfyngedig, ond yn yr achosion hyn, y plentyn neu'r unigolyn ifanc sydd ar eu colled a'r ysgol sy'n gorfod ymdrechu i lenwi'r bwlch. Yn olaf, gan adlewyrchu'r pwynt ynglŷn ag adnoddau unwaith eto, roedd rhieni'n teimlo eu bod yn wynebu anawsterau anorchfygol o ran cael cymorth un i un, ac nid wyf yn teimlo bod hynny'n ddigon da.
Hoffwn gloi ar nodyn cadarnhaol. Yn gyntaf, hoffwn groesawu Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg i'w swydd. Roeddwn yn falch iawn o ddarllen y datganiad i'r wasg yn gynharach yn cyhoeddi £20 miliwn ychwanegol i ysgolion i wella cyfleusterau i ddiwallu anghenion plant a phobl ifanc ag ADY. Credaf fod hyn yn dangos ymrwymiad personol Llywodraeth Cymru ac Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet i’r mater hwn ac i sicrhau bod y rhai yr effeithir arnynt yn cael chwarae teg. Edrychaf ymlaen at ei hateb yn y ddadl cyn bo hir. Yn olaf un, hoffwn gofnodi fy niolch i grwpiau fel ASD Rainbows yn fy etholaeth, sy'n gweithio mor galed i gefnogi teuluoedd lle mae gan blentyn ADY—diolch am bopeth a wnewch.
Fel aelod o'r pwyllgor, buaswn i'n licio diolch i'r deisebwyr am ddod â'r ddeiseb yma gerbron a'r deisebau eraill sydd wedi'u crybwyll y prynhawn yma. Buaswn i'n licio hefyd ategu lot o beth sydd wedi cael ei ddweud gan Aelodau, yn enwedig Heledd, a diolch iddi am yr holl waith y mae hi wedi bod yn ei wneud efo hyn ar y mater yma.
As a member of the committee, I'd like to thank the petitioners for bringing forward this petition and the other petitions that have been discussed this afternoon. I'd also like to echo much of what has been said by Members, particularly Heledd, and I'd like to thank her for all of the work that she has done on this issue.
This matter is, clearly, a big issue for all parts of Wales. This is why we now have had the five petitions come before the Petitions Committee on ALN provision in Wales. There's clearly a strength of feeling among parents of children with additional learning needs that they are not getting what they need and getting what has been promised to them by legislation. I've met with some of the petitioners and constituents, and I've heard their stories. It's fair to say that there's a strong sense of frustration and, in some quarters, anger. This is because parents want what's best for their children; that is completely understandable. The anger stems from the dismay at seeing their children getting provision that is second, or even third, best.
In the last week, an alarming letter from headteachers was issued to all parents and carers in the Blaenau Gwent Country Borough Council area. This was an unprecedented move that painted a very bleak picture for the future of education provision in the area. Contained within the letter was the following paragraph, and I quote:
'Additional learning needs support is of considerable concern. Schools can no longer afford to recruit the required number of staff to support our most vulnerable learners. Headteachers and governing bodies will have to make the impossible choice between which child receives or does not receive support.'
In another letter to parents, from the Wrexham Association of Secondary Headteachers, they stress that ALN reform will be affected by cuts to education budgets,
'impacting on our most vulnerable learners as specialist support services are reduced at a time of great need.'
It seems that this is another case of the Government ushering in a policy that is universally welcomed but not universally financed. Unfortunately, it's extremely vulnerable children who are paying the price right now.
The underfunding of local government in Wales is having serious consequences for ALN provision, which appears to be in crisis. Given that the Wales Governance Centre has estimated that our local authorities are facing a £354 million funding gap during the next financial year, which could rise to as much as £744 million by 2027-28, things are looking grim. With this in mind, I'd like to know what the Government is planning to do about the situation and how you are going to alleviate the problems that these families are facing. Diolch.
Yn amlwg, mae’r mater hwn yn bwysig i bob rhan o Gymru. Dyna pam fod pum deiseb ar y ddarpariaeth ADY yng Nghymru wedi bod ger bron y Pwyllgor Deisebau bellach. Mae’n amlwg fod rhieni plant ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yn teimlo'n gryf nad ydynt yn cael yr hyn sydd ei angen arnynt a'r hyn a addawyd iddynt gan ddeddfwriaeth. Rwyf wedi cyfarfod â rhai o’r deisebwyr a’r etholwyr, ac rwyf wedi clywed eu straeon. Mae'n deg dweud bod ymdeimlad cryf o rwystredigaeth, ac o ddicter mewn rhai mannau. Y rheswm am hyn yw bod rhieni'n dymuno'r gorau i'w plant; mae hynny’n gwbl ddealladwy. Mae’r dicter yn deillio o’r siom o weld eu plant yn cael darpariaeth sy'n eilradd, neu hyd yn oed yn waeth na hynny.
Yn yr wythnos ddiwethaf, anfonwyd llythyr brawychus gan benaethiaid at bob rhiant a gofalwr yn ardal Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Blaenau Gwent. Roedd hwn yn gam digynsail a oedd yn paentio darlun llwm iawn o ddyfodol y ddarpariaeth addysg yn yr ardal. Roedd y llythyr yn cynnwys y paragraff canlynol:
'Mae cymorth anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yn peri cryn bryder. Ni all ysgolion bellach fforddio recriwtio’r nifer gofynnol o staff i gefnogi ein dysgwyr mwyaf agored i niwed. Bydd yn rhaid i benaethiaid a chyrff llywodraethu wneud y dewis amhosibl rhwng pa blentyn sy'n derbyn cymorth ai peidio.'
Mewn llythyr arall at rieni, gan Gymdeithas Penaethiaid Ysgolion Uwchradd Wrecsam, maent yn pwysleisio y bydd toriadau i gyllidebau addysg yn effeithio ar ddiwygio ADY, gan
'effeithio ar ein dysgwyr mwyaf agored i niwed wrth i wasanaethau cymorth arbenigol gael eu lleihau ar adeg o angen dybryd.'
Ymddengys bod hyn yn achos arall o’r Llywodraeth yn cyflwyno polisi sy’n cael ei groesawu gan bawb ond nad yw’n cael ei ariannu’n llawn. Yn anffodus, plant hynod agored i niwed sy'n talu'r pris ar hyn o bryd.
Mae tanariannu llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru yn arwain at ganlyniadau difrifol i ddarpariaeth ADY, sydd mewn argyfwng, yn ôl pob golwg. O ystyried bod Canolfan Llywodraethiant Cymru wedi amcangyfrif bod ein hawdurdodau lleol yn wynebu bwlch ariannu o £354 miliwn yn y flwyddyn ariannol nesaf, bwlch a allai godi i gymaint â £744 miliwn erbyn 2027-28, mae pethau’n edrych yn llwm. Gyda hyn mewn golwg, hoffwn wybod beth mae’r Llywodraeth yn bwriadu ei wneud am y sefyllfa a sut rydych chi'n mynd i liniaru’r problemau y mae’r teuluoedd hyn yn eu hwynebu. Diolch.
I took some time out from the Children, Young People and Education Committee—a number of years, actually—because some of the things we were discussing became so close to home for me that I found it quite uncomfortable being on the committee, because I'm living this every day, what we've talked about. But now I'm happy to say that I'm in a place where I'm content with the support my daughter, who is severely autistic, is receiving. And I'm back on the committee now, and I have to say that the Minister gave an excellent account of herself this morning. She faced questions on this in detail, and I'd like to just touch on two of those issues later, but I have to say that we've got a Minister there who is incredibly thoughtful and has committed herself to looking at what is not working about this Act, I think you said, Minister, at a granular level, reviewing what has not worked and finding a way through to make those improvements, and doing that in conjunction with the community who have children with additional learning needs and those children themselves.
One of the things that happens when you have a child with additional learning needs, or additional learning needs in your family, is that it isn't a moment of revelation; it's a slow discovery. So, you think you've got a child, particularly if it's a first child, who's just developing as they should, and it slowly, gradually, dawns on you that that is not the case. My daughter was three when she was diagnosed with autism, but all the signs had been there, and I was in a state of denial. It was actually on a holiday that my mother said, 'She's not developing as she should be', and I said, 'Oh, she's fine', but she wasn't and it was obvious to everyone but me and her mother. So, this is a period of discovery, and you must have alongside you the clinical and the educational support to help you through that period. And too often, the educational and clinical support is there, but not connected, so you find yourself in a system. I likened it in a Western Mail article to being in a pinball machine; you're the pinball going around the machine, from place to place. And when you're discovering about your own child, and sometimes discovering about yourself as well, as other parents of autistic children will say, it's difficult when the system is passing you from pillar to post. Those are some of the difficulties that this system has, and we'll look at why in a second.
So, I just wanted to share that personal experience, because it is very similar to the experience that others have said, but I would also say that, as I said in committee this morning, I'm quite lucky in that my daughter is very clearly diagnosable and therefore is very clearly in the right place in the system. The problem you've got is where the children have more grey-area diagnoses, harder to diagnose—it's much harder for them to find their place in the system as well, and I know others have had that experience. That's where we really need to pick up.
But there were two issues that I found in committee this morning that were really interesting to speak to the Minister about. First of all was the different patterns of ALNCO services across Wales. So, the school I visited for the committee in Neath had an ALNCO, a deputy ALNCO and three teaching assistants who were not really teaching assistants—they were mini ALNCOs, supporting that team. It was almost like an ALNCO department, and it was functioning nicely, but they, as Peredur has mentioned, were concerned about the future and the cuts that were coming forward. And as a parent, by the way, I received that letter from Blaenau Gwent.
The other thing I'd say is that I should declare an interest as a governor on Heolddu Comprehensive School; I'm the link governor for ALN. I've met the ALNCO in Heolddu. She is one person, she is excellent, and they've got brilliant computer systems in place, but those systems are no substitute for people on the ground. She's got to do 75 IDPs in a short period of time—it's not easily done. And that isn't because they have fewer resources—different schools have to direct their resources in different places.
The other issue I'd raise is the DECLOs. When we were taking the legislation through the committee, the designated education clinical lead officers we thought were going to be key people in this process, linking education and health, but, for the seven health boards, there are only four DECLOs. Now, the people I went to see in Neath, they talked about Dr Luke Jones very highly, they thought he was an excellent DECLO, but he's one, and he can't do it on his own. And I think that linking education and health—. We said in the committee this morning that health are doing the best they possibly can, education are doing the best they possibly can, but where we need to improve is getting those links between those two services. Schools can't directly contact health boards, they have to go through the local authorities, so schools themselves find themselves like a pinball as well.
I can see my time is up, Dirprwy Lywydd, so I'm just going to say that I very much welcome the commitment the Minister showed in committee this morning, and I think we've started a journey of review now, and we look forward to seeing how that progresses. I would like to thank the Minister for engaging with this so seriously.
Bu'n rhaid imi adael y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg am gyfnod—sawl blwyddyn, a dweud y gwir—gan fod rhai o’r pethau yr oeddem yn eu trafod mor berthnasol i mi fel ei bod yn eithaf anghyfforddus i fod ar y pwyllgor, gan fy mod yn byw'r hyn rydym yn sôn amdano bob dydd. Ond nawr, rwy'n falch o ddweud fy mod mewn man lle rwy'n fodlon ar y cymorth y mae fy merch, sy'n awtistig iawn, yn ei gael. Ac rwy’n ôl ar y pwyllgor bellach, ac mae’n rhaid imi ddweud bod y Gweinidog wedi cael hwyl arni y bore yma. Wynebodd gwestiynau manwl iawn ar hyn, a hoffwn sôn am ddau o’r materion hynny yn nes ymlaen, ond mae’n rhaid imi ddweud bod gennym Weinidog sy’n hynod feddylgar ac sydd wedi ymrwymo i edrych ar yr hyn nad yw’n gweithio am y Ddeddf hon, ar lefel fanwl iawn, fel y dywedoch chi, Weinidog, gan adolygu’r hyn nad yw wedi gweithio a chanfod ffordd o wneud y gwelliannau hynny, a gwneud hynny ar y cyd â’r gymuned sydd â phlant ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yn ogystal â'r plant hynny eu hunain.
Un o'r pethau sy'n digwydd pan fydd gennych blentyn ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol, neu anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yn eich teulu, yw nad yw'n foment o ddatguddiad; mae'n ddarganfyddiad araf. Felly, rydych chi'n credu bod gennych blentyn, yn enwedig os ydynt yn blentyn cyntaf, sy'n datblygu fel y dylent, ac yn araf, yn raddol, mae'n gwawrio arnoch nad yw hynny'n wir. Roedd fy merch yn dair oed pan gafodd ddiagnosis o awtistiaeth, ond roedd yr holl arwyddion wedi bod yno, ac roeddwn wedi bod yn gwadu'r peth. Mewn gwirionedd, roeddwn ar wyliau pan ddywedodd fy mam, 'Nid yw'n datblygu fel y dylai', a dywedais, 'O, mae'n iawn', ond nid oedd yn iawn, ac roedd hynny'n amlwg i bawb ond fi a'i mam. Felly, mae hwn yn gyfnod o ddarganfod, ac mae'n rhaid ichi gael y gefnogaeth glinigol ac addysgol i'ch helpu drwy'r cyfnod hwnnw. Ac yn rhy aml, mae'r gefnogaeth addysgol a chlinigol yno, ond nid ydynt yn gysylltiedig, felly rydych chi mewn system. Mewn erthygl yn y Western Mail, fe wneuthum gymharu'r teimlad â bod mewn peiriant pinbel; chi yw'r bêl yn mynd o gwmpas y peiriant, o le i le. A phan fyddwch yn darganfod pethau am eich plentyn, ac weithiau'n darganfod pethau amdanoch eich hun hefyd, fel y bydd rhieni plant awtistig eraill yn ei ddweud, mae'n anodd pan fydd y system yn eich tynnu i bob cyfeiriad. Dyna rai o anawsterau'r system hon, ac fe edrychwn ar y rhesymau pam yn nes ymlaen.
Felly, roeddwn yn awyddus i rannu’r profiad personol hwnnw, gan ei fod yn debyg iawn i’r profiad y mae eraill wedi'i ddisgrifio, ond byddwn yn dweud hefyd, fel y dywedais yn y pwyllgor y bore yma, fy mod yn eithaf ffodus yn yr ystyr fod fy merch yn amlwg yn hawdd ei diagnosio, ac felly mae'n amlwg iawn ei bod yn y lle iawn yn y system. Y broblem sydd gennych yw lle mae'r plant mewn tir llwyd, yn anos eu diagnosio—mae'n llawer anos iddynt ddod o hyd i'w lle yn y system, a gwn fod eraill wedi cael y profiad hwnnw. Dyna ble mae gwir angen inni wella.
Ond roedd dau fater yn y pwyllgor y bore yma yr oedd yn ddiddorol iawn siarad â’r Gweinidog yn eu cylch. Y cyntaf oedd gwahanol batrymau gwasanaethau cydlynwyr ADY ledled Cymru. Felly, roedd gan yr ysgol yr ymwelais â hi ar gyfer y pwyllgor yng Nghastell-nedd gydlynydd ADY, dirprwy gydlynydd ADY a thri chynorthwyydd addysgu nad oeddent yn gynorthwywyr addysgu mewn gwirionedd—roeddent yn gydlynwyr ADY, yn y bôn, yn cefnogi'r tîm hwnnw. Roedd bron fel adran cydlynwyr ADY, ac roedd yn gweithio'n dda, ond fel y mae Peredur wedi sôn, roeddent yn pryderu am y dyfodol a’r toriadau a oedd ar y gorwel. Ac fel rhiant, gyda llaw, derbyniais y llythyr hwnnw gan gyngor Blaenau Gwent.
Y peth arall yr hoffwn ei ddweud yw y dylwn ddatgan buddiant fel un o lywodraethwyr Ysgol Gyfun Heolddu; fi yw'r llywodraethwr cyswllt ar gyfer ADY. Rwyf wedi cyfarfod â'r cydlynydd ADY yn ysgol Heolddu. Mae'n un person, mae'n ardderchog, ac mae ganddynt systemau cyfrifiadurol gwych ar waith, ond nid yw'r systemau hynny'n cymryd lle pobl ar lawr gwlad. Mae'n rhaid iddi wneud 75 CDU mewn cyfnod byr o amser—nid yw hynny'n hawdd. Ac nid oherwydd bod ganddynt lai o adnoddau—mae'n rhaid i wahanol ysgolion gyfeirio eu hadnoddau i wahanol leoedd.
Y mater arall yr hoffwn ei godi yw swyddogion arweiniol clinigol dynodedig addysg (SACDA). Pan oeddem yn mynd â’r ddeddfwriaeth drwy’r pwyllgor, roeddem yn credu y byddai'r swyddogion arweiniol clinigol dynodedig addysg yn bobl allweddol yn y broses hon, yn cysylltu addysg ac iechyd, ond ar gyfer y saith bwrdd iechyd, ni cheir ond pedwar swyddog SACDA. Nawr, y bobl yr euthum i'w gweld yng Nghastell-nedd, roeddent yn canmol Dr Luke Jones i'r cymylau, roeddent yn credu ei fod yn swyddog SACDA rhagorol, ond un ydyw, ac ni all wneud hyn ar ei ben ei hun. A chredaf fod cysylltu addysg ac iechyd—. Dywedasom yn y pwyllgor y bore yma fod iechyd yn gwneud ei orau, fod addysg yn gwneud ei orau, ond mae angen inni wella'r cysylltiadau rhwng y ddau wasanaeth. Ni all ysgolion gysylltu â byrddau iechyd yn uniongyrchol, mae'n rhaid iddynt fynd drwy'r awdurdodau lleol, felly mae'r ysgolion eu hunain fel pinbeli hefyd.
Gallaf weld bod fy amser ar ben, Ddirprwy Lywydd, felly rwyf am ddweud fy mod yn croesawu'r ymrwymiad a ddangosodd y Gweinidog yn y pwyllgor y bore yma yn fawr, a chredaf ein bod wedi cychwyn ar daith adolygu nawr, ac edrychwn ymlaen at weld sut y bydd honno'n datblygu. Hoffwn ddiolch i’r Gweinidog am ymwneud â hyn mewn modd mor gydwybodol.
Diolch yn fawr iawn i'r rhai hynny sydd wedi dod â'r ddeiseb yma ger ein bron—deiseb sydd yn amlwg yn un andros o bwysig, ond yn un sydd wedi dod o brofiad byw llawer iawn gormod o bobl. Ac mae o’n fater sydd wedi'i amlygu ac yn ymddangos yn llawer rhy aml bellach yn fy inbox i, yn fy ngwaith i. Dwi’n gweld llawer iawn gormod o rieni yn cysylltu â fi yn y swyddfa yn pryderu am eu plant nhw. Ac yn union fel mae’r ddeiseb yn dweud, yn enwedig i’r plant yna sydd o dan bump oed, yr ymateb yn llawer rhy aml ydy bod yna ragdybiaeth bod y plant yna sydd o dan bump yn mynd i ddal lan ar ryw bwynt efo gweddill y disgyblion. Er eu bod nhw’n dangos nodweddion clir iawn o oedran cynnar iawn fod yna anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yna, mae yna ragdybiaeth mai dal i fyny fyddan nhw. Felly, does yna ddim dealltwriaeth yn y system o beth ydy anghenion plant sydd efo anghenion dysgu ychwanegol.
Hefyd, yn llawer rhy aml, fel rydyn ni wedi clywed efo Hefin yn dweud hyn rŵan, rydyn ni’n gweld bod y gyfundrefn addysg a’r gwasanaethau iechyd yn methu â siarad efo’i gilydd. Mae yna un adran yn cymryd cyfrifoldeb, neu mae yna adran arall yn cymryd cyfrifoldeb, ond dydyn nhw ddim yn siarad efo’i gilydd a ddim yn rhannu’r wybodaeth yna, sydd yn andros o rwystredig i riant sydd ddim ond yn trio cael y gorau i’w blentyn neu ei phlentyn. Felly, mae’n rhaid i ni weld system lle mae’r ddwy elfen yna yn cydweithio llawer iawn yn agosach ac yn medru rhannu’r wybodaeth yna.
Ond y gwir sylfaenol ydy, fel rydyn ni wedi cyffwrdd arno fo, ac fel rydyn ni wedi clywed yn huawdl iawn yma heddiw, does yna ddim digon o arian ac adnoddau yn cael eu rhoi mewn i’r system er mwyn galluogi’r gwasanaeth i weithio dros ein plant ni. Mae’r diffyg yna o’r adnoddau sy’n cael eu rhoi mewn yn dal pobl a theuluoedd yn ôl, ac rydyn ni’n gweld plant a phobl ifanc sydd yn mynd drwy gyfnodau dysgu maith cyn eu bod nhw’n cael y ddealltwriaeth a chael y diagnosis yna. Mae gen i enghreifftiau yn fy etholaeth i o blant sydd yn chwech oed ac yn gofyn am ddiagnosis ac yn methu cael diagnosis nes eu bod nhw’n 12 neu'n 13. Maen nhw wedi mynd trwy gyfnod ysgol gynradd ac wedi dechrau paratoi i fynd i’r ail gyfnod dysgu, ysgol uwchradd, cyn eu bod nhw’n cael diagnosis. Dydy hynna ddim yn ddigon da, ac mae o hyd yn oed yn waeth, credwch neu beidio, i’r plant hynny sydd yn disgwyl diagnosis trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, lle mae’r cyfnod aros hyn yn oed yn hirach. Felly, mae’n rhaid i ni weld yr adnoddau yna yn cael eu rhoi mewn er mwyn bod y plant yn cael y gefnogaeth angenrheidiol.
Ond y cwestiwn sydd gennyf i, felly, i’r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ydy: o ystyried yr angen am ddiagnosis, yr aros am ddiagnosis sydd gennym ni, a’r ffaith bod cynifer o bobl yn gorfod aros cyhyd, oni gwell, mewn gwirionedd, fyddai, yn hytrach nag aros am ddiagnosis, yn lle, rhoi’r gefnogaeth angenrheidiol i blant sydd yn dangos nodweddion o anghenion dysgu ychwanegol, a’u bod nhw’n cael y gefnogaeth yna heb eu bod nhw’n gorfod aros am ddiagnosis, yn lle eu bod nhw’n cael eu dal yn ôl, fel eu bod nhw’n cael y gefnogaeth angenrheidiol trwy eu haddysg? Ydy hynna ddim yn ffordd well o weithredu? Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi.
Thank you very much to those who brought this petition before us—a petition that is clearly hugely important, but one that has emerged from the lived experience of far too many people. And it is an issue that comes up far too often now in my own inbox, in my day-to-day work. I see far too many parents contacting me in the office concerned about their children. And just as the petition says, particularly for those children under five, the response far too often is that there is an assumption that those children under five will at some point catch up with the rest of the pupils. Although they show very clear traits from a very young age that they do have additional learning needs, there is a presumption that they will catch up. So, there is no understanding in the system of what the needs of children with additional learning needs are.
Also, far too often, as we’ve heard with Hefin saying this just now, we see that the education system and the health service can’t communicate effectively with each other. There is one department taking responsibility or another taking responsibility, but they don’t talk to each other and they don’t share that information, which is hugely frustrating for a parent who is only seeking the best for his or her child. So, we do have to see a system where both of those elements work far more closely together and are able to share that information.
But the fundamental truth is, as we’ve touched upon, and as we’ve heard expressed very eloquently here today, there isn’t enough money and resource put into the system in order to allow the service to work for our children. And the shortage of resource is holding people and families back, and we see children and young people who are going through long periods of education before they get that understanding and get that diagnosis. I have examples in my own constituency of children who are six years old seeking a diagnosis and can’t get that diagnosis until they’re 12 or even 13. They’ve gone through the whole of primary school and are preparing to go into the secondary sector before they even get a diagnosis. That simply isn’t good enough, and it’s even worse, believe it or not, for those children who are waiting for a diagnosis through the medium of Welsh, where the waiting time is even longer. So, we must see those resources put in place so that those children do get the necessary support.
But my question to the Cabinet Secretary, therefore, is: given the need for a diagnosis, the long waits for diagnosis that we’re experiencing, and the fact that so many people are having to wait so long, wouldn’t it be better, in truth, rather than wait for a diagnosis, to provide the necessary support to children who do show traits associated with additional learning needs, so that they receive that support without having to wait for a diagnosis, and rather than them being held back, that they’re given the proper support throughout their education? Isn’t that a better way of doing things? Thank you.
Galwaf ar Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg, Lynne Neagle.
I call on the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle.
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. Firstly, I'd like to thank Jack Sargeant and the Petitions Committee for bringing this debate forward, and I'd like to thank ALN Reform Wales for the work on their petition. I know many of those involved in ALN Reform Wales will be listening today, and I want to thank them for their determination to deliver an inclusive, quality education for all learners across Wales. I want them to know that I'm listening. I really do share their ambition. ALN has been an immediate focus for me since I started in this position six weeks ago. I care passionately about delivering for all learners, including children with ALN.
The aims for education reforms are really ambitious, systemic changes to culture and practice in Wales. It is crucial that children and young people have their needs identified and responded to, and that we take a whole-school approach to meeting their needs. We must remember that it is still relatively early days. ALN reform was always going to be an incredibly ambitious programme of change that will go beyond the implementation period of transferring from the SEN to ALN system.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Yn gyntaf, hoffwn ddiolch i Jack Sargeant a’r Pwyllgor Deisebau am gyflwyno’r ddadl hon, a hoffwn ddiolch i Diwygio ADY Cymru am y gwaith ar eu deiseb. Gwn y bydd llawer o’r bobl sy’n ymwneud â Diwygio ADY Cymru yn gwrando heddiw, a hoffwn ddiolch iddynt am eu penderfynoldeb i ddarparu addysg gynhwysol o safon i bob dysgwr ledled Cymru. Rwyf am iddynt wybod fy mod yn gwrando. Rwy'n sicr yn rhannu eu huchelgais. Mae ADY wedi bod yn ffocws uniongyrchol i mi ers imi ddechrau yn y swydd hon chwe wythnos yn ôl. Rwy’n angerddol o blaid cyflawni ar ran pob dysgwr, gan gynnwys plant ag ADY.
