Y Cyfarfod Llawn

Plenary

18/01/2023

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.

1. Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog Cyllid a Llywodraeth Leol
1. Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government

Prynhawn da. Dyma ni yn cychwyn ar y cyfarfod y prynhawn yma. Yr eitem gyntaf heddiw fydd y cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cyllid a Llywodraeth Leol, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Vikki Howells.

Good afternoon. We are ready to begin today's meeting. The first item this afternoon will be questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government, and the first question is from Vikki Howells.

Tlodi Tanwydd
Fuel Poverty

1. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n blaenoriaethu ymyriadau i ddileu tlodi tanwydd o fewn ei chyllideb ddrafft ar gyfer 2023-24? OQ58945

1. How is the Welsh Government prioritising interventions to eliminate fuel poverty within its draft budget for 2023-24? OQ58945

The Welsh Government sees the elimination of fuel poverty as a distinct priority, particularly in the context of the ongoing fuel crisis. To reflect this, in our draft budget, we have allocated more than £190 million, over the next two financial years, to interventions aimed at reducing fuel poverty across Wales.

Mae trechu tlodi tanwydd yn flaenoriaeth benodol i Lywodraeth Cymru, yn enwedig yng nghyd-destun yr argyfwng tanwydd parhaus. I adlewyrchu hyn, yn ein cyllideb ddrafft, rydym wedi dyrannu mwy na £190 miliwn, dros y ddwy flynedd ariannol nesaf, ar gyfer ymyriadau gyda'r nod o leihau tlodi tanwydd ledled Cymru.

Thank you, Minister. Even before the recent increase in the fuel price cap, we know that nearly half of all households are at risk of fuel poverty, and I'm sure that colleagues, like me, will have experienced an increase in constituents contacting them in desperate need of advice and support. Welsh Government interventions have made a real difference in supporting communities such as Cynon Valley, but, in the face of UK Government failure to reform the broken energy market, what reassurances can you give that protecting families and children most at risk of fuel poverty will remain a priority despite wider budgetary pressures?

Diolch, Weinidog. Hyd yn oed cyn y cynnydd diweddar yn y cap ar brisiau tanwydd, gwyddom fod bron i hanner yr holl aelwydydd yn wynebu risg o fynd i dlodi tanwydd, ac rwy’n siŵr y bydd fy nghyd-Aelodau, fel fi, wedi gweld cynnydd yn nifer yr etholwyr sy'n cysylltu â hwy mewn dirfawr angen cyngor a chymorth. Mae ymyriadau Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gwneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol wrth gefnogi cymunedau fel Cwm Cynon, ond yn wyneb methiant Llywodraeth y DU i ddiwygio’r farchnad ynni ffaeledig, pa sicrwydd y gallwch ei roi y bydd diogelu'r teuluoedd a'r plant sy'n wynebu'r risg fwyaf o fynd i dlodi tanwydd yn parhau i fod yn flaenoriaeth er gwaethaf pwysau cyllidebol ehangach?

We have a wide range of schemes available to support people who are facing fuel poverty. I mentioned, for example, the £90 million that we've allocated to run a second Welsh Government fuel support scheme in 2022-23, and that's supporting people on low incomes with non-repayable £200 payments towards their energy bills. That scheme launched on 26 September, and now it's been extended to make sure that we encompass more eligible households. We've also provided around £4 million for the Fuel Bank Foundation so that it can introduce a national fuel voucher, and also a heat fund scheme in Wales—again, this is bespoke to us here in Wales—to ensure that households that have to prepay for their fuel, including people on a prepayment meter, who are at risk of self-disconnection, and off-grid households, who have to buy bulk fuel but can't afford to top up their tank, can both benefit from this particular scheme. Since August, the Fuel Bank Foundation has brought on board 69 partners, who can now refer people to vouchers. That includes eight national partners, alongside partners in every single local authority across Wales. And we know that fuel vouchers have already benefited more than 14,000 people living in struggling households. So, it's important that people do find out what support is available to them. And I would also recommend the discretionary assistance fund, which, again, is there to support people with energy bills if they are absolutely, really struggling, and I know that all colleagues will be signposting their vulnerable constituents to that fund.

Mae gennym ystod eang o gynlluniau ar gael i gefnogi pobl sy’n wynebu tlodi tanwydd. Soniais, er enghraifft, am y £90 miliwn rydym wedi’i ddyrannu i gynnal ail gynllun cymorth tanwydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn 2022-23, ac mae'r cynllun hwnnw'n cynorthwyo pobl ar incwm isel gyda thaliadau nad ydynt yn ad-daladwy o £200 tuag at eu biliau ynni. Lansiwyd y cynllun hwnnw ar 26 Medi, ac mae wedi’i ymestyn bellach i sicrhau ein bod yn cynnwys mwy o aelwydydd cymwys. Rydym hefyd wedi darparu oddeutu £4 miliwn ar gyfer y Sefydliad Banc Tanwydd, fel y gall gyflwyno taleb tanwydd genedlaethol, a chynllun y gronfa wres yng Nghymru—unwaith eto, mae hyn wedi’i deilwra’n arbennig i ni yma yng Nghymru—i sicrhau y gall aelwydydd sy'n gorfod talu ymlaen llaw am eu tanwydd, gan gynnwys pobl ar fesuryddion talu ymlaen llaw, sydd mewn perygl o hunan-ddatgysylltu, a chartrefi nad ydynt ar y grid, sy'n gorfod swmpbrynu tanwydd ond na allant fforddio llenwi eu tanc, elwa o'r cynllun penodol hwn. Ers mis Awst, mae oddeutu 69 o bartneriaid wedi ymuno â'r Sefydliad Banc Tanwydd, a gallant gyfeirio pobl at dalebau. Mae hynny’n cynnwys wyth partner cenedlaethol ynghyd â phartneriaid ym mhob un awdurdod lleol ledled Cymru. A gwyddom fod talebau tanwydd eisoes wedi bod o fudd i fwy na 14,000 o bobl sy'n byw mewn aelwydydd sy'n ei chael hi'n anodd. Felly, mae'n bwysig fod pobl yn ymwybodol o'r cymorth sydd ar gael iddynt. A byddwn hefyd yn argymell y gronfa cymorth dewisol, sydd, unwaith eto, yno i gefnogi pobl gyda'u biliau ynni os ydynt yn ei chael hi'n anodd iawn, a gwn y bydd pob un o'm cyd-Aelodau'n cyfeirio eu hetholwyr bregus yn ariannol at y gronfa honno.

Good afternoon, Minister. I've looked at the Bevan Foundation's evidence to the Finance Committee. I'm struck by the point, and I quote,

'that short-term measures to ease cost-of-living pressures are not a substitute for action to reduce poverty'.

And they noted that there had been limits to investment in social housing and energy efficiency. Now, aside from the need to bring forward a new Warm Homes programme, there should be a focus on ensuring new properties are available that are energy efficient and warm. In Swansea, however, just 91 homes were completed by registered social landlords, and 18 by Swansea Council, in 2021-22. And we know already that Swansea Council is a council that's failing to meet its housing targets more generally. So, what immediate efforts are you therefore making, Minister, to close the gap in Swansea's housing, to ensure that more of my constituents are safe and warm this winter?

Prynhawn da, Weinidog. Rwyf wedi edrych ar dystiolaeth Sefydliad Bevan i'r Pwyllgor Cyllid. Nodaf y pwynt, a dyfynnaf,

'nad yw mesurau tymor byr i leddfu pwysau costau byw yn gyfystyr â chamau gweithredu i leihau tlodi'.

A gwnaethant nodi y bu cyfyngiadau ar fuddsoddiad mewn tai cymdeithasol ac effeithlonrwydd ynni. Nawr, ar wahân i'r angen i gyflwyno rhaglen Cartrefi Clyd newydd, dylid canolbwyntio ar sicrhau bod eiddo newydd ar gael sy'n effeithlon o ran ynni ac yn gynnes. Yn Abertawe, fodd bynnag, dim ond 91 o gartrefi a gwblhawyd gan landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig, a 18 gan Gyngor Abertawe, yn 2021-22. A gwyddom eisoes fod Cyngor Abertawe yn gyngor sy'n methu cyrraedd ei dargedau tai yn fwy cyffredinol. Felly, Weinidog, pa ymdrechion uniongyrchol rydych yn eu gwneud i gau'r bwlch tai yn Abertawe, i sicrhau bod mwy o fy etholwyr yn ddiogel ac yn gynnes y gaeaf hwn?

Well, I'd first start off, of course, by commending the work that Swansea Council is doing in terms of building council houses. They've really invested significantly in social housing and have a really strong vision for council housing across the city and county of Swansea. So, I would certainly begin by recognising that. And, of course, if the Minister for housing was here this afternoon, answering this question about the housing portfolio, I'm sure that she would be keen to point you in the direction of the optimised retrofit programme, which is there to ensure that existing housing is able to be upgraded to meet the standards required to ensure that the residents therein are not experiencing fuel poverty, and would also point to the ongoing significant funding that we do provide to support the building of social housing here in Wales. And she'd also point, I'm sure, to the commitment that we have to have 20,000 more low-energy social homes across the term of this Senedd also. So, clearly, there's a huge amount of work going on in terms of delivering on those pledges. Those pledges have become more difficult, of course, because of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, which impacts on contractors, it impacts on the supply chain. So, evidently, there will be some challenges in that regard also. 

Wel, hoffwn ddechrau, wrth gwrs, drwy ganmol y gwaith y mae Cyngor Abertawe yn ei wneud ar adeiladu tai cyngor. Maent wedi buddsoddi'n sylweddol mewn tai cymdeithasol ac mae ganddynt weledigaeth wirioneddol gref ar gyfer tai cyngor ar draws dinas a sir Abertawe. Felly, byddwn yn sicr yn dechrau drwy gydnabod hynny. Ac wrth gwrs, pe bai’r Gweinidog tai yma y prynhawn yma, yn ateb y cwestiwn hwn am y portffolio tai, rwy’n siŵr y byddai’n awyddus i’ch cyfeirio at y rhaglen ôl-osod er mwyn optimeiddio, sydd yno i sicrhau y gellir uwchraddio tai sydd wedi'u hadeiladu'n barod i fodloni’r safonau sy'n ofynnol i sicrhau nad yw’r trigolion ynddynt mewn tlodi tanwydd, a byddai hefyd yn tynnu sylw at y cyllid sylweddol parhaus rydym yn ei ddarparu i gefnogi'r gwaith o adeiladu tai cymdeithasol yma yng Nghymru. A byddai hefyd yn tynnu sylw, rwy'n siŵr, at yr ymrwymiad fod yn rhaid inni gael 20,000 yn rhagor o gartrefi cymdeithasol ynni isel yn ystod tymor y Senedd hon hefyd. Felly, yn amlwg, mae llawer iawn o waith yn mynd rhagddo ar gyflawni'r addewidion hynny. Mae’r addewidion hynny wedi dod yn anoddach, wrth gwrs, oherwydd yr argyfwng costau byw parhaus, sy’n effeithio ar gontractwyr, mae’n effeithio ar y gadwyn gyflenwi. Felly, yn amlwg, bydd rhai heriau yn hynny o beth hefyd.

13:35
Costau Byw
The Cost of Living

2. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gyda phartneriaid llywodraeth leol am sut y gallant gefnogi trigolion yn ystod yr argyfwng costau byw? OQ58962

2. What discussions has the Minister had with local government partners on how they can support residents during the cost-of-living crisis? OQ58962

I hold regular meetings with local authority leaders and discuss the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis, including in regard to the funding the Welsh Government is providing to enable authorities to continue their crucial support for residents.

Rwy’n cynnal cyfarfodydd rheolaidd ag arweinwyr awdurdodau lleol ac yn trafod effeithiau’r argyfwng costau byw, gan gynnwys y cyllid y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei ddarparu i alluogi awdurdodau i barhau â’u cymorth hollbwysig i drigolion.

Can I thank the Minister for her answer? She will be aware that, over the last two months, I've been raising the issue of the installation of prepayment meters and calling for an immediate ban on their installation. These meters mean the poorest residents in our society pay more for their energy, and, Llywydd, I have spoken to a number of charities who've given me evidence that court orders are being passed hundreds at a time. Now, this means that due diligence isn't being shown, so that the installation of prepayment meters is the suitable option for customers. This isn't happening. What is happening is extremely vulnerable residents in our society are being inappropriately switched. I was pleased, Minister, to see that Ed Miliband this week joined my calls for a ban on the installation of prepayment meters, but the crux of the point is we shouldn't be switching people in the middle of winter and during a cost-of-living crisis. Can I thank you for the support that you're offering to our local government partners, but can I ask you what more the Welsh Government can do to support local government partners when they're advising residents who have already been switched to prepayment meters?

A gaf fi ddiolch i’r Gweinidog am ei hateb? Bydd yn ymwybodol fy mod, dros y deufis diwethaf, wedi bod yn codi mater gosod mesuryddion talu ymlaen llaw ac yn galw am waharddiad ar unwaith ar osod y mesuryddion hyn. Golyga'r mesuryddion hyn fod trigolion tlotaf ein cymdeithas yn talu mwy am eu hynni, a Lywydd, rwyf wedi siarad â nifer o elusennau sydd wedi rhoi tystiolaeth i mi fod gorchmynion llys yn cael eu pasio yn eu cannoedd. Nawr, golyga hyn nad oes diwydrwydd dyladwy'n cael ei ddangos, fel mai gosod mesuryddion talu ymlaen llaw yw'r opsiwn priodol i gwsmeriaid. Nid yw hyn yn digwydd. Yr hyn sy'n digwydd yw bod mesuryddion trigolion hynod agored i niwed ein cymdeithas yn cael eu newid yn amhriodol. Weinidog, roeddwn yn falch o weld bod Ed Miliband wedi ymuno â fy ngalwadau yr wythnos hon am waharddiad ar osod mesuryddion talu ymlaen llaw, ond hanfod y pwynt yw na ddylem fod yn newid mesuryddion pobl yng nghanol y gaeaf ac yn ystod argyfwng costau byw. A gaf fi ddiolch i chi am y cymorth rydych yn ei gynnig i'n partneriaid llywodraeth leol, ond a gaf fi ofyn i chi beth arall y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud i gefnogi partneriaid llywodraeth leol pan fyddant yn cynghori trigolion y mae eu mesuryddion eisoes wedi cael eu newid i fesuryddion talu ymlaen llaw?

I'm very grateful to Jack Sargeant for raising this this afternoon, and I do want to recognise the incredible work that Jack Sargeant is doing in terms of leading the campaign in respect of prepayment meters. Colleagues within Welsh Government are absolutely taking up that campaign on your behalf. So, the Minister for Social Justice is having a further meeting with energy suppliers on 23 January, and, again, she will be raising these concerns over reports of people, including vulnerable customers, being moved onto prepayment meters. And I know that she's made those same points in previous meetings that she's had with energy suppliers. The Minister also wrote to Grant Shapps on 23 December, outlining our concerns around prepayment meters, and we are taking opportunities, when we have them, with the UK Government again to make those cases. And officials are continuing to liaise with Ofgem to understand if customers who are moved onto prepayment meters are able to appeal the decision, because, as yet, we don't have clarity on that.

As Jack Sargeant says, this is an issue that particularly affects the most vulnerable households. It's a real concern that almost half of social housing tenants are on prepayment meters at the moment, and, obviously, that means that many of those will be paying above what other customers will be paying for their energy. So, it is quite right for us to focus our efforts in this particular space. And, obviously, I'll take opportunities in my regular discussions with local government to ensure that they're also making the right moves in this space. 

Rwy’n ddiolchgar iawn i Jack Sargeant am godi hyn y prynhawn yma, a hoffwn gydnabod y gwaith anhygoel y mae Jack Sargeant yn ei wneud yn arwain yr ymgyrch ar fesuryddion talu ymlaen llaw. Mae cyd-Aelodau yn Llywodraeth Cymru yn mynd ati'n rhagweithiol i gefnogi'r ymgyrch honno ar eich rhan. Felly, bydd y Gweinidog Cyfiawnder Cymdeithasol yn cael cyfarfod pellach gyda chyflenwyr ynni ar 23 Ionawr, ac unwaith eto, bydd yn codi’r pryderon hyn ynghylch adroddiadau fod mesuryddion pobl, gan gynnwys cwsmeriaid agored i niwed, yn cael eu newid i fesuryddion talu ymlaen llaw. A gwn ei bod wedi codi'r un pwyntiau mewn cyfarfodydd blaenorol a gafodd gyda chyflenwyr ynni. Ysgrifennodd y Gweinidog hefyd at Grant Shapps ar 23 Rhagfyr, gan amlinellu ein pryderon ynghylch mesuryddion talu ymlaen llaw, ac rydym yn achub ar gyfleoedd, pan fyddant yn codi, gyda Llywodraeth y DU, unwaith eto, i ddadlau'r achosion hynny. Ac mae swyddogion yn parhau i gysylltu ag Ofgem i ddeall a yw cwsmeriaid y mae eu mesuryddion yn cael eu newid i fesuryddion talu ymlaen llaw yn gallu apelio yn erbyn y penderfyniad, oherwydd, hyd yn hyn, nid yw hynny'n eglur i ni.

Fel y dywed Jack Sargeant, mae hwn yn fater sy'n effeithio'n benodol ar yr aelwydydd mwyaf agored i niwed. Mae’n bryder gwirioneddol fod bron i hanner tenantiaid tai cymdeithasol ar fesuryddion talu ymlaen llaw ar hyn o bryd, ac yn amlwg, golyga hynny y bydd llawer o’r rheini’n talu mwy na’r hyn y bydd cwsmeriaid eraill yn ei dalu am eu hynni. Felly, mae'n gwbl briodol ein bod yn canolbwyntio ein hymdrechion yn y maes penodol hwn. Ac yn amlwg, byddaf yn achub ar gyfleoedd yn fy nhrafodaethau rheolaidd â llywodraeth leol i sicrhau eu bod hwy'n cymryd y camau cywir yn hyn o beth.

Minister, surely the best way for local government to support their residents is for them to avoid hikes in council taxes. Rising energy costs due to Putin's illegal war and rising food costs as a result of the pandemic and climate change are impacting households hard. The last thing they need are excessive tax hikes. Minister, will you urge restrain among your local authority colleagues, and will you be prepared to cap council tax in the coming financial year?

Weinidog, mae'n sicr mai’r ffordd orau i lywodraeth leol gefnogi eu trigolion yw osgoi codiadau yn y dreth gyngor. Mae costau ynni cynyddol oherwydd rhyfel anghyfreithlon Putin a chostau bwyd cynyddol o ganlyniad i'r pandemig a newid hinsawdd yn taro aelwydydd yn galed. Y peth olaf sydd ei angen arnynt yw rhagor o godiadau treth. Weinidog, a wnewch chi annog cymedroldeb ymhlith eich cymheiriaid yn yr awdurdodau lleol, ac a ydych yn barod i roi cap ar y dreth gyngor yn y flwyddyn ariannol sydd i ddod?

Well, I'd begin by saying that we absolutely don't underestimate the challenge that our colleagues in local government are facing from the inflationary pressures that they're experiencing at the moment. Because, of course, just as the Welsh Government's budget has been eroded in value, so too has local government's budget been eroded in value. But, nonetheless, we've really focused our efforts within our budget for the next financial year on public services, which is why, next year, we'll be providing unhypothecated revenue funding of over £5.5 billion, and over £1 billion of specific grants to support local authorities in their statutory and non-statutory services. That means that core funding for local government for 2023-24 has increased by 7.9 per cent, or £403 million, on a like-for-like basis compared to this financial year. So, we're doing absolutely everything that we can to put local authorities in the best possible position, but, of course, we know that the additional funding that we're able to provide doesn't meet that gap caused largely by inflation, and, as a result, local authorities will be needing to make some difficult decisions.

Now, it is the case, of course, that local authorities set their own council tax levels. I know that many are consulting at the moment. The Welsh Government, as you say, does have the power to cap those, but I don't think that we're at the point yet at which we could make a decision on that, and it's certainly something that we wouldn't do lightly; it's something that we would do only in cases where those rises were palpably excessive. So, just to set out, we really do think it's for local authorities to be setting their council tax levels; it's an important part of local democracy.  

Wel, hoffwn ddechrau drwy ddweud nad ydym yn diystyru'r her y mae ein cymheiriaid mewn llywodraeth leol yn ei hwynebu oherwydd y pwysau chwyddiant sydd arnynt ar hyn o bryd. Oherwydd, wrth gwrs, yn union fel y mae gwerth cyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ei erydu, mae gwerth cyllideb llywodraeth leol hefyd wedi ei erydu. Ond serch hynny, rydym wedi canolbwyntio ein hymdrechion yn ein cyllideb ar gyfer y flwyddyn ariannol nesaf ar wasanaethau cyhoeddus, a dyna pam, y flwyddyn nesaf, y byddwn yn darparu cyllid refeniw heb ei neilltuo o dros £5.5 biliwn, a thros £1 biliwn o grantiau penodol i gefnogi awdurdodau lleol yn eu gwasanaethau statudol ac anstatudol. Golyga hynny fod cyllid craidd i lywodraeth leol ar gyfer 2023-24 wedi cynyddu 7.9 y cant, neu £403 miliwn ar sail debyg am debyg o gymharu â’r flwyddyn ariannol hon. Felly, rydym yn gwneud popeth a allwn i sicrhau bod awdurdodau lleol yn y sefyllfa orau bosibl, ond wrth gwrs, gwyddom nad yw'r cyllid ychwanegol y gallwn ei ddarparu yn llenwi'r bwlch a achosir yn bennaf gan chwyddiant, ac o ganlyniad, bydd angen i awdurdodau lleol wneud penderfyniadau anodd.

Nawr, mae'n wir, wrth gwrs, fod awdurdodau lleol yn gosod eu lefelau treth gyngor eu hunain. Gwn fod nifer yn ymgynghori ar hyn o bryd. Mae gan Lywodraeth Cymru rym i'w capio, fel y dywedwch, ond ni chredaf ein bod wedi cyrraedd y pwynt eto lle gallem wneud penderfyniad ar hynny, ac mae’n sicr yn rhywbeth na fyddem yn ei wneud ar chwarae bach; mae'n rhywbeth y byddem yn ei wneud mewn achosion lle mae'r codiadau hynny'n amlwg yn ormodol. Felly, er eglurder, rydym yn credu'n wirioneddol mai mater i awdurdodau lleol yw pennu lefelau eu treth gyngor; mae'n rhan bwysig o ddemocratiaeth leol.

13:40

We know the economic issues we're facing were made in Downing Street—[Interruption.]—and the incompetence of economic management in London, together with Brexit, has led to one of the biggest cost-of-living crises that many of us have ever seen. Now, this makes the Conservative Party laugh, of course, because when people are hungry, when people are cold, they really don't give a damn what's happening to those people, but, on this side of the Chamber, of course, we do. And what I would like you to do, Minister, is to use your power as a catalyst to bring people together. The two crises facing people in Wales of hunger and of heating are crises, as I said, that are not being resolved by the United Kingdom Government, and what we need to do is to step into this vacuum to bring people together, so that we can share best practice and share resources to address the real crisis facing some of the most vulnerable people in Blaenau Gwent, in Gower and across the whole country. 

Gwyddom fod y problemau economaidd sy’n ein hwynebu yn deillio o Stryd Downing—[Torri ar draws.]—a bod y rheoli economaidd di-glem yn Llundain, ynghyd â Brexit, wedi arwain at un o’r argyfyngau costau byw mwyaf a welwyd erioed i lawer ohonom. Nawr, mae hyn yn gwneud i'r Blaid Geidwadol chwerthin, wrth gwrs, oherwydd pan fydd pobl yn llwglyd, pan fydd pobl yn oer, nid ydynt yn malio dim am yr hyn sy'n digwydd i'r bobl hynny, ond ar yr ochr hon i'r Siambr, wrth gwrs, rydym yn malio. A’r hyn yr hoffwn i chi ei wneud, Weinidog, yw defnyddio eich grym fel catalydd i ddod â phobl ynghyd. Mae’r ddau argyfwng sy’n wynebu pobl yng Nghymru, yr argyfwng newyn a'r argyfwng gwresogi, fel y dywedais, yn argyfyngau nad ydynt yn cael eu datrys gan Lywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig, a’r hyn sydd angen i ni ei wneud yw camu i’r adwy i ddod â phobl ynghyd, fel y gallwn rannu arferion gorau a rhannu adnoddau i fynd i’r afael â’r argyfwng gwirioneddol sy’n wynebu rhai o’r bobl fwyaf agored i niwed ym Mlaenau Gwent, yng Ngŵyr, ac ar draws y wlad.

I would absolutely agree that one of the most important things the Welsh Government can do is to bring together parties with responsibilities for serving our citizens to ensure that our efforts are combined and that we're all focused on those things that matter most to people, and that's one of the reasons why, over the course of the autumn, we did have fortnightly meetings with our colleagues in local government. One of the standing items on those fortnightly meetings was the cost-of-living crisis, alongside another standing item, which was Ukraine. We've moved those meetings now to monthly, because the situation, at the start, did require us to come up with some new interventions, but those new interventions are now in place. But, of course, it's also a standing item now on the partnership council for Wales, which will be next meeting on 2 March, and, of course, that's a much wider public services forum, to ensure that all public and voluntary sector bodies are working in the same direction, all putting their shoulders to the wheel to support our citizens through the cost-of-living crisis. And, then, I'd also mention the cost-of-living Cabinet sub-committee that the First Minister has set up. Now, to every other meeting of that committee we invite partners from outside of the Cabinet. So, we've had the Federation of Small Businesses, for example, and the Confederation of Business Industry joining us, and we've had representatives from the voluntary sector, to ensure that all of our efforts are there together in terms of supporting our residents through the cost-of-living crisis.

Byddwn yn cytuno’n llwyr mai un o’r pethau pwysicaf y gall Llywodraeth Cymru eu gwneud yw dod â'r rheini sydd â gyfrifoldebau am wasanaethu ein dinasyddion ynghyd i sicrhau bod ein hymdrechion yn cael eu cyfuno a’n bod oll yn canolbwyntio ar y pethau mwyaf pwysig i bobl, a dyna un o'r rhesymau pam y cawsom gyfarfodydd bob pythefnos gyda'n cymheiriaid mewn llywodraeth leol dros yr hydref. Un o'r eitemau sefydlog yn y cyfarfodydd pythefnosol hynny oedd yr argyfwng costau byw, ochr yn ochr ag eitem sefydlog arall, sef Wcráin. Rydym wedi newid y cyfarfodydd hynny bellach i fod yn rhai misol, gan fod y sefyllfa, ar y dechrau, yn golygu bod angen inni lunio ymyriadau newydd, ond mae’r ymyriadau newydd hynny bellach ar waith. Ond wrth gwrs, mae hefyd yn eitem sefydlog bellach i gyngor partneriaeth Cymru, a fydd yn cyfarfod nesaf ar 2 Mawrth, ac wrth gwrs, mae hwnnw'n fforwm gwasanaethau cyhoeddus llawer ehangach, i sicrhau bod holl gyrff y sector cyhoeddus a gwirfoddol yn gweithio i'r un cyfeiriad, fod pob un ohonynt yn cyfrannu at yr ymdrech i gefnogi ein dinasyddion drwy'r argyfwng costau byw. A hoffwn sôn hefyd am is-bwyllgor y Cabinet ar gostau byw, a sefydlwyd gan y Prif Weinidog. Nawr, rydym yn gwahodd partneriaid o'r tu allan i'r Cabinet i bob yn ail o gyfarfodydd y pwyllgor hwnnw. Felly, mae'r Ffederasiwn Busnesau Bach, er enghraifft, a Chydffederasiwn Diwydiant Prydain wedi ymuno â ni, ac rydym wedi cael cynrychiolwyr o'r sector gwirfoddol, i sicrhau bod ein holl ymdrechion yno gyda’i gilydd i gefnogi ein trigolion drwy’r argyfwng costau byw.

Cwestiynau Heb Rybudd gan Lefarwyr y Pleidiau
Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Sam Rowlands. 

Questions now from party spokespeople. The Conservative Party spokesperson, Sam Rowlands. 

Diolch, Llywydd. Before I go into my question, I'm sure, Llywydd, you'd like to join me in welcoming members of the Canadian Parliament who've joined us today through the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and have the pleasure of observing our proceedings this afternoon. I'm sure they'll enjoy it as much as we do.

Good afternoon, Minister. You touched, in response to one of your questions earlier, on the provisional local government settlement, and, indeed, the 7.9 per cent increase to local authorities has been broadly welcomed by those authorities, but there are concerns a number of leaders have expressed. The Labour leader of the Welsh Local Government Association, Andrew Morgan, who, I'm sure, you know well, has said there are some tough decisions ahead for councils. The Plaid Cymru leader of Isle of Anglesey County Council, Llinos Medi, says hard cuts to local services are ahead, as a result of this settlement. Lib Dem-run Powys County Council are looking to close rural schools, and Labour-run Monmouthshire County Council consulted on cuts to leisure centre hours as well. All of this whilst our council tax payers are likely to face a further hike in their taxes. So, in light of this, Minister, like the comments from those council leaders, and as a result of your funding decisions, what further difficult decisions do you think our local councils will have to make? And what services do you think our residents will have to face being cut? 

Diolch, Lywydd. Cyn imi ofyn fy nghwestiwn, rwy’n siŵr, Lywydd, yr hoffech ymuno â mi i groesawu aelodau o Senedd Canada, sydd wedi ymuno â ni heddiw drwy Gymdeithas Seneddol y Gymanwlad, ac sy'n cael y pleser o arsylwi ar ein trafodion y prynhawn yma. Rwy’n siŵr y byddant yn mwynhau'r profiad cymaint â ni.

Prynhawn da, Weinidog. Fe wnaethoch grybwyll, mewn ymateb i un o’ch cwestiynau yn gynharach, y setliad dros dro i lywodraeth leol, ac yn wir, mae’r cynnydd o 7.9 y cant i awdurdodau lleol wedi’i groesawu’n gyffredinol gan yr awdurdodau hynny, ond mae nifer o arweinwyr wedi mynegi pryderon. Mae arweinydd Llafur Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru, Andrew Morgan, yr ydych yn ei adnabod yn dda, rwy'n siŵr, wedi dweud bod gan gynghorau benderfyniadau anodd o’u blaenau. Dywed arweinydd Cyngor Sir Ynys Môn, Llinos Medi o Blaid Cymru, y bydd angen gwneud toriadau anodd i wasanaethau lleol o ganlyniad i’r setliad hwn. Mae Cyngor Sir Powys, sy'n cael ei redeg gan y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn edrych ar gau ysgolion gwledig, ac ymgynghorodd Cyngor Sir Fynwy, sy'n cael ei redeg gan Lafur, ar doriadau i oriau canolfannau hamdden hefyd. Hyn oll tra bo'n trethdalwyr yn debygol o wynebu cynnydd pellach yn eu trethi. Felly, yng ngoleuni hyn, Weinidog, fel y sylwadau gan arweinwyr y cynghorau hynny, ac o ganlyniad i’ch penderfyniadau cyllido, pa benderfyniadau anodd pellach y credwch y bydd yn rhaid i’n cynghorau lleol eu gwneud? A pha wasanaethau y credwch y bydd yn rhaid i'n trigolion wynebu eu gweld yn cael eu torri?

