Y Cyfarfod Llawn - Y Bumed Senedd
Plenary - Fifth Senedd
25/02/2020Cynnwys
Contents
Cyfarfu’r Cynulliad am 13:30 gyda’r Llywydd (Elin Jones) yn y Gadair.
The Assembly met at 13:30 with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.
Galw'r Aelodau i drefn.
I call Members to order.
Yr eitem gyntaf ar ein hagenda ni y prynhawn yma yw'r cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Mohammad Asghar.
The first item on our agenda this afternoon is questions to the First Minister, and the first question is from Mohammad Asghar.
Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer. Good afternoon, First Minister.
Diolch, Madam Lywydd. Prynhawn da, Prif Weinidog.
1. Pa gynlluniau sydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru i wella lles anifeiliaid fferm yng Nghymru? OAQ55109
1. What plans does the Welsh Government have to improve the welfare of farm animals in Wales? OAQ55109
Llywydd, I thank the Member for that question. Maintaining high levels of farm animal health and welfare has always been a key priority for successive Welsh Governments. Now that the United Kingdom has left the European Union, we are determined to ensure that we retain these high standards in Wales.
Llywydd, diolchaf i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn yna. Mae cynnal lefelau uchel o iechyd a lles anifeiliaid fferm wedi bod yn flaenoriaeth allweddol erioed i Lywodraethau Cymru olynol. Nawr bod y Deyrnas Unedig wedi gadael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, rydym ni'n benderfynol o sicrhau ein bod ni'n dal i gynnal y safonau uchel hyn yng Nghymru.
Thank you very much, First Minister, for the reply. CCTV has been mandatory in every abattoir in all areas in England where live animals are kept for slaughtering since 2018. Scotland announced plans for similar new laws last year. However, in Wales, 14 out of 24 slaughterhouses do not have cameras, although the Welsh Government has made money available for their installation. RSPCA Cymru and Animal Aid both support mandatory CCTV to deter abuse and to help vets with regulation and monitoring. First Minister, when will your Government make CCTV in abattoirs mandatory in Wales, please?
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Prif Weinidog, am yr ateb. Mae teledu cylch cyfyng wedi bod yn orfodol ym mhob lladd-dy ym mhob ardal yn Lloegr lle cedwir anifeiliaid byw i'w lladd ers 2018. Cyhoeddodd yr Alban gynlluniau ar gyfer deddfau newydd tebyg y llynedd. Fodd bynnag, yng Nghymru, nid oes gan 14 o 24 o ladd-dai gamerâu, er bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi darparu arian ar gyfer eu gosod. Mae RSPCA Cymru ac Animal Aid fel ei gilydd yn cefnogi teledu cylch cyfyng gorfodol i atal camdriniaeth ac i helpu milfeddygon gyda rheoleiddio a monitro. Prif Weinidog, pryd fydd eich Llywodraeth yn gwneud teledu cylch cyfyng mewn lladd-dai yn orfodol yng Nghymru, os gwelwch yn dda?
I thank the Member for that follow-up question. He makes a number of important points there. The Member will be aware, I am sure, of the £1.1 million food business investment scheme that we run as a Welsh Government. The latest round of applications to that fund are currently being assessed. They include a series of applications from abattoirs in Wales to install, upgrade or improve CCTV facilities at those abattoirs. When those applications have been assessed, the Minister will make a judgement as to whether or not we have sufficient coverage of CCTVs in Welsh slaughterhouses, to avoid the need for a mandatory scheme. But, if she concludes that we've not made the progress that we wanted to see on the voluntary basis, where the taxpayer is paying for CCTV to be installed, then she will think about whether mandation is the right way ahead.
Diolchaf i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn dilynol yna. Mae'n gwneud nifer o bwyntiau pwysig yn y fan yna. Bydd yr Aelod yn ymwybodol, rwy'n siŵr, o'r cynllun buddsoddi mewn busnesau bwyd gwerth £1.1 miliwn yr ydym ni'n ei redeg fel Llywodraeth Cymru. Mae'r rownd ddiweddaraf o geisiadau i'r gronfa honno'n cael eu hasesu ar hyn o bryd. Maen nhw'n cynnwys cyfres o geisiadau gan ladd-dai yng Nghymru i osod, uwchraddio neu wella cyfleusterau teledu cylch cyfyng yn y lladd-dai hynny. Pan fydd y ceisiadau hynny wedi eu hasesu, bydd y Gweinidog yn penderfynu ar ba un a oes gennym ni ddarpariaeth ddigonol o deledu cylch cyfyng mewn lladd-dai yng Nghymru, i osgoi'r angen am gynllun gorfodol. Ond, os daw hi i'r casgliad nad ydym ni wedi gwneud y cynnydd yr oeddem ni eisiau ei weld ar y sail wirfoddol, pan fo'r trethdalwr yn talu am osod teledu cylch cyfyng, yna bydd hi'n meddwl am ba un ai gorfodi yw'r ffordd iawn ymlaen.
Mi fydd unrhyw un a wyliodd Ffermio ar S4C neithiwr yn gwybod bod y cyfnod wyna ar ein pennau ni erbyn hyn, ac mae'n fater dwi wedi codi'n gyson yn y Siambr yma, wrth gwrs, sef y gofid ynglŷn ag ymosodiadau gan gŵn ar ddefaid, ac wŷn wrth gwrs ar yr adeg yma o'r flwyddyn. Dwi wedi codi'n flaenorol yr angen i fynd i'r afael â hyn, a'r ateb dwi wedi cael nôl yw bod y Llywodraeth yn gwneud mwy er mwyn hyrwyddo ymwybyddiaeth ymhlith perchnogion cŵn ynglŷn â'r hyn sydd angen ei wneud. Allwch chi felly ein diweddaru ni, gan ein bod ni'n dod i gyfnod allweddol nawr, lle mae llawer o wŷn newydd-anedig yn wynebu'r risg o gael ymosodiadau gan gŵn, beth yn union y mae'r Llywodraeth yn gwneud i godi'r ymwybyddiaeth yna i berchnogion cŵn ynglŷn â'u cyfrifoldebau yn y maes yma?
Anyone who watched Ffermio on S4C last night will know that the lambing season is upon us now, and it's an issue I've raised regularly in this Chamber, of course, namely this concern about dog attacks on sheep and lambs at this time of the year. Now, I've previously raised the need to tackle this, and the response I've heard is that the Government is doing more in order to promote awareness among dog owners on what needs to be done. Can you therefore give us an update, as we are coming to a key period now, where many newborn lambs will face the risk of dog attacks, on what exactly is the Government doing to raise that awareness among dog owners on their responsibilities in this area?
Diolch i Llyr am y cwestiwn yna. Wrth gwrs, mae'r cyfrifoldeb cyfreithiol dal gyda'r person sy'n berchen ar y ci. Dyna beth mae Deddf 1953 yn dweud, ac yn dweud yn gryf.
I thank Llyr for that question. Of course, the legal responsibility remains with the dog owner. That is what the 1953 legislation makes clear.
As a Government, we work closely with local authorities, with the RSPCA and others to make sure that owners of dogs are in no doubt about the responsibility that they have to ensure that they remain in control of animals if they take them into the countryside. It is a crime to allow dogs to worry farm animals in that way. Owning a dog is a privilege and not a right, and we work with others to make sure that the codes of practice that we have provided, in partnership with the industry, remind owners of their obligations to control their pets in those circumstances.
Fel Llywodraeth, rydym ni'n gweithio'n agos gydag awdurdodau lleol, gyda'r RSPCA ac eraill i wneud yn siŵr nad oes gan berchenogion cŵn unrhyw amheuaeth ynghylch y cyfrifoldeb sydd arnyn nhw i sicrhau eu bod nhw'n cadw rheolaeth ar anifeiliaid os ydyn nhw'n mynd â nhw i gefn gwlad. Mae'n drosedd caniatáu i gŵn aflonyddu ar anifeiliaid fferm yn y ffordd honno. Braint yw bod yn berchen ar gi, nid hawl, ac rydym ni'n gweithio gydag eraill i wneud yn siŵr bod y codau ymarfer yr ydym ni wedi eu darparu, mewn partneriaeth â'r diwydiant, yn atgoffa perchnogion o'u rhwymedigaethau i reoli eu hanifeiliaid anwes yn yr amgylchiadau hynny.
First Minister, we're all concerned about animal welfare, and I've raised this question in the Chamber before about my concerns about live animal exports. Now that the UK Government have said that they will be stopping live animal exports, and we are now finally leaving the EU, will the Welsh Government commit today that they will be doing the same?
Prif Weinidog, rydym ni i gyd yn pryderu am les anifeiliaid, ac rwyf i wedi codi'r cwestiwn hwn yn y Siambr o'r blaen am fy mhryderon am allforion anifeiliaid byw. Nawr bod Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig wedi dweud y bydd yn atal allforion anifeiliaid byw, a'n bod ni'n gadael yr UE o'r diwedd, a wnaiff Llywodraeth Cymru ymrwymo heddiw y bydd yn gwneud hynny hefyd?
We supported the UK Government's call for evidence on a UK-wide ban in relation to the export of live animals for overseas slaughter. So, I think the Member can take it from that—that we supported the UK Government in that call for evidence on a UK-wide ban—that we would continue to support it in that way. We're working with DEFRA and the Scottish Government to determine the next steps now that that consultation has been concluded. In the meantime, the Welsh Government goes on enforcing the rules that govern the transportation of live animals on long journeys: rest periods, adequate access to feed and to water. But if there is to be a ban, and if it is to be a UK-wide ban, then we will support that.
Fe wnaethom ni gefnogi galwad Llywodraeth y DU am dystiolaeth ar waharddiad ar draws y DU gyfan o ran allforio anifeiliaid byw i'w lladd dramor. Felly, rwy'n meddwl y gall yr Aelod ei gymryd o hynny—ein bod ni wedi cefnogi Llywodraeth y DU yn y galwad hwnnw am dystiolaeth ar waharddiad DU gyfan—y byddem ni'n parhau i'w gefnogi yn y ffordd honno. Rydym ni'n gweithio gyda DEFRA a Llywodraeth yr Alban i benderfynu ar y camau nesaf nawr bod yr ymgynghoriad hwnnw wedi dod i ben. Yn y cyfamser, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn parhau i orfodi'r rheolau sy'n llywodraethu cludo anifeiliaid byw ar siwrneiau hir: cyfnodau gorffwys, bod digon o fwyd a dŵr ar gael iddyn nhw. Ond os bydd gwaharddiad, ac os yw'n mynd i fod yn waharddiad ar draws y DU gyfan, yna byddwn yn cefnogi hynny.
2. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ymateb i effeithiau'r llifogydd diweddar ar ardaloedd gwarchodedig o'r amgylchedd naturiol yng Ngorllewin De Cymru? OAQ55121
2. How is the Welsh Government responding to the effects of recent flooding on protected areas of the natural environment in South Wales West? OAQ55121
I thank the Member for that. While some localised flooding has been reported, Natural Resources Wales do not believe that the ecology of protected areas has been affected by recent flooding events. However, inspection and monitoring of land and assets continues, so new information may come to light as this work progresses. At this point, NRW's priority remains the recovery and assistance it is affording to flooded communities.
Diolchaf i'r Aelod am hynna. Er yr adroddwyd am rai llifogydd lleol, nid yw Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru o'r farn bod digwyddiadau llifogydd diweddar wedi effeithio ar ecoleg ardaloedd gwarchodedig. Fodd bynnag, mae'r gwaith o arolygu a monitro tir ac asedau yn parhau, felly gallai gwybodaeth newydd ddod i'r amlwg wrth i'r gwaith hwn fynd rhagddo. Ar hyn o bryd, blaenoriaeth Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru o hyd yw'r gwaith adfer a chymorth y mae'n ei wneud mewn cymunedau sydd wedi dioddef llifogydd.
Thank you for that answer. I've raised the issue of Kenfig nature reserve and its dunes with you before, and that has been hit by weather and flooding, not just in the past two weeks, but since Christmas. And you're right, all eyes are on homes and businesses at the moment, and I certainly don't want to detract from that, but I'm rather surprised to hear that NRW has taken the line it has. Have they not approached you, or the owners of that site approached Welsh Government, for any assistance towards mitigating the effects of that flooding?
Diolch am yr ateb yna. Rwyf i wedi codi mater gwarchodfa natur Cynffig a'i thwyni gyda chi o'r blaen, ac mae honno wedi cael ei tharo gan y tywydd a llifogydd, nid yn ystod y pythefnos diwethaf yn unig, ond ers y Nadolig. Ac rydych chi'n iawn, mae pob llygad ar gartrefi a busnesau ar hyn o bryd, ac yn sicr nid wyf i eisiau bychanu hynny, ond rwy'n synnu braidd o glywed bod Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru wedi dilyn y trywydd y mae wedi ei ddilyn. Onid ydyn nhw wedi cysylltu â chi, neu a yw perchnogion y safle hwnnw wedi cysylltu â Llywodraeth Cymru, am unrhyw gymorth tuag at liniaru effeithiau'r llifogydd hynny?
I'm not aware of any direct approach, and I did ask for a check to be made directly with NRW yesterday, and there was no report in the information I saw back of an approach in that way either. Of course, I will ask for a further check to be made, to see whether any request has come in. The note that I received from NRW did confirm that there had been some localised flooding within the Kenfig nature reserve, and while the flooding may have obstructed public access to the site for a time, NRW did not believe at that point that the ecology of the site had been damaged. Indeed, their advice to me was that, as a wetlands site, it's not unusual to see some inundation of water during severe weather, and that these areas are inherently resilient to the effects of bad weather, and that, at this point in their ability to assess the position, NRW don't believe that any further protection from flooding, from an ecological point of view, will be needed at the Kenfig nature reserve.FootnoteLink
Nid wyf i'n ymwybodol o unrhyw gysylltiad uniongyrchol, ac fe wnes i ofyn am i wiriad gael ei wneud yn uniongyrchol gyda Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru ddoe, ac nid oedd unrhyw adroddiad yn yr wybodaeth a welais yn ôl o gysylltiad yn y ffordd honno ychwaith. Wrth gwrs, byddaf yn gofyn am i wiriad pellach gael ei wneud, i weld a oes unrhyw gais wedi ei dderbyn. Roedd y nodyn a gefais gan Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn cadarnhau y bu rhywfaint o lifogydd lleol yng ngwarchodfa natur Cynffig, ac er y gallai'r llifogydd fod wedi rhwystro mynediad i'r cyhoedd at y safle am gyfnod, nid oedd Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn credu bryd hynny bod ecoleg y safle wedi ei difrodi. Yn wir, eu cyngor i mi oedd nad yw'n anarferol, fel safle gwlyptir, gweld rhywfaint o ddŵr yn gorlifo yn ystod tywydd garw, a bod yr ardaloedd hyn yn gallu gwrthsefyll effeithiau tywydd garw yn gynhenid, ac nad yw Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn credu, ar yr adeg hon yn eu gallu i asesu'r sefyllfa, y bydd angen unrhyw amddiffyniad pellach rhag llifogydd, o safbwynt ecolegol, yng ngwarchodfa natur Cynffig.FootnoteLink
Unfortunately, in some areas, the flooding has either been caused or has been exacerbated by blocked or broken culverts. In Ystalyfera, in the Swansea valley, I understand a capital bid has already been put to Welsh Government by Neath Port Talbot Council, so that remedial works can be undertaken to a broken culvert on land being purchased by the local authority for this purpose. Can you give an assurance that these types of capital funding bids will now be expedited to try and minimise future risks, and will you give an update in terms of discussions that you are having with Neath Port Talbot Council with regards to its overall capital funding requirement?
And in a neighbouring authority, in Gorseinon in the city and county of Swansea, I'm informed that householders who have been flooded have been told that they will be charged by the council to collect household items that were ruined by the flood. Surely, you will agree that this seems extremely unfair, and will you look to ensure that no council is charging householders in this situation?
Yn anffodus, mewn rhai ardaloedd, mae'r llifogydd naill ai wedi cael eu hachosi neu eu gwaethygu gan gwlfertau wedi eu blocio neu sydd wedi torri. Yn Ystalyfera, yng nghwm Tawe, deallaf fod cais cyfalaf eisoes wedi ei gyflwyno i Lywodraeth Cymru gan Gyngor Castell-nedd Port Talbot, fel y gellir gwneud gwaith adfer i gwlfert sydd wedi torri ar dir sy'n cael ei brynu gan yr awdurdod lleol at y diben hwn. A allwch chi roi sicrwydd y bydd y mathau hyn o geisiadau am arian cyfalaf yn cael eu cyflymu nawr i geisio sicrhau cyn lleied â phosibl o risgiau yn y dyfodol, ac a wnewch chi roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf o ran y trafodaethau yr ydych chi'n eu cael gyda Chyngor Castell-nedd Port Talbot ynghylch ei anghenion cyllid cyfalaf cyffredinol?
Ac mewn awdurdod cyfagos, yng Ngorseinon yn ninas a sir Abertawe, dywedir wrthyf fod deiliaid tai sydd wedi dioddef llifogydd wedi cael gwybod y bydd y cyngor yn codi tâl arnyn nhw i gasglu eitemau cartref a gafodd eu difetha gan y llifogydd. Does bosib nad ydych chi'n cytuno bod hyn yn ymddangos yn hynod annheg, ac a wnewch chi geisio sicrhau nad oes yr un cyngor yn codi tâl ar ddeiliaid tai yn y sefyllfa hon?
Llywydd, there are questions on the order paper to me today about the general impact of flooding. I'll try and answer a couple of the points that Dr Lloyd has raised, but I don't think any of them refer to protected areas of the natural environment, as the question asked by Suzy Davies posed.
But in answering Dr Lloyd's specific question about capital for culvert repairs, that is covered by announcements the Welsh Government has already made about emergency help for local authorities, and I'm aware of other local authorities in Wales who have taken very direct and, I think, positive action to make sure that, where households have been flooded, they have as easy access as possible to skips, for example, without charge, without the need for permits to be provided, so that people who are in that dreadful position of having to clear homes of rubbish don't face another difficulty in their path.
Llywydd, mae cwestiynau ar y papur trefn i mi heddiw am effaith gyffredinol llifogydd. Byddaf yn ceisio ateb un neu ddau o'r pwyntiau a godwyd gan Dr Lloyd, ond nid wyf i'n credu bod yr un ohonyn nhw'n cyfeirio at ardaloedd gwarchodedig o'r amgylchedd naturiol, fel y nodwyd yn y cwestiwn a ofynnodd Suzy Davies.
Ond i ateb cwestiwn penodol Dr Lloyd am gyfalaf ar gyfer atgyweirio cwlfertau, mae hynny wedi ei gwmpasu gan gyhoeddiadau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru eisoes wedi eu gwneud am gymorth brys i awdurdodau lleol, ac rwy'n ymwybodol o awdurdodau lleol eraill yng Nghymru sydd wedi cymryd camau uniongyrchol iawn ac, yn fy marn i, cadarnhaol iawn, i wneud yn siŵr, pan fo aelwydydd wedi dioddef llifogydd, bod sgipiau ar gael iddyn nhw mewn modd mor rhwydd â phosibl, er enghraifft, yn ddi-dâl, heb fod angen darparu trwyddedau, fel nad yw pobl sydd yn y sefyllfa ofnadwy honno o orfod clirio sbwriel o'u cartrefi yn wynebu anhawster arall ar eu ffordd.
Cwestiynau nawr gan arweinwyr y pleidiau. Arweinydd yr wrthblaid, Paul Davies.
Questions now from the party leaders. Leader of the opposition, Paul Davies.
Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, the last few weeks have seen communities across Wales devastated by storm Ciara and storm Dennis, and I'd like to take the opportunity to thank the emergency services and the communities up and down Wales who have worked tirelessly to support those affected.
Now, I appreciate that the Minister will be making a statement on this matter later today, but are you confident that the Welsh Government has done, and is doing, all that it can to protect and support those affected by flooding across the whole of Wales?
Diolch, Llywydd. Prif Weinidog, mae cymunedau ledled Cymru wedi cael eu distrywio gan storm Ciara a storm Dennis dros yr wythnosau diwethaf, a hoffwn achub ar y cyfle i ddiolch i'r gwasanaethau brys a'r cymunedau ar hyd a lled Cymru sydd wedi gweithio'n ddiflino i gynorthwyo’r rhai yr effeithiwyd arnyn nhw.
Nawr, rwy'n sylweddoli y bydd y Gweinidog yn gwneud datganiad ar y mater hwn yn ddiweddarach heddiw, ond a ydych chi'n ffyddiog fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gwneud, ac yn gwneud, popeth o fewn ei gallu i ddiogelu a chynorthwyo'r rhai sydd wedi cael eu heffeithio gan lifogydd ledled Cymru gyfan?
I thank the Member for that question. Can I echo what he said? Everywhere I went last week, Llywydd, meeting people in the most difficult of circumstances, the first thing they wanted to say to me was just how much they appreciated the efforts made by emergency services, sometimes to rescue them directly from life-threatening situations. So, even when they themselves were in awful predicaments, the first thing they wanted to do was to pay tribute to others, and I'm keen to echo his sentiments in that regard.
And he's absolutely right in what he said about community activity as well. I spent quite a part of one evening in Taff's Well rugby club just outside Cardiff and, the whole time that I was there, there was a procession of people coming to the club bringing goods, asking what more they could do, volunteering to be part of the effort that that centre was making to respond to the needs of people in those very difficult circumstances. And that sense of community effort in a crisis, I think, has been very characteristic of responses across Wales over the last two weeks.
The Welsh Government is focused, at this point, on the services that we can provide to help individuals and households, businesses and local authorities in dealing with the immediate aftermath of the crisis, and we've put a series of measures in place to assist them in doing that. There will be a much longer haul for many householders and businesses, and indeed for local authorities in repairing bridges, making good roads that have been damaged, checking flood defences to make sure that they can be made resilient for the next time an event of this sort happens; and, in that, we will be seeking the assistance of the UK Government, because the costs of that are well beyond what the Welsh Government itself could, in an emergency of this sort, be expected to bear.
Diolchaf i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn yna. A gaf i ategu'r hyn a ddywedodd? Ym mhobman yr euthum i iddyn nhw yr wythnos diwethaf, Llywydd, gan gyfarfod â phobl o dan yr amgylchiadau anoddaf, y peth cyntaf yr oedden nhw eisiau ei ddweud wrthyf i oedd cymaint yr oedden nhw'n gwerthfawrogi'r ymdrechion a wnaed gan y gwasanaethau brys, weithiau i'w hachub yn uniongyrchol o sefyllfaoedd a oedd yn peryglu eu bywydau. Felly, hyd yn oed pan yr oedden nhw eu hunain mewn helyntion ofnadwy, y peth cyntaf yr oedden nhw eisiau ei wneud oedd talu teyrnged i eraill, ac rwy'n awyddus i ategu ei eiriau ef yn hynny o beth.
Ac mae yn llygad ei le yn yr hyn a ddywedodd am weithgarwch cymunedol hefyd. Treuliais ran helaeth o un noson yng nghlwb rygbi Ffynnon Taf ar gyrion Caerdydd, a'r holl amser yr oeddwn i yno, roedd rhesi o bobl yn dod i'r clwb gyda nwyddau, gan ofyn beth arall y gallen nhw ei wneud, gan wirfoddoli i fod yn rhan o'r ymdrech yr oedd y ganolfan honno'n ei gwneud i ymateb i anghenion pobl o dan yr amgylchiadau anodd iawn hynny. Ac mae'r synnwyr hwnnw o ymdrech gymunedol mewn argyfwng, yn fy marn i, wedi bod yn nodweddiadol iawn o ymatebion ledled Cymru dros y pythefnos diwethaf.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn canolbwyntio, ar hyn o bryd, ar y gwasanaethau y gallwn ni eu darparu i helpu unigolion ac aelwydydd, busnesau ac awdurdodau lleol i ymdrin â chanlyniadau uniongyrchol yr argyfwng, ac rydym ni wedi rhoi cyfres o fesurau ar waith i'w cynorthwyo i wneud hynny. Bydd taith llawer hwy yn wynebu llawer o ddeiliaid tai a busnesau, ac yn wir awdurdodau lleol o ran atgyweirio pontydd, trwsio ffyrdd sydd wedi eu difrodi, archwilio amddiffynfeydd rhag llifogydd i wneud yn siŵr y gellir eu gwneud yn gydnerth ar gyfer y tro nesaf y gwelir digwyddiad o'r math hwn; ac, yn hynny o beth, byddwn yn ceisio cymorth Llywodraeth y DU, gan fod costau hynny ymhell y tu hwnt i'r hyn y gellid disgwyl i Lywodraeth Cymru ei hun eu hysgwyddo, mewn argyfwng o'r math hwn.
First Minister, whilst some steps have rightly been taken and considerable progress has been made, I know first-hand from the conversations that I've had with some of those affected as well that they feel more could and should have been done sooner, and so it's clear that there are still lessons to be learnt and questions to answer.
Now, rightly or wrongly, some have expressed concerns around the co-ordination of the responses to some of these events, and I believe that that takes governments at all levels working together and collaborating more effectively than we've actually seen before.
Now, you may be aware of concerns raised by Mari Arthur, chair of Welsh Water's independent advisory panel, who said that:
'We're missing that leadership, I feel, at the top to bring that together. That's why things aren't happening.'
Now, in addition to that, I understand that it's also been 10 years since the publication of the last flood risk management strategy and, whilst the Government has consulted, we are yet to see an updated strategy, which surely will help in making sure that responses are better co-ordinated in the future.
First Minister, do you accept that the delay in publishing an updated specific Welsh flood risk management strategy has made some communities feel that flooding is simply not a priority? And how do you respond to the views of some in the sector that, moving forward, it's time that more effective leadership is shown on this matter?
Prif Weinidog, er bod rhai camau wedi eu cymryd yn briodol a bod cynnydd sylweddol wedi ei wneud, gwn yn bersonol o'r sgyrsiau yr wyf i wedi eu cael gyda rhai o'r rheini sydd wedi cael eu heffeithio hefyd eu bod nhw'n teimlo y gellid ac y dylid bod wedi gwneud mwy yn gynharach, ac felly mae'n amlwg bod gwersi i'w dysgu a chwestiynau i'w hateb o hyd.
Nawr, yn gam neu'n gymwys, mae rhai wedi mynegi pryderon ynghylch cydgysylltiad yr ymatebion i rai o'r digwyddiadau hyn, ac rwy'n credu bod hynny'n golygu bod angen i lywodraethau ar bob lefel weithio gyda'i gilydd a chydweithredu'n fwy effeithiol nag yr ydym ni wedi ei weld o'r blaen mewn gwirionedd.
Nawr, efallai eich bod chi'n ymwybodol o bryderon a godwyd gan Mari Arthur, cadeirydd panel cynghori annibynnol Dŵr Cymru, a ddywedodd:
Nid yw'r arweinyddiaeth gennym ni ar y brig, rwy'n teimlo, i ddod â hynny at ei gilydd. Dyna pam nad yw pethau'n digwydd.
Nawr, yn ogystal â hynny, deallaf fod 10 mlynedd wedi mynd heibio hefyd ers cyhoeddi'r strategaeth rheoli perygl llifogydd ddiwethaf ac, er bod y Llywodraeth wedi ymgynghori, nid ydym ni wedi gweld strategaeth wedi'i diweddaru eto, a fydd, siawns, yn helpu i wneud yn siŵr bod ymatebion yn cael eu cydgysylltu'n well yn y dyfodol.
Prif Weinidog, a ydych chi'n derbyn bod yr oedi cyn cyhoeddi strategaeth benodol wedi'i diweddaru ar gyfer rheoli perygl llifogydd yng Nghymru wedi gwneud i rai cymunedau deimlo nad yw llifogydd yn flaenoriaeth o gwbl? A sut ydych chi'n ymateb i farn rhai yn y sector ei bod yn bryd, yn y dyfodol, i arweinyddiaeth mwy effeithiol gael ei dangos o ran y mater hwn?
I'll begin by agreeing with the point that the Member has made about there being lessons to learn. There are bound to be lessons to learn, aren't there? And it's really important that, when the immediate crisis is over, all of those who've had a part to play in responding to it take the time to see whether everything that was there in the plan was delivered on the ground in the way that was intended.
I think there were very real efforts made to co-ordinate response across Wales. The emergency co-ordination centre that the Welsh Government runs was open throughout the weekend of storm Dennis. The emergency services command structure was in operation throughout that weekend and had been doing storm Ciara in north Wales as well. It was an important test of that command structure, and when I met one of the chief constables in Wales, he told me that he felt that the rehearsals that we had held here in Wales over recent months in preparing for a 'no deal' exit from the European Union and in relation to coronavirus had stood them in good stead in being able to put those arrangements into practice. That is not to say that there aren't lessons that we can draw on when we stand back from all of this, but I do think that there were real efforts made to co-ordinate and to use the structures that had been put in place to respond to emergency circumstances.
As far as the strategy is concerned, then yes, the strategy was out for consultation earlier last year. It closed in the autumn, and the Minister intends to publish the updated strategy in the months ahead. I doubt very much myself, Llywydd, that communities that found themselves on the sharp end of flooding events were concerned about the publication of a strategy at the point that they were dealing with the emergency, but that strategy is well in preparation. It will be published shortly and it will help build resilience and prioritise future investment in most at-risk communities.
Hoffwn ddechrau trwy gytuno â'r pwynt y mae'r Aelod wedi ei wneud bod gwersi i'w dysgu. Mae'n sicr y bydd gwersi i'w dysgu, onid yw? Ac mae'n bwysig iawn, pan fydd yr argyfwng uniongyrchol ar ben, bod pawb a fu â rhan i'w chwarae mewn ymateb iddo yn cymryd yr amser i weld a ddarparwyd popeth a oedd yno yn y cynllun ar lawr gwlad yn y ffordd a fwriadwyd.
Rwy'n credu y gwnaed ymdrechion gwirioneddol i gydgysylltu'r ymateb ledled Cymru. Roedd y ganolfan cydgysylltu argyfyngau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei rhedeg ar agor drwy gydol penwythnos storm Dennis. Roedd strwythur gorchymyn y gwasanaethau brys yn weithredol drwy gydol y penwythnos hwnnw ac wedi bod yn ymateb i storm Ciara yn y gogledd hefyd. Roedd yn brawf pwysig o'r strwythur gorchymyn hwnnw, a phan gyfarfûm ag un o'r prif gwnstabliaid yng Nghymru, dywedodd wrthyf ei fod yn teimlo bod yr ymarferion a gynhaliwyd gennym ni yma yng Nghymru dros y misoedd diwethaf i baratoi ar gyfer ymadawiad 'heb gytundeb' o'r Undeb Ewropeaidd ac o ran coronafeirws wedi bod o fudd mawr iddyn nhw o ran gallu rhoi'r trefniadau hynny ar waith. Nid yw hynny'n golygu nad oes gwersi y gallwn ni fanteisio arnyn nhw pan fyddwn ni'n sefyll yn ôl oddi wrth hyn i gyd, ond rwy'n credu bod ymdrechion gwirioneddol wedi eu gwneud i gydgysylltu ac i ddefnyddio'r strwythurau a roddwyd ar waith i ymateb i amgylchiadau brys.
Cyn belled ag y mae'r strategaeth yn y cwestiwn, yna oedd, roedd y strategaeth yn destun ymgynghoriad yn gynharach y llynedd. Daeth i ben yn yr hydref, ac mae'r Gweinidog yn bwriadu cyhoeddi'r strategaeth wedi'i diweddaru yn ystod y misoedd nesaf. Rwy’n amau'n fawr iawn fy hun, Llywydd, bod cymunedau a ganfu eu hunain yng nghanol achosion o lifogydd yn poeni am gyhoeddi strategaeth ar yr adeg yr oedden nhw'n ymdopi â'r argyfwng, ond mae paratoadau ar gyfer y strategaeth honno wedi datblygu'n dda. Bydd yn cael ei chyhoeddi'n fuan a bydd yn helpu i ddatblygu cydnerthedd a blaenoriaethu buddsoddiad yn y dyfodol mewn cymunedau sydd yn y mwyaf o berygl.
Well, I do say to the First Minister, it is important to have an updated strategy so that we can avoid, perhaps, some of these events in the future. And perhaps we need to rethink as well how we address flooding in the future, especially given the warning signs received at the start of this Assembly. In 2016, for example, the Wales Audit Office reported that lack of capacity within the Welsh Government and councils had delayed progress and threatened to undermine the long-term approach to managing the risks of coastal flooding and erosion.
Well, perhaps we're feeling the effects of that now, First Minister, and with no updated risk management strategy, it's hard to see how we can make sufficient and appropriate progress in the short term. Therefore, in light of the impact that the recent storms have had across Wales, what lessons has your Government learned about the way in which flooding is prioritised by your Government? And will you also commit to providing a full breakdown of how the Welsh Government will be allocating its resources on flood risk management so that communities right across Wales can see the level of investment that the Welsh Government is making in their areas?
Wel, rwyf i'n dweud wrth y Prif Weinidog, ei bod hi'n bwysig cael strategaeth wedi'i diweddaru fel y gallwn ni osgoi, efallai, rhai o'r digwyddiadau hyn yn y dyfodol. Ac efallai bod angen i ni ailfeddwl hefyd sut yr ydym ni'n mynd i'r afael â llifogydd yn y dyfodol, yn enwedig o ystyried yr arwyddion rhybudd a gafwyd ar ddechrau'r Cynulliad hwn. Yn 2016, er enghraifft, adroddodd Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru bod diffyg capasiti o fewn Llywodraeth Cymru a chynghorau wedi oedi cynnydd ac wedi bygwth tanseilio'r dull hirdymor o reoli risgiau llifogydd ac erydu arfordirol.
Wel, efallai ein bod ni'n teimlo effeithiau hynny nawr, Prif Weinidog, a heb strategaeth rheoli risg wedi'i diweddaru, mae'n anodd gweld sut y gallwn ni wneud cynnydd digonol a phriodol yn y byrdymor. Felly, yng ngoleuni'r effaith y mae'r stormydd diweddar wedi ei chael ledled Cymru, pa wersi mae eich Llywodraeth wedi eu dysgu am y ffordd y caiff llifogydd eu blaenoriaethu gan eich Llywodraeth? Ac a wnewch chi hefyd ymrwymo i ddarparu dadansoddiad llawn o sut y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn dyrannu ei hadnoddau ar gyfer rheoli'r perygl o lifogydd fel y gall cymunedau ledled Cymru weld lefel y buddsoddiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud yn eu hardaloedd?
I thank the Member for that. I agree that we will have to think differently about the future. I don't draw exactly the same conclusions as he draws, because I think that the figures will demonstrate when these events are over that there were 73,000 households across Wales, as a minimum, that were protected from the effects of this extreme weather event because of the flood prevention schemes that have been implemented in Wales over recent times. So, the idea that things had not been done, I don't think will bear scrutiny.
Where he is right, I think, is that the plans that have been in place have been drawn up in order to be able to resist the sorts of weather events that we have experienced over the last 50 years. And it may well be—climate science is telling us that the sorts of events that we saw over the last two weeks are likely to become more frequent and more intense in the future, and therefore, the test against which we judge flood prevention schemes will have to be different in order to meet that new intensity of risk, and in that sense, the future will have to be different to the past.
I discussed this yesterday with the Secretary of State in the meeting that we jointly chaired about coal tips in Wales. Coal tips that pose a risk are inspected very frequently by local authorities, by the coal authority and by NRW. They inspect them against the sort of risk that a winter would pose. If those risks are going to be different, then the standards of inspection will need to be different, and, therefore, the future, as Paul Davies said, will have to now meet those new circumstances.
As to publication of expenditure by the Welsh Government under the flood and coastal risk management programme, we do that all the time. Whenever a scheme is agreed—£44 million in the south-west of Wales recently—then we publish those schemes and we publish the amounts of money associated with them, because we are very keen that people in Wales can see how the £350 million that is being spent over this Assembly term is being used to protect them from the effects of river and coastal flooding.
