Cynulliad Cenedlaethol CymruNational Assembly for Wales · Cyfarfod llawnPlenary sitting
Dydd Mawrth 15 Hydref 2002
Tuesday 15 October 2002
CynnwysContents
- 3Datganiad Personol gan David Ian JonesPersonal Statement by David Ian Jones
- 3Cwestiynau i Brif Weinidog CymruQuestions to the First Minister
- 3Amserau Aros yn Ysbytai CymruHospital Waiting Times
- 8Cnydau GMGM Policy
- 9Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol CaerdyddSocial Services in Cardiff
- 12Gwasanaethau CymdeithasolSocial Services
- 13Cyfarfodydd y CabinetCabinet Meetings
- 16Ffyniant EconomaiddEconomic Prosperity
- 17Gwerthu Tân GwylltSale of Fireworks
- 19Prosiectau Menter Cyllid PreifatPrivate Funding Initiative Projects
- 20Uwchgynhadledd JohannesburgJohannesburg Summit
- 22Yr Adran Gwaith a PhensiynauDepartment for Work and Pensions
- 24Datganiad ar Ganolfan Mileniwm CymruStatement on the Wales Millennium Centre
- 34Datganiad BusnesBusiness Statement
- 36Pwyntiau o DrefnPoints of Order
- 39Cynnig TrefniadolProcedural Motion 1 bleidlais1 vote
- 41Gorchymyn Deddf Cefn Gwlad a Hawliau Tramwy 2000 (Cychwyn Rhif 3) (Cymru) 2002The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (Commencement No. 3)(Wales) Order 2002 2 o bleidleisiau2 votes
- 43Pwynt o DrefnPoint of Order
- 43Cymeradwyo Cyllideb Ddrafft y CynulliadApproval of the Assembly’s Draft Budget 6 o bleidleisiau6 votes
PleidleisiauVotes
| PleidlaisVote | O blaidFor | YmatalAbstain | Yn erbynAgainst | CanlyniadResult |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cynnig TrefniadolProcedural Motion | ||||
| Cynnig trefniadolProcedural motion | 54 | 0 | 0 | DerbyniwydAdopted |
| Gorchymyn Deddf Cefn Gwlad a Hawliau Tramwy 2000 (Cychwyn Rhif 3) (Cymru) 2002The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (Commencement No. 3)(Wales) Order 2002 | ||||
| Cynnig NNDM1169Motion NNDM1169 | 45 | 0 | 9 | DerbyniwydAdopted |
| Cynnig NNDM1170Motion NNDM1170 | 44 | 0 | 9 | DerbyniwydAdopted |
| Cymeradwyo Cyllideb Ddrafft y CynulliadApproval of the Assembly’s Draft Budget | ||||
| Gwelliant 1Amendment 1 | 23 | 0 | 31 | GwrthodwydRejected |
| Gwelliant 2Amendment 2 | 8 | 15 | 31 | GwrthodwydRejected |
| Gwelliant 3Amendment 3 | 22 | 0 | 32 | GwrthodwydRejected |
| Gwelliant 4Amendment 4 | 23 | 0 | 31 | GwrthodwydRejected |
| Gwelliant 5Amendment 5 | 15 | 0 | 39 | GwrthodwydRejected |
| Cynnig NDM1168Motion NDM1168 | 31 | 0 | 23 | DerbyniwydAdopted |
TrafodionProceedings
Cyfarfu’r Cynulliad am 2 p.m. gyda’r Llywydd yn y Gadair.
The Assembly met at 2 p.m. with the Presiding Officer in the Chair.
Datganiad Personol gan David Ian Jones
Personal Statement by David Ian Jones
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 3
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 3
Fy nyletswydd cyntaf yw croesawu Aelod newydd, David Ian Jones.
My first duty is to welcome a new Member, David Ian Jones.
Thank you, Presiding Officer, for your warm welcome today, and for the welcome of Members. My time in this Assembly will be, of necessity, short, but I hope that during that time I will be able to do my best to serve the people of Wales, particularly the people of north Wales.
Diolch i chi, Lywydd, am eich croeso cynnes heddiw, ac am groeso’r Aelodau. Byr fydd fy amser yn y Cynulliad hwn, o reidrwydd, ond gobeithiaf y byddaf yn gallu gwneud fy ngorau yn ystod y cyfnod hwnnw i wasanaethu pobl Cymru, a phobl gogledd Cymru’n enwedig.
Cwestiynau i Brif Weinidog Cymru
Questions to the First Minister
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 3
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 3
Tynnwyd cwestiwn 1 (OAQ19344) yn ôl.
Question 1 (OAQ 19344) has been withdrawn.
Amserau Aros yn Ysbytai Cymru
Hospital Waiting Times
Will the First Minister make a statement on hospital waiting times in Wales? (OAQ19367) [R]
A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad ar amserau aros yn ysbytai Cymru? (OAQ19367) [R]
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 3
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 3
We know that the answer to waiting lists and long waiting times is significant investment in the NHS. That has been provided and will continue to be provided. The Finance Minister will give more details in her budget statement later this afternoon. We want to see innovation in care, such as that being carried out in the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, which serves your constituency. The acute medical unit there now has a consultant, a trust nurse practitioner and two trust fellows—who were appointed last month—who can arrange immediate investigations or discharge patients. They will also spend time in the accident and emergency department assessing patients.
Gwyddom mai’r ateb i restrau aros ac amseroedd aros hir yw buddsoddi sylweddol yn y GIG. Darparwyd hynny a pharheir i’w ddarparu. Bydd y Gweinidog Cyllid yn rhoi rhagor o fanylion yn ei datganiad cyllideb yn ddiweddarach y prynhawn yma. Yr ydym am weld arloesi mewn gofal, fel yr hyn a gyflawnir yn Ysbyty Brenhinol Morgannwg, sy’n gwasanaethu’ch etholaeth chi. Bellach, mae gan yr uned feddygol aciwt yno ymgynghorydd, nyrs ymarferwr ymddiriedolaeth a dau gymrodor ymddiriedolaeth—a benodwyd y mis diwethaf—sy’n gallu trefnu archwiliadau ar unwaith neu ryddhau cleifion. Byddant hefyd yn treulio amser yn yr adran ddamweiniau ac achosion brys yn asesu cleifion.
You will be aware of the desperate need for improved drug detox and rehabilitation treatment in my constituency. The waiting time for treatment can be as long as 18 months. However, you may not be aware that the situation has deteriorated further recently due to a lack of resources, which means that the local community drug and alcohol team can no longer accept any new applications for treatment. Will you give an assurance that the necessary funding will be allocated to the community drug and alcohol team so that it can reopen its books immediately, start tackling the huge backlog of patients, and provide the service that is needed?
Byddwch yn ymwybodol o’r angen taer am well triniaeth dadwenwyno ac ailsefydlu o ganlyniad i gyffuriau yn fy etholaeth. Gall yr amser aros am driniaeth fod cyn hwyed â 18 mis. Fodd bynnag, efallai nad ydych yn ymwybodol bod y sefyllfa wedi dirywio ymhellach yn ddiweddar oherwydd prinder adnoddau, sy’n golygu nad yw’r tîm alcohol a chyffuriau cymunedol lleol bellach yn gallu derbyn unrhyw geisiadau newydd am driniaeth. A wnewch roi sicrwydd y caiff y cyllid angenrheidiol ei ddyrannu i’r tîm alcohol a chyffuriau cymunedol fel y gall ailagor ei lyfrau ar unwaith, dechrau mynd i’r afael â’r ôl-groniad anferth o gleifion, a darparu’r gwasanaeth y mae ei angen?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 4
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4
I am grateful to Geraint for bringing this situation to my attention. I cannot give him a guarantee that I can solve the problem, but I will undertake to talk to the two relevant Ministers, Jane Hutt and Edwina Hart, as the situation clearly cannot be allowed to continue. There may be further announcements on that, consequent to the budget.
Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar i Geraint am ddod â’r sefyllfa hon i’m sylw. Ni allaf roi sicrwydd iddo y gallaf ddatrys y broblem, ond ymgymeraf i siarad â’r ddau Weinidog perthnasol, Jane Hutt ac Edwina Hart, gan ei bod yn amlwg na ellir caniatáu i’r sefyllfa hon barhau. Efallai y bydd cyhoeddiadau pellach ar hynny, o ganlyniad i’r gyllideb.
Do you agree that a key component of any drive to reduce waiting times is the recruitment of doctors of all specialisms into our most deprived communities? Will you join me in congratulating the award-winning primary care support unit, which is working with local practices to recruit general practitioners into the Cynon Valley? Will you also ensure that measures are in place to encourage GPs into our poorest Valleys’ communities, which, as you know, suffer the highest rates of ill health?
A ydych yn cytuno bod recriwtio meddygon ym mhob arbenigaeth i’n cymunedau mwyaf difreintiedig yn rhan allweddol o unrhyw ymgyrch i leihau amseroedd aros? A wnewch ymuno â mi i longyfarch yr uned gynnal gofal sylfaenol arobryn, sy’n gweithio gyda phractisiau lleol i recriwtio meddygon teulu i Gwm Cynon? A wnewch hefyd sicrhau bod mesurau ar waith i ddenu meddygon teulu i gymunedau tlotaf y Cymoedd, sydd, fel y gwyddoch, yn dioddef y cyfraddau uchaf o iechyd gwael?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 4
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4
I will. We have made, and adhere to, a general commitment to provide an additional 700 consultants or GPs, 6,000 nurses and 2,000 professionals allied to medicine, between 2002 and 2010. However, there are recruitment problems in some areas, of which the Valleys is an outstanding example. Ensuring that there are sufficient incentives for GPs or professionals allied to medicine to move to such areas to replace retiring GPs is a high priority for us.
Gwnaf. Yr ydym wedi gwneud ymrwymiad cyffredinol i ddarparu 700 o ymgynghorwyr neu feddygon teulu, 6,000 o nyrsys a 2,000 o weithwyr proffesiynol perthynol i feddygaeth yn ychwanegol, rhwng 2002 a 2010, a chadwn at yr ymrwymiad hwnnw. Fodd bynnag, mae problemau recriwtio mewn rhai ardaloedd, ac mae’r Cymoedd yn enghraifft nodedig o hynny. Rhoddwn flaenoriaeth uchel i sicrhau bod digon o anogaethau i feddygon teulu neu weithwyr proffesiynol perthynol i feddygaeth symud i ardaloedd o’r fath i gymryd lle meddygon teulu sy’n ymddeol.
Ieuan Wyn Jones The Leader of the Opposition spoken in English p. 4
Ieuan Wyn Jones Arweinydd yr Wrthblaid siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 4
Do you think it appropriate—since today’s agenda affords no other opportunity—to send our condolences to the families of those who have been killed by the terrorist bomb in Bali? Will you also send the National Assembly’s best wishes to those who were injured in the attack? Do you share my abhorrence at this atrocity and agree that these attacks do nothing to enhance the cause of the perpetrators? Will you send our best wishes to the young people from Wales who were injured in the bomb blast, and who are now, thankfully, on their way home to be with their families? Do you share our relief that none appear to be badly injured, and join us in wishing them a speedy recovery?
A ydych yn credu ei bod yn briodol—gan nad yw’r agenda heddiw’n cynnig unrhyw gyfle arall—anfon ein cydymdeimlad at deuluoedd y rhai a laddwyd gan fom y terfysgwyr yn Bali? A wnewch hefyd anfon dymuniadau gorau’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol at y rhai a anafwyd yn yr ymosodiad? A ydych chi, fel fi, yn ffieiddio at yr anfadwaith hwn ac yn cytuno nad yw’r ymosodiadau hyn yn gwneud dim i hyrwyddo achos y troseddwyr? A wnewch anfon ein dymuniadau gorau at y bobl ifanc o Gymru a anafwyd gan ffrwydrad y bom, ac sydd bellach, diolch byth, ar eu ffordd adref i fod gyda’u teuluoedd? A ydych yn rhannu ein rhyddhad ei bod yn ymddangos nad oes yr un ohonynt wedi’i anafu’n ddrwg, ac yn ymuno â ni i ddymuno adferiad buan iddynt?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 5
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5
I am grateful for your sentiments because the Assembly can speak on behalf of the whole of Wales in a way that no other body can. I speak, as you did, on behalf of the whole of Wales in sending our condolences to families in Australia and other countries who have lost loved ones. We also send our sympathies to those, and the families of those, who were injured or traumatised. In watching the media coverage of the Bali incident, I have admired the courage and bravery of those who have told of their miraculous escapes, and of the people who helped them. On the terrorist act, it will not achieve what the perpetrators sought to achieve. It has only succeeded in destroying the tourism industry of a beautiful island that was considered the nearest thing to paradise on this planet, and in making a big dent in the Indonesian economy.
Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am eich sylwadau gan fod y Cynulliad yn gallu siarad ar ran Cymru gyfan mewn modd na all yr un corff arall ei wneud. Siaradaf fi, fel y gwnaethoch chi, ar ran Cymru gyfan wrth anfon ein cydymdeimlad at y teuluoedd yn Awstralia ac mewn gwledydd eraill sydd wedi colli anwyliaid. Anfonwn ein cydymdeimlad hefyd at y rhai a anafwyd neu a drawmateiddiwyd, a’u teuluoedd. Wrth wylio’r sylw yn y cyfryngau i’r digwyddiad yn Bali, yr wyf wedi edmygu dewrder ac ehofndra’r rhai sydd wedi sôn am eu diangfeydd gwyrthiol, a’r bobl a’u cynorthwyodd. O ran y weithred derfysgol, ni wnaiff gyflawni’r hyn a geisiodd y troseddwyr. Nid yw ond wedi llwyddo i ddinistrio’r diwydiant twristiaeth ar ynys brydferth a ystyriwyd yn nesaf peth at baradwys ar y blaned hon, ac i wneud tolc mawr yn economi Indonesia.
Nick Bourne The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives spoken in English p. 5
Nick Bourne Arweinydd Ceidwadwyr Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 5
I echo the leader of the opposition’s words and the First Minister’s response to them. We all abhor international terrorism and send our sympathies to everybody who has been affected by the dreadful outrage in Bali.
Ategaf eiriau arweinydd yr wrthblaid ac ymateb Prif Weinidog Cymru iddynt. Yr ydym oll yn ffieiddio terfysgaeth ryngwladol ac yn anfon ein cydymdeimlad at bawb yr effeithiwyd arnynt gan yr ymosodiad ofnadwy yn Bali.
Welcome back, First Minister. While you have been away over the summer in Australia and South Africa, and while your Minister for Economic Development has been in Canada and the USA some serious issues have arisen. I am disappointed that no Cabinet statements on Dewhirst, Allied Steel and Wire, Cardiff’s social services, the Criminal Records Bureau’s delays in checking teachers, and the A-level fiasco are forthcoming. Although those issues are important, I will focus on waiting lists. The Labour Assembly manifesto stated that:
Croeso’n ôl, Brif Weinidog. Tra buoch i ffwrdd dros yr haf yn Awstralia a De Affrica, a thra bu’ch Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd yng Nghanada ac UDA mae rhai materion difrifol wedi codi. Yr wyf yn siomedig na chafwyd unrhyw ddatganiadau gan y Cabinet ar Dewhirst, Allied Steel and Wire, gwasanaethau cymdeithasol Caerdydd, yr oedi gan y Swyddfa Cofnodion Troseddol wrth wirio athrawon, a llanastr yr arholiadau Safon Uwch. Er bod y materion hynny’n bwysig, canolbwyntiaf ar y rhestrau aros. Dywedodd maniffesto Cynulliad Llafur:
‘no one will wait more than six months for outpatient treatment, or more than 18 months for inpatient treatment.’
‘ni fydd neb yn disgwyl mwy na chwe mis am driniaeth cleifion allanol, neu fwy na 18 mis am driniaeth cleifion mewnol.’
When Labour came to power, the number waiting over 18 months was 1,988. The most recent figures are 3,995—an increase of nearly 200 per cent. That is bad enough but the increase in the out-patient waiting list is a staggering 683 per cent, having increased from just under 6,000 to 80,000—more than enough to fill the Millennium Stadium. Last time I spoke, at the end of last session, the number was nearly enough to fill the stadium—that is how much worse it has become. Orthopaedic patients in Powys are being placed on two-tier waiting lists because of the Welsh Assembly Government’s deliberate policy of funding it differently. In England they would wait 12 months; in Wales they wait far longer. A constituent living in Brecon and Radnorshire wrote to me saying that she has had to move out of her room so that she does not keep the rest of her house awake with constant cries of pain. Is it not time to drop the expensive reorganisation of the health service and invest at the sharp end?
Pan ddaeth Llafur i rym, y nifer a oedd yn aros ers dros 18 mis oedd 1,988. Y ffigur diweddaraf yw 3,995—cynnydd o bron 200 y cant. Mae hynny’n ddigon drwg ond mae’r cynnydd yn rhestr aros y cleifion allanol yn ffigur syfrdanol o 683 y cant, ar ôl codi o ychydig o dan 6,000 i 80,000—mwy na digon i lenwi Stadiwm y Mileniwm. Y tro diwethaf imi siarad, ar ddiwedd y sesiwn diwethaf, yr oedd y nifer bron yn ddigon i lenwi’r stadiwm—mae wedi gwaethygu i’r graddau hynny. Mae cleifion orthopedig ym Mhowys yn cael eu rhoi ar restrau aros dwy haen oherwydd polisi bwriadol Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru o’i hariannu’n wahanol. Yn Lloegr byddent yn aros 12 mis; yng Nghymru maent yn aros yn hwy o lawer. Ysgrifennodd etholwr sy’n byw ym Mrycheiniog a Sir Faesyfed ataf gan ddweud ei bod wedi gorfod symud o’i hystafell fel nad yw’n cadw pawb arall yn y tŷ’n effro am ei bod yn gweiddi gan boen drwy’r amser. Onid yw’n bryd rhoi’r gorau i’r ad-drefnu drud ar y gwasanaeth iechyd a buddsoddi yn y pen blaen?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 6
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 6
You are right that this is a serious problem. There is a serious capacity problem. The national health service’s ability to treat patients is constrained by the number of nurses and doctors that are available. They cannot be plucked off trees; they must be trained, and we are training them. We have increased the number of places at medical schools and nurse training colleges enormously to expand the health service’s capacity to treat patients. While waiting for additional staff to complete their training—and, for consultants, that takes a long time—we must do two things: first, we must try to arrest the ever-increasing numbers of emergency admissions, which tend to knock out the elective waiting list surgery; secondly, we must enable patients to leave hospitals quickly, whether to go into the care of social services, to their homes or nursing homes, that is, prevent bed blocking and delayed transfers of care. Both of those issues are receiving our urgent attention.
Yr ydych yn iawn wrth ddweud bod y broblem hon yn un ddifrifol. Mae problem ddifrifol o ran capasiti. Cyfyngir ar allu’r gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol i drin cleifion gan y nifer o nyrsys a meddygon sydd ar gael. Ni ellir eu casglu oddi ar goed; rhaid eu hyfforddi, ac yr ydym yn gwneud hynny. Yr ydym wedi cynyddu nifer y lleoedd mewn ysgolion meddygol a cholegau hyfforddi nyrsys yn aruthrol er mwyn cynyddu gallu’r gwasanaeth iechyd i drin cleifion. Wrth aros i staff ychwanegol gwblhau eu hyfforddiant—ac, yn achos ymgynghorwyr, mae hynny’n cymryd amser hir—rhaid inni wneud dau beth: yn gyntaf, rhaid inni geisio atal y niferoedd cynyddol o dderbyniadau brys, sy’n tueddu i ddisodli llawdriniaethau’r rhestr aros ddewisol; yn ail, rhaid inni alluogi cleifion i adael yr ysbyty’n gyflym, boed hynny i fynd i ofal y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, i fynd i’w cartrefi neu i gartrefi nyrsio, gan atal y blocio ar welyau a’r oedi wrth drosglwyddo gofal. Yr ydym yn rhoi sylw brys i’r ddau fater hynny.
You made the promise; you broke the promise. I refer you to another statement in Labour’s Assembly election manifesto—you said that you would spend the money on patients, not bureaucracy. However, you now expect to spend at least £15.5 million on restructuring the health service in Wales, which Labour MP Denzil Davies described as the most bureaucratic in western Europe. He is right, is he not? We already have more bureaucrats than beds in Wales. Would it not be better to spend the money on patients?
Chi a roddodd yr addewid; chi a dorrodd yr addewid. Fe’ch cyfeiriaf at ddatganiad arall ym maniffesto Llafur ar gyfer etholiadau’r Cynulliad—dywedasoch y gwariech yr arian ar gleifion, nid ar fiwrocratiaeth. Er hynny, yr ydych bellach yn disgwyl gwario o leiaf £15.5 miliwn ar ailstrwythuro’r gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru, a ddisgrifiwyd gan yr AS Llafur Denzil Davies fel yr un mwyaf biwrocrataidd yng ngorllewin Ewrop. Mae’n iawn, onid yw? Mae gennym eisoes fwy o fiwrocratiaid nag o welyau yng Nghymru. Oni fyddai’n well gwario’r arian ar y cleifion?
While we are on the subject, today’s Daily Post reports that you said that the waiting list is longer because, under Labour, more illness is being discovered. Will you reconsider that statement? You seem to be almost blaming people for being ill.
Gan ein bod yn sôn am hyn, mae adroddiad yn y Daily Post heddiw eich bod wedi dweud bod y rhestr aros yn hwy oherwydd bod mwy o salwch yn cael ei ddarganfod dan Lafur. A wnewch ailystyried y datganiad hwnnw? Mae fel pe baech bron yn rhoi’r bai ar bobl am fod yn sâl.
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 7
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 7
I am not, Nick. It is true: a more effective primary care system uncovers illness in patients who were previously unaware of their condition. Our service targets get staff to look for symptoms of conditions such as high cholesterol or diabetes. Our general practitioners go out and find symptoms, rather than wait for ill people to come in to see them. That is the service delivery standard to which we now operate, in contrast to five years ago. Consequently, more people prone to diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels are discovered and referred for consultation.
Nid ydwyf, Nick. Mae’n wir: mae system gofal sylfaenol fwy effeithiol yn darganfod salwch mewn cleifion nad oeddent yn ymwybodol o’u hanhwylder cyn hynny. Mae ein targedau gwasanaeth yn peri i’r staff chwilio am symptomau anhwylderau fel lefel colesterol uchel neu glefyd siwgwr. Mae ein hymarferwyr cyffredinol yn mynd allan ac yn darganfod symptomau, yn hytrach na disgwyl i bobl sâl ddod atynt hwy. Dyna’r safon darparu gwasanaeth a weithredwn yn awr, mewn cyferbyniad â’r hyn a fodolai bum mlynedd yn ôl. Oherwydd hynny, mae mwy o bobl sy’n agored i glefyd siwgwr, pwysedd gwaed uchel neu lefelau colesterol uchel yn cael eu darganfod a’u cyfeirio i sylw ymgynghorydd.
We have made a rod for our own back in terms of it being a free gift for you, Nick. However, you must seriously consider the problem and not tend towards cheap political points. It is serious, and you should treat it as such. A more effective primary care service means discovering more patients who need investigating and further tests. That is why I raised the innovation at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital with Geraint earlier. If you are interested, go to see it. Consultants and hospital managers across Great Britain regard it as an example of best practice.
Yr ydym wedi torri ffon i’n curo ein hunain o ran yr ymosodiadau y gallwch chi eu gwneud, Nick. Serch hynny, rhaid ichi ystyried y broblem o ddifrif ac nid mynd ar ôl pwyntiau gwleidyddol hawdd. Mae’n fater difrifol, a dylech ei drin felly. Mae gwasanaeth gofal sylfaenol mwy effeithiol yn golygu darganfod rhagor o gleifion y mae angen archwiliadau a phrofion pellach arnynt. Dyna pam y cyfeiriais at yr arloesi yn Ysbyty Brenhinol Morgannwg wrth ateb Geraint yn gynharach. Os oes gennych ddiddordeb, ewch i’w weld. Mae ymgynghorwyr a rheolwyr ysbytai ledled Prydain Fawr yn ei ystyried yn enghraifft o’r arfer gorau.
Cnydau GM
GM Policy
A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad ar bolisi’r Cynulliad ar gnydau GM? (OAQ19371)
Will the First Minister make a statement on the Assembly’s GM crop policy? (OAQ19371)
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 8
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 8
Ein polisi, fel y’i gosodwyd yn y cytundeb partneriaeth ‘Rhoi Cymru’n Gyntaf’, yw gwasgu cymaint ag sy’n gyfreithiol yn ôl deddfwriaeth yr Undeb Ewropeaidd ar unrhyw fwriad i dyfu cnydau GM yn fasnachol yng Nghymru. Bwriadwn hefyd fwrw ymlaen â marchnata Cymru fel ardal o’r Undeb Ewropeaidd lle y mae’r cynnyrch amaethyddol yn rhydd o gnydau GM.
Our policy, as set out in the partnership agreement ‘Putting Wales First’, is to do all that is permissible under European law to restrict the commercial cultivation of GM crops in Wales. We also intend to market Wales as an area of the European Union where the agricultural produce is GM-free.
A wnewch chi addo y caiff unrhyw gynnig i restru Chardon LL ar restr hadau genedlaethol y DU ei drafod gan y Pwyllgor Amaethyddiaeth a Datblygu Gwledig ac yn y Siambr, cyn gwneud unrhyw benderfyniad?
Will you give an assurance that any attempt to list Chardon LL on the UK national seed list will be discussed by the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee and in the Chamber, before any decision is made?
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 8
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 8
Mae ymgynghoriad ar waith yn awr ynglŷn â rhestru Chardon LL ar restr genedlaethol y Deyrnas Gyfunol, oherwydd dyma’r cais cyntaf ar gyfer rhestru cnwd GM ar y rhestr o hadau y gallwch eu hau ym Mhrydain Fawr. Bydd yr ymgynghoriad yn dod i ben ar 16 Rhagfyr, ac efallai y gallwn drafod y mater unwaith eto ar ôl hynny.
A consultation is currently underway as to whether Chardon LL should be included on the United Kingdom’s national list, as it is the first application to list a GM crop on the list of seeds that can be sown in Great Britain. The consultation will be completed by 16 December, so perhaps we can discuss the matter again after that.
I sometimes have trouble reconciling issues relating to GM technology. The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, is openly supportive of it, but I am unsure of what you think. Should all field trials take place in England, so that Wales can secure a commercial advantage by calling itself GM-free?
Yr wyf weithiau’n ei chael yn anodd cysoni materion sy’n ymwneud â thechnoleg GM. Mae’r Prif Weinidog, Tony Blair, yn ei chefnogi’n agored, ond nid wyf yn sicr o’ch barn chi. A ddylai’r holl brofion maes ddigwydd yn Lloegr, fel y gall Cymru sicrhau mantais fasnachol drwy ddweud ei bod yn rhydd oddi wrth gnydau GM?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 8
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8
You are being unduly cynical. Our policy is for Wales to be GM-free. It is an important marketing advantage for Wales, as it fits in with the ‘green’ image and the trend in Welsh agriculture away from intensive farming towards more organic and traditional methods. Being GM-free will help us to gain a niche at that end of the agricultural market. As we cannot compete with eastern England in terms of prairie agriculture—and it probably cannot compete with America, New Zealand and other prairie countries—it is important for us to find a niche. Being GM-free will help us do that, and thus gain a premium for Welsh farmers.
Yr ydych yn rhy sinigaidd. Ein polisi yw i Gymru fod yn rhydd o gnydau GM. Mae’n fantais farchnata bwysig i Gymru, gan ei bod yn cydweddu â’r ddelwedd ‘wyrdd’ a’r tuedd yn amaethyddiaeth Cymru oddi wrth ffermio dwys at ddulliau mwy organig a thraddodiadol. Bydd y ffaith ein bod yn rhydd o gnydau GM yn gymorth inni ennill troedle yn y pen hwnnw o’r farchnad amaethyddol. Gan na allwn gystadlu â dwyrain Lloegr o ran amaethyddiaeth y gwastatir—ac mae’n debygol nad yw ef yn gallu cystadlu ag America, Seland Newydd a gwledydd eraill sydd â gwastatir—mae’n bwysig inni ddod o hyd i droedle. Bydd y ffaith ein bod yn rhydd oddi wrth gnydau GM yn gymorth inni wneud hynny, a thrwy hynny ennill premiwm i ffermwyr Cymru.
Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol Caerdydd
Social Services in Cardiff
What discussions has the First Minister had with Russell Goodway, Lord Mayor of Cardiff, on the crisis within the social services in Cardiff? (OAQ19364)
Pa drafodaethau y mae’r Prif Weinidog wedi’u cael gyda Russell Goodway, Arglwydd Faer Caerdydd, ynghylch yr argyfwng yng ngwasanaethau cymdeithasol y ddinas? (OAQ19364)
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 9
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 9
I have not discussed the recent press coverage given to social services with the leader of Cardiff County Council as it would not be right for me to cut across the Minister for Health and Social Services’ responsibilities and her meetings with Russell Goodway. They last met on 3 October to discuss the findings of the recent joint review report by the Audit Commission and the Social Services Inspectorate for Wales and how the council might make the necessary improvements to raise the quality of social services, and children’s care in particular.
Nid wyf wedi trafod y sylw diweddar yn y wasg i’r gwasanaethau cymdeithasol gydag arweinydd Cyngor Sir Caerdydd gan na fyddai’n iawn imi dorri ar draws cyfrifoldebau’r Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol a’i chyfarfodydd gyda Russell Goodway. Gwnaethant gwrdd ddiwethaf ar 3 Hydref i drafod canfyddiadau’r adroddiad adolygu ar y cyd diweddar gan y Comisiwn Archwilio ac Arolygiaeth Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol Cymru a’r modd y gallai’r cyngor wneud y gwelliannau angenrheidiol i ansawdd y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, a’r gofal am blant yn benodol.
You will be aware that Councillor Goodway is the Welsh Local Government Association’s spokesperson on improvement. He is quoted in the latest issue of the WLGA magazine, Local Voice, as saying that the Audit Commission has a ‘tendency to sensationalise the unsensational’. Is this true, or do you consider that the social services joint review team’s criticisms are fair and that it is consistent in its reports on social services?
Byddwch yn ymwybodol mai’r Cynghorydd Goodway yw llefarydd Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru ar wella. Yn y rhifyn diweddaraf o gylchgrawn CLlLC, Local Voice, fe’i dyfynnir yn dweud bod y Comisiwn Archwilio yn ‘tueddu i greu cynnwrf ynghylch pethau anghynhyrfus’. A yw hynny’n wir, neu a gredwch fod beirniadaethau tîm yr adolygiad ar y cyd o’r gwasanaethau cymdeithasol yn deg a’i fod yn gyson yn ei adroddiadau ar wasanaethau cymdeithasol?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 10
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10
There is no reason to criticise the joint review team’s methods. It has already reviewed 14 social services departments, and the reports do not make for good reading as none of the departments emerge well from the reviews. Cardiff County Council’s and the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s social services departments have emerged as the worst two departments. There is nothing political about this; one of the councils is Labour-run and the other is a Tory council backed by a Plaid Cymru alliance. There must not be any political finger-pointing about the state of social services. It is important to remember Torfaen County Borough Council’s social services department, which was the first to be reviewed following the creation of the Assembly. Although the department received a hammering in that report, which was published in December 1999, the situation has been transformed within three years. Let us hope that the Vale of Glamorgan council, which is already making good progress, and Cardiff council—the report on which has only recently been published—can effect a similar turnaround.
Nid oes rheswm dros feirniadu dulliau’r tîm adolygu ar y cyd. Mae eisoes wedi adolygu 14 o adrannau gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, ac nid yw’r adroddiadau’n ddeunydd darllen difyr gan nad oes yr un o’r adrannau’n dod allan ohoni’n dda yn yr adolygiadau. Gwelwyd mai adrannau gwasanaethau cymdeithasol Cyngor Sir Caerdydd a Chyngor Bro Morgannwg yw’r ddwy adran waethaf. Nid oes dim byd gwleidyddol am hyn; mae un o’r cynghorau’n cael ei redeg gan Lafur ac mae’r llall yn gyngor Torïaidd a gefnogir gan gynghrair Plaid Cymru. Rhaid peidio â chael unrhyw bwyntio bys gwleidyddol ynghylch cyflwr gwasanaethau cymdeithasol. Mae’n bwysig cofio adran gwasanaethau cymdeithasol Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Tor-faen, sef y gyntaf i’w hadolygu ar ôl creu’r Cynulliad. Er bod yr adran wedi’i beirniadu’n hallt yn yr adroddiad hwnnw, a gyhoeddwyd yn Rhagfyr 1999, trawsnewidiwyd y sefyllfa o fewn tair blynedd. Gadewch inni obeithio y bydd cyngor Bro Morgannwg, sydd eisoes yn gwneud cynnydd da, a chyngor Caerdydd—y mae’r adroddiad arno newydd ei gyhoeddi—yn gallu peri trawsnewidiad tebyg.
The joint review team’s report on Cardiff council’s social services department—the worst in Wales to date—stated that the prospects for change in Cardiff are poor without a significant change in approach. Are you confident that that change in approach will be forthcoming in Cardiff, given that we have already heard today that the council’s leadership denies the crisis facing its social services department? Will you give a commitment that the Social Services Inspectorate for Wales’s review in six months’ time will be as rigorous as the joint review?
Yr oedd adroddiad y tîm adolygu ar y cyd ar adran gwasanaethau cymdeithasol cyngor Caerdydd—y waethaf yng Nghymru hyd yn hyn—yn dweud nad oes fawr o obaith am newid yng Nghaerdydd oni cheir newid sylweddol yn ei hymagwedd. A ydych yn ffyddiog y bydd newid ymagwedd yng Nghaerdydd, o ystyried ein bod eisoes wedi clywed heddiw fod arweinwyr y cyngor yn gwadu’r argyfwng sy’n wynebu ei adran gwasanaethau cymdeithasol? A wnewch ymrwymo y bydd adolygiad Arolygiaeth Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol Cymru ymhen chwe mis yr un mor drwyadl â’r adolygiad ar y cyd?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 10
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10
The review will be as rigorous as the joint review as it will be carried out by essentially the same team and will operate to the same professional standards. However, the next six months are critical. I understand that Jane Hutt will meet Russell Goodway well before the end of the six months to discuss initial progress. Having uncovered a bad situation in social services, we must encourage Cardiff council to take similar action to that taken in Torfaen and, we believe, in the Vale of Glamorgan following the publication of critical reports. We must tell Cardiff that, if Torfaen can do it, it should have no problems, as long as it gets stuck into the problem. We will then see the beneficial results in a few years’ time.
Bydd yr adolygiad yr un mor drwyadl â’r adolygiad ar y cyd gan y’i cynhelir gan yr un tîm yn y bôn a bydd yn gweithredu’n ôl yr un safonau proffesiynol. Fodd bynnag, mae’r chwe mis nesaf yn dyngedfennol. Deallaf y bydd Jane Hutt yn cwrdd â Russell Goodway ymhell cyn pen y chwe mis i drafod y cynnydd dechreuol. Ar ôl datgelu sefyllfa wael yn ei gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, rhaid inni annog cyngor Caerdydd i gymryd camau tebyg i’r rhai a gymerwyd yn Nhor-faen. Rhaid inni ddweud wrth Gaerdydd na ddylai fod yn anodd iddi wneud hynny, os gall Tor-faen ei wneud, cyhyd â’i bod yn mynd i’r afael â’r broblem. Gwelwn y canlyniadau buddiol wedyn ymhen rhai blynyddoedd.
One of your council colleagues, Councillor Peter Perkins, took a high-handed approach the day following the publication of the report by describing it as grossly exaggerated. Do you agree that the report is not grossly exaggerated, and that it is a statement of the facts? Do you also agree that, if Cardiff County Council cannot put its house in order, the Assembly Government should step in and remove the council’s responsibility to provide social services in Cardiff?
Yr oedd un o gyd-aelodau eich plaid ar y cyngor, y Cynghorydd Peter Perkins, yn drahaus yn ei agwedd drannoeth cyhoeddi’r adroddiad gan ddweud ei fod wedi’i chwyddo ormod o lawer. A ydych yn cytuno nad yw’r adroddiad wedi’i chwyddo ormod o lawer, a’i fod yn ddatganiad o’r ffeithiau? A ydych hefyd yn cytuno, os na all Cyngor Sir Caerdydd roi trefn ar ei bethau, y dylai Llywodraeth y Cynulliad ymyrryd a chymryd cyfrifoldeb y cyngor i ddarparu gwasanaethau cymdeithasol yng Nghaerdydd oddi arno?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 11
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 11
We do not need to contemplate that possibility, although it exists in the background. What is the point of making such threats when there are good examples of turnarounds being achieved? Jane Hutt proposes to deal with the situation in Cardiff in a similar way to that used previously. We will monitor the situation carefully during the first six months. At the end of that time, a report will be published in the public domain, followed by another within a year. Torfaen has transformed its social services department since December 1999 and there is no reason to suppose that Cardiff cannot do the same over a similar timescale, given that it is committed to doing so. I noted Councillor Perkins’ comments and also that Russell Goodway did not, a few days later, dissent from the proposals that Jane Hutt and the Chief Inspector of Social Services put to him. He agreed to all the proposals, including a monitoring structure which will include members of the opposition parties and, presumably, of his party. That taskforce will examine the rate of progress. Let us wish good speed to Cardiff’s social services, Cardiff council and the taskforce in turning around a difficult situation.
Nid oes rhaid inni ystyried y posibilrwydd hwnnw, er ei fod yno yn y cefndir. Beth yw diben bygwth felly pan fo enghreifftiau o drawsnewid? Mae Jane Hutt yn bwriadu ymdrin â’r sefyllfa yng Nghaerdydd mewn modd tebyg i’r hyn a ddefnyddiwyd o’r blaen. Byddwn yn monitro’r sefyllfa’n ofalus yn ystod y chwe mis cyntaf. Ar ddiwedd y cyfnod hwnnw, cyhoeddir adroddiad a fydd yn eiddo i’r cyhoedd, ac un arall ar ôl hynny o fewn blwyddyn. Mae Tor-faen wedi trawsnewid ei adran gwasanaethau cymdeithasol ers Rhagfyr 1999 ac nid oes rheswm dros dybio na all Caerdydd wneud yr un peth dros gyfnod tebyg, o wybod ei fod wedi ymrwymo i wneud hynny. Nodais sylwadau’r Cynghorydd Perkins a hefyd na wnaeth Russell Goodway anghytuno, ychydig ddyddiau’n ddiweddarach, â’r cynigion a gyflwynwyd iddo gan Jane Hutt a’r Prif Arolygydd Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol. Cytunodd â’r holl gynigion, gan gynnwys trefniant monitro a fydd yn cynnwys aelodau o’r gwrthbleidiau a, gellir tybio, rhai o’i blaid ei hun. Bydd y tasglu hwnnw’n edrych ar gyflymder y cynnydd. Gadewch inni ddymuno rhwydd hynt i wasanaethau cymdeithasol Caerdydd, cyngor Caerdydd a’r tasglu wrth drawsnewid sefyllfa anodd.
Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol
Social Services
A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad ar y sefyllfa bresennol yn ein hadrannau gwasanaethau cymdeithasol? (OAQ19361)
Will the First Minister make a statement on the current situation within our social services departments? (OAQ19361)
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 12
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 12
Mae arnaf ofn imi roi hanner yr ateb wrth drafod y cwestiwn blaenorol. Dywedais fod arolygiadau wedi’u cynnal ar 14 o adrannau gwasanaethau cymdeithasol yng Nghymru ac nad oedd yr un ohonynt mewn cyflwr iach. Mae saith neu wyth cyngor lle nad oes arolygiad wedi’i gynnal hyd yn hyn. Mae’r sefyllfa yn Lloegr ychydig yn well nag yng Nghymru ac, yn naturiol, yr wyf yn anhapus fy mod yn gorfod gwneud y gymhariaeth honno. Er hynny, credaf fod pawb yn derbyn y system o gynnal yr arolygiadau ar y cyd rhwng y Comisiwn Archwilio ac arolygwyr mewnol adran gwasanaethau cymdeithasol Llywodraeth y Cynulliad.
I am afraid that I half-answered that in my response to the previous question. I said that inspections of 14 social services departments in Wales have been completed and that not one of them was satisfactory. Inspections have yet to be carried out in seven or eight councils. The situation in England is a little better than in Wales and, naturally, I am unhappy with that comparison. However, I believe that everyone accepts the system of conducting inspections jointly between the Audit Commission and the internal inspectors of the Assembly Government’s social services department.
Ceir drafftiau cynnar o’r adroddiadau hyn, megis yr adroddiad diweddar ar wasanaethau cymdeithasol Caerdydd. A yw aelodau Cabinet y Cynulliad yn gweld y drafftiau cynnar hynny cyn cyhoeddi’r adroddiadau terfynol?
Early drafts of reports such as the recent report on Cardiff’s social services are produced. Do members of the Assembly’s Cabinet see those early drafts before the final reports are published?
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 12
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 12
Nid wyf yn siŵr ynglŷn â hynny; ysgrifennaf atoch i roi’r ateb. Yr hyn sy’n bwysig yw ein bod yn helpu adrannau’r cynghorau lleol lle cafwyd beirniadaeth gan yr arolygwyr i wrth-droi’r sefyllfa. Mae 70 y cant o’r arolygiadau hyn yn Lloegr wedi dangos elfennau anfoddhaol. Yn anffodus, mae 100 y cant o’r 14 o arolygiadau sydd wedi’u cynnal yng Nghymru wedi dangos sefyllfa anfoddhaol. Y pwynt pwysig yw a welir gwelliannau mewn cyfnod rhesymol ar ôl i arolygiad ddangos nad yw pethau’n foddhaol. Fel y dywedais, yr oedd yr adroddiad ar Dor-faen ymhlith y rhai cyntaf i gael ei gyflawni ar ddiwedd 1999, ac mae’r cyngor wedi dangos sut i drawsnewid sefyllfa anfoddhaol.
I am not sure about that; I will write to you with the answer. The important thing is that we help the local authority departments that were criticised by the inspectors to turn the situation around. Of the inspections carried out in England, 70 per cent identified unsatisfactory elements. Unfortunately, 100 per cent of the 14 inspections carried out in Wales have indicated an unsatisfactory situation. The important point is whether improvements are undertaken in a reasonable time after an inspection reveals that matters are unsatisfactory. As I said, the report on Torfaen was among the first to be completed at the end of 1999, and the council has shown how to transform an unsatisfactory situation.
Are you aware that Pembrokeshire County Council’s social services have the lowest funding in Wales? It has only 3.8 social workers per 1,000 people, compared to the national average of 7.5. It has the highest-paid chief executive and the lowest spend on social services. That is value for money, Pembrokeshire-style. Are you also aware that the leader of the council responded to a damning inspectors’ report on social services by stating that it was ‘best to forget it’ because the inspectors did not know what they were doing? What action will you take to ensure that Pembrokeshire County Council responds responsibly to that rigorous independent review, as other authorities, such as the Vale of Glamorgan, Torfaen and Cardiff, have undertaken to do?
A ydych yn ymwybodol mai gan wasanaethau cymdeithasol Cyngor Sir Penfro y mae’r cyllid lleiaf yng Nghymru? Nid oes ganddo ond 3.8 gweithiwr cymdeithasol am bob 1,000 o’r boblogaeth, o’i gymharu â chyfartaledd cenedlaethol o 7.5. Ganddo ef y mae’r prif weithredwr mwyaf ei dâl a’r gwariant lleiaf ar wasanaethau cymdeithasol. Dyna werth am arian, yn null sir Benfro. A ydych hefyd yn ymwybodol bod arweinydd y cyngor wedi ymateb i adroddiad damniol ar y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol gan yr arolygwyr drwy ddatgan mai ‘gwell ei anghofio’ gan na wyddai’r arolygwyr beth yr oeddent yn ei wneud? Pa gamau a gymerwch i sicrhau bod Cyngor Sir Penfro yn ymateb yn gyfrifol i’r adolygiad annibynnol cadarn hwnnw, fel y mae Bro Morgannwg, Tor-faen a Chaerdydd wedi ymgymryd i wneud.
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 13
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13
It may be at an interim stage. I am aware that the report on Pembrokeshire will be published in about a month’s time. Perhaps you refer to a draft which was shown to the council leader, but which has not yet been published until various stakeholders have a chance to correct factual points. When an authority is criticised it should not be in denial; there is no point in doing that. You should not look for inspiration in the catalogue of phrases of denial, but in the turnaround situations of other authorities in Wales. Let us mention Torfaen and the Vale of Glamorgan again, because they cross various party boundaries and they show that the situation can be rescued. However, the longer you remain in denial, the longer that will take.
Efallai ei fod mewn cyfnod interim. Yr wyf yn ymwybodol y caiff yr adroddiad ar sir Benfro ei gyhoeddi ymhen tua mis. Efallai eich bod yn cyfeirio at ddrafft a ddangoswyd i arweinydd y cyngor, ond sydd heb ei gyhoeddi eto nes y caiff y gwahanol randdeiliaid gyfle i gywiro pwyntiau ffeithiol. Pan gaiff awdurdod ei feirniadu, ni ddylai wadu; ofer gwneud hynny. Ni ddylech chwilio am ysbrydoliaeth yn y catalog o ymadroddion gwadu, ond yn y trawsnewid yn sefyllfaoedd awdurdodau eraill yng Nghymru. Gadewch inni sôn am Dor-faen a Bro Morgannwg eto, gan eu bod yn croesi gwahanol ffiniau plaid ac yn dangos bod modd adfer y sefyllfa. Fodd bynnag, po hwyaf y byddwch yn gwadu, mwyaf y bydd hynny’n ei gymryd.
Cyfarfodydd y Cabinet
Cabinet Meetings
Yn dilyn cyfarfod agored y Cabinet, a gynhaliwyd yng Ngwesty St George yn Llandudno fis Gorffennaf, a yw’r Prif Weinidog yn bwriadu cynnal mwy o gyfarfodydd y Cabinet y tu allan i Gaerdydd? (OAQ19369)
Following the open meeting of the Cabinet in the St George’s Hotel, Llandudno last July, does the First Minister plan to hold any more Cabinet meetings away from Cardiff? (OAQ19369)
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 13
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 13
Ydwyf. Yr oedd y cyfarfod agored yn Llandudno ar gyfer rhanbarth y Gogledd yn fywiog dros ben, gyda thros 200 o bobl yn bresennol. Felly, mae’n fwriad gennym gynnal cyfarfodydd o’r fath yn y Gorllewin ac yn y Cymoedd.
Yes. The open meeting at Llandudno for the north Wales region was extremely lively, with over 200 people in attendance. We therefore intend to hold similar meetings in west Wales and in the Valleys.
Fel y gwyddoch, manteisiodd nifer sylweddol o rieni ardal Llandudno ar y cyfarfod yng Ngwesty St George i ddatgan eu pryderon dybryd ynghylch penderfyniad yr awdurdod lleol i adeiladu ysgol ar dir halogedig yn y dref. Datganaf fuddiant fel aelod o’r cyngor lleol.
As you know, a great many parents from the Llandudno area took advantage of that meeting in the St George’s Hotel to express their grave concerns about the local authority’s decision to build a school on contaminated land in the town. I declare an interest as a member of the local council.
A oedd y gwrthdystio hwnnw, ynghyd â’r holl wybodaeth arall a ddaeth i law erbyn hyn, yn ddigon i’ch argyhoeddi chi a’ch cyd-Weinidogion yn y Cabinet o’r gwendidau sylfaenol yn y broses o ddod i’r fath benderfyniad cynllunio? Dylech ddiddymu’r caniatâd cynllunio hwn a phrofi i’r etholwyr fod pwrpas ystyrlon i gynnal cyfarfodydd Cabinet y tu allan i’r adeilad hwn.
Was that protest, together with all the other information that has now come to light, sufficient to convince you and your Cabinet colleagues of the basic deficiencies in the process of arriving at such planning decisions? You should withdraw this planning permission and prove to the electorate that holding Cabinet meetings away from this building has a meaningful purpose.