Mae’r amcanion ar gyfer diwygio addysg yn newidiadau systemig, uchelgeisiol iawn i ddiwylliant ac ymarfer yng Nghymru. Mae'n hanfodol fod anghenion plant a phobl ifanc yn cael eu nodi ac yr ymatebir iddynt, a'n bod yn defnyddio dull ysgol gyfan i ddiwallu eu hanghenion. Mae'n rhaid inni gofio ei bod yn ddyddiau cymharol gynnar o hyd. Roedd diwygio ADY bob amser yn mynd i fod yn rhaglen newid hynod uchelgeisiol a fydd yn mynd y tu hwnt i’r cyfnod gweithredu o bontio o AAA i'r system ADY.
Over the last few weeks, I've made it my priority to listen to children and young people, to parents, to school leaders, ALNCOs and practitioners, DECLOs, local authorities and the president of the education tribunal for Wales, to hear how the reforms are going on the ground. Last week, I visited Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun y Nant and saw the work they are doing to meet the needs of all the children in the school, and we do have much to be proud of. There's some excellent practice happening in schools. The sector is embedding the new system and person-centred practice, all while running the SEN system in parallel.
So, I do want to thank everyone in schools, further education, local authorities and in health boards who are working so hard to deliver on what is a complex and challenging reform agenda. But I do recognise there are real challenges. I've listened to parents from ALN Reform Wales who told me of their experiences and concerns with the system and the ALN code. I've digested the monitoring and evidence reports. I met with the president of the education tribunal for Wales. I'm worried that some children, young people and families may not be getting the support they need now.
I'm making it my priority to act now to improve the implementation of the ALN system, focusing on the fundamental issues that are being raised with me. My priorities going forward are twofold. Firstly, I want to ensure firm legislative foundations are in place to underpin our policy aims, and that we have the data we need for oversight. I have asked my officials to work through options for me on this. Secondly, this isn't just about the law. I want to strengthen implementation now. I'm going to personally drive this to increase the consistency of interpretation and approach to implementation of ALN reforms.
We will keep working with local authorities to understand the barriers at a local level, and support them to fulfil their current statutory duties. This will include making sure that the legal definition of ALN and local authority duties are clearly understood and applied. I want to ensure that we have the right data and accountability to monitor performance, and that equity and inclusion are at the heart of our school improvement work.
I will also continue to invest in ALN. Today, I've announced an extra £20 million funding to ensure that school environments are accessible and inclusive for all learners. This financial year, we've protected £56.3 million to implement reforms and boost resources and support in schools, further education institutions and local authorities. Educators have such a vital role and need more support to understand and respond to the diversity in the classroom. I'm really pleased that we're developing new professional learning on child development, neurodivergence and mental health to support more inclusive environments, high-quality teaching and learning, and holistic practice.
Throughout this, I want to continue listening and building learner and parental confidence in the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018, and education in Wales, by working with local authorities and responding to what families are telling us. This includes families receiving consistent communication and understanding the ALN system. Of course, this builds on work already under way to strengthen the leadership approach to drive forward the remaining period of implementation.
My officials have already taken action to strengthen our accountability mechanisms through termly meetings with key delivery partners to explore issues, support and challenge implementation. Estyn are delivering the second phase of their review to understand action within local authorities and schools on recommendations from their autumn review, and the second phase of their evaluation is under way. And officials have held productive fora with local authorities, Estyn and the education tribunal for Wales to share what's going well and what needs to improve and to clarify legal interpretations of the Act and code.
In response, local authorities are actively learning and reviewing their local policies. They have surfaced fantastic examples of effective practice that have been shared between practitioners, through national equity and inclusion network events and case studies available on Hwb. And I'm really pleased that a new health and education multi-agency group is working together to improve health and education collaboration, and to work through the operational issues. But I recognise there is more work to do to join up health and education, and I don't want any parents ping-ponged around the system.
I'm really pleased that we've recruited a new national Welsh language implementation lead to drive forward the vital area of promoting the Welsh language within our ALN system. But we do hear too often that the families of children with ALN have to fight for the right support and education, and this must change. I am committed to acting now to improve the ALN system, and I will work collaboratively with all partners and parents to do this. Diolch.
Dros yr ychydig wythnosau diwethaf, rwyf wedi ei gwneud yn flaenoriaeth i wrando ar blant a phobl ifanc, ar rieni, ar arweinwyr ysgolion, cydlynwyr ac addysgwyr ADY, swyddogion SACDA, awdurdodau lleol a llywydd tribiwnlys addysg Cymru, i glywed sut mae'r diwygiadau'n mynd rhagddynt ar lawr gwlad. Yr wythnos diwethaf, ymwelais ag Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun y Nant a gweld y gwaith y maent yn ei wneud ar ddiwallu anghenion holl blant yr ysgol, ac mae gennym lawer i fod yn falch ohono. Mae ymarfer rhagorol i'w weld mewn ysgolion. Mae'r sector yn ymwreiddio'r system newydd ac ymarfer sy'n canolbwyntio ar yr unigolyn ochr yn ochr â'r system AAA.
Felly, hoffwn ddiolch i bawb mewn ysgolion, addysg bellach, awdurdodau lleol ac mewn byrddau iechyd sy'n gweithio mor galed i gyflawni'r agenda ddiwygio gymhleth a heriol hon. Ond rwy'n cydnabod bod yna heriau gwirioneddol. Rwyf wedi gwrando ar rieni o Diwygio ADY Cymru a ddywedodd wrthyf am eu profiadau a’u pryderon ynghylch y system a’r cod ADY. Rwyf wedi ystyried yr adroddiadau monitro a thystiolaeth. Cyfarfûm â llywydd tribiwnlys addysg Cymru. Rwy'n poeni efallai nad yw rhai plant, pobl ifanc a theuluoedd yn cael y cymorth sydd ei angen arnynt ar hyn o bryd.
Rwy'n ei gwneud yn flaenoriaeth i weithredu ar unwaith i wella gweithrediad y system ADY, gan ganolbwyntio ar y problemau sylfaenol sy'n cael eu dwyn i fy sylw. Mae dwy flaenoriaeth gennyf ar gyfer y dyfodol. Yn gyntaf, hoffwn sicrhau bod gennym sylfeini deddfwriaethol cadarn i ategu ein nodau polisi, a bod gennym y data sydd ei angen arnom ar gyfer trosolwg. Rwyf wedi gofyn i fy swyddogion weithio drwy opsiynau i mi ar hyn. Yn ail, mae hyn yn ymwneud â mwy na'r gyfraith. Rwyf am gryfhau gweithrediad nawr. Rwy'n mynd i roi pwyslais ar hyn yn bersonol i gynyddu cysondeb y dehongliad a'r dull o weithredu diwygiadau ADY.
Byddwn yn parhau i weithio gydag awdurdodau lleol i ddeall y rhwystrau ar lefel leol, ac yn eu cefnogi i gyflawni eu dyletswyddau statudol presennol. Bydd hyn yn cynnwys sicrhau bod y diffiniad cyfreithiol o ADY a dyletswyddau awdurdodau lleol yn cael eu deall yn glir ac yn cael eu cyflawni. Rwyf am sicrhau bod gennym y data a’r atebolrwydd cywir i fonitro perfformiad, a bod tegwch a chynhwysiant wrth wraidd ein gwaith o wella ysgolion.
Byddaf hefyd yn parhau i fuddsoddi mewn ADY. Heddiw, rwyf wedi cyhoeddi cyllid ychwanegol o £20 miliwn i sicrhau bod amgylcheddau ysgol yn hygyrch ac yn gynhwysol i bob dysgwr. Yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon, rydym wedi diogelu £56.3 miliwn i roi diwygiadau ar waith a hybu adnoddau a chymorth mewn ysgolion, sefydliadau addysg bellach ac awdurdodau lleol. Mae gan addysgwyr rôl mor hanfodol, ac mae angen mwy o gefnogaeth arnynt i ddeall ac ymateb i'r amrywiaeth yn yr ystafell ddosbarth. Rwy'n falch iawn ein bod yn datblygu dysgu proffesiynol newydd ar ddatblygiad plant, niwrowahaniaeth ac iechyd meddwl i gefnogi amgylcheddau mwy cynhwysol, addysgu a dysgu o ansawdd uchel, ac ymarfer cyfannol.
Drwy gydol y broses, rwyf am barhau i wrando a meithrin hyder dysgwyr a rhieni yn Neddf Anghenion Dysgu Ychwanegol a’r Tribiwnlys Addysg (Cymru) 2018, ac addysg yng Nghymru, drwy weithio gydag awdurdodau lleol ac ymateb i’r hyn y mae teuluoedd yn ei ddweud wrthym. Mae hyn yn cynnwys sicrhau y ceir cyfathrebu cyson â theuluoedd a sicrhau eu bod yn deall y system ADY. Wrth gwrs, mae hyn yn adeiladu ar waith sydd eisoes yn mynd rhagddo ar gryfhau’r dull arwain er mwyn bwrw ymlaen â’r cyfnod gweithredu sy’n weddill.
Mae fy swyddogion eisoes wedi gweithredu i gryfhau ein mecanweithiau atebolrwydd drwy gyfarfodydd tymhorol gyda phartneriaid cyflawni allweddol i archwilio materion, cefnogi a herio gweithrediad. Mae Estyn yn cyflwyno ail gam eu hadolygiad i ddeall camau gweithredu o fewn awdurdodau lleol ac ysgolion ar argymhellion o’u hadolygiad yn yr hydref, ac mae ail gam eu gwerthusiad ar y gweill. Ac mae swyddogion wedi cynnal fforymau cynhyrchiol gydag awdurdodau lleol, Estyn a thribiwnlys addysg Cymru i rannu'r hyn sy'n mynd yn dda a'r hyn y mae angen ei wella ac i egluro dehongliadau cyfreithiol o'r Ddeddf a'r cod.
Mewn ymateb, mae awdurdodau lleol yn mynd ati i ddysgu ac adolygu eu polisïau lleol. Maent wedi nodi enghreifftiau gwych o ymarfer effeithiol sydd wedi’i rannu rhwng addysgwyr, drwy ddigwyddiadau rhwydweithio tegwch a chynhwysiant cenedlaethol ac astudiaethau achos sydd ar gael ar Hwb. Ac rwy’n falch iawn fod grŵp amlasiantaethol iechyd ac addysg newydd yn gweithio gyda’i gilydd i wella cydweithio ym maes iechyd ac addysg, ac i weithio drwy’r materion gweithredol. Ond rwy'n cydnabod bod mwy o waith i'w wneud i gydgysylltu iechyd ac addysg, ac nid wyf am i unrhyw rieni gael eu tynnu i bob cyfeiriad o fewn y system.
Rwy'n falch iawn ein bod wedi recriwtio arweinydd gweithredu cyfrwng Cymraeg cenedlaethol newydd i fwrw ymlaen â'r gwaith hanfodol o hyrwyddo'r Gymraeg o fewn ein system ADY. Ond rydym yn clywed yn rhy aml fod yn rhaid i deuluoedd plant ag ADY frwydro am y cymorth a’r addysg gywir, ac mae’n rhaid i hyn newid. Rwyf wedi ymrwymo i weithredu ar unwaith i wella’r system ADY, a byddaf yn gweithio ar y cyd â’r holl bartneriaid a rhieni i wneud hyn. Diolch.
Galwaf ar Jack Sargeant i ymateb i'r ddadl.
I call on Jack Sargeant to reply to the debate.
Diolch yn fawr, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can I thank members of the Business Committee in the Senedd for granting us additional time to have this debate today? I thought there were good contributions from all Members, and I thank them for it, and for the Minister's positive response, a response of acting now and wanting to act now, sharing the ambition of the ALN Reform Wales group, and all those petitioners who signed the other petitions. The Minister continued to say that the priority was to listen, and the priority now is to act, ensuring the legislative framework is one that is sound and one where data is being collected as well, to strengthen the implementation of the Act, and personally have the ambition of tackling the inconsistencies across the country. I think that'll be a welcome announcement from the Minister, along with the funding announced earlier today.
We heard from Buffy Williams, the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee, a former member of the Petitions Committee, about the third check-in that we had with the Cabinet Secretary earlier on this morning, highlighting the evidence that they've heard throughout their inquiries. Sam Rowlands, again, talked about the important work of the petitioners, particularly ALN Reform Wales, who I know have met with the Cabinet Secretary, who've met with many Members of the Senedd and our teams. I know I've met with the members, Victoria and others, and my clerking team have as well, and I should thank the clerking team to the committee as well.
Heledd Fychan and Mabon ap Gwynfor spoke about the importance of support in the medium of Welsh, and that is something that was raised this morning in the Children, Young People and Education Committee, and something that needs to be on top of the agenda of the Cabinet Secretary's work, going forward. We heard lots of personal experiences, local experiences and situations, from Vikki, Peredur Owen Griffiths and Mabon again. I think, Vikki, you mentioned ASD Rainbows and praised them for all the work that they do in being responsive and supporting parents and families with children with additional learning needs.
I should mention, Presiding Officer, in closing, Hefin David's contribution, who, in the last Senedd—he mentioned his time on the Children, Young People and Education Committee, and having to come away from that due to his own personal situation. I think we should place on record our thanks to Hefin David for the work that he did, not just during that time, but since then and going forward, on the committee. I know, in the conversations I've had with Hefin David privately, as friends, Presiding Officer—we do have some, between us—that both his daughters are extremely lucky to have him fighting their corner and to have him as their dad.
Heledd said that parents are doing their very best for their child and fighting their corner for their child, and it's that level of unfairness where, sometimes, the system—you know, they shouldn't have to fight that hard. And I hope, with the Cabinet Secretary's ambition and recognition of that, we can come to a better place for these children who deserve a better education—an education, as I pointed out in the opening, Presiding Officer, that is fit for their needs, the one that they very much deserve. We should do all we can to do that.
I hope that this debate has been a further step in the right direction today. To me, it sounds like it has. I want to pay final thanks to the petitioner, Victoria Lightbown, and all of the other campaigners who have raised this issue today. What they were particularly keen to stress is that they want to be part of the solution going forward. I know they've had conversations with the Cabinet Secretary as well, but it's how we make those solutions a reality for their children and other children across Wales. I hope that they can be very much part of that solution. They've pointed out some key points in this petition, one being the education and health link, which we heard from Hefin and others, and the Cabinet Secretary, but they do have more ideas, and I hope that their thoughts can continue to be listened to by the Welsh Government and acted upon. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Diolch yn fawr, Ddirprwy Lywydd. A gaf i ddiolch i aelodau’r Pwyllgor Busnes yn y Senedd am roi amser ychwanegol inni gael y ddadl hon heddiw? Credaf inni gael cyfraniadau da gan yr holl Aelodau, a diolch iddynt am hynny, ac am ymateb cadarnhaol y Gweinidog, ymateb o weithredu nawr ac awydd i weithredu nawr, gan rannu uchelgais grŵp Diwygio ADY Cymru, a’r holl ddeisebwyr a lofnododd y deisebau eraill. Aeth y Gweinidog ymlaen i ddweud mai’r flaenoriaeth oedd gwrando, a’r flaenoriaeth bellach yw gweithredu, gan sicrhau bod y fframwaith deddfwriaethol yn un sy’n gadarn ac yn un lle mae data’n cael ei gasglu hefyd, er mwyn cryfhau gweithrediad y Ddeddf, a chael uchelgais personol i fynd i’r afael â’r anghysondebau ledled y wlad. Rwy'n credu y bydd yn gyhoeddiad i’w groesawu gan y Gweinidog, ynghyd â’r cyllid a gyhoeddwyd yn gynharach heddiw.
Clywsom gan Buffy Williams, Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg, cyn-aelod o’r Pwyllgor Deisebau, am y drydedd sgwrs a gawsom gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn gynharach y bore yma, i dynnu sylw at y dystiolaeth a glywsant drwy gydol eu hymholiadau. Soniodd Sam Rowlands, unwaith eto, am waith pwysig y deisebwyr, yn enwedig Diwygio ADY Cymru, y gwn iddynt gyfarfod ag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, sydd wedi cyfarfod â llawer o Aelodau’r Senedd a’n timau. Gwn fy mod wedi cyfarfod â’r aelodau, Victoria ac eraill, a bod fy nhîm clercio wedi cyfarfod â nhw hefyd, a dylwn ddiolch i dîm clercio’r pwyllgor hefyd.
Soniodd Heledd Fychan a Mabon ap Gwynfor am bwysigrwydd cymorth drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, ac mae hynny’n rhywbeth a godwyd y bore yma yn y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg, ac yn rhywbeth y mae angen iddo fod ar frig yr agenda yng ngwaith Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet wrth symud ymlaen. Clywsom lawer o brofiadau personol, profiadau lleol a sefyllfaoedd, gan Vikki, Peredur Owen Griffiths a Mabon eto. Credaf ichi sôn, Vikki, am ASD Rainbows, a’u canmol am yr holl waith a wnânt yn cefnogi ac yn ymateb i rieni a theuluoedd â phlant ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol.
Wrth gloi, Lywydd, dylwn grybwyll cyfraniad Hefin David, a soniodd, yn y Senedd ddiwethaf—soniodd am ei amser yn y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg, a’i fod wedi gorfod gadael oherwydd ei sefyllfa bersonol. Rwy'n credu y dylem gofnodi ein diolch i Hefin David am ei waith, nid yn unig yn y cyfnod hwnnw, ond ers hynny ac wrth symud ymlaen, yn y pwyllgor. Drwy'r sgyrsiau preifat a gefais gyda Hefin David, fel ffrindiau, Lywydd—rydym yn cael ambell un, rhyngom—gwn fod ei ddwy ferch yn hynod ffodus i’w gael yn ymladd ar eu rhan ac i’w gael fel tad.
Dywedodd Heledd fod rhieni'n gwneud eu gorau glas dros eu plentyn ac yn ymladd ar ran eu plentyn, a'r lefel honno o annhegwch lle mae'r system weithiau—hynny yw, ni ddylent orfod ymladd mor galed â hynny. A chydag uchelgais Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet a chydnabyddiaeth o hynny, rwy'n gobeithio y gallwn gyrraedd lle gwell i'r plant hyn sy’n haeddu gwell addysg—addysg, fel y nodais wrth agor, Lywydd, sy’n addas ar gyfer eu hanghenion, yr addysg y maent yn ei haeddu'n fawr iawn. Dylem wneud popeth a allwn i sicrhau hynny.
Rwy'n gobeithio bod y ddadl hon wedi bod yn gam pellach i’r cyfeiriad cywir heddiw. I mi, mae'n swnio felly. Hoffwn ddiolch unwaith eto i’r deisebydd, Victoria Lightbown, a phob un o’r ymgyrchwyr eraill sydd wedi codi’r mater hwn heddiw. Roeddent yn arbennig o awyddus i bwysleisio eu bod am fod yn rhan o’r ateb wrth symud ymlaen. Gwn eu bod wedi cael sgyrsiau gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet hefyd, ond dyna sut y gwireddwn yr atebion hynny i'w plant a phlant eraill ledled Cymru. Rwy'n gobeithio y gallant yn sicr fod yn rhan o’r ateb hwnnw. Maent wedi tynnu sylw at bwyntiau allweddol yn y ddeiseb hon, gan gynnwys y cysylltiad rhwng addysg ac iechyd, fel y clywsom gan Hefin ac eraill, ac Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, ond mae ganddynt fwy o syniadau, ac rwy'n gobeithio y gall Llywodraeth Cymru barhau i wrando ar eu syniadau a gweithredu arnynt. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Y cwestiwn yw: a ddylid nodi'r ddeiseb? A oes unrhyw Aelod yn gwrthwynebu? Nac oes. Felly, derbynnir y cynnig yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 12.36.
The proposal is to note the petition. Does any Member object? No. The motion is therefore agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
Derbyniwyd y cynnig yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 12.36.
Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
Detholwyd y gwelliannau canlynol: gwelliannau 1, 2 a 4 yn enw Darren Millar, a gwelliant 3 yn enw Jane Hutt.
The following amendments have been selected: amendments, 1, 2 and 4 in the name of Darren Millar, and amendment 3 in the name of Jane Hutt.
Eitem 8 heddiw yw dadl Plaid Cymru: adfer tomenni glo a phyllau glo brig. Galwaf ar Delyth Jewell i wneud y cynnig.
Item 8 today is the Plaid Cymru debate on coal tip and opencast mine remediation. I call on Delyth Jewell to move the motion.
Cynnig NDM8570 Heledd Fychan
Cynnig bod y Senedd hon:
1. Yn nodi:
a) bod Cymru’n gartref i 40 y cant o’r holl domenni glo sy’n weddill yn y DU, a hynny o ganlyniad i ymelwa ar adnoddau naturiol Cymru;
b) bod gan fwy o law a thywydd eithafol y potensial i ansefydlogi'r tomenni hyn ymhellach; ac
c) y pryder a achosir i breswylwyr sy'n byw ger tomenni segur, pyllau glo brig a safleoedd ôl-ddiwydiannol eraill.
2. Yn gresynu bod Llywodraeth y DU yn gwrthod darparu cyllid i gefnogi'r gwaith o adfer ac ail-bwrpasu tomenni segur, pyllau glo brig a safleoedd ôl-ddiwydiannol eraill yn y tymor hir.
3. Yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i gyflwyno deddfwriaeth ar frys i sefydlu corff newydd i ddarparu rhaglen adfer addas i'r diben ar gyfer tomenni segur, pyllau glo brig a safleoedd ôl-ddiwydiannol eraill.
4) Yn galw ar Lywodraeth y DU i ddarparu ar frys yr arian ychwanegol angenrheidiol ar gyfer y gyfundrefn archwilio a chynnal a chadw, yn ogystal ag ysgwyddo’r cyfrifoldeb ariannol hirdymor am ddiogelu tomenni segur, pyllau glo brig a safleoedd ôl-ddiwydiannol eraill drwy waith adfer priodol.
Motion NDM8570 Heledd Fychan
To propose that this Senedd:
1. Notes:
a) that Wales has 40 per cent of the residual coal tips of the UK, which are a legacy of the exploitation of Wales’s natural resources;
b) that increased rainfall and extreme weather has the potential to further destabilise these tips; and
c) the anxiety caused for residents who live near disused tips, open cast mines and other post-industrial sites.
2. Regrets that the UK Government refuses to provide funding to support the long-term remediation and repurposing of disused tips, open cast mines and other post-industrial sites.
3. Calls on the Welsh Government to urgently introduce legislation to establish a new body to set up a fit-for-purpose remediation programme for disused tips, open cast mines and other post-industrial sites.
4) Calls on the UK Government to urgently provide the necessary additional funding for the inspection and maintenance regime and bear the long-term financial responsibility for making disused tips, open cast mines and other post-industrial sites safe through proper remediation.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. In Wales, our landscapes wear the wounds of our exploited past: the coal tips that darken our Valleys and leave scars on the skyline. The history of coal mining is what shaped us; whole communities conjured out of grit and determination, villages and terraced streets built hastily as houses for the miners who were sent underground. Those men seldom saw the sun, and went home blackened and wheezing. So many of their lives were lost in those cramped, dark tunnels—lives spent in the gloom, whilst their spoils, the black gold they ripped from the earth with their hands, were taken up and loaded into wagons and trains and shipped to every corner of someone else's empire. The waste was left behind—not in tunnels, but piled on top of the mountains. The trash, the muck, all that was worthless, was gathered and heaped onto the hills above the pits, above our heads—not a hoard of gold, but of grime that still looms over us and litters the landscape.
More than 2,000 of these coal tips remain. Those with the highest risk come with the threat of landslips, more flooding, or even that they might burst into flames because of the combustible coal that's still caught amongst the spoil—the bits the owners couldn't prise out. How did it come to this? How was it that the wealth created by coal was stolen from our towns and used to line the pockets of pit owners and industrialists, leaving us with the rubbish and ruin? How did we come to be saddled with the guilts of dirt and dust? It was because our Valleys were exploited. Our riches were ripped from us, laying waste to the land and those who lived there. Our communities were savaged by that industry, and there remains no greater sign of that befoulment than the coal tips that watch over us, blocking out the sun, a final insult to the miners who dreamed in their days of daylight.
And today, a new industry is emerging: companies that come to the villages and promise to rid the people of these spectres, just so long as they can try their hand at prising out the coal from the rubble. These promises of reclamation come at a price, because before the land is restored to its former glory, it seems it must be ravaged and plundered again, and communities like Bedwas and Sirhowy could face years of soot and digging with only the pledge of a private company that what will come later will be worth it. Some companies make good on their promises, or part of them; others don't, claiming at the end of projects that not enough money remains for restoring, it's all gone on draining every drop of profit from the sites. It's no wonder some are distrustful, because our Valleys have been bitten before.
And it's not just the coal tips that are being ransacked; opencast sites across the coalfield are becoming the playthings of profiteers. East Pit in Swansea and Ffos-y-fran in Merthyr are the latest sites to be pillaged for their resource and abandoned when companies must make good on their promises. It is the effects of climate change, Dirprwy Lywydd, that pose the greatest threat to these sites—heavy rainfall that risks seeping into the soil. Of course, our communities must be protected. Of course, the risk these sites pose must be eliminated, but allowing new coal extraction to emerge for an illicit new industry to exploit our land should not be the answer. Making these sites safe should not be the responsibility of private companies. Our landscapes should not again be put at the mercy of moneymakers. Our Government must bring in new laws, not just for monitoring the sites, but overseeing their restoration, and that law must cover both coal tips and opencast sites.
I welcome the work that's happened to monitor and map the tips that exist. Legislation must go further. What is happening with the tips and opencast sites are not distinct phenomena. The same patterns emerge time after time—not just holes in the ground, but loopholes in law, allowing companies to dig for coal to be sold and burned. That doesn't seem like progress for our people or planet. But they must be made safe.
So, who should be called to account? At whose door should we lay a claim, lay the blame for this dereliction? The coal tips that litter our lands, the wounds that have never healed. Westminster denies all culpability for these coal tips, claiming devolution has washed their hands of their duty. But you cannot devolve the past. You cannot use devolution to avoid obligations or absolve you of the guilt of what has gone before. Wales's coal fuelled the spoils of empire. It fanned the fleets of other nations' wars. Obscene wealth was made from its profits. The first £1 million cheque in world history was signed with the blood of lost miners, but not a penny was spent in communities that paid for this loss with the men and boys who never came home. How can Westminster shrug off this shame? They cannot cling to this evasion and claim this Senedd, this Government that did not exists when the men laboured and died should pay to clear the wreckage.