Diolchaf i'r Aelod am hynna. Rwy'n cytuno y bydd yn rhaid i ni feddwl yn wahanol am y dyfodol. Nid wyf i'n dod i'r un casgliadau yn union ag y mae e'n dod iddyn nhw, gan fy mod i'n credu y bydd y ffigurau'n dangos pan fo'r digwyddiadau hyn ar ben bod 73,000 o aelwydydd ledled Cymru, o leiaf, a amddiffynnwyd rhag effeithiau'r digwyddiad tywydd eithafol hwn oherwydd y cynlluniau atal llifogydd a weithredwyd yng Nghymru yn y cyfnod diweddar. Felly, nid wyf i'n credu y bydd y syniad nad oedd pethau wedi cael eu gwneud yn gwrthsefyll craffu.
Yr hyn y mae'n iawn yn ei gylch, rwy'n meddwl, yw bod y cynlluniau sydd wedi bod ar waith wedi cael eu llunio er mwyn gallu gwrthsefyll y mathau o ddigwyddiadau tywydd yr ydym ni wedi eu gweld dros yr 50 mlynedd diwethaf. Ac mae'n ddigon posibl—mae gwyddor hinsawdd yn dweud wrthym ni fod y mathau o ddigwyddiadau a welsom ni dros y pythefnos diwethaf yn debygol o ddod yn amlach ac yn fwy dwys yn y dyfodol, ac felly, bydd yn rhaid i'r prawf yr ydym ni'n barnu cynlluniau atal llifogydd yn ei erbyn fod yn wahanol er mwyn bodloni'r dwysedd newydd hwnnw o risg, ac yn yr ystyr hwnnw, bydd yn rhaid i'r dyfodol fod yn wahanol i'r gorffennol.
Trafodais hyn ddoe gyda'r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol yn y cyfarfod a gyd-gadeiriwyd gennym ni ar domenni glo yng Nghymru. Mae tomenni glo sy'n peri risg yn cael eu harchwilio'n aml iawn gan awdurdodau lleol, gan yr awdurdod glo a chan Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru. Maen nhw'n eu harchwilio yn erbyn y math o risg y byddai gaeaf yn ei hachosi. Os yw'r risgiau hynny'n mynd i fod yn wahanol, yna bydd angen i'r safonau archwilio fod yn wahanol, ac, felly, bydd yn rhaid i'r dyfodol, fel y dywedodd Paul Davies, bellach fodloni'r amgylchiadau newydd hynny.
O ran cyhoeddi gwariant gan Lywodraeth Cymru o dan y rhaglen rheoli perygl llifogydd ac arfordiroedd, rydym ni'n gwneud hynny drwy'r amser. Pryd bynnag y caiff cynllun ei gytuno—£44 miliwn yn y de-orllewin yn ddiweddar—yna rydym ni'n cyhoeddi'r cynlluniau hynny ac yn cyhoeddi'r symiau o arian sy'n gysylltiedig â nhw, gan ein bod ni'n awyddus iawn i bobl yng Nghymru allu gweld sut mae'r £350 miliwn sy'n cael ei wario yn ystod y tymor Cynulliad hwn yn cael ei ddefnyddio i'w hamddiffyn rhag effeithiau llifogydd afonol ac arfordirol.
Arweinydd Plaid Cymru, Adam Price.
Plaid Cymru leader, Adam Price.
Diolch. Last week, I saw for myself, first-hand, the deep sense of community spirit that the First Minister also referred to, and I'll be visiting residents in Pentre again tomorrow. This is not a time to walk on by on the other side, when people are facing such hardship and distress, or, in the case of Boris Johnson, simply not to turn up at all, of course.
Now, the repair bill—I've seen one estimate—could be up to £180 million in Rhondda Cynon Taf alone, and I know the Welsh Government has provided £10 million of immediate hardship relief. Could the First Minister say whether you have yet a figure for the amount that you're asking for the UK Government to provide? In the event that they are not willing to make up the shortfall, does the Welsh Government itself have sufficient reserves for the scale of the challenge that we face?
Diolch. Yr wythnos diwethaf, gwelais drosof fy hun, yn uniongyrchol, yr ymdeimlad dwfn o ysbryd cymunedol y cyfeiriodd y Prif Weinidog ato hefyd, a byddaf yn ymweld â thrigolion Pentre unwaith eto yfory. Nid yw hwn yn amser i gerdded heibio ar yr ochr arall i'r ffordd, pan fo pobl yn wynebu'r fath galedi a thrallod, neu, yn achos Boris Johnson, peidio â throi i fyny o gwbl, wrth gwrs.
Nawr, gallai'r bil atgyweiriadau—rwyf i wedi gweld un amcangyfrif—fod hyd at £180 miliwn yn Rhondda Cynon Taf yn unig, ac rwy'n gwybod bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi darparu £10 miliwn o ryddhad caledi ar unwaith. A allai'r Prif Weinidog ddweud a oes gennych chi ffigur eto ar gyfer y swm yr ydych chi'n gofyn i Lywodraeth y DU ei ddarparu? Os na fyddan nhw'n fodlon gwneud iawn am y diffyg, a oes gan Lywodraeth Cymru ei hun ddigon o gronfeydd wrth gefn ar gyfer maint yr her sy'n ein hwynebu?
I thank Adam Price for those questions. He is right to say that what the Welsh Government has done is to focus upon the immediate aftermath of the floods to make sure that we provide funding for individual householders directly affected, to pay for the clean-up costs of local authorities, to be able to begin to help businesses to get back on their feet. We can cover those costs from within our own budgets, by very careful management and drawing together of funds from different parts of Government. But beyond the immediate impact, when local authorities have major infrastructure repairs to be carried out, then that is not going to be £10 million, that's going to be tens and tens of millions of pounds. My colleague, Rebecca Evans wrote to the Treasury yesterday, formally setting out the fact that we will be looking to the Treasury for assistance with that bill.
It isn't possible, at this point, Llywydd, to put a precise figure on how much that will be, because some of the damage that will need to be repaired is literally still under water, so it hasn't been possible to get engineers down to look at the scale of the damage and to give us an assessment of what it will cost to put it right. The figure that Adam Price has referred to, which comes from RCT, I think is not an unreasonable estimate of what the damage in that county may be, and there's damage in many other parts of Wales, as well.
Diolchaf i Adam Price am y cwestiynau yna. Mae'n iawn wrth ddweud mai'r hyn y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ei wneud yw canolbwyntio ar ganlyniad uniongyrchol y llifogydd i wneud yn siŵr ein bod yn darparu cyllid i ddeiliaid tai unigol sydd wedi eu heffeithio'n uniongyrchol, i dalu am gostau glanhau awdurdodau lleol, i allu dechrau helpu busnesau i godi yn ôl ar eu traed. Gallwn dalu'r costau hynny o'n cyllidebau ein hunain, trwy reolaeth ofalus iawn a chan ddwyn ynghyd arian o wahanol rannau o'r Llywodraeth. Ond y tu hwnt i'r effaith uniongyrchol, pan fydd gan awdurdodau lleol atgyweiriadau seilwaith mawr i'w gwneud, yna ni fydd hynny'n £10 miliwn, mae hynny'n mynd i fod yn ddegau a degau o filiynau o bunnoedd. Ysgrifennodd fy nghyd-Aelod, Rebecca Evans, at y Trysorlys ddoe, gan nodi'n ffurfiol y ffaith y byddwn ni'n disgwyl i'r Trysorlys ein cynorthwyo gyda'r bil hwnnw.
Nid yw'n bosibl, ar hyn o bryd, Llywydd, rhoi union ffigur ar faint fydd hynny, gan fod rhywfaint o'r difrod y bydd angen ei drwsio yn dal i fod o dan ddŵr yn llythrennol, felly ni fu'n bosibl cael peirianwyr i lawr i edrych ar faint y difrod ac i roi asesiad i ni o'r hyn y bydd yn ei gostio i'w drwsio. Yn fy marn i, nid yw'r ffigur y mae Adam Price wedi cyfeirio ato, sy'n dod gan Rhondda Cynon Taf, yn amcangyfrif afresymol o'r difrod a allai fod yn y sir honno, a cheir difrod mewn llawer o rannau eraill o Gymru hefyd.
As the clean-up begins, of course, questions will need to be addressed about what could have been done differently—the lessons learned that the First Minister referred to. I was wondering if he could address some of those initial concerns. Natural Resources Wales have already admitted, I understand, that debris left behind by logging operations on the mountain above Pentre contributed to flooding there. There are also serious concerns that NRW don't have the capacity to cope with work that urgently needs to be undertaken. In Trehafod, Dŵr Cymru has made a £1,000 payment to 40 households without accepting liability as the pumping station there didn't function. So, can you, as a matter of urgency, look at the budget of NRW to ensure that it's adequately funded to deal with disasters on this scale and also set up an investigation into the role or contribution that any actions by either a statutory body or the utility made to some of the flood damage?
Wrth i'r gwaith glanhau ddechrau, wrth gwrs, bydd angen rhoi sylw i gwestiynau am yr hyn y gellid bod wedi ei wneud yn wahanol—y gwersi a ddysgwyd y cyfeiriodd y Prif Weinidog atyn nhw. Roeddwn i'n meddwl tybed a allai roi sylw i rai o'r pryderon cychwynnol hynny. Mae Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru eisoes wedi cyfaddef, yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallaf, bod gweddillion a adawyd gan weithrediadau torri â thrin coed ar y mynydd uwchlaw Pentre wedi cyfrannu at lifogydd yn y fan honno. Ceir pryderon difrifol hefyd nad oes gan Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru y capasiti i ymdopi â gwaith y mae angen ei wneud ar frys. Yn Nhrehafod, mae Dŵr Cymru wedi gwneud taliad o £1,000 i 40 o aelwydydd heb dderbyn atebolrwydd gan nad oedd yr orsaf bwmpio yno yn gweithio. Felly, a allwch chi, fel mater o frys, edrych ar gyllideb Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru i sicrhau ei fod wedi ei ariannu'n ddigonol i ymdrin â thrychinebau ar y raddfa hon a hefyd sefydlu ymchwiliad i'r rhan neu'r cyfraniad a wnaed drwy unrhyw gamau gan naill ai gorff statudol neu'r cyfleustod i rywfaint o'r difrod llifogydd?
Well, just to repeat what I said to Paul Davies, Llywydd: of course, lessons will need to be learned. In relation to NRW's logging operation at Pentre, my understanding is that, in clearing diseased larch from a small part of the wood there, NRW did what the current guidance would suggest that they should do, which is to leave some of the smaller debris that you get when trees are being felled on the ground, because that's how you protect soil from erosion when trees are logged, and it's how you protect biodiversity gain. So, they were acting within the rule book as it's currently constructed. The question has to be now asked: is the rule book fit for these sorts of events, should they happen in future? That's just one example of lessons learned.
The summit that we held last week, Llywydd, did its best to draw everybody who had had a part to play in responding to the floods around one table. That included Dŵr Cymru, as it included the third sector and the voluntary sector in part of that response to the flooding that Adam Price referred to. We will be looking to see how all those players think about the part that they played and whether there are things that they would want to do differently in the future.
NRW's budget, like the budgets of all public services in Wales, has had to be calibrated against the impact of 10 years of austerity. I probably should have said, in answering Adam Price's first question, about the impact of the flooding on capital expenditure in the future. Part of the reason why we are having to ask the UK Government for assistance is because with six weeks of this financial year left to go, the Treasury wrote to us requiring us to repay to them £100 million of financial transactions capital, and £100 million of conventional capital, before the end of this financial year. They said that they had recalculated Barnett consequentials, and that that money needed to be returned to them. When I say to the Prime Minister that I want money to help us with the impact of flooding here in Wales, I'm essentially asking him to hand back to us money that he took away from us in the last few weeks.
Wel, dim ond i ailadrodd yr hyn a ddywedais wrth Paul Davies, Llywydd: wrth gwrs, bydd angen dysgu gwersi. O ran gwaith torri a thrin coed Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru ym Mhentre, fy nealltwriaeth i yw bod Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, trwy glirio coed llarwydd heintiedig o ran fach o'r goedwig yn y fan honno, wedi gwneud yr hyn y byddai'r canllawiau presennol yn awgrymu y dylen nhw ei wneud, sef gadael rhai o'r gweddillion llai yr ydych chi'n eu cael pan fo coed yn cael eu cwympo ar y ddaear, oherwydd dyna sut yr ydych chi'n diogelu pridd rhag erydu pan fydd coed yn cael eu torri, a dyna sut yr ydych chi'n diogelu lles bioamrywiaeth. Felly, roedden nhw'n gweithredu'n unol â'r llyfr rheolau fel y mae wedi ei lunio ar hyn o bryd. Mae'n rhaid gofyn y cwestiwn nawr: a yw'r llyfr rheolau yn addas ar gyfer y mathau hyn o ddigwyddiadau, a ddylen nhw ddigwydd yn y dyfodol? Dyna un enghraifft yn unig o wersi a ddysgwyd.
Fe wnaeth yr uwchgynhadledd a gynhaliwyd gennym yr wythnos diwethaf, Llywydd, ei gorau i ddenu pawb a oedd â rhan i'w chwarae wrth ymateb i'r llifogydd o amgylch un bwrdd. Roedd hynny'n cynnwys Dŵr Cymru, a hefyd yn cynnwys y trydydd sector a'r sector gwirfoddol yn rhan o'r ymateb hwnnw i'r llifogydd y cyfeiriodd Adam Price atyn nhw. Byddwn yn edrych i weld sut y mae'r holl sefydliadau hynny'n meddwl am y rhan a chwaraewyd ganddynt ac a oes pethau y bydden nhw eisiau eu gwneud yn wahanol yn y dyfodol.
Bu'n rhaid graddoli cyllideb Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, fel cyllideb pob gwasanaeth cyhoeddus yng Nghymru, yn erbyn effaith 10 mlynedd o gyni cyllidol. Mae'n debyg y dylwn i fod wedi dweud, wrth ateb cwestiwn cyntaf Adam Price, am effaith y llifogydd ar wariant cyfalaf yn y dyfodol. Rhan o'r rheswm pam mae'n rhaid i ni ofyn i Lywodraeth y DU am gymorth yw oherwydd, gyda chwe wythnos o'r flwyddyn ariannol hon yn weddill, ysgrifennodd y Trysorlys atom yn gofyn i ni ad-dalu £100 miliwn o gyfalaf trafodion ariannol iddyn nhw, a £100 miliwn o gyfalaf confensiynol, cyn diwedd y flwyddyn ariannol hon. Dywedasant eu bod nhw wedi ail-gyfrifo symiau canlyniadol Barnett, a bod angen i'r arian hwnnw gael ei ddychwelyd iddyn nhw. Pan fyddaf yn dweud wrth y Prif Weinidog fy mod i eisiau arian i'n helpu ni gydag effaith llifogydd yma yng Nghymru, gofyn yr wyf i, yn y bôn, iddo ddychwelyd arian i ni a gymerodd oddi wrthym yn ystod yr wythnosau diwethaf.
When Yorkshire was hit with severe flooding in July and in November last year, and again this month, UK armed forces were drafted in to help. In the autumn, RAF Chinooks were called in to assist a pumping station near Doncaster following heavy rainfall. This resource—this level of response—might have been invaluable in the case of Trehafod and elsewhere. Although no infantry units are based in Wales—the First Battalion The Rifles is based, for example, just across the border, near Chepstow—Welsh men and women loyally serve in the forces and would, no doubt, have made a valuable contribution in serving Welsh communities during the crisis if asked to do so. Did you ask the UK Government, First Minister, for the assistance of the army? If not, why not, and will you in future if the need arises?
Pan gafodd Swydd Efrog ei tharo gan lifogydd difrifol ym mis Gorffennaf ac ym mis Tachwedd y llynedd, ac eto y mis hwn, anfonwyd lluoedd arfog y DU i helpu. Yn yr hydref, galwyd hofrenyddion Chinook yr Awyrlu Brenhinol i mewn i gynorthwyo gorsaf bwmpio ger Doncaster yn dilyn glaw trwm. Byddai'r adnodd hwn—y lefel hon o ymateb—wedi gallu bod yn amhrisiadwy yn achos Trehafod ac mewn mannau eraill. Er nad oes unedau milwrol wedi'u lleoli yng Nghymru—mae Bataliwn Cyntaf y Reifflau wedi'i leoli, er enghraifft, ychydig dros y ffin, ger Cas-Gwent—mae dynion a menywod o Gymru yn gwasanaethau'n deyrngar yn y lluoedd a bydden nhw, heb amheuaeth, wedi gwneud cyfraniad gwerthfawr wrth wasanaethu cymunedau Cymru yn ystod yr argyfwng pe gofynnwyd iddyn nhw wneud hynny. A wnaethoch chi ofyn i Lywodraeth y DU, Prif Weinidog, am gymorth y fyddin? Os naddo, pam felly, ac a wnewch chi yn y dyfodol pe byddai'r angen yn codi?
Well, the question as to whether or not assistance from the armed forces should be sought was very actively discussed by the emergency services command structure. Their decision over that weekend was not to make such a request because circumstances were so difficult and dangerous that only people who were specifically trained to be able to deal with them were thought to be safely capable of being deployed. That was the advice that they gave, and I thought that it was sensible to follow their advice.
They thought that drawing in the armed forces at that point would not have been a helpful thing to do because you needed those very specialist abilities and training to be able to cope with the sorts of extreme weather event that we saw, Llywydd. At the height of that storm, 900 cubic metres of water were coming down the Taff every second, and if you are trying to act in those circumstances, then you don't need a general army training to know what to do, you need to be trained in the way that our emergency services are trained, to know what is safe to do. Now, should that change, and should the assessment of those people who are better equipped than we are in this room, I think, to know whether help from armed forces would be a useful contribution, then of course we would look at it. But in the circumstances of that weekend, the assessment of those who are best equipped to make the assessment was that that was not the right moment to ask for such assistance.
Wel, trafodwyd y cwestiwn o ba un a ddylid ceisio cymorth gan y lluoedd arfog ai peidio yn frwd iawn gan strwythur gorchymyn y gwasanaethau brys. Eu penderfyniad dros y penwythnos hwnnw oedd peidio â gwneud cais o'r fath gan fod yr amgylchiadau mor anodd a pheryglus, fel mai dim ond pobl a hyfforddwyd yn benodol i allu ymdopi â nhw yr ystyriwyd y gellid eu defnyddio yn ddiogel. Dyna'r cyngor a roesant, ac roeddwn i'n meddwl ei bod hi'n ddoeth dilyn eu cyngor.
Roedden nhw'n credu na fyddai tynnu'r lluoedd arfog i mewn ar yr adeg honno wedi bod yn beth buddiol i'w wneud gan eich bod chi angen yr union alluoedd a hyfforddiant arbenigol iawn hynny i allu ymdopi â'r mathau o dywydd eithafol a welsom, Llywydd. Ar anterth y storm honno, roedd 900 metr ciwbig o ddŵr yn dod i lawr afon Taf bob eiliad, ac os ydych chi'n ceisio gweithredu o dan yr amgylchiadau hynny, yna nid oes angen hyfforddiant cyffredinol y fyddin arnoch chi i wybod beth i'w wneud, mae angen i chi fod wedi eich hyfforddi yn y ffordd y mae ein gwasanaethau brys wedi eu hyfforddi, i wybod beth sy'n ddiogel i'w wneud. Nawr, pe byddai hynny'n newid, a phe byddai asesiad y bobl hynny sy'n fwy cymwys nag yr ydym ni yn yr ystafell hon, rwy'n credu, i wybod a fyddai cymorth gan y lluoedd arfog yn gyfraniad defnyddiol, yna wrth gwrs byddem ni'n ei ystyried. Ond o dan amgylchiadau'r penwythnos hwnnw, asesiad y rhai sydd fwyaf cymwys i wneud yr asesiad oedd nad dyna'r adeg iawn i ofyn am gymorth o'r fath.
Arweinydd Plaid Brexit, Mark Reckless.
Brexit Party leader, Mark Reckless.
First Minister, in response to Paul Davies, you said that local government, coal authorities and NRW all inspected coal tips. I wonder if you could reflect whether their responsibilities in that area are sufficiently clearly delineated or whether they're overlapping, with any associated potential for confusion. Could I also ask you, First Minister, whether you think changes to flood protection budgets, particularly the significant cut I recall, at least initially, being announced in 2016, have affected the current situation in any way? I infer from the funding request letter from Rhondda Cynon Taf politicians to the UK Government that this has Welsh Government support, and I hope that UK Government will agree to it. Do you think that this letter, this request for financial assistance outside of the block grant, could provide a template for future co-operation between Welsh and UK Governments?
Prif Weinidog, wrth ymateb i Paul Davies, dywedasoch fod llywodraeth leol, awdurdodau glo a Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru i gyd wedi archwilio tomenni glo. Tybed a allech chi fyfyrio ar ba un a yw eu cyfrifoldebau yn y maes hwnnw wedi eu nodi'n ddigon eglur neu a ydyn nhw'n gorgyffwrdd, gydag unrhyw botensial cysylltiedig ar gyfer dryswch. A gaf i hefyd ofyn i chi, Prif Weinidog, pa un a ydych chi'n credu bod newidiadau i gyllidebau amddiffyn rhag llifogydd, yn enwedig y toriad sylweddol yr wyf i'n ei gofio, o leiaf i ddechrau, yn cael ei gyhoeddi yn 2016, wedi effeithio ar y sefyllfa bresennol mewn unrhyw ffordd? Rwy'n casglu o'r llythyr cais am gyllid gan wleidyddion Rhondda Cynon Taf i Lywodraeth y DU bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi hyn, ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd Llywodraeth y DU yn cytuno iddo. A ydych chi'n credu y gallai'r llythyr hwn, y cais hwn am gymorth ariannol y tu allan i'r grant bloc, ddarparu templed ar gyfer cydweithredu rhwng Llywodraethau Cymru a'r DU yn y dyfodol?
I thank the Member for those questions. I don't think that the budget in terms of flood prevention has been the problem over the last two weekends. Thinking of lessons learned, one of the things I think we will need to look at very carefully from now on is the many flood defences in Wales that held good, but were perilously close to being overtopped—in Monmouth, for example, where the flood defence is constructed to be able to deal with a rise in floodwater of 4.3m, and the river actually rose by 4.2m. So it was within a centimetre of those flood defences being overwhelmed. Now, they weren't overwhelmed, just as they weren't overwhelmed in Cardiff, and they weren't overwhelmed in Swansea, but in many places the gap between holding and not holding was narrow, and in lessons learned for the future we need to see whether we need to do anything to strengthen those further.
As far as help from the Treasury is concerned, I think we are already acting in a way that is consistent with rules that have been established over many years. When a completely unforeseeable event happens, and it happens on the scale of the sort that we saw over this weekend—and I don't think anybody believes that the ferocity with which the storm hit south Wales was foreseeable—[Interruption.]
Diolchaf i'r Aelod am y cwestiynau yna. Nid wyf i'n credu mai'r gyllideb o ran atal llifogydd fu'r broblem dros y ddau benwythnos diwethaf. Gan feddwl am wersi a ddysgwyd, un o'r pethau yr wyf i'n meddwl y bydd angen i ni edrych arnyn nhw'n ofalus iawn o hyn ymlaen yw'r nifer fawr o amddiffynfeydd rhag llifogydd yng Nghymru a fu'n llwyddiannus, ond a oedd yn agos iawn at gael eu trechu—yn Nhrefynwy, er enghraifft, lle mae'r amddiffynfa rhag llifogydd wedi ei hadeiladu i allu ymdopi â chynnydd o 4.3 medr i lifddwr, a chododd yr afon 4.2 medr mewn gwirionedd. Felly roedd o fewn centimedr o lifo dros ben yr amddiffynfeydd rhag llifogydd hynny. Nawr, ni chawsant eu llethu, yn union fel na chawsant eu llethu yng Nghaerdydd, ac ni chawsant eu llethu yn Abertawe, ond mewn llawer o leoedd roedd y bwlch rhwng dal a methu â dal yn fach, ac mewn gwersi a ddysgir ar gyfer y dyfodol mae angen i ni weld a oes angen i ni wneud unrhyw beth i gryfhau'r rheini ymhellach.
Cyn belled ag y mae cymorth gan y Trysorlys yn y cwestiwn, rwy'n credu ein bod ni eisoes yn gweithredu mewn ffordd sy'n gyson â rheolau sydd wedi eu sefydlu dros nifer o flynyddoedd. Pan fydd digwyddiad hollol anrhagweladwy yn digwydd, a'i fod yn digwydd ar y raddfa o'r fath a welsom dros y penwythnos hwn—ac nid wyf i'n credu bod unrhyw un yn credu bod modd rhagweld ffyrnigrwydd y storm a darodd de Cymru— [Torri ar draws.]
You're answering the leader of the Brexit Party, and not the local Assembly Member.
Rydych chi'n ateb arweinydd Plaid Brexit, ac nid yr Aelod Cynulliad lleol.
I don't believe that the event of that weekend was predictable, and when unpredictable events happen and costs are commensurately high, the ability to go to the Treasury for help from reserves is one we've used before, and we're using it again here.
Nid wyf i'n credu bod modd rhagweld digwyddiad y penwythnos hwnnw, a phan fydd digwyddiadau anrhagweladwy yn digwydd a bod costau yn gymesur o uchel, mae'r gallu i fynd at y Trysorlys am gymorth o gronfeydd wrth gefn yn un yr ydym ni wedi ei ddefnyddio o'r blaen, ac rydym ni'n ei ddefnyddio eto yn y fan yma.
First Minister, you were interrupted, but I will also just remind you of the point about the division of responsibilities between local government and NRW and the coal authorities in terms of those inspections.
One thing struck me about the RCT-based letters: it was a request to draw supplementary funding above the block grant in a devolved area, and as such could represent a change from the Barnett formula. If we are to see that as a template for future co-operation between Welsh Government and UK Government, would Welsh Government consider writing a letter of that sort, perhaps to draw capital from the shared prosperity fund for infrastructure projects, such as improvements to the A55 in north Wales or even the M4 relief road that you had promised to build? Also, Wales has an overall fiscal deficit this year of £13.7 billion, or 19 per cent of GDP, and we're asking UK Government for additional funding above that. Doesn't that show the danger of always demanding more and more powers and devolution and separation of Wales from the UK?
Prif Weinidog, torrwyd ar eich traws, ond hoffwn eich atgoffa hefyd am y pwynt ynglŷn â rhannu cyfrifoldebau rhwng llywodraeth leol a Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru a'r awdurdodau glo o ran yr archwiliadau hynny.
Fe'm trawyd gan un peth am y llythyrau Rhondda Cynon Taf: roedd yn gais am gyllid atodol uwchlaw'r grant bloc mewn maes datganoledig, ac felly gallai gynrychioli newid o fformiwla Barnett. Os ydym ni eisiau ystyried hynny fel templed ar gyfer cydweithredu rhwng Llywodraeth Cymru a Llywodraeth y DU yn y dyfodol, a fyddai Llywodraeth Cymru yn ystyried ysgrifennu llythyr o'r math hwnnw, efallai i gymryd cyfalaf o'r gronfa ffyniant gyffredin ar gyfer prosiectau seilwaith, fel gwelliannau i'r A55 yn y gogledd neu hyd yn oed ffordd liniaru'r M4 yr oeddech chi wedi addo ei hadeiladu? Hefyd, mae gan Gymru ddiffyg cyllidol cyffredinol eleni o £13.7 miliwn, neu 19 y cant o gynnyrch domestig gros, ac rydym ni'n gofyn i Lywodraeth y DU am gyllid ychwanegol y tu hwnt i hynny. Onid yw hynny'n dangos y perygl o fynnu mwy a mwy o bwerau a datganoli drwy'r amser a gwahanu Cymru oddi wrth y DU?
I don't draw that conclusion at all, Llywydd. I think the case for seeking assistance from the UK Government is simply the case for the union. The union is a mutual insurance scheme in which we all pay in, and we're all able to draw out in circumstances where help is needed. It's why I've always been a supporter of the United Kingdom, because I think that system of mutual insurance has always been in Wales's interests. It's why I hope that the Prime Minister—who has awarded himself the title of Minister for the Union—will see that the request that we have made for assistance is one where he can demonstrate that the union really does work for Wales.
Nid wyf i'n dod i'r casgliad hwnnw o gwbl, Llywydd. Rwy'n credu'n syml mai'r ddadl dros geisio cymorth gan Lywodraeth y DU yw'r ddadl dros yr undeb. Mae'r undeb yn gynllun yswiriant cydfuddiannol lle'r ydym ni i gyd yn talu i mewn, ac rydym ni i gyd yn gallu codi arian o dan amgylchiadau pan fo angen cymorth. Dyna pam yr wyf i wedi bod yn gefnogwr o'r Deyrnas Unedig erioed, gan fy mod i'n credu bod y system yswiriant cydfuddiannol honno wedi bod o fudd i Gymru erioed. Dyna pam rwy'n gobeithio y bydd Prif Weinidog y DU—sydd wedi rhoi'r teitl Gweinidog yr Undeb iddo'i hun—yn gweld bod y cais yr ydym ni wedi ei wneud am gymorth yn un lle gall ef ddangos bod yr undeb wir yn gweithio i Gymru.
3. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am ddatblygu metro bae Abertawe a Chymoedd y gorllewin? OAQ55138
3. Will the First Minister make a statement on the development of a Swansea bay and western Valleys metro? OAQ55138
Diolch i Dai Lloyd am y cwestiwn. Mae £432,000 wedi cael eu rhoi i Ddinas a Sir Abertawe yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon i ddatblygu'r achosion busnes rheilffordd a bws ar gyfer metro'r de-orllewin. Bydd gwasanaethau newydd yn helpu i gwtogi amser teithio ar draws y rhanbarth.
I thank Dai Lloyd for that question. Four hundred and thirty two thousand pounds has been awarded to the City and County of Swansea in this financial year to develop the rail and bus business cases for the south-west Wales metro. New services will help to reduce travel times across the region.
Thank you for that answer. So, are you fully confident that you have all the moneys that you're able to put forward towards the development of the Swansea bay metro, and will you ensure, on top of that, that the Valleys communities in the west are not neglected as part of this development?
Diolch am yr ateb yna. Felly, a ydych chi'n gwbl hyderus bod yr holl arian gennych chi y gallwch chi ei roi tuag at ddatblygu metro bae Abertawe, ac a wnewch chi sicrhau, ar ben hynny, nad yw cymunedau'r Cymoedd yn y gorllewin yn cael eu hesgeuluso yn rhan o'r datblygiad hwn?
Llywydd, my colleague Ken Stakes will be making a statement on all of this later this afternoon. As I explained in my first answer, the Welsh Government has provided funding to the City and County of Swansea to allow them to carry out the necessary preliminary work to develop the south Wales metro. Stage 1 is completed, stage 2 will be completed shortly, and we look forward to working with local authorities—not just in Swansea, but, as Dr Lloyd has said, in the surrounding areas—to make sure that that multi-modal approach to the construction of a metro, bus and train services, that we are able to put that to work for the benefit of local residents.
Llywydd, bydd fy nghyd-Weinidog Ken Skates yn gwneud datganiad ar hyn i gyd yn ddiweddarach y prynhawn yma. Fel yr esboniais yn fy ateb cyntaf, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi darparu cyllid i Ddinas a Sir Abertawe i'w caniatáu i wneud y gwaith rhagarweiniol angenrheidiol i ddatblygu metro de Cymru. Mae Cam 1 wedi'i gwblhau, bydd Cam 2 yn cael ei gwblhau yn fuan, ac edrychwn ymlaen at weithio gydag awdurdodau lleol—nid yn unig yn Abertawe, ond, fel y dywedodd Dr Lloyd, yn yr ardaloedd cyfagos—i wneud yn siŵr bod y dull aml-fodd hwnnw o adeiladu metro, gwasanaethau bysiau a threnau, ein bod ni'n gallu rhoi hynny ar waith er budd trigolion lleol.
I strongly support a metro system for the Swansea city region. Does the First Minister agree that stage 1 needs to be to get bus/rail interchanges at current railway stations with aligned timetables and buses stopping as close as possible to the railway station? Llansamlet, for example, not all of the bus stops are outside Llansamlet station and one of them is around the corner down another road, which, if you didn't know the area, you'd probably have great difficulty in finding. And can I also make my regular request for the reopening of Landore station?
Rwy'n cefnogi system metro ar gyfer dinas-ranbarth Abertawe yn frwd. A yw'r Prif Weinidog yn cytuno mai'r cam cyntaf ddylai fod cael cyfnewidfeydd bws/rheilffordd mewn gorsafoedd rheilffordd presennol gydag amserlenni cyson a bysiau yn aros mor agos â phosibl i'r orsaf drenau? Yn Llansamlet, er enghraifft, nid yw pob un o'r arosfannau bws y tu allan i orsaf Llansamlet ac mae un ohonyn nhw ar ôl i chi droi'r gornel i lawr ffordd arall, y mae'n debyg, pe na byddech chi'n adnabod yr ardal, y byddech chi'n cael anhawster mawr i'w ganfod. Ac a gaf i hefyd wneud fy nghais rheolaidd am ailagor gorsaf Glandŵr?
I thank the Member for those important points on behalf of his constituents, and of course he is right that the integration of bus and train services is at the heart of the metro concept—an integrated transport system.
The bus legislation that we hope to bring in front of this National Assembly will provide local authorities with the powers they need to be able to make practical sense of the disposition of bus and rail services so they are genuinely integrated in that way. And Mike Hedges, I know, will have welcomed the plan to improve bus services, particularly along the corridor between Ystradgynlais and Mumbles, which specifically is looking at how bus timetables and rail timetables can be brought together so that bus services operate in ways that are reliable, attractive, frequent and therefore better usable to residents.
Diolchaf i'r Aelod am y pwyntiau pwysig yna ar ran ei etholwyr, ac wrth gwrs mae'n iawn bod integreiddio gwasanaethau bysiau a threnau yn ganolog i gysyniad y metro—system drafnidiaeth integredig.
Bydd y ddeddfwriaeth bysiau yr ydym ni'n gobeithio ei chyflwyno gerbron y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol hwn yn rhoi i awdurdodau lleol y pwerau sydd eu hangen arnynt i allu gwneud synnwyr ymarferol o'r ffordd y mae gwasanaethau bysiau a threnau yn cael eu trefnu fel eu bod wedi eu hintegreiddio'n wirioneddol yn y modd hwnnw. A gwn y bydd Mike Hedges wedi croesawu'r cynllun i wella gwasanaethau bysiau, yn enwedig ar hyd y coridor rhwng Ystradgynlais a'r Mwmbwls, sy'n edrych yn benodol ar sut y gellir dod ag amserlenni bysiau ac amserlenni rheilffyrdd at ei gilydd fel bod gwasanaethau bysiau yn gweithredu mewn ffyrdd sy'n ddibynadwy, yn ddeniadol, yn aml ac felly'n fwy defnyddiol i drigolion.
4. A wnaiff Llywodraeth Cymru amlinellu pa gymorth y mae'n yn ei roi i gymunedau y mae storm Dennis wedi effeithio arnynt? OAQ55117
4. Will the Welsh Government outline what support they are providing to communities that have been affected by storm Dennis? OAQ55117
7. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi cymunedau sydd wedi dioddef llifogydd yng Nghymru? OAQ55141
7. Will the First Minister provide an update on how the Welsh Government is supporting flooded communities in Wales? OAQ55141
Llywydd, I understand that you have given permission for questions 4 and 7 to be grouped together. Following the multi-agency emergency flood summit last week, we have been working hard to put practical and financial support in place for households, businesses and local authorities affected by the flooding from both storm Ciara and storm Dennis.
