Cofnod y Trafodion
The Record of Proceedings

Y Llywydd: Galwaf y Cynulliad i drefn.

Sustainable Transport

Trafnidiaeth Gynaliadwy

Q1 Brynle Williams: Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Assembly Government’s priorities for sustainable transport in north Wales? OAQ(3)1146(FM)

C1 Brynle Williams: A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am flaenoriaethau Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru ar gyfer trafnidiaeth gynaliadwy yn y gogledd? OAQ(3)1146(FM)

Y Prif Weinidog (Rhodri Morgan): Diolch am y cwestiwn, Brynle.

The First Minister (Rhodri Morgan): Thank you for the question, Brynle.

Our strategic vision for a sustainable integrated transport system was set out in the transport strategy, 'Connecting the Nation’, published in May this year. That will be translated into regional priorities via the regional transport plans.

Amlinellwyd ein gweledigaeth strategol ar gyfer system drafnidiaeth integredig gynaliadwy yn y strategaeth drafnidiaeth, 'Cysylltu’r Genedl’, a gyhoeddwyd ym mis Mai eleni. Caiff honno ei throsi’n flaenoriaethau rhanbarthol drwy’r cynlluniau trafnidiaeth rhanbarthol.

Brynle Williams: Diolch am yr ateb hwnnw.

Brynle Williams: Thank you for that answer.

The rail network is a vital asset for businesses in north Wales and one of the most sustainable forms of long-distance travel. We have seen the introduction of a new service between Wrexham and London this year but, regrettably, the cost of fares has gone from £65 to £200, while Virgin Trains has restricted the use of saver tickets on the west coast line. How can you and your Government hope to attract businesses to north Wales when the rail network is fast becoming unaffordable?

Mae’r rhwydwaith rheilffyrdd yn ased hanfodol i fusnesau’r gogledd ac yn un o’r mathau mwyaf cynaliadwy o deithio pellter hir. Cyflwynwyd gwasanaeth newydd rhwng Wrecsam a Llundain eleni ond, yn anffodus, mae pris tocyn wedi codi o £65 i £200, ac mae Virgin Trains wedi cyfyngu defnyddio tocynnau arbed arian ar reilffordd arfordir y gorllewin. Sut y gallwch chi a’ch Llywodraeth obeithio denu busnesau i’r gogledd, a’r rhwydwaith rheilffyrdd yn prysur droi’n anfforddiadwy?

The First Minister: That was one of those franchise reinterpretations by Virgin Trains over which we have absolutely no control. My understanding of what happened is that the £65 offer was available in Wales but not outside Wales, and passengers were getting on in England who were then claiming that they had got on at Welsh stations and were eligible for the discount. The fare or revenue-maximising inspectors spotted that use of the Welsh loophole by English passengers and said that they would put a stop to it. We do not have any control over that because it is not our franchise, but it disadvantages the passengers who were getting on earlier in Wales to the benefit of passengers getting on later in England, so it is not good.

Y Prif Weinidog: Yr oedd hynny’n enghraifft o Virgin Trains yn ailddehongli masnachfraint, ac nid oes gennym reolaeth o gwbl dros hynny. Yn ôl a ddeallaf, yr oedd y tocyn ar gael am £65 yng Nghymru ond nid y tu allan i Gymru, ac yr oedd teithwyr yn mynd ar y trên yn Lloegr gan hawlio eu bod wedi mynd ar y trên mewn gorsafoedd yng Nghymru a’u bod yn gymwys i gael y gostyngiad. Gwelodd yr arolygwyr tocynnau neu’r arolygwyr cynyddu refeniw fod teithwyr o Loegr yn cymryd mantais ar y cynnig hwn i deithwyr o Gymru, a dywedasant y byddent yn rhoi terfyn ar y peth. Nid oes gennym reolaeth dros hynny, gan mai nid ein masnachfraint ni ydyw, ond mae’n rhoi teithwyr a oedd yn mynd ar y trên yn gynharach yng Nghymru dan anfantais ac er budd teithwyr a oedd yn mynd ar y trên yn ddiweddarach yn Lloegr, felly nid yw’n beth da.

Gareth Jones: Mae cytundeb 'Cymru’n Un’ yn addo gwelliannau dramatig i drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus a fydd yn annog pobl i wneud llai o ddefnydd o’u ceir. Yr wyf yn siŵr y cytunech fod y cynnydd dramatig diweddar a welwyd ym mhris petrol a disel fwy neu lai yn gwneud y gwaith hwnnw ar ein rhan. Yn sgîl hynny, a yw’r Llywodraeth yn bwriadu prysuro ymlaen gyda’r addewid pellach a geir yn 'Cymru’n Un’ i wella trafnidiaeth ranbarthol a chenedlaethol?

Y Prif Weinidog: Yr ydych wedi gwneud pwynt pwysig dros ben, sef bod y farchnad yn gwasgu am yr hyn y mae Gweinidogion a grwpiau gwyrdd ac ati yn ei annog, sef i bobl beidio â defnyddio eu ceir os y gyrrwr yw’r unig berson yn y car. Mae pawb yn deall bod petrol a disel yn enwedig wedi mynd yn ddrud, felly mae’r farchnad yn gwneud y gwaith drosom, a dyna pam y gwelwn gynnydd yn nifer y bobl sy’n defnyddio’r trên a’r bws yn lle eu ceir. Yn awr, rhaid inni geisio cyflymu’r broses honno, a rhaid osgoi sefyllfa lle na fydd pobl yn gallu defnyddio’r trên am fod y trenau yn rhy fach neu, os yw’r trenau wedi’u hymestyn, am fod y platfformau’n rhy fyr, neu am nad yw’r system arwyddo yn gallu ymdopi â’r cynnydd yn nifer y trenau sy’n rhedeg. Felly, rhaid inni rasio i ddal lan gyda’r hyn sydd wedi digwydd oherwydd y cynnydd ym mhrisiau petrol a disel.

The Health of Welsh People

Iechyd Pobl Cymru

Q2 Jenny Randerson: Will the First Minister make a statement on his priorities for the health of Welsh people? OAQ(3)1142(FM)

C2 Jenny Randerson: A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am ei flaenoriaethau ar gyfer iechyd pobl Cymru? OAQ(3)1142(FM)

The First Minister: This is a timely question, given that the sixtieth anniversary of the national health service—Wales’s greatest ever contribution to modern civilisation—is coming up next week. After 60 years, we now have to put more emphasis on that covenant between the citizen and the NHS and more emphasis on the walk and the fork as way of avoiding the scalpel and the stethoscope.

Y Prif Weinidog: Mae hwn yn gwestiwn amserol, o gofio y bydd 60 mlynedd wedi mynd heibio ers sefydlu’r gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol—cyfraniad mwyaf Cymru erioed i wareiddiad modern—yr wythnos nesaf. Ar ôl 60 mlynedd, bellach rhaid inni roi mwy o bwyslais ar y cyfamod hwnnw rhwng y dinesydd a’r GIG a mwy o bwyslais ar ymarfer corff a deiet fel ffyrdd o osgoi’r gyllell a’r stethosgop.

Jenny Randerson: That is an interesting approach, First Minister, and one that I wholeheartedly endorse.

Jenny Randerson: Mae hynny’n agwedd ddiddorol, Brif Weinidog, ac yr wyf yn ei chymeradwyo o waelod calon.

The emphasis on prevention is important in modern medicine, and, in that context, I welcome the decision of the UK Government to introduce vaccinations to protect against cervical cancer—a decision that was also adopted in Wales. However, I am concerned that the Department of Health has decided to opt for a vaccine that does not protect against all four types of human papillomavirus, only two. It will not, for example, protect against genital warts. Was that decision made on cost grounds alone? I ask this because all other countries that have gone for this vaccine have opted for the one with the wider application. Specifically, did we have the opportunity in Wales to undertake our own cost/benefit analysis? Did we have the opportunity to introduce our own system, or are we bound by the Department of Health’s decision?

Mae’r pwyslais ar atal yn bwysig mewn meddygaeth fodern, ac yn y cyd-destun hwnnw, croesawaf benderfyniad Llywodraeth y DU i gyflwyno brechu i amddiffyn rhag canser ceg y groth—penderfyniad a fabwysiadwyd yng Nghymru hefyd. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf yn bryderus bod yr Adran Iechyd wedi penderfynu dewis brechlyn na fydd yn amddiffyn rhag pob un o’r pedwar math o feirws papiloma dynol, dim ond dau ohonynt. Ni fydd, er enghraifft, yn amddiffyn rhag defaid gwenerol. A wnaethpwyd y penderfyniad hwnnw ar sail costau’n unig? Yr wyf yn gofyn hyn am fod yr holl wledydd eraill sydd wedi dewis cael y brechlyn hwn wedi dewis yr un sydd â manteision mwy eang. Yn benodol, a gawsom y cyfle yng Nghymru i gynnal ein dadansoddiad cost a budd ein hunain? A gawsom y cyfle i gyflwyno ein system ein hunain, ynteu a ydym ynghlwm wrth benderfyniad yr Adran Iechyd?

The First Minister: I am afraid that you have introduced a subject that goes well beyond the level of erudition available to me, although I have no doubt that the person sitting to my right will be able to answer that question in full, in writing.

Y Prif Weinidog: Mae arnaf ofn eich bod wedi cyflwyno pwnc sy’n mynd ymhell y tu hwnt i lefel y wybodaeth sydd gennyf, ond nid oes amheuaeth gennyf na fydd yr unigolyn ar y dde imi’n gallu ateb y cwestiwn hwnnw’n llawn, yn ysgrifenedig.

Ann Jones: You recently provided a foreword for the report on the uptake of the new pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that was introduced to the childhood immunisation schedule in September 2006. The report written by Wyeth, the vaccine manufacturer, shows that PCV has already delivered a reduction in life-threatening diseases such as meningitis, septicaemia and pneumonia. Ninety-five per cent of Welsh children are receiving the vaccine, which is some 6 per cent higher than the figure in England. Do you agree that that is a fantastic story for the NHS in Wales that we should celebrate? However, while this is good news, one child in six in Wales does not receive the booster dose at the age of 13 months. Will you make a statement on the maximisation of the uptake of that important vaccine?

Ann Jones: Yn ddiweddar, rhoesoch ragair ar gyfer yr adroddiad am y niferoedd sydd wedi cael y brechlyn niwmococol cyfun newydd a gyflwynwyd i’r rhestr imiwneiddio plant ym mis Medi 2006. Mae’r adroddiad a ysgrifennwyd gan Wyeth, y gwneuthurwr brechlynnau, yn dangos bod y brechlyn niwmococol cyfun eisoes wedi achosi lleihad mewn clefydau sy’n bygwth bywyd megis llid yr ymennydd, septisemia a niwmonia. Mae 95 y cant o blant Cymru’n cael y brechlyn, sydd tua 6 y cant yn uwch na’r ffigur yn Lloegr. A ydych yn cytuno bod honno’n stori ardderchog i’r GIG yng Nghymru ac y dylem ei dathlu? Fodd bynnag, er bod hyn yn newydd da, nid yw un o bob chwe phlentyn yng Nghymru’n cael y dos atgyfnerthu yn 13 mis oed. A wnewch ddatganiad ynghylch cynyddu’r niferoedd sy’n cael y brechlyn pwysig hwnnw?

The First Minister: This is a vaccine on which I have a little more information to hand. You are right to say that 95 per cent of Welsh children are receiving the PCV vaccine, which protects against meningitis, septicaemia and pneumonia. The comparable figure in England is 89 per cent, so there is more ground to make up in England. However, even we might be able to improve on our figure of 95 per cent. It is important that we persuade parents to vaccinate their children against measles and other diseases, not only for the protection of their own children but for the protection of what is known as 'herd immunity’. The closer to 100 per cent you get, the more likely it is that you can simply eliminate a disease. For example, smallpox and diphtheria were major killers in my grandparents’ day, but they are now hardly heard of.

Y Prif Weinidog: Mae gennyf ychydig mwy o wybodaeth wrth law am y brechlyn hwn. Yr ydych yn gywir pan ddywedwch fod 95 y cant o blant Cymru’n cael y brechlyn niwmococol cyfun, sy’n amddiffyn rhag llid yr ymennyd, septicemia a niwmonia. Wyth deg naw y cant yw’r ffigur cymharol yn Lloegr, felly mae mwy o le i wella yn Lloegr. Fodd bynnag, efallai y gallem ni hyd yn oed wneud yn wneud na’n ffigur, sef 95 y cant. Mae’n bwysig inni berswadio rhieni i frechu eu plant rhag y frech goch a chlefydau eraill, nid yn unig er mwyn amddiffyn eu plant hwy ond er mwyn amddiffyn yr hyn a elwir yn 'imiwnedd yr haid’. Po agosaf at 100 y cant yr ewch, po fwyaf tebygol y gallwch ddileu clefyd. Er enghraifft, yr oedd y frech wen a difftheria yn lladd llawer yn oes fy mam-gu a’m tad-cu, ond prin y bydd rhywun yn clywed amdanynt heddiw.

Jonathan Morgan: One of the great challenges facing the national health service—indeed, facing us all—is in the field of public health. You will know that, last week, the World Health Organization published a survey that showed that more young people under the age of 13 in Wales had been drunk on at least two occasions than in any other country in western Europe. I am sure that that figure is of concern to you, as it is to me. As a Government, I know that you have a substance misuse strategy, but in combating substance abuse—particularly alcohol abuse—among young teenagers, what will the Government do at a practical level to try to reduce the number of people in Wales using alcohol before the age of 18?

Jonathan Morgan: Mae un o’r heriau mawr sy’n wynebu’r gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol— sy’n ein hwynebu i gyd, yn wir—ym maes iechyd cyhoeddus. Byddwch yn gwybod bod Sefydliad Iechyd y Byd, yr wythnos diwethaf, wedi cyhoeddi arolwg a oedd yn dangos bod mwy o bobl ifanc dan 13 oed yng Nghymru wedi bod yn feddw o leiaf ddwywaith nag mewn dim un wlad arall yng ngorllewin Ewrop. Yr wyf yn siŵr bod y ffigur hwnnw’n peri pryder ichi, fel y mae i mi. Fel Llywodraeth, gwn fod gennych strategaeth camddefnyddio sylweddau, ond o ran mynd i’r afael â chamddefnyddio sylweddau—yn enwedig camddefnyddio alcohol—ymysg pobl ifanc yn eu harddegau, beth a wnaiff y Llywodraeth ar lefel ymarferol i geisio lleihau nifer y bobl yng Nghymru sy’n defnyddio alcohol cyn eu bod yn 18 mlwydd oed?

The First Minister: It is not just of concern; it is absolutely horrifying that we have the highest figures of teenage alcohol consumption—or at least the reported figures, as it is not absolutely clear that these are comparable figures. We need to check on the extent to which there might be an element of bravado and boasting in the answers given as distinct from knowing that this is the actual consumption figure. I will look into this matter, to see whether our programmes are as effective as they can be, and to see what other possible explanation there could be for the variance between Wales and the rest of the UK in reported teenage abuse of alcohol at far too early an age for the liver or growing body to be able to cope with it, let alone the growing mind. We need to ask why that is, why it is easier for them to obtain alcohol and what it is that would make them want to abuse an alcohol at such an early age, and do something about it.

Y Prif Weinidog: Nid peri pryder yn unig y mae; mae’n hollol erchyll mai gennym ni y mae’r ffigurau uchaf o ran yfed alcohol ymysg pobl ifanc yn eu harddegau—neu’r ffigurau yn ôl yr adroddiad, beth bynnag, gan nad yw’n gwbl glir a yw’r ffigurau hyn yn debyg. Mae angen inni edrych i ba raddau y gallai fod elfen o ymffrostio a brolio yn yr atebion a roddwyd, yn hytrach na gwybod mai dyma’r ffigur gwirioneddol o ran yr hyn sy’n cael ei yfed. Edrychaf ar y mater hwn, i weld a yw ein rhaglenni mor effeithiol ag y gallant fod, ac i weld pa esboniad posibl arall a allai fod am y gwahaniaeth rhwng Cymru a gweddill y DU o ran ffigurau camddefnyddio alcohol ymysg pobl yn eu harddegau, sy’n llawer rhy ifanc i’r iau neu’r corff sy’n tyfu allu ymdopi ag ef, heb sôn am y meddwl sy’n tyfu. Mae angen inni ofyn pam mae hynny’n digwydd, pam mae’n haws iddynt gael gafael ar alcohol a beth fyddai’n gwneud iddynt fod  yn awyddus i gamddefnyddio alcohol mor ifanc, a gwneud rhywbeth ynghylch y peth.

2.10 p.m.

Helen Mary Jones: I am sure that you will agree that family nurses working out of schools can have a big impact on several of the agendas that we have been talking about today, whether promoting vaccination among teenagers, as we will need to do with the cervical cancer vaccine, or helping young people to develop a sensible understanding of alcohol and its safe use. Can you confirm that it is still a priority for the One Wales Government to introduce, by the end of this Assembly, a family nurse working out of every secondary school, and that we would expect those nurses to have strong relationships with the primary schools that feed into those secondary schools also?

Helen Mary Jones: Yr wyf yn siŵr y byddwch yn cytuno y gall nyrsys teulu sy’n gweithio mewn ysgolion gael effaith fawr ar amryw o’r agendâu yr ydym wedi bod yn siarad amdanynt heddiw, boed hynny’n hybu brechu ymysg pobl ifanc yn eu harddegau, fel y bydd angen inni wneud gyda brechlyn canser ceg y groth, neu’n helpu pobl ifanc i ddatblygu dealltwriaeth gall o alcohol a’i ddefnyddio’n ddiogel. A allwch gadarnhau ei bod yn dal yn flaenoriaeth i Lywodraeth Cymru’n Un gyflwyno nyrs deulu sy’n gweithio ym mhob ysgol uwchradd erbyn diwedd y Cynulliad hwn, ac y byddem yn disgwyl i’r nyrsys hynny gael perthynas gref â’r ysgolion cynradd sy’n bwydo i’r ysgolion uwchradd hynny hefyd?

The First Minister: Indeed. There is an ongoing programme to define exactly how that commitment, which is a key plank of the 'One Wales’ set of agreements on health, will be implemented. We have held four roadshows across Wales, trying to engage with children and young people to see what exactly they would want and how they see a school nurse as being of benefit to them. That will inform a wider consultation about how the school nursing role can be expanded to take account of modern family dynamics.

Y Prif Weinidog: Yn wir. Mae rhaglen sy’n mynd rhagddi ar hyn o bryd i ddiffinio sut yn union y caiff yr ymrwymiad hwnnw, sy’n elfen allweddol yn y set o gytundebau ar iechyd yn 'Cymru’n Un’, ei roi ar waith. Yr ydym wedi cynnal pedair sioe deithiol ledled Cymru, i geisio ymgysylltu â phlant a phobl ifanc i weld beth yn union y byddai ei eisiau arnynt a sut y byddai nyrs ysgol o fudd iddynt yn eu barn nhw. Bydd hynny’n sail i ymgynghoriad ehangach ynghylch sut y gellir ehangu rôl nyrsys ysgol i ystyried dynameg teuluoedd modern.

Priorities (South Wales Central)

Blaenoriaethau (Canol De Cymru)

Q3 Andrew R.T. Davies: What are the Welsh Assembly Government’s priorities in South Wales Central for the next six months? OAQ(3)1154(FM)

C3 Andrew R.T. Davies: Beth yw blaenoriaethau Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru yng Nghanol De Cymru ar gyfer y chwe mis nesaf? OAQ(3)1154(FM)

The First Minister: Among our priorities in South Wales Central is ensuring that the £30 million that we are investing in removing the various signalling frustrations in the Cardiff area fits in with Network Rail’s £200 million investment in the Cardiff area on re-signalling the main line. That should lead to the decongestion of the network of commuter lines into and out of central Cardiff.

Y Prif Weinidog: Un o’n blaenoriaethau yng Nghanol De Cymru yw sicrhau bod y £30 miliwn yr ydym yn ei fuddsoddi i ddileu’r amrywiol rwystrau o ran signalau yn ardal Caerdydd yn cyd-fynd â’r buddsoddiad o £200 miliwn gan Network Rail yn ardal Caerdydd ar newid signalau’r brif reilffordd. Dylai hynny arwain at lai o dagfeydd ar y rhwydwaith o reilffyrdd cymudwyr i mewn i ganol Caerdydd ac oddi yno.

Andrew R.T. Davies: Figures published last week highlight sickness levels among the teaching profession in Wales. In South Wales Central, many headteachers highlight the disruption that long-term sickness has on staff planning and on their ability to build constructive dialogue with pupils. Nationally, 65 per cent of teachers have taken one day or more off sick over the last academic year, and the overall figure has increased by 17,000 days. What measures is the Government taking to address these issues to help headteachers in South Wales Central and particularly the pupils and parents, so that the environment in our schools is conducive for teachers to learn, to enable teachers to go forward in meeting their full, professional qualifications?

Andrew R.T. Davies: Mae’r ffigurau a gyhoeddwyd yr wythnos diwethaf yn tynnu sylw at lefelau salwch ymysg y proffesiwn addysgu yng Nghymru. Yng Nghanol De Cymru, mae llawer o benaethiaid yn tynnu sylw at y tarfu a achosir gan salwch hirdymor ar gynllunio’r staff ac ar eu gallu i feithrin deialog adeiladol â disgyblion. Yn genedlaethol, mae 65 y cant o athrawon wedi cymryd un diwrnod neu fwy i ffwrdd yn sâl dros y flwyddyn academaidd ddiwethaf, ac mae’r cyfanswm 17,000 diwrnod yn fwy. Pa fesurau y mae’r Llywodraeth yn eu cymryd i fynd i’r afael â’r materion hyn er mwyn helpu penaethiaid yng Nghanol De Cymru ac yn enwedig y disgyblion a’r rhieni, fel bod yr amgylchedd yn ein hysgolion yn addas i athrawon ddysgu ynddo, i alluogi athrawon i fynd ymlaen i gyflawni eu cymwysterau proffesiynol llawn?

The First Minister: It is the teachers who teach, and the pupils who learn—at least, I hope so. That said, teachers no doubt engage in a learning process themselves, including learning how to manage their stress levels, perhaps. It is important to ensure that teachers have a reasonable work-life balance. They have long holidays, but they also need a huge amount of time for the preparation of homework and marking and so forth, which does make the job fairly stressful. When I discuss with teachers how I prepare for these question sessions, by balancing the brief on my knee while watching the news at 10 p.m., they always tell me that they are also marking homework or doing something similar at 10 p.m.. Therefore, I understand the kind of stress that they are under, because there is an element of commonality in that you take your work home with you. Teachers do not leave their work behind at 4 p.m. when they get in the car and drive home, as some people think. It is a stressful occupation, there is no doubt about it, and so there is an issue about burnout and stress, and thus a stress-management issue for headteachers and others to ensure that that kind of sickness is minimised.

Y Prif Weinidog: Yr athrawon sy’n addysgu, a’r disgyblion sy’n dysgu—yr wyf yn gobeithio, o leiaf. Ond wedi dweud hynny, nid oes amheuaeth nad yw’r athrawon eu hunain yn cymryd rhan mewn proses o ddysgu, sy’n cynnwys dysgu sut i reoli’r straen sydd arnynt, efallai. Mae’n bwysig sicrhau bod gan athrawon gydbwysedd rhesymol rhwng gwaith a bywyd. Maent yn cael gwyliau hir, ond mae arnynt angen llawer iawn o amser hefyd i baratoi gwaith cartref a marcio ac yn y blaen, sy’n golygu bod tipyn o straen ynghlwm wrth y swydd. Pan fyddaf yn trafod gydag athrawon sut y byddaf yn paratoi ar gyfer y sesiynau cwestiynau hyn, drwy ddal y briff ar fy mhen-glin wrth wylio’r newyddion am 10 p.m., byddant yn dweud wrthyf bob tro eu bod hwythau hefyd yn marcio gwaith cartref neu’n gwneud rhywbeth tebyg am 10 p.m.. Felly, gallaf ddeall y math o straen sydd arnynt, gan fod elfen yn gyffredin o ran mynd â’ch gwaith adref gyda chi. Nid yw athrawon yn gadael eu gwaith ar ôl am 4 p.m. pan fyddant yn camu i’r car ac yn gyrru adref, fel y mae rhai pobl yn credu. Mae’n alwedigaeth sydd â straen ynglŷn â hi, yn ddi-os, ac o’r herwydd mae problem yn sgîl gorweithio a straen, ac felly mae penaethiaid a phobl eraill yn gorfod rheoli straen er mwyn sicrhau bod y math hwnnw o salwch yn cael ei leihau.

Chris Franks: What assurances will you give regarding ambulance response times? Recent figures have shown that barely half of ambulances sent on emergency calls in the Vale of Glamorgan arrive within the eight-minute target. As you know, the accident-and-emergency unit at Barry hospital closes at around 5 p.m., so emergency patients have to travel to Cardiff or Bridgend.

Chris Franks: Pa sicrwydd a roddwch ynghylch amseroedd ymateb ambiwlansys? Mae’r ffigurau yn ddiweddar wedi dangos mai prin hanner yr ambiwlansys a anfonir ar alwadau brys ym Mro Morgannwg sy’n cyrraedd o fewn y targed o wyth munud. Fel y gwyddoch, mae uned damweiniau ac achosion brys ysbyty’r Barri yn cau tua 5 p.m., felly rhaid i gleifion brys deithio i Gaerdydd neu i Ben-y-bont ar Ogwr.

Y Prif Weinidog: Yr wyf yn edmygu gorsaf ambiwlans y Barri yn fawr, gan fy mod wedi cael budd ohoni yr adeg hon y llynedd. Ni wnaf byth anghofio’r gwasanaeth ardderchog a gefais. Mae’r ffigurau a ddyfynnwyd gennych yn hollol gywir. Credaf mai Bro Morgannwg yw’r perfformiwr gwaethaf ond dau o blith y gwahanol ranbarthau iechyd. Mae Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans Cymru yn ei chyfanrwydd wedi cyrraedd ei tharged, ond cael a chael oedd hi. Cyflawnwyd 65.1 y cant, a’r targed yw 65 y cant. Mae tair ardal ymhell ar ei hôl hi, sef Powys, sir Gaerfyrddin a Bro Morgannwg.

While you can understand that in Powys and Carmarthenshire, as they are sprawling areas, it is less excusable in the Vale of Glamorgan, although it has a rural component. Jane Hutt and Llantwit Major councillors recently met the ambulance director for the Vale of Glamorgan to discuss the problem. However, the Vale of Glamorgan should be able to pick up its performance to provide a wonderful service—and not just to me but to the millions of others who live in the Vale.

Er y gallwch ddeall hynny ym Mhowys ac yn sir Gaerfyrddin, am eu bod yn ardaloedd mor eang, ni ellir ei esgusodi i’r fath raddau ym Mro Morgannwg, er bod elfen wledig yno.  Yn ddiweddar, cyfarfu Jane Hutt a chynghorwyr Llanilltud Fawr â chyfarwyddwr ambiwlansys Bro Morgannwg i drafod y broblem. Fodd bynnag, dylai Bro Morgannwg allu gwella’i pherfformiad a darparu gwasanaeth gwych—ac nid yn unig i mi, ond i’r miliynau o bobl eraill sy’n byw yn y Fro.

The Leader of the Opposition (Nick Bourne): Good afternoon, First Minister. To return to the education theme, I want to ask about the foundation phase and the funding for it, given that there is clear concern about its underfunding. The foundation phase was an excellent idea—we included it in our manifesto, so we are wholly behind the idea—but we have a genuine concern about its funding. On your own figures, there is a £20 million shortfall over three years, but, on figures put forward by the teachers’ unions, there is a shortfall of up to £100 million over three years. Where will you find the money to plug that gap, and when will you announce that you intend to plug that gap?

Arweinydd yr Wrthblaid (Nick Bourne): Prynhawn da, Brif Weinidog. A dychwelyd at thema addysg, hoffwn ofyn am y cyfnod sylfaen a’r cyllid ar ei gyfer, o gofio bod pryder amlwg ynghylch y diffyg cyllid ar ei gyfer. Yr oedd y cyfnod sylfaen yn syniad gwych—cafodd ei gynnwys yn ein maniffesto, felly yr ydym yn cefnogi’r syniad yn llwyr—ond mae gennym bryder gwirioneddol ynglŷn â’i ariannu. Ar sail eich ffigurau chi eich hun, mae diffyg o £20 miliwn dros dair blynedd, ond, ar sail ffigurau a gyflwynwyd gan undebau’r athrawon, mae diffyg o hyd at £100 miliwn dros dair blynedd. Ym mhle y dewch o hyd i’r arian i gau’r bwlch hwnnw, a phryd y cyhoeddwch eich bod yn bwriadu cau’r bwlch hwnnw?

The First Minister: We believe that the roll-out in September will take place successfully, although there are six local authorities in Wales that have still not supplied us with the information on the numbers expected in the in-take, and we deprecate that practice. At the other end of the spectrum, we commend the six authorities of the 22 that have provided the information that we have asked for, which leaves 10 somewhere in the middle that have provided some information but not enough.

Y Prif Weinidog: Credwn y caiff y cynllun ei gyflwyno’n llwyddiannus ym mis Medi, er bod chwe awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru nad ydynt byth wedi rhoi gwybodaeth inni ynghylch y niferoedd y disgwylir eu derbyn, ac nid ydym yn cymeradwyo’r arfer hwnnw. Ar ben arall y sbectrwm, yr ydym yn cymeradwyo’r chwe awdurdod o’r 22 sydd wedi cyflwyno’r wybodaeth y gofynasom amdani, sy’n golygu bod 10 awdurdod rywle yn y canol sydd wedi cyflwyno rhywfaint o wybodaeth, ond dim digon.

As regards budget bids for the other three years of the roll-out,  2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12, the better the information we have, the sooner we can solve the unknowns, which relate to pay levels, the number of learning support assistants in schools who are already dealing with the foundation phase age groups—not the three-year-olds, obviously, but the four, five and six-year-olds—and the number who are not available because they are covering special educational needs or raising attainment and individual standards in education in Wales programmes. There is a third unknown, which I have forgotten for the moment, but we require that information from local authorities if we are to get the budget right for 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12.

Ynghylch ceisiadau i’r gyllideb ar gyfer y tair blynedd arall, sef 2009-10, 2010-11 a 2011-12, po fwyaf o wybodaeth sydd gennym, cyntaf yn y byd y gallwn ddatrys y materion anhysbys, sy’n ymwneud â lefelau’r cyflog, nifer y cynorthwywyr cymorth dysgu mewn ysgolion sydd eisoes yn delio â grwpiau oedran y cyfnod sylfaen—nid y plant tair oed, yn amlwg, ond y plant pedair, pump a chwech oed a’r nifer nad ydynt ar gael am eu bod yn ymdrin ag anghenion addysgol arbennig neu raglenni codi cyrhaeddiad a safonau addysgol unigolion yng Nghymru. Mae trydydd mater anhysbys, yr wyf wedi ei anghofio ar hyn o bryd, ond mae arnom angen y wybodaeth honno gan awdurdodau lleol os ydym am lunio cyllideb gywir ar gyfer 2009-10, 2010-11 a 2011-12.

Nick Bourne: I appreciate that there is a dispute about the shortfall, and I fully accept that it is the case that there are different sets of figures. However, I come back to the point that the First Minister did not address—or perhaps he is admitting that there is a shortfall. Even on his own figures, the amount that he is putting in this year rolled forward for the rest of the programme, we can see that more needs to be put in for the succeeding three years. Where will he find the money to make up that shortfall when that estimate is based on the most limited of figures, and so it could well be more than that? We are looking at a shortfall of £20 million, even on your figures. Where will that money come from?

Nick Bourne: Yr wyf yn sylweddoli bod dadlau ynghylch y diffyg, ac yr wyf yn derbyn yn llwyr fod gwahanol setiau o ffigurau ar gael. Fodd bynnag, dychwelaf at y pwynt na roddodd y Prif Weinidog sylw iddo—neu efallai ei fod yn cyfaddef bod diffyg. Hyd yn oed ar sail ei ffigurau ef ei hun, sef y swm y mae’n ei roi eleni yn cael ei roi ar waith ar gyfer gweddill y rhaglen, gallwn weld bod angen rhoi mwy ar gyfer y tair blynedd dilynol. Ym mhle y daw o hyd i’r arian i wneud iawn am y diffyg hwnnw, a’r amcangyfrif hwnnw’n seiliedig ar ffigurau cyfyngedig iawn, ac felly mae’n ddigon posibl y bydd yn fwy na hynny? Yr ydym yn edrych ar ddiffyg o £20 miliwn, hyd yn oed ar sail eich ffigurau chi. O ble y daw’r arian hwnnw?

The First Minister: The third unknown that I forgot a moment or two ago is the birth rate, which is rising. The 2007 figures, which came out just last week, of 34,500 births in Wales show a rise of 1,000 on the figures in 2006. They will be the children who come in during the second year that you are talking about. The issue, really, is this: until we can get an accurate estimate of the birth rate, the number of learning support assistants currently doing this work or currently employed but not available to do this kind of work, and the pay rate, local authorities will just have to give us their best estimates, and then it will be for Jane to make the budget bid, based on those best estimates. If the local authorities do not give Jane the bullets, she cannot fire the gun.

Y Prif Weinidog: Y trydydd mater anhysbys nad oeddwn yn ei gofio funud neu ddau yn ôl yw’r gyfradd geni, sy’n codi. Mae ffigurau 2007, a gyhoeddwyd yr wythnos diwethaf, sef 34,500 o enedigaethau yng Nghymru, yn dangos cynnydd o 1,000 ers ffigurau 2006.  Y rhain fydd y plant yr ydych yn sôn amdanynt a ddaw’n rhan o’r cyfnod sylfaen yn ystod yr ail flwyddyn. Hyn sydd dan sylw, mewn gwirionedd: nes inni allu cael amcangyfrif cywir o’r gyfradd geni, nifer y cynorthwywyr cymorth dysgu sy’n gwneud y gwaith hwn ar hyn o bryd neu sy’n gyflogedig ar hyn o bryd ond nad ydynt ar gael i wneud y math hwn o waith, a chyfradd y cyflogau, bydd yn rhaid i awdurdodau lleol roi eu hamcangyfrifon gorau inni, ac yna bydd Jane yn llunio’r cais i’r gyllideb, ar sail yr amcangyfrifon gorau hynny. Os nad yw’r awdurdodau lleol yn rhoi’r bwledi i Jane, ni fydd yn bosibl iddi danio’r gwn.

Nick Bourne: First Minister, I come back to the same point, although you have probably made my case for me. You have indicated a rise in the birth rate, which means more pupils in future, adding to the £20 million shortfall noted in the existing figures. The shortfall will be roughly in that ballpark although it may go slightly further afield—the teachers’ union say that it is far more than that, but even accepting your budget figures it will be of the order of £20 million. I will ask you that question again. Where will you find the money to make up that shortfall? The £5 million that has been announced came out of the existing education budget. It was not new money for education; it was new money for this area. However, based on the most conservative estimates of the money needed, you will require an additional £20 million. Where will you get that from?

Nick Bourne: Brif Weinidog, dychwelaf at yr un pwynt, er eich bod wedi dadlau fy achos drosof mae’n debyg. Yr ydych wedi sôn am gynnydd yn y gyfradd geni, sy’n golygu mwy o ddisgyblion yn y dyfodol, gan ychwanegu at y diffyg o £20 miliwn a nodwyd yn y ffigurau presennol. Rhywbeth felly fydd y diffyg yn fras, ond mae’n bosibl y bydd fymryn yn wahanol—yn ôl undeb yr athrawon, mae’n fwy na hynny o lawer, ond hyd yn oed os derbyniwn ffigurau eich cyllideb, bydd yn agos at £20 miliwn. Gofynnaf y cwestiwn hwnnw ichi unwaith eto. Ym mhle y dewch o hyd i’r arian i wneud iawn am y diffyg hwnnw? Daeth y £5 miliwn a gyhoeddwyd o’r gyllideb addysg bresennol. Nid arian newydd ar gyfer addysg ydoedd, arian newydd i’r maes hwn ydoedd. Fodd bynnag, ar sail yr amcangyfrifon mwyaf ceidwadol ynghylch yr arian sy’n angenrheidiol, bydd arnoch angen £20 miliwn yn ychwanegol. O ble y cewch yr arian hwnnw?

The First Minister: A budget bid will be made by Jane Hutt, Edwina Hart, Brian Gibbons and all the Ministers. It will be for the spend during the academic year 2009-10 in Jane’s case, and for roughly the same period for the other spending Ministers, too. The stronger their budget bid, the better chance they have of succeeding. At the moment, we are short of information along the lines that I have outlined, but I am pleased to have this avenue to tell those local authorities that are hanging back that if they do not provide the Minister for education with the information to enable her to draw up a carefully costed estimate of the costs of the foundation phase for 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12, how can she be expected to persuade the Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery to agree to her bid for more resources? She will not know the true figure without the information being supplied by local authorities. We hope that, over the next few weeks, they will understand this principle: if they give Jane Hutt the bullets to fire, she will fire them, and then she will be able to put in the best possible budget bid.

Y Prif Weinidog: Caiff cais i’r gyllideb ei lunio gan Jane Hutt, Edwina Hart, Brian Gibbons a’r holl Weinidogion. Bydd ar gyfer y gwariant yn ystod blwyddyn academaidd 2009-10 yn achos Jane, a’r un cyfnod yn fras ar gyfer y Gweinidogion eraill sy’n gyfrifol am wario hefyd. Po gryfaf yw eu cais i’r gyllideb, gorau fydd eu siawns o lwyddo. Ar hyn o bryd, mae’r wybodaeth sydd gennym am yr hyn a amlinellwyd gennyf yn brin, ond yr wyf yn falch o gael y cyfle hwn i ddweud wrth yr awdurdodau lleol hynny sy’n dal yn ôl, os na fyddant yn cyflwyno’r wybodaeth i’r Gweinidog dros addysg i’w galluogi i lunio amcangyfrif sydd wedi’i gostio’n ofalus o gostau’r cyfnod sylfaen ar gyfer 2009-10, 2010-11 a 2011-12, sut y gellir disgwyl iddi berswadio’r Gweinidog dros Gyllid a Chyflenwi Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus i gydsynio â’i chais am fwy o adnoddau? Ni fydd yn gwybod y ffigur cywir heb i awdurdodau lleol gyflwyno’r wybodaeth. Gobeithiwn y byddant, dros yr wythnosau nesaf, yn deall yr egwyddor hon: os rhônt y bwledi i Jane Hutt eu tanio, bydd hithau’n eu tanio, ac yna bydd yn gallu cyflwyno’r cais gorau posibl i’r gyllideb.

2.20 p.m.

Economic Priorities

Blaenoriaethau Economaidd

Q4 Nick Ramsay: Will the First Minister outline his economic priorities for the next six months? OAQ(3)1136(FM)

C4 Nick Ramsay: A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog amlinellu ei flaenoriaethau economaidd ar gyfer y chwe mis nesaf? OAQ(3)1136(FM)

The First Minister: They will be to press ahead with the defence training academy at St Athan, assisting in the massive build-up of employment opportunities at the Amazon development east of Swansea, and boosting Welsh exports and the health of Welsh manufacturers in the eurozone to take advantage of the opportunity presented to Welsh business by the change in exchange rates.

Nick Ramsay: To pick up on the last part of your answer, where you mentioned funding from the eurozone, I have been reading your letter in today’s Western Mail regarding the £40 million windfall, over which there seems to have been some confusion, according to your letter. Can you clarify the position on that? Can we expect that the bulk of that £40 million funding will be used for the benefit of people living in Wales, as you say in your letter? Do you stand by your comment that the journalist who was peddling the story requires a 'reality check’? It seems to me that this area has been open to confusion, so can you tell us today whether that money will be spent?

Nick Ramsay: A chydio yn rhan olaf eich ateb, lle y soniasoch am gyllid o ardal yr ewro, bûm yn darllen eich llythyr yn y Western Mail heddiw ynglŷn â’r arian annisgwyl gwerth £40 miliwn, arian y bu rhywfaint o ddryswch yn ei gylch, yn ôl eich llythyr. A allwch egluro’r sefyllfa ynghylch hynny? A allwn ddisgwyl y caiff y rhan fwyaf o’r £40 miliwn hwnnw ei ddefnyddio er budd pobl sy’n byw yng Nghymru, fel y dywedwch yn eich llythyr? A ydych yn glynu wrth eich sylw bod angen atgoffa’r newyddiadurwr a fu’n pedlera’r stori am realiti’r sefyllfa? Ymddengys i mi fod dryswch wedi bod ynghylch y maes hwn, felly a allwch ddweud wrthym heddiw a gaiff yr arian hwnnw ei wario?

The First Minister: You said that there is some confusion, but that confusion was sown by a journalist not present. I hope that I made the position clear this morning, because the tenor of his story was that we had run out of match funding and, therefore, could not use the £40 million and would have to send it back, whereas I said the opposite of that. I said that we would not be approving stretch projects using schemes that had worked fairly well and where we knew that the structure was still in place just because they had had match funding, but that we would be looking for projects that might be short of match funding but which represented the best strategic capacity for assisting the Welsh economy. We would then have to try to find the match funding, because we could not expect an ordinary sponsor to have had match funding in mind that it did not realise that it would need until we told it that we had an extra £40 million available and suggested that we try to use it.

Y Prif Weinidog: Dywedasoch fod rhywfaint o ddryswch, ond heuwyd y dryswch hwnnw gan newyddiadurwr nad oedd yn bresennol. Gobeithiaf fy mod wedi egluro’r sefyllfa’n glir y bore yma, oherwydd swm a sylwedd ei stori oedd bod yr arian cyfatebol wedi darfod ac, felly, ni allem wario’r £40 miliwn a byddai’n rhaid inni ei anfon yn ôl, ond yr oedd yr hyn a ddywedais yn gwbl groes i hynny. Dywedais na fyddem yn cymeradwyo prosiectau ymestyn sy’n defnyddio cynlluniau a oedd wedi gweithio’n weddol dda a lle y gwyddem fod y strwythur yn dal ar waith dim ond am eu bod wedi cael arian cyfatebol, ond y byddem yn chwilio am brosiectau sydd efallai’n brin o arian cyfatebol ond yn rhoi’r capasiti strategol gorau ar gyfer cynorthwyo economi Cymru. Yna, byddai’n rhaid inni geisio dod o hyd i’r arian cyfatebol, oherwydd ni allem ddisgwyl bod noddwr cyffredin wedi bod yn meddwl am arian cyfatebol, nad oedd yn sylweddoli y byddai arno ei angen, nes inni ddweud wrtho fod gennym £40 miliwn yn ychwanegol ar gael ac awgrymu y byddwn yn ceisio’i ddefnyddio.

David Lloyd: Hoffwn groesawu amcanion grŵp cynghori’r Gweinidog i sicrhau bod Cymru ar flaen y gad wrth fanteisio ar dueddiadau newydd yn y farchnad lafur yn ogystal ag ar dechnoleg newydd. Un o amcanion y grŵp cynghori fydd gwneud argymhellion ar ynni. Yn deillio o hynny, Brif Weinidog, gydag ynni a phrisiau ynni yn effeithio cymaint ar ein bywydau, a ydych yn cytuno y dylai pwerau dros brosiectau ynni dros 50MW gael eu trosglwyddo i’r Cynulliad?

David Lloyd: I would like to welcome the aims of the ministerial advisory group in ensuring that Wales is in the vanguard in terms of benefiting from new trends in the labour markets and from new technologies. One of the aims of the advisory group will be to make recommendations on energy. Following on from that, First Minister, given that energy and energy prices are having such an impact on our lives, do you agree that powers over energy projects of more than 50MW should be transferred to the Assembly?

Y Prif Weinidog: Mae hynny’n parhau i fod yn ddyhead gennym, ond, fel y gwyddoch, yr ydym wedi bod yn cael ein bwrw yn ôl gan ystyfnigrwydd Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig ers chwe blynedd, er mai Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig a gynigiodd y syniad i ni yn y lle cyntaf yn ystod y stŵr mawr ynglŷn â fferm wynt Cefn Croes. Yn y cyfamser, mae cwestiwn mawr ynni niwclear wedi codi, ac mae Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig yn ofni rhyddhau’r pwerau sy’n rhoi’r gallu iddi wneud y Gorchmynion y mae’n credu sydd eu hangen o ran ynni niwclear.

The Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrat Group (Michael German): I will come back to the European matter in a moment, but I want to ask you about the green jobs strategy. Your Minister with responsibility for economic development has written to me today, saying that information on how many green jobs there are in Wales:

Arweinydd Grŵp Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru (Michael German): Dof yn ôl at y mater Ewropeaidd yn y man, ond hoffwn ofyn ichi am y strategaeth swyddi gwyrdd. Ysgrifennodd eich Gweinidog â chyfrifoldeb dros ddatblygiad economaidd ataf heddiw, gan ddweud nad oes gwybodaeth am faint o swyddi gwyrdd a geir yng Nghymru:

'is not presently available in a consistent format’.

He also said that the consultation later this year will work out whether you can find the data to find out how many green jobs there are in Wales. Will we have to wait until later in the year before we have even a starting point as to how we can progress green jobs in Wales? How long will it be before we are able to take action based on a green jobs strategy?

Hefyd, dywedodd y bydd yr ymgynghoriad yn ddiweddarach eleni yn canfod a allwch ddod o hyd i’r data i wybod faint o swyddi gwyrdd a geir yng Nghymru. A fydd yn rhaid inni aros tan yn ddiweddarach yn y flwyddyn cyn inni gael man cychwyn, hyd yn oed, o ran sut y gallwn ddatblygu swyddi gwyrdd yng Nghymru? Am ba hyd y bydd yn rhaid inni ddisgwyl cyn y gallwn weithredu ar sail strategaeth swyddi gwyrdd?

The First Minister: I do not think that we have to wait for a green jobs strategy for the statisticians to be able to say that they have a block of Government statistics that is sufficiently clear and sufficiently widely accepted for them to honestly say that they are up to the usual standard for Government statistics. I received the same briefing as the Deputy First Minister from our statisticians saying that this is very difficult. No-one has tried to define green jobs before. We will define them, but we do not have to hold up the whole programme because of that.

Y Prif Weinidog: Ni chredaf fod yn rhaid inni aros am strategaeth swyddi gwyrdd nes bod yr ystadegwyr yn gallu dweud bod ganddynt floc o ystadegau’r Llywodraeth sy’n ddigon clir ac wedi’u derbyn yn ddigon eang iddynt ddweud yn onest eu bod yn cyrraedd y safon arferol ar gyfer ystadegau’r Llywodraeth. Rhoddwyd yr un wybodaeth imi ag a roddwyd i’r Dirprwy Brif Weinidog gan ein hystadegwyr yn dweud bod hyn yn anodd iawn. Nid oes neb wedi ceisio diffinio swyddi gwyrdd o’r blaen. Awn ati i’w diffinio, ond nid oes yn rhaid inni ddal y rhaglen gyfan yn ôl oherwydd hynny.

Michael German: Two years ago to this month, Labour AMs voted against a green jobs strategy. I am pleased that it is going to happen, although it is late. In that motion two years ago, it was suggested that you might want to look at the way things have been done in Scotland, where a strategy has been running for more than two years and where they have defined green jobs, and how they should be measured.

Michael German: Ddwy flynedd yn ôl i’r mis hwn, pleidleisiodd Aelodau Llafur y Cynulliad yn erbyn strategaeth swyddi gwyrdd. Yr wyf yn falch ei fod yn mynd i ddigwydd, er ei fod braidd yn hwyr. Yn y cynnig hwnnw ddwy flynedd yn ôl, awgrymwyd y byddech efallai’n awyddus i edrych ar y ffordd y gwnaethpwyd pethau yn yr Alban, lle y mae strategaeth wedi bod ar waith ers mwy na dwy flynedd a lle y maent wedi diffinio swyddi gwyrdd, a sut y dylid eu mesur.

If we are going to have to wait two years to get a strategy in place, and then another year into the programme to calculate the base level, we are not going to make the striking start that will benefit the carbon footprint of Wales in a crucial area. Can you guarantee that action will be taken in the next 12 months?

