English

Cynulliad Cenedlaethol CymruNational Assembly for Wales · Cyfarfod llawnPlenary sitting

Dydd Iau 25 Ebrill 2002

Thursday 25 April 2002

DechreuoddMet 09:05 · Daeth i benRose 12:24

Gweld y Cofnod (PDF)View the Record (PDF)

Heb ei wirio â llaw etoNot yet checked by hand

CynnwysContents

  1. 3Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a ChymunedauQuestions on Local Government to the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities
    1. 3Datblygiad e-lywodraethProgress within e-government
    2. 4Ombwdsmon Llywodraeth LeolLocal Government Ombudsman
    3. 6Landlordiaid Cymdeithasol CofrestredigRegistered Social Landlords
    4. 7Trosglwyddo Cartrefi Llywodraeth Leol i Landlordiaid Cymdeithasol CofrestredigTransferring Local Authority Homes to Registered Social Landlords
    5. 9Tlodi yng NghymruPoverty in Wales
    6. 11Tai CymdeithasolSocial Housing
  2. 12Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog dros yr AmgylcheddQuestions to the Minister for Environment
    1. 12Gwaith Phurnacite yn AbercwmboiPhurnacite Plant at Abercwmboi
    2. 13Cyfarwyddebau Ailgylchu EwropeaiddEuropean Recycling Directives
    3. 15Datblygiadau Tai yng NghaerdyddHousing Developments in Cardiff
    4. 17Polisi Agregau MorolMarine Aggregates Policy
    5. 19Datblygiadau CynaliadwySustainable Developments
  3. 22Datganiad ar Ymgynghoriad ar ‘Strwythur Strategol ac Ymgynghorol i Amgueddfeydd, Llyfrgelloedd ac Archifdai yng Nghymru’Statement on the Consultation on ‘A Strategic and Advisory Structure for Museums, Libraries and Archives in Wales’
  4. 34Datganiad ar Hynt y Cynllun i Wella Mynediad at Gyfleusterau Technoleg Gwybodaeth a Chyfathrebu drwy Ganolfannau DysguStatement on Progress towards Achieving Access to Information Technology Facilities through Learning Centres
  5. 47Pwyntiau o DrefnPoints of Order
  6. 52Cynnig Cyfansawdd: Cymeradwyo GorchmynionComposite Motion: Approval of Orders 1 bleidlais1 vote
  7. 54Cymeradwyo Rheoliadau Cynlluniau Datblygu Addysg (Cymru) 2002Approval of the Education Development Plans (Wales) Regulations 2002 2 o bleidleisiau2 votes
  8. 63Dadl Plaid Leiafrifol (Plaid Cymru)Minority Party Debate (Plaid Cymru) 2 o bleidleisiau2 votes
    1. 63Y Sector GwirfoddolThe Voluntary Sector 2 o bleidleisiau2 votes
  9. 86Dadl FerShort Debate
    1. 86Derbyniad Teledu a Radio yn Nwyrain PowysTelevision and Radio Reception in East Powys

PleidleisiauVotes

PleidlaisVoteO blaidForYmatalAbstainYn erbynAgainstCanlyniadResult
Cynnig Cyfansawdd: Cymeradwyo GorchmynionComposite Motion: Approval of Orders
Cynnig cyfansawdd NDM1035Composite motion NDM10354100DerbyniwydAdopted
Cymeradwyo Rheoliadau Cynlluniau Datblygu Addysg (Cymru) 2002Approval of the Education Development Plans (Wales) Regulations 2002
Cynnig NDM1033Motion NDM10334300DerbyniwydAdopted
Cynnig NDM1034Motion NDM10344200DerbyniwydAdopted
Y Sector GwirfoddolThe Voluntary Sector
Gwelliant 1Amendment 14600DerbyniwydAdopted
Cynnig wedi’i ddiwygioAmended motion4700DerbyniwydAdopted

TrafodionProceedings

Cyfarfu’r Cynulliad am 9.05 a.m. gyda’r Llywydd yn y Gadair.

The Assembly met at 9.05 a.m. with the Presiding Officer in the Chair.

Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau

Questions on Local Government to the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities

Datblygiad e-lywodraeth

Progress within e-government

Q1 Phil Williams spoken in English p. 3

C1 Phil Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 3

Will the Minister make a statement on progress made by local government in Wales in the field of e-government? (OAQ16941)

A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad ar ddatblygiad e-lywodraeth ymhlith awdurdodau lleol Cymru? (OAQ16941)

Edwina Hart The Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities spoken in English p. 3

Edwina Hart Y Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 3

Local authorities are making good progress in this field. Nineteen of the 22 local authorities in Wales have published statements on implementing electronic government, and the remaining three will publish statements before the end of April. These will be evaluated by the European business management school at the University of Wales, Swansea, and they will inform the production of further guidance to aid authorities in developing their objectives and targets for the use of information and communications technology to support service improvement. They will also inform the development of relevant Assembly advice and support.

Mae’r awdurdodau lleol yn gwneud cynnydd da yn y maes hwn. Mae 19 o’r 22 awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru wedi cyhoeddi datganiadau ar weithredu llywodraeth electronig, a bydd y tri sy’n weddill yn cyhoeddi datganiadau cyn diwedd Ebrill. Gwerthusir y rhain gan yr ysgol rheoli busnes Ewropeaidd ym Mhrifysgol Cymru, Abertawe, a byddant yn goleuo’r gwaith o gynhyrchu canllawiau pellach i helpu’r awdurdodau wrth iddynt ddatblygu eu hamcanion a’u targedau ar gyfer defnyddio technoleg gwybodaeth a chyfathrebu i’w cynorthwyo i wella eu gwasanaeth. Byddant hefyd yn goleuo’r gwaith o ddatblygu cyngor a chymhorth perthnasol gan y Cynulliad.

Phil Williams spoken in English p. 3

Phil Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 3

Proper e-government requires proper infrastructure. Given that the £66 million of Objective 1 money that was earmarked for IT infrastructure is untouched, is it not a significant failure on the part of the Assembly Government that Wales lags so far behind the rest of the UK in broadband connectivity, bearing in mind that the UK lags so far behind the average for the European Union?

Mae e-lywodraeth briodol yn gofyn seilwaith priodol. O wybod na chyffyrddwyd dim yn y £66 miliwn o arian Amcan 1 a glustnodwyd ar gyfer y seilwaith TG, onid methiant sylweddol ar ran Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yw bod Cymru mor bell ar ôl gweddill y DU o ran cysylltedd band llydan, gan gofio bod y DU mor bell ar ôl cyfartaledd yr Undeb Ewropeaidd?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 3

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 3

I do not accept that we lag far behind everybody. Our significant investment in the e-government agenda provides for the establishment of the appropriate infrastructure. I would like that to be accelerated and I hope that the amount of money made available will ensure that more work is done in the next 12 months.

Ni dderbyniaf ein bod ar ôl pawb. Mae ein buddsoddiad sylweddol ym maes e-lywodraeth yn darparu ar gyfer sefydlu’r seilwaith priodol. Fe hoffwn i hynny gael ei wneud yn gynt a gobeithiaf y bydd y swm o arian a ddarparwyd yn sicrhau y gwneir rhagor o waith yn y 12 mis nesaf.

Michael German The Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrat Group spoken in English p. 4

Michael German Arweinydd Grŵp Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4

To what extent did local authorities in Wales take into account the need to develop their services in a different way to adapt to, and facilitate, e-government in their modernisation proposals?

I ba raddau yr oedd yr awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru’n cymryd i ystyriaeth yn eu cynigion moderneiddio yr angen i ddatblygu eu gwasanaethau’n wahanol er mwyn ymaddasu i e-lywodraeth a’i hwyluso?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 4

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4

I could not point at every local authority and say that they have considered this issue in detail without reference to local authorities’ responses to the modernisation agenda. Once a review has been undertaken in local government, I will be happy to inform Members how local government has taken these issues into account.

Ni allwn gyfeirio at bob awdurdod lleol a dweud ei fod wedi ystyried y mater hwn yn fanwl heb gyfeirio at ymatebion yr awdurdodau lleol i’r agenda moderneiddio. Ar ôl cynnal adolygiad mewn llywodraeth leol, byddaf yn falch o hysbysu’r Aelodau sut y mae llywodraeth leol wedi cymryd y materion hyn i ystyriaeth.

Alun Cairns spoken in English p. 4

Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4

The Assembly invested large sums of money in local authorities to enable them to use video-conferencing facilities. How often are these used and how often has the Minister used them with local authorities in Wales?

Buddsoddodd y Cynulliad symiau mawr o arian yn yr awdurdodau lleol fel y gallent ddefnyddio cyfleusterau cynadledda fideo. Pa mor aml y defnyddir hwy a pha mor aml y mae’r Gweinidog wedi’u defnyddio gyda’r awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 4

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4

I cannot comment on how often local authorities use such facilities. It would be costly for me to find out in order to answer that question. However, I use these facilities regularly with local authorities. If I hold a launch in the Assembly, for example, I find it convenient to have video-conferencing from north and mid Wales so that we have an immediate link. It is a good point to make that if a Minister only has a limited amount of meetings, but wants to speak to local authority leaders, this method of communication can be used.

Ni allaf wneud sylw ynghylch pa mor aml y mae’r awdurdodau lleol yn defnyddio cyfleusterau o’r fath. Byddai’n ddrud imi ddarganfod hynny er mwyn gallu ateb y cwestiwn hwnnw. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf fi’n defnyddio’r cyfleusterau hyn yn rheolaidd gyda’r awdurdodau lleol. Os wyf yn cynnal cyfarfod lansio yn y Cynulliad, er enghraifft, yr wyf yn ei chael yn gyfleus cael cynadledda fideo o’r Gogledd a’r Canolbarth fel bod gennym gysylltiad syth. Pwynt da i’w wneud yw os mai ond nifer fach o gyfarfodydd sydd gan y Gweinidog, ond ei fod yn dymuno siarad ag arweinyddion yr awdurdodau lleol, y gellir defnyddio’r dull cyfathrebu hwn.

Ombwdsmon Llywodraeth Leol

Local Government Ombudsman

Q2 Alison Halford spoken in English p. 4

C2 Alison Halford siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4

In light of the review into ombudsman services in Wales, announced last April, what plans has the Minister to reform the role and powers of the local government ombudsman in Wales? (OAQ16946)

Yng ngoleuni’r adolygiad o wasanaethau’r ombwdsmon yng Nghymru a gyhoeddwyd fis Ebrill y llynedd, pa gynlluniau sydd gan y Gweinidog ddiwygio rôl a phwerau’r ombwdsmon llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru? (OAQ16946)

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 4

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4

We jointly announced with the Secretary of State for Wales that we will undertake a review of all public sector ombudsman services in Wales with the aim of ensuring that the service meets our citizens’ needs. The jurisdiction of all ombudsmen will be considered and you will have an opportunity to contribute to the review as part of a public consultation, which will begin by the end of May.

Gwnaethom gyhoeddiad ar y cyd ag Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru y byddwn yn cynnal adolygiad o’r holl wasanaethau’r ombwdsmyn sector cyhoeddus yng Nghymru gyda’r bwriad o sicrhau bod y gwasanaeth yn diwallu anghenion ein dinasyddion. Ystyrir awdurdodaeth yr holl ombwdsmyn a chewch gyfle i gyfrannu i’r adolygiad fel rhan o ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus, a fydd yn dechrau erbyn diwedd Mai.

Alison Halford spoken in English p. 5

Alison Halford siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

While the reform of the ombudsman services is a great step forward towards accountability and transparency, combining the role of the monitoring officer with the head of legal services will mean that such officers will investigate themselves, their colleagues and—most importantly—their employer. Does it not cause you concern that so much power and influence is vested in an individual?

Er bod diwygio’r gwasanaethau ombwdsmyn yn gam mawr ymlaen at atebolrwydd a thryloywder, bydd cyfuno rôl y swyddog monitro â rôl pennaeth y gwasanaethau cyfreithiol yn golygu y bydd swyddogion o’r fath yn eu harchwilio eu hunain, eu cydweithwyr ac—yn bwysicaf oll—eu cyflogwr. Onid yw’n peri pryder i chi fod cymaint o bŵer a dylanwad wedi’i ymddiried i unigolyn?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 5

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

I would be concerned if I believed that too much power was being vested in an individual. If you consider the example of a clerk to a police authority, that position is not outside the ombudsman’s jurisdiction but he can only examine certain categories of complaints. However, I will certainly review the matter that you have raised with me, Alison, and I will come back to you.

Fe fyddwn yn bryderus pe credwn fod gormod o bŵer wedi’i ymddiried i unigolyn. Os ystyriwch glerc i awdurdod heddlu, er enghraifft, nid yw’r swydd honno y tu allan i awdurdodaeth yr ombwdsmon ond nid yw ond yn gallu archwilio rhai categorïau o gwynion. Fodd bynnag, gwnaf adolygu’r mater yr ydych wedi’i godi â mi’n sicr, Alison, a deuaf yn ôl atoch.

Dafydd Wigley siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 5

Dafydd Wigley spoken in Welsh p. 5

A yw’r Gweinidog wedi’i bodloni bod adroddiadau ombwdsmon bob amser yn cael eu gweithredu’n effeithiol gan y rhai y mae’r gŵyn wedi’i gwneud yn eu herbyn? Oni chawn enghreifftiau yn aml o nodi adroddiad yn ffurfiol ond heb fawr ddim arall yn digwydd? Onid oes angen rhoi mwy o sylw i hyn i sicrhau y dilynir y materion drwyddynt, a bod gwersi’n cael eu dysgu?

Is the Minister satisfied that recommendations made in ombudsman reports are always implemented effectively by those who have complaints leveled against them? Is it not often true that reports are formally noted but that very little else happens? Is there not a need to give more attention to this to ensure that issues are followed through, and that lessons are learned?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 5

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

No specific issue has been drawn to my attention but, in light of your comments, I will take the matter forward. I would be concerned if ombudsman reports’ recommendations were not implemented by organisations.

Ni thynnwyd unrhyw fater penodol i’m sylw ond, yng ngolwg eich sylwadau, byddaf yn ystyried y mater ymhellach. Fe fyddwn yn bryderus pe na fyddai cyrff yn rhoi’r argymhellion yn adroddiadau’r ombwdsmyn ar waith.

Peter Rogers spoken in English p. 5

Peter Rogers siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5

Which councils in Wales are complained against most often and, from your records, what is the main issue of complaint?

Yn erbyn pa gynghorau yng Nghymru y gwneir cwynion amlaf ac, ar sail eich cofnodion, beth yw’r prif fater y cwynir yn ei gylch?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 6

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6

I am not certain that I keep central records of that nature. I see a variety of complaints, some from Assembly Members complaining on behalf of constituents about local government, and some of a general nature, which are not about specific matters. I cannot answer that question fully without a great deal of further investigation. In most cases people complain to their local authority about that authority, but a variety of complaints arise from Members’ dealings with constituents.

Nid wyf yn sicr fy mod yn cadw cofnodion canolog o’r natur honno. Gwelaf amryw o gwynion, rhai oddi wrth Aelodau Cynulliad sy’n cwyno ar ran eu hetholwyr am lywodraeth leol, a rhai o natur gyffredinol, nad ydynt yn ymwneud â materion penodol. Ni allaf ateb y cwestiwn hwnnw’n llawn heb lawer iawn o ymchwil bellach. Yn y rhan fwyaf o achosion mae pobl yn cwyno i’w hawdurdod lleol am yr awdurdod hwnnw, ond mae amryw o gwynion yn codi o ymwneud yr Aelodau â’u hetholwyr.

Landlordiaid Cymdeithasol Cofrestredig

Registered Social Landlords

Q3 William Graham spoken in English p. 6

C3 William Graham siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6

Does the Minister intend to follow the lead taken by the Scottish Executive with regard to registered social landlords? (OAQ17007)

A yw’r Gweinidog yn bwriadu dilyn trywydd Gweinyddiaeth yr Alban o ran landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig? (OAQ17007)

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 6

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6

The matter of registered social landlords raises some issues. I will consider the developments in Scotland and any work that the Scottish Executive has undertaken, to see what benefit they might have for Wales.

Mae pwnc landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig yn codi sawl mater. Byddaf yn ystyried y datblygiadau yn yr Alban ac unrhyw waith a wnaeth Gweithrediaeth yr Alban, i weld pa fudd a allai fod ynddynt i Gymru.

William Graham spoken in English p. 6

William Graham siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6

You will know that the Scottish Executive has had a major success in stock transfer, particularly in Glasgow. That success has not been shared in Birmingham, where the majority of the tenants of 88,000 properties voted not to change landlords. What can be done to alleviate that problem, so that more likely schemes can proceed?

Byddwch yn gwybod bod Gweithrediaeth yr Alban wedi cael llwyddiant mawr o ran trosglwyddo stoc, yn enwedig yn Glasgow. Ni rannwyd y llwyddiant hwnnw yn Birmingham, lle y pleidleisiodd y mwyafrif o’r tenantiaid mewn 88,000 o dai i beidio â newid eu landlordiaid. Beth y gellir ei wneud i liniaru’r broblem honno, fel y gall y cynlluniau mwy addawol fynd yn eu blaen?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 6

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6

Glasgow City Council’s housing stock was transferred to Glasgow Housing Association, following a ballot of tenants. Glasgow Housing Association also provided rent guarantees to the tenants at the time. In Wales, rent setting policy is a matter for individual registered social landlords in accordance with our guidelines.

Trosglwyddwyd stoc dai Cyngor Dinas Glasgow i Gymdeithas Dai Glasgow, ar ôl pleidlais ymysg y tenantiaid. Rhoddodd Cymdeithas Dai Glasgow warantau rhent i’r tenantiaid hefyd ar y pryd. Yng Nghymru, mae’r polisi gosod rhent yn fater i’r landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig yn unol â’n canllawiau.

Turning to Birmingham, I met with Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde, who is responsible for the housing corporation in England. We discussed the large-scale transfer in Birmingham, and thought that it might have failed because of how it was executed. All 88,000 properties were considered, rather than constituent parts of the stock. In some transfers, consideration is given to the best way to divide and transfer the stock. In terms of stock transfer in Wales, I am continuing to develop a community mutual model, which we will launch in May. That is a more appropriate model of the co-operative principle for us in Wales than what is seen elsewhere in the country. It is a matter for individual authorities to decide on how to transfer its housing stock.

Gan droi at Birmingham, cyfarfûm â’r Farwnes Dean o Thornton-le-Fylde, sy’n gyfrifol am y gorfforaeth dai yn Lloegr. Trafodom y trosglwyddiad mawr yn Birmingham, ac yr oeddem o’r farn y gallai fod wedi methu oherwydd y dull o’i weithredu. Ystyriwyd y cwbl o’r 88,000 o dai, yn hytrach na rhannau cyfansoddol y stoc. Mewn rhai trosglwyddiadau, ystyrir y dull gorau o rannu a throsglwyddo’r stoc. O ran trosglwyddo stoc yng Nghymru, yr wyf yn dal i ddatblygu model cydfuddiannol cymunedol, y byddwn yn ei lansio ym Mai. Mae hwnnw’n fodel mwy priodol o’r egwyddor gydweithredol i ni yng Nghymru na’r hyn a welir mewn rhannau eraill o’r wlad. Mater i’r awdurdodau unigol yw penderfynu sut i drosglwyddo eu stoc dai.

Janet Ryder spoken in English p. 7

Janet Ryder siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7

On the matter of community mutuals, which you want to see developing, do you agree that for them to work they need a high level of tenant participation? Are you satisfied that you have made enough resources available to develop capacity among tenants to enable them to take a full managerial role in these new community mutuals?

Ynghylch y cymdeithasau cydfuddiannol cymdeithasol yr ydych am weld eu datblygu, a ydych yn cytuno bod angen lefel uchel o gyfranogiad gan denantiaid arnynt er mwyn llwyddo? A ydych yn sicr eich bod wedi darparu digon o adnoddau i feithrin gallu ymysg y tenantiaid fel y gallant ymgymryd â rôl rheoli lawn yn y cymdeithasau cydfuddiannol cymunedol hyn?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 7

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7

Community mutuals are a new concept for us in Wales, and we have held extensive discussions with representatives of tenants’ organisations on how these will develop. I am currently satisfied that sufficient resources are available to deal with the issues that you raised. However, it is not a matter that I keep under permanent review; it depends on representations made to me. The involvement and understanding of tenants is essential if we are to proceed with that model.

Mae cymdeithasau cydfuddiannol cymunedol yn gysyniad newydd i ni yng Nghymru, ac yr ydym wedi cynnal trafodaethau helaeth â chynrychiolwyr o fudiadau tenantiaid am y modd y byddant yn datblygu. Yr wyf yn fodlon ar hyn o bryd fod digon o adnoddau ar gael i ddelio â’r materion yr oeddech wedi’u codi. Fodd bynnag, nid yw’n fater yr wyf yn ei gadw dan sylw’n barhaus; mae’n dibynnu ar sylwadau a gyflwynir i mi. Mae cyfraniad a dealltwriaeth y tenantiaid yn hollbwysig os ydym am fynd ymlaen â’r model hwnnw.

Trosglwyddo Cartrefi Llywodraeth Leol i Landlordiaid Cymdeithasol Cofrestredig

Transferring Local Authority Homes to Registered Social Landlords

Q4 David Melding spoken in English p. 7

C4 David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7

Will the Minister make a statement on the principle of transferring local authority homes to registered social landlords? (OAQ16997)

A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad ar yr egwyddor o drosglwyddo cartrefi awdurdodau lleol i landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig? (OAQ16997)

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 7

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7

Everybody in Wales should be able to live in homes that are in a good state of repair, are safe and secure, adequately heated, fuel efficient and have modern facilities. To achieve that aim, the Assembly requires local authorities to achieve the Welsh housing quality standard by 2012, by whatever means they consider appropriate. Transferring housing stock to a registered social landlord is one option. However, if that is pursued, I commend the community mutual model, as indicated in my answer to the last question.

Dylai pawb yng Nghymru allu byw mewn cartrefi sydd mewn cyflwr da, yn ddiogel ac yn sicr, wedi’u gwresogi’n ddigonol a chanddynt gyfleusterau modern. Er mwyn cyrraedd y nod honno, mae’r Cynulliad yn mynnu bod yr awdurdodau lleol yn cyrraedd safon ansawdd tai Cymru erbyn 2012, drwy ba bynnag fodd y credant ei fod yn briodol. Un dewis yw trosglwyddo’r stoc dai i landlord cymdeithasol cofrestredig. Fodd bynnag, os ceisir gwneud hynny, yr wyf yn argymell y model cydfuddiannol cymunedol, fel y nodwyd yn fy ateb i’r cwestiwn diwethaf.

David Melding spoken in English p. 8

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

Do you agree that private companies and a wide range of organisations should be encouraged, as long as they meet the guarantees that we expect of social landlords, so that we have an enterprising housing sector?

A ydych yn cytuno y dylid annog cwmnïau preifat ac amrywiaeth eang o gyrff a mudiadau, cyhyd â’u bod yn rhoi’r un gwarantau ag y disgwyliwn gan landlordiaid cymdeithasol, fel bod gennym sector tai mentrus?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 8

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

We should have an enterprising housing sector. As long as the safeguards are in place, and it is what local authorities and their tenants wish to do, they can proceed on that basis. I am anxious to ensure that tenants’ rights are at the core of any stock transfers.

Fe ddylai fod gennym sector tai mentrus. Cyhyd â bod yr amddiffyniadau ar waith, ac mai hynny yw dymuniad yr awdurdodau lleol a’u tenantiaid, gallant fynd ymlaen ar y sail honno. Yr wyf yn awyddus i sicrhau bod hawliau tenantiaid yn ganolog i unrhyw drosglwyddiadau stoc.

Mick Bates spoken in English p. 8

Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

We all support the community mutual model and hope that it is a great success. Can you tell us how many councils are currently considering stock transfer?

Yr ydym oll yn cefnogi’r model cydfuddiannol cymunedol ac yn gobeithio y bydd yn llwyddiant mawr. A allwch ddweud wrthym pa sawl cyngor sy’n ystyried trosglwyddo stoc ar hyn o bryd?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 8

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

I will not be specific, as I do not want to give an incorrect answer. However, I am aware of three councils considering this matter specifically in terms of stock transfer. I will check on my correspondence and the information that the housing directorate has before I give a specific number.

Ni wnaf fod yn benodol, gan nad wyf am roi ateb anghywir. Fodd bynnag, gwn am dri chyngor sy’n ystyried y mater hwn yn benodol yng nghyd-destun trosglwyddo stoc. Gwiriaf yr ohebiaeth a dderbyniais a’r wybodaeth sydd gan y gyfarwyddiaeth dai cyn rhoi rhif penodol.

Pauline Jarman spoken in English p. 8

Pauline Jarman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

I declare an interest as a member of Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council. If tenants vote against stock transfer—community mutual model or otherwise—what alternative can you offer that will lead to greater investment in the housing stock?

Datganaf fuddiant fel aelod o Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Rhondda Cynon Taf. Os yw tenantiaid yn pleidleisio’n erbyn trosglwyddo stoc—y model cydfuddiannol cymunedol neu fel arall—pa ddewis arall y gallwch ei gynnig a fydd yn arwain at fwy o fuddsoddi yn y stoc dai?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 8

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

This Government has ensured, since it was established, that it has given more support in this area than was previously given. That will be a continuing priority for this administration. Housing stock issues are largely the responsibility of local authorities in terms of how they prioritise their budgets.

Mae’r Llywodraeth hon wedi sicrhau, ers ei sefydlu, ei bod yn rhoi mwy o gymorth yn y maes hwn nag a roddwyd o’r blaen. Bydd hynny’n flaenoriaeth barhaus gan y weinyddiaeth hon. Mae materion y stoc dai’n gyfrifoldeb i’r awdurdodau lleol gan mwyaf o ran y modd y maent yn blaenoriaethu eu cyllidebau.

Tlodi yng Nghymru

Poverty in Wales

C5 Cynog Dafis siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 9

Q5 Cynog Dafis spoken in Welsh p. 9

A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad ar ymdrechion y Llywodraeth i drechu tlodi yng Nghymru? (OAQ16938)

Will the Minister make a statement on the Government’s efforts to overcome poverty in Wales? (OAQ16938)

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 9

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9

We debated the annual report on social inclusion in Wales, made available in March, which sets out details of how we are tackling poverty and deprivation throughout Wales. Communities First is a key Assembly programme for tackling poverty in Wales. This is a community-driven approach to regenerating our most deprived communities.

Cawsom ddadl ar yr adroddiad blynyddol ar gynhwysiant cymdeithasol yng Nghymru, a ddarparwyd ym Mawrth, sy’n nodi manylion y modd yr ydym yn mynd i’r afael â thlodi ac amddifadedd ledled Cymru. Mae Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf yn rhaglen allweddol gan y Cynulliad i fynd i’r afael â thlodi yng Nghymru. Dull o adfywio’n cymunedau mwyaf difreintiedig a arweinir gan y gymuned yw hwn.

Cynog Dafis siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 9

Cynog Dafis spoken in Welsh p. 9

A wnaiff y Gweinidog ystyried y cysylltiad rhwng budd-dâl tai a’r trap tlodi? A yw’n cytuno bod angen symleddio’r holl system? A fyddai’n cefnogi rhoi budd-dâl tymor sefydlog er mwyn i bobl allu gweithio am gyfnod byr heb eu bod mewn perygl o golli budd-dâl? A yw hefyd yn cytuno y dylid codi lefel diystyriaeth enillion, sydd heb newid ers 1988? Sylweddolaf mai materion a gaiff eu trafod yn San Steffan yw’r rhain, ond efallai fod gan y Gweinidog a’r Cynulliad farn arnynt.

Will the Minister consider the link between housing benefit and the poverty trap? Does she agree that the whole system needs to be simplified? Would she support the payment of a fixed term benefit so that people can work for short periods without risking losing benefits? Does she also agree that the level of earnings disregard, which has not changed since 1988, should be raised? I realise that these issues are discussed in Westminster, but perhaps the Minister and the Assembly has an opinion on them.

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 9

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9

This is an interesting area, which is being discussed by our colleagues in Westminster. It might be helpful to hold a wider discussion on this issue. I suggest that it could be taken up by the Local Government and Housing Committee to see whether we want to make a general representation on the issue.

Mae hwn yn faes diddorol, sy’n cael ei drafod gan ein cyd-aelodau yn San Steffan. Gallai fod yn fuddiol cynnal trafodaeth ehangach ar y mater hwn. Awgrymaf y gallai’r Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai ei godi i weld a ydym am gyflwyno sylwadau cyffredinol ar y mater hwn.

Janice Gregory spoken in English p. 9

Janice Gregory siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9

I have received positive feedback from community groups from many parts of Wales following my short debate in March on community funding. During that short debate, I asked whether you would consider setting up a helpline or a one-stop-shop in the Assembly to assist community groups in accessing funding. Will you give an update on whether you have considered that request?

Yr wyf wedi cael adborth cadarnhaol gan grwpiau cymunedol o lawer rhan o Gymru ar ôl fy nadl fer ym Mawrth ar ariannu cymunedol. Yn ystod y ddadl fer honno, gofynnais a wnaech ystyried sefydlu llinell gymorth neu siop un stop yn y Cynulliad i helpu grwpiau cymunedol i gael at arian. A wnewch roi gwybod a ydych wedi ystyried y cais hwnnw?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 9

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9

I have considered the points discussed during that short debate. Many interesting points were raised including your point about a helpline. I have asked officials to consider that issue. In principle, I will be announcing that a helpline will be established. However, we need to establish the necessary mechanics to ensure that when people call the helpline they can be put through to the regional teams through the same telephone number. When the technical issues have been resolved, we hope to launch the helpline with the appropriate staff.

Yr wyf wedi ystyried y pwyntiau a drafodwyd yn ystod y ddadl fer honno. Codwyd llawer o bwyntiau diddorol gan gynnwys eich pwynt am linell gymorth. Yr wyf wedi gofyn i’r swyddogion ystyried y mater hwnnw. Mewn egwyddor, byddaf yn cyhoeddi y caiff llinell gymorth ei sefydlu. Fodd bynnag, bydd rhaid inni sefydlu’r mecanwaith angenrheidiol i sicrhau, pan yw pobl yn galw’r llinell gymorth, y gellir eu trosglwyddo i’r timau rhanbarthol drwy’r un rhif teleffon. Pan fydd y materion technegol wedi’u datrys, yr ydym yn gobeithio lansio’r llinell gymorth gyda’r staff priodol.

Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 10

Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10

Agriculture, tourism and manufacturing underpin the rural economy. Do you acknowledge the difficulties that all three sectors have faced over recent years and the increased incidence of real poverty that this has caused in rural Wales? Will you ensure that all your policies take full account of that?

Amaethyddiaeth, twristiaeth a gweithgynhyrchu yw sylfaen yr economi wledig. A ydych yn cydnabod yr anawsterau y mae pob un o’r tri sector wedi’u hwynebu dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf a’r cynnydd yn amlder y tlodi gwirioneddol y mae hynny wedi’i achosi yn y Gymru wledig? A wnewch sicrhau bod eich holl bolisïau’n ystyried hynny’n llawn?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 10

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10

All our policies take full account of poverty across Wales. We all recognise the difficulties that the rural economy has faced, and is still facing to a degree. We must ensure that our policies do not centre only on urban areas of deprivation, but cover the whole of Wales. We must also acknowledge that poverty is sometimes far more disguised in rural areas than in urban areas. We must work further to ensure that our policies have proper coverage.

Mae ein holl bolisïau’n rhoi ystyriaeth lawn i dlodi ledled Cymru. Yr ydym oll yn cydnabod yr anawsterau y mae’r economi wledig wedi’u hwynebu, ac yn dal i’w hwynebu i ryw raddau. Mae’n rhaid inni sicrhau nad yw’n polisïau’n canolbwyntio ar ardaloedd difreintiedig trefol yn unig, ond yn cynnwys Cymru gyfan. Rhaid inni gydnabod hefyd fod tlodi’n llawer mwy cuddiedig weithiau mewn ardaloedd gwledig nag ydyw mewn ardaloedd trefol. Rhaid inni wneud rhagor o waith i sicrhau bod ein polisïau’n rhoi’r sylw priodol i hynny.

Eleanor Burnham siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 10

Eleanor Burnham spoken in Welsh p. 10

A ydych yn cytuno bod gwaith Dysgu ac Addysgu Cymru yn cael effaith sylweddol ar dlodi drwy ailsgilio pobl a chynnal dysgu gydol oes i sicrhau y caiff pobl y cyfle i gael swyddi o ansawdd gwell?

Do you agree that the work of Education and Learning Wales has a great impact on poverty by re-skilling people and supporting lifelong learning to ensure that people are given the opportunity to find better quality jobs?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 10

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10

Lifelong learning is essential to any regeneration agenda. It is important that people have the opportunity to gain skills that will make them marketable in terms of employment. It is also important that education is used to give people the self-esteem and confidence to return to the workplace or to take up new jobs and improve themselves in order to help their families.

Mae dysgu gydol oes yn hollbwysig i unrhyw agenda adfywio. Mae’n bwysig i bobl gael cyfle i ddysgu sgiliau a fydd yn peri eu bod yn werthadwy o ran cyflogaeth. Mae hefyd yn bwysig y caiff addysg ei defnyddio i roi’r hunan-barch a’r hunanhyder y mae ar bobl eu hangen i fynd yn ôl i’r gweithle neu i gymryd swyddi newydd a’u gwella eu hunain er mwyn helpu eu teuluoedd.

Tai Cymdeithasol

Social Housing

C6 Elin Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 11

Q6 Elin Jones spoken in Welsh p. 11

A yw’r Gweinidog yn bwriadu cydweithio â’r sector tai i geisio gwneud y cyhoedd yn fwy ymwybodol o dai cymdeithasol ledled Cymru? (OAQ16983)

Does the Minister plan to work with the housing sector to try to raise public awareness of social housing across Wales? (OAQ16983)

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 11

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

The Assembly Government is already collaborating with the sector on a wide range of issues to develop specific policies for Wales and to improve public awareness of social housing. I regularly meet with social landlord and tenant representatives through the national consultative forum on housing in Wales.

Mae Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn cydweithredu â’r sector eisoes ar amryw o faterion er mwyn datblygu polisïau penodol i Gymru a pheri bod y cyhoedd yn fwy ymwybodol o dai cymdeithasol. Yr wyf yn cyfarfod yn rheolaidd â chynrychiolwyr landlordiaid cymdeithasol a thenantiaid drwy’r fforwm ymgynghorol cenedlaethol ar dai yng Nghymru.

Elin Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 11

Elin Jones spoken in Welsh p. 11

Yn dilyn eich atebion blaenorol ynglŷn â phwysigrwydd ymwybyddiaeth tenantiaid o drosglwyddo stoc tai, pa adnoddau yr ydych chi, fel Gweinidog, a’ch adran yn eu rhoi tuag at gynyddu ymwybyddiaeth tenantiaid o’r angen i drosglwyddo stoc tai?

Following your previous answers about the importance of tenants’ awareness of housing stock transfer, what resources are you, as Minister, and your department making available to raise tenants’ awareness of the need to transfer housing stock?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 11

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

Good practice guidance is being developed and the Local Government and Housing Committee does a great deal of work on this. I allocate grants to organisations, a list of which I will send to you.

Mae canllawiau ymarfer da’n cael eu datblygu ac mae’r Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai’n gwneud llawer o waith ar hyn. Yr wyf yn dyrannu grantiau i fudiadau, ac anfonaf restr o’r mudiadau hynny atoch.

William Graham spoken in English p. 11

William Graham siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

Do you believe that greater tenant involvement in the management of social housing schemes would increase public awareness of this matter? What measures do you seek to introduce to extend this involvement?

A gredwch y byddai mwy o ran gan y tenantiaid mewn rheoli cynlluniau tai cymdeithasol yn cynyddu ymwybyddiaeth y cyhoedd o’r mater hwn? Pa fesurau yr ydych yn ceisio eu cyflwyno i ehangu’r rhan a gymerant?

Edwina Hart spoken in English p. 11

Edwina Hart siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11

I know that you have previously raised concerns about how tenants are involved in this issue and how registered social landlords and housing associations do not, on occasion, give sufficient weight to tenant opinion. We are trying to encourage such work, and I would be happy to update the Local Government and Housing Committee of the work that my officials are undertaking with this particular sector.

Gwn eich bod wedi mynegi pryderon o’r blaen ynghylch y rhan sydd gan y tenantiaid yn y mater hwn a’r ffaith nad yw landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig yn rhoi digon o bwys, weithiau, ar farn tenantiaid. Yr ydym yn ceisio hybu gwaith o’r fath, a byddwn yn falch o roi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i’r Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai am y gwaith y mae fy swyddogion yn ei wneud gyda’r sector penodol hwn.

Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog dros yr Amgylchedd

Questions to the Minister for Environment

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 12

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

Question 1 (OAQ16995) has been withdrawn.

Tynnwyd cwestiwn 1 (OAQ16995) yn ôl.

Gwaith Phurnacite yn Abercwmboi

Phurnacite Plant at Abercwmboi

Q2 Christine Chapman spoken in English p. 12

C2 Christine Chapman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

Will the Minister make a statement regarding the clean up of waste at the Phurnacite plant in Abercwmboi? (OAQ16958)

A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad ar lanhau’r gwastraff yng ngwaith Phurnacite yn Abercwmboi? (OAQ16958)

Sue Essex The Minister for Environment spoken in English p. 12

Sue Essex Y Gweinidog dros yr Amgylchedd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

The reclamation of the former Phurnacite plant at Abercwmboi and the adjoining Ancit plant site is the subject of an ongoing mediation process, led by the Environment Council. The aim is to have agreement on how the scheme might be progressed. I know you have been closely involved in this, Christine, and I understand that some progress has been made. I hope that the mediation process can conclude later this year and that the parties will have been able to agree on the way forward.

Mae adfer yr hen waith Phurnacite yn Abercwmboi a safle cyfagos gwaith Ancit yn destun proses canoli ar hyn o bryd, o dan arweiniad Cyngor yr Amgylchedd. Y nod yw cael cytundeb ar y modd y gellid bwrw ymlaen â’r cynllun. Gwn eich bod wedi ymwneud yn fanwl â hyn, Christine, a deallaf fod rhywfaint o gynnydd wedi bod. Gobeithiaf y gall y broses canoli ddod i ben yn ddiweddarach eleni ac y bydd y partïon wedi gallu cytuno ar y ffordd ymlaen.

Christine Chapman spoken in English p. 12

Christine Chapman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

Do you agree that the mediation group, comprising stakeholders and residents, which considers the options regarding the site, is making good progress towards a long-term solution to deal with the problem? Will you assure us that the Assembly will ensure that this issue remains a top priority? The community of Abercwmboi has lived for too long with this site and people are anxious for the problem to be resolved to protect the health and wellbeing of the community, and also to secure the site’s future development.

A ydych yn cytuno bod y grŵp canoli, sy’n cynnwys budd-ddeiliaid a thrigolion, sy’n ystyried y dewisiadau mewn cysylltiad â’r safle, yn gwneud cynnydd da tuag at ganfod ateb tymor hir i ddelio â’r broblem? A wnewch ein sicrhau y bydd y Cynulliad yn gofalu bod y mater hwn yn parhau’n flaenoriaeth uchel? Mae cymuned Abercwmboi wedi byw’n llawer rhy hir gyda’r safle hwn ac mae pobl yn awyddus i’r broblem gael ei datrys i ddiogelu iechyd a lles y gymuned, a hefyd i sicrhau y caiff y safle ei ddatblygu yn y dyfodol.

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 12

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 12

I am aware of the impact of the site when it was still operational, particularly on the local residents; nobody could avoid it if they saw the site. Having worked in the Cynon Valley, and having spoken to people who live there, I know how important it is, and you are right to highlight this as a key issue in your constituency. I hope that the mediation process works; we will have to wait for the outcome. I also draw your attention to the action we are taking on contaminated sites, with the Environment Agency’s assistance on the most difficult ones. There are two strands to this action: work is being undertaken at a local level, and I wish that every success; and on a national, Wales level, the Environment Agency is identifying particularly difficult and hazardous sites and finding out more about the problem on the ground and taking appropriate action.

Yr wyf yn ymwybodol o effaith y safle pan oedd yn dal ar waith, yn enwedig ar y trigolion lleol; ni allai neb ei osgoi os gwelent y safle. A minnau wedi gweithio yng Nghwm Cynon, ac wedi siarad â’r rhai sy’n byw yno, gwn mor bwysig ydyw, ac yr ydych yn iawn wrth dynnu sylw at y mater hwn fel un sy’n allweddol yn eich etholaeth. Gobeithiaf y bydd y broses canoli’n gweithio; bydd yn rhaid inni ddisgwyl y canlyniad. Tynnaf eich sylw hefyd at y camau yr ydym yn eu cymryd ynghylch safleoedd difwynedig, gyda chymorth Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd ar y rhai anoddaf. Mae dwy elfen i’r camau hyn: gwneir gwaith ar lefel leol, a dymunaf bob llwyddiant iddo; ac ar lefel genedlaethol, Gymreig, mae Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd yn dynodi safleoedd sy’n arbennig o anodd a pheryglus ac yn darganfod mwy am y broblem ar lawr gwlad ac yn cymryd camau priodol.

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 13

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

Has a comprehensive investigation been carried out into the actual and potential environmental health problems at the Abercwmboi site, while the mediation work is being undertaken?

A wnaethpwyd ymchwiliad cynhwysfawr i’r problemau iechyd amgylcheddol gwirioneddol a phosibl yn safle Abercwmboi, wrth i’r gwaith canoli fynd rhagddo?

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 13

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

I cannot give an accurate answer to that, because it does not fall within my portfolio—it falls mainly into Jane Hutt’s portfolio. However, my feeling is that various investigations have been carried out in the community; I am looking to Christine for confirmation. Although I cannot give any details, I can furnish you with the knowledge that we have. My memory tells me that work has been done in the past, but I will give you a more accurate answer in writing.

Ni allaf roi ateb manwl gywir i hynny, oherwydd nid yw’n rhan o’m portffolio—mae ym mhortffolio Jane Hutt yn bennaf. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf yn rhyw feddwl bod amryw o ymchwiliadau wedi’u gwneud yn y gymuned; yr wyf yn edrych ar Christine i gael cadarnhad o hynny. Er na allaf roi unrhyw fanylion, gallaf roi’r wybodaeth sydd gennym i chi. Os cofiaf yn iawn, mae gwaith wedi’i wneud yn y gorffennol, ond ysgrifennaf atoch gydag ateb manylach.

Pauline Jarman spoken in English p. 13

Pauline Jarman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

Will you comment further on the fact that the owner of the former Ancit plant, Coal Products Ltd, has refused permission to anyone to enter onto its land to carry out site investigations with a view to the remediation of the area that is adjacent to the Phurnacite site?

A wnewch sylw pellach ar y ffaith bod perchennog cyn waith Ancit, Coal Products Cyf, wedi gwrthod caniatáu i neb fynd ar ei dir i wneud ymchwiliadau i’r safle gyda’r bwriad o adfer y tir gerllaw safle Phurnacite?

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 13

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

I do not want to comment on any individual or organisation. You are probably hinting at the fact that you, and other Assembly Members, want the fullest co-operation from all parties involved for the benefit of those in the local community. Decisions can then be reached about this site, leading to the ultimate remediation, which I think that everyone wants.

Nid wyf am wneud sylw am unrhyw unigolyn neu gorff. Mae’n debyg eich bod yn lledgyfeirio at y ffaith eich bod chi, ac Aelodau eraill o’r Cynulliad, am gael y cydweithrediad mwyaf gan yr holl bartïon sy’n gysylltiedig er budd y rhai yn y gymuned leol. Gellir dod i benderfyniadau wedyn am y safle hwn, gan arwain at ei adfer yn y pen draw, fel y mae pawb yn dymuno, yr wyf yn credu.

Cyfarwyddebau Ailgylchu Ewropeaidd

European Recycling Directives

Q3 David Davies spoken in English p. 13

C3 David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

What discussions has the Minister had with the Secretary of State for Wales regarding the implementation of European recycling directives in Wales? (OAQ17010)

Pa drafodaethau y mae’r Gweinidog wedi’u cael gydag Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru ynghylch rhoi cyfarwyddebau ailgylchu Ewropeaidd ar waith yng Nghymru? (OAQ17010)

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 14

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

I meet regularly with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to discuss a range of environmental, transport and planning issues, but we have not discussed implementation of European directives relevant to recycling. I have discussed the need to improve our waste management and change our practices to meet a variety of EU waste initiatives with the UK Minister of State for the Environment, Michael Meacher.

Yr wyf yn cyfarfod yn rheolaidd â’r Is-ysgrifennydd Gwladol Seneddol i drafod amryw o faterion sy’n ymwneud â’r amgylchedd, trafnidiaeth a chynllunio, ond nid ydym wedi trafod gweithredu cyfarwyddebau Ewropeaidd sy’n berthnasol i ailgylchu. Yr wyf wedi trafod yr angen i wella’n rheolaeth ar wastraff a newid ein harferion i gyd-fynd ag amryw o fentrau gwastraff yr UE gyda Gweinidog Gwladol y DU dros yr Amgylchedd, Michael Meacher.

