Atebion i Gwestiynau Ysgrifenedig y Cynulliad i’w hateb ar 7 Mawrth 2013 Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 7 March 2013

Cyhoeddir atebion yn yr iaith y’u darparwyd, gyda chyfieithiad Saesneg o atebion yn y Gymraeg. Answers are published in the language in which they are provided, with a translation into English of responses provided in Welsh.

[R] yn nodi bod yr Aelod wedi datgan buddiant/signifies that the Member has declared an interest. [W] yn nodi bod y cwestiwn wedi’i gyflwyno yn Gymraeg/signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.

Cynnwys Contents

2 Cwestiynau i Weinidog yr Amgylchedd a Datblygu Cynaliadwy Questions to the Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development

2 Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog Tai, Adfywio a Threftadaeth Questions to the Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage

4 Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau Questions to the Minister for Local Government and Communities Atebion i Gwestiynau Ysgrifenedig y Cynulliad i’w hateb ar 7 Mawrth 2013 Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 7 March 2013

Gofyn i Weinidog yr Amgylchedd a Datblygu Cynaliadwy To ask the Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development

Russell George (Sir Drefaldwyn): Yn dilyn ateb y Gweinidog i WAQ61213, a wnewch chi gadarnhau mai’r cysylltiad â’r grid yr oeddech chi’n cyfeirio ato oedd yr un yn Lower Frankton ac nid lleoliad y ganolfan newydd yng Nghefn Coch. (WAQ62404)

Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Further to the Minister’s answer to WAQ61213, will you confirm that the connection to the grid that you referred to is that of Lower Frankton and not the new Hub Location at Cefn Coch. (WAQ62404)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 08 Mawrth 2013 Answer received for publication on 08 March 2013

The Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development (John Griffiths): My previous response (WAQ61213) referred to the 132KV lines to take power from the wind farms to the new National Grid substation currently proposed for the Cefn Coch area.

Gofyn i’r Gweinidog Tai, Adfywio a Threftadaeth To ask the Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage

Mark Isherwood (Gogledd Cymru): Yn dilyn WAQ 62079, a wnaiff y Gweinidog roi manylion ynghylch swm y ffi gychwynnol sy'n daladwy gan adeiladwyr sydd am fod yn rhan o NewBuy Cymru. (WAQ62407)

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): Further to WAQ 62079, will the Minister detail the amount of the initial fee payable by builders who want to participate in NewBuy Cymru. (WAQ62407)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 08 Mawrth 2013 Answer received for publication on 08 March 2013

The Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage (): The NewBuy scheme is designed to benefit all builders irrespective of size therefore, there is only a relatively small initial fee for participating builders of £1,450 which is payable to the financial regulator.

Mark Isherwood (Gogledd Cymru): A allai’r Gweinidog nodi a sefydlwyd gwasanaeth cyn cofrestru ar gyfer darpar berchnogion tai sydd â diddordeb mewn bod yn rhan o NewBuy Cymru. (WAQ62408)

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): Could the Minister confirm if a pre-registration service has been set up for potential homeowners interested in participating in NewBuy Cymru. (WAQ62408)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 08 Mawrth 2013 Answer received for publication on 08 March 2013

Huw Lewis: Currently there is no pre-registration service however individual builders and lenders are able to keep a record of interested participants before the scheme goes live. In time for the scheme launch, there will be information available on the NewBuy consumer website regarding locations of available properties to be developed. The customer can then approach the builder for details/sign up.

2 Atebion i Gwestiynau Ysgrifenedig y Cynulliad i’w hateb ar 7 Mawrth 2013 Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 7 March 2013

Mark Isherwood (Gogledd Cymru): Yn dilyn WAQ 62076 a allai’r Gweinidog gadarnhau'r amserlen a bennwyd ar gyfer y 19 cymdeithas dai o ran datblygu cynlluniau. (WAQ62409)

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): Further to WAQ 62076 could the Minister confirm the timescale in which the 19 housing associations may develop schemes. (WAQ62409)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 08 Mawrth 2013 Answer received for publication on 08 March 2013

Huw Lewis: The housing schemes to be developed will begin at various stages throughout this year and next, some commencing in late spring/early summer of 2013. All schemes are to be completed by the end of financial year 2015-16.

Mark Isherwood (Gogledd Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am ddileu categorïau digartrefedd a’r posibilrwydd y bydd pawb sy'n ddigartref yn cael ystyriaeth gydradd o ran ailgartrefu. (WAQ62410)

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): Could the Minister make a statement regarding the removal of categories of homeless and the possibility of making all those who are homeless equal with regards to rehoming. (WAQ62410)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 08 Mawrth 2013 Answer received for publication on 08 March 2013

Huw Lewis: In May 2012, I published my White Paper, ‘Homes for Wales’. This set out an ambitious programme of legislative and non-legislative action to help people to meet their housing needs. It included my proposals for policy and legislation on homelessness. The proposals include provisions for strengthening homelessness legislation to achieve an even greater emphasis on prevention and early intervention, and to ensure that everyone at risk of homelessness receives assistance from the local authority. The proposed reforms will retain the distinction between priority and non-priority groups. Thus, whilst all groups will be entitled to reasonable assistance from the local authority help them find a home, those who are unintentionally homeless and in priority need will continue to have a right to suitable accommodation. Under our proposed reforms it will be easier for the local authority to discharge this duty using the private rented sector. I am not minded to propose the removal any priority need categories or to change the definition of homelessness. I will be reviewing the scope of the priority need categories this year, and as a result may bring forward amendments through secondary legislation. I have asked my officials to examine the case for amending the duty to former prisoners and for extending priority need to include rough sleepers. We have already consulted extensively with stakeholders to refine our proposals, and this work will continue until I introduce my Housing Bill this autumn. I would also undertake further consultation if I decide to bring forward any proposals for amendments to priority need through secondary legislation.

