MIKE HEDGES AM WELCOMES NEWS THAT THE WELSH GOVERNMENT IS DEVELOPING AN EV CHARGING STRATEGY.



Speaking from his Morriston Office, Swansea East AM said… ‘This is the third time I have raised the issue of electric charging points for vehicles in the last few months. Ensuring that there are sufficient charging points in public areas must be part of the future for electric vehicles across Wales. Not everyone is going to have a home charging point (e.g. if you live in terrace houses) and if electric vehicles are going to become the norm we need to put the infrastructure in place before people make the change. I look forward to studying the EV Charging Strategy mentioned in the Ministers Reply.

 Ken Skates –

You asked the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd during Business Statement on 21 January for an update on publicly available Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points. I have been asked to respond, as this falls under my portfolio.

As I have stated previously, we expect the vast majority of EV charging points will be delivered by the private sector. A recent report estimated the cost of rollout of EV charging infrastructure in the UK to be £49bn, so we have to ensure that we allocate public funding efficiently. That is why I have committed to developing an EV Charging Strategy this year, which will help to prioritise Welsh Government action to ensure that electric vehicle users in Wales are well served.

Tesla operate some charging stations which are for the exclusive use of their cars but they represent a small proportion of the total number of EV chargers. As noted in the debate, the number of charge points in Wales is increasingly rapidly to meet current and future demand.

More generally, the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act (July 2018) gives the UK Government powers to standardise payments, ensure key charge point information is made public, and compel deployment at motorway service stations. It also gives the UK Government the powers to ensure that charge points are ‘smart’ and able to respond to the needs of network operators and suppliers to manage demand. This may allow Government to introduce secondary legislation relating to interoperability in the future.

We will continue to liaise with the Office for Low Emission Vehicles and others to work to ensure the roll-out of accessible and convenient EV chargers in Wales

Mike Hedges AM welcomes Welsh Government announcement that Tennent rights are to be strengthened with new laws.

 

Speaking from his Senedd office, Swansea East AM Mike Hedges said… ‘I have long campaigned on Housing issues as I believe good quality housing to be one of the most basic of human needs. Recent years have seen the growth of the private rented sector and as I said in my speech, most landlords are decent people, in it for the right reasons, who maintain their properties and treat their tenants with respect. Sadly however, there are some rogue landlords who do not maintain properties and who are out to take advantage of situations to make money.

The new rules outlined by the Minister will provide a framework for ensuring that tenants are treated fairly and landlords must provide appropriate reasons when evicting someone. It increases security of tenor for tenants and will mean greater stability for children who might be faced with moving schools at short notice.  

Good landlords have nothing to fear from these new laws, rogue landlords are about to find life tougher.’

Mike Hedges AM - Can I thank the Minister for the statement? I believe that housing is one of the most important things that we have and I think that it really is important that the housing sector, both private, local authority, other social housing landlords and the private sector are all of a high standard.209

Most tenants and landlords have a good relationship. I mean, most landlords look after their properties and treat their tenants well, and I think, sometimes, when we start bringing in legislation, discussing these things, we give the impression that we think all landlords are bad. Also, most tenants pay their rent on time, look after the house, cause no problems to those living around them, and in a lot of places, including large parts of my constituency, you wouldn't know which houses were owner-occupied and which were lived in by people who were privately renting, some of whom do it for several years. And some of the nicer parts—. If I can go into your constituency, Minister, and if you go down into the marina, large numbers of properties there are privately rented, they're all of good quality, and there are no problems being caused by them, as I'm sure that you're more aware than I am of that.210

Unfortunately, there are some bad landlords and there are some bad tenants, and I've talked to people who have rented their houses out to get them back without any internal doors and semi-demolished. So, there are bad tenants. I've also seen people who are tenants living in properties where you could put your fist between the wall and the window frame. So, you've got bad people on both sides. I think we do need to acknowledge that.211

I welcome the fact you're ending retaliatory eviction. I think that was always the case: 'Please will you repair my house?' 'Get out in three months' was acting as a dissuader.212

I noticed you didn't make a mention of this in your statement, but, as you know, I'm very keen on smoke alarms, electrical and gas certificates and those checks. I mean, they're still in the Act, I understand. Are you going to say how often they have to be checked after they have been installed? Because that's something that a lot of people are very concerned about, in that they're checked once, but if somebody lives there nine or 10 years, are they going to be checked again? And that's a question, perhaps, that some of us who are owner-occupiers would ask ourselves: 'How often do we check our smoke alarms, make sure our gas is safe and check electrical safety?' So, I think some of us could certainly learn from that as well.213