The First Minister: I was saying precisely the opposite of what you have just claimed—I said that you would not have to wait until you have solved the statistical conundrums in relation to the definition of what is and what is not a green job before you can have a strategy in place. We can all pick figures out of the air, as well as projects, schemes and companies that employ people in green jobs, be it one, 100 or 1,000 jobs, but we want to know whether we have a set of rock-solid statistics that everybody finds acceptable. However, you do not have to wait for that statistical work to be done before you can engage in a strategy for expanding the number of green jobs.

Y Prif Weinidog: Yr oeddwn yn dadlau’r i’r gwrthwyneb yn union i’r hyn yr ydych newydd ei honni—dywedais na fyddai’n rhaid ichi aros nes ichi ddatrys y posau ystadegol yng nghyswllt y diffiniad o’r hyn sy’n swydd werdd a’r hyn nad yw’n swydd werdd cyn y gallwch roi strategaeth ar waith. Gall pob un ohonom enwi ffigurau ar hap, yn ogystal â phrosiectau, cynlluniau a chwmnïau sy’n cyflogi pobl mewn swyddi gwyrdd, boed hynny’n un, 100 ynteu 1,000 o swyddi, ond mae arnom eisiau gwybod a oes gennym set o ystadegau cadarn y mae pawb yn eu hystyried yn dderbyniol. Fodd bynnag, nid oes yn rhaid ichi aros i’r gwaith ystadegol hwnnw gael ei gwblhau cyn ichi allu cael strategaeth ar gyfer cynyddu nifer y swyddi gwyrdd.

Michael German: If you do not know what it is that you are measuring, you will not know whether you have been successful in improving the situation. That is the point that I am trying to make. Is it not the same as your targets for affordable homes? There are no published figures for those targets, and no-one can tell us how many affordable homes have been built this year by this Government.

Michael German: Os na wyddoch beth yr ydych yn ei fesur, ni fyddwch yn gwybod a ydych wedi gwella’r sefyllfa’n llwyddiannus. Dyna’r pwynt yr wyf yn ceisio’i wneud. Onid yw’r un fath â’ch targedau ar gyfer cartrefi fforddiadwy? Nid oes ffigurau wedi’u cyhoeddi ar gyfer y targedau hynny, ac ni all neb ddweud wrthym faint o gartrefi fforddiadwy a adeiladwyd eleni gan y Llywodraeth hon.

The First Minister: You can argue that you should do nothing until you have agreement on the statistical definition of green jobs to the satisfaction of the Statistics Commission, which runs the rule over what are good, poor or indifferent Government figures. In my view, you do not have to wait to do that. We will have arguments over what the baseline is, and you will be able to argue that we have set the baseline too high to make the figures look good, or too low to make the expansion look good—we will have those arguments—but I do not believe that we should wait until we have a rock-solid set of statistics, as good as the usual statistics that you would expect from the Government.

Y Prif Weinidog: Gallwch ddadlau na ddylech wneud dim nes ichi gael cytundeb ynghylch y diffiniad ystadegol o swyddi gwyrdd sy’n bodloni’r Comisiwn Ystadegau, sef y corff sy’n penderfynu pa ffigurau gan y Llywodraeth sy’n  rhai da, yn rhai gwael neu’n rhai diddrwg-didda Yn fy marn i, nid oes yn rhaid ichi aros cyn gwneud hynny. Bydd dadleuon ynghylch beth yw’r llinell sylfaen, a byddwch yn gallu dadlau ein bod wedi pennu llinell sylfaen sy’n rhy uchel i beri i’r ffigurau edrych yn dda, neu’n rhy isel i beri i’r cynnydd edrych yn dda—bydd y dadleuon hynny’n codi—ond ni chredaf y dylem aros nes bod gennym set gadarn o ystadegau, sydd cystal â’r ystadegau arferol y byddech yn eu disgwyl gan y Llywodraeth.

Employment Security

Diogelwch Swyddi

Q5 Jonathan Morgan: Will the First Minister make a statement about the employment security of those employed by the Welsh Assembly Government and its executive agencies? OAQ(3)1143(FM)

C5 Jonathan Morgan: A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am ddiogelwch cyflogaeth y sawl a gyflogir gan Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru a’i hasiantaethau gweithredol? OAQ(3)1143(FM)

The First Minister: Efficiency savings are a way of life, and have been since 1999-2000, particularly in the current difficult financial climate. However, we have a good record during mergers and other such moves in ensuring that we give an enormous amount of assistance to people during periods of change, and, wherever possible, we try to avoid making people redundant because their jobs have disappeared.

Y Prif Weinidog: Mae arbedion effeithlonrwydd yn rhan annatod o fywyd, ac mae hynny’n wir ers 1999-2000, yn enwedig yn yr hinsawdd ariannol anodd sydd ohoni. Fodd bynnag, mae gennym record dda wrth i uno a newidiadau o’r fath ddigwydd o ran sicrhau ein bod yn rhoi llawer iawn iawn o gymorth i bobl yn ystod cyfnodau o newid, a phan fydd hynny’n bosibl, byddwn yn ceisio osgoi gwneud pobl yn ddi-waith am fod eu swyddi wedi diflannu.

Jonathan Morgan: Your statement is news to me, because I understand that the Minister for Health and Social Services has already confirmed in a meeting with the chair of the local health boards that there will be no job losses as a result of the restructuring of the national health service. We have applauded a move away from the 22 local health boards, but it is inconceivable for the Welsh Assembly Government to be able to give a commitment that there will be no job losses at all. Are you able to say categorically that there will be no job losses from the local health boards, or the NHS trusts, as a result of the reorganisation plan?

Jonathan Morgan: Mae eich datganiad yn newydd i mi, oherwydd yr wyf yn cael ar ddeall bod y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol eisoes wedi cadarnhau mewn cyfarfod gyda chadeirydd y byrddau iechyd lleol na fydd swyddi’n cael eu colli yn sgîl ailstrwythuro’r gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol. Yr ydym wedi cymeradwyo symud oddi wrth y 22 bwrdd iechyd lleol, ond ni ellir amgyffred y gall Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru roi ymrwymiad na chaiff yr un swydd ei cholli o gwbl. A allwch ddweud yn bendant na chaiff yr un swydd ei cholli yn y byrddau iechyd lleol, neu ymddiriedolaethau’r GIG, yn sgîl y cynllun ad-drefnu?

The First Minister: I said the same thing in reply to Helen Mary Jones’s question last week. You have said for a long period that the plan for 22 local health boards was a high-cost option. If it had been, you could have expected major efficiency savings in significantly reducing the number of boards. However, as I said last week, it is not a high-cost option, because we have not had 22 chief executives, 22 finance directors, 22 medical directors and 22 heads of human resources—we have used groupings of those personnel. Therefore, when you reduce the number of local health boards, it does not necessarily mean that there will be a large amount of efficiency savings. That is not to say that you can guarantee that there will never be any redundancies. What we have done is to ensure that we can recycle people, and use natural wastage to protect people from being made redundant when their jobs cease to exist.

Y Prif Weinidog: Dywedais yr un peth wrth ateb cwestiwn Helen Mary Jones yr wythnos diwethaf. Yr ydych wedi dweud ers cryn amser fod y cynllun ar gyfer 22 bwrdd iechyd lleol yn ddewis cost uchel. Petasai’n ddewis cost uchel, gallasech ddisgwyl arbedion effeithlonrwydd sylweddol yn sgîl lleihau nifer y byrddau yn sylweddol. Fodd bynnag, fel y dywedais yr wythnos diwethaf, nid yw’n ddewis cost uchel, oherwydd ni fu gennym 22 prif weithredwr, 22 cyfarwyddwr cyllid, 22 cyfarwyddwr meddygol na 22 pennaeth adnoddau dynol—yr ydym wedi defnyddio grwpiau o weithwyr yn y swyddi hynny. Felly, pan fyddwch yn lleihau nifer y byrddau iechyd lleol, nid yw o reidrwydd yn golygu y bydd llawer iawn o arbedion effeithlonrwydd. Ni olyga hynny y gallwch warantu na chaiff dim swyddi eu colli o gwbl. Yr hyn yr ydym wedi’i wneud yw sicrhau ein bod yn gallu ailgylchu pobl, a defnyddio colli’n naturiol i ddiogelu pobl rhag colli eu swyddi pan fydd eu swyddi’n peidio â bodoli.

Joyce Watson: Y llynedd, arwyddodd Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru gytundeb partneriaeth gymdeithasol arloesol gyda Chyngres Undebau Llafur Cymru, GIG Cymru, Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru a chyrff eraill yn y gwasanaethau cyhoeddus datganoledig yn ehangach.

2.30 p.m.

The agreement refers to placing the workforce at the centre of the public service agenda and discusses job continuity, job security and fair pay systems. What does this agreement mean for those employed by the Welsh Assembly Government and for other stakeholders in Wales?

Mae’r cytundeb yn cyfeirio at wneud y gweithlu’n ganolog yn agenda gwasanaethau cyhoeddus ac mae’n trafod dilyniant o ran swyddi, diogelwch swyddi a systemau cyflog teg. Beth y mae’r cytundeb hwn yn ei olygu i’r rhai sy’n cael eu cyflogi gan Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru ac i randdeiliaid eraill yng Nghymru?

The First Minister: You are certainly right about the principle of empowering the staff to have a greater ability to plan their own jobs and make a bigger contribution. That is part of it, but it also relates to the answer that I gave earlier to Jonathan on the points that he referred to, which Edwina has made before now, in relation to forthcoming changes and whatever shape they finally take in health.

Y Prif Weinidog: Yr ydych yn sicr yn iawn ynghylch yr egwyddor o rymuso’r staff i gael mwy o allu i gynllunio’u swyddi eu hunain ac i wneud mwy o gyfraniad. Mae hynny’n rhan ohono, ond mae a wnelo hefyd â’r ateb a roddais yn gynharach i Jonathan ynglŷn â’r pwyntiau y cyfeiriodd atynt, y mae Edwina wedi eu gwneud cyn hyn, mewn perthynas â’r newidiadau sydd yn yr arfaeth a beth bynnag fydd eu ffurf yn y pen draw ym maes iechyd.

We always try to have a central postings pool. We will have a freeze on recruitment, and we will offer retraining possibilities for anyone whose job becomes redundant, because that does not mean that the human being doing the job must become redundant; people can be retrained to do another job or given good access to vacancies arising elsewhere in a large organisation.

Yr ydym bob amser yn ceisio cael pwll ganolog ar gyfer penodiadau. Byddwn yn atal recriwtio, a byddwn yn cynnig posibiliadau o ran ailhyfforddi i unrhyw un y mae ei swydd yn mynd yn ddiangen, oherwydd nid yw hynny’n golygu bod yn rhaid i’r bod dynol sy’n gwneud y swydd fod yn segur; gellir ailhyfforddi pobl i wneud swydd arall neu roi mynediad da iddynt at swyddi gweigion sy’n codi mewn mannau eraill mewn sefydliad mawr.

Flexsys

Flexsys

Q6 Janet Ryder: Will the First Minister make a statement regarding the future of Cefn-Mawr and the surrounding area in light of the Flexsys plant closure? OAQ(3)1157(FM)

C6 Janet Ryder: A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am ddyfodol Cefn-Mawr a’r ardal gyfagos yng ngoleuni cau safle Flexsys? OAQ(3)1157(FM)

The First Minister: You will be aware that chemical operations involving mainly phenol production have been undertaken at Flexsys for more than 100 years. For the next two years, the company has a contractual obligation to provide electricity and other site services to co-producers on site. We will assist the company and the employees during that time, and we will look at the future of the Cefn-Mawr operations in due course.

Y Prif Weinidog: Byddwch yn ymwybodol bod gwaith cemegol yn ymwneud â chynhyrchu ffenol yn bennaf wedi bod yn Flexsys ers dros 100 mlynedd. Am y ddwy flynedd nesaf, mae gan y cwmni rwymedigaeth o dan gontract i ddarparu trydan a gwasanaethau safle eraill i gydgynhyrchwyr ar y safle. Byddwn yn helpu’r cwmni a’r gweithwyr yn ystod y cyfnod hwnnw, a byddwn yn edrych ar ddyfodol y gwaith yng Nghefn-mawr gyda hyn.

Janet Ryder: I have met with the Flexsys workers and union representatives, as has Ieuan Wyn Jones, to discuss alternatives for the workforce and the community. It is a chemical works site, and it needs to be cleaned up by the company so that it can be returned to community use. It has enormous potential; it is a 30 ha piece of land on the doorstep of a world heritage site at Froncysyllte. Do you agree that, although the company must be responsible for cleaning the site, the Assembly Government also has a central part to play in regenerating the area?

Janet Ryder: Yr wyf fi, ac Ieuan Wyn Jones yntau, wedi cwrdd â gweithwyr Flexsys a chynrychiolwyr yr undeb i drafod posibiliadau eraill ar gyfer y gweithlu a’r gymuned. Safle gwaith cemegol ydyw, ac mae angen iddo gael ei lanhau gan y cwmni fel y gellir ailddechrau ei ddefnyddio er budd y gymuned. Mae iddo botensial enfawr; mae’n ddarn o dir sy’n 30 ha yn agos iawn at safle treftadaeth y byd yn Froncysyllte. A ydych yn cytuno, er bod yn rhaid i’r cwmni fod yn gyfrifol am lanhau’r safle, fod gan Lywodraeth y Cynulliad hefyd ran ganolog i’w chwarae yn y gwaith o adfywio’r ardal?

The First Minister: Yes, I think that you have described the situation accurately. There is no question in our mind that it is always the company that decides that it is going to terminate operations at a particular site that has the job of putting the site back into a fit state for any subsequent operations. Our officials are in ongoing discussions with Flexsys, Wrexham County Borough Council and the Environment Agency in north Wales to establish the exact facts on liability for clean-up operations for all of the previous site activities.

Y Prif Weinidog: Ydwyf, credaf eich bod wedi disgrifio’r sefyllfa’n gywir. Nid oes amheuaeth gennym nad y cwmni sy’n penderfynu ei fod yn mynd i roi’r gorau i’w waith ar safle penodol sydd bob amser yn gyfrifol am adfer y safle i gyflwr addas ar gyfer unrhyw waith wedi hynny. Mae ein swyddogion yn dal i drafod gyda Flexsys, Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Wrecsam ac Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd yng ngogledd Cymru i sefydlu’r union ffeithiau o ran atebolrwydd am y gwaith glannau yng nghyswllt yr holl weithgareddau blaenorol ar y safle.

Mark Isherwood: Three weeks ago, I raised concerns about job losses, including those at Flexsys, with you in the Chamber. You accused me of being guilty of a ruthless search for bad news in the newspapers. Therefore, how do you respond to the following Flexsys employee who is being made unemployed? He e-mailed me and said that production started in 1867 and that the company has been a major employer ever since. He said that he feels that the impact on the community, when the site closes, will be devastating and that a lack of well-paid jobs and high property prices mean that many people will be unable to stay in the area. He went on to say that anything that you could do about the situation would be greatly appreciated. What assurance would you give to such people, given the concerns that he raised?

Mark Isherwood: Dair wythnos yn ôl, codais bryderon ynglŷn â cholli swyddi, gan gynnwys y rhai yn Flexsys, gyda chi yn y Siambr. Fe’m cyhuddasoch o fod yn euog o chwilio’n ddidostur am newyddion drwg yn y papurau newydd. Felly, sut yr ydych yn ymateb i’r gweithiwr canlynol o Flexsys sy’n cael ei wneud yn ddi-waith? Anfonodd e-bost ataf a dywedodd i’r gwaith cynhyrchu ddechrau yn 1867 a bod y cwmni wedi bod yn gyflogwr o bwys ers hynny. Dywed ei fod o’r farn y bydd yr effaith ar y gymuned, pan fydd y safle’n cau, yn niweidiol ofnadwy a bod diffyg swyddi â chyflogau da a phrisiau eiddo uchel yn golygu na fydd llawer o bobl yn gallu aros yn yr ardal. Aeth yn ei flaen i ddweud y byddai unrhyw beth y gallech ei wneud ynglŷn â’r sefyllfa’n cael ei werthfawrogi’n fawr. Pa sicrwydd y byddech yn ei roi i bobl o’r fath, o ystyried y pryderon a gododd?

The First Minister: There is never a good time to lose your job. However, relatively speaking, there is a slightly less bad time to lose your job; employment in Wales is at a record high and employment in north-east Wales is at a reasonably healthy level compared with other parts of Wales. On that relative scale of how painful it will be to find other jobs, currently, if you are made unemployed in Wrexham through the closure of the company’s operations, your chances of getting another job are not as bad as they would have been 20 or 10 years ago. It is not going to be easy placing people who may have specialist skills in chemicals and so on, but, on the other hand, we have a reasonably buoyant labour market situation in north-east Wales. That makes it not as bad, although it does not make it good.

Y Prif Weinidog: Nid oes byth amser da i golli eich swydd. Fodd bynnag, yn gymharol, mae amser ychydig llai gwael i golli eich swydd; mae cyflogaeth yng Nghymru yn uwch nag y bu erioed ac mae cyflogaeth yn y gogledd-ddwyrain ar lefel gymharol iach o’i chymharu â rhannau eraill o Gymru. Ar y raddfa gymharol honno o ran pa mor boenus y bydd i ddod o hyd i swyddi eraill, ar hyn o bryd, os collwch eich swydd yn Wrecsam am fod eich cwmni’n rhoi’r gorau i’w waith, nid yw eich gobaith o gael swydd arall cynddrwg ag y byddai wedi bod 20 neu 10 mlynedd yn ôl. Ni fydd yn hawdd lleoli pobl sydd â sgiliau arbenigol ym maes cemegolion ac yn y blaen, ond, ar y llaw arall, mae gennym farchnad lafur weddol fywiog yn y gogledd-ddwyrain. Mae hynny’n golygu nad yw cynddrwg, er nad yw’n golygu ei bod yn dda.

Eleanor Burnham: To follow on from that, I appreciate that you are trying to do your best, but how much Welsh Assembly Government funding is going into the area? After all, we know that the Wrexham authority, like all local authorities, is under extreme financial pressure. How much money are you giving, and are you hopeful that these people will find other employment, because there are other issues to do with other companies in the area? In view of the increased price of fuel, there is a huge extra burden placed on people if they have to travel out of the area for new jobs.

Eleanor Burnham: A dilyn hynny, yr wyf yn sylweddoli eich bod yn ceisio gwneud eich gorau, ond faint o gyllid gan Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru sy’n mynd i’r ardal? Wedi’r cyfan, gwyddom fod awdurdod Wrecsam, fel pob awdurdod lleol, o dan bwysau ariannol eithriadol. Faint o arian yr ydych yn ei roi, ac a ydych yn obeithiol y gwnaiff y bobl hyn ganfod gwaith arall, oherwydd y mae problemau eraill ynglŷn â chwmnïau eraill yn yr ardal? O ystyried pris uwch tanwydd, mae baich ychwanegol enfawr ar bobl os ydynt yn gorfod teithio o’r ardal i gael swyddi newydd.

The First Minister: There are different levels of buoyancy, in terms of employment levels, in different labour markets in Wales. The Wrexham and Flintshire area is reasonably buoyant in comparison with most parts of Wales and most experience over the past 20 years or so. In terms of money being put in, Wrexham and Cefn-Mawr are not in an assisted area. On the other hand, they are fairly close to the assisted area and opportunities will arise in that regard. Also, in the areas nearby that are assisted there is a lot of new investment being made, such as in Flintshire and other areas, like St Asaph, which are not too far away. Wrexham has a fair level of low unemployment and all of the symptoms of low unemployment, with people from eastern Europe coming in to take up jobs that local people do not want.

Y Prif Weinidog: Mae gwahanol lefelau o fywiogrwydd, o ran lefelau cyflogaeth, mewn gwahanol farchnadoedd llafur yng Nghymru. Mae ardal Wrecsam a sir y Fflint yn weddol fywiog o’i chymharu â’r rhan fwyaf o rannau o Gymru a’r rhan fwyaf o’r profiad a gafwyd yn ystod yr 20 mlynedd diwethaf. O ran yr arian sy’n cael ei ddarparu, nid yw Wrecsam a Chefn-mawr mewn ardal a gynorthwyir. Ar y llaw arall, maent yn weddol agos at yr ardal a gynorthwyir a’r cyfleoedd a fydd yn codi yn y cyswllt hwnnw. Hefyd, yn yr ardaloedd cyfagos sy’n cael cymorth, mae llawer o fuddsoddiad newydd yn cael ei wneud, megis yn sir y Fflint ac ardaloedd eraill, fel Llanelwy, nad ydynt yn rhy bell i ffwrdd. Mae gan Wrecsam lefel weddol isel o ddiweithdra a holl symptomau diweithdra isel, gyda phobl o ddwyrain Ewrop yn dod yno i gymryd swyddi nad yw’r bobl leol am eu cael.

Cysylltiad Band Eang

Broadband Connection

C7 Alun Ffred Jones: A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am yr hyn y mae Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru’n ei wneud i sicrhau cysylltiad band eang cadarn drwy Gymru wledig? OAQ(3)1137(FM)

Q7 Alun Ffred Jones: Will the First Minister make a statement on what the Welsh Assembly Government is doing to ensure broadband connection in rural Wales? OAQ(3)1137(FM)

Y Prif Weinidog: Yr wyf yn cydnabod bod ardaloedd yng nghefn gwlad Cymru lle nad oes band eang ar gael ar hyn o bryd. Ni wn beth yw’r Gymraeg am 'not spot’; tybed ai 'man gwan’ neu 'gwan fan’ fyddai’r term. Yr ydym yn cydweithio â’r rheolydd cyfathrebu, Ofcom, a’r diwydiant cyfathrebu i geisio gwael gwared ar y rhwystrau, ac yn bwriadu cynnal proses gaffael ledled Cymru i ymdrin â’r broblem.

The First Minister: I recognise that there are areas in rural Wales where broadband is currently unavailable. I am not sure of the Welsh term for 'not spot’; perhaps it is 'man gwan’ or 'gwan fan’. We are working with the communications regulator, Ofcom, and the communications industry to try to overcome the barriers, and we are planning a Wales-wide procurement process to tackle the problem.

Alun Ffred Jones: Ers imi wneud fy sylwadau am y sefyllfa hon yn y papur newydd yn ddiweddar, mae ugeiniau o etholwyr, ynghyd â phobl y tu allan i’r etholaeth, wedi cysylltu â mi. Soniwch am y mannau gwan, ond 'mannau dim byd’ ydynt mewn gwirionedd. Nid yn unig y lleoedd hynny y gwyddom nad oes ganddynt gyswllt band eang yw’r broblem, ond y rheini lle ceir cyswllt band eang gwael. Er bod pobl yn talu am y gwasanaeth, mae’n torri i lawr neu’n methu â gweithio o gwbl. A dderbyniwch fod methu â chael cysylltiad band eang mewn llawer o bentrefi—ac nid ym mhellafoedd cefn gwlad, ond mewn ardaloedd megis Arfon gyda’i hen bentrefi chwarel—erbyn hyn yn milwriaethu’n erbyn hyfywedd pentrefi a chymunedau o’r fath gan na fydd teuluoedd ifanc am symud i ardal lle nad oes cysylltiadau gweddol gadarn? A gytunwch hefyd fod hynny’n effeithio ar fusnesau lleol?

Alun Ffred Jones: Since I made comments about this situation in the newspaper recently, scores of constituents and people from outside the constituency have contacted me. You referred to these areas as weak spots—mannau gwan—but they are actually areas where there is no broadband at all. It is not just these broadband not spots that pose a problem, but those areas where there is a poor broadband connection. Although people are paying for the service, it either breaks down or does not work. Do you accept that not being able to receive a broadband connection in many villages—not in the depths of the countryside, but in areas such as Arfon with its old quarrying villages—now militates against the viability of such villages and communities because young families will not move to an area without fairly robust connections? Do you also agree that this affects local businesses?

Y Prif Weinidog: Yr ydych yn eithaf cywir i gyfeirio at y pwynt nad sôn am y ffaith nad oes band eang o gwbl mewn mannau yn unig a wnawn, ond hefyd am gyflymder y gwasanaeth sy’n bodoli nad yw’n benigamp. Felly nid yw’n cymharu’n ffafriol â’r gystadleuaeth a geir pan archebir drwy gwmni mawr, ac mae’n amlwg y gall cwmnïau eraill ddarparu’n gyflymach ac yn symlach am fod ganddynt fand eang cyflymach.

The First Minister: You are quite right to say that we are not just talking about the fact that there is no broadband at all, but we are also talking about the speed of service where the service does exist but is not the best. Therefore it does not measure up to the competition that you get when people place orders through a major company, and it is obvious that other companies can deliver a service in a quicker and simpler way because they have a faster broadband connection.

Mae’r prosiect FibreSpeed yn parhau, a bydd yn ymdrin â’r 14 o brif barciau busnes ar draws arfordir gogledd Cymru. Mae strategaeth hefyd o ran y tyrau radio a fydd yn cysylltu’r 14 prif barc busnes strategol i barciau busnes llai drwy gyfrwng y biben band eang ar draws yr arfordir.

The FibreSpeed project is ongoing, and it will deal with the 14 main business parks across the north Wales coast. There is also a radio tower strategy that will link the 14 main strategic business parks to smaller business parks through the broadband line across the coastline.

Darren Millar: Do you accept that lack of access to broadband can seriously disadvantage pupils and students from rural parts of Wales, such as Gwytherin in my constituency, as they cannot easily access the internet and its wonderful resources to supplement their education? What guidance is your Government issuing to teaching professionals in Welsh schools so that they take this into account when setting homework and coursework?

Darren Millar: A ydych yn derbyn bod diffyg mynediad at fand eang yn gallu golygu anfantais ddifrifol i ddisgyblion a myfyrwyr o rannau gwledig Cymru, megis Gwytherin yn fy etholaeth, gan nad ydynt yn gallu cael mynediad rhwydd at y rhyngrwyd a’i hadnoddau rhagorol i ategu eu haddysg? Pa ganllawiau y mae eich Llywodraeth yn eu rhoi i athrawon yn ysgolion Cymru fel eu bod yn ystyried hyn pan fyddant yn gosod gwaith cartref a gwaith cwrs?

The First Minister: You are now getting into very detailed issues. I am not sure that I should be delving into the relationship between teachers and pupils as regards the setting of homework and whether pupils can use 'I couldn’t get the broadband to work last night due to stormy weather’ as an excuse along the lines of 'The dog ate my homework’. It is not a matter for me. However, you are right that access to broadband not only affects business but can affect the use of broadband facilities for leisure and entertainment purposes and even for educational purposes. It is an important educational tool. We hope that, by a combination of the use of copper wire, which fades out after 5 km, and of satellite and wi-fi to fill the areas that you cannot reach through the copper wire system, we will be ensure continued good coverage: that is, a reduction in the number of not spots and an increase in speed where you have broadband.

Y Prif Weinidog: Yr ydych yn sôn yn awr am faterion manwl iawn. Nid wyf yn siŵr a ddylwn fod yn ymhel â’r berthynas rhwng athrawon a disgyblion o ran gosod gwaith cartref ac a yw disgyblion yn gallu defnyddio 'Ni allwn gael y band eang i weithio neithiwr oherwydd y tywydd stormus’ yn esgus tebyg i 'Mae’r ci wedi bwyta fy ngwaith cartref’. Nid yw’n fater i mi. Fodd bynnag, yr ydych yn llygad eich lle bod mynediad at fand eang nid yn unig yn effeithio ar fusnesau ond y gall effeithio ar ddefnyddio cyfleusterau band eang at ddibenion hamdden ac adloniant a hyd yn oed at ddibenion addysgol. Mae’n arf addysgol pwysig. Gobeithiwn, drwy gyfuno defnyddio gwifren gopr, sy’n gwanhau ar ôl 5 km, a lloeren a wi-fi i lenwi’r mannau na allwch eu cyrraedd drwy system y wifren gopr, y byddwn yn sicrhau bod darpariaeth dda’n parhau: hynny yw, gostyngiad yn nifer yr ardaloedd digyswllt a chynnydd mewn cyflymder lle y mae gennych fand eang.

2.40 p.m.

Kirsty Williams: There are a number of not spots in Brecon and Radnorshire, and one of the not spots that is currently causing the most concern is in the village of Tirabad, where constituents are at their wits’ end about the inability to get broadband. Engineers who have visited the village say that the cable is 40 years old, with multiple breaks causing excessive losses. The whole village needs re-cabling, and, to add insult to injury, the poles that hold the wire above the ground have all been condemned and cannot be climbed, so workmen have to use a cherry picker.

Kirsty Williams: Mae nifer o ardaloedd digyswllt ym Mrycheiniog a Sir Faesyfed, ac un o’r mannau digyswllt sy’n achosi’r pryder mwyaf ar hyn o bryd yw pentref Tirabad, lle y mae’r etholwyr ar ben eu tennyn ynglŷn â’r anallu i gael band eang. Dywed peirianwyr sydd wedi ymweld â’r pentref fod y cebl yn 40 oed, gyda nifer o doriadau sy’n achosi colledion gormodol. Mae angen gosod ceblau newydd drwy’r pentref cyfan, ac, i rwbio halen yn y briw, mae’r polion sy’n dal y gwifrau uwchlaw’r ddaear i gyd wedi cael eu condemnio ac ni ellir dringo ar hyd-ddynt, felly rhaid i weithwyr ddefnyddio craen bach.

In Scotland, the BT website advertises that BT can have broadband working quite successfully at 13 km. If BT can do that in Scotland, why can it not do that here? In reply to my most recent letter, BT wrote that it wants to fix the problem, but that discussions with the Welsh Assembly Government have not come to fruition, and, therefore, it cannot sort out the problems affecting villages such as Tirabad. When do you think that your discussions with BT will come to fruition, so that my constituents can enjoy the services that can be enjoyed in other parts of Wales and in rural parts of Scotland?

Yn yr Alban, mae gwefan BT yn hysbysebu y gall BT gael band eang i weithio’n ddigon llwyddiannus 13 km i ffwrdd. Os gall BT wneud hynny yn yr Alban, pam na all wneud hynny yma? Mewn ymateb i’m llythyr diweddaraf, ysgrifennodd BT ei fod am gywiro’r broblem, ond nad yw trafodaethau gyda Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru wedi dwyn ffrwyth, ac, felly, ni all ddatrys y problemau sy’n effeithio ar bentrefi fel Tirabad. Pryd, meddwch chi, y bydd eich trafodaethau gyda BT yn dwyn ffrwyth, fel y gall fy etholwyr fwynhau’r gwasanaethau y gellir eu mwynhau mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru ac yn rhannau gwledig yr Alban?

The First Minister: I have heard of the grass being greener on the other side, but I have never heard of copper wire working differently on the other side of a hill. What you are suggesting is that copper wire will transmit a broadband signal for 13 km in the highlands, but will only do it for 5 km in Wales. That sounds a bit bizarre to me, but I will look into the matter. It is not just a matter of communications with BT. As the legacy company, BT has tended to be in the forefront when it comes to the issue of trying to fill in the holes in the broadband network throughout Wales, but communication with other providers is also important, particularly if, in the end, it is a matter for satellite and wi-fi, rather than for copper wires. It has to be done by a multiplicity of different technologies.

Y Prif Weinidog: Yr wyf wedi clywed am weld man gwyn fan draw, ond nid wyf erioed wedi clywed bod gwifren gopr yn gweithio’n wahanol yr ochr draw i’r bryn. Yr hyn yr ydych yn ei awgrymu yw y gwnaiff gwifren gopr drawsyrru signal band eang am 13 km yn yr ucheldiroedd, ond nad yw ond yn gwneud hynny am 5 km yng Nghymru. Mae hynny’n swnio’n rhyfedd braidd i mi, ond ymchwiliaf i’r mater. Nid dim ond mater o gyfathrebu â BT ydyw. Fel y cwmni etifeddol, mae BT wedi tueddu i fod ar flaen y gad o ran ceisio llenwi’r bylchau yn y rhwydwaith band eang ledled Cymru, ond mae cyfathrebu â darparwyr eraill yn bwysig hefyd, yn enwedig os yw, yn y diwedd, yn golygu lloeren a wi-fi, yn hytrach na gwifrau copr. Rhaid i hyn gael ei wneud drwy nifer o dechnolegau gwahanol.

Joint Ministerial Committee

Cyd-bwyllgor y Gweinidogion

Q8 Lesley Griffiths: What discussions has the First Minister had with his counterparts in other devolved administrations regarding the work of the Joint Ministerial Committee? OAQ(3)1151(FM)

C8 Lesley Griffiths: Pa drafodaethau y mae’r Prif Weinidog wedi’u cael gyda’i gymheiriaid mewn gweinyddiaethau datganoledig eraill ynghylch gwaith Cyd-bwyllgor y Gweinidogion. OAQ(3)1151(FM)

The First Minister: I will be meeting Alex Salmond and Peter Robinson tomorrow, as well as Jack Straw, who will be chairing the meeting, and Paul Murphy, who is co-ordinating the work of this meeting, which will be the first revamped Joint Ministerial Committee plenary session. We will have wide-ranging discussions on matters of mutual interest.

Y Prif Weinidog: Byddaf yn cwrdd ag Alex Salmond a Peter Robinson yfory, yn ogystal â Jack Straw, a fydd yn cadeirio’r cyfarfod, a Paul Murphy, sy’n cyd-drefnu gwaith y cyfarfod hwn, sef cyfarfod llawn cyntaf Cyd-bwyllgor y Gweinidogion ar ei newydd wedd. Cawn drafodaethau eang eu cwmpas am faterion sydd o ddiddordeb i bawb fel ei gilydd.

Lesley Griffiths: The administrative and structural arrangements that underpin devolution in the UK, namely the memorandum of understanding, the Joint Ministerial Committee and the concordats, are all necessary to make the various devolution settlements that we have in the UK function properly. However, from a Welsh perspective, some of those arrangements do not reflect the current settlement in Wales. For example, the memorandum of understanding was written in 2001, and consequently does not refer to the Government of Wales Act 2006. Do you agree that for all the constituent parts of the UK, at Executive level and within our respective legislatures, to fully understand, recognise and fulfil our respective roles, it is essential that these administrative arrangements are kept up to date? When the JMC meets in London tomorrow, will you consider asking for a review and modernisation of those arrangements to ensure that devolution works more effectively and efficiently for the people of Wales?

Lesley Griffiths: Mae’r trefniadau gweinyddol a strwythurol sy’n sylfaen i ddatganoli yn y DU, sef y memorandwm dealltwriaeth, Cyd-bwyllgor y Gweinidogion a’r concordatau, i gyd yn angenrheidiol i wneud i’r gwahanol setliadau datganoli sydd gennym yn y DU weithredu’n iawn. Fodd bynnag, o safbwynt Cymru, nid yw rhai o’r trefniadau hynny’n adlewyrchu’r setliad sydd gennym yng Nghymru ar hyn o bryd. Er enghraifft, ysgrifennwyd y memorandwm dealltwriaeth yn 2001, ac nid yw felly’n cyfeirio at Ddeddf Llywodraeth Cymru 2006. A ydych yn cytuno, er mwyn i bob un rhan o’r DU, ar lefel Gweithrediaeth ac o fewn ein gwahanol ddeddfwrfeydd, ddeall, cydnabod a chyflawni ein gwahanol rolau’n llawn, ei bod yn hanfodol i’r trefniadau gweinyddol hyn gael eu diweddaru’n gyson? Pan fydd y cyd-bwyllgor yn cwrdd yn Llundain yfory, a wnewch ystyried gofyn am adolygu a moderneiddio’r trefniadau hynny i sicrhau bod datganoli’n gweithio’n fwy effeithiol ac effeithlon ar gyfer pobl Cymru?

The First Minister: As with all of these constitutional issues, it is important to ensure that what is of interest to the political classes—the chattering classes, the people who are Ministers, First Ministers and Deputy First Ministers—and what is of interest to ordinary people are brought together. We will probably not go into those areas of discussion tomorrow, but we will be trying to think how to make the JMC machinery work in the interests of ordinary people the length and breadth of the United Kingdom.

Y Prif Weinidog: Megis gyda’r holl faterion cyfansoddiadol hyn, mae’n bwysig sicrhau bod yr hyn sydd o ddiddordeb i bobl wleidyddol—y rhai sydd wedi cael addysg, y bobl sy’n Weinidogion, yn Brif Weinidogion ac yn Ddirprwy Brif Weinidogion—a’r hyn sydd o ddiddordeb i bobl gyffredin yn cael eu tynnu ynghyd. Nid yw’n debygol y byddwn yn trafod y meysydd hynny yfory, ond byddwn yn ceisio ystyried sut y mae gwneud i beirianwaith y cyd-bwyllgor weithio er budd pobl gyffredin ar hyd a lled y Deyrnas Unedig.

Angela Burns: I understand that you will be discussing the draft marine Bill tomorrow when you meet Jack Straw and other members of the Joint Ministerial Committee. There are Irish and Welsh concerns that differences in management could lead to distortions and unfair competition within the port industry between Wales and the rest of the UK. Would you please bring these concerns forward tomorrow and seek assurances that that will not be the case? The port industry and our relationship with Northern Ireland are important to the people of my constituency, Pembrokeshire, and also to Wales herself.

Angela Burns: Deallaf y byddwch yn trafod y Mesur morol drafft yfory pan fyddwch yn cwrdd â Jack Straw ac aelodau eraill o Gyd-bwyllgor y Gweinidogion. Mae pryderon yn Iwerddon a Chymru y gallai gwahaniaethau o ran rheoli arwain at lurgunio a chystadleuaeth annheg o fewn y diwydiant porthladdoedd rhwng Cymru a gweddill y DU. Os gwelwch yn dda a wnewch gyfleu’r pryderon hyn yfory a gofyn am sicrwydd na fydd hynny’n digwydd? Mae’r diwydiant porthladdoedd a’n perthynas â Gogledd Iwerddon yn bwysig i bobl fy etholaeth, sir Benfro, a hefyd i Gymru ei hun.

Y Prif Weinidog: Mae’r Mesur morol yn sicr ar yr agenda, fel y mae ynni adnewyddadwy—yn ogystal â materion eraill a all godi fel y bydd yr awydd yn codi. Fodd bynnag, mae’r ddwy eitem hynny’n eitemau penodol ar yr agenda, ac mae’r safbwyntiau gwahanol yng Nghymru, Gogledd Iwerddon a’r Alban, oherwydd bod ein daearyddiaeth mor wahanol, yn bwysig. Mae cwestiwn ynglŷn â pha mor bell y dylech ymestyn y terfyn 12 milltir, sy’n destun pryder mawr i’r Albanwyr. Fodd bynnag, nid yw eu daearyddiaeth yr un fath â’n daearyddiaeth ni.

If we extended the coastal limit from 12 miles outwards, which is what the Scots want to do, we would cover half of England and most of Ireland. Therefore, it is not as relevant to us, or it is not relevant in the same way. The main issue is to ensure that the way in which it is done is of benefit to the conservation of the marine environment and that there is effective exploitation in terms of fisheries, coast guard services and everything else involved in having an effective maritime environment.

Petaem yn ymestyn y terfyn arfordirol o 12 milltir tuag allan, sef yr hyn y mae’r Albanwyr am ei wneud, byddem yn cynnwys hanner Lloegr a’r rhan fwyaf o Iwerddon. Felly, nid yw mor berthnasol i ni, neu nid yw’n berthnasol yn yr un ffordd. Y prif fater dan sylw yw sicrhau bod y ffordd y caiff hyn ei wneud o fudd i warchod amgylchedd y môr a bod pysgodfeydd, gwasanaethau gwylwyr y glannau a phopeth arall sydd a wnelo â chael amgylchedd morol effeithiol yn cael eu datblygu’n effeithiol.

Nerys Evans: Yr wyf yn aelod o Bwyllgor Darlledu’r Cynulliad. Yn amlwg, nid mater sydd wedi ei ddatganoli i’r Cynulliad yw hwn ond mae o ddiddordeb mawr i ni yn y Cynulliad ac i bobl Cymru. Fel y gwyddoch, nid oes rhaid i Weinidogion San Steffan ddod i roi tystiolaeth i bwyllgorau megis y Pwyllgor Darlledu, ac mae’r Gweinidog perthnasol wedi gwrthod cwrdd â’r pwyllgor. A gredwch fod hynny’n dderbyniol, ac a fyddech yn fodlon codi’r pwnc hwn yng nghyfarfod Cyd-bwyllgor y Gweinidogion? Byddai’n ein galluogi i gael trafodaethau ehangach ac eglurach ym mhwyllgorau’r Cynulliad.

Nerys Evans: I am a member of the Assembly Broadcasting Committee. Obviously, this matter is not devolved to the Assembly but it is of great interest to us in the Assembly and to the people of Wales. As you know, Westminster Ministers do not have come to give evidence to committees such as the Broadcasting Committee, and the relevant Minister has refused to meet the committee. Do you think that that is acceptable, and would you be willing to raise this subject in the Joint Ministerial Committee? It would enable us to have wider and clearer discussions in the Assembly’s committees.

Y Prif Weinidog: Os anfonwch nodyn ataf heddiw, ystyriaf a yw’n weddus i mi godi’r pwynt yng nghyfarfod cyntaf Cyd-bwyllgor y Gweinidogion yfory. Yr hyn sy’n bwysig yw ein bod yn derbyn bod agenda weddol rydd gan y cyd-bwyllgor. Yr ydym yn ceisio ail-lansio cyfarfodydd y cyd-bwyllgor hwn yn gyfarfodydd lle y gallwn drafod materion yn eithaf agored ynddynt ac yn gyfarfodydd nad ydym yn gorfod paratoi papurau a chlirio popeth drwy’r swyddogion ar eu cyfer. Yr ydym am weld sut y gall y pedair Llywodraeth berthnasol ymdopi â’i gilydd, ac yr ydym am weld a allwn wneud i bethau weithio’n fwy effeithiol nag y gwnaethant dros y chwe blynedd diwethaf.

Peter Black: One issue that is of concern to ordinary people is that the Assembly carries out its work in the most efficient and effective way possible. That includes effectively acquiring the powers that we seek through legislative competence Orders. In the light of that, do you think that it might be useful to revisit the protocols that Lesley Griffiths referred to so as to enable the misunderstandings that have arisen, certainly on the parliamentary side about the nature and purpose of those LCOs, to be overcome?

Peter Black: Un peth sydd yn poeni pobl gyffredin yw bod y Cynulliad yn gwneud ei waith mor effeithlon ac effeithiol ag sy’n bosibl. Mae hynny mewn gwirionedd yn golygu cael y pwerau yr ydym yn eu ceisio drwy gyfrwng Gorchmynion cymhwysedd deddfwriaethol. Yng ngoleuni hynny, a gredwch y gallai fod o fudd edrych eto at y protocolau y cyfeiriodd Lesley Griffiths atynt er mwyn gallu datrys y camddealltwriaethau sydd wedi codi, yn sicr o du’r Senedd ynglŷn â natur a phwrpas y Gorchmynion hynny.

The First Minister: I do not think that that would be a suitable matter to discuss at the Joint Ministerial Committee, because it is a bilateral issue between us and the Westminster Government. We are trying to establish a format tomorrow that will be as useful and practical to people across the UK to consider what the best way forward is for the Westminster Government, in terms of its UK function and its England-only function, and for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland too. We need to be able to kick things around and make decisions that will benefit ordinary people. Bilateral issues would get in the way of that.

Y Prif Weinidog: Ni chredaf y byddai hynny’n fater addas i’w drafod yng Nghyd-bwyllgor y Gweinidogion, gan mai mater dwyochrog ydyw rhyngom ni a Llywodraeth San Steffan. Yr ydym yn ceisio sefydlu fformat yfory a fydd mor ddefnyddiol ac ymarferol i bobl ym mhob cwr o’r DU i ystyried beth yw’r ffordd orau i Lywodraeth San Steffan fwrw ymlaen, yng nghyd-destun ei swyddogaeth o ran y DU a’i swyddogaeth o ran Lloegr yn unig, ac o ran Cymru, yr Alban a Gogledd Iwerddon hefyd. Mae angen inni allu taflu pethau i’r pair a gwneud penderfyniadau a fydd o fudd i bobl gyffredin. Byddai materion dwyochrog yn tarfu ar hynny.

European Funding

Cyllid Ewropeaidd

Q9 Michael German: Will the First Minister make a statement on the use of European funding in Wales? OAQ(3)1140(FM)

C9 Michael German: A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am ddefnyddio cyllid Ewropeaidd yng Nghymru? OAQ(3)1140(FM)

The First Minister: As I explained to the European and External Affairs Committee last week, as the 2000-06 programmes draw to a close, we are determined to extract the maximum benefit for Wales from the exchange rate £40 million windfall that is now available in the final phase and to get the new convergence programme up and running as quickly as possible.

Y Prif Weinidog: Fel yr esboniais wrth y Pwyllgor Materion Ewropeaidd ac Allanol yr wythnos diwethaf, wrth i raglenni 2000-06 ddirwyn i ben, yr ydym yn benderfynol o sicrhau’r budd mwyaf i Gymru yn sgîl yr arian annisgwyl, sef £40 miliwn, oherwydd y gyfradd gyfnewid, sydd ar gael inni yn awr yn y cyfnod olaf, ac o roi’r rhaglen gydgyfeirio newydd ar waith cyn gynted ag sy’n bosibl.

Michael German: I want to make it absolutely clear that your words to the committee were that it would be a miracle if we could spend all of the £40 million. You also said that we would be very stretched to find the match funding. When the money is sent back—which it will be unless you are predicting a miracle—will it be because there are insufficient projects or because you cannot find the necessary match funding, or a mixture of both?

Michael German: Yr wyf am ei gwneud yn gwbl glir mai’r hyn a ddywedasoch wrth y pwyllgor oedd y byddai’n wyrth pe gallem wario’r £40 miliwn i gyd. Dywedasoch hefyd y byddai’n dipyn o gamp inni ddod o hyd i’r arian cyfatebol. Pan ddychwelir yr arian—sef yr hyn a fydd yn digwydd oni bai eich bod yn proffwydo y bydd gwyrth yn digwydd—ai oherwydd nad oes digon o brosiectau y bydd hynny ynteu oherwydd na allwch ddod o hyd i’r arian cyfatebol angenrheidiol, ynteu cyfuniad o’r ddau?

The First Minister: It will not be for either of those reasons. I explained this earlier when I corrected the rather hurried press release that you published almost before the meeting had finished. You misunderstood completely what I had said in your speed to write the press release. I said that there will inevitably be projects that do not get off the ground. That always happens with European structural funds, through no fault of the project sponsor’s; sometimes they just do not manage to deliver the project. That money must then be recycled, very hurriedly sometimes. Likewise, the European auditors will be unhappy with other projects and they will demand repayment. Normally, we also try to recycle that money. It might be that 1 per cent of the money goes back for one reason and another 1 per cent goes back for audit reasons, and so on. On this occasion, because it is a windfall of £40 million, which is unalloyed good news for Wales, the issue is whether we choose projects simply because the match funding is available to them. I said to the committee last week that I do not think that it is a good idea to choose projects just because they can get match funding. We want to choose the projects that give the best strategic value to Wales, even if we have to help them find the match funding.

2.50 p.m.

Jeff Cuthbert: I was at the meeting that Mike German referred to. I was also at the All-Wales Programme Monitoring Committee for the new convergence and competitiveness programmes—and for Objective 1—just over two weeks ago, and I cannot understand how the report in the Western Mail could have been written in that way because, in my view, the issues were clear. I am sure that you will be pleased to hear that although the Objective 1 PMC was fraught with tensions in its early days—and I am sure that my colleague, Christine Chapman, could confirm that—at its last meeting over two weeks ago, it had turned itself around, even though the same people were present and the same partners were represented. They were applauding the work that we had done through Objective 1 in creating over 40,000 jobs and helping to create many small and medium-sized enterprises.

