Y Cyfarfod Llawn - Y Bumed Senedd

Plenary - Fifth Senedd

15/05/2019

Cyfarfu’r Cynulliad am 13:29 gyda’r Llywydd (Elin Jones) yn y Gadair. 

The Assembly met at 13:29 with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.

Datganiad gan y Llywydd
Statement by the Llywydd

Cyn i mi alw'r eitem gyntaf ar yr agenda, dwi'n dymuno hysbysu'r Cynulliad fy mod i wedi derbyn llythyr gan bedwar o Aelodau yn fy hysbysu o'u dymuniad i ffurfio grŵp yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 1.3. Rwy'n ystyried y mater, yn unol â fy nyletswydd o dan y Rheolau Sefydlog, ac fe fyddaf i'n hysbysu'r Cynulliad ar fy nghasgliadau yn y man.

Pwynt o drefn, Alun Davies. 

Before I call the first item on the agenda, I wish to inform the Assembly that I have received a letter from four Members notifying me of their wish to form a group in accordance with Standing Order 1.3. I am considering this issue, in accordance with my duty under the Standing Orders, and I will notify the Assembly of my conclusion in due course. 

Point of order, Alun Davies.

13:30

Further to that statement, which I appreciate, Presiding Officer, I would also like to ask you to consider these matters under Standing Order 1.4, where you are given a level of discretion. There are Members on all sides of this Chamber who are deeply disturbed at the undermining of our democracy by events today. These chancers did not stand for election under any party label they are using today. They are using this in order to access public resources and public money without standing for election or seeking the consent of anybody in any constituency or region in any part of Wales. None of them have had their names on a ballot paper. It undermines the democracy we were celebrating only last week. Members on all sides of the Chamber have very deep reservations and concerns over this matter, of which I know you are aware, Presiding Officer, and I hope that you will be able to use some discretion available to you to consider these matters over a period of time that will allow Members to consider their own thoughts and their own responses to this announcement. 

Yn ychwanegol at y datganiad hwnnw, datganiad rwy'n ei werthfawrogi, Lywydd, hoffwn ofyn ichi hefyd ystyried y materion hyn o dan Reol Sefydlog 1.4, lle rhoddir lefel o ddisgresiwn ichi. Mae Aelodau ar bob ochr i'r Siambr hon yn pryderu'n arw fod digwyddiadau heddiw yn tanseilio ein democratiaeth. Ni wnaeth y mentrwyr hyn sefyll etholiad o dan unrhyw label plaid y maent yn ei ddefnyddio heddiw. Maent yn defnyddio hyn er mwyn cael gafael ar adnoddau cyhoeddus ac arian cyhoeddus heb sefyll etholiad na cheisio caniatâd unrhyw un mewn unrhyw etholaeth neu ranbarth mewn unrhyw ran o Gymru. Nid oes enw yr un ohonynt wedi bod ar bapur pleidleisio. Mae'n tanseilio'r ddemocratiaeth y buom yn ei dathlu yr wythnos diwethaf. Mae gan Aelodau ar bob ochr i'r Siambr amheuon a phryderon difrifol iawn ynghylch y mater hwn, a gwn eich bod yn ymwybodol ohonynt, Lywydd, a gobeithiaf y gallwch ddefnyddio rhywfaint o'r disgresiwn sydd ar gael i chi i ystyried y materion hyn dros gyfnod o amser a fydd yn caniatáu i'r Aelodau ystyried eu meddyliau eu hunain a'u hymatebion eu hunain i'r cyhoeddiad hwn.

Dwi'n ddiolchgar i'r Aelod am ei gyngor ar bob achlysur, a gallaf sicrhau'r Aelod ac Aelodau eraill y byddaf i'n ymwybodol iawn o bob elfen o'r Rheolau Sefydlog sydd yn mynd i roi cyngor i mi ac arweiniad i mi wrth ddod i gasgliadau ar y materion yma. 

Hefyd cyn yr eitem gyntaf o fusnes y prynhawn yma, dwi angen hysbysu'r Cynulliad fod y Bil Rhentu Cartrefi (Ffioedd, etc.) (Cymru), yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 26.75, wedi cael Cydsyniad Brenhinol heddiw. 

I’m grateful to the Member for his advice at all times, and I can assure the Member and other Members that I am most aware of every element of the Standing Orders that will advise and guide me in coming to conclusions on these issues.

Also before the first item of business this afternoon, I wish to inform the Assembly that the Renting homes (Fees, etc.) (Wales) Bill, in accordance with Standing Order 26.75, was given Royal Assent today.

1. Cwestiynau i Weinidog yr Amgylchedd, Ynni a Materion Gwledig
1. Questions to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs

Sydd nawr yn dod â ni at y cwestiynau i Weindiog yr Amgylchedd, Ynni a Materion Gwledig, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Janet Finch-Saunders

This now brings us to the questions to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, and the first question is from Janet Finch-Saunders.

Incwm Ffermydd
Farm Income

1. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am ymateb Llywodraeth Cymru i'r gostyngiad a ragwelir mewn incwm ffermydd? OAQ53843

1. Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's response to the forecasted decrease in farm income? OAQ53843

Thank you. Volatility is a feature of the farming sector, and businesses need to be resilient to deal with price and cost fluctuations. Welsh Government continues to support and equip farming businesses with tools to improve their understanding and control their cost of production.

Diolch. Mae anwadalrwydd yn nodwedd o'r sector ffermio, ac mae angen i fusnesau fod yn wydn er mwyn ymdopi ag amrywiadau prisiau a chostau. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn parhau i gefnogi ac arfogi busnesau fferm i wella eu dealltwriaeth a rheoli eu costau cynhyrchu.

Thank you. The recently published forecasts of farm incomes in Wales provides very worrying information about the sector. It reports that the average farm business income for the combined all-farm types is expected to decrease by 15 per cent to £29,500 per farm from the previous year. The situation is even more serious for dairy farmers, who are forecasted—sorry, I need my specs—a 23 per cent fall, and lowland cattle and sheep farmers, who are expected to have an average income of just £17,000. As John Davies, National Farmers Union Cymru president stated, the forecasts show the volatility all farm types in Wales are subjected to and reinforce the need for future agricultural policy in Wales to include a central volatility stability component. Will you consider introducing an agricultural volatility grant that farmers can turn to for support when market changes render continued business operation and food production financially perilous? Thank you. 

Diolch. Mae'r rhagolygon a gyhoeddwyd yn ddiweddar o incwm ffermydd yng Nghymru yn darparu gwybodaeth sy'n peri cryn bryder ynghylch y sector. Mae'n dweud y bydd disgwyl i incwm cyfartalog busnesau fferm o bob math yn gyfunol ostwng 15 y cant i £29,500 y fferm o gymharu â'r flwyddyn flaenorol. Mae'r sefyllfa hyd yn oed yn fwy difrifol i ffermwyr llaeth, gan y rhagwelir—mae'n ddrwg gennyf, rwyf angen fy sbectol—y byddant yn wynebu gostyngiad o 23 y cant, a ffermwyr gwartheg a defaid yr iseldir, y disgwylir y bydd eu hincwm cyfartalog yn £17,000 yn unig. Fel y dywedodd John Davies, llywydd Undeb Cenedlaethol Amaethwyr Cymru, mae'r rhagolygon yn dangos yr anwadalrwydd sy'n wynebu pob math o fferm yng Nghymru ac yn atgyfnerthu'r angen i bolisi amaethyddol yng Nghymru yn y dyfodol gynnwys elfen ganolog o sefydlogrwydd rhag anwadalrwydd. A wnewch chi ystyried cyflwyno grant anwadalrwydd amaethyddol y gall ffermwyr droi ato am gymorth pan fydd newidiadau yn y farchnad yn golygu bod parhau i weithredu busnesau a chynhyrchu bwyd yn beryglus yn ariannol? Diolch.

Thank you. I'm obviously very aware of the information that was published. I think there's been a call—. Since we went out to consultation on 'Brexit and our land' last year—the first consultation—there's certainly been a call to have a component for volatility. I think it also shows that the basic payment scheme hasn't provided that cushion that farmers want to see. Members will be aware that I'm doing an oral statement very soon around the first consultation from 'Brexit and our land', and I have committed to go into a second consultation ahead of the Royal Welsh Show. So, obviously, these are things that can all be considered in that consultation. 

Diolch. Yn amlwg, rwy'n ymwybodol iawn o'r wybodaeth a gyhoeddwyd. Credaf fod galwad wedi bod—. Ers inni gynnal ymgynghoriad ar 'Brexit a'n tir' y llynedd—yr ymgynghoriad cyntaf—yn sicr, cafwyd galwad i gael elfen ar gyfer anwadalrwydd. Credaf fod hyn hefyd yn dangos nad yw cynllun y taliad sylfaenol wedi darparu'r glustog honno yr hoffai ffermwyr ei gweld. Bydd yr Aelodau'n ymwybodol y byddaf yn gwneud datganiad llafar yn fuan iawn ynglŷn â'r ymgynghoriad cyntaf ar 'Brexit a'n tir', ac rwyf wedi ymrwymo i gychwyn ail ymgynghoriad cyn Sioe Frenhinol Cymru. Felly, yn amlwg, mae'r rhain oll yn bethau y gellir eu hystyried yn yr ymgynghoriad hwnnw.

Rhywogaethau Mewn Perygl o Ddiflannu
Species at Risk of Extinction

2. Pa asesiad y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'i wneud o adroddiad y Cenhedloedd Unedig sy'n datgan bod un filiwn o rywogaethau mewn perygl o ddiflannu o ganlyniad uniongyrchol i weithgarwch dynol? OAQ53855

2. What assessment has the Minister made of the United Nations report which states that one million species are at risk of extinction as a direct result of human activity? OAQ53855

Thank you. Llywydd, I understand that you've given your permission for questions 2 and 3 to be grouped.

Diolch. Lywydd, deallaf eich bod wedi rhoi caniatâd i gwestiynau 2 a 3 gael eu grwpio.

Yes, I had, but the Member asking question 3 is not in the Chamber. So, the grouping cannot therefore be grouped. So, answer the question as question 2. 

Do, roeddwn wedi gwneud hynny, ond nid yw'r Aelod sy'n gofyn cwestiwn 3 yn y Siambr. Felly, ni ellir grwpio'r grŵp. Felly, atebwch y cwestiwn fel cwestiwn 2.

Thank you. I hadn't noticed the Member wasn't present, sorry. 

I'm gravely concerned about the global loss of biodiversity. The legislation we have introduced requires all public bodies, including Welsh Ministers, to proactively maintain and enhance biodiversity through the decisions they make. We also provide financial and practical support to community groups to take action in their local area.

Diolch. Nid oeddwn wedi sylwi nad oedd yr Aelod yn bresennol, mae'n ddrwg gennyf.

Rwy'n bryderus iawn ynglŷn â cholli bioamrywiaeth yn fyd-eang. Mae'r ddeddfwriaeth a gyflwynwyd gennym yn ei gwneud yn ofynnol i bob corff cyhoeddus, gan gynnwys Gweinidogion Cymru, fynd ati'n rhagweithiol i gynnal a gwella bioamrywiaeth drwy'r penderfyniadau a wnânt. Rydym hefyd yn darparu cymorth ariannol ac ymarferol i grwpiau cymunedol allu rhoi camau ar waith yn eu hardal leol.

13:35

I thank you for that answer. Minister, the inter-governmental science policy platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services report ranked five direct drivers of change in nature with the largest global impacts being change in land and sea use, direct exploitation of organisms, climate change, pollution, including slurry, pesticides and herbicides, and invasive species. The impacts of these human activities on biodiversity have been catastrophic, particularly in recent years. However, despite that, the report does go on to be quite positive and it does say that it's not too late to make a difference, but only if action is taken at every single level, from local to global. And through that transformative change, nature can still recover.

I know that you've outlined some of the changes that are being made, and you know that I repeatedly call for action on slurry and other usage. So, what immediate action is the Welsh Government planning now to at least halt and then also reverse the damage that is being done?

Diolch am eich ateb. Weinidog, nododd y platfform polisi gwyddoniaeth rhynglywodraethol ar fioamrywiaeth a gwasanaethau ecosystemau bum ffactor uniongyrchol sy'n sbarduno newid mewn natur, gyda'r effeithiau byd-eang mwyaf yn cynnwys newid o ran defnydd tir a môr, ecsbloetio organebau yn uniongyrchol, newid yn yr hinsawdd, llygredd, gan gynnwys slyri, plaladdwyr a chwynladdwyr, a rhywogaethau goresgynnol. Mae effeithiau'r gweithgareddau dynol hyn ar fioamrywiaeth wedi bod yn drychinebus, yn enwedig yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Fodd bynnag, er gwaethaf hynny, mae'r adroddiad yn mynd yn ei flaen i fod yn eithaf cadarnhaol, a dywed nad yw'n rhy hwyr i wneud gwahaniaeth, ond dim ond os gweithredir camau ar bob lefel, o'r lefel leol i lefel fyd-eang. A thrwy'r newid trawsnewidiol hwnnw, fe all natur wella.

Gwn eich bod wedi amlinellu rhai o'r newidiadau sy'n cael eu gwneud, a gwyddoch fy mod yn galw dro ar ôl tro am weithredu ar slyri a phethau eraill. Felly, pa gamau brys y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cynllunio yn awr o leiaf i atal ac yna i wrthdroi'r difrod a wneir?

Thank you. Certainly, the report that was published last week is deeply worrying, but, like you, I was very pleased that the global assessment did recognise that it's not too late to reverse a trend, but it does require that transformative change to which you referred. I do think that we're ahead of the game in recognising that biodiversity underpins our economic and our social well-being, and it's, I think, as big a challenge as climate change. We've got our world-leading and groundbreaking legislation and our policy to manage our natural resources sustainably. 

We've got our natural resources policy, which sets out our priorities to enable us to reverse decline. I want to achieve more resilient ecosystems, and we'll do that through the policy. We've also got our nature recovery action plan, and I've asked for a refresh of that. That's currently under way, and that's going to report back before the end of the year. 

I absolutely hear what you say about slurry and agricultural pollution, and you'll be aware of the regulations that I'm bringing in next January. I'm still working very closely with stakeholders on the voluntary initiatives because I think it's better to have that twin approach.

Diolch. Yn sicr, mae'r adroddiad a gyhoeddwyd yr wythnos diwethaf yn peri cryn bryder, ond fel chithau, roeddwn yn falch iawn fod yr asesiad byd-eang wedi cydnabod nad yw'n rhy hwyr i wrthdroi tuedd, ond mae angen y newid trawsnewidiol hwnnw y cyfeirioch chi ato er mwyn gwneud hynny. Credaf ein bod ar y blaen o ran cydnabod bod bioamrywiaeth yn sail i'n lles economaidd a chymdeithasol, a chredaf ei bod yn gymaint o her â'r newid yn yr hinsawdd. Mae gennym ein deddfwriaeth flaengar ac arloesol a'n polisi i reoli ein hadnoddau naturiol yn gynaliadwy.

Mae gennym ein polisi adnoddau naturiol, sy'n nodi ein blaenoriaethau i'n galluogi i wrthdroi dirywiad. Rwyf am sicrhau ecosystemau mwy gwydn, a byddwn yn gwneud hynny drwy'r polisi. Mae gennym hefyd ein cynllun gweithredu ar adfer natur, ac rwyf wedi gofyn am ei adnewyddu. Mae'r gwaith hwnnw'n mynd rhagddo ar hyn o bryd, a bydd yn adrodd yn ôl cyn diwedd y flwyddyn.

Yn sicr, rwy'n clywed yr hyn a ddywedwch am slyri a llygredd amaethyddol, ac fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol o'r rheoliadau y byddaf yn eu cyflwyno fis Ionawr nesaf. Rwy'n dal i weithio'n agos iawn gyda rhanddeiliaid ar y mentrau gwirfoddol gan y credaf ei bod yn well cael yr ymagwedd ddeuol honno.

Minister, I'm sure everyone in the Chamber will agree that the UN report makes for very sober reading and highlights the urgency that is required in protecting our wildlife.

The report identifies that one of the direct drivers of decline in species is pollution, which, of course, includes plastic pollution. Plastic pollution is a huge problem and, as the Atlantic puffin species champion, I am concerned about the impact marine plastic may have on the puffin population in Wales, particularly those on Skomer island.

Puffins, whilst they are doing relatively well in Wales, are currently on the amber list of UK birds of conservation concern as they are vulnerable to adverse changes in the environment because their breeding population is concentrated on a small number of sites. As such, increases in marine plastic pollution puts pressure on puffins in both Wales and the wider environment. In the circumstances, what specific work is the Welsh Government doing to reduce the amount of waste that actually ends up in our ocean so that we help to clean up our seas to protect our marine wildlife for future generations?

Weinidog, rwy'n siŵr y bydd pawb yn y Siambr yn cytuno bod adroddiad y Cenhedloedd Unedig yn sobreiddiol iawn ac yn nodi'r brys sydd ei angen i ddiogelu ein bywyd gwyllt.

Mae'r adroddiad yn nodi bod llygredd yn un o'r ffactorau uniongyrchol sy'n sbarduno dirywiad rhywogaethau, ac mae'n cynnwys llygredd plastig wrth gwrs. Mae llygredd plastig yn broblem enfawr, ac fel hyrwyddwr rhywogaeth y pâl, rwy'n pryderu ynghylch yr effaith y gallai plastig morol ei chael ar boblogaeth y pâl yng Nghymru, yn enwedig ar ynys Sgomer.

Er eu bod yn gwneud yn gymharol dda yng Nghymru, mae palod ar y rhestr ambr o adar sy'n destun pryder cadwraethol yn y DU gan eu bod yn agored i newidiadau andwyol yn yr amgylchedd am fod eu poblogaeth fridio wedi'i chrynhoi ar nifer fach o safleoedd. O'r herwydd, mae cynnydd mewn llygredd plastig morol yn rhoi pwysau ar balod yng Nghymru a'r amgylchedd ehangach. O dan yr amgylchiadau, pa waith penodol y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i gyfyngu ar y gwastraff sy'n cyrraedd ein moroedd er mwyn inni allu helpu i'w glanhau a diogelu ein bywyd gwyllt morol ar gyfer cenedlaethau'r dyfodol?

Thank you. I think I'm going to hear from a lot of Members about the species that they're champions for this afternoon, looking at the questions.

I think the Member raises a very important point about marine pollution, and certainly there have been several campaigns that have highlighted that. I'm working very closely with my colleague the Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government around the waste agenda. There are several initiatives that we're bringing forward, but we do appreciate that we're going to have to do far more in regard to this. I think behavioural change is also very important, in the way that we did it with recycling, and that's something that we're looking at this year also.

Diolch. Credaf y byddaf yn clywed gan sawl Aelod am y rhywogaethau y maent yn eu hyrwyddo y prynhawn yma, o edrych ar y cwestiynau.

Credaf fod yr Aelod yn gofyn cwestiwn pwysig iawn am lygredd morol, ac yn sicr, mae sawl ymgyrch wedi tynnu sylw at hynny. Rwy'n gweithio'n agos iawn gyda fy nghyd-Aelod, y Dirprwy Weinidog Tai a Llywodraeth Leol, ar yr agenda wastraff. Rydym yn rhoi nifer o fentrau ar waith, ond deallwn y bydd yn rhaid i ni wneud llawer mwy mewn perthynas â hyn. Credaf fod newid ymddygiad hefyd yn bwysig iawn, yn y ffordd y gwnaethom gydag ailgylchu, ac mae hynny'n rhywbeth rydym yn edrych arno eleni hefyd.

Cwestiynau Heb Rybudd gan Lefarwyr y Pleidiau
Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Andrew R.T. Davies.

Questions now from the party spokespeople. The Conservative spokesperson, Andrew R.T. Davies.

Thank you, Presiding Officer. Minister, I do understand the position you've taken on farm plastics and the disposal of farm plastics. It is a commercial decision, in the relationship between operators and farm businesses. But the regulations that surround farm plastics and the storage of farm plastics is obviously a Government regulation. Have you given any consideration to being a facilitator to try and overcome some of the blockages in the system at the moment, which obviously mean that there is a considerable amount of on-farm plastics now being stored, because the market, basically, has dried up on its disposal? As I said, I'm not looking to you to put financial solutions in place, but there is a role for Government in understanding the regulations that they impose on the industry and trying to be a facilitator to try and break the deadlock so that a solution can be found.

Diolch, Lywydd. Weinidog, rwy'n deall eich safbwynt ar blastigau fferm a chael gwared ar blastigau fferm. Mae'n benderfyniad masnachol, yn y berthynas rhwng gweithredwyr a busnesau fferm. Ond mae'r rheoliadau sy'n ymwneud â phlastigau fferm a storio plastigau fferm yn amlwg yn reoliadau'r Llywodraeth. A ydych wedi ystyried bod yn hwylusydd i geisio goresgyn rhai o'r rhwystrau yn y system ar hyn o bryd, sy'n amlwg yn golygu bod llawer iawn o blastigau ar ffermydd bellach yn cael eu storio, gan fod y farchnad ar gyfer cael gwared arnynt wedi diflannu, yn y bôn? Fel y dywedais, nid wyf yn disgwyl i chi roi atebion ariannol ar waith, ond mae rôl i'r Llywodraeth yn hyn o beth o ran deall y rheoliadau y maent yn eu gosod ar y diwydiant a cheisio bod yn hwylusydd er mwyn ceisio datrys y broblem fel bod modd dod o hyd i ateb.

13:40

Thank you. You are right—it is a commercial matter between the farmers, the collectors of the plastic farm waste and the plants that can, and do, recycle it. Obviously, farmers have a responsibility to ensure their plastic is disposed of correctly.

I think farmers also recognise, of course, it's important to collect and treat the waste, and all other businesses have to pay for their recycling here in Wales. Having said that, officials have been in discussions with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. DEFRA, specifically, didn't include farm plastic film on the list of candidate products for extended producer responsibility. We thought that was something that perhaps should be covered in a UK- wide scheme, and I've asked officials to continue to look at that. I can't guarantee that DEFRA will do it, but I think it's something that we could make, perhaps, some progress on.

We could look at introducing an EPR scheme ourselves. So, again, I've asked officials to look at the options for that.

Diolch. Rydych yn llygad eich lle—mae'n fater masnachol rhwng y ffermwyr, casglwyr y gwastraff fferm plastig a'r ffatrïoedd sy'n gallu ei ailgylchu ac sy'n gwneud hynny. Yn amlwg, mae gan ffermwyr gyfrifoldeb i sicrhau y ceir gwared ar eu plastig yn gywir.

Credaf fod ffermwyr hefyd yn cydnabod, wrth gwrs, ei bod yn bwysig casglu a thrin y gwastraff, a bod yn rhaid i bob busnes arall dalu am eu hailgylchu yma yng Nghymru. Wedi dweud hynny, mae swyddogion wedi bod yn trafod gydag Adran yr Amgylchedd, Bwyd a Materion Gwledig. Nid oedd Adran yr Amgylchedd, Bwyd a Materion Gwledig, yn benodol, wedi cynnwys plastig ystwyth ffermydd ar y rhestr o ddarpar gynhyrchion ar gyfer cyfrifoldeb estynedig cynhyrchwyr. Roeddem o'r farn fod hynny'n rhywbeth y dylid ei gynnwys, o bosibl, mewn cynllun ar gyfer y DU gyfan, ac rwyf wedi gofyn i swyddogion barhau i edrych ar hynny. Ni allaf warantu y bydd Adran yr Amgylchedd, Bwyd a Materion Gwledig yn gwneud hynny, ond credaf ei fod yn rhywbeth y gallem wneud rhywfaint o gynnydd arno, o bosibl.

Gallem ystyried cyflwyno cynllun cyfrifoldeb estynedig cynhyrchwyr ein hunain. Felly, unwaith eto, rwyf wedi gofyn i swyddogion edrych ar yr opsiynau ar gyfer hynny.

Any assistance, obviously, the Government can give to being a facilitator to solving the problem, I think, would be very welcome, as I said, given the amount of on-farm plastics that are used and, ultimately, moving to a scenario in years to come where plastics aren't used and there are alternatives.

But I would like to take you up on the statistics that you gave me in the last questioning that we did on farm pollution. You very kindly corrected the record, because, at that time, you said there'd been a 200 per cent increase in the instances when, in fact, it was just under 200 instances. If you look back over the 20 years' worth of figures that Natural Resources Wales provide, they clearly show that the parameters are, in a good year, about 100 instances, and, in a bad year, under 200—194 is the highest, which, I believe, was hit in 2012-13. Given that these parameters have been relatively constant over the last 20 years, do you think that it is right that you've brought such draconian measures in rather than listening to, obviously, your own working group, which you set up yourself, that set up this document for you to consider with cross-sector buy-in to the recommendations that were brought forward? And, surely, the recommendations contained in this report offer a blueprint to go forward for the agricultural industry, given the evidence that this group collated.

Yn amlwg, rwy'n credu y byddai unrhyw gymorth y gall y Llywodraeth ei roi i fod yn hwylusydd i ddatrys y broblem yn cael ei groesawu'n fawr, fel y dywedais, o ystyried faint o blastigau fferm a ddefnyddir, ac yn y pen draw, wrth newid i senario ymhen blynyddoedd i ddod pan na fydd plastigau'n cael eu defnyddio a bydd dewisiadau eraill ar gael.

Ond hoffwn eich holi ynglŷn â'r ystadegau a roesoch i mi yn y sesiwn gwestiynau ddiwethaf a gawsom ar lygredd ffermydd. Buoch yn ddigon caredig i gywiro'r cofnod, oherwydd, ar y pryd, fe nodoch chi gynnydd o 200 y cant yn yr achosion er mai cynnydd o ychydig llai na 200 o achosion a gafwyd mewn gwirionedd. Os edrychwch yn ôl dros yr 20 mlynedd o ffigurau a ddarparwyd gan Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, maent yn dangos yn glir fod y paramedrau, mewn blwyddyn dda, oddeutu 100 o achosion, ac mewn blwyddyn wael, o dan 200—194 yw'r uchaf, a gyrhaeddwyd yn 2012-13, rwy'n credu. O ystyried bod y paramedrau hyn wedi bod yn gymharol gyson dros yr 20 mlynedd diwethaf, a ydych yn credu ei bod yn iawn eich bod wedi cyflwyno mesurau mor llym yn hytrach na gwrando, yn amlwg, ar eich gweithgor eich hun, a sefydlwyd gennych, ac a luniodd y ddogfen hon i chi ei hystyried gyda chefnogaeth draws-sector i'r argymhellion a gyflwynwyd? Ac yn sicr, mae'r argymhellion yn yr adroddiad hwn yn cynnig glasbrint ar gyfer y dyfodol i'r diwydiant amaethyddol, o ystyried y dystiolaeth a gasglwyd gan y grŵp hwn.

Thank you. Llywydd, I also wrote to you and placed a copy of that letter in the library for Members to be able to access.

I don't see it as draconian. I have heard that word used. We have seen an increase in the number of major polluting incidents, and I'm sure you yourself have seen them, and, certainly, in my discussions with the farming unions, they themselves accept that this is unacceptable and more needs to be done.

I've had a lot of correspondence on the incidents. The new regulations will come into force next January. There will be transitional periods for some elements. But you will have heard me say in my answer to Joyce Watson that I'm continuing to work with the group that you refer to. Obviously, I've had their report. NFU Cymru have employed somebody specifically to look at this. I've met with her, and officials are still continuing to have discussions. But I think it's really important that we stop these major agricultural pollutants. I'm also the Minister for environment, and I have a lot of correspondence from people, particularly about the state of rivers, following some of these major incidents.

Diolch. Lywydd, ysgrifennais atoch hefyd a rhoddais gopi o'r llythyr hwnnw yn y llyfrgell er mwyn i'r Aelodau allu ei weld.

Ni chredaf fod hyn yn llym. Rwyf wedi clywed y gair hwnnw'n cael ei ddefnyddio. Rydym wedi gweld cynnydd yn nifer y digwyddiadau llygru mawr, ac rwy'n siŵr eich bod wedi eu gweld, ac yn sicr, yn fy nhrafodaethau gydag undebau'r ffermwyr, maent yn derbyn bod hyn yn annerbyniol a bod angen gwneud mwy.

Rwyf wedi cael llawer o ohebiaeth ar y digwyddiadau. Daw'r rheoliadau newydd i rym fis Ionawr. Bydd cyfnodau pontio ar gyfer rhai elfennau. Ond byddwch wedi fy nghlywed yn dweud yn fy ateb i Joyce Watson fy mod yn parhau i weithio gyda'r grŵp y cyfeiriwch ato. Yn amlwg, rwyf wedi cael eu hadroddiad. Mae Undeb Cenedlaethol Amaethwyr Cymru wedi cyflogi rhywun i edrych ar hyn yn benodol. Rwyf wedi cyfarfod â hi, ac mae swyddogion yn parhau i gael trafodaethau. Ond credaf ei bod yn bwysig iawn ein bod yn atal y llygryddion amaethyddol mawr hyn. Rwy'n Weinidog yr amgylchedd hefyd, a chaf lawer o ohebiaeth gan bobl, yn enwedig ar gyflwr afonydd, yn dilyn rhai o'r digwyddiadau mawr hyn.