The last question I've got is—. I mean, obviously the greater security is welcomed. You mentioned six months a lot during it. I'm not going to read them all out to you because the Deputy Presiding Officer, amongst others, wouldn't allow me to, but you mentioned six months a lot. Why have you chosen six months as opposed to three months or 12 months? I hear what you said about no-fault evictions, that you have to have reasons why people can be evicted even if they have no fault, but I think the general principle of no-fault evictions is one that many of us like and it means that, when people leave, it does show that they haven't been evicted for that. They can be evicted if somebody has to live in the house or the person who owns it goes bankrupt or whatever reason due to financial problems, but actually having it on the statute books that we support no-fault evictions is something I'm not quite sure why you don't want.

Mike Hedges AM welcomes news that Swansea Council have given the go ahead for a futuristic building in Lower Oxford Street which will include greenhouses on the roof spaces.

Speaking from the Senedd, Chair of the Environment, Climate Change and Rural Affairs Committee, Swansea AM Mike Hedges said… ‘This is exactly the sort of new build that is going to regenerate the city centre with innovative schemes to enable residents to have green houses on the roof space. This scheme will be the first of its kind in South West Wales and will be the first of many. Making use of roof space to grow fruit and vegetables. I am pleased to see Swansea leading the way in this type of new development.’

A futuristic "living" building which will be home to plants, vegetables, fish and people has been given the go-ahead by Swansea councillors.

The Picton Yard scheme will transform the former city centre Woolworths store, and Picton Lane to the rear.

Greenhouses, terraces and rooftop gardens will sit above two floors of shops and offices.

A 12-storey tower at the rear will contain 44 flats, plus office and educational space lower down.

Mike Hedges AM welcomes news that Swansea Council have given the go ahead for a futuristic building in Lower Oxford Street which will include greenhouses on the roof spaces.

Mike Hedges AM welcomes news that Swansea Council have given the go ahead for a futuristic building in Lower Oxford Street which will include greenhouses on the roof spaces.

Speaking from the Senedd, Chair of the Environment, Climate Change and Rural Affairs Committee, Swansea AM Mike Hedges said… ‘This is exactly the sort of new build that is going to regenerate the city centre with innovative schemes to enable residents to have green houses on the roof space. This scheme will be the first of its kind in South West Wales and will be the first of many. Making use of roof space to grow fruit and vegetables. I am pleased to see Swansea leading the way in this type of new development.’

A futuristic "living" building which will be home to plants, vegetables, fish and people has been given the go-ahead by Swansea councillors.
The Picton Yard scheme will transform the former city centre Woolworths store, and Picton Lane to the rear.
Greenhouses, terraces and rooftop gardens will sit above two floors of shops and offices.
A 12-storey tower at the rear will contain 44 flats, plus office and educational space lower down.

Mike Hedges AM welcomes announcement that Welsh government proposes to end ‘no fault’ evictions

Mike Hedges AM welcomes announcement that Welsh government proposes to end ‘no fault’ evictions

Speaking from his Swansea East Office, Mike Hedges AM said…. ‘I greatly welcome this announcement by the Welsh Government. People living in private sector rented accommodation often live with the threat of receiving a 2 month notice to vacate the property which can cause significant disruption to their family’s life.  People should be able to live with a degree of security, free from the worry of an eviction notice from the landlord. Giving people a 6 month notice period will give people greater security and time to find alternative accommodation. It is a reform that is long overdue’

The Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill and the accompanying Explanatory Memorandum have today been introduced into the National Assembly.

The Bill will amend the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (“the 2016 Act”) to provide greater security for people who rent their homes in Wales. This will particularly affect those who live in the private rented sector and occupy their homes under a ‘standard occupation contract’, the equivalent to the current assured shorthold tenancy, after the 2016 Act comes into force.