These tips are not some benign industrial heritage as the Tory amendment suggests. They are not relics to be cherished and maintained. The tips are a threat to our communities, present and growing. With every drop of rain that falls on our hills, high-risk tips become less stable. The time on the clock is running short, and Westminster must be made to pay for what it has done.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Yng Nghymru, mae clwyfau ecsbloetiaeth ein gorffennol i'w gweld ar ein tirweddau: y tomenni glo sy’n tywyllu ein Cymoedd ac sy'n gadael creithiau ar y nenlinell. Ein hanes glofaol yw'r hyn a'n lluniodd; cymunedau cyfan wedi'u creu o ddycnwch a phenderfynoldeb, pentrefi a strydoedd teras a adeiladwyd ar frys fel tai ar gyfer y glowyr a gafodd eu hel o dan y ddaear. Anaml y byddai'r dynion hynny'n gweld yr haul, a byddent yn mynd adref wedi'u duo a'u brestiau'n dynn. Collwyd cymaint o fywydau yn y twneli cyfyng, tywyll hynny—bywydau a dreuliwyd yn y tywyllwch, tra bo'u hysbail, yr aur du a rwygwyd ganddynt o’r ddaear â’u dwylo, yn cael ei lwytho i wagenni a threnau a’i gludo i bob cwr o ymerodraeth rhywun arall. Gadawyd y gwastraff ar ôl—nid mewn twneli, ond wedi'i bentyrru ar ben y mynyddoedd. Casglwyd y gweddillion, y llanast, popeth a oedd yn ddiwerth, a'i bentyrru ar y bryniau uwchlaw'r pyllau, uwch ein pennau—nid celc o aur, ond o faw sy'n dal i daflu cysgod drosom ac sy'n sarnu'r dirwedd.
Mae mwy na 2,000 o'r tomenni glo hyn yma o hyd. Mae'r rhai mwyaf peryglus yn dwyn bygythiad o dirlithriadau, mwy o lifogydd, neu hyd yn oed y risg y gallent fynd ar dân oherwydd y glo hylosg sy’n dal i fod yno ymhlith y gwastraff—y darnau na allai’r perchnogion gael eu dwylo arnynt. Sut y daeth pethau i hyn? Sut y cafodd y cyfoeth a grëwyd gan lo ei ddwyn o’n trefi a’i ddefnyddio i leinio pocedi perchnogion pyllau a diwydianwyr, gan adael y gwastraff a’r adfeilion i ni? Sut y daethom i fyw o dan faich euogrwydd baw a llwch? Oherwydd bod ein Cymoedd wedi cael eu hecsbloetio. Rhwygwyd ein cyfoeth oddi arnom, gan ddistrywio'r wlad a'r rheini a oedd yn byw yno. Anrheithiwyd ein cymunedau gan y diwydiant hwnnw, ac nid oes arwydd cliriach o'r ysbeilio hwnnw na'r tomenni glo sy'n sefyll uwch ein pennau, rhyngom a'r haul, yn sarhad terfynol ar y glowyr a oedd yn arfer breuddwydio yn eu dyddiau am olau dydd.
A heddiw, mae diwydiant newydd yn dod i'r amlwg: cwmnïau sy'n dod i'r pentrefi ac yn addo cael gwared ar y drychiolaethau hyn, cyn belled ag y gallant roi cynnig ar gael eu dwylo ar y glo sy'n cuddio ymysg y rwbel. Mae pris sylweddol ynghlwm wrth yr addewidion hyn i adfer, oherwydd cyn i’r tir gael ei adfer i’w ogoniant blaenorol, ymddengys bod yn rhaid ei ysbeilio a’i anrheithio unwaith eto, a gallai cymunedau fel Bedwas a Sirhywi orfod wynebu blynyddoedd o huddygl a chloddio gyda dim ond addewid gan gwmni preifat y bydd yr hyn a ddaw maes o law yn werth yr ymdrech. Mae rhai cwmnïau'n cadw at eu haddewidion, neu ran ohonynt; nid yw eraill cystal, gan honni ar ddiwedd prosiectau nad oes digon o arian ar ôl ar gyfer adfer, mae'r cyfan wedi'i wario ar ddihysbyddu pob diferyn o elw o'r safleoedd. Nid yw'n syndod fod rhai'n ddrwgdybus, gan fod ein Cymoedd wedi cael eu brathu o'r blaen.
Ac nid y tomenni glo yn unig sy'n cael eu hanrheithio; mae pyllau glo brig ar draws y maes glo yn dod yn deganau i'r bobl sydd am wneud elw. Pwll y Dwyrain yn Abertawe a Ffos-y-fran ym Merthyr Tudful yw'r safleoedd diweddaraf i gael eu hysbeilio am eu hadnoddau a'u gadael i fynd yn segur pan fydd yn rhaid i gwmnïau gyflawni eu haddewidion. Effeithiau newid hinsawdd, Ddirprwy Lywydd, sy'n peri'r bygythiad mwyaf i'r safleoedd hyn—glaw trwm a allai dreiddio i mewn i'r pridd. Wrth gwrs, mae'n rhaid diogelu ein cymunedau. Wrth gwrs, mae’n rhaid dileu’r risg y mae’r safleoedd hyn yn ei chreu, ond nid yr ateb yw caniatáu cloddio o'r newydd am lo er mwyn i ddiwydiant newydd dieflig ecsbloetio ein tir. Ni ddylai gwneud y safleoedd hyn yn ddiogel fod yn gyfrifoldeb i gwmnïau preifat. Ni ddylai ein tirweddau gael eu rhoi unwaith eto ar drugaredd pobl sy'n ceisio gwneud arian. Mae'n rhaid i’n Llywodraeth gyflwyno deddfau newydd, nid yn unig ar gyfer monitro’r safleoedd, ond ar gyfer goruchwylio’r gwaith o’u hadfer, ac mae'n rhaid i’r gyfraith honno gynnwys tomenni glo yn ogystal â phyllau glo brig.
Rwy'n croesawu'r gwaith a wnaed ar fonitro a mapio’r tomenni sy’n bodoli. Mae'n rhaid i ddeddfwriaeth fynd gam ymhellach. Nid yw'r hyn sy'n digwydd gyda'r tomenni a'r pyllau glo brig yn ffenomenau gwahanol. Daw'r un patrymau i'r amlwg dro ar ôl tro—nid tyllau yn y ddaear yn unig, ond bylchau yn y gyfraith, sy'n caniatáu i gwmnïau gloddio am lo i'w werthu a'i losgi. Nid yw hynny'n swnio fel cynnydd i'n pobl na'n planed. Ond mae'n rhaid gwneud y tomenni hyn yn ddiogel.
Felly, pwy ddylai gael eu dwyn i gyfrif? Gan bwy y dylem hawlio, pwy i'w beio am yr esgeulustod hwn? Y tomenni glo sy'n anharddu ein tiroedd, y clwyfau nad ydynt erioed wedi gwella. Mae San Steffan yn gwadu pob bai am y tomenni glo hyn, gan honni bod datganoli wedi golchi eu dwylo o'u dyletswydd. Ond ni allwch ddatganoli'r gorffennol. Ni allwch ddefnyddio datganoli i osgoi rhwymedigaethau na’ch rhyddhau o’ch euogrwydd am yr hyn a aeth o'r blaen. Roedd glo Cymru yn tanio ysbail yr ymerodraeth. Roedd yn danwydd i fflydoedd rhyfeloedd cenhedloedd eraill. Gwnaed cyfoeth aruthrol o'i elw. Llofnodwyd y siec gyntaf erioed am £1 filiwn gyda gwaed glowyr marw, ond ni wariwyd ceiniog mewn cymunedau a dalodd am y golled hon â’r dynion a’r bechgyn na ddaethant byth adref. Sut y gall San Steffan ddiystyru'r cywilydd hwn? Ni allant lynu wrth yr esgusodion hyn a honni mai'r Senedd hon, y Llywodraeth hon nad oedd yn bodoli pan oedd y dynion hynny'n llafurio ac yn marw, a ddylai dalu i glirio'r llanast.
Nid rhyw waddol diwydiannol diniwed yw'r tomenni hyn, fel y mae gwelliant y Torïaid yn awgrymu. Nid ydynt yn greiriau i'w coleddu a'u cynnal. Mae'r tomenni'n fygythiad i'n cymunedau, bygythiad gwirioneddol sy'n tyfu. Gyda phob diferyn o law sy'n disgyn ar ein bryniau, mae tomenni risg uchel yn dod yn llai sefydlog. Mae’r amser ar y cloc yn prysur redeg allan, ac mae'n rhaid gorfodi San Steffan i dalu am yr hyn y mae wedi’i wneud.
Rwyf wedi dethol y pedwar gwelliant i’r cynnig, a galwaf ar Joel James i gynnig gwelliannau 1, 2 a 4, a gyflwynwyd yn enw Darren Millar.
I have selected the four amendments to the motion, and I call on Joel James to move amendments 1, 2 and 4, tabled in the name of Darren Millar.
Gwelliant 1—Darren Millar
Yn is-bwynt 1 (a), dileu 'ymelwa ar adnoddau naturiol Cymru' a rhoi 'dreftadaeth ddiwydiannol Cymru' yn ei le.
Amendment 1—Darren Millar
In sub-point 1 (a), delete 'the exploitation of Wales’s natural resources' and replace with 'Wales’s industrial heritage'.
Gwelliant 2—Darren Millar
Ym mhwynt 2, dileu 'yn gresynu bod Llywodraeth y DU yn gwrthod darparu' a rhoi 'yn credu y dylai Llywodraeth y DU barhau i weithio gyda Llywodraeth Cymru i ddarparu' yn ei le.
Amendment 2—Darren Millar
In point 2, delete 'regrets that the UK Government refuses' and replace with 'believes that the UK Government should continue to work with the Welsh Government'.
Gwelliant 4—Darren Millar
Dileu pwynt 4.
Amendment 4—Darren Millar
Delete point 4.
Cynigiwyd gwelliannau 1, 2 a 4.
Amendments 1, 2 and 4 moved.
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to move the amendments in the name of Darren Millar. I want to start by saying how disappointed I am with Plaid Cymru’s intention to continue and further encourage the narrative that Wales and the Welsh were entirely victims of exploitation during the industrial revolution. Ultimately, the truth is that our natural resources were used to help enrich us, and whilst it's undeniable that some of our mines were owned by English and Scottish industrialists, many of them were actually owned by Welsh-speaking people from humble backgrounds. David Davies of Llandinam is one such example, who started off first as a railway builder and then as a colliery owner. Can I also remind Members that Lucy Thomas, owner of the Waun Wyllt Colliery in Troedyrhiw, considered to be the mother of the Welsh steam coal trade, was instrumental in helping to establish the reputation of Welsh coal on the London market? And there are countless other families, such as the Mackworths, the Talbots, and William Lewis, to name but a few, all bringing in jobs, wealth and purpose to our country.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Hoffwn gynnig y gwelliannau yn enw Darren Millar. Rwyf am ddechrau drwy ddweud pa mor siomedig wyf i gyda bwriad Plaid Cymru i barhau ac i annog ymhellach y naratif fod Cymru a’r Cymry wedi eu hecsbloetio'n llwyr yn ystod y chwyldro diwydiannol. Yn y pen draw, y gwir amdani yw bod ein hadnoddau naturiol wedi’u defnyddio i helpu i’n cyfoethogi, ac er nad oes modd gwadu bod rhai o’n pyllau glo yn eiddo i ddiwydianwyr o Loegr a’r Alban, roedd llawer ohonynt yn eiddo i Gymry Cymraeg o gefndiroedd gwerinol. Mae David Davies o Landinam yn un enghraifft o’r fath, a ddechreuodd fel adeiladwr rheilffyrdd yn gyntaf ac yna fel perchennog pwll glo. A gaf i atgoffa’r Aelodau hefyd y bu Lucy Thomas, perchennog Glofa Waun Wyllt yn Nhroed-y-rhiw, sy'n adnabyddus fel mam masnach glo ager Cymru, yn allweddol wrth helpu i sefydlu enw da glo Cymru ym marchnad Llundain? Ac mae teuluoedd dirifedi eraill, megis y Mackworths, y Talbots, a William Lewis, i enwi rhai'n unig, a ddaeth â swyddi, cyfoeth a phwrpas i'n gwlad.
I just wanted to say that Senghenydd is in my constituency, which was the site of the Universal Colliery disaster in 1913 in which 439 people working the pit were killed. I think that does actually support the argument made by Plaid Cymru that it was exploitative.
Hoffwn ddweud bod Senghennydd, safle trychineb Glofa'r Universal ym 1913 pan laddwyd 439 o bobl a oedd yn gweithio yn y pwll, yn fy etholaeth i. Credaf fod hynny'n cefnogi’r ddadl a wnaed gan Blaid Cymru fod y diwydiant yn ecsbloetiol.
It's always unfortunate when people have died during colliery disasters, and I know my family themselves have suffered in such things, but I still maintain that we were not exploited.
Let us be clear that Wales has experienced considerable development in the last 200 years, almost entirely because of coal, copper, tin, steel and iron. This has produced the cities of Cardiff, Newport and Swansea, which otherwise would not have existed; likewise, towns such as Barry, Merthyr, Llanelli and Port Talbot. The fact we have devolution today, I believe, can be directly traced back to the increases in population, the growth of our economy, and the creation of civic nationalism that occurred as a result of our industrial legacy, and our use of our natural resources at a time in history when they were at their most valuable. That said, however, we have a legacy of disused spoil tips in Wales that need to be addressed, and I think it is absolutely right that the Welsh Government are proposing legislation to focus on it, especially since they chose to adopt the responsibility for this and everything that came with it at the start of devolution, 25 years ago.
May I remind the party opposite that the Welsh Government pick and choose the responsibilities that they wish to have legislative power over, and still happily refuse to take responsibility for several other fundamental aspects that affect people in Wales, such as the water industry? So, it's a very difficult sell to say that it should have legislative power over coal mining and coal tips but then expect the UK Government to pay for it. What I think Plaid have totally failed to understand here is that they're so caught up in their own alternative reality that they cannot comprehend their own narrative. They say on the one hand that the UK Government should contribute to the long-term funding of our coal tips, but then on the other hand are advocating for complete separation from the United Kingdom. I firmly believe that the Welsh Government has the resources at its disposal to pay for this. It's going to spend £20 million a year on 36 more politicians in Wales, and our Counsel General, Mick Antoniw, has said it can pay for itself if the Welsh Government can, and I quote,
'improve our performance by a minuscule amount'.
So, in reality, if the Welsh Government, in their own words, improves their performance by another minuscule amount, they can more than cover the costs for maintaining disused coal tips in Wales.
In terms of managing coal tips in the long term, there are big opportunities to actually deal with the issues, and without the need for public funding. I think this is something that should be fully engaged with. ERI, a company based in Wales, are able to carry out all the remediation works on disused tips, make safe all groundworks and restore biodiversity to the site, by effectively recovering and selling coal taken from it. This not only removes the dangerous coal element of the tip, which can catch fire; it also removes the dangers of slippage and helps eliminate the issues of water run-off. And of further benefit, legislation to do this has already been enacted in the Mines And Quarries (Tips) Act 1969.
Finally, Dirprwy Lywydd, I'd like to say that having been born and brought up in south Wales, and having family that stretch right across our Valleys, I know how important it is for them and those who live in our former mining communities that this is dealt with once and for all. With Wales seemingly only getting wetter, these disused tips will become an ever-increasing risk. Like before, Wales can grasp the technology and talent that it has to remediate these tips, and I would therefore strongly ask the Chamber to support our amendments. Thank you.
Mae bob amser yn anffodus pan fo pobl yn marw mewn trychinebau pyllau glo, a gwn fod fy nheulu fy hun wedi dioddef profiadau o'r fath, ond rwy'n dal i haeru na chawsom ein hecsbloetio.
Gadewch inni fod yn glir fod Cymru wedi datblygu gryn dipyn dros y 200 mlynedd diwethaf, bron yn gyfan gwbl oherwydd glo, copr, tun, dur a haearn. Mae hyn wedi cynhyrchu dinasoedd Caerdydd, Casnewydd ac Abertawe, na fyddent wedi bodoli fel arall; yn yr un modd, trefi fel y Barri, Merthyr Tudful, Llanelli a Phort Talbot. Credaf y gellir olrhain y ffaith bod gennym ddatganoli heddiw i’r cynnydd yn y boblogaeth, twf ein heconomi, a'r cenedlaetholdeb dinesig a ddatblygodd o ganlyniad i’n hetifeddiaeth ddiwydiannol, a’n defnydd o’n hadnoddau naturiol ar yr adeg pan oeddent ar eu mwyaf gwerthfawr. Wedi dweud hynny, fodd bynnag, mae gennym waddol y mae angen mynd i'r afael ag ef o domenni gwastraff nas defnyddir yng Nghymru, a chredaf ei bod yn gwbl briodol fod Llywodraeth Cymru yn cynnig deddfwriaeth i ganolbwyntio ar hyn, yn enwedig gan eu bod wedi dewis mabwysiadu’r cyfrifoldeb am hyn a phopeth sydd ynghlwm wrtho ar ddechrau datganoli, 25 mlynedd yn ôl.
A gaf i atgoffa’r blaid gyferbyn fod Llywodraeth Cymru yn dewis a dethol y cyfrifoldebau y maent yn dymuno cael pŵer deddfwriaethol drostynt, ac yn dal yn fwy na pharod i wrthod cymryd cyfrifoldeb am sawl agwedd hollbwysig arall sy’n effeithio ar bobl yng Nghymru, megis y diwydiant dŵr? Felly, mae’n anodd iawn iddi ddadlau y dylai gael pŵer deddfwriaethol dros gloddio am lo a thomenni glo, ond disgwyl i Lywodraeth y DU dalu amdano wedyn. Yr hyn y credaf fod Plaid Cymru wedi methu'n llwyr â'i ddeall yma yw eu bod mor gaeth i'w realiti amgen fel na allant amgyffred eu naratif eu hunain. Maent yn dweud ar y naill law y dylai Llywodraeth y DU gyfrannu at ariannu ein tomenni glo yn y tymor hir, ond wedyn ar y llaw arall, yn dadlau dros ymwahanu’n llwyr oddi wrth y Deyrnas Unedig. Credaf yn gryf fod gan Lywodraeth Cymru yr adnoddau i dalu am hyn. Mae’n mynd i wario £20 miliwn y flwyddyn ar 36 yn rhagor o wleidyddion yng Nghymru, ac mae ein Cwnsler Cyffredinol, Mick Antoniw, wedi dweud y gall dalu amdani’i hun os gall Llywodraeth Cymru,
'wella ein perfformiad o ychydig bach iawn'.
Felly, mewn gwirionedd, os bydd Llywodraeth Cymru, yn eu geiriau eu hunain, yn gwella eu perfformiad ychydig bach eto, gallant fwy na thalu'r costau ar gyfer cynnal tomenni glo nas defnyddir yng Nghymru.
O ran rheoli tomenni glo yn y tymor hir, mae cyfleoedd da i ymdrin â’r materion sy'n codi, a hynny heb fod angen arian cyhoeddus. Credaf fod hyn yn rhywbeth y dylid ymgysylltu’n llawn ag ef. Mae ERI, cwmni sydd wedi’i leoli yng Nghymru, yn gallu gwneud yr holl waith adfer ar domenni nas defnyddir, sicrhau bod yr holl seiliau'n ddiogel ac adfer bioamrywiaeth ar y safle, drwy adfer a gwerthu'r glo a dynnwyd ohono. Mae hyn nid yn unig yn cael gwared ar elfen beryglus y glo o'r domen, a all fynd ar dân; mae hefyd yn cael gwared ar beryglon llithriad ac yn helpu i ddileu problemau'n gysylltiedig â dŵr ffo. Ac o fudd pellach, mae'r ddeddfwriaeth i wneud hyn eisoes wedi’i deddfu yn Neddf Mwyngloddiau a Chwareli (Tomenni) 1969.
Yn olaf, Ddirprwy Lywydd, a minnau wedi fy ngeni a fy magu yn ne Cymru, gyda theulu sy'n ymestyn yr holl ffordd ar draws ein Cymoedd, hoffwn ddweud fy mod yn gwybod pa mor bwysig yw hi iddynt hwy ac i'r rhai sy'n byw yn ein hen gymunedau glofaol yr eir i'r afael â hyn unwaith ac am byth. Gyda Chymru fel pe bai ond yn mynd yn wlypach, bydd y tomenni nas defnyddir hyn yn dod yn risg gynyddol. Fel o’r blaen, gall Cymru fanteisio ar y dechnoleg a’r dalent sydd ganddi i adfer y tomenni hyn, ac felly, hoffwn ofyn yn daer i’r Siambr gefnogi ein gwelliannau. Diolch.
Galwaf ar Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Lywodraeth Leol, Tai a Chynllunio i gynnig yn ffurfiol welliant 3, a gyflwynwyd yn enw Jane Hutt.
I call on the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning to formally move amendment 3, tabled in the name of Jane Hutt.
Gwelliant 3—Jane Hutt
Dileu pwynt 3 a rhoi yn ei le:
Yn nodi bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi darparu dros £44 miliwn i awdurdodau lleol er mwyn cynnal a gwella diogelwch tomenni glo ers 2022, wedi cyflwyno system o fonitro’n rheolaidd domenni categori C a D a bydd yn cyflwyno deddfwriaeth newydd fodern ar gyfer tomenni nas defnyddir yn yr Hydref.
Amendment 3—Jane Hutt
Delete point 3 and replace with:
Notes that Welsh Government has made available over £44 million to local authorities to maintain and improve coal tip safety since 2022, has introduced a regular monitoring system for Category C and D tips, and will introduce new modern legislation for disused tips in the autumn.
Cynigiwyd gwelliant 3.
Amendment 3 moved.
Formally.
Yn ffurfiol.
Before I start, I just want to say, as the granddaughter of miners, I think that contribution by Joel James showed a terrible lack of understanding of the industrial history of Wales, and of the community that he purports to represent. Our industrial past is—
Cyn imi ddechrau, hoffwn ddweud, fel wyres i lowyr, y credaf fod cyfraniad Joel James yn dangos diffyg dealltwriaeth ofnadwy o hanes diwydiannol Cymru, ac o’r gymuned y mae’n honni ei chynrychioli. Mae ein gorffennol diwydiannol—
I'm the grandson of miners as well.
Rwy'n ŵyr i lowyr hefyd.
Well, you should perhaps talk to your ancestors.
Our industrial past is etched in the landscape of the area in which I live and that I represent. Across my region of South Wales West, there are more than 900 disused tips, with the highest number of any local authority area—over 600 of them—being within Neath Port Talbot, the county where I live. The overwhelming majority of these are deemed lower risk, but 41 are within the higher risk categories.
Neath Port Talbot bears the scars of centuries of coal mining and quarrying. These are not just scars in the landscape. The environmental hazards left behind have scarred communities, like Godre'r Graig in the Swansea valley, where, due to an assessment of the risk of the quarry spoil tip to the village school, children have had to be educated in portakabins in a school miles away from the village since 2019. The school has now recently been demolished, causing absolute heartbreak in the community. The council have applied for funding for its replacement, and I hope the Government does the right thing by the community with that request.
Our motion makes reference to the anxiety caused for residents who live near disused tips, opencast mines and other post-industrial sites. I can attest to the fact, from meeting with residents who live near East Pit in Tairgwaith, that this anxiety is real and it weighs heavily on communities and is unacceptable. And I want to focus in my contribution on the legacy of opencast mines.
Water-filled voids left by opencast mines are a great and long-standing concern to residents who live in the former coalfields. And, as we heard, the recent well-publicised example of Ffos-y-fran near Merthyr Tydfil, where water is starting to collect in the void left by the opencast mine, has caused awful concern recently. I've raised both in questions in the Chamber and in letters to the Minister for climate change my concerns about the risks that need addressing in regard to East Pit, which affects the communities of Tairgwaith, Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen and Cwmllynfell, where 40 million cu m of water have now collected in the void left by the former opencast mine.
Celtic Energy Ltd profited from coal mining in the East Pit opencast for many years, causing dust, noise and house subsidence to nearby residents, but the original plans for restoration were not realised. And in East Pit, the recent earthquake in 2018, which measured 4.6 on the Richter scale, increased residents' long-held concerns regarding the risks of leaving this huge body of water on an active earthquake fault at about 150m above the valley floor, with loose rubble sides, no constructed dam to retain the water, because these mining voids were never planned geologically, structurally or hydrologically surveyed to hold millions of tonnes of water. Residents close to East Pit want to see surveys and reports from qualified, indemnified chartered engineers and hydrologists, and measures taken to address these risks. They are also asking whether all buttressing and stabilisation recommended in earlier reports to the local planning authority have been completed. They are concerned as to the dangers of anyone falling into this void. Nobody could survive. The amenities agreed in planning applications have not been built.
Welsh Government must intervene to ensure action is taken to safeguard communities who have been left to deal with this serious environmental aftermath of opencast mining. The calls in our motion for the establishment of a new body to set up a fit-for-purpose remediation programme for sites such as East Pit, together with the necessary funding needed for inspection, maintenance and proper remediation, would really provide peace of mind and justice for these communities that have borne the brunt of the health and environmental risks posed by opencast mining.
The lack of proper planning and infrastructure to address these risks is not just a matter of safety, but one of historical and social justice. It's just unconscionable that communities already burdened by the legacies of coal mining are left to bear the brunt of these environmental hazards and safety risks. So, as we look ahead to upcoming Welsh legislation, it's imperative we centre social justice in our approach to the restoration of these post-industrial sites, such as those in my region. It offers a critical opportunity to address these issues and ensure that proper measures are taken to restore and mitigate the risks posed by the water-filled voids and other hazards. And it's really essential that we listen to the voices of affected communities and work collaboratively to find solutions that prioritise their safety and well-being, because they've just been fobbed off and ignored for far too long, for years. They deserve fairness, justice and redress. They deserve to have that which was taken from them, the very landscape in which they live, returned to them.
Wel, efallai y dylech siarad â'ch cyndeidiau.
