Y Cyfarfod Llawn - Y Bumed Senedd
Plenary - Fifth Senedd
22/11/2017Cynnwys
Contents
Cyfarfu’r Cynulliad am 13:30 gyda’r Llywydd (Elin Jones) yn y Gadair.
The Assembly met at 13:30 with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.
Galw'r Aelodau i drefn.
I call Members to order.
Yr eitem gyntaf ar ein hagenda ni'r prynhawn yma yw'r cwestiynau i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros yr Economi a Thrafnidiaeth. A'r cwestiwn cyntaf, Hefin David.
The first item on our agenda this afternoon is questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport. And the first question, Hefin David.
1. A wnaiff Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am gynlluniau Llywodraeth Cymru i wella mynediad i safleoedd treftadaeth a gynhelir gan Cadw ar gyfer pobl yn eu hardaloedd lleol? OAQ51325
1. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on Welsh Government plans to improve access to Cadw-maintained heritage sites for local people in their respective areas? OAQ51325
Thank you very much for that question. The Welsh Government, through Cadw, strives for an accessible, well-protected historic environment for Wales. In addition to the newly improved local residents pass, it will introduce new schemes to further promote access to its monuments, to avoid admission prices being a barrier for Welsh residents and under-represented audiences.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am eich cwestiwn. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru, drwy Cadw, yn ymdrechu i sicrhau bod amgylchedd hanesyddol Cymru yn hygyrch ac yn cael ei ddiogelu’n dda. Yn ogystal â’r pàs newydd gwell ar gyfer trigolion lleol, byddant yn cyflwyno cynlluniau newydd i hyrwyddo mynediad i'w henebion ymhellach, er mwyn atal prisiau mynediad rhag bod yn rhwystr i drigolion Cymru a chynulleidfaoedd heb gynrychiolaeth ddigonol.
Thank you for that. I'd like to welcome the Minister to his post—a Minister for spreading joy around the nation. [Laughter.] And who better?
Earlier this year, I wrote to the Cabinet Secretary, when he was responsible, regarding a Cadw local residents scheme, which you just mentioned. That was because residents in Caerphilly were unable to access Cadw sites on geographical boundary reasons, which were related to the old Caerphilly urban district council boundaries. The Cabinet Secretary wrote to me on 28 July, when he said that there'd be a limited membership scheme, which would negate the need for these antiquated boundaries. And I was hoping now for an update on the implementation of the scheme, which I assume is the scheme to which you just referred. Would it now be available to residents in my constituency to access?
Diolch yn fawr. A hoffwn groesawu'r Gweinidog i'w swydd—Gweinidog dros ledaenu llawenydd o gwmpas y genedl. [Chwerthin.] A phwy well?
Yn gynharach eleni, ysgrifennais at Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, pan oedd yn gyfrifol, ynglŷn â chynllun Cadw ar gyfer trigolion lleol, a grybwyllwyd gennych yn awr. Roedd hynny oherwydd nad oedd trigolion Caerffili yn gallu cael mynediad i safleoedd Cadw am resymau'n ymwneud â ffiniau daearyddol, yn gysylltiedig â ffiniau hen cyngor dosbarth trefol Caerffili. Ysgrifennodd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ataf ar 28 Gorffennaf, gan ddweud y byddai cynllun aelodaeth gyfyngedig yn cael ei gyflwyno, a fyddai'n negyddu'r angen am y ffiniau hynafol hyn. Ac roeddwn yn gobeithio, bellach, am newyddion ar weithrediad y cynllun, sef y cynllun y cyfeirioch ato yn awr, rwy’n cymryd. A fyddai ar gael bellach i drigolion yn fy etholaeth?
I can confirm that I have been made fully aware of the current Cadw local residents pass scheme, and particularly of the issues in Caerphilly in relation to local boundary issues, as you describe, where some residents who are living near the monument weren't able to apply for a pass. I am pleased to say that this review, to which my colleague the Cabinet Secretary referred, of a local residents pass across Wales, was undertaken over the summer and, as a result, a new and more inclusive membership offer will replace the previous pass, giving access to one named site on a regular basis. Therefore, the boundary issues you have mentioned are now being rectified, and new arrangements will replace the previous pass from the end of this month. Clearly, if there are any further difficulties, I'm sure you, along with my own family in Caernarfon who live within the town wall, will be very interested in what the Minister will have to say.
Gallaf gadarnhau fy mod wedi cael yr holl wybodaeth ynglŷn â chynllun presennol Cadw ar gyfer pasys trigolion lleol, ac yn benodol ynglŷn â’r problemau yng Nghaerffili mewn perthynas â'r ffiniau lleol, fel y disgrifiwch, lle nad oedd rhai trigolion sy'n byw ger yr heneb yn gallu gwneud cais am bàs. Rwy’n falch o ddweud bod yr adolygiad hwn y cyfeiriodd fy nghyd-Aelod, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, ato sef pàs ar gyfer trigolion lleol ledled Cymru wedi cael ei gyflawni dros yr haf, ac o ganlyniad i hynny, bydd cynnig aelodaeth newydd a mwy cynhwysol yn disodli'r pàs blaenorol, gan roi mynediad rheolaidd i un safle penodedig. Felly, mae'r materion ffiniau a grybwyllwyd gennych bellach yn cael eu cywiro, a bydd trefniadau newydd yn disodli'r pàs blaenorol, o ddiwedd y mis hwn ymlaen. Yn amlwg, os oes unrhyw anawsterau pellach, rwy'n siŵr y bydd gennych chi, ynghyd â fy nheulu fy hun yng Nghaernarfon sy'n byw o fewn waliau’r dref, gryn ddiddordeb yn yr hyn fydd gan y Gweinidog i’w ddweud.
I must also welcome the new Minister to his new role. I was going to refer to you as the Minister for fun, but perhaps Minister for joy, as Hefin David has described you, is more appropriate. I look forward to working with you in the future, Minister.
As you may or may not know, my home village of Raglan in Monmouthshire is of course best known for its stunning castle, maintained by Cadw. And residents of the village are allowed completely free access to the castle by means of a residents pass, and have been since 1938, when ownership first passed from, I think it was the tenth Duke of Beaufort, to the Commissioner of Works, as was the case at that time.
The scheme has worked very well for those people who know it exists, but a lot of newcomers to the village weren't aware of that. So, in addition to some of the changes that you're planning as part of the review of the new improved residents pass, can you also make sure that people living adjacent to sites such as Raglan castle, and other Cadw sites across Wales, know full well their rights when it comes to supporting and entering those sites?
Mae’n rhaid i minnau groesawu'r Gweinidog newydd i'w rôl newydd. Roeddwn am gyfeirio atoch fel y Gweinidog hwyl, ond efallai fod y Gweinidog dros lawenydd, fel y cawsoch eich disgrifio gan Hefin David, yn fwy addas. Edrychaf ymlaen at weithio gyda chi yn y dyfodol, Weinidog.
Fel y gwyddoch, o bosibl, mae fy mhentref genedigol, sef Rhaglan yn Sir Fynwy, yn adnabyddus, wrth gwrs, am ei gastell trawiadol, a gynhelir gan Cadw. Ac mae trigolion y pentref yn cael ymweld â’r castell yn rhad ac am ddim gyda phàs trigolion, ac wedi cael gwneud hynny ers 1938, pan drosglwyddwyd perchnogaeth am y tro cyntaf, gan y degfed Dug Beaufort, rwy’n credu, i’r Comisiynydd Gweithfeydd, fel oedd hi bryd hynny.
Mae'r cynllun wedi gweithio'n dda iawn i'r y bobl sy'n gwybod ei fod yn bodoli, ond nid oedd llawer o newydd-ddyfodiaid i'r pentref yn ymwybodol ohono. Felly, yn ogystal â rhai o'r newidiadau rydych yn eu cynllunio fel rhan o'r adolygiad o'r pàs newydd gwell i drigolion, a allwch sicrhau hefyd fod pobl sy'n byw gerllaw safleoedd megis castell Rhaglan, a safleoedd Cadw eraill ledled Cymru, yn gwbl ymwybodol o’u hawliau o ran cefnogi ac ymweld â’r safleoedd hynny?
Well, I'm very keen that everyone who is able to benefit from the revised scheme will be able to do so. And, certainly, this relates closely to the statement I made yesterday, whereby the emphasis was on Cadw remaining in Government, but becoming an even more commercial organisation than it is already. And, as I implied yesterday, Cadw has produced substantial revenue. I'm certain that, having heard this exchange today, they will want to pursue their direct marketing for the beneficiaries of the new scheme as soon as the scheme is announced. And, certainly, if it would help the Member for Monmouth, I would be very pleased to visit his castle of Raglan to see the fine building, which I have passed on a number of occasions but haven't recently visited, and would be very happy to meet with some of the residents that might be beneficiaries of this pass, to make sure that they ensure that their rights are satisfied.
Wel, rwy'n awyddus iawn i sicrhau bod pawb sy'n gallu elwa o’r cynllun diwygiedig yn gallu gwneud hynny. Ac yn sicr, mae cysylltiad cryf rhwng hyn a'r datganiad a wneuthum ddoe, lle roedd y pwyslais ar Cadw yn parhau i fod yn rhan o’r Llywodraeth, ond gan ddod yn sefydliad hyd yn oed yn fwy masnachol nag ydyw eisoes. Ac fel yr awgrymais ddoe, mae Cadw wedi cynhyrchu refeniw sylweddol. Rwy'n sicr, ar ôl clywed y ddadl hon heddiw, y byddant yn awyddus i fynd ar drywydd eu marchnata uniongyrchol ar gyfer buddiolwyr y cynllun newydd cyn gynted ag y cyhoeddir y cynllun. Ac yn sicr, pe bai hynny o gymorth i’r Aelod dros Fynwy, buaswn yn fwy na pharod i ymweld â'i gastell yn Rhaglan i weld yr adeilad ardderchog a basiais sawl tro er nad wyf wedi ymweld ag ef yn ddiweddar, a buaswn yn fwy na pharod i gyfarfod â rhai o’r trigolion a allai fod yn bobl sy’n elwa o’r pàs hwn, er mwyn gwneud yn siŵr eu bod yn sicrhau bod eu hawliau’n cael eu bodloni.
2. Pa gamau sy'n cael eu cymryd i wella'r economi yn hen ardaloedd diwydiannol Cymru? OAQ51332
2. What steps are being taken to improve the economy in the former industrial areas of Wales? OAQ51332
We are taking a wide range of steps to support business, to equip people with the right skills they need for employment and to invest in quality infrastructure.
Rydym yn cymryd amrywiaeth eang o gamau i gefnogi busnes, i sicrhau bod gan bobl y sgiliau cywir sydd eu hangen arnynt ar gyfer cyflogaeth ac i fuddsoddi mewn seilwaith o safon.
Further detail has emerged this week on your Government's attempts to transform the former industrial areas of the south of Wales, and I think most people would agree that the neglect of the former industrial areas right across this country has been a blight on both Governments in Westminster and various Labour Governments here. While I know the specific Valleys taskforce project is not under your direct jurisdiction, the economic fortunes of the whole of Wales should be a primary concern of yours. Many people in my constituency have been left wondering yet again if this Welsh Government has a defective map, without the Rhondda on it. I know that we're not the only area to be have been failed and neglected, so can you provide clarity as to what plans you have, in your capacity as Cabinet Secretary for the economy, to deliver long-lasting economic changes to the places that need it most, beyond bigger park and rides and faster trains to Cardiff?
Daeth manylion pellach i'r amlwg yr wythnos hon ynglŷn ag ymdrechion eich Llywodraeth i drawsnewid hen ardaloedd diwydiannol de Cymru, a chredaf y byddai'r rhan fwyaf o bobl yn cytuno bod esgeuluso'r hen ardaloedd diwydiannol ledled y wlad hon wedi deifio Llywodraethau yn San Steffan a gwahanol Lywodraethau Llafur yma. Er y gwn nad yw prosiect tasglu'r Cymoedd yn benodol o dan eich awdurdodaeth uniongyrchol, dylai ffyniant economaidd Cymru gyfan fod yn fater hollbwysig i chi. Mae llawer o bobl yn fy etholaeth yn tybio eto fyth a oes gan Lywodraeth Cymru fap diffygiol nad yw’n cynnwys y Rhondda. Gwn nad ni yw’r unig ardal sydd wedi cael cam ac wedi'i hesgeuluso, felly a allwch egluro inni pa gynlluniau sydd gennych, fel Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros yr economi, i gyflwyno newidiadau economaidd parhaol i'r llefydd sydd eu hangen fwyaf, y tu hwnt i gynlluniau parcio a theithio mwy o faint a threnau cyflymach i Gaerdydd?
Presiding Officer, I could make a cheap party political comment in response to the Member's question, given that a Plaid Cymru member did hold the economy and transport portfolio for many years, but I'm not going to do that. Instead, I'm going to say that there is an absolute determination to invest right across the length and breadth of Wales. And the Member is right to point to the aspirations and the targets contained within the Valleys taskforce work, which will aim to create jobs for 7,000 people who are currently deprived of the opportunity to secure quality, well-paid work. But the Member's not right to suggest that her part of Wales has been deprived of opportunity and investment. In recent times, more than 1,000 jobs have been created as a consequence of Welsh Government support in the former industrial areas of the Valleys. I can list a number of companies that we have been able to support directly. For the Rhondda valley, I can include SPC, for example. Wider, where there would be opportunity for people from the Rhondda to get employment, there were jobs created at Code Serve Ltd, at Monitize, at Tenneco-Walker. Jobs are being created at TVR, General Dynamics UK.
Of course, there is more to do, and that's why we are implementing the action plan that stems from the work of the Valleys taskforce. That's why we've reconfigured my department to ensure that we place a place-based approached at the heart of economic development. I'm able to tell the Member today that we've appointed a new regional deputy director for the region to make sure that we share the wealth more fairly across Wales. With 'Prosperity for All', we have two objectives for this Government: a cross-government approach that will seek to raise levels of wealth and well-being in the aggregate, but also to reduce inequality in both.
Lywydd, gallwn wneud sylwadau pleidiol hawdd mewn ymateb i gwestiwn yr Aelod, o gofio mai aelod o Blaid Cymru a oedd yn gyfrifol am bortffolio’r economi a thrafnidiaeth am flynyddoedd lawer, ond nid wyf am wneud hynny. Yn lle hynny, rwyf am ddweud bod yna benderfyniad absoliwt i fuddsoddi ledled Cymru gyfan. Ac mae'r Aelod yn iawn i gyfeirio at y dyheadau a'r targedau sy’n rhan o waith tasglu’r Cymoedd, sy’n anelu at greu swyddi i 7,000 o bobl nad ydynt yn cael cyfle ar hyn o bryd i sicrhau gwaith o safon sy'n talu'n dda. Ond nid yw'r Aelod yn iawn i awgrymu bod ei rhan hi o Gymru wedi cael ei hamddifadu mewn perthynas â chyfleoedd a buddsoddiad. Yn ddiweddar, mae dros 1,000 o swyddi wedi cael eu creu o ganlyniad i gefnogaeth Llywodraeth Cymru yn hen ardaloedd diwydiannol y Cymoedd. Gallaf restru nifer o gwmnïau y gallasom eu cefnogi'n uniongyrchol. Ar gyfer cwm Rhondda, gallaf gynnwys SPC, er enghraifft. Yn fwy eang, lle byddai cyfle i bobl o'r Rhondda gael gwaith, crëwyd swyddi yn Code Serve Ltd, yn Monitize, yn Tenneco-Walker. Mae swyddi'n cael eu creu yn TVR, General Dynamics UK.
Wrth gwrs, mae mwy i'w wneud, a dyna pam rydym yn rhoi’r cynllun gweithredu sy'n deillio o waith tasglu'r Cymoedd ar waith. Dyna pam rydym wedi ad-drefnu fy adran i sicrhau ein bod yn cynnwys dull sy’n seiliedig ar leoedd yn ganolog i ddatblygu economaidd. Gallaf ddweud wrth yr Aelod heddiw ein bod wedi penodi dirprwy gyfarwyddwr rhanbarthol newydd ar gyfer y rhanbarth i sicrhau ein bod yn rhannu'r cyfoeth yn decach ledled Cymru. Gyda 'Ffyniant i Bawb', mae gennym ddau amcan ar gyfer y Llywodraeth hon: dull trawslywodraethol gyda’r bwriad o geisio codi lefelau cyfoeth a llesiant yn gyffredinol, ond hefyd, lleihau anghydraddoldeb mewn perthynas â chyfoeth a llesiant.
Cabinet Secretary, last month the Welsh Government announced plans for a regeneration-led targeted investment programme worth some £100 million. I wonder what economic impact you expect this targeted programme to have in the former industrial areas of Wales, like the Glamorgan valleys.
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, y mis diwethaf, cyhoeddodd Llywodraeth Cymru gynlluniau ar gyfer rhaglen fuddsoddi wedi’i thargedu a arweinir gan adfywio, sy'n werth oddeutu £100 miliwn. Tybed pa effaith economaidd rydych yn disgwyl i'r rhaglen hon a dargedir ei chael yn hen ardaloedd diwydiannol Cymru, fel cymoedd Morgannwg?
Well, I do think that targeted regeneration investment has an absolutely crucial part to play in widening prosperity and building resilient communities right across the length and breadth of Wales, and I was pleased that my colleague announced recently a new three-year programme of targeted regeneration investment, amounting to, as the Member says, £100 million. This money will ensure that we see the sort of infrastructure required to support economic growth and business start-ups, and it will ensure that we get a higher quality of place. We know that place building is vitally important in developing resilient and sustainable economic growth. This £100 million will deliver that.
Wel, credaf fod gan fuddsoddiad adfywio a dargedir ran hollbwysig i'w chwarae wrth ehangu ffyniant a datblygu cymunedau cryf ledled Cymru, ac roeddwn yn falch fod fy nghyd-Aelod wedi cyhoeddi rhaglen dair blynedd newydd yn ddiweddar ar gyfer buddsoddiad adfywio a dargedir gwerth cyfanswm o £100 miliwn fel y dywed yr Aelod. Bydd yr arian hwn yn sicrhau ein bod yn gweld y math o seilwaith sydd ei angen i gefnogi twf economaidd a busnesau newydd, a bydd yn sicrhau bod gennym leoedd o ansawdd gwell. Gwyddom fod adeiladu lleoedd yn hollbwysig wrth ddatblygu twf economaidd cadarn a chynaliadwy. Bydd y £100 miliwn hwn yn cyflawni hynny.
Cabinet Secretary, despite 18 years of your Government's economic policies, the former industrial areas of Wales, particularly those in my region, continue to be among the poorest in Europe—shocking when you consider the expanded EU contains former Soviet satellite states. EU structural funding hasn't worked. The policies haven't work. We have an opportunity post Brexit to implement structural funding programmes that work for Wales. Cabinet Secretary, what discussions have you had with the UK Government about structural funding programmes for when we finally leave the EU? Diolch.
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, er gwaethaf 18 mlynedd o bolisïau economaidd eich Llywodraeth, mae hen ardaloedd diwydiannol Cymru, yn enwedig y rhai yn fy rhanbarth, yn parhau i fod ymhlith y tlotaf yn Ewrop—ac mae hynny'n syfrdanol o ystyried bod yr UE wedi ehangu i gynnwys cyn-wledydd dibynnol Sofietaidd. Nid yw arian strwythurol yr UE wedi gweithio. Nid yw'r polisïau wedi gweithio. Mae gennym gyfle ar ôl Brexit i roi rhaglenni cyllido strwythurol sy'n gweithio i Gymru ar waith. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, pa drafodaethau a gawsoch gyda Llywodraeth y DU ynglŷn â rhaglenni cyllido strwythurol ar gyfer pan fyddwn yn gadael yr UE yn y pen draw? Diolch.
This is a very important question. It's something that was taken up by Government Ministers across departments. But I must just say that the Member, in identifying a record for this Labour Government spanning 18 years, should reflect on the fact that a record is the record: low unemployment that we now have in Wales—lower on average than the UK—and a record level of employment with a lower rate of economic inactivity. Again, I would say that there is more to be done, but recently we've seen GVA rise faster than the UK average. We are on the runway. My aim now is to make sure that we take off with a new approach to economic development, placing the focus on regions and empowering regions, identifying key strengths across each of the regions and making sure that there is a new contract between business and Government that ensures that we generate prosperity for all.
I would say, as well, that in terms of some of the other industrial areas—I'm conscious that the questions so far have been confined to south Wales—I think it's important to say that there are other post-industrial areas of Wales that are benefiting from Welsh Government investment and support. Just last week, in addition to the 100 new jobs that are being created at Ipsen in Wrexham, not far from there at the former Sharp site—a huge site—we are helping to create at least 250 new jobs with the headquartering of a major global firm.
Mae hwn yn gwestiwn pwysig iawn. Mae'n rhywbeth yr aethpwyd i’r afael ag ef gan Weinidogion y Llywodraeth ar draws adrannau. Ond mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud y dylai'r Aelod, wrth nodi record ar gyfer y Llywodraeth Lafur hon sy'n rhychwantu 18 mlynedd, ystyried y ffaith mai record yw’r record: y diweithdra isel sydd gennym bellach yng Nghymru—yn is ar gyfartaledd na'r DU—a'r lefel uchaf erioed o gyflogaeth gyda chyfradd is o anweithgarwch economaidd. Unwaith eto, hoffwn ddweud bod mwy i'w wneud, ond yn ddiweddar rydym wedi gweld gwerth ychwanegol gros yn codi'n gyflymach na chyfartaledd y DU. Rydym ar y rhedfa. Fy nod yn awr yw sicrhau ein bod yn esgyn gyda dull newydd o ddatblygu economaidd, gan ganolbwyntio ar ranbarthau a grymuso rhanbarthau, nodi cryfderau allweddol ar draws pob un o'r rhanbarthau a sicrhau contract newydd rhwng busnesau a'r Llywodraeth sy’n sicrhau ein bod yn cynhyrchu ffyniant i bawb.
Buaswn yn dweud, hefyd, o ran rhai o'r ardaloedd diwydiannol eraill—rwy'n ymwybodol fod y cwestiynau hyd yn hyn wedi'u cyfyngu i dde Cymru—y credaf ei bod yn bwysig dweud bod ardaloedd ôl-ddiwydiannol eraill yng Nghymru yn elwa o fuddsoddiad a chefnogaeth Llywodraeth Cymru. Yr wythnos diwethaf, yn ychwanegol at y 100 o swyddi newydd sy'n cael eu creu yn Ipsen yn Wrecsam, heb fod ymhell o hen safle Sharp—safle enfawr—rydym yn helpu i greu o leiaf 250 o swyddi newydd gyda sefydlu pencadlys cwmni mawr byd-eang.
Cabinet Secretary, I fully appreciate that the former industrial areas in south Wales have been devastated in years gone past, but many of them—in fact, many former mining communities—are actually now turning to tourism as an agenda, to look at the economy of tourism, but they're struggling with support for that tourism business.
The Rhondda valley and the Afan valley have linked up on the Rhondda tunnel and I know you've supported that project, but there are difficulties in individuals and organisations getting that support. What can you do to help that, particularly as councils are facing difficulties because they are cash-strapped?
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, rwy'n derbyn yn llwyr fod yr hen ardaloedd diwydiannol yn ne Cymru wedi dioddef yn enbyd dros y blynyddoedd, ond mae llawer ohonynt—yn wir, llawer o hen gymunedau glo—yn troi yn at dwristiaeth bellach fel agenda, i edrych ar yr economi dwristiaeth, ond maent yn ei chael hi'n anodd cael cymorth i'r busnesau twristiaeth hynny.
Mae cwm Rhondda a chwm Afan wedi dod at ei gilydd ar fater twnnel Rhondda, a gwn eich bod wedi cefnogi'r prosiect hwnnw, ond mae unigolion a sefydliadau yn wynebu anawsterau i gael y cymorth hwnnw. Beth y gallwch ei wneud i'w cynorthwyo, yn enwedig gan fod cynghorau'n wynebu anawsterau am eu bod yn brin o arian?
I think the Member raises a really important point, namely that tourism plays a critical role not just in rural areas and not just in our cities and in advanced economies, but also in areas of Wales that have suffered from industrial decline. I know that my excellent new colleague, the Minister responsible for tourism, will have a keen focus, just as I did, on making sure that we provide opportunities for growth in the visitor economy across all communities.
As to some industrial areas, we've been particularly successful here in south-east Wales in recent times in promoting the area through a relentless focus on adventure tourism and outdoor activities as an adventure destination across Europe, and investment in particular in the mountain-biking sector has proven to be incredibly successful and has reaped rewards.
However, alongside that, there are other initiatives such as the regional engagement fund. There's also the product innovation fund, which is designed to reward those entrepreneurs who come forward with creative ideas that will attract more visitors to Wales. I would point to an excellent example of a post-industrial area, where that's proving incredibly successful—that fund—and that would be Blaenau Ffestiniog, where we have one of the world's greatest zip-wire facilities that has regenerated that entire community. I'm keen, as a Government and as a department, that we go on supporting industrial communities in the way that we've supported industrial communities such as Blaenau Ffestiniog and other areas of the north-west and also parts of the south-east Wales Valleys.
Credaf fod yr Aelod yn nodi pwynt pwysig iawn, sef bod twristiaeth yn chwarae rhan hollbwysig, nid yn unig mewn ardaloedd gwledig ac nid yn unig yn ein dinasoedd ac mewn economïau blaengar, ond hefyd mewn ardaloedd o Gymru sydd wedi dioddef o ganlyniad i ddirywiad diwydiannol. Gwn y bydd fy nghyd-Aelod newydd ardderchog, y Gweinidog sy'n gyfrifol am dwristiaeth, yn canolbwyntio'n fanwl, yn union fel y gwneuthum innau, ar sicrhau ein bod yn darparu cyfleoedd ar gyfer twf mewn perthynas â'r economi ymwelwyr ar draws pob cymuned.
O ran rhai ardaloedd diwydiannol, rydym wedi bod yn arbennig o lwyddiannus yma yn ne-ddwyrain Cymru yn ddiweddar wrth hyrwyddo'r ardal drwy ganolbwyntio'n ddiflino ar dwristiaeth antur a gweithgareddau awyr agored fel cyrchfan antur ar draws Ewrop, ac mae buddsoddi yn y sector beicio mynydd yn enwedig wedi bod yn hynod o lwyddiannus ac wedi creu enillion.
Fodd bynnag, law yn llaw â hynny, ceir mentrau eraill megis y gronfa ymgysylltu ranbarthol. Hefyd, ceir y gronfa arloesi cynnyrch sydd wedi'i chynllunio i wobrwyo'r entrepreneuriaid sy'n cyflwyno syniadau creadigol a fydd yn denu mwy o ymwelwyr i Gymru. Hoffwn gyfeirio at enghraifft ardderchog o ardal ôl-ddiwydiannol lle mae hynny'n llwyddiant ysgubol—y gronfa honno—sef Blaenau Ffestiniog, lle mae gennym un o gyfleusterau weiren wib mwyaf y byd, sydd wedi adfywio'r gymuned gyfan. Rwy'n awyddus, fel Llywodraeth ac fel adran, ein bod yn parhau i gefnogi cymunedau diwydiannol yn y ffordd rydym wedi cefnogi cymunedau diwydiannol megis Blaenau Ffestiniog ac ardaloedd eraill yn y gogledd-orllewin yn ogystal â rhannau o Gymoedd de-ddwyrain Cymru.
Cwestiynau y nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Adam Price.
Questions now from the party spokespeople. The Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Adam Price.
Diolch, Llywydd. As we know, Cabinet Secretary, one of the four companies bidding for the Wales and borders franchise suddenly and unexpectedly pulled out of the process on 30 October. I asked you in a written question what the reasons were for that decision and you said in a written statement on 9 November that that was because of their own commercial analysis of the contract. I think, in a statement that Arriva Trains Wales put out, which I think was agreed with the Welsh Government, that they also referred to a risk profile that was not attractive to them. So, can the Cabinet Secretary say what risks Arriva Trains Wales perceived that meant their lawyers advised them not to proceed with this bidding process?
Diolch, Lywydd. Fel y gwyddom, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, tynnodd un o'r pedwar cwmni a wnaeth gais am fasnachfraint Cymru a'r gororau allan o'r broses yn sydyn ac yn annisgwyl ar 30 Hydref. Gofynnais i chi mewn cwestiwn ysgrifenedig beth oedd y rhesymau dros y penderfyniad hwnnw a dywedasoch mewn datganiad ysgrifenedig ar 9 Tachwedd eu bod wedi gwneud hynny oherwydd eu dadansoddiad masnachol eu hunain o'r contract. Mewn datganiad a gyhoeddwyd gan Trenau Arriva Cymru, datganiad a gytunwyd gyda Llywodraeth Cymru rwy'n credu, credaf eu bod hefyd yn cyfeirio at broffil risg nad oedd yn ddeniadol iddynt. Felly, a all Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ddweud pa risgiau a ganfuwyd gan Trenau Arriva Cymru a olygai fod eu cyfreithwyr wedi eu cynghori i beidio â bwrw ymlaen â'r broses o wneud ceisiadau?
I'd like to thank the Member for that question, but that is a matter for Arriva themselves. Our understanding is that Arriva analysed the balance of risk and reward. We've been very clear throughout this entire process that we expect any excess profits to be redirected into the transport infrastructure and transport services in Wales, and we don't shy away from doing that. We now have three world-class bidders that will be providing their final submissions by 21 December. This is an ambitious programme and I am determined to deliver on it, and I am confident that those bids from the three word-class companies will prove to be incredibly ambitious as well.
Hoffwn ddiolch i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn, ond mater i Arriva eu hunain yw hynny. Yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallwn, dadansoddodd Arriva y cydbwysedd risg a budd. Rydym wedi dweud yn glir iawn drwy gydol y broses hon ein bod yn disgwyl i unrhyw elw ychwanegol gael ei ailgyfeirio i'r seilwaith trafnidiaeth a gwasanaethau trafnidiaeth yng Nghymru, ac nid ydym cilio rhag gwneud hynny. Bellach, mae gennym dri chynigydd o safon fyd-eang a fydd yn cyflwyno eu ceisiadau terfynol erbyn 21 Rhagfyr. Mae hon yn rhaglen uchelgeisiol ac rwy'n benderfynol o'i chyflawni, ac rwy'n hyderus y bydd y ceisiadau hynny gan y tri chwmni o safon fyd-eang yn hynod o uchelgeisiol hefyd.
Cabinet Secretary, isn't the real reason that Arriva pulled out because there are too many unknowns with this franchise? It's difficult for us to form a judgment of that because, of course, the Welsh Government has departed from the standard practice of actually publishing the invitation tender, but we do know, of course, that there are unknowns about the exact nature of the devolution of power and responsibility, and uncertainty about the finances of the franchise. We know that because there was a letter from the Secretary of State for Transport of the UK Government to you. Now, can we have at least some clarity on some of those issues that were raised? Can you say who will take the section 30 operator and last resort responsibility? Have you reached agreement with the UK Government on franchise funding of £1 billion that you asked for, which you said would be used for upgrading? Do you have detailed survey information from Network Rail of the track infrastructure for which you're about to assume responsibility?
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, onid y gwir reswm pam fod Arriva wedi tynnu allan yw bod gormod o ffactorau anhysbys ynghlwm wrth y fasnachfraint hon? Mae'n anodd inni ffurfio barn ynghylch hynny gan fod Llywodraeth Cymru, wrth gwrs, wedi rhoi'r gorau i'r arfer safonol o gyhoeddi'r gwahoddiad i dendro, ond gwyddom, wrth gwrs, fod yna ffactorau anhysbys ynglŷn ag union natur datganoli pŵer a chyfrifoldeb, ac ansicrwydd ynghylch trefniadau ariannol y fasnachfraint. Gwyddom hynny am fod Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Llywodraeth y DU dros Drafnidiaeth wedi anfon llythyr atoch. Nawr, a gawn ni ychydig o eglurder o leiaf ynglŷn â rhai o'r materion hynny a godwyd? A allwch ddweud pwy fydd yn cymryd cyfrifoldeb gweithredwr adran 30 a phan fetha popeth arall? A ydych wedi dod i gytundeb gyda Llywodraeth y DU ar y cyllid masnachfraint o £1 biliwn y gofynasoch amdano, ac y dywedasoch y buasai'n cael ei ddefnyddio ar gyfer uwchraddio? A oes gennych wybodaeth arolwg manwl gan Network Rail ynglŷn â'r seilwaith rheilffyrdd rydych ar fin cymryd cyfrifoldeb amdano?
I'm sure the Member will appreciate that there are some details that I'm not able to divulge at this moment in time because the procurement process is a live one, and to do so could attract action from one or more bidders after the process has been completed. But I would say that survey work has been carried out and continues to be carried out on the asset, but funding discussions continue to take place with the UK Treasury. There is an acknowledgment of the historic underfunding of infrastructure on our railways in Wales, and there is acknowledgment that there have been historic growth costs that need to be addressed. But also, as this process is nearing a conclusion, as I say, I am confident that with bids from three world-class operators we will have an operator for the next franchise that will deliver a step change in the services that people are able to experience. And whilst this is a new process that we're following for a rail franchise, it's not a new process in its complete entirety. Indeed, we used this process for the procurement process for Superfast Cymru, and that proved to be, given that we now have more than 650,000 properties connected to superfast broadband, or with the potential to be connected to superfast broadband, it's proven to be extremely successful.
Rwy'n siŵr y bydd yr Aelod yn sylweddoli na allaf ddatgelu rhai o'r manylion ar hyn o bryd gan fod y broses gaffael yn dal i fynd rhagddi, a gallai gwneud hynny ddenu camau gweithredu gan un neu fwy o'r cynigwyr wedi i'r broses ddod i ben. Ond hoffwn ddweud bod gwaith arolygu wedi'i wneud ac yn parhau i fynd rhagddo ar yr ased, ond mae trafodaethau ynglŷn ag ariannu yn parhau i fynd rhagddynt gyda Thrysorlys y DU. Cydnabyddir bod tanwariant wedi bod yn y gorffennol ar seilwaith ar ein rheilffyrdd yng Nghymru, a chydnabyddir bod angen mynd i'r afael â chostau twf hanesyddol. Ond hefyd, wrth i'r broses hon agosáu at ei therfyn, fel y dywedaf, rwy'n hyderus, gyda cheisiadau gan dri gweithredwr o safon fyd-eang, y bydd gennym weithredwr ar gyfer y fasnachfraint nesaf a fydd yn darparu newid sylweddol yn y gwasanaethau sydd ar gael i bobl. Ac er ein bod yn mynd ar drywydd proses newydd mewn perthynas â masnachfraint rheilffyrdd, nid yw'n broses newydd yn ei chyfanrwydd. Yn wir, fe ddefnyddiom ni'r broses hon ar gyfer caffael Cyflymu Cymru, a gan fod gennym bellach fwy na 650,000 eiddo wedi'u cysylltu â band eang cyflym iawn, neu â'r potensial i fod yn gysylltiedig â band eang cyflym iawn, mae hynny wedi bod yn llwyddiant ysgubol.
Well, in the debate that later we'll be having on digital infrastructure Members will form their own view on whether Superfast Cymru should be held out as a paragon in terms of what we want to achieve with this contracting process. Can I just paraphrase the answers that he's just given me? So, the Welsh Government hasn't reached final agreement on franchise funding with the UK Government. You haven't got complete information of the entire situation of the track infrastructure; you're continuing with that, you said. And you didn't give us an answer on the operator of last resort responsibilities.
You said that the Transport for Wales team managing the procurement say the other bidders remain fully engaged in the process. Presumably, you thought that until you got the phone call at 5 p.m. on 27 October with regard to Arriva Wales. What effect do you think the knowledge that the incumbent operator—the one bidder that has more knowledge and information than all the other three—has pulled out will have on the three other bidders? Will the risk calculation now have risen for them? Will the bid price that they submit rise to reflect that? Can you say with certainty that no other bidders are about to drop out? What about the fact that Costain—of course, as the partners with Arriva—have dropped out as well of the metro construction courses? What effect will that have?
