North Wales Regional Committee

Report to the National Assembly for Wales 2006-2007

Introduction

1. The North Wales Regional Committee is one of the Assembly's five regional committees constituted under s61 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 and Standing Order 10. The committee covers Alyn and Deeside, Caernarfon, Clwyd, Conwy, Delyn, Wrexham and Ynys Mon.

2. Standing Order 10.2 provides that

"Regional committees shall advise the Assembly on matters affecting their regions, the effect of Assembly policies in those regions and the work of public bodies there." The Committee is required to meet at least twice a year in the region.

3. There are 13 members:

4. Brynle Williams AM was elected as Chair from May 2006.

Meetings

5. The Committee met six times between May 2006 and March 2007. Details are attached at Annex 1.

Method of working

6. The role of the regional committees, as defined by Standing Order 10.2, is to advise the National Assembly on matters affecting their regions, the effect of Assembly policies in those regions and the work of public bodies there.

7. Generally, the Committee has focused on arranging meetings on a specific theme with a strong emphasis on public participation throughout the meeting. Following each meeting the Committee produced a report summarising the views expressed by the people of North Wales, which was submitted to the appropriate Assembly Minister for comment.

Meeting Venues

8. The Committee has remained committed to an inclusive approach to its work. The Committee held meetings in Llandudno, Northop, Amlwch, Connah’s Quay, Llangollen and Caernarfon.

The Issues

9. The Committee has dealt with a range of issues across the spectrum of the Assembly’s responsibilities.

Fire Service Provision in North Wales

10. The Committee discussed Fire Service Provision in North Wales at its meeting on 19th May. The meeting gave local private and public organisations, students and members of the public the opportunity to put their views to the Committee, which were also passed on to the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services Sue Essex AM.

Crime Prevention and Anti-Social Behaviour

11. In July, the Committee discussed Crime Prevention and Anti-Social Behaviour. The Committee heard from North Wales Police and local voluntary organisations. The views received were fed back to the Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration Edwina Hart AM.

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

12. The Committee discussed aspects of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at its October meeting. Presentations were given by Gwynedd County Council and local energy providers. The views received were passed on to the Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks Andrew Davies AM and Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside Carwyn Jones AM.

Youth Homelessness

13. The committee discussed Youth Homelessness during its November meeting. The Committee heard presentations from Denbighshire County Council and other North Wales organisations dealing with the issue. The views of the members, presenters and general public were passed on to the Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration Edwina Hart AM and the Chair of the Social Justice and Regeneration Committee Janice Gregory AM.

Tourism

13. At its meeting in February, the Committee discussed Tourism. The meeting was attended by the representatives with companies and organisations dealing with Tourism in North Wales. Opinions expressed in the meeting were forwarded to the Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks Andrew Davies AM.

Mental Health

14. At its meeting in March, the Committee looked at Mental Health. A wide range of views were received, both from presenters and the public, all of which were fed back to the Minister for Minister for Health & Social Services Dr Brian Gibbons AM.

Conclusion

15. The North Wales regional committee provided an opportunity for Assembly members to engage formally in dialogue with and to convey the views of the people of the region, which was done successfully during the reporting period.

Brynle Williams AM

Committee Chair

 ANNEX 1

NORTH WALES REGIONAL COMMITTEE

SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS

May 2005 to March 2006