I think it is important to recognise that, overall, our settlement for local government, at a 7.9 per cent increase on this financial year, has been broadly welcomed across local government. I do think that we have provided the absolute best possible settlement that we could have. We gave to local government in excess of the funding that we received in consequential funding from measures that the UK Government had outlined in its autumn statement in the fields of social care and education. We were able to do that by undertaking a very painful exercise ourselves across Government in terms of identifying areas where we could reprioritise funding towards local government and towards our health service. You'll see all of those details, of course, in the draft budget that was laid. So, I don't underestimate that local government will have to make a series of difficult decisions locally. Those decisions now should be locally led; I know that they'll be consulting with their residents as to what their residents' priorities are. But, under the circumstances, we have provided the best possible settlement. It is, of course, for the Welsh Conservatives to provide their alternative budget, which I know we were promised last year, but have yet to see materialise.

Credaf ei bod yn bwysig cydnabod bod ein setliad cyffredinol i lywodraeth leol, gyda'r cynnydd o 7.9 y cant ar y flwyddyn ariannol hon, wedi’i groesawu’n gyffredinol gan lywodraeth leol. Credaf ein bod wedi darparu’r setliad gorau posibl y gallem fod wedi'i ddarparu. Rhoesom fwy o gyllid i lywodraeth leol na’r cyllid a gawsom mewn cyllid canlyniadol o fesurau a amlinellwyd gan Lywodraeth y DU yn natganiad yr hydref ym meysydd gofal cymdeithasol ac addysg. Bu modd inni wneud hynny drwy gynnal ymarfer poenus iawn ein hunain ar draws y Llywodraeth yn nodi meysydd lle gallem ailflaenoriaethu cyllid tuag at lywodraeth leol a thuag at ein gwasanaeth iechyd. Fe welwch yr holl fanylion hynny, wrth gwrs, yn y gyllideb ddrafft a osodwyd. Felly, nid wyf yn diystyru'r ffaith y bydd yn rhaid i lywodraeth leol wneud cyfres o benderfyniadau anodd yn lleol. Dylai'r penderfyniadau hynny nawr gael eu harwain yn lleol; gwn y byddant yn ymgynghori â'u trigolion ynghylch beth yw blaenoriaethau eu trigolion. Ond o dan yr amgylchiadau, rydym wedi darparu’r setliad gorau posibl. Mater i’r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, wrth gwrs, yw darparu eu cyllideb amgen, y gwn iddi gael ei haddo i ni y llynedd, ond nid ydym wedi'i gweld eto.

13:45

Thank you, Minister, for your response then. A key issue in regard to that funding for those local authorities is the way in which that funding is dished out. As you'll know, a significant part of funding for those councils comes in the form of grants. I believe around £1.4 billion of the funding that those councils receive comes in grants. Of course, the money itself is welcome, but perhaps the direction from Welsh Government as to where and when those grants should be spent can be both restrictive and cause an administrative burden, which holds back the work of our councils. So, in light of this, Minister, how are you working with those councils to ensure there can be further flexibility on grant allocation? How are you working to see that grants go into an unhypothecated section of their funding so they can spend that money on what is best for them and best for their local residents?

Diolch am eich ymateb, Weinidog. Mater allweddol mewn perthynas â'r cyllid i awdurdodau lleol yw’r ffordd y caiff y cyllid hwnnw ei ddosbarthu. Fel y gwyddoch, daw rhan sylweddol o gyllid y cynghorau hynny ar ffurf grantiau. Credaf fod oddeutu £1.4 biliwn o’r cyllid y bydd y cynghorau hynny’n ei gael yn dod mewn grantiau. Wrth gwrs, mae’r arian ei hun i’w groesawu, ond efallai y gall y cyfarwyddyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru ynghylch ble a phryd y dylid gwario’r grantiau hynny fod yn gyfyngol ac achosi baich gweinyddol sy’n llesteirio gwaith ein cynghorau. Felly, yng ngoleuni hyn, Weinidog, sut rydych yn gweithio gyda’r cynghorau hynny i sicrhau y gellir cael rhagor o hyblygrwydd ar ddyrannu grantiau? Sut rydych yn gweithio i sicrhau bod grantiau’n mynd i adran heb ei neilltuo o’u cyllid fel y gallant wario’r arian hwnnw ar yr hyn sydd orau iddynt hwy a’r hyn sydd orau i’w trigolion lleol?

I think this is an area probably where we have more common ground, because this is a piece of work that we have been undertaking with local authorities over the past few months, at their request, to explore which areas of grant funding could potentially be moved into the revenue support grant on a short-term or permanent basis. So, that piece of work is ongoing at the moment, but we've absolutely committed to looking at that. Timescales, of course, will be important for that piece of work. But, I just want to reassure you and other colleagues who have an interest in this that our Welsh Government officials are working with officers in the WLGA and talking to treasurers across Wales to explore what might be possible.

Credaf fod hwn yn faes lle mae’n debyg fod gennym fwy o dir cyffredin, gan fod hwn yn waith y buom yn ei wneud gydag awdurdodau lleol dros yr ychydig fisoedd diwethaf, ar eu cais hwy, i archwilio pa feysydd cyllid grant y gellid eu symud, o bosibl, i mewn i'r grant cynnal refeniw ar sail tymor byr neu barhaol. Felly, mae'r gwaith hwnnw'n mynd rhagddo ar hyn o bryd, ond rydym wedi llwyr ymrwymo i edrych ar hynny. Bydd amserlenni, wrth gwrs, yn bwysig ar gyfer y gwaith hwnnw. Ond hoffwn roi sicrwydd i chi a chyd-Aelodau eraill sydd â diddordeb yn hyn fod swyddogion Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gyda swyddogion CLlLC ac yn siarad â thrysoryddion ledled Cymru i archwilio'r hyn a allai fod yn bosibl.

Thank you, Minister. If I may, I just want to focus my last question on virtual council meetings. It's an issue that I've raised a number of times here in the Chamber and an issue that I raised with you last week as well. Also, we saw yesterday another media story showing a shambolic situation where it looks as though an alleged sex act took place over a Zoom meeting during a meeting of Flintshire council's cabinet—completely inappropriate, but again highlights some of the issues that we see in meetings of local government taking place virtually. Whilst virtual meetings, of course, do have positives, I raised with you last week my concerns about how these are being managed. I raised with you the concerns about a councillor allegedly driving whilst voting, we've seen evidence of proceedings being edited before they're published online, and now the latest news reports of this awful act that took place up in Flintishire council. It shows how virtual meetings can be abused in a way that can't happen in face to face, in-person meetings. So, last week, when we met, Minister, you said that you'd be looking to issue further guidance to councils. I wonder whether you would look to accelerate the issuing of that guidance and have those discussions with councils to ensure they're offering hybrid meetings and not just virtual meetings, because face-to-face meetings are so important for our residents and in the working of councils.

Diolch, Weinidog. Os caf, hoffwn ganolbwyntio fy nghwestiwn olaf ar gyfarfodydd cyngor rhithwir. Mae'n fater rwyf wedi'i godi sawl gwaith yma yn y Siambr, ac mae'n fater a godais gyda chi yr wythnos diwethaf yn ogystal. Hefyd, gwelsom stori arall yn y cyfryngau ddoe yn dangos llanast o sefyllfa lle mae'n edrych fel pe bai gweithred rywiol honedig wedi digwydd dros gyfarfod Zoom yn ystod un o gyfarfodydd cabinet cyngor sir y Fflint—cwbl amhriodol, ond mae'n tynnu sylw unwaith eto at rai o'r problemau a welwn mewn cyfarfodydd llywodraeth leol rhithwir. Er bod gan gyfarfodydd rhithwir eu rhinweddau, wrth gwrs, mynegais fy mhryderon wrthych yr wythnos diwethaf ynglŷn â sut y cânt eu rheoli. Mynegais bryderon ynglŷn â chynghorydd yr honnir ei fod yn gyrru wrth bleidleisio, rydym wedi gweld tystiolaeth o drafodion yn cael eu golygu cyn iddynt gael eu cyhoeddi ar-lein, a nawr yr adroddiadau diweddaraf yn y newyddion am y weithred ofnadwy hon a ddigwyddodd yng nghyngor sir y Fflint. Mae'n dangos sut y gellir camddefnyddio cyfarfodydd rhithwir mewn ffordd na all ddigwydd mewn cyfarfodydd wyneb yn wyneb. Felly, yr wythnos diwethaf, pan wnaethom gyfarfod, Weinidog, fe ddywedoch chi y byddech yn ceisio cyhoeddi canllawiau pellach i gynghorau. Tybed a wnewch chi ystyried cyflymu’r broses o gyhoeddi’r canllawiau hynny a chael trafodaethau gyda chynghorau i sicrhau eu bod yn cynnig cyfarfodydd hybrid ac nid cyfarfodydd rhithwir yn unig, gan fod cyfarfodydd wyneb yn wyneb mor bwysig i’n trigolion ac i waith cynghorau.

Thank you for raising that point this afternoon. I'd begin by recognising that hybrid working and virtual working can be a really important way in which to increase diversity in democracy, as we were discussing last week, in terms of making those meetings more accessible to people in full-time work, people with family commitments, caring commitments, people who are self-employed, and for others. But, absolutely, we would expect that the same behaviour is expected of people attending those meetings as you would expect in a council chamber. So, I will explore with the local government chief digital officer what more we can be doing in this space to ensure that everybody is clear about what's expected of them in those meetings, and perhaps we can have a further conversation about some more of your ideas in this space outside the Chamber.

Diolch am godi’r pwynt hwnnw y prynhawn yma. Rwyf am ddechrau drwy gydnabod y gall gweithio hybrid a gweithio rhithwir fod yn ffordd wirioneddol bwysig o gynyddu amrywiaeth mewn democratiaeth, fel y buom yn ei drafod yr wythnos diwethaf, o ran gwneud y cyfarfodydd hynny’n fwy hygyrch i bobl mewn gwaith llawn amser, pobl a chanddynt ymrwymiadau teuluol, ymrwymiadau gofalu, pobl sy'n hunangyflogedig, ac eraill. Ond yn sicr, byddem yn disgwyl yr un ymddygiad gan bobl sy’n mynychu’r cyfarfodydd hynny ag y byddech yn ei ddisgwyl mewn siambr cyngor. Felly, byddaf yn archwilio gyda'r prif swyddog digidol ar gyfer llywodraeth leol beth arall y gallwn ei wneud yn hyn o beth i sicrhau bod pawb yn deall yr hyn a ddisgwylir ganddynt yn y cyfarfodydd hynny, ac efallai y gallem gael sgwrs bellach ynglŷn â mwy o'ch syniadau yn y maes hwn y tu allan i’r Siambr.

Before I call the spokesperson for Plaid Cymru, can I reiterate the welcome to the parliamentarians from Canada to our Senedd, our Parliament, today? And I hope you have a fruitful visit to Wales and to our Parliament, and thank you for bringing just a tiny little bit of your winter weather to us as well. 

Cyn imi alw ar lefarydd Plaid Cymru, a gaf fi ailadrodd y croeso i’r seneddwyr o Ganada i’n Senedd heddiw? Ac rwy'n gobeithio y cewch ymweliad cynhyrchiol â Chymru a'n Senedd, a diolch am ddod ag ychydig bach o'ch tywydd gaeafol i ni hefyd.

Felly, croeso i chi i gyd. Llefarydd Plaid Cymru nawr, Llyr Gruffydd.

So, a very warm welcome to all of you. Plaid Cymru spokesperson next, Llyr Gruffydd.

13:50

Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. And it was very good to share an hour of our time as well to compare notes in relation to the work that we do as the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee as well. 

Diolch yn fawr, Lywydd. Ac roedd yn dda iawn rhannu awr o’n hamser ni hefyd yn cymharu nodiadau mewn perthynas â’r gwaith a wnawn ar y Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, yr Amgylchedd a Seilwaith.

So, diolch am hynny.

So, thank you for that.

Minister, we've heard about concerns about contracting public services, particularly in relation to local government, as a result of the financial situation that our councils find themselves in. Now, one graphic demonstration of that of course was the fact that Newport are actually considering switching off alternate street lights between midnight and 6 a.m. to cut down on energy costs. Colleagues of mine on these benches have already raised concerns about the impact that might have and the consequences particularly in terms of compromising the safety of night-time pedestrians, especially women and those who maybe aren't confident and stable on their feet maybe—older people et cetera—and potential consequences in terms then of deteriorating health, mental and physical. There is a strong correlation of course between improved street lighting and reduced crime rates as well. So, one simple decision—I say 'simple' in a qualified manner, but one decision—can obviously have much wider implications and impacts.

So, my question to you is: what advice are you giving to local councils, or what discussions are you having with local authorities? Because, obviously, at the end of the day, these isolated decisions—. And you could scale these decisions up if they're collective decisions—collective impacts of similar decisions made elsewhere. But what advice are you giving to local councils about the risk that some of these decisions, made today to save money, may well cost the public purse more money in the longer term?

Weinidog, rydym wedi clywed am bryderon ynghylch contractio gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, yn enwedig mewn perthynas â llywodraeth leol, o ganlyniad i sefyllfa ariannol ein cynghorau. Nawr, un enghraifft amlwg o hynny, wrth gwrs, oedd y ffaith bod Casnewydd yn ystyried diffodd goleuadau stryd bob yn ail rhwng hanner nos a 6 a.m. i leihau costau ynni. Mae rhai o'm cyd-Aelodau ar y meinciau hyn eisoes wedi codi pryderon ynghylch yr effaith y gallai hynny ei chael a’r canlyniadau, yn enwedig o ran peryglu diogelwch cerddwyr gyda’r nos, yn enwedig menywod, a phobl nad ydynt yn hyderus ac yn gadarn ar eu traed, efallai—pobl hŷn ac yn y blaen—a chanlyniadau posibl felly o ran iechyd meddwl a chorfforol gwaeth. Mae cydberthynas gref, wrth gwrs, rhwng gwell goleuadau stryd a chyfraddau troseddu is hefyd. Felly, mae'n amlwg y gall un penderfyniad syml—dywedaf 'syml' mewn modd amodol, ond un penderfyniad—arwain at oblygiadau ac effeithiau ehangach o lawer.

Felly, fy nghwestiwn i chi yw: pa gyngor rydych yn ei roi i gynghorau lleol, neu pa drafodaethau rydych yn eu cael gydag awdurdodau lleol? Oherwydd yn amlwg, yn y pen draw, mae'r penderfyniadau ynysig hyn—. A gallech gynyddu effaith y penderfyniadau hyn os ydynt yn benderfyniadau cyfunol—effeithiau cyfunol penderfyniadau tebyg a wneir mewn mannau eraill. Ond pa gyngor rydych yn ei roi i gynghorau lleol ynghylch y risg y gallai rhai o'r penderfyniadau hyn, a wneir heddiw i arbed arian, gostio mwy o arian i bwrs y wlad yn fwy hirdymor?

I think the example that you give really serves to highlight the difficult decisions that local authorities are considering at the moment, and they span a really wide range of matters that are of importance to their residents. So, decisions must be taken, of course, through the lens of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, so, they'll be needing to consider what the decisions that they're taking mean in terms of sustainable communities. And of course, the equality impact assessments will be important as well in terms of understanding the impact on people with particular protected characteristics: on women, older people, which you've given as examples. 

So, I know that councils will be diligent in that work, but I know that councils will have to make some decisions that are difficult, because they do speak to me about the gaps that still remain in the funding that they have for next year. And I know that they're setting out some of those proposals in their consultations with local residents. So, clearly, they will have to listen very carefully to what local residents are telling them are their priorities for their communities as they move forward. But, as I say, we've provided local authorities with the best possible settlement. I think that you probably would have to go a long way to find a local government leader who'd rather be in England than in Wales and you'd probably find a fair few in England who would also prefer to be here as well. That's because, over those long years of austerity, we still protected local government as far as we possibly could. So, that remains the case, that we're protecting them in the next financial year as far as we can. And I described earlier in this session the difficult work that we did to repurpose money towards local government and health from other areas of Government. 

Credaf fod yr enghraifft a roddwch yn tynnu sylw at y penderfyniadau anodd y mae awdurdodau lleol yn eu hystyried ar hyn o bryd, ac maent yn cwmpasu ystod eang iawn o faterion sydd o bwys i'w trigolion. Felly, mae'n rhaid gwneud penderfyniadau, wrth gwrs, drwy lens Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau’r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015, felly bydd angen iddynt ystyried beth y mae'r penderfyniadau a wnânt yn ei olygu o ran cymunedau cynaliadwy. Ac wrth gwrs, bydd yr asesiadau o'r effaith ar gydraddoldeb yn bwysig hefyd o ran deall yr effaith ar bobl â nodweddion gwarchodedig penodol: ar fenywod, pobl hŷn, a roesoch fel enghreifftiau.

Felly, gwn y bydd cynghorau'n gwneud y gwaith hwnnw'n ddiwyd, ond gwn y bydd yn rhaid i gynghorau wneud rhai penderfyniadau anodd, oherwydd maent yn siarad â mi ynglŷn â'r bylchau sy'n dal i fodoli yn y cyllid sydd ganddynt ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf. A gwn eu bod yn nodi rhai o'r cynigion hynny yn eu hymgynghoriadau â thrigolion lleol. Felly, yn amlwg, bydd yn rhaid iddynt wrando'n ofalus iawn ar yr hyn y mae trigolion lleol yn ei ddweud wrthynt yw eu blaenoriaethau ar gyfer eu cymunedau wrth iddynt symud ymlaen. Ond fel y dywedaf, rydym wedi darparu'r setliad gorau posibl i awdurdodau lleol. Credaf y byddai’n rhaid ichi fynd yn bell, yn ôl pob tebyg, i ddod o hyd i arweinydd llywodraeth leol y byddai’n well ganddynt fod yn Lloegr nag yng Nghymru, ac mae’n debyg y byddech yn dod o hyd i sawl un yn Lloegr y byddai’n well ganddynt fod yma hefyd. Y rheswm am hynny yw ein bod, drwy gydol blynyddoedd hir cyni, yn dal i ddiogelu llywodraeth leol hyd eithaf ein gallu. Felly, mae hynny'n parhau i fod yn wir, ein bod yn eu diogelu yn y flwyddyn ariannol nesaf hyd eithaf ein gallu. A disgrifiais yn gynharach yn y sesiwn hon y gwaith anodd a wnaethom i ailgyfeirio arian tuag at lywodraeth leol ac iechyd o feysydd eraill y Llywodraeth.

Well, my concern is Wales of course; I have no jurisdiction for England. But certainly I think we need to be mindful that these individual decisions will consequently lead to, maybe, pressures coming from other directions. 

Now, linked to this, really, the Welsh Government is introducing legislation and regulation, much of which we support, and they are very worthy in terms of what we want to achieve and are well intentioned, but much of this is introducing additional duties and responsibilities to local government. We've seen it happen with organisations such as Natural Resources Wales, where, a few years ago, the Planning (Wales) Act 2015, the future generations Act, the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, all stacked up additional duties on that particular organisation at the same time of course as reducing budgets, to put it on quite an unsustainable trajectory in terms of delivering on those services. I'd ask you how mindful you are of those pressures in terms of local government. I've touched on this with you before: what consideration has the Government given to re-profiling the introduction of some of these duties? The 20 mph zones are obviously bringing with them a hefty burden of work that needs to be completed. Is that something that the Government would be open-minded to maybe delaying or looking at re-profiling in terms of its expectation around local government to introduce that? Even the single-use plastic ban—there will be an enforcement responsibility on local government. Now, we would all want to see that coming into being as soon as possible, but I think we do need a pragmatism and a practical approach to some of this. So, my question is: to what extent are you actively looking at this agenda, and to what extent are you actually discussing this with local government? And if you are, maybe you could give us a few examples of some things that you are actively considering in that respect. 

Wel, fy mhryder i yw Cymru, wrth gwrs; nid oes gennyf unrhyw awdurdodaeth dros Loegr. Ond yn sicr, credaf fod angen inni fod yn ymwybodol y bydd y penderfyniadau unigol hyn yn arwain, efallai, at bwysau o gyfeiriadau eraill.

Nawr, yn gysylltiedig â hyn, mewn gwirionedd, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cyflwyno deddfwriaeth a rheoliadau, ac rydym yn cefnogi llawer ohonynt, ac maent yn deilwng iawn o ran yr hyn rydym am ei gyflawni ac mae ganddynt fwriadau da, ond mae llawer ohonynt yn cyflwyno dyletswyddau a chyfrifoldebau ychwanegol i lywodraeth leol. Rydym wedi'i weld yn digwydd gyda sefydliadau fel Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, lle, ychydig flynyddoedd yn ôl, roedd Deddf Cynllunio (Cymru) 2015, Deddf cenedlaethau’r dyfodol, Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Cymru) 2016, oll wedi pentyrru dyletswyddau ychwanegol ar y sefydliad penodol hwnnw, ar yr un pryd, wrth gwrs, â chyllidebau llai, gan ei roi ar drywydd eithaf anghynaliadwy o ran darparu'r gwasanaethau hynny. Hoffwn ofyn i chi i ba raddau rydych chi'n ystyried y pwysau hwnnw ar lywodraeth leol. Rwyf wedi crybwyll hyn gyda chi o’r blaen: pa ystyriaeth y mae’r Llywodraeth wedi’i rhoi i ailbroffilio’r gwaith o gyflwyno rhai o’r dyletswyddau hyn? Mae'r parthau 20 mya yn amlwg yn golygu baich gwaith aruthrol y mae angen ei gwblhau. A yw hynny’n rhywbeth y byddai’r Llywodraeth yn agored i'w ohirio, efallai, neu edrych ar ailbroffilio ei disgwyliad i lywodraeth leol gyflwyno hynny? Hyd yn oed y gwaharddiad ar blastig untro—bydd cyfrifoldeb gorfodi ar lywodraeth leol. Nawr, hoffai pob un ohonom weld hynny ar waith cyn gynted â phosibl, ond credaf fod angen pragmatiaeth ac ymagwedd ymarferol tuag at rywfaint o hyn. Felly, fy nghwestiwn yw: i ba raddau rydych yn edrych yn weithredol ar yr agenda hon, ac i ba raddau rydych yn trafod hyn gyda llywodraeth leol? Ac os ydych, efallai y gallech roi rhai enghreifftiau i ni o rai pethau rydych chi'n eu hystyried yn hynny o beth.

13:55

So, just to return briefly to the first part of your question, I would just like to say that this is one of the reasons why the strategic impact assessments are so important, because they do look at the cumulative impact upon people of various decisions and, of course, upon people who have more than one protected characteristic as well. So, those types of impact assessments are really helpful in terms of helping us understand the impact of decisions.

But, then, in terms of local government, the things that they asked us to look at, and we were pleased to do so, included the point about moving grants into the revenue support grant, either for a time-limited period or permanently. So, that's something that we are actively looking at at the moment. We're looking at all of our different grants and exploring what might be possible. That's an ongoing discussion, as I said, with the WLGA and with treasurers across Wales.

Another thing that they asked us to look at was the impact of regulatory burdens. So, obviously, this is a programme for government commitment, that we would look at the administrative burdens on local authorities, and that's a piece of work that, again, is actively under way with local authorities. But I think some of them had a particular concern about some of the regulatory systems, so we are looking at some of those specific concerns that they had as well, because we are really open to having all of these discussions with local authorities to try and ensure that we treat them with trust to get on with the jobs that they are required to do.

And then, on the point about re-profiling or looking again at some of our commitments, again, this is something that we are exploring with local government. I think that there are different views on some of these things. For example, the 20 mph zones, clearly, that's a programme for government commitment. I know there are strong views out there about that particular commitment. But we are engaging openly in all of these discussions with local government. 

Os caf ddychwelyd am ychydig at ran gyntaf eich cwestiwn, hoffwn ddweud mai dyma un o'r rhesymau pam fod yr asesiadau effaith strategol mor bwysig, gan eu bod yn edrych ar effaith gronnol penderfyniadau amrywiol ar bobl, ac wrth gwrs, ar bobl a chanddynt fwy nag un nodwedd warchodedig hefyd. Felly, mae’r mathau hynny o asesiadau effaith yn wirioneddol ddefnyddiol i'n helpu i ddeall effaith penderfyniadau.

Ond wedyn, o ran llywodraeth leol, roedd y pethau y gwnaethant ofyn i ni edrych arnynt, ac roeddem yn falch o wneud hynny, yn cynnwys y pwynt ynglŷn â symud grantiau i’r grant cynnal refeniw, naill ai am gyfnod penodol neu’n barhaol. Felly, mae hynny'n rhywbeth rydym yn edrych yn weithredol arno ar hyn o bryd. Rydym yn edrych ar ein holl grantiau gwahanol ac yn archwilio beth allai fod yn bosibl. Mae honno'n drafodaeth barhaus, fel y dywedais, gyda CLlLC a chyda thrysoryddion ledled Cymru.

Peth arall y gwnaethant ofyn inni edrych arno oedd effaith beichiau rheoleiddiol. Felly, yn amlwg, mae hwn yn ymrwymiad yn y rhaglen lywodraethu, y byddem yn edrych ar y beichiau gweinyddol ar awdurdodau lleol, ac mae hwnnw'n waith sydd, unwaith eto, yn mynd rhagddo gydag awdurdodau lleol. Ond credaf fod gan rai ohonynt bryderon arbennig am rai o’r systemau rheoleiddio, felly rydym yn edrych ar rai o’r pryderon penodol hynny a oedd ganddynt hefyd, gan ein bod yn agored iawn i gael yr holl drafodaethau hyn gydag awdurdodau lleol i geisio sicrhau y gallwn ymddiried ynddynt i fwrw ymlaen â’r gwaith y mae angen iddynt ei wneud.

Ac yna, ar y pwynt ynghylch ailbroffilio neu edrych eto ar rai o'n hymrwymiadau, unwaith eto, mae hyn yn rhywbeth rydym yn ei archwilio gyda llywodraeth leol. Credaf fod safbwyntiau gwahanol i'w cael ynglŷn â rhai o’r pethau hyn. Er enghraifft, y parthau 20 mya, yn amlwg, mae hwnnw'n ymrwymiad yn y rhaglen lywodraethu. Gwn fod safbwyntiau cryf i'w cael ynglŷn â'r ymrwymiad penodol hwnnw. Ond rydym yn cymryd rhan agored yn y trafodaethau hyn gyda llywodraeth leol.

Hyrwyddo Iechyd y Cyhoedd
Promoting Public Health

3. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gyda'r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasnaethau Cymdeithasol ynghylch ariannu awdurdodau lleol i hyrwyddo iechyd y cyhoedd? OQ58963

3. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding funding local authorities to promote public health? OQ58963

The resource for core public health promotion sits with local health boards. Local authorities have responsibility for other areas of public health, such as health protection and environmental public health. Local authorities work closely with partners, including local health boards, on some areas of health promotion, such as the national exercise referral scheme.

Y byrddau iechyd lleol sy'n gyfrifol am yr adnodd ar gyfer hybu iechyd cyhoeddus sylfaenol. Mae awdurdodau lleol yn gyfrifol am feysydd iechyd y cyhoedd eraill, megis diogelu iechyd ac iechyd cyhoeddus amgylcheddol. Mae awdurdodau lleol yn gweithio'n agos gyda phartneriaid, gan gynnwys byrddau iechyd lleol, ar rai meysydd hybu iechyd, megis y cynllun cenedlaethol i atgyfeirio cleifion i wneud ymarfer corff.

Ie, diolch ichi am yr ateb. Wrth gwrs, mi wnaeth y Gweinidog iechyd bwyntio bys ychydig ar y cyhoedd ynglŷn â chyfrifoldeb y cyhoedd i fod yn fwy gofalus am eu hiechyd ac i wneud mwy o ran ymarfer corff ac i fwyta'n iachach ac yn y blaen. Roeddwn i'n teimlo bod hynny efallai—bod pwyntio bys at y cyhoedd ynglŷn â thrafferthion yr NHS braidd yn hallt, ond dwi'n deall y pwynt yr oedd hi'n ei wneud. Ond, wrth gwrs, dyw'r Llywodraeth ei hunan ddim yn helpu yn hynny o beth, oherwydd rŷn ni wedi sôn am y toriadau y mae awdurdodau lleol yn eu hwynebu, wrth gwrs—mae canolfannau hamdden yn cau, mae rhaglenni iechyd cyhoeddus yn cael eu torri. Felly, ydych chi'n cytuno â fi bod yna wrth-ddweud, bod yna contradiction mawr yn fan hyn, lle ar un llaw mae'r Llywodraeth yn dweud, 'Gwnewch fwy i fyw yn iach', ac, ar y llaw arall, mae diffyg ariannu o gyfeiriad y Llywodraeth yn golygu bod y canolfannau hamdden, bod y rhaglenni iechyd cyhoeddus, bod y gefnogaeth sydd yna i helpu pobl i wneud hynny yn cael eu torri?

Yes, thank you very much for that response. Of course, the Minister for health pointed her finger a little at the public with regard to the public's responsibility to be more careful of their health and to do more to exercise and to eat more healthily and so on. I felt that pointing the finger at the public with regard to the NHS's difficulties was rather harsh, but I understand the point she was making. But, of course, the Government itself isn't helping in this regard, because we've talked about the cuts that local authorities are facing, of course—leisure centres are closing, public health programmes are being cut. So, do you agree with me that there is a contradiction—a major contradiction—here where, on the one hand, the Government is saying, 'Well, do more to live more healthily', and on the other hand there is a lack of funding from the Government that means that the leisure centres and the public health programmes and the support available to help people to live more healthily are being cut?