David Davies spoken in English p. 14

David Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

The Assembly has now belatedly woken up to the problems caused by directives relating to fridges. However, is the Minister also aware that scrap metal directives mean that burnt-out cars are being abandoned all over the Welsh countryside? Unfortunately, the Assembly does not have the powers to insist that laws are made in Britain and not in Brussels, so what can you do to alleviate this serious problem?

Mae’r Cynulliad yn ymwybodol o’r diwedd o’r problemau a achosir gan y cyfarwyddebau sy’n ymwneud ag oergelloedd. Fodd bynnag, a yw’r Gweinidog hefyd yn ymwybodol bod cyfarwyddebau ar fetel sgrap yn golygu bod ceir wedi’u llosgi yn cael eu gadael ar hyd a lled cefn gwlad Cymru? Gwaetha’r modd, nid yw’r Cynulliad yn meddu ar bwerau i fynnu y caiff deddfau eu gwneud ym Mhrydain ac nid ym Mrwsel, felly beth y gallwch chi ei wneud i leddfu’r broblem ddifrifol hon?

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 14

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

We are having a wave of important regulations, which I am sure we are delighted to support in principle. However, they must be followed up by practical action, and they have enormous implications. I am grateful for your being so determined about fridges. There is not a meeting that goes by without you raising it—[Interruption.] I am congratulating you on that. Do not knock it when I say something good about you, or I will not be encouraged to do that. I pay tribute to David’s enthusiasm, and had you been in the Committee, Nick, you would realise that I am being genuine about that.

Mae ymchwydd o reoliadau pwysig yn ein cyrraedd, ac yr wyf yn siŵr ein bod i gyd yn falch o’u cefnogi mewn egwyddor. Fodd bynnag, rhaid eu dilyn drwy gymryd camau ymarferol, ac mae iddynt oblygiadau aruthrol. Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar i chi am fod mor benderfynol ynghylch oergelloedd. Yr ydych yn codi’r mater ym mhob cyfarfod—[Torri ar draws.] Yr wyf yn eich llongyfarch ar hynny. Peidiwch â chwyno pan ddywedaf rywbeth da amdanoch, neu ni fyddaf yn cael symbyliad i wneud hynny. Talaf deyrnged i frwdfrydedd David, a phe buasech yn y Pwyllgor, Nick, byddech yn sylweddoli fy mod yn meddwl hynny’n ddiffuant.

To reassure you, work is ongoing on the issue of fridges. I met the Environment Agency yesterday and raised the point. By the summer, we hope that licensing will be in place for those companies that are interested in dealing with fridges and, hopefully, by the end of the year, the backlog of fridges—or the mountain of fridges, as someone referred to it—will be dealt with.

Er mwyn tawelu’ch meddwl, mae gwaith yn mynd rhagddo ar fater oergelloedd. Cyfarfûm ag Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd ddoe a chodais y pwynt hwnnw. Erbyn yr haf, yr ydym yn gobeithio y bydd y trwyddedu ar waith ar gyfer y cwmnïau hynny sydd â diddordeb mewn delio ag oergelloedd ac, yr wyf yn gobeithio, erbyn diwedd y flwyddyn, bydd yr ôl-groniad o oergelloedd—neu’r mynydd oergelloedd, fel y cyfeiriodd rhywun ato—wedi’i ddatrys.

The illegal disposal of vehicles is an important issue. I will follow that, and all the other points, up on an official level. I hope to have a meeting with Michael Meacher soon because it is a difficult issue, particularly on the urban fringes of Valley communities, where we see a great deal of illegal dumping, which has a negative effect on the community.

Mae gwaredu cerbydau’n anghyfreithlon yn fater pwysig. Af ynghylch y mater hwnnw, a’r holl bwyntiau eraill, ar lefel swyddogion. Yr wyf yn gobeithio cael cyfarfod â Michael Meacher cyn hir gan ei fod yn fater anodd, yn enwedig ar gyrion trefi yng nghymunedau’r Cymoedd, lle y gwelwn lawer iawn o waredu anghyfreithlon, sy’n amharu ar y gymuned.

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 15

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

If you have recently met the Environment Agency and the zoning awareness project team, you will be aware of a company in Knighton in my constituency that has the capacity not only to remove ozone depleting substances, but also to recycle the remains of refrigerators. It could bring 70 valuable jobs to my constituency. Will you and your officials meet that company to see what assistance you can give it?

Os cyfarfuoch ag Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd a’r tîm prosiect ymwybyddiaeth cylchfaeo’n ddiweddar, byddwch yn gwybod am gwmni yn Nhrefyclo yn fy etholaeth sydd â’r gallu nid yn unig i gael gwared ar sylweddau sy’n lleihau osôn, ond hefyd i ailgylchu gweddillion oergelloedd. Gallai ddod â 70 o swyddi gwerthfawr i’m hetholaeth. A wnewch chi a’ch swyddogion gyfarfod â’r cwmni hwnnw i weld pa gymorth y gallwch ei roi iddo?

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 15

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

I cannot guarantee that my officials and I will do that, but I know that the Environment Agency is following up all the offers that have come in. It has had quite a number of offers from companies that are willing to develop this. Opportunities can sometimes arise from difficulties. Despite all the difficulties that we have had with fridges, there is an opportunity for recycling not only to deal with the waste but, as you rightly say, to create employment.

Ni allaf roi sicrwydd y bydd fy swyddogion a minnau’n gwneud hynny, ond gwn fod Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd yn ymchwilio’r holl gynigion a ddaeth i law. Cafodd gryn nifer o gynigion oddi wrth gwmnïau sy’n barod i ddatblygu hyn. Mae cyfleoedd yn gallu codi o anawsterau weithiau. Er gwaethaf yr holl anawsterau a gawsom ag oergelloedd, mae cyfle i’r ailgylchu nid yn unig ddelio â’r gwastraff ond, fel y dywedasoch, greu swyddi hefyd.

Datblygiadau Tai yng Nghaerdydd

Housing Developments in Cardiff

Q4 Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 15

C4 Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

Will the Minister make a statement on the use of greenfield sites for new housing developments in Cardiff? (OAQ16963)

A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad ar ddefnyddio safleoedd tir glas ar gyfer datblygiadau tai newydd yng Nghaerdydd? (OAQ16963)

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 15

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15

National planning policy on the use of greenfield sites for new housing can be found in chapters 2 and 9 of ‘Planning Policy Wales’, which was published last Tuesday. It states that, whenever possible, previously developed land should be used in preference to greenfield sites in order to promote the principles of sustainable development. All local planning authorities are expected to reflect that in the preparation of their unitary development plans and decision making.

Mae’r polisi cynllunio cenedlaethol ar ddefnyddio safleoedd tir glas ar gyfer tai newydd i’w gael ym mhenodau 2 a 9 ‘Polisi Cynllunio Cymru’, a gyhoeddwyd ddydd Mawrth diwethaf. Dywed y dylid defnyddio tir a ddatblygwyd o’r blaen, pryd bynnag y bo modd, yn hytrach na safleoedd tir glas er mwyn hyrwyddo egwyddorion datblygu cynaliadwy. Disgwylir i’r holl awdurdodau cynllunio lleol adlewyrchu hynny wrth baratoi eu cynlluniau datblygu unedol ac yn eu penderfyniadau.

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 16

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

I noticed this week that you launched new guidance on the protection of greenfield areas, particularly north of the M4 area. Do you agree that this report will do little to allay the fears of those people living south of the M4 in the Pontprennau area of Cardiff, where a further 6,000 homes will be built in the next 10 years or so?

Sylwais yr wythnos hon eich bod wedi lansio canllawiau newydd ar ddiogelu ardaloedd tir glas, yn enwedig i’r gogledd o ardal yr M4. A ydych yn cytuno mai ychydig a wnaiff yr adroddiad hwn i dawelu ofnau’r rhai sy’n byw i’r de o’r M4 yn ardal Pontprennau yng Nghaerdydd, lle y codir 6,000 o dai ychwanegol yn y 10 mlynedd nesaf?

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 16

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

The Pontprennau area is part of my constituency of Cardiff North. As you know, I have made considerable representations on that particular issue. I cannot comment in detail on the proposals for Cardiff, but we stress the reuse of brownfield sites and keeping the use of greenfield sites to a minimum in ‘Planning Policy Wales’. I hope that the local authority will take that to heart.

Mae ardal Pontprennau yn rhan o’m hetholaeth i, sef Gogledd Caerdydd. Fel y gwyddoch, yr wyf wedi cyflwyno cryn nifer o sylwadau ar y mater penodol hwnnw. Ni allaf wneud sylwadau manwl am y cynigion ar gyfer Caerdydd, ond yr ydym yn rhoi pwys ar ailddefnyddio safleoedd tir llwyd a defnyddio safleoedd tir glas i’r graddau lleiaf posibl yn ‘Polisi Cynllunio Cymru’. Gobeithiaf y bydd yr awdurdod lleol yn dwys ystyried hynny.

Delyth Evans spoken in English p. 16

Delyth Evans siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

Will you explain how the new ‘Planning Policy Wales’, which is an excellent document, will protect green open spaces in urban areas?

A wnewch egluro sut y bydd y ‘Polisi Cynllunio Cymru’ newydd, sy’n ddogfen ragorol, yn diogelu mannau agored glas mewn ardaloedd trefol?

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 16

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

We have asked local authorities, for the first time, to look at their community areas to see whether there is an argument for proposing a green belt with a fair degree of permanence to it. That is what the public understands as a green belt. It need not be a continuous belt; it can be different forms of land. We have also asked them to consider the concept of green wedges, which is particularly appropriate in separating urban areas and keeping and protecting local green areas of importance to the community. Finally, Delyth, this reflects the public’s view. The public understands the value of permanent green spaces in keeping communities separate and maintaining community identity. We have mentioned Newport and Cardiff, but there are many examples of this throughout Wales, including in north-east Wales. I hope that this planning guidance is a watershed in encouraging local authorities to work with their communities to identify those spaces.

Yr ydym wedi gofyn i’r awdurdodau lleol edrych, am y tro cyntaf, ar eu hardaloedd cymunedol i weld a oes dadl dros gynnig llain las a fyddai’n eithaf parhaol. Dyna yw llain las yng ngolwg y cyhoedd. Nid oes raid iddi fod yn llain ddi-dor; gall fod yn wahanol fathau o dir. Yr ydym hefyd wedi gofyn iddynt ystyried y cysyniad o letemau glas, sy’n arbennig o addas i wahanu ardaloedd trefol a chadw a diogelu mannau glas lleol sydd o bwys i’r gymuned. Yn olaf, Delyth, mae hyn yn adlewyrchu barn y cyhoedd. Mae’r cyhoedd yn deall gwerth mannau glas parhaol o ran cadw cymunedau ar wahân a chynnal hunaniaeth gymunedol. Yr ydym wedi sôn am Gasnewydd a Chaerdydd, ond mae llawer o enghreifftiau o hyn ledled Cymru, gan gynnwys yn y Gogledd-ddwyrain. Gobeithiaf fod y canllawiau cynllunio hyn yn drobwynt o ran annog awdurdodau lleol i weithio gyda’u cymunedau i ddynodi’r mannau hynny.

Owen John Thomas spoken in English p. 17

Owen John Thomas siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

My question is on how greenfield and brownfield sites are defined. The Llanishen reservoir site in Cardiff would, in most people’s view, be considered a greenfield site. It has always been regarded as a local green space that offers a natural habitat for wildlife. Yet, it has been suggested that, because the land belonged to Hyder and was used for a water supply reservoir, city planners might consider it a brownfield site and allow over 200 houses and flats to be built there. Where does the Minister draw the line?

Mae fy nghwestiwn i’n ymwneud â diffinio safleoedd tir glas a thir llwyd. Byddai safle cronfa ddŵr Llanisien yng Nghaerdydd yn cael ei ystyried, gan y rhan fwyaf o bobl, yn safle tir glas. Fe’i hystyrir erioed yn fan glas lleol sy’n cynnig cynefin naturiol i fywyd gwyllt. Eto, awgrymwyd, gan fod y tir wedi bod yn eiddo i Hyder ac wedi’i ddefnyddio ar gyfer cronfa gyflenwi dŵr, y gallai cynllunwyr y ddinas ei ystyried yn safle tir llwyd a chaniatáu codi dros 200 o dai a fflatiau yno. Ym mhle y mae’r Gweinidog yn tynnu’r llinell?

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 17

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

That site is also in my constituency, Owen, and, as you know, I have been closely involved in opposing various aspects of that development. Therefore, I cannot comment in detail on that. However, where a green site has been in recreational use and is surrounded by recreational open space, I would not call it a traditional brownfield site. People locally would interpret that as a greenfield, and recreational space.

Mae’r safle hwnnw yn fy etholaeth i hefyd, Owen, ac, fel y gwyddoch, bûm yn ymwneud yn agos â gwrthwynebu gwahanol agweddau ar y datblygiad hwnnw. Felly, ni allaf wneud sylwadau manwl ar hynny. Fodd bynnag, os bu defnydd adloniadol o safle tir glas ac os oes mannau agored adloniadol o’i gwmpas, ni fyddwn yn ei alw’n safle tir llwyd traddodiadol. Byddai’r bobl yn yr ardal yn ei ddiffinio’n dir glas, ac yn fan adloniadol.

Polisi Agregau Morol

Marine Aggregates Policy

Q5 Alun Cairns spoken in English p. 17

C5 Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

What timescale can the Minister offer in relation to the implementation of her marine aggregates policy? (OAQ17009)

Pa amserlen sydd gan y Gweinidog mewn golwg i roi ei pholisi agregau morol ar waith? (OAQ17009)

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 17

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 17

The size and complexity of the subject makes it unlikely that the policy will be completed before the end of 2002. There were over 1,200 responses to this consultation document, including many detailed comments on the draft aggregate dredging policy. These must be considered carefully in the broader context of the supply of sand and gravel to the south Wales economy. Development of the policy will be informed by research currently underway into the options and further research, which is due to start shortly, to establish a methodology for assessing aggregate demand and supply. An offshore aggregates policy will need to establish a realistic and sustainable framework for planning and decision making to enable the required amount of aggregates to be supplied to the economy with the minimum of disruption to communities and the environment.

Mae maint a chymhlethdod y pwnc hwn yn golygu ei bod yn annhebygol y caiff y polisi ei gwblhau cyn diwedd 2002. Bu dros 1,200 o ymatebion i’r ddogfen ymgynghori hon, gan gynnwys llawer o sylwadau manwl ar y polisi codi agregau drafft. Rhaid ystyried y rhain yn ofalus yng nghyd-destun ehangach y cyflenwad o dywod a graean i economi de Cymru. Goleuir y gwaith o ddatblygu’r polisi gan ymchwil sy’n digwydd ar hyn o bryd i’r dewisiadau a chan ymchwil bellach, sydd i fod i ddechrau cyn hir, i bennu methodoleg ar gyfer asesu’r galw am agregau a’r cyflenwad ohonynt. Bydd yn rhaid i unrhyw bolisi agregau morol bennu fframwaith realistig a chynaliadwy ar gyfer cynllunio a phenderfynu fel y gellir cyflenwi’r meintiau angenrheidiol o agregau i’r economi gan amharu i’r graddau lleiaf posibl ar gymunedau a’r amgylchedd.

Alun Cairns spoken in English p. 18

Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18

The applications for sand dredging licences were under consideration more than two years ago. Although the decision was delayed due to your review of marine aggregates policy, temporary licences have been granted. The consultation on your policy ended almost a year ago. Why are you procrastinating? Its conclusion at the end of 2002 will be close to the Assembly elections and I would not be surprised to hear it announced after the Assembly elections, thereby sending it into the long grass to save embarrassment for many of the constituency Assembly Members around Bridgend and Gower.

Yr oedd y ceisiadau am drwyddedau codi tywod yn cael eu hystyried dros ddwy flynedd yn ôl. Er bod y penderfyniad wedi’i ohirio oherwydd eich adolygiad o’r polisi agregau morol, mae trwyddedau dros dro wedi’u rhoi. Daeth yr ymgynghori ar eich polisi i ben ymron i flwyddyn yn ôl. Pam yr ydych yn oedi? Bydd y penderfyniad arno ar ddiwedd 2002 yn agos at etholiadau’r Cynulliad ac ni fyddai’n syndod imi glywed ei gyhoeddi ar ôl etholiadau’r Cynulliad, gan ei wthio o’r golwg i osgoi annifyrrwch i Aelodau Cynulliad etholaethol o gwmpas Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr a Gŵyr.

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 18

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18

You may be surprised the other way, Alun; you will have to wait and see. When we say ‘consultation’, we mean it. When we have that number of responses—and some of them were quite detailed comments—we do not turn round and say that we will ignore them and carry on as before. That is not what we mean by consultation. Important points have been raised—some of which I am sure you would respect—and that is why we are undertaking further research. I also stress that aggregate supply is a long-term issue. We must get it right. This is not just an issue for us in Wales; it affects various places around the UK and further afield. There is considerable concern and discussion on how we deal with aggregate supply. When we say ‘sustainable development’, we mean it. We are looking to put in place a sustainable policy that is relevant to Wales and is relevant over time.

Gallech gael eich siomi o’r ochr orau, Alun; bydd yn rhaid ichi aros i weld. Pan ydym yn dweud ‘ymgynghori’, dyna yr ydym yn ei feddwl. Pan fo cynifer o ymatebion—ac yr oedd rhai ohonynt yn sylwadau eithaf manwl—nid ydym yn dweud y byddwn yn eu hanwybyddu ac yn mynd ymlaen fel yr oeddem cynt. Nid hynny a olygwn wrth ymgynghori. Codwyd pwyntiau pwysig—y byddai rhai ohonynt yn ennyn eich parch, yr wyf yn siŵr—a dyna pam yr ydym yn gwneud ymchwil bellach. Pwysleisiaf hefyd fod y cyflenwad agregau’n fater tymor hir. Rhaid inni ei gael yn iawn. Nid mater i ni yng Nghymru’n unig yw hwn; mae’n effeithio ar wahanol fannau o gwmpas y DU a’r tu hwnt. Mae cryn bryder a thrafodaeth ar y modd yr ydym yn delio â’r cyflenwad agregau. Pan ddywedwn ‘datblygu cynaliadwy’, yr ydym yn meddwl hynny. Yr ydym yn bwriadu rhoi polisi cynaliadwy ar waith sy’n berthnasol i Gymru ac sy’n berthnasol dros amser.

Peter Black spoken in English p. 18

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18

Although I am disappointed that we must wait until the end of 2002 for the outcome of the consultation, I recognise that we must get this policy right if we are to protect the south Wales coastline, particularly the areas in Gower and Bridgend which I represent. Will you give an assurance that, while we await the outcome of this consultation, you will seek to minimise the number of temporary licences being issued, so that, once the policy is formulated and accepted by the National Assembly, we can deal with all the applications properly and objectively and in accordance with it?

Er fy mod yn siomedig y byddwn yn gorfod aros tan ddiwedd 2002 am ganlyniad yr ymgynghoriad, yr wyf yn cydnabod bod yn rhaid inni gael y polisi hwn yn iawn os ydym i amddiffyn morlin de Cymru, yn enwedig yr ardaloedd yng Ngŵyr ac ym Mhen-y-bont ar Ogwr yr wyf fi’n eu cynrychioli. A wnewch roi sicrwydd, tra ydym yn disgwyl canlyniad yr ymgynghoriad hwn, y byddwch yn ceisio lleihau nifer y trwyddedau dros dro a roddir, fel y gallwn ddelio â’r holl geisiadau, ar ôl i’r polisi gael ei fformiwleiddio a’i dderbyn gan y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, mewn modd priodol a gwrthrychol ac yn unol â’r polisi hwnnw?

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 19

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

I agree that I would have liked the policy to have been in place by now. However, when substantial issues are raised, it is important that we get the policy right. Once we do that, I do not envisage temporary licences being needed. The policy will set the way forward, both for the industry—because we want a supply of sand—and for the local communities, who are interested in the outcome of this.

Yr wyf yn cytuno y byddwn wedi hoffi i’r polisi fod ar waith erbyn hyn. Fodd bynnag, pan godir materion o bwys, mae’n bwysig inni gael y polisi’n iawn. Ar ôl gwneud hynny, ni ragwelaf y bydd angen trwyddedau dros dro. Bydd y polisi’n pennu’r ffordd ymlaen, i’r diwydiant—oherwydd mae arnom angen cyflenwad o dywod—ac i’r cymunedau lleol, sydd â buddiant yng nghanlyniad hyn.

Datblygiadau Cynaliadwy

Sustainable Developments

Q6 Val Lloyd spoken in English p. 19

C6 Val Lloyd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

What steps are being taken to ensure that plans for future developments in Wales will be sustainable? (OAQ16951)

Pa gamau sy’n cael eu cymryd i sicrhau y bydd cynlluniau ar gyfer datblygiadau yng Nghymru yn y dyfodol yn gynaliadwy? (OAQ16951)

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 19

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

The land use planning system makes an important contribution to sustainable development through land use planning policy at a national and local level. ‘Planning Policy Wales’, to which I have already referred and which was published last week, is underpinned by the principles of sustainability. It sets the context for sustainable land use planning policy, within which local authorities’ statutory unitary development plans are prepared and development control decisions on individual applications are taken.

Mae’r system cynllunio defnydd tir yn gwneud cyfraniad pwysig i ddatblygu cynaliadwy drwy’r polisi cynllunio defnydd tir ar lefel genedlaethol a lleol. Mae ‘Polisi Cynllunio Cymru’, y cyfeiriais ato eisoes ac a gyhoeddwyd yr wythnos diwethaf, yn seiliedig ar egwyddorion cynaliadwyedd. Mae’n gosod cyd-destun y polisi cynllunio defnydd tir cynaliadwy, y caiff cynlluniau datblygu unedol statudol yr awdurdodau lleol eu paratoi a phenderfyniadau rheoli datblygu ar geisiadau unigol eu gwneud o’i fewn.

Val Lloyd spoken in English p. 19

Val Lloyd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

I declare an interest as a councillor in the City and County of Swansea Council. One element that contributes to sustainability, particularly on a micro level, is accessible public transport, which also assists in social inclusion. However, bus services are being withdrawn in my constituency and across Swansea. This is forcing some people to give up their jobs because they have no alternative transport, and it is also forcing more cars onto the road. In light of this, and given your commitment to sustainability, will you consider the introduction of quality contracts so that this situation could be improved?

Datganaf fuddiant fel cynghorydd ar Gyngor Dinas a Sir Abertawe. Un elfen sy’n cyfrannu at gynaliadwyedd, yn enwedig ar lefel micro, yw trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus hygyrch, sydd hefyd o gymorth o ran cynhwysiant cymdeithasol. Fodd bynnag, mae gwasanaethau bysiau’n cael eu tynnu’n ôl yn fy etholaeth i a ledled Abertawe. Mae hyn yn gorfodi rhai pobl i roi’r gorau i’w swyddi am nad oes ganddynt fodd arall o deithio, ac mae hefyd yn golygu bod mwy o geir ar y ffyrdd. Yng ngolwg hynny, ac o ystyried eich ymrwymiad i gynaliadwyedd, a wnewch ystyried cyflwyno contractau ansawdd fel y gellid gwella’r sefyllfa hon?

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 19

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19

That is important. Local accessibility is critical, and that includes the sustainability of important bus routes and the times at which services are provided. There is an issue involving evening services in your constituency, as in other constituencies, I am sure. I was never a fan of deregulation; we have inherited many problems as a result. However, we must deal with the situation as it stands. I discussed this issue yesterday when I met South West Wales Integrated Transport Consortium, which includes Swansea and Neath Port Talbot local authorities, in south-west Wales. We are considering ways of making bus routes more sustainable and ensuring that we can offset the type of pattern that you mentioned. I have regular meetings with the Confederation of Passenger Transport. If Members know of issues in their local communities, involving the withdrawal of services or curtailment at certain times of the day, please inform me so that I can raise those issues with CPT.

Mae hynny’n bwysig. Mae hygyrchedd lleol yn hollbwysig, ac mae hynny’n cynnwys cynaliadwyedd llwybrau bysiau pwysig a’r adegau y caiff y gwasanaethau eu darparu. Mae mater yn codi ynghylch gwasanaethau gyda’r hwyr yn eich etholaeth, yn yr un modd ag etholaethau eraill, yr wyf yn siŵr. Ni fûm erioed o blaid dadreoleiddio; yr ydym wedi etifeddu llawer o broblemau o ganlyniad i hynny. Fodd bynnag, rhaid inni ddelio â’r sefyllfa fel y mae. Trafodais y mater hwn ddoe pan gyfarfûm â Chonsortiwm Trafnidiaeth Integredig De Orllewin Cymru, sy’n cynnwys awdurdodau lleol Abertawe a Chastell-nedd Port Talbot, yn y De-orllewin. Yr ydym yn ystyried dulliau o wneud llwybrau bysiau’n fwy cynaliadwy ac o sicrhau y gallwn wrthbwyso’r math o batrwm y soniasoch amdano. Yr wyf yn cyfarfod yn rheolaidd â’r Gydffederasiwn Trafnidiaeth Teithwyr. Os yw’r Aelodau’n gwybod am faterion sy’n codi yn eu cymunedau lleol, sy’n ymwneud â thynnu gwasanaethau’n ôl neu eu cwtogi ar rai adegau o’r dydd, byddwch cystal â rhoi gwybod i mi fel y gallaf godi’r materion hynny gyda’r Gydffederasiwn Trafnidiaeth Teithwyr.

David Melding spoken in English p. 20

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20

Do you agree that, by massively cutting the number of regional flights from Cardiff international airport, British Airways is not helping us to sustain an integrated transport network in Wales? While this decision is not directly related to the issue of an airport access road, do you not agree that the Assembly could send out a positive signal were it to commit to building the airport access road by declaring it to be a trunk road scheme?

A ydych yn cytuno nad yw British Airways, drwy gwtogi’n aruthrol ar nifer yr ehediadau rhanbarthol o faes awyr rhyngwladol Caerdydd, yn ein helpu i gynnal rhwydwaith trafnidiaeth integredig yng Nghymru? Er nad oes a wnelo’r penderfyniad hwn yn uniongyrchol â mater y ffordd fynediad i’r maes awyr, a ydych yn cytuno y gallai’r Cynulliad anfon neges gadarnhaol pe byddai’n ymrwymo i adeiladu’r ffordd fynediad i’r maes awyr drwy ei datgan yn gynllun cefnffordd?

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 20

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20

We were unhappy with the decision to curtail those flights. It does not help Cardiff airport and it does not help Wales. However, as you rightly said, this is not directly related to the road. We must consider what the airport company is saying in the working party, of which it is a member. We want the airport to develop. The airport needs investment to do that and, in my opinion, it also needs to attract a major budget airline. One difficulty in Cardiff is the cost of the flights. When I travelled recently to Edinburgh, the cost of the flight was enormous. It is not surprising, therefore, that some people are opting to take their car and travel to Bristol or elsewhere to get a cheaper flight. To put this discussion on the road into context, what the working party has said is that we need better connections to the airport, and research is ongoing on that. You mentioned the road to the airport, but we do not have a defined route as yet. Discussions have been held about a road going through the middle of the Vale of Glamorgan, but I am sure that the constituents of Jane Hutt, and other Members who represent the area, would not be overjoyed were that to be the preferred route. We are faced with difficulties in finding a route, but we are working together, both in terms of economic development at the airport, which is important, and the transport connections.

Yr oeddem yn anfodlon ar y penderfyniad i gwtogi’r ehediadau hynny. Nid yw’n helpu maes awyr Caerdydd ac nid yw’n helpu Cymru. Fodd bynnag, fel y dywedasoch, nid yw hyn yn ymwneud yn uniongyrchol â’r ffordd. Rhaid inni ystyried beth y mae cwmni’r maes awyr yn ei ddweud yn y gweithgor, y mae’n aelod ohono. Yr ydym am i’r maes awyr ddatblygu. Mae angen buddsoddi yn y maes awyr i wneud hynny ac, yn fy marn i, mae angen hefyd iddo ddenu cwmni awyrennau mawr sy’n cynnig teithiau rhad. Un anhawster yng Nghaerdydd yw cost y teithiau. Pan deithiais i Gaeredin yn ddiweddar, yr oedd cost y daith yn aruthrol. Nid yw’n syndod, felly, fod rhai pobl yn dewis mynd yn eu ceir a theithio i Fryste neu i fannau eraill i gael taith ratach. Er mwyn rhoi’r drafodaeth hon ar y ffordd yn ei chyd-destun, yr hyn a ddywedodd y gweithgor yw bod arnom angen gwell cysylltiadau â’r maes awyr, ac mae ymchwil yn mynd rhagddi ar hynny. Soniasoch am y ffordd i’r maes awyr, ond nid oes gennym lwybr diffiniedig eto. Cynhaliwyd trafodaethau am ffordd a fyddai’n mynd drwy ganol Bro Morgannwg, ond yr wyf yn sicr na fyddai etholwyr Jane Hutt, a’r Aelodau eraill sy’n cynrychioli’r ardal honno, yn rhy hapus os mai hwnnw oedd y dewis lwybr. Yr ydym yn wynebu anawsterau wrth ddod o hyd i lwybr, ond yr ydym yn cydweithio, o ran datblygu economaidd yn y maes awyr, sy’n bwysig, ac o ran y cysylltiadau trafnidiaeth.

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 21

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 21

You may be aware that there is concern in my constituency about some economic developments related to waste management. Bearing in mind the important principle of sustainability, do you think that the principles of proximity and ‘the polluter pays’ are important considerations in making any adjudication on how waste management facilities should be located?

Mae’n bosibl eich bod yn ymwybodol bod pryderon yn fy etholaeth ynghylch rhai datblygiadau economaidd sy’n ymwneud â rheoli gwastraff. Gan gofio bod cynaliadwyedd yn egwyddor bwysig, a ydych yn credu bod egwyddorion agosrwydd a ‘y difwynwr sy’n talu’ yn ystyriaethau pwysig wrth wneud unrhyw ddyfarniad ynghylch lleoli cyfleusterau rheoli gwastraff?

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 21

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 21

As you know, we have the waste hierarchy, which was included in the draft plan, and that principle is so well established, it is unlikely to change. The proximity principle is additional to that. If we are looking at environmental considerations, we include emissions from transport in that. We are encouraging local authorities, and others who are responsible for waste, to deal with it as close to home, as it were, as possible. However, there are regional groupings where some aspects of the waste make it uneconomic, or even unrealistic, to have a plant or disposal facility close to home. Those regional groupings are important in terms of co-operation to ensure that there are complementary policies and facilities throughout an area.

Fel y gwyddoch, mae gennym hierarchiaeth gwastraff, a gynhwyswyd yn y cynllun drafft, ac mae’r egwyddor honno wedi ymwreiddio mor dda fel ei bod yn annhebygol o newid. Mae egwyddor agosrwydd yn ychwanegol at hynny. Os ydym yn edrych ar ystyriaethau amgylcheddol, yr ydym yn cynnwys gollyngiadau o drafnidiaeth yn hynny. Yr ydym yn cymell yr awdurdodau lleol, ac eraill sy’n gyfrifol am wastraff, i ddelio ag ef mor agos atynt â phosibl. Fodd bynnag, mae grwpiau rhanbarthol lle y mae rhai agweddau ar y gwastraff yn golygu ei bod yn aneconomaidd, neu’n anymarferol hyd yn oed, cael gwaith neu gyfleuster gwaredu’n agos atynt. Mae’r grwpiau rhanbarthol hynny’n bwysig o ran cydweithredu i sicrhau bod polisïau a chyfleusterau sy’n ategu’i gilydd ledled yr ardal dan sylw.

Phil Williams spoken in English p. 21

Phil Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 21

One main pillar of sustainable development is the development of renewable energy, including wind power. Will you explain why the publication of the relevant revised technical advice note has been postponed yet again until the autumn, and are you aware of the frustration that this causes for enterprises that want to develop renewable energy within the guidelines of a proper spatial plan?

Un o brif golofnau datblygu cynaliadwy yw datblygu ynni adnewyddadwy, gan gynnwys ynni gwynt. A wnewch egluro pam y gohiriwyd cyhoeddi’r nodyn cyngor technegol diwygiedig sy’n gysylltiedig â hynny unwaith eto tan yr hydref, ac a ydych yn ymwybodol o’r rhwystredigaeth y mae hynny’n ei hachosi i fentrau sydd am ddatblygu ynni adnewyddadwy o fewn canllawiau cynllun gofodol priodol?

Sue Essex spoken in English p. 22

Sue Essex siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22

I am aware of that. This goes back to a similar discussion earlier this morning. It is a controversial subject and we have strong differences of opinion. The whole point of establishing the technical advice group—and one was established for aggregates also—was to find a way forward with which all the different players would be happy. You will understand that that takes negotiation and facilitation, but we are determined to get there. If that takes a little longer than expected, so be it. The timescale is not dreadful, because we are waiting for the conclusions of the Committee’s study, which has not gone out for consultation. Also, Andrew Davies will deliver a statement shortly on energy. We are talking about the autumn, but I hope that it will be early autumn, depending on how far we can get a consensus on the way forward. However, I do not think that the timescale will be far adrift and it will follow the Committee’s deliberations and what Andrew is undertaking.

Yr wyf yn ymwybodol o hynny. Mae hyn yn mynd â ni’n ôl at drafodaeth debyg yn gynharach y bore yma. Mae’n bwnc dadleuol ac mae gennym wahaniaethau barn pendant. Holl ddiben sefydlu grŵp cyngor technegol—a sefydlwyd un ar gyfer agregau hefyd—oedd canfod ffordd ymlaen y byddai’r holl gyfranwyr gwahanol yn fodlon arni. Byddwch yn deall bod hynny’n gofyn negodi a hwyluso, ond yr ydym yn benderfynol o gyrraedd pen y daith. Os yw hynny’n cymryd ychydig yn fwy o amser na’r disgwyl, boed felly. Nid yw’r amserlen yn un ofnadwy o hir, oherwydd yr ydym yn disgwyl casgliadau astudiaeth y Pwyllgor, nad ydyw wedi’i hanfon allan ar gyfer ymgynghori. Hefyd, bydd Andrew Davies yn gwneud datganiad cyn hir ar ynni. Yr ydym yn sôn am yr hydref, ond gobeithiaf y bydd ddechrau’r hydref, yn amodol ar y graddau y gallwn gael consensws ar y ffordd ymlaen. Er hynny, ni chredaf y bydd yr amserlen yn bell ohoni a bydd yn dilyn trafodion y Pwyllgor a’r hyn y mae Andrew yn ei wneud.

Datganiad ar Ymgynghoriad ar ‘Strwythur Strategol ac Ymgynghorol i Amgueddfeydd, Llyfrgelloedd ac Archifdai yng Nghymru’

Statement on the Consultation on ‘A Strategic and Advisory Structure for Museums, Libraries and Archives in Wales’

Jenny Randerson The Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language spoken in English p. 22

Jenny Randerson Y Gweinidog dros Ddiwylliant, Chwaraeon a’r Gymraeg siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22

This is a statement on my consultation paper, ‘A Strategic and Advisory Structure for Museums, Libraries and Archives in Wales’, which I am launching today. It marks the beginning of an extremely important process to find the best arrangements for determining and disseminating policy and strategic direction for the more than 500 museums, libraries and archive services throughout Wales. My aim is to bring about long-term solutions and opportunities that will result in improved services to users.

Mae hwn yn ddatganiad ar fy mhapur ymgynghori, ‘Strwythur Strategol ac Ymgynghorol i Amgueddfeydd, Llyfrgelloedd ac Archifdai yng Nghymru’, yr wyf yn ei lansio heddiw. Mae’n nodi dechrau proses bwysig dros ben i ddarganfod y trefniadau gorau ar gyfer penderfynu a lledaenu polisi a chanllawiau strategol i’r 500 a mwy o amgueddfeydd, llyfrgelloedd a gwasanaethau archifau ledled Cymru. Y nod sydd gennyf yw darganfod atebion a chyfleoedd tymor hir a fydd yn arwain at well gwasanaethau i ddefnyddwyr.

Museums, libraries and archives play a central role in the cultural and educational life of Wales. We have already implemented changes, such as providing increased funding for ICT facilities at local level and the introduction of public library standards.

Mae amgueddfeydd, llyfrgelloedd ac archifdai’n chwarae rôl ganolog ym mywyd diwylliannol ac addysgol Cymru. Yr ydym eisoes wedi rhoi newidiadau ar waith, fel darparu mwy o arian ar gyfer cyfleusterau TGCh ar lefel leol a chyflwyno safonau llyfrgelloedd cyhoeddus.

In the past, there were several organisations in representative and policy-making roles, some of which covered England only, and others covered the UK as a whole for part or all of their activities. In the last two years these have been replaced with Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries. Resource is sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It has a varying remit, similar to that of its predecessor bodies. Although its board includes a Welsh representative, much of its activity applies to England only.

Yn y gorffennol, yr oedd nifer o gyrff a chanddynt rolau cynrychioli a llunio polisi, rhai ohonynt ar gyfer Lloegr yn unig, ac eraill ar gyfer y DU gyfan mewn rhai neu’r cyfan o’u gweithgareddau. Yn y ddwy flynedd diwethaf cymerwyd eu lle gan Resource: Y Cyngor Amgueddfeydd, Archifdai a Llyfrgelloedd. Noddir Resource gan yr Adran dros Ddiwylliant, y Cyfryngau a Chwaraeon. Mae ganddo gylch gwaith amrywiol, tebyg i un y cyrff a’i rhagflaenodd. Er bod cynrychiolydd o Gymru ar ei fwrdd, mae llawer o’i weithgaredd yn berthnasol i Loegr yn unig.

I have agreed a draft concordat between Resource and the Welsh Assembly Government, which is available on the Assembly website. It identifies common objectives and establishes key operational principles. However, the concordat has not been ratified by the Resource board, and it will need to be amended in the light of any structure established as a result of this consultation exercise. I have decided to review the strategic and advisory arrangements in Wales against this background, in partnership with local authorities, and with the wide variety of organisations in the sector. I also welcome the views of the Culture Committee.

Yr wyf wedi cytuno ar goncordat drafft rhwng Resource a Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, sydd ar gael ar wefan y Cynulliad. Mae’n nodi’r amcanion cyffredin ac yn sefydlu’r prif egwyddorion gweithredol. Fodd bynnag, nid yw’r concordat wedi’i gadarnhau gan fwrdd Resource, a bydd yn rhaid ei newid yng ngolwg unrhyw strwythur a sefydlir o ganlyniad i’r ymgynghoriad hwn. Yr wyf wedi penderfynu adolygu’r trefniadau strategol ac ymgynghorol yng Nghymru ar y cefndir hwnnw, mewn partneriaeth â’r awdurdodau lleol, a chyda’r amrywiaeth eang o gyrff a mudiadau yn y sector. Yr wyf hefyd yn croesawu barn y Pwyllgor Diwylliant.

It do not intend to alter the arrangements that exist between the Assembly Government and the Executive Assembly sponsored public bodies in the sector, namely the National Museums and Galleries of Wales and the National Library of Wales. However, it is essential for any future structure to retain the vital links with these two important national institutions.

Nid wyf yn bwriadu newid y trefniadau sy’n bodoli rhwng Llywodraeth y Cynulliad a’r cyrff cyhoeddus gweithredol a noddir gan y Cynulliad yn y sector hwn, sef Amgueddfeydd ac Orielau Cenedlaethol Cymru a Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru. Er hynny, mae’n hollbwysig bod unrhyw strwythur yn y dyfodol yn cadw’r cysylltiadau hanfodol â’r ddau sefydliad cenedlaethol pwysig hyn.

The consultation paper has been prepared in discussion with the members of my advisory group on Resource, acting in their individual capacity, and I am grateful to all of them. They include the chairs or directors of all sector organisations funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, and a representative from the Welsh Local Government Association.

Paratowyd y papur ymgynghori mewn trafodaeth ag aelodau fy ngrŵp ymgynghorol ar Resource, a hwythau’n gweithredu yn rhinwedd eu swyddi unigol, ac yr wyf yn ddiolchgar i bob un ohonynt. Maent yn cynnwys cadeiryddion neu gyfarwyddwyr yr holl gyrff yn y sector a ariannir gan Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, a chynrychiolydd o Gymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru.

The Assembly Government funds the Council of Museums in Wales, which works with non-national museums. It has 10 staff. The Assembly sponsored public body—the Library and Information Services Council (Wales)—advises me on libraries. We provide LISC with a part-time secretary, but it has no other staff. No organisation for archives is funded or sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government. I take this opportunity to thank the Council of Museums and LISC for the excellent work that they do.

Mae Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn ariannu’r Cyngor Amgueddfeydd yng Nghymru, sy’n gweithio gyda’r amgueddfeydd nad ydynt yn rhai cenedlaethol. Mae ganddo 10 o staff. Y corff cyhoeddus a noddir gan y Cynulliad—y Cyngor Gwasanaethau Llyfrgell a Hysbysrwydd (Cymru)—sy’n fy nghynghori ar lyfrgelloedd. Yr ydym yn darparu ysgrifennydd rhan amser i’r cyngor hwnnw, ond nid oes ganddo unrhyw staff eraill. Nid oes unrhyw gorff ar gyfer archifdai a ariannir neu a noddir gan Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru. Manteisiaf ar y cyfle hwn i ddiolch i’r Cyngor Amgueddfeydd a Chyngor Gwasanaethau Llyfrgell a Hysbysrwydd (Cymru) am eu gwaith rhagorol.

However, I am aware that concern has been expressed about the existing structures in Wales, in particular that most of them are fragile and lack in continuity, and that they do not have sufficient staff and resources to carry through the policy initiatives that would produce improvements in services to users.

Fodd bynnag, yr wyf yn ymwybodol bod pryder wedi’i fynegi am y strwythurau presennol yng Nghymru, yn enwedig bod y rhan fwyaf ohonynt yn fregus ac yn ddiddilyniant, ac nad oes ganddynt ddigon o staff ac adnoddau i gyflawni’r mentrau polisi a fyddai’n arwain at welliannau yn y gwasanaethau i ddefnyddwyr.

I believe that a new strategic and advisory structure must be keenly aware of users’ needs; have sufficient staff and other resources to enable it to perform its duties effectively and efficiently; gain the respect and confidence of the sector; and achieve results and implement its strategy swiftly. It should also be able to provide me with authoritative policy advice; advise and support museums, libraries and archives; and identify and implement policies appropriate for Wales.

Credaf fod angen i strwythur strategol ac ymgynghorol newydd fod yn effro iawn i anghenion y defnyddwyr; bod â digon o staff ac adnoddau eraill i’w alluogi i berfformio’i ddyletswyddau’n effeithiol ac yn effeithlon; ennyn parch a hyder yn y sector; a sicrhau canlyniadau a gweithredu ei strategaeth yn gyflym. Dylai hefyd allu darparu cyngor awdurdodol ar bolisi i mi; cynghori a chynorthwyo amgueddfeydd, llyfrgelloedd ac archifdai; a dynodi a gweithredu polisïau sy’n addas i Gymru.

The consultation paper sets out three options for the future. The first option is to have no structural change, and for Resource to continue taking forward many areas of work on a UK basis. As now, I would set an overall policy framework, and provide funding for the Council of Museums in Wales and LISC. The second option would establish a new Resource for Wales, located within the Welsh Assembly Government. It would incorporate the functions of the Council of Museums that are paid for by the Assembly Government, the functions of LISC, and cover the whole sector, including archives. It would be independent of Resource, but it would seek to call on Resource’s expertise, where appropriate. It would develop or adapt policies for Wales, and it would be appropriately staffed with experts from the sector. The third option is the same as the second, but with an advisory council of approximately 10 members, which I would chair. This council would provide formal input into the policy process from outside the Assembly Government. The implementation of either of the last two options would depend on resources for staff, grants and project funding being made available in the budget planning round.

Mae’r papur ymgynghori’n nodi tri dewis ar gyfer y dyfodol. Y dewis cyntaf yw peidio â chael dim newid strwythurol, ac i Resource barhau â llawer o’r meysydd gwaith ar sail y DU. Fel y gwnaf yn awr, byddwn yn dal i osod y fframwaith polisi cyffredinol, ac yn darparu arian i’r Cyngor Amgueddfeydd yng Nghymru a’r Cyngor Gwasanaethau Llyfrgell a Hysbysrwydd (Cymru). Yr ail ddewis fyddai sefydlu Resource newydd i Gymru, wedi’i leoli o fewn Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru. Byddai’n ymgorffori’r swyddogaethau sydd gan y Cyngor Amgueddfeydd y mae Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn talu amdanynt, swyddogaethau Cyngor Gwasanaethau Llyfrgell a Hysbysrwydd (Cymru), ac yn gofalu am y sector cyfan, gan gynnwys archifdai. Byddai’n annibynnol ar Resource, ond byddai’n dal i alw ar arbenigedd Resource, pan fyddai’n briodol. Byddai’n datblygu neu’n addasu polisïau i Gymru, a châi ei staffio’n briodol gan arbenigwyr yn y sector. Mae’r trydydd dewis yr un fath â’r ail, ond gyda chyngor ymgynghorol o tua 10 aelod, y byddwn i’n gadeirydd arno. Byddai’r cyngor hwn yn darparu mewnbwn ffurfiol i’r broses polisi o’r tu allan i Lywodraeth y Cynulliad. Byddai gweithredu’r naill neu’r llall o’r ddau ddewis olaf yn dibynnu ar ddarparu adnoddau ar gyfer staff, grantiau ac ariannu prosiectau yn y cylch cynllunio cyllideb.

