Y Cyfarfod Llawn
Plenary
04/10/2023Cynnwys
Contents
Yn y fersiwn ddwyieithog, mae’r golofn chwith yn cynnwys yr iaith a lefarwyd yn y cyfarfod. Mae’r golofn dde yn cynnwys cyfieithiad o’r areithiau hynny.
In the bilingual version, the left-hand column includes the language used during the meeting. The right-hand column includes a translation of those speeches.
Cyfarfu'r Senedd yn y Siambr a thrwy gynhadledd fideo am 13:30 gyda'r Llywydd (Elin Jones) yn y Gadair.
The Senedd met in the Chamber and by video-conference at 13:30 with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.
Prynhawn da. Croeso, bawb, i'r Cyfarfod Llawn y prynhawn yma. Yr eitem gyntaf ar ein hagenda ni fydd y cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog Cyllid a Llywodraeth Leol, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Gareth Davies.
Good afternoon. Welcome, all, to this afternoon's Plenary meeting. The first item on our agenda will be questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government, and the first question is from Gareth Davies.
1. Pa ystyriaeth y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'i rhoi i faint y grant cynnal refeniw ar gyfer awdurdodau lleol yng ngogledd Cymru ar gyfer 2024-25? OQ60013
1. What consideration has the Minister given to the size of the revenue support grant for local authorities in north Wales for 2024-25? OQ60013
Local government and public services across Wales are a priority in our budget considerations. Once the revenue support grant budget for 2024-25 has been determined as part of the draft budget process, it will be allocated based on relative need, using the settlement formula agreed with local government.
Mae llywodraeth leol a gwasanaethau cyhoeddus ledled Cymru yn flaenoriaeth yn ein hystyriaethau cyllidebol. Pan fydd cyllideb y grant cynnal refeniw ar gyfer 2024-25 wedi’i phennu fel rhan o broses y gyllideb ddrafft, caiff ei dyrannu ar sail angen cymharol, gan ddefnyddio'r fformiwla y cytunwyd arni gyda llywodraeth leol ar gyfer y setliad.
Many thanks for your response, Minister. I want to raise this subject with you in anticipation of the next financial year, as it's long been the view of north Wales local authorities across the political spectrum that they get short-changed compared to authorities in the south, thus leading to discontent around the spending priorities of the Welsh Government and its commitment to making sure that my local authority, Denbighshire County Council, and other authorities across north Wales, are on a level footing with the rest of Wales. So, what assurances can the Minister provide to my constituents, who are seeing library opening times narrowed, and other front-line services cut to the bone, that this Welsh Labour Government is considering the best interests of north Wales and its residents in the next 12 months?
Diolch yn fawr am eich ymateb, Weinidog. Hoffwn godi’r pwnc hwn gyda chi gyda golwg ar y flwyddyn ariannol nesaf, gan fod awdurdodau lleol gogledd Cymru, o bob lliw gwleidyddol, wedi bod o'r farn ers peth amser eu bod yn cael cam o gymharu ag awdurdodau yn y de, gan arwain at anfodlonrwydd ynghylch blaenoriaethau gwario Llywodraeth Cymru a’i hymrwymiad i sicrhau bod fy awdurdod lleol i, Cyngor Sir Ddinbych, ac awdurdodau eraill ar draws y gogledd, ar yr un lefel â gweddill Cymru. Felly, pa sicrwydd y gall y Gweinidog ei roi i fy etholwyr, sy’n gweld oriau agor llyfrgelloedd yn lleihau, a gwasanaethau rheng flaen eraill yn cael eu torri i’r asgwrn, fod Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru yn ystyried lles gorau'r gogledd a’i drigolion yn y 12 mis nesaf?
I can give your constituents every reassurance in that regard, because the revenue support grant, and the formula that underpins it, is demonstrably one that is fair and one that doesn't favour certain parts of Wales over other parts of Wales. In 2023-24—in this year—four of the six north Wales authorities saw increases over or above the Welsh average. The reason why some authorities experience smaller increases than others in years, or larger increases, depends on the relative changes in population and pupil numbers, generally speaking. But, overall, I think that it is recognised that the funding formula is fair. It's been developed in consultation with the distribution sub-group and with local government to ensure that there is fair treatment of the different factors.
Gallaf roi pob sicrwydd i’ch etholwyr yn hynny o beth, gan fod y grant cynnal refeniw, a’r fformiwla sy’n sail iddo, yn un y gellir dangos ei fod yn deg, ac nad yw’n ffafrio rhannau penodol o Gymru dros rannau eraill. Yn 2023-24—yn y flwyddyn hon—mae pedwar o chwe awdurdod gogledd Cymru wedi cael codiadau sy'n uwch na chyfartaledd Cymru. Mae’r rhesymau pam fod rhai awdurdodau’n cael codiadau llai nag eraill mewn rhai blynyddoedd, neu godiadau mwy, yn dibynnu fel y cyfryw ar y newidiadau cymharol yn y boblogaeth a niferoedd disgyblion. Ond yn gyffredinol, credaf fod yna gydnabyddiaeth fod y fformiwla ariannu yn deg. Fe'i datblygwyd mewn ymgynghoriad â'r is-grŵp dosbarthu a llywodraeth leol i sicrhau bod y gwahanol ffactorau'n cael eu trin yn deg.
2. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi diweddariad ar y gwaith caffael blaengar sy'n digwydd ar draws byrddau gwasanaethau cyhoeddus Cymru? OQ60028
2. Will the Minister provide an update on the progressive procurement work happening across Wales's public services boards? OQ60028
We work collaboratively with Wales’s public services boards when procuring goods and services, looking at more than just financial cost. This is resulting in investment in our communities, delivery of well-being impacts, and creating a multiplier effect, with the Welsh pound staying in Wales and circulating through the economy.
Rydym yn gweithio ar y cyd â byrddau gwasanaethau cyhoeddus Cymru wrth gaffael nwyddau a gwasanaethau, gan edrych ar fwy na chost ariannol yn unig. Mae hyn yn arwain at fuddsoddiad yn ein cymunedau, cyflawni effeithiau llesiant, a chreu effaith lluosydd, gyda’r bunt Gymreig yn aros yng Nghymru ac yn cylchredeg drwy’r economi.
Thank you for that answer, Minister. In discussions that I've had on the Government's foundational economy agenda, there seems to be a recognition that interest has been focused on approaching public procurement reform at a public services board level, with the generic objective of shifting public sector contracts to firms headquartered in Wales. Thus far, the discussions I've had seem to suggest that work in this area hasn't really focused on what public procurement could do differently on a sector-by-sector basis. So, I'm really interested to understand if any analysis of activity has been undertaken to indicate in which sectors public spend could be best leveraged and how effective public services boards have been in furthering that work so far.
Diolch am eich ateb, Weinidog. Mewn trafodaethau rwyf wedi’u cael ar agenda economi sylfaenol y Llywodraeth, ymddengys bod yna gydnabyddiaeth fod diddordeb wedi’i ganolbwyntio ar fynd ati i ddiwygio caffael cyhoeddus ar lefel byrddau gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, gyda’r amcan generig o roi contractau'r sector cyhoeddus i gwmnïau sydd â'u pencadlys yng Nghymru. Hyd yn hyn, ymddengys bod y trafodaethau rwyf wedi'u cael yn awgrymu nad yw gwaith yn y maes hwn wedi canolbwyntio i raddau helaeth ar yr hyn y gallai caffael cyhoeddus ei wneud yn wahanol fesul sector. Felly, rwy'n awyddus i ddeall a oes unrhyw ddadansoddiad o weithgarwch wedi ei wneud i ddangos ym mha sectorau y gellid ysgogi gwariant cyhoeddus orau, a pha mor effeithiol y mae byrddau gwasanaethau cyhoeddus wedi bod yn hybu'r gwaith hwnnw hyd yma.
I'm grateful for the question. I'd be keen, perhaps, to have a meeting outside of the Chamber this afternoon to understand a bit more what lies beneath the concerns. But I completely agree that public services boards are critical partners in this agenda. They've recently been developing and publishing their latest well-being plans, and you can see throughout those the fact that they recognise the importance of public procurement and local procurement in developing the local economy.
There are lots of good examples out there. The furniture procurement by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action and the Welsh Local Government Association—they've worked together to commission the social enterprise Ministry of Furniture, based in Port Talbot, to fit out a new office space in Cardiff, with a value of £230,000. The focus of that work was to maximise the amount of existing furniture stock that could be reused and repurposed, with minimal material sent to landfill. And I had an opportunity to meet with the Ministry of Furniture at the Procurex conference, which the Welsh Government sponsors, bringing together people who are interested in public procurement and those organisations that can work with them. And I have to say, when I walked the floor there and met with people in the conference, I was just amazed by all of the conversations I was having—they were about, 'How do we keep the pound in Wales?', 'How do we spend money to have those social goods and demonstrate that social value?' It wasn't about the bottom line at all. So, I felt really heartened by those conversations, and it seems that people, in procurement now, are kind of getting the need to ensure that we don't just look at the actual cost, important though that is; it's the value as well.
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Buaswn yn awyddus, efallai, i gael cyfarfod y tu allan i’r Siambr y prynhawn yma i ddeall ychydig mwy ar yr hyn sy'n sail i'r pryderon. Ond cytunaf yn llwyr fod byrddau gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn bartneriaid hollbwysig yn yr agenda hon. Maent wedi bod wrthi'n ddiweddar yn datblygu ac yn cyhoeddi eu cynlluniau llesiant diweddaraf, a gallwch weld drwy'r rheini y ffaith eu bod yn cydnabod pwysigrwydd caffael cyhoeddus a chaffael lleol wrth ddatblygu’r economi leol.
Mae llawer o enghreifftiau da i'w cael. Y gwaith caffael dodrefn gan Gyngor Gweithredu Gwirfoddol Cymru a Chymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru—maent wedi cydweithio i gomisiynu’r fenter gymdeithasol Ministry of Furniture, sydd wedi’i lleoli ym Mhort Talbot, i greu gofod swyddfa newydd yng Nghaerdydd, sy’n werth £230,000. Ffocws y gwaith hwnnw oedd gwneud y mwyaf o'r stoc ddodrefn bresennol y gellid ei hailddefnyddio a'i haddasu at ddibenion gwahanol, gyda chyn lleied o ddeunydd â phosibl yn cael ei anfon i safleoedd tirlenwi. A chefais gyfle i gyfarfod â Ministry of Furniture yng nghynhadledd Procurex, a noddir gan Lywodraeth Cymru, gan ddod ynghyd â phobl sydd â diddordeb mewn caffael cyhoeddus a’r sefydliadau sy’n gallu gweithio gyda nhw. Ac mae'n rhaid imi ddweud, pan oeddwn yno'n cyfarfod â phobl yn y gynhadledd, cefais fy syfrdanu gan bob un o'r sgyrsiau a gefais—roeddent yn ymwneud â, 'Sut mae cadw'r bunt yng Nghymru?', 'Sut mae gwario arian i gael buddion cymdeithasol, ac i ddangos gwerth cymdeithasol?' Nid oeddent yn ymwneud ag elw net o gwbl. Felly, cefais fy nghalonogi'n fawr gan y sgyrsiau hynny, ac ymddengys bod pobl, ym maes caffael ar hyn o bryd, yn deall yr angen i sicrhau nad ydym yn edrych ar y gost yn unig, er mor bwysig yw hynny; mae a wnelo â gwerth hefyd.
Now, you'll recall, Minister, that we were both elected in 2011, and, since then, I've been really keen to raise in this Chamber public procurement and how we can actually use more Welsh produce as part of that procurement plan. Now, for 12 years, we've heard different plans. The national procurement strategy was supposed to help the Welsh public sector to collaborate more closely in procuring local goods and services. The Buying Food Fit for the Future scheme also stated that it aims to support Wales's everyday local economies and relocalise the public sector food chains. However, I noticed, quite worryingly, that it states that explicitly specifying local products is likely to be discriminatory and therefore unlawful. So, this policy has been launched to encourage local food on local plates, yet the document itself says it's discriminatory. Fresh Welsh vegetables and produce with a better nutritional value, fewer food miles and better nourishment for our children and patients are vitally important. So, if this scheme itself is a barrier to putting Welsh food on plates, I believe that should be changed. So, what steps are you taking to ensure that we do see more Welsh food in schools, hospitals and across the public sector, and, as a result, help to boost the local economy here in Wales? Diolch.
Nawr, fe fyddwch yn cofio, Weinidog, inni gael ein hethol yn 2011, ac ers hynny, rwyf wedi bod yn awyddus iawn i drafod caffael cyhoeddus yn y Siambr hon, a sut y gallwn ddefnyddio mwy o gynnyrch Cymreig fel rhan o'r cynllun caffael hwnnw. Nawr, ers 12 mlynedd, rydym wedi clywed cynlluniau gwahanol. Bwriad y strategaeth gaffael genedlaethol oedd helpu’r sector cyhoeddus yng Nghymru i gydweithio’n agosach wrth gaffael nwyddau a gwasanaethau lleol. Nododd y cynllun Prynu Bwyd Addas i'r Dyfodol hefyd ei fod yn anelu at gefnogi economïau lleol bob dydd Cymru ac ail-leoleiddio cadwyni bwyd y sector cyhoeddus. Fodd bynnag, roedd yn bryderus gweld ei fod yn datgan bod pennu cynhyrchion lleol yn benodol yn debygol o fod yn wahaniaethol ac felly’n anghyfreithlon. Felly, mae’r polisi hwn wedi’i lansio i annog bwyd lleol ar blatiau lleol, ac eto mae’r ddogfen ei hun yn dweud bod hynny'n wahaniaethol. Mae llysiau a chynnyrch ffres Cymreig sydd â gwell gwerth maethol, llai o filltiroedd bwyd a gwell maeth i’n plant a’n cleifion yn hanfodol bwysig. Felly, os yw’r cynllun hwn ei hun yn rhwystr rhag rhoi bwyd Cymreig ar blatiau, credaf y dylid ei newid. Felly, pa gamau rydych chi'n eu cymryd i sicrhau ein bod yn gweld mwy o fwyd o Gymru mewn ysgolion, ysbytai, ac ar draws y sector cyhoeddus, gan helpu i hybu’r economi leol yma yng Nghymru o ganlyniad? Diolch.
I'm very happy to write to Janet Finch-Saunders with some more detail in regard to that specific procurement question that she asked, because it should absolutely be the case that organisations are able to procure locally, procure food from Wales. And, actually, the question is around public services boards, and all of those, in their well-being plans, have food, and the importance of procuring locally, and supporting local food co-operatives and so on, as part of their plans. So, I'd be interested to explore a little bit more what's underneath the question. But we are working with food stakeholders in local authorities and the NHS at the moment to help them become more self-sufficient in terms of procuring locally, and that then will help build our food resilience and our food security.
We do have those new food guidelines, and they outline sourcing approaches that are compliant with procurement rules and that should prompt a move away from those lowest cost approaches. And to help with that, we've got a new food resource called 'Buying Food fit for the Future'. So, I'll share information about that, but it might be that this situation has been overtaken by events.
Rwy'n fwy na pharod i ysgrifennu at Janet Finch-Saunders gyda mwy o fanylion ynglŷn â'r cwestiwn penodol hwnnw a ofynnwyd ganddi ynghylch caffael, gan y dylai sefydliadau yn sicr allu caffael yn lleol, caffael bwyd o Gymru. Ac a dweud y gwir, mae a wnelo'r cwestiwn â byrddau gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, ac yn eu cynlluniau llesiant, mae bwyd gan bob un o'r rheini, a phwysigrwydd caffael yn lleol, a chefnogi cydweithfeydd bwyd lleol ac ati, yn rhan o'u cynlluniau. Felly, byddai gennyf ddiddordeb mewn archwilio mwy o'r hyn sy'n sail i'r cwestiwn. Ond rydym yn gweithio gyda rhanddeiliaid bwyd mewn awdurdodau lleol a’r GIG ar hyn o bryd i’w helpu i ddod yn fwy hunangynhaliol o ran caffael yn lleol, a bydd hynny wedyn yn helpu i adeiladu ein cydnerthedd bwyd a’n diogeledd bwyd.
Mae gennym y canllawiau bwyd cyfreithiol newydd, ac maent yn amlinellu dulliau cyrchu sy'n cydymffurfio â rheolau caffael, a dylai hynny ysgogi newid oddi wrth ddulliau cost isaf. Ac i helpu gyda hynny, mae gennym adnodd bwyd newydd o'r enw 'Prynu Bwyd Addas i'r Dyfodol'. Felly, byddaf yn rhannu gwybodaeth am hwnnw, ond efallai fod y sefyllfa hon wedi'i goddiweddyd gan ddigwyddiadau.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, Sam Rowlands.
Questions now from party spokespeople. The Welsh Conservative spokesperson, Sam Rowlands.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd. Minister, you'll be aware of the hotly contested debates in this Chamber in recent weeks around the default 20 mph roll-out here in Wales. Indeed, you'll be fully aware of the petition of over 450,000 signatures seeking to reverse decisions around the default 20 mph. You'll also be aware that councils in Wales are struggling financially at the moment. Many are having to find significant budget cuts to balance their budgets to deliver the services that our residents so desperately need. Those things come together because it's incredible, in my view, that Welsh Government have given nearly £200,000 to English councils to support the roll-out of the 20 mph programme. Indeed, Cheshire West and Chester Council received £150,000 from the Welsh Government, Gloucestershire County Council received £20,000 from the Welsh Government, at a time when our councils in Wales are struggling to balance their budgets. So, I wonder, Minister, how you think our councils are feeling about money being taken away from them and given to councils in England.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Lywydd. Weinidog, fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol o’r dadleuon brwd yn y Siambr hon dros yr wythnosau diwethaf ynghylch cyflwyno terfyn 20 mya diofyn yma yng Nghymru. Yn wir, fe fyddwch yn gwbl ymwybodol o'r ddeiseb o dros 450,000 o lofnodion sy'n ceisio gwrthdroi penderfyniadau ynghylch y terfyn 20 mya diofyn. Fe fyddwch hefyd yn ymwybodol fod cynghorau yng Nghymru yn ei chael hi'n anodd yn ariannol ar hyn o bryd. Mae llawer yn gorfod dod o hyd i doriadau sylweddol yn eu cyllidebau er mwyn mantoli eu cyllidebau i ddarparu gwasanaethau y mae taer eu hangen ar ein trigolion. Daw’r pethau hynny law yn llaw, gan ei bod yn anghredadwy yn fy marn i fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi rhoi bron i £200,000 i gynghorau yn Lloegr i gefnogi’r gwaith o gyflwyno’r rhaglen 20 mya. Yn wir, derbyniodd Cyngor Caer a Gorllewin Swydd Gaer £150,000 gan Lywodraeth Cymru, derbyniodd Cyngor Swydd Gaerloyw £20,000 gan Lywodraeth Cymru, ar adeg pan fo ein cynghorau yng Nghymru yn ei chael hi'n anodd mantoli eu cyllidebau. Felly, Weinidog, tybed sut y credwch chi y mae ein cynghorau'n teimlo am arian yn cael ei gymryd oddi arnynt a'i roi i gynghorau yn Lloegr.
Well, it's clear to me that roads don't end in Wales and begin again in England, and that those roads move across the border. And I think it is important that people both sides of those borders understand what the speed limit is so that they're able to stay within the law and have that clarity. And I think that one thing we've talked about a lot in the Chamber over the past couple of weeks is the importance of clarity. So, I think it's only fair to people driving on those roads that they're able to have signage that is appropriate to that road and gives them the confidence that they are obeying the law.
Wel, mae'n amlwg i mi nad yw ffyrdd yn dod i ben yng Nghymru ac yn dechrau eto yn Lloegr, a bod y ffyrdd hynny'n croesi'r ffin. A chredaf ei bod yn bwysig fod pobl ar ddwy ochr y ffin yn deall beth yw'r terfyn cyflymder fel eu bod yn gallu aros o fewn y gyfraith a chael yr eglurder hwnnw. A chredaf mai un peth rydym wedi trafod cryn dipyn arno yn y Siambr dros yr ychydig wythnosau diwethaf yw pwysigrwydd eglurder. Felly, credaf ei bod ond yn deg i bobl sy'n gyrru ar y ffyrdd hynny allu cael arwyddion sy'n briodol i'r ffordd honno ac sy'n rhoi'r hyder iddynt eu bod yn ufudd i'r gyfraith.
Well, thank you for that initial response, Minister. I would have thought you'd think it would be unusual for Welsh Government to be funding councils in England. And there are, of course, many areas where it seems as though there are pressures on our drivers here in Wales. We know that, previously, Labour Ministers and backbenchers have advocated for a workplace parking levy for councils to put in place in Wales. Indeed, a previous transport Minister said that it was absolutely unnecessary. A workplace parking levy, in my view, would punish those who are perhaps most squeezed at the moment—people who are working hard, getting to work, trying to put food on the table whilst getting to work. We know, in Scotland, that a workplace parking levy introduced in spring 2022 allowed councils to impose taxes on car parking spaces at places of work. So, Minister, can you commit today to not implementing a workplace parking levy, and that councils won’t be seeking to put those in place across Wales?
Wel, diolch am eich ymateb cychwynnol, Weinidog. Buaswn wedi meddwl y byddech yn credu ei bod yn rhyfedd fod Llywodraeth Cymru yn ariannu cynghorau yn Lloegr. Ac wrth gwrs, ceir llawer o feysydd lle mae'n ymddangos bod pwysau ar ein gyrwyr yma yng Nghymru. Fe wyddom fod Gweinidogion ac Aelodau ar feinciau cefn y blaid Lafur wedi dadlau'n flaenorol o blaid codi ardoll ar barcio yn y gweithle i gynghorau ei rhoi ar waith yng Nghymru. Yn wir, dywedodd cyn Weinidog trafnidiaeth ei bod yn gwbl ddiangen. Yn fy marn i, byddai ardoll ar barcio yn y gweithle yn cosbi’r rhai sydd efallai’n cael eu gwasgu fwyaf ar hyn o bryd—pobl sy’n gweithio’n galed, yn mynd i'r gwaith, yn ceisio rhoi bwyd ar y bwrdd wrth fynd i'r gwaith. Yn yr Alban, fe wyddom fod ardoll ar barcio yn y gweithle a gyflwynwyd yng ngwanwyn 2022 wedi caniatáu i gynghorau osod trethi ar fannau parcio mewn gweithleoedd. Felly, Weinidog, a wnewch chi ymrwymo heddiw i beidio â chyflwyno ardoll ar barcio yn y gweithle, ac na fydd cynghorau’n ceisio eu rhoi ar waith ledled Cymru?
I can confirm that I’m not having any discussions at the moment with any council in regard to a workplace parking levy.
Gallaf gadarnhau nad wyf yn cael unrhyw drafodaethau ar hyn o bryd gydag unrhyw gyngor ynglŷn ag ardoll ar barcio yn y gweithle.
Well, thank you for that, Minister. I think it’s important to have that on the record here today.
And just to end my questions here on, certainly, some positive news, I was very pleased, and I’m sure you’d agree, to see the UK Government announcing over £1 billion of levelling-up investment across the United Kingdom, with areas like Merthyr Tydfil, Cwmbran, Barry and, of course, Wales’s newest city, Wrexham, receiving £20 million to support those important areas across Wales. So, Minister, would you join me in celebrating that investment from the Conservative UK Government?
Wel, diolch, Weinidog. Credaf ei bod yn bwysig cael hynny wedi'i gofnodi yma heddiw.
Ac i gloi fy nghwestiynau yma gyda newyddion cadarnhaol, yn sicr, roeddwn yn falch iawn, ac rwy'n siŵr y byddech yn cytuno, o weld Llywodraeth y DU yn cyhoeddi dros £1 biliwn o fuddsoddiad mewn ffyniant bro ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig, gydag ardaloedd fel Merthyr Tudful, Cwmbrân, y Barri, ac wrth gwrs, dinas fwyaf newydd Cymru, Wrecsam, yn cael £20 miliwn i gefnogi’r ardaloedd pwysig hynny ledled Cymru. Felly, Weinidog, a wnewch chi ymuno â mi i ddathlu’r buddsoddiad hwnnw gan Lywodraeth Geidwadol y DU?
It's rather like having £100 taken out of your back pocket, being handed £5 back and being expected to be grateful for it. I mean, this is money that should have come to Wales and would have come to Wales if the UK Government had committed to its promise to return all of the funding that we would otherwise have had from the European Union to Wales. So, I think that the fact that the UK Government has announced this money over 10 years—the first money is to appear in the summer of next year—. So, really, to what extent these areas are likely to benefit from this funding is really to be questioned, I think.
Mae hynny fel cael rhywun yn mynd â £100 o'ch poced ôl, cael £5 yn ôl a bod disgwyl ichi fod yn ddiolchgar amdani. Hynny yw, mae hwn yn arian a ddylai fod wedi dod i Gymru ac a fyddai wedi dod i Gymru pe bai Llywodraeth y DU wedi cadw at ei haddewid i ddarparu'r holl gyllid i Gymru y byddem wedi'i gael fel arall gan yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Felly, credaf fod y ffaith bod Llywodraeth y DU wedi cyhoeddi’r arian hwn dros 10 mlynedd—bydd yr arian cyntaf yn dod yn ystod haf y flwyddyn nesaf—. Felly, mewn gwirionedd, credaf y dylid cwestiynu i ba raddau y mae'r ardaloedd hyn yn debygol o elwa o'r cyllid hwn.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Peredur Owen Griffiths.
The Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Peredur Owen Griffiths.
Diolch, Llywydd. Prynhawn da, Gweinidog.
Thank you, Llywydd. Good afternoon, Minister.
These issues that we've been talking about, such as austerity and the cost-of-living crisis, have been exacerbated by the impact of the UK Government's hard Brexit, which continues to act as a heavy millstone on our economy. We all remember the now thoroughly debunked claim by the Leave campaign that £350 million per day would be redirected from EU-related costs to the NHS. Of course, this did not reflect the considerable costs that would have been incurred by the UK Government and the devolved Governments in managing a profound disruption to our trading relationship with the EU. From the perspective of the Welsh Government, this meant recruiting a considerable number of additional staff to deal with Brexit preparedness activity and committing to resourcing infrastructure and processes for new import controls. And more than seven years since the referendum, with border control posts still to be built and new import controls yet to be implemented, the Brexit bill for Wales remains hefty. In light of the unrelenting pressure being faced by local authorities, is it worth considering whether this money could have been far better spent elsewhere. On that basis, therefore, could the Minister outline how much Welsh Government has spent on Brexit preparedness work since 2016, and, also, would she agree that if Wales were to rejoin the single market, we could use the money that's currently being thrown into the sinkhole of a failed Tory vanity project to properly fund our public services instead?
Mae’r materion rydym wedi sôn amdanynt, megis cyni a’r argyfwng costau byw, wedi’u gwaethygu gan effaith Brexit caled Llywodraeth y DU, sy’n parhau i lesteirio ein heconomi. Mae pob un ohonom yn cofio’r honiad gan yr ymgyrch dros adael, sydd bellach wedi’i chwalu'n llwyr, y byddai £350 miliwn y dydd yn cael ei ailgyfeirio o gostau a oedd yn gysylltiedig â’r UE i’r GIG. Wrth gwrs, nid oedd yn adlewyrchu’r costau sylweddol y byddai Llywodraeth y DU a’r Llywodraethau datganoledig wedi’u hysgwyddo wrth fynd i'r afael â'r tarfu difrifol ar ein perthynas fasnachu â’r UE. O safbwynt Llywodraeth Cymru, roedd hyn yn golygu recriwtio nifer sylweddol o staff ychwanegol i ymdrin â gwaith parodrwydd ar gyfer Brexit ac ymrwymo i ddarparu adnoddau ar gyfer seilwaith a phrosesau ar gyfer rheolaethau mewnforio newydd. A thros saith mlynedd ers y refferendwm, gyda safleoedd rheolaethau'r ffin yn dal heb eu hadeiladu a rheolaethau mewnforio newydd yn dal heb eu rhoi ar waith, mae bil Brexit i Gymru yn parhau i fod yn sylweddol. Yng ngoleuni’r pwysau di-ildio y mae awdurdodau lleol yn ei wynebu, a yw’n werth ystyried a ellid bod wedi gwario’r arian hwn yn llawer gwell mewn mannau eraill? Ar y sail honno, felly, a allai’r Gweinidog amlinellu faint y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi’i wario ar waith parodrwydd ar gyfer Brexit ers 2016, a hefyd, a fyddai’n cytuno, pe bai Cymru'n ailymuno â’r farchnad sengl, y gallem ddefnyddio’r arian, sydd ar hyn o bryd yn cael ei daflu i mewn i bydew diwaelod prosiect porthi balchder Torïaidd aflwyddiannus, i ariannu ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn briodol yn lle hynny?
Well, I'll just start by reflecting on the comments made by the Chancellor yesterday about the situation in regard to the economy in the UK. He seems to be very satisfied with its performance post Brexit. Well, despite what the Chancellor said, the latest official figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the UK economy has posted one of the worst GDP performances in the G7 since before the pandemic. So, I think that some of the claims being made by the UK Government about our performance post Brexit are dubious to say the least.
I don't have that figure in terms of how much we have spent on Brexit preparedness with me today, but I'd be more than happy to write to the Member with the detail of that. And I think that all of us, though, know the £1 billion figure very well in terms of the money that we would have had, which I referred to in my answer to the question from Sam Rowlands, had we remained in the European Union, had the UK Government kept its promise that we would not be a penny worse off.
Wel, rwyf am ddechrau drwy fyfyrio ar y sylwadau a wnaed gan y Canghellor ddoe am y sefyllfa o ran economi’r DU. Ymddengys ei fod yn fodlon iawn ar ei pherfformiad ar ôl Brexit. Wel, er gwaethaf yr hyn a ddywedodd y Canghellor, mae ffigurau swyddogol diweddaraf y Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol yn dangos bod economi’r DU wedi gweld perfformiad cynnyrch domestig gros sydd ymhlith y gwaethaf yn y G7 ers cyn y pandemig. Felly, credaf fod rhai o’r honiadau sy’n cael eu gwneud gan Lywodraeth y DU am ein perfformiad ar ôl Brexit yn amheus a dweud y lleiaf.
Nid yw'r ffigur ar gyfer faint rydym wedi’i wario ar barodrwydd ar gyfer Brexit wrth law gennyf heddiw, ond buaswn yn fwy na pharod i ysgrifennu at yr Aelod gyda'r manylion hynny. A chredaf fod pob un ohonom, er hynny, yn ymwybodol iawn o'r ffigur o £1 biliwn y byddem wedi’i gael, y cyfeiriais ato yn fy ateb i’r cwestiwn gan Sam Rowlands, pe baem wedi aros yn yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, pe bai Llywodraeth y DU wedi cadw ei haddewid na fyddem geiniog yn waeth ein byd.
Diolch, Weinidog. Thirteen years of Tory-driven austerity and economic mismanagement have left public finances in dire straits, and the consequences will fall particularly hard on the people of Wales. It speaks volumes, doesn't it, about the sheer arrogance of the Tory Party that the likes of Liz Truss, who crashed the UK economy in pursuit of a failed right-wing economic dogma, can still wield influence across the rank and file of Tory MPs. In another walk of life, such gross negligence would be rightfully given short shrift, but, as has been shown consistently over the past few years, the Tories don't seem to believe that they should be judged by the same standards that apply to the rest of us.
Over the next few years, local authorities will have to confront the most challenging set of circumstances in our modern history, with their capacity to provide even the most basic level of services set to be severely compromised. This is underlined by the recent estimates by the Wales Governance Centre that, relative to 2021-22, the funding gap facing Welsh local authorities could be as much as £744 million by 2027-28. This will mean that local authorities will need to be strategic and prudent about how they deploy the reserves that they have at their disposal, to ameliorate some of the worst excesses of the crisis in our public finances. What are you doing, Minister, currently, or what is your understanding of the extent of the reserves available to local authorities across Wales? And what guidance is being offered by the Welsh Government to local authorities on how best to utilise these funds?