Well, first of all, I would just reassure you that we are acutely aware of and equally concerned about the pressures that the current energy crisis and the cost-of-living crisis are having on the sport and leisure sector. Of course, the provisional local government settlement means that some local authorities have now reversed their plans to close some of their facilities, which I think is really important, demonstrating that they're prioritising those facilities with the additional funding that we've been able to provide. I know, for example, that there are areas such as swimming pools, where authorities and their swimming pool operators are concerned because they haven't been offered protection under the UK Government's new energy bills discount scheme, so we're supporting those efforts for those kinds of facilities to be categorised as intensive energy users. It's also worth recognising as well that as part of their capital funding investments, Sport Wales is looking into ways in which they can support the sector regarding green energy, and they've made links with the Welsh Government's energy service to discuss the practicalities there. So, there is obviously a financial outlook that is very challenging at the moment, but I know that authorities are trying to prioritise these non-statutory services and we've got several questions on those this afternoon as well, as part of their response to the cost-of-living crisis, and to support people.

Wel, yn gyntaf, hoffwn roi sicrwydd i chi ein bod yn ymwybodol iawn ac yr un mor bryderus ynghylch y pwysau y mae'r argyfwng ynni presennol a'r argyfwng costau byw yn ei roi ar y sector chwaraeon a hamdden. Wrth gwrs, golyga'r setliad llywodraeth leol dros dro fod rhai awdurdodau lleol bellach wedi gwrthdroi eu cynlluniau i gau rhai o’u cyfleusterau, sy’n bwysig iawn yn fy marn i, gan ei fod yn dangos eu bod yn blaenoriaethu’r cyfleusterau hynny gyda’r cyllid ychwanegol rydym wedi gallu ei ddarparu. Gwn, er enghraifft, fod rhai pethau fel pyllau nofio, lle mae awdurdodau a gweithredwyr eu pyllau nofio yn bryderus am nad ydynt wedi cael cynnig amddiffyniad o dan gynllun gostyngiadau biliau ynni newydd Llywodraeth y DU, felly rydym yn cefnogi’r ymdrechion i sicrhau bod y mathau hynny o gyfleusterau'n cael eu categoreiddio fel defnyddwyr ynni dwys. Mae'n werth cydnabod hefyd, fel rhan o'u buddsoddiadau cyllid cyfalaf, fod Chwaraeon Cymru yn ymchwilio i ffyrdd y gallant gefnogi'r sector mewn perthynas ag ynni gwyrdd, ac maent wedi cysylltu â gwasanaeth ynni Llywodraeth Cymru i drafod y materion ymarferol yn y cyswllt hwnnw. Felly, yn amlwg, mae'r rhagolygon ariannol yn heriol iawn ar hyn o bryd, ond gwn fod awdurdodau'n ceisio blaenoriaethu’r gwasanaethau anstatudol hyn, ac mae gennym sawl cwestiwn ynglŷn â'r rheini y prynhawn yma hefyd, fel rhan o’u hymateb i'r argyfwng costau byw, ac i gefnogi pobl.

14:00

Given that the over-65 population is likely to significantly increase over the next five years, it is essential that our local authorities receive adequate funding to support our older population, and we know that our social care in Wales is in a mess. We've heard the concerns about the hypothecation and how money is afforded to local authorities. We've heard our colleague Llyr Gruffydd outline the responsibilities that have fallen on local authorities as a result of some bad legislation going from here, and then being picked up by local authorities.

The World Health Organization describes age-friendly communities as being places in which older people, communities, policies, services, settings and structures work together in partnership to support and enable us all to age well. In April 2022, the Welsh Government announced that £1.1 million was being made available to local authorities to support their work to become age friendly, and to ensure older people are involved in the design and planning of local services. This is something I've worked on with the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, and she has emphasised the need for such investment to continue. Minister, what progress has the £1.1 million investment achieved during the current financial year, and is it your intention, and indeed that of the Deputy Minister for Social Services, to continue to invest in creating age-friendly communities in 2023-24? Diolch.

Gan fod y boblogaeth dros 65 oed yn debygol o gynyddu'n sylweddol dros y pum mlynedd nesaf, mae'n hanfodol fod ein hawdurdodau lleol yn cael cyllid digonol i gefnogi ein poblogaeth hŷn, ac rydym yn gwybod bod ein gofal cymdeithasol yng Nghymru mewn llanast. Clywsom y pryderon am y cyllid neulltiedig a'r ffordd y mae arian yn cael ei roi i awdurdodau lleol. Clywsom ein cyd-Aelod, Llyr Gruffydd yn amlinellu'r cyfrifoldebau sydd ar awdurdodau lleol o ganlyniad i ddeddfwriaeth wael sy'n mynd o'r fan hon, ac sy'n cael ei chodi gan awdurdodau lleol wedyn.

Mae Sefydliad Iechyd y Byd yn disgrifio cymunedau sydd o blaid pobl hŷn fel llefydd lle mae pobl hŷn, cymunedau, polisïau, gwasanaethau, lleoliadau a chyrff yn cydweithio mewn partneriaeth i gefnogi ac i alluogi pawb ohonom i heneiddio'n dda. Ym mis Ebrill 2022, cyhoeddodd Llywodraeth Cymru fod £1.1 miliwn ar gael i awdurdodau lleol er mwyn cefnogi eu gwaith i fod o blaid pobl hŷn ac i sicrhau bod pobl hŷn yn rhan o'r gwaith o lunio a chynllunio gwasanaethau lleol. Mae hyn yn rhywbeth rwyf wedi gweithio arno gyda Chomisiynydd Pobl Hŷn Cymru, ac mae hi wedi pwysleisio bod angen i fuddsoddiad o'r fath barhau. Weinidog, pa gynnydd a gyflawnwyd gan y buddsoddiad o £1.1 miliwn yn ystod y flwyddyn ariannol hon, ac ai eich bwriad chi, a bwriad y Dirprwy Weinidog Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol yn wir, yw parhau i fuddsoddi mewn creu cymunedau sydd o blaid pobl hŷn yn 2023-24? Diolch.

I'm grateful for that question and I've also had a really good meeting with the older people's commissioner, who talked very passionately about the potential for age-friendly communities. I can confirm that, for 2023-24, the Welsh Government via the social care reform fund will provide a grant of £50,000 to each local authority, so that they are able to appoint a lead officer to support their working towards becoming part of the WHO network of age-friendly communities and cities. I know that the Deputy Minister would be more than happy to provide more detailed information about the activities that are taking place on a local basis.

Diolch am y cwestiwn hwnnw ac rwyf innau hefyd wedi cael cyfarfod da iawn gyda'r comisiynydd pobl hŷn, a siaradodd yn angerddol iawn am botensial cymunedau sydd o blaid pobl hŷn. Gallaf gadarnhau y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru, ar gyfer 2023-24, drwy'r gronfa diwygio gofal cymdeithasol yn darparu grant o £50,000 i bob awdurdod lleol, fel eu bod yn gallu penodi swyddog arweiniol i gefnogi eu gwaith tuag at fod yn rhan o rwydwaith Sefydliad Iechyd y Byd o gymunedau a dinasoedd sydd o blaid pobl hŷn. Gwn y byddai'r Dirprwy Weinidog yn fwy na pharod i ddarparu gwybodaeth fanylach am y gweithgareddau sy'n digwydd yn lleol.

Newid Hinsawdd
Climate Change

4. Sut mae'r Gweinidog yn gweithio gyda'r Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd i sicrhau bod gan awdurdodau lleol y cyllid sydd ei angen i gyflawni eu hymrwymiadau newid hinsawdd? OQ58967

4. How is the Minister working with the Minister for Climate Change to ensure that local authorities have the funding required to meet their climate change commitments? OQ58967

Climate change is a cross-government priority and I work closely with the Minister for Climate Change and with my other Cabinet colleagues to support delivery of Net Zero Wales, and to support local authorities in delivering their commitments.

Mae newid hinsawdd yn flaenoriaeth drawslywodraethol ac rwy'n gweithio'n agos gyda'r Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd a chyda fy nghyd-Weinidogion eraill yn y Cabinet i gefnogi cyflawniad Cymru Net Sero, ac i gynorthwyo awdurdodau lleol i gyflawni eu hymrwymiadau.

Thank you, Minister, for that answer and we've had many discussions in this Chamber about making sure there's enough capital to decarbonise, for local government to decarbonise and invest in their green projects. But it's not all about money, either. There is also a need to make sure that there is sufficient human capital with the right skills and knowledge that they need to fulfil those roles, and I know that the Welsh Local Government Association, in their evidence on the Government's draft budget, have shared their concerns about the shortage of staff with green skills, as well as the difficulties experienced by public bodies in retaining staff with the required skills due to wage differentials with the private sector.

I'm just wondering, Minister, what discussions you've had with local government colleagues about developing and funding a recruitment, retention and upskilling strategy, so that staff have the required knowledge and skills in green issues. And what consideration have you given to, perhaps, enhancing the role of corporate joint committees, so that pooled budgets and pooled efforts can achieve some of these commitments?

Diolch am yr ateb hwnnw, Weinidog, ac rydym wedi cael llawer o drafodaethau yn y Siambr hon ynglŷn â sicrhau bod digon o gyfalaf i ddatgarboneiddio, i lywodraeth leol ddatgarboneiddio a buddsoddi yn eu prosiectau gwyrdd. Ond nid arian yw'r cyfan, ychwaith. Mae angen gwneud yn siŵr hefyd fod yna ddigon o gyfalaf dynol gyda'r sgiliau a'r wybodaeth gywir sydd eu hangen arnynt i gyflawni'r rolau hynny, ac rwy'n gwybod bod Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru, yn eu tystiolaeth ar gyllideb ddrafft y Llywodraeth, wedi rhannu eu pryderon ynghylch prinder staff â sgiliau gwyrdd, yn ogystal â'r anawsterau a brofwyd gan gyrff cyhoeddus gyda chadw staff sydd â'r sgiliau gofynnol oherwydd gwahaniaethau yng nghyflogau'r sector preifat.

Weinidog, tybed pa drafodaethau a gawsoch gyda chymheiriaid mewn llywodraeth leol ynglŷn â datblygu ac ariannu strategaeth recriwtio, cadw ac uwchsgilio, fel bod gan staff wybodaeth a sgiliau gofynnol mewn materion gwyrdd. A pha ystyriaeth a roddwyd gennych i wella rôl cyd-bwyllgorau corfforedig, fel y gall cyllidebau cyfun ac ymdrechion cyfun gyflawni rhai o'r ymrwymiadau hyn?

I'm very grateful for that question this afternoon, and I'm really pleased with the work that the decarbonisation panel for Wales is undertaking in terms of ensuring that all local authorities have plans in place in order to help move them towards that goal of net zero in the public sector by 2030.

I think one of the areas where we need to put a great deal of focus, of course, is on procurement, because over 60 per cent of councils' emissions arise through the procurement of goods and services. I mention that because that's one of the areas where the Welsh Government is investing in skills for that particular sector. So, we've been investing in the professional qualifications, and supporting people to achieve those professional qualifications within the public sector, so that they have that skills base and the knowledge that they need, but particularly so with a focus now on decarbonisation. Just yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet the individuals through Curshaw who were driving forward our alpha phase on the centre for excellence for procurement. That was a really interesting meeting, talking to them about what they'd heard from talking to procurement professionals within the public sector, and also, particularly, in local government. I think skills and recognition are part of that, a concern that there must be that continuous opportunity to develop those skills within the very modern context and within the context of that journey towards net zero by 2030. So, that is a field of work where there's a lot of work going on at the moment, but particularly with that eye on procurement.

Rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn am y cwestiwn hwnnw y prynhawn yma, ac rwy'n falch iawn o'r gwaith y mae panel datgarboneiddio Cymru yn ei wneud ar sicrhau bod gan bob awdurdod lleol gynlluniau yn eu lle er mwyn helpu i'w symud tuag at y nod o sero net yn y sector cyhoeddus erbyn 2030.

Rwy'n meddwl mai un o'r meysydd lle mae angen inni roi llawer iawn o ffocws yw caffael wrth gwrs, oherwydd mae dros 60 y cant o allyriadau cynghorau'n codi drwy gaffael nwyddau a gwasanaethau. Rwy'n crybwyll hynny oherwydd dyna un o'r meysydd lle mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn buddsoddi mewn sgiliau ar gyfer y sector penodol hwnnw. Felly, rydym wedi bod yn buddsoddi yn y cymwysterau proffesiynol, ac yn cynorthwyo pobl i gyflawni cymwysterau proffesiynol yn y sector cyhoeddus, fel bod ganddynt y sylfaen sgiliau honno a'r wybodaeth sydd ei hangen, ond yn enwedig felly gyda ffocws nawr ar ddatgarboneiddio. Ddoe ddiwethaf, cefais gyfle i gyfarfod â'r unigolion drwy Curshaw a oedd yn datblygu cyfnod alffa ein canolfan ragoriaeth caffael. Roedd hwnnw'n gyfarfod diddorol iawn, a siarad â hwy am yr hyn roeddent wedi'i glywed o siarad â gweithwyr caffael proffesiynol o fewn y sector cyhoeddus, ac mewn llywodraeth leol yn arbennig. Rwy'n credu bod sgiliau a chydnabyddiaeth yn rhan o hynny, pryder fod rhaid cael cyfle parhaus i ddatblygu'r sgiliau hynny o fewn cyd-destun modern iawn ac yng nghyd-destun y daith tuag at sero net erbyn 2030. Felly, mae hwnnw'n faes gwaith lle mae llawer yn digwydd ar hyn o bryd, ond yn enwedig gyda golwg ar gaffael.

14:05

Of course, the best way to achieve this, as we all know, on every side of the Chamber, would be to go back to the old eight counties where you've got local government with sufficient capacity and clout to be able to deliver those schemes. You know that, they all know that, but there we go. I won't go after it this afternoon, everybody will be pleased to hear. But what I would like to—[Interruption.]

What I would like to challenge the Minister on is this: local government can act as a catalyst within its particular area to enable far more community-based renewable energy schemes. We do see that in some places, but we don't see anything like the number and the quantity that we require in order to deliver on our net-zero ambitions, but also to address some of the social issues that we debated in an earlier question. So, what can the Welsh Government do, Minister, to bring local government together to ensure that local government has the tools—the financial tools as well as the expertise that Peter Fox described—in order to provide local communities with the means to deliver renewable schemes that will address all the issues that we've been debating earlier?

Wrth gwrs, y ffordd orau o gyflawni hyn, fel y gwyddom i gyd ar bob ochr i'r Siambr, fyddai mynd yn ôl i'r hen wyth sir lle mae gennych lywodraeth leol gyda digon o gapasiti a grym i allu cyflawni'r cynlluniau hynny. Rydych chi'n gwybod hynny, maent hwy i gyd yn gwybod hynny, ond dyna ni. Nid wyf am fynd ar drywydd hynny y prynhawn yma, bydd pawb yn falch o glywed. Ond yr hyn yr hoffwn—[Torri ar draws.]

Yr hyn yr hoffwn herio'r Gweinidog arno yw hyn: gall llywodraeth leol weithredu fel catalydd yn eu hardaloedd i alluogi llawer mwy o gynlluniau ynni adnewyddadwy yn y gymuned. Rydym yn gweld hynny mewn rhai llefydd, ond nid ydym yn gweld unrhyw beth tebyg i'r nifer sydd ei angen arnom er mwyn cyflawni ein huchelgeisiau sero net, ond hefyd i fynd i'r afael â rhai o'r problemau cymdeithasol y gwnaethom eu trafod mewn cwestiwn cynharach. Felly, beth y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud, Weinidog, i ddod â llywodraeth leol ynghyd i sicrhau bod gan lywodraeth leol yr arfau—yr arfau ariannol yn ogystal â'r arbenigedd a ddisgrifiodd Peter Fox—i roi modd i gymunedau lleol gyflawni cynlluniau adnewyddadwy a fydd yn mynd i'r afael â'r holl bethau y buom yn eu trafod yn gynharach?

I agree that local authorities have an important role and an important potential in that particular space, which is why I know that the Minister for Climate Change is engaging with them in respect of the development of the Unnos work, and I hope that she'll be making more information available to colleagues on the development of that work before too long. So, perhaps that would be an opportunity to explore that in greater detail.

I won't be tempted to bite either on the point that you made about the formulations of local government, and I realise that I neglected also to respond to the finance spokesperson's point on CJCs, but there'll be other opportunities.

Rwy'n cytuno bod gan awdurdodau lleol rôl bwysig a photensial pwysig yn hynny o beth, a dyna pam rwy'n gwybod bod y Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd yn ymgysylltu â hwy mewn perthynas â datblygu gwaith Unnos, a gobeithio y bydd hi'n sicrhau bod mwy o wybodaeth ar gael i gyd-Aelodau ar ddatblygiad y gwaith hwnnw cyn bo hir iawn. Felly, efallai y byddai hwnnw'n gyfle i archwilio hynny'n fanylach.

Ni chaf fy nhemtio i ymateb ychwaith ar y pwynt a wnaethoch ynglŷn â ffurfiadau llywodraeth leol, ac rwy'n sylweddoli fy mod heb ymateb i bwynt y llefarydd cyllid ar y cyd-bwyllgorau corfforedig, ond fe ddaw cyfleoedd eraill.

Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus Anstatudol
Non-statutory Public Services

5. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gydag awdurdodau lleol ynghylch y disgwyliad eu bod yn cynnal gwasanaethau cyhoeddus anstatudol yn dilyn cyllideb 2022-23? OQ58968

5. What discussions has the Minister had with local authorities about the expectation for them to maintain non-statutory public services following the 2022-23 budget? OQ58968

I meet regularly with all local authority leaders to discuss key issues that affect us all, including the current financial challenges. It's the responsibility of each local authority to determine how they deliver their non-statutory services, based on local priorities.

Rwy'n cyfarfod yn rheolaidd â phob arweinydd awdurdod lleol i drafod materion allweddol sy'n effeithio arnom i gyd, gan gynnwys yr heriau ariannol presennol. Cyfrifoldeb pob awdurdod lleol yw penderfynu sut y maent yn darparu eu gwasanaethau anstatudol, yn seiliedig ar flaenoriaethau lleol.

Diolch yn fawr iawn am hwnna, a dŷch chi'n rhoi'r cyfrifoldeb ar awdurdodau lleol, wrth gwrs, ond chi sy'n gwneud y toriadau. Pa gyngor, felly, sydd gennych chi i awdurdodau sydd rŵan yn gorfod penderfynu rhwng cau canolfannau dydd i'r henoed, torri gwasanaethau datblygu'r economi, cau canolfannau hamdden a llyfrgelloedd, lleihau trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus, gwneud llai i ddelio â'r argyfwng hinsawdd, peidio â gwario ar hybu'r iaith Gymraeg a llu o bethau eraill hanfodol mae llywodraeth leol yn eu gwneud ar ran pobl Cymru? Sut mae cynghorau i fod i ddewis rhwng y pethau annerbyniol yma, a pha gyngor sydd gan y Gweinidog i bobl Cymru fydd ddim yn derbyn y gwasanaethau hanfodol yma o hyn allan?

Thank you very much for that response, and you're placing the responsibility on local authorities, of course, but you're the one making the cuts. What advice do you therefore have for local authorities who are now having to decide between closing day centres for the elderly, cutting economic development programmes, closing leisure centres and libraries, reducing public transport, doing less to deal with the climate emergency, not spending on the promotion of the Welsh language and all sorts of other crucial things that local authorities do on behalf of the people of Wales? How are councils supposed to choose between these unacceptable cuts, and what advice does the Minister have for the people of Wales who will not be in receipt of these crucial services from here on in?

I'll make the point again that the Welsh Government has provided the absolute best possible settlement to local government, and I know that was recognised by local government leaders and members of local government across Wales. As I've mentioned, we're providing revenue funding of over £5.1 billion and over £1 billion of specific grants to local authorities next year, and that's a rise of 7.9 per cent. Now, that's a significant rise in the context that we're facing, with our own budget reducing in its value over the course of this Senedd term, and as I've mentioned previously this afternoon, we allocated local government in excess of the funding that we received in consequential funding from the UK Government as a result of the autumn statement, and that has come at a cost to colleagues, who have had to divert funding away from treasured programmes in their own portfolios. So, I would say that we've done the absolute best that we could for local government. We're scrutinising the budget at the moment. What I'm not hearing from colleagues on other benches are examples of areas where they would have funding diverted away from in order to provide additional funding to local government or to other priorities that they might have. But I look forward to those ideas coming forward.

Fe wnaf y pwynt eto fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi darparu'r setliad gorau posibl i lywodraeth leol, ac rwy'n gwybod bod arweinwyr llywodraeth leol ac aelodau llywodraeth leol ledled Cymru wedi cydnabod hynny. Fel y crybwyllais, rydym yn darparu cyllid refeniw o dros £5.1 biliwn a dros £1 biliwn o grantiau penodol i awdurdodau lleol y flwyddyn nesaf, sy'n gynnydd o 7.9 y cant. Nawr, mae hwnnw'n gynnydd sylweddol yn y cyd-destun sy'n ein hwynebu, gyda'n cyllideb ein hunain yn lleihau yn ei gwerth dros dymor y Senedd, ac fel y crybwyllais yn gynharach y prynhawn yma, fe wnaethom ddyrannu mwy o gyllid i lywodraeth leol nag a gawsom o gyllid canlyniadol gan Lywodraeth y DU yn sgil datganiad yr hydref, ac mae hynny wedi digwydd ar draul cyd-Weinidogion sydd wedi gorfod dargyfeirio cyllid oddi wrth raglenni a drysorant yn eu portffolios eu hunain. Felly, hoffwn ddweud ein bod wedi gwneud ein gorau i lywodraeth leol. Rydym yn craffu ar y gyllideb ar hyn o bryd. Ni chlywaf gan gyd-Aelodau ar y meinciau eraill unrhyw enghreifftiau o feysydd lle byddent yn hoffi gweld cyllid yn cael ei ddargyfeirio oddi wrthynt er mwyn darparu cyllid ychwanegol i lywodraeth leol neu i flaenoriaethau eraill a allai fod ganddynt. Ond rwy'n edrych ymlaen at glywed y syniadau hynny.

14:10
Mesurau Iechyd Ataliol
Preventive Health Measures

6. Pa drafodaethau mae'r Gweinidog wedi eu cael gyda Gweinidogion eraill ynghylch cyllido mesurau iechyd ataliol ar draws y Llywodraeth? OQ58961

6. What discussions has the Minister had with other Ministers regarding the funding of preventive health measures across the Government? OQ58961

Building on our previous budget, the 2023-24 draft budget continues to focus on preventing harm to the most disadvantaged. Alongside the £165 million to protect our NHS, actions include protecting the £90 million funding for free school meals, investing a further £10 million in homelessness prevention and providing £2.2 million for our basic income pilot.

Gan adeiladu ar ein cyllideb flaenorol, mae cyllideb ddrafft 2023-24 yn parhau i ganolbwyntio ar atal niwed i'r rhai mwyaf difreintiedig. Ochr yn ochr â'r £165 miliwn i ddiogelu ein GIG, mae'r camau gweithredu'n cynnwys diogelu'r £90 miliwn o gyllid ar gyfer prydau ysgol am ddim, buddsoddi £10 miliwn pellach mewn atal digartrefedd a darparu £2.2 miliwn ar gyfer ein cynllun peilot incwm sylfaenol.

Diolch am yr ymateb yna, ond yr un bregeth eto gen i, mae gen i ofn. Mae angen gwneud llawer, llawer mwy ar yr ataliol os ydyn ni am wneud Cymru yn genedl fwy iach, a hynny reit ar draws y Llywodraeth. Yn Ynys Môn mae yna bryderon go iawn am ddyfodol y cynllun atgyfeirio cleifion i wneud ymarfer corff, neu NERS, oherwydd diffyg buddsoddiad. Rŵan, £145,530 mae'r cyngor sir wedi'u derbyn eleni i ariannu NERS; yr un swm ag y sydd wedi'i dderbyn ers 2015. Mae'r cyngor sir wedi ysgrifennu at y Gweinidog iechyd am hyn. Mae ganddyn nhw rhestr aros o bobl ond diffyg adnoddau, ac mae'n rhaid i ni wneud mwy o'r math yma o beth os ydyn ni'n wirioneddol am ffocysu ar fesurau ataliol.

Dwi hefyd wedi bod yn siarad â'r Nifty Sixties yng Nghaergybi, corff sydd eisiau ymestyn ei waith ar draws yr ynys i roi gwell iechyd i bobl hŷn. Mae angen iddyn nhw allu cael pobl wedi'u cyfeirio atyn nhw. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ymrwymo i drafod â'r Gweinidog iechyd sut i gynyddu'r swm yma? Oherwydd oni bai bod y buddsoddiad byrdymor yma, cymharol fach, yn cael ei wneud, yna mi fydd y pwysau'n mynd yn fwy ac yn fwy yn y hirdymor ar y gyllideb gyfan.

Thank you very much for that response, but it's the same old sermon from me, I'm afraid. We need to do much, much more on the preventative agenda if we are to make Wales a healthier nation, and right across Government. In Anglesey there are genuine concerns about the future of the national exercise referral scheme, or NERS, because of a lack of investment. Now, the £145,530 that the council has received this year for NERS is the same amount that's been received since 2015. The county council has written to the health Minister on this. They have a waiting list of people, but a lack of resources, and we have to do more of this kind of thing if we are genuinely going to focus on preventative measures.

I've also been speaking to the Nifty Sixties in Holyhead, a body that is trying to extend its work across the island to offer better health to older people. They need to be able to have people referred to them. Will the Minister commit to discussing with the Minister for health how to increase the sum that I mentioned? Because unless this relatively small, short-term investment is made, then the pressure will increase in the long term on the entire budget.

I will commit to reflecting the concerns that you raised this afternoon to the Minister for Health and Social Services. Obviously, this is a matter for her to decide within the confines of the MEG that she has, but I will be more than happy to make her aware of the contribution this afternoon.

Fe wnaf ymrwymo i gyfleu'r pryderon a fynegwyd gennych y prynhawn yma i'r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol. Yn amlwg, mater iddi hi ei benderfynu o fewn y prif grŵp gwariant sydd ganddi yw hwn, ond rwy'n fwy na pharod i roi gwybod iddi am y cyfraniad y prynhawn yma.

Arlwyo mewn Ysgolion
School Catering

7. Pa asesiad ariannol y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'i wneud o ddull awdurdodau lleol o fuddsoddi mewn arlwyo ysgolion? OQ58952

7. What financial assessment has the Minister made of local authorities' approach to investing in school catering? OQ58952

Two hundred and sixty million pounds has been committed to implement the universal free school meal provision programme over the next three years. I anticipate that this funding will be sufficient for the majority of local authorities, but have committed that any additional requirements will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Cafodd £260 miliwn ei ymrwymo i weithredu'r rhaglen darparu prydau ysgol am ddim i bawb dros y tair blynedd nesaf. Rwy'n rhagweld y bydd y cyllid hwn yn ddigonol i'r mwyafrif o awdurdodau lleol, ond rwyf wedi addo y bydd unrhyw ofynion ychwanegol yn cael eu hasesu fesul achos.

Thank you very much for that reply, which is extremely useful to clarify that. I just wondered if I could probe you on what financial assessment you may have done on the different models that local authorities are using, as the rise in food prices is far higher than the 1.65 uplift local authority budgets are getting in total, and there's also a world shortage of chefs, not just in schools, but in restaurants and cafes across the UK.

There seem to be three main models of delivery. Ynys Môn, maybe among others, have outsourced their catering provision to private contractors. Most local authorities rely on in-house caterers and cooking our expanding primary school meal service in school kitchens, which often involves capital to refurbish kitchens that are no longer fit for purpose for our expanding meal service. The third model, in Flintshire, is exploring advanced discussions with a social enterprise about a third option, of cooking the main meal centrally, sometimes known as cook-chill, with final preparation of food that doesn't need to be cooked, like fruit and salad, done in individual schools, prepared by the kitchen assistants who are going to dish out the meals anyway. How much of this presupposes the individual kitchen model, and how much of it is looking at the cost of having meals prepared centrally, at least while we have such a crisis in the provision of chefs?

Diolch yn fawr iawn am yr ateb hwnnw, sy'n hynod ddefnyddiol. Tybed a gaf fi eich holi pa asesiad ariannol y gallech fod wedi'i wneud ar y gwahanol fodelau y mae awdurdodau lleol yn eu defnyddio, gan fod y cynnydd mewn prisiau bwyd yn llawer uwch na'r 1.65 o gynnydd i gyllidebau awdurdodau lleol yn gyffredinol, ac mae yna brinder cogyddion ym mhobman, nid mewn ysgolion yn unig, ond mewn bwytai a chaffis ar draws y DU.

Mae'n ymddangos bod yna dri phrif fodel cyflenwi. Mae Ynys Môn, ymhlith eraill efallai, wedi allanoli eu darpariaeth arlwyo i gontractwyr preifat. Mae'r rhan fwyaf o awdurdodau lleol yn dibynnu ar arlwywyr mewnol a choginio ein gwasanaeth prydau ysgol i blant cynradd mewn ceginau ysgol, sy'n aml yn galw am gyfalaf i adnewyddu ceginau nad ydynt bellach yn addas i'r diben ar gyfer ein gwasanaeth prydau estynedig. Mae'r trydydd model, yn sir y Fflint, yn archwilio trafodaethau datblygedig gyda menter gymdeithasol ynghylch trydydd opsiwn, sef coginio'r prif bryd yn ganolog, a elwir weithiau'n ddull coginio ac oeri, gyda'r gwaith paratoi terfynol ar fwyd nad oes angen ei goginio, fel ffrwythau a salad, yn cael ei wneud yn yr ysgolion unigol, a'i baratoi gan y cynorthwywyr cegin sy'n dosbarthu'r prydau beth bynnag. Faint o hyn sy'n rhagdybio defnydd o'r model cegin unigol, a faint ohono sy'n edrych ar y gost o gael prydau bwyd wedi eu paratoi'n ganolog, o leiaf tra bod gennym argyfwng o'r fath gyda'r ddarpariaeth o gogyddion?

14:15

Thank you very much for that question. I can say that Welsh Treasury officials are part of the working group that has been established to take forward the review of the unit rate. Obviously, it's not straightforward, and they will be looking at the impacts of those different models in terms of agreeing the rate. At the moment, the current free school meal unit rate across local authorities is being looked at alongside the evidence of the rising costs and the expectation that we're putting on local authorities in respect of sourcing local ingredients. Obviously, they're exploring the sustainability of the offer. I'm sure that part of that work will include exploring the different models of delivery, looking to see which delivers best value for money, and looking to see which delivers on those wider socioeconomic and environmental goals that we have. Perhaps I'll ask the education Minister to provide a letter to the Member with more detail on that. 