The consultation paper raises a number of issues, including, whether or not the museums, libraries and archives domains would be better served by a single body; which of the options should be pursued; and whether or not there are other options that respondents think should be considered. The paper will be widely circulated to those with an interest in museums, libraries and archives in Wales. It will also be placed on the Assembly website and copies will be available in the Library. Responses are required by 28 June

Mae’r papur ymgynghori’n codi nifer o faterion, gan gynnwys a gâi meysydd yr amgueddfeydd, y llyfrgelloedd a’r archifdai eu gwasanaethu’n well gan un corff; pa un o’r dewisiadau y dylid ei ddilyn; ac a oes dewisiadau eraill y cred yr ymatebwyr y dylid eu hystyried. Caiff y papur ei gylchredeg yn eang i’r rhai sydd â buddiant mewn amgueddfeydd, llyfrgelloedd ac archifdai yng Nghymru. Caiff ei osod hefyd ar wefan y Cynulliad a bydd copïau ar gael yn y Llyfrgell. Mae’n ofynnol derbyn yr ymatebion erbyn 28 Mehefin.

I want the sector to be able to contribute fully to the vision that I set out in my cultural strategy, ‘Creative Future: Cymru Greadigol’, to contribute to our cultural and educational life, and to promote and strengthen Welsh identity. Museums, libraries and archives, located in the heart of our communities, are in an excellent position to take forward the Welsh Assembly Government’s lifelong learning and social inclusion initiatives, and to ensure that culture plays an important part in developing and regenerating the communities in which we live.

Dymunaf i’r sector allu cyfrannu’n llawn at y weledigaeth a nodais yn fy strategaeth ddiwylliannol, ‘Creative Future: Cymru Greadigol’, er mwyn cyfrannu at ein bywyd diwylliannol ac addysgol, a hyrwyddo a chryfhau hunaniaeth Gymreig. Mae amgueddfeydd, llyfrgelloedd ac archifdai, a leolir yng nghanol ein cymunedau, mewn sefyllfa ardderchog i fwrw ymlaen â mentrau dysgu gydol oes a chynhwysiant cymdeithasol Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, a sicrhau bod diwylliant yn chwarae rhan bwysig wrth ddatblygu ac adfywio’r cymunedau lle’r ydym yn byw.

Owen John Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 26

Owen John Thomas spoken in Welsh p. 26

Diolch am y datganiad hwn. Mae’n ddatganiad o bwys i ddiwylliant yng Nghymru, ac yr wyf yn falch y byddwch yn ymgynghori ymhellach ar hyn. Mae’n bwysig hefyd sicrhau, fel y dywedasoch, y cynhelir y strwythur presennol fel bod y cysylltiadau â’n hamgueddfeydd a llyfrgelloedd yn parhau yn y dyfodol.

Thank you for this statement. It is an important statement for culture in Wales, and I am glad that you will consult further on this. It is also important to ensure, as you say, that the current structure is maintained so that links with museums and libraries are maintained in the future.

Nid wyf wedi cael cyfle eto i ddarllen y papur ymgynghorol trwchus yn fanwl. Fodd bynnag, mae’n bwysig ein bod ni yng Nghymru yn rhydd i ddatblygu yn llawn botensial yr adnoddau sydd gennym yn yr amgueddfeydd a’r llyfrgelloedd, oherwydd mae potensial yno i ddod â mwy o waith, a thwristiaeth yn arbennig, i bob rhan o Gymru.

I have not yet had an opportunity to read the lengthy consultation paper in detail. However, it is important that we in Wales are free to develop fully the potential of the resources that we have in our museums and libraries, because there is potential there to bring more work, and tourism in particular, to every part of Wales.

Yr wyf wedi ystyried y tri opsiwn yn y papur ymgynghorol. Yr wyf o blaid cael corff penodedig i Gymru yn y maes hwn. Nid wyf wedi cael cyfle eto i edrych ar bwyntiau 2 a 3 yn ddigon manwl i ddweud a ydwyf o’u plaid, ond mae’r ymgynghori yn parhau. Yn sicr, bydd y diwydiant twristiaeth ar drwy Gymru, yn ogystal â hyrywyddo adnoddau lleol i godi ansawdd bywyd yn ein cymunedau, yn elwa ar hyn. Yr wyf yn hoffi’r syniad o ledaenu arfer da drwy’r 500 o amgueddfeydd a llyfrgelloedd yr ydych wedi eu rhestru.

I have considered the three options in the consultation paper. I am in favour of having a body specifically for Wales in this area. I have not yet had an opportunity to look at points 2 and 3 in enough detail to say whether I am in favour of them, but the consultation is ongoing. Certainly, the tourism industry across Wales, as well as promoting local resources to raise the quality of life in our communities, will benefit from this. I like the idea of spreading good practice throughout the 500 museums and libraries that you listed.

Soniwch am y diffyg adnoddau sydd yn rhwystro’r bobl hyn rhag cyflawni’r potensial yn llawn. A ydych wedi ystyried defnyddio Cronfa Dreftadaeth y Loteri er mwyn dod o hyd i fwy o arian i’w helpu?

You mention the lack of resources that prevents these people from achieving the full potential. Have you considered using the Heritage Lottery Fund to find more money to help them?

Jenny Randerson spoken in English p. 26

Jenny Randerson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 26

I am pleased that you welcome this consultation. It is an important initiative for the future preservation of our heritage. I welcome the fact that you have made a clear link between the importance of our heritage to us and the economy and tourism in Wales. I always emphasise the importance of our non-national museums, as well as the importance of our libraries and archives. Archives have almost been overlooked in the current structure, which is not good enough. I am anxious that we have our own initiatives fit for Wales, which I hope is what is set out here.

Yr wyf yn falch eich bod yn croesawu’r ymgynghoriad hwn. Mae’n fenter bwysig i ddiogelu’n treftadaeth ar gyfer y dyfodol. Croesawaf y ffaith eich bod wedi nodi’r cysylltiad pendant rhwng pwysigrwydd ein treftadaeth i ni ac i’r economi a thwristiaeth yng Nghymru. Yr wyf bob amser yn tynnu sylw at bwysigrwydd yr amgueddfeydd nad ydynt yn rhai cenedlaethol, yn ogystal â phwysigrwydd ein llyfrgelloedd a’n harchifdai. Mae’r archifdai wedi’u diystyru bron yn y strwythur presennol, ac nid yw hynny’n ddigon da. Yr wyf yn awyddus inni gael ein mentrau ein hunain sy’n addas i Gymru, a gobeithiaf mai hynny sydd wedi’i gyflwyno yma.

On the lack of resources, if you add all this together in the current structure, 10 members of staff are dealing with this. Obviously, there is staff at a local level in libraries, but, in terms of strategic thinking, there are 10 members of staff. That is not adequate. However, lottery funding is quite often accessed for our museums, our archives and so on. They have been using that money on a day to day, one-off, individual basis, but the strategic thinking has been lacking. What we have been trying to do in the last few months is bring the lottery initiatives into our overall thinking in the Assembly, rather than having it as an optional extra at the end. You have pinpointed that key issue, and I welcome it.

Ynghylch diffyg adnoddau, os adiwch hyn oll at ei gilydd yn y strwythur presennol, mae 10 aelod staff yn delio â hyn. Wrth gwrs, mae staff ar lefel leol mewn llyfrgelloedd, ond, o ran y cyd-destun strategol, mae 10 aelod staff. Nid yw hynny’n ddigonol. Fodd bynnag, fe geir arian loteri’n eithaf aml ar gyfer ein hamgueddfeydd, ein harchifdai ac yn y blaen. Buont yn defnyddio’r arian hwnnw ar sail unigol, unwaith ac am byth, o’r naill ddiwrnod i’r llall, ond bu diffyg o ran y cyd-destun strategol. Yr hyn y buom yn ceisio’i wneud yn y misoedd diwethaf yw cynnwys y mentrau loteri yn ein ffordd gyffredinol o feddwl yn y Cynulliad, yn hytrach na’u cael yn atodiad dewisol ar y diwedd. Yr ydych wedi tynnu sylw at y mater allweddol hwnnw, ac yr wyf yn croesawu hynny.

Tom Middlehurst spoken in English p. 27

Tom Middlehurst siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 27

I welcome this statement. It recognises the fact that we have a rich network of museums, libraries, and archive services throughout Wales that provide an important formal and informal learning resource. We should build upon what we have, rather than dismantle it, and I am certain that that is your intention.

Croesawaf y datganiad hwn. Mae’n cydnabod y ffaith bod gennym rwydwaith cyfoethog o amgueddfeydd, llyfrgelloedd a gwasanaethau archifau ledled Cymru sy’n darparu adnodd dysgu ffurfiol ac anffurfiol pwysig. Dylem adeiladu ar sail yr hyn sydd gennym, yn hytrach na’i dynnu oddi wrth ei gilydd, ac yr wyf yn sicr mai hynny yw’ch bwriad.

I look forward to the consequences of the consultation. While there are enormous strengths in the service, I hope that, as the new organisation emerges, it will take the opportunity to examine the significant deficiencies that also exist in the service—not least in north-east Wales, where we have a rich social, cultural and industrial history that is not reflected in any focused way. Will you consider, as a consequence of this major review, how we might best provide a facility for education and display, and will you enter into discussions with the local authorities in that region to ensure that it happens?

Edrychaf ymlaen at ganlyniadau’r ymgynghoriad. Er bod cryfderau aruthrol yn y gwasanaeth, gobeithiaf y bydd y corff newydd, wrth iddo ddatblygu, yn achub ar y cyfle i archwilio’r diffygion sylweddol a geir yn y gwasanaeth hefyd—nid lleiaf yn y Gogledd-ddwyrain, lle y mae gennym hanes cymdeithasol, diwylliannol a diwydiannol cyfoethog nas adlewyrchir mewn modd eglur o gwbl. A wnewch chi ystyried, o ganlyniad i’r adolygiad helaeth hwn, y dull gorau inni ddarparu cyfleuster ar gyfer addysg ac arddangos, ac a wnewch chi gychwyn trafodaethau â’r awdurdodau lleol yn y rhanbarth hwnnw i sicrhau y bydd hynny’n digwydd?

Jenny Randerson spoken in English p. 27

Jenny Randerson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 27

The latter is a specific point, and I would welcome any of your specific ideas in response to this consultation.

Mae’r pwynt olaf yn un penodol, a byddwn yn falch o gael unrhyw syniadau penodol sydd gennych mewn ymateb i’r ymgynghoriad hwn.

On north-east Wales, as you know, I make frequent visits to local museums. They often tell me that they need guidance, and would appreciate help through specific initiatives. I believe that it has been difficult to provide that within the current structure. The paper explains that number of staff currently involved in this, which is 10 and a half, is insufficient, and options 2 and 3 look towards increasing the number of staff to approximately 20. That would mean the Assembly employing 20 experts in the services concerned, rather than more civil servants dealing with administration.

Ynghylch y Gogledd-ddwyrain, fel y gwyddoch, yr wyf yn ymweld yn aml ag amgueddfeydd lleol. Dywedant wrthyf yn aml fod arnynt angen canllawiau, ac y byddent yn gwerthfawrogi cymorth drwy fentrau penodol. Credaf iddi fod yn anodd darparu hynny o fewn y strwythur presennol. Mae’r papur yn egluro bod y nifer o staff sy’n ymwneud â hyn ar hyn o bryd, sef 10 a hanner, yn annigonol, ac mae opsiynau 2 a 3 yn sôn am gynyddu nifer y staff i tua 20. Byddai hynny’n golygu bod y Cynulliad yn cyflogi 20 o arbenigwyr yn y gwasanaethau dan sylw, yn hytrach na rhagor o weision sifil i ddelio â gwaith gweinyddol.

Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 28

Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 28

Thank you for your statement. You are right that museums, libraries and archives are extremely important, and, while they are central to the cultural and educational life of Wales, they are also central to the economic life of Wales. We have never properly considered all aspects of culture, and recognised their full economic potential, and I believe that you are right to refer to them in this way. They have the potential to regenerate the poorer areas of Wales, and the Assembly, and you as Minister, should adopt that strategy in all instances.

Diolch i chi am eich datganiad. Yr ydych yn iawn wrth ddweud bod amgueddfeydd, llyfrgelloedd ac archifdai’n hynod o bwysig, ac, er eu bod yn ganolog ym mywyd diwylliannol ac addysgol Cymru, maent hefyd yn ganolog ym mywyd economaidd Cymru. Nid ydym erioed wedi ystyried pob agwedd ar ddiwylliant yn briodol, a chydnabod eu holl botensial economaidd, a chredaf eich bod yn iawn wrth gyfeirio atynt fel hyn. Mae ynddynt y potensial i adfywio’r ardaloedd tlotaf yng Nghymru, a dylai’r Cynulliad, a chithau fel Gweinidog, fabwysiadu’r strategaeth honno ym mhob achos.

I and others, welcome the review into the strategic and advisory arrangements, in particular, as you mentioned, the importance of co-ordinating the huge investments that come from the National Lottery, in terms of the overall objectives of the Assembly and your Government. I look forward to the discussions that will take place in the Culture Committee; I hope that they will be substantial, and that the Committee will play a major part in this matter.

Yr wyf fi, ac eraill, yn croesawu’r adolygiad o’r trefniadau strategol ac ymgynghorol, yn enwedig, fel y gwnaethoch nodi, y pwysigrwydd o gydlynu’r buddsoddiadau anferth a ddaw oddi wrth y Loteri Genedlaethol, o ran amcanion cyffredinol y Cynulliad a’ch Llywodraeth. Edrychaf ymlaen at y trafodaethau a fydd yn digwydd yn y Pwyllgor Diwylliant; gobeithiaf y byddant yn helaeth, ac y bydd y Pwyllgor yn chwarae rhan bwysigyn y mater hwn.

It is too early at present to say which of the options—if indeed any, or a combination—I would prefer to see implemented. However, I know that we want clear and effective arrangements in this sector, commensurate with the administrative costs that any extra staff, or anything else contained in these options, may entail.

Mae’n rhy fuan ar hyn o bryd imi ddweud pa un o’r opsiynau—os yr un, yn wir, neu gyfuniad ohonynt—y byddai’n well gennyf weld ei weithredu. Fodd bynnag, gwn fod arnom angen trefniadau clir ac effeithiol yn y sector hwn, yn gymesur â’r costau gweinyddol y gall unrhyw staff ychwanegol, neu unrhyw beth arall a geir yn yr opsiynau hyn, ei olygu.

You are right that it is important that whatever we do must gain the respect and confidence of the sector across Wales. We have seen difficulties in other aspects of culture where respect has been lost, and we must take account of all those who want to use and enjoy the facilities that you will be discussing.

Yr ydych yn iawn wrth ddweud ei bod yn bwysig bod beth bynnag a wnawn yn ennyn parch a hyder yn y sector ledled Cymru. Gwelsom anawsterau mewn agweddau eraill ar ddiwylliant lle y collwyd parch, a rhaid inni ystyried pawb sydd am ddefnyddio a mwynhau’r cyfleusterau y byddwch yn eu trafod.

I hope that you will take two aspects into account when you are considering this. First, we must ensure that all of the smaller institutions are properly regarded—not just the major facilities of Wales. My second point, following on from Tom Middlehurst’s comment, is that we should ensure that any Assembly strategy focuses on all of Wales, and does not concentrate resources on Cardiff and the South-east alone, which I have often accused this Government of doing.

Gobeithiaf y byddwch yn cymryd dwy agwedd i ystyriaeth wrth feddwl am hyn. Yn gyntaf, rhaid inni sicrhau sylw priodol i’r holl sefydliadau llai—nid yn unig i’r cyfleusterau mawr yng Nghymru. Yr ail bwynt sydd gennyf, gan ddilyn sylw Tom Middlehurst, yw y dylem sicrhau bod unrhyw strategaeth gan y Cynulliad yn canolbwyntio ar Gymru gyfan, ac nad yw’n crynhoi’r adnoddau yng Nghaerdydd a’r De-ddwyrain yn unig, sef yr hyn yr wyf wedi cyhuddo’r Llywodraeth hon o’i wneud yn aml.

Jenny Randerson spoken in English p. 29

Jenny Randerson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 29

I am glad that you raised this sector’s importance to the economy. Through Cymru’n Creu, of which the Council of Museums in Wales and the Library and Information Services Council (Wales) are members, we have been considering the inadequate statistics on the cultural sector and creative industries, and their importance to the economy. We are seeking to redress that problem. It is important to have up-to-date statistics to emphasise the importance of the sector, which is growing at twice the rate of the economy in the rest of the UK. It is becoming more important daily.

Yr wyf yn falch eich bod wedi codi mater pwysigrwydd y sector hwn i’r economi. Drwy Cymru’n Creu, y mae’r Cyngor Amgueddfeydd yng Nghymru a’r Cyngor Gwasanaethau Llyfrgell a Hysbysrwydd (Cymru) yn aelodau ohono, buom yn ystyried yr ystadegau annigonol ar y sector diwylliannol a’r diwydiannau creadigol, a’u pwysigrwydd i’r economi. Yr ydym yn ceisio datrys y broblem honno. Mae’n bwysig cael ystadegau cyfredol er mwyn tynnu sylw at bwysigrwydd y sector, sy’n tyfu ar ddwywaith cyfradd yr economi yng ngweddill y DU. Mae hyn yn dod yn bwysicach bob dydd.

You referred to the importance of poorer areas receiving benefit. The economically poorer areas of Wales are some of the richest in heritage, and we need to make that important link.

Bu ichi gyfeirio at y ffaith ei bod yn bwysig i’r ardaloedd tlotaf gael budd o hyn. Yr ardaloedd yng Nghymru sy’n dlotach yn economaidd yw rhai o’r cyfoethocaf o ran treftadaeth, a rhaid inni wneud y cysylltiad pwysig hwnnw.

I am open to alternative suggestions to the three options that are set out. They seemed the most practical to the advisory group, referred to in my statement, which is closely involved with the sector. I am keen to build up the sector, which would undoubtedly involve extra costs, but those will be considered as part of the budget round.

Yr wyf yn barod i ystyried awgrymiadau gwahanol i’r tri dewis a nodir. Y rhain a oedd yn ymddangos yn fwyaf ymarferol i’r grŵp ymgynghorol, y cyfeiriais ato yn fy natganiad, sydd â chysylltiad agos â’r sector. Yr wyf yn awyddus i gryfhau’r sector, a byddai hynny’n sicr o olygu costau ychwanegol, ond fe’u hystyrir fel rhan o gylch y cyllideb.

Finally, this organisation’s concept is to strengthen the hand of smaller institutions and organisations. I am acutely aware that libraries and archives services and our smaller museums are often not given time in the glare of our deliberations. It is important that we emphasise their importance and help them through co-ordination.

Yn olaf, cysyniad y corff hwn yw rhoi mwy o rym i sefydliadau a chyrff llai. Yr wyf yn hynod ymwybodol nad yw llyfrgelloedd a gwasanaethau archifau a’n hamgueddfeydd llai yn cael sylw yn aml yng nghanol ein trafodaethau. Mae’n bwysig ein bod yn tynnu sylw at eu pwysigrwydd ac yn eu helpu drwy gydweithredu.

Peter Black spoken in English p. 30

Peter Black siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 30

I also welcome this statement. The co-ordination of museums, libraries and archives policy across Wales is important, and I hope that the new structure emerging from this consultation will take that into account, bringing together the three strands of the service.

Yr wyf finnau’n croesawu’r datganiad hwn. Mae cydlynu polisi amgueddfeydd, llyfrgelloedd ac archifdai ledled Cymru’n bwysig, a gobeithiaf y bydd y strwythur newydd a ddaw o’r ymgynghoriad hwn yn ystyried hynny, gan ddod â thair elfen y gwasanaeth at ei gilydd.

I welcome the Minister’s approach because it does not appear to be going down the same line as England by setting up a new quango. When considering establishing an advisory body or unit relating to this consultation, will the Minister take into account the Assembly Government’s stated policy of trying to locate staff outside Cardiff where possible? It is important to do so when new bodies or organisations spring from the Assembly.

Croesawaf ddull gweithredu’r Gweinidog gan ei bod yn ymddangos nad yw’n dilyn yr un polisi â Lloegr drwy sefydlu cwango newydd. Wrth ystyried sefydlu corff ymgynghorol neu uned sy’n ymwneud â’r ymgynghoriad hwn, a wnaiff y Gweinidog ystyried y polisi a gyhoeddwyd gan Lywodraeth y Cynulliad o geisio lleoli staff y tu allan i Gaerdydd lle y bo modd? Mae’n bwysig gwneud hynny pan fo cyrff newydd yn codi o’r Cynulliad.

Given that many museums, libraries and archive services are run either by local councils, privately, or in partnership—as with the new industrial and maritime museum proposed for Swansea—how will they fit into any proposed new structure?

Gan fod llawer o amgueddfeydd, llyfrgelloedd a gwasanaethau archifau’n cael eu rhedeg un ai gan gynghorau lleol, yn breifat, neu mewn partneriaeth—fel yr amgueddfa ddiwydiannol a morol newydd a gynigir ar gyfer Abertawe—sut y byddant yn ffitio i unrhyw strwythur newydd a gynigir?

Jenny Randerson spoken in English p. 30

Jenny Randerson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 30

First, I did not follow the suggested route of Resource in England, because, apart from any other considerations, I do not want to create any more Assembly sponsored public bodies. Why do we have an Assembly if we need to create many other new bodies? Occasionally, we need to change our arrangements, but increasing numbers is not my mission. Creating an ASPB in charge of 20 staff would be an excessive administrative cost, which is important to consider.

Yn gyntaf, ni ddilynais yr awgrym o gymryd llwybr Resource yn Lloegr, oherwydd, ar wahân i unrhyw ystyriaethau eraill, nid oeddwn am greu rhagor o gyrff cyhoeddus a noddir gan y Cynulliad. Pam y mae gennym Gynulliad os oes angen inni greu nifero gyrff newydd eraill? Weithiau, mae angen inni newid ein trefniadau, ond nid yw cynyddu niferoedd yn genhadaeth gennyf. Byddai creu CCNC i ofalu am 20 o staff yn gost weinyddol ormodol, ac mae’n bwysig ystyried hynny.

The location of these expert staff is addressed in the paper, and I would welcome comments on that. I am keen, as a matter of principle, where appropriate, to ensure that staff are increasingly located outside Cardiff, and I think that this case is appropriate for doing so. I am listening carefully.

Ymdrinnir â lleoliad y staff arbenigol hyn yn y papur, a byddwn yn falch o gael sylwadau ar hynny. Yr wyf yn awyddus, fel mater o egwyddor, lle y bo’n briodol, i sicrhau y caiff staff eu lleoli fwyfwy y tu allan i Gaerdydd, a chredaf fod yr achos hwn yn gyfle priodol i wneud hynny. Yr wyf yn gwrando’n astud.

I am keen to work in partnership with local government. A representative of the WLGA was a member of the advisory group that put forward the proposals on which this paper is based. I would want to work in consultation with local government on any new structure.

Yr wyf yn awyddus i weithio mewn partneriaeth â llywodraeth leol. Yr oedd cynrychiolydd o Gymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru’n aelod o’r grŵp ymgynghorol a gyflwynodd y cynigion y mae’r papur hwn wedi’i seilio arnynt. Byddwn am weithio drwy ymgynghori â llywodraeth leol ar unrhyw strwythur newydd.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 31

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 31

This is not specifically directed at Rosemary Butler, who I will call next, but now that I have called leading spokespeople, I ask for succinct questions and answers on this and the subsequent statement.

Ni chyfeirir hyn yn benodol at Rosemary Butler, y byddaf yn ei galw nesaf, ond gan fy mod bellach wedi galw’r prif lefaryddion, gofynnaf am gwestiynau ac atebion cryno ar y datganiad hwn a’r un dilynol.

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 31

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 31

I will be as succinct as I can. I declare an interest as the chair of the National Maritime and Industrial Museum in Swansea. I am proud to hold that post.

Byddaf mor gryno ag y gallaf. Datganaf fuddiant fel cadeirydd yr Amgueddfa Forol a Diwydiannol Genedlaethol yn Abertawe. Mae’n anrhydedd gennyf ddal y swydd honno.

This is an interesting document and I congratulate you on presenting it. This morning, Members have mentioned economic development, and how dry a subject it is, but, in my experience, a visit to a museum can change your life as it involves much fun and joy. We should treat this issue as a way of developing, not only the more deprived areas of Wales, but also the rest of Wales. As a member of the Culture Committee I will have an opportunity to consider this and I hope that the Committee will spend as much time on this as it spent on reviewing the Welsh language. Now that the Chair has set a precedent on the length of time that we spend discussing a subject, I am delighted that that will be the case in future.

Mae hon yn ddogfen ddiddorol ac yr wyf yn eich llongyfarch ar ei chyflwyno. Y bore yma, mae Aelodau wedi sôn am ddatblygu economaidd, a dyna yw pwnc sych, ond, yn fy mhrofiad i, fe all ymweld ag amgueddfa fod yn fodd i newid eich bywyd a gall fod yn llawer o hwyl a dod â llawenydd. Dylem drin y mater hwn fel modd i ddatblygu, nid yn unig yr ardaloedd mwyaf difreintiedig yng Nghymru, ond gweddill Cymru hefyd. Fel aelod o’r Pwyllgor Diwylliant caf gyfle i ystyried hyn a gobeithiaf y bydd y Pwyllgor yn treulio cymaint o amser ar hyn ag a wnaeth yn adolygu’r Gymraeg. Gan fod y Cadeirydd wedi gosod cynsail bellach ar y cyfnod a dreuliwn yn trafod pwnc, yr wyf wrth fy modd mai felly y bydd yn y dyfodol.

I want to mention Resource, because I was the Welsh representative on the Museums and Galleries Commission, and although Resource is a mainly English body, it is important that Wales has a foot in that camp because it can be a source of additional funding in terms of Government indemnity of art exhibitions. We need European-wide standards in museums, not only UK-wide ones. Welsh museums must be at the top among the numerous international museums. We need to consider what is being proposed for this national body. I have only just seen this document, and I am not comfortable with certain parts. We must ensure that we recognise the role of local government and independent museums as well as the national museums.

Dymunaf sôn am Resource, oherwydd myfi oedd cynrychiolydd Cymru ar y Comisiwn Amgueddfeydd ac Orielau, ac er mai corff Seisnig yw Resource yn bennaf, mae’n bwysig bod gan Gymru lais oherwydd gall fod yn ffynhonnell ariannol ychwanegol o ran y Llywodraeth yn gwarantu arddangosfeydd celf. Mae arnom angen safonau Ewropeaidd i amgueddfeydd, nid rhai i’r DU yn unig. Rhaid i amgueddfeydd Cymru fod ar y brig ymysg y nifer helaeth o amgueddfeydd rhyngwladol. Rhaid inni ystyried beth a gynigir ar gyfer y corff cenedlaethol hwn. Nid wyf ond newydd weld y ddogfen hon, ac nid wyf yn fodlon ar rai rhannau ohoni. Rhaid inni sicrhau ein bod yn cydnabod rôl llywodraeth leol ac amgueddfeydd annibynnol yn ogystal â’r amgueddfeydd cenedlaethol.

The subject of archives is interesting. There are many amazing archives in Wales, which are hidden, and we need to bring that matter forward. I hope that everyone takes part in the consultation on this document, and that if we employ more people that they are not necessarily civil servants, but individuals who know about museums, education and archives in particular. You mentioned the lottery, that is fine—

Mae archifau’n bwnc diddorol. Mae llawer o archifau rhyfeddol yng Nghymru, sydd o’r golwg, ac mae angen inni roi sylw i’r mater hwnnw. Gobeithiaf y bydd pawb yn cymryd rhan yn yr ymgynghori ar y ddogfen hon ac, os cyflogwn fwy o bobl, na fyddant o reidrwydd yn weision sifil, ond yn unigolion â gwybodaeth am amgueddfeydd, addysg ac archifau’n benodol. Gwnaethoch sôn am y loteri, mae hynny’n iawn—

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 32

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 32

Order. I call you to order because you are about to make a long speech.

Trefn. Yr wyf yn eich galw i drefn am eich bod ar fin gwneud araith hir.

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 32

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 32

I am just being succinct.

Nid wyf ond yn bod yn gryno.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 32

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 32

I know you are. [Laughter.]

Gwn eich bod. [Chwerthin.]

Rosemary Butler spoken in English p. 32

Rosemary Butler siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 32

To make one quick point, this has to be done through core funding.

I wneud un pwynt sydyn, rhaid gwneud hyn drwy ariannu craidd.

Jenny Randerson spoken in English p. 32

Jenny Randerson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 32

On your last point, I assure you that I was not thinking of relying on the lottery, but lottery money that has already been well spent could be considered more strategically and spent even more effectively.

Ynghylch eich pwynt olaf, gallaf eich sicrhau nad oeddwn yn meddwl dibynnu ar y loteri, ond gellid ystyried arian y loteri a wariwyd yn dda eisoes mewn dull mwy strategol a’i wario’n fwy effeithiol byth.

On the Culture Committee’s time, that is a matter for the Chair, but I am discussing with him the need to provide adequate time to discuss this subject. I agree that one reason for not setting up an absolute mirror image of Resource is that we do not want to cut ourselves off from it. We want to get the best of its expertise. It employs dozens of people to consider policy and so on. We could not possibly respond in terms of the sort of detail that it can provide. Some of its work applies to Wales and we need to dip into that and take advantage of it. I am committed to ensuring a role for local government. It is an important partner in this, as in all aspects of my portfolio. I want to make it clear that the extra people to whom I referred will comprise a unit of experts in museums, libraries and archives. It will not be a case of general administration, but a unit of experts within the Welsh Assembly Government, if, as a result of consultation, that is what people want. It is currently only a proposal.

Ynghylch amser y Pwyllgor Diwylliant, mae hynny’n fater i’r Cadeirydd, ond yr wyf wedi dechrau trafod gydag ef yr angen i ddarparu digon o amser i drafod y pwnc hwn. Cytunaf mai un rheswm dros beidio â sefydlu rhywbeth sy’n cyfateb yn union i Resource yw nad ydym am ein torri ein hun oddi wrtho. Yr ydym am rannu ei arbenigedd. Mae’n cyflogi dwsinau o bobl i ystyried polisi ac yn y blaen. Byddai’n gwbl amhosibl inni gyfateb o ran y math o fanylder y gall ei ddarparu. Mae rhywfaint o’i waith yn berthnasol i Gymru ac mae angen inni gyfranogi o hynny a manteisio arno. Yr wyf wedi ymrwymo i sicrhau rôl i lywodraeth leol. Mae’n bartner pwysig yn hyn, fel y mae ym mhob agwedd ar fy mhortffolio. Yr wyf am roi ar ddeall y bydd y bobl ychwanegol y cyfeiriais atynt yn uned o arbenigwyr ar amgueddfeydd, llyfrgelloedd ac archifau. Ni fydd yn fater o weinyddu cyffredinol, ond yn uned o arbenigwyr o fewn Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, os, o ganlyniad i’r ymgynghori, taw hynny y mae pobl am ei gael. Nid yw ond yn gynnig ar hyn o bryd.

Alison Halford spoken in English p. 33

Alison Halford siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 33

Minister, you are aware that I have communicated with you, and you may know that I have also communicated with the director of the National Museums and Galleries of Wales, on establishing an art gallery in north Wales. You will be aware of, and have commented on, the main reason for needing one, namely the return of the Mold gold cape to its rightful place. This is a live issue in my constituency and some of your comments have heightened aspirations that the cape will be returned. Will you comment on any further progress on this?

Weinidog, yr ydych yn ymwybodol fy mod wedi cysylltu â chi, ac fe wyddoch efallai fy mod wedi cysylltu hefyd â chyfarwyddwr Amgueddfeydd ac Orielau Cenedlaethol Cymru, ynghylch sefydlu oriel gelf yn y Gogledd. Yr ydych hefyd yn ymwybodol o’r prif reswm dros yr angen, ac wedi gwneud sylw ar hynny, sef bod mantell aur yr Wyddgrug i’w dychwelyd i’w lle priodol. Mae hyn yn bwnc llosg yn fy etholaeth ac mae rhai o’ch sylwadau wedi dwysáu’r gobaith y caiff y fantell ei dychwelyd. A wnewch chi sylw ar unrhyw gynnydd pellach ar hyn?

Jenny Randerson spoken in English p. 33

Jenny Randerson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 33

I cannot comment on progress, but if we had a body such as the one that is proposed under options 2 and 3 of this paper, you would be able to strategically consider providing facilities in those parts of Wales that lack such facilities. It should provide an all-Wales view of things. The issue of the Mold gold cape comes down to the fact that you would need improved security, regulated temperatures in museums and so on. That is the type of facility that you would consider strategically as a result of this proposed reorganisation.

Ni allaf wneud sylw ar y cynnydd, ond pe byddai gennym gorff fel yr un a gynigir gan opsiynau 2 a 3 yn y papur hwn, gallech ystyried mewn dull strategol ddarparu cyfleusterau yn y rhannau hynny o Gymru sydd heb gyfleusterau o’r fath. Dylai adlewyrchu’r sefyllfa ledled y wlad. Mae pwnc mantell aur yr Wyddgrug yn ymwneud yn y bôn â’r ffaith y byddai arnoch angen gwell diogelwch, tymereddau rheoledig mewn amgueddfeydd ac yn y blaen. Dyna’r math o gyfleuster y byddech yn ei ystyried yn strategol o ganlyniad i’r ad-drefnu arfaethedig hwn.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 33

Rhodri Glyn Thomas spoken in Welsh p. 33

Ymunaf â’m cyd-Aelodau wrth groesawu’r datganiad hwn heddiw. Croesawaf yr arolwg, yr ymgynghoriad ac awydd y Gweinidog i geisio creu ymateb Cymreig i’r angen hwn, sydd yn eithriadol o bwysig.

I join my fellow Members in welcoming this statement today. I welcome the review, the consultation and the Minister’s desire to create a Welsh response to this need, which is exceptionally important.

O ran sylw Rosemary Butler, ni allaf addo rhoi’r un faint o amser i’r ymgynghoriad hwn ag a roddwyd i’r arolwg o’r iaith Gymraeg. Mae gwahaniaeth sylweddol rhyngddynt. Er hynny, mae hwn yn fater o bwys ac edrychaf ymlaen at ei drafod yn y Pwyllgor ar 15 Mai. A wnewch chi sicrhau bod y Pwyllgor yn cael cyfle i ymateb yn llawn i’r ymgynghoriad pwysig hwn?

On Rosemary Butler’s point, I cannot promise to allocate as much time for this consultation as has been afforded to the Welsh language review. They are very different. However, this is an important matter and I look forward to discussing it in Committee on 15 May. Will you ensure that the Committee is given adequate time to respond in full to this important consultation?

Jenny Randerson spoken in English p. 34

Jenny Randerson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 34

The Culture Committee, as you said, will consider this on 15 May. There is time between that initial consideration and the end of June—the end of the official consultation period. However, you will notice that this consultation period is designed to give me time to think about this before the budget planning round. The Committee will also be anxious to deliberate this matter before then.

Fel y dywedasoch, bydd y Pwyllgor Diwylliant yn ystyried hyn ar 15 Mai. Mae amser rhwng yr ystyriaeth gyntaf honno a diwedd Mehefin—diwedd y cyfnod ymgynghori swyddogol. Fodd bynnag, fe sylwch mai’r bwriad wrth bennu’r cyfnod ymgynghori hwn yw rhoi amser imi feddwl am hyn cyn cylch cynllunio’r gyllideb. Bydd y Pwyllgor hefyd yn awyddus i drafod y mater hwn cyn hynny.

Datganiad ar Hynt y Cynllun i Wella Mynediad at Gyfleusterau Technoleg Gwybodaeth a Chyfathrebu drwy Ganolfannau Dysgu

Statement on Progress towards Achieving Access to Information Technology Facilities through Learning Centres

Jane Davidson The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning spoken in English p. 34

Jane Davidson Y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 34

This statement updates the current position of the development of information communications technology facilities in Wales. In March, the UK Government announced additional UKonline learning centres, bringing the total number to 2,841. We already have 281 ICT learning centres on our Wales national database. We expect to have over 600 ICT learning centres in Wales by the end of 2002. Wales has almost twice as many learning centres as England per head of population.

Mae’r datganiad hwn yn rhoi’r diweddaraf ar y sefyllfa bresennol wrth ddatblygu cyfleusterau technoleg gwybodaeth a chyfathrebu yng Nghymru. Ym Mawrth, cyhoeddodd Llywodraeth y DU ganolfannau dysgu Ukonline ychwanegol, gan ddod â’u nifer i gyfanswm o 2,841. Mae gennym 281 o ganolfannau dysgu TGCh eisoes yng nghronfa ddata genedlaethol Cymru. Yr ydym yn disgwyl y bydd gennym dros 600 o ganolfannau dysgu TGCh yng Nghymru erbyn diwedd 2002. Mae gan Gymru bron ddwywaith y nifer o ganolfannau dysgu â Lloegr am bob pen o’r boblogaeth.

ICT learning centres will provide an important bridge between school and community-based learning, giving pupils access to better ICT facilities during and outside school hours while also providing a resource to support family and adult learning activities. We are currently mapping learning centre information against population density and distance travelled to make strategic decisions about where to locate additional centres, if necessary. We are also implementing programmes that will ensure that they are fully accessible and effectively used.

Bydd y canolfannau dysgu TGCh yn bont bwysig rhwng dysgu yn yr ysgol a dysgu yn y gymuned, gan roi mynediad i ddisgyblion at well cyfleusterau TGCh yn ystod, a’r tu allan i, oriau ysgol yn ogystal â darparu adnodd i gynorthwyo gweithgareddau dysgu i deuluoedd ac unigolion. Ar hyn o bryd yr ydym yn mapio’r wybodaeth am ganolfannau dysgu yn ôl trwch poblogaeth a’r pellter a deithir er mwyn gwneud penderfyniadau strategol ynghylch lle y dylid lleoli canolfannau ychwanegol, os bydd angen. Yr ydym hefyd yn rhoi rhaglenni ar waith a fydd yn sicrhau eu bod yn gwbl hygyrch ac yn cael eu defnyddio’n effeithiol.

Above and beyond establishing the learning centres, we are ensuring technical infrastructure, support structures and capacity to open up the facilities. ICT has an important role to play in raising standards in schools and in expanding access to, and participation in, lifelong learning. For this to work we need a robust technical infrastructure that can cope with rising demand and deliver high-quality learning resources and support, hence the ambitious broadband strategy announced by the Welsh Assembly Government last October. I am delighted with the rapid progress that has been made on that initiative.

Yn ogystal â sefydlu’r canolfannau dysgu, yr ydym hefyd yn gofalu am y seilwaith technegol, y strwythurau cynnal a’r gallu i gynnig y cyfleusterau. Mae gan dechnoleg gwybodaeth a chyfathrebu rôl bwysig wrth geisio codi safonau mewn ysgolion ac ehangu’r mynediad at ddysgu gydol oes, a’r cyfranogiad ynddo. Os ydyw i lwyddo, mae arnom angen seilwaith technegol cadarn sy’n gallu ymdopi â’r galw cynyddol a chynnig adnoddau a chymorth dysgu o ansawdd da Dyna pam y cyhoeddwyd y strategaeth band llydan uchelgeisiol gan Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru fis Hydref diwethaf. Yr wyf wrth fy modd â chynnydd cyflym y fenter honno.

In addition to securing the provision of whiteboards and other ICT equipment for every school in Wales, my cabinet colleague, Andrew Davies and I signed a deal with Logical (UK) Ltd in March, commissioning the company to create the core element to the broadband ‘Lifelong Learning Network’ in Wales. That will provide high-speed broadband internet access into each local authority, building on existing further and higher education provision.

Yn ogystal â sicrhau darparu byrddau gwyn ac offer TGCh eraill i bob ysgol yng Nghymru, arwyddwyd cytundeb gan fy nghyd-aelod cabinet, Andrew Davies a minnau â Logical (UK) Ltd ym Mawrth, gan gomisiynu’r cwmni hwnnw i greu elfen graidd y ‘Rhwydwaith Dysgu Gydol Oes’ band llydan yng Nghymru. Bydd hynny’n darparu mynediad band llydan cyflym drwy’r rhyngrwyd ym mhob awdurdod lleol, gan ddatblygu’r ddarpariaeth addysg bellach ac uwch bresennol.

In partnership with local authorities, we are developing this network to link all schools, libraries and community learning centres. That will include the ICT learning centres that I established last year. The new broadband infrastructure offers tremendous scope for exploiting ICT to help raise standards in schools and support delivery of the Curriculum Cymreig.

Mewn partneriaeth â’r awdurdodau lleol, yr ydym yn datblygu’r rhwydwaith hwn er mwyn cysylltu’r holl ysgolion, llyfrgelloedd a chanolfannau dysgu cymunedol. Bydd hynny’n cynnwys y canolfannau dysgu TGCh a sefydlais y llynedd. Mae’r seilwaith band llydan newydd yn cynnig cyfle aruthrol i ddefnyddio TGCh i helpu i godi safonau mewn ysgolion a gweithredu’r Cwricwlwm Cymreig.

On setting up relevant support structures to move the agenda forward, I have established the ICT advisory panel to provide advice on policy development and delivery in schools. This panel will review the optimum levels of equipment and connectivity needed to raise standards and ensure equality of access in schools. The panel will also work closely with the ELWa expert group on e-learning. I will shortly be appointing an ICT taskforce to map out a strategy for improving ICT provision in Welsh schools, along with a new team, National Grid for Learning Cymru, to identify and develop electronically-based curriculum resources to make the fullest possible use of the opportunities created by the Welsh broadband network.

Ynghylch sefydlu strwythurau cymorth perthnasol i hyrwyddo’r agenda, yr wyf wedi sefydlu panel ymgynghorol TGCh i roi cyngor ar ddatblygu a gweithredu polisi mewn ysgolion. Bydd y panel hwn yn adolygu’r lefelau mwyaf ffafriol o offer a chysylltedd sydd eu hangen i godi safonau a sicrhau mynediad cyfartal mewn ysgolion. Bydd y panel yn cydweithio’n agos hefyd â grŵp arbenigol e-ddysgu ELWa. Cyn hir byddaf yn penodi tasglu TGCh i fapio strategaeth ar gyfer gwella’r ddarpariaeth TGCh yn ysgolion Cymru, ynghyd â thîm newydd, y Grid Cenedlaethol ar gyfer Dysgu Cymru, i ganfod a datblygu adnoddau cwricwlwm electronig i wneud y defnydd mwyaf posibl o’r cyfleoedd a greir gan rwydwaith band llydan Cymru.

ICT offers a powerful opportunity to transform how we live, learn and do business. However, with such an opportunity comes the challenge of ensuring that the people of Wales are sufficiently skilled in ICT to take advantage of it in their daily lives. In partnership with ELWa, we will take strategic action to raise ICT skill levels in Wales. We want to make lifelong learning an everyday reality for the people of Wales; e-learning is central to achieving these goals. In ‘The Learning Country’, I expressed my intention to establish expert groups to investigate e-learning and ICT skills. These commitments were included in Cymru Ar-lein—the Welsh Assembly Government’s information age strategic framework for Wales.

Mae TGCh yn cynnig cyfle pwysig i drawsffurfio’n ffordd o fyw, o ddysgu ac o drafod busnes. Fodd bynnag, ochr yn ochr â chyfle o’r fath y mae’r her o sicrhau bod sgiliau TGCh pobl Cymru yn ddigon i’w galluogi i fanteisio arni yn eu bywyd bob dydd. Mewn partneriaeth ag ELWa, byddwn yn cymryd camau strategol i hybu sgiliau TGCh yng Nghymru. Yr ydym am wneud dysgu gydol oes yn realiti bob dydd i bobl Cymru; mae e-ddysgu’n hanfodol i gyflawni’r nodau hyn. Yn ‘Y Wlad sy’n Dysgu’, datganais fy mwriad i sefydlu grwpiau arbenigol i ymchwilio i e-ddysgu a sgiliau TGCh. Yr oedd yr ymrwymiadau hynny wedi’u cynnwys yn Cymru Ar-lein—fframwaith strategol yr oes wybodaeth a luniwyd gan Lywodraeth y Cynulliad i Gymru.

Andrew Davies and I have established a single e-learning and ICT skills expert group to advise us on key actions to be taken to increase the number of people with higher level ICT skills and keep them in Wales, and to identify potential mechanisms for improving e-learning in Wales. The ICT advisory panel, chaired on my behalf by Alun Pugh, and the e-learning and ICT skills expert group are working in close collaboration. Together, they have developed plans to provide integrated ICT support and training services for teachers and trainers across Wales in support of the broadband for lifelong learning programme.