And finally, just to test, Cabinet Secretary, how good your antennae are and how good the antennae of your team in Transport for Wales are, can you confirm if you were aware that one of the other bidders mothballed their team and put them on standstill for an entire month over the summer due to the delay in the franchising process?
Wel, yn y ddadl y byddwn yn ei chael yn ddiweddarach ar seilwaith digidol, bydd yr Aelodau'n ffurfio eu barn eu hunain ynglŷn ag a ddylid ystyried rhaglen Cyflymu Cymru yn batrwm enghreifftiol o'r hyn rydym am ei gyflawni gyda'r broses gontractio hon. A gaf fi aralleirio'r atebion a roddodd i mi yn awr? Felly, nid yw Llywodraeth Cymru wedi dod i gytundeb terfynol ynglŷn â chyllido'r fasnachfraint gyda Llywodraeth y DU. Nid oes gennych wybodaeth gyflawn ynglŷn â sefyllfa'r seilwaith rheilffyrdd yn ei chyfanrwydd; dywedoch eich bod yn parhau â hynny. Ac ni roesoch ateb inni mewn perthynas â gweithredwr â chyfrifoldebau pan fetha popeth arall.
Dywedasoch fod y tîm Trafnidiaeth Cymru sy'n rheoli'r broses gaffael yn dweud bod y cynigwyr eraill yn parhau i gymryd rhan lawn yn y broses. Rwy'n tybio eich bod yn meddwl hynny nes i chi gael yr alwad ffôn am 5 p.m. ar 27 Hydref mewn perthynas ag Arriva Cymru. Pa effaith y credwch y bydd y ffaith bod y gweithredwr presennol wedi tynnu allan—yr un cynigydd â mwy o wybodaeth na'r tri arall—yn ei chael ar y tri chynigydd arall? A fydd y cyfrif risg wedi codi iddynt bellach? A fydd pris y cais y byddant yn ei gyflwyno yn codi i adlewyrchu hynny? A allwch ddweud â sicrwydd nad oes unrhyw gynigwyr eraill ar fin tynnu allan? Beth am y ffaith bod Costain—wrth gwrs, fel y partneriaid gydag Arriva—wedi tynnu allan o'r cyrsiau adeiladu metro yn ogystal? Pa effaith a gaiff hynny?
Ac yn olaf, er mwyn profi, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, pa mor dda yw eich antenâu a pha mor dda yw antenâu eich tîm yn Trafnidiaeth Cymru, a allwch gadarnhau a oeddech yn ymwybodol fod un o'r cynigwyr eraill wedi atal eu tîm rhag bwrw ymlaen am fis cyfan dros yr haf o ganlyniad i'r oedi ym mhroses y fasnachfraint?
That delay in the franchising process I was deeply disappointed by. We overcame that. We now have three bidders—three bidders—who will be submitting their tenders by 21 December, and all three are world class. The alternative to the risks that the Member has identified would have been to do nothing and to maintain on the current terms the current franchise arrangements. Could you argue that that would be in the best interests of the passengers that have to experience services today? Because I don't think many of the people sitting around you would argue that that's the case. We are delivering a step change through the new franchise. We will deliver that with a world-class bidder.
Roeddwn yn hynod o siomedig ynglŷn â'r oedi hwnnw ym mhroses y fasnachfraint. Daethom dros hynny. Bellach, mae gennym dri chynigydd—tri chynigydd—a fydd yn cyflwyno eu tendrau erbyn 21 Rhagfyr, ac mae pob un o'r tri o safon fyd-eang. Y dewis arall yn lle'r risgiau a nododd yr Aelod fuasai bod wedi gwneud dim a pharhau â'r trefniadau masnachfraint presennol ar y telerau presennol. A allech ddadlau y buasai hynny er lles gorau'r teithwyr sy'n gorfod defnyddio gwasanaethau heddiw? Oherwydd ni chredaf y buasai llawer o'r bobl sy'n eistedd o'ch cwmpas yn dadlau bod hynny'n wir. Rydym yn cyflawni newid sylweddol drwy'r fasnachfraint newydd. Byddwn yn cyflawni hynny gyda chynigydd o safon fyd-eang.
Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Russell George.
Conservatives' spokesperson, Russell George.
Diolch, Llywydd. Cabinet Secretary, after many years of trying to retrieve this information from you, you have now finally provided the breakdown of the numbers of jobs created, safeguarded and supported by Wales's eight enterprise zones, and I thank you for those figures. The enterprise zones made clear that just—I've got the figures here—2,998 new jobs have been created since the zones were first set up. That's despite £221 million of public funds having been allocated to the zones over the past five-year period. This means that the average cost of creating one new job in the enterprise zones has been just over £73,000. That's the equivalent of a business employing a full-time worker for just under three and a half years. Do you believe that spending over £73,000 to create a single job represents good value for the Welsh taxpayer?
Diolch, Lywydd. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, ar ôl blynyddoedd lawer o geisio cael y wybodaeth hon gennych, rydych o'r diwedd wedi darparu dadansoddiad o niferoedd y swyddi a grëwyd, a ddiogelwyd ac a gynhelir gan wyth ardal fenter Cymru, a diolch ichi am y ffigurau hynny. Mae'r ardaloedd menter wedi dangos mai dim ond—mae'r ffigurau gennyf yma—2,998 o swyddi newydd a grëwyd ers i'r ardaloedd gael eu sefydlu. Mae hynny er gwaethaf y £221 miliwn o arian cyhoeddus a ddyrannwyd i'r ardaloedd dros y pum mlynedd diwethaf. Golyga hyn fod cost gyfartalog creu un swydd newydd yn yr ardaloedd menter ychydig dros £73,000. Mae hynny'n gyfwerth â busnes yn cyflogi gweithiwr amser llawn am ychydig o dan dair blynedd a hanner. A ydych yn credu bod gwario dros £73,000 i greu un swydd yn sicrhau gwerth da i drethdalwyr Cymru?
I'm not sure that the Member is calculating on the basis of sustaining jobs as well, and securing jobs. For example, in Port Talbot, one of the most significant successes of this Government in recent times has been to secure the future of its steelworks within the enterprise zone area. Making sure that we secure jobs can be just as important as creating new employment opportunities as well. What we've done with enterprise zones—and there has been varied success; I would admit to that—but what we have done with enterprise zones is offer attractive places for investors, but also attractive incentives for existing businesses to remain operating successfully.
Nid wyf yn siŵr a yw'r Aelod yn cyfrifo ar sail cynnal swyddi hefyd, a diogelu swyddi. Er enghraifft, ym Mhort Talbot, un o lwyddiannau pwysicaf y Llywodraeth hon dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf fu sicrhau dyfodol eu gwaith dur yn yr ardal fenter. Gall sicrhau ein bod yn diogelu swyddi fod cyn bwysiced â chreu cyfleoedd cyflogaeth newydd. Yr hyn a wnaethom gydag ardaloedd menter—a graddau amrywiol o lwyddiant a gafwyd; buaswn yn cyfaddef hynny—ond yr hyn a wnaethom gydag ardaloedd menter yw cynnig lleoedd deniadol i fuddsoddwyr, yn ogystal â chymhellion deniadol i fusnesau sy'n bodoli eisoes barhau i weithredu'n llwyddiannus.
I appreciate your honesty with regard to there being a mixed picture on enterprise zones. I take on board as well that it's important to safeguard jobs, although I will say that, in a document from you here, it says,
'Enterprise Zones objectives are to: grow the local economy and provision of new jobs'.
So, the data reveals that less than a third of the jobs that have been supported by enterprise zones are new jobs. Is it the case that the Welsh Government's ambition for enterprise zones has diminished over time, in step with the failure to create new employment, and that the new zones are now simply a collection of subsidy farms that are failing to raise employment opportunities in the communities where they are supposed to be located?
Rwy'n gwerthfawrogi eich gonestrwydd o ran bod y darlun yn gymysg mewn perthynas ag ardaloedd menter. Rwy'n cydnabod hefyd ei bod yn bwysig diogelu swyddi, er bod yn rhaid i mi ddweud, mewn dogfen gennych yma, mae'n dweud,
'Nod yr Ardaloedd Menter yw: meithrin twf yn yr economi leol a darparu swyddi newydd'.
Felly, dengys y data fod llai na thraean o'r swyddi a gefnogwyd gan ardaloedd menter yn swyddi newydd. A yw'n wir fod uchelgais Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer ardaloedd menter wedi lleihau dros amser, i gyd-fynd â'r methiant i greu cyflogaeth newydd, ac nad yw'r ardaloedd newydd bellach yn ddim mwy na chasgliad o ffermydd cymhorthdal sy'n methu creu cyfleoedd cyflogaeth yn y cymunedau lle maent i fod wedi'u lleoli?
I'm not sure I'd use the term 'subsidy farms' in front of any of the businesses that have benefited from enterprise zone status. What I would say though is that we have suffered, especially in recent times, from incredible uncertainty in terms of where the economy is going to go because of the referendum result. Again, we make no apology for investing in enterprise zones as one of many methods to secure current employment and to ensure that we go on growing employment opportunities. The Member is right about the long-term ambition for enterprise zones to attract and create new employment opportunities, but I still contend that, in many parts of Wales, securing work is just as important as creating new opportunities.
Nid wyf yn siŵr a fuaswn yn defnyddio'r term 'ffermydd cymhorthdal' yng ngŵydd unrhyw un o'r busnesau sydd wedi elwa o statws ardal fenter. Yr hyn a ddywedwn, fodd bynnag, yw ein bod wedi dioddef, yn enwedig yn ddiweddar, o ganlyniad i gryn ansicrwydd o ran sefyllfa'r economi yn y dyfodol wedi canlyniad y refferendwm. Unwaith eto, nid ydym yn ymddiheuro am fuddsoddi mewn ardaloedd menter fel un o nifer o ddulliau i ddiogelu cyflogaeth bresennol ac i sicrhau ein bod yn parhau i dyfu cyfleoedd cyflogaeth. Mae'r Aelod yn llygad ei le ynglŷn â'r uchelgais hirdymor i ardaloedd menter ddenu a chreu cyfleoedd cyflogaeth newydd, ond rwy'n dal i ddadlau bod diogelu swyddi, mewn sawl rhan o Gymru, yr un mor bwysig â chreu cyfleoedd newydd.
Despite the hundreds of millions of pounds that have been invested in the zones, the economy of Wales, I would say, continues to lag behind most other parts of the UK. GVA per head in Wales in 2015 was £18,000, at the bottom of the league table of home nations for GVA per head and it has been at that bottom position for the past 20 consecutive years. In addition, weekly average earnings in Wales are £43 lower than in Scotland, despite it being in exactly the same place 20 years ago. So, can I ask, Cabinet Secretary: do you accept that the economic data on the performance of the Welsh economy in recent years further underlines the failure of the enterprise zones as the data clearly demonstrates that the zones have failed to boost the performance of the Welsh economy?
Er y cannoedd o filiynau o bunnoedd a fuddsoddwyd yn yr ardaloedd, mae economi Cymru, yn fy marn i, yn parhau i fod ar ei hôl hi o gymharu â'r rhan fwyaf o rannau eraill y DU. Roedd gwerth ychwanegol gros y pen yng Nghymru yn 2015 yn £18,000, ar waelod tabl cynghrair y gwledydd cartref o ran gwerth ychwanegol gros y pen, ac mae wedi bod ar waelod y tabl hwnnw am 20 mlynedd yn olynol. Yn ogystal, mae enillion wythnosol cyfartalog yng Nghymru £43 yn is nag yn yr Alban, er eu bod yn yr un lle'n union 20 mlynedd yn ôl. Felly, a gaf fi ofyn, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet: a ydych yn derbyn bod y data economaidd ar berfformiad economi Cymru dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf yn tanlinellu methiant yr ardaloedd menter ymhellach gan fod y data'n dangos yn glir fod yr ardaloedd wedi methu hybu perfformiad economi Cymru?
Well, I'd say that, in many enterprise zones, there's been tremendous success. Deeside, for example: huge numbers of new jobs have been created there and many, many more have been secured. Likewise in Cardiff. There has been success with the enterprise zone initiative, but that does not mean that it should not undergo further reform and change where necessary. I'm certainly looking at that.
But I would say, after the Member raised the issue of weekly average earnings, that I'd invite him to support this Labour Government's ambition to introduce fair work practices across our economy, to drive up working standards, to drive up wages, to make sure that we do reduce that weekly average earnings gap. Also, I'd hope that the Member would support our call for in-work welfare cuts to be stopped and to make sure that people are able to earn a decent wage for a decent day's work.
I think it's important to say as well, as I mentioned earlier, that, in terms of GVA per head, it's been growing faster on average recently in Wales than across the UK. As I said earlier, we are on that runway, but we need to ensure that we are investing in the right way to take off. And that's why we are reconfiguring the department to make sure that we place a greater focus on regional strengths, so that we grow the economies outside of the more intensely urban areas.
Wel, buaswn yn dweud bod cryn dipyn o lwyddiant wedi bod mewn llawer o ardaloedd menter. Glannau Dyfrdwy, er enghraifft: mae nifer enfawr o swyddi newydd wedi cael eu creu yno a llawer iawn mwy wedi'u diogelu. Mae'r un peth yn wir am Gaerdydd. Mae cynllun yr ardaloedd menter wedi bod yn llwyddiant, ond nid yw hynny'n golygu na ddylid ei ddiwygio a'i newid ymhellach lle bo angen. Rwy'n sicr yn edrych ar hynny.
Ond rwyf am ddweud, ar ôl i'r Aelod grybwyll enillion wythnosol cyfartalog, y buaswn yn ei wahodd i gefnogi uchelgais y Llywodraeth Lafur hon i gyflwyno arferion gwaith teg ar draws ein heconomi, i wella safonau gwaith, i wella cyflogau, i sicrhau ein bod yn lleihau'r bwlch yn yr enillion cyfartalog wythnosol. Hefyd, buaswn yn gobeithio y byddai'r Aelod yn cefnogi ein galwad i roi terfyn ar doriadau lles mewn gwaith ac i sicrhau bod pobl yn gallu ennill cyflog gweddus am ddiwrnod da o waith.
Credaf ei bod yn bwysig dweud hefyd, fel y soniais yn gynharach, o ran gwerth ychwanegol gros y pen, ei fod wedi bod yn tyfu'n gyflymach ar gyfartaledd yn ddiweddar yng Nghymru nag ar draws y DU. Fel y dywedais yn gynharach, rydym ar y rhedfa honno, ond mae angen inni sicrhau ein bod yn buddsoddi yn y ffordd iawn er mwyn esgyn. A dyna pam rydym yn ad-drefnu'r adran er mwyn sicrhau ein bod yn canolbwyntio mwy ar gryfderau rhanbarthol, fel y gallwn dyfu'r economïau y tu hwnt i'r ardaloedd mwy trefol.
Llefarydd UKIP, David Rowlands.
UKIP spokesperson, David Rowlands.
Diolch, Llywydd. Cabinet Secretary, we constantly hear from the First Minister that we need to remain in the single market and the customs union. Do you agree with the situation that, regardless of the booming markets outside the European Union, that is the case?
Diolch, Lywydd. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, rydym yn clywed yn gyson gan y Prif Weinidog fod angen inni aros yn y farchnad sengl a'r undeb tollau. A ydych yn cytuno gyda'r safbwynt, er y marchnadoedd llewyrchus y tu allan i'r Undeb Ewropeaidd, fod hynny'n wir?
I'm yet to be convinced that establishing trade agreements with countries outside the EU will compensate for the consequences that a hard Brexit or 'no deal' would result in. It's my firm belief, based on the evidence that I have seen and the lack of evidence to the contrary, that a transition arrangement must be secured, and eventually a deal must be secured that does not damage the country's economic prospects for the long term.
I've heard a lot said recently about preparations for a 'no deal' scenario, as though it's possible to prepare for a 'no deal' scenario in the same way that you could prepare for a soft Brexit. This is not the case; you can't prepare for a 'no deal' scenario to the extent that its impacts are fully mitigated. Preparing for a 'no deal' scenario, I think, is a bit like preparing to swim through lava; it will be a dangerous experience for the economy and we will not be able to compensate for it through establishing trade agreements with other countries outside the EU.
Rwyf eto i gael fy argyhoeddi y bydd sefydlu cytundebau masnach â gwledydd y tu allan i'r UE yn gwneud iawn am y canlyniadau a fuasai'n deillio o Brexit caled neu 'ddim bargen'. Credaf yn gryf, yn seiliedig ar y dystiolaeth a welais a diffyg tystiolaeth i'r gwrthwyneb, fod yn rhaid sicrhau trefniant pontio, ac yn y pen draw, fod yn rhaid sicrhau bargen nad yw'n niweidio rhagolygon economaidd y wlad yn y tymor hir.
Clywais lawer o sôn yn ddiweddar am baratoadau ar gyfer senario 'dim bargen', fel pe bai modd paratoi ar gyfer senario 'dim bargen' yn yr un ffordd ag y gallech baratoi ar gyfer Brexit meddal. Nid yw hyn yn wir; ni allwch baratoi ar gyfer senario 'dim bargen' i'r graddau fod ei heffeithiau'n cael eu lliniaru'n gyfan gwbl. Credaf fod paratoi ar gyfer senario 'dim bargen' fel paratoi i nofio drwy lafa; bydd yn brofiad peryglus i'r economi ac ni fydd modd inni wneud iawn am hynny drwy sefydlu cytundebau masnach â gwledydd eraill y tu allan i'r UE.
Well, I thank the Cabinet Secretary for those observations. And I can see that the EU is a very important market for British and Welsh products. But the fact is that our trade with Europe is falling rapidly, whilst our trade with the rest of the world is rising rapidly. So, does the Cabinet Secretary not agree that freeing ourselves from the shackles of EU legislation, and being able to trade with the rest of the world under our own terms has the potential to massively expand our trade outside the EU?
Wel, diolch i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet am y sylwadau hynny. A gallaf weld bod yr UE yn farchnad bwysig iawn ar gyfer cynnyrch Prydain a Chymru. Ond y ffaith amdani yw bod ein masnach ag Ewrop yn prysur leihau, tra bod ein masnach â gweddill y byd yn prysur gynyddu. Felly, onid yw Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn cytuno y gallai rhyddhau ein hunain o rwymau deddfwriaeth yr UE, a gallu masnachu â gweddill y byd yn ôl ein telerau ein hunain ehangu ein masnach y tu allan i'r UE yn sylweddol?
But the fact remains that—. The Member said that it has dropped significantly; it hasn't dropped significantly in terms of exports—from just over 60 per cent to just below 60 per cent—to the EU. So, the consequences of leaving with no deal in place would be pretty devastating for the Welsh economy, and it would not be compensated for by establishing deals elsewhere around the globe with third parties. It just will not be compensated for. What we need is certainty for the business community and a deal that does not damage our long-term economic prospects.
Ond mae'n dal yn wir fod—. Dywed yr Aelod ei fod wedi lleihau yn sylweddol; nid yw wedi lleihau'n sylweddol mewn perthynas ag allforion i'r UE—o ychydig dros 60 y cant i ychydig o dan 60 y cant. Felly, buasai canlyniadau gadael heb unrhyw fargen ar waith yn eithaf trychinebus i economi Cymru, ac ni fyddai sefydlu cytundebau mewn mannau eraill ledled y byd gyda thrydydd partïon yn gwneud iawn am hynny. Ni fydd yn gwneud iawn am hynny o gwbl. Yr hyn sydd arnom ei angen yw sicrwydd ar gyfer y gymuned fusnes a bargen nad yw'n niweidio ein rhagolygon economaidd hirdymor.
Well, let's have an honest and frank discussion about this European Union and our dependence on it.
The Office for National Statistics figures show that 80 per cent of our overseas earnings comes from the services sector, which is outside trade deals. So, even if the EU was to cut off its nose to spite its face and choose to implement tariffs on UK goods, the overall cost to the UK economy would be limited—much less than that envisaged by the remain camp.
If we examine this a little further, we would of course come under World Trade Organization rules, which might result in a 5 per cent tariff on goods, both from Europe and into Europe. Should this be the case, because of our trade deficit with Europe, this would yield some £4 billion net profit to the UK economy. Would you not agree that this would be ample money, not only to compensate Welsh farmers and businesses for any loss of trade, but most of the UK farming industry to boot?
Wel, gadewch i ni gael trafodaeth onest ac agored am yr Undeb Ewropeaidd hwn a'n dibyniaeth arno.
Dengys ffigurau'r Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol fod 80 y cant o'n henillion tramor yn dod o'r sector gwasanaethau, sydd oddi allan i gytundebau masnachol. Felly, hyd yn oed pe bai'r UE yn torri eu trwyn i ddial ar eu hwyneb ac yn dewis gweithredu tariffau ar nwyddau'r DU, buasai'r gost gyffredinol i economi'r DU yn gyfyngedig—yn llai o lawer na'r hyn a ragwelwyd gan y rhai a fu'n ymgyrchu dros aros.
Os edrychwn yn fanylach ar hyn, buasai'n rhaid inni, wrth gwrs, gydymffurfio â rheolau Sefydliad Masnach y Byd, a allai arwain at dariff o 5 y cant ar nwyddau, o Ewrop ac i Ewrop. Pe bai hyn yn digwydd, oherwydd ein diffyg masnach ag Ewrop, buasai'n arwain at elw net o £4 biliwn i economi'r DU. Oni fuasech yn cytuno y byddai hynny'n hen ddigon o arian, nid yn unig i ddigolledu ffermwyr a busnesau Cymru am golli unrhyw fasnach, ond y rhan fwyaf o ddiwydiant ffermio'r DU hefyd?
I was recently at the WTO in Geneva. I met with various experts and came away from there having learnt a good deal about economic development, sustainable development and inclusive development, but I also learnt that the likely consequences of reverting to WTO rules could mean that the UK economy shrinks by between 8 and 10 per cent. That would not be good for the services sector, and it certainly would not be good for the manufacturing sector.
Although the Member highlighted the significance of the services sector to the UK economy, actually, manufacturing in Wales is crucially important. It offers a larger share of the economy as a whole than it does across the UK and we know that tariffs or technical barriers concerning the manufacture of goods in the UK could be hugely damaging for the UK and Welsh economies. So, once again, I would say that a 'no deal' scenario would be a desperate scenario for the Welsh and UK economies, not something that should be cheered, and certainly not something that could be prepared for as though it's some form of soft Brexit scenario.
Roeddwn yn Sefydliad Masnach y Byd yng Ngenefa yn ddiweddar. Cyfarfûm â gwahanol arbenigwyr a deuthum oddi yno wedi dysgu llawer am ddatblygiad economaidd, datblygu cynaliadwy a datblygu cynhwysol, ond dysgais hefyd y gallai'r canlyniadau tebygol a fyddai'n deillio o ddychwelyd at reolau Sefydliad Masnach y Byd olygu bod economi'r DU yn crebachu rhwng 8 a 10 y cant. Ni fuasai hynny'n fuddiol i'r sector gwasanaethau, ac yn sicr ni fuasai'n fuddiol i'r sector gweithgynhyrchu.
Er bod yr Aelod wedi tynnu sylw at bwysigrwydd y sector gwasanaethau i economi'r DU, mewn gwirionedd, mae gweithgynhyrchu yng Nghymru yn hollbwysig. Mae'n cynnig cyfran fwy o'r economi yn ei chyfanrwydd nag y mae'n ei wneud ar draws y DU a gwyddom y gallai tariffau neu rwystrau technegol sy'n ymwneud â gweithgynhyrchu nwyddau yn y DU fod yn niweidiol iawn i economïau'r DU a Chymru. Felly, unwaith eto, buaswn yn dweud y byddai senario 'dim bargen' yn senario ddifrifol i economïau Cymru a'r DU yn hytrach na rhywbeth y dylid ei gymeradwyo, ac yn sicr nid yw'n rhywbeth y gellid paratoi ar ei gyfer fel pe bai'n rhyw fath o senario Brexit meddal.
3. A wnaiff Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am gynlluniau Llywodraeth Cymru i wella ffyrdd yn ne-ddwyrain Cymru? OAQ51329
3. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on Welsh Government road improvement schemes in south-east Wales? OAQ51329
Yes. The national transport finance plan is a live document and contains an ambitious programme of interventions that are in varying stages of development for south-east Wales.
Gwnaf. Mae'r cynllun cyllid trafnidiaeth cenedlaethol yn ddogfen fyw ac yn cynnwys rhaglen uchelgeisiol o ymyriadau sydd ar wahanol gamau o'u datblygiad ar gyfer de-ddwyrain Cymru.
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. The work around junction 28 and Forge Lane roundabouts in my constituency has seen residents from Rogerstone, Bassaleg and Rhiwderin face a huge amount of disruption to their daily commute for many months. In that time, residents and commuters have been incredibly patient and understanding. However, with work on the Forge Lane roundabout coming to a close, the experience so far has not lived up to expectations. A new traffic lights system has recently been installed that has caused even further disruption and longer tailbacks during peak times. I know the Welsh Government have been urgently reviewing the situation, but can the Cabinet Secretary set out how traffic flow is being managed and provide myself, constituents and commuters reassurance that it will improve as a result?
Diolch, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Mae'r gwaith ar gyffordd 28 a chylchfannau Forge Lane yn fy etholaeth wedi arwain at gryn dipyn o broblemau i deithiau dyddiol cymudwyr o Dŷ-du, Basaleg a Rhiwderin ers misoedd lawer. Yn yr amser hwnnw, mae trigolion a chymudwyr wedi bod yn anhygoel o amyneddgar a goddefgar. Fodd bynnag, wrth i'r gwaith ar gylchfan Forge Lane ddod i ben, nid yw'r profiad wedi bodloni'r disgwyliadau hyd yn hyn. Mae system oleuadau traffig newydd wedi'i gosod yn ddiweddar ac wedi achosi mwy byth o darfu a thagfeydd hwy ar adegau prysur. Gwn fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi bod yn adolygu'r sefyllfa ar frys, ond a all Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet nodi sut y mae llif y traffig yn cael ei reoli a rhoi sicrwydd i mi, i fy etholwyr ac i gymudwyr y bydd yn gwella o ganlyniad i hynny?
I'd like to put on record my thanks to the Member for her keen interest in this matter and for representing her constituents vigorously on this very issue. I do recognise the disruption that has been caused as a consequence of these works, but we are trying to ensure that the work is completed as soon as possible. I was very pleased that the Member was able to meet with my project team, and I'm aware that that team are now preparing a report for Jayne Bryant, and I believe that that report should be ready and available this week. We'll share that report with you, and I can assure you that we have communicated and we will continue to communicate with all stakeholders regarding a project to help to minimise disruption to the people of Newport.
Hoffwn gofnodi fy niolch i'r Aelod am ei diddordeb brwd yn y mater hwn ac am gynrychioli ei hetholwyr yn rymus mewn perthynas ag ef. Rwy'n cydnabod bod y gwaith wedi arwain at darfu, ond rydym yn ceisio sicrhau bod y gwaith yn cael ei gwblhau cyn gynted â phosibl. Roeddwn yn falch iawn fod yr Aelod wedi gallu cyfarfod â fy nhîm prosiect, ac rwy'n ymwybodol fod y tîm hwnnw bellach yn paratoi adroddiad ar gyfer Jayne Bryant, a chredaf y dylai'r adroddiad hwnnw fod yn barod ac ar gael yr wythnos hon. Byddwn yn rhannu'r adroddiad hwnnw gyda chi, a gallaf eich sicrhau ein bod wedi cyfathrebu ac y byddwn yn parhau i gyfathrebu gyda'r holl randdeiliaid ynghylch prosiect i gynorthwyo i leihau problemau teithio i bobl Casnewydd.
Cabinet Secretary, you recently announced a review of the project to dual the A465 for the Heads of the Valleys road because the project is running £220 million over budget and is behind its schedule. Work on this section of the road was due to be completed in spring 2019, but is likely to be delayed, resulting in additional costs, not only to public finances, but also to local companies, some of which may be forced to cease trading in the area, which we desperately need. When will you make a statement in this Chamber on this project, and what plans do you have to compensate the businesses adversely affected by the delay in the completion of this very important route? Thank you.
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, yn ddiweddar fe gyhoeddoch chi adolygiad o'r prosiect i ddeuoli'r A465 ar gyfer ffordd Blaenau'r Cymoedd gan fod y prosiect £220 miliwn dros y gyllideb ac yn hwyr. Roedd y gwaith ar y rhan hon o'r ffordd i fod i gael ei gwblhau yn ystod gwanwyn 2019, ond mae'n debygol y bydd ar ei hôl hi, gan arwain at gostau ychwanegol, nid yn unig i arian cyhoeddus, ond hefyd i gwmnïau lleol, ac efallai y bydd yn rhaid i rai ohonynt roi'r gorau i fasnachu yn yr ardal er bod arnom eu hangen yn daer. Pryd y byddwch yn gwneud datganiad yn y Siambr hon ynglŷn â'r prosiect hwn, a pha gynlluniau sydd gennych i ddigolledu'r busnesau sydd wedi cael eu niweidio gan yr oedi wrth gwblhau'r llwybr pwysig hwn? Diolch.
Can I thank the Member for his question and invite him to ask any companies in the region that believe they are suffering as a consequence of these roadworks to make contact with my department without delay? We may be able to assist, and, if we can, we certainly will do. But the site topography, the very area that has caused the delay—the traffic management requirements for that area and the complex ground conditions have meant that the contractors have found that the project is far more difficult to deliver than they'd originally envisaged and, indeed, planned for. It was for that reason that I requested a comprehensive commercial project review, and the outcome of this review I am expecting imminently. As soon as I have received that review, I will be making a further statement.
A gaf fi ddiolch i'r Aelod am ei gwestiwn a'i wahodd i ofyn i unrhyw gwmnïau yn y rhanbarth sy'n credu eu bod yn dioddef o ganlyniad i'r gwaith ffordd gysylltu â fy adran ar unwaith? Efallai y bydd modd inni eu cynorthwyo, ac os gallwn, byddwn yn sicr o wneud hynny. Ond mae topograffi'r safle, yr union ardal sydd wedi achosi'r oedi—mae'r gofynion rheoli traffig yn yr ardal honno a chyflwr cymhleth y ddaear wedi golygu bod y prosiect wedi bod yn llawer anos i'r contractwyr ei gyflawni na'r hyn roeddent wedi'i ragweld ar y cychwyn, nac wedi cynllunio ar ei gyfer, yn wir. Am y rheswm hwnnw, gofynnais am adolygiad cynhwysfawr o'r prosiect masnachol, ac rwy'n disgwyl canlyniad yr adolygiad hwnnw cyn bo hir. Cyn gynted ag y bydd yr adolygiad wedi dod i law, byddaf yn gwneud datganiad pellach.
The Cabinet Secretary will be aware, I'm sure, of the fiasco of the Pwll-y-Pant roundabout in Caerphilly, and I am aware this isn't a Welsh Government road, but it is an important regional route, and it's having an enormous impact on local businesses and on people's daily lives. Can I ask if he, or his department, has engaged with the local authority in terms of looking at the nature of the contract between the local authority and the contractors? Is he looking at other options for the roadwork improvements around Pwll-y-Pant, perhaps the introduction of continental shifts, for example? Because local people cannot afford 12 months of disruption of this nature. There has to be a better way of improving the roads around Pwll-y-Pant.
Rwy'n siŵr y bydd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn ymwybodol o ffiasgo cylchfan Pwll-y-Pant yng Nghaerffili, ac rwy'n ymwybodol nad yw hon yn un o ffyrdd Llywodraeth Cymru, ond mae'n ffordd ranbarthol bwysig, ac mae'n cael cryn effaith ar fusnesau lleol a bywydau bob dydd pobl. A gaf fi ofyn a yw ef, neu ei adran, wedi ymgysylltu â'r awdurdod lleol o ran edrych ar natur y contract rhwng yr awdurdod lleol a'r contractwyr? A yw'n edrych ar opsiynau eraill ar gyfer y gwelliannau ffordd o gwmpas Pwll-y-Pant, efallai drwy gyflwyno sifftiau cyfandirol, er enghraifft? Oherwydd ni all pobl leol fforddio 12 mis o darfu o'r natur hon. Mae'n rhaid bod ffordd well o wella'r ffyrdd o gwmpas Pwll-y-Pant.
I acknowledge entirely what the Member says. I will ask my officials to work with the local authority officials to identify ways of reducing the inconvenience to my colleague's constituents. I think it's important that, when roadworks take place, they are concluded as swiftly as possible with as little disruption as possible to those who use the roads. So, I'll ask my officials to engage directly with the local authority to find ways of minimising disruption and to bring the works to an end as soon as possible.
Rwy'n llwyr gydnabod yr hyn a ddywed yr Aelod. Byddaf yn gofyn i fy swyddogion weithio gyda swyddogion yr awdurdod lleol i nodi ffyrdd o leihau'r anghyfleustra i etholwyr fy nghyd-Aelod. Credaf ei bod yn bwysig, pan fo gwaith ffordd yn mynd rhagddo, ei fod yn cael ei gwblhau cyn gynted â phosibl gyda chyn lleied o darfu â phosibl i'r rhai sy'n defnyddio'r ffyrdd. Felly, byddaf yn gofyn i fy swyddogion ymgysylltu'n uniongyrchol â'r awdurdod lleol i nodi ffyrdd o leihau tarfu ac i gwblhau'r gwaith cyn gynted â phosibl.
4. A wnaiff Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ddatganiad am brosiectau trafnidiaeth yng Nghanolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru? OAQ51328
4. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on transport projects in Mid and West Wales? OAQ51328
Yes. We are progressing a number of projects in mid and west Wales that include road, rail and public transport. The national transport finance plan sets out investment for transport, infrastructure and services from 2015 to 2020, across all parts of Wales.
Gwnaf. Rydym yn datblygu nifer o brosiectau yng nghanolbarth a gorllewin Cymru, sy'n cynnwys ffyrdd, rheilffyrdd a thrafnidiaeth gyhoeddus. Mae'r cynllun cyllid trafnidiaeth cenedlaethol yn nodi'r buddsoddiad ar gyfer trafnidiaeth, seilwaith a gwasanaethau o 2015 i 2020, ar draws pob rhan o Gymru.
I thank you for that and I see the signs along the way. One of the areas that has been brought to my attention—an area of concern—is the call by residents in Lower Town Fishguard for improvements on pedestrian access. Because—I'm sure you know the area, but there is a real pinch point and narrowing of that particular road where pedestrians and traffic meet, and it is deemed highly unsuitable and very unsafe. And I understand, Cabinet Secretary, that you received a petition signed by 98 people back in September and that you did say that your officials are considering alternative options and proposals for a footbridge to improve pedestrian safety, and that is very welcome. Can I ask has there been any further progress in that?
Diolch am hynny ac rwy'n gweld yr arwyddion ar hyd y ffordd. Un maes y tynnwyd fy sylw ato—maes sy'n peri pryder—yw'r galw gan drigolion yng Nghwm Abergwaun am welliannau mewn perthynas â mynediad i gerddwyr. Oherwydd—rwy'n siŵr eich bod yn adnabod yr ardal, ond mae yno fan cyfyng iawn ac mae'r heol benodol honno'n culhau mewn man lle mae cerddwyr a thraffig yn cwrdd â'i gilydd, ac ystyrir ei fod yn hynod anaddas ac anniogel. Ac yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallaf, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, fe dderbynioch chi ddeiseb a lofnodwyd gan 98 o bobl yn ôl ym mis Medi, ac fe ddywedoch fod eich swyddogion yn ystyried opsiynau eraill a chynigion ar gyfer pont droed i wella diogelwch cerddwyr, a chroesewir hynny'n fawr. A gaf fi ofyn a fu unrhyw gynnydd pellach yn hynny o beth?