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 14
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 14
Nid ymateb i grŵp lobïo yn y dref yr ydym yn cynnal y cyfarfod ynddi yw pwrpas cynnal cyfarfodydd agored y tu allan i Gaerdydd. Ni allwn gynnal cyfarfodydd o’r fath ym mhob tref yng Nghymru. Credaf fod eich disgrifiad braidd yn unochrog, Gareth, gan fy mod wedi sylwi bod llawer o’r bobl a oedd yn bresennol, os nad y mwyafrif—gan gynnwys disgyblion yr ysgol dan sylw—o blaid yr ysgol newydd. Yr oedd hynny’n gwrthgyferbynnu â safbwynt rhieni disgyblion yr ysgolion cynradd sy’n bwydo’r ysgol y bwriada’r cyngor lleol ei hadeiladu ar y safle newydd yr ydych yn cwyno amdano. Mae’n rhaid edrych ar y ddwy ochr a bod yn deg—mynegwyd dwy farn yn ystod y cyfarfod ac wedi hynny.
Responding to a lobby group in the town where we choose to meet is not the purpose of holding open meetings outside Cardiff. We cannot hold such meetings in every town in Wales. I believe your description to be rather one-sided, Gareth, as I noticed that many, if not most of those present—including the pupils of the school in question—were in favour of the new school. That contrasted with the view of the parents of pupils of feeder schools for the school that the local authority intends to build on the new site that you are complaining about. We must be even-handed and fair—two opinions were expressed during and after the meeting.
Many of us share your belief in open government—especially in open Cabinet meetings. In your reply to Gareth, you mentioned two areas of Wales that you wished to visit: west Wales and the Valleys. Would you accept an invitation to come to east Wales, to hold one of your open meetings in Newtown, Montgomeryshire?
Mae llawer ohonom yn rhannu’ch cred mewn llywodraeth agored—yn enwedig mewn cyfarfodydd Cabinet agored. Yn eich ateb i Gareth, gwnaethoch sôn am ddwy ran o Gymru y dymunech ymweld â hwy: y Gorllewin a’r Cymoedd. A dderbyniech wahoddiad i ddod i’r Dwyrain, i gynnal un o’ch cyfarfodydd agored yn y Drenewydd, sir Drefaldwyn?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 14
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14
Nothing is excluded, but I am trying to think of a reasonable timetable for this Assembly session. I am sure that during the next Assembly session, from 2003 to 2007, we will wish to hold open sessions in a large number of areas. Interestingly, we are not the only parliamentary, assembly or cabinet body to hold such meetings. During my visit to Australia, I learned that the Queensland Government had held a full session in Townsville, some 550 miles north of Brisbane. While I was in South Africa, the cabinet of the regional government of Gauteng, the area around Johannesburg, held an open session. You live and learn by visiting other areas. You find open government practices being followed in other parts of the world, many thousands of miles away.
Nid oes dim wedi’i eithrio, ond yr wyf yn ceisio meddwl am amserlen resymol i’r sesiwn hwn o’r Cynulliad. Yr wyf yn sicr y byddem, yn ystod sesiwn nesaf y Cynulliad o 2003 i 2007, yn dymuno cynnal sesiynau agored mewn nifer fawr o ardaloedd. Difyr yw nodi nad ni yw’r unig gorff seneddol, cynulliad neu gabinet sy’n cynnal cyfarfodydd o’r fath. Yn ystod fy ymweliad ag Awstralia, cefais wybod bod Llywodraeth Queensland wedi cynnal cyfarfod llawn yn Townsville, tua 550 o filltiroedd i’r gogledd o Brisbane. Tra yr oeddwn yn Ne Affrica, cynhaliwyd cyfarfod agored gan gabinet llywodraeth ranbarthol Gauteng, yr ardal o gwmpas Johannesburg. Yr ydych yn dysgu pob math o bethau drwy ymweld ag ardaloedd eraill. Yr ydych yn gweld dilyn arferion llywodraeth agored mewn rhannau eraill o’r byd, filoedd lawer o filltiroedd i ffwrdd.
Will the First Minister consider holding Plenary sessions in north Wales to make the Assembly more relevant to the people of north Wales?
A wnaiff Prif Weinidog Cymru ystyried cynnal Cyfarfodydd Llawn yn y Gogledd i wneud y Cynulliad yn fwy perthnasol i bobl y Gogledd?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 15
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 15
David, I welcome you to the Assembly. I have had to learn, and no doubt you will also learn, that some matters are for the First Minister and others are for the Assembly as a whole, under the leadership of the Presiding Officer. The point you raise is one such matter. In answer to a previous question, I indicated that I would respond sympathetically should there be a request for a full Plenary meeting outside Cardiff. I have never been unsympathetic to that idea, but it is not a matter for me.
David, fe’ch croesawaf i’r Cynulliad. Bu’n rhaid imi ddysgu, ac mae’n siŵr y byddwch chi’n dysgu, fod rhai pethau’n fater i Brif Weinidog Cymru ac eraill yn fater i’r Cynulliad fel cyfangorff, dan arweinyddiaeth y Llywydd. Mae’r pwynt a godwch yn fater o’r fath. Wrth ateb cwestiwn blaenorol, dywedais y byddwn yn ymateb yn gydymdeimladol pe byddai cais am gynnal Cyfarfod Llawn y tu allan i Gaerdydd. Ni fûm erioed heb gydymdeimlad â’r syniad hwnnw, ond nid yw’n fater i mi.
Pan fo’r Prif Weinidog yn cynnal cyfarfod nesaf y Cabinet y tu allan i Gaerdydd, ac yn gorfod wynebu’r cyhoedd, gobeithio y bydd ganddo ateb gwell ar fater rhestrau aros ysbytai na’r ateb a roddodd i arweinydd Ceidwadwyr Cymru. Y cyfan a gawsom ganddo wrth iddo friffio’r wasg ddoe, ac mewn atebion yn y Cyfarfod Llawn heddiw, oedd esgusodion. Mae ei Lywodraeth wedi rhoi ymrwymiad—a rhoddwyd addewid yn maniffesto ei blaid yn 1999—na fyddai neb yn disgwyl am fwy na chwe mis am driniaeth allanol. Mae’r nifer sy’n aros wedi codi bob mis ond un ers iddo fod yn y Llywodraeth, gyda’r ffigur bellach yn 80,000 o bobl. Mae bron i 4,000 o bobl wedi bod yn aros am fwy na 18 mis am driniaeth fewnol mewn ysbyty. Pryd fydd y Prif Weinidog yn dweud y gwir wrth bobl Cymru? Naill ai ni ddylai’r addewid fod wedi’i gwneud, neu ni allwn ymddiried yn ein Prif Weinidog.
When the First Minister holds the next Cabinet meeting outside Cardiff, and is forced to face the public, I hope that he will have a better answer on the issue of hospital waiting lists than that which he gave to the leader of the Welsh Conservatives. Yesterday’s press briefings, and his replies in Plenary today, contained nothing but excuses. His Government made a commitment—and his party made a pledge in its 1999 manifesto—that no-one would wait longer than six months for out-patient treatment. The number of those waiting for such treatment has risen every month save one since he has been in Government, with the figure now standing at 80,000 people. Nearly 4,000 people have been awaiting in-patient hospital treatment for more than 18 months. When will he tell the people of Wales the truth? Either that pledge should not have been made or we cannot trust our First Minister.
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 16
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 16
Gallaf ddweud wrthych beth sydd yn cael ei wneud i newid y sefyllfa anfoddhaol ac annerbyniol hon. Yr ydym yn buddsoddi £3 miliwn ychwanegol eleni er mwyn sicrhau cyflawni’r targed o ran llawfeddygaeth orthopedig—sef nad oes neb yn aros mwy na 18 mis am driniaeth—drwy gydol y flwyddyn ariannol bresennol hyd at y cyfnod tair blynedd nesaf o wariant cyhoeddus. Yn ddiweddarach heddiw, bydd Edwina Hart yn ymhelaethu ar yr hyn fydd yn digwydd o 1 Ebrill 2003 ymlaen.
I can tell you what is being done to remedy this unsatisfactory and unacceptable situation. This year, we are investing an extra £3 million to ensure that the target for orthopaedic surgery—that no-one waits more than 18 months for surgery—is met throughout this financial year, up to the next three-year public spending period. Later on today, Edwina Hart will expound on what will happen from 1 April 2003.
Ffyniant Economaidd
Economic Prosperity
What action is the First Minister’s Government taking to improve economic prosperity in the south Wales Valleys? (OAQ19373)
Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth y Prif Weinidog yn eu cymryd i hybu ffyniant economaidd yng Nghymoedd y De? (OAQ19373)
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 16
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16
The Assembly Government’s economic development strategy, ‘A Winning Wales’, identified how we will improve economic prosperity throughout the whole of Wales, with particular emphasis on the areas of Wales that receive Objective 1 funding, which includes the Valleys and west Wales. The Assembly Government’s commitment to bridging the prosperity gap is also reflected in Communities First, which targets smaller, individual communities. Objective 1 funds are targeted at the most economically deprived areas, including the south Wales Valleys.
Nodwyd yn strategaeth datblygu economaidd Llywodraeth y Cynulliad, ‘Cymru’n Ennill’, sut y byddwn yn hybu ffyniant economaidd ledled Cymru, gan roi pwyslais penodol ar y rhannau o Gymru sy’n cael cyllid Amcan 1, sy’n cynnwys y Cymoedd a’r Gorllewin. Caiff ymrwymiad Llywodraeth y Cynulliad i gau’r bwlch ffyniant ei adlewyrchu hefyd yn Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf, sy’n targedu cymunedau unigol, llai. Targedir arian Amcan 1 ar yr ardaloedd mwyaf difreintiedig o ran eu heconomi, gan gynnwys Cymoedd y De.
I welcome the Assembly Government’s decision to give the go-ahead to a junction off the M4 motorway to provide access to the proposed new film studios in Llanilid, in my constituency. This is an excellent economic opportunity, not only for south Wales, but for the whole of Wales. It will put Wales on the film-making map and will bring thousands of new jobs to the area. However, do you agree, First Minister, that progress would have been made easier if Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council had an up-do-date unitary development plan for the area?
Croesawaf benderfyniad Llywodraeth y Cynulliad i ganiatáu adeiladu cyffordd oddi ar draffordd yr M4 i ddarparu mynediad i’r stiwdios ffilm newydd arfaethedig yn Llanilid, yn fy etholaeth. Mae hwn yn gyfle economaidd gwych, nid yn unig i’r De, ond i Gymru gyfan. Bydd yn rhoi Cymru ar y map o ran gwneud ffilmiau a daw â miloedd o swyddi newydd i’r ardal. Fodd bynnag, a ydych yn cytuno, Brif Weinidog, y byddai wedi bod yn haws gwneud cynnydd pe byddai gan Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Rhondda Cynon Taf gynllun datblygu unedol cyfoes ar gyfer yr ardal?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 16
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16
I broadly agree with those remarks and we welcome this development. However, we are not setting a precedent for intersections on the M4, as we do not want a proliferation of such intersections. This scheme was approved because of the wholly exceptional nature of the development: its size, its scope and its ability to create jobs in the creative industries and to transform the international profile of Wales. We should all welcome this development. Any other comments should, perhaps, be set aside. That will help the company in proceeding with the next phase—the fund raising exercise—and, finally, the detailed planning exercise. It is important that the developer is not obstructed in its attempts to move forward.
Cytunaf â’r sylwadau hynny’n gyffredinol a chroesawn y datblygiad hwn. Fodd bynnag, nid ydym yn gosod cynsail i gyffyrdd ar yr M4, gan nad ydym am weld cynnydd mawr yn nifer y cyffyrdd o’r fath. Cymeradwywyd y cynllun hwn oherwydd natur gwbl eithriadol y datblygiad: ei faint, ei gwmpas a’i allu i greu swyddi yn y diwydiannau creadigol ac i weddnewid proffil rhyngwladol Cymru. Dylem oll groesawu’r datblygiad hwn. Efallai y dylid rhoi unrhyw sylwadau eraill o’r neilltu. Bydd hynny’n helpu’r cwmni i fynd ymlaen â’r cam nesaf—y gwaith codi arian—ac, yn olaf, y gwaith cynllunio manwl. Mae’n bwysig na rwystrir ymdrechion y datblygwr i symud ymlaen.
Er bod y Prif Weinidog yn gallu cyfeirio at brosiectau unigol, a yw’n derbyn bod anghenion dwfn yn bodoli o hyd yng Nghymoedd y De, gan gynnwys ardaloedd ôl-ddiwydiannol Dyffryn Aman a Chwm Gwendraeth, ac ardaloedd gwledig dyffryn Teifi a dyffryn Tywi, yn fy etholaeth i? Os ydyw am fynd i’r afael o ddifrif â’r problemau sydd yn wynebu’r ardaloedd hynny, rhaid iddo gael polisïau economaidd a thargedau rhanbarthol sydd wedi eu targedu at anghenion yr ardaloedd hynny.
Although the First Minister can point to individual projects, does he not accept that there remain deep-rooted needs in the south Wales Valleys, including the post-industrial Gwendraeth and Amman valleys and the rural Teifi and Tywi valleys in my constituency? If he is to seriously tackle the problems facing those areas, he must have economic policies and regional targets aimed at those areas and their needs.
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 17
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh p. 17
Newidiodd eich cwestiwn wrth fynd yn ei flaen. Yr oeddech yn dechrau drwy ofyn am dargedau etholaethol. Mae’n ddyletswydd ar aelodau mewn sefydliadau democrataidd ar draws y byd i ofyn cwestiynau am eu hetholaethau. Ond, yr oedd diwedd y cwestiwn yn gwneud pwynt oeraidd, economaidd y gallech ei ystyried fel mater rhanbarthol, nad oedd yn ymwneud â’ch etholaeth chi. Nid yw hynny’n ymarferol. Mewn sefyllfa felly, gallech ddweud ein bod wedi gosod targed rhanbarthol, ond nad oeddem wedi gwneud unrhyw beth yn eich etholaeth chi. Rhaid i chi benderfynu beth yr ydych ei eisiau: polisi economaidd ymarferol neu reswm dros gwyno oherwydd na wnaed digon ar ran eich etholaeth chi.
Your question changed as it proceeded. You started by asking about constituency targets. It is the duty of members in democratic institutions across the world to ask questions about their constituencies. However, the question ended with a cold, economic point, which you could describe as regional, rather than involving your constituency. That is not practicable. In such a situation, you could say that we had set regional targets, but that we had not done anything for your constituency. You must decide what you want: a practical economic policy or a reason for complaining because not enough has been done for your constituency.
Gwerthu Tân Gwyllt
Sale of Fireworks
Has the First Minister had any discussions with the Department of Trade and Industry about restructuring the current voluntary code of practice governing the sale of fireworks to the public, in order to bring it within a statutory framework? (OAQ19339)
A yw’r Prif Weinidog wedi cynnal trafodaethau gyda’r Adran Diwydiant a Masnach ynghylch ailstrwythuro’r cod ymarfer ym maes gwerthu tân gwyllt i’r cyhoedd, sydd yn wirfoddol ar hyn o bryd, er mwyn ei osod mewn fframwaith statudol? (OAQ19339)
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 18
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18
I have had no discussions with the Department of Trade and Industry on this issue. The DTI, as you said, is responsible for policy with regard to the possible prohibition of supplying certain types of fireworks. Regulations already exist prohibiting the supply of fireworks to anyone under the age of 18. The DTI is also in charge of the fireworks safety campaign. The number of injuries caused by fireworks was substantially higher in 2001 than in 2000. I do not want to be a killjoy, but you cannot ignore the fact that 52 injuries caused by fireworks were treated at NHS hospitals, not general practice surgeries, in 2000. That increased—I was about to say rocketed—to 64 fireworks injuries in 2001. That is not acceptable and the industry, shopkeepers and the DTI need to do something about it.
Ni chefais unrhyw drafodaethau gyda’r Adran Masnach a Diwydiant ar y mater hwn. Fel y dywedasoch, yr Adran Masnach a Diwydiant sy’n gyfrifol am bolisi gyda golwg ar y posibilrwydd o wahardd cyflenwi rhai mathau o dân gwyllt. Ceir rheoliadau eisoes i wahardd cyflenwi tân gwyllt i neb o dan 18 oed. Yr Adran Masnach a Diwydiant sy’n cyfarwyddo’r ymgyrch diogelwch tân gwyllt hefyd. Yr oedd nifer yr anafiadau a achoswyd gan dân gwyllt yn uwch o lawer yn 2001 nag yr oedd yn 2000. Nid wyf am ddifetha hwyl neb, ond ni allwch anwybyddu’r ffaith bod 52 o anafiadau oherwydd tân gwyllt wedi’u trin yn ysbytai’r GIG, nid mewn meddygfeydd meddygon teulu, yn 2000. Cynyddodd y ffigur hwnnw—bu bron imi ddweud iddo rocedu—i 64 o anafiadau yn 2001. Nid yw hynny’n dderbyniol a rhaid i’r diwydiant, y siopwyr a’r Adran Masnach a Diwydiant wneud rhywbeth yn ei gylch.
Will you join me in welcoming the recent ban on certain fireworks, such as air bombs and screaming rockets, and in hoping that the sale of fireworks in shops will one day be banned, or at the very least be subject to a licensing system such as that adopted recently in Northern Ireland? One burns injury is one too many.
A wnewch ymuno â mi i groesawu’r gwaharddiad diweddar ar rai mathau o dân gwyllt, fel bomiau awyr a rocedi sgrechian, ac i obeithio y bydd gwaharddiad ryw ddydd ar werthu tân gwyllt mewn siopau, neu y bydd o leiaf yn ddarostyngedig i system drwyddedu fel yr un a fabwysiadwyd yng Ngogledd Iwerddon yn ddiweddar? Mae un anaf drwy losgi yn un yn ormod.
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 18
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 18
As a child, watching firework displays on 5 November gave me great pleasure. It was part of growing up in the immediate post-war period. I do not want to deprive anyone of the same enjoyment. Fireworks are now on sale for a long period before 5 November, increasing the likelihood of unorganised fireworks events being held and of children lighting fireworks unsupervised by parents and suffering eye injuries as a result. Pets are also traumatised by the sound of bangers being lit over the three to four week period leading up to 5 November, which I regret. We should concentrate on only lighting fireworks on 5 November and attending organised firework displays that involve parents and adults. Everyone would then be much safer and happier.
Pan oeddwn yn blentyn, byddai gwylio arddangosfeydd tân gwyllt ar 5 Tachwedd yn bleser mawr i mi. Yr oedd yn rhan o blentyndod yn y cyfnod yn syth ar ôl y rhyfel. Nid wyf am amddifadu neb o’r un mwynhad. Mae tân gwyllt bellach ar werth am gyfnod hir cyn 5 Tachwedd, sy’n cynyddu’r tebygolrwydd y bydd digwyddiadau tân gwyllt heb eu trefnu’n cael eu cynnal ac y bydd plant yn cynnau tân gwyllt heb eu harolygu gan eu rhieni ac yn cael anafiadau i’w llygaid o ganlyniad. Caiff anifeiliaid anwes eu dychryn hefyd gan sŵn clecars yn cael eu tanio dros y cyfnod o dair i bedair wythnos cyn 5 Tachwedd, ac mae hynny’n ofid i mi. Dylem ganolbwyntio ar gynnau tân gwyllt ar 5 Tachwedd yn unig a mynd i arddangosfeydd tân gwyllt sydd wedi’u trefnu lle y mae rhieni ac oedolion yn bresennol. Byddai pawb yn llawer mwy diogel a hapus wedyn.
Prosiectau Menter Cyllid Preifat
Private Funding Initiative Projects
Will the First Minister make a statement on any plans that his Government has to release information regarding the costs of PFI projects? (OAQ19366)
A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad ar unrhyw gynlluniau sydd gan ei Lywodraeth i ryddhau gwybodaeth ynghylch costau prosiectau menter cyllid preifat? (OAQ19366)
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 19
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19
Costs associated with PFI transactions is a matter for the two contracting parties involved. Some private companies will take a strong view on releasing information about their financial involvement in and commitment to repayments based on the capital and maintenance costs of projects, while others will not. We are currently trying to collate standardised information that will be made available on the Assembly website. We cannot control the actions of local authorities with regard to this issue, but NHS trusts are slightly easier to control in this regard even though they are legally separate from the Assembly.
Mae’r costau sy’n ymwneud â gweithrediadau PFI yn fater i’r ddau barti sy’n gysylltiedig â’r contract. Mae gan rai cwmnïau preifat syniadau pendant am ryddhau gwybodaeth am eu cysylltiad ariannol a’u hymrwymiad o ran ad-daliadau sy’n seiliedig ar gostau cyfalaf a chynnal a chadw prosiectau, ac mae gan eraill farn wahanol. Ar hyn o bryd yr ydym yn ceisio casglu gwybodaeth safonol a gaiff ei darparu ar wefan y Cynulliad. Ni allwn reoli gweithredoedd awdurdodau lleol mewn cysylltiad â’r mater hwn, ond mae’r ymddiriedolaethau GIG ychydig yn haws eu rheoli yn hyn o beth er eu bod ar wahân i’r Cynulliad yn gyfreithiol.
I know that you are not a great fan of PFI and I am sure that you want to see all project costs published so that people can judge whether they are getting true value for money. Will you therefore use your powers when issuing guidance on PFI contracts, to ensure that it is clearly stated that all costs should be published as soon as contracts are signed so that people can make their own judgments?
Gwn nad ydych yn gefnogol iawn i PFI ac yr wyf yn sicr eich bod am weld cyhoeddi costau’r holl brosiectau fel y gall pobl farnu a ydynt yn cael gwir werth am arian. A wnewch felly ddefnyddio’ch pwerau wrth gyhoeddi canllawiau ar gontractau PFI, i sicrhau y rhoddir ar ddeall y dylai’r holl gostau gael eu cyhoeddi cyn gynted ag y caiff contractau eu harwyddo fel bod pobl yn gallu barnu drostynt eu hunain?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 19
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 19
I take a pragmatic rather than an ideological view of this issue. It is well known that PFI is used less in Wales than in England, for reasons such as property conditions, land prices and the fact that there is less demand for housing land in parts of Wales. That means that if there is no great demand to buy surplus hospital land for housing, there will not be a large reduction in the cost of building a new hospital, for example. The approach is pragmatic and not idealogical. However, if insisting that project costs be published increased those costs, that is not a sensible policy. Publishing project costs depends on contractors being willing to make bids; many contractors already complain about the colossal cost of the number of bids that they must make in order to win one bid. Many are walking away from PFI for that reason. If contractors insisted that they had to add a few percentage points to project costs as a result of publishing the figures, that would have to be considered in the same pragmatic way that we approach all PFI business cases.
Mae gennyf safbwynt pragmatig yn hytrach nag un ideolegol ar y mater hwn. Mae’n dra hysbys bod llai o ddefnydd ar PFI yng Nghymru nag yn Lloegr, am resymau fel cyflwr eiddo, prisiau tir a’r ffaith bod llai o alw am dir i godi tai mewn rhai rhannau o Gymru. Mae hynny’n golygu, os nad oes galw mawr am brynu tir ysbytai sydd dros ben ar gyfer tai, na fydd gostyngiad mawr yn y gost o godi ysbyty newydd, er enghraifft. Dull gweithredu pragmatig ydyw, nid un ideolegol. Fodd bynnag, os byddai mynnu cyhoeddi costau prosiectau’n cynyddu’r costau hynny, ni fyddai hynny’n bolisi doeth. Mae’r posibilrwydd o gyhoeddi costau prosiectau’n dibynnu ar barodrwydd y contractwyr i wneud ceisiadau; mae llawer o gontractwyr yn cwyno eisoes am gost aruthrol y nifer o geisiadau y mae’n rhaid iddynt eu gwneud er mwyn llwyddo mewn un cais. Mae llawer yn troi eu cefn ar PFI oherwydd hynny. Pe byddai contractwyr yn mynnu bod rhaid iddynt ychwanegu ychydig o bwyntiau canran at gostau prosiect o ganlyniad i gyhoeddi’r ffigurau, byddai’n rhaid ystyried hynny yn yr un modd pragmatig ag yr ydym yn ymdrin â phob achos busnes PFI.
Do you share my confusion about Plaid Cymru’s attitude towards PFI schemes? Although Janet Ryder opposes PFI, her colleague, the leader of Denbighshire County Council, has described its PFI scheme as the best piece of news that Denbighshire has had for quite a long time.
A ydych mewn penbleth, fel yr wyf fi, ynghylch agwedd Plaid Cymru at gynlluniau PFI? Er bod Janet Ryder yn gwrthwynebu PFI, mae ei chyd-aelod o Blaid Cymru, arweinydd Cyngor Sir Ddinbych, wedi dweud mai ei gynllun PFI ef yw’r newydd gorau a gafodd sir Ddinbych ers cryn amser.
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 20
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20
If it were the only subject on which Plaid Cymru said one thing in one part of Wales and something else in another, I would be more surprised. Plaid Cymru-controlled local authorities have been enthusiastic about PFI projects and have been battering Edwina Hart’s door down for more projects if they can possibly get them. Therefore, it is odd that Plaid Cymru tries to give voters in different parts of Wales the impression that it is totally against PFI in all circumstances.
Os mai hwnnw oedd yr unig bwnc yr oedd Plaid Cymru’n dweud un peth amdano mewn un rhan o Gymru a rhywbeth arall mewn rhan arall, byddwn yn synnu’n fwy. Mae awdurdodau lleol a reolir gan Blaid Cymru wedi bod yn frwd ynghylch prosiectau PFI ac wedi bod yn curo wrth ddrws Edwina Hart i gael rhagor o brosiectau os oes modd iddynt eu cael. Felly, mae’n rhyfedd bod Plaid Cymru’n ceisio rhoi’r argraff i bleidleiswyr mewn gwahanol rannau o Gymru ei bod yn llwyr yn erbyn PFI dan bob amgylchiad.
Uwchgynhadledd Johannesburg
Johannesburg Summit
Will the First Minister make a statement on his visit to the Johannesburg summit? (OAQ19331)
A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad ar ei ymweliad ag uwchgynhadledd Johannesburg? (OAQ19331)
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 20
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 20
We all welcome you back, Lynne, and we are grateful for your efforts to increase the school population of Wales in five years’ time.
Yr ydym oll yn eich croesawu’n ôl, Lynne, ac yr ydym yn ddiolchgar am eich ymdrechion i gynyddu poblogaeth ysgolion Cymru ymhen pum mlynedd.
Johannesburg provided an opportunity to showcase the world lead we now have as a regional tier Government in terms of our commitment to sustainable development. Significantly, during the summit I co-hosted and chaired a meeting of around 25 regional tier governments from every continent in the globe which agreed a formal declaration of values after a great deal of difficult discussion over their exact wording. We had a little more success than the main summit meeting, which had to deal with 107 sovereign governments.
Yr oedd Johannesburg yn gyfle inni ddangos ein bod yn arwain drwy’r byd bellach fel Llywodraeth haen ranbarthol o ran ein hymrwymiad i ddatblygu cynaliadwy. Yr oedd yn arwyddocaol fy mod, yn ystod yr uwchgynhadledd, wedi cydlywyddu a chadeirio mewn cyfarfod o tua 25 o lywodraethau haen ranbarthol o bob cyfandir yn y byd a gytunodd ar ddatganiad ffurfiol o werthoedd ar ôl llawer o drafod anodd ynghylch eu hunion eiriad. Cawsom ychydig yn fwy o lwyddiant na phrif gyfarfod yr uwchgynhadledd, a oedd yn gorfod delio â 107 o lywodraethau sofran.
The sustainable development summit helped; one has to award it seven and a half out of 10. It did not achieve all that people hoped for, but it achieved a great deal to secure some sort of commitment towards improving the balance between economic development and not destroying the environment.
Yr oedd yr uwchgynhadledd datblygu cynaliadwy o gymorth; rhaid i rywun roi saith a hanner allan o 10 iddi. Ni chyflawnodd y cwbl yr oedd pobl yn ei obeithio, ond cyflawnodd lawer iawn i sicrhau rhyw fath o ymrwymiad i wella’r cydbwysedd rhwng datblygu economaidd a pheidio â dinistrio’r amgylchedd.
Progress was made in Johannesburg and was led, in many ways, by the Labour Government. However, do you share my disappointment that there was no progress on the reform of agricultural markets? Despite progress being made on debt reduction it remains a fact that for every $1 given in aid, $2 are lost through unfair trading practices at a cost of $100 billion a year to the world’s poor. Will you give a commitment that your Cabinet will support the UK Government’s efforts to open up European markets and end the unfair protectionism that benefits producers of the western world?
Gwnaed cynnydd yn Johannesburg a hynny drwy arweiniad y Llywodraeth Lafur, ar lawer ystyr. Er hynny, a ydych yn siomedig, fel yr wyf fi, na fu cynnydd ynghylch diwygio marchnadoedd amaethyddol? Er gwaethaf y cynnydd a wneir ar leihau dyledion mae’n wir o hyd fod pob $1 o gymorth a roddir yn cyd-fynd â cholli $2 drwy arferion marchnata annheg ar gost o $100 biliwn y flwyddyn i dlodion y byd. A wnewch ymrwymo y bydd eich Cabinet yn cefnogi ymdrechion Llywodraeth y DU i agor marchnadoedd Ewropeaidd a rhoi terfyn ar y ddiffyndollaeth annheg sy’n rhoi mantais i gynhyrchwyr y byd gorllewinol?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 21
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 21
I have always felt strongly about this. It is a bugbear for the third world to look at the structure of the common agricultural policy and see that it is of absolutely no value to them in terms of opening up markets. There was also a notable failure to agree targets on renewable energy due to the policies of the US Government, Australia and the OPEC countries for obvious reasons.
Yr wyf yn teimlo’n gryf ynghylch hyn erioed. Casbeth i’r trydydd byd yw edrych ar strwythur y polisi amaethyddol cyffredin a gweld nad yw o unrhyw werth o gwbl iddynt o ran agor marchnadoedd. Bu methiant nodedig hefyd i gytuno ar dargedau ar ynni adnewyddadwy oherwydd polisïau Llywodraeth yr Unol Daleithiau, Awstralia a gwledydd OPEC am resymau amlwg.
Do you think that it was a good idea to spend your time and our money attending a conference that was also attended by a dictator whose policies are likely to lead to the death of 6 million people in southern Africa? Do you agree that your time could have been better spent persuading this Government to act positively to try to help people currently living in poverty and under oppression in countries with which we have a strong historical connection?
A ydych yn credu mai syniad da oedd treulio’ch amser chi a gwario’n harian ni ar fynd i gynhadledd lle’r oedd unben yn bresennol hefyd, y mae ei bolisïau’n debygol o arwain at farwolaeth 6 miliwn o bobl yn neheudir Affrica? A ydych yn cytuno y buasai’n well i chi dreulio’ch amser yn darbwyllo’r Llywodraeth hon i gymryd camau cadarnhaol i geisio helpu pobl sydd ar hyn o bryd yn byw mewn tlodi ac o dan ormes mewn gwledydd y mae gennym gysylltiad hanesyddol cryf â hwy?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 22
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22
You need not have made that preamble, David. I commend to you the words of Theresa May about the need for the Tories to stop being the nasty party. [Laughter.] However, I agree with the main part of your question. I heard your BBC interview, and I admired every word you said about farmers in Zimbabwe being driven off their land and possibly being subjected to worse treatment. I agree entirely with what you said and I hope that we can make some progress on this. It is not up to us to say who should attend these summit meetings. Given that Zimbabwe is next door to South Africa, it was likely that Robert Mugabe would be invited. He abused his position at the summit conference by unnecessarily attacking the Prime Minister of this country. Ultimately, I think that the people of Zimbabwe will rise up and get rid of him.
Nid oedd rhaid ichi roi’r rhagymadrodd hwnnw, David. Cymeradwyaf i chi eiriau Theresa May am yr angen i’r Torïaid roi’r gorau i fod yn blaid gas. [Chwerthin.] Serch hynny, cytunaf â phrif ran eich cwestiwn. Clywais y cyfweliad â chi ar y BBC, ac edmygais bob dim a ddywedasoch am ffermwyr yn Zimbabwe yn cael eu gyrru oddi ar eu tir ac yn cael triniaeth waeth na hynny o bosibl. Cytunaf yn llwyr â’r hyn a ddywedasoch a gobeithiaf y gallwn wneud rhywfaint o gynnydd ar hyn. Nid mater i ni yw dweud pwy a ddylai fynd i’r uwchgynadleddau hyn. Gan fod Zimbabwe y drws nesaf i Dde Affrica, yr oedd yn debygol y câi Robert Mugabe wahoddiad. Camddefnyddiodd ei safle yn yr uwchgynhadledd drwy ymosod yn ddiangen ar Brif Weinidog y wlad hon. Yn y pen draw, credaf y bydd pobl Zimbabwe yn ei wrthsefyll ac yn cael gwared ag ef.
Yr Adran Gwaith a Phensiynau
Department for Work and Pensions
What discussions has the First Minister had with the Department for Work and Pensions concerning how it treats Assembly learning grants for the purposes of assessing entitlement to benefit? (OAQ19333)
Pa drafodaethau y mae’r Prif Weinidog wedi’u cael â’r Adran Gwaith a Phensiynau ynghylch y ffordd y mae’n ymdrin â grantiau dysgu’r Cynulliad wrth asesu hawl pobl i gael budd-dâl? (OAQ19333)
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 22
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 22
My Cabinet colleagues and I have had several interesting exchanges with the Department for Work and Pensions in recent months during which we have been much assisted by the Secretary of State for Wales. As a result, we and the department are working in partnership to maximise the financial support for the small proportion of eligible students whose benefits would be affected by receipt of an Assembly learning grant. I emphasise that the vast majority of eligible students will benefit significantly from the Assembly leaning grant scheme, and I commend students who think that they are eligible to apply.
Mae fy nghyd-aelodau yn y Cabinet a minnau wedi cael sawl trafodaeth ddiddorol â’r Adran Gwaith a Phensiynau yn y misoedd diwethaf hyn a chawsom lawer o gymorth yn hyn o beth gan Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru. O ganlyniad i hynny, yr ydym ni a’r adran yn cydweithio i fwyhau’r cymorth ariannol i’r gyfran fach o fyfyrwyr cymwys y byddai derbyn grant dysgu’r Cynulliad yn cael effaith ar eu budd-daliadau. Pwysleisiaf y bydd y mwyafrif helaeth o fyfyrwyr cymwys yn cael budd sylweddol o gynllun grant dysgu’r Cynulliad, ac anogaf y myfyrwyr sy’n credu eu bod yn gymwys i ymgeisio.
I am also keen to see students gaining the maximum benefits from Assembly learning grants. I am gratified that you have already taken up this issue with the Government. Are you aware that, in addition to further education students, some mature students in higher education have been badly hit? Will you bear that in mind when you take up the issue with the Department for Work and Pensions?
Yr wyf finnau’n awyddus i weld myfyrwyr yn cael y budd mwyaf posibl o grantiau dysgu’r Cynulliad. Yr wyf yn falch eich bod eisoes wedi codi’r mater hwn gyda’r Llywodraeth. A ydych yn ymwybodol bod rhai myfyrwyr hŷn mewn addysg uwch, yn ogystal â myfyrwyr addysg bellach, wedi’u bwrw’n galed? A wnewch gadw hynny mewn cof pan ydych yn codi’r mater gyda’r Adran Gwaith a Phensiynau?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 23
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 23
As you know, Peter, we expected some 50,000 students to benefit from Assembly learning grants during the first pathfinder year. A maximum of approximately 5 per cent of students will be affected by the clawback if we cannot ensure its removal. We can only put maximum pressure on the Department for Work and Pensions by persuading those who may well fear that they will be affected by the clawback to apply, so that we know who they are and what is the eligible population affected. Therefore nothing should be done via the media which discourages people from applying. The people that we want most to assist are the ones who have the biggest handicaps preventing them from entering full-time, or near full-time, higher or further education. These are frequently single mothers and others who receive income support.
Fel y gwyddoch, Peter, yr oeddem yn disgwyl i ryw 50,000 o fyfyrwyr elwa o grantiau dysgu’r Cynulliad yn ystod y flwyddyn arloesi gyntaf. Bydd tua 5 y cant ar y mwyaf o fyfyrwyr yn cael eu heffeithio gan yr adfachu os na allwn sicrhau ei fod yn cael ei ddileu. Ni allwn ond rhoi’r pwysau mwyaf posibl ar yr Adran Gwaith a Phensiynau drwy ddarbwyllo’r rhai a allai ofni y bydd yr adfachu’n effeithio arnynt i ymgeisio, fel ein bod yn gwybod pwy ydynt a beth yw maint y boblogaeth gymwys sy’n cael ei heffeithio. Felly ni ddylid gwneud dim drwy’r cyfryngau sy’n cymell pobl i beidio ag ymgeisio. Y bobl y dymunwn roi cymorth iddynt fwyaf yw’r rhai sydd â’r anfanteision mwyaf sy’n eu rhwystro rhag mynd i addysg bellach neu uwch lawn amser, neu bron yn llawn amser. Yn aml, mamau sengl ac eraill sy’n derbyn cymhorthdal incwm yw’r rhain.
Thank you for your interesting response. Can you account for that 5 per cent, although it may well be, as you rightly said, the poorest 5 per cent? Will you explain to those people why this benefit disregard was not resolved long before the grant came into being? Is this yet another example of a Labour Government in Westminster and a Labour Government in Cardiff not serving Wales’s poorest people?
Diolch i chi am eich ymateb diddorol. A allwch egluro’r 5 y cant hwnnw, er ei bod yn bosibl, fel y dywedasoch, mai’r 5 y cant tlotaf ydyw? A wnewch egluro i’r bobl hynny pam na ddatryswyd yr anwybyddiad budd-dal hwn ymhell cyn i’r grant ddod i fodolaeth? A yw hon yn enghraifft eto o Lywodraeth Lafur yn San Steffan a Llywodraeth Lafur yng Nghaerdydd yn peidio â gwasanaethu pobl dlotaf Cymru?
Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in English p. 23
Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 23
Thank you for avoiding the obvious party political points, Helen Mary. This issue has been subject to discussion at official and ministerial level since May. I accept that it has not yet produced the desired solution. I hope that that solution will be forthcoming, and that is why discussions are continuing. I am pleased to hear that I have what I shall generously interpret as your wholehearted support.
Diolch i chi am osgoi’r pwyntiau pleidiol wleidyddol amlwg, Helen Mary. Mae’r mater hwn yn cael ei drafod ar lefel swyddogion a gweinidogion ers mis Mai. Derbyniaf na chafwyd y canlyniad yr ydym am ei weld hyd yn hyn. Gobeithiaf y daw ateb, a dyna pam y mae’r trafodaethau’n parhau. Yr wyf yn falch o glywed bod gennyf yr hyn a ddehonglaf, a bod yn hael, yn gefnogaeth lwyr ar eich rhan.
Datganiad ar Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru
Statement on the Wales Millennium Centre
Jenny Randerson The Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language spoken in English p. 24
Jenny Randerson Y Gweinidog dros Ddiwylliant, Chwaraeon a’r Gymraeg siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 24
I promised to keep the Assembly up-to-date with developments on the Wales Millennium Centre. Work on the centre started on site in February, and since then considerable progress has been made. The speed and scale of the developing steelwork on site has been impressive. There is now a real sense of just what an impressive and iconic building the centre will be.
Addewais roi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i’r Cynulliad am y datblygiadau ynghylch Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru. Dechreuodd y gwaith ar y safle yn Chwefror, a gwnaed cryn gynnydd ers hynny. Mae cyflymder a maint y datblygu ar y gwaith dur ar y safle wedi bod yn drawiadol. Mae gwir ymdeimlad yn awr o’r fath adeilad trawiadol ac eiconaidd fydd y ganolfan.
As expected, there have been fluctuations in the construction work. The good start was assisted by dry weather in the spring, but since then, there have been minor delays caused by foul drainage problems. However, Sir Robert MacAlpine reports that it is on schedule, and the construction phase is on budget. It is still early days, of course, but I am pleased to report a promising start to the project.
Yn ôl y disgwyl, bu amrywiadau yn y gwaith adeiladu. Rhoddwyd hwb ar y dechrau gan y tywydd sych yn y gwanwyn ond, ers hynny, bu ychydig o oedi o bryd i’w gilydd oherwydd problemau ynghylch traenio dŵr budr. Serch hynny, dywed Syr Robert MacAlpine ei fod yn cadw at yr amserlen, ac mae’r cam adeiladu’n gyson â’r gyllideb. Megis dechrau y mae’r gwaith, wrth gwrs, ond yr wyf yn falch o roi gwybod bod y prosiect wedi cychwyn yn addawol.
I made a statement in April on the contingent liabilities in respect of the land transfer. I can now confirm that the Welsh Assembly Government completed the lease of the land to the Wales Millennium Centre Company in July.
Gwneuthum ddatganiad yn Ebrill ar yr ymrwymiadau amodol mewn cysylltiad â throsglwyddo’r tir. Gallaf gadarnhau bellach fod Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru wedi cwblhau gosod y tir ar brydles i Gwmni Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru yng Ngorffennaf.
In respect of the areas of risk debated by the Assembly in January, good progress has been made on the capital allowances scheme and on the key issues of car parking and the arts pod. The capital allowances scheme was completed last Friday. I am pleased to inform you that the income from the allowances is expected to at least match the project requirements. This is a major hurdle and an important step forward in finalising the funding of the centre. Proposals are well-advanced for a 740-space car park across the road from the centre on the site originally earmarked for WMC parking. On the arts pod, discussions are progressing about a development on that part of the site. Since these matters are commercially sensitive, I am not able to say more at present but I will report further on this matter when I am able to do so. In addition to these developments, the project’s business plan is being updated and revised to take account of the best and most recent information.
O ran y meysydd risg a drafodwyd gan y Cynulliad yn Ionawr, gwnaed cynnydd da ar y cynllun lwfansau cyfalaf ac ar faterion allweddol parcio ceir a chromen y celfyddydau. Cwblhawyd y cynllun lwfansau cyfalaf ddydd Gwener diwethaf. Yr wyf yn falch o’ch hysbysu bod disgwyl i’r incwm o’r lwfansau o leiaf gyfateb i anghenion y prosiect. Mae hwn yn rhwystr mawr ac yn gam pwysig ymlaen wrth gwblhau’r trefniadau cyllid ar gyfer y ganolfan. Mae’r cynlluniau wedi mynd rhagddynt yn dda ar gyfer maes parcio â lle i 740 o geir gyferbyn â’r ganolfan ar y safle a glustnodwyd yn wreiddiol ar gyfer parcio i Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru. Ynghylch cromen y celfyddydau, mae trafodaethau’n mynd rhagddynt ynghylch datblygiad ar y rhan honno o’r safle. Gan fod y materion hyn yn fasnachol sensitif, ni allaf ddweud rhagor ar hyn o bryd ond adroddaf ymhellach ar y mater hwn pan allaf wneud hynny. Yn ogystal â’r datblygiadau hyn, mae cynllun busnes y prosiect yn cael ei ddiweddaru a’i ddiwygio i roi sylw i’r wybodaeth orau a diweddaraf.
The issue of co-funding, which involves inputs from the private and charitable sectors, remains a concern, and one which I drew to your attention when we debated the Assembly Government’s input to the centre in January this year. It is still too early to make much comment on this, as the key targets for getting this funding in place are still some way off. I will, however, be monitoring this aspect of the WMC’s business closely and will raise the issue again in my future statements to the Assembly.
Mae cydariannu, sy’n golygu mewnbwn gan y sectorau preifat ac elusennol, yn destun pryder o hyd, ac yn un y tynnais eich sylw ato pan fu inni drafod mewnbwn Llywodraeth y Cynulliad i’r ganolfan yn Ionawr eleni. Mae’n rhy gynnar o hyd i ddweud llawer am hyn, gan fod peth ffordd i fynd i gyrraedd y targedau allweddol ar gyfer sicrhau’r cyllid hwn. Er hynny, byddaf yn cadw llygad barcud ar yr agwedd hon ar fusnes y ganolfan a chodaf y mater eto yn fy natganiadau i’r Cynulliad yn y dyfodol.
There have been developments in the management of the project. I am pleased that the Wales Millennium Centre Company has appointed a new finance director to strengthen the team as it moves through the development phase into programming and pre-opening issues. The post of chief executive officer has also been advertised. This post—and the team to support it—is a vital ingredient as we move towards the opening night. While we are doing well on the development phase, it is important to keep in view the approaching opening, the needs of the resident organisations, and the vital ingredient of programming.
Bu datblygiadau yn rheolaeth y prosiect. Yr wyf yn falch bod Cwmni Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru wedi penodi cyfarwyddwr cyllid newydd i atgyfnerthu’r tîm wrth iddo fynd drwy’r cam datblygu at y materion rhaglennu a pharatoi ar gyfer agor. Hysbysebwyd swydd y prif weithredwr hefyd. Mae’r swydd hon—a’r tîm i’w chynnal—yn elfen hanfodol wrth inni symud tuag at y noson agoriadol. Er ein bod yn gwneud yn dda ar y cam datblygu, mae’n bwysig cadw llygad ar yr agoriad sy’n nesáu, anghenion y cyrff preswyl, a’r elfen hanfodol o raglennu.
We have reiterated many times that the WMC will have far-reaching benefits for the whole of Wales. The centre reflects Wales in its construction, design and materials. The Wales Millennium Centre Company expects to use Welsh slate and slate workers in the construction. There is also a preference for using Welsh timber. We are, of course, already giving detailed thought to the deployment of the additional £2 million that we are making available for the arts outside Cardiff when the centre opens. This matches the £2 million a year that we have committed as revenue support to the centre to ensure the quality of programming and accessibility, as well as to support the resident organisations.
Yr ydym wedi dweud lawer gwaith y bydd Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru’n dod â manteision pell-gyrhaeddol i Gymru gyfan. Mae’r ganolfan yn adlewyrchu Cymru o ran ei hadeiladwaith, ei dyluniad a’i defnyddiau. Mae Cwmni Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru’n disgwyl defnyddio llechi a gweithwyr llechi o Gymru yn y gwaith adeiladu. Mae ffafriaeth i ddefnyddio coed o Gymru hefyd. Yr ydym eisoes yn rhoi ystyriaeth fanwl, wrth gwrs, i’r defnydd o’r £2 filiwn ychwanegol yr ydym yn ei ddarparu ar gyfer y celfyddydau y tu allan i Gaerdydd pan yw’r ganolfan yn agor. Mae hyn yn cyfateb i’r £2 filiwn y flwyddyn yr ydym wedi’i neilltuo fel cymorth refeniw i’r ganolfan i sicrhau ansawdd y rhaglennu a’r hygyrchedd, a hefyd i gynorthwyo’r cyrff preswyl.
Croesawaf gyflymder datblygiad yr adeilad. Yr oeddech yn edrych drwy’r ffenestr un diwrnod ac yn gallu gweld Stadiwm y Mileniwm yn y dref, a thrannoeth yr oedd y cwbl wedi cael ei guddio gan hytrawstiau mawr y ganolfan newydd. Mae wedi bod yn anhygoel. Yr wyf yn falch o glywed am y cynnydd yn y cynllun lwfansau, ac am y ddarpariaeth ar gyfer parcio. Byddwn yn astudio eich adroddiadau i’r Pwyllgor Diwylliant yn ofalus i weld sut y mae pob agwedd ar y prosiect yn datblygu. Sylwais y byddwch yn sicrhau y caiff llechi o Gymru eu defnyddio ar yr adeilad, ond nid oedd sicrwydd ynglŷn â’r pren. Dywedoch y rhoddir blaenoriaeth i ddefnyddio pren o Gymru. A wnewch chi sicrhau y daw’r pren o Gymru? Mae digon o goed yng Nghymru, a digon o swyddi yn y maes hwnnw sydd angen eu gwarchod.
I welcome the speed with which the building is being erected. You looked out of the window one day and could see the Millennium Stadium in town, and the following day it was hidden by the huge girders of the new centre. It has been incredible. I am pleased to hear about the progress on the allowances scheme, and the provision of parking space. We will scrutinise your reports to the Culture Committee carefully to see how all aspects of the project are developing. I notice that you will ensure that Welsh slate will be used on the building, but there was not certainty about the timber. You said that there was a preference for using Welsh timber. Will you ensure that the timber used is from Wales? We have plenty of timber in Wales and plenty of timber-related jobs that need protecting.