Llywydd, rwy'n deall eich bod chi wedi rhoi caniatâd i gwestiynau 4 a 7 gael eu grwpio gyda'i gilydd. Yn dilyn yr uwchgynhadledd llifogydd brys aml-asiantaeth yr wythnos diwethaf, rydym ni wedi bod yn gweithio'n galed i roi cymorth ymarferol ac ariannol ar waith ar gyfer aelwydydd, busnesau ac awdurdodau lleol yr effeithiwyd arnyn nhw gan y llifogydd o storm Ciara a storm Dennis.
First Minister, I'd like to place on record my thanks to yourself, to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, and to all of Welsh Government for your efforts to support those whose homes and businesses have been ruined by storm Dennis. The financial support that you are putting in place is much appreciated by constituents that I have spoken with, and, alongside support from Rhondda Cynon Taf council, will help those who have lost everything. The very visible presence of yourself and the environment Minister is also appreciated. You both visited flood-stricken areas of RCT several times in the last week, including on Wednesday when the environment Minister visited Mountain Ash with myself. This stands in stark contrast, First Minister, with the UK Government where Boris Johnson has not visited a single community that has been affected by flooding, or offered financial assistance, despite written requests from myself and other RCT AMs and MPs. Do you agree with me, First Minister, that the UK Government has a duty to help, both morally and legally?
Prif Weinidog, hoffwn gofnodi fy niolch i chi, i Weinidog yr Amgylchedd, Ynni a Materion Gwledig, ac i holl Lywodraeth Cymru am eich ymdrechion i gynorthwyo'r rhai y mae eu cartrefi a'u busnesau wedi eu difetha gan storm Dennis. Mae'r cymorth ariannol yr ydych chi'n ei roi ar waith yn cael ei werthfawrogi'n fawr gan etholwyr yr wyf i wedi siarad â nhw, ac ynghyd â chymorth gan gyngor Rhondda Cynon Taf, bydd yn helpu'r rhai sydd wedi colli popeth. Gwerthfawrogir eich presenoldeb amlwg iawn chi eich hun a Gweinidog yr amgylchedd hefyd. Fe wnaeth y ddau ohonoch ymweld ag ardaloedd a oedd yn dioddef llifogydd yn Rhondda Cynon Taf sawl gwaith yn ystod yr wythnos ddiwethaf, gan gynnwys ddydd Mercher pan ymwelodd Gweinidog yr amgylchedd ag Aberpennar gyda mi. Mae hyn yn gwrthgyferbynnu'n llwyr, Prif Weinidog, â Llywodraeth y DU lle nad yw Boris Johnson wedi ymweld ag unrhyw gymuned y mae llifogydd wedi effeithio arni, nac wedi cynnig cymorth ariannol, er gwaethaf ceisiadau ysgrifenedig gennyf i ac ACau ac ASau eraill yn Rhondda Cynon Taf. A ydych chi'n cytuno â mi, Prif Weinidog, bod dyletswydd ar Lywodraeth y DU i helpu, yn foesol ac yn gyfreithiol?
I thank Vikki Howells for that, and let me equally pay tribute to the actions that local Members across the Chamber have taken in their local constituencies to respond to the difficulties that local residents have faced. I know that Members here have been hard at work over the last fortnight in north and south Wales in making sure that local residents know that this National Assembly, this Senedd, takes very seriously the predicament that they have faced—my colleague Lesley Griffiths in Llangollen and Llanrwst, and Ken Skates as the Minister for north Wales in north Wales, as well as the visits to which Vikki Howells has referred.
As to the UK Government, the help that I look for from them is not necessarily visits, but the harder edged help of cash—the money that we will need, the money that, as I mentioned a moment ago, was taken away from us over the last few weeks, that money needs to be restored so that we are able to make sure that whether it is our very hard-pressed local authorities, or whether it is NRW as we heard earlier, that those organisations on the ground have the money they need to be able to deal not just with the events of these weeks, but the events of months ahead for affected communities.
Diolchaf i Vikki Howells am hynna, a gadewch i minnau dalu'r un deyrnged i'r camau y mae Aelodau lleol ar draws y Siambr wedi eu cymryd yn eu hetholaethau lleol i ymateb i'r anawsterau y mae trigolion lleol wedi eu hwynebu. Gwn fod yr Aelodau yn y fan yma wedi bod yn gweithio'n galed dros y pythefnos diwethaf yn y gogledd a'r de i sicrhau bod trigolion lleol yn gwybod bod y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol hwn, y Senedd hon, yn rhoi ystyriaeth ddifrifol iawn i'r cyfyng-gyngor y maen nhw wedi ei wynebu—fy nghyd-Aelod Lesley Griffiths yn Llangollen a Llanrwst, a Ken Skates fel Gweinidog gogledd Cymru yn y gogledd, yn ogystal â'r ymweliadau y mae Vikki Howells wedi cyfeirio atyn nhw.
O ran Llywodraeth y DU, nid ymweliadau yw'r cymorth yr wyf i ei eisiau ganddyn nhw o reidrwydd, ond cymorth mwy pendant arian parod—yr arian y bydd ei angen arnom ni, yr arian a gymerwyd oddi wrthym ni dros yr wythnosau diwethaf, fel y soniais eiliad yn ôl, mae angen i'r arian hwnnw gael ei roi yn ôl fel y gallwn wneud yn siŵr bod y sefydliadau hynny ar lawr gwlad, boed hynny yn ein hawdurdodau lleol sydd dan bwysau mawr, neu boed yn Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru fel y clywsom yn gynharach, yn cael yr arian sydd ei angen arnyn nhw i allu ymdrin nid yn unig â digwyddiadau'r wythnosau diwethaf, ond y digwyddiadau yn y misoedd i ddod i gymunedau sydd wedi eu heffeithio.
First of all, I'd like to add my deepest sympathies with all those who've been affected by the floods across Wales, and pay tribute to the emergency services and outstanding community efforts. The response from you, First Minister, and the environment Minister has been excellent and very welcome. However, the impact of these floods will be felt for months, even years to come, and I'm keen to see that momentum and support continues. Lessons do need to be learned and potential weak points in our defences need to be strengthened.
While Newport didn't see the levels of devastation by floods in other parts of Wales, I visited some of the worst parts in my constituency affected by flooding. The River Ebbw was at worrying levels in Dyffryn and at Bassaleg, and whilst the defences mainly held, in many places this was a matter of centimetres. Residents are grateful and they're hugely sympathetic to the worst areas across Wales, but are obviously fearful for the future. They have asked for assessments of the current defences and what support grants can be made available to better protect their homes.
Businesses have also been hit very hard. The popular Cefn Mably Farm Park has been devastated, and they're looking at months of closure as a result. This will not only affect the business and its customers, but the employees and their families. What support can we provide to ensure that businesses get back on their feet as quickly as possible?
Yn gyntaf oll, hoffwn ychwanegu fy nghydymdeimlad dwys â phawb sydd wedi cael eu heffeithio gan y llifogydd ledled Cymru, a thalu teyrnged i'r gwasanaethau brys a'r ymdrechion cymunedol rhagorol. Mae'r ymateb gennych chi, Prif Weinidog, a Gweinidog yr amgylchedd wedi bod yn ardderchog ac i'w groesawu'n fawr. Fodd bynnag, bydd effaith y llifogydd hyn yn cael ei theimlo am fisoedd, a hyd yn oed am flynyddoedd i ddod, ac rwy'n awyddus i weld y momentwm a'r cymorth hwnnw'n parhau. Mae angen dysgu gwersi ac mae angen cryfhau mannau gwan posibl yn ein hamddiffynfeydd.
Er na welodd Casnewydd y lefelau o ddinistr gan lifogydd a welwyd mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru, ymwelais â rhai o'r rhannau gwaethaf yn fy etholaeth i yr effeithiwyd arnyn nhw gan lifogydd. Roedd afon Ebwy ar lefelau a oedd yn achosi pryder yn Nyffryn ac ym Masaleg, a thra'r oedd yr amddiffynfeydd yn gadarn ar y cyfan, roedd hyn yn fater o gentimetrau mewn sawl man. Mae'r trigolion yn ddiolchgar ac maen nhw'n cydymdeimlo'n fawr â'r ardaloedd gwaethaf ledled Cymru, ond mae'n amlwg eu bod nhw'n ofnus ynghylch y dyfodol. Maen nhw wedi gofyn am asesiadau o'r amddiffynfeydd presennol a pha grantiau cymorth y gellir eu rhoi ar gael i amddiffyn eu cartrefi'n well.
Mae busnesau hefyd wedi cael eu taro'n galed iawn. Mae'r Parc Fferm Cefn Mably poblogaidd wedi ei ddistrywio, ac maen nhw'n edrych ar fisoedd o fod ar gau o ganlyniad. Bydd hyn nid yn unig yn effeithio ar y busnes a'i gwsmeriaid, ond ar y gweithwyr a'u teuluoedd. Pa gymorth allwn ni ei ddarparu i sicrhau bod busnesau'n codi yn ôl ar eu traed cyn gynted â phosibl?
I thank Jayne Bryant for that, Llywydd. I'll focus, if I may, just on the final part of that supplementary question—the help that is available for businesses. We made it clear last week at the summit that councils are able to use their discretionary powers to suspend council tax and non-domestic rate obligations on properties that have been flooded, and that the Welsh Government will reimburse those costs to local authorities under the emergency financial assistance scheme. So, that's immediate and direct help, and local authorities now know that they can offer that help and that the cost won't fall on them; they will be picked up through the Welsh Government's emergency financial assistance scheme.
Business Wales has been very active over the last week. There's a helpline that businesses can use to get through directly to a help desk that Business Wales is providing, making sure that businesses have the advice they need to deal with cash flow issues, liquidity issues. There was a surgery held in Pontypridd on Friday of last week that Business Wales was involved in, together with Mick Antoniw, the local Member. It was repeated on Monday in Coleg y Cymoedd, again making sure that businesses have that help directly provided to them. The Development Bank of Wales are targeting smaller businesses that may benefit from their £25,000 fast-track loan, again to try to make sure that where businesses need immediate help, we use that route to assist them, and my colleague Ken Skates has indicated that he is looking within budgets that he has, provided originally to assist businesses in the event of a 'no deal' Brexit, to see whether we might be able to repurpose some of those funds to assist businesses who find themselves in the circumstances set out by Jayne Bryant.
Diolchaf i Jayne Bryant am hynna, Llywydd. Hoffwn ganolbwyntio, os caf, ar ran olaf y cwestiwn atodol hwnnw yn unig—y cymorth sydd ar gael i fusnesau. Fe'i gwnaed yn eglur gennym yr wythnos diwethaf yn yr uwchgynhadledd y gall cynghorau ddefnyddio eu pwerau disgresiwn i atal rhwymedigaethau treth gyngor ac ardrethi annomestig ar eiddo sydd wedi dioddef llifogydd, ac y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn ad-dalu'r costau hynny i awdurdodau lleol o dan y cynllun cymorth ariannol brys. Felly, mae hwnnw'n gymorth ar unwaith ac uniongyrchol, ac mae awdurdodau lleol bellach yn gwybod y gallan nhw gynnig y cymorth hwnnw ac na fyddan nhw'n ysgwyddo'r gost; byddan nhw'n cael eu talu trwy gynllun cymorth ariannol brys Llywodraeth Cymru.
Mae Busnes Cymru wedi bod yn weithgar iawn dros yr wythnos ddiwethaf. Ceir llinell gymorth y gall busnesau ei defnyddio i gysylltu'n uniongyrchol â desg gymorth y mae Busnes Cymru yn ei darparu, gan wneud yn siŵr bod busnesau'n cael y cyngor sydd ei angen arnyn nhw i ymdrin â phroblemau llif arian, problemau hylifedd. Cynhaliwyd cymhorthfa ym Mhontypridd ddydd Gwener yr wythnos diwethaf y cymerodd Busnes Cymru ran ynddi, ynghyd â Mick Antoniw, yr Aelod lleol. Cafodd ei ailadrodd ddydd Llun yng Ngholeg y Cymoedd, gan sicrhau unwaith eto bod busnesau'n cael y cymorth hwnnw yn uniongyrchol. Mae Banc Datblygu Cymru yn targedu busnesau llai a allai elwa ar eu benthyciad carlam o £25,000, unwaith eto i geisio gwneud yn siŵr, lle mae busnesau angen cymorth brys, ein bod ni'n defnyddio'r llwybr hwnnw i'w cynorthwyo, ac mae fy nghyd-Weinidog Ken Skates wedi nodi ei fod yn edrych yn y cyllidebau sydd ganddo, a ddarparwyd yn wreiddiol i gynorthwyo busnesau pe byddai Brexit 'heb gytundeb', i weld a allem ni arallgyfeirio rhywfaint o'r arian hwnnw i gynorthwyo busnesau sy'n canfod eu hunain yn yr amgylchiadau a nodwyd gan Jayne Bryant.
Can I identify with the sentiments that are being expressed across the Chamber in support of the help that is being given from all sides, whether it's the volunteers, the emergency services, or just communities themselves coming together for the flood victims in my own electoral region but also across Wales because this has affected the whole of Wales?
I would like to go back to the point that the leader of the opposition raised with you about the flood risk management strategy. Two years ago, the environment committee took evidence on this in its pre-budget scrutiny and was told that this was a document in preparation and would be available shortly. In response to that question today, First Minister, you said it will be with us in a few months' time. Really, First Minister, some two years on, the title says it all. It is the flood risk management strategy that would direct the rulebook that you highlighted that NRW work to at the moment and many other facets that are put in place to try and help alleviate some of this flooding that goes on with the climate change we are seeing at the moment. I appreciate you wouldn't be able to stop all flooding, but if you have a strategy that is dedicated to alleviating the risks of flooding, surely that document should be live and in circulation rather than, again this afternoon, hearing from you that it will still be a couple more months before that document is available. Can you indicate more precisely when that document will be available, and importantly, will that document have the budgetary considerations that will be needed to put the measures in place?
A gaf i uniaethu â'r teimladau sy'n cael eu mynegi ar draws y Siambr o blaid y cymorth y mae pob ochr yn ei roi, boed hynny y gwirfoddolwyr, y gwasanaethau brys, neu gymunedau eu hunain yn dod at ei gilydd ar gyfer y rhai sydd wedi dioddef oherwydd y llifogydd yn fy rhanbarth etholiadol i ond hefyd ledled Cymru, gan fod hyn wedi effeithio ar Gymru gyfan?
Hoffwn fynd yn ôl at y pwynt a godwyd gan arweinydd yr wrthblaid gyda chi ynglŷn â'r strategaeth rheoli perygl llifogydd. Ddwy flynedd yn ôl, cymerodd pwyllgor yr amgylchedd dystiolaeth ar hyn yn ei waith craffu cyn y gyllideb a dywedwyd wrtho bod hon yn ddogfen a oedd yn cael ei pharatoi ac y byddai ar gael yn fuan. Mewn ymateb i'r cwestiwn hwnnw heddiw, Prif Weinidog, dywedasoch y byddai gyda ni ymhen ychydig fisoedd. Yn wir, Prif Weinidog, tua dwy flynedd yn ddiweddarach, mae'r teitl yn dweud y cyfan. Dyma'r strategaeth rheoli perygl llifogydd a fyddai'n cyfarwyddo'r llyfr rheolau y gwnaethoch chi gyfeirio ato y mae Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn gweithio'n unol ag ef ar hyn o bryd a llawer o elfennau eraill sy'n cael eu rhoi ar waith i geisio lliniaru rhywfaint ar y llifogydd hyn sy'n digwydd yn sgil y newid yn yr hinsawdd yr ydym ni'n ei weld ar hyn o bryd. Rwy'n sylweddoli na fyddech chi'n gallu atal yr holl lifogydd, ond os oes gennych chi strategaeth benodol ar gyfer lliniaru'r perygl o lifogydd, siawns y dylai'r ddogfen honno fod yn fyw ac ar gael yn hytrach nag, unwaith eto y prynhawn yma, clywed gennych chi y bydd hi'n fis neu ddau arall eto cyn bod y ddogfen honno ar gael. A allwch chi ddweud yn fwy manwl pryd bydd y ddogfen honno ar gael, ac yn bwysig, a fydd y ddogfen honno'n cynnwys yr ystyriaethau cyllidebol y bydd eu hangen i roi'r mesurau ar waith?
Well, Llywydd, let me just say again that the draft national strategy is available. Anybody who responded to the consultation will have seen it, and there was a good response to the consultation, and that didn't close until the autumn. So, there has been work to do to make sure that the comments that people contributed as part of the consultation are considered seriously and make a difference to the final strategy, which we intend to publish later this spring. So, we're not delaying it unduly. It will be an important document. I agree with what Andrew R.T. Davies and Paul Davies said about the importance of that strategy because it will show how the £350 million investment that this Government is making in flood and coastal erosion risks are being deployed in the best possible way.
And to return to a theme of earlier this afternoon once more, Llywydd, in terms of lessons learnt, one of the things that we will pick up in that strategy will be the need to try and shift some of the expenditure on flood management away from concrete-based solutions towards more natural-based flood defences, where we can use natural disbursement, for example, as a way of mitigating flood risk further downstream. So, the strategy is important, it will help us to pick up the lessons not just of the last couple of weeks but of this whole Assembly term, and it will underpin the very significant amount of expenditure that is already committed in this area.
Wel, Llywydd, gadewch i mi ddweud unwaith eto bod y strategaeth genedlaethol ddrafft ar gael. Bydd unrhyw un a ymatebodd i'r ymgynghoriad wedi ei gweld, ac roedd ymateb da i'r ymgynghoriad, ac ni ddaeth hwnnw i ben tan yr hydref. Felly, gwnaed gwaith i sicrhau bod y sylwadau a gyfrannodd pobl yn rhan o'r ymgynghoriad yn cael eu hystyried o ddifrif ac yn gwneud gwahaniaeth i'r strategaeth derfynol yr ydym ni'n bwriadu ei chyhoeddi yn ddiweddarach yn y gwanwyn. Felly, nid ydym ni'n ei gohirio'n ormodol. Bydd yn ddogfen bwysig. Rwy'n cytuno â'r hyn a ddywedodd Andrew R.T. Davies a Paul Davies am bwysigrwydd y strategaeth honno, oherwydd bydd yn dangos sut y mae'r buddsoddiad o £350 miliwn y mae'r Llywodraeth hon yn ei wneud o ran peryglon llifogydd ac erydu arfordirol yn cael ei ddefnyddio yn y ffordd orau bosibl.
Ac i ddychwelyd at thema a drafodwyd yn gynharach y prynhawn yma unwaith eto, Llywydd, o ran gwersi a ddysgwyd, un o'r pethau y byddwn ni'n rhoi sylw iddyn nhw yn y strategaeth honno fydd yr angen i geisio symud rhywfaint o'r gwariant ar reoli llifogydd o atebion sy'n seiliedig ar goncrit tuag at amddiffynfeydd rhag llifogydd mwy naturiol, lle gallwn ddefnyddio dosbarthiad naturiol, er enghraifft, fel ffordd o liniaru perygl llifogydd ymhellach i lawr yr afon. Felly, mae'r strategaeth yn bwysig, bydd yn ein helpu i ddysgu'r gwersi nid yn unig o'r wythnosau diwethaf ond o'r tymor Cynulliad cyfan hwn, a bydd yn sail i'r swm sylweddol iawn o wariant sydd eisoes wedi ei ymrwymo yn y maes hwn.
The high rainfall levels have caused utter misery for hundreds of people in the Rhondda, and seeing is believing when it comes to the mess that's been left behind in people's homes, gardens and in the streets. We're all thankful for one thing, however, and that is that no-one lost their life in the Rhondda.
I've called for an urgent review of the stability of all coal tips left behind as a result of our industrial past. The disturbing landslide in Tylorstown is one that many people will have seen, but there have also been landslides in Clydach and Pontygwaith, and we all know how devastating and frightening a moving coal tip can be. I wrote to you last week about these coal tips, and it's good to see that there has been some action on this since then. But I wonder if you can tell me what the timescale is for inspecting all of the coal tips in the Rhondda. Does the First Minister agree with me that we need to recalibrate what we thought was once safe, due to the adverse weather that is becoming increasingly common due to the climate emergency? Will he also accept that this new normal cannot be acceptable? We should have known that this was coming; we do know that it will happen again.
And finally for now, will the First Minister consider the reintroduction of a land reclamation scheme for brownfield sites that was cut just a few years ago, as this would go some way to ensuring the former coal tips are not just brought back into economic use but are also made safe?
Mae'r lefelau uchel o law wedi achosi trallod llwyr i gannoedd o bobl yn y Rhondda, ac mae'n rhaid gweld i gredu pan ddaw i'r llanast sydd wedi cael ei adael ar ôl yng nghartrefi a gerddi pobl ac ar y strydoedd. Rydym ni i gyd yn ddiolchgar am un peth, fodd bynnag, sef na chollodd neb ei fywyd yn y Rhondda.
Rwyf i wedi galw am adolygiad brys o sefydlogrwydd yr holl domenni glo a adawyd ar ôl o ganlyniad i'n gorffennol diwydiannol. Mae'r tirlithriad sy'n peri pryder yn Nhylorstown yn un y bydd llawer o bobl wedi ei weld, ond bu tirlithriadau yng Nghlydach a Phontygwaith hefyd, ac rydym ni i gyd yn gwybod pa mor ddinistriol a dychrynllyd y gall tomen lo sy'n symud fod. Ysgrifennais atoch yr wythnos diwethaf ynglŷn â'r tomenni glo hyn, ac mae'n dda gweld y bu rhywfaint o weithredu ar hyn ers hynny. Ond tybed a allwch chi ddweud wrthyf i beth yw'r amserlen ar gyfer archwilio'r holl domenni glo yn y Rhondda? A yw'r Prif Weinidog yn cytuno â mi bod angen i ni ailystyried yr hyn yr oeddem ni'n feddwl oedd yn ddiogel ar un adeg, oherwydd y tywydd garw sy'n dod yn fwyfwy cyffredin oherwydd yr argyfwng hinsawdd? A wnaiff ef hefyd dderbyn na all y normal newydd hwn fod yn dderbyniol? Dylem ni fod wedi gwybod bod hyn yn dod; rydym ni yn gwybod y bydd yn digwydd eto.
Ac yn olaf am nawr, a wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ystyried ailgyflwyno cynllun adfer tir ar gyfer safleoedd tir llwyd a gafodd ei ddiddymu ychydig flynyddoedd yn unig yn ôl, gan y byddai hyn yn gwneud cryn dipyn i sicrhau nad yw'r hen domenni glo nid yn unig yn cael eu dychwelyd i ddefnydd economaidd ond eu bod hefyd yn cael eu gwneud yn ddiogel?
I thank the Member for those questions and agree with her entirely that to visit and to see and to speak to people whose homes have been devastated by the floods is a deeply sobering experience. And the level of human misery that has been caused in those households is palpable when you go there. And as people said to me when I was visiting them, in the end you can buy a new sofa, but what you can't do is replace the things that you have built up, having brought up a family, having lived in a property for not just years but decades, where all your memories are invested in it, and those things can never be recovered in that way. They made the same point to me as Leanne Wood has made this afternoon, that nevertheless, no lives were lost and that memories can be recovered and sofas can be rebought, but people can't be brought back. And there was a real sense of the effort that the emergency services had made to prevent the very worst from happening.
In relation to coal tips, what yesterday's meeting established was that NRW, the coal authority and the local authority have a shared approach, which is to identify on a scale those coal tips that give them the greatest cause for concern. And we received assurances yesterday that all those coal tips that are at the top of that list will have been investigated by the end of this week. Most of them have been investigated already, and assurances have been received from engineers that they don't pose a risk to life and property.
But there was a very important discussion that connects to Leanne Wood's point about the new normal, that those assessments are being made against the standards that have been used over the last decades, and those standards may not be satisfactory for years ahead. So, we will definitely return to that discussion with those authorities and with the experts that they deploy on the ground. Interesting ideas were being explored yesterday about better monitoring possibilities for those tips—new technologies that weren't available in the 1980s that we may be able to deploy today. And that effort will go on. The group that met yesterday will meet again to receive further reports, to look ahead and to make sure that the reassurances that people have every right to expect can be made, and that if further action is necessary, it will be taken, and that the standards against which the different public authorities carry out their responsibilities to provide those assurances are fit for the future.
Diolchaf i'r Aelod am y cwestiynau hynny ac rwy'n cytuno â hi'n llwyr bod ymweld a gweld a sgwrsio â phobl y mae eu cartrefi wedi cael eu distrywio gan y llifogydd yn brofiad sobreiddiol iawn. Ac mae lefel y trallod dynol a achoswyd yn y cartrefi hynny yn amlwg pan ewch chi yno. Ac fel y dywedodd pobl wrthyf i pan yr oeddwn i'n ymweld â nhw, yn y pen draw gallwch chi brynu soffa newydd, ond yr hyn na allwch chi ei wneud yw cael pethau yn lle y rhai yr ydych chi wedi eu hel at ei gilydd, ar ôl magu teulu, ar ôl byw mewn cartref am ddegawdau, nid blynyddoedd, y mae eich holl atgofion wedi eu buddsoddi ynddo, ac ni ellir byth adfer y pethau hynny yn y ffordd honno. Gwnaed yr un pwynt i mi ganddyn nhw ag y mae Leanne Wood wedi ei wneud y prynhawn yma, sef, er hynny, ni chollodd neb ei fywyd ac y gellir cael atgofion yn ôl a phrynu soffas newydd, ond ni ellir dod â phobl yn ôl. Ac roedd teimlad gwirioneddol o'r ymdrech yr oedd y gwasanaethau brys wedi ei gwneud i atal y gwaethaf oll rhag digwydd.
O ran tomenni glo, yr hyn a ganfuwyd trwy gyfarfod ddoe oedd bod gan Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, yr awdurdod glo a'r awdurdod lleol ddull gweithredu ar y cyd, sef nodi ar raddfa y tomenni glo hynny sy'n achosi'r pryder mwyaf iddyn nhw. A chawsom ni sicrwydd ddoe y bydd yr holl domenni glo hynny sydd ar frig y rhestr honno wedi cael eu harchwilio erbyn diwedd yr wythnos hon. Mae'r rhan fwyaf ohonyn nhw wedi cael eu harchwilio eisoes, a chafwyd sicrwydd gan beirianwyr nad ydyn nhw'n peri risg i fywyd ac eiddo.
Ond cafwyd trafodaeth bwysig iawn sy'n cysylltu â phwynt Leanne Wood am y normal newydd, sef bod yr asesiadau hynny'n cael eu gwneud yn erbyn y safonau sydd wedi eu defnyddio dros y degawdau diwethaf, ac efallai na fydd y safonau hynny'n foddhaol ar gyfer y blynyddoedd i ddod. Felly, byddwn ni'n sicr yn dychwelyd at y drafodaeth honno gyda'r awdurdodau hynny a chyda'r arbenigwyr y maen nhw'n yn eu defnyddio ar lawr gwlad. Roedd syniadau diddorol yn cael eu harchwilio ddoe ynglŷn â gwell posibiliadau monitro ar gyfer y tomenni hynny—technolegau newydd nad oedden nhw ar gael yn y 1980au efallai y gallem ni eu defnyddio heddiw. A bydd yr ymdrech honno'n parhau. Bydd y grŵp a gyfarfu ddoe yn cyfarfod eto i dderbyn adroddiadau pellach, i edrych ymlaen ac i wneud yn siŵr bod modd cynnig y sicrwydd y mae gan bobl bob hawl i'w ddisgwyl, ac os bydd angen cymryd camau pellach, byddan nhw'n cael eu cymryd, a bod y safonau y mae'r gwahanol awdurdodau cyhoeddus yn cyflawni eu cyfrifoldebau yn unol â nhw i ddarparu'r sicrwydd hwnnw yn addas ar gyfer y dyfodol.
5. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am ddiogelwch y gwasanaethau fasciwlar yn ardal Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr ers iddyn nhw gael eu had-drefnu? OAQ55124
5. Will the First Minister make a statement on the safety of vascular services in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board since they were restructured? OAQ55124
Diolch i Siân Gwenllian am y cwestiwn. Mae Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr wrthi'n cynnal adolygiad o'r gwasanaeth rhwydwaith fasciwlar, a sefydlwyd fis Ebrill 2019. Mae disgwyl i'r adroddiad gael ei drafod yn eu cyfarfod bwrdd ar ddiwedd mis Mawrth.
Thank you, Siân Gwenllian, for that question. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is currently undertaking a review of the vascular network service, established in April 2019. It is anticipated that the report will be discussed at their board meeting at the end of March.
Diolch am gadarnhau bod y bwrdd yn mynd i gynnal adolygiad mewnol i'r problemau dyrys a phryderus sydd wedi codi yn sgil ad-drefnu'r gwasanaethau fasciwlar. Ond, Prif Weinidog, dydy adolygiad mewnol ddim digon da. Mae pobl yn y gogledd wedi colli pob ffydd yn rheolwyr Betsi Cadwaladr, er, wrth gwrs, yn gwerthfawrogi gwaith y staff ar y rheng flaen yn fawr iawn. Felly, dwi'n siomedig iawn nad ydy'ch Llywodraeth chi am gynnal ymchwiliad annibynnol yn sgil yr holl gwynion sydd wedi dod i'r fei drwy waith y cyngor iechyd cymunedol. Pam na wnewch chi dderbyn y darlun du iawn sydd yn ymddangos erbyn hyn, a pham na wnewch chi ddim cynnal adolygiad annibynnol, a hynny ar frys?
Thank you for confirming that the board will be holding an internal review of the very grave and concerning problems that have arisen as a result of the restructuring of vascular services. But, First Minister, an internal review is not good enough. People in north Wales have lost all confidence in the managers of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, whilst, of course, appreciating the work of the front-line staff very much indeed. So, I am most disappointed that your Government is not going to hold an independent review in light of all the complaints that have been unearthed by the community health council. Why won't you accept the very grave picture that is now emerging, and why won't you go there and hold an independent review as a matter of urgency?
Wel, Llywydd, dwi ddim yn meddwl ei fod e'n deg jest i gyfeirio at y gwaith mae Betsi Cadwaladr yn ei wneud fel rhywbeth jest mewnol, achos maen nhw'n defnyddio pobl tu fas i'r bwrdd i gynghori ar y gwaith sydd yn mynd ymlaen. Ac mae'r ymgynghoriad maen nhw'n ei gael gyda phobl sydd yn arbenigwyr yn y maes, ac maen nhw'n annibynnol ar y bwrdd hefyd. Dyna pam mae'r Athro John Brennan, sy'n gweithio yn Lerprwl—a consultant vascular surgeon—yn rhan o'r broses o edrych yn ôl at y gwasanaeth, sydd wedi bod yno am lai na blwyddyn ar hyn o bryd. A hefyd maen nhw'n defnyddio—. Yn y gwaith mae Betsi Cadwaladr wedi rhoi ar waith, maen nhw'n defnyddio data cenedlaethol newydd, sydd wedi dod atom ni, i gymharu'r gwasanaeth sydd ar gael nawr yng ngogledd Cymru—i gymharu beth sy'n mynd ymlaen yn Betsi Cadwaladr gyda beth sy'n ymlaen mewn gwasanaethau eraill o'r un fath mewn llefydd eraill yn y Deyrnas Unedig. Does neb fan hyn wedi gweld yr adroddiad eto. Dwi'n fodlon aros i weld beth mae'r adroddiad yn ei ddweud, i weld beth mae pobl annibynnol sydd wedi bod yn rhan o'r gwaith yn ei ddweud yn yr adroddiad yna, ac i weld os bydd yn rhaid inni wneud rhywbeth arall ar ben y top.
Well, Llywydd, I don’t think that it is fair just to refer to the work of Betsi Cadwaladr as something that is just an internal review, because they will be using people outwith the board to advise on the work going forward. The consultation that they will be holding is with experts in the field, and they are independent of the board as well. That is why Professor John Brennan, who works in Liverpool and is a consultant vascular surgeon, is part of the process of reviewing the service, which has existed for less than 12 months currently. Also, in the work that Betsi Cadwaladr has commissioned, they will be using new national data that has emerged in order to compare the service currently available in north Wales—to compare what goes on in Betsi Cadwaladr with what goes on in other comparable services in other places within the United Kingdom. Nobody here has seen that report as yet, and I am willing to wait to see what that report says, to see what the independent compilers of this report have to say in it, and to see whether we need to do anything in addition to that.
6. Pa asesiad y mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi'i wneud o werth am arian ac effeithiolrwydd gwariant Llywodraeth Cymru? OAQ55140
6. What assessment has the First Minister made of the value for money and effectiveness of Welsh Government spend? OAQ55140
Llywydd, we draw on a wide range of guidance and evidence to help assess our investment decisions, including the high-level principles set out in Her Majesty's Treasury's Green Book, and the seven goals of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
Llywydd, rydym ni'n defnyddio amrywiaeth eang o ganllawiau a thystiolaeth i helpu i asesu ein penderfyniadau buddsoddi, gan gynnwys yr egwyddorion lefel uchel a nodir yn Llyfr Gwyrdd Trysorlys ei Mawrhydi, a saith nod Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau'r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015.
I thank the First Minister for that reply. Does he agree with me that one of the many failures of devolution is that, over the last 20 years, Wales has actually dropped to the bottom of the income table of the home nations and the regions of England, and one of the biggest failures of Labour and Plaid Cymru Governments in the last 20 years has been the failure to attract higher paid employment to Wales? The Government has been strong on road maps and strategies, but actually very poor on delivery. We've had enterprise zones that have spent about £250 million in the last decade, at a cost of about £20,000 per job, but that has only scratched the surface. In the case of the area around Ebbw Vale, the Government turned away the chance of £450 million-worth of private investment for the Circuit of Wales to replace it with £100 million promised of taxpayers' money in 2018, and, as yet, no foundations have been laid for the buildings that were promised, and, of course, no jobs have been created. In the meantime, the Heads of the Valleys road—the Gilwern to Brynmawr section—is £100 million over budget, and much delayed. What we see here is a Government that just hasn't got a grip on the major economic problems of Wales. Is it any wonder, therefore, that more and more people are thinking that this place is pointless and that the Assembly should be scrapped?
Diolchaf i'r Prif Weinidog am yr ateb yna. A yw e'n cytuno â mi mai un o fethiannau lu datganoli yw bod Cymru, dros yr 20 mlynedd diwethaf, wedi syrthio i waelod tabl incwm y gwledydd cartref a rhanbarthau Lloegr, ac un o fethiannau mwyaf Llywodraethau Llafur a Phlaid Cymru yn ystod yr 20 mlynedd diwethaf fu'r methiant i ddenu gwaith â chyflogau uwch i Gymru? Mae'r Llywodraeth wedi bod yn gadarn o ran mapiau ffordd a strategaethau, ond yn wael iawn o ran cyflawni. Rydym ni wedi cael parthau menter sydd wedi gwario tua £250 miliwn yn ystod y degawd diwethaf, am gost o tua £20,000 y swydd, ond dim ond wedi crafu'r wyneb mae hynny. Yn achos yr ardal o gwmpas Glynebwy, gwrthododd y Llywodraeth y cyfle i gael gwerth £450 miliwn o fuddsoddiad preifat ar gyfer Cylchffordd Cymru i'w disodli gyda £100 miliwn a addawyd o arian trethdalwyr yn 2018, a hyd yn hyn, nid oes unrhyw sylfeini wedi'u gosod ar gyfer yr adeiladau a addawyd i ni, ac, wrth gwrs, nid oes unrhyw swyddi wedi eu creu. Yn y cyfamser, mae ffordd Blaenau'r Cymoedd—y rhan rhwng Gilwern a Bryn-mawr—£100 miliwn dros y gyllideb, ac wedi ei hoedi'n sylweddol. Yr hyn a welwn ni yn y fan yma yw Llywodraeth nad yw wedi mynd i'r afael â phroblemau economaidd mawr Cymru. A oes unrhyw ryfedd, felly, bod mwy a mwy o bobl yn meddwl bod y lle hwn yn ddibwrpas ac y dylid cael gwared ar y Cynulliad?