Jeff Cuthbert: Yr oeddwn yn y cyfarfod y cyfeiriodd Mike German ato. Yr oeddwn hefyd yng nghyfarfod Pwyllgor Monitro Rhaglenni Cymru Gyfan ar gyfer y rhaglenni cydgyfeirio a chystadleurwydd newydd—ac ar gyfer Amcan 1—ychydig dros bythefnos yn ôl, ac ni allaf ddeall sut y gallai’r adroddiad yn y Western Mail gael ei ysgrifennu yn y ffordd honno, oherwydd, i mi, yr oedd y materion yn glir. Yr wyf yn siŵr y byddwch yn falch o glywed, er bod cyfarfodydd y pwyllgor yn llawn tensiwn yn y dyddiau cynnar—ac yr wyf yn siŵr y gallai fy nghyd-Aelod, Christine Chapman, gadarnhau hynny—ei fod erbyn y cyfarfod diwethaf dros bythefnos yn ôl wedi newid yn llwyr, er mai’r un bobl oedd yn bresennol a’r un partneriaid yn cael eu cynrychioli. Yr oeddent yn cymeradwyo’r gwaith yr oeddem wedi’i wneud drwy Amcan 1 o ran creu dros 40,000 o swyddi a helpu i greu llawer o fentrau bach a chanolig.

Do you agree that the new convergence and competitiveness programme that is worth around £1.5 billion—and £3 billion with match funding—will make a massive difference to skills levels in particular in Wales? That will be strategically led, but locally delivered, especially as a result of at least 60 per cent having to be referred to Lisbon-agenda-funded programmes.

A gytunwch y bydd y rhaglen gydgyfeirio a chystadleurwydd newydd, sydd yn werth tua £1.5 biliwn—a £3 biliwn gydag arian cyfatebol—yn gwneud gwahaniaeth mawr i lefelau sgiliau yn benodol yng Nghymru? Arweinir hynny’n strategol, ond bydd yn cael ei gyflawni yn lleol, yn enwedig gan fod o leiaf 60 y cant yn gorfod cael ei gyfeirio at raglenni sydd yn cael eu cyllido gan agenda Lisbon.

Y Prif Weinidog: Mae uwchraddio sgiliau gweithlu Cymru yn flaenoriaeth fawr i bob plaid yn y Siambr. Mae byd busnes y tu allan i’r Cynulliad yn awyddus i weld hynny hefyd. Os yw’r gyfradd gyfnewid yn aros fel y mae heddiw, bydd gennym 15 y cant yn fwy o arian dros y chwe neu saith mlynedd nesaf. Yn yr un modd ag y cawsom £40 miliwn yn annisgwyl o arian Ewropeaidd yn sydyn iawn, byddwn yn cael £300 miliwn yn ychwanegol dros y chwe blynedd nesaf, os yw’r gyfradd gyfnewid yn aros fel y mae heddiw. Er hynny, bydd yn ei gwneud yn anos cael arian cyfatebol, wrth gwrs, felly nid yw’n newydd da yn gyfan gwbl. Fodd bynnag, mae’n newydd da, ac mae’n golygu y gallwch wneud mwy, cyn bellech â’ch bod yn gallu rhoi’r prosiect ar waith a’i gyflawni o fewn yr amser sydd ar gael.

David Melding: Ni fyddai neb ohonom yn eich collfarnu am nad ydych yn glirweledydd, ac yr wyf yn sylweddoli bod gwario pob ceiniog yn gyngor delfrydol, ond cafodd y dibrisiad o tua 15 y cant yng ngwerth y bunt yn erbyn yr ewro ei awgrymu yr haf diwethaf, a dechreuodd yn gynnar ym mis Medi y llynedd. Yr ydych wedi cael amser i reoli’r ansicrwydd hwn. A allwch ein sicrhau na fydd fawr ddim tanwariant, os bydd tanwariant, a’ch bod wedi rheoli’r sefyllfa hon yn briodol er mwyn i’r arian annisgwyl hwnnw fod o fudd i’r rhannau hynny o Gymru y mae arnynt fwyaf o angen y buddsoddiad hwn?

Y Prif Weinidog: Dechreuodd ym mis Medi, ond ni theimlwyd ei effaith yn llawn tan ganol Tachwedd. Yr wyf yn meddwl mai ar ddiwedd y flwyddyn, tua mis Rhagfyr, y cawsom y ffigurau gyntaf, gan ddeall y byddai’n rhyw £40 miliwn yn ychwanegol. Yn amlwg, yr ydym wedi bod yn gwneud ein gorau ers hynny i geisio sicrhau, cyn iddynt fynd i’r pedwar gwynt, ein bod yn gwneud ein gwaith gyda noddwyr y rhaglenni sydd yn dal i fodoli neu sydd yn awyddus i barhau, gan eu bod hwythau’n dal i obeithio manteisio ar gyllid cydgyfeirio. Yr ydym wedi gofyn, 'Os ydych yn gallu dod o hyd i’r arian cyfatebol, neu os ydym ni’n gallu dod o hyd iddo, a allwch ymestyn eich arian er mwyn defnyddio’r £40 miliwn ychwanegol hwn, sy’n golygu na fydd arnoch angen cymaint o’r cyllid cydgyfeirio neu y gallwch ymdopi ag oedi cyn y bydd arnoch ei angen?’. Fodd bynnag, fe welwch nad yw hynny’n bosibl bob tro oherwydd, yn ychwanegol at broblem yr archwiliad, mae prosiectau’r busnesau bach a chanolig yn methu weithiau am y rheswm eu bod yn methu ac felly y mae wedi bod drwy’r amser.

We usually over-programme by 10 per cent, but as I said in my letter this morning and to the committee last week, had we known, we would have over-programmed by 20 per cent to allow not only for the fallout from some programmes and projects that do not happen but also for sterling going down against the euro. We did not foresee that.

Fel arfer, yr ydym yn gor-raglennu 10 y cant, ond, fel y dywedais yn fy llythyr y bore yma ac wrth y pwyllgor yr wythnos diwethaf, pe baem yn gwybod, byddem wedi gor-raglennu 20 y cant er mwyn lwfio nid yn unig ar gyfer y ffaith nad yw rhai rhaglenni a phrosiectau’n digwydd ond hefyd ar gyfer gostyngiad yng ngwerth sterling o’i gymharu â’r ewro. Ni ragwelsom hynny.

Bethan Jenkins: I am sure that the First Minister would like to join me in congratulating the Deputy First Minister on the steps that he has taken to simplify the grants process for new businesses in Wales. I will further press the First Minister on whether he could make representations to the European officials on simplifying the support available for Welsh businesses from the European Union. It seems to me that the EU could learn a lot more from the Deputy First Minister on alleviating unnecessary bureaucratic burdens on small businesses.

Bethan Jenkins: Yr wyf yn sicr y bydd y Prif Weinidog am ymuno â mi i longyfarch y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog ar y camau y mae wedi eu cymryd i symleiddio’r broses grantiau ar gyfer busnesau newydd yng Nghymru. Pwysaf ymhellach ar y Prif Weinidog a allai gyflwyno sylwadau i’r swyddogion Ewropeaidd ynghylch symleiddio’r cymorth sydd ar gael i fusnesau Cymru gan yr Undeb Ewropeaidd? Mae’n ymddangos i mi y gall yr UE ddysgu llawer gan y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog ynghylch lliniaru beichiau biwrocrataidd diangen ar fusnesau bach.

The First Minister: I am sure that there is total unity on this subject, and I entirely agree with you.

The Heads of the Valleys Road

Ffordd Blaenau’r Cymoedd

Q10 Mohammad Asghar: Will the First Minister make a statement on the progress being made to make the A465 Heads of the Valleys road in South Wales East a dual carriageway? OAQ(3)1156(FM)

C10 Mohammad Asghar: A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am y cynnydd a wnaethpwyd i wneud ffordd A465 Blaenau’r Cymoedd yn ffordd ddeuol yn Nwyrain De Cymru? OAQ(3)1156(FM)

The First Minister: A couple of weeks ago, on 22 May, the Abergavenny to Gilwern section of the A465 dual carriageway was opened. It is a 6 km stretch, or roughly four miles, and it completes two of the six phases of the Heads of the Valleys scheme. The forthcoming national transport plan and review of the trunk road forward programme will provide details of the timing for the remaining sections.

Y Prif Weinidog: Ychydig wythnosau’n ôl, ar 22 Mai, agorwyd y rhan o ffordd ddeuol yr A465 sydd rhwng y Fenni a Gilwern. Mae’n ddarn 6 km, neu ryw 4 milltir, o hyd ac mae’n cwblhau dau o chwe cham cynllun Blaenau’r Cymoedd. Bydd y cynllun trafnidiaeth cenedlaethol sydd ar ddod a’r adolygiad o’r flaenraglen cefnffyrdd yn rhoi’r manylion ar gyfer amseriad y rhannau sydd ar ôl.

Mohammad Asghar: I was with the Deputy First Minister at that opening ceremony, and it was a wonderful occasion. However, the campaign to dual the whole of the road has lasted almost 40 years, and people cannot blame the current Assembly Government for the perceived delays in the work. Could you tell us the latest on the plan for the stretch between Merthyr Tydfil and Hirwaun, and will you join me in hoping that the whole road is dualled as soon as possible?

Mohammad Asghar: Yr oeddwn gyda’r Dirprwy Brif Weinidog yn y seremoni agoriadol honno, ac yr oedd yn achlysur gwych. Fodd bynnag, mae’r ymgyrch i ddeuoli’r ffordd ar ei hyd wedi para bron 40 mlynedd ac ni all pobl weld bai ar Lywodraeth y Cynulliad ar hyn o bryd am yr oedi, fel y mae’n ymddangos, yn y gwaith. A allech ddweud wrthym beth yw’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf ynghylch y cynllun ar gyfer y rhan o’r ffordd rhwng Merthyr Tudful a Hirwaun, ac a wnewch ymuno â mi i obeithio y caiff yr holl ffordd ei deuoli cyn gynted ag sy’n bosibl?

The First Minister: I am not sure that you are right about the road being planned as a dual carriageway 40 years ago. I think that Jim Griffiths, the first Secretary of State for Wales, was very clear that it would be a three-lane carriageway when he announced it in 1965, I believe. The important thing is that modern safety standards mean that three-lane carriageways are not ideal, and therefore it should be converted into a dual carriageway. It then comes down to the complex engineering, the funds required and the statutory procedures. The Dowlais to Tredegar section was dualled first, and now the Abergavenny to Gilwern section is complete, and we expect further stages to be completed as the capital programme unfolds, and as we solve the funding problems.

Y Prif Weinidog: Nid wyf yn sicr a ydych yn gywir wrth farnu ei bod yn fwriad i’r ffordd fod yn ffordd ddeuol 40 mlynedd yn ôl. Credaf fod Jim Griffiths, Ysgrifennydd Gwladol cyntaf Cymru, yn glir iawn y byddai’n gerbytffordd tair lôn pan gyhoeddodd hynny yn 1965, fe gredaf. Yr hyn sy’n bwysig yw bod safonau diogelwch modern yn golygu nad yw cerbytffyrdd tair lôn yn ddelfrydol, felly dylai gael ei throi’n ffordd ddeuol. Yna, rhaid ystyried y gwaith peirianyddol cymhleth, yr arian y byddai ei angen a’r gweithdrefnau statudol. Cafodd y rhan o Ddowlais i Dredegar ei deuoli yn gyntaf, a bellach mae’r rhan o’r Fenni i Gilwern wedi cael ei chwblhau, a disgwyliwn i gamau pellach gael eu cwblhau wrth i’r rhaglen gyfalaf fynd rhagddi, ac wrth inni ddatrys y problemau ariannu.

William Graham: Could you give some thought to the fact that sections 2 and 3 have yet to be completed and that there is not even a date for their implementation and completion?

The Leader of the House and Counsel General (Carwyn Jones): There are no changes to report to this week’s Government business, and business for the next three weeks is as set out in the draft business statement and announcement, which can be found in the agenda papers that are available to Members electronically.

David Melding: Presiding Officer, I hope that you will indulge me. I had intended to ask the Leader of the House for a statement in relation to situations that have arisen in terms of the monitoring of the Arriva Trains contract. I asked for a meeting with the Deputy First Minister, and I have just received a message to say that the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport has agreed to meet with me, so I think that I should keep my powder dry until I have had that meeting. I am grateful that I have now had a response, but I give notice that the opposition will seek reassurance on this important public matter, and we may have to return to the Assembly and bring this issue before you again. However, for the moment, I hope that I will have a productive meeting with your colleague.

Carwyn Jones: I am grateful to David Melding, and I do not think that there is much that I can add.

Christine Chapman: I note the earlier question to the First Minister, but I would like to have a statement from the Deputy First Minister regarding the dualling of the A465, particularly the stretch from Hirwaun to Merthyr. I am obviously pleased that there has been progress on the other parts but, as you know, there has been an increase in the number of tragic accidents in that area recently and there is also the problem of the continued roadworks. There is now a great deal of anger in my constituency and in the constituency of my colleague, Huw Lewis, and a feeling that something must be done to alleviate these problems. We would also like to have a detailed statement on the timescales and regular updates.

Christine Chapman: Yr wyf yn sylwi ar y cwestiwn a ofynnwyd i’r Prif Weinidog yn gynharach, ond hoffwn gael datganiad gan y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog ynghylch deuoli’r A465, yn enwedig y rhan o’r ffordd rhwng Hirwaun a Merthyr. Wrth gwrs, yr wyf yn falch bod cynnydd wedi bod o ran y rhannau eraill ond, fel y gwyddoch, mae cynnydd wedi bod yn nifer y damweiniau trasig yn yr ardal honno’n ddiweddar ac yn ogystal mae problem y gwaith parhaus ar y ffordd. Erbyn hyn, mae llawer o ddicter yn fy etholaeth i ac yn etholaeth fy nghyd-Aelod Huw Lewis, ac mae llawer yn teimlo bod yn rhaid i rywbeth gael ei wneud i liniaru’r problemau hyn. Hoffem gael datganiad manwl hefyd ynghylch yr amserlenni a chael gwybod yn gyson beth yw’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf.

Carwyn Jones: Of course, Christine. I can say that initial work on assessing procurement options for the delivery of the remaining sections of dualling has been completed, and the Deputy First Minister will be providing more details in Plenary. There is no question about recognising the importance of the Heads of the Valleys road as a major transport route for the whole of Wales. The recently published Wales transport strategy recognises the importance of improving the infrastructure of the Heads of the Valleys. Work is ongoing, and when it is completed there will be an announcement in Plenary.

Carwyn Jones: Wrth gwrs, Christine. Gallaf ddweud bod y gwaith cychwynnol o asesu opsiynau caffael ar gyfer cyflawni’r gwaith deuoli sydd ar ôl wedi ei orffen, ac y bydd y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog yn rhoi rhagor o fanylion yn y Cyfarfod Llawn. Nid oes unrhyw amheuaeth o ran cydnabod pwysigrwydd ffordd Blaenau’r Cymoedd fel un o’r prif lwybrau trafnidiaeth ar gyfer Cymru gyfan. Mae strategaeth drafnidiaeth Cymru a gyhoeddwyd yn ddiweddar yn cydnabod pwysigrwydd gwella seilwaith Blaenau’r Cymoedd. Mae gwaith yn mynd yn ei flaen, a bydd cyhoeddiad yn y Cyfarfod Llawn pan fydd wedi’i gwblhau.

3.00 p.m.

Eleanor Burnham: I am aware that the First Minister responded to a question about Flexsys earlier, but, as I mentioned when I asked the supplementary question, other manufacturers and companies in Flintshire and Wrexham are also experiencing difficulties. May we have a statement on the strategy and on what moneys are available? Wrexham and parts of Flintshire are not within the European Union convergence funding areas, and so it is important that we have an update on these serious matters. Perhaps a stitch in time would save nine in this instance, instead of our scrambling to help afterwards, which can sometimes be too late.

Eleanor Burnham: Yr wyf yn ymwybodol bod y Prif Weinidog wedi ateb cwestiwn am Flexsys yn gynharach, ond, fel y soniais wrth ofyn y cwestiwn atodol, mae gweithgynhyrchwyr a chwmnïau eraill yn sir y Fflint a Wrecsam yn wynebu anawsterau hefyd. A allwn gael datganiad am y strategaeth a chael gwybod pa arian sydd ar gael? Nid yw Wrecsam na rhannau o sir y Fflint o fewn ardaloedd cyllid cydgyfeirio’r Undeb Ewropeaidd, ac felly mae’n bwysig inni gael y newyddion diweddaraf am y materion pwysig hyn. Efallai y byddai pwyth mewn llaw yn arbed naw yn yr achos hwn, yn hytrach na sgrialu i helpu wedyn, sydd weithiau’n gallu bod yn rhy hwyr.

Carwyn Jones: I do not see the point in having a general statement on the economic situation in Flintshire and Wrexham; both parts of Wales continue to do well. They are outside the convergence funding area, but they have nevertheless prospered economically since the election of a Labour Government in 1997 and the establishment of the Assembly in 1999.

Bethan Jenkins: Although the Assembly seems to encourage young people to have a voice in the political process in Wales, it is unjustifiable that the Prince of Wales is to open the youth chamber without young people in Wales having been consulted on that decision. Therefore, I wish to have a debate in the National Assembly about the future of the monarchy in Wales but involving young people so that we can discuss that viewpoint openly.

I also want to ask for a debate on eating disorders. A meeting of the cross-party group on eating disorders is to be held next week, but my request comes in light of a new diet patch on the market for young people, advertised on websites such as Facebook and Hotmail. It has been targeted at young people but it may result in more problems with eating disorders in future.

Hoffwn ofyn hefyd am drafodaeth am anhwylderau bwyta. Cynhelir cyfarfod y grŵp trawsbleidiol ar anhwylderau bwyta yr wythnos nesaf, ond cyflwynaf fy nghais oherwydd bod patshys deiet newydd ar y farchnad ar gyfer pobl ifanc, sy’n cael eu hysbysebu ar wefannau megis Facebook a Hotmail. Maent wedi eu targedu at bobl ifanc ond gallant arwain at fwy o broblemau gydag anhwylderau bwyta yn y dyfodol.

Carwyn Jones: Eating disorders are a growing problem. They are fuelled, at least in part, by what young girls particularly, although it is not exclusively confined to them, read about and see as the ideal body shape. I read recently that this is becoming an increasing concern again, with a thin body being seen as the body shape to aspire to. I am afraid that I have failed in that regard over time. However, it is a serious issue, and many Members will have had experience of dealing with many young girls and others who suffer from eating disorders. It is important that the cross-party group reports back to the Minister for Health and Social Services on what might be done to help to alleviate the situation. You are right to say that it is a problem that will not go away, and I am filled with some horror that what appears to be an unproven dieting technique is being heavily marketed to young people, which is worrying.

Carwyn Jones: Mae anhwylderau bwyta yn broblem gynyddol. Cânt eu hysgogi, o leiaf yn rhannol, gan yr hyn y mae merched ifanc yn arbennig, er na chyfyngir hyn yn llwyr i ferched ifanc, yn darllen amdano ac yn ei weld fel siâp corff delfrydol. Darllenais yn ddiweddar fod hyn yn fater sy’n peri pryder cynyddol unwaith eto, gyda’r ddelwedd o gorff tenau fel y siâp i anelu ato. Mae arnaf ofn fy mod wedi methu yn hynny o beth o dipyn i beth. Fodd bynnag, mae’n fater difrifol, a bydd llawer o Aelodau wedi cael profiad o ddelio â llawer o ferched ifanc ac eraill sy’n dioddef gan anhwylderau bwyta. Mae’n bwysig i’r grŵp trawsbleidiol adrodd yn ôl i’r Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ynghylch beth y gellid ei wneud i helpu i liniaru’r sefyllfa. Yr ydych yn llygad eich lle wrth ddweud nad yw hon yn broblem a wnaiff diflannu, ac mae’n ddigon i’m dychryn fod techneg ar gyfer colli pwysau sydd heb ei phrofi, yn ôl pob golwg, yn cael ei marchnata’n egnïol i bobl ifanc, ac mae hynny’n peri pryder.

We do not have the power to abolish the monarchy in the National Assembly, so I do not see what benefit could be gained from having a debate on that issue at this stage.

Jonathan Morgan: In my capacity as Chair of the Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee, I ask the Leader of the House to make time available to consider the committee’s report into the reconfiguration of health services in Plenary before the summer recess. I understand that the Minister for health will make a statement on 16 July, which we welcome. Would it therefore be possible to extend that to involve the consideration of our committee report, which might be useful in informing the debate?

Carwyn Jones: I will be guided by the Presiding Officer on that, but I do not know whether the committee report would be allocated time in any event. There is no room between now and the recess to discuss more business in Government time, as that has already been fully allocated, but I will investigate whether there is any way for the matter to be brought forward for debate.

Carwyn Jones: Dilynaf arweiniad y Llywydd ar hynny, ond nid wyf yn sicr a fyddai amser yn cael ei neilltuo ar gyfer adroddiad y pwyllgor beth bynnag. Nid oes lle rhwng hyn a’r toriad i drafod mwy o fusnes yn amser y Llywodraeth, gan fod yr amser hwnnw eisoes wedi cael ei neilltuo’n llwyr, ond gwnaf ymholiadau i weld a ellir cyflwyno’r mater i’w drafod.

Jenny Randerson: During First Minister’s questions, I raised the issue of the choice of vaccine to protect against cervical cancer, and the First Minister was unable, quite understandably, to give me an answer about the details of the vaccine. However, it surprised me that he was unable to answer my question on whether we in Wales had the power to select a different vaccine from that chosen by the Department of Health in England. I would welcome the opportunity to question the Minister for health about the process and the choice of vaccine in this case. Would it be possible for her to make an oral statement in Plenary on this issue? Failing that, a written statement would be better than nothing on what is a vital aspect of the prevention of further disease in years to come.

Carwyn Jones: I hear what you say. Perhaps the best way forward in this matter would be for the Minister for health to provide you with further written communication. I will not claim to be an expert on which vaccine is most effective. If memory serves me correctly, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has an approval process for drugs, and, although doctors do not necessarily have to prescribe drugs that have gone through the NICE process, the drugs do have to be shown to be safe for use in humans. We understand that, but it is for people who know more about the subject than I to get into a debate about the most effective drug. If there are issues that the Minister for health can resolve by way of written communication, I am sure that she will wish to do so.

Carwyn Jones: Yr wyf yn clywed yr hyn yr ydych yn ei ddweud. Efallai mai’r ffordd orau ymlaen ar y mater hwn fyddai i’r Gweinidog dros iechyd anfon gohebiaeth ysgrifenedig bellach atoch. Nid wyf am honni fy mod yn arbenigwr ynghylch pa frechlyn yw’r un mwyaf effeithiol. Os wyf yn cofio’n iawn, mae gan y Sefydliad Cenedlaethol dros Iechyd a Rhagoriaeth Glinigol broses gymeradwyo ar gyfer cyffuriau, ac, er nad yw meddygon o anghenraid yn gorfod rhagnodi cyffuriau sydd wedi bod drwy broses NICE, rhaid dangos bod y cyffuriau’n ddiogel i bobl eu defnyddio. Yr ydym yn deall hynny, ond rhywbeth i’w drafod gan bobl sy’n gwybod mwy na mi am y pwnc yw pa gyffur yw’r un mwyaf effeithiol. Os oes materion y gall y Gweinidog dros Iechyd eu datrys mewn gohebiaeth ysgrifenedig, yr wyf yn siŵr y bydd yn dymuno gwneud hynny.

David Lloyd: A wnewch ymgynghori â’r Gweinidog iechyd am y materion pwysig sy’n codi o ran costau gofal nyrsio mewn cartrefi nyrsio preifat? Mae nifer o bobl yn talu am ofal nyrsio—neu mae eu teuluoedd yn gwneud—pan ddylai fod ar gael am ddim. Tynnwyd nifer o achosion felly at fy sylw, yn ysgrifenedig a thrwy gyfarfodydd yn Abertawe a Chastell-nedd.

Clywais yr hyn a ddywedwyd gennych am yr amserlen dynn o ran dadleuon yn amser y Llywodraeth, ond a fyddai modd ichi drefnu datganiad ysgrifenedig o leiaf am y ffordd ymlaen? Yr wyf eisoes wedi cyfarfod â’r Gweinidog iechyd, bythefnos yn ôl, a chytunodd fod angen diwygio neu o leiaf wella’r system o asesu pwy sy’n gymwys i gael gofal nyrsio am ddim a phwy fyddai’n gorfod talu amdano. Mae gwendidau yn y system bresennol o asesu pwy sy’n gymwys i gael y gofal hwn am ddim, ond yr hyn sy’n digwydd ar hyn o bryd yw bod bron pawb yn gorfod talu amdano, hyd yn oed gydag asesiad, a phan asesir nad oes rhaid iddynt dalu, cânt yr arian yn ôl wedyn—pan fydd yr achos prawf wedi mynd drwy’r llysoedd.

Mae’n fater pwysig, ac mae’n achosi cryn bryder. Mae 700,000 a mwy o dai wedi’u gwerthu yn y Deyrnas Gyfunol yn y ddegawd ddiwethaf dim ond er mwyn ariannu costau gofal hirdymor mewn cartrefi preswyl. Mae hyn yn golygu bod 40,000 a mwy o dai wedi’u gwerthu yng Nghymru, sef 2,000 o dai ym mhob sir. Mae eu trigolion wedi gorfod eu gwerthu er mwyn ariannu gofal hirdymor i rywun yn y teulu. Mae pryder enfawr am y peth, ac mae’r pwnc yn deilwng o ddadl. Byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe baech, Arweinydd y Tŷ, yn gallu ystyried y pwynt hwnnw.

Carwyn Jones: Yr oedd eich cyfarfod ag Edwina Hart yn swnio’n un da gan ei fod wedi symud pethau yn eu blaen. Yn fy marn i, dyna sut y dylid delio â’r mater hwn. Mae o leiaf un achos llys yn mynd rhagddo sy’n cyffwrdd â’r pwynt hwn, a rhaid bod yn ofalus ynghylch y farn y mae’r Llywodraeth yn ei mynegi ar y mater.

Gan fod cyfarfod eisoes wedi ei gynnal rhyngoch chi a’r Gweinidog iechyd, credaf mai dyna’r ffordd orau ymlaen ac nid drwy gynnal dadl yn y Siambr—nid ar hyn o bryd, o leiaf.

Given that a meeting has already been held between you and the Minister for health, I feel that that would be the best way to proceed, rather than having a debate in the Chamber—at least not at present.

Mark Isherwood: As you will be aware, proposals for community legal advice networks exist for eight commissioning areas in Wales, and I understand that the first of these networks is planned to be established by April next year. Citizens’ advice bureaux and Citizens Advice as a national body have expressed concern that the model being developed for commissioning and contracting do not reflect the wider value of the service provided to Welsh civil society, and that the loss of the single contract to them could be potentially terminal for the service in Wales, given that the loss of equivalent contracts in Hull and Leicester led to the decimation of the citizens’ advice bureaux and the service in those areas.

Mark Isherwood: Fel y byddwch yn ymwybodol, mae cynigion ar gyfer rhwydweithiau cyngor cyfreithiol cymunedol yn bodoli ar gyfer wyth ardal gomisiynu yng Nghymru, a deallaf ei bod yn fwriad sefydlu’r rhwydwaith cyntaf erbyn mis Ebrill y flwyddyn nesaf. Mae canolfannau cyngor ar bopeth a Chyngor ar Bopeth fel corff cenedlaethol wedi mynegi pryder nad yw’r model sy’n cael ei ddatblygu ar gyfer comisiynu a chontractio yn adlewyrchu gwerth ehangach y gwasanaeth a ddarperir i gymdeithas sifil yng Nghymru, a phe baent yn colli’r contract sengl y gallai hynny fod yn ergyd farwol i’r gwasanaeth yng Nghymru, o gofio bod colli’r contractau cyfatebol yn Hull a Chaerlŷr wedi arwain at lwyr ddiddymu canolfannau cyngor ar bopeth a’r gwasanaeth yn yr ardaloedd hynny.

3.10 p.m.

In addition to the services that the Legal Services Commission and these bodies would provide, many additional services provided by the citizens’ advice bureaux would be lost. Could we please have a statement on this matter, giving Members the opportunity to raise their concerns on the many wider implications that, it appears, are not currently being considered?

Yn ogystal â’r gwasanaethau y byddai’r Comisiwn Gwasanaethau Cyfreithiol a’r cyrff hyn yn eu darparu, byddai llawer o’r gwasanaethau ychwanegol a ddarperir gan ganolfannau cyngor ar bopeth yn cael eu colli. A allwn gael datganiad am y mater hwn os gwelwch yn dda, gan roi cyfle i Aelodau fynegi eu pryderon am y goblygiadau ehangach niferus nad ydynt yn cael eu hystyried, yn ôl pob golwg, ar hyn o bryd?

My second and final point concerns a matter that I, and others, have raised many times regarding the closure of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs offices. We are told that the major driver for this is efficiency savings, but the Public and Commercial Services Union has again written to all Members stating that the proposals are nothing less than a desire to centralise functions and staff, with little or no regard to other aspects of the service on the front line. As I have said many times, the former Paymaster General, Dawn Primarolo, and the present Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Jane Kennedy, have both committed the department to undertaking detailed and meaningful consultation with the Assembly Government to explore all possible alternatives to closure, relocation and centralisation. However, the union says that, during the Cardiff and Swansea urban centre reviews, consultation between HMRC and the Assembly Government was, at best, minimal and, at worst, virtually non-existent. The union fears that the level of meaningful consultation on the latest round of reviews will be equally low and appeals to politicians of all parties to urge the Government to meet its pledges for consultation. That is clearly a matter on which the Assembly Government needs to take ownership. It is not sufficient simply to state that this is not a devolved matter, and therefore I once again ask for a Government statement on this matter.

Mae fy ail bwynt, sef fy mhwynt olaf, yn ymwneud â mater yr wyf fi, ac eraill, wedi’i godi droeon, sef cau swyddfeydd Cyllid a Thollau Ei Mawrhydi. Dywedir wrthym mai arbedion effeithiolrwydd sy’n sbarduno hyn yn bennaf, ond mae Undeb y Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus a Masnachol wedi ysgrifennu at yr holl Aelodau unwaith eto yn datgan nad yw’r cynigion yn ddim llai nag awydd i ganoli swyddogaethau a staff, gan anwybyddu agweddau eraill ar y gwasanaeth ar y rheng flaen bron yn llwyr. Fel yr wyf wedi dweud droeon, mae’r Tâl-feistr Cyffredinol blaenorol, Dawn Primarolo, ac Ysgrifennydd Ariannol presennol y Trysorlys, Jane Kennedy, ill dwy wedi ymrwymo y bydd yr adran yn cynnal ymgynghoriad manwl ac ystyrlon gyda Llywodraeth y Cynulliad i archwilio pob dewis posibl arall yn hytrach na chau, ail-leoli a chanoli. Fodd bynnag, dywed yr undeb, yn ystod adolygiadau canolfannau trefol Abertawe a Chaerdydd, mai prin iawn, ar y gorau, oedd yr ymgynghori rhwng Cyllid a Thollau Ei Mawrhydi a Llywodraeth y Cynulliad, ac ar y gwaethaf yr oedd yn hollol absennol i bob diben. Mae ar yr undeb ofn y bydd lefel yr ymgynghori ystyrlon yn y rownd ddiweddaraf o adolygiadau yr un mor isel ac mae’n apelio ar wleidyddion o bob plaid i annog y Llywodraeth i gadw at ei haddewidion i ymgynghori. Yn amlwg, mae hwnnw’n fater y mae angen i Lywodraeth y Cynulliad fod yn gyfrifol amdano. Nid yw’n ddigon bodloni ar ddatgan nad yw hyn yn fater sydd wedi’i ddatganoli, felly gofynnaf unwaith eto am ddatganiad gan y Llywodraeth ar y mater hwn.

Carwyn Jones: As I have stated previously, meetings are taking place between Government officials and the HMRC change team. The last meeting was held on 13 June and more meetings are scheduled. Therefore, there has been regular engagement from the Assembly Government’s end with HMRC. Notwithstanding the fact that it is not a devolved issue—and we all know that—there has been engagement on our part to ensure that our views are put forward on behalf of the people whom we represent.

Carwyn Jones: Fel y dywedais o’r blaen, mae cyfarfodydd yn cael eu cynnal rhwng swyddogion y Llywodraeth a thîm newid Chyllid a Thollau Ei Mawrhydi. Cynhaliwyd y cyfarfod diwethaf ar 13 Mehefin ac mae rhagor o gyfarfodydd wedi’u trefnu. Felly, mae Llywodraeth y Cynulliad wedi ymgysylltu’n rheolaidd â Chyllid a Thollau Ei Mawrhydi. Er nad yw hwn yn fater sydd wedi’i ddatganoli—ac yr ydym i gyd yn gwybod hynny—yr ydym wedi ymgysylltu i sicrhau bod ein barn yn cael ei chyflwyno ar ran y bobl yr ydym yn eu cynrychioli.

Citizens’ advice bureaux undoubtedly provide a broader service than that envisaged by the proposed community service. I do not doubt that many of us in the Chamber have had occasion to refer constituents to a citizens’ advice bureau from time to time for advice on a particular issue. We need to make sure that there is more than adequate legal advice available to people who cannot afford it, and that, in providing that, we do not impinge on the ability of organisations like Citizens Advice to provide the advice that they give on a wide range of issues. I would hope that the two will run hand in hand.

Nid oes dwywaith nad yw canolfannau cyngor ar bopeth yn darparu gwasanaeth ehangach nag a ragwelwyd gan y gwasanaeth cymunedol arfaethedig. Nid wyf yn amau nad yw llawer ohonom yn y Siambr wedi cyfeirio etholwyr at ganolfan cyngor ar bopeth o bryd i’w gilydd i gael cyngor am fater penodol. Rhaid inni sicrhau bod cyngor cyfreithiol sy’n fwy na digonol ar gael i bobl nad ydynt yn gallu ei fforddio, ac nad ydym, wrth ddarparu hynny, yn tarfu ar allu mudiadau fel Cyngor ar Bopeth i ddarparu’r cyngor a roddant ar amrywiaeth eang o faterion. Byddwn yn gobeithio y bydd y ddau yn cyd-redeg.

Nick Ramsay: Could the Leader of the House arrange for a statement from the Minister for Rural Affairs, giving an update on bluetongue in Wales? I have been contacted by a number of farmers who are concerned about delays in the roll-out of the vaccination due to faulty batches of vaccine and other reasons. I would very much appreciate it if we could have an update on that situation.

Nick Ramsay: A allai Arweinydd y Tŷ drefnu bod y Gweinidog dros Faterion Gwledig yn gwneud datganiad er mwyn rhoi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y tafod glas yng Nghymru? Mae nifer o ffermwyr wedi cysylltu â mi yn poeni am yr oedi o ran cyflwyno’r brechu oherwydd bod nam ar sypiau o’r brechlyn ac am resymau eraill. Byddwn yn gwerthfawrogi’n fawr petaem yn gallu cael y newyddion diweddaraf am y sefyllfa honno.

Carwyn Jones: I can tell you that the bluetongue restricted zone in Wales, as I informed the Assembly last week, has been amended to include Brecon market. On 19 December 2007, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ordered 22.5 million doses of vaccine, of which, 2.5 million doses were reserved for Wales. On 12 June, an order was placed for a further 13 million doses of vaccine, 5 million of which are for Wales, and they are expected to be delivered during the summer.

Carwyn Jones: Gallaf ddweud wrthych fod y parth dan gyfyngiadau oherwydd y tafod glas yng Nghymru, fel y dywedais wrth y Cynulliad yr wythnos diwethaf, wedi cael ei newid i gynnwys marchnad Aberhonddu. Ar 19 Rhagfyr 2007, archebodd Adran yr Amgylchedd, Bwyd a Materion Gwledig 22.5 miliwn dos o’r brechlyn, a 2.5 miliwn dos o’r rheini wedi’u cadw ar gyfer Cymru. Ar 12 Mehefin, gwnaethpwyd archeb arall am 13 miliwn dos ychwanegol o’r brechlyn ac mae 5 miliwn ohono ar gyfer Cymru, a disgwylir y bydd y rhain yn cyrraedd yn ystod yr haf.

The batch of vaccine that was expected originally on 2 June has been delayed because it had to undergo further testing before it could be released. Consequently, the declaration of a protection zone in south-east Wales, which would then enable vaccination to take place, has had to be postponed until that vaccine is released. We hope that the vaccine will be available as quickly as possible.

Nick Bourne: There are a couple of issues that I could raise with the Leader of the House. The first concerns the national parks in Wales. Could we have a debate on the national parks in Government time? To be fair to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, I know that she is looking at this issue, but there are issues of accountability for the way in which the parks are organised and planning issues concerning all three parks, but particularly the Brecon Beacons National Park. I realise that you, and indeed the Minister, cannot comment on individual cases, but there are some notorious cases, such as the Gilestone caravan park decision. Therefore, it is important that we look at this as an Assembly, and I would be grateful for your thoughts on that.

Nick Bourne: Mae un neu ddau o faterion y gallwn eu codi gydag Arweinydd y Tŷ. Mae’r un cyntaf yn ymwneud â’r parciau cenedlaethol yng Nghymru. A allwn gael trafodaeth am y parciau cenedlaethol yn ystod amser y Llywodraeth? A bod yn deg â’r Gweinidog dros yr Amgylchedd, Cynaliadwyedd a Thai, gwn ei bod yn ystyried y mater hwn, ond mae materion yn ymwneud ag atebolrwydd am y ffordd y caiff y parciau eu trefnu a materion cynllunio’n ymwneud â’r tri pharc, ond yn enwedig Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog. Sylweddolaf na allwch chi, na’r Gweinidog yn wir, gyflwyno sylwadau ar achosion unigol, ond mae ambell achos drwg-enwog, megis y penderfyniad ynghylch parc carafannau Gilestone. Felly, mae’n bwysig inni edrych ar hyn fel Cynulliad, a byddwn yn ddiolchgar am eich sylwadau ar hynny.

Secondly, I wish to support Bethan Jenkins—although I am not sure whether she has the support of her own frontbench—on her desire for a debate on the monarchy. My party would very much welcome a debate on the monarchy’s contribution to Wales. In common with many people, I strongly believe in the constitutional monarchy, as do many Plaid Cymru voters—or perhaps past Plaid Cymru voters—and at least one Plaid Cymru Assembly Member.

Yn ail, hoffwn gefnogi Bethan Jenkins—er nad wyf yn siŵr a yw ei mainc flaen hi ei hun yn ei chefnogi—o ran ei hawydd i gael dadl ar y frenhiniaeth. Byddai fy mhlaid i’n croesawu’n fawr iawn ddadl ar gyfraniad y frenhiniaeth i Gymru. Yr un fath â llawer o bobl, credaf yn gryf yn y frenhiniaeth gyfansoddiadol, fel y gwna llawer o bleidleiswyr Plaid Cymru—neu efallai rai a  bleidleisiodd dros Blaid Cymru yn y gorffennol—ac o leiaf un o Aelodau Cynulliad Plaid Cymru.

Y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog a’r Gweinidog dros yr Economi a Thrafnidiaeth (Ieuan Wyn Jones): Mae gan Lywodraeth Cymru’n Un weledigaeth glir ar gyfer economi gref a mentrus, ynghyd â chyflogaeth lawn yn seiliedig ar swyddi o ansawdd. Ein dyhead yw creu mwy o gyfoeth i’r genedl hon a’i phobl, newid cydbwysedd ein patrymau cyflogaeth, canolbwyntio’n fanylach ar gymorth busnes, a rhoi i’n gweithlu y gefnogaeth a’r sgiliau y mae arnynt hwy a’u diwydiannau eu hangen. Drwy wneud hyn, yr ydym yn cryfhau’r sector preifat.

The Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport (Ieuan Wyn Jones): The One Wales Government has a clear vision for a strong and enterprising economy and full employment based on quality jobs. Our aspiration is to increase the wealth of this nation and its people, to bring a rebalance to our employment patterns, to have a clearer focus to business support and to give our workforce the support and the skills they and their industries need. By doing this we strengthen the private sector.

Wrth reswm, bydd y diwydiannau traddodiadol yn parhau i chwarae rhan bwysig yn y dyfodol. Serch hynny, bydd yn rhaid i’r rôl hon fod yn rhan o economi amrywiol, gan sicrhau twf cynaliadwy yn yr unfed ganrif ar hugain a thu hwnt. Bydd yn economi a all ymateb i anghenion a chyfleoedd lleol, cenedlaethol a byd-eang, ac wynebu amodau economaidd heriol.

Traditional industries will of course continue to play an important role in the future. However, this will have to be as part of a diverse economy, ensuring sustainable growth in the twenty-first century and beyond. It will be an economy that can respond to local, national and global needs and opportunities, and face challenging economic conditions.

Yr ydym am greu sefyllfa lle bydd Cymru yn ffynnu, yn hytrach na goroesi’n unig. Er mwyn cyflawni hyn, rhaid i ni ganolbwyntio mwy ar y sectorau a all sicrhau’r canlyniadau yr ydym am eu gweld a chreu’r cyfoeth mwyaf. Mae Cymru yn ddigon bach i allu ymateb yn gyflym ac ar frys i heriau o’r fath, ac mae Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn benderfynol o sbarduno newid a thwf er mwyn gwireddu ein gweledigaeth. Rhaid i ni dderbyn bellach nad yw bod yn gystadleuol yn golygu bod yn rhaid i ni gystadlu â marchnadoedd yn Asia a dwyrain Ewrop o ran costau isel. Ein nod yw ychwanegu gwerth at ein heconomi a gosod sylfeini cadarn ar gyfer y tymor hir. Mae angen i ni fod yn fwy craff a gwneud mwy na dim ond creu a diogelu swyddi beth bynnag fo’u gwerth.

We want to create a situation where the Welsh economy does not merely survive, but thrives. In order to achieve that, we have to be more focused on the sectors that can achieve the desired outcomes and generate the greatest wealth. Wales is small enough to respond with pace and urgency to such challenges, and the Assembly Government is determined to drive change and growth to deliver on our vision. We must now accept that being competitive does not mean that we have to rival emerging markets in Asia and eastern Europe on low cost. Our goal is to add value to our economy and lay strong foundations for the long term. We need to be cleverer than just creating and safeguarding jobs whatever their value.

Rhaid i’n huchelgais hefyd fod ynghlwm wrth y broses o roi argymhellion yr adolygiad o fasnacheiddio ar waith, a hynny mewn partneriaeth â phrifysgolion ac â’r sector preifat. Rhaid i ni fuddsoddi mwy ym maes ymchwil a datblygu yn ein sefydliadau, cadw at yr ymrwymiadau a wnaethom yn 'Cymru’n Un’ i hybu gwaith ymchwil, a sicrhau’r fantais fasnachol fwyaf. Ar yr un pryd, yr ydym am sicrhau bod pobl sydd ar hyn o bryd yn anweithgar yn economaidd yn gallu ymuno â’r farchnad lafur. Er mwyn cyrraedd ein nod o sicrhau bod 80 y cant mewn cyflogaeth lawn, yr ydym wrthi’n datblygu dull integredig o weithio ar draws Llywodraeth y Cynulliad. Byddwn yn gweithio’n agos â Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig ar y mater hwn i weld ble a sut y gallwn ategu’r ddarpariaeth brif ffrwd.

Our ambition must also be linked with the implementation of the recommendations of the commercialisation review in partnership with universities and the private sector. We must increase research and development investment in our institutions, meet our 'One Wales’ research commitments, and derive maximum commercial benefit. At the same time, we want to ensure that people who are currently economically inactive can enter the labour market. To meet our goal of full employment at a rate of 80 per cent, we are developing an integrated approach across the Assembly Government. We will work closely with the UK Government on this to find where and how we can complement mainstream provision.

Nid yw bod yn amrywiol yn golygu bod yn rhaid i ni ragori ym mhob dim. Heb strategaeth glir sy’n canolbwyntio ar yr economi, byddem mewn perygl o fethu â chyrraedd ein potensial a sicrhau’r gwerth gorau am arian wrth fuddsoddi yn y sector cyhoeddus a’r sector preifat.

Being diverse does not mean that we have to be good at everything. Without a clear, focused, strategy for the economy, we would risk failure to reach our potential and to obtain best value for money from both public sector and private sector investment.

3.20 p.m.

Ein bwriad yw deall ein cryfderau a gwybod lle mae angen i ni ganolbwyntio ein hymdrechion at y dyfodol. Dyna pam mae grŵp cynghori’r Gweinidog ar yr economi a thrafnidiaeth wedi cynnal dadansoddiad trylwyr o economi Cymru. Ein nod fel Llywodraeth yw sicrhau bod Cymru mewn sefyllfa i fanteisio ar gyfleoedd newydd yn sgîl technolegau newydd a newidiadau byd-eang. Er mwyn cyflawni hyn, bu’r grŵp cynghori yn edrych ar berfformiad cyfredol, y rhagolygon hirdymor a thueddiadau cymdeithasol, economaidd a gwleidyddol ehangach. Er mwyn hybu twf hirdymor a chynaliadwy, argymhellodd y grŵp y dylai Llywodraeth y Cynulliad ganolbwyntio ar 14 sector allweddol.

Our intention is to understand where our strengths lie and where we need to focus our efforts for the future. That is why the ministerial advisory group on the economy and transport has undertaken an exhaustive analysis of the Welsh economy. Our aim as a Government is to ensure that Wales is positioned in such a way that we can take advantage of new opportunities as a result of emerging global changes and new technologies. In order to achieve this, the ministerial advisory group looked at current performance, long-term prospects and wider social, economic and political trends. In order to encourage long-term, sustainable growth, the group recommended that the Assembly Government should focus on 14 key sectors.

I have considered the ministerial advisory group’s advice carefully and discussed the detail at length with my officials and Cabinet colleagues. In light of those discussions, I have decided to accept the following recommendations. The agreed list of sectors starts with three core or enabling sectors, which are of significant importance to the economy and, therefore, our top priorities. They are: energy and the pursuit of clean and renewable energy generation and supply; environmental management based on the need to minimise energy use and maximise energy efficiency, both in industry and in domestic settings; and telecommunications and information and communications technology, which is the backbone and key enabler of the knowledge economy. Both are high-growth sectors in their own right.

Yr wyf wedi ystyried cyngor grŵp cynghori’r Gweinidog yn ofalus, ac wedi trafod y manylion yn fanwl gyda’m swyddogion a’m cyd-Weinidogion. Yng ngoleuni’r trafodaethau hynny, yr wyf wedi penderfynu derbyn yr argymhellion canlynol. Mae rhestr y sectorau y cytunwyd arnynt yn dechrau gyda thri sector craidd neu sector galluogi, sydd o bwys mawr i’r economi ac yr ydym, felly, am roi’r brif flaenoriaeth iddynt. Y sectorau hynny yw: ynni a cheisio cynhyrchu a chyflenwi ynni glân ac adnewyddadwy; rheoli’r amgylchedd ar sail yr angen i ddefnyddio llai o ynni a defnyddio ynni mor effeithlon ag sy’n bosibl mewn diwydiant ac yn ein cartrefi; a thelathrebu a thechnoleg gwybodaeth a chyfathrebu, sef asgwrn cefn a phrif gyfrwng galluogi’r economi wybodaeth. Mae’r ddau yn sectorau twf uchel ynddynt eu hunain.

Next are six sectors that are not necessarily enabling, but which are strategically important to Wales. These sectors are bioscience, health, financial services/products and professional services, creative industries, automotive and aerospace. Finally, five sectors have been identified that are economically important to Wales and the world, but less strategic for developing our competitive advantage. These sectors are construction, food, defence, retail, and leisure and tourism. Focusing on these sectors does not close Wales for business in other sectors where there might be start-up, growth or inward investment opportunities. We recognise that there are already successful companies in other sectors, and we remain committed to supporting enterprise and innovation. We know that we will need to be flexible within the key sectors and keep the sectors list under review.