Yr oeddwn yn falch hefyd o weld eich bod yn cadw at yr addewid i fuddsoddi £2 miliwn yn y celfyddydau y tu allan i’r brifddinas. Edrychaf ymlaen at weld yr adeilad wedi ei orffen, yn ei holl ogoniant, yn rhoi hwb i amrediad o ddigwyddiadau diwylliannol, yn magu doniau pobl ifanc, ac yn rhoi mwynhad i ddegau o filoedd, os nad cannoedd o filoedd, o bobl o bob rhan o Gymru.
I was also pleased to see that you will keep your pledge to invest £2 million in the arts outside the capital. I look forward to seeing the building completed, in all its glory, giving a boost to a range of cultural activities, developing young people’s talents, and entertaining tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of people from all parts of Wales.
Fodd bynnag, pryderaf ynglŷn â’r diffyg cynllunio o ran trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus. Bydd miloedd o bobl yn defnyddio’r ganolfan bob dydd, ond sut yn y byd y byddant yn teithio i’r ganolfan? A ydych wedi trafod y pwynt hwn â’r Gweinidog dros yr Amgylchedd ac â Chyngor Sir Caerdydd? Mae amser yn rhuthro yn ei flaen ac nid oes cynllun clir ynglŷn â sut y bydd pobl yn mynd a dod o’r ganolfan. Mae cynllun gwallgof y cerbydau ULTra, na fydd ond yn rhedeg o’r fan hon i neuadd y sir, yn costio £20 miliwn. Ni wnaiff hynny’r tro. Hoffwn glywed eich sylwadau ar y pwynt hwn.
However, I am concerned about the lack of planning in terms of public transport. Thousands of people will use the centre every day, but how on earth will they travel to the centre? Have you discussed this point with the Minister for Environment and with Cardiff County Council? Time is getting on and no specific plans are in place to carry people to and from the centre. The ludicrous ULTra pods scheme, which will only go from here to county hall, costs £20 million. That will not do. I would like to hear your comments on that point.
Thank you for your support for the project in general. On slate and timber, the requirements for the building, which are specific because the building has been designed to a high level of detail, must abide by European Union procurement rules. It is essential that one obeys those rules and does not cross the line and get into difficulties. However, the building has been designed to reflect Wales to the greatest possible extent within those rules. I am sure you will have comments for my colleague, the Finance Minister, on the budgetary issues later today. However, from the information that was made available last week, you can see that there are budget allocations for support for the arts in and outside Cardiff.
Diolch i chi am eich cefnogaeth i’r prosiect yn gyffredinol. Ynghylch llechi a choed, mae’r gofynion ar gyfer yr adeilad, sy’n benodol am fod yr adeilad wedi’i ddylunio’n fanwl dros ben, yn gorfod cydymffurfio â rheolau caffael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Mae’n hollbwysig bod rhywun yn ufuddhau i’r rheolau hynny ac yn peidio â chroesi’r terfyn a mynd i drafferthion. Er hynny, mae’r adeilad wedi’i ddylunio i adlewyrchu Cymru i’r graddau mwyaf posibl o fewn y rheolau hynny. Yr wyf yn siŵr y bydd gennych sylwadau ar gyfer fy nghyd-Aelod, y Gweinidog Cyllid, ar y materion cyllidebol yn ddiweddarach heddiw. Fodd bynnag, ar sail y wybodaeth a ddarparwyd yr wythnos diwethaf, gallwch weld bod dyraniadau yn y gyllideb i roi cymorth i’r celfyddydau yng Nghaerdydd a thu allan i Gaerdydd.
On public transport, I have frequent discussions about transport in Cardiff with the Minister responsible and this issue has been reflected in our conversations. The availability of transport in Cardiff is a matter for Cardiff County Council and was considered when it approved planning permission. However, I note your comments. I had grave concerns about car parking, but a 740-space car park is now likely to be agreed soon. I am delighted about that, but you are right to say that we must ensure that public transport is also up to scratch, because otherwise the building will not be accessible to all.
Ynghylch trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus, caf drafodaethau’n aml am drafnidiaeth yng Nghaerdydd gyda’r Gweinidog sy’n gyfrifol ac mae’r mater hwn wedi’i adlewyrchu yn ein sgyrsiau. Mae argaeledd trafnidiaeth yng Nghaerdydd yn fater i Gyngor Sir Caerdydd ac fe’i hystyriwyd pan roddodd ganiatâd cynllunio. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf yn nodi’ch sylwadau. Yr oedd gennyf bryderon dybryd ynghylch parcio ceir, ond mae’n debygol y cytunir ar faes parcio â lle i 740 o geir cyn hir. Yr wyf wrth fy modd am hynny, ond yr ydych yn iawn wrth ddweud bod rhaid inni sicrhau bod trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus yn gystal â’r disgwyl, oherwydd fel arall ni fydd yr adeilad yn hygyrch i bawb.
Minister, did you have an opportunity to look at the study by Cardiff University Business School, which was mentioned in the press today? It predicts that over £900 million of new income will come into the Welsh economy from the Wales Millennium Centre and the cultural agenda. That means jobs. Will you discuss matters with the Minister for Economic Development to ensure that we maximise the opportunities for jobs in the cultural sector as a whole, and not only within the WMC?
Weinidog, a gawsoch gyfle i edrych ar yr astudiaeth gan Ysgol Fusnes Prifysgol Caerdydd, y cyfeiriwyd ati yn y wasg heddiw? Mae’n proffwydo y daw dros £900 miliwn o incwm newydd i economi Cymru o Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru a’r agenda ddiwylliannol. Mae hynny’n golygu swyddi. A wnewch drafod y materion hyn gyda’r Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd i sicrhau ein bod yn amlhau’r cyfleoedd i gael swyddi yn y sector diwylliannol yn ei gyfanrwydd, ac nid yng Nghanolfan Mileniwm Cymru’n unig?
I have not had an opportunity to look at that study, but the picture that the report presents is similar that presented in my reports to the Assembly last term. On my return from my visit to the Guggenheim Museum, I stated that I could see the economic effects spreading out from that successful building. The Minister for Economic Development takes a close interest in the impact of cultural industries on the economy, and I have a meeting with him in the near future. We will discuss this matter, and I assure you that we will not only consider the building, but the contribution of the cultural sector as a whole. In 1998, it employed 29,000 people in Wales, and given the growth in the sector since then, well over 30,000 must be employed now. I hope that new research will demonstrate that.
Ni chefais gyfle i edrych ar yr astudiaeth honno, ond mae’r darlun a gyflwynir yn yr adroddiad yn debyg i’r un a gyflwynwyd yn fy adroddiadau i’r Cynulliad y tymor diwethaf. Ar ôl dychwelyd o’m hymweliad ag Amgueddfa Guggenheim, dywedais y gallwn weld yr effeithiau economaidd yn lledaenu o’r adeilad llwyddiannus hwnnw. Mae’r Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd yn ymddiddori’n fawr yn effaith y diwydiannau diwylliannol ar yr economi, a byddaf yn cwrdd ag ef yn y dyfodol agos. Byddwn yn trafod y mater hwn, ac fe’ch sicrhaf na fyddwn yn ystyried yr adeilad yn unig, ond cyfraniad y sector diwylliannol yn ei gyfanrwydd. Yn 1998, yr oedd yn cyflogi 29,000 o bobl yng Nghymru, ac o ystyried y twf a fu yn sector ers hynny, rhaid bod ymhell dros 30,000 yn cael eu cyflogi ganddo’n awr. Gobeithiaf y bydd ymchwil newydd yn dangos hynny.
I share your pleasure at the progress of the Wales Millennium Centre. I am pleased to hear you say that it is on time and on budget. I share your view that it is an important project, certainly in terms of Cardiff bay, where huge investment has been made. This project will help to connect that massive investment with the people of Wales. The National Assembly should be prepared to consider dramatic projects that enable the people of Wales to see the Assembly as a body willing to take action that may not have been possible had it not been established. If I have the opportunity to speak in the budget debate later, I will return to that point.
Ymhyfrydaf fel chithau yng nghynnydd Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru. Yr wyf yn falch o’ch clywed yn dweud ei bod yn cadw at yr amserlen a’r gyllideb. Cytunaf â’ch barn ei fod yn brosiect pwysig, yn sicr yng nghyd-destun bae Caerdydd, lle y bu buddsoddi aruthrol. Bydd y prosiect hwn yn helpu i gysylltu’r buddsoddiad enfawr hwnnw â phobl Cymru. Dylai’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol fod yn barod i ystyried prosiectau trawiadol sy’n galluogi pobl Cymru i weld y Cynulliad fel corff sy’n barod i gymryd camau na fuasai’n bosibl efallai pe na fyddai wedi’i sefydlu. Os caf gyfle i siarad yn y ddadl ar y gyllideb yn ddiweddarach, dychwelaf at y pwynt hwnnw.
I share your concerns about funding from the private and charitable sectors, but I accept that you are not ready to make a statement on that yet. However, this issue must be addressed and discussed with the people responsible. It is an issue that causes a considerable amount of concern. I was pleased to hear you refer to the use of Welsh products. You referred to slate and timber products, but I would like to ask you, given that I have been asked the question myself: where did the steel come from? I have heard that the steel has been delivered in lorries from Yorkshire and other far-away places and that no Welsh steel has been used. Perhaps you could confirm whether that is the case.
Rhannaf eich pryderon ynghylch cyllid o’r sectorau preifat ac elusennol, ond derbyniaf nad ydych yn barod i wneud datganiad ar hynny eto. Serch hynny, rhaid ymdrin â’r mater hwn a’i drafod gyda’r rhai sy’n gyfrifol. Mae’n fater sy’n peri cryn bryder. Yr oeddwn yn falch o’ch clywed yn cyfeirio at ddefnyddio cynhyrchion o Gymru. Cyfeiriasoch at gynhyrchion llechfaen a choed, ond hoffwn ofyn i chi, gan fod y cwestiwn wedi’i ofyn i mi: o ble y daeth y dur? Clywais fod y dur wedi’i ddanfon mewn lorïau o swydd Efrog a lleoedd pellennig eraill ac na ddefnyddiwyd dur o Gymru. Efallai y gallech gadarnhau a yw hynny’n wir.
The Wales Millennium Centre will have far-reaching benefits, and you will remember our amendment to the motion of a previous debate on this subject. I spoke to that motion, which emphasised that bringing people in other parts of Wales on board is crucial. That brings me to your final point. You referred to the £2 million. Of course that is still available. On its own, it will clearly not be enough. There was a belief that this money would be made available when we decided to proceed with the project. You should consider that and discuss it with the Finance Minister. I accept that that is not what was agreed, but the belief exists and it is a cause of concern for many people. There is also a cynical perception that the money does not have any real meaning and is merely a sop. You should address that, and perhaps it would be helpful if you brought the investment forward.
Daw Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru â manteision pellgyrhaeddol, a byddwch yn cofio ein gwelliant i’r cynnig mewn dadl flaenorol ar y pwnc hwn. Siaredais o blaid y cynnig hwnnw, a bwysleisiai ei bod yn hollbwysig cael pobl mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru i gymryd rhan. Daw hynny â mi at eich pwynt olaf. Cyfeiriasoch at y £2 filiwn. Wrth gwrs, mae hwnnw ar gael o hyd. Mae’n amlwg na fydd yn ddigon ar ei ben ei hun. Credwyd y câi’r arian hwn ei ddarparu pan wnaethom benderfynu mynd ymlaen â’r prosiect. Dylech ystyried hynny a’i drafod gyda’r Gweinidog Cyllid. Derbyniaf nad hynny a gytunwyd, ond mae’r gred yn bod ac mae’n peri pryder i lawer o bobl. Mae canfyddiad sinigaidd hefyd nad oes gwir ystyr i’r arian ac mai cil-dwrn yn unig ydyw. Dylech ymdrin â hynny, ac efallai y byddai o gymorth pe byddech yn rhoi’r buddsoddiad yn gynt.
I share your belief in the importance of the project for this part of Cardiff. It will be a stimulus to further investment. Big projects are important for the image of Wales. That means events as well as buildings. We must dare to be dramatic, different and bold in our investments. However, we must also ensure that any investment is money well spent. Sustainability is a key issue. It is no good investing in projects that become white elephants. There are examples of that throughout the UK, which is why it is important that we spend our money well.
Rhannaf eich cred ym mhwysigrwydd y prosiect i’r rhan hon o Gaerdydd. Bydd yn symbyliad i fuddsoddi pellach. Mae prosiectau mawr yn bwysig i ddelwedd Cymru. Mae hynny’n golygu digwyddiadau’n ogystal ag adeiladau. Rhaid inni feiddio bod yn drawiadol, yn wahanol ac yn eofn yn ein buddsoddiadau. Fodd bynnag, rhaid inni sicrhau hefyd y caiff unrhyw fuddsoddiad ei wario’n dda. Mae cynaliadwyedd yn fater allweddol. Ofer yw buddsoddi mewn prosiectau sy’n mynd yn eliffantod gwyn. Mae enghreifftiau o hynny ledled y DU, a dyna pam y mae’n bwysig inni wario’n harian yn dda.
It is important to clarify that co-funding remains an issue because we have not yet entered the phase when we expect a lot of co-funding to come in. The project is well up to its targets for this phase of the construction. You will understand that when you ask individuals, trusts or companies to invest money, you get a better response if they can see the building half-built. You secure more investment for your efforts if you wait before you seek investors. For that reason, the scale of the targets ratchets up rapidly as the project progresses. There is a gentle start, and the project is on target. The next two years will be key, as this is when we expect significant amounts of money to be invested. You should remember that more than half of the £20 million that is required to be raised under this system has been raised. Therefore the project is doing well in this respect.
Mae’n bwysig egluro bod cydariannu’n fater o bwys o hyd am nad ydym eto wedi cyrraedd y cam pan ddisgwyliwn y bydd llawer o gydariannu’n dod i mewn. Mae’r prosiect yn agos iawn i’w dargedau ar gyfer y cam hwn yn y gwaith adeiladu. Byddwch yn deall y cewch well ymateb pan ofynnwch i unigolion, ymddiriedolaethau neu gwmnïau fuddsoddi arian os gallant weld yr adeilad ar ei hanner. Yr ydych yn sicrhau mwy o fuddsoddi am eich ymdrechion os arhoswch cyn chwilio am fuddsoddwyr. Oherwydd hynny, mae maint y targedau’n codi’n gyflym wrth i’r prosiect fynd yn ei flaen. Ceir dechrau graddol, ac mae’r prosiect yn cadw at y targed. Bydd y ddwy flynedd nesaf yn allweddol, gan mai dyna pryd y disgwyliwn weld buddsoddi symiau sylweddol o arian. Dylech gofio bod mwy na hanner y £20 miliwn y mae’n ofynnol ei godi dan y system hon wedi’i godi. Felly mae’r prosiect yn gwneud yn dda yn hyn o beth.
I will write to you about the origin of the steel because I would not wish to mislead you. In relation to money for other parts of Wales, given the amount indicated in the arts and culture budget for the next two years, we have already more than honoured our promises in terms of cultural investment.
Ysgrifennaf atoch ynghylch tarddiad y dur gan na fyddwn yn dymuno’ch camarwain. Ynghylch arian i rannau eraill o Gymru, o ystyried y swm a nodwyd yng nghyllideb y celfyddydau a diwylliant am y ddwy flynedd nesaf, yr ydym eisoes wedi cadw’n haddewid a gwneud mwy o ran buddsoddi diwylliannol.
I am touched to hear the comments about Welsh steel and Welsh wood. However, before we lose sight of the fact that there is life outside of the south-eastern corner of Wales, we ought to remember the thousands of people still living in poverty. I have never supported the diamond-studded extravaganza across the road. In Ebbw Vale people say, ‘We have lost a steelworks and got a concert hall’. It does not make a difference to those living in poverty and a long way away. Given that it is going ahead, I am concerned about the future of the development. We have guaranteed £2 million in revenue support, but it could well be a lot more—not all of us share your confidence, Minister. Will you make a commitment to provide an amount equivalent to the revenue support annually to the deprived communities of Wales so that opportunities for participation in the arts are extended to those people who need, but who have not had, such opportunities in the past?
Cyffyrddwyd â’m calon o glywed y sylwadau am ddur o Gymru a choed o Gymru. Fodd bynnag, cyn inni golli golwg ar y ffaith bod bywyd y tu allan i gornel dde-ddwyreiniol Cymru, dylem gofio’r miloedd o bobl sy’n dal i fyw mewn tlodi. Nid wyf erioed wedi cefnogi’r sioe ryfeddol orwych ar draws y ffordd. Yng Nglynebwy mae pobl yn dweud, ‘Yr ydym wedi colli gwaith dur ac wedi cael neuadd gyngerdd’. Nid yw’n gwneud gwahaniaeth i’r rhai sy’n byw mewn tlodi a’r rhai sy’n byw ymhell i ffwrdd. Gan ei fod yn mynd ymlaen, yr wyf yn pryderu ynghylch dyfodol y datblygiad. Yr ydym wedi gwarantu £2 filiwn mewn cymorth refeniw, ond gallai fod yn llawer mwy—nid yw pawb ohonom mor ffyddiog â chi, Weinidog. A wnewch ymrwymo i ddarparu swm sy’n cyfateb i’r cymorth refeniw bob blwyddyn i gymunedau difreintiedig Cymru fel y caiff y cyfleoedd i gymryd rhan yn y celfyddydau eu hestyn i’r bobl y mae arnynt angen y cyfleoedd hynny, ond sydd heb eu cael yn y gorffennol?
You have a blinkered attitude to the benefits of culture and sport for your constituents, Peter. You do them no favours by suggesting that they will not have jobs in the centre, that they will not visit or benefit from it and that they will not participate in and enjoy the cultural activities that will take place there. I was in Aberdare in Christine Chapman’s constituency last week and attended the Showcase Youth Theatre’s production of South Pacific. As I watched that superb youth production, I thought that it was exactly the kind of show that we would want to see at the Wales Millennium Centre. That would be a great opportunity for those young people to perform not just for local people but for those from further afield. You are putting people down, Peter. Also, the amount of money made available for people in communities throughout Wales is many 10 times the amount being made available for the Wales Millennium Centre in revenue support.
Mae gennych agwedd gul at fanteision diwylliant a chwaraeon i’ch etholwyr, Peter. Nid ydych yn gwneud cymwynas â hwy o gwbl drwy awgrymu na chânt swyddi yn y ganolfan, na fyddant yn ymweld â hi nac yn cael budd ohoni ac na fyddant yn cymryd rhan yn y gweithgareddau diwylliannol a fydd yno ac yn eu mwynhau. Bûm yn Aberdâr yn etholaeth Christine Chapman yr wythnos diwethaf ac euthum i weld cynhyrchiad Theatr Ieuenctid Sioe Gerdd o South Pacific. Wrth imi wylio’r cynhyrchiad ieuenctid gwych hwnnw, meddyliais mai honno oedd yr union fath o sioe y byddem am ei gweld yng Nghanolfan Mileniwm Cymru. Byddai hynny’n gyfle gwych i’r bobl ifanc hynny berfformio nid yn unig ar gyfer pobl leol ond ar gyfer rhai o bellach i ffwrdd. Yr ydych yn bychanu pobl, Peter. Hefyd, mae’r swm o arian a ddarparwyd ar gyfer pobl mewn cymunedau ledled Cymru yn ddegau lawer o weithiau’n fwy na’r swm a ddarperir ar gyfer Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru ar ffurf cymorth refeniw.
Yn wahanol i’m cyd-Aelod, Peter Law, nid wyf bellach yn edliw y penderfyniad i adeiladu’r ganolfan. Yr wyf yn siŵr y bydd yn rhagorol. Fodd bynnag, fel y gwyddoch, mae pryder ynghylch sut y gall trigolion y Gogledd deithio i Gaerdydd i fwynhau atyniadau’r ganolfan a manteisio arnynt. Tra bo’r ganolfan yn cael ei hadeiladu, a wnewch bwyso am fuddsoddiad sylweddol gan y Llywodraeth ar gyfer system gludiant i sicrhau bod modd cyflym a chysurus i bobl o’r Gogledd deithio i Gaerdydd i fwynhau atyniadau’r ganolfan?
Unlike my colleague, Peter Law, I have put aside my opposition to the centre. I am sure that it will be excellent. However, as you know, there is concern about how the people of north Wales will travel to Cardiff to make the most of the centre’s attractions. While the centre is being built, will you press for a substantial investment by the Government to ensure that there is a quick and comfortable means of travel between north Wales and Cardiff so that people are able to enjoy the centre’s attractions?
Members seem to be keen to give me responsibility for transport today. I cannot comment on investment in transport. As you well know, that is a matter for my colleague, Sue Essex. I am sure that she will answer questions on this issue in future. However good the transport system from north to south Wales is, or will be, you cannot decrease the distance involved. We have committed £2 million because we realise that funding must be provided to allow attractions to be developed in the centre that will then travel out to the rest of Wales and vice versa. The project must involve the whole of Wales. I am delighted with the level of support for the project that I receive as I travel around Wales and I am pleased that you support it, Gareth. I have been to north Wales many times over the summer where there is tremendous support there for the Wales Millennium Centre and its purpose in Wales.
Mae’n ymddangos bod yr Aelodau’n awyddus i roi imi’r cyfrifoldeb dros drafnidiaeth heddiw. Ni allaf wneud sylw am fuddsoddi mewn trafnidiaeth. Fel y gwyddoch yn iawn, mae hynny’n fater i’m cyd-aelod yn y Cabinet, Sue Essex. Yr wyf yn siŵr y bydd yn ateb cwestiynau ar y mater hwn yn y dyfodol. Ni waeth pa mor dda yw’r system drafnidiaeth o’r Gogledd i’r De, yn awr neu yn y dyfodol, ni allwch leihau’r pellter dan sylw. Yr ydym wedi neilltuo £2 filiwn am ein bod yn sylweddoli bod rhaid darparu cyllid fel y gellir datblygu atyniadau yn y ganolfan a fydd wedyn yn teithio yng ngweddill Cymru ac fel arall. Rhaid i’r prosiect gynnwys Cymru gyfan. Yr wyf wrth fy modd â maint y gefnogaeth a gaf i’r prosiect wrth imi deithio o gwmpas Cymru ac yr wyf yn falch eich bod chi’n ei gefnogi, Gareth. Bûm yn y Gogledd lawer gwaith dros yr haf ac mae cefnogaeth aruthrol yno i Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru a’i phwrpas yng Nghymru.
You have rightly emphasised the need for the centre to reflect the whole of Wales. You mentioned the measures that you have in place to ensure that that happens, particularly in terms of the building’s design and materials. What measures are you prepared to put in place to ensure that the activities inside the centre reflect the cultural and linguistic reality of Wales, and not the Wales that some would like to culturally and linguistically engineer for the future? I am particularly concerned that we not have a continuation of the Arts Council of Wales’s activities, whereby the cultural inheritance of the Valleys and north-east Wales is under-represented and undervalued. How can we ensure that Wales’s cultural inheritance is truly reflected in all its aspects and languages?
Yr ydych wedi rhoi pwyslais priodol ar yr angen i’r ganolfan adlewyrchu Cymru gyfan. Gwnaethoch sôn am y mesurau sydd ar waith gennych i sicrhau bod hynny’n digwydd, yn enwedig o ran dyluniad a defnyddiau’r adeilad. Pa fesurau yr ydych yn barod i’w rhoi ar waith i sicrhau bod y gweithgareddau yn y ganolfan yn adlewyrchu realiti diwylliannol ac ieithyddol Cymru, ac nid y Gymru y carai rhai ei llunio’n ddiwylliannol ac yn ieithyddol at y dyfodol? Mae’n arbennig o bwysig gennyf na chawn barhad o weithgareddau Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru, lle y caiff treftadaeth ddiwylliannol y Cymoedd a’r Gogledd-ddwyrain ei thangynrychioli a’i thanbrisio. Sut y gallwn sicrhau y caiff treftadaeth ddiwylliannol Cymru ei hadlewyrchu’n wirioneddol yn ei holl agweddau ac ieithoedd?
You must have done your research on the Arts Council of Wales and its funding of the arts in the Valleys some time ago, Huw. Its investment in the Valleys over the past year or so has been considerable. The number of projects underway is exciting and I encourage you to get out a bit and take a look at them. [Interruption.]
Mae’n rhaid bod cryn amser ers ichi wneud eich gwaith ymchwil ar Gyngor Celfyddydau Cymru a’r arian y mae’n ei roi at y celfyddydau yn y Cymoedd, Huw. Mae wedi buddsoddi’n helaeth yn y Cymoedd dros y flwyddyn a aeth heibio fwy neu lai. Mae nifer y prosiectau sydd ar waith yn gyffrous ac fe’ch anogaf i fynd allan ychydig a bwrw golwg arnynt. [Torri ar draws.]
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 32
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 32
Order. The Minister is responding.
Trefn. Mae’r Gweinidog yn ymateb.
On cultural and linguistic reality, the Assembly is providing £2 million in support. While certainly not dictating what art should be—that would be censorship, of which none of us would approve, I am sure—it is important that the arts reflect cultural diversity. The centre is not only a showcase of Wales to the world, but a showcase of the world to Wales. Shows from London, which previously we were unable to accommodate, will come to Wales. It is not only a matter of our culture; the culture of the rest of the world will come to Wales.
Ynghylch y realiti diwylliannol ac ieithyddol, mae’r Cynulliad yn darparu £2 filiwn mewn cymorth. Heb ddeddfu o gwbl beth y dylai’r celfyddydau fod—sensoriaeth fyddai hynny, na fyddai’r un ohonom yn ei chymeradwyo, yr wyf yn siŵr—mae’n bwysig bod y celfyddydau’n adlewyrchu amrywiaeth ddiwylliannol. Nid yn unig y mae’r ganolfan yn ffenestr siop i ddangos Cymru i’r byd, mae hefyd yn ffenestr siop i ddangos y byd i Gymru. Bydd sioeau o Lundain, nad oeddem yn gallu cael lle iddynt o’r blaen, yn dod i Gymru. Nid mater o’n diwylliant ni’n unig ydyw; daw diwylliant gweddill y byd i Gymru.
Like many Members, I have seen the Wales Millennium Centre grow outside my office window. It will bring many benefits to this part of Wales, but I am also pleased that there is capital investment in the arts elsewhere. I refer particularly to the Swansea Maritime and Industrial Museum and the 50m swimming pool, also in Swansea. The most important part of this statement is the last paragraph on the additional £2 million for the arts outside Cardiff. I note that you are still considering the detail of how that will be deployed. How are you consulting local councils, arts groups and other groups with an interest in how the money will be spent, to ensure that it is deployed to maximum effect around Wales?
Fel llawer o’r Aelodau, yr wyf wedi gweld Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru’n tyfu y tu allan i ffenestr fy swyddfa. Daw â llawer o fanteision i’r rhan hon o Gymru, ond yr wyf hefyd yn falch bod buddsoddi cyfalaf yn y celfyddydau mewn mannau eraill. Cyfeiriaf yn benodol at Amgueddfa Diwydiant a Môr Abertawe a’r pwll nofio 50m, sydd hefyd yn Abertawe. Y rhan bwysicaf o’r datganiad hwn yw’r paragraff olaf am y £2 filiwn ychwanegol i’r celfyddydau y tu allan i Gaerdydd. Sylwaf eich bod yn dal i ystyried manylion y modd y caiff ei ddefnyddio. Sut yr ydych yn ymgynghori â chynghorau lleol, grwpiau celfyddydau a grwpiau eraill sydd â buddiant yn y modd y caiff yr arian ei wario, i sicrhau y caiff ei ddefnyddio yn y modd mwyaf effeithiol ledled Cymru?
The current date for the opening of the centre is the end of 2004. That could change, of course. With that in mind, we are discussing the budget round that will be announced later today. Now that we have a firm picture of the budget and the Finance Minister has been able to accommodate the £2 million to which you refer, we will consult widely on how to use this money to best effect. There is a strong commitment to reflect the needs of the rest of Wales in our use of this money.
Y dyddiad presennol ar gyfer agor y ganolfan yw diwedd 2004. Gallai hynny newid, wrth gwrs. Gan gofio hynny, yr ydym yn trafod y cylch cyllideb a gyhoeddir yn ddiweddarach heddiw. Gan fod gennym ddarlun pendant bellach o’r gyllideb a chan fod y Gweinidog Cyllid wedi gallu cynnwys y £2 filiwn y cyfeiriwch ato, gwnawn ymgynghori’n eang ynghylch y modd i ddefnyddio’r arian hwn yn fwyaf effeithiol. Mae ymrwymiad cryf i adlewyrchu anghenion gweddill Cymru yn ein defnydd o’r arian hwn.
I welcome the Minister’s progress report today. I am pleased that matters appear to be proceeding according to plan. The Wales Millennium Centre will provide an important home for our national institutions and flagship companies, which is important in marketing Wales positively. However, not all the flagship companies will be housed in that building. Will you show the same enthusiasm and commitment in supporting the development needs of Clwyd Theatr Cymru? It is another flagship organisation, housed in north-east Wales, which provides a positive image of what we can do in Wales. Professional actors, technicians and writers brought up in Wales are given every opportunity to present Wales in a positive light. Will you show the same commitment to Clwyd Theatr Cymru?
Croesawaf adroddiad y Gweinidog ar y cynnydd. Yr wyf yn falch bod materion yn ymddangos fel pe baent yn datblygu yn y modd y bwriadwyd iddynt. Bydd Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru yn gartref o bwys i’n sefydliadau cenedlaethol a’n cwmnïau blaenllaw, sy’n bwysig wrth farchnata Cymru’n gadarnhaol. Fodd bynnag, ni fydd yr holl gwmnïau blaenllaw yn cael eu cartrefu yn yr adeilad hwnnw. A wnewch amlygu’r un brwdfrydedd ac ymrwymiad wrth gefnogi anghenion datblygu Clwyd Theatr Cymru? Corff blaenllaw arall yw hwnnw, a’i gartref yn y Gogledd-ddwyrain, sy’n rhoi delwedd gadarnhaol o’r hyn y gallwn ei wneud yng Nghymru. Mae actorion, technegwyr ac awdurdon proffesiynol a fagwyd yng Nghymru’n cael pob cyfle i gyflwyno Cymru mewn goleuni cadarnhaol. A wnewch ddangos yr un ymrwymiad at Clwyd Theatr Cymru?
I hope so. The Finance Minister and I have discussed this issue over many months. It has not been easy to resolve, but I expect to be able to make an announcement soon. I appreciate and agree with your views on the importance of Clwyd Theatr Cymru and its contribution to Wales as a whole. I particularly value its high percentage of Welsh actors—its use of home-grown talent is laudable.
Gobeithiaf hynny. Mae’r Gweinidog Cyllid a minnau wedi trafod y mater hwn dros fisoedd lawer. Ni fu’n hawdd ei ddatrys, ond gobeithiaf allu gwneud datganiad cyn hir. Gwerthfawrogaf a chytunaf â’ch barn am bwysigrwydd Clwyd Theatr Cymru a’i chyfraniad i Gymru gyfan. Mae gennyf feddwl mawr yn benodol o’i chanran uchel o actorion o Gymru—mae ei defnydd o ddoniau cynhenid i’w ganmol.
Datganiad Busnes
Business Statement
Carwyn Jones The Business Minister spoken in English p. 34
Carwyn Jones Y Trefnydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 34
There are two changes to this week’s business. First, following this statement, I seek your agreement, Llywydd, to propose a procedural motion under Standing Order No. 6.16 to bring forward the no-named day motions tabled last week on the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (Commencement No. 3) (Wales) Order 2002. Tomorrow afternoon I will seek to propose a procedural motion to allow the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning to propose a no-named day motion to delegate the functions of the Education Act 2002 to the First Minister. She will do this prior to the motion to debate the Education Act 2002 tomorrow afternoon. With the Assembly’s permission, Jane Davidson proposes tomorrow to speak to items 4 and 5 on the agenda together, that is, the motions on the Act and on the delegation of functions of the Act. Votes will be held separately.
Mae dau newid i fusnes yr wythnos yma. Yn gyntaf, ar ôl y datganiad hwn, ceisiaf eich cytundeb, Lywydd, i gynnig cynnig trefniadol o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 6.16 i ddwyn gerbron y cynigion heb ddyddiad trafod a gyflwynwyd yr wythnos diwethaf ar Orchymyn Deddf Cefn Gwlad a Hawliau Tramwy 2000 (Cychwyn Rhif 3) (Cymru) 2002. Brynhawn yfory byddaf yn ceisio cynnig cynnig trefniadol i ganiatáu i’r Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes gynnig cynnig heb ddyddiad trafod i ddirprwyo swyddogaethau’r Ddeddf Addysg 2002 i Brif Weinidog Cymru. Gwnaiff hyn cyn y cynnig i drafod y Ddeddf Addysg 2002 brynhawn yfory. Gyda chaniatâd y Cynulliad, bwriad Jane Davidson yfory yw siarad ar destun eitemau 4 a 5 ar yr agenda gyda’i gilydd, hynny yw, y cynigion ar y Ddeddf ac ar ddirprwyo swyddogaethau’r Ddeddf. Cynhelir y pleidleisiau ar wahân.
As for the next three weeks’ business, my draft statement is as shown on the Chamberweb, under supporting documents. Finally, following the Business Committee meeting this morning, the Deputy Presiding Officer has determined that under Standing Order No. 22.5 the following Orders need not be referred to Subject Committees for extended consideration: the Fees for Enquiries (Standard Daily Amount) (Wales) Regulations 2002; the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Strategies (Wales) Regulations 2003; the Town and Country Planning (Costs of Enquiries etc.) (Standard Daily Amount) (Wales) Regulations 2002; and the Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2002.
Am fusnes y tair wythnos nesaf, mae fy natganiad drafft fel y mae wedi’i ddangos ar we’r Siambr, o dan ddogfennau ategol. Yn olaf, ar ôl cyfarfod y Pwyllgor Busnes y bore yma, mae’r Dirprwy Lywydd wedi penderfynu o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 22.5 nad oes angen cyfeirio’r Gorchmynion canlynol i’r Pwyllgorau Pwnc i’w hystyried yn fwy helaeth: Rheoliadau Ffïoedd Ymchwiliadau (Swm Dyddiol Safonol) (Cymru) 2002; Rheoliadau Strategaethau Iechyd, Gofal Cymdeithasol a Llesiant (Cymru) 2003; Rheoliadau Cynllunio Gwlad a Thref (Costau Ymchwiliadau etc.) (Swm Dyddiol Safonol) (Cymru) 2002; a’r Rheoliadau Deunyddiau ac Eitemau Plastig mewn Cysylltiad â Bwyd (Diwygio) (Cymru) 2002.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 34
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 34
Are there any comments on the business statement?
A oes unrhyw sylwadau am y datganiad busnes?
Nid oes cyfeiriad yn y drefnlen gyflwyno at drafodaeth ar y rhyfel yn erbyn terfysgaeth nac ar y bosibilrwydd o ymosodiadau milwrol ar Irac. Gwnaf gais ffurfiol ar ran grŵp Plaid Cymru inni gael trafodaeth lawn yn y Siambr ar y pwnc hwn, gan ei fod yn berthnasol i Gymru. Yn arbennig, mae angen inni sicrhau’r gymuned Fwslemaidd yng Nghymru bod agwedd y Cynulliad at y materion hyn yn wahanol i agwedd Arlywydd America a rhai o wleidyddion San Steffan. Y llynedd cafwyd trafodaeth ar y sefyllfa yn Affganistan, a gwelwyd bryd hynny agwedd dra gwahanol yn y Siambr hon i’r un a fynegwyd yn San Steffan. Mae’n iawn bod pobl Cymru yn cael y cyfle i glywed llais y Siambr hon a llais gwleidyddol Cymru ar y mater hollbwysig hwn. Apeliaf ar y Trefnydd i ystyried cynnwys y mater hwn yn ei ddatganiad busnes yr wythnos nesaf.
There is no reference in the forward look to a debate on the war against terrorism or the possibility of military offensives against Iraq. I make a formal request on behalf of the Plaid Cymru group for a full debate on this issue in Plenary, because it is relevant to Wales. In particular, we need to reassure the Muslim community in Wales that the Assembly’s attitude to these issues is different to that of the President of the United States of Americaand some Westminster politicians. Last year we debated the situation in Afghanistan and saw a different attitude in this Chamber to that expressed in Westminster. It is right that the people of Wales have the opportunity to hear the voice of this Chamber and the political voice of Wales on this all-important issue. I appeal to the Business Minister to consider including this matter in his business statement next week.
I have requested that Ministers make statements in the Chamber. In particular, I have requested that the Minister for Economic Development make a statement on Dewhirst and Allied Steel and Wire, and that the Minister for Health and Social Services make a statement on the review of social services in Cardiff. I doubt whether those statements will be forthcoming. However, could you indicate whether the Ministers have considered those requests, particularly given that we have had an interesting but not exactly necessary statement this afternoon on the Wales Millennium Centre and its associated problems of car parking? Statements on Dewhirst, on Allied Steel and Wire and on social services—matters of the utmost importance, not only for the capital city, but for Wales in general—would have been a more appropriate use of Government time.
Yr wyf wedi gwneud cais i Weinidogion wneud datganiadau yn y Siambr. Yn benodol, gwneuthum gais i’r Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd wneud datganiad am Dewhirst ac Allied Steel and Wire, ac i’r Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol wneud datganiad am yr adolygiad o wasanaethau cymdeithasol yng Nghaerdydd. Yr wyf yn amau a geir y datganiadau hynny. Fodd bynnag, a allech ddweud a yw’r Gweinidogion wedi ystyried y ceisiadau hynny, yn enwedig o ystyried ein bod wedi cael datganiad diddorol ond nid cwbl angenrheidiol y prynhawn yma am Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru a’r problemau o ran parcio ceir sy’n gysylltiedig â hi? Buasai datganiadau am Dewhirst, am Allied Steel and Wire ac am wasanaethau cymdeithasol—materion sydd o’r pwys mwyaf, nid yn unig i’r brifddinas, ond i Gymru gyfan—yn ddefnydd mwy priodol o amser y Llywodraeth.
On ASW and Dewhirst, I have consulted my colleague, the Minister for Economic Development, and there are no plans to make a statement on these matters. One of them is not a devolved matter. On social services in Cardiff, I have not yet had the opportunity to discuss that matter with my colleague, the Minister for Health and Social Services. However, she will have heard what you have said.
yn Saesneg Ynghylch ASW a Dewhirst, yr wyf wedi ymgynghori â’m cyd-aelod o’r Cabinet, y Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd, ac nid oes bwriad i wneud datganiad am y materion hyn. Mae un ohonynt yn fater sydd heb ei ddatganoli. Ynghylch gwasanaethau cymdeithasol yng Nghaerdydd, nid wyf wedi cael cyfle eto i drafod y mater gyda’m cyd-aelod yn y Cabinet, y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol. Fodd bynnag, bydd wedi clywed yr hyn a ddywedasoch.
Ynglŷn ag Irac, mae’r sefyllfa bresennol yn newidiol. Ni wyddom yn union beth fydd yn digwydd. Mae rhai wythnosau wedi mynd heibio ers i rai feddwl y byddai rhyw fath o ryfel yn erbyn Irac. Nid yw ar fin digwydd. Barn y Llywodraeth yw nad oes rhaid cynnal dadl ar y mater yn awr. Pe bai pethau’n newid efallai y byddai’n rhaid inni ailystyried. Rhaid inni gofio bod sefyllfa Affganistan ychydig yn wahanol oherwydd bod rhyfel yn digwydd yno ar y pryd. Nid dyna’r sefyllfa yn Irac ar hyn o bryd. Mae’n bwysig nad yw pobl Cymru yn meddwl am y Cynulliad fel sefydliad lle’r ydym yn siarad am bethau nad oes gennym rym drostynt. Er hynny, pe bai pethau’n newid, byddai’n rhaid ystyried ein safbwynt a’r trefniadau gorau ynglŷn â thrafod y mater yn y Cynulliad.
in Welsh On Iraq, the present situation is fluid. We do not know exactly what will happen. Some weeks have passed since it was thought that some kind of war against Iraq was inevitable. It is not imminent. The Government’s view is that there is no need to hold a debate on the matter now. If matters change we would perhaps have to reconsider. We must remember that the situation in Afghanistan was a little different in that a war was being fought there at the time. That is not the case in Iraq at present. It is important that the people of Wales do not think of the Assembly as an institution where we discuss issues over which we have no power. However, if matters change, we would have to reconsider our stance and the best arrangements for discussing the matter in the Assembly.
Derbyniwyd y datganiad busnes.
Business statement adopted.
Pwyntiau o Drefn
Points of Order
Pwynt o drefn. Llywydd, a ydych wedi cael cais, o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 6.8, gan y Prif Weinidog i wneud datganiad ar Gomisiwn Richard yn sgîl penderfyniad plaid y Prif Weinidog i beidio â rhoi tystiolaeth i’r comisiwn tan ar ôl etholiad mis Mai? Onid yw’n rhyfedd bod plaid y Prif Weinidog yn gohirio rhoi tystiolaeth i’r comisiwn y mae ef wedi’i sefydlu? Onid yw’n ffaith—
Point of order. Presiding Officer, have you received a request from the First Minister, under Standing Order No. 6.8, to make a statement on the Richard Commission following the decision of the First Minister’s party not to give evidence to the commission until after the May elections? Is it not strange that the First Minister’s party is postponing its evidence to the commission that he himself established? Is it not a fact—
That is not a point of order.
Nid pwynt o drefn yw hwnnw.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh and English p. 36
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 36
Order. I need no help from the second deputy presiding officer from the North on this matter.
yn Saesneg Trefn. Nid oes arnaf angen cymorth gan yr ail ddirprwy lywydd o’r Gogledd ar y mater hwn.
Mae’n ymddangos, er mor barod ydwyf bob amser i ganiatáu arweinydd yr wrthblaid i godi pwyntiau o drefn, fod y pwynt hwn o drefn yn ymwneud â phenderfyniadau’r Blaid Lafur. Nid oes gennyf gyfrifoldeb —a diolch am hynny—dros y Blaid Lafur, nag ychwaith dros Blaid Cymru, pan wyf yn eistedd yn y gadair hon.
in Welsh It appears, willing as I am to allow the leader of the opposition to raise points of order, that this point of order concerns Labour Party decisions. Thankfully, I am not responsible for the Labour Party, nor for Plaid Cymru, while I am in this chair.
Ymhellach i’r pwynt hwnnw o drefn, nid trafod penderfyniad y Blaid Lafur ydym, ond penderfyniad y Prif Weinidog i sefydlu’r comisiwn. Mae clerc y comisiwn wedi anfon llythyr i bob plaid yn sgîl penderfyniad y Blaid Lafur i beidio â rhoi tystiolaeth. Y pwynt o drefn ichi, Lywydd, yw bod y penderfyniad hwnnw yn codi cwestiwn ynglŷn â hygrededd y comisiwn y mae’r Prif Weinidog wedi’i sefydlu. Yn adroddiad cyntaf y comisiwn cafwyd penderfyniad clir y byddai’r pleidiau, gan gynnwys y grwpiau gwleidyddol yn y Cynulliad, yn rhoi tystiolaeth i’r comisiwn cyn diwedd y flwyddyn neu, fan bellaf, ddechrau’r flwyddyn nesaf. Oni byddai’n deg i’r Cynulliad glywed gan y Prif Weinidog pam mae hynny wedi’i wneud? Mae llawer o bobl y tu allan i’r Cynulliad yn dechrau amau ymrwymiad y Prif Weinidog i’r comisiwn y mae wedi’i sefydlu. Mae’n anffodus bod y Prif Weinidog i’w weld yn fodlon ateb cwestiynau’r wasg ynglŷn â’r penderfyniad hwnnw ond nad yw’n fodlon gwneud datganiad i’r Cynulliad. Oni byddai’n addas, o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 6.8, i’r Prif Weinidog—gan mai ef a sefydlodd y comisiwn—ateb yr honiad ei fod am beidio â rhoi tystiolaeth am fater a fydd yn ganolog yn yr etholiad nesaf, tan ar ôl i’r etholiad hwnnw gael ei gynnal? A wnewch ddyfarnu ar hynny?
Further to that point of order, we are not discussing a Labour Party decision, but the First Minister’s decision to establish the commission. The commission’s clerk sent a letter to each party following the Labour Party’s decision not to give evidence. The point of order for you, Presiding Officer, is that that decision raises a question about the credibility of the commission established by the First Minister. The commission’s first report made it clear that the political parties, including the political groups in the Assembly, would give evidence to the commission by the end of the year or, at the latest, the beginning of next year. Would it not be fair for the Assembly to hear from the First Minister why this decision has been made? Many people outside the Assembly are beginning to doubt the First Minister’s commitment to the commission that he himself established. It is unfortunate that the First Minister seems to be willing to answer the press’s questions concerning that decision but unwilling to make a statement to the Assembly. Would it not be appropriate, under Standing Order No. 6.8, for the First Minister—given that he established the commission—to counter the accusation that he does not want to give evidence on an issue that will be central to the next election until after that election has been held? Will you rule on that?
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 37
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 37
Nid oes modd imi ddyfarnu ar hynny oherwydd nad wyf wedi derbyn cais gan y Prif Weinidog i wneud datganiad. Mae’r Prif Weinidog newydd ateb cwestiynau llafar—fel y mae’n ei wneud bob wythnos—sydd yn gyfle i arweinydd yr wrthblaid a phob Aelod arall ofyn cwestiynau. Ni allaf ond dweud fy mod i wedi penderfynu derbyn y gwahoddiad caredig a gefais i gyflwyno tystiolaeth i’r comisiwn.
I cannot rule on that because I have not received a request from the First Minister to make a statement. The First Minister has just answered oral questions—as he does every week—which gives the leader of the opposition, and all other Members, an opportunity to ask questions. I can only say that I have decided to accept the kind invitation to give evidence to the commission.
Point of order. I raise this under Standing Order No. 2.7, regarding the guidance on the proper discharge of responsibilities of Ministers and their accountability. I ask you to rule on whether new guidance will be needed following the First Minster’s public statement yesterday that the coalition parties will begin to disengage after Christmas. Would such a disengagement require new guidance to clarify when, after that time, Liberal Democrat Ministers and deputies are acting as part of the Government and when they are not—not that it has ever been that easy to tell.
Pwynt o drefn. Codaf hyn o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 2.7, ynghylch y cyfarwyddyd ar gyflawni cyfrifoldebau Gweinidogion yn briodol a’u hatebolrwydd. Gofynnaf ichi ddyfarnu a fydd angen cyfarwyddyd pellach ar ôl datganiad cyhoeddus Prif Weinidog Cymru ddoe y bydd pleidiau’r glymblaid yn dechrau datgysylltu ar ôl y Nadolig. A fyddai datgysylltu o’r fath yn gofyn cyfarwyddyd newydd i egluro pa bryd, ar ôl hynny, y mae Gweinidogion a dirprwyon y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn gweithredu fel rhan o’r Llywodraeth a pha bryd nad ydynt—er na fu erioed yn hawdd canfod hynny.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh and English p. 38
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 38
That point is not within my domain. Under Standing Order No. 2.7, it is for the First Minister to prepare guidance, and for the guidance to be submitted to the Assembly. If he wished to do that, I am sure that the Assembly would consider such guidance.
yn Saesneg Nid yw’r pwynt hwnnw’n rhan o’m maes i. O dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 2.7, mater i Brif Weinidog Cymru yw paratoi cyfarwyddyd, ac i’r cyfarwyddyd gael ei gyflwyno i’r Cynulliad. Os dymunai wneud hynny, yr wyf yn siŵr y byddai’r Cynulliad yn ystyried cyfarwyddyd o’r fath.
Symudwn ymlaen i’r pwynt nesaf. Gobeithio ei fod yn un gwell.
in Welsh We will move on to the next point. I hope that it is a better one.