Mae Andrew Davies a minnau wedi sefydlu un grŵp arbenigol e-ddysgu a sgiliau TGCh i’n cynghori ar y camau allweddol y dylid eu cymryd i gynyddu nifer y rhai sydd â sgiliau TGCh uwch a’u cadw yng Nghymru, ac i ganfod ffyrdd posibl i wella e-ddysgu yng Nghymru. Mae panel ymgynghorol TGCh, y mae Alun Pugh yn ei gadeirio ar fy rhan, a’r grŵp arbenigol e-ddysgu a sgiliau TGCh yn cydweithio’n agos. Ar y cyd, maent wedi datblygu cynlluniau i ddarparu gwasanaethau cymorth a hyfforddi TGCh integredig i athrawon a hyfforddwyr ledled Cymru er mwyn cynnal y rhaglen band llydan ar gyfer dysgu gydol oes.

Alongside the finance provided for the broadband lifelong learning network, £2 million of ELWa funds and £2 million of Assembly money per annum has been set aside for the next three years for the provision of ICT support. This money will provide an integrated ICT support structure for all teachers and trainers in Wales, and additional support for volunteers and private sector trainers, working in the learning centres and elsewhere in the community. ELWa is currently taking forward these plans.

Ochr yn ochr â’r arian a ddarperir i’r rhwydwaith dysgu gydol oes band llydan, mae £2 filiwn o arian ELWa a £2 filiwn o arian y Cynulliad y flwyddyn wedi’i neilltuo dros y tair blynedd nesaf i ddarparu cymorth TGCh. Bydd yr arian hwn yn darparu strwythur cymorth TGCh integredig i’r holl athrawon a hyfforddwyr yng Nghymru, a chymorth ychwanegol i wirfoddolwyr a hyfforddwyr yn y sector preifat, a fydd yn gweithio yn y canolfannau dysgu ac mewn mannau eraill yn y gymuned. Mae ELWa yn bwrw ymlaen â’r cynlluniau hynny ar hyn o bryd.

This support programme will complement the ICT learning centres by increasing availability of trained staff to pass on their knowledge to others involved in the centres. It will lead to a core base of knowledge and experience on which to build. The e-learning and ICT skills expert group is currently assisting ELWa in developing its joint e-learning strategy. It will also assist with the related ICT skills strategy in May.

Bydd y rhaglen gymorth hon yn ategu’r canolfannau dysgu TGCh drwy beri bod rhagor o staff hyfforddedig ar gael i drosglwyddo’u gwybodaeth i eraill sy’n gysylltiedig â’r canolfannau. Bydd yn arwain at sylfaen graidd o wybodaeth a phrofiad y gallwn adeiladu arni. Mae’r grŵp arbenigol e-ddysgu a sgiliau TGCh yn helpu ELWa ar hyn o bryd i ddatblygu’i strategaeth e-ddysgu ar y cyd. Bydd hefyd yn helpu, ym Mai, gyda’r strategaeth sgiliau TGCh sy’n gysylltiedg â hi.

Finally, we need to increase capacity and resources to open up centres outside of school hours and to engage communities in ICT activities. We will do that through the e-communities programme, currently being led by the Welsh Development Agency on our behalf. In addition, ELWa is piloting e-placements, which will put Welsh higher education and further education students into communities in Wales to increase ICT skills across the community. I am pleased to report that our joined-up approach is well on the way to supporting community-based education and lifelong learning across Wales.

Yn olaf, rhaid inni gynyddu’r gallu a’r adnoddau er mwyn agor y canolfannau y tu allan i oriau ysgol a chynnwys ein cymunedau mewn gweithgareddau yn ymwneud â TGCh. Gwnawn hynny drwy’r rhaglen e-gymunedau, a arweinir ar hyn o bryd gan Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru ar ein rhan. Yn ogystal â hynny, mae ELWa yn rhagbrofi e-leoliadau, a fydd yn lleoli myfyrwyr addysg uwch a phellach yng Nghymru mewn cymunedau ledled y wlad i hybu sgiliau TGCh drwy’r gymuned. Yr wyf yn falch o roi gwybod i chi fod ein dull gweithredu cydgysylltiedig wedi mynd ymhell tuag at gynnal addysg a dysgu gydol oes yn y gymuned ledled Cymru.

Gareth Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 37

Gareth Jones spoken in Welsh p. 37

Croesawaf eich datganiad ar y datblygiadau cyffrous hyn yng Nghymru. Mae cynnydd amlwg ar hyn ac yr wyf yn falch o allu cydnabod hynny. Yr ydych yn rhoi sylw teilwng i’r maes ac i’r ffaith y dylai’r canolfannau hyn fod yn hygyrch ac ar gael i bawb. Dywedasoch hefyd y byddech yn sicrhau defnydd effeithiol ohonynt, sydd hefyd yn bwysig.

I welcome your statement on these exciting developments in Wales. There is clear progress on this and I am glad to be able to acknowledge that. You give deserved attention to this area and to the fact that these centres should be accessible and available to everyone. You also said that you would ensure that they are used effectively, which is also important.

Mae’r lefel ariannu a fynnir ar gyfer y datblygiadau hyn yn cynnwys, nid yn unig costau cysylltu canolfannau, ond hefyd yr adnoddau dynol a thechnegol angenrheidiol i gefnogi’r cynlluniau. Cefais gyfarfod â chynrychiolwyr cwmni Cynnal yng Ngwynedd yn ddiweddar—nid oes rhaid i mi eich atgoffa fod gan Cynnal enw da drwy Gymru benbaladr ym maes cyflwyno technoleg newydd—ac yn dilyn cyhoeddiad Prif Weinidog Cymru yn Hydref 2001, deallaf iddo ymgymryd â gwaith modelu i gysylltu ysgolion cynradd yn unig â’r rhwydwaith lleol. Daeth i’r casgliad y byddai angen oddeutu £1 filiwn o gyfalaf a £200,000 o refeniw blynyddol ar gyfer Gwynedd yn unig er mwyn cyflawni’r hyn yr awgryma’r Cynulliad. Amcangyfrifir swm cyffelyb ar gyfer Ynys Môn. Pe lluosir hynny drwy Gymru gyfan, mae’n amlwg, os ydym i lwyddo yn y maes hwn, na fyddai’r symiau y cyfeiriwyd atynt yn natganiad heddiw yn ddigonol. A ydych yn hapus ac yn fodlon bod y swm hwn yn adlewyrchu ac yn ystyried ffactor hollbwysig gwledigrwydd, y clywn gymaint o sôn amdano, ac a ydyw’n greiddiol i’r ariannu? A wnewch chi ailystyried lefel yr ariannu yng ngoleuni casgliadau Cynnal? Yn olaf, ac mae sawl Aelod wedi gofyn y cwestiwn hwn, a yw’r Llywodraeth hon yn gwneud defnydd llawn o’r hyn sydd ar gael drwy arian Amcan 1 yn y maes hwn?

The level of funding required for these developments not only includes the costs of linking centres but also the cost of human and technical resources required to support the schemes. I recently met with representatives from Cynnal in Gwynedd—I need not remind you that Cynnal is renowned throughout Wales for its work in introducing new technology—and I understand that, following the First Minister’s announcement in October 2001, it undertook some modelling work to link primary schools only to the local network. It came to the conclusion that some £1 million in capital and £200,000 of revenue would be required annually for Gwynedd alone in order to implement the Assembly’s recommendations. It is estimated that a similar sum will be required for Anglesey. Were that the case in every part of Wales, it is obvious that, if we are to succeed in this field, the sums referred to in today’s statement would be insufficient. Are you convinced that this sum reflects and takes into consideration the all-important factor of rurality, which we have heard so much about, and is it central to the funding? Will you reconsider the level of funding in light of Cynnal’s findings? Finally, and a number of Members have asked this question, is this Government making full use of the Objective 1 funding available in this area?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 38

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 38

Thank you for the acknowledgement of the progress being made. At the BBC’s recent international conference on e-learning, it was interesting to hear Ultralab’s Professor Stephen Heppell, who is considered a guru in ICT development, say that he thought that the development in Wales, as a result of our joined-up thinking, puts us among the top three countries in the world. This is marvellous news. He also said that it is one of the benefits of being a small country. The only other places in the world that are able to compete with us at the moment are Singapore and New Zealand. It is important, therefore, that we take this forward.

Diolch ichi am gydnabod y cynnydd a wneir. Yng nghynhadledd ryngwladol ddiweddar y BBC ar e-ddysgu, yr oedd yn ddiddorol clywed yr Athro Stephen Heppell o Ultralab, a ystyrir yn un o arweinyddion datblygiad TGCh, yn dweud ei fod o’r farn bod y datblygu yng Nghymru, o ganlyniad i’n ffordd gydgysylltiedig o feddwl, yn ein rhoi ymysg y tair gwlad orau yn y byd. Mae hyn yn newyddion gwych. Dywedodd hefyd mai hynny yw un o’r manteision o fod yn wlad fach. Yr unig fannau eraill yn y byd sy’n gallu cystadlu â ni ar hyn o bryd yw Singapôr a Seland Newydd. Mae’n bwysig, felly, ein bod yn bwrw ymlaen â hyn.

I wanted to make this statement today as a way of showing Members that we do have a joined-up approach. Everything is not in place at the moment, and we are interested in people’s cost projections. We have invested £40 million in ICT development in the last three years, to ensure that links are in place. All schools are now connected to the National Grid for Learning. Among the three key recommendations of the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee was that we set up an advisory panel so that we could have the kind of advice that drove the policy and the financing issues. The panel, which has now been established, is chaired by Alun Pugh, and works with education and ICT specialists. The setting up of the ICT taskforce has been opened to tender, just as the NGfL was, and I hope to make an announcement about that in early May. This means that everything will be in place, which will ensure that we can operate the right procurement strategies in terms of ensuring that we make effective use of the money. The key point to remember is that the Assembly made the commitment in the broad Cymru Ar-lein strategy to ensure that all of Wales is linked up within three years. That commitment remains, and it is exciting to see how much we are doing on education and lifelong learning to contribute towards that.

Yr oeddwn am wneud y datganiad hwn heddiw fel modd i ddangos i’r Aelodau fod gennym ddull cydgysylltiedig o weithio. Nid yw popeth ar waith ar hyn o bryd, ac mae gennym ddiddordeb yn y rhagamcaniadau o gostau sydd gan bobl. Yr ydym wedi buddsoddi £40 miliwn yn y gwaith o ddatblygu TGCh yn y tair blynedd diwethaf, i sicrhau bod y cysylltiadau ar waith. Mae’r holl ysgolion wedi’u cysylltu bellach â’r Grid Cenedlaethol ar gyfer Dysgu. Un o’r tri argymhelliad allweddol a oedd gan y Pwyllgor Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes oedd y dylem sefydlu panel ymgynghorol fel y gallem gael y math o gyngor a oedd yn sail i’r polisi a’r materion ariannu. Mae’r panel wedi’i sefydlu bellach, o dan gadeiryddiaeth Alun Pugh, ac mae’n gweithio gydag arbenigwyr addysg a thechnoleg gwybodaeth a chyfathrebu. Mae sefydlu’r tasglu TGCh wedi’i gynnig ar dendr, yn union fel y gwnaethpwyd â’r Grid Cenedlaethol ar gyfer Dysgu, a gobeithiaf wneud cyhoeddiad am hynny ddechrau mis Mai. Mae hyn yn golygu y bydd popeth yn ei le, a fydd yn sicrhau y gallwn weithredu’r strategaethau caffael sy’n briodol o ran ymorol ein bod yn defnyddio’r arian yn effeithiol. Y pwynt allweddol i’w gofio yw bod y Cynulliad wedi ymrwymo yn strategaeth gyffredinol Cymru Ar-lein i sicrhau y caiff Cymru gyfan ei chysylltu o fewn tair blynedd. Mae’r ymrwymiad hwnnw’n parhau, ac mae’n gyffrous gweld cymaint yr ydym yn ei wneud ar addysg a dysgu gydol oes i gyfrannu at hynny.

I turn to your final question on Objective 1. Andrew Davies last week launched an exciting e-commerce proposal, operating across the whole Objective 1 area. The University of Glamorgan has won a huge Objective 1 bid in relation to lifelong learning and enterprise. A lot of work is being undertaken across Objective 1, and it must be properly linked into our proposals for lifelong learning.

Trof at eich cwestiwn olaf ar Amcan 1. Yr wythnos diwethaf cyhoeddodd Andrew Davies gynnig e-fasnach gyffrous, a fydd yn gweithredu ledled ardal Amcan 1. Mae Prifysgol Morgannwg wedi llwyddo mewn cais anferth o dan Amcan 1 sy’n ymwneud â dysgu gydol oes a menter. Gwneir llawer o waith ar draws Amcan 1, a rhaid ei gysylltu â’n cynigion ar gyfer dysgu gydol oes.

Janice Gregory spoken in English p. 39

Janice Gregory siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 39

I welcome this statement on behalf of the thousands of people in my constituency who will benefit from access to ICT. From visiting the Bridgend County Borough Council community education facilities in the lifelong learning centre in Ogmore Vale, I know that the people who use the centre have had a new world opened up to them as a result of ICT. I would like to raise a local issue, which is probably replicated throughout Wales. Pencoed Welfare Hall has been newly refurbished using public money. It is a wonderful new community facility used by the whole town of Pencoed. However, it is managed, predominantly, by the town council. It is in partnership with the local authority to provide some IT courses, but it is not able to offer continuous access to the internet, which is a difficulty for those wishing to attend those courses. The courses are all over-subscribed. What advice can you offer to the management of that hall with regard to internet access? The cost is prohibitive, as I am sure you are aware, and that is the difficulty that they face, which I am sure is replicated throughout Wales.

Croesawaf y datganiad hwn ar ran miloedd o bobl yn fy etholaeth a fydd yn elwa o gael mynediad at dechnoleg gwybodaeth a chyfathrebu. Ar ôl ymweld â chyfleusterau addysg gymunedol Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr yn y ganolfan dysgu gydol oes yng Nghwm Ogwr, gwn fod y rhai sy’n defnyddio’r ganolfan wedi cael agor drws i fyd newydd o ganlyniad i dechnoleg gwybodaeth a chyfathrebu. Hoffwn godi mater lleol, a adlewyrchir ledled Cymru yn ôl pob tebyg. Mae neuadd les Pen-coed newydd ei hadnewyddu gan ddefnyddio arian cyhoeddus. Mae’n gyfleuster cymunedol newydd rhyfeddol a ddefnyddir gan bawb yn nhref Pen-coed. Fodd bynnag, fe’i rheolir, yn bennaf, gan y cyngor tref. Mae mewn partneriaeth â’r awdurdod lleol er mwyn darparu rhai cyrsiau TG, ond nid yw’n gallu cynnig mynediad di-dor i’r rhyngrwyd, sy’n peri anhawster i’r rhai sy’n dymuno mynychu’r cyrsiau hynny. Mae’r cyrsiau wedi’u gordanysgrifio i gyd. Pa gyngor y gallwch ei gynnig i reolwyr y neuadd honno o ran mynediad i’r rhyngrwyd? Mae’r gost yn ormodol, fel y gwyddoch yr wyf yn siŵr, a dyna’r anhawster a wynebant, ac yr wyf yn siŵr yr adlewyrchir hynny ledled Cymru.

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 40

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40

ELWa is about to enter a big funding review. It will consider its priorities, in terms of the qualifications education agenda and the lifelong learning education agenda across Wales. Unfortunately, we had to suspend the individual learning accounts last Christmas, but we are looking to re-introduce an individual learning account type of scheme later this year. That kind of scheme will be important to the centre that you described. If you want to write to me about this individual case, I would be happy to consider it. However, the key issue, as I said in the statement, is that ELWa is working at both the higher skills end and the lifelong learning end in developing the ICT support strategy. We also have money going into e-communities because of the commitment to deliver services. The opportunities available from people with ICT skills coming from further and higher education to offer support in our communities is also important. We want to bring all these elements together in future.

Mae ELWa ar fin cychwyn adolygiad cyllid mawr. Bydd yn ystyried ei flaenoriaethau, o ran yr agenda addysg cymwysterau a’r agenda addysg dysgu gydol oes ledled Cymru. Gwaetha’r modd, bu’n rhaid inni atal y cyfrifon dysgu unigol y Nadolig diwethaf, ond yr ydym yn disgwyl ailgyflwyno cynllun tebyg i’r cyfrifon dysgu unigol yn ddiweddarach eleni. Bydd cynllun o’r math hwnnw’n bwysig i’r ganolfan y gwnaethoch ei disgrifio. Os dymunwch ysgrifennu ataf am yr achos unigol hwn, byddwn yn falch o’i ystyried. Fodd bynnag, y mater allweddol, fel y dywedais yn y datganiad, yw bod ELWa yn gweithio ar y pegwn sgiliau uwch a’r pegwn dysgu gydol oes wrth ddatblygu’r strategaeth cynnal TGCh. Yr ydym yn rhoi arian hefyd at e-gymunedau oherwydd yr ymrwymiad i ddarparu gwasanaethau. Mae’r cyfleoedd a gynigir gan rai sydd â sgiliau TGCh o’r sector addysg bellach ac uwch i gynnig cymorth i’n cymunedau’n bwysig hefyd. Yr ydym am ddod â’r holl elfennau hyn at ei gilydd yn y dyfodol.

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 40

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 40

As a member of the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee, who has taken a keen interest in these developments, I say a big thank you for this morning’s statement. These are welcome developments and these are exciting times in terms of developing the ICT agenda in the education system in Wales.

Fel aelod o’r Pwyllgor Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes, sydd wedi ymddiddori’n frwd yn y datblygiadau hyn, diolchaf yn fawr i chi am y datganiad y bore yma. Datblygiadau i’w croesawu yw’r rhain ac mae hon yn adeg gyffrous o ran datblygu’r agenda TGCh yn y system addysg yng Nghymru.

A number of questions arise from the statement; some relate to policy considerations and others to funding. First, in respect of establishing and reviewing the optimum levels of equipment and connectivity in schools, in terms of policy considerations, will we see a move away from ICT suites in schools? Historically there has been a move towards ensuring that all classrooms have full access to ICT equipment and software. If ICT is to become an integral part of learning and curriculum development, it must be seen as part of the norm in classrooms. Clearly, there is an issue of capacity. Some school buildings are not particularly useful for adaptation for ICT equipment in terms of line connection and software installation. That issue is for the Assembly to examine regarding the suitability of the school stock and ensuring that ICT equipment can be used in the sort of buildings available.

Mae sawl cwestiwn yn codi o’r datganiad; mae rhai’n ymwneud ag ystyriaethau polisi ac eraill ag ariannu. Yn gyntaf, o ran sefydlu ac adolygu’r lefelau mwyaf ffafriol o offer a chysylltedd mewn ysgolion, o ran yr ystyriaethau polisi, a welwn symudiad oddi wrth switiau TGCh mewn ysgolion? Yn hanesyddol bu symudiad tuag at sicrhau bod gan bob ystafell ddosbarth fynediad llawn at offer a meddalwedd TGCh. Os yw TGCh i ddod yn rhan annatod o ddysgu a datblygu’r cwricwlwm, rhaid ei gweld yn rhan o’r norm yn yr ystafelloedd dosbarth. Wrth gwrs, mae cwestiwn yn codi ynghylch capasiti. Mae rhai adeiladau ysgol nad ydynt yn arbennig o addas i’w haddasu ar gyfer offer TGCh o ran cysylltu llinellau a gosod meddalwedd. Mae hynny’n fater i’w archwilio gan y Cynulliad yng nghyswllt addasrwydd y stoc ysgolion a sicrhau y gellir defnyddio offer TGCh yn y math o adeiladau sydd ar gael.

Secondly, on the ICT taskforce’s work in developing an electronically based curriculum, I hope that we learn lessons from the Scots, particularly from the former Scottish Council for Educational Technologies. It did sterling work in advancing the development of curriculum based ICT materials. It was ahead of the game. I hope that the ICT advisory panel will learn the lessons from Scotland, develop some themes and capitalise on much of the work that that body undertook.

Yn ail, ynghylch gwaith y tasglu TGCh wrth ddatblygu cwricwlwm ar sail electronig, gobeithiaf y byddwn yn dysgu gwersi oddi wrth yr Albanwyr, yn enwedig oddi wrth gyn Gyngor Technolegau Addysgol yr Alban. Gwnaeth waith rhagorol wrth hyrwyddo datblygiad defnyddiau TGCh sy’n seiliedig ar y cwricwlwm. Yr oedd ar y blaen. Gobeithiaf y bydd y panel ymgynghorol TGCh yn dysgu gwersi oddi wrth yr Alban, yn datblygu rhai themâu ac yn elwa ar lawer o’r gwaith a wnaeth y corff hwnnw.

Thirdly, is it possible to include the business sector in the expert group that has been established to examine ICT skills? The business sector will have much of the electronic and ICT expertise, which we should attempt to harness. It can tell us whether the range of ICT skills currently being developed, particularly in terms of qualifications, is suitable in today’s industries and developing ICT markets. It can provide for any audit of ICT skills and qualifications, I hope, an analysis of whether that range of qualifications is currently suitable.

Yn drydydd, a oes modd cynnwys y sector busnes yn y grŵp arbenigol a sefydlwyd i archwilio sgiliau TGCh? Y sector busnes fydd yn meddu ar lawer o’r arbenigedd electronig a thechnoleg gwybodaeth a chyfathrebu, a dylem geisio’i harneisio. Gall ddweud wrthym a yw’r amrediad o sgiliau TGCh a ddatblygir ar hyn o bryd, yn enwedig o ran cymwysterau, yn addas ar gyfer y diwydiannau sydd ohoni a’r marchnadoedd TGCh sy’n datblygu. Gall ddarparu dadansoddiad, yr wyf yn gobeithio, ar gyfer unrhyw archwiliad o sgiliau a chymwysterau TGCh, ynghylch a yw’r amrediad hwnnw o gymwysterau’n addas ar hyn o bryd.

Fourthly, on the funding being made available, your statement referred to £4 million being set aside over the next three years. Is that in addition to the new opportunities fund money, which is currently available for training teachers in schools? Will this money replace the new opportunities fund in future, because the fund has a limited lifespan? Your officials mentioned in Committee yesterday, that grants for education support and training money could be used in future to assist in training teachers, because there will have to be a continuous rolling programme of support for teachers to continuously update their ICT skills. Will the additional funding be included in the grants for education support and training budget line, or is it already there and planned for the next couple of years? There will be budgetary implications. It will cost more, I suspect, than £4 million or £5 million per year. Are we planning to put more money in to the GEST budget line, or will it come from the existing budget?

Yn bedwerydd, ynghylch yr arian a ddarperir, cyfeiriodd eich datganiad at neilltuo £4 miliwn dros y tair blynedd nesaf. A yw hynny ar ben arian y gronfa cyfleoedd newydd, sydd ar gael ar hyn o bryd i hyfforddi athrawon mewn ysgolion? A fydd yr arian hwn yn cymryd lle’r gronfa cyfleoedd newydd yn y dyfodol, am mai oes gyfyngedig sydd i’r gronfa? Dywedodd eich swyddogion yn y Pwyllgor ddoe y gellid defnyddio arian cynnal addysg a hyfforddiant yn y dyfodol i helpu i hyfforddi athrawon, gan y bydd angen rhaglen dreiglol barhaus o gymorth i athrawon i ddiweddaru’u sgiliau TGCh yn barhaus. A gynhwysir yr arian ychwanegol yn llinell gyllideb grantiau cefnogi addysg a hyfforddiant, neu a ydyw yno eisoes ac wedi’i gynllunio ar gyfer y blynyddoedd nesaf hyn? Bydd goblygiadau cyllidebol. Bydd yn costio mwy, yr wyf yn amau, na £4 miliwn neu £5 miliwn y flwyddyn. A ydym yn bwriadu rhoi mwy o arian yn y llinell gyllideb GEST, ynteu a ddaw o’r gyllideb bresennol?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 42

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 42

I thank you and Huw Lewis for your work on behalf of the Committee in driving this report through. I welcome your comments. I agree that these are exciting times. We need to capitalise on the investment that we have made so far. We must make effective use of this for the future. Your proposals about the optimum level of connectivity, and whether or not we are talking about individual computers in individual classrooms as opposed to suites, are quite local issues. To a large extent it will also depend on the extent to which the school is used out of hours. The suite approach, where the school is used out of hours, is helpful in terms of security and support. Schools have told me that they are looking carefully at where they put computer suites in order to maximise security, as well as opportunity. Therefore, we are looking at buildings that might have a separate access that can be used in that way. We have put the whiteboards initiative in place, which means that there is full capacity for ICT in three classrooms in all our secondary schools, directly funded from the Assembly, in addition to money that is being provided at local level. Several schools are increasing the numbers of whiteboards that they have. We will look hard at that to see whether or not it is appropriate for us to invest similarly in whiteboards for the future, for example.

Diolchaf i chi ac i Huw Lewis am eich gwaith ar ran y Pwyllgor wrth yrru’r adroddiad hwn drwodd. Croesawaf eich sylwadau. Cytunaf fod hon yn adeg gyffrous. Rhaid inni elwa ar y buddsoddiad a wnaethom hyd yn hyn. Rhaid inni ei ddefnyddio’n effeithiol ar gyfer y dyfodol. Mae’ch cynigion ynghylch y lefelau mwyaf ffafriol o gysylltedd, ac a ydym yn sôn am gyfrifiaduron unigol mewn ystafelloedd unigol yn hytrach switiau, yn faterion eithaf lleol. Bydd yn dibynnu hefyd i raddau helaeth ar faint o ddefnydd sydd i’r ysgol y tu allan i oriau. Mae’r dull swît, lle y defnyddir yr ysgol y tu allan i oriau ysgol, yn fuddiol o ran diogelwch a chymorth. Mae’r ysgolion wedi dweud wrthyf eu bod yn ystyried yn ofalus ym mhle y maent yn rhoi eu switiau cyfrifiaduron er mwyn sicrhau’r diogelwch, a’r cyfle, mwyaf posibl. Felly, yr ydym yn ystyried adeiladau a allai fod â mynedfa ar wahân y gellir eu defnyddio felly. Yr ydym wedi rhoi’r fenter byrddau gwyn ar waith, sy’n golygu bod gallu TGCh cyflawn mewn tair ystafell ddosbarth yn ein holl ysgolion uwchradd, wedi’u hariannu’n uniongyrchol gan y Cynulliad, yn ogystal â’r arian a ddarperir ar lefel leol. Mae sawl ysgol yn cynyddu nifer y byrddau gwyn sydd ganddi. Ystyriwn hynny’n ofalus i weld a yw’n briodol inni fuddsoddi yn yr un modd mewn byrddau gwyn at y dyfodol, er enghraifft.

On lessons from Scotland, or elsewhere, I have pledged many times in Committee that I will always consider best practice from other places. It is important that there are opportunities to learn from other places which seem to be working like us. I will write to Singapore and New Zealand to talk about what they are doing, so that we can also utilise their experience. I do not have the membership of the ICT skills group to hand; I am sure that the points that you made have been taken into account, but I will write to you with regard to the membership.

Ynghylch y gwersi o’r Alban, neu o fannau eraill, yr wyf wedi addo lawer gwaith yn y Pwyllgor y byddaf bob amser yn ystyried yr arferion gorau o fannau eraill. Mae’n bwysig bod cyfleoedd i ddysgu oddi wrth fannau eraill sy’n ymddangos eu bod yn gweithio’n debyg i ni. Byddaf yn ysgrifennu at Singapôr a Seland Newydd i sôn am yr hyn y maent yn ei wneud, fel y gallwn ddefnyddio’u profiad. Nid yw aelodaeth y grŵp sgiliau TGCh wrth law gennyf; yr wyf yn sicr bod y pwyntiau a wnaethoch wedi’u cymryd i ystyriaeth, ond ysgrifennaf atoch ynghylch yr aelodaeth.

On funding, the money is additional to the new opportunities fund. The new opportunities fund has contributed a tremendous amount: about £13 million for ICT training for teachers and librarians; £13 million for community access to lifelong learning; £13 million for out of hours learning; and £50 million for the digitisation of internet content. A lot of money from the new opportunities fund is also going into this delivery. We have increased the GEST funding this year. The heading under which support for education and ICT initiatives is listed is now up to £10 million. We will keep that under consideration, because GEST is a way of ensuring local authority supported training. Teachers also have access through the General Teaching Council for Wales, as the Committee was told yesterday, for individual learning programmes that can include ICT. The future is rosy on this issue.

Ynghylch ariannu, mae’r arian yn ychwanegol at arian y gronfa cyfleoedd newydd. Mae’r gronfa cyfleoedd newydd wedi cyfrannu swm aruthrol: tua £13 miliwn ar gyfer hyfforddiant TGCh i athrawon a llyfrgellwyr; £13 miliwn ar gyfer mynediad cymunedol at ddysgu gydol oes; £13 miliwn ar gyfer dysgu y tu allan i oriau; a £50 miliwn ar gyfer digideiddio cynnwys i’r rhyngrwyd. Mae llawer o arian o’r gronfa cyfleoedd newydd yn mynd at gyflawni hyn hefyd. Yr ydym wedi cynyddu arian GEST eleni. Mae’r pennawd y rhestrir cymorth i fentrau addysg a thechnoleg gwybodaeth a chyfathrebu oddi tano wedi codi i £10 miliwn bellach. Cadwn hynny dan sylw, gan fod GEST yn fodd i ofalu am hyfforddiant a gynhelir gan yr awdurdodau lleol. Mae gan yr athrawon fynediad hefyd, drwy Gyngor Addysgu Cyffredinol Cymru, at raglenni dysgu unigol a all gynnwys TGCh, fel y dywedwyd wrth y Pwyllgor ddoe. Mae’r dyfodol yn obeithiol ar y mater hwn.

Mick Bates spoken in English p. 43

Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 43

Thank you for this update, Minister. I am sure that we all acknowledge the importance of ICT in a global, knowledge-based economy. I will mention three issues that arise from the statement. First, will part of the population density mapping process also look at the appropriate delivery of broadband, because it may be provided through copper, fibre optic, or even microwaves? This is an important feature of delivering knowledge in rural areas.

Diolch i chi am y diweddariad hwn, Weinidog. Yr wyf yn sicr ein bod oll yn cydnabod pa mor bwysig yw TGCh mewn economi fyd-eang sy’n seiliedig ar wybodaeth. Soniaf am dri mater sy’n codi o’r datganiad. Yn gyntaf, a fydd rhan o’r broses mapio trwch poblogaeth yn edrych hefyd ar y dull priodol o ddarparu’r band llydan, oherwydd gellir ei ddarparu drwy gopr, opteg ffibr, neu hyd yn oed microdonnau? Mae hon yn agwedd bwysig ar gyflenwi gwybodaeth mewn ardaloedd gwledig.

Secondly, I am pleased that the money has been allocated, and that it is additional to the new opportunities fund. However, I would like to hear more detail on how local authorities will support schools with regard to the impact of the extra cost of connection on their individual budgets. We all acknowledge that ICT can preserve and build on strengths, and help schools and rural communities by offering new services. Schools can service the wider community, and help preserve important social and economic resources. Do you agree, Minister, that rural schools are a critical part of their communities, and that ICT can help them in their role as an essential part of that community?

Yn ail, yr wyf yn falch bod yr arian wedi’i neilltuo, a’i fod yn ychwanegol at arian y gronfa cyfleoedd newydd. Fodd bynnag, hoffwn gael mwy o fanylion am y modd y bydd yr awdurdodau lleol yn cynorthwyo ysgolion o ran effaith y gost ychwanegol o gysylltu ar eu cyllidebau unigol. Yr ydym oll yn cydnabod y gall TGCh gadw a datblygu cryfderau, a helpu ysgolion a chymunedau gwledig drwy gynnig gwasanaethau newydd. Gall ysgolion wasanaethu’r gymuned ehangach, a helpu i gadw adnoddau cymdeithasol ac economaidd pwysig. A ydych yn cytuno, Weinidog, fod ysgolion gwledig yn rhan hollbwysig o’u cymunedau, ac y gall TGCh eu helpu yn eu rôl o fod yn rhan hanfodol o’r gymuned honno?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 44

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 44

I carefully used the word ‘strategic’ when I was talking about mapping and the response to that. We are currently working with local authorities, schools and other community learning centres to get the best out of the proposals for community learning centres, as we want to ensure that there are no gaps. We will also consider the most appropriate method of connectivity.

Defnyddiais y gair ‘strategol’ yn ystyriol wrth sôn am fapio a’r ymateb i hynny. Ar hyn o bryd, yr ydym yn gweithio gyda’r awdurdodau lleol, yr ysgolion a chanolfannau dysgu cymunedol eraill i gael y gorau o’r cynigion ar gyfer canolfannau dysgu cymunedol, gan ein bod am sicrhau na fydd unrhyw fylchau. Byddwn hefyd yn ystyried y dull cysylltedd mwyaf priodol.

I agree with you about the importance of ICT for schools, and rural schools in particular. In our strategy for rural schools—upon which we consulted last year, and for which we are making additional money available next week—we identified that ICT could be a particularly useful tool for rural schools in terms of developing federation proposals or different kinds of dialogue, and in tackling some administrative areas. It is notable that the PricewaterhouseCoopers report for the school teachers review body leant a great deal on the capacity of ICT to tackle bureaucratic burdens on teachers. Therefore, we want to utilise all of this effectively.

Cytunaf â chi ynghylch pwysigrwydd TGCh i ysgolion, ac i ysgolion gwledig yn arbennig. Yn ein strategaeth i ysgolion gwledig—y buom yn ymgynghori arni y llynedd, ac y byddwn yn darparu rhagor o arian ar ei chyfer yr wythnos nesaf—gwnaethom nodi y gallai TGCh fod yn offeryn arbennig o ddefnyddiol i ysgolion gwledig o ran datblygu cynigion am ffederasiynau neu wahanol fathau o ddeialog, ac o ran mynd i’r afael â rhai o’r meysydd gweinyddol. Mae’n werth nodi bod adroddiad PricewaterhouseCoopers i’r corff adolygu athrawon ysgol wedi pwyso’n helaeth ar allu TGCh i fynd i’r afael â’r beichiau biwrocrataidd ar athrawon. Felly, yr ydym am ddefnyddio popeth sydd dan sylw’n effeithiol.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 44

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 44

I have six requests for questions, and we have six minutes. Therefore, once again, I ask for succinct questions and beautifully succinct answers.

Mae gennyf chwe chais am gwestiynau, ac mae gennym chwe munud. Felly, unwaith eto, gofynnaf am gwestiynau cryno ac atebion hyfryd o gryno.

Phil Williams spoken in English p. 44

Phil Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 44

I am sure that you agree that it makes no sense to teach pupils to use the full potential of information technology, unless there is provision for them to use that technology at home or at work. Therefore, I welcome the Assembly Government’s plans, but I am concerned that there are no full plans to ensure the same connectivity in premises within the same town or village. This is important because, if the wrong technology is used to connect learning centres, those links cannot then serve the whole community. What discussions have you had—

Yr wyf yn sicr y cytunwch nad oes synnwyr mewn dysgu disgyblion i ddefnyddio holl botensial technoleg gwybodaeth os nad oes darpariaeth iddynt ddefnyddio’r dechnoleg honno gartref neu yn y gwaith. Felly, yr wyf yn croesawu cynlluniau Llywodraeth y Cynulliad, ond yr wyf yn bryderus nad oes cynlluniau llawn i sicrhau’r un cysylltedd mewn adeiladau yn yr un dref neu bentref. Mae hyn yn bwysig oherwydd, os defnyddir y dechnoleg anghywir i gysylltu canolfannau dysgu, ni all y cysylltiadau hynny wasanaethu’r gymuned gyfan wedyn. Pa drafodaethau a gawsoch—

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 44

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 44

Order. Your time is up.

Trefn. Mae’ch amser ar ben.

Phil Williams spoken in English p. 44

Phil Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 44

I am sorry. I was coming to the question at the end of the sentence.

Mae’n ddrwg gennyf. Yr oeddwn yn dod at y cwestiwn ar ddiwedd y frawddeg.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 45

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 45

That is the whole point.

Dyna’r holl bwynt.

Phil Williams spoken in English p. 45

Phil Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 45

What discussions have you had to ensure that the plans to connect learning centres fit into a full plan for connectivity?

Pa drafodaethau a gawsoch i sicrhau bod y cynlluniau i gysylltu canolfannau dysgu’n ffitio i gynllun cyflawn ar gyfer cysylltedd?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 45

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 45

That is what the statement was all about.

Dyna oedd holl ddiben y datganiad.

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 45

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 45

I am particularly interested in this statement about the importance of e-learning because, in areas of educational disadvantage, where the levels of literacy and numeracy are not high at present, there is an even greater potential for digital divide. In view of that, what specific proposals do you envisage to attack this issue, as well as the issue of older people who may have greater problems in accessing new technology?

Ymddiddoraf yn arbennig yn y datganiad am bwysigrwydd e-ddysgu oherwydd, mewn ardaloedd sydd o dan anfantais addysgol, lle nad yw’r lefelau llythrennedd a rhifedd yn uchel ar hyn o bryd, mae mwy o bosibiliad fyth o gael rhaniad digidol. Yng ngolwg hynny, pa gynigion penodol yr ydych yn eu rhagweld i fynd i’r afael â’r mater hwn, yn ogystal â’r mater o bobl hŷn a allai gael mwy o broblemau wrth fynd at dechnoleg newydd?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 45

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 45

We hope that our proposals to make ICT learning centres available, not only in schools, but in wider community venues, will tackle some of those issues. The ELWa strategy, which will come forward shortly in terms of e-learning, will tackle that issue. ELWa has two key elements in terms of its remit: one is inclusion and the other is the retention and expansion of higher skills, both of which must be considered.

Gobeithiwn y bydd ein cynigion i ddarparu canolfannau dysgu TGCh, nid yn unig mewn ysgolion, ond mewn canolfannau yn y gymuned ehangach, yn mynd i’r afael â rhai o’r materion hynny. Bydd strategaeth ELWa, a fydd yn ymddangos cyn hir yng nghyd-destun e-ddysgu, yn mynd i’r afael â’r mater hwnnw. Mae gan ELWa ddwy elfen allweddol o ran ei gylch gwaith: un yw cynhwysiant a’r llall yw cadw ac ymestyn sgiliau uwch, a rhaid ystyried y ddwy ohonynt.

David Melding spoken in English p. 45

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 45

I declare an interest as the chair of the governing body of Meadowbank Special School. Will you ensure that the needs of special schools receive particular attention? For instance, whiteboard technology offers the chance to transform teaching in special schools, but many will need more than one whiteboard.

Datganaf fuddiant fel cadeirydd corff llywodraethu Ysgol Arbennig Meadowbank. A wnewch sicrhau y rhoddir sylw penodol i anghenion ysgolion arbennig? Er enghraifft, mae technoleg y bwrdd gwyn yn cynnig cyfle i weddnewid dysgu mewn ysgolion arbennig, ond bydd ar lawer ohonynt angen mwy nag un bwrdd gwyn.

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 45

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 45

As I said in response to a previous question, we will consider this again in future years. Schools and local authorities are also putting whiteboards into schools, and we must work in partnership to deliver this.

Fel y dywedais mewn ymateb i gwestiwn blaenorol, byddwn yn ystyried hyn eto yn y blynyddoedd i ddod. Mae’r ysgolion a’r awdurdodau lleol yn rhoi byrddau gwyn mewn ysgolion hefyd, a rhaid inni weithio mewn partneriaeth i gyflawni hyn.

In terms of special educational needs, there is a funding under GEST for IT equipment for pupils with special educational needs, and it is important that this is used effectively.

O ran anghenion addysgol arbennig, mae arian ar gael o dan GEST ar gyfer offer TG i ddisgyblion sydd ag anghenion addysgol arbennig, ac mae’n bwysig iddo gael ei ddefnyddio’n effeithiol.

Lorraine Barrett spoken in English p. 46

Lorraine Barrett siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 46

You can probably refer me to an earlier answer but I am concerned that other community resources should play a role in delivering these exciting opportunities and accessing the funding. For example, the information shop for young people in Penarth—I declare an interest as a director—the Salvation Army in Grangetown, which has a computer centre in its community centre, and the enterprise centre in St Mellons, all have IT facilities. I want to ensure that they can access this funding and be a part of this exciting opportunity of ICT learning centres.

Mae’n debyg y gallwch fy nghyfeirio at ateb cynharach ond yr wyf yn awyddus y dylai adnoddau cymunedol eraill chwarae rhan wrth gynnig y cyfleoedd cyffrous hyn a chael at y cyllid. Er enghraifft, mae cyfleusterau TG gan y siop wybodaeth i bobl ifanc ym Mhenarth— datganaf fuddiant fel cyfarwyddwr—gan Fyddin yr Iachawdwriaeth yn Grangetown, sydd â chanolfan gyfrifiaduron yn ei chanolfan gymunedol, a chan y ganolfan fenter yn Llaneirwg. Yr wyf am sicrhau eu bod yn gallu cael at y cyllid hwn a bod yn rhan o gyfle cyffrous y canolfannau dysgu TGCh.

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 46

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 46

You would have to write to me with details. I am not prepared to give a commitment that every organisation in Wales will be able to access the funding. We are undertaking this strategically, but we are working in partnership on its delivery. A key aspect is ensuring that we bring this down to community level so that people can have free access to machines and gain ICT skills.

Byddai’n rhaid ichi ysgrifennu ataf gan roi manylion. Nid wyf yn barod i ymrwymo y caiff pob corff yng Nghymru fynd at y cyllid hwn. Yr ydym yn gwneud hyn yn strategol, ond yr ydym yn gweithio mewn partneriaeth i’w gyflawni. Un agwedd allweddol yw ein bod yn dod â hyn i lawr at y lefel gymunedol fel y bydd pobl yn cael mynediad am ddim at y peiriannau ac yn dysgu sgiliau TGCh.

Cynog Dafis siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 46

Cynog Dafis spoken in Welsh p. 46

Ni ddeallaf pam nad ydych wedi cyfeirio at ddarpariaeth y Brifysgol i Ddiwydiant a Chyswllt Dysgu. A ydych yn cadw llygad manwl ar eu gweithgareddau hwy i sicrhau eu bod yn cael eu hintegreiddio i’r system o ganolfannau dysgu? A wnewch hefyd sicrhau cydweithrediad â Choleg Digidol Cymru? A gytunwch y byddai’n synhwyrol, yn y pen draw, i drosglwyddo cyfrifoldeb dros y Brifysgol i Ddiwydiant, a’i chyllid, i Gymru fel y gallem greu system integredig effeithiol?

I do not understand why you have not referred to the provision made by the University for Industry and Learndirect. Are you closely monitoring their activities to ensure that they are integrated into the system of learning centres? Will you also ensure that there is collaboration with the Wales Digital College? Do you agree that it would, ultimately, be sensible to transfer responsibility for the University for Industry, and its funding, to Wales so that we can create an effective integrated system?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 46

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 46

We work closely with the University for Industry, Learndirect and the digital college. They support the work we are doing; they enhance opportunities for learning and will work closely with us on this strategy. I did not refer to that because they are already included and I am bringing together the Assembly’s policies in terms of connectivity. On Phil’s question, Cymru Ar-lein is the overall answer in terms of connectivity and I am examining the education and lifelong learning component of that. The Assembly is leading on that with our sponsored public bodies.

Yr ydym yn cydweithio’n agos â’r Brifysgol i Ddiwydiant, Cyswllt Dysgu a’r coleg digidol. Maent yn cynorthwyo yn y gwaith a wnawn; maent yn hybu’r cyfleoedd i ddysgu a byddant yn cydweithio’n agos â ni ar y strategaeth hon. Ni chyfeiriais at hynny am eu bod wedi’u cynnwys eisoes ac yr wyf yn dod â holl bolisïau’r Cynulliad ar gysylltedd at ei gilydd. Ynghylch cwestiwn Phil Williams, Cymru Ar-lein yw’r ateb cyffredinol o ran cysylltedd ac yr wyf yn edrych ar yr elfen addysg a dysgu gydol oes yn hynny. Mae’r Cynulliad yn arwain ar hynny gyda’r cyrff cyhoeddus yr ydym yn eu noddi.

Peter Rogers spoken in English p. 47

Peter Rogers siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 47

I will flag up one concern: computers are of value to schools only when they are working. One problem is that not enough technicians are employed to maintain computers. I have visited schools where computers have not been working for three months or so, or where the computer suites have broken down and there are too many children for the facilities available. Can we ensure that funding is available for technicians to maintain those computers, particularly in junior schools?

Tynnaf sylw at un pryder: nid yw cyfrifiaduron ond o werth i ysgolion pan ydynt yn gweithio. Un broblem yw na chyflogir digon o dechnegwyr i gynnal y cyfrifiaduron. Yr wyf wedi ymweld ag ysgolion lle na fu’r cyfrifiaduron yn gweithio am ryw dri mis, neu lle y mae switiau cyfrifiaduron wedi methu a gormod o blant i’r cyfleusterau sydd ar gael. A allwn sicrhau bod arian ar gael i dechnegwyr i gynnal y cyfrifiaduron hynny, yn enwedig yn yr ysgolion cynradd?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 47

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 47

That will be a key area for the advisory group to consider over the next year because, as well as having the hardware in place, we need training to ensure that people can use it effectively, and support to ensure that it works. We must get the training and support infrastructure right. That is why I have announced that money will be made available for that over the next three years.