Diolch, Weinidog. Mae 13 blynedd o gyni a chamreoli economaidd o dan arweiniad y Torïaid wedi gadael cyllid cyhoeddus mewn sefyllfa enbyd, a bydd y canlyniadau’n cael effaith arbennig o galed ar bobl Cymru. Onid yw'n siarad cyfrolau am haerllugrwydd pur y Blaid Dorïaidd y gall pobl fel Liz Truss, a chwalodd economi’r DU wrth fynd ar drywydd dogma economaidd asgell dde aflwyddiannus, ddal i ddylanwadu ar ASau Torïaidd cyffredin? Mewn meysydd eraill, ni ddylai ac ni fyddai esgeulustod o’r fath yn cael ei oddef, ond fel y dangoswyd yn gyson dros yr ychydig flynyddoedd diwethaf, nid yw'n ymddangos bod y Torïaid yn credu y dylid eu barnu yn ôl yr un safonau ag sy’n gymwys i’r gweddill ohonom.
Dros yr ychydig flynyddoedd nesaf, bydd yn rhaid i awdurdodau lleol wynebu'r set fwyaf heriol o amgylchiadau yn ein hanes modern, gyda'u gallu i ddarparu hyd yn oed y lefel fwyaf sylfaenol o wasanaethau yn cael ei beryglu'n ddifrifol. Ategir hyn gan amcangyfrifon diweddar Canolfan Llywodraethiant Cymru y gallai’r bwlch ariannu sy’n wynebu awdurdodau lleol Cymru, o gymharu â 2021-22, fod cymaint â £744 miliwn erbyn 2027-28. Bydd hyn yn golygu y bydd angen i awdurdodau lleol fod yn strategol ac yn ddarbodus ynglŷn â sut maent yn defnyddio’r cronfeydd wrth gefn sydd ar gael iddynt, i liniaru rhai o effeithiau gwaethaf yr argyfwng yn ein cyllid cyhoeddus. Beth rydych chi'n ei wneud ar hyn o bryd, Weinidog, neu beth yw eich dealltwriaeth o faint o gronfeydd wrth gefn sydd ar gael i awdurdodau lleol ledled Cymru? A pha ganllawiau sy’n cael eu cynnig gan Lywodraeth Cymru i awdurdodau lleol ar y ffordd orau o ddefnyddio’r cronfeydd hyn?
So, the assessment of the availability of reserves to local authorities at the moment is that, at an all-Wales level, general or unallocated reserves would cover just 10 days of the costs of local government. Now, I am aware, of course, that the picture does vary quite dramatically, it's fair to say, across local authorities in Wales, and I'm very mindful of that. I know that the Conservatives would like us to consider the level of reserves when we're allocating the RSG, but I don't think that that is the right or the fair thing to do, because the level of reserves accumulated comes as a result of a longer period of decision making by that council, and many times those reserves are earmarked for specific activities. And it's worth noting as well that reserve levels in England have actually increased by over 50 per cent in the last two years as well. So, I think that we are seeing an increase in reserves across the border as well as in Wales. But, as I say, overall, it only amounts to 10 days' worth of local government.
Felly, yr asesiad o argaeledd cronfeydd wrth gefn i awdurdodau lleol ar hyn o bryd yw y byddai cronfeydd wrth gefn cyffredinol neu heb eu dyrannu, ar lefel Cymru gyfan, yn talu am 10 diwrnod yn unig o gostau llywodraeth leol. Nawr, rwy'n gwybod, wrth gwrs, fod y darlun yn amrywio'n eithaf sylweddol, mae'n deg dweud, ar draws awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru, ac rwy'n ymwybodol iawn o hynny. Gwn yr hoffai’r Ceidwadwyr inni ystyried lefel y cronfeydd wrth gefn pan fyddwn yn dyrannu’r grant cynnal refeniw, ond ni chredaf mai dyna’r peth cywir na'r peth teg i’w wneud, gan y daw'r lefel sy'n cronni o gronfeydd wrth gefn o ganlyniad i gyfnod hwy o wneud penderfyniadau gan y cyngor hwnnw, a chaiff sawl gwaith y cronfeydd wrth gefn hynny ei glustnodi ar gyfer gweithgareddau penodol. Ac mae'n werth nodi hefyd fod lefelau wrth gefn yn Lloegr wedi cynyddu dros 50 y cant mewn gwirionedd dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf. Felly, credaf ein bod yn gweld cynnydd yn y cronfeydd wrth gefn dros y ffin yn ogystal ag yng Nghymru. Ond fel y dywedaf, yn gyffredinol, nid ydynt ond yn cyfateb i werth 10 diwrnod o lywodraeth leol.
Cwestiwn 3, Peredur Owen Griffiths.
Question 3, Peredur Owen Griffiths.
Yes, they're like buses, these.
Ie, mae'r rhain fel bysiau.
3. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gydag arweinwyr cynghorau ynghylch toriadau posibl i wasanaethau rheng flaen yn sgil y ffaith bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn wynebu diffyg yn y gyllideb o £900 miliwn mewn termau real? OQ60022
3. What discussions has the Minister had with council leaders regarding potential front-line service cuts in light of the Welsh Government facing a real-terms £900 million budget shortfall? OQ60022
I meet local authorities regularly and recently attended the Welsh Local Government Association conference, and I've also met with the WLGA executive. The revenue support grant has been protected in decisions about the 2023-24 budget. I welcome the pragmatic way local government work with us to collectively maximise what can be achieved with the funding available.
Rwy’n cyfarfod ag awdurdodau lleol yn rheolaidd, ac yn ddiweddar, bûm yng nghynhadledd Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru, ac rwyf hefyd wedi cyfarfod â gweithrediaeth CLlLC. Mae’r grant cynnal refeniw wedi’i ddiogelu mewn penderfyniadau ynghylch cyllideb 2023-24. Rwy'n croesawu'r ffordd bragmatig y mae llywodraeth leol yn gweithio gyda ni i wneud y mwyaf gyda'n gilydd o’r hyn y gellir ei gyflawni gyda’r cyllid sydd ar gael.
Diolch am yr ateb yna, Weinidog.
Thank you for that response, Minister.
Having spoken with some council leaders, as well as a number of leaders of other bodies in receipt of public money, it's fair to say that there is much anxiety about the reports that there is a £900 million black hole in the Government budget. There's been little or no detail to accompany the rounds of media interviews on the budget shortfall, which leaves a vacuum for speculation. People are wondering, for example, whether there will be any in-year cuts—and I take on board what you just said. I know you'll be making an announcement in two weeks' time, but people have been waiting a very long time and worrying about this for months. Can you set the record straight on this particular matter and rule out the need for in-year cuts to front-line public services? And can you also tell the Senedd how you arrived at the figure of the £900 million shortfall, because there's confusion about where that figure came from?
Ar ôl siarad ag arweinwyr cynghorau, yn ogystal â nifer o arweinwyr cyrff eraill sy’n cael arian cyhoeddus, mae’n deg dweud bod llawer o bryder ynghylch yr adroddiadau fod twll du o £900 miliwn yng nghyllideb y Llywodraeth. Ychydig iawn o fanylion, os o gwbl, a gafwyd gyda'r cyfweliadau â'r cyfryngau ar y diffyg yn y gyllideb, sy'n gadael llawer o le i ddyfalu. Mae pobl yn pendroni, er enghraifft, a fydd unrhyw doriadau yn ystod y flwyddyn—ac rwy'n derbyn yr hyn rydych newydd ei ddweud. Gwn y byddwch yn gwneud cyhoeddiad ymhen pythefnos, ond mae pobl wedi bod yn aros yn hir iawn ac yn poeni am hyn ers misoedd. A allwch chi gywiro'r ffeithiau ar y mater, a chadarnhau na fydd angen gwneud toriadau yn ystod y flwyddyn i wasanaethau cyhoeddus rheng flaen? Ac a allwch chi hefyd ddweud wrth y Senedd sut y cyrhaeddwyd y ffigur o ddiffyg o £900 miliwn, gan fod dryswch ynglŷn ag o ble y daeth y ffigur hwnnw?
Certainly. So, I firstly want to just recognise and acknowledge the point that Peredur has made about the anxiety that organisations across the public sector are feeling at the moment. And, in terms of how we came to the £900 million, that was an exercise undertaken by Welsh Treasury officials and our analysts, which looked at the impact of inflation and the fact that our budget now is worth much less than it was at the time it was set, at the comprehensive spending review. So, it largely is an impact of inflation, and we're seeing that particularly acutely, I think, in the area of public sector pay, where some of the awards that we've had to agree have obviously created a big pressure on our budget. But, you know, obviously it's the right thing to do. So, we just need to now find a way to accommodate that within the budget.
Within health, we've seen the costs of medicines increase by about 17 per cent, so that's another area of significant pressure, as is the cost of energy, and, again, on the health estate, that's been quite severe. We've also seen people not returning to public transport in the same way as we'd anticipated post pandemic, particularly in rail where there are fewer options, I think, in terms of being able to flex the services, and so on, to respond to that. So, those are the main areas of pressure.
As you say, I'll be making a statement to the Senedd on 17 October about our approach to managing that particular issue, but we are still finalising some of that activity. Obviously, the impact assessments have been very important, so when colleagues have been considering which areas of their budgets to release money from, obviously they've wanted to undertake impact assessments before making those decisions. And then, I need to undertake a real cross-Government cumulative impact assessment to understand where the impacts will be felt the most because, of course, when we're cutting public spending, it is going to be the most vulnerable people who inevitably feel some of this, because they're the people who always will benefit most from public spending in any case.
And then the last thing to say on this is that, of course, it's not just Wales feeling this particular pressure. Scotland, I know, have been feeling the pressure in budgets as well, and they undertook an emergency budget last year to deal with some of the impact of inflation then. In Northern Ireland, of course, they breached their departmental expenditure limit last year, so now they're having to repay money back to the Treasury this year. And the UK Government is undertaking a productivity review, and I hope to hear more about the outcomes of that in the autumn statement.
Yn sicr. Felly, yn gyntaf, hoffwn gydnabod a derbyn y pwynt y mae Peredur wedi’i wneud ynglŷn â'r pryder y mae sefydliadau ar draws y sector cyhoeddus yn ei deimlo ar hyn o bryd. Ac o ran sut y cyrhaeddwyd y ffigur o £900 miliwn, cynhaliwyd ymarfer gan swyddogion Trysorlys Cymru a'n dadansoddwyr, a fu'n edrych ar effaith chwyddiant a'r ffaith bod ein cyllideb bellach yn werth llawer llai nag yr oedd ar yr adeg y'i gosodwyd, yn yr adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant. Felly, effaith chwyddiant sy'n gyfrifol i raddau helaeth, a chredaf ein bod yn gweld hynny'n arbennig o glir gyda chyflogau'r sector cyhoeddus, lle mae rhai o'r dyfarniadau y bu'n rhaid inni gytuno arnynt yn amlwg wedi creu pwysau mawr ar ein cyllideb. Ond yn amlwg, dyna'r peth iawn i'w wneud. Felly, mae angen inni ddod o hyd i ffordd nawr o ddarparu ar gyfer hynny o fewn y gyllideb.
Ym maes iechyd, rydym wedi gweld costau meddyginiaethau'n cynyddu oddeutu 17 y cant, felly dyna faes arall o bwysau sylweddol, ynghyd â chost ynni, ac unwaith eto, ar yr ystad iechyd, mae hynny wedi bod yn eithaf difrifol. Rydym hefyd wedi gweld pobl yn peidio â dychwelyd at drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus yn yr un ffordd ag yr oeddem wedi’i rhagweld ar ôl y pandemig, yn enwedig ar y rheilffyrdd, lle credaf fod llai o opsiynau i allu addasu'r gwasanaethau, ac ati, i ymateb i hynny. Felly, dyna’r prif feysydd lle mae pwysau.
Fel y dywedwch, byddaf yn gwneud datganiad i’r Senedd ar 17 Hydref am ein dull o fynd i'r afael â'r mater penodol hwnnw, ond rydym yn dal i fireinio rhywfaint o’r gweithgarwch hwnnw. Yn amlwg, mae'r asesiadau effaith wedi bod yn bwysig iawn, felly pan fo cyd-Aelodau wedi bod yn ystyried o ba feysydd o'u cyllidebau i ryddhau arian, yn amlwg, maent wedi bod yn awyddus i gynnal asesiadau effaith cyn gwneud y penderfyniadau hynny. Ac yna, mae angen imi gynnal asesiad effaith gronnol drawslywodraethol real i ddeall ble fydd yr effeithiau'n cael eu teimlo fwyaf, oherwydd, wrth gwrs, pan fyddwn yn torri gwariant cyhoeddus, mae'n anochel mai'r bobl fwyaf agored i niwed sy'n mynd i deimlo effaith hynny, gan mai nhw yw'r bobl a fydd bob amser yn elwa fwyaf o wariant cyhoeddus beth bynnag.
Ac yna y peth olaf i'w ddweud ar hyn, wrth gwrs, yw nad Cymru'n unig sy'n teimlo'r pwysau hwn. Gwn fod yr Alban wedi bod yn teimlo’r pwysau mewn cyllidebau hefyd, ac fe wnaethant roi cyllideb frys ar waith y llynedd i fynd i'r afael â pheth o effaith chwyddiant bryd hynny. Yng Ngogledd Iwerddon, wrth gwrs, aethant y tu hwnt i'w terfyn gwariant adrannol y llynedd, felly maent yn gorfod ad-dalu arian i'r Trysorlys eleni. Ac mae Llywodraeth y DU yn cynnal adolygiad cynhyrchiant, ac rwy'n gobeithio glywed mwy am ganlyniadau'r adolygiad hwnnw yn natganiad yr hydref.
Minister, local authorities across my region are already reporting massive overspends, tens of millions of pounds in the red, long before your budget cuts bite. It is clear that the axe will have to fall somewhere, but we must make every effort to ensure that it is not on front-line services, nor be an excuse to ramp up council tax bills. Minister, in this new harsh economic reality, is it now time to consider the cost of maintaining 22 councils? Surely, the only way to protect the front line is to tackle back-office waste. Therefore, what consideration have you given to root-and-branch reform of local government in Wales?
Weinidog, mae awdurdodau lleol ar draws fy rhanbarth eisoes yn nodi gorwariant enfawr, degau o filiynau o bunnoedd yn y coch, ymhell cyn i’ch toriadau cyllidebol frathu. Mae’n amlwg y bydd yn rhaid i’r fwyell ddisgyn yn rhywle, ond mae'n rhaid inni wneud pob ymdrech i sicrhau nad yw'n disgyn ar wasanaethau rheng flaen, na bod hyn yn esgus i gynyddu biliau’r dreth gyngor. Weinidog, yn y realiti economaidd ddidrugaredd newydd hon, a yw hi bellach yn bryd ystyried cost cynnal 22 o gynghorau? Onid yr unig ffordd o ddiogelu'r rheng flaen yw mynd i’r afael â gwastraff y swyddfa gefn? Felly, pa ystyriaeth a roddwyd gennych i ddiwygio llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru yn gyfan gwbl?
So, just a couple of key points to say. First of all, we have protected the revenue support grant in this financial year, but, of course, local authorities will be feeling the impact of inflation themselves, so their money will not go as far as it had been understood to previously. So, they will inevitably, I think, have to make some very difficult decisions. But it's not this Government's plan to undertake wholesale reorganisation of local government, especially at this time. There's no call from local government for us to do that. What we have done is put in place a system whereby local authorities can work together, can collaborate and procure together where they see it to be a benefit, and we see that happening all across Wales—it's already happening, that kind of joint working, and that does produce dividends for those local authorities. Local authorities are still able to merge if it's something that they want to do. That's possible under the legislation, but, again, no authorities have come forward to speak to me about that at this point.
Felly, ychydig o bwyntiau allweddol i’w dweud. Yn gyntaf oll, rydym wedi diogelu’r grant cynnal refeniw yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon, ond wrth gwrs, bydd awdurdodau lleol yn teimlo effaith chwyddiant eu hunain, felly ni fydd eu harian yn mynd mor bell ag y deallwyd yn wreiddiol. Felly, yn anochel, credaf y bydd yn rhaid iddynt wneud penderfyniadau anodd iawn. Ond nid bwriad y Llywodraeth hon yw ad-drefnu llywodraeth leol yn gyfan gwbl, yn enwedig ar hyn o bryd. Nid oes unrhyw alwad gan lywodraeth leol inni wneud hynny. Yr hyn rydym wedi'i wneud yw rhoi system ar waith lle gall awdurdodau lleol gydweithio, a lle gallant gydweithredu a chaffael gyda'i gilydd lle maent yn ystyried bod hynny o fudd, a gwelwn hynny'n digwydd ledled Cymru—mae eisoes yn digwydd, y math hwnnw o gydweithio, ac mae hynny'n creu buddion i'r awdurdodau lleol hynny. Mae awdurdodau lleol yn dal i allu uno os yw'n rhywbeth y maent yn dymuno ei wneud. Mae hynny'n bosibl o dan y ddeddfwriaeth, ond unwaith eto, nid oes unrhyw awdurdodau wedi siarad gyda mi am hynny hyd yma.
4. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn sicrhau bod awdurdodau lleol yn agored ac yn dryloyw gyda phreswylwyr? OQ60011
4. How does the Welsh Government ensure that local authorities are open and transparent with residents? OQ60011
Legislation places many requirements on local authorities to be open and transparent. I also recently issued revised statutory guidance to support councils to engage effectively with residents. Auditors and regulators are responsible for ensuring councils are following this legislation and guidance.
Mae deddfwriaeth yn gosod llawer o ofynion ar awdurdodau lleol i fod yn agored ac yn dryloyw. Hefyd, cyhoeddais ganllawiau statudol diwygiedig yn ddiweddar i gynorthwyo cynghorau i ymgysylltu’n effeithiol â thrigolion. Mae archwilwyr a rheoleiddwyr yn gyfrifol am sicrhau bod cynghorau'n dilyn y ddeddfwriaeth a’r canllawiau hyn.
Thank you for your answer, Minister. A huge cloud of mystery is hanging over Newport City Council following its recent appointment of a city manager. The main aim of the role is to be the first point of contact and liaison for businesses in Newport, yet nobody has a clue who has taken this role, which pays between £37,000 and £41,000 a year, using taxpayers' cash. Now, a common question from constituents who've approached me is: how on earth are businesses supposed to contact their city manager when they don't know who he or she is? There are rumours that a cushy job has been given to the former deputy leader of the council who lost their seat in the previous election. Despite repeated attempts to reveal the city manager's identity, the powers that be at the local authority have remained tight-lipped about the role. So, Minister, do you agree with me that Newport City Council should drop the cloak-and-dagger operation and be upfront with the people of Newport, and will you join me in urging the council to do just that? Thank you.
Diolch am eich ateb, Weinidog. Mae cwmwl enfawr o ddirgelwch dros Gyngor Dinas Casnewydd yn dilyn penodi rheolwr dinas yn ddiweddar. Prif nod y rôl yw bod yn bwynt cyswllt a chyswllt cyntaf i fusnesau yng Nghasnewydd, ac eto nid oes gan unrhyw un syniad pwy sydd wedi cael y rôl, sy'n talu rhwng £37,000 a £41,000 y flwyddyn, gan ddefnyddio arian trethdalwyr. Nawr, cwestiwn cyffredin gan etholwyr sydd wedi dod ataf yw: sut ar y ddaear y mae busnesau i fod i gysylltu â'u rheolwr dinas pan nad ydynt yn gwybod pwy yw ef neu hi? Mae sïon ar led fod swydd gyfforddus wedi’i rhoi i gyn-ddirprwy arweinydd y cyngor a gollodd ei sedd yn yr etholiad blaenorol. Er gwaethaf ymdrechion mynych i ddatgelu pwy yw'r rheolwr dinas, mae uwch swyddogion yr awdurdod lleol wedi parhau i gadw'r rôl yn gyfrinach. Felly, Weinidog, a ydych yn cytuno â mi y dylai Cyngor Dinas Casnewydd roi'r gorau i'r holl ddirgelwch a bod yn onest gyda phobl Casnewydd, ac a wnewch chi ymuno â mi i annog y cyngor i wneud hynny? Diolch.
What I would say is that I would expect all local authorities to act in accordance with the highest standards when recruiting to posts within their organisations, and to operate in an open and transparent way. I think there is plenty of legislation there in place to support that. But if there is confusion about who to contact with regard to a city's management issues, I would suggest, in the first instance, writing to the leader or the chief executive, who can hopefully provide you with the contact details.
Yr hyn yr hoffwn ei ddweud yw y buaswn yn disgwyl i bob awdurdod lleol weithredu’n unol â’r safonau uchaf wrth recriwtio i swyddi o fewn eu sefydliadau, a gweithredu mewn ffordd agored a thryloyw. Credaf fod digon o ddeddfwriaeth ar waith i gefnogi hynny. Ond os oes dryswch ynglŷn â phwy i gysylltu â nhw mewn perthynas â materion rheoli dinas, yn y lle cyntaf, buaswn yn awgrymu y dylid ysgrifennu at yr arweinydd neu’r prif weithredwr, a all roi’r manylion cyswllt cywir i chi, gobeithio.
5. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn sicrhau bod gan awdurdodau lleol yr hyblygrwydd i gyflawni eu dyletswyddau statudol mewn ffordd sy'n adlewyrchu anghenion lleol? OQ60010
5. How does the Welsh Government ensure that local authorities have the flexibility to undertake their statutory duties in a way that reflects local needs? OQ60010
The Welsh Government provides the funding, legislative framework and guidance to support local authorities to undertake their statutory duties in a way that provides flexibility to reflect local needs.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn darparu’r cyllid, y fframwaith deddfwriaethol a’r canllawiau i gefnogi awdurdodau lleol i gyflawni eu dyletswyddau statudol mewn ffordd sy’n darparu hyblygrwydd er mwyn adlewyrchu anghenion lleol.
Thank you, Minister, for your answer. Local councils across Wales have been dealing over the past couple of months with the implementation of the Welsh Government's default 20 mph speed limits, and the cost in signs alone now, we have seen, has reached £40 million, and we've heard from Sam Rowlands earlier today that that's not even just in local councils in Wales, as that cost has gone to councils in England as well. But what I wanted to ask you about was the ability for councils to retain 30 mph roads in the first instance. The First Minister said, and I quote, there is
'scope for local authorities to retain 30 mph where they believe that that is the right thing to do.'
The Deputy Minister for Climate Change makes out that that's an easy process. I wonder what you make of Swansea Labour council's comments, in the area that we both represent, and they say, and I quote:
'Councils have very limited discretion to maintain a number of urban roads at 30 mph where those roads meet specific criteria set out by the Welsh Government.'
They go on to say that:
'Councils have not made the decision and cannot change the decision'.
So, we've got the Welsh Government saying there is the discretion, we've got Swansea Labour council saying the discretion is very limited, who is telling the truth?
Diolch am eich ateb, Weinidog. Dros yr ychydig fisoedd diwethaf, mae cynghorau lleol ledled Cymru wedi bod yn ymgymryd â'r gwaith o roi terfynau cyflymder diofyn 20 mya Llywodraeth Cymru ar waith, ac rydym wedi gweld bod y gost mewn arwyddion yn unig bellach wedi cyrraedd £40 miliwn, a chlywsom gan Sam Rowlands yn gynharach heddiw nad mewn cynghorau lleol yng Nghymru yn unig y mae hynny hyd yn oed, gan fod y gost honno wedi mynd i gynghorau yn Lloegr hefyd. Ond yr hyn yr oeddwn am ofyn i chi yn ei gylch oedd y gallu i gynghorau gadw ffyrdd 30 mya yn y lle cyntaf. Dywedodd y Prif Weinidog fod
'lle i awdurdodau lleol gadw 30 mya lle maen nhw'n credu mai dyna'r peth iawn i'w wneud.'
Mae'r Dirprwy Weinidog Newid Hinsawdd yn honni bod honno'n broses hawdd. Tybed beth yw eich barn ynglŷn â sylwadau cyngor Llafur Abertawe, yn yr ardal y mae’r ddau ohonom yn ei chynrychioli, sy'n dweud:
'Mae gan gynghorau ddisgresiwn cyfyngedig iawn i gynnal terfyn cyflymder o 30mya ar nifer o ffyrdd trefol lle mae'r ffyrdd hyn yn bodloni meini prawf penodol a osodwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru.'
Ânt yn eu blaenau i ddweud:
'Nid cynghorau a wnaeth y penderfyniad ar hyn ac ni allant newid y penderfyniad'.
Felly, mae gennym Lywodraeth Cymru yn dweud bod disgresiwn, mae gennym gyngor Llafur Abertawe yn dweud bod y disgresiwn yn gyfyngedig iawn, pwy sy'n dweud y gwir?
I've been very pleased to be in touch with the leader of Swansea Labour council—although I should say, Llywydd, that is in my MS role rather than my ministerial role—but the aim there is to have a conversation very shortly to discuss those particular concerns. I did put on record my thanks to the team in Swansea, which has been working very hard to implement the legislation. I think the Deputy Minister was really, really crystal clear in his contribution in the debate last week that, across authorities,
'councils have already used those powers to make exceptions ahead of the roll-out.... They've exercised their ability to keep some roads at 30 mph, which is why this is not a blanket policy, because there are roads kept at 30 mph.'
I'm just quoting from the Record from last week. He said:
'They have the powers to make those changes, and those powers remain with them to use in the light of experience. They can make changes.'
So, I think the point that the Deputy Minister was trying to convey there is that this is going to be an evolving picture. People will learn, councils will learn from experience as to how well the roll-out has gone in particular areas; and there will certainly, I think, be changes in particular areas where councils see sense in terms of moving to 30 mph—or there might be areas where 20 mph is the right choice after all. So, I think that just giving local authorities a bit of breathing space is important, so that they can assess what's happening on the ground.
Rwyf wedi bod yn falch iawn o fod mewn cysylltiad ag arweinydd cyngor Llafur Abertawe—er y dylwn ddweud, Lywydd, fod hynny yn fy rôl fel AS yn hytrach na fy rôl weinidogol—ond y nod yw cael sgwrs cyn bo hir i drafod y pryderon penodol hynny. Nodais fy niolch i’r tîm yn Abertawe, sydd wedi bod yn gweithio’n galed iawn i roi’r ddeddfwriaeth ar waith. Credaf fod y Dirprwy Weinidog wedi bod yn wirioneddol glir yn ei gyfraniad yn y ddadl yr wythnos diwethaf wrth ddweud, ar draws awdurdodau, fod
'cynghorau eisoes wedi defnyddio'r pwerau hynny i wneud eithriadau cyn cyflwyno'r cynllun.... Maent wedi arfer eu gallu i gadw rhai ffyrdd ar 30 mya, a dyna pam nad yw hwn yn bolisi cyffredinol, am fod rhai ffyrdd yn cael eu cadw ar 30 mya.'
Rwy'n dyfynnu o'r Cofnod yr wythnos diwethaf. Meddai:
'Mae ganddynt bwerau i wneud y newidiadau hynny, ac mae'r pwerau hynny'n parhau gyda nhw i'w defnyddio yng ngoleuni profiad. Gallant wneud newidiadau.'
Felly, credaf mai’r pwynt yr oedd y Dirprwy Weinidog yn ceisio'i gyfleu yno yw y bydd hwn yn ddarlun sy’n esblygu. Bydd pobl yn dysgu, bydd cynghorau'n dysgu o brofiad pa mor dda y mae'r broses o gyflwyno'r newid wedi mynd mewn ardaloedd penodol; ac yn sicr, credaf y bydd newidiadau mewn ardaloedd penodol lle mae cynghorau yn gweld synnwyr mewn newid i 30 mya—neu efallai y bydd yna ardaloedd lle mai 20 mya yw’r dewis cywir wedi’r cyfan. Felly, credaf ei bod yn bwysig rhoi rhywfaint o le i awdurdodau lleol anadlu, fel y gallant asesu beth sy’n digwydd ar lawr gwlad.
6. Pa ystyriaeth y mae'r Gweinidog yn ei rhoi i’r effaith ar blant yn sgil unrhyw ddiwygiadau i ddyraniadau’r gyllideb ar gyfer blwyddyn ariannol 2023-24? OQ60007
6. What consideration is the Minister giving to the impact on children of any revised budget allocations for the 2023-24 financial year? OQ60007
Revising the budget lines has been a complex piece of work and has not been done in isolation. We have been working constructively across Government to understand the impacts of decisions and ensure the cumulative impacts—including those concerning children and young people—have been considered and captured.
Mae adolygu llinellau’r gyllideb wedi bod yn broses gymhleth, ac nid yw wedi digwydd allan o gyd-destun. Rydym wedi bod yn gweithio’n adeiladol ar draws y Llywodraeth i ddeall effeithiau penderfyniadau a sicrhau bod yr effeithiau cronnol—gan gynnwys y rheini sy'n ymwneud â phlant a phobl ifanc—wedi’u hystyried a’u cofnodi.
I appreciate that the Minister is having to make really difficult decisions, and it is a fact that UK Government policies have immeasurably worsened child poverty in Wales and across the UK. I commend the Welsh Government for endeavouring to step in where the UK Government has failed to mitigate matters, but it remains the case that child poverty continues to cast a long shadow over our nation. Several stakeholders have raised concerns about the draft child poverty strategy in this context: its lack of targets and measurable outcomes, and, in particular, whether the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is being adhered to. How does the Welsh Government apply the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child when formulating its budgets?
Rwy’n sylweddoli bod y Gweinidog yn gorfod gwneud penderfyniadau anodd iawn, ac mae’n ffaith bod polisïau Llywodraeth y DU wedi gwaethygu tlodi plant yn aruthrol yng Nghymru a ledled y DU. Cymeradwyaf Lywodraeth Cymru am ymdrechu i gamu i’r adwy lle mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi methu lliniaru pethau, ond mae'n dal yn ffaith bod tlodi plant yn parhau i daflu cysgod hir dros ein cenedl. Mae sawl rhanddeiliad wedi codi pryderon ynghylch y strategaeth tlodi plant ddrafft yn y cyd-destun hwn: ei diffyg targedau a chanlyniadau mesuradwy, ac yn benodol, p'un a ydym yn cadw at Gonfensiwn y Cenhedloedd Unedig ar Hawliau'r Plentyn. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cymhwyso Confensiwn y Cenhedloedd Unedig ar Hawliau'r Plentyn wrth ffurfio'i chyllidebau?
I'll be sure that the Minister who is leading on the development of this strategy is aware of those comments, although I think that she has probably had representations from the same organisations.
But in terms of how we consider the rights of children and the impacts on children in our budgets, that happens at the point at which Ministers are considering which programmes to support, which interventions to fund. Those kind of impact assessments take place right at the start. What happens by the time they come down stream to the bigger budget process, really, is to have that kind of cumulative understanding of the impacts of the choices that we make. Those are important always when we're developing the budget, but I think even more so now when we're looking at areas to move funding away from, so that we can properly understand the impacts.
I did have an opportunity to hear from the children's commissioner last week as part of the budget engagement process—every year I have a round-table with all of the statutory commissioners—and she was keen to make very similar points about the importance of not only considering the needs and the rights of children in what we do but demonstrating that as well.
Byddaf yn sicrhau bod y Gweinidog sy’n arwain y gwaith o ddatblygu’r strategaeth hon yn ymwybodol o’r sylwadau hynny, er y credaf ei bod, yn ôl pob tebyg, wedi derbyn sylwadau gan yr un sefydliadau.
Ond o ran sut rydym yn ystyried hawliau plant a’r effeithiau ar blant yn ein cyllidebau, mae hynny’n digwydd pan fo Gweinidogion yn ystyried pa raglenni i’w cefnogi, pa ymyriadau i’w hariannu. Mae’r mathau hynny o asesiadau effaith yn digwydd ar y dechrau. Yr hyn sy'n digwydd erbyn iddynt gyrraedd y broses gyllidebol ehangach, mewn gwirionedd, yw cael y math hwnnw o ddealltwriaeth gronnol o effeithiau'r dewisiadau a wnawn. Mae’r rheini bob amser yn bwysig pan fyddwn yn datblygu’r gyllideb, ond credaf eu bod hyd yn oed yn fwy felly nawr pan fyddwn yn edrych ar feysydd i symud cyllid oddi wrthynt, fel y gallwn ddeall yr effeithiau’n iawn.