Can I thank the Member for her question and, again, her keen interest in this matter in Fishguard? I am aware of the area, and I can assure the Member that I'll carefully consider the petition, but what it calls for is a medium- to longer-term solution to the problem that we face right now, whereas I wish to see action taken in the short term as well, to remedy the problem. So, my officials are looking at options and are currently reviewing proposals for a footbridge at Lower Town to improve pedestrian safety. This review work is being undertaken in the current financial year, with a view of presenting me with the report and a recommendation on how best to proceed. I'm pleased to be able to say to the Member that heavy goods vehicles are prohibited from using this section of the A487, and it's difficult for such vehicles to navigate through this narrow area without coming close to pedestrians, so enforcement of the length and width restrictions in Lower Town is undertaken by Dyfed-Powys Police. So, I'd like to assure the Member once again that we're looking at solutions not just for the medium and long term, but for a solution now.
A gaf fi ddiolch i'r Aelod am ei chwestiwn, ac unwaith eto, am ei diddordeb brwd yn y mater hwn yn Abergwaun? Rwy'n ymwybodol o'r ardal, a gallaf roi sicrwydd i'r Aelod y byddaf yn ystyried y ddeiseb yn ofalus, ond yr hyn y geilw amdano yw ateb yn y tymor canolig i'r tymor hwy i broblem sy'n ein hwynebu ar hyn o bryd, lle'r hoffwn weld camau'n cael eu cymryd yn y tymor byr hefyd, i ddatrys y broblem. Felly, mae fy swyddogion yn edrych ar opsiynau ac yn adolygu cynigion ar hyn o bryd ar gyfer pont droed yng Nghwm Abergwaun i wella diogelwch cerddwyr. Mae'r gwaith adolygu yn mynd rhagddo yn ystod y flwyddyn ariannol hon, gyda'r bwriad y caiff yr adroddiad ei gyflwyno i mi ynghyd ag argymhelliad ynglŷn â'r ffordd orau o fwrw ymlaen. Rwy'n falch o allu dweud wrth yr Aelod fod cerbydau nwyddau trwm wedi eu gwahardd rhag defnyddio'r rhan hon o'r A487, ac mae'n anodd i gerbydau o'r fath yrru drwy'r ardal gul hon heb ddod yn agos at gerddwyr, felly mae Heddlu Dyfed-Powys yn gorfodi cyfyngiadau ar hyd a lled cerbydau yng Nghwm Abergwaun. Felly, hoffwn sicrhau'r Aelod unwaith eto ein bod yn edrych ar atebion nid yn unig ar gyfer y tymor canolig a hir, ond hefyd am ateb ar gyfer yn awr.
Cabinet Secretary, evidence given to the recent External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee inquiry into the implications of Brexit for Welsh ports showed that connectivity to Welsh ports is critical to their success. Now, indeed, conclusion 12 of that report states that the Welsh Government should make
'clear commitments on future development of infrastructure for which is it responsible, including highways.'
Therefore, can you tell us where the Welsh Government is in relation to dualling the A40 in my constituency, which would not only have a hugely beneficial impact on both of the ports in my constituency, but also on businesses and indeed local communities right across Pembrokeshire?
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, dangosodd tystiolaeth a roddwyd i ymchwiliad diweddar y Pwyllgor Materion Allanol a Deddfwriaeth Ychwanegol i oblygiadau Brexit i borthladdoedd Cymru fod cysylltedd â phorthladdoedd Cymru yn hanfodol i'w llwyddiant. Nawr, yn wir, dywed casgliad 12 yn yr adroddiad hwnnw y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru wneud
'ymrwymiadau clir ar ddatblygu seilwaith y dyfodol y mae'n gyfrifol amdano, gan gynnwys priffyrdd.'
Felly, a allwch ddweud wrthym beth yw safbwynt Llywodraeth Cymru mewn perthynas â deuoli'r A40 yn fy etholaeth, a fyddai nid yn unig yn cael effaith fuddiol iawn ar y ddau borthladd yn fy etholaeth, ond hefyd ar fusnesau a chymunedau lleol yn wir ledled Sir Benfro?
I'd like to issue a statement concerning the A40 and say that the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales will play a crucial role in assessing the best forms of connected infrastructure linking ports and other facilities across Wales. The advertisements for the chair of the commission are due to be issued imminently, and I do think that, particularly in a post-Brexit environment, the role of our ports in generating growth and prosperity will become even more important. So, we need to ensure that investment is driven towards making them more connected and better connected to urban centres.
Hoffwn gyhoeddi datganiad ynghylch yr A40 a dweud y bydd Comisiwn Seilwaith Cenedlaethol Cymru yn chwarae rôl hollbwysig yn asesu'r mathau gorau o seilwaith cysylltiedig sy'n cysylltu porthladdoedd a chyfleusterau eraill ledled Cymru. Bydd yr hysbysebion ar gyfer rôl cadeirydd y comisiwn yn cael eu cyhoeddi cyn bo hir, a chredaf, yn enwedig mewn amgylchedd ôl-Brexit, y bydd rôl ein porthladdoedd yn cynhyrchu twf a ffyniant yn dod hyd yn oed yn bwysicach. Felly, mae angen inni sicrhau bod buddsoddiad yn cael ei dargedu tuag at sicrhau eu bod yn fwy cysylltiedig a'u bod yn cysylltu'n well â chanolfannau trefol.
Os caf i ofyn i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet—. Wrth iddo fe baratoi—. Mae un o'r cynlluniau mwyaf cyffroes rydw i wedi ei weld ar gyfer gweddnewid trafnidiaeth yn y rhanbarth yw ailagor y rheilffordd rhwng Caerfyrddin ac Aberystwyth. Rydw i'n credu bod hwn yn fuddsoddiad sydd yn newid agweddau pobl yn sylweddol iawn yn y gorllewin, sydd yn cadw cymunedau at ei gilydd a denu buddsoddiad. Rydym ni i gyd yn gwybod, ac mae e'n gwybod yn arbennig: lle mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gwario ar rheilffyrdd yn Nghymru, mae llwyddiant a ffyniant wedi dilyn yn sgil hynny.
A fedrwch chi ein diweddaru ni ar y gwaith mae'r Llywodraeth yn ei wneud gyda'r astudiaeth dichonoldeb ar y rheilffordd yma? A fedrwch chi hefyd ddweud a ydych chi wedi dechrau trafod gyda Network Rail—yn y ffordd mwyaf amlinellol, rydw i'n gwybod, ond dechrau trafod gyda nhw—y posibiliad o'r cynllun yma yn mynd i mewn i'r fframwaith nesaf o fuddsoddiad, gan fy mod i o'r farn, nes bod popeth wedi cael ei ddatganoli, wrth gwrs, bod angen cyd-fuddsoddiad gan Lywodraeth Cymru a Llywodraeth San Steffan yn y cynllun hwn?
If I could ask the Cabinet Secretary—. As he prepares himself—. One of the most exciting proposals I’ve seen for transforming transport in the region is reopening the rail line between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth. I think that’s an investment that will change people’s attitudes in west Wales, which will keep communities together and attract investment. We all know, and he himself particularly knows, where the Welsh Government has spent on railways in Wales, prosperity has followed that expenditure.
Can you give us an update on the work that the Government is doing with the feasibility study on this rail line? And can you also tell us whether you have started to discuss with Network Rail—in an outline manner, I know, but have you had initial discussions—the possibility of this proposal going into the next framework for investment? Because I am of the view that, until everything is devolved, we need joint investment by the Welsh Government and the Westminster Government in this proposal.
I'd like to thank the Member for his question and say that the feasibility work is being undertaken at the moment. I believe it will be concluded in the new year. The UK Government is, of course, still responsible, unfortunately, for funding railway infrastructure in Wales. However, the feasibility study, once complete, will be used to inform Network Rail's, and indeed the UK Government's, planning process for rail infrastructure, and I am pleased to have been able to support this feasibility study. The Member highlights numerous benefits from upgrading rail infrastructure across Wales, including the potential of the Aberystwyth-Carmarthen railway line.
Hoffwn ddiolch i'r Aelod am ei gwestiwn a dweud bod y gwaith dichonoldeb yn mynd rhagddo ar hyn o bryd. Credaf y bydd yn cael ei gwblhau yn y flwyddyn newydd. Llywodraeth y DU, wrth gwrs, sy'n gyfrifol o hyd, yn anffodus, am ariannu'r seilwaith rheilffyrdd yng Nghymru. Fodd bynnag, bydd yr astudiaeth ddichonoldeb, ar ôl iddi gael ei chwblhau, yn cael ei defnyddio i lywio proses gynllunio Network Rail, a Llywodraeth y DU yn wir, ar gyfer y seilwaith rheilffyrdd, ac rwy'n falch fy mod wedi gallu cefnogi'r astudiaeth ddichonoldeb hon. Tynna'r Aelod sylw at nifer o fanteision a fyddai'n deillio o uwchraddio'r seilwaith rheilffyrdd ledled Cymru, gan gynnwys y posibilrwydd o reilffordd rhwng Aberystwyth a Chaerfyrddin.
5. Beth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i roi hwb i'r economi wledig? OAQ51323
5. What is the Welsh Government doing to boost the rural economy? OAQ51323
Well, rural Wales has specific opportunities, and also specific challenges, that must be faced, and these have been brought into sharpened focus as a consequence of Brexit. We are considering all the levers at our disposal, across all ministerial portfolios, in shaping and influencing an agenda of prosperity for all.
Wel, mae gan Gymru wledig gyfleoedd penodol, yn ogystal â heriau penodol sy'n rhaid eu hwynebu, ac maent wedi dod yn fwy amlwg o ganlyniad i Brexit. Rydym yn ystyried pob dull sydd ar gael i ni, ar draws pob portffolio gweinidogol, ar gyfer llunio a dylanwadu ar agenda o ffyniant i bawb.
Well, that doesn't sound like much, to be honest with you, Cabinet Secretary. If we are going to create an economy that leaves no-one behind, then we have to ensure that there's a level playing field. When you look at transport infrastructure, broadband speeds—crucial building blocks for many businesses to make a success of things—there's an overwhelming disparity in provision, and companies are at a competitive disadvantage. I recently visited a sawmill in Ceredigion, with my colleague Simon Thomas and Ben Lake, which needs decent broadband speeds in order to monitor the equipment, and that's broadband speed that they don't have most of the time. Incidentally, that system works fine in most of the other countries worldwide who use the same machines. Now, I know that broadband is not your direct responsibility, but what are you doing within your jurisdiction to ensure that communities and businesses located outside of the urban areas of this country are helped rather than hindered with their economic development?
Wel, nid yw hynny'n swnio fel fawr ddim, a bod yn onest gyda chi, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Os ydym am greu economi nad yw'n gadael unrhyw un ar ôl, mae'n rhaid inni sicrhau y ceir chwarae teg. Pan edrychwch ar y seilwaith trafnidiaeth, cyflymderau band eang—pethau sy'n hanfodol i lawer o fusnesau er mwyn llwyddo—ceir anghysondeb enfawr yn y ddarpariaeth, ac mae cwmnïau dan anfantais gystadleuol. Yn ddiweddar bûm yn ymweld â melin goed yn Ngheredigion, gyda fy nghyd-Aelod, Simon Thomas a Ben Lake, ac mae arnynt angen band eang â chyflymder digonol i fonitro'r offer, ac nid yw'r cyflymder hwnnw ganddynt y rhan fwyaf o'r amser. Fel mae'n digwydd, mae'r system honno'n gweithio'n iawn yn y rhan fwyaf o'r gwledydd eraill ledled y byd sy'n defnyddio'r un peiriannau. Nawr, gwn nad yw band eang yn un o'ch cyfrifoldebau uniongyrchol, ond beth a wnewch o fewn eich awdurdodaeth i sicrhau bod cymunedau a busnesau sydd wedi'u lleoli y tu allan i ardaloedd trefol y wlad hon yn cael eu cynorthwyo yn hytrach na'u llesteirio mewn perthynas â'u datblygiad economaidd ?
Well, the Member is simply not right to suggest that rural Wales fares far worse than urban Wales in terms of—
Wel, mae'r Aelod yn anghywir i awgrymu bod Cymru wledig yn ei chael hi'n llawer gwaeth nag ardaloedd trefol Cymru o ran—
Go and speak to the sawmill owners.
Ewch i siarad â pherchnogion y felin goed.
—superfast broadband connectivity. I recall, when I was responsible for skills and technology, that we chose Gwynedd as the pathfinder area for business exploitation of Superfast Cymru. If you look at some parts of rural Wales, they're amongst the best-connected parts of the UK. Superfast Cymru—[Interruption.] Superfast Cymru has delivered superfast broadband faster, sooner, at a quicker pace than in many parts of the UK. Yes, there are areas. I admit that there are areas of Wales that are still not connected, but that will be for the next phase—those hard-to-reach areas. We are providing the solutions. I know that you're providing many criticisms, but we are providing the solutions to what is a challenge that is global. There are only a few countries on this planet that currently have 100 per cent access to superfast broadband. Wales today, as a consequence of direct interventions of this Welsh Labour Government, stands as one of the best-connected countries, but we will continue to go further and connect businesses and dwellings to superfast broadband across the country.
—cysylltedd band eang cyflym iawn. Rwy'n cofio, pan oeddwn yn gyfrifol am sgiliau a thechnoleg, ein bod wedi dewis Gwynedd fel ardal fraenaru i fusnesau fanteisio ar Cyflymu Cymru. Os edrychwch ar rai ardaloedd o'r Gymru wledig, maent ymhlith yr ardaloedd mwyaf cysylltiedig yn y DU. Mae Cyflymu Cymru—[Torri ar draws.] Mae Cyflymu Cymru wedi darparu band eang cyflym iawn yn gyflymach ac yn gynt na sawl man arall yn y DU. Oes, mae yna ardaloedd. Rwy'n cyfaddef bod yna ardaloedd yng Nghymru sydd heb eu cysylltu o hyd, ond bydd hynny'n digwydd yn y cyfnod nesaf—yr ardaloedd hynny sy'n anodd eu cyrraedd. Rydym yn darparu'r atebion. Gwn eich bod chi'n darparu sawl beirniadaeth, ond rydym ni'n darparu'r atebion i her fyd-eang. Ychydig o wledydd yn unig ar y blaned hon sydd â chyfraddau mynediad o 100 y cant at fand eang cyflym iawn ar hyn o bryd. Heddiw, o ganlyniad i ymyriadau uniongyrchol Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru, mae Cymru yn un o'r gwledydd mwyaf cysylltiedig, ond byddwn yn parhau i wneud mwy ac i gysylltu busnesau ac anheddau ledled y wlad â band eang cyflym iawn.
Minister, one of the key things that the rural economy needs is, obviously, people to get their produce to market and sell that produce at the best price possible. Many constituents of mine, in the northern part of the region, access Raglan livestock market, along the Heads of the Valleys road. You've already answered part of the question when Mohammad Asghar, the Member for South Wales East, posed it to you, but I wonder: are you able to give us any clarity at all as to the timelines now in operation for the finishing of the eastern part of the upgrade, and, importantly, what likely cost overruns might be incurred by the Welsh Government? It is vital that we do understand that, because I have many constituents who've actually stopped going to Raglan livestock market now because of the chaos they've found themselves in, either stuck early in the morning going, or on their way back.
Weinidog, un o'r pethau allweddol y mae'r economi wledig eu hangen, yn amlwg, yw i bobl allu cael eu cynnyrch i'r farchnad a'i werthu am y pris gorau posibl. Mae llawer o fy etholwyr, yn rhan ogleddol y rhanbarth, yn mynychu marchnad da byw Rhaglan, gan ddefnyddio ffordd Blaenau'r Cymoedd. Rydych eisoes wedi ateb rhan o'r cwestiwn pan ofynnodd Mohammad Asghar, yr Aelod dros Ddwyrain De Cymru, y cwestiwn i chi, ond tybed: a allwch roi unrhyw eglurder o gwbl inni ynghylch yr amserlenni sy'n weithredol bellach ar gyfer gorffen rhan ddwyreiniol y gwaith uwchraddio, ac yn bwysicach, pa gostau ychwanegol y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn debygol o fynd iddynt? Mae'n hanfodol ein bod yn deall hynny, gan fod nifer o fy etholwyr wedi rhoi'r gorau i fynychu marchnad da byw Rhaglan bellach oherwydd yr anhrefn y maent wedi'i hwynebu, naill ai drwy orfod oedi yn gynnar yn y bore wrth fynd yno, neu ar eu ffordd yn ôl.
I'd like to take up that very issue, if I may, on behalf of the constituents that the Member has spoken with, and I'll ask my office to make direct contact, if that's okay, so that we can discuss with those businesses the problems that they face. The review should be with me imminently, and it's my intention to make a further statement as soon as it is available. That statement should provide details on the overrun, in terms of the schedule, and any cost overspend as well. This is, as I said to Mohammad Asghar, a hugely ambitious project, not without many, many challenges, not least the fact that it involves work through a very narrow gorge that is protected. However, we are delivering the project, the contractors are delivering the project, and it will lead to improved connectivity in the long term for the region.
Hoffwn fynd i'r afael â'r union fater hwnnw, os caf, ar ran yr etholwyr y mae'r Aelod wedi siarad â hwy, a byddaf yn gofyn i fy swyddfa gysylltu â hwy'n uniongyrchol, os yw hynny'n iawn, fel y gallwn drafod y problemau y mae'r busnesau hynny yn eu hwynebu. Dylai'r adolygiad fod gennyf cyn bo hir, ac rwy'n bwriadu gwneud datganiad pellach cyn gynted ag y bydd hwnnw ar gael. Dylai'r datganiad hwnnw ddarparu manylion ynglŷn â'r amserlen sydd wedi gor-redeg, yn ogystal â chostau unrhyw orwariant. Mae hwn, fel y dywedais wrth Mohammad Asghar, yn brosiect hynod o uchelgeisiol, gyda llawer iawn o heriau, yn enwedig y ffaith ei fod yn cynnwys gwaith drwy geunant cul iawn sydd wedi'i warchod. Fodd bynnag, rydym yn cyflawni'r prosiect, mae'r contractwyr yn cyflawni'r prosiect, a bydd yn arwain at well cysylltedd ar gyfer y rhanbarth yn y tymor hir.
6. A wnaiff Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am ddiogelwch priffyrdd ar y rhwydwaith cefnffyrdd yng ngogledd Cymru? OAQ51310
6. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on highway safety on the trunk road network in north Wales? OAQ51310
Yes. The road safety framework for Wales sets out the actions that we and our partners are taking to achieve our casualty reduction targets.
Gwnaf. Mae fframwaith diogelwch ar y ffyrdd Cymru yn nodi'r camau rydym ni a'n partneriaid yn eu cymryd i gyflawni ein targedau o ran lleihau'r nifer sy'n cael eu hanafu a'u lladd mewn damweiniau ffyrdd.
One of the accident black spots that there has been in my constituency in recent years has been on the A494 trunk road, particularly in the area between Loggerheads and the Clwyd Gate area near Llanbedr DC. I was very grateful to the Cabinet Secretary for making his officials available for a site meeting along that stretch of the road in late October, and also for the follow-up correspondence that was sent by the Cabinet Secretary following that meeting. Can you tell me the timescales for the improvements that your letter set out, and what further action might be taken to reduce the speed of traffic, in particular, on this busy road?
Un o'r mannau lle mae damweiniau'n tueddu i ddigwydd yn fy etholaeth dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf yw cefnffordd yr A494, yn arbennig yn yr ardal rhwng Loggerheads ac ardal Clwyd Gate ger Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd. Roeddwn yn ddiolchgar iawn i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet am sicrhau bod ei swyddogion ar gael i fynychu cyfarfod ar y safle ar hyd y rhan honno o'r ffordd ddiwedd mis Hydref, a hefyd am yr ohebiaeth ddilynol a anfonwyd gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn dilyn y cyfarfod hwnnw. A allwch ddweud wrthyf beth yw'r amserlenni ar gyfer y gwelliannau a nodwyd yn eich llythyr, a pha gamau pellach y gellid eu cymryd i leihau cyflymder y traffig, ar y ffordd brysur hon yn benodol?
Can I thank the Member for his question and for showing such an interest in this part of Wales? I would agree that this specific area is a black spot in terms of road traffic accidents. It can be unsafe at times for pedestrians as well, and I'm determined to make sure that it is improved in terms of safety. There are two parts of the A494 that the Member has recently raised with me that I believe require action. First of all, moving to the A494 section at Llanbedr DC, I can tell the Member that draft traffic orders will be published at the beginning of December, and I hope to see work commence as soon as possible there. With regard to the A494 at Loggerheads approaching the Clwyd Gate, the amber lights attached to the warning signs, which I know the Member was concerned about, on the approaches to the Colomendy centre have been repaired, and vehicle-activated signs will be installed in this financial year.
In terms of the extension of the 40 mph speed limit west from Loggerheads, before a draft order is published, consideration is going to be given to terminating the proposed extension of the 40 mph speed limit west from Loggerheads beyond the Tafarn-y-Gelyn junction, so that we can ensure that the orders are published in the correct way. The visibility from the B5430 junction to the east along the A494 will also be checked, and I can assure the Member that any obstructing vegetation within the highway boundary will be removed. A review of the white lining of the bends to the east of the Clwyd Gate will be undertaken, and signing and lining measures will also be investigated regarding the safety of pedestrians as well, crossing at the Clwyd Gate. I hope these measures will be to the satisfaction of the Member and his constituents, but if any further site visit is required, I would be happy to attend, along with my officials.
A gaf fi ddiolch i'r Aelod am ei gwestiwn ac am ddangos diddordeb yn y rhan hon o Gymru? Buaswn yn cytuno bod yr ardal hon yn fan peryglus o ran damweiniau traffig ar y ffordd. Gall fod yn anniogel i gerddwyr hefyd ar brydiau, ac rwy'n benderfynol o sicrhau ei bod yn cael ei gwella o ran diogelwch. Mae'r Aelod wedi crybwyll dwy ran o'r A494 wrthyf yn ddiweddar a chredaf fod angen rhoi camau ar waith yn eu cylch. Yn gyntaf, o ran y rhan o'r A494 yn Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, gallaf ddweud wrth yr Aelod y bydd gorchmynion traffig drafft yn cael eu cyhoeddi ddechrau mis Rhagfyr, a gobeithiaf weld y gwaith yn dechrau ar hynny cyn gynted â phosibl. O ran yr A494 yn Loggerheads tuag at Clwyd Gate, mae'r goleuadau ambr ar yr arwyddion rhybudd y gwn fod yr Aelod wedi bod yn bryderus yn eu cylch ar y ffyrdd sy'n arwain at ganolfan Colomendy wedi cael eu hatgyweirio, a bydd arwyddion sy'n cael eu cynnau gan gerbydau yn cael eu gosod yn ystod y flwyddyn ariannol hon.
O ran ymestyn y terfyn cyflymder 40 mya i'r gorllewin o Loggerheads, cyn i orchymyn drafft gael ei gyhoeddi, bydd ystyriaeth yn cael ei rhoi i ddiddymu'r ymestyniad arfaethedig i'r terfyn cyflymder 40 mya i'r gorllewin o Loggerheads y tu hwnt i gyffordd Tafarn-y-Gelyn, fel y gallwn sicrhau bod y gorchmynion yn cael eu cyhoeddi yn y ffordd gywir. Bydd gwelededd rhwng cyffordd y B5430 i'r dwyrain ar hyd yr A494 hefyd yn cael ei wirio, a gallaf roi sicrwydd i'r Aelod y ceir gwared ar unrhyw lystyfiant rhwystrol o fewn ffiniau'r briffordd. Bydd adolygiad o'r llinellau gwyn ar y troeon i'r dwyrain o Clwyd Gate yn cael ei gynnal, a bydd mesurau arwyddo a llinellu hefyd yn cael eu harchwilio mewn perthynas â diogelwch cerddwyr sy'n croesi yn Clwyd Gate. Gobeithiaf y bydd y mesurau hyn yn bodloni'r Aelod a'i etholwyr, ond os bydd angen ymweld â'r safle eto, buaswn yn fwy na pharod i fynychu gyda fy swyddogion.
O fis Chwefror, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, bydd cyfrifoldeb swyddogion traffig asiantaeth cefnffyrdd gogledd Cymru yn cael ei ehangu i gynnwys yr A483 o ochrau Caer—y Posthouse—i lawr i'r Waun, a hefyd rhannau o'r A55 ar Ynys Môn. Nawr, mae ymestyn y gwasanaeth heb ychwanegu at yr adnoddau yn golygu y bydd y gwasanaeth yn cael ei wasgaru'n deneuach. Mae yna oblygiadau, byddai rhywun yn tybio, neu risg, beth bynnag, i ansawdd y gwasanaeth yn sgil hynny. Felly, pa sicrwydd y gallwch chi ei roi, gan fod yna ychwanegu i'r cyfrifoldeb yn digwydd—oni ddylai fod yna ychwanegu o safbwynt adnoddau hefyd?
From February, Cabinet Secretary, the responsibility of traffic officers of the Welsh trunk road agency will be expanded to include the A483 from Chester—the Posthouse—down to Chirk and parts of the A55 on Anglesey. Now, extending that service without adding to resources means that the service will be spread more thinly and there will be implications for, or a risk to, the quality of the service as a result of that. What assurances can you give, given that there are going to be additional responsibilities? Shouldn’t there also be additional resources available, too?
I've asked my officials to address these concerns, which have been raised with me as well by employees. I think it's important that any concerns about the safety of officials is taken on board and addressed immediately. I have also asked my officials to look at the resourcing of that particular service to ensure that there are sufficient people on hand to be able to deal with any incidents. I have also asked for the issue of pay to be examined as well, with a view to ensuring that any concerns over disparities can be addressed.
Rwyf wedi gofyn i fy swyddogion fynd i'r afael â'r pryderon hyn, ac mae gweithwyr wedi eu dwyn i fy sylw innau hefyd. Credaf ei bod yn bwysig fod unrhyw bryderon ynghylch diogelwch swyddogion yn cael eu cydnabod a'u datrys ar unwaith. Rwyf hefyd wedi gofyn i fy swyddogion edrych ar yr adnoddau ar gyfer y gwasanaeth arbennig hwnnw er mwyn sicrhau bod digon o bobl wrth law i allu ymdrin ag unrhyw ddigwyddiadau. Rwyf hefyd wedi gofyn i gyflogau gael eu harchwilio hefyd, gyda'r bwriad o sicrhau y gellir mynd i'r afael ag unrhyw bryderon ynghylch anghyfartalwch.
Ac yn olaf, cwestiwn 7—Steffan Lewis.
And finally, question 7—Steffan Lewis.
7. A wnaiff Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ddatganiad am wasanaethau rheilffordd yn ne-ddwyrain Cymru? OAQ51305
7. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on rail services in south-east Wales? OAQ51305
Yes. The appointment of the operator and development partner to deliver the next Wales and borders rail services and the metro will lead to a step change in services and connectivity in south-east Wales, along with the rest of Wales and the borders.
Gwnaf. Bydd penodi gweithredwr a phartner datblygu i ddarparu'r gwasanaethau rheilffyrdd nesaf ar gyfer Cymru a'r gororau a'r metro yn arwain at newid sylweddol yn y gwasanaethau a'r cysylltedd yn ne-ddwyrain Cymru, ynghyd â gweddill Cymru a'r gororau.
I thank the Cabinet Secretary for that answer. In March 2015, it was announced that there would be a dualling of the Ebbw Vale line as part of a £40 million initiative that would deliver a half-hourly service. This was amid much fanfare. There were public engagement events and a great deal of media coverage and it was said that dualling the track would be complete by the following winter, to be followed swiftly by new platforms and new signalling. A letter I’ve received from Network Rail reveals that all physical works were put on hold in December 2016 as the Welsh Government initiated a pause-and-review period, and now we’re approaching winter 2017 with no half-hourly service and the work remains incomplete. Will the Cabinet Secretary please apologise to the people of the Ebbw valley for this delay? Will he give them a full explanation and will he provide them with a new completion date?
Diolch i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet am ei ateb. Ym mis Mawrth 2015, cyhoeddwyd y byddai rheilffordd Glyn Ebwy yn cael ei deuoli fel rhan o fenter £40 miliwn a fyddai'n darparu gwasanaeth bob hanner awr. Cafwyd cryn dipyn o ffanffer ynglŷn â hyn. Cafwyd digwyddiadau ymgysylltu cyhoeddus a llawer iawn o sylw yn y cyfryngau a dywedwyd y byddai'r broses o ddeuoli'r rheilffordd wedi'i chwblhau erbyn y gaeaf canlynol, ac y byddai platfformau newydd a signalau newydd yn dilyn yn fuan wedyn. Mae llythyr a gefais gan Network Rail yn dweud bod yr holl waith ffisegol wedi ei ohirio ym mis Rhagfyr 2016 wrth i Lywodraeth Cymru gychwyn cyfnod o oedi ac adolygu, ac rydym bellach yn agosáu at aeaf 2017 heb wasanaeth bob hanner awr, ac mae'r gwaith yn dal i fod heb ei gwblhau. A wnaiff Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ymddiheuro, os gwelwch yn dda, i bobl cwm Ebwy am yr oedi hwn? A wnaiff roi esboniad llawn iddynt, ac a wnaiff roi dyddiad cwblhau newydd iddynt?
I can say to the Member that my officials are working with Network Rail to review the scheme, as he said—to review the objectives, to review the delivery plan and the cost estimates to deliver the most effective infrastructure solution to enhance frequency of services along the Ebbw line. We are absolutely committed to ensuring that communities along that line are better connected. In terms of the metro project, increasing the capacity of the Ebbw line to four trains an hour should be considered as part of the metro phases, and I’ve requested in the meantime that we focus on driving efficiency to deliver best value for money.
The outcome of the review that I commissioned will inform the most cost-effective methodology for completing the infrastructure works. They are works that we are committed to, and I would say to the Member’s constituents that we are determined to ensure that we deliver a step change in the service that they receive, that we are determined to better connect these communities together, and that we will do it for the least cost to the taxpayer.
Gallaf ddweud wrth yr Aelod fod fy swyddogion yn gweithio gyda Network Rail i adolygu'r cynllun, fel y dywedodd—i adolygu'r amcanion, i adolygu'r cynllun cyflawni ac amcangyfrifon o'r costau er mwyn darparu'r ateb seilwaith mwyaf effeithiol i wella amlder gwasanaethau ar hyd rheilffordd Ebwy. Rydym yn gwbl ymrwymedig i sicrhau bod y cymunedau ar hyd y rheilffordd honno yn cael eu cysylltu'n well. O ran y prosiect metro, dylid ystyried cynyddu capasiti rheilffordd Ebwy i bedwar trên yr awr yn rhan o gamau'r metro, ac rwyf wedi gofyn a oes modd inni ganolbwyntio yn y cyfamser ar ysgogi effeithlonrwydd er mwyn darparu'r gwerth gorau am arian.
Bydd canlyniad yr adolygiad a gomisiynwyd gennyf yn llywio'r fethodoleg fwyaf costeffeithiol ar gyfer cwblhau'r gwaith seilwaith. Mae'n waith rydym wedi ymrwymo iddo, a buaswn yn dweud wrth etholwyr yr Aelod ein bod yn benderfynol o sicrhau ein bod yn cyflawni newid sylweddol yn y gwasanaeth a gânt, ein bod yn benderfynol o gysylltu'r cymunedau hyn â'i gilydd yn well, ac y byddwn yn gwneud hynny am y gost leiaf sy'n bosibl i'r trethdalwr.
Diolch i’r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet.
I thank the Cabinet Secretary.
Yr eitem nesaf yw’r cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol, a’r cwestiwn cyntaf—Mark Reckless.
The next item is questions to the Counsel General, and the first question is from Mark Reckless.
1. Pa asesiad y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'i wneud o'r effaith y byddai datblygu awdurdodaeth gyfreithiol ar wahân yn ei chael ar faint y proffesiwn cyfreithiol yng Nghymru? OAQ51315
1. What assessment has the Counsel General made of the effect that the development of a separate legal jurisdiction would have on the size of the legal profession in Wales? OAQ51315
I thank the Member for that question. The First Minister has established the commission on justice in Wales, as he knows, and that commission will consider these matters. I have no doubt that the legal profession in Wales will engage fully with the work of the commission.
Diolch i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn. Mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi sefydlu'r comisiwn ar gyfiawnder yng Nghymru, fel y gŵyr, a bydd y comisiwn hwnnw'n ystyried y materion hyn. Nid oes gennyf amheuaeth y bydd y proffesiwn cyfreithiol yng Nghymru yn ymgysylltu'n llawn â gwaith y comisiwn.
May I take this opportunity to congratulate the Member on his appointment as Counsel General? It gives me particular pleasure personally to have done so having attended university with him some quarter of a century ago now. As lawyers, we might see it as a good thing were the size of the legal profession to expand, but I wonder: speaking on behalf of the Government, does he have a view on whether a larger legal profession, on account of devolution and potentially a distinct jurisdiction, would be a good thing for Wales? Does he see any risk in distinguishing our legal system more clearly from that of England, perhaps for businesses who might be needing to pay for those lawyers?
A gaf fi fanteisio ar y cyfle hwn i longyfarch yr Aelod ar ei benodiad yn Gwnsler Cyffredinol? Mae'n bleser arbennig gennyf wneud hynny yn bersonol gan fy mod wedi bod yn y brifysgol gydag ef oddeutu chwarter canrif yn ôl bellach. Fel cyfreithwyr, gallem ei ystyried yn beth da pe bai maint y proffesiwn cyfreithiol yn ehangu, ond tybed: wrth siarad ar ran y Llywodraeth, a oes ganddo farn ynglŷn ag a fyddai proffesiwn cyfreithiol mwy o faint o ganlyniad i ddatganoli, ac awdurdodaeth neilltuol o bosibl, yn beth da i Gymru? A yw'n gweld unrhyw berygl o gael gwahaniaeth mwy eglur rhwng ein system gyfreithiol ni ac un Lloegr, efallai i fusnesau a allai fod angen talu am y cyfreithwyr hynny?
Can I firstly thank the Member for the opportunity of addressing my first question on the matter of a separate legal jurisdiction? It provides me with the opportunity of paying tribute to my predecessor for his work in relation to that matter, both as Counsel General and previously on the back benches. The commission’s work will ensure that there is going to be a holistic analysis of all the issues relevant to the question of jurisdiction and the implications of that, including on the legal profession in Wales. The legal profession is an important sector to the economy of Wales. It employs thousands of people and contributes hundreds of millions to the economy of Wales, and as part of the commission’s terms of reference, there is explicit reference to promoting the strength and sustainability of the Welsh legal services sector and maximising its contribution to the prosperity of Wales.
The joint jurisdiction of England and Wales no longer reflects the reality of devolution and the growing divergence of law in Wales and in England. The Welsh Government’s position has been stated on a number of occasions. His question is about a separate jurisdiction, but previously the Welsh Government has proposed a distinct jurisdiction that would involve England and Wales becoming distinct legal territories and importantly would allow solicitors and barristers to practice in both jurisdictions without barrier. There seems to me no reason why that is incompatible with a distinct or a separate jurisdiction, and in fact a new approach to jurisdiction could create new opportunities and new work and career structures. We look forward to the commission’s ideas around that.
Yn gyntaf, a gaf fi ddiolch i'r Aelod am y cyfle i fynd i'r afael â fy nghwestiwn cyntaf ar fater awdurdodaeth gyfreithiol ar wahân? Mae'n rhoi cyfle i mi dalu teyrnged i fy rhagflaenydd am ei waith mewn perthynas â'r mater hwnnw, fel Cwnsler Cyffredinol a chyn hynny ar y meinciau cefn. Bydd gwaith y comisiwn yn sicrhau y ceir dadansoddiad cyfannol o'r holl faterion sy'n berthnasol i fater awdurdodaeth a goblygiadau hynny, gan gynnwys i'r proffesiwn cyfreithiol yng Nghymru. Mae'r proffesiwn cyfreithiol yn sector pwysig i economi Cymru. Mae'n cyflogi miloedd o bobl ac yn cyfrannu cannoedd o filiynau i economi Cymru, ac mae cylch gorchwyl y comisiwn yn cynnwys cyfeiriad penodol at hybu cryfder a chynaliadwyedd sector gwasanaethau cyfreithiol Cymru a sicrhau ei fod yn gwneud y cyfraniad mwyaf posibl i ffyniant Cymru.