I think we'd all agree that we want to see pollution incidents pushed back and down, and, hopefully, towards zero level, but, sadly, we know that's most probably impossible. But, as I said, with the 20-year projection, which is shared by Natural Resources Wales, there hasn't been this massive increase and, in fact, it's in line with pollution instances over those 20 years. As I said, you did bring this working group together, and they did bring a blueprint out, which had recommendations contained in it. You chose not to sign up to those recommendations and go for the belt-and-braces approach that, basically, could put many businesses out in vulnerable communities the length and breadth of Wales because those regulations are so draconian.

I'd be pleased to understand—I'm sure many would be pleased to understand—why you did not take up the recommendations within this report that was brought together from all sections of interested parties and, as I said, was a blueprint to take these regulations forward, which everyone has signed up to do, to drive down agricultural pollution across Wales.

Credaf y byddai pob un ohonom yn cytuno ein bod am weld achosion o lygredd yn cael eu gwthio i lawr i ddim, gobeithio, ond yn anffodus, gwyddom fod hynny'n amhosibl yn ôl pob tebyg. Ond fel y dywedais, gyda'r amcanestyniad 20 mlynedd, a rennir gan Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, ni chafwyd y cynnydd enfawr hwn, ac mewn gwirionedd, mae'n cyd-fynd ag achosion o lygredd dros yr 20 mlynedd hynny. Fel y dywedais, sefydlwyd y gweithgor gennych, a chynhyrchwyd glasbrint ganddynt, a oedd yn cynnwys argymhellion. Fe ddewisoch chi beidio â derbyn yr argymhellion hynny a dewis ymagwedd or-ofalus, a allai, yn y bôn, amharu ar fusnesau mewn cymunedau agored i niwed ledled Cymru gan fod y rheoliadau hynny mor llym.

Buaswn yn falch o ddeall—rwy'n siŵr y byddai llawer yn falch o ddeall—pam na dderbynioch chi yr argymhellion yn yr adroddiad hwn a luniwyd gan bawb a chanddynt fuddiant yn hyn o beth, ac fel y dywedais, roedd yn lasbrint er mwyn rhoi'r rheoliadau hyn ar waith, sy'n rhywbeth roedd pawb wedi ymrwymo i'w wneud, er mwyn lleihau llygredd amaethyddol ledled Cymru.

Well, when I first came into post, which was three years ago, I was very keen to have a voluntary approach. I worked with the farming unions, with other stakeholders, to do that, but we did see an increase in the agricultural pollution. And we're still seeing—[Interruption.] No, we're still seeing a significant number of major polluting incidents. We had one—I think it was the week before last or the week before that—where the entire slurry store, unfortunately, was there polluting the land and the water. So, I think it's really important that we get to grips with this, particularly in light of Brexit. This will damage our sustainable value brand if we don't get on top of it now.

Wel, pan ddeuthum i'r swydd gyntaf, dair blynedd yn ôl, roeddwn yn awyddus iawn i gael ymagwedd wirfoddol. Bûm yn gweithio gydag undebau'r ffermwyr, gyda rhanddeiliaid eraill, er mwyn gwneud hynny, ond gwelsom gynnydd mewn llygredd amaethyddol. Ac rydym yn dal i weld—[Torri ar draws.] Na, rydym yn dal i weld nifer sylweddol o ddigwyddiadau llygru mawr. Cawsom un—credaf mai'r wythnos cyn yr wythnos diwethaf neu'r wythnos cyn hynny—lle roedd y storfa slyri gyfan, yn anffodus, yn llygru'r tir a'r dŵr. Felly, credaf ei bod yn bwysig iawn ein bod yn mynd i'r afael â hyn, yn enwedig yng ngoleuni Brexit. Bydd yn niweidio ein brand gwerth cynaliadwy os nad awn i'r afael â hyn ar unwaith.

13:45

Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd. Weinidog, dwi eisiau cyfeirio, os caf i i gychwyn, at ddogfen ymgynghori'ch Llywodraeth chi ar waredu gwastraff ymbelydrol yn ddaearegol. Nawr, mi ddyfynnaf i o’r ddogfen ymgynghorol honno. Mae’n dweud:

‘Mae gwaredu gwastraff ymbelydrol yn fater sydd wedi’i ddatganoli. Llywodraeth Cymru sy’n gyfrifol am bennu'r polisi'

ar gyfer gwaredu gwastraff ymbelydrol yng Nghymru. Ond, wrth edrych ar baragraff 99 o Schedule 7B o Ddeddf Llywodraeth Cymru 2006, mae hwnnw’n dweud bod pwerau dros ynni niwclear ac installations niwclear wedi’u cadw nôl. Mae’r neilltuad yna’n cynnwys diogelwch niwclear ac atebolrwydd am ddigwyddiadau niwclear. Does dim eithriadau, hyd y gwelaf i, dim carve-outs, fel sydd yng nghyd-destun yr Alban, ac, yn nodiadau esboniadol Deddf Cymru 2017, mae’n dweud yn gwbl glir—mae paragraff 99 yn dweud ei bod yn cadw nôl pob mater perthnasol i ynni niwclear ac installations niwclear. Allwch chi felly gadarnhau i ni’r prynhawn yma bod deddfu ar waredu gwastraff ymbelydrol y tu hwnt i gymhwysedd deddfwriaethol y Cynulliad yma, sydd, wrth gwrs, i’r gwrthwyneb i’r hyn rŷch chi’n ei honni yn eich dogfen ymgynghorol chi?

Thank you, Llywydd. Minister, I want to refer, if I may, to the consultation document of your own Government on disposing of radioactive waste—geological disposal. Now, I will quote from that document, and it says:

'Radioactive waste disposal is a devolved matter—the Welsh Government is responsible for determining the policy for this within Wales'.

But, looking at paragraph 99 of Schedule 7B to the Government of Wales Act 2006, that states that powers over nuclear energy and nuclear installations are reserved. That reservation includes nuclear safety and accountability for nuclear incidents. There are no exceptions as far as I can see, no carve-outs, as there are in the Scottish context, and, in the explanatory note of the Government of Wales Act 2017, it states entirely clearly in paragraph 99 that it reserves all related issues to nuclear energy and nuclear installations. Can you therefore confirm to us this afternoon that legislating on disposal of radioactive material is beyond the competence of this Assembly, which is contrary to what you claim in your own consultation document?

The radioactive waste management disposal, which I think is what you're referring to, is not the same as nuclear waste. The higher activity radioactive waste has been created in Wales, and that's why Welsh Government agreed to take part in the UK Government programme for its disposal.

Nid yw gwaredu gwastraff ymbelydrol, sef yr hyn y cyfeiriwch ato, rwy'n credu, yr un fath â gwastraff niwclear. Crëwyd y gwastraff ymbelydrol actifedd uwch yng Nghymru, a dyna pam fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cytuno i gymryd rhan yn rhaglen Llywodraeth y DU i gael gwared arno.

Wel, mae'n bosib y gallwch chi esbonio i ni, felly, beth yw rôl Llywodraeth Cymru yn y gwaith o edrych ar le mae’r gwastraff niwclear arfaethedig, sydd wedi bod yn y newyddion yn ddiweddar, yn mynd. Oherwydd, mae’n glir i ni nad yw hwnnw wedi’i ddatganoli. Yn wir, mae paragraff 3(2)(4) o Atodlen 23 i Reoliadau Trwyddedu Amgylcheddol (Cymru a Lloegr) 2016 yn dweud, ac mi ddyfynnaf i yn Saesneg:

Well, perhaps you can explain to us, therefore, what the role of the Welsh Government is in looking at where that nuclear waste, which has been in the news recently, is going. Because it’s clear to me that that is not devolved. Indeed, paragraph 3(2)(4) of Schedule 23 to the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, and I will quote in English, states:

'If it appears to the Secretary of State'—

Os yw'r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol—

ar lefel Deyrnas Unedig—

on a UK level—

'that adequate facilities are not available for the safe disposal or accumulation of radioactive waste, the Secretary of State may—

(a) provide such facilities, or

(b) make arrangements for their provision by such persons as the Secretary of State may think fit.'

o dan yr argraff nad oes cyfleusterau digonol ar gael ar gyfer gwaredu neu gronni gwastraff ymbelydrol yn ddiogel, gall yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol—

(a) ddarparu'r cyfryw gyfleusterau, neu

(b) wneud trefniadau iddynt gael eu darparu gan bwy bynnag y barna'r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol eu bod yn gymwys i wneud hynny.

Mi ofynnaf i eto, felly: oes gan Lywodraeth Cymru ddigon o bwerau gweithredol i allu rhoi veto ar unrhyw safle sy'n cael ei hadnabod ar gyfer wastraff niwclear—gwastraff ymbelydrol, er mwyn gwneud y gwahaniaeth yr oeddech chi'n ei wneud yn eich ateb blaenorol? Oherwydd, eto, mae'n ymddangos i fi bod gan yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol y penderfyniad terfynol.

I will ask again, therefore: does the Welsh Government have sufficient powers in order to veto any site that is identified for nuclear waste—radioactive waste, to make the distinction that you made in your previous response? Because, again, it appears to me that the Secretary of State has the final say.

We made it very clear as a Government—and certainly the UK Government as well—that we didn't identify any sites, the UK Government didn't identify any sites. It was for a community to decide if they wanted to be a site. So, the work that was undertaken, the consultation meetings—well, they were then done on a webinar, as you know, one in south Wales and one in north Wales—were for communities to come forward if they wanted to put their community forward. It's not for the Welsh Government to veto or the UK Government to veto; it's absolutely for the communities themselves. And we did not have a view on whether there should be any site here in Wales; it was for the community to be willing to host it and in those discussions going forward. So, it's not for anybody—either Government—to veto it.

Fe ddywedasom yn glir iawn fel Llywodraeth—ac yn sicr, dywedodd Llywodraeth y DU hefyd—nad oeddem wedi nodi unrhyw safleoedd, nad oedd Llywodraeth y DU wedi nodi unrhyw safleoedd. Mater i gymuned oedd penderfynu a oeddent am fod yn safle. Felly, mae'r gwaith a wnaed, y cyfarfodydd ymgynghori—wel, fe'u cynhaliwyd ar weminar, fel y gwyddoch, un yn ne Cymru ac un yng ngogledd Cymru—fel y gallai'r cymunedau gynnig eu hunain pe baent yn awyddus i wneud hynny. Nid yw hyn yn rhywbeth y gall Llywodraeth Cymru na Llywodraeth y DU roi feto arno; mae'n benderfyniad i'r cymunedau eu hunain. Ac nid oedd gennym farn ynglŷn ag a ddylid cael unrhyw safle yma yng Nghymru; mater i'r gymuned oedd bod yn barod i'w croesawu a chymryd rhan yn y trafodaethau hynny wrth symud ymlaen. Felly, nid yw'n rhywbeth y gall unrhyw un—y naill Lywodraeth na'r llall—roi feto arno.

Wel, dwi ddim cweit yn deall y pwynt rŷch chi'n trio'i wneud, oherwydd, ar ddiwedd y dydd, penderfyniad y Llywodraeth yw e. Rwy'n deall y ffaith eich bod chi am barchu dymuniadau cymunedau, ac fe fyddwn i'n cytuno â chi yn hynny o beth, ond mae'r rheoliadau trwyddedu amgylcheddol dwi wedi cyfeirio atyn nhw'n ei gwneud hi'n gwbl glir, ac mi ddarllenaf i eto:

Well, I don’t quite understand the point that you’re making, because, at the end of the day, it's a decision for Government. I understand the fact that you wish to respect the views of communities, and I would agree with you in that regard, but the environmental licensing regulations make it entirely clear, and I will read again:

'If it appears to the Secretary of State that adequate facilities are not available'—

Os yw'r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol o dan yr argraff nad oes cyfleusterau digonol ar gael—

hynny yw, dyw cymuned ddim eisiau cael y cyfrifoldeb am hwn—

that is, where a community doesn’t want responsibility in this area—

'the Secretary of State may—

(a) provide such facilities'—

gall yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol—

(a) ddarparu'r cyfryw gyfleusterau—

veto, a dweud ei fod yn mynd i ddigwydd, doed a ddelo—

a veto, so it’s going to happen come what may—

'or

(b) make arrangements for their provision by such persons as the Secretary of State may think fit.'

neu

(b) wneud trefniadau iddynt gael eu darparu gan bwy bynnag y barna'r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol eu bod yn gymwys i wneud hynny.

Mae'n ymddangos i fi, Gweinidog, fod yna ddryswych fan hyn. Mi ddylen ni fod lawer cliriach—yn sicr, mi ddylai Lywodraeth Cymru fod lawer cliriach—ynglŷn â ble mae'r cyfrifoldeb yn eistedd, a dyw taflu'r peth nôl a dweud, 'Wel, dyw e ddim lan i ni, mae lan i'r gymuned'—mae'r egwyddor yn iawn, ond, ar ddiwedd y dydd, chi yw'r Gweinidog, chi yw'r Llywodraeth a chi ddylai fod yn gwneud yr achos dros bobl Cymru.

It appears to me, Minister, that there is confusion here. We should have far greater clarity, and certainly the Welsh Government should should be far clearer on where responsibility lies, and throwing it back and saying, ‘Well, it’s not up to us; it’s up to the community’—the principle is fine, but, at the end of the day, you are the Minister, you are the Government, and you should be making the case for the people of Wales.

13:50

So, I absolutely agree that it's right that we manage the waste now. I don't think we should leave it for future generations. Certainly, when I came into this portfolio and this was a question that was sort of bubbling around, and there would be these consultations going forward, I felt it was absolutely right that we dealt with it now, even though it's probably in 20 years' time that this would actually happen, rather than leaving it for future generations. My understanding is, as I set out to you in my earlier answers to your questions, that it would be for a community to be willing to host it, it wasn't for Governments—either Government; UK Government or Welsh Government—to impose on it. I'd be very happy to write to the Member if that is not clarifying his questions enough, but, certainly, a geological disposal facility can only be built in Wales if a community is willing to host it.FootnoteLink

Felly, cytunaf yn llwyr ei bod yn iawn ein bod yn rheoli'r gwastraff yn awr. Ni chredaf y dylem ei adael ar gyfer cenedlaethau'r dyfodol. Yn sicr, pan ddeuthum i'r portffolio hwn, ac roedd hwn yn gwestiwn a oedd yn cael ei ofyn, a byddai'r ymgynghoriadau hyn yn mynd rhagddynt wrth symud ymlaen, roeddwn yn teimlo ei bod yn gwbl iawn ein bod yn mynd i'r afael â hyn yn awr, er mai ymhen 20 mlynedd y byddai hyn yn digwydd yn ôl pob tebyg, yn hytrach na'i adael ar gyfer cenedlaethau'r dyfodol. Yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallaf, fel y nodais yn fy atebion cynharach i'ch cwestiynau, mater i gymuned a fyddai'n barod i'w groesawu fyddai hyn, nid yn rhywbeth i Lywodraethau—y naill Lywodraeth na'r llall; Llywodraeth y DU neu Lywodraeth Cymru—ei orfodi arnynt. Rwy'n fwy na pharod i ysgrifennu at yr Aelod os nad yw hynny'n ddigon o eglurhad i'w gwestiynau, ond yn sicr, ni ellir adeiladu cyfleuster gwaredu daearegol yng Nghymru oni bai fod y gymuned yn barod i'w dderbyn.FootnoteLink

Dirywiad Mewn Rhywogaethau
Species Decline

3. Sut y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn ymateb i'r bygythiad yn sgil dirywiad mewn rhywogaethau? OAQ53860

3. How will the Welsh Government respond to the threat posed by species decline? OAQ53860

Thank you. I am gravely concerned about the global loss of biodiversity. The legislation we've introduced requires all public bodies, including Welsh Ministers, to proactively maintain and enhance biodiversity through the decisions they make. We also provide financial and practical support to community groups to take action in their local area.

Diolch. Rwy'n bryderus iawn ynghylch colli bioamrywiaeth yn fyd-eang. Mae'r ddeddfwriaeth a gyflwynwyd gennym yn ei gwneud yn ofynnol i bob corff cyhoeddus, gan gynnwys Gweinidogion Cymru, fynd ati'n rhagweithiol i gynnal a gwella bioamrywiaeth drwy'r penderfyniadau a wnânt. Rydym hefyd yn darparu cymorth ariannol ac ymarferol i grwpiau cymunedol allu gweithredu yn eu hardal leol.

This month's United Nations report on species decline will, hopefully, be a wake-up call for leaders right across the world. One million species may be pushed to extinction in the next few years. Unless we take drastic action, we as a human species are going to follow them. This isn't a far away problem, for we've seen the same trends here in Wales. The state of nature report reveals that, in Wales, one in 14 species is heading for extinction. Fifty-seven per cent of wild plants, 60 per cent of butterflies and 40 per cent of birds are in decline. The 'State of Birds in Wales 2018' report highlighted that almost a third of birds in Wales are declining significantly. The picture isn't any rosier for fish stocks, as many species, such as salmon, sea trout and sewin, are all at risk all over Wales.

Now, I welcome the declaration of a climate emergency by this Government, but I cannot reconcile this position with the First Minister's assertion that it did not represent, and I quote, 'a sharp difference in policy.' Was that declaration a public relations stunt, and, more importantly, is your First Minister, and indeed this Government as a whole, not paying attention to the warning signs?

Y gobaith yw y bydd adroddiad y Cenhedloedd Unedig y mis hwn ar ddirywiad rhywogaethau yn rhybudd i arweinwyr ledled y byd. Gallai un filiwn o rywogaethau ddiflannu dros y blynyddoedd nesaf. Oni bai ein bod yn rhoi camau difrifol ar waith, fe fyddwn ni fel rhywogaeth ddynol yn eu dilyn. Nid yw hon yn broblem sy'n bell i ffwrdd, gan ein bod wedi gweld yr un tueddiadau yma yng Nghymru. Mae'r adroddiad cyflwr natur yn dangos bod un o bob 14 rhywogaeth yng Nghymru mewn perygl o ddiflannu. Mae 57 y cant o blanhigion gwyllt, 60 y cant o loÿnnod byw a 40 y cant o adar yn dirywio. Amlygodd adroddiad 'State of Birds in Wales 2018' fod bron i draean o adar Cymru yn dirywio'n sylweddol. Nid yw'r darlun yn llawer gwell i stociau pysgod, gan fod llawer o rywogaethau, fel eog, brithylliaid y môr a sewin, mewn perygl ledled Cymru.

Nawr, croesawaf ddatganiad y Llywodraeth hon ar yr argyfwng hinsawdd, ond ni allaf gysoni'r safbwynt hwn â honiad y Prif Weinidog nad oedd yn cynrychioli, a dyfynnaf, 'gwahaniaeth mawr o ran polisi.' Ai sbloet gysylltiadau cyhoeddus oedd y datganiad hwnnw, ac yn bwysicach, a yw eich Prif Weinidog, ac yn wir y Llywodraeth hon yn gyffredinol, yn anwybyddu'r rhybuddion?

Absolutely not. I think the First Minister, from the day he came into post back in December, has made it very clear that biodiversity and climate change mitigation are absolutely one of his top priorities. We all have to look at biodiversity right across Government in relation to our policies.

You're absolutely right—that report last week was hugely concerning. I was saying in my answer to Joyce Watson that it's certainly very sobering reading. You'll be aware that we have the low-carbon delivery plan; again, the First Minister launched it back in March. The proposals and policies—there are 100 policies and proposals in that that, if we implement them, will make great strides in relation to biodiversity and climate change. I was saying that I think biodiversity is as much of a threat as climate change; it's right up there.

You'll also be aware that I, myself, and my Scottish counterparts and UK Government counterparts, asked the UK climate change commission for some advice on the back of the inter-governmental panel report into whether we would reach the levels required by the Paris agreement. I received that advice a week last Thursday. I've met with the UK Committee on Climate Change, some of the members, on two occasions in the past fortnight. Officials are now digesting that advice—it's about 300 pages—to see whether we do need to change our policies, but you will appreciate the low-carbon delivery plan was only launched in March, and I think we need to carry on with those policies and proposals. But it could be that we need to change.

The declaration, I think, was a very positive and strong declaration. I think you can only use the word 'emergency' very sparingly; it's not a word that you can throw around. So, a great deal of thought went into that, and I was very pleased that this Parliament voted then to be the first—we were the first Parliament in the world to endorse that climate change emergency. So, there's a huge amount of work to do. We need to check all our policies and proposals, but I do think we need to start with that low-carbon delivery plan, ensure that we take that forward. But it is absolutely something that we're all looking at across Government.

Ddim o gwbl. Credaf fod y Prif Weinidog, ers y diwrnod y daeth i'r swydd ym mis Rhagfyr, wedi dweud yn glir iawn fod bioamrywiaeth a lliniaru newid yn yr hinsawdd yn un o'i brif flaenoriaethau. Mae'n rhaid i bob un ohonom edrych ar fioamrywiaeth ar draws y Llywodraeth mewn perthynas â'n polisïau.

Rydych yn llygad eich lle—roedd yr adroddiad yr wythnos diwethaf yn destun gofid mawr. Dywedais yn fy ateb i Joyce Watson ei fod yn sicr yn sobreiddiol iawn. Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol fod gennym gynllun cyflawni carbon isel; unwaith eto, fe'i lansiwyd gan y Prif Weinidog yn ôl ym mis Mawrth. Mae'r cynigion a'r polisïau—mae 100 o bolisïau a chynigion yn y cynllun hwnnw a fydd, os cânt eu gweithredu, yn gamau pwysig o ran bioamrywiaeth a newid hinsawdd. Roeddwn yn dweud fy mod yn credu bod bioamrywiaeth yn gymaint o fygythiad â'r newid yn yr hinsawdd; mae ar frig y rhestr.

Fe fyddwch hefyd yn ymwybodol fy mod i a fy swyddogion cyfatebol yn yr Alban ac yn Llywodraeth y DU wedi gofyn i gomisiwn newid hinsawdd y DU am gyngor yn sgil adroddiad y panel rhynglywodraethol a edrychai i weld a fyddem yn cyrraedd y lefelau sy'n ofynnol yng nghytundeb Paris. Cefais y cyngor hwnnw wythnos i ddydd Iau diwethaf. Rwyf wedi cyfarfod â Phwyllgor y DU ar Newid Hinsawdd, rhai o'r aelodau, ar ddau achlysur yn ystod y pythefnos diwethaf. Mae swyddogion yn ystyried y cyngor hwnnw ar hyn o bryd—mae oddeutu 300 o dudalennau o hyd—i weld a oes angen i ni newid ein polisïau, ond fe fyddwch yn deall mai dim ond ym mis Mawrth y lansiwyd y cynllun cyflawni carbon isel, a chredaf fod angen i ni barhau â'r polisïau a'r cynigion hynny. Ond gallai fod angen inni newid.

Roedd y datganiad, yn fy marn i, yn ddatganiad cadarnhaol a chadarn iawn. Credaf na ddylech orddefnyddio'r gair 'argyfwng'; nid yw'n air y gallwch ei ddefnyddio ar chwarae bach. Felly, cafodd hynny gryn dipyn o ystyriaeth, ac roeddwn yn falch iawn fod y Senedd hon wedi pleidleisio i fod yn gyntaf—ni oedd y Senedd gyntaf yn y byd i ategu'r argyfwng newid hinsawdd. Felly, mae llawer iawn o waith i'w wneud. Mae angen i ni wirio ein holl bolisïau ac argymhellion, ond credaf fod angen i ni ddechrau gyda'r cynllun cyflawni carbon isel, sicrhau ein bod yn bwrw ymlaen â hwnnw. Ond yn bendant mae'n rhywbeth y mae pob un ohonom yn ei ystyried ar draws y Llywodraeth.

13:55

I'm pleased that Leanne Wood has asked this question. As you're probably aware, I'm delighted to be the Assembly's species champion for—I can see you leafing over to your page on species champions; well versed—the freshwater pearl mussel, one of the lesser known of the protected species, which is arguably Wales's most endangered species, and one of the most critically endangered species in the world. Now, a healthy population of freshwater pearl mussels is actually a barometer of a healthy river ecosystem. Their decline is due to the fact that they do need very pure water. So, I wonder if you could explain to us, Minister, in addition to what you've told Leanne Wood, what measures is the Welsh Government taking to seek to improve water quality in our rivers across Wales, in a way that will have a positive impact on the survival chances of my species, the freshwater pearl mussel, but also other species as well?

Rwy'n falch fod Leanne Wood wedi gofyn y cwestiwn hwn. Fel y gwyddoch yn ôl pob tebyg, rwy'n falch iawn o fod yn hyrwyddwr rhywogaeth i'r Cynulliad—gallaf eich gweld yn troi i'ch tudalen ar hyrwyddwyr rhywogaethau, wedi hen arfer—ar ran misglen berlog yr afon, un o'r rhai lleiaf adnabyddus o'r rhywogaethau a warchodir, a gellir dadlau mai'r rhywogaeth hon sy'n wynebu'r perygl mwyaf o ddiflannu yng Nghymru, ac mae'n un o'r rhywogaethau sy'n wynebu perygl difrifol o ddiflannu yn y byd. Nawr, mae poblogaeth iach o fisglod perlog yr afon yn faromedr o ecosystem afon iach. Mae eu dirywiad yn deillio o'r ffaith bod angen dŵr pur iawn arnynt. Felly, tybed a allech esbonio i ni, Weinidog, yn ychwanegol at yr hyn rydych wedi'i ddweud wrth Leanne Wood, pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i geisio gwella ansawdd dŵr yn ein hafonydd ledled Cymru, mewn ffordd a fydd yn cael effaith gadarnhaol ar obaith fy rhywogaeth i, misglen berlog yr afon, o oroesi, ond rhywogaethau eraill hefyd?

Thank you. As I say, I think the report was very sobering and very concerning, but I was pleased that it recognised that it's not too late to reverse the trend that we have seen. It's not just up to Government, it's up to everybody, and I think, going back to Leanne Wood's comments around the climate change emergency, that was about galvanising not just Governments but individuals and businesses and communities into action to realise that it is indeed an emergency and we don't have that long to reverse what is happening.

What we're doing is mainstreaming biodiversity into all our decision making. So, when I'm looking at marine policies, for instance, I need to ensure that we are supporting the ecosystem that will ensure that your species does not go into further decline.

Diolch. Fel y dywedais, credaf fod yr adroddiad yn sobreiddiol iawn ac yn achos cryn bryder, ond roeddwn yn falch ei fod yn cydnabod nad yw'n rhy hwyr i wrthdroi'r duedd a welsom. Nid cyfrifoldeb y Llywodraeth yn unig yw hyn, mae'n gyfrifoldeb i bawb, ac i ddychwelyd at sylwadau Leanne Wood ynghylch yr argyfwng newid hinsawdd, credaf fod hynny'n ymwneud ag ysgogi nid yn unig Llywodraethau ond unigolion a busnesau a chymunedau i weithredu ac i sylweddoli bod hwn yn argyfwng gwirioneddol ac nad oes llawer o amser gennym i wrthdroi'r hyn sy'n digwydd.

Yr hyn rydym yn ei wneud yw prif ffrydio bioamrywiaeth i'n holl benderfyniadau. Felly, pan fyddaf yn ystyried polisïau morol, er enghraifft, mae angen i mi sicrhau ein bod yn cefnogi'r ecosystem a fydd yn sicrhau na fydd eich rhywogaeth yn dirywio ymhellach.

The ecosystem runs in equilibrium, but the loss of predators at the top of the food chain is going to lead to some species expanding, causing further damage to the ecosystem. We're amidst the largest period of species extinction in the last 60 million years. Habitat destruction, exploitation and climate change are driving the loss of over half the world's wild animal population. What is the Welsh Government doing to protect the natural habitat of Wales? Especially, what are you doing to stop people taking action that stops birds nesting? I'm not a species champion for any bird.

Mae'r ecosystem yn cael ei chynnal drwy gydbwysedd, ond bydd colli ysglyfaethwyr ar frig y gadwyn fwyd yn arwain at gynnydd mewn rhai rhywogaethau, gan achosi niwed pellach i'r ecosystem. Rydym ynghanol y cyfnod mwyaf o rywogaethau'n cael eu colli ers 60 miliwn o flynyddoedd. Mae dinistrio cynefinoedd, ecsbloetio a newid yn yr hinsawdd yn mynd i arwain at golli dros hanner poblogaeth anifeiliaid gwyllt y byd. Beth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i ddiogelu cynefin naturiol Cymru? Yn fwyaf arbennig, beth a wnewch chi i atal pobl rhag cymryd camau sy'n atal adar rhag nythu? Nid wyf yn hyrwyddwr rhywogaeth ar ran unrhyw aderyn.

Thank you. We have our natural resources policy, and that obviously sets out our priorities to enable us to reverse the decline in biodiversity and achieve more resilient ecosystems. I mentioned in my answer to Joyce Watson that we're refreshing the nature recovery action plan, because that will then give us the key actions and mechanisms that we will need to take forward to make that real difference.