Diolch yn fawr iawn am y cwestiwn. Gallaf ddweud bod swyddogion Trysorlys Cymru yn rhan o'r gweithgor sydd wedi'i sefydlu i fwrw ymlaen â'r adolygiad o gyfradd yr uned. Yn amlwg, nid yw'n syml, a byddant yn edrych ar effeithiau'r modelau gwahanol ar gyfer cytuno ar y gyfradd. Ar hyn o bryd, mae cyfradd bresennol unedau prydau ysgol am ddim ar draws awdurdodau lleol yn cael ei hystyried ochr yn ochr â thystiolaeth ynghylch costau cynyddol a'r hyn y disgwyliwn i awdurdodau lleol ei gyflawni o ran cyrchu cynhwysion lleol. Yn amlwg, maent yn archwilio cynaliadwyedd y cynnig. Rwy'n siŵr y bydd rhan o'r gwaith hwnnw'n cynnwys archwilio'r gwahanol fodelau cyflenwi, edrych i weld pa un sy'n rhoi'r gwerth gorau am arian, ac edrych i weld pa un sy'n cyflawni'r nodau economaidd-gymdeithasol ac amgylcheddol ehangach sydd gennym. Efallai y gofynnaf i'r Gweinidog addysg anfon at yr Aelod gyda mwy o fanylion am hynny. 

Ac yn olaf, cwestiwn 8—Heledd Fychan. 

And finally, question 8—Heledd Fychan. 

Gwasanaethau Anstatudol
Non-statutory Services

8. Pa drafodaethau mae'r Gweinidog yn eu cael gyda chynghorau yn rhanbarth Canol De Cymru ynglŷn â dyfodol gwasanaethau anstatudol yn sgil yr heriau ariannol y maent yn eu hwynebu? OQ58953

8. What discussions is the Minister having with councils in South Wales Central regarding the future of non-statutory services in light of the financial challenges that they are facing? OQ58953

I meet regularly with all local authorities to discuss key issues that affect us all, including the current financial challenges. It is the responsibility of each local authority to determine how they deliver their non-statutory services based on local priorities.

Rwy'n cyfarfod yn rheolaidd gyda phob awdurdod lleol i drafod materion allweddol sy'n effeithio arnom i gyd, gan gynnwys yr heriau ariannol presennol. Cyfrifoldeb pob awdurdod lleol yw penderfynu sut maent yn darparu eu gwasanaethau anstatudol yn seiliedig ar flaenoriaethau lleol.

Thank you, Minister. I understand that it is a matter for them to prioritise, but as we've heard from a number of Members, there is concern about that non-statutory. We are seeing budget consultations currently in my region where you have questions around, 'Do you want a museum or a library, or do you want social care?' Of course people are going to choose those services, but it also discredits the important and valuable role of both libraries and museums. We're seeing the Museum of Cardiff, formerly known as Cardiff Story Museum, under threat. We are thinking also about the economic benefit of such institutions. So, please can I ask—? I know it's a matter for local authorities, but surely it's a matter of national concern if we want to deliver on the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, if we want to go and ensure that people have the benefits from culture and sport, which we know in terms of health and well-being are so, so valuable in order to protect our NHS. What is the role of Government other than saying it is a matter for local authorities? Surely there is a role in terms of non-statutory as well if we are to deliver on the future generations Act.

Diolch. Rwy'n deall mai mater iddynt hwy yw blaenoriaethu, ond fel y clywsom gan nifer o'r Aelodau, mae yna bryder ynghylch yr elfennau anstatudol. Rydym yn gweld ymgynghoriadau ar y gyllideb yn fy rhanbarth ar hyn o bryd lle mae gennych chi gwestiynau fel, 'A ydych chi eisiau amgueddfa neu lyfrgell, neu a ydych chi eisiau gofal cymdeithasol?' Wrth gwrs fod pobl yn mynd i ddewis y gwasanaethau hynny, ond mae hefyd yn bychanu rôl bwysig a gwerthfawr llyfrgelloedd ac amgueddfeydd. Rydym yn gweld y bygythiad i Amgueddfa Caerdydd, a arferai gael ei galw'n Amgueddfa Stori Caerdydd. Rydym yn meddwl hefyd am fudd economaidd sefydliadau o'r fath. Felly, a gaf fi ofyn—? Rwy'n gwybod mai mater i awdurdodau lleol ydyw, ond mae'n fater o bryder cenedlaethol os ydym am gyflawni Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau'r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015, os ydym am sicrhau bod pobl yn cael budd o ddiwylliant a chwaraeon, y gwyddom eu bod mor hynod o werthfawr, o ran iechyd a lles, i ddiogelu ein GIG. Beth yw rôl y Llywodraeth ar wahân i ddweud ei fod yn fater i awdurdodau lleol? Rhaid bod rôl o ran yr elfennau anstatudol hefyd os ydym am gyflawni Deddf cenedlaethau'r dyfodol.

The Welsh Government's culture division does support the delivery of local cultural services, including museums, which are non-statutory services, as you say. Funding is available to enable museums to meet and maintain the museum accreditation, including providing access to the annual capital transformation grant scheme. The culture division also provides a programme of training and workforce development for museum, archive and library staff, and also supports services with advice and funding to enable them to engage with and deliver on our priorities, such as the anti-racist Wales action plan. So, there are other sources of funding available through the culture department. 

Of course, local authorities do have a responsibility to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service that is open to all, and that is set in legislation under the provisions of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964. Obviously, local authorities will be mindful of that when setting their budget. Of course, we monitor the provision of local library services through the Welsh public library standards, and we support the development of library provision through initiatives such as our national digital library service.

I can also say that the Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport and Chief Whip has discussed the specific examples with local authorities where there have been proposals relating to cultural offers in the budget consultations, and officials have also liaised with staff in those institutions to provide relevant advice. I know that the Deputy Minister is taking an active interest in proposals that fall within her portfolio. 

Mae is-adran ddiwylliant Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi'r gwaith o ddarparu gwasanaethau diwylliannol lleol, gan gynnwys amgueddfeydd, sy'n wasanaethau anstatudol, fel y dywedwch. Mae cyllid ar gael i alluogi amgueddfeydd i gyfarfod a chynnal achrediad yr amgueddfa, gan gynnwys darparu mynediad at y cynllun grant cyfalaf trawsnewid blynyddol. Mae'r adran ddiwylliant hefyd yn darparu rhaglen hyfforddiant a datblygu'r gweithlu ar gyfer staff amgueddfeydd, archifdai a llyfrgelloedd, ac mae hefyd yn cefnogi gwasanaethau â chyngor a chyllid i'w galluogi i rannu a chyflawni ein blaenoriaethau, megis cynllun gweithredu Cymru wrth-hiliol. Felly, mae ffynonellau eraill o arian ar gael drwy'r adran ddiwylliant. 

Wrth gwrs, mae gan awdurdodau lleol gyfrifoldeb i ddarparu gwasanaeth llyfrgell cynhwysfawr ac effeithlon sy'n agored i bawb, ac mae hynny wedi'i osod mewn deddfwriaeth o dan ddarpariaethau Deddf Llyfrgelloedd Cyhoeddus ac Amgueddfeydd 1964. Yn amlwg, bydd awdurdodau lleol yn ymwybodol o hynny wrth osod eu cyllideb. Wrth gwrs, rydym yn monitro'r modd y mae llyfrgelloedd lleol yn darparu gwasanaethau drwy safonau llyfrgelloedd cyhoeddus Cymru, ac rydym yn cefnogi datblygiad darpariaeth llyfrgelloedd drwy fentrau megis ein gwasanaeth llyfrgell digidol cenedlaethol.

Gallaf ddweud hefyd fod Dirprwy Weinidog y Celfyddydau a Chwaraeon a'r Prif Chwip wedi trafod yr enghreifftiau penodol gydag awdurdodau lleol lle bu argymhellion yn ymwneud â chynigion diwylliannol yn ymgynghoriadau’r gyllideb, ac mae swyddogion hefyd wedi cysylltu â staff yn y sefydliadau hynny i roi cyngor perthnasol. Gwn fod gan y Dirprwy Weinidog ddiddordeb gweithredol yn y cynigion sy'n rhan o'i phortffolio hi. 

14:20
2. Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog Materion Gwledig a Gogledd Cymru, a’r Trefnydd
2. Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd

Yr eitem nesaf, felly, fydd y cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog materion gwledig a'r gogledd, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Altaf Hussain.

The next item is questions to the Minister for rural affairs and north Wales, and the first question is from Altaf Hussain.

Pryfed Peillio
Pollinators

1. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n eu cymryd i wneud Cymru yn gyfeillgar i bryfed peillio? OQ58955

1. What action is the Welsh Government taking to make Wales pollinator friendly? OQ58955

Member
Lesley Griffiths MS 14:20:15
Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd

Our nature network programme is funding projects that will support pollinators, including the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales healthy and resilient grasslands project, which aims to create a network of high-quality grasslands across 11 protected sites. This builds on our action plan for pollinators and the Bee Friendly scheme.

Mae ein rhaglen rhwydwaith natur yn ariannu prosiectau a fydd yn cefnogi pryfed peillio, gan gynnwys prosiect glaswelltiroedd iach a gwydn Ymddiriedolaeth Natur De a Gorllewin Cymru, sydd â'r nod o greu rhwydwaith o laswelltiroedd o ansawdd ar draws 11 o safleoedd a warchodir. Mae hyn yn adeiladu ar ein cynllun gweithredu ar gyfer pryfed peillio a chynllun Caru Gwenyn.

Thank you, Minister. Without bees and other pollinators, we would starve. And if we are to avoid the fate of farmers in the US, who have to rely upon bees being transported by lorries over large distances, we have to ensure bee-friendly corridors across all of Wales. Next week I'll be planting a blossom tree as part of the National Trust's blossom project. Minister, will you encourage farmers to plant blossom trees, and will you urge gardeners across the nation to plant blossom trees and wildflowers to provide corridors for our vital pollinators? Thank you.

Diolch. Heb wenyn a phryfed peillio eraill, byddem yn llwgu. Ac os ydym am osgoi tynged ffermwyr yn yr Unol Daleithiau, sy'n gorfod dibynnu ar wenyn a gaiff eu cludo gan lorïau dros bellteroedd mawr, rhaid inni sicrhau coridorau i ddenu gwenyn ledled Cymru gyfan. Yr wythnos nesaf byddaf yn plannu coeden sy'n blodeuo fel rhan o brosiect coed sy'n blodeuo yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol. Weinidog, a wnewch chi annog ffermwyr i blannu coed sy'n blodeuo, ac a wnewch chi annog garddwyr ar draws y wlad i blannu coed sy'n blodeuo a blodau gwyllt i ddarparu coridorau ar gyfer ein pryfed peillio hanfodol? Diolch.

Thank you. You're quite right; bee health is absolutely essential for our existence. It's very good to hear about the action that you're taking. As you know, the Welsh Government is giving a free tree to everyone right across Wales, so that's one way we're encouraging people to plant more trees. Certainly, we've worked with local authorities about planting wildflowers on verges and roundabouts; I've seen some very good examples up in north Wales in relation to that. But I think if we can all do just a little bit, that will help in the future.

Diolch. Rydych yn llygad eich lle; mae iechyd gwenyn yn gwbl hanfodol i'n bodolaeth. Mae'n dda iawn clywed am y gwaith a wnewch. Fel y gwyddoch, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn rhoi coeden am ddim i bawb ledled Cymru, felly dyna un ffordd rydym yn annog pobl i blannu mwy o goed. Yn sicr, rydym wedi gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol mewn perthynas â phlannu blodau gwyllt ar ymylon ffyrdd a chylchfannau; gwelais enghreifftiau da iawn o hynny yng ngogledd Cymru. Ond os gall pawb ohonom wneud ychydig bach, rwy'n credu  y bydd hynny'n helpu yn y dyfodol.

Clefydau mewn Da Byw
Disease in Livestock

2. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am ymdrechion i frwydro yn erbyn lledaeniad clefydau mewn da byw yng Nghanolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru? OQ58965

2. Will the Minister provide an update on efforts to combat the spread of disease in livestock in Mid and West Wales? OQ58965

A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am ymdrechion i frwydro yn erbyn lledaeniad clefydau mewn da byw—hynny yw, livestock—yng Nghanolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru?

Will the Minister provide an update on efforts to combat the spread of disease in livestock in Mid and West Wales?

Cyn i'r Gweinidog ateb, does dim angen cyfieithu 'da byw'. Rŷn ni i gyd yn ymwybodol o beth yw'r ystyr. Sticiwch at y cwestiwn fel mae e wedi cael ei gyflwyno. Y Gweinidog i ymateb.

Before the Minister responds, you don't need to translate 'da byw'. We are all aware of its meaning. Stick to the question as it has been presented, please. The Minister to respond.

Control of endemic and exotic diseases in livestock in Wales is central to our animal health and welfare framework for 2014 to 2024. We have robust surveillance, control strategies and ongoing animal disease eradication programmes and projects in place to control and prevent their spread, in collaboration with keepers and vets. Biosecurity, of course, is of the utmost importance.

Mae rheoli clefydau endemig ac egsotig mewn da byw yng Nghymru yn ganolog i'n fframwaith iechyd a lles anifeiliaid ar gyfer 2014 i 2024. Mae gennym oruchwyliaeth gadarn, strategaethau rheoli a rhaglenni a phrosiectau parhaus ar waith ar gyfer dileu clefydau anifeiliaid i reoli ac atal eu lledaeniad, mewn cydweithrediad â cheidwaid anifeiliaid a milfeddygon. Mae bioddiogelwch yn hollbwysig wrth gwrs.

Diolch yn fawr iawn. Fel ŷn ni i gyd yn gwybod, mae'r clafr, sef sheep scab, yn bryder mawr i ffermwyr defaid yng Nghymru, ac mae'r clefyd yn cael effaith sylweddol iawn ar iechyd a lles anifeiliaid. Ar draws y Deyrnas Gyfunol, mae'n cyfrannu at golledion o ryw £8 miliwn yn y sector bob blwyddyn. Fel ŷch chi eisoes wedi esbonio, mae'r Llywodraeth wedi ymrwymo i gael gwared ar y clafr yng Nghymru, a dwi'n croesawu'n arbennig y cynllun sydd wedi cael ei wneud gyda Choleg Sir Gâr i fynd i'r afael â'r clefyd hwn.

Fodd bynnag, yn debyg iawn i nifer o ffermwyr ledled Cymru, ces i fy nychryn gan y ffioedd arfaethedig sydd wedi cael eu nodi fel rhan o'r ymgynghoriad diweddar gyda Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, a'r swm ar gyfer gwaredu dip defaid yn codi rhyw 10 gwaith mwy na'r swm presennol, i gyfanswm o ryw £3,700. Mae'n debyg bod ychydig iawn o esboniad wedi cael ei roi am pam mae hyn wedi digwydd. Felly, ydy'r Gweinidog yn rhannu fy mhryder i, a'r sector, y gallai cyflwyno'r math hwn o ffioedd afresymol o uchel yn ystod argyfwng costau byw gael goblygiadau difrifol ar ymdrechion y Llywodraeth i waredu'r clafr yng Nghymru?

Thank you very much. As we all know, sheep scab is a great concern for sheep farmers in Wales, and the disease has a very significant impact on the health and well-being of livestock. Across the UK, it contributes to losses of around £8 million in the sector per annum. As you've already explained, the Government is committed to eradicating sheep scab in Wales, and I particularly welcome the proposals drawn up with Coleg Sir Gâr to deal with this disease.

However, like many farmers across Wales, I was shocked by the proposed fees that have been noted as part of the recent consultation with Natural Resources Wales. The sum for dealing with sheep dip is to increase tenfold to a total of some £3,700. Apparently, very little explanation has been given as to why this is happening. So, does the Minister share my concern, and the sector's concern, that introducing these kinds of unreasonably high fees during a cost-of-living crisis could have far-reaching impacts on the Government's attempts to eradicate sheep scab in Wales?

Thank you. As you pointed out, sheep scab is a disease that we've had a particular focus on. We've provided, for the last couple of years, free year-round sheep scab skin-scrape testing through our Carmarthen veterinary investigation centre for our Welsh flocks, and we've just brought forward a three-year contract worth £4.5 million for the all-Wales sheep scab eradication programme.

You mention the ongoing Natural Resources Wales consultation regarding their regulatory fees and charges for the next financial year. What that review intends is to ensure that NRW do achieve full cost recovery, with some of the current charges not having been reviewed for a number of years. But I appreciate what you're saying, and it is a particularly challenging time for everyone, and of course for our farmers too. NRW do expect the increased cost of licences to impact on a very small number of farms in Wales, because obviously spent sheep dip needs to be disposed of in a particularly environmentally friendly way because of the chemicals it contains. There is a push for—you know yourself—the mobile units that go around farms as well. However, I think with some of the figures that we've seen, I can quite understand why that has brought forward some fears with our farmers. I am due to meet the Minister for Climate Change, who obviously has responsibility for NRW, to discuss this. I have been told that NRW have been talking to stakeholders—and that, of course, includes our farmers—around this. I was asked was it for NRW to make a profit. Well, it isn't; it's about that full cost recovery. But it is really important that we do go ahead with our sheep scab eradication project, and I wouldn't want anything to divert attention from that.

Diolch. Fel y nodwyd gennych, mae'r clafr yn glefyd y bu gennym ffocws penodol arno. Dros y flwyddyn neu ddwy ddiwethaf, rydym wedi darparu profion crafu croen i ganfod y clafr drwy gydol y flwyddyn drwy ein canolfan ymchwil filfeddygol yng Nghaerfyrddin ar gyfer ein diadelloedd Cymreig, ac rydym newydd gyflwyno contract tair blynedd gwerth £4.5 miliwn ar gyfer rhaglen ddileu'r clafr yng Nghymru.

Rydych yn sôn am ymgynghoriad parhaus Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru ynghylch eu ffioedd rheoleiddio a thaliadau am y flwyddyn ariannol nesaf. Nod yr adolygiad hwnnw yw sicrhau bod CNC yn gallu adennill eu costau'n llawn, gyda rhai o'r taliadau presennol heb gael eu hadolygu ers nifer o flynyddoedd. Ond rwy'n derbyn yr hyn a ddywedwch, ac mae'n adeg arbennig o heriol i bawb, ac i'n ffermwyr hefyd wrth gwrs. Mae CNC yn disgwyl i gost uwch trwyddedau effeithio ar nifer fach iawn o ffermydd yng Nghymru, oherwydd yn amlwg mae angen cael gwared ar ddip defaid sydd wedi'i ddefnyddio mewn ffordd sy'n hynod o ystyriol o'r amgylchedd oherwydd y cemegau y mae'n eu cynnwys. Mae yna alw—fe wyddoch eich hun—am yr unedau symudol sy'n mynd o gwmpas ffermydd hefyd. Fodd bynnag, gyda rhai o'r ffigyrau a welsom, rwy'n credu y gallaf ddeall yn iawn pam fod hynny wedi creu ofn i rai o'n ffermwyr. Rwyf i fod i gyfarfod â'r Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd, sydd â chyfrifoldeb dros CNC wrth gwrs, i drafod hyn. Rwy'n deall bod CNC wedi bod yn siarad â rhanddeiliaid—ac mae hynny, wrth gwrs, yn cynnwys ein ffermwyr—ynglŷn â hyn. Gofynnwyd i mi ai er mwyn i CNC allu gwneud elw y gwneir hyn. Wel, nage wir; mae'n ymwneud ag adennill costau llawn. Ond mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod yn bwrw ymlaen â'n prosiect i ddileu'r clafr, ac ni fyddwn am i unrhyw beth dynnu sylw oddi ar hynny.

14:25

Minister, I share the concerns of my colleague Cefin Campbell around this, and obviously the rising costs for the disposal of sheep dip. I do recognise your comments about sheep dip being disposed of in a safe and environmentally friendly way. Your sheep scab eradication policy includes sheep dipping as a way of eradicating sheep scab. It has proven to be the best way of getting rid of the disease. Have you had conversations with the chief vet around these increasing charges around any potential impact this is going to have on the Welsh Government's sheep scab eradication strategy?

Weinidog, rwy'n rhannu pryderon fy nghyd-Aelod Cefin Campbell ynglŷn â hyn, a'r costau cynyddol am gael gwared ar ddip defaid yn amlwg. Rwy'n cydnabod eich sylwadau am gael gwared ar ddip defaid mewn ffordd ddiogel ac ecogyfeillgar. Mae eich polisi ar gyfer dileu'r clafr yn cynnwys dipio defaid fel ffordd o ddileu'r clafr. Mae wedi profi mai dyma'r ffordd orau o gael gwared ar y clefyd. A ydych chi wedi cael sgyrsiau gyda'r prif swyddog milfeddygol ynglŷn â'r taliadau cynyddol hyn mewn perthynas ag unrhyw effaith bosibl a gaiff hyn ar strategaeth Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer dileu'r clafr?

Thank you. Yes, I've had conversations. You'll be aware that we've got an interim chief veterinary officer at the moment, and I've had several conversations with him around this. He's obviously had conversations, and the fact that, as I mentioned, NRW do expect the increased costs to impact on a relatively small number of farms has come out of those discussions. It is right that it's only one of the ways, as you say, to dispose of spent sheep dip, but if it is the way that's most effective, then you would hope that that would be the one that farmers would use, because it is highly toxic to our aquatic plants, for instance, and animals, and it's really important that it is disposed of in a correct way. So, as I say, I will be meeting with the Minister for Climate Change, because NRW will obviously put their proposals to her at the end of the consultation.

Diolch. Do, rwyf wedi cael sgyrsiau. Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol fod gennym brif swyddog milfeddygol dros dro ar hyn o bryd, ac rwyf wedi cael sawl sgwrs gydag ef ynglŷn â hyn. Mae'n amlwg ei fod wedi cael sgyrsiau, a daeth y ffaith bod CNC, fel y soniais, yn disgwyl i'r costau cynyddol effeithio ar nifer gymharol fach o ffermydd allan o'r trafodaethau hynny. Mae'n iawn mai dyma un o'r ffyrdd yn unig, fel y dywedwch, o gael gwared ar ddip defaid sydd wedi'i ddefnyddio, ond os mai dyma'r ffordd fwyaf effeithiol, byddech yn gobeithio mai dyma fyddai'r un y byddai ffermwyr yn ei defnyddio, oherwydd ei fod yn wenwynig iawn i'n planhigion dyfrol, er enghraifft, ac i anifeiliaid, ac mae'n bwysig iawn eich bod yn cael gwared arno yn y ffordd gywir. Felly, fel y dywedais, byddaf yn cyfarfod â'r Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd, oherwydd yn amlwg bydd CNC yn rhoi eu hargymhellion iddi ar ddiwedd yr ymgynghoriad.

Cwestiynau Heb Rybudd gan Lefarwyr y Pleidiau
Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Cwestiynau gan lefarwyr y pleidiau nawr. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Samuel Kurtz.

Questions from party spokespeople now. Conservative spokesperson, Samuel Kurtz.

Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, in September 2021, you announced that the basic payment scheme and Glastir funding for advanced, common and organic would continue until December of this year, 2023. Rightly, you've always stressed that Welsh farmers won't face a funding cliff edge ahead of the new sustainable farming scheme in 2025. The Welsh Government currently has over 5,500 Glastir-based area contracts, most of which have been involved in this subsidy arrangement for a number of years, with their business models reflecting that involvement. So, given that you've already extended the Glastir programme once, what consideration have you given to extending it once more so that farmers have certainty ahead of the SFS transition in 2025?

Diolch, Lywydd. Weinidog, ym mis Medi 2021, fe gyhoeddoch chi y byddai'r cynllun taliad sylfaenol a chyllid Glastir ar gyfer Glastir uwch, tir comin a ffermio organig yn parhau tan fis Rhagfyr eleni, 2023. Yn gwbl briodol, rydych wedi pwysleisio o'r cychwyn na fydd ffermwyr Cymru'n wynebu dibyn ariannol cyn y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy newydd yn 2025. Ar hyn o bryd mae gan Lywodraeth Cymru dros 5,500 o gontractau tir sy'n seiliedig ar Glastir, gyda'r rhan fwyaf ohonynt wedi bod yn rhan o'r trefniant cymhorthdal hwn ers nifer o flynyddoedd, gyda'u modelau busnes yn adlewyrchu'r trefniant hwnnw. Felly, o ystyried eich bod eisoes wedi ymestyn rhaglen Glastir unwaith, pa ystyriaeth a roddwyd gennych i'w ymestyn unwaith yn rhagor fel bod modd i ffermwyr gael sicrwydd cyn pontio i'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy yn 2025?

That is something that we're looking at over the next couple of months, because, as you say, I have announced that it's extended until December 2023, and then we'll obviously have 2024, and I do hope then that we'll be able to transition to the sustainable farming scheme in 2025.

Mae hynny'n rhywbeth rydym yn edrych arno dros y mis neu ddau nesaf, oherwydd, fel y dywedwch, rwyf wedi cyhoeddi ei fod wedi'i ymestyn tan fis Rhagfyr 2023, ac yna yn amlwg bydd gennym 2024, ac rwy'n gobeithio wedyn y gallwn bontio i'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy yn 2025.

Thank you. I know that the farmers in Wales who are signed up to the Glastir scheme will welcome that call.

During lockdown, we saw the rise of the farmer influencer on social media platforms. With a new ITV Wales series, Born to Farm, and the presence of TikTok star Farmer Will—I'm sure you all know him—in the Love Island villa, farming and farmers are being seen in a new and more positive light, attracting a new audience and maybe even new entrants into the industry. If farming in Wales is to survive, it will always need these new entrants, and one of the best routes into farming is through the young farmers club. I know that first-hand as a former member. There's a few former members in this very Chamber. Wales YFC now only receives Government funding via the Welsh language grant, having missed out on funding from the Welsh Government's national voluntary youth organisations grant. Given the role that the young farmers movement plays in educating young people about the agricultural industry and the environment, not to mention the host of other skills learnt, will the Minister look at other ways her department can support financially Wales YFC, so that the charity can continue its good work in Wales?

Diolch. Rwy'n gwybod y bydd yna ffermwyr yng Nghymru sydd wedi cofrestru ar gynllun Glastir yn croesawu'r alwad honno.

Yn ystod y cyfyngiadau symud, gwelsom gynnydd y ffermwr ddylanwadwr ar lwyfannau cyfryngau cymdeithasol. Gyda chyfres newydd ITV Wales, Born to Farm, a phresenoldeb seren TikTok Farmer Will—rwy'n siŵr eich bod i gyd yn ei adnabod—yn fila Love Island, mae ffermio a ffermwyr yn cael eu gweld mewn golau newydd a mwy cadarnhaol, gan ddenu cynulleidfa newydd a newydd-ddyfodiaid i'r diwydiant hyd yn oed. Os yw ffermio yng Nghymru'n mynd i oroesi, bydd angen y newydd-ddyfodiaid hyn, ac un o'r llwybrau gorau i fyd ffermio yw drwy'r clwb ffermwyr ifanc. Rwy'n gwybod hynny'n bersonol fel cyn-aelod. Mae yna sawl cyn-aelod yn y Siambr. Drwy'r grant i'r Gymraeg yn unig y mae CFfI Cymru yn derbyn arian gan y Llywodraeth erbyn hyn, ar ôl colli cyllid grant cenedlaethol mudiadau ieuenctid gwirfoddol Llywodraeth Cymru. O ystyried y rôl y mae'r mudiad ffermwyr ifanc yn ei chwarae yn addysgu pobl ifanc am y diwydiant amaethyddol a'r amgylchedd, heb sôn am lu o sgiliau eraill a ddysgir, a wnaiff y Gweinidog edrych ar ffyrdd eraill y gall ei hadran gefnogi CFfI Cymru yn ariannol, fel y gall yr elusen barhau â'i gwaith da yng Nghymru?

Yes, I'd be very happy to. I think the young farmers is a very, very impressive organisation. It's very clear from just looking around this Chamber that the skills it teaches its members are transferable life skills, if you like. So, I'll be certainly very happy to look at it, but that comes with a health warning, because there is very little spare money around. But I'll be certainly very happy to look at any requests that should come forward.

Byddwn yn hapus iawn i wneud hynny. Rwy'n credu bod y ffermwyr ifanc yn sefydliad gwych iawn. O edrych o amgylch y Siambr yn unig, mae'n amlwg iawn fod y sgiliau y maent yn eu dysgu i'w haelodau yn sgiliau bywyd trosglwyddadwy, os mynnwch. Felly, rwy'n sicr yn hapus iawn i edrych arno, ond daw hynny gyda rhybudd am mai ychydig iawn o arian dros ben sydd i'w gael. Ond yn sicr rwy'n hapus iawn i edrych ar unrhyw geisiadau a ddaw ger bron.

14:30

Excellent. I'll pass that information on to the new chief executive of Wales YFC, who starts very shortly.

But if we are to bring new entrants into the industry, Minister, then we must ensure that safety and welfare is enshrined within the sector's work. Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive show that agriculture, with forestry and fishing, has the highest rate of self-reported non-fatal workplace injuries, with 92 per cent of farmers under the age of 40 suggesting that poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing farmers today. Sadly, it's not just injuries that occur; the community of Carreglefn in Ynys Môn was rocked following the death of 26-year-old Macauley Owen following an on-farm incident in January this year. How is the Welsh Government working with not just the stakeholders but with the farmers on the ground, feeding the nation, to improve the health and safety within this industry?

Gwych. Byddaf yn anfon yr wybodaeth honno at brif weithredwr newydd CFfI Cymru, sy'n dechrau'n fuan iawn.

Ond os ydym am ddenu newydd-ddyfodiaid i'r diwydiant, Weinidog, mae'n rhaid inni sicrhau bod diogelwch a lles wedi'i ymgorffori yng ngwaith y sector. Mae ystadegau gan yr Awdurdod Gweithredol Iechyd a Diogelwch yn dangos mai amaeth, ynghyd â choedwigaeth a physgota, sydd â'r gyfradd uchaf o anafiadau hunangofnodedig nad ydynt yn angheuol yn y gweithle, gyda 92 y cant o ffermwyr dan 40 oed yn awgrymu mai iechyd meddwl gwael yw'r broblem gudd fwyaf sy'n wynebu ffermwyr heddiw. Yn anffodus, nid anafiadau'n unig sy'n digwydd; cafodd cymuned Carreg-lefn ar Ynys Môn ei hysgwyd gan farwolaeth Macauley Owen, 26 oed, yn dilyn digwyddiad ar fferm ym mis Ionawr eleni. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gyda rhanddeiliaid, yn ogystal â ffermwyr ar lawr gwlad sy'n bwydo'r genedl, i wella iechyd a diogelwch yn y diwydiant hwn?