Bydd hynny’n faes allweddol i’w ystyried gan y grŵp ymgynghorol dros y flwyddyn nesaf oherwydd, yn ogystal â gosod y caledwedd, mae arnom angen hyfforddiant i sicrhau y gall pobl ei ddefnyddio’n effeithiol, a chymorth i sicrhau ei fod yn gweithio. Rhaid inni gael y seilwaith hyfforddiant a chymorth yn iawn. Dyna pam y cyhoeddais y bydd arian ar gael ar gyfer hynny dros y tair blynedd nesaf.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 47

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 47

Thank you, Minister for being so helpful in terms of time, especially in the latter half of the statement.

Diolch i chi, Weinidog, am fod mor gymwynasgar o ran amser, yn enwedig yn hanner olaf y datganiad.

Pwyntiau o Drefn

Points of Order

Elin Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 47

Elin Jones spoken in Welsh p. 47

Pwynt o drefn. Codaf y pwynt hwn o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 6.33, ynglŷn â chwestiynau ysgrifenedig. Ar ddechrau’r wythnos sylweddolais fod Peter Rogers wedi cyflwyno cwestiwn ysgrifenedig i’r Gweinidog dros Faterion Gwledig a Threfnydd y Cynulliad, Carwyn Jones, a oedd yn cyfeirio’n benodol ataf innau a record y Gweinidog o ran ateb fy llythyrau. Er gwybodaeth, ni roddodd Peter Rogers wybod i mi ei fod am holi’r cwestiwn hwnnw. Pe bai wedi fy holi i yn uniongyrchol fe fyddai wedi arbed arian i drethdalwyr o bosibl. A yw’n briodol, Lywydd, i Aelod o’r Cynulliad holi cwestiwn sy’n cyfeirio at Aelod arall nad yw’n Weinidog, heb roi rhybudd ymlaen llaw?

Point of order. I raise this point under Standing Order No. 6.33, concerning written questions. At the beginning of the week, I realised that Peter Rogers had tabled a written question to the Minister for Rural Affairs and Assembly Business, Carwyn Jones, that referred specifically to me and the Minister’s record in answering my letters. For your information, Peter Rogers did not inform me that he intended to ask that question. Had he asked me directly, he might have saved taxpayers money. Is it appropriate, Presiding Officer, for an Assembly Member to ask a question that refers to another Member, who is not a Minister, without giving prior notice?

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 48

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 48

Mae confensiynau seneddol wedi datblygu ar y materion hyn dros y blynyddoedd. Credaf ei bod yn briodol i arfer cwrteisi rhwng Aelodau yn y Cynulliad. Mater o gwrteisi yw bod Aelodau’n rhoi rhybudd i Aelodau eraill os ydynt yn bwriadu cyfeirio atynt mewn dadl. Tybiaf fod hynny’n digwydd fel arfer. Yn yr un modd, mater o gwrteisi yw bod Aelodau yn rhoi gwybod i Aelodau eraill os ydynt yn bwriadu cyfeirio atynt wrth eu henwau mewn cynigion, gwelliannau neu gwestiynau sy’n cael eu cyflwyno i’r Swyddfa Gyflwyno ac wedyn yn cael eu cyhoeddi. Gobeithiaf y bydd Aelodau yn arddel y cwrteisi hwnnw â’u cyd-Aelodau yn y dyfodol.

Parliamentary conventions have developed on these issues over the years. I believe that it is appropriate for Assembly Members to be courteous to each other. It is a matter of courtesy that Members should give other Members notice if they intend to refer to them in a debate. I think that that usually happens. Similarly, it is a matter of courtesy that Members should inform other Members if they intend to refer to them by name in motions, amendments or questions, which are tabled in the Table Office and then published. I hope that Members will extend that courtesy to their colleagues in future.

Nick Bourne The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives spoken in English p. 48

Nick Bourne Arweinydd Ceidwadwyr Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 48

I have three points of order to raise. The first relates to the Record of Proceedings. I do not raise this in a spirit of criticism of those who compile the record, because I know the pressure they are under. I merely wish to put a correction on the record today and to encourage other Assembly Members to read the record to ensure that it is accurate. The correction relates to the notice of withdrawal from membership of the Wales European Centre by the First Minister. On Tuesday, I made the point that it was clear that the Minister for Rural Affairs and Assembly Business was unaware of this, because in an article published in a Bridgend newspaper last Thursday, he indicated that he thought that WEC was doing a good job of work. My speech was not properly reflected in the record. I wish to note that and to encourage other Members to check the record to ensure that it is accurate.

Mae gennyf dri phwynt o drefn i’w codi. Mae’r cyntaf yn ymwneud â Chofnod y Trafodion. Nid wyf yn codi hyn o ran beirniadaeth ar y rhai sy’n llunio’r cofnod, oherwydd gwn eu bod dan bwysau. Nid wyf ond yn dymuno rhoi cywiriad ar y cofnod heddiw ac annog Aelodau eraill y Cynulliad i ddarllen y cofnod i sicrhau ei fod yn gywir. Mae’r cywiriad yn ymwneud â’r rhybudd o’r bwriad i dynnu allan o aelodaeth Canolfan Ewropeaidd Cymru gan Brif Weinidog Cymru. Ddydd Mawrth, gwneuthum y pwynt ei bod yn amlwg na wyddai’r Gweinidog dros Faterion Gwledig a Threfnydd y Cynulliad am hyn, oherwydd mewn erthygl a gyhoeddwyd yn un o bapurau newydd Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr ddydd Iau diwethaf, nododd ei fod yn credu bod y ganolfan yn gwneud gwaith da. Nid adlewyrchwyd fy araith i’n iawn yn y cofnod. Dymunaf nodi hynny ac annog yr Aelodau eraill i wirio’r cofnod i sicrhau ei fod yn gywir.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 48

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 48

As regards the record, I ask all Members to contact the editor of the Record of Proceedings when there is any question relating to what they have said. The Record of Proceedings staff’s practice is to collect Members’ notes to ensure that speeches are properly recorded. I can only praise the way in which the Record of Proceedings staff deal with our proceedings rapidly, bilingually and effectively. I would not wish to pass comment on whether this is an attempt by the leader of the Welsh Conservatives to extend the reference to that newspaper article beyond the proceedings of our previous session.

O ran y cofnod, gofynnaf i’r holl Aelodau gysylltu â golygydd Cofnod y Trafodion pan fo unrhyw gwestiwn ynghylch yr hyn a ddywedasant. Arfer staff Cofnod y Trafodion yw casglu nodiadau’r Aelodau i sicrhau bod yr areithiau wedi’u cofnodi’n iawn. Ni allaf ond canmol y modd y mae staff Cofnod y Trafodion yn ymwneud â’n trafodion yn gyflym, yn ddwyieithog ac yn effeithiol. Ni ddymunwn wneud sylw ynghylch a yw hyn yn ymgais gan arweinydd Ceidwadwyr Cymru i ymestyn y cyfeiriad at yr erthygl papur newydd honno y tu hwnt i drafodion ein cyfarfod blaenorol.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 49

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 49

I am grateful for that lack of comment.

Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am y diffyg sylw hwnnw.

The second point of order relates to a comment made by the Minister for Environment. I am sure that it was unintentional but, when she said that had I been present at Committee meetings, I would have been aware of what was happening, the impression may have been given that I am a member of the Environment, Planning and Transport Committee. I am aware of its excellent work on the recycling of refrigerators, and I am working hard with David Davies in relation to Refrigerators Recycling, a firm in Brecon and Radnorshire, to try to get it a licence from the Environment Agency. However, it should be put on record that I am not a member of that Committee. I do not think that Sue Essex intended to give that impression, but those who are unaware of the Committee’s membership might have thought that that was the case.

Mae’r ail bwynt o drefn yn ymwneud â sylw a wnaeth y Gweinidog dros yr Amgylchedd. Yr wyf yn sicr ei bod yn anfwriadol ond, pan ddywedodd y byddwn yn ymwybodol o’r hyn a oedd yn digwydd, pe buaswn yn bresennol yng nghyfarfodydd y Pwyllgor, mae’n bosibl bod argraff wedi’i rhoi fy mod yn aelod o Bwyllgor yr Amgylchedd, Cynllunio a Thrafnidiaeth. Yr wyf yn ymwybodol o’i waith rhagorol ar ailgylchu oergelloedd, ac yr wyf yn gweithio’n galed gyda David Davies ynglŷn â Refrigerators Recycling, busnes ym Mrycheiniog a sir Faesyfed, i geisio cael trwydded iddo gan Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd. Er hynny, dylid nodi ar y cofnod nad wyf yn aelod o’r Pwyllgor hwnnw. Ni chredaf fod Sue Essex yn bwriadu rhoi’r argraff honno, ond gallai rhai na wyddant am aelodaeth y Pwyllgor gredu fy mod.

Sue Essex The Minister for the Environment spoken in English p. 49

Sue Essex Y Gweinidog dros yr Amgylchedd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 49

Further to that point of order, I know that Nick is not a member of the Committee and never has been. I was just making the point that had he been present, he would have heard David’s comments.

Ymhellach i’r pwynt o drefn hwnnw, fe wn nad yw Nick yn aelod o’r Pwyllgor ac na fu erioed. Nid oeddwn ond yn nodi, pe buasai’n bresennol, y byddai wedi clywed sylwadau David Davies.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 49

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 49

I am sure that there was no intention to cast any aspersions whatsoever on the leader of the Welsh Conservatives’s record of Committee attendance.

Yr wyf yn sicr nad oedd bwriad o gwbl i fwrw sen ar hanes presenoldeb arweinydd Ceidwadwyr Cymru mewn Pwyllgorau.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 49

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 49

The third point of order relates to ministerial briefings. At yesterday’s Economic Development Committee meeting, the Minister for Economic Development indicated that he had given information and briefed a constituency Member on the ITV Digital centre at Pembroke Dock. I am sure that the same courtesy will be extended to the regional Members for that area, one of whom is a member of the Minister’s party. It is important, where briefings are given to individual constituency Assembly Members, that the same courtesy be extended across the board. I do not want to make an example of this in particular; it is just the latest in a series of such occurrences.

Mae’r trydydd pwynt o drefn yn ymwneud â briffio gan Weinidogion. Yng nghyfarfod y Pwyllgor Datblygu Economaidd ddoe, nododd y Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd ei fod wedi rhoi gwybodaeth ac wedi briffio Aelod etholaeth ar ganolfan ITV Digital yn Noc Penfro. Yr wyf yn sicr yr estynnir yr un cwrteisi i’r Aelodau rhanbarthol dros yr ardal honno, y mae un ohonynt yn aelod o blaid y Gweinidog. Mae’n bwysig, pan gaiff Aelodau Cynulliad etholaeth unigol eu briffio, fod yr un cwrteisi’n cael ei ymestyn yn gyffredinol. Nid wyf am wneud esiampl o hyn yn benodol; hwn yw’r diweddaraf mewn cyfres o ddigwyddiadau o’r fath.

Andrew Davies The Minister for Economic Development spoken in English p. 50

Andrew Davies Y Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 50

Further to that point of order, I did not give a briefing to Christine Gwyther on this issue. She approached me as a constituency Member and asked me to take up the issue. I am rather perplexed by Nick Bourne’s comments.

Ymhellach i’r pwynt o drefn hwnnw, ni wneuthum friffio Christine Gwyther ar y mater hwn. Hi a ddaeth ataf fi fel Aelod etholaeth a gofyn imi godi’r mater hwn. Yr wyf mewn penbleth braidd ynghylch sylwadau Nick Bourne.

Peter Law spoken in English p. 50

Peter Law siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 50

Further to that point of order, is the leader of the Welsh Conservatives ultra-sensitive this morning because, once again, he will not be appearing on Question Time tonight, because Nigel Evans is working into Wales—

Ymhellach i’r pwynt o drefn hwnnw, a yw arweinydd Ceidwadwyr Cymru’n orsensitif y bore yma oherwydd, unwaith eto, ni fydd yn ymddangos ar Question Time heno, am fod Nigel Evans yn treiddio i Gymru—

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 50

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 50

Order. As Peter Law well knows, what happens in the BBC is not a matter for me. I have my hands full coping with questions in this Chamber.

Trefn. Fel y gŵyr Peter Law yn iawn, nid yw’r hyn a ddigwydd yn y BBC yn fater i mi. Mae gennyf ddigon o waith wrth ymdopi â’r cwestiynau yn y Siambr hon.

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 50

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 50

Further to that point of order, there have been several instances where individual Members have raised concerns. For example, in my constituency, concerns have been raised about major employers such as Corus. I would expect that to be dealt with bilaterally. I would not expect anyone to deal with all the other constituency AMs and so on. We need further clarification on what you have said.

Ymhellach i’r pwynt o drefn hwnnw, bu sawl achlysur pan fo Aelodau unigol wedi codi materion sy’n peri pryder. Er enghraifft, yn fy etholaeth i, mynegwyd pryderon ynghylch cyflogwyr mawr, fel Corus. Byddwn yn disgwyl i hynny gael ei drafod yn ddwyochrog. Ni fyddwn yn disgwyl i neb ddelio â’r holl Aelodau Cynulliad etholaeth eraill ac yn y blaen. Mae arnom angen eglurhad pellach ar yr hyn a ddywedasoch.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 50

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 50

I have expressed my views clearly on this matter in the Chamber and outside it. Assembly Members are equal whether they are constituency, first-past-the-post Members or list Members representing electoral regions. We all represent constituents and, therefore, every member of the public in Wales has at least five Assembly Members representing them. As a constituency Member dealing with issues and a member of one of the Assembly opposition groups, I can only praise the support and response that I receive from Ministers, including, at this very moment, from the Minister for Economic Development, on issues concerning employment in my constituency. I often find that cross-party support for an issue is more effective and influential, especially with regard to the corporate sector.

Yr wyf wedi mynegi fy marn yn glir ar y mater hwn yn y Siambr a’r tu allan. Mae Aelodau’r Cynulliad yn gyfartal pa un a ydynt yn Aelodau etholaeth, y cyntaf heibio i’r postyn neu’n Aelodau o’r rhestr sy’n cynrychioli rhanbarthau etholiadol. Yr ydym oll yn cynrychioli etholwyr ac, felly, mae gan bob aelod o’r cyhoedd yng Nghymru o leiaf bum Aelod Cynulliad yn ei gynrychioli. Fel Aelod etholaeth sy’n delio â materion sy’n codi ac aelod o un o grwpiau gwrthblaid y Cynulliad, ni allaf ond canmol y gefnogaeth a’r ymateb a gaf gan y Gweinidogion, gan gynnwys, yr eiliad yma, y Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd, ar faterion sy’n ymwneud â chyflogaeth yn fy etholaeth. Yr wyf yn cael yn aml fod y gefnogaeth drawsbleidiol honno i fater yn fwy effeithiol a dylanwadol, yn enwedig mewn cysylltiad â’r sector corfforaethol.

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 51

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 51

I had not wanted to suggest that every time a Minister speaks to an individual Assembly Member, whether a regional or constituency Member, that he should speak to all five Members that represent the area. That is not appropriate. I accept what the Minister for Economic Development said. However, if a briefing is given on a general situation within a regional constituency, it should be made available to all five Members.

Nid oeddwn am awgrymu y dylai Gweinidog siarad â phob un o’r pum Aelod sy’n cynrychioli’r ardal dan sylw bob tro y mae’n siarad ag Aelod Cynulliad unigol, boed hwnnw’n Aelod dros ranbarth neu dros etholaeth. Nid yw hynny’n briodol. Derbyniaf yr hyn a ddywed y Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd. Er hynny, dylai’r briffio fod ar gael i bob un o’r pum Aelod os rhoddir ef ar sefyllfa gyffredinol mewn etholaeth ranbarthol.

Both Peter Law and I have been left out of the Question Time programme; we would have livened it up.

Mae Peter Law a minnau wedi’n gadael allan o raglen Question Time; byddem wedi’i bywiogi.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 51

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 51

Order. We have rehearsed this point sufficiently.

Trefn. Yr ydym wedi sôn ddigon am y pwynt hwn.

Alun Cairns spoken in English p. 51

Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 51

Point of order. I raise it under Standing Order No. 2.7, which refers to paragraph 15 (iii) of the Ministerial Code, which requires Ministers to give full and frank answers to written and oral Assembly questions. I tabled written Assembly questions before and after the latest recess asking how many speeding tickets and parking fines had been incurred by ministerial cars while used on official duties. The response that I received from the First Minister stated that:

Pwynt o drefn. Yr wyf yn ei godi o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 2.7, sy’n cyfeirio at baragraff 15 (iii) yn y Cod Gweinidogol, sy’n mynnu bod y Gweinidogion yn rhoi atebion llawn a gonest i gwestiynau Cynulliad ysgrifenedig a llafar. Cyflwynais gwestiynau Cynulliad ysgrifenedig cyn ac ar ôl y toriad diwethaf yn gofyn pa sawl tocyn goryrru a dirwy parcio y mae ceir gweinidogol wedi’u cael wrth eu defnyddio ar gyfer dyletswyddau swyddogol. Yr oedd yr ateb a gefais gan Brif Weinidog Cymru’n datgan:

‘Details of any fines or endorsements are only recorded for confidential personnel purposes.’

‘Ni chofnodir manylion unrhyw ddirwyon neu arnodiadau ond i ddibenion personél cyfrinachol.’

I would accept that, if that was the standard answer in other institutions. However, Labour Member of Parliament, Tony Banks has tabled similar questions in the House of Commons, and has been given responses. One such response states that, since May 1997, five drivers had received fixed penalty fines as a result of the evidence from speed enforcement cameras. In his not giving full and frank answers, I am concerned that the First Minister might have something to hide.

Byddwn yn derbyn hynny, os mai hynny oedd yr ateb safonol ym mhob sefydliad arall. Fodd bynnag, mae’r Aelod Seneddol Llafur, Tony Banks wedi cyflwyno cwestiynau tebyg yn Nhŷ’r Cyffredin ac wedi cael atebion. Mae un o’r cyfryw atebion yn datgan bod pum gyrrwr, ers Mai 1997, wedi cael dirwyon cosb benodol o ganlyniad i’r dystiolaeth o gamerâu gorfodi cyflymder. Gan nad yw’n rhoi atebion llawn a gonest, yr wyf yn pryderu y gallai fod gan Brif Weinidog Cymru rywbeth i’w gelu.

Rod Richards spoken in English p. 52

Rod Richards siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 52

Further to that point of order, speeding is a serious matter. Perhaps the leaders of the political groups in the Chamber may also wish to disclose occasions when the police have stopped them for speeding. I understand that the Tory group leader’s driver was nicked the other day while the leader was in the car.

Ymhellach i’r pwynt o drefn hwnnw, mae goryrru’n fater difrifol. Efallai y bydd arweinyddion y grwpiau gwleidyddol yn y Siambr hefyd yn dymuno datgelu achlysuron pan yw’r heddlu wedi’u stopio am oryrru. Deallaf fod gyrrwr arweinydd y grŵp Torïaidd wedi’i ddal y diwrnod o’r blaen pan oedd yr arweinydd yn y car.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 52

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 52

Order. I will not prolong this point. Ministers are responsible for the content of their answers. Alun Cairns has successfully drawn our attention to answers in another body, which are different to those given in the Assembly. That is now on record.

Trefn. Nid ymestynnaf y pwynt hwn. Y Gweinidogion sy’n gyfrifol am gynnwys eu hatebion. Mae Alun Cairns wedi dwyn ein sylw’n llwyddiannus at atebion mewn corff arall, sy’n wahanol i rai a roddir yn y Cynulliad. Mae hynny bellach wedi’i gofnodi.

Alun Cairns spoken in English p. 52

Alun Cairns siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 52

Further to that point of order, I declare an interest as I have had speeding and parking fines in the past.

Ymhellach i’r pwynt o drefn hwnnw, datganaf fuddiant gan i mi gael dirwyon goryrru a pharcio yn y gorffennol.

Cynnig Cyfansawdd: Cymeradwyo Gorchmynion

Composite Motion: Approval of Orders

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 52

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 52

O dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 22.25, ni chynhelir dadl ar y cynnig hwn.

Under Standing Order No. 22.25, this motion is not subject to debate.

Carwyn Jones Y Gweinidog dros Faterion Gwledig a Threfnydd y Cynulliad siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 52

Carwyn Jones The Minister for Rural Affairs and Assembly Business spoken in Welsh p. 52

Cynigiaf fod

I propose that

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 41 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y cynnig.

Motion carried.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (41)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Nick Bourne
  • Eleanor Burnham
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Alun Cairns
  • Christine Chapman
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • David Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • Janice Gregory
  • Brian Hancock
  • Jane Hutt
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • David Lloyd
  • Val Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Tom Middlehurst
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Rod Richards
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Kirsty Williams

Cymeradwyo Rheoliadau Cynlluniau Datblygu Addysg (Cymru) 2002

Approval of the Education Development Plans (Wales) Regulations 2002

Jane Davidson The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning spoken in English p. 54

Jane Davidson Y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 54

I propose that

Cynigiaf fod

Jane Davidson The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning (continued) spoken in English p. 54

Jane Davidson Y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 54

I propose that

Cynigiaf fod

Jane Davidson The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning (continued) spoken in English p. 54

Jane Davidson Y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 54

Members may recall that an earlier draft of the regulations had to be withdrawn when problems were identified regarding what was stated about setting attainment and attendance targets. It was stated that the requirement for targets was the current year and the three years following when it should have been the current year and two years. The regulations have now been amended to take account of that. The matter was reported to the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee. The regulations are made in accordance with powers contained in section 6 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. They apply to local education authorities in Wales and make provision for education development plans—known in Wales as education strategic plans—with effect from the full three year plan commencing in September 2002.

Efallai y bydd yr Aelodau’n cofio y bu’n rhaid tynnu’n ôl ddrafft cynharach o’r rheoliadau hyn pan ganfuwyd problemau ynghylch yr hyn a nodwyd am osod targedau cyrhaeddiad a phresenoldeb. Nodwyd mai’r gofyniad am dargedau oedd y flwyddyn gyfredol a’r tair blynedd ar ei hôl pan ddylai fod wedi cyfeirio at y flwyddyn gyfredol a dwy flynedd. Mae’r rheoliadau wedi’u newid bellach i gymryd hynny i ystyriaeth. Adroddwyd y mater i’r Pwyllgor Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes. Gwneir y rheoliadau’n unol â phwerau a geir yn adran 6 Deddf Safonau a Fframwaith Ysgolion 1998. Maent yn berthnasol i’r awdurdodau addysg lleol yng Nghymru ac maent yn darparu ar gyfer cynlluniau datblygu addysg—a elwir yng Nghymru’n gynlluniau strategol addysg—a deuant i rym gyda’r cynllun tair blynedd llawn a fydd yn dechrau ym Medi 2002.

The plans’ focus, as set out in the primary legislation, is on school improvement. The work undertaken by local authorities, as described in their plans, is essential to the Assembly’s policy on raising levels of educational attainment for all children and fits closely into the Assembly’s agenda for social inclusion. Local authorities are required, under part 2 of the regulations, to set out in their plan a statement of proposals covering priorities for raising the standard of the education provided for children in the authority’s area and for improving the performance of schools which the authority maintains. They must also cover activities to address those priorities and targets to monitor progress, the authority’s policies for pupils with special educational needs, its policy for the education of looked-after children, attainment targets for pupils at key stages 2 and 3 and for pupils at the age of 16, and targets to reduce permanent and fixed term exclusions and unauthorised absences.

Mae’r cynlluniau’n canolbwyntio, fel y nodir yn y ddeddfwriaeth sylfaenol, ar wella ysgolion. Mae’r gwaith a wnaethpwyd gan yr awdurdodau lleol, fel y’i disgrifir yn eu cynlluniau, yn hollbwysig i bolisi’r Cynulliad o gynyddu’r lefelau o gyrhaeddiad addysgol i bob plentyn ac yn cyd-fynd yn dda ag agenda’r Cynulliad ar gyfer cynhwysiant cymdeithasol. O dan rhan 2 o’r rheoliadau, mae’n ofynnol i’r awdurdodau lleol nodi yn eu cynllun ddatganiad o gynigion sy’n cynnwys y blaenoriaethau ar gyfer hybu safon yr addysg a ddarperir i blant yn ardal yr awdurdod ac ar gyfer gwella perfformiad yr ysgolion y mae’r awdurdod yn eu cynnal. Rhaid iddynt ymdrin hefyd â’r gweithgareddau i roi sylw i’r blaenoriaethau hynny a thargedau i fonitro cynnydd, polisïau’r awdurdod ar gyfer disgyblion sydd ag anghenion addysgol arbennig, ei bolisi ar gyfer addysg plant sy’n derbyn gofal, targedau cyrhaeddiad i ddisgyblion yng nghyfnodau allweddol 2 a 3 ac i ddisgyblion 16 oed, a thargedau i leihau’r nifer o waharddiadau parhaol a thymor penodol ac absenoldebau heb ganiatâd.

The authority must also provide annexes to the plan setting out the local context in which education is provided, funding information for the first full year of the plan, supplementary information on pupils with special educational needs, pupils from ethnic minorities, children who are looked after by the authority, and travellers’ children. They must also set out arrangements for monitoring and evaluating the plan, details of the local education authority’s structure and a description of the consultation on the plan. The primary legislation requires authorities to consult every governing body, headteacher, relevant diocesan authority and others whom the LEA considers it appropriate to consult.

Yn ogystal â hynny, rhaid i’r awdurdod ddarparu atodiadau i’r cynllun sy’n nodi’r cyd-destun lleol lle y darperir yr addysg, gwybodaeth am ariannu am flwyddyn lawn gyntaf y cynllun, gwybodaeth atodol ar ddisgyblion sydd ag anghenion addysgol arbennig, disgyblion o leiafrifoedd ethnig, plant sy’n derbyn gofal gan yr awdurdod, a phlant teithwyr. Rhaid iddynt hefyd nodi trefniadau ar gyfer monitro a gwerthuso’r cynllun, manylion am strwythur yr awdurdod addysg lleol a disgrifiad o’r ymgynghori ar y cynllun. Mae’r ddeddfwriaeth sylfaenol yn mynnu bod yr awdurdodau’n ymgynghori â phob corff llywodraethu, pennaeth ysgol, awdurdod esgobaethol perthnasol ac eraill y mae’r AALl yn ei ystyried yn briodol ymgynghori â hwy.

The requirements for supplementary plans are set out in part 4 of the regulations. These include a requirement for LEAs to report on their policy for promoting racial awareness in schools and their strategy for preventing and addressing racism in schools. The requirement for such policies and strategies comes into force on 31 May 2002, under the provisions of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Nodir y gofynion am gynlluniau atodol yn rhan 4 o’r rheoliadau. Mae’r rhain yn cynnwys gofyniad i’r awdurdodau addysg lleol adrodd ar eu polisi ar gyfer hyrwyddo’r ymwybyddiaeth o hil yn yr ysgolion a’u strategaeth ar gyfer atal ac ymdrin â hiliaeth mewn ysgolion. Daw’r gofyniad am bolisïau a strategaethau o’r fath i rym ar 31 Mai 2002, o dan ddarpariaethau’r Ddeddf Cysylltiadau Hiliol (Diwygio) 2000.

The regulations replace the Education Development Plans (Wales) Regulations 1999, under which local authorities produced their full plan for 1999 to 2002 and supplementary plans for 2000-01 and 2001-02. The main changes introduced by these regulations concern arrangements for pupils from ethnic minorities, travellers’ children and looked-after children.

Mae’r rheoliadau hyn yn cymryd lle’r Rheoliadau Cynlluniau Datblygu Addysg (Cymru) 1999, yr oedd yr awdurdodau lleol wedi cynhyrchu eu cynllun llawn ar gyfer 1999 i 2002 odanynt, a’u cynlluniau atodol ar gyfer 2000-01 a 2001-02. Mae’r prif newidiadau a gyflwynir drwy’r rheoliadau hyn yn ymwneud â threfniadau i ddisgyblion o leiafrifoedd ethnig, plant teithwyr a phlant sy’n derbyn gofal.

LEAs, teaching unions and other interested parties have been consulted. LEAs have underlined the importance they attach to these plans. Detailed comments from them and other consultees have been taken into account in preparing the regulations. I commend the motions to you.

Ymgynghorwyd â’r awdurdodau addysg lleol, undebau’r athrawon a chyfranogion eraill. Mae’r awdurdodau addysg lleol wedi tanlinellu’r pwys y maent yn ei roi ar y cynlluniau hyn. Mae’r sylwadau manwl ganddynt hwy ac eraill yr ymgynghorwyd â hwy wedi’u cymryd i ystyriaeth wrth baratoi’r rheoliadau. Cymeradwyaf y cynigion i chi.

Helen Mary Jones spoken in English p. 56

Helen Mary Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 56

Plaid Cymru—The Party of Wales will not oppose these regulations as they contain much that is positive. However, I wish to raise issues of concern, to which I hope the Minister can respond. The education development plans form a vital link between the Assembly’s overall aims and aspirations for education, and schools’ detailed organisational plans. We are concerned that there is a large gap between the Assembly policy documentation and the detailed requirements of LEAs, as set out in these regulations. In our view, if the Minister is—rightly—expecting detailed three-year strategic plans from each authority, the Government of Wales should develop a comparable three-year plan, produced and published six months prior to the LEA plans, clearly identifying the Government’s priorities for those three years and, crucially, the funding streams available. Such a national plan would give each LEA a clear steer as to what was expected. ‘The Learning Country’ sets the framework for those plans but it is not, and does not set out to be, a detailed strategic plan. It is a paving document. I would like the Minister to respond to those comments.

Ni fydd Plaid Cymru—The Party of Wales yn gwrthwynebu’r rheoliadau hyn gan fod llawer o bethau cadarnhaol ynddynt. Er hynny, dymunaf godi materion sy’n peri pryder, y gobeithiaf y bydd y Gweinidog yn gallu ymateb iddynt. Mae’r cynlluniau datblygu addysg yn ddolen hollbwysig rhwng nodau a dyheadau cyffredinol y Cynulliad ar gyfer addysg, a chynlluniau trefniadol manwl yr ysgolion. Yr ydym yn pryderu bod bwlch mawr rhwng dogfennaeth bolisi’r Cynulliad a’r gofynion manwl i’r awdurdodau addysg lleol, fel y’u nodir yn y rheoliadau hyn. Yn ein barn ni, os yw’r Gweinidog yn disgwyl—yn briodol—gynlluniau strategol tair blynedd manwl gan bob awdurdod, dylai Llywodraeth Cymru ddatblygu cynllun tair blynedd tebyg, a gâi ei gynhyrchu a’i gyhoeddi chwe mis cyn cynlluniau’r awdurdodau addysg lleol, gan nodi’n glir flaenoriaethau’r Llywodraeth am y tair blynedd hynny ac, yn hollbwysig, y llifoedd ariannu sydd ar gael. Byddai cynllun cenedlaethol o’r fath yn rhoi arwydd pendant i bob AALl am yr hyn a ddisgwylid. Mae ‘Y Wlad sy’n Dysgu’ yn nodi’r fframwaith i’r cynlluniau hynny ond nid ydyw, ac nid yw’n ceisio bod, yn gynllun strategol manwl. Mae’n ddogfen arloesi. Byddai’n dda gennyf pe byddai’r Gweinidog yn ymateb i’r sylwadau hynny.

We are also concerned about how truly made in Wales these regulations are. They arise from Westminster primary legislation, but my concern that they should be made in Wales regulations is practical rather than ideological.

Yr ydym hefyd yn bryderus ynghylch y graddau y gwnaethpwyd y rheoliadau hyn yng Nghymru mewn gwirionedd. Maent yn deillio o ddeddfwriaeth sylfaenol San Steffan, ond mae’r pwys a roddaf ar yr angen i’w gwneud yng Nghymru yn ymarferol yn hytrach nag ideolegol.

On targets—and, heaven knows, there are enough of them in these regulations—we are concerned that parts two and three do not contain targets for the provision of Welsh-medium education or bilingual education. There is not even a requirement to collect information about children receiving bilingual or Welsh-medium education. Neither are there targets for pupils receiving educational input on sustainable development. Is the Government happy to leave these crucial matters entirely to local authority discretion, while at the same time setting detailed and, some would argue, prescriptive targets on other matters?

Ynghylch y targedau—a’r nefoedd a ŵyr, mae digon ohonynt yn y rheoliadau hyn—yr ydym yn bryderus nad yw rhannau dau a thri’n cynnwys targedau ar gyfer darparu addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg neu addysg ddwyieithog. Nid oes gofyniad hyd yn oed i gasglu gwybodaeth am blant sy’n derbyn addysg ddwyieithog neu gyfrwng Cymraeg. Nid oes targedau ychwaith ar gyfer derbyn mewnbwn addysgol gan blant ar ddatblygu cynaliadwy. A yw’r Llywodraeth yn fodlon gadael y materion hollbwysig hyn i’w penderfynu’n gyfan gwbl gan yr awdurdod lleol, ac ar yr un pryd osod targedau manwl, a gorchmynnol, fel y byddai rhai’n dadlau, ar faterion eraill?

Other gaps include a complete lack of reference to the need for educational strategic plans to take into account lifelong learning, community involvement, provision for young people outside school, and careers education and guidance. That seems ironic, given the priorities of ‘The Learning Country’. It begs the question of whether these regulations are, to use one of the Minister’s favourite phrases, ‘proudly Welsh’, or whether they have been picked off the Whitehall shelf in the bad old spirit of ‘for Wales, see England’. The focus is on raising attainment, but surely measuring how many children are receiving a proper bilingual or Welsh-medium education is part of raising that attainment?

Rhai o’r bylchau eraill yw nad oes cyfeiriad o gwbl at yr angen i gynlluniau strategol addysgol ystyried dysgu gydol oes, cysylltiad y gymuned, y ddarpariaeth i bobl ifanc y tu allan i’r ysgol, ac addysg a chyfarwyddyd gyrfaoedd. Mae hynny’n ymddangos yn eironig, o ystyried blaenoriaethau ‘Y Wlad sy’n Dysgu’. Mae hyn yn codi cwestiwn ynghylch a yw’r rheoliadau hyn, gan arfer un o hoff ddywediadau’r Gweinidog, ‘yn falch o fod yn Gymreig’, ynteu a godwyd hwy oddi ar y silff yn Whitehall gan ddilyn yr hen arfer gwael o ‘am Gymru, gweler Lloegr’. Maent yn canolbwyntio ar hybu cyrhaeddiad, ond siawns nad yw mesur pa nifer o blant sy’n derbyn addysg ddwyieithog neu gyfrwng Cymraeg briodol yn rhan o hybu’r cyrhaeddiad hwnnw?

On a more positive note, I welcome the targets regarding travellers’ children, other ethnic minority children and looked-after children. The inclusion of targets for the authorities’ policies on promoting racial awareness, and their strategies for addressing racism in schools seem particularly important and timely in the light of comments made by the Minister’s Westminster colleague, David Blunkett, yesterday about schools being ‘swamped’ by asylum seekers. Knowing the Minister’s views and those of her Cabinet colleagues, I invite her to take this opportunity to dissociate herself and the Government of Wales from that disgraceful remark and its underlying approach.

Ar nodyn mwy cadarnhaol, croesawaf y targedau ynghylch plant teithwyr, plant lleiafrifoedd ethnig eraill a phlant sy’n derbyn gofal. Mae cynnwys targedau ar gyfer polisïau’r awdurdodau ar hybu ymwybyddiaeth o hil, a’u strategaethau i ymdrin â hiliaeth mewn ysgolion yn ymddangos yn arbennig o bwysig ac amserol yng ngoleuni’r sylwadau gan gyd-aelod y Gweinidog yn San Steffan, David Blunkett, ddoe am ysgolion yn cael eu ‘boddi’ gan geiswyr nodded. O wybod barn y Gweinidog a barn ei chyd-aelodau yn y Cabinet, fe’i gwahoddaf i achub ar y cyfle hwn i’w datgysylltu ei hun a Llywodraeth Cymru oddi wrth y sylw gwarthus hwnnw a’r ymagwedd sy’n sail iddo.

Finally, can the Minister outline how the Government proposes to monitor the development and delivery of these plans? Will she also consider making an annual report to the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee on the plans, as part of its scrutiny function?

Yn olaf, a all y Gweinidog amlinellu sut y mae’r Llywodraeth yn bwriadu monitro datblygiad a gweithrediad y cynlluniau hyn? A wnaiff hefyd ystyried rhoi adroddiad blynyddol i’r Pwyllgor Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes ar y cynlluniau, yn rhan o’i swyddogaeth archwilio?

Mick Bates spoken in English p. 58

Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 58

By and large, we welcome the regulations, especially the new element relating to racial awareness and the prevention of racial harassment. I echo the previous speaker’s comments—racism and racial harassment must be combated at an early age. We must ensure that our children are taught tolerance and respect for others from backgrounds different from their own. Racial harassment can leave lives permanently scarred, and education is the key to tackling it effectively. This is particularly important at this time, when the far right is making gains across Europe.

Yr ydym yn croesawu’r rheoliadau, at ei gilydd, yn enwedig yr elfen newydd sy’n ymwneud ag ymwybyddiaeth o hil ac atal aflonyddu hiliol. Ategaf sylwadau’r llefarydd blaenorol—rhaid ymladd hiliaeth ac aflonyddu hiliol yn gynnar ym mywyd plentyn. Rhaid inni sicrhau y caiff ein plant eu dysgu i fod yn oddefgar ac i barchu eraill o gefndiroedd sy’n wahanol i’w rhai hwy. Mae aflonyddu hiliol yn gallu gadael creithiau parhaol ar fywydau pobl, ac addysg yw’r allwedd i fynd i’r afael ag ef yn effeithiol. Mae hyn yn arbennig o bwysig ar yr adeg hon, pan yw’r dde eithafol yn ennill tir ledled Ewrop.

Minister, I share concern about the uniformity of data collection. Can you assure me that all the data collected and presented throughout Wales will be comparable?

Weinidog, rhannaf bryder ynghylch unffurfiaeth y casglu data. A allwch fy sicrhau y bydd yr holl ddata sy’n cael eu casglu a’u cyflwyno ledled Cymru yn gymaradwy?

Jonathan Morgan spoken in English p. 58

Jonathan Morgan siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 58

The Welsh Conservative group will vote for the regulations. However, we have several concerns in relation to the education development plans. The bureaucratic burden on schools, in developing their plans in addition to local education authority development plans, is substantial. As a school governor in Cardiff, I know that schools spend much time developing their own plans in addition to the LEA-wide plans. Also, it is difficult for schools and LEAs to plan effectively over a three-year period or more when there is uncertainty about funding.

Bydd grŵp Ceidwadwyr Cymru’n pleidleisio o blaid y rheoliadau. Fodd bynnag, mae gennym sawl pryder ynghylch y cynlluniau datblygu addysg. Mae baich biwrocrataidd sylweddol ar yr ysgolion, wrth ddatblygu eu cynlluniau hwy yn ogystal â chynlluniau datblygu’r awdurdod addysg lleol. Fel llywodraethwr ysgol yng Nghaerdydd, gwn fod ysgolion yn treulio llawer o amser yn datblygu eu cynlluniau eu hunain yn ogystal â’r cynlluniau i’r AALl cyfan. Hefyd, mae’n anodd i ysgolion ac awdurdodau addysg lleol gynllunio’n effeithiol dros gyfnod o dair blynedd neu fwy pan fo ansicrwydd ynghylch ariannu.

I know of schools in Cardiff that face a cut in funding from the local education authority. One school will be £20,000 worse off this year, compared to the last financial year. I suspect that that cut will result in the loss of a teacher. How can we develop education strategically when we do not have certainty of funding? Confident planning requires confidence in funding, Minister. Many schools in Cardiff—and I suspect throughout Wales—do not have that at present.

Gwn am ysgolion yng Nghaerdydd sy’n wynebu toriad yn yr ariannu gan yr awdurdod addysg lleol. Bydd un ysgol yn £20,000 ar ei cholled eleni, o’i chymharu â’r flwyddyn ariannol ddiwethaf. Yr wyf yn amau y bydd y cwtogi hwnnw’n arwain at golli athro. Sut y gallwn ddatblygu addysg yn strategol pan nad oes gennym sicrwydd o ran ariannu? Mae cynllunio hyderus yn gofyn hyder mewn ariannu, Weinidog. Mae llawer o ysgolion yng Nghaerdydd—a ledled Cymru yr wyf yn amau—nad oes ganddynt yr hyder hwnnw ar hyn o bryd.

While we support LEAs being expected to outline plans to promote racial awareness, the general standard of school pupils’ conduct has fallen dramatically over the last few years. If we are to stem the tide of teachers leaving, or indicating that they may leave the profession, we need to improve pupils’ standards of conduct in general, both among themselves and towards teachers. If we do not attempt to combat the problem in relation to discipline in schools, and the difficulties faced by teachers in dealing with discipline, more teachers will leave the profession.

Er ein bod o blaid y disgwyliad i awdurdodau addysg lleol amlinellu cynlluniau i hyrwyddo ymwybyddiaeth o hil, mae safon gyffredinol ymddygiad disgyblion ysgol wedi disgyn yn drawiadol dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Os ydym i atal y llif o athrawon sy’n gadael, neu’n nodi y gallent adael y proffesiwn, rhaid inni wella safonau ymddygiad y disgyblion yn gyffredinol, ymysg ei gilydd a thuag at athrawon. Os nad ydym yn ceisio ymladd y broblem mewn cysylltiad â disgyblaeth yn yr ysgolion, a’r problemau y mae’r athrawon yn eu hwynebu wrth ddelio â disgyblaeth, bydd rhagor o athrawon yn gadael y proffesiwn.

Jane Davidson The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning spoken in English p. 59

Jane Davidson Y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 59

I do not accept that there is a gap between the authorities’ education strategic plans and school organisational plans. They are both produced at local level. We also have provision in the Education Bill currently going through Parliament to ensure that the functions concerning school improvement, between the LEA and individual schools’ governing bodies, are given statutory force so that we can ensure that for the future.

Nid wyf yn derbyn bod bwlch rhwng cynlluniau strategol addysg yr awdurdodau a chynlluniau trefniadol yr ysgolion. Cynhyrchir y ddau ar lefel leol. Mae gennym ddarpariaeth hefyd yn y Mesur Addysg sy’n mynd drwy’r Senedd ar hyn o bryd i sicrhau bod y swyddogaethau sy’n ymwneud â gwella ysgolion, rhwng yr AALl a chyrff llywodraethu ysgolion unigol, yn cael grym statudol fel y gallwn ymorol am hynny at y dyfodol.

I do not accept that it would be appropriate for the Government to produce a three-year national plan. LEAs have the proper responsibility to deliver education at local level. There is no specific mention of targets on issues surrounding Welsh-medium education because LEAs have the responsibility to educate all children in their communities. They must look locally at what provision is needed to educate children in the appropriate language. Clearly, in policy terms, we may be looking at some differences in approach in the future. That relates to the work being done in the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee and the Culture Committee. However, it is important that the Assembly fully understands that the LEAs have the proper responsibility to assess education need in their areas and to deliver and organise education in those areas.

Nid wyf yn derbyn y byddai’n briodol i’r Llywodraeth gynhyrchu cynllun cenedlaethol tair blynedd. Gan yr awdurdodau addysg lleol y mae’r priod gyfrifoldeb dros sicrhau addysg ar lefel leol. Nid oes sôn penodol am dargedau ar faterion sy’n ymwneud ag addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg oherwydd bod yr awdurdodau addysg lleol yn gyfrifol am addysgu’r holl blant yn eu cymunedau. Rhaid iddynt edrych yn lleol ar y ddarpariaeth sydd ei hangen i addysgu plant yn yr iaith briodol. Wrth gwrs, o ran polisi, mae’n bosibl y byddwn yn ystyried rhai gwahaniaethau o ran ein dull o weithredu yn y dyfodol. Mae hynny’n gysylltiedig â’r gwaith a wneir yn y Pwyllgor Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes a’r Pwyllgor Diwylliant. Fodd bynnag, mae’n bwysig bod y Cynulliad yn llwyr ddeall mai gan yr awdurdodau addysg lleol y mae’r priod gyfrifoldeb i asesu’r angen addysg yn eu hardaloedd ac i ddarparu a threfnu addysg yn yr ardaloedd hynny.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 60

Rhodri Glyn Thomas spoken in Welsh p. 60

Ar y pwynt hwnnw, mae’n gyfrifoldeb ar Lywodraeth Cymru i sicrhau strategaeth genedlaethol i alluogi awdurdodau addysg i gynnig y ddarpariaeth honno yn yr ardaloedd y maent yn gyfrifol amdanynt. A dderbyniwch fod diffyg o ran nifer yr athrawon cymwys i ddysgu drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg? Mae’r athrawon hynny’n hanfodol os ydym o ddifrif am greu realiti Cymru ddwyieithog. A ydych chi a Llywodraeth Cymru yn derbyn y cyfrifoldeb am y sefyllfa honno?