Mae ein gorffennol diwydiannol wedi'i ysgythru yn nhirwedd yr ardal rwy'n byw ynddi ac yn ei chynrychioli. Ar draws fy rhanbarth i yng Ngorllewin De Cymru, mae mwy na 900 o domenni nas defnyddir, gyda’r nifer uchaf o unrhyw ardal awdurdod lleol—dros 600 ohonynt—yng Nghastell-nedd Port Talbot, y sir lle rwy’n byw. Ystyrir bod y mwyafrif llethol o'r rhain yn risg is, ond mae 41 o fewn y categorïau risg uwch.
Mae creithiau canrifoedd o gloddio a chwarelu i'w gweld yng Nghastell-nedd Port Talbot. Nid creithiau ar y dirwedd yn unig mo’r rhain. Mae’r peryglon amgylcheddol dilynol wedi creithio cymunedau, fel Godre'r-graig yng nghwm Tawe, lle mae'r plant wedi gorfod cael eu haddysgu mewn cabanau symudol mewn ysgol filltiroedd o'u pentref ers 2019 oherwydd asesiad o'r risg roedd tomen y chwarel yn ei chreu i ysgol y pentref. Mae’r ysgol bellach wedi’i dymchwel yn ddiweddar, gan dorri calonnau'r gymuned. Mae'r cyngor wedi gwneud cais am arian ar gyfer ysgol yn ei lle, a gobeithio y bydd y Llywodraeth yn gwneud y peth iawn i'r gymuned mewn perthynas â'r cais hwnnw.
Mae ein cynnig yn cyfeirio at y pryder a achosir i breswylwyr sy’n byw ger tomenni nas defnyddir, pyllau glo brig a safleoedd ôl-ddiwydiannol eraill. O gyfarfod â thrigolion sy’n byw ger Pwll y Dwyrain yn Nhairgwaith, gallaf dystio fod y pryder hwn yn real a’i fod yn pwyso’n drwm ar gymunedau ac yn annerbyniol. A hoffwn ganolbwyntio yn fy nghyfraniad ar waddol pyllau glo brig.
Mae gwagleoedd llawn dŵr a adawyd gan byllau glo brig yn bryder mawr ers amser i drigolion sy'n byw yn yr hen feysydd glo. Ac fel y clywsom, mae enghraifft ddiweddar Ffos-y-fran ger Merthyr Tudful, a gafodd lawer o gyhoeddusrwydd, lle mae dŵr yn dechrau casglu yn y gwagle a adawyd gan y pwll glo brig, wedi achosi cryn bryder yn ddiweddar. Rwyf wedi codi'r ddwy enghraifft mewn cwestiynau yn y Siambr ac mewn llythyrau at y Gweinidog newid hinsawdd am y risgiau y mae angen mynd i’r afael â nhw mewn perthynas â Phwll y Dwyrain, sy’n effeithio ar gymunedau Tairgwaith, Gwauncaegurwen a Chwmllynfell, lle 40 mae miliwn metr ciwbig o ddŵr bellach wedi casglu yn y gwagle a adawyd gan yr hen bwll glo brig.
Fe wnaeth Celtic Energy Ltd elwa o gloddio ym mhwll glo brig Pwll y Dwyrain am flynyddoedd lawer, gan achosi llwch, sŵn ac ymsuddiant i dai trigolion cyfagos, ond ni wireddwyd y cynlluniau gwreiddiol ar gyfer adfer. Ac ym Mhwll y Dwyrain, cynyddodd y daeargryn diweddar yn 2018, a oedd yn mesur 4.6 ar raddfa Richter, bryderon hirsefydlog trigolion ynghylch peryglon gadael y corff enfawr hwn o ddŵr ar ffawt daeargryn tua 150m uwchben llawr y dyffryn, gydag ochrau o rwbel rhydd, heb argae wedi'i adeiladu i ddal dŵr, gan na chynhaliwyd unrhyw arolygon daearegol, strwythurol na hydrolegol o addasrwydd y gwagleoedd mwyngloddio hyn i ddal miliynau o dunelli o ddŵr. Mae trigolion sy'n agos at Bwll y Dwyrain eisiau gweld arolygon ac adroddiadau gan hydrolegwyr a pheirianwyr siartredig cymwysedig sydd wedi eu hindemnio, a mesurau'n cael eu rhoi ar waith i fynd i'r afael â'r risgiau hyn. Maent hefyd yn gofyn a yw’r holl waith bwtresu a sefydlogi a argymhellwyd mewn adroddiadau cynharach i’r awdurdod cynllunio lleol wedi’i gwblhau. Maent yn poeni ynghylch y peryglon y gallai rhywun gwympo i mewn i'r gwagle hwn. Ni allai unrhyw un oroesi hynny. Nid yw'r amwynderau a gytunwyd mewn ceisiadau cynllunio wedi eu hadeiladu.
Mae'n rhaid i Lywodraeth Cymru ymyrryd i sicrhau bod camau’n cael eu cymryd i ddiogelu cymunedau sydd wedi cael eu gadael i ymdrin â chanlyniadau amgylcheddol difrifol y pyllau glo brig hyn. Byddai’r galwadau yn ein cynnig i sefydlu corff newydd i gynllunio rhaglen adfer addas i'r diben ar gyfer safleoedd fel Pwll y Dwyrain, ynghyd â’r cyllid sydd ei angen ar gyfer y gwaith archwilio, cynnal a chadw ac adfer priodol, yn rhoi tawelwch meddwl a chyfiawnder i'r cymunedau hyn sydd wedi gorfod wynebu'r risgiau i iechyd a'r amgylchedd a achosir gan byllau glo brig.
Nid mater o ddiogelwch yn unig yw'r diffyg cynlluniau a seilwaith priodol i fynd i’r afael â’r risgiau hyn, ond mater o gyfiawnder hanesyddol a chymdeithasol. Mae'n warthus fod cymunedau sydd eisoes dan feichiau gwaddol y pyllau glo yn gorfod ysgwyddo baich y peryglon amgylcheddol a'r risgiau diogelwch hyn. Felly, wrth inni edrych ymlaen at y ddeddfwriaeth Gymreig sydd ar y ffordd, mae'n hollbwysig fod ein dull o adfer y safleoedd ôl-ddiwydiannol hyn, fel y rheini yn fy rhanbarth i, yn canolbwyntio ar gyfiawnder cymdeithasol. Mae’n cynnig cyfle hollbwysig i fynd i’r afael â’r materion hyn a sicrhau bod mesurau priodol yn cael eu rhoi ar waith i adfer a lliniaru’r risgiau a achosir gan wagleoedd llawn dŵr a pheryglon eraill. Ac mae'n wirioneddol hanfodol ein bod yn gwrando ar leisiau'r cymunedau yr effeithir arnynt ac yn gweithio ar y cyd i ddod o hyd i atebion sy'n blaenoriaethu eu diogelwch a'u llesiant, gan eu bod wedi cael eu troi ymaith a'u hanwybyddu ers llawer gormod o amser, ers blynyddoedd. Maent yn haeddu tegwch a chyfiawnder. Maent yn haeddu cael yr hyn a gymerwyd oddi arnynt, y dirwedd y maent yn byw ynddi, yn ôl.
I'd ask Joel to come and visit Senghenydd mining memorial museum and the garden there. The garden was designated as the national mining disaster memorial garden of Wales by Mark Drakeford, in a previous role, and Dawn Bowden as well. And I have to pay tribute as well to the committee—Lindsay Whittle as chair and Gill Jones as secretary, and all the volunteers there who are keeping that memory alive. And, Joel, I don't want to criticise you directly, but I think you did do a disservice to that community who suffered 439 men killed in 1913. It was a disaster beyond comprehension in the modern day, and it was because of that exploitation. And I think, if you go along in October to the annual memorial service—I think you came along, Mark, and you saw the people standing there in the rain, a huge number of people from the village. So, you can see the history behind our industrial—let's use the word 'exploitation'.
I'd like to touch on something that Delyth, Sioned and Joel mentioned, which is remediation, and Delyth spoke about private companies coming in and making a profit from remediating, and I know you were referring a little bit obliquely to ERI. Joel mentioned them directly: ERI, the company that is looking to wash the coal and remediate the land. I would say I’m keeping an open mind the moment. I want to see how the planning process progresses, I want to see what happens. The Minister won’t be able to mention it because she would have an intervention role should there be an appeal, but I would say, I think as politicians, because we’ve got those four category D tips in Bedwas, we need to keep an open mind about any opportunity or avenue we have to remediate, but at the same time we must ask, as you said, those sceptical questions about what they are doing with the money, how they are benefiting. And of course, Rhianon Passmore has Ynysddu in her constituency; the people there are concerned about the traffic that goes through the village as well. So, those questions need to be asked. But the question is: would ERI do anything different to what a public authority would do in remediating the land? And I haven’t come to the conclusion yet, but I feel that there isn’t that much difference, because their promise is to remediate as they go along, so they would remediate the land as they go along, as the work progresses, rather than—. This isn’t Ffos-y-fran, this isn’t ‘leave it as a disaster zone and exploit the land’, this is a company that is saying, ‘Yes, we’ll take the coal as a by-product and we’ll make a profit, but we are there to remediate the land.’ And the example they give is Six Bells in Aberbeeg, as the example of something they’ve done before.
Now, I’m not advocating them yet; I want to see how the planning process plays out, but I think Joel makes a point that ERI could play a role in that. I would be sceptical that a company like that could do the whole of Wales, all the tips in Wales. I think that’s highly unlikely, which is where we come back to the UK Government making a proper commitment to resolve these issues, even if they said where the private sector couldn’t resolve it, we need that proper commitment and it’s absolutely justified to say that this occurred prior to devolution and therefore it is the UK Government’s responsibility. I think that is absolutely the right thing to say in that regard.
So, I think we’ve got to take steps now to understand that category D tips—I think we need our communities to know—are not in imminent danger of slipping, so I’m not worried. Bedwas tip has regular inspections, as was said at question time, every month, but as the impacts of climate change come in, as that becomes a bigger problem, I think we cannot look the opportunity to remediate down. I think we’ve got to take that opportunity because there is a danger in the future that those tips could become less stable.
So, I don’t think I’ve got an easy answer. The motion doesn’t really present an easy answer, but, certainly, what you’re calling for, particularly with regard to the UK Government, I fully support.
Hoffwn ofyn i Joel ddod i ymweld ag amgueddfa goffa lofaol Senghennydd a'r ardd yno. Dynodwyd yr ardd yn ardd goffa genedlaethol trychinebau glofaol Cymru gan Mark Drakeford, mewn rôl flaenorol, a Dawn Bowden. Ac mae'n rhaid imi dalu teyrnged hefyd i'r pwyllgor—y cadeirydd Lindsay Whittle, yr ysgrifennydd Gill Jones, a'r holl wirfoddolwyr yno sy'n cadw'r cof hwnnw'n fyw. A Joel, nid wyf yn dymuno eich beirniadu’n uniongyrchol, ond credaf eich bod yn gwneud anghymwynas â’r gymuned honno a gollodd 439 o ddynion ym 1913. Roedd yn drychineb y tu hwnt i amgyffred yn yr oes fodern, ac fe ddigwyddodd o ganlyniad i'r ecsbloetiaeth honno. A pe baech yn mynd i'r gwasanaeth coffa blynyddol ym mis Hydref—rwy'n credu eich bod chi wedi dod draw, Mark, ac fe welsoch y bobl yn sefyll yno yn y glaw, nifer enfawr o bobl y pentref. Felly, gallwch weld yr hanes y tu ôl i'n—gadewch inni ddefnyddio'r gair 'ecsbloetiaeth' ddiwydiannol.
Hoffwn grybwyll rhywbeth y soniodd Delyth, Sioned a Joel amdano, sef adfer, a soniodd Delyth am gwmnïau preifat yn dod i mewn ac yn gwneud elw o adfer, a gwn eich bod yn cyfeirio'n anuniongyrchol at ERI. Soniodd Joel amdanynt yn uniongyrchol: ERI, y cwmni sy'n gobeithio golchi'r glo ac adfer y tir. Hoffwn ddweud fy mod yn cadw meddwl agored ar hyn o bryd. Hoffwn weld sut mae'r broses gynllunio yn mynd rhagddi, hoffwn weld beth sy'n digwydd. Ni fydd y Gweinidog yn gallu sôn amdano gan y byddai ganddi rôl ymyraethol pe bai apêl, ond hoffwn ddweud, fel gwleidyddion, gan fod gennym y pedair tomen categori D ym Medwas, credaf fod angen inni gadw meddwl agored am unrhyw gyfle neu lwybr sydd gennym i adfer, ond ar yr un pryd, fel y dywedoch chi, mae'n rhaid inni ofyn cwestiynau amheugar ynghylch yr hyn y maent yn ei wneud â’r arian, sut maent yn elwa. Ac wrth gwrs, mae Ynys-ddu yn etholaeth Rhianon Passmore; mae’r bobl yno’n bryderus am y traffig sy’n mynd drwy’r pentref hefyd. Felly, mae angen gofyn y cwestiynau hynny. Ond y cwestiwn yw: a fyddai ERI yn gwneud unrhyw beth yn wahanol i'r hyn y byddai awdurdod cyhoeddus yn ei wneud i adfer y tir? Ac nid wyf wedi dod i'r casgliad hwnnw eto, ond teimlaf nad oes cymaint â hynny o wahaniaeth, oherwydd eu haddewid yw y byddent yn adfer wrth fynd, felly byddent yn adfer y tir wrth fynd, wrth i'r gwaith fynd rhagddo, yn hytrach na—. Nid Ffos-y-fran mo hyn, nid 'gadael iddi fod yn ardal drychineb ac ecsbloetio'r tir' mo hyn, dyma gwmni sy'n dweud, 'Iawn, fe gymerwn y glo fel sgil-gynnyrch ac fe wnawn elw, ond rydym yno i adfer y tir.' A’r enghraifft y maent yn ei rhoi yw Six Bells yn Aber-bîg, fel enghraifft o'r hyn y maent wedi’i wneud o’r blaen.
Nawr, nid wyf yn eu cymeradwyo eto; hoffwn weld sut mae'r broses gynllunio'n mynd, ond credaf fod Joel yn gwneud pwynt y gallai ERI chwarae rhan yn hynny. Byddwn yn amheus y gallai cwmni fel hwnnw wneud yr holl waith ar gyfer Cymru gyfan, yr holl domenni yng Nghymru. Credaf fod hynny’n annhebygol iawn, a dyna ble down yn ôl at Lywodraeth y DU yn gwneud ymrwymiad priodol i ddatrys y materion hyn, hyd yn oed pe baent yn dweud y byddent yn camu i'r adwy lle na all y sector preifat eu datrys, mae angen yr ymrwymiad priodol hwnnw arnom ac mae cyfiawnhad llwyr dros ddweud bod hyn wedi digwydd cyn datganoli ac felly mai cyfrifoldeb Llywodraeth y DU ydyw. Credaf mai dyna’r peth iawn i’w ddweud yn hynny o beth.
Felly, credaf fod yn rhaid inni gymryd camau ar unwaith i ddeall nad yw tomenni categori D—credaf fod angen i'n cymunedau wybod—mewn perygl o fod ar fin llithro, felly nid wyf yn poeni. Mae tomen Bedwas yn destun archwiliadau rheolaidd, fel y dywedwyd yn ystod y cwestiynau, bob mis, ond wrth i effeithiau newid hinsawdd waethygu, wrth i hynny ddod yn broblem fwy, ni chredaf y gallwn anwybyddu'r cyfle i adfer. Credaf fod yn rhaid inni achub ar y cyfle hwnnw gan fod perygl yn y dyfodol y gallai'r tomenni hynny ddod yn llai sefydlog.
Felly, ni chredaf fod gennyf ateb hawdd. Nid yw'r cynnig yn cyflwyno ateb hawdd, mewn gwirionedd, ond yn sicr, rwy'n llwyr gefnogi'r hyn y galwch amdano, yn enwedig mewn perthynas â Llywodraeth y DU.
I also represent South Wales Central, and my contribution will be very different from the other Member that represents South Wales Central.
I visited Big Pit recently. Some of you know that I used to work for Amgueddfa Cymru, so I used to go around a lot, but I actually took the time, went round the displays, and reminded myself of some of the stories that are told there, and actually how important it is that we have Big Pit, and how we should ensure that every child in Wales is able to visit Big Pit, and hear for themselves the impact, at the time, of this industry but also the continued impact on our communities. They tell the story so powerfully of those tragedies that you so powerfully mentioned, Hefin, the impact of the loss of life, and also the impact on the women that had to work incredibly hard and were affected by the coal dust then, affecting their lungs, and dying an early death because of the very, very hard work. So, yes, many people lost their lives, but it wasn't just down in those coal mines.
I also had the opportunity last week to visit the Albion tip above Cilfynydd, with Beth Jones who works for RCT council on tip safety along with local councillor Hywel Gronow. It was really insightful to hear from Beth the work that has been done on the tip and is planned, and better understand the complexity, but also the scale of the work required to keep our communities safe. It will be 130 years in June of this year since the Albion colliery disaster, which at the time was the worst mining disaster in history, leaving 350 children without fathers. Cilfynydd only exists because of the Albion colliery. So, it is really something that we need to be mindful of, and when you look at the images that we all saw following the extreme weather of 2020 of Tylorstown tip and the landslip there, the terror local residents felt seeing the tip exposed and moving was something that struck everyone in Wales. The horror that people felt, thinking, 'Please, don't let this be another Aberfan.' It was a stark reminder of our industrial past, and the continued risk posed by residual coal tips, and a stark reminder why works and investment are essential.
I would like to welcome the investment that has been made by the Welsh Government, and seeing the work going on in my region, it is absolutely appalling, in my view, that the UK Government has not played its part in helping to fund the work. This is a legacy that predates devolution, and it's only right that they provide the long-term investment required. I don't think there's any point saying that there are advantages of being part of an union that doesn't take its responsibility seriously. Frankly, for the people who are living in the shadow of these coal tips day in, day out, in the light of climate change and knowing that the weather is becoming more unpredictable, the scale of what is required is greater than the Welsh Government, I believe, can deliver alone without that further investment.
We need to ensure that there's continuity of investment, that it's not short-term funding, and that's really key in terms of the retention of specialist staff as well. I know that many, many authorities are finding it difficult to recruit the number of staff required to deal with these tips, so we need to ensure the funding is there to ensure that people working in the public sector aren't tempted away, either, by the private sector wages associated with tips, so that we can keep our communities safe.
The reclamation and remediation of coal tips does create employment opportunities within our communities. Only last week, just over 100 jobs were lost in RCT as a result of Everest going into administration, and nearly 500 jobs were lost in October as a result of UK Windows and Doors also going into administration. I therefore hope that the Cabinet Secretary is having discussions with the Cabinet Secretary for energy and the economy on this matter, and I'd be grateful if you could please provide an update regarding such discussions, either in responding today or in writing following the debate.
It's clear that the legislation is needed. The Mines and Quarries (Tips) Act dates back to 1969. We need legislation that reflects the reality of today, but I think our plea has to be to work together to ensure the funding is in place, the UK Government works with Welsh Government, and that our communities have any advantage of the clearing of these tips. They are a blight on our history.
Rwyf innau'n cynrychioli Canol De Cymru, a bydd fy nghyfraniad yn wahanol iawn i’r Aelod arall sy’n cynrychioli Canol De Cymru.
Ymwelais ag amgueddfa Big Pit yn ddiweddar. Mae rhai ohonoch yn gwybod fy mod yn arfer gweithio i Amgueddfa Cymru, felly roeddwn yn arfer mynd yno'n aml, ond y tro hwn, cymerais fy amser, gan fynd o gwmpas yr arddangosfeydd, ac atgoffa fy hun o rai o'r straeon sy'n cael eu hadrodd yno, a pha mor bwysig yw hi fod gennym amgueddfa Big Pit, a sut y dylem sicrhau bod pob plentyn yng Nghymru yn gallu ymweld ag amgueddfa Big Pit, a chlywed drostynt eu hunain am effaith, ar y pryd, y diwydiant hwn ond hefyd yr effaith barhaus ar ein cymunedau. Maent yn adrodd hanes pwerus y trychinebau hynny y sonioch chi mor rymus amdanynt, Hefin, am effaith y marwolaethau, a hefyd yr effaith ar y menywod a oedd yn gorfod gweithio’n anhygoel o galed ac yr effeithiwyd arnynt gan y llwch glo, a effeithiodd ar eu hysgyfaint, ac a fu farw cyn pryd oherwydd y gwaith caled iawn. Felly, do, collodd llawer o bobl eu bywydau, ond nid i lawr yn y pyllau glo'n unig.
Cefais gyfle hefyd yr wythnos diwethaf i ymweld â thomen yr Albion uwchlaw Cilfynydd, gyda Beth Jones sy’n gweithio i gyngor Rhondda Cynon Taf ar ddiogelwch tomenni gyda’r cynghorydd lleol, Hywel Gronow. Roedd yn hynod ddiddorol clywed gan Beth am y gwaith a wnaed ac sydd wedi'i gynllunio ar y domen, a deall y cymhlethdod yn well, ond hefyd faint o waith sydd ei angen i gadw ein cymunedau’n ddiogel. Fis Mehefin eleni, fe fydd yn 130 mlynedd ers trychineb glofa’r Albion, y trychineb glofaol gwaethaf erioed ar y pryd, pan adawyd 350 o blant heb dadau. Nid yw Cilfynydd ond yn bodoli oherwydd glofa'r Albion. Felly, mae'n rhywbeth y mae angen inni fod yn ymwybodol ohono, a phan edrychwch ar y lluniau a welodd pob un ohonom o domen Tylorstown a'r tirlithriad yno yn dilyn tywydd eithafol 2020, roedd y braw a deimlai'r trigolion lleol wrth weld y domen yn agor ac yn symud yn rhywbeth a gododd ofn ar bawb yng Nghymru. Yr arswyd a deimlai pobl wrth feddwl, 'Peidiwch â gadael i hyn fod yn Aberfan arall.' Roedd yn ein hatgoffa'n syth o’n gorffennol diwydiannol, a’r risg barhaus sy'n cael ei chreu gan hen domenni glo, ac yn ein hatgoffa pam fod gwaith a buddsoddiad yn hanfodol.
Hoffwn groesawu’r buddsoddiad a wnaed gan Lywodraeth Cymru, ac wrth weld y gwaith yn mynd rhagddo yn fy rhanbarth i, mae’n gwbl warthus, yn fy marn i, nad yw Llywodraeth y DU wedi chwarae ei rhan yn helpu i ariannu’r gwaith. Mae hwn yn waddol sy'n rhagflaenu datganoli, ac nid yw ond yn iawn eu bod yn darparu'r buddsoddiad hirdymor sydd ei angen. Ni chredaf fod unrhyw bwynt dweud bod manteision yn sgil bod yn rhan o undeb nad yw'n cymryd ei chyfrifoldeb o ddifrif. A dweud y gwir, i’r bobl sy’n byw yng nghysgod y tomenni glo hyn o ddydd i ddydd, o gofio am newid hinsawdd a chan wybod bod y tywydd yn dod yn fwy anrhagweladwy, yn fy marn i, mae'r hyn sydd ei angen yn fwy nag y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei gyflawni ar ei phen ei hun heb y buddsoddiad pellach hwnnw.
Mae angen inni sicrhau parhad o ran buddsoddiad, nad yw'n gyllid tymor byr, ac mae hynny'n wirioneddol allweddol ar gyfer cadw staff arbenigol hefyd. Gwn fod llawer iawn o awdurdodau yn ei chael hi'n anodd recriwtio’r nifer o staff sydd eu hangen i ymdrin â’r tomenni hyn, felly mae angen inni sicrhau bod y cyllid yno i sicrhau nad yw pobl sy’n gweithio yn y sector cyhoeddus yn cael eu denu ymaith, ychwaith, gan gyflogau’r sector preifat sy'n gysylltiedig â thomenni, fel y gallwn gadw ein cymunedau’n ddiogel.
Mae'r gwaith o adfer tomenni glo yn creu cyfleoedd cyflogaeth yn ein cymunedau. Yr wythnos diwethaf, collwyd dros 100 o swyddi yn RhCT o ganlyniad i Everest yn mynd i ddwylo’r gweinyddwyr, a chollwyd bron i 500 o swyddi ym mis Hydref o ganlyniad i UK Windows and Doors hefyd yn mynd i ddwylo’r gweinyddwyr. Felly, rwy'n gobeithio bod Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn cael trafodaethau gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros ynni a’r economi ar y mater hwn, a byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe gallech roi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am drafodaethau o’r fath, naill ai wrth ymateb heddiw neu’n ysgrifenedig yn dilyn y ddadl.
Mae’n amlwg fod angen y ddeddfwriaeth. Mae’r Ddeddf Mwyngloddiau a Chwareli (Tomenni) yn dyddio’n ôl i 1969. Mae arnom angen deddfwriaeth sy’n adlewyrchu realiti heddiw, ond rwy'n credu bod yn rhaid inni geisio cydweithio i sicrhau bod y cyllid yn ei le, fod Llywodraeth y DU yn gweithio gyda Llywodraeth Cymru, a bod clirio'r tomenni hyn o fudd i'n cymunedau. Maent yn falltod ar ein hanes.
The communities of Islwyn are truly stunning natural landscapes that bear the scars of Wales's industrial past. Residents in Cwmfelinfach and Ynysddu in the Sirhowy valley in my constituency have made it very clear to me, in large numbers, their great concern about plans to re-wild the former coal tips at Mynydd y Grug in Bedwas. So, I stand as their representative to share some of their legitimate concerns today at how their community will be affected.
The Plaid Cymru debate as tabled majors on the need to remediate these former coal tips, and we all deeply understand the need for this, as the tragedy of Aberfan is deeply rooted in our Welsh consciousness and soul. That is why the Welsh Labour Government has committed £44.4 million capital investment and also provided £3 million of funding to the Coal Authority to undertake key activities to support the Welsh Government programme. And, as has been said, the real and glaring omission here in this arena is that the UK Tory Government will not, to date, contribute financially to the funding of long-term remediation of disused coal tips. Thus, a situation develops where people become suspicious that a company such as ERI Reclamation, the only company in the UK undertaking this unique form of coal tip reclamation, and which is entirely privately financed, is motivated by profit rather than public good. This cynicism is understandable as the coal-mining history of Wales is one of a people and a landscape plundered for profit by outsider capitalist forces.