Netting is an issue that's come across my desk quite frequently in the last few weeks, and I think it's really important that developers understand that that policy is there only to be used very sparingly and very specifically, and I will be writing out to local authorities to remind them of that.

Diolch. Mae gennym ein polisi adnoddau naturiol, ac yn amlwg, mae hwnnw'n nodi ein blaenoriaethau i'n galluogi i wrthdroi'r dirywiad mewn bioamrywiaeth a sicrhau ecosystemau mwy gwydn. Soniais yn fy ateb i Joyce Watson ein bod yn adnewyddu'r cynllun gweithredu adfer natur, gan y bydd hwnnw'n rhoi inni'r camau a'r mecanweithiau allweddol y bydd angen i ni eu rhoi ar waith er mwyn wneud y gwahaniaeth real hwnnw.

Mae rhwydo yn fater sydd wedi cyrraedd fy nesg droeon dros yr wythnosau diwethaf, a chredaf ei bod yn bwysig iawn fod datblygwyr yn deall mai yn gynnil iawn ac mewn amgylchiadau penodol iawn y dylid defnyddio'r polisi hwnnw, a byddaf yn ysgrifennu at awdurdodau lleol i'w hatgoffa o hynny.

Colledion Mewn Bioamrywiaeth
Biodiversity Loss

4. Pa gamau y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i atal a gwrthdroi colledion mewn bioamrywiaeth? OAQ53864

4. What steps will the Welsh Government take to halt and reverse biodiversity loss? OAQ53864

10. A wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i hyrwyddo bioamrywiaeth? OAQ53839

10. Will the Minister outline what actions the Welsh Government is taking to promote biodiversity? OAQ53839

Thank you. Presiding Officer, I understand that you've given your permission for questions 4 and 10 to be grouped.

Halting and reversing biodiversity in Wales requires transformational change, and this Welsh Government is determined to be the catalyst. Our focus now must be on building on the actions already under way. We will build on the action we are doing through major new policies, including our Wales marine plan, a refreshed nature recovery action plan, a national forest for Wales, and a new system of support for farming post Brexit.

Diolch. Lywydd, deallaf eich bod wedi rhoi caniatâd i gwestiynau 4 a 10 gael eu grwpio.

Mae angen newid trawsnewidiol er mwyn atal a gwrthdroi bioamrywiaeth yng Nghymru, ac mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn benderfynol o fod yn gatalydd. Mae'n rhaid i ni ganolbwyntio bellach ar adeiladu ar y camau gweithredu sydd eisoes ar waith. Byddwn yn adeiladu ar y camau rydym yn eu cymryd drwy bolisïau newydd pwysig, gan gynnwys cynllun morol Cymru, cynllun gweithredu adfer natur wedi'i ddiweddaru, coedwig genedlaethol i Gymru, a system newydd o gymorth i ffermio ar ôl Brexit.

I welcome that response. As many others, I'm a species champion. I'm the species champion for lapwing here in the Assembly, and we know that we've gone from 7,500 breeding pairs within Wales since the 1980s to now fewer than 700, despite good work by people such as the Wildlife Trusts and others. The IPBES report shows the scale of the challenge, and we do face—. Whichever way you want to frame it, it is a crisis, it is an emergency, and it's not a new one. It's one that we've faced repeatedly through successive Governments as well, at a UK and a Wales level.

One appeal that I would make to the Minister in seeking to galvanise her and seeking to help her in terms of discussions with Cabinet colleagues is that we should try and address climate change and biodiversity together. Whilst they will have separate strands, there is a great deal of overlap in this, and too often within Government we've done one or the other and focused from time to time. Both need to be done together.

Secondly, and recognising the good work that the Government is doing already, about how we're going to need to step this up, and recognising that we have a progressive Minister here in front of us, could I suggest—just make some suggestions? And the First Minister, I hope, will be listening, so I'm adding to her strength here around the Cabinet table. We will need to look at the resources going forward and increasing the resources towards funding of halting and reversing biodiversity loss and the loss of nature. We will need to commit, carte blanche, to say that we will restore, enhance, connect all our important habitats, and actively invest in the recovery of species. We may need to consider legal targets for nature's recovery. We will need to look at ramping up step change in sustainable biodiversity-based food systems within Wales, and all that brings with it, and using nature-based solutions in a real, meaningful way, as highlighted in the IPBES report. 

Rwy'n croesawu eich ymateb. Fel cynifer o bobl eraill, rwy'n hyrwyddwr rhywogaeth. Fi yw hyrwyddwr rhywogaeth y gornchwiglen yma yn y Cynulliad, a gwyddom ein bod wedi mynd o 7,500 o barau nythu yng Nghymru yn y 1980au i lai na 700 yn awr, er gwaethaf gwaith da gan bobl fel yr Ymddiriedolaethau Natur ac eraill. Mae adroddiad IPBES yn dangos maint yr her, ac rydym yn wynebu—. Pa ffordd bynnag yr edrychwch ar hyn, mae'n argyfwng, mae'n fater o frys, ac nid yw'n un newydd. Mae'n un rydym wedi'i wynebu dro ar ôl tro drwy Lywodraethau olynol hefyd, ar lefel y DU a Chymru.

Un apêl y buaswn yn ei gwneud i'r Gweinidog wrth geisio ei hysgogi a cheisio rhoi cymorth iddi o ran trafodaethau â chyd-aelodau o'r Cabinet yw y dylem geisio ymdrin â newid hinsawdd a bioamrywiaeth gyda'i gilydd. Er bod iddynt elfennau ar wahân, ceir llawer iawn o orgyffwrdd, ac yn rhy aml yn y Llywodraeth rydym wedi canolbwyntio ar y naill neu'r llall o bryd i'w gilydd. Mae angen gwneud y ddau beth gyda'i gilydd.

Yn ail, a chan gydnabod y gwaith da y mae'r Llywodraeth yn ei wneud eisoes, o ran y modd y bydd angen i ni gynyddu ein hymdrechion, a chan gydnabod bod gennym Weinidog blaengar yma o'n blaenau, a gaf fi awgrymu—a gaf fi wneud rhai awgrymiadau? A bydd y Prif Weinidog yn gwrando gobeithio, felly rwy'n ychwanegu at ei chryfder yma o amgylch bwrdd y Cabinet. Bydd angen i ni edrych ar yr adnoddau yn y dyfodol a chynyddu'r adnoddau tuag at ariannu'r gwaith o atal a gwrthdroi colli bioamrywiaeth a cholli natur. Bydd angen i ni ymrwymo'n gyfan gwbl i ddweud y byddwn yn adfer, yn gwella, yn cysylltu ein holl gynefinoedd pwysig, a buddsoddi'n weithredol mewn adfer rhywogaethau. Efallai y bydd angen i ni ystyried targedau cyfreithiol ar gyfer adfer natur. Bydd angen i ni ystyried cynyddu newidiadau sylweddol o ran systemau bwyd sy'n seiliedig ar fioamrywiaeth gynaliadwy yng Nghymru, a phopeth a ddaw yn sgil hynny, a defnyddio atebion sy'n seiliedig ar natur mewn ffordd real ac ystyrlon, fel yr amlygwyd yn adroddiad IPBES.

14:00

Indeed. Could I then ask, after those helpful suggestions—? Diolch, Llywydd. I'm sorry. I've tested your patience. Could I then ask: would she explore with Cabinet colleagues radical action that could include using our tax-varying powers in Wales to look at banning, taxing or even putting environmental levies on environmental bads to fund environmental goods? 

Yn wir. A gaf fi ofyn, felly, ar ôl yr awgrymiadau defnyddiol hynny—? Diolch, Lywydd. Mae'n ddrwg gennyf. Rwyf wedi profi eich amynedd. A gaf fi ofyn, felly: gyda'i chyd-aelodau o'r Cabinet, a wnaiff hi ystyried camau radical a allai gynnwys defnyddio ein pwerau amrywio trethi yng Nghymru i ystyried gwahardd, trethu neu osod ardollau amgylcheddol hyd yn oed ar bethau sy'n amgylcheddol wael er mwyn ariannu pethau amgylcheddol dda?

Thank you, Huw Irranca-Davies, for your helpful comments and, certainly, your help with my ministerial colleagues. Certainly, I don't think that I need any help with the First Minister. As I said in my answer to Leanne Wood, the First Minister, from the day that he came into post, has made it very clear that climate change and biodiversity—and I think you're quite right, it is a twin-track approach—is one of his top priorities. Certainly, as we go through the budget process, biodiversity is a theme that will be looked at very closely, alongside all colleagues who are making budget agreements and policies, going forward.

You will have heard me say that the report was deeply concerning, but, as I say, there was a positive element to it, in the fact that it's not too late to do that. You do make two very helpful suggestions. The one about legal targets: I remember when the environment Act was going through this place about four or five years ago, it was looked at whether an introduction of biodiversity targets into that Bill would be an effective method of improving biodiversity in Wales. But, I think that it was decided that it would not—that, in fact, it could have a perverse outcome. So, that wasn't the way forward.

In relation to using our new tax-raising powers, again, I can give full consideration to that, along with my colleague the Minister for Finance, as to whether that would give us an opportunity. We've already got the landfill disposals tax scheme, which the Member will be aware of, and we've seen some significant funding going into those schemes to help in that way. 

Diolch, Huw Irranca-Davies, am eich sylwadau defnyddiol, ac yn sicr, am eich cymorth gyda fy nghyd-Weinidogion. Yn sicr, ni chredaf fod angen unrhyw gymorth arnaf gyda'r Prif Weinidog. Fel y dywedais yn fy ateb i Leanne Wood, mae'r Prif Weinidog, o'r dydd y daeth i'r swydd, wedi dweud yn glir iawn fod y newid yn yr hinsawdd a bioamrywiaeth—a chredaf eich bod yn llygad eich lle, mae'r ddau beth yn rhedeg ochr yn ochr—yn un o'i brif flaenoriaethau. Yn sicr, wrth inni fynd drwy broses y gyllideb, mae bioamrywiaeth yn thema a fydd yn cael ei hystyried yn ofalus iawn gan bob cyd-Aelod sy'n llunio cytundebau cyllidebol a pholisïau ar gyfer y dyfodol.

Byddwch wedi fy nghlywed yn dweud bod yr adroddiad yn peri cryn bryder, ond fel y dywedais, roedd elfen gadarnhaol iddo, yn yr ystyr nad yw'n rhy hwyr i wneud hynny. Rydych yn gwneud dau awgrym defnyddiol iawn. Yr un am dargedau cyfreithiol: rwy'n cofio pan oedd Deddf yr amgylchedd yn mynd drwy'r lle hwn oddeutu pedair neu bum mlynedd yn ôl, a buom yn ystyried a fyddai cyflwyno targedau bioamrywiaeth i'r Bil hwnnw'n ffordd effeithiol o wella bioamrywiaeth yng Nghymru. Ond credaf ein bod wedi penderfynu na fyddai'n gwneud hynny—mewn gwirionedd, gwelsom y gallai arwain at ganlyniadau niweidiol. Felly, nid dyna oedd y ffordd ymlaen.

O ran defnyddio ein pwerau codi trethi newydd, unwaith eto, gallaf roi ystyriaeth lawn i hynny, gyda fy nghyd-Aelod, y Gweinidog Cyllid, i weld a fyddai'n rhoi cyfle inni. Mae cynllun y dreth gwarediadau tirlenwi gennym eisoes, fel y gŵyr yr Aelod, ac rydym wedi gweld arian sylweddol yn mynd tuag at y cynlluniau hynny i helpu yn y ffordd honno.

Thank you, Minister. I, too, wanted to ask a question on the IPBES report, and note your earlier answers. I think the fact that so many of us have asked questions around biodiversity today shows just how important the topic is to all of us. So, I would like to ask you about how you intend to retain and enhance environmental protections derived from the EU. I know that the RSPB has mentioned creating a strong, independent watchdog to receive and act on citizens' complaints, and the need to guarantee that our laws are as strong, or are stronger than, as a member of the EU. So, what are your thoughts on this?

Diolch, Weinidog. Roeddwn innau, hefyd, yn awyddus i ofyn cwestiwn am adroddiad IPBES, a nodaf eich atebion cynharach. Credaf fod y ffaith bod cynifer ohonom wedi gofyn cwestiynau ynglŷn â bioamrywiaeth heddiw yn dangos pa mor bwysig yw'r pwnc i bob un ohonom. Felly, hoffwn ofyn i chi sut y bwriadwch gadw a gwella amddiffyniadau amgylcheddol sy'n deillio o'r UE. Gwn fod yr RSPB wedi crybwyll creu corff gwarchod annibynnol, cryf i dderbyn a gweithredu ar gwynion dinasyddion, a'r angen i warantu bod ein cyfreithiau mor gryf, neu'n gryfach na phe baem yn aelod o'r UE. Felly, beth yw eich barn ar hyn?

Thank you for that question. Certainly, I've made it very clear that we don't want to see any diminishment of our environmental protections that we've had in the EU. If anything, we want to enhance them. The Member will be aware that we are out to consultation on governance and principles at the current time. That consultation closes on 9 June. I would encourage everybody to put forward their responses. Certainly, I am working with stakeholders and seeking their views and advice in relation to post Brexit.

You will be aware of the ministerial round-table that I have, and the RSPB are a member of my round-table. They've certainly mentioned that we could look at a strong, independent watchdog. Clearly, there are organisations in place at the current time that could look at that, but we want to ensure that there's no gap from leaving the EU. So, when we have the consultation responses, and we've had a chance to consider those, then we will be able to come forward with whether we think that that is actually the way forward. But, certainly, there has to be somewhere where citizens can go, post Brexit, if they can't go to the European court like they can at the current time.

Diolch am eich cwestiwn. Yn sicr, rwyf wedi dweud yn glir iawn nad ydym am weld unrhyw leihad yn yr amddiffyniadau amgylcheddol a gawsom yn yr UE. Os rhywbeth, rydym am eu gwella. Bydd yr Aelod yn ymwybodol ein bod wrthi'n ymgynghori ar lywodraethiant ac egwyddorion ar hyn o bryd. Daw'r ymgynghoriad hwnnw i ben ar 9 Mehefin. Buaswn yn annog pawb i gyflwyno eu hymatebion. Yn sicr, rwy'n gweithio gyda rhanddeiliaid ac yn gofyn am eu barn a'u cyngor mewn perthynas â materion ôl-Brexit.

Fe fyddwch yn gwybod am fy nghyfarfodydd gweinidogol o amgylch y bwrdd, ac mae'r RSPB yn aelod o'r cyfarfodydd hynny. Maent yn sicr wedi crybwyll y gallem edrych ar gorff gwarchod cryf, annibynnol. Yn amlwg, mae sefydliadau i'w cael ar hyn o bryd a allai edrych ar hynny, ond rydym am sicrhau na cheir bwlch yn sgil gadael yr UE. Felly, pan fyddwn wedi cael yr ymatebion i'r ymgynghoriad, ac wedi cael cyfle i'w hystyried, bydd modd inni ddweud wedyn a ydym yn credu mai dyna'r ffordd ymlaen mewn gwirionedd. Ond yn sicr, mae'n rhaid sicrhau bod rhywle y gall dinasyddion fynd, ar ôl Brexit, os na allant fynd i'r llys Ewropeaidd fel y gallant wneud ar hyn o bryd.

Minister, the red squirrel is the species that I'm the species champion of, and I'm very fortunate to have a good red squirrel population in the Clocaenog forest in my own constituency and, indeed, a breeding centre in the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay. But the red squirrel population has fallen to about 1,500 red squirrels across Wales at the moment. Most of them are on the isle of Anglesey. I've been fortunate enough to have visited the projects both in Anglesey and in Clocaenog, and I know that one of the challenges that the projects face is the continuity of funding from one project to the next. So I wonder what action the Welsh Government can take in order that there can be a more sustainable approach to funding for the core activities of organisations like the Clocaenog Red Squirrel Trust and the Red Squirrels Trust Wales, which has undertaken some very important work in protecting this iconic species here in Wales.

Weinidog, y wiwer goch yw'r rhywogaeth rwy'n ei hyrwyddo, ac rwy'n ffodus iawn fod yna boblogaeth dda o wiwerod coch yng nghoedwig Clocaenog yn fy etholaeth, ac yn wir, canolfan fridio yn Sw Mynydd Cymru ym Mae Colwyn. Ond mae poblogaeth y wiwer goch wedi gostwng i oddeutu 1,500 o wiwerod coch ledled Cymru ar hyn o bryd. Mae'r rhan fwyaf ohonynt ar Ynys Môn. Cefais y fraint o ymweld â'r prosiectau ar Ynys Môn ac yng Nghlocaenog, a gwn mai un o'r heriau y mae'r prosiectau'n eu hwynebu yw parhad cyllid o un prosiect i'r llall. Felly, tybed pa gamau y gall Llywodraeth Cymru eu cymryd er mwyn sicrhau dull mwy cynaliadwy o ariannu gweithgarwch craidd sefydliadau fel Ymddiriedolaeth Wiwerod Coch Clocaenog ac Ymddiriedolaeth Gwiwerod Coch Cymru, sydd wedi gwneud gwaith pwysig iawn yn amddiffyn y rhywogaeth eiconig hon yng Nghymru.

14:05

Thank you. I'm very pleased, Llywydd, that I brought my list of species champions for Assembly Members this afternoon. I'm obviously very aware of the red squirrel population in the forest that the Member refers to. NRW are working very closely with the Red Squirrels Trust Wales through their Red Squirrels United project, and that's really engaged a significant number of volunteers to establish the Clocaenog Red Squirrel Trust. Obviously funding is an issue that I have to look at on a case-by-case basis. I want to make as many projects like this as I can sustainable, so we will be looking at that in the next round of sustainable management grants.

Diolch. Rwy'n falch iawn, Lywydd, fy mod wedi dod â fy rhestr o hyrwyddwyr rhywogaethau ar gyfer Aelodau'r Cynulliad y prynhawn yma. Rwy'n amlwg yn ymwybodol iawn o boblogaeth y wiwer goch yn y goedwig y cyfeiria'r Aelod ati. Mae Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn gweithio'n agos iawn gydag Ymddiriedolaeth Gwiwerod Coch Cymru drwy eu prosiect Red Squirrels United, ac mae hynny wedi golygu bod nifer sylweddol o wirfoddolwyr wedi ymrwymo i sefydlu Ymddiriedolaeth Wiwerod Coch Clocaenog. Yn amlwg, mae cyllid yn fater y mae'n rhaid i mi ei ystyried fesul achos. Rwyf am sicrhau bod cymaint â phosibl o brosiectau o'r fath yn gynaliadwy, felly byddwn yn edrych ar hynny yn y rownd nesaf o grantiau rheoli cynaliadwy.

Newid yn yr Hinsawdd
Climate Change

5. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i fynd i'r afael â newid yn yr hinsawdd? OAQ53862

5. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to address climate change? OAQ53862

'Prosperity for All: A Low Carbon Wales' sets out 100 policies and proposals to meet our current carbon budget and set a longer term decarbonisation trajectory for Wales. We have subsequently become the first parliament in the world to vote in favour of the declaration of a climate emergency. 

Mae 'Ffyniant i Bawb: Cymru Carbon Isel' yn nodi 100 o bolisïau ac argymhellion i gyflawni ein cyllideb garbon gyfredol a nodi trywydd datgarboneiddio i Gymru ar gyfer y tymor hwy. Ers hynny, daethom yn senedd gyntaf y byd i bleidleisio o blaid y datganiad argyfwng newid hinsawdd.

Diolch, Weinidog. It's one thing to declare a climate change emergency, but as I'm sure you would admit, it's more difficult to take the difficult steps to deal with that. As former American Vice-President Al Gore described it, it's an inconvenient truth that we all must face up to. Promoting electric cars and charging points, as Rhun ap Iorwerth has been doing outside the Senedd today, is clearly one way forward to try and address things on the ground. There's also some radical work going on on the issue of climate repair at Cambridge university, which has been looking at carbon sinks and issues such as reforestation. What are you doing to promote similar research here in Wales, and how are you promoting the development in future of carbon sinks such as new forests to make sure that we don't just deal with the issue of the problems you've got at the moment, but in the future perhaps we can turn the clock back in some ways and try and improve the climate, not just stabilise it?

Diolch, Weinidog. Un peth yw datgan argyfwng newid hinsawdd, ond fel y byddech yn cyfaddef rwy'n siŵr, mae'n anos rhoi'r camau anodd ar waith i fynd i'r afael â hynny. Fel y'i disgrifiwyd gan Al Gore, cyn Is-arlywydd America, mae'n wirionedd anghyfleus y mae'n rhaid i bob un ohonom ei wynebu. Mae hyrwyddo ceir trydan a phwyntiau gwefru, fel y bu Rhun ap Iorwerth yn ei wneud y tu allan i'r Senedd heddiw, yn amlwg yn un ffordd ymlaen i geisio mynd i'r afael â phethau ar lawr gwlad. Mae gwaith radical yn mynd rhagddo hefyd ar wella'r hinsawdd ym mhrifysgol Caergrawnt, sydd wedi bod yn edrych ar ddalfeydd carbon a phethau fel ailgoedwigo. Beth a wnewch chi i hyrwyddo ymchwil tebyg yma yng Nghymru, a sut yr ewch ati i hyrwyddo datblygiad dalfeydd carbon, megis coedwigoedd newydd, yn y dyfodol er mwyn sicrhau ein bod yn gwneud mwy nag ymdrin â'r problemau sydd gennym ar hyn o bryd, ond yn y dyfodol, efallai y gallwn droi'r cloc yn ôl mewn rhai ffyrdd a cheisio gwella'r hinsawdd, yn hytrach na dim ond ei sefydlogi?

Thank you. You will have heard me mention in an earlier answer that the reason we declared a climate emergency was to ensure that we did galvanise not just Governments but businesses, communities and individuals to take action now. It's very important we take action now. You suggest a couple of ways we can do this, and I go back to the low-carbon delivery plan. There are 100 policies and proposals, some of them for the future, that we need to do if we are going to decarbonise and have this positive impact on climate change.

I mentioned businesses. I was very pleased to meet with Hafren Dyfrdwy, which Members will be aware of—the water company—last week. They were telling me, for instance, they've taken a triple pledge to achieve net zero carbon and 100 per cent electric vehicles, going back to what you were saying about electric vehicles, and 100 per cent energy from renewable sources by 2030. It’s that sort of action that we need to take in order to address the climate change emergency. So, I'm looking very carefully at those proposals and policies that the First Minister introduced in March. I mentioned about the UK Committee on Climate Change advice that we've been given, and officials are currently looking at the 300 pages of advice. They've suggested that we are able to achieve 95 per cent carbon emission reduction by 2050, so I need to look at that very carefully, and then we'll bring forward a further statement.

Diolch. Byddwch wedi fy nghlywed yn dweud mewn ateb cynharach mai'r rheswm pam y gwnaethom ddatgan argyfwng hinsawdd oedd i sicrhau ein bod yn ysgogi nid yn unig Llywodraethau ond busnesau, cymunedau ac unigolion i weithredu ar unwaith. Mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod yn gweithredu ar unwaith. Rydych yn awgrymu ychydig o ffyrdd y gallwn wneud hyn, a dychwelaf at y cynllun cyflawni carbon isel. Ceir 100 o bolisïau ac argymhellion sy'n rhaid inni eu rhoi ar waith, rai ohonynt ar gyfer y dyfodol, os ydym am ddatgarboneiddio a chael yr effaith gadarnhaol hon ar newid yn yr hinsawdd.

Soniais am fusnesau. Roeddwn yn falch iawn o gyfarfod â Hafren Dyfrdwy, y bydd yr Aelodau'n gwybod amdanynt—y cwmni dŵr—yr wythnos diwethaf. Dywedasant wrthyf, er enghraifft, eu bod wedi gwneud addewid triphlyg i gyrraedd dim carbon net a chyfradd 100 y cant o gerbydau trydan, gan gyfeirio'n ôl at yr hyn a ddywedoch am gerbydau trydan, a 100 y cant o ynni o ffynonellau adnewyddadwy erbyn 2030. Y math hwnnw o weithredu sydd ei angen arnom er mwyn mynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng newid yn yr hinsawdd. Felly, rwy'n edrych yn ofalus iawn ar yr argymhellion a'r polisïau hynny a gyflwynwyd gan y Prif Weinidog ym mis Mawrth. Soniais am y cyngor a roddwyd i ni gan Bwyllgor y DU ar Newid Hinsawdd, ac mae swyddogion wrthi'n edrych ar y 300 tudalen o gyngor. Maent wedi awgrymu y gallem sicrhau gostyngiad o 95 y cant mewn allyriadau carbon erbyn 2050, felly mae angen i mi ystyried hynny'n ofalus iawn, ac yna byddwn yn gwneud datganiad pellach.

Minister, the Welsh Labour Government has shown strong strategic and stable leadership for the Welsh nation by declaring a climate emergency, as acknowledged by climate extinction activist Greta Thunberg. Recently the Welsh Government received advice from the Committee on Climate Change recommending that emissions of greenhouse gases in Wales can and must fall by 95 per cent over the next 30 years to make our ambitious contribution to the commitments made in the Paris agreement. Minister, you've also stated that the Welsh Government has agreed to review Wales's 2050 target and report back to the National Assembly before setting the third Wales carbon budget by the end of 2020. So, therefore, what further strategic initiatives are the Welsh Government considering to proactively meet the climate emergency, so that Wales can lead by example, showing up the shocking vacuum of leadership from the likes of climate denier Donald Trump and those in the UK who share that political view?

Weinidog, mae Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru wedi dangos arweinyddiaeth strategol gref a sefydlog ar ran Cymru drwy ddatgan argyfwng hinsawdd, fel y cydnabu Greta Thunberg, yr ymgyrchydd newid hinsawdd. Yn ddiweddar, cafodd Llywodraeth Cymru gyngor gan y Pwyllgor ar Newid Hinsawdd a oedd yn argymell y gallai ac y dylai allyriadau nwyon tŷ gwydr yng Nghymru ostwng 95 y cant dros y 30 mlynedd nesaf er mwyn gwneud ein cyfraniad uchelgeisiol i'r ymrwymiadau a wnaed yng nghytundeb Paris. Weinidog, rydych hefyd wedi dweud bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cytuno i adolygu targed Cymru ar gyfer 2050 ac adrodd yn ôl i'r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol cyn pennu trydedd gyllideb garbon Cymru erbyn diwedd 2020. Felly, pa fentrau strategol pellach y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu hystyried er mwyn mynd ati'n rhagweithiol i wrthsefyll yr argyfwng hinsawdd, fel y gall Cymru arwain drwy esiampl, ac amlygu'r bwlch brawychus yn yr arweinyddiaeth gan bobl fel y gwadwr newid hinsawdd Donald Trump, a'r rheini yn y DU sy'n rhannu'r farn wleidyddol honno?

14:10

Thank you. I mentioned that officials are currently digesting the advice we had from the UK CCC, but we are also reviewing the urgency of actions in our low-carbon plan to see where we can take further action following the declaration. I chair the ministerial task and finish group—which is a cross-Government group—and I've made it a priority for that group to have a look at how we can address that. We fully recognise the urgency of tackling climate change. We may be a small country, but we take our responsibility globally very, very seriously, and we need to do it in a way that maximises the wider benefits for society as we move to a low-carbon economy.

I go back to what I was saying. I think it was really important to make that declaration, to galvanise others to have that trigger—a wave of action at home and internationally, for everybody to come together to recognise the crisis that we do have. Wales is part of the Under2 coalition—we're actually on the steering group—and I've been very fortunate to attend conferences with other states and regions to see the work that's done right across the world. The coalition is made up of about 220 governments right across the world, and they represent over 1.3 billion people and 43 per cent of the global economy. It's important that we learn from other countries, but I think it is only through taking action at home that we can stimulate other actions right across the world.

Diolch. Soniais fod swyddogion wrthi'n ystyried y cyngor a gawsom gan Bwyllgor y DU ar Newid Hinsawdd, ond rydym hefyd yn adolygu brys y camau gweithredu yn ein cynllun carbon isel i weld ble y gallwn gymryd camau pellach yn dilyn y datganiad. Rwy'n cadeirio grŵp gorchwyl a gorffen y Gweinidog—sy'n grŵp trawslywodraethol—ac rwyf wedi sicrhau bod edrych ar sut y gallwn fynd i'r afael â hynny yn flaenoriaeth i'r grŵp hwnnw. Rydym yn llwyr gydnabod y brys i fynd i'r afael â newid hinsawdd. Efallai ein bod yn wlad fach, ond rydym yn cymryd ein cyfrifoldeb byd-eang o ddifrif, ac mae angen i ni wneud hynny mewn ffordd sy'n darparu cymaint â phosibl o fanteision ehangach i gymdeithas wrth i ni newid i economi carbon isel.