On that point, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure a national strategy to enable education authorities to offer that provision in the areas for which they are responsible. Do you accept that there is a shortage in the number of teachers qualified to teach through the medium of Welsh? Those teachers are essential if we are serious about making a bilingual Wales a reality. Do you and the Government accept responsibility for that situation?

Jane Davidson spoken in English p. 60

Jane Davidson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 60

I accept that there is a shortage of teachers qualified to teach through the medium of Welsh. We are looking at how to tackle that. Our Committee, along with the Culture Committee, is taking evidence on Welsh-medium education issues. The Government will respond to that in due course and I look forward to responding positively to that. However, we are discussing regulations for local authorities in terms of their legislative requirements. In terms of legislation, targets have not yet been set on this issue. That is because the local authorities have the proper responsibility for it. We must have the proper dialogue with them on exercising that responsibility.

Derbyniaf fod prinder o athrawon sy’n gymwys i ddysgu drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Yr ydym yn ystyried sut i fynd i’r afael â hynny. Mae ein Pwyllgor ni, ynghyd â’r Pwyllgor Diwylliant, yn cymryd tystiolaeth ar faterion addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg. Bydd y Llywodraeth yn ymateb i hynny gyda hyn ac edrychaf ymlaen at ymateb yn gadarnhaol i hynny. Fodd bynnag, yr ydym yn trafod rheoliadau i awdurdodau lleol o ran eu gofynion deddfwriaethol. O ran deddfwriaeth, nid yw targedau wedi’u gosod eto ar y mater hwn. Mae hynny am mai gan yr awdurdodau lleol y mae’r priod gyfrifoldeb amdano. Rhaid inni gael deialog briodol â hwy ar arfer y cyfrifoldeb hwnnw.

To respond to Mick’s point, data collection is terribly important. In Committee yesterday, Professor John Andrews of the General Teaching Council for Wales said that we need to consider means of using the school census as effectively as possible as a single document, perhaps with some additional information being required, as appropriate. To respond to Jonathan’s point, I want to examine ways to tackle bureaucratic burdens. We do not seek to add to the information required for the sake of it. It is important—and you have all welcomed this—that information is provided on groups of children whom we have not properly identified in the past. It is important that local government makes that provision.

I ymateb i bwynt Mick, mae casglu data’n aruthrol o bwysig. Yn y Pwyllgor ddoe, dywedodd yr Athro John Andrews o Gyngor Addysgu Cyffredinol Cymru fod rhaid inni ystyried dulliau o ddefnyddio’r cyfrifiad ysgolion mor effeithiol ag y bo modd fel un ddogfen, gan ofyn efallai am rywfaint o wybodaeth ychwanegol, fel y bo’n briodol. I ymateb i bwynt Jonathan, dymunaf ystyried dulliau o fynd i’r afael â’r beichiau biwrocrataidd. Nid ydym yn ceisio ychwanegu at yr wybodaeth sy’n ofynnol er ei fwyn ei hun. Mae’n bwysig—ac yr ydych oll wedi croesawu hyn—y caiff gwybodaeth ei darparu ar grwpiau o blant nad ydym wedi’u dynodi’n briodol yn y gorffennol. Mae’n bwysig bod llywodraeth leol yn darparu hynny.

On funding, another provision that we have proposed in the Education Bill is the idea of budget fora to enable strategic discussions between local authorities and schools about budget levels. When the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities announced the budget, she also announced indicative budgets for following years so that information is already available. School budget fora will go a long way to secure the kind of discussion and evidence base needed for the future. I commend the regulations to you.

Ynghylch ariannu, un ddarpariaeth yr ydym wedi’i chynnig yn y Mesur Addysg yw’r syniad o fforymau cyllideb i hwyluso trafodaethau strategol rhwng yr awdurdodau lleol a’r ysgolion am lefelau cyllideb. Mae’r Gweinidog dros Gyllid, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau, wrth gyhoeddi’r gyllideb, wedi cyhoeddi hefyd gyllidebau dynodol ar gyfer y blynyddoedd dilynol, felly mae’r wybodaeth honno ar gael eisoes. Bydd y fforymau cyllideb ysgolion yn cyfrannu’n helaeth at sicrhau’r math o drafodaeth a sylfaen tystiolaeth sydd ei angen at y dyfodol. Cymeradwyaf y rheoliadau i chi.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 61

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 61

Pleidleisiwn yn awr ar egwyddor y Gorchymyn.

We will now vote on the principle of the Order.

Cynnig NDM1033 Jane Davidson t. 61

Motion NDM1033 Jane Davidson p. 61

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 43 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y cynnig.

Motion carried.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (43)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Nick Bourne
  • Eleanor Burnham
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Alun Cairns
  • Christine Chapman
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • David Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • Janice Gregory
  • Alison Halford
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Jane Hutt
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • David Lloyd
  • Val Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Rod Richards
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Kirsty Williams

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 62

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 62

Pleidleisiwn yn awr ar y cynnig i gymeradwyo’r Gorchymyn.

We will now vote on the motion to approve the Order.

Cynnig NDM1034 Jane Davidson t. 62

Motion NDM1034 Jane Davidson p. 62

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 42 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y cynnig.

Motion carried.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (42)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Nick Bourne
  • Eleanor Burnham
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Alun Cairns
  • Christine Chapman
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • David Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • Janice Gregory
  • Alison Halford
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Jane Hutt
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Gareth Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • David Lloyd
  • Val Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Rhodri Morgan
  • Rod Richards
  • Peter Rogers
  • Janet Ryder
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Kirsty Williams

Dadl Plaid Leiafrifol (Plaid Cymru)

Minority Party Debate (Plaid Cymru)

Y Sector Gwirfoddol

The Voluntary Sector

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 63

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 63

I have selected amendment 1 in the name of Jonathan Morgan.

Yr wyf wedi dethol gwelliant 1 yn enw Jonathan Morgan.

Janet Ryder spoken in English p. 63

Janet Ryder siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 63

I propose that

Cynigiaf fod

Janet Ryder (continued) spoken in English p. 63

Janet Ryder (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 63

I declare an interest as chair of the community centre in Rhuthin and as a member of Rhuthin Town Council.

Datganaf fuddiant fel cadeirydd y ganolfan gymunedol yn Rhuthun ac aelod o Gyngor Tref Rhuthun.

Many good words have been spoken here about the value of the voluntary sector. Everyone agrees that it provides an invaluable service, and that our communities could not function without it. Yet more and more groups are finding it financially impossible to carry on. So what is the difference between the rhetoric and the reality?

Mae llawer o eiriau da wedi’u llefaru yma am werth y sector gwirfoddol. Mae pawb yn cytuno ei fod yn darparu gwasanaeth amhrisiadwy, ac na allai’n cymunedau weithredu hebddo. Eto mae mwy a mwy o grwpiau’n ei chael yn ariannol amhosibl parhau. Felly beth yw’r gwahaniaeth rhwng y rhethreg a’r realiti?

The voluntary sector is increasingly responsible for providing core services in communities, and the way it is funded should reflect this. Unfortunately, organisations providing core services at a local level are still receiving project funding or annual grants. Core services need secure, long-term funding so that projects can be developed and resources used efficiently. The time, expertise and stress spent on the bidding process is costly and often leads to an unequal quality of services in different parts of Wales. Many small voluntary organisations have disappeared due to the strain of the bidding process. In certain circumstances, voluntary organisations whose services should be provided equitably across Wales should be funded directly from the National Assembly. The National Assembly is currently funding local care and repair groups throughout Wales through the national umbrella organisation—Care and Repair Cymru. That could be extended to other bodies, providing much needed services for vulnerable people across authority areas in Wales. Many groups would benefit from that: for example, the Citizens’ Advice Bureaux and Women’s Aid groups. Where the Assembly does not provide direct funding, services vary enormously across local authority areas. They often remain uncertain and inequitable.

Y sector gwirfoddol sy’n gyfrifol fwyfwy am ddarparu gwasanaethau craidd mewn cymunedau, a dylai’r dull o’i ariannu adlewyrchu hynny. Gwaetha’r modd, mae mudiadau sy’n darparu gwasanaethau craidd ar lefel leol yn dal i dderbyn arian prosiect neu grantiau blynyddol. Mae angen ariannu hirdymor a sicr ar gyfer gwasanaethau craidd fel y gellir datblygu prosiectau a defnyddio adnoddau’n effeithlon. Mae’r amser, yr arbenigedd a’r straen a dreulir ar y broses ymgeisio’n gostus ac yn arwain yn aml at wasanaethau o ansawdd anghyfartal mewn gwahanol rannau o Gymru. Mae llawer o fudiadau gwirfoddol bach wedi diflannu oherwydd straen y broses ymgeisio. Mewn rhai amgylchiadau, dylai mudiadau gwirfoddol y dylai’u gwasanaethau gael eu darparu’n gyfartal ledled Cymru gael eu hariannu’n uniongyrchol gan y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol. Ar hyn o bryd mae’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol yn ariannu grwpiau gofal a thrwsio lleol ledled Cymru drwy fudiad ambarél cenedlaethol—Gofal a Thrwsio Cymru. Gellid ymestyn hynny i gyrff eraill, sy’n darparu gwasanaethau y mae eu mawr angen i bobl sy’n agored i niwed ledled ardaloedd yr awdurdodau yng Nghymru. Byddai llawer o grwpiau’n cael budd o hynny: er enghraifft, y Canolfannau Cynghori a’r grwpiau Cymorth i Fenywod. Lle nad yw’r Cynulliad yn darparu arian yn uniongyrchol, mae’r gwasanaethau’n amrywio’n fawr ledled ardaloedd yr awdurdodau lleol. Yn aml maent yn parhau’n ansicr ac yn anghyfartal.

Regional groups, which provide important services for vulnerable people across authority areas can experience difficulties in receiving sufficient funding from each authority, which in turn threatens their service. There is a clear case in these circumstances for direct Assembly funding. Jane Hutt told to the Neurological Alliance on Tuesday night that funding for voluntary sector bodies must come from the commissioning body. What does that mean for groups who work on an all-Wales level? For example, Epilepsy Wales offers a national service across the whole of Wales to 20,000 people who suffer from epilepsy, yet they must apply for funds to 22 local authorities, 22 local health groups, 15 trusts and five health authorities. Think of all that negotiating, all the management that is involved in those applications to offer a service that covers the whole of Wales. What happens when one of those authorities says, ‘No, we are not going to fund you’. Should it stop offering a service in that area? If a service is needed across Wales, then organisations or groups should be funded centrally so that they can deliver a service locally. That will provide the stability and the ability to plan for the long term. Eradicating the need to constantly apply for funding would also allow voluntary organisations to increase and concentrate on developing better services.

Mae grwpiau rhanbarthol, sy’n darparu gwasanaethau pwysig i bobl sy’n agored i niwed ledled ardaloedd yr awdurdodau’n gallu ei chael yn anodd cael digon o arian oddi wrth bob awdurdod, ac mae hynny yn ei dro’n bygwth eu gwasanaeth. Mae dadl gref yn yr amgylchiadau hyn dros ariannu uniongyrchol gan y Cynulliad. Dywedodd Jane Hutt wrth y Gynghrair Niwrolegol nos Fawrth fod yn rhaid i’r arian i fudiadau’r sector gwirfoddol ddod o’r corff comisiynu. Beth y mae hynny’n ei olygu i grwpiau sy’n gweithredu ar lefel Cymru-gyfan? Er enghraifft, mae Epilepsi Cymru’n cynnig gwasanaeth cenedlaethol ledled Cymru i 20,000 o bobl sy’n dioddef gan epilepsi, ac eto rhaid iddo ymgeisio am arian i 22 awdurdod lleol, 22 grŵp iechyd lleol, 15 ymddiriedolaeth a phum awdurdod iechyd. Dychmygwch yr holl negodi, yr holl reoli sy’n gysylltiedig â’r ceisiadau hynny i gynnig gwasanaeth sy’n cynnwys Cymru gyfan. Beth sy’n digwydd pan ddywed un o’r awdurdodau hynny, ‘Na, ni fyddwn yn eich ariannu’. A ddylai roi’r gorau i gynnig gwasanaeth yn yr ardal honno? Os oes angen gwasanaeth ledled Cymru, dylid ariannu’r mudiadau neu’r grwpiau’n ganolog fel y gallant weithredu gwasanaeth yn lleol. Bydd hynny’n rhoi’r sefydlogrwydd a’r gallu y mae arnynt eu hangen i gynllunio ar gyfer y tymor hir. Byddai dileu’r angen i ymgeisio’n barhaus am arian yn caniatáu hefyd i’r mudiadau gwirfoddol gynyddu a chanolbwyntio ar ddatblygu gwell gwasanaethau.

There would be consequences. Funding should be tightened, monitored and evaluated. The service would need to be more business-like. Perhaps this type of funding would not be suitable for all organisations or services. The Assembly would need to clearly define the services that would benefit from this, which in turn would benefit Wales. As always, there needs to be adequate funding to provide quality services. There is no gain without pain and the sector would have to respond to this agenda. It would have to meet standards, cut out duplication of services and acquire new skills. Many groups who have perhaps operated for many years in this area would need to undergo a complete health check and explain why they are holding such large reserves. Groups such as the Wales Council for Voluntary Action have undoubtedly served the voluntary sector well, but should account for the large reserves that they are holding. Epilepsy Wales says that it can offer its services for £10 per head for those who suffer from epilepsy. How? Because it more than matches each pound of funding with voluntary contributions. It is real added value. However, unless its funding is made more secure, soon it will no longer be able to offer that service. That is also true of many of the voluntary sector groups that are now offering core services. What would happen if they withdrew their services? Who would pick up the pieces and step in to offer those services? Remember the mess left behind when the Children’s Society pulled out of Wales.

Byddai canlyniadau i hynny. Dylid tynhau, monitro a gwerthuso’r ariannu. Byddai’r gwasanaeth yn gorfod bod yn debycach i fusnes. Efallai na fyddai ariannu o’r math hwn yn addas i bob mudiad neu wasanaeth. Byddai’n rhaid i’r Cynulliad ddiffinio’n glir y gwasanaethau a fyddai’n elwa ar hyn, a byddai hynny yn ei dro o fudd i Gymru. Fel y bu erioed, mae angen arian digonol i ddarparu gwasanaethau o ansawdd da. Ni cheir y melys heb y chwerw a byddai’n rhaid i’r sector ymateb i’r agenda hon. Byddai’n rhaid iddo fodloni safonau, dileu dyblygu gwasanaethau a dysgu sgiliau newydd. Byddai llawer o grwpiau sydd efallai’n gweithredu ers blynyddoedd lawer yn y maes hwn yn gorfod mynd drwy brawf iechyd llawn ac egluro pam y maent yn dal cronfeydd mor fawr. Mae grwpiau fel Cyngor Gweithredu Gwirfoddol Cymru wedi gwasanaethu’r sector gwirfoddol yn dda, yn sicr, ond dylai roi cyfrif am y cronfeydd mawr sydd ganddo. Dywed Epilepsi Cymru y gall gynnig ei wasanaethau am £10 y pen i’r rhai sy’n dioddef gan epilepsi. Sut? Am ei fod yn sicrhau mwy na phunt drwy gyfraniadau gwirfoddol am bob punt o gyllid y mae’n ei derbyn. Mae hynny’n werth ychwanegol gwirioneddol. Fodd bynnag, os na wneir ei gyllid yn fwy sicr, ni fydd yn gallu cynnig y gwasanaeth hwnnw cyn hir. Mae hynny’n wir hefyd am lawer o’r grwpiau sector gwirfoddol sy’n cynnig gwasanaethau craidd yn awr. Beth a ddigwyddai pe byddent yn tynnu eu gwasanaethau’n ôl? Pwy a fyddai’n dod i’r adwy a chynnig y gwasanaethau hynny? Cofiwch y llanastr ar ôl i Gymdeithas y Plant adael Cymru.

Plaid Cymru urges the Assembly today to reaffirm its commitment to the voluntary sector by beginning a much-needed debate on the future and funding of the voluntary sector in Wales. I remember being involved in a debate during the Assembly elections in 1999 and making the same points then. Core services, whether offered by voluntary organisations or statutory bodies, must be recognised and funded as such. Will we go into another round of elections saying the same thing? Many things have changed for the voluntary sector, but despite all the fine words, what has moved on in the voluntary sector in terms of funding? How many services are now in jeopardy because groups do not have the long-term security of funding to allow them to continue? Plaid Cymru will support Jonathan Morgan’s amendment 1. I ask you to support the motion.

Mae Plaid Cymru’n annog y Cynulliad heddiw i ailddatgan ei ymrwymiad i’r sector gwirfoddol drwy ddechrau dadl y mae mawr angen amdani ar ddyfodol a chyllid y sector gwirfoddol yng Nghymru. Cofiaf gymryd rhan mewn dadl yn ystod etholiadau’r Cynulliad yn 1999 a gwneud yr un pwyntiau bryd hynny. Rhaid cydnabod gwasanaethau craidd, pa un a gynigir hwy gan fudiadau gwirfoddol neu gyrff statudol, a’u hariannu yn briodol. A fyddwn yn mynd i gylch arall o etholiadau gan ddweud yr un peth? Mae llawer o bethau wedi newid i’r sector gwirfoddol, ond er gwaethaf yr holl eiriau teg, pa gynnydd a fu yn y sector gwirfoddol o ran ariannu? Faint o wasanaethau sydd mewn perygl yn awr am nad oes sicrwydd ariannu tymor hir i’r grwpiau fel y gallant barhau? Bydd Plaid Cymru’n cefnogi gwelliant 1 Jonathan Morgan. Gofynnaf ichi gefnogi’r cynnig.

David Melding spoken in English p. 66

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 66

I propose amendment 1 in the name of Jonathan Morgan. Add a new point:

Cynigiaf welliant 1 yn enw Jonathan Morgan. Ychwanegu pwynt newydd:

David Melding (continued) spoken in English p. 66

David Melding (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 66

I welcome Plaid Cymru’s decision to use the minority party debate to discuss the voluntary sector. I even suspect that you will not now draw the wrath of the Liberal Party, but we will must wait and see if it condemns you on the grounds of questionable relevance in this debate. I suspect that it will not be able to make that charge—

Croesawaf benderfyniad Plaid Cymru i ddefnyddio’r ddadl plaid leiafrifol i drafod y sector gwirfoddol. Yr wyf hyd yn oed yn amau na fyddwch yn ennyn llid y Blaid Ryddfrydol yn awr, ond bydd yn rhaid inni ddisgwyl i weld a fydd yn eich collfarnu ar sail perthnasedd amheus yn y ddadl hon. Amheuaf na fydd yn gallu gwneud y cyhuddiad hwnnw—

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 66

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 66

Order. They are the Welsh Liberal Democrats, before they intervene and ask me to correct you.

Trefn. Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru ydynt, cyn iddynt ymyrryd a gofyn imi’ch cywiro.

David Melding spoken in English p. 66

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 66

I keep making that error, and it is difficult to get into the politically correct usage. I will attempt to do that with more vigour in the future. I also hope that the Government’s miserable policy of opposing all opposition amendments does not extend to minority party debates, but we will now see whether this new and partisan approach will extend to them. If it does, then the pretence of this being a body based on encouraging consensus is in tatters— [Interruption.] Some Members are hinting that a more positive approach will be taken to the minority party debate. I would welcome that.

Yr wyf yn dal i wneud y camgymeriad hwnnw, ac mae’n anodd meithrin yr arfer gwleidyddol gywir. Ceisiaf wneud hynny’n fwy egnïol yn y dyfodol. Yr wyf hefyd yn gobeithio nad yw polisi truenus y Llywodraeth o wrthwynebu pob gwelliant gan yr wrthblaid yn ymestyn i’r dadleuon plaid leiafrifol, ond fe welwn yn awr a fydd yr ymagwedd newydd a dallbleidiol hon yn ymestyn iddynt hwy. Os bydd, yna bydd yr ymhoniad mai corff sy’n seiliedig ar hybu consensws yw hwn yn deilchion— [Torri ar draws.] Mae rhai Aelodau’n lledawgrymu y bydd ymagwedd fwy cadarnhaol yn y ddadl plaid leiafrifol. Byddwn yn croesawu hynny.

I will discuss funding. The Government has difficulties on this matter—as any Government would—but funding must be reviewed generally. In health and social services—the area in which I have most expertise—guidance should be issued to the 22 new local health boards on how they commission services from the voluntary sector. We need to see how effective they are at doing it. We cannot be the commissioner for 22 local health boards. We could if we had a single health authority, but we must live in the real world, which will have 22 local health boards from next April. They must be responsible for commissioning services. We must make them recognise the services that are available at present. They are often accessed by patients and the public, but are not being paid for by the responsible commissioning organisation. We must ensure that these new bodies do not get services on the cheap because they can ignore the voluntary sector and assume that their goodwill will extend into their area and that they can provide services whether or not they are commissioned and funded. There is an issue about regional services and it must be considered. In addition, there is the issue of national services—the obvious example is advice lines. How are they commissioned and paid for? Anyone who has been involved in an advice line will know that you may be operating it for a certain area of Wales where you have been commissioned, but that you will receive calls in north Wales from south Wales and there is no way that a voluntary organisation would not give advice to the caller in that case. That is a uniform response. We need to consider these questions carefully.

Trafodaf ariannu. Mae anawsterau gan y Llywodraeth ar y mater hwn—fel y byddai gan unrhyw Lywodraeth—ond rhaid adolygu ariannu’n gyffredinol. Mewn iechyd a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol—y maes yr wyf yn arbenigo ynddo fwyaf—dylid rhoi canllawiau i’r 22 bwrdd iechyd lleol newydd ar sut i gomisiynu gwasanaethau gan y sector gwirfoddol. Rhaid inni weld pa mor effeithiol y maent yn gwneud hynny. Ni allwn fod yn gomisiynydd dros 22 o fyrddau iechyd lleol. Fe allem fod pe byddai gennym un awdurdod iechyd, ond rhaid inni fyw yn y byd sydd ohoni, lle y bydd 22 o fyrddau iechyd lleol o fis Ebrill nesaf. Rhaid iddynt fod yn gyfrifol am gomisiynu gwasanaethau. Rhaid inni beri iddynt gydnabod y gwasanaethau sydd ar gael ar hyn o bryd. Fe’u defnyddir yn aml gan gleifion a’r cyhoedd, ond ni thelir amdanynt gan y corff comisiynu sy’n gyfrifol. Rhaid inni sicrhau nad yw’r cyrff newydd hyn yn cael gwasanaethau am y nesaf peth i ddim am eu bod yn gallu anwybyddu’r sector gwirfoddol a chymryd y bydd ei ewyllys da’n ymestyn i’w hardal hwy ac y gall gynnig ei wasanaethau pa un a ydynt wedi’u comisiynu neu’u hariannu neu beidio. Mae mater yn codi ynghylch gwasanaethau rhanbarthol a rhaid ei ystyried. Yn ogystal â hynny, mae mater gwasanaethau cenedlaethol—yr enghraifft amlwg yw llinellau cynghori. Sut y cânt eu comisiynu a sut y telir amdanynt? Bydd unrhyw un a fu’n ymwneud â llinell cynghori’n gwybod y gallech fod yn ei gweithredu ar gyfer ardal benodol o Gymru lle y cawsoch eich comisiynu, ond y byddwch yn derbyn galwadau o’r De yn y Gogledd ac ni allai mudiad gwirfoddol beidio â rhoi cyngor i’r galwr mewn achos o’r fath. Ymateb unffurf yw hwnnw. Rhaid inni ystyried y cwestiynau hyn yn ofalus.

The voluntary sector is made up of a key range of organisations that are involved in policy development. This could be recognised at a national level by the Assembly as regards funding. The mental health charity, Mind, has given us great support and help in analysing the mental health strategies. Also, although it is now on the backburner, when the possible reform of the Mental Health Act 1983 was being considered, it discussed with us what would happen if compulsory community treatment was introduced, for instance. That demonstrates, when we are developing the best possible public policy for the people of Wales, how much we rely on the voluntary sector.

Ffurfir y sector gwirfoddol gan amrediad allweddol o gyrff sy’n ymwneud â datblygu polisi. Gallai’r Cynulliad gydnabod hynny ar lefel genedlaethol o ran ariannu. Mae’r elusen iechyd meddwl, Mind, wedi rhoi llawer o gymorth a chefnogaeth inni wrth ddadansoddi’r strategaethau iechyd meddwl. Hefyd, er bod hynny wedi’i ohirio’n awr, pan oedd y posibiliad o ddiwygio’r Ddeddf Iechyd Meddwl 1983 o dan ystyriaeth, fe drafododd â ni beth a ddigwyddai pe byddai triniaeth gymunedol orfodol yn cael ei chyflwyno, er enghraifft. Mae hynny’n dangos, pan ydym yn datblygu’r polisi cyhoeddus gorau posibl i bobl Cymru, gymaint yr ydym yn dibynnu ar y sector gwirfoddol.

I will give two examples of excellent practice I have encountered recently, to demonstrate the services provided by the voluntary sector. With my colleague, Dai Lloyd, I visited the special needs activity centre in Margam on Saturday. Parents of children with disabilities established this organisation about nine years ago. It runs after-school activities for children, and some 1,200 children visited the centre and accessed its facilities in the first three months of this year. A range of sources, including the lottery, funded its wonderful purpose-built building. I do not have the exact figures, but the cost of this organisation is somewhere between £30,000 and £50,000 a year. This is remarkable value from the voluntary sector.

Rhof ddwy enghraifft o’r arfer rhagorol yr wyf wedi dod ar ei draws yn ddiweddar, i ddangos y gwasanaethau a ddarperir gan y sector gwirfoddol. Gyda’m cyd-Aelod, Dai Lloyd, ymwelais â’r ganolfan weithgareddau anghenion arbennig ym Margam ddydd Sadwrn. Rhieni plant ag anableddau a sefydlodd y mudiad hwn tua naw mlynedd yn ôl. Mae’n rhedeg gweithgareddau ar ôl ysgol i blant, ac ymwelodd rhyw 1,200 o blant â’r ganolfan a defnyddio’i chyfleusterau yn nhri mis cyntaf y flwyddyn yma. Ariannwyd ei adeilad pwrpasol rhyfeddol gan amryw o ffynonellau, gan gynnwys y loteri. Nid yw’r union ffigurau gennyf, ond mae cost y corff hwn rhwng £30,000 a £50,000 y flwyddyn. Mae hyn yn werth rhyfeddol gan y sector gwirfoddol.

The second example is the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan carers’ centre, which has celebrated its first anniversary. It is an interesting example, as the opportunity was created by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an order that has a large building in Romilly Road in Pontcanna. In finding that it was not getting the traditional referrals for its nursing home services, it decided to use part of the building—

Yr ail enghraifft yw canolfan gofalwyr Caerdydd a Bro Morgannwg, sydd wedi dathlu ei phen-blwydd cyntaf. Mae’n enghraifft ddiddorol, gan fod y cyfle wedi’i greu gan Chwiorydd Calon Gysegredig yr Iesu, urdd sydd ag adeilad mawr yn Romilly Road ym Mhontcanna. Pan ddarganfu nad oedd yn cael yr atgyfeiriadau traddodiadol ar gyfer ei gwasanaethau cartref nyrsio, penderfynodd ddefnyddio rhan o’r adeilad—

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 68

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 68

Order. Your five minutes have come to an end. I will allow you a little extra time for my intervention.

Trefn. Mae’ch pum munud wedi dod i ben. Caniatâf ychydig o amser ychwanegol i chi oherwydd fy ymyriad.

David Melding spoken in English p. 68

David Melding siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 68

This organisation is now providing a range of services, focusing on the links between carers and the health sector and on establishing good practice in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan in terms of those links. That could be rolled out across Wales is it gets it right. We must remember that the good practice often established in the voluntary sector could be used and encouraged to be common practice throughout Wales.

Mae’r mudiad hwn bellach yn darparu amrediad o wasanaethau, gan ganolbwyntio ar y cysylltiadau rhwng gofalwyr a’r sector iechyd ac ar sefydlu arfer da yng Nghaerdydd a Bro Morgannwg yng nghyd-destun y cysylltiadau hynny. Gellid ymestyn hynny ledled Cymru os yw’n ei chael yn iawn. Rhaid inni gofio y gellid defnyddio’r arfer da a sefydlir yn aml yn y sector gwirfoddol a’i hyrwyddo i fod yn arfer cyffredin ledled Cymru.

Gareth Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 68

Gareth Jones spoken in Welsh p. 68

Datganaf fuddiant fel un o ymddiriedolwyr Cymorth i Ferched Aberconwy ac aelod o Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy. Bydd fy sylwadau yn deillio o’m cyfarfodydd diweddar â swyddogion a gwirfoddolwyr sydd yn gweithio yn y sector hwn, felly gobeithiaf gyflwyno elfen o realiti i’r ddadl.

I declare an interest as a trustee of Aberconwy Women’s Aid and a member of Conwy County Borough Council. My comments will stem from my recent meetings with officers and volunteers working in this sector, therefore I hope to bring an element of reality into the debate.

Mae’n amlwg bod y dull ariannu cyfredol yn creu trafferthion i fudiadau a gweithwyr unigol. Mae Cymorth i Ferched Cymru, er enghraifft, yn pryderu’n fawr ynghylch y dull newydd o ariannu o un ffynhonnell a’r elfen gystadleuol a ddaw yn sgîl hynny. Mae hefyd yn pryderu ynghylch y gostyngiad tebygol yn y cyllid a fydd ar gael yn ystod y ddwy flynedd nesaf. Yr hyn sydd yn fy mhoeni’n bennaf yw’r dystiolaeth uniongyrchol sydd yn dod i law o’r anfodlonrwydd ymhlith y bobl bwysig sy’n gweithio yn y maes. Mae’r anfodlonrwydd yn deillio’n bennaf o ddiffyg ariannu craidd a chynaliadwy.

It is evident that the current funding arrangements cause problems for organisations and individual workers. Welsh Women’s Aid, for example, is deeply concerned about the new system of single-source funding and the competitive element that that will bring. It is also concerned about the probable decrease in the amount of funding available during the next two years. What concerns me most is the first-hand evidence that is coming to light of the dissatisfaction of the important people who work at the grassroots level. The dissatisfaction is primarily the result of lack of core and sustainable funding.

Clywsom lawer o sôn am y bwlch rhwng rhethreg a realiti. Hoffwn sôn am realiti’r sefyllfa yn fy etholaeth. Mae Cynnal Gofalwyr ym Mangor wedi colli tri swyddog hyfforddiant, a chafodd ei orfodi i gwtogi oriau gwaith aelodau eraill o’r staff, yn syml oherwydd bod arian y loteri a Comic Relief wedi dod i ben. Afraid dweud nad yw’r angen a’r galw am y gwasanaeth wedi dod i ben.

We have heard a great deal about the difference between rhetoric and reality. I would like to talk about the reality of the situation in my constituency. Carers Outreach in Bangor has lost three training officers and has been forced to cut the hours of other members of staff simply because its lottery and Comic Relief funding came to an end. Suffice it to say that the need and demand for the service have not come to an end.

Mae rheolwraig cyllid Cymorth i Ferched Aberconwy yn ystyried diffyg cyllid craidd fel y broblem fwyaf a wyneba’r sefydliad, a dywed fod atal arian yn peri trafferth i holl ganghennau’r mudiad drwy Gymru. Pan ddaw arian i ben, rhoddir straen anghyffredin ar fudiad, gan arwain at diswyddiadau, mwy o bwysau ar lai o staff a straen a salwch. Mae’n gylch dieflig. Ar ben hynny, mae staff hŷn yn treulio llawer gormod o’u hamser prin yn mynychu cyfarfodydd strategol, yn cyflawni gofynion statudol ac yn ceisio sicrhau cyllid. Nid myfi sy’n dweud hynny, ond rheolwraig Cymorth i Ferched Aberconwy.

The finance director of Aberconwy Women’s Aid considers the lack of core funding to be its biggest problem, and says that the discontinuation of funding leads to difficulties for every branch of of the organisation throughout Wales. When funding comes to an end, it puts great strain on an organisation, causing redundancies, putting more pressure on fewer staff and leading to stress and illness. It is a vicious circle. On top of that, senior staff spend too much of their precious time attending strategic meetings, fulfilling statutory requirements and trying to secure funding. Those are not my words, but those of the director of Aberconwy Women’s Aid.

I roi enghraifft ymarferol, sefydlwyd y mudiad yn Aberconwy naw mlynedd yn ôl ac fe’i staffiwyd er mwyn diwallu anghenion amlwg y gymuned leol. Cynyddwyd nifer y staff yn ôl y galw, ond erbyn heddiw, oherwydd i’r cyllid ddod i ben, cwtogwyd y lefel staffio i’r lefel yr oedd ar y dechrau. Serch hynny, mae’r llwyth gwaith wedi cynyddu’n ddybryd. Er enghraifft, cynorthwyodd y mudiad 119 o ferched a mamau y llynedd yn Aberconwy, gyda dwy neu dair gwaith y nifer honno o blant yn gysylltiedig â hwy. Mae’r ansicrwydd ariannol a’r trafferthion ychwanegol a ddaw yn sgîl hynny yn golygu na all y mudiad ddenu staff o’r ansawdd gorau. Mae hyn yn creu trafferthion a golyga mai cytundebau tymor byr yn unig y gellir eu cynnig.

To give a practical example, the Aberconwy branch was established nine years ago and was staffed in order to meet the evident needs of the local community. The number of staff was increased in line with demand but, by now, because funding has come to an end, staffing has been cut back to its initial level. However, the workload has increased significantly. For example, the organisation supported 119 women and mothers last year in Aberconwy, with two or three times the number of children associated with them. The financial uncertainty and the subsequent additional problems mean that the organisation cannot attract staff of the best calibre. This causes problems and means that only short-term contracts can be offered.

Y mae gennyf apêl i’r Gweinidog, ac nid yw’r hyn a ddywedaf yn ormodiaith, ond yn hytrach mae’n gri o’r galon gan swyddogion sy’n ymroddedig i’w gwaith a’u hachos. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ymdrech wirioneddol i ddatrys problemau sy’n tanseilio brwdfrydedd, effeithiolrwydd a hyd yn oed iechyd unigolion sy’n gwneud cyfraniad cydwybodol ac ymroddedig i fudiadau sydd bellach yn rhan annatod o gymdeithas sy’n ymdrechu i gynorthwyo’r difreintiedig? Ni ddylem anwybyddu’r negeseuon clir a ddaw o’r ffynhonnell bwysicaf oll, sef y gweithwyr yn y maes.

I have an appeal to make to the Minister. It is by no means an exaggeration, but rather the heartfelt plea of officers who are committed to their jobs and their cause. Will the Minister make a real effort to solve the problems that undermine the enthusiasm, effectiveness and even the health of individuals who make a conscientious and committed contribution to organisations which are now an integral part of a society that tries to help disadvantaged people? We should not ignore the clear messages coming from the most important source, namely the workers in the sector.

Mick Bates spoken in English p. 70

Mick Bates siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 70

I welcome this debate. I have taken part over many years in voluntary activitives and I support all aspects of the sector, particularly the support given to communities. It is worth remembering that there is a vast range of voluntary organisations, from the local to the national, which means that grand sweeping statements do not apply to every one of them.

Croesawaf y ddadl hon. Yr wyf wedi cymryd rhan dros lawer o flynyddoedd mewn gweithgareddau gwirfoddol a chefnogaf bob agwedd ar y sector, yn enwedig y cymorth a roddir i gymunedau. Mae’n werth cofio bod amrywiaeth aruthrol o fudiadau gwirfoddol, rhwng y rhai lleol a’r rhai cenedlaethol, sy’n golygu nad yw datganiadau ysgubol mawr yn berthnasol i bob un ohonynt.

I see the development of the voluntary sector in Wales in four stages. We must give recognition to the sector and ensure that it is well represented. We must also work in partnership with the voluntary sector and provide the resources necessary for it to achieve its aims. At the same time, we must not forget that the voluntary sector is tremendously innovative. Therefore, it should remain independent; because of service delivery contracts that is not always the case. However, it is a difficult issue.

Gwelaf ddatblygu’r sector gwirfoddol yng Nghymru mewn pedwar cam. Rhaid inni gydnabod y sector a sicrhau cynrychiolaeth dda iddo. Rhaid inni hefyd weithio mewn partneriaeth â’r sector gwirfoddol a darparu’r adnoddau sydd eu hangen iddo gyflawni’i amcanion. Ar yr un pryd, rhaid inni beidio ag anghofio bod y sector gwirfoddol yn aruthrol o arloesol. Felly, dylai barhau’n annibynnol; oherwydd y contractau cyflenwi gwasanaeth nid yw hynny’n digwydd bob amser. Er hynny, mae’n fater anodd.

Section 114 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 directs us to form a voluntary sector partnership. This has been done, and we have taken great steps forward. My work with the voluntary sector has proved as positive as section 114. There has been a tremendous recognition of the voluntary sector in Wales, and credit must go to the Ministers, particularly the Minister for Health and Social Services for that. One of the most staggering statistics concerning the sector is that four out of five adults in Wales give at least four hours of their time every week to voluntary work. Facts like these humble politicians who are always calling for people to be more involved in politics. From an accountant’s perspective, this work is equivalent to £3.5 billion every year.

Mae adran 114 o Ddeddf Llywodraeth Cymru 1998 yn ein cyfarwyddo i ffurfio partneriaeth sector gwirfoddol. Gwnaethpwyd hynny, ac yr ydym wedi cymryd camau bras ymlaen. Mae fy ngwaith i â’r sector gwirfoddol wedi profi mor gadarnhaol ag adran 114. Cafwyd cydnabyddiaeth aruthrol i’r sector gwirfoddol yng Nghymru, a rhaid canmol y Gweinidogion, yn enwedig y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol am hynny. Un o’r ystadegau mwyaf syfrdanol am y sector yw bod ymron i bedwar o bob pump o oedolion yng Nghymru’n rhoi o leiaf pedair awr o’u hamser bob wythnos i wneud gwaith gwirfoddol. Mae ffeithiau fel y rhain yn iselu gwleidyddion sy’n galw o hyd am i bobl gymryd rhan fwy mewn gwleidyddiaeth. O safbwynt cyfrifydd, mae’r gwaith hwn yn cyfateb i £3.5 biliwn bob blwyddyn.

However, I am sure that every Member would agree that the voluntary sector is not just about saving money; it is about people contributing for the benefit of a community. Without such commitment, society could not function or exist. For example, it is estimated that 90 per cent of community care is provided free of charge. The central theme of the Liberal Democrats’ conference last week was communities and their ability to help themselves, with their members working together for their mutual benefit. The strength of the volunteering ethos in Wales means that, if our policy paper were implemented, it would be the final step on a path down which the people of Wales are already walking.

Er hynny, yr wyf yn sicr y byddai pob Aelod yn cytuno bod y sector gwirfoddol yn ymwneud â mwy nag arbed arian; mae’n ymwneud â phobl sy’n cyfrannu er budd cymuned. Heb ymrwymiad o’r fath, ni allai cymdeithas weithredu na bodoli. Er enghraifft, amcangyfrifir bod 90 y cant o ofal cymunedol yn cael ei ddarparu’n rhad ac am ddim. Thema ganolog cynhadledd y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yr wythnos diwethaf oedd cymunedau a’u gallu i’w helpu eu hunain, a’u haelodau’n cydweithio er budd ei gilydd. Gan fod yr ethos gwirfoddoli mor gryf yng Nghymru, pe gweithredid ein papur polisi, hwnnw fyddai’r cam olaf ar lwybr y mae pobl Cymru’n ei gerdded eisoes.

We have established a new type of government. The partnership agreement recognises that working together is the best way forward. We can all sign up to the Voluntary Sector Partnership Council. There is a great deal of consensus about these developments, but there are also challenges. The Welsh Liberal Democrats surveyed 200 voluntary groups and issued a report called ‘Funding the Future’, which highlighted the need, which speakers have already mentioned to provide core funding, or at least funding beyond one year. Those of us who have applied for funding know of the inordinate amount of time it takes to complete the forms and the bureaucratic process. Information can always be made clearer. The Wales Council for Voluntary Action and, in the area which I represent, Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations, have done great work in bringing that information to organisations to help them access funding.

Yr ydym wedi sefydlu math newydd o lywodraeth. Mae’r cytundeb partneriaeth yn cydnabod mai gweithio gyda’n gilydd yw’r ffordd orau ymlaen. Gallwn oll danysgrifio i’r Cyngor Partneriaeth Sector Gwirfoddol. Mae llawer iawn o gonsensws yn y datblygiadau hyn, ond mae heriau hefyd. Gwnaeth Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru arolwg o 200 o grwpiau gwirfoddol a chyhoeddi adroddiad o’r enw ‘Cyllido a Chynllunio’, a dynnodd sylw at yr angen, y mae’r siaradwyr wedi cyfeirio ato eisoes, i ddarparu arian craidd, neu o leiaf arian am fwy na un flwyddyn. Mae’r rhai ohonom sydd wedi ceisio am arian yn gwybod ei bod yn cymryd llawer gormod o amser i gwblhau’r ffurflenni a’r broses fiwrocrataidd. Mae bob amser yn bosibl rhoi gwedd eglurach ar wybodaeth. Mae Cyngor Gweithredu Gwirfoddol Cymru ac, yn yr ardal yr wyf fi’n ei chynrychioli, Cymdeithas Cyrff Gwirfoddol Powys, wedi gwneud gwaith aruthrol wrth ddod â’r wybodaeth honno at y mudiadau i’w helpu i gael at arian.

However, serious problems remain with the delivery of strategic services. We should provide greater support to the Citizens Advice Bureaux. I have written to the Minister on several occasions asking for a core-funding package that will ensure that this important service delivers advice independently. The figures that she has sent us show that there is a clear disparity between the funding for bureaux in Wales and in England; Welsh bureaux only receive 42 per cent of the funding that the English bureaux receive.

Fodd bynnag, ceir problemau difrifol o hyd wrth ddarparu gwasanaethau strategol. Dylem ddarparu mwy o gymorth i’r Canolfannau Cynghori. Yr wyf wedi ysgrifennu at y Gweinidog sawl gwaith yn gofyn am becyn arian craidd a fydd yn sicrhau bod y gwasanaeth pwysig hwn yn darparu cyngor yn annibynnol. Mae’r ffigurau yr anfonodd atom yn dangos bod gwahaniaeth amlwg rhwng y cyllid i’r canolfannau cynghori yng Nghymru a’r rhai yn Lloegr; nid yw’r canolfannau yng Nghymru ond yn cael 42 y cant o’r arian y mae’r canolfannau yn Lloegr yn ei dderbyn.

The complexity of the funding process must also be resolved. Last week, while I was working with the Montgomeryshire Volunteering Bureau, its volunteers complained that, although they had been told that there were funds were available, they had difficulty in accessing them.

Rhaid datrys cymhlethdod y broses ariannu hefyd. Yr wythnos diwethaf, tra oeddwn yn gweithio gyda Swyddfa Gwirfoddoli Sir Drefaldwyn, yr oedd ei gwirfoddolwyr yn cwyno, er iddynt gael eu hysbysu bod arian ar gael, eu bod wedi’i chael yn anodd mynd ato.

Challenges remain. However, I end by congratulating those in the Assembly who have ensured that we work with the voluntary sector. The sector is now recognised and represented and we are working in partnership with it. We will, over the years, solve all the funding problems that are presented to us.

Mae heriau’n bod o hyd. Fodd bynnag, terfynaf drwy longyfarch y rhai yn y Cynulliad a sicrhaodd ein bod yn gweithio gyda’r sector gwirfoddol. Mae’r sector wedi’i gydnabod bellach ac mae ganddo gynrychiolaeth ac yr ydym yn gweithio mewn partneriaeth ag ef. Dros y blynyddoedd, byddwn yn datrys yr holl broblemau ariannu a gyflwynir i ni.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 72

Rhodri Glyn Thomas spoken in Welsh and English p. 72

Mae cytundeb trawsbleidiol yn y Cynulliad ar bwysigrwydd y mudiadau gwirfoddol a’r gwaith allweddol y maent yn ei gyflawni. Cyfeiriaf yn fyr at y sefyllfa sydd yn bodoli yn yr ardaloedd gwledig. Yn yr ardaloedd hyn, cyflawna’r mudiadau gwirfoddol waith eithriadol o bwysig, yn ffurfiol ac yn anffurfiol, ac nid ydym bob amser yn cydnabod hynny’n llawn. Yn fy etholaeth i, Dwyrain Caerfyrddin a Dinefwr, cyflawnir gwaith pwysig gan rai sy’n gofalu am aelodau o’u teuluoedd sydd ag anghenion arbennig neu feddygol. Cyflawnir y gofal hwnnw’n gwbl answyddogol ac anffurfiol. Fodd bynnag, mae’n waith hollbwysig gan ei fod yn ysgafnhau’r baich ar y mudiadau stadudol sydd â chyfrifoldeb dros ddarparu’r gofal hwnnw.

in Welsh Cross-party agreement exists in the Assembly on the importance of voluntary organisations and their essential work. I will refer to the situation in rural areas. In these areas, voluntary organisations carry out vitally important work, formally and informally, which we do not always fully acknowledge. In my constituency, Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, important work is undertaken by those who care for family members who have special or medical needs. That work is carried out unofficially and informally. However, the work is vital because it alleviates the pressure on statutory organisations responsible for delivering that care.