I met with ERI Reclamation on 27 February to hear what they had to say and to express my constituents' concerns. There is yet to be a submission of any formal planning application by the company, so when and if one is submitted, I will study it closely and listen to the concerns of my constituents to submit my own representations to the local planning authority. Whilst we want to see coal tips removed and remediated, it cannot and should not be at any cost.
A cause of real concern to Islwyn residents is the suggested use of the haul road that passes through the Sirhowy valley country park. The company itself has stated that their proposals will see the haul road used more frequently than it was by Natural Resources Wales during its recent felling works. There is a legitimate local concern that, as part of the plan, the preferred route would use 18 to 20 lorries a day travelling down from the Bedwas coal tips down an existing forest track through the Sirhowy valley country park and past a COVID memorial park. This cannot be simply dismissed. The plan by ERI Reclamation could take anywhere from five to 10 years to complete, and the residents of Cwmfelinfach are right to express such deep concerns at such potential disruption to a very much-loved country park for a decade. So, I will be asking ERI Reclamation to reconsider their preferred route in removing 500,000 tonnes of coal to sell for their profit. I will ask Natural Resources Wales to protect and maintain the Sirhowy valley country park for the benefits of citizens who seek to enjoy the natural landscape, whether that is to walk, cycle or horse ride, as they do now.
And so, Dirprwy Lywydd, these communities, long suffering in this ward of Ynysddu and Cwmfelinfach, deserve the UK Tory Government to come forward, to step up to the plate of the industrial past laid many moons and even centuries before the existence of this democratic place, and before devolution. It is imperative that the UK Government come forth and be responsible for the remediation of Wales's former coal tips, and for the extensive financial cost that will ensue, and to ensure that the green and pleasant land involved is there for all of our future generations. Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd.
Mae cymunedau Islwyn yn dirweddau naturiol gwirioneddol syfrdanol sydd wedi'u creithio gan orffennol diwydiannol Cymru. Mae trigolion yng Nghwmfelinfach ac Ynys-ddu yng nghwm Sirhywi yn fy etholaeth wedi dweud yn glir iawn wrthyf, mewn niferoedd mawr, am eu pryder mawr ynghylch cynlluniau i ddad-ddofi hen domenni glo ar Fynydd y Grug ym Medwas. Felly, rwy’n sefyll fel eu cynrychiolydd i rannu rhai o’u pryderon dilys heddiw ynghylch sut y bydd eu cymuned yn cael ei heffeithio.
Mae dadl Plaid Cymru fel y'i cyflwynir yn seiliedig ar yr angen i adfer yr hen domenni glo hyn, ac mae pob un ohonom yn deall yr angen i wneud hyn, gan fod trychineb Aberfan wedi’i wreiddio’n ddwfn yn ein hymwybyddiaeth a’n henaid fel Cymry. Dyna pam fod Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru wedi ymrwymo buddsoddiad cyfalaf o £44.4 miliwn a hefyd wedi darparu £3 miliwn o gyllid i’r Awdurdod Glo ymgymryd â gweithgarwch allweddol i gefnogi rhaglen Llywodraeth Cymru. Ac fel y dywedwyd, y bwlch gwirioneddol ac amlwg yn y cyswllt hwn yw nad yw Llywodraeth Dorïaidd y DU, hyd yma, wedi cyfrannu'n ariannol at y gwaith adfer hirdymor ar hen domenni glo. Felly, mae sefyllfa’n datblygu lle mae pobl yn dod i amau bod cwmni fel ERI Reclamation, yr unig gwmni yn y DU sy’n ymgymryd â’r ffordd unigryw hon o adfer tomenni glo, ac sy’n cael ei ariannu’n gyfan gwbl gan arian preifat, wedi’i ysgogi gan elw yn hytrach na lles y cyhoedd. Mae’r sinigiaeth hon yn ddealladwy gan fod hanes glofaol Cymru yn un o ysbeilio'r bobl a'r dirwedd er elw gan rymoedd cyfalafol o’r tu allan.
Cyfarfûm ag ERI Reclamation ar 27 Chwefror i glywed yr hyn a oedd ganddynt i’w ddweud ac i fynegi pryderon fy etholwyr. Nid yw’r cwmni wedi cyflwyno unrhyw gais cynllunio ffurfiol eto, felly pan ac os cyflwynir un, byddaf yn ei astudio’n fanwl ac yn gwrando ar bryderon fy etholwyr i gyflwyno fy sylwadau fy hun i’r awdurdod cynllunio lleol. Er ein bod am weld tomenni glo yn cael eu clirio a'u hadfer, ni all ac ni ddylai hynny fod ar unrhyw gost.
Achos sy'n peri pryder gwirioneddol i drigolion Islwyn yw'r awgrym y gellir defnyddio'r ffordd gludo sy'n mynd drwy barc gwledig cwm Sirhywi. Mae'r cwmni ei hun wedi datgan y bydd eu cynigion yn golygu y byddai'r ffordd gludo'n cael ei defnyddio'n amlach nag y cafodd ei defnyddio gan Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn ystod eu gwaith torri coed diweddar. Mae pryder lleol dilys y byddai’r llwybr a ffefrir, yn rhan o’r cynllun, yn defnyddio 18 i 20 lori y dydd yn teithio o domenni glo Bedwas i lawr llwybr coedwig presennol drwy barc gwledig cwm Sirhywi a heibio i barc coffa COVID. Ni ellir diystyru hyn. Gallai’r cynllun gan ERI Reclamation gymryd rhwng pump a 10 mlynedd i’w gwblhau, ac mae trigolion Cwmfelinfach yn iawn i fynegi pryderon dybryd ynghylch y fath darfu posibl ar barc gwledig poblogaidd iawn am ddegawd. Felly, byddaf yn gofyn i ERI Reclamation ailystyried y llwybr a ffefrir ganddynt ar gyfer clirio 500,000 tunnell o lo i’w werthu er elw. Byddaf yn gofyn i Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru warchod a chynnal parc gwledig cwm Sirhywi er budd dinasyddion sy’n awyddus i fwynhau’r dirwedd naturiol, boed hynny drwy gerdded, beicio neu farchogaeth, fel y gwnânt ar hyn o bryd.
Ac felly, Ddirprwy Lywydd, mae'r cymunedau hiramyneddgar hyn yn ward Ynys-ddu a Chwmfelinfach, yn haeddu cael Llywodraeth Dorïaidd y DU yn camu i'r adwy ac yn mynd i'r afael â gorffennol diwydiannol a bennwyd flynyddoedd a hyd yn oed ganrifoedd cyn bodolaeth y lle democrataidd hwn, a chyn datganoli. Mae’n hollbwysig fod Llywodraeth y DU yn camu i'r adwy ac yn derbyn cyfrifoldeb am adfer hen domenni glo Cymru, ac am y gost ariannol helaeth o wneud hynny, a sicrhau bod tir glas hyfryd yno i holl genedlaethau'r dyfodol. Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd.
I want to reflect a little bit more on what Hefin and Rhianon have said and talk a little bit about my thoughts about the ERI proposals. I understand, Cabinet Secretary, that you won't be able to comment on that, but I think there are principles and precedents that might be of interest, and for us to hear some of that thought process when you respond.
I think my main worry regarding the matter extends beyond the immediate scope of the motion before us today. While we're discussing the pressing need for remediation of coal tips, a troubling development looms on the horizon with the proposed coal-extraction project in Bedwas near Caerphilly. We've heard about ERI, Energy Recovery Investments Limited, who, under the guise of reclaiming coal tips and coal tip safety, are planning to extract coal from the Bedwas colliery site over a period of seven years, with a possible extension. The potential implications of the project are far-reaching and alarming, with many questions yet to be answered satisfactorily to alleviate the concerns of local residents. With the proposed haulage road that we heard from Rhianon about there, operations associated with the Bedwas coal-extraction project raise concerns and questions about transport, safety and congestion, with an estimated average of 90 heavy goods vehicles per week. The increased traffic poses a risk to road users and exacerbates existing congestion issues. Additionally, construction of a new haul road and widening existing tracks raises questions about the loss of valuable green spaces, and could further disrupt local ecosystems. It's imperative that we consider the broader implications of these transport logistics and prioritise the safety and well-being of our communities in any decision-making process
The main question at hand is not just the environmental impact of this specific project, but the dangerous precedent that it could set. With over 300 at-risk coal tips registered across the south of our country, and no budget to pay for their remediation, the question is: is Bedwas coal tip a testing ground for remediating the remaining coal tips across the country?
Rwyf am oedi ychydig mwy ar yr hyn a ddywedodd Hefin a Rhiannon a siarad ychydig am fy meddyliau am gynigion ERI. Rwy'n deall, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, na fyddwch yn gallu gwneud sylwadau ar hynny, ond credaf fod egwyddorion a chynseiliau a allai fod o ddiddordeb, ac y cawn glywed rhywfaint o'r broses feddyliol honno pan fyddwch yn ymateb.
Rwy'n credu bod fy mhrif bryder ynghylch y mater yn ymestyn y tu hwnt i gwmpas uniongyrchol y cynnig sydd ger ein bron heddiw. Er ein bod yn trafod yr angen dybryd am adfer tomenni glo, mae datblygiad cythryblus ar y gorwel gyda'r prosiect cloddio glo arfaethedig ym Medwas ger Caerffili. Rydym wedi clywed am ERI, Energy Recovery Investments Limited, sydd, dan gochl adfer tomenni glo a diogelwch tomenni glo, yn bwriadu cloddio am lo ar safle pwll glo Bedwas dros gyfnod o saith mlynedd, gydag estyniad posibl. Mae goblygiadau posibl y prosiect yn bellgyrhaeddol ac yn frawychus, gyda llawer o gwestiynau eto i'w hateb yn foddhaol i leddfu pryderon trigolion lleol. Gyda'r ffordd gludo arfaethedig y clywsom amdani gan Rhianon, mae gwaith sy'n gysylltiedig â phrosiect cloddio glo Bedwas yn codi pryderon a chwestiynau am drafnidiaeth, diogelwch a thagfeydd, gydag amcangyfrif o 90 o gerbydau nwyddau trwm yr wythnos. Mae'r traffig cynyddol yn creu risg i ddefnyddwyr y ffordd ac yn gwaethygu problemau tagfeydd presennol. Yn ogystal, mae adeiladu ffordd gludo newydd ac ehangu traciau presennol yn codi cwestiynau am golli mannau gwyrdd gwerthfawr, a gallai amharu ymhellach ar ecosystemau lleol. Mae'n hanfodol ein bod yn ystyried goblygiadau ehangach y logisteg cludiant ac yn blaenoriaethu diogelwch a lles ein cymunedau mewn unrhyw broses benderfynu.
Nid effaith amgylcheddol y prosiect penodol hwn yn unig yw'r prif gwestiwn dan sylw, ond y cynsail peryglus y gallai ei osod. Gyda dros 300 o domenni glo lle ceir risg wedi'u cofrestru ar draws y de yn ein gwlad, a dim cyllideb i dalu am eu hadfer, y cwestiwn yw: a yw tomen lo Bedwas yn faes profi ar gyfer adfer y tomenni glo sy'n weddill ledled y wlad?
I completely take that point. I think that's a really reasonable and good point to make, and also the issue that Rhianon raised about the road going through. I'm not here to advocate for ERI in any way, and I'm as sceptical as you are, but one thing they have done and which is in your region is the Six Bells project, in which they've taken a tip away, flattened the land and turned it into a country park area. I just wondered what your opinions were on that, just so I can be informed, really, because it's obviously not my constituency.
Rwy'n derbyn y pwynt hwnnw'n llwyr. Rwy'n credu bod hwnnw'n bwynt rhesymol a da iawn i'w wneud, a hefyd y mater a gododd Rhianon am y ffordd sy'n mynd drwodd. Nid wyf yma i eirioli dros ERI mewn unrhyw ffordd, ac rwyf lawn mor amheus â chi, ond un peth y maent wedi'i wneud ac sydd yn eich rhanbarth chi yw prosiect Six Bells, lle maent wedi cael gwared ar domen, wedi gwastatáu'r tir a'i droi'n ardal parc gwledig. Roeddwn i'n meddwl tybed beth oedd eich barn chi ynglŷn â hynny, imi gael gwybod, oherwydd yn amlwg, nid yw yn fy etholaeth i.
I've been talking to ERI, and I know Delyth and I have had meetings with them, and there are questions around that and their involvement there. So it's something, again, where we're asking lots of questions, and we'll keep digging down until we get the answers that we need. So, we’ll keep digging. [Interruption.] Yes, certainly.
The proposed project in Bedwas raises questions and may present a clear and present danger to our environment and our communities. It risks opening the floodgates to further coal extraction projects under the guise of remediation efforts, undermining the progress made towards transitioning to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. Furthermore, there may be an attempt to rebrand the mined coal as reduced-carbon coal. Now, this would be nothing short of misleading. The company’s claims of displacing imported coal fail to answer the broader environmental impacts of coal extraction and combustion.
There are real gaps in the answers provided to date, and, at this point, because of those gaps, there does not seem to be a satisfactory solution. It seems to be a regressive step backwards in our efforts to combat climate change and protect future generations. It’s imperative that we ask many searching questions to guard against attempts to revive the coal-mining industry through the back door. We cannot allow short-term profit motives to outweigh the longer term well-being of our communities and their environment. We must uphold the principles of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and reject any project that threatens to undermine them.
In conclusion, justice for communities in Wales demands robust scrutiny and detailed questioning to ensure the remediation and repurposing of disused coal tips and other post-industrial sites is done in the safest way possible. We must remain vigilant against attempts to revive the coal-mining industry by stealth. As representatives, we need to prioritise the long-term well-being of the people we represent, the safety of our communities, and the sustainability of our environment. We need to ensure that we listen to the voices of the affected communities and make sure their interests are safeguarded. Only by doing our jobs properly and scrutinising these projects properly can we truly honour our commitment to the well-being of present and future generations. Diolch yn fawr.
Rwyf wedi bod yn siarad ag ERI, ac rwy'n gwybod bod Delyth a minnau wedi cael cyfarfodydd gyda nhw, ac mae cwestiynau'n codi ynghylch hynny a'u hymwneud yno. Felly mae'n rhywbeth, unwaith eto, lle rydym yn gofyn llawer o gwestiynau, a byddwn yn parhau i'w holi nes inni gael yr atebion sydd eu hangen arnom. Felly, byddwn yn parhau i dyrchu. [Torri ar draws.] Yn sicr.
Mae'r prosiect arfaethedig ym Medwas yn codi cwestiynau a gall beri perygl clir i'n hamgylchedd a'n cymunedau. Mae'n creu risg o agor y llifddorau i brosiectau cloddio glo pellach o dan gochl ymdrechion adfer, gan danseilio'r cynnydd a wnaed tuag at newid i ffynonellau ynni glanach a mwy cynaliadwy. Ar ben hynny, efallai y bydd ymgais i ailfrandio'r glo a gloddiwyd fel glo â llai o garbon. Nawr, byddai hynny'n gamarweiniol. Nid yw honiadau'r cwmni eu bod yn cymryd lle glo a fewnforir yn ateb effeithiau amgylcheddol ehangach cloddio a llosgi glo.
Mae bylchau gwirioneddol yn yr atebion a ddarparwyd hyd yma, ac ar y pwynt hwn, oherwydd y bylchau hynny, nid yw'n ymddangos bod yna ateb boddhaol. Mae'n ymddangos ei fod yn gam yn ôl yn ein hymdrechion i frwydro yn erbyn newid hinsawdd a diogelu cenedlaethau'r dyfodol. Mae'n hanfodol ein bod yn gofyn llawer o gwestiynau treiddgar i ddiogelu rhag ymdrechion i adfywio'r diwydiant glo drwy'r drws cefn. Ni allwn ganiatáu i gymhellion elw tymor byr orbwyso lles mwy hirdymor ein cymunedau a'u hamgylchedd. Rhaid inni gynnal egwyddorion Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau'r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015 a gwrthod unrhyw brosiect sy'n bygwth eu tanseilio.
I gloi, mae cyfiawnder i gymunedau yng Nghymru yn galw am graffu cadarn a chwestiynu manwl i sicrhau bod gwaith adfer ac ail-bwrpasu tomenni glo segur a safleoedd ôl-ddiwydiannol eraill yn cael ei wneud yn y ffordd fwyaf diogel posibl. Rhaid inni fod yn wyliadwrus rhag ymdrechion i adfywio'r diwydiant glo drwy'r drws cefn. Fel cynrychiolwyr, mae angen inni flaenoriaethu lles hirdymor y bobl a gynrychiolwn, diogelwch ein cymunedau, a chynaliadwyedd ein hamgylchedd. Mae angen inni sicrhau ein bod yn gwrando ar leisiau'r cymunedau yr effeithir arnynt a sicrhau bod eu buddiannau'n cael eu diogelu. Dim ond drwy wneud ein gwaith yn iawn a chraffu ar y prosiectau hyn yn briodol y gallwn anrhydeddu ein hymrwymiad i lesiant cenedlaethau'r presennol a'r dyfodol yn iawn. Diolch yn fawr.
Galwaf ar Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Lywodraeth Leol, Tai a Chynllunio, Julie James.
I call on the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning, Julie James.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Can I thank Plaid Cymru for bringing forward this very important debate, and Members for their contributions today? Wales does have a proud mining heritage, but its legacy has undoubtedly left us with over 2,500 disused coal spoil tips across Wales, which make up 40 per cent of the disused coal tips in the UK, as noted in the debate motion.
We know that climate change is bringing more frequent and intense patterns of rainfall, as this winter has demonstrated only too clearly. The shifting weather patterns mean there is potential for the destabilisation of the disused tips. Everyone here is familiar with the Tylorstown landslide in February 2020, which you very eloquently said brought into sharp focus the legacy with which our communities live. I absolutely understand and share the anxiety felt in communities near coal tips. This is one of the drivers behind our publication of the location data of all category C and D tips in November, and the remaining A, B and R tips in March. We now have a single source of truth as to where those tips are, which is one of the first of its kind, and firmly places Wales as a world leader in this field. The Welsh Government provided a significant package of supporting information to communities to support the publication, and that support, I'm very pleased to say, was well received. But if anyone does have remaining concerns about any tips, they can still contact the Coal Authority hotline. The contact details are available online and very easy to find, as I checked just before the debate. We do not want people to live in fear. The whole point of the publication was to alleviate that fear, and it's an important context.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. A gaf i ddiolch i Blaid Cymru am gyflwyno'r ddadl bwysig hon, a'r Aelodau am eu cyfraniadau heddiw? Mae gan Gymru dreftadaeth lofaol falch, ond heb os, mae ei gwaddol wedi ein gadael â dros 2,500 o domenni gwastraff glo segur ledled Cymru, sef 40 y cant o'r tomenni glo segur yn y DU, fel y nodwyd yng nghynnig y ddadl.
Gwyddom fod newid hinsawdd yn dod â phatrymau glawiad amlach a thrymach, fel y mae'r gaeaf hwn wedi dangos yn glir. Mae'r patrymau tywydd newidiol yn golygu bod perygl o ansefydlogi'r tomenni segur. Mae pawb yma'n gyfarwydd â thirlithriad Tylorstown ym mis Chwefror 2020, ac fe wnaethoch chi ddweud yn huawdl iawn iddo roi ffocws craff i'r gwaddol y mae ein cymunedau yn byw gydag ef. Rwy'n deall ac yn rhannu'r pryder a deimlir mewn cymunedau ger tomenni glo. Dyma un o'r sbardunau y tu ôl i'n cyhoeddiad ynghylch data lleoliad holl domenni categori C a D ym mis Tachwedd, a'r tomenni A, B ac R eraill ym mis Mawrth. Bellach mae gennym un ffynhonnell o wirionedd ynglŷn â ble mae'r tomenni hynny, sef un o'r rhai cyntaf o'i bath, ac mae'n gosod Cymru yn gadarn fel arweinydd byd yn y maes hwn. Darparodd Llywodraeth Cymru becyn sylweddol o wybodaeth ategol i gymunedau i gefnogi'r cyhoeddiad, ac rwy'n falch iawn o ddweud bod y gefnogaeth honno wedi cael derbyniad da. Ond os oes gan unrhyw un bryderon o hyd am unrhyw domenni, gallant ddal i gysylltu â llinell gymorth yr Awdurdod Glo. Mae'r manylion cyswllt ar gael ar-lein ac yn hawdd iawn dod o hyd iddynt, fel y gwelais ychydig cyn y ddadl. Nid ydym am i bobl fyw mewn ofn. Holl bwynt y cyhoeddiad oedd lleddfu'r ofn hwnnw, ac mae'n gyd-destun pwysig.
Daeth y Llywydd i’r Gadair.
The Llywydd took the Chair.
I absolutely support the sentiments behind the motion that's in front of us today. The amendment we've tabled is a nuance, I think, about the forthcoming legislative programme because it's already scheduled and coming in the autumn. Otherwise, we'd have just been supporting the motion. We absolutely support its sentiments.
We established the coal tip safety programme in 2020, and it is making good progress. Since 2020, there's been a significant increase in coal tip inspections and monitoring in Wales. We've commissioned the Coal Authority to undertake ongoing inspections until our new statutory regime is in place, and they've undertaken over 1,500 inspections to date. To support this work, the Welsh Government has already made, as many people have acknowledged, £44.4 million of capital funding available to local authorities since 2022. And I'm very pleased to report to Members that the recent winter inspection round concluded in February and no major concerns were raised, despite the inclement winter weather. I do think it is important to reassure communities that those inspections are thorough and vigorous, and that those inspections have not revealed anything to be worried about.
Our inspections and maintenance regime has established itself as a robust operating process, but of course we want to futureproof the system and ensure we keep pace with technological developments within the new statutory regime. And that's why we're undertaking a programme of technology trials across more than 70 category C and D tips. The outcomes of the trials will inform the long-term technology and monitoring strategies of the future management regime. Meanwhile, through longer term remediation and reclamation, Welsh Government policy is to identify potential opportunities to turn disused tips into beneficial assets for communities. Not only will this deliver on our core safety objective, but it can, as many Members have pointed out, bring economic benefits, new skills and more employment to areas that need it. Ultimately, the best option will depend on each specific tip, including the hazard status and receptors, such as the communities that surround it. Tip reclamation and remediation can offer valuable opportunities to respond to both the climate and nature emergencies by building an ecological network and improving ecosystem resilience. For example, the remediation of the Tylorstown landslide includes the creation of a wildflower meadow from the debris removed from the tip. So, I do think it's important to understand what can be done.
I just want to reiterate something I said in questions this morning, with the Llywydd's indulgence just for one moment; I don't want to repeat everything I said there. I'm not going to comment on a particular planning or pre-planning application, but the process through which that has to pass is vigorous. It includes all of the issues that all Members have brought up today, including disruption to local communities. It engages the Welsh Government's coal policy, in my view, and it will have to go through those processes vigorously. I'm not going to comment at all on its merits or otherwise, but just to reassure Members that that process is in place and vigorously enforced.
I also want you to know that we are following closely the developments at Ffos-y-fran with some concern. I confirm that the Welsh Government and our public sector partners are working in collaboration with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council to ensure the safety of the community, to provide reassurance and to ensure that the site is restored in line with the original plans. We are already closely monitoring the situation, and I've arranged to meet the leader of the council on Thursday 13 June. I actually met with Dawn Bowden, the local Member, just today as she wanted to share some of her concerns. In the meantime, I've provided assurance to Merthyr council that the Welsh Government is available to provide help and support where possible, and that includes providing funding to ensure that independent assessments on potential flooding concerns and environmental impacts are carried out. I will be reinforcing that message when I see the leader very soon.
More broadly where funding is concerned, the Welsh Government has made clear our commitment to playing our part in the long-term resilience of our coal tips. However, the case for the UK Government to contribute too is clear and compelling, and, at this point, I feel I absolutely have to address Joel's speech, which I was, frankly, appalled by. I'm sorry to share personal details here. My maternal grandfather died of black lung. He died in June 1940, three weeks after he had learned that his eldest son had been killed on HMS Glorious. He left my 38-year-old grandmother with six children to bring up and no compensation of any sort, and the fact that some rich Welsh families built some stuff in our cities is no compensation for that at all. Words fail me as to the rest of that speech so I think it's best left there, but there are long, long legacies of exploitation throughout all of our communities, in each one of our families. My father too was a miner. He also died of cancer, almost certainly because of his mining history. I can't prove that, but it's almost certain. That will be the case in many families across Wales. To say that that isn't exploitation beggars belief, quite frankly.
The presence of these coal tips long predates devolution, and it is really disappointing that the UK Government refuses to acknowledge its moral responsibility in helping to fund this remediation programme. We raise it at every opportunity; my colleague Rebecca Evans and I have raised it many times with various Secretaries of State—they do revolve rather a lot. Each time a new one comes, we raise it again. The previous First Minister lost no opportunity to raise it; I'm sure the new First Minister will lose no opportunity otherwise. It is the moral responsibility of the UK Government to remediate the legacy of the industrial heritage of the whole of the UK, not just the bits that it likes. But underpinning all of this work is the development of the disused tips Bill, which will provide a much-needed modernisation of the legislation surrounding coal tips. The disused tips, mines and quarries Bill will reform outdated laws around tip safety and give greater security to the people living in their shadow. It will enshrine in legislation a long-term sustainable and fit-for-purpose regulatory regime for disused tip safety. It will be led by a newly created public body solely focused on the work, and the work is developing at pace to set up the new body, so it can hit the ground running as soon as the new regime commences.
Rwy'n llwyr gefnogi'r teimladau y tu ôl i'r cynnig sydd o'n blaenau heddiw. Mae'r gwelliant a gyflwynwyd gennym yn un bychan, rwy'n credu, am y rhaglen ddeddfwriaethol sydd ar y ffordd oherwydd ei bod eisoes wedi'i threfnu ac yn dod yn yr hydref. Fel arall, byddem wedi cefnogi'r cynnig. Rydym yn cefnogi ei deimladau'n llwyr.