I think the Member is much in danger of confusing views of the institution with views of individuals who find themselves here. So, it's a mirror, rather than an analysis, that he—that would lead him to the best conclusion.
Look, I completely disagree with what he has to say, Llywydd. He's ever gloomy in his views of Wales and of Welsh people. People who were here in 1999 will remember that if we'd said then that, within 20 years, Wales would have economic inactivity levels at or below the UK average, when we were so far behind 20 years ago, and getting further behind—. If, within 20 years, you thought that that gap had not just been narrowed, but had been completely filled, people would have said to you that you were being absurdly optimistic about what could be achieved in a 20-year period. If you'd said then that the latest unemployment figures showed unemployment in Wales not just at the UK average but below the UK average, people would have thought that you were being stretchingly ambitious in what could be achieved in that period. If you'd said to people back then that the rate of business growth in Wales would be faster than the UK average, that business survival rates at the end of a year would be greater than the UK average, people would have thought you were describing an economic future that was beyond our grasp. That's the reality of the Welsh economy. It's so far away, it is so far away from what the Member hopes to be able to describe in a way to rescue his own future here. It has nothing at all to do with the future of Wales.
Rwy'n meddwl bod yr Aelod mewn perygl mawr o ddrysu safbwyntiau'r sefydliad gyda safbwyntiau unigolion sy'n digwydd bod yma. Felly, mae'n ddrych, yn hytrach na dadansoddiad, y mae ef—a fyddai'n ei arwain ef at y casgliad gorau.
Edrychwch, rwy'n anghytuno'n llwyr â'r hyn sydd ganddo i'w ddweud, Llywydd. Mae'n gwbl ddiobaith ei farn ynghylch Cymru ac ynghylch pobl Cymru. Bydd pobl a oedd yma ym 1999 yn cofio pe byddem ni wedi dweud bryd hynny y byddai gan Gymru, o fewn 20 mlynedd, lefelau anweithgarwch economaidd yr un fath â chyfartaledd y DU neu'n is, pan yr oeddem ni mor bell ar ei hôl hi 20 mlynedd yn ôl, ac yn mynd ymhellach ar ei hôl hi—. Pe byddech chi, o fewn 20 mlynedd, wedi meddwl y byddai'r bwlch hwnnw nid yn unig wedi ei leihau, ond wedi ei gau'n llwyr, byddai pobl wedi dweud wrthych chi eich bod chi'n wirion o optimistaidd ynghylch yr hyn y gellid ei gyflawni mewn cyfnod o 20 mlynedd. Pe byddech chi wedi dweud bryd hynny bod y ffigurau diweithdra diweddaraf yn dangos diweithdra yng Nghymru nid yn unig ar lefel cyfartaledd y DU ond yn is na chyfartaledd y DU, byddai pobl wedi meddwl eich bod chi'n fwy uchelgeisiol na'r hyn y byddai'n bosibl ei gyflawni yn ystod y cyfnod hwnnw. Pe byddech chi wedi dweud wrth bobl bryd hynny y byddai cyfradd twf busnes yng Nghymru yn gyflymach na chyfartaledd y DU, y byddai cyfraddau goroesi busnesau ar ddiwedd blwyddyn yn uwch na chyfartaledd y DU, byddai pobl wedi meddwl eich bod chi'n disgrifio dyfodol economaidd a oedd y tu hwnt i'n gafael. Dyna wirionedd economi Cymru. Mae mor bell i ffwrdd, mae mor bell i ffwrdd o'r hyn y mae'r Aelod yn gobeithio gallu ei ddisgrifio mewn ffordd i achub ei ddyfodol ei hun yn y fan yma. Nid oes gan hyn ddim o gwbl i'w wneud â dyfodol Cymru.
8. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am gytundeb lefel gwasanaeth Llywodraeth Cymru gydag Asiantaeth y Swyddfa Brisio? OAQ55119
8. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government’s service level agreement with the Valuation Office Agency? OAQ55119
I thank the Member for that question, Llywydd. The Welsh Government concludes an annual service level agreement with the Valuation Office Agency. It sets performance targets that the Welsh Government expects the VOA to meet. Decisions made by the VOA are determined by that agency, and are entirely independent of the Welsh Government.
Diolchaf i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn yna, Llywydd. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cwblhau cytundeb lefel gwasanaeth blynyddol gydag Asiantaeth y Swyddfa Brisio. Mae'n gosod targedau perfformiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn disgwyl i Asiantaeth y Swyddfa Brisio eu bodloni. Caiff penderfyniadau Asiantaeth y Swyddfa Brisio eu gwneud gan yr asiantaeth honno, ac maen nhw'n gwbl annibynnol ar Lywodraeth Cymru.
I'm sorry, First Minister, I call that 'passing the buck'. During Plenary last November, I raised the fact that your Welsh Government had a £9 million of taxpayers' money SLA with the VOA. Now, some of my businesses in Aberconwy are still waiting over two years to see their business rate appeal's progress, leaving many businesses with financial difficulty and, in fact, financial ruin. Now, the Counsel General, of course, agreed to look into this last November. What a waste of time, because in response to a recent written Assembly question, the Counsel General stated:
'As the provisions in the service level agreement are being met'
They're not being met. Those are your words.
'and the agreement itself is being monitored, I have not identified the need for further action.'
Well, I would invite either you or you, First Minister, to come and speak to some of my businesses who are still waiting now for their business rate appeal. When I procure something for me or my family, I have a say in the quality of that service delivered. You are the First Minister of Wales, you have a say on the quality of the service delivery from the VOA. There's no getting away from it. So, I would like to know how are you going to review the targets that the VOA are expected to meet, and how do you actually scrutinise the use of taxpayers' money and this failing service here in Wales? Thank you.
Mae'n ddrwg gen i, Prif Weinidog, 'taflu'r baich' wyf i'n galw hynna. Yn ystod Cyfarfod Llawn fis Tachwedd diwethaf, codais y ffaith bod gan eich Llywodraeth Cymru chi CLG £9 miliwn o arian trethdalwyr gydag Asiantaeth y Swyddfa Brisio. Mae rhai o fy musnesau i yn Aberconwy yn dal i aros dros ddwy flynedd i weld cynnydd yn eu hapeliadau ardrethi busnes, gan adael llawer o fusnesau â thrafferthion ariannol ac, mewn gwirionedd, wedi eu distrywio'n ariannol. Nawr, cytunodd y Cwnsler Cyffredinol, wrth gwrs, i ystyried hyn fis Tachwedd diwethaf. Dyna beth yw gwastraff amser, oherwydd mewn ymateb i gwestiwn ysgrifenedig Cynulliad diweddar, dywedodd y Cwnsler Cyffredinol:
'Gan fod y darpariaethau yn y cytundeb lefel gwasanaeth yn cael eu bodloni'
Dydyn nhw ddim yn cael eu bodloni. Eich geiriau chi yw'r rheini.
'a bod y cytundeb ei hun yn cael ei fonitro, nid wyf wedi nodi'r angen i weithredu ymhellach.'
Wel, byddwn naill ai'n eich gwahodd chi neu chi, Prif Weinidog, i ddod i siarad â rhai o fy musnesau i sy'n dal i aros nawr am eu hapêl ardrethi busnes. Pan fyddaf i'n caffael rhywbeth i mi neu i fy nheulu, mae gen i lais o ran ansawdd y gwasanaeth hwnnw sy'n cael ei ddarparu. Chi yw Prif Weinidog Cymru, mae gennych chi lais o ran ansawdd y gwasanaeth sy'n cael ei ddarparu gan Asiantaeth y Swyddfa Brisio. Nid oes modd ei osgoi. Felly, hoffwn wybod sut yr ydych chi'n mynd i adolygu'r targedau y disgwylir i Asiantaeth y Swyddfa Brisio eu bodloni, a sut yr ydych chi'n craffu mewn gwirionedd ar y defnydd o arian trethdalwyr a'r gwasanaeth diffygiol hwn yma yng Nghymru? Diolch.
I thank the Member. I want to agree with her that the performance of the VOA in specific instances of the current appeals process is not satisfactory. But the Member does need to recognise that this is quite properly an entirely independent arm of Government, and it has to be. It's right that it is. I did ask my officials yesterday to see whether the VOA could provide me with any further updates on the two instances that the Member has written to me about over recent months, and they refused to provide those details. They refused to provide the details because they said it would not be proper for them to disclose to Government the confidential matters that they have to determine with the people who use their service. And, on reflection, I think they were right. That's why we have arm's length organisations, so that Governments don't make these decisions; the VOA does.
Now, if the VOA is not delivering on its service level agreement with us, then we need to put that right. But my way of putting it right is probably different to the Member's, because I want us to change the appeal system in Wales altogether. The appeal system is not fit for purpose. It's been changed in England and has run into enormous difficulties there. What we have said is that we have brought forward the revaluation from 2022 to 2021, provided the UK Government stick to that—it was interesting to see that they didn't have anything in their Queen's Speech to put that commitment on to the statute book, but it's a commitment they've given in the past. If they honour it, then we want to change the appeal system here in Wales, alongside that revaluation, because it's just leading up to and just following a revaluation, Llywydd, that the appeals come in. We want a new system next time around, and that will allow us, I believe, to avoid some of the difficulties that we've seen with the current system.
Diolchaf i'r aelod. Hoffwn gytuno â hi nad yw perfformiad Asiantaeth y Swyddfa Brisio mewn achosion penodol o'r broses apelio bresennol yn foddhaol. Ond mae angen i'r Aelod gydnabod bod hon, yn gwbl briodol, yn gangen hollol annibynnol o Lywodraeth, ac mae'n rhaid iddi fod. Mae'n iawn ei bod. Gofynnais i'm swyddogion ddoe i weld a allai Asiantaeth y Swyddfa Brisio roi unrhyw ddiweddariadau pellach i mi o ran y ddau achos y mae'r Aelod wedi ysgrifennu ataf i yn eu cylch yn ystod y misoedd diwethaf, ac maen nhw wedi gwrthod darparu'r manylion hynny. Fe wnaethon nhw wrthod darparu'r manylion gan eu bod yn dweud na fyddai'n briodol iddyn nhw ddatgelu i'r Llywodraeth y materion cyfrinachol y mae'n rhaid iddyn nhw wneud penderfyniadau yn eu cylch gyda'r bobl sy'n defnyddio eu gwasanaeth. Ac, o fyfyrio, rwy'n credu eu bod nhw'n iawn. Dyna pam mae gennym ni sefydliadau hyd braich, fel nad yw Llywodraethau yn gwneud y penderfyniadau hyn; Asiantaeth y Swyddfa Brisio sy'n eu gwneud.
Nawr, os nad yw Asiantaeth y Swyddfa Brisio yn cyflawni ei chytundeb lefel gwasanaeth gyda ni, yna mae angen i ni unioni hynny. Ond mae'n debyg bod fy ffordd i o unioni'r sefyllfa yn wahanol i ffordd yr Aelod, oherwydd rwyf i eisiau i ni newid y system apelio yng Nghymru yn gyfan gwbl. Nid yw'r system apelio yn addas i'w diben. Mae hi wedi cael ei newid yn Lloegr ac wedi mynd i drafferthion enfawr yn y fan honno. Yr hyn yr ydym ni wedi ei ddweud yw ein bod wedi dod â'r ailbrisiad ymlaen o 2022 i 2021, ar yr amod bod Llywodraeth y DU yn cadw at hynny—roedd yn ddiddorol gweld nad oedd ganddyn nhw ddim yn Araith y Frenhines i roi'r ymrwymiad hwnnw ar y llyfr statud, ond mae'n ymrwymiad y maen nhw wedi ei roi yn y gorffennol. Os byddan nhw'n ei anrhydeddu, yna rydym ni eisiau newid y system apelio yma yng Nghymru, ochr yn ochr â'r ailbrisiad hwnnw, oherwydd yn y cyfnod yn arwain at ailbrisiad ac yn syth ar ei ôl, Llywydd, y mae'r apeliadau yn dod. Rydym ni eisiau system newydd y tro nesaf, a bydd hynny'n ein galluogi, rwy'n credu, i osgoi rhai o'r anawsterau yr ydym ni wedi eu gweld gyda'r system bresennol.
Ac yn olaf, cwestiwn 9, Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Finally, question 9, Rhun ap Iorwerth.
9. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am gefnogaeth gan Lywodraeth Cymru i sefydliadau addysg uwch yr effeithir arnynt gan gamau i atal lledaenu coronafeirws? OAQ55114
9. Will the First Minister make a statement on Welsh Government support for educational establishments affected by steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus? OAQ55114
Diolch i Rhun ap Iorwerth am y cwestiwn. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi datblygu a chyhoeddi canllawiau gyda Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru ar gyfer holl ysgolion a sefydliadau addysg Cymru. Mae'r rhain yn rhoi cyngor ar y camau i'w cymryd i atal y coronafeirws rhag lledu.
I thank Rhun ap Iorwerth for the question. The Welsh Government has developed and published guidance with Public Health Wales for all schools and educational establishments in Wales. These advise on which steps should be taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Diolch am yr ymateb yna. Mae coronafeirws, wrth gwrs, yn fygythiad yn barod i symudedd pobl ar draws y byd, a'r budd sy'n dod o ran y symudedd hwnnw. Mae fy mhrifysgol leol i, Prifysgol Bangor, yn un o'r rheini sydd wedi dod i ddibynnu mwy a mwy ar ei gallu i recriwtio myfyrwyr o dramor. Mae myfyrwyr o Tsieina yn dod i Fangor, er enghraifft, mewn niferoedd sylweddol. A allaf i ofyn pa ystyriaeth y mae'r Llywodraeth wedi dechrau ei roi i sut, efallai, y byddai angen rhoi cefnogaeth i sefydliadau fel Prifysgol Bangor pe bai hi'n dod yn fwy anodd i alluogi myfyrwyr o wledydd fel Tsieina i ddod yno i astudio? Rydyn ni'n gobeithio, wrth gwrs, na fydd hi'n dod i hynny, ond mae angen gwneud y gwaith paratoi rŵan, rhag ofn.
Thank you for that response. Coronavirus, of course, is already a threat to the mobility of people across the world, and the benefit that that mobility provides. My local university, Bangor University, is one of those that has become more and more reliant on their ability to recruit students from abroad. Students from China come to Bangor in significant numbers. So, can I ask you what consideration the Government has started to give to how we may need to provide support for institutions such as Bangor University if it became more difficult to allow students from nations such as China to come and study there? We hope, of course, that it won't come to that, but we need to do that preparatory work now, in case.
Diolch i Rhun ap Iorwerth am y cwestiwn yna. Mae'n wir i ddweud bod effaith coronafeirws yn mynd i gael effaith ar ein prifysgolion ni, ac mae'r effaith yna wedi digwydd yn barod, achos mae myfyrwyr gan rai o'n prifysgolion ni draw yn Tsieina ac maen nhw wedi eu casglu nhw nôl. Mae aelodau o'r staff lawr i fynd draw i Tsieina, a'r gwledydd eraill yn y rhan yna o'r byd, a dydyn nhw ddim yn gallu mynd ar hyn o bryd. Dwi wedi gweld adroddiad manwl gan Gyngor Cyllido Addysg Uwch Cymru, sy'n tynnu gwybodaeth at ei gilydd o bob prifysgol yng Nghymru, sy'n setio allan y sefyllfa ar hyn o bryd, edrych ymlaen ar yr heriau bydd yna os bydd coronafeirws yn parhau drwy'r flwyddyn yma, a'r effaith y mae hwnna yn mynd i'w gael ar recriwtio myfyrwyr i fewn i Gymru. Ac fe allaf i ofyn i'r Gweinidog Addysg i weld a allwn ni rannu'r wybodaeth sydd gyda ni ar hyn o bryd ar Fangor gyda Rhun ap Iorwerth, neu â'r Aelodau eraill sydd â phrifysgolion yn eu hardaloedd nhw.
I thank Rhun ap Iorwerth for that question. It's true to say that the impact of coronavirus will have an effect on our universities, and that effect has already been seen, because students from some of our universities are out in China and they've recalled them back. Some staff members are due to go to China, and other countries in that part of the world, and they're unable to go there at present. I have seen a detailed report from the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, which draws the information together from all the universities in Wales, and which sets out the current situation, it then looks forward to the challenges if the coronavirus continues throughout this year, and the impact that that will have on student recruitment into Wales. I can ask the Minister for Education to see whether we can share the information that we have at present on Bangor with Rhun ap Iorwerth, and other Members who have universities in their own areas.
Diolch i'r Prif Weinidog.
Thank you, First Minister.
Y datganiad a chyhoeddiad busnes sydd nesaf. Dwi'n galw ar y Trefnydd i wneud y datganiad hynny, Rebecca Evans.
The business statement and announcement is next. I call on the Trefnydd to make that statement, Rebecca Evans.
Diolch, Llywydd. There are several changes to this week's business. Immediately after this business statement, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs will make a statement to update Members on the emergency flood summit. Later this afternoon, the Counsel General and Brexit Minister will make a statement on legislation related to leaving the European Union. To accommodate these statements, I've postponed the statement on Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board until next week, 3 March, and progress on the single cancer pathway until 17 March. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Diolch, Lywydd. Mae nifer o newidiadau i fusnes yr wythnos hon. Yn syth ar ôl y datganiad busnes hwn, bydd Gweinidog yr Amgylchedd, Ynni a Materion Gwledig yn gwneud datganiad i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelodau ynghylch yr uwchgynhadledd frys ar lifogydd. Yn ddiweddarach y prynhawn yma, bydd y Cwnsler Cyffredinol a'r Gweinidog Brexit yn gwneud datganiad ar ddeddfwriaeth sy'n ymwneud â gadael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Er mwyn darparu ar gyfer y datganiadau hyn, rwyf i wedi gohirio'r datganiad ar Fwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr tan yr wythnos nesaf, 3 Mawrth, a chynnydd ar y llwybr canser sengl tan 17 Mawrth. Mae'r busnes drafft ar gyfer y tair wythnos nesaf wedi ei nodi yn y datganiad a chyhoeddiad busnes, sydd i'w weld ymhlith papurau'r cyfarfodydd sydd ar gael i'r Aelodau yn electronig.
Minister, may I ask for a statement from the Minister for Education about the disruption of pupil learning caused by the strike action by teachers at Llanwern High School and Caerleon Comprehensive School in Newport? Teaching unions say that industrial action has been prompted by the overhaul of the curriculum in Wales. The acting general secretary of NASUWT says that the union has not heard any convincing argument for why this proposed restructuring is necessary. The National Education Union Cymru says that Caerleon Comprehensive School has suffered from historic and prolific underfunding and the staff have been subjected to restructuring and redundancy procedures on a regular basis for a number of years. They fear a reduction in staffing levels, and support for children with special needs being withdrawn. Can we have a statement from the Minister on what action she's taking to allay the fears of teaching unions, so that disruption to the education of pupils at these two Newport schools can be avoided? Thank you.
Gweinidog, a gaf i ofyn am ddatganiad gan y Gweinidog Addysg ynghylch y tarfu ar ddysgu disgyblion a ddigwyddodd yn sgil y streic gan athrawon yn Ysgol Uwchradd Llanwern ac Ysgol Gyfun Caerllion yng Nghasnewydd? Mae undebau'r athrawon yn dweud mai'r hyn sydd wedi ysgogi gweithredu diwydiannol yw adolygu'r cwricwlwm yng Nghymru. Mae Ysgrifennydd Cyffredinol dros dro Cymdeithas Genedlaethol yr Ysgolfeistri ac Undeb yr Athrawesau yn dweud nad yw'r Undeb wedi clywed unrhyw ddadl argyhoeddiadol dros pam mae angen yr ailstrwythuro arfaethedig hwn. Mae Undeb Cenedlaethol Addysg Cymru yn dweud bod Ysgol Gyfun Caerllion wedi dioddef tanariannu hanesyddol a thoreithiog a bod y staff wedi gorfod dioddef ailstrwythuro a gweithdrefnau diswyddo yn rheolaidd am nifer o flynyddoedd. Maen nhw'n ofni gostyngiad yn y lefelau staffio, a'r cymorth ar gyfer plant ag anghenion arbennig yn cael ei ddiddymu. A gawn ni datganiad gan y Gweinidog ynghylch y camau y mae hi'n eu cymryd i dawelu ofnau undebau athrawon, fel bod modd osgoi tarfu ar addysg disgyblion yn y ddwy ysgol hyn yng Nghasnewydd? Diolch.
I thank Mohammad Asghar for raising his concerns relating to two specific schools in Newport, but perhaps on this occasion, certainly in the first instance, I would invite him to write to the Minister for Education setting out those concerns, so that she can consider an appropriate response to you.
Diolch i Mohammad Asghar am godi ei bryderon ynghylch dwy ysgol benodol yng Nghasnewydd, ond efallai ar yr achlysur hwn, yn sicr yn y lle cyntaf, byddwn i'n ei wahodd i ysgrifennu at y Gweinidog Addysg yn nodi'r pryderon hynny, fel y gall hi ystyried ymateb priodol i chi.
The matter I wish to raise today concerns Christopher Kapessa, a 13-year-old black boy whose body was found in the River Cynon near Fernhill last year. I mentioned the colour of Christopher's skin because his family strongly believe that it's a factor in the Crown Prosecution Service's decision not to bring a prosecution in connection with his death.
The decision came despite the CPS's assertion that there was, to use their own words, 'sufficient evidence' that Christopher was pushed into the river. Christopher's distraught family says that there may well have been further evidence to make a stronger case, had the police interviewed more than only four of the 14 people who were at the scene during his death. It's hard to argue with the assertion of Christopher's mother, Alina, when she says:
'If this had been 14 black youths and a white victim we have no doubt that the approach of the police and outcome would have been different.'
While criminal justice remains a reserved matter there are limits as to what the Welsh Government can do. However, at the time of the incident, I conveyed the concerns from the family and urged, albeit informally, that this Welsh Government look into the matter, because community cohesion is devolved, and so this is a case that should be of concern to you from that perspective.
So, what representations do the Welsh Government intend to raise on this matter? And can this Government send out a clear statement that everyone in Wales is equal, that they should be treated equally, regardless of gender, sexual preference and skin colour, and that everyone deserves to understand that black lives really do matter?
Mae'r mater yr wyf i'n dymuno ei godi heddiw yn ymwneud â Christopher Kapessa, bachgen du 13 oed y cafodd ei gorff ei ddarganfod yn Afon Cynon ger Fernhill y llynedd. Soniais am liw croen Christopher oherwydd bod ei deulu'n credu'n gryf ei fod yn ffactor ym mhenderfyniad Gwasanaeth Erlyn y Goron i beidio â dwyn erlyniad mewn cysylltiad â'i farwolaeth.
Daeth y penderfyniad er gwaethaf haeriad Gwasanaeth Erlyn y Goron bod, gan ddefnyddio eu geiriau eu hunain, 'digon o dystiolaeth' fod Christopher wedi ei wthio i'r afon. Mae teulu trallodus Christopher yn dweud ei bod hi'n ddigon posibl y byddai mwy o dystiolaeth i gyflwyno achos cryfach, pe byddai'r heddlu wedi cyfweld â mwy na dim ond pedwar o'r 14 o bobl a oedd yn y fan a'r lle pan fu farw. Mae'n anodd dadlau â honiad mam Christopher, Alina, pan ei bod hi'n dweud:
Pe byddai hyn wedi bod yn 14 o bobl ifanc du a dioddefwr gwyn nid oes gennym ni unrhyw amheuaeth y byddai agwedd yr heddlu a'r canlyniad wedi bod yn wahanol.
Gan fod cyfiawnder troseddol yn parhau i fod yn fater a gadwyd yn ôl, mae cyfyngiadau ar yr hyn y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud. Fodd bynnag, ar adeg y digwyddiad, fe wnes i gyfleu pryderon y teulu gan annog, er yn anffurfiol, bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn ymchwilio i'r mater, oherwydd bod cydlyniant cymunedol wedi ei ddatganoli, ac felly mae hwn yn achos a ddylai fod yn destun pryder i chi o'r safbwynt hwnnw.
Felly, pa sylwadau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn bwriadu eu codi ar y mater hwn? Ac a wnaiff y Llywodraeth hon anfon datganiad clir bod pawb yng Nghymru yn gyfartal, y dylen nhw gael eu trin yn gyfartal, beth bynnag yw eu rhyw, eu tueddiad rhywiol a lliw eu croen, a bod pawb yn haeddu deall bod bywydau duon yn wirioneddol bwysig?
I thank Leanne Wood for raising what is a particularly harrowing and distressing case. I remember reading about Christopher and finding the entire story that I was reading absolutely appalling and horrific.
Leanne Wood is right that criminal justice does remain a reserved matter, but the Welsh Government and, I know, this Senedd as a whole has a really strong interest in ensuring that we promote equality and respect and a strong, diverse Wales here in our country.
So, I will ask the Minister with responsibility for relationships with the police, and the Minister who also has responsibility for equalities and community cohesion, to give some thought to your comments this afternoon in terms of what more we can do to promote a strong, cohesive Wales and ensure that everybody in Wales is equal, and what more we can do to push forward that message that everybody deserves to be treated absolutely equally.
Diolch i Leanne Wood am godi'r hyn sy'n achos arbennig o erchyll a gofidus. Rwy'n cofio darllen am Christopher a theimlo bod y stori gyfan yr oeddwn i'n ei darllen yn gwbl arswydus ac erchyll.
Mae Leanne Wood yn iawn bod cyfiawnder troseddol yn parhau i fod yn fater a gadwyd yn ôl, ond mae gan Lywodraeth Cymru, a gwn fod gan y Senedd hon yn ei chyfanrwydd, ddiddordeb cryf iawn mewn sicrhau ein bod yn hyrwyddo cydraddoldeb a pharch a Chymru gref ac amrywiol yma yn ein gwlad.
Felly, byddaf yn gofyn i'r Gweinidog sydd â chyfrifoldeb dros gysylltiadau â'r heddlu, a'r Gweinidog sydd hefyd yn gyfrifol am gydraddoldebau a chydlyniant cymunedol, roi rhywfaint o ystyriaeth i'ch sylwadau y prynhawn yma o ran beth yn rhagor y gallwn ni ei wneud i hyrwyddo Cymru gref, gydlynus a sicrhau bod pawb yng Nghymru yn gyfartal, a beth arall allwn ni ei wneud i wthio'r neges honno ymlaen bod pawb yn haeddu cael eu trin yn gwbl gyfartal.
Could I ask for two statements? One statement would be from Welsh Government Ministers on the issue of erosion of land behind Valley terraces on which run old unadopted lanes alongside watercourses, which threaten over time to erode not only the lanes but the rear gardens of private properties.
So, in Caerau in my constituency we have a row of terraced houses backing onto such a watercourse and an unadopted lane; the sort of lanes that the old council wagons, in the days of those tiny wagons, went up the back and took the steel galvanised bins away and so on. They no longer use them. They're unadopted. They're not owned by anybody, it seems now, but yet the river erodes. In the storms that we've recently seen, they're increasingly being eaten away towards the back gardens of these properties. It's contested land, it's no-person's land, nobody wants to do anything about it, and yet the home owners are really worried.
So, could we have a statement on what happens to this no-man's land, in effect, of unadopted lanes on the backs of properties where streams, in these sort of deluges that we've seen, are now being eaten away and the effect on properties? Or perhaps the Minister could meet with me to discuss this, because I suspect it's something that is widespread across the south Wales area.
Could I also ask for a statement on the issue of safe road crossings on A roads? Now, A roads, of course, are major roads, they're heavy with traffic, that's why they are A roads, they're major thoroughfares. But the difficulty is that, in some of our Valleys, including my own in the Llynfi, but also in the east of my constituency, it's the only road that goes up that Valley. If people can't cross from one side where they live to the shops or the school on the other side because—. The explanation given is that the guidance does not allow for safe crossings to be done across A roads normally. Well, it would be helpful to have clarity on that. Failing that, perhaps I could meet with the Minister, if the business manager, the Trefnydd, could help me; meet with the Minister, discuss this problem, and seek clarity on the guidance on safe road crossings for pedestrians and others on A roads in the Valleys.
A gaf i ofyn am ddau ddatganiad? Byddai un datganiad gan Weinidogion Llywodraeth Cymru ar fater erydiad tir y tu ôl i derasau'r Cymoedd lle y ceir hen lonydd heb eu mabwysiadu ochr yn ochr â chyrsiau dŵr, sy'n bygwth erydu nid yn unig y lonydd ond gerddi cefn eiddo preifat.
Felly, yng Nghaerau yn fy etholaeth i, mae gennym ni res o dai teras â'u cefnau tuag at gwrs dŵr o'r fath a lôn heb ei mabwysiadu; y math o lonydd yr oedd hen wagenni’r cyngor, yn nyddiau'r wagenni bach hynny, yn mynd yn ôl ac ymlaen arnynt i fynd â'r biniau galfanedig i ffwrdd ac yn y blaen. Nid ydyn nhw'n eu defnyddio mwyach. Nid ydyn nhw wedi cael eu mabwysiadu. Nid ydyn nhw'n eiddo i neb, mae'n ymddangos yn awr, ond eto mae'r afon yn erydu. Yn ystod y stormydd diweddar, maen nhw wedi eu herydu fwyfwy tuag at gerddi cefn yr eiddo hyn. Mae'n dir y dadleir amdano, mae'n dir neb, nid oes neb eisiau gwneud unrhyw beth amdano, ond eto mae perchenogion y cartrefi yn poeni'n fawr.
Felly, a allem ni gael datganiad ynghylch yr hyn sy'n digwydd i'r tir neb hwn, mewn gwirionedd, o lonydd heb eu mabwysiadu ar gefnau eiddo lle mae nentydd, yn y mathau hyn o law trwm yr ydym ni wedi'i weld, bellach yn cael eu herydu ymaith a'r effaith ar eiddo? Neu efallai y gallai'r Gweinidog gwrdd â mi i drafod hyn, oherwydd rwy'n amau ei fod yn rhywbeth sy'n gyffredin ar draws ardal de Cymru.
A gaf i ofyn hefyd am ddatganiad ar fater croesfannau diogel ar ffyrdd A? Nawr, mae ffyrdd A, wrth gwrs, yn brif ffyrdd, mae'r traffig yn drwm arnyn nhw, dyna pam maen nhw'n ffyrdd A, maen nhw'n dramwyfeydd mawr. Ond yr anhawster yw, yn rhai o'n cymoedd, gan gynnwys fy un i yn y Llynfi, ond hefyd yn nwyrain fy etholaeth, dyma'r unig ffordd sy'n mynd i fyny'r Cwm hwnnw. Os nad yw pobl yn gallu croesi o un ochr lle maen nhw'n byw i fynd i'r siopau neu'r ysgol ar yr ochr arall oherwydd—. Yr esboniad sy'n cael ei roi yw nad yw'r canllawiau, fel arfer, yn caniatáu croesfannau diogel ar draws prif ffyrdd. Wel, byddai'n ddefnyddiol cael eglurder ar hynny. Os na chaf hynny, efallai y cawn i gyfarfod â'r Gweinidog, pe gallai'r rheolwr busnes, y Trefnydd, fy helpu i; cyfarfod â'r Gweinidog, trafod y broblem hon, a gofyn am eglurhad ar y canllawiau ar groesfannau ffordd diogel i gerddwyr ac eraill ar ffyrdd A yn y Cymoedd.
Thank you to Huw Irranca-Davies for raising both of those issues. The first related to unadopted lanes, and, of course, the Minister, Ken Skates is currently undertaking a piece of work that looks at unadopted roads, and I'm sure that many of the lessons that we'll learn from that particular piece of work will apply equally to the issue of unadopted lanes.
We've heard a lot from the First Minister today about our immediate response to the recent floods, but the next piece of work, as we move on from the immediate urgency of an emergency situation, will be to look at those longer term issues. Of course, the First Minister referred to the Welsh Government's forthcoming flood strategy, and that will encourage wider catchment programmes and more natural flood management, recognising the role that it plays in reducing run-off and peak flows in rivers and so on. So, some of that, I think, will also be relevant to your concerns today.
But I will certainly seek to arrange a meeting with the Minister to achieve that clarity that you require on the issue of crossings on A roads, and I'm sure that he will be in touch shortly to arrange that.
Diolch i Huw Irranca-Davies am godi'r ddau fater hyn. Roedd y cyntaf yn ymwneud â lonydd heb eu mabwysiadu, ac, wrth gwrs, mae'r Gweinidog, Ken Skates, yn gwneud darn o waith ar hyn o bryd sy'n ystyried ffyrdd heb eu mabwysiadu, ac rwyf yn siŵr y bydd llawer o'r gwersi y byddwn ni'n eu dysgu o'r darn penodol hwnnw o waith yr un mor berthnasol i'r mater o lonydd heb eu mabwysiadu.
Rydym ni wedi clywed llawer gan y Prif Weinidog heddiw ynghylch ein hymateb cyflym i'r llifogydd diweddar, ond y darn nesaf o waith, wrth i ni symud ymlaen o'r angen i ymateb ar unwaith i sefyllfa frys, fydd edrych ar y materion tymor hwy hynny. Wrth gwrs, cyfeiriodd y Prif Weinidog at strategaeth llifogydd Llywodraeth Cymru sydd ar y ffordd, a bydd hynny yn annog rhaglenni dalgylch ehangach a rheoli llifogydd mewn modd mwy naturiol, gan gydnabod y rhan y mae hynny'n ei chwarae wrth leihau llif dŵr ffo a llifoedd brig mewn afonydd ac ati. Felly, yn fy marn i, bydd rhywfaint o hynny hefyd yn berthnasol i'ch pryderon chi heddiw.
Ond, byddaf yn sicr yn ceisio trefnu cyfarfod gyda'r Gweinidog i sicrhau'r eglurder hwnnw yr hoffech chi ei gael o ran croesfannau ar brif ffyrdd, ac rwy'n siŵr y bydd ef yn cysylltu â chi yn fuan i drefnu hynny.
Organiser, could I seek a statement, please, from the economy Minister in relation to St Athan enterprise park, and the airfield, in particular? The Welsh Government had a contract with Serco to provide seven-day air control cover so that operators could use the airfield on a seven-day basis. As I understand, there's been an issue recruiting suitably qualified air traffic controllers, and, therefore, that's limited the use of the airfield, and in particular, lost business for some of the operators who operate out of the facilities there.
As of 1 April, Cardiff Airport are taking over the management, as I understand it, of this particular operation and the airfield itself, and I hope you'd agree with me that, given 1 April is only a month away now, it would be opportune to bring a statement forward outlining what compensation, if any, has been paid to operators on the airfield because of the lack of seven-day cover, what money has been recovered from Serco because they haven't fulfilled their contract, and what improvements might be put in place once Cardiff Airport take over the operation, so that seven-day-a-week use of the airfield can be brought forward.
Trefnydd, a gaf i ofyn am ddatganiad, os gwelwch yn dda, gan Weinidog yr economi ynglŷn â pharc menter Sain Tathan, a'r maes glanio, yn arbennig? Roedd gan Lywodraeth Cymru gontract gyda Serco i ddarparu gwasanaeth rheoli traffig awyr bob dydd o'r wythnos fel y gallai gweithredwyr ddefnyddio'r maes awyr ar sail saith diwrnod yr wythnos. O'r hyn yr wyf i'n ei ddeall, mae problem wedi codi wrth recriwtio rheolwyr traffig awyr sydd â chymwysterau addas, ac, felly, mae hynny wedi cyfyngu ar y defnydd o'r maes awyr, ac yn arbennig, colled o fusnes i rai o'r gweithredwyr sy'n gweithredu o'r cyfleusterau yno.