Yna daw chwe sector nad ydynt o anghenraid yn sectorau galluogi, ond sydd o bwys strategol i Gymru. Y sectorau hyn yw biowyddoniaeth, iechyd, gwasanaethau/ cynhyrchion ariannol a gwasanaethau proffesiynol, diwydiannau creadigol, y sector modurol a’r sector awyrofod. Yn olaf, mae pum sector wedi’u nodi sydd o bwys economaidd i Gymru a’r byd ond sydd yn llai strategol o ran datblygu ein mantais gystadleuol. Y rhain yw adeiladu, bwyd, amddiffyn, manwerthu a hamdden a thwristiaeth. Nid yw’r ffaith ein bod yn canolbwyntio ar y sectorau hyn yn golygu bod Cymru ar gau i fusnesau mewn sectorau eraill pan fydd cyfleoedd yn codi o ran dechrau busnes, twf neu fewnfuddsoddi. Yr ydym yn cydnabod bod cwmnïau llwyddiannus eisoes yn bodoli mewn sectorau eraill, ac yr ydym yn dal yn benderfynol o gefnogi mentergarwch ac arloesedd. Gwyddom y bydd angen i ni fod yn hyblyg o fewn y prif sectorau ac adolygu rhestr y sectorau yn rheolaidd.

Having said that, let us not underestimate the change that this focus represents. The key sectors have been at the heart of the restructuring of my department. We now have dedicated sector teams for both policy and delivery. In our action plan, we have agreement across the Assembly Government on joining up our economic levers. As MAG recognised, joint working is particularly important, and it is rapidly becoming a key feature of the One Wales Government. Flexible support for business offers a new way of investing in our key sectors, from the single investment fund to the JEREMIE venture. However, flexibility requires breadth, and the message that I am getting from businesses in all sectors is that skills is a key issue. Guided by 'Skills That Work for Wales’, we will listen to, and act on, the employer voice. My officials are working closely with Jane Hutt’s officials to integrate skills within flexible support for business. The Welsh offer to investors is crucial, and the right skills mix is part of a package that includes infrastructure, natural assets and the built environment.

Wedi dweud hynny, ni ddylem ddiystyru’r newid sy’n digwydd yn sgîl y ffocws hwn. Mae’r prif sectorau wedi chwarae rhan ganolog yn y broses o ailstrwythuro fy adran i. Bellach, mae gennym dimau sector pwrpasol ar gyfer polisïau a chyflawni. Yn ein cynllun gweithredu, mae gennym gytundeb ar draws Llywodraeth y Cynulliad ynghylch cydgysylltu’n dulliau o sbarduno’r economi. Fel yr oedd y grŵp cynghori yn cydnabod, mae cydweithio’n arbennig o bwysig, ac mae’n prysur ddod yn un o brif nodweddion Llywodraeth Cymru’n Un. Mae cymorth hyblyg i fusnesau’n cynnig ffordd newydd o fuddsoddi yn ein prif sectorau, o’r gronfa fuddsoddi sengl i fenter JEREMIE. Ond mae bod yn hyblyg yn gofyn am ehangder, a’r neges yr wyf yn ei chael gan fusnesau ym mhob sector yw bod sgiliau yn fater allweddol. Dan arweiniad 'Sgiliau sy’n Gweithio i Gymru’, byddwn yn gwrando ar lais y cyflogwr ac yn gweithredu arno. Mae fy swyddogion yn gweithio’n agos â swyddogion Jane Hutt i integreiddio sgiliau o fewn cymorth hyblyg i fusnesau. Mae’r hyn y mae Cymru yn ei gynnig i fuddsoddwyr yn fater o’r pwys mwyaf, ac mae’r cymysgedd cywir o sgiliau’n rhan o becyn sy’n cynnwys seilwaith, asedau naturiol a’r amgylchedd adeiledig.

My other two priorities—in addition to business support and commercialisation—are regeneration and transport. We need to create an environment for growth, and ensure that it meets the needs of our key sectors.

Y ddau faes arall yr wyf am roi blaenoriaeth iddynt, ar wahân i gymorth i fusnesau a masnacheiddio, yw adfywio a thrafnidiaeth. Mae angen i ni greu amgylchedd ar gyfer twf, a sicrhau ei fod yn diwallu anghenion ein prif sectorau.

Mae bod yn gynaliadwy nid yn unig yn hynod bwysig ynddo’i hun, ond hefyd o ran yr economi—gall olygu bod yn effeithlon ac yn fwy deniadol i gwsmeriaid a buddsoddwyr. Yr wyf yn gweithio’n agos â Jane Davidson ar ein strategaeth ar gyfer swyddi gwyrdd ac ar sicrhau y gall busnesau gael cyngor a chefnogaeth o ansawdd uchel ar faterion fel defnyddio adnoddau’n effeithlon. Yn ogystal byddwn yn gweithio’n agos â’r diwydiant adeiladu ar gynaliadwyedd.

They have a key role to play in helping us implement BREEAM standards and ensure high-quality housing and premises throughout Wales.

Mae ganddynt ran allweddol i’w chwarae o ran ein helpu i roi safonau BREEAM ar waith ac i sicrhau bod gennym dai ac adeiladau o safon ledled Cymru.

The sectoral approach cuts across all our portfolios: from health to heritage to housing, and from rural affairs to regeneration. The analysis has been completed, we have the appetite, and we have the tools. This is an ambitious agenda, but by working together across the Assembly Government and with businesses, we will deliver more and better jobs, and increased prosperity for the people of Wales.

Mae’r ymagwedd sectoraidd yn berthnasol i bob un o’n portffolios: o amaethyddiaeth i adfywio, ac o dreftadaeth i dai. Mae’r dadansoddiad wedi’i gwblhau, mae’r awydd gennym ac mae’r arfau gennym. Mae hon yn agenda uchelgeisiol, ond drwy gydweithio ar draws Llywodraeth y Cynulliad a chyda busnesau, byddwn yn sicrhau mwy o swyddi a swyddi gwell, a dyfodol mwy llewyrchus i bobl Cymru.

David Melding: I thank the Deputy First Minister for his statement. I also welcome the work of the ministerial advisory group. Broadly, the recommendations are cogent. The whole approach allows us to focus on the outcomes, and progress will now be made towards forming an action plan. The broad strategic objectives are no different to those identified three or four years ago, or even nine years ago when the Assembly first came into being. Indeed, there is a large amount of political consensus on where our economy needs to grow, where it is weak and what the challenges are. There are some points of difference, which I will come to, but the broad direction of travel is accepted. However, there are problems with performance, and most of the critical indicators have moved in the wrong direction. There are some that are broadly better, but, overall, there are far too many indicators that are pointing in the wrong direction.

David Melding: Diolch i’r Dirprwy Brif Weinidog am ei ddatganiad. Yr wyf finnau hefyd yn croesawu gwaith grŵp cynghori’r Gweinidog. Yn gyffredinol, mae’r argymhellion yn rymus. Mae’r holl ymagwedd yn caniatáu inni ganolbwyntio ar y canlyniadau, a symudir ymlaen yn awr at ffurfio cynllun gweithredu. Nid yw’r amcanion strategol cyffredinol yn wahanol i’r rhai a nodwyd dair neu bedair blynedd yn ôl, neu hyd yn oed naw mlynedd yn ôl pan ddaeth y Cynulliad i fodolaeth gyntaf. Yn wir, mae cryn dipyn o gonsensws gwleidyddol ynghylch lle y mae angen i’n heconomi dyfu, lle y mae’n wan a beth yw’r heriau. Mae rhai pwyntiau lle y mae gwahaniaeth rhyngom, a deuaf at y rheini, ond derbynnir y cyfeiriad yr ydys yn teithio iddo yn gyffredinol. Fodd bynnag, mae problemau gyda pherfformiad, ac mae’r rhan fwyaf o’r dangosyddion critigol wedi symud i’r cyfeiriad anghywir. Ceir rhai sydd yn well yn gyffredinol, ond ar y cyfan, mae llawer gormod o ddangosyddion sydd yn pwyntio i’r cyfeiriad anghywir.

I was pleased to hear the Deputy First Minister committing to strengthening the private sector. That is hugely important, and reflects widespread opinion in the business sector and among politicians of all parties. I would only urge him to go a little further. We need a stronger and larger private sector, generating more of our national wealth.

Yr oeddwn yn falch o glywed y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog yn ymrwymo i gryfhau’r sector preifat. Mae hynny’n aruthrol o bwysig, ac yn adlewyrchu barn llawer yn y sector busnes ac ymhlith gwleidyddion o bob plaid. Y cyfan a wnawn fyddai ei annog i fynd ychydig ymhellach. Mae arnom angen sector cyhoeddus cryfach a mwy, yn cynhyrchu mwy o’n cyfoeth cenedlaethol.

The importance of energy generation and conservation is something that we all agree on. However, the big issues before us are not being addressed, and perhaps it is not yet time to address them, because they are so sensitive. For instance, what part will the Assembly play in questions such as will we have nuclear generation in Wales and what will happen to the Severn barrage if that scheme is thought to be feasible? Will we be taking part in these decisions or will they all be made at an UK level?

Mae pwysigrwydd cynhyrchu ac arbed ynni yn rhywbeth yr ydym i gyd yn cytuno arno. Fodd bynnag, nid yw’r materion mawr sydd o’n blaenau yn cael sylw, ac efallai nad yw’n amser rhoi sylw iddynt eto, am eu bod mor sensitif. Er enghraifft, pa ran y bydd y Cynulliad yn ei chwarae mewn cwestiynau megis a gawn gynhyrchu niwclear yng Nghymru a beth fydd yn digwydd i forglawdd Hafren os bernir bod y cynllun hwnnw’n ddichonadwy? A fyddwn yn cymryd rhan yn y penderfyniadau hyn ynteu a gânt i gyd eu gwneud ar lefel y Deyrnas Unedig?

The increase in research and development in our economy and exploiting technology is key to driving up productivity levels. In terms of skills, I agree with the Minister. The voices of employers and employees are vital in order to create the demand for the skills that will truly work for Wales.

Mae’r cynnydd mewn ymchwil a datblygu yn ein heconomi a manteisio ar dechnoleg yn allweddol i gynyddu lefelau cynhyrchiant. O ran sgiliau, cytunaf â’r Gweinidog. Mae lleisiau cyflogwyr a gweithwyr yn hollbwysig er mwyn creu’r galw am y sgiliau a wnaiff weithio i Gymru go iawn.

I have specific points in relation to the action plan. On recommendation 2, on the skills lever, I would like some detail on how the strong voices of employers and employees will be heard. How far are you going to take the Webb recommendations? We need detail on this soon.

Mae gennyf bwyntiau penodol ynglŷn â’r cynllun gweithredu. O ran argymhelliad 2, ynglŷn ag ysgogi sgiliau, hoffwn gael rhywfaint o fanylion ynghylch sut y bydd lleisiau cryf cyflogwyr a gweithwyr yn cael eu clywed. Pa mor bell yr ydych yn bwriadu mynd ag argymhellion Webb? Mae angen manylion am hyn yn fuan.

On recommendation 3, on getting the best value for the public pound for our economy, that is hugely important. So much of our economy is taken up by the public sector, but that in itself can be a driver for all sorts of economic change, transformation and improvement. It is the right approach to say that the lever has to be used. However, one hand is tied behind your back, Deputy First Minister, because this Government has committed itself to excluding the private sector from the largest portion of public spending, which is the spending on the health service. I would ask you, in the interest of the Welsh economy, to revisit this, or at least to ask the members of the ministerial advisory group to look at whether it now needs to be reappraised.

O ran argymhelliad 3, ynghylch cael y gwerth gorau am y bunt gyhoeddus i’n heconomi, mae hynny’n aruthrol bwysig. Mae cymaint o’n heconomi yn perthyn i’r sector cyhoeddus, ond gall hynny ynddo’i hun sbarduno pob math o newid, trawsnewid a gwelliant economaidd. Dweud bod yn rhaid defnyddio ysgogiad yw’r dull priodol o fynd ati. Fodd bynnag, yr ydych wedi eich llyffetheirio i gryn raddau, Ddirprwy Brif Weinidog, oherwydd bod y Llywodraeth hon wedi ymrwymo i eithrio’r sector preifat o’r gyfran fwyaf o wario cyhoeddus, sef y gwario ar y gwasanaeth iechyd. Gofynnaf ichi, er budd economi Cymru, ailystyried hyn, neu o leiaf ofyn i aelodau grŵp cynghori’r Gweinidog edrych a oes angen ei ailasesu bellach.

On recommendation 6, on investing in the potential for private funding solutions for our infrastructure, and in particular for transport, we are in danger of facing an infrastructure deficit compared to the rest of the UK, because of our reluctance to use public-private partnerships. We heard about it in the Confederation of British Industry annual lunch last week, and we must be careful. I know that this is in layer 2 of your response, but it does ask you to investigate the feasibility of using more private funding. I hope that you will do that as a matter of urgency.

O ran argymhelliad 6, ynglŷn â buddsoddi yn y potensial ar gyfer atebion cyllid preifat ar gyfer ein seilwaith, ac yn enwedig ar gyfer trafnidiaeth, mae perygl inni wynebu diffyg o ran seilwaith o’n cymharu â gweddill y Deyrnas Unedig, oherwydd ein hamharodrwydd i ddefnyddio partneriaethau cyhoeddus-preifat. Clywsom am hyn yng nghinio blynyddol Cydffederasiwn Diwydiant Prydain yr wythnos diwethaf, a rhaid inni fod yn ofalus. Gwn mai yn haen 2 eich ymateb y mae hyn, ond mae’n gofyn i chi ymchwilio i ddichonoldeb defnyddio mwy o arian preifat. Yr wyf yn gobeithio y gwnewch hynny ar fyrder.

3.30 p.m.

I agree with the members of the ministerial advisory group that we need to increase productivity. That is probably the biggest strategic goal ahead of us, and it will require better telecommunications, better professional and business services, better management skills—let us not forget that when we talk about skills, we also have to drive up leadership skills—and, to return to the previous point, better transport infrastructure.

Yr wyf yn cytuno ag aelodau grŵp cynghori’r Gweinidog fod angen inni gynyddu cynhyrchiant. Hynny, mae’n debyg, yw’r amcan strategol mwyaf sy’n ein hwynebu, a bydd angen gwell telathrebu, gwell gwasanaethau proffesiynol a busnes, gwell sgiliau rheoli—ac wrth siarad am sgiliau, na fydded inni anghofio bod angen inni wella sgiliau arweinyddiaeth hefyd—a chan ddychwelyd at y pwynt blaenorol, gwell seilwaith trafnidiaeth.

The Deputy First Minister: Thank you for that largely positive response, David, and for welcoming the focus that we have on outcomes, as you clearly point out. There now appears to be consensus on the direction of travel, at least. I do not think that there were any problems about the Government’s statement that we wish to strengthen the private sector; clearly, we have to do that if we are to generate the wealth that will enable everyone to become more prosperous. Nevertheless, I am not quite sure why that should always be at the expense of the public sector. We have a large public sector in Wales, but growing the private sector does not always have to be at the expense of the public sector, and that is what we are seeking to achieve.

Y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog: Diolch am ymateb yn gadarnhaol ar y cyfan, David, ac am groesawu’r ffocws yr ydym yn ei roi ar ganlyniadau, fel yr ydych yn nodi’n eglur. Bellach ymddengys fod consensws ynghylch y cyfeiriad yr ydys yn teithio iddo, o leiaf. Ni chredaf fod dim problemau ynghylch datganiad y Llywodraeth i’r perwyl ein bod yn dymuno atgyfnerthu’r sector preifat; mae’n amlwg bod angen inni wneud hynny os ydym am gynhyrchu’r cyfoeth a fydd yn galluogi pawb i fod yn fwy ffyniannus. Er hynny, nid wyf yn gwbl sicr pam y dylai hynny ddigwydd ar draul y sector cyhoeddus bob tro. Mae gennym sector cyhoeddus mawr yng Nghymru, ond nid oes yn rhaid i dwf yn y sector preifat bob amser ddigwydd ar draul y sector cyhoeddus, a dyna yr ydym yn ceisio’i gyflawni.

You mentioned nuclear energy and the Severn barrage. We cannot take decisions on those issues in the Assembly, therefore, through the ministerial advisory group recommendations, we were trying to see what levers the Assembly can currently use to move that forward.

Soniasoch am ynni niwclear a morglawdd Hafren. Ni allwn wneud penderfyniadau ynghylch y materion hynny yn y Cynulliad, ac, felly, drwy gyfrwng argymhellion grŵp cynghori’r Gweinidog, yr oeddem yn ceisio gweld ym mha fodd y gall y Cynulliad ddefnyddio’i ddylanwad ar hyn o bryd i fwrw ymlaen â hynny.

I agree that we need to develop research and development and exploit technology. In the short period that I have been a Minister, I have been encouraged by the new atmosphere within the higher education and private sectors, and in Government, with all working much more closely together on this particular agenda. Not only are the different sectors working together more, but the higher education sector itself is working together much more to deliver this. It is clear that if the Welsh economy is to be more resilient to downturns, not only does it need to have research and development in an academic sense, but that research and development has to be commercialised so that we can capture more innovation in business.

Cytunaf fod angen inni ddatblygu ymchwil a datblygu a manteisio ar dechnoleg. Yn yr amser y byr yr wyf wedi bod yn Weinidog, yr wyf wedi fy nghalonogi gan yr awyrgylch newydd yn y sector addysg uwch a’r sector preifat, ac yn y Llywodraeth, a phawb yn cydweithio’n fwy clòs o lawer ar yr agenda benodol hon. Yn ogystal â bod gwahanol sectorau’n cydweithio mwy, mae’r sector addysg uwch ei hun yn cydweithio llawer mwy i wireddu hyn. Mae’n amlwg os yw economi Cymru am fod yn fwy gwydn yn wyneb cyfnodau o ddirywiad, yn ogystal â bod arni angen ymchwil a datblygu o safbwynt academaidd, mae angen i’r ymchwil a datblygu gael ei fasnacheiddio fel y gallwn sicrhau mwy o arloesedd mewn busnes.

On the issue of skills, as I have indicated, I have already begun to listen to the key voice of employers—and, I agree, of employees. For example, last week I met members of the electronic forum, which said to me that skills are an important agenda for them. Along with Jane Hutt and John Griffiths, who have the responsibility for this area, I will be working with industry to identify the skills that it needs for the future, to identify where there is a current shortage of skills, and to see how we can develop courses for industry to take forward.

Ynghylch mater sgiliau, fel yr wyf wedi dweud, yr wyf eisoes wedi dechrau gwrando ar lais allweddol y cyflogwyr—a llais y gweithwyr, yr wyf yn cytuno. Er enghraifft, yr wythnos diwethaf cyfarfûm ag aelodau’r fforwm electronig, a ddywedodd wrthyf fod sgiliau’n agenda bwysig iddynt. Ar y cyd â Jane Hutt a John Griffiths, sy’n gyfrifol am y maes hwn, byddaf yn gweithio gyda diwydiant i ganfod pa sgiliau y mae arno eu hangen at y dyfodol, i ganfod ym mhle y mae prinder sgiliau ar hyn o bryd, ac i weld sut y gallwn ddatblygu cyrsiau i ddiwydiant fwrw ymlaen â hwy.

There are several ways of ensuring the best value for the public pound. Procurement is one area where we have agreed, as a Government, that we want to take that forward. David has to accept that there is a 'One Wales’ commitment not to use the private sector within the national health service, and I do not foresee that changing. However, there is a great deal of willingness in the Government, particularly in my department, to work closely with the private sector to develop ways in which it can get involved in improving our economic performance. I am not sure whether that would always be best delivered by the traditional PFI method, which is now being questioned by many people. The adoption of international accounting rules by the Treasury, which has perhaps not yet been widely acknowledged, means that we may have to look for other ways in which that area can be developed.

Mae amryw o ffyrdd o sicrhau gwerth gorau am y bunt gyhoeddus. Mae caffael yn faes yr ydym wedi cytuno, fel Llywodraeth, ein bod yn dymuno bwrw ymlaen â hynny. Rhaid i David dderbyn bod ymrwymiad yn 'Cymru’n Un’ i beidio â defnyddio’r sector preifat yn y gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol, ac nid wyf yn rhagweld y bydd hynny’n newid. Fodd bynnag, mae parodrwydd mawr yn y Llywodraeth, yn enwedig yn fy adran, i weithio’n glòs gyda’r sector preifat i ddatblygu ffyrdd y gall fynd ati i wella ein perfformiad economaidd. Nid wyf yn sicr ai dull traddodiadol y mentrau cyllid preifat, y mae llawer o bobl yn codi amheuon yn eu cylch bellach, yw’r ffordd orau o sicrhau hynny. Mae’r ffaith bod y Trysorlys wedi mabwysiadu rheolau cyfrifyddu rhyngwladol, sy’n rhywbeth nad yw wedi cael ei gydnabod yn helaeth hyd yma, yn golygu y bydd yn rhaid inni efallai chwilio am ffyrdd eraill o ddatblygu’r maes hwnnw.

Lesley Griffiths: I also welcome this statement, particularly the three-phase approach that has been adopted by the ministerial advisory group. I also thank Andrew Davies, in his absence, for initially igniting the Welsh Development Agency and the Wales Tourist Board bonfires in 2005.

Lesley Griffiths: Yr wyf finnau’n croesawu’r datganiad hwn, yn enwedig y dull tri cham sydd wedi ei fabwysiadu gan grŵp cynghori’r Gweinidog. Hoffwn ddiolch hefyd i Andrew Davies, yn ei absenoldeb, am danio coelcerth Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru a Bwrdd Croeso Cymru yn y lle cyntaf yn 2005.

3.35 p.m.

The performance of those bodies fell below the standards expected in the public sector, and the introduction of the ministerial advisory group to give the Government advice on these areas was an excellent idea proposed by Andrew, and the benefits of its deliberations are before us today. It is good to see that accountability, which previously was not present, is now central to the process; that is to be welcomed greatly. I was interested to see the emphasis in the report on the so-called critical and cross-cutting departmental themes, including environmental issues and skills. There are obvious indications there for other Government departments.

Nid oedd perfformiad y cyrff hynny’n cyrraedd y safonau a ddisgwylir yn y sector cyhoeddus, ac yr oedd cyflwyno grŵp cynghori’r Gweinidog i roi cyngor i’r Llywodraeth ynghylch y meysydd hyn yn syniad rhagorol a gynigiwyd gan Andrew, a ffrwyth llafur ei drafodaethau sydd ger ein bron heddiw. Da gweld bod atebolrwydd, nad oedd yn bodoli o’r blaen, bellach yn rhan ganolog o’r broses; dylem fod yn falch iawn o hynny. Diddorol i mi oedd gweld y pwyslais a welir yn yr adroddiad ar y themâu adrannol critigol a thrawsbynciol, fel y’u gelwir, gan gynnwys materion amgylcheddol a sgiliau. Mae arwyddion amlwg yn hynny ar gyfer adrannau eraill.

Finally, I wish to ask you, Minister, about the former Wales Tourist Board aspects of the ministerial advisory group’s work. I have been concerned since we saw the end of the WTB that tourism in Wales should remain an economic development priority for and within Government. I believed then, and I am still of the opinion, that Welsh tourism lies more comfortably within the economic development function of the Welsh Assembly Government. Are you satisfied that tourism should remain as part of the heritage portfolio or should it have a harder economic edge as one of our main industries?

Yn olaf, hoffwn ofyn i chi, Weinidog, ynglŷn â’r agweddau ar waith grŵp cynghori’r Gweinidog sy’n ymwneud â Bwrdd Croeso Cymru gynt. Ers i Fwrdd Croeso Cymru ddod i ben, yr oeddwn am weld twristiaeth yng Nghymru yn parhau’n flaenoriaeth o ran datblygu economaidd i’r Llywodraeth ac yn y Llywodraeth. Yr oeddwn yn credu bryd hynny, a chredaf o hyd, mai priod le twristiaeth Cymru yw o fewn swyddogaeth datblygu economaidd Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru. A ydych yn argyhoeddedig y dylai twristiaeth aros yn rhan o’r portffolio treftadaeth ynteu a ddylai gael mwy o bwyslais economaidd fel un o’n prif ddiwydiannau?

The Deputy First Minister: Let me say first of all that whatever the arguments were—and there were considerable arguments at the time about whether the Welsh Development Agency and the Wales Tourist Board should be brought into Government—it is crystal clear that we would not be able to develop the kind of strategy that we have, in focusing on key sectors, had that not happened. There is no way that that could have happened, because the next stage after this announcement—and I am sure that Members recognise this—is the delivery mechanism. Before long, I will be able to announce that we will have sectoral leads in each of these areas, under the control of my department and officials, delivering on this agenda—developing policy and looking at opportunities to develop a particular sector. None of that could have been done with the Welsh Development Agency as an arm’s-length body.

Y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog: Yn gyntaf hoffwn ddweud, beth bynnag oedd y dadleuon—a bu dadlau mawr ar y pryd ynglŷn ag a ddylid gwneud Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru a Bwrdd Croeso Cymru yn rhan o’r Llywodraeth—ei bod yn gwbl glir na allem ddatblygu’r math o strategaeth sydd gennym, sef canolbwyntio ar sectorau allweddol, pe na bai hynny wedi digwydd. Ni fyddai hynny wedi gallu digwydd o gwbl, oherwydd y cam nesaf ar ôl y cyhoeddiad hwn—ac yr wyf yn siŵr bod yr Aelodau’n cydnabod hyn—yw’r mecanwaith ar gyfer cyflawni. Cyn bo hir, byddaf yn gallu cyhoeddi y bydd gennym arweiniad sectoraidd ym mhob un o’r meysydd hyn, dan reolaeth fy adran a’m swyddogion, i gyflawni’r agenda hon—yn datblygu polisi ac yn ystyried cyfleoedd i ddatblygu sector penodol. Ni allesid gwneud hynny o gwbl petai Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru yn gorff hyd braich.

The way in which the Government’s economic programme—and the fact that we want to have a more focused approach—can be challenged here in the Chamber shows that this is much more democratically accountable. You indicated that the cross-cutting themes are crucial. That is why I believe that there is no danger to the tourist sector in not being part of my department. If we are to adopt a cross-cutting approach and have cross-departmental working, it does not really matter whether tourism is part of my department or under the heritage portfolio. There is a great deal of synergy between the Department for Heritage in its totality and tourism, which enables us to be quite comfortable that it sits there.

Mae’r modd y gellir herio rhaglen economaidd y Llywodraeth yn y Siambr hon—a’r ffaith bod arnom eisiau dull a mwy o ffocws iddo—yn dangos bod hyn yn llawer mwy atebol yn ddemocrataidd. Dywedasoch fod y themâu trawsbynciol yn allweddol. Dyna pam yr wyf yn credu nad oes perygl i’r sector twristiaeth am nad yw’n rhan o’m hadran. O fabwysiadu dull trawsbynciol a gweithio’n drawsadrannol, nid yw o bwys mewn gwirionedd a yw twristiaeth yn rhan o’m hadran neu’n rhan o’r portffolio treftadaeth. Mae llawer iawn o synergedd rhwng yr Adran Dreftadaeth yn ei chyfanrwydd a thwristiaeth, ac oherwydd hynny gallwn deimlo’n eithaf cyffyrddus ei bod yn rhan o’r adran honno.

Kirsty Williams: I thank the Minister for his statement. The group’s report has many interesting things to say, although I do not know whether the title, 'A New Way Forward’, is exactly how I would put it. The key areas identified for the economy are not hugely different from the key areas identified in 'Wales: A Vibrant Economy’, which was the economic strategy for the previous Government. They pretty much mirror each other.

Kirsty Williams: Hoffwn ddiolch i’r Gweinidog am ei ddatganiad. Mae adroddiad y grŵp yn llawn o bethau diddorol, er nad wyf yn sicr a fyddwn wedi defnyddio’r teitl, 'Ffordd Newydd Ymlaen’. Nid yw’r meysydd allweddol a nodir ar gyfer yr economi’n wahanol iawn i’r meysydd allweddol a nodir yn 'Cymru: Economi yn Ffynnu’, sef strategaeth economaidd y Llywodraeth flaenorol. Maent yn adlewyrchu ei gilydd i raddau helaeth.

I note that the group started out paying specific attention to GVA per capita and participation levels in Wales and noted that we were behind on both of those markers. Although the group did not make any specific recommendations with regards to setting targets for GVA and participation levels, is it now the Government’s intention to do that? In recent debates, the Deputy First Minister and the First Minister have belittled GVA as an indicator of strength in the Welsh economy, so it is interesting to see that the group put that at the forefront of its analysis. Either it is a proper and significant way of looking at the economy or it is not. I would be grateful to hear from the Minister how he regards GVA and whether we can look forward to the Government setting a target that it will be working to in that regard. It is recommended that the core sectors have a development strategy attached to each of them. Can the Deputy First Minister give me an idea as to when he believes that those strategies will be in place for the three core sectors identified in the report?

Sylwaf fod y grŵp wedi dechrau drwy roi sylw penodol i GYC y pen a lefelau cyfranogiad yng Nghymru a nodi ein bod ar ei hôl hi o ran y ddau fesur hynny. Er na wnaeth y grŵp argymhellion penodol ynghylch gosod targedau ar gyfer GYC a lefelau cyfranogiad, a yw’r Llywodraeth bellach yn bwriadu gwneud hynny? Mewn dadleuon yn ddiweddar mae’r Dirprwy Brif Weinidog a’r Prif Weinidog wedi bychanu GYC fel dangosydd ynghylch cryfder economi Cymru, felly diddorol yw gweld bod y grŵp wedi rhoi lle blaenllaw iddo yn ei ddadansoddiad. Naill ai mae’n ffordd briodol ac arwyddocaol o ystyried yr economi neu nid ydyw. Byddwn yn ddiolchgar o glywed barn y Gweinidog ynglŷn â GYC ac a allwn ddisgwyl gweld y Llywodraeth yn gosod targed y bydd yn ymgyrraedd ato yn hynny o beth. Argymhellir bod angen strategaethau datblygu ar gyfer pob un o’r sectorau craidd. A all y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog roi syniad imi ynglŷn â phryd y mae’n credu y bydd y strategaethau craidd hynny ar waith ar gyfer y tri sector craidd a nodir yn yr adroddiad?

3.40 p.m.

Today, the Minister finally does skills. In response to questions in Plenary previously, he has said that skills are not a matter for him. [Interruption.] I think that the record will show that you have said that skills are not a matter for you, Minister, but a matter for John Griffiths. Therefore I am glad that, in your statement today, you give the skills agenda the attention that it deserves.

Heddiw, mae’r Gweinidog wedi rhoi sylw i sgiliau o’r diwedd. Mewn atebion blaenorol yn y Cyfarfod Llawn, mae wedi dweud nad mater iddo ef yw sgiliau. [Torri ar draws.] Credaf y bydd y cofnod yn dangos eich bod wedi dweud nad mater i chi yw sgiliau, Weinidog, ond, yn hytrach, mater i John Griffiths. Felly, yr wyf yn falch eich bod, yn eich datganiad heddiw, wedi rhoi’r sylw y mae’n ei haeddu i’r agenda sgiliau.

Will you now, therefore, think about setting level 3 skills as the benchmark to work towards? Evidence given to various committees has stated that that is desirable. The report before us states that there is abundant evidence demonstrating that higher skills economies have higher productivity. Given that acknowledgement by the group, do you accept that and will you therefore be looking to push the higher skills agenda forward in that way? You say that you will be working with the sector skills councils. In taking evidence, the Enterprise and Learning Committee has repeatedly heard concerns about the capacity of the sector skills councils to perform their roles, specifically within a Welsh context, because many of them do not have a great deal of support in Wales. There is often little infrastructure to support the individual trying to work for a sector skills council in a Wales context. Is it your intention therefore to beef up the Welsh capacity of the sector skills councils? There is real concern that the sector skills councils may not be able to work with you in the way that you have demonstrated today that you would like to work with them.

Felly, a wnewch ystyried gosod sgiliau lefel 3 yn feincnod i weithio tuag ato? Mewn tystiolaeth a roddwyd i wahanol bwyllgorau dywedwyd y byddai hynny’n ddymunol. Mae’r adroddiad sydd ger ein bron yn dweud bod tystiolaeth helaeth yn dangos bod cynhyrchiant uwch gan economïau sydd â sgiliau uwch. O ystyried bod y grŵp wedi cydnabod hynny, a ydych yn derbyn hynny ac felly a ydych yn bwriadu hyrwyddo’r agenda sgiliau uwch yn y ffordd honno? Yr ydych yn dweud y byddwch yn gweithio gyda’r cynghorau sgiliau sector. Wrth gymryd tystiolaeth, mae’r Pwyllgor Menter a Dysgu wedi clywed pryderon lu ynglŷn â gallu’r cynghorau sgiliau sector i gyflawni eu rolau, yn benodol yng nghyd-destun Cymru, oherwydd nid oes gan nifer ohonynt lawer iawn o gefnogaeth yng Nghymru. Prin iawn yw’r seilwaith yn aml i gefnogi unigolyn sy’n ceisio gweithio i gyngor sgiliau sector yng nghyd-destun Cymru. Felly a ydych yn bwriadu atgyfnerthu gallu Cymru o fewn y cynghorau sgiliau sector? Mae pryder gwirioneddol na fydd y cynghorau sgiliau sector yn gallu gweithio gyda chi yn y modd yr ydych wedi dangos heddiw yr hoffech weithio gyda nhw.

The report mentions planning, and it is in the list of recommendations that you will examine the issues around planning. It is widely accepted that one reason why the Government was successful in attracting the Amazon project, for instance, was that the planning decision by the planning authority was turned around very quickly. I have evidence, certainly within my constituency, of business people who have decided to invest in other parts of Europe because of the constraints of our planning system. That is not to say that business should circumnavigate the planning system—there are appropriate planning laws that people have to abide by—but there is a feeling in business that it often takes too long to get a planning decision. I met a business this morning that is at its wits’ end with the planning department. A significant private sector investment in my constituency is under threat because the planning authority is not able to deal with matters promptly. I am sure that you will agree that none of us would want to lose out on precious investment because our planning departments are ill resourced or do not have the capacity to deal with applications promptly.

Mae’r adroddiad yn crybwyll cynllunio, a dywedwch yn y rhestr argymhellion y byddwch yn ymchwilio i’r materion sy’n ymwneud â chynllunio. Derbynnir yn eang mai un rheswm y bu’r Llywodraeth yn llwyddiannus yn ei hymdrechion i ddenu prosiect Amazon, er enghraifft, oedd oherwydd bod y penderfyniad ynghylch cynllunio wedi’i wneud yn gyflym iawn gan yr awdurdod cynllunio. Mae gennyf dystiolaeth, yn fy etholaeth yn sicr,  fod pobl fusnes wedi penderfynu buddsoddi mewn rhannau eraill o Ewrop oherwydd cyfyngiadau ein system gynllunio. Nid dweud yr wyf y dylai busnesau allu anwybyddu gofynion y system gynllunio—mae rheolau cynllunio priodol y mae’n rhaid i bobl lynu wrthynt—ond ym myd busnes, teimlir bod penderfyniadau ynglŷn â chynllunio’n aml yn cymryd gormod o amser. Y bore yma, cyfarfûm â busnes sydd wedi cyrraedd pen ei dennyn gyda’r adran gynllunio. Mae bygythiad i fuddsoddiad sector preifat mawr yn fy etholaeth oherwydd nad yw’r awdurdod cynllunio’n gallu delio â materion yn brydlon. Yr wyf yn sicr y cytunwch na fyddai neb am golli buddsoddiad gwerthfawr oherwydd bod ein hadrannau cynllunio heb ddigon o adnoddau neu oherwydd nad oes ganddynt y gallu i ddelio â cheisiadau’n brydlon.

I welcome the Government’s commitment to knowledge exploitation as a way of driving the economy forward. Lesley Griffiths waxed lyrically about Andrew Davies’s contribution to the group. One thing that Andrew Davies did was to set up the Gibson review, which produced a worthwhile piece of work, with some very dynamic and interesting points about knowledge exploitation and commercialisation. The Minister has said previously that he is committed to delivering the recommendations of the Gibson review. Will he now state whether he still intends to do that?

Yr wyf yn croesawu ymrwymiad y Llywodraeth i ddatblygu gwybodaeth i hybu’r economi. Bu Lesley Griffiths yn canu clodydd cyfraniad Andrew Davies at y grŵp. Un peth a wnaeth Andrew Davies oedd sefydlu adolygiad Gibson, a wnaeth waith gwerth chweil, a oedd yn cynnwys pwyntiau dynamig a diddorol iawn ynglŷn â datblygu gwybodaeth a masnacheiddio. Mae’r Gweinidog wedi dweud o’r blaen ei fod wedi ymrwymo i gyflawni argymhellion adolygiad Gibson. A wnaiff ddatgan yn awr a yw hynny’n dal yn fwriad ganddo?

On procurement, a huge section of the economy is reliant on public sector procurement. However, this morning in the Proposed Healthy Eating in Schools Measure Committee we took evidence from people at the sharp end, who are in charge of budgets and who could be buying Welsh local produce to feed to our schoolchildren. They said that while there is a lot of talk about that being the right thing for them to do, there are not the levels of support to allow them to make the most of those opportunities or to assist them in doing so. Do you intend to reconsider the support that you are giving to the public sector to ensure that it is making the most of its buying ability to help the Welsh economy?

O ran caffael, mae cyfran fawr o’r economi’n ddibynnol ar gaffael yn y sector cyhoeddus. Fodd bynnag, y bore yma yn y Pwyllgor ar y Mesur Arfaethedig Bwyta’n Iach Mewn Ysgolion, cawsom dystiolaeth gan bobl sydd yn ei chanol hi, sy’n gyfrifol am gyllidebau ac a allai fod yn prynu cynnyrch lleol o Gymru i fwydo ein plant ysgol. Er bod llawer iawn o siarad mai dyna’r peth iawn iddynt ei wneud, dywedasant nad oes cefnogaeth ar gael i ganiatáu iddynt fanteisio i’r eithaf ar y cyfleoedd hynny neu i’w cynorthwyo i wneud hynny. A ydych yn bwriadu ailystyried y gefnogaeth yr ydych yn ei rhoi i’r sector cyhoeddus er mwyn sicrhau ei fod yn gwneud y gorau o’i allu i brynu er mwyn helpu economi Cymru?

The Deputy First Minister: Thank you for the number of questions that you have asked, which I will try to deal with today. You asked whether this is a new way forward and you said that there are parts of the 'Wales: A Vibrant Economy’ document that correspond with what I am saying today. The main difference, which is crucial, is that the Assembly Government has accepted that there needs to be a sectoral approach. There will be delivery right through the system. This is a major change. The key sectors, as I have indicated in my statement, will be at the heart of this. My department has been restructured to deliver on this agenda. We have dedicated sector teams for policy and delivery, which we have never had before. In our action plan, we have agreement across the Assembly Government on joining up our economic levers. The driver in my department will be to deliver on this sectoral approach. That is not to say that the other sectors that have been excluded will not be looked after, but priority will now be given to considering these key sectors. That is a major change in the way in which we do things, which should be broadly welcomed.

Y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog: Diolch ichi am y cwestiynau niferus yr ydych wedi’u gofyn, y ceisiaf ddelio â hwy heddiw. Gofynasoch a yw hon yn ffordd newydd o symud ymlaen, a dywedasoch fod rhannau o’r ddogfen 'Cymru: Economi yn Ffynnu’ sy’n cyfateb i’r hyn yr wyf yn ei ddweud heddiw. Y gwahaniaeth mwyaf, sy’n bwysig iawn, yw bod Llywodraeth y Cynulliad wedi derbyn bod angen ymagwedd sectoraidd. Byddwn yn cyflawni ym mhob rhan o’r system. Mae hyn yn newid mawr. Bydd y prif sectorau, fel yr wyf wedi dweud yn fy natganiad, yn ganolog o ran hyn. Mae fy adran i wedi cael ei had-drefnu er mwyn gweithredu’r agenda hon. Mae gennym dimau sector pwrpasol ar gyfer polisïau a chyflawni, rhywbeth nad ydym wedi’u cael erioed o’r blaen. Yn ein cynllun gweithredu, mae gennym gytundeb ar draws Llywodraeth y Cynulliad ynghylch cydgysylltu’n dulliau o sbarduno’r economi. Y nod yn fy adran i fydd gweithredu’r ymagwedd sectoraidd hon. Nid yw hynny’n golygu na fydd y sectorau eraill nad ydynt wedi’u cynnwys yn cael sylw, ond rhoddir blaenoriaeth yn awr i ystyried y sectorau allweddol hyn. Mae hynny’n newid sylweddol o ran y ffordd yr ydym yn gwneud pethau, a dylai gael ei groesawu’n gyffredinol.

Kirsty must accept that the Government has not adopted a gross value added target. I am sure that she has read the 'One Wales’ agreement, which is something that I do regularly, and the target that we have set ourselves in the agreement is to achieve full employment. We can disagree about whether or not that should be the target, but that is the target against which the Government’s performance should be measured. We have decided that that is how we intend to do it. I have been fairly understanding regarding Kirsty’s questions on skills in the past, but I must now make it clear that she clearly does not understand what being in Government means. I have made it clear that, as an issue, skills cuts across more than one department: it includes what I am doing in my department, and what John Griffiths and Jane Hutt are doing. It touches most Government departments. However, the detail of the delivery must be the responsibility of the relevant Minister. Therefore, the question on level 3 skills is a question for Jane Hutt or John Griffiths and not for me. I must repeat that until the message hits home. Everyone understands the importance of skills, but the detailed implementation must be the responsibility of the relevant Minister.

Rhaid i Kirsty dderbyn nad yw’r Llywodraeth wedi mabwysiadu targed gwerth ychwanegol crynswth. Yr wyf yn siŵr ei bod wedi darllen cytundeb 'Cymru’n Un’, fel yr wyf fi’n gwneud yn rheolaidd, a’r targed yr ydym wedi’i osod i ni’n hunain yn y cytundeb yw sicrhau cyflogaeth lawn. Gallwn anghytuno ynglŷn â phriodoldeb y targed hwnnw, ond hwnnw yw’r targed y dylid ei ddefnyddio er mwyn mesur perfformiad y Llywodraeth. Yr ydym wedi penderfynu mai dyna sut yr ydym yn bwriadu gwneud hynny. Yr wyf wedi bod yn bur amyneddgar ynghylch cwestiynau Kirsty ynglŷn â sgiliau yn y gorffennol, ond rhaid imi ei gwneud yn glir yn awr ei bod yn amlwg nad yw’n deall beth y mae bod mewn Llywodraeth yn ei olygu. Yr wyf wedi ei gwneud yn glir bod a wnelo sgiliau â mwy nag un adran: mae’n ymwneud â’r hyn yr wyf fi’n ei wneud yn fy adran i, a’r hyn y mae John Griffiths a Jane Hutt yn ei wneud. Mae’n ymwneud â’r rhan fwyaf o adrannau’r Llywodraeth. Fodd bynnag, rhaid i’r manylion ynglŷn â chyflawni fod yn gyfrifoldeb i’r Gweinidog perthnasol. Felly, cwestiwn i Jane Hutt neu John Griffiths yw’r cwestiwn ynglŷn â sgiliau lefel 3, ac nid cwestiwn i mi. Rhaid imi ailadrodd hynny nes bydd yn deall y neges. Mae pawb yn deall mor bwysig yw sgiliau, ond rhaid i’r gwaith gweithredu manwl fod yn gyfrifoldeb i’r Gweinidog perthnasol.

On planning, I have made it clear in my statement that I will be discussing with Jane Davidson ways in which the planning system can be reviewed to see whether we can make it much easier for local planning authorities to respond to it, and I have indicated that we will deliver on that.

O ran cynllunio, yr wyf wedi ei gwneud yn glir yn fy natganiad y byddaf yn trafod gyda Jane Davidson sut y gellir adolygu’r system gynllunio er mwyn gweld a allwn ei gwneud yn llawer haws i awdurdodau cynllunio lleol ymateb iddi, ac yr wyf wedi dweud y byddwn yn cyflawni hynny.

On knowledge exploitation, there is common ground between us. You mentioned the Gibson review, and I said in my statement that our ambition must be linked with the implementation of the recommendations of the commercialisation review, in partnership with universities and the private sector. I said that to the committee, and I thought that the response that I promised the committee had been sent, but I will check that. I intended to provide the committee with details of all the recommendations in the report and of how I intend to carry those forward. If the response has not been sent, I will ensure that it is sent as soon as possible.

O ran datblygu gwybodaeth, yr ydym yn cytuno cryn dipyn ynghylch hynny. Cyfeiriasoch at adolygiad Gibson, a dywedais yn fy natganiad fod yn rhaid i’n huchelgais fod yn gysylltiedig â gweithredu argymhellion yr adolygiad o fasnacheiddio, mewn partneriaeth â phrifysgolion a’r sector preifat. Dywedais hynny wrth y pwyllgor, ac yr oeddwn yn credu bod yr ymateb a addewais i’r pwyllgor wedi cael ei anfon, ond edrychaf a yw hynny’n wir. Yr oeddwn yn bwriadu rhoi manylion i’r pwyllgor ynglŷn â holl argymhellion yr adroddiad a sut yr wyf yn bwriadu eu gweithredu. Os nad yw’r ymateb wedi cael ei anfon, sicrhaf ei fod yn cael ei anfon cyn gynted ag sy’n bosibl.

On procurement, yes, this is an important agenda. There are some important European Commission rules that must be considered, but it is the Government’s intention, insofar as it is possible, to make procurement work for the benefit of companies in Wales so that they can share, if you like, in the way in which the public sector procures into the future.

O ran caffael, ydyw, mae hon yn agenda bwysig. Mae rhai rheolau pwysig gan y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd y mae’n rhaid eu hystyried, ond bwriad y Llywodraeth, hyd y mae hynny’n bosibl, yw peri i gaffael weithio er budd cwmnïau yng Nghymru fel y gallant fod yn rhan, os mynnwch, o’r ffordd y mae’r sector cyhoeddus yn caffael ar gyfer y dyfodol.

Gareth Jones: Diolch am y datganiad. Mae nifer o Aelodau eisoes wedi cyfeirio at y pwyntiau yr hoffwn eu gwneud. Hoffwn ategu un neu ddau o bwyntiau. Yr wyf yn hynod falch o weld eich gweledigaeth a’ch dehongliad o’r hyn sydd angen ei wneud i sicrhau bod cyfoeth yn cael ei greu a’i gynyddu yma yng Nghymru a bod Cymru’n ffynnu.

3.50 p.m.

Yr wyf hefyd yn falch eich bod wedi cyfeirio at y ffaith bod yn rhaid i ni sicrhau bod Cymru’n dod yn gystadleuol yn rhyngwladol. Hoffwn wybod sut y bydd y neges honno’n cael ei throsglwyddo fel ein bod yn deall pwysigrwydd hynny, oherwydd bod yn rhaid iddo ddigwydd. Croesawaf hefyd y ffaith, oherwydd y gyfundrefn newydd, fod Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn awyddus i yrru’r newid a’r twf i wireddu’r weledigaeth. Credaf y bydd y gyfundrefn newydd yn caniatáu gwneud hynny.

Ar yr adolygiad masnacheiddio a’i bwysigrwydd, fel y dywedodd Kirsty, yr ydym wedi derbyn eich ymateb, ac yr ydym yn dra diolchgar am hynny. Mae’n adroddiad o bwys, a chroesawaf yn fawr eich bod am weithredu ar yr argymhellion. Bydd y sector addysg uwch gyfan yn croesawu’r ffaith eich bod am fuddsoddi mwy yn y gwaith ymchwil a datblygu. Mae’r pwyntiau hynny i gyd yn gadarnhaol ac fe’u croesawaf.

Wrth ymateb i Kirsty, yr ydych newydd gyfeirio at bwysigrwydd uwchraddio sgiliau. Mae hwnnw’n fater o bwys. Yr wyf yn cydnabod ei fod yn fater trawsbynciol—mae’n cyffwrdd â llawer o wahanol adrannau—ond hoffwn i Lywodraeth Cymru fynd i’r afael a chynghorau sgiliau sector oherwydd y gellid gwella’r ddarpariaeth, ac yr wyf yn siŵr y byddai Cymru’n cael budd o hynny.