Fe wnaethom sefydlu'r rhaglen diogelwch tomenni glo yn 2020, ac mae'n gwneud cynnydd da. Ers 2020, bu cynnydd sylweddol yn y gwaith o archwilio a monitro tomenni glo yng Nghymru. Rydym wedi comisiynu'r Awdurdod Glo i gynnal archwiliadau parhaus hyd nes y bydd ein cyfundrefn statudol newydd ar waith, ac maent wedi cynnal dros 1,500 o archwiliadau hyd yma. I gefnogi'r gwaith hwn, mae Llywodraeth Cymru eisoes wedi rhyddhau £44.4 miliwn o gyllid cyfalaf i awdurdodau lleol ers 2022, fel y mae llawer o bobl wedi cydnabod. Ac rwy'n falch iawn o nodi i'r Aelodau fod rownd archwilio'r gaeaf yn ddiweddar wedi dod i ben ym mis Chwefror ac ni fynegwyd unrhyw bryderon mawr, er gwaethaf tywydd garw'r gaeaf. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig tawelu meddwl cymunedau fod yr archwiliadau hynny'n drylwyr ac yn drwyadl, ac nad ydynt wedi datgelu unrhyw beth i boeni yn ei gylch.
Mae ein cyfundrefn archwilio a chynnal a chadw wedi ymsefydlu'n broses weithredu gadarn, ond wrth gwrs rydym am ddiogelu'r system ar gyfer y dyfodol a sicrhau ein bod yn ymwybodol o ddatblygiadau technolegol o fewn y gyfundrefn statudol newydd. A dyna pam ein bod yn cynnal rhaglen o dreialon technoleg ar draws mwy na 70 o domenni categori C a D. Bydd canlyniadau'r treialon yn llywio technoleg hirdymor a strategaethau monitro cyfundrefn reoli'r dyfodol. Yn y cyfamser, drwy adfer mwy hirdymor, polisi Llywodraeth Cymru yw nodi cyfleoedd posibl i droi tomenni nas defnyddir yn asedau buddiol i gymunedau. Nid yn unig y bydd hyn yn cyflawni ein nod diogelwch craidd, ond fel y mae llawer o Aelodau wedi nodi, gall greu manteision economaidd, sgiliau newydd a mwy o gyflogaeth i ardaloedd sydd eu hangen. Yn y pen draw, bydd yr opsiwn gorau yn dibynnu ar bob tomen benodol, gan gynnwys statws y perygl a derbynleoedd, fel y cymunedau sydd o'i chwmpas. Gall adfer tomen gynnig cyfleoedd gwerthfawr i ymateb i'r argyfyngau hinsawdd a natur drwy adeiladu rhwydwaith ecolegol a gwella gwytnwch ecosystemau. Er enghraifft, mae adfer tirlithriad Tylorstown yn cynnwys creu dolydd blodau gwyllt o'r malurion a dynnwyd o'r domen. Felly, rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig deall beth y gellir ei wneud.
Rwyf am ailadrodd rhywbeth a ddywedais mewn cwestiynau y bore yma, os caf ofyn i'r Llywydd am ei hamynedd am un eiliad; nid wyf am ailadrodd popeth a ddywedais yno. Nid wyf yn mynd i wneud sylwadau ar gais cynllunio neu cyn-gynllunio penodol, ond mae'r broses y mae'n rhaid iddo fynd drwyddi yn drwyadl. Mae'n cynnwys yr holl faterion y mae'r holl Aelodau wedi'u codi heddiw, gan gynnwys tarfu ar gymunedau lleol. Mae'n ymwneud â pholisi glo Llywodraeth Cymru yn fy marn i, a bydd yn rhaid iddo fynd drwy'r prosesau hynny'n drylwyr. Nid wyf yn mynd i wneud sylwadau o gwbl ar ei rinweddau neu fel arall, ond hoffwn dawelu meddwl yr Aelodau fod y broses honno ar waith ac yn cael ei gorfodi'n drylwyr.
Hefyd, rwyf am ichi wybod ein bod yn dilyn y datblygiadau yn Ffos-y-fran yn agos gyda rhywfaint o bryder. Rwy'n cadarnhau bod Llywodraeth Cymru a'n partneriaid yn y sector cyhoeddus yn gweithio ar y cyd â Chyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Merthyr Tudful i sicrhau diogelwch y gymuned, i roi sicrwydd ac i sicrhau bod y safle'n cael ei adfer yn unol â'r cynlluniau gwreiddiol. Rydym eisoes yn monitro'r sefyllfa'n agos, ac rwyf wedi trefnu cyfarfod ag arweinydd y cyngor ddydd Iau 13 Mehefin. Cyfarfûm â Dawn Bowden, yr Aelod lleol, heddiw gan ei bod am rannu rhai o'i phryderon. Yn y cyfamser, rwyf wedi rhoi sicrwydd i gyngor Merthyr Tudful fod Llywodraeth Cymru ar gael i ddarparu cymorth a chefnogaeth lle bo hynny'n bosibl, ac mae hynny'n cynnwys darparu cyllid i sicrhau bod asesiadau annibynnol yn cael eu cynnal o bryderon llifogydd ac effeithiau amgylcheddol posibl. Byddaf yn atgyfnerthu'r neges honno pan welaf yr arweinydd yn fuan iawn.
Yn fwy cyffredinol ar gyllid, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi egluro ein hymrwymiad i chwarae ein rhan yng ngwytnwch hirdymor ein tomenni glo. Fodd bynnag, mae'r achos dros weld Llywodraeth y DU yn cyfrannu hefyd yn glir ac yn gymhellol, ac ar y pwynt hwn, rwy'n teimlo bod yn rhaid imi roi sylw i araith Joel, a wnaeth fy syfrdanu a dweud y gwir. Mae'n ddrwg gennyf rannu manylion personol yma. Bu farw fy nhad-cu o'r ysgyfaint du. Bu farw ym mis Mehefin 1940, dair wythnos ar ôl iddo glywed bod ei fab hynaf wedi cael ei ladd ar HMS Glorious. Gadawodd fy mam-gu 38 oed gyda chwech o blant i'w magu a dim iawndal o unrhyw fath, ac nid yw'r ffaith fod rhai teuluoedd cyfoethog o Gymru wedi adeiladu ambell beth yn ein dinasoedd yn gwneud unrhyw iawn am hynny. Nid oes gennyf eiriau am weddill yr araith honno felly rwy'n credu ei bod yn well ei gadael yno, ond mae gwaddol hir o ecsbloetio ledled ein holl gymunedau, ym mhob un o'n teuluoedd. Roedd fy nhad hefyd yn löwr. Bu yntau farw o ganser hefyd, bron yn sicr oherwydd ei hanes glofaol. Ni allaf brofi hynny, ond mae bron yn sicr. Bydd hynny'n wir mewn nifer o deuluoedd ar draws Cymru. Mae dweud nad yw hynny'n ecsbloetio yn mynd â fy ngwynt, a dweud y gwir.
Mae presenoldeb y tomenni glo hyn yn mynd yn ôl ymhell cyn datganoli, ac mae'n siomedig iawn fod Llywodraeth y DU yn gwrthod cydnabod ei chyfrifoldeb moesol i helpu i ariannu'r rhaglen adfer hon. Rydym yn ei godi ar bob cyfle; mae fy nghyd-Aelod, Rebecca Evans a minnau wedi ei godi droeon gyda gwahanol Ysgrifenyddion Gwladol—maent yn tueddu i newid cryn dipyn. Bob tro y daw un newydd, rydym yn ei godi eto. Ni fethodd ein Prif Weinidog blaenorol unrhyw gyfle i'w godi; rwy'n siŵr na fydd y Prif Weinidog newydd yn methu unrhyw gyfle ychwaith. Cyfrifoldeb moesol Llywodraeth y DU yw adfer gwaddol treftadaeth ddiwydiannol y DU gyfan, nid dim ond y darnau y mae'n eu hoffi. Ond yn sail i'r holl waith hwn mae datblygiad y Bil tomenni nas defnyddir, a fydd yn mynd ati i foderneiddio'r ddeddfwriaeth sy'n ymwneud â thomenni glo, rhywbeth sydd ei angen yn fawr. Bydd y Bil mwyngloddiau a chwareli, tomenni nas defnyddir, yn diwygio cyfreithiau sydd wedi dyddio ynghylch diogelwch tomenni ac yn rhoi mwy o dawelwch meddwl i'r bobl sy'n byw yn eu cysgod. Bydd yn ymgorffori cyfundrefn reoleiddio gynaliadwy hirdymor ac addas i'r diben mewn cyfraith ar gyfer diogelwch tomenni nas defnyddir. Bydd yn cael ei arwain gan gorff cyhoeddus newydd sy'n canolbwyntio'n llwyr ar y gwaith, ac mae'r gwaith yn datblygu'n gyflym ar sefydlu'r corff newydd, fel y gall ddechrau gweithredu cyn gynted ag y bydd y gyfundrefn newydd yn dechrau.
You mentioned in quite a bit of length there about what the Government is doing in relation to Ffos-y-fran, and now you're talking about the new forthcoming legislation. Will that include other opencast mines, such as the one I mentioned in East Pit?
Fe wnaethoch chi sôn mewn cryn dipyn o fanylder yno am yr hyn y mae'r Llywodraeth yn ei wneud mewn perthynas â Ffos-y-fran, a nawr rydych chi'n siarad am y ddeddfwriaeth newydd sydd ar y ffordd. A fydd honno'n cynnwys gweithfeydd glo brig eraill, fel yr un y soniais amdano ym Mhwll y Dwyrain?
So, one of the things we'll have to do is to make sure that the various regimes dovetail together, and it will be a matter for the committees in scrutiny to make sure that we've done that as well. So, an opencast mine that's operational is not a disused tip; obviously, it's being used. And then the transition between used and disused are ones that we'll have to look at carefully, to make sure that, as an opencast mine stops being an opencast mine, it transfers into the new regime in a seamless way and with all of the right operators and players playing their part in that transition. So, it will be very much part of the discussion on the new Bill to make sure that the edges of those two regimes match together. There is also an overlap with the environmental governance body that we will be bringing forward shortly thereafter. We need to make sure the regimes fit together and every one is picked up in one of them, as appropriate.
So, I just want to conclude that we agree our coal tip communities should, can and will deserve to be safe, now and in the future. That's the ultimate priority for both the programme and for the Government. We will use all the levers at our disposal to progress the programme at pace, while capitalising on the opportunities to respond to our climate and nature emergencies. I continue to be grateful to our key partners for their support in delivering and progressing this work, particularly the Coal Authority and our local authority partners, who already put of lot of work in. But, Llywydd, I am going to call again on the UK Government to acknowledge its own role and play its part in the remediation of these tips across our communities. But, in the meantime, I look forward to introducing the Bill in the autumn. Diolch.
Felly, un o'r pethau y bydd yn rhaid inni ei wneud yw sicrhau bod y gwahanol gyfundrefnau'n plethu gyda'i gilydd, a mater i'r pwyllgorau craffu fydd sicrhau ein bod wedi gwneud hynny. Felly, nid yw pwll glo brig sy'n weithredol yn domen nas defnyddir; mae'n cael ei ddefnyddio wrth gwrs. Ac felly bydd y pontio rhwng pwll sydd mewn defnydd a phwll nas defnyddir yn rhywbeth y bydd yn rhaid inni edrych arno'n ofalus, i wneud yn siŵr, wrth i waith glo brig orffen bod yn waith glo brig, ei fod yn trosglwyddo i'r gyfundrefn newydd mewn ffordd ddi-dor a chyda'r holl weithredwyr cywir yn chwarae eu rhan yn y newid hwnnw. Felly, bydd sicrhau bod ymylon y ddwy gyfundrefn yn cyd-fynd â'i gilydd yn rhan fawr o'r drafodaeth ar y Bil newydd. Mae gorgyffwrdd hefyd gyda'r corff llywodraethu amgylcheddol y byddwn yn ei gyflwyno yn fuan wedi hynny. Mae angen inni sicrhau bod y cyfundrefnau'n cyd-fynd â'i gilydd a bod pob un yn arwain at un arall, fel y bo'n briodol.
Felly, rwyf am orffen drwy ddweud ein bod yn cytuno y dylai, y gall ac y bydd ein cymunedau tomenni glo yn haeddu bod yn ddiogel, nawr ac yn y dyfodol. Dyna'r flaenoriaeth yn y pen draw i'r rhaglen ac i'r Llywodraeth. Byddwn yn defnyddio'r holl ddulliau sydd ar gael i ni i ddatblygu'r rhaglen yn gyflym, gan fanteisio ar y cyfleoedd i ymateb i'n hargyfyngau hinsawdd a natur. Rwy'n parhau i fod yn ddiolchgar i'n partneriaid allweddol am eu cefnogaeth i gyflawni a datblygu'r gwaith hwn, yn enwedig yr Awdurdod Glo a'n partneriaid awdurdod lleol, sydd eisoes wedi gwneud llawer o waith. Ond Lywydd, rwy'n mynd i alw eto ar Lywodraeth y DU i gydnabod ei rôl ei hun a chwarae ei rhan yn adfer y tomenni hyn ar draws ein cymunedau. Ond yn y cyfamser, edrychaf ymlaen at gyflwyno'r Bil yn yr hydref. Diolch.
Delyth Jewell nawr i ymateb i'r ddadl.
Delyth Jewell to reply to the debate.
Diolch, Llywydd, a diolch i bawb sydd wedi cymryd rhan yn y ddadl.
Thank you, Llywydd, and thank you to everyone who has taken part in this debate.
Well, diolch, Joel, though I must take contention with what you said. Our workers were exploited, whether by pit owners or, indeed, iron masters. Near Merthyr you'll find the grave of the industrialist Richard Crawshay. The only words on his grave are 'God forgive me'. He knew, just as pit owners would have known, how he would be judged when he went to meet his maker.
Now, I thank Hefin for the intervention that he made there citing Senghenydd. The women whose husbands were killed in that disaster were only paid half a day's wages, because the explosion happened before their shift had ended. It is not an alternative reality to say that these men and their communities were exploited.
Diolch, Sioned. Sioned reminded us of the scars in the Swansea valley still being felt today, including in schools, and the anxiety felt by residents. With opencast sites, she talked about water-filled voids. Now, the climate change committee heard recently from Climate Cymru about Ffos-y-fran, and they talked about staring into the void. Now, usually, we'd use that phrase for an existential crisis, but there's no existential remote threat facing these communities; it is real and undeniable. Hefin spoke about, again, not just what had happened with Senghenydd, but some of the concerns that a number of Members have about what might be happening in Bedwas. I know you, like me, will be concerned about some of the higher risk tips, where the private companies aren't as interested to go in and what's going to happen with them, of course. My argument is still that I don't think that this should be the responsibility of private companies; it should be on Government, and indeed Westminster should be paying towards this. The hole that's been opened up here, both literal and metaphorical, is because of Westminster's failings.
Heledd reflected on how the stories that are told at Big Pit are not just, again, of the miners, but their families, and the lung conditions that miners' wives suffered from because they washed their husbands' clothes. Heledd talked about the Albion disaster. There's a line of graves in Llanfabon cemetery of unknown men who were killed in the Albion disaster, unable to be identified. These miners were exploited, Llywydd, the named and the nameless.
Now, Rhianon spoke about her constituents' worries about what's happening, again, possibly, with Sirhowy, a concern that companies motivated by profit could again exploit landscapes. Coal tip reclamation should not cost our communities again. Peredur spoke about these proposals as well and how there is a concern that coal extraction could happen under the guise of reclamation, and concern that it could set a precedent for what could happen across the coalfield.
Diolch to the Cabinet Secretary for your comments as well. I agree that publishing the data has been very, very valuable—a single source of trust, as you put it. I would still press the Government to include opencast sites in the upcoming legislation. The phenomena of coal tips, opencast sites and how they're treated, they are linked. And I am so sorry about what happened to your family. Thank you for sharing that. Those will be stories that will be shared across Wales, and they matter and we must remember them, because we must learn from our history.
For decades, no law was made to manage the risk that the tips posed; no thought was wasted on what could go wrong if the spoil started to slip until that fateful, terrible day in 1966 when muck and slurry fell onto the school at Aberfan, taking the lives of 144 people, 116 of them children. That nightmare awoke some from their slumbering, but nobody lost their job, no-one was called to account. No—the shadow of Aberfan did not extend to the corridors of Westminster. They chose to look the other way, and that shame will never be washed from their hands, nor will the muck or the sludge from these tips be scrubbed from them until they reckon with what they have done. They made a desolation of our landscapes and called it progress. Progress that was never passed to miners, though their spirit, Llywydd, it was never dulled.
I've been proud in recent years to work alongside former mineworkers who were robbed of their pensions, another scandal over which Westminster has presided, and the slogan those campaigners have adopted is an emotive one: 'With the last breath of broken men.' No, the miners' spirit was never dimmed. I said earlier that our Valleys were shaped by coal mining, not just the landscapes, but our people, the determination of the miners to make communities that were better for their children, building miners' halls and libraries, hosting meetings and eisteddfodau. I think often of Harri Webb's words, of the old men of Dowlais reminiscing about the men coming out of the cwbs at Caeharris station, men, they said, with 90 per cent dust who could hit top C as if it never existed. The sacrifices those men made, the horrors they endured, and still, with their last breath, they sang.
It is for their honour and their memory, the miners who died and those who survived it, that the past's sins must at last be atoned for. The legacy of mining has been brutal. Clearing the tips is one thing that can compensate, to allow Westminster to get one thing right for the miners at last, cleanse the wounds left on their lungs and our landscape, and pay the miners' children their charge. If any decency or virtue is left to them, they would do this, and pay at last for the wrongs of the past.
Wel, diolch, Joel, er bod yn rhaid imi anghytuno â'r hyn a ddywedoch chi. Cafodd ein gweithwyr eu hecsbloetio, naill ai gan berchnogion pyllau neu'n wir, y meistri haearn. Ger Merthyr fe welwch fedd y diwydiannwr Richard Crawshay. Yr unig eiriau ar ei fedd yw 'God forgive me'. Fe wyddai, yn union fel y byddai perchnogion pyllau glo wedi gwybod, sut y byddai'n cael ei farnu pan âi i gwrdd â'i grëwr.
Nawr, diolch i Hefin am yr ymyriad a wnaeth i sôn am Senghennydd. Dim ond hanner diwrnod o gyflog a gafodd ei dalu i'r menywod y lladdwyd eu gwŷr yn y trychineb hwnnw, oherwydd digwyddodd y ffrwydrad cyn i'w shifft ddod i ben. Nid yw'n realiti amgen i ddweud bod y dynion hyn a'u cymunedau wedi cael eu hecsbloetio.
Diolch, Sioned. Atgoffodd Sioned ni o'r creithiau yng nghwm Tawe sy'n dal i gael eu teimlo heddiw, gan gynnwys mewn ysgolion, a'r pryder a deimlir gan drigolion. Gyda safleoedd glo agored, siaradodd am wagleoedd llawn dŵr. Nawr, clywodd y pwyllgor newid hinsawdd yn ddiweddar gan Climate Cymru am Ffos-y-fran, ac fe wnaethant sôn am syllu i'r gwagle. Nawr, fel arfer, byddem yn defnyddio'r ymadrodd hwnnw ar gyfer argyfwng dirfodol, ond nid bygythiad dirfodol o bell sy'n wynebu'r cymunedau hyn; mae'n real ac yn ddiymwad. Siaradodd Hefin nid yn unig am yr hyn a ddigwyddodd gyda Senghennydd, ond ynghylch rhai o'r pryderon sydd gan nifer o Aelodau am yr hyn a allai fod yn digwydd ym Medwas. Rwy'n gwybod y byddwch chi, fel fi, yn poeni am rai o'r tomenni risg uwch, lle nad oes gan y cwmnïau preifat gymaint o ddiddordeb mewn mynd i mewn a'r hyn sy'n mynd i ddigwydd gyda nhw. Fy nadl o hyd yw nad wyf yn credu y dylai hyn fod yn gyfrifoldeb cwmnïau preifat; dylai fod yn gyfrifoldeb Llywodraeth, ac yn wir dylai San Steffan dalu tuag at hyn. Mae'r twll sydd wedi ei agor yma, yn llythrennol ac yn drosiadol, yn deillio o fethiannau San Steffan.
Nododd Heledd sut mae'r straeon sy'n cael eu hadrodd yn Big Pit yn ymwneud â theuluoedd y glowyr yn ogystal â'r glowyr eu hunain, a chyflyrau'r ysgyfaint y dioddefai gwragedd glowyr ohonynt am eu bod yn golchi dillad eu gwŷr. Soniodd Heledd am drychineb Albion. Mae rhes o feddau ym mynwent Llanfabon lle gorwedd dynion anhysbys a laddwyd yn nhrychineb Albion, na ellir eu hadnabod. Cafodd y glowyr hyn eu hecsbloetio, Lywydd, y rhai ag iddynt enwau, a'r dienw.
Nawr, siaradodd Rhianon am bryderon ei hetholwyr am yr hyn sy'n digwydd, unwaith eto o bosibl, gyda Sirhywi, a'r pryder y gallai cwmnïau sy'n cael eu hysgogi gan elw ecsbloetio tirweddau. Ni ddylai adfer tomen lo gostio i'n cymunedau eto. Siaradodd Peredur am y cynigion hyn hefyd a sut mae pryder y gallai cloddio am lo ddigwydd dan gochl adfer, a phryder y gallai osod cynsail ar gyfer yr hyn a allai ddigwydd ar draws y maes glo.
Diolch i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet am eich sylwadau hefyd. Rwy'n cytuno bod cyhoeddi'r data wedi bod yn werthfawr iawn—un ffynhonnell o ymddiriedaeth, fel rydych chi'n ei roi. Rwy'n dal i bwyso ar y Llywodraeth i gynnwys safleoedd glo brig yn y ddeddfwriaeth sydd ar y ffordd. Mae ffenomena tomenni glo, safleoedd glo brig a sut y cânt eu trin, yn gysylltiedig. Ac mae'n ddrwg iawn gennyf am yr hyn a ddigwyddodd i'ch teulu. Diolch am rannu hynny. Bydd y rheini'n straeon a fydd yn cael eu rhannu ar draws Cymru, ac maent yn bwysig ac mae'n rhaid inni eu cofio, oherwydd mae'n rhaid inni ddysgu o'n hanes.
Am ddegawdau, ni wnaed unrhyw gyfraith i reoli'r risg yr oedd y tomenni'n ei chreu; ni wastraffwyd unrhyw amser yn meddwl am yr hyn a allai fynd o'i le pe bai'r rwbel yn dechrau llithro tan y diwrnod tyngedfennol, erchyll yn 1966 pan ddisgynnodd baw a slyri ar yr ysgol yn Aberfan, gan ladd 144 o bobl, 116 ohonynt yn blant. Deffrodd yr hunllef honno rai pobl o'u hirgwsg, ond ni chollodd neb eu swydd, ni chafodd neb ei ddwyn i gyfrif. Na—nid oedd cysgod Aberfan yn ymestyn mor bell â choridorau San Steffan. Fe wnaethant ddewis edrych y ffordd arall, ac ni fydd y cywilydd hwnnw byth yn cael ei olchi oddi ar eu dwylo, ac ni chaiff y baw na'r slwtsh o'r tomenni hyn mo'i sgrwbio oddi arnynt hyd nes eu bod yn ystyried yr hyn a wnaethant. Fe wnaethant ddifetha ein tirweddau a'i alw'n gynnydd. Cynnydd na chafodd ei basio ymlaen i'r glowyr, er na chafodd eu hysbryd nhw erioed mo'i bylu, Lywydd.
Dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf rwyf wedi bod yn falch o weithio ochr yn ochr â chyn-lowyr a gafodd eu hamddifadu o'u pensiynau, sgandal arall y mae San Steffan wedi goruchwylio drosti, ac mae'r slogan y mae'r ymgyrchwyr hynny wedi'i fabwysiadu yn un emosiynol: 'Gydag anadl olaf dynion a dorrwyd.' Na, ni phylwyd ysbryd y glowyr. Dywedais yn gynharach fod ein Cymoedd wedi cael eu siapio gan waith glo, nid yn unig y tirweddau, ond ein pobl, penderfyniad y glowyr i greu cymunedau gwell i'w plant, gan adeiladu neuaddau glowyr a llyfrgelloedd, cynnal cyfarfodydd ac eisteddfodau. Rwy'n meddwl yn aml am eiriau Harri Webb, am hen ddynion Dowlais yn hel atgofion am y dynion yn dod allan o'r cwbs yng ngorsaf Caeharris, dynion, meddent, gyda 90 y cant o lwch a allai daro C uchaf fel pe na bai erioed yn bodoli. Yr aberthau a wnaed gan y dynion hynny, yr erchyllterau a ddioddefasant, ac eto gyda'u hanadl olaf, roeddent yn canu.
Er cof ac anrhydedd y glowyr a fu farw a'r rhai a oroesodd, mae'n rhaid gwneud iawn o'r diwedd am bechodau'r gorffennol. Mae gwaddol y gwaith glo wedi bod yn greulon. Mae clirio'r tomenni yn un peth a all wneud iawn, caniatáu i San Steffan gael un peth yn iawn i'r glowyr o'r diwedd, glanhau'r clwyfau a adawyd ar eu hysgyfaint a'n tirwedd, a thalu eu tâl i blant y glowyr. Os oes ynddynt unrhyw wedduster neu rinwedd yn weddill, byddent yn gwneud hyn, ac yn talu o'r diwedd am gamweddau'r gorffennol.
Y cwestiwn yw: a ddylid derbyn y cynnig heb ei ddiwygio? A oes unrhyw Aelod yn gwrthwynebu? [Gwrthwynebiad.] Oes, mae yna wrthwynebiad. Felly fe wnawn ni ohirio'r cynnig yma tan y bleidlais a'r cyfnod pleidleisio, ac oni bai fod tri Aelod yn dymuno imi ganu'r gloch, dwi'n symud yn syth i'r bleidlais.
The proposal is to agree the motion without amendment. Does any Member object? [Objection.] There are objections. We will therefore defer voting until voting time, and unless three Members wish for the bell to be rung, I will proceed directly to voting time.
Gohiriwyd y pleidleisio tan y cyfnod pleidleisio.
Voting deferred until voting time.