This additional security will primarily be achieved by extending the minimum notice period for issuing a section 173 notice under the 2016 Act (the equivalent of the current section 21 notice under the Housing Act 1988) from two months to six months.  Landlords will also be prevented from issuing such a notice until at least six months from the date of occupancy, meaning that those renting their home will have a minimum of 12 months security of tenure from the outset of their contract (representing a doubling of the current position).  Further provisions will also ensure that landlords are unable to issue rolling ‘speculative’ notices on a ‘just in case’ basis, which can undermine the sense of security that those renting a home should be able to enjoy.

MIKE HEDGES AM WELCOMES NEWS THAT LOCAL ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN AWARDED GRANTS FROM NATIONAL LOTTERY

MIKE HEDGES AM WELCOMES NEWS THAT LOCAL ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN AWARDED GRANTS FROM NATIONAL LOTTERY



Speaking from his Morriston Office, Swansea East AM, Mike Hedges said…. ‘I welcome this news as community groups such as these provide really significant support for our local communities. These groups provide facilities and activities for a variety of groups in their areas who help deal with loneliness and isolation, people living in poverty and facilities for young people, all activities desperately needed in a lot of our communities. I wish the organisations well as they enjoy their grants.



I would urge all community groups to check if they are eligible for lottery funding – if groups need any assistance checking eligibility with funding or help with the application form please get in touch with my office – 01792 790621’







The Parish of St Thomas and Kilvey were awarded £250,000 and will use the grant to transform St. Thomas Church into a community hub. There will be space for the congregation, through the erection of a mezzanine floor, and several community rooms for activities and services. To date services will include Baby Basics, Homelessness Shelter, School holiday meals and foodbank. There will also be a credit union and various community activities such as Boys Brigade and Martial Art classes.



Bonymaen Community Centre will make their facility more accessible for the community, by improving their garden area for activities and social events. £8,010 will fund chairs, benches, a community event, and advertising costs.



The Wednesday Morning Coffee Club  ( Based in Treboeth Community Centre) were also successful in receiving a grant of £1,160 to hold a series of activities for their community, to help reduce the feelings of isolation.

Mike Hedges AM Requests that Welsh Government prioritise supported housing within the Welsh Budget

Mike Hedges AM Requests that Welsh Government prioritise supported housing within the Welsh Budget



Speaking from The Senedd, Mike Hedges AM said… ‘I have visited many different supported Housing Schemes, including those run by Family Housing and Llanmau in Swansea. I have been very impressed with the impact these types of facility can have in promoting independent living with support on hand if needed; there is no doubt in my mind that if this type of accommodation were not available, then the people would be at much greater risk of needing greater levels of care – and at greater cost. It is not cost that is the driver here however, it is the desire to support people to be as independent as possible for as long as possible, with the highest quality of life as possible.



I am sure that there would be agreement across The Senedd if the Government were to prioritise Supported Housing within this budget.’

Mike Hedges AM - Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government’s budget priorities for 2020-21? OAQ55026

Rebecca Evans AM 14:17:49

Copy To Clipboard Share To Facebook Share To Twitter Share To LinkedIn

Video

The draft budget for 2020-21 delivers on our promises to the people of Wales and invests for the future of our planet, including £324 million extra for the Welsh NHS, almost £200 million extra for local government, and a new £140 million package to help tackle climate change.90

Mike Hedges AM 14:18:09

Copy To Clipboard Share To Facebook Share To Twitter Share To LinkedIn

Video

The Minister, having heard the budget debate yesterday and having heard questions today, cannot fail to be aware of the concern across the Chamber of the need to support supported housing. I saw somebody when I went on a visit who had successfully not gone to hospital for five years. They'd they'd never stayed out of hospital for one year, until they'd gone into supported housing. There is widespread if not near-unanimous support across this Chamber for additional funding for supported housing. Will the Minister look to give it priority during this budget round? Because it really is a matter that seems to unite almost everybody.91

Rebecca Evans AM 14:18:54

Copy To Clipboard Share To Facebook Share To Twitter Share To LinkedIn

Video

I thank Mike Hedges for his contribution. I would reiterate again that I have been listening carefully to colleagues and the arguments are well made. When the appropriate point does come, I will indicate any priority areas for additional funding, should additional funding come forward.

MIKE HEDGES AM WELCOMES THE FIRST MINISTER’S COMMITMENT TO DEALING WITH CHILD POVERTY.

MIKE HEDGES AM WELCOMES THE FIRST MINISTER’S COMMITMENT TO DEALING WITH CHILD POVERTY.