Rwy'n mynd yn ôl at yr hyn roeddwn yn ei ddweud. Credaf ei bod yn wirioneddol bwysig gwneud y datganiad hwnnw, er mwyn ysgogi eraill i gael y sbardun hwnnw—ton o weithredu gartref ac yn rhyngwladol, i bawb ddod at ei gilydd i gydnabod yr argyfwng sy'n ein hwynebu. Mae Cymru'n rhan o gynghrair Dan2—rydym ar y grŵp llywio mewn gwirionedd—ac rwyf wedi bod yn ffodus iawn i fynychu cynadleddau gyda gwladwriaethau a rhanbarthau eraill i weld y gwaith sy'n mynd rhagddo ym mhob rhan o'r byd. Mae'r gynghrair yn cynnwys oddeutu 220 o lywodraethau o bob cwr o'r byd, ac maent yn cynrychioli dros 1.3 biliwn o bobl a 43 y cant o economi'r byd. Mae'n bwysig ein bod yn dysgu gan wledydd eraill, ond credaf mai dim ond drwy weithredu gartref y gallwn ysgogi gweithredoedd eraill ledled y byd.

Y Diwydiant Bwyd a Diod
The Food and Drink Industry

6. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi ac yn hyrwyddo'r diwydiant bwyd a diod yng nghanolbarth Cymru? OAQ53838

6. Will the Minister make a statement on how the Welsh Government supports and promotes the food and drink industry in mid Wales? OAQ53838

Thank you. The Welsh Government is supporting the growth of the food and drink industry across all of Wales. A £10 million call for proposals for investment in food businesses opened at the beginning of May. I intend to publish a consultation on future plans to develop the food and drink industry beyond 2020 by July.

Diolch. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi twf y diwydiant bwyd a diod ledled Cymru. Agorodd galwad £10 miliwn am gynigion i fuddsoddi mewn busnesau bwyd ddechrau mis Mai. Rwy'n bwriadu cyhoeddi ymgynghoriad ar gynlluniau yn y dyfodol i ddatblygu'r diwydiant bwyd a diod y tu hwnt i 2020 erbyn mis Gorffennaf.

Thank you for your answer, Minister. Later today, I'm a supporter of Jenny Rathbone's motion in regard to healthy school meals. In particular, I would like to see an increase in the amount of food for schools being procured locally. Can I ask, what is the Welsh Government doing to assist local authorities, such as Powys County Council and others, to source ingredients locally, where that is, indeed, possible, to improve food traceability, reduce food mileage and to ensure that school meals can be fresher, tastier, more nutritious, better for the environment and better for the local economy?

Diolch am eich ateb, Weinidog. Yn ddiweddarach heddiw, rwy'n cefnogi cynnig Jenny Rathbone mewn perthynas â phrydau ysgol iach. Yn benodol, hoffwn weld cynnydd o ran faint o fwyd i ysgolion sy'n cael ei gaffael yn lleol. A gaf fi ofyn beth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i gynorthwyo awdurdodau lleol, fel Cyngor Sir Powys ac eraill, i gael gafael ar gynhwysion yn lleol, lle mae hynny'n bosibl, i wella'r gallu i olrhain bwyd, lleihau milltiredd bwyd a sicrhau y gall prydau ysgol fod yn fwy ffres, yn fwy blasus, yn fwy maethlon, yn well i'r amgylchedd ac yn well i'r economi leol?

Absolutely. So, again, this is cross-Government working with several Ministers to ensure this happens. I think procurement is an area where we have a big opportunity. If we're clutching opportunities post Brexit, I think this is one area that we can do that. And as you say, if we buy local produce, it helps not just our farmers and our food producers, but also our climate.

Yn sicr. Felly, unwaith eto, mae hwn yn waith trawslywodraethol gyda nifer o Weinidogion i sicrhau bod hyn yn digwydd. Credaf fod caffael yn faes lle mae gennym gyfle mawr. Os ydym yn ceisio bachu ar gyfleoedd ar ôl Brexit, credaf fod hwn yn un maes lle gallwn wneud hynny. Ac fel y dywedwch, os prynwn gynnyrch lleol, mae'n helpu ein ffermwyr a'n cynhyrchwyr bwyd, ac mae'n helpu ein hinsawdd hefyd.

Dwi'n meddwl mai un peth sy'n bwysig o ran busnesau cynhyrchu bwyd yn y canolbarth, fel yn fy etholaeth i yn Ynys Môn, ydy sicrhau bod yna ddigon o eiddo addas ar gael ar gyfer busnesau sy'n dymuno datblygu yn y maes yma. Mae gen i lythyr sy'n barod i gael ei anfon atoch chi—mi wnaf i hynny heddiw—ynglŷn â'r egwyddor yma o sicrhau bod yna ddigon o eiddo ar gael. Ac mi fyddwn i'n croesawu gennych chi adduned y byddwch chi'n barod i weithio efo fi, fel Aelodau sy'n cynrychioli'r canolbarth, ar ffyrdd o sicrhau bod y math yna o eiddo ar gael. Oherwydd yn fy etholaeth i yn ddiweddar, er enghraifft, mae yna sawl busnes wedi tyfu yn y sector bwyd, lle dwi'n dal yn credu y byddai eiddo wedi'i ddarparu'n benodol ar eu cyfer nhw yn gweithio'n well.

Thank you very much. I think one thing that’s important in terms of food production companies in mid Wales, like my constituency in Anglesey, is to ensure that there is enough appropriate property available for businesses who wish to develop in this area. I do have a letter that’s ready to be sent to you—and I will do that today—about the principle of ensuring that there are adequate premises available. And I would welcome a pledge from you that you would be willing to work with me, as with other Members representing mid Wales, on ways of ensuring that those kinds of premises are available. Because in my constituency recently, a number of businesses have grown in the food sector, but I still think premises provided specifically for them would work better.

I think the Member makes a very important point. We've had discussions about this over the last two or three years, and if we're going to see these hubs developing, I think it's really important that we have food production standard buildings to go along with it. Obviously, we've got the food innovation centre in Llangefni, so I think it does lend itself to having that sort of food zone, if you like. So, I'd be very happy. I'll await your letter, and then we can take it from there.

Credaf fod yr Aelod yn gwneud pwynt pwysig iawn. Rydym wedi cael trafodaethau ynglŷn â hyn dros y ddwy neu dair blynedd ddiwethaf, ac os ydym am weld yr hybiau hyn yn datblygu, credaf ei bod yn bwysig iawn fod gennym adeiladau safonau cynhyrchu bwyd i gyd-fynd â hynny. Yn amlwg, mae gennym y ganolfan arloesedd bwyd yn Llangefni, felly credaf fod honno'n addas ar gyfer cael y math hwnnw o barth bwyd, os mynnwch. Felly, rwy'n fwy na pharod. Fe arhosaf am eich eich llythyr, a gallwn fwrw ymlaen o'r fan honno.

Rheoli Adnoddau Naturiol
The Management of Natural Resources

7. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am strategaeth genedlaethol Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer rheoli adnoddau naturiol? OAQ53841

7. Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's national strategy for the management of natural resources? OAQ53841

Thank you. I published the natural resources policy in August 2017. This was the second statutory product of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016. The focus of the natural resources policy is the sustainable management of Wales's natural resources, to maximise their contribution to achieving goals within the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

Diolch. Cyhoeddais y polisi adnoddau naturiol ym mis Awst 2017. Hwn oedd ail gynnyrch statudol Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Cymru) 2016. Ffocws y polisi adnoddau naturiol yw rheoli adnoddau naturiol Cymru yn gynaliadwy, er mwyn sicrhau eu bod yn gwneud y cyfraniad mwyaf posibl at gyflawni nodau Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau’r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015.

14:15

One of the huge opportunities that our natural resources afford us is recreational opportunities that are linked in with the ambitious plans to improve tourism here in Wales. Our forests, I think, are one part of our natural resources that are underutilised for tourism and recreation purposes. We're very fortunate in north Wales, both in the Llandegla forest and in and around the Clocaenog forest, to enjoy some wonderful mountain biking opportunities, which are growing in their popularity. What work is the Welsh Government doing to support those very small organisations, very often, that are trying to open up further opportunities for mountain biking in particular in Welsh forests where Natural Resources Wales are managing them?

Un o'r cyfleoedd enfawr y mae ein hadnoddau naturiol yn eu rhoi i ni yw'r cyfleoedd hamdden sy'n gysylltiedig â'r cynlluniau uchelgeisiol i wella twristiaeth yma yng Nghymru. Credaf fod coedwigoedd yn un rhan o'n hadnoddau naturiol na wneir digon o ddefnydd ohonynt at ddibenion twristiaeth a hamdden. Rydym yn ffodus iawn yng ngogledd Cymru, yng nghoedwig Llandegla ac yng nghoedwig Clocaenog, i allu mwynhau cyfleoedd beicio mynydd gwych, sy'n tyfu o ran poblogrwydd. Pa waith y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i gefnogi'r sefydliadau bach hyn, a bach iawn yn aml, sy'n ceisio darparu cyfleoedd pellach ar gyfer beicio mynydd yn enwedig mewn coedwigoedd yng Nghymru a reolir gan Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru?

Thank you. I think you make a very important point about our forests and you'll be aware that one of the First Minister's manifesto commitments was to bring forward a national forest. At the moment, he and I are going to consider options as to how we bring that forward. Obviously, I know Llandegla forest very well, I live not far from it, and certainly the extra funding it brings into the economy, for instance, with the mountain bike centre and other facilities is to be welcomed. I think I can certainly continue to work with my colleague the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism to see what else we can do to enhance that.

Diolch. Credaf eich bod yn gwneud pwynt pwysig iawn am ein coedwigoedd ac fe fyddwch yn gwybod mai un o ymrwymiadau maniffesto'r Prif Weinidog oedd cyflwyno coedwig genedlaethol. Ar hyn o bryd, bydd ef a minnau yn ystyried opsiynau o ran sut i roi hynny ar waith. Yn amlwg, rwy'n adnabod coedwig Llandegla yn dda iawn, rwy'n byw nid nepell ohoni, ac yn sicr mae'r arian ychwanegol y mae'n ei ddarparu i'r economi, er enghraifft, gyda'r ganolfan feicio mynydd a chyfleusterau eraill, i'w groesawu. Yn sicr, credaf y gallaf barhau i weithio gyda fy nghyd-Aelod, y Dirprwy Weinidog Diwylliant, Chwaraeon a Thwristiaeth, i weld beth arall y gallwn ei wneud i wella hynny.

Question 8 [OAQ53846] was withdrawn, even though the Member Caroline Jones is in the Chamber to have asked it. 

Tynnwyd cwestiwn 8 [OAQ53846] yn ôl, er bod yr Aelod Caroline Jones yn y Siambr i fod wedi'i ofyn.

Cwestiwn 9, Dai Lloyd.

Question 9, Dai Lloyd.

Llygredd Aer yng Ngorllewin De Cymru
Air Pollution in South Wales West

9. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am fynd i'r afael â llygredd aer yng Ngorllewin De Cymru? OAQ53833

9. Will the Minister make a statement on tackling air pollution in South Wales West? OAQ53833

Thank you. Tackling air pollution in South Wales West and across Wales remains a top priority for the Welsh Government. Actions to improve air quality across a range of sectors, including agriculture, transport and industry, will be in our clean air plan for Wales, which will be consulted on this autumn, building on our clean air Wales programme.

Diolch. Mae mynd i'r afael â llygredd aer yng Ngorllewin De Cymru a ledled Cymru yn parhau i fod yn flaenoriaeth i Lywodraeth Cymru. Bydd camau i wella ansawdd aer ar draws ystod o sectorau, gan gynnwys amaethyddiaeth, trafnidiaeth a diwydiant, wedi'u cynnwys yn ein cynllun aer glân i Gymru, a fydd yn destun ymgynghoriad yn yr hydref, gan adeiladu ar ein rhaglen aer glân i Gymru.

Following a very effective campaign by local residents, an application for a waste-to-energy incinerator in Llansamlet was thankfully rejected by Swansea council's planning committee last week. However, what has become apparent is that current Welsh Government policy on incinerators is not in keeping with the concerns of local people on air pollution, toxic ash and carbon dioxide, particularly when they are proposed close to residential areas and schools. We have heard of similar concerns in Barry and people are understandably calling for a tightening of Welsh Government policy on this issue. Do you recognise those concerns and is the Welsh Government prepared to reconsider its policy on incineration to bring its waste management policy in line with more sustainable solutions?

Yn dilyn ymgyrch effeithiol iawn gan drigolion lleol, cafodd cais am losgydd gwastraff-i-ynni yn Llansamlet ei wrthod, diolch byth, gan bwyllgor cynllunio cyngor Abertawe yr wythnos diwethaf. Fodd bynnag, daeth yn amlwg nad yw polisi cyfredol Llywodraeth Cymru ar losgyddion yn cyd-fynd â phryderon pobl leol ynglŷn â llygredd aer, lludw gwenwynig a charbon deuocsid, yn enwedig pan geir cais i'w codi yn agos at ardaloedd preswyl ac ysgolion. Rydym wedi clywed am bryderon tebyg yn y Barri, ac yn ddealladwy, mae pobl yn galw am dynhau polisi Llywodraeth Cymru ar y mater hwn. A ydych yn cydnabod y pryderon hynny ac a yw Llywodraeth Cymru yn barod i ailystyried ei pholisi ar losgyddion er mwyn sicrhau bod ei pholisi rheoli gwastraff yn cyd-fynd ag atebion mwy cynaliadwy?

This is a matter that falls within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Housing and Local Government, who is now going to answer questions. But I'll be very happy to have a discussion with her and write to the Member.

Mae hwn yn fater sy'n rhan o gylch gwaith fy nghyd-Aelod, y Gweinidog Tai a Llywodraeth Leol, a fydd yn ateb cwestiynau yn awr. Ond rwy'n fwy na pharod i gael trafodaeth gyda hi ac ysgrifennu at yr Aelod.

Minister, as you know, I've raised the issue many times about pollution in my constituency from industrial emissions. One of the agendas we want to look at is the cumulative effect of any proposal that comes forward for any incinerator or any other aspect, to look at how that impacts upon the community in addition to what's already there. Will you meet with your colleague from Cabinet Julie James to discuss how the planning rules can be looked at to show that cumulative effects have to be taken into consideration, so that when it comes to any industrial emissions we're looking at what's already there as well, not just that single proposal?

Weinidog, fel y gwyddoch, rwyf wedi sôn droeon am lygredd yn fy etholaeth yn sgil allyriadau diwydiannol. Un o'r agendâu yr hoffem edrych arnynt yw effaith gronnol unrhyw gynnig a gyflwynir ar gyfer unrhyw losgydd neu unrhyw agwedd arall, i edrych ar sut y mae hynny'n effeithio ar y gymuned yn ogystal â'r hyn sydd yno'n barod. A wnewch chi gyfarfod â'ch cyd-aelod o'r Cabinet, Julie James, i drafod sut y gellir edrych ar y rheolau cynllunio i ddangos bod yn rhaid ystyried effeithiau cronnol, fel ein bod yn edrych ar yr hyn sydd yno'n barod wrth ystyried unrhyw allyriadau diwydiannol, nid y cynnig unigol hwnnw'n unig?

Yes, absolutely. Having been the planning Minister not that long ago, I'm very aware of that and the impact on policy. The Minister heard your request and will be very happy to do that.

Gwnaf, yn sicr. Ar ôl bod yn Weinidog cynllunio heb fod mor bell â hynny'n ôl, rwy'n ymwybodol iawn o hynny a'r effaith ar bolisi. Mae'r Gweinidog wedi clywed eich cais a bydd yn fwy na pharod i wneud hynny.

At the start of February, Minister, I asked whether Welsh Government would consider putting money into helping councils upgrade their public transport to make them greener and less polluting. At the time, you told me that the idea was something that you'd be very happy to discuss with the transport Minister Ken Skates. That's three months ago now, so I'm wondering if you can update me on how your conversations are going. 

Ddechrau mis Chwefror, Weinidog, gofynnais a fyddai Llywodraeth Cymru yn ystyried rhoi arian i helpu cynghorau i uwchraddio eu trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus i'w gwneud yn fwy gwyrdd ac yn llai llygrol. Ar y pryd, dywedasoch wrthyf fod y syniad yn rhywbeth y byddech yn fwy na pharod i'w drafod gyda'r Gweinidog trafnidiaeth Ken Skates. Mae hynny dri mis yn ôl bellach, felly tybed a allech roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i mi ynglŷn â'ch sgyrsiau.

I will write to the Member with that, because off the top of my head I'm not aware that I've actually had that meeting. So, I will ensure that happens and write to the Member.

Byddaf yn ysgrifennu at yr Aelod ynglŷn â hynny, gan nad wyf yn ymwybodol yr eiliad hon a wyf fi wedi cael y cyfarfod hwnnw ai peidio. Felly, byddaf yn sicrhau bod hynny'n digwydd ac yn ysgrifennu at yr Aelod.

2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Tai a Llywodraeth Leol
2. Questions to the Minister for Housing and Local Government

Felly, y cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Tai a Llywodraeth Leol. Mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Lynne Neagle.

The next item is questions to the Minister for Housing and Local Government. The first question is from Lynne Neagle. 

Y System Gynllunio
The Planning System

1. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i sicrhau bod gan gymunedau lleol lais yn y system gynllunio? OAQ53865

1. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that local communities have a voice in the planning system? OAQ53865

Communities have a central voice in the planning system when local development plans are prepared and planning applications determined. Local planning authorities and developers are encouraged to go further than the statutory minimum to realise the benefits that collaboration and involvement brings to the quality of the built environment.

Mae gan gymunedau lais canolog yn y system gynllunio pan gaiff cynlluniau datblygu lleol eu paratoi a phan benderfynir ar geisiadau cynllunio. Anogir awdurdodau cynllunio lleol a datblygwyr i fynd ymhellach na'r gofynion statudol er mwyn gwireddu'r manteision y mae cydweithredu a chyfranogi yn eu cynnig i ansawdd yr amgylchedd adeiledig.

Thank you, Minister. I know that you're aware of the huge opposition to the proposal to start recovering aggregate at the much-loved beauty spot called 'The Canyons' in my constituency. I, of course, understand you can't comment on a live planning appeal, but, as you know, residents were deeply concerned about whether their voices had been fully heard at the lengthy public inquiry. I've had complaints about key documents being submitted late by developers, statements of common ground being submitted just the night before the inquiry, and no verbatim record being taken of proceedings, to name but a few. Minister, would you agree with me that it is crucial in contentious planning inquiries that the voice of the community is fully heard? And what steps can you take as Minister to enure that this happens and also that the whole process becomes more open and transparent?

Diolch, Weinidog. Gwn eich bod yn ymwybodol o'r gwrthwynebiad enfawr i'r cynnig i ddechrau cloddio am agregau yn y man hardd poblogaidd a elwir yn 'The Canyons' yn fy etholaeth. Wrth gwrs, rwy'n deall na allwch wneud sylwadau ar apêl gynllunio fyw, ond fel y gwyddoch, roedd preswylwyr yn pryderu'n fawr nad oedd eu lleisiau wedi cael eu clywed yn iawn yn yr ymchwiliad cyhoeddus hirfaith. Rwyf wedi cael cwynion am ddatblygwyr yn cyflwyno dogfennau allweddol yn hwyr, fod datganiadau tir cyffredin wedi cael eu cyflwyno ar y noson cyn yr ymchwiliad, ac na wnaed cofnod gair am air o'r trafodion, i nodi rhai yn unig. Weinidog, a fyddech yn cytuno â mi ei bod yn hanfodol, mewn archwiliadau cynllunio dadleuol, fod llais y gymuned yn cael ei glywed yn iawn? A pha gamau y gallwch eu cymryd fel Gweinidog i sicrhau bod hyn yn digwydd a bod yr holl broses yn dod yn fwy agored a thryloyw?

14:20

Yes, I'm very grateful for the Member's well-articulated views on the involvement of communities in planning appeals, which she shared with me in the meeting that we had. I have raised these concerns with the Planning Inspectorate's director for Wales. I know my colleague is well aware that the planning appeal is currently before the Welsh Ministers for determination, and understands that I can't comment on any aspect of the case because to do so could prejudice the outcome of the decision or risk a challenge to the decision itself. 

Ie, rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn am farn eglur yr Aelod ynglŷn â chynnwys cymunedau mewn apeliadau cynllunio, barn a rannodd gyda mi yn y cyfarfod a gawsom. Rwyf wedi mynegi'r pryderon hyn wrth gyfarwyddwr Arolygiaeth Gynllunio Cymru. Gwn fod fy nghyd-Aelod yn ymwybodol iawn fod yr apêl gynllunio gerbron Gweinidogion Cymru i'w phenderfynu ar hyn o bryd, a'i bod yn deall na allaf wneud sylwadau ar unrhyw agwedd ar y mater gan y gallai gwneud hynny niweidio canlyniad y penderfyniad neu arwain at herio'r penderfyniad ei hun.

Minister, last year, the Local Government and Communities Committee of the Scottish Parliament reported on the Planning (Scotland) Bill. They called for the Bill to encourage more meaningful engagement on planning applications. This approach was welcomed by the Royal Town Planning Institute Scotland, which said that they wanted to create a more collaborative planning system, where communities and other partners are engaged at the start of the process to identify and agree what is needed. What study has the Minister made of the proposals contained in the Planning (Scotland) Bill to see what lessons can be learned to enhance the voice of communities in the planning process in Wales, please?

Weinidog, y llynedd, adroddodd Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau Senedd yr Alban ar Fil Cynllunio (Yr Alban). Roeddent yn galw am i'r Bil annog ymgysylltu mwy ystyrlon ar geisiadau cynllunio. Croesawyd hyn gan y Royal Town Planning Institute Scotland, a ddywedodd eu bod am greu system gynllunio fwy cydweithredol, lle mae cymunedau a phartneriaid eraill yn cael eu cynnwys ar ddechrau'r broses i nodi a chytuno ar beth sydd ei angen. Pa astudiaeth a wnaed gan y Gweinidog o'r cynigion ym Mil Cynllunio (Yr Alban) i weld pa wersi y gellir eu dysgu i wella llais cymunedau yn y broses gynllunio yng Nghymru, os gwelwch yn dda?

I'm very aware of the process going on in Scotland. We have a very transparent and comprehensive engagement with local communities, businesses, stakeholders and neighbouring authorities in our local development plan process already to ensure all concerns and aspirations are taken into account. We also have a community involvement scheme, which sets out how local communities can engage in the LDP process. The planning legislation here in Wales already says that the views of local communities must be taken into account when preparing the local development plan.

As you know, I'm sure, local development plans must be adopted by a resolution of the full council, which ensures a democratic process, taking into account local views to be incorporated in that decision-making process, and they are adopted following a full public scrutiny process where all interested parties can, and very frequently do, make their views known to an independent inspector. There also follows a six-week challenge period after the plan is adopted, enabling any person to object if they consider the correct preparation procedures have not been adhered to. 

Many Members, however, have made some other submissions to me over the years about how various bits of the planning system, particularly the development control system, could be made more open and transparent. I've recently announced that we're looking at seeing whether we can have an independent planning inspectorate for Wales, separate to that for England, and we will be taking those two proposals forward when we look at our planning law. Also, the Counsel General has said that the first consolidation measures that we would look at in Wales are likely to be in the planning field. 

Rwy'n ymwybodol iawn o'r broses sy'n mynd rhagddi yn yr Alban. Mae gennym ymgysylltiad tryloyw a chynhwysfawr iawn â chymunedau lleol, busnesau, rhanddeiliaid ac awdurdodau cyfagos ym mhroses y cynllun datblygu lleol eisoes i sicrhau bod pob pryder a dyhead yn cael eu hystyried. Mae gennym hefyd gynllun cynnwys y gymuned, sy'n nodi sut y gall cymunedau lleol gymryd rhan ym mhroses y CDLl. Mae'r ddeddfwriaeth gynllunio yma yng Nghymru eisoes yn dweud bod yn rhaid ystyried barn cymunedau lleol wrth baratoi'r cynllun datblygu lleol.

Fel y gwyddoch, rwy'n siŵr, mae'n rhaid i gynlluniau datblygu lleol gael eu mabwysiadu drwy benderfyniad y cyngor llawn, sy'n sicrhau proses ddemocrataidd, gan ystyried safbwyntiau lleol i'w hymgorffori yn y broses honno o wneud penderfyniadau, a chânt eu mabwysiadu yn dilyn proses graffu gyhoeddus lawn lle gall pob parti â buddiant ddweud eu barn wrth arolygydd annibynnol, ac maent yn gwneud hynny'n aml iawn. Ceir cyfnod herio o chwe wythnos hefyd ar ôl mabwysiadu'r cynllun, sy'n galluogi unrhyw unigolyn i wrthwynebu os ydynt o'r farn nad yw'r gweithdrefnau paratoi cywir wedi'u dilyn.

Fodd bynnag, mae llawer o Aelodau wedi cyflwyno sylwadau eraill i mi dros y blynyddoedd ynglŷn â sut y gellid sicrhau bod gwahanol ddarnau o'r system gynllunio, yn enwedig y system reoli datblygu, yn fwy agored a thryloyw. Rwyf wedi cyhoeddi yn ddiweddar ein bod yn edrych i weld a allwn gael arolygiaeth gynllunio annibynnol i Gymru, ar wahân i'r un ar gyfer Lloegr, a byddwn yn bwrw ymlaen â'r ddau gynnig pan fyddwn yn edrych ar ein cyfraith gynllunio. Hefyd, mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi dweud bod y mesurau cydgrynhoi cyntaf y byddem yn edrych arnynt yng Nghymru yn debygol o fod ym maes cynllunio.

A gaf i gefnogi sylwadau Lynne Neagle? Hynny yw, mae yn bwysig bod angen cryfhau llais y gymuned leol oddi fewn y gyfundrefn gynllunio. Beth sydd yn siomedig, wrth gwrs, yw mi wnaeth Plaid Cymru osod gwelliannau i'r Bil cynllunio fan hyn yn 2013 i wneud yr union beth hynny, ond mi wrthodwyd hynny gan y Llywodraeth Lafur, ac mi bleidleision nhw yn erbyn y gwelliannau hynny, fel y gwnaethon nhw, gyda llaw, pan wnaethon ni osod gwelliannau i'r un Bil yn galw am arolygiaeth gynllunio annibynnol i Gymru. Wythnos diwethaf, roeddwn yn croesawu'n fawr eich datganiad ysgrifenedig chi fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gwneud tro pedol ar y mater yna a bellach yn cefnogi polisi Plaid Cymru ar ôl i ni fod yn galw am hynny ers blynyddoedd mawr. A wnewch chi wneud tro pedol arall, felly, a chefnogi'r hyn roeddem ni'n galw eto amdano fe yn 2013, sef i roi hawl i gymunedau i apelio ceisiadau cynllunio a fyddai wedyn, wrth gwrs, fel rydym ni i gyd yn dymuno, yn rhoi llais llawer cryfach i'n cymunedau ni o fewn y gyfundrefn honno?

May I support the comments made by Lynne Neagle? It is important that we strengthen the voice of the local community within the planning regime. What’s disappointing, of course, is that Plaid Cymru did table amendments to the planning Bill in this very place in 2013 to do exactly that, but that was rejected by the Labour Government, and they voted against those amendments, as they did, by the way, when we tabled amendments to the same Bill calling for an independent planning inspectorate for Wales. Just last week, I welcomed your written statement that the Welsh Government had carried out a u-turn on that issue and now supported the Plaid Cymru policy, having been calling for that over many years. Will you carry out another u-turn, therefore, and support what we were calling for in 2013, namely to give the right to communities to appeal planning applications, which then, as we would all wish to see, would give a far stronger voice to our communities within that system?

Well, I'm pleased the Member is pleased about the announcement—if that's not too many affirmatives—and welcomes the recent announcement that we're looking into the feasibility of separating the Planning Inspectorate for Wales. And we're doing that for a number of reasons, which he'll be familiar with, but not least that the position is changing rapidly in terms of the divergence of law as it's applied. I'm committed to looking at all aspects of the planning process to see whether we can improve the voice of the community, particularly in the development control process, so in the specific application process. I'm personally not convinced of the need for a third-party or further appeal, but I do think that there are strengthening measures that can be taken, particularly in terms of site inspections and so on, to allow the voice of the community to be heard. I think the current process can seem very arcane from the outside. So, we are looking to see what other amendments to the development control process we can make, and we will very shortly be going out to consultation on a national development framework to put the overarching plan in place as well. So, I'm very hopeful that we will see a full development of the planning process in Wales with all of the strategic levels of the plan in place, and with the voice of the citizen heard at the planning stage for all of those, but I'm not yet convinced that a third-party appeal ought to be part of that process.