Y bleidlais gyntaf y prynhawn yma fydd y bleidlais ar eitem 3, set Cyfnod 4 y Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau) ac, yn unol ag adran 111A(3) o Ddeddf Llywodraeth Cymru 2006 a Rheol Sefydlog 26.50A, rwyf wedi gwneud datganiad yn ymwneud â phwnc gwarchodedig. Gan fod y Bil yn cynnwys pynciau gwarchodedig, felly, yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 26.50B, mae angen cefnogaeth o leiaf 40 Aelod ar y cynnig er mwyn i'r Bil gael ei basio. Dwi'n galw am bleidlais felly ar y cynnig a gyflwynwyd yn enw Mick Antoniw. Agor y bleidlais. Cau’r bleidlais. O blaid 43, neb yn ymatal, 16 yn erbyn, ac felly mae'r cynnig wedi ei gymeradwyo. [Cymeradwyaeth.]
The first vote this afternoon will be on item 3, Stage 4 of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and, in accordance with section 111A(3) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 and Standing Order 26.50A, I have made a statement relating to a protected subject matter. As the Bill contains protected subject matters, in accordance with Standing Order 26.50B, the motion requires the support of at least 40 Members for the Bill to be passed. I call for a vote on the motion tabled in the name of Mick Antoniw. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 43, no abstentions, 16 against, and therefore the motion is agreed. [Applause.]
Eitem 3. Dadl - Cyfnod 4 Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): O blaid: 43, Yn erbyn: 16, Ymatal: 0
Derbyniwyd y cynnig
Item 3. Debate - Stage 4 of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: For: 43, Against: 16, Abstain: 0
Motion has been agreed
The next vote, and I'll have to remember not to vote in the next vote. The next vote is on the Plaid Cymru debate—
Y bleidlais nesaf, a bydd yn rhaid imi gofio peidio â phleidleisio yn y bleidlais nesaf. Mae'r bleidlais nesaf ar ddadl Plaid Cymru—
—ar adfer tomenni glo a phyllau glo brig, a dwi'n galw am bleidlais ar y cynnig heb ei ddiwygio a gyflwynwyd yn enw Heledd Fychan. Agor y bleidlais. O blaid 12, neb yn ymatal, 45 yn erbyn. Mae'r cynnig yna heb ei gefnogi.
—on coal tips and opencast mine remediation, and I call for a vote on the motion without amendment tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 12, no abstentions, 45 against. Therefore the motion is not agreed.
Eitem 8. Dadl Plaid Cymru - Adfer tomenni glo a phyllau glo brig. Cynnig heb ei ddiwygio: O blaid: 12, Yn erbyn: 45, Ymatal: 0
Gwrthodwyd y cynnig
Item 8. Plaid Cymru Debate - Coal tip and open cast mine remediation. Motion without amendment: For: 12, Against: 45, Abstain: 0
Motion has been rejected
Felly, y bleidlais nesaf ar welliant 1, a gyflwynwyd yn enw Darren Millar. Agor y bleidlais ar welliant 1. Cau'r bleidlais. O blaid 16, neb yn ymatal, 41 yn erbyn. Ac felly mae gwelliant 1 wedi'i wrthod.
The next vote is on amendment 1, tabled in the name of Darren Millar. Open the vote on amendment 1. Close the vote. In favour 16, no abstentions, 41 against. And therefore amendment 1 is not agreed.
Eitem 8. Dadl Plaid Cymru - Adfer tomenni glo a phyllau glo brig. Gwelliant 1, cyflwynwyd yn enw Darren Millar: O blaid: 16, Yn erbyn: 41, Ymatal: 0
Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant
Item 8. Plaid Cymru Debate - Coal tip and open cast mine remediation. Amendment 1, tabled in the name of Darren Millar: For: 16, Against: 41, Abstain: 0
Amendment has been rejected
Gwelliant 2 sydd nesaf, a gyflwynwyd yn enw Darren Millar. Agor y bleidlais. Cau'r bleidlais. O blaid 16, neb yn ymatal, 41 yn erbyn. Mae gwelliant 2 wedi'i wrthod.
Amendment 2 is next, tabled in the name of Darren Millar. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 16, no abstentions, 41 against. Therefore, amendment 2 is not agreed.
Eitem 8. Dadl Plaid Cymru - Adfer tomenni glo a phyllau glo brig. Gwelliant 2, cyflwynwyd yn enw Darren Millar: O blaid: 16, Yn erbyn: 41, Ymatal: 0
Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant
Item 8. Plaid Cymru Debate - Coal tip and open cast mine remediation. Amendment 2, tabled in the name of Darren Millar: For: 16, Against: 41, Abstain: 0
Amendment has been rejected
Gwelliant 3 sydd nesaf, a gyflwynwyd yn enw Jane Hutt. Agor y bleidlais. Cau'r bleidlais. O blaid 30, neb yn ymatal, 27 yn erbyn. Mae gwelliant 3 wedi'i dderbyn.
Amendment 3 is next tabled, in the name of Jane Hutt. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 30, no abstentions, 27 against. Therefore, amendment 3 is agreed.
Eitem 8. Dadl Plaid Cymru - Adfer tomenni glo a phyllau glo brig. Gwelliant 3, cyflwynwyd yn enw Jane Hutt: O blaid: 30, Yn erbyn: 27, Ymatal: 0
Derbyniwyd y gwelliant
Item 8. Plaid Cymru Debate - Coal tip and open cast mine remediation. Amendment 3, tabled in the name of Jane Hutt: For: 30, Against: 27, Abstain: 0
Amendment has been agreed
Gwelliant 4 nesaf, yn enw Darren Millar. Agor y bleidlais. Cau'r bleidlais. O blaid 16, neb yn ymatal, 41 yn erbyn. Felly, mae'r gwelliant yna wedi'i wrthod.
Amendment 4 is next, in the name of Darren Millar. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 16, no abstentions, 41 against. Therefore, the amendment is not agreed.
Eitem 8. Dadl Plaid Cymru - Adfer tomenni glo a phyllau glo brig. Gwelliant 4, cyflwynwyd yn enw Darren Millar: O blaid: 16, Yn erbyn: 41, Ymatal: 0
Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant
Item 8. Plaid Cymru Debate - Coal tip and open cast mine remediation. Amendment 4, tabled in the name of Darren Millar: For: 16, Against: 41, Abstain: 0
Amendment has been rejected
Y bleidlais ar y cynnig wedi'i ddiwygio yn olaf, felly.
And now a vote on the motion as amended.
Cynnig NDM8570 fel y'i diwygiwyd:
Cynnig bod y Senedd hon:
1. Yn nodi:
a) bod Cymru’n gartref i 40 y cant o’r holl domenni glo sy’n weddill yn y DU, a hynny o ganlyniad i ymelwa ar adnoddau naturiol Cymru;
b) bod gan fwy o law a thywydd eithafol y potensial i ansefydlogi'r tomenni hyn ymhellach; ac
c) y pryder a achosir i breswylwyr sy'n byw ger tomenni segur, pyllau glo brig a safleoedd ôl-ddiwydiannol eraill.
2. Yn gresynu bod Llywodraeth y DU yn gwrthod darparu cyllid i gefnogi'r gwaith o adfer ac ail-bwrpasu tomenni segur, pyllau glo brig a safleoedd ôl-ddiwydiannol eraill yn y tymor hir.
3. Yn nodi bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi darparu dros £44 miliwn i awdurdodau lleol er mwyn cynnal a gwella diogelwch tomenni glo ers 2022, wedi cyflwyno system o fonitro’n rheolaidd domenni categori C a D a bydd yn cyflwyno deddfwriaeth newydd fodern ar gyfer tomenni nas defnyddir yn yr Hydref.
4. Yn galw ar Lywodraeth y DU i ddarparu ar frys yr arian ychwanegol angenrheidiol ar gyfer y gyfundrefn archwilio a chynnal a chadw, yn ogystal ag ysgwyddo’r cyfrifoldeb ariannol hirdymor am ddiogelu tomenni segur, pyllau glo brig a safleoedd ôl-ddiwydiannol eraill drwy waith adfer priodol.
Motion NDM8570 as amended:
To propose that this Senedd:
1. Notes:
a) that Wales has 40 per cent of the residual coal tips of the UK, which are a legacy of the exploitation of Wales’s natural resources;
b) that increased rainfall and extreme weather has the potential to further destabilise these tips; and
c) the anxiety caused for residents who live near disused tips, open cast mines and other post-industrial sites.
2. Regrets that the UK Government refuses to provide funding to support the long-term remediation and repurposing of disused tips, open cast mines and other post-industrial sites.
3. Notes that Welsh Government has made available over £44 million to local authorities to maintain and improve coal tip safety since 2022, has introduced a regular monitoring system for Category C and D tips, and will introduce new modern legislation for disused tips in the autumn.
4. Calls on the UK Government to urgently provide the necessary additional funding for the inspection and maintenance regime and bear the long-term financial responsibility for making disused tips, open cast mines and other post-industrial sites safe through proper remediation.
Agor y bleidlais. Cau'r bleidlais. O blaid 41, neb yn ymatal, 16 yn erbyn. Mae'r cynnig wedi ei ddiwygio wedi ei dderbyn.
Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 41, no abstentions, 16 against. Therefore the motion as amended is agreed.
Eitem 8. Dadl Plaid Cymru - Adfer tomenni glo a phyllau glo brig. Cynnig wedi'i ddiwygio: O blaid: 41, Yn erbyn: 16, Ymatal: 0
Derbyniwyd y cynnig fel y'i diwygiwyd
Item 8. Plaid Cymru Debate - Coal tip and open cast mine remediation. Motion as amended: For: 41, Against: 16, Abstain: 0
Motion as amended has been agreed
Dyna ddiwedd ar y pleidleisio, ond ddim dyna ddiwedd ar ein gwaith ni am y dydd.
That concludes voting for today, but it does not conclude our work for this afternoon.
If Members can leave the Chamber quietly, as we still have the short debate to conduct.
Os gall yr Aelodau gadael y Siambr yn dawel, gan fod gennym y ddadl fer ar ôl i'w chynnal.
Felly, pan fydd y Siambr yn tawelu, dwi'n hapus i Alun Davies gynnig ei ddadl fer. Alun Davies.
So, when there is some silence in the Chamber, I'm happy for Alun Davies to present his short debate. Alun Davies.
Thank you very much. The Presiding Officer, I'm sure, will agree with me that one of the most beautiful sights as you drive along the A470 and the A44, as we've both done on many occasions, is to see the red kites flying high and seeing them returning to their nesting grounds in mid Wales. I think it's one of the great triumphs of recent years.
Certainly, I remember when I went to college in Aberystwyth in 1982, you didn't see very many red kites as you drove up through Powys and into Ceredigion. But, nowadays, you see them flying. I've seen them above the harbour in Aberystwyth, and I've seen them down through the Brecon Beacons, and even touching Blaenau Gwent. It's one of the great success stories.
I was reminded of that when I visited the British Bird of Prey Centre at the National Botanic Garden of Wales in Llanarthne a few weeks ago. I was introduced to Atlantis, a 30-year-old white-tailed eagle. I saw her fly and swoop around the centre there. It was a fantastic sight to see, it was a beautiful sight to see, it was an inspiring sight to see, and it was also a very emotional thing. This iconic and majestic species has been lost from Wales.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Fe fydd y Llywydd, rwy'n siŵr, yn cytuno â mi mai un o'r golygfeydd harddaf wrth i chi yrru ar hyd yr A470 a'r A44, fel y mae'r ddau ohonom wedi'i wneud ar sawl achlysur, yw gweld y barcutiaid yn hedfan yn uchel a'u gweld yn dychwelyd i'w tiroedd nythu yng nghanolbarth Cymru. Rwy'n credu ei fod yn un o lwyddiannau mawr y blynyddoedd diwethaf.
Yn sicr, rwy'n cofio pan euthum i'r coleg yn Aberystwyth ym 1982, nid fyddech yn gweld llawer iawn o farcutiaid wrth ichi yrru i fyny drwy Bowys ac i mewn i Geredigion. Ond erbyn heddiw rydych chi'n eu gweld yn hedfan. Rwyf wedi eu gweld uwchben yr harbwr yn Aberystwyth, ac rwyf wedi eu gweld i lawr drwy Fannau Brycheiniog, a hyd yn oed yn cyffwrdd â Blaenau Gwent. Mae'n un o'r straeon llwyddiant mawr.
Cefais fy atgoffa o hynny pan ymwelais â Chanolfan Adar Ysglyfaethus Prydain yn yr Ardd Fotaneg Genedlaethol Cymru yn Llanarthne ychydig wythnosau yn ôl. Cefais fy nghyflwyno i Atlantis, eryr cynffonwen 30 oed. Fe'i gwelais yn hedfan ac yn plymio o gwmpas y ganolfan yno. Roedd yn olygfa wych, yn olygfa hyfryd, ac yn un ysbrydoledig, ac roedd hefyd yn emosiynol iawn. Collwyd y rhywogaeth eiconig a mawreddog hon o Gymru.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd (David Rees) i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) took the Chair.
The last time a white-tailed eagle was logged in Wales was in Port Talbot, of all places—the Deputy Presiding Officer takes the chair just at this moment—in Kenfig, in fact, in 1888. Our landscape has been bare of white-tailed eagles for over 150 years. It's an important point, because we say 'white-tailed eagles' today, but more commonly we'd know them of course as 'sea eagles' or 'eryr y môr' in Welsh. That's an important point because it speaks to you about who they are and where they tend to live.
When I visited Atlantis in the bird of prey centre, I met representatives of Eagle Reintroduction Wales, which is Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust working in partnership with Gwent Wildlife Trust to restore this magnificent lost species to the skies, coastlines, estuaries, wetlands, rivers and lakes of Wales.
I hope that Members will have had the opportunity yesterday to meet with Sophie-lee Williams, who is leading the project and who is driving the project to reintroduce the sea eagle to Wales, at the ecology day we had here yesterday. We all had the opportunity to look and to talk to her about the research that she is leading to ensure that we are able to restore this magnificent species to its historic Welsh home. The work that Sophie-lee is leading is absolutely outstanding. We're learning that is it safe to bring back the white-tailed eagle to Wales.
It's imperative that we make sure it is safe for them to return, and I don't mean safe for us and I don't mean safe for existing species or livestock, but safe for them as well. We need to ensure that there is enough food, there is a perfect place to live, and we need to make sure that everybody in Wales is happy to see the eagle population back here again.
Over the years, the programme has gathered high-quality research, undertaken by Cardiff University, on the feasibility of restoring sea eagles to Wales. Using this research, a suitable release site is being sought at the moment, most probably in south-east Wales, in the hope of establishing a breeding population of six to 10 pairs, by releasing six to 12 young birds per year over a five-year period. The project has now secured a suitable release site and we hope that we will see birds breeding again in Wales in the near future.
But the first question, perhaps, that we have to answer is: what would they eat? The answer to this question can be found in the answer to the question that follows: where are they going to live? The white-tailed eagle has big broad wings like a buzzard. It's also a scavenger, again like a buzzard. They live on the coast and their staple foods are seagulls, waterfowl and fish. They keep our seagull population down, and there is sufficient prey composition availability of preferred fish, water birds, mammals and carrion in and around any potential release area.
The area of the Severn estuary has been chosen because it does have suitable habitat, natural resources and prey available for these sea eagles. The Severn estuary holds 3,552 sq km of suitable habitat able to support up to 50 breeding pairs, 1,700 sq km of suitable habitat on the Welsh side, and a similar amount on the English side. There is even space for expansion as the wider Bristol channel holds sufficient habitat to support future breeding dispersal as well.
But, more importantly, do we as people, do we as a population, want to see our sea eagles reintroduced? I'm glad that the Member for Monmouthshire has stayed for this debate, because I think it's an important contribution to make, and I'd be interested if he can contribute to this debate. Eagle Reintroduction Wales has asked people at county shows, 'How would you feel about seeing the white-tailed eagle return to Wales?' Over 90 per cent of people have said that they're in favour of that, but we know people are in favour of it because we know and we've seen people supporting the reintroduction of other species as well. And we also know that we have to work with landowners and farmers to ensure that people's livelihoods and these birds can live in harmony.
Findings from the study show that public concerns are correlated to misconceptions around the risk to people, pets, wildlife and livestock. Natural England has found that there is no evidence of eagles preying on lambs where they live alongside lowland sheep farms in Europe, and it's important to communicate that this European evidence, and this evidence from England, demonstrates no adverse impacts to people, pets, wildlife or livestock.
They're also famed for their impressive flying habits. Did you know, Deputy Presiding Officer, when Atlantis swoops across the release site in Llanarthne, it's one of the most beautiful sights that you can see close up? Because many of us will have walked the hills and mountains of our country—and I know the Cabinet Secretary does on a regular basis—and we will have witnessed the birds of prey that we see flying high above us, but when this bird flies and swoops low over us, we see the real majesty of this species.
And I hope—and I'll close on this point, because I know the Member for Monmouthshire wishes to say a word—that being inspired by the success of the red kites will inspire us to do more, because this is about living in harmony with each other, and it's about ensuring that we don't reintroduce one species at a risk of causing difficulties for others, but it's also about the sort of country we want to see as well.
When I was growing up, there weren't any red kites to be taken to see, but my son now lives in Breconshire and he sees them on a regular basis. He's got a new and different appreciation for the wildlife around us. And I hope—and I hope that the Cabinet Secretary will be able to touch on this in his response to this debate—that we can, in the future, ensure that the ecology of Wales is rich, that the ecology of Wales represents what our country is, and the ecology of Wales can be a basis not simply for an economy, which I think it has to be, can be and will be, and is already, but the ecology can also be a part of who we are and a part of who we want to be in the future.
So, I hope, Deputy Presiding Officer, in these short words this afternoon, we can support a project and begin a debate about how we can ensure that these beautiful birds will be seen, appreciated, admired and enjoyed by future generations. Thank you very much.
Y tro diwethaf y cofnodwyd eryr cynffonwen yng Nghymru oedd ym Mhort Talbot, o bob man—mae'r Dirprwy Lywydd yn mynd i'w gadair nawr—yng Nghynffig, mewn gwirionedd, ym 1888. Mae ein tirwedd wedi bod yn wag o eryrod cynffonwen ers dros 150 o flynyddoedd. Mae'n bwynt pwysig, oherwydd rydym yn dweud 'eryrod cynffonwen' heddiw, ond yn fwy cyffredin byddem yn eu hadnabod wrth gwrs fel 'eryrod môr'. Mae hwnnw'n bwynt pwysig oherwydd mae'n dweud wrthych chi am bwy ydynt a ble maent yn tueddu i fyw.
Pan ymwelais ag Atlantis yn y ganolfan adar ysglyfaethus, cyfarfûm â chynrychiolwyr Ailgyflwno Eryrod yng Nghymru, sef Ymddiriedolaeth Cadwraeth Bywyd Gwyllt Durrell yn gweithio mewn partneriaeth ag Ymddiriedolaeth Bywyd Gwyllt Gwent i adfer y rhywogaeth arbennig hon a gollwyd i awyr, arfordiroedd, aberoedd, gwlyptiroedd, afonydd a llynnoedd Cymru.
Rwy'n gobeithio y bydd yr Aelodau wedi cael cyfle ddoe i gyfarfod â Sophie-lee Williams, sy'n arwain y prosiect ac sy'n gyrru'r prosiect i ailgyflwyno eryr y môr i Gymru, yn y diwrnod ecoleg a gawsom yma ddoe. Cawsom i gyd gyfle i edrych a siarad â hi am yr ymchwil y mae hi'n ei harwain i sicrhau ein bod yn gallu adfer y rhywogaeth odidog hon i'w chartref hanesyddol yng Nghymru. Mae'r gwaith y mae Sophie-lee yn ei arwain yn hollol eithriadol. Rydym yn dysgu ei bod hi'n ddiogel i ddod â'r eryr cynffonwen yn ôl i Gymru.
Mae'n hanfodol ein bod yn sicrhau ei bod yn ddiogel iddynt ddychwelyd, ac nid wyf yn golygu diogel i ni na diogel i rywogaethau presennol neu dda byw, ond yn ddiogel iddynt hwy hefyd. Mae angen inni sicrhau bod digon o fwyd, fod yna le perffaith i fyw, ac mae angen inni sicrhau bod pawb yng Nghymru yn hapus i weld poblogaeth yr eryr yn ôl yma eto.
Dros y blynyddoedd, mae'r rhaglen wedi casglu ymchwil o ansawdd uchel, a wnaed gan Brifysgol Caerdydd, ar ddichonoldeb adfer eryrod môr i Gymru. Gan ddefnyddio'r ymchwil hwn, fe edrychir am safle rhyddhau addas ar hyn o bryd, yn ne-ddwyrain Cymru mwy na thebyg, yn y gobaith o sefydlu poblogaeth fridio o chwech i 10 pâr, drwy ryddhau chwech i 12 o adar ifanc y flwyddyn dros gyfnod o bum mlynedd. Mae'r prosiect bellach wedi sicrhau safle rhyddhau addas ac rydym yn gobeithio y gwelwn adar yn bridio eto yng Nghymru yn y dyfodol agos.
Ond efallai mai'r cwestiwn cyntaf y mae'n rhaid inni ei ateb yw: beth y byddent yn ei fwyta? Gellir dod o hyd i'r ateb i'r cwestiwn yn yr ateb i'r cwestiwn canlynol: ble maent yn mynd i fyw? Mae gan yr eryr cynffonwen adenydd llydan mawr fel bwncath. Mae hefyd yn sborionwr, eto fel bwncath. Maent yn byw ar yr arfordir a'u prif fwydydd yw gwylanod, adar dŵr a physgod. Maent yn cadw ein poblogaeth wylanod i lawr, ac mae digon o'u hoff bysgod, adar dŵr, mamaliaid a chelanedd ar gael o fewn ac o amgylch unrhyw ardal ryddhau bosibl i sicrhau bod digon o ysglyfaeth ar gael.
Mae ardal aber afon Hafren wedi cael ei dewis oherwydd bod ganddi gynefin, adnoddau naturiol ac ysglyfaeth addas ar gael ar gyfer yr eryrod môr hyn. Mae aber afon Hafren yn dal 3,552 km sgwâr o gynefin addas sy'n gallu cynnal hyd at 50 o barau bridio, 1,700 km sgwâr o gynefin addas ar ochr Cymru, a thua'r un faint ar ochr Lloegr. Mae lle i ehangu hyd yn oed gan fod môr Hafren yn ehangach yn cynnwys digon o gynefin i gefnogi gwasgariad bridio yn y dyfodol hefyd.
Ond yn bwysicach fyth, a ydym ni fel pobl, a ydym ni fel poblogaeth, eisiau gweld eryrod môr yn cael eu hailgyflwyno? Rwy'n falch fod yr Aelod dros Sir Fynwy wedi aros ar gyfer y ddadl hon, oherwydd credaf ei fod yn gyfraniad pwysig i'w wneud, a hoffwn ei weld yn cyfrannu at y ddadl hon. Mae Ailgyflwyno Eryrod yng Nghymru wedi gofyn i bobl mewn sioeau sirol, 'Sut y byddech chi'n teimlo ynghylch gweld yr eryr cynffonwen yn dychwelyd i Gymru?' Mae dros 90 y cant o bobl wedi dweud eu bod o blaid hynny, ond rydym yn gwybod bod pobl o'i blaid oherwydd fe wyddom, ac rydym wedi gweld pobl yn cefnogi ailgyflwyno rhywogaethau eraill hefyd. Ac rydym hefyd yn gwybod bod yn rhaid inni weithio gyda thirfeddianwyr a ffermwyr i sicrhau bod bywoliaeth pobl a'r adar hyn yn gallu cyd-fyw mewn cytgord.
Mae canfyddiadau'r astudiaeth yn dangos bod pryderon y cyhoedd yn gysylltiedig â chamsyniadau ynghylch y risg i bobl, anifeiliaid anwes, bywyd gwyllt a da byw. Mae Natural England wedi canfod nad oes tystiolaeth fod eryrod yn ysglyfaethu ar ŵyn lle maent yn byw ochr yn ochr â ffermydd defaid yr iseldir yn Ewrop, ac mae'n bwysig cyfleu nad yw'r dystiolaeth Ewropeaidd hon, a'r dystiolaeth o Loegr, yn dangos unrhyw effeithiau andwyol ar bobl, anifeiliaid anwes, bywyd gwyllt na da byw.
Maent hefyd yn enwog am eu harferion hedfan trawiadol. Ddirprwy Lywydd, pan fo Atlantis yn plymio ar draws y safle rhyddhau yn Llanarthne, a wyddech chi ei fod yn un o'r pethau harddaf y gallwch eu gweld yn agos? Gan y bydd llawer ohonom wedi cerdded bryniau a mynyddoedd ein gwlad—a gwn fod Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn gwneud hynny'n rheolaidd—byddwn wedi gweld yr adar ysglyfaethus a welwn yn hedfan yn uchel uwch ein pennau, ond pan fydd yr aderyn hwn yn hedfan ac yn plymio'n isel drosom, gwelwn fawredd go iawn y rhywogaeth hon.
Ac rwy'n gobeithio—ac rwyf am orffen gyda'r pwynt hwn, oherwydd rwy'n gwybod bod yr Aelod dros Sir Fynwy yn dymuno dweud gair—rwy'n gobeithio y bydd cael ein hysbrydoli gan lwyddiant y barcutiaid yn ein hysbrydoli i wneud mwy, oherwydd mae hyn yn ymwneud â byw mewn cytgord â'n gilydd, ac mae'n ymwneud â sicrhau nad ydym yn ailgyflwyno un rhywogaeth sydd mewn perygl o achosi anawsterau i eraill, ond mae hefyd yn ymwneud â'r math o wlad rydym am ei gweld hefyd.
Pan oeddwn i'n tyfu fyny, nid oedd unrhyw farcutiaid i'w gweld, ond mae fy mab bellach yn byw yn sir Frycheiniog ac mae'n eu gweld yn rheolaidd. Mae ganddo werthfawrogiad newydd a gwahanol o'r bywyd gwyllt o'n cwmpas. Ac rwy'n gobeithio—ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn gallu cyffwrdd ar hyn yn ei ymateb i'r ddadl hon—yn y dyfodol, gobeithio y gallwn sicrhau bod ecoleg Cymru yn gyfoethog, fod ecoleg Cymru yn cynrychioli'r hyn yw ein gwlad, ac y gall ecoleg Cymru fod yn sail nid yn unig i economi, fel y credaf fod yn rhaid iddo fod, y gall fod, ac y mae eisoes, ond gall yr ecoleg hefyd fod yn rhan o bwy ydym ni ac o bwy ydym am fod yn y dyfodol.