Pwynt o drefn. Codaf hyn o dan Reol Sefydlog Rhif 6.8. Mynychais gyfarfod Awdurdod Iechyd Dyfed Powys ddoe ar ganlyniadau’r ymgynghoriad ar adroddiad Comisiwn Gwasanaethau Iechyd Arbenigol Cymru. Yr ydym wedi cynnal trafodaeth yn y Cynulliad cyn hyn ar adroddiad SHSCW. Yn sgîl y cyfarfod, mae ansicrwydd, a fydd yn parhau am fisoedd lawer, ynglŷn â’r penderfyniad i symud llawfeddygaeth niwrolegol bediatrig i Gaerdydd o Abertawe. Un dehongliad yw y gwneir y cyhoeddiad yn dilyn etholiadau mis Mai.
Point of order. I raise this under Standing Order No. 6.8. I attended a meeting of the Dyfed Powys Health Authority yesterday on the conclusions of the consultation on the report of the Specialised Health Services Commission for Wales. We have discussed the SHSCW report previously in the Assembly. Following that meeting, there is uncertainty, which will persist for some months, about the decision to move paediatric neurosurgery from Swansea to Cardiff. One interpretation is that the announcement will be made following the elections in May.
Gofynnaf am eich arweiniad. Mae Plaid Cymru a phobl de-orllewin Cymru a fynychodd y cyfarfod ddoe, eisiau datganiad yn y Cynulliad ar y ffordd ymlaen. Beth yw’r penderfyniad, gan fod adroddiadau cymysglyd o’r cyfarfod ddoe? A fyddai’n bosibl cael datganiad gan Jane Hutt ar y mater hollbwysig hwn?
I ask for your guidance. Plaid Cymru, and the people of south-west Wales who attended the meeting yesterday, want a statement in the Assembly on the way forward. What is the decision, given that there were mixed reports in yesterday’s meeting? Will it be possible to have a statement from Jane Hutt on this vital issue?
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 38
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 38
Unwaith eto, nid yw hyn yn fater uniongyrchol imi, ond pwysleisiaf fod cyfle bob amser i Weinidogion wneud datganiadau. Carwn wneud un sylw ar bwyntiau o drefn. Hoffwn weld pwyntiau o drefn i mi. Carwn hefyd—[AELODAU’R CYNULLIAD: ‘Clywch, clywch.’]
Once again, this is not a matter directly for me, though I would emphasise that there is always an opportunity for Ministers to make statements. I wish to make a comment on points of order. I would like to see points of order for me. I would also—[ASSEMBLY MEMBERS: ‘Hear, hear.’]
Nid wyf eisiau cefnogaeth, neu fydd pobl yn credu fy mod yn mynegi safbwynt pleidiol, gan fod y pwyntiau hyn wedi digwydd codi o un cyfeiriad y prynhawn yma. Fodd bynnag, mae’r egwyddor yn dal i sefyll. Os yw Aelodau’n dymuno gofyn am ddatganiadau, yr amser priodol i wneud hynny yw yn ystod cwestiynau neu yn ystod y sylwadau ar ddiwedd datganiadau, fel y digwyddodd ar ddiwedd y datganiad busnes drafft heddiw. Pe byddai Aelodau yn codi’r pwyntiau hyn ynglŷn â datganiadau gyda’r Gweinidog sydd yn gyfrifol am drefnu datganiadau ar ran y Llywodraeth, croesawn hynny.
I do not want support, or people will think that I am expressing a political viewpoint, given that all these issues happened to arise from one direction this afternoon. However, the principle remains. If Members wish to request statements, the appropriate time to do so is during questions or during comments following statements, as happened at the end of the draft business statement today. I would welcome it if Members raised these points on statements with the Minister responsible for arranging statements on behalf of the Government.
Ymhellach i’r pwynt o drefn hwnnw ac i’ch ymateb—ac ystyriwn yr hyn a ddywedoch yn ofalus—gwnaf ddau bwynt y dylid eu hystyried. Mae’r cwestiynau i’r Trefnydd yn gyfyngedig. Mae cyfle i ofyn cwestiwn i’r Trefnydd, ond fe’n cyfyngir i un cwestiwn, ac felly i un pwnc. Yr ail bwynt yw nad yw’r wrthblaid yn gyfrifol am amserlen y Cynulliad, ar wahân i’r dadleuon yn ein henw ni.
Further to that point of order and your response—and we will consider what you said carefully—I will make two points that should be considered. Questions to the Minister for Assembly Business are restricted. There is an opportunity to ask the Business Minister a question, but we are limited to one question, and, therefore, to one subject. The second point is that the opposition is not responsible for the Assembly’s timetable, apart from the debates in our name.
Mae Aelodau wedi bod i ffwrdd o’r Cynulliad am dri mis ac mae llawer o faterion wedi codi yn ystod y cyfnod hwnnw. Nid oedd cyfle inni ofyn cwestiynau i’r Prif Weinidog ar y materion hynny. Deallaf y pwynt a wnaethoch am chwilio am gyfle yn ystod y cwestiynau. Fodd bynnag, y realiti heddiw yw nad oedd cyfle i wneud hynny oherwydd trefn rhestru’r cwestiynau.
Members have been away from the Assembly for three months and many issues have arisen during that period. We did not have the opportunity to question the First Minister on those issues. I understand your point about looking for an opportunity during questions. However, today there was not an opportunity to do so because of the order in which the questions had been listed.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 39
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 39
Mae cyfle arall i reolwyr busnes y pleidiau ofyn am ddatganiadau, sef yn y Pwyllgor Busnes, ac mae hynny’n digwydd yn gyson. Mae fforwm i’r wrthblaid geisio cael datganiadau gan y Llywodraeth.
There is another opportunity for party business managers to request statements, namely in the Business Committee, and that happens regularly. There is a forum for the opposition to seek statements from the Government.
Cynnig Trefniadol
Procedural Motion
Carwyn Jones The Business Minister spoken in English p. 39
Carwyn Jones Y Trefnydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 39
I propose that
Cynigiaf fod
Cynnig trefniadol Carwyn Jones t. 39
Procedural motion Carwyn Jones p. 39
DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 54 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 0
Derbyniwyd y cynnig.
Motion carried.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (54)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Nick Bourne
- Eleanor Burnham
- Rosemary Butler
- Alun Cairns
- Christine Chapman
- Cynog Dafis
- Jane Davidson
- Andrew Davies
- David Davies
- Geraint Davies
- Glyn Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Ron Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Delyth Evans
- Michael German
- William Graham
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Brian Hancock
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Pauline Jarman
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- David Ian Jones
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- Huw Lewis
- David Lloyd
- Val Lloyd
- Peter Law
- David Melding
- Tom Middlehurst
- Jonathan Morgan
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Jenny Randerson
- Peter Rogers
- Janet Ryder
- Karen Sinclair
- Gwenda Thomas
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Kirsty Williams
- Phil Williams
Gorchymyn Deddf Cefn Gwlad a Hawliau Tramwy 2000 (Cychwyn Rhif 3) (Cymru) 2002
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (Commencement No. 3)(Wales) Order 2002
Carwyn Jones The Business Minister spoken in English p. 41
Carwyn Jones Y Trefnydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 41
I propose that
Cynigiaf fod
Carwyn Jones The Business Minister (continued) spoken in English p. 41
Carwyn Jones Y Trefnydd (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 41
I propose that
Cynigiaf fod
Cynnig NNDM1169 Carwyn Jones t. 41
Motion NNDM1169 Carwyn Jones p. 41
DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 45 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 9
Derbyniwyd y cynnig.
Motion carried.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (45)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Eleanor Burnham
- Rosemary Butler
- Christine Chapman
- Cynog Dafis
- Jane Davidson
- Andrew Davies
- Geraint Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Ron Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Delyth Evans
- Michael German
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Brian Hancock
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Pauline Jarman
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- Peter Law
- Huw Lewis
- David Lloyd
- Val Lloyd
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Jenny Randerson
- Janet Ryder
- Karen Sinclair
- Gwenda Thomas
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Kirsty Williams
- Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (9)
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- David Davies
- Glyn Davies
- William Graham
- David Ian Jones
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Peter Rogers
Cynnig NNDM1170 Carwyn Jones t. 42
Motion NNDM1170 Carwyn Jones p. 42
DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 44 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 9
Derbyniwyd y cynnig.
Motion carried.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (44)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Eleanor Burnham
- Rosemary Butler
- Christine Chapman
- Cynog Dafis
- Jane Davidson
- Geraint Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Ron Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Delyth Evans
- Michael German
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Brian Hancock
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Pauline Jarman
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- Peter Law
- Huw Lewis
- David Lloyd
- Val Lloyd
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Jenny Randerson
- Janet Ryder
- Karen Sinclair
- Gwenda Thomas
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Kirsty Williams
- Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (9)
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- David Davies
- Glyn Davies
- William Graham
- David Ian Jones
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Peter Rogers
Pwynt o Drefn
Point of Order
Point of order. The Conservative group has nine members and although we all followed the whip, only eight were registered as having voted against on both occasions.
Pwynt o drefn. Mae gan y grŵp Ceidwadol naw aelod ac er i bob un ohonom ddilyn y chwip, cofrestrwyd mai dim ond wyth a bleidleisiodd yn erbyn ar y ddau achlysur.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 43
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 43
I will ensure that nine votes are recorded and will investigate urgently whether any technical hitches might have prevented the unity of the Conservative group, which is beyond doubt in this Assembly.
Gwnaf sicrhau y caiff naw pleidlais eu cofnodi ac ymchwiliaf ar frys i ganfod a allai unrhyw broblemau technegol fod wedi atal undod y grŵp Ceidwadol, sydd y tu hwnt i amheuaeth yn y Cynulliad hwn.
Further to that point of order, how do you know that every Conservative Assembly Member followed his whip?
Ymhellach i’r pwynt o drefn hwnnw, sut y gwyddoch i bob Aelod Cynulliad Ceidwadol ddilyn ei chwip?
Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 43
Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 43
That was asserted and I saw no dissent.
Datganwyd hynny ac ni welais unrhyw anghytuno.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd i’r Gadair am 3.32 p.m.
The Deputy Presiding Officer took the Chair at 3.32 p.m.
Cymeradwyo Cyllideb Ddrafft y Cynulliad
Approval of the Assembly’s Draft Budget
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 43
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 43
I have selected amendments 1 and 2 in the name of Jonathan Morgan, and amendments 3, 4 and 5 in the name of Jocelyn Davies.
Yr wyf wedi dethol gwelliannau 1 a 2 yn enw Jonathan Morgan a gwelliannau 3, 4 a 5 yn enw Jocelyn Davies.
Edwina Hart The Finance Minister spoken in English p. 43
Edwina Hart Y Gweinidog Cyllid siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 43
I propose that
Cynigiaf fod
Edwina Hart The Finance Minister (continued) spoken in English p. 44
Edwina Hart Y Gweinidog Cyllid (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 44
I am pleased to present the draft budget proposals for 2003-04 and the two following financial years up to 31 March 2006. As previously, I will not accept interventions during the budget speech and I trust that Members will bear with me.
Yr wyf yn falch o gyflwyno cynigion y gyllideb ddrafft ar gyfer 2003-04 a’r ddwy flwyddyn ariannol wedyn hyd at 31 Mawrth 2006. Fel o’r blaen, ni wnaf dderbyn ymyriadau yn ystod araith y gyllideb a hyderaf y bydd yr Aelodau’n deall hynny.
The Assembly Government is engaged in a strategic programme to build a sustainable future for Wales that combines prosperity and social justice. My budget proposals build on the solid foundation of the first term of the Assembly Government to provide a framework for the effective delivery of public services in the second term. This budget has been developed in the context of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s spending review that I reported to the Assembly on 16 July. Those plans allow us to budget for total increases in expenditure of almost £10.5 billion this current financial year to over £12.5 billion by 2005-06. These increases are substantial and they derive from the successful economic management and commitment to public services that are the distinguishing features of Labour in Government across the UK. However, we must also ensure that where there is extra investment, it results in the delivery of higher quality services which meet the needs of people in all parts of Wales.
Mae Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn gweithredu rhaglen strategol i greu dyfodol cynaliadwy i Gymru sy’n cyfuno ffyniant a chyfiawnder cymdeithasol. Mae fy nghynigion cyllideb yn adeiladu ar sylfaen gadarn tymor cyntaf Llywodraeth y Cynulliad i roi fframwaith ar gyfer darparu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn effeithiol yn yr ail dymor. Datblygwyd y gyllideb hon yng nghyd-destun adolygiad o wariant Canghellor y Trysorlys y rhoddais adroddiad arno i’r Cynulliad ar 16 Gorffennaf. Mae’r cynlluniau hynny’n caniatáu inni gyllidebu ar gyfer cyfanswm yn y cynnydd mewn gwariant o ymron £10.5 biliwn yn y flwyddyn ariannol gyfredol hon i dros £12.5 biliwn erbyn 2005-06. Mae’r cynnydd hwn yn sylweddol ac mae’n deillio o’r rheolaeth economaidd lwyddiannus a’r ymrwymiad i wasanaethau cyhoeddus sy’n nod amgen ar Lafur mewn Llywodraeth ledled y DU. Fodd bynnag, rhaid inni sicrhau hefyd, lle ceir buddsoddiad ychwanegol, ei fod yn arwain at ddarparu gwasanaethau o ansawdd gwell sy’n diwallu anghenion pobl ym mhob rhan o Gymru.
Delivery requires the budgeted money to be spent. In 2001-02, the Assembly Government ensured that over 99 per cent of its budget was spent to plan. That record in financial management has never been achieved before in Wales and it is better than elsewhere in the UK. Delivery also requires that the money spent achieves results. I will, in many important cases, make extra investment dependent on programmes for reform and improved delivery. Again this year, delivery on our core public services has been given top priority. We propose to meet, or partially meet, 37 of the Subject Committees’ priorities. Of the other seven, one will not be met. I will return to three at a later stage and a further three will be the subject of decisions on allocations within the new culture fund. A table showing the detail will be circulated to Members later this afternoon. All commitments in the partnership agreement are also being funded.
Er mwyn cyflawni, rhaid gwario’r arian a gyllidebwyd. Yn 2001-02, sicrhaodd Llywodraeth y Cynulliad fod dros 99 y cant o’i chyllideb wedi’i wario yn ôl y bwriad. Ni chyflawnwyd y record honno mewn rheolaeth ariannol erioed o’r blaen yng Nghymru ac mae’n well na’r unman arall yn y DU. Er mwyn cyflawni ymhellach, rhaid i’r arian a warir arwain at ganlyniadau. Mewn llawer o achosion pwysig, byddaf yn rhoi buddsoddiad ychwanegol sy’n dibynnu ar raglenni ar gyfer diwygio a darparu gwell. Unwaith eto eleni, rhoddwyd y brif flaenoriaeth i gyflawni yng nghyd-destun ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus craidd. Bwriadwn gyflawni, neu rannol gyflawni, 37 o flaenoriaethau’r Pwyllgorau Pwnc. O blith y saith arall, dim ond un fydd heb ei chyflawni. Af yn ôl at dri ohonynt yn ddiweddarach a bydd tri arall yn destun i benderfyniadau ar ddyraniadau yn y gronfa ddiwylliant newydd. Bydd tabl sy’n dangos y manylion yn cael ei ddosbarthu i’r Aelodau’n ddiweddarach y prynhawn yma. Mae’r holl ymrwymiadau yn y cytundeb partneriaeth yn cael eu hariannu hefyd.
I should also mention the general reserve provision for 2003-04. I will return to the size of the reserve in subsequent years later, but in a different context. Next year, there will be a reserve of around £90 million, which is three times higher than the current year even accounting for the necessary adjustments for resource budgeting purposes. Good budget management dictates that we should make adequate provision to meet unforeseeable in-year pressures. I have made this provision and for next year it represents a planned reserve of more than three times the current financial year’s provision on a like-for-like comparison.
Dylwn sôn hefyd am ddarpariaeth y gronfa wrth gefn gyffredinol ar gyfer 2003-04. Af yn ôl at faint y gronfa wrth gefn yn y blynyddoedd dilynol yn ddiweddarach, ond mewn cyd-destun gwahanol. Y flwyddyn nesaf, bydd cronfa wrth gefn o tua £90 miliwn, sy’n dair gwaith yn fwy na’r flwyddyn gyfredol hyd yn oed ar ôl darparu ar gyfer newidiadau angenrheidiol i ddibenion cyllidebu adnoddau. Mae rheolaeth dda ar y gyllideb yn galw arnom i ddarparu’n ddigonol i ymateb i bwysau annisgwyl o fewn y flwyddyn. Yr wyf wedi gwneud y ddarpariaeth hon ac, ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf, bydd cronfa wrth gefn gynlluniedig sy’n fwy na thair gwaith maint y ddarpariaeth yn y flwyddyn ariannol gyfredol o gymharu tebyg a’i debyg.
I now turn to each of the main expenditure groups that make up my budget. I will start with health and social services. As in previous years, my budget gives the highest priority to health. Next year an additional £110 million will be allocated to the health and social services budget on top of a baseline increase of £300 million—a growth of 11 per cent over this year. The growth of the whole period of this budget is 17.4 per cent but, as I will explain, these calculations can be substantially increased pending a review of the effectiveness of expenditure on health and social services in Wales. For next year, in advance of the review and in addition to the 11 per cent growth, I will underwrite a further £20 million for the local health boards. Funding priorities include the health inequalities fund and the Ambulance Trust. Furthermore, delivery of better services requires the most up-to-date equipment in modernised and fit-for-purpose premises. Therefore, the Minister for Health and Social Services agreed to work with me on a repeat programme of capital investment in the NHS to be funded from end-year flexibility in this current financial year. Detailed plans will be announced shortly, together with additional provision for capital expenditure in future years. In this way the public purse will take increasing responsibility for the replacement of hospitals, from the cottage hospital in Tenby, to community hospitals in Merthyr Tydfil and Ebbw Vale. North Wales will also benefit from the enhanced programme, as will other parts of Wales.
Trof yn awr at bob un o’r prif grwpiau gwariant sy’n ffurfio fy nghyllideb. Dechreuaf ag iechyd a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol. Yn yr un modd â’r blynyddoedd blaenorol, mae fy nghyllideb yn rhoi’r flaenoriaeth uchaf i iechyd. Y flwyddyn nesaf dyrennir £110 miliwn yn ychwanegol i’r gyllideb iechyd a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol ar ben cynnydd yn y llinell sylfaen o £300 miliwn—cynnydd o 11 y cant o’i gymharu â’r flwyddyn hon. Y twf dros holl gyfnod y gyllideb hon yw 17.4 y cant ond, fel yr egluraf, gellir cynyddu’r cyfrifiadau hyn yn sylweddol ar ôl cynnal adolygiad o effeithiolrwydd y gwariant ar iechyd a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol yng Nghymru. Ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf, cyn yr adolygiad ac yn ychwanegol at y cynnydd o 11 y cant, byddaf yn gwarantu £20 miliwn pellach ar gyfer y byrddau iechyd lleol. Rhai o’r blaenoriaethau ariannu yw’r gronfa anghydraddoldebau iechyd a’r Ymddiriedolaeth Ambiwlans. At hynny, er mwyn darparu gwell gwasanaethau rhaid wrth yr offer diweddaraf mewn adeiladau sy’n fodern ac yn addas i’w pwrpas. Gan hynny, cytunodd y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol i weithio gyda mi ar ail raglen o fuddsoddi cyfalaf yn y GIG i’w hariannu o’r hyblygrwydd diwedd blwyddyn yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon. Cyhoeddir cynlluniau manwl cyn hir, ynghyd â darpariaeth ychwanegol ar gyfer gwariant cyfalaf yn y dyfodol. Drwy hyn bydd y pwrs cyhoeddus yn ymgymryd â mwy a mwy o gyfrifoldeb dros godi ysbytai newydd, o’r ysbyty bwth yn Ninbych-y-pysgod, i’r ysbytai cymunedol ym Merthyr Tudful a Glynebwy. Bydd y Gogledd hefyd yn elwa o’r rhaglen well, fel y bydd rhannau eraill o Gymru.
As I said at the beginning of my speech, this Assembly Government will ensure that results match the investment. Many improvements have already been delivered in the Welsh NHS and are too often ignored. There are many truly dedicated staff who are individually thanked by thousands of patients every year, but are somehow denigrated by discussion in the media and elsewhere. I am pleased to announce today that Derek Wanless, the author of the Chancellor’s comprehensive report on the future of the NHS, has agreed to act as adviser to the review of health and social care in Wales. The final terms of reference and the composition of the team will be decided over the next few weeks, but we will look at how resources for health and social care in Wales can be translated into reform and improved performance, taking the original Wanless report as the starting point. This report will be crucial in terms of setting the agenda for the NHS and social care reform in Wales. It is also the reason why the budget table circulated contained relatively modest increases in the existing health budget lines for 2004-05 and 2005-06 and a significant reserve provision for those two years.
Fel y dywedais ar ddechrau fy araith, bydd y Llywodraeth Cynulliad hon yn sicrhau bod y canlyniadau’n cyfateb i’r buddsoddiad. Cyflwynwyd nifer o welliannau eisoes yn y GIG yng Nghymru a chânt eu hanwybyddu’n rhy aml. Mae llawer o staff gwirioneddol ymroddedig y mae miloedd o gleifion yn diolch yn unigol iddynt bob blwyddyn, ond a ddifenwir rywsut drwy’r drafodaeth yn y cyfryngau ac mewn mannau eraill. Yr wyf yn falch o gyhoeddi heddiw fod Derek Wanless, awdur adroddiad cynhwysfawr y Canghellor ar ddyfodol y GIG, wedi cytuno i weithredu fel ymgynghorydd i’r adolygiad o iechyd a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol yng Nghymru. Penderfynir ar y cylch gorchwyl a chyfansoddiad y tîm dros yr wythnosau nesaf, ond byddwn yn ystyried sut y gellir defnyddio’r adnoddau i iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol yng Nghymru i ddiwygio a gwella perfformiad, gan gymryd yr adroddiad Wanless gwreiddiol yn fan cychwyn. Bydd yr adroddiad hwn yn hollbwysig o ran gosod yr agenda ar gyfer diwygio’r GIG a gofal cymdeithasol yng Nghymru. Dyna’r rheswm hefyd pam yr oedd y tabl cyllideb a ddosbarthwyd yn cynnwys codiadau cymharol fach yn llinellau y gyllideb iechyd presennol am 2004-05 a 2005-06 ynghyd â darpariaeth wrth gefn sylweddol ar gyfer y ddwy flynedd hynny.
The allocation of resources beyond the end of the next financial year will be determined by the direction in which that review can lead us in ensuring that investment is matched by reform and delivery. The budget also recognises the importance of investing in the fabric of our social services. We have made significant new commitments to improve the long-term care of the elderly and to improve services to children, thus ensuring that the potentially most vulnerable in our society are given the highest priority.
Bydd y dyraniad o adnoddau ar ôl diwedd y flwyddyn ariannol nesaf yn cael ei bennu gan y cyfeiriad y gall yr adolygiad hwnnw ein harwain iddo o ran sicrhau bod y buddsoddi’n cyd-fynd â diwygio a chyflawni. Mae’r gyllideb yn cydnabod hefyd ei bod yn bwysig buddsoddi yng ngwead ein gwasanaethau cymdeithasol. Gwnaethom ymrwymiadau newydd sylweddol i wella’r gofal tymor hir am yr henoed, ac i wella’r gwasanaethau ar gyfer plant, gan sicrhau bod y rhai a allai fod fwyaf diamddiffyn yn ein cymdeithas yn cael y flaenoriaeth uchaf.
I now turn to education and lifelong learning. For next year, the increase is 8.7 per cent compared to this year’s baseline. The total increase for the period of this budget is nearly 29 per cent on the same basis. We are setting in place resources for the long-term challenging agenda that we set out in ‘The Learning Country’. I will highlight a number of specific areas today. On Assembly learning grants, this budget provides fully for their cost based on current estimates. We are committed to the development and expansion of the higher education sector in Wales. In this matter, as elsewhere in my budget, I will ensure that increased investment is matched by reform and enhanced delivery through the implementation of our reform agenda as set out in ‘Reaching Higher’ earlier this year. In other words, this remains a ‘something for something’ equation—money coupled to reform. Jane Davidson will be meeting vice chancellors and other key partners during the autumn and winter, and any adjustments that may prove necessary will be made in my supplementary budget in March. There are several other important areas where funding is being sustained and increased to key priorities. Capital spending on our schools will be further increased. I have made budget provision for the next three years and a commitment to sustain significant expenditure up to 2010.
Trof yn awr at addysg a dysgu gydol oes. Ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf, y cynnydd yw 8.7 y cant o’i gymharu â’r llinell sylfaen eleni. Mae cyfanswm y cynnydd ar gyfer cyfnod y gyllideb hon bron yn 29 y cant ar yr un sail. Yr ydym yn neilltuo adnoddau ar gyfer yr agenda ymestynnol dymor hir y gwnaethom ei gosod yn ‘Y Wlad sy’n Dysgu’. Tynnaf sylw at nifer o feysydd penodol heddiw. Ynghylch grantiau dysgu’r Cynulliad, mae’r gyllideb hon yn darparu’n llawn ar gyfer eu cost ar sail yr amcangyfrifon presennol. Yr ydym wedi ymrwymo i ddatblygu ac ehangu’r sector addysg uwch yng Nghymru. Yn y mater hwn, yn yr un modd ag mewn mannau eraill yn fy nghyllideb, byddaf yn sicrhau bod y buddsoddiad mwy yn cyd-fynd â diwygio a darpariaeth well drwy weithredu ein hagenda ar gyfer diwygio fel y’i nodwyd yn ‘Cyrraedd yn Uwch’ yn gynharach eleni. Mewn geiriau eraill, mae hyn yn parhau’n hafaleb ‘rhywbeth am rywbeth’—arian ynghyd â diwygio. Bydd Jane Davidson yn cwrdd ag is-gangellorion a phartneriaid allweddol eraill yn ystod yr hydref a’r gaeaf, a gwneir unrhyw newidiadau a allai brofi’n angenrheidiol yn fy nghyllideb atodol ym Mawrth. Mae sawl maes pwysig arall lle y caiff yr arian ar gyfer blaenoriaethau allweddol ei gynnal a’i gynyddu. Bydd cynnydd pellach yn y gwariant cyfalaf ar ein hysgolion. Gwneuthum ddarpariaeth yn y gyllideb ar gyfer y tair blynedd nesaf ac ymrwymiad i barhau â’r gwariant sylweddol hyd 2010.
On revenue funding, priorities include class sizes, special educational needs, support for small and rural schools, additional support for teachers and pay for further education lecturers. We would all agree on the inherent unfairness of FE lecturers’ pay when compared to teaching salaries. In addition, we have been able to fund specific projects such as the expansion of Techniquest in Wrexham. There is also a significant uplift in resources for Estyn. The Assembly Government is committed to the knowledge exploitation fund’s objectives. I want to ensure that our investment maximises the achievement of those objectives. I have agreed with Jane Davidson and Andrew Davies that a review of the knowledge exploitation fund should be conducted with the sector. This review is now underway and I will invest further once the delivery is assured.
Ynghylch cyllid refeniw, rhai o’r blaenoriaethau yw meintiau dosbarthiadau, anghenion addysgol arbennig, cymorth i ysgolion bach a gwledig, cymorth ychwanegol i athrawon a chyflogau darlithwyr addysg bellach. Byddem oll yn cytuno ar yr annhegwch sydd ynglŷn â chyflogau darlithwyr addysg bellach o’i gymharu â chyflogau athrawon. Yn ogystal â hynny, yr ydym wedi gallu ariannu prosiectau penodol fel ehangu Techniquest yn Wrecsam. Mae cynnydd sylweddol yn yr adnoddau i Estyn hefyd. Mae Llywodraeth y Cynulliad wedi ymrwymo i amcanion y gronfa ddatblygu gwybodaeth. Yr wyf am ofalu bod ein buddsoddiad yn sicrhau cyflawni’r nifer fwyaf posibl o’r amcanion hynny. Yr wyf wedi cytuno â Jane Davidson ac Andrew Davies y dylid cynnal adolygiad o’r gronfa ddatblygu gwybodaeth gyda’r sector. Mae’r adolygiad hwn yn mynd rhagddo’n awr a rhoddaf fuddsoddiad pellach ar ôl sicrhau ei bod yn cyflawni’r gofynion.
So many of the Assembly Government’s objectives are achieved through its partnership with local government. Effective and properly resourced local authorities are essential to our aims of achieving sustainable prosperity and social justice. I therefore turn to the local government settlement. I will present the provisional local government settlement to the Assembly on 28 November. The settlement will involve an increase of £181 million in the revenue support grant—an increase of 6.2 per cent. This includes £30 million for the performance incentive grant, anticipating that local authorities achieve the targets agreed with the Assembly Government. It is a mark of the mature relationship that we have with local government that I am able to inform the Welsh Local Government Association that this settlement will fully fund pay and price pressures next year. I do not expect any in-year supplements to the revenue support grant for teachers’ pay, or other pressures covered through the support grant. While the principle of non-hypothecated budgets is our policy, the Welsh Assembly Government has agreed with WLGA that this settlement will fully fund pay and price pressures next year. This is an important issue. The strong partnership with local government is also evidenced by the fact that I am able to announce today the establishment of a working party with the WLGA. The working party will consider a new scheme to introduce free access for children and young people to local authority leisure centres during school holidays. This will contribute to a number of policy themes including better health, social inclusion and access to sport. A further announcement on the detail will be made in due course.
Cyflawnir nifer fawr o amcanion Llywodraeth y Cynulliad drwy ei phartneriaeth â llywodraeth leol. Mae’n hollbwysig cael awdurdodau lleol effeithiol sydd â’r adnoddau priodol os ydym i gyflawni ein hamcanion i sicrhau ffyniant cynaliadwy a chyfiawnder cymdeithasol. Trof felly at setliad llywodraeth leol. Cyflwynaf y setliad llywodraeth leol dros dro i’r Cynulliad ar 28 Tachwedd. Bydd y setliad yn golygu cynnydd o £181 miliwn yn y grant cynnal refeniw—cynnydd o 6.2 y cant. Mae hyn yn cynnwys £30 miliwn ar gyfer y grant anogaeth perfformiad, gan ragweld y bydd yr awdurdodau’n cyrraedd y targedau a gytunwyd â Llywodraeth y Cynulliad. Arwydd o’r berthynas aeddfed sydd gennym â llywodraeth leol yw y gallaf hysbysu Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru y bydd y setliad hwn yn ariannu’r holl bwysau o du taliadau cyflog a phrisiau y flwyddyn nesaf. Nid wyf yn rhagweld y bydd unrhyw atodiadau o fewn y flwyddyn i’r grant cynnal refeniw ar gyfer cyflogau athrawon, neu’r pwysau eraill y telir amdanynt drwy’r grant cynnal. Er mai’r egwyddor o gyllidebau heb eu pridiannu yw ein polisi, mae Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru wedi cytuno â CLlLC y bydd y setliad hwn yn ariannu’r holl bwysau o du taliadau cyflog a phrisiau y flwyddyn nesaf. Mae hwn yn fater pwysig. Tystiolaeth arall o’r bartneriaeth gryf â llywodraeth leol yw y gallaf gyhoeddi heddiw sefydlu gweithgor ar y cyd â CLlLC. Bydd y gweithgor yn ystyried cynllun newydd i gyflwyno mynediad di-dâl i blant a phobl ifanc i ganolfannau hamdden awdurdodau lleol yn ystod gwyliau’r ysgol. Bydd hyn yn cyfrannu at sawl thema polisi gan gynnwys gwell iechyd, cynhwysiant cymdeithasol a mynediad i chwaraeon. Gwneir cyhoeddiad pellach am y manylion gyda hyn.
On transport, planning and the environment, the Assembly Government has made a positive start in addressing the need to improve our transport infrastructure and services in Wales, both access to it and its role in revitalising many of our communities. This budget package takes forward the trunk road forward programme 2002 announced by Sue Essex in March, and we intend to sustain the level of investment required to deliver the forward programme in the medium term. Sue will announce more details later, but this budget enables us to deliver on important routes in Wales. These include several sections of the A465 Abergavenny to Hirwaun road, the improvement of the A40 west of St Clears, and initially, 12 separate sections of the north-south corridor based upon the A470.
Ynghylch trafnidiaeth, cynllunio a’r amgylchedd, mae Llywodraeth y Cynulliad wedi cychwyn yn gadarnhaol o ran ymateb i’r angen i wella ein seilwaith a’n gwasanaethau trafnidiaeth yng Nghymru, cael mynediad iddo a’i rôl mewn adfywio llawer o’n cymunedau. Mae’r pecyn cyllideb hwn yn bwrw ymlaen â blaenraglen cefnffyrdd 2002 a gyhoeddwyd gan Sue Essex ym Mawrth, a bwriadwn gynnal y lefel o fuddsoddiad sy’n ofynnol i gyflawni’r flaenraglen yn y tymor canolig. Bydd Sue yn cyhoeddi rhagor o fanylion yn ddiweddarach, ond mae’r gyllideb hon yn ein galluogi i ddarparu ar gyfer ffyrdd pwysig yng Nghymru. Yn eu plith y mae sawl rhan o ffordd yr A465 o’r Fenni i Hirwaun, gwella’r A40 i’r gorllewin o Sanclêr, ac i ddechrau, 12 rhan unigol o’r ffordd o’r Gogledd i’r De yn seiliedig ar yr A470.
Also in this portfolio, the bus fuel duty rebate has been sustained, and provision for concessionary fares for pensioners has been increased by more than £16 million over the next three years to meet the huge demand for this successful scheme. There are also increases in transport grants to provide for local and consortia initiatives to increase and integrate transport provision, and the direct support of public transport—bus, rail and cycling. Additional provision is being made for enhanced flood protection, drainage and coastal protection, for continuing work on the Wales spatial plan and for ensuring compliance with our European Union environmental obligations. The UK Government has commissioned a major Cabinet Office performance and innovation unit report on waste, which is due shortly. I will return to the matter of funding once the Assembly Government has analysed the findings of the report and the implications for Wales.
Yn y portffolio hwn hefyd, parhawyd â’r ad-daliad toll tanwydd bysiau, ac mae cynnydd o fwy na £16 miliwn yn y ddarpariaeth ar gyfer tocynnau mantais i bensiynwyr dros y tair blynedd nesaf i ateb y galw aruthrol am y cynllun llwyddiannus hwn. Mae cynnydd hefyd mewn grantiau trafnidiaeth i ddarparu ar gyfer mentrau lleol a mentrau consortia i gynyddu ac integreiddio’r ddarpariaeth drafnidiaeth, a chymorth uniongyrchol i drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus—bysiau, rheilffyrdd a seiclo. Gwneir darpariaeth ychwanegol ar gyfer gwell amddiffyniad rhag llifogydd, traeniad ac amddiffyn yr arfordir, i barhau â’r gwaith ar gynllun gofodol Cymru ac i sicrhau cydymffurfiad â’n rhwymedigaethau amgylcheddol dan yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi comisiynu adroddiad pwysig gan uned perfformiad ac arloesedd Swyddfa’r Cabinet ar wastraff, sydd i’w gyhoeddi cyn hir. Af yn ôl at fater ariannu wedi i Lywodraeth y Cynulliad ddadansoddi canfyddiadau’r adroddiad a’r goblygiadau i Gymru.
Following the Johannesburg summit, we will build upon Wales’s growing reputation in sustainable development by increasing funding to that programme in each of the next three years. We have increased the grant funding for environmental projects in local communities, and continued support for the innovative environment development fund. We are also pursuing work on the Wales spatial plan. For next year, the overall increase is 12 per cent compared to this year’s baseline, and the total increase for the period of this budget is 27.6 per cent on the same basis.
Ar ôl uwchgynhadledd Johannesburg, byddwn yn meithrin yr enw da cynyddol sydd gan Gymru mewn datblygu cynaliadwy drwy gynyddu’r cyllid i’r rhaglen honno ym mhob un o’r tair blynedd nesaf. Yr ydym wedi cynyddu’r arian grant i brosiectau amgylcheddol mewn cymunedau lleol ac wedi parhau â’n cymorth i’r gronfa ddatblygu’r amgylchedd arloesol. Yr ydym hefyd yn bwrw ymlaen â gwaith ar gynllun gofodol Cymru. Ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf, y cynnydd cyffredinol yw 12 y cant o’i gymharu â llinell sylfaen eleni, a chyfanswm y cynnydd dros gyfnod y gyllideb hon yw 27.6 y cant ar yr un sail.
Turning to economic development, we continue to work towards the goals set out in ‘A Winning Wales’. Expenditure by the Welsh Development Agency and the Wales Tourist Board is at record levels, supplemented by European structural funds. Plans are well advanced to establish a network of representative offices overseas, starting with New York. Offices in San Francisco, Tokyo, Brussels and Hong Kong are also planned in the first batch. The necessary budgetary allocations to sustain this activity will be provided. Demand for regional selective assistance and Assembly investment grants is high, and all eligible claims will be funded in-year, should the demand exceed existing provision.
Gan droi at ddatblygu economaidd, parhawn i weithio at y nodau a nodwyd yn ‘Cymru’n Ennill’. Mae’r gwariant gan Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru a Bwrdd Croeso Cymru ar ei fwyaf erioed, wedi’i ategu gan y cronfeydd strwythurol Ewropeaidd. Mae cynlluniau’n mynd rhagddynt yn dda i sefydlu rhwydwaith o swyddfeydd cynrychioladol dramor, gan ddechrau yn Efrog Newydd. Bwriedir agor swyddfeydd yn San Francisco, Tokyo, Brwsel a Hong Kong yn gyntaf. Darperir y dyraniadau angenrheidiol yn y gyllideb i gynnal y gweithgaredd hwn. Mae galw mawr am gymorth rhanbarthol dewisol a grantiau buddsoddi’r Cynulliad, a bydd yr holl hawliadau cymwys yn cael eu hariannu o fewn y flwyddyn, os bydd y galw’n fwy na’r ddarpariaeth bresennol.
Over and above these programmes, the Minister for Economic Development has identified two important priorities in this budget planning round. On innovation, we have made significant new money available to boost the support for Welsh businesses, particularly smaller firms. This is the cutting edge of our efforts to promote added value in the process and product development of Welsh companies. We have also raised our substantial investment in the development of broadband capacity in Wales. That amounts to an additional £15 million over the next three years, with further significant resources to be invested up until 2010, in line with the commitments contained in ‘A Winning Wales’. The Minister for Economic Development will review the full programme of activity and evaluate progress, which will inform spending decisions in future years.
Yn ogystal â’r rhaglenni hyn, mae’r Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd wedi nodi dwy flaenoriaeth bwysig yng nghylch cynllunio’r gyllideb hon. Ynghylch arloesedd, yr ydym wedi darparu arian newydd sylweddol i hybu’r cymorth i fusnesau yng Nghymru, yn enwedig busnesau llai. Hon yw’n hymgyrch fwyaf blaengar i hyrwyddo gwerth ychwanegol ym mhrosesau a gwaith datblygu cynhyrchion cwmnïau yng Nghymru. Yr ydym hefyd wedi cynyddu ein buddsoddiad sylweddol mewn datblygu capasiti band eang yng Nghymru. Mae hynny’n gyfanswm o £15 miliwn yn ychwanegol dros y tair blynedd nesaf, a buddsoddir adnoddau sylweddol pellach hyd at 2010, yn unol â’r ymrwymiadau a geir yn ‘Cymru’n Ennill’. Bydd y Gweinidog dros Ddatblygu Economaidd yn adolygu’r rhaglen weithgareddau lawn ac yn gwerthuso’r cynnydd, a bydd hynny’n goleuo’r penderfyniadau ar wario yn y blynyddoedd i ddod.
Last, but by no means least, are structural funds. In this spending review, we have secured the continued provision of structural fund resources over and above the Barnett arrangements. The settlement provides a total of £492 million over three years to 2005-06 compared with £421 million in the 2000 spending review. The same flexibilities are in the system should we need to use them, that is, draw down of 20 per cent of next year’s provision if required. I believe that this meets our requirements for the next phase of the structural funds programmes which, in turn, will make an important contribution to the activities of the Assembly, its sponsored bodies and other partners. I end with a clear message on structural funds: no good project will fail for lack of either match funding or public expenditure survey cover. It is as simple as that. The proof of the pudding is in its eating, and no good project has yet failed for either of those reasons.
Yn olaf, ond nid yn lleiaf o bell ffordd, y mae’r cronfeydd strwythurol. Yn yr adolygiad o wariant hwn, yr ydym wedi sicrhau parhad yn y ddarpariaeth o adnoddau’r cronfeydd strwythurol ar ben trefniadau Barnett. Mae’r setliad yn darparu cyfanswm o £492 miliwn dros dair blynedd hyd 2005-06 o’i gymharu â £421 miliwn yn yr adolygiad o wariant yn 2000. Mae’r un hyblygrwyddau yn y system os bydd angen inni eu defnyddio, sef tynnu i lawr 20 y cant o ddarpariaeth y flwyddyn nesaf os bydd angen. Credaf fod hynny’n cyflawni ein gofynion ar gyfer cam nesaf rhaglenni’r cronfeydd strwythurol a fydd, yn ei dro, yn gyfraniad o bwys i weithgareddau’r Cynulliad, y cyrff y mae’n eu noddi a phartneriaid eraill. Terfynaf drwy roi neges glir ar y cronfeydd strwythurol: ni fydd yr un prosiect da’n methu oherwydd diffyg cyllid cyfatebol neu arian o’r arolwg gwariant cyhoeddus. Mae cyn symled â hynny. Wrth ei flas y mae profi pwdin, ac nid yw’r un prosiect da wedi methu eto am y naill reswm na’r llall.
On agriculture and rural development, the focus on the sector was the result of the urgent measures that we had to put in place to help our rural communities to recover from the effects of the foot and mouth disease outbreak. This year, we propose significant increases in the Tir Gofal budget as well as the pilot agri-environmental scheme. The resources available to the Forestry Commission for grants will also increase. There is support for community regeneration and capacity building measures in rural areas that complement activity on the Communities First programme, and a range of measures in other portfolios impact directly upon rural Wales.
Ynghylch amaethyddiaeth a datblygu gwledig, yr oedd y ffocws ar y sector yn ganlyniad i’r camau brys y bu’n rhaid inni eu cymryd i helpu’n cymunedau gwledig i ymadfer o effeithiau clwy’r traed a’r genau. Eleni, yr ydym yn cynnig cynnydd sylweddol yng nghyllideb Tir Gofal yn ogystal â’r cynllun amaeth-amgylcheddol peilot. Bydd cynnydd hefyd yn yr adnoddau sydd ar gael i’r Comisiwn Coedwigaeth ar gyfer grantiau. Ceir cymorth i fesurau adfywio cymunedol a datblygu potensial mewn ardaloedd gwledig sy’n ategu’r gweithgaredd yn y rhaglen Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf, ac mae amrediad o fesurau mewn portffolios eraill yn effeithio’n uniongyrchol ar y Gymru wledig.
On farm-based activities, we are sustaining and expanding important initiatives such as the Welsh flock improvement scheme, and several other initiatives are funded from end-year flexibility. The Minister will give full details shortly. The net effect of those changes is to produce an increase of over 10.5 per cent compared with this year’s baseline. The total increase for the period of this budget is 29.1 per cent on the same basis.
Ynghylch gweithgareddau ar ffermydd, yr ydym yn cynnal ac yn ehangu mentrau pwysig fel cynllun gwella preiddiau Cymru, ac ariannir sawl menter arall o hyblygrwydd diwedd blwyddyn. Bydd y Gweinidog yn rhoi’r manylion llawn cyn hir. Effaith y newidiadau hynny yn y pen draw yw creu cynnydd o dros 10.5 y cant o’i gymharu â’r llinell sylfaen am eleni. Cyfanswm y cynnydd dros gyfnod y gyllideb hon yw 29.1 y cant ar yr un sail.
I turn to culture, sport and the Welsh language. The creation of a culture fund to directly support the delivery of the Government strategy, ‘Creative Future’, will change the structure of investment in this sector. The fund was established by amalgamating existing budget lines worth over £39 million, which we propose to increase by more than 60 per cent over the next three years. The Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language will provide details to the Culture Committee of the support to be given under this new fund to arts, sport, culture and Welsh language projects. This has not been done at the expense of key programmes. For example, our support for free access to national museums and galleries, which has been an outstanding success, will continue to be funded.
Trof at ddiwylliant, chwaraeon a’r Gymraeg. Bydd creu cronfa ddiwylliant i roi cymorth uniongyrchol i gyflawni strategaeth y Llywodraeth, ‘Cymru Greadigol’, yn newid strwythur y buddsoddi yn y sector hwn. Sefydlwyd y gronfa hon drwy gyfuno llinellau y gyllideb bresennol, sydd gwerth dros £39 miliwn, y bwriadwn eu cynyddu fwy na 60 y cant dros y tair blynedd nesaf. Bydd y Gweinidog dros Ddiwylliant, Chwaraeon a’r Gymraeg yn rhoi manylion i’r Pwyllgor Diwylliant am y cymorth sydd i’w roi o dan y gronfa newydd hon i brosiectau’r celfyddydau, chwaraeon a’r Gymraeg. Ni wnaed hynny ar draul rhaglenni allweddol. Er enghraifft, parheir i gyllido ein cymorth ar gyfer mynediad di-dâl i amgueddfeydd ac orielau cenedlaethol, a fu’n llwyddiant eithriadol.
For clarity’s sake, a significant number of culture projects do not feature in this budget; they are effectively covered by new or existing end-year flexibility. They include the capital costs of the construction of the Wales Millennium Centre and a grant to the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea, which has secured funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Moreover, we are working closely with the trustees on the next phase of the National Botanic Garden of Wales, with the partnership promoting Cardiff’s cultural capital of Europe bid for 2008, and with the Sports Council for Wales—in the context of their quinquennial review—on plans for the refurbishment of the Welsh Institute of Sport. Depending on developments, I may return to these in my final budget or supplementary budget next spring.
Er mwyn eglurder, mae nifer sylweddol o brosiectau diwylliant sydd heb eu cynnwys yn y gyllideb hon; ymdrinnir â hwy’n effeithiol drwy’r hyblygrwydd diwedd blwyddyn presennol neu’r hyn sydd i ddod. Yn eu plith y mae costau cyfalaf adeiladu Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru a grant i Amgueddfa Genedlaethol y Glannau, Abertawe, sydd wedi sicrhau cyllid gan Gronfa Dreftadaeth y Loteri. Yn ogystal â hynny, yr ydym yn cydweithio’n agos â’r ymddiriedolwyr ar gam nesaf Gardd Fotaneg Genedlaethol Cymru, gyda’r bartneriaeth sy’n hyrwyddo cais Caerdydd i ddod yn brifddinas diwylliant Ewrop yn 2008, a chyda Chyngor Chwaraeon Cymru—yng nghyd-destun ei adolygiad pum-mlynyddol—ar gynlluniau i adnewyddu Sefydliad Chwaraeon Cymru. Yn ôl y datblygiadau a geir, efallai y dychwelaf at y rhain yn fy nghyllideb derfynol neu’r gyllideb atodol y gwanwyn nesaf.
I will conclude on this issue by returning to what the Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language and myself agree is a top priority—the Welsh language. In July, Jenny announced a package representing immediate support for key language initiatives. Additional support will be forthcoming under the aegis of the culture fund as I mentioned earlier, but the Government intends to go further.
Terfynaf ar y mater hwn drwy fynd yn ôl at yr hyn y mae’r Gweinidog dros Ddiwylliant, Chwaraeon a’r Gymraeg a minnau’n cytuno ei bod yn brif flaenoriaeth—y Gymraeg. Yng Ngorffennaf, cyhoeddodd Jenny becyn a oedd yn rhoi cymorth ar unwaith i fentrau iaith allweddol. Ceir cymorth ychwanegol o dan nawdd y gronfa ddiwylliant fel y dywedais yn gynharach, ond mae’r Llywodraeth yn bwriadu mynd ymhellach.
The policy statement ‘Bilingual Future’ published in July set out our stall. Jenny will be taking this forward to the next stage and an action plan will be published before Christmas which will cover work in a number of different portfolios. That reflects the range of issues that bear upon the future of the Welsh language. I will carefully consider the financial implications of the action plan and further announcements will follow. Overall, for next year the increase is over 23 per cent compared to this year’s baseline. The total increase for the period of this budget is over 44 per cent on the same basis.