Thank you. I think, unfortunately, we've seen too many farmers' deaths over the past few months. And it's not just about mental health and well-being, it's about safety on the farm as well. And I was very pleased to launch a specific leaflet aimed at schools at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, back in November. But in relation specifically to your question around mental health and well-being, improving mental health and well-being, right across Government, is a priority for us—for me, for our farmers, it absolutely is. Because I know that they face a great deal of uncertainty, which can only add to the issues around mental health, wellness, and obviously well-being as well. You'll be aware that we support several important activities to aid mental health in our rural communities. We've got the farming support group. I meet with the farming charities on a regular basis, and, every time I meet them, the number of people who've contacted them increases.

Certainly, we saw a real peak during COVID, and, unfortunately, it hasn't gone down over the past year or so. I think the work of the farming charities is more important than ever in these very uncertain times—it really is vital. And I think it's good that you've raised this in the Chamber, because it's really vital that people know where to go for help. You'll be aware of FarmWell Wales, which is available to farmers throughout Wales. That information hub is there for business questions, and also for their own personal questions as well, to see what resilience can be built up, both in their business and their own well-being as well. And I think, to date, we've sent out a hard copy directory of FarmWell Wales to about 16,500—so, probably the majority—of farm businesses in Wales. And it does really provide the most up-to-date information for our farmers.

Diolch. Rwy'n credu, yn anffodus, ein bod ni wedi gweld gormod o farwolaethau ffermwyr dros y misoedd diwethaf. Ac nid yw'n ymwneud ag iechyd meddwl a llesiant yn unig, mae'n ymwneud â diogelwch ar y fferm hefyd. Ac roeddwn yn falch iawn o lansio taflen benodol sydd wedi'i hanelu at ysgolion yn Sioe Amaethyddol Frenhinol Cymru, yn ôl ym mis Tachwedd. Ond mewn perthynas â'ch cwestiwn ynghylch iechyd meddwl a llesiant yn benodol, mae gwella iechyd meddwl a llesiant, ar draws y Llywodraeth, yn flaenoriaeth i ni—i mi, i'n ffermwyr, yn sicr. Oherwydd rwy'n gwybod eu bod yn wynebu llawer iawn o ansicrwydd, ac mae hynny'n gallu ychwanegu at y problemau sy'n ymwneud ag iechyd meddwl, lles, a llesiant hefyd yn amlwg. Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol ein bod yn cefnogi nifer o weithgareddau pwysig i helpu iechyd meddwl yn ein cymunedau gwledig. Mae gennym y grŵp cymorth ffermio. Rwy'n cyfarfod â'r elusennau ffermio'n rheolaidd, a bob tro rwy'n eu cyfarfod, mae nifer y bobl sydd wedi cysylltu â hwy'n cynyddu.

Yn sicr, gwelsom hyn ar ei waethaf yn ystod COVID, ac yn anffodus, nid yw wedi gostwng dros y flwyddyn neu ddwy ddiwethaf. Rwy'n credu bod gwaith yr elusennau ffermio'n bwysicach nag erioed yn y cyfnod ansicr hwn—mae'n wirioneddol hanfodol. Ac rwy'n credu ei fod yn beth da eich bod wedi codi hyn yn y Siambr, oherwydd mae'n hanfodol iawn fod pobl yn gwybod lle gallant fynd i gael cymorth. Fe fyddwch yn gwybod am FarmWell Cymru, sydd ar gael i ffermwyr ledled Cymru. Mae'r hyb gwybodaeth hwn yno ar gyfer cwestiynau busnes, ac ar gyfer eu cwestiynau personol eu hunain hefyd, i weld pa wytnwch y gellir ei feithrin, yn eu busnes a'u llesiant eu hunain hefyd. Ac rwy'n credu, hyd yma, ein bod wedi anfon copi caled o gyfeiriadur FarmWell Cymru i tua 16,500—felly, y rhan fwyaf mae'n debyg—o fusnesau fferm yng Nghymru. Ac mae'n sicr yn darparu'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'n ffermwyr.

Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Mabon ap Gwynfor.

Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Mabon ap Gwynfor.

Diolch, Llywydd. Mae gan y Llywodraeth dargedau plannu coed uchelgeisiol, sy'n cael eu hadlewyrchu yn y Bil Amaeth newydd. Mae'r Dirprwy Weinidog dros yr amgylchedd wedi bod yn llafar yn sôn am fuddiannau posib economaidd plannu coed i ffermydd a chymunedau Cymru. Ond mae'r gwaith o blannu coed ar ffermydd eisoes yn mynd rhagddo ers blynyddoedd, drwy gynllun creu coetir Glastir. Felly, pa fudd cymdeithasol ac economaidd y mae'r Gweinidog yn ei deimlo y mae'r cynllun creu coetir Glastir wedi ei roi i ffermydd a chymunedau Cymru dros y blynyddoedd?

Thank you, Llywydd. The Government has ambitious tree planting targets, which are reflected in the proposed Agriculture Bill. The Deputy Minister for environment has been vocal in talking about the possible economic benefits of tree planting for farms and communities in Wales. But the work of planting trees on farms has been ongoing for years, through the Glastir woodland creation scheme. So, what social and economic benefit does the Minister believe that the Glastir woodland scheme has given to farms and communities in Wales over the years?

Thank you. Well, I believe that it's brought forward a great deal of benefits. Sam Kurtz asked in his first question around Glastir contracts and our plans for that, so I was very pleased to be able to announce that extension. I've just actually met with National Farmers Union Cymru this morning to discuss that. I know how much our farmers do involve themselves in Glastir—some of them have had Glastir scheme contracts since they first started, for many, many years. So, I think it is really important that we continue to do that. I work very closely with the Deputy Minister for Climate Change around tree planting, and you'll be aware of the tree-planting targets we have as a Government.

Diolch. Wel, rwy'n credu ei fod wedi cyflwyno llawer iawn o fanteision. Gofynnodd Sam Kurtz yn ei gwestiwn cyntaf ynglŷn â chontractau Glastir a'n cynlluniau ar gyfer hynny, felly roeddwn yn falch iawn o allu cyhoeddi'r estyniad hwnnw. A dweud y gwir rwyf newydd gyfarfod gydag Undeb Amaethwyr Cenedlaethol Cymru y bore yma i drafod hynny. Rwy'n gwybod bod ein ffermwyr yn chwarae rhan fawr yn Glastir—mae contractau cynllun Glastir wedi bod gan rai ohonynt ers iddynt ddechrau gyntaf, ers blynyddoedd lawer. Felly, rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn ein bod yn parhau i wneud hynny. Rwy'n gweithio'n agos iawn gyda'r Dirprwy Weinidog Newid Hinsawdd mewn perthynas â phlannu coed, ac fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol o'r targedau plannu coed sydd gennym fel Llywodraeth.

Diolch yn fawr iawn i'r Gweinidog am yr ateb. Felly, yn ôl y Gweinidog, mae yna lawer o fudd wedi bod i gymunedau Cymru, ac mi rydych chi am barhau efo hyn. Sut felly y mae'r Gweinidog yn esbonio bod bron i hanner y ceisiadau llwyddiannus o dan gynllun creu coetir yn ffenestr ymgeisio rhif 10 wedi mynd i ymgeiswyr a chyfeiriadau y tu allan i Gymru? Yn ôl ateb gefais i i gwestiwn ysgrifenedig yn ddiweddar, o'r 385 hectar o dir a dderbyniwyd ar gyfer y cynllun yn ffenestr 10, aeth 45 y cant i gwmnïau wedi eu cofrestru y tu allan i Gymru. Ydy'r Gweinidog yn credu bod hyn yn iawn, bod cwmnïau mawr o'r tu allan i Gymru yn manteisio ar raglenni Llywodraeth a phres trethdalwyr Cymru er mwyn 'offset-o' eu carbon ar draul ein cymunedau ni yma? Ac a ydyw'n gydnaws ag amcanion y Llywodraeth, fel dŷn ni wedi'i glywed, i ffermwyr a chymunedau gwledig Cymru?

I thank the Minister for that response. So, according to the Minister, there have been great benefits for communities in Wales, and you want to continue with this. How, therefore, does the Minister explain that almost half of the successful applications under the woodland creation scheme in window No. 10 had gone to applicants with addresses outwith Wales? According to an answer to a written question recently, of the 385 hectares of land accepted for the programme in window 10, 45 per cent went to companies registered outside of Wales. Does the Minister believe that this is right, that large companies from outside of Wales are taking advantage of Government funding and Welsh taxpayers' money to offset their carbon at the expense of our communities here? And is it in keeping with the Government's objectives, as we've heard, to support farms and rural communities in Wales?

14:35

Well, obviously, I would prefer all the money to go to Welsh farmers, but, obviously, the criteria is that trees have to be planted here in Wales. So, I'm afraid, at the moment, with that criteria, if the address is outside of Wales, they can apply for that money. 

I think the issue of large companies buying up farmland—which, I think, is what you're obviously getting at—is something that I am told is happening on a big scale. I haven't personally seen it myself; I know that there are pockets. And I also know that there have been companies who have been cold calling our farmers to see if they can sell their farm to them. It's not for me to tell farmers who to sell their land to, but it's certainly not something I want to encourage. 

Wel, yn amlwg, byddai'n well gennyf pe bai'r holl arian yn mynd i ffermwyr Cymru, ond yn amlwg, y meini prawf yw bod yn rhaid plannu coed yma yng Nghymru. Felly, mae arnaf ofn, ar hyn o bryd, gyda'r meini prawf hynny, os yw'r cyfeiriad y tu allan i Gymru, gallant ymgeisio am yr arian hwnnw. 

Rwy'n credu bod problem cwmnïau mawr yn prynu tir fferm—sef yr hyn rydych yn amlwg yn tynnu sylw ato—yn rhywbeth sy'n digwydd ar raddfa fawr yn ôl yr hyn a glywaf. Nid wyf wedi ei weld fy hun yn bersonol; gwn fod yna bocedi. Ac rwy'n gwybod hefyd fod yna gwmnïau wedi bod yn ffonio ein ffermwyr i weld a allant werthu eu fferm iddynt. Nid fy lle i yw dweud wrth ffermwyr i bwy y dylent werthu eu tir, ond yn sicr nid yw'n rhywbeth rwyf eisiau ei annog. 

Tir Comin
Common Land

3. Beth mae'r Gweinidog yn ei wneud i helpu i reoli tir comin yn Nwyrain De Cymru? OQ58943

3. What is the Minister doing to help manage common land in South Wales East? OQ58943

Thank you. We've provided funding to improve management of common land through our support schemes, and are working collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure that commons are integral in future support. In the South Wales East region, our sustainable management scheme has funded three projects on common land, totalling over £1 million.

Diolch. Rydym wedi darparu cyllid i wella'r gwaith o reoli tir comin drwy ein cynlluniau cymorth, ac rydym yn gweithio ar y cyd â rhanddeiliaid i sicrhau bod tiroedd comin yn rhan annatod o gymorth yn y dyfodol. Yn rhanbarth Dwyrain De Cymru, mae ein cynllun rheoli cynaliadwy wedi ariannu tri phrosiect ar dir comin â chyfanswm o dros £1 miliwn.

Diolch am yr ateb yna. 

Thank you for that response. 

I raise this matter as there have been problems occurring on common land within my region. The current relaxed model of ownership and accountability means that all it takes is a rogue landowner to expose the inherent flaws within the system. 

Without going into too much detail about a local case that springs to mind, there is a glaring example in my region of how a landowner can get away with a multitude of crimes against the environment without significant repercussions from the authorities. I recently met with Caerphilly County Borough Council, and they told me how they are frustrated by the current arrangements. There need to be clear lines of accountability, and swift enforcement action where needed, if we are to protect and preserve our precious common land for future generations to enjoy. Can this Government provide clear direction and guidance, so that bad practice is tackled robustly and deterred from happening again? And can the Welsh Government also provide direction, guidance and support for any remedial action that needs to happen?

Rwy'n codi'r mater hwn gan fod problemau wedi bod ar dir comin yn fy rhanbarth. Mae'r model llac presennol o berchnogaeth ac atebolrwydd yn golygu mai dim ond un tirfeddiannwr twyllodrus sydd ei angen i ddatgelu'r diffygion cynhenid yn y system. 

Heb fynd i ormod o fanylion am achos lleol sy'n dod i'r meddwl, mae yna enghraifft amlwg yn fy rhanbarth o sut y gall tirfeddiannwr lwyddo i gyflawni troseddau yn erbyn yr amgylchedd heb fawr o gosb gan yr awdurdodau. Fe gyfarfûm â Chyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Caerffili yn ddiweddar, ac fe ddywedasant wrthyf eu bod yn teimlo'n rhwystredig ynglŷn â'r trefniadau presennol. Mae angen llinellau atebolrwydd clir, a chamau gorfodi cyflym lle bo angen, os ydym am ddiogelu a chadw ein tir comin gwerthfawr er mwyn i genedlaethau'r dyfodol ei fwynhau. A wnaiff y Llywodraeth hon ddarparu cyfeiriad ac arweiniad clir, fel bod modd cael gwared ar arferion drwg a'u hatal rhag digwydd eto? Ac a wnaiff Llywodraeth Cymru ddarparu cyfarwyddyd, arweiniad a chymorth hefyd ar gyfer unrhyw gamau unioni a ddylai ddigwydd?

Thank you. I'm probably very well aware of the case that you refer to; it's something that has been very prominent. Hefin David and I have met a few times over the past few years around issues in relation to common land.

As you referred to, common land is managed by a range of organisations through a collaborative approach. You mentioned local authorities. Obviously, enforcement and strategic support is provided from Natural Resources Wales, and, of course, the police. And, unfortunately, sometimes, I don't think it's as collaborative as it should be, but, certainly, as a Government, we work closely to make sure that any issues around the management of common land are addressed. As I say, we provide strategic support to those organisations who have the responsibility for the day-to-day running of our common land. 

We have provided significant funding to improve the management of common land. A huge amount of land in Wales is actually common land, and I mentioned, in my opening remarks to you, that the sustainable management scheme has funded three projects for over £1 million. As we bring forward the sustainable farming scheme, we have a specific working group that's looking at common land, because I think it is such an important part of our land here in Wales. And we've got a number of stakeholders who sit on that working group for us. And that is really to ensure that farmers on common land will be able to access the future support that they need. 

Diolch. Mae'n debyg fy mod yn ymwybodol iawn o'r achos rydych yn cyfeirio ato; mae'n rhywbeth sydd wedi bod yn amlwg iawn. Mae Hefin David a minnau wedi cyfarfod ychydig o weithiau dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf i drafod materion mewn perthynas â thir comin.

Fel y nodwyd gennych, mae tir comin yn cael ei reoli gan amrywiaeth o sefydliadau drwy ddull cydweithredol. Fe sonioch chi am awdurdodau lleol. Yn amlwg, caiff cymorth gorfodi a chymorth strategol ei ddarparu gan Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, a'r heddlu wrth gwrs. Ac yn anffodus, weithiau, nid wyf yn credu ei fod mor gydweithredol ag y dylai fod, ond yn sicr, fel Llywodraeth, rydym yn gweithio'n agos i wneud yn siŵr ein bod yn mynd i'r afael ag unrhyw broblemau sy'n ymwneud â rheoli tir comin. Fel y dywedaf, rydym yn darparu cymorth strategol i'r sefydliadau sy'n gyfrifol am reoli ein tir comin o ddydd i ddydd. 

Rydym wedi darparu cyllid sylweddol i wella'r gwaith o reoli tir comin. Mae llawer iawn o dir yng Nghymru yn dir comin mewn gwirionedd, a soniais yn fy sylwadau agoriadol i chi fod y cynllun rheoli cynaliadwy wedi rhoi dros £1 miliwn i dri phrosiect. Wrth inni gyflwyno'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy, mae gennym weithgor penodol sy'n edrych ar dir comin, oherwydd rwy'n credu ei fod yn rhan mor bwysig o'n tir yma yng Nghymru.  Ac mae gennym nifer o randdeiliaid ar y gweithgor hwnnw. A'r rheswm am hynny yw er mwyn sicrhau y bydd ffermwyr tir comin yn gallu cael mynediad at y cymorth y maent ei angen yn y dyfodol. 

Minister, RWE Renewables has given notice that they intend to apply to the Welsh Government for planning permission in respect of a development of national significance. They wish to construct and operate a wind farm, a battery energy storage system and associated infrastructure on common land at—pardon my pronunciation—Pen March, Gelligaer. I've also been contacted by my constituents who are concerned by the development. If approved, they feel that it will damage small wetland areas that are home to rare plants, as well as birds and bats. Also, we already know—and I've spoken on this many times on the importance of wetlands, here in the Chamber, as they are important in relation to carbon storage. Wetlands are, in fact, some of the most effective carbon sinks on the planet—even more so than rain forests or coastal seagrass.

So, Minister, how will the Welsh Government, going forward, balance the environmental benefits of generating energy through wind power with the potential damage to the environment caused by this development on common land? Thank you. 

Weinidog, mae RWE Renewables wedi rhybuddio eu bod yn bwriadu gwneud cais i Lywodraeth Cymru am ganiatâd cynllunio mewn cysylltiad â datblygiad o arwyddocâd cenedlaethol. Maent eisiau adeiladu a gweithredu fferm wynt, system storio ynni batri a seilwaith cysylltiedig ar dir comin—esgusodwch fy ynganiad—ym Mhen March, Gelligaer. Mae fy etholwyr hefyd wedi cysylltu â mi i ddweud eu bod yn pryderu am y datblygiad. Os caiff ei gymeradwyo, maent yn teimlo y bydd yn niweidio gwlyptiroedd bach sy'n gartref i blanhigion prin, yn ogystal ag adar ac ystlumod. Hefyd, rydym eisoes yn gwybod—ac rwyf wedi siarad am bwysigrwydd gwlyptiroedd droeon yma yn y Siambr, gan eu bod yn bwysig ar gyfer storio carbon. Gwlyptiroedd, mewn gwirionedd, yw rhai o'r dalfeydd carbon mwyaf effeithiol ar y blaned—yn fwy felly na choedwigoedd glaw neu forwellt arfordirol.

Felly, Weinidog, sut y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru, wrth symud ymlaen, yn cydbwyso'r manteision amgylcheddol o gynhyrchu ynni drwy ynni gwynt a'r difrod posibl i'r amgylchedd a achosir gan y datblygiad hwn ar dir comin? Diolch. 

Thank you. Well, I am aware of the proposed Pen March wind farm on Merthyr common. I think it is really important to state, now, that the application is still in the preliminary stages, and obviously will need to be fully assessed to determine its potential impact. 

Diolch. Wel, rwy'n ymwybodol o fferm wynt arfaethedig Pen March ar dir comin Merthyr. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn datgan, nawr, fod y cais yn dal i fod yn y camau cychwynnol, ac yn amlwg bydd angen ei asesu'n llawn cyn penderfynu ar ei effaith bosibl. 

14:40
Defnyddio Addasu Genetig Planhigion ar gyfer Atafaelu Carbon
The Use of Genetic Modification of Plants for Carbon Sequestration

4. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gyda'r Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd ynghylch defnyddio addasu genetig planhigion ar gyfer atafaelu carbon? OQ58948

4. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Climate Change regarding the use of genetic modification of plants for carbon sequestration? OQ58948

I have not had any specific discussions with the Minister for Climate Change regarding genetic modification. Use of technology is an important means by which we will reach net zero. Welsh Government actively funds a range of research. At the current time, we do not see an important role for GMO in carbon sequestration. 

Nid wyf wedi cael unrhyw drafodaethau penodol gyda'r Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd ynghylch addasu genetig. Mae technoleg yn ddull pwysig y byddwn yn ei ddefnyddio i gyrraedd sero net. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn mynd ati i ariannu amrywiaeth o ymchwil. Ar hyn o bryd, nid ydym yn gweld rôl bwysig i GMO ar gyfer atafaelu carbon. 

Thank you, Minister. Whilst I acknowledge this Government's cautionary approach to genetic engineering, I believe that it is shortsighted to ignore the fact that this technology has the potential to solve many of the problems that we are currently facing. I also believe that there is considerable potential for the genetic modification of certain plants, that will not enter the food chain, to help Wales meet its climate change target.

There's been considerable scientific study into the genetic engineering of plants, which has shown that gene editing can be used in native tree species to allow them to grow faster, to become more drought-resistant, more tolerant to temperature extremes and become disease-resistant, and I believe that this would not only help with sequestration of carbon in Wales, particularly in carbon sinking, but also help the Welsh Government combat plant diseases, and speed up the growth of trees using the Welsh timber trade for construction. Moreover, it has been shown that microalgae cultivation uses CO2 from industrial settings, such as power stations and factories, and can provide an environmentally friendly approach to reducing CO2, and the use of strains that have been genetically modified by biomass productivity could provide enormous benefits to these. With this in mind, I would, therefore, like to know, Minister, what evidence would this Government need to see in order to allow the use of genetically modified plants that will not enter the food chain to be used in Wales for carbon sequestration? Thank you.  

Diolch. Er fy mod yn cydnabod ymagwedd ragofalus y Llywodraeth hon mewn perthynas â pheirianneg enetig, credaf ei bod yn annoeth anwybyddu'r ffaith bod gan y dechnoleg hon botensial i ddatrys llawer o'r problemau rydym yn eu hwynebu ar hyn o bryd. Credaf hefyd fod potensial sylweddol i addasu geneteg planhigion penodol, na fydd yn mynd i'r gadwyn fwyd, er mwyn helpu Cymru i gyrraedd ei tharged newid hinsawdd.

Mae llawer iawn o astudiaethau gwyddonol wedi'u gwneud i beirianneg enetig planhigion, sydd wedi dangos y gellir addasu genynnau mewn rhywogaethau coed brodorol i'w galluogi i dyfu'n gyflymach, i'w galluogi i wrthsefyll sychder yn well, i'w galluogi i wrthsefyll eithafion tymheredd ac i'w galluogi i wrthsefyll clefydau, ac rwy'n credu y byddai hyn yn helpu i ddal a storio carbon yng Nghymru, yn enwedig mewn dalfeydd carbon, ac yn helpu Llywodraeth Cymru i frwydro yn erbyn clefydau planhigion, a chyflymu twf coed y fasnach bren yng Nghymru ar gyfer adeiladu. Ar ben hynny, dangoswyd bod tyfu microalgae yn defnyddio CO2 o leoliadau diwydiannol, megis gorsafoedd pŵer a ffatrïoedd, a gall ddarparu dull ecogyfeillgar o leihau CO2, a gallai defnyddio straeniau sydd wedi'u haddasu'n enetig gan gynhyrchiant biomas gynnig manteision enfawr i'r rhain. Gyda hyn mewn cof, hoffwn wybod felly, Weinidog, pa dystiolaeth y byddai angen i'r Llywodraeth hon ei gweld er mwyn caniatáu'r defnydd o blanhigion wedi'u haddasu'n enetig na fydd yn mynd i'r gadwyn fwyd yng Nghymru ar gyfer atafaelu carbon? Diolch.  

Thank you. Well, you are quite right: we do have a precautionary principle, absolutely, at the heart of our policy in relation to genetic modification and gene editing, and, obviously, I don't think you were in the Chamber yesterday, but we had a debate on the LCM on the UK Government's Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill.

New genetic techniques are powerful tools, but that power must be used very responsibly, and I think that it's really important that, as law makers, we carefully consider the evidence for change, and the potential ramifications that any change could have, or would have. We need to understand the scientific basis and the risks and benefits for Wales, and, as I say, we do put significant funding into that sort of research. I think we also need to consider the public's view, the consumer choice and their view on that, and the ethics that are associated with these technologies. I think, only then can we really decide what role gene-edited plants could have in tackling the climate emergency. 

Diolch. Wel, rydych yn hollol gywir: mae gennym egwyddor ragofalus, yn sicr, yn graidd i'n polisi ar addasu genetig a golygu genynnau, ac yn amlwg, nid wyf yn credu eich bod yn y Siambr ddoe, ond cawsom ddadl ar y cynnig cydsyniad deddfwriaethol ar Fil Technoleg Enetig (Bridio Manwl) Llywodraeth y DU.

Mae technegau genetig newydd yn arfau pwerus, ond mae'n rhaid defnyddio'r pŵer hwnnw'n gyfrifol iawn, ac rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn, fel deddfwyr, ein bod yn ystyried y dystiolaeth dros newid yn ofalus, a'r goblygiadau posibl a allai ddeillio o unrhyw newid. Mae angen inni ddeall y sail wyddonol a'r risgiau a'r buddion i Gymru, ac fel rwy'n dweud, rydym yn rhoi cyllid sylweddol i'r math hwnnw o ymchwil. Rwy'n credu hefyd fod angen inni ystyried barn y cyhoedd, dewis defnyddwyr a'u barn ar hynny, a'r foeseg sy'n gysylltiedig â'r technolegau hyn. Yn fy marn i, dim ond wedyn y gallwn benderfynu mewn gwirionedd pa rôl y gallai planhigion y mae eu genynnau wedi'u golygu ei chwarae wrth fynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng hinsawdd. 

Seilwaith Gwyrdd Trefol
Urban Green Infrastructure

5. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn annog awdurdodau lleol i wella'r seilwaith gwyrdd trefol yng Ngwent? OQ58964

5. How is the Welsh Government encouraging local authorities to enhance urban green infrastructure in Gwent? OQ58964

Thank you. Through our Transforming Towns regeneration programme, local authorities are encouraged to bring forward integrated green infrastructure solutions, as part of place-making plans for our towns. Green infrastructure projects across Gwent are enhancing the biodiversity of our town centres and improving the well-being of residents and visitors.

Diolch. Drwy ein rhaglen adfywio Trawsnewid Trefi, anogir awdurdodau lleol i gynnig atebion seilwaith gwyrdd integredig, fel rhan o gynlluniau creu lleoedd ar gyfer ein trefi. Mae prosiectau seilwaith gwyrdd ledled Gwent yn gwella bioamrywiaeth canol ein trefi a gwella llesiant trigolion ac ymwelwyr.

Thank you, Minister. Tory austerity is now a teenager; it's almost 13 years of age, and it continues to decimate local government budgets—this is despite the heroic efforts of Welsh Government. Caerphilly County Borough Council has just unveiled its draft budget proposals for 2023-24, along with the detail of how it plans to plug the projected £48 million gap in finances over the following two years. Minister, in Islwyn, urban green infrastructure, such as the beautiful Waunfawr park, sits at the heart of community life in Cross Keys. The park covers over 22 acres of land and comprises of a children's playground, rugby, football and cricket pitches, and it also includes a bowling green and tennis courts. When local governments must fund statutory services, what support and assurances can the Welsh Government give the communities of Islwyn that green urban infrastructure can be protected from Tory funding attacks? 

Diolch. Mae'r cyni Torïaidd bellach yn ei arddegau; mae bron yn 13 mlwydd oed, ac mae'n parhau i ddinistrio cyllidebau llywodraeth leol—a hynny er gwaethaf ymdrechion arwrol Llywodraeth Cymru. Mae Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Caerffili newydd ddatgelu ei gynigion cyllideb ddrafft ar gyfer 2023-24, ynghyd â manylion sut mae'n bwriadu llenwi'r bwlch o £48 miliwn a ragwelir mewn cyllid dros y ddwy flynedd ganlynol. Yn Islwyn, mae seilwaith gwyrdd trefol, megis parc prydferth Waunfawr, yn rhan ganolog o fywyd cymunedol y Cross Keys. Mae'r parc yn ymestyn dros 22 erw o dir ac yn cynnwys maes chwarae i blant, caeau rygbi, pêl-droed a chriced, ac mae hefyd yn cynnwys lawnt fowlio a chyrtiau tenis. Pan fo'n rhaid i lywodraeth leol ariannu gwasanaethau statudol, pa gefnogaeth a sicrwydd y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei roi i gymunedau Islwyn y gellir gwarchod seilwaith trefol gwyrdd rhag ymosodiadau cyllidol Torïaidd? 

I think you raise a very important point, and certainly in the Minister for Finance and Local Government's questions, we heard lots of questions around different non-statutory functions and services that we value greatly, and I think you've just obviously given a very good example there.

I mentioned that we have several schemes. We've got the Transforming Towns placemaking scheme, we have our green infrastructure projects within that in your area, with significant—about £0.75 million—Welsh Government funding being awarded to four dedicated green infrastructure projects. I think it's really important that we continue to have those discussions with local government, because, at the risk of repeating myself, there is no more money. There is no money hidden away. So, I think those conversations need to be undertaken with local authorities.

Rwy'n credu eich bod yn codi pwynt pwysig iawn, ac yn sicr yng nghwestiynau'r Gweinidog Cyllid a Llywodraeth Leol, clywsom lawer o gwestiynau ynghylch gwahanol swyddogaethau a gwasanaethau anstatudol rydym yn eu gwerthfawrogi'n fawr, ac rwy'n credu eich bod newydd roi esiampl dda iawn yno.

Soniais fod gennym sawl cynllun. Mae gennym y cynllun creu lleoedd Trawsnewid Trefi, mae gennym ein prosiectau seilwaith gwyrdd o fewn hwnnw yn eich ardal chi, gyda chyllid sylweddol—tua £0.75 miliwn—yn cael ei ddyfarnu gan Lywodraeth Cymru i bedwar prosiect seilwaith gwyrdd penodol. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn ein bod yn parhau i gael y trafodaethau hynny gyda llywodraeth leol, oherwydd, os caf fentro ailadrodd fy hun, nid oes mwy o arian i'w gael. Nid oes unrhyw arian wedi'i guddio yn rhywle. Felly, rwy'n credu bod angen cael y sgyrsiau hynny gydag awdurdodau lleol.

14:45

I thank the Member for raising the question. I will remind her that local government is devolved to Wales and has been for 23 years. But, green infrastructure is of course an important tool to help communities to mitigate the effects of climate change, as well as to help us meet our climate change commitments. Access to green space is also obviously beneficial to people's well-being. However, it's important that we don't just enhance the accessibility and quality of existing urban green infrastructure, but increase the coverage as well. As such, Minister, what consideration have you and your Cabinet colleagues given to encouraging local authorities to better map out existing green spaces and to assess whether communities have access to enough of the right kinds of green infrastructure in the right places? Using such data, how are you working with councils to identify suitable areas of land for new green infrastructure projects and then providing additional financial support and guidance to help them get these projects off the ground? Thank you.