Gorffennaf gydag un pwynt yr ydych eisoes wedi cyfeirio ato sydd yn ymwneud â chaffael. Deallaf fod yn rhaid i ni fanteisio ar fuddsoddiad yn y sector gyhoeddus a bod yn rhaid inni geisio gwneud hynny mewn ffordd sydd yn caniatáu i’r sector breifat gael budd hefyd, gan fod angen y cydbwysedd hwnnw. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf ar ddeall—ac yr wyf wedi derbyn cwynion am hyn yn ddiweddar—fod y cytundebau fframwaith yn rhwystro busnesau lleol sydd â throsiant o lai na £5 miliwn rhag ymgymryd â phrosiectau fel hyn. Byddwn i’n gweld hynny fel rhwystr i’r tyniant yr ydych yn dyheu, fel pawb yma, i’w weld yng Nghymru. Gallaf rannu’r manylion a dderbyniais gyda chi, Ddirprwy Brif Weinidog. A wnewch adolygu’r sefyllfa hon? Fodd bynnag, drwyddi draw, yn sicr, croesawaf eich datganiad.

Y Dirprwy Prif Weinidog: Diolch am eich geiriau. Yr ydym yn rhannu’r weledigaeth bod yn rhaid i ni weld Cymru yn genedl hyderus a ffyniannus lle y bydd buddsoddi mewn diwydiant, yn y sector arbennig hon, yn gwella ein perfformiad economaidd.

Bu i chi ofyn cwestiwn am Gymru fel gwlad sydd yn gystadleuol yn rhyngwladol, ac un o’r pethau yr oeddwn yn ymwybodol iawn ohono pan arweiniais ddirprwyaeth i Delhi Newydd, Mumbai ac i Efrog Newydd oedd nad Cymru yw’r unig genedl sy’n mynd allan i geisio gwerthu’r hyn sydd ganddi i’w gynnig. Felly, mae’n rhaid i ni ddangos bod gennym rywbeth gwahanol i’w gynnig. Mae nifer o bobl yn dweud wrthym eu bod yn hoffi sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru’n gallu ymateb yn gyflym i anghenion cwmnïau ac yn y blaen. Fodd bynnag, mae’n rhaid iddo fod yn fwy na hynny ac wrth ganolbwyntio ar sectorau arbennig, mae ein pitch ni’n mynd i fod dipyn bach yn wahanol, a chredaf y bydd hynny’n fanteisiol i ni wrth i ni drafod buddsoddiad.

You asked a question about Wales as a country that is competitive internationally, and one of the things that I was aware of when I led a delegation to New Delhi, Mumbai, and to New York was that Wales is not the only nation that goes out to try sell what it has to offer. Therefore, we must demonstrate that we have something different to offer. A number of people tell us that they like the way in which the Welsh Assembly Government can respond quickly to the needs of companies and so on. However, it has to be more than that and, in focusing on particular sectors, our pitch will be slightly different, and I believe that that will be advantageous to us as we discuss investment.

Soniais am Gymru fel gwlad sydd yn gystadleuol yn rhyngwladol, ond nid yw hynny wedi ei gyfyngu i fuddsoddiad mewnol. Yr ydym am weld cwmnïau o Gymru yn gallu cystadlu yn y farchnad ryngwladol, a dyna pam mae’r broses o arwain dirprwyaeth yn gorfod bod yn broses ddwyffordd—fel bod y ddau beth yn gallu digwydd.

I spoke about Wales as a country that is competitive internationally, but that is not restricted to inward investment. We want to see companies from Wales being able to compete in the international market, and that is why the process of leading a delegation has to be a two-way process—so that both things can happen.

Yr wyf yn falch o glywed fod yr ymateb i’r adolygiad masnacheiddio wedi cyrraedd. Mae’n rhan bwysig o’n rhaglen. Yr wyf yn derbyn bod yr agenda sgiliau yn hynod bwysig. Yr wyf eisoes wedi cael sgwrs â’r rhai sy’n cynrychioli’r cynghorau sgiliau, a byddwn yn gweithio hyd eithaf ein gallu i sicrhau ein bod yn gallu darparu’r sgiliau sydd eu hangen ar gyfer y blynyddoedd i ddod. Un peth sy’n eithaf amlwg yw mai nid rhywbeth tymor byr yn unig yw hwn; bydd yn dylanwadu ar pa mor gystadleuol yw’r economi Gymreig yn y blynyddoedd a’r degawdau i ddod.

I am pleased to hear that the response to the commercialisation consultation has arrived. It is an important part of our programme. I accept that the skills agenda is exceptionally important. I have already spoken to the representatives of the skills councils, and we will do our utmost to ensure that we can provide the skills required in future years. One thing that has become apparent is that this is not just a short-term thing; it will influence the competitiveness of the Welsh economy in the ensuing years and decades.

You raised a more specific question on procurement, and I am happy to look at individual examples. Andrew Davies leads for the Government in this field, and I am certain that he will be willing to accept any information regarding problems that currently exist with the framework contracts. Our intention, as stated in 'One Wales’, is to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises in Wales are able to profit from the kind of procurement contract available in the public sector.

The Deputy Minister for Housing (Jocelyn Davies): After being appointed as the Deputy Minister for Housing, I spent my first weeks talking to as many housing practitioners as possible to find out how well we were meeting the housing challenges in Wales.

Y Dirprwy Weinidog dros Dai (Jocelyn Davies): Treuliais yr wythnosau cyntaf ar ôl imi gael fy mhenodi’n Ddirprwy Weinidog dros Dai yn siarad â chynifer o ymarferwyr ym maes tai ag y gallwn. Fy mwriad oedd darganfod i ba raddau yr oeddem yn cyflawni’r heriau sy’n gysylltiedig â thai yng Nghymru.

I spoke to the representative bodies of local authorities and housing associations, the staff and members of many different housing associations and local authorities across Wales, tenants’ organisations, and professional bodies. Although it was clear that much good work was being done, it was not being delivered consistently across Wales. The point made to me time and again was that opportunities to provide homes, services and community regeneration were being lost because of a regulatory system that is no longer wholly appropriate, and because of micromanaged processes that slow down delivery and performance. There was also a lack of clarity in the roles and responsibilities of the three parties involved: the Welsh Assembly Government, local authorities and housing associations.

Siaredais â chyrff sy’n cynrychioli awdurdodau lleol a chymdeithasau tai, staff ac aelodau llawer o wahanol gymdeithasau tai ac awdurdodau lleol ledled Cymru, sefydliadau tenantiaid, a chyrff proffesiynol. Er ei bod yn amlwg bod llawer o waith da’n cael ei wneud, nid oedd y ddarpariaeth yn gyson ym mhob rhan o Gymru. Yr hyn a ddywedwyd wrthyf dro ar ôl tro oedd bod cyfleoedd i ddarparu cartrefi a gwasanaethau ac i adfywio cymunedau’n cael eu colli oherwydd system reoleiddio nad yw’n gwbl briodol mwyach, ac oherwydd prosesau meicroreoledig sy’n arafu’r broses o gyflawni ac yn amharu ar berfformiad. Yr oedd diffyg eglurder hefyd ynglŷn â rolau a chyfrifoldebau’r rhai sy’n ymwneud â’r gwaith: Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, awdurdodau lleol a chymdeithasau tai.

The Welsh Assembly Government does not build houses; it relies upon its partners to plan and deliver new social housing. Given the consistent messages that I was receiving, in October, I asked Sue Essex to chair a review of the current system. My vision was that we should all be working together to maximise the gain from the resources that we have, as well as from new investment made. Every partner should be challenged to contribute more to help meet the housing needs that we face. The systems and processes that we use should help us meet that objective.

Nid yw Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru’n adeiladu tai; mae’n dibynnu ar ei phartneriaid i gynllunio a darparu tai cymdeithasol newydd. O ganlyniad i’r negeseuon cyson yr oeddwn yn eu cael, ym mis Hydref, gofynnais i Sue Essex gadeirio adolygiad o’r system bresennol. Fy ngweledigaeth oedd y dylem i gyd weithio gyda’n gilydd er mwyn cael cymaint o fudd ag sy’n bosibl o’r adnoddau sydd gennym yn ogystal ag o fuddsoddiad newydd sy’n cael ei wneud. Dylid herio pob partner i gyfrannu mwy er mwyn helpu i ddiwallu’r angen am dai yr ydym yn ei wynebu. Dylai’r systemau a’r prosesau yr ydym yn eu defnyddio ein helpu i gyflawni’r amcan hwnnw.

The brief for the Essex review was to look at how we could gain the maximum from the assets already held by housing associations; to encourage greater collaboration between them, to become more effective in delivering new homes; to look at ways to accelerate the meeting of our climate change objectives when building new homes; and to ensure that each partner had a clear understanding of its roles and responsibilities. Together, those four components, properly implemented, will improve performance and ensure that we are better equipped to meet the growing housing challenges that we face.

Y brîff ar gyfer adolygiad Essex oedd ystyried sut y gallem gael y budd mwyaf o’r asedau sydd gan gymdeithasau tai yn barod; annog mwy o gydweithio rhyngddynt, er mwyn bod yn fwy effeithiol wrth ddarparu cartrefi newydd; edrych ar ffyrdd o gyflymu’r broses o gyflawni’n hamcanion sy’n ymwneud â newid yn yr hinsawdd wrth adeiladu cartrefi newydd; a sicrhau bod gan bob partner ddealltwriaeth glir o’i rolau a’i gyfrifoldebau. Gyda’i gilydd, bydd y pedair elfen hyn, o’u gweithredu’n briodol, yn gwella perfformiad ac yn sicrhau ein bod mewn sefyllfa well i allu cyflawni’r heriau cynyddol yr ydym yn eu hwynebu ym maes tai.

Sue Essex and her colleagues, Dr Peter Williams and Dr Bob Smith, have spent the best part of six months challenging all those involved in the housing movement. They spoke directly to more than 100 individuals, and over 70 organisations. As well as speaking to those directly involved and their representative bodies, they also spoke to staff employed in the housing directorate, private lenders and those involved in the private sector.

Mae Sue Essex, ynghyd â Dr Peter Williams a Dr Bob Smith, wedi treulio bron chwe mis yn herio pob un sy’n ymwneud â’r mudiad tai. Buont yn siarad yn uniongyrchol â thros 100 o unigolion, a thros 70 o sefydliadau. Yn ogystal â siarad â’r rhai sy’n uniongyrchol gysylltiedig, a’r cyrff sy’n eu cynrychioli, buont yn siarad hefyd â staff sy’n cael eu cyflogi yn y gyfarwyddiaeth dai, benthycwyr preifat a’r rhai sy’n ymwneud â’r sector preifat.

By Christmas, they had recommended five quick wins—changes that headlined the way forward, could reduce bureaucracy, and could enable housing associations to borrow more against their current assets by adopting a more social enterprise approach. We consulted widely and were encouraged by the overwhelming support that we had for this approach. We are currently looking at how to make progress on these recommendations as quickly as possible.

Erbyn y Nadolig, yr oeddent wedi argymell pum ateb sydyn—newidiadau a oedd yn dangos y ffordd ymlaen, a allai leihau biwrocratiaeth, a galluogi cymdeithasau tai i fenthyca mwy yn erbyn eu hasedau cyfredol drwy fabwysiadu trefniadau tebycach i fenter gymdeithasol. Buom yn ymgynghori’n eang a chawsom ein calonogi gan y gefnogaeth aruthrol a gawsom i’r dull hwn. Yr ydym wrthi ar hyn o bryd yn ystyried sut y gallwn symud ymlaen â’r argymhellion hyn cyn gynted ag sy’n bosibl.

I have recently received the final report of the Essex review. To rise to the challenge of meeting our many and varied housing challenges, it recommends a new strategic direction and calls for strong and purposeful leadership to achieve it.

Cefais gopi o adroddiad terfynol adolygiad Essex yn ddiweddar. Er mwyn derbyn yr her o ymateb i’r nifer fawr o heriau amrywiol sydd gennym ym maes tai, mae’n argymell cyfeiriad strategol newydd ac yn galw am arweiniad cryf a phenderfynol i’w sicrhau.

4.00 p.m.

The review acknowledges the good work already being carried out and seeks to enable housing associations and local authorities to provide more homes and more community regeneration. To achieve that, it argues that a more comprehensive assessment of housing need across Wales is imperative. Resources should follow need, and my recently announced requirement for every planning authority to publish an affordable housing delivery plan with targets for delivery will provide a more focused and transparent mechanism to encourage higher levels of performance.

Mae’r adolygiad yn cydnabod y gwaith da sy’n cael ei wneud eisoes ac yn ceisio galluogi cymdeithasau tai ac awdurdodau lleol i ddarparu mwy o gartrefi a mwy o adfywio cymunedol. Er mwyn cyflawni hynny, mae’n dadlau ei bod yn hollbwysig cael asesiad mwy cynhwysfawr o anghenion tai ledled Cymru. Dylai’r adnoddau ddilyn yr angen, a bydd y gofyniad a gyhoeddais yn ddiweddar i bob awdurdod cynllunio gyhoeddi cynllun cyflenwi tai fforddiadwy gyda thargedau ar gyfer ei gyflawni’n rhoi mecanwaith mwy tryloyw sydd â mwy o ffocws iddo i annog perfformiad gwell.

For housing associations, the report proposes a fundamental change in the regulatory system to encourage more innovation and greater freedom to use their not-for-profit status to invest more in their communities. To balance a less risk averse and more socially enterprising model, it recommends placing greater emphasis on governance and financial regulation, as well as continuing to deliver high-quality standards of management and maintenance for tenants.

O ran cymdeithasau tai, mae’r adroddiad yn cynnig newid sylfaenol yn y system reoleiddio i hyrwyddo mwy o arloesi a mwy o ryddid i ddefnyddio’u statws di-elw i fuddsoddi mwy yn eu cymunedau. Er mwyn gwrthbwyso model sy’n llai gwrth risg ac yn fwy mentrus yn gymdeithasol, mae’n argymell rhoi mwy o bwyslais ar lywodraethu a rheoleiddio ariannol, yn ogystal â pharhau i sicrhau safonau uchel o ran rheoli a gwaith cynnal a chadw i denantiaid.

Lastly, to ensure that the regulatory system remains fit for purpose, it suggests the establishment of a regulatory board, made up of key stakeholders, to take an overview and report to the Minister directly on the ability of the sector to deliver effectively.

Yn olaf, er mwyn sicrhau y bydd y system reoleiddio’n parhau’n addas i’w diben, mae’n awgrymu sefydlu bwrdd rheoleiddio o randdeiliaid allweddol i gymryd trosolwg ac adrodd yn uniongyrchol i’r Gweinidog ar allu’r sector i gyflawni’n effeithiol.

The report also recommends incentivising faster progress to meet the climate change agenda in the new-build programme, and it suggests a new way to facilitate the improvement of housing stock in local authorities where tenants have voted against stock transfer. It also looks at ways to improve housing association consortia arrangements.

Yn ogystal mae’r adroddiad yn argymell rhoi cymhellion i symud ymlaen yn gynt i ymateb i agenda’r newid yn yr hinsawdd yn y rhaglen adeiladu newydd, ac mae’n awgrymu dull newydd o hwyluso’r broses o wella’r stoc dai mewn awdurdodau lleol lle y mae tenantiaid wedi pleidleisio yn erbyn trosglwyddo’r stoc. Mae’n ystyried dulliau o wella trefniadau consortia cymdeithasau tai hefyd.

For anyone interested in housing in Wales, this is a seminal report. It is comprehensive and inclusive, and holds challenges for all those involved. For the Welsh Assembly Government, it challenges us to lead the change necessary. For local authorities, it challenges them to enable partnership working and to manage performance. For housing associations, it challenges them to become more innovative and to use their assets more effectively to increase investment.

I bawb sy’n ymddiddori ym maes tai yng Nghymru, mae hwn yn adroddiad arloesol. Mae’n gynhwysfawr ac yn gynhwysol, ac mae ynddo heriau i bawb sy’n gysylltiedig â hyn. O ran Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, mae’n ein herio i arwain y newid sy’n angenrheidiol. O ran awdurdodau lleol, mae’n eu herio i hwyluso gweithio mewn partneriaeth ac i reoli perfformiad. O ran cymdeithasau tai, mae’n eu herio i ddod yn fwy arloesol ac i ddefnyddio eu hasedau’n fwy effeithiol er mwyn buddsoddi rhagor.

Since this report was commissioned, the challenges have grown. When I took up office, our eyes were focused on 'One Wales’ and our housing commitments. With the changes in the economy affecting the housing markets, the challenges are now much greater. This report is a comprehensive analysis of the current situation, and it proposes a coherent way of improving our ability to meet it. I now invite a wide-ranging debate on the report, its recommendations, and how we can work together to implement it.

Ers comisiynu’r adroddiad hwn, mae’r heriau wedi cynyddu. Pan ymgymerais â’m swydd, yr oeddem yn canolbwyntio ar 'Cymru’n Un’ ac ar ein hymrwymiadau o ran tai. Gan fod y newidiadau yn yr economi’n effeithio ar y marchnadoedd tai, mae’r heriau’n fwy o lawer yn awr. Mae’r adroddiad hwn yn ddadansoddiad cynhwysfawr o’r sefyllfa bresennol, ac mae’n cynnig dull cydlynol o wella ein gallu i ymateb iddi. Gofynnaf yn awr am ddadl eang ar yr adroddiad, ei argymhellion, a sut y gallwn gydweithio i’w roi ar waith.

Mark Isherwood: Thank you for your statement and for commissioning the report, Deputy Minister. I am grateful that you reminded me this morning—before I made any comments this afternoon—that I had called for the report. I also thank you for consulting me in confidence on the composition of the task and finish group, and I am also grateful to its members for inviting me to give evidence and for the pre-briefing given to me and Peter Black this morning. I add my thanks to Sue Essex, Peter Williams and Bob Smith for a timely and constructive report.

Mark Isherwood: Diolch i chi am eich datganiad ac am gomisiynu’r adroddiad, Ddirprwy Weinidog. Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar am ichi fy atgoffa y bore yma—cyn imi wneud unrhyw sylwadau y prynhawn yma—fy mod wedi galw am yr adroddiad. Diolchaf i chi hefyd am ymgynghori’n gyfrinachol â mi ynghylch cyfansoddiad y grŵp gorchwyl a gorffen, ac yr wyf yn ddiolchgar hefyd i’w aelodau am fy ngwahodd i roi tystiolaeth ac am y briffio a roddwyd ymlaen llaw i mi ac i Peter Black y bore yma. Diolchaf hefyd i Sue Essex, Peter Williams a Bob Smith am adroddiad sy’n amserol ac yn adeiladol.

I welcome the fact that they have used the words 'housing crisis’. As the report states, which I think was on the projector this morning at the official launch, the current crisis serves to remind us that the bedrock of affordable housing in sustainable communities is essential to the wellbeing of Wales and its people. As Sue Essex stated this morning, it is about delivery on housing need as that need changes. She emphasised that it is about three sector delivery across public, private and voluntary sector agencies, maximising the use of resources, be they financial, land, skills or expertise.

Croesawaf y ffaith eu bod wedi defnyddio’r geiriau 'argyfwng tai’. Fel y mae’r adroddiad yn dweud, a chredaf fod hyn ar y taflunydd y bore yma yn y cyfarfod lansio swyddogol, mae’r argyfwng presennol yn fodd i’n hatgoffa bod sylfaen tai fforddiadwy mewn cymunedau cynaliadwy’n hanfodol i les Cymru a’i phobl. Fel y dywedodd Sue Essex y bore yma, mae’n ymwneud â diwallu anghenion tai wrth i’r anghenion hynny newid. Pwysleisiodd ei fod yn ymwneud â chyflawni gan dri sector ar draws asiantaethau’r sectorau cyhoeddus, preifat a gwirfoddol, gan ddefnyddio adnoddau i’r eithaf, boed y rheini’n gyllid, yn dir, yn sgiliau neu’n arbenigedd.

How do you respond to the task and finish group’s statement this morning that the Assembly Government’s role must move from being one of command and control to one of strategically enabling delivery? Do you agree that the first thing that you need to do is call all the key players across the three sectors and get them around the table to agree on a change programme?

Beth yw eich ymateb i ddatganiad y grŵp gorchwyl a gorffen y bore yma fod yn rhaid i rôl Llywodraeth y Cynulliad newid o fod yn un sy’n gorchymyn ac yn rheoli i fod yn un sy’n hwyluso cyflawni’n strategol? A ydych yn derbyn mai’r peth cyntaf y mae angen ichi ei wneud yw galw’r holl gyfranogwyr allweddol yn y tri sector a dod â hwy at ei gilydd i gytuno ar raglen ar gyfer newid?

Do you share the report’s concern at the lack of a robust evidence base regarding the need for additional affordable housing at a national level in Wales? Do you agree with the report’s finding that, while the commitment to build 6,500 new affordable homes by 2011 is welcome, it is unlikely to be sufficient fully to address the need?

A ydych chithau’n pryderu, fel y mae’r adroddiad, ynghylch diffyg sylfaen dystiolaeth gadarn am yr angen am dai fforddiadwy ychwanegol ar lefel genedlaethol yng Nghymru? A ydych yn derbyn y canfyddiad sydd yn yr adroddiad fod yr ymrwymiad i godi 6,500 o gartrefi fforddiadwy newydd erbyn 2011, er ei fod i’w groesawu, yn annhebygol o fod yn ddigon i ddiwallu’r angen?

How will you respond to the impact of the so-called 'credit crunch’ given that you have been relying on section 106 agreements but that housing associations report that developers, and now mortgage lenders, are pulling out of such agreements?

Sut y byddwch yn ymateb i effaith y 'wasgfa gredyd’, fel y’i gelwir, o gofio eich bod wedi dibynnu ar gytundebau adran 106 ond bod cymdeithasau tai’n rhoi gwybod bod datblygwyr, a benthycwyr morgeisi erbyn hyn, yn tynnu’n ôl o gytundebau o’r fath?

As we just heard, the Essex report proposes a fundamental change in the regulatory system for housing associations. However, that is what housing associations have been calling for, and they will welcome this. Their assets, worth £3.2 billion, are being underused by the regulatory environment in which the associations operate, and perhaps one of the biggest concerns is that they have been prevented from developing homes for sale using cross-subsidy and the development of mixed tenure, which associations in England have been able to do. Deputy Minister, will you give urgent consideration to proposals regarding this in the report?

Fel yr ydym newydd glywed, mae adroddiad Essex yn cynnig newid sylfaenol yn y system reoleiddio i gymdeithasau tai. Fodd bynnag, dyna y mae cymdeithasau tai wedi bod yn galw amdano, a byddant yn croesawu hyn. Mae eu hasedau, sy’n werth £3.2 biliwn, yn cael eu tanddefnyddio gan yr amgylchedd rheoleiddiol y mae’r cymdeithasau’n gweithredu ynddo, ac efallai mai un o’r pethau sy’n peri mwyaf o bryder yw eu bod wedi’u hatal rhag datblygu cartrefi i’w gwerthu drwy draws-gymorthdaliadau a datblygu daliadaethau cymysg, sef yr hyn y mae cymdeithasau yn Lloegr wedi gallu ei wneud. Ddirprwy Weinidog, a wnewch ystyried cynigion ynghylch hyn sydd yn yr adroddiad ar fyrder?

Housing associations have also expressed concern that the current inspection programme that the Wales Audit Office runs as an agent of the Assembly Government is 'slow, process-dominated and expensive’. Will you therefore give serious consideration to proposals in the report for the Wales Audit Office contract to go out to tender, and for the introduction of a staged intervention process that will give housing associations, individually and together in consortia, greater priority in a new inspection regime?

Mae cymdeithasau tai wedi mynegi pryder hefyd fod y rhaglen arolygu bresennol y mae Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru yn ei rhedeg fel asiant i Lywodraeth y Cynulliad yn 'araf, yn ddrud ac yn rhoi’r lle blaenaf i brosesau’. Felly a wnewch ystyried o ddifrif gynigion sydd yn yr adroddiad i gynnig contract Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru ar dendr, ac i gyflwyno proses ymyrraeth fesul cam a fydd yn rhoi mwy o flaenoriaeth i gymdeithasau tai, yn unigol a chyda’i gilydd mewn consortia, mewn cyfundrefn arolygu newydd?

Regarding proposals for a greater contribution of local authority land, how will you work with local authorities and the Welsh Local Government Association to acknowledge the practical barriers that they say exist given the pressure on their resources and their need to use their assets to deliver their statutory responsibilities, while encouraging those local authorities with poor records to bring more to the table?

Ynghylch cynigion ar gyfer cyfrannu mwy o dir gan awdurdodau lleol, sut y byddwch yn gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol a Chymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru i gydnabod y rhwystrau ymarferol y maent yn dweud eu bod yn bodoli o gofio’r pwysau ar eu hadnoddau a’r angen iddynt ddefnyddio’u hasedau i gyflawni eu cyfrifoldebau statudol, gan annog yr awdurdodau lleol hynny sydd â record wael i gynnig mwy?

A point that I raised with you in private last week, which you asked me to raise today, is that many housing associations say that they could increase the supply of affordable housing if they could procure private sector housing, including from house builders, perhaps from frozen developments due to the current economic environment. They say that they are receiving lots of calls from developers who want to do business, but the Assembly Government is telling them that they can do that only if the properties would meet the Welsh housing quality standard by 2012, and a problem arises over room sizes. Will you therefore give consideration to this matter? This was put to me by a major social housing group, not in north Wales but in Wales. If new-build houses are of a good enough quality for private sector sale, they are presumably of a good enough quality for people in the social and intermediate market as well.

Un pwynt a godais yn breifat gyda chi yr wythnos diwethaf, y gofynasoch imi ei godi heddiw, yw bod llawer o gymdeithasau tai’n dweud y gallent gyflenwi mwy o dai fforddiadwy pe gallent gaffael tai yn y sector preifat, gan gynnwys rhai gan adeiladwyr tai, efallai o ddatblygiadau sydd wedi’u rhewi oherwydd yr amgylchedd economaidd presennol. Dywedant eu bod yn cael llawer o alwadau gan ddatblygwyr sydd am ddelio â hwy, ond bod Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn dweud wrthynt nad ydynt ond yn cael gwneud hynny pe byddai’r adeiladau’n bodloni safon ansawdd tai Cymru erbyn 2012, ac mae problem yn codi ynghylch maint ystafelloedd. Felly a wnewch ystyried y mater hwn? Awgrymwyd hyn i mi gan grŵp tai cymdeithasol o bwys, nid yng ngogledd Cymru ond yng Nghymru. Os yw tai newydd sy’n cael eu codi o ansawdd digon da i’w gwerthu gan y sector preifat, gellir cymryd eu bod o ansawdd digon da i bobl yn y farchnad gymdeithasol a chanolradd hefyd.

Community Housing Cymru has indicated that housing associations can raise £112 million extra to support an expanded development programme, and that has been supported in this report. Will you consider action now to move this forward prudently? The report also refers to a review of housing benefit announced by the UK Government in 2008. How do you respond to wider concerns that a reduction in the backdating period for housing benefit could lead to increased homelessness and therefore increased pressure on local authority housing budgets?

Mae Cartrefi Cymunedol Cymru wedi dweud y gall cymdeithasau tai godi £112 miliwn yn ychwanegol i gynnal rhaglen ddatblygu ehangach, ac ategwyd hynny yn yr adroddiad hwn. A wnewch ystyried cymryd camau’n awr i hyrwyddo hyn yn bwyllog?  Mae’r adroddiad yn cyfeirio hefyd at adolygiad o fudd-dal tai a gyhoeddwyd gan Lywodraeth y DU yn 2008. Beth yw eich ymateb i bryderon mwy cyffredinol y byddai lleihau’r cyfnod ôl-ddyddio ar gyfer budd-dal tai’n gallu arwain at fwy o ddigartrefedd a mwy o bwysau o ganlyniad ar gyllidebau tai awdurdodau lleol?

There are so many points to be raised, and I look forward to debating them with you in the future, but my final one for today is with regard to the intermediate housing market. How do you respond to the general feeling in the sector—and it has been referred to in this report—that low-cost home ownership needs recognition in the social housing grant, and that the grant’s application needs to be more flexible and not restricted to the homebuy scheme or its variants but extended to other forms of low-cost ownership? That would enable housing associations, individually and collectively, to deliver better, higher volume and higher quality outcomes with the mix of resource available to them.

Mae cynifer o bwyntiau i’w codi, ac edrychaf ymlaen at eu trafod gyda chi yn y dyfodol, ond mae’r un olaf gennyf heddiw’n ymwneud â’r farchnad dai ganolradd. Beth yw eich ymateb i’r ymdeimlad cyffredinol yn y sector—ac mae’r adroddiad hwn wedi cyfeirio at hyn—fod angen cydnabod perchentyaeth cost isel yn y grant tai cymdeithasol, a bod angen defnyddio’r grant yn fwy hyblyg a pheidio â’i gyfyngu i’r cynllun cymorth prynu neu’r gwahanol fersiynau ohono ond ei ymestyn i gynnwys mathau eraill o berchenogaeth cost isel? Byddai hynny’n galluogi cymdeithasau tai, yn unigol a chyda’i gilydd, i sicrhau canlyniadau gwell, gyda niferoedd mwy ac ansawdd uwch, gan ddefnyddio’r cymysgedd o adnoddau sydd ar gael iddynt.

4.10 p.m.

Jocelyn Davies: I thank you for your generous support for the commissioning of the report, and Peter also gave such support. As Deputy Minister, I am not able to respond to any of the recommendations today. This is the launch of the report and I would have to give any of the recommendations serious consideration before responding. I am, however, happy to say that you need not worry about the One Wales Government providing strategic leadership. That is a commitment that I am happy to give to you, and I am surprised that you even question it.

Jocelyn Davies: Diolchaf i chi am eich cefnogaeth hael i gomisiynu’r adroddiad, a rhoddodd Peter gefnogaeth o’r fath hefyd. Fel Dirprwy Weinidog, nid wyf yn gallu ymateb i’r un o’r argymhellion heddiw. Lansio’r adroddiad yw hyn a byddai’n rhaid imi ystyried unrhyw un o’r argymhellion yn fanwl cyn ymateb. Er hynny, yr wyf yn falch o ddweud nad oes angen ichi boeni am ddarparu arweiniad strategol gan Lywodraeth Cymru’n Un. Mae hynny’n ymrwymiad yr wyf yn falch o’i roi i chi, ac yr wyf yn synnu ichi ei amau hyd yn oed.

On whether the 6,500 new affordable homes will be sufficient, there are people who say 'no’ and there are people who say that the figure is very challenging. The truth is that we do not have reliable data and, of course, the report points that out. We will certainly be looking at that in some detail.

Ynghylch a fydd y 6,500 o gartrefi fforddiadwy newydd yn ddigon, mae rhai sy’n dweud 'na fyddant’ a rhai sy’n dweud bod y ffigur yn heriol iawn. Y gwir yw nad oes gennym ddata dibynadwy ac, wrth gwrs, mae’r adroddiad yn tynnu sylw at hynny. Byddwn yn sicr o edrych ar hynny’n eithaf manwl.

On the section 106 agreements, as you know, we have always said that the 6,500 extra affordable homes cannot be secured with the social housing grant alone; we would be using the planning system, which has been underused in Wales. It is stated in the report that local authorities have missed opportunities to secure affordable housing using section 106 agreements. You quite rightly point out that if there is no development, there will not be as much room to use 106 agreements as there would have been in the past. However, you also pointed out that the credit crunch that we are experiencing means that developers are looking for opportunities with the Government to offload land and houses that they have already developed, perhaps at cheaper prices. I have to say to you, Mark, that why you would think that because a property is good enough for private sale it is good enough for social housing absolutely escapes me. The standard required for social housing is higher than that for private housing. I am sorry, as it could well be that the developers to whom you have spoken—

Ynghylch y cytundebau adran 106, fel y gwyddoch, yr ydym wedi dweud drwy’r amser na ellir sicrhau’r 6,500 o gartrefi fforddiadwy ychwanegol gan ddefnyddio’r grant tai cymdeithasol yn unig; byddem yn defnyddio’r system gynllunio, nad oes digon o ddefnyddio wedi bod arni yng Nghymru. Dywedir yn yr adroddiad fod awdurdodau lleol wedi colli cyfleoedd i sicrhau tai fforddiadwy drwy ddefnyddio cytundebau adran 106. Yr ydych yn llygad eich lle wrth bwysleisio na fydd cymaint o gyfle i ddefnyddio cytundebau adran 106 ag a fyddai wedi bod yn y gorffennol os nad oes dim datblygu. Fodd bynnag, pwysleisiasoch hefyd fod y wasgfa gredyd yr ydym yn ei theimlo’n golygu bod datblygwyr yn chwilio am gyfleoedd gyda’r Llywodraeth i gael gwared â thir a thai y maent wedi’u datblygu eisoes, efallai am brisiau rhatach. Rhaid imi ddweud wrthych, Mark, na allaf ddeall pam y credech fod eiddo’n ddigon da ar gyfer tai cymdeithasol am ei fod yn ddigon da i’w werthu’n breifat. Mae’r safon sy’n ofynnol ar gyfer tai cymdeithasol yn uwch na honno ar gyfer tai preifat. Mae’n ddrwg gennyf, gan ei bod yn ddigon posibl bod y datblygwyr yr ydych wedi siarad â hwy—

Mark Isherwood rose—

Mark Isherwood a gododd—

Jocelyn Davies: You cannot intervene, as I am making a statement.

Jocelyn Davies: Ni allwch ymyrryd, gan fy mod yn gwneud datganiad.

The Presiding Officer: Order. I am grateful to the Deputy Minister. She is absolutely right. [Laughter.]

Y Llywydd: Trefn. Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar i’r Dirprwy Weinidog. Mae’n hollol gywir. [Chwerthin.]

Jocelyn Davies: The standard for new-build social housing is very high, for very good reasons. The Welsh housing quality standard is also very high. We are considering giving housing associations extra time to meet the standard if they were to purchase property, but there is no question about bringing properties bought for social housing up to the required standard. Very often, Mark, when you look at new-build homes, you can see which part has been built for affordable housing, because, quite often, it is awful. That is not social housing. That is one very good reason why the Assembly needs control over building regulations. Then, all new properties would be of equal standard.

Jocelyn Davies: Mae’r safon ar gyfer tai cymdeithasol a godir o’r newydd yn uchel iawn, a hynny am resymau da iawn. Mae safon ansawdd tai Cymru yn uchel iawn hefyd. Yr ydym yn ystyried rhoi mwy o amser i gymdeithasau tai fodloni’r safon petaent yn prynu eiddo, ond nid oes dadl ynghylch codi eiddo a brynir ar gyfer tai cymdeithasol at y safon ofynnol. Yn aml iawn, Mark, pan edrychwch ar gartrefi sydd wedi’u codi o’r newydd, gallwch weld pa ran a godwyd ar gyfer tai fforddiadwy, oherwydd, yn aml iawn, mae’n ofnadwy. Nid tai cymdeithasol yw’r rheini. Dyna un rheswm da pam y mae angen i’r Cynulliad gael rheolaeth dros reoliadau adeiladu. Wedyn, byddai’r holl dai newydd o’r un safon.

I will certainly take on board what you say. You make a very good point about inspection, because we do pay a great deal of money for the inspection of housing associations, and we need the inspectors to be inspecting the right thing. I will certainly give serious consideration to that.

Byddaf yn sicr o ystyried yr hyn a ddywedwch. Mae’r pwynt a wnaethoch am arolygu’n dda iawn, gan ein bod yn talu llawer iawn o arian am arolygu cymdeithasau tai, ac mae angen i’r arolygwyr archwilio’r peth iawn. Byddaf yn sicr o ystyried hynny o ddifrif.

You also mentioned the intermediate market and the idea of having sustainable communities by having mixed tenure; I would agree with you 100 per cent on that. Maybe we ought to be looking at tenure-neutral housing as a way forward. I intend to consult over the summer on the future of low-cost home ownership schemes in Wales.

Cyfeiriasoch hefyd at y farchnad ganolradd ac at y syniad o gael cymunedau cynaliadwy drwy gael daliadaethau cymysg; byddwn yn llwyr gytuno â chi ynghylch hynny. Efallai y dylem ystyried tai â daliadaeth niwtral fel ffordd ymlaen. Bwriadaf ymgynghori yn ystod yr haf ynghylch dyfodol cynlluniau perchentyaeth cost isel yng Nghymru.

Joyce Watson: I welcome the independent report that you commissioned and the fact that it highlights some good practice. That should be taken forward to provide some pragmatic solutions to this urgent and complex issue across Wales. That is what the people want us to do: find solutions. It is well documented that affordable housing is a real problem across rural Wales, but these practical steps will make a difference and play a role in the Welsh Assembly Government’s anti-poverty agenda.

Joyce Watson: Croesawaf yr adroddiad annibynnol a gomisiynasoch a’r ffaith ei fod yn tynnu sylw at rai arferion da. Dylid datblygu hynny er mwyn cynnig rhai atebion ymarferol i’r mater cymhleth a phwysig hwn ledled Cymru. Dyna y mae’r bobl am inni ei wneud: dod o hyd i atebion. Mae cryn dystiolaeth i ddangos bod tai fforddiadwy’n broblem wirioneddol ledled Cymru wledig, ond bydd y camau ymarferol hyn yn gwneud gwahaniaeth ac yn chwarae rhan yn agenda Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru yn erbyn tlodi.

I welcome the report’s commendation of good practice in Carmarthenshire and Powys. Carmarthenshire County Council has worked hard over recent years to bring empty properties into use and to drive policy direction through its affordable housing action plan, 'A Step on the Ladder’.

Croesawaf y ganmoliaeth sydd yn yr adroddiad i arferion da yn sir Gaerfyrddin a Phowys. Mae Cyngor Sir Caerfyrddin wedi gweithio’n galed dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf i ddefnyddio tai gwag a rhoi cyfeiriad i bolisïau drwy ei gynllun gweithredu ar dai fforddiadwy, 'Cam ar yr Ysgol’.

Meanwhile, Mid Wales Housing Association in Powys has developed the first scheme in Wales for moving across tenure, to encourage balanced communities, responding to the changing circumstance of households without the necessity of moving house. Therefore, will you drive forward these innovative approaches, which I believe lead the way to others? Will you press for them to be actioned for greater effect in other parts of Wales?

Yn y cyfamser, mae Cymdeithas Tai Canolbarth Cymru ym Mhowys wedi datblygu’r cynllun cyntaf yng Nghymru ar gyfer symud ar draws deiliadaethau, i annog cymunedau cytbwys, gan ymateb i’r amgylchiadau sy’n newid mewn aelwydydd heb orfod symud tŷ. Felly, a ewch ati i roi’r dulliau arloesol hyn ar waith, sydd yn fy marn i yn arwain y ffordd i eraill? A wnewch bwyso iddynt gael eu gweithredu yn fwy effeithiol mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru?

Jocelyn Davies: You rightly point out that it is solutions that we are looking for, which will need collaboration with partners, and a proper partnership approach. The report contains a chapter on good practice that can be found all over Wales, and you rightly point to the Carmarthen scheme of bringing empty properties back into use. You may recall a few weeks ago the Joseph Rowntree Foundation report that was commissioned about rural Wales, which found that there could be as many as 18,000 empty properties in rural Wales alone. Therefore, any local authority that is prepared to tackle the empty properties in its area will be able to use a resource that is, perhaps, being completely wasted at present. Local authorities have considerable powers in relation to empty properties, and very few of those powers have been used. However, I believe that Carmarthen is encouraging private owners to bring those properties back into use. You are right that we need to spread that good practice, because it works—it is good value for money, and it means that we are not wasting that resource.

Peter Black: I also welcome this authoritative and thorough report, and congratulate Sue Essex, Dr Peter Williams, and Dr Bob Smith on producing it. It is a credit to them, as well as to the Assembly Government for commissioning it, and I believe that it is a worthwhile exercise, which will hopefully lead to a huge improvement in the availability of affordable housing. I also welcome the principles that the report embraces, which reflect those in the Beecham report of cross-cutting work across sectors, and with partners, to try to deliver on the objectives of providing that housing, and enabling people to live affordably in Wales.

You dealt with Mark Isherwood’s question, which I believe is also reflected in the report, namely, is 6,500 affordable homes enough? The question that this report poses, and which needs to be posed as part of the response to this report, is whether 6,500 can be achieved, and will we ever know whether they have been achieved. You made a promise to the Communities and Culture Committee not so long ago that you would come back to us by the end of this term with some idea as to how you would measure the number of affordable homes being built in Wales using social housing grant, local authority resources, as well as section 106 agreements and other means, so that we could properly assess this target. Could you reaffirm that you still intend to do that, so that we can measure the impact of the Assembly Government’s policies and the success of the measures in this report, as and when they are implemented?

You also mentioned the need to make better use of the planning system, with which I wholeheartedly concur. I accept that that is a major part of your strategy in terms of meeting your targets. However, the point has been made today—either in the report or in conversation—that, with the credit crunch and the downturn in the number of new houses being built, the potential to secure section 106 agreements, although greater than it is at present, is not as great as it once was in terms of meeting those targets. Therefore, what alternatives do you have in place to try to meet your target of 6,500 affordable homes by 2011 if those section 106 agreements—even with the best will and the best skills of the relevant local officers to deliver them—fall short because of the economic circumstances?

Soniasoch hefyd am yr angen i ddefnyddio’r system gynllunio’n well, a chytunaf yn llwyr â hynny. Derbyniaf fod hynny’n rhan bwysig o’ch strategaeth o ran cyrraedd eich targedau. Fodd bynnag, gwnaethpwyd y pwynt heddiw—naill ai yn yr adroddiad neu ar lafar—yn sgîl y wasgfa gredyd a’r gostyngiad yn nifer y tai newydd sy’n cael eu hadeiladu, nad yw’r potensial i sicrhau cytundebau adran 106, er ei fod yn fwy nag y mae ar hyn o bryd, gymaint ag a oedd yn y gorffennol o ran cyrraedd y targedau hynny. Felly, pa gynlluniau eraill sydd gennych i geisio cyrraedd eich targed o 6,500 o dai fforddiadwy erbyn 2011 os na fydd y cytundebau adran 106 hynny—hyd yn oed gydag ewyllys orau a sgiliau gorau’r swyddogion lleol perthnasol i’w cwblhau—yn cyrraedd y nod oherwydd yr amgylchiadau economaidd?

4.20 p.m.

In responding to this report, will you once again consider whether a key-worker scheme can be introduced in Wales? Will you consider the point that we should look at the regulations surrounding housing associations—this point was made well in the report—in an effort to release the resources that they are able to draw upon to deliver this agenda?

Jocelyn Davies: Thank you for that contribution, Peter, and for your support for the commissioning of this report. You rightly made the point that it is also based on 'Making the Connections’. You asked whether 6,500 homes are enough; the report says that that is a welcome start. You then questioned whether we will be able to meet that target, because we were partly relying on the planning system. We have done a great deal in order to train local authority officers and members in relation to the use of the planning system. You mentioned that this was our strategy, but it is a shame that it was not in the strategies of the local authorities, which have now missed many opportunities. Those opportunities are gone, and the credit crunch will not last forever, so there will be a return to development.

You were quite right that, when I was last at the committee—I have checked the Record—I promised that I would bring you the information as soon as possible. I cannot bring it to you before I get it, but as soon as I get it, I will make it available. I cannot commit firmly to a date, such as next week or whenever. I think that the commitment that it would be ready before the recess was made by an official; I have not seen that information yet, but you will get it as soon as I do.

On key workers, if we hold a consultation on low-cost home ownership over the summer, we will certainly include that issue. If the planning system prevents us from realising affordable housing, the very reason that housing associations called for the review of regulation was so that they could release more assets in order to build more affordable homes and to do regeneration work. We intend to have affordable housing delivery plans, which will mean that local authorities will look to all the powers that they have in relation to housing, not just the planning powers, in order to secure affordable housing. I know that, under the empty housing properties scheme in Powys, for example, the authority made small grants available to the owners of empty properties in order to have nomination rights for tenants. There are good case studies in the report, and local authorities can do many different things to ensure that the supply of housing is increased.

Alun Ffred Jones: Diolch am yr adroddiad a’r datganiad. Mae nifer o’r argymhellion hyn i’w croesawu’n fawr, er mai mewn tair neu bedair blynedd y gwelwn y prawf, os byddwn wedi gallu adeiladu’r tai sydd yn angenrheidiol i ymateb i’r galw. Mae gennyf dri chwestiwn i’w gofyn i chi ar sail yr adroddiad. Mae un o’r argymhellion yn dweud y dylid cryfhau’r sylfaen staff yn yr is-adran tai, ac yn ddiweddarach yn yr un paragraff mae sôn am fod yn fwy hyblyg ac yn y blaen. Felly, pa gynlluniau sydd gennych i wneud yr is-adran yn fwy addas ar gyfer y dasg?

Alun Ffred Jones: Thank you for the report and for the statement. Many of these recommendations are to be warmly welcomed, although the test will be in three or four years’ time, when we see whether we have been able to build the houses required to respond to the demand. I have three questions to ask of you based on the report. One of the recommendations states that we should strengthen the staffing base of the housing division and, further on in the same paragraph, there is mention of being more flexible and so on. Therefore, what plans do you have to make the division more fit for purpose?

Yn ail, mae awgrym yn yr adroddiad bod angen rhyddhau mwy o dir a bod cael gafael ar dir sydd yn rhesymol ei bris yn un o’r heriau sydd yn wynebu llywodraeth leol a phawb sydd yn ymwneud â thai. Sut y byddwch yn cyflawni hyn? Pa newidiadau a wneir gennych er mwyn caniatáu i hynny ddigwydd? Yr oeddwn yn siarad â chynrychiolwyr y Comisiwn Coedwigaeth y diwrnod o’r blaen; mae’r comisiwn wedi cydnabod hyn yn dilyn cais gan y Gweinidog dros gefn gwlad ar y pryd am dir i adeiladu tai. Dair blynedd yn ddiweddarach, nid wyf yn credu bod unrhyw ddarn o dir wedi’i drosglwyddo na thai wedi’u hadeiladu, er bod y Comisiwn Coedwigaeth yn awyddus i weld hynny’n digwydd. Mae’n amlwg bod y drefn a’r broses hon yn hir a chymhleth a, rhywsut neu’i gilydd, mae angen ei hwyluso.

Y trydydd mater yw hwnnw y cyfeiriodd Peter Black ato, sef y drefn gynllunio wrth geisio cynyddu’r stoc dai. Gofynnaf ichi siarad â’r Gweinidog sydd â chyfrifoldeb uniongyrchol dros gynllunio ynghylch un agwedd ar gynllun unedol Cyngor Gwynedd. Yn ei gynllun drafft, yr oedd gan Gyngor Gwynedd gynllun penodol ar gyfer ardaloedd a phentrefi gwledig. O dan rai amodau, byddai modd caniatáu codi tai er mwyn ateb y galw’n lleol. Serch hynny, yn ei ddoethineb, mae’r arolygydd wedi tynnu’r awgrym hwnnw o’r cynllun yn gyfan gwbl, gan adael yr ardaloedd hynny, i bob pwrpas, yn ardaloedd lle na fydd unrhyw ddatblygu tai. Mae i hynny oblygiadau difrifol iawn o ran hyfywedd y cymunedau dan sylw. Sut yn y byd y gallwn sôn am gael cyfundrefn gynllunio hyblyg sy’n ateb y galw, pan fydd yr arolygiaeth gynllunio yn gweithredu’n hollol groes i hynny, ac yn tanseilio ymdrechion awdurdodau lleol i geisio sicrhau bod digon o dai ar gael ar gyfer anghenion lleol? Bydd yn rhaid i bob teulu na fydd yn gallu byw yn yr ardaloedd hynny symud i dai ar rent, neu geisio prynu tai ar y farchnad agored yn y trefi neu’r pentrefi mawr.

Jocelyn Davies: I will speak to the Minister for planning about that particular issue. In chapter 6 of the report, you will find an example of the use of the planning system around villages that illustrates the point that you are making.

On making publicly owned land available, we have a land disposal protocol, which is currently under review and is being strengthened. I will take your point up with the Deputy First Minister and with other Cabinet colleagues; the system may be failing us if it does not result in land being released. I am glad that the Minister for Health and Social Services is in the Chamber, because she also has a protocol for the release of land held by health trusts. That means that any surplus land must be considered for affordable housing purposes first. That is to be commended, and if you know of any health trust land that could be used for affordable housing, we would be glad to hear from you. However, we must ensure that the land ends up with affordable housing on it.