Gwnaethom gyflwyno ein cynigion yn y datganiad polisi ‘Dyfodol Dwyieithog’ a gyhoeddwyd yng Ngorffennaf. Bydd Jenny yn mynd â hyn ymlaen i’r cam nesaf a chyhoeddir cynllun gweithredu cyn y Nadolig a fydd yn ymdrin â gwaith mewn nifer o wahanol bortffolios. Mae hynny’n adlewyrchu’r amrediad o faterion sy’n effeithio ar ddyfodol y Gymraeg. Byddaf yn ystyried goblygiadau ariannol y cynllun gweithredu’n ofalus a bydd cyhoeddiadau pellach yn dilyn. Yn gyffredinol, mae’r cynnydd ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf dros 23 y cant o’i gymharu â llinell sylfaen eleni. Mae cyfanswm y cynnydd dros gyfnod y gyllideb hon dros 44 y cant, a hynny ar yr un sail.
On housing, transitional provision has also been made for the Supporting People initiative for next year. Support is also being provided for several initiatives, including homelessness measures, anti-scald valves, and fire safety initiatives. I am also pleased with the success of the rural homebuy scheme. It is making a real contribution to sustaining our rural communities and a review and evaluation of the scheme is underway. I have therefore retained the social housing grant at its current level, which will allow local authorities to give appropriate priority to the scheme. I propose to sustain expenditure at 2005-06 levels to 2010.
Ynghylch tai, gwnaed darpariaeth drosiannol hefyd ar gyfer y fenter Cefnogi Pobl am y flwyddyn nesaf. Darperir cymorth hefyd ar gyfer sawl menter, gan gynnwys mesurau digartrefedd, falfiau gwrthsgaldio a mentrau diogelwch tân. Yr wyf hefyd yn falch o lwyddiant y cynllun prynu cartref gwledig. Mae’n gwneud cyfraniad gwirioneddol at gynnal ein cymunedau gwledig ac mae’r cynllun yn cael ei adolygu a’i werthuso ar hyn o bryd. Gan hynny, yr wyf wedi cadw’r grant tai cymdeithasol ar ei lefel bresennol, a fydd yn caniatáu i’r awdurdodau lleol roi blaenoriaeth briodol i’r cynllun hwn. Bwriadaf gadw lefelau gwariant 2005-06 hyd 2010.
Although our commitment to the regeneration of communities has a strong link to housing, it has an equally strong link to many other forms of investment. I am therefore creating a separate communities budget, which will increase the transparency of the budget overall and is a sign of the priority we accord to social justice and community regeneration. I also propose to introduce a new deprivation fund that will be distributed among all local authorities on the criteria of deprivation and used to support the provision of core services in the most deprived areas. This fund totals £20 million per annum for three years. Most of the funding in year one will be provided through EYF. There will also be continuing funding from that source for other programmes such as the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, on which Members have lobbied heavily. Many of our most deprived communities also suffer from a high incidence of crime and disorder. I want to do more to ensure that we work with local communities and partnerships to address the underlying causes of crime and, where appropriate, work with the police to tackle criminality itself. I am, therefore, allocating £2.6 million, £3.6 million and £5 million for the next three years for the establishment of a new safer communities fund. I will prioritise considering using the new fund to provide local partnerships with support, building on any Home Office funding for the South Wales Police drugs taskforce because there is great concern about the threat to south Wales communities from the influx of class A drugs.
Er bod cysylltiad clos rhwng tai a’n hymrwymiad i adfywio cymunedau, mae cysylltiad yr un mor glos rhyngddo a mathau eraill o fuddsoddi. Oherwydd hynny, yr wyf yn creu cyllideb gymunedol ar wahân, a fydd yn peri bod y gyllideb yn fwy tryloyw at ei gilydd ac yn arwydd o’r flaenoriaeth a roddwn i gyfiawnder cymdeithasol ac adfywio cymunedol. Yr wyf hefyd yn bwriadu cyflwyno cronfa amddifadedd newydd a gaiff ei dosbarthu ymysg yr holl awdurdodau lleol yn ôl meini prawf am amddifadedd a’i defnyddio i gynnal y ddarpariaeth o wasanaethau craidd yn yr ardaloedd mwyaf difreintiedig. Bydd y gronfa hon yn darparu £20 miliwn y flwyddyn am dair blynedd. Darperir y rhan fwyaf o’r cyllid ym mlwyddyn un drwy hyblygrwydd diwedd blwyddyn. Bydd y ffynhonnell honno hefyd yn ariannu rhaglenni eraill yn barhaus, megis Ymddiriedolaeth Adfywio’r Meysydd Glo, y mae Aelodau wedi lobïo’n egnïol yn ei chylch. Mae llawer o’n cymunedau mwyaf difreintiedig yn dioddef hefyd gan lawer o droseddu ac anhrefn. Yr wyf am wneud rhagor i sicrhau ein bod yn gweithio gyda chymunedau a phartneriaethau lleol i ymdrin ag achosion sylfaenol troseddu ac, os yw’n briodol, gweithio gyda’r heddlu i fynd i’r afael â’r troseddoldeb ei hun. Gan hynny, yr wyf yn dyrannu £2.6 miliwn, £3.6 miliwn a £5 miliwn am y tair blynedd nesaf i sefydlu cronfa newydd i greu cymunedau diogelach. Byddaf yn rhoi blaenoriaeth i ystyried defnyddio’r gronfa newydd i ddarparu cymorth ar gyfer partneriaethau lleol, gan ychwanegu at unrhyw gyllid gan y Swyddfa Gartref i dasglu cyffuriau Heddlu De Cymru gan fod pryder mawr am y bygythiad i gymunedau’r De yn sgîl y cyffuriau dosbarth A sy’n llifo i’r ardal.
Since taking over responsibility for substance misuse in Wales, I have been looking hard at what can be done to improve the availability of treatment services across Wales. I have now received a report on the demand and availability of services. I am considering this report alongside the responses to the consultation on the future structure of the drug and alcohol teams across Wales. I will make an announcement on resources for treatment services in my final budget when I have had the opportunity to digest the reports and consider the recommendations.
Ers ymgymryd â’r cyfrifoldeb dros gamddefnyddio sylweddau yng Nghymru, yr wyf wedi bod yn edrych yn fanwl ar yr hyn y gellir ei wneud i wella argaeledd triniaeth ledled Cymru. Yr wyf bellach wedi derbyn adroddiad am y galw am wasanaethau a’u hargaeledd. Yr wyf yn ystyried yr adroddiad hwn ochr yn ochr â’r ymatebion i’r ymgynghoriad ar strwythur timau alcohol a chyffuriau ledled Cymru yn y dyfodol. Byddaf yn gwneud cyhoeddiad am yr adnoddau i wasanaethau triniaeth yn fy nghyllideb derfynol wedi imi gael cyfle i amgyffred cynnwys yr adroddiadau ac ystyried yr argymhellion.
I have now completed my review of the budgets for community regeneration. There is recognition that investment needs to be staged according to the development of the capacity of the communities to identify their needs. Therefore, while there was an initial inability to use all the money available, the capacity has now developed to the extent that I am justified in returning to the initial investment level. There is also a demand for more flexible and wide-ranging community regeneration programmes. I am therefore reconfiguring the available budgets to provide greater flexibility for measures to support regeneration activities in all parts of Wales. I will provide full details of these measures to the Local Government and Housing Committee tomorrow. Overall, this produces an aggregate increase of 7 per cent next year on the existing main expenditure group, compared to the current year’s baseline, and over 20 per cent on the same basis over the period of this budget.
Yr wyf bellach wedi cwblhau fy adolygiad o’r cyllidebau ar gyfer adfywio cymunedol. Cydnabyddir bod angen cyflwyno buddsoddiad yn raddol yn ôl y datblygiad yng ngallu’r cymunedau i ganfod eu hanghenion. Felly, er na lwyddwyd i ddefnyddio’r holl arian a oedd ar gael ar y dechrau, mae’r gallu wedi datblygu bellach i’r graddau fel ei bod yn iawn imi ddychwelyd at y lefel buddsoddi gychwynnol. Mae galw hefyd am raglenni adfywio cymunedol mwy hyblyg ac amrywiol. Yr wyf felly’n ailgyflunio’r cyllidebau sydd ar gael i sicrhau mwy o hyblygrwydd ar gyfer mesurau i gynnal gweithgareddau adfywio ym mhob rhan o Gymru. Byddaf yn rhoi holl fanylion y mesurau hynny i’r Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai yfory. At ei gilydd, mae hyn yn gynnydd o 7 y cant y flwyddyn nesaf yn y prif grŵp gwariant presennol, o’i gymharu â llinell sylfaen y flwyddyn bresennol, a thros 20 y cant ar yr un sail dros gyfnod y gyllideb hon.
Finally, I turn to central administration. The expenditure represents investment in more effective and responsive government and several budget lines in the central administration budget reflect programmes and projects that are just as much priorities of the Assembly as they are of the Welsh Assembly Government: for example, equal pay.
Yn olaf, trof at weinyddu canolog. Mae’r gwariant yn golygu buddsoddi mewn llywodraeth fwy effeithiol ac ymatebol ac mae nifer o linellau’r gyllideb gweinyddu canolog yn adlewyrchu rhaglenni a phrosiectau sy’n gymaint o flaenoriaethau i’r Cynulliad ag ydynt i Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru: er enghraifft, tâl cyfartal.
There is provision for the relocation strategy to ensure that Assembly staff are located in, and contribute to, all parts of Wales. I anticipate being able to make announcements on relocations during the next year. There is also planned investment in a new generation of information technology to ensure that Assembly Members and officials can transact business through the medium of information technology, upon which we now depend.
Mae darpariaeth ar gyfer y strategaeth adleoli i sicrhau bod staff y Cynulliad yn cael eu lleoli ledled Cymru ac yn cyfrannu at fywyd eu hardaloedd. Rhagwelaf y byddaf yn gallu gwneud cyhoeddiadau ar adleoliadau yn ystod y flwyddyn nesaf. Mae bwriad hefyd i fuddsoddi yn y dechnoleg gwybodaeth ddiweddaraf i sicrhau bod Aelodau a swyddogion y Cynulliad yn gallu gweithio drwy gyfrwng y dechnoleg yr ydym oll yn dibynnu arni bellach.
To conclude, this is a budget with a purpose, proposed by a Government with a vision and a commitment to deliver. I have announced major new investments in schools, health and social care, and in the quality of life in our communities. However, we require that reform and an assurance of real results match the investment for the people of Wales. Above all, this is a budget that recognises the value of effective public services that do not respond to failure, but create the conditions by which individuals, communities and businesses can succeed. I commend the draft budget to the National Assembly.
I derfynu, cyllideb â phwrpas yw hon, a gynigir gan Lywodraeth sydd â gweledigaeth ac ymrwymiad i fynd â’r maen i’r wal. Yr wyf wedi cyhoeddi buddsoddiadau newydd pwysig mewn ysgolion, iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol, ac yn ansawdd bywyd ein cymunedau. Fodd bynnag, yr ydym yn mynnu bod diwygio a sicrwydd o ganlyniadau gwirioneddol yn cyd-fynd â’r buddsoddiad ar gyfer pobl Cymru. Yn fwy na dim, mae hon yn gyllideb sy’n cydnabod gwerth gwasanaethau cyhoeddus effeithiol nad ydynt yn ymateb i fethiant, sydd ond yn creu’r amodau y gall unigolion, cymunedau a busnesau lwyddo oddi tanynt. Cymeradwyaf y gyllideb ddrafft i’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 55
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 55
Twenty-five Members wish to speak, and not everybody will get in. Therefore, I appeal for short speeches. If you can make a two-minute rather than a three-minute speech, and certainly a four-minute rather than a five-minute speech, please do so. I will not allow speeches of more than five minutes. After precisely five minutes I will press the red button. Those Members whom I do not call during this debate should remember that this matter will be discussed again, and they will have a better chance of being called next time.
Mae 25 o Aelodau yn dymuno cyfrannu, ond ni fydd cyfle i bawb. Felly, apeliaf am areithiau byr. Os gallwch gyfyngu’ch araith i ddwy funud yn hytrach na thair munud ac, yn sicr, i bedair munud yn hytrach na phum munud, gwnewch hynny, da chi. Ni chaniatâf areithiau o fwy na phum munud. Ar ôl union bum munud byddaf yn pwyso’r botwm coch. Dylai’r Aelodau hynny na alwaf arnynt yn ystod y ddadl hon gofio y caiff y mater hwn ei drafod eto, a byddant yn fwy tebygol o gael eu galw y tro nesaf.
I propose the following amendments in the name of Jonathan Morgan. Amendment 1: at the end of the motion add a new point:
Cynigiaf y gwelliannau canlynol yn enw Jonathan Morgan. Gwelliant 1: ar ddiwedd y cynnig ychwanegu pwynt newydd:
David Ian Jones (continued) spoken in English p. 56
David Ian Jones (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 56
I propose amendment 2. At the end of the motion add a new point:
Cynigiaf welliant 2. Ar ddiwedd y cynnig ychwanegu pwynt newydd:
David Ian Jones (continued) spoken in English p. 56
David Ian Jones (parhad) siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 56
Judging by the contents of the draft budget, one might almost be forgiven for thinking that we are about to enter an election year. The additional £110 million for health is no doubt intended to generate eye-catching headlines in the run-up to next year’s Assembly elections. The truth, however, is that the additional expenditure is at the expense of the reserves, and this depletion is projected to continue, indeed accelerate, beyond baselines in the following financial years.
A barnu yn ôl cynnwys y gyllideb ddrafft, gellid bron â maddau i rywun am gredu ein bod ar drothwy blwyddyn etholiad. Mae’n siŵr mai bwriad y £110 miliwn ychwanegol ar gyfer iechyd yw creu penawdau trawiadol yn y cyfnod cyn etholiadau’r Cynulliad y flwyddyn nesaf. Y gwir amdani, fodd bynnag, yw bod y gwariant ychwanegol yn digwydd ar draul y cronfeydd wrth gefn, a bwriedir i’r dihysbyddu hwn barhau ac, yn wir, gyflymu, y tu hwnt i’r llinellau sylfaen yn y blynyddoedd ariannol nesaf.
During the debate on last year’s budget, my colleague, Nick Bourne, expressed his grave concern at the raid on reserves. Last year, as I am sure no-one will forget, saw the disaster of foot and mouth disease, and the devastation it wrought on Welsh agriculture and the rural economy in general. It was against that background that Nick expressed his concern at the run-down of reserves, and the consequent effect on the Assembly’s ability to deal with similar contingencies. In response to that, the Finance Minister said that she had thought long and hard before making allocations from the reserve, but that she was happy that, with tight control on spending profiles and proper reviews throughout the system, she might be able to identify other money in the year, and allocate a reserve or other pocket.
Yn ystod y ddadl ar gyllideb y llynedd, mynegodd fy nghyd-aelod, Nick Bourne, bryder mawr ynghylch yr ysbeilio ar y cronfeydd wrth gefn. Y llynedd, fel y bydd pawb yn cofio yr wyf yn siŵr, gwelwyd trychineb clwy’r traed a’r genau a’r difrod a wnaeth i amaethyddiaeth Cymru a’r economi wledig yn gyffredinol. Ar sail hynny y mynegodd Nick ei bryder ynghylch lleihau’r cronfeydd wrth gefn, a’r effaith o ganlyniad i hynny ar allu’r Cynulliad i ddelio â digwyddiadau annisgwyl. Mewn ymateb i hynny, dywedodd y Gweinidog Cyllid ei bod wedi meddwl yn hir ac yn ddwys cyn gwneud dyraniadau o’r gronfa wrth gefn, ond ei bod yn fodlon, o gael rheolaeth dynn ar broffiliau gwario ac adolygiadau priodol drwy’r system, y gallai ganfod arian arall yn y flwyddyn, a dyrannu cronfa wrth gefn neu gronfa arall.
Peter Black a gododd—
Peter Black rose—
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 57
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 57
Order. David Ian Jones is making his first speech. It is good practice for other Members to refrain from intervening or making life difficult during a Member’s first speech.
Trefn. Mae David Ian Jones yn gwneud ei araith gyntaf. Arfer da yw i’r Aelodau eraill ymatal rhag ymyrryd neu wneud bywyd yn anodd yn ystod araith gyntaf gan Aelod.
It is clear that, contrary to the Mr Micawber philosophy of economics, nothing turned up, and the reserves for the next financial year will be depleted to some £90 million. I want to know how much of that is hard cash. In a budget of some £11.3 billion, this is peanuts, and the Minister now runs the risk of leaving the Assembly virtually penniless and unable to cope with an unforeseen natural or man-made disaster, which appear to happen with increasing frequency.
Mae’n amlwg, yn groes i athroniaeth economeg Mr Micawber, nad oes dim wedi dod i’r golwg, ac y caiff y cronfeydd wrth gefn ar gyfer y flwyddyn ariannol nesaf eu lleihau i ryw £90 miliwn. Mae arnaf eisiau gwybod pa faint o hynny sy’n arian sychion. Mewn cyllideb o ryw £11.3 biliwn, ceiniog a dimai yw hynny, ac mae’r Gweinidog bellach yn mynd i berygl o adael y Cynulliad heb yr un geiniog bron ac yn analluog i ymdopi â thrychineb naturiol neu un o waith dyn, sy’n digwydd yn fwyfwy aml yn ôl pob golwg.
We should remember that the Assembly’s budget is limited by what we receive from Westminster. We have no tax-raising powers—long may that state of affairs continue. The people of Wales already pay enough in taxes, and this burden will increase next year, without the imposition of further home-grown taxation. These constraints on our ability to spend mean that we should live within our means, and they demand the maintenance of reserves at a prudent level.
Dylem gofio bod cyllideb y Cynulliad yn cael ei chyfyngu gan yr hyn a dderbyniwn oddi wrth San Steffan. Nid oes gennym bwerau i godi trethi—a hir y parhaed felly. Mae pobl Cymru’n talu digon o drethi eisoes, a bydd y baich hwn yn cynyddu y flwyddyn nesaf, heb orfodi trethi cartref ychwanegol. Mae’r cyfyngiadau hyn ar ein gallu i wario yn golygu y dylem fyw ar yr hyn sydd gennym, ac yn golygu bod rhaid cadw’r cronfeydd wrth gefn ar lefel gall.
Against that background, if more money is spent, and the Government is determined to run down our reserves, additional spending on health is welcome, providing it is spent to real effect. So far, it is difficult to see where that additional spending has had any real effect. Waiting lists continue to increase, the number of GPs hardly varies, and the number of NHS beds continues to fall. We are fast approaching the position that prevails in England where there are as many NHS administrators as hospital beds.
Ar sail hynny, os caiff mwy o arian ei wario, ac mae’r Llywodraeth yn benderfynol o ddihysbyddu ein cronfeydd wrth gefn, mae gwariant ychwanegol ar iechyd i’w groesawu, cyhyd â’i fod yn cael effaith wirioneddol. Hyd yn hyn, anodd gweld ymhle y cafodd y gwariant ychwanegol hwnnw unrhyw effaith wirioneddol. Mae’r rhestrau aros yn dal i gynyddu, nid oes fawr o newid yn niferoedd y meddygon teulu, ac mae nifer gwelyau’r GIG yn gostwng o hyd. Yr ydym yn agosáu’n gyflym at y sefyllfa a geir yn Lloegr lle y mae cynifer o weinyddwyr GIG ag y mae o welyau.
I welcome the additional funding in the health budget for the elderly and those in long-term care. I hope that some of this spending reaches the private sector. In the last six months, in my home county of Conwy, nine private care homes have closed, with the loss of 45 residential and 17 nursing beds. Losses such as these cannot be sustained without adverse effects on the health care system in general, and I hope that ways will be found to support the vital private care home sector.
Croesawaf y cyllid ychwanegol yn y gyllideb iechyd i’r henoed a’r rhai sy’n derbyn gofal tymor hir. Gobeithiaf y bydd rhywfaint o’r gwariant hwn yn cyrraedd y sector preifat. Yn ystod y chwe mis diwethaf, yng Nghonwy, y sir lle’r wyf yn byw, mae naw cartref gofal preifat wedi cau, gan beri colli 45 o welyau preswyl a 17 o welyau nyrsio. Ni ellir cael colledion fel y rhain heb iddynt amharu ar y system gofal iechyd yn gyffredinol, a gobeithiaf y deuir o hyd i fodd i gynorthwyo’r sector cartrefi gofal preifat hollbwysig.
Transport is the cinderella area of expenditure in this budget. Anyone who travels around Wales to the extent that I shall be doing over the coming months, knows what a dispiriting experience it can be. Our north-south routes are pathetically poor and other routes are in dire need of maintenance and upgrading. If post-devolution Wales is to work as a twenty-first century country, twenty-first century road communications are required. The sums allocated in the draft budget for the trunk road forward programme for the repair, upgrade and renewal of roads and bridges are wholly inadequate, and I urge the Minister to urgently review this area of spending.
Trafnidiaeth yw’r maes gwariant anghofiedig yn y gyllideb hon. Mae unrhyw un sy’n teithio o gwmpas Cymru i’r graddau y byddaf fi’n gwneud dros y misoedd i ddod, yn gwybod y fath brofiad digalon y gall hynny fod. Mae ein llwybrau o’r gogledd i’r de’n druenus o wael ac mae taer angen cynnal a gwella llwybrau eraill. Os yw Cymru ddatganoledig i weithio fel gwlad yn yr unfed ganrif ar hugain, mae angen cysylltiadau ffyrdd i’r unfed ganrif ar hugain. Mae’r symiau a ddyrannwyd yn y gyllideb ddrafft i’r flaenraglen gefnffyrdd ar gyfer atgyweirio, gwella ac adnewyddu ffyrdd a phontydd yn gwbl annigonol, a phwysaf ar y Gweinidog i adolygu’r maes gwariant hwn ar frys.
It would be wrong and churlish to condemn the budget outright. Many measures are welcome. In particular, I offer my unqualified congratulations for the increase in spending on broadband telecommunication development. This is essential if Wales is to progress as a competitive modern economy and I strongly urge the Government to devote as many resources as possible to it to ensure that broadband rolls out as quickly as possible over the whole of Wales.
Peth anghywir ac anfoesgar fyddai collfarnu’r gyllideb yn llwyr. Mae llawer o’r mesurau i’w croesawu. Yn benodol, cynigiaf fy llongyfarchion diamod am y cynnydd yn y gwariant ar ddatblygu telathrebu band eang. Mae hynny’n hollbwysig os ydyw Cymru i fynd yn ei blaen fel economi fodern gystadleuol, a thaer anogaf y Llywodraeth i neilltuo cynifer o adnoddau ag y bo modd iddo i sicrhau bod technoleg band eang yn cyrraedd pob rhan o Gymru cyn gynted ag y bo modd.
I look forward to further details of the proposed expenditure in due course.
Edrychaf ymlaen at gael manylion pellach am y gwariant arfaethedig gyda hyn.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 58
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 58
Order. You must wind up.
Trefn. Rhaid ichi derfynu.
We have heard much about prudence in the context of public finance over the last few years. Prudence is a lady who appears not to have taken up residence in Wales, or if she has, she has loosened her corsets and let it all hang out. This draft budget proposes reducing our reserves to dangerous and unacceptable levels. It is an imprudent budget.
Clywsom lawer am ochelgarwch yng nghyd-destun cyllid cyhoeddus dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Mae gochelgarwch yn wraig sydd heb ymgartrefu yng Nghymru i bob golwg, neu os ydyw, mae wedi llacio’i chorsed a gadael iddi’i hun fynd. Mae’r gyllideb hon yn cynnig lleihau ein cronfeydd wrth gefn i lefelau peryglus ac annerbyniol. Mae’n gyllideb anochelgar.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 59
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 59
I was indulgent in allowing David over six minutes; that does not apply to the following speakers. Next time you make a speech, David, you will be fair game.
Yr oeddwn yn oddefgar wrth ganiatáu dros chwe munud i David; ni fyddaf felly â’r siaradwyr nesaf. Y tro nesaf y gwnewch araith, David, byddwch yn ei gwahodd hi.
Point of order. I know that that was the Member’s first speech but he spoiled it with his last comment. We will give him the benefit of the doubt this time but it was a sexist—
Pwynt o drefn. Gwn mai honno oedd araith gyntaf yr Aelod ond fe’i difethodd â’i sylw olaf. Rhown fantais yr amheuaeth iddo’r tro hwn ond yr oedd yn rhywiaethol—
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 59
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 59
Order. I did not hear anything that was out of order, but thank you for your assistance. If I hear something out of order, I will call the speaker to order. Let us not waste any more time.
Trefn. Ni chlywais ddim a oedd allan o drefn, ond diolch i chi am eich cymorth. Os clywaf rywbeth sydd allan o drefn, galwaf y siaradwr i drefn. Gadewch inni beidio â gwastraffu mwy o amser.
I declare an interest as a member of Ruthin Town Council, and a registered teacher who is not currently in service.
Datganaf fuddiant fel aelod o Gyngor Tref Rhuthun, ac athrawes gofrestredig nad yw’n gweithio fel athrawes ar hyn o bryd.
I propose the following amendments in the name of Jocelyn Davies. Amendment 3: at the end of the motion add a new point:
Cynigiaf y gwelliannau canlynol yn enw Jocelyn Davies. Gwelliant 3: ar ddiwedd y cynnig ychwanegu pwynt newydd:
I propose amendment 4. At the end of the motion add new point:
Cynigiaf welliant 4. Ar ddiwedd y cynnig ychwanegu pwynt newydd:
I propose amendment 5. At end of motion add a new point:
Cynigiaf welliant 5. Ar ddiwedd y cynnig ychwanegu pwynt newydd:
This is perhaps one of the most crucial debates that we have in the Assembly year, and the way in which this money is spent will be scrutinised by many different sectors. It is the duty of an open Government to provide the details that will enable proper scrutiny of its work. In studying this budget, I, like many, was struck by its lack of clarity. Far too many of the budget lines are vague and ambiguous. For example, how does this Government intend to use the £46.8 million to be distributed through a culture fund? We heard little about that today. Details of this were e-mailed to Members’ offices after they had already left for the Chamber. That is ironic. We still cannot see exactly how much this Liberal-led Labour Government will spend on the ambulance and other such services.
Hon o bosibl yw un o’r dadleuon mwyaf tyngedfennol a gawn ym mlwyddyn y Cynulliad, ac archwilir y modd y caiff yr arian hwn ei wario gan lawer o sectorau gwahanol. Dyletswydd Llywodraeth agored yw darparu’r manylion hynny a fydd yn hwyluso archwilio priodol ar ei gwaith. Wrth astudio’r gyllideb hon, fe’m trawyd i, fel llawer un arall, gan ei diffyg eglurdeb. Mae gormod o lawer o linellau’r gyllideb yn annelwig ac yn amwys. Er enghraifft, sut y mae’r Llywodraeth hon yn bwriadu defnyddio’r £46.8 miliwn sydd i’w ddosbarthu drwy gronfa ddiwylliant? Clywsom ychydig am hynny heddiw. E-bostiwyd manylion am hynny i swyddfeydd yr Aelodau wedi iddynt adael am y Siambr. Mae hynny’n eironig. Yr ydym yn dal i fethu â gweld pa faint yn union y bydd y Llywodraeth Lafur hon dan arweiniad y Rhyddfrydwyr yn ei wario ar y gwasanaeth ambiwlans a gwasanaethau eraill o’r fath.
Yesterday, the First Minister announced a surprise multi-million pound package to tackle the problem of drug abuse. Where is that money in today’s budget announcement? This budget only allocates £3.7 million to drugs and alcohol initiatives. That money was announced last year and is already supporting services. There is no extra money in this budget to develop new initiatives.
Ddoe, cyhoeddodd Prif Weinidog Cymru becyn annisgwyl gwerth sawl miliwn o bunnoedd i fynd i’r afael â phroblem camddefnyddio cyffuriau. Ym mhle y mae’r arian hwnnw yn natganiad y gyllideb heddiw? Nid yw’r gyllideb hon ond yn dyrannu £3.7 miliwn i fentrau alcohol a chyffuriau. Cyhoeddwyd yr arian hwnnw y llynedd ac mae eisoes yn cynnal gwasanaethau. Nid oes arian ychwanegol yn y gyllideb hon i ddatblygu mentrau newydd.
How can we have a reasoned debate on this budget when we do not have the details? The Finance Minister told us that this budget is good news. But at the expense of what? In typical old Labour style, she is raiding the reserves, leaving only £90 million to cover any eventualities next year. Given that that figure is so low, can the Minister guarantee that there will be automatic access to an emergency contingency fund in the Exchequer? Or is this just a typical old Labour ploy? In Rhondda, a year before Labour was thrown out—
Sut y gallwn gael dadl resymegol ar y gyllideb hon a ninnau heb gael y manylion? Dywedodd y Gweinidog Cyllid wrthym fod y gyllideb hon yn newyddion da. Ond ar draul beth? Yn null arferol hen Lafur, mae’n ysbeilio’r cronfeydd wrth gefn, gan adael dim ond £90 miliwn i ymdrin ag unrhyw ddigwyddiadau posibl y flwyddyn nesaf. Gan fod y ffigur hwnnw mor isel, a all y Gweinidog roi sicrwydd y gellir cael yn awtomatig at gronfa argyfwng wrth gefn yn y Trysorlys? Ynteu ai dichell nodweddiadol o hen Lafur yw honno? Yn y Rhondda, flwyddyn cyn taflu Llafur allan—
Peter Black a gododd—
Peter Black rose—
If your Minister will not take interventions, I do not see why I should.
Os na wnaiff eich Gweinidog dderbyn ymyriadau, ni welaf pam y dylwn i.
In Rhondda, a year before Labour was thrown out, it raided the reserves to the tune of £29 million, leaving a terrible situation for Pauline Jarman and her team of councillors to turn around. If it was not for such decisive leadership by Plaid Cymru, that council would still be in a mess. Now, old Labour is showing its face again by bringing in a big spending budget in the year before the election. Where will that money go? Health and education are winners, but will the money actually go towards repairing school buildings and towards properly funding schools and front-line services? Or will it go to refunding the re-organisation of the health service, which will mean more managers, bureaucrats and layers of government instead of more nurses, doctors and beds? We still cannot tell, despite today’s statement.
Yn y Rhondda, flwyddyn cyn taflu Llafur allan, ysbeiliodd y cronfeydd wrth gefn o £29 miliwn, gan adael sefyllfa ofnadwy i’w thrawsnewid gan Pauline Jarman a’i thîm o gynghorwyr. Oni bai am arweinyddiaeth mor bendant gan Blaid Cymru, byddai’r cyngor hwnnw mewn trafferth o hyd. Yn awr, mae hen Lafur yn dangos ei wyneb eto drwy gyflwyno cyllideb o wario mawr yn y flwyddyn cyn yr etholiad. I ble’r aiff yr arian hwnnw? Mae iechyd ac addysg ar eu hennill, ond a aiff yr arian at atgyweirio adeiladau ysgol ac at ariannu ysgolion a gwasanaethau rheng flaen yn briodol? Ynteu a aiff at ailariannu’r ad-drefnu yn y gwasanaeth iechyd, a fydd yn golygu rhagor o reolwyr, biwrocratiaid a haenau o lywodraeth yn hytrach na rhagor o nyrsys, meddygon a gwelyau? Ni allwn ddweud eto, er gwaethaf y datganiad heddiw.
Ironically, this Labour/Liberal Government is prepared to spend more than £22 million over three years on one road in Cardiff, the Butetown link, while it is only prepared to spend a little more than £11 million on drug and alcohol initiatives throughout Wales. Has this Government got its priorities right? Drug and alcohol initiatives will receive £3.7 million, whereas the Ryder Cup will receive £3.5 million. Where are your priorities, Minister?
Yn eironig, mae’r Llywodraeth Lafur/Rhyddfrydol hon yn barod i wario mwy na £22 miliwn dros dair blynedd ar un ffordd yng Nghaerdydd, cyswllt Butetown, er nad yw ond yn barod i wario ychydig dros £11 miliwn ar fentrau alcohol a chyffuriau ledled Cymru. A yw’r Llywodraeth hon wedi pennu’i blaenoriaethau’n iawn? Bydd mentrau alcohol a chyffuriau yn derbyn £3.7 miliwn, tra bydd Cwpan Ryder yn derbyn £3.5 miliwn. Ym mhle y mae’ch blaenoriaethau, Weinidog?
Will the money taken from the reserves go to rebuilding the communities that desperately need support? Yes there is more money, but the £66.3 million that is proposed for community generation throughout Wales will provide precious little per community, even when the sum rises to £91 million next year. If this money is solely used for Communities First projects, it will give little more than £66,000 per Communities First ward. What will happen to the communities that are only marginally better off than the Communities First wards? How will their needs be met? Again, I ask whether this Government has its priorities right. Wales needs the Wales Millennium Centre, but can the same amount of money for its construction be enough to regenerate communities throughout Wales?
A fydd yr arian a gymerir o’r cronfeydd wrth gefn yn mynd at ailadeiladu’r cymunedau y mae arnynt daer angen cymorth? Oes, mae rhagor o arian, ond ychydig iawn y bydd y £66.3 miliwn a gynigir ar gyfer adfywio cymunedol ledled Cymru’n ei ddarparu i bob cymuned, hyd yn oed pan yw’r swm yn codi i £91 miliwn y flwyddyn nesaf. Os defnyddir yr arian hwn ar gyfer prosiectau Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf yn unig, ni fydd yn rhoi fawr mwy na £66,000 i bob ward Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf. Beth a ddigwydd i’r cymunedau nad ydynt ond fymryn yn well eu byd na wardiau Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf? Sut y diwellir eu hanghenion? Unwaith eto, gofynnaf a yw’r Llywodraeth hon wedi pennu’r blaenoriaethau iawn. Mae ar Gymru angen Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru, ond a all yr un swm o arian ar gyfer ei hadeiladu fod yn ddigon i adfywio cymunedau ledled Cymru?
Will there be extra money to create better homes for people in Wales, to develop a new approach towards providing homes for older people, to tackle the mountain of repairs and to develop new schemes to help young people in areas where they cannot afford to buy their own homes? The answer to those questions is clear in this budget: no. That is because this Government has not increased the social housing grant for years. Providing people with decent homes is not one of this Government’s priorities. Yes, there is an increase for local governments, but they are facing tremendous pressures. As you said, Minister, we will debate that issue at a later date. While free entry to sport centres is welcome, will you, Minister, give a categorical assurance that you will fund it properly, unlike the free bus pass schemes, for which many councils had to pick up the pieces?
A fydd arian ychwanegol i greu gwell cartrefi i bobl yng Nghymru, i ddatblygu ymagwedd newydd at ddarparu cartrefi ar gyfer pobl hŷn, i fynd i’r afael â’r mynydd o waith atgyweirio ac i ddatblygu cynlluniau newydd i helpu pobl ifanc mewn ardaloedd lle na allant fforddio prynu eu cartrefi eu hunain? Mae’r ateb i’r cwestiynau hynny’n glir yn y gyllideb hon: nac ydyw. Mae hynny am nad yw’r Llywodraeth hon wedi cynyddu’r grant tai cymdeithasol ers blynyddoedd. Nid yw darparu cartrefi gweddus ar gyfer pobl yn un o flaenoriaethau’r Llywodraeth hon. Oes, mae cynnydd ar gyfer llywodraethau lleol, ond maent yn wynebu pwysau aruthrol. Fel y dywedasoch, Weinidog, byddwn yn trafod y mater hwnnw yn y dyfodol. Er bod mynediad di-dâl i ganolfannau chwaraeon i’w groesawu, a wnewch roi sicrwydd pendant, Weinidog, y byddwch yn ei ariannu’n briodol, yn wahanol i’r cynlluniau tocynnau bws am ddim, y bu’n rhaid i lawer o gynghorau glirio’r llanastr ar eu hôl?
If this amount of money truly needs to be taken from the reserves, that is a clear indication that the Assembly’s budget is not receiving enough money to meet the needs of the people of Wales. The Barnett formula must be reassessed, based on the needs of Wales today, not of 20 or 30 years ago. The reserves should not be used as a cynical election bribe—
Os oes gwir angen mynd â chymaint o arian o’r cronfeydd wrth gefn, mae hynny’n arwydd clir nad yw cyllideb y Cynulliad yn cael digon o arian i ddiwallu anghenion pobl Cymru. Rhaid ailasesu fformiwla Barnett, ar sail anghenion Cymru heddiw, nid 20 neu 30 mlynedd yn ôl. Ni ddylid defnyddio’r cronfeydd wrth gefn fel cil-dwrn etholiadol sinigaidd—
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 62
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 62
Order. Your time is up. I have pressed the red button; no-one can hear you.
Trefn. Mae’ch amser ar ben. Yr wyf wedi pwyso’r botwm coch; ni all neb eich clywed.
I have great pleasure in welcoming this budget. It delivers on Labour’s promises to the electorate at the last election, especially that we would put public services first. This budget is particularly welcome because of the extra services that it delivers to the NHS. More importantly, there is a pledge to reform and improve the quality of services that my constituents will receive.
Pleser mawr i mi yw croesawu’r gyllideb hon. Mae’n cyflawni addewidion Llafur i’r etholwyr yn yr etholiad diwethaf, yn enwedig ein haddewid i roi gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn gyntaf. Mae’r gyllideb hon yn arbennig o dderbyniol oherwydd y gwasanaethau ychwanegol y mae’n eu rhoi i’r GIG. Yn bwysicach na hynny, mae addewid i ddiwygio a gwella ansawdd y gwasanaethau y bydd fy etholwyr yn eu derbyn.
Derek Wanless’s appointment is particularly welcome. It should assure staff and patients that we are serious about reform and about delivering better services. A better NHS must mean shorter waiting times, better access to primary care, and hospitals that are clean, well-staffed and resourced.
Mae penodi Derek Wanless i’w groesawu’n arbennig. Dylai hynny sicrhau’r staff a’r cleifion ein bod o ddifrif ynghylch diwygio a darparu gwell gwasanaethau. Mae gwell GIG yn sicr o olygu amseroedd aros byrrach, gwell mynediad i ofal sylfaenol, ysbytai sy’n lân ac sydd â digon o staff ac adnoddau.
How has the Labour Party delivered on its promise to cut waiting lists, when waiting lists have continued to rise?
Ym mha fodd y mae’r Blaid Lafur wedi cyflawni ei haddewid i leihau rhestrau aros, a’r rhestrau aros wedi parhau i gynyddu?
I will not take any lectures from the Conservatives on running the NHS. It must also mean that there is improved accountability for the extra billions that the Labour administrations in Westminster and in Cardiff are delivering.
Ni chymeraf bregeth gan y Ceidwadwyr ar redeg y GIG. Rhaid i hynny olygu hefyd fod gwell atebolrwydd am y biliynau ychwanegol a ddarperir gan y gweinyddiaethau Llafur yn San Steffan a Chaerdydd.
Social services also need continued investment. I welcome the significant extra resources allocated in the budget. This new money will make a real impact. However, there must be close monitoring of how this money is spent locally, and I hope that Edwina will give her commitment to ensuring that this funding reaches the front line.
Mae angen rhagor o fuddsoddi yn y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol hefyd. Croesawaf yr adnoddau ychwanegol sylweddol a ddyrannwyd yn y gyllideb. Bydd yr arian newydd hwn yn cael effaith wirioneddol. Fodd bynnag, rhaid cadw llygad barcud ar y modd y caiff yr arian hwn ei wario’n lleol, a gobeithiaf y bydd Edwina yn ymrwymo i sicrhau bod yr arian hwn yn cyrraedd y rheng flaen.
Finally, I welcome the additional funding for town centre regeneration. I remind Members of some of the recommendations in the five counties regeneration strategy and, more specifically, the need to develop Pontypool town centre and to expand Cwmbran town centre. If Torfaen is to recover from recent manufacturing job losses, funding must be found for these projects. They are key to the regeneration of the whole borough, and I hope that Edwina will give careful consideration to their case for funding.
Yn olaf, croesawaf y cyllid ychwanegol ar gyfer adfywio canol trefi. Gwnaf atgoffa’r Aelodau am rai o’r argymhellion yn strategaeth adfywio’r pum sir ac, yn fwy penodol, am yr angen i ddatblygu canol tref Pont-y-pŵl ac i ehangu canol tref Cwmbrân. Os yw Tor-faen i ymadfer ar ôl y colledion swyddi mewn gweithgynhyrchu’n ddiweddar, rhaid dod o hyd i gyllid i’r prosiectau hyn. Maent yn allweddol i adfywio’r fwrdeistref gyfan, a gobeithiaf y bydd Edwina yn ystyried yr achos dros eu cyllido’n ofalus.
This draft budget is great news for Wales. After the dark years of the 1980s and early 1990s no-one can deny that Labour is making a difference. We are building for Wales—building hospitals, roads, and communities. It takes longer to build than to destroy. The devastation of the Tories is still visible in Torfaen and throughout the south Wales Valleys, but Welsh Labour is putting that right.
Mae’r gyllideb ddrafft hon yn newyddion da i Gymru. Ar ôl blynyddoedd du’r 1980au a dechrau’r 1990au ni all neb wadu bod Llafur yn gwneud gwahaniaeth. Yr ydym yn adeiladu dros Gymru—adeiladu ysbytai, ffyrdd, a chymunedau. Mae’n cymryd mwy o amser i adeiladu nag i ddinistrio. Mae dinistr y Torïaid i’w weld o hyd yn Nhor-faen a ledled Cymoedd y De, ond mae Llafur Cymru’n cywiro hynny.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 64
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 64
Thank you for only taking two minutes, Lynne. That is much appreciated.
Diolch i chi am gymryd dwy funud yn unig, Lynne. Gwerthfawrogir hynny.
Datganaf fuddiant fel meddyg teulu a chynghorydd sir. Mae pobl yn hoff o gymharu’r gwasanaeth iechyd â phwll diwaelod sydd ond yn sugno arian heb unrhyw arwydd o welliant. Fodd bynnag, y gwir yw bod digon o wir anghenion, y dylid eu hariannu—rhagor o lawdriniaethau, rhagor o staff, rhagor o welyau, ac ati. Bob tro y caiff arian newydd ar gyfer y gwasaneth iechyd ei gyhoeddi, ni welwn y gwahaniaeth hwnnw ar lawr gwlad, un ai yn y feddygfa, neu yn y clinig. Bob tro y caiff arian newydd ei gyhoeddi ceisiwn ddilyn ei hynt, ond yn aml mae’n amhosibl profi lle mae’r arian wedi mynd.
in Welsh I declare an interest as a general practitioner and a county councillor. Many people compare the NHS to a bottomless pit that only absorbs money without any indication of improvement. However, the truth is that there are plenty of real needs, that should be funded—more operations, more staff, more beds, and so on. Every time new funding is announced for the health service we do not see these improvements on the ground, either in the surgery or in the clinic. Every time new funding is announced we try to monitor how it is spent, but it is often impossible to prove where that money has gone.
We are used to announcements of new money for the NHS. What we do not see is that money trickling down to the grass roots to make a difference to the clinical situation. That is what my fellow healthcare workers are always asking me about. General practitioners are always asking—admittedly not Brian Gibbons—what changes will happen in the surgery with waiting lists at record level. Nurses ask how much extra money district nursing services will get—
yn Saesneg Yr ydym wedi arfer â chyhoeddiadau am arian newydd i’r GIG. Yr hyn na welwn yw’r arian hwnnw’n diferu i’r gwaelod i wneud gwir wahaniaeth i’r sefyllfa glinigol. Dyna y mae fy nghydweithwyr mewn gofal iechyd yn fy holi yn ei gylch bob amser. Mae meddygon teulu bob amser yn gofyn—nid Brian Gibbons rhaid cyfaddef—pa newidiadau a fydd yn digwydd yn y feddygfa wrth i restrau aros gyrraedd eu lefel uchaf erioed. Mae nyrsys yn gofyn faint o arian ychwanegol a gaiff gwasanaethau nyrsio ardal—
Will you give way?
A wnewch chi ildio?
Huw Lewis will doubtless ask something else.
Bydd Huw Lewis yn sicr o ofyn rhywbeth arall.
Thank you for giving way with such good grace, Dai. As someone who has just listened to the announcement that a new hospital will be built in my constituency as a result of Edwina’s budget today, I can tell you that money is trickling down to the front line in terms of NHS services. My constituents will see its benefit, at least. On your party’s central philosophy on the NHS, do you believe in a British NHS, or do you follow the lead of your parliamentary leader, Elfyn Llwyd, in looking forward to the break up of the British state, which entails the break up of the NHS?
Diolch i chi am ildio mor raslon, Dai. Fel un sydd newydd wrando ar y cyhoeddiad y caiff ysbyty newydd ei godi yn fy etholaeth i o ganlyniad i gyllideb Edwina heddiw, gallaf ddweud wrthych fod arian yn diferu i’r rheng flaen o ran gwasanaethau’r GIG. Bydd fy etholwyr i yn cael mantais ohoni, o leiaf. Ynghylch athroniaeth ganolog eich plaid ar y GIG, a ydych yn credu mewn GIG Prydeinig, ynteu a ydych yn dilyn arweiniad eich arweinydd seneddol, Elfyn Llwyd, wrth edrych ymlaen at ddatgymalu’r wladwriaeth Brydeinig, sy’n golygu datgymalu’r GIG?
The NHS in Wales has always been decoupled. Treatments have always been different, and 90 per cent of our patients are treated in the community.
Mae’r GIG yng Nghymru wedi’i ddatgyplu erioed. Mae’r triniaethau’n wahanol erioed, a chaiff 90 y cant o’n cleifion eu trin yn y gymuned.
Health visitors want to know how much new money health visiting, with its vital child protection role, will get. Physiotherapists want to know about boosting the role of their profession. That is what the money to make the difference should be. The big idea should be to increase the capacity to treat more people, not restructure. We need definite planned increases in bed numbers, in nursing numbers, in GPs, in health visitors, in district nurses, and all the rest. Increase the capacity, do not restructure. Where are the restructuring costs in this draft budget?
Mae ymwelwyr iechyd am wybod faint o arian a gaiff y gwasanaeth ymwelwyr iechyd, â’i rôl hollbwysig mewn amddiffyn plant. Mae ffisiotherapyddion am gael gwybod ynghylch hybu rôl eu proffesiwn. Hwnnw yw’r arian y dylid ei gael i wneud gwahaniaeth. Dylid rhoi’r sylw pennaf i gynyddu’r capasiti i drin rhagor o bobl, nid i ailstrwythuro. Rhaid inni gael cynnydd cynlluniedig pendant yn nifer y gwelyau, yn nifer y nyrsys, y meddygon teulu, yr ymwelwyr iechyd, y nyrsys ardal, a phawb arall. Cynyddwch y capasiti, peidiwch ag ailstrwythuro. Ym mhle y mae’r costau ailstrwythuro yn y gyllideb ddrafft hon?
A new GP contract comes into operation in April 2003. Experts predict a 30 per cent hike in funding to allow for its successful implementation. That is £280 million over the next few years. Everybody talks about a primary-care-led NHS, but will the money follow the new GP contract in a way that it did not follow the Care Standards Act 2000? I do not see a budget line for the new GP contract or for the ambulance service, although I was pleased to receive clarification by e-mail with regard to the £2.5 million in extra funding for that service. As the ambulance service is to receive central unified funding for the first time, it surely deserves a dedicated ambulance budget line. It is estimated that around £16 million is needed to reach agreed 999 response times in Wales, which is the cost of restructuring the NHS. That money would be better spent on ambulances.
Bydd contract newydd i feddygon teulu’n dechrau gweithredu yn Ebrill 2003. Mae’r arbenigwyr yn proffwydo y bydd angen codiad o 30 y cant yn y cyllid i ganiatáu iddo weithredu’n llwyddiannus. Mae hynny’n £280 miliwn dros y blynyddoedd nesaf hyn. Mae pawb yn sôn am GIG dan arweiniad gofal sylfaenol, ond a geir arian yn sgîl y contract newydd i feddygon teulu, fel na chafwyd yn sgîl y Ddeddf Safonau Gofal 2000? Ni welaf linell gyllideb ar gyfer y contract newydd i feddygon teulu na’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans, er fy mod yn falch o dderbyn eglurhad drwy e-bost ynghylch y £2.5 miliwn o arian ychwanegol ar gyfer y gwasanaeth hwnnw. Gan fod y gwasanaeth ambiwlans yn derbyn cyllid unedig canolog am y tro cyntaf, siawns nad yw’n haeddu llinell gyllideb benodol. Amcangyfrifir bod angen tua £16 miliwn i gyrraedd yr amseroedd ymateb 999 a gytunwyd yng Nghymru, sef cost ailstrwythuro’r GIG. Gwell fyddai gwario’r arian hwnnw ar ambiwlansiau.