O 1 Ebrill ymlaen, mae Maes Awyr Caerdydd yn cymryd drosodd y rheolaeth, yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallaf i, o'r gweithrediad penodol hwn a'r maes glanio ei hun, ac rwy'n gobeithio y byddech chi'n cytuno â mi, o gofio nad yw'r cyntaf o Ebrill ddim ond mis i ffwrdd erbyn hyn, y byddai'n amserol cyflwyno datganiad yn amlinellu pa iawndal, os o gwbl, sydd wedi ei dalu i weithredwyr ar y maes glanio oherwydd y diffyg darpariaeth saith diwrnod yr wythnos, pa arian sydd wedi ei adennill oddi wrth Serco oherwydd nad ydyn nhw wedi cyflawni eu contract, a pha welliannau a allai gael eu rhoi ar waith ar ôl i Faes Awyr Caerdydd gymryd cyfrifoldeb dros y gweithrediad, fel y gellid dwyn ymlaen y defnydd saith diwrnod yr wythnos o'r maes glanio.
The Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales does have questions tomorrow in the Senedd, so that might be an opportune moment to raise those particular concerns about St Athan airfield, but, failing that, I will certainly make the Minister aware of your request for a fuller statement.
Mae gan Weinidog yr Economi, Trafnidiaeth a Gogledd Cymru gwestiynau yfory yn y Senedd, felly efallai y byddai hwnnw'n gyfle da i godi'r pryderon penodol hynny ynghylch maes glanio Sain Tathan, ond, os na fydd hynny'n digwydd, byddaf yn sicr yn gwneud yn siŵr bod y Gweinidog yn ymwybodol o'ch cais am ddatganiad llawnach.
I'd like to ask for a statement from the Welsh Government covering what support will be made available for children who are affected by the recent flooding. This has affected communities throughout my region, in Monmouth, in Newbridge, in Llanbradach and lots of other places.
Last week, I visited residents in Edward Street in Ystrad Mynach, who were woken at 2.30 a.m. by a neighbour who just happened to be awake to alert them to the fact that their street was flooding. They were able to do what they could, but, obviously, a great deal of damage was done to their properties, and it'll take months to do the repair work. But, aside from the physical damage done to the actual houses, what was concerning the residents most was the impact that this has had on their children—children who were just traumatised by seeing their homes turned upside down; who lost toys; who have to stay away with relatives and friends; children who lost school uniforms; and who have nowhere to do their homework now that schools are back after the holiday. At one point, one resident was in tears telling me that her children were staying with their grandparents at the moment, but they're afraid to come home at all, because they're convinced that the flooding will happen again in the middle of the night.
So, I'd ask what work the Government could do to work with councils, with schools across the region to co-ordinate what help and support could be offered. But I'd also ask what the Welsh Government could do, if they'd consider making counselling services available to children who aren't of school age who are affected by the flooding, who won't be able to take any advantage of support services that are available in schools, but who are, nonetheless, in need of care and compassion, because of how frightened and confused they are. What's happened with the floods will have been devastating for everyone affected, but it must be especially terrifying for children. I'd welcome any opportunity to meet someone from the Government to discuss this. Thank you.
Hoffwn i ofyn am ddatganiad gan Lywodraeth Cymru yn ymwneud â pha gymorth a fydd ar gael i blant sydd wedi eu heffeithio gan y llifogydd diweddar. Mae hyn wedi effeithio ar gymunedau ledled fy rhanbarth i, yn Nhrefynwy, yn Nhrecelyn, yn Llanbradach a llawer o leoedd eraill.
Yr wythnos diwethaf, ymwelais â thrigolion yn Stryd Edward yn Ystrad Mynach, a gafodd eu deffro am 2.30 a.m. gan gymydog a oedd yn digwydd bod ar ddihun i'w rhybuddio bod eu stryd yn gorlifo. Fe wnaethon nhw lwyddo i wneud yr hyn y gallen nhw, ond, yn amlwg, cafodd llawer iawn o ddifrod ei wneud i'w heiddo, a bydd yn cymryd misoedd i wneud y gwaith atgyweirio. Ond, ar wahân i'r difrod ffisegol a gafodd ei wneud i'r tai, yr hyn a oedd yn peri'r pryder mwyaf i'r trigolion oedd yr effaith a gafodd hyn ar eu plant—plant a oedd newydd gael eu trawmateiddio wrth weld eu cartrefi'n cael eu troi wyneb i waered; a gollodd deganau; sy'n gorfod aros i ffwrdd gyda pherthnasau a ffrindiau; plant a gollodd wisgoedd ysgol; ac nad oes ganddynt unman i wneud eu gwaith cartref nawr bod yr ysgolion wedi ail-ddechrau ar ôl y gwyliau. Ar un adeg, roedd un preswylydd yn ei dagrau yn dweud wrthyf i fod ei phlant yn aros gyda'u mam-gu a'u tad-cu ar hyn o bryd, ond eu bod nhw ofn dod adref o gwbl, oherwydd eu bod yn siŵr y bydd y llifogydd yn digwydd eto yng nghanol y nos.
Felly, rwy'n gofyn pa waith y gallai'r Llywodraeth ei wneud i weithio gyda chynghorau, gydag ysgolion ledled y rhanbarth i gydgysylltu unrhyw gymorth a chefnogaeth y byddai modd eu cynnig. Ond rwyf i hefyd yn gofyn beth allai Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud, pe bydden nhw'n ystyried sicrhau bod gwasanaethau cwnsela ar gael i blant nad ydyn nhw o oedran ysgol sydd wedi eu heffeithio gan y llifogydd, na fyddan nhw'n gallu manteisio o gwbl ar wasanaethau cymorth sydd ar gael mewn ysgolion, ond sydd, er hynny, angen gofal a thosturi, oherwydd pa mor ofnus a dryslyd y maen nhw. Bydd yr hyn sydd wedi digwydd wedi bod yn ergyd drom i bawb y mae'r llifogydd wedi effeithio arnyn nhw, ond mae'n rhaid ei fod yn arbennig o frawychus i blant. Byddwn i'n croesawu unrhyw gyfle i gwrdd â rhywun o'r Llywodraeth i drafod hyn. Diolch.
Thank you to Delyth Jewell for raising what's a really important aspect of the recent flooding episodes, and that is the distress it will cause particularly to children and also to young people as well, who, for all the reasons that you've described, might find it difficult to go home and feel safe at home. So, the points that you made are very well made, and we do have a statement next this afternoon from the Minister for environment. Although this is very much a cross-Government response, the Minister this afternoon will be setting out some of the things that we have been doing right across the Government. Of course, we will take into consideration your points as we move forward on this.
Diolch i Delyth Jewell am godi agwedd wirioneddol bwysig ar y llifogydd diweddar, a hynny yw y trallod y bydd yn ei achosi yn arbennig i blant ac i bobl ifanc hefyd, a allai, am yr holl resymau yr ydych chi wedi eu disgrifio, ei chael hi'n anodd i fynd adref a theimlo'n ddiogel yn y cartref. Felly, cafodd y pwyntiau a wnaethpwyd gennych eu gwneud yn dda iawn, ac mae gennym ni ddatganiad nesaf y prynhawn yma gan Weinidog yr amgylchedd. Er mai ymateb trawslywodraethol yw hwn i raddau helaeth, bydd y Gweinidog y prynhawn yma yn amlinellu rhai o'r pethau yr ydym ni wedi eu gwneud ym mhob rhan o'r Llywodraeth. Wrth gwrs, byddwn yn rhoi ystyriaeth i'ch pwyntiau chi wrth i ni symud ymlaen ar hyn.
Can I ask for two statements, Minister? Yesterday, we had the great news of 100 jobs being allocated at William Hare in Risca on a steel fabrication plant. But, in an interview with the news broadcasters, the managing director identified that Port Talbot works was a crucial part of the future of the steel industry, not just in Wales but the UK. Now, I understand that the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales has had a meeting on the steel council with the previous Secretary of State. But, can we have an update in relation to what happened at that steel council meeting?
Can you also include in that update what progress is being made in discussions with the new Secretary of State to ensure that, as we go forward, the budget that is due in a few weeks' time actually reflects upon the high energy costs that industries such as the steel industry are facing, and something that the UK Government can do to ensure that the steel industry actually has a strong future here in the UK?
The second one, I have a constituent who has met with me recently on a boundary dispute issue. He actually wrote to the Secretary of State for Wales, and a response from an official indicated—and the words were—that boundary disputes are now the responsibility of the devolved nations. Now, I'm unaware of that, but if we could have clarity as to the Welsh Government's role in boundary disputes, that would be helpful, so that when issues come to me I can address those points. That was from a UK Minister's office.
A gaf fi ofyn am ddau ddatganiad, Gweinidog? Ddoe, cawsom ni'r newyddion gwych bod 100 o swyddi yn cael eu neilltuo yn William Hare yn Rhisga mewn gwaith dur ffabrigedig. Ond, mewn cyfweliad â'r darlledwyr newyddion, nododd y rheolwr gyfarwyddwr fod gweithfeydd Port Talbot yn rhan hanfodol o ddyfodol y diwydiant dur, nid yn unig yng Nghymru ond yn y DU. Nawr, rwy'n deall bod Gweinidog yr Economi, Trafnidiaeth a Gogledd Cymru wedi cael cyfarfod ar y cyngor dur gyda'r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol blaenorol. Ond, a gawn ni ddiweddariad o ran yr hyn a ddigwyddodd yn y cyfarfod cyngor dur hwnnw?
A allwch chi hefyd gynnwys yn y diweddariad hwnnw pa gynnydd sy'n cael ei wneud mewn trafodaethau gyda'r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol newydd i sicrhau, wrth i ni symud ymlaen, fod y gyllideb sydd ar ddod ymhen ychydig wythnosau mewn gwirionedd yn adlewyrchu ar y costau ynni uchel y mae diwydiannau fel y diwydiant dur yn eu hwynebu, a rhywbeth y gall Llywodraeth y DU ei wneud i sicrhau bod gan y diwydiant dur ddyfodol cryf yma yn y DU?
Yr ail un, mae gennyf i etholwr sydd wedi cwrdd â mi'n ddiweddar ynghylch mater anghydfod ffin. Mewn gwirionedd, fe ysgrifennodd at Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru, ac fe nododd ymateb gan swyddog—a'r geiriau oedd—bod anghydfodau ffin bellach yn gyfrifoldeb y cenhedloedd datganoledig. Nawr, nid wyf i'n ymwybodol o hynny, ond a gawn ni eglurder ynglŷn â swyddogaeth Llywodraeth Cymru mewn anghydfodau ffin, byddai hynny'n ddefnyddiol, fel fy mod i'n gallu mynd i'r afael â'r pwyntiau hynny pan ddaw materion i'm sylw. Roedd hynny o swyddfa Gweinidog y DU.
Thank you to David Rees. I'll certainly ensure that I liaise with my colleagues to provide you with detailed answers to both of those points. On the first, being the steel industry meeting, I'll ensure that you do get an update as to the outcomes of that and the discussions that have taken place following that particular meeting. Of course, Ken Skates does have questions tomorrow again, so there could be opportunities to raise that issue with him.
On the boundaries issue as well, I know that the Minister will provide you with a written answer on that issue. I know that she has organised a detailed briefing session for Assembly Members from the planning inspectorate, so that might be a useful opportunity to explore some of these issues as well.
Diolch yn fawr i David Rees. Byddaf i'n sicr yn gwneud yn siŵr fy mod yn cysylltu â'm cydweithwyr i roi atebion manwl i chi i'r ddau bwynt hynny. O ran y cyntaf, sef cyfarfod y diwydiant dur, byddaf yn sicrhau eich bod yn cael yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf ynghylch canlyniadau hwnnw a'r trafodaethau sydd wedi eu cynnal yn dilyn y cyfarfod penodol hwnnw. Wrth gwrs, mae gan Ken Skates gwestiynau yfory eto, felly gallai fod cyfleoedd i godi'r mater hwnnw gydag ef.
O ran mater y ffiniau hefyd, rwy'n gwybod y bydd y bod hi wedi trefnu sesiwn briffio manwl ar gyfer aelodau'r Cynulliad o'r arolygiaeth gynllunio, felly gallai hynny fod yn gyfle defnyddiol i ymchwilio i rai o'r materion hyn hefyd.
I'd like to ask for a statement on water resilience. You may find that a strange thing for me to ask, given the flooding of recent times, so perhaps I should say: drinking water resilience across Wales. I know that we have a statement on the emergency flood summit immediately after this statement. I think that this is an issue that may or may not come up during that statement, Minister, but it is one that is a standalone issue that needs to be looked at.
There was a pretty major issue with the Mayhill water treatment works in Monmouth last week, which I know the Minister is aware of. The treatment works were flooded. Dŵr Cymru could not get into the treatment works to fix it, so they ended up having to put on replacement tankers. They did an incredibly good job, actually, despite the fact that lots of the roads were flooded, and the worst-case scenario was warded off.
However, I wonder if, at this point in time, or once the floods subside, the Minister could look at drinking water resilience across Wales to make sure that, in future, any weak spots in the system like the Mayhill treatment station are dealt with, so that people across Wales can be sure that, when we in future do have more instances— as we probably will, with climate change increasing—like the recent flooding, the water system will be able to cope.
Hoffwn i ofyn am ddatganiad ar gydnerthedd dŵr. Efallai eich bod chi'n gweld hynny'n beth rhyfedd i mi ei ofyn, o gofio llifogydd y cyfnod diweddar, felly efallai y dylwn i ddweud: cydnerthedd dŵr yfed ledled Cymru. Rwy'n gwybod bod gennym ni ddatganiad ynghylch yr uwchgynhadledd frys ar lifogydd yn syth ar ôl y datganiad hwn. Rwy'n credu bod hwn yn fater a allai godi neu na allai godi yn ystod y datganiad hwnnw, Gweinidog, ond mae'n fater ar wahân y mae angen edrych arno.
Bu problem go fawr gyda gwaith trin dŵr Mayhill yn Nhrefynwy yr wythnos diwethaf, ac rwy'n gwybod bod y Gweinidog yn ymwybodol ohoni. Gorlifodd y llifogydd i'r gwaith trin dŵr. Nid oedd Dŵr Cymru yn gallu mynd i mewn i'r gwaith trin dŵr i'w drwsio, ac felly, yn y pen draw, bu'n rhaid iddyn nhw ddefnyddio tanceri eraill. Fe wnaethon nhw waith anhygoel o dda, a dweud y gwir, er gwaethaf y ffaith fod llawer o'r ffyrdd dan ddŵr, a bod y sefyllfa waethaf bosibl wedi ei hatal.
Fodd bynnag, tybed a allai'r Gweinidog, ar hyn o bryd, neu ar ôl i'r llifogydd leihau, edrych ar gydnerthedd dŵr yfed ledled Cymru i sicrhau, yn y dyfodol, bod modd ymdrin ag unrhyw fannau gwan yn y system fel gorsaf driniaeth Mayhill, fel bod pobl ledled Cymru yn gallu bod yn siŵr, pan fydd gennym ni achosion yn y dyfodol—fel y byddwn ni'n siŵr o'u cael, wrth i'r newid yn yr hinsawdd gynyddu—fel y llifogydd diweddar, bydd y system ddŵr yn gallu ymdopi.
Well, I'm very pleased that the treatment works issues that you described have now been resolved but, of course, the Minister has been here to hear your request for a statement on drinking water resilience more widely.
Wel, rwy'n falch iawn bod y materion sy'n ymwneud â'r gwaith trin dŵr yr ydych chi wedi eu disgrifio wedi eu datrys erbyn hyn ond, wrth gwrs, mae'r Gweinidog wedi bod yma i glywed eich cais am ddatganiad ar gydnerthedd dŵr yfed yn ehangach.
Ac yn olaf, Bethan Sayed.
Finally, Bethan Sayed.
The first statement that I wanted to ask for was from the Deputy Minister for Culture, actually, in relation to the soundings that we're hearing from the UK Government that there may be changes to the BBC licence fee, and that it may potentially change to a subscription service. Now, I know that this all has not been confirmed, but of course this will have implications for Wales in relation to BBC Wales and also S4C, whose whole funding stream will be moved imminently to the licence fee. Would we be able to have a statement about what conversations the Deputy Minister has had with the UK Government in this regard, and then potentially in relation to how they may be looking at alternatives to how Wales and broadcasting in general may be looking for the future here in Wales.
My second request for a statement is with regard to a request to the environment Minister for a statement on opencast restoration. I ask this because, in the last week, it's not directly to do with flooding, but the Kenfig Hill void that was left by Celtic Energy is that—it's water that has been contained because Celtic Energy left without restoring the whole site. Bridgend council has said that they can't afford to fully restore it, and they have said that, in light of the floods, it's safe, which I've written to NRW to confirm, but the wider point is that we need to ensure that all of these opencasting applications are restored, which they're not being, and I would urge the Government to give us a statement as to what future planning they have in mind to help these areas become naturalised again so that we are not left with these big holes in the ground.
Roedd y datganiad cyntaf yr oeddwn i eisiau gofyn amdano gan y Dirprwy Weinidog Diwylliant, mewn gwirionedd, yn ymwneud â'r sīon yr ydym ni'n eu clywed gan Lywodraeth y DU y gall fod newidiadau i ffi trwydded y BBC, ac y gallai, efallai, newid i fod yn wasanaeth tanysgrifio. Rwy'n gwybod nad yw hyn i gyd wedi'i gadarnhau, ond wrth gwrs bydd gan hyn oblygiadau i Gymru o ran BBC Cymru a hefyd S4C, y bydd eu ffrwd ariannu gyfan yn cael ei symud yn fuan i ffi'r drwydded. A allwn ni gael datganiad ynglŷn â pha sgyrsiau y mae'r Dirprwy Weinidog wedi eu cael gyda Llywodraeth y DU ynglŷn â hyn, ac yna, efallai, ynghylch sut y gallen nhw fod yn ystyried dewisiadau eraill o ran sut y gallai Cymru a darlledu yn gyffredinol fod yn edrych ar gyfer y dyfodol yma yng Nghymru.
Mae fy ail gais am ddatganiad yn ymwneud â chais i Weinidog yr amgylchedd am ddatganiad ar adfer safleoedd mwyngloddio brig. Rwy'n gofyn hyn oherwydd, yn yr wythnos ddiwethaf, nid yw'n ymwneud yn uniongyrchol â llifogydd, ond y gwagle ym Mynydd Cynffig yr oedd Celtic Energy wedi'i adael—mae'n ddŵr sydd crynhoi oherwydd bod Celtic Energy wedi gadael heb adfer yr holl safle. Mae Cyngor Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr wedi dweud nad ydyn nhw'n gallu fforddio ei adfer yn llawn, ac maen nhw wedi dweud, yng ngoleuni'r llifogydd, ei fod yn ddiogel, ac rwyf i wedi ysgrifennu at Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru i gadarnhau hynny, ond y pwynt ehangach yw bod angen i ni sicrhau bod yr holl safleoedd mwyngloddio brig hyn yn cael eu hadfer, ac nid yw hynny'n digwydd, a byddwn i'n annog y Llywodraeth i roi datganiad i ni ynglŷn â pha gynllunio sydd ganddyn nhw mewn golwg ar gyfer y dyfodol i helpu i sicrhau bod yr ardaloedd hyn yn cael eu gwneud yn naturiol unwaith eto fel nad ydyn ni'n cael ein gadael gyda'r tyllau mawr hyn yn y ddaear.
Thank you for raising those two issues. The issue of the BBC licence fee is very much an emerging issue, and I know that the Deputy Minister is very alive to the discussions and the issues that are coming to the fore there. I know that, in due course, if there is an update to provide you, we'll certainly be keen to do so. The environment Minister heard your request for a statement on opencast restoration, and she says in the first instance, please could you write to her in order for her to respond fully to those particular concerns that you've raised.
Diolch am grybwyll y ddau fater yna. Mae ffi drwydded y BBC yn fater sy'n codi ei ben yn gyson, ac rwy'n gwybod fod y Dirprwy Weinidog yn ymwybodol iawn o'r trafodaethau a'r materion cysylltiedig. Rwy'n gwybod, maes o law, os oes diweddariad i'w roi ichi, y byddwn yn sicr yn awyddus i wneud hynny. Clywodd Gweinidog yr Amgylchedd eich cais am ddatganiad ynglŷn ag ail-ddechrau cloddio glo brig, ac mae hi'n dweud, fel cam cyntaf, a fyddech chi gystal ag ysgrifennu ati er mwyn iddi ymateb yn llawn i'r pryderon penodol hynny yr ydych chi wedi'u crybwyll.
Diolch i'r Trefnydd.
Thank you, Trefnydd.
Yr eitem nesaf, felly, yw'r datganiad gan Weinidog yr Amgylchedd, Ynni a Materion Gwledig ar y diweddaraf am yr uwchgynhadledd argyfwng am y llifogydd, ac dwi'n galw ar y Gweinidog i wneud ei datganiad, Lesley Griffiths.
The next item is a statement by the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, the emergency floods summit update, and I call on the Minister to make the statement, Lesley Griffiths.
Diolch, Llywydd. Over the last two weeks, many communities throughout Wales have suffered devastating effects from storms Ciara and Dennis. I want to say again that my thoughts, and those of my Cabinet colleagues, are with all those who have been affected.
These two storms are two of the most severe and widespread flooding incidents we have experienced in Wales for many years. At the peak of storm Dennis, there were 61 flood alerts, 89 flood warnings and two severe flood warnings in force. This is more than Natural Resources Wales has ever issued. The rivers Taff and Usk reached their highest levels in more than 40 years and, at its peak, 900 tonnes of water per second was flowing down the River Taff.
As a result of these two storms, we have seen severe and widespread flooding in communities in north, mid and south Wales. There are confirmed accounts of more than 1,000 homes suffering internal flooding and more than 300 businesses being directly affected. The threat has not yet passed. Yesterday, a severe flood warning was issued in Bangor-on-Dee and we saw flash flooding in Dolgellau over the weekend following further heavy rain. We do not yet know the full extent of damage. Teams on the ground are continuing to verify the damage and likely cost of repairs as they start the clean-up. The Welsh Government wants to thank everyone involved in the response to the flooding, from the emergency response to the ongoing recovery. The emergency services, local authorities, Natural Resources Wales and volunteers have worked around the clock to address the immediate impact of the flooding.
I have seen first-hand some of the devastation caused as I visited communities across Wales, in Llanrwst, Tylorstown, Pontypridd, Llanhilleth, Crickhowell and Mountain Ash. But many more communities have been affected. I have spoken with people who saw for themselves the incredible response from their local community as schools, halls and centres opened their doors to help those in need. There were incredible acts of kindness and generosity as people came together to help and there were powerful and humbling levels of resilience. One example, Llanhilleth Miners Institute in Blaenau Gwent, provided shelter, advice and three meals a day to all those who needed it.
These floods have had a significant and financial impact on councils, businesses and individuals. Last week, the First Minister chaired an emergency summit, announcing a £10 million fund to help meet the costs of the initial response, including support for those affected by the flooding. However, this of course will not be enough to cover the full costs to repair the damage caused by storms Ciara and Dennis.
The emergency flood relief scheme is now available. Households affected by flooding will be able to claim £500 each with a further payment of £500 available to those without flooding insurance. Support will also be available for businesses and high streets. Business Wales is ready to support affected businesses. Any business affected should contact their helpline, who can provide practical advice, including help with recovery plans.
I've heard from many home owners who lost everything and who have previously been declined flood cover. Since 2016, Flood Re has been in place to enable home owners to access affordable insurance, but there is a lack of awareness about the scheme. I want to work with the insurance sector to ensure Flood Re is publicised more effectively.
Emergency funding for repairs to flood infrastructure was immediately made available after storm Ciara, and extended to cover storm Dennis. Urgent works to assets, including defences and culverts, will be 100 per cent funded by the Welsh Government. This applies to both NRW and local authorities.
The number of properties affected and the damage caused has been devastating. But we know this could have been a lot worse without the network of flood defences. Across Wales, more than 73,000 homes were protected from flooding by this network of flood defences. This is a reflection of the £350 million we've invested in flood risk management since 2016. Going forward, we will work with local authorities and NRW to identify whether more schemes will be needed to further reduce risk. I also want to increase financial and practical support to local authorities to accelerate the development of new flood projects.
My officials are exploring ways to better support the development of new schemes and maintenance works, including providing 100 per cent funding for all preparatory work prior to construction. This would include all costs of modelling and design. We will also explore practical ways on how to progress more natural solutions, and wider catchment management to reduce both the amount and the rate of run-off, to reduce peak flows and help address the quick onset of flooding.
These storms have once again raised the issue of the safety of coal tips for communities living in their shadow. Many of us will have seen images of the dramatic landslip at Tylorstown. There are more than 1,200 of these tips across the former mining areas of south Wales. They are a legacy of our industrial past. Many of these tips were abandoned more than a century ago, and we have been working since devolution to address the issue of tips, and some of the sites have undergone work to transform them. The First Minister met the Secretary of State for Wales yesterday to discuss the safety of these. As a priority, we are working closely with the UK Government and partners—including the Coal Authority, Natural Resources Wales and local authorities—to ensure we have a full picture about the current checks and monitoring systems in place.
All the evidence suggests that we will see more storms as a result of climate change. Later this year, I will publish our new national strategy for flood and coastal erosion, which sets out how we will manage the risk over the coming decade. But flood risk management is more than just building higher and stronger defences. We cannot prevent all flooding. We need to be more resilient, we need to prevent flooding from happening and we need to be better at raising awareness about the risk of flooding so better decisions can be made.
We are promoting wider catchment projects, adaptive measures to respond to climate change, better information provision to communities and the sharing of ideas to do things better. We will continue to support people to recover from these storms and the flooding they caused. I commend and sincerely appreciate the work of all those who continue to work on the recovery effort, supporting people, businesses and communities alike.
Diolch, Llywydd. Dros y pythefnos diwethaf, mae llawer o gymunedau ledled Cymru wedi dioddef effeithiau dinistriol yn sgil stormydd Ciara a Dennis. Rwyf eisiau dweud eto bod fy meddyliau i, a rhai fy nghyd-Aelodau yn y Cabinet, gyda phawb yr effeithiwyd arnynt.
Mae'r ddwy storm hyn yn ddau o'r achosion llifogydd mwyaf difrifol ac eang a welsom ni yng Nghymru ers blynyddoedd lawer. Ar anterth storm Dennis, cafwyd 61 hysbysiad o berygl llifogydd, 89 o rybuddion llifogydd a dau rybudd o lifogydd difrifol. Mae hyn yn fwy nag y mae Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru wedi'i gyhoeddi erioed. Cyrhaeddodd afonydd Taf ac Wysg eu lefelau uchaf mewn mwy na deugain mlynedd ac, ar ei anterth, roedd 900 o dunelli o ddŵr yr eiliad yn llifo i lawr Afon Taf.
O ganlyniad i'r ddwy storm hyn, rydym ni wedi gweld llifogydd difrifol ac eang mewn cymunedau yn y gogledd, yn y canolbarth ac yn y de. Cadarnhawyd bod mwy na 1,000 o gartrefi wedi dioddef llifogydd mewnol ac effeithwyd ar fwy na 300 o fusnesau'n uniongyrchol. Nid yw'r bygythiad wedi mynd heibio eto. Ddoe, cyhoeddwyd rhybudd llifogydd difrifol ym Mangor-is-y-coed a gwelsom lifogydd yn datblygu'n gyflym yn Nolgellau dros y penwythnos yn dilyn mwy o law trwm. Nid ydym yn gwybod hyd a lled y difrod yn llawn eto. Mae timau ar lawr gwlad yn parhau i wirio difrod a chost debygol gwaith trwsio wrth iddyn nhw ddechrau glanhau. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru eisiau diolch i bawb a fu'n gysylltiedig â'r ymateb i'r llifogydd, o'r ymateb brys i'r gwaith adfer sy'n mynd rhagddo ar hyn o bryd. Mae'r gwasanaethau brys, awdurdodau lleol, Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru a gwirfoddolwyr wedi gweithio bob awr o'r dydd a'r nos i fynd i'r afael ag effaith uniongyrchol y llifogydd.
Rwyf wedi gweld drosof fy hun rywfaint o'r dinistr a achoswyd wrth imi ymweld â chymunedau ledled Cymru, yn Llanrwst, Tylorstown, Pontypridd, Llanhiledd, Crucywel ac Aberpennar. Ond mae hyn wedi effeithio ar lawer mwy o gymunedau. Rwyf wedi siarad â phobl a welodd drostynt eu hunain yr ymateb anhygoel gan eu cymuned leol wrth i ysgolion, neuaddau a chanolfannau agor eu drysau i helpu'r rhai mewn angen. Roedd yna weithredoedd anhygoel o garedigrwydd a haelioni, wrth i bobl ddod at ei gilydd i helpu ac roedd y cydnerthedd yn rymus ac yn gwneud i rywun deimlo'n wylaidd iawn. Un enghraifft, Sefydliad Glowyr Llanhiledd ym Mlaenau Gwent, a ddarparodd loches, cyngor a thri phryd y dydd i bawb oedd angen hynny arnynt.
Mae'r llifogydd hyn wedi cael effaith sylweddol ac ariannol ar gynghorau, busnesau ac unigolion. Yr wythnos diwethaf, cadeiriodd y Prif Weinidog uwchgynhadledd frys, gan gyhoeddi cronfa o £10 miliwn i helpu i dalu costau'r ymateb cychwynnol, gan gynnwys cymorth i'r rhai y mae'r llifogydd wedi effeithio arnynt. Fodd bynnag, ni fydd hyn wrth gwrs yn ddigon i dalu'r costau llawn i drwsio'r difrod a achoswyd gan stormydd Ciara a Dennis.
Mae'r cynllun cymorth llifogydd brys bellach ar gael. Gall aelwydydd yr effeithiodd y llifogydd arnynt hawlio £500 yr un gyda thaliad pellach o £500 ar gael i'r rhai sydd heb yswiriant llifogydd. Bydd cymorth hefyd ar gael i fusnesau a strydoedd mawr. Mae Busnes Cymru yn barod i gefnogi busnesau yr effeithir arnynt. Dylai unrhyw fusnes yr effeithiwyd arno gysylltu â'r llinell gymorth, lle gellir cael cyngor ymarferol, gan gynnwys cymorth gyda chynlluniau adfer.
Rwyf wedi clywed gan lawer o berchnogion cartrefi a gollodd bopeth ac y gwrthodwyd yswiriant llifogydd iddynt yn y gorffennol. Ers 2016, mae cynllun 'Flood Re' wedi bod ar waith i alluogi perchnogion cartrefi i gael yswiriant fforddiadwy, ond mae diffyg ymwybyddiaeth o'r cynllun. Rwyf eisiau gweithio gyda'r sector yswiriant i sicrhau y caiff 'Flood Re' gyhoeddusrwydd mwy effeithiol.
Roedd arian brys i drwsio'r seilwaith llifogydd ar gael ar unwaith ar ôl storm Ciara, ac ymestynwyd hynny i gynnwys storm Dennis. Caiff gwaith brys i asedau, gan gynnwys amddiffynfeydd a cheuffosydd, ei ariannu 100 y cant gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Mae hyn yn berthnasol i Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru ac awdurdodau lleol.
Mae nifer yr eiddo yr effeithiwyd arnynt a'r niwed a achoswyd wedi bod yn ddinistriol. Ond gwyddom y gallai hyn fod wedi bod yn llawer gwaeth heb y rhwydwaith o amddiffynfeydd rhag llifogydd. Ar draws Cymru, roedd mwy na 73,000 o gartrefi wedi'u diogelu rhag llifogydd gan y rhwydwaith hwn o amddiffynfeydd rhag llifogydd. Mae hyn yn adlewyrchiad o'r £350 miliwn yr ydym ni wedi ei fuddsoddi mewn rheoli perygl llifogydd ers 2016. Wrth symud ymlaen, byddwn yn gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol a Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru i weld a fydd angen rhagor o gynlluniau i leihau risg ymhellach. Rwyf hefyd eisiau rhoi mwy o gymorth ariannol ac ymarferol i awdurdodau lleol i gyflymu'r gwaith o ddatblygu prosiectau llifogydd newydd.
Mae fy swyddogion yn archwilio ffyrdd o roi gwell cefnogaeth i ddatblygu cynlluniau newydd a gwaith cynnal a chadw, gan gynnwys darparu cyllid o 100 y cant ar gyfer yr holl waith paratoadol cyn y gwaith adeiladu. Byddai hyn yn cynnwys holl gostau modelu a dylunio. Byddwn hefyd yn archwilio ffyrdd ymarferol o ddatblygu atebion mwy naturiol, a rheoli dalgylchoedd yn fwy eang i leihau swm a chyfradd dŵr ffo, i leihau llifoedd brig ac i helpu i fynd i'r afael â'r cynnydd sydyn mewn llifogydd.
Mae'r stormydd hyn unwaith eto wedi codi'r mater o ddiogelwch tomenni glo ar gyfer cymunedau sy'n byw yn eu cysgod. Bydd llawer ohonom ni wedi gweld lluniau o'r tirlithriad syfrdanol yn Tylorstown. Mae mwy na 1,200 o'r tomenni hyn ar draws hen ardaloedd glofaol y de. Maent yn waddol o'n gorffennol diwydiannol. Gadawyd llawer o'r tomenni hyn dros ganrif yn ôl, ac rydym ni wedi bod yn gweithio ers datganoli i fynd i'r afael â'r tomenni hyn, a bu gwaith ar rai safleoedd i'w trawsnewid. Cyfarfu'r Prif Weinidog ag Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru ddoe i drafod diogelwch y rhain. Fel blaenoriaeth, rydym ni'n gweithio'n agos gyda Llywodraeth y DU a phartneriaid—gan gynnwys yr Awdurdod Glo, Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru ac awdurdodau lleol—i sicrhau bod gennym ddarlun llawn o'r systemau gwirio a monitro sydd ar waith ar hyn o bryd.
Mae'r holl dystiolaeth yn awgrymu y byddwn yn gweld mwy o stormydd o ganlyniad i'r newid yn yr hinsawdd. Yn ddiweddarach eleni, byddaf yn cyhoeddi ein strategaeth genedlaethol newydd ar gyfer llifogydd ac erydu arfordirol, sy'n nodi sut y byddwn yn rheoli'r risg dros y degawd nesaf. Ond mae rheoli'r perygl o lifogydd yn fwy na dim ond adeiladu amddiffynfeydd uwch a chryfach. Ni allwn ni atal pob llifogydd. Mae angen i ni fod yn fwy cydnerth, mae angen i ni atal llifogydd ac mae angen i ni fod yn well wrth godi ymwybyddiaeth o berygl llifogydd fel y gellir gwneud penderfyniadau gwell.
Rydym yn hyrwyddo prosiectau dalgylch ehangach, mesurau addasu i ymateb i newid yn yr hinsawdd, darparu gwybodaeth well i gymunedau a rhannu syniadau i wneud pethau'n well. Byddwn yn parhau i helpu pobl i ddechrau ar y gwaith adfer ar ôl y stormydd hyn a'r llifogydd a achoswyd ganddynt. Rwy'n cymeradwyo ac yn gwerthfawrogi'n ddiffuant gwaith pawb sy'n parhau i weithio ar yr ymdrech i adfer y sefyllfa, gan gefnogi pobl, busnesau a chymunedau fel ei gilydd.
Thank you, Minister, for your statement, and I appreciate there will be some cross-over with, obviously, the remarks that the First Minister dealt with during his questions, but rightly so that they were taken in such high profile in the First Minister's questions segment of today's business.
I too would join in the comments that you have identified with and sided with on thanks to the emergency services, to the volunteers, and to individuals themselves, who, in the face of complete and utter devastation of whole lives being washed away, have been remarkable in their courage and fortitude in the way they've faced up—whether that be in the first week of storms, or whether that be in the second week of storms. Looking at the weather this morning, another great big blob of rain, sadly, is due at the end of this week again, it is. And to actually see that resilience in our communities really does show what it is be Welsh, and ultimately stand shoulder to shoulder with each other in their greatest time of need.