Wel, rwy'n falch fod yr Aelod yn falch gyda'r cyhoeddiad—os nad yw hynny'n ormod o eiriau cadarnhaol—ac yn croesawu'r cyhoeddiad diweddar ein bod yn ystyried dichonoldeb gwahanu Arolygiaeth Gynllunio Cymru. Ac rydym yn gwneud hynny am nifer o resymau, y bydd yn gyfarwydd â hwy, ond yn bennaf am fod y sefyllfa'n newid yn gyflym o ran y gwahaniaeth yn y gyfraith fel y'i cymhwysir. Rwyf wedi ymrwymo i edrych ar bob agwedd ar y broses gynllunio i weld a allwn wella llais y gymuned, yn enwedig yn y broses reoli datblygu, felly yn y broses benodol o wneud cais. Yn bersonol, nid wyf wedi fy argyhoeddi ynghylch yr angen am apêl trydydd parti neu apêl bellach, ond credaf fod mesurau cryfhau y gellir eu rhoi ar waith, yn enwedig o ran archwiliadau safle ac yn y blaen, er mwyn gallu clywed llais y gymuned. Credaf y gall y broses bresennol ymddangos yn un gyfrin iawn o'r tu allan. Felly, rydym yn edrych i weld pa newidiadau eraill y gallwn eu gwneud i'r broses reoli datblygu, a chyn bo hir byddwn yn ymgynghori ar fframwaith datblygu cenedlaethol i roi'r cynllun trosfwaol ar waith hefyd. Felly, rwy'n obeithiol iawn y byddwn yn gweld datblygiad llawn y broses gynllunio yng Nghymru gyda holl lefelau strategol y cynllun ar waith, a chyda llais y dinesydd yn cael ei glywed ar y cam cynllunio ar gyfer pob un o'r rheini, ond nid wyf wedi fy argyhoeddi eto y dylai apêl trydydd parti fod yn rhan o'r broses honno.

14:25
Cartrefi Newydd
New Homes

2. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i gynyddu nifer y cartrefi newydd sy'n cael eu hadeiladu? OAQ53832

2. What action is the Welsh Government taking to increase the number of new homes being built? OAQ53832

Increasing the number of homes being built, particularly for social rent, is a fundamental priority for this Government. We are taking action, considering new ways of doing things following the review of affordable housing supply, and making record levels of investment in the home building industry. 

Mae cynyddu nifer y cartrefi sy'n cael eu hadeiladu, yn enwedig ar gyfer rhentu cymdeithasol, yn flaenoriaeth sylfaenol i'r Llywodraeth hon. Rydym yn gweithredu, gan ystyried ffyrdd newydd o wneud pethau yn dilyn yr adolygiad o'r cyflenwad tai fforddiadwy, ac yn gwneud y buddsoddiad mwyaf erioed yn y diwydiant adeiladu cartrefi.

Thank you for that answer, Minister. Steve Morgan, the founder of Redrow, said recently that the best way to combat the housing crisis is to speed up planning permission to enable more houses to be built. He went on to say that the rules and directives have choked the system, meaning fewer houses are being built, which, in turn, makes it difficult for first-time buyers to get on the housing ladder. Does the Minister agree that the planning process for new housing is too slow and has a lot of red tape in it? Minister, what action are you taking to remove the barriers delaying the delivery of new affordable homes in Wales, please? 

Diolch am eich ateb, Weinidog. Dywedodd Steve Morgan, sylfaenydd Redrow, yn ddiweddar mai'r ffordd orau o frwydro yn erbyn yr argyfwng tai yw cyflymu caniatâd cynllunio i alluogi mwy o dai i gael eu hadeiladu. Aeth ymlaen i ddweud bod y rheolau a'r cyfarwyddebau wedi tagu'r system, sy'n golygu bod llai o dai yn cael eu hadeiladu, a hynny yn ei dro yn ei gwneud hi'n anodd i brynwyr tro cyntaf gamu ar yr ysgol dai. A yw'r Gweinidog yn cytuno bod y broses gynllunio ar gyfer tai newydd yn rhy araf a'i bod yn cynnwys cryn dipyn o fiwrocratiaeth? Weinidog, pa gamau a gymerwch i gael gwared ar y rhwystrau sy'n peri oedi yn y gwaith o ddarparu cartrefi fforddiadwy newydd yng Nghymru, os gwelwch yn dda?

I partly agree with the point that the Member is making, but I have to say I don't agree with it when we're talking about the large house builders. So, I think that there is a case to make sure that we simplify the planning process, perhaps by rather more site-specific planning approaches for SME builders across Wales, and our stalled sites programme, for example, is looking to do exactly that to bring those smaller sites into play. However, I must say I disagree with, I think, the Member's proposition that the large house builders need assistance with planning. My view, actually, is that we need to strengthen our planning rules around size, type and demand for those kinds of developments, so that we have sustainable communities being built with the right kinds of infrastructure alongside the houses, and not just urban sprawl, which can occur where you remove planning consent regimes. So, I think I'm partly agreeing with the Member, but not entirely.

Cytunaf yn rhannol â'r pwynt a wnaeth yr Aelod, ond mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud nad wyf yn cytuno ag ef pan fyddwn yn sôn am y cwmnïau adeiladu mawr. Felly, credaf fod achos dros sicrhau ein bod yn symleiddio'r broses gynllunio, efallai drwy ddulliau cynllunio mwy safle-benodol ar gyfer adeiladwyr bach a chanolig ledled Cymru, ac mae ein rhaglen safleoedd segur, er enghraifft, yn gobeithio gwneud hynny er mwyn sicrhau bod y safleoedd llai hynny ar gael. Fodd bynnag, mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud fy mod yn anghytuno â honiad yr Aelod fod y cwmnïau adeiladu mawr angen cymorth gyda chynllunio. Fy marn i, mewn gwirionedd, yw bod angen inni gryfhau ein rheolau cynllunio o safbwynt maint, math a galw am y mathau hynny o ddatblygiadau, fel bod gennym gymunedau cynaliadwy yn cael eu hadeiladu gyda'r seilwaith priodol ochr yn ochr â'r tai, yn hytrach na blerdwf trefol, sy'n gallu digwydd pan fyddwch yn cael gwared ar gyfundrefnau caniatâd cynllunio. Felly, credaf fy mod yn cytuno'n rhannol â'r Aelod, ond nid yn llwyr.

We know that only twice since the first world war have houses been built in the numbers necessary to meet demand. Once was in 1930 when there was very little control over development; I think that was what Mohammad Asghar was asking for earlier. And the second time was in the 1950s and 1960s when we had the large-scale building of council housing, and not only large-scale building of council housing but the necessary infrastructure to go with it. I wish to stress the importance of large-scale council house building to meet housing need; I believe it's the only way we actually are going to be able to meet the needs of housing, because it's not in the best interest of private developers to build sufficient because that would depress prices, and their aim is to maximise profit. So, they wish to increase prices as much as they possibly can. That's how Redrow made just under £400 million profit last year. What is the Government doing to enable this to occur?

Gwyddom mai dwywaith yn unig ers y rhyfel byd cyntaf yr adeiladwyd y niferoedd angenrheidiol o dai i ateb y galw. Digwyddodd hynny unwaith ym 1930 pan nad oedd fawr ddim rheolaeth dros ddatblygu; credaf mai dyna roedd Mohammad Asghar yn gofyn yn ei gylch yn gynharach. A'r ail dro oedd yn y 1950au a'r 1960au pan adeiladwyd tai cyngor ar raddfa fawr, ac nid yn unig adeiladu tai cyngor ar raddfa fawr ond y seilwaith angenrheidiol i fynd gyda hynny. Hoffwn bwysleisio pwysigrwydd adeiladu tai cyngor ar raddfa fawr i ddiwallu anghenion tai; credaf mai dyma'r unig ffordd y gallwn ddiwallu anghenion tai mewn gwirionedd, gan nad yw er budd datblygwyr preifat i adeiladu digon gan y byddai hynny'n gostwng prisiau, a'u nod yw gwneud cymaint o elw ag y gallant. Felly, maent eisiau codi prisiau gymaint ag y gallant. Dyna sut y gwnaeth Redrow ychydig yn llai na £400 miliwn o elw y llynedd. Beth y mae'r Llywodraeth yn ei wneud i alluogi hyn i ddigwydd?

I agree with Mike Hedges; I think we're on the same page entirely. Traditionally, local authorities were indeed the prime providers of social housing across the UK with, of course, the massive house building programme that came in the post-war period. And those houses are still very popular homes today for some of the most vulnerable residents in our communities. But the building programmes were curtailed by financial restraints imposed by the UK Government on Welsh and other local authorities, and that has largely meant that large-scale council housing has been severely limited for a generation; in fact, since Margaret Thatcher introduced the right to buy legislation back in the late 1980s.

So, we do recognise the important role councils have in building new homes for local people, and I'm very enthused that we are potentially on the cusp of a new golden age for social housing in Wales. The Member, Mike Hedges, is completely right that the biggest increase in the scale and pace of social housing is expected to come from our local authorities, now they're able to build once again. The borrowing cap has finally been lifted by the UK Government, who've seen the light it seems, and there is an opportunity to turn council house building ambitions once more into results.

I've just had the affordable housing supply review published, and I'll be responding to those recommendations shortly. That review specifically considers what support local authorities will need to help them build again at pace and scale. We are welcoming of both the review and the lifting of the cap. We want to work very fast now to see whether we can get a revolution in social housing once again in Wales. 

Rwy'n cytuno â Mike Hedges; credaf ein bod ar yr un dudalen yn union. Yn draddodiadol, awdurdodau lleol, yn wir, oedd y prif ddarparwyr tai cymdeithasol ledled y DU, wrth gwrs, gyda'r rhaglen enfawr o adeiladu tai a gafwyd yn y cyfnod ar ôl y rhyfel. Ac mae'r tai hynny'n dal i fod yn gartrefi poblogaidd iawn heddiw i rai o'r trigolion mwyaf agored i niwed yn ein cymunedau. Ond cafodd y rhaglenni adeiladu eu crebachu gan gyfyngiadau ariannol a orfodwyd gan Lywodraeth y DU ar awdurdodau lleol Cymru ac awdurdodau lleol eraill, ac mae hynny i raddau helaeth wedi golygu bod adeiladu tai cyngor ar raddfa fawr wedi'i gyfyngu'n ddifrifol ers cenhedlaeth; mewn gwirionedd, ers i Margaret Thatcher gyflwyno'r ddeddfwriaeth hawl i brynu yn ôl ar ddiwedd y 1980au.

Felly, rydym yn cydnabod y rôl bwysig sydd gan gynghorau i adeiladu cartrefi newydd i bobl leol, ac mae'n galonogol iawn ein bod, o bosibl, ar fin cyrraedd oes aur newydd ar dai cymdeithasol yng Nghymru. Mae'r Aelod, Mike Hedges, yn llygad ei le fod disgwyl i'r cynnydd mwyaf o ran graddfa a chyflymder adeiladu tai cymdeithasol ddod gan ein hawdurdodau lleol, gan eu bod bellach yn gallu adeiladu unwaith eto. Mae'r cap benthyca wedi'i godi o'r diwedd gan Lywodraeth y DU, sydd wedi gweld y golau yn ôl pob golwg, a cheir cyfle i droi uchelgeisiau i adeiladu tai cyngor yn ganlyniadau unwaith eto.

Rwyf newydd gyhoeddi'r adolygiad o'r cyflenwad tai fforddiadwy, a byddaf yn ymateb i'r argymhellion hynny cyn bo hir. Mae'r adolygiad hwnnw'n ystyried yn benodol pa gymorth y bydd ei angen ar awdurdodau lleol i'w helpu i adeiladu eto yn gyflym ac ar raddfa fawr. Rydym yn croesawu'r adolygiad a'r ffaith bod y cap wedi'i godi. Rydym yn awyddus i weithio'n gyflym iawn yn awr i weld a allwn gael chwyldro arall o ran adeiladu tai cymdeithasol yng Nghymru.

14:30

Minister, I recently had the pleasure of visiting Rhondda Housing Association's Lle Ysgol development in Hirwaun that was built by a local small and medium-sized enterprise house builder, WDL Homes Ltd. And this brownfield development used a social housing grant to develop 12 homes, but also a commercial unit, which is, essentially, a village shop. How is the Welsh Government engaging with social landlords to encourage the development of retail units like this within their builds, which provide income for the landlord, but more importantly are a real asset to the local community, when we know that so many of our communities have suffered or are concerned about the potential for the loss of their village shops?

Weinidog, yn ddiweddar, cefais y pleser o ymweld â datblygiad Lle Ysgol Cymdeithas Tai Rhondda yn Hirwaun, a adeiladwyd gan un o'r cwmnïau adeiladu bach a chanolig eu maint yn lleol, WDL Homes Ltd. Ac roedd y datblygiad tir llwyd hwn yn defnyddio grant tai cymdeithasol i ddatblygu 12 cartref, ac uned fasnachol hefyd, sef siop bentref yn ei hanfod. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ymgysylltu â landlordiaid cymdeithasol i annog datblygiad unedau manwerthu fel hyn yn eu prosiectau adeiladau, sy'n darparu incwm i'r landlord, ond yn bwysicach fyth, maent yn ased go iawn i'r gymuned leol, a ninnau'n gwybod bod cynifer o'n cymunedau wedi dioddef neu'n poeni am y posibilrwydd o golli eu siopau pentref?

Yes, absolutely; it's a lovely project, actually. The Rhondda Housing Association, as she said, and the scheme at Lle Ysgol shows the benefits of partnership working in improving local communities. And as I said, we are very concerned to build communities, not just housing estates, and it's very important that the right infrastructure, including shops and other facilities, is there. The scheme, as you know, has regenerated a vacant site for that community. It has 12 homes, an adapted wheelchair bungalow and a new co-operative retail unit. We provided the social housing grant and housing finance grant, totalling about £1.1 million, towards the development of the homes there, and we encourage registered social landlords and councils across Wales to look at developing a community rather than a set of houses, for exactly the reasons that she outlined. 

Yn sicr; mae'n brosiect hyfryd, mewn gwirionedd. Mae Cymdeithas Tai Rhondda, fel y dywedodd, a'r cynllun Lle Ysgol yn dangos manteision gweithio mewn partneriaeth i wella cymunedau lleol. Ac fel y dywedais, rydym yn awyddus iawn i adeiladu cymunedau, nid ystadau tai yn unig, ac mae'n bwysig iawn fod y seilwaith cywir yno, gan gynnwys siopau a chyfleusterau eraill. Mae'r cynllun, fel y gwyddoch, wedi adfywio safle gwag ar gyfer y gymuned honno. Mae ganddo 12 o gartrefi, byngalo wedi'i addasu ar gyfer cadair olwyn ac uned fanwerthu gydweithredol newydd. Fe ddarparom ni'r grant tai cymdeithasol a'r grant cyllid tai, cyfanswm o oddeutu £1.1 miliwn, tuag at y gwaith o ddatblygu'r cartrefi yno, ac rydym yn annog landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig a chynghorau ledled Cymru i ystyried datblygu cymunedau yn hytrach na set o dai am yr union resymau a amlinellwyd ganddi.

Cwestiynau Heb Rybudd gan Lefarwyr y Pleidiau
Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Leanne Wood. 

Questions now from the party spokespeople. Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Leanne Wood. 

Diolch, Llywydd. Do you think it's acceptable for rough-sleepers to have their only shelter, i.e. their tent, taken from them and their few belongings thrown into a van and taken elsewhere?

Diolch, Lywydd. A ydych o'r farn ei bod yn dderbyniol i bobl sy'n cysgu allan gael eu hunig gysgod, h.y. eu pabell, wedi'i gymryd oddi arnynt a'u hychydig eiddo wedi'i daflu i mewn i fan a'i gludo i rywle arall?

No, of course I don't think it's acceptable to do that. I think she's probably referring to the clearances that Cardiff council have seen recently. She and I became involved in a social media chain on that, which I have to say didn't always show social media to its best advantage, certainly in terms of some of the trolling I had as a result of that.

I have met with Cardiff council on several occasions subsequent to that, and, actually, also with Cardiff prison, to see what we can do to get the pathways better for people coming out of prison. In those instance, I'm assured by Cardiff council that the homeless engagement team have been out to meet with all of those people on at least two, if not more, occasions. 

Na, wrth gwrs nad wyf yn credu bod hynny'n dderbyniol. Credaf ei bod yn cyfeirio, mae'n debyg, at y cliriadau a welodd cyngor Caerdydd yn ddiweddar. Daeth y ddwy ohonom yn rhan o gadwyn gyfryngau cymdeithasol ynglŷn â hynny, ac mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud nad oedd y gadwyn honno bob amser yn dangos y cyfryngau cymdeithasol ar eu gorau, yn sicr o ran peth o'r trolio a wynebais o ganlyniad i hynny.

Rwyf wedi cyfarfod â chyngor Caerdydd ar sawl achlysur wedi hynny, a charchar Caerdydd hefyd, i weld beth y gallwn ei wneud i ddarparu llwybrau gwell i bobl sy'n dod o'r carchar. Yn yr achosion hynny, caf fy sicrhau gan gyngor Caerdydd fod y tîm ymgysylltu ar ddigartrefedd wedi cyfarfod â phob un o'r bobl hynny ar o leiaf ddau achlysur, os nad mwy.

Minister, I'm stunned that you're not prepared to condemn this practice. We've seen earlier this week that Juha Kaakinen, one of those people involved in the Helsinki Housing First scheme, has accused the Welsh Government of a lack of vision and a lack of focus in terms of ending homelessness. It's over a year since your Government said it was reviewing priority need, and that's despite every organisation working in the sector, and your own Government's White Paper from 2012 saying that you needed to abolish priority need. It's almost a year since Crisis published the most detailed plan to end homelessness that is available, with recommendations for all Governments, but we haven't seen any commitment from the Welsh Government in implementing those recommendations, despite the fact that you would save money from doing so. When are we going to see real action on tackling homelessness and the implementation of that plan?

Weinidog, rwyf wedi fy syfrdanu nad ydych yn barod i gondemnio'r arfer hwn. Rydym wedi gweld yn gynharach yr wythnos hon fod Juha Kaakinen, un o'r bobl sy'n ymwneud â chynllun tai yn gyntaf Helsinki, wedi cyhuddo Llywodraeth Cymru o ddiffyg gweledigaeth a diffyg ffocws mewn perthynas â rhoi diwedd ar ddigartrefedd. Mae dros flwyddyn ers i'ch Llywodraeth ddweud ei bod yn adolygu angen blaenoriaethol, a hynny er gwaethaf y ffaith bod pob sefydliad sy'n gweithio yn y sector, a Phapur Gwyn eich Llywodraeth yn 2012, yn dweud bod angen i chi ddiddymu angen blaenoriaethol. Mae bron i flwyddyn wedi bod ers i Crisis gyhoeddi'r cynllun mwyaf manwl ar roi diwedd ar ddigartrefedd, gydag argymhellion ar gyfer pob Llywodraeth, ond nid ydym wedi gweld unrhyw ymrwymiad gan Lywodraeth Cymru i roi'r argymhellion hynny ar waith, er y byddech yn arbed arian drwy wneud hynny. Pa bryd y gwelwn weithredu go iawn ar fynd i'r afael â digartrefedd a gweithredu'r cynllun hwnnw?

Well, I just don't think it's true to say that we've seen no commitment at all. We have a task and finish group, chaired by Crisis itself, looking at our Housing First pilots. It is the policy of this Government that we roll out Housing First. We have to roll out Housing First in a way that means that we give the right lifeline to people, with the right support around them, in the right way. It's impossible to just replicate the Finnish system. And on the gentleman in question, who featured on a programme on the BBC on Monday, which I'm sure she saw, as did I—I have had no contact with that gentleman, and I'd welcome such contact, but he did not have the policy context for Wales right. One of the issues driving homelessness in Wales is the universal credit system, over which I, unfortunately, have no control. So, we have a system in which we have been praised the world over for our preventative programme in maintaining people in housing. We are continuing to do that. We have managed to hold the tide at 65 per cent of homelessness prevented in Wales. We're working very hard on the rest of it, and, of course, Housing First is our preferred option. You cannot just turn the ship of state around in two weeks and replicate an entire system from Finland. So, we have to make sure that our pilots work, that they reach the most vulnerable, and that we do it properly, so that we get a system that's sustainable and makes homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring, which is obviously the aim of all of us. 

Wel, ni chredaf ei bod yn wir dweud nad ydym wedi gweld unrhyw ymrwymiad o gwbl. Mae gennym grŵp gorchwyl a gorffen, o dan gadeiryddiaeth Crisis eu hunain, sy'n edrych ar ein cynlluniau peilot Tai yn Gyntaf. Polisi'r Llywodraeth hon yw cyflwyno Tai yn Gyntaf. Mae'n rhaid i ni gyflwyno Tai yn Gyntaf mewn ffordd sy'n golygu ein bod yn rhoi'r cymorth cywir i bobl, gyda'r gefnogaeth gywir o'u hamgylch, yn y ffordd iawn. Mae'n amhosibl dyblygu system y Ffindir. Ac o ran y gŵr bonheddig dan sylw, a ymddangosodd mewn rhaglen ar y BBC ddydd Llun, ac rwy'n siŵr ei bod hi, fel finnau, wedi'i gweld—nid wyf wedi cael unrhyw gyswllt â'r gŵr hwnnw, a buaswn yn croesawu cyswllt o'r fath, ond nid oedd yn gywir ynglŷn â'r cyd-destun polisi ar gyfer Cymru. Un o'r materion sy'n cynyddu digartrefedd yng Nghymru yw'r system gredyd cynhwysol, nad oes gennyf unrhyw reolaeth drosti yn anffodus. Felly, mae gennym system lle rydym wedi cael ein canmol ledled y byd am ein rhaglen ataliol i gadw pobl mewn tai. Rydym yn parhau i wneud hynny. Rydym wedi llwyddo i gynnal cyfradd atal digartrefedd o 65 y cant yng Nghymru. Rydym yn gweithio'n galed iawn ar y gweddill, ac wrth gwrs, Tai yn Gyntaf yw'r dewis a ffafriwn. Ni allwch drawsnewid popeth mewn pythefnos a dyblygu system gyfan o'r Ffindir. Felly, mae'n rhaid i ni sicrhau bod ein cynlluniau peilot yn gweithio, eu bod yn cyrraedd y rhai mwyaf agored i niwed, a'n bod yn gwneud hynny'n iawn, fel fod gennym system sy'n gynaliadwy ac yn gwneud digartrefedd yn rhywbeth prin, byr, nad yw'n ailadrodd, sef y nod i bob un ohonom, yn amlwg.

14:35

Two weeks? Minister, time and time again, we see your Government delaying and dragging its heels on even basic social justice issues, whether that's homelessness, air pollution or banning unfair letting agent fees. We only see action several years after the issue comes to your attention—endless task and finish groups, which don't end up finishing anything, reviews that tell us what we already know, and finding 'balances' that have to be struck between the rights of vulnerable individuals and large organisations, which don't like the fact that rough-sleepers are ruining their retail experience. Is this what twenty-first century socialism is all about?

Pythefnos? Weinidog, dro ar ôl tro, rydym yn gweld eich Llywodraeth yn oedi ac yn llusgo'i thraed ar faterion cyfiawnder cymdeithasol sylfaenol hyd yn oed, boed yn ddigartrefedd, llygredd aer neu wahardd ffioedd annheg gan asiantaethau gosod tai. Nid ydym ond yn gweld camau gweithredu sawl blwyddyn wedi i'r mater ddod i'ch sylw—grwpiau gorchwyl a gorffen diddiwedd, nad ydynt yn gorffen unrhyw beth yn y pen draw, adolygiadau sy'n dweud wrthym yr hyn a wyddom eisoes, a chanfod 'cydbwysedd' sy'n rhaid ei daro rhwng hawliau unigolion agored i niwed a sefydliadau mawr, nad ydynt yn hoffi'r ffaith bod pobl sy'n cysgu allan yn difetha eu profiad manwerthu. Ai dyma yw ystyr sosialaeth yn yr unfed ganrif ar hugain?

Well, Leanne, I'm really sorry to see you descend into that kind of hyperbole, because that is not at all where we are and you well know it. I’ll be sure to pass on your thoughts on the task and finish group to the hardworking experts who are helping us with that policy. I’m sure they’ll be really helped by that kind of attitude.

Our attitude is entirely different to that. We want to roll out the best solution for people, as fast as possible, so that that solution is efficient and effective in dealing with their problems. This is not about money; this is about social justice and making sure that people have the unique solution to their problem that they richly deserve—not some one-size-fits-all solution that we can just slap on to the system and say, ‘There we are; we’ve done it.’ That’s not what we’re about. We’re about making sure that each individual receives the social justice that they deserve and a system that supports them in maintaining their home once we get them into it, and supports their mental health, substance misuse, loneliness, post-traumatic stress disorder—all the myriad of problems that people experience when they experience homelessness.

Getting them into the house isn't the problem—sustaining them there and making sure that they have all of the services necessary to sustain that tenancy into the future, including the right packages of support, financially—benefits and so on—is essential. I’m not going to be bounced into doing something fast, when what we want to do is do it properly.

Wel, Leanne, mae'n flin gennyf eich gweld yn ymostwng i ormodiaith o'r fath, gan nad dyna yw'r sefyllfa o gwbl, ac fe wyddoch hynny'n iawn. Byddaf yn siŵr o drosglwyddo eich syniadau ynglŷn â'r grŵp gorchwyl a gorffen i'r arbenigwyr gweithgar sy'n ein helpu gyda'r polisi hwnnw. Rwy'n siŵr y bydd agwedd o'r fath yn gymorth mawr iddynt.

Mae ein hagwedd yn gwbl wahanol i hynny. Rydym am ddarparu'r ateb gorau i bobl, cyn gynted â phosibl, fel bod yr ateb hwnnw'n effeithlon ac yn effeithiol wrth fynd i'r afael â'u problemau. Nid yw hyn yn ymwneud ag arian; mae a wnelo â chyfiawnder cymdeithasol a sicrhau bod pobl yn cael yr ateb unigryw y maent yn ei haeddu i'w problem—nid rhyw ateb sy'n addas i bawb y gallwn ei roi ar y system a dweud, 'Dyna ni; rydym wedi gwneud hynny.' Nid ydym am wneud hynny. Rydym yn awyddus i sicrhau bod pob unigolyn yn cael y cyfiawnder cymdeithasol y maent yn ei haeddu a system sy'n eu cynorthwyo i gadw eu cartref pan fyddant wedi'i gael, ac sy'n cefnogi eu hiechyd meddwl, camddefnyddio sylweddau, unigrwydd, anhwylder straen wedi trawma—y llu o broblemau y mae pobl yn eu hwynebu pan fyddant yn ddigartref.

Nid eu cael i mewn i'r tŷ yw'r broblem—mae eu cadw yno a sicrhau bod ganddynt yr holl wasanaethau angenrheidiol i gynnal y denantiaeth honno yn y dyfodol, gan gynnwys y pecynnau cymorth cywir, yn ariannol—budd-daliadau ac yn y blaen—yn hanfodol. Nid wyf am gael fy ngwthio i wneud rhywbeth yn gyflym, gan mai'r hyn rydym am ei wneud yw ei wneud yn iawn.

Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Mark Isherwood.

Conservatives' spokesperson, Mark Isherwood.

Diolch, Llywydd. My questions will focus on your role as Welsh Government lead on policy and relations with the armed forces and veterans in Wales.

In February, I hosted an event in the Assembly, celebrating the launch of the first national Welsh Veterans Awards, celebrating and rewarding armed forces veterans or ex-forces personnel that have made the transition to civilian life and have gone above and beyond and excelled in their relevant fields and will act as role models for future service leaders. The award teams were looking for people who, even during the most difficult periods, have excelled in business, fitness, sport and the wider community. They e-mailed me last week to say they'd just released their shortlist of finalists for the awards at the Village Hotel Club, Swansea, on 26 June, sponsored by Flintshire-based TASC Holdings Ltd and in support of ABF The Soldiers' Charity. What engagement has, or will the Welsh Government have of this positive initiative?

Diolch, Lywydd. Bydd fy nghwestiynau'n canolbwyntio ar eich rôl fel arweinydd Llywodraeth Cymru ar bolisi a chysylltiadau â'r lluoedd arfog a chyn-filwyr yng Nghymru.

Ym mis Chwefror, cynhaliais ddigwyddiad yn y Cynulliad i ddathlu lansiad Gwobrau Cyn-filwyr cenedlaethol cyntaf Cymru, i ddathlu a gwobrwyo cyn-filwyr neu gyn-aelodau o'r lluoedd arfog sydd wedi dychwelyd at fywyd sifil ac wedi rhagori a mynd ymhellach na'r galw yn eu meysydd perthnasol ac a fydd yn gweithredu fel modelau rôl i arweinwyr gwasanaethau yn y dyfodol. Roedd y timau gwobrwyo yn chwilio am bobl sydd, hyd yn oed yn ystod y cyfnodau anoddaf, wedi rhagori mewn busnes, ffitrwydd, chwaraeon a'r gymuned ehangach. Fe wnaethant anfon e-bost ataf yr wythnos diwethaf i ddweud eu bod newydd ryddhau eu rhestr fer o enillwyr ar gyfer y gwobrau yn y Village Hotel Club, Abertawe, ar 26 Mehefin, a noddwyd gan TASC Holdings Ltd o Sir y Fflint er mwyn cefnogi ABF The Soldiers' Charity. Pa ymgysylltiad a fu neu a fydd rhwng Llywodraeth Cymru a'r fenter gadarnhaol hon?