Cefais gyfle i glywed gan y comisiynydd plant yr wythnos diwethaf fel rhan o’r broses o ymgysylltu ynghylch y gyllideb—bob blwyddyn, rwy'n cael cyfarfod bord gron gyda phob un o’r comisiynwyr statudol—ac roedd hi’n awyddus i wneud pwyntiau tebyg iawn am bwysigrwydd nid yn unig ystyried anghenion a hawliau plant yn yr hyn a wnawn, ond dangos hynny hefyd.
We know students in Wales lag behind their peers in England when it comes to funding, to the tune of around £1,000 per student. We also know that last year Wales received an extra £129 million-worth of funding as a result of increased spending in English schools. However, despite this uplift from the UK Government, the Welsh Government cut funding for education in real terms by £6.5 million compared with the previous year. Latest exam results show that our top GCSE grades have hit a four-year low, as have our GCSE pass rates. Furthermore, research by the Education Policy Institute has found that there is a wider disadvantage gap in Wales compared with England. With that in mind, Minister, what conversations have you had with the education Minister surrounding the impact of cuts to the education budget on pupil grades?
Gwyddom fod disgyblion yng Nghymru ar ei hôl hi o gymharu â’u cyfoedion yn Lloegr o ran cyllid, o oddeutu £1,000 y disgybl. Gwyddom hefyd fod Cymru wedi derbyn gwerth £129 miliwn o gyllid ychwanegol y llynedd o ganlyniad i wariant uwch mewn ysgolion yn Lloegr. Fodd bynnag, er gwaethaf y cynnydd hwn gan Lywodraeth y DU, gwelwyd toriad o £6.5 miliwn gan Lywodraeth Cymru i gyllid addysg mewn termau real o gymharu â’r flwyddyn flaenorol. Mae canlyniadau arholiadau diweddaraf yn dangos bod ein graddau TGAU uchaf ar y lefel isaf ers pedair blynedd, yn ogystal â’n cyfraddau pasio TGAU. At hynny, mae gwaith ymchwil gan y Sefydliad Polisi Addysg wedi canfod bod bwlch anfantais ehangach yng Nghymru o’i gymharu â Lloegr. Gyda hynny mewn golwg, Weinidog, pa sgyrsiau rydych chi wedi’u cael gyda’r Gweinidog addysg ynghylch effaith toriadau i’r gyllideb addysg ar raddau disgyblion?
I do think that the Member is being somewhat disingenuous, I'm afraid, in that contribution, because he fails to recognise that schools in Wales are funded through local government and through the RSG. After the spring statement, I was very clear with the Senedd that I'd put that £170 million consequential funding, and more, into local government. So, local government benefited from that funding, from funding that was in relation to social care, but also further funding as well. So I don't think it's fair to say that there was a cut. Not only do we fund schools through the RSG, we also have a whole range of programmes that are supported through the education portfolio budget as well, so I think the characterisation isn't fair and it isn't accurate.
Rwy’n credu bod yr Aelod yn bod braidd yn anonest yn y cyfraniad hwnnw, mae arnaf ofn, oherwydd mae’n methu cydnabod bod ysgolion yng Nghymru yn cael eu hariannu drwy lywodraeth leol a thrwy’r grant cynnal refeniw. Ar ôl datganiad y gwanwyn, roeddwn yn glir iawn gyda’r Senedd fy mod wedi rhoi’r £170 miliwn o gyllid canlyniadol, a mwy, i lywodraeth leol. Felly, cafodd llywodraeth leol fudd o’r cyllid hwnnw, o gyllid a oedd yn ymwneud â gofal cymdeithasol, ac o gyllid pellach hefyd. Felly nid wyf yn credu ei bod yn deg dweud y bu toriad. Nid yn unig ein bod yn ariannu ysgolion drwy'r grant cynnal refeniw, mae gennym ystod eang o raglenni sy’n cael eu cefnogi drwy gyllideb y portffolio addysg hefyd, felly nid wyf yn credu bod y datganiad yn deg nac yn gywir.
Good afternoon, Minister. I want to come back to the issue of children living in poverty, something I know that we are all concerned about. I'm going to speak a little bit about my own personal experiences of being a social worker in child protection for 25 years. I don't have the statistics, but I reckon that 90 per cent of the families that I worked with were living in poverty. And that is something that none of us want, but also has an economic impact in terms of the budgets for our safeguarding services and for our local authorities, in order to meet the needs of those children who need protection. I like the saying that an ounce of prevention now is worth a pound of cure in the future. I just wonder how the Government is able to calculate the costs of safeguarding services, when, actually, we could be offsetting that in terms of making sure that our children are not living in poverty and making sure that they have those outcomes that we would all need and want for our own families. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Prynhawn da, Weinidog. Rwyf eisiau troi’n ôl at fater plant sy’n byw mewn tlodi, rhywbeth y gwn ein bod ni i gyd yn pryderu yn ei gylch. Rwyf am siarad rhywfaint am fy mhrofiadau personol o fod yn weithiwr cymdeithasol ym maes amddiffyn plant am 25 mlynedd. Nid yw’r ystadegau gennyf, ond credaf fod 90 y cant o’r teuluoedd y bûm yn gweithio gyda nhw yn byw mewn tlodi. Ac mae hynny'n rhywbeth nad oes yr un ohonom ei eisiau, ond mae hefyd yn cael effaith economaidd o ran y cyllidebau i'n gwasanaethau diogelu ac i'n hawdurdodau lleol allu diwallu anghenion y plant y mae angen eu hamddiffyn. Rwy'n hoffi'r dywediad fod owns o atal nawr yn werth pwys o wellhad yn y dyfodol. Rwy’n meddwl tybed sut y gall y Llywodraeth gyfrifo costau gwasanaethau diogelu, pan allem fod yn gwrthbwyso hwnnw, mewn gwirionedd drwy wneud yn siŵr nad yw ein plant yn byw mewn tlodi a gwneud yn siŵr eu bod yn cael y canlyniadau y byddem i gyd eu hangen a’u heisiau ar gyfer ein teuluoedd ein hunain. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
One really important piece of work that we've been doing with our budget advisory group has been looking at how we define and measure prevention and preventative spend. I think that that work has been really helpful in terms of helping all of us think about our budgets, and even more so, I think, in a time of reprioritisation, because when you're dealing with the fire in front of you it's really hard, isn't it, to be thinking about the prevention of future fires, if you like. So, what I'm really keen that we do in this piece of work is just always be mindful of prevention, not just in terms of the social side of things, but actually in terms of the climate and nature emergency as well. Because I don't want the preventive agenda and the climate change agenda to fall off because they're just not important enough, not urgent enough, because they are absolutely important and urgent. I just want to reassure colleagues that that's front and centre of our minds when we're developing this piece of work, looking at how we meet that gap in our budget this year.
Un darn pwysig iawn o waith rydym wedi bod yn ei wneud gyda'n grŵp cynghori ar y gyllideb oedd edrych ar sut rydym yn diffinio ac yn mesur gwariant ar atal a chamau ataliol. Rwy’n credu bod y gwaith hwnnw wedi bod yn ddefnyddiol iawn yn helpu pob un ohonom i feddwl am ein cyllidebau, a hyd yn oed yn fwy felly, rwy’n credu, mewn cyfnod o ailflaenoriaethu, oherwydd pan fyddwch yn trin y tân o’ch blaenau mae’n wirioneddol anodd meddwl am atal tanau yn y dyfodol, onid yw. Felly, yr hyn rwy'n awyddus iawn i ni ei wneud gyda’r gwaith hwn yw bod yn ymwybodol bob amser o atal, nid yn unig gyda'r ochr gymdeithasol i bethau, ond mewn perthynas â'r argyfwng hinsawdd a natur hefyd. Oherwydd nid wyf eisiau gweld yr agenda ataliol a'r agenda newid hinsawdd yn cael eu hanghofio am nad ydynt yn ddigon pwysig, yn galw am sylw uniongyrchol, oherwydd maent yn bendant yn bwysig ac yn galw am frys. Rwyf eisiau rhoi sicrwydd i gyd-Aelodau mai dyna sydd ar flaen ein meddyliau pan fyddwn yn datblygu'r gwaith hwn, ac edrych ar sut rydym yn llenwi'r bwlch hwnnw yn ein cyllideb eleni.
7. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gyda Llywodraeth y DU ynghylch cynyddu cwmpas pwerau benthyca Llywodraeth Cymru? OQ60025
7. What discussions has the Minister had with the UK Government about increasing the scope of the Welsh Government's borrowing powers? OQ60025
I have repeatedly made the case for increased borrowing powers for the Welsh Government. When I met with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury last month, I pressed for the recent improvements to borrowing and reserve limits within the Scottish fiscal framework to be automatically applied to Wales.
Rwyf wedi dadlau dros fwy o bwerau benthyca i Lywodraeth Cymru dro ar ôl tro. Pan wneuthum gyfarfod â Phrif Ysgrifennydd y Trysorlys fis diwethaf, dadleuais y dylai’r gwelliannau diweddar i derfynau benthyca a chronfeydd wrth gefn o fewn fframwaith cyllidol yr Alban gael eu cymhwyso’n awtomatig i Gymru.
The Welsh Government's fiscal framework was agreed in December 2016 and implements the powers of the Wales Act 2014. The framework increased the Welsh Government's capital borrowing limit to £1 billion and the annual limit to £150 million. Last year, a report by the Institute of Welsh Affairs called for the Welsh Government's borrowing powers to be enhanced. The UK Government is clearly unable and unwilling to invest, as we've just heard today, in long-term infrastructure projects, as evidenced by the Prime Minister's speech this afternoon, with the cancellation of HS2 past Birmingham and the failure to adequately invest in Wales's infrastructure. Does the Minister therefore agree we need the ability to borrow to invest more ourselves to deliver the transformational and sustainable change that Wales needs?
Cytunwyd ar fframwaith cyllidol Llywodraeth Cymru ym mis Rhagfyr 2016 ac mae’n gweithredu pwerau Deddf Cymru 2014. Cynyddodd y fframwaith derfyn benthyca cyfalaf Llywodraeth Cymru i £1 biliwn a’r terfyn blynyddol i £150 miliwn. Y llynedd, galwodd adroddiad gan y Sefydliad Materion Cymreig am wella pwerau benthyca Llywodraeth Cymru. Mae’n amlwg nad yw Llywodraeth y DU yn gallu nac yn fodlon buddsoddi, fel rydym newydd ei glywed heddiw, mewn prosiectau seilwaith hirdymor, fel y dangoswyd yn araith Prif Weinidog y DU y prynhawn yma, gyda chynlluniau llwybr HS2 heibio Birmingham yn cael eu canslo a chyda’r methiant i fuddsoddi’n ddigonol yn seilwaith Cymru. A yw'r Gweinidog yn cytuno felly fod angen y gallu arnom i fenthyca i fuddsoddi mwy ein hunain i allu cyflawni'r newid trawsnewidiol a chynaliadwy sydd ei angen ar Gymru?
Yes, I absolutely agree with that. Our borrowing limits are very small, and that's one of the reasons that we've overprogrammed our capital budget this year by £100 million, just to try and safeguard against any slippage and to maximise the use of the Welsh pound. But we do need to have greater borrowing powers both annually and overall. It could just be a case of indexing borrowing to inflation. Next year our borrowing powers, for example, would be worth 17 per cent less in real terms than they were at the time they were agreed. Nothing's moving with the times, so it's important that the UK Government gives us those simple flexibilities that it's agreed with Scotland as part of its fiscal framework review. We don't believe that we need to have a full review, we don't need to take 18 months looking at the framework. It's working well at the moment. But the simple, pragmatic things that the UK Government could do to help us manage our budget I think would be very welcome, and there's absolutely no real reason not to provide it.
Ydw, rwy’n cytuno’n llwyr â hynny. Mae ein terfynau benthyca yn fach iawn, a dyna un o’r rhesymau pam ein bod wedi gor-raglennu ein cyllideb gyfalaf eleni o £100 miliwn, er mwyn ceisio diogelu rhag unrhyw lithriant ac i wneud y defnydd mwyaf posibl o’r bunt Gymreig. Ond mae angen i ni gael mwy o bwerau benthyca yn flynyddol ac yn gyffredinol. Gallai fod yn fater o fynegeio benthyca yn ôl chwyddiant. Y flwyddyn nesaf byddai ein pwerau benthyca, er enghraifft, yn werth 17 y cant yn llai mewn termau real nag yr oeddent ar yr adeg y cytunwyd arnynt. Nid oes unrhyw beth yn symud gyda'r oes, felly mae'n bwysig fod Llywodraeth y DU yn rhoi'r hyblygrwydd syml hwnnw inni y mae wedi cytuno arno gyda'r Alban fel rhan o'i hadolygiad o'r fframwaith cyllidol. Nid ydym yn credu bod angen i ni gael adolygiad llawn, nid oes angen inni dreulio 18 mis yn edrych ar y fframwaith. Mae'n gweithio'n dda ar hyn o bryd. Ond rwy’n credu y byddai’r pethau syml, pragmatig y gallai Llywodraeth y DU eu gwneud i’n helpu i reoli ein cyllideb yn cael eu croesawu’n fawr, ac nid oes unrhyw reswm real o gwbl dros beidio â'u darparu.
I think it's an important question that Hefin David's raised today, and I certainly have a level of sympathy for the challenges that you're facing, Minister, there. I think we'd be happy to understand where we can look for cross-party support to consider some of the asks that you're seeking. In the meantime, one of the things that strikes me has continued to be the high level of reserves that our local authorities hold, to the tune of around £2.5 billion here in Wales. I wonder whether there's an opportunity when it comes to borrowing to understand how some of those reserves could be used to support borrowing for the Welsh Government. It may benefit some of your ambitions in terms of capital work while also supporting local authorities in terms of interest, perhaps, that may be paid to them over a longer period. I'm not sure what conversations you've had, or whether that's something that you may have considered.
Rwy'n credu bod Hefin David yn codi cwestiwn pwysig heddiw, ac yn sicr mae gennyf lefel o gydymdeimlad â'r heriau rydych chi'n eu hwynebu, Weinidog. Rwy'n credu yr hoffem ddeall lle gallwn edrych am gefnogaeth drawsbleidiol i ystyried rhai o'r pethau rydych chi'n gofyn amdanynt. Yn y cyfamser, un o’r pethau sy’n fy nharo i o hyd yw’r lefel uchel o gronfeydd wrth gefn sydd gan ein hawdurdodau lleol, hyd at tua £2.5 biliwn yma yng Nghymru. Tybed a oes cyfle, mewn perthynas â benthyca, i ddeall sut y gellid defnyddio rhai o'r cronfeydd wrth gefn hynny i gefnogi benthyca i Lywodraeth Cymru? Efallai y bydd o fudd i rai o’ch uchelgeisiau gwaith cyfalaf gan gefnogi awdurdodau lleol ar yr un pryd mewn perthynas â llog, efallai, y gellir ei dalu iddynt dros gyfnod hwy. Nid wyf yn siŵr pa sgyrsiau rydych wedi’u cael, neu a yw hwnnw’n rhywbeth y gallech fod wedi’i ystyried.
Thank you for the question. Also, I do think it is important to recognise that there is some significant cross-party support for some of the quite simple fiscal flexibilities that we're asking for. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has also suggested it would be a reasonable thing for the UK Government to do, and the Finance Committee, I know, has been very supportive of it in the past. So I do think that there is a genuine coalition on that.
On the point of supported borrowing, we have had some discussions with local government. They are at an early stage, so I'm not in a position, really, to say much more without over-egging what we've been discussing. But at the point at which we're able to say more, I'll be more than happy to provide the Senedd with more information.
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Hefyd, rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig cydnabod bod cefnogaeth drawsbleidiol sylweddol i beth o'r hyblygrwydd cyllidol eithaf syml rydym yn gofyn amdano. Mae’r Sefydliad Astudiaethau Cyllid hefyd wedi awgrymu y byddai’n beth rhesymol i Lywodraeth y DU ei wneud, ac rwy'n gwybod bod y Pwyllgor Cyllid wedi bod yn gefnogol iawn iddo yn y gorffennol. Felly rwy'n meddwl bod yna gynghreirio go iawn ar hynny.
O ran benthyca â chymorth, rydym wedi cael trafodaethau â llywodraeth leol. Mae’n ddyddiau cynnar, felly nid wyf mewn sefyllfa i ddweud llawer mwy heb ddweud gormod am yr hyn y buom yn ei drafod. Ond pan fyddwn yn gallu dweud mwy, byddaf yn fwy na pharod i roi mwy o wybodaeth i'r Senedd.
8. Pa ystyriaeth y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'i rhoi i gynnal adolygiad annibynnol o'r fformiwla gyllido llywodraeth leol? OQ60002
8. What consideration has the Minister given to undertaking an independent review of the local government funding formula? OQ60002
I discuss the funding formula on a regular basis with the finance sub-group of the partnership council. The funding formula continues to be developed and agreed with the distribution sub-group to update and review the data and factors in the formula including sparsity, dispersion and deprivation.
Rwy’n trafod y fformiwla gyllido yn rheolaidd gydag is-grŵp cyllid y cyngor partneriaeth. Mae’r fformiwla gyllido’n parhau i gael ei datblygu a’i chytuno gyda’r is-grŵp dosbarthu i ddiweddaru ac adolygu’r data a’r ffactorau yn y fformiwla gan gynnwys teneurwydd poblogaeth, gwasgariad ac amddifadedd.
Minister, it's quite clear to everybody that the funding formula for local government in Wales is outdated and it is not fit for purpose. It's got over 4,000 variables, some of which date back to the 1990s, and frankly, it is an ageist formula that does not serve those local authorities with older populations. Nor does it serve rural local authorities well either. It clearly needs an independent review. The WLGA's finance committee are not going to consent to significant change because there are too many winners and losers around that table with a direct interest in the matter. Can I urge you to use the commonsense approach and have an independent person to come and look at this in some detail so that we can have a fair formula that works for every part of Wales?
Weinidog, mae’n gwbl amlwg i bawb fod y fformiwla gyllido llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru wedi dyddio ac nad yw’n addas i’r diben. Mae ganddi dros 4,000 o newidynnau, gyda rhai ohonynt yn dyddio’n ôl i’r 1990au, ac a dweud y gwir, mae’n fformiwla sy'n gwahaniaethu ar sail oed nad yw’n gwasanaethu’r awdurdodau lleol sydd â phoblogaethau hŷn. Nid yw’n gwasanaethu awdurdodau lleol gwledig yn dda ychwaith. Mae’n amlwg fod angen ei hadolygu'n annibynnol. Ni fydd pwyllgor cyllid Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru yn cydsynio i newid sylweddol am fod gormod o enillwyr a chollwyr o gwmpas y bwrdd sydd â diddordeb uniongyrchol yn y mater. A gaf fi eich annog i ddefnyddio synnwyr cyffredin a chael rhywun annibynnol i ddod i edrych ar hyn yn fanwl fel y gallwn gael fformiwla deg sy’n gweithio i bob rhan o Gymru?
I will say that 72 per cent of the funding is updated annually, and that includes the population data, which makes up 25 per cent of the funding. That already uses the latest population data. That's from the 2020-21 budget. I updated the finance sub-group last week—or recently—at a meeting on work under way to update the population data, and also the other census indicators that are now coming through on the measures of sparsity and dispersion. That may cause some significant churn within the distribution.
The distribution sub-group has also recently held a workshop looking at the new Office for National Statistics data available for sparsity, and the statistical modelling underpinning the nursery and primary indicators, and the possible impact of changes to free school meal eligibility on deprivation indicators. So, there is a huge amount of work going on all the time to try and make sure that the formula is up to date and clear.
Let's remember as well that we are entering a period where we are looking at council tax reform. Now, inevitably, that's going to have an impact on local government funding because it will change the tax base for those local authorities. So, how much uncertainty and change do we want to introduce into the system at one time? Obviously, at the moment we are thinking about what transitional support might be required for local authorities in the context of making council tax fairer. But I just think that, at the moment, there is so much work going on to update the formula. As always, if local government wants to have that discussion about a more wholesale review—
Wel, hoffwn ddweud bod 72 y cant o’r cyllid yn cael ei ddiweddaru’n flynyddol, ac mae hynny’n cynnwys y data poblogaeth, sy’n 25 y cant o’r cyllid. Mae hwnnw eisoes yn defnyddio'r data poblogaeth diweddaraf. Daw hwnnw o gyllideb 2020-21. Rhoddais yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i’r is-grŵp cyllid yr wythnos diwethaf—neu’n ddiweddar—mewn cyfarfod ar waith ar y gweill i ddiweddaru’r data poblogaeth, a hefyd y dangosyddion cyfrifiad eraill sydd bellach yn dod drwodd ar fesurau teneurwydd poblogaeth a gwasgariad. Gall hynny achosi corddi sylweddol o fewn y dosbarthiad.
Hefyd, cynhaliodd yr is-grŵp dosbarthu weithdy yn ddiweddar i edrych ar ddata newydd y Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol sydd ar gael ar gyfer teneurwydd poblogaeth, a’r modelu ystadegol sy’n sail i’r dangosyddion meithrin a chynradd, ac effaith bosibl newidiadau i gymhwysedd i gael prydau ysgol am ddim ar ddangosyddion amddifadedd. Felly, mae llawer iawn o waith yn mynd rhagddo drwy'r amser i geisio gwneud yn siŵr fod y fformiwla'n gyfredol ac yn glir.
Gadewch inni gofio hefyd ein bod yn dechrau ar gyfnod lle rydym yn edrych ar ddiwygio’r dreth gyngor. Nawr, yn anochel, bydd hynny'n cael effaith ar gyllid llywodraeth leol gan y bydd yn newid y sylfaen drethu ar gyfer yr awdurdodau lleol hynny. Felly, faint o ansicrwydd a newid rydym ni eisiau ei gyflwyno i’r system ar un adeg? Yn amlwg, ar hyn o bryd rydym yn meddwl pa gymorth trosiannol y gallai fod ei angen ar awdurdodau lleol yng nghyd-destun gwneud y dreth gyngor yn decach. Ond ar hyn o bryd rwy’n credu bod llawer o waith yn mynd rhagddo ar ddiweddaru’r fformiwla. Fel bob amser, os yw llywodraeth leol eisiau cael y drafodaeth honno am adolygiad mwy trylwyr—
It's a stock answer.
Mae'n ateb stoc.
—then I am more than happy to have those discussions. The Member says that it's a stock answer, but the Member asks me the question all the time, and the answer hasn't changed.
—yna, rwy’n fwy na pharod i gael y trafodaethau hynny. Mae’r Aelod yn dweud ei fod yn ateb stoc, ond mae’r Aelod yn gofyn y cwestiwn i mi drwy’r amser, ac nid yw’r ateb wedi newid.
9. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol i fynd i'r afael â phwysau ar y gyllideb? OQ60019
9. How is the Welsh Government working with local authorities to address budget pressures? OQ60019
I regularly meet local authorities in the finance sub-group and the partnership council to discuss budgets and pressures. My Cabinet colleagues also meet frequently with councils to discuss issues relating to their portfolios.
Rwy’n cyfarfod yn rheolaidd ag awdurdodau lleol yn yr is-grŵp cyllid a’r cyngor partneriaeth i drafod cyllidebau a phwysau. Mae fy nghyd-Aelodau yn y Cabinet hefyd yn cyfarfod yn aml â chynghorau i drafod materion sy’n ymwneud â’u portffolios.
Diolch, Minister. Obviously, there has been a theme today with the questions. My own council, Bridgend County Borough Council, has recently met with me and just said that the three main areas that they are spending most of their budget on are homelessness, child protection and home-to-school transport. These are all statutory requirements and so, of course, they must be prioritised.
But of course, this is having a knock-on effect. For example, there is a huge commitment now to build a new Heronsbridge School in Bridgend—the local special school—but the budget that was set for it a couple of years ago has almost doubled now because of inflation. You know, all of these things—. And yet, I do want to really commend my local authority because we are still building new schools. We are having regeneration in Porthcawl and in Bridgend. We have had the sea defences recently done in Porthcawl to protect homes and businesses. So much is being done.
But I guess that what everybody is raising here today is that there is a huge anxiety now, with the Welsh Government's budget imminent. My question is, I suppose: are you going to continue to have those conversations so that they know beforehand what to expect from that budget, and also that reassurance that they will be no worse off—or no differently treated, I suppose—than any other Welsh part of our public sector? Diolch.
Diolch, Weinidog. Yn amlwg, cawsom thema gyson yn y cwestiynau heddiw. Mae fy nghyngor fy hun, Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr, wedi cyfarfod â mi yn ddiweddar ac wedi dweud mai’r tri phrif faes y maent yn gwario’r rhan fwyaf o’u cyllideb arnynt yw: digartrefedd, amddiffyn plant, a chludiant o’r cartref i’r ysgol. Mae’r rhain i gyd yn ofynion statudol ac felly, mae'n rhaid eu blaenoriaethu.
Ond wrth gwrs, mae hyn yn cael effaith ganlyniadol. Er enghraifft, mae ymrwymiad enfawr nawr i adeiladu Ysgol Heronsbridge newydd ym Mhen-y-bont ar Ogwr—yr ysgol arbennig leol—ond mae'r gyllideb a osodwyd ar ei chyfer ychydig flynyddoedd yn ôl bron wedi dyblu nawr oherwydd chwyddiant. Wyddoch chi, mae'r holl bethau hyn—. Ac eto, rwyf eisiau canmol fy awdurdod lleol am ein bod yn dal i adeiladu ysgolion newydd. Rydym yn gweld adfywiad ym Mhorthcawl ac ym Mhen-y-bont ar Ogwr. Mae’r amddiffynfeydd môr wedi cael eu gwneud ym Mhorthcawl yn ddiweddar i amddiffyn cartrefi a busnesau. Mae cymaint yn cael ei wneud.
Ond rwy’n tybio mai’r hyn y mae pawb yn ei godi yma heddiw yw’r ffaith bod yna bryder enfawr nawr, gyda chyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru ar y gorwel. Dyma fy nghwestiwn: a fyddwch chi’n parhau i gael y sgyrsiau hynny fel eu bod yn gwybod beth i'w ddisgwyl o'r gyllideb honno ymlaen llaw, a hefyd fel y gallant gael sicrwydd na fyddant yn waeth eu byd—neu na fyddant yn cael eu trin yn wahanol, am wn i—i unrhyw ran arall o'n sector cyhoeddus yng Nghymru? Diolch.
I'm really keen to keep those discussions going with local government, and just to be as open and honest with them as we can be at every point of this process. As I say, I was at the WLGA conference and met with the Welsh local government executive recently, and I was able to have this conversation about how we are managing the particular pressures on the budget.
Of course, the RSG is only one part of the picture. We have got our specific grants that go to local authorities as well. One thing that I think that is really welcomed is the work that we are doing on reducing the administrative burden on local authorities. I think that, in a time when there is no more money that we are able to provide, what we can do is provide them with flexibility to use the money that they do have. That work has been particularly welcomed, and I'm hoping to make at least some progress in the next budget.
Rwy'n awyddus iawn i barhau â’r trafodaethau hynny gyda llywodraeth leol, a bod mor agored a gonest gyda nhw ag y gallwn fod ar bob pwynt o'r broses hon. Fel y dywedais, bûm yng nghynhadledd CLlLC ac fe gyfarfûm â swyddogion gweithredol llywodraeth leol Cymru yn ddiweddar, a llwyddais i gael y sgwrs ynglŷn â sut rydym yn rheoli’r pwysau penodol ar y gyllideb.
Wrth gwrs, un rhan yn unig o'r darlun yw'r grant cynnal refeniw. Mae gennym grantiau penodol sy’n mynd i awdurdodau lleol hefyd. Un peth y credaf ei fod yn cael croeso mawr yw’r gwaith a wnawn ar leihau’r baich gweinyddol ar awdurdodau lleol. Ar adeg pan nad oes mwy o arian gennym i’w ddarparu, credaf mai’r hyn y gallwn ei wneud yw rhoi hyblygrwydd iddynt ddefnyddio’r arian sydd ganddynt. Mae’r gwaith hwnnw wedi cael croeso arbennig, ac rwy’n gobeithio gwneud rhywfaint o gynnydd o leiaf yn y gyllideb nesaf.
Ac yn olaf, cwestiwn 10—Rhys ab Owen.
Finally, question 10—Rhys ab Owen.
10. Sut mae fformiwla ariannu llywodraeth leol Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi'r ardaloedd llai gwydn yng Nghymru, fel y nodir mewn ymchwil ddiweddar gan yr Ymddiriedolaeth Adeiladu Cymunedau? OQ60004
10. How does the Welsh Government's local government funding formula support the less resilient areas in Wales, as set out in recent research by the Building Communities Trust? OQ60004
Over a quarter of the latest local government settlement was allocated on the basis of 22 deprivation indicators, enabling local authorities to identify and provide support to those areas with the greatest need.
Dyrannwyd dros chwarter y setliad llywodraeth leol diweddaraf ar sail 22 o ddangosyddion amddifadedd, gan alluogi awdurdodau lleol i nodi a darparu cymorth i’r ardaloedd lle mae fwyaf o angen.
Diolch, Gweinidog. My question is similar to that of Darren Millar but from a different perspective. As you know, the research by the Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion identified areas of Wales where over 800,000 people live as low-resilient areas, mostly areas on the outskirts of major population areas, such as Ely and St Mellons in Cardiff, and I'm sure you could think of similar areas in your constituency—areas of poor connectivity to the wider community, stunted economy and fewer community assets. The report also demonstrates the real impact of this on the people living in these areas—higher rates of unemployment, lower levels of qualifications and lower life expectancy. It's incredible that people have a lower life expectancy just because of where they live.
As Jenny Rathbone and Sarah Murphy said in previous questions, I appreciate that Welsh Government has faced very difficult choices, but will you consider adjusting the local government funding formula to account for this new important research? Diolch yn fawr.
Diolch, Weinidog. Mae fy nghwestiwn yn debyg i gwestiwn Darren Millar ond o safbwynt gwahanol. Fel y gwyddoch, nododd yr ymchwil gan Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion ardaloedd yng Nghymru lle mae dros 800,000 o bobl yn byw fel ardaloedd cydnerthedd isel, ardaloedd sydd yn bennaf ar gyrion ardaloedd poblogaeth mawr, megis Trelái a Llaneirwg yng Nghaerdydd, ac rwy'n siŵr y gallech feddwl am ardaloedd tebyg yn eich etholaeth chi—ardaloedd sydd â chysylltedd gwael â'r gymuned ehangach, economi grebachlyd a llai o asedau cymunedol. Mae'r adroddiad hefyd yn dangos gwir effaith hyn ar y bobl sy'n byw yn yr ardaloedd hyn—cyfraddau uwch o ddiweithdra, lefelau is o gymwysterau a disgwyliad oes byrrach. Mae'n anhygoel fod gan bobl ddisgwyliad oes byrrach oherwydd lle maent yn byw.
Fel y dywedodd Jenny Rathbone a Sarah Murphy mewn cwestiynau blaenorol, rwy'n deall bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi wynebu dewisiadau anodd iawn, ond a wnewch chi ystyried addasu'r fformiwla gyllido llywodraeth leol i gyfrif am y gwaith ymchwil newydd pwysig hwn? Diolch yn fawr.
Thank you for the question. Yes, my officials are looking closely at the research. One question that I've asked of them is to what extent it would make a difference to the formula—would it make a substantial and meaningful difference to the amount of money that went to local authorities if we were to make some of the changes? I don't really have clear sight on what the answer to that question is at the moment, but it's something that we are looking at.
The formula does take account of some of those factors, though, in terms of the importance of deprivation on different services. So, for example, the weighting for sparsity was previously increased in relation to social services, and that was as a result of the work that our distribution sub-group has done. So, it does look at some of these factors, but I'm certainly keen to have a good look, with my officials, at that report, which I think has been really helpful.