I'd like to touch on specific areas, if I may, because I know just from our benches we have six contributions on this particular statement, and so I'd like to be quite precise in what I'm asking you, and I'm sure other Members will deal with those points in the statement.
The coal tips that you touched on is a really important area of concern in many communities, but in particular in my own electoral ward, because most probably that was one of the visuals that people could see played night after night on the news clips. And as you've identified in your statement, there are some 1,200 tips of one shape or form or another across Wales and, as I understand it, a third here in the top category, category D. The First Minister in his answer identified three authorities who are responsible for inspecting those tips—they were the Coal Authority, NRW and councils. Can you confirm that they do have a joined-up inspection process and that when each authority inspects, that information is shared with the other authorities so that there is complete confidence that things aren't sitting on shelves, and when problems might or might not occur, one organisation knew about it but another didn't know about it? And also, can you identify what type of measures might be being considered by Government to move forward in making sure that any advice that is given is acted on, more importantly, because obviously this is going to come at a cost?
I heard what you said about the meeting with the First Minister and the Secretary of State. So far today, I've heard three costs of what people think the potential clear-up operation might be. Yourself in your press conference—this isn't a criticism—this morning touched on tens of millions. The First Minister in his radio broadcast touched on £100 million, and I think in First Minister's questions a Member said £180 million just in Rhondda Cynon Taf alone. So, it is really important for us to understand how Welsh Government, working with its partner organisations and the UK Government, are able to put a final figure on what might be required to support communities and support local authorities and other public agencies, and businesses as well, in seeking that money from the Treasury. Because I think in fairness to the Welsh Government, if demands were coming in thick and fast they would want to know the quantum of what they're being asked for, and I think it's vital that we understand how Government is working to bring that figure to a conclusion, so that we can actually understand the magnitude of what is required here.
I'd also like to understand exactly how the infrastructure points are being taken forward within Government. My colleague Nick Ramsay from Monmouth touched on the clean drinking water situation in Monmouthshire, but other infrastructure issues have stuck up above the parapet on this one. If you take Natural Resources Wales and the issue of the culvert in Pentre in the Rhondda, there are many issues about how this infrastructure is managed and how it is regularly maintained and, importantly, where faults are found, the timeline that is put in place to rectify the faults that are found. Can you indicate how your department interacts with Natural Resources Wales, local authorities and other partner bodies that are responsible, such as Dŵr Cymru, to make sure that when maintenance programmes are required, those maintenance programmes are carried out on that important infrastructure?
I'd also like to understand how you're working with the UK Government on the insurance side of things. I appreciate it's for the insurance industry to step up to the plate and, in fairness, in many instances I've heard of insurance assessors going over and above what would be expected of them to get claims processed and inspect properties so that people can have peace of mind that those inspection claims are being processed in a timely manner. But it is important that the speed of processing and the speed of assessment is kept up, and whilst we move further and further from the date of the actual flood, we can understand that there might be some taking the foot off the throttle on this. That cannot be allowed be happen and you in Government and, in particular, the UK Government working collaboratively, must make sure the insurance sector steps up to the plate on this.
I would again reiterate how important it is that we have the flood risk management strategy as soon as possible. This has been a piece of work that has been undertaken by Welsh Government for some considerable time, and as it is such a vital piece of work to inform Government and other public bodies of what the responsibilities will be, to know that it will be with us in a couple of months really does leave some questions to be asked. If you could be more specific, as it is your department dealing with this, to give us a timeline that we're working to on this and, importantly, the budget consequences that you think that current development work is looking at, then that would be reassuring to say the least, going forward.
With those questions, I look forward to the answers that you'll be able to give but, again, I would like to put on the record my thanks to everyone who has worked over and above and gone that extra mile to give people peace of mind in what has been a very bleak couple of days.
Diolch, Gweinidog, am eich datganiad, ac rwy'n sylweddoli y bydd rhywfaint o orgyffwrdd, yn amlwg, gyda'r sylwadau yr ymdriniodd y Prif Weinidog â nhw yn ystod ei gwestiynau, ond mae hi'n briodol iawn eu bod wedi cael lle mor flaenllaw yn y cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog yn rhan o fusnes heddiw.
Hoffwn innau hefyd ategu'r sylwadau yr ydych chi wedi uniaethu â nhw a'u hategu o ran diolch i'r gwasanaethau brys, i'r gwirfoddolwyr, ac i'r unigolion eu hunain, sydd, yn wyneb y dinistr llwyr o fywydau cyfan yn cael eu golchi ymaith, wedi bod yn rhyfeddol yn eu dewrder a'u cydnerthedd yn y ffordd y maen nhw wedi wynebu—boed hynny yn yr wythnos gyntaf o stormydd, neu boed hynny yn yr ail wythnos o stormydd. Wrth edrych ar y tywydd y bore yma, mae ysbaid arall o law, ysywaeth, wedi ei ddarogan ar gyfer diwedd yr wythnos hon eto. Ac mae gweld bod y cydnerthedd hwnnw yn ein cymunedau mewn gwirionedd yn dangos beth yw hanfod bod yn Gymro neu Gymraes, ac yn y pen draw, sefyll ysgwydd wrth ysgwydd â'i gilydd yn y cyfnod mwyaf anghenus.
Hoffwn grybwyll meysydd penodol, os caf i, oherwydd rwy'n gwybod, dim ond o'n meinciau ni, bod gennym ni chwe chyfraniad at y datganiad arbennig hwn, ac felly hoffwn fod yn eithaf manwl yn yr hyn rwy'n ei ofyn i chi, ac rwy'n siŵr y bydd Aelodau eraill yn ymdrin â'r pwyntiau hynny yn y datganiad.
Mae'r tomenni glo y gwnaethoch chi gyfeirio atyn nhw yn faes pryder gwirioneddol bwysig mewn llawer o gymunedau, ond yn benodol yn fy ward etholiadol fy hun, oherwydd mae'n debyg mai dyna oedd un o'r lluniau yr oedd pobl yn ei weld yn cael ei chwarae noson ar ôl noson ar y clipiau newyddion. Ac fel rydych chi wedi dweud yn eich datganiad, mae tua 1,200 o domenni o ryw ffurf neu'i gilydd ar draws Cymru ac, fel rwy'n ei ddeall, mae traean yma yn y categori uchaf, categori D. Yn ei ateb, soniodd y Prif Weinidog am dri awdurdod sy'n gyfrifol am arolygu'r tomenni hynny—Yr Awdurdod Glo, Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru a chynghorau. A wnewch chi gadarnhau bod ganddynt broses arolygu gydgysylltiedig, a phan fydd pob awdurdod yn arolygu, y caiff yr wybodaeth honno ei rhannu gyda'r awdurdodau eraill, fel bod hyder llwyr nad yw pethau'n cael eu hanghofio, a phan gyfyd problemau neu beidio, y canfyddir fod un sefydliad yn gwybod amdano ond nid y llall? A hefyd, a wnewch chi ddweud pa fath o fesurau y gallai'r Llywodraeth fod yn eu hystyried i symud ymlaen i sicrhau y gweithredir ar unrhyw gyngor a roddir, oherwydd, yn bwysicach na dim, yn amlwg, mae hyn yn mynd i gostio?
Clywais yr hyn y gwnaethoch chi ei ddweud am y cyfarfod gyda'r Prif Weinidog a'r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol. Hyd yn hyn heddiw, rwyf wedi clywed tri swm gwahanol o'r hyn y mae pobl yn ei gredu byddai cost posib y clirio. Fe wnaethoch chi eich hun ddweud yn eich cynhadledd i'r wasg—nid beirniadaeth mo hyn—crybwyllwyd y bore 'ma y swm o ddegau o filiynau. Crybwyllodd y Prif Weinidog yn ei ddarllediad radio £100 miliwn a chredaf yn y cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog y dywedodd aelod y byddai'r gost yn £180 miliwn yn Rhondda Cynon Taf yn unig. Felly, mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod yn deall sut y gall Llywodraeth Cymru, gan weithio gyda'i sefydliadau partner a Llywodraeth y DU, roi ffigur terfynol ar yr hyn y gallai fod ei angen i gefnogi cymunedau a chefnogi awdurdodau lleol ac asiantaethau cyhoeddus eraill, a busnesau hefyd, wrth geisio'r arian hwnnw gan y Trysorlys. Gan fy mod yn credu er tegwch i Lywodraeth Cymru, pe cyflwynid gofynion rif y gwlith, byddent eisiau gwybod faint y gofynnir iddynt amdano, a chredaf ei bod hi'n hanfodol ein bod yn deall sut y mae'r Llywodraeth yn gweithio i bennu ffigur terfynol, er mwyn i ni allu deall swm a sylwedd yr hyn sydd ei angen yma.
Hoffwn hefyd ddeall yn union sut mae'r pwyntiau seilwaith yn cael eu datblygu o fewn y Llywodraeth. Cyfeiriodd fy nghyd-Aelod Nick Ramsay o Drefynwy at y sefyllfa o ran dŵr yfed glân yn Sir Fynwy, ond mae materion eraill yn ymwneud â seilwaith wedi amlygu eu hunain yn hyn o beth. O feddwl am Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru a mater y geuffos ym Mhentre yn y Rhondda, mae llawer o faterion yn codi ynghylch sut y rheolir y seilwaith hwn a sut y caiff ei gynnal yn rheolaidd ac, yn bwysig, os canfyddir diffygion, yr amserlen a roddir ar waith i gywiro'r diffygion a ganfyddir. A wnewch chi ddweud sut y mae eich adran yn rhyngweithio â Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, awdurdodau lleol a chyrff partner eraill sy'n gyfrifol, megis Dŵr Cymru, i sicrhau, pan fydd angen rhaglenni cynnal a chadw, y gwneir y gwaith cynnal a chadw hwnnw ar y seilwaith pwysig hwnnw?
Hoffwn hefyd ddeall sut yr ydych chi'n gweithio gyda Llywodraeth y DU o ran yswiriant. Rwy'n sylweddoli bod yn rhaid i'r diwydiant yswiriant ysgwyddo cyfrifoldeb ac, i fod yn deg, mewn sawl achos rwyf wedi clywed am aseswyr yswiriant yn gwneud llawer mwy na'r disgwyl i gael ceisiadau wedi'u prosesu ac archwilio eiddo fel y gall pobl fod yn dawel eu byd bod y ceisiadau arolygu hynny'n cael eu prosesu mewn modd amserol. Ond mae hi yn bwysig y delir ati i brosesu ac asesu'n gyflym, ac wrth inni symud ymhellach ac ymhellach o ddyddiad y llifogydd eu hunain, gallwn ddeall y gallai fod rhai yn llaesu dwylo yn hyn o beth. Ni ellir caniatáu hynny ac mae'n rhaid i chi yn y Llywodraeth ac, yn enwedig, drwy gydweithio â Llywodraeth y DU, sicrhau bod y sector yswiriant yn ysgwyddo cyfrifoldeb yn hyn o beth.
Byddwn eto'n ailadrodd mor bwysig yw hi inni gael y strategaeth rheoli perygl llifogydd cyn gynted ag y bo modd. Bu hwn yn ddarn o waith y bu Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio arno ers cryn amser, a chan ei fod yn ddarn o waith mor hanfodol i hysbysu'r Llywodraeth a chyrff cyhoeddus eraill o beth fydd y cyfrifoldebau, mae clywed y bydd ar gael inni mewn rhyw ddau fis yn gadael, mewn difrif calon, rai cwestiynau i'w hateb. Os wnewch chi fod yn fwy penodol, gan mai eich adran chi sy'n ymdrin â hyn, o ran rhoi amserlen i ni yr ydym yn gweithio iddi yn hyn o beth ac, yn bwysig, yr hyn y credwch chi fydd goblygiadau cyllidebol y gwaith datblygu cyfredol, yna byddai hynny'n tawelu meddyliau rhywun a dweud y lleiaf, wrth symud ymlaen.
Gyda'r cwestiynau hynny, edrychaf ymlaen at yr atebion y gallwch chi eu rhoi ond, unwaith eto, hoffwn ddiolch ar goedd i bawb a weithiodd mor ddygn ac a aeth yr ail filltir honno i roi tawelwch meddwl yn ystod dyddiau llwm iawn.
Thank you, Andrew R.T. Davies, for those observations and questions. I don't think we can thank the emergency services, local authorities, the volunteers and third sector organisations such as NRW and Dŵr Cymru enough. I think we just need to continue to do that over the coming days and weeks.
You started your questions around the coal tips, and I think you're right, that very visual image of the water coming down in Tylorstown, that was something that, as you say, was played over and over again. The First Minister and I visited Tylorstown last Tuesday—I think it was—to see it for ourselves, and I was very pleased to see that the Rhondda Cynon Taf local authority, who, I think, have been exemplary in their dealings with residents, had gone to great lengths to ensure that they were talking to residents who were obviously concerned when that happened. This is clearly a priority around the ongoing work that needs doing in relation to the coal tips and, as you say, the First Minister met with the Secretary of State yesterday and I understand a further meeting will be convened, I think at an official level, next week. These tips are owned by a variety of organisations, and even some of them are privately owned. So, it is vital that there is that joined-up approach between the Coal Authority, NRW, and local authorities going forward.
In relation to your questions around insurance, I think that was a really good point. I heard you say that you'd listened to the lobby briefing this morning. I went to great pains to say that the representative who attended the flood summit last week from the insurance association, he said that the assessors would be out there as quick as possible. They'd, sort of, doubled up their efforts to make sure that that happened because, I think, certainly in the lobby briefing this morning, journalists were raising with me their concern that insurance companies tried not to pay out if they could, which—that wasn't the understanding that we had from the representative who was there, and that these assessors would go out. In fact, the First Minister and I were at a meeting of RCT's group that they brought together in relation to ongoing work following the floods, and there was an individual there who owned property on the Treforest industrial estate that's been particularly badly affected, and that morning his assessor had been out. So, certainly within 48 hours, the insurance assessor had been out. So, I think that we should pay tribute to those that do that.
You asked for a final figure. I'm afraid you're going to have to be very patient. We are not going to be able to give a final figure as to the entire cost of this for a long time. So, if you just think about RCT, for instance, we know there are several bridges that have been damaged, but it's not safe for divers to go down yet to see what damage is done. So, it is going to be a long process and we are not going to be able to give a final figure. So, you heard me say tens of millions, the First Minister the same, and I heard somebody say £180 million. I haven't heard that specific figure of £180 million, but I can assure you it will be tens of millions of pounds. I was in Mountain Ash with Vikki Howells last week, and just to see the debris alone on the streets that had come off the mountain, it is incredible that nobody was killed. All that is going to take a lot of money, a lot of time, and a lot of resources.
Around the strategy, I heard you say in your question to the First Minister that two years ago we were promised this. Well, we only closed the consultation in the autumn of last year, and the strategy will set out our strategic direction alongside revised objectives and measures for delivery over the next decade. I do think it's really benefited for that consultation and for the feedback, the workshops, the close working groups that we've had, the work we've done with our stakeholders following the responses, and I will be publishing it later this year.
Diolch, Andrew R.T. Davies, am y sylwadau a'r cwestiynau yna. Nid wyf yn credu y gallwn ni ddiolch digon i'r gwasanaethau brys, awdurdodau lleol, y gwirfoddolwyr a sefydliadau'r trydydd sector fel Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru a Dŵr Cymru. Rwy'n credu bod angen i ni barhau i wneud hynny dros y dyddiau a'r wythnosau nesaf.
Fe wnaethoch chi ddechrau eich cwestiynau gyda'r tomenni glo, ac rwy'n credu eich bod yn iawn, y darlun trawiadol iawn hwnnw o'r dŵr yn pistyllio yn Tylorstown, roedd hynny'n rhywbeth, fel y dywedwch chi, a ddangoswyd droeon. Ymwelodd y Prif Weinidog a minnau â Thylorstown ddydd Mawrth diwethaf—rwy'n credu—i'w weld drosom ein hunain, ac roeddwn yn falch iawn o weld bod awdurdod lleol Rhondda Cynon Taf, sydd, mi gredaf, wedi bod yn rhagorol wrth ymwneud â thrigolion, wedi mynd i drafferth i sicrhau eu bod yn siarad â thrigolion a oedd yn amlwg yn bryderus pan ddigwyddodd hynny. Mae hyn yn amlwg yn flaenoriaeth o ran y gwaith parhaus y mae angen ei wneud mewn cysylltiad â'r tomenni glo ac, fel y dywedwch chi, cyfarfu'r Prif Weinidog â'r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol ddoe a deallaf y cynhelir cyfarfod arall, swyddogol, rwy'n credu, yr wythnos nesaf. Mae amrywiaeth o sefydliadau yn berchen ar y tomenni hyn, ac mae hyd yn oed rhai ohonyn nhw mewn dwylo preifat. Felly, mae'n hanfodol bod yr Awdurdod Glo, Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, ac awdurdodau lleol yn gweithio yn y modd cydgysylltiedig hwnnw yn y dyfodol.
O ran eich cwestiynau ynghylch yswiriant, credaf fod hwnnw'n bwynt gwirioneddol dda. Fe'ch clywais yn dweud eich bod wedi gwrando ar y sesiwn friffio i'r lobi y bore yma. Es i drafferth i ddweud bod cynrychiolydd y gymdeithas yswiriant a fu yn yr uwchgynhadledd llifogydd yr wythnos diwethaf wedi dweud y byddai'r aseswyr yn ymweld mor gyflym â phosib. Roedden nhw wedi dyblu eu hymdrechion i wneud yn siŵr bod hynny'n digwydd oherwydd, rwy'n credu, yn sicr yn y sesiwn friffio i'r lobi y bore yma, roedd newyddiadurwyr yn sôn wrthyf am eu pryder bod cwmnïau yswiriant yn ceisio peidio â thalu os gallen nhw, sef—nid dyna'r ddealltwriaeth a gawsom ni gan y cynrychiolydd a oedd yno, ac y byddai'r aseswyr hyn yn ymweld. Yn wir, roedd y Prif Weinidog a minnau mewn cyfarfod o grŵp Rhondda Cynon Taf a ddygwyd ynghyd ganddyn nhw o ran y gwaith sy'n mynd rhagddo yn dilyn y llifogydd, ac roedd unigolyn yno a oedd yn berchen ar eiddo ar Ystâd Ddiwydiannol Trefforest yr effeithiwyd yn arbennig o ddrwg arno, a'r bore hwnnw roedd ei asesydd wedi bod yno. Felly, yn sicr o fewn 48 awr, roedd yr asesydd yswiriant wedi ymweld. Felly, credaf y dylem ni dalu teyrnged i'r rhai sy'n gwneud hynny.
Fe wnaethoch chi ofyn am ffigur terfynol. Rwy'n ofni y bydd yn rhaid i chi fod yn amyneddgar iawn. Nid ydym yn mynd i allu rhoi ffigur terfynol ynglŷn â'r holl gost am gyfnod hir. Felly, os ydych chi'n meddwl am Rondda Cynon Taf, er enghraifft, gwyddom fod sawl pont wedi'u difrodi, ond nid yw'n ddiogel i ddeifwyr fynd i'r dŵr eto i weld pa ddifrod a fu. Felly, mae'n mynd i fod yn broses hir ac nid ydym yn mynd i allu rhoi ffigur terfynol. Felly, clywsoch fi'n dweud degau o filiynau, y Prif Weinidog yr un fath, a chlywais rywun yn dweud £180 miliwn. Nid wyf wedi clywed y ffigur penodol hwnnw o £180 miliwn, ond gallaf eich sicrhau y bydd yn ddegau o filiynau o bunnau. Roeddwn yn Aberpennar gyda Vikki Howells yr wythnos diwethaf, a dim ond o weld y deunydd ar y strydoedd a ysgubwyd oddi ar y mynydd, mae'n anhygoel na chafodd neb ei ladd. Mae hynny i gyd yn mynd i gymryd llawer o arian, llawer o amser, a llawer o adnoddau.
O ran y strategaeth, fe'ch clywais yn dweud yn eich cwestiwn i'r Prif Weinidog ein bod wedi cael addewid o hyn ddwy flynedd yn ôl. Wel, dim ond yn yr hydref y llynedd y gwnaethom gau'r ymgynghoriad, a bydd y strategaeth yn amlinellu ein cyfeiriad strategol law yn llaw ag amcanion a mesurau diwygiedig ar gyfer cyflawni dros y degawd nesaf. Rwy'n credu y bu hi o fudd mawr i'r ymgynghoriad hwnnw ac i'r adborth, y gweithdai, y gweithgorau agos yr ydym wedi'u cael, y gwaith yr ydym ni wedi'i wneud gyda'n rhanddeiliaid yn dilyn yr ymatebion, a byddaf yn ei gyhoeddi'n ddiweddarach eleni.
I'd like to place on record my thanks to the emergency services, as others have as well, but I also want to pay a special thanks to the community volunteers because, initially, some people saw no-one official at all, and these volunteer teams were a lifeline to people.
I have to say as well that last week was one of the toughest weeks I've had to face as an Assembly Member representing the communities where I grew up. It's been absolutely gut-wrenching to see how the lives of people have been torn apart just over the course of one weekend. I've spoken with many, many people who have been affected, and the initial shock turned to anger quite quickly and frustration about what happened and the lack of support from certain agencies at the events that led up to the flooding, events that, in the eyes of many people, exacerbated the floods. So, on behalf of all of those people, I have some questions for the Minister and for this Government.
Many culverts and rivers became blocked as a result of hundreds of tons of debris left behind after tree felling operations was washed down the mountains. The drainage network stood no chance. This was particularly evident in Pentre, where many streets were flooded by a deluge the town has not seen the likes of. Natural Resources Wales, responsible for tree felling and leaving the material behind, have admitted that the debris contributed to the flood and have pledged to review their policies internally. Minister, this isn't good enough, especially as Pleasant Street in Pentre was flooded for a second time. Now, as the Minister responsible for Natural Resources Wales, will you insist on a full and independent investigation into what happened? And if that investigation deems Natural Resources Wales were liable for the flooding, will you ensure that people are fully reimbursed for the damages, in full, without any consequence to their home or car insurance policies?
In terms of keeping waterways clear, some residents took matters into their own hands—they were forced to because help was not on its way. In Ynyshir, people lowered themselves down underneath a road bridge and used saws to cut into a mass of tree limbs, twigs and muck that had formed a dam and blocked the river below the bridge. This happened in a number of places. So, will concerted efforts be made to ensure that all culverts and waterways are cleared as a matter of urgency?
As part of any review into the floods, will you also look at how other countries cope with flooding in order to learn best practice? The Netherlands has to be an obvious example; people there live below sea level without the problems that we have seen here.
As people attempt to rebuild their lives, help with the cost of utility bills are needed. Once water and muck is swept out, the next stage is to dry out all affected parts of the property, and industrial heaters and dehumidifiers are deployed. But, of course, they're energy intensive and very expensive to run, which means that people could be forced into fuel poverty just by drying out their home. In the absence of a publicly owned energy company in Wales that prioritises people and not profit, like the one Plaid Cymru proposes, will you look at ways in which assistance can be provided to households struggling to cope with the energy cost of dealing with the aftermath of the flooding?
I'm also concerned by the psychological damage the flooding has caused to people, especially, but not exclusively, to children who are often less experienced and therefore less resilient to deal with trauma on this level. The community pulled together in the Rhondda last week to put on a fun day for the children who were affected, which was great, but professional support is needed. Schools are being brilliant, but what additional efforts are being made to ensure that mental health support and counselling is available to children as well as to adults in order to cope with the aftermath of this devastation?
And finally for now, will the Government also look at ensuring that people in Wales have parity with people in England when it comes to flood relief? I note that there's a flood resilience scheme in England that offers up to £5,000 to households to futureproof themselves from flooding. That would be welcome to many, along with what seems to be enhanced support in England for businesses that have been caught up with the floods as well. Can we expect people in Wales to see something similar?
Hoffwn ddiolch ar goedd i'r gwasanaethau brys, fel y mae eraill wedi ei wneud hefyd, ond rwyf eisiau diolch yn arbennig i'r gwirfoddolwyr cymunedol oherwydd, ar y dechrau, ni welodd rhai pobl unrhyw un swyddogol o gwbl, ac roedd y timau gwirfoddol hyn yn achubiaeth i bobl.
Mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud hefyd bod yr wythnos ddiwethaf yn un o'r wythnosau anoddaf rwyf wedi gorfod eu hwynebu fel Aelod Cynulliad sy'n cynrychioli'r cymunedau lle cefais fy magu. Mae wedi bod yn gwbl dorcalonnus gweld sut mae bywydau pobl wedi cael eu rhwygo'n ddarnau yn ystod dim ond un penwythnos. Rwyf wedi siarad â llawer iawn iawn o bobl yr effeithiwyd arnyn nhw, a throdd y sioc gychwynnol yn ddicter yn bur gyflym a rhwystredigaeth ynghylch yr hyn a ddigwyddodd a'r diffyg cefnogaeth gan rai asiantaethau yn y digwyddiadau a arweiniodd at y llifogydd, digwyddiadau a oedd, yng ngolwg llawer o bobl, wedi gwaethygu'r llifogydd. Felly, ar ran yr holl bobl hynny, mae gennyf rai cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog ac i'r Llywodraeth hon.
Cafodd llawer o geuffosydd ac afonydd eu rhwystro o ganlyniad i gannoedd o dunelli o rwbel a adawyd ar ôl yn sgil gwaith cwympo coed gael ei olchi i lawr y mynyddoedd. Nid oedd gan y rhwydwaith draenio unrhyw siawns. Roedd hyn yn arbennig o amlwg ym Mhentre, lle bu llifogydd ar rai strydoedd na welodd y dref erioed eu tebyg. Mae Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, sy'n gyfrifol am dorri coed a gadael y deunydd ar ôl, wedi cyfaddef bod y malurion wedi cyfrannu at y llifogydd ac wedi addo adolygu eu polisïau'n fewnol. Gweinidog, nid yw hyn yn ddigon da, yn enwedig gan fod Pleasant Street ym Mhentre wedi dioddef llifogydd am yr eildro. Nawr, fel y Gweinidog sy'n gyfrifol am Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, a fyddwch chi'n mynnu ymchwiliad llawn ac annibynnol i'r hyn a ddigwyddodd? Ac os yw'r ymchwiliad hwnnw'n barnu bod Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn atebol am y llifogydd, a wnewch chi sicrhau y caiff pobl eu had-dalu'n llawn am y difrod, yn llawn, heb unrhyw effaith o gwbl ar eu polisïau yswiriant cartref neu gar?
O ran cadw dyfrffyrdd yn glir, aeth rhai trigolion â materion i'w dwylo eu hunain—gorfodwyd nhw i wneud hynny am nad oedd cymorth ar ei ffordd. Yn Ynyshir, roedd pobl yn gostwng eu hunain o dan bont ffordd ac yn defnyddio llifiau i dorri toreth o goesau coed, brigau a mwd oedd wedi ffurfio argae ac wedi rhwystro'r afon o dan y bont. Digwyddodd hyn mewn sawl lle. Felly, a fydd ymdrechion glew yn cael eu gwneud i sicrhau y caiff pob ceuffos a dyfrffordd eu clirio fel mater o frys?
Fel rhan o unrhyw adolygiad o'r llifogydd, a wnewch chi edrych hefyd ar sut y mae gwledydd eraill yn ymdopi â llifogydd er mwyn dysgu'r arferion gorau? Mae'n rhaid bod yr Iseldiroedd yn enghraifft amlwg; mae pobl yno'n byw islaw lefel y môr heb y problemau yr ydym ni wedi'u gweld yma.
Wrth i bobl geisio ailadeiladu eu bywydau, mae angen cymorth gyda chost biliau cyfleustodau. Ar ôl ysgubo dŵr a baw allan, y cam nesaf yw sychu'r holl rannau o'r eiddo yr effeithiwyd arnyn nhw, a defnyddir dadleithyddion a gwresogyddion diwydiannol. Ond, wrth gwrs, maen nhw'n defnyddio llawer o ynni ac yn ddrud iawn i'w rhedeg, sy'n golygu y gallai pobl gael eu gorfodi i ddioddef tlodi tanwydd drwy ddim ond sychu eu cartref. Yn absenoldeb cwmni ynni yng Nghymru sydd mewn perchenogaeth gyhoeddus ac sy'n rhoi blaenoriaeth i bobl ac nid elw, fel yr un a gynigir gan Blaid Cymru, a wnewch chi edrych ar ffyrdd y gellir darparu cymorth i aelwydydd sy'n cael trafferth ymdopi ag ôl-effeithiau llifogydd o ran costau ynni?
Rwyf hefyd yn pryderu am y niwed seicolegol y mae'r llifogydd wedi'i achosi i bobl, yn enwedig, ond nid yn unig, i blant sy'n aml yn llai profiadol ac felly'n llai cydnerth i ymdrin â thrawma fel hyn. Tynnodd y gymuned ynghyd yn y Rhondda yr wythnos diwethaf i gynnal diwrnod hwyl i'r plant yr effeithiwyd arnynt, a oedd yn wych, ond mae angen cefnogaeth broffesiynol. Mae ysgolion yn wych, ond pa ymdrechion ychwanegol a wneir i sicrhau bod cymorth a chwnsela iechyd meddwl ar gael i blant yn ogystal ag i oedolion er mwyn dygymod â chanlyniad y dinistr hwn?
Ac yn olaf am nawr, a wnaiff y Llywodraeth hefyd ystyried sicrhau bod pobl yng Nghymru yn cael yr un driniaeth â phobl yn Lloegr o ran lliniaru llifogydd? Sylwaf fod cynllun gwrthsefyll llifogydd yn Lloegr sy'n cynnig hyd at £5,000 o gartrefi i ddiogelu eu hunain rhag llifogydd. Byddai hynny'n cael ei groesawu gan lawer, ynghyd â'r hyn sydd i'w weld yn gymorth ychwanegol yn Lloegr i fusnesau a gawsant eu dal yn y llifogydd hefyd. A allwn ni ddisgwyl i bobl yng Nghymru weld rhywbeth tebyg?
I'd like to begin by echoing Leanne Wood's remarks around the community volunteers, and I mentioned volunteers, the third sector and the communities in my statement too. I certainly saw that right across Wales over the last two weeks, and that coming together of communities.
I agree with you, I think last week was one of the toughest weeks I've had as an elected representative, to see the devastation and the trauma, and I don't think 'trauma' is too strong a word to use with people who, as you say, have lost everything. And I repeat again, I think we've been very lucky that nobody was killed. I'm sorry to hear that you came across anger, frustration and blame, because I certainly didn't. Last week, nobody said that word to me; everybody was incredibly grateful. I do appreciate that it's very early days and there is a long way to go. And if your house has had 4 ft of water—. The two streets I was in in Blaenau Gwent, which had never flooded before, they went from six inches to 4 ft of water at 3 o'clock in the morning in 20 minutes. That is so traumatic, and I absolutely would have understood if they were angry with me, but what I got in those streets was, 'Please let me go upstairs and make you and your team a cup of tea, because you're very cold and wet.' So, I didn't come across that. I certainly would understand if I had, but I think people were just incredibly grateful. And you heard the First Minister say in his answers that that was the first thing that they wanted to share—their gratitude for the support and help they received.
In relation to the drainage network, I know, over the weekend—. On the Sunday, I spoke to Andrew Morgan, the leader of RCT, and there were some culverts that they cleared three times. From Friday evening, knowing the storm was coming, they cleared them three times, but, each time, debris was coming off the mountain or from the rivers or from streets. So, we are providing 100 per cent funding for clearance of grids and culverts going forward to assist local authorities to do that very quickly.
You mentioned about learning from other countries, and, of course, best practice should always be shared, and I'd be very happy if any Members have got any examples of best practice, but, certainly, I think we must look at other countries to see how they do it, in the way that other countries are looking, for instance, at coal tips. We are international experts there; we have people from all over the world come to this country to look at that.
Psychological—and you mentioned children specifically, and I know that Delyth Jewell raised that with the Trefnydd in her statement. You will have heard that this is completely a cross-Government response to the flooding, and, obviously, this is an issue that we can take up with the Minister for health and the Minister for Education—they're both here to hear your question around that.
In relation to the cost of energy, clearly this is going to be ongoing as part of the costs going forward. It's not just about infrastructure; it is about such things as for people to get those dehumidifiers in the houses. But this is—. As I say, this is going to be a long-term approach; it could be months before people are able to return to their homes, for instance, so we need to look at that as part of our ongoing response.
Hoffwn ddechrau drwy adleisio sylwadau Leanne Wood am y gwirfoddolwyr cymunedol, a soniais am wirfoddolwyr, y trydydd sector a'r cymunedau yn fy natganiad hefyd. Yn sicr, gwelais hynny ledled Cymru dros y pythefnos diwethaf, a'r ffaith bod cymunedau'n dod ynghyd.
Rwy'n cytuno â chi, rwy'n credu y bu'r wythnos diwethaf yn un o'r wythnosau anoddaf yr wyf wedi'u cael yn gynrychiolydd etholedig, i weld y dinistr a'r trawma, ac nid wyf yn credu bod 'trawma' yn air rhy gryf i'w ddefnyddio gyda phobl sydd, fel y dywedwch chi, wedi colli popeth. Ac rwy'n ailadrodd eto, rwy'n credu y buom ni'n ffodus iawn na chafodd neb ei ladd. Mae'n ddrwg gennyf glywed ichi weld dicter, rhwystredigaeth a bai, oherwydd yn sicr ni welais i ddim. Yr wythnos diwethaf, ni ddywedodd neb y gair hwnnw wrthyf; roedd pawb yn ddiolchgar tu hwnt. Rwy'n sylweddoli mai dyddiau cynnar iawn yw hi a bod ffordd bell i fynd. Ac os oedd pedair troedfedd o ddŵr yn eich tŷ—. Y ddwy stryd yr oeddwn i arnynt ym Mlaenau Gwent, nad oedd erioed wedi cael llifogydd o'r blaen, aethant o chwe modfedd i bedair troedfedd o ddŵr am 3 o'r gloch y bore mewn 20 munud. Mae hynny mor drawmatig, a byddwn yn sicr wedi deall pe baent yn ddig wrthyf, ond yr hyn a gefais yn y strydoedd hynny oedd, 'Gadewch imi fynd i fyny'r grisiau a gwneud paned o de i chi a'ch tîm, gan eich bod yn oer iawn ac yn wlyb.' Felly, ni ddes ar draws hynny. Yn sicr, byddwn yn deall petawn i wedi dod ar draws hynny, ond rwy'n credu bod pobl yn ddiolchgar tu hwnt. Ac fe glywsoch y Prif Weinidog yn dweud yn ei atebion mai dyna'r peth cyntaf yr oedden nhw eisiau ei rannu—eu diolch am y gefnogaeth a'r cymorth a gawsant.
O ran y rhwydwaith draenio, rwy'n gwybod, dros y penwythnos—. Ar y Sul, siaradais ag Andrew Morgan, arweinydd Rhondda Cynon Taf, ac roedd rhai ceuffosydd a gliriwyd ganddynt dair gwaith. O nos Wener, o wybod bod y storm yn dod, fe'u cliriwyd dair gwaith, ond, bob tro, roedd malurion yn dod oddi ar y mynydd neu o'r afonydd neu o'r strydoedd. Felly, rydym yn darparu 100 y cant o gyllid ar gyfer clirio gridiau a cheuffosydd wrth symud ymlaen i gynorthwyo awdurdodau lleol i wneud hynny'n gyflym iawn.