Nid yw'r awdurdodaeth ar y cyd rhwng Cymru a Lloegr bellach yn adlewyrchu realiti datganoli a'r gwahaniaethau cynyddol rhwng y gyfraith yng Nghymru ac yn Lloegr. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi nodi ei safbwynt ar sawl achlysur. Mae ei gwestiwn yn ymwneud ag awdurdodaeth ar wahân, ond mae Llywodraeth Cymru, yn y gorffennol, wedi cynnig awdurdodaeth neilltuol a fuasai'n golygu y byddai Cymru a Lloegr yn dod yn diriogaethau cyfreithiol neilltuol, ac yn bwysig, byddai'n caniatáu i gyfreithwyr a bargyfreithwyr ymarfer yn ddirwystr yn y ddwy awdurdodaeth. Ymddengys i mi nad oes rheswm pam fod hynny'n anghydnaws ag awdurdodaeth neilltuol neu ar wahân, ac mewn gwirionedd, gallai ymagwedd newydd tuag at awdurdodaeth greu cyfleoedd newydd a gwaith a strwythurau gyrfa newydd. Edrychwn ymlaen at syniadau'r comisiwn ynglŷn â hynny.
A gaf i groesawu Jeremy Miles i’w swydd newydd, er fy mod i wedi trio yn daer iawn ei rwystro fe rhag cymryd yr awenau yr wythnos diwethaf? Rydw i’n edrych ymlaen at gydweithio gyda fe ar y materion hyn, ac yn sicr mae Plaid Cymru â diddordeb mawr yn yr hyn y mae e newydd amlinellu.
A wnaiff e jest esbonio, gan fod y Prif Weinidog wedi sefydlu'r comisiwn ar gyfiawnder yng Nghymru, pa rôl fydd gydag e nawr bellach fel y Cwnsler Cyffredinol newydd i hyrwyddo gwaith y comisiwn yma a gwaith y proffesiwn ehangach? Mae'n rhywbeth yr oedd Mick Antoniw yn ymddiddori yn fawr ynddo, rwy'n gwybod, ac rwyf hefyd yn talu teyrnged i'r gwaith yr oedd e wedi ei wneud yn y Cynulliad hwn dros y materion yna.
Yn benodol, wrth edrych ar waith y comisiwn, a ydy e o'r farn y bydd y comisiwn yma yn rhannu ei waith gyda'r cyhoedd yn fwy eang yng Nghymru, gan gyhoeddi papurau a chyhoeddi'r gwaith wrth iddo fynd yn ei flaen, ac ati? Ac a fydd felly cyfle i ni fel Aelodau Cynulliad a phawb sy'n ymddiddori yn hwn i ddilyn ffrwyth y comisiwn a'r syniadau a'r athroniaeth sydd y tu ôl iddo fe, ac wrth gwrs wedyn gweld sut rydym ni'n gallu cydweithio gyda chanfyddiadau'r comisiwn?
May I also welcome Jeremy Miles to his new post, despite attempting to prevent him from taking up his post up last week? I’m looking forward to working with him on these issues, and, certainly, Plaid Cymru has a great interest in what he has just outlined.
Could he just explain, as the First Minister has established the commission, what role he will have now as the new Counsel General to promote the work of this commission and the work of the profession in a broader sense? It’s something that Mick Antoniw was very interested in, and I also pay tribute to the work that he undertook during this Assembly on those issues.
Specifically, in looking at the work of the commission, is he of the view that this commission will share its work with the public in a broader sense, publish papers, publish the work as it goes on and so forth? Therefore, will there be an opportunity for us as Assembly Members and everybody who takes an interest in this to follow the work of the commission and the philosophy and ideas behind it, and then see how we can collaborate with the outcomes?
Un o fanteision sefydlu comisiwn o'r math yma, yn fy marn i, yw'r gallu i wyntyllu'r math yma o syniadau ynglŷn ag awdurdodaeth a'r proffesiwn ac ati mewn ffordd sydd yn gallu ysgogi'r cyhoedd i ymwneud â chwestiynau sydd yn gallu bod yn rhai eithaf dyrys ac eithaf technegol. Rwy'n credu bod hynny'n rhan bwysig i'r comisiwn allu chwarae, ac rwy'n gobeithio taw dyna y gwnaiff e maes o law.
One of the benefits of establishing a commission of this kind, in my view, is the ability to air new ideas on jurisdiction and the profession and so on in a way that can inspire the public to become involved with questions that can be quite technical and complex. I think that’s an important role for the commission to play, and I hope that it will develop in that way, in due time.
2. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'u cynnal ynghylch rôl hawliau dynol yn neddfwriaeth Cymru? OAQ51334
2. What discussions has the Counsel General held regarding the role of human rights in Welsh legislation? OAQ51334
Members will know that my advice is legally privileged. However, Members also know that the Human Rights Act 1998 is embedded as a fundamental element of the devolution settlement, through the Government of Wales Act 2006, and it consequently impacts on legislation made both by the Assembly and Welsh Ministers.
Bydd yr Aelodau'n ymwybodol fod fy nghyngor yn gyfreithiol freintiedig. Fodd bynnag, bydd yr Aelodau hefyd yn ymwybodol fod Deddf Hawliau Dynol 1998 wedi ei hymgorffori'n elfen sylfaenol o'r setliad datganoli, drwy Ddeddf Llywodraeth Cymru 2006, ac o ganlyniad, mae'n effeithio ar ddeddfwriaeth a wnaed gan y Cynulliad a chan Weinidogion Cymru.
Thank you for that answer, Counsel General. Firstly, can I congratulate you, obviously, on your appointment as Counsel General, and wish you well in your work going forward?
We know that Wales has a proud record when it comes to embedding human rights in our legislation policies and our actions, but we face a number of uncertainties ahead as the UK negotiates to leave the European Union. Could you consider what further action the Welsh Government can take to make sure that human rights remain at the heart of Welsh law?
Diolch am eich ateb, Gwnsler Cyffredinol. Yn gyntaf, a gaf fi eich llongyfarch, yn amlwg, ar eich penodiad yn Gwnsler Cyffredinol, a dymuno'n dda i chi gyda'ch gwaith yn y dyfodol?
Gwyddom fod gan Gymru hanes balch o ymgorffori hawliau dynol yn ein deddfwriaeth, ein polisïau a'n gweithredoedd, ond rydym yn wynebu cryn ansicrwydd wrth i'r DU negodi i adael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. A wnewch chi ystyried pa gamau pellach y gall Llywodraeth Cymru eu cymryd i sicrhau bod hawliau dynol yn parhau i fod yn ganolog yng nghyfraith Cymru?
I thank the Member for that further question, and for her advocacy of human rights issues generally. As she will know, the human rights Act affects the Welsh Ministers and the Assembly in two very direct ways. Firstly, they are public authorities for the purposes of the Act, which means they can't act in a way incompatible with convention rights, and an Assembly Bill is outside legislative competence if it's incompatible with those rights. The Assembly has, on occasion, proactively legislated to reflect human rights, including in relation to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
She asks about the Welsh Government's position on this. The First Minister, in his advice to the House of Lords EU Select Committee in 2015, made it very clear, and it remains the Government's position, that it's fundamentally opposed to any previously proposed repeal of the human rights Act. The UK Government mentioned briefly that it was putting that question to one side whilst it became clearer what was happening in relation to EU withdrawal, but it indicated it would return to that question at that point.
In the context of Brexit, which her question specifically refers to, the Welsh Government has been clear in its position that UK withdrawal from the EU should in no way lead to a dilution in human rights protections. For that reason, there's a concern that the EU withdrawal Bill makes provisions to stop the charter of fundamental rights of the EU having legal affect in the UK. The charter provides protections for human rights within the scope of EU law, and our consistent position is that a UK Bill should preserve that as part of the body of law derived from the UK that is to be given domestic effect on exit.
We should be proud of our advocacy of human rights in this place. We should be proud of the involvement of the UK in building the infrastructure of human rights internationally, and in particular the contribution that Welsh lawyers made in the establishment of the convention when it was brought into life.
Diolch i'r Aelod am ei chwestiwn pellach, ac am hyrwyddo materion hawliau dynol yn gyffredinol. Fel y gŵyr, mae'r Ddeddf hawliau dynol yn effeithio ar Weinidogion Cymru a'r Cynulliad mewn dwy ffordd uniongyrchol iawn. Yn gyntaf, maent yn awdurdodau cyhoeddus at ddibenion y Ddeddf, sy'n golygu na allant weithredu mewn ffordd sy'n anghydnaws â hawliau'r confensiwn, ac mae Bil Cynulliad y tu allan i gymhwysedd deddfwriaethol os yw'n anghydnaws â'r hawliau hynny. Mae'r Cynulliad, o bryd i'w gilydd, wedi deddfu'n rhagweithiol i adlewyrchu hawliau dynol, gan gynnwys mewn perthynas â Chonfensiwn y Cenhedloedd Unedig ar Hawliau'r Plentyn.
Mae'n holi ynghylch safbwynt Llywodraeth Cymru ynglŷn â hyn. Dywedodd y Prif Weinidog yn glir iawn, yn ei gyngor i Bwyllgor Dethol Tŷ'r Arglwyddi ar yr UE yn 2015, a dyma yw barn y Llywodraeth o hyd, ei bod yn llwyr wrthwynebu unrhyw ddiddymiad a argymhellwyd yn flaenorol o'r Ddeddf hawliau dynol. Soniodd Llywodraeth y DU yn fyr ei bod yn rhoi'r cwestiwn hwnnw i'r naill ochr nes ei bod yn gliriach beth oedd yn digwydd o ran gadael yr EU, ond dywedasant y byddent yn dychwelyd at y cwestiwn bryd hynny.
Yng nghyd-destun Brexit, sef yr hyn y cyfeiria ei chwestiwn ato'n benodol, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi bod yn glir o ran ei safbwynt na ddylai'r ffaith bod y DU yn gadael yr UE arwain, mewn unrhyw ffordd, at wanhau'r amddiffyniadau i hawliau dynol. Am y rheswm hwnnw, ceir pryder fod y Bil ymadael â'r UE yn gwneud darpariaethau i atal siarter hawliau sylfaenol yr UE rhag bod â grym cyfreithiol yn y DU. Mae'r siarter yn darparu amddiffyniadau i hawliau dynol o fewn cwmpas cyfraith yr UE, a'n safbwynt cyson ni yw y dylai Bil y DU gadw hynny'n rhan o'r corff o gyfreithiau sy'n deillio o'r DU a ddaw i rym yn y wlad hon wrth adael.
Dylem fod yn falch o'n cefnogaeth i hawliau dynol yn y lle hwn. Dylem fod yn falch o gyfraniad y DU i'r gwaith o adeiladu seilwaith hawliau dynol yn rhyngwladol, ac yn benodol, y cyfraniad a wnaed gan gyfreithwyr Cymru wrth sefydlu'r confensiwn pan y'i crëwyd.
3. Pa sylwadau y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'u gwneud ar ran Llywodraeth Cymru mewn perthynas â phroses Brexit? OAQ51333
3. What representations has the Counsel General made on behalf of the Welsh Government in relation to the Brexit process? OAQ51333
This question again engages the law officers' convention, but I can say that the Welsh Government has been actively engaged in working with the UK Government and the Scottish Government. The work has included participation in the JMC mechanisms, proposing amendments to the EU withdrawal Bill to deal with concerns about devolved matters, and the publication of clear policy on Brexit-related matters.
Mae'r cwestiwn hwn, unwaith eto, yn amodol ar gonfensiwn swyddogion y gyfraith, ond gallaf ddweud bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi mynd ati'n weithredol i weithio gyda Llywodraeth y DU a Llywodraeth yr Alban. Mae'r gwaith wedi cynnwys cymryd rhan ym mecanweithiau'r Cyd-bwyllgor Gweinidogion, cynnig gwelliannau i'r Bil ymadael â'r UE er mwyn ymdrin â phryderon ynghylch materion datganoledig, a chyhoeddi polisi clir ar faterion sy'n ymwneud â Brexit.
Counsel General, I've been very disappointed by the way in which the Labour Party has been voting at Westminster in recent weeks on crucial votes surrounding the Brexit process. One of those votes is particularly relevant to you, in your interest as Counsel General. A Plaid Cymru amendment, which would have made legislative consent motions over Brexit in this place legally binding, was not supported by your party in Westminster. Meanwhile, the party of Government in Scotland, as well as the Liberal Democrats—both parties that you are working with in this Government here—did support our amendment, and saw no problem with it. Indeed, a single Labour Member from Wales also saw no problem, broke the whip, and supported our amendment. Can you explain to this Chamber whether the Welsh Government is doing anything to ensure that Wales has a say over how the Brexit process unfolds? And can you explain why that work isn't reflected in the actions of Labour MPs?
Gwnsler Cyffredinol, rwyf wedi cael fy siomi'n fawr gan y ffordd y mae'r Blaid Lafur wedi bod yn pleidleisio yn San Steffan dros yr wythnosau diwethaf ar bleidleisiau hollbwysig yn ymwneud â phroses Brexit. Mae un o'r pleidleisiau hynny yn arbennig o berthnasol i chi, yn rhinwedd eich swydd fel Cwnsler Cyffredinol. Ni chefnogodd eich plaid yn San Steffan welliant Plaid Cymru a fuasai wedi rhwymo mewn cyfraith unrhyw gynigion cydsyniad deddfwriaethol a wneid yn y lle hwn mewn perthynas â Brexit. Yn y cyfamser, cefnogwyd ein gwelliant gan blaid Llywodraeth yr Alban, yn ogystal â'r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol—dwy blaid rydych yn gweithio gyda hwy yn y Llywodraeth hon yma—ac nid oeddent yn gweld unrhyw broblem gydag ef. Yn wir, roedd yna un aelod Llafur o Gymru hefyd nad oedd yn gweld unrhyw broblem, a thorrodd y chwip a chefnogi ein gwelliant. A allwch egluro i'r Siambr hon pa un a yw Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwneud unrhyw beth i sicrhau bod gan Gymru lais mewn perthynas â sut y mae proses Brexit yn mynd rhagddi? Ac a allwch egluro pam nad yw'r gwaith hwnnw'n cael ei adlewyrchu yng ngweithredoedd ASau'r Blaid Lafur?
Well, extensive work is under way across the Welsh Government to ensure that we maximise our influence within the UK, and influence the formal EU negotiations, to achieve our objectives. We've made significant progress recently, as the Cabinet Secretary for Finance indicated yesterday to the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee, in relation to the development of common frameworks in particular. And the Welsh Government's overall position on EU exit was set out in our White Paper 'Securing Wales' Future', obviously, which we agreed with Plaid Cymru.
We've got specific concerns in relation to the EU Withdrawal Bill, as she is aware, and we've worked in concert with the Scottish Government to table amendments to deal with that Bill's deficiencies, in particular in relation to devolved matters. And we remain willing to work with the UK Government on this matter.
We have decided to operate in conjunction with the Scottish Government to put forward a series of amendments to the Bill to address deficiencies in terms of devolution in particular. The approach the Government's taken is to seek the widest possible cross-party support in Parliament for those amendments. And the First Minister has indicated that, obviously, he wants to see this Assembly having a voice over the withdrawal agreement, once the terms of this are clear.
Wel, mae gwaith helaeth ar y gweill ar draws Llywodraeth Cymru i sicrhau ein bod yn gwneud y gorau o'n dylanwad o fewn y DU, ac yn dylanwadu ar drafodaethau ffurfiol yr UE, i gyflawni ein hamcanion. Rydym wedi gwneud cynnydd sylweddol yn ddiweddar, fel y nododd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Gyllid ddoe wrth y Pwyllgor Materion Allanol a Deddfwriaeth Ychwanegol mewn perthynas â datblygu fframweithiau cyffredin yn benodol. Ac mae safbwynt cyffredinol Llywodraeth Cymru ar adael yr UE wedi'i nodi yn ein Papur Gwyn 'Diogelu Dyfodol Cymru', wrth gwrs, safbwynt y cytunwyd arno gyda Phlaid Cymru.
Mae gennym bryderon penodol mewn perthynas â Bil ymadael â'r UE, fel y mae'n gwybod, ac rydym wedi gweithio ar y cyd â Llywodraeth yr Alban i gyflwyno gwelliannau i ymdrin â diffygion y Bil hwnnw, yn enwedig mewn perthynas â materion datganoledig. Ac rydym yn parhau i fod yn barod i weithio gyda Llywodraeth y DU ar y mater hwn.
Rydym wedi penderfynu gweithredu ar y cyd â Llywodraeth yr Alban i gyflwyno cyfres o welliannau i'r Bil i fynd i'r afael â diffygion mewn perthynas â datganoli yn benodol. Y dull y mae'r Llywodraeth wedi'i fabwysiadu yw ceisio cael y gefnogaeth drawsbleidiol ehangaf sy'n bosibl yn y Senedd i'r gwelliannau hynny. Ac mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi nodi wrth gwrs ei fod eisiau i'r Cynulliad hwn gael llais ynglŷn â'r cytundeb ymadael, pan fydd ei delerau'n glir.
4. Pa asesiad y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'i wneud o'r sail gyfreithiol i'r cyfnod trosiannol a fydd yn bodoli ar ôl i Erthygl 50 ddod i rym? OAQ51318
4. What assessment has the Counsel General made of the legal basis for the transitional period that will exist after Article 50 comes into force? OAQ51318
Wel, fel un o'r Aelodau sydd wedi bod fwyaf diwyd yn holi'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol, bydd yr Aelod yn gwybod bod confensiwn swyddogion y gyfraith unwaith eto yn gymwys i'r cwestiwn hwn. Fodd bynnag, gallaf i ddweud y byddai angen i unrhyw gyfnod gweithredu gael ei gytuno rhwng y Deyrnas Unedig a'r Undeb Ewropeaidd. Felly, gallwn ni ddim rhagdybio y bydd yna gyfnod o'r fath, na beth fyddai ei delerau. Tan fod hynny'n glir, mae'r sail gyfreithiol hefyd ddim yn glir.
Well, as one of the Members who has been most consistent in questioning the Counsel General, the Member will know that the question engages the law officers' convention once again. Nevertheless, I can say that any so-called implementation period would need to be agreed between the UK and the EU. So, it can’t be assumed either that there will be such a period or what its terms will be. Until that becomes clear, the legal basis remains undecided.
Wel, diolch am yr ateb yna. Roedd e'n ateb cyflawn o ystyried eich bod chi'n dweud eich bod chi ddim yn gallu ateb. Ac rwy'n ddiolchgar am hynny, achos mae yna gwestiwn sydd yn effeithio ar y penderfyniadau yn y lle hwn, yn enwedig ym maes amaeth a'r amgylchedd, sef nad oes yna sicrwydd ar hyn o bryd fod y cyfnod trosiannol yma, y mae pawb yn ei gymryd yn ganiataol a fydd yn digwydd ar ôl i erthygl 50 ddod i rym, yn mynd i fod ar sail ddilys gyfreithiol gref, er mwyn bod yn gynsail i'r penderfyniadau, yn eu tro, y bydd y Cynulliad yma yn eu gwneud.
A gaf i ofyn, felly, pa gamau pellach y gall y Llywodraeth eu cymryd, ac yntau yn ei rôl fel Cwnsler Cyffredinol yn cefnogi hynny, i sicrhau bod y sail gyfreithiol yna yn glir, cyn inni wneud rhai o'r penderfyniadau mwyaf pwysig yn hanes y Cynulliad hwn tuag at gymorth ar gyfer ein cymunedau cefn gwlad a'r amgylchedd?
Thank you for that answer. It was a comprehensive answer, considering you said you couldn’t answer. And I’m grateful to you for that, because there is a question that does have an impact on decisions in this place, especially in the fields of agriculture and environment, namely that there is no certainty at the moment that this transitional period, which everybody takes for granted will happen after article 50 comes into force, is going to be on a strong legal basis, in order to be a precedent for the decisions that will take place in this Assembly.
May I ask you, therefore, what further steps can the Government take in its role, and he in his role as the Counsel General, to support that, to ensure that that legal basis is clear, before we make some of the most important decisions in the history of this Assembly towards supporting our rural communities?
Wel, mae safbwynt Prif Weinidog y Deyrnas Unedig, sef y dylai fod cyfnod gweithredu, yn gydnabyddiaeth o'r realiti cyfreithiol a gwleidyddol—bod angen mwy o amser, fel petai, i gytuno'r telerau yn y tymor hir. Ond nid mater jest i'r Deyrnas Unedig yw e, fel sonies i, ac mae amryw o gwestiynau pwysig yn agored ar hyn o bryd y bydd yn rhaid cael atebion iddyn nhw cyn bod y sefyllfa gyfreithiol yn gliriach. Er enghraifft, awdurdodaeth y Llys Ewropeaidd, y berthynas rhwng y Deyrnas Unedig ac unrhyw gyfraith newydd a ddaw mewn wrth yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, a gallu'r Deyrnas Unedig i negodi cytundebau masnach. A'r gwir yw ein bod ni ar hyn o bryd mewn cyfnod cynnar iawn, yn anffodus, yn y sefyllfa hynny, ac mae hynny'n fater o bryder.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi bodolaeth y math yna o gyfnod, cyhyd â'i fod e'n cefnogi'r economi a swyddi yng Nghymru, a'r economi yn gyffredinol. Ond mae'n rhaid hefyd gofio bod angen sicrhau perthynas hirdymor, sydd dros fuddiannau Cymru, nid jest yn y cyfnod gweithredu.
Well, the view of the UK Prime Minister, that there should be a transitional period, is an acceptance of the legal reality that we need more time to agree terms in the longer term. But it isn’t a matter simply for the UK, as I mentioned, and there are a number of important questions that remain unanswered at the moment that will have to be answered before the legal position becomes clear. For example, the jurisdiction of the European Court, the relationship between the UK and any new legislation brought in by the EU, and the ability of the UK to negotiate trade agreements. And the truth is that, at the moment, we are at a very early stage, unfortunately, in those negotiations, and that’s a cause for concern.
The Welsh Government supports the existence of the transitional period, as long as it supports the economy and jobs in Wales, and the economy more broadly. But we must also bear in mind that we must ensure a long-term relationship that is in the interests of Wales, not just in that transitional period.
5. Pa sylwadau y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'u gwneud mewn perthynas â'r cyfamod ar dir ym mharc diwydiannol Baglan? OAQ51327
5. What representations has the Counsel General made in relation to the covenant on land in Baglan industrial park? OAQ51327
Well, once again, I'm afraid this question engages the law officers' convention, but I understand that no decision on the future of the site has been made. And should matters proceed to the acquiring of the site, the matter of the covenant would have to be addressed.
Wel, unwaith eto, mae arnaf ofn fod y cwestiwn hwn yn ymwneud â chonfensiwn swyddogion y gyfraith, ond deallaf nad oes unrhyw benderfyniad wedi cael ei wneud ar ddyfodol y safle. A phe bai pethau'n datblygu i gaffael y safle, buasai'n rhaid mynd i'r afael â mater y cyfamod.
Well, can I join others in welcoming you to your post, Counsel General, and can I also put on record my appreciation to the former Counsel General for the work he did as well?
Counsel General, the answer you gave me is obviously disappointing. I appreciate the legal side of things, but the covenant has a schedule that highlights matters relating to the usage of land, and states, in paragraph 2:
'Not to use the property hereby conveyed or any part thereof other than as an industrial park in accordance with the planning permissions granted'.
And paragraph 3 states:
'not use the (demised premises, property) or permit the same to be used for offensive, noisy or dangerous trade business manufacture or occupation of for any purpose or in the manner which may be a nuisance to the Agency or the owners or occupiers of neighbouring or adjacent premises.'
Now that clearly places a responsibility upon the Welsh Government, as the landowners, to ensure that any development of this land should not impact detrimentally upon occupiers of neighbouring or adjacent properties, many of which are residential properties. Isn't it time that you advised the Welsh Government not to accept the consequences that could follow, and to actually tell the Ministry of Justice that they will undoubtedly create a nuisance through the proposed development, and possibly include scenarios where danger may occur, as we've seen on prison estates across the UK? Otherwise, I think you're preparing the Welsh Government for many, many legal cases, as my constituents will be seeking a recourse.
Wel, a gaf fi ymuno ag eraill i'ch croesawu i'ch swydd, Gwnsler Cyffredinol, ac a gaf fi hefyd gofnodi fy ngwerthfawrogiad i'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol blaenorol am y gwaith a wnaeth hefyd?
Gwnsler Cyffredinol, mae'r ateb a roesoch i mi yn amlwg yn siomedig. Rwy'n derbyn yr ochr gyfreithiol, ond mae gan y cyfamod amserlen sy'n tynnu sylw at faterion yn ymwneud â defnydd tir, ac ym mharagraff 2 mae'n datgan:
Peidio â defnyddio'r eiddo y cyfeirir ato yma nac unrhyw ran ohono fel unrhyw beth ar wahân i barc diwydiannol yn unol â'r caniatadau cynllunio a roddwyd.
Ac mae paragraff 3 yn datgan:
peidio â defnyddio (mangre a lesiwyd, eiddo) na chaniatáu i'r cyfryw gael ei ddefnyddio ar gyfer masnachu tramgwyddus, swnllyd neu beryglus, gweithgynhyrchu busnes neu ei feddiannu ar gyfer unrhyw ddiben neu mewn modd a allai achosi niwsans i'r Asiantaeth neu berchnogion neu feddianwyr mangreoedd cyfagos.
Nawr, mae hynny'n amlwg yn rhoi cyfrifoldeb ar Lywodraeth Cymru, fel y tirfeddianwyr, i sicrhau na ddylai unrhyw ddatblygu ar y tir hwn gael effaith niweidiol ar feddianwyr eiddo cyffiniol neu gyfagos y mae llawer ohonynt yn eiddo preswyl. Onid yw'n bryd i chi gynghori Llywodraeth Cymru i beidio â derbyn y canlyniadau a allai ddilyn, ac i ddweud wrth y Weinyddiaeth Gyfiawnder y byddant yn sicr yn creu niwsans drwy barhau â'r datblygiad arfaethedig, ac o bosibl, yn cynnwys senarios a allai fod yn beryglus, fel y gwelsom ar ystadau carchar ledled y DU? Fel arall, credaf eich bod yn paratoi Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer llawer iawn o achosion cyfreithiol, gan y bydd fy etholwyr yn chwilio am atebolrwydd.
Well, the Member has raised this matter several times in this Chamber, and he is tempting me to go outside the boundaries of my authority into a policy area. I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint him in that and resist that. I'm afraid that the question he's asking is squarely within the matter of the covenant, so I'm not able to elaborate further on what I have said, but the relevant Cabinet Secretary will have heard his comments.
Wel, mae'r Aelod wedi codi'r mater hwn sawl gwaith yn y Siambr hon, ac mae'n fy nhemtio i gamu y tu hwnt i ffiniau fy awdurdod i faes polisi. Yn anffodus, rwyf am ei siomi yn hynny o beth ac ymwrthod â hynny. Mae arnaf ofn fod y cwestiwn y mae'n ei ofyn yn bendant o fewn mater y cyfamod, felly nid wyf yn gallu ymhelaethu ymhellach ar yr hyn a ddywedais, ond bydd yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet perthnasol wedi clywed ei sylwadau.
Counsel General, plainly the restrictive covenant on the site in terms of industrial use, as highlighted, is reinforced within the local planning context, via the Neath Port Talbot local development plan. So, what is your view, in terms of the legalities around the conflict between a proposed prison development and the land-use allocation within the LDP for economic use? And do you agree that that possibility undermines Welsh Government planning legislation and guidance, particularly with regard to the statutory need to ensure that local development plans are evidence based and sound?
Gwnsler Cyffredinol, yn amlwg, mae'r cyfamod cyfyngol ar y safle o ran defnydd diwydiannol, fel y nodwyd, yn cael ei atgyfnerthu yn y cyd-destun cynllunio lleol, drwy gyfrwng cynllun datblygu lleol Castell-nedd Port Talbot. Felly, beth yw eich barn, o ran cyfreithlondeb mewn perthynas â'r gwrthdaro rhwng datblygiad carchar arfaethedig a'r dyraniad defnydd tir yn y cynllun datblygu lleol ar gyfer defnydd economaidd? Ac a ydych yn cytuno fod y posibilrwydd hwnnw'n tanseilio deddfwriaeth a chanllawiau cynllunio Llywodraeth Cymru, yn enwedig mewn perthynas â'r angen statudol i sicrhau bod cynlluniau datblygu lleol yn seiliedig ar dystiolaeth ac yn gadarn?
I thank you for that question. As I say, no decision has been taken on the future of the site, and the matter of the covenant will have to be addressed in due course if that were to proceed. But above and beyond that, I can't be drawn on his question any further.
Diolch i chi am y cwestiwn hwnnw. Fel y dywedaf, nid oes unrhyw benderfyniad wedi cael ei wneud ar ddyfodol y safle, a bydd yn rhaid mynd i'r afael â mater y cyfamod maes o law pe bai hwnnw'n bwrw ymlaen. Ond y tu hwnt i hynny, ni allaf ymhelaethu ar fy ateb i'w gwestiwn.
6. Pa asesiad y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'i wneud o allu'r Cynulliad i ddeddfu o dan Ddeddf Cymru 2017 er mwyn gwahardd ffracio? OAQ51319
6. What assessment has the Counsel General made of the Assembly's ability to legislate under the Wales Act 2017 to ban fracking? OAQ51319
Nid wyf yn gallu datgelu cyngor cyfreithiol, ond, o dan y setliad newydd, bydd cynllunio wedi ei ddatganoli o hyd. Mae olew a nwy yn fater sydd wedi ei gadw'n ôl, ond mae rhoi a rheoleiddio trwyddedau petroliwm, a mynediad i dir yng Nghymru at ddibenion trwyddedu o'r fath, yn eithriad i hynny.
I can't disclose legal advice, but, under the new settlement, planning will continue to be devolved. Oil and gas is a reserved matter, but the granting and regulation of petroleum licences, and access to land in Wales for the purposes of such licences, is an exception to this reservation.
Diolch i'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol am gadarnhau'r sefyllfa gyfreithiol. Gofynnais gwestiwn i'r Prif Weinidog ddoe. Ni wnaethon ni ei gyrraedd ar y rhestr, ond fe atebodd y Prif Weinidog i fi ei fod yn fwriad gan Lywodraeth Cymru, gyda'r pwerau hyn, i edrych ar bolisi cynllunio er mwyn gwahardd ffracio yng Nghymru. A gaf i ddweud wrth y Cwnsler Cyffredinol a'r Cynulliad fy mod i wedi derbyn copi o farn gyfreithiol, wedi'i baratoi gan Paul Brown QC, ar gais Cyfeillion y Ddaear? Mae'r bargyfreithiwr hwnnw yn mynd drwy'r opsiynau sydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer gwahardd ffracio yng Nghymru, ac mae'n dod i'r casgliad, fel roedd y Prif Weinidog yn dweud ddoe, fod modd defnyddio polisi cynllunio. Ond mae hefyd yn dod i'r casgliad bod modd i'r Cynulliad hwn basio Deddf benodol, ac mi wnaf ddyfynnu o'r Saesneg:
Thank you to the Counsel General for confirming the legal situation. I asked the question to the First Minister yesterday. We didn’t reach it on the list, but the First Minister answered to me that it was the intention of the Welsh Government, with these powers, to look at planning policy in order to ban fracking in Wales. May I tell the Counsel General and the Assembly that I have received a copy of the legal opinion, prepared by Paul Brown QC, at the request of Friends of the Earth? This barrister goes through the options available to the Welsh Government for banning fracking, and comes to the conclusion that, yes, as the First Minister said yesterday, there is a way of using planning policy. But he also comes to the conclusion that there is a way for this Assembly to pass a specific Act, and I will quote:
Prohibiting the grant of new licences to search and bore for and get petroleum in the Welsh onshore area by means of fracking and CBM.
Gwahardd rhoi trwyddedau newydd i chwilio a thyllu a chael petrolewm ar dir Cymru drwy gyfrwng ffracio a methan gwely glo.
Felly, mae'n glir i fi fod opsiynau gyda'r Llywodraeth fan hyn o ran polisi cynllunio yn erbyn ffracio, neu, yn wir, Ddeddf gyfreithiol. A fydd y Cwnsler Cyffredinol, felly, yn cydweithio â'r Prif Weinidog i sicrhau bod gyda ni'r opsiynau yna erbyn diwedd y flwyddyn gyfreithiol newydd, fel petai, pan ddaw'r gyfraith yma i rym ym mis Ebrill y flwyddyn nesaf, fel bod y Cynulliad yn gallu cymryd y camau penodol i wahardd ffracio yng Nghymru?
Therefore, it is clear to me that there are options for the Government here in terms of planning policy against fracking, or, indeed, a legal Act. So, will the Counsel General be working, therefore, with the First Minister to ensure that we have those options by the end of the new legal year, as it were, when this legislation comes into force next April, so that the Assembly can take the specific steps to ban fracking in Wales?
Rwy'n cydnabod ymrwymiad yr Aelod i'r cwestiwn cyffredinol hwn. Fe wnes i ddilyn gyda diddordeb y ddadl a gynhaliodd e ddiwedd mis Hydref, lle cefnogwyd y cynnig gan yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ar y pryd.
Rwy'n ymwybodol o fodolaeth y farn gyfreithiol honno. Mae hi gyda swyddogion ac maen nhw'n ystyried ei chynnwys. Ni fyddai'n addas i fi dresbasu ar yr elfen bolisi sydd o fewn remit Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, ond rwy'n deall, ddiwedd y llynedd, i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet wneud datganiad ar bolisi ynni yn gyffredinol, a oedd yn sôn am y lleihau yn nibyniaeth ar danwydd ffosil. Eto, mis Medi eleni, gosodwyd targedau uchelgeisiol ar gyfer hynny, sydd yn beth positif.
Mae llythyron wedi mynd at uwch-swyddogion cynllunio yn ddiweddar i ni eu hysbysu nhw o'r bwriad i ymgynghori ar gynlluniau i gryfhau'r system bolisi cynllunio, yn benodol yng nghyd-destun tanwydd ffosil.
I recognise the Member’s commitment in this general area. I took interest in the debate that he held at the end of October, where the motion was supported by the Cabinet Secretary at the time.
I am aware of that legal opinion, and officials are considering its content. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to trespass on a policy area that is within the remit of the Cabinet Secretary, but I do understand that, at the end of last year, the Cabinet Secretary made a statement on energy policy generally, which talked about reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. Again, in September of this year, ambitious targets were set for that, and that is a positive development.
Letters have been issued to senior planning officials recently, informing them of the intention to consult on strengthening planning policy, specifically in the context of fossil fuels.
Can I also congratulate the new Counsel General on his appointment? Simon Thomas is again concentrating on the banning of fracking. Simon Thomas and I don't disagree on a lot of things regarding this, but I think it's far more important to have the power to ban test drilling. As you are well aware, in an area near where you used to live and near where I live, there is substantial test drilling going ahead, and as I've said on more than one occasion, people don't test drill because they're bored and looking for something to do, they test drill because they think they're going to find an opportunity to be able to frack in the near future. Consequently, if we stop the test drilling, it'll have a very important effect on them knowing where it is beneficial to frack. So, will you have the power, or will the Welsh Government have the power, to ban test drilling when the Act goes through—under the new Act, sorry?
A gaf fi hefyd longyfarch y Cwnsler Cyffredinol newydd ar ei benodiad? Mae Simon Thomas yn canolbwyntio unwaith eto ar wahardd ffracio. Nid yw Simon Thomas a minnau'n anghytuno ar lawer o bethau mewn perthynas â hyn, ond rwy'n credu bod cael pŵer i wahardd drilio prawf yn llawer pwysicach. Fel y gwyddoch yn iawn, mewn ardal yn agos at lle roeddech yn arfer byw ac yn agos at lle rwy'n byw, mae drilio prawf sylweddol ar y gweill, ac fel rwyf wedi'i ddweud ar fwy nag un achlysur, nid yw pobl yn drilio prawf oherwydd eu bod wedi diflasu ac yn chwilio am rywbeth i'w wneud, maent yn drilio prawf oherwydd eu bod yn credu y byddant yn cael cyfle i allu ffracio yn y dyfodol agos. O ganlyniad, os ydym yn rhwystro'r drilio prawf, bydd yn cael effaith bwysig iawn arnynt o ran gwybod lle mae'n werth ffracio. Felly, a fydd gennych bŵer, neu a fydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru bŵer, i wahardd drilio prawf pan fydd y Ddeddf yn cael ei phasio—o dan y Ddeddf newydd, mae'n ddrwg gennyf?