There is a budget line for health promotion, but it has been cut. Previously, health promotion only accounted for 0.1 per cent of the health budget, and now it is even less. We often hear that the NHS is not just an illness service, but the amount of funding earmarked for health promotion is pitifully inadequate.
Mae llinell gyllideb ar gyfer hybu iechyd, ond mae wedi’i thorri. O’r blaen, nid oedd hybu iechyd ond yn cael 0.1 y cant o’r gyllideb iechyd, ac mae’n llai byth yn awr. Clywn yn aml nad gwasanaeth salwch yn unig yw’r GIG, ond mae maint y cyllid a glustnodwyd ar gyfer hybu iechyd yn druenus o annigonol.
On social services and the crisis in care homes for the elderly, the provisions of the Care Standards Act 2000 have been relaxed for established homes but that does not address the need for more money to counter the financial meltdown already suffered. How much new funding is going into the care sector to address fees levels? Health will remain at the forefront of people’s minds and more people will continue to wait in pain for treatment. We have heard the slogans about schools and hospitals, but 90 per cent of patients are treated in primary care establishments. We have a primary-care-led NHS. Where is the evidence supporting that in this budget?
Ynghylch gwasanaethau cymdeithasol a’r argyfwng yng nghartrefi gofal yr henoed, mae darpariaethau’r Ddeddf Safonau Gofal 2000 wedi’u llacio ar gyfer cartrefi sefydledig ond nid yw hynny’n ymateb i’r angen am fwy o arian i wrthweithio’r ymddatod ariannol a brofwyd eisoes. Faint o gyllid newydd a aiff i’r sector gofal i ddelio â lefelau ffïoedd? Bydd iechyd yn parhau i fod ym mlaen meddwl pobl a bydd rhagor o bobl yn dal i ddisgwyl mewn poen am driniaeth. Clywsom y sloganau am ysgolion ac ysbytai, ond caiff 90 y cant o’r cleifion eu trin mewn sefydliadau gofal sylfaenol. Mae gennym GIG dan arweiniad gofal sylfaenol. Ym mhle y mae’r dystiolaeth i ategu hynny yn y gyllideb hon?
I echo my Labour colleagues’ thanks to the UK Government for the greatly increased funding for Wales awarded in the last budget. There has been a substantial increase in the Welsh block grant, which will enable us to target our increased resources towards our priorities. I thank the Finance Minister, Edwina Hart, for all her hard work.
Ategaf ddiolch fy nghyd-Aelodau Llafur i Lywodraeth y DU am y cyllid mwy o lawer i Gymru a ddyfarnwyd yn y gyllideb ddiwethaf. Bu cynnydd sylweddol yng ngrant bloc Cymru, a fydd yn ein galluogi i dargedu’r adnoddau mwy sydd gennym ar ein blaenoriaethau. Diolchaf i’r Gweinidog Cyllid, Edwina Hart, am ei holl waith caled.
I welcome the substantial uplift in the specified social services expenditure line. The 11 per cent increase from £135 million to £148 million in 2003, linked to a clear projection of growth in 2004-05, will give us an extraordinary increase of 50 per cent over three years. I believe that this is the highest increase in the proposed budget for any service. For too many years, social services has remained the poor sibling of the NHS—
Croesawaf y cynnydd sylweddol yn y llinell wariant benodol i wasanaethau cymdeithasol. Bydd y cynnydd o 11 y cant o £135 miliwn i £148 miliwn yn 2003, sydd yn gysylltiedig â blaenamcan o dwf yn 2004-05, yn rhoi cynnydd eithriadol i ni o 50 y cant dros dair blynedd. Credaf mai hwnnw yw’r cynnydd mwyaf yn y gyllideb arfaethedig i unrhyw wasanaeth. Ers gormod o flynyddoedd o lawer, mae’r gwasanaethau cymdeithasol wedi bod yn frawd tlawd i’r GIG—
If you consider the funding given by the UK Government to Wales, the Welsh budget states that the change for 2003-04 is zero. I do not know where you are getting your figures from.
Os ystyriwch y cyllid a roddwyd gan Lywodraeth y DU i Gymru, mae cyllideb Cymru’n datgan bod y newid ar gyfer 2003-04 yn sero. Ni wn o ble’r ydych yn cael eich ffigurau.
You will never be satisfied with the figures. They are quite clear.
Ni fyddwch fyth yn fodlon ar y ffigurau. Maent yn gwbl eglur.
We have admitted that we need to do some work with regard to social services. Treating social services more fairly in this budget demonstrates the Government’s commitment to our most vulnerable people. It shows that we recognise that our healthcare expenditure will only be effective if it is balanced by social care expenditure, breaking down the long-established barriers between the two. The increased spending on social services will be used to fund valuable services such as our older persons strategy, our carers’ strategy, capital costs arising from the Care Standards Act 2000, implementing the recommendations of ‘Fulfilling the Promises’ and the new unified support grant, Cymorth, which brings together our programmes for children and young people.
Yr ydym wedi cyfaddef bod rhaid inni wneud rhywfaint o waith mewn cysylltiad â’r gwasanaethau cymdeithasol. Mae’r driniaeth decach a gaiff y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol yn y gyllideb hon yn dangos ymrwymiad y Llywodraeth i’r rhai sy’n fwyaf agored i niwed. Mae’n dangos ein bod yn cydnabod na fydd ein gwariant ar ofal iechyd yn effeithiol oni chaiff ei gydbwyso gan wariant ar ofal cymdeithasol, gan chwalu’r rhwystrau hirsefydlog rhwng y ddau. Defnyddir y gwario mwy ar wasanaethau cymdeithasol i ariannu gwasanaethau gwerthfawr fel ein strategaeth i bobl hŷn, ein strategaeth i ofalwyr, costau cyfalaf sy’n deillio o’r Ddeddf Safonau Gofal 2000, gweithredu argymhellion ‘Gwireddu’r Addewidion’ a’r grant cymorth unedig newydd, Cymorth, sy’n cyfuno ein rhaglenni ar gyfer plant a phobl ifanc.
I am also delighted with the funding given for Techniquest in Wrexham. As Edwina knows, this has long been an aspiration for Wrexham, and for the North East Wales Institute of Higher Education in particular, and it will end my sustained lobbying on this matter.
Yr wyf hefyd wrth fy modd â’r cyllid a roddwyd i Techniquest yn Wrecsam. Fel y gŵyr Edwina, mae hyn yn uchelgais gan Wrecsam, ac Athrofa Addysg Uwch Gogledd Ddwyrain Cymru yn benodol, ers talwm, a bydd yn rhoi terfyn ar fy lobïo maith ar y mater hwn.
Will the Minister publish the in-depth criteria that she adopts with regard to the deprivation fund so that we can judge whether money is given to deprived areas that we all recognise as such, and that decisions are not based on political considerations?
A wnaiff y Gweinidog gyhoeddi’r meini prawf manwl y mae’n eu mabwysiadu mewn cysylltiad â’r gronfa amddifadedd fel y gallwn farnu a roddir arian i’r ardaloedd yr ydym oll yn eu hadnabod fel rhai difreintiedig, ac nad yw’r penderfyniadau wedi’u seilio ar ystyriaethau gwleidyddol?
The safer communities fund is welcome despite the usual Gordon Brown sleight of hand in spreading it over three years. Will you clarify whether this money is additional to that provided by the Home Office fund?
Mae’r gronfa cymunedau diogelach i’w chroesawu er gwaethaf y gonsuriaeth arferol yn null Gordon Brown drwy ei lledaenu dros dair blynedd. A wnewch egluro a yw’r arian hwn yn ychwanegol at yr hyn a ddarparwyd o gronfa’r Swyddfa Gartref?
If the Assembly were a public limited company and the Finance Minister were a finance director announcing her budget, a raid on reserves of such extraordinary proportions would mark our share price down below zero.
Pe byddai’r Cynulliad yn gwmni cyfyngedig cyhoeddus a’r Gweinidog Cyllid yn gyfarwyddwr cyllid yn cyhoeddi’i chyllideb, byddai ysbeilio’r cronfeydd wrth gefn i’r fath raddau rhyfeddol yn peri i bris ein cyfrannau fynd yn is na sero.
I declare an interest as a qualified teacher. I will comment primarily on amendment 4. The Minister will recall that the National Assembly Government supported an amendment to a motion on education funding in January 2001, which called upon the Government of Wales:
Datganaf fuddiant fel athrawes gymwysedig. Gwnaf sylwadau’n bennaf ar welliant 4. Bydd y Gweinidog yn cofio bod Llywodraeth y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol wedi cefnogi gwelliant i gynnig ar gyllid addysg yn Ionawr 2001, a alwai ar Lywodraeth Cymru i:
‘to provide comprehensive and objective data so that a clear understanding is possible of funding levels and patterns in Wales.’
‘ddarparu data cynhwysfawr a gwrthrychol, fel bod dealltwriaeth glir o’r lefelau a’r patrymau cyllid yng Nghymru.’
Although it is true that more information became available in the last 18 months—some of it makes pretty grim reading—it is also true that schools in communities across Wales still do not understand why, when the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, with the usual fanfare, announces an extra 8 per cent funding for education in Wales, many schools receive an increase of just 2 per cent in their budget. We still cannot track that effectively.
Er ei bod yn wir bod rhagor o wybodaeth ar gael yn y 18 mis diwethaf—mae peth ohono’n ddeunydd darllen eithaf annymunol—mae hefyd yn wir bod ysgolion mewn cymunedau ledled Cymru’n dal i fethu â deall, pan fo’r Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes, gyda’r ffanffer arferol, yn cyhoeddi 8 y cant o gyllid ychwanegol i addysg yng Nghymru, pam y mae llawer o ysgolion yn derbyn cynnydd o ddim ond 2 y cant yn eu cyllidebau. Yr ydym yn dal i fethu â dilyn hynny’n effeithiol.
Many Members have no doubt been asked during visits to schools across Wales—as I am continually asked—why, if spending on education is rising, are school buildings still crumbling, budgets for basic items such as books are stretched to breaking point, and experienced staff left in doubt as to whether their threshold payments will be met. If they will be met, how will they be paid for?
Mae’n siŵr bod llawer o’r Aelodau wedi’u holi yn ystod ymweliadau ag ysgolion ledled Cymru—fel y gofynnir i mi o hyd—pam, os yw’r gwariant ar addysg yn cynyddu, y mae adeiladau ysgol yn dal i ddadfeilio, pam y mae’r cyllidebau i eitemau sylfaenol fel llyfrau wedi’u hymestyn i’w heithaf, a pham y mae staff profiadol yn ansicr a gânt eu taliadau trothwy. Os telir hwy, sut y gwneir hynny?
Teachers, parents and governors need to know where the money goes, on what is it spent, and by whom. They need to know why they do not have it. The Minister maintains that her budget process is more transparent than it was in the bad old days of the Welsh Office, which is undoubtedly true. However, as far as education is concerned, that is like saying that a downpour is more transparent than a snowstorm.
Rhaid i athrawon, rhieni a llywodraethwyr gael gwybod i ble y mae’r arian yn mynd, ar beth y caiff ei wario, a chan bwy. Rhaid iddynt gael gwybod pam nad ydyw ganddynt hwy. Mae’r Gweinidog yn dal bod ei phroses gyllideb yn fwy tryloyw nag yr oedd yn hen ddyddiau drwg y Swyddfa Gymreig, sy’n sicr yn wir. Fodd bynnag, o ran addysg, mae hynny’n debyg i ddweud bod cawod o law yn fwy tryloyw na storm o eira.
The report on the Assembly Government’s performance on transparency in education funding—from the Audit Commission, heads, governors, teachers and parents—would read ‘must do better’. I trust that the Minister will accept that today and do something about it.
Byddai’r adroddiad ar berfformiad Llywodraeth y Cynulliad ar dryloywder mewn ariannu addysg—gan y Comisiwn Archwilio, y penaethiaid, y llywodraethwyr, yr athrawon a’r rhieni—yn dweud ‘rhaid iddi wneud yn well’. Hyderaf y bydd y Gweinidog yn derbyn hynny heddiw ac yn gwneud rhywbeth yn ei gylch.
I will briefly raise detailed concerns to which I hope the Minister will respond. First, will she explain the lack of a budget line in the education budget to fund the Cabinet’s response to the education aspects of the review of the Welsh language? In the information we were given today, we were told that the Government will return to this area. If it will be returned to, where will funding come from? She also told us today that the new culture fund will meet those aspects of the review’s recommendations that fall under the responsibilities of the Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language. That is welcome. However, it is not present in the current education budget. If the money is there, why is it invisible? If this area will be returned to, where will funding come from? Is it a problem of transparency?
Codaf rai pryderon manwl yn fyr y gobeithiaf y bydd y Gweinidog yn ymateb iddynt. Yn gyntaf, a wnaiff egluro diffyg llinell gyllideb yn y gyllideb addysg i ariannu ymateb y Cabinet i’r agweddau addysg ar yr adolygiad o’r Gymraeg? Yn y wybodaeth a roddwyd i ni heddiw, dywedwyd wrthym y bydd y Llywodraeth yn mynd yn ôl at y maes hwn. Os eir yn ôl ato, o ble y daw’r cyllid? Dywedodd wrthym heddiw hefyd y bydd y gronfa ddiwylliant newydd yn talu am yr agweddau hynny ar argymhellion yr adolygiad sy’n dod o dan gyfrifoldebau’r Gweinidog dros Ddiwylliant, Chwaraeon a’r Gymraeg. Mae hynny i’w groesawu. Fodd bynnag, nid yw’n bresennol yn y gyllideb addysg gyfredol. Os ydyw’r arian yno, pam na ellir ei weld? Os eir yn ôl at y maes hwn, o ble y daw’r cyllid? Ai problem o ran tryloywder ydyw?
Secondly, does Education and Learning Wales’s budget contain, as I believe it does, an element of capital that could be applicable to school buildings for sixth forms? If so, what will the Assembly Government do to get it out of ELWa and into schools? This is becoming a serious issue.
Yn ail, a yw cyllideb Dysgu ac Addysgu Cymru’n cynnwys, fel y credaf ei bod, elfen o gyfalaf a allai fod yn berthnasol i adeiladau ysgol ar gyfer dosbarthiadau chwech? Os felly, beth a wnaiff Llywodraeth y Cynulliad i’w gael oddi wrth ELWa ac i’r ysgolion? Mae hyn yn mynd yn fater difrifol.
Finally, if the National Assembly Government is determined to cut into reserves in this irresponsible manner, I urge that the budget for school repairs be increased as a matter of utmost importance. Answering a written question recently, the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning acknowledged that the current insufficient programme is not meeting its targets. If we are to spend the family silver, I suggest that we had better invest it in bricks and mortar.
Yn olaf, os yw Llywodraeth y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol yn benderfynol o leihau’r cronfeydd wrth gefn yn y modd anghyfrifol hwn, pwysaf am gynyddu’r gyllideb ar gyfer atgyweirio ysgolion fel mater o’r pwys mwyaf. Wrth ateb cwestiwn ysgrifenedig yn ddiweddar, cydnabu’r Gweinidog dros Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes nad yw’r rhaglen annigonol bresennol yn cyrraedd ei thargedau. Os ydym i wario trysorau’r teulu, awgrymaf y byddai’n well inni eu buddsoddi mewn adeiladau.
This budget is confusing and, worse, cynical. Fortunately the people of Wales will not be fooled.
Mae’r gyllideb hon yn peri dryswch ac, yn waeth na hynny, mae’n sinigaidd. Yn ffodus, ni chaiff pobl Cymru eu twyllo.
I welcome the fact that this budget provides for extending concessionary fares to men aged 60 and above. Nearly £12 million is earmarked for concessionary fares for pensioners and disabled people for 2003-04, compared to the original baseline allocation of £7.2 million. That is good news for encouraging and promoting public transport and for those who are most in need of it.
Croesawaf y ffaith bod y gyllideb hon yn darparu ar gyfer ymestyn tocynnau mantais i ddynion sy’n 60 oed ac yn hŷn. Clustnodir bron £12 miliwn ar gyfer tocynnau mantais i bensiynwyr a phobl anabl am 2003-04, o’i gymharu â’r dyraniad llinell sylfaen gwreiddiol o £7.2 miliwn. Mae hynny’n newyddion da o ran hybu a hyrwyddo trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus ac i’r rhai y mae arnynt ei hangen fwyaf.
I also welcome the 6.9 per cent increase in this budget for the environment, transport and planning for 2003-04, compared to the budget for 2002-03—an increase in real terms of 4.3 per cent. Like Karen, I welcome the investment in Techniquest in Wrexham.
Yr wyf hefyd yn croesawu’r cynnydd o 6.9 y cant yn y gyllideb hon i’r amgylchedd, trafnidiaeth a chynllunio am 2003-04, o’i gymharu â’r gyllideb am 2002-03—cynnydd gwirioneddol o 4.3 y cant. Fel Karen, croesawaf y buddsoddiad yn Techniquest yn Wrecsam.
This is a good budget for culture and the Welsh language, with the 2003-04 budget for that portfolio increasing from the 2002-03 level by 16.2 per cent—an increase in real terms of 13.4 per cent. That demonstrates the partnership Government’s commitment to the Welsh language and to increasing participation in the arts and sports in Wales.
Mae hon yn gyllideb dda i ddiwylliant a’r Gymraeg, gan fod y gyllideb am 2003-04 i’r portffolio hwnnw’n codi o lefel 2002-03 o 16.2 y cant—cynnydd gwirioneddol o 13.4 y cant. Mae hynny’n dangos ymrwymiad y Llywodraeth bartneriaeth i’r Gymraeg ac i gynyddu’r cyfranogiad yn y celfyddydau a chwaraeon yng Nghymru.
Turning to amendment 2 in the name of Jonathan Morgan, it is sheer hypocrisy for the Conservatives to talk of a transport system fit for the twenty-first century after the damage they inflicted on the railway system and bus services during their time in power. This amendment means that they should build more roads, cause more environmental damage and further neglect public transport. The budget increases the funding available for environment, transport and planning, with an overall increase of 6.9 per cent—or 4.3 per cent in real terms—for 2003-04, compared with the 2002-03 budget.
Gan droi at welliant 2 yn enw Jonathan Morgan, rhagrith llwyr ydyw i’r Ceidwadwyr sôn am system drafnidiaeth addas i’r unfed ganrif ar hugain ar ôl y difrod a wnaethant i’r system reilffyrdd a’r gwasanaethau bysiau yn ystod eu cyfnod mewn grym. Mae’r gwelliant hwn yn golygu y dylent adeiladu rhagor o ffyrdd, achosi mwy o ddifrod amgylcheddol ac esgeuluso trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus ymhellach. Mae’r gyllideb yn cynyddu’r cyllid sydd ar gael ar gyfer yr amgylchedd, trafnidiaeth a chynllunio o 6.9 y cant yn gyffredinol—neu gynnydd gwirioneddol o 4.3 y cant—am 2003-04, o’i gymharu â chyllideb 2002-03.
I thank the Finance Minister for her Gladstonian contribution, in length if not in content. I am not surprised that she did not take any interventions in her opening speech, as she raised so many contentious issues. I will discuss some of those issues.
Diolchaf i’r Gweinidog Cyllid am ei chyfraniad Gladstonaidd, o ran ei hyd os nad ei gynnwys. Nid wyf yn synnu na dderbyniodd unrhyw ymyriadau yn ei haraith agoriadol, gan ei bod wedi codi cynifer o faterion dadleuol. Trafodaf rai o’r materion hynny.
It is misleading for the Minister to seek to claim that Objective 1 funding is a great success. She knows as well as I do that, because of difficulties with the process, not nearly enough money is being spent throughout Wales. We should compare the situation in Wales to that in Ireland and other European countries. The Minister knows that Objective 1 is not being driven by the budget because the budget is not available. Objective 1 was only successful in Ireland because it was driven by the budget. If you consider the situation in west Wales, and in particular the dire jobs situation in Fishguard—which the Cabinet has not mentioned today—you see how much of a failure the programme has been.
Camarweiniol ydyw i’r Gweinidog geisio hawlio bod cyllid Amcan 1 yn llwyddiant mawr. Gŵyr hi gystal â minnau fod y swm o arian sy’n cael ei wario ledled Cymru ymhell o fod yn ddigon, oherwydd trafferthion sy’n ymwneud â’r broses. Dylem gymharu’r sefyllfa yng Nghymru â sefyllfa Iwerddon a gwledydd Ewropeaidd eraill. Gŵyr y Gweinidog nad yw Amcan 1 yn cael ei yrru gan y gyllideb oherwydd nad yw’r gyllideb ar gael. Am ei fod yn cael ei yrru gan y gyllideb y llwyddodd Amcan 1 yn Iwerddon. Os ystyriwch y sefyllfa yn y Gorllewin, ac yn enwedig y sefyllfa druenus o ran swyddi yn Abergwaun—nad yw’r Cabinet wedi’i chrybwyll heddiw—gwelwch gymaint o fethiant y bu’r rhaglen.
I will discuss specific issues before moving on to general comments. I agree with Dai Lloyd’s comments on health promotion. It is extraordinary that the health promotion and tobacco control budgets have been cut from already low baselines. What was the thinking behind that?
Trafodaf faterion penodol cyn mynd ymlaen at sylwadau cyffredinol. Cytunaf â sylwadau Dai Lloyd am hybu iechyd. Mae’n rhyfeddol bod y cyllidebau hybu iechyd a rheoli tybaco wedi’u torri o linellau sylfaen a oedd yn isel eisoes. Beth oedd y syniad a oedd yn sail i hynny?
The agriculture budget is another priority. Although we welcome the increase in the Tir Gofal budget, there is an overall cut in the budget for agri-environmental schemes, which does not affect Tir Gofal. [ASSEMBLY MEMBERS: ‘No, there is not.’] Yes there is, but it is not for you to respond. We will see about getting you roles in a pub pantomime later on; it seems to be a good idea.
Mae’r gyllideb amaethyddiaeth yn flaenoriaeth arall. Er ein bod yn croesawu’r cynnydd yng nghyllideb Tir Gofal, mae toriad cyffredinol yn y gyllideb i gynlluniau amaeth-amgylcheddol, nad yw’n effeithio ar Tir Gofal. [AELODAU CYNULLIAD: ‘Nac oes.’] Oes, ond nid eich lle chi yw ymateb. Cawn weld ynghylch cael rhannau i chi mewn pantomeim tŷ tafarn yn ddiweddarach; mae’n ymddangos yn syniad da.
Although we welcome the increase in spending on the road programme, funding the A470 improvements is a serious issue. It is taking a long time to come through. I received a letter today from the Minister responsible for transport about money committed for the Glandyfi link. It is unlikely that progress will be made on that until 2005. This development is taking a long time to roll out. That is part of the problem with the Minister’s budget: the devil is in the detail and we have not had much detail today.
Er ein bod yn croesawu’r cynnydd yn y gwariant ar y rhaglen ffyrdd, mae ariannu’r gwelliannau i’r A470 yn fater difrifol. Mae’n hir yn dod drwodd. Cefais lythyr heddiw oddi wrth y Gweinidog sy’n gyfrifol am drafnidiaeth am yr arian a neilltuwyd ar gyfer cyswllt Glandyfi. Mae’n annhebygol y bydd cynnydd ar hynny tan 2005. Mae’r datblygiad hwn yn cymryd amser hir i’w weithredu. Dyna ran o’r broblem ynghylch cyllideb y Gweinidog: rhaid edrych yn fanwl ar y manylion ac ni chawsom lawer o fanylion heddiw.
However, the most serious issue is the undoubtable raid on reserves, which the figures demonstrate. There was a raid on reserves last year. During the Assembly’s short life we have had to raid reserves to tackle foot and mouth disease, floods and the Corus redundancies. None of those contingencies could be foreseen. My main argument with the Finance Minister today is that the raid of reserves is irresponsible.
Fodd bynnag, y mater mwyaf difrifol yw’r ffaith ddiamheuol bod y cronfeydd wrth gefn wedi’u hysbeilio, a ddangosir gan y ffigurau. Bu ysbeilio ar y cronfeydd wrth gefn y llynedd. Yn ystod oes fyr y Cynulliad bu’n rhaid inni ysbeilio’r cronfeydd wrth gefn i ymdrin â chlwy’r traed a’r genau, llifogydd a’r diswyddiadau gan Corus. Ni ellid rhagweld yr un o’r digwyddiadau hynny. Y ddadl bennaf sydd gennyf â’r Gweinidog Cyllid heddiw yw bod yr ysbeilio ar gronfeydd wrth gefn yn anghyfrifol.
My other argument does not involve how much money is going into each budget but, rather, how it will be spent. We want more money for the health budget, but we also want it to be spent at the sharp end; we do not want it to be spent on Jane Hutt’s reorganisation, to which just about every professional organisation and many politicians in her party have given a massive raspberry. We want the money that is destined for education to go to the schools and not end up in Jane Davidson’s sticky fingers. Those are the real problems, and I hope that they are addressed by the Minister in her reply to the debate.
Nid yw’r ddadl arall sydd gennyf yn ymwneud â pha faint o arian sy’n mynd i bob cyllideb ond, yn hytrach, sut y caiff ei wario. Yr ydym am gael rhagor o arian i’r gyllideb iechyd, ond yr ydym hefyd am iddo gael ei wario yn y pen blaen; nid ydym am iddo gael ei wario ar yr ad-drefnu gan Jane Hutt, a wfftiwyd gan bron bob corff proffesiynol a llawer o wleidyddion yn ei phlaid. Yr ydym am weld yr arian a fwriadwyd ar gyfer addysg yn mynd i’r ysgolion ac nid ei gorffen hi yn nwylo bachog Jane Davidson. Dyna’r gwir broblemau, a gobeithiaf y bydd y Gweinidog yn ymdrin â hwy yn ei hateb i’r ddadl.
We are concerned about these serious problems. This is an electioneering budget, and that is why the Minister is raiding the reserves, particularly during the first year. There is less of a raid in years two and three, and that is what gives it away.
Yr ydym yn bryderus ynghylch y problemau difrifol hyn. Cyllideb etholiadol yw hon, a dyna pam y mae’r Gweinidog yn ysbeilio’r cronfeydd wrth gefn, yn enwedig yn ystod y flwyddyn gyntaf. Mae llai o ysbeilio ym mlynyddoedd dau a thri, a hynny sy’n datgelu’r gwir amdani.
I am surprised that the opposition are here today. If they felt depressed before, there must be nothing left for them after hearing the budget statement. I congratulate David Ian Jones on his first appearance at the rostrum. I thought that the Conservatives would have fielded someone a little rougher, such as William Graham. Although David Jones did not answer any questions, I am sure that I can question him on a future occasion.
Yr wyf yn synnu bod yr wrthblaid yma heddiw. Os teimlent yn isel eu hysbryd o’r blaen, mae’n sicr nad oes dim yn weddill iddynt ar ôl clywed y datganiad cyllideb. Llongyfarchaf David Ian Jones ar ei ymddangosiad cyntaf ar y llwyfan. Tybiais y byddai’r Ceidwadwyr wedi gyrru rhywun a oedd ychydig yn fwy garw, fel William Graham. Er nad atebodd David Jones unrhyw gwestiynau, yr wyf yn siŵr y caf ei holi rywdro yn y dyfodol.
The draft budget announcement is always a great occasion on which to have the Conservatives here. As we try to rebuild Wales, the Conservative group’s presence is like a virus let free in a recovery ward. I always feel that they are trying to undermine our efforts. Lynne Neagle was right to mention the 18 years that we will never forget. The Conservatives will never get away with it. Neither the A470 nor the A465 were dealt with during that time.
Mae cyhoeddi’r gyllideb ddrafft bob amser yn achlysur gwych i gael y Ceidwadwyr yma. Wrth inni geisio ailgodi Cymru, mae presenoldeb y grŵp Ceidwadol yn debyg i firws a ryddhawyd mewn ward ymadfer. Teimlaf bob amser eu bod yn ceisio tanseilio ein hymdrechion. Yr oedd Lynne Neagle yn iawn wrth sôn am y 18 mlynedd nas anghofiwn byth. Ni chaiff y Ceidwadwyr byth anghofio hynny. Ni roddwyd sylw i’r A470 nac i’r A465 yn ystod y cyfnod hwnnw.
Do you accept that living standards in this country rose in every one of those 18 years?
A ydych yn derbyn bod y safonau byw yn y wlad hon wedi codi ym mhob un o’r 18 mlynedd hynny?
I am sure that the people who are trying to cope with the difficulties and the unemployment that you caused, and the devastation that you wreaked on their communities will be grateful for that.
Yr wyf yn sicr y bydd y rhai sy’n ceisio ymdopi â’r anawsterau a’r diweithdra a achoswyd gennych, a’r difrod a wnaethoch i’w cymunedau’n ddiolchgar am hynny.
Glyn Davies a gododd—
Glyn Davies rose—
Is this a Davies and Davies corporate approach?
Ai dull gweithredu corfforaethol gan Davies a Davies yw hwn?
You appear to forget sometimes that Labour has been in power for the last five years. Do you accept that investment in the A470 was greater under the Conservative Government than under this Labour Government, which has turned its back on it?
Mae’n ymddangos weithiau eich bod yn anghofio bod Llafur mewn grym ers pum mlynedd. A ydych yn derbyn bod y buddsoddi yn yr A470 yn fwy o dan y Llywodraeth Geidwadol nag o dan y Llywodraeth Lafur hon, sydd wedi troi’i chefn arni?
No. This Government and the previous Labour Government have made terrific investments in the A470 and, as Secretary for Environment and Local Government in the previous Government, I was involved in that work. I have wasted 18 seconds talking to you; you are not worth it.
Nac ydwyf. Mae’r Llywodraeth hon a’r Llywodraeth Lafur flaenorol wedi buddsoddi symiau aruthrol yn yr A470 ac, fel Ysgrifennydd yr Amgylchedd a Llywodraeth Leol yn y Llywodraeth flaenorol, yr oeddwn yn ymwneud â’r gwaith hwnnw. Yr wyf wedi gwastraffu 18 eiliad yn siarad â chi; nid ydych yn werth cymaint â hynny.
In this budget, the Minister has made much progress in understanding the needs and hopes of the people of Wales. We can only be delighted about this superb budget and its record increases over three years. I compliment the Minister.
Yn y gyllideb hon, mae’r Gweinidog wedi gwneud cynnydd mawr o ran deall anghenion a gobeithion pobl Cymru. Ni allwn ond ymhyfrydu yn y gyllideb wych hon a’r codiadau mwyaf erioed sydd ynddi dros dair blynedd. Canmolaf y Gweinidog.
I am delighted with the great increases in funding for the health service, which the Minister for Health and Social Services will allocate. I am also delighted that the Finance Minister has announced that three new hospitals will be built in Merthyr Tydfil, Tenby and in Ebbw Vale in Blaenau Gwent. I have fought for that new community hospital in Ebbw Vale—and people have waited for it for a long time. It is long overdue, and will replace a much-loved but decrepit building in Ebbw Vale. We look forward to the building of the new hospital and I thank the Minister for her announcement.
Yr wyf wrth fy modd â’r codiadau mawr yn y cyllid i’r gwasanaeth iechyd, y bydd y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol yn eu dyrannu. Yr wyf hefyd wrth fy modd bod y Gweinidog Cyllid wedi cyhoeddi y caiff tri ysbyty newydd eu codi ym Merthyr Tudful, yn Ninbych-y-pysgod ac yng Nglynebwy ym Mlaenau Gwent. Yr wyf wedi ymladd dros yr ysbyty cymuned newydd hwnnw yng Nglynebwy—ac mae’r bobl wedi disgwyl amdano am amser hir. Mae’n hir-ddisgwyliedig, a bydd yn cymryd lle adeilad tra hoff ond adfeiliedig yng Nglynebwy. Edrychwn ymlaen at godi’r ysbyty newydd a diolchaf i’r Gweinidog am ei chyhoeddiad.
The local government settlement highlights the Minister’s excellent work, in partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association. The revenue grant settlement is excellent and it will do much for social justice. The Minister believes in social justice and she wants to fight deprivation; I am grateful for that. The deprivation fund of £20 million, which will be allocated according to the deprivation index, is important for areas such as Blaenau Gwent, where there are difficulties with the standard spending assessment formula. It does not work for us, so we still find ourselves askew compared with our friends in Merthyr Tydfil. Although they have the same problems, they seem to do somewhat better from the formula. I am grateful for the fund, as it will make a great difference.
Mae’r setliad llywodraeth leol yn tynnu sylw at waith rhagorol y Gweinidog, ar y cyd â Chymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru. Mae setliad y grant refeniw yn rhagorol a gwnaiff lawer dros gyfiawnder cymdeithasol. Mae’r Gweinidog yn credu mewn cyfiawnder cymdeithasol ac mae am ymladd yn erbyn amddifadedd; yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am hynny. Mae’r gronfa amddifadedd o £20 miliwn, a ddyrennir yn unol â’r mynegai amddifadedd, yn bwysig i ardaloedd fel Blaenau Gwent, lle y mae anawsterau ynghylch y fformiwla asesiad o wariant safonol. Nid yw’n gweithio i ni, felly yr ydym yn dal i gael ein bod ar sgiw o’n cymharu â’n ffrindiau ym Merthyr Tudful. Er mai’r un problemau sydd ganddynt, mae’n ymddangos eu bod yn gwneud rhywfaint yn well o’r fformiwla. Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am y gronfa, gan y bydd yn gwneud gwahaniaeth mawr.
The increase in the environment, transport and planning budget is wonderful. The dualling of the Heads of the Valleys road, which will bring accessibility and economic opportunities to the south Wales Valleys, can now proceed. I am grateful for that, as it is long overdue and will also tackle deprivation.
Mae’r cynnydd yng nghyllideb yr amgylchedd, trafnidiaeth a chynllunio’n rhyfeddol. Yn awr gall y gwaith o ddeuoli ffordd Blaenau’r Cymoedd fynd yn ei flaen, gan ddod â hygyrchedd a chyfleoedd economaidd i Gymoedd y De. Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am hynny, gan ei fod yn hir-ddisgwyliedig a bydd hefyd yn mynd i’r afael ag amddifadedd.
Men aged 60 and above can now benefit from the brilliant and successful policy of concessionary fares for pensioners. That is a flagship policy of the Labour Party, and we are all proud of it.
Yn awr gall dynion 60 oed a throsodd gael budd o bolisi gwych a llwyddiannus y tocynnau mantais i bensiynwyr. Dyna un o bolisïau pwysicaf y Blaid Lafur, ac yr ydym oll yn ymfalchïo ynddo.
Where is the commitment to provide a passenger railway from Ebbw Vale, through Islwyn, to Newport?
Ym mhle y mae’r ymrwymiad i ddarparu rheilffordd deithwyr o Lynebwy, drwy Islwyn, i Gasnewydd?
I have no doubt that the Government is on track to provide that passenger railway in 2005. There is a commitment to provide that line in the Ebbw valley and I look forward to the opening of that passenger railway. The First Minister has made a promise and I know that he will deliver on it.
Yr wyf yn siŵr y bydd y Llywodraeth yn gallu darparu’r rheilffordd deithwyr honno yn 2005. Mae ymrwymiad i ddarparu’r rheilffordd honno yng nglyn Ebwy ac edrychaf ymlaen at agor y rheilffordd deithwyr honno. Mae Prif Weinidog Cymru wedi rhoi ei air a gwn y bydd yn ei gadw.
I must also commend the budget for homelessness, the work on fire safety—the Minister has already established a fire safety trust—and the police funding under the new safer communities fund to tackle the terrible problem of drug peddling. I congratulate the Minister, as the Local Government and Housing Committee and the Assembly want to target problems and create safer communities.
Rhaid imi hefyd ganmol y gyllideb ar gyfer digartrefedd, y gwaith ar ddiogelwch tân—mae’r Gweinidog eisoes wedi sefydlu ymddiriedolaeth diogelwch tân—a’r cyllid i’r heddlu dan y gronfa cymunedau diogelach newydd i fynd i’r afael â’r broblem ofnadwy o bedlera cyffuriau. Llongyfarchaf y Gweinidog, gan fod y Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai a’r Cynulliad yn dymuno targedu problemau a chreu cymunedau diogelach.
All this proves that this is a special budget for the people of Wales. I believe that it provides a brighter future for Wales.
Mae hyn i gyd yn profi mai cyllideb arbennig i bobl Cymru yw hon. Credaf ei bod yn rhoi dyfodol mwy disglair i Gymru.
I declare an interest as a pharmacist and a member of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council.
Datganaf fuddiant fel fferyllydd ac aelod o Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Rhondda Cynon Taf.
This morning, I welcomed the parents of children who are addicted to drugs to the Assembly. These parents are desperately worried about their children’s future. They have seen their children’s friends die in frightening numbers, and they see their children suffer daily. When their children seek help, they are told that they must wait 12 or even 18 months, which is not much help. At the moment they are not even given that promise, as waiting lists in the Rhondda are spiralling out of control because the community drug and alcohol team has closed its waiting list. There is no point in applying for treatment, as you will not receive any.
Y bore yma, croesewais rieni plant sy’n gaeth i gyffuriau i’r Cynulliad. Mae’r rhieni hyn yn pryderu’n ofnadwy am ddyfodol eu plant. Gwelsant nifer ddychrynllyd o ffrindiau eu plant yn marw, a gwelant eu plant yn dioddef bob dydd. Pan yw eu plant yn ceisio cymorth, dywedir wrthynt fod yn rhaid iddynt ddisgwyl 12 neu hyd yn oed 18 mis, ac nid yw hynny’n fawr o gymorth. Ar hyn o bryd ni roddir yr addewid honno iddynt hyd yn oed, gan fod y rhestrau aros yn y Rhondda’n mynd y tu hwnt i reolaeth am fod y tîm alcohol a chyffuriau wedi cau ei restrau aros. Nid oes diben ymgeisio am driniaeth, gan na fyddwch yn derbyn dim.
However, much good work is being done to crack down on the crime and disorder aspects of substance abuse, and I welcome the extra funding in that respect. However, that good work is being undermined by the deficiencies in the treatment sector, as they are causing an increase in crime. Many people accept that the best way to receive treatment is to commit a crime and get sent to jail, where you will receive treatment. An addict from my constituency told me that prison was the best time of her life, because that was the only place where she could get the help that she needed and which she had previously been denied.
Er hynny, gwneir llawer o waith da i gymryd camau yn erbyn yr agweddau troseddu ac anhrefn ar gamddefnyddio sylweddau, a chroesawaf y cyllid ychwanegol yn hynny o beth. Fodd bynnag, tanseilir y gwaith da hwnnw gan y diffygion yn y sector triniaeth, gan eu bod yn peri cynnydd mewn troseddu. Mae llawer o bobl yn derbyn mai’r modd gorau i gael triniaeth yw cyflawni trosedd a chael eu hanfon i garchar, lle y byddwch yn cael triniaeth. Dywedodd un ddibynwraig o’m hetholaeth i mai ei chyfnod yn y carchar oedd yr amser gorau a gafodd erioed, am mai hwnnw oedd yr unig le y gallai gael y cymorth yr oedd arni ei angen a wrthodwyd iddi cyn hynny.
The resources in this budget for drug and alcohol initiatives are inadequate. They stay exactly the same. Minister, you are playing with the problem—there are no extra resources and there is no leadership. These deficiencies are causing suffering and death to the victims, untold anguish to the families and the destruction of our communities. The only people profiting from the failure of the treatment services are the drug dealers, who have a captive market. My constituents—these parents—have had enough talk. We heard even more talk today. They need action, and they need it now.
Mae’r adnoddau yn y gyllideb hon ar gyfer mentrau alcohol a chyffuriau’n annigonol. Maent yn aros yn union yr un fath. Weinidog, yr ydych yn chwarae â’r broblem—nid oes adnoddau ychwanegol ac nid oes arweiniad. Mae’r diffygion hyn yn peri dioddefaint a marwolaeth i’r dioddefwyr, gofid difesur i’r teuluoedd a dinistr ein cymunedau. Yr unig rai sy’n elwa ar fethiant y gwasanaethau triniaeth yw’r gwerthwyr cyffuriau, sydd â marchnad gaeth. Mae fy etholwyr i—y rhieni hyn—wedi cael digon o siarad. Clywsom fwy byth o siarad heddiw. Mae arnynt angen gweithredu, ac mae arnynt ei angen yn awr.
I congratulate the Minister on a draft budget that continues to give the highest priority to the health service in Wales. This investment is making a difference to my Cynon valley constituents; a difference that the Minister for Health and Social Services saw when, a few weeks ago, she visited a Cynon valley community heart disease project that enables heart disease sufferers to lead better, fuller lives. This draft budget builds on this Labour-led Assembly’s excellent success. Since last year, the Cynon valley primary care support unit has provided training, support and services to general practitioners, nurses and other practitioners. It also encourages new GPs to the area. The centre, which is unique in Wales, helps to reduce health inequalities in our most vulnerable areas. That is emblematic of this new Assembly’s success—effecting change in the daily lives of the ordinary people of Wales.
Llongyfarchaf y Gweinidog ar gyllideb ddrafft sy’n dal i roi’r flaenoriaeth uchaf i’r gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru. Mae’r buddsoddiad hwn yn gwneud gwahaniaeth i’m hetholwyr yng nghwm Cynon; gwahaniaeth a welodd y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol pan ymwelodd, rai wythnosau’n ôl, â phrosiect clefyd y galon cymunedol yng nghwm Cynon sy’n galluogi rhai sy’n dioddef gan glefyd y galon i fyw bywyd gwell a llawnach. Mae’r gyllideb ddrafft hon yn adeiladu ar sail llwyddiant rhagorol y Cynulliad hwn dan arweiniad Llafur. Ers y llynedd, mae uned cynnal gofal sylfaenol cwm Cynon wedi darparu hyfforddiant, cymorth a gwasanaethau ar gyfer ymarferwyr cyffredinol, nyrsys ac ymarferwyr eraill. Mae hefyd yn denu meddygon teulu newydd i’r ardal. Mae’r ganolfan, sy’n unigryw yng Nghymru, yn helpu i leihau anghydraddoldebau iechyd yn yr ardaloedd sy’n fwyaf agored i niwed. Mae hynny’n symbol o lwyddiant y Cynulliad newydd hwn—peri newid ym mywydau beunyddiol pobl gyffredin Cymru.
I also welcome the increases for community funding. Since the Assembly’s inception, Rhondda Cynon Taf council has had a 23 per cent increase in funding. Communities in the Cynon valley are benefiting from investment through the Communities First scheme and the Objective 1 programme. Objective 1 alone amounts to an extra £80 million across the local authority area, funding 56 projects.
Yr wyf hefyd yn croesawu’r codiadau ar gyfer cyllid cymunedol. Ers sefydlu’r Cynulliad, cafodd cyngor Rhondda Cynon Taf gynnydd o 23 y cant yn ei gyllid. Mae cymunedau yng nghwm Cynon yn elwa ar y buddsoddiad drwy’r cynllun Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf a’r rhaglen Amcan 1. Mae Amcan 1 ar ei ben ei hun yn golygu £80 miliwn yn ychwanegol ledled ardal yr awdurdod lleol, gan ariannu 56 o brosiectau.
Finally, I ask Edwina to join me in congratulating Councillor Alby Davies and Dr Gerald Taylor, who undertook a sponsored walk from Abercynon to Cardiff bay recently to raise money and awareness for a regeneration project in their ward, Abercynon. With such commitment from the people in our communities, I am pleased that we can match their enthusiasm with an excellent financial settlement.
Yn olaf, gofynnaf i Edwina ymuno â mi i longyfarch y Cynghorydd Alby Davies a Dr Gerald Taylor, a aeth ar daith gerdded noddedig o Abercynon i fae Caerdydd yn ddiweddar i godi arian a hybu ymwybyddiaeth ar gyfer prosiect adfywio yn eu ward, sef Abercynon. Gyda’r fath ymroddiad gan bobl yn ein cymunedau, yr wyf yn falch y gallwn wneud setliad ariannol rhagorol sy’n cyfateb i’w brwdfrydedd.
I was the leader of a local authority in the 1980s. Budget was the dominating issue every year. Virtually every council meeting involved some discussion that fed into the budget process. There were two major reasons for this. The first does not apply to today’s debate as it involved decisions on how much money would be raised from taxpayers—we do not have the power to raise taxes in the Assembly, except indirectly via the council tax, and that is a marginal issue. The money available to the Finance Minister depends on the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s tax-and-spend policies. The present Chancellor is an old-Labour, high tax, high spend Chancellor. Therefore, the Assembly budget is increasing rapidly, as are the various taxes on the people of Wales. Any additional money available to the Finance Minister beyond the Barnett block must be as a result of underspending in the previous year—or end-of-year flexibility as she might call it.
Bûm yn arweinydd awdurdod lleol yn y 1980au. Y gyllideb oedd y mater pennaf bob blwyddyn. Yr oedd bron bob cyfarfod cyngor yn golygu rhyw drafodaeth a borthai broses y gyllideb. Yr oedd dau brif reswm am hynny. Nid yw’r cyntaf yn berthnasol i’r ddadl heddiw gan ei fod yn ymwneud â phenderfyniadau ar y swm o arian a gâi ei godi ar y trethdalwyr—nid oes gennym bŵer i godi trethi yn y Cynulliad, heblaw’n anuniongyrchol drwy’r dreth gyngor, a mater ymylol yw hwnnw. Mae maint yr arian sydd ar gael i’r Gweinidog Cyllid yn dibynnu ar bolisïau trethu a gwario Canghellor y Trysorlys. Mae’r Canghellor presennol yn Ganghellor hen Lafur sy’n codi trethi mawr ac yn gwario’n helaeth. Gan hynny, mae cyllideb y Cynulliad yn cynyddu’n gyflym, fel y mae’r gwahanol drethi ar bobl Cymru. Mae unrhyw arian ychwanegol sydd ar gael i’r Gweinidog Cyllid ar ben bloc Barnett yn ganlyniad o reidrwydd i danwario yn y flwyddyn flaenorol—neu hyblygrwydd diwedd blwyddyn fel y galwai hi ef.
The second reason why the budget process was so important in the local authority was that it led to battles for finance among the various budget heads. That is what the Finance Minister has been considering. I do not want to refer to the specific proposals in the draft budget as other Members in my party have done. I need to digest the detail in Committee as much detail is missing. I do not disagree with the fundamentals as we, too, welcome greater investment in the crucial public services, which underpins most of what the Finance Minister has told us today. However, this is pretty much what would have happened were the decisions taken by the old Welsh Office. That is my main point.
Yr ail reswm dros bwysigrwydd proses y gyllideb yn yr awdurdod lleol oedd ei bod yn arwain at ymladd dros gyllid ymysg y gwahanol benaethiaid cyllideb. Dyna y bu’r Gweinidog Cyllid yn ei ystyried. Nid wyf am gyfeirio at y cynigion penodol yn y gyllideb ddrafft fel y gwnaeth Aelodau eraill o’m plaid. Rhaid imi gloriannu’r manylion yn y Pwyllgor gan fod llawer o’r manylion ar goll. Nid wyf yn anghytuno â’r hanfodion gan ein bod ninnau’n croesawu’r buddsoddi mwy yn y gwasanaethau cyhoeddus hollbwysig, sy’n sail i’r rhan fwyaf o’r hyn a ddywedodd y Gweinidog Cyllid wrthym heddiw. Er hynny, rhywbeth fel hyn a ddigwyddasai pe gwneid y penderfyniadau gan yr hen Swyddfa Gymreig. Dyna’r prif bwynt sydd gennyf.
Spending on devolved functions has risen significantly. We cannot argue with that. However, with the same Chancellor, taking the same macro-economic decisions at Westminster, this is exactly what would have happened anyway. There is nothing to inspire the people of Wales to claim that the Assembly is making a difference to Wales. There is nothing to intrude into the conversations of people on the streets who are not directly connected to public affairs.