Diolch i'r Aelod am ofyn y cwestiwn. Fe'i hatgoffaf fod llywodraeth leol wedi'i datganoli i Gymru ers 23 o flynyddoedd. Ond wrth gwrs, mae seilwaith gwyrdd yn arf pwysig i helpu cymunedau i liniaru effeithiau newid hinsawdd, yn ogystal â'n helpu i gyflawni ein hymrwymiadau newid hinsawdd. Mae mynediad at fannau gwyrdd hefyd yn amlwg o fudd i lesiant pobl. Fodd bynnag, mae'n bwysig ein bod yn ychwanegu at y seilwaith gwyrdd trefol presennol yn ogystal â gwella ei hygyrchedd a'i ansawdd. O'r herwydd, Weinidog, pa ystyriaeth a roddwyd gennych chi a'ch cyd-Aelodau yn y Cabinet i annog awdurdodau lleol i fapio mannau gwyrdd presennol yn well ac i asesu a oes gan gymunedau fynediad at ddigon o'r mathau cywir o seilwaith gwyrdd yn y mannau cywir? Gan ddefnyddio data o'r fath, sut rydych yn gweithio gyda chynghorau i nodi darnau addas o dir ar gyfer prosiectau seilwaith gwyrdd newydd ac yn darparu cymorth ac arweiniad ariannol ychwanegol wedyn i'w helpu i roi'r prosiectau hyn ar waith? Diolch.

You raise a really important point. It is important that there is integration in a town centre or a specific area with other investments in that particular town centre or that particular area. I think only that way will you achieve better outcomes. We provide a great deal of support for developments that form part of wider placemaking plans and green infrastructure projects, so those conversations will go on. I haven't had any specific—this has only recently come back into my portfolio—discussions with local authorities, but I know my officials do work closely to ensure that the cumulative impact, if you like, of a variety of schemes shows good integration.

Rydych yn codi pwynt pwysig iawn. Mae'n bwysig sicrhau bod integreiddio'n digwydd yng nghanol y dref neu mewn ardal benodol gyda buddsoddiadau eraill yng nghanol y dref benodol honno neu'r ardal benodol honno. Rwy'n credu mai dyna'r unig ffordd o sicrhau canlyniadau gwell. Rydym yn darparu llawer iawn o gefnogaeth i ddatblygiadau sy'n rhan o gynlluniau creu lleoedd ehangach a phrosiectau seilwaith gwyrdd, felly bydd y sgyrsiau hynny'n mynd rhagddynt. Nid wyf wedi cael unrhyw drafodaethau penodol—yn ddiweddar y daeth hyn yn ôl i fy mhortffolio—gydag awdurdodau lleol, ond rwy'n gwybod bod fy swyddogion yn gweithio'n agos i sicrhau bod effaith gronnol, os mynnwch, amrywiaeth o gynlluniau yn dangos integreiddio da.

Cathbysgod
Catfish

6. Pa fesurau mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n ymgymryd â hwy i leihau'r boblogaeth cathbysgod yn sir Ddinbych? OQ58949

6. What measures is the Welsh Government taking to reduce the catfish population in Denbighshire? OQ58949

I'm aware of the discrete catfish population present in the Brickfield pond in Rhyl. NRW have been working with Brickfield angling club, who have been actively removing catfish. They are aware it is an offence to return any catfish caught to the water or move them to any other water.

Rwy'n ymwybodol o'r boblogaeth gathbysgod ym mhwll Brickfield yn y Rhyl. Mae Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru wedi bod yn gweithio gyda chlwb genweirio Brickfield, sydd wedi bod wrthi'n cael gwared ar gathbysgod. Maent yn ymwybodol ei bod yn drosedd rhoi unrhyw gathbysgod sy'n cael eu dal yn ôl yn y dŵr neu eu symud i unrhyw grynofa ddŵr arall.

Thank you for that answer, Minister. Do not worry, I'm pleased to inform you that I won't be asking about online dating apps today. I've been contacted by constituents in the Rhyl area who are concerned about the amount of catfish in local waters, particularly around the Brickfield pond, as you mentioned, Minister, off Cefndy Road in Rhyl, and the Rivers Clwyd and Dee. To provide a brief background, large amounts of catfish were introduced to local waters in the 1990s and 2000s for the purpose of trophy catches, so that people could pose with their successful catch for photos and then return them to the water. But, in reality, and as the years have gone on, catfish numbers have increased and they are dangerous aquatic predators with teeth that kill many other species and birds in the water and are vastly reducing small fish populations in Denbighshire waters. 

In a recent meeting with NRW, they told me that culling all of the fish in the Brickfield pond and Rivers Dee and Clwyd, or using nets to catch them, would be unethical and using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, which I quite agree with. So, how do we solve this problem, Minister, practically, and what action can the Welsh Government take to rectify this problem and ensure the long-term sustainability of small fish in local waters? Thank you.

Diolch am yr ateb hwnnw, Weinidog. Peidiwch â phoeni, rwy'n falch o'ch hysbysu na fyddaf yn gofyn am apiau canlyn ar-lein heddiw. Mae etholwyr o ardal y Rhyl wedi cysylltu â mi i ddweud eu bod yn poeni am niferoedd cathbysgod mewn dyfroedd lleol, yn enwedig o gwmpas pwll Brickfield, fel y sonioch chi, Weinidog, oddi ar Heol Cefndy yn y Rhyl, ac afonydd Clwyd a Dyfrdwy. I roi'r cefndir yn fyr, cyflwynwyd llawer iawn o gathbysgod i ddyfroedd lleol yn y 1990au a'r 2000au at ddibenion dalcathbysgod mawr er mwyn i bobl allu tynnu lluniau gyda hwy cyn eu taflu'n ôl i'r dŵr. Ond mewn gwirionedd, ac wrth i'r blynyddoedd fynd heibio, mae niferoedd cathbysgod wedi cynyddu ac maent yn ysglyfaethwyr dyfrol peryglus gyda dannedd sy'n lladd llawer o adar a rhywogaethau eraill yn y dŵr ac maent yn lleihau poblogaethau pysgod bychain yn nyfroedd sir Ddinbych yn ddirfawr. 

Mewn cyfarfod diweddar gyda CNC, roeddent yn dweud wrthyf y byddai difa'r holl bysgod ym mhwll Brickfield ac afonydd Dyfrdwy a Chlwyd, neu ddefnyddio rhwydi i'w dal yn anfoesegol ac y byddai fel defnyddio morthwyl i gracio cneuen, ac rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr â hynny. Felly, Weinidog, sut mae datrys y broblem hon yn ymarferol, a pha gamau y gall Llywodraeth Cymru eu cymryd i unioni'r broblem a sicrhau cynaliadwyedd hirdymor pysgod bach mewn dyfroedd lleol? Diolch.

As you were told by NRW, if we eradicated all the catfish in that pond, you wouldn't be able to do that without eradicating all the other fish. So, I absolutely understand the information you were given from NRW. My understanding is that Brickfield pond is part of a former quarry and is a self-contained water body. It's not connected to any other sources of freshwater, so that means it's not possible for the catfish to spread to other areas, reducing wider risk.

Fel y dywedodd CNC wrthych, pe baem yn cael gwared ar yr holl gathbysgod yn y pwll hwnnw, ni fyddech yn gallu gwneud hynny heb gael gwared ar yr holl bysgod eraill. Felly, rwy'n deall yr wybodaeth a roddwyd i chi gan CNC yn iawn. Fy nealltwriaeth i yw bod pwll Brickfield yn rhan o hen chwarel ac yn grynofa ddŵr annibynnol. Nid yw'n gysylltiedig ag unrhyw ffynonellau eraill o ddŵr croyw, felly mae hynny'n golygu nad yw'n bosibl i'r cathbysgod ledaenu i ardaloedd eraill, gan leihau risg ehangach.

Y Bil Amaethyddiaeth (Cymru)
The Agriculture (Wales) Bill

7. Sut fydd y Llywodraeth yn mesur llwyddiant Bil Amaethyddiaeth (Cymru) 2022? OQ58966

7. How will the Government measure the success of the Agriculture (Wales) Bill 2022? OQ58966

Diolch. There are a number of monitoring and reporting provisions contained in the Agriculture (Wales) Bill designed to measure success. Alongside an annual finance report, Welsh Ministers will be required to report on the impact of the support provided against the sustainable land management objectives.

Diolch. Mae nifer o'r darpariaethau monitro ac adrodd sydd wedi'u cynnwys yn y Bil Amaethyddiaeth (Cymru) wedi'u cynllunio i fesur llwyddiant. Ochr yn ochr ag adroddiad cyllid blynyddol, bydd gofyn i Weinidogion Cymru adrodd ar effaith y cymorth a ddarperir yn erbyn yr amcanion rheoli tir cynaliadwy.

14:50

Ie, un peth sydd ddim ymhlyg yn yr hyn rŷch chi wedi cyfeirio ato fe fanna wrth gwrs yw mai un mesur pwysig, yn ôl llawer o'r dystiolaeth a dderbyniwyd gan Bwyllgor yr Economi, Masnach a Materion Gwledig sydd wedi bod yn craffu ar y Bil yma, yw i ba raddau y mae'r Bil yn helpu i amddiffyn ffermydd teuluol. Pan fo gyda chi rwydwaith o ffermydd teuluol, ŷch chi'n llwyddo i wrthsefyll y symudiad tuag at ffermio ar sgêl fwy—mae'n dueddol o fod yn ffermio mwy dwys—felly, mae hynny'n well i'r amgylchedd. Rŷch chi'n fwy tebygol o gadw'r bunt yn lleol drwy ffermydd teuluol. Mae e hefyd, wrth gwrs, yn fesur pwysig o safbwynt hyfywedd y Gymraeg yn yr ardaloedd gwledig hynny. Ydych chi, felly, yn cytuno bod nifer y ffermydd yng Nghymru yn faromedr pwysig ac y byddai gweld gostyngiad yn y nifer hynny yn arwydd o fethiant?

Yes, one thing that isn't implicit in what you just said is that one important measure, according to much of the evidence received by the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, which has been scrutinising this Bill, is to what extent this Bill helps to protect family farms. When you have a network of family farms, you withstand the move to larger scale farming—which tends to be more intensive—which is better for the environment. You are more likely to keep the local pound local through family farms. It's also an important measure in terms of the viability of the Welsh language in those rural areas. So, do you, therefore, agree that the number of farms in Wales is an important barometer and that seeing a reduction in that number would be a signal of failure?

Everything I do is to protect family farms. You're quite right, we have a significant number of family farms. They're very, very important to our rural communities and, of course, they protect the Welsh language. The agricultural sector uses the Welsh language more than any other sector here in Wales. Absolutely everything we do is under that focus, if you like, going forward. And so, we’re looking at this as we bring forward the design scheme for a sustainable farming scheme, and we will have an impact report. That will be required to be completed periodically to assess the impact of all support provided and that will, of course, include the family farm.

Mae diogelu ffermydd teuluol yn ganolog i bopeth rwy'n ei wneud. Rydych chi'n hollol gywir, mae gennym nifer sylweddol o ffermydd teuluol. Maent yn bwysig iawn i'n cymunedau gwledig ac wrth gwrs maent yn gwarchod y Gymraeg. Mae'r sector amaethyddol yn defnyddio'r Gymraeg yn fwy nag unrhyw sector arall yma yng Nghymru. Mae'r ffocws hwnnw, os mynnwch, yn ganolog i bopeth a wnawn wrth symud ymlaen. Ac felly, rydym yn edrych ar hyn wrth inni gyflwyno'r cynlluniau ar gyfer cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy, a byddwn yn cael adroddiad effaith. Bydd angen gwneud hynny o bryd i'w gilydd i asesu effaith yr holl gymorth a ddarperir a bydd hynny, wrth gwrs, yn cynnwys y fferm deuluol.

Diolch, Llywydd. I didn't think I had a question today. [Laughter.]

Diolch, Lywydd. Nid oeddwn yn meddwl bod gennyf gwestiwn heddiw. [Chwerthin.]

Well, if you didn't think you had a question, then you don't have a question.

Wel, os nad oeddech chi'n meddwl bod gennych gwestiwn, yna nid oes gennych gwestiwn.

No, that's fine. I've already been called once. I'm thinking of others.

Na, mae hynny'n iawn. Rwyf wedi cael fy ngalw unwaith yn barod. Rwy'n meddwl am bobl eraill.

Question 8 [OQ58959] has been withdrawn. Question 9 by Vikki Howells. She appears just as I call her name. So, the next question will be question 9 by Vikki Howells. Your microphone was closed for a bit longer than usual. Vikki Howells.

Mae cwestiwn 8 [OQ58959] wedi cael ei dynnu'n ôl. Cwestiwn 9 gan Vikki Howells. Mae'n ymddangos yn syth wrth imi alw ei henw. Felly, y cwestiwn nesaf fydd cwestiwn 9 gan Vikki Howells. Roedd eich meicroffon wedi'i ddiffodd am ychydig yn hwy na'r arfer. Vikki Howells.

Creu Diwydiant Amaethyddol Bywiog
Creating a Vibrant Agricultural Industry

9. Beth yw blaenoriaethau Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer creu sector diwydiant amaethyddol bywiog? OQ58946

9. What are the Welsh Government's priorities for creating a vibrant agricultural industry sector? OQ58946

The Agriculture (Wales) Bill establishes four sustainable land management objectives as the legislative framework for future agricultural policy. The objectives are designed to be complementary, reflecting our approach to supporting the economic, environmental, social and cultural sustainability of the agricultural sector in Wales.

Mae Bil Amaethyddiaeth (Cymru) yn sefydlu pedwar amcan rheoli tir cynaliadwy fel y fframwaith deddfwriaethol ar gyfer polisi amaethyddol yn y dyfodol. Lluniwyd yr amcanion i fod yn gydategol, gan adlewyrchu ein dull o gefnogi cynaliadwyedd economaidd, amgylcheddol, cymdeithasol a diwylliannol y sector amaethyddol yng Nghymru.

Thank you, Minister. As a Member of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, I visited the Agriculture Research Centre at Gelli Aur last year to find out more about their farm-nutrient partnership. What conclusions have the Welsh Government drawn from this project in terms of the ways in which slurry treatment can be used to support the agricultural sector, but also to protect the environment in Wales?

Diolch. Fel Aelod o Bwyllgor yr Economi, Masnach a Materion Gwledig, ymwelais â'r Ganolfan Ymchwil Amaethyddiaeth yn Gelli Aur y llynedd i ddysgu rhagor am eu partneriaeth maethynnau fferm. Pa gasgliadau y daeth Llywodraeth Cymru iddynt o'r prosiect hwn o ran y ffyrdd y gellir defnyddio trin slyri i gefnogi'r sector amaethyddol, ond hefyd i ddiogelu'r amgylchedd yng Nghymru?

Thank you. I visited the Agriculture Research Centre at Gelli Aur twice myself to hear about the amazing work that's under way, and it was good to see so much progress had been made between my two visits. I very much welcome the research that's been undertaken there. I can see great promise to enable our farms to utilise the nutrients from manures much more efficiently. Slurry separation and the management of the separated nutrients really do provide an opportunity, I think, particularly in light of high fertiliser prices, which we've certainly seen over the last year or so, and that really ensures that valuable nutrients are able to be added to nutrient-deficient areas so that they can increase their resilience and reduce the reliance on manufactured fertilisers. The work being done on the nutrient management plans with the precision spreading of the separated materials I think will also help ensure the right nutrient application at the right time, and, of course, that's essential if we want to reduce the risk of pollution.

Diolch. Bûm yn ymweld â'r Ganolfan Ymchwil Amaethyddiaeth yn Gelli Aur ddwywaith fy hun i glywed am y gwaith anhygoel sydd ar y gweill, ac roedd yn braf gweld cymaint o gynnydd wedi'i wneud rhwng fy nau ymweliad. Rwy'n croesawu'r ymchwil sydd wedi'i wneud yno yn fawr. Gallaf weld addewid mawr i alluogi ein ffermydd i ddefnyddio'r maethynnau a geir mewn tail yn llawer mwy effeithlon. Mae gwahanu slyri a rheoli'r maethynnau sydd wedi'u gwahanu yn rhoi cyfle, rwy'n credu, yn enwedig yng ngoleuni'r prisiau gwrtaith uchel a welsom dros y flwyddyn neu ddwy ddiwethaf, ac mae hynny'n sicrhau y gellir ychwanegu maethynnau gwerthfawr at dir lle ceir prinder maethynnau fel y gallant gynyddu ei wytnwch a lleihau'r ddibyniaeth ar wrteithiau wedi'u gweithgynhyrchu. Rwy'n credu y bydd y gwaith a wneir ar y cynlluniau rheoli maethynnau, gyda gwasgariad manwl y deunyddiau sydd wedi'u gwahanu, hefyd yn helpu i sicrhau bod y maethynnau cywir yn cael eu gwasgaru ar yr adeg gywir, ac wrth gwrs, mae hynny'n hanfodol os ydym am leihau'r risg o lygredd.

Diogelu Rhywogaethau Bywyd Gwyllt sydd o dan Fygythiad
Protecting Threatened Wildlife Species

10. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n eu cymryd i ddiogelu rhywogaethau bywyd gwyllt sydd o dan fygythiad? OQ58941

10. What action is the Welsh Government taking to protect threatened wildlife species? OQ58941

A team Wales approach is taken to protect threatened wildlife. On 10 January, my colleague the Minister for Climate Change announced measures to support a wide range of wildlife species, including many that are threatened. These measures include direct stewardship and enhancements to the habitats and ecosystems that support our wildlife.

Defnyddir dull tîm Cymru i ddiogelu bywyd gwyllt sydd dan fygythiad. Ar 10 Ionawr, cyhoeddodd fy nghyd-Aelod, y Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd, fesurau i gefnogi ystod eang o rywogaethau bywyd gwyllt, gan gynnwys nifer o rywogaethau dan fygythiad. Mae'r mesurau hyn yn cynnwys stiwardiaeth uniongyrchol a gwelliannau i'r cynefinoedd a'r ecosystemau sy'n cynnal ein bywyd gwyllt.

Thank you. Trees provide numerous environmental, social and economic benefits, and tree planting is widely considered to be one of the most important ways to combat climate change and poor air quality. However, the decline in the curlew is strongly associated with increased amounts of woodland near breeding sites. Although the iconic curlew is our most pressing bird conservation priority, it will be extinct as a breeding population within a decade without intervention. However, woodland continues to be seen as a public good, even when it provides an ideal habitat for the apex predators whose predation of nests and chicks is a primary cause of curlew breeding failure. As the Welsh Government Minister responsible for the protection of management of wildlife, what specific action are you taking to ensure that the Welsh Government's target for woodland planting in Wales takes account of this, and that, although the snares of yesteryear are not acceptable, modern humane cable restraints are recognised as holding devices not killing devices, with a key ole to play amongst the range of urgent intervention measures needed to prevent imminent curlew extinction and to reverse biodiversity loss?

Diolch. Mae coed yn darparu nifer o fanteision amgylcheddol, cymdeithasol ac economaidd, ac mae plannu coed yn cael ei ystyried yn eang fel un o'r ffyrdd pwysicaf o fynd i'r afael â newid hinsawdd ac ansawdd aer gwael. Fodd bynnag, mae cysylltiad rhwng dirywiad yn niferoedd gylfinirod a mwy o goetir ger safleoedd bridio. Er mai'r gylfinir eiconig yw ein blaenoriaeth fwyaf o ran cadwraeth adar, bydd yn ddiflannu fel poblogaeth nythu o fewn degawd os na wnawn ymyrryd. Fodd bynnag, mae coetir yn parhau i gael ei ystyried yn fudd cyhoeddus, hyd yn oed pan fo'n darparu cynefin delfrydol i'r prif ysglyfaethwyr sy'n rheibio nythod a chywion ac sy'n bennaf gyfrifol am fethiant gylfinirod i nythu. Fel y Gweinidog Llywodraeth Cymru sy'n gyfrifol am ddiogelu rheoli bywyd gwyllt, pa gamau penodol rydych yn eu cymryd i sicrhau bod targed Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer plannu coetiroedd yng Nghymru yn ystyried hyn, ac er nad yw maglau'r hen ddyddiau yn dderbyniol, mae atalyddion cebl modern trugarog yn cael eu cydnabod fel dyfeisiau dal, yn hytrach na dyfeisiau lladd, gyda rôl allweddol i'w chwarae ymhlith yr ystod o fesurau ymyrraeth frys sydd eu hangen i atal difodiant buan y gylfinir ac i wrthdroi colli bioamrywiaeth?

14:55

Thank you. You're quite right, the curlew is an iconic farmland and moorland bird. I am pleased that you continue to champion it. I was due to meet Curlew Wales and, unfortunately, I had to postpone the meeting. I can't remember quite why, but I will make sure that I reschedule that meeting, because I'm certainly very interested to hear what they have to say.

You're quite right about trees and, certainly, if we're going to meet our net-zero commitments, we have been told in very clear terms by the UK Committee for Climate Change we need to significantly increase our woodland planting targets.

You refer to humane cable restraints and, as you know, we're looking to ban snare and humane cable restraints in the Agriculture (Wales) Bill 2022, and that really is about preventing inhumane methods being used, and it doesn't prevent other more humane methods of control.

Diolch. Rydych yn llygad eich lle, mae'r gylfinir yn aderyn tir fferm a rhostir eiconig. Rwy'n falch eich bod yn parhau i'w hyrwyddo. Roeddwn i fod i gyfarfod â Gylfinir Cymru ac yn anffodus bu'n rhaid imi ohirio'r cyfarfod. Ni allaf gofio'n iawn pam, ond fe wnaf yn siŵr fy mod yn aildrefnu'r cyfarfod hwnnw, oherwydd yn sicr mae gennyf ddiddordeb mawr mewn clywed beth sydd ganddynt i'w ddweud.

Rydych yn hollol gywir am goed ac yn sicr os ydym am gyflawni ein hymrwymiadau sero net, rydym wedi cael gwybod mewn termau clir iawn gan Bwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd y DU fod angen inni gynyddu ein targedau plannu coetiroedd yn sylweddol.

Rydych yn cyfeirio at atalyddion cebl trugarog ac fel y gwyddoch, rydym yn ceisio gwahardd maglau ac atalyddion cebl trugarog ym Mil Amaethyddiaeth (Cymru) 2022, ac mae hynny mewn gwirionedd yn ymwneud ag atal y defnydd o ddulliau creulon, ac nid yw'n atal y defnydd o ddulliau eraill sy'n fwy trugarog.

Gwella Effeithlonrwydd Ynni yn Arfon
Improving Energy Efficiency in Arfon

11. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gyda'r Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd am sut y gall amaethwyr gyfrannu at y gwaith o wella effeithlonrwydd ynni yn Arfon? OQ58969

11. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Climate Change about how farmers can contribute to improving energy efficiency in Arfon? OQ58969

Diolch. I have regular engagement with the Minister for Climate Change on a range of portfolio issues. Regarding farmers improving energy efficiency, our sustainable farming scheme will offer future support to help farmers decarbonise and, currently, we offer farmers energy efficiency support through our small grants efficiency scheme, which opened two days ago.

Diolch. Rwy'n ymgysylltu'n rheolaidd â'r Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd ar amrywiaeth o faterion portffolio. Ar fater ffermwyr yn gwella effeithlonrwydd ynni, bydd ein cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy yn cynnig cefnogaeth yn y dyfodol i helpu ffermwyr i ddatgarboneiddio, ac ar hyn o bryd, rydym yn cynnig cymorth effeithlonrwydd ynni i ffermwyr drwy ein cynllun effeithlonrwydd grantiau bach, a agorodd ddeuddydd yn ôl.

Yn ddiweddar, mi ges i gyfle i ymweld â chanolfan newydd sbon ar safle hen ffatri yn nyffryn Nantlle yn fy etholaeth i. Canolfan neu hwb datgarboneiddio ydy Tŷ Gwyrddfai ym Mhenygroes, sy'n dod â nifer o bartneriaid ynghyd efo'r nod ganolog o wella effeithlonrwydd ynni cartrefi pobl nid yn unig yn Arfon, ond ar draws y gogledd a thu hwnt. Un agwedd bwysig o'r gwaith yma fydd arloesi efo dulliau newydd o wella'r stoc tai, ac mae Prifysgol Bangor yn rhan o'r gwaith yma. Dwi'n credu bod gan y gymuned amaethyddol gyfraniad pwysig i'w wneud i'r agenda yma, ac un enghraifft ydy defnyddio gwlân i inswleiddio cartrefi. Felly, beth mae'r Llywodraeth yn ei wneud i harneisio potensial arloesol y gymuned amaethol ar gyfer gwella effeithlonrwydd ynni yng Nghymru?

Recently, I had an opportunity to visit a new centre on the site of an old factory in the Nantlle valley, which is decarbonisation hub or centre in Tŷ Gwyrddfai in Penygroes, which brings a number of partners together with a core aim of improving energy efficiency of people's homes, not just in Arfon, but across north Wales and further afield. An important part of this work will be innovation with new methods of improving housing stock, and Bangor University is part of this work. I believe that the agricultural community has an important contribution to make to this agenda, and one example is the use of wool as an insulation material in homes. So, what is the Government doing to harness the innovative potential of the agricultural community to improve energy efficiency in Wales?

Thank you. You make a very important point about the role that our agriculture sector and our farmers can make in relation to energy efficiency. I met with the British Wool Council—it's probably 18 months ago now—where we discussed the use of Welsh wool, obviously, particularly from my point of view, in relation to insulation, for instance. They believe that there are more—probably 'worth while' is the wrong term—more efficient uses of British wool than just insulation, but I think what we need to look at is all the technology that's available, all the innovation that's available to help us with energy efficiency. I mentioned that we just open the window for the small grants efficiency scheme. I really want that scheme to be able to offer direct support to our farmers so that they can invest in new technology and equipment to really enhance the technical and financial and environmental performance of their business.

Diolch. Rydych yn gwneud pwynt pwysig iawn am y rôl y gall ein sector amaethyddiaeth a'n ffermwyr ei chwarae mewn perthynas ag effeithlonrwydd ynni. Cyfarfûm â Chyngor Gwlân Prydain—18 mis yn ôl bellach, mae'n debyg—ac fe wnaethom drafod y defnydd o wlân Cymreig, yn amlwg, yn enwedig o'm safbwynt i, mewn perthynas ag insiwleiddio, er enghraifft. Maent yn credu bod yna ddefnydd mwy—mae'n debyg nad 'gwerth chweil' yw'r term cywir—mwy effeithlon i wlân Prydain nag insiwleiddio yn unig, ond rwy'n credu mai'r hyn sydd angen inni edrych arno yw'r holl dechnoleg sydd ar gael, yr holl arloesedd sydd ar gael i'n helpu gydag effeithlonrwydd ynni. Soniais ein bod newydd agor y cynllun effeithlonrwydd grantiau bach. Rwy'n awyddus iawn i'r cynllun hwnnw allu cynnig cymorth uniongyrchol i'n ffermwyr fel y gallant fuddsoddi mewn technoleg ac offer newydd i wella perfformiad technegol ac ariannol ac amgylcheddol eu busnes.

Iechyd y Diwydiant Wyau
The Health of the Egg Industry

12. Pa asesiad y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'i wneud o iechyd y diwydiant wyau yng Nghymru? OQ58957

12. What assessment has the Minister made of the health of the Welsh egg industry? OQ58957

Thank you. The egg industry has been impacted by cost inflation rising through 2021 and latterly by avian influenza. These are common factors across the UK, with Welsh egg producers and packers integrated into UK-wide supply chains. We anticipate UK-level Government-industry discussion to consider means to bring stability to producer contracts.

Diolch. Mae'r diwydiant wyau wedi cael ei effeithio gan chwyddiant costau'n codi drwy 2021 ac yn ddiweddar gan ffliw adar. Mae'r rhain yn ffactorau cyffredin ledled y DU, gyda chynhyrchwyr wyau a phacwyr o Gymru wedi'u hintegreiddio mewn cadwyni cyflenwi ledled y DU. Rydym yn rhagweld trafodaeth rhwng y Llywodraeth a'r diwydiant ar lefel y DU i ystyried ffordd o sicrhau sefydlogrwydd i gontractau cynhyrchwyr.

Thank you for that response, Minister. I'm very pleased that you do recognise the pressures that are out there in the egg industry. As you will know, Wales is the biggest producer of free-range eggs in Europe, and that is something that means that this is a particularly important issue for Wales, perhaps more so than any other part of the United Kingdom. But those pressures on producers are becoming all the more acute. We've seen shortages of eggs in our supermarkets, with some supermarkets actually rationing them in recent months. And we've seen significant rises, of course, for consumers. In terms of the retail price, they've gone up by about £1 a dozen, and yet the producer costs have gone up by 40p a dozen, and, unfortunately, the increase in the payments by the supermarkets per dozen is just 25p. So, lots of egg producers are actually now facing losses as a result of those shifting prices. Can I ask you, Minister, will you convene a summit between the supermarkets and egg producers in order that we can get fair prices for our egg farmers here in Wales, in order to protect this industry for the future?

Diolch am yr ateb hwnnw, Weinidog. Rwy'n falch iawn eich bod yn cydnabod y pwysau sydd ar y diwydiant wyau. Fel y gwyddoch, Cymru sy'n cynhyrchu fwyaf o wyau maes yn Ewrop, ac mae hynny'n golygu bod hwn yn fater arbennig o bwysig i Gymru, yn fwy felly efallai nag unrhyw ran arall o'r Deyrnas Unedig. Ond mae'r pwysau ar gynhyrchwyr yn dod yn fwy difrifol. Rydym wedi gweld prinder wyau yn ein harchfarchnadoedd, gyda rhai archfarchnadoedd hyd yn oed yn eu dogni yn ystod y misoedd diwethaf. Ac rydym wedi gweld cynnydd sylweddol mewn prisiau i ddefnyddwyr wrth gwrs. Mae'r pris manwerthu wedi codi tua £1 y dwsin, ac eto mae costau cynhyrchwyr wedi codi 40c y dwsin, ac yn anffodus, dim ond 25c yw'r cynnydd yn yr hyn y mae'r archfarchnadoedd yn ei dalu am ddwsin o wyau. Felly, mae llawer o gynhyrchwyr wyau bellach yn wynebu colledion o ganlyniad i'r newidiadau yn y prisiau. A gaf fi ofyn i chi, Weinidog, a wnewch chi gynnull uwchgynhadledd rhwng yr archfarchnadoedd a chynhyrchwyr wyau er mwyn inni sicrhau prisiau teg i'n ffermwyr wyau yma yng Nghymru, er mwyn diogelu'r diwydiant ar gyfer y dyfodol?

15:00

Thank you. I think you make a very important point, and I think it's really important to highlight that it's not just avian influenza that's impacting on our egg producers. There is a series of issues that have brought together a bit of a perfect storm. I think any such summit would need to be at a UK level, for the reasons I outlined in my original answer. I have written to Mark Spencer, the Minister for farming, fisheries and food, and we've got an inter-ministerial group on Monday, and certainly egg production will be on the agenda. If it's not, I'll bring it up under 'any other business'. He brought forward a round-table, which unfortunately other Ministers weren't invited to. My officials were there, so I'm not saying we weren't involved. But I think it would be good for Ministers to be able to meet with the egg supply chain, with producers, with retailers, with packers, with all the trade bodies, which is what he did with officials there. So, I have written to him, asking for an update. I only wrote on 15 December, so, obviously, with Christmas, I haven't had a response as yet. But I do think it does need a UK-wide—. I could certainly meet with the supermarkets, and I do meet with the supermarkets regularly, where we do have discussions, but I think if we're going to have a summit of the type I think you're referring to, it would be better to do that on a UK-wide level.