I'm not sure I know that much about that specific initiative, but we’ve had good, positive initiatives from right across our contacts with the armed forces. The First Minister and I met with the brigadier for Wales very recently to discuss our continued relationship with the armed forces here in Wales and what we can do to mutually assist each other to get the best out of that relationship.

We have a long, proud tradition of supplying people into the armed forces. I’m very pleased to say that I was recently at a parade of the Welsh guards through Swansea, which I was very proud to attend. So, I’m afraid I don’t know the specifics of what he just set out. I’d be very glad to know more about it. It sounds great and I’m very happy to have more involvement in that, if he wants to supply the details to me.

Nid wyf yn siŵr fy mod yn gwybod llawer am y fenter benodol honno, ond rydym wedi gweld cynlluniau da a chadarnhaol ar draws ein cysylltiadau â'r lluoedd arfog. Cyfarfu'r Prif Weinidog a minnau â brigadydd Cymru yn ddiweddar iawn i drafod ein perthynas barhaus â'r lluoedd arfog yma yng Nghymru a'r hyn y gallwn ei wneud i gynorthwyo ein gilydd i gael y gorau o'r berthynas honno.

Mae gennym draddodiad hir a balch o ddarparu pobl i'r lluoedd arfog. Rwy'n falch iawn o ddweud fy mod wedi mynychu gorymdaith y gwarchodlu Cymreig drwy Abertawe yn ddiweddar, ac roeddwn yn falch iawn o allu mynychu. Felly, mae arnaf ofn nad wyf yn ymwybodol o fanylion yr hyn y soniodd amdano. Buaswn yn falch iawn o gael gwybod mwy amdano. Mae'n swnio'n wych ac rwy'n fwy na pharod i gymryd mwy o ran yn hynny, os hoffai roi'r manylion i mi.

Great. As I say, they want to inspire our future service leavers that great things can happen.

In February, the UK Defence Secretary announced that service leavers and their families will now be able to access military accommodation for up to a year after leaving, giving them more time to look for permanent accommodation as they transition back to civilian life, where housing is clearly key to armed forces veterans and their families.

We know that, in Wales, First Choice Housing Association and Alabaré Wales Homes for Veterans have led on housing for ex-forces personnel and their families, but how do you respond to concern that the Welsh Government’s housing referral pathway for veterans doesn’t address the concerns of how housing officers can provide the necessary support to manage the complex cases of rehomed veterans with better integration of housing, health and care services?

Gwych. Fel y dywedais, maent am ysbrydoli'r rhai sy'n gadael y lluoedd arfog yn y dyfodol a dangos y gall pethau gwych ddigwydd.

Ym mis Chwefror, cyhoeddodd Ysgrifennydd Amddiffyn y DU y bydd pobl sy'n gadael y lluoedd arfog a'u teuluoedd bellach yn gallu cael llety milwrol am hyd at flwyddyn ar ôl gadael, gan roi mwy o amser iddynt edrych am lety parhaol wrth iddynt ddychwelyd at fywyd sifil, lle mae tai yn amlwg yn allweddol i gyn-filwyr y lluoedd arfog a'u teuluoedd.

Yng Nghymru, gwyddom fod Cymdeithas Tai Dewis Cyntaf a menter Cartrefi ar gyfer Cyn-filwyr Cymru Alabaré wedi arwain ar dai i gyn-filwyr a'u teuluoedd, ond sut yr ymatebwch i'r pryderon nad yw llwybr atgyfeirio tai Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer cyn-filwyr yn mynd i'r afael â'r pryderon ynglŷn â sut y gall swyddogion tai ddarparu'r cymorth angenrheidiol i reoli achosion cymhleth cyn-filwyr sydd wedi'u hailgartrefu, gan integreiddio gwasanaethau gofal, tai, ac iechyd yn well?

We have a pathway specifically for people coming out of the armed forces. I'm very keen to make sure that that works and to have better involvement with armed forces personnel in the year leading up to their leaving the armed forces. So, I'd very much welcome better involvement in that specific process for my officials. So, what we want to have is a seamless pathway so that we can hand people on to the right agencies in the area. We're very keen to make sure that we maintain local connections so people can go back to any community that they feel they have a local connection with, or indeed if they've made a life as part of being in the armed forces quarters somewhere else, that they're able to maintain a connection with family and friends. My understanding is that people transition best out of the armed forces when they are transitioning into a community happy to receive them and in which they have a lot of connections. So, I'm very happy to work with the Member if he wants to put me in touch with anyone who's got concerns in that area to make sure the pathway is correct.

Just on that, I'm reminded by the Deputy Minister that she's launching the Welsh Government's covenant annual report tomorrow, which has had a lot of input from the armed forces expert group. So, we're very delighted to be part of that as well. 

Mae gennym lwybr penodol ar gyfer pobl sy'n gadael y lluoedd arfog. Rwy'n awyddus iawn i sicrhau bod y llwybr hwnnw'n gweithio, ac i gael gwell cysylltiad ag aelodau o'r lluoedd arfog yn y flwyddyn cyn iddynt adael y lluoedd arfog. Felly, byddwn yn croesawu gwell cysylltiad yn y broses benodol honno ar gyfer fy swyddogion. Felly, rydym am gael llwybr di-dor inni allu cyfeirio pobl at yr asiantaethau cywir yn yr ardal. Rydym yn awyddus iawn i sicrhau ein bod yn cynnal cysylltiadau lleol fel y gall pobl ddychwelyd at unrhyw gymuned y teimlant fod ganddynt gysylltiad lleol â hi, neu yn wir, os ydynt wedi creu bywyd wrth fod yn y lluoedd arfog yn rhywle arall, eu bod yn gallu cynnal cysylltiad â theulu a ffrindiau. Fy nealltwriaeth i yw bod pobl yn trosglwyddo orau o'r lluoedd arfog pan fyddant yn symud i mewn i gymuned sy'n barod i'w derbyn a lle mae ganddynt lawer o gysylltiadau. Felly, rwy'n fwy na pharod i weithio gyda'r Aelod os hoffai fy rhoi mewn cysylltiad ag unrhyw un sydd â phryderon ynglŷn â hyn i sicrhau bod y llwybr yn gywir.

Ar hynny, cefais fy atgoffa gan y Dirprwy Weinidog ei bod yn lansio adroddiad blynyddol Llywodraeth Cymru ar y cyfamod yfory, sydd wedi cael llawer o fewnbwn gan y grŵp arbenigol ar y lluoedd arfog. Felly, rydym yn falch iawn o fod yn rhan o hynny hefyd.

14:40

Well, I hope your response means that you will now actually address this within the pathway with your officials.

Given your previous response, you may have heard of Project 360°—a partnership between Age Cymru, the veterans charity Woody's Lodge, and Age Alliance Wales—providing a welcoming space for armed service veterans, recent leavers and reservists, funded by the UK Chancellor's aged veterans fund, supporting older veterans across Wales.

I recently received correspondence from Age Cymru regarding a Conwy carer talking about the extra challenges she faces caring for her veteran husband with vascular dementia. She said that while he visits social groups for veterans, such as Woody's Lodge in Colwyn Bay, where he feels comfortable enough to chat with fellow visitors about their time in the service, they've also attended non-veteran support groups, which don't meet his needs. Although he enjoyed the exercise classes, he didn't want to chat to anyone there that he felt he had nothing in common with. He said, 'I would love to see more veteran-based activities as they offer such person-focused support.' And Project 360° suspects there may thousands of people like this in Wales, with full-time carers striving to meet the needs of their loved ones with chronic conditions and the added complication of being a veteran who struggles to interact with civvy street. How do you propose to address that concern as you look ahead with your colleagues in related departments? 

Wel, gobeithiaf fod eich ymateb yn golygu y byddwch yn mynd i'r afael â hyn yn awr o fewn y llwybr gyda'ch swyddogion.

O ystyried eich ymateb blaenorol, efallai eich bod wedi clywed am Project 360°—partneriaeth rhwng Age Cymru, yr elusen i gyn-filwyr Woody's Lodge, a Chynghrair Henoed Cymru—sy'n darparu lle croesawgar i gyn-filwyr y lluoedd arfog, rhai sydd wedi gadael yn ddiweddar a milwyr wrth gefn, a ariennir gan gronfa cyn-filwyr hŷn Canghellor y DU, ac sy'n cefnogi cyn-filwyr hŷn ledled Cymru.

Yn ddiweddar, cefais ohebiaeth gan Age Cymru ynghylch gofalwr o Gonwy a soniai am yr heriau ychwanegol y mae'n eu hwynebu wrth ofalu am ei gŵr sy'n gyn-filwr ac sydd â dementia fasgwlaidd. Er ei fod yn ymweld â grwpiau cymdeithasol ar gyfer cyn-filwyr, fel Woody's Lodge ym Mae Colwyn, lle mae'n teimlo'n ddigon cyfforddus i sgwrsio â chyd-ymwelwyr am eu cyfnod yn y lluoedd arfog, dywedodd eu bod hefyd wedi mynychu grwpiau cymorth i bobl nad ydynt yn gyn-filwyr, ac nad ydynt yn diwallu ei anghenion. Er iddo fwynhau'r dosbarthiadau ymarfer corff, nid oedd am sgwrsio ag unrhyw un yno y teimlai nad oedd ganddo unrhyw beth yn gyffredin â hwy. Dywedodd, 'Buaswn wrth fy modd yn gweld mwy o weithgareddau i gyn-filwyr gan eu bod yn cynnig cymorth sy'n canolbwyntio cymaint ar yr unigolyn.' Ac mae Project 360° yn amau ​​y gall fod miloedd o bobl fel hyn yng Nghymru, gyda gofalwyr llawn amser yn ymdrechu i ddiwallu anghenion eu hanwyliaid sydd â chyflyrau cronig a'r cymhlethdod ychwanegol o fod yn gyn-filwr sy'n ei chael hi'n anodd ymdopi â'r byd sifil. Sut y bwriadwch fynd i'r afael â phryder o'r fath wrth i chi edrych tua'r dyfodol gyda'ch cyd-Aelodau mewn adrannau cysylltiedig?

So, this is something the Deputy Minister's been taking forward. She's reminded me, once more, that she's launching the report at Woody's Lodge to see first-hand what can be done as part of making sure that veterans do receive the sorts of services that will allow them to have the kind of experiences that Mark Isherwood has just set out in his answer. I'm very happy to get the Deputy Minister to write to the Member with any details of any other projects that she's been looking at recently,FootnoteLink and if he wants to supply to me the individual details of the constituent that he mentions, I'd be more than happy to look into that as well. 

Mae hyn yn rhywbeth y mae'r Dirprwy Weinidog wedi bod yn bwrw ymlaen ag ef. Mae hi wedi fy atgoffa, unwaith eto, ei bod yn lansio'r adroddiad yn Woody's Lodge i weld drosti'i hun yr hyn y gellir ei wneud yn rhan o'r gwaith o sicrhau bod cyn-filwyr yn cael y mathau o wasanaethau a fydd yn eu galluogi i gael y math o brofiadau a ddisgrifiodd Mark Isherwood yn ei ateb. Rwy'n fwy na pharod i sicrhau bod y Dirprwy Weinidog yn ysgrifennu at yr Aelod gyda manylion unrhyw brosiectau eraill y bu'n edrych arnynt yn ddiweddar,FootnoteLink ac os hoffai roi manylion yr etholwr y cyfeiriodd ati i mi, rwy'n fwy na pharod i edrych ar hynny hefyd.

Cwestiwn 3—ond nid yw David Rowlands yn y Siambr i holi ei gwestiwn Rhif 3. Felly, cwestiwn 4—Paul Davies. 

Question 3—but David Rowlands is not in the Chamber to ask his question No. 3. So, question 4—Paul Davies.  

Ni ofynnwyd cwestiwn 3 [OAQ53868].

Question 3 [OAQ53868] not asked.

Polisïau Tai Gwledig Llywodraeth Cymru
The Welsh Government's Rural Housing Policies

4. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad ynghylch a yw polisïau tai gwledig Llywodraeth Cymru yn addas i'r diben? OAQ53844

4. Will the Minister make a statement on whether the Welsh Government's rural housing policies are fit for purpose? OAQ53844

The Welsh Government continues to make funding available across all parts of Wales to support our housing objectives. In addition, we recognise that there are some different challenges in rural areas, which is why we have continued our long-standing commitment to funding rural housing enablers.

Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn parhau i ddarparu cyllid ym mhob rhan o Gymru i gefnogi ein hamcanion o ran tai. Yn ogystal, rydym yn cydnabod bod heriau gwahanol i'w cael mewn ardaloedd gwledig, a dyna pam ein bod wedi parhau ein hymrwymiad hirsefydlog i ariannu swyddogion galluogi tai gwledig.

I'm grateful to the Minister for that response. Now, the Minister will be aware of concerns in Pembrokeshire regarding the Welsh Government planning policy around One Planet developments, as she's received correspondence from me and, indeed, constituents on this particular matter. Some of my constituents, and indeed Pembrokeshire County Council, have expressed concerns on a number of fronts, but they predominantly relate to the monitoring of the business plans and the pressure this is putting on local planning authorities to ensure that buildings are actually developed in an appropriate way. Would the Minister agree with me that, in light of the immense burden on local planning authorities, and indeed concerns from my constituents, it is time to review the One Planet development policy?  

Rwy'n ddiolchgar i'r Gweinidog am ei hymateb. Nawr, bydd y Gweinidog yn ymwybodol o bryderon yn Sir Benfro mewn perthynas â pholisi cynllunio Llywodraeth Cymru o ran datblygiadau Un Blaned, gan ei bod wedi derbyn gohebiaeth oddi wrthyf, ac yn wir, oddi wrth etholwyr ar y mater hwn. Mae rhai o fy etholwyr, ac yn wir, Cyngor Sir Penfro, wedi mynegi pryderon ynghylch sawl agwedd, ond maent yn ymwneud yn bennaf â monitro'r cynlluniau busnes a'r pwysau y mae hyn yn ei roi ar awdurdodau cynllunio lleol i sicrhau bod adeiladau'n cael eu datblygu mewn ffordd briodol. Yng ngoleuni'r baich enfawr ar awdurdodau cynllunio lleol, a'r pryderon gan fy etholwyr yn wir, a fyddai'r Gweinidog yn cytuno ei bod yn bryd adolygu polisi datblygu Un Blaned?

Well, as he I'm sure knows, the One Planet development guidance is set out in 'Technical Advice Note (Wales) 6: Planning for Sustainable Rural Communities' and the One Planet development practice guide—that's surprisingly difficult to say: One Planet development practice guide. The planning applications are determined in accordance with the approved adopted development plan for the area, unless material considerations indicate otherwise, and obviously the planning system itself isn't designed to stop people making planning applications; it's designed to deal with them once they've been made. 'Planning Policy Wales' encourages local planning authorities and applicants to discuss proposals through the pre-application discussion prior to the formal submission of the planning application, and, as he knows, as I think he set out in his question, there are strict planning criteria applying to OPDs, and planning applicants must provide robust evidence in the form of that management plan, including the business and improvement plan, the ecological footprint analysis, carbon analysis, biodiversity and landscape assessment, community impact assessment and transport and travel assessments.

What I would say is that, if Pembrokeshire is having a spike of these or is struggling with particular expertise, then I'm more than happy to work with Pembrokeshire to ensure they have the expertise to be able to deal with it, and I'll happily make contact with the chief executive there to ensure that they feel that they do have the right skill set to be able to manage that. I understand the Member's concern here, but, of course, we do want to encourage passive, eco-friendly houses and innovative development across Wales, but I take the point he's making, and I'm more than happy to contact the local authority to ensure they have the skill set that they need.FootnoteLink

Wel, fel y gŵyr, rwy'n siŵr, mae canllawiau datblygu Un Blaned wedi'u nodi yn 'Nodyn Cyngor Technegol (Cymru) 6: Cynllunio ar gyfer Cymunedau Gwledig Cynaliadwy' ac arweiniad ymarfer datblygu Un Blaned. Penderfynir ar y ceisiadau cynllunio yn unol â'r cynllun datblygu a fabwysiadwyd ac a gymeradwywyd ar gyfer yr ardal, oni bai fod ystyriaethau perthnasol yn nodi fel arall, ac yn amlwg, nid yw'r system gynllunio ei hun wedi'i llunio i atal pobl rhag gwneud ceisiadau cynllunio; mae wedi'i llunio i ymdrin â hwy ar ôl iddynt gael eu gwneud. Mae 'Polisi Cynllunio Cymru' yn annog awdurdodau cynllunio lleol a'r rhai sy'n gwneud ceisiadau i drafod cynigion drwy'r drafodaeth cyn ymgeisio cyn cyflwyno'r cais cynllunio yn ffurfiol, ac fel y gŵyr, ac fel y nododd yn ei gwestiwn, rwy'n credu, ceir meini prawf cynllunio llym ar gyfer datblygiadau un blaned, ac mae'n rhaid i'r rhai sy'n gwneud cais cynllunio ddarparu tystiolaeth gadarn ar ffurf y cynllun rheoli hwnnw, gan gynnwys y cynllun busnes a'r cynllun gwella, y dadansoddiad o'r ôl troed ecolegol, dadansoddiad carbon, asesiadau tirwedd a bioamrywiaeth, asesiadau effaith ar y gymuned ac asesiadau trafnidiaeth a theithio.

Os yw Sir Benfro yn gweld cynnydd sydyn yn y rhain neu os yw'n cael trafferth gydag arbenigedd penodol, rwy'n fwy na pharod i weithio gyda Sir Benfro i sicrhau bod ganddynt yr arbenigedd i allu ymdrin â hyn, ac rwy'n fwy na pharod i gysylltu â'r prif weithredwr yno i sicrhau eu bod yn teimlo bod ganddynt y set gywir o sgiliau i allu rheoli hynny. Rwy'n deall pryder yr Aelod yn hyn o beth, ond wrth gwrs, rydym am hybu tai ynni goddefol, ecogyfeillgar a datblygu arloesol ledled Cymru, ond rwy'n derbyn y pwynt a wnaeth, ac rwy'n fwy na pharod i gysylltu â'r awdurdod lleol i sicrhau bod ganddynt y set o sgiliau sydd ei hangen arnynt.FootnoteLink

14:45

Mae diffyg tai fforddiadwy, wrth gwrs, yn broblem arbennig o ddwys mewn ardaloedd gwledig, ond lle mae yna dai fforddiadwy yn cael eu codi—gallaf i ddangos enghreifftiau i chi yn fy rhanbarth i yng Ngogledd Cymru—mae hyd yn oed y rheini, er eu bod yn cael eu codi â phob bwriad da, yn aros yn wag, a hynny am nifer o resymau, yn cynnwys, wrth gwrs, yr angen am flaendal sydd yn rhy fawr yn aml iawn i bobl leol ei fforddio. Felly, fel un cam ymarferol i drio cynnig help i gymunedau cefn gwlad yn y cyd-destun yma, a gaf i ofyn i’r Gweinidog a fyddech chi’n barod i ystyried creu cronfa cyfalaf benodol ar gyfer ardaloedd gwledig er mwyn helpu pobl leol, ac yn enwedig pobl ifanc, i allu fforddio prynu neu rentu tai yn yr ardaloedd gwledig hynny?

A shortage of affordable housing is a particular problem in rural areas, but where there are affordable homes built—and I can show you examples in my own region in north Wales—even those, although they are built with the best of intentions, remain vacant for a number of reasons, including, of course, the need for a deposit, which is too great for local people to afford very often. So, as one practical solution in providing assistance to rural communities in this context, may I ask the Minister whether she'd be willing to consider creating a particular capital fund for rural areas in order to assist local people, particularly young people, to afford to buy or rent homes in those rural areas?

Yes, it's certainly an interesting point. I've just received—in fact, I was holding it in my hand—the Help to Buy Wales evaluation report, and one of the things we are looking at is what we will replace that scheme with or whether we renew it and what we do with the renewals. One of the things I'm very interested in doing is seeing what we can do to bring empty properties back into use and to encourage development outside of the conurbation areas to support the needs of local people. We're also working very hard with the registered social landlord providers and councils, depending on which is the housing authority in your area, to make sure that they're bringing forward the social housing plans necessary to enable local people to stay in their local communities. I'm very keen to work with local authorities and RSLs in this regard. We are particularly looking to have development suitable for local people to stay in the communities they want to live and work in and make sure that we build those communities as sustainable communities inside the community envelope.

So, I'm very happy to say that I'm happy to look at anything in that regard. I have the report, and you can see I was just starting to read through the meat of the report to see what's being recommended there. I've had meetings already with several local authorities in north Wales around the need to get social housing and affordable housing in its wider sense into those committees as well. So, I'm very happy to look at it, and I'd be happy to have the Member involved in that as we take it forward.

Ie, mae'n sicr yn bwynt diddorol. Rwyf newydd dderbyn—mewn gwirionedd, roeddwn yn ei ddal yn fy llaw—adroddiad gwerthuso Cymorth i Brynu Cymru, ac un o'r pethau rydym yn eu hystyried yw beth a gawn yn lle'r cynllun hwnnw neu a ydym yn ei adnewyddu, a beth a wnawn gyda'r adnewyddiadau. Un o'r pethau rwy'n awyddus iawn i'w gwneud yw gweld beth y gallwn ei wneud er mwyn ailddefnyddio eiddo gwag ac annog datblygu y tu allan i gytrefi i gefnogi anghenion pobl leol. Rydym hefyd yn gweithio'n galed iawn gyda chynghorau a darparwyr y landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig, yn dibynnu ar ba awdurdod tai sydd yn eich ardal chi, i sicrhau eu bod yn cyflwyno'r cynlluniau tai cymdeithasol angenrheidiol i alluogi pobl leol i aros yn eu cymunedau lleol. Rwy'n awyddus iawn i weithio gydag awdurdodau lleol a landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig ar hyn. Rydym yn edrych yn arbennig ar gael datblygiadau addas i bobl leol allu aros yn y cymunedau y maent yn awyddus i fyw ac i weithio ynddynt a sicrhau ein bod yn adeiladu'r cymunedau hynny fel cymunedau cynaliadwy oddi mewn i'r amlen gymunedol.

Felly, rwy'n fwy na pharod i ddweud fy mod yn hapus i edrych ar unrhyw beth yn y cyswllt hwnnw. Mae gennyf yr adroddiad, a gallwch weld fy mod newydd ddechrau darllen drwy sylwedd yr adroddiad i weld beth y mae'n ei argymell. Rwyf wedi cael cyfarfodydd eisoes gyda sawl awdurdod lleol yng ngogledd Cymru ynghylch yr angen i gael tai cymdeithasol a thai fforddiadwy yn ei ystyr ehangach yn y pwyllgorau hynny hefyd. Felly, rwy'n fwy na pharod i edrych arno, a buaswn yn hapus i gael yr Aelod yn rhan o hynny wrth i ni fwrw ymlaen ag ef.

Yr Adolygiad Annibynol o Dai
The Independent Review Into Housing

5. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gydag awdurdodau lleol yn dilyn cyhoeddiad Llywodraeth Cymru o'r adolygiad annibynnol o dai? OAQ53863

5. What discussions has the Minister had with local authorities following the Welsh Government's publication of the independent review into housing? OAQ53863

The independent review panel for affordable housing supply published their report on 1 May. I'm actually attending the Welsh Local Government Association’s housing cabinet meeting tomorrow, where the panel’s report will be the first topic for discussion. I'm engaging across the housing sector as I consider my response to the recommendations.

Cyhoeddodd y panel adolygu annibynnol ar y cyflenwad tai fforddiadwy eu hadroddiad ar 1 Mai. Mewn gwirionedd, byddaf yn mynychu cyfarfod cabinet tai Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru yfory, lle bydd adroddiad y panel yn bwnc trafod cyntaf. Rwy'n ymgysylltu ar draws y sector tai wrth imi ystyried fy ymateb i'r argymhellion.

Thank you for that answer, Minister. Recent figures have shown that some families are spending three years in temporary accommodation, so the average time to wait in some areas is months and not days. People are waiting a long time for proper accommodation, and I'm sure you empathise with those people. Under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, local authorities have a duty to find accommodation for people who are, or are at risk of being, homeless, but there's no limit on how long that should take. What more can you do to reduce the time families are in temporary accommodation, and should the housing Act be amended to include a time limit on how long an authority can take to find a family a much needed home?

Diolch am eich ateb, Weinidog. Mae ffigurau diweddar wedi dangos bod rhai teuluoedd yn treulio tair blynedd mewn llety dros dro, felly mae'r amser aros cyfartalog mewn rhai ardaloedd yn fisoedd ac nid dyddiau. Mae pobl yn aros am amser maith am lety priodol, ac rwy'n siŵr eich bod yn cydymdeimlo â'r bobl hynny. O dan Ddeddf Tai (Cymru) 2014, mae dyletswydd ar awdurdodau lleol i ddod o hyd i lety ar gyfer pobl sy'n ddigartref, neu sydd mewn perygl o fod yn ddigartref, ond nid oes cyfyngiad ar ba mor hir y dylai hynny gymryd. Beth arall y gallwch ei wneud i leihau'r amser y mae teuluoedd mewn llety dros dro, ac a ddylid diwygio'r Ddeddf tai i gynnwys terfyn amser ar faint o amser y gall awdurdod ei gymryd i ddod o hyd i gartref mawr ei angen i deulu?

Dealing with the last point first, wouldn't it be lovely if that were an easy solution? But, of course, it isn't, because, if you put a time limit on it and there isn't a permanent home available, what is the local authority to do? We don't want people moved away from their communities in pursuit of something that would have, it seems to me, quite a lot of unintended consequences. The only actual way to deal with problem that the Member outlines, which is a real one, is to increase housing supply. The Member's heard me talking at great length today already about increasing that housing supply, using all of the levers in our control, but, more specifically, to get scale and pace into the building of social housing once more, which is the only permanent solution to that problem.

Mike Hedges suggested that there were some issues for private developers bringing housing forward, but what's really interesting is that if you look historically at the pattern of house building, more private house building has taken place in the years where the most social housing was built than in other eras as the market is forced to deal with the competition from the social house building. So, it's a really interesting counterintuitive spike, which I've been most interested to see, as it forces house builders to consider that theirs isn't the only game in town. So, we're really keen to get the market to move in that way, both by building the social housing and by getting developers to bring their plots into use.

Os caf ymdrin â'r pwynt olaf yn gyntaf, oni fyddai'n hyfryd pe bai hynny'n ateb hawdd? Ond wrth gwrs, nid yw'n ateb hawdd, oherwydd os gosodwch derfyn amser ac nad oes cartref parhaol ar gael, beth y gall yr awdurdod lleol ei wneud? Nid ydym am i bobl gael eu symud o'u cymunedau er mwyn ceisio sicrhau rhywbeth a fyddai'n arwain at lawer o ganlyniadau anfwriadol yn ôl yr hyn a welaf fi. Yr unig ffordd o fynd i'r afael â'r broblem a amlinellodd yr Aelod, sy'n un real, yw cynyddu'r cyflenwad tai. Mae'r Aelod wedi fy nghlywed yn sôn gryn dipyn heddiw am gynyddu'r cyflenwad tai, gan ddefnyddio'r holl ddulliau sydd ar gael i ni, ond yn fwy penodol, i sicrhau y caiff tai cymdeithasol eu hadeiladu ar raddfa fawr ac yn gyflym unwaith eto, sef yr unig ateb parhaol i'r broblem.

Awgrymodd Mike Hedges fod problemau gyda chael datblygwyr preifat i adeiladu tai, ond yr hyn sy'n ddiddorol iawn, os edrychwch ar batrwm adeiladu tai yn hanesyddol, yw bod mwy o adeiladu tai preifat wedi digwydd yn y blynyddoedd pan gafodd y nifer fwyaf o dai cymdeithasol eu hadeiladu nag mewn cyfnodau eraill gan fod y farchnad yn gorfod ymdopi â'r gystadleuaeth yn sgil y gwaith adeiladu tai cymdeithasol. Felly, mae'n gynnydd hynod ddiddorol yn groes i'r disgwyl, a bu'n ddiddorol iawn ei weld, gan ei fod yn gorfodi cwmnïau adeiladu tai i ystyried nad hwy yw'r unig rai yn y maes. Felly, rydym yn awyddus iawn i sicrhau bod y farchnad yn symud yn y ffordd honno, drwy adeiladu'r tai cymdeithasol a thrwy sicrhau bod datblygwyr yn defnyddio'u plotiau.

14:50

Obviously, there's quite a difference in rural housing and the supply of rural housing, which very often falls foul of some of the sustainability goals, such as bus services, for example, that regrettably have been withdrawn over recent years, and we can have a debate and discussion about that. But, very often when people put forward applications for new housing in rural areas, they fall down on the sustainability test because very often it's a car that's required to access services and such. That's just by the very nature. Do you accept that argument, Minister, and do you think that there is cause to look at some of the rules and regulations because of the unique circumstances that the rural environment presents to get more rural development so that more housing stock can be made available?