Yn yr ardaloedd gwledig, mae’r mudiadau gwirfoddol a’r gwirfoddolwyr yn wynebu problemau dybryd. Ceir problem o ran pellter er enghraifft; rhaid cludo pobl i’r trefi lle lleolir y canolfannau sy’n darparu’r gwasanaethau, a rhaid i wirfoddolwyr deithio’n bell i ymweld â chleientau. Dylai’r Llywodraeth gydnabod y broblem hon ac ariannu mudiadau yn ddigonol i’w galluogi i gyflawni eu holl swyddogaethau. Nid wyf wedi fy mherswadio eto, o’r hyn a welaf o ddarpariaeth y Llywodraeth, ei bod yn cydnabod yn llawn y problemau sy’n wynebu mudiadau sy’n ceisio darparu’r gwasanaethau hyn mewn ardaloedd gwledig. Hoffwn glywed y Gweindiog yn ymrwymo i edrych ar y sefyllfa hon ac i geisio deall y problemau sy’n wynebu mudiadau gwirfoddol yn yr ardaloedd gwledig.

in Welsh In rural areas, voluntary organisations and volunteers face serious problems. There are problems, for instance, with regard to distances; people must be transported to the towns where the centres that provide the services are located, and volunteers must travel long disatnces to reach some clients. The Government should acknowledge this problem and provide adequate funding to enable voluntary organisations to carry out all their duties. I am not yet convinced, from what I have seen of the Government’s provision, that it fully acknowledges the problems facing organisations that try to provide these services in rural areas. I would like the Minister to give a commitment to examine the situation and to try to understand the problems of voluntary organisations in rural areas.

Cyfeiriwyd eisoes yn ystod y ddadl hon at Epilepsi Cymru, a gwn fod holl Aelodau’r Cynulliad wedi cael gohebiaeth ar y mater hwn. Mae’n fudiad eithriadol o bwysig a da o beth fyddai clywed y Gweinidog yn ymrwymo i sicrhau bod Epilespi Cymru’n gallu parhau i ddarparu ei wasanaethau pwysig.

in Welsh Epilepsy Cymru has already been mentioned in this debate, and I know that all Assembly Members have received correspondence on this matter. It is a vital organisation and I would like the Minister to give a commitment to ensure that Epilepsy Cymru can continue to provide its important services.

I will turn briefly to the ‘Code of Practice for Funding the Voluntary Sector’, which was discussed in the Voluntary Sector Partnership Council in October last year, and has just been published. It is an important document that we need to consider in detail. It sets out the principles by which the Assembly funds the voluntary sector. The voluntary sector already wants to amend some aspects. A joint working group has been established, which has made recommendations to the Welsh Assembly Government. As yet, there has been no response nor commitment from the Welsh Assembly Government. I would like the Minister to respond to one aspect in particular: the agreed process for complaints. What would happen in a situation where the Welsh Assembly Government did not abide by the principles it has set out in the code? If that situation arose, what is the procedure, and are the voluntary organisations aware of it? I would welcome the Minister’s comments on that.

yn Saesneg Trof yn fyr at y ‘Cod Ymarfer ar Ariannu’r Sector Gwirfoddol’, a drafodwyd yn y Cyngor Partneriaeth Sector Gwirfoddol fis Hydref y llynedd, ac sydd newydd ei gyhoeddi. Mae’n ddogfen bwysig iawn a rhaid inni ei hystyried yn fanwl. Mae’n nodi’r egwyddorion y bydd y Cynulliad yn eu dilyn wrth ariannu’r sector gwirfoddol. Mae’r sector gwirfoddol yn dymuno newid rhai agweddau arno’n barod. Sefydlwyd gweithgor ar y cyd, sydd wedi rhoi argymhellion i Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru. Hyd yn hyn, ni chafwyd ymateb nac ymrwymiad gan Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru. Byddai’n dda gennyf pe byddai’r Gweinidog yn ymateb i un agwedd yn benodol: y broses a gytunwyd ar gyfer cwynion. Beth a ddigwyddai mewn sefyllfa lle nad oedd Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru’n cadw at yr egwyddorion a nododd yn y cod? Pe byddai’r sefyllfa honno’n codi, pa weithdrefn a ddilynir, ac a yw’r mudiadau gwirfoddol yn gwybod amdani? Hoffwn glywed sylwadau’r Gweinidog ar hynny.

Nodaf eto bwysigrwydd mudiadau gwirfoddol a’r gwaith allweddol a wnant. Mae’r Llywodraeth yn sôn dipyn am bartneriaeth; mae’n air a ddefnyddir yn gyson. Er bod tuedd i eiriau o’r fath droi’n ystrydebau, mae hynny’n digwydd oherwydd bod gwerth ynddynt. Mae partneriaeth yn bwysig, yn enwedig gyda’r sector gwirfoddol. Fodd bynnag, hoffwn glywed ymrwymiad gan y Gweinidog heddiw i sicrhau bod y bartneriaeth hon yn fwy na phartneriaeth ar bapur yn unig, a’i bod yn bartneriaeth wirioneddol. Dylai’r Llywodraeth ymrwymo i sicrhau bod mudiadau gwirfoddol yn gallu darparu’r holl wasanaethau pwysig y disgwyliwn.

in Welsh I reiterate the importance of voluntary organisations and the vital work that they do. This Government talks a great deal about partnership, it is a much-used word. Although there is a tendency for such words to become clichés, it happens because they are of value. Partnership is important, especially with the voluntary sector. However, I would like to hear the Minister give a commitment today to ensuring that this is not just a partnership on paper, but a real partnership. The Government should give a commitment to ensuring that voluntary organisations can fully deliver the important services we expect.

Eleanor Burnham siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 74

Eleanor Burnham spoken in Welsh and English p. 74

Croesawaf y ddadl hon, fel rhywun sydd wedi bod yn wirfoddolwr drwy gydol fy oes, ac yn rheolwr ar wirfoddolwyr. Yr wyf hefyd yn ddiolchgar bod fy mam wedi gallu edrych ar ôl fy nhad yn eu cartref gyda chymorth Crossroads.

in Welsh I welcome this debate, as I have been a volunteer throughout my life and a manager of volunteers. I am also grateful that my mother was able to look after my father at home with the help of Crossroads.

I recall being on one particular Oxfam-led volunteer training course in Leeds on volunteer management. It was apparent that voluntary activities gel our communities, and particularly, deprived communities. Many people with time on their hands, or otherwise, play a vital partnership role in our society. Excellent voluntary work is being done in north Wales: for example, the Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham is an umbrella organisation that is central to many aspects of its vibrant community. Many of us have had the privilege of seeing its work and are particularly struck by the difficulties that it faces.

yn Saesneg Cofiaf fod ar un cwrs hyfforddi gwirfoddolwyr o dan arweiniad Oxfam yn Leeds ar reoli gwirfoddolwyr. Yr oedd yn amlwg bod gweithgareddau gwirfoddol yn dwyn ein cymunedau ynghyd, ac yn enwedig cymunedau difreintiedig. Mae llawer o bobl sydd â digon o amser hamdden, neu fel arall, yn chwarae rhan hanfodol mewn partneriaeth yn ein cymdeithas. Gwneir gwaith gwirfoddol rhagorol yn y Gogledd: er enghraifft, mae Cymdeithas y Cyrff Gwirfoddol yn Wrecsam yn fudiad ambarél sydd â rhan ganolog mewn llawer agwedd ar y gymuned fywiog honno. Cafodd llawer ohonom y fraint o weld ei gwaith ac mae’r anawsterau y mae’n eu hwynebu wedi gwneud argraff arbennig arnom.

Volunteers volunteer because they have experience and expertise to offer their communities. In many respects, unemployed people can benefit from volunteering by gaining valuable training and confidence, which can improve their job prospects. I agree that funding is an ongoing challenge, and I fully endorse the sector’s plea to the Minister for increased and guaranteed core funding. It is a problem that voluntary organisations must spend so much time filling complicated forms, and, after all that, only receive money for the short term. We need to ensure that our communities, especially the deprived ones, are sufficiently supported for all our benefit.

yn Saesneg Mae gwirfoddolwyr yn gwirfoddoli am fod ganddynt brofiad ac arbenigedd i’w gynnig i’w cymunedau. Ar lawer ystyr, gall pobl ddi-waith gael budd o wirfoddoli drwy gael hyfforddiant a hyder gwerthfawr sy’n gallu rhoi mwy o obaith iddynt gael swydd. Cytunaf fod ariannu’n her barhaus, a llwyr ategaf apêl y sector i’r Gweinidog am ariannu craidd gwarantedig ac uwch. Mae’n broblem bod mudiadau gwirfoddol yn gorfod treulio cymaint o amser yn llenwi ffurflenni cymhleth a’u bod, ar ôl hynny i gyd, ond yn derbyn arian ar gyfer y tymor byr. Rhaid inni sicrhau digon o gefnogaeth i’n cymunedau, yn enwedig y rhai difreintiedig, er budd pob un ohonom.

Jane Hutt The Minister for Health and Social Services spoken in English p. 75

Jane Hutt Y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 75

I welcome the motion tabled by Jocelyn Davies, and amendment 1 in the name of Jonathan Morgan.

Croesawaf y cynnig a gyflwynwyd gan Jocelyn Davies, a gwelliant 1 yn enw Jonathan Morgan.

The Welsh Assembly Government fully recognises the important role of the voluntary sector in the development of economic, social and community life in Wales. I hope that we can show the people of Wales our cross-party agreement on how we value the voluntary sector. I chair the Voluntary Sector Partnership Council, which has been established under our unique voluntary sector scheme. It has been pleasing to see members of the public and voluntary organisations across Wales coming to our meetings and listening to our discussions. The partnership is relatively new. The relationship is still maturing, and we must ensure that significant achievements—which are being made—are taken forward. For example, funding has been a big issue in this debate. Funding the sector in Wales has been under strategic review. Janet, I do not believe that we need to start a debate on funding, because that is the first item on the agenda of the first partnership council meeting. It is a priority for the council and its members.

Mae Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru’n llwyr gydnabod rôl bwysig y sector gwirfoddol wrth ddatblygu bywyd economaidd, cymdeithasol a chymunedol yng Nghymru. Gobeithiaf y gallwn ddangos ein cytundeb trawsbleidiol i bobl Cymru ynghylch ein gwerthfawrogiad o’r sector gwirfoddol. Yr wyf yn gadeirydd ar Gyngor Partneriaeth y Sector Gwirfoddol, a sefydlwyd o dan ein cynllun sector gwirfoddol unigryw. Bu’n hyfryd gweld aelodau o’r cyhoedd a mudiadau gwirfoddol ledled Cymru yn dod i’n cyfarfodydd ac yn gwrando ar ein trafodaethau. Mae’r bartneriaeth yn gymharol newydd. Mae’r berthynas yn aeddfedu o hyd, a rhaid inni sicrhau y caiff cyflawniadau sylweddol—sy’n cael eu gwneud—eu dwyn yn eu blaen. Er enghraifft, mae ariannu wedi bod yn bwnc mawr yn y ddadl hon. Cafwyd adolygiad strategol ar ariannu’r sector yng Nghymru. Janet, nid wyf yn credu bod angen inni ddechrau dadl ar ariannu, oherwydd dyna’r eitem gyntaf ar agenda’r cyfarfod cyntaf o’r Cyngor Partneriaeth. Mae’n flaenoriaeth i’r cyngor ac i’w aelodau.

The voluntary sector scheme action plan has been prepared to track progress on achieving the aims of our scheme, and we will debate it again in July. A code of practice on funding the voluntary sector has been issued, and all areas of the Assembly, as well as our sponsored bodies, must abide by its principles. Apart from attending meetings of the Voluntary Sector Partnership Council, Assembly Ministers also meet representatives of the relevant voluntary sector networks, where we address concerns across the Assembly and the sector. They are also considered in the Assembly Government budget planning round, so that they can also focus on funding priorities.

Paratowyd cynllun gweithredu’r cynllun sector gwirfoddol i gofnodi’r cynnydd a wneir wrth gyflawni nodau’n cynllun, a byddwn yn ei drafod eto yng Ngorffennaf. Cyhoeddwyd cod ymarfer ar ariannu’r sector gwirfoddol, a rhaid i holl rannau’r Cynulliad, yn ogystal â’r cyrff a noddwn, gadw at ei egwyddorion. Ar wahân i fynychu cyfarfodydd Cyngor Partneriaeth y Sector Gwirfoddol, mae Gweinidogion y Cynulliad yn cyfarfod hefyd â chynrychiolwyr y rhwydweithiau sector gwirfoddol perthnasol, ble yr ydym yn trafod pryderon ym mhob rhan o’r Cynulliad a’r sector. Fe’u hystyrir hefyd yng nghylch cynllunio cyllideb Llywodraeth y Cynulliad, fel y gallant ganolbwyntio ar flaenoriaethau ariannu hefyd.

The voluntary sector scheme is unique, and has attracted much interest from far afield. Voluntary sector members and Assembly officials went to Canada recently to talk about the scheme and how it is impacting on voluntary and civic life in Wales.

Mae cynllun y sector gwirfoddol yn unigryw, ac mae wedi ennyn llawer o ddiddordeb o bell. Aeth aelodau o’r sector gwirfoddol a swyddogion y Cynulliad i Ganada’n ddiweddar i sôn am y cynllun a’i effaith ar fywyd gwirfoddol a dinesig yng Nghymru.

I will discuss funding, Janet, as so many Members have raised it. It is clearly an issue for the sector, which is why we must clarify both the circumstances under which we fund voluntary organisations and the practices that should be employed throughout the Assembly and our sponsored bodies.

Fe drafodaf ariannu, Janet, gan fod cynifer o Aelodau wedi’i godi. Mae’n amlwg yn fater o bwys i’r sector, a dyna pam y mae’n rhaid inni roi gwedd eglurach ar yr amgylchiadau yr ydym yn ariannu mudiadau gwirfoddol odanynt a’r arferion y dylid eu dilyn drwy’r Cynulliad a’r cyrff a noddwn.

The code of practice is a major step forward. It is a living document, Mick; it is not set in stone. It was drawn up in collaboration with the voluntary sector, and the council has seen and approved many drafts already. However, Rhodri Glyn, we can address the issue of complaints and concerns. This is not a one-off meeting with the voluntary sector; it is a dialogue. You are a part of it, as are your members, and we can ensure that we follow matters through.

Mae’r cod ymarfer yn gam mawr ymlaen. Mae’n ddogfen fyw, Mick; nid yw’n ddigyfnewid. Fe’i lluniwyd ar y cyd â’r sector gwirfoddol, ac mae’r cyngor wedi gweld ac wedi cymeradwyo llawer o ddrafftiau eisoes. Fodd bynnag, Rhodri Glyn, gallwn ymdrin â mater cwynion a phryderon. Nid un cyfarfod yn unig â’r sector gwirfoddol yw hwn; mae’n ddeialog. Yr ydych yn rhan ohoni, fel y mae’ch aelodau, a gallwn sicrhau ein bod yn gweithredu ar y materion sy’n codi.

Let us remind colleagues of what the code of practice clarifies, particularly in relation to funding and our support for the voluntary sector. Our funding priorities must relate to voluntary organisations that deliver services on our behalf throughout Wales, that deliver national projects—

Gadewch inni atgoffa’n cyd-Aelodau am yr hyn y mae’r cod ymarfer yn ei egluro, yn enwedig o ran ariannu a’n cymorth i’r sector gwirfoddol. Rhaid i’n blaenoriaethau ariannu fod yn gysylltiedig â’r mudiadau gwirfoddol sy’n gweithredu gwasanaethau ar ein rhan ledled Cymru, sy’n gweithredu prosiectau cenedlaethol—

David Lloyd spoken in English p. 76

David Lloyd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 76

I declare an interest as the vice-chair of the Crossroads Association in Swansea and vice-president of the Alzheimer’s Society. Do you agree that organisations like those, and our hospices, which provide core services, deserve core funding from the Assembly?

Datganaf fuddiant fel is-gadeirydd Cymdeithas Crossroads yn Abertawe ac is-lywydd Cymdeithas Alzheimer. A ydych yn cytuno bod mudiadau o’r fath, a’n hosbisau, sy’n darparu gwasanaethau craidd, yn haeddu derbyn ariannu craidd gan y Cynulliad?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 77

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 77

I have been listing our criteria for funding projects. We also support partnerships to assist with the implementation of specific projects at local level and organisations that need start-up or developmental funding, such as Awetu black mental health group, which I visited yesterday.

Bûm yn rhestru ein meini prawf ar gyfer ariannu prosiectau. Yr ydym hefyd yn cefnogi partneriaethau i helpu i weithredu prosiectau penodol ar lefel leol a mudiadau y mae arnynt angen arian i gychwyn neu ddatblygu, fel grŵp iechyd meddwl du Awetu, yr ymwelais ag ef ddoe.

I want to set the record straight on Epilepsy Wales. It is not the only voluntary organisation in Wales providing services for people with epilepsy. Groups in Bangor and Gwent also provide such services. Last year, I enabled Epilepsy Wales to benefit from a section 64 general scheme project grant from the Assembly, to give it £28,000 per year for three years to employ a training and development officer. Lottery funding is an issue arising from the difficulties that Epilepsy Wales and other organisations faced—what happens when it comes to an end? Several people have mentioned that today, including you and Gareth. It is important to determine how we can support and sustain organisations, and consider their sustainability when they make applications for grants such as the lottery. Dai’s point about hospices and other organisations has led me to consider how we can support organisations and look to the commissioning arrangements.

Yr wyf am gywiro camsyniad ynghylch Epilepsi Cymru. Nid ef yw’r unig fudiad gwirfoddol yng Nghymru sy’n darparu gwasanaethau i bobl sydd ag epilepsi. Mae grwpiau ym Mangor a Gwent yn darparu gwasanaethau o’r fath hefyd. Y llynedd, galluogais Epilepsi Cymru i fanteisio ar grant prosiect cynllun cyffredinol adran 64 gan y Cynulliad, i roi £28,000 y flwyddyn iddo am dair blynedd i gyflogi swyddog hyfforddi a datblygu. Mae arian loteri’n fater sy’n codi o’r anawsterau yr oedd Epilepsi Cymru a mudiadau eraill yn eu hwynebu—beth sy’n digwydd pan ddaw i ben? Mae nifer wedi sôn am hynny heddiw, gan eich cynnwys chi a Gareth. Mae’n bwysig penderfynu sut y gallwn gynorthwyo a chynnal mudiadau, ac ystyried eu cynaliadwyedd pan y byddant yn ymgeisio am grantiau fel rhai’r loteri. Mae pwynt Dai ynghylch hosbisau a mudiadau eraill wedi fy arwain i ystyried sut y gallwn gynorthwyo mudiadau ac edrych ar y trefniadau comisiynu.

Dafydd Wigley spoken in English p. 77

Dafydd Wigley siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 77

I have been president of Epilepsi Cymru. Will you clarify whether you are still considering some of its approaches, and is the door still open to try to find a resolution before some of these vital services are lost?

Bûm yn llywydd Epilepsi Cymru. A wnewch egluro a ydych yn dal i ystyried rhai o’i geisiadau, ac a yw’r drws yn dal i fod yn agored i geisio darganfod ateb cyn colli rhai o’r gwasanaethau hanfodol hyn?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 77

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 77

I have asked my officials to meet the management committee of Epilepsi Cymru, and I believe that that meeting has been set up.

Yr wyf wedi gofyn i’m swyddogion gwrdd â phwyllgor rheoli Epilepsi Cymru, ac yr wyf yn credu bod y cyfarfod hwnnw wedi’i drefnu.

The motion refers to the sector’s contribution to policy development. It is important that we recognise that the voluntary sector has had a strong voice, as you said, Mick, in Wales. The Assembly Government respects and values that. That is why I have invested in excess of £300,000 during the last financial year to build the capacity of the voluntary sector, because we are asking a lot of it. We are asking it to help us develop our policies, to be at the table with us—and it has been in terms of developing the carers’ strategy. Many of you mentioned carers. David mentioned a project in Canton; others mentioned the carers’ strategy in north Wales. Carers Wales, the voluntary organisation, is part of enabling us to take policies forward and help us make decisions about the money that is now going to the partnerships at local authority level.

Mae’r cynnig yn cyfeirio at gyfraniad y sector i ddatblygu polisi. Mae’n bwysig inni gydnabod bod y sector gwirfoddol wedi bod â llais cryf, fel y dywedasoch, Mick, yng Nghymru. Mae Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn parchu ac yn gwerthfawrogi hynny. Dyna pam yr wyf wedi buddsoddi mwy na £300,000 yn ystod y flwyddyn ariannol ddiwethaf i feithrin gallu yn y sector gwirfoddol, oherwydd yr ydym yn gofyn llawer ganddo. Yr ydym yn gofyn iddo ein helpu i ddatblygu ein polisïau, i fod wrth y bwrdd gyda ni—ac fe fu yng nghyd-destun datblygu’r strategaeth gofalwyr. Soniodd llawer ohonoch am ofalwyr. Soniodd David am brosiect yn Nhreganna; soniodd eraill am y strategaeth gofalwyr yn y Gogledd. Mae Gofalwyr Cymru, y mudiad gwirfoddol, yn cyfrannu at ein galluogi i ddatblygu polisïau ac yn ein helpu i benderfynu ynghylch yr arian sy’n mynd yn awr i’r partneriaethau ar lefel yr awdurdodau lleol.

We are conscious that, as our relationship with the sector grows, and our policies and programmes change, we need to adapt the code of practice and we need to ensure that we take forward lessons learnt. On the overall funding from the Assembly and its sponsored bodies, including health authorities, we are spending a significant amount on the voluntary sector. In 2000-01 this was around £37 million. In total, the public sector is contributing about £66 million toward voluntary sector work and ensuring that the rewards that come from that are seen in our communities and services. The voluntary sector is playing an increasing role in the provision of health and social care services in the future, which you mentioned, David.

Yr ydym yn ymwybodol bod angen inni addasu’r cod ymarfer, wrth i’n perthynas â’r sector dyfu, ac wrth i’n polisïau a’n rhaglenni newid, a bod rhaid inni weithredu ar sail y gwersi a ddysgwyd. Ynghylch yr ariannu cyffredinol gan y Cynulliad a’r cyrff a noddir ganddo, gan gynnwys yr awdurdodau iechyd, yr ydym yn gwario swm sylweddol ar y sector gwirfoddol. Yn 2000-01 gwariwyd tua £37 miliwn. Gyda’i gilydd, mae’r sector cyhoeddus yn cyfrannu tua £66 miliwn at waith y sector gwirfoddol ac yn sicrhau bod yr enillion o hynny i’w gweld yn ein cymunedau a’n gwasanaethau. Mae’r sector gwirfoddol yn chwarae rhan gynyddol wrth ddarparu gwasanaethau iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol yn y dyfodol, fel y dywedasoch, David.

I am now commissioning, David, the review of all the voluntary sector grant schemes within my portfolio, with the aim of identifying gaps, streamlining schemes, and simplifying procedures. This is about partnership working, and how we can take that forward with the healthcare challenges. I have also commissioned a project, building strong bridges, which will help us identify how partnerships between the NHS and the voluntary sector can be strengthened.

Ar hyn o bryd, David, yr wyf yn comisiynu’r adolygiad o’r holl gynlluniau grant sector gwirfoddol yn fy mhortffolio, gyda’r amcan o ganfod bylchau a symleiddio cynlluniau a gweithdrefnau. Mae hyn yn ymwneud â gweithio mewn partneriaeth, a sut y gallwn ddatblygu hynny yn wyneb yr heriau o ran gofal iechyd. Yr wyf hefyd wedi comisiynu prosiect, codi pontydd cadarn, a fydd yn ein helpu i ganfod sut y gellir cryfhau’r partneriaethau rhwng y GIG a’r sector gwirfoddol.

Pauline Jarman spoken in English p. 78

Pauline Jarman siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 78

You will be aware of New Pathways in Merthyr, the only voluntary sector group, I understand, in Wales that offers counselling, advocacy and support to rape and sexual abuse victims. The lack of core funding is impeding this important work. You mentioned the concept of partnership. It is difficult to articulate and comprehend that concept when one of the partners, the National Assembly, has some £10 billion while the other partners struggle for every penny that they exist on.

Byddwch yn gwybod am New Pathways ym Merthyr, yr unig grŵp sector gwirfoddol yng Nghymru, yr wyf yn deall, sy’n cynnig cynghori, eiriolaeth a chymorth i’r rhai sydd wedi dioddef gan drais a chamdriniaeth rywiol. Mae diffyg ariannu craidd yn llesteirio’r gwaith pwysig hwn. Gwnaethoch sôn am y cysyniad o bartneriaeth. Mae’n anodd cyfleu a deall y cysyniad hwnnw pan fo gan un o’r partneriaid, sef y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, oddeutu £10 biliwn tra bo’r partneriaid eraill yn ymladd am bob ceiniog i barhau.

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 79

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 79

I was pleased to hear from Pathways last week that it has received a huge grant from the lottery. I had a meeting just before that news came through with officials across all the Assembly divisions, because it covers many areas. It is an important project. I have asked my officials again to hold meetings to see how we can support organisations. This applies to many organisations. It goes back to my point to David—we need to see where some organisations are doing cross-cutting work, and recognising that in the case of Pathways, which deals with sexual abuse and all that comes with that. Officials will still meet with Pathways, but what is important is that it has received that excellent news regarding its funding.

Yr oeddwn yn falch o glywed gan Pathways yr wythnos diwethaf ei fod wedi derbyn grant anferth gan y loteri. Yr oeddwn newydd gael cyfarfod cyn derbyn y newydd hwnnw gyda swyddogion o holl is-adrannau’r Cynulliad, gan ei fod yn ymwneud â llawer o feysydd. Mae’n brosiect pwysig. Yr wyf wedi gofyn eto i’m swyddogion gynnal cyfarfodydd i weld sut y gallwn gynorthwyo mudiadau. Mae hyn yn berthnasol i lawer o fudiadau. Mae’n mynd yn ôl at y pwynt a wneuthum wrth ateb David—rhaid inni weld lle y mae rhai mudiadau’n gwneud gwaith trawsbynciol, a chydnabod hynny yn achos Pathways, sy’n delio â chamdriniaeth rywiol a’r cwbl sy’n gysylltiedig â hynny. Bydd y swyddogion yn dal i gwrdd â Pathways, ond yr hyn sy’n bwysig yw ei fod wedi cael y newydd rhagorol hwnnw ynghylch ei ariannu.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 79

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 79

Order. You have taken three interventions, Minister.

Trefn. Yr ydych wedi derbyn tri ymyriad, Weinidog.

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 79

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 79

I will finish now. In conclusion, we must recognise, and I am glad that Mick and Eleanor said this, that the spirit of volunteering is strong in Wales.

Gorffennaf yn awr. I derfynu, rhaid inni gydnabod, ac yr wyf yn falch bod Mick ac Eleanor wedi dweud hynny, fod ysbryd gwirfoddoli’n gryf yng Nghymru.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas spoken in English p. 79

Rhodri Glyn Thomas siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 79

You have not referred at all to the problems of rural areas, sparsity and the need to fund voluntary organisations in rural areas to take those problems into account. Is this Government undertaking that consideration?

Nid ydych wedi cyfeirio o gwbl at broblemau prinder ardaloedd gwledig a’r angen i ariannu mudiadau gwirfoddol mewn ardaloedd gwledig er mwyn ystyried y problemau hynny. A yw’r Llywodraeth hon yn ystyried hynny?

Jane Hutt spoken in English p. 79

Jane Hutt siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 79

Of course that is a consideration in every grant application that we receive from organisations that meet our criteria. You raised these issues in the partnership council. The voluntary sector wants to see us pulling together in the Assembly. I hope that this debate will reassure it, not only of the Welsh Assembly Government’s support, which is clear, but of Members’ support with all parties pulling together to value its work.

Wrth gwrs, mae hynny’n ystyriaeth ym mhob cais am grant a dderbyniwn oddi wrth fudiadau sy’n bodloni ein meini prawf. Gwnaethoch godi’r materion hyn yn y cyngor partneriaeth. Mae’r sector gwirfoddol am ein gweld yn cyd-dynnu yn y Cynulliad. Gobeithiaf y bydd y ddadl hon yn rhoi sicrwydd iddo, nid yn unig am gefnogaeth Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, sy’n amlwg, ond am gefnogaeth yr Aelodau wrth i’r holl bleidiau gyd-dynnu i werthfawrogi ei waith.

Helen Mary Jones spoken in English p. 80

Helen Mary Jones siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 80

I welcome the Minister’s positive approach to this debate. This is in rather sharp contrast to the response that we received to what we also thought were positive proposals last week. I cannot help but ask myself whether or not this issue may be concerned with the Minister’s gender, and I hope that Gwenda Thomas will not find it too hard to vote in favour of this motion, even though we tabled it.

Croesawaf ymagwedd gadarnhaol y Gweinidog at y ddadl hon. Mae hynny’n cyferbynnu’n eithaf eglur â’r ymateb a gawsom i’r hyn a gredem oedd yn gynigion cadarnhaol yr wythnos diwethaf. Ni allaf ond gofyn i mi fy hun tybed a oedd hynny’n ymwneud â rhyw’r Gweinidog, a gobeithiaf na fydd Gwenda Thomas yn ei chael yn rhy anodd pleidleisio o blaid y cynnig hwn, er mai ni a’i cyflwynodd.

I do not propose to discuss everybody’s comments in detail, although I am grateful for the contributions. David Melding’s point on the challenges that may be presented by the new local health boards is something that the Voluntary Sector Partnership Council will need to address urgently. It would be a great pity if we found that voluntary organisations in the field of health were experiencing the same problems as they have historically experienced across borders with local authorities.

Ni fwriadaf drafod sylwadau pawb yn fanwl, er fy mod yn ddiolchgar am y cyfraniadau. Mae pwynt David Melding ar yr heriau y gallai’r byrddau iechyd lleol newydd eu cynnig yn rhywbeth y bydd yn rhaid i’r Cyngor Partneriaeth Sector Gwirfoddol ei drafod ar fyrder. Byddai’n drueni mawr pe caem fod mudiadau gwirfoddol ym maes iechyd yn profi’r un problemau ag a brofasant yn hanesyddol ar draws ffiniau gyda’r awdurdodau lleol.

His points on policy developments were also valid. In addition, I note the example of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, where the original proposal that came to the Committee was by no means as strong as the final proposal, and that was because of the voluntary sector’s contribution to that debate.

Yr oedd ei bwyntiau am ddatblygiadau polisi’n ddilys hefyd. Yn ogystal â hynny, nodaf esiampl Comisiynydd Plant Cymru, lle’r oedd y cynnig gwreiddiol a ddaeth i’r Pwyllgor ymhell o fod mor gryf â’r cynnig terfynol, ac yr oedd hynny oherwydd cyfraniad y sector gwirfoddol i’r ddadl honno.

I thank Mick Bates and Eleanor Burnham for their contributions. I welcome and concur with much of what they said. I hope that they will use their influence in the partnership Government to get some action on the areas they highlighted, because this is our concern.

Diolchaf i Mick Bates ac Eleanor Burnham am eu cyfraniadau. Yr wyf yn croesawu ac yn cyd-fynd â llawer o’r hyn a ddywedasant. Gobeithiaf y byddant yn defnyddio eu dylanwad yn y Llywodraeth bartneriaeth i gael rhywfaint o weithredu yn y meysydd y gwnaethant dynnu sylw atynt, oherwydd hynny sy’n peri pryder i ni.

I do not believe that anybody doubts the Government’s intention, or the Minster’s personal commitment, on this matter. There have been positive developments, for example, the establishing of the Voluntary Sector Partnership Council. I would argue, however, that since it has been in place since the establishment of this Assembly, it is not brand new, and it should perhaps talk less and do more. The problem is—and I believe that it is the proper function of an opposition to scrutinise this—that gaps exist between rhetoric and reality. Colleagues have already referred to some of those gaps, and I will briefly highlight one or two others, which I hope that the Minister will then be able to take on board, so that we can drive forward in a co-operative spirit.

Ni chredaf fod neb yn amau bwriad y Llywodraeth, neu ymrwymiad personol y Gweinidog, ar y mater hwn. Bu datblygiadau cadarnhaol, er enghraifft, sefydlu’r Cyngor Partneriaeth Sector Gwirfoddol. Er hynny, byddwn yn dadlau, gan ei fod yn bodoli ers sefydlu’r Cynulliad hwn, nad yw’n newydd sbon, ac y dylai siarad yn llai, efallai, a gwneud mwy. Y broblem yw—a chredaf mai priod swyddogaeth gwrthblaid yw archwilio hyn—fod bylchau rhwng y rhethreg a’r realiti. Mae fy nghyd-Aelodau wedi cyfeirio eisoes at rai o’r bylchau hynny, a thynnaf sylw’n fyr at un neu ddau arall, y gobeithiaf y bydd y Gweinidog yn gallu eu hystyried wedyn, fel y gallwn fwrw ymlaen mewn naws gydweithredol.

We have debated funding for a long time, but we are still far short of final conclusions and action. I believe that it is the proper function of the voluntary sector to develop and fund innovative work. To give an example of that, five or six years ago, advocacy work for children in care would have been seen as innovative work. Local authorities were not required to do it, and it could not be statutorily funded. Now those innovative services have proved their worth, and become core functions, we must find ways of ensuring that they have core funding from the public sector. We cannot rely on the coin dropping into the box to ensure that our children, for example, receive advocacy services if they are in care. We have already heard about the issues of services across county boundaries, and Care and Repair Cymru is a good example. However, as has already been mentioned, the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, which provides a national level of service that varies from place to place, is an example of an organisation facing regular funding problems, and, again, it is a service that we cannot do without.

Yr ydym yn dadlau ynghylch ariannu ers amser maith, ond yr ydym yn dal i fod ymhell o gyrraedd y casgliadau terfynol a gweithredu. Credaf mai priod swyddogaeth y sector gwirfoddol yw datblygu ac ariannu gwaith arloesol. Er mwyn rhoi enghraifft o hynny, bum neu chwe blynedd yn ôl, fe ystyrid gwaith eiriolaeth i blant mewn gofal yn waith arloesol. Nid oedd yn ofynnol i’r awdurdodau lleol ei wneud, ac ni ellid ei ariannu’n statudol. Gan fod y gwasanaethau arloesol hynny wedi profi eu gwerth bellach, ac wedi dod yn swyddogaethau craidd, rhaid inni ddarganfod dulliau o sicrhau y cânt ariannu craidd oddi wrth y sector cyhoeddus. Ni allwn ddibynnu ar ollwng darnau arian i flychau i sicrhau bod ein plant, er enghraifft, yn derbyn gwasanaethau eiriolaeth os ydynt mewn gofal. Clywsom eisoes am y materion sy’n codi ynghylch gwasanaethau sy’n croesi ffiniau siroedd, ac mae Gofal a Thrwsio Cymru’n enghraifft dda. Fodd bynnag, fel y dywedwyd eisoes, mae Cymdeithas Genedlaethol y Canolfannau Cynghori, sy’n darparu lefel gwasanaeth genedlaethol sy’n amrywio o le i le, yn enghraifft o fudiad sy’n wynebu problemau ariannu rheolaidd, ac eto, mae’n wasanaeth na allwn fynd hebddo.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas highlighted the issues around the code of practice for funding the voluntary sector, and we must have an answer about what happens if there is a complaint—what happens if the Government of Wales fails to deliver. This typifies the problem, and I hope that the Minister will acknowledge it, along with everything else that comes from the Voluntary Sector Partnership Council. There are some areas where there are clear lines for accountability, and there are others where there are not, and this must be resolved.

Mae Rhodri Glyn Thomas wedi tynnu sylw at y materion sy’n codi ynghylch y cod ymarfer ar gyfer ariannu’r sector gwirfoddol, a rhaid inni gael ateb ynghylch yr hyn a fydd yn digwydd os bydd cwyn—beth sy’n digwydd os yw Llywodraeth Cymru’n methu â chyflawni. Mae hyn yn dangos natur y broblem, a gobeithiaf y bydd y Gweinidog yn ei chydnabod, ynghyd â phopeth arall a ddaw oddi wrth y Cyngor Partneriaeth Sector Gwirfoddol. Mae rhai meysydd lle y mae llinellau atebolrwydd eglur, ac mae eraill lle nad oes, a rhaid datrys hynny.

The Minister takes much personal responsibility for driving issues through, but they cannot rest on the shoulders of one person, and with the greatest of respect to Jane, whose commitment is excellent, we cannot rely on the goodwill of one Minister. We must bear in mind that that role might, one day, be filled by somebody who does not have the right approach, and structures must be in place to call that person to account.

Mae’r Gweinidog yn ymgymryd â llawer o gyfrifoldeb personol dros yrru materion drwodd, ond ni ddylai un person eu hysgwyddo, a chyda phob parch tuag at Jane, y mae ei hymrwymiad yn rhagorol, ni allwn ddibynnu ar ewyllys da un Gweinidog. Rhaid inni gofio y gallai’r rôl honno gael ei chyflawni, ryw ddiwrnod, gan un nad yw’n gweithredu yn y modd priodol, a rhaid sefydlu strwythurau i’w alw i gyfrif.

The ministerial meetings are a positive development. It would have been unthinkable in pre-devolution days for voluntary organisations to get the level of access to decision-makers that they get now. However, again, I want to point out the need for those organisations to deliver. For example, the minutes that were helpfully provided by the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning of her meeting with the sector in October contained 10 so-called action points. Two of those I could identify as actions for the Minister and her officials, two were actions for the sector, and six were more talking. When you consider that these meetings only happen once every six months, postponing discussions for another six months can be frustrating. The dialogue is welcome, but people in the sector would be forgiven for being cynical when, as that dialogue is going on, Assembly sponsored public bodies, for example, often go off on their own sweet way. We have seen an example this week where Education and Learning Wales has put out vital matters regarding its future policy direction for only a two-week consultation period, and expects voluntary sector training providers to be able to respond. Again, people would be forgiven for being cynical. We must make the ASPBs deliver to what is an agreed agenda.

Mae’r cyfarfodydd gweinidogol yn ddatblygiad cadarnhaol. Yn y dyddiau cyn datganoli, buasai’n amhosibl dychmygu y câi mudiadau gwirfoddol y fath fynediad at y rhai sy’n gwneud penderfyniadau ag y maent yn ei gael yn awr. Fodd bynnag, unwaith eto, yr wyf am dynnu sylw at yr angen i’r mudiadau hynny fynd â’r maen i’r wal. Er enghraifft, yr oedd y cofnodion a ddarparwyd yn gymwynasgar gan y Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes o’i chyfarfod gyda’r sector ym mis Hydref yn cynnwys 10 pwynt gweithredu, fel y’u gelwid. Gallwn ddynodi dau ohonynt yn gamau gweithredu i’r Gweinidog a’i swyddogion, yr oedd dau’n gamau i’w cymryd gan y sector, ac yr oedd chwech yn golygu mwy o siarad. Pan gofiwch nad yw’r cyfarfodydd hyn ond yn digwydd bob chwe mis, mae gohirio trafodaethau am chwe mis arall yn gallu peri rhwystredigaeth. Mae’r deialog i’w chroesawu, ond gellid maddau i rai yn y sector am fod yn sinigaidd pan yw cyrff cyhoeddus a noddir gan y Cynulliad, er enghraifft, wrth i’r ddeialog fynd ymlaen, yn aml yn dilyn eu ffyrdd eu hunain. Gwelsom enghraifft o hyn yr wythnos yma lle y mae Dysgu ac Addysgu Cymru wedi dosbarthu materion hollbwysig am ei gyfeiriad polisi at y dyfodol am gyfnod ymgynghori o ddim ond pythefnos, gan ddisgwyl i ddarparwyr hyfforddiant sector gwirfoddol allu ymateb. Unwaith eto, gellid maddau i bobl am fod yn sinigaidd. Rhaid inni beri i’r cyrff cyhoeddus a noddir gan y Cynulliad gyflawni yn ôl yr agenda a gytunwyd.

There is also the issue of the relationship between the voluntary sector and local government. There are some good examples of such relationships: Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council allocates £9 million of ring-fenced money to voluntary organisations every year. Other authorities do well, but some are still taking a negative approach. Policy agreements have been signed, but some of them seem to be staying on paper. How tough is the Minister prepared to get with authorities that do not want to develop meaningful partnership, and when? That must be the question.

Mae mater yn codi hefyd ynghylch y cysylltiad rhwng y sector gwirfoddol a llywodraeth leol. Mae rhai enghreifftiau da o gysylltiadau o’r fath: mae Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Rhondda Cynon Taf yn dyrannu £9 miliwn o arian a glustnodwyd i fudiadau gwirfoddol bob blwyddyn. Mae awdurdodau eraill yn gwneud yn dda, ond mae agwedd rhai ohonynt yn negyddol o hyd. Arwyddwyd cytundebau polisi, ond mae’n ymddangos bod rhai ohonynt yn dal i fod ar bapur yn unig. Pa mor llym y mae’r Gweinidog yn barod i fod gydag awdurdodau nad ydynt am ddatblygu partneriaeth ystyrlon, a pha bryd? Rhaid gofyn y cwestiwn hwnnw.

We all agree that the voluntary sector has a vital role to play in our community, social and economic life. To maximise that potential, we must ensure that foundations of partnership, which are real and in place, are built on effectively. The sector must respond to that challenge. For example, it must ensure the full accountability of its members on the partnership council to the interest groups that they represent. They need to introduce competition between voluntary organisations working on similar issues. It can be difficult for local authorities or Ministers to decide which is the best charity if, for example, they must choose between two competing childcare charities.

Yr ydym oll yn cytuno bod gan y sector gwirfoddol ran hollbwysig i’w chwarae yn ein bywyd cymunedol, cymdeithasol ac economaidd. Er mwyn gwneud y defnydd mwyaf o’r potensial hwnnw, rhaid inni sicrhau yr adeiladir yn effeithiol ar seiliau’r bartneriaeth, sy’n rhai gwirioneddol a gweithredol. Rhaid i’r sector ymateb i’r her honno. Er enghraifft, rhaid iddo sicrhau bod ei aelodau ar y cyngor partneriaeth yn gwbl atebol i’r grwpiau buddiant y maent yn eu cynrychioli. Rhaid iddynt gyflwyno cystadlu rhwng mudiadau gwirfoddol sy’n gweithio ar faterion tebyg. Gall fod yn anodd i’r awdurdodau lleol neu’r Gweinidogion benderfynu pa un yw’r elusen orau os oes rhaid iddynt ddewis, er enghraifft, rhwng dwy elusen gofal plant sy’n cystadlu â’i gilydd.

I believe that the sector is on the case with this. Major organisations based outside Wales and working in Wales should also respond positively to devolution. We are all aware of the bad examples—the Children’s Society is the famous one, but there are others. However, there are also good examples, such as the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, which is consulting widely with all its members on developing the best possible structure for it to respond positively to the new political reality on behalf of people with serious mental illness.

Credaf fod y sector yn gweithredu ar y mater hwn. Dylai mudiadau mawr sydd wedi’u lleoli y tu allan i Gymru ac sy’n gweithio yng Nghymru ymateb yn gadarnhaol i ddatganoli hefyd. Yr ydym oll yn gwybod am yr enghreifftiau gwael—Cymdeithas y Plant yw’r un enwog, ond mae eraill. Er hynny, mae enghreifftiau da hefyd, fel y Gymdeithas Sgitsoffrenia Genedlaethol, sy’n ymgynghori’n eang ymysg ei holl aelodau ar ddatblygu’r strwythur gorau posibl iddi ymateb yn gadarnhaol i’r realiti gwleidyddol newydd ar ran pobl sydd â salwch meddwl difrifol.

Above all, this Government and Assembly need to deliver. The words and intention are right, but to deliver real change we must be prepared to tackle the vested interests, for example, in some sections of local government and in the ASPBs. The courage to do appears to be lacking sometimes. That courage must be found. It would be a tragedy if the sector lost faith in the Assembly’s commitment to real partnership and, above all, it would be a tragedy for the communities that those organisations serve and represent. If the Minister is prepared to get tough when she needs to, she will get our support, but when we see gaps between rhetoric and reality, it is our duty to draw attention to them.