There is already a precautionary planning framework, which exists in relation to unconventional oil and gas extraction. The town and country planning directive of 2015 does not include exploratory boreholes, as he mentioned, which sometimes are part of routine engineering works.
Mae yna fframwaith cynllunio rhagofalus eisoes, sy'n bodoli mewn perthynas ag echdynnu nwy ac olew anghonfensiynol. Nid yw cyfarwyddeb cynllunio gwlad a thref 2015 yn cynnwys tyllau turio archwiliol, fel y dywedodd, sydd weithiau'n rhan o waith peirianyddol cyffredinol.
7. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'u cynnal ynglŷn â mynediad i gyfiawnder yng Nghymru? OAQ51336
7. What discussions has the Counsel General held regarding access to justice in Wales? OAQ51336
The cumulative impact of UK Government reductions in legal aid, increases in court fees and closures of local court buildings is of great concern to the Welsh Government. The Government takes every opportunity to raise our views on these matters with the Ministry of Justice on behalf of the people of Wales.
Mae effaith gynyddol toriadau Llywodraeth y DU i gymorth cyfreithiol, cynnydd mewn ffioedd llys a chau adeiladau llys lleol yn peri pryder mawr i Lywodraeth Cymru. Mae'r Llywodraeth yn manteisio ar bob cyfle i ddwyn ein barn ar y materion hyn i sylw'r Weinyddiaeth Gyfiawnder ar ran pobl Cymru.
The cumulative impact of UK Government reductions in legal aid, increases in court fees and closures of local court buildings is of great concern to the Welsh Government. The Government takes every opportunity to raise our views on these matters with the Ministry of Justice on behalf of the people of Wales.
Mae effaith gynyddol y toriadau i gymorth cyfreithiol gan Lywodraeth y DU, cynnydd mewn ffioedd llys a chau adeiladau llys lleol yn peri pryder mawr i Lywodraeth Cymru. Mae'r Llywodraeth yn manteisio ar bob cyfle i ddwyn ein barn ar y materion hyn i sylw'r Weinyddiaeth Gyfiawnder ar ran pobl Cymru.
Thank you Counsel General. I'd like to join others in congratulating and welcoming you to your new role.
As you've stated there in your answer, I can see you understand that the introduction of tribunal fees and continuing increases in court fees have alarmed many professionals in the sector. Alongside this, advice centres, which provide straightforward advice to people, have closed across the country. Do you agree, Counsel General, that the access of citizens to justice is a fundamental right and one that shouldn't be restricted by either income or geography. What steps can we take here in Wales to ensure that access to justice is available to all?
Diolch Gwnsler Cyffredinol. Hoffwn ymuno ag eraill i'ch llongyfarch a'ch croesawu i'ch rôl newydd.
Fel y dywedasoch yn eich ateb, gallaf weld eich bod yn deall bod cyflwyno ffioedd tribiwnlys a'r cynnydd parhaus mewn ffioedd llys wedi dychryn llawer o weithwyr proffesiynol yn y sector. Ochr yn ochr â hyn, mae canolfannau cynghori, sy'n darparu cyngor uniongyrchol i bobl, wedi cau ledled y wlad. A ydych yn cytuno, Gwnsler Cyffredinol, fod mynediad dinasyddion at gyfiawnder yn hawl sylfaenol ac yn un na ddylai gael ei chyfyngu gan incwm na daearyddiaeth. Pa gamau y gellir eu cymryd yma yng Nghymru i sicrhau bod mynediad at gyfiawnder ar gael i bawb?
I do agree that access to justice is a fundamental right and I worry that the UK Government's perspective is to move to a model where justice is paid for by the users of the courts system. My view, and that of the Welsh Government, is that justice is an essential public good, which is incumbent on the state to provide, rather than expect individuals to pay for the discretionary item.
Welsh Ministers, including my predecessor and also Carl Sargeant, if I may say, expressed our opinions as a Government strongly to the Ministry of Justice on several occasions, including in relation to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 and court closures and indeed the court fees issues, which she has just highlighted now.
You mentioned the employment tribunal fees case. The Supreme Court there found that the Order brought forward by the National Union of Journalists was unlawful under both domestic and European Union law, confirming a number of the points that he Welsh Government had previously made.
The Welsh Government is already in touch with the Ministry of Justice team responsible for the post-implementation review of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act, and that review will be crucial in providing an evidence base for looking at an impact of changes to legal aid in Wales.
The Government provides substantial funding to advice services across Wales, with the objective of delivering social welfare services to compensate, in some respects, for the cuts that you just highlighted.
Rwy'n cytuno bod mynediad at gyfiawnder yn hawl sylfaenol ac rwy'n poeni mai safbwynt Llywodraeth y DU yw symud at fodel lle y telir am gyfiawnder gan ddefnyddwyr system y llysoedd. Fy marn i, a barn Llywodraeth Cymru, yw bod cyfiawnder yn nwydd cyhoeddus hanfodol, ac mae'n ddyletswydd ar y wladwriaeth i'w ddarparu, yn hytrach na disgwyl i unigolion dalu am yr eitem ddisgresiynol.
Mynegodd Gweinidogion Cymru, gan gynnwys fy rhagflaenydd a Carl Sargeant hefyd, os caf ddweud, ein barn fel Llywodraeth yn gryf i'r Weinyddiaeth Gyfiawnder ar sawl achlysur, gan gynnwys mewn perthynas â Deddf Cymorth Cyfreithiol, Dedfrydu a Chosbi Troseddwyr 2012 a chau llysoedd, ac yn wir, y materion yn ymwneud â ffioedd llys y mae hi newydd dynnu sylw atynt.
Soniasoch am yr achos ffioedd tribiwnlys. Canfu y Goruchaf Lys yno fod y Gorchymyn a gyflwynwyd gan Undeb Cenedlaethol y Newyddiadurwyr yn anghyfreithlon yn ôl cyfraith y wlad hon a chyfraith yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, gan gadarnhau nifer o'r pwyntiau roedd Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'u gwneud eisoes.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru eisoes mewn cysylltiad â'r tîm yn y Weinyddiaeth Gyfiawnder sy'n gyfrifol am gynnal adolygiad ôl-weithredol o'r Ddeddf Cymorth Cyfreithiol, Dedfrydu a Chosbi Troseddwyr, a bydd yr adolygiad hwnnw yn hollbwysig wrth ddarparu sylfaen dystiolaeth ar gyfer edrych ar effaith newidiadau i gymorth cyfreithiol yng Nghymru.
Mae'r Llywodraeth yn darparu cyllid sylweddol i wasanaethau cynghori ledled Cymru, gyda'r nod o ddarparu gwasanaethau lles cymdeithasol i wneud iawn, i ryw raddau, am y toriadau rydych newydd dynnu sylw atynt.
Diolch i'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol.
Thank you to the Counsel General.
Yr eitem nesaf ar ein hagenda ni yw'r cwestiynau amserol, a'r cwestiwn cyntaf, Darren Millar.
The next item on our agenda is topical questions, and the first question, Darren Millar.
3. Yn dilyn adroddiadau ynghylch gwariant ar siaradwyr enwog gan GwE, a wnaiff Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ddatganiad am y trefniadau atebolrwydd ar gyfer consortia addysg rhanbarthol yng Nghymru? 66
3. Further to reports of spending on celebrity speakers by GwE, will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on accountability arrangements for regional education consortia in Wales? 66
Thank you, Darren. Regional consortia receive funding from their constituent local authorities, their trading income and from a Welsh Government grant. They are rightly accountable to their joint governance committees made up of locally elected members to make sure that they deliver on their statutory duties. I also challenge them through regular challenge-and-review meetings.
Diolch i chi, Darren. Mae consortia rhanbarthol yn derbyn cyllid gan eu hawdurdodau lleol cyfansoddol, eu hincwm masnachu a grant gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Maent yn briodol atebol i'w cydbwyllgorau llywodraethu, sy'n cynnwys aelodau etholedig lleol, i wneud yn siŵr eu bod yn cyflawni eu dyletswyddau statudol. Rwyf hefyd yn eu herio drwy gyfarfodydd herio ac adolygu rheolaidd.
I'm sure that you, like everybody else in this Chamber, were shocked at the revelations that appeared in the media last week regarding the payment of a sum of at least £10,000 to Sir Clive Woodward for an hour-long talk at an event, and found those rather remarkable, especially given the current financial climate that many schools find themselves in, having to in some cases, unfortunately, lay off staff. I also think it's a bit of an insult to many of the unsung heroes in our schools—the many inspirational teachers and headteachers who could easily have given an inspirational talk, probably for free, had they been approached by the educational consortia.
Back in 2015, the Wales Audit Office raised concerns about regional consortia, and they said that there was an insufficient focus within the consortia on value for money. Now, I appreciate what you say about the governance arrangements between the partners that invest into those regional education consortia, but you are one of those partners as Welsh Government. There is no legislative structure or basis for the regional consortia. These are not organisations that are subject in quite the same way to proper scrutiny, audit and inspection by either Estyn or the Wales Audit Office, although, of course, the audit office can follow the money. Estyn do, of course, inspect, but there are loopholes within the inspection regime that mean that the regional consortia could resist inspection should they so wish. So, what action are you going to take to look at the legislative framework on which the regional consortia are established to see whether we can get some better governance arrangements that are more consistent across Wales, so that we can stop this sort of waste of taxpayers' money in the future and make sure that more money that is designed for improving education actually makes a difference on the front line?
Rwy'n siŵr eich bod chi, fel pawb arall yn y Siambr hon, yn synnu at y datgeliadau a ymddangosodd yn y cyfryngau yr wythnos ddiwethaf mewn perthynas â thalu o leiaf £10,000 i Syr Clive Woodward am sgwrs awr o hyd mewn digwyddiad, ac yn gweld y rheini yn eithaf rhyfeddol, yn enwedig o ystyried yr hinsawdd ariannol bresennol y mae llawer o ysgolion yn ei hwynebu, ac yn gorfod diswyddo staff mewn rhai achosion, yn anffodus. Rwyf hefyd yn credu ei fod yn sarhad braidd i lawer o'r arwyr di-glod yn ein hysgolion—y nifer o athrawon a phenaethiaid ysbrydoledig a allai'n hawdd fod wedi rhoi araith ysbrydoledig, a hynny am ddim yn ôl pob tebyg, pe bai'r consortia addysgol wedi cysylltu â hwy.
Yn ôl yn 2015, mynegodd Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru bryderon am y consortia rhanbarthol, a dywedasant nad oedd digon o ffocws o fewn y consortia ar werth am arian. Nawr, rwy'n gwerthfawrogi'r hyn a ddywedwch am y trefniadau llywodraethu rhwng y partneriaid sy'n buddsoddi yn y consortia addysg rhanbarthol, ond rydych chi'n un o'r partneriaid hynny fel Llywodraeth Cymru. Nid oes unrhyw strwythur deddfwriaethol na sail ar gyfer y consortia rhanbarthol. Nid yw'r rhain yn sefydliadau sy'n destun craffu, archwilio ac arolygu priodol yn yr un modd gan Estyn neu Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru, er y gall y swyddfa archwilio ddilyn yr arian wrth gwrs. Mae Estyn, wrth gwrs, yn arolygu, ond mae yna fylchau yn y gyfundrefn arolygu sy'n golygu y gallai'r consortia rhanbarthol wrthod arolygiad pe baent yn dymuno gwneud hynny. Felly, pa gamau y bwriadwch eu cymryd i edrych ar y fframwaith deddfwriaethol ar gyfer sefydlu'r consortia rhanbarthol i weld a allwn gael trefniadau llywodraethu gwell sy'n fwy cyson ledled Cymru, fel y gallwn atal gwastraffu arian y trethdalwyr yn y ffordd hon yn y dyfodol a gwneud yn siŵr fod mwy o arian a fwriadwyd ar gyfer gwella addysg yn gwneud gwahaniaeth yn y rheng flaen mewn gwirionedd?
Thank you, Darren. Can I make it absolutely clear that there is no evidence at all to suggest that the regional consortia have resisted any inspection? Indeed—[Interruption.] Well, you just said that they have resisted.
Diolch i chi, Darren. A gaf fi ei gwneud yn gwbl glir nad oes unrhyw dystiolaeth o gwbl i awgrymu bod y consortia rhanbarthol wedi gwrthod unrhyw arolygiad? Yn wir—[Torri ar draws.] Wel, rydych newydd ddweud eu bod wedi gwrthod.
No, I haven't.
Naddo.
I want to make it absolutely clear—I want to make it absolutely clear—that there is no evidence to suggest that the regional consortia have tried to resist inspection. In fact, GwE has just received another inspection from the Estyn inspectorate. So, let's be absolutely clear about that.
But having said that, Darren, I do share your concerns that such a large amount of money was used in the way that has been reported and, frankly, I'm not going to stand here and make excuses for GwE. Officials have been directly in touch with the consortia to express my concern about their expenditure, and I will be raising this directly with the managing director at my challenge-and-review session, which, actually, is tomorrow in Llandudno.
Rwyf am ei gwneud yn gwbl glir—rwyf am ei gwneud yn gwbl glir—nad oes unrhyw dystiolaeth i awgrymu bod y consortia rhanbarthol wedi ceisio gwrthod arolygiad. Yn wir, mae GwE newydd gael arolygiad arall gan arolygiaeth Estyn. Felly, gadewch i ni fod yn gwbl glir ynglŷn â hynny.
Ond wedi dweud hynny, Darren, rwy'n rhannu eich pryderon fod swm mor fawr o arian wedi cael ei ddefnyddio yn y ffordd a gofnodwyd, ac a dweud y gwir, nid wyf am sefyll yma a gwneud esgusodion dros GwE. Mae swyddogion wedi bod mewn cysylltiad uniongyrchol â'r consortia i fynegi fy mhryder am eu gwariant, a byddaf yn codi'r mater hwn yn uniongyrchol gyda'r rheolwr gyfarwyddwr yn fy sesiwn herio ac adolygu, sy'n cael ei gynnal yfory yn Llandudno mewn gwirionedd.
Diolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet. Y cwestiwn nesaf, Adam Price.
Thank you to the Cabinet Secretary. The next question, Adam Price.
2. A wnaiff Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ddatganiad am y cynllun i ehangu ffordd Blaenau'r Cymoedd, yr A465, yn dilyn adroddiadau y gallai cost hirdymor y prosiect saethu i fyny o £428 miliwn i fwy na £1.2 biliwn? 68
2. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the A465 Heads of the Valleys road enlargement scheme, following reports that the long-term cost of the project could soar from £428 million to more than £1.2 billion? 68
Diolch, Llywydd. The capital value of the scheme is, as the Member said, currently estimated to be around £400 million. The business case is currently in development. Its detail will determine the final cost of the project.
Diolch, Lywydd. Amcangyfrifir mai gwerth cyfalaf y cynllun ar hyn o bryd, fel y dywedodd yr Aelod, yw tua £400 miliwn. Mae'r achos busnes yn cael ei ddatblygu ar hyn o bryd. Bydd ei fanylion yn pennu cost derfynol y prosiect.
I was wondering if possibly the Cabinet Secretary could address the key point in the question, which is the concern about the soaring cost, potentially. In the interests of transparency, it is true, isn't it, that this is effectively a modified private finance scheme with a public sector equity stake, but the standard form that is being used was based originally on the Department of Health private finance initiative model standard form, which was then used for the Scottish not-for-profit distributing scheme that was called PFI by another name by his colleagues in Scotland. Can he say whether the operation and maintenance role for the road will cover those sections built under the mutual investment model contract only or will they also encompass the capital-funded sections as well? Are there other options available to us? Could the Welsh Government—it doesn't have the power currently to issue bonds itself, but local authorities do—back a joint local authority bond, say, I don't know, at 2.5 per cent interest with some degree of inflation indexation, marketed to public sector pension funds? And might that not be a better alternative than a private finance scheme, albeit a modified one as currently proposed?
Roeddwn yn meddwl tybed a allai Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet fynd i'r afael â'r pwynt allweddol yn y cwestiwn, sef y pryder ynglŷn â'r gost gynyddol bosibl. Er tryloywder, mae'n wir, onid yw, mai cynllun cyllid preifat wedi'i addasu yw hwn i bob pwrpas gyda chyfran ecwiti sector cyhoeddus, ond roedd y ffurflen safonol a ddefnyddir yn seiliedig yn wreiddiol ar ffurflen safonol model menter cyllid preifat yr Adran Iechyd, a ddefnyddiwyd wedyn ar gyfer cynllun dosbarthu dielw yr Alban a gafodd ei alw'n fenter cyllid preifat dan enw arall gan ei gyd-Aelodau yn yr Alban. A yw'n gallu dweud a fydd y rôl weithredu a chynnal a chadw ar gyfer y ffordd yn cynnwys yr adrannau hynny a adeiladwyd o dan gontract y model buddsoddi cydfuddiannol yn unig neu a fyddant hefyd yn cynnwys yr adrannau arian cyfalaf yn ogystal? A oes yna opsiynau eraill ar gael i ni? A allai Llywodraeth Cymru—nid oes ganddi bŵer ar hyn o bryd i gyhoeddi bondiau ei hun, ond mae gan awdurdodau lleol—gefnogi bond awdurdod lleol ar y cyd, dyweder, nid wyf yn gwybod, ar 2.5 y cant o log gyda rhywfaint o fynegeio chwyddiant, wedi'i farchnata ar gyfer cronfeydd pensiwn y sector cyhoeddus? Ac onid yw hynny efallai yn ddewis gwell na chynllun cyllid preifat, er ei fod yn un wedi'i addasu fel yr argymhellir ar hyn o bryd?
First of all, Llywydd, let me say that I don't recognise the figures that were quoted in the original question. I don't think they are—they barely amount to speculation let alone anything that anybody should seek to rely on.
The mutual investment model, which the Member welcomed when I made a statement on it on 28 February, is a made-in-Wales model. It does retain some core elements of Scotland's non-profit distributing model, but it has a series of other innovations in it to make sure that it protects the Welsh public interest.
I look at every scheme that the Welsh Government proposes to see if there would be any more financially efficient way of financing that necessary investment, and we have certainly looked at the idea of bond issue. To date, I've not seen any convincing evidence that would suggest to me that bond financing would be a more effective way of securing the necessary investment to complete the dualling of the Heads of the Valleys road, but I can certainly assure the Member that the range of possibilities available to us is always under consideration and, if there were a way of doing this that provided better value to the Welsh taxpayer, we would not in any way be averse to considering it.
Yn gyntaf oll, Lywydd, gadewch i mi ddweud nad wyf yn cydnabod y ffigurau a ddyfynnwyd yn y cwestiwn gwreiddiol. Nid wyf yn credu eu bod—prin eu bod yn ddyfaliadau, heb sôn am unrhyw beth y dylai unrhyw un geisio dibynnu arnynt.
Mae'r model buddsoddi cydfuddiannol, a groesawyd gan yr Aelod pan wneuthum ddatganiad arno ar 28 Chwefror, yn fodel a wnaed yng Nghymru. Mae'n cadw rhai elfennau craidd o fodel dosbarthu dielw yr Alban, ond mae'n cynnwys cyfres o elfennau newydd eraill i wneud yn siŵr ei fod yn gwarchod buddiannau'r cyhoedd yng Nghymru.
Rwy'n edrych ar bob cynllun y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei gynnig i weld a fuasai unrhyw ffordd fwy effeithlon yn ariannol o gyllido'r buddsoddiad angenrheidiol hwnnw, ac yn sicr rydym wedi edrych ar y syniad o gyhoeddi bondiau. Hyd yma, nid wyf wedi gweld unrhyw dystiolaeth argyhoeddiadol sy'n awgrymu i mi y buasai ariannu trwy fondiau yn ffordd fwy effeithiol o sicrhau'r buddsoddiad sy'n angenrheidiol i gwblhau gwaith deuoli ffordd Blaenau'r Cymoedd, ond yn sicr gallaf sicrhau'r Aelod fod yr amrywiaeth o bosibiliadau sydd ar gael i ni bob amser yn cael eu hystyried a phe bai ffordd o wneud hyn a fuasai'n darparu gwell gwerth i drethdalwyr Cymru, ni fuasem mewn unrhyw ffordd yn gyndyn i'w hystyried.
If I can just pick up on the last aspect of your answer there, Cabinet Secretary, on value, Adam Price focused very much on the overall cost of the scheme. I've had some experience recently within my constituency of the cost of the Clydach gorge part of the scheme, from Gilwern up to Brynmawr, and I attended a meeting of local residents and councillors who, though very supportive of the project in general and looking forward to the end goal where they have a fantastic new road, are concerned about—they described it as a slackness with the financial administration of the project.
The local impression is that road closures—sometimes necessary—are happening without the statutory notification that is required by law. Modifications are being made to the design of the scheme without the usual consultation process. One example is that an important flyover at Gilwern is behind schedule because of a water main issue that local people believe should have been sorted out a long time ago and is yet to be resolved.
Cabinet Secretary, there's often slippage, particularly in road projects. We accept that and we accept the need for this project long term, but can you look at the financial oversight that the Welsh Government is applying to the Heads of the Valleys scheme, specifically the Clydach gorge part but the rest of the scheme as well, to make sure that you are achieving your aim of value for money? At the moment, the perception at least in my constituency locally is that there is slippage beyond what is acceptable and that value for money is not being achieved.
Os caf sôn am elfen olaf eich ateb yno, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, ynglŷn â gwerth, mae Adam Price wedi canolbwyntio llawer iawn ar gost gyffredinol y cynllun. Rwyf wedi cael rhywfaint o brofiad yn ddiweddar yn fy etholaeth o gost rhan cwm Clydach o'r cynllun, o Gilwern hyd at Fryn-mawr, a mynychais gyfarfod o drigolion a chynghorwyr lleol, ac er eu bod yn cefnogi'r prosiect yn gyffredinol ac yn edrych ymlaen at y nod terfynol lle bydd ganddynt ffordd newydd wych, maent yn pryderu am—roeddent yn ei ddisgrifio fel llacrwydd mewn perthynas â gweinyddiaeth ariannol y prosiect.
Yr argraff leol yw bod ffyrdd yn cau—weithiau'n angenrheidiol—heb yr hysbysiad statudol sy'n ofynnol gan y gyfraith. Mae addasiadau'n cael eu gwneud i ddyluniad y cynllun heb y broses ymgynghori arferol. Un enghraifft yw bod trosffordd bwysig yng Ngilwern ar ei hôl hi oherwydd problem gyda'r prif bibell ddŵr ac mae pobl leol yn credu y dylai'r mater fod wedi cael sylw amser maith yn ôl ac mae eto i'w ddatrys.
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, ceir llithriant yn aml, yn arbennig mewn prosiectau ffyrdd. Rydym yn derbyn hynny ac rydym yn derbyn yr angen am y prosiect hwn yn y tymor hir, ond a allwch edrych ar y trosolwg ariannol y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei ddarparu i gynllun Blaenau'r Cymoedd, a rhan cwm Clydach yn benodol ond gweddill y cynllun yn ogystal, i wneud yn siŵr eich bod yn cyflawni eich nod o sicrhau gwerth am arian? Ar hyn o bryd, y canfyddiad, yn fy etholaeth yn lleol o leiaf, yw bod yna lithriant y tu hwnt i'r hyn sy'n dderbyniol ac nad yw gwerth am arian yn cael ei sicrhau.
I thank Nick Ramsay for drawing my attention to those points. I'm very happy to look at them. As far as the part of the road that was the subject of the original question goes, I want to be clear that we are absolutely committed to doing all of that in a way that is consistent with the necessary legal permissions—draft Orders and an environmental statement for the section have recently been published, and we are part way through securing the necessary statutory consents, which would lead to the powers to build the road and complete the dualling of the A465. So, on that aspect, I can give him an assurance that we are determined to do everything in the best possible way.
In terms of the financial management of other aspects of the dualling, I'll look carefully at the points that he's raised this afternoon.
Diolch i Nick Ramsay am dynnu fy sylw at y pwyntiau hynny. Rwy'n hapus iawn i edrych arnynt. Mewn perthynas â'r rhan o'r ffordd a grybwyllwyd yn y cwestiwn gwreiddiol, rwyf am fod yn glir ein bod yn gwbl ymrwymedig i wneud hynny i gyd mewn ffordd sy'n gyson â'r caniatadau cyfreithiol angenrheidiol—mae Gorchmynion drafft a datganiad amgylcheddol ar gyfer yr adran wedi'u cyhoeddi'n ddiweddar, ac rydym bron â sicrhau'r caniatadau statudol angenrheidiol, a fuasai'n arwain at y pwerau i adeiladu'r ffordd a chwblhau'r gwaith deuoli ar yr A465. Felly, ar yr elfen honno, gallaf ei sicrhau ein bod yn benderfynol o wneud popeth yn y ffordd orau sy'n bosibl.
Mewn perthynas â rheolaeth ariannol o'r agweddau eraill ar y gwaith deuoli, byddaf yn ystyried y pwyntiau y mae wedi'u nodi y prynhawn yma'n ofalus.
The finance Secretary said a moment ago that he didn't recognise the figures that were produced by the Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr. Can he tell us what figure, then, he would recognise in this context?
And, as regards value for money, when the Department for Transport did a study of the benefits of the dualling of the A465 several years ago, they suggested that they came out at £1.52 of benefits for every £1 spent. If there is a significant increase in the cost of the project, of course, that relationship will substantially worsen. The Department for Transport regards schemes as often low value for money if the benefits are below £1.50 for every £1 invested. So, are we not in danger, if costs are not contained on this project, of ending up with another white elephant fiasco, and that's money that could've been applied in other ways to the benefit of the people of Wales?
Dywedodd yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid funud yn ôl nad oedd yn cydnabod y ffigurau a gynhyrchwyd gan yr Aelod dros Ddwyrain Caerfyrddin a Dinefwr. A yw'n gallu dweud wrthym felly pa ffigur y buasai'n ei gydnabod yn y cyd-destun hwn?
Ac o ran gwerth am arian, pan gynhaliwyd astudiaeth o fanteision y gwaith deuoli ar yr A465 gan yr Adran Drafnidiaeth sawl blwyddyn yn ôl, roeddent yn awgrymu eu bod yn cynnig £1.52 o fudd am bob £1 a wariwyd. Os bydd cynnydd sylweddol yng nghost y prosiect, wrth gwrs, bydd y berthynas honno'n gwaethygu'n sylweddol. Mae'r Adran Drafnidiaeth yn aml yn ystyried bod cynlluniau'n cynnig lefel isel o werth am arian os yw'r budd yn is na £1.50 am bob £1 a fuddsoddwyd. Felly, onid ydym mewn perygl, os nad yw costau'n cael eu ffrwyno yn y prosiect hwn, o wynebu ffiasgo eliffant gwyn arall yn y pen draw, ac onid yw hwnnw'n arian a allasai fod wedi cael ei ddefnyddio mewn ffyrdd eraill er budd pobl Cymru?
Well, the general point that the Member makes is the obvious one—that, if costs go up, the cost benefit analysis alters. Do I think that completing the A465 road so that it can bring the necessary economic benefits to that part of Wales is a white elephant? No, I certainly do not. It's a very important part of the infrastructure that this Government is determined to bring to those parts of Valleys communities where connectivity is intimately connected to future economic prosperity.
As to the question of the figure that I do recognise, that is the figure that I gave in my answer, and that is that the capital value of the scheme is currently estimated to be some £400 million.
Wel, y pwynt cyffredinol y mae'r Aelod yn ei wneud yw'r un amlwg—sef y bydd y dadansoddiad cost a budd yn newid os yw'r costau'n codi. A wyf fi'n credu bod cwblhau ffordd yr A465 fel y gall gynnig y manteision economaidd angenrheidiol i'r rhan honno o Gymru yn eliffant gwyn? Na, yn sicr nid wyf yn credu hynny. Mae'n rhan bwysig iawn o'r seilwaith y mae'r Llywodraeth hon yn benderfynol o'i roi i'r rhannau o gymunedau'r Cymoedd lle mae cysylltedd yn gysylltiedig iawn â ffyniant economaidd yn y dyfodol.
O ran y cwestiwn ynglŷn â'r ffigur rwy'n ei gydnabod, dyna'r ffigur a roddais yn fy ateb, sef mai gwerth cyfalaf amcangyfrifedig y cynllun ar hyn o bryd yw tua £400 miliwn.
As Nick Ramsay alluded to, there are considerable cost overruns projected on the eastern side of the Heads of the Valleys dualling, and we've seen figures that obviously have indicated substantial cost associated with the final section on the western side. I think everyone supports these improvements, because, overall, they will drive economic activity along the Heads of the Valleys, but what is deeply concerning is the potential knock-on effects for other capital projects if some of these figures do become a reality being talked about for the two projects: the one at the eastern end, which is under construction at the moment, and the proposed final dualling on the western end.
As finance Secretary, are you committed to making up that shortfall that the department might find itself with, with these considerable cost overruns, so that other capital projects around Wales will not have a detrimental impact on the money that's available to them and the timeline for delivery of those important transport projects across Wales?
Fel y crybwyllodd Nick Ramsay, rhagwelir gorwariant sylweddol ar ochr ddwyreiniol ffordd Blaenau'r Cymoedd, ac rydym wedi gweld ffigurau sy'n amlwg wedi dynodi cost sylweddol yn gysylltiedig â'r adran olaf ar yr ochr orllewinol. Credaf fod pawb yn cefnogi'r gwelliannau hyn, oherwydd, yn gyffredinol, byddant yn hybu gweithgarwch economaidd ar hyd Blaenau'r Cymoedd, ond yr hyn sy'n peri pryder mawr yw'r effeithiau canlyniadol posibl ar brosiectau cyfalaf eraill os bydd rhai o'r ffigurau hyn yn dod yn realiti y siaredir amdano ar gyfer y ddau brosiect: yr un ar y pen dwyreiniol, sy'n cael ei adeiladu ar hyn o bryd, a'r gwaith deuoli terfynol arfaethedig ar y pen gorllewinol.
Fel Ysgrifennydd Cyllid, a ydych wedi ymrwymo i wneud iawn am y diffyg hwnnw a allai wynebu'r adran ei hun, gyda'r gorwariant sylweddol hwn, fel na fydd effaith andwyol ar yr arian sydd ar gael i brosiectau cyfalaf eraill ledled Cymru a'r amserlen ar gyfer cyflawni'r prosiectau trafnidiaeth pwysig hynny ledled Cymru?
Can I begin, Llywydd, by thanking Andrew R.T. Davies for his expression of support for the scheme as a whole? And let me just say to him that, as the finance Secretary, I am always in conversations with my Cabinet colleagues, making sure that they are delivering the capital programmes that I have agreed with them in line with the costs that were originally identified.
I certainly don't write any blank cheques for anybody about picking up extra costs where they are incurred, but I'm always willing to talk to Cabinet colleagues about very important Welsh Government priorities and making sure that we manage our capital programme in a way that provides the maximum impact for Welsh citizens in transport, in health, in education and in all the important responsibilities that we discharge.
A gaf fi ddechrau, Lywydd, drwy ddiolch i Andrew R.T. Davies am fynegi ei gefnogaeth i'r cynllun yn ei gyfanrwydd? A gadewch i mi ddweud wrtho fy mod, fel yr Ysgrifennydd cyllid, yn cael sgyrsiau gyda fy nghyd-Aelodau yn y Cabinet drwy'r amser, i wneud yn siŵr eu bod yn darparu'r rhaglenni cyfalaf rwyf wedi cytuno â hwy yn eu cylch yn unol â'r costau a nodwyd yn wreiddiol.
Yn sicr nid wyf yn ysgrifennu sieciau gwag i unrhyw un ar gyfer talu unrhyw gostau ychwanegol, ond rwyf bob amser yn barod i siarad â chyd-Aelodau yn y Cabinet am flaenoriaethau pwysig Llywodraeth Cymru a gwneud yn siŵr ein bod yn rheoli ein rhaglen gyfalaf mewn ffordd sy'n sicrhau'r effaith fwyaf bosibl ar gyfer dinasyddion Cymru mewn trafnidiaeth, iechyd, addysg a'r holl gyfrifoldebau pwysig rydym yn eu hysgwyddo.
Diolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet. Y cwestiwn olaf, Leanne Wood.
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. The final question, Leanne Wood.
1. A wnaiff Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ddatganiad am effaith cyllideb y DU ar gyflogau yn y sector cyhoeddus yng Nghymru? 70
1. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the impact of the UK budget on public sector pay in Wales? 70
I thank Leanne Wood for that question. The Welsh Government has consistently called on the UK Government to end the pay cap and to provide the additional funding needed to do so. No sums of money for that purpose flow to Wales in the figures published in today's budget.
Diolch i Leanne Wood am y cwestiwn hwnnw. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi galw'n gyson ar Lywodraeth y DU i gael gwared ar y cap cyflog ac i ddarparu'r cyllid ychwanegol sydd ei angen i wneud hynny. Nid oes unrhyw symiau o arian at y diben hwnnw yn llifo i Gymru yn y ffigurau a gyhoeddwyd yn y gyllideb heddiw.
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. In today's UK budget announcement, the Chancellor stated that UK Government departments could begin lifting the public sector pay cap, depending on the decision of the pay review bodies. The note on public sector pay issued by the Treasury today states in this instance that pay is the responsibility of the devolved Government in Wales. They are expecting you to make a decision on this.
Now, I've previously asked the Labour Welsh Government to take action on the public sector pay cap, either lifting it in full or starting within the NHS, and, to date, your Government has refused to do that, preferring to wait, as you've just said, for the Conservative UK Government to take action. This course of inaction on your behalf means that Wales, under Labour, could become the only devolved nation that is committed to keeping the pay cap on our nurses, NHS staff and public sector workers. This will, in effect, keep nurses in poverty, hold wages down and damage morale.
You stated in December 2016 that Wales now has, and I quote, 'long-term, fair funding' through the fiscal framework. So, I ask you today: when will you contact the pay review bodies as Cabinet Secretary responsible for the pay cap, and will you follow Plaid Cymru's proposal by announcing plans to start implementing above-inflation pay rises in the public sector, beginning in April 2018?
Diolch i chi, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Yng nghyhoeddiad cyllideb y DU heddiw, dywedodd y Canghellor y gallai adrannau Llywodraeth y DU ddechrau cael gwared ar y cap ar gyflogau'r sector cyhoeddus, yn dibynnu ar benderfyniad y cyrff adolygu cyflogau. Mae'r nodyn ar gyflogau'r sector cyhoeddus a gyhoeddwyd gan y Trysorlys heddiw yn dweud yn yr achos hwn mai cyfrifoldeb y Llywodraeth ddatganoledig yng Nghymru yw cyflogau. Maent yn disgwyl i chi wneud penderfyniad ar hyn.
Nawr, rwyf wedi gofyn o'r blaen i Lywodraeth Lafur Cymru weithredu mewn perthynas â'r cap ar gyflogau'r sector cyhoeddus, naill ai drwy gael gwared arno'n gyfan gwbl neu ddechrau yn y GIG, a hyd yma, mae eich Llywodraeth wedi gwrthod gwneud hynny, gan ddweud ei bod yn well ganddynt aros i Lywodraeth Geidwadol y DU weithredu, fel rydych newydd ei ddweud. Mae'r diffyg gweithredu hwn ar eich rhan yn golygu ei bod yn bosibl mai Cymru, o dan y Blaid Lafur, fydd yr unig genedl ddatganoledig a fydd wedi ymrwymo i gadw'r cap cyflog i'n nyrsys, staff y GIG a gweithwyr y sector cyhoeddus. Bydd hyn, mewn gwirionedd, yn cadw nyrsys mewn tlodi, yn cadw cyflogau'n isel ac yn niweidio morâl.