Yn amlwg, mae cryn wahaniaeth mewn tai gwledig a'r cyflenwad o dai gwledig, sy'n aml yn mynd yn groes i rai o'r nodau cynaliadwyedd, megis gwasanaethau bysiau, er enghraifft, sydd wedi cael eu torri, yn anffodus, dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf, a gallwn gael dadl a thrafodaeth ynglŷn â hynny. Ond yn aml iawn, pan fydd pobl yn cyflwyno ceisiadau am dai newydd mewn ardaloedd gwledig, maent yn methu'r prawf cynaliadwyedd, yn aml iawn oherwydd bod angen car er mwyn cael mynediad at wasanaethau ac ati. Dyna yw ei natur. A ydych yn derbyn y ddadl honno, Weinidog, ac a ydych yn credu bod yna achos dros edrych ar rai o'r rheolau a'r rheoliadau oherwydd amgylchiadau unigryw yr amgylchedd gwledig fel y gellir cael mwy o ddatblygiadau gwledig er mwyn sicrhau bod mwy o stoc dai ar gael?

So, it's a complex picture. I mean, he's right to say that sustainability has to be one of the issues. What we don't want to have—and I take the point he's making entirely—but what we don't want is to build houses, put people in them and then find, actually, they're suffering from serious fuel poverty or other things because their transport costs are so high, and so on. So, it's a rounded picture that needs to be taken, and, as I said in response to Llyr, one of the things we need to look at is the variety of housing that's being enabled in rural communities, because it's not always just private housing that's required.

I live, as he will know, in a small village on Gower in my friend Rebecca Evans's constituency. That used to have a small amount of social housing, which was mostly occupied by the children of the people living in the village, but it's all been sold. So, we need more of that so that the children who grew up in those villages can access housing that they can readily utilise to stay in their communities. So, it's a mixed picture. So, I think we do need to look at some of the rules and regulations around this, but there are good reasons for the sustainability arguments, not just to stop the housebuilding, but to prevent the people in them falling into unintended areas of fuel poverty, for example, and other issues.

Mae'n ddarlun cymhleth. Hynny yw, mae'n iawn i ddweud bod yn rhaid i gynaliadwyedd fod yn un o'r materion sy'n codi. Yr hyn nad ydym ei eisiau—ac rwy'n derbyn y pwynt a wnaed ganddo'n llwyr—ond yr hyn nad ydym eisiau ei wneud yw adeiladu tai, rhoi pobl ynddynt a gweld wedyn eu bod yn dioddef tlodi tanwydd difrifol neu bethau eraill am fod eu costau trafnidiaeth mor uchel, ac yn y blaen. Felly, mae angen ystyried y darlun cyflawn, ac fel y dywedais mewn ymateb i Llyr, un o'r pethau y mae angen i ni edrych arnynt yw'r amrywiaeth o dai y gellir eu cael mewn cymunedau gwledig, am nad tai preifat yn unig sydd eu hangen bob amser.

Fel y gŵyr, rwy'n byw mewn pentref bach ar y Gŵyr yn etholaeth fy ffrind Rebecca Evans. Roedd nifer fach o dai cymdeithasol yn arfer bod yno, a phlant y bobl a oedd yn byw yn y pentref oedd yn byw ynddynt gan mwyaf, ond mae'r cyfan wedi'i werthu. Felly, mae angen mwy o hynny fel bod y plant a fagwyd yn y pentrefi hynny'n gallu cael mynediad at dai er mwyn iddynt allu aros yn eu cymunedau. Felly, mae'n ddarlun cymysg. Credaf fod angen i ni edrych ar rai o'r rheolau a'r rheoliadau sy'n gysylltiedig â hyn, ond ceir rhesymau da dros y dadleuon cynaliadwyedd, nid yn unig i atal gwaith adeiladu tai, ond i atal y bobl ynddynt rhag wynebu agweddau anfwriadol ar dlodi tanwydd, er enghraifft, a phroblemau eraill.

Tai Fforddiadwy
Affordable Housing

6. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am y ddarpariaeth tai fforddiadwy yng Nghymru? OAQ53836

6. Will the Minister make a statement on the provision of affordable housing in mid Wales? OAQ53836

I detect a theme developing in today's questions, Llywydd.

Yes, of course. The provision of affordable housing in mid Wales is a priority, as is building more affordable homes across all parts of Wales. I recognise that supply is not currently meeting demand. Stock-retaining local authorities, such as Powys, and housing associations have a key role to play in bringing stock forward.

Rwy'n synhwyro thema'n datblygu yng nghwestiynau heddiw, Lywydd.

Gwnaf, wrth gwrs. Mae darparu tai fforddiadwy yng nghanolbarth Cymru yn flaenoriaeth, fel y mae adeiladu mwy o gartrefi fforddiadwy ym mhob rhan o Gymru. Rwy'n cydnabod nad yw'r cyflenwad yn ateb y galw ar hyn o bryd. Mae gan awdurdodau lleol sy'n cadw stoc, megis Powys, a chymdeithasau tai rôl allweddol i'w chwarae o ran darparu stoc.

Thank you, Minister. There was certainly no co-ordination in terms of the theme. But, certainly, housing association tenants have contacted me in numbers in recent months in regard to what they see as the unaffordable levels of their rent going forward. The rent rises are within Welsh Government guidelines. That's an issue that I've written to you about, and, as I understand it, it allows for a minimum rise of inflation plus 1.5 per cent, and £2 per week. What more are you doing to ensure that rental rates are not so expensive for those who are often on low incomes, and what consideration have you given to introducing a value-for-money assessment, such as what occurs in England to give tenants the confidence that any rental increase is justified?

Diolch, Weinidog. Yn sicr, ni chafwyd unrhyw gydgysylltu ar y thema. Ond yn sicr, mae llawer iawn o denantiaid cymdeithasau tai wedi cysylltu â mi dros y misoedd diwethaf ynghylch yr hyn y teimlant sy'n lefelau anfforddiadwy o rent yn y dyfodol. Mae'r cynnydd yn y rhenti o fewn canllawiau Llywodraeth Cymru. Mae'n fater rwyf wedi ysgrifennu atoch yn ei gylch, ac yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallaf, mae'n caniatáu isafswm cynnydd o 1.5 y cant ar ben chwyddiant, a £2 yr wythnos. Beth arall a wnewch i sicrhau nad yw cyfraddau rhent mor ddrud i'r rhai sy'n aml ar incwm isel, a pha ystyriaeth a roesoch i gyflwyno asesiad gwerth am arian, tebyg i'r hyn sy'n digwydd yn Lloegr, i roi hyder i denantiaid fod cyfiawnhad dros unrhyw gynnydd yn y rhenti?

Yes, we're currently looking at the rent policy for Wales, so I will be announcing a new rent policy for Wales once we've completed that review. The Member rightly says there are a range of factors in play. One is social justice for the people paying the rent. The other is the fact that the landlords who we wish to build the much-needed social houses use the rent, obviously, as a way to fund the borrowing that they need to get the capital to build more houses. So, it's a nice balance between the two. The review is looking at all aspects of rent policy, including the social justice arrangements. The Member will know that I won't be able to let this go without saying that he also could play his part in looking to get his Government to change some of the regulations in universal credit that are driving some of the issues that he outlined in his question.

Rydym yn edrych ar y polisi rhenti ar gyfer Cymru ar hyn o bryd, felly byddaf yn cyhoeddi polisi rhenti newydd i Gymru ar ôl inni gwblhau'r adolygiad hwnnw. Mae'r Aelod yn iawn i ddweud bod amrywiaeth o ffactorau ar waith. Un yw cyfiawnder cymdeithasol i'r bobl sy'n talu'r rhenti. Y llall yw'r ffaith bod y landlordiaid rydym am iddynt adeiladu'r tai cymdeithasol mawr eu hangen yn defnyddio'r rhenti, yn amlwg, fel ffordd o ariannu'r benthyciadau y maent eu hangen er mwyn sicrhau'r cyfalaf i adeiladu mwy o dai. Felly, mae cydbwysedd da rhwng y ddau. Mae'r adolygiad yn edrych ar bob agwedd ar bolisi rhenti, gan gynnwys y trefniadau cyfiawnder cymdeithasol. Bydd yr Aelod yn gwybod na fyddaf yn gallu gadael i hyn fynd heb ddweud y gallai yntau chwarae ei ran drwy geisio annog ei Lywodraeth i newid rhai o'r rheoliadau credyd cynhwysol sy'n achosi rhai o'r problemau a amlinellodd yn ei gwestiwn.

Gwaith Teg
Fair Work

7. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n cefnogi gwaith teg yng Nghymru? OAQ53854

7. How is the Welsh Government supporting fair work in Wales? OAQ53854

The Welsh Government already promotes fair work in areas such as procurement and social care. We have also welcomed the Fair Work Commission’s recent report and will be working in social partnership to consider taking forward its recommendations.

Mae Llywodraeth Cymru eisoes yn hyrwyddo gwaith teg mewn meysydd fel caffael a gofal cymdeithasol. Rydym hefyd wedi croesawu adroddiad diweddar y Comisiwn Gwaith Teg a byddwn yn gweithio mewn partneriaeth gymdeithasol i ystyried bwrw ymlaen â'i argymhellion.

Thank you. Well, responding to your statement here last week—

Diolch. Wel, wrth ymateb i'ch datganiad yma yr wythnos diwethaf—

Can I interrupt you, Mark Isherwood? I'm terribly sorry. Llywydd, my fault entirely—the Deputy Minister was going to take this question, so can I apologise profusely and allow her to do this?

A gaf fi dorri ar eich traws, Mark Isherwood? Mae'n ddrwg iawn gennyf. Lywydd, fy mai i yn llwyr—roedd y Dirprwy Weinidog am ateb y cwestiwn hwn, felly a gaf fi ymddiheuro'n fawr a chaniatáu iddi wneud hynny?

14:55

You're far too keen, Minister. The Deputy Minister to respond. Carry on with your supplementary.

Rydych yn rhy awyddus o lawer, Weinidog. Y Dirprwy Weinidog i ymateb. Parhewch â'ch cwestiwn atodol.

Okay. Responding to your colleague the Minister's statement here last week on the Fair Work Commission report, I also refer to the UK Government's 'Good Work Plan'. This follows recommendations made by Matthew Taylor, the chief executive of the royal society of arts, the mission of which is to enrich society through ideas and actions, so, clearly, not a partisan report. The plan outlines action to implement his recommendations in review of employment practices and modern working to ensure employee rights are protected and upgraded as we leave the EU and that the UK labour market remains successful and competitive into the future. What consideration, therefore, will the Welsh Government give to the 'Good Work Plan', alongside its consideration of the consultation outcome on its own Fair Work Commission report?

O'r gorau. Wrth ymateb i ddatganiad eich cyd-Aelod y Gweinidog yr wythnos diwethaf ar adroddiad y Comisiwn Gwaith Teg, cyfeiriaf hefyd at 'Good Work Plan' Llywodraeth y DU. Mae hwn yn dilyn argymhellion a wnaed gan Matthew Taylor, prif weithredwr cymdeithas frenhinol y celfyddydau, sydd â chenhadaeth i gyfoethogi cymdeithas drwy syniadau a gweithredoedd, felly, yn amlwg, nid yw'n adroddiad pleidiol. Mae'r cynllun yn amlinellu camau i roi ei argymhellion ar waith wrth adolygu arferion cyflogaeth a gweithio modern i sicrhau bod hawliau gweithwyr yn cael eu diogelu a'u huwchraddio wrth inni adael yr UE, a bod marchnad lafur y DU yn parhau i fod yn llwyddiannus ac yn gystadleuol yn y dyfodol. Pa ystyriaeth, felly, y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei rhoi i'r 'Good Work Plan', ochr yn ochr â'i hystyriaeth o ganlyniadau'r ymgynghoriad ar ei hadroddiad Comisiwn Gwaith Teg ei hun?

Can I thank the Member for allowing me to answer the question and for asking the question? The Member raised some very interesting points there in terms of Matthew Taylor, previously of Institute for Public Policy Research background. Clearly, we're proud of the record we have in Wales in terms of how we've worked with social partnership and the things that's been able to deliver before in terms of a living wage in the NHS to the agricultural advisory panel. But now we want to look at what's on the table and build on the previous work in a way that works for workers and works for Wales, and looking at those 48 recommendations of the Fair Work Commission and outlining how we can drive forward fair work in Wales. I know that my colleague the Minister announced that we accepted the six of the commission's priority recommendations, and what we'll need to do now is to—. Our task will be to consider carefully each of the wider recommendations and determine the best way forward in terms of implementing them.

A gaf fi ddiolch i'r Aelod am ganiatáu imi ateb y cwestiwn ac am ofyn y cwestiwn? Mae'r Aelod wedi codi rhai pwyntiau diddorol iawn o ran Matthew Taylor, gynt o'r Sefydliad Ymchwil Polisi Cyhoeddus. Yn amlwg, rydym yn falch o'r record sydd gennym yng Nghymru o ran y modd rydym wedi gweithio gyda phartneriaeth gymdeithasol a'r pethau y mae hynny wedi eu cyflawni eisoes mewn perthynas â chyflog byw yn y GIG a'r panel cynghori ar amaethyddiaeth. Ond bellach, rydym am edrych ar yr hyn sydd ar gael ac adeiladu ar y gwaith blaenorol mewn ffordd sy'n gweithio i weithwyr ac sy'n gweithio i Gymru, ac edrych ar y 48 o argymhellion gan y Comisiwn Gwaith Teg ac amlinellu sut y gallwn fwrw ymlaen â gwaith teg yng Nghymru. Gwn fod fy nghyd-Aelod y Gweinidog wedi cyhoeddi ein bod wedi derbyn chwe argymhelliad blaenoriaethol y comisiwn, a'r hyn y bydd angen i ni ei wneud nawr yw—. Ein tasg ni fydd ystyried pob un o'r argymhellion ehangach yn ofalus a phenderfynu ar y ffordd orau o'u rhoi ar waith.

Minister, for many years young people have been discriminated against in employment. Would you welcome the commitment by the Labour Party now to end that discrimination against 16 to 18-year-olds so they will be paid the rate for the job not a rate attributable to their age, and end this long-standing injustice young people have had to face in the workplace?

Weinidog, ers blynyddoedd lawer, mae pobl ifanc wedi dioddef gwahaniaethu ym maes cyflogaeth. A fyddech yn croesawu ymrwymiad y Blaid Lafur i roi diwedd ar wahaniaethu yn erbyn pobl ifanc 16 i 18 oed er mwyn iddynt gael eu talu ar y gyfradd gywir ar gyfer y swydd yn hytrach na chyfradd y gellir ei phriodoli i'w hoedran, a rhoi diwedd ar yr anghyfiawnder maith y bu'n rhaid i bobl ifanc ei ddioddef yn y gweithle?

In a word, 'yes'. When the minimum wage first came in, it was groundbreaking legislation but it was meant to be a minimum. We see now, and we've heard recently—some students came in to talk to us—how 16 to 18-year-olds also have caring responsibilities, and may also need to pay rent. So, also, we need to make sure, on the other side of the coin, actually—. Some more unscrupulous employers may use that to potentially not employ perhaps mature students and only employ younger students because they can pay them less money. The Member will be familiar probably with the Fair Work Commission recommendation that believes workers should be fairly rewarded the rates of pay of the Welsh living wage and should be provided the minimum wage for all working hours and all workers.

Mewn gair, 'buaswn'. Pan gyflwynwyd yr isafswm cyflog gyntaf, roedd yn ddeddfwriaeth arloesol ond isafswm yn unig ydoedd. Rydym yn gweld bellach, ac rydym wedi clywed yn ddiweddar—daeth rhai myfyrwyr i mewn i siarad â ni—sut y mae gan bobl ifanc 16 i 18 oed gyfrifoldebau gofalu hefyd, ac efallai y bydd angen iddynt dalu rhent. Felly, mae angen i ni sicrhau hefyd ar ochr arall y geiniog, mewn gwirionedd—. Efallai y bydd rhai cyflogwyr mwy diegwyddor yn defnyddio hynny i beidio â chyflogi myfyrwyr hŷn ac yn cyflogi myfyrwyr iau yn unig gan y gallant dalu llai o arian iddynt. Bydd yr Aelod yn gyfarwydd, yn ôl pob tebyg, ag argymhelliad y Comisiwn Gwaith Teg y dylai gweithwyr gael eu talu'n deg ar gyfraddau cyflog byw Cymru ac y dylid darparu'r isafswm cyflog am yr holl oriau gwaith ac i'r holl weithwyr.

Cynhwysiant Ariannol
Financial Inclusion

8. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am gynlluniau Llywodraeth Cymru i wella cynhwysiant ariannol ym Merthyr Tudful a Rhymni? OAQ53850

8. Will the Minister provide an update on Welsh Government plans to improve financial inclusion in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney? OAQ53850

The financial inclusion progress report and forward look, published in December 2018, provides an overview of some of the key activities since publication of the strategy and delivery plan in 2016. These include our ongoing support for advice services, credit unions and the discretionary assistance fund.

Mae'r adroddiad cynnydd a rhagolwg cynhwysiant ariannol, a gyhoeddwyd ym mis Rhagfyr 2018, yn rhoi trosolwg o rai o'r gweithgareddau allweddol ers cyhoeddi'r strategaeth a'r cynllun cyflawni yn 2016. Mae'r rhain yn cynnwys ein cefnogaeth barhaus i wasanaethau cynghori, undebau credyd a'r gronfa cymorth dewisol.

Thank you, Minister, and I'm very aware of the good work that is done by organisations like the citizens advice bureau in my constituency. Yet, there are Valleys communities that are facing a steady withdrawal of many vital services, and many of us will have seen that. Working with my colleague Gerald Jones MP, we've campaigned to save some of the commercial banking services in towns like Rhymney, and we're currently looking to retain access to a network of free cashpoints, cash withdrawal machines, and also supporting the work of local credit unions. In what further ways can the Welsh Government deliver support to ensure financial inclusion in these communities?

Diolch, Weinidog, ac rwy'n ymwybodol iawn o'r gwaith da a wneir gan sefydliadau fel y ganolfan cyngor ar bopeth yn fy etholaeth. Fodd bynnag, mae llawer o wasanaethau hanfodol yn cael eu diddymu'n gyson yn rhai o gymunedau'r Cymoedd, a bydd llawer ohonom wedi gweld hynny. Gan weithio gyda fy nghydweithiwr Gerald Jones AS, rydym wedi ymgyrchu i achub rhai o'r gwasanaethau bancio masnachol mewn trefi fel Rhymni, ac ar hyn o bryd, rydym yn ceisio cadw mynediad at rwydwaith o beiriannau codi arian parod am ddim, yn ogystal â chefnogi gwaith yr undebau credyd lleol. Ym mha ffyrdd eraill y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ddarparu cymorth i sicrhau cynhwysiant ariannol yn y cymunedau hyn?

Can I start by also reflecting the Member's comments and recognising the work the citizens advice bureau provides in providing advice and promoting financial inclusion and that support for people in communities across the country, and also recognising the work both you and your colleague Gerald Jones have done in trying to prevent bank closures and best mitigate the impact? I know it's something that probably all Members in this Chamber will be familiar with, and familiar with having to campaign in that way as well. And, unfortunately, whilst we don't have the levers at our disposal in terms of regulation in terms of preventing banks from doing that, there is actually action we can take within Wales to make sure that financial inclusion doesn't suffer as a consequence of that.

The Member mentions about the—[Inaudible.]—access to ATMs through Link. We will continue to liaise with Link—as Welsh Government—the cash machine network to help ensure that there is adequate provision of free-to-use cash machines maintained locally, whilst focusing on our work with credit unions. There are 19 credit union providers we're supporting between April last year and March 2020, and Merthyr Tydfil is one of these as well. The Member is also familiar with the work being led by my colleague the Minister for Economy and Transport on developing a community bank in Wales. Banking professionals are currently working with the Development Bank of Wales, who support this work, ensuring that the creation of a community bank integrates with existing financial institutions, including the development bank and, of course, credit unions. Hopefully, this will go some way to supporting financially inclusive communities.

A gaf fi ddechrau drwy ategu sylwadau'r Aelod a chydnabod y gwaith y mae'r ganolfan cyngor ar bopeth yn ei wneud wrth ddarparu cyngor a hyrwyddo cynhwysiant ariannol a'r gefnogaeth i bobl mewn cymunedau ledled y wlad, a chydnabod y gwaith rydych chi a'ch cydweithiwr Gerald Jones wedi'i wneud ar geisio atal banciau rhag cau a lliniaru effaith hynny? Gwn ei fod yn rhywbeth y bydd pob Aelod yn y Siambr hon yn gyfarwydd ag ef, mae'n debyg, ac yn gyfarwydd â gorfod ymgyrchu yn y ffordd honno hefyd. Ac yn anffodus, er nad yw'r dulliau ar gyfer rheoleiddio i atal banciau rhag gwneud hyn ar gael i ni, mae camau y gallwn eu cymryd yng Nghymru i sicrhau nad yw cynhwysiant ariannol yn dioddef o ganlyniad i hynny.

Mae'r Aelod yn sôn am—[Anghlywadwy.]—mynediad at beiriannau ATM drwy Link. Byddwn yn parhau i gysylltu â Link—fel Llywodraeth Cymru—y rhwydwaith peiriannau arian i helpu i sicrhau y cynhelir darpariaeth ddigonol o beiriannau codi arian parod am ddim yn lleol, gan ganolbwyntio ar ein gwaith gydag undebau credyd. Rydym yn cefnogi 19 o ddarparwyr undebau credyd rhwng mis Ebrill y llynedd a mis Mawrth 2020, ac mae Merthyr Tudful yn un o'r rhain hefyd. Mae'r Aelod yn gyfarwydd â'r gwaith a arweinir gan fy nghyd-Aelod, Gweinidog yr Economi a Thrafnidiaeth, ar ddatblygu banc cymunedol yng Nghymru. Ar hyn o bryd, mae bancwyr proffesiynol yn gweithio gyda Banc Datblygu Cymru, sy'n cefnogi'r gwaith hwn, er mwyn sicrhau bod creu banc cymunedol yn integreiddio â sefydliadau ariannol presennol, gan gynnwys y banc datblygu, ac undebau credyd wrth gwrs. Gobeithio y bydd hyn yn mynd beth o'r ffordd tuag at gefnogi cymunedau sy'n gynhwysol yn ariannol.

15:00

Minister, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, like many other communities in Wales, has suffered bank closures in recent years, such as the Barclays bank branch in Aberfan and Lloyds bank in Rhymney. This has made the availability of cash machines even more important to enable people to access their cash. However, a report in the magazine Which? found that free-to-use cash machines were disappearing at a rapid rate, with nearly 1,700 machines across the United Kingdom starting to charge for withdrawals in the first three months of this year. Minister, do you agree that charging for cash withdrawals will have an adverse effect on financial inclusion and will you make representations to those companies that provide cash machines, stressing the importance of free transactions to communities such as Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney?

Weinidog, mae Merthyr Tudful a Rhymni, fel llawer o gymunedau eraill yng Nghymru, wedi dioddef yn sgil cau banciau yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf, banciau megis cangen Barclays yn Aberfan a banc Lloyds yn Rhymni. Mae hyn wedi ei gwneud yn bwysicach fyth fod peiriannau arian parod ar gael i alluogi pobl i gael eu harian. Fodd bynnag, canfu adroddiad yn y cylchgrawn Which? fod peiriannau arian am ddim yn diflannu ar raddfa gyflym, gyda bron 1,700 o beiriannau ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig yn dechrau codi tâl am godi arian yn ystod tri mis cyntaf eleni. Weinidog, a ydych yn cytuno y bydd codi tâl am godi arian yn cael effaith andwyol ar gynhwysiant ariannol ac a wnewch chi gyflwyno sylwadau i'r cwmnïau sy'n darparu peiriannau arian, gan bwysleisio pwysigrwydd trafodion am ddim i gymunedau megis Merthyr Tudful a Rhymni?

The Welsh Government continues to work with Link, the cash machine network, to help ensure that there is adequate provision of free-to-use cash machines maintained locally and a regular network across communities across Wales. As I said to the Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, it is that Member over there's Government that could take action to regulate banks to prevent communities from suffering in this way as well.

Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn parhau i weithio gyda Link, y rhwydwaith peiriannau arian parod, i helpu i sicrhau bod darpariaeth ddigonol o beiriannau arian am ddim yn cael eu cynnal yn lleol a rhwydwaith rheolaidd ar draws cymunedau ledled Cymru. Fel y dywedais wrth yr Aelod dros Ferthyr Tudful a Rhymni, gallai Llywodraeth yr Aelod yn y fan acw gymryd camau i reoleiddio banciau i atal cymunedau rhag dioddef yn y modd hwn hefyd.

Tynnwyd cwestiwn 9 [OAQ53847] yn ôl. Cwestiwn 10, Leanne Wood.

Question 9 [OAQ53847] is withdrawn. Question 10, Leanne Wood.

Cyllid Llywodraeth Leol
Local Government Funding

10. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am gyllid ar gyfer llywodraeth leol? OAQ53853

10. Will the Minister make a statement on funding for local government? OAQ53853

Certainly. Local government services are funded through the revenue support grant, non-domestic rates, council tax, specific grants from Welsh and UK Governments and authorities' own income, including fees and charges. In 2019-20, the local government settlement provides £4.2 billion of general funding, with a further £900 million in specific grants.

Yn sicr. Caiff gwasanaethau llywodraeth leol eu hariannu drwy'r grant cynnal refeniw, ardrethi annomestig, y dreth gyngor, grantiau penodol gan Lywodraeth Cymru a Llywodraeth y DU ac incwm yr awdurdodau eu hunain, gan gynnwys ffioedd a thaliadau. Yn 2019-20, mae'r setliad llywodraeth leol yn darparu £4.2 biliwn o gyllid cyffredinol, gyda £900 miliwn arall mewn grantiau penodol.

Recently, there have been pockets of anti-social behaviour incidents in my constituency. Ystradfechan cricket field in Treorchy is the scene of large gatherings of youths, which have escalated in seriousness in recent times. Drug paraphernalia and smashed alcohol bottles are frequent sights at this beautiful park in the aftermath of these gatherings. Furthermore, the threat of large-scale disturbance involving young people from the Rhondda, the Cynon Valley and Pontypridd was, thankfully, averted due to proactive policing in Pontypridd town centre over the last couple of weeks.

Local authorities have a vital role to play in tackling anti-social behaviour at source with their responsibility for youth services. Now, in England, a link has been established between areas with the biggest cut to youth services and the sharpest increase in knife crime. Now, I value youth services. I personally benefited from them, as did my friends. In Rhondda Cynon Taf, youth services have been hollowed out as a result of cuts, because the Labour administration simply hasn't prioritised youth services. And the result is that young people are left with very little to do and now we're seeing the fruits of that. So, what value does your Government place on youth services? And, if you agree with me that youth services are vital, will that be reflected in the next local government settlement, and would you also consider issuing guidance to local authority leaders on this matter?

Yn ddiweddar, cafwyd pocedi o achosion o ymddygiad gwrthgymdeithasol yn fy etholaeth. Mae criwiau mawr o bobl ifanc yn tueddu i hel at ei gilydd ar faes criced Ystradfechan yn Nhreorci, gan arwain at ddigwyddiadau cynyddol ddifrifol yn ddiweddar. Mae'r criwiau hyn yn aml yn gadael taclau cyffuriau a photeli alcohol wedi torri ar eu holau yn y parc hardd hwn. At hynny, llwyddwyd i wrthsefyll y bygythiad o aflonyddwch ar raddfa fawr gan bobl ifanc o'r Rhondda, Cwm Cynon a Phontypridd, diolch byth, yn sgil plismona rhagweithiol yng nghanol tref Pontypridd yn ystod yr ychydig wythnosau diwethaf.

Mae gan awdurdodau lleol rôl hanfodol i'w chwarae yn mynd i'r afael ag ymddygiad gwrthgymdeithasol yn y gwraidd gyda'u cyfrifoldeb am wasanaethau ieuenctid. Nawr, yn Lloegr, gwelwyd bod cysylltiad rhwng yr ardaloedd sy'n wynebu'r toriad mwyaf i wasanaethau ieuenctid a'r cynnydd mwyaf mewn troseddau cyllyll. Nawr, rwy'n gweld gwerth gwasanaethau ieuenctid. Fe elwais arnynt yn bersonol, fel y gwnaeth fy ffrindiau. Yn Rhondda Cynon Taf, mae gwasanaethau ieuenctid wedi cael eu gwasgu'n ddim o ganlyniad i doriadau, gan nad yw'r weinyddiaeth Lafur wedi blaenoriaethu gwasanaethau ieuenctid. A'r canlyniad yw bod pobl ifanc heb fawr ddim i'w wneud a gwelwn ganlyniadau hynny yn awr. Felly, pa werth y mae eich Llywodraeth yn ei roi ar wasanaethau ieuenctid? Ac os cytunwch â mi fod gwasanaethau ieuenctid yn hanfodol, a gaiff hynny ei adlewyrchu yn y setliad llywodraeth leol nesaf, ac a fyddech hefyd yn ystyried cyhoeddi canllawiau i arweinwyr awdurdodau lleol ar y mater hwn?