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Mae fy swyddogion yn edrych yn ofalus ar yr ymchwil. Un cwestiwn rwyf wedi ei ofyn iddynt yw i ba raddau y byddai'n gwneud gwahaniaeth i'r fformiwla—a fyddai'n gwneud gwahaniaeth sylweddol ac ystyrlon i'r swm o arian y byddai awdurdodau lleol yn ei gael pe baem ni'n gwneud rhai o'r newidiadau? Nid wyf yn gwybod yn iawn beth yw'r ateb i'r cwestiwn hwnnw ar hyn o bryd, ond mae'n rhywbeth rydym yn edrych arno.
Er hynny, mae'r fformiwla'n ystyried rhai o'r ffactorau sy'n ymwneud â phwysigrwydd effaith amddifadedd ar wahanol wasanaethau. Felly, er enghraifft, cynyddwyd y pwysoliad ar gyfer teneurwydd poblogaeth yn y gorffennol mewn perthynas â gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, ac roedd hynny o ganlyniad i'r gwaith y mae ein his-grŵp dosbarthu wedi'i wneud. Felly, mae'n edrych ar rai o'r ffactorau hyn, ond rwy'n sicr yn awyddus i edrych yn fanwl ar yr adroddiad hwnnw gyda fy swyddogion, ac mae'n adroddiad sydd wedi bod o gymorth mawr yn fy marn i.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog.
Thank you, Minister.
Yr eitem nesaf, felly, fydd y cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog materion gwledig a'r gogledd. Y cwestiwn cyntaf gan Cefin Campbell.
The next item will be questions to the Minister for rural affairs and north Wales. The first question is from Cefin Campbell.
1. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi diweddariad ar yr effaith ar Ganolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru o ganlyniad i roi diwedd ar gyllid y rhaglen datblygu gwledig? OQ60026
1. Will the Minister provide an update on the impact of the end of rural development programme funding in Mid and West Wales? OQ60026
Diolch. We are continuing to support our farmers and land managers through rural investment schemes, investing over £200 million. However, there are inevitable impacts from the ending of the rural development programme, as the UK Government has left our rural communities £243 million worse than if we had remained within the European Union.
Diolch. Rydym yn parhau i gefnogi ein ffermwyr a'n rheolwyr tir drwy gynlluniau buddsoddi gwledig, gan fuddsoddi dros £200 miliwn. Fodd bynnag, mae yna effeithiau anochel o ganlyniad i derfynu'r rhaglen datblygu gwledig, gan fod Llywodraeth y DU wedi gadael ein cymunedau gwledig gyda £243 miliwn yn llai na phe byddem wedi aros o fewn yr Undeb Ewropeaidd.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Wel, yr wythnos diwethaf yn y Siambr, fe gyfeiriais i at y ffaith bod cynllun Fflecsi Bwcabus yng Ngheredigion, sir Gaerfyrddin a sir Benfro yn dod i ben ddiwedd y mis, ac fe wnes i ofyn i Lywodraeth Cymru wneud popeth o fewn ei gallu i amddiffyn y gwasanaeth hanfodol hwn, sy'n achubiaeth i gynifer o bobl, yn enwedig yn ein cymunedau gwledig. Fel rŷch chi'n gwybod yn iawn, mae Bwcabus wedi'i ariannu'n rhannol drwy'r rhaglen datblygu gwledig, yr RDP, un o gronfeydd ariannol yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Mae'r cynllun, ar gyfartaledd dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf, wedi bod yn derbyn rhyw £500,000 y flwyddyn o'r gronfa hon.
Nawr, yn ddiweddar, dangosodd adroddiad gan Archwilio Cymru, nôl ym mis Mawrth eleni, fod £58 miliwn o'r gronfa RDP heb ei wario, a bod risg bod Cymru yn mynd i golli'r arian yma os nad oeddem ni'n mynd i'w ddefnyddio cyn diwedd y flwyddyn. Felly, rŷn ni mewn sefyllfa ryfedd iawn, iawn. Mae'n debyg ar un llaw bod arian dros ben, arian sylweddol, ac eto does yna ddim arian i dalu am barhad i'r cynllun Bwcabus, felly mae hon yn sefyllfa ryfedd iawn. Gaf i ofyn i chi, felly, roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i ni am faint o arian grant RDP sydd ar ôl i'w wario? Pa fesurau rŷch chi'n eu cymryd i sicrhau bod y cronfeydd hyn yn cael eu gwario'n llawn? Ac os oes arian ar ôl, a fyddech ch'n fodlon rhoi sicrwydd bod gwasanaeth Bwcabus yn gallu parhau?
Thank you very much. Well, last week in the Chamber, I referred to the fact that the Fflecsi Bwcabus programme in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire would come to an end at the end of the month, and I asked the Welsh Government to do everything within its ability to safeguard this crucial service, which is a saviour for so many people in our rural communities, particularly. As you know, Bwcabus is partially funded through the RDP, one of the EU's funds. The programme, on average over the last few years, has been receiving some £500,000 per annum from this fund.
Now, recently, an Audit Wales report back in March this year showed that £58 million from the RDP fund remained unspent, and that there was a risk that Wales would lose that funding unless we used it before the end of the year. So, we're in a very, very strange position. It appears that, on the one hand, there's substantial funding that's unspent, and yet there's no money to pay for the continuation of Bwcabus, so this is a very strange situation. Could I ask you, therefore, to provide us with the latest information as to how much RDP grant money is left to spend? What steps have you taken to ensure that these funds are fully spent? And if there is funding remaining, would you give us an assurance that the Bwcabus service will continue?
Thank you. As you say, Bwcabus has been funded by the EU for the last few years, but that funding is now ending. But it isn't strange at all, because there is no unallocated funding from the RDP. So, we do have until the end of this year to spend every penny of that money. And I've made it abundantly clear that I expect every penny to be spent, so we've over-allocated the funding because we know, from many years' experience, that RDP funding—invariably, schemes do come back not having been able to spend the money. So, we've learnt from those lessons and this year we've over-allocated. So, there is no £58 million unspent, it may have been at the beginning of the year, but by the end of the year, I can assure the Member that it will all have been spent. I meet with my officials regularly from the rural development programme team to make sure that they are absolutely pushing every scheme that's received funding through the rural development programme to make sure that they are able to fully allocate that money, because I'm really proud of what the RDP has achieved here in Wales. So, there won't be any underspend by the end of this year.
Diolch. Fel y dywedwch, mae Bwcabus wedi cael ei ariannu gan yr UE am yr ychydig flynyddoedd diwethaf, ond mae'r cyllid hwnnw bellach yn dod i ben. Ond nid yw'n syndod o gwbl, oherwydd nid oes unrhyw gyllid heb ei ddyrannu o'r cynllun datblygu gwledig. Felly, mae gennym tan ddiwedd y flwyddyn hon i wario pob ceiniog o'r arian hwnnw. Ac rwyf wedi dweud yn gwbl glir fy mod yn disgwyl i bob ceiniog gael ei gwario, felly rydym wedi gor-ddyrannu'r cyllid oherwydd ein bod yn gwybod, o flynyddoedd lawer o brofiad, fod cyllid y cynllun datblygu gwledig—yn ddieithriad, mae cynlluniau'n dod yn ôl heb fod wedi gallu gwario'r arian. Felly, rydym wedi dysgu o'r gwersi hynny ac eleni rydym wedi gor-ddyrannu. Felly, nid oes £58 miliwn heb ei wario, efallai fod hynny'n wir ar ddechrau'r flwyddyn, ond erbyn diwedd y flwyddyn, gallaf sicrhau'r Aelod y bydd y cyfan wedi'i wario. Rwy'n cyfarfod â fy swyddogion o dîm y rhaglen datblygu gwledig yn rheolaidd i sicrhau eu bod yn gwthio pob cynllun sydd wedi cael cyllid drwy'r rhaglen datblygu gwledig i sicrhau eu bod yn gallu dyrannu'r arian hwnnw'n llawn, oherwydd rwy'n falch iawn o'r hyn y mae'r cynllun datblygu gwledig wedi'i gyflawni yma yng Nghymru. Felly, ni fydd unrhyw danwariant erbyn diwedd y flwyddyn hon.
Minister, you'll know that I've previously challenged you on RDP funding and how it was spent, citing the scathing report by Audit Wales that found that millions of pounds of taxpayers' money had been allocated by the Welsh Government through favouritism and direct applications. I called for an independent review of the rural development programme, which you dismissed, stating that you were confident that lessons had been learned. But it seems that with the new Habitat Wales scheme, not a single lesson has been learned, because there's been no impact assessment, no consultation and, more surprisingly, no budget. The Welsh Government are in the unique position of having annoyed both the environmental lobby and the farming community in one fell swoop. To quote one farmer: 'If it wasn't so serious financially, it would be laughable.' Soil Association Cymru branded the new scheme as 'alarming'. So, with the RDP coming to an end, with Glastir coming to an end, and the sustainable farming scheme not launching until 2025, what reassurances can you give that the bridge between legacy and new support isn't crumbling away under this Government?
Weinidog, fe wyddoch fy mod wedi eich herio o'r blaen ar gyllid y rhaglen datblygu gwledig a sut y cafodd ei wario, gan nodi adroddiad deifiol Archwilio Cymru a ganfu fod miliynau o bunnoedd o arian trethdalwyr wedi cael ei ddyrannu gan Lywodraeth Cymru drwy ffafriaeth a cheisiadau uniongyrchol. Gelwais am adolygiad annibynnol o'r rhaglen datblygu gwledig, ac fe wnaethoch wrthod, gan ddweud eich bod yn hyderus fod gwersi wedi'u dysgu. Ond gyda chynllun newydd Cynefin Cymru, mae'n ymddangos nad oes unrhyw wersi wedi'u dysgu, oherwydd ni chafwyd asesiad effaith, ni chafwyd ymgynghoriad, ac yn fwy rhyfeddol, ni chafwyd cyllideb. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn y sefyllfa unigryw o fod wedi cythruddo'r lobi amgylcheddol a'r gymuned ffermio ag un ergyd. I ddyfynnu un ffermwr: 'Pe na bai mor ddifrifol yn ariannol, byddai'n chwerthinllyd.' Mae Cymdeithas y Pridd Cymru wedi disgrifio'r cynllun newydd fel un 'brawychus'. Felly, gyda'r rhaglen datblygu gwledig yn dod i ben, gyda Glastir yn dod i ben, ac o ystyried na fydd y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy yn cael ei lansio tan 2025, pa sicrwydd y gallwch ei roi nad yw'r bont rhwng gwaddol a chymorth newydd yn dymchwel o dan y Llywodraeth hon?
I think we need to be very clear about what the Habitat scheme is for. Everyone—absolutely everyone—knew that Glastir schemes were coming to an end at the end of this year. I couldn't extend it any more. I extended and extended. It's impossible to extend even further. If we'd have remained in the European Union, that funding would still be available. It's not available, so we're in a completely new world. This is a massive change, and I understand that it is a massive change for our farmers, but they all knew that it was ending this year. All of them knew, every single one of them. It's no good shaking your head, everybody knew that the Glastir schemes were coming to an end this year.
Now, I was asked, particularly by the farming unions, to make sure that we had an interim agri scheme ahead of the sustainable farming scheme coming in in April 2025. So, I've done that. There was a very small window to be able to do that. We worked very closely with the National Farmers Union and with the Farmers Union of Wales and many other stakeholders to try and get a scheme as quickly as possible. And that's what we did. Last Friday, that scheme was opened. We've already had over 100 applications.
I never said the money would be the same as Glastir. For instance, I don't know at the moment what the budget is, because we, as a Government, right across the Government, with all my ministerial colleagues, are having to re-prioritise this year's budget—not next year's, this year's budget. So, I was successful in making sure that we had a small pot of money for this scheme. I'm really pleased that scheme is there. And the other thing is you can say that everybody is unhappy about it, but I've had farmers say to me how pleased they are where we have an agri-environment scheme that every farmer can apply for, because that wasn't the way with Glastir.
Rwy'n credu bod angen inni fod yn glir iawn ynglŷn â phwrpas y cynllun Cynefin. Roedd pawb—pawb—yn gwybod bod cynlluniau Glastir yn dod i ben ar ddiwedd y flwyddyn hon. Ni allwn ei ymestyn mwyach. Fe wneuthum ei ymestyn dro ar ôl tro. Mae'n amhosibl imi ei ymestyn ymhellach eto. Pe byddem wedi aros yn yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, byddai'r cyllid hwnnw ar gael o hyd. Nid yw ar gael, felly rydym mewn byd hollol newydd. Mae'n newid enfawr, ac rwy'n deall ei fod yn newid enfawr i'n ffermwyr, ond roeddent i gyd yn gwybod ei fod yn dod i ben eleni. Roedd pawb yn gwybod, pob un ohonynt. Nid oes unrhyw bwynt i chi ysgwyd eich pen, roedd pawb yn gwybod bod cynlluniau Glastir yn dod i ben eleni.
Nawr, fe ofynnwyd i mi sicrhau, yn enwedig gan yr undebau ffermio, fod gennym gynllun amaeth interim cyn cyflwyno'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy ym mis Ebrill 2025. Felly, rwyf wedi gwneud hynny. Roedd yna ffenestr fach iawn i allu gwneud hynny. Buom yn gweithio'n agos iawn gydag Undeb Cenedlaethol yr Amaethwyr a chydag Undeb Amaethwyr Cymru a llawer o randdeiliaid eraill i geisio creu cynllun cyn gynted â phosibl. A dyna a wnaethom. Ddydd Gwener diwethaf, agorwyd y cynllun hwnnw. Rydym eisoes wedi derbyn dros 100 o geisiadau.
Ni wneuthum ddweud o gwbl y byddai'r arian yr un fath â Glastir. Er enghraifft, nid wyf yn gwybod ar hyn o bryd beth yw'r gyllideb oherwydd rydym ni, fel Llywodraeth, ar draws y Llywodraeth, gyda fy holl gyd-Weinidogion, yn gorfod ailflaenoriaethu cyllideb eleni—nid cyllideb y flwyddyn nesaf, cyllideb eleni. Felly, llwyddais i sicrhau bod gennym gronfa fach o arian ar gyfer y cynllun hwn. Rwy'n falch iawn fod y cynllun yno. A pheth arall, gallwch ddweud bod pawb yn anhapus am y peth, ond mae yna ffermwyr wedi dweud wrthyf pa mor falch ydynt o gael cynllun amaeth-amgylcheddol y gall pob ffermwr wneud cais amdano, oherwydd nid oedd hynny'n wir gyda Glastir.
2. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn bwriadu deddfu i wella lles anifeiliaid domestig? OQ59998
2. How does the Welsh Government intend to legislate to improve the welfare of domestic animals? OQ59998
Thank you. Our ambition is for all animals in Wales to have a good quality of life. Our priorities for animal welfare are set out in 'Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26'. It includes a timetable for the delivery of key actions against programme for government commitments and other animal welfare priorities.
Diolch. Ein huchelgais yw i bob anifail yng Nghymru gael ansawdd bywyd da. Mae ein blaenoriaethau ar gyfer lles anifeiliaid wedi'u nodi yn 'Cynllun Lles Anifeiliaid Cymru 2021-26'. Mae'n cynnwys amserlen ar gyfer cyflawni camau gweithredu allweddol yn erbyn ymrwymiadau'r rhaglen lywodraethu a blaenoriaethau lles anifeiliaid eraill.
I thank the Minister for that. I think we must always remember that domestic animals are sentient beings. The Welsh Government has an excellent record on legislating for the welfare of domestic animals. For example, it is now illegal for a commercial seller to sell a puppy or kitten they have not bred themselves at their own premises, and they must ensure the mother is present. I am still waiting for cat microchipping to be made compulsory, but I hope you're going to say that in the very near future that's going to happen. But most animal cruelty is based upon ignorance rather than people trying to be cruel to the animals. Will the Government consider making highlighting to new owners of rabbits information on how to look after them mandatory?
Diolch i'r Gweinidog am hynny. Rwy'n credu bod yn rhaid inni gofio bod anifeiliaid domestig yn fodau ymdeimladol. Mae gan Lywodraeth Cymru hanes ardderchog o ddeddfu ar gyfer lles anifeiliaid domestig. Er enghraifft, mae bellach yn anghyfreithlon i werthwr masnachol werthu cŵn bach neu gathod bach nad ydynt wedi eu magu eu hunain ar eu tir eu hunain, ac mae'n rhaid iddynt sicrhau bod y fam yn bresennol. Rwy'n dal i aros i ficrosglodynnu cathod gael ei wneud yn orfodol, ond rwy'n gobeithio y byddwch chi'n dweud y bydd hynny'n digwydd yn y dyfodol agos. Ond mae'r rhan fwyaf o greulondeb tuag at anifeiliaid yn seiliedig ar anwybodaeth yn hytrach na phobl yn ceisio bod yn greulon tuag at yr anifeiliaid. A wnaiff y Llywodraeth ystyried ei gwneud yn orfodol i ddarparu gwybodaeth ar sut i ofalu am gwningod i berchnogion cwningod newydd?
Thank you. Well, of course, today is World Animal Day. We celebrated it a day early this year here in the Senedd yesterday with an event sponsored by Luke Fletcher. I have committed to looking at microchipping cats, as you know, and whilst we haven't got a consultation planned for this year, it is certainly something that we're looking at in relation to databases for both cats and dogs. I'm really grateful that the Member always keeps that on the agenda. Responsible ownership of all animals, I think, is really important, and I will certainly consider his request.
Diolch. Wrth gwrs, mae'n Ddiwrnod Anifeiliaid y Byd heddiw. Fe wnaethom ni ei ddathlu ddiwrnod yn gynnar eleni yma yn y Senedd ddoe gyda digwyddiad wedi'i noddi gan Luke Fletcher. Rwyf wedi ymrwymo i edrych ar ficrosglodynnu cathod fel y gwyddoch, ac er nad oes gennym ymgynghoriad wedi'i gynllunio ar gyfer eleni, mae'n sicr yn rhywbeth rydym yn edrych arno mewn perthynas â chronfeydd data ar gyfer cathod a chŵn. Rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn fod yr Aelod bob amser yn cadw'r mater hwnnw ar yr agenda. Rwy'n credu bod perchnogaeth gyfrifol ar bob anifail yn bwysig iawn, a byddaf yn sicr yn ystyried ei gais.
Minister, puppy docking in Wales has been banned since 2007 with regard to some exemptions for certain breeds of working dogs. I met with a group of vets recently in my constituency who were telling me that when people are bringing their puppies into the vets for their vaccinations, they cannot prove that those pets have actually been docked properly. When they’re reporting that to the local trading standards department or the Animal and Plant Health Agency, they’re not willing to investigate and not doing any enforcement on that. So, I’d just like to know: what can the Welsh Government do to make sure that these bodies are actually enforcing the regulations that we pass here in this Senedd to improve the welfare of our domestic animals in Wales?
Weinidog, mae torri cynffonnau cŵn bach wedi cael ei wahardd yng Nghymru ers 2007, gyda rhai eithriadau ar gyfer bridiau penodol o gŵn gwaith. Cyfarfûm â grŵp o filfeddygon yn fy etholaeth yn ddiweddar a oedd yn dweud wrthyf, pan fo pobl yn dod â'u cŵn bach i'r filfeddygfa ar gyfer eu brechiadau, na allant brofi bod cynffonnau'r anifeiliaid anwes hynny wedi cael eu torri'n iawn mewn gwirionedd. Pan fyddant yn hysbysu'r adran safonau masnach leol neu'r Asiantaeth Iechyd Anifeiliaid a Phlanhigion, nid yw'r rheini'n fodlon ymchwilio ac nid ydynt yn cymryd unrhyw gamau gorfodi yn gysylltiedig â hynny. Felly, hoffwn wybod: beth y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud i sicrhau bod y cyrff hyn yn gorfodi'r rheoliadau rydym yn eu pasio yma yn y Senedd hon i wella lles ein hanifeiliaid domestig yng Nghymru?
Thank you. That's not an issue that's been raised with me before, but I will certainly speak to the chief veterinary officer in relation to that, and also, obviously, with APHA—I meet with the chief executive of APHA very frequently—because if that is indeed the case, that's very concerning. But I will look into it and I will write to the Member. Thank you.
Diolch. Nid yw hwnnw'n fater sydd wedi cael ei godi gyda mi o'r blaen, ond byddaf yn sicr o siarad gyda'r prif swyddog milfeddygol mewn perthynas â hynny, a hefyd, yn amlwg, gyda'r Asiantaeth Iechyd Anifeiliaid a Phlanhigion—rwy'n cyfarfod â phrif weithredwr yr Asiantaeth Iechyd Anifeiliaid a Phlanhigion yn aml iawn—oherwydd os yw hynny'n wir, mae'n destun pryder mawr. Ond fe wnaf edrych ar hynny ac fe wnaf ysgrifennu at yr Aelod. Diolch.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, Darren Millar.
Questions now from the party spokespeople. Welsh Conservatives spokesperson, Darren Millar.
Thank you, Presiding Officer. Minister, you'll be aware that the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority has been undertaking a review of emergency cover across north Wales, and has undertaken a consultation on three options for change. Each of those options will see cuts and reductions in emergency cover at key locations across the region, including the downgrading of fire stations in Rhyl and Deeside, and two of the options propose the withdrawal of a crewed fire engine in your own constituency of Wrexham. The Fire Brigades Union has described the proposals as, and I quote,
'three different ways to put the public at risk'.
Minister, as the Minister for north Wales, do you agree with them?
Diolch yn fawr, Lywydd. Weinidog, fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol fod Awdurdod Tân ac Achub Gogledd Cymru wedi bod yn cynnal adolygiad o'r ddarpariaeth frys ledled gogledd Cymru, ac wedi cynnal ymgynghoriad ar dri opsiwn ar gyfer newid. Bydd pob un o'r opsiynau hynny'n gweld toriadau a gostyngiadau yn y ddarpariaeth frys mewn lleoliadau allweddol ar draws y rhanbarth, gan gynnwys israddio gorsafoedd tân yn y Rhyl a Glannau Dyfrdwy, ac mae dau o'r opsiynau yn argymell cael gwared ar injan dân â chriw yn eich etholaeth chi yn Wrecsam. Mae Undeb y Brigadau Tân wedi disgrifio'r argymhellion fel,
'tair ffordd wahanol o roi'r cyhoedd mewn perygl'.
Weinidog, fel Gweinidog gogledd Cymru, a ydych chi'n cytuno â nhw?
Well, obviously, this is a time of very tough choices for everybody, but I think this is a local and operational matter for north Wales fire and rescue association, and Welsh Government has no cause to intervene. Currently, I know the Minister does keep a very close eye and meets with the chief fire officer regularly, but, obviously, anything that affects the way our emergency services are able to react is a cause for concern.
Wel, yn amlwg, mae hwn yn gyfnod o ddewisiadau anodd iawn i bawb, ond rwy'n credu bod hwn yn fater lleol a gweithredol i awdurdod tân ac achub gogledd Cymru, ac nid oes gan Lywodraeth Cymru unrhyw reswm i ymyrryd. Ar hyn o bryd, rwy'n gwybod bod y Gweinidog yn cadw llygad barcud ac yn cyfarfod â'r prif swyddog tân yn rheolaidd, ond yn amlwg, mae unrhyw beth sy'n effeithio ar y ffordd y mae ein gwasanaethau brys yn gallu ymateb yn destun pryder.
Well, it's the Welsh Government that's ultimately responsible for the fire service in north Wales, and we know, Minister, that the fire services in Rhyl and Deeside are currently staffed around the clock for a reason: the station in Rhyl serves a very large population centre, much of which is deprived, and it's situated on part of the north Wales coast, which has the largest number of properties at risk of flooding. We know that Deeside serves a very large population, in an area incorporating a large industrial belt, where emergencies can be catastrophic for those working and living nearby. And in Wrexham, those three fire engines and crews are essential to the safety of the city, the largest population centre in north Wales.
Last year, under the current emergency cover arrangements, the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service achieved an extraordinary milestone: it was the first year in which there were zero fire-related deaths. Now, that to me suggests that the current model is working very well. So, do you agree with me that reallocating and cutting resources in the way that the fire authority proposes will put that record and lives at risk?
Wel, Llywodraeth Cymru sy'n gyfrifol am y gwasanaeth tân yng ngogledd Cymru yn y pen draw, ac rydym yn gwybod, Weinidog, fod y gwasanaethau tân yn y Rhyl a Glannau Dyfrdwy yn cael eu staffio bob awr o'r dydd am resymau da ar hyn o bryd: mae'r orsaf yn y Rhyl yn gwasanaethu canolfan boblogaeth fawr iawn, gyda llawer ohoni'n ddifreintiedig, ac mae wedi'i lleoli ar ran o arfordir gogledd Cymru sydd â'r nifer fwyaf o eiddo'n wynebu perygl llifogydd. Gwyddom fod Glannau Dyfrdwy yn gwasanaethu poblogaeth fawr iawn, mewn ardal sy'n cynnwys ardal ddiwydiannol fawr, lle gall argyfyngau fod yn drychinebus i'r rhai sy'n gweithio ac yn byw gerllaw. Ac yn Wrecsam, mae'r tair injan dân a'r criwiau'n hanfodol i ddiogelwch y ddinas, y ganolfan boblogaeth fwyaf yng ngogledd Cymru.
Y llynedd, o dan y trefniadau darpariaeth frys presennol, cyflawnodd Gwasanaeth Tân ac Achub Gogledd Cymru garreg filltir eithriadol: hon oedd y flwyddyn gyntaf lle na chafwyd unrhyw farwolaethau'n gysylltiedig â thân. Nawr, mae hynny'n awgrymu i mi fod y model presennol yn gweithio'n dda iawn. Felly, a ydych chi'n cytuno y bydd ailddyrannu a thorri adnoddau yn y ffordd y mae'r awdurdod tân yn ei argymell yn rhoi'r cyflawniad hwnnw a bywydau pobl mewn perygl?
As I said, this is a local and operational matter for North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority. It's up to them to reach a solution that is sustainable, affordable—it has to be fair to their workforce, it has to be fair to the communities of north Wales. And I do recognise that what is being proposed could be causing some concern to those communities, but I think the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership has certainly urged the fire and rescue authority to seek a solution that is sustainable and affordable, and, as I say, fair to not only its workforce, but to the people of north Wales.
Fel y dywedais, mae hwn yn fater lleol a gweithredol i Awdurdod Tân ac Achub Gogledd Cymru. Mater iddyn nhw yw dod o hyd i ateb sy'n gynaliadwy, yn fforddiadwy—mae'n rhaid iddo fod yn deg â'u gweithlu, mae'n rhaid iddo fod yn deg â chymunedau gogledd Cymru. Ac rwy'n cydnabod y gallai'r hyn sy'n cael ei gynnig achosi rhywfaint o bryder i'r cymunedau hynny, ond rwy'n credu bod y Dirprwy Weinidog Partneriaeth Gymdeithasol yn sicr wedi annog yr awdurdod tân ac achub i geisio dod o hyd i ateb sy'n gynaliadwy ac yn fforddiadwy, ac sy'n deg, fel y dywedais, nid yn unig â'u gweithlu ond sy'n deg â phobl gogledd Cymru hefyd.
Look, I accept that operational responsibility lies with the north Wales fire authority, but you are the Welsh Government. You set the guidance. You set the guidelines for this organisation to function. You also are responsible for making sure that stakeholders like unions are listened to across the public sector. So, I find it frankly astonishing that there doesn't seem to be more effort being made by the Welsh Government to make sure that the Fire Brigades Union, in particular, has been listened to. They tell us, as local Members of the Senedd in north Wales, that there was no engagement with the union as a key stakeholder in the development of the proposals that have been out for public consultation prior to them being published. Now, that is clearly unacceptable. All professional firefighters want people to be safe. They all want improved emergency fire cover across the whole of north Wales, and the FBU, as you will be aware as a north Wales Member, have developed two alternative proposals, both of which will achieve that additional emergency cover whilst maintaining the 24/7 staffing arrangements in Rhyl and Deeside, and maintaining the fire engine and crew in Wrexham that was due to be axed. Will you join me in urging the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority to consider seriously the Fire Brigades Union's reasonable proposals, and will you work with your colleagues and Minister for social partnership to make sure that new guidance is issued to our fire and rescue authorities in Wales to make sure that there is engagement with the Fire Brigades Union, and, indeed, other key stakeholders, prior to any plans coming forward for public consultation? That hasn't happened in this case, and it should have done.
Edrychwch, rwy'n derbyn mai awdurdod tân gogledd Cymru sydd â'r cyfrifoldeb gweithredol, ond chi yw Llywodraeth Cymru. Chi sy'n gosod y canllawiau. Chi sy'n gosod y canllawiau i'r sefydliad hwn weithredu. Chi hefyd sy'n gyfrifol am sicrhau bod lleisiau rhanddeiliaid fel undebau yn cael eu clywed ar draws y sector cyhoeddus. Felly, mae'n destun syndod i mi nad oes mwy o ymdrech i'w gweld yn cael ei gwneud gan Lywodraeth Cymru i sicrhau bod llais Undeb y Brigadau Tân, yn enwedig, yn cael ei glywed. Maent yn dweud wrthym, fel Aelodau lleol o'r Senedd yng ngogledd Cymru, na fu unrhyw ymgysylltiad â'r undeb fel rhanddeiliad allweddol wrth ddatblygu'r cynigion sydd wedi bod yn destun ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus cyn iddynt gael eu cyhoeddi. Nawr, mae hynny'n amlwg yn annerbyniol. Mae pob diffoddwr tân proffesiynol eisiau i bobl fod yn ddiogel. Maent i gyd eisiau gwell darpariaeth frys ar draws gogledd Cymru gyfan, ac mae Undeb y Brigadau Tân, fel y gwyddoch fel Aelod gogledd Cymru, wedi datblygu dau gynnig arall, a bydd y ddau ohonynt yn sicrhau'r ddarpariaeth frys ychwanegol gan gynnal y trefniadau staffio 24/7 yn y Rhyl a Glannau Dyfrdwy, a chynnal yr injan dân a'r criw yn Wrecsam a oedd i fod i gael eu torri. A wnewch chi ymuno â mi i annog Awdurdod Tân ac Achub Gogledd Cymru i roi ystyriaeth ddifrifol i gynigion rhesymol Undeb y Brigadau Tân, ac a wnewch chi weithio gyda'ch cyd-Weinidogion a'r Gweinidog partneriaeth gymdeithasol i sicrhau bod canllawiau newydd yn cael eu darparu i'n hawdurdodau tân ac achub yng Nghymru i sicrhau ymgysylltiad ag Undeb y Brigadau Tân, a rhanddeiliaid allweddol eraill yn wir, cyn i unrhyw gynlluniau gael eu cyflwyno ar gyfer ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus? Nid yw hynny wedi digwydd yn yr achos hwn, a dylai fod wedi digwydd.
Well, speaking with my MS hat on, I think that engagement is absolutely taking place. As I said, the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership, who's in her seat and will have heard your comments, is keeping a very close eye on this. But it is absolutely a matter for the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority. It's absolutely vital that they do engage, and my understanding is that they are engaging, and that they are listening. But it does now need to operate within the limits it sets itself, and the Deputy Minister, I know, will be meeting regularly with the north Wales fire chief.
Wel, gan wisgo fy het AS, rwy'n sicr yn credu bod ymgysylltu yn digwydd. Fel y dywedais, mae'r Dirprwy Weinidog Partneriaeth Gymdeithasol, sydd yn ei sedd ac a fydd wedi clywed eich sylwadau, yn cadw llygad barcud ar hyn. Ond mater i Awdurdod Tân ac Achub Gogledd Cymru yw hyn yn bendant. Mae'n gwbl hanfodol eu bod yn ymgysylltu, a fy nealltwriaeth i yw eu bod yn ymgysylltu, a'u bod yn gwrando. Ond nawr mae angen iddo weithredu o fewn y terfynau y mae'n eu gosod iddo'i hun, ac rwy'n gwybod y bydd y Dirprwy Weinidog yn cyfarfod yn rheolaidd â phennaeth tân gogledd Cymru.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Llyr Gruffydd.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Llyr Gruffydd.
Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, details around the Habitat Wales scheme are, of course, still rather unclear, aren't they? And I couldn't agree more with the farming unions when they tell us that the ambiguity is unsettling for those considering entering the scheme, particularly the many farmers who have previously held Glastir contracts. Now, the transition away from Glastir payments was supposed to be seamless—it's something that you've promised—but this clearly doesn't seem to be seamless at least. There's a sense of uncertainty, there's a sense of confusion, and that of course means farmers walking away, potentially, from the scheme, undermining not only decades of investment in previous agri-environment schemes, but also undermining the policy objectives that you've set out in the agri Bill, and that you and many of us hope to achieve through the sustainable farming scheme. So, will you accept that the ending of Glastir payments in the way that it's happening now, along with this short-notice, short-term interim scheme, isn't seamless at all, and that the lack of clarity and the rushed nature of the scheme leaves a huge question mark over participation levels?
Diolch, Lywydd. Weinidog, mae manylion am gynllun Cynefin Cymru braidd yn aneglur o hyd, onid ydynt? Ac rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr gyda'r undebau ffermio pan fyddant yn dweud wrthym fod yr amwysedd yn peri pryder i'r rhai sy'n ystyried ymuno â'r cynllun, yn enwedig y nifer fawr o ffermwyr a oedd yn meddu ar gontractau Glastir yn flaenorol. Nawr, roedd y newid o daliadau Glastir i fod i ddigwydd yn ddi-dor—mae'n rhywbeth rydych chi wedi'i addo—ond yn amlwg nid yw'n ymddangos yn ddi-dor. Mae yna ymdeimlad o ansicrwydd, mae yna ymdeimlad o ddryswch, ac mae hynny wrth gwrs yn golygu y gallai ffermwyr droi eu cefnau ar y cynllun, gan danseilio degawdau o fuddsoddiad mewn cynlluniau amaeth-amgylcheddol blaenorol, a'r amcanion polisi rydych chi wedi'u nodi yn y Bil amaeth, amcanion rydych chi a llawer ohonom yn gobeithio eu cyflawni drwy'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy. Felly, a wnewch chi dderbyn nad yw dod â thaliadau Glastir i ben yn y ffordd sy'n digwydd nawr, gyda'r cynllun interim byr-rybudd byrdymor hwn, yn ddi-dor o gwbl, a bod diffyg eglurder a natur frysiog y cynllun yn gadael marc cwestiwn enfawr dros lefelau cyfranogiad?
Well, I think it was rushed by—. We had to do something very quickly. I thought that's what people wanted—that's what I was lobbied for. As I say, it only opened for applications on Friday; we've already had over 100, so, clearly, many farmers do want to be part of this scheme. I do recognise that it's very unsettling, and I absolutely appreciate that, but we are where we are. As I said in my answer to Sam Kurtz, if we'd remained in the European Union, we could have extended Glastir again, but we can't. So, we had to have a new scheme, to bridge the period between Glastir ending at the end of this year and the start of the sustainable farming scheme.
We, unfortunately, weren't able to set the budget; it would have been much better if I could have set the budget, but, unfortunately, because of the reprioritisation exercise we're having to do for this financial year, I haven't been able to do that. What I do think is important is that as many farmers as possible do apply for it. As I've said, it is open to all farmers, which has certainly been welcomed. You may have known there was a bit of concern from our organic farmers, for instance, around funding, so we've made sure it's absolutely open to them as well, while we're looking at a way we can give them extra support.
Wel, rwy'n meddwl iddo gael ei ruthro—. Roedd rhaid gwneud rhywbeth ar frys. Roeddwn i'n meddwl mai dyna roedd pobl ei eisiau—ar hynny y cefais fy lobïo. Fel rwy'n dweud, ddydd Gwener y cafodd ei agor i geisiadau; rydym eisoes wedi cael dros 100, felly, yn amlwg, mae llawer o ffermwyr eisiau bod yn rhan o'r cynllun hwn. Rwy'n cydnabod ei bod yn sefyllfa ansefydlog, ac rwy'n derbyn hynny'n llwyr, ond dyma'r sefyllfa rydym ynddi. Fel y dywedais yn fy ateb i Sam Kurtz, pe byddem wedi aros yn yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, gallem fod wedi ymestyn Glastir eto, ond ni allwn. Felly, roedd yn rhaid inni gael cynllun newydd, i bontio'r cyfnod rhwng Glastir yn dod i ben ddiwedd y flwyddyn hon a dechrau'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy.
Yn anffodus, nid oeddem ni'n gallu gosod y gyllideb; byddai wedi bod yn llawer gwell pe bawn i wedi gallu gosod y gyllideb, ond yn anffodus, oherwydd yr ymarfer ailflaenoriaethu sy'n rhaid inni ei wneud ar gyfer y flwyddyn ariannol hon, nid wyf wedi gallu gwneud hynny. Yr hyn sy'n bwysig yn fy marn i yw bod cymaint o ffermwyr â phosibl yn gwneud cais amdano. Fel y dywedais, mae'n agored i bob ffermwr, ac mae hynny'n sicr wedi cael croeso. Efallai eich bod yn gwybod bod ein ffermwyr organig, er enghraifft, wedi bod ychydig yn bryderus ynglŷn â chyllid, felly rydym wedi sicrhau ei fod yn gwbl agored iddyn nhw hefyd, wrth inni edrych ar ffordd o roi cymorth ychwanegol iddynt.
Rather more than a bit of concern, I think, from the organic sector.
It's strange, isn't it, because two minutes ago, in response to another question, you said that farmers knew that Glastir was ending—there's no excuse, everybody knew that Glastir was coming to an end. And now you've just told us that you had to respond quickly to the fact that Glastir was ending—well, you knew that Glastir was ending as well. So, why levy one measure against farmers and then measure yourself against a different kind of approach? Farmers have just weeks here, frankly, don't they, before they potentially hit a funding cliff edge, because there are no guarantees of funding from the end of December. And you will know that farming, when you're working with the grain of nature, farming doesn't work that way; in fact, it cannot work on such irrationally short timescales. So, can you tell us—and I suspect I know the answer—what modelling was done about the potential impact of the Habitat Wales scheme particularly? What projections were made by the Government in terms of levels of take-up? And if that work has been done, I'm sure you'd be more than willing to publish it. And when can Welsh farmers expect confirmation and clarity on what the actual budget is going to be?
Rwy'n credu bod y sector organig yn fwy nag ychydig yn bryderus.
Mae'n rhyfedd, onid yw, oherwydd ddau funud yn ôl, mewn ymateb i gwestiwn arall, roeddech chi'n dweud bod ffermwyr yn gwybod bod Glastir yn dod i ben—nid oes unrhyw esgus, roedd pawb yn gwybod bod Glastir yn dod i ben. A nawr rydych chi newydd ddweud wrthym y bu'n rhaid i chi ymateb yn gyflym i'r ffaith bod Glastir yn dod i ben—wel, roeddech chi'n gwybod bod Glastir yn dod i ben hefyd. Felly, pam gosod un mesur ar gyfer ffermwyr a mesur eich hun mewn ffordd wahanol? Dim ond wythnosau sydd gan ffermwyr, onid e, cyn y gallent wynebu ymyl clogwyn ariannol, oherwydd nid oes sicrwydd o gyllid o ddiwedd mis Rhagfyr ymlaen. Ac fe fyddwch chi'n gwybod nad yw ffermio'n gweithio felly, pan fyddwch chi'n gweithio yn ôl mympwy natur; mewn gwirionedd, ni all weithio ar amserlenni mor afresymol o fyr. Felly, a allwch chi ddweud wrthym—ac rwy'n tybio fy mod yn gwybod yr ateb—pa fodelu a wnaed o effaith bosibl cynllun Cynefin Cymru yn enwedig? Pa ragamcanion a wnaed gan y Llywodraeth ynghylch lefelau'r nifer a fyddai'n manteisio arno? Ac os yw'r gwaith hwnnw wedi'i wneud, rwy'n siŵr y byddech yn fwy na pharod i'w gyhoeddi. A phryd y gall ffermwyr Cymru ddisgwyl cadarnhad ac eglurder ynglŷn â beth fydd y gyllideb mewn gwirionedd?
So, of course I knew Glastir was ending this year, but what I didn't know was would I have any funding for an agri-environment scheme. I was very keen that we didn't throw the baby out with the bath water, and that all the good we've had from Glastir schemes—. But, let's be—. We need a reality check here; we all do. There is very little funding available. And the fact that I was able to secure funding for an agri-environment scheme appears to have been lost in all the noise, because, over the summer, I wasn't sure if I could find any funding at all, and there would be a gap. So, of course I knew that Glastir was ending at the end of this year, but so did every farmer. So, within their business plan, they should have recognised that and made plans in relation to that.
I was lobbied very, very hard by our stakeholders, particularly by the farming unions, to bring forward a scheme. They were very keen to help us prepare the scheme, and we've certainly—. I know my officials talked a lot over the summer with, particularly, the National Farmers Union Cymru and the Farmers Union of Wales, to try and get the scheme to be something that farmers would want to apply for. There was very little room for and time for impact assessments and modelling, but what I thought was that this scheme would be welcomed, because it was additional funding to try and replace—although it couldn't possibly replace all of it—Glastir schemes. And I thought it was really important that every farmer could, because one thing I have learned is that many farmers were unhappy that they couldn't apply for Glastir, and, of course, we were extending year after year and they were missing out.
Wrth gwrs roeddwn i'n gwybod bod Glastir yn dod i ben eleni, ond yr hyn na wyddwn oedd a fyddai gennyf unrhyw gyllid ar gyfer cynllun amaeth-amgylcheddol. Roeddwn i'n awyddus iawn i sicrhau na fyddem yn cael gwared ar y manteision yn ogystal â'r anfanteision, a bod yr holl ddaioni a gawsom o gynlluniau Glastir—. Ond gadewch inni fod—. Mae angen deall beth yw'r gwirionedd yma; mae angen i bawb ohonom ei ddeall. Ychydig iawn o arian sydd ar gael. Ac mae'n ymddangos bod y ffaith fy mod wedi gallu sicrhau cyllid ar gyfer cynllun amaeth-amgylcheddol wedi cael ei golli yn yr holl sŵn, oherwydd dros yr haf, nid oeddwn yn siŵr a allwn ddod o hyd i unrhyw gyllid o gwbl, ac fe fyddai bwlch. Felly, wrth gwrs fy mod yn gwybod bod Glastir yn dod i ben ar ddiwedd y flwyddyn, ond roedd pob ffermwr yn gwybod hynny hefyd. Felly, yn eu cynlluniau busnes, dylent fod wedi cydnabod hynny a gwneud cynlluniau mewn perthynas â hynny.
Cefais fy lobïo'n galed iawn gan ein rhanddeiliaid, yn enwedig gan yr undebau ffermio, i gyflwyno cynllun. Roeddent yn awyddus iawn i'n helpu i baratoi'r cynllun, ac rydym yn sicr wedi—. Rwy'n gwybod bod fy swyddogion wedi siarad llawer dros yr haf, gydag Undeb Cenedlaethol Amaethwyr Cymru ac Undeb Amaethwyr Cymru yn enwedig, i geisio cael y cynllun i fod yn rhywbeth y byddai ffermwyr am wneud cais amdano. Ychydig iawn o le oedd yna ar gyfer asesiadau effaith a modelu, ond roeddwn i'n meddwl y byddai'r cynllun hwn yn cael ei groesawu, oherwydd roedd yn gyllid ychwanegol i geisio cymryd lle cynlluniau Glastir, er nad oedd unrhyw fodd iddo gymryd lle'r cyfan. Ac roeddwn i'n meddwl ei bod hi'n bwysig iawn i bob ffermwr allu gwneud cais, oherwydd un peth a ddysgais yw bod llawer o ffermwyr yn anhapus na allent wneud cais am Glastir, ac, wrth gwrs, roeddem yn ymestyn flwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn ac roedden nhw'n methu ei gael.
3. Pa gynnydd y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud o ran cynyddu faint o lysiau a ffrwythau a dyfwyd yng Nghymru yn ystod y flwyddyn ddiwethaf? OQ60009
3. What progress has the Welsh Government made on increasing the amount of vegetables and fruit grown in Wales in the last year? OQ60009
Thank you. Whilst annual statistics on fruit and vegetable production are not collected, the Welsh Government has continued to provide comprehensive support for growers in Wales. This includes the horticulture development and start-up schemes for farmers. Tailored advice and training is also being offered to growers through Farming Connect.
Diolch. Er na chesglir ystadegau blynyddol ar gynhyrchu ffrwythau a llysiau, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi parhau i ddarparu cefnogaeth gynhwysfawr i dyfwyr yng Nghymru. Mae hyn yn cynnwys y cynlluniau datblygu garddwriaeth a dechrau busnes i ffermwyr. Hefyd, caiff cyngor a hyfforddiant wedi'i deilwra ei gynnig i dyfwyr drwy Cyswllt Ffermio.
I am concerned to hear you say that we don't collect statistics on the amount of vegetables and fruit grown in Wales, because we know that the climate across Europe is changing at a rate that is surprising even those of us who've been warning about this for some time. The weather at the moment in southern Europe is more akin to what happens in July and August. There will be no rain for at least 10 days in any of the places from where we normally import vegetables and fruit, and you can see how a gathering crisis of distribution of foodstuffs that we normally relied on—Brexit hasn't helped, obviously—means that we must surely focus on how much we need to be producing in order to ensure that everybody has access to a healthy, balanced diet. We know that two in 10 people have no access to a healthy, balanced diet, because they're relying on foodbanks, who almost always are unable to provide a healthy, balanced diet in what the supermarkets choose to dish out.
So, we can't afford to go backwards, and I want to understand how the interim arrangements, pending the full adoption of the sustainable farming scheme, are going to promote what is a major food security issue, which is the need to grow more vegetables and fruit in this country, because we cannot rely on what is coming from abroad.
Rwy'n bryderus wrth eich clywed yn dweud nad ydym yn casglu ystadegau ar faint o lysiau a ffrwythau sy'n cael eu tyfu yng Nghymru, oherwydd gwyddom fod yr hinsawdd ledled Ewrop yn newid ar raddfa sy'n syndod i hyd yn oed y rhai ohonom sydd wedi bod yn rhybuddio am hyn ers peth amser. Mae'r tywydd ar hyn o bryd yn ne Ewrop yn debycach i'r hyn sy'n digwydd ym mis Gorffennaf a mis Awst. Ni fydd glaw am o leiaf 10 diwrnod yn unrhyw un o'r lleoedd rydym fel arfer yn mewnforio llysiau a ffrwythau ohonynt, a gallwch weld sut mae argyfwng cynyddol o ran dosbarthu bwydydd y byddem fel arfer yn dibynnu arnynt—nid yw Brexit wedi helpu, yn amlwg—yn golygu bod yn rhaid i ni ganolbwyntio ar faint y mae angen i ni ei gynhyrchu er mwyn sicrhau bod pawb yn gallu cael deiet iach a chytbwys. Gwyddom nad yw dau o bob 10 o bobl yn gallu cael deiet iach a chytbwys am eu bod yn dibynnu ar fanciau bwyd, sydd bron bob amser yn methu darparu deiet iach a chytbwys o ran yr hyn y mae'r archfarchnadoedd yn dewis ei ddarparu.
Felly, ni allwn fforddio mynd tuag yn ôl, ac rwyf eisiau deall sut y bydd y trefniadau dros dro, hyd nes y caiff y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy ei fabwysiadu'n llawn, yn hyrwyddo'r hyn sy'n fater diogeledd bwyd mawr, sef yr angen i dyfu mwy o lysiau a ffrwythau yn y wlad hon, oherwydd ni allwn ddibynnu ar yr hyn sy'n dod o dramor.
Thank you. Well, as you know, the horticultural part of the agricultural sector is an area I've been very keen to grow. And we've seen a slight improvement—I think it was 0.1 per cent when I came into portfolio, and that sort of equated to, I think, a quarter of a portion per person per day. And the ambition, for me, is to grow it to around 2 per cent, where that would then cover five portions per day, per person. So, we've put significant funding into it with our horticulture start-up and development grant schemes.
I mentioned in my answer to Llyr Huws Gruffydd that it's really important organic farmers were able to access the Habitat scheme. It takes a lot of time and effort for organic farms to become, if you like, to go from conventional to organic, so I'm really keen to maintain organic farmers going forward. And they've been undertaking sustainable land management practices for many years through their organic certification, so that's one of the reasons I was very keen to ensure that happened with the Habitat scheme.
We will continue to look at what support we can give to our organic farmers, and also I've ensured that Farming Connect—a strand of our new Farming Connect programme—is going to focus wholly on horticulture, because it does recognise that there is a breadth of specialist advice that that sector needs.
Diolch. Wel, fel y gwyddoch, mae rhan arddwriaethol y sector amaethyddol yn faes y bûm yn awyddus iawn i'w dyfu. Ac rydym wedi gweld gwelliant bach—rwy'n credu mai 0.1 y cant ydoedd pan ddechreuais yn y portffolio, ac roedd hynny'n rhyw lun o gyfateb i chwarter cyfran y person y dydd, rwy'n credu. A'r uchelgais i mi yw ei dyfu i tua 2 y cant, lle byddai hynny wedyn yn cyfateb i pum dogn y dydd i bob unigolyn. Felly, rydym wedi rhoi cyllid sylweddol tuag at hyn gyda'n cynlluniau grant cychwyn a datblygu garddwriaeth.
Soniais yn fy ateb i Llyr Huws Gruffydd ei bod yn bwysig iawn fod ffermwyr organig yn gallu cael mynediad at y cynllun Cynefin. Mae'n cymryd llawer o amser ac ymdrech i ffermydd organig newid o fod yn ffermwyr confensiynol i fod yn ffermwyr organig, felly rwy'n awyddus iawn i gadw ffermwyr organig yn y dyfodol. Ac maent wedi bod yn cyflawni arferion rheoli tir cynaliadwy ers blynyddoedd lawer drwy eu hardystiad organig, felly dyna un o'r rhesymau pam fy mod yn awyddus iawn i sicrhau bod hynny'n digwydd gyda'r cynllun Cynefin.
Byddwn yn parhau i edrych ar ba gymorth y gallwn ei roi i'n ffermwyr organig, ac rwyf wedi sicrhau bod Cyswllt Ffermio—edefyn o'n rhaglen Cyswllt Ffermio newydd—yn mynd i ganolbwyntio'n llwyr ar arddwriaeth, oherwydd mae'n cydnabod bod angen ehangder o gyngor arbenigol ar y sector hwnnw.
Minister, we must never lose sight of the importance of our food security and, to that end, we must explore all options to encourage more local horticulture, and I agree with Jenny.
A study carried out by Tyfu Cymru, together with Food Sense Wales, found that small-scale investment can have a significant impact on horticultural businesses. The study gave investment to small growers who had previously had minimal opportunities to access capital investment grants, and the pilot found that the businesses had a growth in sales by an average of 74.5 per cent. Minister, if we want to help the market garden sector to rise to the challenge of our increasing need for local produce, we need to see Welsh Government coming forward with further incentives. Minister, what consideration have you given to expanding support payments to small-scale horticultural businesses under 5 hectares?
Weinidog, rhaid inni beidio byth â cholli golwg ar bwysigrwydd ein diogeledd bwyd ac i'r perwyl hwnnw, rhaid inni archwilio pob opsiwn i annog mwy o arddwriaeth leol, ac rwy'n cytuno â Jenny.
Canfu astudiaeth a gyflawnwyd gan Tyfu Cymru, ynghyd â Synnwyr Bwyd Cymru, y gall buddsoddiad ar raddfa fach gael effaith sylweddol ar fusnesau garddwriaethol. Rhoddodd yr astudiaeth fuddsoddiad i dyfwyr bach nad oeddent wedi cael llawer iawn o gyfleoedd o'r blaen i gael grantiau buddsoddiad cyfalaf, a chanfu'r peilot fod twf gwerthiant busnesau'n 74.5 y cant ar gyfartaledd. Weinidog, os ydym am helpu'r sector gardd farchnad i ymateb i her ein hangen cynyddol am gynnyrch lleol, mae angen inni weld Llywodraeth Cymru yn cyflwyno cymhellion pellach. Weinidog, pa ystyriaeth a roddwyd gennych i ehangu taliadau cymorth i fusnesau garddwriaethol ar raddfa fach o dan 5 hectar?
Thank you. Well, I mentioned our grant schemes that we have in place; I mentioned the extra strand that we've got within Farming Connect. All these things are designed to help our horticulture sector grow, because you're absolutely pushing at an open door with me. I think it's really important that we support those small growers going forward.
Diolch. Wel, soniais am y cynlluniau grant sydd gennym ar waith; soniais am yr edefyn ychwanegol sydd gennym o fewn Cyswllt Ffermio. Mae'r holl bethau hyn wedi'u cynllunio i helpu ein sector garddwriaeth i dyfu, oherwydd rydych chi'n pwyso ar ddrws agored gyda mi. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn ein bod yn cefnogi'r tyfwyr bach hyn wrth symud ymlaen.
4. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi ffermwyr ym Mhreseli Sir Benfro? OQ59996
4. How is the Welsh Government supporting farmers in Preseli Pembrokeshire? OQ59996
Thank you. Over £18 million of basic payment scheme payments have been made to farmers in Pembrokeshire during the past year. This is in addition to our Farming Connect service, which continues to provide crucial support and advice to businesses in the Preseli Pembrokeshire area.
Diolch. Mae dros £18 miliwn o daliadau cynllun y taliad sylfaenol wedi'u gwneud i ffermwyr yn sir Benfro yn ystod y flwyddyn ddiwethaf. Mae hyn yn ychwanegol at ein gwasanaeth Cyswllt Ffermio, sy'n parhau i ddarparu cefnogaeth a chyngor hanfodol i fusnesau yn ardal Preseli Sir Benfro.
Minister, as you know, bovine TB continues to have a major impact on farmers in Pembrokeshire, and a recent NFU Cymru survey showed that 85 per cent of farmers believed TB negatively impacts their mental health, and 70 per cent described Welsh Government's approach to TB eradication as very poor. According to the survey, the cost of the disease to each farm business is around £25,000 in the past 12 months alone. Now, next Tuesday is World Mental Health Day, and, as you will be aware, there are some excellent farming organisations that are working to support farmers with their mental health. Organisations that you will be aware of, like the DPJ Foundation, the Farming Community Network, Tir Dewi and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, continue to work hard to provide much needed support to people in agriculture, and it's crucial that their work is promoted and supported. Therefore, Minister, can you tell us what the Welsh Government is doing to support organisations like these, so that they can continue to provide support to farmers who are struggling with their mental health?
Weinidog, fel y gwyddoch, mae TB buchol yn parhau i gael effaith fawr ar ffermwyr yn sir Benfro, a dangosodd arolwg diweddar gan NFU Cymru fod 85 y cant o ffermwyr yn credu bod TB yn effeithio'n negyddol ar eu hiechyd meddwl, a disgrifiodd 70 y cant ddull Llywodraeth Cymru o ddileu TB fel un gwael iawn. Yn ôl yr arolwg, mae cost y clefyd i bob busnes fferm oddeutu £25,000 dros y 12 mis diwethaf yn unig. Nawr, ddydd Mawrth nesaf yw Diwrnod Iechyd Meddwl y Byd, ac fel y gwyddoch, mae yna rai sefydliadau ffermio rhagorol sy'n gweithio i gefnogi ffermwyr gyda'u hiechyd meddwl. Mae sefydliadau y byddwch yn gwybod amdanynt, fel Sefydliad DPJ, Rhwydwaith y Gymuned Ffermio, Tir Dewi a'r Sefydliad Amaethyddol Llesiannol Brenhinol, yn parhau i weithio'n galed i ddarparu cymorth mawr ei angen i bobl yn y byd amaeth, ac mae'n hanfodol fod eu gwaith yn cael ei hyrwyddo a'i gefnogi. Felly, Weinidog, a allwch chi ddweud wrthym beth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i gefnogi sefydliadau fel y rhain, fel y gallant barhau i ddarparu cymorth i ffermwyr sy'n cael trafferth gyda'u hiechyd meddwl?
Thank you. You raise a very important point, and the mental health of those involved in the agriculture industry is of great concern to me. And I would strongly encourage anyone suffering with stress or other mental health issues to speak to an expert in this field, and you gave many examples of fantastic organisations that work within the agriculture sector to do just that.
I was at the DPJ stand in the Anglesey show in the summer, in August, and it was very interesting just to watch the number of people who came to have just a chat, but then could be signposted in a way that perhaps, if they hadn't just taken that step into that marquee to talk to the experts there, that moment would have passed and they wouldn't have gone for help. So, I do all I can to support the charities that you named and other charities. I meet with them regularly. They come together as one, if you like, to meet with my officials on a regular basis. I try and meet them at least two or three times a year to hear what is going on on the ground, and I just think they provide such an excellent service to support our farmers and land managers who do access them.
Diolch. Rydych chi'n gwneud pwynt pwysig iawn, ac mae iechyd meddwl y rhai sy'n ymwneud â'r diwydiant amaeth yn peri pryder mawr i mi. A hoffwn annog unrhyw un sy'n dioddef o straen neu broblemau iechyd meddwl eraill i siarad ag arbenigwr yn y maes, ac fe wnaethoch chi roi llawer o enghreifftiau o sefydliadau gwych sy'n gweithio ar hynny yn y sector amaethyddiaeth.
Roeddwn i ar stondin DPJ yn sioe Ynys Môn yn yr haf, ym mis Awst, ac roedd yn ddiddorol iawn gweld cymaint o bobl a ddaeth i mewn i gael sgwrs, pobl y gellid eu cyfeirio mewn ffordd efallai, pe na baent wedi camu i mewn i'r babell honno i siarad â'r arbenigwyr yno, byddai'r foment wedi mynd heibio ac ni fyddent wedi gofyn am help. Felly, rwy'n gwneud popeth yn fy ngallu i gefnogi'r elusennau a enwyd gennych ac elusennau eraill. Rwy'n cyfarfod â nhw'n rheolaidd. Maent yn dod at ei gilydd fel un, os mynnwch, i gyfarfod â fy swyddogion yn rheolaidd. Rwy'n ceisio cyfarfod â nhw o leiaf ddwy neu dair gwaith y flwyddyn i glywed beth sy'n digwydd ar lawr gwlad, ac rwy'n credu eu bod yn darparu gwasanaeth gwych i gefnogi ein ffermwyr a'n rheolwyr tir sy'n troi atynt.
5. Beth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i gefnogi sector bwyd a diod Cymru? OQ60016
5. What is the Welsh Government doing to support the Welsh food and drink sector? OQ60016
Thank you. The food and drink industry in Wales continues to grow in scale and reputation. Welsh Government programmes include support for innovation, capital investment, skills development and business growth in Wales, the UK and overseas markets. Later this month, our fourth BlasCymru/TasteWales event will be held.
Diolch. Mae'r diwydiant bwyd a diod yng Nghymru yn parhau i dyfu o ran maint ac enw da. Mae rhaglenni Llywodraeth Cymru yn cynnwys cymorth ar gyfer arloesi, buddsoddiad cyfalaf, datblygu sgiliau a thwf busnes yng Nghymru, y DU a marchnadoedd tramor. Yn ddiweddarach y mis hwn, cynhelir ein pedwerydd digwyddiad BlasCymru.
Diolch am yr ateb, Gweinidog.
Thank you for that answer, Minister.
Of course, the food and drink sector is a significant contributor to the Welsh economy and benefits from a number of food innovation centres. But, despite this, Wales's modest stock of medium-sized firms in food is not growing strongly. There is an acute problem for microfirms specifically looking to transition to small and medium-sized enterprises. The foundational economy research reports data show that medium-sized food and drink firms have only increased by five between 2010 and 2020—so, from 35 to 40. So, I’d be very much interested in what cross-portfolio work the Minister is currently undertaking with the Minister for Economy in this area to improve the situation.
Wrth gwrs, mae'r sector bwyd a diod yn cyfrannu'n sylweddol at economi Cymru ac yn elwa o nifer o ganolfannau arloesi bwyd. Ond er hynny, nid yw stoc gymedrol Cymru o gwmnïau bwyd canolig eu maint yn dangos twf cadarn. Mae problem ddifrifol i ficro-gwmnïau yn benodol sydd am dyfu i fod yn fentrau bach a chanolig eu maint. Mae data adroddiadau ymchwil yr economi sylfaenol yn dangos mai dim ond pump yn fwy o gwmnïau bwyd a diod canolig eu maint a welwyd rhwng 2010 a 2020—felly, o 35 i 40. Felly, hoffwn wybod pa waith traws-bortffolio y mae'r Gweinidog yn ei wneud ar hyn o bryd gyda Gweinidog yr Economi yn y maes hwn i wella'r sefyllfa.
Well, I’m not aware of any specific work jointly with the Minister for Economy, but what I certainly do is make sure that those companies are able to access financial expertise and also bespoke expertise. So, we offer a range of programmes. We’ve got the Investor Ready programme, and the aims are to support our businesses to obtain investment and, obviously, if they want to expand. We also want to make sure that any decisions they take are sustainable, so, if they are going to expand, it’s really important that they are aware of the pitfalls, but also what help is available too. We’ve come forward with schemes, such as the Food Business Accelerator Scheme and there are expressions of interest processes ongoing in that respect.
But I’ve seen many, many small—and I’m talking about one or two people—food and drink businesses in Wales really expand. And I think, in some ways, there was a surge during the COVID pandemic. I think that people started to perhaps shop locally and perhaps more people were cooking at home during that time. But certainly I’ve seen those sorts of businesses increase, and BlasCymru will be a place where we can absolutely showcase those businesses, not just the large businesses, as well.
Wel, nid wyf yn ymwybodol o unrhyw waith penodol ar y cyd â Gweinidog yr Economi, ond yr hyn rwy'n sicr yn ei wneud yw sicrhau bod y cwmnïau hynny'n gallu dod o hyd i arbenigedd ariannol ac arbenigedd addas ar eu cyfer nhw. Felly, rydym yn cynnig amrywiaeth o raglenni. Mae gennym y rhaglen Parod am Fuddsoddiad, a'r nodau yw cynorthwyo ein busnesau i gael buddsoddiad ac, yn amlwg, os ydynt am ehangu. Rydym hefyd am sicrhau bod unrhyw benderfyniadau y maent yn eu gwneud yn gynaliadwy, felly, os ydynt yn mynd i ehangu, mae'n bwysig iawn eu bod yn ymwybodol o'r tramgwyddau, ac o ba gymorth sydd ar gael hefyd. Rydym wedi cyflwyno cynlluniau, fel y Cynllun Sbarduno Busnesau Bwyd ac mae prosesau datganiadau o ddiddordeb yn parhau yn hynny o beth.
Ond rwyf wedi gweld llawer iawn o fusnesau bwyd a diod bach—ac rwy'n sôn am un neu ddau o bobl—yng Nghymru yn ehangu go iawn. Ac rwy'n credu, mewn rhai ffyrdd, ein bod wedi gweld cynnydd mawr yn y nifer yn ystod y pandemig COVID. Rwy'n meddwl bod pobl wedi dechrau siopa'n lleol efallai, ac efallai fod mwy o bobl yn coginio gartref yn ystod y cyfnod hwnnw. Ond yn sicr rwyf wedi gweld cynnydd yn niferoedd y mathau hynny o fusnesau, a bydd BlasCymru yn fan lle gallwn arddangos y busnesau hynny, nid y busnesau mawr yn unig.
Minister, among many parts of Wales, South Wales West is home to many fantastic food and drink producers. We've all heard of the Penclawdd cockles and Penderyn whisky, which opened a distillery in Swansea, but we also have the fantastic Drop Bear Beer Company and the Dog's Window Brewery to name but a few. Minister, I know that the Welsh Government is doing wonders to sell Welsh food and drink overseas, but what about at home? How are you working with partners here in Wales and across the UK to promote our amazing food and drink to a domestic audience prepared to travel to enjoy Wales's bounty?