O ran rhyddhau tir sy’n eiddo i’r cyhoedd, mae gennym brotocol gwaredu tir, sy’n cael ei adolygu ar hyn o bryd, ac yn cael ei gryfhau. Codaf eich pwynt gyda’r Dirprwy Brif Weinidog a chyd-Weinidogion eraill yn y Cabinet; efallai fod y system yn ein siomi os nad yw’n arwain at ryddhau tir. Yr wyf yn falch bod y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol yn y Siambr, oherwydd y mae ganddi hithau hefyd brotocol ar gyfer rhyddhau tir sydd dan ofal ymddiriedolaethau iechyd. Golyga hynny fod yn rhaid ystyried unrhyw dir dros ben at ddibenion tai fforddiadwy yn gyntaf. Mae hynny i’w ganmol, ac os gwyddoch am unrhyw dir gan ymddiriedolaeth iechyd y gellid ei ddefnyddio ar gyfer tai fforddiadwy, byddem yn falch o glywed gennych. Fodd bynnag, rhaid inni sicrhau mai tai fforddiadwy sy’n cael eu hadeiladu ar y tir.

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Edwina Hart): In November 2007, I announced that I had asked Stuart Fletcher, Chair of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, to lead a review of the Welsh ambulance service. I asked that the review consider the progress the trust had made against the recommendations of the Auditor General for Wales’s report, published in December 2006, whether the Trust’s plans for further modernisation are robust and deliverable, and the effectiveness of infection control and cleanliness in ambulance vehicles.

Y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol (Edwina Hart): Ym mis Tachwedd 2007, cyhoeddais fy mod wedi gofyn i Stuart Fletcher, Cadeirydd Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans Cymru, arwain adolygiad o wasanaeth ambiwlans Cymru. Gofynnais i’r adolygiad ystyried y cynnydd yr oedd yr ymddiriedolaeth wedi’i wneud ynglŷn ag argymhellion adroddiad Archwilydd Cyffredinol Cymru, a gyhoeddwyd fis Rhagfyr 2006, a yw cynlluniau’r Ymddiriedolaeth i foderneiddio ymhellach yn gadarn ac yn ymarferol, ac effeithiolrwydd rheoli heintiau a glendid mewn cerbydau ambiwlans.

My decision to request a review was based on my concerns at the continued poor response-time performance of the emergency ambulance service in some areas of Wales, and on the concerns raised with me by Assembly Members and members of the public about the delivery and performance of ambulance services in their areas.

4.30 p.m.

Many of you have continued to raise issues with me since I announced the review, and you will be aware of my disappointment at the poor performance in some local health board areas and the unacceptable variation in performance across Wales. I am determined to see improvements achieved in the responsiveness of ambulance services in Wales, and I expect to see significant improvement in the next six months.

Mae llawer ohonoch wedi parhau i godi materion gyda mi ers imi gyhoeddi’r adolygiad, a byddwch yn ymwybodol o’m siom ynghylch y perfformiad gwael yn ardaloedd rhai byrddau iechyd lleol a’r amrywiaeth annerbyniol mewn perfformiad ar draws Cymru. Yr wyf yn benderfynol o weld sicrhau gwelliannau yn ymatebolrwydd gwasanaethau ambiwlans yng Nghymru, a disgwyliaf weld gwelliant sylweddol yn y chwe mis nesaf.

I am grateful to Stuart Fletcher, David Galligan of Unison, Professor Morton Warner of the Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care, Dr Nick Looker of the National Public Health Service, and the Wales Audit Office, for the work that they have done in carrying out the review. I also thank the staff of the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust and other organisations whose contributions have been invaluable in informing their work.

Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar i Stuart Fletcher, David Galligan o Unsain, yr Athro Morton Warner o Athrofa Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol Cymru, Dr Nick Looker o’r Gwasanaeth Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cenedlaethol, a Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru, am y gwaith y maent wedi’i wneud wrth gynnal yr adolygiad. Diolch hefyd i staff Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Gwasanaeth Ambiwlans Cymru a chyrff eraill y bu eu cyfraniadau’n anhepgor o ran cefnogi eu gwaith.

The report makes 16 recommendations for improvements across the service and provides further recommendations on the robustness of the trust’s modernisation plan and infection control procedures.

Mae’r adroddiad yn gwneud 16 o argymhellion ar gyfer gwelliannau ar draws y gwasanaeth ac yn darparu argymhellion pellach ar gadernid cynllun moderneiddio a gweithdrefnau rheoli haint yr ymddiriedolaeth.

On the issue of the progress that the trust has made against the recommendations of the Auditor General’s report, the review found that the trust is in a stronger position than it was when the report was published. Overall performance has improved and the trust has made some progress in the first year of its modernisation programme.

O ran y cynnydd y mae’r ymddiriedolaeth wedi’i wneud ynglŷn ag argymhellion adroddiad yr Archwilydd Cyffredinol, canfu’r adolygiad fod yr ymddiriedolaeth mewn sefyllfa gryfach nag a oedd pan gyhoeddwyd yr adroddiad. Mae’r perfformiad cyffredinol wedi gwella ac mae’r ymddiriedolaeth wedi gwneud rhywfaint o gynnydd ym mlwyddyn gyntaf ei rhaglen foderneiddio.

While I am satisfied with the findings that the trust has made progress against the Auditor General’s recommendations and that some improvements in performance have been achieved, response times in many areas of Wales are far from acceptable. I expect to see demonstrable improvement within the next six months, particularly in rural Wales, where too many people are still waiting too long for a response from the emergency ambulance service. I am particularly concerned about services in Powys. Performance is unacceptable and there is considerable public concern at the resources available in the region and the number of staff vacancies that have remained unfilled for many months. While we all recognise that there are different demands in delivering emergency services in sparsely populated areas, the people of Powys must be assured that when they have an emergency, the service will be there for them, and that they will receive the same level of care as other residents in Wales.

Er fy mod yn fodlon ar y canfyddiadau bod yr ymddiriedolaeth wedi gwneud cynnydd ynglŷn ag argymhellion yr Archwilydd Cyffredinol a bod rhai gwelliannau wedi’u sicrhau yn ei pherfformiad, mae’r amseroedd ymateb mewn sawl rhan o Gymru ymhell o fod yn dderbyniol. Disgwyliaf weld gwelliant amlwg o fewn y chwe mis nesaf, yn enwedig yn y Gymru wledig, lle y mae gormod o bobl yn dal i aros yn rhy hir am ymateb gan y gwasanaeth ambiwlans brys. Yr wyf yn arbennig o bryderus am wasanaethau ym Mhowys. Mae’r perfformiad yn annerbyniol ac mae cryn bryder ymhlith y cyhoedd ynghylch yr adnoddau sydd ar gael yn yr ardal a nifer y swyddi gwag sydd heb eu llenwi ers misoedd lawer. Er ein bod i gyd yn cydnabod bod gwahanol alwadau o ran darparu gwasanaethau brys mewn ardaloedd prin eu poblogaeth, rhaid rhoi sicrwydd i bobl Powys y bydd y gwasanaeth yno iddynt pan fydd ganddynt argyfwng, ac y cânt yr un lefel o ofal â thrigolion eraill yng Nghymru.

The solution to delivering high-quality responsive emergency services in Powys goes wider than the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust. I know that Powys Local Health Board and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust are working with partner organisations to develop new models of care and I have asked officials to ensure that this work is progressed and to report back to me in six months’ time.

Mae’r ateb i ddarparu gwasanaethau brys ymatebol o safon uchel ym Mhowys yn mynd ymhellach nag Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans Cymru. Gwn fod Bwrdd Iechyd Lleol Powys ac Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans Cymru yn gweithio gyda chyrff sy’n bartneriaid i ddatblygu modelau gofal newydd ac yr wyf wedi gofyn i swyddogion sicrhau bod y gwaith hwn yn cael ei ddatblygu a dod ag adroddiad yn ôl i mi ymhen chwe mis.

A number of questions have also been raised with me about the role of rapid response vehicles in delivering improved performance. The review found that, in most cases, the use of rapid response vehicles has not been at the expense of ambulances being available to transport patients to hospital, and that it is for a small minority of calls, mainly in south-east Wales, where excessive delays are experienced. However, it is not acceptable for patients who need to be taken to hospital to experience long delays waiting for ambulance transport. I expect the trust to work in partnership with hospital trusts to address the issues that are impacting on emergency ambulance resources and to ensure that the incidence of long delays is reduced.

Codwyd nifer o gwestiynau gyda mi hefyd am rôl cerbydau ymateb cyflym o ran sicrhau perfformiad gwell. Canfu’r adolygiad, yn y rhan fwyaf o achosion, nad ar draul sicrhau bod ambiwlansys ar gael i gludo cleifion i’r ysbyty y defnyddiwyd cerbydau ymateb cyflym, ac mai o ran lleiafrif bach o alwadau, yn bennaf yn y de-ddwyrain, y ceir oedi gormodol. Fodd bynnag, nid yw’n dderbyniol i gleifion y mae angen iddynt gael eu cludo i’r ysbyty orfod aros am amser maith am ambiwlans i’w cludo. Disgwyliaf i’r ymddiriedolaeth weithio mewn partneriaeth ag ymddiriedolaethau ysbytai i ddatrys y materion sy’n effeithio ar adnoddau ambiwlansys brys ac i sicrhau bod llai o achosion o oedi maith.

One issue impacting on ambulance resources is prolonged delays in handing over patients from ambulance crews to hospital staff. It is unacceptable for patients to wait in ambulances for admission to accident and emergency departments and for paramedics to be delayed in hospital car parks when there are patients in the community who need their services. Therefore, I have introduced a priority target this year to measure the time taken to hand over patients at major accident and emergency departments. NHS organisations should be clear that I will be taking a particular interest in performance against this target and will take action against organisations that fail to improve their service.

Un mater sy’n effeithio ar adnoddau ambiwlansys yw oedi mawr wrth drosglwyddo cleifion oddi wrth griwiau ambiwlans i staff ysbyty. Mae’n annerbyniol i gleifion aros mewn ambiwlans i gael eu derbyn i adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys ac i barameddygon gael eu dal ym meysydd parcio ysbytai tra bod cleifion yn y gymuned y mae arnynt angen eu gwasanaethau. Felly, yr wyf wedi cyflwyno targed sy’n cael blaenoriaeth eleni i fesur yr amser a gymerir i drosglwyddo cleifion i adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys mawr. Dylai sefydliadau’r GIG wybod yn glir y byddaf yn cymryd diddordeb arbennig yn eu perfformiad o ran y targed hwn ac y gweithredaf yn erbyn sefydliadau sy’n methu gwella’u gwasanaeth.

My concern about response-time performance does not reflect on ambulance crews, who work hard every day to provide the best service that they can for their communities. I am well aware of the dedication and professionalism shown by ambulance staff and of the difficult and demanding circumstances in which they often have to work. I want to see an ambulance service in Wales that supports its staff and provides them with the means to make the best use of their skills. I was therefore extremely concerned with the review’s findings that there are significant problems with the culture of the organisation, leadership and management of staff. The report highlights that the number and speed of changes has had a serious adverse effect on staff morale, and that there are issues of poor people management and perceptions of a bullying culture. These findings are consistent with the trust’s staff survey and with views expressed directly to me by some staff in the service.

Nid yw fy mhryder ynghylch perfformiad amseroedd ymateb yn adlewyrchu ar griwiau ambiwlans, sy’n gweithio’n galed bob dydd i ddarparu’r gwasanaeth gorau a allant i’w cymunedau. Yr wyf yn ymwybodol iawn o’r ymroddiad a’r proffesiynoldeb a ddangosir gan staff ambiwlans ac o’r amgylchiadau anodd a dyrys y mae’n rhaid iddynt weithio ynddynt yn aml. Mae arnaf eisiau gweld gwasanaeth ambiwlans yng Nghymru sy’n cefnogi ei staff ac yn darparu’r modd iddynt wneud y defnydd gorau o’u sgiliau. Yr oeddwn yn eithriadol o bryderus, felly, ynghylch canfyddiadau’r adolygiad bod problemau sylweddol gyda diwylliant trefniadaeth, arweiniad a rheolaeth y staff. Mae’r adroddiad yn pwysleisio bod nifer a chyflymder y newidiadau wedi cael effaith andwyol ddifrifol ar forâl y staff, a bod problemau gyda rheolaeth wael ar bobl a chanfyddiadau o ddiwylliant bwlio. Mae’r canfyddiadau hyn yn gyson ag arolwg staff yr ymddiriedolaeth ac â sylwadau a fynegwyd yn uniongyrchol wrthyf gan rai o’r staff yn y gwasanaeth.

The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust must focus on the needs of its staff if it is to continue to improve and deliver a modernised ambulance service that meets the needs and expectations of the people of Wales. I expect the trust to address these serious issues urgently and I will be discussing with Stuart Fletcher how this will be taken forward.

Rhaid i Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans Cymru ganolbwyntio ar anghenion ei staff os yw am barhau i wella a darparu gwasanaeth ambiwlans modern sydd yn ateb anghenion a disgwyliadau pobl Cymru. Disgwyliaf i’r ymddiriedolaeth roi sylw ar fyrder i’r materion difrifol hyn a byddaf yn trafod â Stuart Fletcher sut y rhoir hyn ar waith.

On the issue of whether the trust’s modernisation plan is fit for purpose, the review found that the plan was robust, but that improvements should be made to the trust’s programme management arrangements to ensure that the plan is effective in delivering change.

O ran y cwestiwn a ydyw cynllun moderneiddio’r ymddiriedolaeth yn addas i’w ddiben, canfu’r adolygiad fod y cynllun yn gadarn, ond y dylid gwella trefniadau rheoli rhaglen yr ymddiriedolaeth i sicrhau bod y cynllun yn effeithiol o ran sicrhau newid.

On the question of the effectiveness of infection control and cleanliness in ambulance vehicles, the review found that there is a strong and positive commitment to infection control in the trust and that there is a culture that supports improvement at the highest levels within the organisation. I am pleased that the review concluded that there is a clear commitment by staff on the ground to high standards of hygiene and that the design of the new ambulance vehicles, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, supports infection control requirements.

Ynglŷn ag effeithiolrwydd rheoli haint a glendid mewn cerbydau ambiwlans, canfu’r adolygiad fod ymrwymiad cryf a chadarnhaol i reoli haint yn yr ymddiriedolaeth a bod yno ddiwylliant sy’n cefnogi gwelliant ar y lefelau uchaf o fewn y sefydliad. Yr wyf yn falch bod yr adolygiad wedi dod i’r casgliad bod ymrwymiad clir gan staff ar lawr gwlad i safonau uchel o hylendid a bod dyluniad y cerbydau ambiwlans newydd, sydd wedi’u hariannu gan Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, yn ategu gofynion rheoli haint.

I have supported the trust in taking forward its modernisation plans through the provision of additional capital and revenue funding. I want to satisfy myself that I am getting the most value out of the investment that I have made in the service, and I have therefore asked my finance director to work with the trust to assess the organisation’s efficiency and spending plans.

Yr wyf wedi cefnogi’r ymddiriedolaeth i fwrw ymlaen â’i chynlluniau moderneiddio drwy ddarparu cyllid cyfalaf a refeniw ychwanegol. Mae arnaf eisiau bod yn sicr fy mod yn cael y gwerth mwyaf o’r buddsoddiad yr wyf wedi’i wneud yn y gwasanaeth, ac felly yr wyf wedi gofyn i’m cyfarwyddwr cyllid weithio gyda’r ymddiriedolaeth i asesu effeithlonrwydd a chynlluniau gwario’r sefydliad.

I can assure Members today that I remain committed to improving ambulance services in Wales. It is essential that the trust takes on board the recommendations of this review and addresses the needs of its staff, the NHS community and the public it serves. I have told Stuart Fletcher that I expect to see substantial improvements in performance within six months. The recommendations set out the issues that must be tackled and I expect the board to provide strong leadership to ensure that the trust delivers a more responsive and effective service.

Gallaf sicrhau’r Aelodau heddiw fy mod wedi ymrwymo o hyd i wella gwasanaethau ambiwlans yng Nghymru. Mae’n hanfodol i’r ymddiriedolaeth dderbyn argymhellion yr adolygiad hwn a rhoi sylw i anghenion ei staff, cymuned y GIG a’r cyhoedd y mae’n eu gwasanaethu. Yr wyf wedi dweud wrth Stuart Fletcher fy mod yn disgwyl gweld gwelliannau sylweddol yn eu perfformiad o fewn chwe mis. Mae’r argymhellion yn amlinellu’r materion y mae’n rhaid mynd i’r afael â hwy a disgwyliaf i’r bwrdd roi arweiniad cryf i sicrhau bod yr ymddiriedolaeth yn darparu gwasanaeth mwy ymatebol ac effeithiol.

The Welsh Assembly Government has given the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust its support. I now expect the trust to take on the challenge before it and to deliver to the people of Wales an ambulance service of which we can all be proud.

Mae Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru wedi rhoi ei chefnogaeth i Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans Cymru. Bellach yr wyf yn disgwyl i’r ymddiriedolaeth ymgymryd â’r her sy’n ei hwynebu a darparu gwasanaeth ambiwlans i bobl Cymru y gallwn i gyd ymfalchïo ynddo.

Jonathan Morgan: I thank the Minister for her statement. I welcome this report as a contribution to the continued improvement in the performance of the ambulance service. I hope that the Minister agrees that, although we want to see these recommendations being implemented quickly and to see performance improvement over the next six months, we also need a period of calm reflection on the recommendations. We need to decide how the Government and the NHS more widely can help the ambulance service to improve and to meet its performance targets, because we are not talking about a service that operates in isolation—it is a service that depends very heavily on the resources made available to it by the Assembly Government, and also on the way in which the whole of the emergency care system works.

Jonathan Morgan: Diolch i’r Gweinidog am ei datganiad. Yr wyf yn croesawu’r adroddiad hwn fel cyfraniad at y gwelliant parhaus ym mherfformiad y gwasanaeth ambiwlans. Gobeithio y cytuna’r Gweinidog, er bod arnom eisiau gweld yr argymhellion hyn yn cael eu gweithredu’n fuan a gweld y perfformiad yn gwella dros y chwe mis nesaf, fod arnom angen cyfnod o fyfyrio tawel ar yr argymhellion hefyd. Mae angen inni benderfynu sut y gall y Llywodraeth a’r GIG yn ehangach helpu’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans i wella ac i gyrraedd ei dargedau perfformiad, oherwydd nid ydym yn sôn am wasanaeth sy’n gweithredu ar ei ben ei hun—mae’n wasanaeth sy’n dibynnu’n fawr iawn ar yr adnoddau a ddarperir iddo gan Lywodraeth y Cynulliad, a hefyd ar y ffordd y mae’r system gofal brys yn gyfan gwbl yn gweithio.

First, I wish to deal with the issue of funding. We know that a large amount of money was provided for capital funding, and we know that the ambulance service sourced 119 new vehicles, which were ready and operational within six months. However, I am still concerned about the revenue funding, because I believe that there is a very big risk with regard to the revenue funding of the ambulance service. We know that, through the strategic change and efficiency programme recovery plan, through the efficiency savings, the trust paid back £12 million in 2006-07, £14 million in 2007-08, and it is due to pay back £17 million in this financial year. The financial years of 2006-07 and 2007-08 saw an improvement in the performance of the service at a time when the service was repaying money to the Assembly Government. I have a concern about the revenue because I can see that there are revenue problems, and the SCEP recovery plan creates what I would term as a risk to the ambulance service. It puts it in a very difficult position with regard to revenue. It is not just the SCEP pressures; there are pressures in the increase in fuel costs, and I assume that, because it happened elsewhere, the 'Agenda for Change’ pay award was not fully funded. All of those issues need to be looked at, and I would urge the Government to consider the revenue funding problems that the ambulance service has.

Yn gyntaf, hoffwn ddelio â chwestiwn cyllid. Gwyddom fod swm mawr o arian wedi’i ddarparu ar gyfer cyllid cyfalaf, a gwyddom i’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans archebu 119 o gerbydau newydd, a oedd yn barod ac yn weithredol ymhen chwe mis. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf yn dal yn bryderus am y cyllid refeniw, oherwydd credaf fod perygl mawr iawn ynglŷn â chyllid refeniw’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans. Gwyddom fod yr ymddiriedolaeth, drwy gynllun adfer y rhaglen newid strategol ac effeithlonrwydd, drwy’r arbedion effeithlonrwydd, wedi ad-dalu £12 miliwn yn 2006-07, £14 miliwn yn 2007-08, a’i bod i fod i dalu £17 miliwn yn ôl yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon. Yn ystod y blynyddoedd ariannol 2006-07 a 2007-08 cafwyd gwelliant ym mherfformiad y gwasanaeth ar adeg pan oedd y gwasanaeth yn ad-dalu arian i Lywodraeth y Cynulliad. Mae gennyf bryder am y refeniw oherwydd gallaf weld bod problemau o ran refeniw, ac mae cynllun adfer y rhaglen newid strategol ac effeithlonrwydd yn creu’r hyn y byddwn i’n ei alw’n berygl i’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans. Mae’n ei roi mewn sefyllfa anodd iawn o safbwynt refeniw. Nid pwysau’r rhaglen newid strategol ac effeithlonrwydd yn unig sydd yma; mae pwysau yn sgîl y cynnydd yng nghostau tanwydd, ac yr wyf yn cymryd, oherwydd fe ddigwyddodd mewn man arall, na ddarparwyd cyllid llawn ar gyfer dyfarniad cyflog yr 'Agenda ar gyfer Newid’. Mae angen edrych ar yr holl faterion hynny, a byddwn yn annog y Llywodraeth i ystyried y problemau ynglŷn â chyllid refeniw sydd gan y gwasanaeth ambiwlans.

In your report to us this afternoon, you have said that there is an unacceptable variation in performance across Wales. I agree with you on that. However, I would point out that in the annual operating framework for this year the equity target is different from the target from last year. This year’s target requires that each LHB in each month of this year must meet the 60 per cent criterion. That target is fundamentally different from the target that you asked it to work to in the previous year, which said that this should be a 60 per cent criterion across Wales, with continued improvement in each LHB. Those two targets are very different. I would like to know this afternoon whether any new money or help was put aside for the ambulance service to meet that new target.

Yn eich adroddiad inni y prynhawn yma, yr ydych wedi dweud bod amrywiaeth annerbyniol mewn perfformiad ar draws Cymru. Cytunaf â chi ynglŷn â hynny. Fodd bynnag, hoffwn nodi bod y targed ecwiti yn y fframwaith gweithredu blynyddol ar gyfer eleni’n wahanol i darged y llynedd. Mae’r targed eleni’n peri ei bod yn ofynnol i bob bwrdd iechyd lleol ym mhob mis o’r flwyddyn gyrraedd y maen prawf o 60 y cant. Mae’r targed hwnnw’n sylfaenol wahanol i’r targed y gofynasoch iddo weithio ato yn y flwyddyn flaenorol, a ddywedai mai 60 y cant ddylai’r maen prawf fod ledled Cymru, gyda gwelliant parhaus ym mhob bwrdd iechyd lleol. Mae’r ddau darged hynny’n wahanol iawn. Hoffwn wybod y prynhawn yma a neilltuwyd unrhyw arian neu gymorth ychwanegol ar gyfer y gwasanaeth ambiwlans i gyrraedd y targed newydd hwnnw.

4.40 p.m.

You have said—and I fully welcome and support this—that the trust has made some very good progress in its first year of the modernisation programme. We must recognise that some progress has been made. Can the Minister confirm that in 2007-08, ambulances responded within eight minutes to 7,500 more patients than in the previous year? If that is the case, we should congratulate the trust on that aspect of improved performance. We accept that performance across the board is variable when you compare one local health board area with another, but ambulances seem to be reaching more people quicker than in the previous year. If that is the case, and I hope for confirmation that it is, then we should congratulate the trust on that improvement in performance.

Yr ydych wedi dweud—ac yr wyf yn croesawu ac yn cefnogi hyn yn llawn—fod yr ymddiriedolaeth wedi cymryd camau da iawn ymlaen ym mlwyddyn gyntaf ei rhaglen foderneiddio. Rhaid inni gydnabod bod rhyw gymaint o gynnydd wedi bod. A all y Gweinidog gadarnhau fod ambiwlansys, yn 2007-08, wedi ymateb o fewn wyth munud i 7,500 yn fwy o gleifion nag yn y flwyddyn flaenorol? Os yw hynny’n wir, dylem longyfarch yr ymddiriedolaeth ar yr agwedd honno ar berfformiad gwell. Derbyniwn fod y perfformiad yn gyffredinol yn amrywiol o gymharu un ardal bwrdd iechyd lleol ag un arall, ond mae’n ymddangos bod ambiwlansys yn cyrraedd mwy o bobl yn gyflymach nag yn y flwyddyn flaenorol. Os yw hynny’n wir, a gobeithiaf gael cadarnhad ei fod, yna dylem longyfarch yr ymddiriedolaeth am y gwelliant hwnnw mewn perfformiad.

You said that patients should not experience long delays in getting an ambulance to hospital, and, again, I agree. Looking at the figures, in 2007-08, I see that 6,500 more people got an ambulance within the target time than in the previous year. Again, I would appreciate confirmation that that is the case, because we should congratulate the trust on what appears to be an improvement in its performance on that front. More people seem to be getting an ambulance within the target time, although we know that some people are experiencing long delays.

Dywedasoch na ddylai cleifion aros am amser maith cyn cael ambiwlans i’r ysbyty, ac, unwaith eto, yr wyf yn cytuno. O edrych ar y ffigurau, yn 2007-08, gwelaf fod 6,500 yn fwy o bobl wedi cael ambiwlans o fewn yr amser targed nag yn y flwyddyn flaenorol. Eto, byddwn yn gwerthfawrogi cael cadarnhad bod hynny’n wir, oherwydd dylem longyfarch yr ymddiriedolaeth ar yr hyn sy’n ymddangos yn welliant yn ei pherfformiad yn hynny o beth. Mae’n ymddangos bod mwy o bobl yn cael ambiwlans o fewn yr amser targed, er ein bod yn gwybod bod rhai pobl yn aros am amser maith.

As you pointed out in your statement, you have issued a new target to ensure that people are not sat in ambulances outside of hospitals when they need to be admitted to accident and emergency departments. We agree that people need to be admitted more quickly, but will you outline what steps the Government is taking to ensure that hospitals can help to get patients out of ambulances and into hospital? There is no point having a target just for the ambulance service, because the accident and emergency department itself has an impact. You cannot get people into an accident and emergency department if it does not have room to deal with them. So, could you outline what you are doing as Minister in this regard and how the delivering emergency care services strategy will help the hospital service to engage with the ambulance service to help get people out of ambulances and into accident and emergency departments more quickly?

Fel y dywedasoch yn eich datganiad, yr ydych wedi cyhoeddi targed newydd i sicrhau nad yw pobl yn eistedd mewn ambiwlansys y tu allan i ysbytai pan fydd angen eu derbyn i adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys. Cytunwn fod angen derbyn pobl yn gyflymach, ond a wnewch amlinellu pa gamau y mae’r Llywodraeth yn eu cymryd i sicrhau y gall ysbytai helpu i gael cleifion allan o ambiwlansys ac i mewn i’r ysbyty? Nid oes dim diben cael targed i’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans yn unig, oherwydd y mae’r adran damweiniau ac achosion brys ei hun yn effeithio ar hyn. Ni allwch gael pobl i adran damweiniau ac achosion brys os nad oes ganddi le i ddelio â hwy. Felly, a allech amlinellu beth yr ydych yn ei wneud fel Gweinidog ynglŷn â hyn a sut y bydd y strategaeth cyflenwi gwasanaethau gofal brys yn helpu’r gwasanaeth ysbytai i gydweithio â’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans i helpu i gael pobl allan o ambiwlansys ac i adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys yn gyflymach?

In looking at this report, the delivering emergency care services strategy, and the capital resources that have been made available, and the challenge that exists for the ambulance service, while I am sure that the service wants to do better and will do better and that you as Minister will be ensuring that it gets on with the job of improving its performance, can you confirm that it is being adversely affected by systemic failures elsewhere in the emergency care system? The Government has to address those failures elsewhere in the NHS and in the emergency care system to ensure that the ambulance service can get on and do its job properly. Unless we address those other issues, the ambulance service will struggle to meet the key performance targets that you and I and everyone else here expect it to meet.

O edrych ar yr adroddiad hwn, y strategaeth cyflenwi gwasanaethau gofal brys, a’r adnoddau cyfalaf sydd wedi’u darparu, a’r her sy’n bodoli i’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans, er fy mod yn siŵr bod ar y gwasanaeth eisiau gwneud yn well ac y gwnaiff yn well ac y byddwch chi fel Gweinidog yn sicrhau ei fod yn bwrw ati â’r gwaith o wella’i berfformiad, a allwch gadarnhau ei fod yn dioddef oherwydd methiannau systemig mewn rhannau eraill o’r system gofal brys? Rhaid i’r Llywodraeth roi sylw i’r methiannau hynny mewn rhannau eraill o’r GIG ac yn y system gofal brys i sicrhau y gall y gwasanaeth ambiwlans fwrw ati a gwneud ei waith yn iawn. Oni allwn ddatrys y materion eraill hynny, bydd y gwasanaeth ambiwlans yn ei chael yn anodd cyrraedd y targedau perfformiad allweddol yr ydych chi a mi a phawb arall yma’n disgwyl iddo’u cyrraedd.

I am grateful for this review having been commissioned. The ambulance service has struggled with a lack of leadership in the past. I hope that the chief executive, Alan Murray, has the confidence of the Assembly Government. I believe that he is capable of delivering a first-class service for Wales and I hope that you will confirm that the Government will do all that it can to help the service to deliver on its performance targets.

Yr wyf yn ddiolchgar bod yr adolygiad hwn wedi’i gomisiynu. Mae’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans wedi cael trafferthion gyda diffyg arweiniad yn y gorffennol. Gobeithio bod gan Lywodraeth y Cynulliad hyder yn y prif weithredwr, Alan Murray. Credaf y gall ddarparu gwasanaeth o’r radd flaenaf i Gymru a gobeithio y gwnewch gadarnhau y gwnaiff y Llywodraeth bopeth a all i helpu’r gwasanaeth i gyrraedd ei dargedau perfformiad.

Edwina Hart: There is a limit to what Government can do in these areas. We have to acknowledge that the trust has a chief executive and a chair and that, ultimately, it is their responsibility to get on with managing that organisation and to do what they can within financial confines and so on. I have to be realistic about this. I am not an apologist for the service if it is not getting certain things right, and I never will be. Clearly, in some areas, the ambulance service is clearly not getting things right. Patients are being let down across Wales and we, as Assembly Members, constantly hear complaints in our surgeries about those difficulties.

Edwina Hart: Dim ond hyn a hyn y gall y Llywodraeth ei wneud yn y meysydd hyn. Rhaid inni gydnabod bod gan yr ymddiriedolaeth brif weithredwr a chadeirydd ac mai eu cyfrifoldeb hwy, yn y pen draw, yw mynd ati i reoli’r corff hwnnw a gwneud yr hyn a allant o fewn cyfyngiadau ariannol ac yn y blaen. Rhaid imi fod yn realistig ynglŷn â hyn. Nid wyf yn gwneud esgusion dros y gwasanaeth os nad yw’n gwneud rhai pethau’n iawn, ac ni wnaf hynny byth. Yn amlwg, mewn rhai ardaloedd, nid yw’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans yn gwneud pethau’n iawn. Mae cleifion yn cael eu siomi ar draws Cymru ac yr ydym ni, fel Aelodau Cynulliad, yn clywed cwynion o hyd yn ein cymorthfeydd am yr anawsterau hynny.

To turn to some of the specific points that you made, there will have to be implementation of this report and a calm reflection at the same time. The service has to zoom in on the issues that it is still not tackling, which have been outlined in every report, and tackle them. At the moment, I feel that not enough weight is being given to tackling some of the issues that need to be tackled in the ambulance service. To refer to the NHS more widely, you are right that there are issues about how the ambulance service engages with the trusts at accident and emergency level across the piece. That work is successfully moving forward in discussions between the ambulance trust and the rest of the service, which is important. Hospitals have to get their position and admissions procedures correct, and the DECS strategy is starting to make good progress in some areas in terms of how hospitals want to change the format of how they get people in and how they deal with patients. That will start to deliver and will assist the ambulance trust in that regard.

A throi at rai o’r pwyntiau penodol a wnaethoch, bydd yn rhaid gweithredu ar yr adroddiad hwn a chyfnod o fyfyrio tawel ar yr un pryd. Rhaid i’r gwasanaeth ganolbwyntio ar y materion nad yw’n mynd i’r afael â hwy o hyd, sydd wedi’u hamlinellu ym mhob adroddiad, a mynd i’r afael â hwy. Ar hyn o bryd, teimlaf nad oes digon o sylw’n cael ei roi i fynd i’r afael â rhai o’r materion y mae angen mynd i’r afael â hwy yn y gwasanaeth ambiwlans. A chyfeirio at y GIG yn ehangach, yr ydych yn iawn bod problemau ynghylch sut y mae’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans yn cydweithio â’r ymddiriedolaethau ar lefel adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys yn gyffredinol. Mae’r gwaith hwnnw’n symud ymlaen yn llwyddiannus mewn trafodaethau rhwng yr ymddiriedolaeth ambiwlans a gweddill y gwasanaeth, sydd yn bwysig. Rhaid i ysbytai sicrhau bod eu sefyllfa a’u gweithdrefnau derbyn yn gywir, ac mae’r strategaeth cyflenwi gwasanaethau gofal brys yn dechrau gwneud gwaith da mewn rhai ardaloedd o ran sut y mae ysbytai’n awyddus i newid y fformat o ran sut y maent yn cael pobl i mewn a sut y maent yn delio â chleifion. Bydd hynny’n dechrau llwyddo ac yn helpu’r ymddiriedolaeth ambiwlans yn hynny o beth.

On funding, you are right that there has been quite a lot of capital investment and you make the point about your concerns about the revenue funding issues, the fuel costs and 'Agenda for Change’. As I indicated in my statement, I have sent in my finance director to look at some of the financial issues in the ambulance trust and to make an honest appraisal for me. Every organisation in the NHS tells me that it wants more money and the purpose for which it wants it, and that organisation could have a list of reasons as long as our respective arms but, at the end of the day, I have to be certain that what I am being told is correct, and that is why I have asked my director of finance to go in to look again at the issues. He will report back to me, and if I think that there are issues with what is going on in the ambulance service that I need to address, with regard to the revenue and so on, I will try to deal with them within my budget.

O ran cyllid, yr ydych yn iawn bod cryn dipyn o fuddsoddi cyfalaf wedi bod ac yr ydych yn gwneud y pwynt ynghylch eich pryderon am faterion sy’n ymwneud â chyllid refeniw, costau tanwydd a’r 'Agenda ar gyfer Newid’. Fel y dywedais yn fy natganiad, yr wyf wedi anfon fy nghyfarwyddwr cyllid i edrych ar rai o’r materion ariannol yn yr ymddiriedolaeth ambiwlans ac i wneud arfarniad gonest ar fy rhan. Mae pob corff yn y GIG yn dweud wrthyf fod arno eisiau mwy o arian ac i ba ddiben y mae am ei gael, a gallai’r corff hwnnw fod â rhestr o resymau cyhyd â’n breichiau ni’n dau ond, yn y pen draw, rhaid imi fod yn sicr bod yr hyn a ddywedir wrthyf yn gywir, a dyna pam yr wyf wedi gofyn i’m cyfarwyddwr cyllid fynd yno i ailedrych ar y materion sydd dan sylw. Bydd yn adrodd yn ôl i mi, ac os credaf fod materion yn codi mewn cysylltiad â’r hyn sy’n mynd ymlaen yn y gwasanaeth ambiwlans y mae angen imi roi sylw iddynt, ynglŷn â’r refeniw ac yn y blaen, ceisiaf ddelio â hwy o fewn y gyllideb sydd gennyf.

On the various issues across Wales, you make a valid point about the targets. I believe that there is sufficient money within the system for those targets to be delivered. I acknowledge what you say about the other targets, but progress is definitely being made in these areas. I acknowledged in my statement the excellent work that the staff do in the service in delivering, but there is constant onward and upward pressure on this service, and we need to recognise that. We must have a service that is fit for purpose and, however it improves, there will always be room for further improvement.

Ynghylch y gwahanol faterion ledled Cymru, yr ydych yn gwneud pwynt dilys am y targedau. Credaf fod digon o arian yn y system i gyrraedd y targedau hynny. Yr wyf yn derbyn yr hyn a ddywedwch am y targedau eraill, ond mae cynnydd yn cael ei wneud yn bendant yn y meysydd hyn. Cydnabûm yn fy natganiad y gwaith rhagorol y mae’r staff yn ei wneud yn y gwasanaeth o ran mynd â’r maen i’r wal, ond mae pwysau parhaus a chynyddol ar y gwasanaeth hwn, ac mae angen inni gydnabod hynny. Rhaid inni gael gwasanaeth sy’n addas i’w ddiben, a faint bynnag o welliant sy’n digwydd, mae’n wir bob amser nad da lle y gellir gwell.

There are many challenges for the service, but the chair’s report shows that he is certainly up to the challenges in the service. This is an exceptionally honest appraisal of the difficulties in the organisation by its chair, and I commend Stuart Fletcher for this honest report, which has gone to the heart of matters around the delivery of services within the ambulance trust.

Mae llawer o heriau i’r gwasanaeth, ond mae adroddiad y cadeirydd yn dangos ei fod yn sicr yn atebol i wynebu’r heriau sydd yn y gwasanaeth. Mae hyn yn arfarniad eithriadol o onest o’r anawsterau yn y corff gan ei gadeirydd, a chanmolaf Stuart Fletcher ar yr adroddiad gonest hwn, sydd wedi mynd at wraidd y materion sy’n ymwneud â chyflenwi gwasanaethau o fewn yr ymddiriedolaeth ambiwlans.

Helen Mary Jones: Thank you, Minister, for the review and for the statement. It is pleasing to see that some progress is being made, but I have grave concerns about some of the issues highlighted in this report, and you reflect those concerns in your statement to us today. I also would like to associate myself with what you and Jonathan Morgan said about the hard-working front-line staff who are committed to delivering a service and who really care about their patients. Almost all of us who have had any experience with paramedics and with the people working on the front line, know how caring and committed they are. They are, however, sometimes working in a system that does not facilitate delivery on that caring commitment, and I know, from what I see in my constituency, that no-one is more frustrated or concerned about that than the front-line staff themselves.

Helen Mary Jones: Diolch i chi, Weinidog, am yr adolygiad ac am y datganiad. Mae’n braf gweld bod rhywfaint o gynnydd yn digwydd, ond mae gennyf bryderon dwys ynghylch rhai o’r materion y tynnir sylw atynt yn yr adroddiad hwn, ac yr ydych yn adlewyrchu’r pryderon hynny yn eich datganiad i ni heddiw. Yn ogystal byddwn yn hoffi cyd-fynd â’r hyn a ddywedasoch chi a Jonathan Morgan am y staff rheng flaen diwyd sydd wedi ymrwymo i ddarparu gwasanaeth ac sy’n poeni o ddifrif am eu cleifion. Mae bron pob un ohonom sydd wedi cael unrhyw brofiad o fod gyda pharameddygon a chyda’r rhai sy’n gweithio yn y rheng flaen yn gwybod mor ofalgar ac ymroddedig ydynt. Er hynny, maent yn gweithio weithiau mewn system nad yw’n hwyluso cyflawni’r ymrwymiad gofalgar hwnnw, ac yr wyf yn gwybod, yn ôl yr hyn a welaf yn fy etholaeth, nad oes neb sy’n fwy rhwystredig neu bryderus am hynny na’r staff rheng flaen eu hunain.

I want to ask two questions relating to specific recommendations, Minister. One relates to recommendation 3, which is about strategic planning capacity within the trust. It seems to me from reading the report that one of the ongoing issues is that we still do not necessarily have our ambulances waiting in the right places so that they can get to where they need to be at the right time. I have a concern—which is anecdotal, but, from talking to other Assembly Members, I know that they have also raised it with you—that the front-line knowledge of staff who have to drive these routes at different times of the day is not always fully taken into account. With regard to the implementation of recommendation 3 on strategic planning capacity, will you agree that the trust may need a logistics expert to take a fresh look at where our ambulances are when they are stationed, waiting for an emergency call out—not to look at where we have ambulance stations, although that needs to be looked at, but at where the ambulances need to be and how they could interface with other aspects of the emergency services, for example the fire service. That is my first question about logistics capacity.

Dymunaf ofyn dau gwestiwn ynghylch argymhellion penodol, Weinidog. Mae un ohonynt ynglŷn ag argymhelliad 3, sy’n ymwneud â’r gallu i gynllunio’n strategol yn yr ymddiriedolaeth. Mae’n ymddangos i mi o ddarllen yr adroddiad mai un o’r anawsterau presennol yw nad yw ein hambiwlansys o reidrwydd yn aros yn y lleoedd iawn fel y gallant gyrraedd y man lle y mae angen iddynt fod ar yr adeg iawn. Yr wyf yn pryderu am un mater—sy’n un anecdotaidd, ond yn un y gwn, o siarad ag Aelodau eraill o’r Cynulliad, eu bod wedi’i godi gyda chi—na roddir ystyriaeth lawn bob amser i wybodaeth y staff rheng flaen sy’n gorfod gyrru ar hyd y llwybrau hyn ar wahanol adegau o’r dydd. Gyda golwg ar weithredu argymhelliad 3 ar y gallu i gynllunio’n strategol, a wnewch gytuno y gall fod ar yr ymddiriedolaeth angen arbenigwr ar logisteg i edrych o’r newydd ar leoliadau ein hawbiwlansys pan fyddant yn aros am alwadau brys—nid i edrych ar leoliad gorsafoedd ambiwlans, er bod angen gwneud hynny, ond ar y mannau y mae angen i ambiwlansys fod a sut y gallent ryng-gysylltu ag agweddau eraill ar y gwasanaethau brys; y gwasanaeth tân, er enghraifft. Dyna fy nghwestiwn cyntaf am y gallu o ran logisteg.

My second question and second set of comments relate to recommendations 8 and 9 on staff relationships. I found this part grim reading. The fact that a public service of this importance does not have a proper evaluation and appraisal system in place, when that has persistently been identified as an issue, and was identified by the Audit Commission as an issue, and that there are issues around bullying and a lack of supportive management culture is a real problem, because, in the end, we depend on the staff to deliver the service. Our public services are only as good as the staff who are in them. We have all extended warm words towards ambulance front-line staff today and on many other occasions, but can you reassure us that delivering on recommendations 8 to 11 will be a priority? Getting those recommendations right is the key to getting some of the other recommendations right. If the staff are on board and motivated and know what they are doing and what is expected of them, other things will fall into place. I was pleased to hear that you will be having urgent discussions with the chair about how recommendations 8 to 11 can be implemented. Would you agree to share the outcome of those discussions, if appropriate, with the Assembly today, in whatever form you feel is most appropriate?

Mae’r ail gwestiwn sydd gennyf a’r ail set o sylwadau’n ymwneud ag argymhellion 8 a 9 ar y berthynas rhwng y staff. I mi yr oedd darllen y rhan hon yn brofiad annymunol. Mae’r ffaith nad oes gan wasanaeth cyhoeddus mor bwysig â hwn system briodol i werthuso ac arfarnu, er bod hynny wedi cael ei nodi’n gyson fel problem, ac ar ôl ei nodi’n broblem gan y Comisiwn Archwilio, a bod problemau o ran bwlio a diffyg diwylliant rheoli cefnogol yn broblem wirioneddol, oherwydd, yn y pen draw, yr ydym yn dibynnu ar y staff i gyflenwi’r gwasanaeth. Nid yw ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus ond cystal â’r staff sydd ynddynt. Yr ydym oll wedi dweud geiriau caredig am staff rheng flaen yr ambiwlansys heddiw a llawer tro arall, ond a allwch ein sicrhau y rhoddir blaenoriaeth i weithredu argymhellion 8 i 11? Sicrhau bod yr argymhellion hynny’n iawn yw’r allwedd i sicrhau bod rhai o’r argymhellion eraill yn iawn. Os yw’r staff yn gefnogol ac yn frwdfrydig ac yn gwybod beth y maent yn ei wneud a’r hyn a ddisgwylir ganddynt, bydd pethau eraill yn disgyn i’w lle. Yr oeddwn yn falch o glywed y byddwch yn cynnal trafodaethau brys â’r cadeirydd ynghylch sut y gellir rhoi argymhellion 8 i 11 ar waith. A fyddech yn cytuno i rannu canlyniad y trafodaethau hynny â’r Cynulliad heddiw, os yw’n briodol, ar ba ffurf bynnag y teimlwch ei bod yn fwyaf addas?

4.50 p.m.

To conclude, we have very good staff, but they need a better structure to work in, and I look forward to seeing these recommendations implemented in a speedy, timely and considered manner.

I gloi, mae gennym staff da iawn, ond mae arnynt angen gwell strwythur i weithio ynddo, ac edrychaf ymlaen at weld yr argymhellion hyn yn cael eu rhoi ar waith yn fuan, yn amserol ac yn bwyllog.

Edwina Hart: Thank you for your comments. One of the areas that worried me was the lack of strategic planning capacity within the trust. You are absolutely right about some of the complaints that have come in. Staff have said, for example, 'If we were asked, we could tell you the best location for rapid response vehicles, and where we should be situated’. Your suggestion that the trust uses a logistics expert is very good, and that expert could talk to the staff involved and ask them where, if they were starting from day 1, they would want to be located. We must accept that patterns of population have changed, and the way in which people access services at hospitals has changed, so that would be a good starting point, and I would be happy to look at that issue. Even though a lot of computer modelling is done on these things, it is sometimes important to speak to the person who does the job and knows the area, and we need to do more of that in the trust.

Edwina Hart: Diolch i chi am eich sylwadau. Un o’r meysydd a barai bryder i mi oedd diffyg gallu i gynllunio’n strategol o fewn yr ymddiriedolaeth. Yr ydych yn llygad eich lle ynghylch rhai o’r cwynion a gafwyd. Mae staff wedi dweud, er enghraifft, 'Pe gofynnid i ni, gallem ddweud wrthych beth yw’r lleoliad gorau i gerbydau ymateb cyflym, a lle y dylem gael ein lleoli’. Mae’r awgrym a wnaethoch i’r perwyl y dylai’r ymddiriedolaeth ddefnyddio arbenigwr ar logisteg yn un da iawn, a gallai’r arbenigwr hwnnw siarad â’r staff sy’n gysylltiedig a gofyn iddynt ym mhle y byddent am gael eu lleoli, pe baent yn cychwyn o’r newydd. Rhaid inni dderbyn bod patrymau poblogaeth wedi newid, a bod y modd y mae pobl yn cael mynediad at wasanaethau mewn ysbytai wedi newid, felly byddai hynny’n fan cychwyn da, a byddwn yn falch o ystyried y mater hwnnw. Er bod llawer o fodelu cyfrifiadurol yn cael ei wneud ar y pethau hyn, mae’n bwysig weithiau siarad â’r un sy’n gwneud y gwaith ac sy’n adnabod yr ardal, ac mae angen inni wneud mwy o hynny yn yr ymddiriedolaeth.

On staff recommendations 8 and 9, I have never read such a sorry tale about what is going on within an NHS organisation. We do lots of NHS surveys, and there are often complaints, but I have not seen anything like this before regarding staff relations, and the level of bullying that it is suggested goes on in the service. When I set up this group, I was keen to have Unison involved, via Dave Galligan, its senior officer. It indicated to me before we even started that the one thing that would come out would be the staffing issues that are affecting morale. So, that is one of the issues that I will discuss with Stuart Fletcher, but I will also discuss it with Dave Galligan. Staff need to be sure in their own minds that these recommendations will be implemented with their co-operation and with further discussion, and that is important in respect of recommendations 8 and 9. I would be more than happy, when I have had further discussions with Stuart Fletcher, to issue a letter to Assembly Members updating you about where we are going on this particular review and its implementation.