Fe wnaethoch chi sôn am ddysgu o wledydd eraill, ac, wrth gwrs, dylid rhannu arferion gorau bob amser, a byddwn yn hapus iawn pe bai gan unrhyw aelodau unrhyw enghreifftiau o arferion gorau, ond, yn sicr, credaf fod yn rhaid inni edrych ar wledydd eraill i weld sut maen nhw'n gwneud hynny, yn y ffordd y mae gwledydd eraill yn edrych, er enghraifft, ar domenni glo. Rydym ni'n arbenigwyr rhyngwladol yn y maes hwnnw; mae gennym bobl o bob cwr o'r byd yn dod i'r wlad hon i edrych ar hynny.
O ran yr agwedd seicolegol—ac fe wnaethoch chi sôn am blant yn benodol, ac rwy'n gwybod bod Delyth Jewell wedi codi hynny gyda'r Trefnydd yn ei datganiad. Byddwch wedi clywed mai ymateb trawslywodraethol i'r llifogydd yw hyn yn llwyr, ac, yn amlwg, mae hwn yn fater y gallwn ni ei ddwyn i sylw'r Gweinidog Iechyd a'r Gweinidog Addysg—mae'r ddau ohonyn nhw yma i glywed eich cwestiwn ynghylch hynny.
O ran cost ynni, mae'n amlwg y bydd hyn yn parhau yn rhan o'r costau wrth symud ymlaen. Nid yw'n ymwneud â seilwaith yn unig; mae'n ymwneud â phethau megis trefnu bod pobl yn cael y dadleithyddion hynny yn y tai. Ond dyma—. Fel y dywedais, bydd hyn yn ddull gweithredu tymor hir; gallai fod yn fisoedd cyn y gall pobl ddychwelyd i'w cartrefi, er enghraifft, felly mae angen inni edrych ar hynny yn rhan o'n hymateb parhaus.
Minister, I'm going to concentrate mainly on the disasters that hit Rhondda Cynon Taf, because of the focus and concentration of the deluge, but can I first of all thank you for coming to my constituency? Can I also thank the First Minister for coming and visiting in the immediate aftermath? Can I thank Jeremy Corbyn? Can I thank Adam Price, and the Prince of Wales, who also came to visit? Because those visits are important, because they are an act of solidarity with hard-hit communities. They also uplift morale, and they show that we care and that we are listening. So, I thank all those who actually came to visit—and how well received they were by persons who were cleaning out their houses at the very time that those visits took place—and also reiterate again my thanks to not only the public sector and emergency workers, but the volunteers, many of whom are still, at this very moment, working away, helping within their communities. And a particular thanks to the leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf council, Andrew Morgan, because I think it's been almost universally accepted that the response from RCT almost immediately has been exemplary and has been outstanding and it has been an honour to work with him and his colleagues and with all those public sector workers in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
If I can make a comment also in terms of the scale of the damage, that, as is obvious to so many people, it is those—some of the communities in my constituency, it is some of those who had the least who have lost everything. And how important the grants, the contributions that have been made, the donations that have been made to a fund that myself and the MP Alex Davies-Jones made, which, within a matter of days, had achieved in the region of £30,000, and all the other funds that have been set up to do that.
I spoke with the council leader this morning about the actual scale of the damage—it's important to get this on the record—in Rhondda Cynon Taf. There are nine bridges closed—severe damage to those bridges and they may all need replacing. The council have inspected 199 bridges; there are 32 left to inspect. There are dozens and dozens of collapsed river walls and collapsed, damaged culverts, all of which have to be dealt with. There has been the inspection of 43 category C and D coal tips. There is a considerable list being drawn up in respect of the work needed on highway inspections and highway repairs.
We have in Rhondda Cynon Taf 557 flooded homes—25 per cent of the UK total. We have 500 flood-damaged business properties, and the businesses damaged alone in one area of Treforest, where something like 90 per cent of the businesses were affected, is potentially estimated at around £100 million to £150 million. So, the guesstimate from the council—and it can only be a guesstimate at this stage—is in the region of £30 million to £40 million of damage, but I suspect it is going to be considerably more once those inspections are actually completed, and I know the council leader wanted to put on record the thanks for the support. He has had vehicles and equipment from other local authorities around Wales, and it is that community spirit across Wales that is something that I think, as a country and as a community, we can be so proud of.
Can I just say one thing also, then, in respect of the money that is actually needed? We are not asking for some extra devolution handout. We are part of the United Kingdom, we pay into the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister is the Minister of the union, and it is incumbent on any union to actually help those areas when disaster hits. What is being asked for is no more than any part of the United Kingdom—Wales, England, Scotland or Northern Ireland—could ask for and, in the past, have actually received.
Can I ask for one particular thing that I think does need to be done, and that is, firstly, to assure everybody that Pontypridd is open for business? Because those businesses are up and running, despite some of the damage they still have, and that has been a remarkable effort. Can I thank the Secretary of State for Wales in respect of the fast action in respect of the derogation in respect of the Department of Social Security?
And can I then ask one further thing, and that is: we need to specifically look at specialist advice being given to our communities in respect of the issue of insurance. There are many who have insurance, there are all sorts of games that are being played by the insurance industry—'Is it flood damage? Is it storm damage?' or whatever. The fact of the matter is, I think this is a matter where the Association of British Insurers really need to rein in and take control of the situation, engage with Government and local government, and ensure, firstly, that those people who have insurance are properly compensated under their insurance policies. And then I reiterate everything that the First Minister has said, that is we need to look at the existing arrangements that may be available in terms of insurance and, possibly, how we may even devise and enhance a specific Welsh arrangement, to ensure that our people do not suffer. Thank you, Minister.
Gweinidog, rwy'n mynd i ganolbwyntio'n bennaf ar y trychinebau a darodd Rhondda Cynon Taf, oherwydd bod y dilyw yno mor ddrwg a sylweddol, ond a gaf i yn gyntaf oll ddiolch i chi am ddod i'm hetholaeth? A gaf i hefyd ddiolch i'r Prif Weinidog am ddod i ymweld yn syth wedyn? A gaf i ddiolch i Jeremy Corbyn? A gaf i ddiolch i Adam Price, a Thywysog Cymru, a ddaeth i ymweld hefyd? Oherwydd mae'r ymweliadau hynny'n bwysig, am eu bod yn weithred o undod â chymunedau sydd wedi'u taro'n galed. Maen nhw hefyd yn codi ysbryd, ac yn dangos ein bod yn poeni a'n bod yn gwrando. Felly, diolchaf i bawb a ddaeth i ymweld—ac am y croeso a roddwyd iddyn nhw gan bobl a oedd yn glanhau eu tai ar yr union adeg y cynhaliwyd yr ymweliadau hynny—a hoffwn hefyd ddiolch eto nid yn unig i'r sector cyhoeddus a gweithwyr y gwasanaethau brys, ond i'r gwirfoddolwyr, y mae llawer ohonynt yn dal i fod, ar hyn o bryd, yn gweithio, yn helpu yn eu cymunedau. A diolch yn arbennig i arweinydd Cyngor Rhondda Cynon Taf, Andrew Morgan, oherwydd credaf y bu bron i bawb dderbyn y bu'r ymateb gan Rondda Cynon Taf o'r dechrau'n deg bron yn rhagorol ac yn wych ac mae wedi bod yn anrhydedd gweithio gydag ef a'i gydweithwyr a chyda'r holl weithwyr sector cyhoeddus hynny yn Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Os caf i wneud sylw hefyd o ran maint y difrod, sef, fel sy'n amlwg i gynifer o bobl, y rheini—rhai o'r cymunedau yn fy etholaeth i, rhai o'r rhai hynny a oedd â'r lleiaf sydd wedi colli popeth. A pha mor bwysig yw'r grantiau, y cyfraniadau a wnaed, y rhoddion a wnaed i gronfa a sefydlwyd gennyf i a'r AS Alex Davies-Jones a, a oedd, o fewn ychydig ddyddiau, wedi codi tua £30,000, a'r holl gronfeydd eraill a sefydlwyd i wneud hynny.
Siaradais ag arweinydd y cyngor y bore yma am union faint y difrod—mae'n bwysig cofnodi hyn—yn Rhondda Cynon Taf. Mae naw pont wedi'u cau—mae difrod difrifol i'r pontydd hynny ac efallai fod angen eu hadnewyddu i gyd. Mae'r Cyngor wedi arolygu 199 o bontydd; mae 32 ar ôl i'w harchwilio. Mae dwsinau a dwsinau o furiau afonydd wedi dymchwel a cheuffosydd wedi dymchwel, wedi'u difrodi, ac mae'n rhaid ymdrin â phob un ohonynt. Archwiliwyd 43 o domenni glo categori C a D. Mae rhestr sylweddol yn cael ei llunio ynglŷn â'r gwaith sydd angen ei wneud o ran archwilio priffyrdd ac atgyweirio priffyrdd.
Mae gennym ni 557 o gartrefi sydd wedi dioddef llifogydd yn Rhondda Cynon Taf—25 y cant o gyfanswm y DU. Mae gennym ni 500 o eiddo busnes a ddifrodwyd gan lifogydd, ac mae amcangyfrif bod y difrod a wnaed i fusnesau mewn dim ond un ardal o Drefforest, lle mae'n bosibl yr effeithiwyd ar tua 90 y cant o'r busnesau, oddeutu £100 miliwn i £150 miliwn. Felly, mae'r dyfalbris a gafwyd gan y cyngor—a dim ond dyfalbris y gall e fod ar y cam hwn— tua £30 miliwn i £40 miliwn o ddifrod, ond tybiaf y bydd yn fwy o lawer unwaith y caiff yr arolygiadau hynny eu cwblhau, ac rwy'n gwybod bod arweinydd y Cyngor eisiau diolch ar goedd am y gefnogaeth. Mae wedi cael cerbydau ac offer gan awdurdodau lleol eraill o gwmpas Cymru, ac mae'r ysbryd cymunedol hwnnw ledled Cymru yn rhywbeth rwy'n credu, fel gwlad ac fel cymuned, y gallwn fod mor falch ohono.
A gaf i ddweud un peth hefyd, o ran yr arian sydd ei angen mewn gwirionedd? Nid ydym yn gofyn am arian datganoli ychwanegol. Rydym yn rhan o'r Deyrnas Unedig, rydym yn cyfrannu'n ariannol at y Deyrnas Unedig. Mae Prif Weinidog Prydain yn Weinidog yr Undeb, ac mae'n ddyletswydd ar unrhyw undeb i helpu'r ardaloedd hynny pan fydd trychineb yn taro. Nid yw'r hyn y gofynnir amdano'n ddim mwy nag y gallai unrhyw ran o'r Deyrnas Unedig—Cymru, Lloegr, yr Alban neu Ogledd Iwerddon—ofyn amdano ac, yn y gorffennol, maen nhw wedi ei gael mewn gwirionedd.
A gaf i ofyn am un peth arbennig y credaf y mae angen ei wneud, sef, yn gyntaf, sicrhau pawb bod Pontypridd ar agor ar gyfer busnes? Oherwydd mae'r busnesau hynny ar agor, er gwaethaf rhywfaint o'r difrod sydd ganddynt o hyd, ac mae hynny wedi bod yn ymdrech ryfeddol. A gaf i ddiolch i Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru o ran y gweithredu cyflym ynglŷn â'r rhanddirymiad mewn cysylltiad â'r Adran Nawdd Cymdeithasol?
Ac a gaf i wedyn ofyn un peth arall, sef: mae angen i ni edrych yn benodol ar gyngor arbenigol a roddir i'n cymunedau mewn cysylltiad â mater yswiriant. Mae gan lawer o bobl yswiriant, mae'r diwydiant yswiriant yn chwarae pob math o gemau— 'ai difrod llifogydd ydyw? Ai difrod stormydd?' neu beth bynnag. Y gwir amdani yw, rwy'n credu bod hwn yn fater lle mae gwir angen i Gymdeithas Yswirwyr Prydain dynnu'r ffrwyn a chymryd rheolaeth dros y sefyllfa, trafod â'r Llywodraeth a llywodraeth leol, a sicrhau, yn gyntaf, bod y bobl hynny sydd ag yswiriant yn cael eu digolledu'n briodol o dan eu polisïau yswiriant. Ac yna ailadroddaf bopeth a ddywedodd y Prif Weinidog, sef bod angen inni edrych ar y trefniadau presennol a allai fod ar gael o ran yswiriant ac, o bosib, sut y gallwn ni hyd yn oed ddyfeisio a gwella trefniant penodol ar gyfer Cymru, er mwyn sicrhau nad yw ein pobl yn dioddef. Diolch yn fawr, Gweinidog.
Thank you, Mick. I think the statistics and the numbers that you came forward with demonstrate very clearly that RCT local authority was so severely impacted. I was going to also say I know, through my discussions with Andrew Morgan and at the summit also, how grateful he was to neighbouring local authorities for their assistance.
Just to pick up on a couple of specific points that you raise—absolutely, Pontypridd is open for business. I think it is so humbling to see the way that businesses get back there. I was in Llanrwst a week last Thursday, following storm Ciara, and the businesses there were clearing out. It was great to see the one shop that was up and running one day ahead of Valentine's Day was the florist—she had all her flowers and her balloons outside, and I thought that was just great, to see that sort of resilience from our businesses, so I'm very happy to put that on record.
In relation to insurance, it's a very, very important point, because I think we need to do more to promote Flood Re. I don't think enough people are aware of it, so people who will have had flood insurance refused—even if that's happened, Flood Re will be able to provide some cover. So, certainly, the discussions that we had with the representative from the association of insurers at the flood submit—that's one area where I think we need to do more. So, for anybody now who is listening, the thing to do, if you don't know about it, is ring your insurance company—the one that you're with now—and ask them to look into that for you.
Diolch, Mick. Credaf fod yr ystadegau a'r ffigurau a gyflwynwyd gennych yn dangos yn glir iawn fod yr effaith ar awdurdod lleol Rhondda Cynon Taf mor ddifrifol. Roeddwn hefyd yn mynd i ddweud fy mod yn gwybod, drwy fy nhrafodaethau gydag Andrew Morgan ac yn yr uwchgynhadledd hefyd, pa mor ddiolchgar ydoedd i awdurdodau lleol cyfagos am eu cymorth.
I gyfeirio at ychydig o bwyntiau penodol yr ydych chi'n eu crybwyll—yn sicr, mae Pontypridd ar agor ar gyfer busnes. Rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n destun gwyleidd-dra mawr gweld y ffordd y mae busnesau'n agor eto. Roeddwn yn Llanrwst wythnos i ddydd Iau diwethaf, yn dilyn storm Ciara, ac roedd y busnesau yno'n clirio. Roedd yn wych gweld mai'r un siop a oedd ar waith un diwrnod cyn dydd Sant Ffolant oedd y gwerthwr blodau—roedd ganddi ei holl flodau a'i balwnau y tu allan, a chredais fod hynny'n wych, i weld y math hwnnw o gydnerthedd gan ein busnesau, felly rwy'n hapus iawn i ddweud hynny ar goedd.
O ran yswiriant, mae'n bwynt pwysig iawn, oherwydd rwy'n credu bod angen i ni wneud mwy i hyrwyddo'r cynllun 'Flood Re'. Dydw i ddim yn credu bod digon o bobl yn ymwybodol ohono, felly os oes pobl y gwrthodwyd eu ceisiadau am yswiriant llifogydd—hyd yn oed os yw hynny wedi digwydd, bydd 'Flood Re' yn gallu darparu rhywfaint o gymorth. Felly, yn sicr, roedd y trafodaethau a gawsom ni gyda chynrychiolydd cymdeithas yr yswirwyr yn yr uwchgynhadledd llifogydd—dyna un maes lle rwy'n credu bod angen i ni wneud mwy. Felly, i unrhyw un sydd nawr yn gwrando, y peth i'w wneud, os nad ydych yn gwybod am y cynllun, yw ffonio eich cwmni yswiriant—eich cwmni presennol—a gofyn iddyn nhw edrych ar hynny i chi.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd (Ann Jones) i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Ann Jones) took the Chair.
I would also like to reiterate and would like to thank all the emergency services and the local villages, on behalf of my party, for the work that they've done over the last few weekends and their continued work on the recovery.
One thing that we can take from the last few weeks is that support from this institution and Welsh Government needs to be reviewed now. Minister, lots of constituents have been e-mailing me about the lack of support from local authorities during the flooding. Will the Welsh Government now review action plans and guidance for flood prevention? Because one thing that we can be sure of is that this sort of rainfall can and will happen again.
Minister, I agree that flood risk management is more than just building higher and stronger defences, but how we provide support, and how support is communicated to residents and businesses must also be improved. I spoke to a number of farmers who wonder if NRW could possibly look at the way flood warnings are communicated to help them, as flooding as had a huge impact on their businesses. You also mentioned future schemes in your statement. Will you please confirm that rural areas will have a scheme to help local authorities in these areas across Wales, please?
In my own village, homes and businesses were flooded when a small stream running through the village actually melded with the flood waters coming down from the mountains. It washed down into the village. The county council—I got in touch with them for the villages previous to that happening, because we could see the water rising—haven't given sandbags to residents for the last few years, Denbighshire County Council, and they really weren't interested, even though I asked for them for the villages, because the water was going into the houses and the local businesses.
My two villages, either side of where I live, were totally cut off. If it wasn't for the locals pulling together, it would have been a lot worse for all the residents there. I've driven those roads since 1986, and I've not seen water like that myself. The gullies this year were cleared earlier, but they soon backfilled due to the rubble and the rocks washing down from the mountain roads.
The River Dee has flooded all the fields up to the main roads between the villages and beyond for the last few years, and a lack of dredging is definitely being blamed for this. Can we please restart river dredging as soon as possible, as this is vital for the smooth water flow depth of our rivers, which will help to alleviate future flooding if done regularly? Thank you.
Hoffwn hefyd ategu a hoffwn ddiolch i'r holl wasanaethau brys a'r pentrefi lleol, ar ran fy mhlaid, am y gwaith y maen nhw wedi ei wneud dros y penwythnosau diwethaf a'u gwaith parhaus o ran dod yn ôl i drefn.
Un peth y gallwn ei ddysgu o'r ychydig wythnosau diwethaf yw bod angen adolygu'r gefnogaeth gan y sefydliad hwn a Llywodraeth Cymru nawr. Gweinidog, mae llawer o etholwyr wedi bod yn anfon negeseuon e-bost ataf ynglŷn â'r diffyg cefnogaeth gan awdurdodau lleol yn ystod y llifogydd. A fydd Llywodraeth Cymru nawr yn adolygu cynlluniau gweithredu a chanllawiau ar gyfer atal llifogydd? Oherwydd un peth y gallwn fod yn sicr ohono yw y gallwn ni, ac y byddwn ni, yn gweld glaw o'r math hwn eto.
Gweinidog, cytunaf fod rheoli'r perygl o lifogydd yn fwy na dim ond adeiladu amddiffynfeydd uwch a chryfach, ond rhaid gwella hefyd y modd yr ydym yn darparu cymorth, a sut y rhoddir gwybod i drigolion a busnesau am y cymorth sydd ar gael. Siaradais â nifer o ffermwyr sy'n meddwl tybed a allai Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru edrych ar y ffordd y rhoddir rhybuddion llifogydd i'w helpu, oherwydd cafodd llifogydd effaith enfawr ar eu busnesau. Fe wnaethoch chi sôn hefyd am gynlluniau'r dyfodol yn eich datganiad. A wnewch chi gadarnhau, os gwelwch yn dda, y bydd gan ardaloedd gwledig gynllun i helpu awdurdodau lleol yn yr ardaloedd hyn ledled Cymru, os gwelwch yn dda?
Yn fy mhentref fy hun, llifodd dŵr i gartrefi a busnesau pan, mewn gwirionedd, ymunodd nant fechan a oedd yn rhedeg drwy'r pentref â'r llifddyfroedd a ddoi i lawr o'r mynyddoedd. Rhuthrodd y dŵr i'r pentref. Nid yw'r Cyngor Sir—fe wnes i gysylltu â nhw ar ran y pentrefi cyn hynny, oherwydd gallem weld y dŵr yn codi—wedi rhoi bagiau tywod i drigolion dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf, Cyngor Sir Ddinbych, ac nid oedd ganddynt ddiddordeb mewn gwirionedd, er imi ofyn amdanynt ar gyfer y pentrefi, gan fod y dŵr yn llifo i'r tai a'r busnesau lleol.
Cafodd fy nau bentref, y naill ochr a'r llall i'r lle rwy'n byw, eu hynysu'n llwyr. Pe na bai'r bobl leol wedi cyd-dynnu, byddai wedi bod yn llawer gwaeth i'r holl drigolion yno. Rwyf wedi gyrru ar hyd y ffyrdd hynny ers 1986, ac nid wyf wedi gweld dŵr fel hwnnw fy hun. Cafodd y ceunentydd eu clirio'n gynharach eleni, ond cyn pen dim o dro roeddent yn llawn oherwydd y rwbel a'r creigiau a oedd yn llifo o'r ffyrdd mynydd.
Mae'r Afon Ddyfrdwy wedi llifo dros yr holl gaeau hyd at y priffyrdd rhwng y pentrefi a thu hwnt dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf, ac mae diffyg carthu gwely'r afon yn bendant yn cael ei feio am hyn. A allwn ni ailgychwyn carthu afonydd cyn gynted â phosib, gan fod hyn yn hanfodol os yw ein hafonydd i lifo'n ddwfn ac yn llyfn, a fydd yn helpu i liniaru llifogydd yn y dyfodol os gwneir hynny'n rheolaidd? Diolch.
Thank you. I think there will be lessons to be learnt from these two storms, but I think we have to accept that—you said you hadn't seen rainfall like it—we had a month's rainfall in less than 24 hours. So, I think we need to remember that.
In relation to future flood prevention and flood alleviation schemes, there are about 25 in the pipeline, and that's right across Wales. It's up to local authorities to come forward with preparatory work around business cases for such schemes. I've got 25 in the pipeline, and just before these two storms, I'd asked for a rapid review of those schemes to see which we could bring forward. It's really important, obviously, that local authorities and NRW have the capacity to be able to deliver these schemes within the year of the funding that is provided.
You were criticising Denbighshire County Council. I suggest you write to them. If you want to copy me into the correspondence, I can share that with them.
Diolch. Credaf y bydd gwersi i'w dysgu o'r ddwy storm hyn, ond credaf fod yn rhaid inni dderbyn—fe wnaethoch chi ddweud nad oeddech wedi gweld glaw tebyg—cawsom fis o law mewn llai na 24 awr. Felly, rwy'n credu bod angen i ni gofio hynny.
O ran cynlluniau atal llifogydd a lliniaru llifogydd yn y dyfodol, mae tua 25 ar y gweill, ac mae hynny ledled Cymru. Yr awdurdodau lleol sy'n gorfod cyflwyno gwaith paratoadol mewn cysylltiad ag achosion busnes ar gyfer cynlluniau o'r fath. Mae gennyf 25 ar y gweill, ac ychydig cyn y ddwy storm hyn, roeddwn i wedi gofyn am adolygiad cyflym o'r cynlluniau hynny i weld pa rai y gallem ni eu cyflwyno. Mae'n hynod bwysig, yn amlwg, bod gan awdurdodau lleol a Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru y gallu i gyflawni'r cynlluniau hyn yn ystod blwyddyn y cyllid a ddarperir.
Roeddech yn beirniadu Cyngor Sir Ddinbych. Awgrymaf eich bod yn ysgrifennu atynt. Os ydych eisiau fy nghynnwys yn yr ohebiaeth, gallaf rannu hynny â nhw.
I would like to thank the Minister for this update, and also take this opportunity to raise the issue of promised funding for flood victims. We still have a crisis situation in Aberconwy. During storm Ciara, around 10 properties in Betws-y-Coed and 60 in Llanrwst were flooded out, on 9 February. We then had storm Dennis, and I've got to be honest, it was the community rallying around that stopped further devastation there, and the emergency services. But again, this weekend, we saw roads cut off and Llanrwst feeling almost isolated.
Now, you will be aware, Minister, that on 11 February I did ask you what funding would be available to the local authority and residents to assist with the clean-up, and I also wrote to the Minister for Finance for emergency financial support on 14 February. Yet, it took the First Minister until 18 February to announce the creation of an emergency funding relief scheme. And it was only yesterday that you could actually access that. Forms were only available yesterday.
So, you can understand that my residents in Aberconwy feel very frustrated that the First Minister seemed—and I will say seemed, or appeared—to choose to wait until after storm Dennis to take any action. For my—[Interruption.] So, why were the forms only available yesterday? For my constituents, that means they have been waiting over 15 days for any emergency financial assistance. For some without insurance, that is over two weeks without even being able to start to tackle—[Interruption.] You can shout all you want, it's exactly right what's happened.
Only non-chemical cleans have been undertaken on some flooded estates. I've still got children in my constituency having to live upstairs because their homes have just had a jet wash, yet there was sewage mud running through those homes. At least three businesses without insurance have now ceased trading, and others continue to fight for their future. Many constituents have been desperately trying to get hold of any promised financial support.
The community response to their plea, though, has been exceptional. Many of us have been making an effort to be on hand, to help where we can, be that through making representation to the local authority—. And I have to give credit to Conwy County Borough Council for their immense efforts during storm Dennis, to ensure that those already affected weren't affected yet again.
Whilst I am grateful for the fact that all households affected by flooding throughout Wales will technically receive £500, possibly £1,000, for those without house insurance it's just a mere drop in the ocean. I had a resident on the phone to me yesterday, she's lost her business, her home, and her car. She has nothing left, as we speak today.
So, Minister, why did it take until after storm Dennis for the First Minister to announce financial support to individuals affected by storm Ciara? Can consideration be given to increasing the amount of financial support available in exceptional circumstances? What emergency support will be available to our flood-hit farms, which saw losses of livestock? No mention of that in your statement. And will money be available to help undo damage to our listed, precious, historical buildings? And you know where I'm going with this: Gwydir castle and gardens. The unfairness caused to them is immense.
It is well known that I want to see an independent inquiry into flood mitigation measures in Aberconwy, because we were flooded out in December 2015, March last year, storm Ciara, and more effects from storm Dennis. Your Welsh Government—. You said in your question response to me, 'No further reviews'. People in Llanrwst feel that you are not interested, Minister. [Interruption.] I've asked four questions.
I now ask: will you work with Natural Resources Wales to reassess previously proposed and rejected options? And I endorse what Mandy Jones has said over there: people believe that the River Conwy, now recording at its highest levels, should actually have an implemented flood risk mitigation scheme in terms of dredging, or some form of support for that river. Thank you.
Hoffwn ddiolch i'r Gweinidog am y diweddariad hwn, a manteisio ar y cyfle hwn hefyd i grybwyll mater y cyllid a addawyd ar gyfer y rhai a ddioddefodd o achos y llifogydd. Mae gennym ni sefyllfa argyfyngus yn Aberconwy o hyd. Yn ystod storm Ciara, effeithiwyd ar tua 10 eiddo ym Metws-y-coed a 60 yn Llanrwst, ar 9 Chwefror. Yna cawsom storm Dennis, ac mae'n rhaid i mi fod yn onest, y gymuned yn dod ynghyd yn wyneb hynny a rwystrodd fwy o ddinistr yn hynny o beth, a'r gwasanaethau brys. Ond eto, y penwythnos hwn, gwelsom ffyrdd yn diflannu dan ddŵr a Llanrwst yn teimlo bron yn ynysig.
Nawr, byddwch yn ymwybodol, Gweinidog, fy mod wedi gofyn i chi, ar 11 Chwefror, pa gyllid a fyddai ar gael i'r awdurdod lleol a'r trigolion i helpu gyda'r gwaith glanhau, ac ysgrifennais hefyd at y Gweinidog Cyllid am gymorth ariannol brys ar 14 Chwefror. Eto i gyd, cymerodd y Prif Weinidog tan 18 Chwefror i gyhoeddi y byddai cynllun cefnogaeth o arian brys yn cael ei greu. A dim ond ddoe roedd modd ymgeisio am hynny. Dim ond ddoe roedd ffurflenni ar gael.
Felly, gallwch ddeall bod fy nhrigolion yn Aberconwy yn teimlo'n rhwystredig iawn gan ei bod yn ymddangos bod y Prif Weinidog—ac fe wnaf i ddweud ymddangos, neu ei fod fel pe bai—wedi dewis aros tan ar ôl storm Dennis i wneud unrhyw beth. Ar ran fy—[Torri ar draws.] Felly, pam mai dim ond ddoe yr oedd y ffurflenni ar gael? I'm hetholwyr i, mae hynny'n golygu y buont yn aros dros 15 diwrnod am gymorth ariannol brys. I rai heb yswiriant, mae hynny dros bythefnos cyn gellid hyd yn oed dechrau mynd i'r afael â—[Torri ar draws.] Gallwch weiddi faint fynnoch chi, dyna'n union sydd wedi digwydd.
Dim ond glanhau heb unrhyw gemegau sydd wedi digwydd ar rai ystadau sydd wedi dioddef llifogydd. Mae gennyf i blant yn fy etholaeth i y mae'n rhaid iddyn nhw fyw i fyny'r grisiau o hyd gan mai dim ond golchiad syml efo peiriant chwistrellu dŵr y maen nhw wedi ei gael, ond roedd llaid carthion yn rhedeg drwy'r cartrefi hynny. Mae o leiaf dri busnes heb yswiriant bellach wedi rhoi'r gorau i fasnachu, ac mae eraill yn parhau i frwydro am eu dyfodol. Mae llawer o etholwyr wedi bod yn ymdrechu'n daer i gael gafael ar unrhyw gymorth ariannol a addawyd.
Ond mae ymateb y gymuned i'w ple wedi bod yn eithriadol. Mae llawer ohonom ni wedi gwneud ymdrech i fod wrth law, i helpu lle y gallwn ni, boed hynny drwy gysylltu â'r awdurdod lleol—. Ac mae'n rhaid i mi roi clod i Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy am eu hymdrechion mawr yn ystod storm Dennis, i sicrhau nad effeithiwyd eto ar y rhai yr effeithiwyd arnyn nhw eisoes.
Er fy mod yn ddiolchgar am y ffaith y bydd pob cartref yr effeithiwyd arnynt gan lifogydd ledled Cymru yn cael £500 yn dechnegol, £1,000 o bosib, ar gyfer y rheini sydd heb yswiriant tŷ, dim ond diferyn yn y môr ydyw. Roedd gennyf breswylydd ar y ffôn ddoe, mae hi wedi colli ei busnes, ei chartref, a'i char. Nid oes ganddi ddim byd ar ôl, wrth inni siarad heddiw.
Felly, Gweinidog, pam y cymerodd hi tan ar ôl storm Dennis i'r Prif Weinidog gyhoeddi cymorth ariannol i unigolion a effeithiwyd gan storm Ciara? A ellir ystyried cynyddu faint o gymorth ariannol sydd ar gael mewn amgylchiadau eithriadol? Pa gymorth brys fydd ar gael i'n ffermydd a ddioddefodd lifogydd, a gollodd eu da byw? Nid oes sôn am hynny yn eich datganiad. Ac a fydd arian ar gael i helpu dadwneud difrod i'n hadeiladau rhestredig, gwerthfawr, hanesyddol? Ac fe wyddoch chi at beth rwy'n cyfeirio wrth ddweud hyn: Castell a gerddi Gwydir. Mae'r annhegwch a achoswyd iddynt yn anferthol.
Mae'n hysbys fy mod eisiau gweld ymchwiliad annibynnol i fesurau lliniaru llifogydd yn Aberconwy, oherwydd cawsom ein boddi ym mis Rhagfyr 2015, fis Mawrth y llynedd, storm Ciara, a mwy o effeithiau o storm Dennis. Dywedodd Llywodraeth Cymru—. Fe wnaethoch chi ddweud yn ymateb i'm cwestiwn, 'dim adolygiadau pellach'. Mae pobl yn Llanrwst yn teimlo nad oes gennych chi ddiddordeb, Gweinidog. [Torri ar draws.] Rwyf wedi gofyn pedwar cwestiwn.
Gofynnaf nawr: a wnewch chi weithio gyda Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru i ailasesu'r posibiliadau a gynigiwyd yn flaenorol ac a wrthodwyd? Ac ategaf yr hyn y mae Mandy Jones wedi'i ddweud draw yn y fan yna: mae pobl yn credu y dylai afon Conwy, na fu erioed mor uchel, gael cynllun lliniaru perygl llifogydd sy'n cael ei roi ar waith o ran carthu'r gwely, neu ryw fath o gefnogaeth i'r afon honno. Diolch.
I really object to Janet Finch-Saunders's tone. I was in Llanrwst on 13 February—[Interruption.] Do you want to listen or not? Do you want to listen? I really object. I was in Llanrwst on 13 February, visiting houses in your constituency, and I spoke to many of the residents. Not one of them took the tone that you did—not one of them. So, I will tell you why it takes several days—and that's all it's been, several days—to set up—[Interruption.]
Nid wyf yn hoffi cywair datganiad Janet Finch-Saunders o gwbl. Roeddwn yn Llanrwst ar 13 Chwefror— [Torri ar draws.] Ydych chi eisiau gwrando ai peidio? Ydych chi eisiau gwrando? Rwy'n gwrthwynebu'n llwyr. Roeddwn yn Llanrwst ar 13 Chwefror, yn ymweld â thai yn eich etholaeth, a siaradais â llawer o'r trigolion. Ni siaradodd yr un ohonyn nhw fel yr ydych chi'n ei wneud—dim un ohonynt. Felly, fe wnaf i ddweud wrthych chi pam y mae'n cymryd sawl diwrnod—a dyna'r cyfan, sawl diwrnod—i sefydlu—[Torri ar draws.]
Will you let the Minister speak? I have 10 more speakers after this, and we've 20 minutes, so not all 10 are going to get in. Minister.
A wnewch chi adael i'r Gweinidog siarad? Mae gennyf i 10 arall o siaradwyr ar ôl hyn, ac mae gennym ni 20 munud, felly ni fydd pob un o'r 10 yn gallu dweud ei bwt. Gweinidog.
I'll tell you why it takes several days to set up a scheme: it's public money. And that public money has to be accounted for. It has to be audited. You have to have a mechanism to be able to deliver that funding. Do you want to listen or not? So, every house that's had internal flooding—. You can smirk, Janet Finch-Saunders; I'm not even going to look at you, because you—. In fact, Deputy Presiding Officer, I don't think she's worthy of an answer.
Fe wnaf i ddweud wrthych chi pam y mae hi'n cymryd sawl diwrnod i sefydlu cynllun: mae'n arian cyhoeddus. Ac mae'n rhaid rhoi cyfrif am yr arian cyhoeddus hwnnw. Mae'n rhaid iddo gael ei archwilio. Rhaid ichi gael system i allu darparu'r cyllid hwnnw. Ydych chi eisiau gwrando ai peidio? Felly, mae gan bob tŷ lle bu llifogydd mewnol—. Gallwch grechwenu, Janet Finch-Saunders; dydw i ddim hyd yn oed yn mynd i edrych arnoch chi, oherwydd eich bod chi—. Mewn gwirionedd, Dirprwy Lywydd, nid wyf yn credu ei bod hi'n deilwng o ateb.
Okay, fine. Vikki Howells.
Iawn, o'r gorau. Vikki Howells.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Thank you, Minister. I'd like to repeat again the thanks made by many Members across this Chamber for the effort made by countless heroes to help those affected by recent flooding, and to repeat also my thanks to you for visiting businesses and residents in Mountain Ash with me last week. The visible leadership from yourself and the First Minister was welcome.
My questions. I hope you will have seen the letter jointly sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer by representatives of RCT, and I note your comments about working with the UK Government. Will you make representations to ensure that RCT gets the help that it needs, where there is a duty on the UK Government, such as funding for infrastructure, council tax and rate relief exemption?