Weinidog, fel sawl rhan arall o Gymru, mae Gorllewin De Cymru yn gartref i lawer o gynhyrchwyr bwyd a diod gwych. Rydym i gyd wedi clywed am gocos Penclawdd a wisgi Penderyn, a agorodd ddistyllfa yn Abertawe, ond mae gennym hefyd y Drop Bear Beer Company gwych a'r Dog's Window Brewery i enwi ond ychydig. Weinidog, gwn fod Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwneud gwyrthiau wrth werthu bwyd a diod o Gymru dramor, ond beth am gartref? Sut rydych chi'n gweithio gyda phartneriaid yma yng Nghymru ac ar draws y DU i hyrwyddo ein bwyd a'n diod anhygoel i gynulleidfa ddomestig sy'n barod i deithio i fwynhau'r hyn sydd gan Gymru i'w gynnig?
Well, I mentioned in my original answer to Luke Fletcher that, later this month, we'll have our fourth BlasCymru event. Now, that is predominantly to sell Wales to the world, because we do have international buyers coming over, but it's also really important that we look closer to home and we absolutely do that. And we've seen our exports to England—if you want to use the word 'export' in that context—increase over the past few years, because it is really important that people access our wonderful food and drink producers. You named some in your region and there are many, many across Wales and it's just ever-increasing, and the amount of funding that we've been able to give—I'm really proud of it. I'm also very proud—Luke Fletcher mentioned the food innovation centres—we've had Project HELIX, and that really provided our companies with the ability to access a range of expertise that wasn't there before in a way that they then could grow and also be very innovative with their food products.
Wel, soniais yn fy ateb gwreiddiol i Luke Fletcher y byddwn yn cael ein pedwerydd digwyddiad BlasCymru yn ddiweddarach y mis hwn. Nawr, gwerthu Cymru i'r byd yw nod hwnnw yn bennaf, oherwydd mae gennym brynwyr rhyngwladol yn dod draw, ond mae hefyd yn bwysig iawn ein bod yn edrych yn nes at adref ac rydym yn sicr yn gwneud hynny. Ac fe welsom ein hallforion i Loegr—os ydych chi am ddefnyddio'r gair 'allforio' yn y cyd-destun hwnnw—yn cynyddu dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf, oherwydd mae'n bwysig iawn fod pobl yn defnyddio ein cynhyrchwyr bwyd a diod gwych. Fe wnaethoch chi enwi rhai yn eich rhanbarth chi ac mae yna lawer iawn ledled Cymru ac mae'n cynyddu'n gyson, ac mae faint o arian rydym wedi gallu ei roi—rwy'n falch iawn ohono. Rwy'n falch iawn hefyd—soniodd Luke Fletcher am y canolfannau arloesi bwyd—ein bod wedi cael Prosiect HELIX, ac roedd hwnnw'n rhoi'r gallu i'n cwmnïau gael mynediad at ystod o arbenigedd nad oedd yno o'r blaen mewn ffordd a olygai eu bod yn gallu tyfu wedyn a bod yn arloesol iawn gyda'u cynhyrchion bwyd.
6. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am gynllun Cynefin Cymru? OQ60017
6. Will the Minister make a statement on the Habitat Wales scheme? OQ60017
The application window for the Habitat Wales scheme opened on 29 September. The scheme offers support for the management of habitat land up to the introduction of the sustainable farming scheme in 2025. I would encourage all eligible farmers in Wales to apply.
Agorodd y ffenestr ymgeisio ar gyfer cynllun Cynefin Cymru ar 29 Medi. Mae'r cynllun yn cynnig cymorth i reoli tir cynefin hyd nes y cyflwynir y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy yn 2025. Hoffwn annog pob ffermwr cymwys yng Nghymru i wneud cais.
Thank you for your answer, Minister. What we've seen is that the payment rates could be 45 per cent lower than what they are in Glastir Advanced and also the cap of 400 acres as well. And that's caused a lot of concern for farmers in my constituency about how they are going to continue going down more of an environmental route to deliver on some of the objectives that the Welsh Government have set. So, what I’d like to know is what analysis your department has done to see how many of those farmers who are currently accessing those schemes might ditch the agri-environmental schemes altogether and go down a more commercial route to make sure that they can bring back the profit they would have lost with the money that’s going out in these schemes. What I want to make sure is that all our farmers are profitable and that they can actually contribute towards helping out with getting to net zero and with our environmental challenges. But I just want to know what analysis you've done on this to make sure that those farmers aren't going to change course, go more commercial and be detrimental to everything you're trying to do here in government.
Diolch am eich ateb, Weinidog. Rydym wedi gweld y gallai'r cyfraddau talu fod 45 y cant yn is na'r hyn ydynt yn Glastir Uwch a hefyd y cap o 400 erw hefyd. Ac mae hynny wedi achosi llawer o bryder i ffermwyr yn fy etholaeth o ran sut maent yn mynd i barhau i ddilyn llwybr mwy amgylcheddol i gyflawni rhai o'r amcanion y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'u gosod. Felly, hoffwn wybod pa ddadansoddiad y mae eich adran wedi'i wneud i weld faint o'r ffermwyr sy'n defnyddio'r cynlluniau ar hyn o bryd a allai gefnu ar y cynlluniau amaeth-amgylcheddol yn gyfan gwbl a dilyn llwybr mwy masnachol i sicrhau y gallant adfer yr elw y byddent wedi'i golli gyda'r arian sy'n mynd allan yn y cynlluniau hyn. Rwyf am wneud yn siŵr fod ein ffermwyr i gyd yn broffidiol a'u bod yn gallu cyfrannu at helpu i gyrraedd sero net a chyda'n heriau amgylcheddol. Ond rwyf eisiau gwybod pa ddadansoddiad rydych chi wedi'i wneud o hyn i sicrhau nad yw ffermwyr yn mynd i newid i lwybr mwy masnachol a bod yn niweidiol i bopeth rydych chi'n ceisio'i wneud yma fel Llywodraeth.
Thank you. As I said in earlier answers on the Habitat scheme, we haven't been able to announce the budget as yet, but I've never said it would be the same as Glastir, because I've never thought I would have the funding. Again, in an earlier answer, you heard me say that the UK Government have short-changed our farmers by £238 million. That's a huge amount of money and we just can't, obviously, fill that gap.
Because the scheme has been brought forward very quickly—you will have heard my earlier answers—we haven't been able to do a huge amount of analysis, but that's why I'm saying it's really important that our farmers access these schemes. I think, again, it's a lesson that we've all had to learn. We've, really, moved to annualised budgets, and that budget and that funding won't be rolled over year on year as we had with the rural development programme, for instance, and other European funding. So, I think it's really important that, when these schemes are open, all our farmers take the opportunity to access as much funding as they can.
Diolch. Fel y dywedais mewn atebion cynharach ar y cynllun Cynefin, nid ydym wedi gallu cyhoeddi'r gyllideb hyd yma, ond nid wyf erioed wedi dweud y byddai yr un peth â Glastir, oherwydd ni feddyliais erioed y byddai gennyf yr arian ar gyfer hynny. Unwaith eto, mewn ateb cynharach, fe wnaethoch fy nghlywed yn dweud bod Llywodraeth y DU wedi amddifadu ein ffermwyr o £238 miliwn. Mae hwnnw'n swm enfawr o arian ac yn amlwg, ni allwn lenwi'r bwlch hwnnw.
Oherwydd bod y cynllun wedi cael ei gyflwyno'n gyflym iawn—fe fyddwch wedi clywed fy atebion cynharach—nid ydym wedi gallu gwneud llawer iawn o ddadansoddi, ond dyna pam rwy'n dweud ei bod yn bwysig iawn fod ein ffermwyr yn defnyddio'r cynlluniau hyn. Unwaith eto, rwy'n credu ei bod yn wers y bu'n rhaid i bob un ohonom ei dysgu. Rydym wedi symud i gyllidebau blynyddol, ac ni fydd y gyllideb honno na'r cyllid hwnnw'n cael eu cyflwyno o un flwyddyn i'r llall fel a ddigwyddai gyda'r rhaglen datblygu gwledig, er enghraifft, a chyllid Ewropeaidd arall. Felly, pan fydd y cynlluniau hyn wedi agor, rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn fod ein ffermwyr i gyd yn manteisio ar y cyfle i gael cymaint o arian ag y gallant.
Mae cwestiwn 7 [OQ60001] wedi ei dynnu nôl. Cwestiwn 8, Hefin David.
Question 7 [OQ60001] has been withdrawn. Question 8, Hefin David.
8. Pa drafodaethau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'u cael gyda Llywodraeth y DU ynghylch diweddaru Deddf Cŵn Peryglus 1991? OQ60023
8. What discussions has the Welsh Government had with the UK Government regarding updating the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991? OQ60023
I have had many discussions with the UK Government and have written to different Ministers on eight occasions seeking action to strengthen non-devolved legislation relating to dangerous dogs. Now this is being progressed, officials are working closely with their Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs counterparts to ensure the amended regulations have a positive impact on the people of Wales.
Rwyf wedi cael llawer o drafodaethau gyda Llywodraeth y DU ac wedi ysgrifennu at wahanol Weinidogion ar wyth achlysur yn gofyn am gamau i gryfhau deddfwriaeth nad yw wedi'i datganoli yn ymwneud â chŵn peryglus. Gan fod camau ar y gweill ar hyn bellach, mae swyddogion yn gweithio'n agos gyda'u cymheiriaid yn Adran yr Amgylchedd, Ffermio a Materion Gwledig i sicrhau bod y rheoliadau diwygiedig yn cael effaith gadarnhaol ar bobl Cymru.
I appreciate that, Minister. The UK Government has, indeed, rather belatedly recognised the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 needs to be updated following recent attacks involving XL bullies. And, as I've said before in this Chamber, two fatal attacks involved people in Caerphilly, one a 10-year-old boy and the other an 83-year-old woman. My colleague Wayne David, MP for my constituency, for Caerphilly, has done a lot of work on this issue in terms of keeping it on the UK Government's agenda and has worked with The Mirror on their campaign and with constituents as well.
Minister, you have previously said that you would be organising a dangerous dogs summit to bring stakeholders together to see what action the Welsh Government can take in areas of devolved responsibility, such as breeding regulations. Can you then commit to working with the likes of Wayne David MP, me and campaign groups in and around Caerphilly to help keep the pressure on the UK Government and ensure they deliver on their commitment to make this much-needed change and help to keep our communities safer?
Rwy'n gwerthfawrogi hynny, Weinidog. Mae Llywodraeth y DU, yn wir, wedi cydnabod braidd yn hwyr yn y dydd fod angen diweddaru Deddf Cŵn Peryglus 1991 yn dilyn ymosodiadau diweddar gan gŵn bully XL. Ac fel y dywedais o'r blaen yn y Siambr, roedd dau ymosodiad angheuol ar bobl yng Nghaerffili, un yn fachgen 10 oed a'r llall yn ddynes 83 oed. Mae fy nghyfaill, Wayne David, sy'n Aelod Seneddol dros fy etholaeth i, Caerffili, wedi gwneud llawer o waith ar y mater i'w gadw ar agenda Llywodraeth y DU ac mae wedi gweithio gyda The Mirror ar eu hymgyrch nhw a gydag etholwyr hefyd.
Weinidog, rydych eisoes wedi dweud y byddech yn trefnu uwchgynhadledd ar gŵn peryglus i ddod â rhanddeiliaid ynghyd i weld pa gamau y gall Llywodraeth Cymru eu cymryd mewn meysydd cyfrifoldeb datganoledig, megis rheoliadau bridio. A wnewch chi ymrwymo wedyn i weithio gyda phobl fel Wayne David AS, grwpiau ymgyrchu yng Nghaerffili a'r cyffiniau a minnau i helpu i gadw'r pwysau ar Lywodraeth y DU a sicrhau eu bod yn cyflawni eu hymrwymiad i wneud y newid mawr ei angen hwn a helpu i gadw ein cymunedau'n fwy diogel?
Yes, you absolutely have my commitment. As you say, I think it's welcome, but it's very belated action now being taken by the UK Government. It was very disappointing; I had a meeting with my DEFRA counterpart the day before the Prime Minister made the announcement on the Dangerous Dogs Act and looking at XL bully dogs, and we've seen another attack today being reported up in the north-east of England, with a fatality, and it is again being reported as being an XL bully. So, we can see how needed this focus is. But I just think it's such a shame that, as I said, I had a meeting on a Wednesday with my ministerial colleagues from DEFRA and I don't think they were even aware of the announcement that the Prime Minister had made. What's really important is that officials work closely together now, because there could be unintended consequences, and it's very concerning to listen to particularly the Dogs Trust and other very well respected dog charities now being very concerned at the action the UK Government is taking.
As you said, I did announce that I will be hosting a multi-agency summit later this month. Absolutely, you and our colleague Wayne David have done a great deal of work, and there are other MSs in the Chamber that I will be inviting to that summit. You will be very pleased to hear that, yesterday, I had an e-mail exchange with Emma, Jack Lis's mother, who I would really like to come. She's agreed, and I'm very grateful for that, to come to the summit. I think it would be very powerful to hear her story, because it's really important that we remember why we're doing this, why we're promoting responsible dog ownership. It's always been my view that any dog, regardless of what breed, could be dangerous, and we really need to make sure that we do all we can to support owners and our third sector organisations to promote that responsible dog ownership, and we also need to keep it under review. So, whilst a lot of this legislation is a reserved matter, there are also lots of things we can do as a Welsh Government, and I want to continue to promote that.
Rwy'n ymrwymo'n llwyr i wneud hynny. Fel y dywedwch, rwy'n credu bod y cam y mae Llywodraeth y DU yn ei roi ar waith nawr i'w groesawu er yn hwyr yn y dydd. Roedd yn siomedig iawn; cefais gyfarfod gyda'r Gweinidog cyfatebol yn DEFRA y diwrnod cyn i'r Prif Weinidog wneud y cyhoeddiad ar y Ddeddf Cŵn Peryglus ac edrych ar gŵn bully XL, ac rydym wedi clywed am ymosodiad angheuol arall heddiw yng ngogledd-ddwyrain Lloegr, a nodir mai ci bully XL unwaith eto oedd hwnnw. Felly, gallwn weld pa mor angenrheidiol yw'r ffocws hwn. Ond rwy'n credu ei bod yn gymaint o drueni, fel y dywedais, fy mod wedi cael cyfarfod ddydd Mercher gyda fy nghymheiriaid gweinidogol yn DEFRA ac nid wyf yn credu yr oeddynt hyd yn oed yn ymwybodol o'r cyhoeddiad a wnaeth y Prif Weinidog. Yr hyn sy'n bwysig iawn yw bod swyddogion yn gweithio'n agos gyda'i gilydd nawr, oherwydd gallai fod canlyniadau anfwriadol, ac mae gwrando ar y Dogs Trust yn enwedig, ac elusennau cŵn uchel eu parch eraill, yn dweud eu bod bellach yn bryderus iawn am y camau y mae Llywodraeth y DU yn eu cymryd, yn destun gofid mawr.
Fel y dywedoch chi, cyhoeddais y byddaf yn cynnal uwchgynhadledd amlasiantaeth yn ddiweddarach y mis hwn. Yn bendant, rydych chi a'n cyfaill Wayne David wedi gwneud llawer iawn o waith, ac mae Aelodau eraill yn y Siambr y byddaf yn eu gwahodd i'r uwchgynhadledd honno. Fe fyddwch yn falch iawn o glywed fy mod wedi gohebu drwy e-bost ddoe gydag Emma, mam Jack Lis, yr hoffwn yn fawr pe bai'n dod. Mae hi wedi cytuno i ddod i'r uwchgynhadledd, ac rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn am hynny. Rwy'n credu y byddai clywed ei stori'n bwerus iawn, oherwydd mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod yn cofio pam ein bod yn gwneud hyn, pam ein bod yn hyrwyddo perchnogaeth gyfrifol ar gŵn. Rwyf bob amser o'r farn y gallai unrhyw gi fod yn beryglus, beth bynnag y bo'i frîd, ac mae gwir angen inni sicrhau ein bod yn gwneud popeth yn ein gallu i gefnogi perchnogion a'n sefydliadau trydydd sector i hyrwyddo perchnogaeth gyfrifol ar gŵn, ac mae angen i ni barhau i'w adolygu hefyd. Felly, er bod llawer o'r ddeddfwriaeth hon yn fater a gedwir yn ôl, mae yna lawer o bethau y gallwn eu gwneud fel Llywodraeth Cymru yn ogystal, ac rwyf am barhau i hyrwyddo hynny.
Minister, it has been absolutely heartbreaking to see a big rise in the number of horrific dog attacks taking place in South Wales East, my region, alone. We've seen two young boys attacked by a dog, a five-month old baby was rushed to hospital after being attacked by a dog, and of course we all remember the truly tragic case of Jack Lis, who you and my colleague just mentioned, following a dog attack. Last month, the UK Government announced that American XL bully dogs will be banned following a spate of shocking attacks across the United Kingdom. I and, I know, my Welsh Conservative colleagues welcome this move, and I sincerely hope it will help end these vicious attacks, going forward. Minister, I know you gave us a number of updates just then, but can I get a commitment from you today that the Welsh Government will fully engage constructively with the UK Government over this matter? And can I also get a commitment from you that you will keep the Senedd updated every single step of the way? Thank you.
Weinidog, mae wedi bod yn dorcalonnus gweld cynnydd mawr yn nifer yr ymosodiadau erchyll gan gŵn sy'n digwydd yn Nwyrain De Cymru, fy rhanbarth i, yn unig. Rydym wedi gweld ymosodiad ar ddau fachgen ifanc gan gŵn, cafodd babi pum mis oed ei gludo i'r ysbyty ar frys ar ôl i gi ymosod arno, ac wrth gwrs rydym i gyd yn cofio achos gwirioneddol drasig Jack Lis, y gwnaethoch chi a fy nghyd-Aelod ei grybwyll nawr, yn dilyn ymosodiad gan gi. Fis diwethaf, cyhoeddodd Llywodraeth y DU y bydd cŵn bully XL Americanaidd yn cael eu gwahardd yn dilyn llu o ymosodiadau brawychus ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig. Rwyf fi a fy nghyd-Aelodau Ceidwadol Cymreig yn croesawu'r cam hwn, ac rwy'n mawr obeithio y bydd yn helpu i ddod â'r ymosodiadau milain hyn i ben yn y dyfodol. Weinidog, gwn eich bod wedi rhoi sawl diweddariad i ni nawr, ond a gaf fi ymrwymiad gennych heddiw y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn ymgysylltu'n llawn â Llywodraeth y DU yn adeiladol ynghylch y mater hwn? Ac a gaf fi ymrwymiad gennych chi hefyd y byddwch chi'n rhoi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Senedd ar bob cam o'r ffordd? Diolch.
Yes, absolutely, I commit, as I said in my opening answer. I've written to a variety of Ministers, from Home Office Ministers to DEFRA Ministers, on at least eight occasions. I was looking back at the number of letters. Some weren't even responded to. But it's really important that we work closely together, and, as I say, the announcement from the Prime Minister I think even took DEFRA by surprise. But there's already been at least one meeting, if not two. I made sure my officials attended. In fact, the chief veterinary officer was also able to attend. It is really important. And I think we've got another DEFRA inter-ministerial group later this month. I will put it on the agenda, because I think it's important it's on absolutely every agenda, because this is something—. We're seeing far too many attacks, particularly by this one breed, but, as I say, all dogs can be dangerous, whatever their breed type or size. So, I think it's really important that, whilst there's been a disproportionate number of recent incidents involving American XL bully dogs, we don't take our eye off the ball in relation to responsible dog ownership, because that is something we can really promote as a Government.
Yn bendant, rwy'n ymrwymo i hynny, fel y dywedais yn fy ateb agoriadol. Rwyf wedi ysgrifennu at amryw o Weinidogion, o Weinidogion y Swyddfa Gartref i Weinidogion DEFRA, ar o leiaf wyth achlysur. Roeddwn i'n edrych yn ôl ar nifer y llythyrau. Ni chafwyd ymateb i rai ohonynt. Ond mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod ni'n cydweithio'n agos, ac fel y dywedais, fe wnaeth y cyhoeddiad gan y Prif Weinidog synnu DEFRA hyd yn oed. Ond cafwyd o leiaf un cyfarfod eisoes, os nad dau. Fe wneuthum sicrhau bod fy swyddogion yn mynychu. Yn wir, gallodd y prif swyddog milfeddygol fod yn bresennol hefyd. Mae'n wirioneddol bwysig. Ac rwy'n credu bod gennym grŵp rhyngweinidogol DEFRA arall yn ddiweddarach y mis hwn. Byddaf yn ei roi ar yr agenda, oherwydd rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig ei fod ar bob agenda, oherwydd mae hyn yn rhywbeth—. Rydym yn gweld llawer gormod o ymosodiadau, yn enwedig gan yr un brîd hwn, ond fel y dywedais, gall pob ci fod yn beryglus, beth bynnag y bo'i frîd neu ei faint. Felly, er bod nifer anghymesur o ddigwyddiadau diweddar yn ymwneud â chŵn bully XL Americanaidd, rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn nad ydym yn tynnu ein llygad oddi ar y bêl mewn perthynas â pherchnogaeth gyfrifol ar gŵn, oherwydd mae hynny'n rhywbeth y gallwn ei hyrwyddo fel Llywodraeth.
There certainly seems to be a consensus across this Chamber around this important issue, and I commend that. There is also an opportunity, perhaps, here to do something different in Wales, away from the chaos of the soundbites of the Tory Westminster Government. I'll explore some of that approach in greater detail in my Member's legislative proposal debate next week, and I hope to get contributions across this Chamber for that, and I'm very grateful to the Business Committee for allowing that to happen.
One matter I will be touching on is the Local Environmental Awareness on Dogs, or LEAD, initiative that's currently been adopted by Safer Caerphilly. This scheme will give advice to the public on dog-related issues and improve dog safety and welfare. It also aims to tackle anti-social behaviour and inconsiderate behaviour by individuals with dogs, to increase public protection. Potentially, there are lessons to be learned from this initiative in order to create a pan-Wales approach to the promotion of responsible dog ownership and community safety, rather than a piecemeal approach. Would you be willing to meet with me and Safer Caerphilly to talk about some of the issues and some of the approaches that they're taking and take that forward into your summit and move forward with that?
Yn sicr, mae'n ymddangos bod consensws ar draws y Siambr ynghylch y mater pwysig hwn, ac rwy'n cymeradwyo hynny. Mae cyfle yma hefyd, efallai, i wneud rhywbeth gwahanol yng Nghymru, i ffwrdd oddi wrth anhrefn sylwadau bachog Llywodraeth Dorïaidd San Steffan. Byddaf yn archwilio'r dull hwnnw o weithredu yn fanylach yn fy nadl cynnig deddfwriaethol gan Aelod yr wythnos nesaf, ac rwy'n gobeithio cael cyfraniadau ar draws y Siambr i honno, ac rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn i'r Pwyllgor Busnes am ganiatáu i hynny ddigwydd.
Un mater y byddaf yn cyffwrdd ag ef yw'r fenter Ymwybyddiaeth Amgylcheddol Leol ar Gŵn, neu LEAD, sydd wedi'i mabwysiadu yn gyfredol gan Caerffili Saffach. Bydd y cynllun hwn yn rhoi cyngor i'r cyhoedd ar faterion sy'n ymwneud â chŵn ac yn gwella diogelwch a lles cŵn. Mae hefyd yn anelu at fynd i'r afael ag ymddygiad gwrthgymdeithasol ac ymddygiad anystyriol gan unigolion sydd â chŵn, er mwyn cynyddu diogelwch y cyhoedd. Mae gwersi posibl i'w dysgu o'r fenter hon er mwyn creu dull Cymru gyfan o hyrwyddo perchnogaeth gyfrifol ar gŵn a diogelwch cymunedol, yn hytrach na dull tameidiog o weithredu. A fyddech chi'n fodlon cyfarfod â Caerffili Saffach a minnau i siarad am rai o'r materion sy'n codi a rhai o'r dulliau y maent yn eu mabwysiadu a mynd â hynny ymlaen i'ch uwchgynhadledd a symud ymlaen gyda hynny?
Thank you very much. You're quite right to welcome the consensus. I think it's fair to say—I'm looking at Darren Millar now—all business managers were very happy to look at your legislative proposal. I think it was the one we all thought was so topical that it's something that should be debated here in the Chamber, and we very much look forward to that next Wednesday. Yes, I would certainly be very happy to do that. It might not be me, ahead of the summit, but I'll certainly make sure my officials engage in relation to the initiative you discuss. Again, as I say, I will be inviting Members to the summit. I can't have everybody there, but if you would like to come, particularly in light of your legislative proposal, I'd be very happy for you to do so.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Rydych chi'n iawn i groesawu'r consensws. Rwy'n meddwl ei bod hi'n deg dweud—rwy'n edrych ar Darren Millar nawr—fod pob rheolwr busnes yn hapus iawn i edrych ar eich cynnig deddfwriaethol. Rwy'n credu ein bod i gyd yn meddwl ei fod mor amserol fel ei fod yn rhywbeth y dylid ei drafod yma yn y Siambr, ac rydym yn edrych ymlaen yn fawr at hynny ddydd Mercher nesaf. Buaswn yn sicr yn hapus iawn i wneud hynny. Efallai nad fi fydd yn gwneud hynny, cyn yr uwchgynhadledd, ond byddaf yn bendant yn sicrhau bod fy swyddogion yn cymryd rhan yn y cynllun rydych chi'n ei drafod. Unwaith eto, fel y dywedais, byddaf yn gwahodd Aelodau i'r uwchgynhadledd. Ni allaf gael pawb yno, ond os hoffech ddod, yn enwedig yng ngoleuni eich cynnig deddfwriaethol, rwy'n hapus iawn i chi wneud hynny.
9. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'u cymryd i ddiogelu'r cyhoedd rhag ymosodiadau gan gŵn? OQ59994
9. What steps has the Welsh Government taken to protect the public from dog attacks? OQ59994
Thank you. The laws protecting the public from dog attacks are non-devolved. I welcome the news the UK Government are finally taking action. I will host a multi-agency summit on 18 October to establish what additional steps we can take to improve responsible dog ownership here in Wales, building on the work already done with our partners.
Diolch. Nid yw'r cyfreithiau sy'n diogelu'r cyhoedd rhag ymosodiadau gan gŵn wedi'u datganoli. Rwy'n croesawu'r newyddion fod Llywodraeth y DU yn gweithredu o'r diwedd. Byddaf yn cynnal uwchgynhadledd amlasiantaeth ar 18 Hydref i sefydlu pa gamau ychwanegol y gallwn eu cymryd i wella perchnogaeth gyfrifol ar gŵn yma yng Nghymru, gan adeiladu ar y gwaith sydd eisoes wedi'i wneud gyda'n partneriaid.
I'm grateful to the Minister for her answer and also her leadership on this matter. Minister, it was a few weeks ago when I and my dog, Coco the King Charles cavalier, were involved in a violent attack from two Staffordshire bull terriers, both off their leads. Llywydd, I must pay tribute to the six members of the public who came to our rescue that day. Remarkably, I was physically okay from the attack; I was more mentally shaken up—still am, Minister. Coco, after six trips to the vets, seems to be on the road to recovery, thankfully.
Now, we've already heard from Members across the Chamber today—Hefin David in particular—about how things can go tragically wrong when it comes to dog attacks. I'm grateful for your responses in response to promoting sensible and responsible dog ownership. I wonder what consideration you've had of one specific ask, of promoting a responsible dog awareness campaign, particularly looking at reminding dog owners in Wales of their legal obligations to keep dogs and their animals under proper control in all places, at all times, encouraging owners to seek advice if they are concerned about their own dog's behaviour, and also urging people to report any suspicions that they may have about illegal breeding to their local authorities. Diolch.
Rwy'n ddiolchgar i'r Gweinidog am ei hateb a hefyd am ei harweinyddiaeth ar y mater hwn. Weinidog, ychydig wythnosau'n ôl ymosododd dau ddaeargi tarw Staffordshire, y ddau oddi ar eu tennyn, yn ffyrnig arnaf fi a fy nghi, Coco sy'n sbaengi Siarl. Lywydd, mae'n rhaid imi dalu teyrnged i'r chwe aelod o'r cyhoedd a ddaeth i'n hachub y diwrnod hwnnw. Yn rhyfeddol, roeddwn i'n iawn yn gorfforol wedi'r ymosodiad; roedd yr ysgytwad feddyliol yn waeth—rwy'n dal i ddioddef ohoni, Weinidog. Mae'n ymddangos bod Coco, ar ôl chwe ymweliad â'r milfeddyg, ar y ffordd i wella, diolch byth.
Nawr, rydym eisoes wedi clywed gan Aelodau ar draws y Siambr heddiw—Hefin David yn arbennig—ynglŷn â sut y gall pethau fynd o chwith yn drasig yn sgil ymosodiadau gan gŵn. Rwy'n ddiolchgar am eich atebion mewn ymateb i hyrwyddo perchnogaeth synhwyrol a chyfrifol ar gŵn. Tybed pa ystyriaeth rydych chi wedi'i rhoi i un cais penodol, sef hyrwyddo ymgyrch ymwybyddiaeth o berchnogaeth gyfrifol ar gŵn, yn enwedig edrych ar atgoffa perchnogion cŵn yng Nghymru o'u rhwymedigaethau cyfreithiol i gadw cŵn a'u hanifeiliaid dan reolaeth briodol ym mhob man, bob amser, ac annog perchnogion i ofyn am gyngor os ydynt yn poeni am ymddygiad eu ci eu hunain, ac annog pobl hefyd i roi gwybod am unrhyw amheuon a allai fod ganddynt am fridio anghyfreithlon i'w hawdurdodau lleol. Diolch.
Thank you, and I'm really sorry you and Coco had to experience that. You're quite right, I think there are things that we can do, but maybe there are extra things as well. The whole point of having this summit was to bring all our partners together, as well as some of us to hear about experiences. It's normally our constituents who come with stories like you just have, but you've unfortunately experienced it too. I think, certainly, an awareness campaign is something that we can look at as part of the summit. I'm very keen to do absolutely everything we can, but reporting is really important. Since we've had the rural crime and wildlife co-ordinator, I think we have seen—. He's been doing training with our police authorities right across Wales, and I think we have seen an increase in reporting incidents, as you refer to, so that's to be encouraged as well. So, anything we can all do, I think, to raise awareness. But I will specifically take that point to the summit to see if it's something that we can certainly consider and support.
Diolch yn fawr, ac mae'n ddrwg iawn gennyf fod yn rhaid i Coco a chithau fynd drwy'r profiad hwnnw. Rydych yn llygad eich lle, rwy'n credu bod pethau y gallwn eu gwneud, ond efallai fod pethau ychwanegol hefyd. Holl bwynt cael yr uwchgynhadledd oedd dod â’n holl bartneriaid ynghyd, yn ogystal â rhai ohonom ni i glywed am brofiadau. Fel arfer, ein hetholwyr sy'n adrodd straeon fel eich un chi, ond yn anffodus, fe gawsoch chi'r profiad hwnnw yn ogystal. Rwy'n credu'n sicr fod ymgyrch ymwybyddiaeth yn rhywbeth y gallwn ei hystyried fel rhan o’r uwchgynhadledd. Rwy'n awyddus iawn i wneud popeth y gallwn ei wneud, ond mae rhoi gwybod am ddigwyddiadau yn bwysig iawn. Ers inni gael y cydgysylltydd troseddau cefn gwlad a bywyd gwyllt, credaf ein bod wedi gweld—. Mae wedi bod yn cynnal sesiynau hyfforddi gyda'n hawdurdodau heddlu ledled Cymru, a chredaf ein bod wedi gweld cynnydd o ran adrodd am ddigwyddiadau, fel y dywedwch, felly mae hynny i'w annog hefyd. Felly, unrhyw beth y gall pob un ohonom ei wneud i godi ymwybyddiaeth. Ond fe af â’r pwynt hwnnw’n benodol i’r uwchgynhadledd i weld a yw’n rhywbeth y gallwn ei ystyried a’i gefnogi.