Ynghylch argymhellion 8 a 9 ynglŷn â’r staff, nid wyf erioed wedi darllen y fath hanes trist am yr hyn sy’n digwydd yn un o gyrff y GIG. Yr ydym yn cynnal llawer o arolygon yn y GIG, ac mae cwynion yn aml, ond nid wyf wedi gweld dim byd tebyg i hyn o’r blaen am  gysylltiadau rhwng staff, a lefel y bwlio yr awgrymir ei fod yn digwydd yn y gwasanaeth. Pan sefydlais y grŵp hwn, yr oeddwn yn awyddus i gynnwys Unison, drwy Dave Galligan, ei uwch swyddog. Dywedodd wrthyf cyn inni ddechrau hyd yn oed mai’r peth a ddeuai i’r amlwg oedd y problemau o ran staffio sy’n effeithio ar forâl. Felly, dyna un o’r materion y byddaf yn eu trafod â Stuart Fletcher, ond fe’i trafodaf hefyd â Dave Galligan. Mae angen i’r staff gael gwybod yn sicr y bydd yr argymhellion hyn yn cael eu rhoi ar waith gyda’u cydweithrediad a thrwy drafodaeth bellach, ac mae hynny’n bwysig mewn cysylltiad ag argymhellion 8 a 9. Byddwn yn fodlon iawn, wedi imi gael trafodaethau pellach â Stuart Fletcher, rhoi llythyr i Aelodau’r Cynulliad yn rhoi gwybod ichi am y datblygiadau mewn cysylltiad â’r cyfeiriad yr ydym yn mynd iddo o ran yr adolygiad hwn ac o ran ei weithredu.

Jenny Randerson: I want to echo the comments of my colleagues by stating that nothing that I say here today reflects on the hard work and dedication of the many people involved in the ambulance service at all levels in Wales.

Jenny Randerson: Dymunaf ategu sylwadau fy nghyd-Aelodau drwy ddweud nad yw dim a ddywedaf yma heddiw’n adlewyrchu ar waith caled ac ymroddiad y nifer fawr o bobl sy’n gysylltiedig â’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans ar bob lefel yng Nghymru.

I want to start with the issues relating to rural areas, and in particular, the concerns about Powys, and the requirement—which I am sure we would all endorse—that there must be a big improvement in the next six months. However, you go on to say that, even in south-east Wales, which is, by and large, intensely urban, there are excessive delays for a relatively small number of calls. If you look at the figures for the number of call outs in south-east Wales, you will see that they are far higher per member of staff than they are in north Wales, for example. I know that we have to take rurality into account, but I wanted to ask whether the funding, which is an issue that I will come back to in a moment, takes account of the relatively low number of call outs in rural areas, which is bound to be more expensive. I do not think that you will get Powys within the eight-minute timeframe without spending additional money.

Dymunaf ddechrau â’r materion sy’n ymwneud ag ardaloedd gwledig ac, yn benodol, y pryderon ynghylch Powys, a’r gofyniad—yr wyf yn siŵr y byddem oll yn ei gymeradwyo—fod yn rhaid wrth welliant mawr yn y chwe mis nesaf. Fodd bynnag, yr ydych yn mynd ymlaen i ddweud bod oedi gormodol hyd yn oed yn ne-ddwyrain Cymru, sy’n drefol iawn at ei gilydd, yn achos nifer cymharol fach o alwadau. Os edrychwch ar y ffigurau ynghylch nifer y galwadau am ambiwlansys yn y de-ddwyrain, gwelwch eu bod yn uwch o lawer fesul pob aelod o’r staff nag y maent yn y gogledd, er enghraifft. Gwn fod rhaid inni ystyried natur wledig ardaloedd, ond yr oeddwn am ofyn a yw’r cyllid, sy’n fater y byddaf yn dod yn ôl ato mewn eiliad, yn ystyried y nifer cymharol isel o alwadau am ambiwlansys mewn ardaloedd gwledig, sy’n sicr o fod yn ddrutach. Nid wyf yn credu y byddwch yn sicrhau’r terfyn amser o wyth munud ym Mhowys heb wario arian ychwanegol.

There is also the in-built problem and the knock-on effects of the delays at accident and emergency departments. Despite your priority target on handover times, you acknowledged a couple of weeks ago in Plenary that things had not yet improved as you had hoped, and I know that the ambulance service believes that 7 per cent of its response-time performance is accounted for by waiting times outside accident and emergency departments. If we could add 7 per cent to the response time achievements, we would have a fairly tidy ambulance service, not quite as good as that in England, but it would be a lot better than it is now. I know that you cannot wave a magic wand to deal with the delays in accident and emergency departments, but given that you have indicated that you continue to be unhappy with the situation, what are you planning to do to assist accident and emergency units to achieve that 15 minute target?

Yn ogystal â hynny, mae problem annatod ac effeithiau canlyniadol yr oedi mewn adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys. Er gwaethaf y targed sy’n cael blaenoriaeth gennych ynghylch amseroedd trosglwyddo, cydnabuoch bythefnos yn ôl yn y Cyfarfod Llawn nad oedd pethau wedi gwella eto fel yr oeddech wedi gobeithio, a gwn fod y gwasanaeth ambiwlans yn credu bod 7 y cant o’i berfformiad o ran amseroedd ymateb yn ganlyniad i amseroedd aros y tu allan i adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys. Pe gallem ychwanegu 7 y cant at y cyflawniadau o ran amseroedd ymateb, byddai gennym wasanaeth ambiwlans eithaf derbyniol, nid un llawn cystal â’r un yn Lloegr, ond byddai’n well o lawer nag y mae’n awr. Gwn na allwch chwifio hudlath i ddelio â’r oedi mewn adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys ond, gan eich bod wedi dweud eich bod yn dal yn anfodlon ar y sefyllfa, beth yr ydych yn bwriadu ei wneud i helpu unedau damweiniau ac achosion brys i gyrraedd y targed hwnnw o 15 munud?

Moving on to the culture of the organisation and the issues relating to staff morale and bullying, before all of this started—during the period of one of the earlier chief executives of the ambulance service, before we had that manic phase of musical chairs for a few months, and thank goodness it settled down—when I talked to paramedics, morale was rock bottom. They have been expected to go through a very difficult modernisation programme. Change is never easy for any of us; it always hits morale, and, although there have been noticeable improvements in many ways—the improvements may not be as good as we would like, but they are there—there has not been the instant gratification of a complete revolution in target achievements, so it is not surprising that there is low morale. I have previously identified that the key issue that has been reported to me is capacity within middle management. The ambulance service has done a great deal to strengthen the higher levels of management, but it cannot transform its middle managers overnight, and I wish to have your assurance that there is now in place a proper training programme for middle managers. I am aware that a start has been made on it, but there needs to be a fairly intensive programme to train middle managers and to improve the situation, because that is where the culture of bullying and low morale seems to stem from, according to anecdotes that I have picked up on.

Gan symud ymlaen at ddiwylliant y corff a’r materion sy’n ymwneud â morâl y staff a bwlio, cyn i hyn i gyd ddechrau—yn ystod cyfnod un o brif weithredwyr blaenorol y gwasanaeth ambiwlans, cyn inni gael y cyfnod lloerig hwnnw o chwarae newid cadeiriau am rai misoedd, a diolch byth bod hynny wedi tawelu—pan siaredais â pharameddygon, yr oedd y morâl ar ei isaf. Yr ydys wedi disgwyl iddynt fynd drwy raglen foderneiddio anodd iawn. Nid yw newid byth yn hawdd i’r un ohonom; mae bob amser yn amharu ar forâl, ac, er bod gwelliannau amlwg wedi bod ar lawer ystyr—efallai nad yw’r gwelliannau cystal ag y dymunem, ond fe’u cafwyd—ni chafwyd y boddhad parod o gael chwyldro llwyr o ran cyrraedd targedau, felly nid yw’n syndod bod y morâl yn isel. Yr wyf wedi nodi o’r blaen mai’r mater allweddol y rhoddwyd gwybod i mi amdano yw gallu ymhlith y rheolwyr canol. Mae’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans wedi gwneud llawer iawn i gryfhau’r lefelau rheoli uwch, ond ni all weddnewid ei reolwyr canol dros nos, a dymunaf gael sicrwydd gennych fod rhaglen hyfforddi briodol ar waith yn awr ar gyfer rheolwyr canol. Yr wyf yn ymwybodol bod hynny wedi dechrau, ond mae angen rhaglen eithaf dwys i hyfforddi rheolwyr canol a gwella’r sefyllfa, gan ei bod yn ymddangos mai o’r fan honno y mae’r diwylliant o fwlio a morâl isel yn deillio, yn ôl anecdotau sydd wedi dod i’m sylw.

My final point relates to funding. I wish to emphasise the points that were made by Jonathan Morgan in relation to that. We are all grateful, and I know that the ambulance service greatly values the impact of the £27 million capital funding, because it means that it now has good ambulances. That improves the ability to deal with infection control, which is praised in the report. The key thing is to look at the position of the ambulance service in relation to its revenue. I welcome the fact that your finance director will look at this, and I would like your assurance that that work will compare the situation with that in some of the English trusts. I know that it is difficult to find a comparable trust because nowhere in England is as rural as Wales—perhaps you have to look to Scotland to make that type of comparison.

Mae’r pwynt olaf sydd gennyf yn ymwneud ag ariannu. Dymunaf bwysleisio’r pwyntiau a wnaeth Jonathan Morgan mewn cysylltiad â hynny. Yr ydym oll yn ddiolchgar, a gwn fod y gwasanaeth ambiwlans yn gwerthfawrogi’n fawr effaith y £27 miliwn o gyllid cyfalaf, gan ei fod yn golygu bod ganddo ambiwlansys da yn awr. Mae hynny’n rhoi mwy o allu i reoli heintiau, ac mae’r adroddiad yn canmol hynny. Y peth allweddol yw ystyried sefyllfa’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans mewn cysylltiad â’i refeniw. Croesawaf y ffaith y bydd eich cyfarwyddwr cyllid yn edrych ar hyn, a hoffwn gael sicrwydd gennych y bydd y gwaith hwnnw’n cymharu’r sefyllfa â honno yn rhai o ymddiriedolaethau Lloegr. Gwn ei bod yn anodd dod o hyd i ymddiriedolaeth debyg gan nad oes unman yn Lloegr sydd mor wledig â Chymru—efallai fod yn rhaid edrych tua’r Alban i gael cymhariaeth o’r math hwnnw.

Jonathan has outlined the savings of £17 million that the ambulance trust in Wales has had to make under its strategic change and efficiency programme this year. That is 9 per cent of an overall budget of £136 million, which is a big chunk. It is proportionately the largest strategic change and efficiency programme in Wales as a percentage of its budget. That compares with England, where the ambulance trusts have received up to 5 per cent of additional revenue in the last year. We used to think that the problems of the ambulance services were not innately financial, but if you compare the services with those in England—and they are in a situation of comparison across the border—you will see that they are now, relatively, not so well funded. On any official table, they would come out at slightly below average.

Mae Jonathan wedi disgrifio’r arbedion o £17 miliwn y mae’r ymddiriedolaeth ambiwlans yng Nghymru wedi gorfod eu gwneud dan ei rhaglen newid strategol ac effeithlonrwydd eleni. Mae hynny’n 9 y cant o gyllideb gyffredinol o £136 miliwn, ac mae hwnnw’n dalp mawr. Honno yw’r rhaglen newid strategol ac effeithlonrwydd fwyaf yng Nghymru, ar gyfartaledd, fel canran o’i chyllideb. Mae hynny’n cymharu â Lloegr, lle y mae’r ymddiriedolaethau ambiwlans wedi cael hyd at 5 y cant o refeniw ychwanegol yn y flwyddyn ddiwethaf. Arferem feddwl nad oedd problemau’r gwasanaethau ambiwlans yn rhai ariannol yn eu hanfod, ond os cymharwch y gwasanaethau â’r rhai yn Lloegr—ac maent yn cael eu cymharu’n awr ar draws y ffin—gwelwch nad ydynt yn cael eu hariannu cystal, yn gymharol. Ar unrhyw dabl swyddogol, byddent ychydig yn is na’r cyfartaledd.

Therefore, I would like your assurance that you will look at the cross-border situation and that, when your finance director reports, you will consider awarding them some additional revenue funding.

Felly, hoffwn gael sicrwydd gennych y byddwch yn edrych ar y sefyllfa drawsffiniol ac y byddwch, pan fydd eich cyfarwyddwr cyllid yn cyflwyno’i adroddiad, yn ystyried rhoi rhywfaint o arian refeniw ychwanegol iddynt.

5.00 p.m.

Edwina Hart: The purpose of sending my director of finance in was to look at some of the issues that have been raised in the debate today. Before I look at any future financial commitments to the ambulance service, I have to be assured that all money is being spent well, appropriately and, importantly, in the best interests of patients. I will need those assurances before I embark on anything to do with revenue funding in the ambulance service.

Edwina Hart: Pwrpas anfon fy nghyfarwyddwr cyllid yno oedd edrych ar rai o’r materion sydd wedi’u codi yn y ddadl heddiw. Cyn imi edrych ar unrhyw ymrwymiadau ariannol i’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans yn y dyfodol, rhaid imi fod yn sicr bod yr arian i gyd yn cael ei wario’n dda, yn briodol ac, yn bwysig, er budd y cleifion. Bydd angen y sicrwydd hwnnw arnaf cyn imi ddechrau gwneud dim sy’n ymwneud ag arian refeniw yn y gwasanaeth ambiwlans.

It is always easy for the service to blame a lack of cash for the fact that it has not delivered in certain areas, so I have to be sure in my own mind that that is not the case. However, I am happy to take up the points that have been made today and ask my finance director to look at them in the round.

Mae bob amser yn hawdd i’r gwasanaeth feio diffyg arian am nad yw wedi llwyddo mewn meysydd penodol, felly, rhaid imi fod yn siŵr yn fy meddwl fy hun nad felly y mae. Fodd bynnag, yr wyf yn fodlon ystyried y pwyntiau sydd wedi’u codi heddiw a gofyn i’m cyfarwyddwr cyllid edrych arnynt yn eu crynswth.

One of the key points that you made, Jenny, relates to capacity and middle management, which goes across the piece. I know that not just as a Minister but as a constituency Member, because these issues are raised constantly with Assembly Members by ambulance staff whenever they come to see us. The training element does need to be looked at, but we also have to look at how people go into management and develop within the service. In my previous role, when I had responsibility for the fire service, I could see a clear pattern for development. There were examinations for leading fire fighters to sit and things that people had to do, but the same cannot be said of the ambulance trust. I think that you make a valid point in that regard, and I will ask Stuart Fletcher to pursue it in more detail as he implements the report’s recommendations. Some of the most scathing things in this report are recommendations 8 and 9 about staff relationships.

Un o’r pwyntiau allweddol a wnaethoch, Jenny, oedd hwnnw ynglŷn â gallu a’r rheolwyr canol, sy’n ystyriaeth drwyddi draw. Gwn hynny, nid dim ond fel Gweinidog ond fel Aelod etholaeth, oherwydd bydd staff y gwasanaeth ambiwlans yn codi’r materion hyn yn gyson gydag Aelodau’r Cynulliad pryd bynnag y dônt i’n gweld. Mae angen edrych ar yr elfen yn ymwneud â hyfforddi, ond mae angen inni edrych hefyd ar sut y bydd pobl yn mynd yn rheolwyr ac yn datblygu yn y gwasanaeth. Yn fy swydd flaenorol, pan oeddwn yn gyfrifol am y gwasanaeth tân, gallwn weld patrwm clir ar gyfer datblygu. Yr oedd arholiadau i uwch ddiffoddwyr tân eu sefyll a phethau yr oedd yn rhaid i bobl eu gwneud, ond ni ellir dweud yr un peth am yr ymddiriedolaeth ambiwlans. Credaf eich bod yn codi pwynt dilys yn y cyswllt hwnnw, a gofynnaf i Stuart Fletcher fynd ar drywydd hyn yn fwy manwl wrth iddo roi argymhellion yr adroddiad ar waith. Rhai o’r pethau mwyaf deifiol yn yr adroddiad hwn yw argymhelliad 8 ac argymhelliad 9 ynglŷn â’r berthynas rhwng y staff.

I appreciate that this has been a particularly difficult modernisation programme for the ambulance service—others have been easier—and, given the combination of these issues, I have no doubt that staff morale can sometimes hit rock bottom. However, we have to build up their morale, and if we can do it in partnership with Unison, the major trade union for the ambulance service, we will see concrete results.

Yr wyf yn sylweddoli bod y rhaglen foderneiddio hon wedi bod yn un arbennig o anodd i’r gwasanaeth ambiwlans—mae eraill wedi bod yn haws—ac, o ystyried y cyfuniad hwn o broblemau, yr wyf yn sicr yn gall morâl y staff suddo i’r dyfnderoedd ar brydiau. Fodd bynnag, rhaid inni feithrin eu morâl, ac os gallwn wneud hyn mewn partneriaeth ag Unsain, y prif undeb llafur ar gyfer y gwasanaeth ambiwlans, gwelwn ganlyniadau pendant.

You are quite right about Powys and south-east Wales. Powys is a problematic area for us. I could say that I want to see improvements there within six months, but, hand on heart, I cannot tell you what level of improvement there will be. I have to be absolutely honest about the situation there, as there are issues with staffing and its rurality. We cannot pretend that we can solve the situation overnight, but we have to put the right mechanisms in place to solve it. My eagerness to set the same targets across Wales is because I want to ensure equality in treatment. However, perhaps I need to be more realistic and look for more intelligent targets for the delivery of services in that area, if the circumstances are as such. I am happy to do further work on that, because I realise how difficult it is in Powys. It is not fair on patients in Powys, however, that the service there is so out of line with the targets that are achieved in other areas. I find that highly worrying.

Yr ydych yn llygad eich lle ynglŷn â Phowys a’r de-ddwyrain. Mae Powys yn ardal sy’n broblem inni. Gallwn ddweud fy mod am weld gwelliannau yno o fewn chwe mis, ond, â’m llaw ar fy nghalon, ni allaf ddweud wrthych faint o wella a fydd. Mae’n rhaid imi fod yn gwbl onest ynglŷn â’r sefyllfa yno, gan fod problemau gyda staffio a natur wledig yr ardal. Ni allwn gymryd arnom y gallwn ddatrys y sefyllfa dros nos, ond rhaid inni roi’r mecanweithiau iawn ar waith i’w datrys. Yr wyf yn awyddus i osod yr un targedau ledled Cymru oherwydd fy mod am sicrhau triniaeth deg i bawb. Fodd bynnag, efallai fod angen imi fod yn fwy realistig a chwilio am dargedau mwy deallus ar gyfer darparu gwasanaethau yn yr ardal honno, gyda’r amgylchiadau fel y maent. Yr wyf yn fodlon gwneud rhagor o waith ar hynny, oherwydd fy mod yn sylweddoli mor anodd ydyw ym Mhowys. Nid yw’n deg â chleifion ym Mhowys, fodd bynnag, fod cymaint o wahaniaeth rhwng y gwasanaeth yno a’r targedau a gyflawnir mewn ardaloedd eraill. Mae hynny’n boen mawr imi.

My director of finance will take up your point about funding and the associated issues of the balance of resources when he looks at those particular issues.

Bydd fy nghyfarwyddwr cyllid yn rhoi sylw i’ch pwynt ynghylch cyllido a’r materion cysylltiedig sy’n ymwneud â’r cydbwysedd o ran adnoddau pan fydd yn edrych ar y materion penodol hynny.

On the relationship between different NHS trusts, and what we are doing with the ambulance trust about its accident-and-emergency capacity, we have had quite a positive response from some of the culprits regarding the new measures that they intend to put in place. I have indicated to them that this is about providing capital in response to their bids, so that we can get on with any changes that would deliver a better service. When I do my further report on the delivering emergency care services strategy and its implementation to Plenary, I hope that I can pick up on those points to give some assurance to Members that matters are moving forward.

O ran y berthynas rhwng gwahanol ymddiriedolaethau’r GIG, a’r hyn yr ydym yn ei wneud gyda’r ymddiriedolaeth ambiwlans ynglŷn â’i chapasiti o ran damweiniau ac achosion brys, yr ydym wedi cael ymateb eithaf cadarnhaol gan rai o’r tramgwyddwyr ynglŷn â’r camau newydd y bwriadant eu cyflwyno. Yr wyf wedi awgrymu wrthynt fod a wnelo hyn â darparu cyfalaf i ymateb i’w ceisiadau, er mwyn inni fwrw ymlaen ag unrhyw newidiadau a fyddai’n sicrhau gwell gwasanaeth. Wrth gyflwyno fy adroddiad pellach i’r Cyfarfod Llawn ynglŷn â’r strategaeth ar gyfer darparu gwasanaethau gofal brys a’i rhoi ar waith, gobeithiaf y gallaf roi sylw i’r pwyntiau hynny er mwyn rhoi rhywfaint o sicrwydd i Aelodau fod pethau’n symud yn eu blaenau.

Trish Law: I welcome your statement, Minister, and the report by Stuart Fletcher, David Galligan and Morton Warner. I particularly welcome their recommendation 3, which calls for a clear plan to improve relative performance in South Wales East.

Trish Law: Yr wyf yn croesawu’ch datganiad, Weinidog, a’r adroddiad gan Stuart Fletcher, David Galligan a Morton Warner. Yr wyf yn croesawu’n arbennig eu hargymhelliad 3, sy’n galw am gynllun clir i wella’r perfformiad cymharol yn Nwyrain De Cymru.

Based on my experiences in Blaenau Gwent, I am not surprised to learn that Wales has the worst record in the UK when it comes to ambulance response times to emergencies. Over many months, I have written a number of letters to Alan Murray, chief executive of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, and I have copied you in to most of them, Minister, to complain about response times or, in some cases, ambulances not turning up at all.

Ar sail fy mhrofiadau ym Mlaenau Gwent, nid yw’n syndod gennyf glywed mai Cymru sydd waethaf yn y DU o ran amseroedd ymateb ambiwlansys i achosion brys. Dros fisoedd lawer, yr wyf wedi ysgrifennu nifer o lythyrau at Alan Murray, prif weithredwr Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans Cymru, ac yr wyf wedi anfon copi atoch o’r rhan fwyaf ohonynt, Weinidog, i gwyno am amseroedd ymateb, neu, mewn ambell achos, ambiwlansys heb gyrraedd o gwbl.

I was so concerned that I arranged to meet Mr Murray here in Cardiff bay just over two months ago to impress on him that I was not happy with 999 response times in Blaenau Gwent. It has to be said that those ambulance failures that do hit the headlines are in the minority, but that, and official statistics, do little to appease disgruntled members of the public who have had bad ambulance experiences. I very much regret that, despite statistics showing an improvement, there is little sign of improvement on the ground.

Yr oeddwn yn poeni cymaint nes imi drefnu i gyfarfod â Mr Murray yma ym mae Caerdydd ychydig dros ddau fis yn ôl i bwysleisio wrtho nad oeddwn yn fodlon ar amseroedd ymateb 999 ym Mlaenau Gwent. Rhaid dweud mai lleiafrif yw’r methiannau hynny gan ambiwlansys sy’n cael sylw yn y penawdau, ond nid yw hynny, na’r ystadegau swyddogol, yn gwneud fawr i dawelu meddwl aelodau o’r cyhoedd sy’n anfodlon a hwythau wedi cael profiadau gwael gydag ambiwlansys. Yr wyf yn gresynu’n fawr, er bod yr ystadegau’n dangos gwelliant, nad oes fawr o arwydd o welliant ar lawr gwlad.

In a letter dated 15 April 2008, Mr Murray gave an explanation for the non-arrival of an ambulance at the scene of a road traffic accident in Cwmtillery, when a 15-year-old girl had to be transported to hospital by the police, who were at the scene of the accident. Mr Murray went on to give me a reassurance that,

'actions have been taken to mitigate against a similar situation arising in the future’.

Alas, very soon afterwards, on Sunday night, 4 May, there was an unacceptably long delay in paramedics treating a man who had been attacked outside the Tredegar Arms in Tredegar, and he died of his injuries in hospital several hours later.

Yn anffodus, yn fuan iawn wedyn, nos Sul, 4 Mai, bu oedi annerbyniol o hir cyn i barameddygon gyrraedd i drin dyn yr ymosodwyd arno y tu allan i’r Tredegar Arms yn Nhredegar, a bu farw o’i anafiadau yn yr ysbyty ychydig oriau’n ddiweddarach.

What greatly concerns me is that there is a proposal to take one of Blaenau Gwent’s three ambulances out of the fleet. At my meeting with Mr Murray on 10 April, I failed to extract any assurance from him that this third ambulance would be retained. When the service in Blaenau Gwent is found so wanting, it is extremely worrying that a third of the ambulance cover stationed there could be decommissioned.

It was disappointing to read just a few days ago that ambulance response times to emergencies across Wales lag significantly behind those in the rest of the UK. While the 65 per cent target in Wales has just about been achieved, I do not consider the target to be particularly challenging compared with the service in the rest of the UK. Certainly, in my opinion and in my constituency, the ambulance trust has a long way to go before it can start talking about depleting the number of ambulances stationed in Blaenau Gwent.

Edwina Hart: Unfortunately, as the Minister with responsibility for the ambulance service, I have to concur with many of the comments that the Member has made in her contribution to the discussion. At the end of the day, if there is no public confidence in the service and if such incidents continue, we can never get the service to deliver. Quite often, I hear examples such as the road traffic accident that you raised, which was followed by another incident. From my time in my previous role as Minister with responsibility for the fire and rescue service, I know that the service was gravely concerned about the fact that it rather than an ambulance was transporting people to hospital, simply because its officers were at the scene of an accident. They were less worried when I told them that I would cover them if anything happened, but the police have been worried for a long time about having to take patients to hospital and their liability if anything happened, despite the fact that they are doing it only because it is the right thing to do.

Edwina Hart: Yn anffodus, fel y Gweinidog sy’n gyfrifol am y gwasanaeth ambiwlans, rhaid imi gytuno â llawer o’r sylwadau’r Aelod yn ei chyfraniad at y drafodaeth. Yn y pen draw, os nad yw’r cyhoedd yn ymddiried yn y gwasanaeth ac os bydd digwyddiadau o’r fath yn parhau, ni allwn fyth gael y gwasanaeth i gyrraedd y nod. Yn weddol aml, clywaf enghreifftiau megis y ddamwain ffordd y soniasoch amdani, a’r digwyddiad arall wedyn. Yn sgîl fy nghyfnod yn fy rôl flaenorol fel y Gweinidog a oedd yn gyfrifol am y gwasanaeth tân ac achub, gwn fod y gwasanaeth yn bryderus iawn mai ef, yn hytrach nag ambiwlans, a oedd yn cludo pobl i’r ysbyty, dim ond am fod ei swyddogion wedi cyrraedd safle damwain. Yr oeddent yn llai pryderus pan ddywedais wrthynt y byddwn yn ateb drostynt petai unrhyw beth yn digwydd, ond mae’r heddlu wedi bod yn poeni ers tro ynglŷn â gorfod mynd â chleifion i’r ysbyty a’u hatebolrwydd petai rhywbeth yn digwydd, er mai eu hunig reswm dros wneud hyn yw mai dyna’r peth iawn i’w wneud.

These incidents are real and they get out into the public domain, people discuss them, and they lead to a lack of confidence in the service. I am very disappointed in our figures in comparison with the rest of the UK, although I would like some more work done on them. I concur that the service itself has regarded this as a challenging figure, although, in many ways, it is not. This is just about trying to get equity within the system, with a common figure across Wales. I am due to meet the ambulance trust to discuss these issues, and I very much hope that we will secure the necessary improvements. We cannot allow such incidents to continue, and we certainly cannot allow the trust to reassure Members only for Members to see a repeat of such incidents in the future. That leads to no confidence in the management of the service.

Mae’r digwyddiadau hyn yn rhai gwirioneddol ac mae’r cyhoedd yn cael gwybod amdanynt, mae pobl yn eu trafod, ac maent yn arwain at ddiffyg hyder yn y gwasanaeth. Yr wyf yn siomedig iawn â’n ffigurau o’u cymharu â ffigurau gweddill y DU, er yr hoffwn weld mwy o waith yn cael ei wneud arnynt. Cytunaf fod y gwasanaeth ei hun wedi bod o’r farn bod y ffigur hwn yn ffigur uchelgeisiol, er nad ydyw, mewn sawl ffordd. Ceisio cael tegwch yn y system yw’r nod, a’r un ffigur ar draws Cymru i gyd. Yr wyf i fod i gyfarfod â’r ymddiriedolaeth ambiwlans i drafod y materion hyn, ac yr wyf yn gobeithio’n fawr y llwyddwn i sicrhau’r gwelliannau angenrheidiol. Ni allwn ganiatáu i ddigwyddiadau o’r fath barhau, ac yn sicr, ni allwn ganiatáu i’r ymddiriedolaeth dawelu meddwl Aelodau a’r Aelodau wedyn yn gweld yr un peth yn digwydd eto yn y dyfodol. Mae hynny’n arwain at ddiffyg hyder yn rheolwyr y gwasanaeth.

Nick Bourne: I thank the Minister for her statement and I also thank Stuart Fletcher for the review that preceded it. I share with other Members unqualified praise for the staff who work in our ambulances; they are uniformly excellent, committed and passionate about what they do. The review does throw up some concerns, although I think that one must say that at least the direction of travel is the right direction. There have been some improvements.

Nick Bourne: Diolchaf i’r Gweinidog am ei datganiad a diolchaf hefyd i Stuart Fletcher am yr adolygiad a’i rhagflaenodd. Yr wyf finnau hefyd, fel Aelodau eraill, am ganmol yn ddiamod y staff sy’n gweithio yn ein hambiwlansys; maent i gyd yn rhagorol, yn ymroddedig i’w gwaith ac ar dân yn ei gylch. Mae’r adolygiad yn codi rhai pryderon, er fy mod yn meddwl bod yn rhaid dweud bod pethau o leiaf yn symud i’r cyfeiriad iawn. Mae ambell welliant wedi bod.

Like others, and Jenny Randerson in particular, I view with some concern the issue about  middle management, and the evidence that there are problems there that need to be addressed, perhaps by training. We cannot take our eye off the ball on that, and it should not have significant cost implications. That needs to be addressed.

I remain concerned about Wales’s poor position relative to Scotland and England. There is evidence that the trusts in our rural areas are not performing as well as those in rural areas of Scotland or England. I think that some comparisons can be made there, certainly with parts of Yorkshire and Scotland. That brings me to Powys, in particular, which obviously causes me some concern as a Member representing the region. I am glad that the Minister recognises the seriousness of the position; she described it as 'unacceptable’ and said that improvements were certainly being sought. I do not think that we can accept a position in which Powys has materially different response times to those in other parts of Wales. There is no reason why people in rural Wales should not expect the same treatment as those in urban Wales receive. People in urban Wales are probably not getting the treatment that they need either.

Yr wyf yn dal i boeni am sefyllfa wael Cymru o’i chymharu â’r Alban a Lloegr. Ceir tystiolaeth nad yw’r ymddiriedolaethau yn ein hardaloedd gwledig yn gwneud cystal â’r rhai yn ardaloedd gwledig yr Alban neu rai Lloegr. Credaf y gellir cymharu rhai pethau yno, yn sicr â rhannau o swydd Efrog a’r Alban. Daw hynny â mi at Bowys, yn benodol. Mae’n amlwg yn peri tipyn o bryder imi a minnau’n Aelod sy’n cynrychioli’r ardal. Yr wyf yn falch bod y Gweinidog yn cydnabod difrifoldeb y sefyllfa; dywedodd ei bod yn 'annerbyniol’ a’i bod yn sicr yn disgwyl gweld gwelliannau. Ni chredaf y gallwn dderbyn sefyllfa lle y mae’r amseroedd ymateb ym Mhowys yn wahanol iawn i’r amseroedd mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru. Nid oes rheswm pam na ddylai pobl y Gymru wledig ddisgwyl yr un driniaeth ag a gaiff pobl y Gymru drefol. Go brin bod pobl y Gymru drefol yn cael y driniaeth y mae ei hangen arnynt ychwaith.

5.10 p.m.

I will mention two instances, in the last week, that show what is happening in Powys, which concern me. First, a lady suffering anaphylactic shock in north Powys had to wait an hour for an ambulance. Had it not been for a neighbour who had access to the antidote pen, she would have been dead—that is widely accepted. When the ambulance finally arrived, she received excellent treatment, but that is totally unacceptable. Secondly, this week, Llanidloes ambulance station has cut the hours worked by people there. Trying to match those two specific examples up is not easy, as they do not make sense.

Soniaf am ddwy enghraifft, yn ystod yr wythnos ddiwethaf, sy’n dangos beth sy’n digwydd ym Mhowys, sy’n fy mhoeni. Yn gyntaf, bu’n rhaid i fenyw a oedd yn dioddef gan sioc anaffylactig yng ngogledd Powys ddisgwyl awr am ambiwlans. Oni bai am gymydog a lwyddodd i gael gafael ar y pin gwrthwenwyn, byddai wedi marw—mae pawb fwy neu lai’n derbyn hynny. Pan gyrhaeddodd yr ambiwlans maes o law, cafodd driniaeth ragorol, ond mae hynny’n gwbl annerbyniol. Yn ail, yr wythnos hon, mae gorsaf ambiwlans Llanidloes wedi torri’r oriau y mae pobl yn eu gweithio yno. Nid yw’n hawdd cysoni’r ddwy enghraifft benodol hynny, gan nad ydynt yn gwneud synnwyr.

I can understand the Minister’s position on funding; of course, she must be satisfied that it will be properly used, and I agree with her about sending the finance director in to look at some of the issues. Perhaps some of the issues can be addressed without extra money, but I think that extra money will be needed for others. Do we have up-to-date satellite navigation location equipment, which is used elsewhere in the United Kingdom? I do not think that we have it in Wales and, if not, why not? I agree with what has been said about logistics, but that has to be viewed in the context of having up-to-date equipment and, I suspect, the proper use of more rapid-response vehicles.

Gallaf ddeall safbwynt y Gweinidog ynglŷn â chyllido; wrth gwrs, mae’n rhaid iddi fod yn sicr y caiff yr arian ei ddefnyddio’n iawn, a chytunaf â hi ynglŷn ag anfon y cyfarwyddwr cyllid i mewn i edrych ar rai o’r materion dan sylw. Efallai y gellir datrys rhai o’r materion heb arian ychwanegol, ond credaf y bydd angen arian ychwanegol ar gyfer rhai eraill. A oes gennym yr offer lloeren diweddaraf i lywio i leoliadau, a ddefnyddir mewn mannau eraill yn y Deyrnas Unedig? Nid wyf yn meddwl ei fod gennym yng Nghymru ac, os nad yw, pam? Cytunaf â’r hyn sydd wedi’i ddweud am logisteg, ond rhaid gweld hynny yng nghyd-destun cael yr offer diweddaraf, ac, yr wyf yn tybio, yng nghyd-destun defnyddio mwy o gerbydau ymateb cyflym yn y ffordd iawn.

We should not settle for second best in Wales. I cannot settle for third best on behalf of people in Powys, for something that is materially different from that in the rest of Wales. Therefore, we have to look at the financial issues, as well as some of the training issues. I would welcome the Minister’s response on those specific points. I share her concern and her approach to this, and I applaud her for what she is trying to do, but the people of Powys need an assurance that they will not lag so far behind what is just an acceptable level of service elsewhere in Wales.

Ni ddylem fodloni ar rywbeth nad yw’n gwbl foddhaol yng Nghymru. Ni allaf fodloni ar rywbeth anfoddhaol ar ran pobl Powys, ar rywbeth sydd yn wahanol iawn i’r hyn a geir yng ngweddill Cymru. Felly, rhaid inni edrych ar y materion ariannol, yn ogystal ag ar rai o’r materion hyfforddi. Byddwn yn croesawu ymateb y Gweinidog i’r pwyntiau penodol hynny. Yr wyf finnau, fel hithau, yn bryderus ac yn cytuno â’i hagwedd at hyn, ac fe’i cymeradwyaf am yr hyn y mae’n ceisio’i wneud, ond mae angen sicrwydd ar bobl Powys na fyddant ymhell ar ei hôl hi o gymharu lefel y gwasanaeth â’r hyn a geir mewn mannau eraill yng Nghymru, a hynny’n ddim ond derbyniol.

Edwina Hart: No-one in Wales—in Powys, or elsewhere—should have a different level of service. The key to this is how you deliver it. The time for delivery in some areas might be longer than it is in others, and I take on board your point about having the right tools for the job, which is one issue that I will be considering. We have provided ambulances, but do we need to add even more sophisticated equipment to them to make them more satisfactory? Therefore, I will have a look at that aspect.

Edwin Hart: Ni ddylai lefel y gwasanaeth a gaiff neb yng Nghymru fod yn wahanol—nac ym Mhowys nac yn unman arall. Yr allwedd i hyn yw sut y mae cyrraedd y nod. Mae’n bosibl bod yr amser ar gyfer gwneud hynny mewn rhai ardaloedd yn hwy nag mewn ardaloedd eraill, a derbyniaf eich pwynt ynghylch sicrhau’r offer iawn ar gyfer y gwaith. Mae hynny’n un peth y byddaf yn ei ystyried. Yr ydym wedi darparu ambiwlansys, ond a oes angen inni ychwanegu offer mwy soffistigedig byth i’w gwneud yn fwy boddhaol? Felly, edrychaf ar yr agwedd honno.

On the financial issues, you understand what I am saying. If a case is made for additional financial resources, I will have to look at it in light of the overall NHS budget, given that I would have to decide where to take money from if more money were to go in to ambulances. There are all kinds of issues in that regard, which will have to be discussed in the future. However, I can assure you that I have an open mind on these issues, and that I am determined to get this service up to standard, to match the standards across our border and in Scotland. This service is not delivering the standard of service that I would expect across Wales as a nation.

O ran y materion ariannol, yr ydych yn deall yr hyn yr wyf yn ei ddweud. Os cyflwynir dadl o blaid adnoddau ariannol ychwanegol, edrychaf arni yng ngoleuni cyllideb gyffredinol y GIG, o ystyried y byddai’n rhaid imi benderfynu o ble i dynnu’r arian er mwyn rhoi mwy o arian i’r ambiwlansys. Mae pob math o bethau i’w hystyried yn y cyswllt hwnnw, y bydd yn rhaid eu trafod yn y dyfodol. Fodd bynnag, gallaf eich sicrhau bod gennyf feddwl agored ynglŷn â’r materion hyn, ac fy mod yn benderfynol o godi safon y gwasanaeth hwn, er mwyn iddo fod cystal â’r safonau dros y ffin ac yn yr Alban. Nid yw’r gwasanaeth hwn yn darparu gwasanaeth o’r safon y byddwn yn ei disgwyl ledled Cymru fel cenedl.

Your point on middle-management training is the key. You followed on from Jenny’s point, but the big point is that the training of managers should be a core activity. Training and developing personnel is core to any business’s function; it is not an add-on. We should not even have to be discussing it in this day and age; it should be part and parcel of how a service is delivered that training from the bottom to the top is looked at, as well as the skills needed to enhance it. That malaise within middle management is also causing difficulties with staff morale, because they see people further up the scale not managing as they see fit, or not seeking their views about particular issues.

Eich pwynt am hyfforddi rheolwyr canol yw’r allwedd. Yr oeddech yn dilyn trywydd pwynt Jenny, ond y pwynt mawr yw y dylai hyfforddi rheolwyr fod yn weithgarwch craidd. Mae hyfforddi a datblygu gweithwyr yn greiddiol i waith unrhyw fusnes; nid rhywbeth ychwanegol ydyw. Ni ddylem fod yn gorfod ei drafod hyd yn oed yn yr oes hon; dylai fod yn rhan annatod o’r ffordd y darperir gwasanaeth fod hyfforddiant yn cael ei ystyried o’r bôn i’r brig, yn ogystal â’r sgiliau y mae eu hangen yn gefn i hynny. Mae’r gwendid hwnnw ymhlith rheolwyr canol yn peri anawsterau hefyd o ran morâl y staff, oherwydd eu bod yn gweld nad yw pobl sy’n uwch na hwy’n rheoli fel y dylent yn eu barn hwy, neu nad ydynt yn gofyn beth yw eu barn am faterion penodol.

I agree with Nick that the direction of travel is right, but it seems to be a particularly long journey, and I want to speed it up.

Cytunaf â Nick fod pethau’n symud i’r cyfeiriad iawn, ond mae’r daith i bob golwg yn un arbennig o hir, ac yr wyf am gyflymu pethau.

The Presiding Officer: I have selected amendments 1, 2, 4 and 5 in the name of Andrew R.T. Davies, and amendment 3 in the name of Kirsty Williams.

The Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (Jane Hutt): I propose that

the National Assembly for Wales:

1. supports the development of the school effectiveness framework;

2. welcomes the commencement of pilot schemes in schools from September of this year. (NDM3964)

I made an oral statement on 26 February advising Members of the publication and launch of the school effectiveness framework. I am pleased to have the opportunity for a Plenary debate on the Government’s plans to improve school effectiveness through this framework.

Gwneuthum ddatganiad llafar ar 26 Chwefror yn dweud wrth yr Aelodau bod y fframwaith effeithiolrwydd ysgolion wedi’i lansio. Yr wyf yn falch o gael y cyfle i gynnal dadl yn y Cyfarfod Llawn ynglŷn â chynlluniau’r Llywodraeth i wella effeithiolrwydd ysgolion drwy gyfrwng y fframwaith hwn.

The school effectiveness framework marks a step change in our approach to providing equality of opportunity for children and young people in Wales, equipping them for life in a rapidly changing world, and tackling the long tail of underachievement. I am aware that there is a significant difference in attainment—within schools, between schools, between local authorities, and between primary and secondary phases. The school effectiveness framework is designed to ensure that all our schools become effective places of learning, so that every child and young person in Wales has an equal opportunity to fulfil their potential.

Mae’r fframwaith effeithiolrwydd ysgolion yn dynodi newid sylweddol yn ein dull o fynd ati i sicrhau cyfle cyfartal i blant a phobl ifanc yng Nghymru, gan eu harfogi ar gyfer bywyd mewn byd sy’n newid yn gyflym iawn, a mynd i’r afael â’r tangyflawni sy’n digwydd ers amser maith. Yr wyf yn ymwybodol bod gwahaniaeth sylweddol o ran cyrhaeddiad—o fewn ysgolion, rhwng ysgolion, rhwng awdurdodau lleol, a rhwng y cyfnod cynradd a’r cyfnod uwchradd. Bwriedir i’r fframwaith effeithiolrwydd ysgolion sicrhau bod ein hysgolion i gyd yn dod yn fannau dysgu effeithiol, er mwyn i bob plentyn a pherson ifanc yng Nghymru gael cyfle cyfartal i gyflawni ei botensial.

Gyda’n hymrwymiad yn 'Cymru’n Un’ i fynd i’r afael â thlodi plant, gwyddom fod ymchwil wedi dangos ers tro mai anfantais gymdeithasol yw’r un rhwystr mwyaf i lwyddiant mewn addysg. Mae gennym amrywiaeth o bolisïau addysg arloesol ac effeithiol i fynd i’r afael â’r cysylltiad rhwng tlodi a thangyflawni, ond yr her yw integreiddio’r strategaethau hyn er mwyn sicrhau’r effaith fwyaf.

The framework has a significant role to play in achieving the Welsh Assembly Government’s objective of eliminating child poverty by 2020. Tri-level collaboration to find shared solutions to education challenges is essential in achieving greater equity of performance and in breaking the link between disadvantage and poor learning outcomes. The context for all of our policies for children and young people is the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and our resulting seven core aims for children and young people set out what children and young people should expect by right. The school effectiveness framework embodies those aims.

The alignment of policies, programmes and activities to focus their impact on children and young people’s learning and wellbeing is central to improving outcomes. The tri-level approach will mean that all levels of the education system—schools, local authorities and the Welsh Assembly Government—are working together, with common goals and aspirations. Putting our school leaders first, in terms of their skills, experience and achievements, is a key part of the framework to develop a real partnership with schools and teachers, as well as with local authorities and the Assembly Government. Across Wales, classrooms and schools are too often islands of effective practice; sharing that practice is essential to ensure that we focus on what works in improving our schools. The focus for sustainable improvement is set out in six interdependent elements: leadership, working with others, networks of professional practice, intervention and support, improvement accountability, and curriculum and teaching. The framework describes the moral purpose of education in Wales as improving learning outcomes for all students in all settings, rather than for some students in some settings.

Mae alinio polisïau, rhaglenni a gweithgareddau i ganolbwyntio ar ddysgu a lles plant a phobl ifanc yn ganolog o ran gwella canlyniadau. Bydd y dull gweithredu tair lefel yn golygu bod pob lefel o’r system addysg—ysgolion, awdurdodau lleol a Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru—yn cydweithio, a bod ganddynt nodau a dyheadau cyffredin. Mae rhoi arweinwyr ein hysgolion yn gyntaf, o ran eu sgiliau, eu profiad a’u cyflawniadau, yn rhan allweddol o’r fframwaith i ddatblygu partneriaeth wirioneddol gydag ysgolion ac athrawon, yn ogystal â chydag awdurdodau lleol a Llywodraeth y Cynulliad. Ledled Cymru, yn rhy aml, mae dosbarthiadau ac ysgolion yn ynysoedd o arferion effeithiol; mae rhannu’r arferion hynny’n hanfodol er mwyn sicrhau ein bod yn canolbwyntio ar yr hyn sy’n gweithio o ran gwella ein hysgolion. Mae’r ffocws ar gyfer gwelliant cynaliadwy’n cael ei gyflwyno mewn chwe elfen ryngddibynnol: arweinyddiaeth, gweithio gydag eraill, rhwydweithiau ymarfer proffesiynol, ymyrraeth a chefnogaeth, atebolrwydd dros welliannau, a’r cwricwlwm ac addysgu. Yn ôl y fframwaith, diben moesol addysg yng Nghymru yw gwella canlyniadau dysgu i bob myfyriwr ym mhob lleoliad, yn hytrach nag i rai myfyrwyr mewn rhai lleoliadau.

In a statement to the Assembly in February, I outlined the preparation and background to this internationally recognised approach to school effectiveness. The final framework was launched at conferences across Wales, attended by over 900 school leaders, representatives of national bodies, professional associations and unions, school improvement professionals, officials from the Welsh Assembly Government and children and young people themselves. The work is now being taken forward to begin rolling out the framework. I have been clear that this work needs to include children and young people themselves—they are the learners, and we have sought their opinions and advice. A young-person-friendly version of the school effectiveness framework will go to all school councils in Wales, demonstrating our firm commitment to listening and responding to children and young people and their experience of effectiveness in teaching and learning.

Mewn datganiad i’r Cynulliad ym mis Chwefror, amlinellais y gwaith paratoadol a’r cefndir ynglŷn â’r dull hwn, sy’n cael ei gydnabod yn rhyngwladol, o ymdrin ag effeithiolrwydd ysgolion. Lansiwyd y fframwaith terfynol mewn cynadleddau ledled Cymru, a fynychwyd gan dros 900 o arweinwyr ysgolion, cynrychiolwyr cyrff cenedlaethol, cymdeithasau proffesiynol ac undebau, gweithwyr proffesiynol gwella ysgolion, swyddogion Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru a’r plant a’r bobl ifanc eu hunain. Mae’r gwaith yn mynd rhagddo yn awr i ddechrau cyflwyno’r fframwaith. Yr wyf wedi pwysleisio bod angen i’r gwaith hwn gynnwys y plant a’r bobl ifanc eu hunain—hwy yw’r dysgwyr, ac yr ydym wedi gofyn am eu barn a’u cyngor. Anfonir fersiwn sy’n addas i bobl ifanc o’r fframwaith effeithiolrwydd ysgolion i bob cyngor ysgol yng Nghymru, sy’n dangos ein hymrwymiad cadarn i wrando ar blant a phobl ifanc a’u profiad o effeithiolrwydd mewn addysgu a dysgu, ac ymateb iddynt.