Mae’r gwario ar swyddogaethau datganoledig wedi codi’n sylweddol. Ni allwn anghytuno â hynny. Fodd bynnag, gyda’r un Canghellor yn gwneud yr un penderfyniadau macro-economaidd yn San Steffan, dyna’n union a ddigwyddasai beth bynnag. Nid oes dim i gymell pobl Cymru i haeru bod y Cynulliad yn gwneud gwahaniaeth yng Nghymru. Nid oes dim a wnaiff godi yn sgyrsiau pobl ar y strydoedd nad ydynt yn ymwneud yn uniongyrchol â materion cyhoeddus.
I put forward two projects that in my view would make that big difference. A major upgrade of the road link between north and south Wales would enable the Assembly to reach out to north Wales, drawing it a little closer to the capital city. It would be a huge step forward and would greatly increase the sense of nation unity, particularly how the people of north Wales and the areas furthest away from Cardiff perceive the Assembly.
Cyflwynaf ddau brosiect a wnâi’r gwahaniaeth mawr hwnnw yn fy marn i. Byddai gwelliant sylweddol yn y cyswllt ffyrdd rhwng y Gogledd a’r De’n galluogi’r Cynulliad i estyn at y Gogledd, gan ei dynnu ychydig yn agosach at y brifddinas. Byddai’n gam enfawr ymlaen ac yn peri cynnydd mawr yn yr ymdeimlad o undod cenedlaethol, yn enwedig o ran y modd y mae pobl y Gogledd a’r ardaloedd pellaf o Gaerdydd yn canfod y Cynulliad.
Perhaps Tir Gofal could be allocated a greatly increased budget, creating a truly green land management system in Wales and replacing the increasingly questionable claim that we already have a green farming system. Such a decision would be a huge boost for agriculture, for the environment and for tourism and it would bring new life to our communities. It would also greatly increase access to private land over which to walk on an agreed basis.
Efallai y gellid dyrannu cyllideb fwy o lawer i Tir Gofal, gan greu system rheoli tir wirioneddol wyrdd yng Nghymru a disodli’r honiad mwyfwy amheus bod gennym system ffermio wyrdd eisoes. Byddai penderfyniad o’r fath yn hwb mawr i amaethyddiaeth, i’r amgylchedd ac i dwristiaeth a deuai â bywyd newydd i’n cymunedau. Byddai hefyd yn rhoi mynediad ehangach o lawer i dir preifat y gellid cerdded arno drwy drefniant cytûn.
Most of us want the Assembly to be held in higher regard by the people of the whole of Wales. We needed some inspiration, some spark; there is no inspiration or spark in your budget and there should have been.
Mae’r rhan fwyaf ohonom am weld mwy o barch at y Cynulliad gan bobl Cymru gyfan. Yr oedd arnom angen rhyw ysbrydoliaeth, rhyw dân; nid oes nac ysbrydoliaeth na thân yn eich cyllideb fel y dylai fod.
I welcome this draft budget, particularly the significant boost to the health and education budgets. However, because of time constraints and the fact that I want other Members to be able to contribute, I will concentrate on community regeneration and community safety.
Croesawaf y gyllideb ddrafft hon, yn enwedig yr hwb sylweddol i’r cyllidebau iechyd ac addysg. Fodd bynnag, oherwydd y cyfyngiadau ar amser a’r ffaith fy mod am i Aelodau eraill gael cyfrannu, canolbwyntiaf ar adfywio cymunedol a diogelwch cymunedol.
I welcome the increase in millions of pounds over the next three years for the community facilities and activities programme. I look forward to the programme making a positive contribution to communities in my constituency. You may recall that I referred to the need for financial assistance to renovate community halls and other similar community facilities in a short debate earlier this year. Will the money allocated for the community facilities and activities programme be used for this purpose? Such a move would be warmly welcomed by local communities across Wales.
Croesawaf y cynnydd o filiynau o bunnoedd dros y tair blynedd nesaf i’r rhaglen cyfleusterau a gweithgareddau cymunedol. Edrychaf ymlaen at weld y rhaglen yn cyfrannu’n gadarnhaol at y cymunedau yn fy etholaeth i. Efallai y cofiwch imi gyfeirio at yr angen am gymorth ariannol i adnewyddu neuaddau cymunedol a chyfleusterau cymunedol tebyg mewn dadl fer yn gynharach eleni. A fydd yr arian a ddyrennir i’r rhaglen cyfleusterau a gweithgareddau cymunedol yn cael ei ddefnyddio i’r diben hwnnw? Byddai croeso cynnes i gam o’r fath ymysg cymunedau lleol ledled Cymru.
On a similar note, I am delighted that funding for the Communities First programme will continue at the previously committed level. I have already seen how such funding can make a difference in communities such as Caerau in my constituency. Money allocated for Communities First, the community facilities programme and the £11 million over three years for the new safer communities fund will make a significant impact on the lives of some of the most vulnerable and socially disadvantaged people in our most deprived communities.
Ar drywydd tebyg, yr wyf wrth fy modd y bydd y cyllid i’r rhaglen Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf yn parhau ar y lefel yr ymrwymwyd iddi o’r blaen. Gwelais eisoes sut y gall cyllid o’r fath wneud gwahaniaeth mewn cymunedau fel Caerau yn fy etholaeth i. Bydd yr arian a ddyrannwyd i Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf, y rhaglen cyfleusterau cymunedol a’r £11 miliwn dros dair blynedd i’r gronfa cymunedau diogelach newydd yn cael effaith fawr ar fywydau rhai o’r bobl sy’n fwyaf agored i niwed a dan yr anfantais gymdeithasol fwyaf yn ein cymunedau mwyaf difreintiedig.
Finally, I pay tribute to you and your officials for all the work that you have put into this draft budget.
Yn olaf, talaf deyrnged i chi ac i’ch swyddogion am yr holl waith a wnaethoch i baratoi’r gyllideb ddrafft hon.
I note that the Minister has introduced a new culture fund budget line, which totals £46.8 million for 2003-04. I also note that the policy statement of the so-called Welsh Assembly Government in ‘Dyfodol Dwyieithog: A Bilingual Future’ issued during the recess states that:
Sylwaf fod y Gweinidog wedi cyflwyno llinell gyllideb newydd i gronfa ddiwylliant sy’n dod i gyfanswm o £46.8 miliwn am 2003-04. Nodaf hefyd fod datganiad polisi Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, fel y’i gelwir, yn ‘Dyfodol Dwyieithog: A Bilingual Future’ a gyhoeddwyd yn ystod y toriad yn dweud:
‘the Assembly Government will ensure that the Welsh Language Board has the appropriate resources in order for it to develop its work on the transfer of the language within the family—the Twf project—and make parents aware of the advantages of early bilingualism’
‘bydd Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn sicrhau bod gan Fwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg yr adnoddau priodol i ddatblygu ei waith ar drosglwyddo’r iaith yn y teulu—y prosiect Twf—a gwneud rhieni’n ymwybodol o fanteision dwyieithrwydd cynnar’
It further states that:
Dywed ymhellach:
‘the Assembly Government will promote the benefits of pre-school bilingual nursery education and ensure that provision keeps up with demand on a community level.’
‘bydd Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn hyrwyddo manteision addysg feithrin ddwyieithog cyn ysgol ac yn sicrhau bod y ddarpariaeth yn ddigonol ar gyfer y galw mewn cymunedau.’
It also states that the Government will work closely with local authorities to increase the provision of Welsh-medium nursery education. However, the budget for the Welsh Language Board, which funds Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin, shows a huge decrease from £7 million in 2001-02 to only £1.8 million in 2002-03—a drop of 74 per cent. However, in a written response to my earlier inquiry, the Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language stated that she would provide the Welsh Language Board with an additional £450,000 for the current financial year. Perhaps she will, but it cannot be identified in these draft budget proposals. Cynics might regard this manipulation of figures as being worthy of the Enron school of democracy—or accountancy I should say. For the sake of clarity and understanding, the public and Members deserve an explanation of the budget. The Assembly Government claims to have adopted the virtues of inclusivity and transparency in principle, but apparently not in practice. Is this vagueness a deliberate attempt to hoodwink the public, so that the Minister can pull something out of the hat each week from now until the May election? When will the Minister start behaving in an inclusive manner, by clarifying the National Assembly Government’s intentions for the £46.8 million set aside for the Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language to use in 2003-04? This sum is more than half of the budget for her portfolio. There was considerable discontent, Minister, when you dispersed grants directly to chamber orchestras rather than referring the matter to the Arts Council of Wales, which was appointed for that purpose. Will the Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language now be allowed to disperse largesse with half the culture budget? If so, it poses a serious threat to democracy.
Dywed hefyd y bydd y Llywodraeth yn cydweithio’n agos â’r awdurdodau lleol i gynyddu’r ddarpariaeth o addysg feithrin cyfrwng Cymraeg. Serch hynny, mae’r gyllideb i Fwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg, sy’n ariannu Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin, yn gostwng yn aruthrol o £7 miliwn yn 2001-02 i ddim ond £1.8 miliwn yn 2002-03—74 y cant o ostyngiad. Fodd bynnag, mewn ymateb ysgrifenedig i ymholiad cynharach gennyf, dywedodd y Gweinidog dros Ddiwylliant, Chwaraeon a’r Gymraeg y byddai’n darparu £540,000 ychwanegol ar gyfer Bwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg ar gyfer y flwyddyn ariannol gyfredol. Efallai y bydd, ond ni ellir canfod hynny yn y cynigion cyllideb ddrafft hyn. Gallai sinigiaid ystyried bod y dull hwn o drin ffigurau’n deilwng o garfan Enron o ddemocratiaeth—neu gyfrifyddiaeth fel y dylwn ddweud. Er mwyn eglurdeb a chyd-ddealltwriaeth, mae’r cyhoedd a’r Aelodau’n haeddu cael esboniad o’r gyllideb. Mae Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn honni ei bod wedi mabwysiadu rhinweddau cynhwysiant a thryloywder mewn egwyddor, ond nid mewn ymarfer yn ôl pob golwg. A yw’r aneglurder hwn yn ymgais fwriadol i gamarwain y cyhoedd, fel y gall y Gweinidog dynnu rhywbeth o’r het bob wythnos o hyn tan yr etholiad ym mis Mai? Pa bryd y gwnaiff y Gweinidog ddechrau ymddwyn yn gynhwysol, drwy egluro amcanion Llywodraeth y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol ar gyfer y £46.8 miliwn a neilltuwyd i’r Gweinidog dros Ddiwylliant, Chwaraeon a’r Gymraeg i’w ddefnyddio yn 2003-04? Mae’r swm hwn yn fwy na hanner y gyllideb ar gyfer ei phortffolio. Bu cryn anfodlonrwydd, Weinidog, pan wnaethoch ddosbarthu grantiau’n uniongyrchol i gerddorfeydd siambr yn hytrach na chyfeirio’r mater at Gyngor Celfyddydau Cymru, a benodwyd i’r diben hwnnw. A ganiateir yn awr i’r Gweinidog dros Ddiwylliant, Chwaraeon a’r Gymraeg ddosbarthu rhoddion o hanner y gyllideb diwylliant? Os felly, mae’n fygythiad difrifol i ddemocratiaeth.
Lastly, as there is no significant increase in the Welsh language budget for 2003-04, will the Minister explain how much the fulfilment of the promises in the Welsh Assembly’s policy statement, ‘Dyfodol Dwyieithog: A Bilingual Future’, will cost, and from which budget line the money will be drawn?
Yn olaf, gan nad oes cynnydd sylweddol yn y gyllideb i’r Gymraeg ar gyfer 2003-04, a wnaiff y Gweinidog egluro beth fydd cost cyflawni’r addewidion yn natganiad polisi Cynulliad Cymru, ‘Dyfodol Dwyieithog: A Bilingual Future’, ac o ba linell gyllideb y tynnir yr arian?
This is a good news budget for the people of Wales. It echoes and reflects the Labour Government’s commitment in Westminster. That is made possible by the economic stewardship of Chancellor Gordon Brown and his excellent handling of the economy, through low inflation, low interest rates and economic stability. Contrast that with the self-proclaimed nasty party over 18 miserable years, when we endured cuts in public spending, massive job losses, the demise of our structural industries and high unemployment and interest rates. We now have a different economic situation in Wales and the United Kingdom.
Mae hon yn gyllideb o newyddion da i bobl Cymru. Mae’n ategu ac yn adlewyrchu ymrwymiad y Llywodraeth Lafur yn San Steffan. Hwylusir hynny gan oruchwyliaeth economaidd y Canghellor Gordon Brown a’i ddull rhagorol o drafod yr economi, drwy chwyddiant isel, cyfraddau llog isel a sefydlogrwydd economaidd. Cyferbynner hynny â’r blaid hunanhonedig gas dros 18 mlynedd druenus, pan wnaethom ddioddef toriadau mewn gwariant cyhoeddus, colledion swyddi aruthrol, tranc ein diwydiannau seilwaith a chyfraddau llog a diweithdra uchel. Bellach mae gennym sefyllfa economaidd wahanol yng Nghymru a’r Deyrnas Unedig.
Will you reconcile the widening gross domestic product gap between Wales and England? We are currently down to 80 per cent and await figures showing that we are further behind the rest of the United Kingdom.
A wnewch gysoni hynny â’r bwlch cynyddol yn y cynnyrch mewnwladol crynswth rhwng Cymru a Lloegr? Yr ydym wedi disgyn i 80 y cant erbyn hyn ac yr ydym yn disgwyl ffigurau a fydd yn dangos ein bod ymhellach ar ôl gweddill y Deyrnas Unedig.
I will attempt to reconcile that. However, this budget is a determined effort to close that gap and to invest in the people of Wales to ensure that their daily lives are improved. This budget will ensure that the investment goes to the sharp end. I welcome the proposals that, for local government, a 6.2 per cent increase in revenue support grant settlement will cover the costs of teachers’ pay and the current 3.5 per cent pay offer to local government employees. In addition, it will provide for continuing, real growth. I also welcome the continuing commitment to partnership with local government, which allows local authorities to exercise their powers, gained through the local democratic process, while acknowledging the Assembly’s responsibilities to raise performance and standards of service. The policy agreements entered into by the WLGA and the Assembly allow for local discretion in meeting the agreed targets. That is the essence of a real and effective partnership, with mutual respect for the democratic legitimacy of local government and the National Assembly. Labour is the party of devolution—allowing local decisions to meet local needs. I also welcome the provision to close the pay gap between further education lecturers and teachers. I urge the Minister to ensure that that commitment is reflected in ELWa’s allocations to colleges, and ensure that this money goes into the pockets of FE staff to offset the inequalities and unfairness in pay and conditions between FE lecturers and teachers. This is a good news budget for the people of Wales.
Gwnaf geisio cysoni hynny. Fodd bynnag, mae’r gyllideb hon yn ymgais benderfynol i gau’r bwlch hwnnw a buddsoddi ym mhobl Cymru i sicrhau gwelliant yn eu bywydau beunyddiol. Bydd y gyllideb hon yn sicrhau yr aiff y buddsoddi i le mae ei angen. Croesawaf y cynigion ar gyfer llywodraeth leol lle y bydd cynnydd o 6.2 y cant yn y setliad grant cynnal refeniw yn talu am gostau tâl athrawon a’r cynnig tâl presennol 3.5 y cant i weithwyr llywodraeth leol. Yn ogystal â hynny, bydd yn darparu ar gyfer twf gwirioneddol parhaus. Croesawaf hefyd yr ymrwymiad parhaus i’r bartneriaeth â llywodraeth leol, sy’n caniatáu i awdurdodau lleol arfer eu pwerau, a enillwyd drwy’r broses ddemocrataidd leol, gan gydnabod cyfrifoldebau’r Cynulliad i hybu perfformiad a safonau gwasanaeth. Mae’r cytundebau polisi a wnaed gan CLlLC a’r Cynulliad yn caniatáu rhyddid i weithredu’n lleol wrth gyrraedd y targedau a gytunwyd. Dyna hanfod partneriaeth wirioneddol ac effeithiol, gyda pharch gan y naill a’r llall at gyfreithlonrwydd democrataidd llywodraeth leol a’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol. Plaid datganoli yw Llafur sy’n caniatáu penderfyniadau lleol i ddiwallu anghenion lleol. Yr wyf hefyd yn croesawu’r ddarpariaeth i gau’r bwlch rhwng tâl darlithwyr addysg bellach ac athrawon. Anogaf y Gweinidog i sicrhau y caiff yr ymrwymiad hwnnw ei adlewyrchu yn nyraniadau ELWa i golegau, ac i sicrhau bod yr arian hwn yn mynd i bocedi staff addysg bellach i ymdrin â’r anghydraddoldebau a’r annhegwch mewn tâl ac amodau rhwng darlithwyr addysg bellach ac athrawon. Mae hon yn gyllideb o newyddion da i bobl Cymru.
The environment, planning and transport budget covers an important part of our responsibilities, affecting everyone’s lives. Despite competing priorities, putting money into a cleaner environment—by not only meeting European directives, but also by surpassing and anticipating them—must be the Assembly’s aim.
Mae cyllideb yr amgylchedd, cynllunio a thrafnidiaeth yn ymwneud â rhan bwysig o’n cyfrifoldebau, ac yn effeithio ar fywyd pawb. Er gwaethaf y cystadlu rhwng blaenoriaethau, rhaid i’r Cynulliad geisio rhoi arian tuag at gael amgylchedd glanach—nid drwy ufuddhau i gyfarwyddebau Ewropeaidd yn unig, ond hefyd drwy ragori arnynt ac achub y blaen arnynt.
Integrated public transport reduces urban congestion and its pollution, but fast, efficient bus services need clearer, dedicated lanes in towns and cities and good quality roads outside. The vital shift of finance from private to public transport spending must also recognise that infrastructure is still important. Although more money will be put into the trunk roads budget in two years’ time, generally trunk road improvements are some way off.
Mae trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus integredig yn lleihau tagfeydd trefol a’u llygredd, ond mae gwasanaethau bysiau effeithlon a chyflym yn gofyn am lonydd pwrpasol, cliriach o fewn trefi a dinasoedd a ffyrdd o ansawdd da y tu allan iddynt. Wrth droi cyllid oddi wrth drafnidiaeth breifat at drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus, sy’n hollbwysig, rhaid cydnabod hefyd fod y seilwaith yn bwysig o hyd. Er y caiff rhagor o arian ei roi yn y gyllideb cefnffyrdd ymhen dwy flynedd, mae’r gwelliannau mewn cefnffyrdd yn eithaf pell yn y dyfodol gan mwyaf.
Considering Jonathan Morgan’s amendment 2, it seems as though the Welsh Conservatives have forgotten the dog’s dinner that their UK branch was responsible for by reducing expenditure on roads, deregulating bus services, and starving railways to near destruction.
Gan ystyried gwelliant 2 Jonathan Morgan, mae’n ymddangos fel petai Ceidwadwyr Cymru wedi anghofio’r siop siafins y bu eu cangen dros y DU yn gyfrifol amdani drwy leihau’r gwariant ar ffyrdd, dadreoleiddio gwasanaethau bysiau, a newynu’r rheilffyrdd nes eu bod bron â darfod amdanynt.
Our excellent bus pass scheme is costing more than was forecast. It means a great deal to older people, but we must have accurate costings for the future. Do the indicative plans take demographic and social change into account? It is time that the Environment, Planning and Transport Committee had a full report, dealing with the possibility of charging older people for other local government services, because councils have to subsidise the bus pass scheme.
Mae ein cynllun tocynnau mantais bws rhagorol yn costio mwy nag a ragwelwyd. Mae’n golygu llawer iawn i bobl hŷn, ond rhaid inni gael prisiadau manwl gywir ar gyfer y dyfodol. A yw’r cynlluniau dynodol yn ystyried newid demograffig a chymdeithasol? Mae’n bryd i Bwyllgor yr Amgylchedd, Cynllunio a Thrafnidiaeth gael adroddiad llawn, i ymdrin â’r posibilrwydd o godi tâl ar bobl hŷn am wasanaethau llywodraeth leol eraill, am fod yn rhaid i’r cynghorau sybsideiddio’r cynllun tocynnau mantais bws.
What are the Government’s public transport priorities? I am well aware of its main schemes, but to be as cost-effective as possible, such schemes must be part of an overall strategy. Some spending seems to be a reaction to individual local government lobbying rather than strategic planning. The ULTra pod is an example of chaotic financial allocation. I understand—and I am sure that I will be corrected if I am wrong—that £17 million has been committed to Cardiff County Council to set up this piece of unproven technology.
Ym mhle y mae blaenoriaethau trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus y Llywodraeth? Gwn yn iawn am ei phrif gynlluniau, ond er mwyn bod mor gost-effeithiol ag y bo modd, rhaid i gynlluniau o’r fath fod yn rhan o strategaeth gyffredinol. Mae rhywfaint o’r gwario’n ymddangos ei fod yn ymateb i lobïo unigol gan lywodraeth leol yn hytrach na chynllunio strategol. Mae’r cerbyd ULTra yn enghraifft o ddyrannu ariannol anhrefnus. Deallaf—ac yr wyf yn sicr y caf fy nghywiro os wyf yn anghywir—fod £17 miliwn wedi’i neilltuo i Gyngor Sir Caerdydd i sefydlu’r dechnoleg amhrofedig hon.
I also note that phase II of the Bute Avenue scheme previously had a zero budget line, yet now has £22.1 million over the next three years. If that is for the rail link from Cardiff Queen Street station to Cardiff bay station, the Minister should explain that. The Assembly cannot responsibly agree to spend this money if it is not properly informed. We must remember that it will be in addition to annual payments of £128 million over the next 25 years to the private partner CityLink Ltd.
Sylwaf mai llinell gyllideb o sero oedd i ran II o gynllun Rhodfa Bute, ond bod iddo £22.1 miliwn bellach dros y tair blynedd nesaf. Os yw hynny ar gyfer y cyswllt rheilffordd o orsaf Stryd y Frenhines Caerdydd i orsaf bae Caerdydd, dylai’r Gweinidog egluro hynny. Ni all y Cynulliad gytuno’n gyfrifol i wario’r arian hwn, os na chaiff ei hysbysu’n briodol. Rhaid inni gofio y bydd hynny ar ben y taliadau blynyddol o £128 miliwn dros y 25 mlynedd nesaf i’r partner preifat CityLink Cyf.
Turning quickly to the environment, I am concerned about the 50 per cent cut in spending on special areas of conservation next year, which is down from £2 million to £1 million. I understand that designation has ended, but maintenance and management is in sore need of that money.
Gan droi’n gyflym at yr amgylchedd, yr wyf yn bryderus ynghylch y toriad o 50 y cant yn y gwariant ar ardaloedd arbennig cadwraeth y flwyddyn nesaf, sef gostyngiad o £2 filiwn i £1 filiwn. Yr wyf yn deall bod y dynodiad wedi dod i ben, ond mae taer angen yr arian hwnnw ar gyfer cynnal a chadw a rheoli.
I welcome the Finance Minister’s announcement of significant additional resources for the national health service in Wales. One hundred and ten million pounds in addition to the baseline allocation will mean significant real-terms increase of some 8.2 per cent, when comparing spending in 2002-03 and 2003-04. It is a sign that the partnership Government is committed to a publicly-funded and publicly-delivered national health service for the people of Wales.
Croesawaf gyhoeddiad y Gweinidog Cyllid am adnoddau ychwanegol sylweddol i’r gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol yng Nghymru. Bydd £110 miliwn ar ben y dyraniad llinell sylfaen yn golygu cynnydd gwirioneddol sylweddol o tua 8.2 y cant, o gymharu gwariant yn 2002-03 a 2003-04. Mae’n arwydd bod y Llywodraeth bartneriaeth wedi ymrwymo i wasanaeth iechyd gwladol sy’n cael ei ariannu a’i ddarparu’n gyhoeddus ar gyfer pobl Cymru.
Despite what some have said, more doctors and nurses are now employed in Wales, and we have more beds than we had this time last year. However, we must acknowledge that the waiting times situation in Wales is serious. All parties agree that the answer is to increase the capacity of the health service. The increased resources that we see today will allow us to do that. We must respond to the ever-increasing health needs of our population and the demands placed upon our health service.
Er gwaethaf yr hyn a ddywedodd rhai, cyflogir rhagor o feddygon a nyrsys yng Nghymru’n awr, ac mae gennym fwy o welyau nag yr oedd gennym yr adeg hon y llynedd. Er hynny, rhaid inni gydnabod bod y sefyllfa o ran amseroedd aros yng Nghymru’n ddifrifol. Mae’r holl bleidiau’n cytuno mai’r ateb yw cynyddu capasiti’r gwasanaeth iechyd. Bydd y cynnydd mewn adnoddau a welwn heddiw yn caniatáu inni wneud hynny. Rhaid inni ymateb i anghenion iechyd cynyddol ein poblogaeth a’r galw ar ein gwasanaeth iechyd.
You are right to say that there is a substantial increase in resources for the NHS, and not only for the coming three years—that is true of the past five years. In fact, we have increased health expenditure by about 30 per cent to 35 per cent. However, the number of patient treatments is more or less the same as it was five years ago. That is even more serious, in my view, than the waiting times situation.
Yr ydych yn iawn wrth ddweud bod cynnydd sylweddol yn yr adnoddau i’r GIG, ac nid yn unig ar gyfer y tair blynedd i ddod—mae hynny’n wir am y pum mlynedd diwethaf. Mewn gwirionedd, yr ydym wedi cynyddu’r gwariant ar iechyd oddeutu 30 y cant i 35 y cant. Er hynny, mae nifer y triniaethau i gleifion yr un fath fwy neu lai ag yr oedd bum mlynedd yn ôl. Mae hynny’n fwy difrifol na’r sefyllfa o ran amseroedd aros hyd yn oed, yn fy marn i.
You are right, David. That is why I welcome today’s announcement that Derek Wanless is coming to Wales to lead a review, to see how we can ensure the best returns on what are—as you acknowledge—significant increases in our budget. We must stop arguing about how much money is invested in the NHS and start talking about how that money is raised and spent, and how that translates into offering the best service, which the people of Wales expect. The answer lies in increasing capacity and in training and employing more staff. I ask the Finance Minister to commit more resources to allow us to respond to an agenda for change. We must take this argument to Westminster. It will be more expensive to introduce an agenda for change in Wales than in England because of our skills mix and because of our lower grading system. Introducing the agenda for change and responding to the needs of staff in Wales will require resources over and above those for England.
Yr ydych yn iawn, David. Dyna pam y croesawaf y cyhoeddiad heddiw bod Derek Wanless yn dod i Gymru i arwain adolygiad, i weld sut y gallwn gael yr enillion gorau o’r hyn sydd—fel yr ydych yn cydnabod—yn godiadau sylweddol yn ein cyllideb. Rhaid inni roi’r gorau i ddadlau ynghylch pa faint o arian a fuddsoddir yn y GIG a dechrau sôn am y modd y caiff yr arian hwnnw ei godi a’i wario, a beth y mae hynny’n ei olygu o ran cynnig y gwasanaeth gorau, sef yr hyn y mae pobl Cymru’n ei ddisgwyl. Ceir yr ateb drwy gynyddu’r capasiti a hyfforddi a chyflogi rhagor o staff. Gofynnaf i’r Gweinidog Cyllid neilltuo rhagor o adnoddau fel y gallwn ymateb i agenda ar gyfer newid. Rhaid inni fynd â’r ddadl hon i San Steffan. Bydd yn fwy costus cyflwyno agenda ar gyfer newid yng Nghymru nag yn Lloegr oherwydd ein cymysgedd sgiliau a’n system graddio is. Bydd angen mwy o adnoddau nag a geir yn Lloegr i gyflwyno’r agenda ar gyfer newid ac ymateb i anghenion staff yng Nghymru.
I understand why the Finance Minister is keeping money in reserve to respond to Wanless’s report. However, I add a note of caution. We must invest in a sustainable way. In the past, the health service has suffered from one-off initiatives that sought to tackle a problem, but which only succeeded in denuding resources from sustainable investment in the service. It is difficult to attract staff with offers of one-year contracts that only hit specific problems in the system. We must invest in a sustainable way. One of the best ways of attracting desperately-needed staff to Wales, and, more importantly, of keeping staff in the NHS, is by ensuring that the NHS in Wales is seen as the best place to work. That means providing staff with hospitals and equipment that allow them to do their job properly. The state of hospitals in Wales has, traditionally, been poor. I welcome the news that some of the old dilapidated buildings that exist in some communities will be replaced with new, up-to-date, modern facilities. That will allow us to spend money in a better way.
Deallaf pam y mae’r Gweinidog Cyllid yn cadw arian wrth gefn i ymateb i adroddiad Wanless. Fodd bynnag, ychwanegaf nodyn o rybudd. Rhaid inni fuddsoddi mewn modd cynaliadwy. Yn y gorffennol, mae’r gwasanaeth iechyd wedi dioddef gan fentrau un tro a oedd yn ceisio mynd i’r afael â phroblem, dim ond iddynt lwyddo i dynnu adnoddau oddi wrth fuddsoddi cynaliadwy yn y gwasanaeth. Anodd yw denu staff â chynigion o gontractau blwyddyn sydd ond yn ymdrin â phroblemau penodol yn y system. Rhaid buddsoddi mewn modd cynaliadwy. Un o’r dulliau gorau o ddenu’r staff y mae taer angen amdanynt yng Nghymru ac, yn bwysicach, o gadw staff yn y GIG, yw sicrhau y gwelir mai’r GIG yng Nghymru yw’r lle gorau i weithio. Mae hynny’n golygu darparu ysbytai ac offer ar gyfer staff sy’n caniatáu iddynt wneud eu gwaith yn iawn. Gwael fu cyflwr yr ysbytai yng Nghymru yn y gorffennol. Croesawaf y newyddion y bydd rhai o’r hen adeiladau dadfeiliedig a geir mewn rhai cymunedau’n cael eu disodli gan gyfleusterau modern, cyfoes, newydd. Bydd hynny’n fodd inni wario arian yn well.
It is also important to match spending in the NHS with spending in the social care sector. We have failed—and the Labour Government in London still fails—to match investment in the NHS with investment in social care. I am pleased to see an investment in social care going forward in line with investment in the NHS so that we can deliver the seamless service that is often referred to in the Chamber but which does not relate to patients’ experiences within the services in Wales. The high numbers of people experiencing delayed transfers of care, for example, show us that we must ensure that investment in both sectors goes forward with a twin-tracked approach.
Mae hefyd yn bwysig i wariant yn y GIG gyfateb â gwariant yn y sector gofal cymdeithasol. Yr ydym ni wedi methu—ac mae’r Llywodraeth Lafur yn Llundain yn methu o hyd—â buddsoddi i’r un graddau mewn gofal cymdeithasol ag yn y GIG. Yr wyf yn falch o weld buddsoddi mewn gofal cymdeithasol yn mynd rhagddo’n unol â buddsoddi yn y GIG fel y gallwn ddarparu’r gwasanaeth di-dor y cyfeirir ato’n aml yn y Siambr hon ond nad yw’n cyfateb i brofiad cleifion yn y gwasanaethau yng Nghymru. Mae’r niferoedd mawr o bobl sy’n profi oedi wrth drosglwyddo gofal, er enghraifft, yn dangos inni fod rhaid inni sicrhau bod y buddsoddi yn y ddau sector yn mynd ymlaen law yn llaw.
Despite the rhetoric of the Assembly Government and Labour and Liberal Democrat Members, they are in a difficult situation. When the Assembly elections are held in a little over six months’ time, they will have to answer the criticisms with regard to the doubling of waiting lists, dilapidated school buildings—
Er gwaethaf rhethreg Llywodraeth y Cynulliad ac Aelodau Llafur a’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol, maent mewn sefyllfa anodd. Pan gynhelir etholiadau’r Cynulliad ymhen ychydig dros chwe mis, bydd yn rhaid iddynt ateb y beirniadaethau ynghylch dyblu’r rhestrau aros, adeiladau ysgol dadfeiliedig—
I acknowledged in my contribution that the waiting list situation is serious. However, if you and your party have found a quicker way of training doctors or nurses, please tell me, because I would happily implement that. We are currently investing money, which takes time to filter through to provide results for patients on the ground.
Cydnabûm yn fy nghyfraniad fod sefyllfa’r rhestrau aros yn ddifrifol. Fodd bynnag, os ydych chi a’ch plaid wedi dod o hyd i ddull cyflymach o hyfforddi meddygon neu nyrsys, dywedwch wrthyf, os gwelwch yn dda, gan y byddwn yn falch iawn o’i weithredu. Yr ydym yn buddsoddi arian ar hyn o bryd, sy’n cymryd amser i fynd drwodd i ddod â chanlyniadau i’r cleifion.
Why are half the nurses currently registered not qualified? The NHS is not operating effectively and is not encouraging people back to work for the NHS. The reason for this is the crisis that has existed over the last five years or so.
Pam y mae hanner y nyrsys sydd wedi’u cofrestru ar hyn o bryd heb ymgymhwyso? Nid yw’r GIG yn gweithredu’n effeithiol ac nid yw’n annog pobl i ddod yn ôl i weithio i’r GIG. Y rheswm am hynny yw’r argyfwng a fu dros yr oddeutu pum mlynedd diwethaf.
It is extraordinary that Liberal and Labour Members keep telling us that it takes a few years to train doctors and nurses as if it was news to us. We all know that. Why did they promise to cut waiting lists if they knew this three years ago?
Mae’n rhyfeddol bod yr Aelodau Rhyddfrydol a Llafur yn dal i ddweud wrthym ei bod yn cymryd ychydig o flynyddoedd i hyffordi meddygon a nyrsys fel pe byddai hynny’n newyddion i ni. Yr ydym oll yn gwybod hynny. Pam y gwnaethant addo torri’r rhestrau aros os gwyddent hynny dair blynedd yn ôl?
You are right, David, I could not have put it better myself.
Yr ydych yn iawn, David, ni allaswn ei roi’n well fy hun.
I will contain my comments specifically to economic development, before going on to a wider taxation issue. I was staggered to hear the Minister claim that European structural funding is a great success, and could not believe her audacity in claiming that no project would lack funding, be it PES cover or match funding. Will the Minister confirm that the original profile for structural funding was in the region of £340 million a year by 2003-04? The budget merely highlights £220 million a year. However, to be fair to the Minister, there would obviously be a private sector element in that. I am being generous by highlighting that that could achieve £40 million, which again leaves a shortfall of £80 million in the programme.
Cyfyngaf fy sylwadau i ddatblygu economaidd yn benodol, cyn mynd ymlaen at fater ehangach o drethiant. Synnais yn fawr o glywed honiad y Gweinidog fod y cyllido strwythurol Ewropeaidd yn llwyddiant mawr, ac ni allwn goelio y gallai fod mor ddigywilydd â honni na fyddai’r un prosiect heb gyllid, boed yn arian yr arolwg gwariant cyhoeddus neu’n gyllid cyfatebol. A wnaiff y Gweinidog gadarnhau mai’r proffil gwreiddiol ar gyfer cyllido strwythurol oedd tua £340 miliwn y flwyddyn erbyn 2003-04? Dim ond £220 miliwn y flwyddyn y mae’r gyllideb yn ei nodi. Er hynny, a bod yn deg â’r Gweinidog, mae’n amlwg y byddai elfen sector preifat yn hynny. Yr wyf yn nodi’n fawrfrydig y gallai hynny sicrhau £40 miliwn, sydd unwaith eto’n gadael diffyg o £80 miliwn yn y rhaglen.
The answer is in what has been hailed today as the great success of the comprehensive spending review in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s last budget. There is no doubt that an element of extra funding was given to the Barnett formula. However, let us not forget that that was the European element, which is money to which we are entitled in the first place from the European Commission, and that the Chancellor has decided to filter out. Some £164 million extra was given over and above Barnett in spite of the need to spend £190 million of European money—£150 million of match funding in all. We should be spending, and Wales needs and deserves £340 million for the structural funding programme to work, not £164 million as was offered in the comprehensive spending review and in this budget.
Mae’r ateb i’w gael yn yr hyn a alwyd heddiw’n llwyddiant mawr yr adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant yng nghyllideb ddiwethaf Canghellor y Trysorlys. Nid oes dwywaith na roddwyd elfen o gyllid ychwanegol at fformiwla Barnett. Fodd bynnag, gadewch inni beidio ag anghofio mai honno oedd yr elfen Ewropeaidd, sy’n arian yr oedd gennym hawl i’w gael yn y lle cyntaf gan y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd, ac y penderfynodd y Canghellor ei dynnu allan. Rhoddwyd tua £164 miliwn yn ychwanegol ar ben grant Barnett er gwaethaf yr angen i wario £190 miliwn o arian Ewropeaidd—£150 miliwn o gyllid cyfatebol gyda’i gilydd. Dylem fod yn gwario, ac mae ar Gymru angen ei haeddiant o £340 miliwn i’r rhaglen cyllido strwythurol weithio, nid y £164 miliwn a gynigiwyd yn yr adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant ac yn y gyllideb hon.
Will you give me a brief résumé of the Conservative Government’s success on Objective 1 in Wales?
A wnewch roi crynodeb byr o lwyddiant y Llywodraeth Geidwadol ar Amcan 1 yng Nghymru?
We did not have Objective 1 in Wales at the time. However, the reason that Wales now has Objective 1 is because of the local government reorganisation that we introduced, which allowed us to make that bid for structural funding.
Nid oedd gennym Amcan 1 yng Nghymru ar y pryd. Fodd bynnag, mae Amcan 1 gan Gymru’n awr oherwydd yr ad-drefnu ar lywodraeth leol a gyflwynasom ni, a ganiataodd inni wneud y cais hwnnw am gyllid strwythurol.
Having highlighted those shortfalls, will the Minister identify which budget line they have come from—is it health, education, social services, or which other essential service has been cut as a result of the structural funds shortfall? Extra money has gone to health, which should be welcome. The deficiencies in the health service have already been identified in earlier interventions. However, no-one has yet mentioned the double-whammy of national insurance contributions in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s last budget. Not only will the employee, the nurse, for example, have to pay extra tax in national insurance, but also the public sector—the Assembly will have to carry the can as an employer in the NHS. My estimate is that it will be at least £15 million. I would be grateful if the Finance Minister will tell us what her estimate is, and how much will come out of the health budget line, purely because of taxes introduced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which sends money from Wales back to Westminster.
Gan fy mod wedi tynnu sylw at y diffygion hynny, a wnaiff y Gweinidog nodi o ba linell gyllideb y daethant—ai iechyd, ai addysg, ai’r gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, neu pa wasanaeth hanfodol arall a dorrwyd o ganlyniad i’r diffyg yn y cronfeydd strwythurol? Mae arian ychwanegol wedi mynd at iechyd, a dylid croesawu hynny. Mae’r gwendidau yn y gwasanaeth iechyd wedi’u nodi eisoes mewn ymyriadau cynharach. Fodd bynnag, nid oes neb wedi sôn eto am ergyd ddwbl y cyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol yng nghyllideb ddiwethaf Canghellor y Trysorlys. Nid yn unig y bydd y gweithiwr, y nyrs, er enghraifft, yn gorfod talu treth ychwanegol mewn yswiriant gwladol, ond bydd y sector cyhoeddus hefyd—y Cynulliad fydd yn gorfod dwyn y baich fel cyflogwr yn y GIG. Yr wyf yn amcangyfrif y bydd yn £15 miliwn o leiaf. Byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe byddai’r Gweinidog Cyllid yn dweud wrthym beth yw ei hamcangyfrif hi, a faint a ddaw o linell gyllideb iechyd, dim ond oherwydd y trethi a gyflwynwyd gan Ganghellor y Trysorlys, sy’n anfon arian o Gymru’n ôl i San Steffan.
I declare an interest as chair of the national maritime project in Swansea. I join others in congratulating Edwina on this excellent budget. It is well balanced, and is a budget for the people. It builds on previous budgets, and the work that is already being delivered is excellent. This huge investment in education and health shows that Labour values public services. That point has been made this afternoon. As you have only given me two minutes to speak, Deputy Presiding Officer, I will highlight just a few points. One, in particular, is further education pay, to which Tom Middlehurst has already referred. If we are to deliver on our ambitious education agenda we must have the best teachers. This is important for further education. I am pleased that we are continuing with Communities First, which involves ordinary people. The working party that you will set up with the Welsh Local Government Association to consider free access for children during school holidays to leisure facilities is an excellent initiative. The additional investment in early years must be welcome. However, as the Assembly Member for Newport West, I stress the importance of the Ryder Cup’s impact on the Welsh economy. The fact that you have recognised that by adding this additional allocation is welcome. I congratulate Edwina.
Datganaf fuddiant fel cadeirydd prosiect cenedlaethol y glannau yn Abertawe. Ymunaf ag eraill i longyfarch Edwina ar y gyllideb ragorol hon. Mae’n gytbwys, ac mae’n gyllideb i’r bobl. Mae’n adeiladu ar sail cyllidebau blaenorol, ac mae’r gwaith a gyflawnir eisoes yn rhagorol. Mae’r buddsoddiad anferth hwn mewn addysg ac iechyd yn dangos bod Llafur yn trysori gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Gwnaed y pwynt hwnnw y prynhawn yma. Gan nad ydych ond wedi rhoi dwy funud imi siarad, Ddirprwy Lywydd, tynnaf sylw at ychydig o bwyntiau’n unig. Un, yn benodol, yw’r tâl mewn addysg bellach, y mae Tom Middlehurst wedi cyfeirio ato eisoes. Os ydym i fynd â’r maen i’r wal yn ein hagenda addysg uchelgeisiol rhaid inni gael yr athrawon gorau. Mae hynny’n bwysig i addysg bellach. Yr wyf yn falch ein bod yn parhau â Rhoi Cymunedau’n Gyntaf, sy’n ymwneud â phobl gyffredin. Mae’r gweithgor y byddwch yn ei sefydlu gyda Chymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru i ystyried mynediad di-dâl i blant yn ystod gwyliau’r ysgol i gyfleusterau hamdden yn fenter ragorol. Rhaid croesawu’r buddsoddiad ychwanegol yn y blynyddoedd cynnar. Fodd bynnag, fel yr Aelod Cynulliad dros Orllewin Casnewydd, pwysleisiaf mor bwysig yw effaith Cwpan Ryder ar economi Cymru. Mae’r ffaith eich bod wedi cydnabod hynny drwy roi’r dyraniad ychwanegol hwn i’w chroesawu. Llongyfarchaf Edwina.
Cyfeiriaf at ddau fater y cyfeiriodd y Gweinidog Cyllid atynt. Fodd bynnag, cyfeiriaf atynt fel materion a gaiff sylw wedi’r gyllideb. Yn gyntaf, diolchaf i’r Gweinidog am ei hymrwymiad i sicrhau cyllid i Ardd Fotaneg Genedlaethol Cymru yn fy etholaeth i, Dwyrain Caerfyrddin a Dinefwr. Deallaf y gellir trin hyn fel mater y tu allan i’r gyllideb oherwydd ei fod yn swm cymharol fach. Fodd bynnag, mae’n swm eithriadol o bwysig o ran sicrhau y gall Gardd Fotaneg Genedlaethol Cymru weithredu i’w photensial llawn.
I will refer to two matters to which the Finance Minister referred. However, I will refer to them as matters that will receive attention after the budget. First, I thank the Minister for her commitment to ensuring funds for the National Botanic Garden of Wales in my constituency of Carmarthen East and Dinefwr. I understand that this can be treated as being outside the budget because it is a comparatively small sum of money. Nevertheless, it is an exceptionally important sum in ensuring that the National Botanic Garden of Wales can operate to its full potential.
Cyfeiriodd y Gweinidog hefyd at ymrwymiad y Llywodraeth i dwf ieithyddol. Mae hi’n gwybod bod adolygiad a gyflawnwyd gan y Pwyllgor Diwylliant a’r Pwyllgor Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes yn galw am fuddsoddiad helaeth mewn addysg cyn-ysgol, ac i gontinwwm addysgiadol gael ei greu, i’w fwydo drwy’r systemau addysg gynradd ac uwchradd, ac addysg bellach ac uwch.
The Minister also referred to the Government’s commitment to language growth. She will know that a review undertaken by the Culture Committee and the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee recommends extensive investment in pre-school education and the creation of an educational continuum, to feed through the primary, secondary, further and higher education systems.
Dywed y Gweinidog y bydd arian yn cael ei neilltuo y tu hwnt i’r gyllideb ar gyfer hyn. Fodd bynnag, yr hyn sydd yn fy mhoeni i yw a fydd digon? Mae angen symiau sylweddol i ddiwygio’r system addysg yn y modd y mae’r arolwg yn ei argymell. Gwn am ymrwymiad personol y Gweinidog i’r Gymraeg ac i dwf ieithyddol yng Nghymru, ond hoffwn sicrwydd y prynhawn yma y bydd y symiau sydd eu hangen er mwyn gwneud y gwaith hwn, fel y’i amlinellwyd yn yr adolygiad, yn cael eu priodoli, ac y bydd symiau ar gael y tu allan i’r gyllideb hon.
The Minister says that money will be allocated outside the budget for this. However, I am concerned that it will not be enough. Significant sums are needed to reform the education system in the way recommended by the review. I know of the Minister’s personal commitment to the Welsh language and language growth in Wales, but I want an assurance this afternoon that the sums required for this work, as outlined in the review, will be appropriated, and that sums will be available outside this budget.
I am pleased to support this budget, which clearly shows that the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government is committed to public services. There is an unprecedented increase of 11 per cent in the social services budget, which, I remind the new Conservative finance spokesman, differs from the year-on-year cuts made by his party. I note that this increase will be concentrated on care for the elderly and children’s services, and this must be welcome. The Minister proposes an excellent settlement for local government and I congratulate her on her success in building an effective and productive partnership with local authorities.
Yr wyf yn falch o gefnogi’r gyllideb hon, sy’n dangos yn glir fod Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru dan arweiniad Llafur wedi ymrwymo i wasanaethau cyhoeddus. Mae cynnydd digyffelyb o 11 y cant yn y gyllideb gwasanaethau cymdeithasol sydd, yr wyf yn atgoffa llefarydd cyllid newydd y Ceidwadwyr, yn wahanol i’r toriadau o flwyddyn i flwyddyn a wnaed gan ei blaid ef. Sylwaf y caiff y cynnydd hwn ei ganolbwyntio ar ofal am yr henoed a gwasanaethau plant, a rhaid croesawu hynny. Mae’r Gweinidog yn cynnig setliad rhagorol ar gyfer llywodraeth leol ac fe’i llongyfarchaf ar ei llwyddiant yn creu partneriaeth effeithiol a chynhyrchiol gyda’r awdurdodau lleol.
The increase of 6.2 per cent—
Mae’r cynnydd o 6.2 y cant—
You state that this settlement is excellent for local government. As local government is a major public sector employer, have you assessed what its national insurance contribution is now likely to be?
Dywedwch fod y setliad hwn yn un rhagorol i lywodraeth leol. Gan fod llywodraeth leol yn gyflogwr sector cyhoeddus pwysig, a ydych wedi asesu beth fydd maint tebygol y cyfraniad yswiriant gwladol?
Will you repeat the last part of your question?
A wnewch ailadrodd y rhan olaf o’ch cwestiwn?
As a result of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s budget, employers must now pay an extra 1 per cent of national insurance contributions. Therefore, extra tax must be paid for employing people through the health service, local government and the education system. Can you highlight the overall cost of the national insurance contributions to Wales as an employer?
O ganlyniad i gyllideb Canghellor y Trysorlys, rhaid i gyflogwyr dalu 1 y cant yn ychwaneg yn awr o gyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol. Felly, rhaid talu treth ychwanegol am gyflogi pobl drwy’r gwasanaeth iechyd, llywodraeth leol a’r system addysg. A allwch nodi cyfanswm cost y cyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol i Gymru fel cyflogwr?
It would be easier to answer you if your question was clearer. The Minister proposes an excellent settlement for local government—I will not apologise for repeating that—and I congratulate her on her success, as I have said, in building this partnership.
Byddai’n haws eich ateb pe byddai’ch cwestiwn yn fwy eglur. Mae’r Gweinidog yn cynnig setliad ardderchog ar gyfer llywodraeth leol—nid ymddiheuraf am ailadrodd hynny—ac fe’i llongyfarchaf ar ei llwyddiant, fel y dywedais, yn creu’r bartneriaeth hon.