Yn olaf, cwestiwn 10, Siân Gwenllian.
Finally, question 10, Siân Gwenllian.
10. Pa drafodaethau mae'r Gweinidog yn eu cael efo’r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol am gynlluniau datblygu’r gweithlu iechyd yn Arfon? OQ60015
10. What discussions is the Minister having with the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding health workforce development plans in Arfon? OQ60015
Diolch. I hold regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues, including the Minister for Health and Social Services, on a range of issues affecting health services in north Wales. However, it remains the responsibility of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to plan how local services are delivered, including recruitment and workforce planning.
Diolch. Rwy’n cynnal trafodaethau rheolaidd gyda chyd-aelodau o'r Cabinet, gan gynnwys y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, ar amrywiaeth o faterion sy’n effeithio ar wasanaethau iechyd yn y gogledd. Fodd bynnag, Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr sy’n parhau i fod yn gyfrifol am gynllunio sut y caiff gwasanaethau lleol eu darparu, gan gynnwys recriwtio a chynllunio’r gweithlu.
Am y tro cyntaf erioed, mae modd gwneud cais ar gyfer cwrs is-raddedig yn ysgol feddygol newydd Prifysgol Bangor—newyddion ardderchog a fydd yn arwain maes o law at wella gwasanaethau iechyd yn y gogledd. Mae cynlluniau ar waith i greu ysgol fferylliaeth ym Mangor, sydd hefyd i'w groesawu, a'r datblygiad naturiol nesaf yw hyfforddi deintyddion yn lleol, ac mi fyddai Prifysgol Bangor yn lleoliad delfrydol ar gyfer ysgol ddeintyddol newydd i Gymru. A wnewch chi gefnogi'r ymgyrch hon fel Gweinidog y gogledd, ac a wnewch chi ymuno efo mi i wneud yr achos i'r Gweinidog iechyd—yr achos dros ysgol ddeintyddol ym Mangor—gan adeiladu ar yr hyfforddiant meddygol sydd eisoes ar droed yn y ddinas?
For the first time ever, it's possible to apply for an undergraduate course at the new medical school at Bangor University, which is excellent news, and will lead, in due time, to improvements in health services in north Wales. Plans are afoot to create a school of pharmacy in Bangor, which is also to be welcomed, and the next natural development is to train dentists locally too, and Bangor University would be an ideal location for a new school of dentistry for Wales. Will you support this campaign as Minister for north Wales, and will you join with me in making the case to the Minister for health—the case for a new dental school in Bangor—building on the medical training that is already afoot in the city?
Thank you. Yes, I will certainly have a discussion with the Minister for Health and Social Services around that. I lobbied very vociferously, I think it's fair to say, to ensure we had the north Wales medical school, and we're starting to see—well, we certainly will be from next year—we'll start to see people training there. I'm very keen for anything that's looked at nationally to be brought to north Wales.
Diolch. Byddaf yn sicr yn cael trafodaeth gyda’r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ynglŷn â hynny. Credaf ei bod yn deg dweud fy mod wedi lobïo’n gryf iawn i sicrhau ein bod yn cael ysgol feddygol gogledd Cymru, ac rydym yn dechrau gweld—wel, yn sicr o’r flwyddyn nesaf—byddwn yn dechrau gweld pobl yn hyfforddi yno. Rwy'n awyddus iawn i unrhyw beth sy'n cael ei ystyried ar sail genedlaethol ddod i ogledd Cymru.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog.
I thank the Minister.
Yr eitem nesaf, felly, fydd y cwestiwn amserol. Mae'r cwestiwn heddiw i'w ateb gan y Dirprwy Weinidog Newid Hinsawdd, ac i'w ofyn gan Delyth Jewell.
The next item, therefore, will be the topical question. Today's question is to be answered by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change, and is to be asked by Delyth Jewell.
1. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am yr effaith ar gyllid trafnidiaeth yng Nghymru yn sgil yr adroddiadau bod Llywodraeth y DU wedi penderfynu rhoi’r gorau i linell gangen prosiect HS2 rhwng Birmingham a Manceinion? TQ860
1. Will the Minister make a statement on the impact of the UK Government’s reported decision to scrap the Birmingham to Manchester branch line of the HS2 project on transport funding in Wales? TQ860
Thank you. Well, we've had no official notification of the decision in advance, but our position on HS2 consequential does not change: huge amounts of money have been spent in England, and Wales deserves its share.
Diolch. Wel, nid ydym wedi cael unrhyw hysbysiad swyddogol o’r penderfyniad ymlaen llaw, ond nid yw ein safbwynt ar gyllid canlyniadol yn sgil HS2 wedi newid: mae symiau enfawr o arian wedi’u gwario yn Lloegr, ac mae Cymru’n haeddu ei chyfran.
Diolch, Gweinidog. Well, this was one of the worst kept secrets in politics; we all knew that HS2 was dwindling, we just had to wait to hear it be made official. I'd be interested to know, Minister, what effect it has on the Welsh Government's ability to make policy—on transport in this instance, but perhaps more generally—when the UK Government doesn't pick up the phone. You have to presumably find out about major policy decisions and changes from reading it on social media or news reports like the general population. I was going to ask if the Welsh Government was consulted at all about the announcement about Wales, which Mr Sunak made in his conference speech. Presumably it was not.
And, as welcome as the electrification of the north Wales main line would be—that would be welcome—that would not be in any way a sufficient replacement for the money we've lost from the first stage of HS2. That would be purportedly double of what is being promised now for the north Wales main line. Now, I do fear this might be cynical stuff: perhaps Mr Sunak might know he won't be in power in order to deliver on that promise. Let's wait to see. But it is ironic that they talk about strengthening connections across the union, Minister, when the HS2 project has only served to solidify in people's minds just how unequal this purported union truly is. The reality is that London gets high-speed rail and we get Victorian infrastructure.
So, finally, Minister, what discussions have you had, please—and what discussions will you have—to ensure that all of Wales will get a fair share of the redistributed money, and not just that, but what we were already owed from the first stage? And do you have any faith that this project will actually be delivered?
Diolch, Weinidog. Wel, dyma oedd un o'r cyfrinachau gwaethaf ym myd gwleidyddiaeth; roedd pob un ohonom yn gwybod bod HS2 yn crebachu; mater o aros i glywed hynny'n swyddogol ydoedd, dyna i gyd. Weinidog, hoffwn wybod pa effaith y mae hyn yn ei chael ar allu Llywodraeth Cymru i lunio polisi—ar drafnidiaeth yn yr achos hwn, ond efallai yn fwy cyffredinol—pan na fydd Llywodraeth y DU yn codi'r ffôn. Mae'n debyg fod yn rhaid ichi ddod i wybod am newidiadau a phenderfyniadau polisi mawr drwy ddarllen amdanynt ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol neu mewn adroddiadau newyddion fel y cyhoedd. Roeddwn am ofyn a ymgynghorwyd o gwbl â Llywodraeth Cymru ynghylch y cyhoeddiad ynglŷn â Chymru a wnaed gan Mr Sunak yn ei araith yn y gynhadledd. Mae'n annhebygol fod hynny wedi digwydd.
Ac er cymaint y byddai trydaneiddio prif reilffordd y gogledd i'w groesawu—byddai hynny i'w groesawu—ni fyddai hynny mewn unrhyw ffordd yn ddigon i wneud iawn am yr arian a gollwyd o gam cyntaf HS2. Honnir y byddai hynny'n ddwywaith cymaint â'r hyn sy’n cael ei addo bellach ar gyfer prif reilffordd y gogledd. Nawr, ofnaf efallai mai cam sinigaidd yw hwn: efallai y bydd Mr Sunak yn gwybod na fydd mewn grym i gyflawni'r addewid hwnnw. Gadewch inni aros i weld. Ond mae’n eironig eu bod yn sôn am gryfhau cysylltiadau ar draws yr undeb, Weinidog, pan nad yw prosiect HS2 ond wedi cadarnhau ym meddyliau pobl pa mor anghyfartal yw’r undeb honedig hwn. Y gwir amdani yw bod Llundain yn cael rheilffyrdd cyflym, ac rydym ni'n cael seilwaith Fictoraidd.
Felly, yn olaf, Weinidog, pa drafodaethau a gawsoch, os gwelwch yn dda—a pha drafodaethau y byddwch yn eu cael—i sicrhau y bydd Cymru gyfan yn cael cyfran deg o’r arian a ailddosbarthwyd, ac nid yn unig hynny, ond yr hyn a oedd eisoes yn ddyledus i ni o’r cam cyntaf? Ac a oes gennych unrhyw ffydd y bydd y prosiect hwn yn cael ei gyflawni mewn gwirionedd?
Well, I think it's fair to say that this is no way to run a railroad. We've heard a great deal from the Conservatives in recent weeks about money they think is being poorly spent, and here we have hundreds of millions of pounds being written off on a scheme that has been planned and agreed to and contracted with for years. And I've seen reports of people who've been forced out of their homes to make way for a scheme that is now not going ahead. So, this is chaotic, and we're seeing an increasing pattern of panic by Conservative Ministers, who have given up on governing and are just casting around for push-button issues to try and desperately hang on to power.
So, the cancellation of HS2 is clearly, from a transport point of view, a half-cocked initiative. There is no scheme, strategy or plan behind it. We don't know much detail. In principle, it is welcome that other schemes are going to be funded instead, because we would expect to get a Barnett share of that for us to fund our priorities. But, again, we know nothing about it; we've had no conversations with the UK Government about this.
We have been working closely with them, with their officials, over a number of months, to come up with a joint set of priority schemes for rail investment, because, as Members know, rail infrastructure remains a Westminster responsibility, and we are close to a point of getting agreement on three tranches of schemes that we can jointly agree are the right ones for Wales. And I must say, electrification on the north Wales line was nowhere near the top of the list. In fact, it will take at least 10 years. As far as we are aware, no development work has been done on this at all. None. We have no idea of the cost of it. One billion pounds has been quoted. This is a finger-in-the-air figure, and I don't even know where that has come from.
But no lessons are being learnt, because the reason why previous promises have not been kept—. You'll remember; they have form on this. They've promised before to electrify the south Wales main line—lots of headlines, lots of praise from the Conservatives, and they haven't—[Interruption.] And they haven't—[Interruption.] And they haven't delivered it. So, they've broken their promise on electrification—[Interruption.]
Wel, credaf ei bod yn deg dweud nad dyma'r ffordd orau o wneud pethau. Rydym wedi clywed llawer iawn gan y Ceidwadwyr yn ystod yr wythnosau diwethaf am arian y credant ei fod yn cael ei wario’n wael, ac yma mae gennym gannoedd o filiynau o bunnoedd yn cael eu dileu ar gynllun sydd wedi’i gynllunio a’i gytuno a’i gontractio ers blynyddoedd. Ac rwyf wedi gweld adroddiadau am bobl sydd wedi cael eu gorfodi o'u cartrefi i wneud lle ar gyfer cynllun na fydd bellach yn mynd rhagddo. Felly, mae hyn yn anhrefn llwyr, ac rydym yn gweld patrwm cynyddol o banig gan Weinidogion Ceidwadol, sydd wedi rhoi'r gorau i lywodraethu ac sy'n pysgota am faterion adweithiol er mwyn ceisio dal eu gafael ar rym.
Felly, o safbwynt trafnidiaeth, mae canslo HS2 yn amlwg yn gam difeddwl. Nid oes unrhyw strategaeth na chynllun yn sail i'r peth. Nid ydym yn gwybod llawer o'r manylion. Mewn egwyddor, mae'r ffaith bod cynlluniau eraill yn mynd i gael eu hariannu yn lle hyn i’w chroesawu, gan y byddem yn disgwyl cael cyfran Barnett o hynny inni allu ariannu ein blaenoriaethau. Ond eto, ni wyddom unrhyw beth am hynny; nid ydym wedi cael unrhyw sgyrsiau gyda Llywodraeth y DU ynglŷn â hyn.
Rydym wedi bod yn gweithio’n agos gyda nhw, gyda’u swyddogion, dros nifer o fisoedd, i lunio set ar y cyd o gynlluniau blaenoriaethol ar gyfer buddsoddi mewn rheilffyrdd, oherwydd, fel y gŵyr yr Aelodau, mae'r seilwaith rheilffyrdd yn parhau i fod yn gyfrifoldeb i San Steffan, ac rydym yn agos at ddod i gytundeb ar dair cyfran o gynlluniau y gallwn gytuno ar y cyd mai'r rheini yw'r rhai iawn i Gymru. Ac mae'n rhaid imi ddweud, nid oedd trydaneiddio rheilffordd gogledd Cymru yn agos at frig y rhestr. Yn wir, bydd yn cymryd o leiaf 10 mlynedd. Hyd y gwyddom, nid oes unrhyw waith datblygu wedi’i wneud ar hyn o gwbl. Dim. Nid oes gennym unrhyw syniad o'r gost. Soniwyd am £1 biliwn o bunnoedd. Mae'r ffigur hwn wedi'i dynnu o'r awyr, ac nid wyf hyd yn oed yn gwybod o ble y daeth.
Ond nid oes unrhyw wersi'n cael eu dysgu, am mai'r rheswm pam na wireddwyd addewidion blaenorol—. Fe fyddwch yn cofio; mae ganddynt hanes blaenorol ar hyn. Maent wedi addo trydaneiddio prif reilffordd de Cymru o'r blaen—llawer o benawdau, llawer o ganmoliaeth gan y Ceidwadwyr, ac nid ydynt wedi—[Torri ar draws.] Ac nid ydynt wedi—[Torri ar draws.] Ac nid ydynt wedi cyflawni hynny. Felly, maent wedi torri eu haddewid ar drydaneiddio—[Torri ar draws.]
Darren. Darren Millar. Darren Millar, you're not on microphone. Can the Minister please be allowed to respond to the question? If you want to be called, I'll call you, Darren Millar.
Darren. Darren Millar. Darren Millar, nid yw eich meicroffon ar agor. A allwn ganiatáu i’r Gweinidog ymateb i’r cwestiwn os gwelwch yn dda? Os ydych am gael eich galw, fe wnaf fi eich galw, Darren Millar.
So, they have form on breaking promises on this before. This is no more than an election promise with no numbers behind it. And the reason why the south Wales main line didn't go ahead is because costs ran out of control. They ran out of control because no development work had been done. Similarly, the reason they've scrapped HS2 is because the costs ran out of control because they hadn't done the development work. And yet again, here we are again, repeating their mistake of announcing an eye-catching initiative without any numbers, science or plans behind it, that's not on the jointly agreed list of schemes. It's not the most important priority for passengers in north Wales. Far more could be done, for example, to increase line speeds on the north Wales main line, to improve Chester station, to improve the Wrexham-Bidston line. These are the real priorities for getting service improvements to passengers in north Wales. Of course we want to see electrification, but this is no way to do it. And the money that's been squandered by the Conservative Government in London for no public benefit is a disgrace.
Felly, mae ganddynt hanes blaenorol o dorri addewidion ar hyn. Nid yw hyn yn ddim mwy nag addewid etholiadol heb unrhyw ffigurau y tu ôl iddo. A'r rheswm pam na chwblhawyd prif reilffordd de Cymru yw oherwydd bod y costau wedi codi allan o reolaeth. Fe wnaethant godi allan o reolaeth am nad oedd unrhyw waith datblygu wedi'i wneud. Yn yr un modd, y rheswm pam eu bod wedi rhoi'r gorau i HS2 yw am fod y costau wedi codi allan o reolaeth am nad oeddent wedi gwneud y gwaith datblygu. A dyma ni, unwaith eto, yn gwrando arnynt yn ailadrodd eu camgymeriad o gyhoeddi cynllun trawiadol heb unrhyw ffigurau, gwyddoniaeth na chynlluniau y tu ôl iddo, cynllun nad yw ar y rhestr o gynlluniau y cytunwyd arnynt ar y cyd. Nid dyma'r flaenoriaeth bwysicaf i deithwyr yng ngogledd Cymru. Gellid gwneud llawer mwy, er enghraifft, i gynyddu cyflymder ar brif reilffordd gogledd Cymru, i wella gorsaf Caer, i wella rheilffordd Wrecsam-Bidston. Dyma’r blaenoriaethau go iawn ar gyfer gwella gwasanaethau i deithwyr yng ngogledd Cymru. Wrth gwrs ein bod am weld trydaneiddio, ond nid dyma'r ffordd o'i wneud. Ac mae'r arian sydd wedi'i wastraffu gan y Llywodraeth Geidwadol yn Llundain heb fod unrhyw fudd i'r cyhoedd yn warthus.
Today, we saw bold and decisive action taken by the Prime Minister, which will lead to major benefits for Wales. For far too long, the people of Wales have been let down by this incompetent Labour administration, particularly in the areas of transport, but thankfully the UK Conservative Government is on hand to deliver for Wales and today's announcement should show us how committed they actually are. As a result of the decision to scrap the Birmingham to Manchester leg of HS2, the money saved, as you've all mentioned—some £36 billion—is going to be spent on hundreds of much-needed transport projects across the UK instead. This includes spending £1 billion, as you've also already mentioned, electrifying the north Wales main line, which will undoubtedly bring huge benefits to the area, particularly for the residents of north Wales.
Now, Deputy Minister, I know you may perhaps not have gone to north Wales, but my colleague here who does represent north Wales has said, and so have all the residents that have contacted me over the last six months, that they lack connectivity to much of the UK and have felt very much neglected by this Labour Government, particularly when it comes to areas of transport, particularly public transport.
So, it is also refreshing to see the UK Conservative Government go forward and invest in vital road infrastructure projects such as, as my colleague Darren Millar mentioned, the M4, unlike this anti-driver, anti-growth Labour Government with its ban on road building and, believe it or not, ludicrous 20 mph speed limit. Shock, horror, yes, I'm going to mention it, because that's what it deserves. And, of course, with the UK Government shifting to local spending, the good news just keeps coming for Wales.
As a result, Wales will be receiving consequential funding. Sadly, this money will go straight to the Labour Government, which, I must admit, does fill me with dread and does send a shiver down my spine. So, Deputy Minister, can I get a commitment from you that this consequential funding will in fact be used to improve transport provision in Wales, and will not be squandered on your Government's never-ending vanity projects, which I've listed in this Chamber many, many times before?
Heddiw, gwelsom Brif Weinidog y DU yn rhoi camau beiddgar a phendant ar waith, camau a fydd yn arwain at fanteision sylweddol i Gymru. Yn rhy hir o lawer, mae'r weinyddiaeth Lafur anghymwys hon wedi gwneud cam â phobl Cymru, yn enwedig ym meysydd trafnidiaeth, ond diolch byth, mae Llywodraeth Geidwadol y DU wrth law i gyflawni dros Gymru, a dylai cyhoeddiad heddiw ddangos i ni pa mor ymrwymedig ydynt mewn gwirionedd. O ganlyniad i'r penderfyniad i gael gwared ar gymal Birmingham i Fanceinion o HS2, bydd yr arian a arbedir, fel y mae pawb ohonoch wedi'i grybwyll—oddeutu £36 biliwn—yn cael ei wario ar gannoedd o brosiectau trafnidiaeth mawr eu hangen ledled y DU yn lle hynny. Mae hyn yn cynnwys gwario £1 biliwn, fel rydych wedi'i grybwyll eisoes hefyd, ar drydaneiddio prif reilffordd gogledd Cymru, a fydd, heb os, yn sicrhau manteision enfawr i’r ardal, yn enwedig i drigolion y gogledd.
Nawr, Ddirprwy Weinidog, gwn efallai nad ydych wedi bod yng ngogledd Cymru, ond mae fy nghyd-Aelod yma sy’n cynrychioli gogledd Cymru wedi dweud, ac felly hefyd yr holl drigolion sydd wedi cysylltu â mi dros y chwe mis diwethaf, nad oes ganddynt gysylltedd â llawer o’r DU, ac maent wedi teimlo eu bod yn cael eu hesgeuluso’n fawr iawn gan y Llywodraeth Lafur hon, yn enwedig ym maes trafnidiaeth, a thrafnidiaeth gyhoeddus yn arbennig.
Felly, mae hefyd yn braf gweld Llywodraeth Geidwadol y DU yn symud ymlaen ac yn buddsoddi mewn prosiectau seilwaith ffyrdd hanfodol megis, fel y soniodd fy nghyd-Aelod, Darren Millar, yr M4, yn wahanol i’r Llywodraeth Lafur hon sy’n wrth-yrwyr ac yn wrth-dwf gyda’i gwaharddiad ar adeiladu ffyrdd, a'r terfyn cyflymder hurt o 20 mya. Och a gwae, ydw, rwy'n mynd i sôn amdano, gan mai dyna mae'n ei haeddu. Ac wrth gwrs, gyda Llywodraeth y DU yn newid i wariant lleol, mae'r newyddion da'n parhau i ddod i Gymru.
O ganlyniad, bydd Cymru'n cael cyllid canlyniadol. Yn anffodus, bydd yr arian hwn yn mynd yn syth i’r Llywodraeth Lafur, sydd, mae'n rhaid imi gyfaddef, yn fy llenwi ag ofn ac yn gyrru ias i lawr fy asgwrn cefn. Felly, Ddirprwy Weinidog, a gaf fi ymrwymiad gennych chi y bydd y cyllid canlyniadol hwn yn cael ei ddefnyddio i wella darpariaeth trafnidiaeth yng Nghymru, ac na chaiff ei wastraffu ar brosiectau porthi balchder diddiwedd eich Llywodraeth, prosiectau a restrais yn y Siambr hon sawl gwaith o'r blaen?
Llywydd, it's difficult to take these comments seriously, frankly. The lack of connectivity that north Wales faces with the rest of the UK, which I've now just been accused of, is the responsibility of the body that has powers over rail infrastructure. These are not devolved. She is criticising me for her own Government's lack of rail infrastructure investment in north Wales. It makes no sense at all. We just get a tumble of lines to take from central office that bear no relation to reality.
She asked us about the consequential. A consequential of what? What are we having a consequential of? She's quoted £1 billion. Where does that figure come from? Where are the numbers behind that £1 billion, because we've seen no work done on the development cost? She has no idea because she's just spouting the latest lines that have no credibility.
I would just remind the Member—I'm not going to respond to all of the absurd points that she makes; I've stopped taking a lot of it seriously, frankly—that there's a reason why only 1 per cent of under-25-year-olds support the Conservative Party, because they have nothing to say for themselves, and none of us can take them seriously.
Lywydd, a bod yn onest mae'n anodd bod o ddifrif ynglŷn â'r sylwadau hyn. Cyfrifoldeb y corff sydd â phwerau dros y seilwaith rheilffyrdd yw’r diffyg cysylltedd â gweddill y DU y mae'r gogledd yn ei wynebu, a'r hyn rwyf newydd gael fy nghyhuddo ohono. Nid yw'r pwerau hyn wedi'u datganoli. Mae’n fy meirniadu am ddiffyg buddsoddiad ei Llywodraeth ei hun yn y seilwaith rheilffyrdd yng ngogledd Cymru. Nid yw'n gwneud unrhyw synnwyr o gwbl. Yr unig beth a gawn yw llond llaw o safbwyntiau o'r swyddfa ganolog nad oes ganddynt unrhyw gysylltiad â realiti.
Gofynnodd i ni am y cyllid canlyniadol. Cyllid canlyniadol o beth? Cyllid canlyniadol o beth a gawn? Mae hi wedi nodi £1 biliwn. O ble y daw'r ffigur hwnnw? Ble mae'r ffigurau y tu ôl i'r £1 biliwn hwnnw, gan nad ydym wedi gweld unrhyw waith yn cael ei wneud ar y gost ddatblygu? Nid oes syniad ganddi, gan nad yw'n gwneud unrhyw beth ond parablu'r safbwyntiau diweddaraf nad oes unrhyw hygrededd yn perthyn iddynt.
Hoffwn atgoffa’r Aelod—nid wyf am ymateb i bob un o’r pwyntiau hurt y mae’n eu gwneud; rwyf wedi rhoi’r gorau i fod o ddifrif ynglŷn â llawer ohono a bod yn onest—fod rheswm pam mai 1 y cant yn unig o bobl dan 25 oed sy’n cefnogi’r Blaid Geidwadol, oherwydd nid oes ganddynt unrhyw beth i’w ddweud drostynt eu hunain, ac ni all yr un ohonom fod o ddifrif yn eu cylch.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog am yr atebion yna.
I thank the Minister for those answers.
Yr eitem nesaf fydd y datganiadau 90 eiliad. Y datganiad cyntaf gan Mark Isherwood.
The next item will be the 90-second statements. The first is from Mark Isherwood.
Monday marked five years since the sad passing of my constituent, Alastair or Ali Thomas, from diabetic ketoacidosis, a complication of his diabetes. A singer, songwriter and a loved father, son and brother, he lived every day to the fullest and is greatly missed by his family. His sad passing should not have happened. Awareness of DKA has since been his mother's main priority and now, in her sixth year of campaigning, Dee Pinnington, who, like her son, lives with type 1 diabetes, continues her essential efforts. Awareness of DKA is as vital as ever, especially during unprecedented pressures on our health services. Understanding the symptoms and alerting medical services properly, so that they can categorise their help and prioritise an ambulance, can be the difference between life and death.
Her bilingual leaflet is supported by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Diabates UK Cymru, and today will be shared digitally with general practitioners across Wales. Campaigners also call for this leaflet or its contents to be available on the NHS Wales app. As part of her campaign, Dee Pinnington has arranged a music festival, Ali Fest 2024, in north Wales on Saturday 6 July next year in Ali's memory, with all funds raised donated to Diabetes UK Cymru. DUK Cymru has sent an e-mail to extend an invite to you all—if you've not had it yet, you'll be receiving it—because Ali's story should never be repeated. Diolch.
Ddydd Llun roedd hi'n bum mlynedd ers marwolaeth drist fy etholwr, Alastair neu Ali Thomas, o DKA, cetoasidosis diabetig, un o gymhlethdodau ei ddiabetes. Yn ganwr, cyfansoddwr caneuon a thad, mab a brawd annwyl, roedd yn byw pob dydd i'r eithaf, ac mae ei deulu'n gweld ei golli'n fawr. Ni ddylai ei farwolaeth drist fod wedi digwydd. Ers hynny, mae ymwybyddiaeth o DKA wedi bod yn brif flaenoriaeth i’w fam, a bellach, yn ei chweched flwyddyn o ymgyrchu, mae Dee Pinnington, sydd, fel ei mab, yn byw gyda diabetes math 1, yn parhau gyda’i hymdrechion hollbwysig. Mae ymwybyddiaeth o DKA mor hanfodol ag erioed, yn enwedig yn ystod y pwysau digynsail ar ein gwasanaethau iechyd. Gall deall y symptomau a rhoi gwybod i'r gwasanaethau meddygol yn briodol, fel y gallant gategoreiddio eu cymorth a blaenoriaethu ambiwlans, olygu'r gwahaniaeth rhwng byw a marw.
Cefnogir ei thaflen ddwyieithog gan Fwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr a Diabates UK Cymru, a heddiw, bydd yn cael ei rhannu’n ddigidol gyda meddygon teulu ledled Cymru. Mae ymgyrchwyr hefyd yn galw am i'r daflen hon, neu ei chynnwys, fod ar gael ar ap GIG Cymru. Fel rhan o’i hymgyrch, mae Dee Pinnington wedi trefnu gŵyl gerddoriaeth, Ali Fest 2024, yng ngogledd Cymru ddydd Sadwrn 6 Gorffennaf y flwyddyn nesaf er cof am Ali, gyda’r holl arian a godir yn cael ei roi i Diabetes UK Cymru. Mae Diabetes UK Cymru wedi anfon e-bost i estyn gwahoddiad i bob un ohonoch—os nad yw wedi cyrraedd eto, fe fyddwch yn ei gael—gan na ddylai stori Ali gael ei hailadrodd byth. Diolch.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd (David Rees) i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) took the Chair.
Yr wythnos diwethaf fe ddathlodd Max Boyce, un o eiconau diwylliannol Cymru, ei ben-blwydd yn 80 oed, ac fe ddadlennwyd cerflun ohono yn ei bentref genedigol, sef Glyn-nedd. Roedd y Llywydd a'r Prif Weinidog yno, ynghyd â rhai o sêr mwyaf y byd rygbi fel Gareth Edwards a Gerald Davies. Ond yn bwysicach, efallai, oedd presenoldeb y cannoedd o drigolion y cylch a ddaeth i nodi a dathlu'r achlysur a thalu teyrnged i'r dyn sydd wir yn haeddu cael ei alw yn ddyn ei gymuned. Achos er iddo ddod yn enw mor adnabyddus, drwy ei ddawn canu a chomedi, dyn ei bobl yw Max. Fel un a oedd yn deall i'r dim pris drud y glo, wrth golli ei dad Leonard, mewn damwain erchyll yng nglofa rhif 3 yr Onllwyn fis cyn iddo gael ei eni, a threulio cyfnod dan ddaear ei hun, fe ysbrydolwyd gwaith Max Boyce gan brofiadau, dyheadau a diwylliant cymunedau diwydiannol y de—y caledi, y cyfeillgarwch, y chwerthin a'r chwarae, a'n cariad at rygbi, wrth gwrs, gan hefyd adlewyrchu dwyieithrwydd y cymunedau hynny mewn modd cwbl naturiol.
Cafodd y recordiad cyntaf o'i ganeuon ei wneud yng Nghlwb Gwerin y Cwm ym Mhontardawe yn 1971, gan gynnwys rhai o'r caneuon sydd nawr yn gyfarwydd i bawb, fel 'Hymns and Arias'. Ac fe aeth ei ail albwm gyda EMI, We All Had Doctors' Papers, i frig y siartiau albwm ym 1975, camp sydd dal yn unigryw i recordiad o'r fath. Fel nifer o'm cenhedlaeth i a oedd yn dod o gefndir tebyg, dwi'n medru adrodd y caneuon a'r cerddi llon a lleddf gair am air. Amhosib yw rhestru ei holl orchestion a'r holl anrhydeddau sydd wedi dod i'w ran dros yr hanner canrif y bu yn perfformio dros Gymru a'r byd. Ond fe hoffwn i annog pawb i fynd i weld y cerflun newydd hardd yng Nglyn-nedd gan yr artist lleol Rubin Eynon, ac ar ran y Senedd ddweud 'penblwydd hapus Max, a diolch'.
Last week, Max Boyce, one of Wales’s cultural icons, celebrated his eightieth birthday, and a statue of him was unveiled in the village where he was born, Glynneath. The Llywydd and the First Minister were present, along with some of the biggest stars from the world of rugby, such as Gareth Edwards and Gerald Davies. But more important, perhaps, was the presence of the hundreds of residents of the surrounding area who came together to mark and celebrate the occasion, and pay tribute to a man who truly deserves to be called a man of his community. Because even though he has become such a familiar figure, through his talent for singing and comedy, Max is a man of his people. As one who understood all too well the heavy price paid for coal, having lost his father, Leonard, in a terrible accident in the Onllwyn No. 3 mine a month before he was born, and having spent a period underground himself, Max’s work was inspired by the experiences, aspirations and culture of south Wales’s industrial communities—the hardship, the friendship, the laughter and the camaraderie, and our love for rugby, of course. Furthermore, he also reflected the bilingual nature of these communities in an entirely natural way.
The first recording of his songs was made in the Valley Folk Club in Pontardawe in 1971, and included some of the songs that are now familiar to all of us, such as 'Hymns and Arias'. And his second album with EMI, We All Had Doctors’ Papers, went to the top of the album charts in 1975, a feat that remains unmatched for such a recording. Like many of my generation who come from a similar background, I can recount the joyful and melancholy songs word for word. It is impossible to list all of his achievements and all of the plaudits he has received over the 50 years he has been performing across Wales and worldwide. But I’d like to encourage everyone to go to see the beautiful statue in Glynneath by Rubin Eynon, a local artist, and on the Senedd’s behalf I’d like to say, ‘Happy eightieth birthday, Max—and thank you’.