To support schools in engaging with the school effectiveness framework, five seconded headteachers and a seconded WLGA representative are working with my officials to launch a pilot phase in schools in September. The pilot phase will take place within local education authority consortia, and will comprise two distinct models. In the first model, experienced and effective headteachers or school improvement professionals will be training as associates to work with schools in a developmental capacity. They will work with individual schools on their school improvement agenda and will support the development of learning communities. They will support schools in sharing effective practice and effect improvement within and across schools.

Er mwyn cefnogi ysgolion i ymgysylltu â’r fframwaith effeithiolrwydd ysgolion, mae pum pennaeth ar secondiad a chynrychiolydd o CLlLC ar secondiad yn gweithio gyda’m swyddogion i lansio cyfnod treialu mewn ysgolion ym mis Medi. Cynhelir y cyfnod treialu o fewn consortia awdurdod addysg lleol, a bydd yn cynnwys dau fodel gwahanol. Yn y model cyntaf, bydd penaethiaid neu weithwyr proffesiynol gwella ysgolion, a’r rheini’n brofiadol ac yn effeithiol, yn cael eu hyfforddi i fod yn swyddogion cyswllt i weithio gydag ysgolion ar waith datblygu. Byddant yn gweithio gydag ysgolion unigol ar eu hagenda gwella ysgol ac yn cefnogi datblygu cymunedau dysgu. Byddant yn cynorthwyo ysgolion i rannu arferion effeithiol a gwneud gwelliannau o fewn ac ar draws ysgolion.

The second model involves consortia developing their own programme for implementing the framework in pilot schools, building on school improvement activity that is already in place. This, too, will be delivered by school improvement professionals and serving headteachers, who will increase the capacity to deliver this work and support improvement programmes. These models will be tested and evaluated to ensure that the future roll-out of the framework is effective and fit for purpose, and to inform the roll-out of the framework to all schools in Wales over a three to five-year period. Training for the headteachers and school improvement professionals who will lead the work with pilot schools will take place in early July and will focus on the skills and competencies that are required for effective improvement work in schools.

Mae’r ail fodel yn cynnwys consortia sy’n datblygu eu rhaglen eu hun ar gyfer gweithredu’r fframwaith mewn ysgolion peilot, gan adeiladu ar weithgaredd gwella ysgolion sydd eisoes ar waith. Bydd hyn hefyd yn cael ei gyflawni gan weithwyr proffesiynol gwella ysgolion a phenaethiaid mewn swydd, a fydd yn cynyddu’r gallu i gyflawni’r gwaith hwn a chefnogi rhaglenni gwella. Caiff y modelau hyn eu profi a’u gwerthuso i sicrhau bod y ffordd y caiff y fframwaith ei chyflwyno yn y dyfodol yn effeithiol ac yn addas i’r diben, ac i lywio’r broses o gyflwyno’r fframwaith ym mhob ysgol yng Nghymru dros gyfnod o rhwng tair a phum mlynedd. Cynhelir hyfforddiant i benaethiaid a gweithwyr proffesiynol gwella ysgolion a fydd yn arwain y gwaith gyda’r ysgolion peilot ddechrau mis Gorffennaf a bydd yn canolbwyntio ar y sgiliau a’r cymwyseddau y mae eu hangen ar gyfer gwaith gwella effeithiol mewn ysgolion.

I am aware of the need not to overload schools and to ensure that all practitioners enjoy a reasonable work-life balance. For this reason, the school workload advisory panel was consulted on the framework. Panel members view the initiative as a powerful tool for schools’ self-evaluation and development. The seconded headteachers have developed profiling materials to support schools in engaging with the framework. Written by practitioners for practitioners, these materials will be a key tool in helping schools along their improvement journeys. Professionals from both pilot models will attend the training event and use the materials.

Yr wyf yn ymwybodol o’r angen i beidio â rhoi gormod o faich ar ysgolion ac i sicrhau bod pob ymarferydd yn cael cydbwysedd rhesymol rhwng bywyd a gwaith. Oherwydd hynny, ymgynghorwyd â’r panel cynghori ar lwyth gwaith ysgolion ynghylch y fframwaith. Barn aelodau’r panel yw bod y fenter yn offeryn pwerus ar gyfer hunanwerthuso a datblygiad ysgolion. Mae’r penaethiaid sydd ar secondiad wedi datblygu deunyddiau proffilio i gynorthwyo ysgolion i ymgysylltu â’r fframwaith. Mae’r deunyddiau hyn wedi cael eu hysgrifennu gan ymarferwyr ar gyfer ymarferwyr, a byddant yn allweddol i helpu ysgolion i gyflawni eu gwelliannau. Bydd gweithwyr proffesiynol o’r ddau fodel peilot yn mynychu’r hyfforddiant ac yn defnyddio’r deunyddiau.

5.20 p.m.

The school effectiveness framework is on track to exceed its objectives for 2008-09. The number of pilot schools has been increased from 48 to over 90 schools and the number of project associates who will benefit from the training have been increased from 12 to 24. A total of 93 schools have put themselves forward and have been confirmed for the pilot phase. This clearly demonstrates the commitment that exists across all levels of education to the framework and the values that it embodies.

A school effectiveness project reference group has been established, consisting of Estyn, the General Teaching Council for Wales, headteachers, governors, the Welsh Local Government Association, local education authorities’ consortia, and higher education institutions as well as relevant Welsh Assembly Government policy leads. The reference group will provide an ongoing forum for the teams engaged in the framework.

I do not support the amendments put forward today, but I know that there is a wide level of cross-party support for this long-term approach in supporting our schools, their leaders and our teachers to improve learner outcomes. I look forward to hearing views across the Chamber on this most important of policies: the delivery of effective education in Wales.

Andrew R.T. Davies: I propose the following amendments in my name. Amendment 1: replace 'supports’ with 'notes’.

Andrew R.T. Davies: Cynigiaf y gwelliannau canlynol yn fy enw i. Gwelliant 1: yn lle 'cefnogi’ rhoi 'nodi’.

Amendment 2: replace 'welcomes’ with:

expresses concern about the level of funding available for.

Amendment 4: add a new point at the end of the motion:

Gwelliant 4: ychwanegu pwynt newydd ar ddiwedd y cynnig:

expresses concern at the increase in teachers’ workloads resulting from these proposals.

yn mynegi pryder ynghylch y cynnydd ym maich gwaith athrawon, sy’n deillio o’r cynigion hyn.

Amendment 5: add a new point at the end of the motion:

Gwelliant 5: ychwanegu pwynt newydd ar ddiwedd y cynnig:

calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to create a school environment where teachers have the freedom to exercise their professional judgment.

We would all subscribe to making the school environment a more effective place of learning. Like many other Assembly Members, I attended the CBI lunch on Friday, and one of the key messages to come across during questions to the Secretary of State for Wales, and during his address, was the need for us to have a highly educated and adaptable workforce, based on a foundation of good primary, secondary and higher education. Employers have grave doubts, as we go further into the twenty-first century, as to whether our education system will be able to deliver the graduates that we need to compete with other countries in attracting inward investment to make Wales a vibrant and prosperous place to live. The Republic of Ireland was mentioned several times for the way in which it has brought its education levels up to speed and has turned out a highly educated workforce that is appealing to companies. I do not believe that this framework will deliver that, and I do not believe that there has been enough consultation with teachers’ unions. I have some specific questions that I would like the Minister to answer during this debate.

When we consider the Government’s delivery on other initiatives—the foundation phase being a classic example, along with the lack of funding in further education—we have grave doubts about its ability to deliver on this initiative, given that there is no hard evidence that the finance has been put in place. The Govermment talks about tri-working—local education authorities, schools and Government working together—but surely that is already happening. However, teachers in Rhondda Cynon Taf tell us that they have great difficulty in trying to understand how the local authority can seek a 1 per cent cut in its budget for so-called efficiency savings when its budget is increasingly stretched. The Welsh Assembly Government should be focusing on what it should be doing best, which is talking to schools and local education authorities, and allowing schools the independence to run their own affairs as they see fit.

Last week, we saw the figures on teachers’ sickness rates, and learned about the stressful situations in schools as they try to ensure that teachers work in an environment that is conducive to allowing their professional qualifications to come to the fore. The education agenda should be driven by teachers, rather than by central diktat. The figures were quite astounding: 65 per cent of teachers profess to have had at least one day off sick in the last 12 months, and the average number of days off is 13. We should be focusing on the school environment, respecting the professionalism of teachers in allowing schools to run their own affairs, and ensuring that teachers are appreciated for the professional qualifications that they can bring into the classroom.

Yr wythnos diwethaf, gwelsom y ffigurau ynghylch cyfraddau salwch athrawon, a chlywsom am y sefyllfaoedd sy’n achosi straen mewn ysgolion wrth iddynt geisio sicrhau bod athrawon yn gweithio mewn amgylchedd sy’n gydnaws â galluogi eu cymwysterau proffesiynol i ddod i’r amlwg. Athrawon a ddylai fod yn llywio’r agenda addysg, yn hytrach na bod hynny’n cael ei wneud drwy ddictad o’r canol. Yr oedd y ffigurau’n syfrdanol: mae 65 y cant o athrawon yn datgan eu bod wedi colli diwrnod o waith o leiaf oherwydd salwch yn ystod y 12 mis diwethaf, a’r cyfartaledd yw 13 o ddiwrnodau. Dylem fod yn canolbwyntio ar amgylchedd yr ysgol, a pharchu proffesiynoldeb athrawon drwy ganiatáu i ysgolion fod yn gyfrifol am eu materion eu hunain, a sicrhau bod athrawon yn cael eu gwerthfawrogi oherwydd y cymwysterau proffesiynol y gallant eu cyflwyno i’r ystafell ddosbarth.

Turning to my specific questions, have the terms of reference for the associate headteachers been drawn up? Will they be involved in observer teaching? Has there been a full feasibility study with regard to the cost implications of introducing the framework? Will additional funds be made available to implement any developments suggested by the associate headteachers for more effective work? Has the Minister considered the implications of the workload on headteachers? School leaders are already engaged in a performance management assessment process, currently delivered by external assessors, and this framework will ask them to volunteer to do many of the same things again with a different person at a different time of year. I would be grateful if you could address those specific questions in your response, Minister, because they have been raised with me by various representative bodies.

We should be concentrating on allowing schools to run their own agendas independently, and be brave enough to respect teachers’ professionalism in their work environment. In that way, we will ensure that we have a modern, twenty-first century education network of which we can be proud, turning out the graduates of tomorrow who will achieve the economic prosperity that we need in Wales in order to be competitive and to provide public services. That is why I propose these amendments.

Dylem fod yn canolbwyntio ar ganiatáu i ysgolion fod yn gyfrifol am eu hagendâu eu hunain yn annibynnol, a bod yn ddigon dewr i barchu proffesiynoldeb athrawon yn eu hamgylchedd gwaith. Drwy wneud hynny, byddwn yn sicrhau bod gennym rwydwaith addysg modern, sy’n addas ar gyfer yr unfed ganrif ar hugain, y gallwn ymfalchïo ynddo, a fydd yn cynhyrchu graddedigion y dyfodol a wnaiff sicrhau’r ffyniant economaidd y mae ei angen arnom yng Nghymru er mwyn bod yn gystadleuol ac i ddarparu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Dyna pam y cynigiaf y gwelliannau hyn.

Peter Black: I propose amendment 3 in the name of Kirsty Williams. Add as a new point at the end of the motion:

Peter Black: Cynigiaf welliant 3 yn enw Kirsty Williams. Ychwanegu fel pwynt newydd ar ddiwedd y cynnig:

calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure that the delivery of the school effectiveness framework supports and encourages schools to improve their attainment levels.

yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru i sicrhau bod darparu’r fframwaith effeithiolrwydd ysgolion yn cefnogi ac yn annog ysgolion i wella eu lefelau cyrhaeddiad.

In proposing the amendment and speaking on the issue generally, it is important to note that, in introducing this debate, the Minister referred to the wider context of school effectiveness, and particularly to the impact of child poverty and deprivation on the performance of schools. It is worth noting and emphasising that this programme cannot be taken in isolation; it must be taken in the context of the wider agenda of tackling child poverty and deprivation and the impact that those factors can have on a school’s and a child’s performance. The framework itself refers to this. It states:

'Education outcomes do not just depend on schools. They are influenced by a range of factors including poverty, family circumstances, housing and health’.

'Nid yw canlyniadau addysg yn dibynnu ar ysgolion yn unig. Dylanwadir arnynt gan amryw o ffactorau yn cynnwys tlodi, amgylchiadau teuluol, tai ac iechyd’.

It goes on to say that:

'Poverty currently affects one in four children and young people in Wales. Research has long shown that social disadvantage is the single biggest obstacle to achievement in education’.

'Ar hyn o bryd mae tlodi’n effeithio ar un o bob pedwar plentyn a pherson ifanc yng Nghymru. Dengys ymchwil mai anfantais gymdeithasol yw’r un rhwystr mwyaf i lwyddiant mewn addysg’.

We need to be aware of that context, and we need to be aware of the fact that the issue of making schools more effective in dealing with children’s education is not a matter that rests only in the Minister’s hands, but that other Ministers must play their part and that the UK Government, with regard to its agenda to deal with child poverty, must start to meet its targets and achieve what it has set out to do.

Mae angen inni fod yn ymwybodol o’r cyd-destun hwnnw, ac mae angen inni fod yn ymwybodol o’r ffaith nad mater i’r Gweinidog yn unig yw sicrhau bod ysgolion yn ymdrin yn fwy effeithiol ag addysg plant, ond bod yn rhaid i Weinidogion eraill chwarae eu rhan a bod yn rhaid i Lywodraeth y DU, yng nghyswllt ei hagenda i ymdrin â thlodi ymhlith plant, ddechrau cyrraedd ei thargedau a chyflawni’r hyn y mae wedi ymrwymo i’w wneud.

Having said that, that is not enough to let the Minister off the hook, because there are schools in deprived areas that achieve more than their peers and who buck the trend. The reason why they buck that trend has been identified in many reports over the years and certainly in reports of the Welsh Assembly Government as well as in other academic reports. The reason is the impact of leadership within those schools. A school that has an effective leader, delivering a focused agenda and taking forward the school’s improvement and effectiveness, can overcome even those sorts of trends and put itself on the map, so to speak. Again, the framework refers to this. It states that:

Wedi dweud hynny, nid yw hynny’n ddigon i achub croen y Gweinidog, oherwydd ceir ysgolion mewn ardaloedd difreintiedig sy’n cyflawni mwy na’u cymheiriaid ac sy’n mynd yn groes i’r duedd. Nodwyd y rheswm pam y maent yn mynd yn groes i’r duedd honno mewn llawer o adroddiadau dros y blynyddoedd ac yn sicr mewn adroddiadau gan Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru yn ogystal ag adroddiadau academaidd eraill. Y rheswm yw effaith yr arweinyddiaeth yn yr ysgolion hynny. Gall ysgol a chanddi arweinydd effeithiol, sy’n cyflawni agenda ac iddi ffocws ac sy’n sicrhau gwelliannau ac  effeithiolrwydd yn yr ysgol, oresgyn y tueddiadau hynny hyd yn oed a thorri ei chwys ei hun, fel petai. Unwaith eto, cyfeiria’r fframwaith at hyn. Noda:

'Leadership needs to be emotionally intelligent, purposeful, enabling, influencing, motivating and focused on building the skills, knowledge and personal attributes of all those involved within the structure’.

'Rhaid i arweinyddiaeth fod yn emosiynol ddeallus, yn bwrpasol, yn galluogi, yn dylanwadu, yn ysgogi ac yn canolbwyntio ar feithrin sgiliau, gwybodaeth a nodweddion personol pawb sy’n gysylltiedig o fewn y strwythur’.

I would hope that, in dealing with this particular framework, the Minister does not lose sight of the impact that individual headteachers can have on this agenda or of the need for training and support for those headteachers in taking forward their leadership skills as well as helping them to learn from good practice in other schools. All of us will have seen cases where a new headteacher has taken over and made a marked difference to the performance of a school and to the confidence of parents and the community in how the school is delivering on its agenda and on results for its children, and how it is adding value for its pupils. We should not ignore that.

Byddwn yn gobeithio, wrth ymdrin â’r fframwaith penodol hwn, na wnaiff y Gweinidog golli golwg ar yr effaith y gall penaethiaid unigol ei chael ar yr agenda hon nac ar yr angen am hyfforddiant a chymorth i’r penaethiaid hynny o ran datblygu eu sgiliau arweinyddiaeth yn ogystal â’u helpu i ddysgu yn sgîl arferion da mewn ysgolion eraill. Bydd pawb ohonom wedi gweld achosion lle y mae pennaeth newydd wedi cymryd yr awenau ac wedi gwneud gwahaniaeth sylweddol i berfformiad yr ysgol ac i hyder rhieni a’r gymuned o ran sut y mae’r ysgol yn cyflawni ei hagenda ac yn sicrhau canlyniadau ar gyfer ei phlant, a sut y mae’n ychwanegu gwerth i’w disgyblion. Ni ddylem anwybyddu hynny.

On taking forward this agenda, the Minister should not overlook the local factors that are part of this. I was a bit concerned, listening to the Minister’s speech and reading through her previous statements, that this agenda looks like a top-down initiative.

5.30 p.m.

The Assembly Government is putting in place a bureaucratic structure that may or may not prove to be effective, but which seems to be overlooking the roles that schools and local education authorities can play in delivering this agenda. We have to work in partnership with those bodies, allowing them to take the lead, where appropriate, and to put forward their own ideas as part of this initiative. In my view, the Assembly Government’s role should be one of support and assistance.

Mae Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn sefydlu strwythur biwrocrataidd a allai fod yn effeithiol neu efallai ddim, ond mae’n debyg ei fod yn anwybyddu’r rolau y gall ysgolion ac awdurdodau addysg lleol eu chwarae i gyflawni’r agenda hon. Rhaid inni weithio mewn partneriaeth â’r cyrff hynny, gan ganiatáu iddynt gymryd yr awenau, lle bo’n briodol, a chyflwyno eu syniadau eu hunain yn rhan o’r fenter hon. Yn fy marn i, dylai rôl Llywodraeth y Cynulliad fod yn rôl o gymorth a chefnogaeth.              

We should also not take this out of the context of the other issues that impact on school effectiveness and which are often referred to in Estyn reports. I am thinking, in particular, of the condition of school buildings around Wales. That is often identified by Estyn inspectors as having a direct impact on schools’ ability to deliver the curriculum and the improvements that are needed. I hope that the Minister will not put to one side the need to increase investment in the education system to improve school buildings in order to assist teachers and headteachers to deliver the curriculum.

Ni ddylem ychwaith ystyried hyn allan o gyd-destun y materion eraill sy’n effeithio ar effeithiolrwydd ysgolion ac y cyfeirir atynt yn aml yn adroddiadau Estyn. Yr wyf yn meddwl, yn benodol, am gyflwr adeiladau ysgol ledled Cymru. Mae arolygwyr Estyn yn nodi’n aml fod hynny’n effeithio’n uniongyrchol ar allu ysgolion i gyflawni’r cwricwlwm a’r gwelliannau y mae eu hangen. Gobeithiaf na fydd y Gweinidog yn rhoi o’r neilltu’r angen i gynyddu buddsoddiad yn y system addysg i wella adeiladau ysgol er mwyn cynorthwyo athrawon a phenaethiaid i gyflawni’r cwricwlwm.                                       

Joyce Watson: Minister, I welcome this comprehensive framework, which I believe will unlock the talent and ensure the wellbeing of our young people in Wales. I do not want to repeat what has been said, because I know that you will answer the questions in due course, but I look forward to learning where the pilot schools will be and to following their progress. I welcome the Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment to continuing to lift performance, to narrowing the gap between the best-performing and worst-performing schools, and to improving consistency in standards across Wales. I believe that this framework will build on our rising standards of school effectiveness. I ask the Minister for assurance that the needs of rural schools will be fully taken into account during the pilot phase.

Joyce Watson: Weinidog, croesawaf y fframwaith cynhwysfawr hwn, yr wyf yn credu y bydd yn datgloi talent ac yn sicrhau lles ein pobl ifanc yng Nghymru. Nid wyf eisiau ailadrodd yr hyn a ddywedwyd eisoes, oherwydd gwn y byddwch yn ateb y cwestiynau maes o law, ond edrychaf ymlaen at glywed ymhle bydd yr ysgolion peilot a dilyn eu cynnydd. Croesawaf ymrwymiad Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru i barhau i wella perfformiad, i gulhau’r bwlch rhwng yr ysgolion sy’n perfformio orau a’r ysgolion sy’n perfformio waethaf, ac i wella cysondeb mewn safonau ledled Cymru. Credaf y bydd y fframwaith hwn yn gwella ein safonau effeithiolrwydd ysgolion ymhellach. Gofynnaf i’r Gweinidog sicrhau y bydd anghenion ysgolion gwledig yn cael eu hystyried yn llawn yn ystod y cyfnod peilot.                             

Eleanor Burnham: I welcome this opportunity to speak briefly in this very important debate. Moving the agenda forward is so important and I commend the underlying principles according to which the school effectiveness debate is progressing, but, like others, I have some health warnings. Poverty, as we all know, is a barrier, along with health, diet and wellbeing. In the Western Mail earlier in the year, Professor David Reynolds mentioned the importance of good diet, fish oils and plenty of protein, water and exercise in helping young people to concentrate in school. Behavioural and emotional problems are further barriers to learning. Some people have chaotic lifestyles and need support. There is also the issue of Welsh-medium schools. Some people believe that not enough is being done to help Welsh-medium education, while others do not believe that enough is being done to teach English to people from other countries, such as migrant workers and asylum-seeker children and so on. So, those are a raft of concerns that I would like you to address, Minister.

Eleanor Burnham: Croesawaf y cyfle hwn i siarad yn gyflym yn y ddadl bwysig iawn hon. Mae symud yr agenda yn ei blaen mor bwysig ac yr wyf yn cymeradwyo’r egwyddorion sylfaenol y mae’r ddadl effeithiolrwydd ysgolion yn symud ymlaen yn unol â hwy, ond, fel eraill, mae gennyf rai rhybuddion iechyd. Mae tlodi, fel y gwyddom oll, yn rhwystr, ynghyd ag iechyd, diet a lles. Yn y Western Mail yn gynharach eleni, soniodd yr Athro David Reynolds am bwysigrwydd diet da, olewau pysgod a digonedd o brotein, dŵr ac ymarfer corff i helpu pobl ifanc ganolbwyntio yn yr ysgol. Mae problemau ymddygiadol ac emosiynol yn rhwystrau pellach rhag dysgu. Mae gan rai pobl ffyrdd anhrefnus o fyw ac mae angen cefnogaeth arnynt. Mae hefyd mater ysgolion cyfrwng Cymraeg. Cred rhai pobl nad oes digon yn cael ei wneud i helpu addysg drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, tra bo eraill yn credu nad oes digon yn cael ei wneud i addysgu Saesneg i bobl o wledydd eraill, fel gweithwyr mudol a phlant ceiswyr lloches ac yn y blaen. Mae’r rheini felly’n bentwr o bryderon yr hoffwn ichi roi sylw iddynt, Weinidog.                 

The wonderful diagram in your framework of the system thinking circle is brilliant; it is an esoteric work of art. It will be interesting to see whether we can put that into practice. Frankly, being on a par with Croatia and Azerbaijan in the programme for international student assessments last December should prompt us to think carefully and outside of the box. When India and China come on-stream we will possibly not be ahead of the game, so what are you doing about that?

Mae’r diagram bendigedig yn eich fframwaith o’r cylch meddwl system yn wych; mae’n waith celf cudd. Diddorol fydd gweld a allwn roi hwnnw ar waith. A bod yn onest, dylai’r ffaith ein bod ar yr un gwastad â Chroatia ac Azerbaijan yn y rhaglen ar gyfer asesiadau myfyrwyr rhyngwladol fis Rhagfyr diwethaf ein hysgogi i feddwl yn ofalus a meddwl yn agored. Pan ddaw India a Tsieina yn rhan o’r ffrwd ariannu efallai na fyddwn ar y blaen, felly beth ydych chi’n ei wneud ynghylch hynny?

Estyn’s report in February mentioned the gap between the worst and best performers. Clearly, not doing well enough is not good enough, and it is rather sad. Many of us have had the privilege of working in many excellent schools. On the other hand, we may have worked in schools that were not so good, but they were all faced by the barriers that I mentioned earlier.

Soniodd adroddiad Estyn ym mis Chwefror am y bwlch rhwng y perfformwyr gwaethaf a’r rhai gorau. Yn amlwg, nid yw’n ddigon da nid gwneud yn ddigon da, ac mae’n eithaf trist. Mae llawer ohonom wedi cael y fraint o weithio mewn llawer o ysgolion ardderchog. Ar y llaw arall, efallai ein bod wedi gweithio mewn ysgolion nad oedd cystal, ond yr oeddent oll yn wynebu’r rhwystrau y soniais amdanynt yn gynharach.

I am also concerned about continuity. We have all been lobbied by the FE sector, and rightly so, as there are huge problems there. I was talking to an interesting guy from Learn Direct just last week, and there are issues around basic skills, which is a provision for people who obviously have not had sufficient help in school. Frankly, the lack of funding for the foundation phase is an absolute disgrace. We all got very excited about it happening, but it is not up to scratch. The fact that you have apparently not negotiated profitably and positively with local authorities beggars belief. My understanding is that, the last time this was debated, my colleague Kirsty Williams mentioned the Welsh Local Government Association, saying that it would not co-operate with the requirements of this document because of the way in which the Minister was planning to implement it. That is one of the parameters for this tri-level working. If one level is not working, where on earth will we turn to?

Yr wyf hefyd yn ymboeni am barhad. Mae’r sector AB wedi lobïo pob un ohonom, a hynny’n ddigon teg, gan fod problemau enfawr yno. Yr oeddwn yn siarad â dyn diddorol o LearnDirect yr wythnos diwethaf, ac mae problemau ynghylch sgiliau sylfaenol, sef darpariaeth i bobl y mae’n amlwg nad ydynt wedi cael digon o gymorth yn yr ysgol. A dweud y gwir, mae’r diffyg cyllid i’r cyfnod sylfaen yn warth llwyr. Gwnaethom oll gyffroi’n llwyr amdano’n digwydd, ond nid yw’n ddigon da. Mae’n anodd credu ei bod yn ymddangos nad ydych wedi cyd-drafod yn broffidiol nac yn gadarnhaol ag awdurdodau lleol. Deallaf, y tro diwethaf y dadleuwyd ynghylch hyn, soniodd fy nghyd-Aelod Kirsty Williams am Gymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru, gan ddweud na fyddai’n cydweithredu â gofynion y ddogfen hon oherwydd y ffordd yr oedd y Gweinidog yn bwriadu ei gweithredu. Dyna yn o’r ffiniau ar gyfer y gwaith tair lefel hwn. Os nad yw un lefel yn gweithio, i ble yn y byd y trown?

Janet Ryder: Will you give way?

Janet Ryder: A wnewch chi ildio?

Eleanor Burnham: I do not have time to take an intervention—the Deputy Presiding Officer will be on my back. I think that you are a very optimistic person, as I am, and you are obviously trying hard to do something about this, but where is the money? That is always the issue. Where is the funding, and why is it not there? Having gone out of your way to say how wonderful the foundation phase was, but not funded it, I am now concerned every time you speak.

Eleanor Burnham: Nid oes amser gennyf gymryd ymyriad —bydd y Dirprwy Lywydd ar fy nghefn. Credaf eich bod yn rhywun optimistaidd iawn, fel myfi, ac yr ydych yn amlwg yn ceisio’n galed iawn gwneud rhywbeth am hyn, ond ble mae’r arian? Dyna’r mater bob tro. Ble mae’r cyllid, a pham nad yw yno? Ar ôl ichi fynd i drafferth i ddweud pa mor fendigedig oedd y cyfnod sylfaen, ond nid ei ariannu, yr wyf yn poeni yn awr bob tro y siaradwch.

Jeff Cuthbert: I am delighted to be able to speak in this crucial debate. The school effectiveness framework is vital in providing a strategic overview for education services in Wales. The framework sets out a clear, joined-up approach to aligning all the educational projects, programmes and schemes to produce an overarching service enabling every pupil to fulfil their potential.

Jeff Cuthbert: Yr wyf wrth fy modd o allu siarad yn y ddadl allweddol hon. Mae’r fframwaith effeithiolrwydd ysgolion yn hanfodol i ddarparu trosolwg strategol i wasanaethau addysg yng Nghymru. Mae’r fframwaith yn gosod allan ymagwedd glir, gydgysylltiedig at gydredeg yr holl brosiectau, rhaglenni a chynlluniau addysg i gynhyrchu gwasanaeth cyffredinol sy’n galluogi pob disgybl i gyflawni hyd eithaf ei allu.

When you look at the sum of all the parts of our educational programme in Wales, it is clear that it is broadly in line with the goals and targets set out in the Webb and Leitch reviews, and the Gothenburg and Lisbon agendas. The SEF, being a tri-level reform, will need the co-operation of all the constituent parts, but I am confident that we have in place—or about to be put in place—the schemes to truly meet the challenges of tomorrow, and to equip our youngsters with the skills that they need. From Flying Start to work-based learning, we have more and more initiatives to ensure that every pupil gets a fair chance to learn, and in a way that suits them. There are also more safety nets in place to help those who experience difficulties from time to time. Flying Start will give children in disadvantaged areas a better start in life. The foundation phase will, through play, encourage children aged three to seven, with an educational process never seen before.

Pan edrychwch ar swm holl rannau ein rhaglen addysgol yng Nghymru, mae’n amlwg ei bod yn gyffredinol unol â’r nodau a’r targedau a osodwyd yn adolygiadau Webb a Leitch, ac agendâu Gothenburg a Lisbon. Ac ystyried mai diwygiad tair lefel ydyw, bydd angen ar y Fframwaith Effeithiolrwydd Ysgolion gydweithrediad yr holl gydrannau, ond yr wyf yn ffyddiog bod y cynlluniau ar waith gennym—neu ar fin cael eu rhoi ar waith—i ateb heriau yfory’n llwyr, ac i roi’r sgiliau sydd eu hangen arnynt i’n hieuenctid. O Gychwyn Cadarn i ddysgu yn y gwaith, mae gennym fwy a mwy o fentrau i sicrhau y caiff pob disgybl gyfle teg i ddysgu, ac mewn ffordd sy’n addas iddo. Mae hefyd mwy o rwydi diogelwch yn eu lle i helpu’r rheini sy’n cael anawsterau o bryd i’w gilydd. Bydd Cychwyn Cadarn yn rhoi gwell cychwyn ar fywyd i blant mewn ardaloedd o dan anfantais. Bydd y cyfnod sylfaen, drwy chwarae, yn annog plant tair i saith oed, gyda phroses addysgol na’i gwelwyd erioed o’r blaen.

I accept that there are issues that we need to resolve, certainly in terms of funding. Nevertheless, the programmes are in place and the will is there. Hopefully, we will identify those who might fall into the NEET category—not in education, employment or training—and remove the barriers to learning. The raising attainment and individual standards in education in Wales programme—RAISE—also seeks to break the inherent link between disadvantaged pupils and educational under-achievement. Since its inception, the scheme has helped pupils in more than 648 schools, including the majority of secondary schools in my constituency. I am pleased to see that the lessons of the RAISE programme will feature prominently in the school effectiveness framework, thus demonstrating to all that poverty has serious implications for education, both in terms of resources for schools, and the situation of the families involved.

Derbyniaf fod problemau y mae angen inni eu datrys, yn sicr o ran cyllid. Serch hynny, mae’r rhaglenni ar waith ac mae’r ewyllys yno. Gobeithio y byddwn yn nodi’r rheini a allai fod yn perthyn i gategori NEET—pobl nad ydynt mewn addysg, cyflogaeth na hyfforddiant—a chwalu’r rhwystrau rhag dysgu. Mae rhaglen codi cyrhaeddiad a safonau addysgol unigolion yng Nghymru—RHAGORI—hefyd yn ceisio torri’r cyswllt cynhenid rhwng disgyblion o dan anfantais a thangyflawniad addysgol. Ers dechrau’r cynllun, mae wedi helpu disgyblion mewn mwy na 648 o ysgolion, gan gynnwys mwyafrif yr ysgolion uwchradd yn fy etholaeth i. Yr wyf yn falch o weld y bydd gwersi rhaglen RHAGORI yn rhan flaenllaw o’r fframwaith effeithiolrwydd ysgolion, gan ddangos felly i bawb fod tlodi’n golygu pethau difrifol i addysg, o ran adnoddau i ysgolion a sefyllfa’r teuluoedd dan sylw.

The Welsh Assembly Government commitment to school upgrading is part of a major capital investment programme that will exceed the sums provided over the last four years. From 2004 to 2007, the Labour-led Government invested £667 million in over 1,400 school building projects. If we make schools fit for purpose, then we remove one more barrier to learning that has often gone unnoticed.

Mae ymrwymiad Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru i uwchraddio ysgolion yn rhan o raglen buddsoddi cyfalaf fawr a fydd yn rhagori ar y symiau a ddarparwyd yn ystod y pedair blynedd diwethaf. O 2004 i 2007, buddsoddodd y Llywodraeth dan arweinyddiaeth Llafur £667 miliwn mewn dros 1,400 o brosiectau adeiladau ysgol. Os gwnawn ysgolion yn addas at ddiben, yr ydym yn chwalu un rhwystr arall rhag dysgu a anwybyddwyd yn aml.                

5.40 p.m.

I have already touched upon the level of co-operation needed in order for the school effectiveness framework to be effective, but to only touch upon it would be do it an injustice. It will take the collective political will of local education authorities, professional advisers from the Association of Directors of Education in Wales, the Welsh Local Government Association and the Welsh Assembly Government to put Wales on a clear and determined road to be truly competitive in the future global market.

Soniais eisoes am lefel y cydweithrediad y mae ei angen er mwyn i’r fframwaith effeithiolrwydd ysgolion fod yn effeithiol, ond ni fyddai sôn amdano’n unig yn gwneud cyfiawnder iddo. Bydd yn cymryd ewyllys wleidyddol gyfunol awdurdodau addysg lleol, cynghorwyr proffesiynol o Gymdeithas Cyfarwyddwyr Addysg Cymru, Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru a Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru i roi Cymru ar lwybr clir a phenderfynol i fod yn gwbl gystadleuol ym marchnad fyd-eang y dyfodol.  

Janet Ryder: I would hope that no-one would object to a programme that will put outcomes for learners first and foremost. There have been far too many examples, even within schools, of varying outcomes for learners. Much depends upon the type of teacher that the pupils have and individual circumstances. It has been a puzzle for some time why there is such variation in outcomes within schools and authorities, and I hope that this programme will go some way towards resolving that.

Janet Ryder: Gobeithiwn na fyddai neb yn gwrthwynebu rhaglen a fydd yn rhoi canlyniadau i ddysgu uwchlaw pob dim. Bu llawer gormod o enghreifftiau, hyd yn oed mewn ysgolion, o ganlyniadau amrywiol i ddysgwyr. Mae llawer yn dibynnu ar y math o athro a gaiff y disgyblion ac amgylchiadau unigolion. Bu’n annealladwy ers cryn dipyn pam y mae canlyniadau mewn ysgolion ac awdurdodau’n amrywio cymaint, a gobeithiaf y bydd y rhaglen hon yn gwneud rhywfaint i ddatrys hynny.                

The programme must be based on the sharing of information, with good practice identified and shared. I do not agree with Andrew R.T. Davies that we should treat schools as independent little islands. They need to work with each other and share, within and between authorities, what works well with children. I hope that this programme will go a long way towards identifying the good working practices that exist and which need to be shared.

Rhaid i’r rhaglen fod yn seiliedig ar rannu gwybodaeth, gan nodi a rhannu arfer da. Nid wyf yn cytuno ag Andrew R.T. Davies y dylem drin ysgolion fel ynysoedd bach annibynnol. Mae angen iddynt weithio gyda’i gilydd a rhannu, mewn awdurdodau a rhyngddynt, yr hyn sy’n gweithio’n dda gyda phlant. Gobeithiaf y bydd y rhaglen hon yn gwneud llawer iawn i nodi’r arferion gwaith da sy’n bodoli ac y mae angen eu rhannu.  

This is an agreement across the three layers of delivery: schools, local education authorities and Government. I will highlight a few areas where a lack of co-ordination has prevented good practice from being put forward. We heard from a previous speaker about the foundation phase. That is a good example of where local education authorities in some instances did not co-operate with the Assembly in the development of the programme. They did not supply the statistics, which had a directly detrimental effect on their schools. If this programme is a proper tripartite agreement between the three layers, then I hope that all three will work together on the agreed outcomes and objectives in future.

Dyma gytundeb rhwng y tair haen cyflawni: ysgolion, awdurdodau addysg lleol a Llywodraeth. Byddaf yn amlygu ambell faes lle mae diffyg cydweithredu wedi atal pobl rhag rhannu arfer da. Clywsom gan siaradwr blaenorol am y cyfnod sylfaen. Dyna enghraifft dda o fethiant awdurdodau addysg lleol mewn rhai achosion i gydweithredu â’r Cynulliad i ddatblygu’r rhaglen. Ni wnaethant gyflenwi’r ystadegau, a gafodd effaith niweidiol uniongyrchol ar eu hysgolion. Os yw’r rhaglen hon yn gytundeb tridarn go iawn rhwng y tair haen, gobeithiaf y bydd bob un o’r tri’n gweithio gyda’i gilydd ar y canlyniadau a’r amcanion y cytunwyd arnynt yn y dyfodol.  

The other aspect is to look at where initiatives—whether from local education authorities or the Government—can have an unintended impact. Jeff Cuthbert mentioned RAISE, and there is certainly a correlation between deprivation and educational outcomes. The purpose of RAISE was to improve the educational outcomes of people living in areas identified as areas of need. However, in some areas, the distribution mechanism for the RAISE grant had the effect of making some counties have to withdraw money from schools that they had already identified as being in need of support to raise standards because those schools did not fall into the categories for the distribution of the RAISE grant. The funding had to be withdrawn, and it was difficult to continue the support in those schools and so that had an impact different to that which the Minister at the time had intended. I hope that for this programme we will look carefully at the policies that we produce, and at how we distribute the money to support those policies to ensure that it achieves the intended outcome, which is to raise educational outcomes for everyone. It is stated clearly that the hope is to raise educational outcomes for everyone.

Yr agwedd arall yw edrych ar y mannau y gall mentrau—boed yn fentrau awdurdodau addysg lleol neu’r Llywodraeth—gael effaith anfwriadol. Soniodd Jeff Cuthbert am RHAGORI, ac mae cydberthynas bendant rhwng amddifadedd a chanlyniadau addysgol. Diben RHAGORI oedd gwella canlyniadau addysgol pobl sy’n byw mewn ardaloedd y nodwyd eu bod yn ardaloedd mewn angen. Fodd bynnag, mewn rhai ardaloedd, effaith mecanwaith dosbarthu grant RHAGORI oedd gorfodi rhai siroedd i dynnu arian oddi ar ysgolion yr oeddent eisoes wedi nodi bod angen cymorth arnynt i godi safonau gan nad oedd yr ysgolion hynny’n perthyn i’r categorïau ar gyfer dosbarthu grant RHAGORI. Rhaid oedd tynnu’r cyllid yn ôl, ac yr oedd yn anodd parhau’r cymorth yn yr ysgolion hynny ac felly cafodd hynny effaith wahanol i’r effaith yr oedd y Gweinidog ar y pryd wedi bwriadu ei chael. Ar gyfer y rhaglen hon, gobeithiaf y byddwn yn edrych yn ofalus ar y polisïau a luniwn, a sut y dosbarthwn yr arian i gefnogi’r polisïau hynny i sicrhau ei fod yn cyflawni’r canlyniad a fwriadwyd, sef codi canlyniadau addysgol i bawb. Nodir yn glir mai’r gobaith yw codi canlyniadau addysgol i bawb.  

I am looking forward to the pilot schemes, but I am concerned that we should not duplicate work—I would not wish to see this duplicate bureaucracy and work for staff in schools—and that this should not be just another paper exercise. We must get the three layers working together to produce the right outcomes in our schools and get schools within authorities and across authority borders to work together to ensure that existing best practice is shared so that all of our pupils can improve.  

Jane Hutt: This goes back to the very point that Janet made about our having a duty to ensure that that collaboration between schools, local education authorities and the Welsh Assembly Government delivers the outcomes that we aspire to, of putting our schools at the forefront.

Jane Hutt: Mae hyn yn mynd â ni’n ôl at yr union bwynt a wnaeth Janet fod gennym ddyletswydd i sicrhau bod y cydweithredu hwnnw rhwng ysgolion, awdurdodau addysg lleol a Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru yn rhoi inni’r canlyniadau yr ydym am eu gweld, a bod ein hysgolion yn cael eu rhoi’n flaenaf.

Andrew, I accept that you are new to the job and are still catching up, but you obviously have not done your homework. Go back and look at my statement in February, Andrew. In fact, I must refer back to that statement, because I was delighted that William Graham, who is not in the Chamber at the moment, said at the time that he hoped that the school effectiveness framework would be a way of breaking down barriers, which is precisely what Janet and others have said today. It is a way of breaking down barriers, and I welcomed that at the time. Therefore, I do hope, Andrew, that you can take on board these ambitions, which have a strong measure of cross-party support. The teachers, the headteachers, the unions and professional associations are excited and motivated by the school effectiveness framework.

Andrew, yr wyf yn derbyn eich bod yn newydd i’r swydd a’ch bod yn dal i gael eich traed oddi tanoch, ond yn amlwg nid ydych wedi gwneud eich gwaith cartref. Ewch yn ôl at fy natganiad ym mis Chwefror, Andrew. Yn wir, rhaid imi gyfeirio’n ôl at y datganiad hwnnw, oherwydd yr oeddwn wrth fy modd fod William Graham, nad yw yn y Siambr ar y funud, wedi dweud ar y pryd ei fod yn gobeithio y byddai’r fframwaith effeithiolrwydd ysgolion yn ffordd o ddymchwel rhwystrau, a chroesawais hynny ar y pryd. Felly, yr wyf yn gobeithio, Andrew, y gallwch groesawu’r dyheadau hyn, y mae iddynt lawer iawn o gefnogaeth drawsbleidiol. Mae’r athrawon, y penaethiaid, yr undebau a’r cymdeithasau proffesiynol wedi’u cyffroi a’u symbylu gan y fframwaith effeithiolrwydd ysgolion.

Andrew R.T. Davies: I asked you several specific questions, Minister. From my dialogue with headteachers, I know that they are clearly in the dark about many aspects of this. Instead of trying to knock the opposition, why do you not answer the questions that have been put to you? You seem to avoid answering whenever questions are put to you.

Andrew R.T. Davies: Gofynnais sawl cwestiwn penodol ichi, Weinidog. O’m deialog i gyda phenaethiaid, gwn eu bod yn amlwg yn y tywyllwch ynglŷn â llawer o agweddau o hyn. Yn lle ceisio taro’r wrthblaid, pam nad ydych yn ateb y cwestiynau sydd wedi cael eu gofyn ichi? Mae fel petaech yn osgoi ateb pryd bynnag y gofynnir cwestiynau ichi.

Jane Hutt: You would certainly have enjoyed—if not benefited from, given your new learning role—the regional conferences, attended by 900 headteachers and school practitioners, all of whom enthusiastically embraced the school effectiveness framework.

Jane Hutt: Byddech yn sicr wedi mwynhau—ac efallai wedi elwa, o ystyried eich rôl ddysgu newydd—y cynadleddau rhanbarthol, y daeth 900 o benaethiaid ac ymarferwyr ysgolion iddynt, a phawb ohonynt yn croesawu’r fframwaith effeithiolrwydd ysgolion yn frwd.

I will answer one of the points that you made. I explained the issue of the funding in February, with the announcement of £0.35 million for 2007-08, £1.3 million for 2008-09, £3.2 million for 2009-10, and £0.6 million for 2010-11. Therefore, the funding is in place for the school effectiveness framework. As I said in my opening remarks, we did consult, not only with the unions, but also with the school workload advisory panel. It is critical that we work—as we did over 15 months—with headteachers, local authority education directors, teaching unions, and national bodies. It is a shared endeavour, Andrew, and I think that you will soon begin to realise that, as you recognise the impact that it will have through the pilot schemes.

Atebaf un o’r pwyntiau a wnaethoch. Eglurais y mater ynglŷn â chyllid ym mis Chwefror, drwy gyhoeddi £0.35 miliwn ar gyfer 2007-08, £1.3 miliwn ar gyfer 2008-09, £3.2 miliwn ar gyfer 2009-10, a £0.6 miliwn ar gyfer 2010-11. Felly, mae’r cyllid wedi cael ei sefydlu ar gyfer y fframwaith effeithiolrwydd ysgolion. Fel y dywedais yn fy sylwadau agoriadol, gwnaethom ymgynghori, nid dim ond â’r undebau, ond hefyd â’r panel cynghori ar lwyth gwaith ysgolion. Mae’n dyngedfennol ein bod yn gweithio—fel y gwnaethom dros 15 mis—gyda phenaethiaid, cyfarwyddwyr addysg awdurdodau lleol, undebau athrawon, a chyrff cenedlaethol. Mae’n ymdrech ar y cyd, Andrew, a chredaf y byddwch yn dechrau sylweddoli hynny cyn bo hir, wrth ichi weld yr effaith a gaiff drwy’r cynlluniau peilot.

Peter, I am glad that you acknowledged the links that I made clearly between the schools effectiveness framework and its important contribution to narrowing the gap and raising the bar. We know of the link between low attainment and disadvantage and that is what we have to overcome. That is where the school effectiveness framework will be so valuable. It offers a real chance to empower teachers to ensure that we roll out good practice and share the successful outcomes across schools.

Peter, yr wyf yn falch ichi gydnabod y cysylltiadau a wneuthum yn glir rhwng y fframwaith effeithiolrwydd ysgolion a’i gyfraniad pwysig tuag at gau’r bwlch a chodi’r bar. Gwyddom am y cyswllt rhwng cyrhaeddiad isel ac anfantais a dyna y mae rhaid inni ei oresgyn. Dyna ble bydd y fframwaith effeithiolrwydd ysgolion mor werthfawr. Mae’n cynnig cyfle gwirioneddol i rymuso athrawon i sicrhau ein bod yn cyflwyno arferion da ac yn rhannu canlyniadau llwyddiannus ar draws ysgolion.

Peter Black rose—

Peter Black a gododd—

Jane Hutt: Joyce, the pilot schools will be announced next week. Those schools are now working with their local authorities to take on board these responsibilities, and associates are being matched with schools. I will be announcing that next week. I have to stress that those schools were volunteering, which is the important point. There is a real enthusiasm for this transformational change.

Jane Hutt: Joyce, caiff yr ysgolion peilot eu cyhoeddi yr wythnos nesaf. Mae’r ysgolion hynny’n gweithio’n awr gyda’u hawdurdodau lleol i ysgwyddo’r cyfrifoldebau hyn, ac mae swyddogion cyswllt yn cael eu paru ag ysgolion. Byddaf yn cyhoeddi hynny yr wythnos nesaf. Rhaid imi bwysleisio mai gwirfoddoli oedd yr ysgolion hynny, a dyna’r pwynt pwysig. Mae brwdfrydedd gwirioneddol o blaid y gweddnewidiad hwn.

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Order. Will you take an intervention?

Y Dirprwy Lywydd: Trefn. A gymerwch chi ymyriad?

Jane Hutt: Of course, but where is it coming from?

Jane Hutt: Wrth gwrs, ond o ble y mae’n dod?

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Behind you.

Y Dirprwy Lywydd: Y tu ôl ichi.

Peter Black: As you know, there was a report a few years ago called 'Narrowing the Gap in the Performance of Schools’, which dealt with leadership and school improvement. Can you say how that report relates to your current framework?

Peter Black: Fel y gwyddoch, yr oedd adroddiad ychydig flynyddoedd yn ôl o’r enw 'Cau’r Bwlch ym Mherfformiad Ysgolion’, a oedd yn delio ag arweinyddiaeth a gwella ysgolion. A allwch ddweud beth yw’r berthynas rhwng yr adroddiad hwnnw â’ch fframwaith cyfredol?

Jane Hutt: It fed into this. This framework is based on international evidence and res