Diolch. Credaf eich bod yn gwneud pwynt pwysig iawn, a chredaf ei bod yn bwysig iawn tynnu sylw at y ffaith nad ffliw adar yn unig sy'n effeithio ar ein cynhyrchwyr wyau. Mae cyfres o broblemau wedi creu storm berffaith. Credaf y byddai angen i unrhyw uwchgynhadledd o’r fath fod ar lefel y DU, am y rhesymau a amlinellais yn fy ateb gwreiddiol. Rwyf wedi ysgrifennu at Mark Spencer, y Gweinidog ffermio, pysgodfeydd a bwyd, ac mae gennym grŵp rhyngweinidogol ddydd Llun, ac yn sicr, bydd cynhyrchiant wyau ar yr agenda. Os nad yw, byddaf yn ei godi o dan 'unrhyw fusnes arall'. Trefnodd gyfarfod bwrdd crwn, ac yn anffodus, ni wahoddwyd Gweinidogion eraill iddo. Roedd fy swyddogion yno, felly nid wyf yn dweud na wnaethom gymryd rhan. Ond credaf y byddai’n dda pe gallai'r Gweinidogion gyfarfod â’r gadwyn gyflenwi wyau, â chynhyrchwyr, â manwerthwyr, â phacwyr, â’r holl gyrff masnach, sef yr hyn y gwnaeth yntau gyda'r swyddogion yno. Felly, rwyf wedi ysgrifennu ato i ofyn am y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf. Ar 15 Rhagfyr yr ysgrifennais ato, felly, yn amlwg, gyda’r Nadolig, nid wyf wedi cael ateb hyd yma. Ond credaf fod angen ymagwedd ar lefel y DU gyfan—. Yn sicr, gallwn gyfarfod â’r archfarchnadoedd, ac rwy’n cyfarfod â’r archfarchnadoedd yn rheolaidd, lle rydym yn cael trafodaethau, ond os ydym yn mynd i gael uwchgynhadledd o’r math y credaf eich bod yn cyfeirio ato, credaf y byddai’n well gwneud hynny ar lefel y DU gyfan.

Thank you to the Minister. All tabled questions answered well within allocated time—it's making me think we should go back to 15 questions being allowed to be tabled, with that record. Thank you to the Minister.

Diolch i’r Gweinidog. Atebwyd pob cwestiwn a gyflwynwyd o fewn yr amser a neilltuwyd—mae'n gwneud imi feddwl y dylem fynd yn ôl i ganiatáu i 15 cwestiwn gael eu cyflwyno, gyda'r amser hwnnw. Diolch i’r Gweinidog.

3. Cwestiynau Amserol
3. Topical Questions

Eitem 3 sydd nesaf, a'r cwestiwn amserol yw hwnnw. Mae'r cwestiwn i'w ofyn gan James Evans, and to be answered, i'w ateb, gan y Gweinidog addysg. James Evans.

Item 3 is next, the topical question. The question is to be asked by James Evans, and is to be answered by the Minister for education. James Evans.

Cau Ysgolion
School Closures

1. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am ei ddisgwyliadau ynghylch ei gyfarfodydd gydag undebau llafur yr athrawon yn ddiweddarach yr wythnos hon o ran osgoi cau ysgolion? TQ711

1. Will the Minister make a statement on his expectations of his meetings with the teaching trade unions later this week in terms of avoiding school closures? TQ711

I'll be meeting with teacher and head unions tomorrow, along with local authorities, who are the employers, to discuss the outcome of ballots and discuss next steps. I am committed to working with partners to secure a resolution to the dispute, and this tripartite meeting will help explore ways of addressing teachers' concerns.

Byddaf yn cyfarfod ag undebau athrawon a phenaethiaid yfory, ynghyd ag awdurdodau lleol, sef y cyflogwyr, i drafod canlyniad pleidleisiau a thrafod y camau nesaf. Rwyf wedi ymrwymo i weithio gyda phartneriaid i sicrhau datrysiad i’r anghydfod, a bydd y cyfarfod teirochrog yn helpu i archwilio ffyrdd o fynd i’r afael â phryderon athrawon.

I'd like to thank you for that answer, Minister. The Welsh Government do hold all the levers here to prevent the strikes, and it's time that the Welsh Government did take some responsibility for this, by, for example, not cutting the education budget in real terms and rising it in line with inflation. Under Welsh Labour, children in Wales are being left behind. Not only did they miss more school days than anyone else in the UK due to lockdowns, not only are they getting less money spent on them than their counterparts in England, but now they have to deal with these strikes and potentially missing more lesson time, when I'm sure, Minister, you should agree with me that it's better that our teachers are in the classroom, educating our young people for the future.

I do have a suggestion that perhaps the Minister goes back to his Cabinet colleagues and asks them to free up more hundreds of millions of pounds earmarked for vanity projects that aren't in his portfolio, like the expansion of this Senedd, the owning of Gilestone Farm, owning an airport that is losing money. And if the Government gets its priorities in order, I'm sure you, Minister, would have more money to spend on our teachers. So, Minister, given my suggestion, will you stop passing the buck, as you did on tv, and stop using the same old Welsh Government line of blaming Westminster? And what constructive options will you be taking to the table this week for preventing school closures, because this one is surely your responsibility?

Hoffwn ddiolch am eich ateb, Weinidog. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn meddu ar yr holl ddulliau yma i atal y streiciau, ac mae’n bryd i Lywodraeth Cymru ysgwyddo rhywfaint o gyfrifoldeb am hyn, er enghraifft drwy beidio â thorri’r gyllideb addysg mewn termau real, a’i chodi yn unol â chwyddiant. O dan Lafur Cymru, mae plant Cymru yn cael eu gadael ar ôl. Nid yn unig eu bod wedi colli mwy o ddiwrnodau ysgol na neb arall yn y DU oherwydd y cyfyngiadau symud, nid yn unig fod llai o arian yn cael ei wario arnynt na'u cymheiriaid yn Lloegr, ond nawr, mae'n rhaid iddynt ymdopi â'r streiciau hyn a cholli mwy o wersi o bosibl, er y dylech gytuno â mi. rwy’n siŵr, Weinidog, ei bod yn well fod ein hathrawon yn yr ystafell ddosbarth, yn addysgu ein pobl ifanc ar gyfer y dyfodol.

Awgrymaf efallai y dylai'r Gweinidog fynd yn ôl at ei gyd-Aelodau o'r Cabinet a gofyn iddynt ryddhau rhagor o gannoedd o filiynau o bunnoedd a glustnodwyd ar gyfer prosiectau porthi balchder nad ydynt yn rhan o'i bortffolio, fel ehangu’r Senedd hon, perchnogaeth ar Fferm Gilestone, perchnogaeth ar faes awyr sy'n colli arian. A phe bai'r Llywodraeth yn cael trefn ar ei blaenoriaethau, rwy’n siŵr y byddai gennych fwy o arian i’w wario ar ein hathrawon. Felly, Weinidog, o ystyried fy awgrym, a wnewch chi roi’r gorau i drosglwyddo'r baich, fel y gwnaethoch ar y teledu, a rhoi’r gorau i ddefnyddio’r un hen ddull gan Lywodraeth Cymru o feio San Steffan? A pha opsiynau adeiladol y byddwch yn eu cynnig yr wythnos hon ar gyfer osgoi cau ysgolion, gan mai eich cyfrifoldeb chi yw hynny?

Well, these are serious matters that deserve better than political knock-about in this Chamber. His mischaracterisation of the education system in Wales is consistent with that of his colleagues on those benches. Unlike the Conservative Government in Westminster, we are not responding to strikes by bringing forward draconian laws that undermine people's fundamental rights. In Wales, we believe, as a Welsh Government, that the best way to resolve disputes of this sort is through discussion, respectful discussion, with our partners, with goodwill and an in attempt to reach a constructive solution, and that is very much the spirit in which we will have the discussions with unions and local authorities in Wales. 

Wel, mae’r rhain yn faterion difrifol sy’n haeddu gwell na checru gwleidyddol yn y Siambr hon. Mae ei gamddisgrifiad o’r system addysg yng Nghymru yn gyson ag un ei gyd-Aelodau ar y meinciau hynny. Yn wahanol i’r Llywodraeth Geidwadol yn San Steffan, nid ydym yn ymateb i streiciau drwy gyflwyno deddfau llym sy’n tanseilio hawliau sylfaenol pobl. Yng Nghymru, rydym ni, fel Llywodraeth Cymru, o'r farn mai’r ffordd orau o ddatrys anghydfodau o’r fath yw drwy drafodaethau, trafodaethau parchus, gyda’n partneriaid, gydag ewyllys da ac ymgais i ddod o hyd i ateb adeiladol, ac yn yr ysbryd hwnnw y byddwn yn cael y trafodaethau gydag undebau ac awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru.

15:05

Diolch, Weinidog. Dwi'n falch iawn o glywed eich ymrwymiad o ran trafod yr wythnos yma. Yn amlwg, dydy hwn ddim yn sefyllfa hawdd i unrhyw un, dewis streicio, a gresyn ein bod ni wedi cyrraedd y pwynt hwn. Ond dydy hi ddim yn annisgwyl, chwaith, ein bod ni wedi cyrraedd y pwynt yma; mi wnaeth yr undebau'n glir nad oedd y cynnig gan y Llywodraeth yn mynd i fod yn dderbyniol. Felly, a fyddwch chi yn gallu ymrwymo i wneud cynnig gwell iddyn nhw? Oherwydd yn amlwg dydy hyn ddim jest ynglŷn ag athrawon ond y rheini sydd hefyd yn gweithio yn ein hysgolion o ran cefnogi ein hathrawon ni a gwneud gwaith pwysig dros ben, felly. Ac o ran eich ymrwymiad personol chi er mwyn trio sicrhau dydy ein disgyblion ni ddim yn colli allan ar addysg hollbwysig yn sgil COVID ac ati, pam ydyn ni wedi cyrraedd y pwynt yma, a beth fydd yn wahanol yn y trafodaethau hyn er mwyn rhoi'r gobaith hwnnw na fyddwn ni'n cyrraedd y sefyllfa o orfod gweld athrawon yn gorfod bod ar streic?

Thank you, Minister. I'm very pleased to hear your commitment to having discussions this week. Clearly, this isn't an easy situation for anyone, choosing to strike, and it's regrettable that we've reached this point. But it's not unexpected either that we have reached this particular point; the unions made it clear that the Government's offer wasn't going to be acceptable to them. So, will you be able to commit to making an improved offer to them? Because, clearly, this isn't just about teachers but also those working in our schools in supporting the teaching workforce, doing very important work. And in terms of your personal commitment in terms of ensuring that our pupils don't lose out on crucial education following COVID and so on, why have we reached this point, and what will be different about these discussions in order to give us that hope that we won't reach a position of having to see teachers on strike?

Wel, rwy'n credu bod pawb yn cytuno y dylai ein plant ni fod yn yr ysgol yn cael eu haddysg, ond does neb yn cymryd y penderfyniad yma i streicio ar chwarae bach. Mae pedair undeb gyda ni, a dwy wedi pleidleisio o blaid gweithredu, ond beth bynnag yw'r trothwy sydd gan yr undebau, rŷn ni'n parchu ac yn clywed y negeseuon rŷn ni'n eu cael wrth athrawon yn y pleidleisiau hynny. Dwi ddim yn mynd i drafod yn y Senedd heddiw beth fydd natur y trafodaethau rŷn ni'n bwriadu eu cael. Bydd y cynnig ac unrhyw drafodaethau ar gyfer setlo hyn yn cael eu gwneud yng nghyd-destun cyfarfodydd gyda'n partneriaid cymdeithasol, yn y ffordd rŷn ni wastad yn gweithredu, ac rwy'n gwybod bod yr Aelod yn derbyn ac yn cefnogi'r safbwynt hwnnw. Ond, fel rwyf wedi dweud, gwnawn ni bopeth o fewn y cyfyngiadau real sydd arnon ni fel Llywodraeth i gael y setliad gorau posib.

Well, I think that everyone agrees that our children should be at school receiving their education, but nobody takes these decisions to strike lightly. We have four unions, and two have had votes in favour of industrial action, but whatever the thresholds the unions have, we respect and we hear the messages that we are hearing from teachers in those ballots. I'm not going to discuss in the Senedd today the nature of the discussions we intend to have or the proposals for any discussions that we have with regard to the settlement. Those discussions take place in the context of our social partners, in the way that we always operate, and I know that the Member accepts and supports that stance. But, as I've said, we'll do everything within the very real limitations on us as a Government to get the best possible settlement. 

Pwynt o Drefn
Point of Order

Dwi wedi cytuno i bwynt o drefn, ac, i gyflwyno'r pwynt o drefn yna, Heledd Fychan. 

I have agreed to a point of order, and Heledd Fychan with that point of order. 

Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd. Gaf i ofyn ichi, os gwelwch yn dda, adolygu eich canllawiau o ran gweithio'n hybrid yn sgil sefyllfa anffodus a gododd yn y Pwyllgor Diwylliant, Cyfathrebu, y Gymraeg, Chwaraeon a Chysylltiadau Rhyngwladol y bore yma? Fe fu'n rhaid gohirio dechrau ar y gwaith pwysig o graffu ar y gyllideb ddrafft gan nad oedd y Dirprwy Weinidog, yn annisgwyl, yn bresennol yn yr ystafell bwyllgor, ond yn yr adeilad. Yn sgil eich cyfathrebiad diweddar, ein dealltwriaeth ni oedd bod disgwyl i bawb, yn Weinidogion ac aelodau'r pwyllgor, fod yn bresennol o ran y sesiynau craffu hyn, ac, yn bwysig, os ydyn ni yn yr adeilad, fod disgwyl i ni fod yn y Siambr hon. Ac roeddwn ni'n disgwyl bod hynny hefyd yn wir o ran pwyllgorau. Fel y Cadeirydd dros dro heddiw, mi ofynnais i'r swyddogion ofyn i'r Dirprwy Weinidog fynychu, gan ei bod yn yr adeilad, ond daeth yn amlwg, i osgoi oedi pellach, fod yn rhaid inni wedyn fynd ymlaen yn hybrid, ond mi gollwyd tri chwarter awr. Felly, i osgoi oedi o'r fath byth eto, mi fyddai canllawiau pellach yn fuddiol, os gwelwch yn dda. 

Thank you, Llywydd. May I ask you review your guidance in terms of hybrid working, given an unfortunate situation that arose in the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee this morning? The start of the meeting had to be postponed as we were scrutinising the draft budget, as the Deputy Minister was unexpectedly not in attendance in the committee room, despite being in the building. Given your recent communication, our understanding was that everyone, Ministers and committee members, were expected to be in attendance for scrutiny sessions, and, most importantly, if we are in the building, that we are expected to be in this Chamber. And we thought that that also applied to committees. As the temporary Chair today, I asked officials to ask the Deputy Minister to attend, as she was in the building, but it became apparent that, to avoid further delay, we had to proceed in a hybrid format, but we missed three quarters of an hour of the meeting. So, to avoid future delays of that kind, further guidance would be beneficial.

Alun Davies, ymhellach i'r pwynt yna o drefn. 

Alun Davies, further to that point of order.

I'm grateful to the Presiding Officer for allowing me to contribute to this point of order. It was certainly unfortunate what happened this morning, and we accept that. However, the Deputy Minister herself was put into a difficult situation and I attach no blame to the Deputy Minister for the circumstances of what happened this morning. I think the lessons we need to learn in terms of Standing Orders, Presiding Officer, are to enable other committee members to take the chair when necessary and not simply when the Chair is absent. I think that would be a useful thing to do, to look at again, but also then to ensure that the Government is in a position to fully give evidence when it is required to do so. And the point I would make to Ministers—there's one Minister in the Chamber this afternoon—is that we took evidence subsequently from the education Minister, Jeremy Miles, and the evidence we received from Jeremy was first class, and one of the reasons for that was that he was in the room with us and he was able to provide a far greater explanation for his policies and his approach as a consequence of that. So, I attach no blame to the Deputy Minister for the circumstances this morning; it was outside of her control. But I hope that the lesson that Ministers will learn from this is, from their own point of view, they're better off here than there.

Rwy’n ddiolchgar i’r Llywydd am ganiatáu imi gyfrannu at y pwynt o drefn hwn. Yn sicr, roedd yr hyn a ddigwyddodd y bore yma yn anffodus, ac rydym yn derbyn hynny. Fodd bynnag, rhoddwyd y Dirprwy Weinidog ei hun mewn sefyllfa anodd, ac nid wyf yn beio'r Dirprwy Weinidog o gwbl am amgylchiadau’r hyn a ddigwyddodd y bore yma. Credaf mai’r gwersi sydd angen i ni eu dysgu o ran y Rheolau Sefydlog, Lywydd, yw galluogi aelodau eraill y pwyllgor i gadeirio pan fo angen, ac nid pan fydd y Cadeirydd yn absennol yn unig. Credaf y byddai hynny’n beth defnyddiol i’w wneud, i'w ailystyried, ond hefyd wedyn i sicrhau bod y Llywodraeth mewn sefyllfa i roi tystiolaeth yn llawn pan fo’n ofynnol iddi wneud hynny. A'r pwynt yr hoffwn ei wneud i Weinidogion—mae un Gweinidog yn y Siambr y prynhawn yma—yw ein bod wedi derbyn tystiolaeth wedi hynny gan y Gweinidog addysg, Jeremy Miles, ac roedd y dystiolaeth a gawsom gan Jeremy o'r radd flaenaf, ac un o'r rhesymau dros hynny oedd am ei fod yn yr ystafell gyda ni a'i fod yn gallu rhoi esboniad llawer gwell o'i bolisïau a'i ddull gweithredu o ganlyniad i hynny. Felly, nid wyf yn beio'r Dirprwy Weinidog o gwbl am yr amgylchiadau y bore yma; roedd y tu hwnt i'w rheolaeth. Ond rwy'n gobeithio mai’r wers y bydd Gweinidogion yn ei dysgu o hyn, o’u safbwynt hwy, yw eu bod yn well iddynt fod yma nag acw.

15:10

And the Deputy Minister herself is intending to, or wanting to, contribute to the point of order. Dawn Bowden.

Ac mae’r Dirprwy Weinidog ei hun yn bwriadu, neu’n dymuno, cyfrannu at y pwynt o drefn. Dawn Bowden.

Diolch, Llywydd. I just think perhaps a fuller explanation of the circumstances would help the Senedd, and I'm not necessarily opposing Heledd Fychan's point of order in terms of getting some clarity around this and the way that the committee scrutiny takes place, but, just to put on record what actually happened, the weather, as you know, was very, very bad this morning and I nearly never made it from Merthyr Tydfil. So, had that happened, I would have had to have joined remotely in any case, but I did come in to Tŷ Hywel. It took me somewhere in the region of an hour and a half or more to get from Merthyr Tydfil to Cardiff, so I only arrived in Tŷ Hywel literally just before the meeting was due to start, and it wasn't until I arrived, just before 9:30, that I was advised by my private office that none of my officials would be attending committee in person; they would all be joining online. I'd been completely unaware of that until that point, and, in those circumstances, I didn't feel it was reasonable for me to attend committee in person on my own, when I would be unable to have direct access to officials, as I'd be able to do if they were there in person. However, if I joined remotely, I would be able to communicate with them electronically if I needed to, and, on that basis, I advised the committee that I would join online to give my evidence.

It took the committee some 45 minutes of discussion to conclude that they were prepared to allow me to do that, so the only issue I would take on that is that the delay of 45 minutes was not of my making; I was ready to give evidence online at 9:30 as scheduled. I would have preferred to give my evidence in person, and I think the point that Alun Davies has made is a point well-made; I do believe that evidence sessions are better in person. The last time I gave evidence to the committee was in person, and I had officials with me in person as well. I'm unaware of what discussions took place between committee clerks and my officials before the meeting that agreed to their online participation, but I was unaware of that, as I thought that the entire meeting was being held in person. So, it was about ensuring that I had the appropriate official support in the appropriate way to be able to present my evidence effectively.

Diolch, Lywydd. Credaf efallai y byddai esboniad llawnach o’r amgylchiadau o gymorth i'r Senedd, ac nid wyf o reidrwydd yn gwrthwynebu pwynt o drefn Heledd Fychan o ran cael rhywfaint o eglurder ynghylch hyn a’r ffordd y mae gwaith craffu'r pwyllgor yn digwydd, ond er mwyn cofnodi'r hyn a ddigwyddodd mewn gwirionedd, roedd y tywydd, fel y gwyddoch, yn wael iawn y bore yma, a bu bron imi fethu cwblhau'r daith o Ferthyr Tudful. Felly, pe bai hynny wedi digwydd, byddwn wedi gorfod ymuno o bell beth bynnag, ond deuthum i Dŷ Hywel. Cymerodd dros awr a hanner imi ddod o Ferthyr Tudful i Gaerdydd, felly cyrhaeddais Dŷ Hywel pan oedd y cyfarfod yn llythrennol ar fin dechrau, ac ni chefais wybod gan fy swyddfa breifat tan imi gyrraedd, ychydig cyn 9:30, na fyddai unrhyw un o fy swyddogion yn mynychu’r pwyllgor yn y cnawd; byddai pob un ohonynt yn ymuno ar-lein. Nid oeddwn yn gwybod hynny tan y pwynt hwnnw, ac o dan yr amgylchiadau hynny, nid oeddwn yn teimlo ei bod yn rhesymol i mi fynychu’r pwyllgor yn y cnawd ar fy mhen fy hun, heb fynediad uniongyrchol at swyddogion, fel y gallwn ei wneud pe byddent yno yn y cnawd. Fodd bynnag, pe bawn yn ymuno o bell, byddwn yn gallu cyfathrebu â hwy'n electronig pe bai angen, ac ar y sail honno, dywedais wrth y pwyllgor y byddwn yn ymuno ar-lein i roi fy nhystiolaeth.

Cymerodd oddeutu 45 munud o drafod i’r pwyllgor benderfynu eu bod yn barod i ganiatáu imi wneud hynny, felly'r unig sylw a fyddai gennyf yw nad fi oedd yn gyfrifol am y 45 munud o oedi; roeddwn yn barod i roi tystiolaeth ar-lein am 9:30 fel y trefnwyd. Byddai wedi bod yn well gennyf roi fy nhystiolaeth yn y cnawd, a chredaf fod y pwynt y mae Alun Davies wedi’i wneud yn bwynt da; credaf fod sesiynau tystiolaeth yn well yn y cnawd. Y tro diwethaf imi roi tystiolaeth i’r pwyllgor, fe wneuthum hynny yn y cnawd, ac roedd swyddogion gyda mi yn y cnawd hefyd. Nid wyf yn ymwybodol o ba drafodaethau a gafwyd rhwng clercod y pwyllgor a fy swyddogion cyn y cyfarfod lle cytunwyd y gallent fynychu ar-lein, ond nid oeddwn yn ymwybodol o hynny, gan fy mod o dan yr argraff fod y cyfarfod cyfan yn cael ei gynnal yn y cnawd. Felly, roedd yn ymwneud â sicrhau fy mod yn cael cymorth priodol gan swyddogion yn y ffordd briodol i allu cyflwyno fy nhystiolaeth yn effeithiol.

Thank you to the Deputy Minister. Unusually, I've allowed a point of order on a piece of committee business for this session. I've heard all the perspectives of the Members involved, and, as Members know, we're in a new way of working: this is uncharted territory to a certain extent. Guidance, as Heledd Fychan has said, has been issued to Members. We have new experience as of this morning. Regrettably, a committee was delayed by 45 minutes in its ministerial scrutiny. If it is the case that guidance needs to be strengthened as a result of this morning's experience and the experience of committees generally over the past weeks, then I'll ask the Chairs' forum in its very next meeting to reflect on all of that and what has been shared with us from today's experience and to see whether there is a need to strengthen the guidance to all Members, including Ministers, on attendance in committee virtually or in person. So, yes, we'll move on to Plenary business now. Thank you to all concerned for sharing your views on that.

Diolch i’r Dirprwy Weinidog. Yn anarferol, rwyf wedi caniatáu pwynt o drefn ar ddarn o fusnes pwyllgor ar gyfer y sesiwn hon. Rwyf wedi clywed holl safbwyntiau’r Aelodau dan sylw, ac fel y gŵyr yr Aelodau, rydym mewn ffordd newydd o weithio: mae hwn yn dir dieithr i raddau. Mae canllawiau, fel y dywedodd Heledd Fychan, wedi’u rhoi i’r Aelodau. Mae gennym brofiad newydd yn dilyn y bore yma. Yn anffodus, bu oedi o 45 munud i bwyllgor yn ei waith craffu gweinidogol. Os yw’n wir fod angen cryfhau’r canllawiau o ganlyniad i brofiad y bore yma a phrofiad pwyllgorau’n gyffredinol dros yr wythnosau diwethaf, yna fe ofynnaf i fforwm y Cadeiryddion ystyried hynny i gyd yn ei gyfarfod nesaf a'r hyn sydd wedi’i rannu â ni o brofiad heddiw, ac i weld a oes angen cryfhau’r canllawiau i bob Aelod, gan gynnwys Gweinidogion, ar fynychu pwyllgorau yn rhithwir neu yn y cnawd. Felly, iawn, symudwn ymlaen at fusnes y Cyfarfod Llawn. Diolch i bawb am rannu eich barn ar hynny.

4. Datganiadau 90 Eiliad
4. 90-second Statements

Datganiadau 90 eiliad sydd nesaf. Mae'r unig ddatganiad heddiw gan Sioned Williams.

The 90-second statements are next. The only statement today is from Sioned Williams.

Diolch, Llywydd. This month marks 200 years since the birth of Alfred Russel Wallace, a naturalist whose ideas helped change the world. Born near Usk, he spent much of his early life in England and moved back to Wales to work as a surveyor in Neath. During his spare time, he furthered his scientific pursuits, and, in his autobiography, he referred to the impact his time in Neath had on him, developing his interest in the natural world, saying,

'I cannot call to mind a single valley that in the same extent of country comprises so much beautiful and picturesque scenery, and so many interesting special features, as the Vale of Neath.'

Following his time in Neath, he travelled the world, and upon his return published some of his findings. He wrote to one of his heroes, Charles Darwin, and they jointly published articles on their studies. A year later, and likely prompted by Wallace, Darwin would publish On the Origin of Species. Though his work on evolution is what many remember him for, Wallace wrote on many other subjects, including workers' rights, women's suffrage, land ownership and poverty.

Today, he continues to be remembered and celebrated. The Alfred Russel Wallace trail in Neath Port Talbot includes many of the places he lived, visited or worked at during his time there, including places like Bryncoch farm, Neath abbey, the Vale of Neath Railway, Melincourt waterfall and Neath mechanics' institute. Recently, Theatr na nÓg, a Neath-based company, commemorated Alfred Russel Wallace by putting on special performances of their award-winning production of Geinor Styles's play You Should Ask Wallace. More than two centuries after his birth, Wallace is rightfully regarded as one of the most influential thinkers who ever lived. Neath and all of Wales are rightfully proud of him.

Diolch, Lywydd. Mae’r mis hwn yn nodi 200 mlynedd ers geni Alfred Russel Wallace, naturiaethwr yr helpodd ei syniadau i newid y byd. Fe'i ganwyd ger Brynbuga, a threuliodd lawer o'i fywyd cynnar yn Lloegr cyn symud yn ôl i Gymru i weithio fel syrfëwr yng Nghastell-nedd. Yn ystod ei amser hamdden, canolbwyntiai ar ei ddiddordebau gwyddonol, ac yn ei hunangofiant, cyfeiriodd at yr effaith y cafodd ei amser yng Nghastell-nedd arno, gan ddatblygu ei ddiddordeb ym myd natur, gan ddweud,

'Ni allaf feddwl am unrhyw gwm o'r un maint sy'n cynnwys cymaint o olygfeydd hardd a phrydferth, a chymaint o nodweddion arbennig diddorol, â Chwm Nedd.'

Ar ôl ei gyfnod yng Nghastell-nedd, teithiodd y byd, ac ar ôl dychwelyd, cyhoeddodd rai o'i ganfyddiadau. Ysgrifennodd at un o'i arwyr, Charles Darwin, ac aethant ati i gyhoeddi erthyglau ar eu hastudiaethau ar y cyd. Flwyddyn yn ddiweddarach, ac wedi'i annog gan Wallace yn ôl pob tebyg, cyhoeddodd Darwin On the Origin of Species. Er mai am ei waith ar esblygiad y mae llawer yn ei gofio, ysgrifennodd Wallace am lawer o bynciau eraill, gan gynnwys hawliau gweithwyr, y bleidlais i fenywod, perchnogaeth tir a thlodi.

Heddiw, mae'n parhau i gael ei gofio a'i ddathlu. Mae llwybr Alfred Russel Wallace yng Nghastell-nedd Port Talbot yn cynnwys llawer o’r lleoedd lle bu’n byw, yn ymweld â hwy neu’n gweithio ynddynt yn ystod ei gyfnod yno, gan gynnwys lleoedd fel fferm Bryncoch, abaty Nedd, Rheilffordd Cwm Nedd, rhaeadr Melin-cwrt a sefydliad mecaneg Castell-nedd. Yn ddiweddar, cafodd Alfred Russel Wallace ei goffáu gan Theatr na nÓg, cwmni o Gastell-nedd, mewn perfformiadau arbennig o’u cynhyrchiad arobryn o ddrama Geinor Styles, You Should Ask Wallace. Dros ddwy ganrif ar ôl ei eni, ystyrir Wallace, yn gwbl haeddiannol, yn un o'r meddylwyr mwyaf dylanwadol a fu erioed. Mae Castell-nedd a Chymru gyfan yn briodol falch ohono.

15:15

Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd (David Rees) i’r Gadair.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) took the Chair.

5. Dadl ar Adroddiad y Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, yr Amgylchedd a Seilwaith: 'Dyfodol bysiau a threnau yng Nghymru'
5. Debate on the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee Report: 'The future of bus and rail in Wales'

Eitem 5 y prynhawn yma yw dadl ar adroddiad y Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, yr Amgylchedd a Seilwaith, 'Dyfodol bysiau a threnau yng Nghymru'. Galwaf ar Gadeirydd y pwyllgor i wneud y cynnig. Llyr Gruffydd.