Ac yn olaf, Heledd Fychan.
And finally, Heledd Fychan.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Ym mis Medi 1983, agorwyd Clwb y Bont ym Mhontypridd gan neb llai na Dafydd Iwan. O’r cychwyn, a hyd heddiw, menter cydweithredol yw Clwb y Bont, gyda’r amcan o hyrwyddo’r iaith a’r diwylliant Cymreig yn yr ardal, a hynny mewn awyrgylch naturiol ddwyieithog.
Dros y degawdau, mae’r clwb wedi cynnal llu o weithgareddau amrywiol o gyfarfodydd gwleidyddol i gorau cymunedol, o Dalwrn y Beirdd i nosweithiau roc, hip-hop, gwerin a jazz, heb son am nosweithiau cwis, ffilm a charioci, ynghyd â bod y lle i wylio gemau rygbi a phêl-droed timau cenedlaethol Cymru. Mae llu o bobl wedi dysgu Cymraeg yno dros y degawdau, gan groesawu’r cyfle i ddysgu mewn ffordd fwy anffurfiol a chartrefol.
Nifer o weithiau yn ei hanes, mae’r clwb wedi dioddef llifogydd, a bydd nifer, dwi’n siwr, yn cofio gweld y clwb dan ddŵr yn dilyn llifogydd dinistriol 2020. Yn fuan wedyn, daeth COVID. Ond, gyda gwaith caled yr aelodau a gwirfoddolwyr o’r gymuned leol, fe lwyddodd Clwb y Bont i ailagor. Diolch i Prosiect Pum Mil, ymdrechion codi arian a grantiau lu, mae Clwb y Bont—fel y dywedodd Caryl Parry Jones fel rhan o ddathliadau’r 40 yno nos Sadwrn diwethaf—yn fit at 40, ac wedi dod drwy bennod anodd yn ei hanes yn gryfach nag erioed.
Mae Clwb y Bont yn drysor o le, ac yn paratoi i groesawu pawb fydd yn dod i Bontypridd ar gyfer yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol y flwyddyn nesaf. Diolch i bawb fu’n rhan o hanes y clwb dros y degawdau. Ymlaen i’r 40 nesaf: penblwydd hapus, Clwb y Bont.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. In September 1983, Clwb y Bont was opened in Pontypridd by Dafydd Iwan, no less. From the outset it was a co-operative enterprise, and it remains so to this day, with the objective of promoting the Welsh language and culture in the area in a naturally bilingual environment.
Over the decades, the clwb has hosted a diverse range of activities, from political meetings to community choirs, from Talwrn y Beirdd—a poetry slam—to rock, hip-hop, folk and jazz nights, not to mention quiz, film and karaoke nights, as well as being the place to watch rugby and football matches featuring Wales’s national teams. Many people have learnt Welsh there over the decades, welcoming the opportunity to learn in a more informal and comfortable environment.
A number of times in its history, the clwb has suffered flooding, and I’m sure that many will remember seeing the venue underwater following the destructive floods of 2020. Soon after, COVID hit. But, through the hard work of members and volunteers from the local community, Clwb y Bont managed to reopen. Thanks to Prosiect Pum Mil, fundraising efforts and several grants, Clwb y Bont—as Caryl Parry Jones said during the fortieth anniversary celebrations there last Saturday evening—is ‘fit at 40’, and has come through a very difficult chapter in its history stronger than ever.
Clwb y Bont is to be treasured, and is now preparing to welcome everyone who travels to Pontypridd for the National Eisteddfod next year. So thanks to everyone who has played a part in the club’s story over the decades. Onwards to the next 40: happy birthday, Clwb y Bont.
Diolch, bawb.
Thank you, everyone.
Eitem 5 yw'r ddadl ar adroddiad y Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai, 'Yr Hawl i Gael Tai Digonol'. Galwaf ar Gadeirydd y pwyllgor i wneud y cynnig—John Griffiths.
Item 5 is the debate on the Local Government and Housing Committee's report, 'The Right to Adequate Housing'. I call on the Chairman of the committee to move the motion—John Griffiths.
Cynnig NDM8365 John Griffiths
Cynnig bod y Senedd:
Yn nodi adroddiad y Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai, ‘Yr Hawl i Gael Tai Digonol’, a osodwyd yn y Swyddfa Gyflwyno ar 12 Gorffennaf 2023.
Motion NDM8365 John Griffiths
To propose that the Senedd:
Notes the report of the Local Government and Housing Committee, ‘The Right to Adequate Housing’, which was laid in the Table Office on 12 July 2023.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'm very pleased to open today's debate on the Local Government and Housing Committee’s report on the right to adequate housing.
Ensuring that everyone in Wales has a safe place to call home is something that I'm sure we all aspire to. Several countries have the right to adequate housing enshrined in law, and there have been calls for such a right to be incorporated here in Wales. So we undertook this inquiry knowing that the Welsh Government has committed to bringing forward a White Paper that will include proposals for a right to adequate housing, and that there will also be homelessness legislation introduced during this Senedd term.
The Welsh Government has since published its Green Paper call for evidence on housing adequacy and fair rents. I'm pleased that the Minister has confirmed that the evidence presented to us as a committee will be taken into account as part of the consultation process. We believe, as a committee, that our inquiry can add value to that work by highlighting some of the important issues that require further consideration. We are therefore pleased that all 10 of our recommendations have been accepted, either in full or in principle.
The evidence presented to us by stakeholders was broadly in favour of incorporating a legal right to adequate housing in Wales, and we recognise that this could play an important role in addressing housing needs. However, we also recognise that system changes are needed before such a right could be implemented effectively.
Our report highlighted the importance of ensuring that the right type of accommodation is available in the right locations. A mix of accommodation is needed to meet people's varied needs. We welcome the establishment of the stakeholder advisory group and the Minister's commitment to working collaboratively with groups who are likely to be impacted. I would like to emphasise the importance of engaging with disabled people and older people's representatives to address the shortage of accessible accommodation, now and for future needs.
Dirprwy Lywydd, the shortage of high-quality, affordable homes is arguably the greatest barrier to delivering a right to adequate housing. Therefore, addressing housing supply is key. We believe that this must be addressed urgently to meet current and future demands. As a committee, we have previously expressed concern that rising costs and issues relating to the supply chain and workforce will make the Welsh Government's aim of delivering 20,000 new affordable homes by the end of this Senedd term more challenging.
Additionally, given the continued demand for affordable housing, and the increasing number of people living in temporary accommodation, we are concerned that the target of 20,000 new homes is itself insufficient. I would therefore like to emphasise our recommendation that the Minister sets out an assessment of how the 20,000 new affordable homes will contribute to meeting the overall housing need in Wales. We think that such an assessment should include how the types of homes being provided will address specific areas of need, such as one-bedroomed properties.
In terms of how a right to adequate housing could be incorporated, witnesses referred to two different models: direct incorporation into Welsh law; or indirectly, by placing a duty on Welsh Ministers and other public authorities to have due regard to the right. We realise that a 'due regard' approach may not be sufficient to ensure that a right is adhered to. Therefore, direct incorporation may be more effective. We believe that further consideration should be given to this.
I am pleased that the Minister has accepted our recommendation that consideration be given to introducing an annual housing survey for Wales. This inquiry, and our previous work, have demonstrated the need for better data to get a greater understanding of housing needs, and we believe that an annual survey would provide an opportunity to collect such data.
Dirprwy Lywydd, as outlined in our report, we recognise that there are challenges to overcome before a right to adequate housing can be implemented effectively. However, we believe that work should begin now in order to realise the aspiration of safe, appropriate housing for everyone in our country. Diolch yn fawr.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Rwy’n falch iawn o agor y ddadl heddiw ar adroddiad y Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai ar yr hawl i dai digonol.
Mae sicrhau bod gan bawb yng Nghymru le diogel i’w alw’n gartref yn rhywbeth rwy’n siŵr fod pob un ohonom yn dyheu amdano. Mae gan sawl gwlad yr hawl i dai digonol wedi’i ymgorffori yn y gyfraith, a chafwyd galwadau am ymgorffori hawl o’r fath yma yng Nghymru. Felly, fe wnaethom gynnal yr ymchwiliad hwn gan wybod bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i gyflwyno Papur Gwyn a fydd yn cynnwys cynigion ar gyfer yr hawl i dai digonol, ac y bydd deddfwriaeth ddigartrefedd yn cael ei chyflwyno hefyd yn ystod tymor y Senedd hon.
Ers hynny, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cyhoeddi ei Phapur Gwyrdd yn galw am dystiolaeth ar ddigonolrwydd tai a rhenti teg. Rwy’n falch fod y Gweinidog wedi cadarnhau y bydd y dystiolaeth a gyflwynir i ni fel pwyllgor yn cael ei hystyried yn rhan o’r broses ymgynghori. Fel pwyllgor, credwn y gall ein hymchwiliad ychwanegu gwerth at y gwaith hwnnw drwy dynnu sylw at rai o’r materion pwysig y mae angen eu hystyried ymhellach. Rydym yn falch, felly, fod pob un o’n 10 argymhelliad wedi’u derbyn, naill ai’n llawn neu mewn egwyddor.
At ei gilydd, roedd y dystiolaeth a gyflwynwyd i ni gan randdeiliaid o blaid ymgorffori hawl gyfreithiol i dai digonol yng Nghymru, ac rydym yn cydnabod y gallai hyn chwarae rhan bwysig wrth fynd i’r afael ag anghenion tai. Fodd bynnag, rydym hefyd yn cydnabod bod angen newidiadau i’r system cyn y gellid cyflwyno hawl o’r fath yn effeithiol.
Amlygodd ein hadroddiad bwysigrwydd sicrhau bod y math cywir o lety ar gael yn y lleoliadau cywir. Mae angen cymysgedd o lety i ddiwallu anghenion amrywiol pobl. Rydym yn croesawu sefydlu grŵp cynghori rhanddeiliaid ac ymrwymiad y Gweinidog i gydweithio â grwpiau sy’n debygol o gael eu heffeithio. Hoffwn bwysleisio pwysigrwydd ymgysylltu â phobl anabl a chynrychiolwyr pobl hŷn i fynd i’r afael â phrinder llety hygyrch, nawr ac ar gyfer anghenion y dyfodol.
Ddirprwy Lywydd, gellir dadlau mai prinder cartrefi fforddiadwy o ansawdd uchel yw'r rhwystr mwyaf rhag sicrhau hawl i dai digonol. Felly, mae mynd i’r afael â’r cyflenwad tai yn allweddol. Credwn fod yn rhaid mynd i'r afael â hyn ar fyrder er mwyn bodloni gofynion y presennol a'r dyfodol. Fel pwyllgor, rydym wedi mynegi pryder o’r blaen y bydd costau cynyddol a materion yn ymwneud â’r gadwyn gyflenwi a’r gweithlu yn gwneud nod Llywodraeth Cymru o ddarparu 20,000 o gartrefi fforddiadwy newydd erbyn diwedd tymor y Senedd hon yn fwy heriol.
Yn ogystal, o ystyried y galw parhaus am dai fforddiadwy, a’r nifer cynyddol o bobl sy’n byw mewn llety dros dro, rydym yn pryderu bod y targed o 20,000 o gartrefi newydd ynddo’i hun yn annigonol. Hoffwn bwysleisio, felly, ein hargymhelliad fod y Gweinidog yn nodi sut y bydd yr 20,000 o gartrefi fforddiadwy newydd yn cyfrannu at ddiwallu’r angen cyffredinol am dai yng Nghymru. Credwn y dylai asesiad o’r fath gynnwys sut y bydd y mathau o gartrefi a ddarperir yn mynd i’r afael â meysydd o angen penodol, megis eiddo un ystafell wely.
O ran sut y gellid ymgorffori hawl i dai digonol, cyfeiriodd tystion at ddau fodel gwahanol: ei ymgorffori'n uniongyrchol yng nghyfraith Cymru; neu'n anuniongyrchol, drwy osod dyletswydd ar Weinidogion Cymru ac awdurdodau cyhoeddus eraill i roi sylw dyledus i'r hawl. Rydym yn sylweddoli efallai na fyddai dull 'sylw dyledus' yn ddigonol i sicrhau y cedwir at hawl. Felly, gallai ymgorffori uniongyrchol fod yn fwy effeithiol. Credwn y dylid rhoi ystyriaeth bellach i hyn.
Rwy'n falch fod y Gweinidog wedi derbyn ein hargymhelliad y dylid ystyried cyflwyno arolwg tai blynyddol yng Nghymru. Mae’r ymchwiliad hwn, a’n gwaith blaenorol, wedi dangos yr angen am ddata gwell i gael gwell dealltwriaeth o anghenion tai, a chredwn y byddai arolwg blynyddol yn rhoi cyfle i gasglu data o’r fath.
Ddirprwy Lywydd, fel yr amlinellwyd yn ein hadroddiad, rydym yn cydnabod bod heriau i'w goresgyn cyn y gellir rhoi hawl i dai digonol ar waith yn effeithiol. Fodd bynnag, credwn y dylai'r gwaith ddechrau nawr er mwyn gwireddu’r dyhead o dai diogel, priodol i bawb yn ein gwlad. Diolch yn fawr.
At this point, I would like to thank John Griffiths for his able chairing of the committee and guiding us through the production of the report that we're debating today. I'm also grateful to colleagues for their contributions throughout the process, as a committee.
Ar y pwynt hwn, hoffwn ddiolch i John Griffiths am gadeirio’r pwyllgor yn fedrus a’n harwain drwy'r broses o gynhyrchu’r adroddiad rydym yn ei drafod heddiw. Rwyf hefyd yn ddiolchgar i fy nghyd-Aelodau am eu cyfraniadau drwy gydol y broses, fel pwyllgor.
We know that housing is one of the key issues of our age—in Wales here, yes, but across the UK generally, as well. We know that it impacts people across Wales in all sorts of different ways, perhaps from our young people struggling to get onto the housing ladder through to, perhaps, people sleeping rough, who are desperate to be housed. I think we have to admit that we haven't got it right at the moment, and we need to consider all options to improve things for the people of Wales.
In terms of our committee report, I'd like to just highlight some specific recommendations of the report and provide some comment on those. Firstly, recommendation 5 of our report considers how 'adequate housing' should be defined. I think within this debate, that is probably one of the most important things to consider. It's important because all potential policy making that may flow from this actually comes from that definition being right. We heard from Professor Hoffman, who gave evidence to say that adequacy is a flexible concept, and he added that there should be some non-negotiables, like every effort being made to end homelessness. It seems to me that this is already the case, so, the Welsh Government would need to ensure that any definition doesn't just consist of warm words that aren't deliverable. And I do, perhaps, have a natural cautious position, more broadly to what we're discussing here today and to what's within the report, because we know that, even if a right was created, pretend, today to adequate housing, that doesn't mean that the crisis of thousands of people living currently in hotels and bed and breakfasts in Wales will be fixed tomorrow, or indeed, in 10 years' time, it may not be fixed. There is no silver bullet to solving the problems we're facing and we have to work with developers, with landlords, with our social housing partners and with local authorities to ensure that the houses that we'll need tomorrow are being built and made available today.
And this brings me on to my next recommendation that I'd like to have a focus on and hear more from the Minister on in response, and our Chairman, John Griffiths, mentioned it in his opening contribution. It's recommendation 6, around the 20,000 new affordable homes that the Government have committed to building within this Senedd term. We know that that is not going to be achieved, or it is extremely unlikely to be achieved. One of the questions I raised with the Minister in the committee—and I'd perhaps like to hear from her again today—is this ability for our social landlords in particular to be able to afford to build those properties at the level that is required at the moment. We know from social landlords that, due to the quality requirement, it costs close to £250,000 now to build a social home in Wales, meaning that every £1 million spent just builds four homes. I'm not at all saying that we should be building inadequate housing for people, but when we have thousands of people in hotels and B&Bs at the moment, I wonder what consideration the Minister will give to getting that balance right between the quality and the affordability.
We have issues, of course, in terms of deliverability on the issue of phosphates, and that is addressed in recommendation 7 within our report today. It's absolutely urgent that we find a practical solution to dealing with delays in housing developments as a result of phosphate regulations. I know that the Minister understands this and is very, very keen to see this resolved, and I'm not saying that much of what's in there is wrong, but what we do need is a solution for our developers to ensure that those social homes in particular can be built as quickly as possible. We know that, in my patch in north Wales, for example, around 1,000 homes are currently not being built because of phosphate regulations, and we cannot kick this can any further down the road. As I say, I know the Minister is taking this seriously, but I'd be keen to hear perhaps an update on progress on that so that we can see these houses built, which are so, so important.
So, Deputy Presiding Officer, I was really pleased to be part of this work in producing this report that's in front of us today. I'll certainly be keeping a keen eye on the progress of this idea, of this right to adequate housing. I'll be keen to understand how the Welsh Government will continue to consider how something like this could be implemented. But I would also reiterate my point around caution if we believe that this is going to be a silver bullet to solve all our problems. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Gwyddom fod tai yn un o faterion allweddol ein hoes—yma yng Nghymru, ie, ond ledled y DU hefyd. Gwyddom ei fod yn effeithio ar bobl ledled Cymru mewn pob math o wahanol ffyrdd, o’n pobl ifanc sy’n brwydro i gael troed ar yr ysgol dai, i bobl sy’n cysgu allan ac sy’n ysu am gartref. Credaf fod yn rhaid inni gyfaddef nad ydym yn gwneud pethau'n iawn ar hyn o bryd, a bod angen inni ystyried pob opsiwn i wella pethau i bobl Cymru.
O ran adroddiad ein pwyllgor, hoffwn dynnu sylw at rai o argymhellion penodol yr adroddiad a rhoi rhywfaint o sylwadau arnynt. Yn gyntaf, mae argymhelliad 5 yn ein hadroddiad yn ystyried sut y dylid diffinio 'tai digonol'. Yn y ddadl hon, credaf mai dyna un o’r pethau pwysicaf i’w hystyried, mae’n debyg. Mae'n bwysig am fod yr holl waith posibl ar lunio polisi a all ddeillio o hyn yn dibynnu ar gywirdeb y diffiniad. Clywsom gan yr Athro Hoffman, a roddodd dystiolaeth i ddweud bod digonolrwydd yn gysyniad hyblyg, ac ychwanegodd na ddylai rhai pethau fod yn agored i drafodaeth, fel gwneud pob ymdrech i roi diwedd ar ddigartrefedd. Ymddengys i mi fod hyn eisoes yn wir, felly, byddai angen i Lywodraeth Cymru sicrhau bod unrhyw ddiffiniad yn cynnwys mwy na geiriau cefnogol na ellir eu cyflawni. Ac efallai fod fy safbwynt yn naturiol ofalus, y tu hwnt i'r hyn rydym yn ei drafod yma heddiw a'r hyn sydd yn yr adroddiad, gan y gwyddom, hyd yn oed pe bai hawl i dai digonol yn cael ei chreu heddiw, dyweder, nad yw hynny'n golygu y byddai'r argyfwng sy'n bodoli ar hyn o bryd, lle mae miloedd o bobl yn byw mewn gwestai a llety gwely a brecwast yng Nghymru, yn diflannu yfory, neu'n wir, ymhen 10 mlynedd, efallai na chaiff mo'i datrys. Ni cheir un ateb gwyrthiol a fyddai'n datrys y problemau a wynebwn, ac mae'n rhaid inni weithio gyda datblygwyr, gyda landlordiaid, gyda'n partneriaid tai cymdeithasol a chydag awdurdodau lleol i sicrhau bod y tai y bydd eu hangen arnom yfory yn cael eu hadeiladu ac ar gael heddiw.
A daw hyn â mi at yr argymhelliad nesaf yr hoffwn inni ganolbwyntio arno a chlywed mwy yn ymateb y Gweinidog, a soniodd ein Cadeirydd, John Griffiths, amdano yn ei gyfraniad agoriadol. Argymhelliad 6 yw hwnnw, a sy'n ymwneud â'r 20,000 o gartrefi fforddiadwy newydd y mae’r Llywodraeth wedi ymrwymo i’w hadeiladu yn ystod tymor y Senedd hon. Gwyddom nad yw hynny’n mynd i gael ei gyflawni, neu ei fod yn hynod o annhebygol o gael ei gyflawni. Un o’r cwestiynau a ofynnais i’r Gweinidog yn y pwyllgor—ac efallai yr hoffwn glywed ganddi eto heddiw—yw’r gallu i’n landlordiaid cymdeithasol yn enwedig allu fforddio adeiladu’r eiddo ar y lefel sy’n ofynnol ar hyn o bryd. Gwyddom gan landlordiaid cymdeithasol, oherwydd y gofyniad ansawdd, ei bod yn costio bron i £250,000 bellach i adeiladu cartref cymdeithasol yng Nghymru, sy’n golygu bod pob £1 filiwn a werir yn adeiladu pedwar cartref yn unig. Nid wyf yn dweud o gwbl y dylem fod yn adeiladu tai annigonol ar gyfer pobl, ond pan fydd gennym filoedd o bobl mewn gwestai a llety gwely a brecwast ar hyn o bryd, tybed pa ystyriaeth a wnaiff y Gweinidog ei rhoi i gael y cydbwysedd rhwng yr ansawdd a’r fforddiadwyedd yn iawn.
Mae gennym broblemau, wrth gwrs, gyda'r gallu i gyflawni ar fater ffosffadau, a rhoddir sylw i hynny yn argymhelliad 7 yn ein hadroddiad heddiw. Rhaid inni ddod o hyd i ateb ymarferol ar frys i fynd i'r afael ag oedi mewn datblygiadau tai o ganlyniad i reoliadau ffosffad. Gwn fod y Gweinidog yn deall hyn ac yn awyddus iawn i weld hyn yn cael ei ddatrys, ac nid wyf yn dweud bod llawer o'r hyn sydd ynddo yn anghywir, ond yr hyn sydd ei angen arnom yw ateb i'n datblygwyr i sicrhau y gellir adeiladu'r cartrefi cymdeithasol hynny, yn enwedig, cyn gynted â phosibl. Yn fy ardal i yng ngogledd Cymru, er enghraifft, fe wyddom nad yw oddeutu 1,000 o gartrefi yn cael eu hadeiladu ar hyn o bryd oherwydd rheoliadau ffosffad, ac ni allwn barhau i ohirio'r mater. Fel y dywedaf, gwn fod y Gweinidog yn rhoi ystyriaeth ddifrifol i hyn, ond hoffwn glywed am y cynnydd diweddaraf ar hynny er mwyn inni weld y tai hyn, sydd mor bwysig, yn cael eu hadeiladu.
Felly, Ddirprwy Lywydd, roeddwn yn falch iawn o fod yn rhan o'r gwaith ar gynhyrchu'r adroddiad sydd ger ein bron heddiw. Byddaf yn sicr yn cadw llygad barcud ar gynnydd y syniad, sef yr hawl i dai digonol. Byddaf yn awyddus i ddeall sut y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn parhau i ystyried sut y gellid gweithredu rhywbeth fel hyn. Ond hefyd, hoffwn ailadrodd fy mhwynt ynglŷn â gofalu nad ydym yn credu y bydd hyn yn ateb a fyddai'n datrys ein holl broblemau. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
I had prepared a speech, and I was going to talk a little bit around Vienna, Barcelona, Finland and other examples. But instead, I'm going to tell you a little story, and something that happened last night. When I left this Senedd last night, at about 8 o'clock, I got back to the flat, and in the doorway there was a young woman sleeping in the entrance, blocking my entrance to the flat. She had a little dog with her, a little puppy, and she'd been there since the morning, because she was there when I left. And in order to gain access to the flat, I had to wake her up, and in the process of waking her up, I asked if she was okay, and she said, no, she was hungry, desperate for food, really cold and in need of assistance. So, I ran upstairs, went to the flat, I got some food, I got what I could for her, and went down and had a chat, and offered to take her out for some food, in order to make sure that she was okay. And on that journey, she shared her story with me.
She was in her late 20s. She was born with an abusive mother and a father that was on heroin. She was put into care, and she'd lived through care throughout her life, and been handed from one family or one individual to another. When she was 14, she gave birth to a child—at 14 years old. A fortnight later, she lost that baby child. She was only 14, she didn't know how to handle that loss, she wasn't equipped to handle that. And then, when she was 16, she was put out back on the streets. When she was 18, she decided to get in touch with her father, her biological father. She met the father and he didn't want anything to do with her. She wanted to become part of a family, she had nobody else. So, she thought, 'Right, how could I become part of his family?' And she went to buy heroin for him. He wasn't interested, he was just interested in the heroin, so she started cutting that heroin for him. He still wasn't interested, and so she started taking heroin in order to be part of his life. She was then addicted to heroin for—well, she's been addicted to heroin since then. And she's been on the streets since 18, living in Cardiff—you've probably passed her, as you go about your daily lives. And she's earning money the only way she knows how to earn money, and that's through selling her body.
Now, it's not right that in a society like ours, in the twenty-first century—I'm looking around—that we're living in a society that allows this to happen. It shouldn't be—no, we shouldn't be in this position. She's been let down and abused by everybody throughout her life. She doesn't trust anybody. From her birth, she's been let down, and she's been let down by us politicians more than anybody else, who've not managed to put the structures in place to stop these things from happening to her.
Now, the right to adequate housing—and I will probably get back to this story about Polly when we hear about the legislation for homelessness—but the right to adequate housing wouldn't have resolved the issues when she was born, no. It wouldn't have resolved the issues around the care that she received, no. But now she needs some form of structure in her life. She needs something to hold on to. She needs a roof above her head. She's lost her phone—it was stolen from her a couple of weeks ago—so she's got no contact point. She'll go to some homes occasionally for a clean up, but she's got no one permanent address, she's got no way of contacting her. So giving her a roof above her head would give her that structure and give her a purpose.
And it's for Polly that I think we need to make sure that we have this right to adequate housing, so that she's got a roof above her head, in a place where she knows she can get that care, where there is wraparound care for her, where she knows there's transport available for her, to find a job when the time comes. But without a house to begin with, without a roof above her head, she's got no hope. So, that's why I think we should support and encourage the Government to develop and work on the proposals. Diolch.
Roeddwn wedi paratoi araith, ac roeddwn yn bwriadu sôn rhywfaint am Fienna, Barcelona, y Ffindir ac enghreifftiau eraill. Ond yn lle hynny, rwyf am ddweud stori fach wrthych am rywbeth a ddigwyddodd neithiwr. Pan adewais y Senedd hon neithiwr, tua 8 o'r gloch, cyrhaeddais yn ôl i'r fflat, ac roedd menyw ifanc yn cysgu wrth y fynedfa, gan rwystro fy mynedfa i'r fflat. Roedd ganddi gi bach gyda hi ac roedd hi wedi bod yno ers y bore, oherwydd roedd hi yno pan wneuthum adael. Ac er mwyn cael mynediad i'r fflat, roedd yn rhaid i mi ei deffro hi, ac yn y broses o'i deffro, gofynnais a oedd hi'n iawn, a dywedodd, na, roedd hi eisiau bwyd, bron â llwgu, yn oer iawn ac angen cymorth. Felly, rhedais i fyny'r grisiau, euthum i mewn i'r fflat, euthum i chwilio am fwyd, cesglais yr hyn a allwn iddi, ac euthum i lawr a chael sgwrs, a chynnig mynd â hi allan am fwyd, er mwyn gwneud yn siŵr ei bod hi'n iawn. Ac ar y daith honno, rhannodd ei stori gyda mi.
Roedd hi yn ei 20au hwyr. Cafodd ei geni i fam a oedd yn ei cham-drin a thad a oedd ar heroin. Cafodd ei rhoi mewn gofal, ac roedd hi wedi byw mewn gofal drwy gydol ei hoes, ac wedi cael ei throsglwyddo o un teulu neu un unigolyn i'r llall. Pan oedd hi'n 14 oed, rhoddodd enedigaeth i blentyn—yn 14 oed. Bythefnos yn ddiweddarach, collodd y plentyn. Dim ond 14 oed oedd hi, ni wyddai sut i ymdopi â'r golled, ac nid oedd wedi'i chyfarparu i ymdrin â hynny. Yna, pan oedd hi'n 16 oed, cafodd ei throi allan ar y stryd. Pan oedd hi'n 18 oed, penderfynodd gysylltu â'i thad, ei thad biolegol. Cyfarfu â'r tad ac nid oedd eisiau unrhyw beth i'w wneud â hi. Roedd hi eisiau bod yn rhan o deulu, nid oedd ganddi unrhyw un arall. Felly, meddyliodd, 'Iawn, sut y gallaf fi ddod yn rhan o'i deulu?' A dyma hi'n mynd i brynu heroin iddo. Nid oedd ganddo ddiddordeb ynddi hi, ond roedd ganddo ddiddordeb yn yr heroin, felly dechreuodd dorri'r heroin hwnnw iddo. Nid oedd ganddo ddiddordeb o hyd, ac felly fe ddechreuodd hithau gymryd heroin er mwyn bod yn rhan o'i fywyd. Yna roedd hi'n gaeth i heroin am—wel, mae hi wedi bod yn gaeth i heroin ers hynny. Ac mae hi wedi bod ar y strydoedd er pan oedd hi'n 18 oed, yn byw yng Nghaerdydd—mae'n siŵr eich bod wedi ei phasio wrth i chi fyw eich bywydau bob dydd. Ac mae hi'n ennill arian yn yr unig ffordd y mae'n gwybod sut i ennill arian, sef drwy werthu ei chorff.
Nawr, nid yw'n iawn, mewn cymdeithas fel hon, yn yr unfed ganrif ar hugain—rwy'n edrych o gwmpas—ein bod ni'n byw mewn cymdeithas sy'n caniatáu i hyn ddigwydd. Ni ddylai fod—na, ni ddylem fod yn y sefyllfa hon. Mae hi wedi cael cam ac wedi'i cham-drin gan bawb drwy gydol ei hoes. Nid yw'n ymddiried yn unrhyw un. Ers ei geni, mae hi wedi cael cam, ac rydym ni wleidyddion wedi gwneud cam â hi yn fwy na neb, drwy fethu rhoi'r strwythurau ar waith i atal y pethau hyn rhag digwydd iddi.
Nawr, ni fyddai'r hawl i gartref digonol—ac mae'n debyg y byddaf yn dychwelyd at y stori hon am Polly pan glywn am y ddeddfwriaeth ddigartrefedd—ond ni fyddai'r hawl i gartref digonol wedi datrys y problemau pan gafodd ei geni, na. Ni fyddai wedi datrys y problemau'n ymwneud â'r gofal a gafodd, na. Ond nawr mae hi angen rhyw fath o strwythur yn ei bywyd. Mae hi angen rhywbeth i ddal ei gafael arno. Mae hi angen to uwch ei phen. Mae hi wedi colli ei ffôn—cafodd ei ddwyn oddi arni ychydig wythnosau yn ôl—felly nid oes ganddi unrhyw bwynt cyswllt. Fe fydd yn mynd i rai cartrefi o bryd i'w gilydd i ymolchi, ond nid oes ganddi un cyfeiriad parhaol, nid oes modd cysylltu â hi. Felly byddai rhoi to uwch ei phen yn rhoi strwythur iddi ac yn rhoi pwrpas iddi.
Ac er mwyn Polly, rwy'n credu bod angen inni sicrhau bod gennym yr hawl i gael tai digonol, fel bod ganddi do uwch ei phen, mewn man lle mae hi'n gwybod y gall gael y gofal hwnnw, lle mae yna ofal cofleidiol iddi, lle mae'n gwybod bod trafnidiaeth ar gael iddi, i ddod o hyd i waith pan ddaw'r amser. Ond heb dŷ i ddechrau, heb do uwch ei phen, nid oes ganddi obaith. Felly, dyna pam rwy'n credu y dylem gefnogi ac annog y Llywodraeth i ddatblygu a gweithio ar y cynigion. Diolch.