Yn fwy na dim, rhaid i’r Llywodraeth hon a’r Cynulliad gyflawni’r angen. Mae’r geiriau a’r bwriad yn iawn, ond i gyflawni newid gwirioneddol rhaid inni fod yn barod i fynd i’r afael â’r buddiannau breintiedig, er enghraifft, mewn rhai rhannau o lywodraeth ac yn y cyrff cyhoeddus a noddir gan y Cynulliad. Mae’n ymddangos weithiau fod y dewrder i wneud hynny’n brin. Rhaid dod o hyd i’r dewrder hwnnw. Byddai’n drychineb pe byddai’r sector yn colli ffydd yn ymrwymiad y Cynulliad i bartneriaeth wirioneddol ac, yn fwy na dim, byddai’n drychineb i’r cymunedau y mae’r mudiadau hynny’n eu gwasanaethu a’u cynrychioli. Os yw’r Gweinidog yn barod i droi’r tu min pan fo angen iddi wneud hynny, fe gaiff ein cefnogaeth, ond pan welwn fylchau rhwng y rhethreg a’r realiti, ein dyletswydd ni yw tynnu sylw atynt.

Gwelliant 1 David Melding t. 84

Amendment 1 David Melding p. 84

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 46 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y gwelliant.

Amendment carried.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (46)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Nick Bourne
  • Eleanor Burnham
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Alun Cairns
  • Christine Chapman
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Jane Davidson
  • David Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • Janice Gregory
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Jane Hutt
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • David Lloyd
  • Val Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Janet Ryder
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Kirsty Williams
  • Phil Williams

DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 47 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0

Derbyniwyd y cynnig wedi’i ddiwygio.

Amended motion carried.

Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (47)
  • Lorraine Barrett
  • Mick Bates
  • Peter Black
  • Nick Bourne
  • Eleanor Burnham
  • Rosemary Butler
  • Alun Cairns
  • Christine Chapman
  • Cynog Dafis
  • Jane Davidson
  • Andrew Davies
  • David Davies
  • Glyn Davies
  • Janet Davies
  • Jocelyn Davies
  • Ron Davies
  • Sue Essex
  • Delyth Evans
  • Michael German
  • Brian Gibbons
  • William Graham
  • Janice Gregory
  • Christine Gwyther
  • Alison Halford
  • Brian Hancock
  • Edwina Hart
  • Jane Hutt
  • Pauline Jarman
  • Ann Jones
  • Carwyn Jones
  • Elin Jones
  • Helen Mary Jones
  • Ieuan Wyn Jones
  • Peter Law
  • Huw Lewis
  • David Lloyd
  • Val Lloyd
  • David Melding
  • Jonathan Morgan
  • Jenny Randerson
  • Janet Ryder
  • Gwenda Thomas
  • Owen John Thomas
  • Rhodri Glyn Thomas
  • Dafydd Wigley
  • Kirsty Williams
  • Phil Williams

Dadl Fer

Short Debate

Derbyniad Teledu a Radio yn Nwyrain Powys

Television and Radio Reception in East Powys

Nick Bourne spoken in English p. 86

Nick Bourne siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 86

I am pleased to be able to hold this debate and I have agreed that Kirsty Williams, Brian Gibbons and Cynog Dafis may speak for a minute each.

Yr wyf yn falch o allu cynnal y ddadl hon ac yr wyf wedi cytuno y caiff Kirsty Williams, Brian Gibbons a Cynog Dafis siarad am funud yr un.

It is somewhat ironic that although the subject of this debate is about television and radio reception in east Powys, many of the people to whom this is addressed will not be able to see it on television or hear it on the radio. I appreciate that there are problems in other parts of Wales, but I wanted to concentrate on this part because it is in the area that I represent and the problem is particularly severe there. It is a serious issue in Knighton and Presteigne. Unless the people there have digital television or satellite dishes they are unable to pick up news about Welsh sport, current events and even Welsh politics. I know that they are particularly keen on hearing about Welsh sport. They are not quite as keen on Welsh politics in that part of the world, from what I can gather. However, there is no doubt that, if they were able to tune in, that would quickly change and they would take an interest in what goes on in the Chamber.

Mae’n eironig braidd, er bod pwnc y ddadl hon yn ymwneud â derbyniad teledu a radio yn nwyrain Powys, na fydd llawer o’r rhai y cyfeirir hyn atynt yn gallu’i weld ar y teledu neu’i glywed ar y radio. Sylweddolaf fod problemau mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru, ond yr oeddwn am ganolbwyntio ar y rhan hon gan ei bod yn yr ardal a gynrychiolaf ac mae’r broblem yn arbennig o ddifrifol yno. Mae’n fater difrifol yn Nhrefyclo a Llanandras. Os nad yw’r rhai sydd yno’n meddu ar deledu digidol neu ddysglau lloeren ni allant godi newyddion am chwaraeon a digwyddiadau cyfoes yng Nghymru a hyd yn oed gwleidyddiaeth Cymru. Gwn eu bod yn arbennig o awyddus i glywed am chwaraeon yng Nghymru. Nid ydynt mor frwdfrydig ynghylch gwleidyddiaeth Cymru yn y parthau hynny, o’r hyn y gallaf ei gasglu. Fodd bynnag, nid oes amheuaeth, pe byddent yn gallu codi signal, na fyddai hynny’n newid yn fuan ac y byddent yn ymddiddori yn yr hyn sy’n mynd ymlaen yn y Siambr.

This is a serious issue. It is particularly inappropriate that people in east Powys can receive Midlands Today and therefore find out what is going on in Birmingham but do not know what is happening in their capital city. I do not think that telling these people that they can either get a satellite dish or wait for the switch to digital—which may not be until 2010—is a proper answer. Many people do not want to have to splash out on a satellite dish, or cannot afford to do so.

Mae hyn yn fater difrifol. Mae’n arbennig o amhriodol bod pobl yn nwyrain Powys yn gallu derbyn Midlands Today a chael gwybod felly am yr hyn sy’n mynd ymlaen yn Birmingham ond nad ydynt yn gwybod beth sy’n digwydd yn eu prifddinas. Ni chredaf mai dweud wrth y bobl hynny y gallant naill ai gael dysgl lloeren neu ddisgwyl am y newid i signal digidol—ac mae’n bosibl na fydd hynny’n digwydd tan 2010—yw’r ateb priodol. Mae llawer nad ydynt yn dymuno gwario ar ddysgl lloeren, neu’n methu â fforddio gwneud hynny.

This issue crops us time and time again. The BBC is aware of the problem with television, but—and I will get a reputation for BBC-bashing—it seems unaware of the problem with radio, although I do not think that that is solely the BBC’s fault. The problem with radio is not limited to east Powys. I was in Llanddew outside Brecon yesterday, where residents are unable to pick up Radio Wales much of the time. That is a serious issue.

Mae’r mater hwn yn codi dro ar ôl tro. Mae’r BBC yn ymwybodol o’r broblem ynghylch teledu, ond—a byddaf yn cael yr enw o fod yn un sy’n colbio’r BBC—mae’n ymddangos ei fod yn anymwybodol o’r broblem ynghylch radio, er nad wyf yn credu mai bai’r BBC yn unig ydyw. Nid yw’r broblem ynghylch radio’n gyfyngedig i ddwyrain Powys. Yr oeddwn yn Llan-ddew y tu allan i Aberhonddu ddoe, lle nad yw’r trigolion yn gallu codi Radio Wales yn aml. Mae hynny’n fater difrifol.

I have received a letter from Knighton town council, a community that particularly suffers from this problem. The letter stated:

Yr wyf wedi derbyn llythyr oddi wrth gyngor tref Trefyclo, sy’n gymuned sy’n dioddef yn arbennig gan y broblem hon. Meddai’r llythyr:

‘We held the first Youth Council in Wales recently, which was screened on Wales Today. Those people in the town who do not have a satellite dish may not even be aware that it had happened. Also some of the people who appeared on television may not have even seen their starring role. This is a ridiculous scenario as those with terrestrial aerials cannot view local issues on television.’

‘Gwnaethom gynnal y Cyngor Ieuenctid cyntaf yng Nghymru’n ddiweddar, ac fe’i dangoswyd ar Wales Today. Mae’n bosibl nad oedd y rhai yn y dref sydd heb ddysgl lloeren hyd yn oed yn gwybod ei fod wedi digwydd. Mae hefyd yn bosibl bod rhai o’r bobl a ymddangosodd ar y teledu heb weld y rhan amlwg yr oeddent wedi’i chwarae. Mae hon yn sefyllfa chwerthinllyd gan nad yw’r rhai sydd ag erialau daearol yn gallu gweld materion lleol ar y teledu.’

I agree that it is ridiculous. We have the technology—we can send people to the moon, and have done so since 1969. It should not be beyond the wit of the Government in Westminster and here in Cardiff bay to ensure that people in east Radnorshire and elsewhere in Wales can receive their national television channels and, in some cases, their national radio station. They cannot do that at the moment.

Yr wyf yn cytuno ei bod yn chwerthinllyd. Mae’r dechnoleg gennym—gallwn anfon pobl i’r lleuad, ac yr ydym wedi gwneud hynny ers 1969. Ni ddylai fod y tu hwnt i allu’r Llywodraeth yn San Steffan ac yma ym mae Caerdydd i sicrhau bod pobl yn nwyrain sir Faesyfed a mannau eraill yng Nghymru’n gallu derbyn eu sianeli teledu cenedlaethol ac, mewn rhai achosion, eu gorsaf radio genedlaethol. Ni allant wneud hynny ar hyn o bryd.

It is also appropriate that people throughout Wales should be able to receive S4C and Channel 4. It is desirable that we provide as much choice as possible, and it is not possible to get either or both those channels in much of Wales. Given the technology that we have, I hope that the Minister will press Westminster to ensure that we can work in partnership to ensure that this is available.

Mae hefyd yn briodol y dylai pobl ledled Cymru allu derbyn S4C a Channel 4. Mae’n ddymunol inni ddarparu cymaint o ddewis ag y bo modd, ac nid yw’n bosibl derbyn y naill neu’r llall neu’r ddwy sianel hynny mewn llawer o rannau o Gymru. O ystyried y dechnoleg sydd gennym, gobeithiaf y bydd y Gweinidog yn pwyso ar San Steffan i sicrhau y gallwn weithio mewn partneriaeth i sicrhau y bydd hyn ar gael.

The excuse that is often given is that we are only talking about a small minority of people. That may be the case, but everyone in Wales should be entitled to see their national news and sport and be able to receive news of national events. We have a uniform policy in relation to posting a letter, with a stamp costing the same for everyone throughout the country. The same should apply to hearing news on the radio or seeing it on television.

Yr esgus a roddir yn aml yw nad ydym ond yn sôn am leiafrif bach o bobl. Efallai fod hynny’n wir, ond dylai pawb yng Nghymru gael yr hawl i weld eu newyddion a chwaraeon cenedlaethol a gallu derbyn newyddion am ddigwyddiadau cenedlaethol. Mae gennym bolisi unffurf o ran postio llythyrau, ac mae stamp yn costio’r un faint i bawb drwy’r wlad. Dylai hynny fod yn wir hefyd am glywed newyddion ar y radio neu ei wylio ar y teledu.

I will now quote from another letter that I have received—I have received many, and not just since I chose this subject for my short debate. As I am sure Members representing mid Wales are aware, this has been an ongoing issue for some time, although it has been suggested in some quarters that this is not a problem. The letter reads:

Dyfynnaf yn awr o lythyr arall a dderbyniais—ac yr wyf wedi derbyn llawer, ac nid yn unig ers imi ddewis y pwnc hwn i’m dadl fer. Fel y gŵyr yr Aelodau sy’n cynrychioli canolbarth Cymru, yr wyf yn siŵr, mae’n broblem sy’n bod ers cryn amser, er y bu awgrym mewn rhai cylchoedd nad yw hyn yn broblem. Meddai’r llythyr:

‘Whilst Welsh programmes are available through the satellite network not all of the community are able to afford this means of accessing Welsh television.’

‘Er bod rhaglenni o Gymru ar gael drwy’r rhwydwaith lloeren nid yw pawb yn y gymuned yn gallu fforddio’r dull hwn o weld teledu o Gymru.’

Yet, repeatedly, this is given as a solution to this problem. It is like saying that the Ritz hotel is open to everybody. That may be true, but not everyone can afford to go there. Similarly, not everyone can afford a satellite dish, and there is no reason why we should require people to purchase one.

Eto, dro ar ôl tro, dyma’r ateb a gynigir i’r broblem hon. Mae hynny’r un fath â dweud bod gwesty’r Ritz yn agored i bawb. Efallai fod hynny’n wir, ond nid pawb sy’n gallu fforddio mynd yno. Yn yr un modd, nid pawb sy’n gallu fforddio dysgl lloeren, ac nid oes rheswm pam y dylem fynnu bod pobl yn prynu un.

This is a serious issue. Residents in east Radnorshire and elsewhere are being denied a public service for which they pay. There is a particular issue for Welsh speakers and learners, who are fairly numerous in the area, and who are unable to receive S4C. As I have said, that should be available throughout Wales.

Mae hyn yn fater difrifol. Gwrthodir gwasanaeth cyhoeddus i’r trigolion yn nwyrain sir Faesyfed ac mewn mannau eraill a hwythau’n talu amdano. Mae mater penodol yn codi ynghylch siaradwyr a dysgwyr y Gymraeg, y mae cryn nifer ohonynt yn yr ardal, sy’n methu â derbyn S4C. Fel y dywedais, dylai honno fod ar gael ledled Cymru.

The White Paper on communications, ‘A New Future for Communications’, states categorically that people should be able to:

Mae’r Papur Gwyn ar gyfathrebu, ‘A New Future for Communications’, yn datgan yn bendant y dylai pobl allu:

‘receive the regional programming intended for their community.’

‘derbyn y rhaglenni rhanbarthol a fwriedir i’w cymuned.’

I agree, but with the proviso that we are talking about national programming, not regional programming. People cannot receive that programming at the moment.

Yr wyf yn cytuno, ond ar yr amod ein bod yn sôn am raglenni cenedlaethol, nid rhaglenni rhanbarthol. Nid yw’r bobl yn gallu derbyn y rhaglenni hynny ar hyn o bryd.

The BBC has stated that analogue services are obsolescent, and the Government permits no further development of them. Yet, at the same time, it is still possible for people to buy analogue televisions. I am sure that they do not think that their new television, which appears to work quite well—albeit receiving English programming—is obsolete. As a solution, the BBC has suggested that, after analogue switch-off, the transmitters at Ridge Hill will be able to broadcast Welsh television to east Powys. This is welcome, but no firm date has been given for this. It may be 2006, it may be 2010, or it may be later still. No one is sure. Meanwhile, the people of east Powys continue to be frustrated and continue to be denied access to Welsh programming. This problem unites people in east Radnorshire—in Knighton, Presteigne, Gladestry and those surrounding areas. I believe that we could address this serious issue and make a difference. I hope that the Minister will bring forward positive proposals on this. I know that she has been listening and I am grateful for all that she has sought to do so far. Confronted with this problem, it would be easy for us to say that we cannot overcome it. However, the right course of action is to say that we can address it, and then identify the obstacles and work out how they can be overcome. I am sure that, united, we can benefit everyone in Wales by ensuring that people throughout the nation—not just the vast majority of people in south Wales and along the A55—can receive Welsh programming.

Mae’r BBC wedi datgan bod gwasanaethau analog ar ddiwedd eu hoes, ac nid yw’r Llywodraeth yn caniatáu unrhyw ddatblygu pellach ohonynt. Eto, ar yr un pryd, mae’n dal i fod yn bosibl i bobl brynu setiau teledu analog. Yr wyf yn sicr nad ydynt yn credu bod eu set deledu newydd, y mae’n ymddangos ei bod yn gweithio’n berffaith iawn—er ei bod yn derbyn rhaglenni o Loegr—wedi dod i ddiwedd ei hoes. Fel ateb i hyn, mae’r BBC wedi awgrymu y bydd y trosglwyddyddion yn Ridge Hill, ar ôl diffodd y gwasanaethau analog, yn gallu darlledu teledu o Gymru i ddwyrain Powys. Dylid croesawu hyn, ond ni roddwyd dyddiad pendant am hynny. Gallai fod yn 2006, gallai fod yn 2010, neu gallai fod yn hwyrach byth. Nid oes neb yn sicr. Yn y cyfamser, mae pobl dwyrain Powys yn dal i fod yn rhwystredig ac yn dal i fod heb gael mynediad at raglenni o Gymru. Mae’r broblem hon yn uno pobl dwyrain sir Faesyfed—yn Nhrefyclo, Llanandras, Llanfair Llythynwg a’r ardaloedd o’u cwmpas. Credaf y gallem ymdrin â’r mater difrifol hwn a gwneud gwahaniaeth. Gobeithiaf y bydd y Gweinidog yn cyflwyno cynigion cadarnhaol ar hyn. Gwn iddi fod yn gwrando ac yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am y cwbl a wnaeth hyd yn hyn. Yn wyneb y broblem hon, byddai’n hawdd inni ddweud na allwn ei goresgyn. Fodd bynnag, y cwrs gweithredu priodol yw dweud y gallwn ymdrin â hi, ac wedyn canfod y rhwystrau a dyfeisio modd i’w goresgyn. Yr wyf yn sicr y gallwn, yn unol, ddod â budd i bawb yng Nghymru drwy sicrhau bod pobl ledled y wlad—nid yn unig y mwyafrif helaeth yn y De ac ar hyd yr A55—yn gallu derbyn rhaglenni o Gymru.

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 89

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 89

I am grateful to Nick for raising this issue. However, my response to it is that the chance would be a fine thing because, notwithstanding Nick’s last comment, there are several areas along the south Wales corridor where people do not have any television reception at all, let alone national Welsh television. Hundreds of people in the upper Afan valley in my constituency do not have any television reception. The only way in which they can receive television is to buy a satellite dish, which can cost from £70 to £200 or £300—and this is one of the most socially and economically deprived areas in Wales, if not in the United Kingdom. It is ridiculous that these people must pay an extortionate TV licence fee in addition to the high satellite installation cost. We must recognise the reality for these people. If people must pay extra to get reception, we must seriously consider their TV licence fee.

Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar i Nick am godi’r mater hwn. Fodd bynnag, fy ymateb i yw ie, pe caem y cyfle, oherwydd, er gwaethaf sylw olaf Nick, mae sawl ardal ar hyd coridor y De lle nad yw pobl yn derbyn unrhyw deledu o gwbl, heb sôn am deledu cenedlaethol o Gymru. Mae cannoedd o bobl yng nghwm Afan uchaf yn fy etholaeth i nad ydynt yn derbyn unrhyw deledu o gwbl. Yr unig fodd y gallant dderbyn teledu yw prynu dysgl lloeren, sy’n gallu costio rhwng £70 a £200 neu £300—a hon yw un o’r ardaloedd mwyaf difreintiedig, yn gymdeithasol ac yn economaidd, yng Nghymru, os nad y Deyrnas Unedig. Mae’n chwerthinllyd bod y bobl hyn yn gorfod talu crocbris am drwydded deledu yn ogystal â’r gost fawr o osod teledu lloeren. Rhaid inni gydnabod sut y mae ar y bobl hyn. Os oes rhaid i bobl dalu ychwaneg i gael derbyniad, rhaid inni ystyried eu ffi trwydded deledu o ddifrif.

Kirsty Williams spoken in English p. 90

Kirsty Williams siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 90

I am grateful to Nick for allowing me a minute of his time. This is an acute problem. Broadcasting is not a devolved issue, but I am grateful to the Minister for making the representations which she outlined to me in her letter of 13 March, in which she described the issues that she is pursuing with the Westminster Government. I am also grateful to the Secretary of State for Wales for his positive response to overtures made by my colleague Roger Williams, the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Brecon and Radnorshire. We look forward to taking those issues forward in a meeting with the Independent Television Commission.

Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar i Nick am ganiatáu munud o’i amser i mi. Mae hon yn broblem ddifrifol. Nid yw darlledu’n fater a ddatganolwyd, ond yr wyf yn ddiolchgar i’r Gweinidog am gyflwyno’r sylwadau a amlinellodd i mi yn ei llythyr dyddiedig 13 Mawrth, lle y disgrifiodd y materion y mae’n eu trafod â Llywodraeth San Steffan. Yr wyf hefyd yn ddiolchgar i Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru am ei ymateb cadarnhaol i’r drafodaeth a agorwyd gan fy nghyd-aelod Roger Williams, Aelod Seneddol y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol dros Frycheiniog a Maesyfed. Edrychwn ymlaen at fynd ymhellach ar y materion hynny mewn cyfarfod â’r Comisiwn Teledu Annibynnol.

This issue raises two important points. First, the problem of engaging people in the political process in Wales. That is difficult, not only in east Powys but in other areas of Wales where people cannot receive Welsh television. It is extremely difficult for those people to engage in the process. This issue also has severe consequences for the Welsh language. If we want to develop and support the Welsh language in areas where Welsh speakers are not in the majority, we must provide people with opportunities to listen to and watch Welsh language broadcasting. These two points are crucial. It is not a case of waiting until 2010. Given the serious problems within the digital television industry, the analogue switch-off will be later rather than sooner, so we must take action now.

Mae’r mater hwn yn codi dau bwynt pwysig. Yn gyntaf, y broblem o gynnwys pobl yn y broses wleidyddol yng Nghymru. Mae hynny’n anodd, nid yn unig yn nwyrain Powys ond mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru lle na all pobl dderbyn teledu o Gymru. Mae’n anodd dros ben i’r bobl hynny gymryd rhan yn y broses. Mae canlyniadau difrifol yn y mater hwn i’r Gymraeg hefyd. Os ydym am ddatblygu a chefnogi’r Gymraeg mewn ardaloedd lle nad yw siaradwyr y Gymraeg yn fwyafrif, rhaid inni ddarparu cyfleoedd i bobl wrando a gwylio darlledu Cymraeg. Mae’r ddau bwynt hyn yn hollbwysig. Nid yw’n fater o ddisgwyl tan 2010. O ystyried y problemau difrifol yn y diwydiant teledu digidol, bydd y gwasanaethau analog yn cael eu diffodd yn hwyrach na hynny, nid ynghynt, felly rhaid inni weithredu’n awr.

Cynog Dafis siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 90

Cynog Dafis spoken in Welsh p. 90

Gwerthfawrogaf y ffaith bod Nick Bourne wedi codi’r mater hwn, sydd o bwys i undod cenedlaethol Cymru. Mae hefyd yn bwysig o ran cynnwys pawb yn y broses ddemocrataidd yng Nghymru. Cydymdeimlaf â sylwadau Brian Gibbons, ond ni ddylid cyflwyno’r ddadl honno fel dadl yn erbyn rhoi sylw arbennig i’r sefyllfa ar hyd y ffin. Beth amser yn ôl, cymerodd rhai Aelodau ran yn The People’s Assembly yn Nhrefyclo. Yr oedd yn chwerthinllyd nad allai pobl Trefyclo wrando ar raglen a recordiwyd yn eu tref eu hunain. Cafwyd ymdrechion i ddelio â’r mater hwn dros y blynyddoedd ac mae nifer ohonom wedi tynnu sylw ato mewn amryw ffyrdd. Bu gohebiaeth rhyngof a Jenny Randerson ar y pwnc hwn, ac y mae’n ceisio ymateb i’r sefyllfa. Fodd bynnag, ni chredaf i’r mater gael ei gymryd ddigon o ddifrif ac ni fu cydweithio digonol rhwng y gwahanol ddarlledwyr, darparwyr y trosglwyddyddion ac ati. Mae angen strategaeth gydlynol i ddatrys y broblem hon.

I appreciate the fact that Nick Bourne has raised this issue, which is important to Wales’s national unity. It is also important in terms of including everyone in the democratic process in Wales. I understand Brian Gibbons’s points, but that argument should not be voiced as a case against paying particular attention to the situation along the border. A while back, some Members took part in The People’s Assembly in Knighton. It was ridiculous that the people of Knighton were unable to listen to a programme that was recorded in their own town. Attempts have been made to address this issue over the years, and many of us have drawn attention to it in many ways. I have been in correspondence with Jenny Randerson on this issue, and she is trying to respond to the situation. However, I do not believe that the issue has been taken seriously enough and there has not been sufficient co-operation between various broadcasters, transmitter providers and so on. A cohesive strategy is required to solve this problem.

Jenny Randerson The Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language spoken in English p. 91

Jenny Randerson Y Gweinidog dros Ddiwylliant, Chwaraeon a’r Gymraeg siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 91

I am pleased that Nick used this opportunity today to highlight this topic, which I regard as a matter of serious concern. One worrying statistic is that 40 per cent of people in Wales do not choose, or are not able, to watch Welsh television. However, only 2.5 per cent of people are really unable to watch Welsh television. There are two issues here: one is the number of people who cannot get the signal and the other is why people choose not to watch Welsh programming. Hidden in that statistic of people who can receive Welsh television but choose not to, are people who can get the signal but the signal from England is better. Therefore, they choose a signal from England rather than from Wales.

Yr wyf yn falch bod Nick wedi manteisio ar y cyfle hwn heddiw i dynnu sylw at y pwnc hwn, a ystyriaf yn fater sy’n peri pryder difrifol. Un ystadegyn sy’n peri pryder yw bod 40 y cant o bobl Cymru’n dewis peidio, neu’n methu, gwylio teledu o Gymru. Fodd bynnag, dim ond 2.5 y cant sydd heb allu gwylio teledu o Gymru mewn gwirionedd. Mae dau fater yn codi yma: un yw’r nifer na allant gael y signal a’r llall yw pam y mae pobl yn dewis peidio â gwylio rhaglenni o Gymru. Ynghudd yn yr ystadegyn hwnnw am bobl sy’n gallu derbyn teledu o Gymru ond yn dewis peidio y mae’r rhai sy’n gallu cael y signal ond bod y signal o Loegr yn well. Felly, maent yn dewis signal o Loegr yn hytrach nag o Gymru.

Eleanor Burnham spoken in English p. 91

Eleanor Burnham siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 91

During my first week in the Assembly last year, when I was staying in a hotel in Cardiff, it was not possible to receive Welsh television. When I asked about it, I was told that there was no demand for Welsh programming. That is a huge issue. People must be told about what is going on, even in Cardiff.

Yn ystod fy wythnos gyntaf yn y Cynulliad y llynedd, pan oeddwn yn aros mewn gwesty yng Nghaerdydd, nid oedd yn bosibl derbyn teledu o Gymru. Pan holais ynghylch hynny, dywedwyd wrthyf nad oedd galw am raglenni o Gymru. Mae hynny’n bwnc mawr. Rhaid dweud wrth bobl am yr hyn sy’n mynd ymlaen, hyd yn oed yng Nghaerdydd.

Jenny Randerson spoken in English p. 92

Jenny Randerson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 92

As someone who travels around Wales a great deal, I am distressed when I sit in a hotel room in Wrexham, or in mid or north Wales—even as far north as Llandudno—and receive English television. It occasionally happens in west Wales, but more often in mid and north Wales. I do not want to know about traffic jams in the midlands. I can understand what you say, Nick, that people may not be so keen on Welsh politics, but on the other hand, I believe that they are interested in the life that goes on around them. I wonder whether we have done enough. As a nation, we have not yet done enough, and neither have our broadcasters, to raise people’s awareness of the need to watch local news.

Fel un sy’n teithio o gwmpas Cymru lawer iawn, mae’n ofid i mi pan eisteddaf mewn ystafell gwesty yn Wrecsam, neu yn y Canolbarth neu’r Gogledd—hyd yn oed mor bell i’r gogledd â Llandudno—a derbyn teledu o Loegr. Mae’n digwydd weithiau yn y Gorllewin, ond yn amlach yn y Canolbarth a’r Gogledd. Nid wyf am wybod am dagfeydd traffig yng nghanolbarth Lloegr. Gallaf ddeall yr hyn a ddywedwch, Nick, ei bod yn bosibl nad yw pobl mor frwdfrydig â hynny ynghylch gwleidyddiaeth Cymru, ond ar y llaw arall, credaf eu bod yn ymddiddori yn y bywyd sy’n mynd ymlaen o’u cwmpas. Yr wyf yn meddwl tybed a wnaethom ddigon. Fel cenedl, ni wnaethom ddigon, ac ni wnaeth ein darlledwyr ychwaith, i hybu ymwybyddiaeth pobl o’r angen i wylio newyddion lleol.

You commented on radio. In preparing for this debate, I did some research. The BBC said that it had not received complaints about Radio Wales. If you have received complaints, it would be helpful if you could pass them on to me so that I can deal with them, or the complainants could talk directly to the BBC. That problem has not been obvious. Brian Gibbons rightly said that Powys is not the only area that suffers from this problem. Given the importance of television in our cultural and everyday lives, it is obvious that it contributes to an informed democracy. I am sometimes amazed that the turnout for the Assembly elections was as high as it was, since more than a third of the people of Wales were not receiving any information about the campaign and had no idea who their candidates were, apart from information that might have come through their letterboxes. We should be worried about that issue in terms of engagement with our democratic processes. A previous debate mentioned the Assembly’s accessibility and how you can be accessible when you are not being heard by people. We must address those issues.

Gwnaethoch sylw am radio. Wrth baratoi at y ddadl hon, gwneuthum beth ymchwil. Dywedodd y BBC nad oedd wedi derbyn cwynion am Radio Wales. Os ydych wedi derbyn cwynion, byddai o gymorth pe gallech eu trosglwyddo i mi fel y gallaf ddelio â hwy, neu gallai’r achwynwyr siarad yn uniongyrchol â’r BBC. Ni fu’r broblem yn un amlwg. Yr oedd Brian Gibbons yn iawn wrth ddweud nad Powys yw’r unig ardal sy’n dioddef gan y broblem hon. O ystyried mor bwysig yw teledu yn ein bywyd diwylliannol a’n bywyd bob dydd, mae’n amlwg ei fod yn cyfrannu at ddemocratiaeth wybodus. Yr wyf yn synnu weithiau bod y nifer a bleidleisiodd yn etholiadau’r Cynulliad cyn uched ag yr oedd, gan nad oedd mwy na thraean o bobl Cymru’n derbyn unrhyw wybodaeth am yr ymgyrch ac nid oedd ganddynt unrhyw syniad pwy oedd eu hymgeiswyr, ar wahân i’r wybodaeth a allai fod wedi dod drwy eu twll llythyrau. Dylem fod yn bryderus ynghylch y mater hwnnw o ran cynnwys pobl yn ein prosesau democrataidd. Soniwyd mewn dadl flaenorol am hygyrchedd y Cynulliad a sut y gallwch fod yn hygyrch pan nad yw pobl yn eich clywed. Rhaid inni ymdrin â’r materion hynny.

Recent research commissioned by the Independent Television Commission and the Broadcasting Standards Commission emphasised that television is still people’s main source of world news. It outstrips newspapers and radio by a considerable margin. The people’s views survey in 2001 showed that in Wales, 61 per cent of people favoured television compared with 27 per cent of people who preferred newspapers and six per cent who preferred radio as a source of news. These figures underline the importance of today’s issue, Nick. I have answered a number of letters from colleagues this year on the subject of television reception in east Powys and the problem with access to Welsh programming, which has existed for far too long. Even at the time when the relay station building programme was ongoing, problems in that particular area of Powys were not overcome. In 1996—strictly speaking, you were not correct, Nick—the Government agreed to the broadcasters’ request to replace expenditure on the building programme with investment in digital services. The Government did not refuse them permission; the broadcasters requested it. Unfortunately, the opportunity that existed in 1996 has now passed. The building programme has now ended and I fully understand the frustration of viewers in that area. It is easy to say that the best option to gain access to Welsh programming for these areas is digital television. I understand what you say, that this is not an option financially for people in many cases, and why should they be forced into it?

Mae ymchwil ddiweddar a gomisiynwyd gan y Comisiwn Teledu Annibynnol a’r Comisiwn Safonau Darlledu yn pwysleisio mai teledu yw’r brif ffynhonnell o hyd am newyddion y byd. Mae ymhell ar y blaen i bapurau newydd a’r radio. Yn yr arolwg o farn pobl yn 2001 dangoswyd mai 61 y cant yng Nghymru a oedd yn ffafrio teledu o’i gymharu â 27 y cant a oedd yn ffafrio papurau newydd a 6 y cant a oedd yn ffafrio radio fel ffynhonnell newyddion. Mae’r ffigurau hyn yn tanlinellu pwysigrwydd y pwnc heddiw, Nick. Yr wyf wedi ateb sawl llythyr oddi wrth fy nghyd-Aelodau eleni ar bwnc derbyniad teledu yn nwyrain Powys a’r broblem o ran cael rhaglenni o Gymru, sydd wedi parhau’n llawer rhy hir. Hyd yn oed pan oedd y rhaglen adeiladu gorsafoedd trosglwyddo’n mynd ymlaen, ni gafodd y problemau yn y rhan arbennig honno o Bowys eu goresgyn. Yn 1996—a bod yn fanwl, nid oeddech yn gywir, Nick—cytunodd y Llywodraeth â chais y darlledwyr i fuddsoddi mewn gwasanaethau digidol yn lle gwario ar y rhaglen adeiladu. Nid gwrthod caniatâd iddynt a wnaeth y Llywodraeth; y darlledwyr a ofynnodd am hynny. Gwaetha’r modd, mae’r cyfle a oedd yn bod yn 1996 wedi mynd heibio. Mae’r rhaglen adeiladu wedi dod i ben bellach ac yr wyf yn llwyr ddeall rhwystredigaeth y gwylwyr yn yr ardal honno. Hawdd dweud mai’r dewis gorau i’r ardaloedd hynny gael rhaglenni o Gymru yw teledu digidol. Yr wyf yn deall yr hyn a ddywedwch, nad yw hyn yn ddewis fforddiadwy i bobl mewn llawer o achosion, a pham y dylent gael eu gorfodi i wneud hyn?

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 93

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 93

You stated that the building programme has ended, and that 2.5 per cent of the Welsh population do not get any reception. That 2.5 per cent will increase dramatically in relative terms with the transition to digital television. What is your best estimate of the number who will not receive digital television, or no reception at all, if no further relay stations are put in place? I suspect that it could be as high as one in 20 people in Wales, which would be unacceptably high.

Gwnaethoch ddatgan bod y rhaglen adeiladu wedi dod i ben, ac nad oes derbyniad gan 2.5 y cant o boblogaeth Cymru. Bydd y 2.5 y cant hwnnw’n cynyddu’n drawiadol yn gymharol wrth newid i deledu digidol. Beth yw’r amcangyfrif gorau sydd gennych am y nifer na fydd yn derbyn teledu digidol, neu unrhyw ddarlledu o gwbl, os na chodir rhagor o orsafoedd trosglwyddo? Amheuaf y gallai fod cyn uched ag un ym mhob 20 o bobl Cymru, a fyddai’n annerbyniol o uchel.

Jenny Randerson spoken in English p. 93

Jenny Randerson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 93

There are many issues relating to the switch off of analogue television. We had a good debate in Plenary in which we had unanimity, I believe, on our response to this issue, that analogue television should not be switched off until the digital option was available both physically and financially. That suggests that the Government could provide some kind of incentive to people to switch to digital as analogue becomes obsolete. However, the date fixed was 2010. That date is now—

Mae llawer o faterion yn codi mewn cysylltiad â diffodd teledu analog. Cawsom ddadl dda yn y Cyfarfod Llawn pan oeddem yn gytûn, mi gredaf, yn ein hymateb i’r mater hwn, sef na ddylid diffodd teledu analog nes bod y dewis digidol ar gael yn ffisegol ac yn ariannol. Mae hynny’n awgrymu y gallai’r Llywodraeth gynnig rhyw fath o anogaeth i bobl droi at deledu digidol tua diwedd oes teledu analog. Fodd bynnag, y dyddiad a bennwyd oedd 2010. Mae’r dyddiad hwnnw—

Brian Gibbons a gododd—

Brian Gibbons rose—

Jenny Randerson spoken in English p. 94

Jenny Randerson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 94

Sorry, Brian, can I just finish answering this point? That date is now possibly in doubt because of all the problems that there have been with digital television. The issue that you raise comes afresh because one can no longer say for certain that there will be a switch off.

Mae’n ddrwg gennyf, Brian, a gaf orffen ateb y pwynt hwn? Mae’n bosibl bod ansicrwydd ynghylch y dyddiad hwnnw’n awr oherwydd yr holl broblemau a fu ynglŷn â theledu digidol. Mae’r mater a godwch yn codi o’r newydd oherwydd ni all neb ddweud yn sicr y bydd diffodd.

Brian Gibbons a gododd—

Brian Gibbons rose—

Jenny Randerson spoken in English p. 94

Jenny Randerson siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 94

I am sorry, I must make progress.

Mae’n ddrwg gennyf, rhaid imi symud ymlaen.

I accept that insistence on switching to digital is unacceptable, though it is the most efficient means of transmission. It will free up the spectrum to bring economic benefits as it can then be allocated to other uses. Forty-two per cent of Welsh households now receive digital television. We are ahead of the rest of the UK where the figure is 40 per cent. Why is that? It is probably that we have been forced into it to get some kind of good reception. The take up of digital television is, however, bringing improvements for Welsh viewers because digital satellite viewers with Welsh postcodes now automatically receive, as a service preference, the Welsh services for the BBC and S4C, and Channels 4 and 5. However, the key phrase there is ‘Welsh postcode’. Ironically, not all Welsh postcodes are in Wales. Some of the people receiving S4C live in England while around the Wrexham area there are people with English postcodes unable to receive Welsh television. We therefore have another new problem to deal with.

Yr wyf yn derbyn bod mynnu bod pobl yn troi at deledu digidol yn annerbyniol, er mai hwnnw yw’r dull trosglwyddo mwyaf effeithlon. Bydd yn rhyddhau’r sbectrwm i ddod â buddion economaidd gan fod modd ei ddyrannu wedyn i ddibenion eraill. Mae 42 y cant o gartrefi Cymru’n derbyn teledu digidol bellach. Yr ydym ar y blaen i weddill y DU lle y mae’r ffigur yn 40 y cant. Pam hynny? Y rheswm tebygol yw ein bod wedi ein gorfodi i wneud hynny er mwyn cael derbyniad da o ryw fath. Fodd bynnag, mae’r nifer sy’n manteisio ar deledu digidol yn dod â gwelliannau i’r gwylwyr yng Nghymru gan fod y gwylwyr lloeren digidol sydd â chod post Cymreig bellach yn derbyn gwasanaethau Cymreig y BBC ac S4C, a Channel 4 a Channel 5, yn awtomatig, fel dewis gwasanaeth. Fodd bynnag, y geiriau allweddol yw ‘cod post Cymreig’. Yn eironig, nid yw pob cod post Cymreig yng Nghymru. Mae rhai sy’n derbyn S4C yn byw yn Lloegr tra bo rhai yng nghyffiniau Wrecsam â chod post Seisnig nad ydynt yn gallu derbyn teledu o Gymru. Felly mae gennym broblem newydd arall sy’n hawlio sylw.

I have already referred to the Assembly’s robust response to the UK Government’s White Paper. The UK Government has undertaken to discuss with broadcasters the issue of appropriate national and regional broadcasting. We welcomed this move and asked the Government to carefully consider the situation in all parts of Wales and to examine all possible solutions. You have my undertaking that I am in regular contact with Kim Howells, the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting, and I am also making my views known via the Wales Office. Therefore, we have two channels of communication on this issue. We identified two aspects in the issue of appropriate regional programming and suggested that the UK Government should consider marketing or incentives to encourage all those who can receive Welsh programming to take up the option by redirecting their aerials. We have also suggested that, when switchover occurs, Welsh programming could be provided from transmitters in England—this is relevant to the point raised by Brian—using some of the spare spectrum that will be freed up on switchover. This could help people in east Powys who currently receive programming from Ridge Hill in Herefordshire, as Nick mentioned. I am happy to take up the issue of the date on your behalf. However, this would not have a direct impact on the people living in Brian’s constituency.

Cyfeiriais eisoes at ymateb cadarn y Cynulliad i Bapur Gwyn Llywodraeth y DU. Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi addo trafod mater darlledu cenedlaethol a rhanbarthol priodol gyda’r darlledwyr. Gwnaethom groesawu’r symudiad hwn a gofyn i’r Llywodraeth ystyried y sefyllfa ym mhob rhan o Gymru’n ofalus ac ymchwilio i’r holl atebion posibl. Yr wyf yn eich sicrhau fy mod yn cysylltu’n rheolaidd â Kim Howells, y Gweinidog dros Dwristiaeth, Ffilm a Darlledu, ac yr wyf hefyd yn rhoi gwybod am fy marn drwy Swyddfa Cymru. Felly, mae gennym ddau gyfrwng cyfathrebu ar y mater hwn. Gwnaethom ddynodi dwy agwedd ar fater rhaglenni rhanbarthol priodol ac awgrymu y dylai Llywodraeth y DU ystyried marchnata neu anogaethau i gymell pawb sy’n gallu derbyn rhaglenni o Gymru i fanteisio ar y dewis drwy ailgyfeirio eu herialau. Yr ydym hefyd wedi awgrymu, pan fydd y newid yn digwydd, y gellid darparu rhaglenni o Gymru o drosglwyddyddion yn Lloegr—mae hyn yn berthnasol i’r pwynt a gododd Brian—gan ddefnyddio rhywfaint o’r sbectrwm sydd dros ben a gaiff ei ryddhau wrth newid. Gallai hynny helpu pobl yn nwyrain Powys sy’n derbyn eu rhaglenni ar hyn o bryd o Ridge Hill yn sir Henffordd, fel y dywedodd Nick. Byddaf yn falch o godi mater y dyddiad ar eich rhan. Fodd bynnag, ni châi hynny effaith uniongyrchol ar y bobl sy’n byw yn etholaeth Brian.

The UK Government has been carrying out consultations on spectrum disposal with the broadcasters. I will send a copy of the Record of Proceedings of today’s session to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in order to flag up this issue again. I will also send a copy to all our representatives on the various broadcasting bodies, of which there are several, both in radio and television. It is important that we raise their awareness of these issues at every possible opportunity.

Bu Llywodraeth y DU yn ymgynghori ar ddefnydd y sbectrwm gyda’r darlledwyr. Anfonaf gopi o gofnodion y cyfarfod heddiw yng Nghofnod y Trafodion at Adran Diwylliant, y Cyfryngau a Chwaraeon er mwyn tynnu sylw at y mater hwn eto. Anfonaf gopi hefyd at ein holl gynrychiolwyr ar y gwahanol gyrff darlledu, y ceir nifer ohonynt, ym maes radio a theledu. Mae’n bwysig inni hybu eu hymwybyddiaeth o’r materion hyn ar bob cyfle a geir.

As has been said, broadcasting is not a devolved responsibility. The UK Government is setting up the Office of Communications, and is maintaining its arm’s length position in relation to broadcasting. When we receive the draft of the forthcoming Communications Bill, we must examine the powers that will be vested in Ofcom. The White Paper committed the Government to considering ways of improving access to regional programming, as has been said. We must wait until the draft Bill is published to see what Ofcom’s powers will be in this respect. I am sure that we will want to consider this and comment on it. The UK Government will publish the Bill shortly. The projected publication date is 8 May, and the Bill will then be open to public consultation for three months. Members of the Culture Committee will consider the draft Bill once the consultation period is underway. I look forward to engaging with them, the broadcasters and other Members during the next few months. We engaged the whole of the Assembly in our response last time, and I anticipate doing so again. I expect to bring a response to a Plenary session in July, which will be another opportunity for Members to flag up any concerns. I am grateful for every opportunity to raise these issues.

Fel y dywedwyd, nid yw darlledu’n gyfrifoldeb a ddatganolwyd. Mae Llywodraeth y DU yn sefydlu’r Swyddfa Cyfathrebu, ac yn parhau â’i hymagwedd hyd braich at ddarlledu. Pan fyddwn yn cael y drafft o’r Mesur Cyfathrebu sydd i ddod, bydd yn rhaid inni edrych ar y pwerau a gaiff eu hymddiried i Ofcom. Yr oedd y Papur Gwyn yn rhwymo’r Llywodraeth i ystyried dulliau o wella’r mynediad at raglenni rhanbarthol, fel y dywedwyd. Rhaid inni ddisgwyl hyd nes y cyhoeddir y Mesur drafft i weld beth fydd pwerau Ofcom yn hyn o beth. Yr wyf yn sicr y byddwn am ystyried hyn a gwneud sylwadau arno. Bydd Llywodraeth y DU yn cyhoeddi’r Mesur cyn hir. Y dyddiad cyhoeddi a ragwelir yw 8 Mai, a bydd y Mesur yn agored wedyn i ymgynghori cyhoeddus am dri mis. Bydd aelodau’r Pwyllgor Diwylliant yn ystyried y Mesur drafft ar ôl dechrau’r cyfnod ymgynghori. Edrychaf ymlaen at gysylltu â hwy, y darlledwyr a’r Aelodau eraill yn ystod y misoedd nesaf hyn. Gwnaethom gysylltu’r Cynulliad cyfan â’n hymateb y tro diwethaf, a rhagwelaf y byddaf yn gwneud hynny eto. Yr wyf yn disgwyl y byddaf yn dod ag ymateb i Gyfarfod Llawn ym mis Gorffennaf, a fydd yn gyfle arall i’r Aelodau dynnu sylw at unrhyw bryderon. Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am bob cyfle i godi’r materion hyn.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 96

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 96

Daw hynny â chyfarfod heddiw i ben.

That brings today’s proceedings to a close.

Daeth y sesiwn i ben am 12.24 p.m.

The session ended at 12.24 p.m.