Speaking from his Senedd Office, Swansea East AM Mike Hedges said…. ‘Child poverty is a blight on our society and it is a situation we all ought to be committed to eradicating. I am pleased with the First Minister’s response; we ought not to need a discretionary assistance fund, but the sad reality is that it has acted as a last resort for a number of people, including many single parent families. It often provides funds for some of the bare essentials for life such as a cooker or a settee. The Welsh Government can take pride that it stands by people in their hour of greatest need and ensures that they can have essential items for their life. I am glad that the First Minister confirmed an ongoing commitment to this fund.’

Mike Hedges AM

OAQ55025

2. What action is the Welsh Government taking to support children in poverty in Wales? OAQ55025

Mark Drakeford AM 13:35:58

First Minister of Wales

Copy To Clipboard Share To Facebook Share To Twitter Share To LinkedIn

I thank Mike Hedges for that question. The major levers for addressing child poverty remain firmly with the UK Government. The Welsh Government is focused on using devolved powers to leave more money in the pockets of families with children, particularly those children living in poverty.11

Mike Hedges AM 13:36:14

Copy To Clipboard Share To Facebook Share To Twitter Share To LinkedIn

Can I thank the First Minister for that response? I very much welcome that the Welsh Government has committed to additional funding for the discretionary assistance fund, which has helped individuals and their families during times of crisis and, quite frankly, destitution. To ensure the fund's long-term future, additional funding will be required. Will the First Minister outline his proposals for the fund in future years?12

Mark Drakeford AM 13:36:36

First Minister of Wales

Copy To Clipboard Share To Facebook Share To Twitter Share To LinkedIn

I thank Mike Hedges for that supplementary question. He is absolutely right to point to the success of the decision made here in the National Assembly to have a national scheme. When the social fund was abandoned by the UK Government, here in Wales we decided that we would have a fund that would be run on a Wales-wide basis with no local lottery in it. In England, we know that many local authorities took the money that they were given when the social fund was broken up and provide no service for poor people with it at all.13

Here, we have helped 280,000 applications to the fund since its inception. The budget has increased year on year in this Assembly term. It was £7 million in the first year of this Assembly term; it's £11.2 million in this year. It went up £2 million in this financial year; it will go up by another £1 million in the next financial year. The number of applications has gone up remarkably quickly in an age of austerity: 65,000 applications in the first year of this Assembly term; 160,000 in this financial year, to the end of December; so it's going to be more than 100,000 additional applicants to the fund.14

And not only have we sustained it, Llywydd, by more money to keep the fund available to people, but we've extended its scope as well. We've made sure that it can respond to the needs of refugees and asylum seekers here in Wales. We've made sure it's available to people who are discharged from prison with absolutely no possessions at all. I wish there wasn't a need for a discretionary assistance fund. I wish that the social security system provided people with enough to be able to meet their needs without this final safety net of the welfare state. But while it is needed, here in Wales we go on investing in it and making sure that those whose needs are the very toughest in our society have somewhere in Wales that they can go.

Mike Hedges AM welcomes news that Archaeologists are working to uncover secrets of Swansea’s industrial past prior to Copperworks redevelopment

Mike Hedges AM welcomes news that Archaeologists are working to uncover secrets of Swansea’s industrial past prior to Copperworks redevelopment

Speaking from his Morriston office, Mike Hedges AM said… ‘The regeneration of the Copper works area of Swansea is a huge project for the area; it will mean new jobs and new facilities for local people to enjoy their heritage and the fantastic environment of the area. I am thrilled however that this work is being accompanied by work to ensure that as much of the area’s history is mapped and artefacts saved for future generations. I grew up in the Hafod and can recall some of the works in the area in the years before they closed. They provided employment for many hundreds of local people and it is good that the history of this area is going to be saved to be enjoyed by future generations.

I would urge all Swansea residents to go down to the Copperopolis area and see the history of our area. ‘  

At its 19th Century peak, the city produced 90% of all the world's copper.

Now the Hafod-Morfa works is undergoing a fingertip search of the site, to uncover some of its lesser-known gems.

Over the next few years the banks of the River Tawe will be transformed, with the renovation of the historic Powerhouse building, and the Penderyn Distillery expansion.

But before then Monmouthshire-based Black Mountains Archaeology is saving as much as possible.

The firm is also creating 3D models of everything else they have discovered from the works, before the bulldozers move in.