Youth services are not actually in my portfolio, but I'm familiar with—

Nid yw gwasanaethau ieuenctid yn fy mhortffolio i mewn gwirionedd, ond rwy'n gyfarwydd â—

Youth services. But I'm familiar with the issues the Member raises. I too regret the decimation of the youth services across Wales as austerity bites across all local authorities. The First Minister, in his programme for government, has announced a welcome boost to youth services across Wales, because we recognise the preventative effect that youth services can have, which the Member ably outlined in her question, and I agree with her entirely, I too benefited from youth services as I grew up. We do have a youth engagement programme still in place in all local authorities in Wales in order to help those most vulnerable in our society, but she's right that a more general youth service also assists across the piece with all kinds of issues around being a youngster before you're old enough to go to establishments that are licensed and so on and what on earth do you do between the ages of 12 and 18. So, I'm very familiar with the issues that she raises.

The First Minister has been very keen to emphasise that we want to put back the heart into youth services in Wales, and we are having discussions with local authorities and the youth service itself and our youth workers across Wales about what the best way to do that is, and I'm sure that—. I think it's the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, is it—I'm not sure, actually, but I'll find out—who is looking at that. I did have that in my portfolio one portfolio ago, so I'm very keen to find that out. It is a constructive conversation we're having with local authorities, who also see that those preventative services prevent the acute and of the chain happening in the first place.

Gwasanaethau ieuenctid. Ond rwy'n gyfarwydd â'r materion y mae'r Aelod yn eu codi. Rwyf fi hefyd yn gresynu at ddirywiad y gwasanaethau ieuenctid ar draws Cymru wrth i gyni adael ei ôl ar bob awdurdod lleol. Mae'r Prif Weinidog, yn ei raglen lywodraethu, wedi cyhoeddi ei fod am roi hwb i wasanaethau ieuenctid ledled Cymru, ac mae hynny i'w groesawu, gan ein bod yn cydnabod yr effaith ataliol y gall gwasanaethau ieuenctid ei chael, rhywbeth a amlinellwyd yn fedrus gan yr Aelod yn ei chwestiwn, a chytunaf yn llwyr â hi, fe elwais innau hefyd ar wasanaethau ieuenctid wrth i mi dyfu. Mae gennym raglen ymgysylltu â phobl ifanc ar waith o hyd yn yr holl awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru er mwyn helpu'r rhai sy'n fwyaf agored i niwed yn ein cymdeithas, ond mae hi'n gywir fod gwasanaeth ieuenctid mwy cyffredinol hefyd yn cynorthwyo ar draws y maes gyda phob math o bethau'n ymwneud â bod yn berson ifanc cyn i chi fod yn ddigon hen i fynd i sefydliadau wedi'u trwyddedu ac yn y blaen a beth ar y ddaear fydd rhywun yn ei wneud rhwng 12 a 18 oed. Felly, rwy'n gyfarwydd iawn â'r problemau y mae'n eu nodi.

Mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi bod yn awyddus iawn i bwysleisio ein bod am roi'r galon yn ôl i mewn yn y gwasanaethau ieuenctid yng Nghymru, ac rydym yn cynnal trafodaethau gydag awdurdodau lleol a'r gwasanaeth ieuenctid ei hun a'n gweithwyr ieuenctid ledled Cymru ynglŷn â'r ffordd orau o wneud hynny, ac rwy'n siŵr fod—. Credaf mai'r Dirprwy Weinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ydyw—nid wyf yn siŵr a dweud y gwir, ond fe ofynnaf—sy'n ystyried hynny. Roedd hynny gennyf yn fy mhortffolio diwethaf, felly rwy'n awyddus iawn i wybod. Rydym yn cael sgwrs adeiladol gydag awdurdodau lleol, sydd hefyd yn gweld bod y gwasanaethau ataliol hyn yn atal achosion acíwt a'r gadwyn rhag digwydd yn y lle cyntaf.

15:05
Diwygio Lesddeiliadaeth
Leasehold Reform

11. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am gynnydd grŵp gorchwyl a gorffen gweinidogol Llywodraeth Cymru ar ddiwygio lesddeiliadaeth? OAQ53869

11. Will the Minister make a statement on the progress of the Welsh Government's ministerial task-and-finish group on leasehold reform? OAQ53869

Yes, the independent task and finish group is on schedule to deliver its report and make recommendations to me this summer. It has prioritised a number of issues that will complement the work of the Law Commission and the unadopted roads taskforce.

Gwnaf, mae'r grŵp gorchwyl a gorffen annibynnol ar amser i gyflwyno ei adroddiad a gwneud argymhellion i mi yr haf hwn. Mae wedi rhoi blaenoriaeth i nifer o faterion a fydd yn ategu gwaith Comisiwn y Gyfraith a'r tasglu ffyrdd sydd heb eu mabwysiadu.

I recently met with the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru, who are feeding into the task and finish group, together with residents of Cwm Calon estate in Penallta, Ystrad Mynach, in Caerphilly constituency. There are still a number of unresolved issues relating to the escalating estate management charges that residents are expected to pay, and I know that that is a specific area of responsibility for the task and finish group. Residents in Cwm Calon—and there are many other housing estates across Wales with these problems; Members across the Chamber will know that they have the same issues in their constituencies—want the Welsh Government to take action. Can, Minister, you tell me when precisely will the task and finish group report and can you also give the guarantee that estate management charges will be dealt with?

Yn ddiweddar, cyfarfûm â Sefydliad Tai Siartredig Cymru, sy'n cyfrannu at y grŵp gorchwyl a gorffen, ynghyd â thrigolion ystâd Cwm Calon ym Mhenallta, Ystrad Mynach, yn etholaeth Caerffili. Mae nifer o faterion yn dal heb eu datrys mewn perthynas â'r taliadau rheoli ystâd cynyddol y disgwylir i drigolion eu talu, a gwn fod hwnnw'n faes cyfrifoldeb penodol i'r grŵp gorchwyl a gorffen. Mae trigolion Cwm Calon—ac mae llawer o ystadau tai eraill ledled Cymru yn wynebu'r problemau hyn; bydd Aelodau ar draws y Siambr yn gwybod bod ganddynt yr un problemau yn eu hetholaethau hwy—am i Lywodraeth Cymru weithredu. Weinidog, a allwch ddweud wrthyf pa bryd yn union y bydd y grŵp gorchwyl a gorffen yn adrodd ac a allwch hefyd roi sicrwydd y bydd taliadau rheoli ystadau'n cael sylw?

I can't tell him precisely when, because I don't have that information in front of me, but I know it's before the end of the summer term of the Assembly. If I have more specific information, then I will certainly let the Member know. It is a specific task of that task and finish group to look at those specific issues, and, actually, my colleague Ken Skates has also had a group looking at unadopted roads, and we've combined the two in order to make a joint statement on the overall effect, because it's not just a transport issue, as you rightly say; this is an estate management issue, it's an issue for housing developments coming forward, it's an issue about the way that we manage residential developments and so on. So, the taskforce is indeed looking at that, as we are well aware of the concerns of his residents and residents across Wales who find themselves with management fees when they thought they'd bought a freehold property and so on. So, I assure him it's very much front and centre of what we're looking at.

We are looking at a wider piece on leasehold reform as well. My predecessor in this portfolio, Rebecca Evans, established a specific sub-group to look at this and also secured an agreement from all of the major Help to Buy builders that they would not use Help to Buy to put leasehold properties on the market, and that's been very effective. But there are these other bits of the estate that we need to tie up in an appropriate fashion to ensure that people don't have a whole system of fees that they did not anticipate and that they have no control over going forward, and actually to ensure that the local authority has the ability to adopt and maintain those roads in the right fashion with the right kind of street marking and facilities and so on, and we don't have abrupt changes of a surface and all that sort of stuff as you go into the estate.

Ni allaf ddweud wrtho'n union pryd, oherwydd nid yw'r wybodaeth honno gennyf wrth law, ond gwn ei fod cyn diwedd tymor yr haf. Os caf wybodaeth fwy penodol, byddaf yn sicr o roi gwybod i'r Aelod. Tasg benodol y grŵp gorchwyl a gorffen yw edrych ar y problemau penodol, ac mewn gwirionedd, mae fy nghyd-Aelod, Ken Skates, wedi bod â grŵp yn edrych ar ffyrdd sydd heb eu mabwysiadu, ac rydym wedi cyfuno'r ddau er mwyn gwneud datganiad ar y cyd ar yr effaith gyffredinol, oherwydd nid mater trafnidiaeth yn unig ydyw, fel rydych yn gywir i ddweud; mater sy'n ymwneud â rheoli ystadau yw hwn, mae'n fater i ddatblygiadau tai sy'n cael eu cyflwyno, mae'n fater sy'n ymwneud â'r ffordd y rheolwn ddatblygiadau preswyl ac yn y blaen. Felly, mae'r tasglu yn edrych ar hynny, gan ein bod yn ymwybodol iawn o bryderon ei drigolion a thrigolion ar draws Cymru sy'n wynebu ffioedd rheoli pan oeddent yn credu eu bod wedi prynu eiddo rhydd-ddaliadol ac yn y blaen. Felly, rwy'n ei sicrhau ei fod yn fater sy'n ganolog i'n hystyriaethau.

Rydym yn edrych ar ddiwygio lesddaliadau'n ehangach hefyd. Fe wnaeth fy rhagflaenydd yn y portffolio hwn, Rebecca Evans, sefydlu is-grŵp penodol i edrych ar hyn a sicrhaodd gytundeb gan bob un o'r prif adeiladwyr Cymorth i Brynu na fyddent yn defnyddio Cymorth i Brynu i roi eiddo ar brydles ar y farchnad, ac mae hynny wedi bod yn effeithiol iawn. Ond mae'r rhannau eraill hyn o'r ystâd y mae angen inni roi sylw priodol iddynt er mwyn sicrhau nad oes gan bobl system gyfan o ffioedd nad oeddent wedi'i rhagweld ac nad oes ganddynt unrhyw reolaeth drosti wrth symud ymlaen, a sicrhau mewn gwirionedd fod yr awdurdod lleol yn meddu ar y gallu i fabwysiadu a chynnal y ffyrdd hyn yn y ffordd iawn gyda'r mathau cywir o farciau stryd a chyfleusterau ac yn y blaen, ac fel nad ydym yn gweld newid sydyn yn arwyneb y ffordd a'r mathau hynny o bethau wrth i chi fynd i mewn i'r ystâd.

3. Cwestiynau Amserol
3. Topical Questions

Yr eitem nesaf, felly, yw'r cwestiynau amserol. Mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf i'w ofyn gan David Rees.

The next item, therefore, is the topical questions. The first topical question is from David Rees.

Tata Steel a Thyssenkrupp
Tata Steel and Thyssenkrupp

1. Pa asesiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud o'r cyhoeddiad nad yw'r Comisiwn Ewropeaidd yn debygol o gymeradwyo'r fenter ar y cyd rhwng Tata Steel Cyf a ThyssenKrupp AG, ac felly bydd unrhyw broses bellach ar y cyd-fenter yn cael ei hatal? 310

1. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the announcement that the joint venture between Tata Steel Ltd and Thyssenkrupp AG is likely not to be approved by the European Commission and thus any further process on the joint venture will be suspended? 310

Can I thank the Member for his question and assure him that I've spoken with Tata Steel and with trade union representatives, along with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy? It's too early at this stage to say what this might mean for Tata Steel in Wales, but of course, Llywydd, this Welsh Government stands ready to secure a sustainable future for iron and steel production in Wales that protects employment and steel communities.

A gaf fi ddiolch i'r Aelod am ei gwestiwn a'i sicrhau fy mod wedi siarad gyda Tata Steel a chyda chynrychiolwyr undebau llafur, ynghyd â'r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol dros Fusnes, Ynni a Strategaeth Ddiwydiannol? Mae'n rhy gynnar ar hyn o bryd i ddweud beth y gallai hyn ei olygu i Tata Steel yng Nghymru, ond wrth gwrs, Lywydd, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn barod i sicrhau dyfodol cynaliadwy ar gyfer cynhyrchu haearn a dur yng Nghymru sy'n diogelu cyflogaeth a chymunedau dur.

15:10

Can I thank the Minister for that answer and the commitment he's given to supporting the steel industry here in Wales? Now, many will remember that, in 2016, the beginning of it, we saw the threat of closures of Port Talbot works. Following the decision by Tata then not to close it, in the commitment to seek a joint venture or merger with ThyssenKrupp, indicating it would be that offer that would give steel making a strong future, the trade unions accepted that—maybe reluctantly, but they accepted it—and that was reinforced this week by the Tata Steel European Works Council in the 10 May statement, saying that they supported that path. Now, that's gone, and I agree with your statement yesterday, and I thank you for that statement. It's a worrying time; there's no question about that. Grey clouds are once again on the horizon over Port Talbot, with the fear that they're moving in our direction. I think it's time to have cool heads, as you pointed out. It's not time yet—take time; cool heads. We must look and set out our own visions for ensuring that Wales has a sustainable steel sector.

I also agree that UK Government has a critical role to play in this, and you highlighted those points, whether it's a steel sector deal they need to get on with, or whether it's the attack on high energy costs, which we've been calling for for many years so that we can strengthen the financial position of companies in steel. That's one agenda. But I want to ask: what are the intentions of the Welsh Government to support the sector? You've done a fantastic job to date. I can't dispute the support this Government has given, both in this Assembly and the previous Assembly, to the steel industry, but we now need to see where we're going. I haven't seen a specific Welsh steel strategy, so can I ask whether you will be publishing a specific Welsh steel strategy for the future? 

Can I also say that steel is being supported by increasing income? You know, we talk about costs—lowering costs—but we can also talk about increasing income. One of the ways of increasing income is improving investment through CAPL galvanising lines in Port Talbot, for example, so the higher end products become more expensive and you get more money in as a consequence. So, the question I'm asking is: are you looking at future investment into the sector? Are you going to look at greater use of research and development? Are you going to be innovative and creative in your approach to supporting environmental projects? Because we've often argued that it's state-aid rules, but there are ways around state-aid rules so that you can help companies—environment and R&D being two of those ways. Now, both of those, actually, will help not just the industry but actually help constituents in my town on a wider basis as well. So, again, will you look at that and can you tell us what your plans are for that type of approach?

Can you also—? We've had people call for a summit from the First Minister. Well, to be honest, steelworkers and their families in my constituency don't want more talk. They want positive action that will remove the uncertainty they are now facing. That's definitely returned. We know it's there. We are fearful that it's there. We want a commitment from the Welsh Government of that continued support, and I want to ensure that, actually, perhaps that can be reinforced by somebody going to Mumbai to talk to the Tata board in India to reinforce the commitment this Welsh Government gives to the steel industry here in Wales.

A gaf fi ddiolch i'r Gweinidog am yr ateb hwnnw a'r ymrwymiad y mae wedi'i roi i gefnogi'r diwydiant dur yng Nghymru? Nawr, yn 2016 ar ddechrau hyn, bydd llawer yn cofio inni weld y bygythiad i gau gwaith Port Talbot. Yn dilyn y penderfyniad gan Tata wedyn i beidio â'i gau, yn yr ymrwymiad i geisio cael cyd-fenter neu uno â ThyssenKrupp, gan nodi mai'r cynnig hwnnw a fyddai'n rhoi dyfodol cryf i gynhyrchiant dur, derbyniodd yr undebau llafur hynny—yn gyndyn efallai, ond fe wnaethant ei dderbyn—a chafodd hynny ei atgyfnerthu yr wythnos hon gan gyngor gwaith Ewropeaidd Tata Steel yn y datganiad ar 10 Mai, a ddywedai eu bod yn cefnogi'r llwybr hwnnw. Nawr, mae hynny wedi mynd, ac rwy'n cytuno â'ch datganiad ddoe, a diolch i chi am y datganiad hwnnw. Mae'n amser pryderus; nid oes amheuaeth am hynny. Mae cymylau llwyd unwaith eto ar y gorwel dros Bort Talbot, gyda'r ofn eu bod yn symud i'n cyfeiriad ni. Rwy'n meddwl ei bod yn bryd cael pennau clir, fel y nodoch chi. Nid yw'n bryd eto—cymerwch amser; pwyll pia hi. Rhaid inni osod ein gweledigaethau ein hunain ar gyfer sicrhau bod gan Gymru sector dur cynaliadwy.

Cytunaf hefyd fod gan Lywodraeth y DU ran hanfodol i'w chwarae yn hyn, ac fe dynnoch chi sylw at y pwyntiau hynny, pa un a fyddant yn bwrw ymlaen â bargen ar gyfer y sector dur, neu eu bod yn ymosod ar gostau ynni uchel, rhywbeth y buom yn galw amdano ers blynyddoedd lawer er mwyn inni allu mynd i'r afael â sefyllfa ariannol cwmnïau yn y sector dur. Dyna un agenda. Ond rwyf am ofyn: beth yw bwriadau Llywodraeth Cymru i gefnogi'r sector? Rydych wedi gwneud gwaith gwych hyd yn hyn. Ni allaf wadu'r gefnogaeth y mae'r Llywodraeth hon wedi'i rhoi, yn y Cynulliad hwn ac yn y Cynulliad blaenorol, i'r diwydiant dur, ond mae angen yn awr inni weld i ble'r ydym yn mynd. Nid wyf wedi gweld strategaeth ddur benodol i Gymru, felly a gaf fi ofyn a fyddwch yn cyhoeddi strategaeth ddur benodol i Gymru ar gyfer y dyfodol?

A gaf fi ddweud hefyd fod dur yn cael ei gefnogi gan incwm cynyddol? Wyddoch chi, rydym yn sôn am gostau—gostwng costau—ond gallwn sôn hefyd am gynyddu incwm. Un o'r ffyrdd o gynyddu'r incwm yw gwella buddsoddiad drwy galfaneiddio llinellau CAPL ym Mhort Talbot, er enghraifft, fel bod y cynhyrchion pen uchaf yn mynd yn ddrutach a'ch bod yn cael mwy o arian i mewn o ganlyniad i hynny. Felly, y cwestiwn rwy'n ei ofyn yw: a ydych chi'n edrych ar fuddsoddi yn y sector yn y dyfodol? A ydych yn mynd i edrych ar fwy o ddefnydd o ymchwil a datblygu? A ydych chi'n mynd i fod yn arloesol ac yn greadigol yn eich dull o gefnogi prosiectau amgylcheddol? Oherwydd rydym wedi dadlau'n aml mai rheolau'n ymwneud â chymorth gwladwriaethol ydyw, ond mae ffyrdd o amgylch rheolau cymorth gwladwriaethol er mwyn i chi allu helpu cwmnïau—gyda'r amgylchedd ac ymchwil a datblygu yn ddwy o'r ffyrdd hynny. Nawr, bydd y ddau beth, mewn gwirionedd, yn helpu nid yn unig y diwydiant ond hefyd yn helpu etholwyr yn fy nhref ar sail ehangach. Felly, unwaith eto, a wnewch chi edrych ar hynny ac a allwch ddweud wrthym beth yw eich cynlluniau ar gyfer dull gweithredu o'r fath?

A allwch chi hefyd—? Rydym wedi cael pobl yn galw am uwchgynhadledd gan y Prif Weinidog. Wel, a dweud y gwir, nid yw gweithwyr dur a'u teuluoedd yn fy etholaeth i eisiau mwy o siarad. Maent am weld gweithredu cadarnhaol a fydd yn cael gwared ar yr ansicrwydd y maent yn ei wynebu yn awr. Mae hwnnw'n bendant wedi dychwelyd. Rydym yn gwybod ei fod yno. Rydym yn ofni ei fod yno. Mae arnom eisiau ymrwymiad gan Lywodraeth Cymru ynglŷn â'r gefnogaeth barhaus honno, ac rwyf am sicrhau, mewn gwirionedd, y gellir atgyfnerthu hynny drwy gael rhywun i fynd i Mumbai i siarad â bwrdd Tata yn India er mwyn atgyfnerthu'r ymrwymiad y mae'r Llywodraeth hon yn ei roi i'r diwydiant dur yma yng Nghymru.

Can I thank Dai Rees for his question and, as always, the passion with which he speaks for Welsh steel and iron facilities across the country? I'm going to touch on a number of really important points that he has raised, including investment by Welsh Government and the role of UK Government, but, first, can I say that, in terms of any grey clouds on the horizon, we are in a different place to that which we occupied in 2016? We are not back to the same position as in 2016, and that's largely as a consequence of the investment that Welsh Government immediately offered to Tata, some of which Tata has drawn down and much of which Tata has matched with investment, to ensure that primarily the Port Talbot operation is more efficient and sustainable. In turn, I think it's absolutely essential that no rushed decisions are made, and this was something that I pressed upon Tor Farquhar when I spoke with him on Friday. It was a message that clearly came from the European Works Council as well, on Friday. It's my intention to travel to the Netherlands to speak with executives to ensure the message that no rushed decisions are made and also that the steel footprint of Europe is secured and not dismantled, as far as Tata is concerned.

I'm going to move on to touch on the role of UK Government. Dai Rees rightly raised the important need of a sector deal for steel. This is a matter that I raised with Greg Clark when I spoke with him on Monday. Clearly, a sector deal is needed that can lead to significant investment in the sector. It requires UK Government funding, and it also requires funding from the sector itself. I am hopeful that we can, working together, ensure that a sector deal is delivered. But, that won't be enough in its own right. There are clear and immediate challenges concerning energy prices that need to be addressed by the UK Government. While I welcome the announcement in the 2018 budget of an industrial energy transformation fund, that in itself will not deal with the volatility within the energy markets, nor will it deal with the disproportionately high prices that energy-intensive companies in the UK have to shoulder. Therefore, the UK Government must do more on this vitally important matter.

In terms of the support that we have given and will continue to give, I can assure the Member that we stand ready to help in any and every way, just as we said that we would back in 2016. We have offered £21 million to date to Tata, covering a range of functions and modernisation programmes, including skills training and, importantly, research in development, which the Member pointed to. The strategy, going forward, for steel is encompassed within the economic action plan. We wish to support the industries of tomorrow by ensuring that they are decarbonised, that there is heavier investment in research and development, and a stronger focus on export opportunities. Through the prism of the economic contract and the calls to action, we will ensure that those industries of tomorrow are modernised and competitive. But to do so with maximum effect, we need to ensure that businesses themselves are willing to invest. That's why my message to Tata will clearly be: continue the investment—not just in Port Talbot, where it is vitally needed, but across the entire estate in Wales and, indeed, in England.

A gaf fi ddiolch i Dai Rees am ei gwestiwn ac fel arfer, am ei angerdd yn siarad dros weithfeydd dur a haearn Cymru ledled y wlad? Rwy'n mynd i sôn am nifer o bwyntiau pwysig iawn y mae wedi'u codi, gan gynnwys buddsoddiad gan Lywodraeth Cymru a rôl Llywodraeth y DU, ond yn gyntaf, o ran unrhyw gymylau llwyd ar y gorwel, a gaf fi ddweud ein bod mewn lle gwahanol i'r hyn roeddem ynddo yn 2016? Nid ydym yn ôl yn yr un sefyllfa ag yn 2016, ac mae hynny i raddau helaeth o ganlyniad i'r buddsoddiad a gynigiodd Llywodraeth Cymru i Tata yn syth, ac mae Tata wedi defnyddio peth ohono ac wedi darparu buddsoddiad cyfatebol gan Tata, i sicrhau bod y gwaith ym Mhort Talbot, yn bennaf, yn fwy effeithlon a chynaliadwy. Credaf ei bod yn gwbl hanfodol na wneir unrhyw benderfyniadau brysiog, ac roedd hyn yn rhywbeth a bwysleisiais wrth Tor Farquhar pan siaradais ag ef ddydd Gwener. Roedd yn amlwg yn neges a ddaeth oddi wrth y cyngor gwaith Ewropeaidd hefyd, ddydd Gwener. Fy mwriad yw teithio i'r Iseldiroedd i siarad â swyddogion gweithredol i gadarnhau'r neges na wneir unrhyw benderfyniadau brysiog a hefyd fod ôl troed dur Ewrop yn ddiogel ac na chaiff ei ddileu, o ran Tata.

Rwy'n mynd i symud ymlaen i grybwyll rôl Llywodraeth y DU. Roedd Dai Rees yn iawn i nodi'r angen pwysig am fargen sector ar gyfer dur. Dyma fater a godais gyda Greg Clark pan siaradais ag ef ddydd Llun. Yn amlwg, mae angen bargen sector a all arwain at fuddsoddiad sylweddol yn y sector. Mae'n galw am gyllid gan Lywodraeth y DU, ac mae hefyd yn galw am gyllid gan y sector ei hun. Drwy weithio gyda'n gilydd, rwy'n gobeithio y gallwn sicrhau bod cytundeb sector yn cael ei ddarparu. Ond ni fydd hynny'n ddigon ynddo'i hun. Ceir heriau clir ac uniongyrchol mewn perthynas â phrisiau ynni ac mae angen i Lywodraeth y DU fynd i'r afael â hwy. Er fy mod yn croesawu'r cyhoeddiad yng nghyllideb 2018 ynglŷn â chronfa drawsnewid ar gyfer ynni diwydiannol, ni fydd hynny ynddo'i hun yn datrys yr anwadalrwydd o fewn y marchnadoedd ynni, ac ni fydd ychwaith yn cael gwared ar y prisiau anghymesur o uchel y mae cwmnïau ynni-ddwys yng y DU yn gorfod eu talu. Felly, rhaid i Lywodraeth y DU wneud mwy ar y mater hollbwysig hwn.

O ran y gefnogaeth a roesom ac y byddwn yn parhau i'w rhoi, gallaf sicrhau'r Aelod ein bod yn barod i helpu mewn unrhyw ffordd, yn union fel y dywedasom y byddem yn ei wneud yn ôl yn 2016. Rydym wedi cynnig £21 miliwn hyd yma i Tata, ar gyfer amrywiaeth o weithredoedd a rhaglenni moderneiddio, gan gynnwys hyfforddiant sgiliau ac yn bwysig, ymchwil ar gyfer datblygu, fel y nododd yr Aelod. Wrth symud ymlaen, mae'r strategaeth ar gyfer dur wedi'i chynnwys yn y cynllun gweithredu economaidd. Rydym am gefnogi diwydiannau yfory drwy sicrhau eu bod yn cael eu datgarboneiddio, fod buddsoddiad trymach mewn ymchwil a datblygu, a ffocws cryfach ar gyfleoedd allforio. Drwy brism y contract economaidd a'r galwadau i weithredu, byddwn yn sicrhau bod diwydiannau'r dyfodol yn rhai modern a chystadleuol. Ond er mwyn gwneud hynny yn y ffordd fwyaf effeithiol, mae angen i ni sicrhau bod y busnesau eu hunain yn barod i fuddsoddi. Dyna pam mai fy neges glir i Tata yw: parhewch â'r buddsoddiad—nid ym Mhort Talbot yn unig, lle mae ei angen yn ddirfawr, ond ar draws yr ystâd gyfan yng Nghymru, ac yn Lloegr yn wir.

15:15

Can I just say thank you for reassuring us that we're not back in the same position that we were in in 2016? I think the investment in the blast furnace and, actually, the company's interest in producing more of its own energy are a good sign that that's actually the case. I just had a couple of questions, because my colleague Russell has some as well. I suppose I'd like to repeat some of the questions that I asked when the merger or the joint venture was looking as if it was very probable. One of the things that I asked at the time then was: what's likely to be happening with R&D? I think you might have answered that in response to David Rees. At the time—I think it was in response to an emergency question or a topical question from Helen Mary—you said that you would be circulating a note of the conditionality of the terms that have been offered to Tata already. At the time, we were asking, 'Well, will they apply to a merged venture?' But, I don't think we've had that note yet, and I think that it would be useful, not least because it will stop us asking this same question over and over.

On the principle that I'm asking the same questions that I would have asked if there had been a merger, you did say at the time that you were hoping that the employment pact would be extended to 2026 with the joint venture. If that doesn't happen, would you still be seeking that extension from Tata as it is—on the same terms, probably? You also mentioned the competitiveness of Welsh steel—that what we're looking for is something that's efficient and productive. I suppose that what I'm asking is, is there a plan B here? Say this merger doesn't go ahead, I think that what I'm seeking is that there has been some sort of reassurance about what would happen if it doesn't go ahead, in the sense of, are there any escrow agreements drawn up about an extension to an employability pact? Was there anything else that was done in draft, if you like, so that, should the merger not go ahead, we weren't immediately just thrown back into a position where we were all asking, 'What next?' Now, I appreciate that it is a bit too early to be asking that question, but I would have liked to be certain that there was a back-up plan. I suppose that's what I'm asking. I think that that's all I want to ask at this moment. I will be listening to what other Members say as well—particularly, I suspect that Trostre might come up in other people's questions as well.