Item 5 this afternoon is a debate on the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee report, 'The future of bus and rail in Wales'. I call on the Chair of the committee to move the motion. Llyr Gruffydd.

Cynnig NDM8180 Llyr Gruffydd

Cynnig bod y Senedd:

Yn nodi adroddiad y Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, yr Amgylchedd a Seilwaith, 'Dyfodol bysiau a threnau yng Nghymru', a osodwyd ar 6 Hydref 2022.

Motion NDM8180 Llyr Gruffydd

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee report, 'The future of bus and rail in Wales', laid on 6 October 2022.

Cynigiwyd y cynnig.

Motion moved.

Diolch yn fawr iawn, Dirprwy Lywydd. Rwy'n falch iawn o allu agor y ddadl yma y prynhawn yma. Liciwn i ddechrau drwy ddiolch i’r holl randdeiliaid a’r holl aelodau o’r cyhoedd hefyd sydd wedi cyfrannu at waith y pwyllgor. Dwi'n falch hefyd, wrth gwrs, fod y Gweinidog wedi derbyn ein holl argymhellion ac eithrio un, ond efallai y down ni at hynny nes ymlaen.

Mae dwy ran i'r adroddiad yma. Mae rhan 1 yn ymdrin â sesiwn graffu flynyddol y pwyllgor gyda Thrafnidiaeth Cymru, ac mae rhan 2 yn ymdrin â materion ehangach yn ymwneud ag adfer gwasanaethau bysiau a threnau yng Nghymru ar ôl pandemig COVID-19. Mae e, felly, yn adroddiad eang ei gwmpas, a bydd dim amser i wneud mwy na chyffwrdd â rhai o’r materion mwyaf pwysig wrth i fi agor y drafodaeth yma heddiw.

Yn gyntaf, felly, hoffwn i sôn am ein gwaith craffu ni yng nghyd-destun gwaith Trafnidiaeth Cymru. Roedd y pwyllgor yn pryderu am nifer o agweddau ar drefniadau llywodraethu Trafnidiaeth Cymru. Roedd hyn yn ymwneud yn bennaf â chyhoeddi cynlluniau busnes ac ariannol ac, o ganlyniad, yn ymwneud â thryloywder y sefydliad. I fod yn deg, roedd cyfnod y pandemig yn gyfnod anodd i Drafnidiaeth Cymru. Fe glywson ni fod cyllideb y sefydliad yn ystod y cyfnod hwnnw yn amrywio’n arw a bron iawn yn newid o un wythnos i'r llall. Mae i’w gweld braidd yn annheg inni feirniadu’r sefydliad am beidio â chyhoeddi cynlluniau busnes a chynlluniau ariannol yn y cyd-destun hwn efallai. Ond wedi dweud hynny, maen nhw’n arfau hanfodol ar gyfer asesu i ba raddau mae Trafnidiaeth Cymru yn llwyddo i fodloni gofynion ei gylch gwaith ac a yw’n sicrhau gwerth am arian. Un o’n hargymhellion ni, felly, oedd y dylai Trafnidiaeth Cymru gael trefn ar ei gynlluniau. O eleni ymlaen, dylai gyhoeddi cynlluniau busnes a chynlluniau ariannol cyn dechrau pob blwyddyn ariannol.

Mae yna broblemau hanesyddol yn ymwneud â chyflwyno dyraniadau cyllideb Trafnidiaeth Cymru sy’n ei gwneud hi bron yn amhosibl craffu ar faint o arian sy’n cael ei ddyrannu ac at ba ddiben. Unwaith eto, roedd gennym ni rywfaint o gydymdeimlad â Thrafnidiaeth Cymru. Fe ddywedodd y prif weithredwr y gallai’r broses o bennu’r gyllideb olygu cynifer â 25 o sgyrsiau dwyochrog gyda gwahanol ddeiliaid cyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru. Nawr, mae hyn i’w weld yn ofnadwy o fiwrocrataidd i ni fel pwyllgor. Dylai bod yn agored ac yn dryloyw fod yn egwyddorion sylfaenol i sefydliad cyhoeddus fel Trafnidiaeth Cymru, a byddai symleiddio’r broses hon yn ein barn ni yn helpu yn hynny o beth.

Rwy’n falch bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi derbyn yr holl argymhellion yn rhan 1 yr adroddiad, a bod Trafnidiaeth Cymru felly am eu rhoi ar waith. Ers cyhoeddi’r adroddiad, fe welwyd cynnydd da eisoes ym maes llywodraethu a thryloywder. Mi fyddwn ni'n cynnal ein sesiwn graffu flynyddol gyda Thrafnidiaeth Cymru yn ddiweddarach eleni, a byddwn ni, wrth gwrs, yn ailedrych ar y materion yma i weld a yw’r sefyllfa wedi gwella bryd hynny.

Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'm pleased to be able to open this debate today, and I'd like to start by thanking all the stakeholders and members of the public who contributed to the committee's work. I'm also pleased, of course, that the Minister has accepted all but one of our recommendations, but we'll get to that later

This report comes in two parts. Part 1 reflects the committee’s annual scrutiny session with Transport for Wales, and part 2 covers broader issues concerning the recovery of bus and rail services in Wales post COVID-19. It's therefore a wide-ranging report, and I won't have time to do more than touch on some of the more critical issues as I open this debate today.

First, I want to talk about our scrutiny of Transport for Wales. The committee had concerns about several aspects of the governance arrangements in Transport for Wales. This mainly concerned the publication of business and financial plans and, consequently, the organisation's transparency. To be fair, the COVID pandemic period was a challenging time for Transport for Wales. We were told that its budget during this period was very much in flux and was changing almost weekly. It seems churlish to criticise the organisation for not publishing business and financial plans in this context perhaps. But having said that, they are fundamental tools to assess how well Transport for Wales performs against its remit and whether it delivers value for money. One of our recommendations was therefore that Transport for Wales should get its house in order. From this year onwards, it should publish business and financial plans before the start of each financial year.

There have been historic problems with the presentation of Transport for Wales's budget allocations, making it almost impossible to scrutinise how much money is being allocated and for what purpose. Again, we had some sympathy with Transport for Wales. The chief executive told us that the budget-setting process could involve as many as 25 bilateral discussions with different Welsh Government budget holders. This seems terribly bureaucratic to us as a committee. Openness and transparency should be fundamental principles for public organisations such as Transport for Wales, and streamlining this process would in our view help in that regard.

I'm grateful that the Welsh Government accepted all the recommendations in part 1 of our report and that Transport for Wales are therefore to take them forward. Since the publication of the report, we've seen good progress in the areas of governance and transparency. We will be holding our annual scrutiny session with Transport for Wales later this year and, of course, will return to these issues to see whether the situation has improved.

Mae ail ran ein hadroddiad ni yn ymdrin â’r mater ehangach, fel roeddwn ni’n dweud, o adfer gwasanaethau bysiau a threnau ar ôl pandemig COVID. Hoffwn ddiolch yn arbennig ar ran y pwyllgor i’r aelodau o’r cyhoedd a gyfrannodd at ein gwaith drwy gymryd rhan yn y grwpiau ffocws a’r cyfweliadau amrywiol a gynhaliwyd gennym ni ar hyd a lled Cymru ar y mater yma. Fe gafodd y pandemig effaith enfawr ar y nifer a oedd yn defnyddio trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus. Roedd gan nifer o bobl ofn mynd ar y bws neu’r trên. Roedd llawer llai o wasanaethau, a phobl yn yr ardaloedd tlotaf, gyda llaw, a gafodd eu taro galetaf yn hynny o beth. Ond roedd llawer o’r newidiadau sylfaenol a welon ni yn digwydd yn ystod y pandemig, pethau fel siopa ar-lein ac efallai’r tueddiad fwyfwy i weithio o gartref, mi oedd y rheini yn dod yn fwyfwy cyffredin yn ein cymdeithas ni cyn y pandemig. Ond wrth gwrs mae wedi dod llawer mwy arferol nawr i bobl, fel dwi’n dweud, i weithio gartref, ac yn y blaen.

Mae bysiau a threnau’n hanfodol nid yn unig er mwyn ein helpu ni i gyrraedd ein targedau newid hinsawdd yma yng Nghymru, ond hefyd i greu cymdeithas lle mae’n hawdd i bobl gael at y gwasanaethau, i gael at yr addysg a’r gwaith sydd eu hangen arnyn nhw i fyw bywyd llawn. Felly, y cwestiwn i ni fel pwyllgor, wrth gwrs, oedd: beth mae angen ei wneud i annog mwy o bobl i ddefnyddio trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus? Ac mae ein hadroddiad ni, fel y byddech chi’n disgwyl, yn ystyried nifer o’r materion hyn.

Mae’n rhaid i newid moddol, modal shift, fod yn ganolog i’r gwaith hwn. Yn gyntaf, mae angen i ni ddeall sut fath o drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus y mae pobl am ei chael a sut maen nhw am ei defnyddio. Pa mor barhaol yw’r newidiadau a welon ni yn ystod y pandemig, ac ers hynny, a beth fydd y patrwm yn y dyfodol? Dwi’n falch bod y Dirprwy Weinidog wedi derbyn ein holl argymhellion ni yn y maes hwn. Roeddwn yn falch hefyd o weld bod y Dirprwy Weinidog wedi cyfeirio at arolwg teithio cenedlaethol i Gymru yn ei ymateb. Mi fyddwn i’n ddiolchgar pe gallai fe ddweud mwy wrthyn ni, efallai, am yr arolwg a sut y bydd hwnnw yn cael ei ddefnyddio i ddylanwadu ar benderfyniadau ynghylch polisi a’r gyllideb yn y dyfodol, pan fydd e’n ymateb i’r ddadl.

Yn ail, mae angen seilio polisïau ar dargedau priodol. Mae strategaeth drafnidiaeth a chynllun sero net Llywodraeth Cymru yn gosod targedau ar gyfer newid moddol. Er enghraifft, dylai 7 y cant o deithiau gael eu gwneud ar drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus erbyn 2030, a dylai hynny godi i 13 y cant erbyn 2040. Mae’r rhain yn dargedau uchelgeisiol ac, yn sicr, dwi ddim yn mynd i feirniadu’r Dirprwy Weinidog am ddangos uchelgais yn hynny o beth, ond roedd gormod o’n rhanddeiliaid ni yn amau a yw’r math o drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus sy’n cael ei gynnig ar hyn o bryd yn ddigon da i’n rhoi ni ar y trywydd iawn i gyrraedd targed 2030.

Mae angen i ni ei gwneud hi'n hawdd ac yn haws i bobl adael y car gartref a theithio ar y bws neu'r trên. Rŷn ni’n gwybod o'n gwaith gyda rhanddeiliaid mai cost, hwylustod a mynediad at wasanaethau yw'r tri maes pwysicaf i ddefnyddwyr. Gallwn ni drafod cymhlethdodau newid ymddygiad gymaint ag y mynnwn ni, ond byddai ymdrin â’r tri phwynt yna yn sicr yn fan cychwyn da.

Mi ges i'r pleser yn gynharach heddiw o siarad mewn digwyddiad i lansio adroddiad newydd gan Gydffederasiwn Trafnidiaeth Teithwyr Cymru ynghylch annog pobl i deithio ar fws neu ar goets, ar coach, yn lle defnyddio’u ceir. Mae’n werth nodi, gyda llaw, fod materion tebyg iawn yn cael eu codi yn ein hadroddiad ni a’r adroddiad a oedd yn cael ei gyhoeddi’r prynhawn yma.

O ran cost trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus, mi oedd tlodi trafnidiaeth yn peri pryder arbennig i ni fel pwyllgor. Mae tlodi trafnidiaeth yn effeithio’n anghymesur ar rai grwpiau demograffig yn fwy na’i gilydd, yn cynnwys grwpiau megis pobl anabl, pobl hŷn a menywod. Un o’n hargymhellion ni oedd y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru gynnig cymhorthdal i ostwng pris tocynnau a mathau eraill o gymorth ariannol. Hoffwn i glywed mwy gan y Dirprwy Weinidog am y sefyllfa ddiweddaraf mewn perthynas â’r cynigion hyn.

Fydd hi ddim yn hawdd datblygu rhwydwaith trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus integredig y bydd yn hawdd i bobl ei ddefnyddio pan fydd ei angen ac sy’n fforddiadwy. I ddechrau, rŷn ni’n gwybod i wneud hynny y bydd angen buddsoddiad sylweddol. Mi fydd yr Aelodau i gyd yn gwybod nad yw’r seilwaith rheilffyrdd yng Nghymru wedi’i ariannu’n ddigonol yn hanesyddol. Sut allwn ni ddatblygu system drafnidiaeth integredig heb fuddsoddiad priodol yn y seilwaith rheilffyrdd? Dwi’n falch bod y Dirprwy Weinidog yn cydnabod y ddadl dros ddatganoli’r cyfrifoldebau dros reilffyrdd yn llawn, a dros sicrhau bod Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig yn dyrannu cyllid teg. Yn wyneb penderfyniadau tebyg i’r rhai a wnaed yng nghyd-destun HS2 a’r ffaith bod Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig, i bob golwg, wedi gwrthod hyd yn oed ystyried dyrannu cyllid priodol i Gymru, mae’n anodd anghytuno â’r ddadl dros ddatganoli.

O ran cyllid ar gyfer bysiau, polisi presennol Llywodraeth Cymru yw i 50 y cant o’r bysiau gwasanaeth sy’n llygru fwyaf gael eu disodli gan fysiau heb allyriadau pibellau mwg erbyn 2028, ac i bob tacsi a cherbyd hurio preifat hefyd beidio bod yn cynhyrchu unrhyw allyriadau erbyn 2028—yr un flwyddyn. Nawr, mi fydd y gost o ddatgarboneiddio’r sector bysiau yn uchel, ac mi fydd angen cymorth ariannol ar y sector i gyflawni hynny. Mae’r Dirprwy Weinidog wedi dweud bod cynlluniau cyflawni’n cael eu paratoi i gyrraedd y targedau a nodir yn Sero Net Cymru, ac mi fyddwn i'n ddiolchgar iawn pe bai o’n dweud mwy wrthym ni am hynny yn ei ymateb.

Dirprwy Lywydd, fel y dywedais i ar y dechrau, mae hwn yn adroddiad eang ei gwmpas, a dwi ddim wedi gallu mynd ar ôl pob sgwarnog ac ymdrin â phob dim yn fy nghyfraniad i. Mae'n bosibl y bydd Aelodau eraill, yn amlwg, yn cael cyfle i dynnu sylw at rai ohonyn nhw. Ond hoffwn i gloi drwy ddweud y bydd y blynyddoedd nesaf yn rhai cyffrous iawn i fysiau a threnau. Mae’r Bil diwygio bysiau, wrth gwrs, yn gyfle da i wella gwasanaethau bysiau yng Nghymru ac, yn bwysicaf oll, i sicrhau eu bod nhw'n canolbwyntio mwy ar y cwsmer. Mae cynnydd i’w weld hefyd o ran cynlluniau’r metro, ac mae yna ddarn mawr o waith i ni fel pwyllgor yn cadw llygad ar y datblygiadau yn y maes yna. Ond er ein bod ni yn gweld cynnydd, mae angen gofyn yr un hen gwestiwn: a yw’r cynnydd yma yn digwydd yn ddigon cyflym? Ydy, mae'r sefyllfa ariannol ehangach wedi'i gwneud hi'n anoddach fyth i gyrraedd targedau trafnidiaeth sero net Llywodraeth Cymru, ond y cyfan ddywedaf i wrth gloi'r cyfraniad cyntaf i'r ddadl yma yw, fel pwyllgor, mi fyddwn ni'n sicr yn parhau i asesu cynnydd ac yn parhau, yn sgil hynny, i adrodd yn ôl i’r Senedd yma. Diolch.

The second part of our report covers the broader issue, as I was saying, of bus and rail recovery after the COVID pandemic. On behalf of the committee I would particularly like to thank the members of the public who fed into the committee's work through the various focus groups and interviews held across Wales on this issue. The pandemic had a massive impact on the numbers using public transport. Many people were scared to get on the bus or the train. There were reductions in services, and those in the poorest areas, by the way, were the hardest hit in that regard. But many of the fundamental changes we saw during the pandemic, such as online shopping and the increasing prevalence of working from home, were becoming far more common in our society pre pandemic. But of course it’s become far more usual now for people, as I say, to work from home and so on.

Bus and rail services are critical not only in order for us to meet our climate change targets in Wales, but also to create a society where people can easily access the services, education and work they need for a full life. So, the question for us as a committee was, of course: what needs to be done to encourage more people to use public transport? Our report, as you would expect, considers many of these issues.

Achieving modal shift must be at the core of this work. First, we need to understand what kind of public transport people want and how they want to use it. How permanent are the changes we saw during the pandemic and since, and what will future patterns look like? I’m pleased that the Deputy Minister has accepted all of our recommendations in this area. I was also pleased to see that the Deputy Minister referred to a national travel survey for Wales in his response. I would be grateful if he could tell us more, perhaps, about the survey and how it will be used to influence future policy and budget decisions, when he responds to this debate.

Secondly, we need to base policies on suitable targets. The Welsh Government's transport strategy and net-zero plan set modal shift targets. For example, 7 per cent of trips should be made by public transport by 2030, and that should increase to 13 per cent by 2040. These are stretching targets, and I’m certainly not going to criticise the Deputy Minister for showing ambition in this area, but too many of our stakeholders questioned whether the current public transport offer is good enough to put us on the right trajectory to reach the 2030 target.

We need to make it easy, and easier, for people to leave the car at home and take the bus or the train instead. We know from our work with stakeholders that cost, convenience and access to services are the three priority areas for users. We can discuss the intricacies of behaviour change as much as we like, but addressing those three points would certainly be a good start.

I had the pleasure earlier today of speaking at the launch of the Confederation of Passenger Transport Cymru’s report about encouraging car users to switch to bus and coach. It is notable, by the way, that very similar issues are raised in our report and the report published this afternoon.

On the cost of public transport, transport poverty was a particular concern for us as a committee. Transport poverty affects some demographic groups disproportionately, including disabled people, older people and women. One of our recommendations was that the Welsh Government should provide subsidised fare pricing and other aspects of financial support. I would like to hear more from the Deputy Minister on the latest position on these proposals.

Delivering an integrated transport network that people can easily access when they need to, and which is affordable, will not be easy. For a start, we know that it will take substantial investment. Members will all be aware of the historical underfunding of rail infrastructure in Wales. How can we develop an integrated transport system if we don’t have proper investment in rail infrastructure? And I’m pleased that the Deputy Minister recognises the case for the full devolution of responsibility for rail, and for ensuring that the UK Government does allocate fair funding. In the face of decisions like those we saw in the context of HS2 and the fact that the UK Government has apparently refused to even consider an appropriate funding solution for Wales, it's difficult to disagree with the case for devolution.

On funding for buses, the current Welsh Government policy is for 50 per cent of the most polluting service buses to be replaced by a zero-tailpipe-emission bus fleet by 2028, and for all taxis and private-hire vehicles to be zero emission by 2028—the same year. Now, the cost of decarbonising the bus sector will be high, and the sector will need financial support to deliver that. The Deputy Minister has said that delivery plans are being prepared to meet the targets set out in Net Zero Wales, and I'd be grateful if he could tell us more about that in his response.

Dirprwy Lywydd, as I said at the outset, this is a wide-ranging report, and I have not been able to cover all issues in my contribution. It's possible that other Members will have an opportunity to focus on some of those. But I want to conclude by saying that the next few years will be exciting for bus and rail. The bus reform Bill offers a significant opportunity to improve bus services in Wales and, most importantly, to ensure that they are more customer focused. There is also progress on metro schemes, and there's a major piece of work for us to do as a committee in keeping an eye on developments in that area. But although progress is being made, we do need to ask that same old question: is that progress happening swiftly enough? The broader financial context has made it more difficult to reach the Government's net-zero transport targets, but all I will say in concluding the first contribution to this debate is that, as a committee, we will certainly continue to assess progress and to report back to the Senedd on it. Thank you. 

15:25

First off, I'd like to thank the Chairman, my fellow committee members, as well as all the panelists and staff who supported us in our work on this report. Now, between the pandemic, strike action and the cost-of-living crisis, public transport in Wales and across the UK is facing a wide variety of challenges. This means it's even more important than ever for the Welsh Government to deliver a joined-up sustainable plan for bus and rail companies. It's also important to look ahead to the future. Recommendation 6 of the report states that 

'The Welsh Government should provide an update on the work it is undertaking with other partners to understand future travel patterns...and their impact'.

I know that my colleague Natasha Asghar will have more to say on the scrutiny of Transport for Wales, but as shadow Minister for climate change, I'd like to reiterate how important public transport by rail and bus is to meeting our environmental targets. If the Welsh Government wants to meet Wales's net-zero obligations, people need access to travel that is both reliable and affordable. Only this morning we were talking about the road scheme having been stopped by the Deputy Minister. That's all well and good if you've got the public transport infrastructure in place, and sadly we don't have that in Wales.

Access to public transport, particularly bus travel, is essential to address social deprivation and mobility. University of South Wales research found that the most deprived areas saw the greatest decline in access to services due to the pandemic. Evidence from Transport for Wales shows that 13 per cent of Welsh households don't even have access to a car, and 25 per cent of bus users have a disability or a long-term illness. So, the Welsh Government, Minister and Deputy Minister, need to consider what can be done to help our most vulnerable, often living in quite socially isolated areas. The current cost-of-living crisis cannot result in those who are struggling losing their access to public transport. 

Recommendation 15 states that 

'The Welsh Government should set out what assessment it has made of the impact of energy costs and the cost-of-living crisis on its modal shift targets.'

As we mentioned in the report, the UK Government has already moved to cap bus fares outside of London at £2. Silviya Barrett confirmed that bus services in Wales declined by 45 per cent in the 10 years between 2011-12 and 2020-21, but in that last year, between March 2020 and March 2021, which was the first year of the pandemic, the cuts were 36 per cent. According to Joe Rossiter, the reduction of rail and bus services has had a significant impact on our rural communities and—this is the crux of the issue—not everyone is being affected equally by the reduction in services. People in remote and rural communities will disproportionately feel the impacts of reductions in service. And as we note in the report, there are risks that the proposed franchising system outlined in the bus reform Bill could actually close out smaller operators. These operators, particularly in rural Wales, are well placed to understand the needs of their local communities and respond to changes in demand. Certainly in my constituency, we have Llew Jones, who's a small bus operator, and he really works with the community and the passengers. We've also got now the introduction of the Fflecsi bus service, and that's proving to be a really worthwhile scheme.

We agree with the suggestion that the Bill should include provision to ensure that smaller companies can participate in the franchising process. We're pleased that the White Paper acknowledges this and includes proposals for addressing it. However, we do need to emphasise that the process should be designed in such a way as to minimise the cost of submitting bids for those smaller operators. Whilst I appreciate the financial constraints, there is more that could be done with the organisations that are already in place. In particular, we've seen clear evidence of a lack of co-ordination in delivering transport between different local authorities. Josh Miles believed that ‘Bws Cymru’ has lots of the right areas in it, but his main concern was that some of the underpinning elements of the strategy were simply not being delivered. He said there needs to be a focus on delivery, and that

'Local authorities don't have much by way of staff or resources to be able to put into the process at the moment.... So, there are just a lot of things going on and we haven't quite got the coherence or the investment to deliver things yet'.

Comments made by our witnesses such as these highlight that a lack of joined-up thinking can impact transport policy. It’s something that the report's already identified and we need to seek to address. I appreciate that some of these views have been taken on board. The reputation, consistency and reliability of public transport—

Yn gyntaf, hoffwn ddiolch i’r Cadeirydd, fy nghyd-aelodau o'r pwyllgor, yn ogystal â’r holl banelwyr a staff a’n cefnogodd yn ein gwaith ar yr adroddiad hwn. Nawr, rhwng y pandemig, y streic a’r argyfwng costau byw, mae trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus yng Nghymru a ledled y DU yn wynebu amrywiaeth eang o heriau. Golyga hyn ei bod yn bwysicach nag erioed fod Llywodraeth Cymru yn cyflwyno cynllun cynaliadwy cydgysylltiedig ar gyfer cwmnïau bysiau a threnau. Mae hefyd yn bwysig edrych ymlaen at y dyfodol. Mae argymhelliad 6 yn yr adroddiad yn nodi

'Dylai Llywodraeth Cymru roi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y gwaith y mae’n ei wneud gyda phartneriaid eraill i ddeall patrymau teithio yn y dyfodol…a’u heffaith'.

Gwn y bydd gan fy nghyd-Aelod Natasha Asghar fwy i’w ddweud am y gwaith craffu ar Trafnidiaeth Cymru, ond fel Gweinidog newid hinsawdd yr wrthblaid, hoffwn ailadrodd pa mor bwysig yw trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus ar drenau a bysiau i gyflawni ein targedau amgylcheddol. Os yw Llywodraeth Cymru am fodloni rhwymedigaethau sero net Cymru, mae angen i bobl gael mynediad at drafnidiaeth sy'n ddibynadwy ac yn fforddiadwy. Y bore yma, roeddem yn sôn am y cynllun ffyrdd a ataliwyd gan y Dirprwy Weinidog. Mae hynny'n iawn os oes gennych seilwaith trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus ar waith, ond yn anffodus, nid oes gennym hynny yng Nghymru.

Mae mynediad at drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus, yn enwedig teithio ar fysiau, yn hanfodol i fynd i’r afael â symudedd ac amddifadedd cymdeithasol. Canfu ymchwil Prifysgol De Cymru mai’r ardaloedd mwyaf difreintiedig sydd wedi wynebu'r gostyngiad mwyaf mewn mynediad at wasanaethau oherwydd y pandemig. Mae tystiolaeth gan Trafnidiaeth Cymru yn dangos nad oes gan 13 y cant o gartrefi Cymru fynediad at gar hyd yn oed, ac mae gan 25 y cant o ddefnyddwyr bysiau anabledd neu salwch hirdymor. Felly, Weinidog a Ddirprwy Weinidog, mae angen i Lywodraeth Cymru ystyried beth y gellir ei wneud i helpu ein pobl fwyaf agored i niwed, sy’n aml yn byw mewn ardaloedd sy'n eithaf ynysig yn gymdeithasol. Ni all yr argyfwng costau byw presennol arwain at wneud i'r rheini sy'n ei chael hi'n anodd golli eu mynediad at drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus.

Mae argymhelliad 15 yn nodi

'Dylai Llywodraeth Cymru nodi pa asesiad y mae wedi’i wneud o effaith costau ynni a’r argyfwng costau byw ar ei thargedau newid moddol.'

Fel y dywedasom yn yr adroddiad, mae Llywodraeth y DU eisoes wedi cymryd camau i gapio pris tocynnau bws y tu allan i Lundain ar £2. Cadarnhaodd Silviya Barrett fod gwasanaethau bysiau yng Nghymru wedi gostwng 45 y cant yn y 10 mlynedd rhwng 2011-12 a 2020-21, ond yn y flwyddyn ddiwethaf honno, rhwng mis Mawrth 2020 a mis Mawrth 2021, sef blwyddyn gyntaf y pandemig, roedd y toriadau'n 36 y cant. Yn ôl Joe Rossiter, mae’r gostyngiad mewn gwasanaethau rheilffordd a bws wedi cael effaith sylweddol ar ein cymunedau gwledig a—dyma graidd y mater—nid yw’r lleihad yn y gwasanaethau'n effeithio’n gyfartal ar bawb. Bydd pobl mewn cymunedau anghysbell a gwledig yn teimlo effeithiau lleihad yn y gwasanaethau yn anghymesur. Ac fel y nodwn yn yr adroddiad, mae risgiau y gallai’r system fasnachfreinio arfaethedig a amlinellir yn y Bil diwygio bysiau gau'r drws ar weithredwyr llai. Mae’r gweithredwyr hyn, yn enwedig yn y Gymru wledig, mewn sefyllfa dda i ddeall anghenion eu cymunedau lleol ac i ymateb i newidiadau yn y galw. Yn sicr, yn fy etholaeth i, mae gennym Llew Jones, gweithredwr bysiau bach, ac mae'n gweithio'n agos gyda'r gymuned a'r teithwyr. Mae gwasanaeth bws Fflecsi wedi'i gyflwyno bellach hefyd, ac mae hwnnw'n gynllun gwerth chweil.

Rydym yn cytuno â’r awgrym y dylai’r Bil gynnwys darpariaeth i sicrhau y gall cwmnïau llai gymryd rhan yn y broses fasnachfreinio. Rydym yn falch fod y Papur Gwyn yn cydnabod hyn ac yn cynnwys cynigion ar gyfer mynd i'r afael â'r mater. Fodd bynnag, mae angen inni bwysleisio y dylid llunio'r broses mewn ffordd sy'n lleihau cost cyflwyno cynigion ar gyfer y gweithredwyr llai hynny. Er fy mod yn deall y cyfyngiadau ariannol, mae mwy y gellid ei wneud gyda’r sefydliadau sydd eisoes yn eu lle. Yn benodol, rydym wedi gweld tystiolaeth glir o ddiffyg cydgysylltu ar ddarparu trafnidiaeth rhwng gwahanol awdurdodau lleol. Credai Josh Miles fod ‘Bws Cymru’ yn cynnwys llawer o’r meysydd cywir, ond ei brif bryder oedd nad oedd rhai o elfennau sylfaenol y strategaeth yn cael eu cyflawni. Dywedodd fod angen canolbwyntio ar gyflawni, ac

'nid oes gan awdurdodau lleol lawer o staff nac adnoddau i'w rhoi yn y broses ar hyn o bryd…. Felly, mae llawer o bethau'n digwydd ac nid oes gennym gydlyniad na buddsoddiad i gyflawni pethau eto'.

Mae sylwadau fel y rhain a wnaed gan ein tystion yn amlygu y gall diffyg meddwl cydgysylltiedig effeithio ar bolisi trafnidiaeth. Mae’n rhywbeth y mae’r adroddiad eisoes wedi’i nodi ac mae angen inni geisio mynd i’r afael ag ef. Rwy'n derbyn bod rhai o’r safbwyntiau hyn dan ystyriaeth. Mae angen gwell enw da, cysondeb a dibynadwyedd trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus—

15:30

Janet, can you conclude now, please?

Janet, a wnewch chi ddod i ben nawr, os gwelwch yn dda?

—all need to improve if we are to return to public transport, as per recommendation 7. Diolch.

—os ydym am ddychwelyd i ddefnyddio trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus, yn unol ag argymhelliad 7. Diolch.