I also note your comments about Flood Re and I think it's really important, as other Members have said and yourself, to make sure that people know how they can access that affordable insurance. But I am concerned about a lack of clarity in this area. I've met with a number of people who have been very, very distressed to discover that they are underinsured against flood damage. So, I'd like to ask particularly what we can do to make sure that that information is clear and that insurance companies are forced to make that information a lot more clear than it is now?
And finally, I'd like to close by again reiterating the comments made by other Members in this Chamber about the need for support for the emotional impact of flooding as well. Financial support to help people rebuild their lives is really important, but those long term psychological scars will come to the fore over time. I've met with people in Ynysybwl who were hit by a seven foot wave of water rushing through their properties. So, just to place on record, please, my ask for some assistance with counselling services for those who require it.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Diolch yn fawr, Gweinidog. Hoffwn ategu eto'r diolchiadau gan lawer o Aelodau o bob rhan o'r Siambr hon am yr ymdrech a wnaed gan arwyr di-rif i helpu'r rheini yr effeithiwyd arnynt gan y llifogydd diweddar, ac i ategu hefyd fy niolch i chi am ymweld â busnesau a thrigolion Aberpennar gyda mi yr wythnos diwethaf. Roedd yr arweiniad gweladwy gennych chi a'r Prif Weinidog i'w groesawu.
Fy nghwestiynau. Gobeithio y byddwch wedi gweld y llythyr a anfonwyd ar y cyd at Ganghellor y Trysorlys gan gynrychiolwyr Rhondda Cynon Taf, ac rwy'n cydnabod eich sylwadau ynglŷn â gweithio gyda Llywodraeth y DU. A wnewch chi gyflwyno sylwadau i sicrhau bod Rhondda Cynon Taf yn cael y cymorth sydd ei angen, lle mae dyletswydd ar Lywodraeth y DU, megis cyllid ar gyfer seilwaith, y dreth gyngor a rhyddhad ardrethi?
Rwy'n cydnabod hefyd eich sylwadau ynglŷn â llifogydd ac rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n bwysig iawn, fel y mae Aelodau eraill wedi'i ddweud a chithau, i sicrhau bod pobl yn gwybod sut y gallant gael gafael ar yr yswiriant fforddiadwy hwnnw. Ond rwy'n pryderu am ddiffyg eglurder yn y maes hwn. Rwyf wedi cyfarfod â nifer o bobl sydd wedi bod yn ofidus iawn o ddarganfod nad ydyn nhw wedi'u hyswirio rhag difrod llifogydd. Felly, hoffwn ofyn yn arbennig beth y gallwn ni ei wneud i sicrhau bod yr wybodaeth honno'n glir a bod cwmnïau yswiriant yn cael eu gorfodi i wneud yr wybodaeth honno'n llawer cliriach nag ydyw ar hyn o bryd?
Ac yn olaf, hoffwn gloi drwy ategu eto y sylwadau a wnaed gan Aelodau eraill yn y Siambr hon am yr angen am gefnogaeth oherwydd effaith emosiynol llifogydd hefyd. Mae cymorth ariannol i helpu pobl i ailadeiladu eu bywydau yn bwysig iawn, ond bydd y creithiau seicolegol hirdymor hynny'n dod i'r amlwg dros amser. Rwyf wedi cwrdd â phobl yn Ynysybwl a gafodd eu taro gan don saith troedfedd o ddŵr yn rhuthro drwy eu heiddo. Felly, hoffwn ofyn ar goedd, os gwelwch yn dda, am rywfaint o gymorth gyda gwasanaethau cwnsela i'r rhai sydd ei angen.
I think most of the points that Vikki Howells raises, outside what other Members have raised, are really about the cross-Government approach that we're taking in relation to the flooding. So, you'll be aware my colleague, the Minister for Finance, has written to the Treasury regarding this. Obviously, the First Minister has had discussions around funding, because—I think that Mick Antoniw raised the point—it's not a devolution handout. This is money that we need and it's money that we should have from the UK Government.
And it's the same around the emotional impact. I answered Leanne Wood before that, obviously, the Minister for Health and Social Services and the Minister for Education will ensure that that support is available as we go along the next weeks and months and even years. Because I think you're right; the majority, particularly around storm Dennis, and storm Ciara too, happened in the night. I always things are much worse in the dark and in the night and to go—as I say, the houses I visited in Blaenau Gwent—from six inches of water to four foot of water in just 20 minutes is incredibly frightening. The same: I visited Crickhowell in the constituency of Kirsty Williams on Thursday, and again it was in the night that they obviously had this huge surge of water in their homes.
I think that you make a very pertinent point around insurance and about ensuring that people have got adequate cover. Flood Re is available for domestic. It's not available for businesses, but it is available for domestic. And I think there is a point around it perhaps being made available for businesses, and this is an issue for the UK Government, but it is something that I will be writing to the appropriate Minister about.
Rwy'n credu bod y rhan fwyaf o'r pwyntiau y mae Vikki Howells yn eu crybwyll, y tu hwnt i'r hyn y mae Aelodau eraill wedi'i grybwyll, yn ymwneud mewn gwirionedd â'r dull trawslywodraethol yr ydym ni'n ei gymryd mewn perthynas â'r llifogydd. Felly, byddwch yn ymwybodol bod fy nghyd-Aelod, y Gweinidog Cyllid, wedi ysgrifennu at y Trysorlys ynglŷn â hyn. Yn amlwg, mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi cael trafodaethau ynghylch cyllid, oherwydd—credaf i Mick Antoniw wneud y sylw—nid cyllid datganoli ydyw. Mae hwn yn arian y mae ei angen arnom ni ac mae'n arian y dylem ei gael gan Lywodraeth y DU.
Ac mae'r un peth yn ymwneud â'r effaith emosiynol. Atebais Leanne Wood o'r blaen, yn amlwg, bydd y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol a'r Gweinidog Addysg yn sicrhau bod y gefnogaeth honno ar gael yn ystod yr wythnosau a'r misoedd a hyd yn oed y blynyddoedd nesaf. Oherwydd rwy'n credu eich bod yn gywir; fe ddigwyddodd y mwyafrif o'r difrod, yn enwedig o ran storm Dennis, a storm Ciara hefyd, yn y nos. Mae pethau bob amser yn llawer gwaeth yn y tywyllwch ac yn ystod y nos ac mae mynd—fel y dywedaf, y tai yr ymwelais â nhw ym Mlaenau Gwent—o chwe modfedd o ddŵr i bedwar troedfedd o ddŵr mewn dim ond 20 munud yn frawychus iawn. Yn yr un modd: ymwelais â Chrucywel yn etholaeth Kirsty Williams ddydd Iau, ac eto roedd hi yn ystod y nos arnyn nhw yn amlwg yn cael yr ymchwydd hwn o ddŵr yn eu cartrefi.
Credaf eich bod yn gwneud pwynt perthnasol iawn ynglŷn ag yswiriant a sicrhau bod pobl wedi'u hyswirio'n ddigonol. Mae Flood Re ar gael ar gyfer cartrefi. Nid yw ar gael i fusnesau, ond mae ar gael ar gyfer cartrefi. Ac rwy'n credu bod rhywbeth i'w ddweud o ran sicrhau ei fod yn cael ei ddarparu i fusnesau efallai, ac mae hwn yn fater i Lywodraeth y DU, ond mae'n rhywbeth y byddaf yn ysgrifennu at y Gweinidog priodol yn ei gylch.
A gaf innau ategu y diolch a'r teyrngedau sydd wedi cael eu talu i'r gwasanaethau arbennig, i'r gweithwyr cyngor, i weithwyr Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, y gwirfoddolwyr a'r cymunedau sydd wedi dod at ei gilydd yn wyneb y darluniau eithriadol rydym ni wedi gweld dros yr wythnosau diwethaf?
A gaf i ofyn yn gyntaf, Weinidog, sut ydych chi'n ymateb i ddau o arweinyddion cynghorau'r gogledd, yn sir Ddinbych a sir Conwy, sydd wedi beirniadu arafwch ymateb y Llywodraeth? Hynny yw, doedd yna ddim sôn am £500 o daliad i drigolion gafodd eu heffeithio yn Llanrwst, yn Llanfair Talhaearn ac yn y blaen. Ond, wrth gwrs, ar ôl y digwyddiadau yn Rhondda Cynon Taf, wedyn mi roedd yna gyhoeddiad mawr fod yna arian yn dod, a bod yna £10 miliwn i gychwyn ac mi fyddai yna ragor. Dwi'n gwybod bod y scale yn wahanol, ond mae'n rhaid inni gofio roedd yna dros 100 o gartrefi wedi cael eu heffeithio yn y gogledd, a dwsinau lawer o fusnesau hefyd. Felly, sut ŷch chi'n ymateb i'r awgrym efallai bod y Llywodraeth ddim wedi ymateb fel y dylen nhw i'r sefyllfa yn y gogledd tan i'r hyn ddigwyddodd yn y de ddigwydd?
Mae'r cyngor yn y Rhondda, wrth gwrs, yn cynnig arian ychwanegol—y £500 ychwanegol yma. Mae yna sylwadau wedi cael eu gwneud hefyd sy'n gresynu at y ffaith nad yw, er enghraifft, cyngor Conwy yn cynnig £500 o daliad ychwanegol i drigolion sydd wedi cael eu heffeithio mewn llefydd fel Llanrwst, ac mi fyddwn i yn licio clywed gennych chi. Achos yr un yw'r difrod, yr un yw'r effaith mae'r llifogydd yma yn ei gael, ble bynnag rŷch chi'n byw, ond mae'n dechrau edrych fel petasai yna ryw fath o loteri cod post: os ŷch chi'n byw yn y Rhondda, gewch chi £500 ychwanegol; os ŷch chi'n byw yng Nghonwy, gewch chi ddim. Byddwn i eisiau gwybod: onid yw cysondeb yn bwysig? Onid yw tegwch yn bwysig? Ac onid yw'r un mynediad i gefnogaeth, ble bynnag ŷch chi'n byw, yn bwysig? Mi fyddwn i'n awyddus i glywed eich ymateb chi i hynny.
Dwi wedi codi gyda chi, ac rŷch chi'n gwybod, yn y pwyllgor a fan hyn ac mewn fforymau eraill, gofidiau ynglŷn ag adnoddau Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru—y dyletswyddau ychwanegol, y cyfrifoldebau ychwanegol, ond ar yr un pryd, adnoddau yn crebachu. Nawr, wrth gwrs, mi fydd yna waith ychwanegol yn deillio i ymateb i'r hyn sydd wedi digwydd, nid yn unig yr ymateb uniongyrchol o ddelio gyda'r gyflafan, ond, wrth gwrs, mi fydd yna asesiadau ychwanegol angen eu gwneud i is-adeiledd ac mi fydd ymchwiliadau cyhoeddus, o bosib, y bydd angen eu harwain neu gyfrannu atyn nhw. A wnewch chi ymrwymo, felly, i sicrhau os oes yna unrhyw waith ychwanegol yn sgil hyn yn dod i gyfeiriad Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, yna y byddan nhw'n derbyn yr adnoddau angenrheidiol i ddelio â hynny?
Ac wrth gwrs, nid dim ond Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru; mae awdurdodau lleol yn yr un sefyllfa, ac wrth gwrs mae yna ystod ehangach o gyrff efallai dŷn ni ddim yn sôn amdanyn nhw. Mae Asiant Cefnffyrdd Gogledd a Chanolbarth Cymru, er enghraifft, sy'n gyfrifol am y gullies ar y gefnffordd drwy Lanrwst. Ie, dwi'n gweld y Gweinidog yn dechrau gwrando nawr, ar ôl clywed y term yna. Wel, mae eisiau bod yn glir bod gan yr holl ystod o gyrff perthnasol yr adnoddau angenrheidiol, a tra'i bod hi'n angenrheidiol i ni ffocysu ar y darlun mawr a'r cynlluniau is-adeiledd mawr, mae'n rhaid cofio mai gwaith caib a rhaw, yn llythrennol, sy'n bwysig hefyd o safbwynt glanhau ffosydd, culverts, gullies, ac yn y blaen. Felly, dwi eisiau gwybod pa asesiad nawr fyddwch chi fel Llywodraeth yn ei wneud i sicrhau bod gan yr ystod yma o gyrff y capasiti angenrheidiol ar gyfer y gwaith caib a rhaw yna? Yn benodol, mi fyddwn i'n licio clywed hynny gennych chi.
Mae yna nifer o bwyntiau o safbwynt y system gynllunio y byddai'n well cyfeirio at y Gweinidog perthnasol ac mi fydd yna gyfle i wneud hynny rywbryd eto, ond byddai ateb i'r tri neu bedwar yna—mi fyddwn i'n ddiolchgar amdano.
May I endorse the thanks and the tributes that have been paid to the emergency workers, council workers, NRW workers, volunteers and the communities that have come together in light of the exceptional pictures that we have seen over the past few weeks?
May I ask first of all, Minister, how do you respond to two north Wales council leaders, in Denbighshire and Conwy, who have criticised the pace of the Government's response? There was no talk of a £500 payment for the residents affected in Llanrwst, in Llanfair Talhaiarn and so on and so forth. But of course, after the events in RCT, there was a major announcement that funding was to be made available. There was to be an initial £10 million and there would be more available later. I know the scale is different, but we must bear in mind that over 100 homes were affected in north Wales, and many tens of businesses too. So, how do you respond to the suggestion that the Government didn't respond as they should have done to the situation in north Wales until the events unfolded in south Wales?
The council in RCT is offering an additional £500. Some comments have been made, too, that regret the fact that Conwy council isn't offering an additional £500 payment to residents affected in places such as Llanrwst, and I would like to hear from you. Because the damage is the same and the impact is the same in terms of these floods, wherever you live. But it’s starting to look as if there was some kind of postcode lottery: if you live in the Rhondda, you'll have an additional £500, but if you live in Conwy, you won't. I would like to know: isn't consistency important? Isn't fairness important? And shouldn't there be equality of access to support, wherever you live? Isn't that important? I'd like to hear your response to that.
I've raised with you in committee, in this place and in other fora, some concerns about the resources available to NRW and the additional responsibilities placed upon them whilst their resources are shrinking. Now, there will be additional work emerging in response to what has happened, not only the direct response in dealing with the impacts, but there will be additional assessments to infrastructure and there may be public inquiries that may need to be led or contributed to. So will you commit, therefore, to ensuring that, if there is any additional work in light of this that falls on NRW that they will receive the necessary resource to deal with that?
It’s not just NRW; local authorities are in the same situation and, of course, there’s a wider range of bodies that we don't always mention: the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent, which is responsible for gulleys through Llanrwst, for example—and I see the Minister starting to listen now, having heard reference to that. We do need clarity that this whole range of relevant bodies have the necessary resources. While it is necessary to focus on the bigger picture and the major infrastructure schemes, we must bear in mind that it’s the day-to-day work, the spade work, quite literally, that is also important in terms of cleaning culverts, gulleys, and so on and so forth. So I want to know what assessment you as a Government will now make to ensure that this range of bodies has the necessary capacity for that spade work, and I would like to hear from you on that.
There are a number of points on the planning system that would be better referred to the relevant Minister, and there will be an opportunity to do that on a future date, but a response to those three or four questions would be something I would be grateful for.
Diolch. You make a very important point about transport and roads and I think, again, we should place on record our sincere thanks to staff across the entire transport sector for those of us from north Wales who've had to come down again this week. It was equally as bad as last week, but I know they have been working tirelessly since the flooding began nearly two weeks ago to support the travelling public and to make sure we reopen our public transport and road network as quickly as possible.
You ask again about the public money that was being made available, so I mentioned that I visited Llanrwst on the Thursday; I was in my constituency on the Friday. I did try to get down to Cardiff on the Saturday when we realised the impact of storm Dennis, and I was unable to because of the train network. I'd already started to have conversations with the First Minister around what support we could give to people who had been flooded, and as I said in my answer to Janet Finch-Saunders, it does take a while to set up that scheme, but what the First Minister did straight away—but this wasn't made public, because obviously, you're doing it collectively as a Government—was that we identified the money. So, the First Minister, in the first meeting that I had with him on the Monday morning—he was adamant that that money would be found. We then found the mechanism to make sure that that money got out as quickly as possible to the public, so it opened yesterday. It did take a few days, but as I say, you've got to make sure that public money can be accounted for in the correct way.
The fact that RCT local authority are giving their residents an additional £500 is a matter for RCT. If Conwy Council choose not to do that, that's up to them. You know that the budget that local authorities get—it's up to them how they spend it with their local population, so you need to take that matter up with Conwy and Denbighshire. The money that we're giving as a Welsh Government will be the same. For a house that's been flooded, it will be £500. For a house that's been flooded that doesn't have insurance, it will be £1,000. There's also business funding available through—and people should contact—Business Wales. There was an earlier question around farms: they are businesses, and I have to say, most of the farmers I've spoken to have got insurance, but clearly, they are just as able to access that funding as a business as any other type of business. I mentioned in an earlier answer that we will be giving 100 per cent funding for clearing culverts and grids.
In relation to your questions around NRW, there are clearly lots of questions around NRW and what they have had to deal with over the last two weeks. I'm meeting with the Chair and the chief exec—I think it's next week—and obviously, this will be top of the agenda. But, what I have said to them is—. I've asked the specific question: do they have the resources—and that's human as well as financial resources—to be able to deal with that? So, I can give you a commitment that I will clearly look at anything that comes forward from them. But, again, I think that it's a little bit early to answer that question in detail.
Diolch. Rydych chi'n gwneud pwynt pwysig iawn am drafnidiaeth a ffyrdd, a chredaf, unwaith eto, y dylem ni ddiolch ar goedd yn ddiffuant i staff ym mhob rhan o'r sector trafnidiaeth o ran y rheini ohonom ni o'r gogledd sydd wedi gorfod dod i lawr eto'r wythnos hon. Roedd hi yr un mor wael â'r wythnos diwethaf, ond rwy'n gwybod y buont yn gweithio'n ddiflino ers i'r llifogydd ddechrau bron i bythefnos yn ôl i gefnogi'r cyhoedd sy'n teithio ac i sicrhau ein bod yn ailagor ein rhwydwaith trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus a ffyrdd cyn gynted â phosib.
Rydych chi'n gofyn eto am yr arian cyhoeddus a oedd yn cael ei ddarparu, felly crybwyllais fy mod wedi ymweld â Llanrwst ar y dydd Iau; roeddwn yn fy etholaeth ar y dydd Gwener. Fe wnes i geisio teithio i Gaerdydd ar y dydd Sadwrn pan fu inni sylweddoli beth oedd effaith storm Dennis, ac nid oeddwn yn gallu gwneud hynny oherwydd y rhwydwaith trenau. Roeddwn eisoes wedi dechrau cael sgyrsiau gyda'r Prif Weinidog ynghylch pa gefnogaeth y gallem ei rhoi i bobl oedd wedi dioddef llifogydd, ac fel y dywedais yn fy ateb i Janet Finch-Saunders, mae'n cymryd amser i sefydlu'r cynllun hwnnw, ond yr hyn a wnaeth y Prif Weinidog ar unwaith—ond ni chafodd hyn ei wneud yn gyhoeddus, oherwydd yn amlwg, rydych chi'n ei wneud ar y cyd fel Llywodraeth—oedd ein bod ni wedi dynodi'r arian. Felly, roedd y Prif Weinidog, yn y cyfarfod cyntaf a gefais gydag ef fore Llun—roedd yn bendant y byddid yn dod o hyd i'r arian hwnnw. Yna daethom o hyd i'r dull i sicrhau bod yr arian hwnnw'n cyrraedd y cyhoedd cyn gynted â phosib, felly agorodd y gronfa ddoe. Fe wnaeth hyn gymryd ychydig ddyddiau, ond fel rwy'n dweud, mae'n rhaid i chi sicrhau bod modd rhoi cyfrif am arian cyhoeddus yn y ffordd gywir.
Mater i Rhondda Cynon Taf yw'r ffaith bod awdurdod lleol Rhondda Cynon Taf yn rhoi £500 ychwanegol i'w drigolion. Os yw Cyngor Conwy yn dewis peidio â gwneud hynny, eu dewis nhw yw hynny. Gwyddoch mai'r gyllideb a gaiff awdurdodau lleol—mater iddyn nhw yw sut y maen nhw'n ei wario gyda'u poblogaeth leol, felly mae angen ichi godi'r mater hwnnw gyda Chonwy a Sir Ddinbych. Yr un fydd yr arian yr ydym ni, Llywodraeth Cymru, yn ei roi. Ar gyfer tŷ sydd wedi dioddef llifogydd, bydd yn £500. Ar gyfer tŷ sydd wedi dioddef llifogydd nad oes ganddo yswiriant, bydd yn £1,000. Mae arian busnes ar gael hefyd drwy—a dylai pobl gysylltu â—Busnes Cymru. Roedd cwestiwn cynharach ynghylch ffermydd: busnesau ydyn nhw, ac mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud, mae yswiriant gan y rhan fwyaf o'r ffermwyr yr wyf wedi siarad â nhw, ond yn amlwg, mae'r cyllid hwnnw ar gael iddyn nhw fel busnes gymaint ag y mae i unrhyw fath arall o fusnes. Soniais mewn ateb cynharach y byddwn yn rhoi cyllid o 100 y cant ar gyfer clirio ceuffosydd a gridiau.
O ran eich cwestiynau ynghylch Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, mae'n amlwg bod llawer o gwestiynau ynghylch Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru a'r hyn y maen nhw wedi gorfod ymdrin ag ef yn ystod y pythefnos diwethaf. Rwy'n cyfarfod â'r Cadeirydd a'r Prif Weithredwr—wythnos nesaf rwy'n credu—ac yn amlwg, dyma fydd ar frig yr agenda. Ond, yr hyn yr wyf wedi ei ddweud wrthynt yw—. Rwyf wedi gofyn y cwestiwn penodol: a oes ganddyn nhw'r adnoddau—a'r adnoddau dynol yn ogystal â'r rhai ariannol—i allu ymdrin â hynny? Felly, gallaf roi ymrwymiad ichi y byddaf yn amlwg yn edrych ar unrhyw beth y byddant yn ei gynnig. Ond, eto, rwy'n credu ei bod hi braidd yn gynnar i ateb y cwestiwn hwnnw'n fanwl.
Thank you. I have seven speakers and eight minutes left. So, please can I now just ask the remaining speakers: will they just ask a question of the Minister, rather than—? I know that we all want to put our thanks on record from our particular areas, but I think that it's been well documented, so if we could have some questions straight to the Minister. Russell George.
Diolch. Mae gen i saith siaradwr ac wyth munud ar ôl. Felly, a gaf i ofyn i'r siaradwyr sy'n weddill nawr: a wnân nhw ofyn cwestiwn yn unig i'r Gweinidog, yn hytrach na—? Rwy'n gwybod ein bod i gyd eisiau diolch ar goedd o'n hardaloedd penodol, ond credaf fod y diolchiadau hynny'n hysbys iawn bellach, felly pe gallem ni ofyn rhai cwestiynau'n syth i'r Gweinidog. Russell George.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Minister, I'm going to raise a question that I have raised with you a number of times before, and that is about the management of Clywedog and Lake Vyrnwy reservoirs. Pictures show on social media, and video footage, great swathes of mid Wales underwater, including B roads and trunk roads and properties partly underwater as well. I have no doubt that, even if those reservoirs were managed in a way that I would like to see them managed and the people of mid-Wales want to see them managed, we would still see significant disruption because of the sheer level of rain that fell in such a short period of time. But, I also have no doubt that if those reservoirs were managed better, we would see significantly less reduction.
What we do see, for days on end, is water tipping over the top of both reservoirs. Common sense tells you that you have lost control of the reservoir when that is the case. We need a greater drawdown of water, I would suggest, during dry periods of weather on both reservoirs. I know that you are aware of the section 20 operating rules; I think that they urgently need to be reviewed. I accept that this isn't your responsibility alone; it is jointly between yourself, Natural Resources Wales, the Environment Agency and the water companies—I fully accept that. But, can I ask you to lead on meetings with some urgency to get this operating rule reviewed and changed, and ask that you and your officers lead on that particular area?
Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. Gweinidog, rwy'n mynd i ofyn cwestiwn yr wyf wedi gofyn ichi sawl gwaith o'r blaen, ac mae a wnelo hwn â rheoli cronfeydd dŵr Clywedog a Llyn Efyrnwy. Mae lluniau'n dangos ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol, a deunydd fideo, rannau helaeth o'r canolbarth o dan ddŵr, gan gynnwys ffyrdd B a chefnffyrdd ac eiddo sy'n rhannol dan y dŵr hefyd. Nid oes gennyf unrhyw amheuaeth, hyd yn oed pe cai'r cronfeydd dŵr hynny eu rheoli mewn ffordd y byddwn yn hoffi eu gweld yn cael eu rheoli ac mewn ffordd y mae pobl y canolbarth eisiau eu gweld yn cael eu rheoli, y byddem yn gweld tarfu sylweddol o hyd oherwydd lefel y glaw a syrthiodd mewn cyfnod mor fyr o amser. Ond, nid oes gennyf amheuaeth hefyd, pe cai'r cronfeydd dŵr hynny eu rheoli'n well, y byddem yn gweld gostyngiad llai o lawer.
Yr hyn a welwn ni, am ddyddiau lawer, yw dŵr yn llifo dros ben y ddwy gronfa. Mae synnwyr cyffredin yn dweud wrthych eich bod wedi colli rheolaeth ar y gronfa ddŵr pan fo hynny'n digwydd. Mae angen inni wagio mwy ar y dŵr, byddwn yn awgrymu, yn ystod cyfnodau sych yn y ddwy gronfa ddŵr. Rwy'n gwybod eich bod yn ymwybodol o reolau gweithredu adran 20; credaf fod angen eu hadolygu ar frys. Rwy'n derbyn nad eich cyfrifoldeb chi yn unig yw hyn; mae'n gyfrifoldeb ar y cyd rhyngoch chi, Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd a'r cwmnïau dŵr—rwy'n derbyn hynny'n llwyr. Ond, a gaf i ofyn i chi gynnull cyfarfodydd gyda pheth brys er mwyn adolygu a newid y rheol weithredu hon, a gofyn i chi a'ch swyddogion arwain ar y maes penodol hwnnw?
I suppose that the short answer is 'yes'. I'll be very happy to look at that, and perhaps I can update the Member in due course.
Mae'n debyg mai 'cewch' yw'r ateb byr. Byddaf yn hapus iawn i ystyried hynny, ac efallai y gallaf roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelod maes o law.
I'd like to pay tribute to those communities most affected in my constituency, which is Machen, Bedwas, Llanbradach, Ystrad Mynach, Tredomen, Nelson and Penpedairheol; those with commercial businesses and residential businesses. Bedwas RFC's Bridge club was hugely affected and has benefited from crowdfunding. It is struggling to survive, it has to be said, at this point in time, and I'm doing all that I can to help them.
On Thursday 20 February, Caerphilly County Borough Council announced a £250,000 fund to support businesses and residents in the Caerphilly community. I have to say that Caerphilly council have been working 24/7 through this process, and I have praise for them. Can she confirm that the Welsh Government's funding is entirely separate to that, and any application will be looked upon separately to any application to the Caerphilly County Borough Council fund?
The only other question that I've got—. I've had an e-mail today from a resident who tried to apply for the Welsh Government's fund through the link I sent them to the council. She followed the link that I sent, and said that, upon ringing the number, she went through to the council switchboard, who said that they didn't know about the Welsh Government's part of it, and tried to direct them to the discretionary assistance payment. So, if any of your civil servants are listening at this point in time, please could they ensure that local authorities are well aware of the mechanism for drawing down Welsh Government funding? Caerphilly council: I've written to the chief executive and the leader to explain this difficulty. But, the sooner that that is resolved, the better.
Hoffwn dalu teyrnged i'r cymunedau hynny yr effeithiwyd arnynt fwyaf yn fy etholaeth i, sef Machen, Bedwas, Llanbradach, Ystrad Mynach, Tredomen, Nelson a Phenpedairheol; y rhai â busnesau masnachol a busnesau preswyl. Effeithiwyd yn fawr ar Glwb Rygbi Bedwas ar Gae'r Bont ac mae wedi elwa ar gyllido torfol. Mae'n cael trafferth goroesi, mae'n rhaid dweud, ar hyn o bryd, ac rwy'n gwneud popeth a allaf i'w helpu.
Ddydd Iau 20 Chwefror, cyhoeddodd Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Caerffili gronfa o £250,000 i gefnogi busnesau a thrigolion cymuned Caerffili. Rhaid imi ddweud bod Cyngor Caerffili wedi bod yn gweithio bob awr o'r dydd a'r nos drwy'r broses hon, ac rwy'n eu canmol. A all hi gadarnhau bod cyllid Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwbl ar wahân i hynny, ac y caiff unrhyw gais ei ystyried ar wahân i unrhyw gais i gronfa Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Caerffili?
Yr unig gwestiwn arall sydd gen i—. Rwyf wedi cael e-bost heddiw gan breswylydd a geisiodd wneud cais i gronfa Llywodraeth Cymru drwy'r ddolen a anfonais atynt i'r cyngor. Dilynodd y ddolen a anfonais, a dywedodd, ar ôl ffonio'r rhif, y cafodd ei chysylltu â switsfwrdd y Cyngor, a ddywedodd nad oeddent yn gwybod am ran Llywodraeth Cymru, ac y ceisiwyd ei chyfeirio at y taliad cymorth dewisol. Felly, os yw unrhyw rai o'ch gweision sifil yn gwrando ar yr adeg hon, a fyddech cystal â sicrhau bod awdurdodau lleol yn ymwybodol iawn o'r system ar gyfer cael arian gan Lywodraeth Cymru? Cyngor Caerffili: rwyf wedi ysgrifennu at y Prif Weithredwr a'r arweinydd i egluro'r anhawster hwn. Gorau po gyntaf y caiff hynny ei ddatrys.
Thank you. I can confirm that the Welsh Government funding is entirely separate to anything that Caerphilly council want to do in the same way that RCT are doing also. I'm concerned to hear your last point. As soon as I finish my statement, I will go upstairs and make sure that that is corrected as quickly as possible. Obviously, it's the discretionary assistance fund that's doing the scheme for us. I know that, just last week, they had 200 applications for the ordinary DAF funding, and I think that they gave out significant funding. It's either £50 or £100. So, those two schemes are entirely separate as well. But, Deputy Presiding Officer, I will go upstairs and do that, and hopefully, by the time I come back down I will be able to give Hefin David an answer.
Diolch. Gallaf gadarnhau bod cyllid Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwbl ar wahân i unrhyw beth y mae Cyngor Caerffili eisiau ei wneud yn yr un modd ag y mae Rhondda Cynon Taf yn ei wneud hefyd. Rwy'n bryderus o glywed eich sylw olaf. Cyn gynted ag y byddaf yn gorffen fy natganiad, byddaf yn mynd i fyny'r grisiau ac yn gwneud yn siŵr y caiff hynny ei gywiro cyn gynted â phosib. Yn amlwg, y gronfa cymorth dewisol sy'n gwneud y cynllun ar ein cyfer. Rwy'n gwybod eu bod wedi cael 200 o geisiadau, dim ond yr wythnos diwethaf, am arian arferol y gronfa cymorth dewisol, a chredaf iddynt roi cyllid sylweddol. Mae naill ai yn £50 neu'n £100. Felly, mae'r ddau gynllun hynny yn gwbl ar wahân hefyd. Ond, Dirprwy Lywydd, fe af i fyny'r grisiau i wneud hynny, a gobeithio, erbyn imi ddychwelyd i lawr, y byddaf yn gallu rhoi ateb i Hefin David.
Can I extend my sympathies to all those affected in South Wales Central by this most distressful event and the experiences that followed of seeing your homes flooded? It's the speed at which it happens—I think you've referred to that. It is astonishing. In my 21 years in the Chamber, when I've talked to flood victims, speed is what they say, which means we need the most effective warning systems possible.
Can I praise the joint work between the Welsh Government and the UK Government? I know there have been a few things flying about the Chamber today, but actually, both sides seem to have co-operated very well, and you need to continue this. I do commend the fact that the Secretary of State, Simon Hart, did visit RCT on Friday.
My main point is that we do need, because of climate change, to look at the whole hydrology of the south Wales catchment area. We have very fast-moving rivers. They're short. The energy they possess is astonishing, and quite frankly, some of the culverts are not fit for purpose for the speed of the water flow. We need to look at these water courses and examine them in the whole system, about what can be done to deepen them and strengthen them and move that water away from the areas at most risk around businesses and homes.
A gaf i gydymdeimlo â phawb yr effeithiwyd arnynt yn rhanbarth Canol De Cymru yn y digwyddiad hynod drallodus hwn a'r profiadau a ddilynodd o weld eich cartrefi'n dioddef llifogydd? Mae'n digwydd mor gyflym—rwy'n credu eich bod wedi cyfeirio at hynny. Mae'n syfrdanol. Yn fy 21 mlynedd yn y Siambr, pan wyf wedi siarad â dioddefwyr llifogydd, y cyflymder yw'r hyn a ddywedant, sy'n golygu bod angen y systemau rhybuddio mwyaf effeithiol posib arnom ni.
A gaf i ganmol y gwaith ar y cyd rhwng Llywodraeth Cymru a Llywodraeth y DU? Rwy'n gwybod y cyfeiriwyd at ambell broblem yn y Siambr heddiw, ond mewn gwirionedd, mae'r ddwy ochr fel pe baent wedi cydweithredu'n dda iawn, ac mae angen i chi barhau â hyn. Rwyf yn cymeradwyo'r ffaith bod yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol, Simon Hart, wedi ymweld â Rhondda Cynon Taf ddydd Gwener.
Fy mhrif bwynt yw bod angen inni, oherwydd newid yn yr hinsawdd, edrych ar hydroleg gyfan dalgylch y de. Mae gennym ni afonydd sy'n llifo'n gyflym iawn. Maen nhw'n afonydd byrion. Mae'r egni sydd ganddynt yn syfrdanol, ac i fod yn onest, nid yw rhai o'r ceuffosydd yn addas i'r diben ar gyfer cyflymder llif y dŵr. Mae angen inni edrych ar y cyrsiau dŵr hyn a'u harchwilio yn rhan o'r system gyfan, ystyried yr hyn y gellir ei wneud i'w dyfnhau a'u cryfhau a symud y dŵr hwnnw o'r ardaloedd lle ceir y risg mwyaf yng nghyffiniau busnesau a chartrefi.
Thank you. Yes, I think that last point is very important. I mentioned in an earlier answer that, on the Sunday, I spoke to Andrew Morgan, the leader of RCT, and he sent me some photographs of a culvert that had been cleared out three times. It was completely destroyed because of the speed of the water, to which you refer. There's a massive infrastructure operation that's going to have to take place over the coming months and years, probably.
But clearly, some things are more urgent than others, and as we work through—as each local authority goes through the clean-up operation and comes back with what's required, that's when we need to look at specific and individual things that need repairing immediately, and what needs to be done in the longer term.
Diolch. Ydw, rwy'n credu bod y pwynt olaf yn bwysig iawn. Soniais mewn ateb cynharach fy mod, ar y dydd Sul, wedi siarad ag Andrew Morgan, arweinydd Rhondda Cynon Taf, ac anfonodd ataf rai lluniau o geuffos a gafodd ei chlirio deirgwaith. Cafodd ei dinistrio'n llwyr oherwydd cyflymder y dŵr, y cyfeiriwch ato. Mae'n debyg y bydd angen gwaith aruthrol ar y seilwaith dros y misoedd a'r blynyddoedd i ddod.
Ond yn amlwg, mae mwy o frys am rai pethau nag eraill, ac wrth inni weithio drwy—wrth i bob awdurdod lleol gwblhau'r gwaith glanhau a dod yn ôl â'r hyn sy'n ofynnol, dyna pryd y mae angen inni edrych ar bethau penodol ac unigol y mae angen eu hatgyweirio ar unwaith, a beth sydd angen ei wneud yn y tymor hirach.