Ym mis Rhagfyr 2016, dywedasoch fod gan Gymru, a dyfynnaf, 'gyllid hirdymor, teg' erbyn hyn drwy'r fframwaith cyllidol. Felly, gofynnaf i chi heddiw: pryd y byddwch yn cysylltu â'r cyrff adolygu cyflogau fel yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet sy'n gyfrifol am y cap cyflog, ac a wnewch chi ddilyn cynnig Plaid Cymru drwy gyhoeddi cynlluniau i ddechrau gweithredu codiadau cyflog sy'n uwch na chwyddiant yn y sector cyhoeddus, gan ddechrau ym mis Ebrill 2018?
Llywydd, let me be clear about the Welsh Government's position: we are committed to lifting the pay cap, and I've said that time after time. I will follow Plaid Cymru's proposals very closely, and I will follow them with more attention when the leader of Plaid Cymru is able to say where she will take the money from in order to implement the policy to which she is attached. Because without money coming from—[Interruption.] Without money coming from the UK Treasury to lift the pay cap, for which they are responsible, the only way that could be funded in Wales is by taking money away from other public services. That is not a course of action that I think is supported here in Wales. We will lift the pay cap as soon as money to do so flows to Wales in the way it should to allow us to do so, and we have made a public commitment, which I repeat this afternoon, that every penny that comes to Wales in order to lift the pay cap will be spent for that purpose.
People who believe that Welsh money should be spent for that purpose, rather than UK money, which is what should be spent for it, have a responsibility not to say things in general, but to tell Welsh people absolutely specifically where they would take that money from—
Lywydd, gadewch i mi fod yn glir ynglŷn â safbwynt Llywodraeth Cymru: rydym wedi ymrwymo i godi'r cap cyflog, ac rwyf wedi dweud hynny dro ar ôl tro. Byddaf yn dilyn cynigion Plaid Cymru yn agos iawn, a byddaf yn eu dilyn gyda mwy o sylw pan fydd arweinydd Plaid Cymru yn gallu dweud o ble y bydd hi'n mynd â'r arian er mwyn gweithredu'r polisi y mae hi'n glynu ato. Oherwydd heb arian yn dod o—[Torri ar draws.] Heb arian yn dod o Drysorlys y DU i godi'r cap cyflog y maent yn gyfrifol amdano, yr unig ffordd y gellid ei ariannu yng Nghymru yw drwy fynd ag arian o wasanaethau cyhoeddus eraill. Nid wyf yn credu bod hwnnw'n gam a gefnogir yma yng Nghymru. Byddwn yn cael gwared ar y cap cyflog cyn gynted ag y bydd yr arian i wneud hynny'n llifo i Gymru yn y ffordd y dylai er mwyn ein galluogi i wneud hynny, ac rydym wedi gwneud ymrwymiad cyhoeddus, ac rwy'n ei ailadrodd y prynhawn yma, y bydd pob ceiniog a ddaw i Gymru ar gyfer cael gwared ar y cap cyflog yn cael ei wario at y diben hwnnw.
Mae gan y bobl sy'n credu y dylid gwario arian Cymru at y diben hwnnw, yn hytrach nag arian y DU, sef yr hyn a ddylai gael ei wario arno, gyfrifoldeb i beidio â dweud pethau'n gyffredinol, ond yn hytrach i ddweud wrth bobl Cymru yn gwbl benodol o ble y buasent yn mynd â'r arian hwnnw—
This is nurses being paid, nurses' money.
Nyrsys yn cael eu talu yw hyn, arian nyrsys.
—where they would take that money from, which hospital they will take it from, which school they will take it from, which part of the Welsh public sector will that money come from. When you're prepared to answer that question, then you'll be entitled to be taken seriously.
—o ble y buasent yn mynd â'r arian hwnnw, o ba ysbyty y byddant yn ei gymryd, o ba ysgol y byddant yn ei gymryd, o ba ran o sector cyhoeddus Cymru y bydd yr arian hwnnw'n dod. Pan fyddwch yn barod i ateb y cwestiwn hwnnw, bydd gennych hawl i gael eich cymryd o ddifrif.
Diolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet.
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary.
Yr eitem nesaf, felly, yw'r datganiadau 90 eiliad. David Melding.
The next item is the 90-second statements. David Melding.
Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd.
Today, the world heard the long-awaited verdict in the trial of General Ratko Mladić. The judgment and sentencing before the Yugoslav war crimes court in the Hague marks the culmination of a case spanning 22 years. Mladić was convicted of 10 counts, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, all of them committed during the conflict that claimed 100,000 lives and left 2.2 million others homeless. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Some of us have campaigned from the sidelines in the pursuit of international justice, but for those who lost husbands and sons 20 years ago, during the Srebrenica massacre and other war crimes, the wounds are still very fresh. One woman lost her husband and both sons at Srebrenica. She said,
'We have been sentenced without a trial. Our children were sentenced to death and expulsion, and we survivors were sentenced to stay living in hell.'
Llywydd, in 2014, I had the honour of leading an Assembly Commission delegation to Bosnia, and to Srebrenica in particular. It was followed by a memorial event in the Senedd that was led by Mr Howard Tucker, the Welsh detective who transformed the work of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Howard served as the head of the ICTY office Bosnia-Herzegovina for eight years during the peak of its activity. Without his outstanding leadership, some of the most notorious war criminals since the second world war would not have been brought to justice. Central to his approach was the skill of community policing. Witnesses had to be identified and supported. Many, initially, were too terrified to speak.
To conclude, Llywydd, today we mark the closure of a horrific chapter in world history, but we must remember and learn the lessons of Srebrenica and address hatreds in our own societies. We must continue to remember its relevance in countering intolerance and discrimination in the UK and elsewhere, and in promoting stronger and more cohesive communities. We must remember Srebrenica and its lessons, and teach them to future generations so that they can live in a peaceful and inclusive society.
Diolch yn fawr, Lywydd.
Heddiw, cafodd y byd glywed dyfarniad hirddisgwyliedig achos y Cadfridog Ratko Mladić. Mae'r dyfarniad a'r ddedfryd gerbron y llys troseddau rhyfel Iwgoslafaidd yn yr Hâg yn nodi penllanw achos sydd wedi para dros 22 mlynedd. Cafwyd Mladić yn euog o 10 cyhuddiad, gan gynnwys hil-laddiad, troseddau rhyfel a throseddau yn erbyn dynoliaeth, gyda phob un ohonynt wedi'u cyflawni yn ystod y gwrthdaro a hawliodd 100,000 o fywydau a gadael 2.2 miliwn o bobl eraill yn ddigartref. Cafodd ei ddedfrydu i garchar am oes.
Mae rhai ohonom wedi ymgyrchu ar y cyrion i geisio cyfiawnder rhyngwladol, ond i'r rhai sydd wedi colli gwŷr a meibion 20 mlynedd yn ôl, yn ystod cyflafan Srebrenica a throseddau rhyfel eraill, mae'r clwyfau'n ffres iawn o hyd. Collodd un ddynes ei gŵr a'i dau fab yn Srebrenica. Dywedodd,
Rydym wedi cael ein dedfrydu heb dreial. Cafodd ein plant eu dedfrydu i farwolaeth a'u diarddel, a chawsom ni'r goroeswyr ein dedfrydu i barhau i fyw yn uffern.
Lywydd, yn 2014, cefais y fraint o arwain dirprwyaeth ar ran Comisiwn y Cynulliad i Fosnia, a Srebrenica yn benodol. Yn dilyn hyn, cafwyd digwyddiad coffa yn y Senedd a arweiniwyd gan Mr Howard Tucker, y ditectif o Gymru a drawsnewidiodd waith Tribiwnlys Troseddol Rhyngwladol y Cenhedloedd Unedig ar gyfer yr hen Iwgoslafia. Gwasanaethodd Howard fel pennaeth swyddfa Tribiwnlys Troseddol Rhyngwladol Iwgoslafia ym Mosnia-Herzegovina am wyth mlynedd ar anterth ei weithgarwch. Heb ei arweiniad rhagorol, ni fuasai rhai o'r troseddwyr rhyfel mwyaf ers yr ail ryfel byd wedi cael eu dwyn o flaen eu gwell. Roedd sgil plismona cymunedol yn ganolog i'w ddull o weithredu. Roedd yn rhaid i dystion gael eu nodi a'u cefnogi. I ddechrau, roedd llawer o'r tystion mewn gormod o arswyd i siarad.
I gloi, Lywydd, rydym heddiw'n nodi diwedd pennod erchyll yn hanes y byd, ond mae'n rhaid i ni gofio a dysgu gwersi o Srebrenica a mynd i'r afael â chasineb yn ein cymdeithasau ein hunain. Mae'n rhaid i ni barhau i gofio ei pherthnasedd wrth wrthsefyll anoddefgarwch a gwahaniaethu yn y DU ac mewn mannau eraill, ac wrth hyrwyddo cymunedau cryfach a mwy cydlynol. Mae'n rhaid i ni gofio Srebrenica a'i gwersi, a'u dysgu i genedlaethau'r dyfodol fel y gallant fyw mewn cymdeithas heddychlon a chynhwysol.
Yr eitem nesaf ar ein hagenda ni yw'r cynigion i ethol Aelodau i bwyllgorau ac, yn unol â Rheolau Sefydlog 12.24 ac 12.40, rwy'n cynnig bod y cynigion i ethol Aelodau i bwyllgorau yn cael eu grwpio ar gyfer eu trafod a'u pleidleisio. Galwaf ar aelod o'r Pwyllgor Busnes i wneud y cynigion yn ffurfiol.
The next item on our agenda is the motions to elect Members to committees and, in accordance with Standing Order 12.24 and 12.40, I propose that the motions to elect Members to committees are grouped for debate and for voting. I call on a member of the Business Committee to move the motions formally.
Cynnig NDM6575 Elin Jones
Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 17.3, yn ethol Mick Antoniw (Llafur) yn aelod o’r Pwyllgor Craffu ar Waith y Prif Weinidog yn lle Huw Irranca-Davies (Llafur).
Cynnig NDM6582 Elin Jones
Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 17.14, yn ethol Jane Hutt (Llafur) yn aelod o’r Pwyllgor Materion Allanol a Deddfwriaeth Ychwanegol yn lle Eluned Morgan (Llafur).
Cynnig NDM6583 Elin Jones
Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 17.14, yn ethol Jenny Rathbone (Llafur) yn aelod o’r Pwyllgor Materion Allanol a Deddfwriaeth Ychwanegol yn lle Jeremy Miles (Llafur).
Cynnig NDM6584 Elin Jones
Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 17.14, yn ethol Jane Hutt (Llafur) yn aelod o’r Pwyllgor Cyllid yn lle Eluned Morgan (Llafur).
Cynnig NDM6585 Elin Jones
Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 17.14, yn ethol Dawn Bowden (Llafur) yn aelod o’r Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, Amgylchedd a Materion Gwledig yn lle Jenny Rathbone (Llafur).
Cynnig NDM6586 Elin Jones
Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 17.14, yn ethol Mick Antoniw (Llafur) yn aelod o’r Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau yn lle Joyce Watson (Llafur).
Cynnig NDM6587 Elin Jones
Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 17.14, yn ethol Joyce Watson (Llafur) yn aelod o’r Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, Amgylchedd a Materion Gwledig yn lle Huw Irranca-Davies (Llafur).
Cynnig NDM6588 Elin Jones
Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 17.14, yn ethol Mick Antoniw (Llafur) yn aelod o Bwyllgor Diwylliant, y Gymraeg a Chyfathrebu yn lle Hannah Blythyn (Llafur).
Cynnig NDM6589 Elin Jones
Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 17.14, yn ethol Joyce Watson (Llafur) yn aelod o Bwyllgor yr Economi, Seilwaith a Sgiliau yn lle Jeremy Miles (Llafur).
Cynnig NDM6590 Elin Jones
Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 17.14, yn ethol Lee Waters (Llafur) yn aelod o Bwyllgor yr Economi, Seilwaith a Sgiliau yn lle Hannah Blythyn (Llafur).
Cynnig NDM6591 Elin Jones
Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 17.14, yn ethol Jenny Rathbone (Llafur) yn aelod o Bwyllgor Diwylliant, y Gymraeg a Chyfathrebu yn lle Dawn Bowden (Llafur).
Cynnig NDM6592 Elin Jones
Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 17.14, yn ethol Rhianon Passmore (Llafur) yn aelod o Bwyllgor Diwylliant, y Gymraeg a Chyfathrebu yn lle Jeremy Miles (Llafur).
Motion NDM6575 Elin Jones
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.3, elects Mick Antoniw (Labour) as a Member of the Scrutiny of the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister in place of Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour).
Motion NDM6582 Elin Jones
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Jane Hutt (Labour) as a Member of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee in place of Eluned Morgan (Labour).
Motion NDM6583 Elin Jones
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Jenny Rathbone (Labour) as a Member of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee in place of Jeremy Miles (Labour).
Motion NDM6584 Elin Jones
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Jane Hutt (Labour) as a Member of the Finance Committee in place of Eluned Morgan (Labour).
Motion NDM6585 Elin Jones
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Dawn Bowden (Labour) as a Member of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee in place of Jenny Rathbone (Labour).
Motion NDM6586 Elin Jones
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Mick Antoniw (Labour) as a Member of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee in place of Joyce Watson (Labour).
Motion NDM6587 Elin Jones
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Joyce Watson (Labour) as a Member of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee in place of Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour).
Motion NDM6588 Elin Jones
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Mick Antoniw (Labour) as a Member of the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee in place of Hannah Blythyn (Labour).
Motion NDM6589 Elin Jones
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Joyce Watson (Labour) as a Member of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee in place of Jeremy Miles (Labour).
Motion NDM6590 Elin Jones
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Lee Waters (Labour) as a Member of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee in place of Hannah Blythyn (Labour).
Motion NDM6591 Elin Jones
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Jenny Rathbone (Labour) as a Member of the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee in place of Dawn Bowden (Labour).
Motion NDM6592 Elin Jones
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Rhianon Passmore (Labour) as a Member of the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee in place of Jeremy Miles (Labour).
Cynigiwyd y cynigion.
Motions moved.
Yn ffurfiol.
Formally.
Y cwestiwn yw: a ddylid derbyn y cynigion? A oes unrhyw Aelod yn gwrthwynebu? Felly derbynnir y cynigion yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 12.36.
The proposal is to agree the motions. Does any Member object? The motions are therefore agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
Derbyniwyd y cynigion yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 12.36.
Motions agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
Yr eitem nesaf yw'r ddadl ar adroddiad Pwyllgor yr Economi, Seilwaith a Sgiliau, 'Seilwaith Digidol Cymru'. Rwy'n galw ar Gadeirydd y pwyllgor i wneud y cynnig. Russell George.
The next item is the debate on the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee report, 'Digital Infrastructure in Wales'. I call on the Chair of the committee to move the motion. Russell George.
Cynnig NDM6558 Russell George
Cynnig bod Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru:
Yn nodi adroddiad Pwyllgor yr Economi, Seilwaith a Sgiliau ar ei ymchwiliad, 'Seilwaith Digidol Cymru', a osodwyd yn y Swyddfa Gyflwyno ar 20 Medi 2017.
Motion NDM6558 Russell George
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
Notes the report of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee on its inquiry, 'Digital Infrastructure in Wales', which was laid in the Table Office on 20 September 2017.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Diolch, Llywydd. I move the motion in my name. This report is in regard to digital infrastructure in Wales. Connectivity is no longer a 'nice to have' when it comes to living and working in Wales for many people, including some of the businesses we spoke to as part of our inquiry. It is now considered an essential service like water or electricity—even in some quite unlikely places. To launch this report, I visited Mead Farm in Caldicot, a food business that relies on digital infrastructure to track the location, health and well-being of its cows and to market its fresh breakfast products in the local area.
In recent years, more and more people are getting connected at increasingly high speeds, and this is good news, but a consequence of this improvement is that frustration and a sense of injustice grows in those left behind. Those who are connected at low speeds look enviously on at those able to access higher speeds, and those with nothing at all are left with the greatest frustrations. While the Welsh Government's Superfast Cymru scheme, delivered in partnership with BT, has connected high numbers of people—when complete, about 96 per cent of premises in Wales will be able to access it, we're told—there remain pockets where it will not reach, and the roll-out of mobile phone coverage is following in a similar pattern.
I received a letter last month from Mrs James in Glandwr, near Whitland, which eloquently put the issues into context, so I'll read part of her letter out:
'We have slow broadband, which means downloading or watching items such as BBC Three is practically impossible. On a personal level farming relies on online submission of forms more and more, and the lack of mobile signal while out working for hours in the fields leads to lost time in contacting colleagues and the health and safety aspect is very worrying with one fatality a week in agriculture at the moment. The school buses which travel along the valley find it worrying that if they have a breakdown they are unable to leave the bus with 70 pupils onboard to get help. Villagers have been trying to get smart meters installed but are unable to without the most basic signal.'
I receive similar complaints in my own consistency every week, and I'm sure other Members are not much different to myself. As a committee, we want to see everyone in Wales able to access the internet at fast speeds, whether for work or entertainment, but we also need to build a structure that is fit for the future. Our demand for bandwidth has massively grown, and is likely to continue to do so. Where, once, we needed enough to send some e-mails or to look at a website, now we routinely stream tv programmes and films to a range of devices, at home and at work.
We have made a series of recommendations to help Wales develop a digital infrastructure that is as fast and reliable as that enjoyed elsewhere in the UK, but Wales's geography puts us in a difficult position. Rhodri Williams, director of Ofcom Wales, told the committee that Wales needs 67 masts per million of the population to broadcast terrestrial television. The number in England is 12. And despite having more masts, we still don’t have the same level of coverage. So, to get mobile coverage on a par with England, Wales will need a greater number of masts, and for that to happen, we'll have to make it easier for that to happen. Filling in the gaps so that everyone can receive a good service is the minimum requirement. More can be done to help people take up those services once available, and to take potentially controversial steps to ensure that the connectivity many of us take for granted, is available to all.
We also need to ensure that capacity is there. There are too many examples where streets have been 'enabled'—I say that in inverted commas—for superfast broadband, but individuals can’t access it because of lack of capacity of the cabinet or exchange. There's clearly no point in having the infrastructure in the ground if residents can't actually benefit from it.
Furthermore, as early as last week, Members will have been told that premises in their constituencies are still to be upgraded for fibre broadband by the end of 2017. However, the Welsh Government also say—and I quote here—that the Superfast Cymru contract with BT closes in December 2017, and the costs of addressing any premises that suffer delay beyond that date will not be met by the Welsh Government through this contract. The committee would be grateful for further clarity on this point, especially as the Superfast Cymru website has recently changed. Those that were previously listed as being in scope and due for an upgrade before the end of the year have now been told to check back after this date for the status of their premises.
Diolch, Lywydd. Rwy'n gwneud y cynnig yn fy enw i. Mae'r adroddiad hwn yn ymwneud â seilwaith digidol yng Nghymru. I lawer o bobl, nid rhywbeth 'braf i'w gael' yw cysylltedd mwyach ar gyfer byw a gweithio yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys rhai o'r busnesau y siaradwyd â hwy fel rhan o'n hymchwiliad. Caiff ei ystyried yn wasanaeth hanfodol fel dŵr neu drydan bellach— hyd yn oed mewn rhai lleoedd eithaf annhebygol. I lansio'r adroddiad hwn, ymwelais â Mead Farm yng Nghil-y-coed, busnes bwyd sy'n dibynnu ar seilwaith digidol i olrhain lleoliad, iechyd a llesiant ei wartheg ac i farchnata ei gynnyrch brecwast ffres yn yr ardal leol.
Yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf, mae mwy a mwy o bobl yn cael cysylltiad mwyfwy cyflym, ac mae hyn yn newyddion da, ond o ganlyniad i'r gwelliant hwn ceir rhwystredigaeth ac ymdeimlad o anghyfiawnder cynyddol yn y rheini sy'n cael eu gadael ar ôl. Mae'r rhai sydd â chysylltedd araf yn eiddigeddus o'r rhai sy'n gallu cael cysylltiad cyflymach, a'r rhai heb gysylltedd o gwbl sydd fwyaf rhwystredig. Er bod cynllun Cyflymu Cymru Llywodraeth Cymru, mewn partneriaeth â BT, wedi cysylltu niferoedd mawr o bobl—pan fydd wedi'i gwblhau, bydd tua 96 y cant o fangreoedd yng Nghymru yn gallu cael mynediad ato, yn ôl yr hyn a ddywedir wrthym—ceir ardaloedd o hyd na fydd yn eu cyrraedd, ac mae cyflwyno signal ffonau symudol yn dilyn patrwm tebyg.
Derbyniais lythyr fis diwethaf gan Mrs James yng Nglandŵr, ger Hendy-gwyn ar Daf, a oedd yn rhoi'r problemau yn eu cyd-destun mewn ffordd huawdl, felly rwyf am ddarllen rhan o'i llythyr:
Mae gennym fand eang araf, sy'n golygu bod lawrlwytho neu wylio eitemau megis BBC Three bron yn amhosibl. Ar lefel bersonol mae ffermio'n dibynnu fwyfwy ar gyflwyno ffurflenni ar-lein, ac mae diffyg signal ffôn symudol tra'n gweithio yn y caeau am oriau yn arwain at golli amser yn ceisio cysylltu â chydweithwyr ac mae'r elfen iechyd a diogelwch yn peri pryder mawr gydag un farwolaeth yr wythnos ym myd amaeth ar hyn o bryd. Mae'r bysiau ysgol sy'n teithio ar hyd y dyffryn yn bryderus na allent adael y bws gyda 70 o ddisgyblion arno pe baent yn torri i lawr i fynd i chwilio am help. Mae pentrefwyr wedi ceisio cael mesuryddion deallus wedi'u gosod ond ni allant wneud hynny heb y signal mwyaf sylfaenol.
Rwy'n derbyn cwynion tebyg yn fy etholaeth fy hun bob wythnos, ac rwy'n sicr nad yw hi'n wahanol iawn ar Aelodau eraill. Fel pwyllgor, rydym eisiau gweld bod pawb yng Nghymru yn gallu cael mynediad at y rhyngrwyd ar gyflymder da, boed ar gyfer gwaith neu adloniant, ond mae angen i ni hefyd adeiladu strwythur sy'n addas ar gyfer y dyfodol. Mae'r galw am fand eang wedi tyfu'n aruthrol, ac mae'n debygol o barhau i wneud hynny. Lle nad oedd ond angen digon arnom i anfon rhai negeseuon e-bost neu i edrych ar wefan ar un adeg, rydym bellach yn edrych ar raglenni teledu a ffilmiau ar amryw o ddyfeisiau'n rheolaidd, gartref ac yn y gwaith.
Rydym wedi gwneud cyfres o argymhellion i helpu Cymru i ddatblygu seilwaith digidol sydd mor gyflym a dibynadwy â'r rhai y gellir eu mwynhau mewn mannau eraill yn y DU, ond mae daearyddiaeth Cymru yn ein rhoi mewn sefyllfa anodd. Dywedodd Rhodri Williams, Cyfarwyddwr Ofcom Cymru, wrth y pwyllgor fod angen 67 o fastiau i bob miliwn o'r boblogaeth i ddarlledu teledu daearol. Y nifer yn Lloegr yw 12. Ac er bod gennym fwy o fastiau, nid oes gennym yr un lefel o signal o hyd. Felly, i gael signal ffonau symudol ar yr un lefel â Lloegr, bydd angen nifer fwy o fastiau yng Nghymru, ac er mwyn i hynny ddigwydd, bydd yn rhaid i ni ei gwneud yn haws i hynny ddigwydd. Fan lleiaf, mae gofyn llenwi'r bylchau fel bod pawb yn cael gwasanaeth da. Gellir gwneud mwy i helpu pobl i fanteisio ar y gwasanaethau hynny pan fyddant ar gael, ac i gymryd camau a allai fod yn ddadleuol i sicrhau bod y cysylltedd y mae llawer ohonom yn ei gymryd yn ganiataol, ar gael i bawb.
Mae angen i ni hefyd sicrhau bod capasiti yno. Ceir gormod o enghreifftiau lle mae strydoedd wedi cael eu 'galluogi'—dywedaf hynny mewn dyfynodau—i gael band eang cyflym iawn, ond ni all unigolion fanteisio arno oherwydd diffyg capasiti'r cabinet neu'r gyfnewidfa. Yn amlwg, nid oes pwynt cael y seilwaith ar lawr gwlad os na all trigolion gael budd ohono.
Ymhellach, mor gynnar â'r wythnos ddiwethaf, bydd yr Aelodau wedi clywed bod safleoedd yn eu hetholaethau eto i gael eu huwchraddio ar gyfer band eang ffeibr erbyn diwedd 2017. Fodd bynnag, mae Llywodraeth Cymru hefyd yn dweud—a dyfynnaf yma—fod cytundeb Cyflymu Cymru gyda BT yn dod i ben ym mis Rhagfyr 2017, ac na fydd y costau o fynd i'r afael ag unrhyw safleoedd a fydd yn dioddef oedi y tu hwnt i'r dyddiad hwnnw yn cael eu talu gan Lywodraeth Cymru drwy'r cytundeb hwn. Buasai'r pwyllgor yn ddiolchgar am eglurhad pellach ar y pwynt hwn, yn enwedig gan fod gwefan Cyflymu Cymru wedi newid yn ddiweddar. Mae'r rhai a gafodd eu rhestru'n flaenorol fel rhai o fewn cyrraedd ar gyfer cysylltu ac sydd i fod i gael eu huwchraddio cyn diwedd y flwyddyn wedi cael gwybod bellach y dylent wirio statws eu safle ar ôl y dyddiad hwn.
Would the Member give way?
A wnaiff yr Aelod ildio?
I would, yes.
Gwnaf.
I'm grateful to the Member. I also would like clarification on behalf of scores—if not hundreds—of my constituents by now who have been told, 'Everything will be done by the end of this year', and are still awaiting confirmation of that. Can he share with the Chamber whether the committee were able to ascertain the number of delayed contracts in that position, and whether it was likely or not that the whole contract would be delivered, in fact?
Rwy'n ddiolchgar i'r Aelod. Buaswn hefyd yn hoffi eglurhad ar ran ugeiniau—os nad cannoedd—o fy etholwyr sydd bellach wedi cael gwybod, 'Bydd popeth wedi'i wneud erbyn diwedd y flwyddyn hon', ac sy'n dal i aros am gadarnhad o hynny. A yw'n gallu rhannu gyda'r Siambr pa un a oedd y pwyllgor yn gallu dweud faint o gytundebau gohiriedig sydd yn y sefyllfa honno, ac a oedd hi'n debygol y buasai'r cytundeb cyfan yn cael ei gyflawni ai peidio?
Well, certainly, we've had confirmation from BT that they believe that the contract will be delivered, according to the contract, and I will come on to address some of the communication issues that you've raised, actually, towards the end of my contribution.
I think what Simon Thomas has also said concerns many other Members as well, because the prospect of premises, of course, being left behind, or left in the lurch, increases substantially after the so-called drop-dead date at the end of 31 December, unless the Welsh Government, of course, intends to pick up the baton again as part of its successor scheme. I would be grateful, of course, for clarity from the Cabinet Secretary, and the Cabinet Secretary heard Simon Thomas's comments with regard to this as well.
I am pleased to see that the Government has accepted all 12 of the recommendations—three in principle. However, on some, agreement isn’t the same as action, of course. The Government’s mobile action plan was plucked from the ether just prior to the Minister’s appearance to give evidence to this inquiry, and that has to be widely welcomed, I should say. But progress since then, I have to say, has been slow, and Wales has already been playing catch-up with Scotland. The action plan needs a bit more action, I would say. It needs to move at a faster upload speed.
The Superfast Cymru scheme is rapidly drawing to a close next month. In many ways, it's fair to say, I think that the scheme has been successful, bringing high–speed internet to many areas that might not have otherwise had it sooner. This is where I come to Simon Thomas's point. We are not the first inquiry to highlight the communication problems that have dogged the programme. Future schemes will need to address this, and we think that should be built into future contracts. I'm pleased to see that the Minister looks like she's nodding to that.
One final thing: the committee has received some evidence from people concerned about electrohypersensitivity, where people suffer from a reaction to wi-fi or mobile phone signals. While this was outside our terms of reference, I have received some further correspondence on this, and since we're debating this today, I would ask the Minister if any consideration has been given to this issue. So, I do look forward to the debate this afternoon, and I look forward to hearing comments from other Members.
Wel, yn sicr, rydym wedi cael cadarnhad gan BT eu bod yn credu y bydd y cytundeb yn cael ei gyflawni, yn ôl y cytundeb, a byddaf yn mynd i'r afael â rhai o'r problemau cyfathrebu rydych wedi'u nodi tuag at ddiwedd fy nghyfraniad mewn gwirionedd.
Rwy'n credu bod yr hyn y mae Simon Thomas hefyd wedi'i ddweud yn peri pryder i lawer o Aelodau eraill yn ogystal, oherwydd mae'r perygl y bydd safleoedd, wrth gwrs, yn cael eu gadael ar ôl, neu eu gadael mewn twll, yn cynyddu'n sylweddol ar ôl y dyddiad terfynol fel y'i gelwir ar ddiwedd 31 Rhagfyr, oni bai bod Llywodraeth Cymru, wrth gwrs, yn bwriadu codi'r baton eto fel rhan o'i chynllun olynol. Buaswn yn ddiolchgar, wrth gwrs, am eglurder gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, ac fe glywodd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet sylwadau Simon Thomas mewn perthynas â hyn yn ogystal.
Rwy'n falch o weld bod y Llywodraeth wedi derbyn pob un o'r 12 argymhelliad—tri mewn egwyddor. Fodd bynnag, gyda rhai, nid yw cytuno yr un fath â gweithredu, wrth gwrs. Cafodd cynllun gweithredu ffonau symudol y Llywodraeth ei dynnu o'r awyr cyn i'r Gweinidog ymddangos i roi tystiolaeth i'r ymchwiliad hwn, ac mae hynny i'w groesawu'n fawr, dylwn ddweud. Ond mae'r cynnydd ers hynny, mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud, wedi bod yn araf, ac mae Cymru eisoes wedi bod yn ceisio dal i fyny gyda'r Alban. Mae'r cynllun gweithredu angen rhywfaint mwy o weithredu, buaswn yn ei ddweud. Mae angen iddo symud ar gyflymder lanlwytho cyflymach.
Mae cynllun Cyflymu Cymru yn prysur ddirwyn i ben y mis nesaf. Mewn llawer o ffyrdd, mae'n deg dweud, rwy'n credu, fod y cynllun wedi bod yn llwyddiannus, ac wedi darparu rhyngrwyd cyflymder uchel i nifer o ardaloedd na fuasai wedi'i gael fel arall yn gynt. Daw hyn a mi at bwynt Simon Thomas. Nid dyma'r ymchwiliad cyntaf i dynnu sylw at y problemau cyfathrebu sydd wedi bod yn bla yn y rhaglen. Bydd angen i gynlluniau yn y dyfodol fynd i'r afael â hyn, a chredwn y dylid ymgorffori hynny i gytundebau yn y dyfodol. Rwy'n falch o weld bod y Gweinidog yn edrych fel pe bai'n nodio mewn ymateb i hynny.
Un peth olaf: mae'r pwyllgor wedi derbyn rhywfaint o dystiolaeth gan bobl sy'n pryderu am orsensitifrwydd trydanol, lle mae pobl yn dioddef o adwaith i signalau diwifr neu ffonau symudol. Er bod hyn y tu hwnt i'n cylch gorchwyl, rwyf wedi cael rhywfaint o ohebiaeth bellach ar hyn, a chan ein bod yn trafod hyn heddiw, buaswn yn gofyn i'r Gweinidog a ystyriwyd y mater hwn o gwbl. Felly, rwy'n edrych ymlaen at y ddadl y prynhawn yma, ac edrychaf ymlaen at glywed sylwadau gan Aelodau eraill.
Rydw i yn meddwl, wrth i ni edrych, rwy'n credu, ar y maes yma o bolisi—mae yn gwneud i chi deimlo'n arbennig o isel oherwydd dyma oedd y dechnoleg a oedd â'r potensial, a dweud y gwir, i ni wrthwneud anfanteision, yntefe, bod yn ddaearyddol ymylol neu gael eich safleoli mewn sefyllfa wledig. Hynny yw, y dechnoleg yma sy'n cynnig yr ateb, a dweud y gwir, i fusnesau yng nghefn gwlad. Ond, oherwydd y diffyg llwyddiant a'r diffyg cynnydd sydd wedi bod, wrth gwrs, rŷm ni'n dal mewn sefyllfa anfanteisiol o'i gymharu â phrif ganolfannau poblogaeth ddinesig yn Lloegr, ac yn y blaen. Felly, mae'n rhaid i ni gael gwell arweiniad gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Nid yw'r system sydd gyda ni, neu'r ymagwedd neu'r dynesiad polisi sydd gyda ni, yn amlwg yn delifro. Felly, peidiwch byth â meddwl—. Wrth gwrs, mae'r dechnoleg yn symud ymlaen o hyd ac o hyd. Byddwn ni'n sôn cyn bo hir am terabit, yntefe. Os ydy Llywodraeth Cymru wir eisiau i Gymru fod yn gyrchfan—yn test bed—ar gyfer technoleg ceir di-yrrwr, er enghraifft, mae'n rhaid i ni fynd ymhellach ymlaen. Felly, nid drwy gael cytundeb gyda chwmni fel BT, y buaswn yn awgrymu, yw'r ffordd inni wneud hynny.
Os ŷm ni'n edrych ar y ffigurau, rydym ni'n clywed yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet yn dweud, 'Wel, mae Cymru ymhell ar y blaen.' Pa blaned y mae ef arno? Allwn ni ddim gael sgwrs polisi call os nad ŷm ni'n derbyn y gwir sefyllfa. Mae llyfrgell Tŷ'r Cyffredin wedi dangos bod saith mas o'r 10 ward cyngor sydd â'r cysylltiad arafaf ym Mhrydain yng Nghymru—chwech ohonynt, wrth gwrs, yn rhanbarth y gorllewin a'r canolbarth, ac un ohonyn nhw, Llanfihangel Aberbythych, yn fy etholaeth i. Roeddwn i'n gweld bod yna gais rhyddid gwybodaeth wedi cael ei gyhoeddi wythnos diwethaf gan Lywodraeth Cymru—hynny yw, mae'r wybodaeth wedi cael ei chyhoeddi ganddyn nhw—sy'n dangos ble'r ŷm ni o ran y siroedd, o ran yr ardaloedd sydd wedi cael eu cysylltu o dan Superfast. Ceredigion: 68 y cant yn unig, 68.9 y cant yn unig—eich ffigurau chi, a dweud y gwir, yr wythnos diwethaf. Rŷm ni'n gwybod bod y gyfartaledd ar draws Prydain yn rhywbeth fel 93, 94 y cant—ar gyfer Lloegr, hynny yw—a 95 y cant ar ddiwedd eleni, a 98 y cant, meddai Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol, erbyn diwedd y degawd yma. Chwe deg wyth y cant yng Ngheredigion—pa effaith y mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n meddwl y mae hwnnw'n ei chael ar hyfywedd yr economi yn yr ardaloedd hynny? Mae'n rhaid inni edrych ar fodel gwahanol.