Mark Isherwood (Gogledd Cymru): A allai’r Gweinidog nodi os cynhaliwyd dadansoddiad gwrthrychol ar lefel leol a chenedlaethol o anghenion tai yn y dyfodol. (WAQ62411)

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): Could the Minister detail if there has been an objective analysis at a national and local level of future housing need. (WAQ62411)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 08 Mawrth 2013 Answer received for publication on 08 March 2013

3 Atebion i Gwestiynau Ysgrifenedig y Cynulliad i’w hateb ar 7 Mawrth 2013 Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 7 March 2013

Huw Lewis: Future housing need is determined through Local Housing Market Assessments. The assessments, carried out by local housing authorities, are used in order to plan housing services and reflect the objectives of the in developing sustainable communities. Housing assessments in the past have been based on local authority administrative boundaries. Assessments should have regard to functioning housing markets and the geographic area within which there are clear links between where people both live and work.

In 2010 the Welsh Government published a research report titled 'Housing Need and Demand in Wales 2006 to 2026' produced by the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research. The report provides estimates of current and projected housing need and demand for Wales up to 2026 using the 2006-based household projections and data from the Living in Wales surveys. The report also provides estimates of housing need and demand for each of the local authority areas over the period 2006-2026.

In summary the report estimated 284,000 additional homes were required in Wales between 2006 and 2026. This is equivalent to an average of 14,200 dwellings a year, of which it is estimated 9,200 are required in the market sector and 5,100 in the non-market sector, where the non-market sector comprises social sector tenants, owner-occupiers buying through the Right to Buy and private sector tenants receiving Housing Benefit.

Gofyn i'r Gweinidog Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau To ask the Minister for Local Government and Communities

Eluned Parrott (Canol De Cymru): Pa drafodaethau penodol ydych chi wedi'u cael â Chyngor Caerdydd am 'Ganolfan Drafnidiaeth' arfaethedig Cyngor Caerdydd ers mis Mai 2012 ac ar ba ddyddiadau y cynhaliwyd y trafodaethau hynny. (WAQ62406)

Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): What specific discussions and on which dates have you had with Cardiff Council since May 2012 regarding Cardiff Council's proposed 'Transport Hub'. (WAQ62406)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 12 Mawrth 2013 Answer received for publication on 12 March 2013

The Minister for Local Government and Communities (): I have had meetings with Cardiff Council to discuss transport matters including their priorities for key transport developments in Cardiff and how we can collaborate to deliver transport improvements in Cardiff and the wider city- region. The dates of these meetings were 17 October 2012, 5 November 2012 and 24 January 2013.

Eluned Parrott (Canol De Cymru): A oes gan Lywodraeth Cymru ddiffiniad o Gludiant Cymunedol ac os felly, beth ydyw. (WAQ62405)

Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central): Does the Welsh Government have a definition of Community Transport and if so what is it. (WAQ62405)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 08 Mawrth 2013 Answer received for publication on 08 March 2013

Carl Sargeant: I endorse the Community Transport Association’s definition of community transport.

4 Atebion i Gwestiynau Ysgrifenedig y Cynulliad i’w hateb ar 7 Mawrth 2013 Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 7 March 2013

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Ers 16 Tachwedd, a gynhaliodd y Gweinidog neu ei swyddogion unrhyw drafodaethau â Chomisiynwyr yr Heddlu a Throseddu Cymru ynghylch lefelau praesept yr heddlu yng Nghymru. (WAQ62412)

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Since November 16th, has the Minister or his officials had any discussions with Wales’ Police and Crime Commissioners concerning police precept levels in Wales. (WAQ62412)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 08 Mawrth 2013 Answer received for publication on 08 March 2013

Carl Sargeant: Yes.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu unrhyw drafodaethau y mae ef neu ei swyddogion wedi'u cael hyd yma ynghylch ystyriaethau o ran capio codiadau ym mhraesept yr heddlu gan Gomisiynwyr yr Heddlu a Throseddu yn y dyfodol. (WAQ62413)

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister outline any discussions he or his officials have had to date concerning considerations of whether to cap future police precept rises by Police and Crime Commissioners. (WAQ62413)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 08 Mawrth 2013 Answer received for publication on 08 March 2013

Carl Sargeant: I have regular discussions with the Police and Crime Commissioners on a range of issues including future budgets and precepts. The creation of the role of PCCs was a non-devolved matter and the timing of the PCC elections limited the period Commissioners had available to consider their financial positions ahead of setting their budgets and associated precepts for 2013-14.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Yn dilyn yr ateb i WAQ62051, a wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu a yw'n ystyried codiad o saith y cant ym mhraesept yr heddlu yn gam rhesymol i Gomisiynydd yr Heddlu a Throseddu ei gymryd. (WAQ64217)

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Further to the answer to WAQ62051, will the Minister outline whether he considers a seven per cent police precept rise as a reasonable step for a Police and Crime Commissioner to take. (WAQ64217)

Derbyniwyd ateb i’w gyhoeddi ar 08 Mawrth 2013 Answer received for publication on 08 March 2013

Carl Sargeant: It is the responsibility of each Police and Crime Commissioner to set the police precept for their area and they are directly answerable to their local electorates for their decisions. I have written to the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner asking him to explain the basis of the increase in police precept for 2013-14 and to set out his plans for future years. South Wales Police will continue to have the lowest police precept in Wales.

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