Meetings

Members noted the paper. 

The Committee considered the petition and welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement on 5 December of additional investment for the canal, providing certainty for those involved for the next five years. Members reflected on the value of their recent visit and the Senedd debate. The Committee congratulated the petitioners on a successful campaign to secure the future of the canal, and the Chair noted the campaigners’ thanks to Members for their support on this issue. The Committee agreed to now close the petition, but in doing so to seek written confirmation from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs on the long-term future of the canal. They noted the current £400k allocation is interim and limited to one Senedd term, but that the Task and Finish Group would be looking at that longer-term issue. The Deputy First Minister’s response would be noted by the Committee at a future meeting, and local Members would be available should there be further issues the campaigners needed to bring to their attention.

The Committee considered the petition again following the plenary debate held in July, noting that campaigners were present in the gallery for the discussion. The Chair noted that the Task and Finish Group meeting had been postponed, as the Deputy First Minister had strong reasons for being unable to attend and wished to Chair the group’s first meeting. Members agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary to request clarification on when the group is expected to meet and would keep the petition open.

NDM8950 Carolyn Thomas (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the petition ‘P-06-1525 Preserve the unique character of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal for the future generations of Wales’ which received 14,016 signatures.

The item started at 15.54

NDM8950 Carolyn Thomas (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the petition ‘P-06-1525 Preserve the unique character of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal for the future generations of Wales’ which received 14,016 signatures.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Members noted the paper.

The Committee discussed the petition, which with additional paper signatures had gathered over 14,000 signatures, including more than 10,000 from Wales. The Committee agreed to request a debate on the petition. Members also agreed to undertake a visit to the canal in the next scheduled meeting slot on 2 June, subject to agreeing an itinerary with the petitioner and interested parties. The Chair had also informally indicated her support for a visit. A decision on further actions related to the petition was deferred until after that visit had taken place.