Mae'n ddiddorol gweld y modelau amgen sydd yn llwyddo, er enghraifft, yn yr Unol Daleithiau, lle mae cannoedd o ddinasoedd, wrth gwrs, yn berchen ar eu cwmnïau telegyfathrebu eu hunain. Oherwydd mae sawl un ohonyn nhw, mewn ardaloedd fel Colorado a Kentucky ac yn y blaen, yn wynebu'r un broblem â'n hardaloedd gwledig ni ac wedi penderfynu, 'Digon yw digon. Nid ydym ni yn mynd i ddibynnu ar gwmnïau mawr monopoli. Rydym ni mynd i gymryd yr awenau ein hunain.' Mae rhai ohonyn nhw yn partneru gyda chwmnïau bychain yn lleol ac yn rhanbarthol. Mae rhai ohonyn nhw yn berchen ar eu cwmnïau eu hunain, yn debyg iawn, wrth gwrs, i hen fodel Kingston Communications a Hull, wrth gwrs, a oedd yn llwyddiannus iawn. Mae'n debyg iawn i beth oedd Llywodraeth Gwlad y Basg wedi gwneud yn ôl yn y 1990au, wedi wynebu’r un drafferth. Unwaith eto, roedd Llywodraeth Gwlad y Basg yn penderfynu, 'Wel, yn lle rhoi'r arian yma i ryw gwmni mawr monopoli sector preifat, beth am inni fuddsoddi ein harian mewn cwmni ein hunain?' Wrth gwrs, mae Euskaltel wedi profi bod y buddsoddiad hwnnw'n un call ar ei ganfed oherwydd eu bod nhw wedi medru symud ymlaen. Un o argymhellion y pwyllgor, wrth gwrs, yw i Lywodraeth Cymru edrych ar y modelau amgen ar bob lefel.
Roedd yna awgrym yn y Western Mail y mis diwethaf bod yna gyfle o ran yr is-strwythur terabit yma i greu buddsoddiad a fyddai’n golygu bod Cymru, am unwaith—am unwaith—ar flaen y gad.
I do think that, as we look at this policy area—it does make you feel particularly depressed, because this was the technology that had the potential for us to undo the disbenefits of being geographically peripheral, or being located in a rural location. It was this technology that was supposed to provide the solution for rural business, but, because of the lack of progress that’s taken place, we are still in a disadvantaged situation compared to the main centres of urban population in England, and so on and so forth. Therefore, we must have better leadership from the Welsh Government. The system that we have, or the policy approach that we have, clearly isn’t delivering. So, never think that—. Of course, the technology is moving forward constantly, and we will soon be talking about terabits. If the Welsh Government truly wants Wales to be a test bed for driverless car technologies, for example, then we must move further ahead. So, it’s not through having an agreement on a contract with BT—that’s not the best way of doing that, I would suggest.
If we look at the figures, we heard the Cabinet Secretary saying that Wales is forging ahead. What planet is he on? We can’t have a reasonable policy discussion if we don’t accept the reality of the situation. As the House of Commons Library has demonstrated, seven out of 10 of the council wards that have the slowest connections in Britain are in Wales, six of them in the Mid and West Wales region, and one of them, Llanfihangel Aberbythych, in my constituency. I saw that an FOI request was published last week by the Welsh Government—that is, the information was published by the Welsh Government—that demonstrates where we are in terms of the areas that have been connected under superfast. Ceredigion is only 68.9 per cent—these are your own figures, which were published last week. We know that the average across the UK is around 93 or 94 per cent—that’s for England—and it’s set to be 95 per cent by the end of this year and 98 per cent, according to the UK Government, by the end of this decade. But 68 per cent in Ceredigion—what impact does the Welsh Government think that has on the viability of the economy in those areas? We must look at an alternative model.
It’s interesting to see the alternative models that have succeeded, for example, in the United States, where hundreds of cities own their own telecommunications companies. Because many of them, in areas such as Colorado and Kentucky, facing the same problems as our rural areas, have decided, 'Enough is enough. We are not going to rely on major, monopolistic companies. We’re going to take the reins ourselves.' Some of them partner with smaller, local or regional companies. Some of them own their own companies, very similar to the old Kingston Communications in Hull, of course, which was very successful, and very similar to what the Basque Government did back in the 1990s, having faced the same difficulties. Again, the Basque Country Government decided, 'Well, rather than just handing out this money to a large, private sector monopoly, why don’t we invest our funds into our own company?’ Of course, Euskaltel has proved that that investment was a wise move, and it’s paid off, because they have been able to make progress. And one of the committee's recommendations, of course, is that the Welsh Government should look at these alternative models at all levels.
There was a suggestion in the Western Mail last month that there was an opportunity in terms of this terabit infrastructure to generate investment that would mean that Wales, for once, would be in the vanguard.
As a member of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee I’d like to place on record how important I thought this report actually was. My thanks to all those who came to give evidence to our inquiry.
Since being elected, one of the thorniest issues I’ve had to deal with in my postbag relates to internet provision to domestic properties. One such example relates to the village of Penderyn in my constituency, and this was a subject before the Petitions Committee just last year. Since then I’ve come across all too frequent examples of seemingly isolated properties falling through gaps in provision, but perhaps what shocked me most of all was the case of the new Coed Dyffryn estate in Cwmbach. The estate was built around four years ago by Persimmon, and ever since residents were caught in a notspot no-man’s land. Residents moving into their new properties found that they had a severely inadequate service, making it almost impossible to work, study or even just shop. One constituent told me how he would have to drive to a local supermarket just to use their Wi-Fi to run his business, and no-one wanted to help. Persimmon blamed BT. BT says it was Persimmon’s fault. The UK Government actually advised residents to crowdfund a solution.
I’m happy to say that my intervention seems to have led to a resolution. Openreach have agreed to invest the capital needed to complete the work to connect the empty cabinet frustratingly close to the new houses. Coed Dyffryn residents should be able to finally benefit from superfast speeds before the end of the year. I would like to place on record my thanks to the then Minister for Skills and Science for her support in closing this case, and put on record how glad I am to see her retain responsibility for digital infrastructure. Her proactive comments in committee last week around enabling AMs to get it right for their constituents are to be welcomed, but what made this example particularly frustrating is that this was not a housing estate in the middle of the wilds. Rather, it was an urbanised area situated between Aberdare and Mountain Ash.
It was against this casework backdrop that I approached the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee inquiry into digital infrastructure in Wales. As the Chair reminded us, despite the peculiar geographic and demographic challenges in Wales, the Welsh Government has succeeded in ensuring that 24 out of every 25 Welsh properties have access to Superfast Cymru. This is a phenomenal achievement, but we cannot forget that twenty-fifth property. The frustration experienced by my constituents was palpable, and this is a common phenomenon among those who lose out.
We need to see bold solutions to fill in the gaps, and I think recommendation 2 is really important from this perspective. This is around providing finance to small operators or even promoting public models of ownership. I found the evidence from the Ger-y-Gors community forum to be particularly inspiring, and an example of when the right community with the right skills could come together to deliver the right solution. I think there are a lot of lessons for us to take from this. It’s good that the Welsh Government has accepted this recommendation in principle, and I look forward to their exploration of funding and ownership models in the context of the successor to Superfast Cymru.
It’s a little over six years since the United Nations declared access to the internet to be a fundamental human right. As the UN notes, in its ability to promote self-expression, the internet is key to a range of human rights and to the progress of society as a whole. Similarly, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has made the case for the role of digital technologies in tackling poverty. Again, this refers to the ways it can empower the most disadvantaged in society, as well as offering practical solutions out of poverty. Let us not forget the consequences of people needing to apply for universal credit online too. That’s why I think the committee’s recommendation 4 is fundamentally important. Improving digital infrastructure can and must run alongside community empowerment. Part of the frustration felt by the Coed Dyffryn residents was that they believed they were being ignored. We must therefore ensure the hardest-to-reach communities and individuals are now engaged in the process to ensure that potential solutions can be tailored to their needs. But communities must also be at the heart of our approach to issues like planning and physical infrastructure. Sharing masts or siting them in the best place for local residents can provide peace of mind to people in areas like Bryntirion, also in the Cynon Valley. I hope that these needs can be considered as future models for delivery are developed.
Fel aelod o'r Pwyllgor Economi, Seilwaith a Sgiliau, hoffwn gofnodi pa mor bwysig oedd yr adroddiad hwn yn fy marn i mewn gwirionedd. Rwy'n diolch i bawb a ddaeth i roi tystiolaeth i'n hymchwiliad.
Ers cael fy ethol, mae un o'r materion mwyaf anodd rwyf wedi gorfod ymdrin ag ef yn fy mag post yn ymwneud â darpariaeth rhyngrwyd mewn adeiladau domestig. Mae un enghraifft o'r fath yn ymwneud â phentref Penderyn yn fy etholaeth, ac roedd hwn yn bwnc a ddaeth gerbron y Pwyllgor Deisebau y llynedd. Ers hynny rwyf wedi dod ar draws enghreifftiau rhy fynych o eiddo ymddangosiadol ynysig yn cwympo drwy fylchau yn y ddarpariaeth, ond efallai mai'r hyn a'm synnodd fwyaf oedd achos ystâd newydd Coed Dyffryn yng Nghwm-bach. Adeiladwyd yr ystâd tua phedair blynedd yn ôl gan Persimmon, a byth ers hynny mae trigolion wedi cael eu dal mewn man gwan yn nhir neb. Wrth symud i'w heiddo newydd canfu'r trigolion fod ganddynt wasanaeth hynod o annigonol a oedd yn ei gwneud bron yn amhosibl gweithio, astudio neu siopa hyd yn oed. Dywedodd un etholwr wrthyf sut y byddai'n rhaid iddo yrru i archfarchnad leol er mwyn defnyddio eu Wi-Fi i redeg ei fusnes, ac nid oedd neb eisiau helpu. Roedd Persimmon yn beio BT. Mae BT yn beio Persimmon. Cynghorodd Llywodraeth y DU y preswylwyr i ddefnyddio cyllido torfol er mwyn dod o hyd i ateb.
Rwy'n falch o ddweud bod fy ymyrraeth wedi arwain at benderfyniad yn ôl pob golwg. Mae Openreach wedi cytuno i fuddsoddi'r cyfalaf sydd ei angen i gwblhau'r gwaith o gysylltu'r cabinet gwag yn rhwystredig o agos at y tai newydd. Dylai trigolion Coed Dyffryn allu elwa o'r diwedd o gyflymderau cyflym iawn cyn diwedd y flwyddyn. Hoffwn gofnodi fy niolch i'r Gweinidog Sgiliau a Gwyddoniaeth ar y pryd am ei chefnogaeth i ddatrys yr achos hwn, a chofnodi pa mor falch wyf fi o'i gweld yn cadw'r cyfrifoldeb dros seilwaith digidol. Mae ei sylwadau rhagweithiol yn y pwyllgor yr wythnos diwethaf mewn perthynas â galluogi ACau i wneud pethau'n iawn dros eu hetholwyr, i'w croesawu, ond yr hyn a wnaeth yr enghraifft hon yn arbennig o rwystredig oedd y ffaith nad ystâd o dai anghysbell oedd hon. Yn hytrach, ardal drefol oedd hi rhwng Aberdâr ac Aberpennar.
Yn erbyn y cefndir hwn o waith achos euthum ati i gynnal ymchwiliad y Pwyllgor Economi, Seilwaith a Sgiliau i'r seilwaith digidol yng Nghymru. Fel y cawsom ein hatgoffa gan y Cadeirydd, er gwaethaf yr heriau daearyddol a demograffaidd neilltuol yng Nghymru, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi llwyddo i sicrhau bod gan 24 o bob 25 eiddo yng Nghymru fynediad at Cyflymu Cymru. Mae hwn yn gyflawniad aruthrol, ond ni allwn anghofio am y pumed eiddo ar hugain. Roedd y rhwystredigaeth a brofodd fy etholwyr yn amlwg, ac mae hon yn ffenomen gyffredin ymhlith y rhai sydd ar eu colled.
Mae angen i ni weld atebion beiddgar i lenwi'r bylchau, a chredaf fod argymhelliad 2 yn bwysig iawn o ran hynny. Mae'n ymwneud â darparu cyllid i weithredwyr bach neu hybu modelau cyhoeddus o berchnogaeth hyd yn oed. Roeddwn yn credu bod y dystiolaeth o fforwm gymunedol Ger-y-Gors yn arbennig o ysbrydoledig, ac yn enghraifft o sut y gall y gymuned gywir gyda'r sgiliau cywir ddod ynghyd i ddarparu'r ateb cywir. Credaf fod yna lawer o wersi i ni eu dysgu o hyn. Mae'n dda fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi derbyn yr argymhelliad hwn mewn egwyddor, ac rwy'n edrych ymlaen at eu harchwiliad o fodelau ariannu a pherchnogaeth yng nghyd-destun olynydd i Cyflymu Cymru.
Mae ychydig dros chwe blynedd ers i'r Cenhedloedd Unedig ddatgan fod mynediad at y rhyngrwyd yn hawl dynol sylfaenol. Fel y mae'r Cenhedloedd Unedig yn ei nodi, yn ei allu i hyrwyddo hunanfynegiant, mae'r rhyngrwyd yn allweddol i amryw o hawliau dynol ac i ddatblygiad cymdeithas yn ei chyfanrwydd. Yn yr un modd, mae Sefydliad Joseph Rowntree wedi dadlau'r achos dros rôl technolegau digidol ar gyfer trechu tlodi. Unwaith eto, mae hyn yn cyfeirio at y ffyrdd y gall rymuso'r bobl fwyaf difreintiedig mewn cymdeithas, yn ogystal â chynnig atebion ymarferol allan o dlodi. Gadewch i ni beidio ag anghofio'r canlyniadau i bobl sydd angen gwneud cais am gredyd cynhwysol ar-lein hefyd. Dyna pam y credaf fod argymhelliad 4 y pwyllgor yn sylfaenol bwysig. Mae gwella seilwaith digidol yn gallu ac yn gorfod mynd law yn llaw â grymuso cymunedau. Rhan o rwystredigaeth trigolion Coed Dyffryn oedd eu bod yn credu eu bod yn cael eu hanwybyddu. Felly, mae'n rhaid i ni sicrhau bod y cymunedau a'r unigolion sydd fwyaf anodd eu cyrraedd bellach yn rhan o'r broses o sicrhau y gellir teilwra atebion posibl i'w hanghenion. Ond mae'n rhaid i gymunedau fod wrth wraidd ein hymagwedd tuag at faterion fel cynllunio a seilwaith ffisegol hefyd. Gall rhannu mastiau neu eu lleoli yn y lle gorau ar gyfer trigolion lleol roi tawelwch meddwl i bobl mewn ardaloedd fel Bryntirion, sydd hefyd yng Nghwm Cynon. Gobeithiaf y gellir ystyried yr anghenion hyn wrth ddatblygu modelau ar gyfer cyflawni yn y dyfodol.
Can I say how proud I am to have taken part in the production of this report and to also make note of the very adequate way in which the Chair has taken us through the procedures needed? The EIS committee's report on digital infrastructure throws up a number of questions, but first I would like to acknowledge the excellent progress that the Welsh Government has made with the massive expansion of the connectivity levels in Wales with its superfast broadband project. But the former Cabinet Secretary, in evidence to the economy and infrastructure—I say 'former'; I'm afraid I see you're still sitting with us and you're still going to answer the questions there, Minister.
But the Cabinet Secretary, in evidence to the economy and infrastructure committee, stated that there was a very real possibility that BT may miss its December deadline for the full implementation of its remit, and there seemed to be some confusion as to how to proceed with the implementation of the contract to eliminate the residual notspots. It would help if we could have absolute clarity as to how and when and what form this procurement process will take.
We also heard that the take-up of high-speed broadband, when it became available, has not been as expected. It has been concluded that this could be put down to a lack of information from BT and, to a certain extent, the Welsh Government, as to the advantages superfast can bring to the business sector. Again, there seems to have been a great deal of confusion as to exactly when and where superfast broadband had been made available. This was particularly frustrating for the business sector. It would be beneficial to know if this has now been adequately addressed and if there is evidence available to show that take-up figures have improved over recent months.
We do note and acknowledge that the Welsh Government has set up an exploitation fund, levered from a number of sources, which is designed to help business engage with this new technology and it will be interesting to see if this fund will achieve its aims. It is said that, at the end of the Superfast Cymru contract with BT, there is estimated to be around 4 per cent of the country without superfast broadband. We acknowledge that filling this gap will be far more expensive per connection than under the last contract, but we urge the Welsh Government to press on with its excellent progress made so far and make superfast broadband universal throughout Wales, and, in so doing, make Wales one of the world leaders in online access.
Turning to mobile phone coverage, again we acknowledge the progress made so far, but a number of obstacles have been identified by mobile suppliers, citing such things as planning delays, access to land, difficulty with electricity supply, and arrangements with necessary traffic disruptions. We urge the Welsh Government to use all its powers to alleviate these obstacles so that even rural Wales will be free of the scourge of notspots—a situation that has been cited as being one of the main factors inhibiting business growth in our rural communities.
Again, we wish to acknowledge the excellent progress made in this area by the Welsh Government and offer our support in its further implementation.
A gaf fi ddweud pa mor falch wyf fi o fod wedi cymryd rhan yn y broses o gynhyrchu'r adroddiad hwn a thynnu sylw hefyd at y ffordd gymwys iawn y mae'r Cadeirydd wedi ein harwain drwy'r gweithdrefnau angenrheidiol? Mae adroddiad y Pwyllgor Economi, Seilwaith a Sgiliau ar seilwaith digidol yn codi nifer o gwestiynau, ond yn gyntaf hoffwn gydnabod y cynnydd rhagorol y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud mewn perthynas ag ehangu lefelau cysylltedd ar raddfa fawr yng Nghymru gyda'i phrosiect band eang cyflym iawn. Ond dywedodd Ysgrifennydd blaenorol y Cabinet, mewn tystiolaeth i'r pwyllgor economi a seilwaith—rwy'n dweud 'blaenorol'; mae gennyf ofn fy mod yn gweld eich bod yn dal i eistedd gyda ni ac y byddwch yn dal i ateb y cwestiynau, Weinidog.
Ond dywedodd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, mewn tystiolaeth i'r pwyllgor economi a seilwaith fod posibilrwydd go iawn y gallai BT fethu ei derfyn amser ym mis Rhagfyr ar gyfer gweithredu ei gylch gwaith yn llawn, ac roedd hi'n ymddangos bod peth dryswch ynglŷn â sut i fwrw ymlaen â gweithrediad y cytundeb i gael gwared ar y mannau gwan sydd ar ôl. Buasai o gymorth pe gallem gael eglurder llwyr ynglŷn â sut a phryd a pha ffurf fydd i'r broses gaffael hon.
Clywsom hefyd nad yw'r nifer sy'n manteisio ar fand eang cyflym, pan fo ar gael, cymaint â'r disgwyl. Daethpwyd i'r casgliad mai'r rheswm am hynny o bosibl yw diffyg gwybodaeth gan BT, a Llywodraeth Cymru i ryw raddau, am y manteision y gall band eang cyflym iawn eu cynnig i'r sector busnes. Unwaith eto, ymddengys bod llawer iawn o ddryswch wedi bod ynglŷn â phryd a ble yn union y mae band eang cyflym iawn ar gael. Roedd hyn yn arbennig o rwystredig i'r sector busnes. Buasai'n fuddiol gwybod a yw'r mater wedi cael sylw digonol bellach ac a oes tystiolaeth ar gael i ddangos bod niferoedd defnyddwyr wedi gwella dros y misoedd diwethaf.
Rydym yn nodi ac yn cydnabod bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi sefydlu cronfa ddatblygu, wedi'i dwyn ynghyd o nifer o ffynonellau ac wedi'i chynllunio i helpu busnesau i ymgysylltu â'r dechnoleg newydd hon a bydd yn ddiddorol gweld a fydd y gronfa'n cyflawni ei hamcanion. Ar ddiwedd y cytundeb rhwng Cyflymu Cymru a BT, amcangyfrifir y bydd tua 4 y cant o'r wlad heb fand eang cyflym iawn. Rydym yn cydnabod y bydd llenwi'r bwlch hwn yn ddrutach o lawer fesul cysylltiad nag o dan y cytundeb diwethaf, ond rydym yn annog Llywodraeth Cymru i fwrw ymlaen â'r cynnydd ardderchog y mae wedi'i wneud hyd yma a darparu band eang cyflym iawn drwy Gymru gyfan, ac wrth wneud hynny, sicrhau bod Cymru yn un o arweinwyr y byd mewn perthynas â mynediad ar-lein.
Gan droi at signal ffonau symudol, rydym unwaith eto'n cydnabod y cynnydd a wnaed hyd yn hyn, ond nodwyd nifer o rwystrau gan gyflenwyr ffonau symudol sy'n cyfeirio at bethau fel oedi ym maes cynllunio, mynediad i dir, anawsterau gyda chyflenwad trydan, a threfniadau angenrheidiol i darfu ar draffig. Rydym yn annog Llywodraeth Cymru i ddefnyddio ei holl bwerau i liniaru'r rhwystrau hyn er mwyn i gefn gwlad Cymru hyd yn oed fod yn rhydd o boendod mannau gwan—sefyllfa sydd wedi cael ei nodi fel un o'r prif ffactorau sy'n rhwystro twf busnes yn ein cymunedau gwledig.
Unwaith eto, hoffem gydnabod y cynnydd rhagorol a wnaed yn y maes hwn gan Lywodraeth Cymru a chynnig ein cefnogaeth gyda'i weithredu ymhellach.
Mae arnaf ofn na allaf i rannu'r bodlonrwydd sydd gyda rhai gyda'r cynnydd o dan y contract yma, neu yn gyffredinol gyda band llydan yng Nghymru. Fe soniodd Vikki Howells mai dim ond un o bob 25 o dai sydd heb fynediad at fand llydan, ond mae'n ymddangos i fi, drwy'r llythyrau rydw i'n eu cael, fod pentrefi cyfan yn llawn o'r un o'r 25 o dai yma, felly, yn yr ardal rydw i'n ei chynrychioli. Erbyn hyn, mae'r llythyrau ynglŷn â mynediad at broadband wedi mynd—yn fy post bag i ac yn fy e-byst i—heibio iechyd. Mae gen i fwy o lythyrau ynglŷn â band llydan nac iechyd, ac nid ydw i erioed wedi gweld hynny fel Aelod Cynulliad nac Aelod Seneddol. Mae'n amlwg fod mynediad at fand llydan wedi prysuro dros yr adeg yma gan bod y cytundeb presennol yn dod i ben ddiwedd y flwyddyn, a chan bod nifer yn cwyno nad ydynt wedi gweld y mynediad y maen nhw wedi bod yn ei ddisgwyl. Roedd yna wefan yn dangos i bobl pryd oedd y pentref i fod i'w gael, a phryd roedd eu tŷ nhw i fod yn rhan ohono fe. Tynnwyd yr arian cyhoeddusrwydd allan o'r wefan yna, felly bellach nid yw pobl yn gwybod pryd mae'r cyflawniad yn mynd i ddigwydd. Ac, erbyn hyn, rwy'n ofni fy mod i mewn sefyllfa i deimlo, er gwaethaf ymdrechion Llywodraeth Cymru, nad wyf yn siŵr ein bod ni wedi cael y gwasanaeth y byddem ni wedi disgwyl ei gael am wariant o dros £150 miliwn gan Openreach a BT. Nid wyf fi'n meddwl eu bod nhw wedi perfformio yn llawn i'r contract. Rwy'n dod i siarad mewn ychydig ynglŷn â beth y dylem ni ei wneud ynghylch hynny.
I'r ardaloedd rydw i'n eu cynrychioli, mae mynediad digonol at fand llydan bellach yn hollol hanfodol. Rydych chi'n sôn yn gyffredinol am 10 Mbps, fel roedd Adam Price yn sôn amdano; erbyn hyn, mae disgwyliadau pobl o sut y mae'n nhw'n gallu ymdrin â'r economi leol wedi mynd y tu hwnt i hynny. Nid ydym ni eisiau gweld pobl yn gorfod symud o gefn gwlad, symud o orllewin Cymru, er mwyn bod yn nes at y farchnad. Pan fo gyda chi farchnad electronig, dylai fod yn bosib i ymwneud â'r farchnad yma unrhyw le yng Nghymru.
Fe soniodd Adam am y ffaith bod astudiaeth gan lyfrgell Tŷ’r Cyffredin wedi canfod bod saith o'r 10 ward gyda'r band llydan mwyaf araf i'w cael yng Nghymru, a bod chwech ohonyn nhw yn etholaeth Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru. Ond mae'n waeth na hynny, achos pan edrychais i ar y ffigurau, roeddwn i'n synnu, a dweud y gwir, i weld y ffigurau a oedd gan lyfrgell Tŷ’r Cyffredin. Roedden nhw'n dweud bod y ffigurau yma yn wael. Er enghraifft: Trelech yng ngorllewin Caerfyrddin, 3.8 Mbps; Yscir, 4.2 Mbps; Llanfihangel Aberbythych, 4.2 Mbps.
Nawr, rydw i, dros yr haf diwethaf, wedi gwneud fy astudiaeth fy hunan, ym Meirion-Dwyfor, yng Ngheredigion, yn sir Benfro ac yn sir Gâr, o beth yw'r cyflymder y mae pobl yn ei gael go iawn yn eu tai nhw. Ac mae'r rheini mor isel â 0.2 Mbps; bydden nhw wrth eu boddau yn cael 4.1 Mbps neu 4.2 Mbps. Dydw i ddim yn gwybod o lle mae'r ffigurau yma yn dod—efallai o'r tŷ y drws nesaf i'r cabinet, neu rywbeth. Mae'r realiti o beth gewch chi 100 llath, neu fwy na 100 llath, i lawr y copper line o'r cabinet yng nghefn gwlad yn gwbl wahanol i'r ffigurau hyn. Mae taer angen edrych ar hynny gan y Llywodraeth.
I’m afraid that I can’t share the contentment that some have with the progress made under this contract, or in general with broadband in Wales. Vikki Howells mentioned that only one out of every 25 homes has no access to broadband, but it appears to me, through the letters that I have, that whole villages are full of these one-in-25 homes in the area that I represent. By now, letters regarding access to broadband—in my postbag and in e-mail—have surpassed health. I’ve got more letters about broadband than health, and I’ve never seen that as an Assembly Member or as a Member of Parliament. It’s clear that access to broadband has speeded up as the current contract comes to an end at the end of the year, but a number have complained that they haven’t seen the access that they’d been expecting. There was a website showing people when their village was going to have access and when their house was going to be part of it. The publicity money was taken out of that website, so now, people don’t know when that is going to happen. By now, I’m afraid we’re in a situation where I feel that, despite the efforts of the Welsh Government, I’m not sure that we’ve had the service that we expected to have after spending over £150 million on BT and Openreach. I don’t think they’ve performed fully according to their contract, and I will speak in a while about what we should do about that.
For the areas that I represent, adequate access to broadband is now completely essential. You’re talking in general about 10 Mbps, as Adam Price mentioned. By now, the expectations of people about how they can deal with the local economy has gone beyond that. We don’t want to see people having to move from rural areas, to move from west Wales, in order to get nearer to the market. When you have an electronic market, it should be able to be used anywhere in Wales.
Adam mentioned the fact that a study by the library of the House of Commons had found that seven out of 10 wards that had the slowest broadband were in Wales, and that six of them were in Mid and West Wales. But it’s worse than that, because, when I looked at the figures, I was surprised to see the figures that the House of Commons library had. They said that these figures were bad. For example, Trelech in Carmarthen west has 3.8 Mbps, Yscir has 4.2 Mbps, and Llanfihangel Aberbythych has 4.2 Mbps.
Over the summer, I have conducted my own survey, in Meirion-Dwyfor, in Ceredigion, and in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, about what is the speed that people are actually receiving in their homes. They are as low as 0.2 Mbps; they would be really pleased to have 4.1 Mbps or 4.2 Mbps. I don’t know where these figures come from; perhaps from the house next door to the cabinet or something. The reality of what you get 100 yards, or more than 100 yards, down the copper line from the Cabinet in rural Wales is completely different from these figures, and there is a desperate need to look at that.
Now, I'm delighted to see that the Minister has retained her responsibility for this. Perhaps there's a bit of copper wire that's keeping her, around her ankles or something, which refuses to let her go. She will know, because she's signed many a letter to me, just how much correspondence we've had over the last few months, as we come to the end of this period. I could write her letters for her now. I mean no disrespect to her, but they contain the same paragraphs, just slightly ordered in different ways, just to break the boredom: 'We're liaising with BT'; 'There's promises that it will be completed by the end of December 2017'; 'The superfast company contract ends in December 2017, and we're not going to pay any more after that.' And then, this classic line: 'We make it clear that failure to do so will see severe financial penalties.' I'd like to understand, when the Minister replies—the Cabinet Secretary, sorry—just what the nature of those penalties are. Because I don't think my constituents are interested in penalties—they just want broadband. They want this contract delivered to them, and delivered to what has been promised.
And just to give an example, I'm afraid, because this goes a bit further than just BT and some of the, I think, rather patronising attitude that some people have towards businesses in rural areas—some idea that you should put up with second-class service, simply because you've chosen to remain in your area—the letter I quoted a little bit from there was one of the most recent I've had with the Minister, which was with regards to the sawmills in Cenarth, which was mentioned by Leanne Wood in questions to Ken Skates earlier. Again, the promise has been to deliver superfast broadband to those sawmills by the end of December. Now, the sawmills have made several million pounds of investment in equipment that is run internationally—in Belgium; that's where the headquarters of this equipment is. If something goes wrong with the equipment, they go down the line to Belgium for it to get sorted out. We could have an argument about whether that's good or bad, but that's what sawmills do; that's what sawmills all over the western world do. And I don't want that sawmill moved from the Teifi valley closer to Belgium, or closer to an internet connection. It's employing 20 to 30 people in the Teifi valley—Welsh speakers as well. It's an indigenous Welsh-owned family business.
The letter from the Minister says that she will do everything she can to deliver this. But I've got a copy of an e-mail from a Welsh Government official, and I'm afraid that reads very differently. The e-mail says, 'I'm not saying the broadband is good enough, but, just maybe, the sawmill management should have checked that before spending millions.' That's the attitude that pervades broadband connection in rural Wales, and we have to overcome that attitude and give serious attention to broadband provision and entitlement.
Nawr, rwy'n falch o weld bod y Gweinidog wedi cadw'r cyfrifoldeb dros hyn. Efallai bod yna ddarn o wifren gopr yn ei chadw hi, o amgylch ei fferau neu rywbeth, sy'n gwrthod gadael iddi fynd. Fe fydd yn gwybod, oherwydd mae hi wedi llofnodi sawl llythyr ataf, faint o ohebiaeth rydym wedi'i chael dros yr ychydig fisoedd diwethaf, wrth i ni ddod at ddiwedd y cyfnod hwn. Gallwn ysgrifennu ei llythyrau drosti bellach. Heb unrhyw amarch iddi, maent yn cynnwys yr un paragraffau, wedi'u trefnu fymryn yn wahanol, er mwyn torri ar y diflastod: 'Rydym mewn cysylltiad â BT'; 'Mae yna addewidion y bydd wedi ei gwblhau erbyn diwedd mis Rhagfyr 2017'; 'Mae cytundeb y cwmni cyflymu yn dod i ben ym mis Rhagfyr 2017, ac ni fyddwn yn talu rhagor ar ôl hynny.' Ac yna, y llinell glasurol hon: 'Rydym yn ei gwneud hi'n glir y bydd methiant i wneud hynny'n arwain at gosbau ariannol llym.' Hoffwn ddeall, pan fydd y Gweinidog yn ateb—Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, mae'n ddrwg gennyf—beth yw natur y cosbau hynny. Oherwydd nid wyf yn credu bod gan fy etholwyr ddiddordeb mewn cosbau—maent eisiau band eang. Maent eisiau i'r cytundeb hwn gael ei ddarparu ar eu cyfer, a'i ddarparu i wneud yr hyn a addawyd.
Ac i roi enghraifft, mae arnaf ofn, oherwydd mae'r mater hwn yn mynd gam ymhellach na BT yn unig a rhywfaint o'r agwedd braidd yn nawddoglyd, rwy'n credu, sydd gan rai pobl tuag at fusnesau mewn ardaloedd gwledig—rhyw syniad y dylech oddef gwasanaeth eilradd, yn syml oherwydd eich bod wedi dewis aros yn eich ardal—y llythyr y dyfynnais ohono yn awr yw un o'r llythyrau mwyaf diweddar a gefais gan y Gweinidog, ac roedd yn ymwneud â'r melinau llifio yng Nghenarth, a grybwyllwyd gan Leanne Wood yn y cwestiynau i Ken Skates yn gynharach. Unwaith eto, yr addewid oedd y buasent yn cyflwyno band eang cyflym iawn i'r melinau llifio hynny erbyn diwedd mis Rhagfyr. Nawr, mae'r melinau llifio wedi buddsoddi sawl miliwn o bunnoedd mewn cyfarpar sy'n cael ei redeg yn rhyngwladol—yng Ngwlad Belg; dyna lle mae pencadlys y cyfarpar hwn. Os aiff rhywbeth o'i le gyda'r cyfarpar, maent yn mynd i lawr y lein i Wlad Belg er mwyn iddo gael ei drwsio. Gallem gael dadl ynglŷn ag a yw hynny'n beth da neu'n beth drwg, ond dyna beth y mae melinau llifio yn ei wneud; dyna beth y mae melinau llifio ledled y byd gorllewinol yn ei wneud. Ac nid wyf eisiau i'r felin lifio honno gael ei symud o Ddyffryn Teifi yn nes at Wlad Belg, neu'n nes at gysylltiad rhyngrwyd. Mae'n cyflogi 20 i 30 o bobl yn Nyffryn Teifi—Cymry Cymraeg yn ogystal. Mae'n fusnes teuluol, cynhenid sy'n eiddo i Gymry.
Dywed y llythyr gan y Gweinidog y bydd yn gwneud popeth yn ei gallu i gyflawni hyn. Ond mae gennyf gopi o e-bost gan un o swyddogion Llywodraeth Cymru, ac mae arnaf ofn fod hwnnw'n wahanol iawn. Mae'r e-bost yn dweud, 'Nid wyf yn dweud bod y band eang yn ddigon da, ond efallai y dylai rheolwyr y felin lifio fod wedi gwirio hynny cyn gwario miliynau.' Dyna'r agwedd sy'n treiddio drwy'r broblem band eang yng nghefn gwlad Cymru, ac mae'n rhaid i ni oresgyn yr agwedd honno a rhoi sylw difrifol i ddarpariaeth band eang a hawl i fand eang.
When I write my Hollywood screenplay blockbuster, I will be using the Ger-y-Gors story as an example. We took evidence on 19 January from Duncan and Ray Taylor, and they told us the story, with no telecommunications experience whatsoever, of how they established a mast that delivered broadband. I've been looking on their website, and what they did was negotiated and accessed a number of grants made available to them through the Welsh Government and the European agricultural fund, secured the generosity of community members in terms of use and access to their land, gained planning permission, constructed 600m of access road, commissioned the laying of a 1.5-mile power line to the site, and constructed a 25m telecommunications mast to full mobile operator specifications. And, since August 2014, they have been broadcasting wireless broadband from the mast situated near the quarry at Ystrad Meurig to anyone wishing to subscribe to the service. What an inspiring story. They had trouble as well getting hold of a mast, because they were seen as competition to the bigger companies, which is utterly absurd, and I think that was recognised as absurd by those who gave evidence from those companies to our committee.
They shouldn't be the norm, but communities should be able to do this where they can, which is why recommendation 2, that the Welsh Government should consider establishing a repayable grant or equity scheme to enable small operators to fill in the gaps in the network, is such an important recommendation, and why it's good that it's been accepted in principle. I'd also say: I don't know whether Adam Price has been speaking as the economy spokesperson or as a member of the committee, because he does wear these two hats; he's the living embodiment of the need for more Assembly Members, because sometimes he doesn't know which mode he's in. I think his speech was a bit of both, actually; it was a bit of constructive proposals and a bit of party political criticism, none the worse for that.