Felly, Ddirprwy Lywydd, gyda'r ychydig eiriau hyn y prynhawn yma, rwy'n gobeithio y gallwn gefnogi prosiect a dechrau trafodaeth ynglŷn â sut y gallwn sicrhau y bydd yr adar hardd hyn yn cael eu gweld, eu gwerthfawrogi, eu hedmygu a'u mwynhau gan genedlaethau'r dyfodol. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Can I thank you, Alun, for giving me a few seconds of your time? It's a shame that there aren't more people here to listen to this. I think it’s commendable that we always strive to reintroduce a species where we can, and it’s actually how we go about doing that, and doing it properly, because often there are perceptions and fears and concerns, and very clearly, with the white-tailed eagle, with a wingspan of 8 ft and a 10 ib to 15 lb bird, it’s quite obvious as a farmer that you might have anxieties around land predation or other fears around your livestock and livestock management. I think that is something, as I spoke yesterday to Sophie after your introduction, that I expressed to her, that I think, when we look to introduce things like this, it will be met by overwhelming concern initially. So, the communication strategies, the engagement, the education is going to be absolutely fundamental to enable a smooth process for this sort of thing.
I’ve seen, as you have mentioned, how red kites have populated. It wasn’t many years ago when the only time you’d see them was on the way to Rhayader, where you could see the kite centre there, but now I’m seeing them over my own farm, on that same area we’re looking to suggest these eagles could populate. So, there are massive success stories around this happening, and I think that education bit is so important. Sophie explained to me how it’s going to take some while for those young birds to actually grow up and adopt the area of where they are released before there is any chance of them coming together to populate. So, whilst I’m an advocate for seeing things moving forward, I also feel I’ll need to be a voice for those people who are concerned, and that’s why I think it’s so important that that community strategy, community engagement strategy, has got to be in place, to make sure everybody can embrace the opportunities that might come from this. Thank you.
A gaf i ddiolch i chi, Alun, am roi ychydig eiliadau o'ch amser i mi? Mae'n drueni nad oes mwy o bobl yma i wrando ar hyn. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn ganmoladwy ein bod bob amser yn ymdrechu i ailgyflwyno rhywogaeth lle gallwn, a'i fod yn ymwneud â'r ffordd yr awn ati i wneud hynny, a'i wneud yn iawn, oherwydd yn aml mae yna ganfyddiadau ac ofnau a phryderon, ac yn amlwg iawn, gyda'r eryr cynffonwen, gyda lled adenydd yr aderyn yn 8 troedfedd ac yn pwyso 10 i 15 pwys, mae'n eithaf amlwg fel ffermwr y gallai fod gennych bryderon ynghylch ysglyfaethu tir neu ofnau eraill ynghylch rheoli stoc a da byw. Fel y soniais ddoe wrth Sophie ar ôl eich cyflwyniad, rwy'n credu bod hynny'n rhywbeth a fynegais wrthi, pan ystyriwn gyflwyno pethau fel hyn, y bydd yna bryder mawr ar y cychwyn. Felly, mae'r strategaethau cyfathrebu, yr ymgysylltiad, yr addysg yn mynd i fod yn hollol sylfaenol i alluogi proses esmwyth ar gyfer y math hwn o beth.
Fel y soniwch, gwelais sut mae barcutiaid wedi poblogi. Nid oes llawer iawn o flynyddoedd er pan na fyddech chi ond yn eu gweld ar y ffordd i Raeadr, lle gallech chi weld y ganolfan barcutiaid yno, ond nawr rwy'n eu gweld dros fy fferm fy hun, yn yr un ardal ag yr awgrymwn y gallai'r eryr hyn ei phoblogi. Felly, mae yna straeon llwyddiant enfawr yn gysylltiedig â hyn, ac rwy'n credu bod y rhan addysg mor bwysig. Esboniodd Sophie wrthyf sut y bydd yn cymryd peth amser i'r adar ifanc hynny dyfu a mabwysiadu'r ardal lle cânt eu rhyddhau cyn bod unrhyw obaith iddynt ddod at ei gilydd i boblogi. Felly, er fy mod yn cefnogi gweld pethau'n symud ymlaen, rwy'n teimlo hefyd y bydd angen imi fod yn llais i'r bobl dan sylw, a dyna pam rwy'n credu ei bod mor bwysig gwneud yn siŵr fod y strategaeth gymunedol, strategaeth ymgysylltu â'r gymuned, yn ei lle, i sicrhau bod pawb yn gallu manteisio ar y cyfleoedd a allai ddod yn sgil hyn. Diolch.
Galwaf ar Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Newid Hinsawdd a Materion Gwledig i ymateb i'r ddadl. Huw Irranca-Davies.
I call on the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs to respond to the debate. Huw Irranca-Davies.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, and it's a real pleasure to respond to this debate, and I thank the Senedd’s white-tailed eagle champion for his eloquent introduction of this important debate, and also, Peter, you too, for your comments on, when we look at the reintroduction of species, how we bring people with us, and explain what we’re doing as well.
You started by talking about the red kite reintroduction. When you and I were both fellow Ministers, actually, working together at different ends of the M4, the red kite reintroduction was well under way. I remember going to a school in urban Newcastle upon Tyne, where the school had rebranded itself around the red kite. That was the symbol of the school, and they said to me, as I went in for a cup of tea and a chat with the children there, 'Look above you in the skies', and when I first arrived, I couldn’t see any; when I walked out, on the way out from the chat with the children, six red kites in urban Newcastle upon Tyne. It shows what we can do and how it can really grab people as well, and inspire people as well, when we do this successfully and well.
But indeed, as my friend has said, the spectacular, majestic white-tailed eagles, eryr y môr, were once a common sight over Wales. There are many references in our Welsh literature and our folklore and our traditions to this iconic species. They’re quite majestic creatures, and they range widely in many coastal areas. They’re still occasionally seen over Wales, but of course they’re no longer resident. I actually last saw them off the west coast of Norway, on a fishing vessel going out to what is known colloquially as 'bird island', and they are truly inspiring creatures.
Eagle Reintroduction Wales, ERW, which Alun indeed met at the national botanic garden, is a Cardiff University project providing evidence of whether the modern-day Welsh environment is still suitable for golden eagles and white-tailed eagles. They’ve carried out very extensive research, and they’re currently working with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and a number of communities on building this consensus with local people towards restoration and reintroduction. Indeed, I did chat briefly, very briefly, yesterday on the project, at that fantastic biodiversity event that was held here in the Senedd by our colleague Carolyn Thomas.
Now, from time to time, white-tailed eagles can be seen flying over and hunting over or scavenging in Wales, and they come from populations in the Hebrides, in Ireland and the Isle of Wight. It seems likely that they might remain and breed if our habitats were more hospitable, and there is a strong case for reinforcing this existing vestigial and occasional presence with targeted work, once the conditions are attractive to eagles.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd, ac mae’n bleser mawr ymateb i’r ddadl hon, a diolch i hyrwyddwr eryr cynffonwen y Senedd am ei gyflwyniad huawdl i’r ddadl bwysig hon, ac i chi hefyd, Peter, am eich sylwadau ar y ffordd y down â phobl gyda ni, pan ystyriwn ailgyflwyno rhywogaethau, ac egluro beth a wnawn hefyd.
Fe ddechreuoch chi drwy sôn am ailgyflwyno'r barcud. Pan oeddech chi a minnau’n gyd-Weinidogion, yn gweithio gyda’n gilydd ar ddau ben gwahanol i’r M4, roedd ailgyflwyno’r barcud wedi hen ddechrau. Rwy'n cofio mynd i ysgol ddinesig yn Newcastle upon Tyne, lle'r oedd yr ysgol wedi ailfrandio ei hun o amgylch y barcud. Dyna oedd symbol yr ysgol, ac roeddent yn dweud wrthyf, wrth imi fynd i mewn am baned a sgwrs gyda'r plant yno, 'Edrychwch uwch eich pen yn yr awyr', a phan gyrhaeddais gyntaf, ni allwn gweld unrhyw farcutiaid; pan gerddais allan, ar y ffordd allan o'r sgwrs gyda'r plant, gwelais chwe barcud uwch dinas Newcastle upon Tyne. Mae’n dangos yr hyn y gallwn ei wneud a sut y gall gyffroi pobl hefyd, ac ysbrydoli pobl, pan fyddwn yn gwneud hyn yn llwyddiannus ac yn dda.
Ond yn wir, fel y dywed fy nghyfaill, roedd yr eryrod cynffonwen mawreddog, yr eryrod môr, yn olygfa gyffredin dros Gymru ar un adeg. Mae llawer o gyfeiriadau yn ein llenyddiaeth Gymraeg a’n llên gwerin a’n traddodiadau at y rhywogaeth eiconig hon. Maent yn greaduriaid mawreddog, ac maent i'w gweld yn eang mewn llawer o ardaloedd arfordirol. Maent yn dal i’w gweld o bryd i'w gilydd dros Gymru, ond wrth gwrs nid ydynt yn preswylio yma mwyach. Mewn gwirionedd fe’u gwelais ddiwethaf oddi ar arfordir gorllewinol Norwy, ar gwch pysgota yn mynd allan i’r ynys a elwir ar lafar gwlad yn ‘ynys yr adar’, ac maent yn greaduriaid sy’n ysbrydoli’n fawr.
Prosiect gan Brifysgol Caerdydd yw Ailgyflwyno Eryrod yng Nghymru, y cyfarfu Alun â nhw yn yr ardd fotaneg genedlaethol, sy’n darparu tystiolaeth i weld a yw amgylchedd Cymru heddiw yn dal i fod yn addas ar gyfer eryrod aur ac eryrod cynffonwen. Maent wedi gwneud ymchwil helaeth iawn, ac ar hyn o bryd maent yn gweithio gydag Ymddiriedolaeth Cadwraeth Bywyd Gwyllt Durrell a nifer o gymunedau ar adeiladu consensws gyda phobl leol o blaid adfer ac ailgyflwyno. Yn wir, bûm yn sgwrsio’n fyr iawn ddoe am y prosiect, yn y digwyddiad bioamrywiaeth gwych a gynhaliwyd yma yn y Senedd gan ein cyd-Aelod Carolyn Thomas.
Nawr, o bryd i'w gilydd, gwelir eryrod cynffonwen yn hedfan drosodd ac yn hela neu'n chwilota yng Nghymru, ac maent yn hanu o boblogaethau yn Ynysoedd Heledd, Iwerddon ac Ynys Wyth. Mae'n edrych yn debygol y gallent aros a bridio pe bai ein cynefinoedd yn fwy croesawgar, ac mae achos cryf dros atgyfnerthu'r presenoldeb ymylol ac achlysurol hwn gyda gwaith wedi'i dargedu, pan fydd yr amodau'n ddeniadol i eryrod.
The key is ensuring that there is suitable habitat that will allow them to thrive without disturbance or harm. However, Wales is a small country. There are many uses of our countryside by many people, and this may make it less attractive to eagles, and for humans and eagles to live together in harmony. This is some of the working through we have to do. Indeed, incidental and sometimes targeted persecution was a significant reason behind the decline of both white-tailed and golden eagles, particularly through the shooting of raptors and scavengers, or even poisoning when indiscriminately targeting other species.
Both of those activities are illegal, but they continue. Indeed, my officials work with the police on increasing enforcement against both forms of persecution. I met only today with the all-Wales wildlife and rural crime co-ordinator, an introductory meeting, but we discussed raptor persecution amongst many other issues. But both ERW and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust hope to engage with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation on an education programme as well.
There are careful considerations to be made in any proposal to reintroduce species in Wales, including eagles. Any such proposal will require a licence from Natural Resources Wales after due consideration through public consultation. Habitat suitability and the effects on existing wildlife and land use would be part of the decision-making process. However, a recognition that Wales is already within the current extensive range of eagles will help that process. On that basis, Wales's vestigial population of pine marten, actually, was successfully reinforced by the Vincent Wildlife Trust. It's not dissimilar in that respect.
But all of this is within the context, as Alun rightly pointed out, of our need to take ambitious and integrated action to put nature back on the path to recovery. We are very committed here in Wales to restoring biodiversity for species and habitats. It's why we've published the White Paper containing our proposals to establish an environmental governance body for Wales, introduce a statutory duty and establish targets to protect and restore biodiversity. It's why our Nature Networks programme has now invested over £30 million over the last two years supporting the delivery of a range of terrestrial, marine and freshwater projects, aiming to improve the resilience of our protected sites network. This includes research on angelsharks, curlew protection, improving grasslands, removing river barriers from migratory fish, restoring salt marsh and other aspects.
I was, by the way, Alun, delighted yesterday to announce additional funding of over £17 million for the Nature Networks programme for the year ahead, 2024-25, which will help to achieve our commitment to scale up our delivery of this important programme. This funding, amongst other things, will allow a further round of Nature Networks funding, delivered in partnership with NRW and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It's already supported 65 projects and will now be able to do more. It will allow opportunities for large-scale projects whilst also continuing to encourage community engagement in the protection of important sites.
In terms of species, one great example in this is the Wales Curlew Connections project, currently funded under the Nature Networks fund, supporting a breeding population of curlews that is of international importance. The project covers seven important curlew areas, from the Clwydian range to Bannau Brycheiniog, where there are opportunities that maximise curlew recovery as well as—and this is the important thing—providing conditions for other habitats and other species to thrive and survive.
Complementing this is the NRW project Natur am Byth. It's a real partnership. It's part of our approach here in Wales, delivering the country's largest natural heritage and outreach programme to save species from extinction and to reconnect people with nature. This is part of it as well—bringing people and nature together with that understanding. The project has reintroduced things like rosy saxifrage, a species that was extinct in the wild in Wales for decades. It's undertaken translocations for at least 20 species to bolster existing wild populations that are threatened with extinction in Wales, including seeding new native oyster beds in Milford Haven lost to overexploitation, releasing scarce yellow sally river fly larvae into the River Dee, and a world-first trial of inoculating oak trees in Powys with the exceptionally rare bracket fungus oak polypore. This is world-leading stuff.
Our local nature partnerships also continue to be key on delivering local biodiversity actions with the local authorities. We've put funding of £11.5 million in 2023-24, through Local Places for Nature, to deliver projects that matter to people in their communities right across Wales. They provide biodiversity advice, they maximise funding opportunities and collaboration, and they empower community groups. And this is all to do with the context of restoring nature and biodiversity, providing that habitat.
The biodiversity deep-dive work continues at real pace, with all the partners there working together to produce an action plan to implement recommendations, which lay the foundations for delivery of our international obligations in Wales, including the 30x30 commitments. All of these pieces of the jigsaw come together, and the sustainable farming scheme will be key in taking this forward together with all our partners, delivering our ambitions in relation to the 30x30 target and the nature emergency, as well as food production and everything else. Our consultation—it's now closed—included proposals in the universal layer of SFS that 10 per cent of each farm will be managed as habitat, and rewarding farmers for that. This will benefit a wide range of species and will be a significant step towards our nature and climate targets.
There is so much more I could talk about, and we can always be much more progressive and ambitious about how we take these things forward. I very much hope that, one day, we will be able to observe these iconic, majestic birds above our Welsh skies once again. Alun, I mentioned I saw them on my visit to Norway. I'll let you into a secret: I went out there on a shipping vessel with the Norwegian environment Minister at the time, who himself was a skipper, all the way out—it was about two hours travelling across these seas with the blue skies there—heading towards the bird island. You could see them in the distance, like a children's crayon drawing of a bird. You could just see their enormous wingspan there, as I headed towards. And it was just as I approached them, close enough to actually see them, that the tv camera crew that were with us said, 'Minister, can we actually interview you now to tell us about these magnificent birds?' So, I turned my back on them, did the interview, which took about 20 minutes, and by the time I'd actually finished the interview, we were sailing away. I only saw them in the distance. So, I'm looking forward to the time where I can see them close up again and, hopefully, above our skies here in Wales. Thank you so much for this important debate. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Yr allwedd yw sicrhau cynefin addas a fydd yn caniatáu iddynt ffynnu heb aflonyddwch na niwed. Ond mae Cymru'n wlad fach. Mae llawer o bobl yn defnyddio ein cefn gwlad, a gall hyn ei wneud yn llai deniadol i eryrod ac i bobl ac eryrod fyw gyda'i gilydd mewn cytgord. Dyma beth o'r gwaith y mae'n rhaid inni ei wneud. Yn wir, roedd erledigaeth achlysurol, ac wedi'i thargedu weithiau, yn rheswm mawr yn sail i ddirywiad eryrod cynffonwen ac eryrod aur, yn enwedig saethu adar ysglyfaethus a sborionwyr, neu hyd yn oed wenwyno wrth dargedu rhywogaethau eraill yn ddiwahân.
Mae'r ddau weithgaredd yn anghyfreithlon, ond maent yn parhau. Yn wir, mae fy swyddogion yn gweithio gyda'r heddlu ar gynyddu gorfodaeth yn erbyn y ddau fath o erledigaeth. Heddiw ddiwethaf, cyfarfûm â chydgysylltydd troseddau cefn gwlad a bywyd gwyllt Cymru, cyfarfod rhagarweiniol, ond buom yn trafod erledigaeth adar ysglyfaethus ymhlith llawer o faterion eraill. Ond mae Ailgyflwyno Eryrod yng Nghymru ac Ymddiriedolaeth Cadwraeth Bywyd Gwyllt Durrell yn gobeithio ymgysylltu â Chymdeithas Saethu a Chadwraeth Prydain ar raglen addysg hefyd.
Mae ystyriaethau gofalus i'w gwneud mewn unrhyw gynnig i ailgyflwyno rhywogaethau yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys eryrod. Bydd unrhyw gynnig o'r fath yn galw am drwydded gan Gyfoeth Naturiol Cymru ar ôl ei ystyried yn ddyledus drwy ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus. Byddai addasrwydd cynefinoedd a'r effeithiau ar fywyd gwyllt a defnydd tir presennol yn rhan o'r broses benderfynu. Fodd bynnag, bydd cydnabyddiaeth fod Cymru eisoes o fewn cwmpas helaeth eryrod ar hyn o bryd yn helpu'r broses honno. Ar y sail honno, cafodd poblogaeth ymylol Cymru o'r bele ei hatgyfnerthu'n llwyddiannus gan Ymddiriedolaeth Bywyd Gwyllt Vincent. Nid yw'n annhebyg yn hynny o beth.
Ond fel y nododd Alun yn gywir ddigon, mae hyn i gyd yng nghyd-destun ein hangen i gymryd camau uchelgeisiol ac integredig i roi natur yn ôl ar y llwybr i adferiad. Rydym wedi ymrwymo'n gadarn yma yng Nghymru i adfer bioamrywiaeth ar gyfer rhywogaethau a chynefinoedd. Dyna pam ein bod wedi cyhoeddi'r Papur Gwyn sy'n cynnwys ein cynigion i sefydlu corff llywodraethu amgylcheddol i Gymru, cyflwyno dyletswydd statudol a sefydlu targedau i ddiogelu ac adfer bioamrywiaeth. Dyna pam mae ein rhaglen Rhwydweithiau Natur bellach wedi buddsoddi dros £30 miliwn dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf i gefnogi'r gwaith o gyflawni amrywiaeth o brosiectau daearol, morol a dŵr croyw, gyda'r nod o wella gwytnwch ein rhwydwaith o safleoedd gwarchodedig. Mae hyn yn cynnwys ymchwil ar faelgwn, gwarchod gylfinirod, gwella glaswelltiroedd, cael gwared ar rwystrau afonydd i bysgod mudol, adfer morfa heli a phethau eraill.
Gyda llaw, Alun, roeddwn yn falch iawn ddoe o gyhoeddi cyllid ychwanegol o dros £17 miliwn ar gyfer y rhaglen Rhwydweithiau Natur ar gyfer y flwyddyn i ddod, 2024-25, a fydd yn helpu i gyflawni ein hymrwymiad i gyflawni'r rhaglen bwysig hon ar raddfa fwy. Bydd y cyllid hwn, ymhlith pethau eraill, yn caniatáu rownd arall o gyllid Rhwydweithiau Natur, a ddarperir mewn partneriaeth â CNC a Chronfa Dreftadaeth y Loteri Genedlaethol. Mae eisoes wedi cefnogi 65 o brosiectau a bydd yn gallu gwneud mwy nawr. Bydd yn caniatáu cyfleoedd ar gyfer prosiectau ar raddfa fawr gan barhau i annog ymgysylltiad â'r gymuned i warchod safleoedd pwysig.
O ran rhywogaethau, un enghraifft wych yn hyn yw prosiect Cysylltiadau Gylfinir Cymru, a ariennir ar hyn o bryd o dan y gronfa Rhwydweithiau Natur, i gefnogi poblogaeth fridio o gylfinirod o bwysigrwydd rhyngwladol. Mae'r prosiect yn cwmpasu saith ardal bwysig i gylfinirod, o Fryniau Clwyd i Fannau Brycheiniog, lle ceir cyfleoedd sy'n gwneud y mwyaf o adferiad y gylfinir yn ogystal â—a dyma'r peth pwysig—darparu amodau i gynefinoedd eraill a rhywogaethau eraill allu ffynnu a goroesi.
I ategu hyn ceir prosiect Natur am Byth CNC. Mae'n bartneriaeth go iawn. Mae'n rhan o'n dull yma yng Nghymru, sy'n darparu rhaglen dreftadaeth naturiol ac allgymorth fwyaf y wlad i achub rhywogaethau rhag diflannu ac i ailgysylltu pobl â natur. Mae hyn yn rhan ohono hefyd—dod â phobl a natur at ei gilydd gyda'r ddealltwriaeth honno. Mae'r prosiect wedi ailgyflwyno pethau fel y tormaen Gwyddelig, rhywogaeth a oedd wedi diflannu yn y gwyllt yng Nghymru ers degawdau. Mae wedi trawsleoli o leiaf 20 rhywogaeth er mwyn cryfhau poblogaethau gwyllt presennol sydd mewn perygl o ddiflannu yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys hadu gwelyau wystrys brodorol newydd yn Aberdaugleddau a gollwyd drwy or-ecsbloetio, rhyddhau larfa pryfed afon y sali melyn prin i afon Dyfrdwy, a threial byd-eang cyntaf i frechu coed derw ym Mhowys gyda'r polypor derw ffwng ysgwydd eithriadol o brin. Mae'r rhain yn bethau sy'n arwain yn fyd-eang.
Mae ein partneriaethau natur lleol hefyd yn parhau i fod yn allweddol ar gyfer cyflawni camau bioamrywiaeth lleol gyda'r awdurdodau lleol. Rydym wedi rhoi cyllid o £11.5 miliwn yn 2023-24, drwy Lleoedd Lleol ar gyfer Natur, i gyflawni prosiectau sy'n bwysig i bobl yn eu cymunedau ledled Cymru. Maent yn darparu cyngor bioamrywiaeth, maent yn hyrwyddo cyfleoedd cyllido a chydweithio, ac maent yn grymuso grwpiau cymunedol. Ac mae hyn i gyd yn ymwneud â chyd-destun adfer natur a bioamrywiaeth, gan ddarparu'r cynefin hwnnw.
Mae'r gwaith ar yr archwiliad dwfn bioamrywiaeth yn parhau i fynd rhagddo'n gyflym iawn, gyda'r holl bartneriaid yno yn cydweithio i lunio cynllun gweithredu i weithredu argymhellion, sy'n gosod y sylfeini ar gyfer cyflawni ein rhwymedigaethau rhyngwladol yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys yr ymrwymiadau 30x30. Mae'r holl ddarnau hyn o'r jig-so yn dod at ei gilydd, a bydd y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy yn allweddol wrth symud hyn yn ei flaen gyda'n holl bartneriaid, gan gyflawni ein huchelgeisiau mewn perthynas â'r targed 30x30 a'r argyfwng natur, yn ogystal â chynhyrchu bwyd a phopeth arall. Roedd ein hymgynghoriad—mae bellach wedi cau—yn cynnwys cynigion yn haen gyffredinol y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy y bydd 10 y cant o bob fferm yn cael ei reoli fel cynefin, a gwobrwyo ffermwyr am hynny. Bydd hyn o fudd i ystod eang o rywogaethau a bydd yn gam sylweddol tuag at ein targedau natur a hinsawdd.
Mae cymaint mwy y gallwn siarad amdano, a gallwn bob amser fod yn llawer mwy blaengar ac uchelgeisiol o ran y ffordd y symudwn y pethau hyn yn eu blaenau. Rwy'n gobeithio'n fawr, un diwrnod, y byddwn yn gallu gweld yr adar eiconig, mawreddog hyn yn ein hawyr uwchben Cymru unwaith eto. Soniais fy mod wedi eu gweld ar fy ymweliad â Norwy. Fe ddywedaf gyfrinach wrthych: euthum allan yno ar long gyda Gweinidog yr amgylchedd Norwy ar y pryd, a oedd ei hun yn gapten llong, yr holl ffordd allan—tua dwy awr o daith ar draws y moroedd gyda'r awyr las yno—gan anelu tuag at ynys yr adar. Gallech eu gweld yn y pellter, fel llun creon plant o aderyn. Gallech weld lled enfawr eu hadenydd yno, wrth imi fynd tuag atynt. Ac yn union fel roeddwn yn agosáu atynt, yn ddigon agos i'w gweld mewn gwirionedd, dywedodd y criw camera teledu a oedd gyda ni, 'Weinidog, a gawn ni eich cyfweld chi nawr i ddweud wrthym am yr adar godidog hyn?' Felly, fe wneuthum droi fy nghefn arnynt, gwneud y cyfweliad, a gymerodd tua 20 munud, ac erbyn imi orffen y cyfweliad, roeddem yn hwylio i ffwrdd. Dim ond yn y pellter y'u gwelais. Felly, rwy'n edrych ymlaen at yr amser pan allaf eu gweld yn agos eto, ac yn ein hawyr yma uwchben Cymru, gobeithio. Diolch yn fawr iawn am y ddadl bwysig hon. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Diolch i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a diolch i Alun a Peter am eu cyfraniadau. Daw hynny â thrafodion heddiw i ben.
Thank you to the Cabinet Secretary, and to Alun and Peter for their contributions. That brings today's proceedings to a close.
Daeth y cyfarfod i ben am 18:52.
The meeting ended at 18:52.