The increase in the rate support grant of 6.2 per cent is remarkable, as is the new £20 million deprivation grant which is proposed outside the revenue support grant, on the basis of the deprivation indices. This shows that Labour is the party of social justice. I look forward to hearing the details, which should mean good news for the people of Neath Port Talbot, whom I represent.
Mae’r cynnydd o 6.2 y cant yn y grant cynnal refeniw yn rhyfeddol, fel y mae’r grant amddifadedd newydd o £20 miliwn a gynigir y tu allan i’r grant cynnal refeniw, ar sail y mynegrifau amddifadedd. Dengys hyn mai plaid cyfiawnder cymdeithasol yw Llafur. Edrychaf ymlaen at glywed y manylion, a ddylai fod yn newyddion da i bobl Castell-nedd Port Talbot, a gynrychiolir gennyf.
Local authority commitment to deliver on policy agreements is welcome, and the development of partnership working between the Assembly and different agencies in the voluntary and statutory sectors is becoming more and more apparent. This draft budget will further strengthen these partnerships and offer increased resources for the delivery of services through joint-working initiatives. Increased funding for housing demonstrates the Minister’s commitment to improving the quality of life for the homeless and the vulnerable. I also welcome the fire and community safety initiatives. The Minister has shown a commitment to the whole of Wales by introducing new flexibility to access regeneration funds in all parts of Wales. The Minister deserves congratulations on today’s draft budget, and she deserves the support of every Assembly Member.
Mae’r ymrwymiad gan awdurdodau lleol i gyflawni cytundebau polisi i’w groesawu, ac mae’r datblygu yn y gweithio mewn partneriaeth rhwng y Cynulliad a’r gwahanol asiantaethau yn y sectorau gwirfoddol a statudol yn dod yn fwyfwy amlwg. Bydd y gyllideb ddrafft hon yn atgyfnerthu’r partneriaethau hynny ymhellach ac yn cynnig rhagor o adnoddau i ddarparu gwasanaethau drwy fentrau sy’n gweithio ar y cyd. Mae’r cynnydd yn y cyllid i dai yn dangos bod y Gweinidog wedi ymrwymo i wella ansawdd bywyd y digartref a’r rhai sy’n agored i niwed. Yr wyf hefyd yn croesawu’r mentrau diogelwch cymunedol a thân. Mae’r Gweinidog wedi dangos ymrwymiad i Gymru gyfan drwy gyflwyno dull hyblyg newydd o gael at gronfeydd adfywio ym mhob rhan o Gymru. Mae’r Gweinidog yn haeddu’i llongyfarch ar y gyllideb ddrafft heddiw, ac mae’n haeddu cefnogaeth pob Aelod Cynulliad.
I declare an interest as a member of Swansea City and County Council. One of the key themes of this draft budget is its commitment to tackling poverty, deprivation and ill health. All the money that has been allocated works towards that aim. For that reason, it is a successful budget. It is an advantage to speak near the end of the debate, as I have listened to the contributions. Two themes are emerging. Members are complaining about reserves on the one hand, and on the other hand, that we have not put enough money into this, that or the other. We cannot win. On transparency, these tables are similar to the ones presented to us in the first budget in 1999. They are an improvement on that because of the way in which they have been ordered. Transparency is not a problem. I will make a couple of points. Firstly, on reserves—
Datganaf fuddiant fel aelod o Gyngor Dinas a Sir Abertawe. Un o’r themâu allweddol yn y gyllideb ddrafft hon yw’r ymrwymiad i fynd i’r afael â thlodi, amddifadedd ac iechyd gwael. Mae’r holl arian a ddyrannwyd yn cyrchu’r nod honno. Oherwydd hynny, mae’n gyllideb lwyddiannus. Mantais yw siarad tua diwedd y ddadl, gan fy mod wedi gwrando ar y cyfraniadau. Mae dwy thema’n dod i’r golwg. Mae rhai Aelodau’n cwyno ynghylch y cronfeydd wrth gefn ar y naill law, ac ar y llaw arall, nad ydym wedi rhoi digon o arian at hyn a’r llall. Ni fedrwn ennill. Ynghylch tryloywder, mae’r tablau hyn yn debyg i’r rhai a gyflwynwyd i ni yn y gyllideb gyntaf yn 1999. Maent yn well na hynny oherwydd y dull o’u trefnu. Nid yw tryloywder yn broblem. Gwnaf un neu ddau o bwyntiau. Yn gyntaf, ynghylch y cronfeydd wrth gefn—
You may wish to clarify whether or not you are speaking as a Liberal Democrat or as a member of the Government when you respond. Do you talk to schools and teachers, because they will tell you clearly that they do not feel that there is transparency in the way the education budget is filtered down to them? Nobody is denying that the way the budget is presented now is a great deal better than in the days of the Welsh Office. However, if you talk to any headteacher, they will say that there is an 8 per cent increase in the education budget and a 2 per cent increase in their school budget, for example. They need to know what has happened in between.
Efallai yr hoffech egluro wrth ymateb a ydych yn siarad fel Democrat Rhyddfrydol neu fel aelod o’r Llywodraeth. A ydych yn siarad ag ysgolion ac athrawon, oherwydd dywedant yn bendant wrthych nad ydynt yn teimlo bod tryloywder o ran y modd y caiff y gyllideb addysg ei hidlo i lawr atynt? Nid oes neb yn gwadu nad yw’r dull o gyflwyno’r gyllideb yn awr yn well o lawer nag yn nyddiau’r Swyddfa Gymreig. Er hynny, os siaradwch ag unrhyw bennaeth ysgol, dywed fod 8 y cant o gynnydd yn y gyllideb addysg a 2 y cant o gynnydd yn ei gyllideb ysgol, er enghraifft. Mae arnynt angen gwybod beth sydd wedi digwydd rhwng y ddau.
I speak to schools and those figures are sent to me, but I am talking about the transparency of this budget. I do not know whether Helen Mary is now advocating ringfencing education spending from this National Assembly or how she wants to achieve that transparency. That is not a policy that this Assembly is pursuing at this stage. I was about to talk about the reserves, and I am trying to be as quick as possible to assist the time. Reserves have been measured a number of times. I have checked the budget tables that came before us this time last year. In the reserves, £24 million was allocated, of which £20 million was subsequently allocated to fund Assembly learning grants. The tables before us allocate £90 million to the reserve. If you study the tables, the £232 million that seems to have been taken out of the reserve is in fact the extra money that came into the budget as a result of the comprehensive spending review, which was subsequently allocated through the changes. If you add up everything in the ‘changes’ column, you get £232 million. I do not want to turn my contribution into a lesson on how to interpret the budget, but there is a threefold increase in reserves on last year in real terms in this budget. That must be noted and we must take account of it.
Yr wyf yn siarad â’r ysgolion ac anfonir y ffigurau hynny ataf, ond yr wyf yn sôn am dryloywder y gyllideb hon. Ni wn a yw Helen Mary yn dadlau y dylai’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol bridiannu’r gwariant ar addysg neu sut y mae am sicrhau’r tryloywder hwnnw. Nid yw hynny’n bolisi y mae’r Cynulliad hwn yn ei ddilyn ar hyn o bryd. Yr oeddwn ar fin sôn am y cronfeydd wrth gefn, ac yr wyf yn ceisio brysio cymaint ag y medraf er mwyn gadael amser. Mesurwyd y cronfeydd wrth gefn sawl gwaith. Yr wyf wedi gwirio’r tablau cyllideb a oedd ger ein bron yr adeg hon y llynedd. Yn y cronfeydd wrth gefn, yr oedd dyraniad o £24 miliwn, y dyrannwyd £20 miliwn ohono wedyn i ariannu grantiau dysgu’r Cynulliad. Mae’r tablau sydd ger ein bron yn dyrannu £90 miliwn i’r gronfa wrth gefn. Os astudiwch y tablau, mae’r £232 miliwn yr ymddengys ei fod wedi’i dynnu o’r gronfa wrth gefn mewn gwirionedd yn arian ychwanegol a ddaeth i’r gyllideb o ganlyniad i’r adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant, a ddyrannwyd wedyn drwy’r newidiadau. Os adiwch bopeth yn y golofn ‘newidiadau’, cewch £232 miliwn. Nid wyf am droi fy nghyfraniad yn wers ar ddehongli’r gyllideb, ond mae cynnydd triphlyg gwirioneddol yn y cronfeydd wrth gefn yn y gyllideb hon o’i gymharu â’r llynedd. Rhaid nodi hynny a rhaid inni’i ystyried.
On drugs and alcohol and safer communities, I welcome the £2.6 million that has been allocated for safer communities next year. I particularly welcome the Minister’s commitment to help fund Operation Tarian, which is the police force’s operation against drug dealing in south Wales. That is an important project that deserves this Assembly’s support. The Minister has also made a commitment to fund drug and alcohol programmes in her final budget as soon as she receives the outcome of that review. These are major issues affecting deprived communities on which this Assembly is taking action in this budget.
O ran alcohol a chyffuriau a chymunedau diogelach, croesawaf y £2.6 miliwn a ddyrannwyd ar gyfer cymunedau diogelach y flwyddyn nesaf. Croesawaf yn arbennig ymrwymiad y Gweinidog i helpu i ariannu Ymgyrch Tarian, sef ymgyrch yr heddlu yn erbyn gwerthu cyffuriau yn y De. Mae hwnnw’n brosiect pwysig sy’n haeddu cefnogaeth y Cynulliad. Mae’r Gweinidog hefyd wedi ymrwymo i ariannu rhaglenni alcohol a chyffuriau yn ei chyllideb derfynol cyn gynted ag y caiff ganlyniad yr adolygiad hwnnw. Mae’r rhain yn faterion o bwys sy’n effeithio ar gymunedau difreintiedig y mae’r Cynulliad hwn yn cymryd camau yn eu cylch yn y gyllideb hon.
On local government, I welcome the 6.2 per cent uplift—the £181 million extra—but even more, I welcome the £20 million that has been allocated as a deprivation fund to local government to deal with deprivation in their communities according to the level of deprivation. There is a commitment that every local council in Wales will receive a share of that fund. That is an important commitment, which means that more resources are available to local government than the additional £181 million. That will help local councils to tackle deprivation in a non-ring-fenced way and in accordance with their programmes and priorities. That is an exceedingly important part of the budget.
Ynghylch llywodraeth leol, croesawaf y cynnydd o 6.2 y cant—y £181 miliwn yn ychwaneg—ond yn fwy na hynny hyd yn oed, croesawaf y £20 miliwn a ddyrannwyd ar ffurf cronfa amddifadedd i lywodraeth leol ddelio ag amddifadedd yn eu cymunedau yn ôl lefel yr amddifadedd. Mae ymrwymiad y bydd pob cyngor lleol yng Nghymru’n derbyn cyfran o’r gronfa honno. Ymrwymiad pwysig yw hwnnw, sy’n golygu bod mwy o adnoddau ar gael i lywodraeth leol na’r £181 miliwn ychwanegol. Bydd hynny’n helpu cynghorau lleol i fynd i’r afael ag amddifadedd heb bridiannu arian ac mewn modd sy’n unol â’u rhaglenni a’u blaenoriaethau. Mae honno’n rhan eithriadol o bwysig o’r gyllideb hon.
We are tackling housing in a more holistic way, funding regeneration and community schemes. The emphases on rapid response adaptations, community fire safety, homelessness and on home energy efficiency schemes show that our commitment to try to help people in communities and improve their safety is absolute. This budget should be commended for that commitment, and for how it tackles deprivation, ill-health and poverty.
Yr ydym yn ymdrin â thai drwy ddull mwy cyfannol, gan ariannu adfywio a chynlluniau cymunedol. Mae’r pwyslais ar addasiadau ymateb brys, diogelwch tân cymunedol, digartrefedd ac ar gynlluniau effeithlonrwydd ynni cartref yn dangos ein bod wedi ymrwymo’n llwyr i geisio helpu pobl mewn cymunedau a gwella eu diogelwch. Dylid canmol y gyllideb hon oherwydd yr ymrwymiad hwnnw, ac am y modd y mae’n mynd i’r afael ag amddifadedd, iechyd gwael a thlodi.
Ieuan Wyn Jones siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 92
Ieuan Wyn Jones spoken in Welsh and English p. 92
Eisteddais drwy’r ddadl hon ar ei hyd heddiw; y mae’n hynod bwysig. Hon fydd y ddadl ar y gyllideb olaf a gaiff ei chytuno cyn etholiadau’r Cynulliad y flwyddyn nesaf. Mae popeth a glywsom—gan y Gweinidog a phob Aelod Llafur arall yn canmol y cyfan ynddi—yn awgrymu mai cyllideb ar gyfer etholiad ydyw.
in Welsh I have sat through this debate in its entirety today; it is extremely important. This is the debate on the last budget to be agreed before the Assembly elections next year. Everything that we have heard—from the Minister and every other Labour Member, praising everything contained in it—indicates that this is an election budget.
Yr ydym hefyd wedi sylweddoli ar ba faes y bydd y Blaid Lafur yn ymladd yr etholiad, sef bod arian yma i wella gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Bydd brwydr fawr rhwng y pleidiau o safbwynt hynny yn yr etholiad.
in Welsh We have also realised on what grounds the Labour Party will fight the election, namely that money is available here to improve public services. That will be an important battleground during the election.
Mae diffyg eglurder mewn sawl man yn y gyllideb hon, sy’n awgrymu yn gryf—ac yn arferol i lywodraeth mewn blwyddyn etholiad—fod y Llywodraeth yn rhoi digon o sgôp i’w hunan i wneud sawl datganiad yn ystod y flwyddyn ar sut y caiff yr arian ei wario. Mae ein cymunedau am wybod os yw’r arian ar gael ar gyfer y cynllun hwn a’r llall eleni, pam nad oedd ar gael o’r blaen, neu pam na chafodd ei gyhoeddi yn y gyllideb heddiw?
in Welsh This budget lacks clarity on several issues, which strongly suggests—as is usual for a government during an election year—that the Government is allowing itself enough lee-way to make numerous statements over the coming year on how the money will be spent. Our communities want to know, if the money is available for various schemes this year, why has it not been available in the past, or why was it not announced in today’s budget?
Mae Janet Ryder wedi dangos yn glir sut y ceisiodd y Llywodraeth daflu llwch i’n llygaid—ond ni lwyddodd. Mae gwelliannau Plaid Cymru yn gofyn i’r Llywodraeth fod yn fwy agored o ran dangos sut y caiff gwasanaethau pwysig eu cyllido, yn enwedig gwasanaethau addysg ac iechyd. Clywsom Dai Lloyd yn siarad ar iechyd, Helen Mary Jones ar addysg, Geraint Davies ar fater cyffuriau—lle y dywedwn fod arian sylweddol yn dod i mewn, ond arian a glustnodwyd eisoes ydyw—Owen John Thomas ar ddiwylliant, Janet Davies ar drafnidiaeth a Rhodri Glyn Thomas hefyd. Yr hyn a gawn heddiw yw diffyg eglurder ar sut y caiff yr arian hwn ei wario. Mae gan Blaid Cymru flaenoriaethau gwario gwahanol mewn sawl maes gwahanol.
in Welsh Janet Ryder has clearly shown how the Government tried and failed to pull the wool over our eyes. Plaid Cymru’s amendments ask the Government to be more open in showing how important services are funded, particularly education and health. We heard Dai Lloyd speak on health, Helen Mary Jones on education, Geraint Davies on the matter of drugs—where it is said that substantial funds are being made available, but they have already been earmarked—Owen John Thomas on culture, Janet Davies on transport and also Rhodri Glyn Thomas. What we have today is a lack of clarity as to how this money will be spent. Plaid Cymru has different spending priorities in several different areas.
We have recognised that spending money on health promotion is vital if we are to achieve a healthier Wales. What possible sense can there be in reducing the health promotion budget, aimed at promoting a healthy diet and running an anti-smoking campaign, while still finding plenty of money—over £15.5 million—to restructure the health service in Wales? Through the creation of 22 health boards, some 50 boards, trusts, partnerships and other bodies will run the health service in Wales: all this for a country of 3 million people. Why is this bloated bureaucracy more important than promoting a healthy lifestyle? Managers and administrators do not save lives; doctors and nurses do. Let us get real about the contents of this budget.
yn Saesneg Yr ydym wedi cydnabod ei bod yn hollbwysig gwario arian ar hybu iechyd os ydym i sicrhau Cymru iachach. Pa synnwyr a geir mewn lleihau’r gyllideb hybu iechyd, sydd â’r amcan o hybu deiet iach a rhedeg ymgyrch gwrth-ysmygu, ac ar yr un pryd ddod o hyd i ddigon o arian—dros £15.5 miliwn—i ailstrwythuro’r gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru? Drwy greu 22 o fyrddau iechyd, rhyw 50 o fyrddau, ymddiriedolaethau, partneriaethau a chyrff eraill fydd yn rhedeg y gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru: a hyn oll ar gyfer gwlad o 3 miliwn o bobl. Pam y mae’r fiwrocratiaeth chwyddedig hon yn bwysicach na hybu ffordd iach o fyw? Nid rheolwyr a gweinyddwyr sy’n achub bywydau, ond meddygon a nyrsys. Gadewch inni sylweddoli beth yn union sydd yn y gyllideb hon.
In her opening remarks, the Finance Minister did not address the matter of how the Assembly is funded, which is why we tabled amendment 5. We are told that we have a good comprehensive spending review settlement, but the Finance Minister keeps avoiding this question: why is the increase in the Welsh block less than the increase in UK spending departments’ budgets? She does not answer the question because she knows that to do so would be to acknowledge the simple truth that Wales is a major loser under the present funding system.
yn Saesneg Yn ei sylwadau agoriadol, nid ymdriniodd y Gweinidog Cyllid â’r mater o ddull ariannu’r Cynulliad, a dyna pam inni gyflwyno gwelliant 5. Dywedir wrthym fod gennym setliad da drwy’r adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant, ond mae’r Gweinidog Cyllid yn dal i osgoi’r cwestiwn hwn: pam y mae’r cynnydd ym mloc Cymru’n llai na’r cynnydd yng nghyllidebau adrannau gwario’r DU? Nid yw’n ateb y cwestiwn gan ei bod yn gwybod y byddai gwneud hynny’n golygu cydnabod y gwir plaen bod Cymru ar ei cholled yn ddirfawr o dan y system gyllido bresennol.
Her coalition partners, the Liberal Democrats, are not so coy. They openly acknowledge that the Barnett formula is flawed. They also say that they are the driving force behind the coalition. At his party conference in Brighton on 24 September, Mike German said that the Government may be led by Labour, but it is driven by the Liberal Democrats. If so, why is there not a commitment to change the Barnett formula? Wales would benefit from an additional £750 million if Mike German’s driving could secure a better Barnett formula.
yn Saesneg Nid yw ei phartneriaid yn y glymblaid, y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol, mor swil. Maent yn cydnabod yn agored fod diffyg yn fformiwla Barnett. Dywedant hefyd mai hwy yw prif ysgogydd y glymblaid. Yng nghynhadledd ei blaid yn Brighton ar 24 Medi, dywedodd Mike German fod y Llywodraeth yn cael ei harwain gan Lafur o bosibl, ond ei bod yn cael ei gyrru gan y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol. Os felly, pam nad oes ymrwymiad i newid fformiwla Barnett? Byddai Cymru’n cael budd o £750 miliwn ychwanegol os gallai gyrru Mike German sicrhau gwell fformiwla Barnett.
We are determined to ensure that the Finance Minister addresses this question. I invite all Members to vote with us, and I sincerely hope that the Liberal Democrats will see the error of their ways and support amendment 5.
yn Saesneg Yr ydym yn benderfynol o sicrhau bod y Gweinidog Cyllid yn rhoi sylw i’r cwestiwn hwn. Gwahoddaf yr holl Aelodau i bleidleisio gyda ni, a gwir obeithiaf y bydd y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yn gweld eu camgymeriad ac yn cefnogi gwelliant 5.
Edwina Hart The Finance Minister spoken in English p. 94
Edwina Hart Y Gweinidog Cyllid siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 94
The simple truth about this discussion, including some of Ieuan Wyn Jones’s points, is that you cannot knock us on the budget therefore you have resorted to knocking Barnett. While we are dealing with delivery of services such as health and education, you trot out the familiar refrain that Barnett is not good for Wales. Barnett has delivered for Wales. We had a good comprehensive spending review and are now seeing delivery. However, I want to debate the issues that have arisen as a result of this budget statement today.
Y gwir plaen am y drafodaeth hon, gan gynnwys rhai o bwyntiau Ieuan Wyn Jones, yw na allwch ein beirniadu ar y gyllideb felly yr ydych wedi troi at feirniadu Barnett. Tra ydym ni’n ymdrin â darparu gwasanaethau fel iechyd ac addysg, yr ydych chi’n canu’r un hen gân nad yw Barnett yn dda i Gymru. Mae Barnett wedi gweithio’n dda dros Gymru. Cawsom adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant da ac yr ydym yn gweld gweithredu’n awr. Fodd bynnag, dymunaf drafod y materion a gododd o ganlyniad i’r datganiad cyllideb heddiw.
It is a cheek for you to talk about a lack of clarity in the budget. Peter Black made the point well that, if you were to track the changes to the budget expenditure lines, main expenditure groups and sub expenditure groups during the budget process from day one onwards, you would see the reports given by Ministers to Committees reflected. You can clearly see where the priorities lie and where the money is going. It is a transparent process.
Hyfdra ar eich rhan yw sôn am ddiffyg eglurder yn y gyllideb. Gwnaeth Peter Black y pwynt yn dda sef, pe byddech yn dilyn y newidiadau i linellau gwariant y gyllideb, y prif grwpiau gwariant a’r is-grwpiau gwariant yn ystod proses y gyllideb o ddiwrnod un ymlaen, y gwelech adlewyrchiad o’r adroddiadau gan y Gweinidogion i’r Pwyllgorau. Gallwch weld yn glir ym mhle y mae’r blaenoriaethau ac i ble y mae’r arian yn mynd. Proses dryloyw ydyw.
Several good points have been made. I was going to give a lecture on reserves, but Peter Black beat me to it by talking about the reality of cash reserves and how they are tripled in year one. In the case of years two and three, I have indicated why I have had to deal with the reserve and what I intend to do in response to the Wanless report.
Gwnaed sawl pwynt da. Yr oeddwn am roi darlith am gronfeydd wrth gefn, ond gwnaeth Peter Black achub y blaen arnaf drwy sôn am realiti cronfeydd arian wrth gefn a sut y cânt eu treblu ym mlwyddyn un. Yn achos blynyddoedd dau a thri, yr wyf wedi nodi pam y bu’n rhaid imi ddelio â’r gronfa wrth gefn a’r hyn y bwriadaf ei wneud mewn ymateb i adroddiad Wanless.
As the Minister is being transparent, will she take the principle a stage further by informing us whether the increase of £20 million in the budget line for local health boards is her latest estimate of the restructuring costs?
Gan fod y Gweinidog yn dryloyw, a aiff â’r egwyddor gam ymhellach drwy ein hysbysu ai ei hamcangyfrif diweddaraf hi o’r costau ailstrwythuro yw’r cynnydd o £20 miliwn yn y llinell gyllideb i fyrddau iechyd lleol?
I was suggesting when I mentioned that earlier that I would provide the necessary underpinning in that regard, David. Jane will deal substantially with that issue in the Health and Social Services Committee.
Yr oeddwn yn awgrymu wrth sôn am hynny’n gynharach y byddwn yn darparu’r sylfaen angenrheidiol yn hynny o beth, David. Gwnaiff Jane ymdrin â sylwedd y mater hwnnw yn y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol.
I thank Gwenda Thomas, particularly given that she is Chair of the Local Government and Housing Committee, for indicating that this is a good settlement for local government and for her approval of the way we have approached partnership arrangements with local government. It is the key deliverer of services. When I hear eulogies about Rhondda Cynon Taf and its achievements, I must remind Members that a Labour-led Assembly Government has provided that council with the money and a good settlement. Changes have been made to the formula and money has been provided. Thank God I do not play politics with money or the council would not have received a penny. Local government has had a good settlement.
Diolchaf i Gwenda Thomas, yn enwedig gan mai hi yw Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai, am nodi mai setliad da yw hwn i lywodraeth leol ac am gymeradwyo ein dull o drafod y trefniadau partneriaeth â llywodraeth leol. Hi yw’r darparwr gwasanaethau allweddol. Pan glywaf ganu clodydd Rhondda Cynon Taf a’i gyflawniadau, rhaid imi atgoffa’r Aelodau mai Llywodraeth y Cynulliad dan arweiniad Llafur a ddarparodd arian a setliad da ar gyfer y cyngor hwnnw. Gwnaed newidiadau i’r fformiwla a darparwyd arian. Diolch byth nad wyf yn chwarae gwleidyddiaeth ag arian neu ni fyddai’r cyngor wedi cael yr un geiniog. Mae llywodraeth leol wedi cael setliad da.
I turn to the points raised. Rhodri Glyn Thomas raised an issue that is close to many Members’ hearts, namely the future of the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Jenny Randerson is in the process of preparing a report that will influence future decisions. You can be assured that any resources required will be made available.
Trof at y pwyntiau a godwyd. Cododd Rhodri Glyn Thomas fater sy’n agos at galonnau llawer o’r Aelodau, sef dyfodol Gardd Fotaneg Genedlaethol Cymru. Mae Jenny Randerson ar ganol paratoi adroddiad a fydd yn dylanwadu ar benderfyniadau yn y dyfodol. Gallwch fod yn dawel eich meddwl y bydd unrhyw adnoddau angenrheidiol yn cael eu darparu.
I am committed to issues surrounding the Welsh language and linguistic growth. Jane Davidson, Jenny Randerson and I have been considering the long-term issues related to Welsh-medium education and bilingualism, including sufficient training. In the context of the three-year budget proposal, sufficient funds have been provided. We will return to this issue in future, but I can give an assurance about the necessary money being provided for this area.
Yr wyf wedi ymrwymo i’r materion sy’n ymwneud â’r Gymraeg a thwf ieithyddol. Bu Jane Davidson, Jenny Randerson a minnau’n ystyried y materion tymor hir sy’n gysylltiedig ag addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg a dwyieithrwydd, gan gynnwys hyfforddiant digonol. Yng nghyd-destun y cynnig yn y gyllideb dair blynedd, mae digon o gyllid wedi’i ddarparu. Deuwn yn ôl at y mater hwn yn y dyfodol, ond gallaf eich sicrhau y caiff yr arian angenrheidiol ei ddarparu ar gyfer y maes hwn.
I welcome Rosemary Butler’s comments on how we have started to deal with issues and that she defended Wales’s hosting of the Ryder Cup in 2010. The publicity that will be generated as a result of hosting this event will be rather like what we have seen with the FA Cup final in the Millennium Stadium in recent years. Such publicity promotes Wales better than any WDA campaign and is more cost-effective. If we are to be a grown-up nation and host such events, we must be proud of them and publicise them.
Croesawaf sylwadau Rosemary Butler am y modd yr ydym wedi dechrau mynd i’r afael â’r materion hyn a’r ffaith ei bod wedi amddiffyn cynnal cystadleuaeth Cwpan Ryder gan Gymru yn 2010. Bydd y cyhoeddusrwydd a greir o ganlyniad i gynnal y digwyddiad hwn yn eithaf tebyg i’r hyn a welsom yn achos gêm derfynol Cwpan Lloegr yn Stadiwm y Mileniwm yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf hyn. Mae cyhoeddusrwydd o’r fath yn hyrwyddo Cymru’n well nag unrhyw ymgyrch gan y WDA ac mae’n fwy cost-effeithiol. Os ydym i fod yn genedl aeddfed a chynnal digwyddiadau o’r fath, rhaid inni ymfalchïo ynddynt a rhoi cyhoeddusrwydd iddynt.
Alun alluded to economic development, but I do not agree with him. We are doing a bloody good job on structural funds. Projects are getting out through the door and there has not been any shortfall in funding. I have told you that time and again.
Cyfeiriodd Alun at ddatblygu economaidd, ond nid wyf yn cytuno ag ef. Yr ydym yn gwneud gwaith da ar y diawl ar y cronfeydd strwythurol. Mae prosiectau’n cychwyn arni ac ni fu unrhyw ddiffyg o ran ariannu. Dywedais hynny wrthych dro ar ôl tro.
Alun Cairns a gododd—
Alun Cairns rose—
Sit down, Alun. I have been proved right and you have been proved wrong. The proof of the pudding is in the number of projects in Wales, and that is the end of the matter.
Eisteddwch, Alun. Fe’m profwyd yn gywir a’ch fe’ch profwyd chi’n anghywir. Mae’r dystiolaeth i hynny yn nifer y prosiectau yng Nghymru, a dyna ddiwedd y mater.
I was pleased to hear Kirsty’s comments about the health service. I can give a commitment to Kirsty that I will respond to the Agenda for Change. I have agreed that with Jane Hutt, and I think that it is important. We must consider health issues in a sustainable way. Derek Wanless will assist us to prioritise spending on the health and social care agenda to ensure that it reaches the sharp end. Derek Wanless did a good job for the Chancellor, and we should not be frightened of working with him and asking him to do similar work for us. We must, at all times, review how we spend our money to ensure that we make the right decisions.
Yr oeddwn yn falch o glywed sylwadau Kirsty am y gwasanaeth iechyd. Gallaf roi ymrwymiad i Kirsty y gwnaf ymateb i’r Agenda ar gyfer Newid. Cytunais â Jane Hutt ar hynny, a chredaf ei bod yn bwysig. Rhaid inni ystyried materion iechyd mewn modd cynaliadwy. Bydd Derek Wanless yn ein helpu i flaenoriaethu gwario ar yr agenda iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol i sicrhau ei fod yn cyrraedd y pen blaen. Gwnaeth Derek Wanless waith da ar ran y Canghellor, ac ni ddylem ofni cydweithio ag ef a gofyn iddo wneud gwaith tebyg i ni. Rhaid inni bob amser adolygu sut yr ydym yn gwario ein harian i sicrhau ein bod yn gwneud y penderfyniadau iawn.
Janet referred to the environment portfolio. There is no doubt that the bus scheme has been successful. Reference has been made in the press to what certain local authorities have said. It has been acknowledged that we had a formula with which the WLGA agreed. We recognise that, once smartcards are in operation, ensuring that the correct amount goes to each local authority will be a different matter. In the short term, we are investing sufficient funds. This year, when we thought we had not done that, Sue Essex’s request for an additional £6 million or so was agreed. It is important to recognise that this scheme enables pensioners to go out and about, rather than keeping them in doctors’ surgeries. That is an important part of our social responsibility.
Cyfeiriodd Janet at bortffolio’r amgylchedd. Nid oes dwywaith na fu’r cynllun bysiau’n llwyddiannus. Cyfeiriwyd yn y wasg at yr hyn a ddywedodd rhai awdurdodau lleol. Cydnabuwyd bod gennym fformiwla yr oedd CLlLC yn cyd-weld â hi. Yr ydym yn cydnabod mai mater gwahanol fydd sicrhau bod y swm cywir yn mynd at bob awdurdod lleol ar ôl cyflwyno’r cardiau call. Yn y tymor byr, yr ydym yn buddsoddi cyllid digonol. Eleni, a ninnau’n tybio nad oeddem wedi gwneud hynny, cytunwyd ar gais gan Sue Essex am tua £6 miliwn yn ychwanegol. Mae’n bwysig cydnabod bod y cynllun hwn yn galluogi pensiynwyr i godi allan o’u tai, yn hytrach na’u cadw mewn meddygfeydd. Mae hynny’n rhan bwysig o’n cyfrifoldeb cymdeithasol.
I concur with Tom Middlehurst’s points about pay for further education staff. I will consider with Jane Davidson the hypothecation of FE pay through the ELWa settlement. There is an issue here, but we must ensure that we deliver. Given the success of FE in Wales and what the sector delivers in terms of courses, it is important that we also deliver.
Yr wyf yn cyd-fynd â sylwadau Tom Middlehurst am dâl staff addysg bellach. Gwnaf ystyried gyda Jane Davidson bridiannu taliadau cyflog addysg bellach drwy setliad ELWa. Mae mater pwysig yn codi yn hyn o beth, ond rhaid inni sicrhau ein bod yn mynd â’r maen i’r wal. O ystyried llwyddiant addysg bellach yng Nghymru a’r hyn y mae’r sector yn ei gyflawni o ran cyrsiau, mae’n bwysig ein bod ninnau’n cyflawni hyn.
Owen John Thomas referred to Jenny Randerson’s ‘personal’ fund: it is called the culture fund. Jenny will discuss with the Culture Committee how that will work. I noted his snide remarks about orchestras, but I am afraid that they bounced off me. I believe passionately that politicians who are elected should have the right to decide where money is invested, not people who are appointed to quangos, even if those people are members of the arts council and we appoint them. This is democracy at work.
Cyfeiriodd Owen John Thomas at gronfa ‘bersonol’ Jenny: ei henw yw’r gronfa ddiwylliant. Bydd Jenny yn trafod sut y bydd hynny’n gweithio gyda’r Pwyllgor Diwylliant. Nodais ei sylwadau coeglyd am gerddorfeydd, ond nid oeddent yn mennu dim arnaf, mae arnaf ofn. Credaf yn angerddol mai gwleidyddion etholedig a ddylai gael yr hawl i benderfynu ym mhle y caiff arian ei fuddsoddi, nid rhai a benodir i gwangos, hyd yn oed os yw’r bobl hynny’n aelodau o gyngor y celfyddydau a ninnau’n eu penodi. Democratiaeth ar waith yw hyn.
Janice Gregory indicated her delight at the new fund. It is intended to go to community halls, but it will also go to church halls. A church hall can sometimes be the only hall in a village and, as it is available for community use, it should also be entitled to access funding to make it a community facility.
Nododd Janice Gregory ei bod wrth ei bodd â’r gronfa newydd. Bwriedir iddi fynd at neuaddau cymunedol, ond aiff hefyd at neuaddau eglwys. Neuadd yr eglwys yw’r unig neuadd yn y pentref weithiau a, gan ei bod ar gael i’w defnyddio gan y gymuned, dylai gael yr hawl i dderbyn cyllid i’w gwneud yn gyfleuster cymunedol.
Glyn Davies discussed agriculture, for which the budget looks good. I will not comment on the remarks that he and Nick Bourne made about central Government policies on agriculture because I am part of a devolved administration and not responsible for those policies. However, in terms of investment in roads and road links, we are doing a reasonable job and that is reflected in the budget.
Gwnaeth Glyn Davies drafod amaethyddiaeth, ac mae’r gyllideb yn ffafriol iddi. Ni ddywedaf ddim am y sylwadau a wnaeth ef a Nick Bourne am bolisïau Llywodraeth ganol ar amaethyddiaeth gan fy mod yn rhan o weinyddiaeth ddatganoledig ac nid wyf yn gyfrifol am y polisïau hynny. Fodd bynnag, o ran buddsoddi mewn ffyrdd a chysylltiadau ffyrdd, yr ydym yn gwneud gwaith eithaf da ac adlewyrchir hynny yn y gyllideb.
We all share Geraint Davies’s concern about drugs. Chris Bryant, as the Member of Parliament for Rhondda, has lobbied me hard on the issues that we need to consider in terms of drug problems in that area. I said clearly in my statement that I would not make soundbites about how I am going to double beds and what I intend to do regarding treatment if I could not back that up with facts. I am receiving reports now and, on the basis of their conclusions, I will consider what allocations to make in the final budget. I might also have to consider other financial interventions during the year. As the Finance Minister, I cannot afford to use cheap gimmicks and say that I will double the number of beds; I must work on the basis of fact because it is important that we make the right decisions on the treatment of drug problems.
Yr ydym oll yn rhannu pryder Geraint Davies ynghylch cyffuriau. Mae Chris Bryant, fel yr Aelod Seneddol dros Rondda, wedi fy lobïo’n egnïol ynghylch y materion y mae angen inni eu hystyried o ran problemau cyffuriau yn yr ardal honno. Dywedais yn glir yn fy natganiad na fyddwn yn gwneud dyfyniadau parod ynghylch sut y byddaf yn dyblu nifer y gwelyau a’r hyn y bwriadaf ei wneud ynghylch triniaeth os na allwn roi ffeithiau i ategu hynny. Mae adroddiadau’n dod i law ar hyn o bryd ac, ar sail eu casgliadau, gwnaf ystyried y dyraniadau i’w gwneud yn y gyllideb derfynol. Efallai y bydd yn rhaid imi ystyried ymyriadau ariannol eraill yn ystod y flwyddyn. Fel Gweinidog Cyllid, ni allaf fforddio defnyddio gimigau rhad a dweud y gwnaf ddyblu nifer y gwelyau; rhaid imi weithio ar sail ffeithiau gan ei bod yn bwysig ein bod yn gwneud y penderfyniadau iawn ar drin problemau cyffuriau.
Given your reference to doubling the number of beds to treat drug addiction, are you prepared to release £100,000 so that existing beds can be reopened to serve the residents of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Ogwr and Bridgend?
Yng ngolwg eich cyfeiriad at ddyblu nifer y gwelyau i drin dibyniaeth ar gyffuriau, a ydych yn barod i ryddhau £100,000 fel y gellir ailagor y gwelyau presennol i wasanaethu trigolion Rhondda Cynon Taf, Ogwr a Phen-y-bont ar Ogwr?
I said that I would not make any statements about doubling the number of beds until I have the facts before me. When I have those facts, I will make a financial allocation.
Dywedais na fyddwn yn gwneud unrhyw ddatganiadau am ddyblu nifer y gwelyau nes bydd y ffeithiau gennyf o’m blaen. Pan fydd y ffeithiau hynny gennyf, gwnaf ddyraniad ariannol.
I do not concur with Nick’s comments on structural funds. Everyone praises the experience of Ireland. However, Ireland and Wales are different. Structural funds have been dealt with in different ways across Europe. We must recognise that economic development is core to all activities, as it is central to the creation of jobs and to helping people in deprived areas. The budget priorities are sufficient in terms of this heading, and I have given a commitment on additional money for structural funds as well as on RSA and other demand-led budgets.
Nid wyf yn cyd-fynd â sylwadau Nick am y cronfeydd strwythurol. Mae pawb yn canmol profiad Iwerddon. Fodd bynnag, mae Iwerddon a Chymru’n wahanol. Ymdriniwyd yn wahanol â’r cronfeydd strwythurol ledled Ewrop. Rhaid inni gydnabod bod datblygu economaidd wrth graidd ein holl weithgareddau, gan ei fod yn hollbwysig i greu swyddi a helpu pobl mewn ardaloedd difreintiedig. Mae blaenoriaethau’r gyllideb yn ddigonol yng nghyd-destun y pennawd hwn, ac yr wyf wedi rhoi ymrwymiad ar arian ychwanegol ar gyfer y cronfeydd strwythurol a hefyd ar gymorth rhanbarthol dewisol a chyllidebau eraill sy’n cael eu harwain gan y galw.
Alun Cairns a gododd—
Alun Cairns rose—
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 99
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 99
Will the Minister give way?
A wnaiff y Gweinidog ildio?
If time is short, I will not.
Os yw’r amser yn brin, na wnaf.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 99
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 99
Our time is limited.
Mae ein hamser yn brin.
William Graham, Helen Mary and other Members raised specific budgetary points. I will read the record and, if I have not covered those points in my response, I will respond to them later.
Codwyd pwyntiau cyllidebol penodol gan William Graham, Helen Mary ac Aelodau eraill. Darllenaf y cofnod ac, os nad ymdriniais â’r pwyntiau hynny yn fy ymateb, gwnaf ymateb iddynt yn ddiweddarach.
Ultimately, as the Finance Minister I am damned if I do and damned if I do not, especially in terms of reserves and end-of-year flexibility. This is a good budget because we are getting money out through the door. Our EYF position is good because we have spent our budget. Our reserve position is also good. My past record on putting money into reserves shows that I have been right—we were able to deal with the flooding in 2000 and the foot and mouth disease crisis last year. I have the experience in government to recognise that the reserve position is sufficient for next year. It is important for us to recognise that this budget is about good spending decisions and the future of Wales. I am delighted to have been able to make this statement today.
Yn y pen draw, fel y Gweinidog Cyllid, caf fy nghollfarnu’r naill ffordd neu’r llall, yn enwedig o ran cronfeydd wrth gefn a hyblygrwydd diwedd blwyddyn. Mae hon yn gyllideb dda gan ein bod yn rhoi arian ar waith. Mae ein sefyllfa o ran hyblygrwydd diwedd blwyddyn yn dda gan ein bod wedi gwario ein cyllideb. Mae ein sefyllfa o ran y gronfa wrth gefn yn dda hefyd. Mae fy record ar roi arian mewn cronfeydd wrth gefn yn dangos fy mod wedi gweithredu’n iawn—yr oeddem yn gallu delio â’r llifogydd yn 2000 ac argyfwng clwy’r traed a’r genau y llynedd. Mae gennyf ddigon o brofiad mewn llywodraeth i weld bod sefyllfa’r gronfa wrth gefn yn ddigonol ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf. Mae’n bwysig inni gydnabod bod y gyllideb hon yn ymwneud â penderfyniadau da ar wario a dyfodol Cymru. Yr wyf yn falch iawn fy mod wedi gallu gwneud y datganiad hwn heddiw.
John Marek The Deputy Presiding Officer spoken in English p. 100
John Marek Y Dirprwy Lywydd siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 100
Before we vote, I inform the Members in seats 12, 20 and 32—namely the First Minister, Alun Cairns and Mick Bates—that their electronic voting system may not be working. I urge those Members to check the record to ensure that their votes have been recorded properly. I also urge you to use your electronic cards carefully. However, officials will monitor the voting to ensure that it is carried out correctly. We believe that this was achieved earlier this afternoon.
Cyn inni bleidleisio, hysbysaf yr Aelodau yn seddau 12, 20 a 32—sef Prif Weinidog Cymru, Alun Cairns a Mick Bates—ei bod yn bosibl nad yw eu system bleidleisio electronig yn gweithio. Anogaf yr Aelodau hynny i wirio’r cofnod i sicrhau bod eu pleidleisiau wedi’u cofnodi’n briodol. Fe’ch anogaf hefyd i ddefnyddio’ch cardiau electronig yn ofalus. Fodd bynnag, bydd y swyddogion yn monitro’r pleidleisio i sicrhau y caiff ei wneud yn gywir. Credwn fod hynny wedi’i gyflawni’n gynharach y prynhawn yma.
Gwelliant 1 David Ian Jones t. 100
Amendment 1 David Ian Jones p. 100
GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 23 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 31
Gwthodwyd y gwelliant.
Amendment rejected.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (23)
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- Cynog Dafis
- Geraint Davies
- Glyn Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- William Graham
- Brian Hancock
- Pauline Jarman
- David Ian Jones
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- David Lloyd
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Peter Rogers
- Janet Ryder
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (31)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Eleanor Burnham
- Rosemary Butler
- Christine Chapman
- Jane Davidson
- Andrew Davies
- Ron Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Delyth Evans
- Michael German
- Brian Gibbons
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Peter Law
- Huw Lewis
- Val Lloyd
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Jenny Randerson
- Karen Sinclair
- Gwenda Thomas
- Kirsty Williams
Gwelliant 2 David Ian Jones t. 101
Amendment 2 David Ian Jones p. 101
GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 8 YmatalAbstain 15 Yn erbynAgainst 31
Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant.
Amendment rejected.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (8)
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- Glyn Davies
- William Graham
- David Ian Jones
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Peter Rogers
YmatalAbstain (15)
- Cynog Dafis
- Geraint Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Brian Hancock
- Pauline Jarman
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- David Lloyd
- Janet Ryder
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (31)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Eleanor Burnham
- Rosemary Butler
- Christine Chapman
- Jane Davidson
- Andrew Davies
- Ron Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Delyth Evans
- Michael German
- Brian Gibbons
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Peter Law
- Huw Lewis
- Val Lloyd
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Jenny Randerson
- Karen Sinclair
- Gwenda Thomas
- Kirsty Williams
Gwelliant 3 Janet Ryder t. 101
Amendment 3 Janet Ryder p. 101
GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 22 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 32
Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant.
Amendment rejected.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (22)
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- Cynog Dafis
- Geraint Davies
- Glyn Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- William Graham
- Pauline Jarman
- David Ian Jones
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- David Lloyd
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Peter Rogers
- Janet Ryder
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (32)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Eleanor Burnham
- Rosemary Butler
- Christine Chapman
- Jane Davidson
- Andrew Davies
- Ron Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Delyth Evans
- Michael German
- Brian Gibbons
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Edwina Hart
- Brian Hancock
- Jane Hutt
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Peter Law
- Huw Lewis
- Val Lloyd
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Jenny Randerson
- Karen Sinclair
- Gwenda Thomas
- Kirsty Williams
Gwelliant 4 Janet Ryder t. 102
Amendment 4 Janet Ryder p. 102
GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 23 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 31
Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant.
Amendment rejected.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (23)
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- Cynog Dafis
- Geraint Davies
- Glyn Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- William Graham
- Brian Hancock
- Pauline Jarman
- David Ian Jones
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- David Lloyd
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Peter Rogers
- Janet Ryder
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (31)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Eleanor Burnham
- Rosemary Butler
- Christine Chapman
- Jane Davidson
- Andrew Davies
- Ron Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Delyth Evans
- Michael German
- Brian Gibbons
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Peter Law
- Huw Lewis
- Val Lloyd
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Jenny Randerson
- Karen Sinclair
- Gwenda Thomas
- Kirsty Williams
Gwelliant 5 Janet Ryder t. 103
Amendment 5 Janet Ryder p. 103
GwrthodwydRejected O blaidFor 15 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 39
Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant.
Amendment rejected.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (15)
- Cynog Dafis
- Geraint Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- Brian Hancock
- Pauline Jarman
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- David Lloyd
- Janet Ryder
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Phil Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (39)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Nick Bourne
- Eleanor Burnham
- Rosemary Butler
- Alun Cairns
- Christine Chapman
- Jane Davidson
- Andrew Davies
- Glyn Davies
- Ron Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Delyth Evans
- Michael German
- Brian Gibbons
- William Graham
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- David Ian Jones
- Peter Law
- Huw Lewis
- Val Lloyd
- David Melding
- Tom Middlehurst
- Jonathan Morgan
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Jenny Randerson
- Peter Rogers
- Karen Sinclair
- Gwenda Thomas
- Kirsty Williams
Cynnig NDM1168 Edwina Hart t. 103
Motion NDM1168 Edwina Hart p. 103
DerbyniwydAdopted O blaidFor 31 YmatalAbstain 0 Yn erbynAgainst 23
Derbyniwyd y cynnig.
Motion carried.
Sut y pleidleisiodd yr AelodauHow Members voted
O blaidFor (31)
- Lorraine Barrett
- Mick Bates
- Peter Black
- Eleanor Burnham
- Rosemary Butler
- Christine Chapman
- Jane Davidson
- Andrew Davies
- Ron Davies
- Richard Edwards
- Sue Essex
- Delyth Evans
- Michael German
- Brian Gibbons
- Janice Gregory
- John Griffiths
- Edwina Hart
- Jane Hutt
- Ann Jones
- Carwyn Jones
- Peter Law
- Huw Lewis
- Val Lloyd
- Tom Middlehurst
- Rhodri Morgan
- Lynne Neagle
- Alun Pugh
- Jenny Randerson
- Karen Sinclair
- Gwenda Thomas
- Kirsty Williams
Yn erbynAgainst (23)
- Nick Bourne
- Alun Cairns
- Cynog Dafis
- Geraint Davies
- Glyn Davies
- Janet Davies
- Jocelyn Davies
- William Graham
- Brian Hancock
- Pauline Jarman
- David Ian Jones
- Elin Jones
- Gareth Jones
- Helen Mary Jones
- Ieuan Wyn Jones
- David Lloyd
- David Melding
- Jonathan Morgan
- Peter Rogers
- Janet Ryder
- Owen John Thomas
- Rhodri Glyn Thomas
- Phil Williams
Daeth y cyfarfod i ben am 5.33 p.m.
The session ended at 5.33 p.m.