But I would say that the Cabinet Secretary and leader of the house has been heroic in the way she's pursued these issues. She hasn't given up. She has come to my constituency to meet with businesses that have struggled with these issues. She's introduced me to civil servants who have listened, and I have had assurances, particularly with regard to the Castle Reach and Kingsmead estates in Caerphilly, that, by the drop-dead date, these issues should be resolved, and I have every reason to believe BT. At this time point in time, though, if we are let down, then there will be consequences. There have to be consequences, and I'd like the Minister to emphasise that there will be consequences. I'm going to give them until February, actually, after the drop-dead date, to come in and get the broadband operators to come and provide the services. But BT have given those assurances that Openreach will have these areas connected, and I hope that that will happen.
The Minister also visited businesses located at Penallta industrial estate, for example, and they haven't been able to get broadband access. They're relying on Airband to deliver services, but even so, that service hasn't been excellent either. We know that if 'Our Valleys, Our Future' is going to work, then connecting these areas, these final stages, must be solved, otherwise we will end up with areas that are suffering and will not achieve the ambitions of the 'Our Valleys, Our Future' aspirations.
So, notwithstanding the Ger-y-Gors project, which was inspirational, we also need this Government lead, which the Cabinet Secretary has been providing. There are residents in my constituency who don't live in Ystrad Meurig; they live just half an hour from the M4 in the south end of Caerphilly. They must have twenty-first century broadband access. I commend this report to the Assembly because it does contain an action plan for achieving that, and I think the thing now to do is to get on and accept those recommendations.
Pan fyddaf yn ysgrifennu fy sgript ffilm ar gyfer Hollywood, byddaf yn defnyddio stori Ger-y-Gors fel enghraifft. Cawsom dystiolaeth ar 19 Ionawr gan Duncan a Ray Taylor, a dywedasant y stori wrthym sut y gwnaethant sefydlu mast i ddarparu band eang heb unrhyw brofiad telathrebu o gwbl. Rwyf wedi bod yn edrych ar eu gwefan, a'r hyn a wnaethant oedd negodi a chael gafael ar nifer o grantiau a oedd ar gael iddynt drwy Lywodraeth Cymru a chronfa amaethyddol Ewrop, sicrhau haelioni aelodau o'r gymuned er mwyn defnyddio a mynd ar eu tir, cael caniatâd cynllunio, adeiladu 600m o ffordd fynediad, comisiynu'r gwaith o osod llinell bŵer 1.5 milltir i'r safle, ac adeiladu mast telathrebu 25m yn ôl manylebau llawn gweithredwyr ffonau symudol. Ac ers mis Awst 2014, maent wedi bod yn darlledu band eang diwifr o'r mast sydd wedi'i leoli ger y chwarel yn Ystrad Meurig i unrhyw un sy'n dymuno tanysgrifio i'r gwasanaeth. Am stori ysbrydoledig. Cawsant anhawster hefyd i gael gafael ar fast, oherwydd eu bod yn cael eu gweld fel cystadleuaeth i gwmnïau mwy, sy'n hollol hurt, a chredaf fod y rhai hynny a roddodd dystiolaeth o'r cwmnïau hynny i'n pwyllgor wedi cydnabod bod hynny'n hurt.
Ni ddylent fod yn norm, ond dylai cymunedau allu gwneud hyn lle bo modd, a dyna pam fod argymhelliad 2, sef y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru ystyried sefydlu cynllun ecwiti neu grant ad-daladwy i alluogi gweithredwyr bach i lenwi'r bylchau yn y rhwydwaith, yn argymhelliad mor bwysig, a dyna pam ei bod hi'n dda ei fod wedi cael ei dderbyn mewn egwyddor. Hefyd, buaswn yn dweud: nid wyf yn gwybod a yw Adam Price wedi bod yn siarad fel llefarydd ar yr economi neu fel aelod o'r pwyllgor, oherwydd mae'n gwisgo'r ddwy het; mae'n ymgorfforiad byw o'r angen am fwy o Aelodau Cynulliad, oherwydd weithiau nid yw'n gwybod pa het i'w gwisgo. Rwy'n credu bod ei araith yn cynnwys ychydig o'r ddwy, mewn gwirionedd; roedd ychydig o gynigion adeiladol ac ychydig o feirniadaeth wleidyddol, ond nid yw ddim gwaeth am hynny.
Ond buaswn yn dweud bod Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ac Arweinydd y Tŷ wedi bod yn arwrol yn y ffordd y mae wedi mynd i'r afael â'r materion hyn. Nid yw hi wedi rhoi'r ffidl yn y to. Mae hi wedi ymweld â fy etholaeth i gyfarfod â busnesau sydd wedi cael trafferth gyda'r materion hyn. Mae hi wedi fy nghyflwyno i weision sifil sydd wedi gwrando, ac rwyf wedi cael sicrwydd, yn enwedig mewn perthynas ag ystadau Castle Reach a Kingsmead yng Nghaerffili y dylai'r materion hyn gael eu datrys erbyn y dyddiad terfynol, ac mae gennyf bob rheswm i gredu BT. Ar y pwynt hwn, serch hynny, os cawn ein siomi, yna fe fydd canlyniadau. Mae'n rhaid cael canlyniadau, a hoffwn i'r Gweinidog bwysleisio y bydd canlyniadau. Rwyf am roi hyd at fis Chwefror iddynt, mewn gwirionedd, ar ôl y dyddiad terfynol, i sicrhau bod y gweithredwyr band eang yn dod i ddarparu'r gwasanaethau. Ond mae BT wedi rhoi'r sicrwydd hwnnw y bydd Openreach yn cysylltu'r ardaloedd hyn, ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd hynny'n digwydd.
Ymwelodd y Gweinidog hefyd â busnesau sydd wedi'u lleoli ar ystâd ddiwydiannol Penallta, er enghraifft, ac nid ydynt wedi gallu cael mynediad at fand eang. Maent yn dibynnu ar Airband i ddarparu gwasanaethau, ond er hynny, nid yw'r gwasanaeth hwnnw wedi bod yn ardderchog ychwaith. Rydym yn gwybod, os yw 'Ein Cymoedd, Ein Dyfodol' yn mynd i weithio, bydd yn rhaid datrys y problemau gyda chysylltu'r ardaloedd hyn, y camau terfynol hyn, oherwydd fel arall bydd gennym ardaloedd sy'n dioddef yn y pen draw ac ni fyddwn yn cyflawni amcanion 'Ein Cymoedd, Ein Dyfodol'.
Felly, er gwaethaf prosiect Ger-y-Gors, a oedd yn ysbrydoledig, rydym hefyd angen arweiniad y Llywodraeth, arweiniad y mae Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet wedi bod yn ei ddarparu. Mae yna drigolion yn fy etholaeth nad ydynt yn byw yn Ystrad Meurig; maent yn byw hanner awr i ffwrdd o'r M4 ym mhen deheuol Caerffili. Mae'n rhaid iddynt gael mynediad at fand eang sy'n addas ar gyfer yr unfed ganrif ar hugain. Rwy'n cymeradwyo'r adroddiad hwn i'r Cynulliad oherwydd ei fod yn cynnwys cynllun gweithredu ar gyfer cyflawni hynny, a chredaf mai'r peth i'w wneud yn awr yw bwrw ymlaen a derbyn yr argymhellion hynny.
Galwaf ar arweinydd y tŷ, Julie James.
I call on the leader of the house, Julie James.
Diolch, Llywydd. I'd like to start by very much thanking the Chair and members of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee for their report and all of their hard work in this area. I want to start by acknowledging some of the things that Members have said in the Chamber. I have been to most bits of Wales. I don't believe I've actually visited the constituencies of some Members who contributed, but I make the offer again: I'm more than happy to do so.
I've attended a number of large and small meetings across Wales. I'm due to go up to north Wales very shortly to have another couple up there. The reason that we've been doing that is: first of all, we want people to understand what the Superfast Cymru scheme is and why it's structured in the way that it is, which I will touch on again in a moment, but also, more importantly, to understand what we can do with the successor scheme to make sure that all the communities are connected.
We're very pleased to acknowledge that there will be a number of solutions that we need to look at for the successor project. The reason that the recommendation is accepted in principle is only because we wanted to look at a wide range of solutions that might be available, including things like community interest companies and social enterprises, but also just things like combining grants in a particular way, looking at community Wi-Fi schemes. There are several examples of these around Wales already.
One of the things we're also going to look at is how we can use publicly installed broadband structures to put community Wi-Fi in place, for example. So, the reason that they're in principle is only so that we can explore them in the widest of possibilities.
Diolch, Lywydd. Hoffwn ddechrau drwy ddiolch i'r Cadeirydd ac aelodau o'r Pwyllgor Economi, Seilwaith a Sgiliau am eu hadroddiad a'u holl waith caled yn y maes hwn. Rwyf am ddechrau drwy gydnabod rhai o'r pethau a ddywedodd yr Aelodau yn y Siambr. Rwyf wedi bod yn y rhan fwyaf o Gymru. Nid wyf yn credu fy mod wedi ymweld ag etholaethau rhai o'r Aelodau sydd wedi cyfrannu mewn gwirionedd, ond rwyf am wneud y cynnig unwaith eto: rwy'n fwy na pharod i wneud hynny.
Rwyf wedi mynychu nifer o gyfarfodydd mawr a bach ledled Cymru. Byddaf yn mynd i ogledd Cymru cyn bo hir i fynychu un neu ddau arall i fyny yno. Rydym wedi bod yn gwneud hynny oherwydd, yn gyntaf oll, rydym eisiau i bobl ddeall beth yw cynllun Cyflymu Cymru a pham ei fod wedi cael ei strwythuro yn y ffordd y mae wedi'i strwythuro, a byddaf yn sôn mwy am hynny mewn eiliad, ond hefyd, yn bwysicach, i ddeall beth y gallwn ei wneud gyda'r cynllun olynol i wneud yn siŵr fod yr holl gymunedau wedi'u cysylltu.
Rydym yn falch iawn o gydnabod y bydd yna nifer o atebion y bydd angen i ni edrych arnynt ar gyfer y prosiect olynol. Cafodd yr argymhelliad ei dderbyn mewn egwyddor yn unig oherwydd ein bod eisiau edrych ar amrywiaeth eang o atebion a allai fod ar gael, gan gynnwys pethau fel cwmnïau buddiannau cymunedol a mentrau cymdeithasol, ond hefyd pethau fel cyfuno grantiau mewn ffordd benodol, gan edrych ar gynlluniau Wi-Fi cymunedol. Ceir nifer o enghreifftiau o'r rhain ar hyd a lled Cymru eisoes.
Un o'r pethau rydym yn edrych arno hefyd yw sut y gallwn ddefnyddio strwythurau band eang a osodwyd yn gyhoeddus i roi Wi-Fi cymunedol ar waith, er enghraifft. Felly, y rheswm pam eu bod mewn egwyddor yn unig yw fel y gallwn eu harchwilio mor eang â phosibl.
Would you give way on that?
A wnewch chi ildio ar hynny?
Yes, certainly.
Gwnaf, yn sicr.
I don't want to detain us too much on the details of what might be the successor scheme, but is she suggesting that there could be alternatives to Openreach and BT? And secondly, is she also looking at this in a technology-free sort of way, if you like? Because we've just had an announcement, for example, in the budget today of 5G investment, and in some parts I think we could be thinking beyond actual wires and cables to houses.
Nid wyf eisiau i ni ganolbwyntio gormod ar fanylion beth y gallai'r cynllun olynol fod, ond a yw'n awgrymu y gallai fod dewisiadau amgen i Openreach a BT? Ac yn ail, a yw hi hefyd yn edrych ar y mater hwn mewn ffordd annhechnolegol, os hoffech chi? Oherwydd rydym newydd gael cyhoeddiad yn y gyllideb heddiw, er enghraifft, ynglŷn â buddsoddi mewn 5G, ac mewn rhai ardaloedd rwy'n credu y gallem fod yn meddwl y tu hwnt i wifrau a cheblau i dai mewn gwirionedd.
Yes, absolutely—I accept all of those points. I'll come on to some of the complications of mobile in a minute, but since this scheme started, one of the problems, of course, is that technology has moved very significantly, and actually, although mobile isn't devolved to Wales, as I keep saying, actually there's almost no difference between internet access and mobile. So, broadband, as we call it, is fibre broadband, but actually 5G access is just as good if you can get it there. That's one of the continuing conversations with the UK Government about the edges of the devolution settlement, which makes some of these things difficult as the technology moves, which I will come on to.
In terms of the delivery, the Superfast Cymru project was let after an open market review to comply with state aid rules. That open market review told us where the various telecommunications companies at that time intended to have commercial roll-out. We are not allowed to go in the intervention area anywhere where there's commercial roll-out. So, largely, this project is entirely rural. So, my own constituency in Swansea has no superfast at all because, obviously, there's commercial roll-out intended. But I can assure Members that that hasn't meant that everybody has got superfast and I can't actually do anything about it because it's not in the intervention area. One of the things that Vikki Howells highlighted is the difficulty of new estates built after the open market review. Members will remember that we conducted a further open market review, which brought another 42,000 premises in, as telecommunications companies decided to change where they were going to go with the commercial roll-out.
Also, in order to get to the largest number of premises across Wales, it has no geographical bias whatsoever. It's a conversation that I've had with a large number of you, including the Llywydd, on a number of occasions, because what we try to do is get to the largest number of premises in Wales with the money available. So, we have not told Openreach and BT where to go; they just go where they can get the biggest number of premises connected. We are technology-neutral. It's entirely a matter for them where they go. So, they decide whether it's fibre to the cabinet that will connect the most number of properties, or fibre to the premises. We do have pockets of villages where the whole village is left out, because actually that's what you'd expect. It's been said to me, for example, that some people feel that only a few properties have been connected to tick some sort of box. I can assure you that that's not the case. They are paid for premises passed. If they can connect a whole village, they obviously get the whole village as premises passed. There's no benefit to them in connecting some part of a network.
Where fibre to the cabinet is used, there is frustration, because if you're about a kilometre away, that's about the cut-off for superfast speed—about 30 Mbps—and there's a shadow that goes out to 24 Mbps for some people. BT are only paid for premises passed that reach the thresholds. They are allowed to have some properties in the shadow area, but most of the properties have to come over 30 Mbps and actually almost all the premises come in at around 80 Mbps to 100 Mbps once they're connected.
We have been pushing them very hard over the last two years. I have extremely regular, very fractious meetings with them about where they are and whether they've started the build. I completely accept the comms point that the committee has made and that a large number of Members have made to me. BT were extremely optimistic in announcing where they were going to get to and have been less good at giving people good information about why that's not going to happen, and we've had a lot of conversations with them about not being optimistic, as they see it, and I totally acknowledge that we need to do better in comms in terms of the Superfast Cymru 2 successor project.
They are still telling us that they will make it; they are connecting in a phenomenal number of premises per week at the moment—more than they've ever done previously in the contract due to the number of flames we're holding their feet to. They tell us they'll make it. If they don't, there are financial penalties, which I won't reveal here for all sorts of commercial reasons but which will, obviously, be eventually auditable, and all of the money will go back into Superfast 2. We absolutely concur that we don't want money: we want connection—absolutely. So, what we're trying to do is get them to get the network out as far as it will go with this project so that when we come to Superfast 2 we have the best possible start. We've just done an open-market review on consultation in terms of Superfast 2 and we're just analysing them.
Officials intend to start that procurement exercise shortly, with the view to the new project starting as close to the beginning of next year as we can manage it because we want to keep the roll-out going. However, I will invite any Member who has a whole community, or any problem at all in their area, to invite me to come down and talk to them. We also have a business exploitation team that's extremely happy to come and talk to either individuals or whole groups of people about what the best solution for them is, and we are going to structure the procurement so that we can handle those sorts of things. Also, the procurement, though, will want to get to the largest number of people as possible with the amount of money we have, so we've got to balance those two things off, and I intend to do that.
We will continue our two voucher schemes. I wish that Simon Thomas would tell me who the official is who sent that e-mail because I wish to put on record that I do not concur with its sentiments in any way whatsoever. My own—[Interruption.] Well, I hope you will send it to me. [Interruption.] Certainly.
Yn sicr—rwy'n derbyn y pwyntiau hynny i gyd. Fe soniaf am rai o gymhlethdodau darpariaeth symudol mewn munud, ond ers i'r cynllun hwn gychwyn, un o'r problemau, wrth gwrs, yw bod technoleg wedi datblygu'n sylweddol, ac mewn gwirionedd, er nad yw darpariaeth symudol wedi'i datganoli i Gymru, fel rwy'n parhau i'w ddweud, nid oes fawr o wahaniaeth rhwng mynediad at y rhyngrwyd a darpariaeth symudol mewn gwirionedd. Felly, band eang ffeibr yw band eang, fel rydym yn ei alw, ond mewn gwirionedd mae mynediad at 5G yr un mor dda os gallwch ei gael yno. Mae honno'n un o'r sgyrsiau parhaus â Llywodraeth y DU ynglŷn ag ffiniau'r setliad datganoli, sy'n gwneud rhai o'r pethau hyn yn anodd wrth i dechnoleg ddatblygu, a byddaf yn dod at hynny.
O ran y ddarpariaeth, cafodd prosiect Cyflymu Cymru ei osod yn dilyn adolygiad marchnad agored i gydymffurfio â rheolau cymorth gwladwriaethol. Dywedodd yr adolygiad marchnad agored hwnnw lle roedd y cwmnïau telathrebu amrywiol ar y pryd yn bwriadu cyflwyno'n fasnachol. Ni chawn fynd i mewn i'r ardal ymyrryd yn unman lle y ceir cyflwyno masnachol. Felly, i raddau helaeth, mae'r prosiect hwn yn hollol wledig. Felly, nid oes gan fy etholaeth fy hun yn Abertawe unrhyw fand eang cyflym iawn o gwbl oherwydd, yn amlwg, mae yna fwriad i gyflwyno'n fasnachol. Ond gallaf sicrhau'r Aelodau nad yw hynny'n golygu bod gan bawb fand eang cyflym iawn ac ni allaf wneud unrhyw beth amdano mewn gwirionedd gan nad yw o fewn yr ardal ymyrryd. Un o'r pethau a amlygwyd gan Vikki Howells yw anhawster ystadau newydd a adeiladwyd ar ôl yr adolygiad marchnad agored. Bydd yr Aelodau'n cofio ein bod wedi cynnal adolygiad marchnad agored arall, a ddaeth â 42,000 o safleoedd eraill i mewn, gan fod cwmnïau telathrebu wedi penderfynu newid lle roeddent am fynd gyda'r cyflwyno masnachol.
Hefyd, er mwyn cael y nifer fwyaf o safleoedd ledled Cymru, nid oes ganddo duedd ddaearyddol o gwbl. Mae'n sgwrs a gefais gyda nifer fawr ohonoch, gan gynnwys y Llywydd, ar nifer o achlysuron, oherwydd yr hyn rydym yn ceisio ei wneud yw cyrraedd y nifer fwyaf o safleoedd yng Nghymru gyda'r arian sydd ar gael. Felly, nid ydym wedi dweud wrth Openreach a BT ble i fynd; maent yn mynd i'r ardaloedd lle y gallant gysylltu'r nifer fwyaf o safleoedd. Rydym yn niwtral o ran technoleg. Mater iddynt hwy yn llwyr yw ble maent yn mynd. Felly, hwy sy'n penderfynu ai ffeibr i'r cabinet neu ffeibr i'r safle fydd yn cysylltu'r nifer fwyaf o safleoedd. Mae gennym bocedi o bentrefi lle mae'r pentref cyfan wedi ei hepgor, oherwydd dyna beth y buasech yn ei ddisgwyl mewn gwirionedd. Rwyf wedi clywed, er enghraifft, fod rhai pobl yn teimlo fod rhai safleoedd yn unig yn cael eu cysylltu er mwyn ticio rhyw fath o flwch. Gallaf eich sicrhau nad yw hynny'n wir. Cânt eu talu am y safleoedd a basiwyd. Os ydynt yn gallu cysylltu pentref cyfan, yna yn amlwg mae'r pentref cyfan yn cyfrif fel safleoedd a basiwyd. Nid oes unrhyw fantais iddynt o gysylltu un rhan o rwydwaith.
Lle y defnyddir ffeibr i'r cabinet, mae yna rwystredigaeth, oherwydd os ydych tua chilomedr i ffwrdd, dyna yw'r torbwynt ar gyfer cyflymder cyflym iawn—tua 30 Mbps—a cheir cysgod sy'n cyrraedd 24 Mbps i rai pobl. Nid yw BT ond yn cael eu talu am safleoedd a basiwyd sy'n cyrraedd y trothwyon. Caniateir iddynt gael rhai safleoedd yn yr ardal gysgodol, ond mae'n rhaid i'r rhan fwyaf o'r safleoedd gyrraedd dros 30 Mbps, ac mewn gwirionedd, mae bron bob un o'r safleoedd yn cyrraedd tua 80 Mbps i 100 Mbps wedi iddynt gael eu cysylltu.
Rydym wedi bod yn eu gwthio'n galed iawn dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf. Rwy'n cael cyfarfodydd rheolaidd iawn a checrus iawn gyda hwy ynglŷn â lle maent arni a pha un a ydynt wedi dechrau adeiladu. Rwy'n llwyr dderbyn y pwynt a wnaeth y pwyllgor ynglyn â chyfathrebu ac mae nifer fawr o'r Aelodau wedi nodi hynny. Roedd BT yn hynod o optimistaidd wrth gyhoeddi lle roeddent am ei gyrraedd ac nid ydynt wedi bod cystal am roi gwybodaeth dda i bobl ynglŷn â pham na fydd hynny'n digwydd, ac rydym wedi cael llawer o sgyrsiau gyda hwy am beidio â bod yn optimistaidd, fel y maent yn ei ystyried, ac rwy'n llwyr gydnabod bod angen i ni wneud yn well o ran cyfathrebu mewn perthynas â phrosiect olynol Cyflymu Cymru 2.
Maent yn parhau i ddweud wrthym y byddant yn llwyddo; maent yn cysylltu mewn nifer aruthrol o safleoedd bob wythnos ar hyn o bryd—mwy nag y maent erioed wedi'i wneud o'r blaen yn y cytundeb oherwydd y pwysau rydym yn ei roi arnynt. Maent yn dweud wrthym y byddant yn llwyddo i'w wneud. Os nad fyddant yn llwyddo, bydd cosbau ariannol, ac nid wyf am eu datgelu yma am bob math o resymau masnachol, ond yn amlwg, bydd modd eu harchwilio yn y pen draw, a bydd yr holl arian yn mynd yn ôl i mewn i Cyflymu Cymru 2. Cytunwn yn llwyr nad ydym eisiau arian: rydym eisiau cysylltedd—yn bendant. Felly, rydym yn ceisio sicrhau eu bod yn ymestyn y rhwydwaith cyn belled ag y bo modd gyda'r prosiect hwn fel y gallwn roi'r dechrau gorau posibl i Cyflymu Cymru 2. Rydym newydd gynnal adolygiad marchnad agored ar ymgynghori mewn perthynas â Cyflymu Cymru 2 ac rydym wrthi'n ei ddadansoddi.
Mae swyddogion yn bwriadu cychwyn yr ymarfer caffael hwnnw cyn bo hir, gyda golwg ar ddechrau'r prosiect newydd mor agos at ddechrau'r flwyddyn nesaf ag y gallwn oherwydd rydym am barhau â'r cyflwyno. Fodd bynnag, rwyf am wahodd unrhyw Aelod sydd â phroblem sy'n ymwneud â'r gymuned gyfan, neu unrhyw broblem o gwbl yn eu hardal, i estyn gwahoddiad i mi fynd yno i siarad â hwy. Hefyd, mae gennym dîm hyrwyddo busnes sy'n hapus iawn i ddod i siarad naill ai ag unigolion neu grwpiau cyfan o bobl ynglŷn â beth yw'r ateb gorau iddynt hwy, ac rydym yn bwriadu strwythuro'r broses gaffael fel y gallwn ymdrin â'r mathau hynny o bethau. Hefyd, fodd bynnag, bydd y broses gaffael eisiau cyrraedd y nifer fwyaf o bobl sy'n bosibl gyda'r swm o arian sydd gennym, felly mae'n rhaid i ni gydbwyso'r ddau beth, ac rwy'n bwriadu gwneud hynny.
Byddwn yn parhau â'n dau gynllun talebau. Hoffwn pe bai Simon Thomas yn dweud wrthyf pwy oedd y swyddog a anfonodd yr e-bost oherwydd hoffwn gofnodi nad wyf yn cytuno â'i safbwyntiau mewn unrhyw ffordd o gwbl. Mae fy—[Torri ar draws.] Wel, gobeithio y byddwch yn ei anfon ataf. [Torri ar draws.] Yn sicr.
Thanks for giving way. I've been privy to your tour around Wales—you've visited an area in my constituency and I know you've been very helpful with constituents of Trelleck Grange. Would you accept that part of their frustration was that the neighbouring village of Tintern was totally well connected, so even though they were in a rural area, actually, they were neighbouring an area that was very well connected, and yet BT seemed to drop down an iron curtain at a certain point just a 100 yd down the road, which, if that hadn't happened, then they would have been connected a long time ago, and that that needs to be dealt with in the future of this roll-out?
Diolch am ildio. Rwy'n gwybod am eich taith o amgylch Cymru—fe ymweloch ag ardal yn fy etholaeth, a gwn eich bod wedi rhoi llawer o gymorth i etholwyr Trellech Grange. A fuasech yn derbyn mai rhan o'u rhwystredigaeth oedd bod pentref cyfagos Tyndyrn wedi'u cysylltu'n dda iawn, felly er eu bod mewn ardal wledig, mewn gwirionedd roeddent yn ffinio ag ardal a oedd wedi'i chysylltu'n dda iawn, ac eto roedd BT fel pe baent yn gollwng llen haearn ar bwynt penodol 100 llath yn unig i lawr y ffordd, a phe na bai hynny wedi digwydd, buasent wedi cael eu cysylltu amser maith yn ôl, ac mae angen mynd i'r afael â hynny wrth gyflwyno hyn yn y dyfodol?
I accept that that is a very frustrating thing to have happen and there's some frustrations around the way that BT has restructured its copper network, and we had a spirited conversation about what the new wiring on the pole was, as I recollect, when I visited you. I've become an expert in what wires on poles are and how they're connected recently, which is a new skill that I hear that you didn't have. We accept those frustrations, but, as I say, the contract doesn't allow us to tell BT where to go, it only tells us how many premises they'll connect, and the reason for that was that was the cheapest way to connect the highest number of premises, though I completely accept the frustrations in communication that that has given rise to. That won't be the way we do the second phase because we will want to target communities that have particular issues. We discussed that in your constituency and I'm very happy to discuss it in others.
I will say this, though, in terms of the saw mill, for example: one of the frustrations we have is that sometimes businesses wait for superfast to get to them and then discover that, actually, 100 Mbps isn't enough, and that if they are communicating with head offices elsewhere in the world that they should upgrade to an ultrafast connection as fast as possible. We have a business exploitation team: very helpful individuals who can come and talk to the business about whether that might be the best way forward, and I would certainly recommend that, and I can sort that out if Simon Thomas wants to send me the detail. I'd be very grateful to have the other detail as well on that point, however.
Turning to mobile, you will know that we had the mobile roundtable and followed by the mobile action plan, my colleague the Cabinet Secretary for planning—amongst other things—is about to publish the research into planning. Russell George highlighted the number of masts necessary to get the signal across Wales. There is a balance to be drawn between covering our national parks with masts and getting all of these signals done and we are talking as well to the Home Office about using their emergency network to allow others to hang equipment onto that network, because I personally think it's a terrible shame to cover the beautiful landscape of Wales with lots and lots of masts in order to have different companies have different infrastructures when, actually, they could share, and we would all get a much better service. However, that's an ongoing discussion and, as I say, it's not actually devolved to Wales.
What I would like to finish by saying, though, Llywydd, is this: we remain absolutely committed to getting broadband connection to every property in Wales. Without this last superfast intervention, many properties in rural Wales would never have had any hope whatsoever of receiving broadband. I share the frustration of those left behind but we are determined to cover them off in the second programme, and in an as innovative and imaginative a way as we possibly can. Diolch.
Rwy'n derbyn bod hynny'n rhwystredig iawn a cheir rhywfaint o rwystredigaeth ynglŷn â'r ffordd y mae BT wedi ailstrwythuro ei rwydwaith copr, a chawsom sgwrs fywiog ynglŷn â beth oedd y gwifrau newydd ar y polyn, yn ôl yr hyn a gofiaf, pan ymwelais â chi. Rwyf wedi dod yn arbenigwr ar beth yw'r gwifrau ar bolion a sut y cânt eu cysylltu yn ddiweddar, sy'n sgil newydd nad oeddech chi'n meddu arni yn ôl yr hyn a glywaf. Rydym yn derbyn y rhwystredigaethau hynny, ond fel y dywedaf, nid yw'r contract yn ein galluogi i ddweud wrth BT ble i fynd, nid yw ond yn dweud wrthym sawl safle y byddant yn eu cysylltu, a'r rheswm am hynny oedd mai dyna'r ffordd rataf i gysylltu'r nifer fwyaf o safleoedd, er fy mod yn derbyn yn llwyr y rhwystrau cyfathrebu y mae hynny wedi eu hachosi. Nid dyna'r ffordd y byddwn yn cyflawni'r ail gam oherwydd byddwn am dargedu cymunedau sydd â phroblemau penodol. Trafodasom hynny yn eich etholaeth ac rwy'n hapus iawn i'w drafod mewn etholaethau eraill.
Rwyf am ddweud hyn, fodd bynnag, o ran y felin lifio, er enghraifft: un o'r rhwystredigaethau sydd gennym yw bod busnesau weithiau'n aros i fand eang cyflym iawn eu cyrraedd cyn darganfod wedyn, mewn gwirionedd, nad yw 100 Mbps yn ddigon, ac os ydynt yn cyfathrebu gyda phrif swyddfeydd mewn mannau eraill yn y byd, y dylent uwchraddio i wasanaeth gwibgyswllt mor gyflym â phosibl. Mae gennym dîm datblygu busnes: unigolion cymwynasgar iawn sy'n gallu dod i siarad â'r busnes ynglŷn ag ai dyna'r ffordd orau ymlaen, a buaswn yn sicr yn argymell hynny, a gallaf drefnu hynny os yw Simon Thomas yn dymuno anfon y manylion ataf. Buaswn yn ddiolchgar iawn am y manylion eraill hefyd ar y pwynt hwnnw, fodd bynnag.
Gan droi at dechnoleg symudol, fe fyddwch yn gwybod ein bod wedi cael trafodaeth o gwmpas y bwrdd ar gysylltiadau symudol a chynllun gweithredu symudol i ddilyn, mae fy nghyd-Aelod, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros gynllunio—ymysg pethau eraill—ar fin cyhoeddi'r gwaith ymchwil ar gynllunio. Nododd Russell George nifer y mastiau sy'n angenrheidiol er mwyn cael y signal ar draws Cymru. Mae angen cydbwysedd rhwng gosod mastiau ar draws ein parciau cenedlaethol a chael pob un o'r signalau hyn wedi'u gwneud ac rydym yn siarad hefyd â'r Swyddfa Gartref ynglŷn â defnyddio'u rhwydwaith brys i alluogi eraill i hongian cyfarpar ar y rhwydwaith hwnnw, oherwydd yn bersonol, rwy'n credu ei bod yn drueni mawr gorchuddio tirwedd hardd Cymru â llawer o fastiau er mwyn i wahanol gwmnïau gael seilweithiau gwahanol pan allent eu rhannu, mewn gwirionedd, a byddai pawb ohonom yn cael gwell gwasanaeth o lawer. Fodd bynnag, mae honno'n drafodaeth sy'n mynd rhagddi ac fel rwy'n dweud, nid yw wedi'i ddatganoli i Gymru mewn gwirionedd.
Ond hoffwn orffen drwy ddweud hyn, Lywydd: rydym yn parhau'n gwbl ymrwymedig i gael cysylltiad band eang i bob eiddo yng Nghymru. Heb yr ymyrraeth gyflym iawn ddiwethaf hon, ni fuasai llawer o adeiladau yng Nghymru wledig erioed wedi cael unrhyw obaith o gwbl o gael band eang. Rhannaf rwystredigaeth y rhai sydd ar ôl, ond rydym yn benderfynol o'u cynnwys yn yr ail raglen, ac mewn ffordd mor arloesol a llawn dychymyg ag y gallwn. Diolch.
Galwaf ar Russell George i ymateb i'r ddadl.
I call on Russell George to reply to the debate.
Diolch, Llywydd. I'm grateful to the Members who took part in this debate this afternoon. If I can perhaps comment on each one. Now, Adam Price rightly pointed out the disparity of connectivity in rural Wales in particular, and also mentioned Ceredigion, which is absolutely lagging behind other parts of Wales and the UK in comparison. And Adam mentioned alternative solutions and, of course, those were heard by the Minister, and I would hope that those can be considered as part of a successor scheme.
Vikki Howells commented on examples of poor communication. These examples are very familiar to me, I have to say. And David Rowlands, thank you for your kind words towards me, and David, of course, pointed out the issues about trying to resolve issues that the mobile operators had raised with us. I think, as a committee, I was certainly keen to address the mobile phone operators' asks, if only to stop them making excuses when they come back in the future. You know, we can say, 'We've delivered your asks; now why are there continuing to be issues?'
Simon, of course, also talked about his own survey, which reminds me I did take my own survey in my own constituency in regard to speed, and I totally agree with Simon, in that people don't want, and they're not interested in hearing about BT being fined. All they want is connectivity. That's what's important to them.
I'm so pleased that Hefin David mentioned Duncan and Ray Taylor who came to committee and gave evidence to us. I think it's probably the longest answer allowed in a committee session—I think I asked a question and 15 minutes later Mr Taylor was still talking.
Diolch, Lywydd. Rwy'n ddiolchgar i'r Aelodau a gymerodd ran yn y ddadl hon y prynhawn yma. Carwn wneud sylw ar bob un o bosibl. Nawr, nododd Adam Price yn hollol gywir y gwahaniaeth rhwng cysylltedd yng nghefn gwlad Cymru yn benodol, a soniodd hefyd am Geredigion, sy'n bendant yn llusgo ar ôl rhannau eraill o Gymru a'r DU mewn cymhariaeth. A soniodd Adam am atebion amgen ac wrth gwrs, clywodd y Gweinidog y rheini, a gobeithiaf y gellir eu ystyried fel rhan o gynllun olynol.
Soniodd Vikki Howells am enghreifftiau o gyfathrebu gwael. Mae'r enghreifftiau hyn yn gyfarwydd iawn i mi, rhaid dweud. A David Rowlands, diolch i chi am eich geiriau caredig amdanaf, a nododd David, wrth gwrs y materion sy'n codi ynglŷn â cheisio datrys problemau roedd y gweithredwyr ffonau symudol wedi'u dwyn i'n sylw. Fel Pwyllgor, credaf ein bod yn sicr yn awyddus i fynd i'r afael â'r hyn roedd y gweithredwyr ffonau symudol yn gofyn amdano, pe na bai ond i'w hatal rhag gwneud esgusodion pan ddônt yn eu holau yn y dyfodol. Gallwn ddweud, wyddoch chi, 'Rydym wedi cyflawni eich gofynion; pam mae'r problemau'n parhau?'
Siaradodd Simon hefyd, wrth gwrs, am ei arolwg ei hun, sy'n fy atgoffa fy mod wedi cynnal fy arolwg fy hun yn fy etholaeth mewn perthynas â chyflymder, ac rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr â Simon nad yw pobl eisiau, ac nid ydynt yn hoffi clywed am BT yn cael eu dirwyo. Cysylltedd yw'r cyfan y maent ei eisiau. Dyna sy'n bwysig iddynt.
Rwy'n hynod o falch fod Hefin David wedi cyfeirio at Duncan a Ray Taylor a ddaeth i'r pwyllgor i roi tystiolaeth i ni. Mae'n fwy na thebyg mai dyna'r ateb hiraf a ganiatawyd mewn sesiwn bwyllgor—credaf i mi ofyn cwestiwn a 15 munud yn ddiweddarach roedd Mr Taylor yn dal i siarad.
And everybody was still listening.
Ac roedd pawb yn dal i wrando.